Two More Dublin Federal Correctional Officers Plead Guilty to Sexually Abusing Multiple Female Inmates

As part of its ongoing investigation into Bureau of Prisons (BOP) officials at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin, two more federal prison correctional officers were charged for sexually abusing multiple female inmates.

Nakie Nunley, 48, of Fairfield, California, and Andrew Jones, 35, of Pleasanton, California, were each charged by information with multiple counts of sexually abusing female inmates and then lying about the abuse to federal investigators. Both Nunley and Jones were employed as federal correctional officers at the time of the abuse. Both have agreed to plead guilty in written plea agreements, which were filed concurrently with the charging documents.

The sexual abuse charges and guilty pleas announced today are the result of the Department of Justices sustained commitment to rooting out sexual misconduct at the Bureau of Prisons, said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. As these guilty pleas reflect, we will continue to hold accountable correctional officers who abuse their positions of trust and fail to humanely care for those in their custody.

The FBI is unrelenting in its protection of the civil rights of all individuals, including those who are incarcerated, said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. No matter where these crimes occur, violence of any type destroys the safety and protection that every person deserves. We will continue to pursue investigations into any Bureau of Prisons official who abuses their position and assaults those in their care.

This offices ongoing investigation into the conditions at FCI Dublin has revealed significant wrongdoing by multiple correctional officers at that facility, said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California. The Department of Justice will not tolerate misconduct in the care of incarcerated persons. Correctional officers have an obligation to ensure the safety of incarcerated persons, and all Bureau of Prisons employees should view these latest two prosecutions as confirmation that the Department of Justice will do its part to ensure that those who stray from these obligations are held accountable.

Nunley and Jones are the seventh and eighth individuals charged with sexually abusing inmates at FCI Dublin. Five individuals, including the Warden and Chaplain, have been convicted of sexual abuse of inmates, said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz. The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG) is continuing to investigate these heinous allegations at FCI Dublin and is aggressively pursuing justice for victims of sexual abuse at the hands of rogue BOP employees.

Incarcerated individuals should be able to serve their sentences without fear of being sexually assaulted by correctional institution staff, said Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp of FBI San Francisco Field Office. Nakie Nunley and Andrew Jones abused their positions and will be held accountable. Protecting civil rights stands among the FBIs highest priorities, and we will continue to investigate such claims as they come to light.

Nunley was charged with engaging in sexual acts and sexual contacts with five women who were serving prison sentences at FCI Dublin at the time of the abuse. He was also charged with lying to federal investigators about the sexual abuse and writing sexually explicit notes with one of his victims. Jones was charged with engaging in sexual acts with three women who were serving prison sentences at FCI Dublin, as well as lying to federal investigators about sexually abusing one of these victims.

Nakie Nunley

Nunley was employed as a correctional officer at FCI Dublin where he supervised prisoners who worked in UNICOR, a trade name for the federal prison industries. All of Nunleys victims worked at the UNICOR call center at the time of his abuse. According to his plea agreement, Nunley admits that between March 2020 and November 2021, he engaged in sexual acts with two prisoners, including having oral and vaginal sex with one victim and digitally penetrating another victim on multiple occasions. He also admitted that he engaged in illegal sexual contacts with three other prisoners and that he lied to federal investigators about sexually abusing his victims and about sending one of his victims sexually explicit notes.

In addition to the five victims, Nunley also admitted in his plea agreement that he sexually abused two other prisoners who worked at UNICOR. Nunley admitted that he digitally penetrated one victims vagina and caused her to touch his penis under his pants, resulting in him ejaculating in her hand. Nunley admitted that he caused another victim to perform oral sex on him.

Nunley also admitted that he engaged in other inappropriate behavior. For example, Nunley agreed that he wrote sexual notes to one of his victims and made sexual comments to multiple victims. Moreover, when one of his victims approached him about his conduct towards another victim, Nunley threatened her by raising with her the potential that she could be transferred to another facility and that she could lose her job. Similarly, Nunley admitted that he told another victim that if she wanted to keep her job at UNICOR, she needed to pull down her underwear and bend over. When she complied, Nunley slapped her buttocks several times.

Andrew Jones

Jones was employed as a correctional officer at FCI Dublin where he supervised prisoners who worked in the Food Services Department. According to his plea agreement, between July 2020 and June 2021, Jones admitted that he received oral sex from, or had sexual intercourse with, three female prisoners who worked for him in the FCI Dublin kitchen. Jones admitted that he sexually abused these prisoners in multiple places near the FCI Dublin kitchen, including a staff bathroom, a warehouse, and a room where kitchen utensils were kept. In addition, like Nunley, Jones admitted in his plea agreement that he engaged in improper conduct in addition to the conduct for which he was charged in the Information. Specifically, Jones admitted that he also had sexual intercourse and received oral sex from an additional victim on multiple other occasions between July and December 2020, and that he had sexual intercourse with yet another victim multiple times between March and June 2021.

FCI Dublin Investigation

As part of the Justice Departments ongoing investigation into FCI Dublin, eight FCI Dublin correctional officers, including the former Warden, have been charged with crimes related to the sexual abuse of the female prisoners at the facility. In December 2022, former Warden Ray J. Garcia was convicted by a jury of sexually abusive conduct against three female victims and was sentenced to 70 months in prison for his crimes. To date, the tally of correctional officers charged with misconduct as part of the Justice Departments investigation are as follows:

NAME CASE NUMBER STATUS Warden Ray J. Garcia 4:21-cr-00429-YGR Convicted on all counts by jury on Dec. 8, 2022; sentenced to 70 months in prison CO John Bellhouse 4:22-cr-00066-YGR Convicted on all counts by jury on June 5; sentencing scheduled for Oct. 27 Chaplain James Highhouse 4:22-cr-00016-HSG Pleaded guilty on Feb. 24, 2022; sentenced to 84 months in prison CO Enrique Chavez 4:22-cr-00104-YGR Pleaded guilty on Oct. 27, 2022; sentenced to 20 months in prison CO Ross Klinger 4:22-cr-00031-YGR Pleaded guilty on Feb. 10, 2022; sentencing scheduled for Dec. 13 CO Darrel Smith (aka Dirty Dick Smith) 4:22-cr-00110-YGR Indicted on April 13; status conference scheduled for Aug. 3 CO Nakie Nunley 4:23-cr-00213-HSG Information and Plea Agreement filed on July 13 CO Andrew Jones 4:23-cr-00212-HSG Information and Plea Agreement filed on July 13

DOJ-OIG and the FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Priedeman and Andrew Paulson for the Northern District of California, with the assistance of Madeline Wachs, Sara Slattery, Christine Tian, Claudia Hyslop, Leeya Kekona, and Kay Konopaske, are prosecuting the case.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
China highlights contribution of development to enjoyment of all human rights

Xinhua) 10:42, July 15, 2023

GENEVA, July 14 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday urged the international community to attach greater importance to the contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights at the 53rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

Chen Xu, who heads the Chinese Mission to the UN here, called on all parties to overcome emerging issues with new methodologies during the implementation of the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" in the context of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his introductory statement on a draft resolution titled "The contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights", Chen stressed that development and human rights are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.

The resolution, which calls upon all states to promote sustainable development to enable better enjoyment of human rights, achieve gender equality and promote equality of opportunity for development, was later adopted by a vote of 30 in favor, 12 against and five abstentions.

"Peoples of all countries are placing high hopes on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the full enjoyment of all human rights by all, especially in the context of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic," Chen said.

"We hope that the draft resolution will help all countries in fully leveraging the contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights in their recovery process from the COVID-19 pandemic and adopting a people-centered approach in their efforts to address inequalities in the interests of high-quality, inclusive and equitable development," Chen said.

The 53rd session of the UNHRC concluded later on Friday.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 14)  The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines will begin accepting walk-in visa applications next month when it launches its new Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) on Aug. 14.

The KVAC will be located at the Brittany Hotel in the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. It will begin pilot operations from Aug. 14 to 25. During this time, only visa applicants with online reservations will be accommodated.

Walk-in visa applications at the KVAC will then start on Aug. 29 and on all succeeding working days.

"There will be no limit as to the number of visa applications accepted per day," the embassy said Thursday.

With this, the current online visa appointment will end on July 27 when the final online application slots for Aug. 1 to 25 are opened.

Once the KVAC begins its pilot launch, the South Korean Embassy will stop accepting visa applications, and releasing passports and visas.

Last month, South Korea's Ministry of Justice also began accepting e-Group visa applications for regular tourists.

READ: South Korea to accept e-Group visa applications for tourists starting June 27
A Trenton woman charged in a nighttime crash that killed a state Human Services police officer and hospitalized others and herself will spend 12 years in prison, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said Friday.

Michael Luko Sr., 53, of Mays Landing, was coming home from work on the White Horse Pike when his car was hit by another vehicle driven by Taquaysha Bell, 31, in Hammonton. Luko was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Mainland Campus in Galloway Township, where he was pronounced dead.

Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Dorothy Garrabrant sentenced Bell on Thursday to seven years for vehicular homicide and five years for assault by auto with serious bodily injury, the Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. The judge also suspended her driver's license for five years after she is released.

Bell pleaded guilty to the charges in late May.

Bell was westbound on the pike about 11 p.m. June 19, 2020, when, near Moss Mill Road, her 2010 Chevrolet Silverado crossed into the eastbound lanes, hitting Luko's 2003 Honda Civic. Bell and her rear passenger, Chanelle Morgan, were transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus in Atlantic City, where her blood was drawn for toxicology tests.

Trenton woman charged in fatal June 2020 Hammonton crash Taquaysha Bell, 29, was arrested Dec. 15 at her home by detectives of the Mercer County Pros

Morgan underwent surgery as well.

Two male passengers were also taken to the hospital, but neither required medical attention, according to past reports.

Bell was arrested in December 2021 at her home and turned over to Atlantic County and Hammonton law enforcement. She was released from custody.

Bell was ordered to return to jail last year, however, after she struck a bicyclist with her car in Trenton in August, leaving the scene and leading to fresh offenses.

The Prosecutor's Office did not provide an update on the Mercer County charges Friday.

Luko was also a former Egg Harbor City police officer, the Prosecutor's Office said.
Some South Jersey businesses are selling products with a purpose. Local shops are informing people and inspiring them to shop more intentionally from businesses pushing for positive change in their communities.
HAMMONTON  Thirty years ago, the menu at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival was a celebration of the towns deep Italian roots.

But over the past decade, the menu has changed alongside the towns demographics.

While the Mount Carmel Society continues to sell festival staples like meatballs, sausage and peppers, and roasted pork with broccoli rabe and provolone, a new group of Hispanic vendors is offering a variety of foods.

There are a lot of people settling into Hammonton. Its very diverse now, said Louis Baez, a food vendor whos been selling empanadillas (hand-pies with meat fillings), pinchos (kabobs), rice and beans, and other Puerto Rican foods for a few years now. Because of the food, I think that diversified the cultures here (at the festival).

Of the 14,833 people who live in Hammonton, nearly 77% are white and 24.5% are Hispanic or Latino, according to U.S. Census data.

So Baez, 46, was happy to be one of the handful of Hispanic/Latino vendors at the festival this year, giving people different food options.

People come here (to the festival) for the variety of food we offer ... fresh meatballs, fresh rice and now fresh tacos, Baez said as he set up his Puerto Rican food stand next to Marquez Amadors Mexican taco stand.

Locals say changing demographics can be attributed to migrant workers settling in the town, as well as the increase in Hispanic-owned businesses, like restaurants, retailers and bodegas.

Jersey Shore blueberry handouts promote local growers, healthy eating Three New Jersey Department of Agriculture tents stationed throughout the Jersey Shore on Monday gave away freshly picked blueberries to beachgoers.

The festival  which started Tuesday and runs through Sunday  started 148 years ago, when Italian immigrants gave thanks to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, also known as the Virgin Mary, on July 16, 1875, during the Catholic holiday known as Feast Day. They thanked the patroness of the Carmelite Order for safe passage to the town and a successful, bountiful harvest.

Its the biggest Hammonton tradition, said Charlie Desposito, a volunteer at the parishs Italian food stand, who said the stand will go through at least 150 cases of sweet Italian sausages during the week. You get good food, catch up with people you havent seen in a while ... and its a good way to benefit the church. All the proceeds to go to the church.

The festival has always been about worshipping the blessed mother, said Joe Devuono, a member of the society that has produced the festival since its inception.

Over time they added rides and games for the kids, said Devuono, 46, but its all about the tradition, and the food.

Marquez Amador, owner of Marquez Mexican Grill on Railroad Avenue, provided some of the new food options available at this years festival.

Im so happy to participate this year, said Amador, 50, who noted it took him a while to get into the festival since its mainly traditional Italian stands that have been participating for many years. Its been my dream to sell tacos at the fair. I love cooking for the public.

The festival runs until July 16, which is the feast day of the Blessed Mother.

On the Feast Day, parishioners, residents and others gather at the church for a giant procession featuring the churchs holy figurehead statues on pedestals.

Atlantic County Central Municipal Court at crossroad following recent departures Northfield became the second municipality to exit the Atlantic County Central Municipal Court last week for the Joint Municipal Court of Hammonton, joining Hamilton Township, which left in May. Leaders from those municipalities have cited net revenue for the court falling short of the expectations that had been set when they joined the central court in 2021.

A few hundred people push the heavy, life-size statues of different saints and holy figures four blocks from East Pleasant Street to North Egg Harbor Road, down Bellevue Avenue and back down North Third Street, where the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish is located.

Once the procession is over, people eat at the different vendors in the parking lot, enjoying a good meal after a century-and-a-half-old tradition.

In the churchs parking lot Tuesday, volunteer parishioners sold Italian foods, like sausage and pepper sandwiches, and Spanish food, like Puerto Rican roast pork, fried potato balls with meat stuffed in them and more.

On North Third Street, homeowners who got permits sold prime rib, cannoli and pina coladas.

Our Lady of Assumption sold Italian sandwiches like roast pork with broccoli rabe, steamed clams and other Italian foods as festivalgoers entered the dirt lot where the rides were.

The Spanish stand was Vineland resident Kendal Levaris first stop at the festival Tuesday.

It gives you something to do, said Levari, 26, but Im here for the food.

Levari said the town has embraced the Hispanic community.

They did a good job combining the cultures at the festival, Levari said. Its not part of their tradition, but the festival is about everyone celebrating together.

GALLERY: Mount Carmel Festival in Hammonton
By Eeshwari Jedhe & Mahindra Kolhe

PHOTOS: MAHENDRA KOLHE

More than six lakh residents in various localities in south Pune suffered a severe water shortage for three consecutive days due to unannounced maintenance work at the Vadgaon water purification centre. Citizens expressed anger as the civic body did not give any prior notice. Residents of Upper Indira Nagar, Chaitraban, Dhankawadi, Katraj, Omkar Nagar, Balaji Nagar, Kondhwa and the nearby areas did not have water supply for three days due to the civic bodys failure to complete maintenance work at the water purification centre. The PMC had planned to carry out urgent electrical-pumping maintenance repairs at the Vadgaon centre and Rajiv Gandhi pumping station on Thursday.

BALAJI NAGAR

Consequently, water supply to the affected areas was halted. Unfortunately, what was initially expected to be a prompt repair turned into an extended delay, leaving residents without water for an extended period. The other localities affected by the water supply disruption included Hingane, Anand Nagar, Vadgaon Dhayari, Ambegaon Pathar, Dattanagar, Katraj, Bharti Vidyapeeth, Kondhwa Budruk, Ambegaon Khurd, Ambegaon Budruk, Yevalewadi, Sahakar Nagar Part-2, Ambedkar Nagar, Tilak Nagar Complex and Waghershwari. Sitabai Doiphode (45), a local resident of Katraj, told Mirror, The water supply was completely disrupted for three days.

Even after that, we are experiencing water with low pressure. It is understandable that negligence in work can occur for a day, but enduring the consequences for three consecutive days is unacceptable. Sangram Jogdand (28), a resident of Upper Indira Nagar-Bibwewadi, said, Initially, we received a notification about scheduled water cuts only on Thursdays, based on which we made arrangements to store water. However, experiencing a complete absence of water for three consecutive days without any prior notification was highly inconvenient for citizens. As a result, we were forced to purchase tanker water and rely on external sources for our water supply.

DHANKAWADI

Dinesh (Pintu) Dhadve, former corporator, said, Following the repair work in the Upper-Bibwewadi area, water cuts affected the entire locality. In response to the residents concerns, I personally visited the affected houses and arranged for free water tankers to be provided wherever necessary. Nitin Kude, deputy engineer, water department, PMC said, Maintenance work commenced on Thursday and extended into the late hours of the night. Unfortunately, during the night, it was discovered that two valves were faulty, which required additional repairs by the technicians. As a result, the initially expected completion time of 9 am on Friday was further delayed, stretching until three oclock in the afternoon. Consequently, the restoration of water supply had to be postponed until after this prolonged delay.

The affected areas included Hingane, Anandnagar, Vadgaon, Dhairi, Ambegaon Pathar, Dattanagar, Dhankawadi, Katraj, Bharti Vidyapeeth Campus, Kondhwa Budruk, Ambegaon Khurd, Ambegaon Budruk, Yevalewadi, Sahakar Nagar Part-2, Ambedkarnagar, Tilaknagar Complex, Balajinagar, Omkarnagar, Waghershwari and Kondhwa
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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15)  Three local reporters were harassed and threatened with gunshots while interviewing farmers in Pastrana, Leyte Friday morning, the National Union of Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP) reported.

NUJP said the reporters identified as Lito Bagunas, Noel Sianosa, and Ted Tomas of San Juanico TV were covering a land dispute in Barangay Jones.

In the video shared by the organization, a woman later identified as police officer Rhea Mae Baleos was seen aggressively pushing one of the newsmen. Gunshots can also be heard in the footage.

"Baleos reportedly grabbed Sianosa's cellphone while the latter was taking videos, and pushed him away," the NUJP said in a statement on Saturday.

"A few minutes later, the three journalists heard gunshots," it also said. Tomas said he saw policemen in uniform firing the shots," it added.

In a statement, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMs) called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas to investigate and impose disciplinary action, if necessary, on members of the Pastrana Municipal Police Office.

"The actions made by elements of the Pastrana Municipal Police Office in confronting members of the press who are merely doing their job of conducting an interview is totally uncalled for, unnecessary and amounted to abuse of authority and power," said PTFoMs Executive Director Paul Gutierrez.

The task force also learned that the land involved in the dispute "had been pawned by someone else to Baleos and her husband, who, according to Tomas, is also a member of the PNP."

"Tomas said the husband, whom he failed to identify, even pointed his M-16 at them," the PTFoMs said.

CNN Philippines has reached out to the PNP for comment.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Walcott Police Department are asking the publics help in locating a Walcott woman who last was seen in the area on March 14.

Authorities are looking for Sandra Rubinstein, 57.

Rubenstein is described as white, standing about 5-feet 4-inches tall and weighing 140-160 pounds.

Her clothing description was unknown at the time of her disappearance.

Rubenstein was reported missing to the Walcott Police Department on May 3.

Anyone with information about Rubensteins whereabouts is asked to contact the Iowa Missing Persons Clearinghouse at mpicinfo@dps.state.ia.us. People may also contact the Walcott Police Department at 563-284-6627.
Cocaine was recently found near the Situation Room in the White House. This week, well take a look at its rich and storied history that has played pivotal roles in the operations of the U.S. government. Lets delve into the details of its creation, functions, significant events, and technological advancements.

The Situation Room was established in May 1961 under President John F. Kennedys administration. Its purpose was to provide a dedicated space for monitoring and coordinating actions during times of crisis and national security emergencies. Initially referred to as the Kennedy Conference Room, it later came to be known as the Situation Room.

Located in the basement of the West Wing of the White House, the Situation Room is strategically positioned near the presidents office, allowing for quick and convenient access during critical situations. Security measures are of utmost importance, with restricted access and multiple layers of physical and electronic protections to safeguard classified information and sensitive discussions.

Throughout its history, the Situation Room has played a vital role in major events that shaped the nations trajectory. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, it served as the central command post for discussions, intelligence briefings, and monitoring real-time information related to the standoff between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The room facilitated coordination during the Vietnam War, providing a hub for military actions and regular updates on the conflict. The Apollo moon landing missions relied on the Situation Room for direct communication with astronauts in space, enabling critical exchanges during those historic moments. The Situation Room was also involved in regards to the Watergate scandal in the 1970s.

Technological advancements have continually enhanced the capabilities of the Situation Room. President Ronald Reagan oversaw significant upgrades in the 1980s, including advanced telecommunications systems, video conferencing capabilities and computerized displays. These improvements revolutionized communication, data sharing and information analysis.

The Situation Room operates around the clock, ensuring readiness to respond to national security events and emergencies. Staffed by professionals from various government agencies, the room constantly monitors global developments, intelligence reports, and real-time updates. It serves as a central gathering place for the president, National Security Council members, and other key advisors to receive briefings, analyze information, discuss options and make informed decisions.

In 2007, during President George W. Bushs administration, the Situation Room underwent a substantial renovation. The project aimed to modernize the facility and improve its capabilities further. Upgrades included advanced technology, infrastructure enhancements, and expansion to accommodate larger meetings and increased staff capacity.

In 2011, the Situation Room was used for live monitoring of the raid on Bin Ladens enclave in Pakistan. The meetings about the mission to kill Osama bin Laden were titled Mickey Mouse meeting on official calendars to conceal their true character. On April 30, 2011, the evening before the raid began, Obama asked his speechwriter Jon Favreau to change a joke prepared for that nights White House Correspondents dinner. Obama was going to crack a joke in which he referred to Tim bin Laden Pawlenty, the then-Minnesota governor. Obama asked, Why dont we say his middle name is Hosni, like Hosni Mubarak? Faveau responded, Thats not as funny. And Obama said, Trust me on this. I really think Hosni will be much funnier. No one could understand why Obama wanted to make that particular change; it would become a lot more obvious a day later.
Richmond police said they have arrested two teenagers in a series of robberies in the Fan, Byrd Park and Carytown.

The incidents happened over the past 10 days and had similar circumstances and suspect descriptions, police said.

Richmond police worked with Virginia State Police and received videos and information from the community, then conducted a joint operation in the Byrd Park area, authorities said.

Both of the suspects are male. One is 17, and the other is 15. They are charged with robbery, with more charges pending.

Anyone with information is asked to call 3rd Precinct Detective Sgt. N. Castrinos at (804) 646-1144 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
Few have regularly shown great interest in decisions made by the Pamunkey Regional Library Board. But two recent appointments to the board that governs 10 libraries in central Virginia has made it a flashpoint around censorship and book banning.

On one side of the debate, residents and parents are worried that the public library system is allowing children to have an abundance of access to sexual content that is too mature for their age level.

On the other side, advocates are concerned that parental rights are encroaching on freedom of speech, and that while parents should determine what is appropriate for their children, their choices cannot be a substitute for the public.

The recent appointments of Hanover County residents Christy Schumacher and Bob Johnson has been seen as a turn toward the ideals of the parental rights movement, with fears that censorship could soon follow.

The Pamunkey Regional Library Board of Trustees is made up of 10 members from the counties of Hanover, Goochland, King and Queen, and King William. Local governments make appointments to the board. Hanover has a total of four positions on the board.

Schumacher, specifically, has become a vocal critic of the library board over the past year. Shes spoken out at trustees meetings and gave a presentation to the Hanover Republican Committee detailing her protests against the board. Both hers and Johnsons appointments were publicly endorsed by the Hanover Republican Committee.

Hanovers $3.7 million in funding to the Pamunkey Regional Library Board represents 72% of its overall funding, but the county has only 40% of its voting power. Schumacher, the Hanover Republican Committee and several public speakers advocated for the county to increase its voting power.

Board Chairman W. Canova Peterson said in a statement at the June 28 Board of Supervisors meeting that he did not believe the Pamunkey Regional Library system would be banning books, or that there was an effort to dismantle that library board.

No one in their right mind would want to do away with such success and growth ... It is time for it to be reviewed and updated to reflect current operations, Peterson said of the 81-year-old library system, which first signed its agreements for services and facilities in 2000.

Supervisors ultimately directed County Administrator John Budesky to review that contract with a focus on the amount of funding compared to the number of seats.

A number of people spoke for, and against, changes to the regional library board at the Hanover Board of Supervisors meeting when Schumacher and Johnson were approved.

James Sanderson, who identified himself as a lifelong library employee, said the librarys current leadership has done a good job of balancing the needs of a community with different viewpoints.

To provide free and fair access to information requires that they be independent of control or undue influence by any partisan organization and perhaps especially any political party, Sanderson said. Public libraries do not advocate for or discriminate against any political, religious or other viewpoint. The exception is that libraries do advocate for democracy with a small d.

Schumachers opposition

Another Hanover resident, Tara Swinford, said she was speaking in favor of the libraries operating as they are.

Children should have access to the books that they need to grow up to become who they are ... There are a lot of us, and we all think about things differently, Swinford said. I dont think any librarian here is trying to corrupt peoples moral upbringing by providing them with a book or providing them with the opportunity to read a book.

One of the speakers in favor of the parents rights movement was Jack Dyer, chair for the Hanover Republican Committee.

He called it disingenuous rhetoric and nonsense that the push to change the Pamunkey library board had anything to do with banning books, but that the push was instead focused on fettering access to violent and sexually explicit content in unrestricted open areas of our public libraries.

N.Va. sexual assault case raises questions about hospital liability A Virginia nurse disciplined at one hospital left to work for another hospital where he sexually assaulted a patient.

We find ourselves in a time where our society has become inflicted with an out of control, boundless, woke insanity. We cannot placate this destructive agenda of confusion, chaos and division any longer, Dyer said. Good common sense, decency and moral compass must be restored.

Ashland District Supervisor Faye Prichard voted in favor of Schumachers appointment, but against the appointment of Johnson.

The reality is that sometimes very important books with very important stories have difficult sexual explicit material in them and they require guidance by adults. None of us here argues that, Prichard said. But what is appropriate for my child may not be appropriate for your child, and what is appropriate for your child may not be appropriate for mine. It is common sense that we should all pay attention to what our children are doing. It is not common sense that you should pay attention to what my children are doing.

Schumachers disagreements with the board were ignited by a display at the Atlee Branch Library during Banned Books Week in September 2022.

The display in the young adult section showed at least 20 books that have been the subject of challenges around the country. They were marked with red Xs labeling them in categories like sex/nudity, anti-police and LGBTQ+. Information sheets at the center of the exhibit explained more about why those books were banned.

According to emails obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Schumacher raised concerns with the library boards director in September 2022 and has continued correspondence with the board and its trustees.

Schumacher complained to Tom Shepley, the Pamunkey Regional Library director, saying the display was ineffective at educating children about banned books.

In my opinion, this display didnt do much to educate children on censorship or banned books, Schumacher wrote. What it did do, is confront children with material that they would not have necessarily picked up on their own from the shelves of the library.

Responding to Schumachers concerns about the display, Shepley wrote that parents have the right and responsibility to restrict access of their children  and only their children to library resources.

This display for Banned Books Week is promoting our first amendment rights to free speech by explaining efforts  like censoring and banning materials  that infringe on this right, Shepley wrote to Schumacher after she requested the display be removed. Censorship is not just the removal of books and materials, but also any attempt to limit or restrict that access.

Shumacher later made several suggestions for a more family friendly approach to choosing library displays. She suggested a banned books display should be put in the adult section, away from children.

In many of her letters, Schumacher has said that she is not in favor of censoring or banning books, but rather placing materials with sexual content into the adult sections.

What books were part of the Atlee display

Over 20 books were featured as part of that display at the Atlee Branch Library. Books had other labels for such topics as drinking, socialist, religious viewpoint and anti-family, violence, profanity and gross out humor.

Lush by Natasha Friend was one of the books labeled for sex and nudity. The realistic fiction follows a teenage girl named Sam who has a father struggling with alcoholism. The book features frequent scenes of alcohol abuse, as well as scenes of sexual assault involving the fictitious 13-year-old character.

Another featured book titled Melissa centers around a transgender fourth-grader named Melissa, who is known as George, a boy, by the rest of the characters. The plot follows Melissas journey with coming into her gender identity, and wanting to play a female character in the school play.

Some of the other books were such titles as Me and Early and the Dying Girl, by Jesse Andrews; The Fault in our Stars, by John Green; Vampire Academy, by Richelle Mead; and The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas.

Labeling system

Schumacher also questioned the American Library Association, which organized the Atlee display, through its Office for Intellectual Freedom. The Pamunkey Regional Library system also recognizes a number of statements that align with the ALA, like its opposition to a labeling system. The ALA says labels can be prejudicial and hinder material access to certain groups.

A March 7 letter from Schumacher to the library board describes the ALA as a left-leaning, breeding ground for pushing all kinds of radical viewpoints and ideas in our society and on future generations.

She asked that the board not endorse anything from the ALA, saying she worried about sexually explicit content ending up in kids sections or the hosting of drag queen story hour at libraries.

Debates over libraries are not unique to Hanover County  or Virginia.

The ALA reported in March that demands to censor library books and resources doubled nationwide between 2021 and 2022. A record 2,571 unique titles were targeted with a vast majority written by or about members of the LGBTQ+ community and people of color, the ALA noted.

Of the reported book challenges, 58% targeted school libraries and 41% were in public libraries.

Hanovers debate in the public libraries follows a controversial process in the countys schools, where the School Board voted to remove 19 books from the shelves of its school libraries. Those books were removed immediately after the board gave itself the authority to remove books at-will with a majority vote, taking the control from the school system.

From the Archives: In 1974, a Richmond music festival turned into a full-on riot Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival 20181109_FEA_POD_jamDONE.jpg
The U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to overrule a decision that stopped construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which remains stuck in a legal quagmire.

Attorneys for Mountain Valley filed an emergency appeal late Friday afternoon that seeks to reverse two stays issued earlier this week by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

With the Supreme Court on its summer recess, the case is expected to go to Chief Justice John Roberts, who could either decide the matter himself or refer it to the full court, lawyers said.

The appeal states that a three-judge panel of the 4th Circuit issued two extraordinary stay orders that defy the clear language of a law passed by Congress last month that was expected to fast-track completion of the natural gas pipeline.

Congress has made clear that there is a paramount national interest in expeditious completion of the pipeline, the 35-page filing states. And Congress was equally clear that the Fourth Circuit may not exercise jurisdiction over two lawsuits that were filed before the law was passed.

The 4th Circuit gave no reason for its decisions, issued Monday and Tuesday, that ordered a halt to construction just as work crews were returning to Southwest Virginia.

But a key question  which now may be decided by the nations highest court  is whether Congress violated the separation of powers outlined in the U.S. Constitution by asserting its power over that of the courts, according to earlier legal filings.

The lower appeals court, which over the past five years has set aside nearly a dozen government permits issued to Mountain Valley, ordered that construction be halted long enough for it to consider the latest two challenges filed by environmental groups.

Mountain Valley had sought the dismissal of the cases, citing a provision in the Fiscal Responsibility Act  enacted primarily to avert a catastrophic government default by raising the debt ceiling  that ordered federal agencies to grant all remaining permits to Mountain Valley and removed the 4th Circuits jurisdiction to hear any challenges of those approvals.

Attorneys for The Wilderness Society, Appalachian Voices and other environmental groups counter that because the law was unconstitutional, the 4th Circuit should not be forced to relinquish its authority.

Oral arguments before the Richmond-based appeals court on that question have been scheduled for July 27. It was not clear Friday how quickly the U.S. Supreme Court might rule on the emergency appeal.

Ever since Mountain Valley was proposed nearly a decade ago, there has been a sharp divide between those who say it will provide a needed boost to the countrys energy supply and those who say it will cause environmental harm and contribute to climate change.

Construction began in the winter of 2018 on the buried pipeline, which 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.

The environmental concerns have played a key role in the 4th Circuits decisions to throw out permits. But with the court no longer having jurisdiction, Mountain Valley contends, intervention by the Supreme Court is direly needed.

It is critical that the stay orders be vacated, and the underlying petitions for review be dismissed, as soon as possible, and in any event no later than July 26, 2023, Mountain Valley said Friday in its appeal.
IN THE NEWS

Va. court blocks building of Mountain Valley Pipeline

The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond has blocked the building of a controversial natural gas pipeline through Virginia and West Virginia.

Congress in June approved legislation requiring permits to be issued for construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. But environmentalists said Congress overstepped its authority, citing the separation of powers outlined in the Constitution.

Equitrans Midstream, one of the companies building the pipeline, said it may file an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court to overrule the stay, which focuses on a 3-mile section of that cuts through the Jefferson National Forest.

The $6.6 billion pipeline transports gas from the Marcellus and Utica fields in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

PRODUCTS: A new rule has tightened supplies for Virginia cannabis-related businesses.

The new law requires cannabis products to contain at least a 25-to-1 ratio of cannabidiol to THC, the component in cannabis that can produce a high.

But the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which handles enforcing the law, has been hampered by stalled budget talks. The department had been poised to get $2.2 million and additional funding to hire more staff and for testing.

The delay has had an impact on retailers.

Right now the shop is super empty, Savana Griffith, owner of The Hemp Spectrum in Virginia Beach, told The Virginian-Pilot. We have about five vendors left on our shelves.

THEY SAID IT

Republicans have got to stop sitting on the sidelines and allowing the Democrats to do a better job of voting early. I am tired of us going into elections down thousands of votes.

 Gov. Glenn Youngkin, encouraging Republicans to vote early in the upcoming General Assembly races.

"It is something I always had a burning desire to do."

 Bernice Cobbs, who switched careers 25 years ago and began teaching. She recently stepped down as Franklin County schools superintendent.

ODDS AND ENDS

HELP: Members of the Hampton Roads-based Virginia Task Force 2 emergency response team were deployed to Vermont on Monday to help with flood damage and evacuations. Heavy rains soaked western New England and upstate New York, causing extensive damage to roadways and bridges. Eight members of the task force were sent to Vermont. The Virginia Beach Fire Department sponsors the team.

VOLCANO: A Chesterfield County couple testified in a New Zealand district court Wednesday about their injuries suffered during a 2019 volcano eruption that killed 22. Lauren, 35, and Matt Urey, 39, testified in the trial of three tourism companies and officials related to safety breaches in Dec. 9 White Island disaster. They were honeymooning on the island when superheated gases erupted.

STATUE: A 27-foot-tall Confederate monument that once stood near Virginia Beachs City Hall will be moved to private land in the southern part of the city and maintained by Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, which provides visitor services to 20 Civil War battlefields and other related historic sites. The city council unanimously approved the relocation Tuesday. The monument has been in storage for three years.

BY THE NUMBERS

0

Cost of school supplies for Fredericksburg City Public Schools students in grades kindergarten through eighth this year. The school system is using more than $100,000 in carryover Title I funds to cover this year's costs.

$3.5 billion

Proceeds of Dominion Energy selling its 50% limited partnership interest in the Cove Point liquified natural gas terminal in Calvert County, Maryland, which was announced last week.

IN THE NEWS

Va. Tech staffing up for Alexandria campus

Virginia Tech is in hiring mode for its new campus in Alexandria.

The 11-story Academic Building One is scheduled to open in fall 2024. Two other buildings are also in the works. Nearly 1,000 students and 50 faculty members will work there in 2029.

The project, which replaces the Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church, has been under construction for about three years.

SATAN CLUB: The issue of whether the After-School Satan Club can hold meetings at a Chesapeake school is returning next month. The Satanic Temple last fall submitted a plan to use the B.M. Williams Primary School for club meetings, where arts and crafts and other activities are held.
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If your K-12 school concerns revolve around indoctrination, grooming and what you see as the pernicious influence of Marxism and Black Lives Matter, equity in education is either a low priority or the root of all evil.

If two-thirds of your county votes Republican, and your governor says Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have gone off the rails, a board focused on equity policy in education would face stiff headwinds from the get-go.

The Community Equity Advisory Board in Hanover County, which initially reported to Superintendent Michael Gill, began as an effort to address such issues as disproportionate disciplining of Black students and the lack of racial diversity in the school workforce. But its days became numbered when it came under the purview of a Hanover School Board that has spent the past couple of years waging culture wars.

On Tuesday, the School Board abolished the equity advisory board.

Once the School Board decided to take it over, it seemed like they were intent on dismantling it through neglect, said Alicia Neumann, chair of the Community Equity Advisory Board. Even though supervisors Bob May and Steve Ikenberry joined the 25-member panel, It was mostly just them wanting to kill it and not be good-faith partners at all.

Last summer, the School Board paused the equity boards work, refusing to approve its bylaws, even as equity board members rolled off as their terms expired, Neumann said. The advisory body withered before the School Board delivered the kill shot.

The tactic was similar to the one the School Board displayed in slow-walking the approval of a transgender student policy until a Virginia governor who shared their skepticism was elected.

On this issue, Gov. Glenn Youngkin unilaterally changed the title of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to the Office of Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion. That offices chief, Martin Brown, declared DEI dead at a speech at Virginia Military Institute.

Jack Dyer, representing the Hanover County Republican Committee, told the School Board on Tuesday that about 21 of the Hanover equity boards members were non-conservative and embrace a certain equity ideologue. Over 70% of Hanovers electorate votes conservative values and principles and defines equity, in their real-life terms, as being a product of seizing opportunity and working hard to build the skills and meet the challenges to achieve it, and does not condone and rejects teaching and indoctrination of socialism into our schools or into our lives, Dyer said.

I believe in equality, but not equity, another speaker said. No one should be held back for the sake of others that do not have the same intellectual prowess. Equity lowers the standards of education.

Fairness, justice, egalitarianism and balance are synonyms of equity. So is open-mindedness, according to Oxford Languages. Opportunity was not listed as synonymous with equity.

The willful misunderstanding of the word, saying that it promises equal outcomes, is wrong, Peggy Lavinder, a member of the equity advisory board, said at Tuesdays meeting.

The boards pending abolition of the advisory panel was more evidence that the School Board doesnt care about the education of all students, only the ones who are white and Christian and wealthy, she said.

A third or more of the members of the Community Equity Advisory Board were women of color  a rare place where Black and brown Hanover parents could be heard, Neumann said.

The panel was much more diverse than Hanover, whose Black population is 10%. The board, in an anonymous application process, focused on getting members from underrepresented districts such as Beaverdam and South Anna, Neumann said.

But as Lavinder said, That is a problem when you dont believe in equity and want to serve on an equity board.

That nonbelief is problematic.

Equity envelopes special education, free lunches, Head Start and preschool programs, school bus transportation, and the response to the pandemic. It defines whether the various constituencies that make up the Hanover school district are having their needs met.

Its at the heart of what makes public education public.

Most of you may not need it, but they are our kids; there are students in our schools who need equity, who need to be given a hand up to achieve the same thing that the rich kids already have, Pat Hunter-Jordan of the Hanover NAACP told the board Tuesday.

Naysayers need to view equity beyond the lens of race, gender or some other other theyre loath to accommodate.

Virginia K-12 education funding is fraught with inequity, based on a recently released report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission.

Virginia school divisions receive less funding per student than the national and regional state averages. And inequities are baked into the funding formula.

The formula does not adequately account for higher needs students. State funding for at-risk students, special education students, and English learner students is less than the level of funding determined necessary to educate them in cost studies performed in other states, the report states. It adds that the funding formula disadvantages small school divisions by failing to fully account for their higher per-student costs.

We are in a political landscape that sees starkly different realities. When public policy is stripped not only of established definitions, but seeks to erase the lived experience of people and communities, the result is an exclusion that is the antithesis of learning.

The denial of equity as a goal is a dereliction of duty. Hanover is charged with educating all of its children, not merely those of the political majority.

From the archives: In 1960, The Richmond 34 were arrested during a sit-in at the Thalhimers lunch counter
NEW YORK  Its not just you. Sriracha is hard to come by these days  at least for one popular brand.

The shortage of Huy Fong Foods Sriracha, the beloved red hot sauce packaged in those green-capped bottles, isnt new  with the company pointing to a scarcity of chile pepper supply for several years now. And as frustrated fans continue to face store shelves missing the Huy Fong name, third-party resellers are punching up prices.

Huy Fong Sriracha, which used to go for under $5 or $10 a bottle, is now selling for shocking amounts in some listings posted to sites with vast third-party marketplaces  including Amazon, eBay and Walmart. Many are simply sold out.

For those still in stock, prices range depending where you look. Ads for a single 17-ounce bottle on eBay this week stretched from around $20 to a whopping $150  contrasting significantly from the price tags of other hot sauce brands, who dont appear to have the same level of supply troubles.

Huy Fong said it continues to be beset by shortages of raw materials, echoing a similar scarcity last year when the company temporarily suspended sales of Sriracha and other popular products like Chili Garlic and Sambal Oelek.

Huy Fong said Wednesday that limited production resumed recently, although the California company didnt specify by how much or provide an estimate of when it believes suppliers will be able to deliver an adequate number of peppers.

Because we do not sell directly to retail/market levels, we cannot determine when the product will hit shelves again and/or who currently has the product in stock, Huy Fong said in a statement.

Heres what you need to know:

Why is there a Huy Fong Sriracha shortage?

Experts say Huy Fongs shortage is partially a consequence of climate change  pointing to weather shifts and extreme drought in Mexico and the U.S. Southwest, where Huy Fong sources all of its chile peppers.

The main culprit here is a shortage of their primary ingredient, the red jalapeno chile pepper, said David Ortega, a food economist and associate professor at Michigan State University. And thats due to climate change and the mega drought.

These peppers are typically grown under irrigation, with a lot of water drawn from the Colorado River  which has reached unprecedented low levels over recent years, Ortega said. The region has suffered insufficient rainfall and reduced run-off from snowpack.

Huy Fongs troubles with chile supply arent new. When the company suspended sales last year, it pointed to a 2020 email warning of a chile pepper shortage, noting that a lack of supply had become more severe due to recent weather conditions.

But while climate change continues to have signifcant impacts on agriculture as a whole, its not whole story for the current Huy Fong Sriracha shortage, extension vegetable specialist and professor at New Mexico State University Stephanie Walker said. She speculates that Huy Fong may not have enough suppliers with different farmers  and could be looking to build relationships with new growers.

Prices skyrocket from resellers

The erosion of available supplies has rocked the prices of Huy Fong Sriracha that is still available. In many places, the bottles are simply sold out  giving leverage to resellers listing the now hard-to-find and highly sought-after product.

Another market force at play is consumer behavior: in this case, hoarding. The panic around potentially losing access to a desired product leads many people to buy more than they would typically need,  much like what was seen with toilet paper at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Where does Huy Fong get its chile peppers?

Huy Fong, which was founded decades ago by David Tran, currently sources its chile peppers from various farms in California, New Mexico and Mexico.

Before sourcing from these farms, California-based Underwood Ranches was Huy Fongs sole supplier for nearly 30 years. The partnership collapsed in 2017 following a financial dispute. Two years later, a jury determined that Huy Fong breached its contract with Underwood Ranches and also committed fraud  awarding Underwood $23.3 million.

Underwood Ranches, which sells its own Sriracha sauce, has not had trouble getting jalapenos from Mexico, owner Craig Underwood told The New York Times this week  while also pointing to huge demand for our product from Huy Fongs former customers. The Associated Press reached out to Underwood for further comment on Thursday.

Are other hot sauces facing shortages?

Theres a myriad of hot sauces, including other of Sriracha-style products, that remain easy to find at reasonable prices. Tabasco, for example, has created a page dedicated to helping customers find nearby stores that sell its brand of Sriracha.

Theres a few possible explanations for this, experts say. Again, some speculate that Huy Fong may issues with its current chile suppliers. Other brands could also use different pepper variants and source from farms that havent been hit as hard. Some might also be in a position to tinker with recipes  but perfecting sauces take a long time, as would finding a new variant, experts say.

Growing the crop in an area less affected by extreme weather or breeding new variants of the peppers that are more tolerant to heat and require less water, if possible, at all, would take years, Richard Howells, a supply chain expert at SAP, wrote in a blog post earlier this week.

Experts also underline that climate change will impact produce and food across the board, not just chile peppers.

We saw the price of lettuce skyrocket earlier this year, again as a result of these extreme temperatures and related factors like the spread of disease (in plants), Ortega said. I would not be surprised to learn about other product shortages that are due to failed crops or just a significant decrease in production because of climate change.
In some ways, harassment cases are easier to substantiate these days, thanks to social media, texting and other forms of electronic communications.

That isnt necessarily a good thing  there continues to be inappropriate communications in the workplace  but text communications and other forms of written evidence make the job of the investigator much easier.

For example, the Ohio Lottery announced earlier this year that its director, Pat McDonald, would be leaving after an investigation into alleged inappropriate misconduct. According to reports, the investigation found that McDonald resigned after he allegedly engaged in appropriate touching and communications with other employees. He allegedly expressed inappropriate fondness and innuendo in those communications.

For example, he allegedly texted a female employee to tell her she was hot and a gift from God while also using the heart, winking face and eggplant emoji (which carries male anatomy connotations).

He reportedly sent a text message around 2 a.m. to an employee telling her she drove him crazy, but she will never have a boss nor dude that cares and loves you so much.

In todays world, there can be confusion on the message being sent with different images, emoji and acronyms.

In one case, an employee was confused when a colleague sent him the acronym LOL after his mom died. He believed it meant laugh out loud; the colleague understood it to mean lots of love.

During the pandemic, when an employee asked her manager what masks to wear, the manager sent her an image of a masochistic mask, adding, How about this?

Another manager on Easter Sunday sent his leadership team an inappropriate gif of an Easter bunny engaging in sexually inappropriate movements.

This is the reality of 2023.

I had one participant in a training say that her employee was offended when she sent the thumbs up emoji.

In 2021, an article in in The Wall Street Journal, Sending Smiley Emojis? They Now Mean Different Things to Different People, detailed how the Gen Z generation adopted new meanings, while older people stuck with traditions, causing a lot of confusing interactions.

The workplace has become a 24/7 operation, where off-duty conduct can impact an employees 9 to 5 job. The after-hours interactions with co-workers are sometimes referred to as the extended workplace. Whether on social media or in electronic communications, these communications with colleagues after hours can bleed into the workplace.

Employers should update their harassment policies and code of conduct to make clear about electronic communications and after-hours communications and how those behaviors could affect the workplace and a persons career.

Although this feels like a 2023 issue, way back in 2015, AT&T reportedly fired executive Aaron Slator after it was hit with a $100 million race discrimination lawsuit after a revelation that he sent a friend a meme from his work phone that had a Black child dancing with a statement featuring a racist slur.

Post-pandemic, where people have fewer boundaries and are more familiar in communications, these issues are only getting worse.

Employers should also explain to employees and managers in training that certain behaviors are not acceptable, even if the colleagues are friends. The workplace relationship has a host of rules and laws that govern the legality and appropriateness of communications.

My advice is, before sending a text at 11 p.m. or a meme, or posting on social media, ask first, Am I sober? If the answer is no, stop all communication.

Furthermore, consider how this communication would be viewed outside the context in which you are sending it. Intent to harass is not the test. The question of if you get to keep your job will depend on whether the communication was welcome, whether a reasonable person would find it offensive and whether the person found it offensive. For legal recourse, there will be other considerations, such as whether the conduct was severe or pervasive and whether the company had notice for co-worker harassment.

Things are funny until they arent, and then theyre not. Things are consensual until they arent, and then theyre not. A person never has to tell a person to stop or that the conduct is unwelcome before it can be considered harassment.

Act accordingly. None of this is worth the end of your career.

31 photos from the Times-Dispatch archives
Playa del Carmen elevator accident becomes federal case

Playa del Carmen, Q,R.  The State Attorney Generals Office of Quintana Roo will assist the FGR in a case where a little girl was killed in an elevator accident in a Playa del Carmen hospital.

Raciel Lopez Salazar, the acting head of the FGE, says the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) will take over the investigation. He says the FGR will continue with the investigation because the IMSS is a decentralized agency of the Federal Government.

After a legal technical analysis, it was determined that in accordance with Article 5 of the Social Security Law, and in relation to applicable federal laws, it is a crime of federal jurisdiction.

We will collaborate in everything necessary with the federal authorities so that the investigation advances and the person or persons responsible for this unfortunate event are punished in accordance with the law, Raciel Lopez Salazar said.

The Interim Prosecutor added that in addition to IMSS being a decentralized body, the concession for the elevator maintenance service is of a federal nature, so the FGR will conduct the investigation.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15)  A 58-year-old man from Chicago has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after admitting he solicited sexually explicit photos and videos from nine girls in the Philippines, the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) for the North District of Illinois said on Friday (Saturday in Manila).

US District Judge Virginia Kendall imposed the sentence on Karl Quilter after a July 7 hearing in Chicago's federal court, the USAO said.

Quilter pleaded guilty last year to a federal charge of sexual exploitation of children, it added.

According to the US' principal litigator, the Chicago man communicated with the girls through Facebook, Viber, and Skype from 2017 to 2020, calling them his "girlfriends," and manipulated and pressured them into sending sexually explicit photos and videos.

In a message to one 16-year-old victim in 2020, Quilter promised to send money to her family for medicine and food if she complied with his demands.

If u do what I tell you I will make sure u can buy food for 2 weeks and your medication, Quilter said in the message obtained by authorities. Think of your little sister that she can e[a]t for 2 weeks everyday 3 meals a day and u get well.

The USAO said Quilter also preyed on the victims' financial hardship, using money transfers to the victims' families to entice the girls to take the sexually explicit images and send them to him.

"Quilter traveled to the Philippines in 2017 and 2018 and explicitly referenced his plans to have sex with several of the minors when he next visited the country in December 2020," it added.

He was arrested in Chicago in November 2020.

Victim by victim, and message by message, defendant used social media and the internet to target and groom young Filipino girls, Assistant US Attorney Ashley Chung stated in the governments sentencing memorandum.

This was not a one-time aberration, but rather a years-long pattern of predatory abuse and exploitation of minors, Chung added.

If you need to report a case of sexual abuse or exploitation of children, please call the Department of Social Welfare & Development or the Child Health and Intervention and Protective Service (CHIPS) at 734-4216 or the Philippine National Police Operation Center at 712-8613/722-0540 & 724 8749.

The Department of Justice has also provided a list of hotlines that may be contacted for help regarding child abuse through this link: doj.gov.ph/child-protection-program.html.
Tuna vessel seized after abandoning net in Natural Protected Area off Baja California Sur

Ensenada, Baja California  A tuna vessel responsible for environmental damage off the coast of Baja California Sur has been seized. The seizure was made after federal authorities verified the death of numerous marine life due to an abandoned fishing net.

The Federal Public Prosecutors Office in Baja California Sur began the investigation after a legal complaint was filed by the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection in response to a report of the abandoned net in a Natural Protected Area.

The net was left abandoned in the lower part of Las Animas by the tuna boat after it became hung up in rocks. The government of Mexico verified the report using divers who located the net and found dead fish, turtles and marine mammals that had been caught in the net.

The tuna vessel responsible for placing and abandoning the net was seized by federal authorities. Photo: FGR July 14, 2023.

When carrying out prospecting dives in order to find the net and assess the damage caused by it, in the area they found a person who is dedicated to fishing who indicated the place where the net was located, which confirmed the veracity of the facts, they reported.

After verifying the damage, police were granted a search warrant for the tuna boat. They found it anchored in Ensenada and were able to positively identify it as the vessel that left the net.

Agents from the Federal Public Ministry and Federal Ministerial Police attached to the delegations in Baja California Sur and Baja California, with the support of elements of the Secretary of the Navy (SEMAR), PROFEPA, and CONAPESCA, secured the vessel and various objects related to the ongoing investigation.
Capt. Jerry Holdaway has been appointed to serve as Radfords interim police chief.

Former Chief Jeff Dodson had earlier announced his resignation as of Friday.

Captain Holdaway has represented and served our community well and will continue to do so as interim chief, said City Manager David Ridpath, in a news release. He knows the community, is dedicated to the men and women of the department, and knows a life rooted in public safety. Radford appreciates his willingness to serve in this important role for our community.

Holdaway has been serving most recently as operations captain and his 20-plus year history with the department began as a patrol officer. Throughout his career he has advanced in rank serving as a senior police officer, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant and captain.

Holdaway has a criminal justice degree from Liberty University, is certified by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, and he also has FBI and VACP executive leadership training, according to the release.

Holdaway, in the release, said: I appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve Radford as the interim chief of police, I am excited to get started and look forward to continue to move our department forward.

The Radford department has dealt with four officers being charged with crimes in the past several years.
The SCIF's first level of protection is limiting who has access to it. To enter the facility, you need a security clearance. (Some, though not all, top secret documents also require a person to be "read into" a particular code-word program to have access.)

"I'm not sure that it's ever been empirically proven, but the common wisdom is that the more people who know a secret, the more likely it is to leak out," Deitz says.

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That puts officials who have the privilege of entering a SCIF under considerable pressure. "When you first get a security clearance and you're reading top secret documents, it's like, 'wow, this is really cool,'" Deitz recalls. But the novelty soon vanishes, when officials realize that they have to be tight-lipped around spouses and friends. "I teach now, and from time to time, I have to stop and think, can I say this?" Deitz says. "I mean, you have to be very, very careful about what you say and to whom you say it." Such caution "becomes part of your DNA," he says.

According to the U.S. government's exacting standards, SCIFs are required to have special walls, floors and ceilings that contain a minimum of 8 inches (20 centimeters) of concrete, doors equipped with special combination locks and deadbolts, and non-opening windows equipped with alarms if they're lower than 18 feet (5 meters) from the ground. SCIFs are designed to block both sound and electronic signals from being able to leave the room. Even the heating and ventilation ducts contain security devices.

That doesn't come cheap. The Pentagon requested nearly $34 million to build a SCIF at a U.S. Air Force Base back in 2011, according to correspondence with Congress.

There are similarly stringent rules about working with secrets inside a SCIF. Sensitive material is stored in safes, and it has to be put back and locked up when an official leaves. "That's one of the great things about working in the government, particularly on the defense side," Deitz says. "At the end of the day, you have a clean desk."

Cell phones aren't allowed inside a SCIF, though officials are allowed to make calls on a special secure phone. They are allowed to take notes  which themselves become classified material. Any paperwork that's discarded must go into special "burn bags," which are carefully handled until they're placed in an incinerator and destroyed.
HARTSVILLE, S.C.  The Hartsville City Council unanimously voted for a resolution to apply for a $200,000 South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism grant to offset the cost of renovations to the Piratesville Water Park.

The park is now 10 years old and is in need of renovations to improve its safety and to insure that it is all-inclusive, said City Manager Daniel Moore.

In its meeting Tuesday, the council also approved a letter supporting the S.C. Governors School for Science and Mathematics and its acquisition of adjacent property for growth and program expansion. It passed another resolution expanding the scope of the Parks and Recreation Departments Advisory Board to include all city parks.

U.S. Water Services Corporation of New Port Richey, Fla., was awarded a three-year contract for water/wastewater treatment plant operations and maintenance in the amount of $858,420 annually.

Also, Warrens Landscapes and Contractors of Hartsville was awarded a three-year contract for operations and maintenance of Greenlawn and Magnolia cemeteries.

Warrens will be paid $132,000 annually.

Andrea Crenshaw was sworn in as the new city clerk.

Numerous presentations were made during the meeting:

Outgoing City Clerk Sherron Skipper was presented a proclamation recognizing the week of July 10 as Sherron L. Skipper Week in Hartsville. Mayor Casey Hancock pointed out that Skipper has served seven mayors and 21 council members, and helped coordinate 18 elections during her 35 years of service to the city.

A proclamation was read citing July 2023 as Man-To-Man Fatherhood Month, recognizing the contributions of the Man-to-Man Initiative in promoting involvement of responsible fathers.

A proclamation was presented to Parks and Recreation Director Adam Bedard recognizing July as Parks and Recreation Department Month in Hartsville.

A proclamation citing August 2023 as General Aviation Month was presented to the staff of Hartsville Regional Airport. It was noted that a naming ceremony for the airports new terminal is being planned. The terminal will be named in honor of Sen. Gerald Malloy.

A moment of silence was held at the beginning of the meeting in honor of former City Council member Mary F. Jordan who recently died.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Florence police arrested a Latta man Thursday and charged him with human trafficking after the Florence Police Special Investigations Unit found a victim near the intersection of Pine and Irby streets.

Agents provided care to the victim and further investigated their discovery. Agents determined that the victim had been assaulted and sexually trafficked, Capt. Mike Brandt wrote in a media advisory.

Bobby Deparis Brown, 47, of 125 Rowell Circle, Latta, was charged with human trafficking, driving without a South Carolina drivers license and simple possession of marijuana, according to the Florence Police Department.

Brown was being held without bond at the Florence County Detention Center.

The Street Crimes Unit of the Florence County Sheriffs Office assisted with this operation.
A firefighter helps battle a blaze on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 on the side of Interstate 10. Firefighters from across the county battled several grass and brush fires in the days following the start of the burn ban.
Six buildings from Mount Pleasant's Old Police Academy will be retained.

Six Build-to-Order (BTO) projects comprising some 5,000 new homes will be built in the upcoming Mount Pleasant housing estate, with the first project launching in 2025. (PHOTO: URA)

SINGAPORE  Six Build-to-Order (BTO) projects comprising some 5,000 new homes will be built in the upcoming Mount Pleasant housing estate, with the first project launching in 2025.

On Thursday (13 July), the Housing and Development Board (HDB) said the 33-ha site, which is close to Bukit Brown and the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, is home to the Old Police Academy (OPA) and pre-war black-and-white bungalows.

"HDB will sensitively weave the area's rich tapestry of nature and heritage into the design of the new housing estate. To support this, HDB has appointed a heritage consultant to advise on the salvaging of heritage elements, such as the trusses of the Old Drill Shed, and the swimming pool starter blocks, for adaptive reuse in the new estate," HDB said.

Having done a detailed heritage study and an Environmental Impact Study to assess the heritage and ecological value of the area, the HDB will be sensitively integrating heritage elements of the Mount Pleasant area within the new housing estate.

"Six buildings that have been assessed to be the most representative of the Polices historical, social and architectural heritage in the area will be retained," HDB said.

Among them, four blocks (Blocks 1, 2, 27 and 28) will be retained within the new housing estate and adapted for contemporary uses. A part of the parade square will also be retained as an open space within the new housing estate.

Six buildings are to be retained in the Mount Pleasant project. (MAP: HDB)

Meanwhile, the two remaining blocks  13 and 153  which are outside the boundary of the new housing estate, have been identified for proposed conservation. "Block 153 will retain its current use as the Senior Police Officers' Mess (SPOM), while the future use for Block 13 will be further studied," HDB explained.

New road names within Mount Pleasant estate

For buildings or spaces that cannot be retained in their entirety due to development needs or technical constraints, HDB will retain and keep their heritage significance," HDB added. "This includes referencing their architectural elements in the new developments and incorporating certain physical elements into the new housing estate as street furniture or markers, where feasible."

The estate will also have new road names relating to its history, including Mt Pleasant Avenue and Old Police Academy Road.

HDB said that it will share more details on the Mount Pleasant housing estate when they are ready.

Road names for the Mount Pleasant housing estate, approved by the Street and Building Names Board (SBNB). (TABLE: HDB)

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SIOUX CITY  Next year, the Sioux City Art Center's rotunda will be transformed into a giant kaleidoscope, when Amanda Browder covers it in brightly-colored cotton fabric.

Other portions of the downtown building and adjacent Gilchrist Learning Center will also be draped in vibrant hues for two months in celebration of ArtSplash's 30th anniversary. The installation is being funded by grants, including one from the National Endowment for the Arts.

"I want to catch people's eye as they're driving past or walking," Browder, a large-scale fabric installation artist, said Tuesday during a site visit to the Art Center.

Browder, who lives in Brooklyn, New York, has covered roughly 25 buildings all over the world. The public plays a vital role in her temporary public art installations. Community members donate fabric for the installations and also lend their hands to sew it together. While they are sewing, Browder listens to their stories. She estimated that she has sown with 5,000 volunteers over the last 12 to 15 years.

"I try to collect as many kinds of conversational stories about fabric, how people relate to sewing, and it goes with the piece at the end, which is really great," she said.

The sewing process will begin Sept. 2 and 3, during the 29th ArtSplash on the Art Center's campus. Development Coordinator Erin Webber-Dreeszen said a tent with four sewing machines will be open during the annual art festival.

"As we have that fabric coming in, we will start to pin and sew at ArtSplash. We will be bringing people in off the literal streets of ArtSplash and inviting them to sit down and throw some stitches out," she said.

One doesn't need to have any sewing experience to participate. In fact, Browder will teach you how. Various "sewing days" are also being planned in different parts of the city next year.

"It's a multi-generational thing. It isn't a gender-based thing. It can feel female-forward," Webber-Dreeszen said of sewing. "We don't want it to feel that way."

Browder said it can be "really empowering" to go from making quilts and baby blankets to covering a building.

"It's literally the same action," said Browder, who said she has to remind people to call her work an art installation, rather than a quilt.

Sioux City Art Center Curator Christopher Atkins has known about Browder's installations for many years. But it wasn't until Browder created a large-scale installation in Atkins' hometown of St. Charles, Illinois, that he really delved into how such a project comes to a city and how the community can benefit from it.

"Everything from how she works with people to donate the fabrics, really puts an emphasis on the people who make the work being front and center, how her pieces have people look at these structures in, perhaps, a fresh way, is really inspiring," Atkins said.

Webber-Dreeszen believes Browder's large-scale fabric installation at the Art Center will be something people will be talking about for quite some time. Such was the case with Twigamore, a 30-foot tall tree-branch sculpture created by artist Patrick Dougherty.

Twigamore went up in 2005 on the Art Center's lawn, along Nebraska Street, and stood for two years. After the sculpture collapsed to the ground in May 2007, it was disassembled.

"People talk about it still," Webber-Dreeszen said of Twigamore. "So, this will be that."

Browder is excited about using a donation of old flour sack fabric for the installation at the Art Center. She said people interested in donating fabric can contact her on her website, amandabrowder.com, or call the Art Center, 712-279-6272.

Browder is seeking very brightly-colored cotton fabric, which isn't clothing or stretchy. She said both pattern and solid color fabrics more than 1 square foot in size are ideal.

"The rainbow plus black -- that's what we want. So, whites and tans and grays, those are already outside. You need something that's going to contrast the environment," she said. "Honestly, we're just excited to see what people are interested in donating, because the stories are so great."
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was rushed to a hospital on Saturday, but was in good condition as he undergoes a medical evaluation, his office said.

The Israeli leader's office said he was being treated at Israel's Sheba Hospital, near the coastal city of Tel Aviv, but gave no further details.

Walla, a leading Israeli news site, quoted an unnamed official close to Netanyahu as saying he had fainted but was fully conscious at the hospital. The report could not immediately be confirmed.

Netanyahu, 73, is Israel's longest serving leader. He has served multiple terms stretching over 15 years in office. His current far-right government, a collection of religious and ultranationalist parties, took office last December.

For more updates:
Synthetic chemicals that persist indefinitely in the environment have been detected in the water of several deep wells in parts of Iowa with porous bedrock, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The department began in late 2021 to test community water supplies for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances  commonly known as PFAS or forever chemicals. In the latest round of testing, one of the chemicals was discovered in Osage drinking water in a concentration that exceeds a safety threshold that has been proposed by federal regulators.

The water came from a well that is 676 feet deep, and it contained PFOS  one of the most-studied PFAS  at the rate of 4.8 parts per trillion.

That exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys proposed maximum contaminant level of 4 parts per trillion. The agency has indicated that much tinier concentrations of PFAS pose health risks to humans, but current test methods are only capable of detection at about 2 parts per trillion.

The depth of the Osage well is noteworthy because most of the contaminated municipal water supplies in Iowa draw from rivers or much shallower wells, which are more susceptible to surface contamination.

That is the case in Camanche, which is poised to drill two new deep wells to replace its two shallow wells that environmental regulators say were likely contaminated by a nearby facility that has produced the chemicals.

Osage is located in an area of porous bedrock known as karst, which has the potential to accelerate the penetration of surface contaminants into the ground.

That karst area is more vulnerable because of that fractured bedrock, said Corey McCoid, supervisor of the departments water supply operations. With Osage, we have a specific reason (for testing). It was in the fire station. Its an old well.

Firefighting foam is a prominent source of PFOS contamination, and the Osage well is at the site of a former fire station.

Its unclear how much of a role the geology of Osage has in the wells contamination, but McCoid noted it is a very old well  drilled in 1912  and could be contaminated via cracks in its casing.

McCoid said Osage is in the process of replacing the well with a new one.

Karst bedrock is most prevalent in northeast and east-central Iowa. Two other cities with the potential for that geological formation also have deeper wells with PFAS contamination, according to DNR testing.

A Buffalo well that is about 405 feet deep was found to have PFOA in a concentration of 3.1 parts per trillion. That is less than the maximum contaminant level of 4 parts per trillion that has been proposed by the EPA.

In Princeton, a well that is 455 feet deep well has a less-prominent PFAS chemical in a concentration of 8.3 parts per trillion. That chemical, PFBA, does not have a proposed maximum contaminant level.

Both of those wells are about 60 years old. Their locations in karst terrain do not automatically increase their risk for contamination, said David Cwiertny, director of the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination at the University of Iowa. Some wells penetrate impermeable layers of clay or rock that can block contaminants from reaching the aquifer beneath.

But Im guessing that if (PFAS is) down there, its got to come from somewhere, and its likely gotta come from some sort of contamination thats made its way into the ground, and karst just speeds that process up, Cwiertny said.

Of the 36 water supplies the DNR sampled from March to June this year, nine had detectable amounts of various PFAS in their wells but didnt exceed EPA health advisories.

They included the cities of: Atlantic, Carlisle, Mondamin, Sheldon, Silver City, Van Meter, Waukon and Waverly.

Osage was the only city in the latest round of testing with PFAS that exceeded a health advisory. It is among a dozen water supplies with recent test results that exceed an advisory.

PFAS forever chemicals about to get their first US limits
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15)  Tropical Storm Dodong exited the country's weather monitoring area Saturday afternoon, the state weather bureau said in its latest bulletin.

Storm signals were lifted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) early Saturday morning.

The agency said Dodong will not directly bring heavy rainfall to any area in the country but it is enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat.

It cautioned the western portion of the country that monsoon rains would probably last until next week even if Dodong has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) over the weekend.

PAGASA said Pangasinan, La Union, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Antique may experience light to moderate with at times heavy rains due to the enhanced habagat until Monday.

"Posible pa rin na magtaas ng rainfall advisories at heavy rainfall warnings dito sa mga nabanggit na lugar," weather specialist Benison Estareja earlier said in a briefing.

PAGASA also said gusty conditions due to the strengthened habagat will be felt in areas of Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, the eastern portion of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Aurora, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas.

Estareja warned authorities of possible floods and rain-induced landslides.

He also said a marine gale warning is in effect over the western seaboards of Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan.

Rains to persist next week

Dodong was last seen 305 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur as of 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is moving southeastward at a slow pace

PAGASA earlier said the tropical cyclone is expected to turn into a severe tropical storm outside PAR on Sunday afternoon then into a typhoon the next day before hitting the southern portion of China.

As this is the case, the weather disturbance will continue to enhance the habagat and is seen to bring strong bursts of winds to the western Philippine areas, namely Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and the southern portion of Quezon.

"Kapag mas malakas ang isang bagyo, mas may hahatakin ito na habagat or southwest monsoon kaya asahan pa rin ang epekto ng habagat sa mga susunod na araw kahit nakalabas na ng Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) itong si bagyong Dodong," Estareja said.

[Translation: If the storm is stronger, it will pull the southwest monsoon further so expect the effects of the monsoon for the next couple of days even if Dodong has exited the PAR.]

Estareja added that cloud clusters seen in the east of Luzon and outside of the country's weather monitoring area by the east of Mindanao may possibly turn into a low pressure area.

RELATED: PAGASA sees possible storm formation in next 2 weeks
DES MOINES  Six Republican presidential candidates appeared in Iowa on Friday at an event hosted by The Family Leader, a prominent Christian conservative organization in Iowa.

Former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson moderated individual sessions with each candidate.

Here are highlights from what each of the candidates had to say.

Tim Scott

On U.S. military policy in Ukraine: America's vital interest is degrading the Russian military.  Everything we do that degrades the Russian military is good for America. (Saying the new axis of evil is Russia, China and Iran), breaking that to pieces before it gets started, I think, is in our national interest.

Asa Hutchinson

On his 2021 veto of legislation that would have prohibited doctors from treating transgender youth with hormone treatments, puberty blockers or surgery: What I believe in is that parents ought to raise their children.  I believe that God created two genders, and that there should not be any confusion on your gender. But if there is confusion, then parents ought to be the one to guide their children.  So I sided with parents on that issue.

Mike Pence

In response to Carlsons questions alleging the Ukrainian government is arresting Russian Orthodox priests in Ukraine: I raised (the issue) with the leader of the Orthodox Church.  He assured me the Zelenskyy government was respecting religious liberty.  People are not being persecuted for their religious beliefs.  If people are being persecuted for their religious beliefs, I wont stand for it.

Nikki Haley

On whether she believes the 2020 presidential election results can be trusted: I think we all know there were irregularities in there and things shouldnt have happened.  Do I think it changed the results of the election? No, I think President Biden won the election.

Vivek Ramaswamy

On the war in Ukraine: Its destined to become Vietnam or Iraq all over again.  We have to end this war. We can end this war and start prioritizing the interests of actual U.S. citizens here at home.  We negotiate a deal that ends the Ukraine war. Yes, that means giving part of the Donbas region to Russia (and never letting Ukraine into NATO).

Ron DeSantis

On Floridas population growth in recent years: i think we drew people who believed in what were doing.  People said, You know what? Floridas a free state. (He cited the states decision to reopen businesses and schools sooner than many other states during the pandemic.) Were converting people, too.  I think we have an opportunity to capture voters.

Take a look inside the newly restored Capitol Theatre 071223-qc-nws-capitol-009a.JPG 071223-qc-nws-capitol-016a.JPG 071223-qc-nws-capitol-031a.JPG 071223-qc-nws-capitol-006a.JPG 071223-qc-nws-capitol-026a.JPG 071223-qc-nws-capitol-063a.JPG
Sioux City, why don't you spray and cut weeds in and around the city? Have you noticed all entrances to Sioux City are full of tall seedy weeds? No one mows them. Now, in Sioux City, the musk thistles east of the fitness place, north of Fareway, on War Eagle, and southeast of that Fareway are horrible, and, north of Burton Street, are going to seed.

These musk thistles are illegal in Iowa, as they're deemed noxious weeds. So who do I have arrested: the mayor, City Council, parks & recreation?

Chris Larsen Park is so weedy. The city has no mowers/sprayers?

The River Rock across from IHOP that goes to Lechner Lumber is full of weeds, you can't even see rock. Please spray them and anywhere else you see weeds.

Also, the lilies planted by the Riverside Boulevard exit bridge are full of four-foot-tall weeds. Please mow the interstate bridge hills on Gordon Drive.

Have some pride, too, in how sidewalks and the area by the street look. Please control the sour dock weeds. It's easy to control with broadleaf spray. I know you can do it, Sioux City, you can make the city look better. -- Linda Amunson, Sioux City
When I first saw it, I assumed that it was a hoax. The photograph showed the girlish face of silent screen starlet Clara Bow, dressed in a coordinating blouse and hat, both emblazoned with a large, black, unmistakable swastika. Questions kept bubbling up. Was Old Hollywood icon Clara Bow a Nazi? Was the photo a fake, Bow the victim of Photoshop or some A.I.generated fever dream? Or was there some other explanation for why this image existed?

It was easy to answer one of these questions: Yes, this photograph was real, and could be precisely dated, appearing on page 27 of the L.A. Times on April 13, 1928. Ancient Cross Defies Jinx Day proclaimed the headline, explaining that Bow was wearing the swastika symbol to ward off the bad luck of Friday the 13th. Not a hint, in the copy, of the associations between the swastika and antisemitic nationalist violence that was already taking place in Germany and Austria. Looking deeper, I found out that the swastika was a popular symbol in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, across Europe and particularly in the United States, where its use was widespread and fashionable, first infused with a sense of vaguely whimsical exoticism, and then perfect for the developing Art Deco aesthetic because of its angular, modernist lines.

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The symbol was, actually, ubiquitous. If you were a teenage girl in 1905 and you were looking to make a little extra money, you might sign up to sell subscriptions to the Ladies Home Journal, a popular womens magazine. You would also be gratified to earn a special pin to show off your membership in what they called the Girls Cluba little gold swastika, featuring a diamond at the center, manufactured by Tiffany & Co. This would go nicely with your copy of the Girls Club newsletter, The Swastika. Perhaps you had a 1900 edition of a Rudyard Kipling publication like The Jungle Book, embossed with swastikas on the spine. Flipping through your Harpers Bazaar or Good Housekeeping in the first decade of the 20th century, you might encounter advertisements or articles with illustrations of swastikas on jewelry, trim for towels, embellishments for pillows, table decorations for a good-luck luncheon, or crocheted coin purses. One ad for jewelry company Warren Mansfield included no fewer than five objects featuring swastikas, sometimes pairing the symbol with a four-leaf clover or teddy bear.

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In the 1910s and 1920s, fashion designers too embraced the swastika. Actress Clara Bow was not the only one to wear swastika-themed outfits; fashion trade newspaper Womens Wear Daily reported on sweaters, coats, and other ensembles featuring the symbol. The boxy fashions of the 1920s were especially suited to the use of the symbol, which was variably linked with Mexican, Chinese, and Peruvian origins.

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These uses of the swastika in the United States were not without their own troubling associations. You do not need to go far to find the diversity of meanings and histories of the symbol. Examples of it appear in archaeological sites across Asia, the Americas, and Northern Europe. The swastika is a holy symbol in Buddhism, leading present-day priests such as Rev. Dr. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki to argue for a linguistic and conceptual separation between the swastika and the hakenkreuz, or hooked cross, the term used for the swastika symbol in Germany during the Nazi era. Despite the swastikas varied cultural sources, in the United States it was most often attributed to the Dine (Navajo) people, used as a sacred symbol in the ritual of sand painting. They, and other Native American communities, also began incorporating it into weaving, silver objects, and ceramics, many of which were sold to white consumers participating in what art historian Elizabeth Hutchinson has called the Indian Craze, a period starting in the 1890s in which objects made by Indigenous Americans were increasingly prized by white collectors. Much of the interest in Native American arts was centered on the preservation of cultures that appeared, to late-19th-century white Americans, on the verge of extinctionwhich was especially perverse, given the role of the United States government in that extinction.

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When New York fashion designers used the swastika in their designs, they participated in what we might today call cultural appropriation. This was no accident; in the 20s, the American fashion industry was trying to define itself outside the influence of Paris, the city that had been established as the center of fashionable inspiration since the 19th century. The New York fashion industry worked with museums such as the American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art to understand what American design should look like. The swastika, given its association with Native American aesthetics and its easy adaptability, fit the bill exactly. For American designers of European descent, appropriating motifs with origins in Indigenous cultures from across North and South Americaincluding the swastikawas a strategy to define themselves as independent from European design culture and to compete economically with European imports.

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Meanwhile, in Europe, the swastika was gaining a reputation for other, more familiar, reasons. By the time Hitler joined the Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (the precursor to the Nazi party) in 1919, they were already using the symbol. His innovationaccording to his own writingswas to combine the swastika with the red, black, and white of the flag created in 1871 by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck to represent a unified Germany. In 1927 a journalist from Town & Country traveled to Austria to report on the conflict between nationalist antisemitic paramilitary forces and the Social Democratic Party. What came as a surprise to her was the response to a ring she was wearing, which featured a good-luck symbol fashionable back in the United States: a swastika. She wrote that a Viennese man begged her to take it off, explaining, It is the sign of the Hakenkreuzlerof the Anti-Semites.

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After Hitler seized power in Germany in 1933, the swastikas association with the Nazi Party became increasingly difficult to ignore. Another journalistthis time with the New Yorkerwrote about attending an anti-Hitler rally in New York City in 1933, where he, too, was stuck with an awkward accessory. He thought it prudent to conceal his swastika watch fob in his vest, realizing its uncomfortable implications. Accordingly, the number of mentions of swastika-themed objects in fashion and lifestyle magazines dropped off in the 1930s, while stories about Nazi Germany proliferated.

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However, distaste for the swastikas antisemitic connotations was not universal, and responses to the symbol revealed existing prejudices. One incident in 1936 made that clear. Swastika Motif Receives Cold Reception, read a small headline in Womens Wear Daily in 1936. Buttons crested with swastikas, shown by one couture house, stirred up some comment among an audience of New York buyers, the editors wrote. No sales of this particular model are reported. Although no reason for this chilly response was given, it might be due to the fact that many important New York department stores were owned or founded by Jews, including B. Altman, Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Macys. Although the Womens Wear Daily article left the designer of these buttons anonymous, Vogue also reported on a fashion show featuring swastika buttons, identifying the designer as Marcel Rochas, a well-known French couturier. Unlike Womens Wear Daily, Vogue found the use of the swastika to be amusing, rather than disturbing.

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Related From Slate Fred Kaplan Good News About Those Military Bases Named After Confederate Officers Read More

This may be because Vogue did not see the swastikas antisemitic connotations as inherently objectionable. Despite the patriotic turn that it would take when the United States entered the war, the approach of Vogue and other American lifestyle magazines to Hitler in the 1930s was neutral or even positive. An article in Town & Country in 1934 described the swastika-filled Nuurenberg rally as a vastly friendly affair. In 1936, a few months after reviewing the Rochas collection, Vogue featured photographs of the home decor of Hitler, Mussolini, and British Prime Minister Anthony Eden. A swastika cushion featured prominently in Hitlers dining room. Rather than addressing Hitlers policies, this image, and the magazines entire editorial approach, served to emphasize the humanity and domesticity of both the dictator and the swastika symbol.

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As late as 1937, Good Housekeeping recommended creating a swastika out of cashews as a clever cake decoration, but the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939 meant that the swastika finally became synonymous with the Nazi Party for an American audience. At that point, even those with arguably a better claim to the symbol rejected its troubling new meaning; in 1940, the Navajo, Papago, Hopi, and Apache all signed a proclamation renouncing the swastika symbol because it had been desecrated recently by another nation of peoples.

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The consequences of interpreting these symbols correctly were not merely theoretical. When American pilot and Nazi sympathizer Laura Ingalls (a distant cousin of childrens author Laura Ingalls Wilder) was put on trial in 1942, her silver swastika bracelet was brought up as evidence of Ingalls Nazi leanings. Ingalls was a vocal supporter of the Third Reich and had been arrested by the FBI in 1941 for failure to register as an enemy agent. At trial, Ingalls argued that the bracelet was not a Nazi swastika at all, but an Indian symbol of good luck. Ingalls subsequent conviction did not rest on the evidence of her bracelet, but its role reveals that a politically neutral interpretation of the swastika had come to an end.

As for Clara Bow, there are no photographs showing her wearing a swastika after it came to be associated more with Nazism than good luck. She did visit Germany during her honeymoon in 1933 and Hitlera fangave her an inscribed copy of Mein Kampf to remember him by.
SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents actors, is on strike alongside the Writers Guild of America for the first time since 1960.

Nadira Goffe takes a look back at the last dual Hollywood strikeled by (checks notes) Ronald Reagan?!and how things have changed today.

Its also a good time to go back and reread Heather Tal Murphys piece on the A.I.driven future that has actors terrified.

Plus: Hot Strike Summer may just be getting startedUPS workers are also on the verge of a strike! What Next: TBD explains why.

A great week for diplomacy

You might have missed it from the headlines, but Bidens trip to Europe this week produced some of Americas biggest diplomatic triumphs in years, Fred Kaplan writes. He explains why this NATO summit was so productive.

A tale of three justices

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Now that the Supreme Court term is over, Dahlia Lithwick takes a closer look at the three liberal justices and the differences in their methods of dissenting.

Bozo Caucus strikes again

Arizona Rep. Eli Crane made use of the phrase colored people on the House floor yesterday. Quite the word choice! Ben Mathis-Lilley recaps the whole episode.

For the overdramatic youth

You can almost hear these songs echoing through rec rooms and dressing roomsnot to mention theater campsalready. Dan Kois reviews Theater Camp, the delightful new movie that gives Americas drama kids what theyve always craved.

The unbearable publicness of being

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This week, Shannon Palus watched as the staff of an influencer who died of cancer hawked products in her honor on Prime Day. She thoughtfully examines the question: What are we even doing on the internet now?

The most captivating rookie

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Elly De La Cruz is sensational, and luckily for his team, hes not their only bright spot. Alex Kirshner looks at how the 21-year-old with a cyborgish set of talents is bringing hope to the hopeless.

The privacy protectors

The key to protecting Americans privacy is lockedwhat a surprise!in an underfunded government agency. Justin Sherman explains what needs to be done to ensure that Big Tech doesnt abuse millions of peoples data.

Today, Slate  * FAVORS A STRONG BROW

 much like the first lady of Florida, Casey DeSantis. Heather Schwedel ponders the aesthetic and political questions raised by her eyebrow styling choices.

Thanks so much for reading! Whatever shape your brows may be in, we hope you have a great weekend, and well see you on Monday.
Meta hasnt opened Threads to ads yet, but it might not be able to resist for long. Advertisers are eager to spend serious money there and are already planning for the eventuality, with a good number expecting the opportunity to arrive later this year.

The Twitter clone has everything ad buyers look for in a partner: a large audience, public interest, and potential access to Metas industry-leading advertising tools. And as soon as Mark Zuckerberg welcomes them, they wont waste a minute.

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Were going to start immediately for our clients, as soon as advertisements are available on Threads, said Ahmet Yavuz, CEO of digital marketing firm ASY Digital. Everything is ready from our side.

For Yavuz and his peers, theres serious appeal in having another app inside Metas ad manager. And that could be trouble for Twitter, which saw advertisers flee following Elon Musks takeover of the platform last year, and has since strained to woo them back. Metas ad platform centralizes buying across its propertiesincluding Instagram and Facebookand is extremely effective, using advanced targeting and optimization to deliver better performance than other digital media outlets, with the possible exception of Google. Once Meta adds a check box to extend ads to Threads, ad buyers will check it.

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Meta is the No. 1 platform for pretty much all the brands we work for, said Carly London, the founder of growth marketing agency Sometimes Curly. If were able to use the power of that advertising to expand to a Twitterlike audience, that can be huge.

Among nearly all the marketers we spoke with, the prevailing sentiment was overwhelming trust in Metas ad platform. Id for sure start to test immediately because its Meta. Generally trust them in every placement they have, said David Herrmann, CEO of ad agency Herrmann Digital.

Theyre always making updates to improve targeting and placements and ad optimization, said Carl Bivona, senior director of social media at Ignite Visibility.

They already have better ad technology from a marketers perspective than Twitter. Facebooks ads, technology, and interfaces are much better than Twitters, said Trevor Dudeck, CEO of ad agency Lemonade.

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Well be ready to jump in as soon as Meta rolls out advertising on Threads, said Josh Keller, CEO of Union Square Media. We are communicating with them currently about the launch.

Related From Slate Shannon Palus An Influencer Died and Her Team Did Prime Day in Her Honor Read More

The enthusiasm from advertisers has little to do with content moderation or the culture war. None of the marketers we spoke with brought up Musks or Zuckerbergs politics, just as few marketers slowed their spending amid Metas various scandals over the past decade. Marketers want performance, and Meta delivers.

My No. 1 goal is what will make the company money, said London. I dont get involved in any other kind of issues, or Twitter vs. this or vs. that. I dont really care.

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For Meta, theres risk that Threads cannibalizes Instagrams revenue over Twitters. Meta, after all, built Threads on top of Instagrams network, and advertisers want more than just a novel way to reach the same people. If its just the same thing as Instagram, thats not going to be as enticing, said one executive at a major digital advertising agency. Threads likely needs to pull in some growth from outside the Instagram community to keep growing.

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So Meta will take it slow, as long as its able. But while Zuckerberg said last week hell wait until Threads is on track to 1 billion users before thinking about monetization, it did hit 100 million in a week. With Wall Street shareholders to answer to, Meta may flip the switch on Threads ads quicker than many imagine. Advertisers are already speaking hopefully about a possible introduction of ads to Threads sometime later this year. Ive heard rumblings that this may be starting sometime in Q4, before the holidays, said Herrmann. Others expressed similar hopes.

When Zuckerberg inevitably adds the Threads check box to Metas ad platform, itll be ominous for Twitters flailing ad business. At the very least, it will make it more difficult to grow. I think Twitter is going to be hurting, said London. Why would I run on Twitter if Im getting worse performance and reaching the same audience?
Crafting a business is just as creative and meticulous a process as crafting a beautiful crochet piece. As an entrepreneur stepping into the crochet business, you need a name that complements the creativity, skill, and uniqueness that goes into every crochet item. This article is designed to inspire you with over 300 name ideas for your crochet business.

Introduction

When it comes to crochet business names, finding the perfect name for your crochet company is essential. With so many options out there, you want to ensure you have the best crochet business name that truly represents your brand. Whether youre looking for cute crochet shop names or a unique crochet business name, the right choice can make your brand stand out.

Consider names like Hooked on Crochet or Crocheted Dream Crochet to convey your passion and dedication to the craft. A crochet boutique could have a charming name like Cute Crochet Sweater Knit to evoke a sense of style and appeal. For a broader crochet company, you might consider Black Purls Yarn Shop or Fine Yarn Stitch Knitters to highlight the quality and expertise offered.

Remember, a unique crochet business name can make a lasting impact on customers and help your brand resonate in the market. Take the time to explore crochet company name ideas and find the one that captures the essence of your business. Whether you specialize in baby crochet hats or cater to a wider audience, a well-chosen crochet business name can set the tone for success.

Lets jump right into the name suggestions!

General Business Name Ideas for Crochet Businesses

Crafty Crochet Creations

Threaded Dream Crochet

Cozy Corner Crochet

Handmade Happiness Crochet

The Stitch Sisters Crochet

Hooked Heaven Crochet

Precious Purls Crochet

Delicate Design Crochet

Golden Gauge Crochet

Loop Love Crochet

Knotty Needle Crochet

Yarn Delights Crochet

Woolly Wonders Crochet

Crafty Hook Crochet

Crochet Couture

Cozy Knots Crochet

Creative Crochet Corner

Whimsical Stitches Crochet

Blissful Yarns Crochet

Fancy Fiber Crochet

Colorful Creations Crochet

Soft Touch Crochet

Elegant Knots Crochet

The Crafty Loop

Magical Yarnworks Crochet

Delightful Stitches Crochet

Needle and Thread Crochet

Yarn Euphoria Crochet

Fancy Knots Crochet

Tangled Treasures Crochet

Yarn Haven Crochet

Charming Stitches Crochet

Crafty Knots Crochet

Thread Haven Crochet

Yarn Magic Crochet

Classic Business Name Ideas

Immerse your crochet business in an aura of timelessness and sophistication with these classic name ideas. Crafted to resonate with a diverse range of customers, these names capture the essence of enduring beauty and charm. Explore the possibilities and discover the perfect name that will elevate your crochet business to new heights.

Crochet Co.

Hooked On Crochet

The Crochet Boutique

Yarn Bomb Bliss

The Crochet House

The Crochet Lounge

The Crochet Loft

Crochet Castle

Firefly Fiber Arts

Yarn Crochet Empire

Crochet Corner

Yarn and Needle

The Cozy Crochet

The Crafty Hook

Thread and Needle

Yarn Crafters

The Crochet Studio

Creative Stitches

Needlework Nook

Yarn Haven

Crochet Delights

The Knit and Crochet Shop

Crafty Threads

Stitched with Love

Yarn Craftsman

The Crochet Cottage

The Threaded Needle

Crochet Creators

Yarn Artisans

The Crochet Workshop

Crafty Yarnworks

Hook and Loop

The Yarn Room

Crochet Gallery

The Cozy Stitchery

Creative Business Name Ideas

If you want to communicate your creativity, these business name ideas might do the trick:

Crocheted Dream

Stitch Monkey

Yarn Rave

Yankee Yarns

Crochet Queen

Crochet House Handmade

Clever Crochet

Stitch Niche

Purl Cleveland

Cozy Crafty Crochet

Twisted Threads Crochet

Knots and Bolts

The Crafty Loop

Yarn Couture

Thread Whiskers

Tangled Creations

Yarn Artistry

Crochet Kaleidoscope

Stitches and Swirls

Whimsical Woolworks

Crafty Fiber Fantasies

Crochet Carousel

Yarnovation

The Cozy Knot

Fiber Finesse

Whisked Stitches

The Crafty Twist

Yarn Harmony

Crochetopia

Needle and Knot

Creative Loop

Yarn Enchantments

Hooked and Happy

Crafty Threadworks

The Knotty Nest

Modern Business Name Ideas

Modern names are trendy, chic, and reflect a fresh perspective on crochet. Some modern name ideas are:

The Crochet Academy

Cozy Crochet Charm

Cute Crochet Co.

Yarn HobbyKnitting House

Creative Crochet Couture

The Stitch Sisters

Shiny Threads Yarn Shop

Allure Crochet

Merrimack Yarn Centric

Crochet Centric

Stitch & Co.

Yarn Fusion

Trendy Threadworks

Urban Crochet Studio

Chic Stitchery

Modern Fiber Art

The Crochet Collective

ThreadCraft

Crafty Fiber Studio

Hooked Modern

Stitch Avenue

Yarn Innovations

The Modern Loop

Crochet Connection

Thread Trends

Contemporary Crochet Co.

Yarn Vibes

Hip Stitch Studio

Modern Twist Crochet

The Yarn Lab

Stitched Modernity

Crafty Thread Boutique

Trendy Knots

The Modern Maker

Fiber & Co.

Minimalist Business Name Ideas

Minimalist names are simple, easy to remember, and usually very sleek. Here are some minimalist name ideas:

Stitch

Purl

Skein

Yarn

Loop

Hook

Thread

Gauge

Knot

Rag Rug Co

Weave

Woven

Fiber

Knitwork

Yarnwork

Fiber Loft

Simply Stitched

Minimalist Knots

Stitched Threads

Clean Loop

Modern Yarns

Sleek Stitches

Pure Purls

Minimalist Fiber

Streamlined Crochet

Essential Knots

Neat Needlework

Simple Skeins

Tidy Twists

Clean Craft

Elegant Loop

Refined Stitches

Trim Threads

Structured Yarns

Chic Crochet

Playful Business Name Ideas

A playful name adds a touch of humor and levity to your brand, which can make it more memorable. Here are some playful business name ideas:

The Yarn Barn

Hooks and Loops

Knit and Purl Pals

The Yarnicorn

The Crochet Carousel

Stitches & Giggles

Yarny Delights

Hook, Line & Stitcher

The Giddy Gauge

The Jolly Hooker

The Yarniverse

Crochet Carnival

Whimsy Threads

Happy Hookers

Yarn Magic

Playful Purls

The Crochet Party

Yarn Mischief

Funky Fiber

Cheery Stitches

The Crochet Zoo

Yarn Pixie

Joyful Knots

Thread Tickle

Crochet Funtime

The Colorful Loop

Stitch Playland

Yarn Fiesta

Crochetlandia

Hooked and Happy

Thread Topsy-Turvy

Whirlwind Yarn

Crochet Caboodle

The Jovial Stitch

Yarn Frolic

Crochet Business Name Ideas Inspired by Location

Location-based business names can create a strong local identity and appeal. Here are some ideas:

Brooklyn Hook & Yarn

Sunset Crochet Co.

Manhattan Stitches

Pacific Purl

Denver Loop & Stitch

Lakeside Yarns

Austin Thread Works

Carolina Cotton Crochet

Tahoe Tassel Twist

Rocky Mountain Ravel

SoCal Stitchery

Windy City Weaves

Coastal Crochet Creations

Desert Yarn Oasis

Cascade Crochet

Lone Star Loop

Bay Area Stitchworks

Northern Lights Knits

Sunshine State Stitches

Mile High Yarn Co.

Gulf Coast Crochet

Golden Gate Yarns

Evergreen Threadworks

Grand Canyon Fiber Arts

Big Sky Crochet

Cape Cod Knits

Beachside Stitches

Ozark Twist

Appalachian Yarn Co.

Rocky Coast Crochet

Chesapeake Hook & Yarn

Heartland Stitches

Valley Yarn Works

Redwood Ropes

Great Lakes Crochet

Crochet Business Name Ideas Inspired by Industry Terms

Industry terms can make for compelling and instantly recognizable names. Here are some ideas:

Double Crochet Delights

Slip Stitch Studios

Yarn Over Crafts

Chain Space Creations

Back Loop Boutique

Granny Square Gallery

Picot Point Designs

Bobble Bead Boutique

Front Post Fashions

Treble Stitch Trends

Crochet Connection Co.

Stitch Crafters

Loop and Chain Studio

Yarn Masterminds

Slip Knot Creations

Trendy Trebles

Picot Purl Designs

Bobble Stitch Boutique

Front Loop Fiber

Chain Link Crafts

Crochet Couturiers

Stitched Elegance

Yarn Twists and Turns

Slip Stitch Sensations

Crochet Artistry

Yarnover Creations

Chain Reaction Crafters

Double Stitch Delights

Post Stitch Passion

Crochet Ensemble

Bobble Stitch Bliss

Chain Space Chic

Slip Knot Style

Granny Square Glam

Yarnover Innovations

Crochet Business Name Ideas Inspired by Foreign Languages

Naming your business in a foreign language can add a touch of sophistication and global appeal:

Bella Bobble (Italian for beautiful bobble)

Torsades de Pointes (French for twists of peaks)

Hakeln Haus (German for crochet house)

Casa de Ganchillo (Spanish for house of crochet)

Filato Fantasia (Italian for yarn fantasy)

Point de Croix Perfection (French for cross stitch perfection)

Tejido Tesoro (Spanish for woven treasure)

Masche Meister (German for stitch master)

Fil de Reve (French for thread of dream)

Gomitoli Gioia (Italian for balls of joy)

Filo dOro (Italian for golden thread)

Fil en Fete (French for thread celebration)

Hakelzauber (German for crochet magic)

Enredos de Hilo (Spanish for tangled threads)

Nodi di Luce (Italian for knots of light)

Crochet Reverie (French for crochet reverie)

Hilo Hermoso (Spanish for beautiful yarn)

Fadenkunst (German for thread art)

Trame Incantate (Italian for enchanted weaves)

Crochet Calin (French for crochet cuddle)

Hilo de Seda (Spanish for silk thread)

Garnzauber (German for yarn magic)

Lavori di Maglia (Italian for knitting works)

Fils de Bonheur (French for threads of happiness)

Madejas Maravillosas (Spanish for wonderful skeins)

Garnkunstler (German for yarn artist)

Ricami di Sogno (Italian for dreamy embroideries)

Fil Doux (French for soft thread)

Tejidos Preciosos (Spanish for precious weavings)

Faserfantasie (German for fiber fantasy)

Gomitoli Brillanti (Italian for brilliant skeins)

Fil Lumineux (French for luminous thread)

Madejas Magicas (Spanish for magical skeins)

Fadenzauber (German for thread enchantment)

Uncinetto dAmore (Italian for crochet of love)

Crochet Business Name Ideas with Acronyms or Abbreviations

Acronyms or abbreviations can create intriguing, catchy business names:

C.B. Crochet Co.

H.O.C. (Hooked On Crochet)

Y.B.B. (Yarn Bomb Bliss)

S.M.Y. (Stitch Monkey Yarns)

C.Q.C. (Crochet Queen Creations)

Y.H.K.H. (Yarn HobbyKnitting House)

C.C.C. (Cozy Crafty Crochet)

A.C.C. (Allure Crochet Couture)

M.Y.C. (Merrimack Yarn Centric)

R.R.C. (Rag Rug Co.)

T.C.C. (Thread Craft Collective)

C.H.L. (Crafty Hook Loft)

Y.E.S. (Yarn Enthusiasts Studio)

S.T.C. (Stitch & Thread Company)

F.A.Y. (Fiber Art Yard)

T.W.K. (Threaded Whiskers Knots)

C.S.P. (Crafty Stitch Palace)

Y.T.S. (Yarn Treasures Shop)

T.K.C. (The Knotty Co.)

F.L.Y. (Fiber Love Yarn)

C.A.R. (Crochet Artistic Realm)

S.N.C. (Stitch & Nook Crafts)

Y.A.C. (Yarn Affair Co.)

T.W.I.S.T. (Threadworks in Style)

F.A.B. (Fiber Arts Boutique)

C.R.A.F.T. (Crochet, Rugs, and Fiber Traditions)

S.T.A.R. (Stitching and Textile Artistry)

Y.A.R.N. (Yarn Artisans & Resource Network)

T.H.R.E.A.D. (The Hooked Realm for Elegant Art Design)

F.I.B.E.R. (Fascinating Intricate Creations of Beautifully Entwined Rope)

C.L.O.O.P. (Crafted Loops of Organic Perfection)

S.T.Y.L.E. (Stitching Together Yarns with Love and Elegance)

Y.A.R.N.S. (Your Artful Realm of Needlework & Stitchery)

T.R.E.A.S.U.R.E. (Textile Realm Embellished with Artistic Stitching Unleashing Rich Elegance)

F.I.L.O. (Fiber Innovations & Looped Offerings)

Crochet Business Name Ideas with Puns or Wordplay

Puns or wordplay can make your business name fun and memorable:

Hook, Line & Sinker

Purls of Wisdom

Loop Dreams

The Yarn Identity

Crochet Away

Stitch and B*tch

Yarn to be Wild

Knot Your Average Crochet

Unravel the Magic

Hooked on a Feeling

Crochetopia

Yarn-estly Yours

Knotty and Nice

The Crafty Hookers

Yarnovation

Crochet Couture

Hooked on Happiness

Purlfect Stitches

Tangled Up in Yarn

Knot Just Crochet

Yarn Envy

The Stitch Witch

Crafty Threads

Yarnado

Crochet Whimsy

Stitched Bliss

Yarniverse

Hooked and Lovin It

Twisted Yarns

The Cozy Hook

Yarn Jugglers

Crochet Chronicles

Hook and Needle Delights

Yarn Flair

Stitches Galore

Tips for Creating Crochet Business Business Names

Picking a name for your crochet business can be a fun yet challenging task. Its not just about finding a catchy name, but also considering aspects like your target audience, brand identity, and the nature of your products. Here are some tips to help you generate the perfect business name:

Understand your Business: Understanding the essence of your business is the key to finding a fitting name. Are you focusing on modern patterns, vintage designs, or baby items? Do you want your name to reflect your love of crochet, or would you prefer a broader appeal?

Know your Audience: The name should resonate with your target audience. If your customers are mostly young, consider something modern and chic. If your products cater to a more mature audience, a classic or vintage-inspired name might be more suitable.

Make it Unique: A unique name will stand out from the crowd and help customers remember your brand. Its also beneficial for online searches and domain names.

Keep it Simple: A simple name is easier to remember and less likely to confuse potential customers. Avoid complicated words or phrases that might be hard to spell or pronounce.

Seek Feedback: Its always helpful to get a second opinion. Ask friends, family, or potential customers for feedback on your top choices. They might provide valuable perspectives that you havent considered.

Consider SEO When Naming Your [Crochet Business]

SEO, or search engine optimization, is an important factor to consider when naming your business. If your business name contains popular search terms related to crochet, it will be easier for potential customers to find you online.

Keywords: Include relevant keywords in your business name if possible. This can help you rank higher in search engine results.

Domain Name: Check if your business name or a variation of it is available as a domain name. A matching domain name can enhance your online presence and make it easier for customers to find you.

Social Media: Make sure your business name is available on social media platforms. Consistency across platforms can enhance your brand recognition.

The Process of Naming Your [Crochet Business]

Naming your business is an important step that can significantly influence its success. Heres a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Brainstorm a list of potential names using various sources of inspiration: crochet techniques, favorite yarn types, or places you love.

Step 2: Shortlist your favorite names and check if theyre unique.

Step 3: Conduct a trademark search to make sure the name youve chosen isnt already in use or registered by another business.

Step 4: Seek feedback from potential customers, friends, or family to see how the names resonate.

Step 5: Make sure the domain name is available for your chosen business name.

Step 6: Once youve decided, register your business name and domain name.

Step 7: Finally, start branding your business with your new name!

[Crochet Business] Name Generators

If youre having trouble coming up with a name, try using a business name generator. Here are a few recommended ones:

Shopify Business Name Generator

NameMesh

BusinessNameGenerator.com

Naming.net

Remember, a name generator is just a tool to spark ideas. Always make sure the name you choose aligns with your businesss vision and appeals to your target audience.

FAQs About Naming Your [Crochet Business]

Q: How important is a business name? A: A business name plays a crucial role in setting the tone and personality of your brand. Its often the first impression customers get of your business, so its important to choose a name that is memorable and represents what your business is about.

Q: What should I consider when choosing a business name? A: You should consider your target audience, the nature of your products, and the overall vibe or image you want your business to convey. You also need to make sure your business name is unique and not already in use by another company.

Q: How do I know if a business name is taken? A: You can conduct a name search on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Offices (USPTO) database to see if the name is already trademarked. You can also do a quick Google search or check on popular social media platforms.

Q: Can I change my business name later? A: Yes, its possible to change your business name later, but it can be a complex process that involves changing your legal business name, updating your business registrations and licenses, and rebranding your marketing materials. Its best to choose a name youre happy with from the start.

Conclusion

Selecting the right business name is an important part of establishing your crochet business. A good name should resonate with your target audience, reflect your brands identity, and stand out in the crowded marketplace. The process might seem daunting, but with a little creativity and thoughtful consideration, youre sure to find a name thats a perfect fit for your business. So, take your time, brainstorm, and dont be afraid to think outside the box. Remember, every successful business starts with a great name!
Contracts For May 16, 2023



No applicable data.



Contracts For May 17, 2023



Rockwell Collins Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is awarded a $10,247,842 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00011) to an order (N0001921F0005) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001919G0031). This modification provides non-recurring engineering for the development of hardware and software necessary to install Mission Computer Modernization into E-6B Block I aircraft. Work will be performed in Richardson, Texas, and is expected to be completed in February 2026. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $10,247,842 will be obligated at the time of award; none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.



Contracts For May 18, 2023



Coastal Mechanics Company Inc., Houston, Texas (N0017823D4310); Astro Machine Works Inc., Ephrata, Pennsylvania (N0017823D4311); Globe Tech LLC, Plymouth, Michigan (N0017823D4312); M&S Machining Inc., Winchester, Kentucky (N0017823D4313); SAVIT Corp. Rockaway, New Jersey (N0017823D4314); Sunbelt Design and Development Inc., San Antonio, Texas (N0017823D4315); Total Machine LLC, King George, Virginia (N0017823D4316); and Waltonen Engineering Inc., Warren, Michigan (N0017823D4317), were awarded a combined $50,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract for the rapid manufacture, assembly, inspection and delivery of machined prototypes and assemblies. Each awardee will be awarded $500 (minimum contract guarantee per awardee) at contract award. Work will be performed in Houston, Texas; Ephrata, Pennsylvania; Plymouth, Michigan; Winchester, Kentucky; Rockaway, New Jersey; San Antonio, Texas; King George, Virginia; and Warren, Michigan. Work is expected to be completed by May 2028. A combined total of $4,000 in fiscal 2023 working capital funds will be obligated at the time of award. All other funding will be made available at the delivery order level as contracting actions occur. This contract was competitively procured via the system for award management website, SAM.gov, with eight complete offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded May 17, 2023)



Contracts For May 19, 2023



No applicable data.



Contracts For May 22, 2023



No applicable data.



Contracts For May 23, 2023



Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Indiana, is awarded a $21,473,824 firm-fixed-price modification (P00001) to a previously awarded contract (N0001923C0017). This modification exercises an option for the production and delivery of eight AE1107C engines in support of the V-22 Osprey for the Navy. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in November 2024. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $21,473,824 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.



Contracts For May 24, 2023



No applicable data.



Contracts For May 25, 2023



Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded an $11,393,715 firm-fixed-price modification (P00005) to a previously awarded contract (N0001922C0004). This modification provides production systems engineering and program management support for CH-53K full-rate production. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed in May 2024. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,545,286; and Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount of $2,848,429 will be obligated at the time of award; none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.



Contracts For May 26, 2023



No applicable data.



Contracts For May 30, 2023



Textron Systems Corp., Hunt Valley, Maryland, is awarded a $19,595,296 firm-fixed-price order (N0001923F2544) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001921G0008) to provide unmanned aircraft systems intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services for the Department of Defense, other government agencies, and domestic and overseas contingency operations. Work will be performed in various locations outside the continental U.S. (80%); and Hunt Valley, Maryland (20%), and is expected to be completed in April 2029. Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $19,595,296 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.



BAE Systems, Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Greenlawn, New York, is awarded a $18,943,442 firm-fixed-price contract for the production and delivery of 18 AN/UPX-50(C) digital identification boxes and 50 retrofit kits to convert AN/UPX-41(C) to AN/UPX-50(C) in support of the Navy and Coast Guard. Work will be performed in Greenlawn, New York (70%); Austin, Texas (18%); and Manassas, Virginia (12%), and is expected to be completed in October 2025. Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $541,045; fiscal 2022 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $995,035; fiscal 2023 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,594,560; and fiscal 2023 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,812,812 will be obligated at the time of award, $541,045 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001923C0046).



Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $8,325,876 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide corrective maintenance to repair or replace F-135 propulsion systems for F-35A/B/C production aircraft in support of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and non-Department of Defense participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in March 2026. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code. 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001923D0004).



Contracts For May 31, 2023



Aircraft Readiness Alliance II LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, is awarded a $408,216,896 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide depot level maintenance services for aircraft, aircraft engines and associated components/materials, to include the rework of existing aviation end items, systems and components and the manufacture of items and component parts that are otherwise not available. Additionally, this contract provides for modernization, conversion, in-service repair, disassembly, and all other categories of aircraft depot level maintenance in support of AV-8B, C-130, C-2, E-2, EA-6B, F/A-18, H-1, H-53, H-60, MQ-8, P-3, P-8, F-35, and V-22 aircraft and associated systems, equipment and components in support of the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest for the Navy. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (67%); Lemoore, California (labor surplus area) (17%) ; Camp Pendleton, California (5%); Miramar, California (4%); Whidbey Island, Washington (4%); Cannon, New Mexico (2%); and Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (1%), and is expected to be completed in July 2028. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured as a small business set-aside, six offers were received. The Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N6852023D0007).



Red Peak Technical Services LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, is awarded a $136,238,161 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide lifecycle support for technical data products to naval aviation weapons systems, to include support for the following: technical data management, technical publishing, technical library/repository/data control center, logistics information technology, independent quality assurance, digital and physical access, control, content, transaction/exchange, and protection, and technical data content's suitability and completeness for intended use analysis and configuration audits in support of the Naval Air Systems Command, Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC) Headquarters Logistics Technical Data Department. Work will be performed in Cherry Point, North Carolina (37.34%); Patuxent River, Maryland (26.21%); San Diego, California (18.5%); Jacksonville, Florida (9.13%); Lakehurst, New Jersey (5.5%); and China Lake, California (3.32%), and is expected to be completed in June 2028. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured as a small business set-aside, one offer was received. COMFRC, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N6852023D0011).



Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is awarded a $60,335,000 cost reimbursable modification (P00038) to a previously awarded contract (N0001919C0008). This modification adds scope to procure long lead components, material, parts, and associated support, in support of maintaining the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft systems production schedule for two unmanned air vehicles and one main operating base for the Navy. Work will be performed in Red Oak, Texas (31.1%); Baltimore, Maryland (27.1%); Bridgeport, West Virginia (13.8%); Salt Lake City, Utah (10.7%); San Diego, California (5.4%); Longueuil, Quebec (2.8%); San Clemente, California (2.2%); Vandalia, Ohio (1.5%); various locations within the continental U.S. (CONUS) (5%); and various locations outside CONUS (0.4%), and is expected to be completed in May 2024. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $60,335,000 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.



Arnold Defense and Electronics, Arnold, Missouri, is awarded a $56,518,359 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for 2.75-inch (70mm) rocket launchers, subcomponents, and support for Navy, Army, Air Force and Foreign Military Sales requirements. Work will be performed in Arnold, Missouri, and is expected to be completed by May 2028. Fiscal 2023 procurement of ammunition (Air Force) funds in the amount of $2,057,908 (60%); fiscal 2022 procurement of ammunition (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,322,500 (39%); and fiscal 2021 procurement of ammunition (Navy) funds in the amount of $28,750 (1%), will be obligated at the time of award, of which $28,750 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1). Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division, Indian Head, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00174-23-D-0004).
Contracts For June 1, 2023



The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $200,000,000 firm-fixed-price modification (P00040) to a previously awarded contract (N0001918C1046). This modification procures critical long lead material and associated efforts in support of maintaining the full rate production timeline for the congressionally added F/A-18E/F aircraft. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California (68.9%); St Louis, Missouri (20.2%); Goleta, California (2.5%); East Aurora, New York (1.7%); Blossom, Texas (1.3%); Longueuil, Quebec Canada (1.3%); Vandalia, Ohio (1.1%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (3%), and is expected to be completed in June 2025. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $200,000,000 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.



KBR Wyle Services LLC, Lexington Park, Maryland, is awarded a $14,700,445 modification (P00005) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N0042119D0071). This modification increases the contract ceiling to provide continued certified and qualified operational aircrew services in support of mission essential testing and evaluation of all manned air vehicles under the operational responsibility of the Naval Test Wing Atlantic/Pacific squadrons. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (94%); Pt. Mugu, California (5%); and China Lake, California (1%), and is expected to be completed in September 2024. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.



Kratos Southern Research Engineering Division (SRE), San Diego, California, is awarded an $8,626,277 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for thermo-mechanical, high-heat/high-sheer reentry material testing. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $46,706,191. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (60%) and the government of United Kingdom (40%) under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Birmingham, Alabama, and is expected to be completed by June 2024. If all options are exercised, work will continue through June 2028. Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance, Navy funds in the amount of $437,000 will be obligated at time of award, of which $437,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). The Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00178-23-C-2405).



Contracts For June 2, 2023



Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $263,717,654 modification (P00010) to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive (firm-target) contract (N0001921C0723). This modification exercises options for the production and delivery of AIM-9X missile production Lot 23 requirements to include: 571 AIM-9X Block II all up round tactical missiles (91: Navy, 257: Air Force, 223: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers); 48 Block II captive air training missiles (38: Navy, 10: Air Force); 185 all-up-round containers (62: Navy, 67: Air Force, 56: FMS customers); 11 spare advanced optical target detectors (5: Navy, 6: Air Force); eight spare advanced optical target detector containers (2: Navy, 6: Air Force); 31 spare Block II guidance units (live battery) (21: Navy, 10: Air Force); 54 spare Block II captive air training missile guidance units (inert battery) (41: Navy, 13: Air Force); two Block I tactical sectionalization kits for the Air Force; seven Block II tactical sectionalization kits (4: Navy, 2: Air Force, 1: FMS customer); 10 Block II captive air training missile anti-tank missile sectionalization kits (9: Navy, 1: FMS customer); one support equipment for FMS customer; three other lot spare assets for the Navy, Air Force, and one FMS customer, as well as non-recurring engineering associated with Systems Improvement Program III transition to production activities. Work will be performed in North Logan, Utah (28.09%); Tucson, Arizona (21.64%); Linthicum Heights, Maryland (18.88%); Minneapolis, Minnesota (11.46%); Marietta, California (8.42%); Saint Albans, Vermont (7.75%); Ann Arbor, Michigan (1.44%); Warrington, Pennsylvania (1.22%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (1.1%), and is expected to be completed in August 2026. Fiscal 2021 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,413,162; fiscal 2021 missile procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $139,381; fiscal 2022 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,524,580; fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $548,782; fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $456,289; fiscal 2022 missile procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $190,841; fiscal 2023 missile procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $98,450,714; fiscal 2023 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $55,416,050; fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,485,155; and FMS customer funds in the amount of $100,092,700 will be obligated at the time of award, of which $7,042,769 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.



Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $14,480,876 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification (P00077) to a previously awarded contract (N0001921C0020). This modification provides logistics support, to include ground maintenance activities, action request solution, depot activities, automatic logistics information system operations and maintenance, reliability and maintainability, supply chain management, pilot and maintainer training, and training system sustainment in support of delivered F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (57%); Orlando, Florida (26%); Greeneville, South Carolina (11%); Samlesbury, United Kingdom (4%); and El Segundo, California (2%), and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $4,850,951; fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $1,681,129; fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $679,289; FMS customer funds in the amount of $1,203,436; and non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $6,066,071 will be obligated at time of award, $7,211,369 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.



Contracts For June 5, 2023



Raytheon Technologies Corp., doing business as Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Connecticut, is awarded a $2,023,073,136 fixed-price-incentive-firm, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost reimbursable modification (P00015) to a previously awarded contract (N0001920C0011). This modification exercises options to procure materials, parts, and components for Lot 17 of the F135 Propulsion system for F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft as well as global spares requirements to include spare engines, power modules, and other hardware in support of the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) participants, cooperative program partners, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Connecticut (17%) (labor surplus area); Indianapolis, Indiana (10%); Middletown, Connecticut (8%); Kent, Washington (7%); North Berwick, Maine (4%); El Cajon, California (3%) (labor surplus area); Cromwell, Connecticut (3%); Whitehall, Michigan (3%); Portland, Oregon (2%); San Diego, California (2%); South Bend, Indiana (2%); Columbus, Georgia (2%); Hampton, Virginia (1%); Manchester, Connecticut (1%); Cheshire, Connecticut (1%); Elmwood Park, New Jersey (1%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (CONUS) (33%), and is expected to be completed in December 2025. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $645,518,188; fiscal 2023 (Air Force) funds in the amount of $527,686,528; fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $30,393,808; fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,412,449; non-U.S. DOD participant funds in the amount of $417,538,909; and FMS customer funds in the amount of $400,523,253 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.



Contracts For June 6, 2023



No applicable data.



Contracts For June 7, 2023



General Atomics, San Diego, California, is awarded a $1,195,545,808 fixed-price incentive (firm-target), firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00007) to a previously awarded contract (N0001922C0033). This modification adds scope for the production, assembly, test, and management of Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) hardware with embedded software and firmware, minus Energy Storage Subsystem and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) System shipsets hardware with embedded software and firmware for the CVN 81 aircraft carrier. Additionally, this modification provides for resolution of EMALS and AAG hardware obsolescence issues, to include firmware obsolescence, as well as non-recurring engineering in support of evaluation and implementation of engineering changes to product hardware, software, technical data, and logistics products through the configuration management process associated with the EMALS and AAG System for the CVN 81 aircraft carrier. This modification also provides case study and developmental research in support of the potential future procurement of EMALS and AAG for the government of France. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (58.1%); Tupelo, Mississippi (40.2%); and Lakehurst, New Jersey (1.7%), and is expected to be completed in September 2032. Fiscal 2023 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount $67,491,463 and Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount $128,376 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.



Contracts For June 8, 2023



Hart Technologies, Manassas, Virginia (N0017823D4400); and JF Taylor, Lexington Park, Maryland (N0017823D4401), are being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price contract line item numbers for rapid prototyping with a shared ceiling value of $99,097,000 for the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), Unmanned & Expeditionary Weapon Systems Division. This work will be performed at the contractor's facilities in Manassas, Virginia; and Lexington Park, Maryland, and is expected to be completed on May 29, 2028. Fiscal 2022 procurement funds in the amount of $103,665 (44%); fiscal 2022 research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) funds in the amount of $60,000 (26%); and fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance (O&M) funds in the amount of $70,810 (30%), will be obligated at time of award for Delivery Order 0001 and Delivery Order 0002. Funding in the amount of $130,810 will expire at the end of fiscal 2023, and funding in the amount of $103,665 will expire at the end of fiscal 2024. This contract was solicited as a small business set aside on the basis of 10 U.S. Code 3203(b) Exclusion of particular source or restriction of solicitation to small business concerns, via a synopsis posted in System for Award Management. NSWCDD, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity.



Contracts For June 9, 2023



No applicable data.



Contracts For June 12, 2023



Raytheon Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Connecticut, is awarded an $887,934,922 firm-fixed-price modification (P00010) to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N0001920D0013). This modification increases the contract ceiling to procure F-135 propulsion system spare parts, modules, support equipment/packaging handling shipping and transportation material, and depot lay-in material in support of the F-135 propulsion system requirements for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales customers and non-Department of Defense participants. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Connecticut (82%); South Windsor, Connecticut (9%); North Berwick, Maine (8%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (1%), and is expected to be completed in December 2026. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.



Arrow's Edge LLC, Huntsville, Alabama, is awarded a $200,025,257 cost-plus-fixed-fee indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide maintenance, repair, overhaul, and logistics support for Fleet Readiness Center aviation support equipment, to include intermediate level and depot level scheduled, preventative and unscheduled, restorative maintenance; servicing, functional/operational testing, repair and replacement of unserviceable parts, assemblies, subassemblies and components; structural repairs, fabrication of parts; incorporation of modifications, support configuration, reclamation, and conversions; and perform corrosion control to include paint and final finish of support equipment. Work will be performed in Solomon's Island, Maryland (30.2%); San Diego, California (22.4%); Portsmouth, Virginia (9.8%); Jacksonville, Florida (7.5%); Beaufort, South Carolina (6%); Lemoore, California (5.8%); New Orleans, Louisiana (5.6%); El Centro, California (4.7%); Cherry Point, North Carolina (3.6%); Fort Worth, Texas (3.4%); Everett, Washington (0.6%); and Williamsburg, Virginia (0.4%), and is expected to be completed in July 2026. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was procured as an 8(a) program small business set-aside, four offers were received. The Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N6852023D0012).



Aero Turbine Inc., Stockton, California (N0042123D0013); RUAG AG, Emmen, Switzerland (N0042123D0014); and U.S. Turbine & Accessory LLC,* Taylor, Michigan (N0042123D0015), are each awarded a firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract. These contracts provide for F-5F/N J85-GE-21C whole engine inspection and repair services, to include 900/1800 hour special inspections, stand-alone testing, and select repair of repairables in support of the J85-GE-21C Engine Flight Hour Program. The estimated aggregate ceiling for all contracts is $120,778,538, with the companies having an opportunity to compete for individual orders. Work will be performed in Stockton, California (34%); Emmen, Switzerland (33%), and Taylor, Michigan (33%). Percentages are estimates, as work performed at each location is not known until award of individual orders. Work is expected to be completed in June 2028. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. These contracts were competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal, four offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.



Contracts For June 13, 2023



BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems, Nashua, New Hampshire, is awarded a $22,037,728 firm-fixed-price contract for the production and delivery of eight OE-120/UPX antenna group systems (seven for the Navy, and one for government of Canada); six OE-120 retrofit kits for the Navy; two OE-120 installation and checkout kits for the Navy; and two OE-120 delta installation and checkout kits (one for the Navy, and one for the government of Australia). The antenna group supports a wide range of systems, including identification friend or foe, secondary surveillance radar and air traffic control radar. Work will be performed in Nashua, New Hampshire, and is expected to be completed in December 2025. Fiscal 2023 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,684,733; fiscal 2023 ship conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,191,018; fiscal 2023 procurement (Defense) funds in the amount of $2,397,006; fiscal 2022 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,397,006; fiscal 2022 ship conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,794,012; and Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount of $2,573,503 will be obligated at the time of award; none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001923C0052).



Contracts For June 14, 2023



CACI Inc. Federal, Chantilly, Virginia, is awarded a $125,535,639 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides production, fabrication, integration, logistics, sustainment, design, analysis, testing, verification, technical, and project management support. These services are in support of developing and providing a full range of crisis response and interoperable command, control, communications, computers, combat electronic systems (CRIC-ES) solutions and products to facilitate communications and knowledge transfer at crisis locations worldwide. This includes supporting the operational requirements of the current CRIC-ES developed systems, modifications and enhancements for these systems, and developing and maintaining solutions and products for multiple Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and non-NAVAIR customers. Work will be performed in Lexington Park, Maryland (72%); and St. Inigoes, Maryland (28%), and is expected to be completed in August 2028. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal; two offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0042123D0011).



Contracts For June 15, 2023



Amentum Services Inc., Germantown, Maryland, is awarded a $474,961,543 firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide logistics support for organizational, selected intermediate, and limited depot level maintenance for the Navy's F-16A/B/C/D aircraft fleet. Work will be performed in Fallon, Nevada (75%); and Lemoore, California (25%), and is expected to be completed in August 2031. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal, four offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0042123D0012).
A Slovak palaeontologist part of the team behind this discovery.

The species Cordylus imkeae lives only in Africa today. Its distant relative was found recently in India. (Source: Comenius University)

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An international team of scientists, including Slovak palaeontologist Andrej Cernansky, has unearthed fossils of an unknown lizard that lived at the end of the dinosaur era. The team was working in western India, where the fossil represents a very rare and unique find.

One surprising aspect of the discovery is that modern-day lizards closely related to the fossilised specimen remain endemic to a part of the world that is now very distant from India: sub-Saharan Africa.

"It most likely is related to the African group of Cordyliformes. It thus fills a very important gap in our knowledge of prehistory," Andrej Cernansky, who is based at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Comenius University in Bratislava, told the Slovak Spectator.

"It sheds rare light on one group of reptiles that lived in India 66 million years ago, but it also tells us a lot about the palaeogeography of India itself." We currently know little about either. The research was published in the journal Cretaceous Research.

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At the end of the dinosaur era

The team found isolated jaws and osteodermal shields, which are bony deposits found on the skin of many reptiles to this day.

"The most important was the lower jaw  a dental bone with teeth, which was relatively well preserved," says Cernansky, adding that the fossils came from sedimentary deposits that were deposited between layers of igneous rocks known as the Deccan Traps in what is now western India. Hence the name of the lizard  Deccansaurus palaeoindicus.

The area represents one of the largest volcanic features on Earth. It began forming 66 million years ago at the end of the dinosaur era, also known as the Mesozoic Era.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s trip to Apayao for the 36th Cordillera Day celebration on Saturday did not push through due to bad weather conditions.

Due to inclement weather, the PSG (Presidential Security Group) has advised to cancel President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s visit to Apayao today, the Presidential Communications Office said.

Malacanang has declared July 15 as a special non-working holiday in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), in commemoration of its foundation anniversary.

The indoor program proceeded as scheduled in the municipality of Luna on Saturday morning.

Over the past few days, parts of the country have been drenched in rain due to the southwest monsoon or habagat, which has been strengthened by the storm "Dodong."

The state weather bureau has lifted all wind signals as of morning, but it said the enhanced habagat may still bring gusty conditions over several areas, including the CAR and Metro Manila.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/china-ready-to-work-with-south-korea-to-restore-mutual-trust-1111888163.html

China Ready to Work With South Korea to Restore Mutual Trust

China Ready to Work With South Korea to Restore Mutual Trust

The current state of China-South Korea relations does not correspond to the interests of the two countries, and Beijing is ready to work with Seoul to strengthen cooperation and restore mutual trust, Chinese Central Foreign Affairs Office Director Wang Yi has said.

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On Friday, Wang met with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin on the sidelines of ASEAN summit in Jakarta. The Chinese diplomat also noted that the China-South Korea relations have recently faced a lot of challenges, which are not in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of the peoples of the two countries. He also expressed hope that Seoul will adhere to the "one China" principle on the Taiwan issue. Park, in turn, noted that the unhindered development of relations between China and South Korea is in the common interests of both sides, and will also contribute to regional peace and stability. "The Republic of Korea has always adhered to the "one China" principle, and this position has not changed. We are willing to work with China to further deepen exchanges and cooperation in various areas between the two countries based on the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit," he said. The Chinese Foreign Ministry also said that the sides exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and other international and regional issues of common interest.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220806/seoul-expresses-support-for-one-china-policy-concerned-about-taiwan---foreign-ministry-1098290738.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/china-recalls-debt-of-blood-nato-owes-for-bombing-its-embassy-in-yugoslavia-1111893344.html

China Recalls Debt of Blood NATO Owes for Bombing Its Embassy in Yugoslavia

China Recalls Debt of Blood NATO Owes for Bombing Its Embassy in Yugoslavia

Chinas Foreign Ministry has repeatedly accused Washington and its allies of efforts to further militarize East Asia and sow the seeds of a new Cold War in... 15.07.2023, Sputnik International

2023-07-15T13:33+0000

2023-07-15T13:33+0000

2023-07-15T15:48+0000

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China does not welcome an "Asia-Pacific version of NATO" that persistently stokes bloc confrontation, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying has tweeted, in reference to the alliances expansion in the region.The post on Twitter was accompanied by photographs of NATO bombings carried out in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Yugoslavia. On May 7, 1999, during the NATO bombing five US guided bombs hit the People's Republic of China embassy in Belgrade, killing three people. Then-US President Bill Clinton, when offering apology for the bombing, had stated it was an accident.NATO similarly arbitrarily waded into countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, instigating civil strife, or "color revolutions" to violently overthrow governments, generating chaos and pillaging those countries' resources.Earlier, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, Ambassador Zhang Jun slammed NATO as the real troublemaker during a meeting of the UN Security Council on Thursday. Zhang voiced Beijings condemnation of the communique issued at the recent NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. The alliance had declared that China's ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values. It also accused Beijing of confrontational rhetoric and disinformation, and using its economic leverage to create strategic dependencies and enhance its influence.The blocs statement was denounced by Zhang as permeated with Cold War mentality, ideological prejudice, disregard for facts and unwarranted accusations against China.Beijing voiced determination to protect its sovereignty and security, and resolutely rebuff any NATO action that harms China's legitimate rights and interests, according to a statement by China's diplomatic mission to the European Union. The statement added that China opposed NATO's expansion in the Asia-Pacific region.Citing the alleged "China threat," Washington has been creating new exclusive politico-military blocs in the Asian-Pacific region, such as AUKUS (comprising Australia, the UK, and the US) and QUAD (Australia, India, Japan, and the US). In response, China has reiterated that such military buildup can only "further exacerbate regional tensions".The Asia-Pacific is an anchor for peace and development, not a wrestling ground for geopolitical competition, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a regular press briefing earlier in the year.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/beijing-accuses-nato-of-discrediting-china-misrepresenting-its-policies-1111824942.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230428/sco-vs-washingtons-asia-pacific-pacts-how-eurasian-bloc-can-oppose-us-diktat-1109923355.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/closure-of-libyas-major-oil-fields-threatening-domestic-production-1111891992.html

Closure of Libya's Major Oil Fields Threatening Domestic Production

Closure of Libya's Major Oil Fields Threatening Domestic Production

The closure of Libya's largest oil fields is posing a threat to domestic oil production in long-term, the Ministry of Oil and Gas of the Libyan Government of National Unity said on Saturday.

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On Thursday, production at El Feel, Sharara and 108 oilfields was shut down by the Al-Zawi tribe protesting against the abduction of a former finance minister, Faraj Bumatari. The ministry additionally stressed the risks of the irretrievable loss of Libyan oil importers and warned of the possible return of force majeure to the oil fields. The Libyan parliament accused the country's Internal Security Agency of abducting Bumatari and urged Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh to ensure the safety of the former minister. Bumatari is a prominent figure in the Al-Zawi tribe, members of which comprise the majority of workers at Libya's southeastern oil fields.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230706/libya-plans-to-increase-oil-output-to-2mln-barrels-per-day-in-3-to-5-years-1111698655.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/five-eu-countries-urge-commission-to-extend-ban-on-imports-of-ukrainian-grain---budapest-1111899968.html

Five EU Countries Urge Commission to Extend Ban on Imports of Ukrainian Grain - Budapest

Five EU Countries Urge Commission to Extend Ban on Imports of Ukrainian Grain - Budapest

Five countries are urging the European Commission to extend the ban on imports of Ukrainian grain.

2023-07-15T20:35+0000

2023-07-15T20:35+0000

2023-07-15T20:35+0000

world

bulgaria

poland

hungary

european commission

european union (eu)

ursula von der leyen

grain

grain exports

ukraine

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"As regards imports restrictions, Hungary shares the same position with Bulgaria, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, which is that the European Commission should extend a ban on imports of Ukrainian grain beyond September 15, because it is the only way to protect interests of European farmers," Nagy told Hungarian newspaper Vilaggazdasag. Hungarian farmers have received 15.93 million euros ($17.9 million) in compensations from the EU, which is still not comparable with the damage, the minister stated. He added that Hungary's agricultural imports from Ukraine amounted to 40,000-50,000 tonnes per year before 2022, whereas in 2023 Ukraine has been shipping several hundred thousand tonnes to Hungary on a monthly basis,. In late March, the prime ministers of Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia published a joint open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, calling for measures to counteract the negative effects of the increased imports of Ukrainian agricultural products. On April 15, Poland, together with Hungary, banned imports of Ukrainian agricultural products until June 30, citing the need to protect domestic farmers from the uncontrolled influx of cheap grain. Slovakia followed suit on April 17 and Bulgaria on April 19. On May 2, the European Commission banned the sale of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed, and sunflower seed in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia until June 5 in a bid to "alleviate logistical bottlenecks," but allowed their circulation in other European markets. The ban was later extended until September 15.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/clock-running-out-on-black-sea-grain-deal-what-are-prospects-for-its-extension-1111892660.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/french-police-make-96-arrests-on-bastille-day-across-country-1111896953.html

French Police Make 96 Arrests on Bastille Day Across Country

French Police Make 96 Arrests on Bastille Day Across Country

The French police made 96 arrests on July 14, Bastille Day, across the country, with 54 of them in Paris, a French broadcaster reported on Saturday, citing the interior ministry.

2023-07-15T17:07+0000

2023-07-15T17:07+0000

2023-07-15T17:07+0000

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Bastille Day is the French National Day, which is celebrated on the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille political prison on 14 July 1789, the starting point of the French Revolution. This year, the holiday was marred by various incidents, according to the report. Seven people among police, gendarmes and firefighters were injured, and fireworks were used against law enforcement forces 51 times. Across France, 255 cars were set on fire, with 62 cases of arson being registered in the capital city. Nonetheless, the level of social unrest has decreased compared to the previous year. In 2022, 21 law enforcement officers and firefighters were injured, 333 cases of fireworks use against police were registered, and 423 vehicles were set on fire. In Paris, the number of detentions decreased by 80%, and the number of arson cases by 70%, the report added. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin thanked the French law enforcement forces for their service during the national holiday on Twitter. Earlier, he said around 130,000 police and special unit officers would be deployed from July 13-14 to maintain law and order.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/riots-in-france-caused-by-lack-of-respect-for-authority-rather-than-migrants---police-chief-1111859264.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/italian-russian-chamber-of-commerce-working-on-system-for-payments-in-rubles-1111889185.html

Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce Working on System for Payments in Rubles

Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce Working on System for Payments in Rubles

The Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce (IRCC) plans to create a system that will allow Russian companies to buy Italian goods that are not prohibited from being imported by sanctions, President of the IRCC Ferdinando Pelazzo told Sputnik.

2023-07-15T09:00+0000

2023-07-15T09:00+0000

2023-07-15T09:16+0000

economy

italy

russia

bilateral trade

ruble

russian economy under sanctions

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The Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce (IRCC) plans to create a system that will allow Russian companies to buy Italian goods that are not prohibited from being imported by sanctions, President of the IRCC Ferdinando Pelazzo told Sputnik. The chamber's president also noted that almost half of Italy's exports to Russia do not fall under sanctions. "Fifty-one percent of exports from Italy to Russia are under sanctions. But there are also 49% of non-prohibited goods: wine, shoes, fashion items," he said. Pelazzo said that there are Italian companies that want to stay on the Russian market, but even they will most likely leave if the situation does not change for the best. "It seems to me that now even those who have not left [the Russian market] are thinking whether to stay or leave. Nobody thinks to come to Russia. There are certain sectors that do not require investment, for example, fashion, they may be interested in staying," he said. The Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization whose goal is to promote trade and economic cooperation between Italy and Russia by assisting entrepreneurs of the two countries.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230529/russia-pays-coupons-on-eurobonds-in-rubles-maturing-in-2026-2036-1110777827.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/its-not-my-concern-mike-pence-tucker-carlson-quarrel-over-ukraine-policy-1111883369.html

'It's Not My Concern': Mike Pence, Tucker Carlson Quarrel Over Ukraine Policy

'It's Not My Concern': Mike Pence, Tucker Carlson Quarrel Over Ukraine Policy

Former US Vice President and 2024 hopeful Mike Pence and journalist Tucker Carlson fought on Friday over Pences stances on Ukraine, including the religious persecution of Christians and prioritizing aid over domestic spending.

2023-07-15T00:46+0000

2023-07-15T00:46+0000

2023-07-15T06:20+0000

americas

tucker carlson

mike pence

ukraine

russia

republican

christians

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"I did raise the issue when we were there," Pence said during an interview with Carlson, when asked whether he raised the religious persecution of Christians while on a recent trip to Ukraine. "I raised it with the leader of the Orthodox church [of Ukraine] when I was visiting Kiev." The church leader assured Pence that the Ukrainian government respects religious liberty, while admitting that certain elements of the Russian Orthodox Church were being targeted, Pence said. However, Carlson pressed Pence on the issue, asking how the self-avowed Christian leader could support the arrest of Christian for having different viewpoints. "You spoke to one person whos clearly on one side of it," Carlson said, pointing to reports of clergy facing persecution by the Kiev regime. Pence affirmed that he would not support religious persecution, but highlighted what he was told by the Ukrainian church official. Both figures also argued over the issue of US aid to Ukraine and whether to prioritize the foreign conflict over pressing domestic issues. Pence said it is in the interest of the United States to continue to give Ukraine equipment to fight Russia, which was met with mixed of booing and clapping from the audience. Pence reiterated that the US needed to continue its military aid packages, all while doubling down on rhetoric that Ukraine should be granted NATO membership once the current conflict is settled.In response, Pence called Tuckers remarks a "routine" and said "its not my concern." The two men ended the interview shortly after the exchange. The interview took place as part of a forum for Republican 2024 presidential candidates, hosted by Blaze Media and the Family Leadership Summit. Carlson also interviewed other candidates including South Carolina Senator Tim Scott and Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. Former US President Donald Trump leads the pack of Republican candidates at 49.7% support, followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 21% and Pence at 7.4%, according to FiveThirtyEight poll averages published Friday.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230619/pence-trump-indictment-sends-terrible-message-to-wider-world-1111271467.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/just-1-in-10-americans-believe-democracy-working-well-for-us-poll-finds-1111886509.html

Just 1 in 10 Americans Believe Democracy Working Well for US, Poll Finds

Just 1 in 10 Americans Believe Democracy Working Well for US, Poll Finds

New poll reveals a majority of Americans do not believe democracy is working well, or reflecting their wants and needs.

2023-07-15T04:17+0000

2023-07-15T04:17+0000

2023-07-15T04:14+0000

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us

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the associated press

public opinion polls

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Only about one in 10 American adults can give democracy in the US a high rating, and believe it is representing the interests of most citizens, according to a new poll. A majority of respondents say US law and policies are doing a poor job of representing what most Americans want, especially on topics regarding the economy, gun policies, immigration issues and abortion. The poll reveals that 53% of Americans believe Congress is doing a bad job of upholding democratic values, compared to the slim 16% who say it is doing a good job.Overall, 49% of Americans say democracy is not working well in the US, compared with 10% who say it is working very or extremely well, and 40% who say it is working somewhat well.Theyre fighting over something, and it has nothing to do with the economy, Brown, who is a moderate Republican, said of Congress.Hunter Biden  what does that have to do with us? he asked, in reference to the GOP-controlled Houses investigation of US President Joe Bidens son.The poll also revealed that a whopping 71% of Americans believe laws and policies should reflect what a majority of Americans want, but only 48% think that this is true in practice.For those who were asked if the Constitution should be important when thinking about how laws and policies are made in the United States, just 68% said it should be important, while 55% said it is actually important.In terms of political parties, about 6 in 10 Republicans and Independents feel as though the government is not representing people like them well, compared with about 4 in 10 Democrats.The poll also revealed that Americans are not as concerned with voting laws and the way in which ballots are counted and recorded, and are more concerned with the results of democracy. But allies of former US President Donald Trump have been persistent in spreading misinformation surrounding his claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, and even pushing lawsuits to some of that effect.In California, I kind of feel that I throw my vote away every time, and this is just what you get, said Mark Short, 63, a retired businessman and a Republican.

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us politics, america, poll, opinion poll, democracy
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/lavrov-says-discussed-with-thai-foreign-minister-russias-mir-payment-system-1111897501.html

Lavrov Says Discussed With Thai Foreign Minister Russia's Mir Payment System

Lavrov Says Discussed With Thai Foreign Minister Russia's Mir Payment System

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday that he discussed the use of the Russian Mir payment system in Thailand at a meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.

2023-07-15T13:19+0000

2023-07-15T13:19+0000

2023-07-15T17:20+0000

economy

sergey lavrov

russia

thailand

mir

bilateral relations

payments

swift payment system

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday that he discussed the use of the Russian Mir payment system in Thailand at a meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai. After the start of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Western countries rolled out a massive sanctions campaign against Moscow. The sanctions included disconnection of multiple Russian banks from the international payment system, SWIFT, in order to weaken the country's economy, which forced Moscow to seek alternative methods of financial transfers. The de-SWIFTing and the 2022 exit of Visa and MasterCard from the Russian market resulted in increased use of the Russian Mir payment system in the country and beyond, especially by Russian tourists. In September 2022, the US Treasury Department threatened foreign banks with secondary sanctions for servicing Mir cards, which resulted in many countries' refusing to accept them. Nevertheless, Mir cards are now accepted by partner banks in Abkhazia, Armenia, Belarus, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, South Korea and South Ossetia. Russia to Expand Diplomatic Presence in Southeast AsiaThe opening of the Russian general consulate in Thailand is an important but not final step in Russia's plan to expand its diplomatic presence in Southeast Asia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said."Today's opening ceremony of the Russian Permanent Consulate in Phuket is a very important step, but I can assure you that it will not be the last step in expanding Russia's diplomatic presence in Southeast Asia," Lavrov said at the opening of the consulate.Russia is planning to open additional diplomatic missions in other friendly countries of the region, he added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230620/russias-mir-payment-system-helps-form-financial-system-of-new-world---maduro-1111311523.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/mercs-ukraine-recruits-in-global-south-for-dwindling-ranks-warned-of-survival-time-of-just-days-1111887246.html

Mercs Ukraine Recruits in Global South for Dwindling Ranks Warned of Survival Time of Just Days

Mercs Ukraine Recruits in Global South for Dwindling Ranks Warned of Survival Time of Just Days

"Ukraine is recruiting in the Global South because it no longer has people to send to the battlefield, Brazilian military analyst Robinson Farinazzo told Sputnik.

2023-07-15T07:15+0000

2023-07-15T07:15+0000

2023-07-15T07:16+0000

world

ukraine

central intelligence agency (cia)

ministry of defense

cia

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"Ukraine is recruiting in the Global South because it no longer has people to send to the battlefield, Brazilian military analyst and reserve officer Robinson Farinazzo told Sputnik.Former Ukrainian combatants are currently stepping up the campaign unleashed across social media to persuade Brazilians to take part in the conflagration abroad, Farinazzo warned. He said that in addition to replenishing the ranks of fighters on Kievs side, the recruitment drive has a propaganda effect."As the much-hyped counteroffensive by Ukraines military has so far resulted in hefty personnel losses and the destruction of significant quantities of NATO-gifted military hardware, fresh emphasis was laid in July on the recruitment drive to shore up the ranks of fighters. Desperate to find more cannon fodder for the US-led proxy war being waged against Russia in Ukraine, the authorities in Kiev and their NATO puppet masters have been intensifying the campaign to get Brazilians to enlist as mercenaries.Amid a shortage of experienced soldiers, specialized personnel and reliable intelligence, recruiters have been casting their gaze to the countries of the South, like Brazil, and even Russia itself. Russias Ministry of Defense earlier in the week warned that several Western private military contractors with ties to the CIA appeared to be knee-deep in this recruitment drive. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns was recently cited as making no bones about it, admitting to a recent outreach effort by the agency on the popular social media platform Telegram to recruit new spies. Pointing out that Russians were being shown how to contact the CIA securely on the dark web, Burns added, "We're very much open for business."'Safari to Kill Russians'In the Global South, the job offer from NATO and Ukraine is to fight at the frontline on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in high-risk offensive operations. According to Robinson Farinazzo, the Brazilian media are misinforming their readers, "selling the narrative that the war in Ukraine is a safari to kill Russian soldiers," and that Brazilian fighters "will make posts on social media networks, and will be welcomed at home as heroes."In 2022, at least three Brazilians died after joining the Kievs Foreign Legion. Under the current conditions of a counteroffensive, and as the West continues to pump Ukraine with military assistance, the conflagration is growing ever more dangerous, Farinazzo warned.According to the Brazilian Navy reserve officer, the Brazilians being lured to fight in Ukraine fit several profiles. The first group includes people ideologically committed to radical or neo-Nazi ideals.The other type of people that answer Kievs recruitment drive are thrill seekers looking for adventure, believes the analyst.However, Kiev also targets another specific group of people in the crosshairs of their sweeping effort, as recently recruited Brazilian Leo Ortiz told Jovem Pan News. These are generally lower class people, who are in need, he said, adding:"They told me that the situation was tense and that I should think carefully." According to Ortiz, he was lured by promises of cash payments for participating in the fighting, a promise that was "unlikely to be kept.The case of Leo Ortiz confirms what the Russian Ministry of Defense warned about on July 10. Ukraine has embarked upon a sweeping new wave of recruitment among citizens of Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. The ministry noted that this is happening against the backdrop of the failure of another wave of mobilization in Ukraine following catastrophic losses of personnel among the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the MoD, since the beginning of Russias special military operation 11,675 foreign mercenaries from 84 states joined the fighting on the side of Kiev. Most of the fighters came from Poland - more than two and a half thousand people. Mercenaries also arrived from the USA, Canada, Georgia, Great Britain and other countries. By June 30, some 4,845 foreign mercenaries who were fighting for Ukraine had been killed and 4,801 had fled the conflict zone, according to the Russian MoD.'Criminal' RecruitmentFurthermore, people from the South American country being enticed to fight on the side of the Kiev regime are not only endangering their own lives on foreign soil, but also risk criminal prosecution in Brazil, warned the president of the Association of Brazilian Police Delegates (ADEPOL) Rodolfo Queiroz Laterza. According to him, "the recruitment of Brazilian citizens to serve in foreign military or paramilitary groups may be qualified as a crime under the Law."Currently, recruitment campaigns "are conducted unofficially, via the Internet. If they were carried out institutionally, then Kiev and its allies could face criminal punishment," Queiroz said. The president of ADEPOL also warned that crimes committed by recruited Brazilians in the war zone in Ukraine can be prosecuted in Brazil in accordance with the "principle of extraterritoriality, provided for in article 7, II, paragraph a of the Criminal Code."In 2022, Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs "strongly advised" Brazilians against traveling to Ukraine. Furthermore, the Foreign Ministry of the country does not guarantee assistance in the transfer of the the mortal remains of Brazilians killed in action, saying that there is no "regulatory or budgetary support to pay for the transfer at the expense of public funds."This is what happened to Andre Luis Hack Bahi, whose relatives did not have the means to repatriate his body after his death in Ukraine in June 2022. The President of ADEPOL agrees with his country's Foreign Ministry and advises Brazilians not to follow in the footsteps of the late Andre Luis Hack Bahi.The Russian Defense Ministry also warns Brazilians against joining the ranks of mercenaries of the Kiev regime. Despite the fact that Brazil is considered a friendly country, the Russian Armed Forces do not have the ability to distinguish foreign fighters from Ukrainian ones, or to ensure their safety in a combat situation.*The Right Sector is an extremist organization banned in Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230705/cia-cringe-offensive-in-russia-falls-flat-1111676223.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230714/enlisting-to-fight-for-kiev-would-be-suicide-brazilian-soldier-warns-1111867348.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230701/scott-ritter-ukraines-growing-addiction-to-foreign-mercenaries-1111597466.html

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15)  The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned Albay residents that heavy rainfall could trigger potentially deadly mudflow or lahar from the restive Mayon Volcano.

"Pinapaalalahanan natin ang ating mga kababayan na nakatira malapit sa mga ilog na nagmumula sa Mayon Volcano na maghanda at maging alerto dahil maaaring magkaroon tayo ng mga lahar," Paul Alanis, Phivolcs resident volcanologist at the Mayon Volcano Observatory, said in a public briefing on Friday.

[Translation: We remind those living near rivers in the vicinity of Mayon Volcano to prepare and be on alert because of the possibility of lahar flow.]

In 2006, hundreds of residents in Albay died when torrential rains brought by Typhoon Reming caused mudflows from Mayon Volcano, as well as landslides and flooding.

Since June 8, Mayon has been placed under Alert Level 3, which indicates a high level of unrest.

Phivolcs said a hazardous eruption within weeks or even days is possible.

Meanwhile, "Dodong"  the weather disturbance inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility  intensified into a tropical storm Saturday morning, although wind signals have been lifted in the country.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said while Dodong will not directly bring heavy rainfall, it is enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat.

PAGASA said the storm may leave the country's weather monitoring area by Saturday.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/military-drills-involving-china-russia-expected-in-near-future-1111887464.html

Military Drills Involving China, Russia Expected in Near Future

Military Drills Involving China, Russia Expected in Near Future

The Russian Armed Forces will participate in the "North. Interaction-2023" military exercises organized by China in the Sea of Japan in the near future, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced on Saturday.

2023-07-15T05:26+0000

2023-07-15T05:26+0000

2023-07-15T05:26+0000

military

china

russia

sea of japan

chinese defense ministry

chinese people's liberation army (pla)

russian armed forces

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"In accordance with the annual plan of cooperation between the armed forces of Russia and China, the Russian army will soon send the navy and air forces to participate in the North. Interaction-2023, organized by the People's Liberation Army's Northern Theater Command in the central part of the Sea of Japan," the Chinese Defense Ministry said in a statement. The ministry specified that the drills will be dedicated to the topic of maintaining the security of strategic sea lanes and will aim to improve strategic interaction between the Chinese and Russian forces, strengthen the ability to jointly maintain regional peace and stability, and respond to various challenges in the field of security.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230601/sino-russian-cooperation-on-northern-sea-route-may-upset-nato-powers-1110846321.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/musk-comments-on-us-sending-cluster-munitions-to-ukraine-says-fate-hates-hypocrisy-1111899346.html

Elon Musk on US Decision to Send Cluster Munitions to Ukraine: Fate 'Hates Hypocrisy'

Elon Musk on US Decision to Send Cluster Munitions to Ukraine: Fate 'Hates Hypocrisy'

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has accused the United States of hypocrisy for harshly condemning other countries that use cluster munitions and now sending these munitions to Ukraine.

2023-07-15T18:34+0000

2023-07-15T18:34+0000

2023-07-15T22:14+0000

americas

elon musk

sergei shoigu

ukraine

russia

pentagon

convention on cluster munitions

us

cluster munitions

cluster bombs

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Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has accused the United States of hypocrisy for harshly condemning other countries that use cluster munitions and now sending these munitions to Ukraine. In another tweet, Musk said that the United States had decided to provide Kiev with cluster munitions out of "desperation."On Thursday, Pentagons Joint Staff Director for Operations Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims II told a briefing that Ukraine had received cluster munitions from the United States, as well as other countries. Cluster munitions are banned by the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which has been ratified by 123 countries. The US, Ukraine, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and South Korea have not signed the convention.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/hes-screwed-biden-official-tells-hersh-cluster-bombs-have-zero-chance-of-helping-ukraine-1111856918.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/netanyahu-undergoing-medical-evaluation-in-hospital-feeling-well-1111896627.html

Netanyahu Undergoing Medical Evaluation in Hospital, Feeling 'Well'

Netanyahu Undergoing Medical Evaluation in Hospital, Feeling 'Well'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is undergoing medical evaluation in a hospital, his office said on Saturday, following media reports that he had been hospitalized.

2023-07-15T17:03+0000

2023-07-15T17:03+0000

2023-07-17T11:22+0000

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is undergoing medical evaluation in a hospital, his office said on Saturday, following media reports that he had been hospitalized. Earlier in the day, an Israeli news portal reported that the 73-year-old prime minister arrived in the Sheba Medical Center in the city of Ramat Gan east of Tel Aviv, feeling unwell, but fully conscious. Last October, Netanyahu felt unwell during a prayer service at Jerusalem's Great Synagogue and was taken to a hospital to undergo medical checks after suffering chest pains. He was released from the hospital the next day and returned to full activity after his medical tests showed no abnormalities

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/oceangate-expeditions-that-owned-titan-sub-leaves-social-media-1111887114.html

OceanGate Expeditions That Owned Titan Sub Leaves Social Media

OceanGate Expeditions That Owned Titan Sub Leaves Social Media

Private company OceanGate Expeditions, which owned the wrecked Titan submersible, has deleted all of its social media accounts, including its Twitter page and accounts on Metas* Instagram and Facebook platforms.

2023-07-15T04:34+0000

2023-07-15T04:34+0000

2023-07-15T04:34+0000

beyond politics

titan

titanic

submarine

us coast guard

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The website of the US deep-sea excursions company consists of only one page saying that "OceanGate Expeditions has suspended all exploration and commercial operations." Last month, the OceanGate submersible, Titan, went missing during an expedition to the Titanic wreckage in an area about 900 miles east of Cape Cod in the North Atlantic, at a depth of approximately 13,000 feet. The five people on board the Titan included Rush, UK businessman Hamish Harding, French maritime expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and vice chairman of Pakistans Engro corporation Shahzada Dawood with his 19-year-old son Suleman. Later in June, the US Coast Guard confirmed that the debris found on the ocean floor near the Titanic wreck site was pieces of the missing submersible. All five people aboard the Titan were presumed dead.* Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta is banned in Russia as an extremist organization

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230703/not-safe-to-dive-deep-sea-experts-warned-for-years-of-oceangates-submersible-design-1111643054.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/poland-seeking-eu-ban-on-frozen-berries-imports-from-ukraine-1111883737.html

Poland Seeking EU Ban on Frozen Berries Imports From Ukraine

Poland Seeking EU Ban on Frozen Berries Imports From Ukraine

Warsaw will ask the EC to ban the import of frozen raspberries and strawberries from Ukraine to the bloc, as their supplies are destabilizing Poland's domestic market, said Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus.

2023-07-15T00:15+0000

2023-07-15T00:15+0000

2023-07-15T00:16+0000

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ukraine

european commission

european union (eu)

agriculture

agriculture

grain

grain exports

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The Polish government will hand over an official letter regarding the issue to the European Commission soon, the minister added. Earlier in July, Polish farmers called for a ban on frozen raspberries import from Ukraine, saying that their influx could destabilize the market prices in the country. The Polish government has been searching for a solution to excessive raspberry imports. The authorities are expected to start buying excessive amounts of berries from farmers in the near future. In late March, the prime ministers of Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia published a joint open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, calling for measures to counteract the negative effects of the increased imports of Ukrainian agricultural products. On April 15, Poland, together with Hungary, banned imports of Ukrainian agricultural products until June 30, citing the need to protect domestic farmers from the uncontrolled influx of cheap grain. Slovakia followed suit on April 17 and Bulgaria on April 19. On May 2, the European Commission banned the sale of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed, and sunflower seed in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia until June 5 in a bid to "alleviate logistical bottlenecks," but allowed their circulation in other European markets. The ban was later extended until September 15.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230420/poland-suggesting-that-eu-ban-imports-of-fruits-eggs-other-ukrainian-food---reports-1109691698.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/russian-army-repelled-17-enemy-attacks-in-single-day-in-donetsk-direction-1111891857.html

Russian Army Repelled 17 Enemy Attacks in Single Day in Donetsk Direction

Russian Army Repelled 17 Enemy Attacks in Single Day in Donetsk Direction

The Yug group of the Russian armed forces has successfully repulsed 17 enemy attacks in the Donetsk direction over the past day as a result of "coordinated and courageous actions," with the Ukrainian forces losing up to 315 soldiers, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

2023-07-15T12:18+0000

2023-07-15T12:18+0000

2023-07-15T12:18+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

donetsk

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The Yug group of the Russian armed forces has successfully repulsed 17 enemy attacks in the Donetsk direction over the past day as a result of "coordinated and courageous actions," with the Ukrainian forces losing up to 315 soldiers, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday. "During the fighting, the enemy losses were up to 315 Ukrainian servicemen, two armored combat vehicles, three pickup trucks, and a D-30 howitzer," the ministry said. "The enemy's losses in these directions amounted to 210 Ukrainian soldiers, five armored combat vehicles, two vehicles, two D-30 howitzers and one D-20 howitzer," the ministry said. Manpower and equipment concentrated near the Ukrainian city of Pyatikhatki and an ammunition depot in the village of Zherebyanki were also hit, the ministry said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230714/ukraine-loses-280-military-in-donetsk-direction-in-past-day-1111872150.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/russian-foreign-ministry-urges-ukraine-to-release-vicegerent-of-kiev-pechersk-lavra-1111898070.html

Russian Foreign Ministry Urges Ukraine to Release Vicegerent of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

Russian Foreign Ministry Urges Ukraine to Release Vicegerent of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

The Ukrainian authorities should comply with their international legal obligations and immediately release the vicegerent of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Bishop Pavel, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday.

2023-07-15T18:00+0000

2023-07-15T18:00+0000

2023-07-15T18:00+0000

world

pope francis

maria zakharova

patriarch kirill

ukraine

russia

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On Friday, a Kiev court changed the measure of restraint for Pavel from round-the-clock house arrest to detention until August 14. Earlier in the day, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia called on the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and heads of churches, including Pope Francis, to protect the vicegerent of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Pope Francis has responded to the appeal of Patriarch Kirill and will try to facilitate the release of Metropolitan Pavel, believing his arrest to be politically motivated, Leonid Sevastyanov, the leader of a Russian sect who communicates regularly with Pope Francis, told Sputnik on Saturday. He also said that the Pope spoke out against politically motivated arrests in Ukraine. "Pope Francis believes that arrests on political and religious grounds are unacceptable, especially arrests of leaders of religious communities, in this case, Metropolitan Pavel," Sevastyanov said. The Russian Orthodox Church said that Patriarch Kirill addressed various religious and political prominent figures and urged them to pay attention to the ongoing persecution of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Ukraine. Tensions between the Ukrainian government and the UOC escalated after Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. UOC monks were ordered to leave the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, jurisdiction over which is divided between the National Kiev-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Preserve, a Ukrainian cultural organization, and the UOC, for allegedly violating the terms of the lease. Ukrainian Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko then said that the monks could stay in the Lavra if they joined the non-canonical Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). Lavra monks slammed the unilateral eviction order as illegal as it was not backed by a court decision. In April, Tkachenko said that the Ukrainian Culture Ministry had formed a commission to look into the use of state property pertaining to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230331/kiev-pechersk-lavra-vicegerent-fears-looming-storming-of-monastery-1109011559.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230328/what-happened-to-the-orthodox-church-in-ukraine-1108821316.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/russian-troops-target-ukrainian-forces-in-zaporozhye-direction---defense-ministry-1111886702.html

Russian Troops Target Ukrainian Forces in Zaporozhye Region - Defense Ministry

Russian Troops Target Ukrainian Forces in Zaporozhye Region - Defense Ministry

Russian forces have targeted dozens of locations containing Ukrainian troops in the Zaporozhye direction, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson told Sputnik.

2023-07-15T04:09+0000

2023-07-15T04:09+0000

2023-07-15T16:09+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russian defense ministry

donetsk

russia

ukraine

zaporozhye

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In the past 24 hours, Ukrainian troops did not take active action in the Zaporozhye direction, having only conducted reconnaissance and attempted to regroup forces, the spokesperson specified. Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, after the Donetsk and Lugansk peoples republics appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian provocations. In response to Russias operation, Western countries have rolled out a comprehensive sanctions campaign against Moscow and have been supplying weapons to Ukraine. On September 30, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the heads of the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, signed agreements on the accession of these territories to Russia, following referendums that showed an overwhelming majority of the local population supported becoming part of Russia.Ukraine launched its long-advertised counteroffensive in early June after multiple postponements. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukrainian troops continue to try but are failing to advance along three directions: South Donetsk, Artemovsk (Bakhmut) and Zaporozhye, the latter being of primary focus.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230708/russian-troops-thwart-attack-by-ukrainian-forces-in-zaporozhye-direction-1111746101.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/storm-shadow-supplies-to-kiev-may-become-affected-by-strike-at-uk-missile-site-1111884486.html

Storm Shadow Supplies to Kiev May Become Affected by Strike at UK Missile Site

Storm Shadow Supplies to Kiev May Become Affected by Strike at UK Missile Site

Supplies of Storm Shadow missiles may reportedly be impacted by a strike at a secretive UK Defense Ministry missile site.

2023-07-15T02:27+0000

2023-07-15T02:27+0000

2023-07-15T04:23+0000

military

uk defense ministry

united kingdom (uk)

ukraine

kiev

storm shadow cruise missile

strike

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The strike at the Defence Equipment and Support depot in Beith, Scotland, occurred on Friday and involved more than 50 key workers, media reported. Workers of the weapons depot, which supplies Storm Shadow and Brimstone missiles to Ukraine, plan to go on another strike over low wages on Monday. The UK Defense Ministry has reportedly launched "contingency measures" to prevent Ukraines weapons supplies from being affected. Western countries have been supplying Ukraine with military aid since the start of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The support evolved from light artillery munitions and training in 2022 to heavier weapons, including tanks, later that year and in 2023. In recent months, Ukraine has been pushing to be supplied with fighter jets. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned against further arms deliveries to Kiev.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/how-trophy-storm-shadow-can-greatly-simplify-russian-militarys-work-in-ukraine-1111730778.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/thousands-of-people-protesting-once-again-in-tel-aviv-against-netanyahus-judicial-reform-1111900448.html

Thousands of People Protesting Once Again in Tel Aviv Against Netanyahu's Judicial Reform

Thousands of People Protesting Once Again in Tel Aviv Against Netanyahu's Judicial Reform

Protesters against a controversial judicial reform by the Israeli government gathered for the 28th consecutive Saturday.

2023-07-15T21:20+0000

2023-07-15T21:20+0000

2023-07-15T21:20+0000

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The organizers of the Saturday demonstrations announced protests at 150 different locations across Israel. In Tel Aviv alone, about 150,000 people have gathered, according to Crowd Solutions estimates. Overall, about 400,000 people are protesting across Israel on Saturday, organizers of the protests said. Demonstrations have intensified in Israel this week after the parliament's (Knesset) on Monday passed in the first reading one of the key clauses of the reform, curbing the Supreme Court's power to cancel decisions made by the government by ruling them unreasonable. If the bill goes into effect, the government will get more power when promoting its decisions and electing officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told The Wall Street Journal on Thursday that the government would drop the most controversial part of the judicial reform designed to enable the parliament to override the rulings of the Supreme Court. At the same time, the Israeli prime minister said that the government and the opposition had been unable to agree on basic provisions of the reform for months, which would possibly prompt the government to advance the legislation unilaterally. Netanyahu visited the emergency room of a hospital on Saturday, but officials now say he is feeling better.The draft law is intended to shake up the judiciary in Israel. If adopted, it could curtail the Supreme Court's power to review and strike down laws that it rules unconstitutional and give the government a greater say in the selection of judges.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230705/video-police-blast-water-cannons-against-protesters-in-tel-aviv-1111686997.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/netanyahu-undergoing-medical-evaluation-in-hospital-feeling-well-1111896627.html

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(CNN)  Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed to Wagner Group fighters that a senior mercenary named Andrey Troshev now command the private military group, according to comments the Russian leader made to the Kommersant newspaper.

Putin appears to have created a split between senior fighters from the Wagner mercenary group and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin since its failed uprising last month  at least in terms of the narrative emerging from his comments to the Kommersant.

The paper was reporting on a meeting held by the Russian president five days after the Wagner rebellion collapsed at the end of June  a meeting attended by Prigozhin and several dozen senior Wagner combatants.

According to Kommersant, Putin told dozens of Wagner mercenaries in the meeting that among the multiple employment choices he offered to them, one included them continuing to fight under their direct commander, a man who goes by the call sign, Sedoy, meaning grey hair.

They could have all gathered in one place and continued to serve, Putin said, and nothing would have changed for them. They would be led by the same person who has been their real commander all along.

And what happened then? the Kommersant reporter said in reply to Putin. Many people nodded [affirmatively] when I said that, Putin replied.

Who is Andrey Troshev?

Sedoy is the call sign of Andrey Troshev, a retired Russian colonel and a founding member and Executive Director of the Wagner Group, according to sanctions documents published by the European Union and France.

European Union sanctions concerning the situation in Syria detail Troshevs position as the chief of staff of the Wagner Group operations in Syria, which supported the Syrian regime.

Troshev was born in April 1953 in Leningrad, in the former Soviet Union, according to the EU sanctions from December 2021.

Andrey Troshev is directly involved in the military operations of the Wagner Group in Syria. He was particularly involved in the area of Deir ez-Zor, it added. As such, he provides a crucial contribution to Bashar al-Assads war effort and therefore supports and benefits from the Syrian regime.

United Kingdom sanctions from June 2022 also say Andrey Nikolaevich Troshev was the Chief Executive of the Wagner Group. Therefore, he has supported the Syrian regime, was a member of a militia, and has repressed the civilian population in Syria.

His associates include Wagner Group founder Dimitriy Utkin, who is also a former Russian GRU military intelligence officer, according to EU sanctions. Troshev is also associated with Wagner group commanders Aleksandr Sergeevich Kuznetsov and Andrey Bogatov.

Grey hair is also a former employee of the special rapid response detachment of the Russian Interior Ministrys Northwestern Federal District, according to Russian online news outlet Fontanka. He is also a veteran of the wars in Chechnya and Afghanistan.

For his service in Afghanistan, Troshev was awarded two Orders of the Red Star  a Soviet Union decoration for exceptional service. For service in the operation in Chechnya, he was awarded two Orders of Courage and a medal of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 2nd degree, according to Russian media.

Troshev was among those invited to a reception at the Kremlin in December 2016. A photograph, believed to be from that 2016 reception, emerged in Russian media in 2017 and shows Putin alongside Troshev and Utkin, who are both wearing several medals.

Ukraine imposed sanctions against Troshev on February 26, 2023.

Meanwhile, the fate of Wagner boss Prigozhin remains unclear. Prigozhin had reportedly traveled to Belarus as part of a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko following the failed uprising, but the Belarusian president told CNN last week the Wagner leader is now in Russia.

Footage purporting to show a police raid on Prigozhins premises in St. Petersburg has also raised questions about his status. Prigozhin has not been seen in public since June 2.

This story was first published on CNN.com. What we know about Andrey Troshev, the man Putin proposed as the new Wagner boss
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/top-us-officials-make-beeline-for-china-because-2024-elections-are-coming-up-1111889562.html

Top US Officials Make Beeline for China 'Because 2024 Elections Are Coming Up'

Top US Officials Make Beeline for China 'Because 2024 Elections Are Coming Up'

Senior US officials have lately made a bee-line for China because they are thinking about next year's elections, and need to show that they can control the deteriorating situation with Beijing," professor Yang Mian underscored.

2023-07-15T11:21+0000

2023-07-15T11:21+0000

2023-07-15T11:21+0000

analysis

china

washington

yang mian

john kerry

wang yi

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Chinese-American relations have been characterized by various contradictions for a long time, with the main problem being that the United States "says one thing and does another," Yang Mian, a professor at the Institute of International Relations, Communication University of China, told Sputnik.Senior US officials have lately made a bee-line for China because they are thinking about next year's elections, and need to show that they can control the deteriorating situation with Beijing," Yang underscored. Washington is constantly putting pressure on its vital trade partner, Beijing, which it defines as a 'long-term competitor', while wielding rhetoric about not seeking complete 'decoupling' with the Asian powerhouse, he added.But while spouting cooperation rhetoric, the US officials have doubled down on assurances, as was the case most recently with Kerry, that they rule out making any concessions to Beijing. Intentions to ostensibly fix US-China ties have also come interspersed with freshly-lobbed accusations at Beijing.Climate and environmental issues appear to be the only topic on which exchanges between China and the United States are fairly unencumbered, the professor emphasized. Kerry had previously also served as a US envoy at talks with China, but after the relations soured, the talks were frozen. Now, as we witness Washington dispatching Kerry to Beijing again, we can speculate that circumstances are forcing the US to take such steps, Yang Mian pointed out.He added:At this point, it is worth recalling how shortly after Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a long-awaited trip to Beijing to meet with senior Chinese diplomats, including President Xi Jinping, US President Joe Biden publicly called Xi a dictator"."Of course, we also need to meet and talk with them," Yang Mian acknowledged. However, there is no denying the fact that whether top American officials confer with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi, Foreign Minister Qin Gang or other high-ranking representatives of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), the US position does not change significantly, it is the position of containing China, he said.Indeed, the US has been doing everything from dipping into the tool box of trade-related weapons, like restrictions on exports of US goods and services, the persistence of import duties on Chinese goods, sanctions on Chinas technology, to bolstering US and NATO operations in the Pacific while peddling the "China threat" narrative.Now, in specific aspects, the US strategy and methods may vary a little, because now they need China, and, therefore, purely symbolically and outwardly, they can appear to tone down the rhetoric, Yang said.Ahead of the 2024 presidential elections, the Washington-based politicians hope to demonstrate to the voters that "they can control the crisis tendencies in Sino-American relations, smooth out contradictions, and avert war..." So now the Sino-US summits are taking place not because there has been some fundamental change in the US, but because the elections are coming up, Yang Mian stated. For all the flurry of diplomatic activity, no key issues have been resolved. The US may take a step back in its policy towards China, but this does not mean that there have been any fundamental changes, argued the professor. While talks might bring certain minor successes, China remains at odds with the United States in matters related to Taiwan, high technology, weapons, and NATO, Yang Mian emphasized, concluding:

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/john-kerry-says-wont-make-any-concessions-to-china-during-visit-1111860552.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230708/chinese-vice-premier-voices-concern-over-us-sanctions-on-beijing-to-us-treasury-secretary-1111756702.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/tucker-carlson-destroys-the-republican-establishment-candidates-1111882105.html

Tucker Carlson Destroys the Republican Establishment Candidates

Tucker Carlson Destroys the Republican Establishment Candidates

On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including the suspected Long Island Serial Killer being charged, and Texas... 15.07.2023, Sputnik International

2023-07-15T04:05+0000

2023-07-15T04:05+0000

2023-07-15T08:17+0000

the backstory

radio

ftc

twitter

israel

tucker carlson

2024 us presidential election

bastille day

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Tucker Carlson Destroys the Republican Establishment Candidates On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including the suspected Long Island Serial Killer being charged, and Texas being sued over TikTok ban

Jose Vega - Activist, Independent Journalist| The Right is Willing to Support the Left on Anti-War Support, AOC Supports War, and Matt GaetzTed Rall - Political Cartoonist, Syndicated Columnist | Bastille Day, Biden Seen Worldwide as Weak, and Posting Crimes on Social MediaIn the first hour, Lee spoke with Jose Vega about interventions, morale concessions, and uniting against World War III. Jose talked about the boycotts by the Democratic squad members and the people on the Ukraine kill list. Jose commented on the provocations by the Ukrainian military and the need for Americans to unite against the pro-war establishment.In the second hour, Lee spoke with Ted Rall about the history of Bastille Day, George Soros labeled a patriot, and how the French are viewed in the West. Ted discussed the protests in France and the lack of press conferences by President Biden. Ted spoke about the Biden Presidential legacy and Hunter Biden's speeding selfie.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/ukrainians-unwilling-to-resist-russia-or-leave-cities--survey-1111872286.html

Ukrainians Unwilling to Resist Russia or Leave Cities  Survey

Ukrainians Unwilling to Resist Russia or Leave Cities  Survey

A recent US-commissioned poll has shown that Ukrainians are reluctant to fight against Russia and leave their cities, even as military tensions escalate.

2023-07-15T14:54+0000

2023-07-15T14:54+0000

2023-07-15T15:52+0000

ukraine

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russia's special operation in ukraine

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The poll was carried out by the Ukrainian sociological group "Rating" in late June but commissioned by the US-based non-profit organization International Republican Institute (IRI) and funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).It found that the majority of Ukrainian citizens have not suffered any damage to their homes during the special operation; that residents do not intend to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) if the situation near their cities deteriorates nor plan to leave their homes. Low Willingness to ResistRating surveyed 16,800 residents of 21 cities under Ukrainian control, including the Russian city of Zaporozhye.When asked about their plans during escalating military tensions, the majority of respondents expressed their intent to stay in their cities. Only a small percentage showed a willingness to join the UAF and resist Russian troops, primarily from respondents in western Ukrainian cities less affected by the conflict.Specifically, 6% in Kharkov, 8% in Odessa, Chernigov, and Zaporozhye, and 9% in Nikolayev plan to join the Ukrainian Army if tensions escalate. These study results differ from the information promoted by Ukrainian propaganda.Problems With Bomb SheltersThe study also revealed widespread dissatisfaction with bomb shelters. In 18 out of 21 cities surveyed, the majority of respondents described their quality as "bad," "horrible," or "unavailable."In the less affected western cities of Uzhgorod and Ivano-Frankovsk, "difficult to say" slightly outweighed the negative responses.In Ternopol and Lutsk, two other western cities, the number of respondents who found it "difficult to answer" was equal to those who rated the shelters as "poor."Similarly, in Odessa, the number of people unsure about the quality of bomb shelters was equal to those who rated them as "bad" or "terrible."Russia Bombing Residential Buildings... Or Not?Residents from the 21 cities shared their experiences amid authorities' claims and propaganda about the war's impact on their homes.Across 18 cities, an overwhelming majority (94-100%) reported no damage from the ongoing Russian military operation. Figures of 73%, 66%, and 60% were observed in Nikolaev, Chernigov, and Kharkov, respectively.Among those with affected homes, a significant portion (20% in Nikolaev, 24% in Chernigov, and 30% in Kharkov) described the damage as "minor."Survey results indicated inadequate restoration efforts in these cities, with 63% in Chernigov reporting insufficient work (34% partially repaired, 29% no work done). In Kharkov and Nikolaev, the figures were 79% (29% partially repaired, 50% no work done) and 82% (20% partially repaired, 62% no work done), respectively.Notably, residents predominantly funded their own home repairs, with 71% in Nikolaev, 45% in Kharkov, and 77% in Chernigov personally financing restorations. Only 19% in Nikolaev, 46% in Kharkov, and 12% in Chernigov reported state funds being used for reconstruction.In Chernigov, funding from charities, foundations, and international organizations (26% and 13%, respectively) played a significant role, surpassing government aid.Overall, residents did not expect government assistance for housing reconstruction. A substantial number, such as 65% in Nikolaev, 47% in Kharkov, and 71% in Chernigov, expressed their intention to personally restore their houses, despite the remaining damage being unrepaired.Strange Responses About EmigrationThe majority of respondents (51-72%) revealed that their close relatives did not emigrate from Ukraine or even relocate within the country after the onset of hostilities. Interestingly, among the surveyed Ukrainian citizens, only a small percentage (1-4%) of the around 5,700 with relatives who emigrated abroad expressed that their relatives had gone to Russia.These findings are notable considering the UN's report of 6.33 million Ukrainian refugees worldwide, with 1.28 million seeking refuge in Russia, the highest number among any other country.The survey results leave room for three possibilities: either the researchers coincidentally encountered individuals whose relatives did not go to Russia, residents in Ukrainian-controlled cities are too intimidated to admit their relatives' emigration to Russia, or the published results of the IRI study may not be entirely accurate.NATO Membership and Fate of Russian LanguageA significant percentage of residents in various Ukrainian cities expressed opposition to Ukraine joining NATO. In Odessa, it was 47%, while figures of 38%, 31%, 28%, and 28% were observed in Kharkov, Dnepr, Nikolaev, and Zaporozhye, respectively.Conversely, the highest support for NATO membership was found in western Ukraine, particularly in Lvov, where 92% voted in favor. The top five cities with the highest 'yes' votes (88-92%) were all in Western Ukraine: Lvov, Lutsk, Ivano-Frankovsk, Ternopol, and Rovno.A notable opinion gap between Western and Southeastern Ukraine remains.Additionally, the majority of residents in major southwestern Ukrainian cities, including the Kiev-controlled Russian city of Zaporozhye, acknowledged speaking Russian at home. According to the study, 61% in Nikolayev, 66% in Dnepr, 67% in Zaporozhye, 78% in Kharkov, and 80% in Odessa confirmed this. Moreover, 38% in Kiev and 41% in Chernigov also reported speaking Russian at home.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230702/investigation-underway-in-odessa-over-55mln-spending-on-defective-bomb-shelters---source-1111624179.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221124/how-europe-created-its-latest-refugee-crisis-1104664158.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220612/how-russian-and-other-minority-languages-are-being-erased-in-ukraine-1096244658.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/us-deploys-fighter-jets-in-irans-backyard-as-regional-tensions-surge-1111896744.html

US Deploys Fighter Jets in Irans Backyard as Regional Tensions Surge

US Deploys Fighter Jets in Irans Backyard as Regional Tensions Surge

The deadlock in Iranian-US negotiations on the Iran nuclear deal, combined with the strain stemming from the ramped up US presence in the Persian Gulf and... 15.07.2023, Sputnik International

2023-07-15T17:34+0000

2023-07-15T17:34+0000

2023-07-15T17:34+0000

world

joe biden

donald trump

iran

syria

islamic revolutionary guard corps (irgc)

persian gulf

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The United States will deploy General Dynamics F-16 fighter jets to the Persian Gulf region, US and Gulf media have reported, citing a senior US defense official speaking anonymously to reporters.The F-16 deployment, expected to be completed before the weekend is out, is expected to complement the A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft already patrolling in the region for more than a week.According to the official, the warplanes will provide air cover for ships traversing through the Gulf, and increase the US militarys visibility as a deterrent to Iran amid the increased incidence of Iranian seizures of commercial vessels traversing mostly through the Islamic Republics waters.The official cited the USS McFaul guided missile destroyers deployments earlier this month to thwart two alleged attempts by Iran to seize commercial vessels in the Gulf. An informed Iranian defense source earlier dismissed these claims as patently false.But Iran has indeed seized other foreign tanker vessels in recent months, citing the escalating prevalence of illegal oil smuggling activities, and unsafe maneuvers through Iranian waters.Last week, Iranian media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had seized a tanker reportedly containing up to 900 metric tons of smuggled fuel. Another tanker was seized in May, for reasons unknown.In April, Iranian commandoes boarded a US-bound oil tanker after it slammed into an Iranian fishing boat and attempted to flee the scene. A second was seized the same month over a judicial complaint by a private plaintiff.Iran on one side and the US and its allies on the other have played a years-long cat and mouse game involving the seizure of oil-laden vessels, with Washington at one point attempting to enforce a push to bring Iranian oil exports down to zero amid the failure of its sanctions. Iran has long called for Gulf security to be ensured by regional nations, and said that the presence of foreign warships and other outsider military assets in the Gulf are a threat to Tehran and a challenge to the stability of the region.The Islamic Republic has among the largest, most sophisticated and self-sufficient armed forces in the Middle East, which enable them to engage even the latest US military equipment. In April, Iranian commanders boasted of the countrys successful detection of a US ballistic missile sub trying to sneak through the Hormuz Strait, and announced that Iran has technologies capable of monitoring and differentiating between individual Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets.The Persian Gulf is a key strategic waterway accounting for about 40 percent of the world's ship-bound oil shipments, and 20 percent of the global oil supply in total.Syria TensionsThe anonymous senior US defense official also commented on Washingtons continued illegal deployment in and occupation of a third of Syria, citing Russian aggression over the skies of the Arab Republic, while vowing to continue illegal US flights over the western part of the country, purportedly to target Daesh (ISIS).*The official expressed concerns about increasing cooperation between Russia, the IRGC Quds Force and the Syrian government as part of a joint pressure campaign to oust the US from the Middle Eastern country, but stressed that the US wont be going anywhere anytime soon. The official also said that the US does not see the danger of Russian aircraft dropping bombs on US ground troops or attacking US jets in the area, but warned that they may try to bring down unmanned US drones engaged in the systematic violations of protocols in their overflights.Syrian, Russian and Iranian officials have repeatedly demanded that the US end its illegal occupation of Syrian territories east of the Euphrates, which are home to the vast majority of the nations oil, gas and food resources, as well as the at-Tanf garrison in the countrys south, where the US is suspected of retraining jihadists to fight the government in Damascus. Washington has consistently refused to pull its forces out, citing its need to keep the oil (the justification under former President Donald Trump) or prevent the resurgence of Daesh (the justification under President Joe Biden).* A terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230531/uae-withdraws-from-american-led-naval-coalition-dealing-blow-to-us-military-prestige-1110826830.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230622/syria-turkiye-agree-with-russias-road-map-concept---envoy-lavrentyev-1111381761.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/us-govt-agencies-may-be-slapped-with-deadline-to-declassify-ufo-files-1111888416.html

US Govt Agencies May Be Slapped With Deadline to Declassify 'UFO' Files

US Govt Agencies May Be Slapped With Deadline to Declassify 'UFO' Files

The US Senate wants to set a 300-day deadline for government agencies to turn over records related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to a specially established UAP Records Review Board.

2023-07-15T08:42+0000

2023-07-15T08:42+0000

2023-07-15T08:58+0000

americas

unidentified aerial phenomena (uap)

ufo

classified documents

chuck schumer

david grusch

marco rubio

senate

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The US Senate wants to set a 300-day deadline for government agencies to turn over records related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to a specially established UAP Records Review Board. The nine-member panel, appointed by President Joe Biden and subject to Senate approval, in turn, would have 72 hours to decide whether to release the records or shelve them. POTUS could then subsequently opt to agree or overturn the panel's decision. The legislation, the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) Disclosure Act, states that, "All federal government records concerning Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (government-derived word for UFO) should carry a presumption of immediate disclosure." It further says that legislative action was required "to restore proper oversight over UAP records" that have "otherwise been lacking."The bipartisan legislation which passed the Senate on Friday was introduced as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) - the annual defense policy bill. It was authored jointly by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., with support from Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. The Act was modeled after the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collections Act, dating to 1992. Besides the Review Board, it will also result in the creation of a UAP Records Collection.Debate on the proposed amendment is scheduled to start next week.Earlier, on July 12, the US House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Congress, pushed forward its own legislation proposed to be added to the annual defense bill. The latter would require the Pentagon to "declassify any Department of Defense documents and other Department of Defense records relating to publicly known sightings of unidentified aerial phenomena that do not reveal sources, methods, or otherwise compromise the national security of the United States."Interest in so-called Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) had soared after previously leaked bombshell videos were released by the Pentagon in 2020. The videos were originally submitted by US personnel. One of those videos, leaked in 2017, showed a jet pilot spotting a tic-tac-shaped UAP (or UFO) with his targeting array. At the time, it was revealed that the US Department of Defense even had a special task force dedicated to gathering reports pertaining to UAP. However, further transparency on the part of the government agencies was not forthcoming, despite the formation of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and an independent NASA research team.Earlier this month, US Air Force whistleblower David Grusch alleged in the media that the government is in possession of non-human spacecraft and its pilots, but has been withholding this information from Congress. Grusch told two US media outlets that he filed a complaint with the Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG) about the ostensible coverup.In response to Gruschs claims, Defense Department spokesperson Sue Gough told Sputnik that AARO has not discovered any verifiable information to substantiate claims that any programs regarding possession or reverse-engineering of extraterrestrial materials have existed or currently exist. However, after Grusch's statements were reportedly corroborated in classified hearings with other witnesses from the defense sector ranks, Senator Rubio voiced concerns these classified UFO programs are "accountable to no one."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/uap-researcher-says-turned-over-trove-of-evidence-to-us-government-authorities-1111096967.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230523/poll-ufo-research-starting-to-lure-us-academics-1110537940.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/us-sets-mass-killing-record-in-first-half-of-2023-1111889320.html

US Sets Mass Killing Record in First Half of 2023

US Sets Mass Killing Record in First Half of 2023

Incidences of deadly mass shooting across the US has affected a total of 140 victims prompting calls for stringent gun laws.

2023-07-15T10:46+0000

2023-07-15T10:46+0000

2023-07-15T10:46+0000

americas

viral

joe biden

kamala harris

americans

washington

national rifle association (nra)

northeastern university

republicans

ar-15

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The United States has witnessed an alarming surge in mass killings from January to June of 2023, setting a record of 28 incidents with total 140 casualties, according to an AP analysis. The study disclosed that all but one of the killing sprees involved firearms.The number of mass killings in 2023 has surpassed the previous record of 27, set in the second half of 2022. James Alan Fox, a criminology professor at Northeastern University, expressed his astonishment at the current figures, as when he began overseeing the database five years ago, the estimation was only two to three dozen mass killings per year.Mass killings and a general increase in gun violence have been on the rise. As per another report by the Gun Violence Archives database, the country has experienced 377 mass shootings since the beginning of this year.Such an upswing in violence points to the ongoing challenge policymakers face in curtailing gun violence in the US.The impact of these tragic events is deeply felt by families like Brent Leatherwood, a parent whose three children experienced the harrowing events at a Nashville Christian school in March when a former student claimed the lives of six innocent people. Overwhelmed by the unexpected tragedy, Leatherwood expressed his deep shock at being personally connected to such a heart-wrenching statistic.Debate Over US Gun LawsUS gun laws have become a divisive political issue. The Democrats argue that stricter gun control is necessary to reduce gun violence and protect public safety. They advocate for measures like assault weapons bans and comprehensive background checks of individuals acquiring guns. These initiatives, they believe, would nip mass shooting incidences in the bud and lessen the number of firearms in circulation.Republicans consider gun ownership an indisputable right preserved by the US Constitution's Second Amendment, which safeguards citizen's right to bear arms, asserting that any attempt to restrict access to firearms infringes upon personal liberties. They argue that responsible gun ownership is a fundamental aspect of self-defense and protection against tyranny and that stricter regulations would disproportionately affect law-abiding citizens rather than criminals. While nationwide, the number of murders in the United States lags behind many countries in Latin America, the CDC figure of 7.8 homicides per 100,000 people remains the highest in the developed world and a significant uptick since the 2010s. President Biden's Call for Republican SupportDuring the July 4 US Independence Day holiday, several mass shootings occurred throughout the nation, resulting in the death and injury of numerous individuals, including in the capital, Washington, DC. These incidents reignited calls for stricter gun laws. President Joe Biden condemned the "wave of tragic and senseless" shootings earlier this month and urged Republicans in Congress to join him in enacting "meaningful, commonsense" gun reforms.Experts attribute the escalating violence to the growing population and an increasing number of firearms in the US. However, despite the alarming headlines, mass killings statistically remain rare and represent only a fraction of the country's overall gun violence.Despite the unprecedented level of violence, the National Rifle Association (NRA) remains staunchly opposed to firearm regulations, including AR-15-style rifles and similar weapons. NRA spokesman Billy McLaughlin stated that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris' persistent efforts to undermine the Second Amendment will not promote safety among Americans. Instead, McLaughlin argues that such actions will only empower criminals. He reassured the public that the NRA will continue to advocate for self-defense rights and will never compromise or apologize for doing so.

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Weekly News Wrap UP; Zelensky Humiliated at NATO Summit; The Disinformation Industry Goes to Court

Weekly News Wrap UP; Zelensky Humiliated at NATO Summit; The Disinformation Industry Goes to Court

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky faced humiliation as the NATO summit yielded embarrassing pictures and his request for membership in the military bloc... 15.07.2023, Sputnik International

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Weekly News Wrap UP; Zelensky Humiliated at NATO Summit; The Disinformation Industry Goes to Court Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky faced humiliation as the NATO summit yielded embarrassing pictures and his request for membership in the military bloc was rejected.

Caleb Maupin, journalist and political analyst, joins us to discuss this week's important news stories. The NATO summit has ended, and limited support for Ukraine has been pledged. Also, President Biden is sending cluster bombs to the Nazis, and Nicaragua celebrates the success of their revolution.Richard Wolff, Professor of Economics, Host of Democracy At Work on YouTube, joins us to discuss this week's important news stories. Americans are using "buy now pay later" apps to purchase groceries. Also, US consumerism is struggling against the neoliberal impoverishment of the working class.Danny Haiphong, Author and Contributor to the Black Agenda Report, joins us to discuss this week's important news stories. Janet Yellen has returned from her mission to China, but the reality of US militarism has thwarted her plans to create the illusion of a move for rapprochement. Also, the US and China trade sanctions in an economic war.Ajamu Baraka, chair of the coordinating committee for The Black Alliance for Peace, and Erica Caines, founder of Liberation Through Reading and Editor of Hood Communist Blog, come together to discuss this week's important news stories. Venezuela bars EU observers from attending their next election as observers. Also, Kamala Harris is an integral part of the Biden administration's imperialist foreign policy.Jim Kavanagh, whose work can be found at Jim Kavanagh's Substack, thepolemicist.net, and Counterpunch, and Steve Poikonen, national organizer for Action4Assange, come together to discuss this week's important news stories. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky faced humiliation as the NATO summit yielded embarrassing pictures and a rejection of his request for membership in the military bloc. Also, Cuba rejects the presence of a US nuclear submarine in Guantanamo Bay.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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Midway through, the 2023 Eldorado Scioto Downs race meet is showing monumental gains over 2022 numbers.

Through the first 45 days of racing, handle is up 30.25 per cent with over $6.2-million more wagered in 2023 than in 2022.

Weve had a lot of buzz this year with the new grandstand being built, so a lot more eyes have been on our track and product, said Jason Roth, Sciotos Director of Racing. The horse population has been great, handle keeps improving and weve got some exciting racing and promotions coming up for the second half of our season.

Year-to-date, Scioto has hosted 35 race days with 16 races. There have been 703 races with 58.8 per cent of them having full, 10-horse fields. The track has a percentage of winning favourites sitting at 45.09.

Dan Noble is the leading driver so far with 87 wins, 2022 leading driver Chris Page sits second with 78 and Brett Miller rounds out the top three with 74. On the trainer side, 28-time leading trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. sits on top of the leaderboard with 51 wins in 214 starts while Ron Burke sits close behind with 47 wins. Both have a UTRS in the .350s.

Some highlights of the second half of the racing season will include Red, White & Boozy beer fest on Saturday, July 15, the #SendItIn and Cleopatra Invitationals on July 29, Ohio State Fair racing Aug. 3-5 and Ohio Super Night, including the Jim Ewart & Charlie Hill Memorials, on Saturday, Sept. 9.

Racing is held at Scioto Downs each Tuesday and Wednesday with a 3:15 p.m. first post and Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with a 5:50 p.m. first post through Saturday, Sept. 16.

(Scioto Downs)
Four $14,000-plus divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for two- and three-year-old pacing fillies went postward on Friday (July 14) at Bangor, with three of the distaffs taking new lifetime records over the hot and fast Bass Park surface.

Hollywood Casino at Bangor played host to three early non-wagering races at 11 a.m., with the fourth and final split carded as race one on the betting program.

The sophomore fillies were the first to hit the track, with Katelyns Angel (pictured) a bridesmaid no more. Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Marc Tardif, the daughter of Western Maverick had finished second in all three of her previous stakes outings. All that changed Friday when Switzer Jr. sent the Leighton Property-owned and bred lass out to the front row where she remained for the duration of the flight.

It was a perfectly rated training mile for last years five-time winner. Following an opening panel of :29.1, Switzer Jr. hit the half in 1:00 flat. At the three-quarter pole, she was on top four and looking for more in 1:29.2. Tripping the timer in a career-best 1:58.2, Katelyns Angel won by 8-1/2 lengths and never had an anxious moment in the $14,684 event.

Justcallmemimi (Bruce Ranger) finished second and Baileys Rock Star (Sherry Cushing) was third.

In the second $14,684 Maine-bred three-year-old filly pace, South St Dottie continued her winning ways, picking up her fourth consecutive victory in stakes company with regular pilot Nick Graffam at the controls.

Sitting a perfect pocket trip behind pacesetter La Mambacita (Heath Campbell), the daughter of Western Maverick found an extra gear and scooted home in 30 seconds to secure her place atop the divisional leaderboard.

Trained by Mike Graffam for owner-breeder Jan Donaway, South St Dottie earned her fifth lifetime victory, winning by three lengths in 1:59. La Mambacita finished second and Janie (Aaron Hall) was third.

Next, the babies took center stage in the first $14,486 two-year-old filly pace and My Sweet Revenge is a maiden no more. Making her fourth lifetime start for trainer Marc Tardif, the daughter of Western Maverick got a new mark and an education in a little over two minutes.

Scoring from post five, Walter Case Jr. scooted out for the lead with My Sweet Revenge to hit the opening panel in a snappy :30.2, but walked to the half in 1:03.2.

Sensing the tempo shift, driver Heath Campbell pulled Pembroke Red to the outside to challenge for the lead. When the would-be spoiler poked a head in front at the 1:33.3 third stanza, that was all My Sweet Revenge needed to gain some confidence and dig in for the remaining two furlongs.

The pair fought gallantly to the wire, but it was My Sweet Revenge that prevailed by half a length in 2:03.2. Owned by Leighton Property and bred by Laurie Harding and Reginald Duguay, My Sweet Revenge earned her first lifetime victory.

Pembroke Red finished second and Ghost Of You (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

The final $14,486 Maine Sire Stake of the day was on the regular card and second-time starter Whos Perfect got her first race record.

Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, the daughter of Western Maverick followed last weeks winner and 1-5 favourite Mrs Foxy Roxy (Nick Graffam) around the two-loop circuit.

Campbell kept Whos Perfect tight on Graffams helmet throughout heavy lifting. When the pair got into the final turn, Mrs Foxy Roxy started swishing her tail, which was Campbells cue to tip out and challenge the pacesetter to a stretch duel. They fought head to head, wheel to wheel and nose to nose down to the wire, but it was Whos Perfect who got up in the final strides to win by a nose in 2:04, putting in a :28.4 final quarter exclamation point. Zoes Precious RN (Mike Cushing) finished third.

Whos Perfect is owned by breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe, Dick McKeen and Patty McKeen. She paid $11.80 to win.

During the upcoming weekend, the two-year-old pacing colts visit Cumberland on Saturday, with all the divisions of trotters racing at Bangor on Sunday in four additional Maine Sire Stakes events.

(Maine Sire Stakes)
Due to lack of room and ongoing conflict of interest issues, the state magistrate office in Culpeper recently moved its physical presence out of its longtime space inside the Culpeper County Jail, located next to the courthouse in town.

A larger, more autonomous magistrate office is being proposedat a cost to the county of nearly $730,000in the recently vacated former space of Culpeper Extension Office on West Street.

The bottom floor offices, spanning around 2,900-square-feet, extend around the side of the three-story county brick building on the corner, at 155 W. Davis St. Upstairs is located Culpeper County Criminal Justice Services and juvenile probation, proposed to be moved downstairs with the magistrate office.

Per state code, localities must provide a physical space for a magistrate, part of the Virginia Judicial System.

The office of 16th District Chief Magistrate Avnel Alair Coates and juvenile probation worked with county staff to develop a renovation plan for relocation to the old 4H office. Both would be accessible, in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Coates attended Tuesdays meeting of the Board of Supervisors Building & Grounds Committee to discuss the proposal.

She told the Star-Exponent after that the magistrate office moved out of the Culpeper County Jail a few months ago, but maintains video capability at the location.

The sheriffs office runs the jail.

The closest live magistrate now is at Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange, Coates said.

We do quite a bit of business in Culpeper, but we had to leave because there was quite a bit of conflict (of interest) with the sheriffs office, she told the committee. Weve outgrown the old space. It doesnt work for us anymore.

The District Magistrate overseeing nine localities from Goochland to Charlottesville described in Culpeper having to hold sensitive hearings with victims in a shared waiting area for jail visitors. The magistrate handles things like emergency protective orders, custody orders, bond hearings and mental health processes, she said.

Its a state code issue where the county has to provide our quarters, and we serve the public, Coates said.

The magistrate and juvenile probation would share a public entrance, employee restroom and break area, per the proposal. The magistrate is stationed behind bullet proof glass in the lobby with access to all rooms, private office space and a second exit to Davis Street.

Culpeper County Environmental Services Director Paul Howard developed the cost estimate for the work based on similar publicly bid projects recently like creating new Extension offices in the Carver Center. The bullet proof class and reworking HVAC ductwork add to the cost, according to Howard. The county has $200,000 in the budget for additional office space that can be put toward the renovation, according to a committee report.

County Administrator John Egertson admitted the estimated price-tag is high for the renovation, but they are looking to put it out for public bids.

I find it outrageous, said East Fairfax Supervisor Kathy Campbell.

He said there are some funds available in the capital improvements plan, but not that much. The county can also reallocate funds to cover the cost through American Rescue Fund Act monies, Egertson said.

Chairman Gary Deal asked if there was any matching money through the state available for the office move, and the state office replied, no. The committee ultimately recommended in favor of the proposal to the full board, which will meet the first Tuesday in August.
(CNN)  A recent outbreak of wildfires in western Canada is again sending a plume of unhealthy smoke into the United States.

The smoke is already wafting into the Northern Plains and will spread into the Upper Midwest, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and Indiana, where air quality advisories that warn of unhealthy levels of smoke are in place through the weekend.

The smoke could also cause issues in Iowa and Illinois, including Chicago, which experienced some of the worst air quality in the world amid heavy smoke in late-June.

This time, the smoke plume is not coming from the Canadian province of Quebec. It is instead funneling across Canada from much further away in the West, so it shouldnt reach the Northeast like it did in early June, when New York Citys skies turned an apocalyptic shade of orange.

On Friday, the encroaching smoke dropped air quality in parts of Montana and North Dakota to code red, or unhealthy levels on the Air Quality Index, and to code orange, or unhealthy for sensitive groups, in Minnesota, according to airnow.gov.

Wildfire smoke contains tiny pollutants known as particle matter, or PM 2.5, that can get into the lungs and bloodstream once inhaled. These pollutants most commonly cause difficulty breathing and eye and throat irritation, but have also been linked to more serious long-term health issues like lung cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The plume was birthed from nearly 400 fires sparked in Canadas province of British Columbia in the past week, nearly half of which were started by 51,000 lightning strikes from thunderstorms, the BC Wildfire Service said. Some of those thunderstorms were dry or produced inconsequential amounts of rain to help squelch any fires, a dangerous prospect in a province experiencing the worst level of drought.

Parts of the US will be at risk of smoke for the foreseeable future depending on weather patterns and fire flareups because Canada is experiencing its worst fire season on record. More than 23 million acres have burned so far this year, an area roughly the size of Indiana.

British Columbia has had more than 1,000 fires start since April. Those fires have already burned through nearly three times the amount of land compared to an average year in British Columbia over the last 10 years, the BC Wildfire Service said.

One firefighter died Thursday responding to one of the blazes near Revelstoke, British Columbia, a press release from the firefighters union said. The BC Wildfire Service confirmed the death to CNN. The firefighter has not been identified.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau eulogized the firefighter on Twitter Friday.

The news from British Columbia  that one of the firefighters bravely battling wildfires has lost her life  is heartbreaking, Trudeau said. At this incredibly difficult time, Im sending my deepest condolences to her family, her friends, and her fellow firefighters.

This story was first published on CNN, "A new outbreak of Canadian wildfires is sending a plume of unhealthy smoke into the US yet again."
It was a true small-town celebration as the Oregon Trail Days Parade traveled through downtown Gering. Spectators lined 10th Street as floats, bands and attractions rolled by Saturday morning.

The 102nd Oregon Trail Days parade drew spectators and attractions from all around the area including the Old Settlers, area fire departments, as well as farmers, bands and many others.

Shade was in particularly high demand as the sun beat down throughout the mornings events.

Organizer John Ewing said he felt that the event was a success and was thankful that the weather remained clear.

Its the 102nd year of Oregon Trail Days, (people) have a good time and we have a good parade, he said. They get to see a lot of things theyve never seen for a year or maybe never ever.

The parade began with the presentation of the American flag and a color guard and continued for over an hour as the procession continued. Spectators cheered and waved as local politicians and organizations like the Gering Middle School Band passed by along with many others.

One spectator, Ross Jimenez, emphasized the importance of events like the parade and Oregon Trail Days to the town.

Its a small town and the parade brings out people to support their town, he said.

He also pointed out that events like the parade have a special meaning in smaller towns and lauded the homegrown support for the parade, saying youre not going to find this in a city.

Some parade participants delighted crowds as many stopped to hand out candy to children nearby. Fire engines from around the Panhandle sounded their horns and sirens as children cheered and signaled for more.

During the parade, James Cabral, who walked with the Coca-Cola group, announced that the company would be distributing free sodas in the Fresh Foods parking lot following the parade.

Its amazing seeing everyone out here, he said.

Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen and several members of the Scottsbluff and Gering city councils also made an appearance, along with elected officials from neighboring towns.

There was a long procession of farm equipment including tractors and combines from local farmers as well as dozens of horses and several wagons throughout the parade.
Nestled in the hills of Carter Canyon, through the picture window in the loft of the house Brandon Bailey and his wife purchased a few months ago, Baileys studio looks south across the open prairie. It is a perfect view for watching lofty storm clouds build up and float east.

However, during the strongest storms, that studio sits empty as Bailey is in his vehicle chasing the storms that help to provide inspiration for his paintings. During the storms that peppered the Panhandle with tornados a few weeks ago, he joined in with the out of town storm chasers as the clouds built up over Albin, Wyoming, and followed them east. He snapped a photo that now serves as the background of a piece he is preparing for this falls Cowboy Artists of America (CAA) exhibition in Fort Worth, Texas.

WyoBraska residents will have the opportunity to view three of Baileys oil paintings and, for the first time, one of his bronze sculptures, at the 41st annual Cheyenne Frontier Days Invitational Western Art Show and Sale, taking place from July 20 to Aug. 13. Many artists focus on one medium, often only focusing on one style or particular material or paint type. Bailey has added highly detailed bronze sculpting to his portfolio.

Sculpting uses a different set of skills and gives me another creative outlet, he said.

His sculpture of a buffalo resting, entitled Vigilant Guardian, was recently donated to the Cheyenne Downtown Bronze Project by, and in memory of, the Heiduck family as a law enforcement family tribute. Tucked into the corner of his studio is an in-progress, highly realistic, sculpture of a pronghorn running. He credits his experience in taxidermy with giving him the anatomy knowledge to create these pieces.

The majority of Baileys paintings are western landscapes that draw upon his youth as a cowboy and bull rider in Wyoming, as well as his heritage as a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. It was his talent in capturing the romantic grittiness of the west that captured the western artworks worlds eye. Primarily self-driven through his early years as an artist, he always had the CAA in his sights.

Anyone who has painted a horse wants to be able to sign CA after their name.

While he worked in oils in college while he was studying to become an art teacher, he credits his mentorship with current CAA artist, Grant Redden, with changing his life during their time together in western Wyoming. Its CAAs mission to celebrate the Western life authentically. As Redden is an award winning artist and member since 2012, his experience was invaluable to Bailey.

In order to create the most authentic paintings he can, Bailey dives into the research. Hes currently working on a painting of The Battle of the Little Bighorn and is diving into materials from both the perspective of the Indigenous forces and Colonel Custers forces.

He said, Im working to marry the differences to make an accurate, historical, representation in a respectful way.

While Bailey used to have the time to present locally at events like Oregon Trail Days, hes busy these days staying on top of producing art, commissions and his own. While he shared that he misses it, its important to him to make time to do his best quality work, not the largest quantity.

Those interested in seeing his work nearby, his art will be on display at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum at 4610 Carey Ave, Cheyenne, Wyoming, and accessible with museum admission from July 21-Aug. 13, during museum hours.

Prior to the public viewing, an opening reception will be held on July 20. Tickets for this show are available online through cfdartshow.com or call the Museum Office at 307-778-7243. Tickets are $165 per museum member, $185 per non-museum member, or $200 per person after July 14.

Each ticket purchase includes dinner, drinks, a reception at the Governors residence, and much more. For more information visit tinyurl.com/cfdartshow.
The Oregon Trail Days Food Fair and Rod and Custom Car Show shut down 10th Street in Gering on Friday, July 14, as thousands of attendees flocked to the fair. Vendors from around town and the surrounding area sold all kinds of food, from Mexican and barbecue to corn on the cob and ice cream.

More than 30 different vendors were set up and tables stationed up and down the street were full as people spilled onto the sidewalks and streets looking for somewhere to eat.

Lines remained long, often more than 20 or 30 people, as attendees waited for their meals. Options like Legendairy Rolled Ice Cream and TNT Barbecue were popular as well as local favorites like China House and Mendozas Food Truck.

A trend pointed out by organizer Jodi Ruzicka continued as although some vendors operated out of tents, many of them were ran out of food trucks.

Many, many years ago when they just set up tents and the food vendors were there, but now we have self-contained food trucks that come in so its kind of fun, said Ruzicka.

Down the street, the Rod and Custom Car Show also had a strong turnout as 86 cars were parked up 10th Street, according to organizer Doug Mercer. Mercer said he was especially excited about the amount and variety of cars that made an appearance this year.

You never know whats gonna show up, you constantly see cars youve never seen before, he said.

The festivities brought out car enthusiasts as well like Ron Rahmig, who brought out his 2013 Ford Mustang California Special.

Ive been a car guy all my born years, he said, saying he was excited to see what the show had to the offer.

The car show also included a display on road safety from the Nebraska State Patrol who brought what they referred to as their Seatbelt Persuader, a device that simulates the importance of the seat belt in rollover crashes. Festivalgoers had the opportunity to strap into the contraption as it rolled upside-down to demonstrate how a seat belt can save lives.

State Trooper Zach Sporer described it as a fun little demonstration, and a reminder to put on a seatbelt.

Conservation officers also had a display set up in the show as Officer Josh Widhelm said they were there to remind people what his office does, as well as to remind people to report crimes like poaching.

The display included a number of taxidermy animals that had been poached and subsequently reported to and seized by conservation officers. Many of the animals were large trophy whitetail and mule deer bucks.

Oregon Trail Day festivities continue Saturday and Sunday. A complete schedule is available at oregontraildays.com.
You may remember Bill Moyers from his Public Broadcasting System TV specials. Moyers was also White House press secretary for President Lyndon Johnson from 1965-67, a founding organizer of the Peace Corps and was a well-known network news commentator. Moyers, now 88, was born in Oklahoma in 1934, but was raised in Texas.

From 1982 through 2006, Moyers hosted a series of broadcasts in which he interviewed 70 interesting people of the day. Rather than your usual group of talking heads, Moyers spoke with a very diverse group of extraordinary people which included poets, philosophers, physicists, musicians, engineers and novelists, all eminent in their respective fields. Some of them were Nobel Prize winners.

The interviews were collected into two volumes and published in 1989 (513 pages) and 1990 (284 pages) by Doubleday, now Knopf Doubleday. The editors were Betty Sue Flowers and Andie Tucher, respectively.

While I consider myself to be fairly well-educated, of the 42 people interviewed in the first volume, I was familiar with the names and works of only five: Isaac Asimov, E.L. Doctorow, Joseph Heller, Barbara Tuchman and Tom Wolfe. Messrs. Asimov, Doctorow, Heller and Wolfe are writers. Tuchman was an eminent historian, having twice won the Pulitzer Prize.

Of the 29 people interviewed in Volume II, I was familiar only with the names and/or works of four: Robert Bly, Toni Morrison, Dr. Jonas Salk and William L. Shirer.

Salk, you may recall, is famous for the development of the polio vaccine that bears his name. Robert Bly (1926-2021) was a poet and folklorist, Toni Morrison (1931-2019) penned best-selling novels and Mr. Shirer wrote the mammoth  1,245 pages  Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, about Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany.

Evidently, there are some gaps in my education! Well, I have only myself to blame. After all, commencement, as in high school commencement or college commencement, means (or should mean) intellectually, you are now on your own  you should commence (begin)  to further educate yourself.

Back to Moyers. He did a masterful job of interviewing this varied collection of thoughtful men and women about American life today and the ideas shaping our future. He asked probing, provocative, open-ended questions often derived from quotations found in books written by the interviewees themselves.

At the age of 88, I dont think we can expect a third volume in the series from Mr. Moyers, but I, for one, would love to see interviews, in one volume, equal in quality to those done by Moyers, on computer scientist Sir Tim Berners-Lee, writer Bill Bryson, American naturalist Eustace Conway, epidemiologist Dr. Anthony Fauci, computer guru Bill Gates, writer and humorist Garrison Keillor, writer Stephen King, current U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limon, former U.S. Poet Laurate Billy Collins, filmmaker George Lucas, business magnate Elon Musk, composer John Williams, historian Stephen E. Ambrose and several others.

And I dont know who should conduct the interviews, but wouldnt that be about the best job you could imagine? I hereby volunteer to be that persons assistant.

One thing is for certain: There is still a world of ideas out there. The question is Are we brave enough to venture forth and listen to those who may hold ideas different from our own?

I had one of Moyers books already in my sagging bookshelf and I borrowed his other book through our local library and its CARDINAL system. I didnt even have to pay one-way postage. You can also purchase your own copies of Moyers books through Amazon or Ebay.
An Austinville man was arrested on Thursday and charged with 20 counts of possessing child pornography after police executed a search warrant at his residence.

Wesley Andrew Whittington, 33, is being held without bond on the felony charges.

According to Wythe County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Anthony Cline, tactical team members searched Whittingtons 1399 Lead Mines Road residence at 5 a.m. on Thursday. The ongoing investigation was a joint effort of the Sheriffs Office and the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes against Children Task Force.

Cline said the examination of evidence collected on Thursday could lead to additional charges.

The Wythe County Sheriffs Office and the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes against Children Task Force will continue to aggressively seek those individuals possessing child pornography, he said.

Whittington is being held without bond in the New River Valley Regional Jail.

Search warrant related to shooting leads to arrest

A Wytheville man is awaiting trial on three felonies stemming from a June 29 police search related to a June 25 shooting at a Barren Springs party.

Tyler Michael Jones, 18, was charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition, possessing with the intent to distribute less than five pounds of marijuana and possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute.

According to Cline, tactical team officers collected ammunition and cocaine while executing a search warrant at 840 South First St. in Wytheville related to the shooting.

Cline said a man was shot four times at the June 25 field party along Castleton Road and is in stable condition at an area hospital.

He said investigators also collected evidence at the scene and more charges are likely in the case.

Being held without bond, Jones has a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 21 in Wythe County General District Court.
Demolition of Longviews longtime water treatment plant on Fishers Lane began Monday as the city prepares the site for new developments.

The Fishers Lane facility was built in 1944 and supplied the city with processed drinking water from the Cowlitz River for more than 60 years. The site has a three-story, 6,500-square-foot main building with a grid of aboveground concrete water tanks and basins behind it that were used to treat water.

When the city relocated its water supply to the aquifer and wells below the Mint Farm Industrial Park a decade ago, a new water treatment plant was built closer to the source. The Fishers Lane building has been briefly used by a cryptocurrency data mining center and a ceramics maker, but the site has largely sat empty since then.

Public Works Director Ken Hash said the site will be covered with dirt and grass once its cleared, but the eventual goal was to sell the land to be used for new construction.

The idea is to put it back on the tax rolls for housing or commercial use. I think well get it off the citys hands eventually, Hash said.

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Community Development Director Ann Rivers said the city had no specific plans for what will be built at Fishers Lane. The land is zoned for mixed-use commercial and industrial buildings.

Longview is paying $1.27 million to Keystone Contracting for the teardown of the abandoned treatment plant. The City Council approved the contract in May.
Two months after a destructive landslide wiped out a bridge leading to the Johnston Ridge Observatory on Mount St. Helens, owners of the vehicles that had been rescued from the visitor center happily retrieved their cars Friday morning.

Washington state Department of Transportation constructed a temporary one-lane road on Spirit Lake Memorial Highway near the Coldwater Lake trail system as part of a 30-day emergency contract to allow some access back up to the observatory.

A dozen visitors were rescued from the observatory on May 14 after debris took out the 80-foot bridge that connects drivers back to the highway. No one was injured during the event.

Roger Freeborn, a Hillsboro resident who was one of the visitors blocked in because of the debris slide, said his car was in perfect condition when WSDOT escorted the vehicle owners to the top of the observatory.

Some birds left a few gifts on my hood, but other than that, its exactly how we left it, Freeborn said.

The slide happened around 8:45 p.m. May 14, when 300,000 cubic yards of sediment and other debris came rushing down from the hillside over the course of a half-hour, destroying the 80-foot bridge near Hummocks Trail that leads to Johnston Ridge.

Robert Cornejo-Garcia had driven from Eugene to the observatory on a whim, hoping to catch the sunset over Mount St. Helens.

When he packed up and started to head back, he was forced to slam on his brakes and watch as water sped down the hillside. In the blink of an eye, he said, trees snapped and rocks went crashing into the river.

It just took out the bridge right in front of me, Cornejo-Garcia said.

He called in the slide to authorities and then did the only thing he could at the time  drive back up to the mountain and wait for helicopters to come get them.

I got a little lucky, Cornejo-Garcia said.

Since the slide, Cornejo-Garcia has been using his familys car to get around.

Freeborn was driving down around the same time when he said he saw someone in front of the bridge frantically waving for him to stop. Thats when he saw the destruction.

When youre coming down that curve, you cant really see the bridge, so, I mean, it was close, Freeborn said.

Freeborn said he tried to file a claim with his insurance in the time he waited for the chance to retrieve his car from the observatory, but they told him they could not do anything because technically his car was not damaged.

In the weeks since the slide, several areas of the surrounding Coldwater Lake trail system remain open, said Gala Miller, Gifford Pinchot National Forests public affairs officer. A map of the closure area can be found on the U.S. Forest Service Gifford Pinchot National Forest website.

I think theres been maybe a misunderstanding, and people might think the entire area is blocked off, Miller said.

People can still visit the nearby Mount St. Helens Science and Learning Center at Coldwater between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily; the Forest Learning Center on 17000 Spirit Lake Memorial Highway; and the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake at 3029 Spirit Lake Memorial Highway.

The surrounding Coldwater Lake bike and walking trails are still open to the public, as is access to the actual lake and the Hummocks Trailhead.

Close Work on repairing the damage done by the debris slide was paused so people could get their cars from the blocked-off Johnston Ridge Observatory on Friday, July 14. WSDOT employees guide people who had to leave their cars behind after a debris slide on Spirit Lake Highway after establishing a one-lane road up to Johnston Ridge Observatory on Friday, July 14. Crews are installing two new culverts where the bridge leading to the Johnston Ridge Observatory was wiped out by a debris slide. Work will continue until early August, officials estimate. Officials on Friday, July 14 allow the owners of vehicles that had to stay up at the Johnston Ridge Observatory while crews fixed the damage done by a debris slide in May. Officials on Friday, July 14 allow the owners of vehicles that had to stay up at the Johnston Ridge Observatory while crews fixed the damage done by a debris slide in May. Drivers reunited with their cars Friday, July 14, weeks after a debris slide cut off access to the Johnston Ridge Observatory in May. Work on repairing the damage done by the debris slide was paused so people could get their cars from the blocked-off Johnston Ridge Observatory on Friday, July 14. Roger Freeborn, Hillsboro resident, gets ready to take his car back Friday, July 14 after going two months without it due to a debris slide near Coldwater Lake. PHOTOS: Vehicles removed from behind Mount St. Helens debris slide To reach the vehicles, state crews constructed a temporary one-lane road on Spirit Lake Memorial Highway. Work on repairing the damage done by the debris slide was paused so people could get their cars from the blocked-off Johnston Ridge Observatory on Friday, July 14. WSDOT employees guide people who had to leave their cars behind after a debris slide on Spirit Lake Highway after establishing a one-lane road up to Johnston Ridge Observatory on Friday, July 14. Crews are installing two new culverts where the bridge leading to the Johnston Ridge Observatory was wiped out by a debris slide. Work will continue until early August, officials estimate. Officials on Friday, July 14 allow the owners of vehicles that had to stay up at the Johnston Ridge Observatory while crews fixed the damage done by a debris slide in May. Officials on Friday, July 14 allow the owners of vehicles that had to stay up at the Johnston Ridge Observatory while crews fixed the damage done by a debris slide in May. Drivers reunited with their cars Friday, July 14, weeks after a debris slide cut off access to the Johnston Ridge Observatory in May. Work on repairing the damage done by the debris slide was paused so people could get their cars from the blocked-off Johnston Ridge Observatory on Friday, July 14. Roger Freeborn, Hillsboro resident, gets ready to take his car back Friday, July 14 after going two months without it due to a debris slide near Coldwater Lake.

Paul Mason, WSDOT area engineer working on the project, said they tentatively expect to finish up work on the temporary road by Aug. 8, if not sooner. They still have to pave the new one-lane road and add a guardrail.

Not too much has changed beyond that weve been on-time to finish up this emergency work, Mason said.

Miller said the work will not end Aug. 8 by any means. Officials will have to work with the U.S. Forest Service, WSDOT and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to find permanent solutions to the long-term effects of the slide.

It could take years to find that permanent solution, she said.

Mason said they are working to reestablish public access to the highway by early 2024.

Miller said they are adding more services at the Science and Learning Center, including fixing the permanent bathrooms that had been affected by vandalism.

Were definitely seeing fewer visitors than we normally would during the summers, she added.

The slide has not just affected tourism. Miller said the debris severed power and fiber optic connections up to the observatory, affecting some seismology equipment and leaving Johnston Ridge Observatory with no running water right now.

Freeborn said this has been a learning experience for him.

The danger is out there, Freeborn said. Ill definitely be paying more attention to the roads now.

Freeborn got into his car Friday morning, packed and ready to go on his next camping trip.

How can you stay away? he said.
(CNN)  India is bidding to become only the fourth country to execute a controlled landing on the moon with the successful launch Friday of its Chandrayaan-3 mission.

Chandrayaan, which means moon vehicle in Sanskrit, blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota in southern Andhra Pradesh state at just after 2:30 p.m. local time (5 a.m. ET).

Crowds gathered at the space center to watch the history-making launch and more than 1 million people tuned in to watch on YouTube.

The Indian Space Research Organization confirmed on Twitter later Friday that Chandrayaan-3 is in precise orbit and has begun its journey to the moon.

It added that the health of the spacecraft is normal.

In response, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: Chandrayaan-3 scripts a new chapter in Indias space odyssey. It soars high, elevating the dreams and ambitions of a every Indian. This momentous achievement is a testament to our scientists relentless dedication. I salute their spirit and ingenuity!

The craft is expected to land on the moon on August 23.

Its Indias second attempt at a soft landing, after its previous effort with the Chandrayaan-2 in 2019 failed. Its first lunar probe, the Chandrayaan-1, orbited the moon and was then deliberately crash-landed onto the lunar surface in 2008.

Developed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Chandrayaan-3 is comprised of a lander, propulsion module and rover. Its aim is to safely land on the lunar surface, collect data and conduct a series of scientific experiments to learn more about the moons composition.

Only three other countries have achieved the complicated feat of soft-landing a spacecraft on the moons surface  the United States, Russia and China.

Indian engineers have been working on the launch for years. They are aiming to land Chandrayaan-3 near the challenging terrain of the moons unexplored South Pole.

Indias maiden lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, discovered water molecules on the moons surface. Eleven years later, the Chandrayaan-2 successfully entered lunar orbit but its rover crash-landed on the moons surface. It too was supposed to explore the moons South Pole.

At the time, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the engineers behind the mission despite the failure, promising to keep working on Indias space program and ambitions.

Just before Fridays launch, Modi said the day will always be etched in golden letters as far as Indias space sector is concerned.

This remarkable mission will carry the hopes and dreams of our nation, he said in a Twitter post.

India has since spent about $75 million on its Chandrayaan-3 mission.

Modi said the rocket will cover more than 300,000 kilometers (186,411 miles) and reach the moon in the coming weeks.

Decades in the making

Indias space program dates back more than six decades, to when it was a newly independent republic and a deeply poor country reeling from a bloody partition.

When it launched its first rocket into space in 1963, the country was no match for the ambitions of the US and the former Soviet Union, which were way ahead in the space race.

Now, India is the worlds most populous nation and its fifth largest economy. It boasts a burgeoning young population and is home to a growing hub of innovation and technology.

And Indias space ambitions have been playing catch up under Modi.

For the leader, who swept to power in 2014 on a ticket of nationalism and future greatness, Indias space program is a symbol of the countrys rising prominence on the global stage.

In 2014, India became the first Asian nation to reach Mars, when it put the Mangalyaan probe into orbit around the Red Planet, for $74 million  less than the $100 million Hollywood spent making space thriller Gravity.

Three years later, India launched a record 104 satellites in one mission.

In 2019, Modi announced in a rare televised address that India had shot down one of its own satellites, in what it claimed was an anti-satellite test, making it one of only four countries to do so.

That same year ISROs former chairman Kailasavadivoo Sivan said India was planning to set up an independent space station by 2030. Currently, the only space stations available for expedition crews are the International Space Station (a joint project between several countries) and Chinas Tiangong Space Station.

The rapid development and innovation has made space tech one of Indias hottest sectors for investors  and world leaders appear to have taken notice.

Last month, when Modi met US President Joe Biden in Washington on a state visit, the White House said both leaders sought more collaboration in the space economy.

And Indias space ambitions do not stop at the moon or Mars. ISRO has also proposed sending an orbiter to Venus.

This story was first published on CNN, "India launches historic Chandrayaan-3 mission to land spacecraft on the moon."
Everyone agreed: Texas lawmakers  gifted with a historic budget surplus  needed to find a way to rein in skyrocketing property taxes this year.

And yet it took more than six months to accomplish, requiring a regular legislative session and two special sessions  generating a lot of bad blood at the top of state government in the meantime.

The political ordeal marked one of the most intractable debates at the Legislature in recent memory. And it exposed new divides in the leadership trio, most notably between Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project, said it is not unprecedented for lawmakers to need multiple back-to-back sessions to hash out a major policy issue. But this saga, he said, stood out for the escalation in tensions among state leaders.

In this case, whats interesting to me and does make it distinctive  at least in this generations experience  is just how long these conflicts simmered before they broke out into the open hostility weve seen in the last six months, Henson said.

That is especially true of Abbott and Patrick, Henson added, but even in the relationship between Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan, weve gone from underhanded sniping to outright hostility in public.

Leaders were already working to heal the wounds as the property tax package cleared its final hurdles Thursday at the Capitol.

Coming into this session with a $34 billion surplus, we knew this would be the most contentious issue that we faced, Phelan said from the dais after the package passed. And we had many competing ideas. The Senate had theirs. The governor had his, we had ours. But we all came together.

Phelan said he wanted to compliment the lieutenant governor in particular, adding that they had some wonderful conversations.Still, lawmakers know there is the potential for plenty more acrimony. Abbott has vowed to call another special session on school choice, his push to give parents taxpayers dollars to take their kids out of public schools. That is another issue over which the House and Senate were at bitter loggerheads throughout the regular session.

And lawmakers are still watching to see if Abbott will make good on his word and let them revive dozens of bills he vetoed last month in an unsuccessful effort to break the property tax impasse in the first special session. Abbott said a tax deal was more important than the bills, which could wait until after a deal was struck. Patrick openly derided the vetoes as an ineffective negotiating tactic.

It appears the governor is giving lawmakers a breather  for now.

Other items will be on a future special session that we will have this fall, Abbott spokesperson Renae Eze said in a statement after the deal was announced.

How it came together

Ultimately, each side got at least some of what it wanted in the deal.

The Senate got the homestead exemption increase that was a centerpiece of its plan since January, passing property tax savings directly to homeowners. The House got a semblance of tighter appraisal caps that it had long been championing. And Abbott got a deal he could sign to finally deliver on his campaign promise of the biggest property tax cut in Texas history.

Patrick emerged as the biggest political winner, though. He fought for the $100,000 homestead exemption from the start of the first special session, despite Abbotts agenda calling exclusively for whats called tax rate compression, or reducing the property taxes collected by school districts.

Patrick wagered that Abbott would ultimately not oppose a $100,000 homestead exemption  and he was right.

Patrick has said a turning point in the stalemate came when he and Phelan finally met face to face at the start of the second special session. The July 5 meeting lasted about half an hour and came after weeks of back-channel negotiations involving staff and lawmaker surrogates.

We pretty much agreed in principle on the big things in this bill in that meeting, Patrick later said in a podcast interview. I thought we might because we had a lot of discussion for six months. He knew where we were in the Senate and our members. I knew where he was and his members in the House.

Afterward, Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, and Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, continued to negotiate on behalf of their respective chambers. Patrick and Phelan kept talking, too, including on the phone as late as 9 p.m. the night before the deal was announced, according to the lieutenant governor.

We had what seemed like a lifetime of discussions over these measures, Metcalf said on the House floor Thursday.

Patrick and Bettencourt also identified June 20 as another key date. That was when the Senate passed a new version of its property tax plan that included a franchise tax provision, seeking to appeal to the Houses interest in providing more relief to businesses.

Afterward, Patrick and a bipartisan group of senators held a news conference trumpeting the new olive branch to the House.

That sent a strong message that it wasnt just Dan Patrick fighting for the homestead exemption, Patrick said.

By the weekend after the Patrick-Phelan meeting, optimism was rising. As he toured his district that Saturday, Rep. Ryan Guillen, R-Rio Grande City, fielded multiple questions from constituents about the state of negotiations. In Karnes City, he told one constituent that it has been tough going, but were talking again  and predicted a resolution very soon.

Youve got a supermajority in both houses that would vote for any property tax relief proposal that youd put in front of them, Guillen said. Its just a matter of just getting it done and agreeing to something.

Abbotts gambit and whats next

As for Abbott, his aides believe he used every lever of power available to try to produce a deal. He aggressively wielded the bully pulpit, the veto pen and the special-session call.

But he also found himself in a quagmire after initially backing the House. As it became clear Patrick would not back down, Abbott gradually retreated and admitted he would accept anything the two chambers could agree on.

Henson, the director of the Texas Politics Project, said the ordeal may have reinforced negative impressions of Abbott among Austin insiders. But voters are probably more concerned with the outcome than the process, Henson said.

Abbott will get to say, I presided over the fray and I led Republicans to the promised land, Henson said. And once you get to the promised land, you pay less attention to what the journey was like.

If the property tax deal marks a new era of cooperation between the House and Senate, they will need much more collaboration going forward. Abbotts school choice special session will center on another highly contentious proposal  and Abbott has suggested he will continue to tie it to more popular education issues, like teacher pay raises.

Knowing that, Democrats pushed hard to attach school-funding proposals to the property tax plan as it headed toward passage Thursday. They were unsuccessful.

Our schools are hurting, and were told to wait till October, Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, said on the House floor, predicting the House would again come up with a great school finance bill but watch it fall victim to gamesmanship over school vouchers. Why are we going to let them do that to us? Fool us, shame on you. Fool us twice, thats our fault.
abrdn Japan Investment Trust plc (LON:AJIT  Get Free Report) crossed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 643.50 ($8.28) and traded as high as GBX 655 ($8.43). abrdn Japan Investment Trust shares last traded at GBX 650 ($8.36), with a volume of 18,254 shares trading hands.

abrdn Japan Investment Trust Stock Performance

The stocks 50-day moving average is GBX 645.60 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 590.79. The stock has a market cap of 80.80 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -293.43 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a current ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.87.

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abrdn Japan Investment Trust Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 21st. Investors of record on Thursday, June 22nd will be given a dividend of GBX 7 ($0.09) per share. This represents a yield of 1.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 22nd. This is an increase from abrdn Japan Investment Trusts previous dividend of $5.00. abrdn Japan Investment Trusts dividend payout ratio is -657.28%.

abrdn Japan Investment Trust Company Profile

Aberdeen Japan Investment Trust PLC is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Aberdeen Fund Managers Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of Japan. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in growth stocks of companies across all market capitalizations.

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(CNN)  Now you see Wagner, now you dont.

Weeks after an armed uprising by the Russian mercenary group Wagner revealed cracks in Russias system of one-man rule, the Kremlin has been on a PR offensive. The message is simple: Russian President Vladimir Putin is firmly in control, now please move along.

In an interview Thursday with the Russian business daily newspaper Kommersant, Putin described a three-hour meeting with Wagner commanders, including the groups leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, just days after the private military companys (PMCs) abortive march on Moscow last month.

Putin put a positive spin on the meeting, but made a curious admission.

Wagner PMC does not exist, Putin said when asked if Wagner would be kept on as a fighting unit. We do not have a law for private military organizations. It simply does not exist.

Putin, who is a trained lawyer, reiterated the point during the interview: There is no such legal entity, he said.

Technically, Putin is correct. Article 359 of Russias Criminal Code outlaws mercenary activity. The law states that recruitment, training, financing or other material support of a mercenary, as well as their participation in an armed conflict or military operations carries heavy criminal penalties.

Putin went on to explain in the interview that the State Duma  Russias parliament  should consider legislation to legalize PMCs, conceding, Its not an easy question.

This legalistic answer, however, raises more questions than answers. Until Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, the Kremlin essentially denied the existence of Wagner. That changed in the months that followed, as Wagner managed to secure some symbolic victories for Russia, especially in the bitter fighting around the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. State TV followed suit, elevating Wagner fighters to rock-star status.

But if Wagner was technically an illegal entity all this time, who authorized their use? Who trained and equipped them? And who signed off on their budget?

Its more than a technical or philosophical question. After all, Putin himself acknowledged in remarks on June 27 to security officials that the maintenance of the entire Wagner group was fully provided for by the state, with the government allocating more than 86 billion rubles, or around $1 billion, for the maintenance of Wagner forces between May 2022 and May 2023 alone.

The issue is about more than Putins cavalier approach to the rule of law. It also serves as a reminder that Putin is the pioneer of a post-truth world.

Its worth recalling that the Kremlin leader was also the one who denied Russian special forces  the so-called little green men  seized the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Only a few weeks after the occupation did Putin acknowledge that the men in unmarked camouflage were in fact Russian troops, not local self-defense units.

The same was true with Russias covert support to separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine from 2014 onward. The Kremlin insisted on maintaining the fiction that regular Russian forces had not propped up the separatist republics, even though Putin winkingly acknowledged that the Russian government was actively involved in Donbas, including support to the separatists and prisoner exchanges.

Weve never said there are no people there who deal with certain matters, including in the military area, but this does not mean that regular Russian troops are present there, he told a Ukrainian journalist at his annual press conference in 2015. Feel the difference.

Wagner boss Prigozhin was also well known for playing fast and loose with facts. The onetime Putin associate long never admitted that the Internet Research Agency  his notorious troll farm in St. Petersburg, Russia  was involved in meddling in the 2016 US elections, but he ended the charade after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Ive never just been the financier of the Internet Research Agency. I invented it, I created it, I managed it for a long time. It was founded to protect the Russian information space from boorish aggressive propaganda of anti-Russian narrative from the West, Prigozhin said in February.

So what is Putins aim in floating this account of a meeting with Prigozhin and Wagner commanders? Besides conveying a message for the Russian public that he is still in charge, he appears to be creating a new narrative: The good Wagner (Prigozhins footsoldiers) versus the bad Wagner (Prigozhin himself).

In his conversation with Kommersant, Putin suggested that he noted a rift between Prigozhin and his top commanders during his meeting with them at the Kremlin.

According to the version he conveyed to Kommersant, Putin told the mercenaries that they had the option to continue fighting under their direct commander, an officer known by the call sign, Sedoy, (Grey hair).

Nothing would have changed for them. They would be led by the same person who has been their real commander all along, Putin had told the group, as reported by Kommersant.

And what happened then? the Kommersant reporter says he asked the Russian leader.

Many people nodded [affirmatively] when I said that, said Putin, according to Kommersant.

But according to that account, Prigozhin did not agree with the approach offered by the Kremlin.

No, the guys do not agree with this decision, the Wagner leader said, according to Putin.

Whether that rift  real, fictional or some mix of the two  can be exploited by the Kremlin remains to be seen. Also unclear is what Wagners rank and file will do. But Putins one-sided account suggests that the Kremlin is still figuring out how, exactly, to deal with the mercenary commander.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Wagner does not exist: Why Putin claims a rift in the mercenary group"
Shares of Air China Limited (OTCMKTS:AIRYY  Get Free Report) passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $17.34 and traded as low as $14.55. Air China shares last traded at $14.55, with a volume of 0 shares traded.

Air China Stock Down 2.7 %

The company has a market cap of $11.52 billion, a P/E ratio of -2.13 and a beta of 0.59. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $15.55 and its 200-day moving average price is $17.32. The company has a current ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.71.

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Air China (OTCMKTS:AIRYY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The transportation company reported ($0.56) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $3.66 billion for the quarter. Air China had a negative return on equity of 98.73% and a negative net margin of 40.81%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Air China Limited will post 0.31 EPS for the current year.

About Air China

Air China Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides air passenger, air cargo, and airline-related services in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Europe, North America, Japan, Korea, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through Airline Operations and Other Operations segments.

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Canadian Critical Minerals Inc. (OTCMKTS:RIINF  Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 2,300 shares, a decrease of 93.0% from the June 15th total of 32,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 57,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days.

Canadian Critical Minerals Price Performance

Shares of RIINF stock remained flat at $0.03 on Friday. 259,000 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 96,563. Canadian Critical Minerals has a one year low of $0.02 and a one year high of $0.09. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $0.03 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $0.04.

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Canadian Critical Minerals Company Profile

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Canadian Critical Minerals Inc, an exploration stage company, acquires, develops, and explores for mineral properties primarily in Canada. The company explores for gold, copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, and silver deposits. Its principal project is the 100% owned Bull River Mine located in the Cranbrook, British Colombia.

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Central Japan Railway (OTCMKTS:CJPRY  Get Free Report) shares passed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of $12.42 and traded as high as $12.55. Central Japan Railway shares last traded at $12.54, with a volume of 14,562 shares.

Central Japan Railway Stock Down 1.4 %

The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $12.42 and a 200 day moving average price of $12.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 3.72 and a quick ratio of 3.67.

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Central Japan Railway (OTCMKTS:CJPRY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported $0.15 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $2.88 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.78 billion. Central Japan Railway had a return on equity of 5.92% and a net margin of 15.56%. Equities analysts expect that Central Japan Railway will post 1.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Central Japan Railway Company Profile

Central Japan Railway Company engages in the railway and related businesses in Japan. The company operates through Transportation, Merchandise and Other, Real Estate, and Other segments. It primarily operates Tokaido Shinkansen, a transportation artery that links metropolitan areas of Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, as well as operates a network of 12 conventional lines centered on the Nagoya and Shizuoka areas.

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Shares of Gouverneur Bancorp, Inc. (OTCMKTS:GOVB  Get Free Report) passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $7.86 and traded as low as $7.80. Gouverneur Bancorp shares last traded at $7.82, with a volume of 613 shares trading hands.

Gouverneur Bancorp Stock Down 5.4 %

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $7.64 and a 200-day moving average price of $7.86.

Gouverneur Bancorp Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Gouverneur Bancorp, Inc operates as the holding company for Gouverneur Savings and Loan Association that provides various banking products and services to individuals and businesses in New York. It accepts passbook savings, NOW, money market deposit, and checking accounts, as well as certificates of deposit.

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Shares of Griffin Mining Limited (LON:GFM  Get Free Report) passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 83.33 ($1.07) and traded as low as GBX 81.90 ($1.05). Griffin Mining shares last traded at GBX 81.90 ($1.05), with a volume of 4,210 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 160 ($2.06) price objective on shares of Griffin Mining in a research note on Monday, April 17th.

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Griffin Mining Stock Down 0.6 %

The firm has a market capitalization of 150.61 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2,676.00 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 84.49 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 83.32.

About Griffin Mining

Griffin Mining Limited, a mining and investment company, engages in the mining, exploration, and development of mineral properties. The company primarily explores for gold, zinc, silver, lead, and base and precious metal deposits. Its principal property is the Caijiaying mine located in Hebei Province, the People's Republic of China.

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John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE:PDT  Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 12,100 shares, a drop of 78.4% from the June 15th total of 56,100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 114,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Atomi Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund during the 1st quarter valued at $156,000. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV grew its holdings in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 42.0% during the 1st quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 18,311 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $227,000 after acquiring an additional 5,420 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC grew its holdings in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 16.8% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 22,248 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $277,000 after acquiring an additional 3,207 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 4.5% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 52,433 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $650,000 after acquiring an additional 2,254 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LPL Financial LLC grew its holdings in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 186,283 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,308,000 after acquiring an additional 3,499 shares in the last quarter. 7.25% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Stock Performance

Shares of PDT stock traded down $0.22 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $11.23. The companys stock had a trading volume of 189,131 shares, compared to its average volume of 120,694. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $11.47 and its 200-day simple moving average is $12.36. John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund has a 12-month low of $10.98 and a 12-month high of $16.30.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Dividend Announcement

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Company Profile

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, July 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.0825 per share. This represents a $0.99 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.82%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 12th.

(Get Free Report)

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. It is co-managed by John Hancock Asset Management. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors, with an emphasis on the utilities sector.

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Maisons du Monde S.A. (OTCMKTS:MDOUF  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 400 shares, a growth of 300.0% from the June 15th total of 100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently  days.

Maisons du Monde Stock Performance

Shares of MDOUF stock remained flat at $12.15 on Friday. 13,872 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,133. The companys fifty day moving average price is $12.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $12.15. Maisons du Monde has a 12-month low of $9.12 and a 12-month high of $12.15.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Societe Generale raised Maisons du Monde from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, May 15th.

Maisons du Monde Company Profile

Maisons du Monde SA, through its subsidiaries, provides home and living room related products in France and internationally. The company's decorative products include bed linen products, carpets, candles, pillows and cushions, clocks, tableware, lamps, kitchen utensils, mirrors and frames, vases, storage units, curtains and net curtains, and bath products.

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Michelmersh Brick Holdings plc (LON:MBH  Get Free Report) passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 94.11 ($1.21) and traded as low as GBX 91.04 ($1.17). Michelmersh Brick shares last traded at GBX 92 ($1.18), with a volume of 76,269 shares traded.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Canaccord Genuity Group restated a buy rating and set a GBX 180 ($2.32) target price on shares of Michelmersh Brick in a report on Monday, March 27th.

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Michelmersh Brick Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The firm has a market capitalization of 87.18 million, a PE ratio of 1,016.67 and a beta of 0.97. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 93.38 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 94.08.

About Michelmersh Brick

Michelmersh Brick Holdings plc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of bricks and brick prefabricated products in the United Kingdom and rest of Europe. It offers extruded wire cut facing bricks, clay pavers, paving accessories, and special shaped products under the Blockleys brand; monotone color blends in rustic, drag wire, smooth, and sand faced textures under the Carlton brand; various bricks under the Floren.be brand; and clamp-fired stock facing bricks in various textural finishes under the Freshfield Lane brand.

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NioCorp Developments Ltd. (TSE:NB  Get Free Report) passed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$6.99 and traded as low as C$6.75. NioCorp Developments shares last traded at C$6.89, with a volume of 5,168 shares trading hands.

NioCorp Developments Price Performance

The firm has a fifty day moving average price of C$6.96 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$4.94. The stock has a market capitalization of C$201.30 million, a P/E ratio of -3.88 and a beta of 0.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 17.34, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a current ratio of 1.55.

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NioCorp Developments (TSE:NB  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 30th. The company reported C($1.35) earnings per share for the quarter. As a group, analysts expect that NioCorp Developments Ltd. will post -0.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

NioCorp Developments Company Profile

NioCorp Developments Ltd. engages in the exploration and development of mineral deposits in North America. It owns and develops the Elk Creek niobium/scandium/titanium project that owns one 226.43-acre parcel of land and associated mineral rights, and an additional 40 acres of mineral rights, as well as an optioned land package that covers an area of 1,396 acres located in Johnson County, southeast Nebraska.

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North American Palladium Ltd. (OTCMKTS:PALDF  Get Free Report) passed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $14.98 and traded as low as $14.98. North American Palladium shares last traded at $14.98, with a volume of 21,600 shares trading hands.

North American Palladium Stock Up 0.3 %

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $14.98 and a 200-day simple moving average of $14.98. The stock has a market cap of $881.42 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.03 and a beta of 2.08.

North American Palladium Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

North American Palladium Ltd. produces precious metals in Canada. It explores for palladium, platinum, gold, nickel, copper, and other metals. It primarily holds interest in the Lac des Iles mine that is located to the northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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U.S. should stop slapping false labels on China, spokesperson says

Xinhua) 10:43, July 15, 2023

BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government agencies face numerous cyber attacks every day, most of which come from sources in the United States, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Friday.

The spokesperson made the comment at a news briefing in response to a question concerning a meeting between Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jakarta, during which the U.S. side reportedly said that the U.S. government network was hacked and the U.S. will hold the hackers accountable with proper measures.

Director Wang Yi made clear China's principled position on the issue of cyber security in the meeting, the spokesperson said.

"The Chinese government agencies face numerous cyber attacks every day, most of which come from sources in the U.S.," the spokesperson said. "We've shared relevant facts with the international community on multiple occasions. China is the biggest victim of cyber attack. The U.S. needs to stop slapping false labels on China."

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
Shares of Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSE:NDM  Get Free Report) (NYSE:NAK) crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of C$0.30 and traded as high as C$0.32. Northern Dynasty Minerals shares last traded at C$0.32, with a volume of 74,555 shares trading hands.

Northern Dynasty Minerals Trading Up 3.0 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 3.93 and a current ratio of 3.37. The company has a market cap of C$180.13 million, a P/E ratio of -6.90 and a beta of 1.18. The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$0.30 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$0.31.

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Northern Dynasty Minerals (TSE:NDM  Get Free Report) (NYSE:NAK) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 12th. The mining company reported C($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter. On average, equities research analysts predict that Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. will post -0.02 earnings per share for the current year.

Northern Dynasty Minerals Company Profile

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. engages in the exploration of mineral properties in the United States. It holds a 100% interest in the Pebble Copper-Gold-Molybdenum-Silver-Rhenium project comprising 1,840 mineral claims that covers an area of approximately 274 square miles located in southwest Alaska, the United States.

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Roots Co. (OTCMKTS:RROTF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,600 shares, a drop of 79.5% from the June 15th total of 7,800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.6 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of Roots from C$3.50 to C$3.25 in a research report on Friday, June 9th.

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Roots Stock Performance

Roots stock remained flat at $1.98 during mid-day trading on Friday. Roots has a 12 month low of $1.98 and a 12 month high of $3.47. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $2.36 and its 200 day simple moving average is $2.27.

About Roots

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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Temple Bar Investment Trust PLC (LON:TMPL  Get Free Report) passed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 224.67 ($2.89) and traded as low as GBX 218 ($2.80). Temple Bar Investment Trust shares last traded at GBX 226 ($2.91), with a volume of 1,176,606 shares traded.

Temple Bar Investment Trust Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of 692.60 million, a P/E ratio of -4,510.00 and a beta of 1.17. The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 224.57 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 231.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.28, a quick ratio of 3.68 and a current ratio of 9.95.

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Temple Bar Investment Trust Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 1st were given a dividend of GBX 2.30 ($0.03) per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 1st. This represents a yield of 1%. Temple Bar Investment Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -18,000.00%.

Temple Bar Investment Trust Company Profile

Temple Bar Investment Trust PLC is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by RWC Asset Management LLP. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. It seeks to invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in stocks of companies across all market capitalizations, which are constituents of the FTSE 350 Index.

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TransAlta Co. (TSE:TA  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TAC) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$12.26 and traded as high as C$13.09. TransAlta shares last traded at C$13.05, with a volume of 1,222,233 shares trading hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently issued reports on TA. CSFB boosted their price target on shares of TransAlta from C$17.00 to C$18.50 in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. CIBC boosted their price target on shares of TransAlta from C$16.50 to C$17.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of TransAlta from C$16.00 to C$17.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th.

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TransAlta Price Performance

The firms 50 day simple moving average is C$12.85 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$12.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 195.84, a current ratio of 1.51 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The firm has a market capitalization of C$3.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.17, a P/E/G ratio of -0.07 and a beta of 1.07.

TransAlta Dividend Announcement

TransAlta ( TSE:TA Get Free Report ) (NYSE:TAC) last released its earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The company reported C$1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.39 by C$0.71. The company had revenue of C$1.09 billion during the quarter. TransAlta had a return on equity of 11.86% and a net margin of 4.74%. As a group, analysts predict that TransAlta Co. will post 1.4058957 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, July 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were issued a $0.055 dividend. This represents a $0.22 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.68%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 31st. TransAltas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 52.38%.

About TransAlta

(Get Free Report)

TransAlta Corporation engages in the development, production, and sale of electric energy. It operates through Hydro, Wind and Solar, Gas, Energy Transition, and Energy Marketing segments. The Hydro segment has a net ownership interest of approximately 922 megawatts (MW) of owned hydro electrical-generating capacity located in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.

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Aarons (NYSE:AAN  Free Report) had its price target increased by Jefferies Financial Group from $15.00 to $17.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on AAN. Loop Capital lowered Aarons from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $15.00 to $14.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Aarons in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Bank of America increased their price objective on Aarons from $6.50 to $7.80 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their target price on Aarons from $10.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Aarons presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $13.76.

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Aarons Stock Down 1.4 %

Shares of NYSE:AAN opened at $14.79 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day moving average is $13.41 and its 200-day moving average is $12.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 1.10. Aarons has a 52 week low of $7.64 and a 52 week high of $16.61. The company has a market capitalization of $457.16 million, a PE ratio of -32.15 and a beta of 1.09.

Aarons Announces Dividend

Aarons ( NYSE:AAN Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $0.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.28 by $0.38. The firm had revenue of $554.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $564.87 million. Aarons had a positive return on equity of 8.18% and a negative net margin of 0.60%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 21.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.87 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Aarons will post 1.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 6th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a dividend of $0.125 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $0.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.38%. Aaronss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -108.70%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Aarons news, Director John W. Robinson sold 3,928 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.00, for a total value of $54,992.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 316,604 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,432,456. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 3.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Aarons

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Citigroup Inc. grew its position in shares of Aarons by 5.2% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 31,304 shares of the companys stock worth $629,000 after buying an additional 1,559 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Aarons by 53.2% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 21,286 shares of the companys stock worth $427,000 after purchasing an additional 7,394 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in shares of Aarons by 7.5% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,714,504 shares of the companys stock worth $114,746,000 after purchasing an additional 398,527 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in shares of Aarons by 3.2% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,421,931 shares of the companys stock worth $28,554,000 after acquiring an additional 44,534 shares during the period. Finally, Sei Investments Co. grew its holdings in shares of Aarons by 7.3% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 70,161 shares of the companys stock worth $1,452,000 after acquiring an additional 4,796 shares during the period. 92.25% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Aarons Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Headquartered in Atlanta, The Aarons Company, Inc (NYSE: AAN) is a leading, technology-enabled, omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions. Aarons engages in direct-to-consumer sales and lease ownership of furniture, appliances, consumer electronics and accessories through its approximately 1,300 company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada, as well as its e-commerce platform, Aarons.com.

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EFG Asset Management North America Corp. lowered its stake in shares of Air Lease Co. (NYSE:AL  Free Report) by 37.3% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 35,598 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 21,169 shares during the period. EFG Asset Management North America Corp.s holdings in Air Lease were worth $1,401,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new stake in Air Lease in the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Ellevest Inc. boosted its stake in Air Lease by 154.0% in the 4th quarter. Ellevest Inc. now owns 1,161 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 704 shares during the last quarter. Romano Brothers AND Company acquired a new stake in Air Lease in the 4th quarter worth about $59,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Air Lease in the 1st quarter worth about $66,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its stake in shares of Air Lease by 19.0% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,324 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $72,000 after purchasing an additional 371 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.61% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Alex A. Khatibi sold 25,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total transaction of $1,000,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 89,266 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,570,640. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Air Lease news, Director Yvette Hollingsworth Clark bought 2,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 31st. The shares were bought at an average cost of $37.96 per share, with a total value of $98,696.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 19,856 shares in the company, valued at approximately $753,733.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Alex A. Khatibi sold 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total value of $1,000,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 89,266 shares in the company, valued at $3,570,640. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 6.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Air Lease Stock Performance

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup assumed coverage on Air Lease in a research note on Monday, May 15th. They issued a neutral rating and a $41.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Air Lease in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock.

NYSE AL opened at $42.46 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.30, a P/E/G ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.88, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.03. Air Lease Co. has a 1-year low of $30.08 and a 1-year high of $46.20. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $40.43 and its 200-day simple moving average is $40.76.

Air Lease (NYSE:AL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The transportation company reported $1.06 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.00 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $636.14 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $633.52 million. Air Lease had a return on equity of 7.60% and a net margin of 21.25%. Equities analysts predict that Air Lease Co. will post 4.69 EPS for the current year.

Air Lease Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 7th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 6th were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 5th. Air Leases dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.42%.

About Air Lease

(Free Report)

Air Lease Corporation, an aircraft leasing company, engages in the purchase and leasing of commercial jet aircraft to airlines worldwide. It also sells aircraft from its fleet to third parties, including other leasing companies, financial services companies, airlines, and other investors. In addition, the company provides fleet management services to investors and owners of aircraft portfolios.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Air Lease Co. (NYSE:AL  Free Report).

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AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB  Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by KeyCorp from $193.00 to $205.00 in a report released on Wednesday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

A number of other analysts have also recently weighed in on AVB. Piper Sandler raised shares of AvalonBay Communities from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and upped their price target for the stock from $160.00 to $193.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $188.00 to $190.00 in a research report on Friday, May 19th. TheStreet raised shares of AvalonBay Communities from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Evercore ISI raised shares of AvalonBay Communities from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and set a $194.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, AvalonBay Communities has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $203.67.

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AvalonBay Communities Trading Up 1.1 %

AVB stock opened at $197.91 on Wednesday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $184.14 and a 200-day simple moving average of $175.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. AvalonBay Communities has a 52 week low of $153.07 and a 52 week high of $220.42. The company has a market cap of $28.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.15, a PEG ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 0.93.

AvalonBay Communities Announces Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $1.65 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $6.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.33%. AvalonBay Communitiess payout ratio is 90.54%.

In related news, CIO Matthew H. Birenbaum sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.10, for a total transaction of $704,400.00. Following the sale, the executive now owns 62,559 shares in the company, valued at $11,016,639.90. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.42% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AvalonBay Communities

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Advisor Resource Council increased its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 5.0% in the second quarter. Advisor Resource Council now owns 1,250 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $237,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares during the period. Xponance Inc. increased its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 9.8% in the second quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 21,670 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,101,000 after purchasing an additional 1,934 shares during the period. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 1.8% in the second quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. now owns 242,322 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $45,864,000 after purchasing an additional 4,274 shares during the period. Gradient Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 0.3% in the second quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 91,620 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $17,341,000 after purchasing an additional 293 shares during the period. Finally, Czech National Bank increased its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 2.0% in the second quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 16,809 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,181,000 after purchasing an additional 328 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.85% of the companys stock.

About AvalonBay Communities

(Get Free Report)

As of December 31, 2022, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 294 apartment communities containing 88,475 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development and one community was under redevelopment. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion markets of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.

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China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CIHKY  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 7,700 shares, a drop of 53.9% from the June 15th total of 16,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 135,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

China Merchants Bank Stock Down 0.6 %

Shares of OTCMKTS:CIHKY traded down $0.13 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $21.64. 97,529 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 58,839. China Merchants Bank has a 52-week low of $16.04 and a 52-week high of $33.99. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $23.44 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $26.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 0.86. The company has a market capitalization of $109.15 billion, a PE ratio of 5.55 and a beta of 0.55.

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China Merchants Bank (OTCMKTS:CIHKY  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported $1.13 earnings per share for the quarter. China Merchants Bank had a return on equity of 15.25% and a net margin of 30.19%. The company had revenue of $12.09 billion for the quarter. As a group, research analysts predict that China Merchants Bank will post 4.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

China Merchants Bank Increases Dividend

China Merchants Bank Company Profile

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 23rd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 5th will be given a $1.0495 dividend. This is an increase from China Merchants Banks previous dividend of $0.98. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 3rd. China Merchants Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 26.79%.

(Get Free Report)

China Merchants Bank Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services. It operates through Wholesale Finance Business, Retail Finance Business, and Other Business segments. The company offers current, demand, time, call, savings, notice, and renminbi accounts. Its loan products include personal commercial real estate, consumption, housing, and car loans; loans to finance for studying abroad; micro-business loans; mortgage loans for equipment; joint guarantee, special guarantee, and housing mortgage loan; bank acceptance, discount, liquid capital, and fixed asset loans; and loans for vessels.

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Cosmos Group Holdings Inc. (OTCMKTS:COSG  Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 200 shares, a decrease of 50.0% from the June 15th total of 400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 9,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days.

Cosmos Group Stock Performance

OTCMKTS:COSG remained flat at $0.01 during trading hours on Friday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 520 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,213. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $0.01 and its 200-day moving average price is $0.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.98 million and a P/E ratio of -0.08. Cosmos Group has a 12 month low of $0.00 and a 12 month high of $5.00.

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Cosmos Group (OTCMKTS:COSG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, May 22nd. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $2.16 million during the quarter. Cosmos Group had a negative net margin of 244.21% and a negative return on equity of 408.12%.

Cosmos Group Company Profile

Cosmos Group Holdings Inc offers financial and money lending services in Hong Kong and internationally. It also operates online platform for the sale and distribution of arts and collectibles. In addition, the company offers unsecured personal loans and mortgage loans to private individuals. Cosmos Group Holdings Inc is headquartered in Singapore.

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Mitsubishi HC Capital (OTCMKTS:MIUFY  Get Free Report) and OppFi (NYSE:OPFI  Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation and dividends.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Mitsubishi HC Capital and OppFi, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Mitsubishi HC Capital 0 0 0 0 N/A OppFi 0 1 2 0 2.67

OppFi has a consensus price target of $3.00, suggesting a potential upside of 52.28%. Given OppFis higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe OppFi is more favorable than Mitsubishi HC Capital.

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Mitsubishi HC Capital N/A N/A N/A $88.45 0.12 OppFi $452.86 million 0.48 $7.10 million ($0.14) -14.07

This table compares Mitsubishi HC Capital and OppFis top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

OppFi has higher revenue and earnings than Mitsubishi HC Capital. OppFi is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Mitsubishi HC Capital, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Mitsubishi HC Capital and OppFis net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Mitsubishi HC Capital N/A N/A N/A OppFi 1.33% 2.56% 0.73%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

3.2% of OppFi shares are owned by institutional investors. 87.2% of OppFi shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

OppFi beats Mitsubishi HC Capital on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Mitsubishi HC Capital

(Get Free Report)

Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the lease, installment sale, and other financing activities in Japan, North America, Europe, the Middle and Near East, Asia/Oceania, and internationally. The company operates through Customer Solutions, Global Business, Environment, Energy & Infrastructure, Aviation, Logistics, and Real Estate segments. The company engages in the leasing, management, and development of real estate; rental and leasing; medical equipment; management of fund to support management specializing in the medical and long-term care fields; purchases and sell used goods; and auto leasing services. It offers investment in environment and energy-related companies; renewable energy and infrastructure business; operation and asset management of renewable energy business; and wind power generation. In addition, it offers aircraft leasing and aircraft engine leasing; ship finance; marine container and railway freight car leasing; real estate securitization finance; investment in mobility-related companies; and asset management services. Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc. was incorporated in 1971 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

About OppFi

(Get Free Report)

OppFi Inc. operates a financial technology platform that allows banks to offer lending products. Its platform facilitates the OppLoans, an installment loan product; SalaryTap, a payroll deduction secured installment loan product; and OppFi Card, a credit card product. The company was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

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Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG (FRA:PBB  Get Free Report) shares fell 0.1% on Friday . The company traded as low as 7.01 ($7.70) and last traded at 7.03 ($7.72). 247,265 shares were traded during mid-day trading, The stock had previously closed at 7.04 ($7.73).

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank Price Performance

The businesss fifty day simple moving average is 7.29 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is 8.06.

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG operates as a specialist bank for investments in commercial real estate and public infrastructure projects in Europe and the United States of America. It operates through Real Estate Finance, Public Investment Finance, and Value Portfolio segments. The Real Estate Finance segment provides financing for professional real estate investors, which includes professional national and international real estate companies, institutional investors, and property funds to financed properties comprising office buildings, properties for residential use, retail, and logistic properties, as well as hotel business.

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Envista (NYSE:NVST  Free Report) had its target price lowered by Bank of America from $47.00 to $45.00 in a report published on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Separately, TheStreet downgraded shares of Envista from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Friday, June 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $45.17.

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Envista Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE NVST opened at $35.07 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 1.23 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The company has a market cap of $5.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.23, a PEG ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.42. Envista has a 1 year low of $31.20 and a 1 year high of $43.29. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $33.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $36.34.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Envista

Envista ( NYSE:NVST Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported $0.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.41 by ($0.03). The firm had revenue of $627.20 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $632.51 million. Envista had a return on equity of 7.98% and a net margin of 8.27%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.47 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Envista will post 1.85 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Raymond James & Associates increased its holdings in Envista by 6.1% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 56,493 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,752,000 after buying an additional 3,235 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can increased its holdings in Envista by 13.9% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 124,799 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,103,000 after buying an additional 15,228 shares during the period. Panagora Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in Envista by 8.1% during the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,543 shares of the companys stock valued at $319,000 after buying an additional 490 shares during the period. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its holdings in Envista by 8.6% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 88,474 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,433,000 after buying an additional 7,020 shares during the period. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. purchased a new position in Envista during the first quarter valued at approximately $390,000.

Envista Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Envista Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells dental products in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Specialty Products & Technologies, and Equipment & Consumables. The Specialty Products & Technologies segment offers dental implant systems, guided surgery systems, biomaterials, and prefabricated and custom-built prosthetics to oral surgeons, prosthodontists, and periodontists; and brackets and wires, tubes and bands, archwires, clear aligners, digital orthodontic treatments, retainers, and other orthodontic laboratory products.

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Jefferies Financial Group restated their hold rating on shares of Imperial Brands (LON:IMB  Free Report) in a report published on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Jefferies Financial Group currently has a GBX 1,680 ($21.61) price objective on the stock.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a GBX 2,200 ($28.30) price objective on shares of Imperial Brands in a research note on Monday, May 22nd. Barclays restated an overweight rating and issued a GBX 2,500 ($32.16) price objective on shares of Imperial Brands in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 2,225.83 ($28.64).

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Imperial Brands Price Performance

Shares of LON IMB opened at GBX 1,757 ($22.60) on Tuesday. Imperial Brands has a fifty-two week low of GBX 1,692.50 ($21.77) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 2,185 ($28.11). The company has a market cap of 15.98 billion, a PE ratio of 992.66, a P/E/G ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 170.43, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a current ratio of 0.74. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 1,770.16 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 1,911.01.

Imperial Brands Cuts Dividend

Insider Activity at Imperial Brands

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 17th will be given a dividend of GBX 21.59 ($0.28) per share. This represents a yield of 1.15%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 17th. Imperial Brandss dividend payout ratio is currently 8,022.60%.

In related news, insider Stefan Bomhard sold 40,168 shares of Imperial Brands stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 1,801 ($23.17), for a total transaction of 723,425.68 ($930,690.44). 6.33% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Imperial Brands

(Get Free Report)

Imperial Brands PLC, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, imports, markets, and sells tobacco and tobacco-related products in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. It offers a range of cigarettes, fine cut tobacco, rolling papers, cigars, and traditional oral tobacco; and next generation product (NGP) portfolio, such as e-vapour products, oral nicotine, and heated tobacco products.

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Yandal Resources Limited (ASX:YRL  Get Free Report) insider Gregory Evans bought 190,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, July 7th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of A$0.05 ($0.04) per share, for a total transaction of A$10,070.00 ($6,713.33).

Yandal Resources Stock Performance

Yandal Resources Company Profile

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Yandal Resources Limited engages in the discovery, exploration, and development of gold properties. It holds 100% interests in the Ironstone Well and Barwidgee gold projects covering 470 square kilometer of Greenstone Belt; Mt McClure gold; White Dam; and Gordons gold projects in Western Australia. The company was formerly known as Orex Mining Pty Ltd and changed its name to Yandal Resources Limited in March 2018.

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Shares of Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:RZG  Free Report) are set to split before the market opens on Monday, July 17th. The 3-1 split was announced on Monday, July 17th. The newly minted shares will be issued to shareholders after the market closes on Monday, July 17th.

Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF Stock Performance

Shares of Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF stock opened at $127.81 on Friday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $122.19 and its 200 day simple moving average is $120.35. Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF has a 52-week low of $107.87 and a 52-week high of $136.39. The firm has a market cap of $97.14 million, a PE ratio of 9.14 and a beta of 1.29.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Twelve Points Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF by 50.4% in the first quarter. Twelve Points Wealth Management LLC now owns 32,949 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,894,000 after buying an additional 11,043 shares in the last quarter. IMC Chicago LLC bought a new position in shares of Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF in the second quarter valued at $1,354,000. Pacific Sun Financial Corp acquired a new position in Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $660,000. Citadel Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF during the third quarter worth approximately $572,000. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased its position in Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF by 228.8% during the third quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 6,606 shares of the companys stock worth $727,000 after buying an additional 4,597 shares during the last quarter.

Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF Company Profile

Guggenheim S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF (the Fund) seeks to replicate as the performance of the S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth Index (the Index). The Fund invests in sectors, such as energy, consumer staples, industrials, financials, materials, healthcare, consumer discretionary, information technology and telecommunication services.

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Jeppson Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (NYSE:LEG  Free Report) by 35.4% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 11,776 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,082 shares during the quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Leggett & Platt were worth $375,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Accurate Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Leggett & Platt in the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH acquired a new position in Leggett & Platt during the 4th quarter worth $47,000. Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in Leggett & Platt during the 4th quarter worth $48,000. Disciplined Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Leggett & Platt by 474.7% during the 4th quarter. Disciplined Investments LLC now owns 1,523 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 1,258 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont acquired a new position in Leggett & Platt during the 1st quarter worth $51,000. 67.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Leggett & Platt Stock Performance

Shares of Leggett & Platt stock opened at $29.55 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $30.99 and a two-hundred day moving average of $32.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.78 and a beta of 1.28. Leggett & Platt, Incorporated has a 52 week low of $28.26 and a 52 week high of $41.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 2.08.

Leggett & Platt Increases Dividend

Leggett & Platt ( NYSE:LEG Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The company reported $0.39 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.26 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $1.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.19 billion. Leggett & Platt had a net margin of 5.42% and a return on equity of 16.83%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.66 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Leggett & Platt, Incorporated will post 1.61 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were given a dividend of $0.46 per share. This is a boost from Leggett & Platts previous quarterly dividend of $0.44. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.23%. Leggett & Platts payout ratio is presently 92.00%.

Insider Activity at Leggett & Platt

In related news, Director Phoebe A. Wood sold 6,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.61, for a total value of $195,660.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 53,109 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,731,884.49. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 1.57% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LEG has been the topic of several research reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Leggett & Platt in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Leggett & Platt from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $39.00 to $34.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 11th.

About Leggett & Platt

(Free Report)

Leggett & Platt, Incorporated designs, manufactures, and markets engineered components and products worldwide. It operates through three segments: Bedding Products; Specialized Products; and Furniture, Flooring & Textile Products. The company offers steel rods, drawn wires, foam chemicals and additives, innersprings, private label finished mattresses, wire forms for mattress foundations, adjustable beds, industrial sewing and quilting machines, and mattress packaging and glue drying equipment, as well as machines to produce innersprings for industrial users of steel rods and wires, manufacturers of finished bedding, big box and e-commerce retailers, bedding brands and mattress retailers, department stores, and home improvement centers.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LEG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (NYSE:LEG  Free Report).

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Lennox International Inc. (NYSE:LII  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, July 14th, Zacks reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 31st will be given a dividend of 1.10 per share by the construction company on Friday, September 15th. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.31%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 30th.

Lennox International has raised its dividend payment by an average of 11.6% annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 14 years. Lennox International has a payout ratio of 26.4% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect Lennox International to earn $16.99 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $4.40 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 25.9%.

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Lennox International Stock Performance

Lennox International stock opened at $336.28 on Friday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $303.31 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $270.80. Lennox International has a fifty-two week low of $202.97 and a fifty-two week high of $337.73. The stock has a market cap of $11.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.43, a PEG ratio of 3.15 and a beta of 0.96.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Lennox International ( NYSE:LII Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The construction company reported $2.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.42 by $0.41. Lennox International had a net margin of 10.76% and a negative return on equity of 200.13%. The firm had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.03 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.36 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Lennox International will post 15.31 earnings per share for the current year.

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Lennox International from $272.00 to $300.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of Lennox International from $279.00 to $272.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Lennox International from $272.00 to $280.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Lennox International from $314.00 to $355.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Finally, William Blair upgraded shares of Lennox International from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Lennox International presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $269.90.

Insider Activity

In other news, CAO Chris Kosel sold 300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $282.99, for a total transaction of $84,897.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 2,146 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $607,296.54. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CAO Chris Kosel sold 300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $282.99, for a total value of $84,897.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 2,146 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $607,296.54. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Sherry Buck bought 350 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $285.02 per share, with a total value of $99,757.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 2,388 shares in the company, valued at approximately $680,627.76. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 5,527 shares of company stock valued at $1,574,120 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 2.80% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Lennox International by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 490,179 shares of the construction companys stock worth $123,003,000 after purchasing an additional 14,062 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in Lennox International by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 404,068 shares of the construction companys stock worth $89,973,000 after purchasing an additional 10,227 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC lifted its stake in Lennox International by 151.5% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 27,644 shares of the construction companys stock worth $6,946,000 after purchasing an additional 16,653 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its stake in Lennox International by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 17,310 shares of the construction companys stock worth $4,141,000 after purchasing an additional 399 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec lifted its stake in Lennox International by 204.5% in the 1st quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 13,104 shares of the construction companys stock worth $3,293,000 after purchasing an additional 8,800 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.43% of the companys stock.

About Lennox International

(Get Free Report)

Lennox International Inc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets a range of products for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration markets in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Residential Heating & Cooling, Commercial Heating & Cooling, and Refrigeration.

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New York State Teachers Retirement System reduced its stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO  Free Report) by 2.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 461,852 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 11,612 shares during the quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System owned approximately 0.12% of Valero Energy worth $64,475,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Stone House Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Western Pacific Wealth Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky lifted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 150.0% in the 4th quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 250 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $41,000. 78.00% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on Valero Energy from $159.00 to $151.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Valero Energy in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. lowered Valero Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Valero Energy from $172.00 to $171.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Finally, Mizuho decreased their target price on Valero Energy from $174.00 to $152.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $152.00.

Valero Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE VLO opened at $113.48 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $112.63 and its two-hundred day moving average is $124.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.52 and a quick ratio of 1.03. Valero Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $97.73 and a 1-year high of $150.39. The company has a market cap of $41.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.65.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The oil and gas company reported $8.27 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $7.24 by $1.03. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 55.32% and a net margin of 7.86%. The company had revenue of $36.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $37.88 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.31 EPS. Valero Energys revenue was down 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Valero Energy Co. will post 21.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 22nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 23rd were issued a $1.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 22nd. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.60%. Valero Energys payout ratio is currently 11.59%.

About Valero Energy

(Free Report)

Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol. The company produces California Reformulated Gasoline Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending and Conventional Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending gasolines, CARB diesel, diesel, jet fuel, and asphalt; aromatics; and sulfur crude oils.

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EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report)  Research analysts at Capital One Financial lowered their Q2 2023 earnings per share estimates for shares of EOG Resources in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, July 11th. Capital One Financial analyst P. Johnston now anticipates that the energy exploration company will earn $2.27 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $2.33. The consensus estimate for EOG Resources current full-year earnings is $11.18 per share. Capital One Financial also issued estimates for EOG Resources Q3 2023 earnings at $2.32 EPS and FY2023 earnings at $9.78 EPS.

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Several other brokerages also recently issued reports on EOG. Truist Financial increased their price objective on EOG Resources from $146.00 to $152.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Scotiabank raised EOG Resources from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and cut their price target for the stock from $150.00 to $145.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Mizuho raised EOG Resources from a neutral rating to a buy rating and cut their price target for the stock from $150.00 to $146.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Raymond James raised their price target on EOG Resources from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on EOG Resources in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. They set a buy rating and a $152.00 price target for the company. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, EOG Resources presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $146.24.

EOG Resources Stock Down 2.3 %

Shares of EOG Resources stock opened at $118.93 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $112.77 and a 200 day moving average price of $118.09. The company has a market cap of $69.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.44, a P/E/G ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 1.53. The company has a current ratio of 2.17, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. EOG Resources has a 1 year low of $95.33 and a 1 year high of $150.88.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The energy exploration company reported $2.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.42 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $6.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.28 billion. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 30.34% and a net margin of 33.83%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 51.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $4.00 EPS.

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 given a dividend of $0.825 per share. This represents a $3.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.77%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 14th. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.64%.

Insider Activity at EOG Resources

In other EOG Resources news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 owns 149,689 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,344,464.43. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total transaction of $238,155.06. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 37,607 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,409,796.82. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.87, for a total transaction of $579,350.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 149,689 shares in the company, valued at $17,344,464.43. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of EOG Resources

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in EOG. Tejara Capital Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of EOG Resources during the 4th quarter valued at about $106,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of EOG Resources by 196.1% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 9,859,925 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,175,599,000 after acquiring an additional 6,529,464 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in shares of EOG Resources by 87.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 7,787,281 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,008,609,000 after acquiring an additional 3,641,504 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in EOG Resources by 12.4% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 26,897,413 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $3,083,250,000 after purchasing an additional 2,977,408 shares during the last quarter. Finally, T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in EOG Resources by 126.2% during the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,111,339 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $662,021,000 after purchasing an additional 2,851,839 shares during the last quarter. 89.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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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Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSE:ONC  Free Report)  Analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald issued their FY2024 earnings estimates for Oncolytics Biotech in a report issued on Tuesday, July 11th. Cantor Fitzgerald analyst L. Chen expects that the company will post earnings of ($0.46) per share for the year. The consensus estimate for Oncolytics Biotechs current full-year earnings is ($0.41) per share.

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Oncolytics Biotech (TSE:ONC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The company reported C($0.10) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of C($0.10).

Oncolytics Biotech Price Performance

Separately, Jonestrading set a C$9.00 price target on shares of Oncolytics Biotech and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Oncolytics Biotech currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of C$6.75.

Shares of TSE ONC opened at C$3.85 on Thursday. Oncolytics Biotech has a fifty-two week low of C$1.23 and a fifty-two week high of C$4.49. The stock has a market cap of C$246.75 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.02 and a beta of 1.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.20, a quick ratio of 8.86 and a current ratio of 13.88. The firms 50-day simple moving average is C$2.84 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$2.30.

About Oncolytics Biotech

(Get Free Report)

Oncolytics Biotech Inc, a development-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery and development of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of cancer. The company is developing pelareorep, an intravenously delivered immunotherapeutic agent, which is in phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive / human epidermal growth factor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer and advanced/metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

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Banco Itau Chile (NYSE:ITCL  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,000 shares, a decrease of 87.0% from the June 15th total of 7,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 13,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Banco Itau Chile Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ITCL remained flat at $3.46 during mid-day trading on Friday. 7,976 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 14,774. The company has a market cap of $2.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.94 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a quick ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.45. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $3.47. Banco Itau Chile has a 52-week low of $2.60 and a 52-week high of $3.71.

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Banco Itau Chile (NYSE:ITCL  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The company reported $0.15 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $350.05 million for the quarter. Banco Itau Chile had a return on equity of 12.85% and a net margin of 11.23%.

Banco Itau Chile Company Profile

Banco Itau Chile provides banking services in Chile and Colombia. It provides wholesale and corporate banking; real estate and construction; and retail, private, companies, and personal banking services, as well as treasury and other financial services. The company offers checking accounts, and debit and credit card; credit line, consumer credit installments, mortgage credit, and universal consumer and university credit; and leasing and company credits including short term, fixed long term, and structured credit, as well as factoring, foreign trade exports, such as financing line agreement, import payment order, collection, and letter of credit, financing cash operation services.

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Sampo Oyj (OTCMKTS:SAXPY  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 7,000 shares, a growth of 100.0% from the June 15th total of 3,500 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 80,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Sampo Oyj Price Performance

Shares of SAXPY traded down $0.28 on Friday, hitting $21.69. The companys stock had a trading volume of 37,390 shares, compared to its average volume of 41,227. The company has a market capitalization of $22.17 billion, a PE ratio of 17.86 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.36 and a quick ratio of 0.36. Sampo Oyj has a fifty-two week low of $20.05 and a fifty-two week high of $26.75. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $23.12 and a 200 day moving average price of $24.16.

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Sampo Oyj (OTCMKTS:SAXPY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The financial services provider reported $0.30 EPS for the quarter.

Sampo Oyj Cuts Dividend

Sampo Oyj Company Profile

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Monday, May 22nd were given a $0.8819 dividend. This represents a yield of 3.51%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 19th. Sampo Oyjs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 69.11%.

(Get Free Report)

Sampo Oyj, through its subsidiaries, provides life and non-life insurance products and services in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the Baltic countries. It operates through If, Topdanmark, Hastings, Mandatum, and Holding segments. The company offers household, homeowner, motor, accident, travel, boat, forest, livestock, property, casualty, liability, car, van, bike, and cargo insurance.

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Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (CVE:PGE  Get Free Report)s share price dropped 2.4% on Friday . The stock traded as low as C$0.21 and last traded at C$0.21. Approximately 11,690 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 85% from the average daily volume of 77,575 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.21.

Stillwater Critical Minerals Stock Down 2.4 %

The businesss 50 day moving average is C$0.19 and its 200-day moving average is C$0.20. The stock has a market cap of C$40.42 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.25 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 5.39 and a current ratio of 10.49.

Stillwater Critical Minerals Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp., a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada and the United States. The company explores for gold, platinum group metals, palladium, nickel, copper, and cobalt deposits. Its flagship project is the 100%-owned Stillwater West project that comprise 763 claims covering an area of approximately 61 square kilometers located in Stillwater District, Montana.

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StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Holly Energy Partners (NYSE:HEP  Free Report) in a research report report published on Wednesday morning. The firm issued a buy rating on the pipeline companys stock.

Holly Energy Partners Stock Down 1.0 %

HEP stock opened at $18.87 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $17.81 and its 200 day simple moving average is $17.94. Holly Energy Partners has a 1-year low of $15.51 and a 1-year high of $19.85. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.39 billion, a PE ratio of 10.66 and a beta of 0.91.

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Holly Energy Partners (NYSE:HEP  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The pipeline company reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.42 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $143.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $124.62 million. Holly Energy Partners had a return on equity of 24.44% and a net margin of 39.39%. Holly Energy Partnerss revenue for the quarter was up 19.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.45 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Holly Energy Partners will post 2.06 EPS for the current year.

Holly Energy Partners Dividend Announcement

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Holly Energy Partners

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 11th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 1st were given a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 28th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.42%. Holly Energy Partnerss dividend payout ratio is presently 79.10%.

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. CFM Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Holly Energy Partners during the second quarter worth about $657,000. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System grew its stake in Holly Energy Partners by 3.1% in the second quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 48,076 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $889,000 after acquiring an additional 1,449 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in Holly Energy Partners by 18.0% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 833,860 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $14,484,000 after acquiring an additional 127,176 shares during the period. Apollon Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Holly Energy Partners by 5.6% in the first quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 13,578 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $236,000 after acquiring an additional 725 shares during the period. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Holly Energy Partners by 4.1% in the first quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 33,377 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $580,000 after acquiring an additional 1,310 shares during the period. 25.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Holly Energy Partners Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Holly Energy Partners, L.P. provides petroleum product and crude oil transportation, terminalling, storage, and throughput services to the petroleum industry in the United States. It operates through two segments, Pipelines and Terminals; and Refinery Processing Unit. The company operates refined product pipelines that transport conventional gasolines, reformulated gasolines, and low-octane gasolines for oxygenate blending, as well as sulfur diesel and jet fuels, and liquefied petroleum gases; intermediate product pipelines that transport intermediate feedstocks and crude oils; and oil trunk, gathering, and connection pipelines that delivers crude oil.

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StockNews.com downgraded shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE:BIP  Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report published on Wednesday.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $47.00 price objective on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners from $40.00 to $41.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, National Bankshares upped their price target on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners from $38.00 to $39.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, May 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $42.60.

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Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Stock Down 0.3 %

NYSE BIP opened at $36.19 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.60 billion, a PE ratio of 452.38 and a beta of 0.87. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners has a 52 week low of $30.03 and a 52 week high of $43.62. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $36.09 and a two-hundred day moving average of $34.64.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Dividend Announcement

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners ( NYSE:BIP Get Free Report ) (TSE:BIP.UN) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The utilities provider reported ($0.07) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.72 by ($0.79). The company had revenue of $4.22 billion for the quarter. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners had a return on equity of 1.00% and a net margin of 1.67%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Brookfield Infrastructure Partners will post 3.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 31st were given a dividend of $0.382 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 30th. This represents a $1.53 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.22%. Brookfield Infrastructure Partnerss payout ratio is currently 1,912.50%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brookfield Infrastructure Partners

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp raised its position in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 66.9% during the 4th quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 2,784,382 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $86,249,000 after buying an additional 1,116,123 shares during the last quarter. Paragon Capital Management Ltd purchased a new position in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners during the 1st quarter worth $1,386,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its position in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 14,431,368 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $447,228,000 after buying an additional 129,066 shares during the last quarter. Woodmont Investment Counsel LLC grew its stake in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Woodmont Investment Counsel LLC now owns 254,076 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $7,874,000 after purchasing an additional 5,510 shares during the period. Finally, Triasima Portfolio Management inc. acquired a new position in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners during the 4th quarter worth $763,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 47.41% of the companys stock.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. owns and operates utilities, transport, midstream, and data businesses in North and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company's Utilities segment operates approximately 60,000 kilometers (km) of operational electricity transmission and distribution lines; 2,900 km of electricity transmission lines; 4,200 km of natural gas pipelines; 7.8 million electricity and natural gas connections; and 540,000 long-term contracted sub-metering services.

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Whitecap Resources Inc. (TSE:WCP  Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Thursday, July 13th, TickerTech reports. Investors of record on Monday, July 31st will be paid a dividend of 0.0483 per share on Tuesday, August 15th. This represents a $0.58 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.03%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 28th. This is a boost from Whitecap Resourcess previous monthly dividend of $0.05.

Whitecap Resources Stock Down 2.3 %

Shares of TSE WCP opened at C$9.61 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of C$5.82 billion, a PE ratio of 4.55, a PEG ratio of -0.33 and a beta of 2.89. The business has a fifty day moving average of C$9.59 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$10.22. Whitecap Resources has a 52-week low of C$8.00 and a 52-week high of C$11.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 26.28, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.77.

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Whitecap Resources (TSE:WCP  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported C$0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.33 by C$0.10. The company had revenue of C$952.60 million during the quarter. Whitecap Resources had a return on equity of 26.68% and a net margin of 33.46%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Whitecap Resources will post 1.2392157 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Insider Transactions at Whitecap Resources

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Canaccord Genuity Group lowered their target price on Whitecap Resources from C$15.00 to C$14.50 in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. National Bankshares raised their target price on Whitecap Resources from C$15.50 to C$16.50 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Raymond James lowered their target price on Whitecap Resources from C$16.00 to C$15.00 in a research note on Friday. Barclays lowered their target price on Whitecap Resources from C$14.00 to C$13.00 in a research note on Friday, June 30th. Finally, ATB Capital lowered their target price on Whitecap Resources from C$16.00 to C$15.00 in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Whitecap Resources has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of C$14.78.

In related news, Director Vineeta Maguire bought 10,683 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 21st. The stock was bought at an average cost of C$9.36 per share, for a total transaction of C$99,992.88. Corporate insiders own 0.74% of the companys stock.

About Whitecap Resources

(Get Free Report)

Whitecap Resources Inc, an oil and gas company, focuses on the acquisition, development, and production of oil and gas assets in Western Canada. The company's primary areas of focus of its development programs are in Northern Alberta and British Columbia, Central Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Whitecap Resources Inc is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY  Free Report) in a report issued on Tuesday. The brokerage issued a sell rating on the technology companys stock.

WidePoint Price Performance

NYSEAMERICAN:WYY opened at $2.04 on Tuesday. WidePoint has a 1 year low of $1.70 and a 1 year high of $3.06. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $1.84 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1.92. The company has a market capitalization of $17.82 million, a P/E ratio of -1.17 and a beta of 1.04.

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WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 15th. The technology company reported ($0.11) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. WidePoint had a negative net margin of 16.03% and a positive return on equity of 2.98%. The business had revenue of $25.27 million for the quarter.

Institutional Trading of WidePoint

About WidePoint

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of WYY. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of WidePoint by 9.6% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 390,757 shares of the technology companys stock worth $833,000 after purchasing an additional 34,072 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of WidePoint by 27.5% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 43,483 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $79,000 after acquiring an additional 9,377 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of WidePoint in the 2nd quarter valued at about $37,000. UBS Group AG purchased a new stake in WidePoint in the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC raised its position in WidePoint by 121.1% in the 3rd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 13,577 shares of the technology companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 7,437 shares during the period. 11.85% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

(Get Free Report)

WidePoint Corporation provides technology management as a service (TMaaS) to the government and business enterprises in North America and Europe. The company offers TMaaS solutions through a secure federal government certified proprietary portal and secure enterprise portal that provides ability to manage, analyze, and protect communications assets, as well as deploy identity management solutions that provide secured virtual and physical access to restricted environments.

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StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Xinyuan Real Estate (NYSE:XIN  Free Report) in a report released on Tuesday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

Xinyuan Real Estate Price Performance

Shares of NYSE XIN opened at $3.33 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.87, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.96. Xinyuan Real Estate has a 1-year low of $2.95 and a 1-year high of $9.20. The stocks 50-day moving average is $3.50 and its 200 day moving average is $4.17.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Xinyuan Real Estate

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Xinyuan Real Estate stock. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. acquired a new position in Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd. (NYSE:XIN  Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 478,629 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $536,000. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. owned about 0.90% of Xinyuan Real Estate as of its most recent filing with the SEC. 1.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Xinyuan Real Estate Company Profile

Xinyuan Real Estate Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in residential real estate development and construction in the People's Republic of China, the United States, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. The company develops residential projects, such as multi-layer apartment buildings, sub-high-rise apartment buildings, high-rise apartment buildings; auxiliary services and amenities, such as retail outlets, leisure and health facilities, kindergartens, and schools, as well as office, mixed-use, and commercial properties.

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The Grand Island Music Series continues at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, with Paddywhack sharing folk music from the British Isles and North America.

The free concert will be set on the East Portico at Stuhr Museum.

Paddywhack is a Lincoln-based group that has performed for almost 45 years. The band currently consists of Chris Sayre, Dave Marsh and Terry Keefe, three of the original members.

Over the years they have maintained their distinct sound and unique flavor. The group plays a variety of jigs, hornpipes, polkas and reels on a multitude of instruments and mix them up with precise vocal harmonies while singing sea shanties, ballads and sing a-longs.

The individuals in this group are all accomplished musicians and winners of several awards, including the KZUM radio Members Choice Award for The Best of World Music in 2000, 2001 and 2002. They have performed all across the Great Plains and are members of the Nebraska Arts Council touring program.

An evening with Paddywhack is likely to include haunting tunes on Northumbrian bagpipes, soulful songs on the English concertina and Irish fiddle, delightful melodies on the musical saw, and intricate rhythms on the Irish drum-the bodhran.

Stuhr Bistro will be have food available to purchase, and the Chocolate Bar will have beverages, including beer and wine, available to purchase as well.

For more information, contact Stuhr Museum at 308-385-5316 or check out the Grand Island Music Series page on Facebook.
Once you get the hang of it, you can take part in monthly Coffee and Fishing events offered on Saturdays, Aug. 19, Sept. 9 and Oct. 14, also at Sucks Lake. Bring your own coffee; the hosts will provide cookies and other goodies. At each monthly event, the angler who catches the first fish will get a mug filled with fishing items and a gift card.
Thailand-based firm to invest $293 mln in central Vietnam silicon rod factory

By Duy Anh, Tri Duc Sat, July 15, 2023 | 9:04 pm GTM+7

Thailand-based Runergy PV Technology Co., Ltd. will invest $293 million in a factory producing monocrystalline silicon rods and semiconductor platters at the Dong Nam Economic Zone in Nghe An province.

Runergy PV Technology Ltd is a subsidiary of China-headquartered Jiangsu Runergy New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

A senior official of the Dong Nam EZ told The Investor Saturday that the plant, located in the Hoang Mai I Industrial Park, would have a design capacity of 14,635 tons of silicon rods and 995 million 182-milimeter semiconductor platters a year.

Hoang Mai I Industrial Park in Nghe An province, central Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Nghe An newspaper.

The 28.6-hectare project will feature 15.6 hectares of manufacturing facilities, 1.3 hectares of supporting facilities and 11.6 hectares of roads and trees. Its duration is until February 26, 2071.

Factory construction is scheduled to take place between June and October for trial production to begin in November 2023. Full operations are set to begin in June 2025.

The investment certificate for the project was handed over during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs visit to China last month.

Runergy chairman Tao Long Zhong (left, front) receives an investment certificate for a $293 mln silicon rod factory in Nghe An Province from Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung (right, front), with the attendance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right, behind), in China on June 28, 2023. Photo courtesy of the government portal.

Registered FDI in Vietnam declined 4.3% year-on-year to nearly $13.43 billion in the first six months of the year, while disbursed capital reached $10.02 billion, up 0.47%, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment. Of this, Nghe An received $720.94 million, eighth highest among all 63 localities in the country.

So far, Nghe An has attracted 124 FDI projects with a total registered capital of $3.29 billion.

Major FDI project investors in the central province include Taiwan-based chipmaker Foxconn with a new investment of $100 million reported in May. Foxconn is set to commence construction of the 48-hectare project in June 2023-June 2024. Between July 2024 and October 2024, the giant will conduct trial runs, then enter official operation in November 2024, according to its investment certificate.

Yongjin Metal Technology (Vietnam) Company Limited, a subsidiary of China-based Yongjin Metal, kicked off the construction of a $125 million factory in Nghe An last month. The 12.6-hectare plant, located in WHA Industrial Zone 1, was granted an investment license in November 2022. The project, named Tan Viet Metal Technology, is expected to become operational in the second quarter of 2024, employing 300 people.

In November 2022, Nghe An approved in principle the Luxshare-ICT (Nghe An) 2 project that will make electronics parts at the VSIP Nghe An industrial park. The project will have an investment of $150 million for the first phase and a designed capacity of 74 million products a year.
Vietnamese startups still a venture capital magnet

By Thuy Tuong Sat, July 15, 2023 | 8:25 am GTM+7

Vietnams tech startup scene has continued to attract venture capital (VC) investments, pushing the country further towards its aim of becoming a fully digital society by 2030.

South Korea-based Shinhan Venture Investment is planning to increase its Southeast Asia focus with the $200-million flagship global fund that it completed raising a few months ago, Nikkei Asia reported Wednesday.

Of the flagship fund, around 50% will be allotted to Southeast Asia, 30% to the U.S. and other countries and 20% to South Korea, JinSoo Lee, head of global investment at the fund told the Japanese newspaper.

"We are focusing on Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam. We are sector- and stage-agnostic, and our investments span from seed to pre-IPO. Our strength is that we can leverage our subsidiaries, such as banks, insurance and credit cards in Vietnam, Indonesia and Japan to support our founders and help them expand to other regions, he said.

The Shinhan global flagship fund has already closed a few deals in Southeast Asia, including one for Singapore-based Speedoc, Indonesia's aquaculture startup eFishery and insurtech specialist Pasarpolis, Nikkei Asia reported.

The funds limited partners include Shinhan Bank, Shinhan Card, Shinhan Investment Bank, and Shinhan Life.

A South Korea office of Shinhan Financial Group, the parent corporation of Shinhan Venture Investment. Photo courtesy of the group.

In February, VinaCapital Groups technology investment arm VinaCapital Ventures announced it was investing $1 million in Koina, a Vietnam-based data-driven farm-to-business agriculture technology platform.

Hoang Duc Trung, partner at VinaCapital Ventures, explained: Koinas mission is to be an innovative hub in Vietnams agriculture sector. With the Vietnamese government promoting green, environmentally friendly agriculture, we hope to play a part in improving the supply chain and Vietnamese farmers lives.

As per the national strategy on digital transformation announced in 2020, the digital economys share of gross domestic product will increase to 20% by 2025.

Vietnam hopes that focusing on digital economy growth will help it realize its vision of becoming a high-income economy by 2045.

This is backed by the World Bank, which says: If digital sectors expand by about 10% every year, the cumulated monetary gains for the Vietnamese economy will exceed $200 billion over 2021-2045, or about the size of the countrys current GDP.

In 2021, new startup support centers were announced in Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City. A year later, a roadmap for boosting innovation in science was revealed, with promises to spend 1% of GDP on scientific research. Another announcement said business innovation surveys would be introduced to monitor the development of startups.

A recent report by venture fund Do Ventures and the National Innovation Center, a unit under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, says Vietnams startups attracted a lot of investor interest in 2022. Do Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that focuses on making investments in information technology companies in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

The report ranked Vietnam third in the region in terms of deal count and fourth in deal value last year.

Notably, domestic funds were top investors in local startups last year, accounting for 45% of the total deal value. Ranked by aggregate value, Vietnam fell to fourth position with 8% of the regional total, following Indonesias 44%, Singapore with 27%, and the Philippines with 9%. It is worth noting that Singapore and Indonesia had much later-stage investments and little seed/pre-seed, while Vietnams seed levels were strong.

Fintech, retail, healthcare, and payments were the most in-demand sectors for funding.

However, total investment in Vietnamese startups was just $634 million in 2022, down 56% from the record high of $1.4 billion in 2021, the report noted.

Deals completed in early 2022 included Sky Mavis with $150 million, OnPoint with $50 million, and Timo with $20 million.

In a recent KPMG-HSBC joint study on Asia-Pacifics technology-focused startup scenes, Vietnam was ranked one of Asias newest and most dynamic.

The number of startups, around 1,600 at the beginning of the pandemic, nearly doubled to 3,000 by the end, including four unicorns: 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 heavyweight names include M Village, which offers co-living housing for young professionals, and TopCV, which focuses on resume creation tools for job-seekers.

Major domestic VC funds

According to Preqin, a privately held London-based investment data company that provides financial data and insight on the alternative assets market as well as tools to support investment in alternatives, the three largest Vietnam-focused VC funds that closed their raising rounds between 2021 and 2022 are the following:

AVV Alpha ($64 million)

HCMC-based Ascend Vietnam Ventures (AVV) closed its flagship, early-stage VC fund AVV Alpha at $64 million in June 2022, exceeding its original target of $50 million.

The fund, dedicated to Vietnam, will seed up to $2 million into 25 start-ups, in verticals like blockchain, edtech, fintech, gaming, SaaS (software as a service), wealth management, and wellness. AVV is supported by IFC, the private-sector arm of the World Bank Group.

ThinkZone Fund II ($60 million)

Team members of ThinkZone, a Vietnam-focused VC fund. Photo courtesy of ThinkZone.

Accelerator and VC firm ThinkZone Ventures raised $60 million in February 2022 solely from Vietnamese limited partners; a task rendered very difficult during the pandemic, when overseas outreach became challenging due to travel restrictions.

The fund is set to invest in pre-seed to Series A rounds in fintech, edtech, and e-commerce in Vietnam. Its limited partners include local conglomerates such as IPA Investments, Corporation, Phu Thai Holdings and Stavian Group.

Do Ventures Fund I ($50 million)

Do Ventures raised $50 million in its first fund from South Korean internet leader Naver, Sea (the parent company of Garena and Shopee), and Singapore-based Vertex Holdings.

The funds investment targets include business-to-customer and business-to-business platforms, early-stage Vietnamese startups, and it helps traditional businesses digitize faster.
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The Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office saw its 2023-24 budget increase to $9.2 million, a slight increase over last year.

Orangeburg County Council unanimously approved the sheriffs offices $9,201,702 general fund operating budget June 27. It is an increase of about $17,600 from last years general fund budget of $9,184,059.

The sheriffs office had requested $9.8 million.

The county has increased the sheriffs office budget each of the past five years.

The OCSO budget makes up about 18% of the countys $54.4 million total general fund operating budget.

The OCSO budget shows that about 87.4% or $8,039,391 of the total $9,201,702 is in employee pay and benefits.

Here is a closer look at the sheriffs general fund budget and how it compares to last year:

$4,840,337 in employee pay, the same as 2023.

$22,851 in part-time pay, which is less than the $30,000 in 2023.

$825,000 in overtime pay, which is greater than the $600,000 budgeted in 2023.

$800,000 in group health insurance, the same as 2023.

$435,147 in FICA and Medicare county contributions, up from $429,140.

$1,105,034 in both South Carolina Retirement Systems and Police Officers Retirement System retirement contributions, which is more than the $1,045,378 in 2023.

$11,022 in group life insurance county contribution, which is less than the $11,843 in 2023.

Other noteworthy expenditures in the OCSO budget are:

$450,000 in gasoline and fuel. The same as 2023.

$90,000 in uniforms. The same as 2023.

$67,000 in controlled weapons, down from the $117,000 in 2023.

$66,000 in cell phones, up from the $65,000 in 2023.

$55,000 in ammunition, down from $71,050 in 2023.

$44,300 in personal-protection supplies, down from $44,343 in 2023.

Outside of the sheriffs office general fund budget, the OCSO is also benefiting from grant and bond money spending by the county.

Grant funding spending for the OCSO includes:

$25,000 for power DMS, a document-managing syste.

$90,000 for vests.

$75,000 for capital weapons

The county has also spent about $5.4 million on the sheriffs office through bond payments.

These include: $379,940 for the shooting range, $1,785,000 for vehicles, $2,150,450 in building renovations and $1,071,563 for body cameras and stun guns.
Orangeburg native Damion Waymer has been selected as the next director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in USCs College of Information and Communications.

The thing that excites me most is the energy, says Waymer, who started in early July. I see active, engaged students winning awards and alumni being recognized for their excellence. Im joining an organization that has clear momentum and a clear track record for excellence.

Damion Waymer began his tenure as director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications in July 2023.

He joins the University of South Carolina from the University of Alabama, where he served as the senior associate dean for the College of Communication and Information Sciences. In that role, he managed four academic units and oversaw the colleges information technology and facilities management.

Waymer also served as the department chair for advertising and public relations at Alabama and as the department chair for liberal studies at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State, among other teaching and administrative roles.

Dean Tom Reichert says he is eager for Waymer to join the College of Information and Communications ahead of the schools centennial celebration.

Dr. Waymer will set the tone for the J-schools next 100 years of success, Reichert says. His energy and administrative experience will be vital assets in guiding the schools evolution to meet student and industry needs.

Claflin, S.C. State students welcome pedestrian bridge Orangeburgs students say a planned pedestrian bridge linking the universities and downtown Orangeburg will make the city safer for them.

Waymer says his first priority is to build relationships with faculty, staff and students. Developing the schools ties with alumni and industries leaders is another important goal.

We want alumni to be engaged in multiple ways  not just by giving financially, but by coming back to campus, speaking to classes and sharing their experience with students, he says.

St. James-Gaillard shines at Jr. Beta convention St. James-Gaillard Elementary School showcased its talent and commitment to service at the 2023 Jr. Beta Club National Convention.

Van Kornegay, Interim director of the J-school, says the faculty is looking forward to working with Damion. "He brings a variety of strengths to the directors position. He has an impressive background as a scholar and researcher. He has been an administrator, and he projects a sense of energy and optimism that Im sure will encourage student and faculty engagement."

Waymer earned his bachelors degree in corporate communication at the College of Charleston before pursuing his masters and doctoral degrees in organizational rhetoric and public relations at Purdue University.

The Palmetto State native says he is excited to be closer to family and serve students in his home state. He will be joined by his wife Tiffany and son Thaddeus. They are big fans of Master Chef and Nailed It and look forward to exploring Columbias culinary scene.
(TBTCO) - Cung gap nhieu kho khan, vuong mac trong cong tac giai ngan von au tu cong nhu nhieu ia phuong khac, nhung voi su no luc, quyet tam cua cua cac cap lanh ao tinh va cac on vi lien quan, hien tinh ong Thap a giai ngan von au tu cong at at 50,38%, cao hon 21,75% so voi muc giai ngan trung binh ca nuoc va ang ung thu 2 (sau tinh Tien Giang) ca nuoc ve ty le giai ngan cao.
CHEYENNE  Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray and his counterparts in five other states say they support a congressional investigation into alleged interference in the 2020 election.

Gray was joined by secretaries of state from West Virginia, Missouri, Ohio, Arkansas and Louisiana in issuing a letter addressed to members of Congress supporting a continued investigation into the now-debunked public statement by 51 intelligence officials discrediting the Hunter Biden laptop story as Russian disinformation in the weeks preceding the 2020 election.

As the chief election officers of our respective states responsible for running free and fair elections, we have great concern in the findings in the report of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary that former federal intelligence officials and the Biden campaign coordinated efforts to intentionally influence the 2020 presidential election by spreading disinformation, according to the letter.

Those former intelligence officials and the presidential campaign actors contributed to the undermining of the American peoples confidence in elections.

The six top state election officials hope the ongoing investigation will include looking into documents, emails, sworn testimony and other evidence of interference in the nations elections.

We are particularly concerned with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinkens role in the operation while he served as a senior member of President Bidens campaign, officials added. Should the congressional investigation confirm Secretary Blinkens leading role as stated in the report, we call on Secretary Blinken to resign immediately.

They concluded in the letter that the full weight of the U.S. government should be used to ensure free and fair elections in the future.

To cast informed ballots, Americans need transparency into actions by former, and perhaps current, federal government officials to weaponize false information for political purposes, the secretaries of state concluded. Congress should hold perpetrators accountable and consider all available corrective measures to provide transparency to the public of any improper actions set forth in the report.

Congress must act to prevent and deter such interference in the future, the letter said.

Gray reiterated in his personal statement that the letter was crucially important to push Congress for further investigation, and as election administrators, we must take affirmative steps to ensure accountability, integrity and transparency in elections.

Gov. Mark Gordon, both chairs of the Wyoming Legislatures Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee, as well as the president of the County Clerks Association of Wyoming didnt comment on the letter.

The letter connects to the work being done by Republicans in Washington, D.C., since April 2022, led by House Judiciary Committee co-Chairmen U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan and Michael Turner, both R-Ohio.

Jordan issued a press release in May that said the committees have been conducting oversight into the origins of a statement by 51 former intelligence officials in 2020 and had written all officials requesting relevant documents and testimony last April.

On October 14, 2020, the New York Post published a report detailing how Hunter Biden used the position and influence of his father, now-President Joe Biden, for personal gain with the apparent awareness of President Biden, according to Jordans statement on background. Five days later, on October 19, 2020, 51 former intelligence officials signed onto a public letter that stated that the Hunter Biden laptop story had all the classic earmarks of Russian information operation, in an attempt to discredit the New York Posts reporting.

Since then, former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morrell testified in April 2023 before the committees that Secretary Blinken, then serving as senior Biden campaign advisor, was the impetus of the statement.

A 64-page report was also released by joint interim staff under the House Committee on the Judiciary titled The Hunter Biden Statement: How Senior Intelligence Community Officials and the Biden Campaign Worked to Mislead American Voters.

Based on closed-door testimony and documents provided to the Committees, the report reveals new evidence suggesting that the public statement made by 51 former intelligence officials was part of a political operation to help elect Vice President Biden in the 2020 Presidential election, Jordans press release stated. The report also shows that the Central Intelligence Agencys (CIA) Prepublication Classification Review Board (PCRB) reviewed and approved the statement before its release.

Furthermore, evidence suggests that one CIA employee working at the PCRB may have shopped the letter to a former CIA officer who later agreed to add his name to the statement.

Gray and election officials are seeking more answers on this House Judiciary investigation.

However, this isnt the only investigation into the Biden family, as the House Oversight Committee requested records from Hunter Biden and the presidents brother, James Biden, related to President Bidens involvement in his familys business schemes in February.

The American people deserve transparency and accountability about the Biden familys influence peddling, according to a press release from Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky. The Oversight Committee is committed to exposing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has taken place at the highest levels of our government. Hunter Biden, James Biden, and Eric Schwerins documents, records, and communications are critical to this investigation.
CHEYENNE  It is big time tourist season in Wyoming.

In Cheyenne we call it Frontier Days you know  the big rodeo.

What I always found of great interest is the marketing campaigns created by state tourism agencies and their consultants.

Wyoming has one of the best although it also is probably the smallest in number of staff and cost.

In a state like this, with two national parks, marvelous mountains, great shing and the like it is relatively easy to cook up a jazzy motto.

For many years Wyomings slogan was Like No Other Place on Earth.

That is still my favorite.

The current motto is Thats Wy. It puzzled me for awhile.

Where was the O? or the Y.

One wag on the internet suggested it should be Thats Whynot.

But if Diane Shober, the director of the tourism ofce, says Thats Wy is a successful marketing logo thats good enough for me.

Shober recently marked 20 years in the top job of selling Wyoming.

It has been two decades since Gov. Dave Freudenthal introduced her at a press conference as the states new tourism director.

She rose, spoke briey and forcefully and emitted energy like a dynamo.

My reaction was, Wow.

Freudenthal also was clearly impressed by his new appointee.

In the two decades since that day, the tourism agency has undergone signicant change. It now is a separate agency with its own board and revenue source from a chunk of the state wide lodging tax.

Last week during a quick visit to update the Legislatures Joint Appropriations Committee, Shober told of a marketing partnership with Ford Motor Company to sell both Ford trucks and Wyoming vacations.

She also reported that $4.4 million in this scal year will be spent to sell less popular locations, like the Oregon Trail, the Snowy Range west of Laramie, the Killpecker Sand Dunes in Sweetwater County and spots in northwestern Wyoming.

I know some long term Wyoming residents who will mourn seeing more tourist trafc in the Snowies or those remarkable sand dunes in the Red Desert.

The Snowies have been described as Wyoming best-kept secret.

No more.

But that is progress and Wyoming tourism is a huge money maker for the state, its motels, hotels, cafes and restaurants and the people who work there.

But back to the tourism nicknames, logos or slogans.

While Wyoming has no trouble nding some remarkable spot or area as base for a marketing campaign, what do you do it you head Nebraskas tourism agency?

I have driven that long at interstate stretch from Cheyenne to my hometown in eastern Iowa multiple times.

And getting through Nebraska always was the most dreadfully dull part.

Simply put, Nebraska doesnt have a lot to offer to tourists.

Oh sure there are some fantastic sand dunes and cranes but thats about it and they are not just off I-80.

So the Nebraska advertising geniuses (think TVs Mad Men) decided to be self-deprecating  be honest, about the state.

They ran slogans like Another Dusty Day on the Plains, and more appropriately Honestly, its not for everyone.

As you would expect, people in Nebraska complained that the tourism ofce was hurting tourism by being telling them the truth.

Nevertheless the Nebraska Tourism Commission reported a record $7.2 million in tax revenue in 2022, up 18.3

percent over the previous years, according to internet sources.

That controversial slogan pushed Nebraska from the least likely state for tourists to visit to 45th in the nation.

Other states have not been as bold as the creative types in Nebraska. And thats why we have lame slogans like Find Your Alaska, or Famous Potatoes for Idaho or The Natural State for Arkansas or Find it Here for Ohio.

West Virginias motto is Wild Wonderful West Virginia.

Some wits on the internet have other ideas; such as Only Yankees Litter for Texas and Even we couldnt nd ourselves on a map for Delaware.

For West Virginia, they suggest West Virginia is better if youre drunk.

That slogan is way, way too self-deprecating.

Fortunately Wyoming doesnt need to use that negative strategy to draw visitors.
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.
THE Public Procurement and Public Disposal of Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill was passed in the Senate at 2.37 a.m. yesterday with a vote of 19 for/eight against and three abstentions.

Among the nine Independent senators, four voted in favour of the BillSenators Anthony Vieira, Amrita Deonarine, Charrise Seepersad and Dr Maria Dillon-Remy; two Independent senators voted against the Bill Deoroop Teemal and Hazel Thompson-Ahye (along with the six Opposition senators); while Paul Richards, Dr Varma Deyalsingh and Evans Welch abstained.
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.
After much anticipation, the 2023 monsoon has arrived. Sure, it teased us for weeks with isolated rains, added humidity and few brilliant lightning displays but it officially came in with a bang on Monday.

Now that we've gotten a taste of refreshing rain and relief from triple-digit temperatures (albeit temporary), we're turning to some of our favorite watering holes to keep us in that monsoon mindset.

We found several Tucson-area restaurants and bars that have storm-named drinks, both alcoholic and non, that remind us of dark clouds and pounding rain.

Here are six stormy cocktails that define the monsoon for us.

The Monsoon Ermanos Bar, 220 N. Fourth Ave.,

Of course we have to start here with the perfect stormy cocktail that sums up every nuance of our monsoon in Tucson.

The Monsoon is the calm before the storm in a clash of spicy, sweet, bitter and refreshing.

It all starts with a base of slightly spicy housemade jalapeno-infused tequila that gets a sweet jolt of tamarind syrup, lending a Mexican candy flavor. Peychauds bitters add a layer of complexity thats slightly tempered with fresh cucumber.

The concoction is mixed and strained and served in a glass rimmed with lime and tajin before its topped with club soda.

With the effervescence from the club soda, you get this bright sunny day, longtime bartender Cody Cowen waxed poetically in describing the popular drink. But it has this darkness from the tamarind that gives it a cloudy look, and the jalapeno-infused tequila delivers the thunder and lightening and beautiful destruction.

The Monsoon has been one of Ermanos Bars most popular cocktails since they launched a cocktail menu about a year ago in collaboration with their sister bar Portal, located behind Ermanos main dining room, Cowen said.

The Monsoon is easily our most popular cocktail, he said. On a busy night, I will crank out 100.

Monsoon Chaser



Dantes Fire, 2526 E. Grant Road,

Chef-owner Ken Foy was looking for ways to incorporate smoky mezcal into one of his signature cocktails when he came up with Monsoon Chaser a couple of years ago.

The popular cocktail combines the smoky notes of the mezcal with the botanicals from fresh grown-on-site rosemary simple syrup and the slight spice and sweet of ginger beer topped with fresh-squeezed lime.

When it goes in the glass, its kind of cloudy, like after it rains in the desert, and you get that mist about us, Foy said. It kind of reminded us of that (feeling) after a mid-afternoon monsoon hits us.

On the days that the monsoon decides to take a breather, Foy recommends Dantes Fires Sunburn, made with housemade jalapeno-infused tequila mixed with orange liqueur, fresh lemon-lime and tart-yet-sweet cranberry juice finished with a Tajin-salted rim.

It burns your lips a little bit, but it finishes nice and sweet, he said.

Dark and Stormy 

Union Public House, 4340 N. Campbell Ave., 520-329-8575; uniontucson.com

They like their copper cup cocktails here, but they love twisting the concept of the classic ginger-beer-based Moscow Mule (traditionally made with Russian vodka) to reflect the top-shelf personalities of America and beyond.

Their Kentucky Mule employs Jim Beam bourbon, the London Mule uses Bombay gin and, no surprise here, the Mexican Mule is centered around Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver.

Then theres the Tucson Mule, which adds a little spice to the Mexican formula with Hanson Habanero Vodka.

But what better copper cup to hoist in a monsoon than the Dark and Stormy, made with Meyers Jamaican Dark Rum?

Sip it and the sensation of a coming storm will collide with the tropical rush of the islands.

It is really popular, Union Public House bar manager Andy Bulkley said, describing how the sweetness of the dark rum blends with the spirits slight spice. But the ginger beer is mostly what you taste. Its really refreshing.

Ghost Cloud 

Agustin Kitchen, 100 S. Avenida del Convento, 520-398-5382; agustinkitchen.com

The bartenders and servers at this just west of downtown restaurant get a lot of questions about one of Agustin Kitchens newest cocktail.

How, for starters, do you pronounce shochu, the Japanese distilled liquor at the center of the Ghost Cloud?

We got you on this one: show-choo.

Its a valid question. Its not often you will see shochu in a starring role on a Tucson cocktail menu. Many mixologists like to sub in gin or vodka to avoid having to explain the intricacies of shochu, which has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 25%.

Agustin Kitchen bartender Basil Denboer described shochu as light and slightly sweet, without the spirit forward punch of some liquor. The Ghost Cloud, which the Mercado District restaurant rolled out three months ago, combines 2 ounces of shochu with top shelf sweet-leaning French Dolin Blanc clear vermouth and Fever-Tree tonic from England.

Its definitely a refreshing summer cocktail, Denboer said.

Its just a kind of dryer cocktail, but refreshing, added restaurant Manager Jesse Schaefer, who said the drink is starting to catch on with customers. I think sometimes the shochu can be a little of a conversation. Everybody knows margaritas and tequila, but nobody knows about shochu.

 Southside Patio Cooler

Sidecar, 139 S. Eastbourne Ave.,

Theres no better place to watch the monsoons roll in than from your back patio, which is why we were so intrigued with Southside Patio Cooler at the tiny (900 square feet) Sidecar bar next door to Falora artisan pizzeria.

The Southside Patio Cooler is one of three non-alcoholic cocktails on the menu of the 9-year-old bar and bartender Amanda Sierra said its their best seller.

The drink mixes ginger syrup, made in-house with raw ginger, and fresh-squeezed lime juice with fresh mint and simple syrup. Its shaken and topped with a splash of soda water.

Since everything that we put in it is made fresh in house, its very fresh and refreshing, said Sierra, who has worked at Sidecar for two years.

If you like the idea of the Southside Patio Cooler, but you prefer your cocktails with alcohol, Sierra suggests adding gin.

Dry Riverbeds 

Bata, 35 E. Toole Ave., 520-367-4718; batatucson.com/barbata

One of the things we really look forward to during the monsoons is seeing our normally bone-dry and crackling riverbeds flowing bank to bank. Its always fleeting and always exciting when you stand on the banks of the Rillito or Santa Cruz and see that water roar like true rivers.

The folks at the award-winning downtown restaurant Bata get us.

They have a trio of non-alcoholic cocktails they rotate on their menu that celebrate the Santa Cruz and Rillito rivers and the Pantano Wash. The drinks take their cue from the history of those handful of so-called dry Southern locales (like the 31 dry counties in Arkansas) where the sale of alcohol is outlawed.

We try to take one of the cocktails from our main menu and recreate it with non-alcoholic ingredients to try to be reminiscent of the (original) cocktail, says Batas bar manager Andrew Scheerens, who curates the bar menu at the globally-influenced restaurant tucked into a historic downtown warehouse.

The riverbed-themed cocktails are fresh and fruity, the perfect drink for a hot summer day or a muggy monsoon storm. The Santa Cruz starts with Lyres Dry London non-alcoholic gin and adds a citrus cordial and lavender with some sparkling water. The Rillito combines a housemade cherry shrub with Lyres Italian Orange, a tangy non-alcoholic aperitif with distinctive blood orange and grapefruit notes. The Pantano is a fruity festival of passion fruit and grapefruit with the spicy addition of ginger and earthy accents of cinnamon.

Scheerens said the menu changes, but having the option of non-alcoholic cocktails goes over very, very well with our clientele.
Laughter is the best medicine.

Just ask Nurse Blake, aka Blake Lynch of Orlando, Florida.

Hes a certified nurse with eight years experience under his belt and a whole lot of stories to tell.

Thanks to some tremendous social media success (he has more than 3.2 million followers between Instagram, Facebook and TikTok), hes taking his stories and standup to 100 cities around the country as part of his Shock Advised Tour. It pulls into Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St., on Aug. 6, one of several comedy shows that are part of Foxs Outburst Comedy series.

The series includes some big names in standup, from a pair of moms telling mom tales to a Glee star bringing us some holiday cheer and chuckles just in time for Christmas.

Tickets are available through foxtucson.com. Check the theaters website for updates as schedules are subject to change.

Heres the lineup:

You dont have to be a first-responder or medical pro to get Nurse Blakes humor; his comedy also speaks to patients. But expect to see tons of nurses pack Fox when he takes the stage at 7 p.m. Aug. 6. His new show is his most ambitious outing since he started doing comedy in 2018, hitting more than 100 cities through years end; $46.50-$91.50.

Between them, moms Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley have four kids, two husbands (thats one apiece), six dogs and, according to their #imomsohard website, a minimum of two glasses of wine. OK, lets be honest: They never stick to the minimum. In fact it was over a glass of wine with a video recorder that the two moms vented hilariously over their momhood triumphs and failures including Smedley forgetting the name of her newborn daughter. It was social media gold and launched the pair on a career that in five short years has made them social media darlings. Their videos have been viewed 300 million times worldwide and their tours pack houses. They bring their latest Ladies Night here for a 7 p.m. show Aug. 11; $20-$57.50.

Randy Rainbow, who helped us survive the pandemic with his politically-charged and always hilarious satire, from spoof interviews with political leaders and celebrities to his parodies, is back with his Randy Rainbow for President tour on Oct. 13; $49.50-$69.50.

Paula Poundstone has become an every-other-year regular at the Fox for at least a decade, which means shes like family. Even if youre one of those fans who sees here every time shes here, her shows always seem fresh and funnier than the last. She returns Oct. 28; $20-$62.50.

Amy Sedaris, the comedian-actress (The Mandalorian), writer and baby sister of satirist David Sedaris, is spending an evening with Tucson on Nov. 12. Arizona Public Media personality Mark McLemore will moderate the conversation, which will include a chance for the audience to ask questions; $20-$62.50.

Emmy-nominated SNL writer Nimesh Patels Fast & Loose tour will hit 27 of its 37 cities by the time he takes the Fox stage on Dec. 1. By then, any wrinkles in the material, which in an early June YouTube video Patel said was all new, should be ironed out; $39.50.

Jane Lynch, the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning comic actress best known for playing Sue Sylvester on Glee, is releasing an unapologetically sentimental Christmas album, but her Christmas show on Dec. 13 will not be so sentimental. Shes bringing along her Two Lost Souls cabaret show partner Kate Flannery (best known for her nine seasons as Meredith, the drunk, on NBCs The Office); between the pair, expect some quick-witted barbs and improv. Tim Davis, vocal producer for Glee, and The Tony Guerrero Quintet also are part of the show; $20-$150.
Question: I am thinking about adding solar and have these questions:

What would be the best solar setup at my home?

How much will it save me on my electric bill?

Will I still be able or need to super cool?

Do I need to consider a solar storage system as well?

Answer: Those questions need to be answered by a reputable solar company, one that is licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.

It is also essential to consult a company that is customer service-minded rather than just sales-driven. Sam Dunbar, solar and battery integrator, and Anthony Weidenfeller, sales engineer at Sun Valley Solar, a Rosie on the House certified partner, explain the process of ordering a solar system uniquely designed for your home. Both say the best process starts from the first phone call.

In addition to your questions, be ready to answer theirs. The information collected will be used to begin a design process that can help establish potential solutions quickly.

In the first sit-down or face-to-face meeting, you should be presented with a possible system size, layout and preliminary cost. There should not be a fee for this step.

These questions will likely be asked during a discussion. Knowing the answers will help you be prepared to respond accurately and therefore result in better information regarding solutions.

What is your current electrical usage?

Usage is measured in kilowatt hours (kW h) and can be found on your electric utility bill. It will be helpful if you can provide a years worth of bills. If not, use whatever you can gather for that first call.

Where is your house located, and what is the layout?

With your address or Assessor Parcel Number (APN), which can be retrieved from your property tax bill, Sun Valley Solar can get a satellite representation of your home. Access to this information provides necessary information about your roof type, orientation and obstacles that might impede solar access.

What is your daily routine? How you occupy your home is essential information when planning power usage.

How many air conditioning units do you have?

Do you have a pool with a variable-speed pump?

Do you have an electric vehicle that requires a charging port?

Are you home all day?

Do you work from home?

These lifestyle questions are critical to understanding how your energy is consumed.

Armed with these answers, your consultant will develop a basic design, including a roof layout. This process leads to developing a budget number for you to consider.

They will also investigate several other facts about your homes infrastructure. Verifying the location of your homes Service Entry Section (SES), where power currently enters your home, is another key component for development of the final plan.

Further discussion should revolve around how you will manage the power harnessed by the sun. Will energy be consumed during on-peak or off-peak demand times? Peak times are set by your utility company. In a 24-hour period, on-peak time designates when demand for electricity is highest and most expensive. Off-peak is the time of day energy demand is the lowest, and power is cheaper.

Its no secret that I am a fan of super cooling as a method of managing energy usage. This is but one way to decide when to minimize or maximize your power consumption. Managing usage will affect your bottom line.

Regulating your appliances, other than the heating and cooling systems, is another method available to help you manage your consumption.

Managing your consumption is a viable way to control your energy usage. Maximize your use of the suns power to balance the amount of power you might need from your electric provider or on the grid.

Q: How can I save the energy from my solar panels?

A: Solar batteries are a helpful tool in energy storage. If no one is home most of the day when solar energy being collected is at its maximum, then your energy consumption should be at its lowest. Battery storage is a tool that can help you balance out the consumption vs. collection curves.

Battery storage systems are quickly becoming the preferred alternative to demand management. There are two significant benefits in using stored power.

Mitigate on peak usage: Use stored power, not grid power, during peak demand hours.

Manage power outages: When the grid fails, all the power is out. A solar battery can continue to supply power to your home for several hours. The length of backup time depends entirely on the battery system you choose.

The technology behind solar batteries has improved exponentially over the years. The storage batteries dont take up much space. And will likely be the next generation of home solar systems.

Q: What is the best payment option, and what kind of return on investment will I get from installing solar?

A: One of the major support features of a comprehensive approach to providing solar power is financing your system. There are multiple options from paying cash, loans and leasing, each with their own distinct permutations for you to consider. You decide what works best for you.

As for return on investment, there are as many answers to this question as there are different systems and different user types. The company you choose should be able to give you a pretty good idea of the overall savings you are likely to receive.

I urge you to do your homework if you are considering a solar system.
A driver is facing charges after a man walking along the road was killed Thursday night in a hit-and-run crash, the Pima County Sheriffs Department said.

Shortly after 8:00 p.m. deputies were called to South Nogales Highway near East Felix Road for a report of a man on the ground, the department said Friday in a news release.

Deputies found the body of 47-year-old Johnny Laurelez, who had been struck and killed by a vehicle, the release said.

Traffic detectives say Laurelez was walking south along Nogales Highway when he was struck by a vehicle going in the same direction.

About an hour later, Johnny Badilla, 50, arrived at the crash scene and told deputies he had hit a person or animal in this area, the release said.

Badilla had returned to the crash scene after going home immediately after the crash, the release said.

Deputies went to Badillas home and found a vehicle which had damage consistent with this collision, the release said.
Solving a Rubiks Cube is usually as far as most people get.

But for those gathered Saturday at the University of Arizona campus to compete in the 2023 AZ Speedcubing Summer, completing the popular mechanical puzzle within seconds is considered, well, just average.

Saturdays competition, an official event organized by the World Cube Association in conjunction with AZ Speedcubing, was the first in Tucson since December 2022. It drew 125 participants from five countries .

I really enjoy having that involvement in the cubing community, said Mia Sponseller, a 19-year-old incoming junior at the UA.

I just really love competing, and a big part of having a good competition is the delegates who help run the competition. [We] do a lot of the organizational work ahead of time and the day off to make sure the competition runs smoothly, said Sponseller, a junior delegate of the WCA and an organizer of Saturdays event.

Founded in 2004, the World Cube Association hosts twisty puzzle competitions across the world, a term often used by the WCA to describe mechanical puzzles that are operated by twisting groups of pieces.

The organization is volunteer led from top to bottom, with over 100,000 unique competitors from 140 countries having competed in events around the globe.

Those who reached the podiums at the end of the day Saturday were set to take home gift cards to SpeedCubeShop, the events sponsor.

But thats not what most participants are out for. The all want to be faster.

My friend brought his Rubiks Cube to school and showed me how to solve it and Ive just been kind of fascinated ever since, said Jameson Warner, 15, a first-time competitor. He told me about todays event and I thought, I should sign up for that. Id like to get a sub-10-second 2x2 time and a sub-30-second 3x3 time today.

The first, and most popular event of the day was the the 3x3x3 cube, in which all but two of the days competitors participated. For non-cubers, the 3x3x3 cube is most commonly known as the Rubiks Cube. Each event consists of two groups, red and blue, which competitors are placed in ahead of time. Each of the six events have at least two rounds and scoring is based on the times of puzzlers solves.

For example, the first round of the 3x3x3 event is based on an average of competitors five attempts, or Ao5 for short. The top 48 times from each group will advance to the second round, which from there only the top 12 from each group will advance to the final round.

These are not traditional head-to-head competitions, rather its based on the individual and how well they do.

Speedcubers will wait for their time to compete depending on their group. From there organizers will take their cubes, which participants provide themselves, and scramble them using a computer program.

Once a competitor is called to a table, they sit down in front of what is called a Stackmat, which is a timer that is used to start and stop the speedcubers attempt. The participant gets up to inspect the puzzle at first, before setting it down on the mat and resting their hands on two pads towards the front of the mat.

Once they lift their hands off the Stackmat, the timer begins, and is only stopped once they bring their hands back to their original position. Times are recorded by both the mat and the digital reader towards the front of the table, so both the participants and spectators can watch.

[I] built a Lego robot that would solve Rubiks Cubes and I learned how to solve it, too, said Matthias Braley, 16, also a first-time participant of speedcubing competitions. [My favorite] is the 3x3, its the one Ive practiced the most on.

My average is 18 seconds. The current world record on the 3X3 is held by Max Park with an official time of 3.13 seconds.

Other events throughout included for the 6x6x6 and 2x2x2 cubes, as well as three twisty puzzles with some very unique qualities.

The Megaminx is definitely my favorite, said Sponseller, who is ranked no. 103 in the nation with a best time of 46.52 seconds. Its very similar in the way that you build it and solve a 3x3x3, its just very daunting at first.

The Megaminx is a dodecahedron-shaped puzzle, meaning that is has 12 mult-colored sides. Due to its added dimensions, the Megaminx has a total of 50 arrangeable pieces, as opposed to the 20 movable pieces on a standard Rubiks Cube. Each star-shaped side represents a color, and the solved state of this puzzle is just like a Rubiks Cube.

Its a little dauting at first, because its a little hard to understand the concept of how to solve one, said Sponseller. Ultimately, its a lot more like a normal puzzle than a Rubiks Cube-type puzzle.

With the CubingUSA Nationals set for later this month in Pittsburgh, delegates Jake Roberts and Ivan Vanek will be getting some much-needed practice in the five and six events they each are competing in Saturday, respectively.

Upcoming WCA-sanctioned events in Arizona include Bring the Heat AZ 2023 in August, as well as Intents Cubing Grand Canyon 2023 in September.

Results of todays event were to be submitted to WCA Live, which you can find here.

Anyone can become a speedcuber, our community has a lot of diverse traits, said Sponseller. You just have to be determined enough to put that effort into solving a Rubiks Cube the first time. Its daunting to a lot of people, but once you learn the process and see the steps broken down it becomes a lot easier.

Photos: Speed cubing in the Arizona Speed Cubing Summer 2023 Arizona Speed Cubing Arizona Speed Cubing Arizona Speed Cubing Arizona Speed Cubing Arizona Speed Cubing Arizona Speed Cubing
At least 40 proposals that would make it easier or harder for developers and water users to prove the existence of an assured 100-year water supply confronts a state advisory committee representing a wide array of interests.

Some proposals would at least slightly open the doors to development in areas near Phoenix that were recently closed. The states action last month to limit new growth supported by groundwater there was accompanied by the release of a computer model report finding that the entire area faces a shortfall in groundwater supplies compared to demand over the next century.

Other proposals would tighten the reins on development based on groundwater use, out of concern the states new limits may not prove adequate.

While the proposals are in part a reaction to the Phoenix-area development issue, several sources said they could also affect the Tucson area and other urban areas that are covered by a 43-year-old state requirement for new subdivisions to show an assured 100-year water supply.

One proposal would allow development to occur on the use of groundwater if the developer can demonstrate that the project will have access to a renewable, non-groundwater supply in a fixed time. Another would change how the Arizona Department of Water Resources does its computer modeling in ways that could potentially show a less problematic outcome for new growth by indicating that future demand will be less than currently projected.

A third proposal would make it easier for developers and perhaps water providers to commingle renewable supplies such as Central Arizona Project water with groundwater before serving the water to customers.

But a proposal that would make it harder to prove an assured supply would reduce the maximum depth to which development could cause water tables to decline. Another would require all new industries and other businesses to prove that they have assured water supplies  a requirement now limited to subdivisions.

Another would require proof of assured water supplies for development anywhere in the state. This requirement now covers only five, mostly urban, state-run water active management areas. Still another proposal would require new subdivisions that use pumped groundwater to recharge renewable supplies into the same aquifer from which they pump.

The proposals come slightly more than a month after the Arizona Department of Water Resources released its report that the greater Phoenix area will have a nearly 5 million acre-foot-a-year deficit in groundwater supplies compared to demand over the next 100 years.

Because of that finding, ADWR stopped issuing certificates of assured water supplies for new developments that rely solely on groundwater. The decision will limit future homebuilding on the periphery of the Phoenix area, although not in Phoenix itself. ADWR has already issued similar curbs on homebuilding in much of Pinal County following a similar finding of inadequate groundwater supplies.

The proposals come from state agency officials, lobbying groups, legislators and individuals and groups representing developers, city water utilities and private water companies.

All of them sit on an Assured Supply Committee, whose members were chosen by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. Its purpose is to determine if changes are needed in the state law and rules governing assured supplies. The committee is supposed to make recommendations to a larger Water Policy Council, also created by the governor, by years end.

The members have a wide range of outlooks. At one end of the spectrum is state Rep. Gail Griffin, a Hereford Republican and a fervent advocate of private property rights who opposes regulations she sees as infringing on peoples right to live or start a business where they choose. More than once, Griffin has blocked legislative measures that would have tightened up or instituted various groundwater protections that she said would violate property rights, particularly in rural areas where no rules regulate pumping at all.

At the other end is Kathleen Ferris, an attorney, water researcher and former ADWR director who has crusaded for more than four decades with some success to try to ensure that new growth doesnt drain the states diminished aquifers.

Other members include state Tucson Democratic state Sen. Priya Sundareshan, officials of water user groups from the Tucson and Phoenix areas, officials of Tucson Water and the Phoenix Water Department, two Hobbs cabinet members, a private water company official, a Pinal County water agency, and representatives of two development interest groups. Top officials of the three-county Central Arizona Project and the Phoenix-based Salt River Project also sit on the committee.

While ADWR presented some of the proposals at meetings of the committee and a related subcommittee, none of the proposals has the endorsement of that agency or the governors office, said Christian Slater, Hobbs communications director.

The committees formal objective is to review and make recommendations for updates to state assured water supply policies to address challenges revealed by the modeling projections for the Phoenix area.

But as a matter of policy, ADWR likes all the (active management areas) to have the same policy, said Spencer Kamps, a committee member and a vice president and lobbyist for the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona. So this question has not been discussed by the water council as far as I know, and is unsettled, he said, referring to whether the committees work could apply to all active management areas, including Tucson.

Sarah Porter, director of Arizona State Universitys Kyl Center for Water Policy, sees clear, possible implications in these proposals for other urban areas, including Tucson.

Everybody understands that Pinal County is under the same limit as Phoenix. Its also a place with a lot of pressure for more growth, said Porter, who isnt a committee member. As (ADWR Director) Tom Buschatzke has said, we have been allocating groundwater for 40 years in these areas, and pretty soon, unmet demand for it will daylight in all of them.

Who gets to decide?

The potential for controversy over the assured water supply issue springs first from the very principles that the state water agency is espousing for how changes to the law and rules should be considered.

ADWR has said proposals:

Must protect the strength and integrity of the Assured Water Supply program.

Should enable future growth without reliance on mined groundwater.

May not reduce the 100-year requirement or increase the depth to which groundwater may be pumped.

Must ensure there is water before growth.

Must protect consumers.

In a July 7 letter to Buschatzke, however, legislator Griffin strongly objected to the ADWRs having made these principles preconditions for any proposal to be formally considered.

The principles create a clear, anchoring bias that favors one viewpoint over others and precludes the committee from considering other, potentially new and innovative ideas if they do not go along with preconceived notions, said Griffin, who chairs the House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee.

As a state lawmaker and elected representative for over 15 years, I understand that successful adoption of complex policies is rarely accomplished through the unilateral demarcation of terms, but rather through the collaborative process where shared values and principles can be developed organically from the people, Griffin wrote.

Where did these principles come from? Who developed them? And why werent they brought to our attention before their adoption? Griffin wrote. Who gets to decide which proposals are consistent with the purported principles? Is it the Director of ADWR; and if so, then why is it not the collective members of the (Assured Water Supply) Committee?

One principle she felt should have been on ADWRs list is that groundwater savings and other benefits to the assured water program should be achieved through voluntary efforts rather than government mandates. Voluntary conservation by commercial and industrial development will be key to reducing the amount of unmet groundwater demand, she wrote.

Most importantly, I believe in the protection of private property rights and individual liberty, and that the right to be self-reliant, live off the land, and build a home or start a business in the location of ones choosing  free from government interferenceshould not be infringed. This has been a guiding principle for most of my years in public service, and I believe that the committee should not be allowed to consider any proposal that would interfere with these rights, she wrote.

For Ferris, however, ADWRs principles are bottom-line, core concepts  guiding stars  that must be adhered to in changing any law or rule. She has opposed for years any state law or rule changes that she felt would accelerate the mining of groundwater by pumping out more than is replenished by rainfall and through artificial recharge efforts.

Her concern  shared by many professional hydrologists  is that overpumping will trigger land subsidence, raise pumping costs and worsen the groundwaters quality.

Ferris declined last week to take a stand on the latest set of proposals, saying she needed to review them further. But she vowed to fight any proposal that will allow additional development that relies on the use of groundwater.

ADWRs principles are just common sense, said Ferris, a researcher for ASUs Kyl Center and a former director and legal counsel for the Phoenix-based Arizona Municipal Water Users Association.

ADWRs models predict that groundwater in storage in the Phoenix Active Management Area will decline substantially over the next 100 years  and with CAP cuts and climate change, the decline will be even worse. We cannot keep relying on mined groundwater as a source of water for growth if our state is to maintain our economies, our beautiful environment and our envied way of life, she said.

Despite these and other clear differences of views among committee members, ASUs Porter said she sees potential avenues for compromise.

I have talked to people who are interested in seeing some ways of allowing some development beyond whats already permitted, by certificates of assured supplies for new developments, said Porter, who declined to identify them. But they understand in order to get there, the assured water supply program needs to be strengthened.

The recent limit on new development in the Phoenix area, along with the creation last year of a new Active Management Area in the Douglas area and state restrictions on new farming in northwest Arizona, are all winds of change that may lead people now to find solutions that involve give and take, and I really mean that, said Porter.

Potentially controversial examples

Some of the most sweeping and potentially controversial proposals before the committee are:

1. COMMINGLING. One that would make it easier for developers and possibly water utilities to commingle renewable supplies such as CAP water with non-renewable groundwater to be served to homes and businesses. The current state rule requires a water provider or developer to show that the groundwater supply is adequate even though they intend to bring in a renewable supply. This is to protect homeowners from facing the risks of groundwater shortages, the agency says.

The proposal would require a developer who brings in an alternative water supply to secure a separate, equivalent amount of renewable water to give to the water provider. This step is supposed to create an incentive to bring in renewable supplies.

In a separate proposal, committee member Doug Dunham, an executive with private water company Epcor, called for allowing a water provider to bring in the renewable supply along with the developer and spelled out that use of treated sewage effluent would be allowed.

2. INFRASTRUCTURE. Typically, state rules dont allow developers to use groundwater for their projects on the basis that they will bring in renewable supplies in the future. ADWR is floating a proposal to allow that if a developer provides milestones for completion of pipes and other infrastructure for such a project and agrees that the projects assured supply certificate would expire if the milestones arent met.

The developer would also have to post a performance bond to ensure that money for the infrastructure would be available and show that he has permits for construction of the project.

Dunham proposed to allow an interim water supply  which he doesnt identify  to be used if appropriate supplies and infrastructure are available within 20 years.

3. COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. Stores, malls and industrial plants arent covered by assured water supply rules unless theyre part of a legal subdivision. But several committee members want to look at possibly placing them under the rules because otherwise, their pumping can contribute to groundwater overdraft.

Ferris and Sundareshan want the committee to either recommend or consider recommending putting such projects into the Assured Water Supply program. That would require them to prove, as homebuilders now have to prove, that they have an assured, 100-year supply.

Epcors Dunham would approach the issue differently. He would require that a business developer show that the projects water demand will not negatively impact existing water uses that have already met the assured supply rules. A new industrial user would have to make 50% of its groundwater demand consistent with the urban areas management goal for groundwater supplies.

4. WATER LEVEL DECLINES, REPLENISHMENT RULES. Today, developments can draw down aquifers by 1,000 feet and comply with the state rules in the Tucson and Phoenix areas and by 1,100 feet in most of Pinal County. Ferris proposes to reduce that to 800 feet deep, to reduce long-term risks of the aquifer suffering from subsidence, in which it compacts and ultimately collapses. Such a restriction would make it harder to prove a development has an assured supply and would undoubtedly draw strong opposition.

Ferris and Sundareshan also want to require developers who build new subdivisions relying on pumped groundwater to replenish the aquifer in the same areas where the pumping occurs with renewable supplies. Today, theres no requirement as to where the recharge of CAP water from the Colorado River and other renewable supplies can occur other than it must happen within the same Active Management Area where the developments groundwater is pumped.

Critics of the current practice say it triggers local depletion of aquifers. Supporters of it say the overall groundwater basin remains sustainable because of the recharge.

5. DEVELOPMENT FEES. Dunham and Cheryl Lombard, president and CEO of a Phoenix-based development group, advocated for charging development fees on new projects to help pay for new water supplies and for other ways to reduce the amount of demand for groundwater thats not met by existing supplies.

The fees could pay for new water supplies and support agricultural conservation programs to improve farms water use efficiency. It could also pay for water users to connect their systems to other systems whose water supplies are less problematic.

6. NON-REGULATORY TOOLS. Griffins letter to ADWR essentially spoke out against the departments recent limits on Phoenix-area subdividing. All new businesses and people to the state should be welcome, she said, whether they choose to locate inside areas served by utilities with assured supply designations  which werent affected by the ADWR limits  or outside them in areas where growth has now been curbed.

I also believe that no proposal should be allowed to shut down our states economy or preclude growth outside of designated providers if the growth can demonstrate minimal impact to the groundwater table, she wrote. The use of effluent and the replenishment of aquifers should be considered in future groundwater studies, Griffin said. Water providers with designations or certificates should be able to submit data showing their customers are using less water, she added.

For the most part, she advocated voluntary conservation measures and incentives rather than mandates. The state should encourage development that doesnt affect groundwater tables and set up a committee to establish best management practices for commercial and industrial businesses, she wrote. If water providers with state-approved certificates or designations of assured supply see reduced water demand, the ADWR should allow them to take credit for that in its groundwater models, she said.

She did endorse requirements for developers of build to rent housing, which is now exempt from the assured supply rules, to replenish aquifers with renewable supplies and for commercial and industrial projects to reuse their wastewater at their sites, however.

7. FARMS TO HOMES. Since farms typically use far more water than homes and businesses, proposals to encourage the replacement of farms with subdivisions drew support from unlikely allies: Ferris, Epcors Dunham and homebuilder lobbyist Kamps. Dunham suggested creating a hybrid assured supply water designation for lands lying within irrigation districts. Ferris advocated a more sophisticated mechanism, unspecified, to channel urban growth toward farmlands.
First came the tremor in Pinal County.

In 2019, state water officials found that, looking out over 100 years, there will be a shortfall of available groundwater for new developments dependent on it.

Then came the earthquake in the Phoenix area. On June 1, the Arizona Department of Water Resources announced, similarly, that their model shows large unmet demand for water in the Phoenix area, forcing limits on groundwater-based development in outlying areas.

Tucson could be the aftershock. In the next year or two, the state is expected to complete a similar model of groundwater in the Tucson Active Management Area. Will the model show well also have unmet demand for water over the next century?

As it turns out, probably not.

Signs are that Tucson will find itself in a different position than Pinal County or the Phoenix Active Management Area, because of differences in our local history, culture and economy.

While that may provoke a sigh of relief, its not really good news. As the earthquake in Phoenix shakes out, we can see we may need the leverage of a projected shortfall to achieve the conservation we really need in the long run.

Now, the Tucson area has been a leader in conservation. Thats one of the reasons a variety of experts told me that the active management area here is unlikely to be found in shortfall.

Tucson has always been a different sort of community  a desert city that understood conservation and living within our means and embracing the desert city concept, said Val Little, founder of the Water Conservation Alliance of Southern Arizona.

That ethic goes back at least to the 1970s, when Tucson Water first started charging block rates  higher prices for greater levels of consumption. Thats also when Pete the Beak, the Tucson Water mascot, appeared and encouraged people to conserve water, with success.

We were early and enthusiastic adopters of xeriscape, water harvesting, and low-flow appliances. Even as population rose in Tucson, water use declined.

Water outlook likely sufficient

Beyond conservation, another reason well likely be found to have sufficient water is that for more than two decades weve been banking Colorado River water funneled here by the Central Arizona Project.

The relative demand compared to relative supply puts us in a better place, said Kathy Jacobs, director of the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions at the University of Arizona. It isnt just happenstance. Its because we have a very large CAP allocation.

Then theres the fact we have little agricultural land compared to the Phoenix area and especially compared to Pinal County.

Overall, the outlook for the Tucson area leaves David Godlewski, president of the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association, pretty confident.

We shouldnt be in the same position (as Phoenix) because we have taken better care of our water resources, he said. We are optimistic that as a region were in a much better position that well be able to grow and conserve water at the same time.

They are all probably right about the outcome of the Arizona Department of Water Resources study. Tucson is the only active management area of the five in Arizona that has actually achieved safe yield in recent years  a balance between water inflows and outflows.

But if were not careful, that success could ultimately harm conservation efforts in the long run.

Demand and supply big factors

Consider the reaction of Godlewskis colleagues in the Phoenix area, the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, to the shortfall announcement there, plus a couple of other key factors.

As my colleague Tony Davis reported, the vice president of that association, Spencer Kamps, pushed back hard against the models finding at the first meeting of the governors Assured Water Supply Committee on June 27.

When you are in the process of selling homes to customers, and then this home will be shut down, the impacts will be substantial, Kamps complained. People will lose money. And the demand for housing is not going away.

In fact, the director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Tom Buschatzke, was already showing that his departments findings might not be so firm as previously thought.

He announced two alternative ways far-flung developments that should be shut down under his departments finding might actually be able to get the water certificates they need. Buschatzke also expressed openness to tinkering with the model that made the massive shortfall finding.

In other words, the water models findings, which seemed inflexible when announced, actually became flexible when powerful economic forces applied pressure.

And thats dangerous, because the model doesnt even take into account one key factor: Likely cuts to the supply of Colorado River water.

In other words, Tucsons active management area could be found to have a sufficient supply for groundwater-dependent housing developments. But then the CAP supply that helps justify that finding could be slashed by as much as half as the warming climate dries up the river.

In addition, rules allowing water to be pumped in one area and recharged in another area mean that deep holes in the water table can develop even under permitted conditions. Fissures and land subsidence can result.

Leverage for conservation

A 2022 report by the Bureau of Reclamation, University of Arizona and other institutions found that the Tucson area has four high-risk areas due to population growth and groundwater decline:

The area north of Oro Valley from Catalina to Saddlebrooke

A portion of the Tanque Verde valley not far from Sabino Canyon

The far southeast side of Tucson

The Green Valley area

A benefit of a shortfall finding would be that it would incentivize further infill development. That saves outlying land from sprawl and is more environmentally beneficial in terms of water and energy use, among other factors.

Kathleen Ferris, an author of the states 1980 groundwater law and member of the assured water-supply committee, said theres a risk of postponing the inevitable.

The more growth on groundwater that occurs, the more likely the model will eventually show unmet demand, she said.

Even if the state finds a sufficient 100-year supply, she said, that doesnt mean the pumping and use of that groundwater is sustainable.

It isnt, clearly, especially in a warming climate with population growth and a declining Colorado River.

We need tools to deal with this reality. And, it turns out, a model that shows we dont have a sufficient groundwater supply for 100 years of growth is just that  not a dictate but a tool. The Phoenix experience shows that.

A model finding a shortfall for the Tucson area could offer the needed leverage to force the conservation measures well eventually need.
Late Friday, a judge turned down a bid by Republican Abe Hamadeh for a new trial to contest his loss in the 2022 election for Arizona attorney general.

But it will not be until Monday that Hamadeh  and his successful foe, Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes  find out exactly why the judge ruled he didnt present enough evidence to get a new trial.

Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen wrote that he has been working on a minute entry, a type of court order, and hoped to have it done prior to Friday afternoon.

But a weekend fire in the courts home and some emergencies added to my calendar have prevented completion of that minute entry, the judge wrote.

Havent proven your case

The order comes more than five months after Jantzen threw out Hamadehs original challenge of the election results.

The bottom line is, you just havent proven your case, the judge said in December after a half-day trial. There isnt enough information  I dont think even slight information  the election was done illegally or incorrectly.

Hamadeh, in seeking a new trial, said problems unearthed in the legally mandated recount of ballots pointed up the kinds of things that can go wrong in an election. Those specifically included findings in Pinal County that 507 ballots were not counted the first time around, after the initial election results were reported and certified.

While correcting that error closed the margin of victory for Mayes to just 280 votes, that wasnt enough to set aside the election results.

But attorneys for Hamadeh, the Republican National Committee and two voters argued that Jantzen, who limited their ballot inspections ahead of the first trial, should reopen the case and allow them to examine more.

Jantzen said he took their arguments seriously.

This is a close call in a closely contested election, the judge wrote in his Friday order. But he said he could not conclude a new trial was appropriate after considering the evidence presented as well as state law and the Arizona Constitution.

Appeal planned

In a prepared statement, Hamadeh said he cant comment on the ruling until he can see the judges reasoning.

However, we believe the situation is very simple: The contest was not as close as it stands now, he said. If all legal votes are counted, I win this race for attorney general.

He vowed to take his case to the Arizona Supreme Court.

The nature of that appeal will come down to where Jantzen said Hamadehs legal arguments fell short  and why Hamadeh thinks that allowing his lawyers to examine more ballots will change the outcome.

In ruling against him in December, Jantzen said he had to decide the case based on the examination of 2,300 ballots in three counties by representatives of both Mayes and Hamadeh. That was because of limited time constraints in election contests.

But after the findings of the uncounted Pinal County votes, Hamadehs lawyers argued the case should be reopened.

Contestants simply ask that we be given the opportunity to apply the Pinal County process across the board to conduct a physical inspection and hand count of ballots that  if the Pinal County issue repeats itself anywhere else in the state  could be outcome determinative in this election, they told Jantzen.

Unseating an incumbent

They even argued that it works in their favor that Mayes already took office.

The earlier legal contest was governed by rules that require election lawsuits to be filed and completed within a certain number of days. Those rules are no longer a factor, they said.

There is a precedent for unseating an incumbent. That occurred in the 1916 race for governor between incumbent Democrat George W.P. Hunt and Republican challenger Thomas E. Campbell.

Campbell was sworn in after the returns gave him a 30-vote edge. But Hunt refused to leave office while challenging the results, though Campbell did serve as de facto governor in the interim. Ultimately the Arizona Supreme Court, after looking at questions of how people had marked their ballots, installed Hunt in office in late 1917.

Hamadeh has another argument of why he thinks he is entitled to a new trial.

He said that then-Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, who also was named as a defendant in the legal challenge, knew by Dec. 21  before the original trial  that the recount had showed discrepancies with the official vote total. But that information, which they contend might have convinced Jantzen to allow inspection of more ballots, was not released to Hamadeh and the public for another eight days, after the trial.
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

Every July 4, the small mountain town of Ouray, Colorado holds the quintessential Old Time Independence Day celebration. The town of 700 grows to thousands as they enjoy parades, barbecues, games, waterfights, and fireworks. There are flags, dogs, horses, fire trucks, and jets flying over the valley. A magical feeling of pride and well-being pervades, with no hint of dissension. It is patriotism and true unity exemplified.

What is patriotism? It can be defined as pride in ones country, and an appreciation of the benefits and freedoms inherent in that. Pride is used in most descriptions of the word, and in examples of it. Ultimately, it can be everyone striving together for the common good. It has sometimes taken adverse circumstances for people to unify. The Great Depression and World War II are examples. We were all in it together. Those who lived through World War II are sometimes known as the Greatest Generation, many of whom reflected on that time with fond remembrance, in spite of the difficulties.

There is true, universal patriotism, but that is rare. Divisive factors like greed, seeking power and dominance arise, resulting in tribalism and territoriality. It is built in to all of us to some degree. Dominance and dishonesty can interfere with the ideal. Winning at all costs is a value for some. Attacking those who are different is common, resulting in bigotry, xenophobia and mistrust. Those qualities are not considered when we think of patriotism.

We have the false patriots who believe that by wrapping themselves in the flag, they are somehow superior by virtue of that alone. Standing on a corner while waving a flag while spewing anger is not unifying. Their idea of patriotism may be that of the John Wayne/George Patton power and superiority. Our country, love it or leave it, they may say, while engaging in less than honorable behavior themselves at other times.

Extreme patriotism may lead to nationalism, or a belief that our country is superior to all others, and that they are a threat to us. It only encourages anger and fear, the most destructive emotions, which could ultimately lead to war. As long as those views are held, there will never be world peace. There is some chance of that, however, if we aspire to such qualities as compassion, kindness, generosity and honesty.

Perhaps the true American Way is how we can be unified in a common purpose. In that way, patriotism could reach a higher level to everyones benefit. That may allow us to feel the way those people in Ouray, Colorado will feel this July 4. Sometime in the future, go see it for yourself. It is unforgettable.
Border shipping containers





Re: the June 21 article Container wall leaves runaway costs behind.

The Arizona Daily Star ran a headline story about the shipping containers placed at the border in Yuma. It was not written by Star reporters, but from college student journalists in training. Yes there were over expenditures, rushed decision-making, no-bid contracts and so on. I do not believe any of this would have occurred if President Joe Biden had secured the border at Yuma and elsewhere in Arizona. He did not and still has not. Texas has also placed shipping containers on their border. The border wall gap at Yuma, where hundreds of thousands of people have illegally crossed, is still open.

The Biden administration, under pressure from Sen. Mark Kelly, reluctantly gave approval to erect more wall there. It has been almost a year since that decision was announced and people are still illegally crossing at Yuma. In my opinion, the blame for all this lies solely on President Biden, who stopped construction of the wall and rescinded most of Trumps border policies that resulted in massive illegal immigration.

Rory Smith

Marana

Climate change

In the event of the last two days (submitted July 6) of consecutive record-setting global temperatures, I wonder what rock all the climate change deniers are going to hide under. Even though science has been forecasting these events (even under-forcasting them, as it turns out) for years, the deniers have been screaming hoax or claiming some naturally occurring phenomenon. Though their pronouncements have proven false, they were at least partially effective in delaying the important measures that could have helped mitigate the extraordinary temperature increases we are suffering through. Do you suppose they might have a change of mind and start supporting mitigation? Dont hold your breath.

Jack Evert

Oro Valley

Five reasons 

Re: the July 9 letter Solutions needed.

The letter writer asks for solutions to the issue of racial disparity in crime while not accepting the possibility of systematic racism. He offers no reasons other than Blacks commit more crime. He proposes no solutions to this issue.

1. From 1526 to 1865 Black Americans were enslaved and largely uneducated. Their families were tenuous at best, therefore they could not create or accumulate wealth. 2. After 1877, southern states put in place laws that prohibited Blacks from economic success and political participation. 3. During the 20th century, cities created rules both written and de facto that limited and in some cases took the wealth of Blacks (properties condemned for freeways). 4. Studies clearly demonstrate poverty is largely a predictor of criminal activity. 5. Blacks are much more likely to be arrested and convicted of the same crimes as whites (crack cocaine vs. powder cocaine).

Solution: Balance economic and educational opportunities for minority Americans in line with white Americans.

Kalvin Smith

Midtown

Trumps an anarchist

Donald Trump claims he will never take away our rights. Every day we hear how he has been treated so unfairly. His latest statements are just a bridge too far. He spent his first term taking away our rights, and now he will never take away our rights if you vote as patriots. Numerous examples of rights being taken away in the last few years are too numerous to mention here.

Trump really is an anarchist, he will run things his way and never ask for or take advice from anyone, let alone apologize. He will not get my vote. Every voter who could support him needs to wake up and come to the party. One day we all could wake up and have a dictator for a leader. Hitler was elected. Other examples of this are evident all around the world. The GOP should not support the anarchist.

If someone tells you who he is or that I alone can fix it, believe them. All voters have been warned.

Fran Gordon

Green Valley

Cocaine in the White House

Initially, I found it quite concerning that cocaine was recently found in the west wing of the White House. Hopefully, the current administration is not involved. Possibly the former could be suspect? Does it really matter? Instead of playing the blame game, let us remember the misguided words of Nancy Reagans famous catchphrase, Just Say No. Ironically, we now have hypocritical political figures who say no to human rights and decency while high on their horses.

Timothy OConnor

West side

Horne on TV

Now Tom Horne is doing television ads to promote Empowerment vouchers while the Supreme Court has ruled against college debt forgiveness. So its OK for the state of Arizona to pay for a private school education for our most wealthy residents, but it isnt OK for the federal government to pay for college debt? Either way, the government pays the bill.

Im not for either one, but again, the poor people are discriminated against. I know anyone can get one, but we all know who is using them the most.

Tom Horne says in his commercial that if you are not happy with your schools performance, you should get the Empowerment voucher. I have a different solution. Tom Horne, DO YOUR JOB! If the school is underperforming, get in there and fix it! Im tired of paying government salaries for people who cant, or wont do their job.

This has gone on long enough. Gov. Katie Hobbs, get a backbone and get rid of the voucher program.

Teresa Mackey

Northeast side

Wagner and Blackwater

Americans have watched with fascination as the recent drama played out between the Russian government/military and the Wagner Group headed by Mr. Prigozhin. Perhaps this conflict was inevitable given the authority and power conferred on Wagner to carry out military operations on behalf of but independent of the Russian military.

It brings to mind the private contractor, Blackwater, to which the U.S. military outsourced a number of military functions during the Iraq war. Blackwater, too, was paid billions of dollars and allowed considerable independence from the usual military chain of command. Both situations resulted in an over dependence on the contractors by the military, friction with the uniformed services and reported abusive practices against civilian non-combatants. Furthermore, the use of contractors in both cases likely enabled the governments involved to engage in military commitments that may not have otherwise been politically possible.

John Leonardo

Downtown

LD17 deserves better

I suspected our representatives from Legislative District 17 would be lame, but I underestimated their lack of awareness. Sen. Justine Wadsack and Rep. Rachel Jones recently posed holding assault rifles like they were models for the cover of Gun Fetish Monthly. Ironic that the weapons they brandish are allowed in schools and churches, but NOT the building where they work. Such bravery!

More irony from Rep. Cory McGarr, who started whining about his personal finances moments after he was sworn in. Did he not know what the job paid? His solution was a bill that would force employers like his to hold his job open while he is session. Someones going to have to pay for that, but maybe raising taxes is OK if it benefits you personally.

LD 17 is poorly served by these three. Weapons of mass destruction are ubiquitous in Arizona, putting us all at risk and, of course, serving as deadly props for vapid politicians who think they are insurrectionists.

Jim Lombardo
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.
HAMTRAMCK, Mich. (AP)  Two members of a Detroit-area human relations commission have been removed for raising a LGBTQ+ flag on a publicly owned flagpole that city officials said violated a recently passed resolution.

Commission Chair Russ Gordon and member Catrina Stackpoole were terminated Tuesday following a unanimous vote by the Hamtramck City Council, which the commission falls under.

The city's police department is looking into whether any laws were broken, City Manager Max Garbarino told The Detroit News.

Resolutions dont carry criminal penalties," Garbarino said. But theyre looking at the entire situation.

The Associated Press left a voicemail Friday seeking comment from Stackpoole. The AP was unable Friday to leave a message for Gordon.

The LGBTQ+ flag was raised Sunday on a city flagpole during a rally. Someone took the flag down about two hours later.

Hamtramck's City Council banned LGBTQ+ flags last month from publicly owned flagpoles. The action led to protests and raised questions about discrimination, religion and the citys reputation for welcoming newcomers.

Some members of the all-Muslim city council said the pride flag clashes with the beliefs of some members of their faith. Businesses and residents arent prohibited from displaying a pride flag on their own property.

Mayor Amer Ghalib has said the resolution was intended to bring neutrality to city property without promoting sexuality, racism, religion or politics.

Hamtramck, population 27,000, is surrounded by Detroit. More than 40% of residents were born in other countries, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and a significant share are of Yemeni or Bangladeshi descent.

The council voted in June to unanimously to display only five flags, including the American flag, the Michigan flag and one that represents the native countries of immigrant residents.
Whether modeling good dad behavior in his interactions with his young son or modeling good firefighter behavior for the Sand Springs Fire Departments new hires, Jared Rhodes always seemed focused on helping others advance another rung or two on the ladder of life, his colleagues said.

He was a really, really good firefighter and kind of a mans man, Fire Chief Jeremy Wade said Thursday, two days after Rhodes, 33, died unexpectedly.

I tend to say that the best firefighters often have a Type A personality, and he had that, but he was kind of a hybrid, because he also had this great big huge heart.

Funeral services for Rhodes are planned for 11 a.m. Monday at Woodlake Church, 10444 S. Mingo Road in Tulsa, under the direction of Hayhurst Funeral Home of Broken Arrow. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Rest Haven Cemetery, 1609 W. 103rd St. North in Sperry.

A visitation is planned from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home at 1660 S. Elm Place in Broken Arrow.

Wade said Rhodes  who had worked for the Fire Department for 10 years and held the rank of driver  grew up in the Sperry and Skiatook areas and lived in Collinsville at the time of his death.

But for one day out of every three, he lived and worked at Fire Station No. 1 at the Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center, where he drove Ladder 1 for the C platoon.

Wade said Rhodes devotion to his family was of a depth not commonly seen.

He was kind of a poster child for all of us, especially in how he interacted with his son, Mason, the chief said, adding that Rhodes loved to play catch with the preschooler.

His family was saying today how he would literally play for hours with his son until his son finally tired out, Wade said. Thats pretty cool.

But he said Rhodes was also devoted to his other family  his brothers and sisters in the fire service.

Around the station, he was always a good mentor to new hires. He took it very seriously and taught them how to be good relief drivers and how to be good firefighters, Wade said. He was big into the old-school tradition of teaching them station chores  the little things that go a long way.

Rhodes also was a practical joker who liked to dish it out but also received it very well, he said. It was always a two-way street with him.

Wade said Rhodes liked to use fun movie quotes and had impeccable timing and delivery, landing punchlines as adeptly as he maneuvered a fire truck.

It was that sort of fun, family-like environment into which Wade and Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Wayman had to deliver the news of Rhodes death Tuesday evening.

Although Rhodes own platoon was on duty Tuesday, he had taken 12 hours of vacation and was supposed to report back at 8 p.m. for the second half of the 24-hour shift. Instead, his fellow platoon members learned that hed never return.

But the fire station still goes on. The tone still drops, Wade said. We didnt want his shift to hear the news and then get a call two minutes later.

Thats when the Tulsa, Sapulpa and Berryhill fire departments showed up to stand in the gap.

Until 8 a.m., when the next shift arrived, the three neighboring fire departments covered all calls for Sand Springs two fire stations so the firefighters who knew Rhodes best could grieve without distraction.

The same fire departments will cover the city beginning early Monday so that all members of the Sand Springs Fire Department are able to attend services for Rhodes.

Wade said the fire departments stepping in was the first but far from the only such show of love and compassion he and his department have experienced amid the tragedy.

The outreach from other departments has been overwhelming in a good way, he said. People use the terms brotherhood and sisterhood, and they use it kind of loosely, but I cant reiterate enough that it truly is that.

For their part, Rhodes fire service brethren are making sure that no step of his final journey is taken alone. From the moment his body arrived at the state Medical Examiners Office in Tulsa  where the Sand Springs Fire Department was already waiting for him  he has not been alone, Wade said.

A two-person honor guard has stood watch with him around the clock and will do so until he is laid to rest. Firefighters from other area departments have served some of those shifts, too.

And lastly, when Rhodes is transported at 9 a.m. Monday from the funeral home to the church for his service, he will be escorted by a procession of vehicles from Sand Springs Fire and Police departments.

Not forgotten in the tragedy are the care and concern for other members of the department, Wade said.

First Responder Support Services, an agency whose sole mission in life is to help first responders, Wade said, has been on scene, bringing firefighters and police officers from other departments to offer peer support.

These are all firefighters and police officers, Wayman said Thursday. Were part of the program, too, but obviously we dont want our guys being peer support right now. They need peer support.

So theres basically four firefighters coming by every day drinking coffee and hanging out, personnel from area departments including Broken Arrow and Tulsa, he said. Right now its not the therapists. Its just firefighters who are trained to handle critical incidents.

Rhodes is survived by his wife, Kimberleigh Rhodes; one son, Mason Rhodes; his parents, Lori and Kevin Rhodes; three sisters and their husbands, Rachael and Kendall Hatley, Jill and Kyle Revard and Stephanie and Dru Harness; his grandmother Peggy Neece; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as his devoted brothers and sisters of the Sand Springs Fire Department.

He is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Buel Neece, Jack Rhodes and Claude Miller; and his grandmother Geraldine Miller.

Donations may be made to the Jared Rhodes Memorial Fund for the care of his son. Checks can be mailed to the fund at 10444 S. Mingo Road, Tulsa, OK 74133.
Eight years ago, on July 15, 2015, President Barack Obama visited Durant High School.

The visit was to announce his administration's effort to bring greater internet access to schools and homes outside metropolitan areas.

Obama introduced Connect Home, a program that works through internet providers and other private businesses to bring free or subsidized high-speed internet service to low-income households in 27 communities nationally and the Choctaw Nation.

The next day, on July 16, 2015, Obama visited the federal prison in El Reno where he again spoke out against harsh mandatory minimum sentencing for non-violent offenders.

See photos from his visit here:
Defense bill: Oklahomas five U.S. representatives were pleased with the Republican-led National Defense Authorization Act that passed the House on Friday morning.

Conservatives have a lot to be happy with in this NDAA, said 1st District Congressman Kevin Hern.

The Republican Study Committee, which Hern chairs, successfully put through 24 amendments. They dealt with policy related to the Middle East, China, Russia and South America.

We need our troops to be lethal and truly prepared for war, instead of being pawns in Joe Bidens culture wars, said 2nd District Congressman Josh Brecheen.

The National Defense Authorization Act bolsters military preparedness and provides needed assistance to military families, all while reining in wasteful spending, said 3rd District Congressman Frank Lucas, who represents the Altus and Vance Air Force bases. The NDAA delivers on our commitment to counter Chinas malign influence and increase service member pay.

Fourth District Congressman Tom Cole, whose District includes Tinker Air Force Base and Fort Sill, said the bill would save taxpayers $40 billion without compromising our national security.  It would also deliver the largest pay raise for our service members in 20 years, provide for measures to counter aggression from the Chinese Communist Party and other threats, increase oversight of military aid and invest in military families.

The NDAA allows our military to keep pace with growing threats across the globe, especially from China, said 5th District Congresswoman Stephanie Bice, whose district adjoins Tinker Air Force Base.

Critically, this legislation builds a stronger and more capable missile defense, rejects the Administrations efforts to reduce the size of the Navy, (and) protects U.S. military bases, critical infrastructure, and academic research from Chinese encroachment and espionage.

Hot and dry: Last week U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin went on Fox News Digital to tout federal aid for farmers and ranchers amid record drought.

Just about six weeks ago, we had drier conditions than we did, actually, during the Dust Bowl, Mullin said. When I was (in western Oklahoma), we actually had severe dust storms, stuff that I hadnt even experienced.

Mullin noted that improved farming techniques have so far prevented the same sort of environmental disaster as occurred on the Southern Plains ninety years ago.

Our agricultural practices are much different, and otherwise, wed be having the same topsoil being stripped off and being blown across the United States.

Mullin said hes sold about 80% of the cattle on his Adair County ranch and that hay yields are about 25% of normal.

Its affected us really hard, which is going to affect cattle prices, which is going to affect our plate prices, too, Mullin said.

He appeared with Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt on the program. Neither mentioned the possibility of manmade climate change contributing to the drought.

No surprises: One of Will Rogers most famous lines was All I know is what I read in the papers. U.S. Sen. James Lankford says that should not be the case for members of the Intelligence Committee.

We would have a hearing. In a closed-door setting we would go through all the different issues, and then within 24 hours, something would be in the New York Times that was not discussed with us, that was clearly known,  and it was like, I would have told you if you would have asked me directly, Lankford told two nominees for key intelligence positions while making it clear that he wanted such information coming from them instead of from reporters.

Foreign affairs: Lankford told Newsmax he agrees with President Joe Biden on Ukraine and NATO but not much else.

Countries do not join NATO when they are actively involved in a war, Lankford said. That is a basic standard.

Lankford said Ukraine wasnt prepared for NATO membership before its war with Russia began and still isnt.

(They) didnt have the right kind of government; they didnt have the right kind of oversight; they didnt have the right kind of structure for ending corruption, he said. All of those things were not in existence before, which is why they couldnt join before, and they certainly cant join during a hot, active war.

Lankford went along with the Wake Up, America hosts assertion that Bidens use of notes at a NATO conference in Lithuania was embarrassing but said a garbled line during his speech there was normal for the president.

I am sorry to say that at times President Biden having an odd interaction with a foreign leader is kind of like a dog bites man kind of story, Lankford said. We just expect it at this point, and it doesnt even make news anymore.

Thats the difficulty and the challenge we have right now with President Biden traveling around the world trying to establish relationships. I cant find a good foreign policy moment that the president has had.

But while Republicans delight in the 80-year-old Bidens fumbles, their own 2024 frontrunner, 77-year-old Donald Trump, is stumbling through some speeches of his own.

In Iowa recently, Trump recently promised to keep communists and markers out of the country. In an April interview, he called the brilliant Xi Jinping of China, the really smart Kim Jong Un of North Korea and the very smart Vladimir Putin of Russia front-line people.

Voting rights: Bice was in Georgia to promote legislation she is part of that is billed as an election security measure but that opponents say would make voting more difficult in many jurisdictions while further undermining campaign financial disclosure laws.

Cannabis: Despite the backing of Chairman Tom Cole, a House subcommittee rejected legislation that would have instructed the federal government to look at states regulation of cannabis.

Citing Oklahomas problems implementing medical marijuana, Cole said the amendment was really important in a very thoughtful, helpful kind of way because this is here whether we like it or not. And understanding the appropriate way to regulate it and how to deal with it and educate the public about it is a very valuable contribution.

Say cheese: Lankford wants to add a new job description, image adjudicator, to the Customs and Border Protection workforce.

The name might suggest something in the public relations realm, but the new hires would actually be skilled in analyzing cargo scans for signs of contraband.

Dots and dashes: Hern was among Republicans threatening to zero out Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas salary in the next federal budget.  Cole said House Republicans are off to a great start in their first six months in the majority.  Lankford wanted to know why federal retirees are in some cases waiting more than a year for responses to their questions.  Second District Congressman Josh Brecheen wants to revoke Medicaid eligibility for DACA recipients  people who were brought to the United States illegally as children and have been allowed to stay, albeit in a state of limbo.

The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today.




Vietnam is ready to deepen the comprehensive partnership with the U.S. on the basis of mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political regimes, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son told his American counterpart Antony Blinken on Thursday.

Minister Son made this statement during a meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State on the sidelines of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and relevant meetings in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The two top diplomats expressed their contentment toward the increasingly positive outcomes of the Vietnam-U.S. cooperation relationship and underlined the importance attached by the leadership of the two countries to their comprehensive partnership.

Vietnam is willing to work with the U.S. to upgrade their bilateral ties at a proper time, Minister Son remarked.

The top U.S. diplomat spoke highly of the outcomes of the phone talks between Vietnams Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong and U.S. President Joe Biden in late March this year.

He agreed to join hands with Vietnam to implement the outcomes of the phone talks in an effective manner, facilitate more high-level visits and meetings between both nations top officials, as well as execute cooperation deals clinched by both sides.

Blinken also thanked the Vietnamese government, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for hosting a reception for him during his April visit to this Southeast Asian nation.

The two top diplomats also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern and agreed to beef up cooperation at regional and international forums in the upcoming period.

Vietnam and the U.S. established their diplomatic ties in 1995 and lifted their bilateral ties to a comprehensive partnership in 2013.

The U.S. remains one of the biggest buyers of Vietnamese products, with turnover surpassing US$109 billion last year.

Investors from the U.S. have implemented more than 1,200 FDI projects in Vietnam, with the total pledged capital of over $11 billion, making the U.S. ranking 11th among 140 countries and territories pouring investment into Vietnam.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) shakes hands with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Joseph Borell (L) in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 13, 2023. Photo: Vietnams Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In related news, Minister Son met with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Joseph Borell on Thursday evening.

The top Vietnamese diplomat proposed that EU member nations soon complete the ratification of the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement.

He expressed his hope that the EU would consider lifting the yellow card warning against Vietnamese seafood exports.

The yellow card is a kind of warning issued by the European Commission (EC) to countries involved in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The EC imposed the yellow card punishment on Vietnams seafood in 2017. It means that all of Vietnams seafood batches shipped to the EU are subject to scrutiny, or local exporters have to pay higher costs.

Borell asserted that the EU is willing to support Vietnam in energy transition and implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), working toward Vietnam's target of net zero emissions by 2050.

The Vietnam JETP is a financing mechanism announced in December last year. This partnership is aimed at supporting Vietnams low-emission and climate resilient development, helping the country accelerate the just transition and decarbonization of the power system, and developing new economic opportunities to support Vietnam's transition towards a net zero future, according to the EC.

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Three people in Binh Phuoc Province, located in southern Vietnam, have been hospitalized for methanol poisoning after a man drinking with them died earlier this week.

Dr. Trinh Nhu Lai from the emergency treatment deparment of Military Hospital 175, which is treating the three methanol poisoning cases, said on Friday that the hospital is providing dialysis treatment for the patients.

The patients had joined a drinking party in Bu Dop District with many other people at around 6:00 pm on Wednesday.

After approximately three hours, the group consumed the entire six 500-milliliter pre-packaged bottles of alcohol.

After the party, Nguyen Xuan H., 40, suffered from tiredness and headache.

Around 9:00 pm on Thursday evening, H.s health deteriorated, exhibiting symptoms of exhaustion, dizziness, and frequent vomiting.

H.s family rushed him to a hospital for emergency treatment, but unfortunately, he passed away the following morning.

Alongside H., his wife and child, and a man named Hoang also experienced similar symptoms, including fatigue, vomiting, headaches, and more, requiring hospitalization.

Subsequently, all three individuals were transferred to Military Hospital 175 in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to Dr. Lai, the prognosis for all three patients is grave, and dialysis is considered as a viable treatment option.

The duration of the dialysis process will vary depending on each patients response to the treatment.

According to Dr. Hoang Van Quang, who leads the intensive care and anti-poison department at Thong Nhat Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, alcohol made from rice, glutinous rice, and cassava is ethanol, which is more expensive.

On the other hand, industrial alcohol that contains methanol is considerably cheaper.

Differentiating between these two types of alcohol is often challenging.

However, in order to offer affordable alcohol for low-income individuals, sellers frequently dilute rice alcohol with industrial alcohol to reduce the selling price.

According to Dr. Quang, people experiencing methanol poisoning may exhibit symptoms such as low blood pressure, muscle weakness, impaired vision, excessive sweating, fever, convulsions, and even coma.

In medical terms, if the concentration of methanol in the bloodstream exceeds 50 millimole per deciliter, it can result in severe poisoning necessitating dialysis.

When the concentration rises above 80 millimole per deciliter, the likelihood of fatality is significantly increased.

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A fire swept through a house, in which the owner ran a footwear and bags business, in Hoa Binh Province, northern Vietnam on Saturday, leaving two dead and four others injured, confirmed a local official.

The fire broke out at around 3:30 am the same day in the third floor of the three-story house on Lac Long Quan Street, Tan Thinh Ward, Hoa Binh City, a local official told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday morning.

At the time of the incident, there were six people trapped inside the house, owned by Dao Duy Tu, 38, and his wife Nguyen Thi N., 40.

Forty firefighters, along with four fire trucks, one rescue vehicle, and one ambulance were dispatched to the scene.

They broke a window on the third floor to rescue one kid before approaching the house through the staircase to free three others and rushed these four to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.

The fire was put out at some 5:30 am, by which the rescue forces discovered two persons were killed in a third-floor bedroom and took their bodies out.

The deceased, identified as Dao Anh T., 14 and Dao Anh C., 12, are children of the homeowner.

A local inhabitant said that the house had no emergency exits, thus leaving the occupants trapped inside when the fire broke out.

Bui Quang Diep, chairman of the Hoa Binh City administration, said he was directing local competent forces to cope with the aftermath of the incident.

House fire incidents have claimed several lives in northern parts of the country over the past week.

On Wednesday night, an electric car burst into flames while charging in a three-story house, leaving two people dead in the north-central province of Thanh Hoa. The deceased were a 63-year-old woman and her 5-year-old grandchild.

Last Saturday morning, two siblings and their cousin, aged 11-19, in Dong Da District, Hanoi were killed after a fire engulfed their five-story house, where their parents ran a nail and eyelash accessories business.

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Former Vietnamese diplomatic officials in Malaysia were found to have collected unreasonable fees from nearly 1,900 Vietnamese people who finished serving their jail sentences in Malaysia and returned to their homeland on repatriation flights during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tran Viet Thai, former Vietnamese ambassador to Malaysia, declared at a trial on Friday that the superfluous fee revenue was later divided to ex-officials of the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia depending on their positions.

The Hanoi Peoples Court on Tuesday opened the first-instance trial of 54 defendants who committed law violations during Vietnams arrangement of flights to repatriate Vietnamese citizens stranded overseas amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The trial is set to drag on for one month.

Thai was named Vietnamese ambassador to Malaysia in May 2020 and took main responsibility for arranging repatriation flights for Vietnamese citizens in Malaysia during the pandemic.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia held a total of 21 repatriation flights, including eight flights for nearly 1,900 people finishing their prison terms in Malaysia.

Thai said he had asked Nguyen Hoang Linh and Le Ngoc Anh, ex-officials at the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia, to visit prisons, draw up repatriation plans, and propose fees.

In January 2021, Malaysia declared a nationwide state of emergency to curb the spread of COVID-19 and required foreign embassies to take home their countries citizens who had finished their jail terms, Thai added.

These citizens included those illegally catching fish in Malaysias waters, illegal laborers, among others, the ex-diplomatic official noted.

Thai said he assigned the ex-officials to formulate a plan to take these citizens home after hearing news that many brokers charged these citizens VND40-80 million (US$1,691-3,383) each.

The embassy collected the repatriation fees from employers or families of these citizens. If they refused to pay the fees, the embassy would pay the fees.

After a survey, the embassy collected VND20.3 million ($858) from each citizen. Those without passports were subject to a fee of VND25 million ($1,057) each, and those on islands who had to fly to Kuala Lumpur to join repatriation flights had to pay VND30-35 million ($1,268-1,480) each.

As for the passport issuance fees, Thai and his accomplices collected over VND4.6 million ($194) each citizen but submitted VND1.6 million ($67) per passport to the state budget.

With nearly 1,900 Vietnamese people finishing their jail sentences in Malaysia, Thai and his subordinates collected VND44.6 billion ($1.9 million) but spent VND33 billion ($1.4 million) on repatriation flights.

Thai later decided to divide part of the remaining amount to officials at the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia at a ratio of 1.5:1.2:1 based on their positions, with Thai receiving VND580 million ($24,531) and other ex-officials VND220-480 million ($9,305-20,300) each.

The remaining amount was kept at the embassy.

At the court, Thai admitted to wrongly spending the unused amount, adding that the embassy could not refund it due to the complicated pandemic situation.

We repatriated citizens home but the collected amount was superfluous. I did not direct the fee collection for sharing.

We later decided to share the [superfluous] amount with officials as they admitted risks while performing duties amid the pandemic, Thai explained.

He added that he had submitted the superfluous amount.

In January 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in China and developed complicatedly in the world. In March 2020, the government arranged a flight to bring 30 Vietnamese citizens home from Wuhan, China.

In April 2020, several repatriation flights were operated, and the passengers had to pay ticket fares, the Vietnam News Agency reported, citing the indictment announced by the Supreme Peoples Procuracy.

In November 2020, due to the high demands of returning home among Vietnamese citizens abroad and limited resources, the government piloted the operations of 10 repatriation flights for which passengers had to pay all the fees, and assigned the task to a working group gathering officials from five ministries.

Vietnam organized nearly 2,000 flights during the COVID-19 pandemic to repatriate more than 200,000 Vietnamese nationals from 60 countries and territories, as commercial flights were not available during the period, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

During the process of licensing the lights and approving the quarantine plans in localities from September 2020 to December 2022, a number of officials from ministries and sectors as well as individuals from businesses, along with other people, committed law violations.

Of the 54 defendants standing trial, 21 are accused of taking bribes, while 23 are charged with giving bribes, four are charged with brokering bribes, and four others are accused of abusing positions and powers while on duty, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

One defendant is prosecuted for the charge of committing fraud for property appropriation, and another is accused of committing fraud for property appropriation and giving bribes.

The most high-ranking officials facing charges are former deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung and Vu Hong Nam.

Nguyen Quang Linh, assistant to former Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh, has also faced the same fate.

The total amount of bribery money in this case reached $9.5 million, according to Thanh Nien.

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An ongoing trial in Vietnam, centering around over 50 officials who are currently facing charges of alleged bribery in relation to repatriation flights during the COVID-19 pandemic, has brought to light a series of staggering testimonies.

The trial of 54 defendants was launched by the Peoples Court of Hanoi on Tuesday and is expected to last for a month.

It follows a year-long investigation and involves a record number of nearly 120 defense lawyers.

According to the indictment, 21 defendants are accused of taking bribes, 23 are charged with giving bribes, four individuals are accused of brokering bribes, and an additional four are charged with abusing position and power while performing duties.

One defendant is prosecuted for committing fraud for property appropriation and another is accused of both committing frauds for property appropriation and giving bribes.

As reported by Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper on Monday, the total amount of bribery money in this case reached US$9.5 million.

This figure includes over $2 million that was given to police officials in an attempt to evade prosecution, according to data accessed by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

'I don't know...'

Among the defendants, To Anh Dung, former deputy minister of foreign affairs, and Nguyen Quang Linh, former assistant to the deputy prime minister, are facing the charge of taking bribes.

The testimonies they gave during the first three days of trial have drawn the public disdain.

I was not aware that receiving money [bribes] is against the law, said Dung, who took a sum of VND21.5 billion (nearly $1 million) in bribery.

Assisting businesses in obtaining flight licenses resulted in my reception of $180,000, distributed in four batches, along with an additional VND100 million ($4,230), Linh said.

Other staggering testimonies came from Vu Hong Nam, former Ambassador of Vietnam to Japan, Tran Van Tan, former deputy chairman of the Peoples Committee of Quang Nam Province, and Pham Trung Kien, expert at the Ministry of Healths Department of Medical Equipment and Works.

Upon unwrapping the gift and discovering the money, a sense of panic overwhelmed me, said Nam, who received a total bribe exceeding VND1.8 billion ($76,140) as reported by Cong An Nhan Dan (Peoples Police) newspaper.

I attempted to return the money, but my request was declined.

Regrettably, I erred by not persisting in my efforts to return the money.

Meanwhile, Tan justified his acceptance of the bribes, worth VND5 billion ($211,500), by asserting that they originated from private companies rather than the state funds and Kien said that he amassed a sum of VND42 billion ($1.77 million) and utilized it by lending to his relatives and making investments in properties located in Ba Vi and Hoai Duc Districts in Hanoi, as well as Mui Ne Town in Binh Thuan Province.

Nguyen Anh Tuan, former deputy director of the Hanoi Department of Public Security, cited mercy on overseas Vietnamese in need of flying home as the excuse for his bribery intermediation.

In contrast, the bribe givers confessed that they had no choices.

They put difficulties on our way for eight occasions so that we had to spend a total of VND600 million ($25,380) obtaining a flight organization license, said Vu Minh Thang, director of the Hanoi-based Thuan An Invetsment and Trade Co. Ltd., which is a flight ticket agent.

During that period, the Consular Departments actions were not aimed at safeguarding the people, but rather inconveniencing them, said Dao Minh Duong, chairman of Vijasun JSC, which provides customs clearance and air ticketing services.

Anti-corruption campaign

In early 2020, Vietnam implemented strict measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, including closing its border, and arranged approximately 800 charter flights to repatriate its citizens from 60 countries and territories.

However, reports from officials and social media have exposed that travelers encountered intricate procedures and were subject to high airfare and quarantine fees to get back to Vietnam.

The bribery allegations arise as part of a widespread anti-corruption campaign that involves various deals made during Vietnams response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this year, Pham Binh Minh and Vu Duc Dam were dismissed from their positions as deputy prime ministers by the National Assembly, which functions as the highest organization of state power in Vietnam.

Minh previously held the role of foreign affairs minister, while Vu Duc Dam was responsible for overseeing the countrys pandemic containment strategies.

In connection with a scandal involving the distribution of COVID-19 testing kits, at least 100 officials and businesspeople, including Dams assistant, have been arrested.

Led by Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, this anti-corruption campaign also led to the resignation of State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who took political responsibility for the wrongdoings of several officials, as stated in a party central committee statement in January.

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When ABC first announced a Dark Emu documentary project in 2019 the plan was to bring to television the arguments raised in Bruce Pascoes best selling book of the same name.

But despite winning two NSW Premiers Literary Awards its subject would become a point of contention, principally because Pascoe challenges the claim that pre-colonial Australian Aboriginal peoples were only hunter-gatherers.

Instead the book makes the argument that First Nations people settled in villages, lived in houses, devised extraordinary methods of aquaculture and astronomy and were, amongst many other achievements, the worlds first bakers. Academics and conservative media commentators criticised its elements and, at times, Pascoes own Aboriginality.

What was to have been a doco series by Blackfella Films (Total Control, Redfern Now, First Weapons) was delayed, in part by the pandemic, and by a pivot to a feature docoumentary The Dark Emu Story. It now reponds to the controversy and places Pascoe at the centre of its narrative.

ABC Head of Indigenous tells TV Tonight, Bruce had never talked about this stuff publicly. I think hed been quite private about the impacts of the debate, around himself and around the book. This film represents the first time that he actually addresses those things directly.

A unique part of the conversation that was being had in this film, was Bruces perspective from his own mouth. So for us, that was really important. But having said that it was just as important, if not more important for us to ensure that those traditional custodians from those locations that feature in the book, were front and centre in this film.

Its not necessarily wholly through Bruces eyes. Its through the communitys eyes that they see themselves and are able to speak to their own experience, which I think is just as important as Bruces point of view.

One of Pascoes most vocal detractors Peter Sutton explains his major criticisms of the book, which culminates in Sutton and Pascoe coming face-to-face to challenge each others point of view. Also featuring are Stan Grant, Marcia Langton, Bill Gammage and Narelda Jacobs.

All that Bruce has ever tried to do is just tell the truth about what exactly has happened. The truth that hes presented is based on those journals that have famously been illustrated through his book. The people who have gravitated to Dark Emu, who have been part of that phenomenon of the book sales and the culture that has been created around that, I would say probably are in agreement with the things that are presented and can see those truths, says Martin.

I dont think were trying to do anything else except present the truth as best as we can. And I think thats what Bruce has done.

To questions of Pascoes own Aboriginality, some of which has emerged from within First Nations communities, Martin believes the books arguments rise above those around his ancestry.

It doesnt really matter whether Bruce is Aboriginal or not. That doesnt change the facts of the book, or change the positions of those custodians that are featured in the film. I mean, they still have that connection to their country, those innovations, those places of evidence that prove that Aboriginal people had these things .

I am not the Judge of all people. Im not here to kind of decide whos Aboriginal and whos not. I think what was more important, from my perspective is that what was presented in the book resonated with people. That seems to be the important thing. I think the fact that it was based in fact, that it was based in evidence, and the undeniable culture maintained by the traditional custodians of these incredible places, was really important. I just dont think that the argument or the debate around Bruces Aboriginality is as important as whats being presented to people as a result of this book and a result of this film.

The end result, at least for ABC, is a feature film written & directed by Allan Clarke, produced by Darren Dale, Belinda Mravicic, Jacob Hickey, with revelations from the book, the communities it centred around, various sides of the controversy which followed and some rich cinematography.

The decision that Blackfella Films made to not necessarily focus wholly on the book, but to incorporate the dynamic and the conversation around Dark Emu was a very smart one and one that we were willing to take.

I think the story itself lends itself better to a single experience a single viewing experience a one off, and a feature length was probably the most reasonable length of time that we could give it in order to fully explore the story really. Martin explains.

Theyre absolutely spectacular landscapes with very clear evidence of the resourcefulness and innovation thats being presented here.

I think all theyve ever wanted to do is just be recognised for it and for that to be a part of our national conversation, our national history, and for Indigenous people to feel valued as part of that history. Maybe that doesnt sit right with people. I dont know, but thats all, I think, anyones ever asked for.

The Dark Emu Story 8:30pm Tuesday on ABC.
Wildlife experts abandoned a washed up whale after bubbling noises heard from its gut caused concerns it would 'explode'

IWDG Strandings Officer Stephanie Levesque taking samples from a fin whale stranded at Baile Ui Chuill Strand near Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry. Barry Keane/IWDG

A dead 60-foot fin whale washed up on a shore in Ireland on Sunday.

Researchers came to collect samples and perform a necropsy on the large animal.

However, the project had to be abandoned out of caution after concerns it could explode.

A decomposing 60-foot fin whale corpse stranded on the Irish coast had to be abandoned by wildlife researchers looking to study it after concern that the dead mammal could explode.

Experts near the dead whale, whose body washed on the beach on Sunday, noted that they heard "bubbling" when trying to cut into the whale to perform an animal autopsy. This led them to believe there was a risk that a build-up of methane gas produced as it decomposed could create enough pressure to send the whale's innards flying, a phenomenon that has been caught on camera before.

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, an organization that responds to whale strandings in the country, arrived in County Kerry, Ireland, to collect samples from the animal for research after its body washed on the beach on Sunday, according to the Irish Examiner.

As they collected body parts for the necropsy, Stephanie Levesque, the strandings officer at IWDG, told the Irish Examiner that the team "heard some sounds and was like, 'this is going to explode in my face if I go any deeper.'"

In an email to Insider, Levesque said her comment had been taken out of proportion and she knew when stepping away from the carcass it was "very unlikely" that the whale would completely explode.

"There were gasses slowly being released throughout the carcass, which is why I didn't cut any further than the blubber layer to get a muscle sample," Levesque said. "Although the animal actually exploding was very unlikely, you can still hit pockets of trapped gasses, and I, therefore, decided to err on the side of caution for personal safety reasons."

The IWDG later deemed the whale "not suitable for post-mortem examination" and abandoned it, according to a post on their site. According to the release, the Kerry city council intends to let the dead whale remain on site as it decomposes. Levesque told Insider that it would provide "a massive feast" for the surrounding wildlife.



"Unfortunately, this individual was too decomposed for a full post-mortem," the IWDG wrote. "Stephanie collected a number of samples useful for biological studies but not able to establish cause of death."

Levesque later told LiveScience that although she had heard "bubbling" noises when collecting samples, the fear that the whale would explode quickly subsided after it was apparent that it would not likely occur. Instead, she told the publication, the fin whale was abandoned out of caution.

Bloated, dead whales aren't uncommon though they can produce an unpleasant smell when they do happen. Towns have tried various methods of removing the corpses of beached whales, the most extreme method being the use of explosives.

A famous example of this occurred in Florence, Oregon, in 1970, when engineers used dynamite to destroy the body of a 45-foot, 8-ton sperm whale. Officials and people gathered to watch the detonation soon discovered that not enough dynamite had been used, resulting in large chunks of whale blubber falling from the sky and covering the town.

As for instances of exploding whales in Ireland, Levesque told Insider she was unaware of any and that "naturally exploding whales would be quite rare."

"Our team are very experienced and, had the animal been in adequate condition for a post mortem (which this one was not), there are steps to take to avoid any "explosions," Levesque wrote. "When IWDG have done post mortems on large whales in the past, the animals have been properly "deflated" before the internal examination begins."

Update: July 17, 2023  This story was updated with a statement from Stephanie Levesque, strandings officer at IWDG.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukrainian servicemen prepare shells for a Partyzan small MLRS at a position near a front line in Zaporizhzhia region

Ukraine says Russian shelling kills 1 in Kharkiv, injures 7 in Zaporizhzhia Ukrainian servicemen prepare shells for a Partyzan small MLRS at a position near a front line in Zaporizhzhia region

(Reuters) -A civilian was killed and another wounded in Russian shelling in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, while seven were injured in a village in Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian officials said on Sunday.

The Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions in Ukraine's east and southeast have seen fierce combat throughout much of the 17 months since Moscow invaded its neighbour, with Kyiv's forces fighting to liberate areas Russian forces now occupy.

In a move widely condemned as illegal, Russia said last year it was annexing Zaporizhzhia and other parts of Ukraine, and it controls a nuclear power plant there, Europe's largest, but the regional capital, the city of Zaporizhzhia, remains under Kyiv's control.

Ukraine recaptured much of the eastern Kharkiv region in September, with Russian forces occupying now only a small strip of land there.

A 33-year-old man died and a man was wounded in Russian firing at residential buildings in the village of Kolodiazne in the region overnight, Oleh Sinehubov, Kharkiv's governor, said on the Telegram messaging app.

He said Russia had launched four S-400 surface-to-air missiles overnight at the city of Kharkiv, slightly damaging a residential building.

Zaporizhzhia Governor Yuriy Malashko posted on Telegram that three women and four men were injured and a number of houses damaged in heavy Russian shelling from multiple rocket launchers on the village of Stepnohirske on Saturday afternoon.

Over the past day, there had been 48 instances of Russian artillery firing on a number of towns and villages in the region, Malashko said.

Russia shelled the city of Zaporizhzhia, damaging at least 16 buildings, Anatoliy Kurtiev, secretary of the city council, said on Telegram, adding that one district was without electricity on Sunday morning.

A Russian-installed official in parts of Zaporizhzhia controlled by Moscow, Vladimir Rogov, said on Saturday that Ukrainian forces had destroyed a school in the village of Stulneve, while air defence forces intercepted a drone over the city of Tokmak.

Reuters could not independently verify the Russian and Ukrainian accounts. Both sides deny targeting civilians.

Russia's defence ministry said on Saturday it had destroyed a number of Ukrainian weapons depots in Zaporizhzhia region over the past day. Ukraine's top military command said Russia was trying to stop Ukraine's advance there, heavily shelling the area.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed again on Saturday to liberate all the land that Russia occupies.

"We cannot leave any of our people, any towns and villages under Russian occupation," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. "Wherever the Russian occupation continues, violence and humiliation of people reign."

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Diane Craft and William Mallard)
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Azerbaijan said on Saturday that Russia and Armenia are not fulfilling the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave ceasefire deal, hours after the European Union urged Azerbaijan and Armenia to refrain from "violence and harsh rhetoric".

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan and Armenia have fought two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh, a small mountainous enclave that is part of Azerbaijan but populated by about 120,000 ethnic Armenians.

After heavy fighting and a Russian-brokered ceasefire, Azerbaijan in 2020 took over areas that had been controlled by ethnic Armenians in and around the mountain enclave.

"Armenia has not fulfilled many provisions of the statement, and Russia has not ensured the full implementation of the statement within its obligations," the Azeri foreign ministry said in a statement on its website.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have since been discussing a peace deal, in which Russia is also pushing to retain a leading role and in which the two countries would agree on borders, settle differences over the enclave, and unfreeze relations.

EU Council President Charles Michel hosted Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for talks in Brussels aimed at drawing a line under more than three decades of hostilities.

Armenia says the proposed peace treaty should provide special rights for them and guarantee their security. Azberbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov rejected that demand in an interview with Reuters in June, saying it was unnecessary and amounted to interference in Azerbaijan's affairs.

"Real progress depends on the next steps that will need to be taken in the near future. As a matter of priority, violence and harsh rhetoric should stop in order to provide the proper environment for peace and normalisation talks," Michel said.

He told reporters: "The population on the ground needs reassurances, first and foremost regarding their rights and security."

Russia said on Saturday that it was ready to organise a three-way meeting with Armenia and Azerbaijan at the level of foreign ministers. This could be followed up with a Moscow summit to sign a peace treaty, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It said an integral part of this pact should be "reliable and clear guarantees of the rights and security of the Armenians of Karabakh" and implementation of earlier agreements between Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Azerbaijan said the Moscow statement "causes disappointment and misunderstanding" and contradicts Russia's declarations of supporting Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.

Michel said he also expressed the EU's encouragement for Azerbaijan to talk directly to the Karabakh Armenians in order to develop confidence between the parties.

It was not clear how Aliyev reacted, as he and Pashinyan left without briefing reporters. The de facto leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh claims to be independent but is not recognised by any country.

Besides the EU, the United States has also been pushing the sides to reach a peace deal. Russia, the traditional power broker in the region, has been distracted by the war in Ukraine and risks seeing its influence diminished.

(Reporting by Nailia Bagirova and Philip BlenkinsopWriting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Michael PerryEditing by Frances Kerry)
The International Criminal Court has opened a new probe into alleged war crimes in western Sudan, with its chief prosecutor expressing major concern over escalating violence.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan made the announcement in a report to the UN Security Council on Thursday, following three months of war between feuding generals that have plunged the country back into chaos.

On the council's request, the ICC has been investigating crimes in Sudan's Darfur region since 2005. The court has charged former leader Omar al-Bashir with genocide and other offences.

Allegations of atrocities have mounted during the recent fighting, with the top UN official in Sudan calling for both sides to face accountability.

Around 3,000 people have been killed and 3 million displaced since violence erupted between Sudan army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who now heads the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group.

The pair were key figures in a 2021 military coup that derailed the country's transition to civilian rule after the ousting and detention of Bashir in 2019.

Evidence of atrocities

(with AFP)



Read more on RFI English



Read also:

UN calls for probe into attack in Darfur that killed 168, injured 99

Sudan factions agree to extend ceasefire deal amid renewed clashes

Fierce fighting rages across Sudan despite ceasefire extension
Two months after Pita Limjaroenrat's party triumphed in Thailands May 2023 election, the reformist politician failed to win enough votes in parliament this week to become prime minister. Thursdays vote came just days after Thailands caretaker prime minister and former army chief, Prayuth Chan-ocha, announced his retirement from politics. But the junta chiefs legacy still haunts Thailands shaky democracy.

Gone, maybe, but not soon forgotten. As Pita Limjaroenrat, the 42-year-old Harvard graduate who won Thailands general election, leaned back in his black leather chair as vote after vote was counted Thursday at a joint session of parliament, did he feel his predecessors shadow standing over him? Before the final result was declared, it was already clear  Pita had not won the support he needed to follow former commander-in-chief Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister.

Photographed in varying stages of frustration throughout the vote, the winner of the May 2023 polls needed 375 votes in both houses of parliament, the house of representatives and the senate, to become prime minister. He got 324. Across both houses, 182 lawmakers voted against his candidacy, with 199 abstaining.



Read more on FRANCE 24 English



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Thai reformist Pita Limjaroenrat loses bid to become prime minister

Is Thailand at a turning point after Move Forward party's election win?

Thai opposition 'ready to form government' after landslide election result
HA NOI  Vietnamese producers still have a lot of work to do to gain ground in the global Halal industry, which is expanding rapidly and is expected to reach US$10 trillion in value by 2028.

Nguyen Tuan, Vice President of the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre in HCM City, said the Halal food sector catered to around 2 billion Muslim consumers around the world, topping $7 trillion in value in 2022.

Viet Nam is well-positioned to become a prominent exporter in the sector thanks to its geographical proximity to large Halal markets, such as Southeast Asia ($230 billion in value) and South Pacific ($238 billion), according to Tuan.

However, there is a lot of work to do to get there, given that the country is still in the early stages of entering the markets. Specifically, merely 50 Vietnamese producers get Halal-certified annually, indicating ample room for improvement.

Ly Thi Kim Chi, Chairwoman of the Food and Foodstuff Association of HCM City, said the global demand for Halal products had been soaring in recent years thanks to the increasing population of the Muslim world and their growing popularity among non-Muslim consumers.

Despite the untapped potential, it would be no mean feat for Vietnamese producers to expand their commercial presence in Islamic countries because the countries set the bar very high on Halal-certified imports.

It was also worth noting that Halal marks were not permanent and not the same across countries. Vietnamese producers would have to apply for different marks when entering different markets and re-apply for the marks when they expire.

Malaysian Consul General Wong Chia Chiann revealed that "Halal" is an Arabic word that means "permissible" and "lawful".

Halal foods are those that are made, produced, manufactured, processed, and stored using machinery, equipment, and utensils that have been cleaned according to Islamic law.

The main obstacle in the way of Vietnamese producers trying to enter Halal markets is that not many specialists in Viet Nam are trained in Halal certification. However, that does not mean the door is shut for good.

The diplomat suggested Viet Nam develops its own Halal certifications and strengthen its ties with experienced partners to keep producers well-informed about the food standards.

Haji Machdares Samael, Chairman of the Muslim Committee in HCM City, said Islamic countries raising the bar on imports would have a profound effect on Vietnamese exports.

There are multiple Halal systems in the world, so it is essential for Viet Nam to cooperate with other Halal-granting organisations to get its own Halal marks recognised by them.  VNS
HA NOI  The Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam (CAA) has sent a report to the Ministry of Transport, drawing attention to the challenges Vietnamese airlines are encountering in retaining their allocated slots at several international airports, specifically those in China, India, and the UK.

Before the pandemic, in 2019, travel between Viet Nam and China was a thriving corridor, with 14 airlines operating flights across the two nations. This comprised 11 Chinese carriers running 32 routes and three Vietnamese operators managing an expansive network of 72 routes.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced airlines to halt passenger transport operations, with only a small number of cargo flights persisting.

In a new turn of events, the Civil Aviation Administration of China, in early March 2023, unveiled its slot policies. These dictate that to secure their slot allocation for the 2023 summer scheduling season, international airlines must adhere to the 80-20 slot rule. This stipulation demands airlines operate at least 80 per cent of every planned slot sequence, rooted in the principle of reciprocity.

As the 2023 summer approaches, Vietnam Airlines is set to run five routine routes from Ha Noi and HCM City to Beijing, Shang Hai, and Guang Zhou. This equates to 19 flights weekly, coupled with additional routes from Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, and a Nang to 14 destinations in China, ensuring a frequency of 25 flights every week.

VietJet operated routes from Ha Noi, HCM City, Cam Ranh and Hue to 26 places in China with 59 flights per week.

Seven Chinese airlines operated 10 routes from nine cities of China to Ha Noi and HCM City with a frequency of 93 flights per week.

In the aftermath of the pandemic, market recovery has been sluggish, with Vietnamese carriers operating only 25 per cent of their pre-pandemic slots and Chinese airlines utilising a meagre 38 per cent. This reality raises significant concerns for Vietnam Airlines, who anticipate that the inability to maintain the slot usage rate at Chinese airports during the summer of 2023 could jeopardise their slots for the following summer.

According to the CAA, the aviation market's resurgence with China is noticeably slow, causing distress for Vietnamese carriers. They fear they may not be able to meet the slot usage ratio rule, potentially impacting their slot history for the 2024 summer scheduling season.

In response, the CAA has made an appeal to the Ministry of Transport. The authority proposes preserving the slot history on the basis of reciprocity for carriers from both Viet Nam and China for the upcoming scheduling season, even if they fall short of the slot usage ratio rule this summer.

Committed to fostering a supportive environment, the CAA asserted its readiness to offer favourable conditions to airlines seeking to expand flight routes and stimulate tourism recovery.

Turning to the flight corridor between Viet Nam and India, the CAA noted that Vietnamese carriers fully utilised their allocated 28 weekly flights from Ha Noi and HCM City to New Delhi and Mumbai, as per the memorandum of understanding between the two countries. Conversely, Indian airlines have operated only half, a mere 14 out of the possible 28 flights per week.

Recognising the need for Vietnamese carriers to increase flight frequency to India, the CAA has recommended that the Ministry of Transport engage in discussions with their Indian counterparts to address the issue.

The CAA has identified significant challenges concerning the retention of slots at London Heathrow Airport for routes to the UK. According to an agreement between the two nations, each country's carriers can operate up to 14 flights per week.

In the summer of 2019, Vietnam Airlines offered seven flights per week to the UK, while no UK airlines were operating flights to Viet Nam. Post-pandemic, Vietnam Airlines resumed flights to the UK, albeit at a reduced frequency of one or two flights per week, starting from the summer of 2022.

The UK's aviation policy stipulates that airlines must utilise at least 70 per cent of their allocated slots for the summer of 2022 to retain the same allocation for the following summer season. However, due to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam Airlines was unable to meet the required slot usage ratio, thereby jeopardising its slot allocation for the summer of 2023.

The CAA acknowledged that their repeated attempts to help Vietnam Airlines retain its slots at London Heathrow Airport have proven fruitless. The principle of reciprocity, usually effective in such negotiations, is moot in this case since British airlines do not operate flights to Viet Nam.  VNS
Compiled by Thu Ha

HA NOI  The sale of insurance products through agency channels, including banks of some insurers, saw many violations, especially regarding the consultation of bank staff and brokers, said a Ministry of Finance inspection result report.

The ministry inspected four life insurers, including Prudential Vietnam, MB Ageas Life, BIDV MetLife and Sun Life Vietnam, with a focus on sales of insurance policies through banks. The move was in response to numerous complaints that some banks forced customers to buy life insurance policies in order to access loans. Others have said their savings deposits were partially used to purchase life insurance without their knowledge.

Under the inspection's conclusion report, the ministry named violations of the insurers as the following: not providing direct advice to customers; not fully guiding procedures as required by the laws; not ensuring the quality of advice on insurance products; agents and bank employees using agent numbers to guide customers to enter information and failing to comply with the premium list approved by the Ministry of Finance.

The ministry also unveiled that many instances of insurance agents' and bank employees' actions did not comply with legal regulations in the process of selling insurance. Specifically, there were 39, 41, 21 and 44 violation cases of such kind at Prudential Vietnam, MB Ageas Life, BIDV Met Life and Sun Life Vietnam, respectively.

According to the inspection results, at many insurers, insurance distribution channels through banks (bancassurance) accounted for 50 per cent of the number of new life insurance policies and revenue. However, after the first year, the contract cancellation rate of customers at the channel was up to 70 per cent.

At Prudential Vietnam, in 2021, insurance premium revenue through bancassurance was nearly VN6.2 trillion (US$261 million). New insurance premium revenue through the bancassurance channel reached VN3.7 trillion ($156 million), equivalent to nearly 55 per cent of total new premium revenue.

Prudential issued more than 94,000 insurance policies through the bancassurance channel in 2021. However, after the first year, up to 41 per cent of customers cancelled or invalidated their contracts. This means about 38,000 insurance policies of borrowers cancelled their insurance policies after them having been disbursed.

Banks that sold Prudential's insurance products included International Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Public Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Standard Chartered Bank Limited, Vietnam Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank, United Overseas Bank One Member Limited and Shinhan Bank Vietnam One Member Limited Liability Company.

At MB Ageas Life, in 2021, premium revenue through the bancassurance channel reached nearly VN4.5 trillion ($190 million), equivalent to 78 per cent of the companys total premium revenue. New insurance premium revenue through the bancassurance channel was VN2.82 trillion ($119 million), equivalent to 74 per cent of total new insurance premiums.

MB Ageas Life issued more than 66,700 new insurance policies through the bancassurance channel, but nearly 4,000 of them were cancelled during the consideration period. After the first year, 32.4 per cent of new insurance policies through the bancassurance channel were cancelled.

MB Ageas Life mainly sold insurance through Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank and MB Shinsei Finance Company Limited (or M.Credit Finance Company).

Regarding the finance ministrys inspection results, MB Ageas Life said all personal agent violations recorded in the ministrys inspection conclusion were violations according to the company's internal regulations and were actively detected and handled by MB Ageas Life before the finance ministry delivered its inspection plan.

MB Ageas Lifes representatives said the detection of the shortcomings will help the company improve and streamline its management, business and customer service quality in accordance with legal changes since 2022 when the new Law on Insurance Business and its guiding documents took effect.

BIDV MetLife, although only selling insurance products through the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam, had a premium revenue from the bancassurance channel accounting for 99.2 per cent, equivalent to more than VN1.55 trillion ($65 million). In 2021, the insurers new insurance premiums sold through the bank reached VN452 billion (19 million), accounting for 98.3 per cent of total new insurance premiums, but 39.4 per cent of the customers cancelled their contracts after the first year.

In 2021, Sun Life Vietnam's premium revenue through the bancassurance channel, including Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (ACB) and Tien Phong Commercial Joint Stock Bank (TPB), reached nearly VN2.04 trillion ($86 million), equivalent to 61.15 per cent of the insurers total premium revenue.

In 2021, Sun Life issued 80,117 new insurance policies through the bancassurance channel. The rate of cancellation and termination of insurance policies after the first year of policies issued through TPB and ACB was 73 per cent and 39 per cent, respectively.

Under the inspection conclusion, the Ministry of Finance also asked the four insurers to add hundreds of billions of Vietnamese ong to their revenue in order to calculate corporate income tax as the insurers made wrong cost accounting according to the laws.  VNS
HCM CITY  Viet Nam is seeking to attract high-end tourists from Cambodia, which is rapidly emerging as a promising source of visitors.

With its proximity, Cambodia has become a significant market for Viet Nam, travel industry insiders said.

It was among the top 10 markets in the first half of this year, with arrivals surging by 338 per cent from the same period in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

In the past a majority of Cambodian tourists visited Viet Nam for medical treatment, but the pandemic has upended travel trends.

But now there is an increase in weekend tourists visiting border areas, leisure travellers and those seeking longer experiences.

Their significant purchasing power is one of the key factors contributing to their interest in Viet Nam.

Tourism insiders have pointed out that these tourists spend an average amount comparable to Korean tourists.

Viet Nams convenient geographical location, beautiful coastlines and attractive cuisine are among the factors that make the country appealing to Cambodian tourists.

Improved transportation networks, including direct flights and well-connected roads, have made travelling from Cambodia to Viet Nam easier than ever before.

Vietravel, a tourism company, has witnessed a 10 per cent growth in the number of package tourists from Cambodia in the first five months compared to the same period in 2019.

To capitalise on the potential of Cambodian tourists, the company plans to develop combined tours in Tay Ninh, a province located near the border.

These tours will include resort tourism, medical tourism and religious tourism.

It is also exploring the possibility of starting flights between major Cambodian cities and key tourism destinations in Viet Nam.

Tran Quoc Thinh, director of Tay Ninh Provinces Tourism Promotion Centre, said Cambodian tourists primarily arrive through border gates due to the low travel costs and convenient bus services.

"The Moc Bai Border Gate is a key entry point by road, and entry formalities take only around half an hour, ensuring a hassle-free experience for visitors," he said.

While there are opportunities to attract more Cambodian tourists, there are some challenges that need to be addressed, according to experts.

The frequency of flights between Cambodia and Vietnamese tourism destinations is currently limited and not fully utilised by many airlines.

Tourism products for Cambodian visitors need to be diversified further.

Furthermore, promotion and marketing efforts targeted at the Cambodian market remain limited.

To address these challenges and attract more Cambodian tourists, Thinh said promotion programmes had been organised in Tay Ninh Province.

The HCM City Tourism Department also plans to promote medical tourism products specifically tailored for Cambodians.

These efforts aim to enhance the attractiveness of Viet Nam as a destination for Cambodian tourists and facilitate their travel experiences.  VNS
China's shrimp import demand gradually recovered, with the volume nearly doubling over the same period last year. Accordingly, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the Chinese market in May 2023 reached US$78 million, the highest turnover since the beginning of this year.

According to China Customs data, the country's shrimp imports in May increased sharply by 77% over the same period last year to 100,310 tons; import value increased by 55% to 579 million USD. Generally, in the past 5 months, shrimp imports increased by 48% to 415,305 tons; turnover also increased by 28% to 2.3 billion USD.

However, the price of imported shrimp remained low in the context of the global market decline. Accordingly, the price of imported shrimp in May averaged $5.77/kg, slightly up from the lowest level of the same year in April at $5.33/kg.

It is known that Ecuador was a major shrimp supplier to China in May, at 72,520 tons, double that of the same period. Turnover also increased by 70% to 392 million USD. However, the average unit price for 1 kg of shrimp decreased by 16% over the same period to 5.41 USD/kg.

India ranked second with 10,872 tons, up 30% year-on-year. However, the turnover only increased by 7% to 62 million USD because the selling price decreased by 23% to 5.73 USD/kg.

However, the Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said that according to the data collected, it is estimated that the amount of hanging, non-farm ponds in India is between 30% and 50%; In Ecuador, EI Nino is causing damage to about 30% of the farming area, the amount of shrimp will decrease.

According to VASEP, shrimp farming in China is very difficult due to high input costs and falling raw shrimp prices, so China will still increase shrimp imports abroad. China's shrimp import demand gradually recovered, with the volume nearly doubling over the same period last year. However, the price of imported shrimp remained low in the context of the global market decline.

Also read: The US, EU, and China suddenly reduced imports; Vietnam's spearhead industry was in trouble  Vietnam News - Latest Updates and World Insights | Vietreader.com

Facing developments in China's shrimp production and import, Vietnamese shrimp have opportunities to recover exports to this world's most populous market. VASEP's report shows that in May, China ranked first in Vietnam's shrimp consumption market, accounting for 23%. The US ranked second, accounting for 21%.

Shrimp exports to China in May reached 78 million USD, the highest turnover since the beginning of this year. This number still recorded negative growth, but the decrease was less than in previous months (March recorded a decrease of 40%, April decreased by 22%, and May decreased 11%).

Regarding the stocking situation of shrimp in the country in the first 6 months of 2023, the quantity of white leg shrimp stocked in the country decreased slightly by 1.8%, and the stocking volume of black tiger shrimp increased by 12.5% over the same period last year. Particularly in March of this year, the amount of white leg shrimp stocking decreased by 14%, and the amount of stocking black tiger shrimp increased by 10%.

In the key provinces (Kien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Ca Mau) in March 2023, recorded an increase in black tiger shrimp stocking in 5 provinces except for Ca Mau. The amount of white leg shrimp stocked in Kien Giang increased slightly; in Ben Tre, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau decreased slightly; in Tra Vinh, Soc Trang decreased more.

"Therefore, the forecast of Vietnam's raw shrimp supply in July and the last months of the year may decrease, but not too seriously," VASEP said.

Regarding the production and export situation of the market in the coming time, VASEP said that although it is still a difficult time, many optimistic forecasts have been made about the prospect of Vietnam's shrimp exports in the last months going to markets such as China, America. Although it has not been able to recover strongly compared to last year, it will at least be better than at the beginning of this year.

Also read: Shrimp exports to the USA exceed USD 1 billion for the first time  Vietnam News - Latest Updates and World Insights | Vietreader.com
Siemens plans to establish the Erlangen location as a global research and development hub and the nucleus of global technology activities for the industrial metaverse. These steps will enable Siemens to accelerate its overall growth, drive innovation, and increase its resilience.

The investments are part of a global investment strategy of around $2.25 billion unveiled last month and focused mainly on new manufacturing capacities, innovation labs, education centres, and further Siemens locations. These investments underscore Siemens commitment to the Nuremberg metropolitan region.

With around 3,500 employees, the current location is already home to a world-class factory for key products in industrial automation and digitalisation.

Through this investment, Siemens is now creating a blueprint for the industrial metaverse, a virtual representation of the real world  photorealistic, physics-based, and in real time.

Through this investment, Siemens is now creating a blueprint for the industrial metaverse, a virtual representation of the real world  photorealistic, physics-based and in real time.

The targeted use of relevant, physical data and the application of AI are creating the latest generation of high-tech manufacturing, which produces more sustainability and can respond flexibly to market changes.

This investment is a strong signal that Germany remains a location for innovation and production. The cutting-edge manufacturing facility being built in Erlangen is a good example of how our economy is moving towards a climate-neutral future  as a strong industrial country with sustainable jobs, said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Roland Busch, president and CEO of Siemens AG, said, Siemens is banking on innovation in Germany as we launch the next stage of digitalisation. Were laying the foundation for the industrial metaverse in the Nuremberg metropolitan region. Here, on the new campus, were combining the real and digital worlds.

Together with our partners, were developing new digital technologies in the metaverse and revolutionising how well run our production in the future  much more efficiently, flexibly, and sustainably, Busch added.

The campus  which is to be built to the west of Erlangen  will focus on sustainable and future-oriented high-tech manufacturing, research and development (R&D), and being the location of an ecosystem for partners from the business and scientific communities.

The Erlangen factory manufactures electronic components and machine tool controls for the machine building industry, which is a key element of Germanys industrial economy.

Germany is Siemens AGs home market and one of the worlds most important locations for production, R&D, and employment. The company is contributing to the development of the city of Erlangen and the Nuremberg metropolitan region, as well as committing itself to Bavaria as a high-tech location.

As part of its $2.25 million global investment strategy, Siemens has announced investments in regions such as the US, China, and Southeast Asia. Earlier this week, the company announced its most recent venture, the construction of its new $180 million headquarters in Spain.

Viettel Global's consolidated revenue exceeds $1 billion Viettel Global has just announced its 2022 consolidated financial statements audited by Deloitte Vietnam with the highest ever revenue and pre-tax profit recorded in the telecom giant's history.

Vietnamese firms invest nearly 22 billion USD abroad There had been 1,643 Vietnamese-invested valid projects in foreign countries with a total capital of 21.93 billion USD as of late April, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investments Foreign Investment Agency.

Quang Binh to license $1.42 billion to investors Quang Binh will award investment cooperation agreements to 18 projects with a total investment value reaching $1.42 billion at an upcoming conference to announce the central provinces investment master plan, to take place in Hanoi on June 25.
BLADENSBURG, Md. (AP)  Five people leaving a cemetery after a funeral were shot and wounded Friday by someone firing into their car from a second vehicle in a Maryland suburb of the nation's capital, police said.

No arrests were immediately made, and the five victims were all taken to area hospitals as authorities pleaded for the help of passing motorists in identifying suspects from the brazen daylight attack in busy traffic.

The shooting site is near a bridge that crosses the Anacostia River in Bladensburg, about a mile (.6 kilometer) east of the Maryland border with Washington, D.C.

Bladensburg Police Chief Tyrone Collington Sr. said at an afternoon news conference that he did not know the conditions of the wounded. He said none of those in the targeted car had fired any shots.

There was not an exchange (of gunfire) between the two vehicles. It was one vehicle that was shot at and struck multiple victims within that vehicle," Collington said.

At this time, I can't confirm that it was road rage or not, he said. We are still working through it.

Detectives havent determined a motive, and Collington said police where checking for surveillance video and other evidence while searching for anyone involved in the shooting, which happened just before 12:30 p.m.

What I do want to say is that this is uncommon in our community, Collington said. This was an unnecessary, senseless act of violence. As a result, multiple people were injured.

Collington said detectives are working to identify a suspect or suspects. He said police do not know if more than one person fired shots. He said all they know now is that a dark-colored vehicle was involved.

He urged witnesses to contact police.

Officials with the neighboring Edmonston Police Department were assisting with the investigation and said the shooting was an isolated incident and didnt pose an ongoing threat to public safety.

Bladensburg, a town of about 9,400 people, is home to a World War I memorial known as the Peace Cross situated on a median near the bridge. In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in connection with a lawsuit that the 40-foot (12-meter) cross on public land didnt violate the Constitutions prohibition on the government favoring one religion over others.
A coalition of foster care organizations in McLennan County is sounding the alarm about the need for more certified foster families as the state of Texas reforms the system for caring for neglected and abused children.

The changes will put regional organizations rather than the state in charge of foster care placement and case management, and requires children to remain close to their home communities. At the end of last September, McLennan County had 218 children in foster care, but only 28% were housed within the county.

Community leaders involved in the foster system transition say McLennan County has 87 families certified to care for foster children but needs 100 more.

The Waco-based Heart of Texas Families and Foster Care Coalition, formed in 2021, is recruiting organizations to provide more resources for Waco-area foster families. It is also calling on Wacoans to consider becoming foster parents.

Mandy Mathews, community relations director for Foster Village Waco, said when she talks to potential foster parents, their main concern is getting too attached to their placements, who may be returned to their birth families. As a foster parent herself, she said getting too attached makes for a perfect fit.

If youre afraid your heart is too big to step into a space like this, then youre the perfect person to teach these children how to form healthy attachments, and what an important thing that is for them, Mathews said. Whether they stay with you or whether they dont, being able to be a place and a person for whom a child can form an attachment carries with them through the rest of their lives. Having somebody who comes in and gives their whole heart even though it might break or hurt in the end is always just such a gift to that child, and thats the goal of foster care.

The shift to regional control of the foster care system will begin in 2026 for McLennan County and a large region of Central Texas.

Community-based care means to keep 100% of the kids in their community so their experience may be less traumatic. The legislation will hand off the states foster care responsibilities to regional contracted agencies working with state oversight. McLennan Countys region does not yet have a contracted agency.

The reason for change

The experience of being pulled away from parents is itself a hardship on children. Even if children are in a bad situation, they often do not understand that being removed is for their overall benefit, advocates say. To help keep as many constants as possible, community-based care makes an effort to keep children in the foster care system close to home, rather than across the state. This ensures family visits do not require hours of driving each week and that familiar faces for the child are never too far.

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services spokesperson Mark Wilson said community-based care sets out to solve the one-size-fits-all approach of the state-run foster care model with a more flexible community-driven system.

We want to see the local autonomy flourish around family and child welfare, Wilson said. (Community-based care) grew from a collaboration between DFPS and private providers who were seeking to find innovative ways to serve children and families  one that focuses on the best interest of children and families.

In 2017, Senate Bill 11 codified community-based care in the Texas Family Code. The bill directs DFPS to work in collaboration with nonprofit and local governmental entities which can provide child welfare services.

In McLennan County, nonprofits CK Family Services, Foster Village Waco and CASA of McLennan County are among many organizations in the coalition.

The coalition represents a network of resources for foster families and will continue in that role under the new system. According to Texas law, the services working with the state for community-based care must include direct case management to ensure child safety, permanency and well-being in accordance with state and federal child welfare goals.

The intent of the legislation is not to change the work done by caseworkers, but to shift from a state-run child welfare system to a community-based system with more flexibility to develop services that reflect the local community and its needs, Wilson said.

The transition to community-based care has been in motion for years.

Texas is broken up into 11 regions for the rollout of community-based care. Each region will be served by a single source continuum contractor selected by the state to coordinate a seamless system of services for children in foster care.

The basic steps for handling foster cases will remain in place under the new system. A foster childs case starts with a state investigator looking into reports of neglect or abuse.

Children may be removed from the home during the investigation and placed in the care of friends or relatives. Families are provided services to help them offer a safe and stable environment so their children can return. If those efforts are unsuccessful, the legal system becomes involved and the children are placed with foster families.

The overarching goal of the system is to reunify the family once it is a safe place for the children. If that is not possible after 12 to 18 months, adoption becomes an option for the children.

Rolling out in waves

Community-based care is expanding across Texas in three stages:

Stage 1: A network of services is developed, and children are placed in foster homes by the regional contractor. Stage 1 aims to improve the overall well-being of foster care children by keeping them closer to home and connected with their communities and families. Stage 1 typically lasts 12 months.

Stage 2: The contractor provides case management, kinship and reunification services to increase the number of children with permanent homes. Stage 2 usually lasts 18 months.

Stage 3: The contractor handles all case management in the region with DFPS stepping into an oversight role.

Some regions have already undergone the first two phases, while others have not even begun plans.

Community-based care currently serves about half of Texas geographically and about a quarter of the children who are in state custody.

Region 7, which encompasses 30 counties including McLennan and Travis, is considered ready to move into Stage 1, with the transition beginning in the 2026-27 fiscal year. Stage 2 is expected to happen in the 2028-29 fiscal year.

By 2029, all of Texas will be served by community-based care. The planned timeline is contingent on funding and qualified applications for contractors.

Pre-existing roadblocks

To prepare for the regional rollout, the Heart of Texas Families and Foster Care Coalition is assessing needs in McLennan County, mainly the lack of resources for both birth families and foster families.

Courtney and Stacy Spink are sisters who have been fostering together for three years in their Waco home. They said the hardest part has been finding a therapist who has availability for their foster children.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children in the foster care system need to have a health screening visit within 72 hours of placement. Often, placements happen in the middle of the night with a few hours notice.

In general, finding a doctor can be a time-consuming process, a 2022 AMN Healthcare survey found. The firm reported that it takes Dallas residents an average of 13 days to be seen by a doctor by appointment and on average, only 55% of those doctors offices accept Medicaid, a medical benefit foster children depend on. The survey found that in Houston, residents have to wait an average of 23 days and 69% of doctors offices accept Medicaid.

Following the initial screening, foster children have to be seen again for a comprehensive health assessment within 30 days of the placement and a followup within three months of the placement.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also states that within 30 days of placement, foster children should undergo a mental health evaluation, as well as a developmental health evaluation for kids younger than 6, an educational evaluation for those older than 5, and a dental evaluation.

Courtney Spink said she and her sister had to wait five months to get one of their placements into a counselors office and have even had to travel to different towns to have their placements seen in a timely manner.

Cristian Garcia, Chief Development Officer of St. Francis Ministries, the contractor for Region 1, said he saw similar challenges when his region transitioned to community-based care. Region 1 comprises the Texas Panhandle, which includes Amarillo and Lubbock.

Garcia said the transition was made easier when the community began to rally together to take ownership.

I think what community-based care does is it allows for communities to own whats truthfully theirs, and thats their kids and families and the well-being of their community, Garcia said.

The difference here to me is having the ability to do that with a provider whos willing to seek feedback and support the community to say, All right, you have a seat at the table. Lets get this thing going. And that is always what drives positive outcomes for kids and families.

Taking ownership

As community-based care begins to roll out in McLennan County, kids in foster care who have already been placed outside the county will not be disrupted in those placements. Rather, as more children are removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect, they will be placed within their community.

Local foster care advocates say the shortage of foster families in McLennan County has been an issue for years.

Officials with CK Family Services said the greatest need is for families willing to foster sibling groups, children ages 9 and older, and youth with behavioral needs. There is also a distinct need for families where one or both parents have specialized medical training.

Stacy Spink said she and her sister dreamed of creating a foster family together for years before they even started the paperwork.

One Sunday, they attended church as usual and the sermon that day gave them the final push they needed. Their pastor made a point to tell the congregation they could wipe away the need for foster homes in Waco if each family chose to use their spare bedroom to house a foster child.

Even with the daily challenges of foster care, the sisters said they know this is their calling.

I think the most beautiful piece is just when they leave recognizing the growth that theyve made from when they came into the home to when they leave the home, Courtney Spink said. Just like the skills and character and joy that they leave with that they, in our case, have never come with. And then theres also lots of little pockets of joy in giving them life experiences that they never got like going to the beach or Hawaiian Falls or the movies.
The Texas A&M McGregor Research Center, one of the largest cow-calf facilities tied to a land-grant university, is on its way to becoming the go-to research facility for area livestock producers to look for answers under the direction of Ryon Walker, Ph.D.

Walker was hired in late 2021 as the first onsite manager of the McGregor facility in more than 15 years. The Department of Animal Science in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences took over management of the research center, located about 100 miles northwest of Texas A&M University, in 1972.

Although he was not familiar with the McGregor Research Center, Walkers acceptance of the position was a return to familiar territory as he was raised less than 50 miles away and had earned both his masters and bachelors degrees in animal science from Texas A&M. He earned his doctorate in the physiology of reproduction in beef cattle from Colorado State University.

Walker brought with him extensive experience gained at the Noble Research Institute, Ardmore, Oklahoma; Hill Farm Research Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Homer, Louisiana; North Central Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota Extension, Grand Rapids; and the San Juan Basin Research Station and the Department of Animal Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. His research concentrated on beef cattle reproductive management as well as cow size and its effect on feed, fertility and production efficiency in beef production systems.

Rebuilding and strengthening

Walker said he knew there was work to be done, but once I interviewed and learned about the center, I saw the opportunity of what this place could be. Moving forward, we want to manage this center with a producer focus.

The research center is approximately 6,400 acres and runs about 1,000 spring-calving momma cows. It has the capacity to background weaned calves, graze them on small grain pastures, as well as feed out some cattle in a feedlot. Approximately 180 of the 400-plus acres of corn planted are used as a feed resource.

There are approximately 70 pastures with 77 miles of fence and a lot of mesquite encroachment. Brush control has been dealt with, but it is not where it needs to be. And pasture conditions were getting poor because of droughts and being overstocked. The facilities and infrastructure need a lot of work.

Those ongoing issues will continually be addressed, but most important to Walker is making the producer connection. Relying on his Extension background, he hosted a field day at the center in May  the first one there in 26 years  to invite the surrounding ranching community to learn about the center and what is happening there now.

The producers will come; they just need to see value, Walker said. As big and productive as this place can be in terms of research and production outreach and education, it has been underutilized. That is something that will be one of the priorities moving forward.

Connecting to the producer

The center has been known for genetics research for many, many years. Walker said he wants to bring in research that directly connects to the producer.

Weve got to be able to manage the whole operation, the cow herd, as if a producer was managing it, he said. We are a research center, so when research projects come to McGregor, that becomes our priority; however, when we are not conducting research, we want a healthy ecosystem, a healthy environment and a healthy pasture system so we can graze cattle efficiently and manage from an economic standpoint like a producer would manage.

Walker said they started by caring for the pastures and the soil the best they could with drought conditions. That required reducing the herd by about 130 cows due to the drought and wear on the pastures.

Coming in, I also wanted the ability to bring in technology that is coming to the industry. We want to be on the forefront  test different agricultural technologies to see if they work, are they cost effective, can the producer afford them?

A cloud-based cattle management software has already been implemented to manage the cow herd, pasture conditions, visualize of the pastures and water system, and inventory feed, hay and health products. The center also has technology to collect animal feed intake and methane output. And, Walker said he is looking at virtual fencing to manage grazing with no boundaries.

The endpoint, he said, is for technology to hopefully reduce labor needs, because labor is an issue; finding people who want to work the hours needed on a ranch is a challenge, especially during the summertime.

Changing the beef

Another change taking place is moving away from the longtime genetics research with the Nelore breed of cattle crossed with Angus cattle. Nelore is one of the true Bos indicus breeds known for heat tolerance and insect resistance. However, the U.S. cattle industry has not utilized this breed in their cow herds as much as was once expected.

Walker said they are transitioning to the Brahman breed and will focus on producing half-bloods from Brahman/Angus crosses for a percentage of the herd. Additionally, some faculty are working with reciprocal crosses to determine the sire influence on traits like birth weight, weaning weight, health, fertility and longevity.

We plan to create a herd of half-bloods that will allow us to produce calves with lower percentage Brahman or higher percentage Brahman, depending on the research needs, he said.

But we still must maintain a herd that has a small percentage of Brahman to be more representative of the producers further north. Most all cattle in our herd have some ear, meaning it has some percentage of Brahman, crossed with either Angus, Hereford or a cross.
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
Alexander/50

WATERLOO  Frank and Jeanne Alexander will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a card shower.

They were married July 21, 1973, at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Waterloo.

The couple are both retired. They have four children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Cards may be mailed to 550 Park Lane, No. 313, Waterloo, IA, 50702.
Lynch/50

WATERLOO  Barb and Pat Lynch will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a card shower.

They were married July 20, 1973, in Waterloo.

She is a retired Iowa State Clerk of Court. He is retired from John Deere.

There are five children, 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Cards may be sent to 2727 Lafayette St. Waterloo, IA 50703.

Help them celebrate by congratulating them with a card. The family is hoping they will receive at least one for every year.

The family will be enjoying a private dinner with the couple.
Long before presidential campaigns cost a billion dollars and the Capitol Hill press corps obsessed daily over whos up and whos down, Congress worked together to resolve controversial national issues.

For example, from May to September 1972, Democratic and Republican members of the House of Representatives and Senate held 40 meetings to hammer out legislation to address Americas growing problem with water pollution. Forty.

Finally, a deal was struck in mid-September and quickly brought to both chambers for a vote Oct. 4. The House passed what became known as the Clean Water Act of 1972 by a wide, bipartisan margin, 366-11. The Senate vote was an even more overwhelming, astonishing 74-0.

But President Richard Nixon, a proponent of the original legislation, vetoed the long-in-coming new law because, he said, its total cost would be four times more than his opening proposal. He signed his veto Oct. 17.

Congress wanted no part of Nixons cheapskate, well-do-more-later approach to clean up the nations water. On Oct. 18  before the White House ink had dried on the veto  the House overrode Nixons action by a still wide 247-23 bipartisan margin. The Senate agreed with the House and vetoed the veto 52-12. The Clean Water Act became law.

Can anyone but the sunniest Pollyanna see todays House and Senate  or even more impossible, just GOP House members  agreeing on what day of the week it is, let alone complex, perhaps career-costing legislation that tackles crucial issues affecting our nations, and therefore every citizens, future? Me neither.

But that reality wont keep House members from wasting more time and taxpayers money on messaging bills  bills to help their campaigns, not their constituents and not the nation  as their 11 precious days in Washington this month melt away.

Case in point: Republicans who lead the House Financial Services Committee plan to spend the next few weeks holding hearings and voting on bills designed to send a clear signal: Corporations, in particular big investment managers, should think twice about integrating climate and social goals into their business plans, reported Politico on July 10.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has already done the critical thinking here and it stands by its proposal that publicly traded companies should be required to include certain climate-related disclosures that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on their business to both shareholders and the consuming public.

Climate deniers  the few who are left  despise any disclosure proposal and claim it will drive up the cost of goods and services while presenting an unfair, if unflattering, portrait of any business forced to come clean.

Farm groups like the American Farm Bureau Federation have joined the deniers chorus, suggesting a farmers obligations through their regulated customers could be enormous. AFBF does admit, however, that it doesnt know how that might happen since farmers and ranchers are not public companies and therefore not registrants that are required to report directly to the SEC.

Moreover, since no SEC disclosure rule is in place, cost estimates at this fluid stage are just a guess.

Still, few climate-skeptic politicians have risen to defend climate deniers claims  and not because its really bad science but because its really bad politics. Polls consistently indicate that 75% of all Americans believe climate change is real while only 10% claim it isnt. Even the most rockheaded, anti-climate-change politician can noodle out that voter math.

Climate deniers can too, so many have a new tactic: drop denial and pivot to delay. Do everything to stall any action that might mitigate climate change.

Like, say, call the House Financial Services Committee to order in the middle of July to waste time  your time, their time, and the little time left to take meaningful action against climate change  to, if not get their way, keep the other 75% of the public from getting what they want and their children and grandchildren need.

Today, the science over climate change, like the science over dirty water in the early 1970s, isnt even part of the debate; its a done deal and most everyone agrees.

Everyone except Congress, that is.
Here are some interesting statistics on student debt: The average debt for a four-year bachelors degree is $34,700. The average four-year bachelors degree debt from a public college is $32,714. The average four-year bachelors degree debt from a private for-profit college is $59,701.

These are sobering numbers. Never mind how debt this size was accumulated. Fingers are pointed at the high cost of college, lack of parental planning and support, and poor financial management by students to name just a few causes.

Regardless of how the figures got so high, the brutal fact is a lot of students are graduating with an enormous debt load and will struggle to pay it back. They may have trouble finding good-paying jobs and in most cases are prohibited from filing for bankruptcy to alleviate the debt.

To his credit, President Biden came up with a plan he wanted to implement through executive order to forgive substantial amounts of debt. The Supreme Court rejected the plan by essentially saying Biden overstepped his authority. Not to be dissuaded, he has come up with another plan that may suffer a similar fate. What is getting lost is whether or not these plans are well conceived, or more importantly, fair.

For years, parents and students have sacrificed in order to finance a college education. Graduates have made monthly payments for a long time to finally shed the debt and that has usually involved considerable sacrifice for most. Now along comes the government and says that recent graduates will get a big break on what they owe. Its only natural that those who have lived up to their commitments and paid off loans should feel unfairly treated. Its so tempting to feel they are getting the short end of the stick. I dont blame them.

But whether fair or not, we need to do something about crushing student debt. Federal student loan debt is currently $1.6 trillion and rising for more than 45 million borrowers. Thats a lot of money to pay back. So were stuck. We want to help alleviate the burden of the debt, but we also are uncomfortable essentially penalizing those who followed the rules and paid off their borrowing. Is there a middle ground?

Maybe.

How about requiring payback of the amount borrowed but forgiving interest? I have spoken to graduates who have been paying on their loans for years but because of interest have made only a small dent in the principal. Couldnt the government forgive the interest on federal loans and perhaps reimburse private lenders some or all of the lost interest on private loans? This plan has the advantage of helping graduates but also reminding them that borrowed money needs to be paid back, which is a pretty good lesson to learn.

We have long heard that our public debt is mortgaging our childrens future, and we have done little about that. But if there is any mortgaging of the future going on, the amount of student debt must be placed at or near the top of any list. Forgiving interest for graduates may be a good path to follow to protect the future for them.
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. &&
2023 Int'l Meat Industry Expo kicks off in Yinchuan, NW China

Xinhua) 10:57, July 15, 2023

Attendees visit the 2023 International Meat Industry Expo in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 14, 2023. The expo kicked off here on Friday. Over 300 enterprises from home and abroad participate in the event, showcasing quality meat products, equipment, and service solutions. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Attendees learn about food products exhibited at the 2023 International Meat Industry Expo in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 14, 2023. The expo kicked off here on Friday. Over 300 enterprises from home and abroad participate in the event, showcasing quality meat products, equipment, and service solutions. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

A purchaser learns about a meat processor at the 2023 International Meat Industry Expo in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 14, 2023. The expo kicked off here on Friday. Over 300 enterprises from home and abroad participate in the event, showcasing quality meat products, equipment, and service solutions. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Attendees visit the 2023 International Meat Industry Expo in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 14, 2023. The expo kicked off here on Friday. Over 300 enterprises from home and abroad participate in the event, showcasing quality meat products, equipment, and service solutions. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

This photo taken on July 14, 2023 shows a scene of the 2023 International Meat Industry Expo in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The expo kicked off here on Friday. Over 300 enterprises from home and abroad participate in the event, showcasing quality meat products, equipment, and service solutions. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Attendees learn about food products exhibited at the 2023 International Meat Industry Expo in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 14, 2023. The expo kicked off here on Friday. Over 300 enterprises from home and abroad participate in the event, showcasing quality meat products, equipment, and service solutions. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Guests learn about automation equipment for meat packing at the 2023 International Meat Industry Expo in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 14, 2023. The expo kicked off here on Friday. Over 300 enterprises from home and abroad participate in the event, showcasing quality meat products, equipment, and service solutions. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
Instagram Celebrity

Big Draco argues that he can't pay his ex-girlfriend Kayla Myers the amount ordered by a judge because his cost of living has been more than his earnings as of late.

Jul 15, 2023

AceShowbiz - It looks like Soulja Boy has financial problems. The "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" rapper has been instructed to pay $236,000 to his ex Kayla Myers amid their legal battle, but he reportedly can't afford it as he also owes $1 million to IRS.

According to a report from RadarOnline.com, the 32-year-old emcee recently asked a judge to reconsider a lawsuit against Kayla. In his request, he claimed his cost of living has been more than his earnings as of late.

Big Draco, whose real name DeAndre Cortez Way, stated that his current financial situation was not accurately portrayed to the judge when the initial punitive damage award was given. Thus, he is now seeking for the judge to overturn the ruling.

Soulja allegedly admitted to making "millions" when he first launched his music career back in 2007. However, he noted that he now only makes money from shows, appearances and affiliate marketing, and his income is not enough to maintain his lifestyle as an entertainer.

According to the "Crank That" hitmaker, he makes $10,000 - $50,000 per show. It's not a big amount of money considering that he still needs to pay his team, security as well as transportation. In addition, his attorneys expressed to the judge that due to COVID-19, the rrap star was unable to make his normal earnings from shows because many were canceled between 2022-2023.

Soulja additionally claimed that he has no properties nor any other assets to liquidate. He reportedly noted that he doesn't even own the home he's staying in and pays $25,000 instead for montly rent.

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Instagram Celebrity

In a new interview, the Royal Ballet dancer famed for dancing with late Princess Diana gets candid about the insecurity that he has been battling all his life.

Jul 15, 2023

AceShowbiz - Wayne Sleep was left "depressed" over his short stature and even considered taking hormone pills in a desperate bid to grow taller. The 5ft 2in ballet dancer climbed the ranks of the Royal Ballet in the 1960s after becoming the shortest male dancer ever to be into the Royal Ballet School - but he's admitted his rise to stardom was tough because he was overlooked in favour of his taller peers.

"I was so depressed! I can tell you now, I fought the depression all my life, but now I can just forget about it, because it doesn't worry me," he told The Telegraph newspaper.

He went on to reveal he was considering taking hormone pills in a bid to boost his height, but he gave up on the idea following a stern chat with the Royal Ballet's founder and director Ninette de Valois.

Wayne added, " 'Sleep!' she said to me. 'What's this I hear about you wanting to take pills? You can't. It's not been scientifically proven. You'll just have to turn twice as fast as everyone else, and jump twice as high. Now get on with it!' I didn't disobey."

During the interview, Wayne went on to talk about his most famous dance of all - his performance with the late Princess Diana at a charity event in London in 1985. The moment was recreated in Netflix series "The Crown" and the dancer says the scene looked good but he would have happily helped out with details he says they got wrong.

He told the paper, " 'The Crown' did very well, I thought. But why didn't they phone me? ... As soon as she came on [in The Crown], the audience went 'Aahhhh!' In fact, it was an intake of breath from 2,000 people." Wayne added of the dancer who played him in the show, "Well, I'm glad he wasn't so good as me!"

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The Hollywood Reporter/IMAX Movie

The 'Interstellar' actor commends the 'Inception' director for taking on the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer who was well known as the Father of the Atomic Bomb.

Jul 15, 2023

AceShowbiz - Matt Damon has applauded Christopher Nolan for taking on a "morally complex" film with "Oppenheimer". The 52-year-old star plays US Army Lieutenant General Leslie Groves in the new movie about J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) - the physicist behind the atomic bomb - and praised the filmmaker for taking on such an emotive historical subject matter.

"I think everybody wants to see Chris's movies anyway. I felt like 'Dunkirk' was devastating in many ways and I was the first in line to see it. I think it's great that he's covering something that is so morally complex and important to all of our history as something like this," Matt said at the movie's UK premiere in London on Thursday, July 13.

Matt - who walked out of the premiere with co-stars Murphy and Emily Blunt due to the announcement of the SAG-AFTRA strike - had previously collaborated with the director on the 2014 flick "Interstellar" and hailed Nolan for his "perfect process" of putting a blockbuster together.

The "Invictus" star said, "He's just such a badass. I don't want to say he gets better because I feel like he's been at the top for a really long time. If anything I guess he's refining what was already a perfect process. He's just really something else. I just wanna be in the stable. I'll do anything, big, small, whatever he wants. I hope I get a call again. It's just the best place to work there is."

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Bravo Celebrity

The 'Pulp Fiction' actress accidentally sent her car flying while trying to park the vehicle outside Point Dume Village, a shopping center in Malibu, California.

Jul 15, 2023

AceShowbiz - Rosanna Arquette has accidentally driven her car into a California shopping centre. The 63-year-old "Pulp Fiction" actress is rumored to have been attempting to park her BMW SUV outside Point Dume Village in Malibu, California on Tuesday, July 11 when she accidentally sent the vehicle flying forwards hitting a number of support pillars and narrowly missing tables set up outside the Lily's Malibu restaurant.

"We can confirm Rosanna Arquette was involved in a traffic incident in Malibu," The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed the accident in a statement to PEOPLE.

Los Angeles Fire Station 71 Captain Mike Rivera told The Malibu Times, "She was a little shook up about what happened ... Around 9:45 a.m., a vehicle that was attempting to park, it was unknown exactly what happened, but instead of backing out, it went forward, and took out three pillars that support the roof. Luckily no one was injured. We had two tables nearby but luckily no one was sitting there."

Rivera added that engineers were called out to inspect the building to make sure it is safe after the car wiped out the support pillars.

Arquette - who is the sister of acting siblings Patricia Arquette and David Arquette - is not believed to have been hurt in the accident but was transported to hospital as a precaution. Malibu/Lost Hill's sheriff's Deputy Navarro told Fox News, "It appeared that she had possibly lost control of her vehicle ... At the time of the incident, it did not appear that she had any injuries."

The outlet reported that officials have since confirmed there did not appear to be any "indication of impairment due to drugs or alcohol."

An investigation into the accident is said to be pending.

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A woman nicknamed 'the Percocet Princess', who has been arrested in connection to the death of Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, reportedly told the teen not to 'go overboard' after selling fentanyl-laced pills.

Jul 15, 2023

AceShowbiz - A woman selling drugs to Leandro De Niro Rodriguez reportedly issued chilling warnings to the teen before he died of suspected overdose. Sofia Haley Marks, who was recently arrested in connection to the death of Robert De Niro's grandson, told investigators that she told the teen he could die from taking the drugs she sold.

According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, the woman, who is also known with her nickname "the Percocet Princess", sold fake oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl to Leandro though she knew the pills could kill. She reportedly had text exchanges with the 19-year-old just days before he died.

During one exchange, Sofia asked Leandro, "do you really need them? I don't wanna kill you." She continued, "I just don't like serving u them cuz they not script."

Eventually, the two struck a deal for 3 of the fake oxycodone pills and two tablets of Xanax for $105. After agreeing to the deal, Sofia allegedly texted Leandro, "don't go overboard with these."

The drugs were delivered by car to Leandro on Saturday, July 1 at around 9 P.M. The next day, around 1:50 A.M., Sofia texted the teen, "u good?" before he never responded.

Leandro was found dead in the Cipriani Club Residences on Wall Street on July 2. His death has been probed as a possible overdose after a white powdery substance and drug paraphernalia were found near the teenager's body.

On July 5, Leandro's mom and Robert's daughter Drena De Niro confirmed her son's cause of death. She revealed that her son took "fentanyl laced pills" in response to an Instagram user who asked how her Leandro passed away. She wrote in the comments section, "Someone sold him fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him."

Seemingly fuming at a drug dealer who sold her son the pills knowingly they were laced with fentanyl, Drena added, "so for all these people still f**king around selling and buying this s**t, my son is gone forever."

On Thursday, July 13, the female drug dealer was arrested in New York City at around 6 P.M. in an undercover sting operation conducted by the NYPD, Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security. She has been federally charged with the distribution of narcotics. She was held without bail at Manhattan Federal Court on Friday morning.

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The British actor, who is best known for his role as Spider-Man in MCU, has sent fans into a frenzy after he is seen having a steamy gay sex in the latest episode of the Apple TV+ thriller series.

Jul 15, 2023

AceShowbiz - Tom Holland finds himself trending on Twitter after his intimate scene on "The Crowded Room" goes viral on social media. The British actor sent fans into a frenzy after he was seen having a steamy gay sex in the latest episode of the Apple TV+ show.

In the eighth episode of the thriller series, Tom's character Danny Sullivan, who is dealing with a mental disorder similar to Dissociative Identity Disorder, appeared as a woman named Ariana, one of his alternate personalities. At one point, Tom's Ariana could be seen grinding sensually on a male partner while dancing to music at a club.

The two ended up taking their steamy session to the next level as they hooked up in the bathroom. Tom's character could be heard moaning while taking it from behind.

Unsurprisingly, fans were having mixed feelings about the scene. "Tom Holland said if [Zendaya Coleman] gonna be kissing two men in a movie, ima have a gay sex in a movie and I'm not mad about it," a fan tweeted, referring to Tom's girlfriend Zendaya's upcoming movie "Challengers" in which she's involved in a threesome. "I love Tom and all but if he was my man I would cry myself to sleep," one other said.

Some others praised Tom for his versatility with one writing, "I really love tom holland's diversity on a serious note like he's so open to all roles and that's what we need in Hollywood these days." Echoing the sentiment, one other fan said, "Tom Holland actually is one of my favourite actors so versatile."

However, some fans didn't think it was a good idea for Tom, who is best known for his role as Spider-Man in MCU, to take such role. "I get acting is acting and you should choose to play what role you want. But you have to be careful in this new generation. Kids that love Spiderman (tom holland) are going to beg there parents to see him in any movie because he's Spiderman in their eyes," a critic noted. One other opined, "Why would they make the Spider-Man boy into a gay man in another movie like they couldn't find anyone else for that role?"

"The Crowded Room" follows Danny Sullivan, a young man who is arrested on suspicion of committing a bone-chilling crime. He details his alternate personality disorder during interviews with an interrogator, played by Amanda Seyfried.

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The Netflix docu-series about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is a contender for Best Streaming Nonfiction Series at the upcoming Hollywood Critics Awards.

Jul 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Netflix docuseries, "Harry & Meghan", has gotten a nomination at the upcoming Hollywood Critics Awards (HCA). Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle's bombshell six-part series is vying for Best Streaming Nonfiction Series at the Los Angeles bash on August 13.

The docu-series is pitted against "Prehistoric Planet 2", "Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss", "Rennervations", "The 1619 Project", and "The Reluctant Traveller with Eugene Levy".

The fly-on-the-wall series broke streaming records as it became the streaming giant's biggest documentary debut, clocking 81.6 million hours viewed within the first four days of its release. It was also met with equal measures of criticism and praise. One flaw was being accused of using doctored and irrelevant footage.

The couple - who stepped down as senior members of the British Royal Family and relocated to the US to lead a financially independent life in 2020 - discuss the impact of the paparazzi and the media on their lives, with Harry insisting he didn't want "history to repeat itself" in reference to the way his late mother Princess Diana was treated.

In a preview clip of the series, a picture used of Harry being hounded by photographers was actually taken years before he met Meghan. Instead, the snap appeared cropped and was actually of him with his ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy, whom he dated on and off from 2004 to 2011.

Meanwhile, the trailer also appeared to use footage of former glamour model Katie Price going into court, among other bizarre choices of footage. A number of bombshell claims were made about the Royal Family - including late Queen Elizabeth - and Harry's fraught relationship with his older brother, Prince William, 41, who he accused of trading stories with the press and other royal households. Harry also claimed he was "terrified" to have William "scream and shout" at him during a meeting about their royal exit.

The last time Harry and Meghan attended an awards ceremony, a spokesperson for the 38-year-old duke and the 41-year-old duchess claimed that they were involved in a "near catastrophic car chase" after attending the Women of Vision Awards in New York.

Meanwhile, the award comes after the pair's $20 million deal with Spotify was terminated, with former actress Meghan's "Archetypes" series the only content they produced for the streaming service. Despite the knock-back, both Harry and Meghan - who have Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, together - and Netflix remain happy with their deal with plenty more projects in the pipeline.

A spokesperson for Archewell said, "New companies often make changes in their start-up phase, both with people and strategy, and we are no exception. We're more equipped, focused and energised than ever before."

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The former One Direction member talks about co-parenting with his former girlfriend Gigi Hadid and raising their two-year-old daughter Khai away from spotlight.

Jul 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Zayn Malik hopes to give his daughter "some chance of a normal childhood" away from the paparazzi. The former One Direction star, 30, shares two-year-old Khai with supermodel Gigi Hadid, 28, and explained the decision to raise their little girl primarily on the Pennsylvania farm the model shares with her sister Bella Hadid, 26, was so she wouldn't be thrown into the limelight and give the opportunity to choose if she wants to live that life.

"I didn't want her to have to be like exposed to that because she didn't choose it, you know, like it was a choice that I made. So I was like, we need to get out of here so that she can have. Some chance of like a normal childhood, you know, where there's not cameras flashing in affairs constantly," he said in his first interview in six years on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast.

The "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" hitmaker says it is possible to be famous and have a place where you can find "sanctuary." He added, "I just trying to give her an option, you know, so it's like a choice for her, like if she wants to be away from it, she can be out here. Like because I am a famous person and I get sanctuary, you know, I'm saying so."

Gushing about how his life has improved since becoming a dad and how he wanted to "set an example" for Khai, he said in the trailer clip for the interview, "Since I've had my daughter the main thing in my life is trying to be a good example to her. That's why I'm even doing this interview."

"I used to get a lot of anxiety around doing a conversation like this but I want her to be able to look at me and say, 'My dad's doing this.' I keep being told I'm telling dad jokes and I'm leaning into it it's okay, it's cool."

"People just look at me like I'm a weirdo and I'm like, 'Well, I'm a dad now so I'm allowed to tell these jokes!' I think we all get to a certain point in adult life where everything sort of seems vague and grey and boring and she's brought that colour back to my life for me."

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In a new interview, the 'Barbie' actor explains why he 'fell out of love' with the church and recalls how he had no roof over his head following a really terrible break-up.

Jul 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Ncuti Gatwa appreciates astrology after he "fell out of love" with the church. The "Barbie" actor has considered 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.

"It probably filled a gap that religion left in me. I couldn't 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 people's darkness, too," he told Rolling Stone UK magazine. "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 I'd 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 don't 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 - it's 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 can't 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 there's a disconnect between me and the Black British community, because I am Black and I am British, but there aren't any Rwandans. Certainly, there weren't any in Scotland. Church was how we found a community. Church people can be the kindest people and they can be shockingly cruel."

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Republican House lawmakers have passed a new military defense spending bill worth nearly $1 billion, including $300 million in aid for Ukraine amid Democratic opposition.

The United States House of Representatives has passed an unprecedented military spending bill that authorizes $886 million, including $300 million that would go in support of Ukraine.

Despite passing the vote 219-210, many lawmakers see its chances of becoming law as uncertain after GOP members added a series of culturally conservative amendments. The House passed, largely along party lines, the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets policy for the Pentagon.

House Passes Near $1 Billion Military Spending Bill

The situation marks a very different look from the typical bipartisan support that such a bill receives as it has been passed every year since 1961. The House measure included an increase in pay for military members, initiatives to counter China, and additional funding for Ukraine to fight against Russia's invasion.

During debate on the measure, Democratic lawmakers warned that the majority of them would not be supporting the bill after the GOP-led House voted on Thursday for amendments on various social issues that were being pushed by the party's hard-right flank members, as per Reuters.

The amendment, which received a final vote of 221-213, would reverse the Defense Department's policy of reimbursing expenses for service members who travel to get an abortion. The measure comes after the United States Supreme Court last year overturned Roe v. Wade Constitutional protections for abortion.

While several states in the country have since moved to impose new and restrictive abortion policies, the procedure remains legal in other regions. Additionally, the Pentagon's travel reimbursement policy was made to help those in the military or their family members who are seeking the procedure but are stationed in states that have outlawed abortion.

In a statement, Republican Rep. Barry Loudermilk said that House Republicans passed an NDAA that increases the military's lethality and "decreases the wokeness" that he argued has been infused in its ranks in the past few years, which was a reference to the conservative amendments that were approved by lawmakers.

Furthermore, Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy defended the new measure and strategy of allowing controversial amendments that the right flank put forth. He said that members were given a voice in what the bill would look like without predetermining what will be included, according to CNN.

Read Also: EU-US Data Privacy Framework to Make Data Transfer Between Europe and US Possible

Adding Controversial Amendments

On the other hand, the three House Democratic leaders issued a statement attacking Republican lawmakers for pushing the defense bill farther to the right. Next week, the Senate is expected to begin consideration of its own version of the NDAA. It would include an initial procedural vote to take up the bill on Tuesday.

There were only four "nay" votes among Republicans, which came from Reps. Donald Davis of North Carolina, Gabriel Vasquez of New Mexico, Jared Golden of Maine, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington.

Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee on Friday accused McCarthy of pandering to the most conservative Republican lawmakers with the amendments.

He said that these were more focused on the "culture war" than on military readiness. He added that such changes would only make the current military recruitment crisis even worse, said Fox News.

Related Article: Biden Administration Forgives $39 Billion in Student Loans

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In a groundbreaking moment for both technology and journalism, AI Anchor Sana achieved a historic milestone on AAJTAK's Prime Time show Black n White by delivering a news report entirely in French. Sana, the first AI Anchor in India, captivated viewers by showcasing her exceptional multilingual expertise during the broadcast.

The momentous occasion coincided with Prime Minister Modi's visit to France, marking the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and France. Sana's ability to fluently deliver news in French highlights the cutting-edge integration of technology and journalism, underscoring AAJTAK's commitment to innovative reporting.

The remarkable achievement by AI Anchor Sana highlights the remarkable progress made in the field of artificial intelligence and natural language processing. By seamlessly transitioning between languages, Sana demonstrated the immense potential of AI in breaking language barriers and expanding the scope of journalism.

Sana's journey as an AI Anchor began with her highly anticipated launch at the India Today Conclave in March 2023, where she engaged in an interactive session with Prime Minister Modi. Since then, Sana has continuously impressed audiences with her impeccable delivery, unbiased reporting, and now, her linguistic versatility.

The news report delivered by Sana in French can be viewed at the following link:

AI Anchor Sana's groundbreaking achievement is set to inspire future developments in the field of artificial intelligence and revolutionize the way news is reported. AAJTAK remains committed to harnessing the power of technology to enhance journalistic practices and deliver news to audiences across the globe.
The advent of the digital era has revolutionised the PR landscape, introducing new opportunities and challenges. Social media platforms, online influencers, and digital analytics have become integral to PR strategies, enabling professionals to engage with audiences in real-time, measure campaign effectiveness, and adapt swiftly to emerging trends. Additionally, the rise of fake news and disinformation has necessitated the role of PR in combating misinformation and promoting transparency.

World PR Day is an annual event celebrated on July 16, dedicated to recognising the importance of public relations (PR) in todays interconnected world. It serves as a platform to acknowledge the role of PR professionals in shaping public opinion, fostering meaningful relationships, and driving effective communication strategies.

On World PR Day, Adgully reached out a cross-section of leading PR and Communications professionals to chart the future of the PR industry and what shape and form it is expected to take in the coming years.

Also read:

Exclusive: World PR Day Part 1 - The state of Public Relations industry today

Bhaskar Majumdar, Head - Corporate Affairs, Communication, CSR & Digital, Egis India:

Communication now is a blend of earned, paid, owned and shared media. Digital & Social Outreach will now be an integral part of all Communication campaign planning. The industry has gone through a radical shift with the availability of data, wider reach of the Internet and growth of smartphones. Today, the line is blurring between traditional outreach, video production, event development, brand marketing, media planning/ buying, as well as content creation and influencer strategies. The lines between communications and marketing continue to blur, creating new challenges and opportunities.

Technology will continue to rule (even more than before) as the primary tool for PR practitioners, this includes digital marketing automation tools. Creativity & Content is going to be key in Communication going forward.

Mahima Misra, Head of Public Relations, Good Glamm Group:

The focus on digital and social media, incorporating AI and automation will continue to increase. AI and automation technologies have the potential to transform the PR industry. These technologies can streamline tasks such as data analysis, media monitoring, content creation, and personalised messaging. By leveraging AI-powered tools, one can gain insights, automate repetitive tasks, and enhance efficiency. This will result in a strong focus on personalised communications. By understanding audience preferences and behaviours through data analysis, PR professionals across will be able to tailor campaigns to specific segments, resulting in more relevant and impactful communication.

Influencer marketing will continue to evolve and gain focus. Authenticity and transparency will be crucial here, and there may also be a shift toward micro-influencers, who have smaller but highly engaged audiences. It will be important for PR to get more creative in its collaborations with influencers and leverage their influence in a way that aligns with brand values.

The industrys future direction will be influenced by technological advancements and the changing consumer needs and focus.

Ajey Maharaj, Head of Corporate Communications, Fortis Healthcare:

Its important to note that the PR industry is constantly evolving in response to technological advancements, changing consumer behaviour, and societal shifts.

Sharing some trends that will dominate the industry. The key for PR professionals will be to remain adaptable, embrace emerging technologies, and stay attuned to evolving audience expectations.

Personalisation and Audience Segmentation: PR practitioners will increasingly focus on personalised communication tailored to specific audience segments. With advancements in data analytics and audience profiling, PR professionals will have access to more refined insights into individual preferences, behaviours, and demographics. This will enable them to craft more targeted and relevant messaging, resulting in stronger connections with their intended audiences.

Purpose-Driven PR: As societal expectations continue to evolve, purpose-driven PR will become more prominent. Consumers are increasingly drawn to brands that align with their values and contribute positively to society. PR professionals will play a vital role in helping organisations articulate their purpose, demonstrate social responsibility, and engage in meaningful initiatives. This approach will enhance brand reputation and foster deeper connections with stakeholders.

Influencer Evolution: Influencer marketing will continue to evolve, adapting to changing consumer behaviours and platforms. While social media influencers will still be relevant, new types of influencers might emerge, such as micro-influencers who have smaller, niche audiences but higher engagement rates. Additionally, influencer partnerships may focus more on long-term collaborations and authentic storytelling rather than one-off endorsements.

Atul Raja, Marketer, Brand Builder, Communication Expert and Strategist:

The PR industry in India is well-positioned for growth in the coming years. The industry is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and PR professionals are playing a key role in helping businesses to manage their reputations and achieve their strategic goals. Certain trends will define the direction that PR will take in the near future:

The convergence of PR and marketing: The PR industry is moving towards an integrated approach that combines PR and marketing communications to deliver a more cohesive brand message. PR professionals are becoming more involved in marketing activities such as branding, advertising, and product launches.

The rise of regional markets is another trend that will impact the PR industry in India. As more consumers access the internet from rural areas, there is a growing need for localised content and language-specific messaging. PR professionals will need to adapt their strategies to cater to these new markets and audiences.

The increasing importance of data-driven PR: Using data to measure the effectiveness of campaigns and tracking TG-specific reach and engagement will become a must for PR firms.

The use of influencer marketing for PR will come in handy, esp. in augmenting engagement and crisis management.

The enhanced value of storytelling: In a world where people are bombarded with information, storytelling is more important than ever for PR firms to help their clients connect with their audiences on an emotional level.

Tripti Pandey, AVP, corporate Communications, Honasa Consumer:

"PR is a constantly evolving function as it has to mold itself accordingly to the target audience. The media landscape has evolved extensively over the last 5-7 years, with social and digital taking center stage and serving as the primary mode of information. PR practitioners are fast adapting to this and tailoring their strategy to effectively connect and engage with their target audience. Apart from adapting to the changing mediums and channels, authenticity has become pivotal in every communication. The audiences are smarter than ever, they have enough tools to validate information, hence authenticity is critical to building credibility with the audiences. But this is a constantly evolving function and PR professionals will have to continuously innovate newer ways of communication to reach and connect with their target audiences."

Gulrez Alam, Founder, Teamology PR

"One notable observation is the shifting landscape of media consumption. With the advent of social media and digital platforms, traditional media channels are no longer the sole gatekeepers of information. This has given rise to a more fragmented media landscape, where PR professionals must navigate multiple channels to reach their target audiences. As a result, there has been a greater emphasis on integrated communication approaches, blending traditional media relations with social media engagement, influencer collaborations, and content marketing.

Moreover, the PR industry has become increasingly data-driven. In today's era of big data, PR professionals have access to a wealth of information that can inform their strategies and measure the impact of their efforts. Analytics and metrics play a crucial role in demonstrating the value of PR campaigns, allowing for more precise targeting, customization, and optimization."

Sharon Henriques, Co-founder, Mondial Kommunications:

The function will continue to become even more crucial in a hyper-connected environment. The role of hybrid and branded media will gain prominence. Cross brand partnerships will also emerge to become a winning marketing tool for brands across categories that share values. Purpose driven and culture-oriented storytelling will drive conversations and the relationship with media owners and content creators will tighten to drive this messaging. Storytelling will become more universal and wont be restricted by borders.

Girish Huria, Head of Growth, APAC and EVP, Avian WE:

The future will be data. All growth-focussed organisations have been pivoting to a data-driven approach for better business outcomes.

AI readiness will also be critical to the future of communications. How quickly and in what ways we embrace this emerging technology will determine the pace at which we transform and thrive.

Geopolitical shifts and rising concerns about economic and financial fragmentation will continue to impact markets and businesses. Brands often need quick solutions to fire-fight situations born out of these challenges. For this, communicators will also need to understand evolving geopolitical dynamics and react and act meaningfully.

Pooja Chaudhri, Executive Director, Concept PR:

The PR industry is already evolving beyond 2.0. While agencies are still grappling with including digital in their strategies, the clients are demanding greater bang for the buck.

I believe, among the new trends that will change PR, will be using AI to carry out better customer identification and targeting. Already AI is improving the content and making it more relevant to the target audiences. I think in the near future, AI will have to be assisted by Machine Learning (ML) to constantly improve and become more autonomous, in terms of messaging, targeting and delivery.

Agencies that are able to merge the advancement in Tech with constantly changing demands of targets will grow and thrive.

Rucha Bhalekar, Director Corporate Communications, FCB Group India:

Today, we see the PR industry investing in crafting narratives that align with their brands values and resonate with their eventual consumers. Integrating social media, content marketing, and storytelling has elevated the role of PR in brand communication; practitioners can now differentiate their brands and effectively convey their messages in a cluttered digital landscape. Remaining agile, proactive, and adaptable to emerging trends to thrive in this ever-evolving industry is essential.

Madhukar Kumar, Founder & Chief Strategist, Grey Cell PR:

Despite challenges, I believe the PR industry is well-positioned for a strong future. The demand for effective PR is set to grow in the coming years as businesses and organisations increasingly rely on the right professionals to communicate with their stakeholders.

I foresee the PR industry evolving further in the future, with a greater emphasis on digital media and social media. PR professionals will need to enhance their skills in content creation, social media marketing, and influencer relations. They will also need to be able to measure their PR campaigns impact to demonstrate their value to clients.

The PR industry will become more integrated with other marketing disciplines like social media marketing and content marketing. PR professionals will need to understand the full range of marketing channels available to them and be prepared to wear multiple hats.

I also anticipate the PR industry becoming more data-driven. PR professionals will need to measure their campaigns impact to show their value to clients. This will necessitate the use of data analytics and other tools to track PR campaign performance.

Importantly, the significance of human relations and interactions will continue to reign supreme in our industry for the time being and will not be supplanted by artificial reality, at least for now.

Arjun Ramesh, Senior Tech PR Consultant:

The PR industry is on the cusp of a technological revolution, driven by advancements in AI and automation. AI-powered tools will revolutionise PR strategies, optimising processes such as media monitoring, sentiment analysis, and content creation. This technological integration will streamline PR efforts and enhance efficiency. However, at the same time, authentic storytelling will remain at the core, captivating audiences amidst the information overload. The future of PR lies in embracing these tech advancements and staying ahead in an ever-evolving media landscape.

Dr Sarvesh Tiwari, Founder & Managing Director, PR Professionals:

The Indian economy is not only growing fast, to an extent that it is being dubbed as the engine of the world economy, it is also maturing well. With greater realisation of the importance of reputation, organisations now see their expenditure on public relations as a necessary investment. The future of PR in India seems very healthy with hardly any possibility of a downturn. More evolved practitioners are now joining this trade leading to specialists taking up leadership roles. The greater integration with the global economy is making it more diverse. It has also resulted in realising that there is a need to make it a knowledge driven industry to service the clients better, making it a competitive turf. The ensuing competition will bring the craving for overall excellence in its ecosystem.

With technology being a game changer, it is heartening to see the way the sector has not only adopted the various innovations, it has gained a lot from it. India is also a country where relationships matter a lot. And what is PR without a relationship? It will be important to be friends with technology but never lose relationships in the process.

Sahana Rai, Founder/ CEO, Glocal Brand Solutions:

The industry is undergoing significant changes, and thanks to the advent of new tools and technologies, the process has just got expedited. As a result, we can anticipate a decrease in the number of people working in specific jobs. Additionally, more precise evaluation metrics will be available, which boutique agencies can incorporate into their work. In contrast to the past, PR will become an increasingly non-negotiable factor for brands. Rather than being viewed as a one-off activity, brands will now consider PR from the inception stage.

Girish Bala, Founder and Managing Director, ON PURPOSE:

Depending on the industrys pace of technology adoption and contextualising the tectonic shifts being brought about by generative AI, we could either be going the way of the dodo or, build our value as people who understand how to use it for better impact. As the world nears 2030, the focus on achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals will converge communication efforts from multiple stakeholders to drive some real behaviour change.

Aanchal Kohli, Head of Corporate Communications, SoCheers:

Considering this trajectory, I believe the PR industry will continue to explore new horizons and assume an even more strategic role within organisations in the years to come. As the lines blur between marketing, communications, and public relations, we envision a convergence of these disciplines even further thereby, forming a powerful alliance to shape brand reputation and foster authentic connections.

Furthermore, as society becomes increasingly interconnected and globalised, I see the industry navigating the complexities of a diverse and inclusive world. Embracing cultural sensitivity, ethical practices, and sustainability will become pivotal in fostering trust and maintaining transparency. I believe PR professionals will serve as catalysts for change, amplifying voices that have traditionally been unheard of and championing meaningful initiatives that contribute to the greater good.

Nonetheless, the technology will continue to reshape the PR industry, with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and data analytics. These tools will further empower PR professionals to gather real-time insights, personalise messaging, and deliver targeted campaigns with unprecedented precision. However, amidst the rapid technological advancements, the human touch to storytelling and relationship-building will remain at the core of effective PR practices.

Shutapa Paul, Founder, Dharma Media Consultants:

Post-pandemic, the entire PR industry has gone through a drastic change. PR is a more focused and evolving business at the moment. There will be greater use of AI and other tech tools. Going forward, traditional media will still hold value, but the emergence of meaningful influencer collaborations and new media will continue to be a powerful way to elevate brands. Communication efforts have shifted towards precise targeting, and well-crafted strategies that greatly enhance brand visibility. Even as Generative AI will continue to percolate into all spheres of life, the biggest challenge, and also the opportunity for the PR industry would be to harness the strength of AI while retaining human creativity in all brand-building efforts.

Bhaskar Tare, Director, Gloocal Communications:

Many stalwarts have been talking about how PR has transformed into the digital world and to sustain in the competitive world every agency or the professional should be well aware of new terminology. In the traditional approach we were unable to measure the impact of any activity, but digital transformation can showcase its impact and footprints as well. Agencies should have to work together with their digital marketing team/ influencer and other stakeholders.

Upgradation of technologies may change the entire landscape of industry but if agencies upgraded, evolved and empowered their team and added new services can be a saviour. Newly developed digital PR is speedily grabbing attention and most brands have shifted their budget towards the online space. In coming years media also will be entirely shifting their focus from print to digital and therefore unique content requirements are in demand but newly introduced AI applications may trouble everyone and it can lay down the Human Resources. But, I still believe that PR is domain expertise and if professionals upgrade themselves with new changes then definitely there is always a need. We deal with humans and their emotions. So, if we do storytelling creatively the future's still bright and a lot of new business opportunities await. India is a market for global players and the vision of a 5 trillion economy will open up new avenues of business.

Priti Tiwari, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications at ting:

In order to effectively connect with modern audiences that engage in real-time conversations such as podcasts and webinars, it is paramount to incorporate both owned and paid media strategies. Additionally, for brands to stand out, understanding new-age platforms such as social media and influencer marketing is crucial in fostering authentic connections with their audience.

Sonam Shah, Founder and CEO, Treize Communications:

The PR industry in India will now be in a phase where agencies and professionals will have to figure out ways to incorporate SEO, SEM, AI, and upcoming new-age technologies. Till now, there have been talks going around, but now steps will be needed.

The coming years are going to be transformational when it comes to the growth of the industry. There will be high demand to join the PR industry, as with more and more awareness the curiosity to know better and explore increases in the youth.

PR Trends will evolve at a very high rate. As consumption patterns, reading habits and consumer behaviour change, PR also will change. Brands and companies will have to adapt quick PR or will not be satisfied with the outcome.

Public Relations has expanded its umbrella from Press Release, Conferences, and launch events; the focus today is more towards Thought Leadership practices, Long-term strategy, Influencer Marketing, etc., and this shift will continue to happen. While Press Releases still remain the numero uno way of communicating with the stakeholders, all other tools need to be synced perfectly and in a timely manner. The amalgamation of this all will be important.

Chetan Relhan Founder and CEO, The Achievers PR:

"In recent years, Public Relations in India has undergone significant changes, with the rise of social media and digital communication. PR professionals now have to find new ways of engaging which has created new opportunities for innovation and creativity but has also posed new challenges. Also with the rapid advancement of technology and changes in the media landscape, The future of Public Relations is set to be an exciting and challenging one. From the growing use of AI and data analytics to the increasing importance of authenticity and transparency, PR professionals will need to adapt to these new trends and stay ahead of the curve."

Kunal Gupta, PR Professional:

"The PR industry itself is evolving to meet the demands of the modern world. Today, PR professionals are expected to be versatile storytellers, skilled in both traditional and digital media, adept at navigating the ever-changing landscape of public opinion, and capable of managing crises in real-time. The role of PR has expanded beyond media relations to encompass areas such as corporate social responsibility, employee engagement, and brand reputation management.

In this dynamic environment, PR practitioners are also embracing new roles as strategic advisors, working closely with top-level executives to shape organizational messaging and drive business outcomes. The evolving nature of PR demands continuous learning and adaptation, as practitioners stay abreast of emerging technologies, cultural shifts, and evolving consumer behaviors."

Rohit Agrawal, AGM- Corporate Communications, Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals:

"Beyond crisis management and reputation management, we play a larger role. By utilising the strength of strategic communication to address social issues and promote advancement, we aim to inspire good change. We are devoted to helping organisations bridge the gap between their intentions and results because we believe in their capacity to serve as agents of social good.

We can tell stories that are real, compassionate, and purposeful by working together. We are aware of the ability of our words to alter perceptions, affect actions, and ultimately effect change. Let's take this World PR Day as a chance to consider the importance of our industry, reaffirm our dedication to moral behaviour, and use our abilities to create a society where sincere relationships, deep dialogue, and constructive change may flourish."
On October 10, the Supreme Court has scheduled the commencement of arguments in a legal dispute between Google and India's antitrust regulator, the Competition Commission of India (CCI). This follows the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's (NCLAT) endorsement of key findings by the Commission against Google, including a penalty of more than 1337 crore, for its alleged abuse of dominance in the Android ecosystem.

Google has filed cross-appeals in the top court, contesting the NCLAT's affirmation of six out of the 10 non-monetary directions issued by the CCI on October 20. Google claims there is insufficient evidence to support these findings. Meanwhile, the CCI is challenging the four conditions under which the tribunal provided relief to Google, seeking a reconsideration of the order.

The bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, has issued a notice for both CCI and Google to respond to the appeals. Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing Google, proposed that the matter be scheduled for a specific day in September or October. Additional solicitor general (ASG) N Venkatraman appeared in court for the CCI.

The bench, which includes justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra, has fixed October 10 for the proceedings. The Court has also instructed both parties to prepare a shared digital compilation of relevant documents by October 3, appointing advocate Sameer Bansal as the nodal counsel to facilitate communication between the two sides.

In its appeal to the Supreme Court, Google argues that the Tribunal has made a significant legal error by upholding the Commission's findings without any evidence of abuse, merely based on Google's alleged market power and has directed the discontinuation of Google's procompetitive practices."

The allegations against Google involve the alleged misuse of its monopoly in the Android ecosystem through unfair conditions imposed on mobile device manufacturers, primarily related to pre-installing a set of Google apps. Although Google maintains that this practice is not mandatory, the tribunal agreed with the Commission's assertion that Google gained an unfair advantage over rival apps through preferential display on device home screens.
Info Edge (India) Limited announces the appointment of Sanjiv Sachar as Additional (Non-executive) INdependent Director of the company, effective from July 15, 2023, subject to requisite approval of the members.

Sanjiv Sachar, aged 65 years, is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and has retired as the Senior Partner of Egon Zehnder in 2016, the world's largest privately held executive search firm. Sarkar has set up the Egon Zehnder practice in India in 1995 and has played a key role in establishing the firm as a market leader in the executive search space across various industry segments. Over the course of his two decades at Egon Zehnder, Mr. Sachar has mentored senior executives across industry sectors that today are either Board members, CEOs or CFOs of large corporates in India and overseas. Sachar has also been a co-founder of a Chartered Accountancy and Management Consulting firm, M/s. Sachar Vasudeva & Associates and co-founded an executive search firm, Direct Impact.

He had started his corporate career in the finance function with SRF Nippondenso (now known as Denso), one of the world's largest manufacturer of starter motors. Post qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1982, Mr. Sanjiv started his career with the management consulting division of AF Ferguson (now part of Deloitte). He is the partner of the Delhi Chapter of Social Venture Partners, a global Philanthropic network. He is the chief Mentor of Huddle, an incubator located in Gurgaon.

Presently, he holds the Board membership in HDFC Bank Limited and KDDL Limited and is also the Designated Partner of Sachar & Sachar LLP.

Commenting on the above appointment,Kapil Kapoor, Chairman of the Board said, I am delighted to welcome Mr. Sanjiv Sachar as Independent Director to the Info Edge Board. He will bring rich experience in strategy, governance, finance and human resources. We believe that his contribution and counsel will be of great value to Info Edge and all the stakeholders.
Every person has a story to tell and so does their furniture. This has been beautifully captured in the newly launched campaign Welcome to the Family by Godrej Interio, a business of Godrej & Boyce  the flagship company of the Godrej Group. The series of five films showcase stories about a quintessential Indian family (the Mehra family) through the eyes of a charming, unexpected narrator  their furniture.

With a captivating fusion of wit and an interesting play on emotions, the Welcome to the Family films transport the audience to a world where the magic of everyday connections intertwines with warm moments that resonate within every home. The film captivates viewers with an engaging display of the furniture's unique features and concludes by showcasing how these attributes have solidified their indispensable role in the family. The films capture Godrej Interios superior furniture design that are crafted to suit the needs of Indian families, their dynamics, lifestyle, and aspirations. It showcases how furniture can not only bring style, comfort and convenience, but over time, also become part of the family.

Speaking about the films, Sumeet Bhojani, Head of Marketing Communications, Godrej Interio said, "Godrej Interio continues to be a part of families in India across multiple generations. Over time one of the key insights that continues to emerge in our research is that consumers form a very special bond with their furniture over a period of time. A piece of furniture almost becomes like a family member, participating in special moments and memories with the family. Thats the emotion we have aimed at capturing through the Welcome to the Family films. Its a creative showcase of furniture thats contemporary, multifunctional, and designed to support the modern lives of consumers today. This has helped us build and retain the consumers love and support for over a century now.

Akshat Gupt, Chief Creative Officer of Supari Studios, expressed his enthusiasm for the project and the collaboration with Godrej Interio, saying, "We really enjoyed creating the 'Welcome to the Family' series for Godrej Interio. Using everyday, relatable family experiences, we blended creative storytelling with seamless product integration to build engaging stories that all families can relate to.

The series consists of 5 videos and will be available in 5 regional languages - Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Malayalam, and Tamil in addition to English and Hindi. The film will be available on YouTube, the brands Social media platforms and select OTT.
A Delhi court has awarded jail term to an architect and his associate for using the thumb impression of a dead person and forging the signature of sub-divisional magistrate (headquarters) to get water harvesting certificate for a building, whose plan was already sanctioned by the DDA in 2010.

Special Judge Sanjeev Kumar Malhotra sent architect Charan Singh Solanki and his associate Parmod Garg to jail for two years, while refusing to release him on probation, saying that being an architect he had greater responsibility while attesting signatures and thumb impressions and issuing certificates as per law.

The judge noted Solanki was already facing jail in another case.

Convict Charan Singh Solanki, being an architect, was having more responsibility to attest signature/thumb impressions and to issue certificates as per rules/law. After considering the rival submissions and role of convict Charan Singh Solanki, I am not inclined to grant the benefit of probation to him, the judge said in an order passed on July 12.

The prosecution had opposed the argument for leniency, saying such forgery affects the conscience of the society.

According to the prosecution, Solanki was working as an architect, whose report was accepted by the DDA for the purpose of sanctioning a building plan. He had given a water harvesting certificate which carried the forged thumb impression of the original allottee. He had also annexed a copy of a letter for extension of time, which had not been issued by the DDA, the prosecution said.
Sri Lanka would want to see the Indian rupee used as much as the US dollar, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said, days ahead of his first official visit to New Delhi.

Wickremesinghe, also the cash-strapped countrys finance minister, made this remark while addressing the Indian CEO Forum this week.

Just as East Asia, including countries like Japan, Korea and China, witnessed significant growth 75 years ago, it is now Indias turn, along with the Indian Ocean region, Wickremesinghe said.

Wickremesinghe is expected to visit New Delhi next week, his first since becoming president a year ago amidst unprecedented economic and political turmoil in the island nation.

Wickremesinghes comments were in response to the chair of the Forum, T S Prakash, who in his address had called for the enhanced use of the Indian rupee in the Sri Lankan economy.

It makes no difference to us if India (the Indian rupee) becomes a common currency. We will have to figure out how to go about it. We must become more open to the outside world, Wickremesinghe said.

The world is evolving and India is undergoing rapid development, particularly under Prime Minister Modis leadership, he added.

He also said that Sri Lanka benefits from its proximity to India, coupled with a rich history, cultural heritage and longstanding trading relationships spanning 2,500 years, The Daily Mirror newspaper quoted him as saying.

Wickremesinghe has steered the island nation out of the economic crisis and said the economy is recovering despite its slowness.

Once we complete debt restructuring our focus will shift towards a comprehensive growth agenda. This entails a massive overhaul of our economy, legal framework and systems aligning our path with that of India, he said. Wickremesinghe The 74-year-old Sri Lankan politician was elected through parliament to fill in the rest of the term of the ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka-India relationship history points to that it was unusual that Wickremesinghes tour to Delhi had taken a year to happen, analysts noted.

India had thrown a lifeline to the last days of the Rajapaksa presidency with an economic assistance package that amounted to 4 billion dollars.

Sri Lanka used the Indian credit lines to import essentials and fuel as the country was gripped in forex shortages which triggered massive street protests.

Meanwhile, the High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka Gopal Bagle who was at the July 13 event, said that the Indian government and the Indian business community have helped the island nation in recuperating from the last years financial crisis.

Even during the initial crisis, Indian businessmen began doing business in Sri Lanka to demonstrate to the rest of the world that the countrys financial status is stable, Bagle was quoted as saying by the Sri Lankan media.
Two Chambers County educators were arrested in April on charges of harassing and assaulting a student with disabilities.

According to court documents, Jawana Lavette Shepard, 40, allegedly struck, shoved, kicked and slapped the student. Napoleon Vontrosky Goodman, 35, allegedly grabbed and pinched the student. Both have pleaded not guilty in charges in a local court.

The alleged incident took place on Aug. 8, 2022, according to court records. Both educators work at Valley High School.

Ken Bauman, an attorney who represented the childs family during a dispute over special education services at Valley High School, said parents told school leaders their child had been abused by a special education teacher and aide. The parents felt like the school did not take the claim seriously, and later reported it to police.

The police investigation was separate from the dispute with the school, Bauman said, and said he could not offer any information about that. The dispute over special education services has been settled.

Shepard is currently licensed to teach in Alabama and has a teaching certificate as a collaborative special education teacher. She is listed on the Valley High School website as the schools only special education teacher.

Goodman was a special education aide at the time of the incident, Baumann said. Goodmans name is not listed on the Valley High School website as being employed at the school currently.

AL.com has been unable to verify the employment status of Shepard or Goodman with the school board. Both listed Valley High School as their employer on separate bond agreements.

According to WBRL, both are still employed by the county school system. The superintendent told the TV station that he did not know of any evidence that the student was harmed by a district employee.
(Photo : OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP) (OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images)

The Russian state of Duma has voted to criminalize gender reassignment surgery in the region as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his crackdown on LGBTQ rights.

The Russian state of Duma has voted to criminalize gender reassignment surgery amid its continued crackdown on LGBTQ rights in the region.

The new law banned nearly all medical assistance for transgender people and had its third and final reading on Friday. It prohibits doctors from performing gender reassignment surgeries, except in cases related to treating congenital physiological anomalies in young children.

Russian State Duma Bans Gender Reassignment Surgery

Additionally, the new measure restricts registry offices from amending official documents based on medical certificates of gender change. Despite the recent vote, the law still needs to get approval from the Federation Council and be signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin before it can take effect.

The amendments to the law's third reading include disqualifying individuals who have undergone gender changes from becoming eligible to be adoptive parents or guardians. It also removes the capability of annulling a marriage if one or both spouses undergo a gender change and update their civil status records, as per CNN.

The vote comes as Putin has continued to impose harsher anti-LGBTQ legislation in the past few months and as the Kremlin clamps down on free speech and human rights amid its invasion of Ukraine.

The latest legal developments in Russia continue to expand the restrictions on the LGBTQ community and underscore a tightening of regulations and control over transgender rights within the region.

In December, Russian authorities expanded its "gay propaganda" law to control public discussions and narratives regarding non-heterosexual relationships and identities. That particular package of amendments, which Putin signed, includes harsher penalties for anyone who promotes "non-traditional sexual relations and/or preferences," including gender transition.

On the other hand, doctors and transgender rights advocates have argued that the ban would only create a black market for hormone substitutes and will result in an increase in attempted suicides among young people who cannot access sufficient medical care, according to The Guardian.

Read Also: UK Parliament Launches Inquiry Into Sexism and Misogyny in the City

Crackdown on LGBTQ Rights

A Russian transgender woman living in Georgia, Elle Solomina, said her home country looked hopeless for children and teenagers. She added that she believes they would be able to get any help.

Duma's vote on the bill comes amid Putin's stance on LGBTQ lifestyles, which he said contradicts traditional Russian values. The Russian strongman also condemned the West's acceptance of them, saying it was evidence of moral decay.

Additionally, Vyacheslav Volodin, the Duma speaker, considered gender-affirming surgery a route to the "degeneration of the nation." In a telegram post on Friday, he said the new law "protects our citizens (and) children."

On the other hand, the executive director of Russia's Independence Psychiatric Association, Lyubov Vinogradova, said that the bill is "misanthropic." They added that gender-affirming procedures should not be banned because, for some, it is the only way to exist normally and find peace within themselves.

But Russian authorities have portrayed the measure as protecting Russia against the Western anti-family ideology. Some have even called gender transitioning "pure satanism," said Aljazeera.

Related Article: Russia Allegedly Plans to Build New Prisons, Detention Centers by 2026

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Black and brown urban communities are facing post-traumatic stress disorder at a higher rate than combat veterans.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Maysa Akbar cited these results from an 8,000-person study at Emory University during her presentation on building equitable mental health services at the annual Mental Health Equity and Liberation Summit. The Black Womens Mental Health Institute held the summit Thursday at Samford Universitys Brock School of Business.

This years theme was The Invisibly Obvious: Politics and Mental Health Disparity. The conference was in celebration of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Mental Health Awareness Month. Akbar said the study found about 32% of urban residents experienced PTSD, which is higher than the 7% on average of veterans who experience PTSD.

Founder and CEO Dr. Nadia Richardson said her organization has focused on increasing the number of Black and brown mental health clinicians and ensuring Alabamians get the care they need. She said theyre on track to provide 1,000 hours of free counseling to residents this year. However, Richardson said this felt like putting a Band-Aid on a larger issue.

Systemic inequity is built into our health care field and even into our understanding of what mental health is, Richardson said in an interview before the conference. Direct care is still a priority, but changing policy is their next goal.

Akbars presentation on racial trauma and how that can mask mental health diagnoses was well-received during the conference. Several audience members stood up during extended moments of applause after she spoke.

Licensed clinician Maria Lampley of Caring Solutions was a first-time conference attendee but had followed Richardsons work for years. She was most intrigued by Akbars session because she said, Its essential for clinicians and clients to build a therapeutic alliance.

The conference also included input from policymakers and government officials. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin opened the meeting by noting fewer Black Americans seek mental health treatment than white people. He dismissed the idea of mind over matter, addressing the stigma within the Black community about seeking assistance for mental health.

Your mind does matter, Woodfin said. He mentioned the Birmingham budget earmarked $6 million for youth programs, including increasing mental health services.

Thats not bragging because thats not enough, he said. Woodfin said there must be a continued push at every level of government to usher more resources into mental health.

The opening panel, Political Determinants of Mental Health, featured state Sen. Merika Coleman (D-District 19) and Rep. Neil Rafferty (D-District 54), along with David Hicks, deputy health officer of the Jefferson County Department of Health and Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kimberly Boswell.

Coleman was particularly transparent about her mental health struggles after losing multiple family members to COVID not long after the death of her husband.

Prior to 2020, I didnt understand depression. I didnt get it, Coleman said. She added, The reason that we have challenges is because of the lack of understanding in the state of Alabama and in this country.

Previous budget cuts at the Department of Mental Health following the 2008-2009 historic recession have meant making difficult choices on who gets treated, according to Boswell.

Rafferty said its important to discuss voter access and to stay engaged in the legislative process. He added that expanding Medicaid is a priority and that piecemeal options cant permanently solve the mental health crisis.

I think mental health touches everybody regardless of whether were talking about it or not, Rafferty said.

Hicks said that there needs to be a reimagining of the mental health system among government officials.

Wouldnt it be radical if we gave up our power to the people in the community with the lived experience? Hicks asked. We have to recognize the historical things that have happened (and) have the community involved to be a power broker. Lets deconstruct some things. We have to have an honest conversation with ourselves.

In a session on cultural competency in child psychiatry, Dr. Artie Nelson and Dr. Jesse Martinez shared stories and discussed the challenges of considering a patients culture when evaluating and diagnosing patients.

Nelson said the mental health system isnt set up to help people in a way that providers think is beneficial. He added that storytelling and active listening are the keys to helping people on their mental health journey.

Martinez said when talking with his patients, hes removed the phrase I understand from his vocabulary because, in reality, clinicians dont know the full lived experiences of their clients.

Richardson announced her intention to assemble a statewide team to analyze mental health in the Black community. She plans on creating a system modeled after one done in California to affect lasting policy change.

(We are working) with government agencies and elected officials to create and support policy that will foster mental health and combat the disparities that continue to wreak havoc on the mental wellbeing of everyone, but also specifically Black and historically disenfranchised and marginalized populations, Richardson said before the conference.
Church of the Highlands Pastor Chris Hodges said that no clergy accused of sexual misconduct will ever stay at The Lodge, a retreat center that opened this year primarily for the restoration of pastors suffering from burnout.

So far, the center on the churchs campus in Irondale has primarily hosted events and guest speakers, Hodges said in an interview with AL.com.

Hodges said that his previous comments in sermons and videos about a pastoral restoration center where ministers can rest, worship and grow referred to pastors suffering from burnout, not accusations of misconduct.

A story on The Lodge published on AL.com on July 10 quoted a former church staff member and outside observers who wondered whether the center might be used to house clergy accused of sexual misconduct. That is not the case, Hodges said in an interview with a different reporter on July 13. He had not responded to repeated requests for comment for the previous story.

In a 2021 church conference sermon about pastors suffering from depression and at risk of suicide, Hodges said he was involved in about 20 pastoral moral failures or restorations. I love doing that. I want to be known for that.

That sermon did not mention The Lodge, nor was it intended to describe the future mission of The Lodge, Hodges said.

Im not talking about the ones that are in sin, Hodges said in an interview. Im talking about the ones that are ready to quit. All this came out of the pandemic.

He said he spoke by telephone with about 20 pastors suffering from exhaustion and burnout during the pandemic. None of the 20 clergy he referenced were accused of sexual misconduct, he said.

Those are all guys with burnout from the pandemic, Hodges said. They werent coming here. This was still in the middle of the pandemic. These were guys getting ready to quit. Most of those werent moral in nature, they werent sexual in nature. They were burnout in nature.

He wants The Lodge to address that.

We hope one day to have four couples at a time do a five-day event, have a date night, help them catch a breath of fresh air, Hodges said. Theyre going to be there with their spouse. These are couples.

AL.com has reported over the past decade on three cases in which Hodges played a role in rehabilitating or attempting to restore a pastor who had a moral failing.

The Church of the Highlands has on occasion assisted pastors in need of restoration because of moral failure, according to Hodges. If its a recoverable offense, that has been the protocol, Hodges said. They need to step down for a season, or whatever it is.

Hodges said that the churchs role in a restoration process for a former megachurch pastor who was on the staff at Church of the Highlands from 2019-2021 had no connection to the planning of The Lodge.

The timing of the Micahn Carter case, the same year the Lodge was announced, may have caused confusion, he said. I wasnt working with any other sexual or moral cases, not a single one, Hodges said.

Carter, former pastor of Together Church in Yakima, Washington, stepped down in April 2019 from Together Church for undisclosed reasons. Carter joined the staff of the Church of the Highlands in Birmingham later in 2019. Hodges said that representatives of Carters former church asked him if he could help restore Carter and he agreed. Church leaders later found out that Carter was accused of a sexual assault by a former assistant, and cut ties with Carter.

In 2019, Micahn Carters Pastoral Overseers from Washington state asked Church of the Highlands to assist them in directing a ministerial restoration process for him, the church said in a statement released in 2021. Highlands agreed to do so, and since then we have been working with Micahn and his family. Recently, Highlands received correspondence raising new allegations about events that occurred over two years ago in Washington state. When we shared this information with the Carters, they resigned from their positions on staff to work through these issues themselves. Highlands is no longer involved in the restoration process.

That effort was not connected in any way to the planning of The Lodge, Hodges said.

Its an unfortunate coincidence - they are not connected, Hodges said. One of the unfortunate coincidences is that the beginning of the Lodge, that weve had on our heart for years, kind of coincided with that Micahn Carter story, Hodges said.

Hodges expressed regret that he allowed Carter to preach a sermon at the Church of the Highlands on July 26, 2020.

I should have never let him have a moment on our stage, Hodges said.

Hodges said when he learned Carter was accused of sexual assault, he took immediate action.

The day we found out is when we made that decision, Hodges said. I asked him to resign. He resigned.

Carter has filed a lawsuit against his accuser and denies the allegations.

Hodges first got involved in pastoral restoration a decade ago with one of his mentors.

When Associate Pastor Dino Rizzo joined the staff in 2013, Hodges announced that Rizzo was in a process of restoration after leaving the Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge following an inappropriate relationship.

When the situation came to light, I and the other overseers at HPC got involved, Hodges said when Rizzo joined his staff. It was our responsibility. We guided the church over the past year through healing and restoration.

Hodges said at the time he and the other overseers of Healing Place Church devised a restoration plan that called for Rizzo to step down from ministry for one year, and have a second year of supervised ministry, and complete other requirements overseers felt would eventually qualify Rizzo to minister again.

Despite those cases, The Church of the Highlands does not operate a program for pastors accused of sexual misconduct or moral failures, and that was not the intent of The Lodge, Hodges said.

We have this stigma on it now that were trying to break because its just flat-out not true, Hodges said.

Hodges said he wont take on a case of sexual misconduct like Carter again.

Were not taking on any more, Hodges said. I dont even want to say it that way. It makes the assumption that weve done it a lot, and we havent.

The Church of the Highlands has no program that applies to all cases of pastoral restoration that involve moral failing, Hodges said.

Heres the problem with that, he said. There are no two cases alike. Its hard to create a policy on something that is so unique in every situation.

The Association of Related Churches, which Hodges co-founded to help launch new churches around the country, is not a governing organization over the churches it helps start, he said.

The biggest misnomer about ARC is that we have authority over our churches, and we dont, Hodges said. Theyre all locally governed. We couldnt take a guy out if we wanted to. We have authority over none of our churches. We train them all to be locally governed. They have their own elder boards, local. Thats who has the authority. These are all independent churches who are locally governed. That is probably the biggest misconception about ARC.

The church previously declined to comment on The Lodge to media, because Hodges feels the church has been treated unfairly at times, he said.

The day we opened in April, I made this video, that says what it is, Hodges said.

The church website now features a page with photos of The Lodge and a summary:

The Lodge at Grants Mill is a place where pastors and ministry leaders can be hosted, refreshed, rejuvenated and refocused on their calling, so that they can continue to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth, the church web site description says. With recent statistics saying that pastoral burnout is at an all-time high, with 1 in 4 pastors planning to retire or quit before 2030, we are committed to resourcing and helping pastors lead healthy and strong churches for a lifetime so that they can make a difference in their communities and beyond.

The Lodge, a $4.5 million retreat center with four bedrooms and a conference meeting room, opened in April on the Church of the Highlands campus on Grants Mill Road.

It has already hosted guest speakers for church events, he said.

Our guest speakers prefer to stay there because its 200 yards from the stage, he said.

The Lodge currently does not have staff or programs geared to pastoral restoration, Hodges said. Right now, there is no programming, Hodges said. We havent built the programming up. Right now, its used as needed for guest speakers.

So far, no programs have been developed for clergy burnout, which he said was his main goal for the center.

Hodges hopes to establish a program led by church staff for pastors and wives to help refresh them and keep them in ministry.

The hope is that we will create some type of programming for those who need a retreat, Hodges said. We dont have the first day of programming planned yet, but we are going to help people who are tired and discouraged. We are going to do that.
Northeast Alabama Regional Airport in Gadsden will be receiving several runway improvements, thanks in large part to federal and state grants.

Mayor Craig Ford Friday announced two grant offers from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which will pay for up to 90% of a slate of upgrades to the airports main runway.

The main runway will get a new sealcoat, crack seal and remarking, thanks to a $861,278 grant through the Airport Improvement Program. A second FAA grant for $376,744 through the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) will pay for the reconstruction of a 6,000-square foot portion of the runway that had developed some buckling.

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Aeronautics Division has also pledged $68,779 in matching funds to support the projects. The city will contribute the same amount as ALDOT in local funds.

Hi-Lite Airfield Services has been awarded the project bid by the airport authority, with work to begin soon. Because the Northeast Alabama Regional Airport has an additional 4,804-foot-long runway, most flights will continue as normal during construction, the city announced.

Recently, Gadsden hired Anthony Tarver from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to be the airports new manager in August.

Ford thanked Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, as well as Congressman Robert Aderholt, for their help on the project.

I cannot overstate the importance of our airport to the future of Gadsden and Etowah County, Ford said.
Lead in water. Asbestos and mold in the walls. Fire safety. These are just some of the safety requirements schools must check regularly.

Overall indoor air quality isnt one of those issues, and a group of Madison parents hopes to change that.

Michael and Tara Bailey are parents of a 4-year-old girl born prematurely in respiratory distress. Theyve chosen to educate their three children at home because they cannot get quantifiable guarantees from school administrators that ventilation systems meet recommendations or standards. They began the Indoor Air Care Advocates organization in early 2022 to ensure air quality standards are met in Alabama and nationwide.

When the Baileys asked Madison City school administrators about what they were doing to improve air quality for students, faculty, and teachers, they told them about HVAC improvements and using ionization. Vendors claim that dispersing ions throughout a space causes particles in the air to bond together and then drop to the floor or cling to walls. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has noted this technology remains unproven for properly cleaning air.

So I think one of the reasons were getting pushback is because indoor air quality is a nuanced topic, and school administrators are busy handling a lot of different things, making it difficult for them to become subject matter experts, Tara Bailey said. As of publication, Al.com could not reach representatives from Madison City Schools and the state board of education for comment.

Theres a vocal outcry and more media attention on outdoor air quality, even though the EPA notes that indoor air may be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. One of the solutions the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends is portable air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. What the Baileys take issue with is that air quality standards are suggestions, not mandates.

Nobody enforcing (air quality standards) is, and the people who are supposed to be ensuring are saying I feel confident our systems are fine, and theyre not saying anything numeric, Michael Bailey said. Theyre just giving us their feelings, and thats not enough for me.

The Baileys said the concept of schools being petri dishes and that children should be exposed to germs to develop immunity may be another reason theres not a more fervent push for indoor air quality improvements.

I think that some people have really made it a part of their worldview that kids need germs, Michael Bailey said. But I dont think that theyve taken into account that (airborne) pathogens are not the same as microbes you might find in the dirt. He added that this topic hits parents pocketbooks and paid time off (PTO) balances as well as makes schools less inclusive of people with disabilities and children who suffer from respiratory illnesses.

Steven McDaniel, the area environmental director for the Alabama Department of Public Healths Bureau of Environmental Services, said in an email that outdoor air is a primary concern, along with issues like lead paint or mold. He said any other questions regarding indoor air quality are directed to the CDC or the EPA.

Indoor air quality resurfaced as a popular topic because of the pandemic, and the divisiveness of COVID-19 has made a seemingly uncontentious topic like air quality tough to bring up in local school board meetings.

The school boards have been bombarded with the masking issue from parents, Tara Bailey said. Theyre tired of hearing from parents either for masking (or) against masking. Theyre just kind of tired of listening. And (after hitting) that wall, we feel that wall whenever we talk to some of the different school board members.

Despite this pushback, indoor air quality is getting more attention statewide and nationally because of the risk of spreading disease and aggravating allergies and asthma. The University of Alabama at Birminghams (UAB) School of Public Health has a COVID testing and prevention initiative that includes sending free HEPA air purifiers and filters to schools. More than 700 schools have opted in to receive these purification systems.

UAB has also begun a pilot study at a handful of Alabama K-12 schools to see how air purification affects student, staff and faculty health. Environmental Health Sciences chair Dr. Jeffrey Wickliffe is leading the research and said the project is in its early stages. The study entails looking at HVAC ventilation and measuring carbon dioxide levels.

Ive been pleasantly surprised that there really seems to be interest from school administrators and maintenance professionals to try to do more work around environmental and indoor air quality in their schools, Wickliffe said.

Wickliffe later added, I think its extremely important to keep our kids safe and healthy in schools. We need to do whatever we can to keep that environment as safe and healthy as possible.

Michael Bailey is leading an air quality presentation on Wednesday, July 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Madison Public Library in auditorium 1.
Authorities have released the name of a pedestrian who was killed in a hit-and-run in Bessemer earlier this week.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office on Friday identified the woman as Tomeik Keyshun Mosley. She was 48 and lived in Birmingham.

Authorities said Mosley was walking across Ninth Avenue North at Brewer Drive at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when she was struck by a white Hyundai sedan.

Mosley was pronounced dead on the scene at 9:53 p.m.

The car stopped, but the driver fled on foot.

Bessemer police Lt. Christian Clemons said Friday that DeAhvion Markede Hale, 31, of Lipscomb, is charged with criminally negligent homicide, DUI-alcohol, and leaving the scene of an accident.

Hale was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 3:54 p.m. Friday and is being held without bond.
Before she disappeared Thursday night in Hoover, Carlee Russell was in Harpersville, where she left police officers there with an impression of a smart, courteous woman despite a brief interaction, the towns police department said Friday.

We were honored to spend time with this smart, courteous and honoring young woman yesterday, the department said on social media. She was handling some business in the Town of Harpersville yesterday and we were so impressed by her respect, poise, good attitude and her drive to become a nursing student and help others.

UPDATE: Carlee Russell returned home Saturday night.

We were honored to spend time with this smart, courteous and honoring young woman yesterday. She was handling some... Posted by Harpersville Police Department on Friday, July 14, 2023

We were able to tell her how much we thought of her and that she would do well in life, the post continued. When this news broke, so did our hearts. This world needs many many more young women and young men like her.

The department said it is anxiously awaiting hopeful news while our prayers are with her family, friends and community. Please join us in prayer for her safe return.

Efforts to reach the department for further comment were unsuccessful.

The search for Russell, 25, began Thursday night, when Hoover 911 at 9:34 p.m. received a call from Russell, said Lt. Daniel Lowe of Hoover police.

Russell told the dispatcher that she was near mile marker 11 when she saw a toddler walking alone on the side of I-459 between the flyover to the Galleria and Highway 150.

After calling 911, Russell stopped to check on the child and called a family member to report the same details, Lowe said. The family member lost contact with her, but the line remained open.

Officers who were already en route to the location of the initial 911 call located Russells vehicle and some of her belongings nearby but were unable to find her or a child in the area.

Hoover police have not received any other calls of someone missing a small child.

Authorities are not committing to any one theory in Russells disappearance, police said at a Friday afternoon press conference.

Russell is a student at Jefferson State Community College, where she is studying to be a registered nurse. She has a bachelors degree in psychology from AUM.

The college said Friday it was extremely concerned for Russells safety.

The entire Jefferson State community is extremely concerned for the safety of Student Carlethia Carlee Nichole Russell... Posted by Jefferson State on Friday, July 14, 2023

The entire Jefferson State community is extremely concerned for the safety of Student Carlethia Carlee Nichole Russell and we are praying for her safe return as soon as possible, Jeff State said on social media. Anyone with any information should call the Hoover Police Department at (205) 444-7562.
Bryan Fuenmayors project last year to paint a massive Civil War cannon in Mobile set off a controversy that led to the City of Mobile deciding in February to pull all future permits for any group wanting to paint the structure.

But Fuenmayor never anticipated the cannons rainbow-hued image becoming a culture war symbol and the unlikeliest of campaign issues thrust into the closing weeks of a 5-year-old debate over whether Mobile should annex close to 26,000 residents.

National polling suggests opposition to LGBTQ policies is resonating, especially among Republicans. And political observers and activists like Fuenmayor note that West Mobile is filled with Republican and conservative voters who will determine the fate on whether annexation is approved on Tuesday.

Opposition to public drag queen shows and LGBTQ Pride Month activities continue to animate in Mobile, less than a few weeks after the conclusion of Pride Month when a host of pastors  many of whom represent churches in west Mobile  vocalized their discontent with drag queen performances in city parks or libraries.

West Mobile tends to vote Republican, and it could be that messaging is resonating with them, said Fuenmayor, an LGBTQ activist in Mobile. Typically, the Republican Party is anti-LGBTQ  its a love-hate relationship. But their overall platform is against same-sex marriage.

Influential issue?

A sign urging voters to "Vote No" on annexation during Mobile's special election on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

But is the appearance of an anti-LGBTQ billboard urging voters to reject the annexation plan part of a nationalized opposition campaign on an emotional social issue, or will it have no impact whatsoever?

Political scientists believe the campaign sign, supported by a group called Faith Freedom Family Coalition Metro Mobile, represents a well-founded tactic in politics aimed at stirring emotions ahead of an election.

You will often find these tactics used when the issue being considered is complicated in nature, said Jaclyn Bunch, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice at the University of South Alabama. Most people are not experts in funding, tax, and urban development issues surrounding annexation. Thus, it is much easier to appeal to an emotional or moralistic issues which people have much stronger embedded sentiments about, in this case moralistic politics.

Joshua Burford, director of outreach and lead archivist for the Invisible Histories Project  a historical archive for LGBTQ Southerners  agreed.

This is an old tactic that has surfaced way too often lately, Burford said. It seems whoever these Faith Freedom people are they are trying to confuse the local community by piggybacking on the hate speech that is all too common this year using the LGBTQ community as its focus.

Not everyone believes the social issues will alter the annexation outcome.

Jon Gray, a longtime GOP political strategist in the Mobile area, said the real path forward for annexation supporters is securing enough voters, during a low-turnout election, who are concerned about the financial and economic issues of annexation:

Concerns about future insurance rates

Paying sales taxes at nearby stores at a higher city rate, but not receiving city services and unable to vote in city elections

The prospects of no longer having city police or fire protection services.

The only people walking through that analysis are the ones who have already accepted that they would be willing to accept philosophical differences between a metropolitan liberal-leaning city versus a very conservative, rural lifestyle, Gray said. The people opposed to the liberal philosophical issues of Mobile  they were never considering voting Yes.

He predicts the pro-annexation forces, who have been campaigning on the issue for over four years, will likely get 55 to 60% of voters support. He does not believe the nationalized anti-LGBTQ policies will alter the outcome, though he said he would not be shocked to see annexation defeated.

The special election will take place in four different areas west of Mobiles city limits. In order for Mobile to add close to 26,000 new residents  and become the second-largest city in Alabama  it will need a majority of voters in each of the four areas to vote in favor of annexation.

Church roles

The anti-LGBTQ push in Mobile is not just a reaction to nationalized issues. In Mobile, opposition has been brewing for months.

Looming large are a group of evangelical pastors, who have conveyed their worries over Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpsons administrations appointment of LGBTQ liaisons last year, and the support of city government for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity policies.

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson speaks during during a community forum hosted by Faith In Action Mobile Hub focused on gun violence prevention on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at Stewart Memorial CME Church in Mobile, Ala. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

Stimpson, a Republican and the chief supporter for annexation, has enjoyed strong support in west Mobile during past city elections. His administration, for the first time in memory, is being criticized publicly for not being conservative enough on social issues, particularly on LGBTQ policies.

Pastors are publicly taking a hands-off stance on annexation.

The Rev. David Roach, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Saraland and a representative with the Mobile Baptist Association, said the pastors within his association are not taking an official position.

The MBA comprises of 114 churches in Mobile County that cooperate with the Southern Baptist Convention. The group opposes same-sex marriage.

Whatever the outcome of the annexation election, Mobile Baptists will continue urging the city to preserve religious liberty for all its residents and to refrain from using public funds for Pride celebrations, Roach said. We will stand with the mayors office in any work it does to uphold these priorities.

The annexation vote comes a little more than one month after Pastor Travis Johnson of Pathway Church delivered a prayer at a Mobile City Council meeting that urged for the protection of children from ideologies that have zeroed in on them. Johnson also led a series of sermons at his west Mobile church entitled Awake, Not Woke, and criticized Visit Mobile for using taxpayer money to promote Pride Month celebrations.

Johnson was one of 43 Mobile pastors who signed a letter last month claiming that the activist use of voter and taxpayer funds creates deep divisions among our citizens. The letter likened drag performances in parks or libraries  both of which have occurred in Mobile  as a form of grooming.

The letter cites a Rasmussen survey that only 29% of Americans find drag performances at public venues appropriate. Rasmussen has long been criticized for having a pro-GOP bias.

Shifting opinions

Protesters carry signs in support of transgender people during a march from the Supreme Court to the State House in Montgomery, Alabama on May 16. Sarah Swetlik/AL.com

But other polling suggests the Republican opposition to the LGBTQ movement is working. A Gallup poll from May showed a 7-point drop in the share of Americans who believe same-sex relationships are morally acceptable. Overall, 64% of Americans called same-sex marriage acceptable, down from a record-high 71% in 2022.

The drop is driven by Republicans. The Gallup poll showed that 41% believe same-sex marriage is morally acceptable down from 56% a year ago. The current figure among Republicans is the lowest Gallup has measured for the party since 2014, when it was 39%.

Opposition to LGBTQ rights and policies has been at the forefront of GOP politics for months, and has exploded this spring led by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a GOP presidential candidate in 2024, who has used the issue to drive his campaign.

A host of GOP-led state legislatures have passed a record number of restrictions on transgender rights, including Alabama. Stores like Target have faced criticism over their Pride Month merchandise.

Bud Light, a product of Anheuser-Busch, faced fierce conservative backlash over a marketing partnership with a transgender activist. Bud Light sales are down 28% from a year ago, according to reports.

Fuenmayor said the rising criticism against the LGBTQ community is sudden and swift. He coordinated a Drag Queen Story Hour event at the Ben May Main Library in downtown Mobile in 2018, drawing a large crowd of LGBTQ supporters. The same event drew only a handful of conservatives critical of the event.

Related: Young and old clash in Mobile over Drag Queen Story Hour

He said it would be a different scenario today.

A woman walks several children past protesters and counter protester outside the Mobile Public Library before Drag Queen Story Hour in Mobile, Ala. on Sept. 8, 2018. The event, sponsored by LGBT group Rainbow Mobile, involves local drag queen performers reading to children. (AP Photo/Dan Anderson)AP

For certain, Fuenmayor said. A lot of conservative politicians do not think for themselves. They get a script from these think tanks and go along with whatever the conversation is. Pride Art Walk wasnt an issue until this year, and the public drag shows even longer than that. It wasnt an issue until these think tanks said the drag queens were harmful to children.

LGBTQ activists, though, say the inclusion of anti-LGBTQ campaign messaging  in a very local annexation vote  is a new strategy. But its also part of an old political playbook, they added, aimed at confusing the underlying issues.

Related: Alabamas first LGBTQ lawmaker on billboard: Part of dangerous national trend

We always have to have one group to hate on, said Patricia Todd, the first openly gay lawmaker elected to the Alabama Legislature and who served in the Alabama House from 2006-2018. Whether its immigrants, people of color, and now its LGBTQ. Its a very dangerous thing to see.
(Photo : Eva Marie Uzcategui/Getty Images)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' campaign has sent two of its senior advisers to conduct outside efforts in an attempt to boost support for the presidential candidate who is lagging behind Donald Trump.

Two senior advisers from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's 2024 presidential campaign team are leaving this week to conduct outside efforts in an attempt to boost support for the Republican as he lags behind former United States President Donald Trump.

The DeSantis campaign's communications adviser and media director, Dave Abrams, and the lead of external affairs, Tucker Obenshain, are leaving to assist an outside political non-profit group, which would work on bolstering support for the Florida governor.

Ron DeSantis Campaign Conducts Outside Efforts

Obenshain will be responsible for leading the group that is expected to host events, as part of what the campaign is describing as a "DeSantis is everywhere strategy." It comes as the Florida Republican is looking to compete early in nominating states, such as Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.

In a statement, a DeSantis campaign spokesman, Andrew Romeo, said that the more people who hear and see the Florida governor and his forward-thinking vision to fix Joe Biden's failures, the better it is for their prospects of victory, as per Politico.

Romeo added that DeSantis will be attending events with dozens of organizations celebrating his policy and leadership, adding that the "DeSantis is everywhere" tour has begun. The situation comes amid broader questions about the influence of the Florida governor's campaign compared to other candidates.

DeSantis and his allied super PAC, Never Back Down, have already self-reported large fundraising acquisitions. The campaign claimed that it was able to raise $20 million in the second quarter of 2023.

However, since DeSantis' official campaign launch back in May, several polls have shown that he has been lagging behind Trump nationally and in early states by large margins. An internal memo circulated by the Florida governor's team among its donors seemed to have acknowledged the rocky rollout.

The renewed efforts also come amid a series of negative headlines for the 2024 presidential candidate, who has faced questions about lagging poll numbers and general viability. DeSantis generally brushed off questions about his campaign performance and the headlines, including one about his travel to Iowa on Friday, according to The Hill.

Read Also: Texas' Ban on Transgender Care for Minors Challenged in Court by Families and Doctors

Trailing Behind Donald Trump

DeSantis was previously asked if he believes that race was still a factor between his and Trump's performances. The Florida governor simply said, "Just watch, just watch." The Republican took a similar stance regarding concerns about South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott following reports that some donors were thinking of shifting their interest.

Additionally, the Florida governor has shifted the blame onto the media for reports that his campaign has stalled. He said that mainstream media outlets do not want him to be the nominee because they know that he will be able to beat Biden in the 2024 presidential elections.

On top of these, some Republicans who have invested in DeSantis' candidacy have expressed concerns that the Florida governor is wasting valuable time to gain traction against Trump. However, DeSantis has urged patience, insisting that it is still very early in the political calendar to pick out a clear nominee.

Next Friday, DeSantis will convene top donors and fundraisers for a retreat where his campaign will update them regarding the status of the presidential race. While the event has been scheduled for weeks, it is becoming even more urgent as the Florida Republican's campaign is seeking to assure its biggest donors that it has a long-term strategy to beat Trump, said CNN.

Related Article: Biden Administration Forgives $39 Billion in Student Loans

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English News Exhibition highlights cultural imprint of Maritime Silk Road

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 15 Juillet 2023



By showing the road's historical and practical significance through relics and storytelling, the exhibition on the cultural imprint of the Maritime Silk Road has unfolded a scroll of harmonious coexistence, common understanding and mutual appreciation between the Chinese civilization and civilizations of various countries around the world.

By Fu Qisheng The year 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Against this backdrop, Fujian Museum in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian province, kicked off an exhibition on the cultural imprint of the Maritime Silk Road in May.



The exhibition is planned to run from May to August. By exhibiting cultural relics, historical materials, and pictures, it aims to highlight the cultural imprint of the Maritime Silk Road and underline the historical and practical significance of harmonious coexistence and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.



The Maritime Silk Road bore witness to the communication and exchanges between the Chinese nation and the outside world on the vast blue ocean. It left to mankind rich cultural heritage, which reflects the diversified and interactive civilizations of the world like a kaleidoscope.



Since the BRI was proposed by China, the Silk Road-theme exhibition has become a hotspot in the cultural industry.



In 2013, Fujian Museum took the lead in holding a joint exhibition of cultural relics featuring the Maritime Silk Road in collaboration with relevant authorities. The exhibition was held in more than 20 countries and regions as well as the United Nations (UN) headquarters, arousing enthusiastic response.



Today, just in time, Fujian Museum is staging another exhibition featuring the Maritime Silk Road.



Facilitating trade in porcelain, silk, tea, and spices, the Maritime Silk Road also served as a path to cultural exchanges, mutual benefit, peace and friendship for various countries along the road.



The ongoing exhibition at Fujian Museum displays 295 pieces (sets) of cultural relics in 35 museums across China, including important archaeological finds. The exhibits represent essences selected from a large number of heritage resources to restore the trade, people-to-people and cultural exchanges along the Maritime Silk Road from different perspectives.



The exhibition highlights the historical scenes and cultural connotations of exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations. The area is divided into four sections focusing on distinctive topics, namely China's maritime history, trade in goods, overseas relics in China, and cultural integration.



The visit begins with the exhibition of China's maritime history.



The section featuring China's maritime history serves as the beginning part of the exhibition.



According to ancient books, during China's Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-A.D. 220), Chinese officials and merchants set sail from Xuwen county in south China's Guangdong province and Hepu county in south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, with gold and silk fabrics to ancient countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia to trade for pearls, glass beads, and other exotic products. It is widely believed as one of the signs of the formation of the Maritime Silk Road.



A lot of archaeological discoveries serve as new evidence for the Maritime Silk Road, such as the cultural relics from West Asia unearthed in ancient tombs of the Han Dynasty in Hepu county, the ancient port site of the starting point of Chinese monk Jianzhen's sixth voyage to Japan during China's Tang Dynasty (618-907) - the Huangsipu Site, and the Nanhai No. 1 shipwreck dating back to China's Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).



This section has put on display relevant cultural relics to depict three major historical events in China's maritime history: Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty dispatching ships and envoys from Hepu and Xuwen to foreign countries, Chinese envoys' missions to ancient state Goryeo during China's Song Dynasty (960-1279), and the famous Chinese navigator Zheng He's voyages to the Western Seas during China's early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).



Among the exhibits in this section, the gold ingots housed by the Hubei Provincial Museum are displayed, which date back to the reign of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty. The exhibits, engraved with inscriptions of purchase records from the West, are tangible evidence of Zheng He's voyages to the Western Seas.



The exhibition section for trade in goods mainly focuses on porcelain, silk and tea, three categories of exports from China in ancient times representing the influence of Chinese civilization overseas.



Porcelain has played an important role in trade along the Maritime Silk Road. The porcelains exhibited in this section include celadon porcelain wares made in the famous Yue kilns and Longquan kilns in east China's Zhejiang province, white porcelain found in kilns in north China's Hebei province, multi-colored porcelain wares such as the tri-colored glazed pottery of the Tang Dynasty, and blue and white porcelains of different styles.



A wide-sleeve long robe found in the tomb of Huang Sheng, a girl who lived in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) in Fuzhou, is on display in this exhibition section. The tomb is praised as a treasury of silk in the Southern Song Dynasty for its numerous and diverse silk fabrics unearthed.



Fujian's silk fabrics manufacturing industry embraced unprecedented prosperity during the Song Dynasty. The decoration techniques including adorning fabrics with gold, colored drawing, and embroidery were widely used to beautify clothes.



Traces of such techniques have also been found in silk fabrics unearthed in China's neighboring countries, which can fully prove Fujian's position as one of the major production bases of silk exports in the Song Dynasty.



Various kinds of tea sets from the Tang and Song dynasties are also shown in this section, including a glass saucer and teacup as well as a silver tea roller discovered in the underground palace in Famen Temple in northwest China's Shaanxi province. The tea roller belonged to Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty, who used it before ascending the throne.



The third exhibition section featuring imported goods from ancient China manifests the inclusiveness of the Chinese civilization. Exhibits include such cultural relics as imported gem ornaments and glass artifacts unearthed from Guangxi, Hunan and Fujian provinces.



Among these exhibits, a peacock blue-glazed pottery bottle from the period of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907-979) is the most precious treasure of Fujian Museum. It is so far the best-preserved peacock blue-glazed ware unearthed in China.



The large pottery bottle is shaped like an olive and evenly covered with blue glaze on its outer surface, conveying a sense of exotic beauty. Experts believe that this pottery ware was likely imported from ancient Persian regions in West Asia.



Various censers and spices are also exhibited in this section. Besides, a special experience zone has been set up through joint efforts of Fujian Museum and Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in a bid to create an interactive experience for visitors.



The last section of the exhibition features the integration of diverse cultures. A white-glazed sitting statue of Chinese sea goddess Mazu made in a kiln in Dehua county during the Ming Dynasty is rather representative of the cultural relics exhibited.



The statue is made of white and delicate porcelain and a bright and smooth layer of glaze, with the glaze sparkling with a slight yellow tinge. It depicts the scene of Mazu sitting upright in a grand gown and with a square flat-topped crown on her head, vividly showing the sea goddess' solicitude for people making a living on the sea.



White porcelains produced by kilns in Dehua enjoyed great popularity in the Ming and Qing dynasties. They were sold to regions as far as Europe.



The Maritime Silk Road is old and yet still vibrant. It is a route on the sea that has helped improve people's well-being to create a better life, as well as a link that has enhanced exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations.



Today, new cultural connotations are being injected into the ancient Maritime Silk Road.



By showing the road's historical and practical significance through relics and storytelling, the exhibition on the cultural imprint of the Maritime Silk Road has unfolded a scroll of harmonious coexistence, common understanding and mutual appreciation between the Chinese civilization and civilizations of various countries around the world.



(Fu Qisheng is the curator of Fujian Museum and vice president of the Chinese Museums Association)



Dans la meme rubrique : < > World's first desert rail loop injects vitality in southern Xinjiang's economic, social development China's H1 foreign trade hits record high "Seniors' classrooms" bring better cultural life to elderly in SE China's Fujian province Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)










English News Giant pandas, envoys of harmony, friendship, inclusiveness

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 15 Juillet 2023



Since the 1970s, China has launched a series of major projects of panda protection aiming at conserving the animal's habitats, establishing panda reserves and strengthening artificial propagation of pandas. Many universities, under the support and guidance of the Chinese government, started panda-related surveys, protection and research on captive breeding technologies.

By Ma Tianxiao Giant panda Ai Bao, leased by China to South Korea, gave birth to a pair of baby pandas on July 7. They are the first pair of giant panda cubs born overseas this year, as well as the first panda twins ever born in South Korea.



People all over the world love giant pandas. The animal traces back to the ancestral panda genus Ailurarctos 8 to 9 million years ago and was recorded by many ancient Chinese books. It has been considered a valuable animal since ancient times because of the legends about it and its scarcity.



Ai Bao arrived in South Korea in March 2016 on a 15-year lease and joint international research. As a matter of fact, sending giant pandas overseas is not an exclusive practice of modern China. Two pandas were sent to Japan's Emperor Tenmu by Wu Zetian, China's only empress in the early Tang Dynasty (618-907).



Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, giant pandas have officially "assumed office" as "diplomatic envoys" and were sent to the Soviet Union and North Korea as national gifts.



When then U.S. President Richard Nixon visited China in 1972, the Chinese government gave the United States two pandas, Xing Xing and Ling Ling, as gifts. About 20,000 people came out for the panda pair's first day of public viewing in the United States.



Out of the consideration of panda protection and propagation, China stopped sending giant pandas as gifts to foreign countries since the 1980s and instead continued its panda diplomacy through research cooperation.



According to statistics, China has carried out panda conservation and research cooperation projects with 22 zoos in 17 countries. As of 2022, there were 64 giant pandas and their cubs living outside China.



Giant pandas have become an important signature of Chinese diplomacy and friendship. Every panda going or living abroad has its interesting stories. For instance, the Japan-born giant panda Xiang Xiang got its name from more than 300,000 suggestions from the public; the Berlin Zoo invited 12 tenors to sing "Happy Birthday To You" to celebrate giant panda Jiao Qing's birthday; Ouwehands Zoo in the Netherlands has built a special "Pandasia" for giant pandas Wu Wen and Xing Ya that covers more than 9,000 square meters; Australia's Adelaide Zoo grows 15 species of bamboos so as to provide fresh bamboos to giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni.



Currently, giant panda images are more and more appearing in major events, from the 1990 Asian Games mascot Pan Pan the Panda, to Jingjing, one of the mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Besides, the China International Import Expo, the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and the Chengdu 2021 FISU Summer World University Games also used panda as their mascots. Panda has been on the logo of the World Wide Fund for Nature since the organization was established.



China places extremely high importance on wild life conservation. Giant pandas, which are rare and distributed in a narrow range, are under key protection in the country.



Since the 1970s, China has launched a series of major projects of panda protection aiming at conserving the animal's habitats, establishing panda reserves and strengthening artificial propagation of pandas. Many universities, under the support and guidance of the Chinese government, started panda-related surveys, protection and research on captive breeding technologies.



Thanks to these efforts, giant pandas were downgraded from "critically endangered" to "vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species in 2016.



In October 2021, the Giant Panda National Park was officially set up. Stretching through Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, the national park is of vital significance for protecting rare species, stabilizing giant pandas' propagation, promoting biodiversity conservation and improving human-nature harmony.



Giant pandas have been representing harmony, friendship and inclusiveness since the ancient times. It is hoped that this cute animal can better co-exist with mankind on planet Earth.



(Ma Tianxiao is a lecturer with the College of Life and Environmental Sciences of Minzu University of China, and a member of the working group of the China's Fourth National Giant Panda Census)



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Unsteady politics breeds ugly innovations, and this year, those innovations are striking at the heart of America's constitutional order. In the last half-week alone, three negative stories about Supreme Court justices have appeared in major outlets, on top of multiple stories since January. None of these stories covers the law; all of them suggest ethical improprieties but stop just short of alleging them; and cumulatively, they push against the freedom of association of the justices and their staff. At no point in our history have Americans seen an entire media, academic, and political apparatus line up to indiscriminately attack one of our branches of government. But, in the face of a conservative Supreme Court determined to rein in national power, we're seeing that now.

The first hit this week came on the front page of Sunday's New York Times, in a report on Justice Clarence Thomas's membership in the Horatio Alger Association, which provides scholarships to young lower-income Americans  a quote-filled piece where the one concrete connection to the Supreme Court was that the justice awards society memberships inside the Court halls. The second came in a report on Justice Sonia Sotomayor, whose staff apparently pressured colleges at which she's spoken to buy her books. The third, from The Guardian, involved Venmo payments from a lawyer appearing in front of the Court to a clerk of Justice Thomas's for Christmas party expenditures. These come on the heels of six months of accelerating reports on the "improprieties" of the six conservative justices, starting with Chief Justice Roberts (twice), moving to Thomas, continuing with Justice Gorsuch, circling back to Thomas, and extending to Justice Alito as well as to Justice Barrett.

With a single exception, not one of these reports showed a direct, obvious connection with the actual business of the Court  and the exception was a sentence revealing that the late Justice Ginsburg accepted hospitality from a billionaire who'd received a favorable ruling the year before. In another era, one or two of these stories might have risen to the level of anecdotes shared off the record at a D.C. party  evidence of the casual insiderism or unapologetic careerism or uninformed associating that's characterized Washington for forty years. But the point of the pieces isn't the stories themselves. It's the colorful shadings these stories introduce and the narrative those shadings create: one that, bit by bit, day by day, week by week, delegitimizes the Court.

According to this narrative, the justices are compromised by their associations, and so their rulings are corrupt. Examples, in this telling, are everywhere. Clarence Thomas has received gifts from a billionaire Republican donor who likes to collect Nazi memorabilia; Justice Alito rode on a plane owned by a Republican philanthropist; Chief Justice Roberts's wife recruits lawyers for firms with business before the Court; a house that Justice Gorsuch owned was sold to a member of a law firm with business before the Court. Read one by one, the stories' details nullify their headlines: Justice Gorsuch's share in the property was 20 percent, and he'd never met the seller; Justice Alito's acceptance of an unoccupied seat avoided imposing cost on his security detail; Jane Sullivan Roberts had moved into recruiting to avoid questions of impropriety when her husband assumed the chief justiceship; Justice Thomas's friend was an ardent collector of memorabilia of all kinds and never appeared before the Court. But appearing with drumbeat regularity, then transformed into clickbait, the effect of the stories is numbing. They beat into the head of anyone who sees Yahoo or Edge News headlines that the Court is corrupt  or worse. Google CLARENCE THOMAS NAZI, and you get 10,500,000 Google results.

The clickbait is being pushed from a specific place: establishment outlets like The New York Times and ProPublica, organizations run by Democrat-affiliated or Democrat-sympathetic operators and funders who owe their success to government largesse. It's their reporters who generate the content that becomes the clickbait, and it's their commentators, many connected to the legal academy, who either spread the stories or don't object to them. Occasionally, a less partial organization will follow the trail in a less politically singular direction, as The Associated Press did with Justice Sotomayor  but the only overall effect is to train more focus on the Judiciary.

From the original pieces, it's only a short journey into both the internet ether and fundraising emails from Democrats attacking the Court in the name of "ethics reform"  a selective push that has nothing to do with reforming Washington's ugly insiderism and everything to do with politics. The people pushing this line admit as much: as New Republic editor Michael Tomasky put it, "the court is corrupt, both judicially and ethically, because of the extreme ideology six of its justices serve." That "extreme ideology," of course, amounts to a reasoned belief in reducing the power of the national government on which people like Tomasky rely.

So far, the rejoinders to this push have been ineffective. Republicans respond, when they do, by shifting the focus of impropriety to Democratic appointees like Justice Sotomayor. Or they agree on the need for ethics reforms but defend the Court's legitimacy. Or, most of all, they dismiss the allegations, reasonably, as absurd. "Lol come on," wrote a respected legal commentator on Twitter. From another: "Okay these stories are like part of an elaborate avant garde public performance now right?" Said a third: "Not remotely a scandal...Judges are not monks."

But this last comment gets at the bigger threat these allegations pose, which Republicans haven't confronted: judges aren't monks, free to associate with nobody outside monastery walls, yet this is exactly what these reports are trying to make them into. The list of questions the reports raise is endless, which is exactly their point. Does Justice Sotomayor have to worry about a subordinate who might handle a booking in a way that colleges construe as pushy? Does Justice Thomas have to vet Venmo charges to casual events, or should he have these events at all? Can the justices' spouses have their own careers? If the Court passes "ethics reform," will this quiet criticism open the justices up to more scrutiny? If the justices change the way they rule on cases, can they ward off the blow?

The logic here is the schoolyard's: make the smartest kid in the class, the one who says the things others don't want to hear, afraid to speak up because afterwards, at recess, he will get punched. In this case, that logic means immobilizing an entire branch of government with slurs and innuendo.

Republicans should focus on broadcasting this simple reality: the forces that benefit from national authority are using the media to impair the branch of our government that wants to shift authority from the nation to the states. Anyone who cares about power balances or political legitimacy should be awake to what's happening  and Republicans need to sound the alarm.

Matt Wolfson is an ex-leftist investigative journalist and writer; he blogs at Oppo-Research.com and tweets @ex__left.

Image: Joe Ravi via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped).
The Left is big on de-escalation of conflict. They insist on talk rather than action to address rioting, theft, and even violent assault. The one place where they will not use it is in politics. De-escalation of political conflict would require them to do something they are loath to -- debate ideas. The left is instead attacking our right to speech.

Try disagreeing with any element of leftist orthodoxy and see what happens. Challenging any of their core positions will not be met with robust debate, but with insults, cancellation, and even physical attack. Challenge them on:

Climate change -- youre a denier.

Trans grooming of children -- youre a homophobe.

Affirmative action -- youre a racist.

Abortion -- youre anti-human rights.

2020 election -- youre part of the big lie.

The Left insists that words can be a form of assault. Thats a silly assertion that ones opinion is somehow harmful to others. However, they use that claim as justification for cancellation, which really is an attack on the well-being of others. In the name of protecting against the harm of differing opinions:

Cancellation is a genuine attack on the physical wellbeing of those targeted.

It can happen to anyone, for the most trivial of reasons. Even showing common courtesy to a political opponent of the Left can trigger calls to deny ones livelihood. Food Network star Guy Fieri made the unforgivable mistake of shaking Donald Trumps hand at a public event. The Left is calling for his restaurants to be boycotted and his television shows to be cancelled.

But were supposed to have constitutionally protected rights to prevent disagreements from becoming attacks. Our Constitution is our pact of civilized behavior -- in which we agree to resolve our conflicts nonviolently. So, why isnt the system working now? Because one the two political parties, and the government bureaucrats devoted to that party, have decided that the pact doesnt serve them anymore. The Constitution stands between them and the political power they seek, so theyve cast it aside.

In just the past three years, government orders have:

Closed small businesses,

Restricted access to churches,

Limited our rights of movement and association,

Challenged our right to parent our children,

Undermined free and fair elections, and even

Limited our freedom of speech.

We have grievances. Our law enforcement doesnt even pretend to pursue justice anymore. Public servants behave as if they are our masters. Uncontrolled government growth has become a burden on our economy. Schools are indoctrinating our children. The Left insists that it is the arbiter of proper thinking. Our God-given right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness has been sacrificed to enable corruption. And yet, were not even permitted to express our concerns without being censored by our own government. The pressure is building.

Thankfully, a federal judge has just released some of the pressure. Missouri and Louisiana brought a lawsuit against Joseph R. Biden, asserting that his administration harmed citizens by violating their constitutionally protected speech. On July 4, Judge Terry Doughty, Chief U.S. district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, enjoined the federal government from contacts with social media companies for purposes of stifling opposition opinions.

In his order, Judge Doughty cited a mountain of evidence that administration officials had sought to censor speech relative to Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, pandemic protocols, COVIDs origin, election fraud, the economy, and even political parody  because making fun of Dems is now a threat to democracy or something.

Executive branch departments or agencies restricted under the injunction include: the White House, Surgeon General, CDC, NIAID, FBI, CISA, State Department, Food and Drug Administration, Treasury, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, and the Department of Commerce.

Judge Doughty has not decided the case on its merits. However, in his order, based on the evidence presented, he noted that plaintiffs are likely to prevail in court.

Unfortunately, Joe Biden is not in favor of releasing the pressure on the pressure cooker. He requested a stay on the injunction. Note what Joe Biden is not saying. Hes not saying that the evidence was wrong or mistakes were made. Were that the case, he could simply leave the injunction in place, state that he does not condone attempts at censorship, and order it stopped.

But Biden has said no such thing. Instead, he demanded that the injunction be lifted. Bidens actions are the President of the United States stating that it is within his purview to censor opinions in opposition to his administration. He is declaring authority to violate the Constitution because our opinions may undermine his. With his challenge to the injunction, he has broken his oath of office and breached our pact of civilized behavior. But what the Left hasnt considered, is that once a pact is breached, it is breached for everyone.

There will be a future other than the consolidated power the Left craves. Our polarization cannot continue indefinitely, and it will not resolve while our grievances remain unaddressed. Our current path is unsustainable. There will either be resolution or dissolution.

While it is not irreversible yet, dissolution is already underway. Americans are sorting themselves between blue and red states on the basis of ideology. A massive migration is underway. When the sorting is complete, the United States will cease to be united. The reds will pursue God, freedom, and capitalism; while the blues pursue Gaia, central control, and communism. We may yet see how that turns out, but recognize that divorce is rarely pleasant.

Alternatively, we can keep our union if we resolve our differences. That can be done verbally or nonverbally.

Verbal resolution would require us to stop cancelling each other and talk. We would need to reach a compromise that we can live with -- not on basic human rights, but on the social issues that animate both sides.

Nonverbal resolution will happen if we dispense with the debate, and work to crush each other with boycotts, censorship, cancellation, ostracization, or even violence. Nonverbal resolution will require us to fight it out until one side surrenders. In this scenario, one side will win and the other will lose. This appears to be the preferred path of the Left.

The governments attempt to deny our God-given rights is not sustainable. Something will have to give.

Our Founders understood that our rights are gifts from God. Human rights cannot be cancelled -- only suppressed. They understood, because they had lived it, that suppression of rights does not result in peace and stability. It causes conflict and unrest.

Unaddressed grievances will continue to build until a breaking point is reached.

John Green is a political refugee from Minnesota, now residing in Idaho. He has written for American Thinker, and American Free News Network. He can be reached at greenjeg@gmail.com.

Image: Montecruz Foto
How does a car, home electrical appliance, or computer manufacturer typically assure the safety of its products? Well, they typically engage in some form of self-regulation. Companies competing with each other are interested in the success of their products and want to make as much money as they can. If a company finds itself risking a loss of revenue as a result of a manufacturing error or lack of safety, it typically corrects or refrains from actions that are responsible for the loss of profits.

However, this may not be the case if profitable conduct contains no liability. Should this be the case, the easy route to attaining greater profitability will be taken. Indeed, such is the case in the world of vaccines, which proves to be the worlds exception to the rule.

Attorney Aaron Siri of the Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN) who has worked a great deal on vaccine-related issues like vaccine injury claims, vaccine exemptions and vaccine policy work, gave testimony to the Arizona State Senate on May 25th. His impressive two-hour presentation sought to answer the question: How can this system that people rely on fail us so badly? But to understand the failure is to understand the context within which the new vaccines arose. We need to understand what happened 37 years ago.

In 1986, Congress passed the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (HR5546). This is an historic act because it removed liability for childhood injury vaccines. Removing liability tends to alter the behavior of entities that benefit. Indeed, it turned out that pharmaceutical companies were no longer liable for injuries caused by their products. That has been the law since 1986.

Attorney Siri says that he knows of no other product that has that kind of immunity. Not planes nor drugs. But since 1986, big pharma has not had any market force check of any significance. Think of all the products out there that warrant safety precautions, and the one you give immunity to is the one you give to babies. Think about that.

It turned out that in the years leading up to Congress 1986 Act, the amount of liability that pharmaceutical companies were facing from injuries far exceeded the revenue that those products accumulated. Manufacturers went bust or withdrew from the market. You would think that the typical and responsible action would be to simply make a safer product for any remaining pharmaceutical company. Thats how market forces work. However, Congress decided that they did not have to make a safer product. Instead, they could continue to sell harmful products and would be granted immunity to boot, thereby evading a lawsuit from anyone. Equally as awful, they made this law for any vaccine made for children from that day forward.

Subsequent to Congress ruling, drug companies now lacked the incentive to understand the safety profile for their vaccines before they were licensed. When it comes to other medical drugs, drug companies are very interested in knowing the safety profile because they are not immune in these cases. In the event of injury, they may very well have to pay for damages. But with vaccine clinical trials, there is no concern. Since the Vaccine Injury Act, Congress created the economic basis for this attitude. Pharmaceutical companies can make their money while taking the path of least resistance. And that path corresponded with the loosening of practices connected to clinical trials.

Siri explains that after a vaccine or drug is put on the market and licensed, to conduct a placebo-controlled trial would be considered unethical since it would be withholding a licensed product from a child. But without a placebo-controlled trial, we are told, one cannot establish causation between the injury and the product.

There are more complications. Pharmaceutical companies are required by law to summarize the clinical trial experience in the accompanying insert of the drug. Siri gives the example of Hepatitis B vaccine which is given to a one-day old child. For a human being as vulnerable as a one-day old baby you would expect the trial experience to have undergone several years. But in the above case, In 3 clinical studies, 434 doses of RECOMBVAX HGA 5 mcg, were administered to 147 healthy infants and children (up to 10 years of age) who were monitored for 5 days after each dose.

Such a test is not considered a rigorous one, yet the FDA licensed the product anyway after only five days of monitoring. (See FDA PDF section 6.1 for the known list of adverse reactions)

Enter Dr. Stanley Plotkin, who is the inventor of six vaccines and widely considered the godfather of modern vaccinology. Aaron Siri asked him a few questions while Plotkin was holding the insert to the Recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine.

Siri: Is five days long enough to detect an autoimmune issue that arises after five days? Dr. Plotkin: No Siri: Is it long enough to detect any neurological disorder after five days? Dr. Plotkin: No. Siri: There was no control group, correct? Dr. Plotkin: It does not mention any control group. No. Siri: Are there reports of adverse reactions arthritis, autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Guillain Barre Syndrome, Myelitis, Seizure, Bells Palsy, Muscle Seizure, Encephalitis, (etc.) Dr. Plotkin: Correct

Dr. Plotkin also agreed that there was no randomized placebo-controlled study for this vaccine before licensing.

So, a top-of-the-line vaccinologist is obviously well aware of the adverse events before the distribution of vaccines. But so are regulatory agencies like the CDC. In fact, the CDC revealed in a May 2021 report that it was aware that Myocarditis and Pericarditis were adverse events associated with the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. But it turns out that the CDC as well as the FDA were aware of these safety signals as early as Feb. 19! The data was hidden from the public until after the FDA granted Emergency Use Authorization.

Here is another exchange between Siri and Plotkin on the subject of the causality of the Dtap vaccine and autism.

Siri: This is an excerpt from the IOM (Institute of Medicine) report. Can you read the causality conclusion with regard to whether Dtap or Tdap cause autism? Plotkin reads: The evidence is inadequate to accept or reject a causal relationship between diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid or acellular pertussis containing vaccine in autism. Siri: If you dont know whether Dtap or Tdap cause autism, shouldnt you wait until you do know -- until you have the science to support it -- to then say that vaccines do not cause autism? Plotkin: Do I wait? No, I do not wait, because I have to take into account the health of the child. Siri: And, so, for that reason youre okay with telling the parent that Dtap or Tdap do not cause autism even though the science isnt there yet to support that claim? Plotkin: Absolutely.

In Siri's presentation there is also a wealth of material covered on the subject of promotion and safety, including a very revealing deposition by Dr. Kathryn Edwards, a leading vaccinologist who served on a Data Safety Monitoring Board for Pfizer. While industries like transportation and energy have separate departments for promotion and safety, the Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for both. And the deep conflict of interest is evident in this presentation.

Congress Injury Act of 1986 certainly negatively changed a lot of things for people, but the combative drive of people like the attorneys of ICAN and the data-driven and daring Steve Kirsch and RFK among others, are making headway to affect change, awareness and bring humanity and accountability to the world of vaccines. As we approach the next presidential election, when health emergencies of various kinds can intrude into our lives, we can use all the help we can get.

Image: Public Domain Pictures
The news on the internet was electric. During a talk with Tucker Carlson, Mike Pence, one of the Republican partys presidential aspirants, said that the United States is not his concern. The truth is that, when his entire statement is taken in context, thats not what Pence said at all. However, the snippet that made the rounds is what leftists used to call fake but accurate insofar as it sums up a man whos viewed as a turncoat and a uniparty globalist whos only a social conservative.

Heres one of the videos that made the rounds. You can see that Pence is very passionate about Ukraine. Once he finishes that riff, Tucker talks about the pressing issues in America and asks Pence about those issues, at which point Pence says the fatal phrase, Well, thats not my concern.

Tucker instantly ENDS Mike Pences career in 60 seconds:



Tucker nukes Pence on Ukraine aid: Every city in the United States has become much worse over the last 3 years.. and your concern is the Ukrainians.. 



pic.twitter.com/ZosHCzFnAr  Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 14, 2023

Within minutes, the memes were flying:

Same energy. Same fly?



Mike Pence:

"That's not my concern."



Hillary Clinton:

"What difference does it make." pic.twitter.com/XEUgYbWFup   (@ChatByCC) July 14, 2023

Tucker: Where's the concern for the United States?

Pence: That's not my concern. Tucker I've heard this routine from you before..not my concern pic.twitter.com/AVsFQ5hYyu  Val (@TrumpsHurricane) July 14, 2023

This meme sums it up best:

Image: Internet meme; creator unknown.

However, the truth is that Pence never said that Americas well-being isnt his concern. Heres what he said after the snippet cut off on those fateful words:

Sorry @charliekirk11. That is what we used to call FAKE NEWS. Heres the full clip of my remarks if youre interested: https://t.co/2O3UD76fIB pic.twitter.com/S6alSS92Rg  Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) July 14, 2023

Tucker: I think its a fair question to ask, like, wheres the concern for the United States in that? Pence: Well, its not my concern, Tucker. Ive heard that routine from you before, but thats not my concern. Im running for president of the United States because I think this country is in a lot of trouble. I think Joe Biden is weak in America, at home and abroad, and as president of the United States, were going to restore law and order in our cities. Were going to secure our border, were going to get this economy, move it again, and were going to make sure that we have men and women on our courts at every level that will stand for the right to life and defend all the God-given liberties enshrined in our Constitution. Anybody that says that we cant be the leader of the free world and solve our problems at home has a pretty small view of the greatest nation on Earth. We can do both and as President of the United States, we will secure our border. We will support our military, we will revive our economy and stand by our values and we will also. Lead the world for freedom. Under my administration, I promise you.

As you can see, Pence definitely stated that America is his concern. Having said that, youll notice how he refused to answer Tuckers entirely valid question about his support for Ukraine versus America.

But you know what? The truth isnt going to save Pence. Thats because the out-of-context snippet cements what conservatives feel about Pence.

Hes definitely a social conservative, but he doesnt speak loudly about issues other than abortion. Its his purely political values, though, that are a concern. His fealty to funding Ukraine seems more aligned with the Uniparty than with putting America first. More than that, Trump supporters will never forgive him for meekly certifying questionable Electoral College votes.

In other words, Pence doesnt have a broad conservative base. There are other conservative candidates who promise what he does (e.g., Trump, DeSantis, and Ramaswamy) without that icky Uniparty vibe.

Moreover, because Pence is viewed as an abortion absolutist and gay hater on the left (something Pete Buttigieg harps upon), Democrats despise him. In other words, Pence doesnt have any support on the left. Not one Democrat would ever vote for him.

What this means is that, unless every other Republican candidate implodes, and Pence is, by default, the last man standing, Id bet my last dollar that he cant win on his merits.

Im sure Pence knows that, too. That knowledge creates an interesting question: If he cant possibly win, why is Pence running? I leave you to come up with answers to that question, although I suspect he lives in a bubble of people who prop him up, which only further highlights his disconnect from voters.
(Photo : EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - French President Emmanuel Macron (R) welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris on July 13, 2023. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to France on July 13, 2023, where he will attend the traditional Bastille Day military parade as guest of honour and discuss major new defence deals.

As the guest of honor at the Bastille Day military parade on Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received one of France's most prestigious honors as part of a visit that has resulted in high-profile defense agreements.

French and Indian soldiers marched down the tree-lined Champs-Elysees in Paris as India's 2015-purchased Rafale fighter aircraft performed a fly-past over the Arc de Triomphe. Modi and President Emmanuel Macron observed the event.

Macron and Modi Agree on Defense Ties

Macron, who was hissed by some members of the public as he drove down the Champs-Elysees in a military vehicle, is in a precarious position as the national celebrations approach.

According to Reuters, Macron's decision to increase the retirement age prompted months of protests this spring and has negatively affected his popularity. Modi began a two-day visit to Paris on Thursday when he was awarded France's highest honor, the Legion of Honor.

The parade comes after New Delhi gave preliminary sanction to purchase an additional 26 Rafale aircraft and three Scorpene-class submarines for its navy, deepening defense ties with France at a time when both countries are seeking allies in the Indo-Pacific.

According to a source with knowledge of the details, the total value of the purchases is anticipated to be around $9.75 billion, although this is still subject to negotiation.

For decades, France has been one of India's closest allies in Europe. It was the only Western nation that did not impose sanctions on New Delhi following India's 1998 nuclear tests.

Despite the apparent camaraderie between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron this week, India and France remain occasionally uneasy allies.

Per The Independent, Macron sidestepped concerns regarding threats to rights and liberties posed by the Hindu nationalist government of Modi. India has increased its imports of sanctioned Russian oil, while Modi has called for peace efforts in Ukraine to end Russia's conflict and the ensuing grain shortages.

France is increasing arms shipments to Ukraine for its counteroffensive. During a two-day visit that included a banquet at the Louvre, Indian military marching down the Champs-Elysees, and a high-octane speech by Modi to Indians from around Europe, the two countries released a slew of agreements strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The most significant development is a provisional Indian agreement to purchase 26 additional Rafale fighter aircraft and three additional Scorpene French and Spanish-made submarines, in addition to an earlier agreement for 36 Rafales and six Scorpenes. Price details remain to be determined.

Read Also: North Korea Makes Rare Move, Defends Recent Missile Test at UN Security Council Meeting

France's Indo-Pacific Ties

Macron is eager to strengthen alliances in the Indo-Pacific against a more assertive China, and his office has unveiled a "roadmap" for cooperation with India in the region.

After India launched a spacecraft toward the moon's far side on Friday, Modi stated India's desire to enhance cooperation with France in space. French Guiana is home to the European Space Agency's primary launch location.

In addition, the two leaders announced new cooperative initiatives in the fields of renewable energy, hydrogen projects, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors. On Thursday, a small group of activists protested Modi's visit to Paris, accusing him of undermining Indian democracy and promoting discrimination against religious minorities.

Modi, the leader of the world's largest population, has stated that "democracy flows through our veins" and that "absolutely no room" exists for discrimination. Last month, Modi was hailed by US President Joe Biden and he is now on his way to the United Arab Emirates.

Related Article: Biden Says He's Seious About Prisoner Exchange With Russia to Free WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Jack Smith, the special counsel appointed to prosecute Donald Trump, would rush a persecution of a former president while Garland/Biden drags out the detention torture of January 6 political prisoners.

YouTube screengrab (cropped)

From UPI via Breitbart:

Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith opposed former President Donald Trumps request to delay the trial over his alleged mishandling of classified documents.

Ahead of a press conference scheduled Tuesday for lawyers in the case, the Justice Department responded to Trumps efforts to indefinitely delay the tentative date of Aug. 14 saying the request borders on the frivolous.

There is no basis in law or fact for proceeding in such an indeterminate and open-ended fashion, and the defendants provide none, wrote assistant special counsel David Harbach.

Trumps team wrote on Monday that beginning a trial of this magnitude within six months of indictment is unreasonable, telling, and would result in a miscarriage of justice.

The special counsels team countered that while Trumps lawyers were provided 800,000 pages of evidence, only 4,500 were key documents in the case.

Smith had previously called for the trial to be delayed until December noting the sensitive nature of the classified materials in the case would require special considerations.

However, Trumps team said that a December trial would make it even more difficult to seat an impartial jury as his 2024 presidential campaign would be ramping up.
Jerry Dunleavy, an excellent political reporter at the Washington Examiner, has used Twitter to publish what he correctly labels a scoop, and he has crafted a must-read. Using my words, not his, he found a source, a former FBI official from the counterintelligence world, who explained how a notable coverup worked. He eschews such conclusory language and wisely sticks to a straightforward facts-first reporting style.

FBI agents started investigating potential Chinese spies Russel Lowe and Fang Fang, who had gotten very close to Dianne Feinstein and Eric Swalwell, respectively.

According to the former FBI official from the counterintelligence world, the FBI had FISA surveillance up & running on Fang (who was targeting numerous politicians in California & elsewhere, including Swalwell), according to the source, and so many of her actions & communications were being intercepted & monitored. The FISA related to suspicions that Fang was an agent of a foreign power (China). The FBI did not believe Fang was a Chinese intelligence officer herself, but rather a willing tool of Chinese intel services. Fang was on the radar of the CIA and the NSA, as well as the bureau. The FBI believed MSS also knew members of Fangs family.

The sexiest scoop is:

[T]he FBI firmly believed based on the evidence they collected on Fang that there had been a sexual relationship between Swalwell & Fang. (Swalwells office had previously refused to answer my questions on what the specific nature of his relationship with Fang Fang had been.)

YouTube screengrab

But the far, far more important story is how the agents actually investigating the two wanted to proceed, but the seventh-floor political hacks overruled them. Jerry uses three long tweets and one short final thoughts post to publish the story. Read all 4 parts here.
Considering that it is summer and kids are on holiday, the new Google Play features aim to help parents. While the children enjoy their holidays, it is also important that parents keep an eye on their reading. To help in this regard, Google has prepared some products to help parents keep track of their childrens reading habits.

With these features, Google says that parents can help their children keep their skills sharp all summer. So once its time to head back to school, these kids will be more than ready for learning activities. To an extent, this shows parents the valid role that technology has to play in their childs education.

If you are a parent or guardian, you might already be wondering what these new features are and how you can access them. Google outlines five of them that you can put to use and help your kids read even during the summer holiday. In this article, youd identify these features and how to put them to good use.

Five new Google Play features to monitor your childrens reading this summer

One of the new features will help parents build the necessary skills for reading and understanding. For this parents will use the reading practice that can be found on Google Play Books section. This feature will teach children how to pronounce words properly and also guide them as they read.

Parents and guardians can also get an idea of their child or wards reading habits. With the reading insight feature, parents can monitor a childs reading progress. Speaking of progress, this can relate to how often these children read, what they read, and their reading speed (how fast they finish a book).

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Google is also offering to make things a bit more affordable for parents. The Google Play Pass subscription is an offer to parents to aid them save some cash on apps and games for their children. Additionally, with Google Play, Points can also make purchasing educational apps and games more affordable for parents.

Part of learning involves getting familiar with the language and culture of others. To help children learn in this regard, Google is offering many books in various languages on the Play Store. The translation feature is also a solid tool to help children get an idea of the meaning of foreign words.

To make books accessible to all children in a household, Google offers the Play Family Library feature. With this, parents can share their Play Store purchases with up to five people. This makes games, books, and a lot more available to all children in the household.

These features are all accessible via the Google Play Store and are designed to improve learning. Even during the summer holiday, children can keep learning and parents can make use of that. Most regions around the world have access to these features, and they can put them to use while teaching their children.
(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 15 - Thousands of holidaymakers are facing disruption on Saturday due to a strike by Italian air-transport workers.

Ground staff at airports downed tools at 10:00 and will not return to the job until 18:00.

Pilots and cabin crew for Vueling are striking at the same time, while pilots for Malta Air, which operates some Ryanair flights, are halting work between 12:00 and 16:00.

Consumer association Codacons has estimated that around 1,000 flights have been cancelled with around 25,0,000 passengers affected as a result of the protest.

At Naples airport alone 118 flights have been cancelled, while 150 were scrapped at Milan's Linate and Malpensa airports.

Ita Airways said it has had to cancel 133 domestic and international flights.

Codacons said it has filed complaints at criminal prosecutors in 104 Italian towns and cities and at the national audit Court over the alleged illegal interruption of a public service.

(ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 15 - Democratic Party (PD) leader Elly Schlein said Saturday that the centre-left group was united in its opposition to the government's plans for differentiated autonomy.

"We say no to this differentiated autonomy project," Schlein said at a two-day party event in Naples.

"We are here to say so with a single voice, with the whole PD from north to south".

In February, Premier Giorgia Meloni's government adopted a framework law on differentiated autonomy which would enable regions to request wider competencies and retain more of the tax revenues collected in their areas.

Critics say the reform will widen an already large north-south divide, with poorer southern regions left with even worse health and education systems and other public services.

"Autonomy splits the country and overrides parliament," Schlein said.

She also complained about the "shameful silence" of several centre-right governors on this issue.

Schlein also said that the need for a conflict-of-interest law is shown by the legal problems of some members of the government, an apparent reference to Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche, who is under investigation in Milan over allegations regarding her business activities.

"We are always reformist," Schlein said.

"When they (the government) called us for talks, we presented our reform proposals to reinforce stability and representation, starting with a new election law and votes for students away from their home towns.

"We presented ideas about constructive no-confidence votes, the strengthening of people's referendums, and a law on conflicts of interest, which continues to be a problem.

"This is show by many cases, including those regarding ministers of this government".

A sour note for the PD was Campania Governor Vincenzo De Luca's absence at the event in his home region.

Schlein and De Luca have been at odds over whether the latter should run for a third term at the helm of the region.

Emilia Romagna Governor Stefano Bonaccini, who lost to Schlein in the PD leadership primaries at the start of the year, called for unity.

"Let's avoid divisions," he said.

"If we split, we'll give the right a great gift for the next 20 years". (ANSA).


(Photo : DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

US soldiers in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) patrol the countryside of Rumaylan (Rmeilan) in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province on June 7, 2023. (Photo by Delil souleiman / AFP) (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

A senior defense official told reporters on Friday that Iran and Russia are collaborating to force the United States out of Syria.

The official disclosed for the first time that a Russian aircraft had flown unprofessionally near a US MQ-9 drone earlier that day. In contrast, a second aircraft had spent "an extended period" monitoring the Al Tanf garrison in Syria.

Iran-Russia Urge to Push US Out of Syria

The United States needed more means to deter the manned aircraft flying over its base. The official explained that these incidents, which include Iranian interceptions of vessels in adjacent waterways, represent a significant increase in the aggressiveness of Russian forces in the region.

In the past, there have been frequent blips of increased Russian aggression in the region, the official said, but this spring marked the beginning of a protracted period of this behavior, which is still ongoing.

Despite the increased aggression from Russia's military in the Middle East, the official asserted that escalation with US forces does not appear likely. American military commanders are also opposed to engaging Russian forces.

The official stated that the correspondence on the de-confliction line "occasionally gets quite intense."

Given the strengthened relationship between Iran and Russia, which was primarily forged during Russia's conflict in Ukraine, the official believes there is now a "qualitative difference" between the two countries. Iran has supplied Russia with hundreds of lethal drones, which Russia then employed against Ukrainian infrastructure.

Iran has finalized an agreement with Russia to purchase Su-35 fighter jets and is seeking additional armaments and equipment, such as assault helicopters, radars, and YAK-130 trainer aircraft.

John Kirby, the coordinator of the National Security Council, told the Washington Examiner last month that the United States is concerned that Russia is collaborating with Iran to produce Iranian UAVs from within Russia and that "this facility could be fully operational by early next year."

Read Also: North Korea Makes Rare Move, Defends Recent Missile Test at UN Security Council Meeting

Iran to Receive Su-35 Jets From Russia

This year, Tehran was anticipated to receive these jets, but the government is now still determining if they will ever materialize. Iran's highest-ranking officials have acknowledged this decision while awaiting the necessary aircraft, still determining when they will be integrated into their fleet.

According to the report, most of Iran's aviation force consists of obsolete US aircraft that have long outlived their usefulness. Therefore, Iran was forced to acquire 50 Su-35 fighters from its ally, Russia.

Russia secured the aircraft's down payment and negotiated a contract for Shahed suicide drones manufactured in Iran. In late 2022, Tehran began supplying UAVs. Since these arrangements were made nearly a year ago, Tehran has not received any Su-35 aircraft.

Russia sought Iran's assistance due to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In response to the Kremlin's request, Teheran provided support. However, Iran was solely exploited and received nothing in return.

In the past six months, Iran has supplied Russia with over 300,000 artillery projectiles and approximately one million rounds of ammunition via cargo ships, the Wall Street Journal reported at the end of April.

Related Article: India, France Agree on Defense Ties, But Avoid Issues About Ukraine During Bastille Day Celebration

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Hollywood stars and rank and file members of Sag-Aftra hailed the extraordinary solidarity within the US actors union on day one of a major industry strike.

Thousands of creatives took to the streets of Los Angeles on Friday, picketing outside major studios after the start of the strike, which threatens to derail productions at both home and abroad.

Actors stood shoulder to shoulder with writers outside major production companies, including Warner Bros, Netflix and Disney in the sweltering heat, while cars drove by honking their horns in support.

Multiple celebrities including George Clooney, Halle Berry and Alec Baldwin have expressed support for the action, announced by the Screen Actors Guild  American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) on Thursday.

In a statement shared with the PA news agency, Clooney said: This is an inflection point in our industry. Actors and writers in large numbers have lost their ability to make a living.

For our industry to survive that has to change. For actors that journey starts now.

In a video posted to Instagram, Baldwin congratulated the union for calling the strike in order to protect its rank and file members.

I dont think anybody really wants a strike but they dont want to continue under the unfair contracts that were working under now, he said.

So congratulations to everybody and I hope this is over right after we get everything we want.

Striking writers and actors take part in a rally outside Netflix studio in Los Angeles (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

British stars including Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh also expressed solidarity with their fellow union members, after walking out of the London premiere of upcoming blockbuster Oppenheimer on Thursday, shortly after the strike was announced.

But the chief executive of the UK Cinema Association said the strike may cause little if any disruption to British theatres for the foreseeable future.

Phil Clapp told the PA news agency that disruption may be minimal, though it was likely that some film premieres in the UK would go ahead without talent until the dispute was resolved.

While it will clearly be for each individual to make their own decision, it may be that until the dispute is resolved we will see some premieres not being supported by the talent in front of or behind the camera, he said.

He added: In terms of wider UK cinema-going, then given the challenges UK cinema operators have faced in the last few years, all will be concerned by anything which might potentially threaten the supply of films to the big screen, and so it is very much hoped that there will be a quick resolution.

Unless the current strike is a protracted one, we are confident that cinemas will see little if any disruption in the foreseeable future, he said.

Among the productions in the UK that could be affected by the strike action is the filming of Deadpool 3, starring Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.

House Of The Dragon series two with Matt Smith and Emma DArcy could also be affected, alongside the second series of The Sandman with Tom Sturridge and the fourth series of Slow Horses with Academy Award winner Gary Oldman.

Other events that may be affected by the strike could include red carpet premieres and film festivals, including those in Venice and Toronto, and awards shows such as the 75th Emmy Awards.

In Los Angeles on Friday, Sag-Aftra members said the support from other creative unions had been overwhelming.

Emily Blunt (left) and Florence Pugh also expressed solidarity with their fellow union members (Ian West/PA)

The union joins over 11,000 members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), who have been on strike since May 2.

Bertila Damas, actress and former member of the Sag-Aftra board, said the turnout was extraordinary, but not surprising.

Weve been dismissed, weve been treated less than, weve been otherised as if the business didnt depend on our backs and the writers, she told PA.

This is an extraordinary show of solidarity and its about time.

Damas said she did not feel nervous at all with being on strike and stopping work, but voiced concerns about younger members of the union.

Ive been doing this a long time and Im not as concerned, I can weather the storm of unemployment, she added.

Striking writers and actors take part in a rally outside Paramount studios in Los Angeles (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Its a bigger deal than its ever been. What were asking for, if you ask me, is still not enough.

Stunt coordinator Mikal Kartvedt said the added weight of the actors union membership to the ongoing writers strike was a gamechanger.

This could be a real crusher when it comes to the timeframe the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) thought they were working with, especially with the writers  this is a gamechanger for the whole thing, he told PA.

Shows that were already in the pipeline and ready to go to production, you could rationalise that you dont need writers and you could shoot the show anyway.

Without Sag-Aftra, theres nothing going on anyway.
Ben Wallace is understood to be considering leaving Government in the autumn after four years as Defence Secretary.

Mr Wallace, who has played a key role in responding to Russias invasion of Ukraine and was a close ally of Boris Johnson, is said to be weighing up whether to exit politics entirely.

He remains supportive of Rishi Sunak and the Government and the departure would not be related to the Conservative Partys current challenges, according to multiple reports.

The PA news agency understands Mr Wallace has not yet made a decision.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (centre right) with Ukrainian soldiers during a visit to Bovington Camp to watch their training on Challenger 2 tanks in February (Ben Birchall/PA)

He had expressed an interest in standing for the role of Nato secretary-general before it was announced the current chief, Jens Stoltenberg, had been given another year in charge.

The minister told The Economist there were a lot of unresolved issues in the military alliance and its not going to happen, and he later downplayed the prospect of a future bid to run the organisation.

The Sun reported earlier this month that he was considering a retreat from politics following the decision.

Last week, the Prime Minister shut down comments from Mr Wallace in which he suggested Ukraine should show gratitude for the military support it had been given.

Mr Wallace had made the remark after the countrys President Volodymyr Zelensky branded it absurd for Nato to insist there were still conditions for his nation to meet before it can gain membership once the war with Russia is over.

Ben Wallace (centre right) meeting with Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during talks in Kyiv in 2022 (Ukraine Government/PA)

Mr Zelensky later said: I believe that we were always grateful to United Kingdom.

I dont know what he meant and how else we should be grateful.

Popular within the Tory party, Mr Wallace is the longest continuously serving minister in Government, having been security minister under Theresa May before being promoted to Defence Secretary by Mr Johnson and continuing the role under his two successors.

He was previously appointed as a whip in 2014 and a junior minister in the Northern Ireland Office in 2015 while David Cameron was prime minister.

The Wyre and Preston North MP ruled himself out of the running for the Conservative leadership last year, despite being an early frontrunner in the race to replace Mr Johnson.
Ben Wallace has said he plans to resign at the next Cabinet reshuffle after four years as Defence Secretary.

He told The Sunday Times he would stand down as an MP at the next election but ruled out leaving prematurely and triggering another by-election for the Conservatives to battle.

Mr Wallace, who survived three prime ministers in his current role, played a key role in the UKs response to Russias invasion of Ukraine and was a close ally of Boris Johnson.

His Wyre and Preston North constituency will disappear at the next election after boundary changes and he said he would not seek a new seat.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, centre right, with Ukrainian soldiers during a visit to Bovington Camp (Ben Birchall/PA)

I went into politics in the Scottish Parliament in 1999. Thats 24 years. Ive spent well over seven years with three phones by my bed, he told the paper.

He suggested he will continue to call for higher defence spending, which he has campaigned for throughout his time in the role.

Mr Wallace had expressed an interest in standing for the position of Nato secretary-general before it was announced the current chief, Jens Stoltenberg, had been given another year in charge.

The minister told The Economist there were a lot of unresolved issues in the military alliance and its not going to happen, and he later downplayed the prospect of a future bid to run the organisation.

Last week, the Prime Minister shut down comments from Mr Wallace in which he suggested Ukraine should show gratitude for the military support it has been given.

Ben Wallace, centre right, meeting with Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during talks (Ukraine Government/PA)

Mr Wallace had made the remark after the countrys president, Volodymyr Zelensky, branded it absurd for Nato to insist there were still conditions for his nation to meet before it can gain membership once the war with Russia is over.

Mr Zelensky later said: I believe that we were always grateful to United Kingdom.

I dont know what he meant and how else we should be grateful.

The Prime Minister distanced himself from the comments, saying the Ukrainian president has expressed his gratitude for what weve done on a number of occasions.

Mr Wallace is believed to have told Rishi Sunak on June 16 of his plans to stand down from Cabinet.

He told the Sunday Times his departure was due to the strain the job had put his family life under.

Popular within the Tory party, Mr Wallace is the longest continuously serving minister in Government, having been security minister under Theresa May before being promoted to Defence Secretary by Mr Johnson.

He was previously appointed as a whip in 2014 and a junior minister in the Northern Ireland Office in 2015 while David Cameron was prime minister.

Mr Wallace ruled himself out of the running for the Conservative leadership last year, despite being an early frontrunner in the race to replace Mr Johnson.
Tributes will be paid to the late SNP politician Winnie Ewing, the partys first female parliamentarian, at a memorial service on Saturday.

The 93-year-old former MP, MEP, and MSP, affectionately known as Madame Ecosse, died last month, surrounded by her family.

Former first minister Alex Salmond and former Scottish Government Cabinet Minister, Alex Neil, will give eulogies at the service at Inverness Cathedral on Saturday, which will be livestreamed.

First Minister Humza Yousaf, Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone and Highland MSP Kate Forbes will also give readings.

Winnie Ewing with Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon in 2005 (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The service will be conducted by the Most Reverend Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and Bishop of the Diocese of Moray, Ross & Caithness, and the Very Reverend Sarah Murray, Provost of Inverness Cathedral.

Gaelic songs will be performed by Julie Fowlis, accompanied by her husband, Eamon Doorley, and Ciara, one of Mrs Ewings grand-daughters.

Described as a beloved icon of the Scottish independence movement, Mrs Ewing was perhaps best known for declaring Stop the world, Scotland wants to get on after her shock victory at the Hamilton by-election in 1967.

That victory saw her become Scotlands first ever female parliamentarian.

Following her death Mr Yousaf paid tribute to the steadfastly European former MEP, saying that she had played a key role in shaping the perception of Scotland as a true European nation.

And former first minister Nicola Sturgeon described Mrs Ewing, who was the first presiding officer of the reconvened Scottish Parliament in 1999, as a beloved icon.

She said: I cant begin to convey the depth of gratitude I feel for the advice, wisdom, encouragement and inspiration Winnie gave me and so many others over the years.

Mrs Ewing is survived by her children Fergus, Annabelle and Terry and grandchildren Natasha, Ciara, Jamie, and Sophie.

Flags flew at half-mast outside the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh, following Mrs Ewings death (Jane Barlow/PA)

Her children Fergus and Annabelle are SNP MSPs, with Mr Ewing previously describing his mother as superhuman.

Mrs Ewings family thanked everyone who has sent messages of condolence, and said all are welcome at the service.

A family spokesman said: We have heard a myriad of anecdotes of happy experiences of Winnie over her long and successful time as MP, MEP and MSP.

These have been of great comfort to the family.

A private funeral service was held last month.

Mrs Ewing was born in Glasgow in 1929 and gained a law degree from Glasgow University, before being elected to the UK Parliament.

Despite losing the Hamilton seat at the next election in 1970, she was re-elected to Westminster in 1974 for Moray and Nairn, and retained her seat in the second election in October of the same year.

She also served in the European Parliament, representing the Highlands and Islands after losing her Westminster seat in 1979.

She resigned as an MEP in 1999 to stand as a candidate for the new Scottish Parliament, representing the Highlands and Islands until 2003.

Mrs Ewing was president of the SNP until 2005 when she stood down from elected office, however, she remained an ardent supporter of the independence cause.
The worst airline for UK flight delays in the past two years has insisted passengers should trust it this summer.

Wizz Airs UK managing director Marion Geoffroy said the Hungarian carrier has reviewed every single aspect of its operations to boost resilience, and has performed well in recent months.

It has overhauled flight schedules, rostering and the availability of spare aircraft parts since 2022.

In an interview with the PA news agency, Ms Geoffroy said: Passengers should trust Wizz and they should book with Wizz.

We dont see any area except for air traffic control (ATC) where I would have concerns.

Of course we might face some strike actions at certain airports but in terms of our operations  what we control  weve put a lot of strength in the entire system.

Wizz Air operates flights from eight UK airports including Birmingham, Edinburgh, Gatwick and Luton.

Analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data shows Wizz Airs departures from the UK last year were delayed by more than 46 minutes on average, which was longer than any other airline.

The carrier was also ranked last for punctuality in 2021.

In December 2022, the CAA said it had significant concerns about Wizz Air as it was delaying paying refunds for cancelled flights, and its passengers were far more likely to make escalated complaints than those of other airlines.

The regulator also said the carrier faced a large number of county court judgments, which are orders to pay money owed.

Asked about the airlines performance during the last two years, Ms Geoffroy said: We do apologise. We dont want this to happen again.

She said that by operating flights as early and late in the day as possible, the airline has been able to introduce extra buffers involving aircraft being scheduled to remain on the ground for part of the afternoon, limiting the knock-on effect of morning delays.

More staff are working on two flights per shift rather than four, reducing the likelihood of disruption meaning labour laws prevent them from completing the final flight, forcing it to be cancelled.

Wizz Air has made more spare aircraft engines and other parts available this summer to cut the impact of faults.

Ms Geoffroy said the airline has also worked with airports and ground-handling companies to ensure there is no repeat of the staffing shortages that caused much of the chaos during last years surge in demand for air travel.

She said airline managers have tested ourselves already during peak periods this year over Easter, bank holiday weekends and half-term school holidays.

Its gone well, she said. We were mostly affected by external factors such as ATC strikes or weather. They were the main reasons for disruption so far.

We know were going to face them in July and August because the ATC situation is not going to be solved this summer.

But weve seen that these buffers weve put in place have helped us overcome disruption due to external factors.

Were very happy with April, May and June. The number of flights we cancelled was the lowest in the industry compared to our peers.

Ms Geoffroy added that the airline has dealt with more than 80% of its outstanding CCJ cases and hopes they will all be closed by the end of the summer.

Rory Boland, editor of consumer magazine Which? Travel, said: Wizz Air was named the worst short-haul airline in our recent survey, and its dismal record on cancellations, delays and meeting even basic standards of customer service mean it should be avoided at all costs.

Passengers have been expected to sit back and put their trust in airlines like Wizz Air for far too long, only to be repaid with having their travel plans ruined and their rights disregarded.

Its time for Number 10 to finally show it is on the side of consumers and legislate to give the aviation regulator fining powers, so it has the teeth to take airlines to task.

It emerged this week that Gatwick is suffering more flight delays due to ATC limits than any other major European airport.

EasyJet cancelled 1,700 summer flights  mostly from Gatwick  in response to unprecedented ATC restrictions.
Claire Scanlon was given the minimum term of 18 years for killing her son Dylan. (Greater Manchester Police / SWNS)

A woman who murdered her five-year-old son with anti-depressants has been jailed for life.

On Friday, Claire Scanlon, 38, was given the minimum term of 18 years for killing Dylan Scanlon, whose badly bruised body was found on her bed in Oldham.

Prosecutors told the court the mum had first informed her uncle in a nearby property her son was "not breathing or moving" at 6.15pm on 31 December 2021.

Dylan was pronounced dead three minutes after paramedics arrived at the house.

Dylan Scanlon was murdered by his mum. (Greater Manchester Police / SWNS)

Pathologists found the boy had 64 separate injuries and a large amount of antidepressant drug Mirtazapine in his system, which experts claimed could have been fatal.

Scanlon had told paramedics her son fell from the ladder to her attic the day before they arrived, and she had checked on him every 15 minutes before his death.

But after police arrested her, they found a note saying Dont let them see us, just cremate us, which prosecutors said showed she'd planned to die alongside him.

Manchester Minshull Court also heard that Scanlon had inherited Huntingtons disease from her mother, which she had called a death sentence.

Prosecutor Lisa Wilding had also told the court Scanlon became angry and depressed at the breakdown of her relationship with Dylans dad, Gary Keenan, in 2020.

She said the mum was obsessed with Gary, and in the two months before her sons death, she'd sent voicemails and messages to him multiple times a day.

On 30 December, she sent a final message that said: Youre just showing all you want to do is act like me and Dyl werent in your life and crack on, make a new life with your new bird.

"So you go and do that. Ill solve it for you. Go and enjoy your new life with her.

Dylan with his father Gary Keenan. (Greater Manchester Police / SWNS)

Ms Wilding told the court Scanlon had picked up a repeat prescription for Mirtazapine, an antidepressant, 11 days before Dylan died.

A blood sample found that Dylan had 9,951 micrograms of the drug per litre of blood in his system, which would be consistent with other fatalities from the drug.

Christopher Madden, a forensic toxicologist, couldn't tell how Dylan had ingested the mirtazapine and whether it was taken in one go or administered on multiple occasions.

Mr Keenan provided a statement to the court during the hearing, revealing his grief at never being able to see his son again.

He said: There will always be a massive hole in our hearts at the loss of Dylan, and we miss him every day.

Judge Mrs Justice Yip told Scanlon - who refused to attend the court - that while her condition may have affected her behaviour, it was no excuse for murdering her son.
The UKs second largest trade union could reduce the amount of money it gives to Labour if the partys leadership does not back more of its policy priorities, its general secretary has said.

Sharon Graham, of Unite, warned Sir Keir Starmer there will be no blank cheques as she urged the party to be bolder in an interview with the BBC.

She told the broadcaster: I want to see some movement if we are going to give what we usually give.

We would be better off with a Labour government but I am very, very disappointed with the lack of ambition.

Unite is Labours biggest financial backer and guarantees the party almost 1.5 million a year.

Ms Graham made the comments after members of her union, the UKs second largest, voted overwhelmingly against disaffiliating from the party earlier this week.

Ms Graham said she is very, very disappointed by the lack of ambition at the top of the party.

Apathy will be the winner at the ballot box next year if Labour does not become bolder, she added.

She said the opposition is not setting out a distinct alternative to the Tory Government as it tries to reassure voters it can manage the economy.

Sir Keir Starmer speaking at the Unite Policy Conference on Thursday (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The union boss said we need be as bold as the 1945 Labour government which created the NHS.

She added: There wasnt much money about then, I can tell you.

Ms Graham told the BBC that strict fiscal rules have led to inertia which has led the public to ask what the difference is between Labour and the Conservatives.

She also said Labour must talk about what they can do to change Britain. People want something to vote for.

She added: If Labour are saying whats happening now is awful  and it is absolutely awful  they have to come out with solutions to that.

The BBC said she is pushing for renationalisation of steel and energy companies to be near the top of the partys priority list.

During several meetings with the Labour leader, she said it would be cheaper to buy a steel industry that has lost much of its market value than to bail out its private owners, the broadcaster reported.

Ms Graham wants hundreds of organisers to go to marginal seats and talk to voters about the case for taking key industries into public hands.

The message will be reinforced by Unite-funded billboards.

The aim is for voters to press local Labour parties and candidates to commit to backing nationalisation.

She told the BBC: We will take our ideas to the people.

The real decision-makers are the voters. If they push those ideas, politicians tend to move when they speak to voters

People will say they remember when energy companies were privatised and when they paid massive bills, and it was a Labour government that stopped all that.
The biggest nursing union has raised concerns about the Governments divisive approach to public sector pay.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has written to Health Secretary Steve Barclay accusing the Government of being cavalier and reckless at a time of the greatest industrial unrest the NHS has ever seen.

The RCN said Thursdays decision by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on public sector pay means nursing and other health staff in England have received the lowest pay rise in 2023/24 among public sector workers.

RCN general secretary Pat Cullen, wrote: This highlights the long-term disparity, pay erosion and disadvantage of the nursing profession, and is, frankly, unjust.

Why does nursing deserve the least? Particularly, given nursing is one of the most diverse and female-dominated professions within the public sector.

The government has very clearly signalled it does not recognise or value their public service in the NHS compared with other professions.

The governments continued failure to value the nursing profession is seriously harming morale and risking the collective effort to rebuild our NHS.

The RCN leader accused the Government of disrespecting nursing staff delivering essential services.

She added: Secretary of State, you have seen and heard the anger of nurses who stood on picket lines across the country.

Our strike action may have ended for now, but the half a million plus members I represent, and the patients they dedicate their professional lives to, deserve so much better than this. You and the government have a responsibility to act now.

Public sector workers, including teachers, police and doctors, will get pay rises of between 5%-7%, the Government said on Thursday.
RTEs new director-general has said he will contact star presenter Ryan Tubridy within the next week to discuss his future with the broadcaster.

Kevin Bakhurst said he wanted to treat Tubridy fairly but indicated that he would not speak personally to his agent Noel Kelly.

Former Late Late Show host Tubridy has been off air from his weekday radio show since a payments scandal broke at RTE last month and his future at the broadcaster remains in serious doubt.

Noel Kelly and Ryan Tubridy leaving Leinster House in Dublin on Tuesday (Niall Carson/PA)

RTE has been engulfed in controversy since it admitted it had underdeclared Tubridys earnings by 345,000 euro (295,000) from 2017 to 2022.

The figure includes three 75,000-euro annual payments received by Tubridy for proposed public appearances for Renault, as part of a tripartite agreement involving the sponsor, RTE and the presenter.

The most controversial aspect of the deal was RTEs decision to underwrite the payments, which effectively resulted in the publicly funded broadcaster covering the costs.

In an interview with the Irish Times, Mr Bakhurst, who took up his role with the broadcaster on Monday, said he would not personally speak with Mr Kelly.

He said: We cant stop someone using an agent at the right point, but I can choose with whom I have conversations.

Mr Bakhurst said he knows from emails he has received from the public that opinions are divided on bringing back Tubridy.

He added: So these are the kinds of decisions you are never going to get 100% support for, but in the end Ive got to make the right, fair and correct decision, I think, for audiences, for RTE and for Ryan, and I want to treat Ryan fairly.

And I think, in the end, all I can do is make the decision and explain the basis we take that on.

I think theres a lot of factors here. Ryan is an immensely talented broadcaster and clearly much loved by huge parts of the audience.

Ive got to judge a number of things here. One is the events of the past few weeks and the events of the last few days.

New RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst (Niall Carson/PA)

But also, as I said, I want to talk to staff and Ive already started doing that, and people who work in radio, and have worked with Ryan and other people who work in radio, and the leadership team.

The director-general told the paper he wanted a decision on Tubridys future before the end of July.

Tubridy and his agent appeared before two Oireachtas committees on Tuesday where the presenter said he had been publicly cancelled and it was touch and go whether he would be allowed to return to his weekly radio programme.

He 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.
(Photo : BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

(L to R) US President Joe Biden, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol pose for photos ahead of their trilateral meeting during the G7 Leaders' Summit in Hiroshima on May 21, 2023.

The United States, South Korea, and Japan have condemned North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and pledged to work with the international community to increase sanctions against Pyongyang.

In a joint statement released on Friday, the three allies vowed to combat North Korea's "illicit revenue generation through overseas laborers and malevolent cyber activities," which they claim is used to finance its weapons programs.

North Korea Slammed Over Recent Missile Test

Ahead of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Indonesia, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken conferred with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts.

On Wednesday, North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, which impacted in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Per Al Jazeera, it was the first launch of its kind in three months, as tensions between Pyongyang and Washington grew.

Two days earlier, North Korea criticized a US plan to deploy nuclear submarines near the Korean Peninsula, stating that the move could "incite the worst nuclear conflict crisis in history."

Kim Song, North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council on Thursday that the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile was intended "to deter the hazardous military maneuvers of hostile forces and to protect the security" of the country.

In a statement issued on Friday, the United States, South Korea, and Japan condemned the North Korean launch as hazardous. In the past two years, North Korea has intensified its missile testing.

Read Also: 78 Whales Killed in Front of Horrified Cruise Ship Passengers in Faroe Islands

US Encourages Japan to Ramp Up Defense Efforts

Meanwhile, the highest-ranking US military officer encouraged Japan's commitment to doubling its defense expenditure over the next five years, describing Tokyo's controversial drive for a stronger military as essential to counter rising North Korean and Chinese threats.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley mentioned Japan's need for improvements in cruise missile defense, early warning missile systems, and air capabilities, all of which would aid the United States in its efforts to counter North Korea's push for a nuclear missile program capable of pinpoint-targeting the US mainland and China's increasing aggression against Taiwan, the democratic island Beijing claims as its own.

With more than 80,000 US personnel stationed in Japan and South Korea, North Korea and China are increasing their military activity. The possibility of conflict in the region has become a growing concern. Washington wants its allies to do more, primarily Tokyo and Seoul.

Per Fox News, Japan has struggled for a long time with the need for a formidable military despite a domestic and regional aversion to anything perceived as excessively aggressive.

In the years leading up to World War II, Japanese soldiers overran much of Asia, and the nation is still regarded with resentment by many neighboring nations due to the perception that it has not completely repented.

Related Article: North Korea Makes Rare Move, Defends Recent Missile Test at UN Security Council Meeting

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A teenager has been stabbed to death in a street fight in front of party-goers in north-west London.

A murder investigation has been launched after the boy, 17, died at the scene in Granville Road, Brent, at around 11.30pm on Friday following a busy birthday party.

Another male, also believed to be 17, was taken to hospital, as was a woman in her early 20s, who suffered a hand injury.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers, of the Metropolitan Police said: We believe that there was a fight following a birthday party, which would have been attended by a number of people.

Officers have launched a murder investigation following a stabbing last night Ch Supt Knowles: "We are working with our colleagues to ensure that the investigation proceeds as thoroughly as possible. You can expect to see an increased police presence.https://t.co/p5rkZIrffU  Brent MPS | North West BCU (@MPSBrent) July 15, 2023

I would urge anyone who was there, and who has not yet spoken with officers, to please come forward. It is vital that we establish what happened.

I would also ask that anyone who may have captured any of last nights events on their phone to also contact officers.

The teenagers family has been informed but no arrests have yet been made.

Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles said: I know that the community will be shocked by this incident in which a young man has lost his life.

We shall be working with our colleagues from Specialist Crime to ensure that this investigation proceeds as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

Local residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area and I would encourage anyone with information, or concerns, to speak with them.
Thousands of people have marched to celebrate trans joy and demand equal rights on the 10th anniversary of Trans Pride Brighton.

While organisers expected between 5,000 to 10,000 people to take part  half the original estimate after a yellow weather warning for wind and rain forced a change of route  the event is believed to have attracted 30,000 protesters.

Reflecting on the 10-year anniversary since starting Trans Pride Brighton, co-founder and trans activist Fox Fisher said he was immensely proud.

He said: The year we set it up we had no idea who was going to come, we knew we needed to form a community, a community didnt exist.

The film-maker added: For us its about celebrating who we are, its about trans joy

We dont want to hide in the shadows, we want to be seen.

Co-founder of Trans Pride Brighton Fox Fisher takes part in the protest march in Brighton (PA)

One protester Xandice Armah said the march was incredible, adding: The energy was so good and getting to actually see the whole city come out and support us as well, it just shows us [the] silent majority loves trans people.

Software engineer Alex Chan also praised the turnout of support, saying it was a reminder there are so many of us, particularly at a time when trans people are made to think you are on your own.

Many people travelled from across the country to join the weekend focusing on trans rights and supporting the community.

Comedian Eddie Izzard was spotted taking part while Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas was among the speakers on the day.

Brighton and Hoves first openly trans councillor Raphael Hill was also addressing Trans Pride Brighton later on Saturday, which they said is a real privilege.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Cllr Hill said Trans Pride is really important, particularly in the current political climate where they said the trans community feels treated as a political issue and a problem.

Councillor Raphael Hill takes part in a Trans Pride protest march in Brighton (PA)

The Green party councillor added: We are people, we deserve rights and have feelings the same as anyone else.

The 26-year-old, who was elected in May, said being trans made their decision to stand as a councillor more difficult because of concerns for their safety and how to deal with misunderstandings around trans people.

Im very mindful of both my safety but also the importance of my role because its quite unique in having those two identities, the councillor added.

According to Trans Pride Brighton, it is the biggest Trans Pride event in Europe and runs the charity with more than 100 volunteers.

Mr Fisher said that the UK is falling dangerously behind on LGBT+ rights and Trans Pride Brighton has highlighted issues such as struggles for trans people to access healthcare, divisive coverage of planned changes to the Gender Recognition Act and dangerous coverage of transgender children.

LGBT+ anti-abuse charity Galop have also commented on the staggering rise of transphobic hate crimes by 56% in the country revealed in the official statistics for 2021 to 2022.

Many protesters believed that Trans Pride as a separate event alongside Pride for the wider LGBT+ community was important due to the need for political protest to promote trans rights.

Teacher Martina Gilli, who came to Trans Pride Brighton to show support for her trans students and friends, said: I think they are on the right side of history,

Its so obvious this is the same fight that gay people went through, this is the next step, she said, adding that Trans Pride is still very much a protest.

Trans people dont have all the rights they should have.

Lex Roberts, who travelled from Nottingham, said the protest has become more important and more angry each year because of trans people being vilified in the media.

Harriet Collier travelled from Chichester in West Sussex to join the Brighton Trans Pride protest for the first time.

The 31-year-old said: I came out in December having spent years since childhood not being able to fully understand who I was.

I felt it was really important to come today to show solidarity with the rest of the community.

Organisers are hoping to raise enough cash to continue running its community space Trans Pride Centre in the city and continue the Pride event for another year.

To find out more about Trans Pride Brighton and its fundraiser click here.
The UK has been battered by strong winds and thunderstorms after the Met Office issued weather warnings for Saturday.

A number of events were cancelled after the UKs weather agency issued thunderstorm warnings for Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as a wind warning for large parts of southern England and south Wales.

A wind warning is in place for parts of England and Wales until midnight on Saturday and a thunderstorm warning is in place until 11pm and 9pm for Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.

People in the rain and wind watch the Bristol Harbour Festival (Ben Birchall/PA)

The forecast forced Goodwood Festival of Speed organisers to cancel the events first day for the first time in its 30-year history.

The organisers said: On-site safety is our highest priority and the forecasted high winds will pose a serious risk to various temporary structures across the site. We politely ask that you do not travel to Goodwood or attempt to access the site.

Tom Morgan, meteorologist at the Met Office, told the PA news agency: For the middle part of July were seeing quite unseasonably unsettled weather.

Is the sun shining where you are  The latest view from above shows a day of sunny spells and blustery showers, some of these showers have proven heavy and thundery in places  pic.twitter.com/qePH95iHWn  Met Office (@metoffice) July 15, 2023

Weve got quite strong winds today across southern areas where we will potentially see gusts as high as 55mph bringing some minor disruption and damage to trees, for example, particularly in South Wales and southern parts of England.

Weve also got some thunderstorms which are moving through quite quickly in the South because of the wind, but the thunderstorms in Scotland and Northern Ireland will be much slower.

There are many outdoor events expected to take place this weekend, we do urge you, wherever you are, to keep an eye on the forecast and leave plenty of time for your journeys because the weather may well cause some disruption from either strong winds or thunder and heavy rain.

All eight Royal Parks in London shut their playgrounds in a bid to keep visitors safe.

Wimbledon went ahead as planned although a warning was issued ahead of the womens singles final, with organisers announcing the ticket queue would be closed for the day due to the weather warning.

Mr Morgan continued: For tomorrows mens singles final, the winds should be quite a bit lighter but itll still be quite noticeably breezy so you will still notice the winds through Centre Court.

AELTC Update  Saturday 15 July: Please remember the Queue is not in operation today and as such there are no tickets available for sale. We ask that you do not travel to Wimbledon today unless you are an existing ticket holder#Wimbledon  Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 15, 2023

Theres a drier day in prospect for Wimbledon tomorrow but I wouldnt entirely rule out a shower. I think the final gets under way around 2pm tomorrow so there is a chance of showers coming through tomorrow afternoon. Theres potential for an interruption.

As we look at a general UK perspective, it is an improved day tomorrow. The winds will be easing down. Its still breezy and there will still be showers around but we dont anticipate quite the same number of intense downpours that well see on Saturday.

There will be some longer, sunnier intervals between showers tomorrow and it will feel a fraction warmer given that the winds will be a bit lighter.

It stays very changeable going into the working week as well, low pressure never too far away, and that will bring showers, but compared to recent days itll be generally a lot drier and the winds will be a lot less strong too.

Wales was hit particularly hard on Saturday morning by the bad weather when the M4 flooded and a landslide halted train services near Troed Y Rhiw.

In Dorset, the annual Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival was cut short as the weekend union event was hit with extreme adverse weather conditions.

Organisers said on Saturday: In the interests of clarity, even though the weather is set to improve tomorrow, the rest of the festival will not be going ahead due to the logistical demands of safely resetting the site.

People enjoy a break in the rain showers as they punt along the River Cam in Cambridge (Joe Giddens/PA)

Temperatures throughout the day remained in the high teens or low 20s, which is average for the time of year.

Sunday is expected to be less windy but showers will continue for parts of northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with a risk of thunder, while further south will see a mix of sunny spells and showers.
BOONE  In pointed jab at former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Friday touted the work of fellow GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa, including signing a so-called "fetal heartbeat" bill that bans most abortions in the state, saying she's a model for the Republican Party.

"We really should be thankful as Republicans that they have such a great governor here in Governor Reynolds," DeSantis said at the Boone Dairy Queen. "She's done a fantastic job. She just had huge victory, signing ... today the heartbeat bill."

Trump slammed Reynolds last week, criticizing her in a Truth Social post for choosing to remain neutral in the 2024 Iowa caucuses rather than endorsing his candidacy.

Presidential rival Donald Trump may be confused about what a Dairy Queen blizzard is, but Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, visiting a Dairy Queen in Boone on Friday, said he's been eating them since he was a kid.

"I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won," Trump wrote in an apparent reference to her narrow 2018 election over Democrat Fred Hubbell. "Now, she wants to remain 'NEUTRAL.' I don't invite her to events!"

Reynolds signed the abortion bill Friday. The new law, which took effect immediately, prohibits nearly all abortions after doctors detect cardiac activity in the embryo, which can occur about six weeks into a pregnancy.

"She's done so much over so many different issues to make this one of the best-governed states in the country," DeSantis said. "I'm happy to support her efforts here and really hold her up as a great model for a lot of Republicans around the country."

Florida first lady Casey DeSantis takes questions from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds during a Mamas for DeSantis event in Johnston, Thursday, July 6, 2023.

DeSantis touted his support for Reynolds at a Dairy Queen with a blender whirring in the background. It was a setting apparently chosen in relation to another dig he made at Trump, who during a visit to Council Bluffs last week visited a Dairy Queen.

Trump approached the counter surrounded by supporters and asked for DQ's signature treat.

"Everybody wants a Blizzard," he said. "What the hell is a Blizzard?"

More: Tucker Carlson presses Mike Pence on Ukraine at Family Leadership Summit as crowd boos

DeSantis on Friday displayed no confusion about the confection. Though he made no direct reference to Trump, he said he's been eating DQ Blizzards since he was a kid.

He ordered an Oreo Blizzard along with Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, both of whom met with about three dozen farmers at a farm near Boone to talk about ag issues.

More: Donald Trump in Iowa declares himself 'the most pro-farmer president in history'

DeSantis, a former member of Congress, noted that Dairy Queen is a favorite of U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who frequently stop at them during his annual visits to each of Iowa's 99 counties.

DeSantis pledges to oppose California animal welfare law

DeSantis, who spoke briefly to the press before hearing from farmers Friday, vowed to address issues like Proposition 12 in California that requires meat and eggs sold in the state to come from sows, hens and veal calves that have enough room in their pens to stand up, turn around and extend their limbs.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Californias animal welfare law in May, defeating a challenge from pork producers in Iowa and elsewhere who usually confine sows to gestation crates they say prevent them from fighting and from rolling over on their piglets. They say they face investing millions of dollars to modify their operations to sell bacon, chops and other products in one of the nations largest consumer markets, which produces little pork of its own.

"We can't have California regulating how the entire country does agriculture," DeSantis said. "Prop 12 and the Supreme Court decision was a big disappointment. We need to fix that."

DeSantis also touched on increasing domestic fuel production, which includes ethanol and biodiesel, and lifting federal regulations on agricultural and biofuels production.

Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at deller@registermedia.com or 515-284-8457.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: After Trump slams Reynolds, DeSantis says she's doing a 'fantastic job'
While a letter sent to companies doesnt mark legal action, experts expect future litigation down the road over affirmative action practices

NEW YORK (AP)  Thirteen Republican state attorneys general are cautioning CEOs of the 100 biggest U.S. companies on the legal consequences for using race as a factor in hiring and employment practices, demonstrating how the Supreme Courts recent ruling dismantling affirmative action in higher education may trickle into the workplace.

The state attorneys general sent a letter to the CEOs on Thursday arguing that the controversial June ruling declaring that race cannot be a factor in college admissions  consequently striking down decades-old practices aimed at achieving diverse student bodies  could also apply to private entities, like employers.

Treating people differently because of the color of their skin, even for benign purposes, is unlawful and wrong, they wrote. The GOP officials also suggested that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs could be a form of discrimination.

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron speaks to members of the press after the oral arguments of the Cameron v. EMW Womens Surgical Center case were heard at the U.S. Supreme Court October 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The letter and similar actions elsewhere have raised questions about the far-reaching consequences of the Supreme Court decision beyond higher education. But experts note the courts ruling itself doesnt directly change current employer obligations or commitments to DEI.

The decision itself does not legally impact Title VII (of the Civil Rights Act), which is what governs employment discrimination or discrimination in the workplace, Greg Hoff, associate counsel of the HR Policy Association, told The Associated Press.

Hoff and others say the courts ruling only applies to higher education institutions and other entities that receive federal funding. They also note that affirmative action in college admissions is very different from DEI efforts in workplaces, which can include expanding outreach for new hires, creating employee resource groups for underrepresented workers, and reducing bias in hiring through such practices as blind applications.

What weve been seeing a lot of since the decision came down is political opponents of DEI  conflating affirmative action with DEI more broadly  because it serves their political purposes, said David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at New York Universitys School of Law. I think theres a lot of quite deliberate attempts to muddy the waters here.

Beyond DEI, affirmative action in the workplace is technically still upheld by Supreme Court precedent, Glasgow adds. But workplace affirmative action is rare, and he suspects todays court would likely overrule those cases if challenged, mirroring the college admissions decision.

While Thursdays letter doesnt mark legal action, experts expect future litigation down the road. The attorneys general letter also isnt the first time officials have argued that the Supreme Courts ruling applies to private employers.

Last week, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, sent a letter to Target CEO Brian Cornell stating that the companys DEI program and racial quota for hiring was discriminatory while also pointing to the affirmative action ruling. Target did not immediately respond to The Associated Press request for comment on Friday.

Theyre starting with letters, but I dont think that theyre bluffs, Temple University assistant professor of law Zamir Ben-Dan said. Its going to be a problem.

The attorneys general said they would be paying attention to companies practices in hiring employees and contractors  and called out companies including Airbnb, Facebook, Google, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft and Netflix for programs intended to increase racial diversity with hires and suppliers.

In response, employers may take steps to avoid litigation, Hoff and HR Policy Association president and CEO Tim Bartl said.

The increased risk for employers is this increased risk of litigation as a result of the decision  but again, not because of any changing obligations under Title VII, Hoff said.

The Supreme Court is seen under a clearing sky, Friday, June 30, 2023, after case decisions were announced in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, one of the signatories, said that the letter isnt a warning to companies as much as it is a heads-up that racial preferences could run afoul of the law. He added that the group decided to take action in part to respond to speculation about the Supreme Court ruling not applying to employment.

The court was very clear, he said in a Friday interview. The appropriate response to racial discrimination is not more racial discrimination.

Not all state attorneys general cheered last months ruling or are eager to apply it outside college admissions. Only about half the nations Republican AGs signed the letter. And Democrats have been condemning the Supreme Courts affirmative action ruling.

For decades the Supreme Court has upheld targeted affirmative action programs to increase diversity in higher education, the co-chairs of the Democratic Attorneys General Association, Nevadas Aaron Ford and Delawares Kathy Jennings, said in a statement June 29, calling that days ruling a major step backwards that tramples on those ideals.

Ben-Dan anticipates that the results of any action taken in the workplace to undercut DEI will mimic what already happened when affirmative action had previously been weakened in higher education, noting that enrollment for nonwhite students  particularly Black students  went down after California banned affirmative action in 1996, for example.

I imagine that its going to lead to a decline in racial diversity in workforces, he said.

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The post GOP attorneys general shift the battle over affirmative action to the workplace appeared first on TheGrio.
NEW YORK (AP)  It's not just you. Sriracha is hard to come by these days  at least for one popular brand.

The shortage of Huy Fong Foods' Sriracha, the beloved red hot sauce packaged in those green-capped bottles, isn't new  with the company pointing to a scarcity of chile pepper supply for several years now. And as frustrated fans continue to face store shelves missing the Huy Fong name, third-party resellers are punching up prices.

Huy Fong Sriracha, which used to go for under $5 or $10 a bottle, is now selling for shocking amounts in some listings posted to sites with vast third-party marketplaces  including Amazon, eBay and Walmart. Many are simply sold out.

For those still in stock, prices range depending where you look. As of Thursday morning, for example, ads for a single 17-ounce bottle on eBay stretched from around $20 to a whopping $150  contrasting significantly with the price tags of other hot sauce brands, which don't appear to have the same level of supply troubles.

Huy Fong told The Associated Press this week that it continues to be beset by shortages of raw materials, echoing a similar scarcity last year when the company temporarily suspended sales of Sriracha and other popular products like Chili Garlic and Sambal Oelek.

Huy Fong said Wednesday that limited production" resumed recently, although the California company didn't specify by how much or provide an estimate of when it believes suppliers will be able to deliver an adequate number of peppers.

Because we do not sell directly to retail/market levels, we cannot determine when the product will hit shelves again and/or who currently has the product in stock, Huy Fong said in a prepared statement. "We are grateful for your continued patience and understanding during this unprecedented inventory shortage.

Here's what you need to know.

WHY IS THERE A HUY FONG SRIRACHA SHORTAGE?

Some experts say that Huy Fong's shortage is partially a consequence of climate change  pointing to weather shifts and extreme drought in Mexico and the U.S. Southwest, where Huy Fong sources all of its chile peppers.

The main culprit here is a shortage of their primary ingredient, the red jalapeno chile pepper, said David Ortega, a food economist and associate professor at Michigan State University. And thats due to climate change and the mega drought."

These peppers are typically grown under irrigation, with a lot of water drawn from the Colorado River  which has reached unprecedented low levels over recent years, Ortega said. The region has suffered insufficient rainfall and reduced run-off from snow pack.

Huy Fong's troubles with chile supply aren't new. When the company suspended sales last year, it pointed to a 2020 email warning of a chile pepper shortage, noting that a lack of supply had become more severe due to recent weather conditions.

But while climate change impacts agriculture as a whole, it's not the whole story for the current Huy Fong Sriracha shortage, said Stephanie Walker, extension vegetable specialist and professor at New Mexico State University. She speculates that Huy Fong may not have enough suppliers with different farmers  and could be looking to build relationships with new growers.

Last year (Huy Fong) just couldnt get the jalapenos that they needed, said Walker, who also specializes in chile pepper breeding. She noted the contrast to other brands' supply. It really does come down to relations that individual processors have with their grower base.

She added that it looks like this year will be a strong season for jalapeno and other chile growth in the region.

WHERE DOES HUY FONG GET ITS CHILE PEPPERS?

Huy Fong, which was founded decades ago by David Tran, currently sources its chile peppers from various farms in California, New Mexico and Mexico.

Before sourcing from these farms, California-based Underwood Ranches was Huy Fongs sole supplier for nearly 30 years. The partnership collapsed in 2017 following a financial dispute. Two years later, a jury determined that Huy Fong breached its contract with Underwood Ranches and also committed fraud  awarding Underwood $23.3 million.

In a phone interview Thursday afternoon, Craig Underwood, owner of Underwood Ranches, disagreed with the drought and climate change explanations for Huy Fong's shortage  arguing that Tran has not rebuilt his supply chain the way he needed to.

According to Underwood, there has continued to be a steady supply of jalapeno peppers from Mexico. Underwood Ranches, which now sells its own brand of Sriracha, also started producing red jalapeno peppers again this year  in part because of the Huy Fong shortage, he added.

The demand for our product has increased rather dramatically, Underwood said.

PRICES SKYROCKET FROM

The erosion of Huy Fong's available supplies has rocked the prices of the brand's Sriracha that is still available. In many places, the bottles are simply sold out  giving leverage to resellers listing the now hard-to-find and highly sought-after product.

Another market force at play is consumer behavior, in this case, hording. The panic around potentially losing access to a desired product leads many people to buy more than they would typically need, as was seen with toilet paper at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

People just stock up and that exacerbates the situation, said Ortega, also an expert in consumer decision-making. You have an increase in demand for the product, on top of these supply shocks. And prices have really nowhere to go but up.

ARE OTHER HOT SAUCES FACING SHORTAGES?

There's a myriad of hot sauces, including other of Sriracha-style products, that remain easy to find at reasonable prices. Tabasco, for example, has created a page dedicated to helping customers find nearby stores that sell its brand of Sriracha  and notes that it's been able to scale production to meet the majority of the of surge in demand for its sauce.

There are a few possible explanations for this, experts say. Some speculate that Huy Fong has issues with its current chile suppliers. Other brands could also use different pepper variants and source from more farms. Some might also be in a position to tinker with recipes  but perfecting sauces take a long time, as would finding a new variant, experts say.

"Growing the crop in an area less affected by extreme weather or breeding new variants of the peppers that are more tolerant to heat and require less water, if possible, at all, would take years," Richard Howells, a supply chain expert at SAP, wrote in a blog post earlier this week.
Eyjafjallajokull glacier is the second highest peak in Iceland (Tom Barker for Much Better Adventures)

Remember when an Icelandic volcano erupted causing mass flight disruptions across Europe, with millions of people stranded as ash spewed into the air? Well, it turns out you can climb that volcano, and it might just be one of the best things you do on a trip to Iceland  even if youre completely new to mountaineering.

Eyjafjallajokull glacier, which sits around 75 miles east of Reykjavik, is the second highest peak in Iceland and can be seen on most trips around the southwest of the country. The summit is 1,651m; for context, Ben Nevis is 1,345m, Icelands highest peak Hvannadalshnukur is 2,110m, Mont Blanc is 4,809m, and Kilimanjaro is a towering 5,895m.

Under the shadow of such competition, it might not sound too challenging. That said, youll want to take into consideration that youll be hiking from near enough sea level  a solid 16km or so of walking and around 1,500m elevation gain. Its a long, tough day of hiking, and your legs will certainly feel it the day after (and possibly several more after that). But the beauty of Eyjafjallajokull is that its entirely manageable if youve got a decent level of fitness, some mental endurance and a good mountain guide.

Eyjafjallajokull is famous for causing havoc to air travel when it erupted in 2010 (Tom Barker for Much Better Adventures)

Fortunately, when climbing Eyjafjallajokull as part of Much Better Adventures Iceland 3 Peaks Challenge in the spring, I had the best. Ivar Finnbogason is something of a legend in Iceland, having summited Hvannadalshnukur more than 70 times and led expeditions across the world, including in Greenland and Antarctica.

Eyjafjallajokull is a superb introduction to the whole thing, he tells me over recovery beers following our ascent of the volcano. You get used to being on a rope, the height is achievable and its just eight to 10 hours hiking. Thats doable for most people  and enjoyable.

Read more: How to see Iceland in a long weekend

His second point is key. The world of mountaineering, like many adventure sports, can be intimidating, not to mention dangerous. Although its foolish to underestimate any ascent, particularly one with significant elevation in a day, Eyjafjallajokull is far less punishing than most. Ivar points out that you need no technical skills and, if you hike at the right time of year, its unlikely youll need any specialist equipment. Yet you still get the rush of glacier hiking.

The start of the climb is a relatively steep ascent until you reach the glacier, when it levels out to a steady climb. Then comes hiking through deep snow and navigating crevasses and icy terrain. The views before we reached the snow line were already inspiring (Iceland truly is in a class of its own when it comes to landscapes), but the glacier itself is almost otherworldly. Moss and gentle streams give way to black volcanic rock contrasting sharply against the briliant white of the snow in the sun, with the ice-capped peak rising in the distance.

Hiking above the clouds on an expanse of white, knee deep in snow, is an experience like no other. The deep crevasses that run across the volcano remind you of the immense power of Eyjafjallajokull; its slightly terrifying but utterly thrilling.

Eyjafjallajokull is a great introduction to the world of mountaineering, according to top guide Ivar Finnbogason (Tom Barker for Much Better Adventures)

Like most glacier travel, summiting Eyjafjallajokull requires working as part of a rope team to protect against falling into crevasses, and on cold days crampons may be required while hiking on ice. For our group, on a sunny day in May with a little cloud cover, a solid pair of Gore-Tex lined hiking boots with gaiters sufficed.

Eyjafjallajokull wouldnt have been on many travellers radars 15 years ago, but it quite literally exploded into the worlds consciousness in 2010. Around 100,00 flights were cancelled after the volcano sent clouds of ash and dust into the atmosphere, costing the aviation industry more than 1bn.

Read more: The ultimate Iceland travel guide

It also provided a considerable degree of amusement for Icelanders as news readers across the globe struggled with the near-impossible pronunciation of the name (if youre curious, the correct pronunciation is AY-uh-fyat-luh-YOE-kuutl-uh). Despite the disruption and huge financial cost, Ivar speaks surprisingly fondly of the impact of the eruption. In the long term its publicity, he tells me. Suddenly, everyone was talking about Iceland.

The volcano erupting cost the airline industry more than 1bn (Tom Barker for Much Better Adventures)

Just a couple of years previously, the countrys travel industry benefited from another global event that shook Europe, but unexpectedly gave Iceland tourism a leg up. Although the 2008 economic crisis hit Iceland hard, with a complete collapse of the banking system, it made the notoriously expensive country attractively affordable to visit, fuelling a quite staggering tourism boom.

But although Eyjafjallajokull did a rather nice PR job for Iceland tourism as a whole, Ivar notes that its still not well known for mountaineering.

Read more: The best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland

Its not really popular, he shrugs. People havent really caught on  most tend to go for the high summit (Hvannadalshnukur). If they have just one day of glaciated travel on a rope, they go for the big one.

Which is fair enough; but if youre not too concerned about bragging rights and want the thrill of glacier hiking without a gruelling ascent, its well worth giving Hvannadalshnukurs more famous, less intimidating neighbour a go.

The correct pronunciation is AY-uh-fyat-luh-YOE-kuutl-uh (Tom Barker for Much Better Adventures)

Where to stay

Hotel Skogafoss in Skogar is just 15 minutes from where youll start your climb at the base of Eyjafjallajokull, which makes it the ideal location to stay the night before and after the hike. It has the benefit of being located right next to the rather magnificent Skogafoss Waterfall, which is possibly the most famous waterfall in Iceland and one of the key sights to visit in the south of the country. The hotel itself is very comfortable, with pleasant double, twin and family rooms, and a decent restaurant thats perfect for a post-climb dinner.

Reykjavik is just two hours from Eyjafjallajokull, where youll find a range of accommodation, including some more affordable options. Reykjavik Marina is a good mid-range hotel thats ideally located for getting out of the city for outdoor adventures, as well as exploring the capital.

More reviews of the best hotels in Reykjavik

When to go

Late spring or early summer is the ideal time for inexperienced mountaineers to climb Eyjafjallajokull (Tom Barker for Much Better Adventures)

You can climb Eyjafjallajokull all year round, but late spring or early summer is the ideal time for inexperienced mountaineers. At this time of year days are long (around 16 hours of daylight), allowing plenty of time for hiking. The weather is famously unpredictable in Iceland  brilliantly sunny days give way to raging storms in a matter of hours  but in April and May theres a good chance of enjoying clear skies and views of the glacier, plus pleasant hiking conditions that wont require crampons.

Ascending Eyjafjallajokull in the winter is entirely possible, but around half the trip will be in darkness and youll need a good head torch. No matter what time of year you hike, always be aware of changing weather conditions, listen carefully to local advice and make sure you hike with a qualified mountain guide.

How to get there

Direct flights from the UK to Reykjavik are available on a number of airlines, including British Airways, easyJet, Icelandair, Wow air and PLAY. The flight time is around three hours. Eyjafjallajokull is around two hours by car or bus from Reykjavik.

In iceland, brilliantly sunny days can switch to raging storms in a matter of hours (Tom Barker for Much Better Adventures)

What to take

Day backpack, 30-40L

Down jacket with hood

Waterproof and windproof jacket with hood

Waterproof and windproof trousers

Breathable wicking layers

Fleece jacket

Thermals (merino wool)

Gloves

Gaiters

Socks, woollen or synthetic

Buff or neck scarf

Sunglasses

Hiking boots with Goretex

Hiking poles

Sun cream

Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)

Water bottle x2 litre and/or bladder x2 litre

Energy bars and snacks

Annabel climbed Eyjafjallajokull as part of the Much Better Adventures 3 Peaks Challenge in Iceland. The trip, new for Much Better Adventures in 2023, involves an ascent of Voruskeggi Peak (805m), Eyjafjallajokull volcano (1,651m) and Hvannadalshnukur (2,110m).
After nearly 13 years, New York investigators arrested the man they allege is responsible for the deaths of three sex workers that were among several corpses found in Gilgo Beach in Long Island, New York.

And all it took was extra sleuthing based on newly discovered evidence and ultimately a discarded pizza crust, according to investigators.

Court documents detailed the 16 months of surveillance and investigation into Rex A. Heuermann, a Long Island architect and married father of two, who has now been charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello, whose bodies were found covered in burlap along Ocean Parkway on Long Island's South Shore in December 2010.

MORE: Gilgo Beach murders: Suspect identified as Rex Heuermann, charged in deaths of 3 women

Ten bodies were found in the area between 2010 and 2011. The investigation is ongoing.

Although he is not charged in the death of another victim who was found on the beach, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, who went missing in 2007, Heuermann was named the "prime suspect" in her death, prosecutors said.

PHOTO: Rex Heuermann is shown in this booking photo released by the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department. (Suffolk County Sheriff's Department)

Heuermann was held on no bail after his attorney entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf in Suffolk County Friday.

Suffolk County prosecutors assembled an "experienced team of investigators, analysts, and prosecutors," in January 2022 with local police and FBI to try and solve the cold case, court documents said. Their efforts led them on the path to Heuermann's arrest Thursday.

Police: Heuermann connection identified through car

On March 14, 2022, two months into the renewed joint investigation, investigators said they discovered a Chevrolet Avalanche that was registered to the suspect and seen by a witness during Costello's disappearance, according to court documents.

"This discovery led to a comprehensive investigation of Defendant Heuermann which consisted of over 300 subpoenas, search warrants and other legal processes to obtain evidence," prosecutors said in the court documents.

PHOTO: Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney speaks at a press conference on July 14, 2023. (WABC)

The Chevy Avalanche has been impounded for evidence according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

Authorities: Cell phone records connect suspect to victims

Among the evidence authorities said they collected from the subpoenas and search warrants were Heuermann's cell phone records.

MORE: Suffolk County police release evidence from unsolved Gilgo Beach murders

Investigators said the suspect used burner phones to contact the three women during the time they were reported missing between 2007 and 2010. The suspect allegedly used Barthelemy's phone to make "taunting phone calls to Ms. Barthelemy's family members" and allegedly used Brainard-Barnes' cellphone to check her voicemail, according to court documents.

PHOTO: In this image released by the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, Rex Heuermann is shown entering a cell phone store. (Suffolk County District Attorney's Office)

Authorities said cell tower records for Heuermann's personal cell phone and cell phone site locations showed that his personal phone and the burner phones were connected allegedly to the murders traveled between Massapequa, Long Island and Midtown Manhattan, near where Heuermann worked, at the same times of the victims' disappearances.

"Investigators could find no instance where Heuermann was in a separate location from these other cellphones when such a communication event occurred," prosecutors alleged in the court documents.

Prosecutors alleged that after each of the murders, the suspect got rid of the burner phones.

Authorities said cell phone records and travel records showed that Heuermann's wife and children were away from New York state on vacation during the time of the victims' disappearances, according to court documents.

Alleged secret online life

Authorities said further digging found that Heuermann had several other burner cell phones and email accounts, according to court documents.

The suspect allegedly signed up for the accounts using fictitious names to search for sex workers and created a Tinder account that looked for "dates" or "hookups," according to court documents.

Internet search records from the burner phones showed that between March 2022 and June 2023 indicated the suspect searched for sites "related to active and known serial killers, the specific disappearances and murders of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello, and the investigation into their murders," as well as "sex workers, sadistic, torture-related pornography and child pornography," prosecutors alleged.

"This supported our decision to keep our investigative focus secret and we didn't want to give him any insight into what we were doing," Tierney said at a news conference Friday afternoon.

PHOTO: Rex Heuermann is shown in two selfies, released by the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office. (Suffolk County District Attorney's Office)

Prosecutors said they discovered selfies of Heuermann that he sent to other persons using one of his burner e-mail accounts to allegedly solicit sex.

When the suspect was arrested, Thursday, one of the burner phones allegedly linked to the suspicious searches, was in his possession, court documents said.

Investigators: Pizza crust cracks DNA puzzle

Hair samples were found on the bodies of Barthelemy, Waterman and Costello, however, authorities said could not get a DNA match to a suspect at the time they were discovered.

A new analysis was done in 2020 on a hair sample found on Waterman's body using more advanced DNA and was able to determine that it came from a man and got more genetic information, according to Tierney.

PHOTO: In this Dec. 14, 2010, file photo, Suffolk County Police conduct a search along a beachfront road in Babylon, N.Y., where four bodies were found during a hunt for a missing New Jersey woman. (Frank Eltman/AP, FILE)

"Because it was out there for so long those hairs were degraded, so you couldn't use traditional DNA analysis on it," Tierney said. "The investigation proceeded but technology proceeded as well."

MORE: What we know and don't about Long Islands suspected serial killer case

After investigators said they linked the Chevy Avalanche in early 2022 to Heuermann, he was under surveillance, according to the court documents.

PHOTO: A pizza box which contained forensic evidence is shown in this image released by the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office. (Suffolk County District Attorney's Office)

On Jan. 26, investigators saw Heuermann throw a pizza box into a trash can in Midtown Manhattan, according to authorities.

A swab of leftover crust in the box was taken by crime lab specialists and sent for DNA testing, shortly after, investigators said.

On June 12, authorities say the results came back showing that Heuermann's DNA was a match to the male hair found on Waterman's body.

How investigators say they connected the dots that led to Gilgo Beach murder arrest originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A floating barrier of orange buoys put in the Rio Grande by the Texan government to hinder migrants crossing into the U.S. violates a water treaty and may encroach on Mexican territory, incoming Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said on Friday.

"We have sent a diplomatic letter (to the U.S.) on 26 June because in reality what it is violating is the water treaty of 1944," Barcena told reporters in Mexico City, referring to the Mexican Water Treaty between the U.S. and Mexico that covers the use of water from the Colorado, Tijuana and Rio Grande rivers.

"We are sending a mission, a territorial inspection," Barcena added, "to see where the buoys are located... to carry out this topographical survey to verify that they do not cross into Mexican territory."

The U.S. State Department and the office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Barcena was named foreign minister last month but is still awaiting formal confirmation by Mexico's Senate.

On Friday, the Texan government said in a statement that it had this week begun installing the "new floating marine barriers along the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass."

It said the buoys will "help deter illegal immigrants attempting to make the dangerous river crossing into Texas."

Many migrants have drowned trying to cross the river in recent years but some experts fear the buoys may only increase the risk of crossing.

Earlier this month, four migrants drowned in the Rio Grande. Last September nine migrants died and 37 were rescued as they tried to cross the rain-swollen river near Eagle Pass.

(Reporting by Stephen Eisenhammer; Editing by Sandra Maler)
YOUNGSVILLE, Pa (AP)  A homicide suspect who used bed sheets to escape from jail last week continues to evade capture, but authorities said Friday they believe he may be growing desperate as he tries to live with little support while apparently camping in the rough terrain of northwestern Pennsylvania woodlands.

Lt. Col. George Bivens, the deputy commissioner of Operations for the Pennsylvania State Police, reiterated during a news conference that authorities believe Michael Burham, 34, remains in the area.

Bivens showed a brief video, apparently taken by a home security camera, that showed a man walking on a residential street. Bivens said authorities believe the man was Burham but declined to provide specific details about the video, or say when or where it was taken,

Authorities have said they believe someone is or may have been helping Burham evade capture, citing the discovery of small stockpiles or campsites in wooded areas in the general vicinity and that it was believed at least some of those might be associated with Burham. Bivens said the stockpiles consisted of supplies that would assist him with a prolonged stay in a wooded area.

Bivens has said Burham taught himself survival skills and had military reserve training, but he said Friday the inmate is likely facing many difficulties as he tries to remain free.

He's trying to live out there with very little support, and thats hard to do for a long time, Bivens said. He needs to surrender. He needs to bring this to an end.

Burham fled the Warren County jail in northwestern Pennsylvania in the late evening hours of July 6 by climbing on exercise equipment, going through a window and scaling down a rope fashioned from jail bedding, authorities have said. He was being held on $1 million bail and was charged with kidnapping, burglary and other counts.

District Attorney Jason Schmidt, of Chautauqua County, New York, said in June that Burham was the prime suspect in the May 11 killing of Kala Hodgkin, 34, and a related arson in Jamestown, New York. Authorities also accused him of abducting an older couple in Pennsylvania while trying to evade capture before his arrest in South Carolina. Warren city police said Burham was considered very dangerous.

Officials in those states agreed to let Pennsylvania handle the initial prosecution, giving New York authorities more time to investigate the murder and arson cases.
(Photo : STR/AFP via Getty Images)

A court in central China announced that a kindergarten teacher was executed for poisoning her 25 students.

A Chinese kindergarten teacher was executed on Thursday for poisoning 25 of her pupils in 2019, culminating in the death of one child.

Wang Yun, age 40, was found guilty of poisoning her students by adding sodium nitrite to their food.

Chinese Kindergarten Teacher Who Poisoned Her 25 Students, Executed

She was initially sentenced to nine months in prison for causing intentional injury, but her sentence was changed in September 2020.

The Associated Press reported that a notice posted outside a court in China on Friday indicated that Wang had been executed the previous day. Wang added sodium nitrite to the children's porridge on March 27, 2019, at Mengmeng Preschool Education, where she taught at the time.

After an argument with a colleague over how the students should be managed, Wang poisoned the students. According to Poison Control, ingesting nitrite can cause a lack of oxygen, which makes it difficult to breathe, as well as "confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, abnormal cardiac rhythms, and mortality."

According to the court notice, 24 students sustained minor injuries and recovered from the poisoning, but one student died in 2020 from organ failure after ten months of treatment. This was not Wang's first occasion using sodium nitrite. AP reported that she also poisoned her spouse, who survived with only minor injuries.

Per CBS News, Wang had a dispute with a coworker identified only by surname Sun over "student administration." While revenge was portrayed as Wang's motivation, it was unclear whether or not she intended to murder her husband and the students.

The judge denied Wang's appeal. She was taken to an execution site and executed. It is believed that China executes more prisoners annually than the rest of the world combined, though the exact number is a state secret.

Most sentences are carried out with a gunshot to the back of the head, although mobile lethal injection units have been used in a few instances.

Read Also: US, Japan, South Korea Condemn North Korea's Recent Missile Launch, Say Pyongyang Performs 'Grave Threat

China's School Violence

In China, attacks on young students have become a disturbing trend in recent years, with most perpetrators being described as mentally ill or harboring grudges against individuals or society.

Private firearms ownership is prohibited in China, so knives and improvised explosives are typically used in these assaults. On Monday, a man armed with a knife killed six and injured one at a kindergarten in southeastern China.

Following the 7:40 a.m. assault in Guangdong province's Lianjiang city, a 25-year-old man was apprehended. A news source, Dafeng News, cited an unidentified witness who stated that the attacker's child was injured by a vehicle belonging to one of the school's victims.

It was also stated that one of the victims was a kindergarten teacher, but other details were ambiguous. The attacks have persisted despite orders to increase school security following the deaths of approximately 20 children in 2010.

Some social scientists have attributed school attacks to the inadequacies of the health system in diagnosing and treating mental illness, despite the relatively low incidence of violent crime in China's rigidly controlled society.

Professional fatigue and other economic factors are beginning to play a role now that the formerly booming economy has slowed substantially.

The court's decision to sentence Wang to death may have been influenced by the plummeting birthrate and dwindling population, both of which contribute to the heightened significance of assaults on schoolchildren.

Related Article: 78 Whales Killed in Front of Horrified Cruise Ship Passengers in Faroe Islands

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Air Quality Alerts are in place for nearly 110 million people as smoke from the Canadian wildfires returns through Monday evening.

Montana through Indiana was reporting Unhealthy air quality levels pm Sunday. Additionally, air quality levels ranging from Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups were being reported across the Northern Plains through parts of the Ohio Valley.

The majority of the wildfire smoke moved into the Ohio Valley on Sunday. This impacted major cities, such as Indianapolis, Indiana; Louisville, Kentucky; and Cleveland, Ohio.

Air quality alerts were issued from Montana to Vermont as the smoke continued to filter into more parts of the U.S.

Monday will bring some slight relief for residents in the Midwest as upper-level winds will continue to drift the smoke east, but the smoke will continue to track into the Northeast.

The FOX Forecast Center noted that there are no indications that plumes of smoke will let up anytime soon. The source of the smoke, Canadian wildfires, continue to burn out of control. This will be especially prevalent when storm systems move through, as northerly winds will help to transport the smoke south.

US AIR QUALITY MAP

The number of forest fires continues to rise in Canada, climbing this week to more than 670 blazes  more than half of which are still out of control.

As a long and difficult summer lies ahead, Canadian fire officials said 23.9 million acres have already gone up in smoke across the country this year. That is equal to about the size of Indiana . The staggering number of acres burned is 11 times the average for the last decade.
Last month, a local health department in Texas received notification that a pregnant woman living in the area had tested positive for syphilis and had fallen behind on her ob/gyn care. It was a troubling situation, one that has become increasingly common as sexually transmitted infection cases surge both locally and nationally.

Within days, a disease intervention specialist  a core public health employee who helps with contact tracing, screening, health education and linking people to treatment  got to work on the case. They were able to find the woman, reconnect her to prenatal care services and start treatment for syphilis, keeping her healthy and preventing severe outcomes for the fetus.

These are the people who have time and motivation to knock on doors and get the members of our community the care they need, the director of the health department told CNN. Its hard to quantify that value. Thats key public health: stuff thats not funded by doctors offices, insurance or other programs.

But the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is poised to lose about $1.3 billion in funds as a result of last months federal debt ceiling negotiation that were initially allocated through Covid-19 supplemental funding, the agency shared with CNN. An earlier estimate from the Congressional Budget Office estimated the impact on CDC to be closer to $1.5 billion, but there is ongoing analysis about exactly which dollars could be rescinded.

The grant that funded those disease intervention specialists across the country was one of the first things to be rescinded. The last two years of the five-year grant were slashed across the board, a more than $400 million blow.

Because it expected five years of funding, the Texas health department had just hired four new disease intervention specialists  the first it was able to hire in decades.

Those contracts were already signed. I thought any impacts [of the Fiscal Responsibility Act] would be on future budgets, said the health department director, who asked not to be identified because all their staffers havent been told about the cuts. It takes a long time to train a DIS. They had just started to be effective after working through the backlog of cases in our area. Im devastated at the thought of losing them.

Also on the chopping block due to the debt negotiations is a federal grant directed to states to help modernize their vaccine reporting systems, a clawback of about $233 million.

The full scope of the fallout beyond that is not clear. Federal agencies are still working through the exact accounting of the debt deal, and final dollar amounts wont be available for months. The money at stake is supplemental funding that is not part of the annual budget process.

As the public health workforce across the country awaits updates, the mood is bleak.

Were falling even faster than I ever thought we would into the boom and bust cycle of funding public health, said Janet Hamilton, executive director of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. It is exceedingly troubling that we have a lot less than we thought we were going to have at a time when we need it most.

And the cuts to STI and vaccination programs are already devastating, officials say.

Those two areas are really the bread and butter of public health at the local level, two really big ones among many other priorities, said Lori Tremmel Freeman, chief executive officer for the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

They come on top of years of anemic budgets, as one state public health department put it, and particularly tough setbacks during the Covid-19 pandemic.

These funds were really being used to patch holes in the bucket, and weve just taken those patches out or made bigger holes, Hamilton said.

Routine vaccination rates for incoming kindergarteners have fallen for two straight years, dropping from 95% in the 2019-20 school year to 93% in 2021-22, according to CDC data. That leaves an estimated 275,000 American children without full vaccine coverage, raising the risk of outbreaks of communicable diseases like measles.

And there were more than 2.5 million cases of STIs reported in the US in 2021, a rise of 7% in one year, according to CDC data. Cases of syphilis surged 32% in one year, including an alarming rise in infections passed from pregnant mothers to babies developing in the womb. In 2021, congenital syphilis caused 220 stillbirths and infant deaths.

Its like having the rug pulled out from under us, said Elizabeth Finley, communications director for the National Coalition of STD Directors.

We have the rising rates of congenital syphilis, one of the most concerning issues in the STI field right now. And we look at the loss of drugs, these biomedical tools, to get the job done, she said, referring to a shortage of Bicillin, an antibiotic used in treatment.

And then we look at losing the boots on the ground to do the work, and we really feel like our hands are tied as we see these rates rising.

At the end of June, CDC officials sent a letter to grantees announcing the loss of funding for STI prevention programs.

We are aware of how critical this funding has been for our nations programmatic response to infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the effect the loss of these funds at this critical juncture will be to progress, the letter said. As a field accustomed to challenges, we know that our resilience will help us continue to advance the STI field.

Over the past two decades, the national infrastructure to combat STIs has been eroded, with a 46% drop in per capita purchasing power, according to the letter.

With the latest funding cuts, Illinois will have to scrap positions for 94 disease intervention specialists, including 58 who were in local health departments. In Delaware, the grant funded three HIV prevention contractors, who help investigate outbreak clusters and support follow-up care, as well as a state laboratory manager. Utah, like many other states, also reported millions in lost funds  nearly all of which paid the salaries of public health workers.

This is a devastating blow to the STI community, workforce, and general public. There is an expectation that with these funds being rescinded, STIs will continue to increase, potentially leading to unmanageable caseloads and disease burden, the Utah state health department told CNN. For Utahns, this means that funding will be cut for STI investigators who notify those who are unaware of an STI exposure, potentially saving them from long lasting effects.

Another letter from the CDC announcing cuts to the immunization program came last month. State health departments and other grantees were expecting to hear more details this week. The funds are used for things like supporting staff who work to improve accuracy of immunization data reported by health care providers and maintaining and upgrading the systems.

In 2020, the CDC launched a multi-year, billion-dollar effort focused on data modernization, and better data sharing was a key component of a sweeping overhaul of the agency laid out last year by former Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.

Some stakeholders remain hopeful that there are ways to rearrange funding or otherwise find dollars to maintain critical public health programs.

The director of the local Texas health department hasnt yet shared the news of the cuts with the full department staff. The hope is that some combination of other grant money and state dollars can be cobbled together without having to let fewer  or any  staff go.

On Tuesday, a group of nearly 50 public health organizations sent a letter to CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen requesting that any unspent funds at the end of the fiscal year be redirected to restore a portion of the funding for disease intervention specialists.

This workforce played a lifesaving role during COVID-19, helped affected communities respond quickly to last years mpox outbreak, and continue to combat the rising rates of congenital syphilis, the letter reads. Without the investment in the DIS workforce, the nation will be left unprepared to combat current infectious disease outbreaks and to address unknown outbreaks that could occur in the future.

CDC has emphasized other sources of money that remain in place and fully funded, including the Public Health Infrastructure Grant, nearly $4 billion in grants that were awarded to help health departments support workforce development, data modernization and foundational capabilities.

Covid-19 supplemental funding is not the only source of funding for state immunizations systems and workforce development, Kathleen Conley, a CDC spokesperson, told CNN.

But many are frustrated that public health is seeing any cuts at all, especially at this scale.

We already suffer from an inability to get money to flow in the right way to support our local health departments. So it feels like adding insult to injury at a time when were coming out of a pandemic, a historic public health event that killed more than a million people, Freeman said. Health departments are trying to rebuild, and that may now be hindered by some of these decisions.

Collaboration is the foundation of public health, and funding cuts strain the heart of the operation, experts say.

At this moment, we have sadly seen an erosion in the communitys trust of public health, and rebuilding that trust is more important than ever, Hamilton said. Public health often serves as a safety net, and the community needs to see and feel the services that it offers in order to trust it. Its allowing people to see public health as a group thats going to be there through thick and thin to help them, and you need funds to do that.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
More than 85 million people remained under heat alerts Saturday as the weekslong heat wave continues and intensifies in the Southwest.

Dangerously high temperatures will continue to plague the Western United States throughout the weekend, with temperatures growing hotter in the South early next week.

Daytime highs will routinely range between 10-20F above normal, equating to daytime temperatures approaching the century mark in the interior Northwest, between 100-110F in central and southern California, and 115-120F+ in the high desert of southern California, southern Nevada, and Arizona, according to the Weather Prediction Center.

More than 100 temperature records are possible through Monday across the West and South.

Death Valley, California, could top 130 degrees on Sunday. Thats happened just five times in more than 110 years of record

Phoenix temperatures have reached 110 degrees on consecutive days, and the streak should continue through at least Wednesday.

In Southern California, the Riverside County Fire Department is battling three wildfires that started Friday, including the Rabbit Fire. It grew from 20 acres to 4,500 acres and was 5% contained Saturday, Cal Fire said.

Meanwhile, sultry conditions will persist in the south-central US and in South Florida. Daytime highs in the 90s to low 100s with oppressive humidity levels will allow heat indices to range frequently between 105-110F each afternoon.

A heat advisory is in place from Texas to Alabama but does not include Georgia or most of Florida. The high in Houston is forecast for 100 degrees on Saturday. It could reach 96 in New Orleans and Jackson, Mississippi. Atlanta is expected to reach only a relatively mild 92.

And wildfire smoke from Canada will move into the Northern Plains and Midwest over the weekend and into early next week.

Concern about power outages from increased demand arose in the Southwest. And some venues planned to close early or cancel events, including the Sacramanto (California) Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.

Arizona and Texas endure weekslong heat streaks

Alerts for dangerous heat levels have been posted in areas of Arizona and Texas for more than 30 days in a row as a long-lasting heat wave has settled over parts of the West and South since mid-June.

Temperatures have failed to drop below 90 in the Phoenix area since Monday, a trend that could be deadly for those without air conditioning if they are unable to cool and recover their bodies overnight.

In Texas, El Paso broke its own high temperature streak record on Thursday after experiencing 28 consecutive days above 100 degrees, the weather service tweeted.

That streak will likely extend well beyond 30 days as El Paso is expected to see temperatures of at least 103 degrees through the middle of next week.

A man cools off under misters in Phoenix on Friday, where temperatures continued to top 110 degrees. - Matt York/AP

Elsewhere, much of Texas eastern half saw heat indices  what the combined humidity and temperature feels like  between 110 and 115 degrees on Thursday.

Widespread temperatures of 100 to 108 were seen across much of the state Thursday, including temperatures of 107 in Austin and Del Rio. The North Texas city of Wichita Falls broke a daily record of 110 degrees with a heat index as high as 118 degrees.

The dangers of brutally high heat

As the climate crisis ratchets temperatures higher and higher, scientists have warned theres a growing likelihood that 2023 could be the Earths hottest year on record.

Volunteers organize water bottles for homeless people in Phoenix on Friday as the city continued to bake. i - Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Heat kills more Americans than any other form of severe weather, including flooding, hurricanes or extreme cold, according to National Weather Service data.

Communities across the globe are already feeling the devastation of these extreme temperatures, including one Texas county that reported at least 11 heat-related deaths during last months heat wave. In Mexico, at least 112 people have died from extreme heat exposure since March.

While our bodies try to regulate their own temperature, extreme heat can make it hard for the body to cool down, and added humidity can make that struggle even worse.

When the body becomes unable to cool itself, illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke  which can be fatal  can set in.

The risks of heat exposure are particularly high for people experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, low-income families, communities of color and the elderly.

To stay safe in sweltering temperatures, experts recommend hydrating regularly, finding a cool or air-conditioned place and avoiding outside activities, particularly during the hottest times of the day.

People should watch for signs of heat exhaustion or other illnesses, which include light-headedness, nausea, headache or confusion.

CNNs Jay Croft, Taylor Ward, Elizabeth Wolfe and Christina Maxouris contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
GALVESTON, Texas  Galveston has been ground zero for several hurricanes, priming its longtime residents for the dangers these monstrous storms may bring. However, a recent influx of newcomers to the Texas coast has yet to experience and prepare for such a storm.

The history of Galveston is a history of hurricanes, as a number of notable storms have struck the island city.

The deadliest one occurred in 1900, measuring as a Category 4 with winds of 145 mph at landfall. Known as the Great Galveston Hurricane, it killed between 6,000 and 12,000 people. It became not only the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history but also the nations deadliest weather event.

From the devastation came innovation as the people of Galveston rebuilt their town. Part of their rebuilding efforts involved creating the Galveston Sea Wall, a 17-foot-tall and 10-mile-long wall with the purpose of protecting the city from storm surge, one of the deadliest components of a hurricane.

The Galveston Seawall was put to the test more than 100 years after the Great Galveston Hurricane, when Hurricane Ike struck the city as a Category 2 hurricane in 2008. Waves hit the sea wall and came crashing down.

Daniel Gallegos, 26, of Galveston, watches a wave crash into the Seawall on Galveston Island as Hurricane Ike closes on the Texas coast, Friday, September 12, 2008.

Today, however, locals and scientists are concerned about how the current high water temperatures may impact hurricane season for Galveston, particularly as a number of newcomers who are new to hurricanes have begun to call the Texas coastline home.

"We have so many new people that have moved into the area," extreme weather disaster scientist Hal Needham said during a FOX Weather "Cruisin Across America" interview with correspondent Robert Ray. "Probably more than 100,000 new people have moved into coastal Texas since Hurricane Ike in 2008."

Looking out to sea from Galveston, Texas. July 2023.

"So, a lot of people have not experienced a hurricane before and really don't know what to do if one comes," Needham added.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

"Cruisin Across America" is a weather series hosted by Ray, highlighting areas of the U.S. that have been impacted by weather events, along with their unique culture.

Kicking off in Jacksonville, Florida, on July 13, making stops in cities such as New Orleans, and ending on July 20 in Santa Monica, California, the weeklong series will cover a number of communities and the weather stories they have to tell.
Hungarys second-largest bookstore, Lira, said on Friday it plans to take legal action after it received a hefty government fine for the sale of an LGBT-themed British webcomic and graphic novel aimed at teenagers without closed wrapping.

A Budapest government office on Thursday imposed a fine of 12 million forints ($36,000) on Lira, saying it broke the law by selling British author Alice Osemans Heartstopper, among other books for minors, without wrapping them in plastic foil.

The popular Heartstopper series, in which two gay teens fall in love, has also been adapted by Netflix as a romantic comedy-drama.

Krisztian Nyary, Liras creative director and a well-known author himself, told Reuters the fine was disproportionate, the law vaguely worded and that the bookstore would respond legally.

Books that feature LGBTQ+ characters are seen wrapped in plastic foil in a bookstore in Budapest, Hungary, on July 11. - Bernadett Szabo/Reuters

As this is a resolution about a fine it cannot be appealed, it can only be attacked  in what way, our lawyers will assess, he said. We will use all legal means at our disposal.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbans government promotes a strongly Christian-conservative agenda and passed a law in 2021 banning the display and promotion of homosexuality among those under the age of 18, despite strong criticism from rights groups and the European Union.

The measure was seen as resonating with Orbans conservative voters in the countryside ahead of his fourth-term election win in 2022.

The European Commission, however, referred Hungary to the EU Court of Justice, claiming the law discriminates against people on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity,

Nyary said the law was vague at several points.

He said some publishers had already voluntarily wrapped their books, trying to comply, but that it was not clear whether it was enough to place books affected by the law on a shelf for literature aimed for adults.

He said another issue was whether LGBT-themed books meant for adults would also have to be wrapped up or whether those could be sold without packaging.

This is all not clear, he said.

This is not the first time a Hungarian government office has fined a bookstore for a violation of the law. The latest fine came ahead of a Pride march in Budapest on Saturday.

Earlier on Friday, the embassies of the United States, Germany and 36 other countries urged the Hungarian government to protect the rights of LGBT people and scrap laws that discriminate against them.

Gay marriage is not recognized in Hungary and only heterosexual couples can legally adopt children.

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PARIS (AP)  India is close to buying new French warplanes and submarines and played a starring role in Frances Bastille Day celebrations Friday. But for all the camaraderie on display this week between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, their two countries remain sometimes-awkward allies.

Macron skirted around concerns about threats to rights and freedoms under Modis Hindu nationalist government.

Modi called for peace efforts in Ukraine to end Russias war and resulting grain shortages, and India has increased imports of sanctioned Russian oil; Macrons France is boosting weapons supplies to Ukraine for its counteroffensive.

During a two-day visit that included a banquet at the Louvre, Indian troops marching down the Champs-Elysees and a high-octane speech by Modi to Indians from around Europe, the two countries released a raft of agreements tightening cooperation in areas where they agree.

The biggest step is a preliminary Indian accord to buy 26 more Rafale fighter jets and three more Scorpene French- and Spanish-made submarines, on top of a prior deal for 36 Rafales and six Scorpenes. Price details still need to be worked out.

Cooperation in defense is the basic pillar of our relationship, Modi said ahead of meetings with Macron. Be it a submarine or a navy ship, we want to work jointly not only for ourselves but other friendly nations too.

Macron is keen on tightening alliances in the Indo-Pacific against an increasingly assertive China, and his office unveiled a roadmap'' with India for cooperation in the region.

This convergence stretches to our strategic interests," he said. We are defending together the same vision of the Indo-Pacific, an area that must remain open and free from all forms of hegemony.''

Modi said India also wants to increase cooperation with France in space, after India launched a spacecraft toward the far side of the moon Friday. France houses the European Space Agencys main launch site, in French Guiana.

The two leaders also announced new initiatives to cooperate on renewable energy, hydrogen projects, artificial intelligence and semiconductors.

A small clutch of activists held a rally in Paris against Modi's visit on Thursday, accusing him of eroding Indian democracy and encouraging discrimination against religious minorities. Modi, who governs the worlds largest population, has said that democracy runs in our veins and insisted that there is absolutely no space for discrimination.

Modi was welcomed by U.S. President Biden last month, and heads next to the United Arab Emirates.
South Koreas official endorsement of the plan has done little to put its public at ease, as officials cope with panic-buying, protests and consumer boycotts. Some stores even ran out of sea salt and imposed a purchasing limit.

Elsewhere, China has barred seafood exports from several Japanese prefectures and Hong Kong has followed suit after Tokyo won approval from the U.N.s nuclear watchdog last week for its plan to release treated radioactive water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean.

The Japanese government and the plants operator, the Tokyo Electric Power Company, have said the water, currently being held in hundreds of tanks on land, must be removed to prevent accidental leaks and make room for the plants decommissioning.

But despite their reassurances that the plant meets international safety standards and support from the International Atomic Energy Agency, several Asian countries remain unconvinced, slapping export bans on seafood fished off several regions of Japan and imposing additional food safety inspections on food from the Fukushima region.

IAEA chief in Japan (Kyodo via AP)

Leading the criticism is China, which has fiercely opposed the plan. Its customs agency vowed Friday that it would take all necessary measures to abate the worries of its consumers. This included a de facto ban on imports from 10 Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima.

Twelve years on, Japan has chosen to shift the risk of nuclear contamination onto the whole of humanity, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a news conference last week.

Li Fengmin, a professor of marine physics and biology in the Ocean University of China, told NBC News he was worried that the IAEA issued its recommendations under pressure from the Japanese government.

My personal concern is there might be political, economic or diplomatic gaming hiding behind IAEAs conclusion, he said, adding that Japan was dumping the wastewater because it was a more cost-effective choice.

In one of the worlds worst disasters, on March 11, 2011, the region was hit by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake  the strongest in Japans history. A deadly wall of water then slammed through the walls of the nuclear plant, knocking out power supply, including backup generators, and flooding parts of the facility. Three nuclear reactors melted down, spewing radioactive particles into the air.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant was hit by a wall of water after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake rocked the region in March 2011. (Hidenori Nagai / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP file)

Authorities acted quickly, scrubbing buildings and removing about 4 inches of soil and vegetation from the surrounding area. But the massive cleanup, compensation and decommissioning, generated massive costs for TEPCO and last year, a Japanese court ruled the disaster couldve been prevented if the company had exercised due care.

In line with Beijings decision to ban Japanese seafood, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said Tuesday that the city will ban a large number of prefectural sea products from Japan because of the Fukushima wastewater discharge.

And last week, a fish market in South Korea tested its seafood for radiation to dispel fears. This took place despite an assessment by South Koreas government concluded the wastewater release would have an insignificant impact on its water.

Some Japanese fishing organizations, worried about the reputation of their catches have also criticized the plan.

Experts however, have insisted that it is safe.

The radiation levels that would actually pose a risk to human health are thousands of times more than the ones due to be released, said Robin Grimes, a material physics professor at Imperial College London, who was also a part of Britains emergency response group to Fukushima.

Nigel Marks, an associate professor at Curtin University in Australia, added that the radiation exposure is the same or even below the levels of getting a tooth X-rayed.

Japan is deploying a specialized system called advanced liquid processing system, which according to the IAEAs report, is a pumping and filtration system that uses a series of chemical reactions to remove the various radioactive substances from the water.

The increase in radioactivity will be very, very tiny, said Mark Foreman, an energy and materials associate professor at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. He added that substances like tritium, which cannot be removed by the advanced liquid processing system, will get enormously diluted by the Pacific.

However, Ken Buesseler, a marine radiochemist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution said he was disappointed that other alternatives like using the water for making concrete were not fully considered, adding the advanced liquid processing system was yet to prove its effectiveness.

Japan hopes to start releasing the water this summer and continue to do so over many decades.

Having to keep it for two or three hundred years when tritium becomes undetectable is just mad, Grimes said.

The risk would be even lower than other plants around the world because the Japanese have removed those radioactive species to even greater extent, he added.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Mexicos top diplomat said Friday her country has sent a diplomatic note to the U.S. government expressing concern that Texas deployment of floating barriers on the Rio Grande may violate 1944 and 1970 treaties on boundaries and water.

Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Barcena said Mexico will send an inspection team to the Rio Grande to see whether any of the barrier extends into Mexicos side of the border river.

She also complained about U.S. efforts to put up barbed wire on a low-lying island in the river near Eagle Pass, Texas.

Barcena said that if the buoys impede the flow of water, it would violate the treaties, which requires the river remain unobstructed. Mexico has already asked that the barriers be removed.

Texas began rolling out the new floating barrier on the Rio Grande in early July. It is part of Republican Gov. Greg Abbotts multibillion-dollar effort to secure the U.S. border with Mexico, which already has included busing migrants to liberal states and authorizing the National Guard to make arrests.

Migrant advocates have voiced concerns about drowning risks from the buoys and environmentalists questioned the impact on the river.

Once installed, the above-river parts of the system and the webbing theyre connected with will cover 1,000 feet (305 meter) of the middle of the Rio Grande, with anchors in the riverbed.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The top state election official in New Mexico has spoken with federal prosecutors as part of the special counsels probe into the 2020 election, the official's spokesman said Friday.

The meeting with New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver occurred sometime in the past few months, according to spokesman Alex Curtas, who declined further comment.

The Justice Department has spent months examining pressure campaigns by Trump associates aimed at getting battleground states won by Democrat Joe Biden to undo the results of their elections. Special counsel Jack Smith and his team have issued subpoenas to election officials in states that Trump disputed, seeking correspondence from Trump associates and campaign aides, and have also lined up interviews in recent months with state officials.

The communications with state officials are one prong of a much bigger probe by Smith and his team into efforts to block the transfer of power from Trump to Biden. It is not clear when Smiths investigation into the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021 riot might end or whether anyone might be charged.

A spokesman for Smith declined to comment on Friday.

Its unknown what questions were asked of Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat in her second term, about the 2020 election in New Mexico.

After Biden won the state by nearly 11 percentage points, Trumps campaign briefly challenged the results in court before dropping the lawsuit. Republicans in the state submitted false Electoral College certificates declaring Trump the winner  though the fake electors added a caveat saying the certificates were submitted in case they were later recognized as duly elected, qualified electors.

Although Democrats control every statewide elected office in New Mexico, with majorities in the Statehouse, false claims of fraud and manipulation of voting machines in 2020 have resonated in some politically conservative communities, including Otero County, where commissioners in June 2022 initially refused to certify election results.

Former Otero County commissioner and Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin was barred last year from holding public office for engaging in insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson have also spoken with officials from Smiths office in recent months, according to their staffs.

Kathy Boockvar, the chief state election official in Pennsylvania during the 2020 election, said Friday she has not been asked for an interview.

It was not currently clear whether state officials overseeing elections in 2020 in Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin  other states disputed by Trump -- have been interviewed. Claire Woodall-Vogg, the head of Milwaukees election commission, said in an email that she met virtually with investigators a month or two ago.

Im not sure what if any details I can divulge, so not much more to say, she said.

Efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn his loss in Georgia are also the subject of a separate investigation in Atlanta's Fulton County with local prosecutors saying they expect a decision later this summer on next steps. It was in a Jan. 2, 2021, phone call that Trump suggested Raffensperger could help find the votes necessary to reverse Bidens win.

___

Cassidy reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writer Morgan Lee in Santa Fe, New Mexico, contributed to this report.
North Korea's ICBM launch seems to concern Russia as Moscow decided to conduct a missile probe.

Although the Russian government started an investigation, it believes the missile test was just NoKor's reaction against the U.S. and its allies.

North Korea ICBM Launch Concerns Russia Leading to Missile Probe

According to NBC News' latest report, the missile probe of Russia aims to see if North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile crashed in its waters.

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said they have no information about the missile landing in Russia's economic zone.

Based on the Russian government's statement, the recent North Korean ICBM didn't trigger it in any way.

Rudenko even said that the missile launch was just North Korea's reaction to the activities of the United States and its allies.

The Russian official further stated that the actions of Washington and its ally countries provoked NoKor to enhance its defense capabilities.

Read Also: US, Japan, South Korea Condemn North Korea's Recent Missile Launch, Say Pyongyang Performs 'Grave Threat'

Did North Korea Confirm the ICBM Launch?

Previously, Japanese and South Korean officials said that North Korea fired an ICBM from Pyongyang.

The Japanese Coast Guard claimed that the missile landed in the west sea of Japan.

Because of this, officials of South Korea and the U.S. decided to meet, issuing a statement to strengthen their joint defense.

At first, the ICBM launch was merely an allegation against North Korea. But Pyongyang confirmed that they did fire a ballistic missile.

The North Korean government said the missile launched was a Hwasong-18, which Kim Jong Un considers the most powerful nuclear weapon.

"North Korea seems to be continuously advancing the missile technology based on the first test launch result," explained University of North Korean Studies Prof. Kim Dong Yub via CNN.

Related Article: North Korea Makes Rare Move, Defends Recent Missile Test at UN Security Council Meeting

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While the San Diego Humane Society welcomed a pair of orphaned black bear cubs, authorities are investigating the possible shooting of an unrelated adult black bear in the San Bernardino National Forest.

One of the two orphaned cubs was discovered in the San Bernardino National Forest by a local resident, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The cub was found near the body of its dead mother, but the cub refused to leave, officials said.

When biologists with the state wildlife department tried to capture the cub, they heard it call out to another bear somewhere in the forest. The first cub was captured on July 4 and three days later, biologists learned that a second cub was spotted in a tree.

That second cub was eventually captured after biologists set a trap with oranges, apples, sardines and a sweet roll, according to an Instagram post from the agency.

At just five months old, the brother cubs are too young to be left alone in the wild, officials said. Bear cubs typically are attached to their mothers for at least 17 months before they're strong enough to venture out into the wild by themselves.

The mother bear was dead for some time when biologists discovered her and the cause of death has not been determined, according to a Fish and Wildlife spokesperson.

The San Diego Humane Society welcomed the cubs on July 7 to its Wildlife Center in Ramona. The cubs will undergo a targeted rehabilitation to make sure they can be reintroduced back into the wild, the human societysaid in a news release. That includes a more hands-off approach with minimal human interaction. The cubs will also be provided with an environment that resembles the forest with oak, pine, clover, mulberry branches, fruit tree branches, mulch, humming bird sage, sumac, chamomile flowers and herbs, the humane society said.

Next, the bears will be examined while they are anesthetized and then moved to a larger enclosure to give them room to exhibit more natural behaviors, according to the news release.

Our goal now is to raise them with limited to no human interaction and get them ready to return to the wild," campus director Andy Blue with the humane society said in a statement.

The bears are expected to be released back into the wild early next year.

The orphaned cubs were separated before they were reunited at the wildlife center. When they found each other again, they started to vocalize and re-bonded with each other, according to officials with the humane society.

In another part of the San Bernardino National Forest, wildlife officials are searching for an adult black bear that may have been shot this week.

It's unclear what happened to the bear, but residents in the Angelus Oaks community reported in a Facebook post that a resident shot a black bear on Monday after it became aggressive. There was no other information about the interaction and whether the person who shot the bear has been questioned by authorities.

Resident Trisha Ramsey wrote in her post that the black bear passed through the community on numerous occasions and never appeared aggressive. But Ramsey also reminded people to not feed bears and to leave them alone.

"First time Ive ever seen him out in the daytime," Ramsey wrote. "Not bothering anyone, just out for a stroll."

Fish and Wildlife Capt. Patrick Foy said the agency's law enforcement division is investigating the report of a shooting, but can't confirm if a bear was shot.

"Since we don't have a bear in hand, we can't say for sure," Foy said in an interview. "We're taking it very seriously and we believe it's a legitimate report."

Bears have an incredibly strong sense of smell and follow the scent of food wherever it might take them. That includes garbage, pet food left outside, grease on a barbecue grill and fallen fruit.

An important takeaway is for people to fight the urge to feed wildlife or try to interact with the animals, Foy said.

"Our overall mission is to help the citizens of California better coexist  not only with black bears  but all of wildlife that lives around us," Foy said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), left, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) address attendees during a rally in The Villages, Fla., in 2021. (Phelan M. Ebenhack / Associated Press)

Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene are suing two Southern California cities and several advocacy groups alleging they conspired to infringe on their free speech rights by pressuring venues to cancel a rally in 2021.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court on Thursday, alleges the venues caved to pressure from the cities of Anaheim and Riverside and canceled contracts for their America First rally because they disagreed with Greene and Gaetz politically. The two lawmakers are known for their strong support of former President Trump.

The lawsuit contends the 1st Amendment gives the lawmakers the freedom to use the venues "on the same basis as other organizations and political figures without regard to their viewpoint or the viewpoint of speakers at their event."

A spokesman for the city of Riverside declined to comment on the lawsuit on Friday. Anaheim spokesman Mike Lyster said the city has "not formally received the claim but are aware of it and will be reviewing."

The lawsuit also names 10 advocacy or political organizations who allegedly pressured city officials and the venues to not host the rally.

Gaetz, Greene and their fundraising committees are seeking a declaration saying each of the defendants violated their rights to freedom of speech and freedom of association as part of the lawsuit.

They are also asking for an injunction prohibiting the cities from denying or "coercing private venues from entering into facilities use contracts with Plaintiffs for future political rallies" and unspecified damages for emotional distress.

Alexander Haberbush, an attorney representing Greene and Gaetz in the lawsuit, declined to comment.

Greene, a Georgia congresswoman, and Gaetz, who represents much of the Florida Panhandle, tried to host their rally at two locations in Orange County and one in Riverside in July 2021, but the venues kept backing out.

Read more:After third venue cancels, Gaetz, Greene take 'protest against communism' to Riverside

The first location to fall through was the Pacific Hills Banquet & Event Center in Laguna Hills. The venue's general manager told the Orange County Register at the time it opted to cancel after learning Gaetz and Greene would be speaking.

The rally was moved to the Riverside Convention Center, but the city quickly started receiving complaints. Councilwoman Gaby Plascencia said at the time that the lawmakers "are the antithesis of everything Riverside stands for."

Raincross Hospitality Management, which operates the convention center, asserted it was canceling the event because of the discrepancy on the certificate of insurance it had been provided, according to the lawsuit.

With less than 24 hours until the rally, the group moved the event to the Grand Theater, a private venue in Anaheim, but controversy followed it. Dozens of people contacted the city to decry the event.

The lawsuit alleges a city code enforcement officer called the Grand Theater and told the owner and manager the venue's conditional use permit would be "in jeopardy if they did not cancel the event."

Without a venue, the lawmakers instead held a "peaceful protest against communism" outside Riverside City Hall.

These folks they tried to cancel our venues but they can never cancel our patriotism or our American spirit, Gaetz said in a video filmed outside Riverside City Hall. Theyll hear us all throughout Southern California.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Saturday, offering support for the invaded country in its war with Russia while demonstrating his own nation's cooperation with NATO.

Yoons office said he traveled to Ukraine with his wife, Kim Keon Hee, following trips to Lithuania for a NATO summit and to Poland. Its his first visit since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Yoon toured Bucha and Irpin, two small cities near Kyiv where bodies of civilians were found in the streets and mass graves after Russian troops retreated from the capital region last year. He laid flowers at a monument to the country's war dead, before he sat down for a summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

South Korea, a key U.S. ally in Asia, joined international sanctions against Russia and has provided Ukraine with humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine. But the Asian nation, a growing arms exporter, hasn't provided weapons to Ukraine in line with its long-standing policy of not supplying arms to countries actively engaged in conflict.

During a joint news conference with Zelenskyy later Saturday, Yoon announced plans to expand support shipments to Ukraine but didn't touch upon weapons supplies.

Yoon began his statement with a mention of the U.N. forces support of South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War that helped repel a North Korean invasion.

The current situation facing Ukraine reminds us of the past situation of the Republic of Korea," Yoon said.

Zelenskyy thanked Seoul for its firm support of Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity and the significant political, security, economic and humanitarian aid it has supplied since the start of Russias invasion.

Yoon said that South Korea will increase the shipments of nonlethal military items such as body armor and helmets this year. He said that South Korea will also provide humanitarian aid worth $150 million this year, up from $100 million last year. He said that South Korea has also sent the de-mining equipment and other aid items that had been requested by Ukraine.

Yoon said that he and Zelenskyy agreed on cooperating on post-war reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. Yoon said South Korea will also launch a scholarship fund named after him and Zelenskyy to expand support for Ukrainian students in South Korea.

South Korea isn't a NATO member, but like Japan, Pakistan and a handful of other countries, it's considered a global partner of the military alliance. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Ukraine in March.

In his recent written responses to questions from The Associated Press, Yoon said that the security of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is closely intertwined, saying: In particular, the war in Ukraine has reminded us all that a security crisis in one particular region can have a global impact.

Yoon took office last year amid a mix of tough foreign policy challenges such as North Koreas advancing nuclear program and the intensifying rivalry between the U.S., South Koreas main security ally, and China, its biggest trading partner.

During a January visit to South Korea, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called for the country to provide direct military support to Ukraine, saying Kyiv was in urgent need of weapons to fight off the prolonged Russian invasion.

In May, when Yoon met Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska in Seoul, the president said he would expand South Korea's nonlethal aid to Ukraine. Yoons office said at the time that Zelenska made no request for South Korean weapons supplies.

Later in May, Yoon and Zelenskyy met for the first time on the sidelines of a Group of Seven industrialized nations summit in Hiroshima, Japan. Zelensky thanked South Korea for its humanitarian shipments of medicines, computers and generators and requested additional provisions of non-lethal items, Yoons office said.

Since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, South Korea has reached billions of dollars worth of deals to provide tanks, howitzers, fighter jets and other weapons systems to NATO member Poland.

An American official said in November that the United States had agreed to buy 100,000 artillery rounds from South Korean manufacturers to provide to Ukraine, although South Korean officials have maintained that the munitions were meant to refill depleted U.S. stocks.

Yoons visit to Ukraine reflects his globally-minded foreign policy and shows South Korean solidarity with NATO partners in defending the rules-based international order, Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said. Seouls support of Ukraine includes not only humanitarian assistance, but also arms sales to backfill NATO countries providing military aid to Kyiv, and plans for post-conflict reconstruction of infrastructure.

Yoon and his wife's visit came two days after Russia launched another barrage of Iranian-made drones at the Kyiv region. Ukrainian officials said their air defenses intercepted the drones but that wreckage fell on four districts of the capital, wounding two people and destroying several homes.

Although Kyiv didn't come under attack in the hours before the South Korean president's arrival, Ukrainian forces on Friday and overnight downed 10 Russian drones across the country, the Ukrainian air force reported Saturday.

In a Telegram post, the air force added that Moscow fired six Iranian-made Shahed drones at Ukraines south and east during the night, four of which were shot down. It did not immediately give details of any casualties or damage.

In southern Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia province, where Ukraine has been engaged in a counteroffensive to take back occupied territory, there were 45 air and artillery attacks between Friday and Saturday, Gov. Yurii Malashka reported.

Russian forces shelled neighboring Kherson province 70 times over the same period, using mortars, artillery, drones, tanks, aviation and multiple rocket launchers, Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said Saturday. No civilians were wounded, he said.

Russian shelling over the past day killed one civilian in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk province, Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko reported Saturday. Ukrainain forces have been pressing their counteroffensive in the area, inching their way from Velyka Novosilka down toward the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol.

Russia's Federal Security Service, or FSB, said Saturday that a group of neo-Nazis was arrested in connection with a Ukrainian plot to kill Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the state-funded RT international television channel, and journalist and celebrity Ksenia Sobchak.

When Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the full-scale invasion, he vowed to denazify Ukraine, alleging that radical neo-Nazi groups dominate the country led by a Jewish president. Kyiv and its Western allies dismissed his assertion as a bogus cover for an unprovoked act of aggression.

The FSB, which is the main successor to the KGB, didn't say how many people were arrested, but Russian news media later said seven suspects had been put in detention by a Moscow court.

The FSB said that the plot was organized at the direction of Ukraine's SBU security agency. But the FSB didn't provide any evidence of that, and there was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Russia previously has charged Ukrainian authorities were behind the killings of nationalist television commentator Daria Dugina and popular pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky.

Also Saturday, Russia's defense ministry said it had completed its planned spring call-up of 147,000 military conscripts, 12,500 more than in the previous year's draft.

___

Hyung-jin Kim reported from Seoul, South Korea. Joanna Kozlowska in London and Jim Heintz in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report.

___

Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
By Joyce Lee and Olena Harmash

SEOUL/KYIV (Reuters) -South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Saturday his country will provide a bigger batch of military supplies and humanitarian aid to Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv for a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

The surprise trip came after Yoon attended a NATO alliance summit in Lithuania and visited Poland this week, where he expressed solidarity with Ukraine against Russia's invasion.

South Korea is a U.S. ally and the world's ninth biggest arms exporter, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) think tank. But it is also wary of Russia's influence over North Korea and has been resisting Western pressure to help arm Ukraine directly.

In a press conference, Yoon said South Korea plans to provide "a larger scale of military supplies" to Ukraine this year, following last year's provision of non-lethal supplies such as body armour and helmets. He did not give more details.

Yoon said South Korea also plans to provide Ukraine with $150 million in humanitarian aid this year, following about $100 million in 2022.

It would also cooperate with Kyiv in projects such as infrastructure construction, which can be backed by concessionary loans from South Korea, he said.

"We are discussing everything that is important for the normal and safe life of people," Zelenskiy said, thanking Yoon for "powerful" support.

ZELENSKIY'S APPROVAL

Yoon's office said he also visited Bucha and Irpin, small towns near the capital where Russian soldiers are accused of war crimes against civilians. Moscow denies that.

Yoon said this week his administration was preparing to send demining equipment and ambulances, following a request from Ukraine, and will join NATO's aid fund for Ukraine.

Yoon's visit is significant because few other Asian leaders have visited Ukraine, said Ramon Pacheco Pardo, the Korea chair at the Brussels School of Governance research organisation.

How much of a policy shift towards providing more support for Ukraine remains to be seen, he added, but the trip shows Kyiv's approval for aid sent so far.

"If hes going it's because Zelenskiy allowed him to go, because he feels Korea is doing enough to warrant it," Pacheco Pardo said, adding that it also suggested South Korea may be offering more support behind the scenes.

Zelenskiy asked Yoon to boost military support when they first met in May. Yoon said on Saturday South Korea has delivered safety equipment and humanitarian aid that Ukraine needs, since May, including mine detectors.

South Korea's defence ministry has said it was discussing exporting ammunition to the U.S., but said parts of a media report that Seoul had agreed to send artillery rounds to the U.S. for delivery to Ukraine were inaccurate.

In 2022, South Korea's arms sales jumped to more than $17 billion from $7.25 billion the year before, including a $13.7 billion arms deal with Poland - Seoul's biggest ever - supplying rocket launchers and fighter jets.

South Korean companies and entities in Ukraine and in other countries signed agreements on Friday to help with reconstruction, Seoul's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement.

(Reporting by Joyce Lee and Olena Harmash; Additional reporting by Josh Smith and Hyonhee Shin; Editing by William Mallard and Andrew Cawthorne)
(Reuters) -Sudanese representatives have arrived in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah to resume talks with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudanese government sources told Reuters on Saturday, after three months of fighting between the army and RSF.

Previous talks in Jeddah facilitated by Saudi Arabia and the United States were suspended by both countries in early June after numerous ceasefire violations. Saudi Arabia and the U.S. have yet to confirm the resumption of talks between Sudan's warring factions.

Separately, a mediation attempt launched by Egypt began on Thursday, an effort welcomed both by the Sudanese army, which has close ties to Egypt, and the RSF.

A series of ceasefires have failed to halt the fighting which broke out on April 15 as the army and RSF vied for power. The conflict has seen more than 3 million people uprooted, including more than 700,000 who have fled to neighbouring countries.

There were new clashes on Saturday in both Omdurman and Bahri, Khartoum's adjoining cities that make up the wider capital, witnesses said.

At least four civilians were killed and four injured in a drone strike that targeted a hospital in the city of Omdurman, Sudan's health ministry said, accusing the RSF of carrying out the attack.

Sudan's army put the death toll from the strike on the Medical Corps Hospital at five.

Also on Saturday, the RSF issued a statement denying the findings of a Human Rights Watch report which found that Arab militias and RSF forces had killed dozens of civilians in a single day in the West Darfur town of Misterei in May.

The raid was one of a wave of ethnically charged attacks that have spread in Darfur since the outbreak of fighting in Khartoum.

The RSF said the violence in Misterei and in the nearby city of El Geneina was "purely tribal" and that they were not a party to it. It said its forces had been withdrawn from Misterei to El Geneina at the time of the May 28 killings.

Multiple witnesses and activists have reported RSF involvement in perpetrating violence in El Geneina and elsewhere in Darfur.

(Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz, Muhammad Al Gebaly and Hatem Maher; Editing by Frnces Kerry and David Holmes)
For more than a decade, a string of unsolved killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders terrorized residents and confounded authorities on Long Islands South Shore after a womans 2010 disappearance led investigators to find 10 sets of human remains in addition to hers and launched the hunt for a possible serial killer.

Authorities announced a major breakthrough in the case on Friday, charging New York architect Rex Heuermann, 59, with murder in connection to the killings of three of the four women who became known as the Gilgo Four.

The suspect was taken into custody Thursday night, authorities said. He has been indicted on one count of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder in each of the three killings  Melissa Barthelemy in 2009, and Megan Waterman and Amber Costello in 2010, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney.

Heuermann, who told his attorney he is not the killer, is also the prime suspect in the 2007 disappearance and death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, according to a bail application from prosecutors. He has not been charged in that homicide but the investigation is expected to be resolved soon, the document says.

Authorities said once Heuermann was identified in early 2022 as a suspect, they watched him and his family, getting DNA samples from items in their trash as they built a case.

He was remanded without bail Friday. He entered a not guilty plea through his attorney. His next court date is scheduled for August 1.

Here is a timeline of the Gilgo Beach murders, how the investigation unfolded and what ultimately led to Heuermanns arrest.

2010: Authorities find first remains in Gilgo Beach murders

Police discovered the first set of female remains in bushes along an isolated strip of waterfront property on Gilgo Beach while searching for another missing woman: Shannan Gilbert, a 23-year-old from Jersey City, New Jersey who hadnt been seen since May 2010.

The remains of Melissa Barthelemy, 24, were the first to be discovered in the case during the search on December 11, 2010, according to Suffolk County officials. Two days later, investigators discovered the remains of three additional victims  Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Costello and Megan Waterman  strewn across a half-mile stretch on Gilgo Beach.

Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Costello and Megan Waterman - Suffolk County Police Department

The four women, who were wrapped in camouflaged burlap, worked as escorts who advertised on Craigslist and were last seen between July 2007 and September 2010, officials said.

After Barthelemys disappearance, authorities say her family received multiple taunting calls. In one of the calls, the suspect admitted killing and sexually assaulting Ms. Barthelemy, according to a bail application filed by the Suffolk County district attorney after Heuermanns arrest.

Those calls, authorities say, would later help unravel the case.

2011: More remains found, including a toddler and her mother

Police said in January 2011 calls from Barthelemys cell phone had been traced to midtown Manhattan, with the two last calls made from around Madison Square Garden and Times Square. The caller hung up too quickly for authorities to pinpoint the exact locations of the calls, police said.

On March 29, 2011, the partial skeletal remains of another woman were found several miles east of where the bodies of the Gilgo Four were discovered.

The woman was first known as Jane Doe #5 before investigators identified her as Jessica Taylor, another escort whose partial remains were previously discovered in Manorville in 2003, police said.

The following month, on April 4, 2011, three more sets of remains were found on a stretch of Ocean Parkway in Suffolk County near the beach. They included a female toddler, an unidentified Asian male and a woman initially referred to as Jane Doe #6, investigators said.

An aerial view of the area near Gilgo Beach and Ocean Parkway on Long Island, where police conducted a prolonged search on April 15, 2011, in Wantagh, New York. - Spencer Platt/Getty Images/File

One week later, two additional sets of human remains were found in Nassau County, about 40 miles east of New York City, one of which was identified as the mother of the toddler through DNA analysis. The mothers partial remains were first discovered in 1997, officials said.

The other set of remains genetically matched with remains found in 1996 on Fire Island, significantly expanding the timeline and geographic reach of the investigation, officials said.

In mid-April of the same year, Steve Cohen, an attorney for Barthelemys mother, said a man using the victims cell phone made taunting calls and claimed he killed Barthelemy, CNN reported.

Do you think youll ever see her again?, the unidentified male caller asked Barthelemys sister on August 26, 2009, according to Cohen.

You wont. I killed her, he added and hung up. The phone call ended after less than a minute, CNN reported at the time.

Another phone call was placed in July 2009 just days after Barthelemy disappeared. It was the first of seven calls he made from Barthelemys cell phone. Cohen said in the phone call, the unidentified male caller referred to Barthelemy as a whore in a short conversation with her then-15-year-old sister, Cohen told CNN at the time.

In the final call, the man described in graphic detail to the victims sister what he had done sexually to Barthelemy, Cohen said.

Crime scene investigators use metal detectors to search a marsh for the remains of Shannan Gilbert on December 12, 2011, in Oak Beach, New York. - James Carbone/Pool/Newsday/AP/File

In December 2011, Gilberts body was found in the wooded marshes of Suffolk Countys Oak Beach. The beach is about 9 miles from where the 10 other sets of human remains were found.

Authorities later said they believed Gilberts death may have been accidental and not related to the Gilgo Beach slayings.

2020: Police release photos of a key clue and ID a victim

In January 2020, Suffolk County police released photos of what it said could be a significant piece of evidence: a black leather belt embossed with the letters WH or HM. The department also launched a website to collect new tips in the investigation.

We believe the belt was handled by the suspect and did not belong to any of the victims, former Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart told reporters at the time.

On May 28, 2020, New Yorks Suffolk County Police Department identified Jane Doe #6 as Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old Philadelphia mother who went missing two decades earlier.

The FBI helped identify Macks remains using advanced forensic DNA technology, officials said.

Using samples from her remains, Suffolk County investigators were able to find Macks biological relatives through genetic genealogy, which ultimately led to her adoptive family and son, Hart said to reporters at the time.

2022: Police form task force to find killer

In February 2022, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison formed a multiagency task force to investigate the Gilgo Beach killings.

The task force included the Suffolk County Police Department, the Suffolk County Sheriffs Office, the New York State Police and the FBI.

On March 14, 2022, Heuermann was first mentioned as a possible suspect in the Gilgo Beach murder case after a New York state investigator identified him in a database, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

Investigators then started surveilling him and his family, and took pieces of garbage to obtain DNA samples  even discarded pizza crust.

As they closed in on Heuermann, investigators used cell tower records from thousands of possible individuals down to hundreds and then to a handful of people. Next, authorities focused on residents who also matched a physical description provided by a witness who had seen the suspected killer.

Authorities zeroed in on anyone with a connection to a green pickup truck a witness had seen the suspect driving, according to two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the case. Later, authorities learned Heuermann drove a green pickup truck registered to his brother, CNN reported.

Heuermann matched a witnesss physical description, lived close to the Long Island cell site and worked near the New York City cell sites where other calls were captured.

Personal cell phone and credit card billing records revealed numerous instances where Heuermann was in the general locations as burner phones, which authorities say he had with him at the killings. He used the phones to call the three victims and also used Brainard-Barnes and Barthelemys cellphones when they were used to check voicemail and make taunting phone calls after the women disappeared, Suffolk County prosecutors allege.

Authorities said a search of Heuermanns computer revealed he had scoured the internet at least 200 times for details about the status of the investigation, Tierney said. Heuermann was also compulsively searching for photos of the victims and their relatives, and he was trying to track down relatives, the district attorney said.

In late 2022, detectives recovered a cup believed to have been discarded by Heuermann, but they could not get a good DNA sample from it, a law enforcement source close to the investigation told CNN on Saturday.

2023: Rex Heuermann arrested in some of the killings

In January 2023, investigators got a complete sample of Heuermanns DNA from leftover crust in a pizza box he threw in the trash, a law enforcement source close to the investigation told CNN on Saturday.

During the initial examination of one of the victims skeletal remains and materials discovered in the grave, the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory recovered a male hair from the bottom of the burlap the killer used to wrap her body, according to prosecutors. Analysis of the DNA found on the victim and the pizza thrown out by Heuermann showed the samples matched.

Additionally, hair believed to be from Heuermanns wife was found on or near three of the murder victims, prosecutors allege in the bail application, citing DNA testing. The DNA came from 11 bottles inside a garbage can outside the Heuermann home, the court document says.

On July 13, 2023, a suspect connected to some of the Gilgo Beach murders was taken into custody in New York City, marking the first arrest in the case, according to Harrison. He was transported back to Suffolk County Police headquarters in the hamlet of Yaphank on Long Island, the police commissioner said.

Law enforcement arrive at a house Friday, July 14, 2023, as sources said a suspect has been taken into custody in connection with a string of killings on New York's Long Island. - Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP

A day later, authorities identified the suspect as Heuermann, a registered architect who has owned the New York City-based architecture and consulting firm, RH Consultants & Associates, since 1994, according to his companys website.

The case against Heuermann came together over two years with the restart of the investigation, in which investigators used the power of the grand jury, including more than 300 subpoenas and search warrants, to collect evidence and tie Heuermann conclusively to the murders, Tierney said during a news conference.

And authorities have hinted more charges could be coming, noting in court documents Heuermann has been tied to at least one other disappearance  that of Brainard-Barnes  of a woman who was later found dead.

CNNs Kristina Sgueglia, Brynn Gingras, Aya Elamroussi, Samantha Beech, John Miller and Ray Sanchez contributed to this report.

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Editors Note: CNNs continuing coverage can be found here.

A New York architect was charged with murder in connection to the killings of three of the women who became known as the Gilgo Four, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney, in a case that baffled authorities for more than a decade in suburban Long Island.

Rex Heuermann  who told his attorney he is not the killer  was taken into custody for some of the Gilgo Beach murders, an unsolved case tied to at least 10 sets of human remains discovered since 2010, authorities said.

The case was broken open thanks to cell phone data, credit card bills and DNA testing, which ultimately led them to arrest Heuermann, 59, authorities said.

Heuermann was charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder in each of the three killings  Melissa Barthelemy in 2009, and Megan Waterman and Amber Costello in 2010  according to the indictment. A grand jury made the six charges, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

He is also the prime suspect in the 2007 disappearance and death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, according to a bail application from prosecutors. Heuermann has not been charged with that homicide but the investigation is expected to be resolved soon, the document says.

This is the first arrest in the long-dormant case, which terrorized residents and sparked conflicting theories about whether a serial killer was responsible.

Tierney said authorities, fearing the suspect might be tipped off they were closing in, moved to arrest him Thursday night.

Law enforcement arrive at a Long Island house Friday, July 14. - Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP

We were playing before a party of one, he told reporters. We knew the person responsible for these murders would be looking at us.

See our live coverage here

Authorities said once Heuermann was identified in early 2022 as a suspect, they watched him and his family and got DNA samples from items that were thrown away.

During the initial examination of one of the victims skeletal remains and materials discovered in the grave, the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory recovered a male hair from the bottom of the burlap the killer used to wrap her body, according to the bail application.

A surveillance team later gathered a swab of Heuermanns DNA from leftover crust in a pizza box he threw in the trash, the district attorney said.

Hair believed to be from Rex Heuermanns wife was found on or near three of the murder victims, prosecutors allege in the bail application, citing DNA testing. The DNA came from 11 bottles inside a garbage can outside the Heuermann home, the court document says.

Evidence shows Heuermanns wife and children were outside of the state at the times when the three women were killed, Tierney said.

The hairs found in 2010 were degraded and DNA testing at the time couldnt yield results but improvements in technology eventually gave investigators the DNA answers they needed.

No bail for suspect

Heuermann was in tears after his arrest, his court appointed attorney, Michael Brown, said Friday.

I did not do this, Brown said Heuermann told him during their conversation after his arrest.

Rex Heuermann - From RH Consultants & Associates

Heuermann was remanded without bail. He entered a not guilty plea through his attorney. His next court date is scheduled for August 1.

Police were still searching his home Friday night, according to a CNN team outside the house.

Heuermann, who a source familiar with the case said is a father of two, is a registered architect who has owned the New York City-based architecture and consulting firm, RH Consultants & Associates, since 1994, according to his companys website.

In 2022, Heuermann was interviewed for the YouTube channel Bonjour Realty. He spoke about his career in architecture, and said he was born and raised in Long Island. He began working in Manhattan in 1987.

CNN has reached out to Heuermanns company for comment.

Women were bound with camouflaged burlap

The remains of the Gilgo Four were found in bushes along a quarter-mile stretch of Ocean Parkway over a two-day period in 2010.

The skeletal remains of Barthelemy were discovered near Gilgo Beach on December 11. Barthelemy, who was a sex worker, was last seen July 12, 2009, at her apartment when she told a friend she was going to see a man, according to a Suffolk County website about the killings.

The remains of three other women were found on December 13, 2010: Brainard-Barnes, who advertised escort services on Craigslist and was last seen in early June 2007 in New York City; Amber Lynn Costello, who also advertised escort services and was last seen leaving her North Babylon home in early September 2010; and Waterman, who also advertised as an escort and was last seen in early June 2010 at a Holiday Inn Express in Hauppauge.

Tierney said of the women, They were buried in a similar fashion, in a similar location, in a similar way. All the women were petite. They all did the same thing for a living. They all advertised the same way. Immediately there were similarities with regard to the crime scenes.

Tierney said the killer tried to conceal the bodies, wrapping them in camouflaged burlap, the type used by hunters.

The suspect made taunting phone calls to Barthelemys sister, some of which resulted in a conversation between the caller, who was a male, and a relative of Melissa Barthelemy, in which the male caller admitted killing and sexually assaulting Ms. Barthelemy, according to the bail application.

The court document alleges cell phone and credit card billing records show numerous instances where Heuermann was in the general locations as the burner phones used to call the three victim,s as well as the use of Brainard-Barnes and (Barthelemys) cellphones when they use used to check voicemail and make taunting phone calls after the women disappeared.

The district attorney said the killer got a new burner phone before each killing.

How Heuermann was tracked down

The case against Heuermann came together in the two years since the restart of the investigation by Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison, authorities said.

Harrison put together a task force including county police detectives, investigators from the sheriffs office, state police and the FBI.

Tierney said the task force held its first meeting in February 2022.

Six weeks later, on March 14, 2022, the name Rex Heuermann was first mentioned as a suspect in the Gilgo case, Tierney said. A New York state investigator was able to identify him in a database.

Investigators had gone backward through phone records collected from both midtown Manhattan and the Massapequa Park area  two areas where a burner phone used by the alleged killer were detected, according to court documents.

Rex Heuermann is seen purchasing extra minutes for one of the burner cell phones connected to some of the crimes at a cellphone store in Midtown Manhattan, prosecutors allege. - Suffolk County, NY DA's Office

Authorities then narrowed records collected by cell towers to thousands, then down to hundreds, and finally down to a handful of people who could match a suspect.

From there, authorities worked to focus on people who lived in the area of the cell tower who also matched a physical description given by a witness who had seen the suspected killer.

In the narrowed pool, they searched for a connection to a green pickup a witness had seen the suspect driving, the sources said.

Investigators found Heuermann, who matched a witnesss physical description, lived close to the Long Island cell site and worked near the New York City cell sites where other calls were captured.

They also learned he had often driven a green pickup, registered to his brother. But they needed more than circumstantial evidence.

When investigators searched Heuermanns computer, they found a disturbing internet search history, including 200 searches aimed at learning about the status of the investigation, Tierney said Friday.

His searches also included queries for torture porn and depictions of women being abused, being raped and being killed, Tierney said.

The DA said the suspect was still compulsively searching for photos of the victims and their relatives.

Heuermann was trying to find the relatives, he added.

Killings baffled authorities for years

The murder mystery had confounded county officials for years. In 2020, they found a belt with initials that may have been handled by the suspect and launched a website to collect new tips in the investigation.

Police said some victims identified had advertised prostitution services on websites such as Craigslist.

The mystery began in 2010 when police discovered the first set of female remains among the bushes along an isolated strip of waterfront property on Gilgo Beach while searching for Shannan Gilbert, a missing 23-year-old woman from Jersey City, New Jersey.

An aerial view of the area near Gilgo Beach and Ocean Parkway on Long Island where police have been conducting a prolonged search after finding 10 sets of human remains in April 2011 in Wantagh, New York. - Spencer Platt/Getty Images/File

By the time Gilberts body was found one year later on neighboring Oak Beach, investigators had unearthed 10 sets of human remains strewn across two Long Island counties.

The grim discoveries generated widespread attention in the region and sent waves of fear across some communities on Long Islands South Shore.

Authorities later said they believe Gilberts death may have been accidental and not related to the Gilgo Beach slayings.

Still, Gilberts disappearance led to the discovery of others.

Crime scene investigators use metal detectors to search a marsh for human remains in December 2011 in Oak Beach, New York. - James Carbone/Pool/Newsday/AP/File

Additional remains were uncovered in neighboring Gilgo Beach and in Nassau County, about 40 miles east of New York City. They included a female toddler, an Asian male and a woman initially referred to as Jane Doe #6, investigators said.

In 2020, police identified Jane Doe #6 was as Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old Philadelphia mother who went missing two decades earlier.

Macks partial remains were first discovered near Gilgo Beach in 2000, with additional dismembered remains found in 2011, according to the Suffolk County police.

Lawyer: Case is edge of a bigger body of water

John Ray, a lawyer who represents the family of Shannon Gilbert  whose disappearance and search led to the discovery of Gilgo Four and other remains  said Friday he does not know if Heuermann is also responsible for her death.

We breathe a great sigh of relief, Ray said. Were happy the police are finally taking a positive step in this respect, but this is just the beginning  This is just the edge of a bigger body of water, shall we say, of murder that has taken place.

Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Lynn Costello and Megan Waterman - Suffolk County Police Department

Ray also represents the family Gilgo Beach victim Jessica Taylor.

We dont know if he is connected to Jessica Taylors murder, he said.

Jasmine Robinson, a family representative for Taylor, said shes hopeful for the future and hopeful that a connection is made to resolve the other cases.

CNNs Steve Almasy, Ray Sanchez, Laura Dolan and Caroll Alvarado contributed to this report.

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A Texas man, who recorded himself sexually abusing a 5-year-old, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison on Thursday, announced Leigha Simonton, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

Shemar Cameron Green, 20, from Snyder, Texas, was indicted in December 2022 and pleaded guilty in March 2023 to transportation of child pornography.

He was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix, who also ordered Green to register as a sex offender and pay $17,500 in restitution to identifiable child pornography victims.

According to plea papers, Green admitted he sent sexually explicit images of himself to multiple minors, received nude photographs from minors, and recorded a video of himself molesting a 5-year-old.

Green also admitted that he regularly viewed pornographic images of children under age 10 and uploaded several sexually explicit images of prepubescent children from his computer to his social media accounts.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children relayed a cyber tip from a social media company that housed Greens account to law enforcement, prompting the investigation.

The Snyder Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations Dallas Field Office  Lubbock Resident Agency conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam prosecuted the case.
Ty Pennington details visit to ICU due to abscess that was closing off his airway

Ty Pennington is letting fans know he's OK after landing in the ICU because of an abscess that blocked his airway.

The 58-year-old "Battle on the Beach" star posted photos of himself in a hospital bed, including one showing him being intubated.

The home renovator, who will help bring Barbie's iconic dreamhouse to life in the new series "Barbie's Dreamhouse Challenge," also included a photo of himself at the "Barbie" movie premiere in Los Angeles.

In his caption, Pennington explained that just two days after he attended the July 9 premiere his health crisis escalated. From the red carpet, to the ICU this last week has been interesting! he wrote.

He continued, "Sunday I hit the red carpet for @barbiethemovie, Monday I flew to Colorado to start filming in Breckinridge and Tuesday morning I woke up at 4am and could barely breathe."

"Turns out, that sore throat I've had for the last month was actually an abscess which had grown so large it was closing off my airway," he wrote. "Next thing I know, I was intubated and flown to the ICU in Denver."

Ty Pennington (Rodin Eckenroth / WireImage)

Pennington underwent surgery on Wednesday, July 12, and was released from the ICU the following day, he wrote.

An abscess is a buildup of pus that can form almost anywhere in the body, according to the Cleveland Clinic. While minor abscesses often resolve on their own, more serious abscesses require surgical drainage.

Pennington told fans he was OK now, but still recovering. He explained that he shared news of his hospitalization to "shed some light" on why he was "MIA" from posting about his team's Season Three victory on "Battle on the Beach."

Pennington concluded his post by expressing gratitude to the medical professionals who cared for him. "Thank you so much to all the amazing staff at St.Anthonys in Lakewood, CO & Summit Health in Frisco for taking such a great care of me," he wrote.

He also urged fans to not ignore any unusual symptoms they may be experiencing. "A great reminder to LISTEN to your body when its telling you something," he wrote, adding the hashtag #justhappytobehere.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
BEIRUT (AP)  The United Nations agency responsible for overseeing humanitarian aid has described conditions placed by the Syrian government on aid deliveries from Turkey to northwest Syria as unacceptable.

The future delivery of aid across Syria's northern border was thrown into question Tuesday after the U.N. Security Council was unable to agree on either of two competing proposals to extend the mandate for bringing aid from Turkey by way of the Bab al Hawa border crossing.

Two days later, Syrias ambassador to the U.N. said Damascus would give voluntary permission for the U.N. to use the crossing for six months, on condition that aid delivery would be done in full cooperation and coordination with the government, that the U.N. would not communicate with terrorist organizations and their affiliates, and that the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent would run aid operations.

In a letter sent to the Security Council on Friday, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press on Saturday, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA, said the Syrian proposal called two of those conditions unacceptable for carrying out principled humanitarian operations.

The prohibition on communicating with groups considered terrorist by the Syrian government would prevent the U.N. and partner organizations distributing aid from engaging with relevant state and non-state parties as operationally necessary to carry out safe and unimpeded humanitarian operations, the letter said.

Stipulating that aid deliveries must be overseen by the Red Cross or Red Crescent is neither consistent with the independence of the United Nations nor practical, since those organizations are not present in north-west Syria, it said.

The letter also noted that the Syrian government's request that aid deliveries should be carried out in full cooperation and coordination" with Damascus requires review and that the mechanism for aid delivery should not infringe on the impartiality.., neutrality, and independence of the United Nations humanitarian operations.

Aid delivery to the rebel-held enclave in the northwest has been a perennial point of contention during Syria's 12-year-old uprising-turned-civil war.

The Syrian government of Bashar Assad and its ally, Russia, which is a member of the Security Council, want all aid deliveries to be run through Damascus. Opponents of Assad and humanitarian organizations say this could lead to aid being diverted from the vulnerable population in the northwest.

Emma Beals, a non-resident fellow at the Middle East Institute who has studied aid delivery, said people living in northwest Syria face grave risks if humanitarian assistance depends on permission from Damascus.

The regime has used aid denial and attacks on aid workers as a military strategy for twelve years, she said.

The Security Council initially authorized aid deliveries in 2014 from Turkey, Iraq and Jordan through four crossing points into opposition-held areas in Syria. But over the years, Russia, backed by China, had pushed the council to reduce the authorized crossings to only one - Bab al-Hawa - and the mandates from a year to six months.

After a deadly magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey in February, Assad opened two additional crossing points from Turkey, at Bab al-Salameh and al-Rai, to increase the flow of assistance to victims, and later extended their opening until Aug. 13. However, in practice, most aid has continued to cross via Bab al Hawa.

A limited amount of U.N. aid has entered the opposition-held northwest by crossing battle lines from government-held areas.

After February's earthquake, aid convoys were blocked from entering the province of Idlib from government-held areas by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, originally an offshoot of Al Qaida, which dominates the area. The group accused Assad of trying to benefit from the aid intended for victims of the earthquake.

In June, in an apparent bid to convince Russia to allow the extension of aid deliveries through Bab al Hawa, the group allowed a shipment to cross from from a government-controlled area in the province of Aleppo into Idlib.

___

Associated Press writer Edith Lederer in New York contributed to this report.
German tourists were arrested by the Spanish Police after gang raping an 18-year-old girl.

The incident happened on Thursday, July 13, in Mallorca (Majorca), Spain.

German Tourists Gang Rapes 18-Year-Old Girl in Spain

According to The Daily Mail UK, the German rapists visited the Playa de Palma, one of Mallorca's biggest holiday beach resorts.

Authorities said that they arrested six German tourists. The first five were taken into custody a few hours after the incident.

The sixth rapist tried to escape the police. But, thanks to authorities' efforts, he was also captured.

As of writing, the criminals aged between 20 and 21 years old are being held at police facilities.

The Spanish Police said that the six German tourists are expected to testify on Saturday, July 15, as reported by The Sun.

If the rapists are found guilty, they will face extreme punishments. In Spain, gang rape is considered an aggravating factor that can lead to up to 15 years of imprisonment.

Read Also: School Girl's Journal Reveals Her Alleged Rape in Trans-Inclusive Restroom: 'I Was Raped'

German Tourists Lure the Spanish Girl

Based on the Spanish Police's investigation, the German tourists decided to go for a drink on the Playa de Palma beach.

The young victim was also having fun with her friends and was also at the Playa de Palma boulevard.

She met one of the suspects there and decided to converse with the German tourist.

Some sources said that the girl and the German even kissed. After that, the rapist asked her to go to the hotel.

However, they were not alone, as five other Germans were drinking in the hotel room as well.

After seeing that there were other men, the young Spanish girl decided to leave the place.

But, she was prevented by one of the German tourists. The girl said that some detainees raped her while others just watched the horrifying incident.

The woman was able to flee the hotel room after the incident and warned the receptionist about what happened.

After that, the National Police was called to the scene. The suspects were arrested, and the victim was taken to the Son Llatzer hospital.

To help the Spanish girl, the Agents of the Family and Women's Car Unity of the National Police (UFAM) launched an investigation against the German tourists.

Related Article: 15-Year-Old Indian Girl Allegedly Gang-Raped by Dozens of Men; At Least 29 Arrested

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By Brendan Pierson

(Reuters) - A federal judge in Kentucky ruled Friday that the state can enforce its law banning the use of puberty-blocking drugs and hormones for transgender children while it appeals his earlier order blocking the law.

Last month, U.S. District Judge David Hale found that the ban likely violated the U.S. Constitution. However, he said he had to put his order on hold because the federal appeals court hearing the case recently paused a similar order in Tennessee.

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a Republican, in a statement called Hale's decision "a win for parents and children."

The law is being challenged by families of transgender children who say they will be irreparably harmed by losing access to medical treatments.

Hale's decision "is not the final word, and we remain optimistic that with a full briefing we will achieve a positive result," American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky legal director Corey Shapiro, one of the lawyers representing the families, said in a statement.

Kentucky and Tennessee are among the 20 states, all with Republican-controlled legislatures, that have passed laws banning use of puberty blockers and hormones as part of gender transition for patients under 18.

Such treatments, known as gender-affirming care, are supported by major U.S. medical associations. Proponents of the bans say they are experimental and endanger children.

The now-reinstated Kentucky and Tennessee laws were both blocked by federal judges on June 28 in response to lawsuits by families of transgender children. The families say the laws discriminate against transgender people and take away parents' right to make medical decisions for their children.

On July 8, The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which hears cases from both states, granted Tennessee's motion for an emergency order reinstating the law while it appeals.

Hale said Friday that despite his "difference of opinion" with the appeals court, he found "no basis" for treating Kentucky's case differently.

The 6th Circuit said it would consider the two cases together and aim to decide them by Sept. 30.

Federal courts in Arkansas, Alabama, Florida and Indiana have blocked similar bans on transgender healthcare for minors.

(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by David Gregorio)
Red dresses hung up in honour of missing and killed indigenous women at the Brady landfill

A Canada court has allowed police to remove a blockade of a landfill site by protesters demanding action over the murders of two indigenous women.

Demonstrators began blocking the entrance to the rubbish dump in Winnipeg, Manitoba, about a week ago.

They are demanding another landfill be searched for two murder victims.

But Manitoba officials have said picking through the other tip would take years and cost millions, with no guarantee of finding any bodies.

The demonstrators' blockade has forced the city to shut down its Brady landfill.

Protesters want the Prairie Green landfill, north of Winnipeg, to be searched because police suspect that waste tip contains the remains of Morgan Beatrice Harris, 39, and Marcedes Myran, 26.

Both women, members of the Long Plain First Nation, are among four indigenous women believed to have been killed by Jeremy Skibicki, who was charged last December with four counts of first-degree murder.

The city of Winnipeg ordered protesters to dismantle the blockade of the Brady landfill by last Monday.

When the demonstrators refused to comply, the city applied for a court injunction, which was granted on Friday.

Justice Sheldon Lanchbery said protesters may remain at the site, but they cannot block the road.

Winnipeg police have been given authority to enforce the temporary injunction.

"What this boils down to is no-one in this province is allowed to block a highway," the judge said on Friday. "This is a public roadway."

But outside court, the protesters vowed they would not be budged.

"We want our sisters dug up from out the most inappropriate burial site you can think of," said Val Vint, reports CBC News.

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said she stands by her decision not to search the Prairie Green landfill, citing the health and safety of workers who would have to sift through the debris.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller called the decision "heartless".

To scour the landfill would take three years and cost up to C$184m ($135m; 109m), according to a study paid for by the federal government.

Such a search would carry "considerable risks" because of exposure to toxic chemicals, and there is no guarantee the women would be found, the study concluded.

Mr Skibicki is also believed to have killed 24-year-old Rebecca Contois and an unidentified victim who has been given the name Buffalo Woman.

Ms Contois's remains were discovered at the Brady landfill in May 2022.

Indigenous women in Canada are 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing than other women, according to a 2019 inquiry.
A Wyandotte County jury convicted a man of murder in a Kansas City, Kansas, shooting that left a woman dead in July 2021.

Verlee McCullough III, 41, was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder on Friday, according to the Wyandotte County District Attorneys Office. He stood trial for the killing of Ashley Jones, 37.

Kansas City, Kansas, police responded to a shooting in the 1400 block of North Eighth Street on the morning of July 8, 2021. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.

Under Kansas law, McCullough faces a life prison sentence. A sentencing hearing had yet to be scheduled Friday.

In a statement, District Attorney Mark Dupree said, The community is one step closer to achieving justice in this matter.
BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping said China must build a "solid" security barrier around its internet under the supervision of the ruling Communist Party, in his latest call to safeguard online data and information.

China must persist in managing, operating and ensuring access to the internet in accordance with the law, Xi said in instructions delivered to officials attending a two-day cybersecurity meeting in Beijing that ended on Saturday.

"We must adhere to the Party's management of the internet and adhere to (the principle of) making the internet work for the people," state-run Xinhua news agency cited Xi as saying.

In the past decade, Xi has made preserving security a priority, with his concept of security covering everything from politics and the economy to the environment and cyberspace.

In 2015, China passed a national security law with a broader scope to include its cyberspace. A year later, a law was passed that contained requirements for security reviews and for data to be stored on servers in China.

In 2021, China rolled out regulations around so-called critical information infrastructure.

This year, lawmakers updated anti-espionage legislation to ban the transfer of information related to national security and broaden the definition of spying.

Navigating China's dense network of rules and laws on online data and information is not without risk for companies.

In April, U.S. consultancy firm Bain & Co said police visited its office in Shanghai and questioned some staff. The Financial Times, citing people briefed on the surprise visit, reported that the police also took away computers and phones.

Last year, regulators told China's biggest financial data provider Wind Information Co to stop providing offshore users with certain data, sources told Reuters at the time.

In 2021, authorities launched a cybersecurity investigation into ride-hailing giant Didi Global two days after it went public in the United States.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo; additional reporting by Beijing Newsroom; editing by Christina Fincher)
Jenna Olafsons death hit at least one of her patients hard.

She was really wonderful, the woman told the Tri-City Herald as she fought back tears. She was very kind and empathetic and she was very knowledgeable and gentle and caring.

She learned about Olafsons death just as she was preparing for an appointment, and was searching for a way to send her condolences. She wanted to tell her family what a wonderful guide she was for her healing.

The 38-year-old licensed mental health counselor was killed on July 8, according to court documents. Investigators believe her longtime boyfriend Michael T. Smith, 38, killed her.

He is currently charged with second-degree murder. He was booked into the Benton County jail on Friday afternoon, after spending most of the week in a hospital.

Friends on Facebook mourned the passing of the world traveler, who practiced yoga. They described her as a bright spirit.

We always joked that we never had pictures of our adventures because we couldnt shut up for five seconds to take one, one of her friends posted. Youre a one in a million woman, someone that put everyone at ease and always worked hard to make the world one that was better to live in.

According to public records, Olafson lived most of her life on the west side of the state, lived for a while in California and volunteered in Thailand, all before moving to the El Rancho Reata home that she shared with her mother.

According to her Facebook page, she participated in AIDS walks, yoga and cycling and spent her time in the wilderness.

She attended LIOS Graduate College of Saybrook University where she got a masters degree. The Leadership Institute of Seattle is a branch of the California-based private college.

She was first issued her mental health counselor associate license in 2017. The license is for a person with a graduate degree, who still needs to take the approved exam to receive their license to be a mental health counselor, according to the state Department of Health.

It appears she spent time working in Issaquah before earning her license for mental health counseling in 2022. Its not clear if this is when she moved into the East Reata Road home that her mother purchased in 2019.

She continued to provide counseling online, according to her profile listed on Psychology Today. She used her background in yoga and mindfulness to help people.

I strive to provide an unbiased, inclusive, creative and compassionate environment, she wrote in her profile. I enjoy a sense of collaboration, highlighting your strengths and personal intuitions.

Jenna Olafsons profile on Psychology Todays website.

Her boyfriend

Her relationship with Smith remains a mystery. According to court documents, they started dating around 2015 or 2016.

Public records say Smith grew up in New Mexico. He had previous addresses in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. There are property records that indicate he has owned a home in Albuquerque since 2009.

According to his counseling web site, he said he became a licensed computer tomography technologist in 2008.

This is a job that uses computerized x-ray equipment to create cross sections of human anatomy. Its used to diagnose a wide variety of diseases and disorders.

The Washington state Department of Health states he brought those skills to the state in 2012.

During most of that time, he lived in the Seattle area, according to public records.

His only brush with the law before the alleged murder came in August 2020 when he was stopped for suspicion of reckless driving on Interstate 5 in Snohomish County.

The state patrol trooper said Smiths Toyota Rav 4 was speeding in the left emergency lane. When he was stopped, a breath test allegedly measured his blood-alcohol level at 0.18.

Criminal charges were not filed within 72 hours of the arrest, and no charges were filed.

He also went to Saybrook University about the same time Olafson did. He received his mental health counselor associate license in 2017 and his mental health counselor license in 2021.

Michael Smiths profile on the Psychology Today website.

He said on his website that he spent his first two years counseling working with the Seattle Indian Health Board.

I learned to see trauma through a historical lens, and the value of bridging evidence-based practice with culturally relevant care, he wrote.

He officially began his therapy business in 2023, according to the Washington Department of Revenue.
PLYMOUTH - An arrest warrant has been issued for a man wanted in connection with the fatal shooting in Myles Standish State Forest of a 25-year-old New Bedford man, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.

On Wednesday, at approximately 2:40 p.m., Plymouth Police received several 911 calls on a reported shooting at Myles Standish State Forest in Plymouth and a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Upon arrival, Plymouth Police and first responders located the victim, and he was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess-Plymouth Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was identified as Robert Aponte-Flores, 25, of New Bedford.

Massachusetts State Police have issued an arrest warrant for John Geovanni Pires Monteiromacedo.

Plymouth Police contacted Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office and an investigation commenced.

Multiple witnesses on scene described an altercation that John Geovanni Pires Monteiromacedo, 20, was allegedly involved in with the victim in a park picnic area prior to the shooting.

As a result, Massachusetts State Police sought and obtained an arrest warrant for Monteiromacedo.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Arrest warrant issued in New Bedford man's fatal shooting
Conservative commentator George Will criticized 2024 GOP primary favorites former President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in a column Friday, saying that both candidates will come out of the GOP primary weaker.

The 2024 Republican nomination question was supposed to be: Could anyone harpoon the Great Orange Whale? Who knew that he would harpoon himself, repeatedly? Or that DeSantis, playing Captain Ahab, would pay Trump the sincerest form of flattery by imitating his persona as an unhappy warrior? Will wrote in a Washington Post column.

The nation is dispirited by the prospect of an all-too-familiar binary choice (between Joe Biden and Trump). Republicans might soon recoil from another: between Trump and DeSantis. Both candidacies are brittle.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

Will said that Trump is as stale as a month-old crust of sourdough, claiming the former president is repeating common themes and arguments from his 2020 run. He also criticized Trump for going after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), who is generally popular in the early primary state, and signaling that he will skip GOP primary debates.

While Trump is stale, Will said, DeSantis is like Fords short-lived Edsel car brand. Pitched as the car of the future in 1957, the brand was discontinued just two years after it was introduced in 1959 despite a massive marketing push from the auto giant.

DeSantis is running hard to be president of Iowa, or of that minority of Iowans who will vote in the January caucuses and think Trump is ideologically squishy (e.g., regarding wokeness) and insufficiently abrasive (e.g., regarding gay rights), Will said.

Neither candidate has the right stuff to get enough votes nationally to win the primary, he said.

Trump has been a GOP frontrunner, according to polling averages, for the entirety of the contest. Recent national polls show Trump with nearly 50 percent support on average, while DeSantis garners about 21 percent, on average.

Will is a contributor to NewsNation, which is also owned by The Hills parent company Nexstar.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SOMERSWORTH  Brian Roberge, 52, of Somersworth has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly beating a man to death at Walmart on Waltons Way late Friday night.

The victim was Jan VanTassel, 79, of Center Ossipee, according to the New Hampshire attorney general's office, which announced Roberge's arrest Saturday. Somersworth police are investigating along with the AG's office, according to AG John Formella and Somersworth Police Chief Timothy McLin.

A beating death allegedly took place at Walmart on Waltons Way in Somersworth Friday, July 14, 2023. The store is seen here open Saturday.

Authorities said police responded to Walmart about 11:19 p.m. Friday in response to a report of one man assaulting another man. Officers found VanTassel unresponsive with visible head and facial injuries. First responders determined he was deceased.

Brian D. Roberge is charged with second-degree murder.

Roberge is alleged to have "recklessly caused the death of VanTassel under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by striking him repeatedly in the head and face," authorities stated. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday, July 16.

Authorities did not immediately say if Roberge and VanTassel had a relationship prior to the fatal incident.

More local news: Strafford County Sheriff Mark Brave publicly fights criminal, internal probes:

Roberge is scheduled to be arraigned Monday, July 17 at Strafford County Superior Court in Dover.

Authorities ask anyone with information to call New Hampshire State Police at (603) 223-4381 and speak to Detective Sgt, Justin Rowe.

It was not immediately known if Roberge has an attorney.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Somersworth NH Walmart murder alleged: Man charged with beating death


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China contributes its part to global IPR ecology in past five decades

11:06, July 15, 2023 By Liu Zhonghua ( People's Daily

A commemorative event marking the 50th anniversary of cooperation between China and the World Intellectual Property Organization is held in Geneva. (Photo from the World Intellectual Property Organization)

Over the past five decades, China has grown from a member of the family of world intellectual property rights (IPR) into an important contributor to the global cause of IPR, transforming into one of the world-leading centers for innovation, creation and technology, said Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Tang made the remarks at a commemorative event marking the 50th anniversary of cooperation between China and the WIPO.

He said the WIPO is willing to strengthen its cooperation with China to promote the construction and development of the global IPR ecology.

China has become a major country in intellectual property over the past 50 years. In November 1973, a Chinese delegation for the first time attended a WIPO meeting held in Geneva as an observer, and seven years later, China officially became an member country of the organization. In 1994, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) accepted the first international patent filing under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). In 2014, the WIPO set its China office in Beijing. In 2019, China became the biggest user of the PCT system. Last year, China joined the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Deposit of Industrial Designs and handed the ratification paper of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled to the WIPO.

Peking opera is performed at a commemorative event marking the 50th anniversary of cooperation between China and the World Intellectual Property Organization held in Geneva. (Photo from the World Intellectual Property Organization)

An official with the CNIPA noted that China and the WIPO have constantly deepened their cooperation and achieved fruitful results in the past 50 years. China will further deepen multilateral cooperation under the WIPO framework to make international IPR governance system more just and equitable, the official added.

The rapid development of China's IPR has offered solid support for the country's innovation-driven development strategy and high-quality development over the recent years.

In 2021, the added value of China's copyright industry exceeded 8 trillion yuan ($1.12 trillion), accounting for 7.41 percent of the country's GDP. The ratio of the exports of the Chinese copyright industry to the country's total exports has been maintained above 11 percent for consecutive years. Last year, the country recorded over 6.35 million copyright registrations, eight times of the number in 2012.

Tang noted that China has ranked 11th on WIPO's Global Innovation Index 2022, the top one among all middle-income economies. Last year, the country saw 70,000 international applications filed under the PCT, four times of those in 2012. Besides, Chinese applicants filed the third largest number of international trademark applications using WIPO's Madrid System. The number of trademark applications from China under the Madrid System last year doubled that in 2012.

Thanks to enhanced IPR protection, traditional Chinese culture and the Chinese culture industry are embracing more prosperous development. More and more Chinese artists are bringing their talents to places outside China.

After the opening ceremony of the commemorative event, Chinese artists staged a splendid art performance. In particular, a bian-lian show, or face-changing show, which is an important subgenre of Chinese Sichuan opera, received warm applause from the audience.

The awards ceremony of the second edition of the World Intellectual Property Organization Global Awards is held in Geneva on July 11. Two Chinese companies won the award. Photo shows representatives from the seven winning companies at the awards ceremony. (Photo from the World Intellectual Property Organization)

Board of Governors Johnson Kong with the International Intellectual Property Commercialization Council told People's Daily that the performance was wonderful and demonstrated the richness and diversity of the Chinese culture. Kong noted that the traditional Chinese culture holds many important IPR and all parties should recognize their value.

Judith Willert, executive director of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property, played chess with an AI robot in an exhibition area after watching the art performance. She said that the Chinese government attaches high importance on IPR, which is very important for developing economy.

Speaking of the cooperation between China and the WIPO, Kong noted that the efforts made by China to promote IPR in the past five decades have made important contributions to the country's economic development, and China's sci-tech innovation has benefited the whole society.

Thanks to continuously improved IPR system, China has produced more and more reliable tech products, Kong said, adding that it is believed that the country's IPR development in the future will benefit more people.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
Swapping airplane seats is still being debated on the internet. When kids are involved in a seat-swapping issue, many people tend to support the children or kids' parents. But, this time, netizens support those who paid for their seat slots.

Airplane Seat Swapping Seat Goes Viral

LADBible reported a viral incident involving two kids, a mom, and the CEO of CONQUERing, Tammy Nelson.

Nelson posted a video about her experience, which quickly went viral on TikTok.

She said a woman was already sitting in her seat when she got on the plane.

The mother told her that they could switch seats since her kids were beside her.

Nelson politely said that she'd agree if it were beside the window. Unfortunately, the mother's seat is in the row behind them and is a middle seat.

Because of this, Nelson declined to swap with the parent.

"Having had only 90 minutes of sleep the night before and knowing I had to give a presentation to 500 people, I desperately needed some sleep," explained the CEO via her official TikTok video.

Read Also: [VIRAL] Airplane Bird Strike Video Now Going Viral! Pilot Unfazed by the Incident

Who did Netizens Support?

Surprisingly, Netizens didn't call Nelson a "Karen" for rejecting the mother's request.



They even told her that it was the right decision to make since she was the one who reserved and paid for the windows seat.



"The amount of families who aren't paying to select their seats together is mind blowing! You were 100% right to not give up your seat," said one of the TikTok users in the comment section.



Another person said she would never ask to swap seats with another passenger if her's is not equal or better.



Meanwhile, others said that the experience of Nelson shows that many people nowadays are really entitled.



These are just some of the comments made by the netizens to criticize the mother who tried to switch seats with Nelson.



You can watch the CEO's official TikTok video below to see more.

@myconquering Having had only 90 minutes of sleep the night before and knowing I had to give a presentation to 500 people, I desperately needed some sleep, so I did not agree to switch seats.  Before anyone comes after me the kids looked like they were about 11 and 15 years old. And the mom was in arms-reach of both of them from the middle seat in the row behind us. The mom proceeded to complain for at least 15 minutes to the person next to her loud enough for me to hear. But the woman actually defended me  several times. It was so kind and I appreciated it so much because I was feeling really guilty.  ##airplaneseat##seatswitching##airplanekarens  original sound - MyCONQUERing

Related Article: [VIRAL] Emirates Gives Wrong Food To Passengers Causing Diarrhea! Backpacker Shares Video

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Indias tryst with the anti-defection law commenced post the Fifty-Second Constitutional Amendment Act of 1985.

The ongoing tug-of-war between the National Congress Partys stalwarts, Mr Sharad Pawar and his nephew Mr Ajit Pawar, has once again shown the obsolete nature of the anti-defection law, and how it has completely lost its relevance.

In 1985, the Parliament amended the Constitution and introduced the 10th Schedule which codified the legislative mechanism pertaining to anti-defection laws in India.The intention behind the law was to combat and surmount the evils of political defection which would undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and the principles that sustain it.

However, the recent instances of mass defections in Maharashtra, Meghalaya and Goa engineered by the ruling dispensation at the Centre clearly demonstrate once again that the law has failed miserably to achieve its legislative intent. The anti-defection law epitomises a flawed legislation with noble intentions.

Indias tryst with the anti-defection law commenced post the Fifty-Second Constitutional Amendment Act of 1985. According to this amendment to the Constitution, a member of a house shall be disqualified if he, or she: (1) Voluntarily gives up membership of such political party from which he was elected to the legislature or, (2) Votes or abstains against the directions of the political party, without the prior permission of the party. The law provided the exception that such disqualification shall not occur if one-third of the members of a House create a separate faction, or merge with any other political entity. This exception was an attempt by the law to maintain equilibrium between the power of the representative to express dissent, and the powers of the political party to protect its political capital. However, this attempt was not sufficient to curb defection. Cases for defection continued, clearly showing that the law failed to achieve its objectives.

The Ninety-First Amendment Act of 2003 attempted to address the aforementioned issue. This attempt, however, also failed to address the issue of defection, and had the unintended consequence of further enhancing the powers of the almighty whip.

As a principled opponent of the 10th Schedule, my opposition is not just regarding its practical failure, but also regarding its jurisprudential incongruity with Indian law. Article 105(1) of the Indian Constitution safeguards the freedom of speech and expression in Parliament. This article was based upon the idea that a parliamentarian should have the freedom of speech to address the grievances of his constituency. However, anti-defection laws curtail this freedom of the representatives, if it is in dissonance with party lines. This is in stark violation to the very idea upon which Article 105(1) was envisaged.

Similarly, the Honble Supreme Court, in its landmark judgment of Kesavananda Bharti vs Union of India, held that parliamentary democracy is a basic feature of the Indian Constitution. However, a party-dominated system that practically vassalises the parliamentarian, who was elected to represent the best interests of his constituency, violates this basic structure doctrine.

It would perhaps be the understatement of our times even if it is articulated with full rigour that the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution has sucked the life breath of democracy out of the legislative institutions. While it has spectacularly failed to achieve its intended and stated objective, that is to curb the menence of the politics of Aya Rams and Gaya Rams, it has ended up turning the legislatures into plazas de toros of whip-driven tyranny. No longer can a parliamentarian exercise legislative freedom according to his conscience, common sense or even constituency.

While a representative is elected by the little person who stands in a long line in the blazing sun or pouring rain once in five years, the legislative life of that representative is run by the party that gave him the ubiquitous ticket to run for elections.

When I entered the hallowed portals of the Parliament, the first private members bill that I had moved was to relax the archaic and rigid nature of the 10th Schedule. The bill proposed to moderate the powers of the whip and ensure that the whip only be used as an instrument to prevent situations where the stability of government would get impacted.

I have again introduced another private members bill: The Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2020. This bill also envisages disqualification of a member of a house on grounds that he or she votes, or abstains from voting in a confidence motion, no-confidence motion, adjournment motion, money bill, or financial matters contrary to directions issued by the party. This helps in ensuring equilibrium between the freedom of a member of House to represent his interest, and the ability of the party to protect itself from any malafide political machinations. It is unfortunate that the government has failed to appreciate the reform, and on the contrary, is weaponising the 10th Schedule to satiate its incessant greed for power and prestige.

On the contrary, the developments in Maharashtra, Goa and various other places over the years, where governments have been toppled over the years using unjust and foul means, have once again underscored that the powers given to the presiding officers are not used in a fair, just and equitable manner to prevent political chicanery and manifest illegality that totally demolish the essence, substance and the very raison detre of the Tenth Schedule repeatedly. There is a need to seriously deliberate upon the role, nature and even the kind of person/persons who should occupy the chair of legislative institutions both in the Central and state legislatures. The recent disqualification of Mr Rahul Gandhi, despite Article 103 of the Constitution of India vesting the powers in the President of India and not the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, given that the ingrediants of Section 8(3) of Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, were far from complete, is legally untenable. No disqualification was possible, much less warranted.

The time has come to repeal the 10th Schedule of the Constitution of India and replace it with something that really works both to curb the menace of defections and ensure that the oxygen of democracy is pumped back into our legislative institutions.
by Stefano Caprio

Former Prime Minister Sergey Kiriyenko  once Yeltsin's heir apparent and a pro-Western liberal now a convert to Putinism  explained to young Russian political scientists that today it is not just a question of conquering land or defending one's own, but of fighting for the "meaning of the world". Meanwhile, Kirill never misses an opportunity to celebrate Alexander Nevsky, the great saint of victories on the Neva.

NATOs recent summit in Lithuania unequivocally marked the defeat of Russia's special military operation, which was supposed to demilitarise and de-Nazify Ukraine. Instead, Volodymyr Zelensky, the Nazi Jew as the Kremlin likes to call the Ukrainian president, received the solemn pledge that Ukraine could join NATO. The summit also saw the alliance boost its military efforts, as well as Finlands and Swedens final entry, after overcoming the objections of Turkeys Erdogan, the "mediator", Putins friend who switched to Kyiv and repatriated the Azov battalion commanders, seen as the foremost "Nazi" in this neck of the woods.

Putin has achieved the exact opposite of what he set out to do, mobilising the entire country, with tens of thousands of battle casualties, and hundreds of thousands of Russians, the youngest, the best and brightest fleeing abroad, with a population resigned, impoverished and disoriented, especially after the psychodrama of the "Prigozhin uprising".

Beyond the tired and static battles of position, and the ongoing strikes against Ukrainian cities, it will be a miracle if Russia manages to hold on to the territories it occupied and annexed, including Crimea where it all started.

The war now transcends the fighting on the ground and has come to cover aspects that still need to be explored and defined. This is what is clear from a minor event, linked to the "propaganda schooling" that inevitably accompanies wars.

Recently, the forum of young political scientists, named Digoria, the ancient name of Ossetia, was held in Nizhny Novgorod, a large city on the Volga, some 500 kilometres from Moscow, where weapons, soldiers and heavy industry were kept during the Second World War for fear of the Nazi invasion,

Nowadays the name also evokes the war against Georgia 15 years ago, when Putinism took a decidedly militarist turn, starting to image the possibility of creating a "Russian space" even beyond the official borders of the Russian Federation.

Sergey Kiriyenko opened the forum. Once the pro-western, liberal prime minister of Russia and President Boris Yeltsins heir apparent, he now serves as first deputy chief of staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia under President Putin, a leading figure in the quest for proper motives for the war.

In his address, Kiriyenko told his audience to look ahead, warning "young political scientists" that "those who sit on the sidelines today should not complain if they have no place in the future". He explained that the current war has three, concurrent yet successive levels: the "red-hot" one of weapons, the economic one that is forcing Russia to turn towards the East", and the "ideological, or rather informational-psychological, semantic war.

If the first two have rather defined outlines, of borders to be defended and sanctions to be circumvented, the great "semantic battle", the smyslovaja bitva ( ), will engage young political scientists well into their old age.

For Putins first deputy chief of staff, the first battle line will be the juxtaposition of the "meanings" imposed by western countries to ours, which are based on Russian values.

As strange as it might seem, the forum was held at the Andrei Sakharov Cultural Centre, formerly known as the Mayak Academy, renamed after the Nobel Prize laurate and leading anti-Soviet dissident, not to mention the father of the Soviet hydrogen bomb and prophet of Russian liberalism, who lived in the city (then called Gorky) in internal exile during the Brezhnev era.

The choice, though, is not an accident. One of the battleground "meanings", according to the Kremlin, is that of "freedom" vs "liberalism", freedom not based on individualism, but on the communion of shared traditional values.

During the euphoria sparked by last years invasion, the annual forum called on participants to support the feelings of pride in the population for Russias successes on the battlefield and in politics. This year, things are very different.

The West attacks Russian values, so that Russian might give up their own history and fall back on the stereotypes that people in Russia are lazy and passively accept Western civilisation, Kiriyenko said.

Instead, we must react. To win this war, meet this challenge, we cannot accept anything from them, we must recover our tradition, our history, our culture ... This is the true battleground, where political scientists, writers and artists, all sociocultural workers, must take sides.

The former prime minister went on to say that while Russia once needed political technologists", experts in electoral and political campaigns, now they are superfluous, because political science today means being able to think with the categories of the global war of meanings, to project meanings and ideas into the global competition of a rapidly changing world.

It is thus not about conquering land or defending one's own borders, but of fighting for the meaning of the world; this explains the whole process of the "special operation", which is not limited to the war, technology or economics.

Kiriyenko cited the constitutional changes of 2020, which ideologically reflect great "meanings" like "family values". The Russian notion of the family is very original: to defend at all costs an institution in which very few believe, since the Soviet regime had totally disrupted the very notion of family (the real family being the State, or at most the Party).

Even the Orthodox Church allows a second or a third marriage, like "soothing blessings" after the failure of the first unions.

The country with the highest abortion rate in the world now hides behind phoney anti-abortion decrees, pretending that the practice is no longer available in the public health system, when everyone knows that the only Russian health care that works requires payment upfront, even in state clinics, or in brown envelopes.

The "family" is the bastion against "homosexual propaganda", this in a country where gay communities have always been present and active, with regular hangouts in every city (behind the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscows case).

In reality, "moral values" are just smoke and mirrors, in a Russia dominated by oligarchs champions of immorality, starting with the leaders in the Kremlin.

In fact, Kiriyenko noted the real sense of the war narrative, that is the "true interpretation of history", where morality has very little to do with it, and where everything is explained through the ideology of reference.

"We have to make sure that they don't talk to us about Alexander Nevsky as a street bandit, robbing honest Swedish merchants," said Andrey Shutov, dean of Moscow State University's Faculty of Political Science.

The story of the 13th century saintly prince is a particularly heartfelt fixation, turning a minor figure into a national hero. From his city of Novgorod, he won a couple of skirmishes with the Swedes and the Teutonic Knights, later described as "epic battles" (hence the centuries-old row with the Baltics).

He later pulled off an ingratiating compromise with the invading Mongols, who rewarded him with the title of Prince of Kyiv, except that Kyiv had been razed to the ground, and Alexander moved to Vladimir, from where Moscow was founded; thus, the "little prince" has become the "great saviour", who humiliates the West and stands with the East.

Among other things, he drove back a couple of cardinals sent from Rome with the offer of a "holy alliance" between Orthodox and Catholics to help Russia not succumb to the Tatars; Nevsky replied that "we have the true faith, you are heretics, and we don't need you."

Even Moscow Patriarch Kirill, the supreme champion of Russian "political theology", does not miss an opportunity to celebrate the great saint of victories on the Neva River, as he did recently in his message for the inauguration of a monument to Nevsky in the Kazakh city of Almaty, especially significant since Kazakhstan could be the next Ukraine.

The patriarch said that the princes name is associated with particularly decisive pages of Russian history.

"With his diplomatic skills, he allowed the formation of a unique model of interreligious and interethnic world in the Eurasian space; thus, his worthy ideas today fit with the policy of the leaders of the Republic of Kazakhstan in order to strengthen multicultural and multireligious unity.

Kirill never fails to emphasise that "his heroic deeds inspired many people in the terrible years of the Great Patriotic War, to defend with courage and firmness the countrys sovereignty, spiritual freedom and moral ideals".

Hence, thanks to the celebration it is possible to "raise prayers to Alexander Nevsky, so that even today, standing before the Lord, he may defend us from every evil and foreign hostility, and from all possible deviations of the spirit.

Right after he glorified the prince, the patriarch greeted participants in another ceremony, the one marking the 80th anniversary of the battle of Prokhorovka, the largest clash between Nazi and Soviet tanks during the Second World War in the Belgorod region, involved again in a war, this time against Ukraine.

On 12 July 1943, after falling back from Moscow and Stalingrad, the Germans pulled back from the invasion, trying to destroy our armies", said the patriarch. The enemy was dying to take revenge, but the ardour of our soldiers was stronger, because they were ready to die for the Fatherland, to give their lives for their friends, with an unshakeable strength of spirit and the unstoppable desire for Victory.

The patriarch ended his reflections by talking about the past, but also looking to the future. Historical events have taken place. Today we are witnesses of how the country lives in a new time, in a new era. The Churchs sacred symbols, the treasures of our culture and the greatness of our history are restored to her.

Kirill expressed his thanks for the return of Andrei Rublevs Trinity icon, solemnly sanctioned by the Ministry of Culture, as well as the sarcophagus with Alexander Nevskys relics, hoping that the medieval saint will stop even today the Wests desire for revenge against Russia.

RUSSIAN WORLD IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO RUSSIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SATURDAY IN YOUR E-MAIL? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE
Multiple users from the EU were reported to be complaining about the Threads app's inaccessibility through VPN.

Meta confirmed that they are indeed blocking users.

Although Threads is widely available and has gained millions of sign ups upon its release, the app still posed a privacy threat in the EU policy.

"Threads is not currently available in most countries in Europe and we've taken additional steps to prevent people based there from accessing it at this time," Meta stated as reported by TechCrunch.

"Europe continues to be an incredibly important market for Meta and we hope to make Threads available here in the future," it added.

Read Also: Facebook is Facing Limitations in the EU for Personalized Ads

Meta and EU

Meta has decided to not pursue, at least for now, the launch of Threads in the EU due to the complexities and conflict with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The DMA aims to put a base and market cap threshold on "gatekeepers" company like Google, TikTok, and Meta, which clearly affects the future rollouts of new products and services from this company.

"It's just going to take longer to make sure not only that it's compliant but that any claims we make about how we've implemented compliance stand up to our very high set of documentation and testing centers internally," Instagram head Adam Mosseri told The Verge.

Meta Threads Surge Drops After Big Launch

Threads app is now seeing drops on its daily active users and time spent on app, as reported by Sensor Tower and SimilarWeb to CNBC.

Currently, Threads experienced a 25% drop in daily active users, as well as 50% less time spent on the app.

"These early returns signal that despite the hoopla during its launch, it will still be an uphill climb for Threads to carve out space in most users' social network routine," managing director at Sensor Tower, Anthony Bartolacci, shared with CNBC.

Related Article: Meta Threads Reaches 100 Million Users, Dethrones ChatGPT
by Mathias Hariyadi

The treasures had been looted from several Indonesia islands during the colonial period. Before the Dutch, several local kingdoms prospered. Dutch authorities hope to improve bilateral relations.

Jakarta (AsiaNews)  The Netherlands has returned to Indonesia hundreds of historical artefacts looted from that country during its colonial rule.

Last week the Volkenkunde Museum in Leiden transferred 472 historical artefacts, including hundreds of treasures from the Tjakranegara kingdom on Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, shipped to the Netherlands after 1894.

Four Singasari statues from East Java, 132 works of art by Balinese artists from the 1930s, and a traditional pottery from the kingdom of Klungkung, which once ruled Bali, were also repatriated.

Hilmar Farid, director general of Culture in the Ministry of Education and Culture, welcomed the move.

"The repatriation of these priceless historical treasures is certainly important to seek more clues about our nation's history," he said before travelling to Leiden for the handover ceremony, last Monday.

The value of the artefacts, he added, "is important because it testifies to the presence of dozens of Indonesian kingdoms of the past."

The Netherlands progressively colonised the entire Indonesian archipelago over more than three centuries.

For the Netherlands, This is a historic moment, said the Dutch State Secretary Gunay Uslu Gunay Uslu.

In early 2020, Dutch authorities also returned a dagger, a kris, that belonged to Prince Diponegoro, a resistance hero in Central Java who had launched a rebellion against colonial rule between 1825 and 1830.

A year earlier, some 1,500 historical artefacts were shipped to Indonesia due to financial problems of the Delft Museum.

Dutch authorities also announced that they will return an 18th-century historical object to Sri Lanka donated to the Dutch monarch in 1940.

"We don't just want to return these priceless historical objects," Uslu noted. We are also motivated to strengthen the relationship between our nation and these countries in relation to historical sites and collections.
Japans prime minister is on a tour of the Middle East, where he will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Like Japan, the Saudi kingdom is interested in reducing its dependence on minerals imported from China. Sources say the two countries will sign a memorandum tomorrow.

Riyadh (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman are expected to agree to a series of joint investments to develop rare earths, Nikkei Asia reports.

For Japan, this is part of its efforts to reduce reliance on China for key minerals. To this end, Kishida is currently in Saudi Arabia, part of a Mideast tour.

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the state-backed Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources will soon sign a memorandum of cooperation.

This will allow Japan and Saudi Arabia to explore resource development projects in third countries; this is especially important since rare earths are key elements in making the batteries of electric vehicles, semiconductors, mobile phones, and wind turbines.

As part of its strategy, Saudi Arabia is looking for rare earths on its own territory. JOGMEC will contribute technical knowhow to preliminary surveys.

Japan currently relies on China for nearly 80 per cent of its lithium hydroxide supply and more than 60 per cent of its cobalt processing.

In 2010, China restricted its export of rare earths to Japan when Chinese and Japanese vessels ships collided near the Senkaku Islands, which Japan administers but which China claims and calls Diaoyu.

Kishidas trip to the Middle East will continue until next Tuesday. Over the next three days, he will meet with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, with whom he will discuss energy cooperation and other issues.

The Gulf monarchies are Japan's main suppliers of oil and gas. Tokyo has said that it is ready to provide advanced technologies to reduce these countries' carbon dioxide emissions.
CarPlay adoption is on the rise

Photo: Chevrolet

iPhones sell like hotcakes

Photo: Chevrolet

Android Automotive is still in the early days

Photo: Chevrolet

Nobody likes subscriptions

Photo: Chevrolet

GM showed no intention to accept customer feedback

Photo: Chevrolet

EV

The American carmaker plans to move to electric vehicles exclusively by 2035, and the closer it gets to this milestone, the closer it's also moving to the Android Auto and CarPlay demise in its cars.A recent report cited GM dealerships being very concerned that this new strategy could backfire, eventually pushing customers to other brands. Eventually, family-owned businesses could suffer from a controversial decision that General Motors shows no intention of undoing."Why fix something that's not broken?" one dealership asked. CarPlay works correctly for most drivers, allowing everybody to have their apps and data anywhere they go.You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see why GM dealers are concerned about this sudden change. CarPlay adoption is on the rise, so the carmaker is dropping the screen mirroring system at a time when more developers bring their apps to the platform, and users consider CarPlay a must-have vehicle system.Apple's data shows that nearly eight in ten US car buyers wouldn't consider buying a model without CarPlay. If these numbers are accurate, 80 percent of GM's potential customers could switch to Ford or other brands, especially as the rest of the market seems committed to continuing to offer CarPlay in their vehicles.With the new-generation CarPlay due in the fall, General Motors has picked an awful time to announce its strategy. Everybody will talk about the new CarPlay in just a few months, and considering Apple is a marketing genius and a money-making machine, I expect its presentation and demos to wow the audience.Potential GM customers won't be part of the fun as the American carmaker goes all-in on Android Automotive in its cars.While Samsung is the world's number one smartphone maker, Apple's iPhone dominates the mobile market in the United States. According to IDC data, Apple sold 226.4 million iPhones last year, capturing a global market share of 18.8 percent.With an iPhone in almost every pocket, not only that Apple is a money-making machine, but iPhones also make CarPlay a highly desirable and widely adopted feature.Connecting the smartphone to the head unit is convenient, and drivers have become familiar with the system. Carmakers pushed customers to CarPlay, as their lazy software efforts a decade ago turned phone projection systems into convenient alternatives offering easy access to Google Maps and Spotify.Convincing customers to give up on CarPlay after previously telling them to use the system is extremely difficult and close to impossible.Drivers need an advanced alternative, but Android Automotive is still in its early days, making slow progress in the United States and the rest of the world. While AAOS does not require a mobile device, some features require a Google account . Drivers relying exclusively on Apple software might refuse the switch, especially considering the Google vs. Apple dispute on privacy and security topics.The switch from Android Auto and CarPlay to Android Automotive paves the way for a concept customers have always hated.General Motors could use this transition to transform the infotainment system into a money-making machine using subscriptions. Nobody likes subscriptions , and what's more, nobody wants to pay for infotainment capabilities they should otherwise use at no cost.Subscriptions are the new trend in the automotive industry, but General Motors is the first company to embrace such an aggressive strategy against Android Auto and CarPlay. Tesla and Rivian don't offer the two systems either. Still, General Motors is trying to convince customers to give up on features the company praised several times.The dispute between General Motors and diehard CarPlay fans is reaching a new level.While the carmaker promises that its Android Automotive-powered solution would blow everybody's minds , the company's lack of interest in customer feedback will likely backfire in this saga. General Motors has shown awkward stubbornness, and drivers seem ready to respond similarly.In the last few weeks, I've seen many General Motors customers claiming their next car wouldn't come from this company. It's not only due to the lack of CarPlay but its strategy of ignoring feedback, insisting on a concept that drivers have been very vocal about.General Motors shows no intention of reverting its decision despite all the criticism received on almost every channel. Therefore, the 2024 Blazerwill spearhead a highly controversial push, so dealerships will have a hard time selling cars without such a popular feature. I expect General Motors to rely heavily on Android Automotive marketing in the coming months, as the company must convince its potential customers that its CarPlay replacement is at least as convenient as the solution they've become addicted to.
Voice commands in Android Auto have a simple purpose: they let users control everything with the power of their voice, so they won't have to look at the screen while driving.

As a safety feature, voice commands must work correctly all the time. As long-time Android Auto probably figured out the hard way, voice commands misbehave in the most unusual ways, either due to bad Android Auto updates or bugs in the Google app.The voice command integration in Android Auto is a Google Assistant feature that gets updates via the Google app (like it happens on Android devices).A bug discovered earlier this month by Android Auto users proves that voice commands need significant improvements in terms of reliability.Users claim Google Assistant recognizes only part of the call command. While I've seen many users complaining of broken voice commands on Android Auto, this is the first time the call feature works only partially.Users explain that as long as they don't mention the name of the contact they want to call, Google Assistant initiates the call correctly. If the contact's name is part of the command, Google Assistant asks, "Who would you like to call?" eventually entering a loop that won't end unless the user cancels the request.Oddly enough, the process works correctly if the user tells Google Assistant to make a call, letting the digital assistant ask for the contact's name.One of our readers told me the bug appeared after installing Android Auto 9.8, whose stable rollout started earlier this month. Someone on Google's forums confirmed the same behavior in their car but did not reveal the Android Auto version in their post. Android Auto 10 beta , now available for download for registered testers and via the stand-alone APK installer, doesn't include a fix.A member of the Android Auto team already chimed in and asked for phone logs to diagnose the problem. The issue doesn't look widespread at this point, but considering it appeared earlier this month after installing a recent update, I expect more users to encounter the same problem.If Android Auto is the culprit, you can downgrade to an earlier release until Google releases a fix. I believe the issue resides in the Google app, as the error affects only the call command.In the meantime, Google is working around the clock on finalizing Android Auto 10 stable, with the rollout likely to begin later this month. The beta build does not include significant changes, but the company is reportedly testing a new Google Assistant animation when triggering the voice command input. It's unclear if this experiment is somehow related to this new bug encountered by some users after the latest updates.
The most recent conflict the world has to navigate, the one in Ukraine, is the perfect setting for the world's powers to test their most advanced weapons systems. There's a lot going on over there in this respect as fighting rages between Ukrainian and Russian troops, but there is no doubt the tech making the biggest impact comes in the form of drones.

The Drone

Photo: Shield AI

The Hivemind Brain

Nova 2 Operation

Photo: Shield AI

Remotely operated, these machines are used by both sides for anything from target acquisition to actual bombing, and there seem to be few ways to stop drones from achieving their goals. A large variety of them is constantly flying in the skies of the European country, but almost all of them have something in common: they still need human operators.The Hivemind-powered Nova 2 is, to our knowledge, not part of the war in Ukraine. It's a brand new piece of tech that's only beginning to make its presence felt, developed by a California-based company called Shield AI At the core of the machine is something called the Hivemind, a type of AI that should give the drone incredible capabilities, including the ability to run without any communication with a ground station, no human to control it, no GPS to find its way, and no previously-set waypoints. Let's see how.The Nova 2 arrived in 2021 and is officially described as an indoor drone, meaning it's of the small variety meant for use in urban settings. It appears it is already deployed in the service of several armed forces, as according to its maker it has already brought "service members home safely to their families."The exact specs (dimensions, power source, and so on) of the thing are not public, but we're in essence looking at a quadcopter like so many others out there. The difference is this one is equipped with a variety of sensors and other payloads, mounted either above or below its body, which it uses to map and search any building of interest for friendly troops.Shield AI says the Nova 2 uses computer vision so great it's capable of outperforming even the best human drone pilots. And that's all owed to the Hivemind AI system mentioned earlier.The company is delivering the drone to those interested in using it (but not civilians, obviously), complete with spare batteries, prop guards, and the needed propellers. The thing is, if you like, combat-ready as soon as you take it out of the box (or backpack). Hivemind is officially a software ecosystem with an AI at its core. It's a piece of tech designed to power not only drones, but "every military asset: aircraft, drones, ships, satellites and submarines."The most recent news concerning the Hivemind came our way earlier this year, when we learned of Shield AI being asked by defense contractor Kratos to supply the Hivemind for the Valkyrie drone it is working on.Hivemind first came into the spotlight back in 2018 as the "first and only autonomous AI pilot." It immediately captured the attention of the American military, which asked for tests of the tech to be conducted against top-notch U.S. Air Force (USAF) and U.S. Navy pilots.The details of the simulated dogfights using F-16s are not known, but we do know the results: in 99 percent of scenarios, including the DARPA AlphaDogfight Trials, the AI managed to beat its human opponents.In the Nova 2 the Hivemind system makes the presence of any human in the area for control purposes useless. The AI gives the drone the ability to plan its own course, navigate around obstacles and in multi-story buildings, and generally be badass. Again, all of that without having access to GPS and comms, if need be, and without being controlled by a human pilot.When deployed, the drone detects and highlights entryways in a building, and can head in through either a window or a door. The only thing the operator has to do is to select the point of entry, and then the drone does everything else on its own.While on mission, the Nova sends back images in either electro-optical or infrared forms (thermal vision is also available).When it detects hostiles, the drone auto-populates both 2D and 3D maps that are accessible by the crew it is meant to support, with vibration notifications being sent out as well so that soldiers are aware threats have been found.The current capabilities of the drone are likely to be expanded greatly in the future, as the machine and its brain continue to be bettered. First on the agenda are plans are to make the Nova 2 capable of supporting launch commands from hundreds of miles away.As it continues to prove its worth in small machines such as this one, the Hivemind will probably grow to fully control more complex weapons' platforms, and that's when things will likely become really interesting.
EV

SUV

Photo: Land Rover

Six years after Ford reached a deal with India's Tata Motors to let go of Jaguar and Land Rover in exchange for $2.3 billion ($3.2 billion in today's money), rumors about the British brand following in Tesla's footsteps were floating everywhere. An unnamed company official said back then that talks about the project were serious, and they might end up doing it. But Tesla didn't have the reputation (or the value) it has today, and many industry execs still considered total electrification reserved for the post-2030 era.But here we are, nearly nine years after that rumor. Tesla is the world's most valuable automaker, an all-electric vehicle ( the Model Y ) is the best-selling car globally, and Land Rover USA is inviting interested parties to sign up and be among the first people in the country who can pre-order the Range Rover. The official name is unknown right now, but what's certain is that the poshwon't come with tailpipes.Applying a practice seen often in the world of video games and at other automakers like GMC, Land Rover is making sure that prospective customers maintain an interest in this vehicle. This sign-up process also sets up a database of possible buyers that could cover the entire first year of production. Of course, this can only happen once putting down a deposit becomes possible. Thus, the all-electric SUV may end up having a very successful launch.The automaker says US customers will be able to pre-order the Range Rover EV starting later this year but does not specify precisely when. We will keep you informed about the ordering process. But if you wish to be let know by the brand directly and maybe receive an invitation to a secret preview, all you have to do is sign up and choose the preferred contact method.Two signs prefaced this move as being imminent. One, the 2024 Range Rover plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) P440e and P510e got upgraded and turned into the P460e and P550e. They now have a more potent electric motor, while the battery capacity remains unchanged. Thus, the maximum all-electric range remains 51 miles. Even though only the P550e is available in the US, this move shows that the Brits are ready to electrify their crown jewel and have the necessary know-how to improve the PHEVs constantly.From here, ditching the internal combustion engine altogether is just another step in the right direction. And it's about to be completed soon enough! Of course, an appropiate price tag will join it. The base MSRP for a Range Rover is $107,400 at the time of writing. The EV will most likely cost a bit more and may climb over the $250,000 mark when fully specced, considering that the SV LWB trim 's cost currently starts from $234,000.Two, the interior changes introduced for the 2024 model year transformed the cabin. Most physical buttons and knobs disappeared, the screens got enlarged, and the operating software upgraded to make the curved screen the home of nearly everything the driver might want to adjust about the SUV.Some could also argue that the April announcement regarding a $19 billion investment in developing all-electric versions of the Jaguar Land Rover (now known as simply JLR after the recent rebranding) models was another sign that indicated the imminent launch of zero-tailpipe emission units.Finally, as Aston Martin tied the know with Lucid for its upcoming EVs, we expect Land Rover to dig deep within Tata Motors and find the best resources available for its Range Rover EV. It'll be one monumental shift, that's for sure!
The young and promising EV maker gets to keep the generous fiscal advantages state and local authorities offer regarding the upcoming Georgia plant. However, Rivian still has a few battles left before it can start building without worries. Here's the gist of it.

Photo: Rivian Automotive LLC

EV

The Supreme Court of Georgia dismissed the appeal that challenged a previous ruling that said Rivian is entitled to around $700 million in property tax breaks. The plaintiffs lost the battle before it started, and the original decision stands.Initially, Rivian was supposed to benefit from an incentive package of around $1.5 billion. But a local judge denied the property tax breaks worth nearly half of the offer made by local authorities to lure the young brand into their area.A panel of three intermediate appellate judges awarded Rivian those property tax breaks back. Still, the plaintiffs were unhappy and turned the matter to the court of last resort, the state's Supreme Court. Their request was denied. However, Rivian will still pay taxes on nearly all the equipment they install on-site.The automaker does not own the land on which the factory will be built. Instead, the agreement with local authorities is governed by the characteristics of usufruct. The land is being given away to the automaker, but it cannot sell it, nor can it be inherited. It's like having rights as a tenant but without the obligation to pay rent every month.Rivian is planning an investment of approximately $5 billion in Georgia, which would be the state's second-largest economic development. The Joint Development Authority (JDA) of Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton counties says the 2,000-acre campus will encompass the electric vehicle factory and a research and development center. The Irvine-based company targets an annual production of around 400,000 vehicles.According to the JDA, Rivian's plant will create around 7,500 "high-paying jobs," generate tax revenue that can go to local school districts, help students enter the workforce, and bring in new suppliers that will grow the local economy.However, the seven detractors have caused quite a dent in the JDA budget. Legal fees already sum up to over $800,000.Rivian has chosen the Stanton Springs North mega site because of its advantageous position and road and rail infrastructure access. The company's CEO, RJ Scaringe, has previously said the automaker remains committed to opening the plant in Georgia . But given the legal challenges, production is currently set to begin in 2026.The JDA is heavily invested in Rivian beginning the construction of its new factory because over 55,000 Georgians are working on internal combustion engine-powered vehicles. As the push toward a zero-tailpipe emission auto industry continues, most workers will need new jobs.JDA says its members have received no perks, dinners, gifts, travel allowance, or any other personal benefits from Rivian.But environmental worries continue, and those opposing the project might try and find other reasons to stop or delay the venture until it becomes unfeasible for Rivian.The same plaintiffs that lost are also part of other lawsuits where they blame the state for giving the startup too many advantages, according to a local news source. Moreover, one area resident is suing themaker and some of its contractors. They claim mud from the site is reaching streams and ponds downstream. But that's for a district judge to decide, which is not a barrier to starting the construction process.
Photo: Linka

Photo: Linka

Photo: Linka

They say that any anti-theft device is only as tough as the thief's determination to break it. To make sure the Link Lasso is the toughest , U.S.-based Linka tested it against many types of attacks from all sides, using a variety of tools, including bolt cutters, hammers, and hacksaws. Their conclusion was that it's unbreakable, so bound to guarantee peace of mind, whether you choose to use it to secure an e-bike, scooter, motorcycle, gate, or kayak and snowboards.The Linka Lasso is offered in three sizes, with the Lasso 10 designed to secure larger items like motorcycles and gates. Whichever the size, they all have the same design and construction: a body made of rust-proof stainless steel that integrates the locking mechanism and the alarm and a chain made of hardened manganese steel. The chain is covered with a recyclable polyethylene sleeve that protects it from the elements.What makes this lock smart is the patented Quick Lock and encrypted wireless authentication, which allows three ways of unlocking it and sharing the unlock code with anyone else, even if they're across the world. The Linka Lasso pairs with your phone so that you can unlock it from the app.It can also be paired with a SmartMotion Key that's sold separately or by means of a unique phoneless access code (PAC). By having three possible ways of unlocking it, you get the most convenience even if something unexpected happens, like losing your Key or your phone battery draining out.The Linka Lasso has a built-in motion-triggered alarm that blares whenever someone tries to mess with it , but which you will deactivate in Travel Mode to keep it from going off by accident as you ride. The Quick Lock mechanism locks and unlock in under one second and won't pose issues with either during freezing temperatures or in wet weather.Battery life for the Linka Lasso is estimated at upwards of three months, with that period going as high as 12 months if you use it with the SmartMotion Key. The Key only broadcasts when it's in motion, thus decreasing the odds of a spoof attack.Offered with IP67 certification for dust- and water-proofing, the Linka Lock can also be submerged in shallow water for as long as 30 minutes. That's not to say you should take it scuba diving, but rather that it won't become useless if you accidentally drop it in a puddle. The lock is also guaranteed to operate impeccably in extreme conditions from -4F to 150F (-20C to 65C) for an estimated lifespan of 5,000 lock and unlock cycles.Linka boasts of having crafted a lock that's "obsessively engineered," tougher than the toughest thing out there, and virtually unbreakable. To convince pledgers to back it into mass production, they're offering a 5-year warranty on it regardless of model, in what they claim is an industry first.There's inherent risk with crowdfunding in that these platforms are not like regular online shops where you get the product you paid for in an estimated timeframe. But Linka is not a startup, and it's not a flash in the pan, either: it's a company that goes back to 2014 and which, so far, boasts an irreproachable reputation. This isn't a plug but just extra context to help you make the right decision. The first deliveries go out in July 2023, followed by another batch in August, exclusively for backers . MRSP is $169 for the smallest Link Lasso model.
Mobile homes have become a fixture all over the world and with good reason. As the financial and housing crisis continues, climate change is worsening, and people are becoming painfully aware of both, they provide the perfect solution for a lot of problems.

Photo: CABN

Photo: CABN

Photo: CABN

The surge in popularity of mobile homes, whatever their size, shape, and construction, has encouraged the development of an even smaller segment, that of prefabs . These units are still mobile, though not in the sense that they sit permanently on trailers you can move around when you get the itch for the open road.A hybrid between a mobile home and a brick-and-mortar construction, a prefab can be packed up for relocation by transport on a flatbed and require little to no land prep ahead of assembly. You can't move with it whenever you feel like it, but you can still move it every once in a while.Prefabs stay within the compact layouts of tiny homes and other mobile residences, so they bring along reduced monthly costs, a lower carbon footprint, and the promise of intentional living, where you'll get to have a less stressful and more meaningful existence. Perhaps just as importantly, because they're affordable, prefabs are also regarded as solutions to the homeless crisis in many large urban areas. That said, concrete initiatives in this sense from local authorities are still lacking.The CABN is a good example of all of the above. CABN is a Canadian company founded by serial entrepreneur Jackson Wyatt, now working with the Augusta Township to build a fully off-grid, net-zero, 67-unit CABN Community in Eastern Ontario. The project was announced in May 2023; just recently, CABN unveiled the first display model of the SON.DER cabin, which is just one of the models from their lineup and is described as a unit perfect for families.CABN approaches home construction from a holistic perspective. A CABN home is the ideal home  at least on paper  in that it's beautiful and functional, sustainable and easy to assemble, welcoming and spacious, despite the compact footprint. It's the home of the future but in more and less direct words.The SON.DER, for example, offers a dual-level space with one, two, or three bedrooms, a beautiful living room and open-plan kitchen, and an exterior lounge easily created by adding a wraparound deck. The display unit is 750 square feet (70 square meters) of well-lit, airy interiors with double-height ceilings, all the creature comforts of a proper home but none of the carbon footprint of one.That's because SON.DER is net-zero: fully off-grid if need be, it's built with FSC-Certified cross-laminated timber, renewable cork flooring, and smart technology that allows monitoring and regulation of consumption and waste. The design done in collaboration with B+H Architects integrates low-impact waste and water solutions, and the whole process of building and setting it up requires less than 20% percent of the energy consumption of a typical home. Even site pre-assessment is performed virtually to further reduce the carbon footprint CABN talks of biomimicry in the design of each home and, ultimately, of each CABN community they plan to build. That's achieved by setting up each home in accordance with the surrounding environment, from the orientation of the home to the position of overhangs and solar panels, all of which serve to reduce temperature fluctuations throughout the year and, thus, minimize energy consumption. Consume less, pay less. The integration of natural elements and the actual assembly of the house in as less disruptive a manner as possible will "optimize health and happiness," according to the builder.Then, there's the advantage of a pop-up home. CABN can be assembled within days  a full day for the one-bedroom SON.DER display unit, while the complete setup can take a couple of weeks, depending on factors outside of CABN's reach. Compared to a brick-and-mortar home, that's a fraction of the waiting time at a fraction of the cost  and a fraction of the effort. Plus, you get the instant bonus of owning a durable construction with minimal impact on the environment.As the display unit shows, the CABN homes are also beautiful, though not in an overdone, over-complicated way. All models, whether one-, two- or three-bedroom variants, feature expansive glazing and lots of neutrals with the occasional pop of color, open-plan spaces, and a decidedly Scandinavian-inspired minimalist design. If these jibe with your idea of downsizing in a prefabricated home, you're welcome.In addition to the community CABN is working on with Alberta authorities, they're also taking pre-orders for their models. The SON.DER starts at CAD299,000, so roughly US$227,000 at the current exchange rate. It's not "cheap" for a house this small, but it's affordable if you think of it as a permanent home  and even more so as one that will entail drastically smaller costs as time goes by.
The method is complicated and frustrating, especially in a shared car where the driver must adjust the headrest regularly.If you and your significant other drive the same car, you'll have to do this every time you get behind the wheel after she goes to the supermarket. Eventually, you'll get used to the system, but Toyota believes there's a way to make the process more convenient.The Japanese carmaker has envisioned a new technology relying on gestures to detect when you want to adjust the headrest. The company says it can integrate sensors into the headrest for various adjustments  for example, the system can determine when you want to increase or decrease the height or the angle relative to the seat.Toyota's patent (called "systems and methods for improving the adjustment of a vehicle headrest using gestures") revolves around the locking mechanism that car passengers must activate to control the headrest's configuration. The carmaker says it's sometimes too difficult to press this button, so using gestures can activate the adjustment mode automatically.Simply enabling this option doesn't significantly overhaul the process. Still, Toyota already described more advanced systems where the sensors employed for gesture detection run with power-assisted technology embedded into the headrest. Once the system detects your intention of adjusting the headrest, it can activate the mode by releasing the lock and then allow you to change the position more conveniently using power controls.The force sensors integrated into the headrest come into play when you conduct specific moves  for example if you try to increase the headrest's height, a motor can kick in, moving the headrest to the next pre-configured height level.Toyota says the technology can rely on all kinds of sensors installed in the car, as the main objective is to accurately detect when a car passenger wants to adjust the headrest. As a result, it can use sensors and cameras, including driver monitoring systems integrated into the cabin. Eventually, once the system kicks in, it generates a notification, letting you know that you can adjust the headrest according to your settings.The system fits certain cars like a glove, such as those used by ride-hailing platforms, taxis, or autonomous vehicles where passengers might change their seating position.Toyota's proposal is in the patent stage, and if you're familiar with how these filings work, you probably know already that we're still far from when mass production could begin. There's no guarantee the Japanese automaker will ever bring its idea to a model available for purchase, so you'd better not hold your breath to try it out live.
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) wants more time to investigate Microsoft's deal with Activision.

The UK competition regulator recently announced it had decided to extend its investigation into Microsoft's acquisition of Activision due to the former's arguments for it.

The CMA's decision follows Microsoft's win against the US' Federal Trade Commission (FTC) after it recently attempted to block the deal between the two companies.

CMA Extension Details

The CMA mentioned in its announcement that it had found it had insufficient time remaining in the statutory period for full and proper consideration of Microsoft's arguments for its merger to push through.

According to the British regulator, its Inquiry Group considers that there are special reasons to extend its allotted period to consider Microsoft's arguments by six weeks under section 41A(2) of the Enterprise Act 2022, the period for the discharge of its duty under section 41(2) of the Act. As such, it will provide a decision on whether Microsoft could push through with its acquisition of Activision by Aug. 29, though it aims to do so earlier if possible.

The CMA's decision to extend its investigation into Microsoft's arguments follows its decision to pause its legal battle with Microsoft to allow the company to negotiate a compromise that could allow its acquisition deal with Activision to push through, per Engadget. Likewise, the pause came on the same day US Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley rejected the FTC's request for a preliminary injunction to prevent Microsoft from acquiring Activision for $68.7 billion.

Read More: Most 'Classic' Video Games Are Now Unavailable, Study Finds

Had Judge Corley allowed the FTC's request, Microsoft and Activision would've abandoned the acquisition deal they signed. However, the judge stated that Microsoft is unlikely to cause harm to its competitors; it would do the opposite instead with more consumer access to Call of Duty and other Activision content.

The extension is a win for Microsoft and Activision. The CMA is the only major regulator left in the world to oppose the acquisition deal between the two companies. It previously stated it had to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision because the solutions Microsoft presented had "significant shortcomings" and would require mandatory oversight from the watchdog itself.

The CMA also blocked the deal because the evidence Microsoft showed puts the company in a commercially beneficial position to make Activision's games exclusive to its cloud gaming service. Not only that, but the acquisition deal would reinforce Microsoft's advantage in the market by giving it control over important gaming content.

A Quick History Of The CMA's Legal Battle With Microsoft

For a time, the CMA is the first and only competition regulator willing to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision. It stated in Aug. 2022 that it believes the deal may negatively affect the UK market by "a substantial lessening of competition."

The CMA made this decision despite Microsoft's promises the deal won't harm competition, particularly Sony. Since then, Microsoft embarked on a campaign to further convince regulators worldwide of the benefits the deal brings to the gaming industry and community in general.

The EU's European Commission was among the first to give Microsoft its approval to acquire Activision following the CMA's decision to block it due to its concerns. This decision was eventually followed by the FTC's decision to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision.

Related Article: Microsoft Says CMA Erred in Blocking Activision Acquisition
The 2021 announcement was received with much enthusiasm by Android users, mainly because removing the compass didn't make any sense in the first place. The feature still existed on iPhones but went dark on Android as Google wanted to "clean up the navigation screen."The compass is back, but it's struggling in a way that pushes Android users to rival products.Posts on Google forums reveal that beginning in May, the compass always points to the north and fails to tilt the map. Before you ask, the "keep map north up" feature is disabled on devices where the bug occurs, as users have tried the typical troubleshooting steps to no avail.The compass failing to point in the correct direction could signal a hardware issue, but users explain everything works correctly in other applications , such as Waze. As a result, some decided to jump ship, either temporarily if Google manages to resolve the problem in a timely fashion or permanently, considering Waze is the kind of app that grows on you.The odd compass behavior happens after the feature works correctly on the first app launch. Users claim that removing Google Maps from their Android device and installing the application from the Play Store brings the compass back to working condition. However, after closing the app, the compass starts misbehaving again, eventually impacting the entire navigation direction.Calibrating the compass doesn't work correctly either  it does only on the first launch, but afterward, setting it up fails like the app can't read data from the hardware.A Google product expert confirmed the compass is struggling with a glitch and forwarded the reports to the Google Maps team. In the meantime, no workaround exists, so users hitting the glitch have no option but to switch to an alternative navigation solution.Based on my research, the issue happens primarily on Xiaomi smartphones, but I also see Samsung phone owners reporting similar problems. In theory, downgrading Google Maps could help restore the expected behavior, but considering the issue appeared in May, users would have to go back several versions to fix the problem. Eventually, they could miss out on many new features, still impacting the Google Maps experience.Google did not share an ETA regarding the fix, but addressing bugs is typically time-consuming. The company has never been in a rush to resolve such issues unless it's widespread and hitting many devices. According to forum posts, only certain users encounter the glitch, albeit it's unclear who hits the bug and who doesn't.
Speaking after the trilateral meeting, Michel gave no indications that Aliyev and Pashinian narrowed their differences on an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty discussed by them. He said he urged them to take further courageous steps to ensure decisive and irreversible progress on the normalization track.

Even though our meeting took place in the context of a worrying increase in tensions on the ground, I noted an important momentum in the political discussions and efforts, Michel said in a statement to the press.

The Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders once again fully reconfirmed the respect for the other countrys territorial integrity and sovereignty based on the understanding that Armenias territory covers 29,800 square kilometers and Azerbaijans 86,600 square kilometers.

Real progress depends on the next steps that will need to be taken in the near future, added the president of the European Council, the EUs top decision-making body.

An Armenian government statement on the talks said the three leaders agreed to intensify the work towards the settlement of the discussed issues, which included not only the would-be treaty but also Azerbaijans continuing blockade of the Lachin corridor, the rights and security of the Karabakh Armenians and planned transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

According to Aliyevs office, the agenda of the meeting included Bakus demands for the withdrawal of Armenian army units from Azerbaijani territory and the dissolution of Karabakhs illegal armed forces. Armenia has repeatedly denied any military presence in Karabakh.

Pashinian said last week that the peace accord is not yet ready for signing. The Armenian Foreign Ministry reported earlier that Baku and Yerevan continue to disagree on practical modalities of delimiting the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and organizing a dialogue between Baku and Karabakhs leadership.

Michel voiced support for such a dialogue, saying that Karabakhs ethnic Armenian population needs reassurances first and foremost regarding the rights and security. He signaled no further progress on this issue made in Brussels.

Turning to the Azerbaijani blockade and the resulting humanitarian crisis in Karabakh, Michel said he discussed with Aliyev and Pashinian possible concrete steps to help bring the situation back to normal. I emphasized the need to open the Lachin road, he said without reporting any understandings on this score.

Pashinian charged earlier this month that the seven-month blockage of Karabakhs only land link with Armenia reflects Bakus intention to commit genocide in the region. He made clear at the same time that he will not deviate from his peace agenda denounced by the Armenian opposition as well as Karabakhs leadership. Opposition leaders claim that Baku was emboldened by his recent pledge to sign a peace deal upholding Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh.
15 July 2023 07:00 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

Various crimes of Armenia continue at a slow but steady pace. The Yerevan government, which ranks first in cruelty against both humanity and nature, continues its illegal actions as well as ignoring the international law. We are talking again about the metallurgical plant that Armenia started to build illegally in Arazdayan, bordering the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (AR). Detailed comments about the fact that the construction of that plant does not comply with the UN Espoo Convention, as well as the flow of serious toxic substances in the waters of the nearby Araz River, which will cause serious consequences, were also reported in previous articles.

Even some time ago, non-governmental organizations unanimously protested worldwide against the ecocide committed by Armenians.

However, Armenia, which is emboldened by some foreign forces, continues its illegal activities, giving no single attention to protests.

Since the plant is built in the area near the Araz River, which passes through the territory of neighboring countries, it poses a serious threat to the territory of Azerbaijan as well as Iran from an environmental point of view.

At the same time, as Armenia continues this crime, many representatives of NGOs in the world who are experiencing similar problems do not stop their protests - on the contrary, their number is increasing day by day.

Azerbaijan must convey to the whole world this ecocide committed by Armenians until it changes its behavior and draw conclusions for the protests in the world. Because by continuing to build a plant, it seems that the country does not comply with international laws. I think that Azerbaijan, as a law-abiding country, should always keep this issue in the foreground."

This was told by Shamsia Kukanbekova, project coordinator of the "Stop TB Partner Organization" in Tajikistan, one of the non-governmental organizations participating in the protest, while making a comment for Azernews.

According to her, since this needs a global appeal, the real negative impact of this plant on the environment should be shown globally enough and conveyed to the world community in various ways. Because it not only poisons one area, but can even lead to mass poisoning.

In conclusion, Shamsia Kukanbekova stated that environmental problems are primarily solved by state organizations at the regional, national or international level. Therefore, the goal is to strengthen state institutions that deal with such environmental problems.

As mentioned above, Armenia has started to illegally build a new metallurgical plant in Arazdayan territory, which borders Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan AR, with the help of foreign forces. Another reason behind this is Armenia's lack of financial resources and ability to make decisions as an independent state.

Dangerous is that this plant is being built in an area close to the rivers flowing into the territories of neighboring states, and all the toxic wastes from the plant are potential threat flo into the river. Another dangerous point is that during the construction of the plant, Armenia directly decided to build the plant illegally without notifying the governments, and consulting with Azerbaijan as stipulated in the UN Espoo Convention.

At present, the step taken by Armenia knowingly or unknowingly seriously damages the ecological structure of not only Azerbaijan, but also Iran, through whose territory the Aras river flows. The Azerbaijani side demands that Armenia construct the plant remote from the Aras River or far from the border, in the depth of itscountry's territory.

The statement of civil society organizations from a number of countries in protest against the construction of a metallurgical plant in Arazdayan due to its negative impact on both people and the planet, as well as a possible environmental catastrophe, caused a great resonance.

The number of foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) opposing the construction of a mining enterprise in Armenia is steadily growing. Of late, more than 35 foreign NGOs joined the document.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
15 July 2023 14:15 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan imported 398.87 million cubic meters of natural gas from Turkmenistan from January through April 2023, Azernews reports, citing Trend.

The cost of natural gas imports from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan amounted to over $59.18 million, which exceeds the figure of the first four months of 2022 by 4.8 times.

Azerbaijan imported more than 151.96 million cubic meters of natural gas in the period from January through April of the previous year for an amount exceeding $12.15 million.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan imported more than 1.19 billion cubic meters of natural gas worth $202.41 million in the first four months of this year.

During this period, Turkmen gas accounted for 33.25 percent of Azerbaijan's total natural gas imports.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan imported more than 857 million cubic meters of natural gas worth $110.8 million from Turkmenistan last year.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
15 July 2023 19:35 (UTC+04:00)

At the general meeting of the Biological and Medical Sciences Department of Azerbaijan National Academy of Science (ANAS), the state of implementation of the tasks arising from the Decree of the President of the Azerbaijan "On the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Academician Zarifa Aliyeva" dated November 3, 2022 was discussed, Azernews reports.

According to the information provided by ANAS, the Vice-President of ANAS, Academician Irada Huseynova, spoke about the activities of Zarifa Aliyeva, who made important contributions to Azerbaijani ophthalmology with her rich scientific heritage. She said that the 100th anniversary of Academician Zarifa Aliyeva was celebrated in scientific and educational institutions of Azerbaijan, as well as in the healthcare system and ANAS, in accordance with the relevant Decree of the President Ilham Aliyev.

The scientist also brought to the attention that in September of this year, the scientific-practical conference "physiology of vision and professional pathologies: fundamental and applied aspects" dedicated to the 100th anniversaries of the National Leader and Zarifa Aliyeva will be held jointly by the Department of Biological and Medical Sciences of ANAS, Institute of Physiology named after academician Abdulla Garayev of the Ministry of Science and Education, and the National Ophthalmology Center named after academician Zarifa Aliyeva.

The vice-president of ANAS said that the special edition of "Life Sciences and Biomedicine" magazine dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Academician Zarifa Aliyeva was published and emphasized the importance of this publication, which includes 23 articles covering the scientific activity of the ophthalmologist-scientist, for our science. At the same time, he noted that the bibliography of academician Zarifa Aliyeva was published and the monograph dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the outstanding scientist was prepared and will be published by the end of the year.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
15 July 2023 18:58 (UTC+04:00)

The Azerbaijani Press Council has sent an open letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, Azernews reports.

The letter said:

" Dear Mr. President,

On July 11-13 this year, the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Alen Simonyan was received by the Chairman of the Senate of the country, Gerard Larcher, as part of his working trip to France.

On July 13, Gerard Larcher reported on his Twitter account that at a meeting with Alen Simonyan on July 11, he demanded the immediate opening of the Lachin corridor connecting Karabakh with Armenia, allegedly to speed up the supply of defensive weapons by France to ensure the security of Armenia.

This position of the head of the Senate, the upper house of the French Parliament, caused a serious protest in the Azerbaijani society, as well as dissatisfaction with the media community of our country. Also, one of the points that cause serious dissatisfaction is the distribution and evaluation of Larcher's publication in individual French media.

We believe that such an opinion of the Chairman of the Senate is an attempt to oppose efforts aimed at achieving peace in the sensitive region of the South Caucasus. Unfortunately, this attempt was conveyed to the French public through various media, thus initiating the formation of a real military atmosphere.

Currently, discussion between Azerbaijan and Armenia are ongoing. The Azerbaijani media are closely following the efforts aimed at resolving issues such as bringing the two countries to a common denominator, signing a peace treaty, fully opening communications in the region, and delimiting borders. This process is of great public interest, which is also in the focus of the European Union. In the current conditions, when the peace agenda is relevant, we consider this message of Mr. Larcher, aimed at arming Armenia and, ultimately, militarizing the region, unacceptable.

The failure to take any steps for almost thirty years aimed at a just resolution of the conflict, on the contrary, the continuous arming of Armenia created the conditions for the commission of new crimes by the occupier. We believe that the international world, including the French public and the media, must first of all take this into account, counteract the further growth of tension in the region and the implementation of undesirable scenarios. The advancement of Mr. Larcher's ideas threatens the peace agenda, which is still fragile in our geography, and sets the stage for the growth of militarism. This is disappointing and regrettable for the Press Council, which is considered one of the important public institutions in our country and brings together leading media and journalistic organizations, as well as various sections of Azerbaijani society. Azerbaijani journalists believe that the responsibility for any unpleasant situation, armed escalation and other tendencies of tension will fall directly on the French state and its leadership.

Mr. President, we hope that the leadership of France will reconsider its unilateral position, its policy aimed at further intensifying instability in the region by arming Armenia. We also want to draw your attention to the fact that, as of the current period, there are facts about the supply by France to Armenia of infantry fighting vehicles, artillery and missile systems produced in India under a license from France, and other offensive and deadly heavy weapons. In addition, it is reported that France has opened a military attache in Armenia. We hope that these mentioned issues will be seriously investigated, our inquiries will be answered and the French state will clarify all this.

We call on you to treat the issue we have touched on delicately, to make efforts to support sustainable peace in the South Caucasus. I would like to believe that an adequate attitude will be shown to our call and France will show a fair position on the issue of solving problems between Azerbaijan and Armenia, will contribute to the removal of tension, will help the implementation of the humanitarian mission, the peoples of both countries live in peace and tranquility."

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
15 July 2023 19:14 (UTC+04:00)

"The negotiations were substantial. Azerbaijan and Armenia have agreed to intensify the work of border delimitation commissions. The EU will be ready to provide financial assistance to the construction of a railway connection in the South Caucasus. We have also discussed possible concrete steps that will help normalize the situation in the South Caucasus," President of the European Council, Charles Michel said journalists, following the meeting with President of the Republic Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azernews reports.

Today, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
15 July 2023 18:30 (UTC+04:00)

Nearing the event's seventh anniversary, the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has condemned the July 15, 2016 coup attempt against Turkiye by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

"I once again condemn all coups carried out against human rights and freedoms, democracy, and the will of the people, regardless of which country in the world they occur in," Ersin Tatar said on Thursday.

Tatar stressed that FETO, supported and organized by external forces, attempted a coup with the aim of trampling on the will of the people and democracy, dividing and fragmenting Turkiye, and putting it in chains.

"However, this coup attempt was prevented by the Turkish Armed Forces and security forces loyal to the Turkish people and state, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he added.

Tatar emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot people also strongly opposed the coup attempt.

While commemorating with mercy those who became martyrs to foil the coup attempt carried out by FETO on July 15, and respectfully greeting the veterans, I also condemn those countries that protect, support, and try to use members of the FETO terrorist organization against Turkiye, he said.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt of July 15, 2016, which left 252 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Turkiye accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

Since its designation in October 2016, every year Turkiye marks July 15 as Democracy and National Unity Day, with events to commemorate those who lost their lives defeating the putschists and to remember the bravery of the nation.

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Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. Hot. High 109F. SSW winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 81F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. Hot. High 108F. SSE winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low near 80F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
https://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/icast-best-of-show-2023-71323.html

Fishing Tackle & Gear News

Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL  July 12, 2022  Astronaut Mike Massimino captivated a sold-out State of the Industry Breakfast with tales of space shuttle flights and interstellar telescope repairs as the recreational sportfishing industrys largest trade show officially blasted off from the Orange County Convention Center on Wednesday.



Mike Massimino was rejected by NASA three times before he became an astronaut, said St. Croix Rods V.P. of Sales & Marketing, Jeff Schluter. For our industry, it was an inspirational message of overcoming obstacles and sticking together to work as a team.



Massiminos inspiring stories of unity in space started a countdown clock to one of the most anticipated events at the annual trade show hosted by the American Sportfishing Associationthe ICAST Industry Awards Reception. After a jam-packed day of activities on a show floor bustling with thousands of retailers, media members and exhibitors, the votes were tallied for the ICASTs prestigious Best of Category awards. From a field of 1,087 new products representing 292 companies, 37 winners were crowned.



Winning an award at ICAST puts a product on the map, said Westin Fishing COO, Thomas Sonotra, who traveled from Denmark to attend the show and will fly back across the Atlantic as a winner. To get exposure at a show like this really shows that your team has done something remarkable. A lot of hours go behind each product from field testing to making sure that what you design is super unique and capable of competing against tough competition.



This years New Product Showcase featured a bonanza of products ranging from bass boats to personal watercraft, cutting-edge tackle and groundbreaking electronics. Now, after a full day of voting and analysis by an audience of peers, these category winners are left standing. On Thursday, Best of Category winners will go head-to-head to determine an overall ICAST 2023 Best of Show:

Best of Fishing Lifestyle



Novelties and Wellness

Product: The GoMist Drink and Misting Bottle | ExtremeMist Personal Cooling Systems





Motorized Boating Accessories

Product: PowerPole Move ZR | Power-Pole





Non-Motorized Boating Accessory

Product: BOTE WATER HAMMOCK | BOTE





Boats and Watercraft

Product: Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL + 132 | Johnson Outdoors Watercraft, Inc.





Footwear

Product: Ankle Deck Boots - Black | AFTCO





Ice Fishing

Product: LiveScope Plus Ice Fishing Bundle LI with ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv | Garmin USA





Eyewear

Product: King Tide 8, Black 580G Blue Mirror | Costa Sunglasses





Lifestyle Apparel for Women

Womens Coverup Dress | Huk Performance Fishing





Lifestyle Apparel for Men

Ocean Bound Hooded Performance Shirt | AFTCO





Warm Weather Technical Apparel for Women

Product: Mojeaux 1/4 Zip Performance Shirt | AFTCO





Warm Weather Technical Apparel for Men

Product: Channel Hooded Performance Shirt | AFTCO





Cold Weather Technical Apparel for Women

Product: Womens Barricade Rain Suit | AFTCO





Cold Weather Technical Apparel for Men

Product: Gale Pullover | Blackfish Gear





Best of General Tackle



Soft and Hard Coolers

Product: Flop Box 10 | Flop Industries





Electronics

Product: Westin EscapeCam | Westin Fishing





Cutlery, Hand Plies or Tools

Product: BUBBA Pro Series Smart Fish Scale | BUBBA





Fishing Accessory

Product: ENGEL USB Rechargeable Lithium-Ion XL Live Bait Aerator Pump | ENGEL Coolers





Kids Tackle

Product: ProFISHiency Next Gen Crazy Combo | Anything Possible Brands





Tackle Management

Product: Pontoon Boat Tackle Center | Boat Outfitters





Terminal Tackle

Product: VMC Swingin Ned Rig Jig | Rapala





Custom Tackle and Components

American Tackle Tsuka 2 Complete Carbon Handle | American Tackle Company





Fishing Line

Product: Mastiff Fluorocarbon | Shimano





Best of Fly Fishing



Fly Fishing Waders & Wading Boots

Product: G4Z Stockingfoot Wader | Simms Fishing Products





Fly Lines, Leaders, Tippet and Line Accessories

Product: BUZBE Colony 8T (THIN) | BUZBE





Fly Fishing Packs, Bags & Luggage

Product: Flyweight Vest Pack | Simms Fishing Products





Fly Fishing Technical Apparel and Accessories

Product: Master M6014 Edition | Renzetti, Inc.





Fly Fishing Reel

Product: Cheeky Spray Fly Reel | Cheeky Fishing





Fly Fishing Rod

Product: Hardy Marksman Z | Pure Fishing, Inc.





Best of Lures



Freshwater Soft Lure

Product: Berkley PowerBait Nessie | Pure Fishing, Inc.





Saltwater Soft Lure

Product: Mulletron LT (Line Through) Swimbait | Z-Man Fishing Products





Freshwater Hard Lure

Product: ChatterBait Elite EVO | Z-Man Fishing Products





Saltwater Hard Lure

Product: MIrrOlure The Duke Dog | L&S Bait Company





Best of Rods



Freshwater Rod

Product: St. Croix Mojo Bass TRIGON | St. Croix Rods



Saltwater Rod

Product: NRX+ Inshore | Shimano



Rod & Reel Combo

Product: Abu Garcia ZATA Baitcast Combo | Pure Fishing, Inc.





Best of Reels



Freshwater Reel

Product: Stradic FM | Shimano





Saltwater Reel

Product: Seapower 1200 | Daiwa Corporation




https://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/rapala-13-fishing-71323.html

Fishing Tackle & Gear News

Rapala VMC to become the majority owner of DQC International, consolidating the 13 Fishing rod and reel brand into its global product offering, and accelerating the growth of 13 Fishing in the U.S. market.

Helsinki, Finland  Rapala VMC Corporation and James Coble, current majority shareholder of DQC International, which manufactures and markets 13 Fishing rods and reels, have reached an agreement in which Rapala VMC will increase its ownership of DQC International to 60% of the Florida-based company while Coble will retain a 40% share of the company.

Rapala VMC introduced 13 Fishing (13fishing.com) freshwater, saltwater and hardwater (ice fishing) rods and reels to markets outside the United States following the 49% acquisition in DQC International in 2019. Rapala VMC will continue to invest in the marketing and product development of the 13 Fishing brand with the intent of building brand loyalty for 13 Fishing among retailers and consumers around the world, including the United States.

Under the agreement, Coble will continue as Chief Executive Officer of 13 Fishing with a key emphasis on building the 13 Fishing brand and driving new and innovative 13 Fishing products into the worldwide market.

The amalgamation of 13 Fishings and Rapalas product ranges will maximize mutually beneficial distribution and operative synergies.

Rapala is one of the largest players worldwide in our industry. Where 13 Fishing excels in branding, product development and innovation, Rapala excels in driving operations and sales, said James Coble, President of DQC International Corporation. Joining forces in the U.S. and leveraging Rapalas vast knowledge and customer base will allow 13 Fishing to rapidly accelerate growth in the U.S. market.

"For almost four years we have been selling 13 Fishing products outside the United States, said Lars Ollberg, President and CEO of Rapala VMC Corporation. Now is

2/2 the time to join forces in the U.S., in which market Rapalas operational excellence will truly accelerate the growth of the 13 Fishing brand.

13 Fishing already has a proven record of building a dynamic brand, and developing innovative products. It has managed to successfully wedge itself into the worlds most competitive fishing tackle market in a relatively short time, added Ollberg. We are confident that combining our industry knowledge, industry-leading global distribution network, and understanding of the various fishing tackle markets with James Coble and his teams agility, innovation, and other capabilities, we can grow 13 Fishing into a worldwide rod and reel player. I have full confidence in the partnership with James Coble and the 13 Fishing brand, which will grow as a core brand of Rapala family of high quality fishing brands.
Gender reassignment surgery was originally pioneered by a Nazi war criminal doctor in Germany in the 1930s. Now it is a major campaign item for the American far left, and they want to impose it on children.

Recenely 21 medical experts in transexual healthcare from Europe and America have weighed in with a letter to the Wall Street Journal and they find current US medical practice of "gender affirming" surgery and drug regimines on minors "politicized and reckless".

"Every systematic review of evidence to date, including one published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, has found the evidence for mental health benefits of hormonal intervention for minors to be low or very low certainty. By contrast, the risks are significant and include sterility, lifelong dependence on medication, and the anguish of regret," the doctors wrote.

https://www.breitbart.com/health/2023/07/14/medical-leaders-u-s-transgender-medicine-is-politicized-and-reckless/

Meanwhile, a Portland surgeon who performs sex change operations on children posted a now deleted video in which he admits the surgery is "experimental" and that it causes "infertility, incontinence, and sexual dissatisfaction".

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12299393/Portland-surgeon-dubbed-Dr-Frankenstein-reveals-drawbacks-genital-ops-trans-adolescents.html

The British National Health Service has told their doctors that most gender confused children will grow out of it naturally, and they should not even advise new pronouns or names, much less drugs or surgery.

No wonder so many states, including North Carolina, have passed laws to prohibit this horrid abuse of children.
What's the biggest threat facing ASCs today? The short answer: "Reimbursements are not keeping pace with the rising administrative costs in ASCs," John Stewart, CEO and founder of Melbourne, Fla.-based Total Spine & Orthopedics, told Becker's.

When CEOs of surgery centers were asked this question, most agreed it is the inverse relationship between reimbursement and what it costs to keep up with the increasingly competitive ASC industry.

"Reimbursement from all sources  federal, local and private insurance  does not actually compensate for the cost on many cases, and there is certainly no profit to be made to continue to improve the physical plant or add service lines," Melissa Waibel, BSN, CEO of Tamuning-based Guam Surgicenter, told Becker's.

As the technological advancements of ASC equipment and devices continue to soar, so does the price paid to provide patients with the latest outpatient care.

Supply costs at Guam Surgicenter increased by over 25 percent last year, and "There is evidence to show that may be true this year as well," said Ms. Waibel.

Once ASCs push through increased prices and shipping costs, products are often out of stock or arrive damaged. Additionally, utilizing implants and disposable devices appears to be becoming wasteful in terms of both inventory and money, Ms. Waibel pointed out.

"The cost to do business is increasing rapidly in the ASC environment, from payroll costs to medical supplies and equipment, while reimbursements remain stagnant and even declining in some specialties," Total Spine & Orthopedics's John Stewart told Becker's.

On top of low reimbursement within insurance contracts, new providers are battling with payers opting to not provide a contract because their "panel is closed," said Grant Cook, CEO of National Surgery Consultants, based in Scottsdale, Ariz.

While the commercial payers are "openly articulating the value of ASCs in the broader healthcare equation, there is also continued downward rate pressure from them on many core ASC procedures," Sean Rambo, president and co-founder of Compass Surgical Partners, based in Raleigh, N.C., told Becker's.

With most contracts offering reimbursement rates falling between 80 to 110 percent of the rates set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, centers must be operating close to full volume for those rates to be sustainable, said Mr. Cook.

Ensuring surgery centers are operating at full capacity and functioning to the best of their abilities relies heavily on having adequate medical staff. However, employee demands for raises combined with the staffing shortage is making this task increasingly challenging.

"We all are aware of the need for more registered nurses, which is critical, but there is also a decline in surgical scrub technicians, central sterilization technicians, biomedical engineers, materials management," Ms. Waibel told Becker's.

Furthermore, ASCs are feeling the heightened pressure to match salaries at hospitals, which have deeper pockets to offer higher wages and bonuses, in part from receiving government funding throughout the pandemic, said Melissa Rice, CEO of Ravine Way Surgery Center, based in Glenview, Ill.

ASCs can combat the factors that threaten their futures by establishing a more dominant presence in the healthcare industry. Making the shift toward performing more complex medical cases such as total joint surgeries and cardiovascular procedures will help ASCs compete with hospitals, Compass' Mr. Rambo told Becker's.

Adaptation and flexibility present opportunities for future growth in the ASC industry, increasing the likelihood of long-term viability. That said, traditional ASCs that fail to adapt or keep up with the evolving landscape of healthcare "will face an uncertain future," said Mr. Rambo.
Eight executives left top posts at hospitals, health systems and healthcare organizations between Wednesday, July 5, and Wednesday, July 12:

1. Keith Churchwell, MD, will resign as president of Yale New Haven (Conn.) Hospital on Aug. 11. In 2024, he will become president of the American Heart Association, where he currently serves as president-elect.

2. Chad Wolbers will resign from his role as president and CEO of UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa, to "embark on an entrepreneurial venture" in the community. He will assist with the transition until the end of August, at minimum.

3. Ashley Dickinson will resign as CEO of Valparaiso, Ind.-based Northwest Health, effective in late July. She has accepted a new role as COO for Ascension Texas, a market of the St. Louis-based health system.

4. Jon Ness, CEO of Kootenai Health, will retire from the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho-based system in early 2024. The new CEO  who has yet to be named  will begin employment after Kootenai Health completes its conversion from a district hospital to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

5. Kristi Henderson, DNP, has left her roles as CEO of Optum Everycare and senior vice president of Optum's Center for Digital Health and Innovation. She has accepted the CEO position at Confluent Health, a family of physical and occupational therapy companies based in Louisville, Ky.

6. Joshua Lenchus, DO, left his role as chief medical officer of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health to pursue other, unnamed career opportunities.

7. Heather Havericak left her role as CEO of Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for the same reason as Dr. Lenchus.

8. Richard Margulis has retired from his role as president and CEO of Patchogue, N.Y.-based Long Island Community Hospital after 41 years with the organization. Marc Adler, MD, chief medical officer of NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island in Mineola, N.Y., is the new chief of hospital operations.
Striking writers and actors chant as they walk a picket line at NBC Universal Studios in New York (Bebeto Matthews/AP)

Hollywood director and actress Olivia Wilde has joined thousands of performers on picket lines in the biggest entertainment industry strike in six decades, which threatens to derail productions both home and abroad and could last until the end of the year.

Members of US union Sag-Aftra (the Screen Actors Guild  American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) joined writers who were already striking outside major production companies in Los Angeles, including Warner Bros, Netflix and Disney, as well as in New York.

Wilde, who directed Booksmart and Dont Worry Darling, posted videos from a picket line on her Instagram story.

The 39-year-old wrote: @sagaftra since 02 . My heart goes out to everyone who was forced to stop working because the AMPTP is failing to recognize our basic worth.

Its a real shame they put us all in this position. But we cant settle for scraps out of desperation. The contract simply needs to reflect the massive shifts in the industry since the last negotiation.

The jig is UP. Pay people for their work. Greed is gross. #unionstrong.

Succession star Brian Cox warned the strike could last until the end of the year.

The Scottish actor told BBC Newscast: The whole streaming thing has shifted the paradigm. They are trying to freeze us out and beat us into the ground because theres a lot of money to be made in streaming, and the desire is not to share it with the writers or the performers.

Other stars on picket lines on Friday included Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, Thelma & Louise actress Susan Sarandon, Lord Of The Rings star Sean Astin and Gilmore Girls star Sean Gunn, the brother of Guardians Of The Galaxy filmmaker James Gunn.

Sean Gunn wrote on Instagram: This was quite a day on the picket line. To be continued.

Jim Rash, who appears in TV comedy Community, told the PA news agency outside the Paramount Pictures studios, the action was simply about securing a fair deal.

I think today is about unity and about reigniting the cause, because weve been out here for a while, the actor, who had also picketed with striking members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), said.

For me its just a fair deal  our checkpoints are slightly different for what that deal is, but everyone wants a fair deal.

The industry has already changed and we never changed the rest with it.

More than 11,000 WGA members have been on strike since May 2.

Celebrities including George Clooney, Halle Berry and Alec Baldwin have also expressed support for the strikes.

In a statement shared with PA, Clooney said: This is an inflection point in our industry. Actors and writers in large numbers have lost their ability to make a living.

For our industry to survive that has to change. For actors that journey starts now.

In a video on Instagram, Baldwin congratulated the union for calling the strike in order to protect its rank and file members.

I dont think anybody really wants a strike but they dont want to continue under the unfair contracts that were working under now, he said.

So congratulations to everybody and I hope this is over right after we get everything we want.

British stars including Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh also expressed solidarity, with the pair among cast members walking out of the London premiere of Oppenheimer on Thursday, shortly after the strike was announced.

The chief executive of the UK Cinema Association said the strike may cause little if any disruption to British theatres for the foreseeable future.

Phil Clapp told PA disruption may be minimal, although it was likely that some UK film premieres would go ahead without cast members until the dispute was resolved.

While it will clearly be for each individual to make their own decision, it may be that until the dispute is resolved we will see some premieres not being supported by the talent in front of or behind the camera, he said.

He added: In terms of wider UK cinema-going, then given the challenges UK cinema operators have faced in the last few years, all will be concerned by anything which might potentially threaten the supply of films to the big screen, and so it is very much hoped that there will be a quick resolution.

Unless the current strike is a protracted one, we are confident that cinemas will see little if any disruption in the foreseeable future, he said.

Striking writers and actors take part in a rally outside Paramount studios in Los Angeles (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Among the productions in the UK that could be affected by the strike action is the filming of Deadpool 3, starring Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.

House Of The Dragon series two with Matt Smith and Emma DArcy could also be affected, alongside the second series of The Sandman with Tom Sturridge and the fourth series of Slow Horses with Academy Award winner Gary Oldman.

Film festivals, including those in Venice and Toronto, and awards shows such as the 75th Emmy Awards, could also be hit if the strike continues.
Daithi Mac Gabhann has returned to Belfast to continue his recovery (Pic: Donate4Daithi/Twitter)

Daithi Mac Gabhann was all smiles after he returned to Belfast on Friday night following heart surgery in England.

Daithi, who has been on the waiting list for a heart transplant for five years, travelled to Newcastle on Wednesday for cardiac surgery which could allow him to get back on the waiting list.

The six-year-old, who was awarded the freedom of Belfast last month, has now returned to Clark Clinic at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

Read more Daithi Mac Gabhann surgery could help him get back on transplant list

The Donate4Daithi Twitter page shared an update on his progress.

It said: The Freeman is back in his own city!

Daithi came home to Belfast last night to continue his recovery in Clark Clinic. Its been a long time since we have been here, but we know he is in the very best of hands.

Thank you for all your kind support, it really does make a difference. Many have asked but we havent found out Daithis results yet and will let you all know as soon as we do.

The post was accompanied by a photograph of Daithi smiling and giving a thumbs up signal to the camera.

His latest medical procedure comes a month after he was removed from the donor list due to issues that made an operation too high risk at that stage.

Daithi was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and is increasingly reliant on a wheelchair and oxygen as his long wait for a donor continues.

He has been on the heart transplant waiting list since 2018.

His story has touched people across Northern Ireland - and prompted a change in the law.

In 2021 the Executive approved a soft opt-out legislation drawn up by Robin Swann when he was Health Minister.

Despite being allowed to proceed, Daithis Law was delayed after the collapse of the Executive, before being cleared in Westminster.

The legislation took effect last month.
Five people have appeared in court accused of carrying out bogus charity collections across Northern Ireland in which they would allegedly claim to be deaf-mute.

The four men and a woman, originally from Romania, were remanded in custody after being unable to provide sureties of 2,000 each for bail.

Vasile Mazarache (48), Florin Chelu (39), Somerta Chelu (30), Rembo Chelu (30) and Florian Ion (33) are jointly charged with fraud by false representation and possessing articles for use in fraud. Some matters date back to June 23.

All the accused have an address at Berkley Square in Dublin.

A police officer told a special sitting of Lisburn Magistrates Court the charges could be connected.

He explained over the last fortnight there have been at least 28 incidents across Northern Ireland including Armagh, Lurgan, Craigavon, Banbridge, Newry, Downpatrick, Newcastle, Carryduff, Bangor, Newtownabbey, Lisburn, Ballymena, Cookstown and Omagh.

It was explained police were alerted to a Renault Laguna after multiple reports of the group going into shops and approaching people for money.

They would show pictures and forms claiming to be collecting for charity while presenting themselves as deaf-mute.

The vehicle was spotted in Armagh city centre on July 13 and when stopped all five defendants were on board.

A number of items were recovered including five clipboards, two of which had an image of three children under which was written: God bless your family. I have three children. I lost my job. Can you please help me for food and rent.

The officer said the accused made the case they were begging in shops but not collecting for any charity.

However, a number of witnesses have provided statements setting out how the accused claimed they were collecting for the deaf and handicapped, and behaving in a way which suggested they were deaf-mute.

Other material contained the words: Please donate to the deaf and handicapped association.

Staff in one shop reported that two males entered and began approaching customers before leaving in the Renault Laguna.

CCTV footage has been recovered from numerous locations, some of which show customers in shops handing money over to the group.

During interview the accused claimed the printed material was intended to help them explain they were begging and why they needed money.

However, one of the men made a tentative admission to using a form, contending to be collecting for charity but then reverted to his original claim of begging.

Opposing bail, the officer said enquiries across Northern Ireland remain ongoing and will take time to collate all material given the breadth of alleged offending.

There were concerns if released the accused would fail to return to court and all reside outside the jurisdiction, with one only arriving in the country last week.

The officer also pointed to a risk of reoffending and potential interference with witnesses as some people who handed over cash also completed forms with their names and addresses and these have not yet been recovered.

Defence solicitor Ronan McCourt, acting for all accused, conceded a bail application was extremely difficult but suggested they could be released on strict terms, to include a cash surety.

He said: They have all accepted they are on the CCTV in every instance and consistently put forward the case they were begging and the forms were to help them with this.

District Judge Eamonn King remarked: "There seems to be an organised element of criminality to obtain money under false pretences by claiming to be collecting for charity while making out they are deaf-mute to encourage people to donate."

He decided to grant bail - but ordered this to be on condition the accused lodge sureties of 2,000 each.

As this could not be achieved, all five were remanded in custody to appear again by videolink at Armagh Magistrates Court next month.
The Northern HSCT met with the SOS Causeway group on Friday.

SOS Causeway Hospital have held a number of protests in the area, with another planned for Saturday July 15

The removal of maternity services from Causeway Hospital in no way signals its closure, officials have insisted.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) made the pledge following a meeting with a local campaign group.

Last month the Trusts recommendation that all births within the area should be moved to Antrim Area Hospital was approved by the Department of Health (DoH) following a consultation.

A delegation from SOS Causeway Hospital met Trust chief executive Jennifer Welsh on Friday, along with Corporate Support Services Suzanne Pullins and Director of Womens Health/Head of Midwifery & Gynaecology Caroline Diamond.

After the meeting, the NHSCT said they acknowledged the groups passionate campaign.

"By reconfiguring our maternity services  consolidating all hospital births at Antrim Area Hospital  we are following the recommendation of senior clinicians, said a spokesperson.

"When they advise us that this is in the best interests of mothers and babies, we have a responsibility to listen.

Read more Campaigners vow to fight on for maternity services at Causeway Hospital

This decision does not mean we wish to downgrade Causeway Hospital and it in no way signals its closure. We want that message to be very clear for our community, our service users and patients, and also our staff.

Causeway Hospital has a very bright future ahead, demonstrated by our continued investment in services there.

The Trust said they remained committed to maintaining acute services and an emergency department at the Co Londonderry site and said plans to further develop diagnostic services to support emergency, elective and cancer services were ongoing.

Northern Trust Chief Executive Jennifer Welsh

"As a Trust providing health and social care services in our community, it is important that we best serve the changing demographic of the areas population which is why we have made significant investment in enhancing our ambulatory and frailty care services at Causeway Hospital, they said.

"Following the transfer of hospital births to Antrim Area Hospital, preparations are also underway to provide enhanced antenatal clinics at Causeway Hospital so that pregnant women will have access to complex antenatal care.

"This means that some women will no longer have to travel to Antrim for antenatal appointments. We also want to assure pregnant women that we will continue to support home births.

In addition, Causeway has adopted the Continuity of Midwifery Care model which has been in place since 2020.

"This provides a woman with care from the same midwife or team of midwives during pregnancy, birth and the early parenting period, as well as obstetric and other specialist care as needed.

The NHSCT said they hoped the meeting had helped address unhelpful rumours and speculation about the Coleraine sites future.

"We trust that todays meeting has provided reassurance that we do in fact share the same goal. We too are passionate about the future of Causeway Hospital and today we restated our commitment to it remaining a key part of our acute hospital network, they said.

"We hope that todays meeting has provided clarity around some of the concerns expressed by the campaign group, and has helped to address some of the rumours and speculation which are detrimental to the hospital and unhelpful as we seek to attract and retain staff which is key to the stability of services.

SOS Causeway Hospital have held a number of protests in the area, with another planned for Saturday July 15

SOS Causeway Hospital welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Trust alongside East Londonderry MLA Maurice Bradley, William Taylor from Farmers For Action and Eddy Curtis from fellow campaign group SOS Daisy Hill.

The group said they now felt they had clearer communication and detail on how the transfer to Antrim Area Hospital would be managed.

"We continue to believe mothers and babies from Causeway Coast and Glens should have fair access to birth services in their locality, said a spokesperson.

"We received a welcome admission that clear concise communication with the community is of the utmost importance if we are to ease fears and concerns regarding the future of Causeway Hospital.

"We welcomed the commitment of the chief executive stating "Causeway is an integral part of our hospital network" and reassuring us there is to be no intent stripping of services.

We have however requested such details in a long term detailed plan on future of Causeway Hospital, one which would reach beyond the next 10 years.

The group added that they would continue to work with their legal team to convey deep concerns around the lack of regard for the consultation and would hold a further protest on Saturday.

"We will continue to monitor the transfer closely in the weeks ahead and advocate for our community and will continue to work to return births to Causeway and retain all our acute services, they said.

"Tomorrow we will take to the streets as one community sending a very strong message that we are here to support our acute hospital services, not only calling for equality in investment, recruitment and training but equality in accessing healthcare regardless of location.
PSNI aware of video and say enquiries are ongoing

Footage circulating on social media shows two males in a band uniform apparently snorting an unknown substance

A Co Down band has expelled two members after footage emerged appearing to show an unidentified substance being taken by uniformed bandsmen on the Twelfth.

Bangor Protestant Boys Flute Band said it acted after two of its members engaged in conduct which is unacceptable in any context.

Footage circulating on social media showed two males in a band uniform snorting the unknown substance.

It is reported to have occurred in Belfast City Centre during Wednesday's Twelfth celebrations.

The clip, seen by this newspaper, shows the men in a back alley snorting the unidentified substance.

Today, Bangor Protestant Boys Flute Band issued a statement.

It said: The band officers have become aware of footage circulating showing two band members engaged in conduct which is unacceptable in any context, let alone whilst wearing the uniform of our band and walking behind the standards we proudly carry.

We have a zero-tolerance in regards the usage or distribution of drugs and therefore both members - who only recently joined - have been summarily expelled from the band and their uniforms returned.

These actions do not represent the values of our band, or genuine loyalism, and in order to prevent any such repeat we have initiated a process of putting in place a more robust vetting system to ensure all prospective band members understand, agree with and will adhere to the standards expected of those who wear our uniform.

We will be making no further comment on this issue and now consider the matter concluded.

A PSNI spokesperson said enquiries were ongoing.

Police are aware of a video on social media of suspected drug use involving two men dressed in band uniforms, they said.

"Enquiries into the matter are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or to submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.

"Drugs harm communities and we would encourage anyone who has information or observes any suspicious activity to contact us without delay.
Lee Han-byeol, second from right, visited the Freedom Speakers International office in Seoul to discuss her participation in the organization. Others at the meeting were Peter Jung, head of Justice for North Korea (JFNK) and the co-founders of Freedom Speakers International, Lee Eun-koo and Casey Lartigue Jr. Courtesy of Casey Lartigue Jr.



By Lee Han-byeol





Lee Han-byeol speaking at the Ministry of Unification's release of the "2023 Report on North Korean Human Rights" on July 11th at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents Club. Yonhap
The Belfast Twelfth parade was shown live on GB News

Former Corrie star Charlie Lawson and GB News reporter Dougie Beattie filming during the Twelfth

Former DUP leader Arlene Foster waves at the crowds while presenting for GB News. (Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye)

Fewer people tuned into GB News live coverage of the Twelfth this year, figures suggest.

The station averaged just over 50,000 viewers for its special programme on Wednesday morning - down from 78,000 in 2022, according to data from industry body BARB.

For the second year in a row, GB News stepped in to televise the Belfast parade after BBC NI opted not to show it live.

The two and a half hour programme was fronted by former First Minister Dame Arlene Foster, with contributions from Charlie Lawson and reporter Dougie Beattie.

Former Corrie star Charlie Lawson and GB News reporter Dougie Beattie filming during the Twelfth

But BARB data shows its viewing figures were down on 2022.

The high point came at 11.30am on Wednesday when it had a 2% share of the TV audience.

The average share throughout the programme was 1.4% - down from 2.27% in 2022 when the coverage had 78,300 views.

This was Dame Arlenes second year presenting live Twelfth coverage.

Arlene Foster apologises after man swears during July 12th live coverage in Sandy Row

During the programme, the ex-DUP leader, who was regularly greeted by the crowd watching the parade, said: 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.

She was joined on the programme by historian Dr Gavin Hughes, as Mr Beattie and Mr Lawson mingled with spectators enjoying the parade.

On several occasions Dame Arlene had to apologise for what she described as the "colourful language" from some passers-by.

Last year BBC NI faced criticism after pulling live coverage, with the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland describing the decision as a snub to the Protestant community.

This year, the BBC also opted against a live programme, instead focusing on an hour-long highlights package which was broadcast on Wednesday evening.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast across Northern Ireland on Saturday. Stock photo.

Heavy showers and thunderstorms across Northern Ireland could lead to flooding, forecasters have warned.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for most of Saturday afternoon.

The alert, which applies to all six counties, is in force from 11am to 8pm on Saturday.

The Met Office said: Heavy showers and some thunderstorms are likely to develop during today.

Some places will miss these, but where they do occur, 15-25 mm of rain could fall within an hour, with one or two places perhaps seeing as much as 40mm in a few hours.

Hail and lightning may be additional hazards.
easyJet has axed 1,700 flights to and from Gatwick Airport over the next three months

A huge increase in demand following the easing of Covid travel restrictions coincided with major staff shortages at airlines and airports, causing misery for holiday-goers last summer.

Despite airlines insisting they were better prepared this year, easyJet has axed 1,700 flights to and from Gatwick Airport over the next three months.

Lets take a look at the problems facing airlines, and more importantly, their obligations to customers.

What is causing easyJet disruption in 2023?

A range of reasons including extraordinary circumstances can lead to individual flights being scrapped which can cause a ripple effect of problems for airlines.

However, a combination of other issues are threatening chaos again this year.

The war in Ukraine has brought traffic congestion in the skies above Europe due to associated air space restrictions.

The aviation industry has also been forced to adapt to an unexpected change in travel trends as demand for flights to Turkey, Greece and Croatia outstrips pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, interest in traditional destinations have fallen short of expectations.

Does politics affect my travel plans?

Yes. Strikes by French air traffic controllers have already caused disruption in the first half of this year.

Further industrial action in response to President Emmanuel Macrons proposed pension reforms are possible before the changes come into effect in September.

Eurocontrol, which manages flights over Europe, is also facing the possibility of a staff walk-out this summer.

The rerouting of flights into already congested skies can prove very problematic for airlines.

In these circumstances, a minor mishap or bad weather event can cause the fragile system to implode, leading to misery for many.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?

Passengers have a number of legal rights if they are flying from a UK airport, arriving at one on an EU or UK airline, or arriving at an EU airport on a UK airline.

Carriers must offer customers the choice of a refund or an alternative flight regardless of when the decision to cancel was made.

Return tickets must be fully refunded if either leg is cancelled.

Travellers have a right to be booked on another airline, or other mode of transport, if it will get them to their destination faster.

Am I entitled to compensation if my flight is cancelled?

It depends on the length of the flight and the impact of the cancellation on passengers arriving at their final destination.

The amount ranges from 110 to 520.

If the airline notifies customers of the cancellation at least two weeks before the departure date, it will not be liable to pay out.

Those notified less than a week before the date of travel may not qualify for compensation if they have been offered alternative arrangements.

Am I entitled to compensation if my flight is delayed?

If the delay is not due to extraordinary circumstance and is more than three hours, then yes.

The amount ranges from 220 to 520, depending on the distance being travelled.
The move was announced on Twitter by the Republican Socialist Youth Movement on Friday

Last year's anti-internment bonfire in the Bogside area of Derry. Pic: PA

A controversial internment bonfire in Derry will not take place this year due to incidents of anti-social behaviour at least years pyre, organisers have said.

The bonfire, which is normally built on land at Meenan Square in the Bogside area, was widely criticised in August 2022 when shots were reportedly fired in the area around the blaze.

Police also investigated reports of political material  including flags and poppy wreaths  being placed on the bonfire as potential hate crimes.

Anti-internment bonfires stemmed from the first anniversary of the British governments introduction of its internment without trial policy in 1971, with pyres lit to mark the occasion in some republican areas.

Over the years, the number of bonfires has dwindled, with only a few remaining in some areas of Londonderry and Belfast.

In a series of tweets, Republican Socialist Youth Movement (RSYM) said they had been informed by organisers that this years event would not be taking place next month.

"In the last few months the Republican Socialist Youth Movement have been engaging with the Bogside Republican Youth regarding the highly attended annual bonfire in Meenan Square, said a spokesperson.

After several conversations with the bonfire builders they have informed us that after discussions with the local residents they have made the decision not to have their bonfire due to young people from outside the area fighting and causing antisocial behaviour last year.

The builders of the fire understand and respect the concerns of the community and this is why this decision has been made.

We commend the decision of the Bogside Republican Youth and the bonfire builders to put the community first.

SDLP councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr

Derry City and Strabane District councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr said the move was a huge step towards eradicating all bonfires in the area.

"Its clear that Bogside Youth and particularly the bonfire builders have decided to put their community first, focusing on respect and community safety, she said.

"The young people have shown tremendous leadership and this must be commended. Well done folks and may this type of decision making last.

Concerns were also raised last year when debris from the August bonfire remained for around six weeks in the area, which forms part of the citys tourist trail and is overlooked by the historic Derry Walls.
Andy Allen lost both legs and his eyesight in the July 2008 incident.

An MLA has hit out after being targeted by nasty online trolls when sharing a post on the 15th anniversary of an explosion that resulted in him losing his legs and his eyesight.

East Belfast representative Andy Allen MBE said those who sent the messages do not deserve interaction.

"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has sent me messages/tweeted their well wishes, he said.

"Your support means the world to me. Unfortunately, amidst these kind messages, and unfortunately not unexpected in the world of Twitter, there have been some nasty ones from individuals, which do not deserve interaction.

It comes after the MLA published a tweet on Friday looking back at the explosion which happened while he was a member of the British Army on tour in Afghanistan.

"Fifteen years ago today, my life as I knew it changed forever, said the UUP representative.

"Roughly four months into our operational tour of Afghanistan, we embarked on a routine foot patrol, fully aware of the risks that lay ahead. However, little did we know that in a single moment, everything would be turned upside down.

Read more Ulster University apologies to UUPs Andy Allen for lack of disability access at recent event

"An earth-shattering explosion erupted beneath me as an Improvised Explosive Device (I.E.D) was detonated. The impact tore through the ground and my body.

"Thanks to the selfless acts of my friends, colleagues, and countless strangers, I miraculously survived to share this message and create lasting memories. Each and every one of them holds a special place in my heart.

East Belfast MLA Andy Allen

Mr Allen also looked forward to the next 15 years, and said he felt incredibly fortunate to have been given a second chance at life.

"I am profoundly grateful for the unwavering support and encouragement I have received, he said.

"While it is impossible to acknowledge everyone individually, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have aided, supported, and uplifted my family and me throughout this journey.

"The path I have travelled thus far has been a tapestry of triumphs and tribulations, shaping me into the person I am today. In my 34 years on this Earth, I have gained invaluable knowledge and experiences, yet I remain hungry for more.

"When faced with unexpected obstacles, I draw strength from the lessons I have learned along the way. In life, we are often told that certain things are beyond our reach, and we accept this without even attempting.

"However, with unwavering determination and perseverance, there is little we cannot achieve when we set our minds to it.

In a brief response to those questioning his presence in Afghanistan, Mr Allen said he had been fully aware of the dangers when he joined the military.

"I would do so again. Although I was just a small part of the larger military effort, I can attest from personal experience that we made a difference, he said.

"Sadly, recent events have led to an unravelling of the progress we worked so hard to achieve.
A poll has revealed 80% of NI voters want local government to be given more control.

Eight in ten Northern Ireland voters feel local government should have more control over delivering services, a new poll has indicated.

The poll was carried out by the Effective Governance Forum (EGF), a new organisation campaigning for greater local control and indicated 80% of respondents wanted to hand more power to local government.

Three in five (61%) also said they would be more likely to vote in local elections if they felt their local council could make more decisions regarding their local area.

The poll backs up a new EGF report published today  The Effective Decentralisation of UK Government  which makes the case for a huge shift of power from the UKs over-centralised, London-based administration to local government.

The Decentralisation report argued that local communities and their councils can solve local challenges better than central government and that local councils should run all major services including policing, health, education, economic affairs and transport.

It also indicated councils should have greater tax-raising power to deliver the services, which it said would benefit central government, freeing it up to concentrate on national issues like defence, border control, international trade and foreign and fiscal policy.

The report also argued that British democracy is enfeebled, with fewer people than ever voting in local elections. Disaffection and dissolution threaten to turn people away from democratic engagement leaving a dangerous power vacuum.

Report co-author Tim Knox said: We see vibrant communities up and down the country delivering services that meet the needs of their city, town or village.

But the Westminster and Whitehall machine is unable to fix the problems of Waterfoot, White Island Northern Ireland and Warrenpoint. It is a centralised system that avariciously hogs power and impersonally imposes solutions on distant communities, blind to their real needs.

Westminster must let the people who know best take control of their own destinies.

Mr Knox added that this would turbo-boost democracy.

Our poll shows people want this and that they would be more likely to vote if they had it, he said.

Local political parties will be able to offer manifestos for real change in their communities. They will then live or die by the delivery of their promises. It will be direct and transparent.

A movement is building. Politicians of all parties are beginning to see the light. Our poll shows people want change.

Its time to give power back to the people so they, with their local representatives, can take control of their own futures.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi wave before attending a meeting at the Foreign Affairs ministry in Paris (Julien de Rosa, Pool via AP/PA)

India is close to buying new French warplanes and submarines and played a starring role in Frances Bastille Day celebrations on Friday.

French President Emmanuel Macron skirted around concerns about threats to rights and freedoms under Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist government.

Mr Modi called for peace efforts in Ukraine to end Russias war and resulting grain shortages, and India has increased imports of sanctioned Russian oil; Mr Macrons France is boosting weapons supplies to Ukraine for its counteroffensive.

During a two-day visit that included a banquet at the Louvre, Indian troops marching down the Champs-Elysees and a high-octane speech by Mr Modi to Indians from around Europe, the two countries released a raft of agreements tightening cooperation in areas where they agree.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi, centre left, at the end of the Franco-Indian economic forum meeting (Julien de Rosa/Pool via AP/PA)

The biggest step is a preliminary Indian accord to buy 26 more Rafale fighter jets and three more Scorpene French- and Spanish-made submarines, on top of a prior deal for 36 Rafales and six Scorpenes. Price details still need to be worked out.

Co-operation in defence is the basic pillar of our relationship, Mr Modi said ahead of meetings with Mr Macron. Be it a submarine or a navy ship, we want to work jointly not only for ourselves but other friendly nations too.

Mr Macron is keen on tightening alliances in the Indo-Pacific against an increasingly assertive China, and his office unveiled a roadmap with India for co-operation in the region.

This convergence stretches to our strategic interests, he said. We are defending together the same vision of the Indo-Pacific, an area that must remain open and free from all forms of hegemony.

Mr Modi said India also wants to increase co-operation with France in space, after India launched a spacecraft toward the far side of the moon Friday. France houses the European Space Agencys main launch site, in French Guiana.

The two leaders also announced new initiatives to co-operate on renewable energy, hydrogen projects, artificial intelligence and semiconductors.

A small clutch of activists held a rally in Paris against Mr Modis visit on Thursday, accusing him of eroding Indian democracy and encouraging discrimination against religious minorities.

Mr Modi, who governs the worlds largest population, has said that democracy runs in our veins and insisted that there is absolutely no space for discrimination.

Mr Modi was welcomed by US President Biden last month, and heads next to the United Arab Emirates.
Rolfe Neill, the editor who led The Charlotte Observer as its publisher when it won a pair of Pulitzer Prizes for public service, died on Friday aged 90.

Neill died of complications from peritoneal cancer at his home in Lake Norman, North Carolina, daughter Ingrid Ebert told the Observer.

In 1975, Neill became publisher and president of the Observer and the now-defunct afternoon Charlotte News. He retired as Observer publisher at the end of 1997, the newspaper reported.

Described as a perfectionist when it came to producing a newspaper, Neill also played a significant role in helping Charlotte grow and mature into a national powerhouse through his relationships with political and business leaders in the region and state.

He had one foot in being the publisher of the newspaper and one foot in the community, and he was a force in both, said former Duke Power chief executive Bill Grigg, a longtime friend.

You can certainly say Rolfe is one of a handful of community leaders who over the past 40 years did more than just about anybody to make Charlotte what it is today.

The Observer won a Pulitzer in 1981 for a series of stories on brown lung suffered by textile workers breathing in dust and in 1988 for reporting on the financial misdeeds at the Charlotte-area PTL television ministry led by Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.

I had this strong desire to influence things for the better, Neill once said. Some things we didnt get done. Some things maybe we fell short in. I tried to guide and inspire and improve people. But in the end, having said my piece, I left them to do what they thought best.

Born in Mount Airy in 1932, Neill spent the second half of his childhood in Columbus, Georgia, where he delivered the local paper. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he became editor of The Daily Tar Heel, the Observer reported.

After an Army stint that included working for Stars and Stripes and a brief time at the weekly Franklin Press newspaper in the North Carolina mountains, the Observer hired him. By 1958 he was the papers business editor.

Next he worked at several newspapers in Florida, including The Miami Beach Daily Sun, and moved in 1965 to the New York Daily News, where he ultimately became an assistant managing editor. He then became editor of the Philadelphia Daily News until he returned to Charlotte.

He was one of the most personable people Ive ever worked for, former Observer reporter Elizabeth Leland said.

Others said it was sometimes difficult to meet his expectations.

He was the smartest person I ever worked for, very strong in character and driven by high standards, former Observer Editor Rich Oppel said.

I never met an editor who worked for Rolfe who felt that he or she measured up.

Neill continued in civic and charitable endeavours in Charlotte after retirement, including literacy, the arts and the protection of green spaces.

Neills wife of 28 years, Ann Marshall Snider, died in 2016, the newspaper reported. He had several children from a previous marriage.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, centre, on the outskirts of Kyiv (Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine via AP)

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has made a surprise visit to Ukraine, offering an apparent show of support for the country in its war against Russia.

Mr Yoons office said he travelled to Ukraine with his wife, Kim Keon Hee, after trips to Lithuania for a Nato summit and to Poland.

It was his first visit since Russia invaded Ukraine almost 17 months ago.

Mr Yoon toured Bucha and Irpin, a pair of small cities near Kyiv where bodies of civilians were found in the streets and mass graves after Russian troops retreated from the capital region last year.

He also laid flowers at a monument to the countrys war dead.

Yoon Suk Yeol meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Jae C Hong/AP)

The South Korean leader was scheduled to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later in the day, spokesman Kim Eun-hye said in a statement.

South Korea, a key US ally in Asia, joined international sanctions against Russia and has provided Ukraine with humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine.

But the Asian nation, a growing arms exporter, has not provided weapons to Ukraine in line with its long-standing policy of not supplying arms to countries actively engaged in conflict.

Earlier this month, Mr Yoon said supplies of de-mining equipment, ambulances and other non-military materials are in the works after a request from Ukraine.

He said South Korea already provided support to replace the Kakhovka Dam, which was destroyed last month.

The Russian and Ukrainian governments have accused each other of blowing up the dam, but evidence suggests Moscow had more of a motive to cause deadly flooding, endanger crops and threaten drinking water supplies in a contested part of Ukraine.

The government of the Republic of Korea is firmly committed to actively joining the United States and other liberal democracies in international efforts to defend the freedom of Ukraine, Mr Yoon said.

During a January visit to South Korea, Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg called for the country to provide direct military support to Ukraine, saying Kyiv was in urgent need of weapons to fight off the prolonged Russian invasion.

In May, when Mr Yoon met Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska in Seoul, the president said he would expand South Koreas non-lethal aid to Ukraine. His spokesman Lee Do Woon said at the time that Ms Zelenska made no request for South Korean weapons during their conversation.

Since Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, South Korea has reached billions of dollars worth of deals to provide tanks, howitzers, fighter jets and other weapons systems to Nato member Poland.

An American official said in November that the US had agreed to buy 100,000 artillery rounds from South Korean manufacturers to provide to Ukraine, although Seoul officials have maintained that the munitions were meant to refill depleted US stocks.
Ukrainian forces have downed 10 Russian drones across the country on Friday and overnight, the air force said.

In a Telegram post, the Ukrainian air force added that Moscow had fired six Iranian-made Shahed drones at Ukraines south and east during the night, four of which were shot down.

It did not immediately give details of any casualties or damage.

In southern Ukraines Zaporizhzhia province, where Ukraine has been engaged in a counter-offensive to take back occupied territory, there were 45 air and artillery attacks between Friday and Saturday, governor Yurii Malashka said.

Russian forces shelled neighbouring Kherson province 70 times over the same period, using mortars, artillery, drones, tanks, aviation and multiple rocket launchers, governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Saturday.

No civilians were wounded, he added.

Russian shelling over the past day killed one civilian in eastern Ukraines Donetsk province, governor Pavlo Kyrylenko reported on Saturday.

Ukrainian forces have been pressing their counter-offensive in the area, inching their way from Velyka Novosilka down towards the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol.
China's Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi attends during a trilateral meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 12. Reuters-Yonhap





The European Union must further "clarify" its position on its strategic partnership with Beijing, China's top diplomat Wang Yi told European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, as EU leaders called for reduced dependence on China.







The launch of an EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership in 2003 had promised to elevate ties beyond trade and investment. But since 2019, the 27-nation bloc has called China an "economic competitor" and a "systemic rival," with Beijing's close relations with Moscow after Russia's invasion of Ukraine increasing the caution.







China and the EU should strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation, and the bloc should not "waver," let alone encourage back-pedaling in words and deeds, Wang told Borrell, Friday, on the sidelines of regional meetings in Jakarta, according to a press release from the Chinese foreign ministry, Saturday.







Last month, EU leaders committed to lessening the area's dependence on China and debated how to strike a balance between "de-risking" and cooperating in areas such as climate change. In March, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said a hardening of China's position required Europe to "de-risk" both economically and diplomatically.







The Commission is also urging EU members to agree to stronger controls on exports and outflows of technologies for military use by "countries of concern".







During his meeting with Borrell, Wang called on both sides to guard against the politicization of economic issues and the use of "de-risking" as another term for "decoupling."







There is no fundamental conflict of interest between China and the EU, Wang said.



Borrell, in a post on Twitter, described his talks with Wang on managing EU-China relations as "constructive" and "in-depth."







On Ukraine, Wang said China supports a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture, and will continue to promote talks for peace and play a constructive role in seeking a political settlement of the crisis.







Borrell tweeted that he had "expressed EU expectations as to China's role to help ending Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and to provide humanitarian assistance".







He said he and Wang "also discussed on preserving stability and the status quo in the Taiwan Strait." (Reuters)


Public Domain

The devil is the personification of evil with many names  Lucifer, Satan, the Father of Lies and the Prince of Demons, among others. Hes been part of scary story legends that most people think hes a fake character, made up to scare movie audiences and children worldwide.

In reality, the devils story predates humanitys creation, and it may be surprising that his tale had angelic beginnings before his exile from heaven.

Lucifer was a guardian cherub.

The Bible doesnt give an exact timeline of Satans origin. Instead, our knowledge of Satans beginnings comes from passages written by Isaiah and Ezekiel, specifically in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28, which Bible scholars believe share the details of the devils fall from heaven. Ezekiel and Isaiah tell us that Satan was an angel known as the morning star or Lucifer, as detailed in Isaiah 14:12 and Ezekiel 28:14. As an angel, he walked on Gods holy mountain and was called to serve God as one of His guardian cherubim, one of the highest rank of angels second only to the seraphim. Lucifers rank as a cherub was no small honor. In heaven, the cherubim hold such a high position of celestial prominence that God sits between them, as explained in Isaiah 37:16.

Lucifers pride led to his exile.

As Gods creation, we acknowledge that Lucifer was created for good. The Bible claims that Lucifer started as the blameless model of perfection, perfect in beauty and filled with wisdom, as described in Ezekiel 28:12-15. Gods ordination of Lucifer as a cherub shows that God trusted him enough to give him an influential position among the angels. However, Lucifer wasnt happy with the gifts and power God gave him and yearned for more.

Isaiah 14:13-14 and Ezekiel 28:15-17 tell us that Lucifer became so consumed with pride over his God-given excellence that he became violent and corrupt and didnt want to serve under God anymore. His superiority complex led him to use his free will to devise a plan to become more significant than God and build an army of angels to help him carry out his wicked plan. Lucifers sin was one of pride due to rebelling against God and trying to take the glory and praise reserved only for the Lord Almighty away from Him.

Proverbs 6:16-17 reminds us that pride is number one on the list of sins God hates. The pride the Bible condemns doesnt refer to feeling accomplished over doing a good job. Instead, this pride means being so consumed with yourself that your mind turns away from God, and your heart never seeks Him. Fortunately, Satans scheme to seize Gods throne failed. God exiled Lucifer from heaven by hurling him and his group of fallen angels to earth, ultimately condemning them to hell as punishment for his disobedience and dishonoring his angelic post.

Jesus confirmed the devils fall from grace, comparing it to lighting from heaven in Luke 10:18. In 2 Peter 2:4, the Apostle Peter referred to the devils fall when he warned that God didnt save even angels when they sinned and instead cast them into hell. Once Lucifer was cast out of heaven, he realized he didnt have the power to take Gods throne from Him directly. Instead, he focused on overpowering God in another way: by tempting Gods children to leave Him. At this point, the morning star Lucifer became humankinds enemy and accuser, Satan.

Lucifer became Satan, who tempts humanity to sin.

Since his fall from grace, Satan has used his will and wisdom to rob humankind of eternal salvation. He ushered in humanitys first sin by tempting Adam and Eve with the same desire that led him to fall: the sinful desire to be like God, as outlined in Isaiah 14:13-14 and Genesis 3:1-5. Satans first temptation of humanity succeeded in straining humankinds relationship with God and causing the first humans to turn against each other when Adam blamed Eve for making him consume the forbidden fruit in Genesis 3:12.

This example shows how easily sin and temptation can lead to division and conflict, furthering Satans goal of creating turmoil among Gods children. Adding to Satans power is the fact that he isnt working alone. The army of angels that he assembled in his revolt against God, one-third of the angels, now serve as demons doing Satans dirty work. Evil spirits are no less dangerous than Satan. The Bible describes them as evil spiritual forces who can torment, deceive, and cause believers to do evil themselves.

What can we learn from Satans fall from grace?

As believers, we understand that Satan and his demons will ultimately face defeat and be cast into the lake of fire for eternity, as detailed in Matthew 25:41. However, until the end times, Satan remains a powerful spiritual entity whose goal is to deceive us into cutting ties with each other and God. In severing our relationship with our brothers and sisters and God, Satan aims to steal our peace, ultimately destroying our lives. Its no wonder that in his description of the devils attempts to unravel Gods kingdom, the Apostle Peter illustrates Satan as a roaring lion that prowls around, seeking someone to devour.

The devil destroys our relationship with one another and God by tricking us into thinking that whats right and wrong is relative. Satan wants nothing more than for us to act as our own gods, casting stones at each other based on our moral code and denying the commandments and authority of the only God. To avoid falling into Satans trap, we should look no further than the cause of Satans exile from heaven: pride.

Satans pride was the first sin ever committed, and humankind has been on notice ever since. We could argue that all sins are rooted in pride if we consider that pride puts our desires above Gods will. Thus, the faithful can keep from becoming entangled in pride and in all other sins that come from pride by living by Gods word. The Bible tells us to love one another and God, make every effort to live in peace with everyone and pray for our enemies. By doing our part to reflect peace, love and humility in our actions, we can battle Satan and keep pride at bay, submitting only to Gods will.
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the Security Council, via video link in Moscow, Russia, July 14. Reuters-Yonhap





An alleged Russian intelligence officer pleaded not guilty, Friday, to U.S. charges of smuggling U.S.-origin electronics and ammunition to Russia to help its war against Ukraine.







Vadim Konoschenok, who was extradited Thursday from Estonia, entered the plea at a hearing in federal court in Brooklyn.







U.S. Magistrate Judge Ramon Reyes ordered Konoschenok detained pending trial, after prosecutors called him a flight risk.







"No matter where you are in the world, if you violate U.S. export controls or evade U.S. sanctions, we will not rest until you face justice," Breon Peace, the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, said in a statement.







Sabrina Shroff, a U.S.-based lawyer for Konoschenok, declined to comment.







The Russian embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.







Konoschenok, 48, was detained by Estonian authorities in October 2022 while trying to cross into Russia carrying 35 types of semiconductors and electronic components, some of which were subject to U.S. export controls, prosecutors said.







He told co-conspirators in electronic communications that he charged a 10% fee for dealing in controlled items. "Can't do less. Sanctions," he wrote, according to prosecutors.







Konoschenok was initially charged last September, as U.S. authorities sought to ramp up enforcement of export controls and sanctions designed to hamper Moscow's war effort.







His next scheduled court appearance is July 31. (Reuters)






The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming that President Joe Biden was impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors in June 2023.
The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming a quote below Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis high school yearbook photo reads: My Mount Rushmore is Jesus, Sir-Mixes-a-Lot, and Nintendo 64.
The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming new data on the numbers of births in the Australian state of New South Wales shows that coronavirus vaccines destroyed human fertility.
The future of the theater is still unclear, but the marquee will be getting a boost.
Lenox native James Brooke has traveled to about 100 countries reporting for The New York Times, Bloomberg and Voice of America. He reported from Russia for eight years and from Ukraine for six years.
Should the Pittsfield police chief have to live in Pittsfield? City Council passes proposed ballot question to city solicitor Should employees in Pittsfields top public safety positions be allowed to live outside city limits? After a vote by the City Council on Tuesday, Pittsfield politicians are one step closer to asking residents to answer that question.

When we urged the Pittsfield City Council to settle the question of whether to keep the police chief residency requirement sooner rather than later, punting on the issue and leaving the matter to a simple referendum instead of a more thoughtful policy process is not what we had in mind.

Unfortunately, though, it seems the council is seriously weighing that shortsighted approach. At Tuesday nights meeting, Councilor Ken Warren introduced a petition to add a question to city ballots in the upcoming November election: Shall the city eliminate the restriction requiring certain public safety management positions to reside in the city? Councilors voted unanimously to send that petition to the city solicitor for review and possible reformat.

While this is only a preliminary step toward trying to settle this issue via direct referendum, we hope councilors reconsider the notion of using such a blunt tool to carve out a path forward on an issue that demands a thoughtful and nuanced look from the citys elected legislative leaders.

When Mayor Linda Tyer announced she will not seek reelection, she also said she will leave the choice of hiring a permanent replacement for recently retired Police Chief Michael Wynn to whoever takes the mayors office after Novembers city elections. What Mayor Tyer has done, however, is propose some changes to the citys residency requirement rules for public safety management positions in order to attract a larger, more competitive candidate pool for the police chief job. (She also recommended bumping up the jobs pay range.)

We see both sides of the residency requirement debate. Mayor Tyer is right that the current rule limits the potential pool of chief applicants even as smaller cities already have a harder time competing for the attention of quality candidates with options all over. It makes sense to try and position Pittsfield to attract as many of those quality chief candidates as possible. But the spirit of the existing residency requirement makes sense, too: The police department and the residents it must serve and protect are better served by a chief who is familiar with and invested in the community in a way that can only really be captured by living here.

As with any proposed changes to longstanding rules, the devil is in the details. Mayor Tyer has proposed allowing the citys public safety heads to live within 20 miles of Pittsfields borders, which would at least rule out chiefs commuting from more untenable distances. We have proposed an on-ramp approach for high-quality chief candidates who dont currently live here that would allow a fair interval  perhaps six months or a year  to secure a Pittsfield residence. That approach could be tailored even more tightly to allow that on-ramp only for internal candidates, as its worth encouraging those PPD officers already familiar with the department who could be quality applicants even if they currently reside in a neighboring community.

Any such nuance, however, would be lost if councilors passed the buck to voters in the form of a yes-or-no referendum. If referring this question to the city solicitor isnt just a political stunt  which would be irresponsible in itself given the import of this issue and the timeliness with which it should be seriously addressed  what happens if no wins? Would that allow for future city leaders to hire someone to run the police or fire department whose residence is not just 20 miles away but hundreds? Or would it allow a top public safety official who lived in Pittsfield when initially hired to buy an out-of-state residence or a summer home on the Cape and commute?

Weve said it before, and it bears repeating: The City Council should settle the residency requirement debate soon so it doesnt linger into the next mayoral administration, further complicating and delaying the hiring process for the citys next permanent police chief. Reaffirm the residency requirement, recommend its elimination or suggest changes  it might be a tough choice, but these are the critical policy-making decisions for which Pittsfield voters hired their councilors. They should do their job instead of wasting more time and energy on this overly simplistic path of least resistance that would needlessly delay that critical decision.
On June 22 and 23, President Emmanuel Macron welcomed 50 heads of state, representatives of NGOs and civil society organizations to Paris for the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact. Although the summit received little to no reporting from the American media, it was the latest effort to reset the international financial system as part of the continued push towards the 2030 Agenda and Net Zero goals.

The French government stated that the objective of the gathering was to build a new contract between [the global] North and South which will better equip the nations to fight poverty and climate change. The summit was attended by US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

In addition to heads of state, the summit was organized with support from the Open Society Foundations, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Rockefeller Foundation, among others.

France24 reports that Macron first announced his intention to host the finance summit at the end of COP27 in November 2022 after environmentalists were dissatisfied with the climate negotiations. At that meeting an agreement was reached to create a fund to compensate developing countries who suffer the effects of climate change. One of the goals of the June summit was to establish tools to finance such a fund.

One of the other stated goals of this summit was to transform the entire international financial system by adapting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to modern challenges.

These goals mirror recent statements made by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres when he called for a new Bretton Woods moment, referencing the infamous 1944 international agreement which established rules for governing monetary relations among independent states, including requiring each nation to guarantee convertibility of their currencies into U.S. dollars. The Bretton Woods Agreement established the IMF.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva also called for a new Bretton Woods moment in October 2020.

One of the suggestions for generating the trillions of dollars needed to transform the financial system (and the world along with it) is to tax the biggest polluters, particularly fossil fuel companies because of their historic responsibility for climate chaos. There have also been discussions on taxing ships transporting goods.

NGOs are also proposing various forms of debt forgiveness for developing countries who have the dual task of repaying loans from developed nations and banks, such as the World Bank, while also battling environmental degradation.

Today, countries in crisis are forced to repay their debts to creditor states, financial institutions and private banks, and this prevents them from investing in public services or fighting against climate change, Lison Rehbinder, development finance advocacy officer at the CCFD-Terre Solidaire NGO, told France24. Rehbinder also says plans are being discussed to introduce clauses in loan contracts which allow debts to be suspended in the event of a climate disaster.

The actual New Global Financing Pact states that the goal is Building a New Consensus for a More Inclusive International Financial System. The document also outlines key international milestones for 2023 and 2024 where further commitments and discussions are expected to take place.

World Leaders Offer a Peak at the Agenda

Just days before the summit Le Monde published an opinion piece from 13 political leaders attending the summit, including Macron, US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The politicians wrote that they are urgently working to fight poverty and inequalities.

Climate change will generate larger and more frequent disasters, and disproportionately affect the poorest, most vulnerable populations around the world, they wrote. These challenges cross borders and pose existential risks to societies and economies.

The political leaders echoed the usual language used by the UN, with talk of a just and inclusive transition. They also noted that going forward poverty reduction and the protection of the planet are converging objectives. The idea that fighting against worldwide poverty is tied to the fight to protect the environment is mentioned several times throughout the summit documents.

Macron, Biden, and friends stated that the transition to net-zero and goals of the Paris Agreement present the opportunity to unlock a new era of sustainable global economic growth.

They also noted that the New Global Financing Pact is inspired by the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and called for new economic models that recognize the immense value of nature for humanity.

The KMGBF was adopted in December 2022 at the UN Biodiversity Conference, also known as the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The text of the document makes it clear that the agreement sets out an ambitious plan to implement broadbased action to bring about a transformation in our societies relationship with biodiversity by 2030, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals. The KMGBF also calls for living in harmony with nature by 2050.

As I have written before, we must be cognizant of the fact that organizations like the UN, WEF, and other globalist NGOs, non-profits, and politicians pay lip service to ideas like diversity, sustainability, and being inclusive. However, their actions show they do not respect diversity of thought, do not desire actual regenerative practices, and do not care about being inclusive of all people or thoughts.

Instead, what they envision is a world where nature is placed above the needs of man, and civil liberties, freedom of movement, and freedom of speech are curtailed in the name of some fantastical vision of saving the planet. This is not to say that every single individual working on this summit, or with the UN, WEF, and other organizations are aware of the larger agenda, the long term goals. These globalist organizations often fool well-intentioned people into collaborating with them in an attempt to give an air of legitimacy to their anti-liberty actions.

Looking Towards the Summit of the Future

While the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact is an important event worth taking note of, we should also be aware that it is simply the latest in the globalist meetings taking place this year. The roadmap of the Pact makes it clear that the meetings main purpose is to draw up a guide that will be used at the next G20 summit in India in September, the Africa Climate Summit in September, the Sustainable Development Goals Summit in September, the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank in October, and COP28 in Dubai in early December.

I recently wrote about how the UN is attempting to rally member states to recommit to complete the SDGs and Agenda 2030 by participating in the SDG Summit in September in New York City. Whatever happens at the September gathering of world leaders and politicians it is likely to be extremely consequential for the future of Agenda 2030.

However, the document makes it clear that all of these meetings are leading towards the Summit of the Future in September 2024.

According to the Summit for the Future website, the summit is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address gaps in global governance. The summit will also continue the push for nations to reaffirm existing commitments to the SDGs and the UN Charter. Member states will be expected to build on the outcomes of the SDG Summit and breathe new life into the multilateral system and accomplish the 2030 Agenda. The website also states that the Summit of the Future will conclude with a Pact for the Future which will be endorsed by Heads of State/Government at the summit.

I encourage all readers to pay attention to the SDG Summit in September of this year and the Summit of the Future in 2024. I believe we will see major steps towards the creation of a one world government between now and then.

The Predator Class may use the threat of a looming pandemic, or climate crises, or even threats from beyond our world, but the goal is the same: complete control and cataloguing of all human life. We must resist these plans at the local level if we have hopes to prevent The Great Reset from becoming reality.
Is it any wonder why the Pentagon and DoD were running this slow kill bioweapon program along with the CIA, WHO, Gates, et al.?

We also now know that graphene oxide is a cytotoxic carcinogen, which amplifies turbo cancers when factoring p53 protein suppression by the cytotoxic spike protein as well as the highly carcinogenic SV40 "contaminant."

by The Expose

The Covid-19 vaccines have been at the centre of a heated debate since their introduction, with many questions and concerns raised about their safety and effectiveness.

Speculation has also been rife that the Covid-19 injections may contain traces of Graphene Oxide, a highly toxic and conductive substance.

Medicine regulators, with the support of the Mainstream Media, have repeatedly denied these claims.

But they were lying to you.

Because recent evidence has emerged that confirms the presence of Graphene Oxide, a highly toxic and conductive substance, in the Pfizer vaccine. And it has come from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which has been forced to publish the confidential Pfizer documents by order of the Federal Court in the USA.

The FDA had initially attempted to delay the release of Pfizers Covid-19 vaccine safety data for 75 years, despite approving the injection after only 108 days of a safety review on December 11th, 2020.

However, a group of scientists and medical researchers sued the FDA under FOIA to force the release of hundreds of thousands of documents related to the licensing of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.

In early January 2022, Federal Judge Mark Pittman ordered the FDA to release 55,000 pages per month, and since then, PHMPT has posted all of the documents on its website as they have been published.

One of the most recent documents published by the FDA saved as 125742_S1_M4_4.2.1 vr vtr 10741.pdf, confirms the use of Graphene Oxide in the manufacturing process of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

The document is a description of a study carried out by Pfizer between April 7th 2020 and 19th August 2020, with the objective being to express and characterize the vaccine antigen encoded by BNT162b2.

The study conclusion is as follows-

In laymans terms, the study was conducted to determine how the vaccine works. The study found that the vaccine used mRNA to instruct your cells to produce a protein (called P2 S), which is the Spike protein of the alleged Covd-19 virus.

The millions of spike proteins then bind to a receptor called ACE2 on the surface of your cells, inducing an immune system response.

But what is most interesting about the study is that it confirms on page 7 that reduced Graphene Oxide is required to manufacture the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine because it is needed as a base for the lipid nanoparticles.

Pfizer states on page 7 of the study in section 3.4 the following 

This is most peculiar because medicine regulators with the help of the Mainstream Media, have denied for months on end that Graphene Oxide is an ingredient of the Covid-19 vaccine. Theyve been able to say this because those whove proven and speculated Graphene Oxide is in the Pfizer Covid19 injection have been asking the wrong question.

What everyone should have been asking is, is Graphene Oxide used in the manufacturing process of the Pfizer Covid vaccine?

Because as this document, which the FDA attempted to keep confidential and sealed the 75 years, shows, Graphene Oxide is indeed used in the manufacturing process of the vaccine because it is vital in helping to make the vaccines lipid nanoparticles stable.

Therefore, trace amounts or large amounts, depending on the batch, of reduced Graphene Oxide inevitably make their way into the Pfizer Covid-19 injections.

What are Lipid Nanoparticles?

The Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine uses tiny particles called lipid nanoparticles to deliver the vaccines genetic material (called messenger RNA, or mRNA) into cells in the body. These lipid nanoparticles are like tiny bubbles made up of fats and other molecules that can surround and protect the mRNA until it reaches its destination inside the cells.

The mRNA in the vaccine provides instructions to the cells to produce a protein (called spike protein) that is found on the surface of the Covid-19 virus. When the immune system detects this spike protein, it can recognize it as foreign and mount an immune response against it,

Furthermore, it has been discovered that two of the lipids in Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines are ALC-0159 and ALC-315, as confirmed by the assessment report of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine published by the European Medicines Agency.

But both of these lipids carry manufacturers warnings that state they are never to be used in humans or animals.

As you can see for yourself, it tiny writing at the bottom of the product inserts here and here.

What is Graphene Oxide?

Graphene Oxide is a tiny particle that is made up of carbon and oxygen atoms. Its really small  so small that you cant see it with your eyes. But even though its small, it can be dangerous.

It is known to be toxic to some cells, and research has shown that it can cause inflammation and damage to the lungs when inhaled.

In addition, Graphene Oxide is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, which is a protective barrier that prevents harmful substances from entering the brain. This could potentially lead to neurological problems.

Graphene Oxide is detected in the immune system as if it were a pathogen. Once injected it has an affinity for the central nervous system, potentially causing paralysis, strokes and alteration of the nervous system.

Furthermore, the long-term effects of Graphene Oxide exposure are not yet known. There is very little research on the long-term effects of Graphene Oxide exposure in humans, which means we dont know what the potential risks are.

But thanks to the administration of the Pfizer COVID vaccine to millions of people, numerous times, we are finding out as the days pass. And sadly, both the short-term and long-term effects do not look good.

Further Evidence, Other Undeclared Substances & Deadly Consequences

Graphene Oxide is not the only toxic substance that the public should be concerned about. Because scientists have found Nanotech alongside Graphene Oxide when they have previously examined samples of Covid-19 injections.

Nanoscience and nanotechnology involve the ability to see and control individual atoms and molecules. Everything on Earth is made up of atomsthe food we eat, the clothes we wear, the buildings and houses we live in, and our own bodies.

But something as small as an atom is impossible to see with the naked eye. In fact, its impossible to see with the microscopes typically used in high school science classes. The microscopes needed to see things at the nanoscale were invented in the early 1980s.

Once scientists had the right tools, such as the scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) and the atomic force microscope (AFM), the age of nanotechnology was born.

And scientists from Spain, have declared that nanotechnology, which has the ability to control atoms in your body, has been found in all of the Covid-19 injections alongside Graphene Oxide.

According to the Spanish scientists who examined the Covid-19 injections, Graphene Oxide has the potential to cause strange blood clots. This may explain why it has been proven that Covid-19 injections increase the risk of suffering thrombosis with thrombocytopenia.

But it is not just scientists from Spain making these claims. Numerous scientists around the world have published findings where they allege they have discovered both nanotechnology and Graphene Oxide in the Covid-19 injections.

After reviewing electron microscope images of elements contained in the Covid Pfizer and Moderna injections, Dr Daniel Nagase, a Canadian emergency room doctor, revealed that, strangely, the contents of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines show no signs of biological material, including mRNA or DNA. (Read more here).

Dr Nagases research group looked at Moderna and Pfizer samples under a regular microscope. Although there were a lot of very interesting images, they were unable to be conclusive about what exactly they were seeing. So, they used an electron microscope to determine what elements the vaccines contained.

Here are some of the images of what they found 

Found in a Moderna Covid vaccine sample

Dr Nagase examined a ball with the legs growing out of it found inside a Moderna sample and had this to say 

This shape, this ball with the legs growing out of it, for some reason has aluminium in it. And I can say with certainty that this isnt a mould spore or some other type of biological contamination, because the only thing in it is carbon, oxygen, and no signs of nitrogen, no signs of phosphorus, which would indicate something biological of origin. So, this thing thats growing is non-biological.

Dr Nagase and the researchers also discovered an unusual element from the lanthanide series  thulium  in a fibre-like structure found in a Pfizer sample 

Found in a Pfizer Covid vaccine sample

Dr. Nagase and the researchers found a variety of shapes and structures inside the vaccine samples they tested  crystals, chips, strands, bulbs, spheres, fibres and balls with legs growing out of them  we have polymorphic, which is many different forms, he said.

They all seem to be made predominantly out of carbon and oxygen and they were in both the Moderna and Pfizer samples, and they seem to be in fibre forms. In the Moderna sample, the carbon-oxygen structures seem to be taking nanosphere forms and crystalline forms. And in the Pfizer sample  seem to only be forming fibres and crystals.

In a presentation to the Chilean radio station El Mirador del Gallo, Argentine doctor Martin Monteverde presented the analyses carried out by Corona2Inspect researchers on the microtechnology found in the Pfizer Covid-19 mRNA vaccine.

Argentinas Dr Monteverde and other researchers carried out microscopic analyses of a vial of the Pfizer vaccine alongside four other Covid-19 vaccine types. He then sent these images to Corona2Inspect for further analysis. Corona2Inspect returned the images with their comments identifying what objects the images were showing.

You can watch a video of Dr Monteverdes teams findings below 

Argentinas Dr Patricia Aprea, Director of Evaluation and Control of the ANMAT, also accidentally admitted AstraZenecas Viral Vector Covid-19 injection also contains Graphene during a legal case regarding a death post-Covid injection.

You can read the document where ANMAT recognised that Covid-19 vaccines contain Graphene Oxide HERE in (Spanish) or below, translated into English using Google 

Click to enlarge

Dr Philippe van Welbergen, Medical Director of Biomedical Clinics, was one of the first to warn the public of the damage being caused to peoples blood by Covid injections by releasing images of blood samples under the microscope.

In a set of slides of blood samples taken from both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, Dr Philippe van Welbergen demonstrated that the Graphene Oxide, contained in the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines being injected into people by amateurs and volunteers with no adequate training, is organising and growing into larger fibres and structures, gaining magnetic properties or an electrical charge and the fibres are showing indications of more complex structures with striations.

At the beginning of July 2021, Dr Philippe, was interviewed and he explained that when his patients started complaining about chronic fatigue, dizziness, memory loss, and even sometimes paralysis and late onset of heavy menstruation (women in their 60s upwards), he took blood samples.

Their blood had unusual tube-like structures, some particles which lit up and many damaged cells.

Few healthy cells were visible. Until three months earlier, he had never seen these formations in blood.

We now know these tube-like structures are Graphene Oxide.

He also demonstrated that shards of Graphene Oxide are being transmitted from the Covid-19 vaccinated to vaccine-free or unvaccinated people, sadly destroying their red blood cells and causing blood clots. (Read more here).

Below is an image of typical healthy red blood cells as seen with a microscope, what blood should look like. There is no coagulation or foreign objects in it.

Sadly fibres of this size are capable of blocking capillaries.



You can also see that the Graphene fibres are hollow and have swallowed up some red blood cells.

In December 2021, a British medical practitioner offered to assist in an investigation to ascertain whether the results discovered by Dr. Andreas Noack, a German chemist, and Dr. Pablo Campra, of the University of Almeria in Spain, could be replicated in the UK and also to examine the Covid-19 injection vials for toxins or unexpected contents.

The medical practitioner seized an injection vial from the fridge housed in the surgery where she works and handed it to an independent investigator.

A UK laboratory analysed the sample using Raman Spectroscopy and found Graphene, SP3 carbon, iron oxide, carbon derivatives and glass shards.

The first sample that was evaluated was the Moderna 01 which was examined by Raman spectroscopy. The investigation clearly showed that all the inclusions within the vaccine have a strong carbon signal with confirmed graphene compositions of some representative forms.

Two clear signals were obtained from two objects. The flat ribbon-like inclusions exhibited clear Graphene spectra integrated with the spectrum of glycol and other minor compounds. The other clear signal was obtained from a calcite microcrystalline form and Carbon composite forms also had a clear Graphene signal.

You can read a copy of the document encompassing a case briefing, the UNIT report and a summary of the toxicity of Graphene nanoparticles on UK Citizen 2021s website HERE.

The 48-page UNIT report, Qualitative Evaluation of Inclusions in Moderna, AstraZeneca and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines, begins on page 12 of the document.

An Open Access review highlighting the toxicity of the graphene family nanoparticles can be viewed here.

Nanotechnology and Graphene have also been found in Pfizers Comirnaty vaccines by scientists in New Zealand. (Read more here).

At the end of January 2022, Sue Grey, co-leader of the Outdoors and Freedom Party, and Dr Matt Shelton from New Zealand Doctors Speaking Out With Science (NZDSOS) put the Health Select Committee on notice that serious contamination of the Pfizer vaccine has been uncovered and they needed to act immediately to stop the injection campaign.

Dr Shelton came forward to disclose the discovery of formations of nano-particles found by New Zealand scientists using specialised microscopic techniques.

None of the experts consulted had ever seen anything like this before, and none of these contaminants are listed as approved ingredients.

You can read the full account, with additional images and videos, HERE. But below is a snapshot of what one New Zealand scientist found.

The image below was taken from one drop of New Zealands Pfizer Cominarty vaccine under a cover slip, after it was inadvertently heated lightly, and viewed the same day through dark field microscopy at low magnification, projected onto a TV monitor.

The following images were taken after a new computer with improved graphics was purchased alongside new software for the camera 

They lied to you

Despite repeated assurances from authorities and mainstream media that the Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective, evidence has emerged time and time again that proves they have not been telling the whole truth.

The use of Graphene Oxide in the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine has been a source of controversy and concern from the outset, with many individuals claiming that regulators and media outlets were deliberately misleading the public about its inclusion.

Despite initial denials, the documents released by the FDA, which they were forced to publish by order of the Federal Court in the USA. have confirmed the use of Graphene Oxide in the manufacturing process of the Pfizer vaccine, raising questions about who we can trust.

This revelation should cause widespread alarm and will likely fuel suspicion about the true intentions of those in charge of public health.
A man, aged in his 30s, was injured after an explosion in Limerick city on Saturday.

Gardai in Roxboro Road attended the scene of an explosion of a viable device that occurred at two residential properties on Hyde Road at approximately 3.10am this morning.

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Gardai and emergency services attended the scene. During the course of the incident, one man aged in his early 30s received injuries to his arm which were non-life threatening.

Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.

Any persons who were in the Hyde Road area of Limerick City between the hours of 2.30am and 3.15am this morning and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to investigating gardai.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Roxboro Road Garda Station on 061 21 4340, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

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Gardai said investigations are ongoing.
Historian Tom Holland is back with his account of the Roman Empires golden era

Fiction

1. The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt is published in hardback by Bloomsbury Publishing. Available now

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Ready to be shelved! (RTBS??).



Say goodbye to the countdown and hello to your new favourite very good book by Patrick deWitt!



Learn more about THE LIBRARIANIST here: https://t.co/DU7LaX1HDK pic.twitter.com/WtN5XlBMWz  House of Anansi Press (@HouseofAnansi) July 4, 2023

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In The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt, author of The Sisters Brothers, Bob Comet is a quiet man who, at 71 years old, has devoted himself to books after enduring a heart-rending loss that drove him towards a life of solitude. But when a chance encounter jolts the retired librarian out of his shell, he must revisit that tragedy and re-examine the decision to see out his days reading alone. DeWitt paints a wonderful picture of the taciturn and steady Bob, as the novel colours in the chapters of his life in a clever and droll depiction of an introvert who does not recognise his real impact on the world. The Librarianist is a funny, tender and life-affirming book about a man who, although he might prefer to live inside the pages, realises his story remains unwritten.

9/10

(Review by James Cann)

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2. Kala by Colin Walsh is published in hardback by Atlantic Books,. Available now

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*NEW EVENT*

Join us on the 14th of July and 7pm for the book launch of Kala by exciting new debut author Colin Walsh! Tickets are free and available through the below link;https://t.co/zEIast2PkF pic.twitter.com/gXThDXihPr  Waterstones Forestside (@Wstones_Forest) July 5, 2023

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Growing up with a group of friends in a small seaside town on the west coast of Ireland sounds idyllic. But Kinlough holds dark memories for six teenagers after one of them  Kala  disappeared without trace. Years later, the friends are reunited  just as human remains are found in some woods, and two more girls go missing. There are good people and evil people in the story that follows the hunt for a killer  and a truly stunning twist in the tail, which will keep you reading the book until the early hours to discover what happened. The story is mainly told through separate chapters by three of the friends  Joe, Kalas former boyfriend who is now a famous musician; Helen, who works as a freelance journalist in Canada; and Mush, who has stayed in Kinlough to work at his mothers cafe  giving the story welcome variety and changes of perspective.

8/10

(Review by Alan Jones)

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3. Penance by Eliza Clark is published in hardback by Faber & Faber. Available now

Have you pre-ordered PENANCE the chill, life affirming, cosy beach read of the summer?https://t.co/8BWvD6TxLr pic.twitter.com/j59ELD4YWC Advertisement  Eliza Clark (mostly offline) (@FancyEliza) June 19, 2023

A 16-year-old girl is murdered in a seaside town, and her attackers are three other teenage girls. Add in some internet forums, a few insensitive podcast hosts and a former journalist in need of a bestselling book and the theories will grow. Eliza Clarks new novel Penance has shades of American high school films Mean Girls and Heathers, told from the viewpoint of unreliable narrator Alec Z Carelli, a hack embroiled in a phone hacking scandal with some past trauma of his own. The book is a page-turner with some insightful descriptions of the characters found in a small town. At times, it is unclear if it is seeking to make a point about societys fascination with true crime  or just tap into it.

7/10

(Review by Eleanor Barlow)

Non-fiction

4. Pax: War And Peace In Romes Golden Age by Tom Holland is published in hardback by Abacus. Available now

The Happiest of UK Publication days today to Tom Holland and all at Little Brown publishers with PAX, Toms superb account of the Roman Empire at the height of its power.



A sweeping, colourful history of Rome at its swaggering, superpower zenith. Robbie Millen. The Times. pic.twitter.com/rMI2cpzAKL Advertisement  Patrick Walsh (@Walsh_e_Patrick) July 6, 2023

This latest volume from historian Tom Holland follows the Roman Empires grandest phase and greatest extent. Starting with the death of Nero and the bloody civil war that saw four more emperors crowned within a year, Holland recounts the rule of the Flavians, Nerva, Trajan and Hadrian, with all the narrative relish that marked his earlier works. He has a talent for drawing out the character and concerns of the age, whilst neither omitting nor being overwhelmed by the facts and dates. His account of the eruption of Vesuvius is dramatic, moving and rivals the set-pieces of the classical historians. Sometimes a seasoned reader might want to stop and dwell, rather than continue to be swept along by Hollands exuberant prose, but as an overarching narrative of Romes Golden Age, his book is a triumph.

8/10

(Review by Joshua Pugh Ginn)

Childrens book of the week

5. Plants To The Rescue! by Dr Vikram Baliga, illustrated by Brian Lambert, is published in hardback by Neon Squid. Available now

Astronauts in the International Space Station care for some plants to see how they respond to life in space.



 Find out more in Plants to the Rescue! by @ThePlantProf and illustrated by Brian Lambert.



Coming this July  pic.twitter.com/vfXc2SnUwv Advertisement  Neon Squid (@neonsquidbooks) June 28, 2023

This is a wonderful read with fabulous colourful illustrations. Its a very educational book, which although aimed at children under 10, will appeal to various ages  especially if you are interested in plants, wildlife and the environment. The author is obviously very enthusiastic about plants, bringing to light the many wonderful ways they can help us progress and hopefully reduce the effects of climate change, together with how we can use plants as alternatives to reduce waste, and increase food production and natural medicinal aides. Throughout the book, we are shown the potential for using plants as a clean source of fuel, replacement for plastics, even hair extensions. The list goes on.

9/10

(Review by Joanne Brennan)

BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 8th

HARDBACK (FICTION)

1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

2. Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torzs

3. Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang

4. The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse

5. A Death In The Parish by Reverend Richard Coles

6. The Trial by Rob Rinder

7. Penance by Eliza Clark

8. Wait For Me by Santa Montefiore

9. The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer

10. Four Seasons In Japan by Nick Bradley

(Compiled by Waterstones)

HARDBACK (NON-FICTION)

1. Pax by Tom Holland

2. What About Men? by Caitlin Moran

3. Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken

4. Hitler, Stalin, Mum And Dad by Daniel Finkelstein

5. The Wager by David Grann

6. Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse: The Art Of The Movie by Ramin Zahed

7. But What Can I Do? by Alastair Campbell

8. The Extra Mile by Sinfield, Kevin

9. The Future Of Geography by Tim Marshall

10. The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse by Charlie Mackesy

(Compiled by Waterstones)

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AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION)

1. The Trial by Rob Rinder

2. Atomic Habits by James Clear

3. Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken

4. Death Comes To Marlow by Robert Thorogood

5. Mythos by Stephen Fry

6. Smoke And Mirrors by Elly Griffiths

7. The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien & Christopher Tolkien

8. Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

9. The Fellowship Of The Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien

10. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

(Compiled by Audible)
More than 2,000 people have been evacuated as a wildfire rages out of control on La Palma in Spains Canary Islands, destroying around a dozen homes, authorities have said.

The blaze has affected an area of about 4,500 hectares (11,000 acres) and officials warned residents the situation could worsen because a heatwave has made the terrain tinder-dry.

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The fire has spread very fast, Canary Islands regional president Fernando Clavijo said.

The fire is out of control.



Local residents look at a burning forest fire near Puntagorda on the Canary Island of La Palma (Europa Press/AP)

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He said some residents did not want to abandon their homes and appealed for people to be responsible and heed the calls for evacuation.

Mr Clavijo said he is concerned about the possibility of shifting winds at night, saying they could make the evacuation operation more dangerous.

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He said that 10 aircraft were battling the fire and water-dropping planes are expected to arrive.

The wildfire and evacuations come nearly two years after a three-month volcanic eruption caused devastation on La Palma.

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While nobody was killed, around 3,000 buildings were buried along with many banana plantations, roads and irrigation systems.

The fire is on the western side of La Palma on wooded, hilly terrain dotted with homes.



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It is not an area directly impacted by the 2021 volcanic eruption.

Puntagordas mayor, Vicente Rodriguez, told Spanish public broadcaster RTVE the fire started inside the limits of his municipality.

He said the area has seen below-average rainfall in recent years, just like large parts of the drought-stricken mainland, because of changing weather patterns impacted by climate change.

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The fire coincides with a heatwave hitting southern Europe.

Spain saw record high temperatures in 2022 and this spring as it endures a prolonged drought.

Authorities and forestry experts are concerned that the conditions are ripe for a difficult wildfire campaign after seeing virulent fires as early as March.

La Palma, with a population of 85,000, is one of eight members of Spains Canary Islands archipelago off Africas western coast.

At their nearest point, the islands are 60 miles from Morocco.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size For Bernadette Olivier, Barbiecore  fashion shorthand for the popularity of hot pink, high ponytails and fit-and-flare dresses, among other things  didnt begin with Margot Robbie sharing the first on-set shots of the Greta Gerwig-directed Barbie movie back in June 2022. Olivier, co-founder of peer-to-peer clothing rental platform The Volte, instead pinpoints an appearance by Anne Hathaway at Valentinos couture show on July 8, 2022, as the moment the trend really took off. Pink parade (from left): Anne Hathaway and Gemma Chan in Valentino; Kendall Jenner in Giambattista Valli x H&M. Credit: Getty That micro mini magenta dress [Hathaway wore] was amazing, Olivier says. It was permission to wear hot pink, and the Barbiecore hype has just added more fuel to the pink fire. The thing about trends is that they are easier to spot in hindsight. So, while Olivier drops her pin in Hathaway, others credit this wave to Gemma Chan in Valentino at the 2019 Oscars, years before Barbie was even announced. Others cite Valentino designer Pierpaolo Picciolis all-pink ready-to-wear show in March 2022, or  taking it further back  credit Moschinos ode to Barbie in 2014 as the moment that started it all.

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Models in the Valentino FW22-23 ready-to-wear show in March 2022 thats credited as one source of the current Barbiecore craze. Credit: Getty Trend forecaster WGSNs head of womenswear Sarah Maggioni says that while Valentinos influence is clear, other brands including Loewe, Jacquemus and Balenciaga have contributed to the movement. As a result, in 2020, the forecaster predicted that orchid flower would be the colour of 2022. (Pantone would go on to name Viva Magenta its colour of 2023.) [This colour] has an energising quality, its fun, its bold, yet, it has a familiarity to it, its not scary and inaccessible like other vibrant shades, she says. Millennial Pink paved the way for it and adjusted the consumers eye to this colour level, across genders too ... Pink is also generally a good seller and can suit many different skin tones and demographics. Margot Robbie on the Barbie press tour in Moschino, Versace and Valentino. Credit: AP, Getty As the memorable cerulean blue scene in The Devil Wears Prada proved (Meryl Streep, playing a fearsome magazine editor, gives Anne Hathaways character a dressing down over the fashion cycle) it takes time for trends to trickle from high fashion to the high street. According to Google, searches for Barbie fashion and related terms, such as Barbie dress or pink dress are at a 15-year high in Australia. Data shows searches for Barbiecore spiked in July and November 2022, and again in July 2023, and global trend forecaster Lyst named Barbiecore as the top trend of 2022. The other thing about trends is that once youre thinking about them, they are seemingly everywhere.

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At The Volte, hot pink dresses, led by a strapless mini from the collaboration between Giambattista Valli and H&M, which was modelled by Kendall Jenner in the south of France in May 2019 and rents for $190, have been performing strongly. Olivier thinks Barbiecore, specifically its interest in hot pink, has come at a time when people are still seeking fun, post pandemic  though, notably, its co-existing with stealth wealth, its aesthetic antithesis. Youre not going to wear pink sequins to the office but if theres an occasion to go bold, why wouldnt you? she says. The other thing about trends is that once youre thinking about them, they are seemingly everywhere; a psychological phenomenon known as the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon or frequency illusion. And that makes us feel comfortable, even safe, says Dr Carolyn Mair, cognitive psychologist and author of the Psychology of Fashion. Trends feed our psychological need for both novelty and belonging, as they can motivate us to experience something different from the status quo, while simultaneously allowing us to fit in, she says. WGSNs Sarah Maggioni says the Barbiecore aesthetic also allows people, specifically women, a way to reframe the so-called bimbo aesthetic. University of Adelaide lecturer Dr Jessica Ford agrees: We assume the women participating in Barbiecore are doing so unknowingly, which is misleading  but its a provocation, its saying, Hey, I am dressed head to toe in pink, and I challenge you to take me seriously. Margot Robbie in a scene from Barbie. Credit: Warner Brothers Pictures Barbiecores appeal is also amplified by tapping into nostalgia, offering an escape from the mundane realities and responsibilities of adulthood, says Mair. And its a trend people can cherry-pick when shopping for different fashion, decor and beauty items, which makes it accessible across ages, social and cultural demographics, says Dr Lauren Rosewarne, a pop culture expert at the University of Melbourne. We dont take the pink power suit in its entirety because it becomes costume, she says. The [Barbie-branded] hair straightener is a good example. Why not have a pink, fun one? Whats the harm?

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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 This story is part of the July 15 edition of Good Weekend. See all 16 stories . Magpies warbled in the gum trees as we walked up the path to Nana Alicjas ground-floor flat in the upper-crust Melbourne suburb of Toorak. I pushed the buzzer, then heard Nanas poodle barking and sniffing beneath the door, and the donk, schlep, schlep of Nana shuffling down the hallway with her walking stick. As the door slowly opened, I sensed my mother Joasia, standing beside me, bracing herself. What you have there? My grandmother raised her head of perfectly coiffed, auburn-dyed hair as far as her bowed shoulders would allow. She smiled at me warmly, but barely acknowledged Mum. I levered open a box containing cakes we had selected from Nanas favourite patisserie. Nana inhaled the rich

vanilla scent. Mmmm! she said, grinning. She brushed off my mother, who in vain was trying to peck her on the cheek, and made her way back to the galley kitchen that smelled of beef fat and carrot. Nanas part-time Polish caregiver had made a stew. Joasia (left) and Alicja at Karens 21st birthday. Credit: Courtesy of Karen Kirsten As Nana reached into a cupboard for her gold-rimmed china, light streamed in from the courtyard and caught the blue-green numbers tattooed on her forearm: 2 4 5 3 3 5, though theyd softened over time, morphing into her skin folds and sunspots. I was four or five when I first asked about the numbers. I was sitting with my younger sister, Jacqui, watching Nana Alicja chop beetroot and onions for a soup. Nanas knife hit the cutting board: rap, rap, rap. She tilted her head high to prevent the onion fumes stinging her eyes. Its our phone number, Nana said. So I wont forget it.

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Who put it there? Papa Mietek poked his nose over his newspaper. Oh, just some man. Nana scraped the onions into a pot. She put down the knife and passed us a tin filled with European chocolate biscuits. We were never sure of Nanas age, or what she looked like when she was young; there were few photos of her. It didnt occur to me to read anything into their absence, and, besides, Nana treated me like a princess. Shed bake me cakes, shop with me at Polish and Hungarian food stores like The Chocolate Box in Camberwell, dress up to take me to the ballet and Chopin concerts, and collect seashells with me on the beach with her poodles. I didnt want to question her stories. I was too busy basking in her love. Now Nanas poodle was licking my leg in her kitchen. I like zis hair. Nana nodded at my new bob. She always took an interest in my appearance and made approving comments of the sort she rarely made of my mother. Put cakes in lounge room, Nana commanded. I joined Mum and placed the platter, cups and silver cake forks on the coffee table, then poured Nana a strong cup of French press as she slowly lowered herself into a recliner. Mum moved the platter to make room for Nanas cup. My body tensed. I knew what was coming. Dont touch zat! Nana barked as my mother retracted her hand. Nana often lost her temper at Mum for no reason, criticising her and snapping. My father had nicknamed Nana The Dragon.

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I would stay silent during these outbursts. Perhaps I held my tongue because Nanas behaviour scared me, or because I knew by then that she had suffered

unspeakable horrors in Auschwitz. And perhaps it was easier for me to justify because I was never on the receiving end of her fury. Joasia in Dachau, Germany, in 1946 Credit: Courtesy of Karen Kirsten To this day, I still dont understand why Mum bothered to visit Nana Alicja every week, only to be humiliated. Now I feel ashamed I didnt speak up for her. Once, after witnessing Nanas spitting insults, my sister-in-law asked Mum why she put up with the treatment. Because she is my mother, Mum

said pragmatically. But the problem  as we knew by then  was that this was only partially true. The thing about secrets is they are like a loose thread in a jumper; if you pull hard enough, the whole garment falls apart. My mother tells me that, growing up, shed long suspected she didnt belong to her parents. Alicjas hair was auburn and Papa Mieteks light brown, but Mums was jet black. Her chocolate-coloured eyes were not hazel, like theirs; her stubby nose contrasted with Alicjas slim one. Alicja and Mietek were tall and lanky, whereas Mum was a curvaceous five-foot-two. Short, dark and wide, she would say. It went beyond appearance, though. My mother never felt loved by her parents. At times, she believed they hated her. Sometimes theyd hit her if she persisted with her circuitous questions about the war or the black-and-white photos from Poland on Alicjas dresser. Yet they seemed to tolerate questions from her younger brother. Once, she says, the bruises from Mieteks wallopings were so severe she stole money from Alicjas purse to purchase bandages so as not to attract awkward questions at school. Then there were the strange nightmares Mum had as a child: men in uniform shooting guns, dark rooms where one needed to stay quiet. Alicja and Mietek dismissed these and showed no interest in her dreams or memories: they wanted her to simply keep quiet and behave. They said my imaginary life was lies, Mum tells me now.

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Alicja and Mietek also screened her dates as a teenager. They mandated Jewish boys from well-to-do immigrant families. It felt overbearing and protective; a form of control, not love. Increasingly, my mother felt shed failed to live up to her refugee parents lofty ambitions. By contrast, Mums brother  an upbeat and relaxed child  received warmth and adulation. When he graduated from medical school, they presented him with a car, a flashy, white MG convertible. When Mum graduated from teachers college, they gave her a pen. My mother wanted to create a household full of warmth and love. Her own dysfunctional home haunted her. A year after college, my mother left home for good to marry my Australian-born father, whose Swiss immigrant parents were neither well-to-do nor Jewish. Alicjas best friend had introduced them. She thought he was Jewish because of his big nose! Mum later told me, chuckling. Loading It was my father who showed my mother how to cook basic meals. Alicja baked babkas and stewed goulashes, yet shed taught Mum nothing about taking care of a household, about sexual matters or raising children. Maybe Alicjas memories of her own mother were too painful to recall. Maybe the war had eradicated her ability to bond. Regardless, everything my mother knew about parenting she had learnt herself. She wanted to create a household full of warmth and love. Her own dysfunctional home haunted her. She would have never left me home alone with a crying sibling, as Alicja had done, while she and Mietek jitterbugged across nightclub dance floors. I was nine-and-a-half and at school on the hot February morning when my mother heard a car turn off the dirt road where we lived, about 30 minutes drive from Nana Alicjas. It was the postman. He handed her a thick, heavy envelope pasted with Canadian stamps. She placed it on the bench and fixed herself a cup of tea. She poured coffee for my father. Because my mother never started the day without make-up, fragrance, a necklace and matching earrings, she carried the coffee to my father in his study, smelling of Chanel No. 5, an apron tied round her waist. She then returned to her tea, and the envelope.

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The address indicated a Canadian business: Zdzislaw Przygoda and Associates. My 32-year-old mother knew no one in Canada. She sliced a knife along the envelope and removed a hefty mass of ivory paper  pages and pages. The letter was penned in curved, blue script. My dearest Joasia, You must excuse me to call you like this, but I have been silent for so many years, now I use the name as I hold it in my memory  My mother frowned. She knelt to pick up a brown leather folder that had slipped from the envelope. Worn and dog-eared, it contained photos. They were familiar; she had seen them on Alicjas dresser. The first was a picture of my mother at around 15 months old, tucked into a pram on gigantic wheels, bundled up in a thick, woollen coat. The second photo showed Alicjas sister, Irena, who had died in the war. This was Mums aunt, dressed here in a long evening dress and jacket, clutching an elegant white purse. Karen and Joasia in Poland, 2012. Credit: Courtesy of Karen Kirsten Mum stared at Irenas black, wavy hair and her deep-set, dark eyes. She read more of the letter. Something clicked into place. Hearing my mother shriek, my father dashed into the kitchen. He found her waving a letter. Read it! he encouraged.  I survived the war only because the thought about you gave me the necessary strength   my mother began tentatively. As she read the letter aloud, faces and memories from her childhood in postwar Germany flashed inside her head. She remembered a two-storey villa in the town of Dachau, where shed lived with Alicja and Mietek and other refugee families.

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Forty firefighters have extinguished a blaze in a scrap metal yard in south-western Sydney that produced a large volume of toxic smoke.

A spokesperson for Fire and Rescue NSW said the fire on Claremont Avenue in Greenacre, between Strathfield and Bankstown, burned for about two hours on Saturday but was now completely out.

The fire service earlier warned residents to avoid the area and close windows and doors if nearby.

All smoke is toxic and an irritant, the statement said.
Labour markets in NSW and Victoria are among the first to show signs of being reshaped by artificial intelligence, accounting for the vast majority of new jobs using the emerging technology in Australia.

As the federal government considers how to regulate the technology, Australias first AI human capital index showed the countrys two biggest states accounted for 76 per cent of new AI jobs, despite having 57 per cent of the overall workforce.

There were 756 jobs ads across Australia that referenced AI skills in 2012. By 2021, there were 20,505. Credit: Stephen Kiprillis

Amid the rapid acceleration of AI applications such as ChatGPT, the federal government last month outlined plans to regulate the use of the technology.

The new research by economics advisory firm Mandala Partners showed private sector investment in AI was growing, with banks, consultancies and accounting firms leading the way. The federal government, Commonwealth Bank, Deloitte, Amazon and Macquarie Bank were employing the most workers with skills in the technology.
But this week, Labor played down expectations in Fadden, repeatedly saying anything less than the average swing towards an opposition of 4 per cent would be a failure for Dutton. Loading Labor cabinet minister Murray Watt said on Saturday night the government was never going to win the seat and it was no major victory for the opposition to win one of its safest seats. We have always known from the very beginning that we had absolutely no chance of winning this byelection, Watt told the ABC. There was no chance of it being a repeat of Aston, but we felt that it was important to stand a candidate here, partly to give people the choice, but also to make sure that we continue building our presence on the Gold Coast.

Caldwell said in his victory speech that the result showed that the Liberal Party could return to government under Dutton. We are a party that must return to government in order to restore the faith that Australians have in government, he said. Peter Dutton is seen during the Queensland Liberal National Party annual conference earlier this month. Credit: AAP Our party values are Australian party values and Peter Dutton is a man of integrity, of great thought and great care and he will be a magnificent prime minister and I look forward to supporting him on that journey. Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Karen Andrews said it was clearly not a good night for Labor based on these figures.

I know they would say that they expected that they would lose some margin in this election but ... they were putting their heart and soul into trying to do damage to the LNP, she said. Loading For Labor, this is a very disappointing outcome and maybe they need to rethink some of their strategy. Liberal senator James McGrath said on Saturday night that Labor made a mistake by focusing heavily on robo-debt and Robert. Our candidate was Cameron Caldwell, people were voting for Cameron Caldwell, he told the ABC.

We wanted to make the focus about Cameron Caldwell. Peter Dutton spent a lot of time here. He spent more time here than Anthony Albanese. Labors Letitia Del Fabbro and Treasurer Jim Chalmers talk at Arundel State School during polling day for the Fadden byelection. Credit: AAP Labor candidate Letitia Del Fabbro, a nurse educator, conceded defeat to party supporters at 8pm. Del Fabbro said that during the campaign she had relished the chance to talk about Labor policies including cheaper childcare. She confirmed she had called Caldwell minutes before to congratulate him on the win.

I guess it has always been an important message to the LNP to not take the Gold Coast for granted, she said. And I think together we can build on this experience to build Labor on the Gold Coast. The Australian Electoral Commission had earlier raised concerns over low voter turnout in pre-polling for Fadden, an electorate on the northern end of the Gold Coast with a median age of 39. Turnout was expected to be as low as 80 per cent. Loading Casting his vote with his wife, Lauren, at a polling booth on Saturday morning, Caldwell was asked if Roberts involvement in the robo-debt scandal was affecting voters. He said cost of living and crime were bigger issues in the electorate. Those are issues that are really starting to bite in their households and its whether people can put food on the table and keep the lights switched on, Caldwell told Sky News.
China's Yangtze River Delta builds momentum for high-quality development with IPR

By Gu Yekai () 11:15, July 15, 2023

People visit the 9th China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair in east China's Shanghai, June 15, 2023. (Photo by Zhou Dongchao/People's Daily Online)

The Yangtze River Delta region in east China, one of the country's economic hubs, boasts high economic vitality, high-level opening up and strong innovation capability. It holds nearly 1/3 of China's valid patents and a quarter of the country's valid registered trademarks.

The region enjoys full-chain circulation of intellectual property rights (IPR) factors, which contributes to its high-quality development.

So far, the region has nurtured over 1,800 demonstration enterprises with intellectual property advantages, which drive the comprehensive improvement of the region's industrial competitiveness. Centering on integrated circuits, biomedicine, artificial intelligence and other key areas, the region established seven industrial IPR operation centers and 24 national-level patent navigation service bases to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies.

Last year, the amount of patent pledge financing in the region jumped 72.6 percent year on year to 186.26 billion yuan ($26.05 billion), accounting for nearly half of China's total. Besides, the region is also home to 29 national-level IPR protection centers and fast-response IPR service centers, as well as over 400 mediation organizations for IPR disputes.

Focusing on improving mechanisms, smoothening the flow of factors, strengthening protection, optimizing services and deepening reforms, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) is promoting the high-quality integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta with IPR improvement, said Liang Xinxin, spokesperson of the CNIPA.

The three provinces and Shanghai municipality in the Yangtze River Delta region have established complete cooperation mechanisms and made a lot of explorations in strengthening IPR protection, optimizing the business environment and serving market entities, Liang added.

Over recent years, a series of new mechanisms and models related to IPR have been piloted in the region, and achieved positive results.

In Jun 2021, China's newly amended Patent Law entered into effect, which has added stipulations on a new patent open licensing system. According to the law, after a patentee declares to the patent administrative department to grant an open license and specify the royalty, anyone can exploit the patent in accordance with conditions during the implementation period of the open license.

In May 2022, Shanghai took the lead to pilot the open license. "Open license has built a bridge for universities, research institutions and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to transfer and commercialize their achievements," said Rui Wenbiao, head of Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration.

According to Rui, 50 enterprises and institutions in Shanghai have opened 240 patents, and 58 of them are free of charge. The city has introduced 610 patents opened by patentees outside of Shanghai, including Tsinghua University. Shanghai Jiao Tong University has reached a 10-million-yuan deal of an open license with an enterprise, Rui said.

A minimally invasive surgical robot is exhibited at the 9th China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair in east China's Shanghai, June 15, 2023. (Photo by Zhou Dongchao/People's Daily Online)

The mechanism of the patent open license is just a miniature of the institutional innovation made by the Yangtze River Delta in IPR.

In April 2023, Hefei of Anhui province issued the first intellectual property securitization for SMEs that feature specialization, refinement, uniqueness and innovation in the region, with a scale of 123.5 million yuan.

Zhejiang province, which is adjacent to Anhui, took the lead in undertaking a pilot reform of the data IPR. It has launched China's first public deposit platform for data IPR, and issued the country's first rule for data IPR protection for open-source communities and first pledge standard on data IPR, so as to make data ownership clearer, better exploit IPR and make proofing of IPR easier, said Gu Wenhai, deputy director of Zhejiang province's intellectual property administration.

China's first national pilot project for the standardization of data IPR also landed in Zhejiang, Gu told People's Daily.

Boehringer Ingelheim, a German multinational pharmaceutical company, owns patents of its self-developed innovative medicines in its Shanghai office.

"We feel the importance attached by the Chinese government to IPR protection and to maintaining fair market competition," said an executive of the company.

As the number of patents owned by foreign enterprises in China keeps growing, IPR is contributing significantly to the high-level opening up of the country.

In the Yangtze River Delta region, Shanghai has launched a special campaign for the protection of foreign companies' IPR for three years in a row, during which over 60 IPR disputes and infringement cases were handled.

Shanghai, in collaboration with intellectual property departments from Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces, has carried out regular dialogues and exchanges for foreign enterprises to understand their demands for IPR protection, and inform them of IPR laws, regulations, services and measures.

To assist China's high-level opening up, the CNIPA launched pilot programs aiming at establishing permanent representative offices of foreign patent agencies in IPR service clusters, including the Suzhou New District and the Jiangning district of Nanjing, Jiangsu province, building them into international hubs of IPR services," said Liang.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
There is a danger in the ongoing humiliation of Scott Morrison that he becomes a convenient fall guy for a wider system failure.

Morrisons conduct in office, and his subsequent refusal to accept the conclusions of a library shelf of damning reports into his misuse of power, is an extreme example of a political culture that created and enabled him.

Illustration: Simon Letch Credit:

He reflects the worst instincts of an entitled generation of politicians, both Liberal and Labor, who believe that an election victory affirms their right to rule. It confers no such right. It gives them the privilege to represent the Australian people, and the responsibility to protect our democratic institutions.

Morrisons one-man government was the culmination of a generation of bad practice that began with John Howards final term between 2004 and 2007, when the government ran on a model of continuous campaigning with a handout machine churning out funds at the local level for the purpose of re-election. Every prime minister from Howard inherited a system that centralised power and ran the country from the prime ministers office, with the temporary exception of Malcolm Turnbull, who attempted but failed to restore the old-fashioned concept of cabinet government to a divided Coalition.
The submarines barely rated a mention, however, at the forum itself, and Indonesia has notably softened in its official public commentary, with Widodo telling this masthead in an exclusive interview on the eve of his Australian trip: This decision from Australia, I must respect it. Indonesian President Joko Widodo with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Sydney last week. Credit: James Brickwood We made a big effort to engage deeply and early, which is quite different to the way in which the Morison government did on the issue ahead of the [initial AUKUS] announcement, Wong said in an interview on the sideline of the gathering in Jakarta, which culminated with Fridays East Asia Summit for foreign ministers, at which her counterparts from the United States, China, India, Russia and Japan were also present. I think the region understands better our motivations and the detail of whats occurring. The region is very aware that they are in the centre of a great deal of strategic competition. And they want assurances about how we are approaching that and what this means for that.

And then there is the nuclear confusion. Stressing that Australias new submarines were being pursued to replace an existing capability  and would be nuclear-fuelled, not armed  the government was also careful to bring non-AUKUS members into the loop before unveiling further details of the security agreement in March, making as many as 60 phone calls to world leaders, including those in South-East Asia where trepidation has been most acute. As well as taking issue with the transfer of nuclear technology, Indonesia had been particularly put out by not being consulted before the original AUKUS announcement in September 2021. And while then prime minister Scott Morrison defended the extreme secrecy surrounding it as necessary, Wong indicated it had been a mistake to leave regional neighbours in the dark. I think we only have to look at how it was received to make a judgment that it could have been handled better, she said. And I think our view about how it should have been handled was the way in which we handled the subsequent announcements.

I think its always a problem in diplomacy if you blindside people. The Albanese governments focus on South-East Asia, as well as the Pacific, where China has also sought to broaden its influence amid its rivalry with the United States, signing a controversial police cooperation agreement with Solomon Islands this week, was evident from the outset last year. Albanese himself ventured to Jakarta to see Widodo less than two weeks after taking office, making it his first bilateral visit, and Wong, who joined him and made a splash by speaking in Indonesian, began a flying frenzy on which one of the first stops was Kota Kinabalu, the Malaysian city where she was born. I think [South-East Asian governments] have welcomed the elevation in engagement at senior level, leader level and minister level. I think that they have heard us, I hope, when we talk about ... our commitment to making our partnership with them as strong as possible, Wong said. Im from the region, and I knew the region well, and before I became foreign minister, wed had a very long time in opposition to think about how we might approach the region.

There are myriad challenges ahead in maintaining and advancing links with a patchwork of nations with varying political landscapes and priorities, most of whom are determined not to have to choose between Washington and Beijing. At the same time, they are unapologetic for a rising economic dependence on China. Wong was welcomed back to the Malaysian city of her birth, Kota Kinabalu, last year. Credit: Jeremiah Chan Indonesia, this years ASEAN chair and by far its largest country, has called for Australia and groups such as AUKUS and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, comprising Australia, the US, Japan and India, to be more inclusive. The obstacles for democracy, meanwhile, are laid bare in particular in mainland South-East Asia, where Myanmar is controlled by the junta, Thailands military and royal establishment has resisted the election of a progressive new leader and Cambodia will hold elections next Sunday, which the main opposition party has been barred from contesting. Asked about the approaching polls in Cambodia, whose democratic transition Australia played a central role in three decades ago, Wong said: The constriction of political space is something weve commented on, and made representations about publicly and privately.

So its opposition parties, freedom of speech, and so forth: This is one of the challenges in the region, isnt it? That we live in a region where there are many countries that dont share our values and our views about how to organise democracy and how to progress that. Loading We have to continue engaging and continue dialogue but at the same time also be true to who we are and to put our views about the nature of what we consider are universal rights, such as freedom of expression and freedom to participate in political expression in particular. Yet while there is a strong contrast in world views in that respect, Wong said she had found closer alignment between Australia and governments around South-East Asia when it came to securing their future in turbulent geopolitical times. The countries of the region ... we have different political systems, we have different histories, different cultural heritage, those who are members of the non-aligned movement, were a US ally etc, she said.
A Las Vegas casino titan soon to park itself in an Islamic Gulf state could trigger the overturning of strict Islamic law (sharia) that forbids gambling, with an up-and-coming tourist haven preparing for the opening of a luxury $5.7 billion gaming resort.

In Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven United Arab Emirates, the planned 2027 launch of the luxury integrated Wynn Resort will open the door to 1500 lavishly styled rooms, high-end dining and shopping, a spa, theatre and, for the first time in the Gulf region, a gaming area.

Artist impression of Wynn Resorts upcoming resort on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.

Gambling is still prohibited in the UAE under sharia, an offence punishable by heavy fines or up to two years in prison, and casinos are not legal  yet. But regulatory change is afoot, with a new government department to regulate entertainment and gaming operations within Ras Al Khaimah.

Opening the first casino in the UAE would be a striking move from one of the smaller emirates, a bold flex as the region navigates an untrodden path to diversify its economy towards a future less reliant on oil.
Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 6:11AM

Microsoft's USD 69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the maker of Call of Duty, cleared a significant hurdle on Friday when a U.S. appeals court denied the FTC's request to halt the deal. The FTC argued that the deal would harm consumers and competition in the video game industry, but a district court judge and an appeals court both rejected that claim. Microsoft offered 10-year licenses to rivals like Sony Group to address the FTC's concerns.

The dealthe largest in video game historystill needs approval in Britain, where the competition regulator is reviewing a new proposal from Microsoft. The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority extended its deadline for a final ruling to August 29. But it hopes to reach a decision as soon as possible. The merger agreement expires on July 18, after which either company can choose to walk away unless they negotiate an extension.

Source
The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) announced an agreement today to develop an IIT Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi. The agreement was signed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The new Memorandum of Understanding is part of the 'IITs Go Global' strategy. After IIT Madras Zanzibar, this will be the second foreign IIT campus.

Notably, IIT Delhi will be the second overseas IIT campus after IIT Madras, which announced that its foreign campus in Zanzibar, Tanzania, will open in October 2023. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan provided details about the development, saying, "IIT Delhi's Abu Dhabi campus to set the template for leveraging the power of knowledge for mutual prosperity and global good," Dharmendra Pradhan stated.

"In the presence of Hon. PM @narendramodiji, the MoU for the establishment of the @iitdelhi campus in Abu Dhabi opens a new chapter in the internationalisation of India's education," Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted.

Meanwhile, PM Modi remarked in a tweet, "This marks a significant step forward in our educational internationalisation and demonstrates India's innovation prowess." Education is the glue that holds us together, the spark that inspires invention. We shall use this power for mutual benefit and world good if we work together."
Josh Aguilar Amanda Dermott Christian Garrett Ali Baker Goodman Kellie Brown Guard Sierra Coleman Hasty Yunyue (Kyle) Ma Melissa Dishner Madell Danna Griffin Tyree Previous Next

The Lee University Office of Alumni Relations announced the winners of the 2023 Young Alumni Professional Development Grant.

The YAPD Grant program supports alumni participating in initiatives, events, trainings, and projects related to professional development. The grant is open to all Lee University alumni, regardless of academic training or professional experience, as long as the individual is currently employed and within 10 years of graduating from a Lee undergraduate program.

We are so proud of the incredible work our young alums are doing, said Taylor Smith, director of Alumni Relations. The first few years after graduation can be tough, and the YAPD Grant is a way for the university to support our alums during a crucial part of their professional development.

This years recipients are Josh Aguilar, Amanda Dermott, Christian Garrett, Ali Baker Goodman, Kellie Brown Guard, Sierra Coleman Hasty, Yunyue (Kyle) Ma, Melissa Dishner Madell, and Danna Griffin Tyree.

Mr. Aguilar, a branch manager at Oregon Community Credit Union, graduated in 2016 and will use the funds to pursue a Master of Arts in organizational leadership at Bushnell University.

Ms. Dermott, a 2021 graduate, is an administrative fellow at Erlanger Health System. The YAPD Grant will cover her membership fees, webinars, and meetings for the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Ms. Garrett graduated in 2014 and works at Mitchell Family Medicine and The Ark Childrens Clinic as an advanced practice registered nurse. He plans to use the grant to pay for membership fees for the Obesity Medicine Association.

Ms. Goodman, a school-based therapist at Centerstone, graduated in 2018 and plans to use the funds to pay for externship fees for emotion-focused therapy.

Ms. Guard is a school counselor at Bradley County Public Schools and graduated in 2020. She plans to use the funds to buy social and emotional learning books for school counseling.

Ms. Hasty, who graduated in 2021, is an elementary school teacher at Whitfield County Schools and plans to pursue a master's program at Georgia Southern University.

Mr. Ma is a senior tax associate at Life Care Centers of America and graduated in 2016. He plans to pursue an MBA at Lee University with these funds.

Ms. Madell graduated in 2017 and is a music therapist at Moved by Music. With the grant she received, she will buy instruments for music therapy sessions.

Ms. Tyree graduated in 2021 and works at Southern Tennessee Regional Health Systems and Centennial ER as an emergency room registered nurse. She will further her medical Spanish training with the grant.

For more information or to apply for the YAPD Grant, email alumni@leeuniversity.edu or call 614-8316.
An investigation by special agent fire investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation into a residential fire in Grundy County last year has resulted in the arrest of a Tracy City man.

On Jan. 23, 2022, TBI special agent/certified fire and explosives investigators were requested by the Grundy County Sheriffs Office to assist with a residential fire scene investigation in the 400 block of Q Switch Road in Tracy City. During the course of the investigation, information was developed that indicated the fire had been intentionally set. The investigation further identified Arthur Nunley as the individual responsible for setting the fire.

On July 10, the Grundy County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Arthur Kenneth Nunley, 58, with one count of arson. On Thursday, Nunley was taken into custody by the Grundy County Sheriffs Office and booked into the Grundy County Jail.
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson calls for enforcing the law against pro-life sidewalk counselors

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson released a blueprint for the city calling for enforcing bubble zone ordinances against pro-life sidewalk counselors, restricting their ability to provide information about free resources to abortion-minded women.

Johnson released "A Blueprint for Creating a More Just and Vibrant City for All" this month after collaborating with "hundreds" of diverse leaders on how to make Chicago "stronger, safer, and better." In the document, the mayor outlines his promises to make "structural changes" on behalf of women, girls, LGBT and non-binary people.

These changes, according to the mayor, include "full access to rights, resources, services, opportunities, and decision-making."

"All Chicagoans and people traveling to Chicago to seek abortion care are treated with compassion and receive care safely and efficiently," the mayor's blueprint reads. "Chicago advances economic opportunities for women and girls. The Mayor's Office is committed to becoming a national model for gender equity and reproductive rights. Our city is a leader in ending gender-based violence and sexual assault."

The blueprint calls for working to enforce Chicago's "bubble zone" ordinance, which prohibits pro-life sidewalk counselors intending to pass out literature, counsel women or protest from coming within eight feet of a person within 50 feet of an abortion clinic.

A spokesperson for Students for Life of America and its sister group, Students for Life Action, called Johnson's plan "misguided," citing a recent news report detailing the troubling number of shootings in Chicago.

"The Pro-Life Generation, sometimes gathering on sidewalks for counseling, advocates for no violence inside or outside of the womb," the SFLA spokesperson told The Christian Post in a Friday statement.

"Rather than addressing murder, the Mayor wants to target people trying to save lives, echoing the pro-abortion bias of President Biden's Department of Justice. Students for Life Action will use its grassroots base to call out these anti-life policies and engage on behalf of the preborn in Illinois."

Johnson's office didn't immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment.

In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the ordinance that creates buffer zones outside of abortion clinics in Chicago.

The case against Chicago's 50-foot buffer zone law was challenged by pro-life activists and organizations who argued that it violated their First Amendment rights. A federal court and the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals allowed the ordinance to stay in effect. The 7th Circuit cited a 2000 Supreme Court decision upholding a similar Colorado law.

CP has previously reported on pro-life activists who have faced legal challenges for standing outside of abortion clinics. In March, British pro-life activist Isabel Vaughan-Spruce was arrested for silently praying outside of an abortion facility.

Law enforcement argued that Vaughan-Spruce had been in violation of a Public Health Protection Order, which the city of Birmingham implemented last September. The order prohibits people from "protesting, namely engaging in any act of approval or disapproval or attempted act of approval or disapproval, with respect to issues related to abortion services, by any means" within a certain radius of an abortion clinic.

The police imposed bail restrictions on Vaughan-Spruce that extended beyond areas covered by the Public Space Protection Order, extending the prohibited areas to an even larger radius. West Midlands Police later acknowledged that the order did not prohibit Vaughan-Spruce from "being present within the zone." However, they "warned her that the file has been referred to the [Crown Prosecution Service] and she may still be charged."

According to a June statement released by the United Kingdom chapter of the Alliance Defending Freedom, the West Midlands Police ceased to bar Vaughan-Spruce from standing in the vicinity of an abortion clinic. The restriction had been imposed on her as part of her bail conditions following her arrest.

"While I am grateful my bail conditions have been lifted, and the police have acknowledged that peaceful presence is not in and of itself a crime, I am concerned that the police were able to restrict my right to peacefully and silently pray for three months and so soon after I was acquitted for the same conduct," Vaughan-Spruce said in a statement.

"I received no update from the authorities as to the progress of the investigation, and I still don't know how my actions could be considered in any way intimidating. To have prosecution hanging over my head for a seemingly indeterminate period for the simple act of praying, thinking towards God, is deeply unsettling and unjust."
DeSantis vows to fire any FBI agent who harasses pro-life activists if elected president

Republican presidential hopeful and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has vowed to fire any Federal Bureau of Investigation agent who harasses a pro-life activist if elected in 2024.

In an interview with former Fox News opinion host Tucker Carlson at the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines, Iowa, DeSantis was asked about holding federal government employees accountable for their actions.

DeSantis replied that there are levers that you can pull to have accountability in the federal government, adding that I think we can fire any federal bureaucrat who acts badly.

If we have an FBI agent going to harass a pro-life activist like they did Mark Houck and send a SWAT team, Id fire them immediately, he declared, receiving applause.

When you have FBI colluding with big tech to censor dissent, I would fire those people. Had I been president [in] 2020, Anthony Fauci would have been fired. And youve got to be willing to do it.

Last September, the FBI garnered criticism when it allegedly sent a 20-member SWAT team to arrest Houck on two charges of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act due to an incident that occurred outside an abortion clinic in Pennsylvania that he and his then 12-year-old son were protesting across the street from in 2021.

Houck, a Catholic pro-life advocate and father of seven who faced 11 years in prison, was found not guilty in January of a federal violation related to an encounter with a Planned Parenthood clinic escort in Philadelphia.

For its part, the FBI denied that it sent a SWAT team to arrest the pro-life activist, telling Fox News in a statement that there were inaccurate claims being made regarding the arrest of Mark Houck.

No SWAT Team or SWAT operators were involved. FBI agents knocked on Mr. Houck's front door, identified themselves as FBI agents and asked him to exit the residence, stated an FBI spokesperson. He did so and was taken into custody without incident pursuant to an indictment.

During his remarks, DeSantis championed his states record on the abortion issue, with the governor having recently signed a bill that bans most abortions after six weeks into a pregnancy.

When Carlson asked him if would sign a similar law at the federal level, DeSantis said he would sign pro-life legislation, but felt that a culture of life needed to be developed before he could enact such a law nationally.

As president, I will be somebody who will use the bully pulpit to support governors like [Iowa Gov.] Kim Reynolds when shes got a bill, other states as they advance the cause of life, he said. It is a critical issue.

DeSantis also joked that, when it comes to going against the liberal Democrat establishment in 2024, he welcomed the opportunity to compare and contrast Florida with the likes of California.

Im very confident that the freedom in Florida is what more people would choose rather than the public defecation on the streets of San Francisco, he quipped.

DeSantis was one of many Republican presidential candidates who Carlson interviewed on Friday at the Summit event, which was co-hosted by Glenn Becks Blaze Media.

Other candidates who spoke with Carlson included former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and businessman and author Vivek Ramaswamy.

In addition to the candidate interviews, the Summit also featured Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signing a state law banning most abortions when a baby's heartbeat is detected, which is usually around six weeks into a pregnancy.

All life is precious and worthy of the protection of our laws, Reynolds told those gathered, shortly before she signed the law. Everyone understands that a heartbeat signifies life, and we understand that when it falls silent, something precious has been lost.
Iraqi Christians fear presidents revocation of decree places them in harms way

Christians in Iraq protested a decision by Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid to withdraw a decade-old decree recognizing Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako as the head of the Chaldean Church "in Iraq and the world" and allowing him to legally protect the assets of Christians and the local church.

On July 3, according to Rudaw English, Rashid revoked special presidential decree 147, issued by late president Jalal Talabani in 2013. In addition to officially recognizing Sako as the head of the Chaldean Church, the oldest Christian community in Iraq, the decree reportedly granted him powers to administer Chaldean endowment affairs.

Rashid was allegedly inspired to revoke the decree by Rayan al-Kildani, the leader of the nominally Christian Babylon Movement, a party and militia affiliated with the pro-Iran Popular Mobilization Forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Rudaw English said.

In a statement, the Iraqi presidency pushed back on claims that repealing the decree targeted a specific person.

"There is no doubt that religious institutions do not function as government agencies. Clerics who are assigned to these tasks are not considered state employees for the purposes of issuing a decree appointing them," the statement reads.



"Nonetheless, the abolition of Presidential Decree No. 147 of 2013 is intended to correct the situation and does not have any other implications."

Sako is well-known for speaking out and attracting international attention to the plight of Christians in Iraq as Islamic State forces ravaged the country and forced half of the 1 million strong Iraqi Catholic Community to flee persecution from extremist Sunni forces.

Critics of decree 147's revocation worry that the decision is a pretext to take over what Christians have left in the country.

"This is a political maneuver to seize the remainder of what Christians have left in Iraq and Baghdad and to expel them. Unfortunately, this is a blatant targeting of the Christians and a threat to their rights," Diya Butrus Slewa, a leading human and minority rights activist from Ainkawa, a Christian-majority district at the northern edge of Erbil, where residents protested in front of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph on Thursday morning.

"From the beginning of the Church, Christian affairs are administered by the Church. The Church has its own laws, courts, and committees," Slewa explained. "We hope the Iraqi presidency hears our people and revokes this [decision] as soon as possible, otherwise it will become an international matter and the Vatican will get involved."

A statement from Rashid's office noted the Sako did not need a decree to be recognized as the leader of the local Catholic Church as "he is appointed by the Apostolic See."

"Withdrawing the republican decree does not prejudice the religious or legal status of Cardinal Louis Sako, as he is appointed by the Apostolic See," the statement said, adding that the patriarch continues to enjoy "the respect and appreciation of the presidency of the Republic as Patriarch of the Chaldean Church in Iraq and the world."

Emad Hanna, an elderly man who protested in Ainkawa, told the Erbile-based Rudaw that it is Kildani's militia that put pressure on Rashid to revoke the decree.

"What else can I say? This is a clear violation and there is no doubt about that. What the president of the republic has done is clearly under political pressure from a militia group who it is a disgrace to even call Christian and say that they represent our peaceful community," Hanna said.



"I feel ashamed that I have to waste my breath talking about them. The fact that this has happened is a complete disgrace."
Vivek Ramaswamy tells Tucker Carlson why Jan. 6 happened, says US is spiritually broken

Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy blamed cycles of censorship on social media for the violent protests at Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2021, when some Trump supporters sought to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election.

Speaking with former Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson at the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday, Ramaswamy was asked his opinion on the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Ramaswamy said it was pervasive censorship in this country in the lead-up to Jan. 6 that was at the root of the riots, warning that if you tell people in this country they cannot speak, that is when they scream. You tell people they cannot scream, that is when they tear things down, he continued. And so, the reality is, we were told that you could not question where the virus came from when we all knew it came from a lab in Wuhan, which they now admit.

We were told that you could not send a private message to someone on the eve of an election that Hunter Bidens laptop story was actually a true story worth considering before an election. It was systematically suppressed.

Ramaswamy noted that people were told you had to be locked down, you had to take a vaccine that was mandated, forced down your throats, then added that people were locked in their homes while ANTIFA and BLM roam and burn the streets of this country.

The lead-up to the Jan. 6 protest, Ramaswamy added, was one full year of telling people, You have to shut up, sit down, and do as youre told. And then you tell them, OK, theres an election where you didnt get the information that you needed.

Thats what caused Jan. 6, is a cycle of censorship in this country, he added. And until we look ourselves in the mirror and admit truth on that, we will not move forward as a country.

Ramaswamy told Carlson that he was concerned that, unless the censorship problem was tackled, the Jan. 6 riot would be a friendly parlay compared to whats to come.

Ramaswamy then talked about a recent incident in which the career website Linkedin, which is owned by Microsoft, locked him out of his account over posts he made about the Bidens relationship with China and climate change that the website claimed contained misinformation.

Ramaswamy said that this was an example of that culture of censorship in our country, and encouraged people to speak their minds, seeing such robust expression as a sign of a healthy democracy.

Ramaswamy, a Hindu, also spoke with concern about the lack of religious belief in the United States, describing the majority Christian nation as being "spiritually broken" and starved for purpose and meaning.

The successful businessman believes that weve lost the things that used to ground us, listing such things as faith, patriotism, hard work, family, adding that too many people are lost in the wilderness.

Ramaswamy said that while he felt a secular religion has occupied that void left from disbelief in God, this non-religious worldview hasnt really satisfied our moral hunger.

That effect is fading, and I think people are hungry to turn back to the real thing. The conversation is coming up, Ramaswamy said. It is one nation, under God. Yes, it is a nation that is stronger when we ground ourselves in the unit of the family.

Ramaswamys remarks were part of the Family Leadership Summit, which was sponsored in part by Blaze Media and featured several Republican presidential hopefuls speaking with Carlson.

Earlier that day, Carlson spoke with former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson, who defended a controversial decision to veto a bill banning body-disfiguring cosmetic sex-change surgeries for youth suffering from gender dysphoria. The bill was later passed by a veto override.

Hutchinson argued that, while he opposed such surgeries, he felt the legislation went too far and was unconstitutional, believing that it actually interfered with parental rights.

I want the government to stay out. I want the parents and communities and our faith to guide us through these difficult decisions, he stressed.
There should be no argument: No one has the right to harm any child

There should be no argument: no one in Louisiana has the right to harm any child.

When dealing with legislatures, ideologies and money, though, even the simple concept of child safety becomes contentious. Since enough votes were tabulated in order to proceed with a veto session, in keeping with the provisions prescribed by the state constitution, we will soon find out if the Louisiana State Legislature has the courage amid great pressure to protect the most vulnerable among us: those children who have been confused or manipulated by the current culture war into believing they were born in the wrong body.

The battle looming over Governor John Bel Edwards veto of HB648 by Rep. Gabe Firment, a bill intended to prohibit any attempt to chemically or surgically modify the sex of a minor in the state of Louisiana, would not only leave Louisiana children vulnerable to this devastating medical treatment, but it opens the door to vulnerable children in surrounding states. Louisiana is currently an island in a sea of states that are in the process of passing or have already passed legislation to protect children from this harmful medical intervention.

Despite incredible bipartisan support and tremendous public support that was utilized to resurrect HB648 after Republican Sen. Fred Mills, a notorious Edwards puppet, killed it in a Senate committee, the governor vetoed the bill. Now it is left in the hands, once again, of the Louisiana Legislature.

It has been stunning to watch as medical piranhas have spread across the deep South, set up clinics, and begin to advertise online the services that their gender clinics offer. If the speed at which these medical practitioners moved from 2022-2023 is any indication of what is to come, a category 5 hurricane will look like a tiny thunderstorm when the doctors and patients from other states flood our state to join those already here, creating a medical industrial complex of gender-affirming harm.

Many important issues are at stake but none more important than closing the state lines by passing HB648 to protect Louisiana children and all those that will flood the state seeking so-called medical care that is neither FDA-approved nor backed by sound medical evidence.

What makes this situation even more grave is that Louisiana has no minimum age for medical consent [1]. Yes, you read that correctly! In the state of Louisiana, minors do not need parental permission nor are doctors required to inform parents of any treatment their minor child seeks on their own behalf.

That means minors from out of state will be able to cross the state line and access gender-affirming care. As if it isn't bad enough to leave the children of Louisiana open to such harm, it is blatantly irresponsible to open the gates when every surrounding state worked tirelessly to pass legislation that would protect their children. Louisiana clearly aspires to be the mecca of GAC for minors. School-based clinics are set to open next across the state where doctors will be free to harm children without any obligation to notify parents [2].



Edwards is currently the lamest of ducks, essentially powerless, with his last executive act the veto of legislation placed on his desk following the regular session. That, along with a veto-proof vote in both chambers, should make an override inevitable, but there are other factors at play that make a sure thing only a possibility.

The most obvious factor is the weak leadership in both chambers. In the only other veto session that this legislature has seen, they convened only to adjourn with no vetoes overturned. Edwards is termed out and has no more power over budgets or line-item vetoes: every veto should be overturned, but even more so the flagship bill of the session: HB648, which simply seeks to protect Louisiana children from deceptive and harmful medical interventions.

Whats at stake if they do not act? The health and well-being of Louisiana children and countless children in surrounding states.



1. https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=964338



2. https://accesshealthla.org/school-based-health-centers/
After 56 years of marriage, couple dies hours apart holding hands

A Michigan couple whose family described as inseparable in life died hours apart while holding hands earlier this month.

The daughters of the storybook couple, Will and Judy Webb, who died on March 6, told Fox 2 that their parents who met when they were just 14, wouldnt have wanted to die any other way.

"At 14 they met and were friends, they dated other people, they were engaged to other people," Marybeth Webb, one of the late couples daughters explained. "And then they were both single when he went to [the] Army. So she was like, I didn't have anyone to write, so I started writing your dad.'"

The couple forged a friendship through letters. Judy wrote Will when he served in Korea and they soon fell in love. On Feb. 16, 1963, they eventually got married and moved to Melvindale where they raised their children.

And their daughters grew up understanding the strong bond between their parents.

"They always had their arms on each other. If she was away five minutes, he would say, 'Where's mama, have you seen mama?'" another daughter, Lori Thomas, said.

It wasnt until several months ago the daughters, who are all nurses, said that the bond between their parents was first threatened by sickness. Judy suffered complications from what was supposed to be a routine surgery and things started going downhill from there and they watched their father go down with her.

"It went bad," Lori explained. "She ended up coding from it. My father watched it and broke."

Will, who was 77, collapsed the morning after his wife coded. Even though he and his wife were being treated in separate hospitals, the couple still maintained a physical and emotional bond that medical experts couldnt explain.

"She would get a fever from her infection; he would get a fever. Couldn't figure out where his was coming from because there was no source," Marybeth said. "She ended up with encephalopathy as a complication from the antibiotic she was on; he ended up with encephalopathy. Both ended up unresponsive at the same time, ended up back in the ICU."

It was soon clear that Will was dying.

"I put him in hospice and let God take it from there, and my mom just started declining so bad we said we have to get them back together, we can't do this, they can't die without one another," Ann Warren, another daughter, told Fox 2.

"We said 'Mom, you want to see dad?' She said 'Yes.' (She was) all excited and they brought mom through the door in dad's room and he looked over and saw her and said 'Mama!' And that was like the last thing he said," Warren added.

About four days before the couple died they were brought together in the same hospice where their daughters put their beds together so they could hold hands.

"They were holding hands and when my dad took his last breath, my mom went like this rubbing his hand," Lori said. "She wasn't responding but she knew he died, so she rubbed his hand, like I'll be there soon  and she was."

Even though their parents are gone, the sisters described the gift of love their parents left them as a treasure.

"We all have this long line of love we just treasure," Warren said. "That's why no one should ever settle. If you have someone you truly love you should fight for it. They fought for their love every day."
Asa Hutchinson defends vetoing bill banning sex-change procedures for kids in Tucker Q&A Former gov. says puberty blocker ban went too far: 'Parents ought to raise their children'

A former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate defended his veto of a bill banning the chemical and surgical castration of youth suffering from gender dysphoria as nearly two dozen other states have passed laws protecting children from such body mutilating procedures.

At the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines, Iowa, where several Republican presidential hopefuls gathered to address Christian conservative activists six months ahead of the Iowa caucuses that will kick off presidential primary season, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson defended his veto of legislation that banned puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and body-mutilating surgeries for youth expressing temporary confusion about their sex. The bill ultimately became law with the Republican-controlled Arkansas Legislature successfully overriding his veto.

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who held discussions with multiple GOP presidential contenders throughout the day, asked Hutchinson if he had reassessed his veto of the measure at any time in the past two years. The two previously sparred about it in an exchange on the former Fox News program Tucker Carlson Tonight in April 2021.

Hutchinson, who left office following the 2022 election, indicated that he had no regrets about vetoing the bill.

Parents ought to raise their children, he declared. I believe that parents ought to be in control, and I also believe in the Constitution. I believe that God created two genders and that there should not be any confusion [about] your gender. But if there is confusion, then parents ought to be the ones that [guide] the children.

That, to me, is an important fundamental principle. Now obviously, you could take it too far, and if there would have been a bill that said you should not ever have transgender surgery as a minor, I would sign that, Hutchinson insisted. No parent should be able to consent to that permanent change.

Hutchinson further argued, This bill did go too far. It was unconstitutional; it interfered with parents, and so I sided with parents on that bill in managing the most sensitive issue that a parent can face. He defended his veto as consistent with his belief in a limited role of government.

I dont think that California ought to be able to tell parents, you need to have gender-affirming care for the children. The government should not do that, he added, contending that the bill he vetoed fell into the same category, although it came down on the opposite side of the issue.

I dont like the schools pushing transgenderism, he said. Hutchison also condemned former President Barack Obama for issuing guidance directing public schools to allow trans-identified students to enter bathrooms, lockers rooms and showers designated for the opposite sex.

Hutchison stressed, I want the government to stay out. I want the parents and communities and our faith to guide us through these difficult decisions.

As he defended his veto of the bill, Hutchinson took issue with the state of New Jersey suing the school districts that want to be able to tell parents that their child is identifying as a member of the opposite gender: Parents have to have information. They shouldnt be denied the ability to know whats going on in the school with their child.

Hutchinson concluded the discussion about the bill he vetoed by highlighting his personal opposition to body-disfiguring sex-change surgeries: I dont support that. I wouldnt make that decision in my family about changing genders, and I dont believe that taxpayers funds should be used for transgender surgery or treatment through Medicaid or Medicare or in our military.

I dont believe that that should happen because traditionally, whether its the Hyde Amendment that you prohibit funding of abortion with taxpayers dollars because it violates the religious commitment of many people, the same principle should apply here. Im saying one simple fundamental thing: that we have to have a debate as to what is the limited role of government. Lets encourage parents to make decisions. Obviously, they can go too far and you draw a line and legislatures have to do that.

As Carlson indicated throughout the discussion, efforts to prevent the dispensing of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and performing genital mutilation surgeries stem from concerns about the long-term impacts of such procedures. In addition to Arkansas, 19 other states have passed laws banning some or all of the procedures: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.

The American College of Pediatricians identifies the side effects of puberty blockers as osteoporosis, mood disorders, seizures, cognitive impairment and, when combined with cross-sex hormones, sterility. Possible long-term impacts of cross-sex hormones, as outlined by the American College of Pediatricians, include an increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, blood clots and cancers across their lifespan.

Detransitioner Chloe Cole, who formerly experienced gender dysphoria but has seen her discomfort with her biological sex subside, filed a lawsuit earlier this year attributing mental health issues she experienced as a teenager to the gender dysphoria treatment she received from the defendants named in the complaint.

The lawsuit contended that the double mastectomy Cole received as a minor caused her to experience suicidal thoughts and noted that the entire ordeal left her with deep physical and emotional wounds, severe regrets, and distrust of the medical system.

In addition to the mental effects of gender transition surgeries, they also come with physical effects. Earlier this year, the campaign of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shared images of wounds and severe scars left behind after the surgical removal of healthy breasts and forearm tissue used to create fake, flaccid penises that cannot function for females seeking to present themselves as male in an effort to draw attention to the long-term consequences of such procedures.

The RealClearPolitics average of polls sampling voters intentions heading into the Republican presidential primaries, based on surveys conducted between June 13 and July 11, shows Hutchinson capturing 0.8% support. He remains far behind the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for president, former President Donald Trump, who has the support of 53.6% of primary voters and DeSantis, who secures 20.6% support.
European Parliament calls for peace in Manipur; India accuses EU of having 'colonial mindset'

The European Parliament passed a resolution urging the Indian government to urgently restore peace in northeast India's Manipur state amid escalating tribal conflict, leading the Modi administration to accuse the international body of budding into "internal matters."

The resolution adopted Wednesday responds to an outbreak of violence in May, which has resulted in over 120 fatalities, the displacement of about 50,000 individuals as well as the destruction of over 1,700 houses and 250 churches.

The clashes in Manipur erupted between the region's largely Hindu Meitei and largely Christian Kuki-Zo tribes, the human rights group ADF International said in a statement.

Kuki-Zo communities have accused two Meitei community organizations in Manipur's Imphal area, Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun, of inciting this violence.

The resolution passed by a large majority in the European Parliament calls on the Indian government to combat the impunity of mobs inciting violence and take steps to curb such incidents in accordance with their international human rights obligations.

"There have been concerns about politically motivated, divisive policies promoting Hindu majoritarianism, and about an increase in activity by militant groups," the resolution states. There are also "accounts of partisan involvement by security forces in the killings have increased distrust in the authorities."

It adds, "Manipur's state government has imposed a curfew and issued shoot-on-sight orders to enforce it, and has shut down the internet, severely hindering information-gathering and reporting by the media and civil society groups."

The resolution calls on "all sides to exercise restraint and urges political leaders to cease inflammatory statements, re-establish trust and play an impartial role in mediating the tensions," denouncing "in the strongest terms any nationalistic rhetoric."

It further asks that "those who are critical of the government's conduct not be criminalised."

The Indian government responded to the resolution, saying it was entirely an "internal matter."

"Such interference in India's internal affairs is unacceptable, and reflects a colonial mindset," India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

"Indian authorities at all levels, including the judiciary, are seized of the situation in Manipur and are taking steps to maintain peace and harmony and law and order."

In an editorial, the Indian newspaper The Hindu wrote, "In an interconnected world, a government that seeks greater economic integration and promotes itself as the representative of a nation committed to democratic, liberal and plural values and the rule of law, cannot dismiss scrutiny by like-minded nations with which beneficial ties are sought."

"India's dismissal of the EU Parliament's resolution on the violence in Manipur as reflecting a colonial mindset and tantamount to interference in internal affairs, was therefore predictably petulant and in line with similar reactions to scrutiny by lawmakers in the United States, for instance," the editorial reads.

Adina Portaru, senior counsel for ADF International in Brussels, expressed her organization's support for the resolution, urging swift action to restore calm and facilitate inclusive dialogues involving civil society and the affected communities.

She highlighted the ongoing religious freedom crisis in India, specifically in Manipur, urging India to address not just the current situation, but also to repeal laws and policies that hinder religious freedom.

During a debate prior to the resolution, Miriam Lexmann and Ladislav Ilcic, members of the European Parliament, voiced their concerns about the state of religious minorities in India.

Lexmann pointed to organized attacks against Christians that have resulted in widespread destruction and shattered lives, while Ilcic emphasized that the European Union will not ignore violence or turn its back on persecuted Christians.

The conflict in Manipur, which took a deadly turn from May 3 to May 6, resulted in significant loss of life and property. The conflict was spurred by an order from the High Court of Manipur in April 2023, which called on the state government to consider including the Meitei community in the scheduled tribe list. This potential move sparked fears among tribal groups, as it would allow the Meiteis to buy land in tribal areas.

The minority of Meiteis who are Christian have also been targeted, with churches being prime targets for damage and destruction, ADF International said, adding that despite the deployment of the military a few days after the initial riots, violence continues on the ground, with aid organizations and volunteers providing much of the victim support.

A human rights lawyer allied with ADF International, whose name has been withheld for safety purposes, provided some insight into the extent of the religious targeting, explaining that mobs often selectively destroyed Christian properties.

The lawyer also emphasized their ongoing efforts to help stop the violence, protect religious institutions, and facilitate compensation for survivors.

Parliament speakers Sven Simon and Bert-Jan Ruissen called for the Indian government to restore order, bring perpetrators to justice, and uphold religious freedom, with Ruissen indicating that a new trade agreement with India would not be possible without guarantees in these areas.

Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations President Koshy George and Chairman John Prabudoss echoed this sentiment, applauding the European Parliament's public response and asserting the importance of international attention to the ongoing crisis in Manipur.

FIACONA also voiced concerns over the increasing persecution of Christians in India, linking the rise in violence to laws at local, state and national levels that are discriminatory towards religious minorities.

FIACONA's Annual Report 2023 highlighted 1,198 confirmed and verified incidents of violence against the Christian community across India in 2022, which were reportedly carried out by groups affiliated with the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, and its parent organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
Greg Laurie Leads 'Jesus Revolution Style' Baptism at California Beach; Over 550 Baptized

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Over 550 people were baptized on a California beach over the weekend during a mass baptism led by evangelist and megachurch Pastor Greg Laurie.

Laurie and pastors from his Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside were joined by pastors from about nine other Southern California churches in baptizing new believers at Pirates Cove in Newport Beach on Saturday morning.

"Back over 40 years ago during the Jesus Movement, we used to do baptisms down at Pirates Cove beach. In fact that is where I was baptized and my wife, Cathe, was baptized there as well," Laurie told The Christian Post on Monday. "It is a significant place, historically, for the Church because that was sort of the epicenter of the Jesus Revolution, as reported on by Time magazine and others. It was a phenomenon."

The baptism was held from about 10 a.m. until noon. Among the pastors who participated in the baptism is Brian Brodersen of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa.

The mass baptism comes weeks after about 10,000 people made decisions for Christ at Laurie's 29th annual, three-night Southern California Harvest Crusade held at Angel Stadium.

The public baptism also comes just days after Laurie released a new book co-authored by New York Times best-selling author Ellen Vaughn, titled Jesus Revolution: How God Transformed an Unlikely Generation and How He Can Do It Again Today.

The new book focuses on how Laurie came to faith during the 1970s, how he met his wife, and explores how the Jesus Movement of the 1960s and 1970s exploded with two central characters  preachers Chuck Smith and Lonnie Frisbee. Frisbee is also the preacher who baptized Laurie at Pirates Cove circa 1971.

"Something that occurred to me as we were baptizing all those people is that if you want to see a revival, do revival-like things," Laurie explained. "This is what we used to do [in my generation]. We did big, giant public baptisms at the beach down there."

"It is sort of like if you are having trouble in your marriage, I might tell you to go back and do the romantic things you did in the beginning of your marriage. I would even say, 'Don't wait for the feeling of romance. Just be romantic and the feelings will catch up,'" Laurie added. "I think in the Church, we overly mystify the word revival, and I think if you want to see a revival, do revival-like things. One of those things was large beach baptisms, another was openly proclaiming the Gospel, as we recently did at Angel Stadium."

One of those who got baptized on Saturday was a 17-year-old teen named Isaiah. Laurie explained that Isaiah came up to him and told him that he was in the process or reading Laurie's new book for a second time.

"For him, he is experiencing this all for the first time and that is why I wrote the book. I actually wrote it for someone his age, not someone my age necessarily," Laurie added. "I wanted to tell the story of what happened in my generation in hopes that it would happen in a future generation, specifically this young generation today."

Saturday was not the first time that Harvest has hosted a baptism at Pirates Cove. The church held a baptism there last year and has held others there sporadically in the past. But Laurie told CP that he is trying to make the Pirates Cove mass baptism more of a regular event.

Since August of next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the SoCal Harvest, Laurie indicated that Harvest will try to plan another Pirates Cove mass baptism for the week after the SoCal Harvest to try and get the thousands who make decisions for Christ during the three-night event to make the ultimate decision to be baptized in the name of Christ. Laurie said he is hopeful to have 1,000 or more come to be baptized.

"I think America really needs another spiritual awakening." Laurie stressed. "We need another Jesus Revolution."
Pastor Greg Locke unites with Benny Hinn after years of branding him false prophet

Three days after announcing that he scrubbed thousands of videos from his Facebook page to 'minimize collateral damage' and focus on his deliverance ministry, internet-famous preacher Greg Locke met with televangelist and faith healer Benny Hinn for the first time after years of branding him a "false prophet." Now, they are "friends," according to Hinn.

"I mean  he wrote a book against me. And today we're friends. So only God can do that. I met him just yesterday," Hinn revealed in a Facebook Live interview Thursday morning with Locke, who leads the Global Vision Bible Church in Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

Locke was once so passionate in his conviction that Hinn, well-known for his "Miracle Crusades" where he regularly cast out demons on television, is a false prophet that he published a book about the televangelist in 2005 called Blinded by Benny.

"It is amazing to see the masses of people that follow this man's teachings. He has contradicted himself on countless occasions, and his false prophecies have failed miserably many times. Yet the crowds keep coming, and the offering buckets keep filling up," Locke wrote.

Locke criticized Hinn, who was once a very strong proponent of the prosperity gospel, as being unscriptural. But in 2019, Hinn denounced the practice saying that the "Holy Ghost is just fed up with it."

The prosperity gospel teaches, among other things, that believers have a right to the blessings of health and wealth, and they can obtain these blessings through positive confessions of faith and the "sowing of seeds" through the faithful payments of tithes and offerings.

Speaking to his followers during a Facebook Live broadcast, Hinn declared that the Gospel "is not for sale."

"I'm sorry to say that prosperity has gone a little crazy, and I'm correcting my own theology, and you need to all know it. Because when I read the Bible now, I don't see the Bible in the same eyes I saw 20 years ago," Hinn said as his followers rejoiced.

A few months before Hinn renounced the prosperity gospel, his nephew Costi Hinn detailed in God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel: How Truth Overwhelms a Life Built on Lies, how the Hinn family exploited millions of people worldwide with the prosperity gospel while living in the lap of luxury.

Despite what Locke wrote and said about him in the past, Hinn noted the first time he met Locke, he "liked him on the spot."

"I really liked him on the spot, on the spot," said Hinn about Locke, who had appeared on his platform to promote his film "Come Out in Jesus Name," which examines deliverance ministries. "He is very dynamic  look at the way he's dressed, very spiffy."

Locke told Hinn he wrote Blinded By Benny "for all the wrong reasons."

"Literally 21 years ago, I wrote a book against you for all the wrong reasons because I had read and heard and watched all the out-of-context clips in those days, and I literally had no affinity whatsoever for anybody in healing ministry, deliverance ministry," Locke told the televangelist.

"I thought all gifts, miracles, tongues, signs, wonders, ceased. I was Baptist amongst Baptists; I was an absolute cessationist. I was told that the apostles had power when they died, and the power died with them. So when I would see you on TV, I would have immediately have this bitterness that would well up in me towards anybody that was on TBN or CBN, or '700 Club.'"

Locke's criticism of Hinn may have been part of the "collateral damage" he is attempting to fix. On Sunday, Locke alluded in the message to his congregation that he called people "false prophets" from his pulpit who he had never met.

"I've told you listen, when a guy's false, I'll name him. And I'll continue to do that. But I've named people from this pulpit as false prophets that I've never met one day in my life," Locke said.

"I listen to what somebody on the internet told me. I listened to what some doctor Bottle Stopper sister Winkle John told me, what some famous influencer told me. And so I started to be due diligence to warn the people of God against the false prophet of God who I'd never met and had no idea whether he was or whether he wasn't, but I knew that it would put me in a position to make it seem like I had all my ducks in a row," Locke confessed.

"I'd say it and believe it to the core of the convictional value of my heart and then come to find out maybe it was true, maybe it wasn't, but you sure made a big grandstand over something that you probably should have never done," he added before explaining how much damage control he's had to do trying to make his ministry appeal to a larger audience.

"I've had to undo more knots that I tied in relationships that I can imagine. And by God's grace, they have been untied. I'm telling you, God is opening doors for this church, this ministry, our ministry. He is connecting me with people that I used to not even sit in the same room with," he said. "I mean write books about him, hate him, call them out by name."

Locke told Hinn that in the last three years, he has baptized 9,500 people and regularly sees between 2,000 and 3,000 people attend services at his tent in Tennessee weekly.

Hinn spoke of how vital deliverance ministry is, including for pastors who, at times, also need deliverance. He alluded to a California pastor committing suicide "because nobody could help him" with deliverance. Locke revealed that since he became more vocal about his deliverance ministry, many pastors have reached out to him for private deliverance.

"It's amazing how many ministers are now reaching out to me that want to sit down and have private deliverance sessions  pastors everywhere. And you know, there's a lot of people that obviously it's a very controversial ministry. I've gone through a lot of political controversy," Locke said. "I've never stepped in anything more controversial than casting out evil spirits. But it's the number one thing Jesus did."
Iowa Gov. Reynolds signs heartbeat abortion ban at Family Leadership Summit featuring Tucker Carlson

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law Friday banning most abortions after a baby's heartbeat can be detected, usually around six into a pregnancy, just weeks after a similar law was blocked.

At The Family Leadership Summit, a gathering organized by the conservative group Blaze Media, Reynolds signed House File 732, which prohibits most abortions when an unborn baby's heartbeat is detected.

In remarks given to those gathered at the Summit shortly before she signed the bill, Reynolds said the most important human rights cause of our time was protecting unborn human lives from the atrocity of abortion.

All life is precious and worthy of the protection of our laws, Reynolds added. Everyone understands that a heartbeat signifies life, and we understand that when it falls silent, something precious has been lost.

Reynolds also commended the conservative activists in the room, saying, You have lifted us in prayer, grounded me in Gods Word, and reminded me that He is always in control. Reynolds said she was also grateful for their public witness.

On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature voted in favor of HF 732, with the legislation passing the House of Representatives in a 56-34 vote, and the Senate in a 32-17 vote.

A physician shall not perform an abortion upon a pregnant woman when it has been determined that the unborn child has a detectable fetal heartbeat, unless, in the physicians reasonable medical judgment, a medical emergency or fetal heartbeat exception exists, reads the bill.

Listed exceptions include pregnancies resulting from rape or incest or an abortion being performed because an unborn baby has a fetal abnormality that in the physicians reasonable medical judgment is incompatible with life.

Even before Reynolds had signed the bill, a lawsuit was filed against it by Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, the Emma Goldman Clinic, and the Iowa chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

This law is deeply cruel and callously puts the lives and health of Iowans at risk, said Rita Bettis Austen, legal director for the ACLU of Iowa, in a statement released Tuesday.

We are seeking to block the ban because we know that every day this law is in effect, Iowans will face life-threatening barriers to getting desperately needed medical care  just as we have seen in other states with similar bans.

Last month, the Iowa Supreme Court deadlocked 3-3 over whether an earlier heartbeat law passed by state lawmakers in 2018 could take effect, allowing a lower court block to stand. Justice Dana Oxley, the seventh member of the state high court, did not take part.

If the new ban is likewise blocked, Iowa law will still prohibit elective abortions after 20 weeks into a pregnancy.
David Jeremiah says apostasy among pastors a sign of great falling away ahead of End Times (part 1)

Influential Pastor David Jeremiah has voiced his concerns about the seemingly increasing number of pastors and churches straying from biblical truth, warning that this trend indicates the "falling away" Scripture prophesies ahead of the End Times.

In an interview with The Christian Post, the 82-year-old founder of Turning Point Radio and Television ministries said that "one of the things the Bible says is that during the time when we're anticipating the rapture, there will be what they call the falling away, the apostasy, is what theologians call it."

"And if you study that, what it teaches is that there will be a time when people who once embraced the truth will fall away from the truth, and it will be an epidemic of this," said Jeremiah.

Jeremiah, who also serves as the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California, cited examples of pastors renouncing their beliefs, deconstructing or facing moral failures that disqualify them from ministry, indicating a trend of spiritual decline.

"Hardly a month goes by where you don't hear somebody that you thought was straight and going in the right way and doing the right things and teaching the right truth, and now they don't believe this anymore, or they've gotten in trouble, and they're no longer in the ministry anymore," he said.

"The enemy is at work. The Bible says Satan goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. And he doesn't devour our bodies. Obviously, he devours our influence. And he's been really busy doing that. He's devouring the influence of many people who said that they were Christians. A lot of young guys who I know are saying, 'I don't believe in there's anything wrong with abortion,' or 'I don't believe there's anything wrong with homosexuality' or all of these other issues. They once did, but now they don't. That's the falling away. That's what the Bible says is going to happen, and it's happening."

The pastor considered the modern day to be "a time of great discouragement and despair," believing that "we're actually watching the disintegration of our nation right in front of us" and that it was "happening, not in a century, it's happening within a decade."

"Law and Order is gone. Truth is gone. Gender is gone. Schools are dissipating," Jeremiah said. "We have a Christian school at our ministry, and when we started COVID, we had 1,200 students. We now have 1,700 students because people are in despair in California.  they want to put their children where they won't be told that they're not who God created them to be."

Jeremiah emphasized the need for Christians to remain rooted in Scripture and not drift away from the truth, especially in the current spiritually precarious climate.

According to the American Bible Society's 2022 State of the Bible report, the number of United States adults who read the Bible at least "at least 3-4 times each year on their own, outside of a church setting" has dropped from 50% in 2021 to 39% last year.

Jeremiah lamented the reality that many churches have adopted a "feel-good mentality" instead of preaching the Word of God, adding that "we're in a very desperate place."

"Don't tell me that we're not in a bad place; tell me how to live while I'm in that place," he said. "How did you get through it?"

"I think one of the things that encourages me greatly is every time I think that we're in the worst place possible, I realize that the world in which the Bible was written, and to whom it was written initially, was way worse than anything we're experiencing right now. And they understood the power of the Scripture."

The pastor voiced his commitment to teaching the Bible and helping people understand its truths, something he seeks to do in his forthcoming bookThe Great Disappearance: 31 Ways to be Ready for the Rapture.

"I have nothing to give to my church if it's not from the Bible," Jeremiah said. "I'm just a person; I'm just an individual."

"I'm always working on a project that integrates the Scripture into what's going on in our world. I believe that's what we should do. That's what we're called to do. And we've kind of gotten away from that."

To help ordinary believers discern the signs of unbiblical principles infiltrating churches, Jeremiah advised observing whether the Word of God is taught and valued. He encouraged finding churches where people carry Bibles and where Scripture is central to the teachings instead of motivational messages.

"If you hear [a church leader] marginalizing the Scripture, or saying things like, 'This was true, then but it's not true,' you're probably in a place where you better be careful," he said.

'The Word of God is the true test," Jeremiah added. "You can go to a lot of Christian churches  where they hardly ever mention the Bible. Or if they do, they give you two little minutes of Scripture, and then they talk about what they want to talk about. That's a real danger sign."

Jeremiah acknowledged the discouragement and despair prevalent in society and stressed the importance of studying, praying and standing together as believers. He offered the encouragement that faithful teaching of the Scripture still exists, although perhaps not as prevalent as before, and encouraged the next generation of believers to stand firm on the Gospel.

"We live in a time when we have to study, we have to pray, we have to hang together as believers," he said. "We have to work hard. We have to do the best we can in the situation we're in."

"And above all, we have to preach the Gospel and get people saved. Because that's the only ultimate hope: that people know Jesus Christ and they're going to go to Heaven."
Is the slippery slope argument against ordaining women valid?

One argument that patriarchal Christians commonly use against womens ordination is the slippery slope: the ordination of women will lead to the ordination of people in same-sex unions.

Wayne Grudems Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth exemplifies this. This is part of a broader argument that affirming womens ordination somehow waters down the Bibles authority, leading Christians to abandon traditional sexual ethics, namely Gods ideal: sex between husband and wife.

While much can be said against the slippery slope argument, this article will focus on the many supporters of gender equality in the Church who also cite Scripture to uphold traditional sexual ethics. To make this case, this article will briefly cover four points:

1. Many denominations ordain women but not those in same-sex relationships.

2. The largest Evangelical egalitarian organization, Christians for Biblical Equality, affirms the traditional view that marriage [is] between a woman and a man.

3. Advocates for women in ministry have provided articulate exegetical rebuttals of attempts to defend gay ordination.

4. The Bible repeatedly affirms womens ministry but not gay sex.

Point 1: The Christian Post recently published an article highlighting five theologically conservative denominations that affirm women pastors:

Assemblies of God

Christian and Missionary Alliance

ECO = Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians

Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Global Methodist Church

In addition, all of these denominations ordain women but not practicing gays:

Brethren in Christ Church

Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches

Canadian Reformed Church

The Christian Reformed Church in North America

Church of the Brethren

The Eastern Orthodox Church (diaconate only)

The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

The National Baptist Convention

Mennonite Church Canada

Mennonite Church USA

Reformed Church in America

Association of Vineyard Churches.

On June 29, Scarlett Clay wrote in CP that all mainline denominations that ordain women have approved of ordaining practicing gays. But Wikipedia classifies American Baptist Churches USA, the fifth largest denomination in the USA as mainline. In November 2005, the General Board of the ABCUSA voted to amend the document entitled We Are American Baptists by stating that American Baptists are a people who submit to the teaching of Scripture that Gods design for sexual intimacy places it within the context of marriage between one man and one woman, and acknowledge that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with biblical teaching.

Similarly, the Anglican Communion Lambeth Conference of 1998 called gay relationships incompatible with Scripture. The Anglican Church of Australia in 2017 passed a motion recognizing that the doctrine of our church, in line with traditional Christian teaching, is that marriage is an exclusive and lifelong union of a man and a woman, and further, recognizes that this has been the subject of several General Synod resolutions over the past 15 years. The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, a global network of conservative Anglican churches represents more than two-thirds of Anglicans throughout the world. They include The Anglican Church of North America. It affirms only two expressions of faithful sexuality: lifelong marriage between a man and a woman or abstinence.

Point 2: The statement of faith of the largest evangelical egalitarian organization, Christians for Biblical Equality, with leaders in more than 100 denominations and 214 countries states: We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, is reliable, and is the final authority for faith and practice. Its core values include: Scripture is our authoritative guide for faith, life, and practice. Gods design for relationships includes faithful marriage between a woman and a man, celibate singleness, and mutual submission in Christian community. This explicitly protects against the slippery slope.

Point 3: Advocates for women in ministry have been at the forefront of providing articulate exegetical rebuttals of attempts to defend the ordination of practicing gays and attempts to legitimize gay practice. They include Richard B. Hays, Relations Natural and Unnatural: A Response to John Boswells Exegesis of Romans 1, and David F. Wright, Homosexuals or Prostitutes? The Meaning of  (1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim. 1:10), Homosexuality: The Relevance of the Bible.

As I argued in my Christian Post essay here, in 1 Corinthians 11:216, Paul prohibits men leading in worship from styling their hair like women because this was done to attract same-sex hookups. This is also why Paul in 11:7 asserts that woman [not another man] is the glory of man and in 11:9, that woman was created for man.

Remember that shortly before this in 1 Corinthians 6:9, Paul referred to men who have sex with men. This translates two Greek words that refer to the passive and active participants in gay acts. Then in 6:11, he writes, And such were some of you. The Roman historian Livy (59 BC AD 17) writes that in Dionysiac cult initiation rites near Corinth there were more lustful practices among men with one another than with women. 1 Corinthians 11:216, therefore, provides a biblical basis not just for ministry by women (prayer and prophecy, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of worship), but for not ordaining practicing gays, since that would put a seal of approval on gay acts that God calls detestable (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13).

Point 4: The Bible repeatedly affirms womens ministry but repudiates gay sex. This shows that the Bible regards them as fundamentally different and unrelated.

In Romans 16 alone, Paul greets by name 10 people he identifies as co-workers. Seven are women: Phoebe, deacon of the church of Cenchreae  leader (prostatis LSJ 'one who stands before  leader, chief  president') of many, including me (12), Prisca  fellow worker in Christ Jesus, (3), Mary  worked hard among you (6), Junia  outstanding among the apostles (7, Eldon Epp, Junia), Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who worked hard in the Lord (12), and the beloved Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord (12).



Hellenistic literature offers no comparable affirmation of women leaders. 1 Corinthians 11:216 approves prophesying by women. Even the Orthodox Presbyterian Church five-member three-year study on Women in Ordained Office concluded:

If 1 Corinthians 11  is read on its own terms, its plain suggestion is that women praying and  prophesying in public meetings of the church are recognized and accepted practices; nothing in the passage even intimates disapproval.

Nowhere, however, does the Bible teach that practicing gays should be put in positions of ministry leadership. Quite the contrary, 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:6 require that overseers and elders be above reproach. There is nothing in the Bible regarding women in ministry corresponding to Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:2627 and 1 Timothy 1:10s descriptions of gay acts.

In conclusion, the slippery slope argument against womens ordination is nonsense. It incorrectly identifies the ordination of women as what leads churches to ordain those in same-sex unions. Like most Evangelical egalitarians, I uphold the Bibles authority and believe in traditional sexual ethics. We support gender equality in the Church not despite what the Bible teaches, but because of the Bibles affirmations of women in ministry.
The Pope, the prime minister and the elephant in the room

More children, less pets was the catchy takeaway in worldwide coverage of Pope Francis joining Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on stage May 12, during a conference on Italys collapsing birthrates held near the Vatican.

The popes story about his tragicomic encounter with a fiftyish woman who wanted him to bless her baby  a dog  certainly colorfully drove home his warnings about the misplaced, upside-down personal priorities among many modern Italians that are contributing to their looming demographic winter. Francis has made similar remarks about prioritizing pets over children in the past.

There were lots of people, lights and cameras at this remarkable joint presentation  journalists, policy wonks, activists, clerics and politicians aplenty. So, how did they miss that humongous elephant in the room? That elephant being the decline of natural marriage.

Running heavily on a conservative, pro-family platform, Giorgia Meloni has advanced proposals to increase Italian births such as tax cuts, free childcare, higher employment rates and stability, financial incentives for having children, and the like. Although the prime minister and the pope appear to disagree on whether the recent surge of illegal immigrants is also a threat to Italys ethnic identity, they do seem to be in agreement on much of her pro-birth agenda.

They are certainly sympatico in their deep antipathy to such practices as surrogacy and same-sex parenting, as well as in their opposition to gender ideology. So, why ignore steeply declining Italian marriage rates, a baseline factor which, if not turned around, will render moot all these lesser efforts to resuscitate Italys moribund fertility?

For Meloni, at least, sidestepping the marriage issue is probably at least partially personal. She and her partner, Andrea Giambruno, have one daughter together. Despite her very public conservative Roman Catholicism, they are not married. In fact, Meloni has strongly criticized as nonsense suggestions that her cohabitation arrangement is at odds with her professed Christian and pro-family values.

Yet, as much as she wishes to deflect the obvious, her lifestyle choice  to have just one child, a live-in partner but no marriage  is pretty typical for Italians these days. This is something that a political leader given a historic opportunity to help raise her nations abysmal birth rates should kindly but firmly challenge  not personally practice and publicly defend. The increasing abandonment of marriage is a major factor behind declining fertility in modern, developed countries, and this includes Italy.

We have known about the powerful ties between marriage and fertility for a long time. A key element of this is age at matrimony  marrying early enough for a husband and wife to realistically have more children. This has not prevented many who ought to know better from claiming that, in modern societies, marriage is no longer relevant to birth rates. Nonmarital fertility, they say, can create sustainable levels of childbearing so long as having and raising children out of wedlock is culturally accepted and supported by the State.

Most politicians and policy wonks seem to believe, like Prime Minister Meloni, that nations facing demographic winter can promote fertility without also reviving marriage, including discouraging people who do eventually marry from unnecessarily delaying it. They are wrong.

In fact, a devastating report authored by Lyman Stone and Spencer James, released just this past October by the Institute for Family Studies, rigorously and thoroughly documents this. Entitled Marriage Still Matters: Demonstrating the Link Between Marriage and Fertility in the 21st Century, it uses hard data to demonstrate that in high-income modern nations, in European and Pacific Rim nations as well as in the United States, the statistical relationship between marriage and childbearing is robust.

This association stands up when researchers control for other explanatory factors. Moreover, as the authors stress, there are no realistic ways that societies can use nonmarital fertility to compensate for the decline of births associated with plummeting marriage rates and rising ages at first marriage.

To be sure, this causal relationship, say Stone and James, goes both ways. Marriage promotes childbirth. Having children, or even desiring to have children, encourages people to marry. Marriage and fertility are strongly intertwined and mutually reinforcing. Yes, it is still important to have policies that encourage married people to have more children. In some countries, including much of east Asia, low marital fertility is a serious problem. But simply trying to dramatically increase fertility without also promoting marriage? This is a pipe dream.

Are there exceptions where, for example, delayed or less marriage combined with generous welfare and unusually stable long-term cohabiting unions can be associated with higher fertility in modern nations? Or where earlier marriage and higher marital rates are associated with developed countries that have low fertility? Of course. But there are specific reasons for these exceptions which most countries, including Italy, cannot count on. And they still do not give us fertility high enough to reverse years, even decades, of abysmally low birth rates. As Stone and James point out, while it might be possible that in some extremely unusual and impossible-to-replicate circumstances, the marriage-fertility linkage can be temporarily suspended, reasoning from these very narrow cases to the whole world is unjustified.

Italy is a textbook case in the marriage-childbirth linkages documented so expertly by these authors.

As late as 1968, the Italian fertility rate, that is, estimated lifetime births per woman, was 2.5  well over the 2.1 replacement level for modern nations. Then the bottom dropped out. Just 30 years later, it was down to a devastatingly low 1.22. The fertility rate sputtered up to 1.44 in 2008, but since then it has been gradually descending to the 2023 level of about 1.3. The CIA World Factbook currently ranks Italys fertility rate 222nd out of 227 countries. Only Taiwan, South Korea, Macau, Hong Kong and Singapore are worse.

Not surprisingly, this is tied to the rapid, extreme aging of the Italian population. Italys 2020 median age, at an astounding 46.5, was fifth highest globally. Meanwhile, the percentage of Italys population that is elderly continues to balloon, rising from almost 19% in 2002 to about 24% in 2023. The percentage of those 65 and older is now almost double those 14 and under.

And, just as Stone and James would have predicted, this plummeting fertility, and consequent aging, of Italys population is intertwined with the collapse of marriage. As Statista documents, Italy has one of the lowest marriage rates in the world. In Europe, it has the smallest number of marriages in relation to the population, with around three marriages per 1,000 inhabitants. Between 2002 and 2014, marriages per 1,000 dropped from 4.7 to 3.1 and, except for a small blip up to 3.4 in 2016 as well as a predictable crash to 1.6 in the COVID year of 2020, has not recovered. Among European Union nations, as of 2020, Italys age at first marriage for both men and women was third highest, exceeded only by Sweden and Spain.

All this verifies George Weigels grim, but startlingly accurate, 2006 assessment of Italy.

Whatever solutions politicians and policy makers advance to reverse Italys disastrously fallen birth rates, they will not succeed to any substantial degree if they do not include a revival of matrimony. Italian fertility will not substantially rise unless the famiglia natural, rooted and grounded upon santo matrimonio, is once again culturally revered and integral to everyday life. If the Italian Republic wishes to return to a healthy demographic structure, it must become, once again, a nation where fruitful marriages flourish  and where married mothers and fathers leading homes populated by children surrounded by siblings, grandparents, cousins, uncles, and aunts are the norm rather than the exception.

This pope, consistent with the unbroken historic teaching of Roman Catholicism, believes in natural family life rooted in marriage, and he has not been shy about saying so. He is in a unique position to encourage Italians who are rightly worried about imminent demographic disaster to embrace natural marriage and family in their totality, including welcoming more children into the world. He should encourage them toward this Christian, big-picture thinking about their dilemma and solutions to it, instead of limiting themselves to isolated, sterile policies designed to increase births without regard for building a pro-marriage culture  approaches which have little chance of significant success.

With Giorgia Meloni as prime minister, there is a real, unique, powerful opportunity for this life-giving message to be heard and acted upon by Italys political elites. This pro-marriage, pro-family approach to raising fertility rates certainly has no chance of gaining any traction among Melonis opponents in the Italian Left. How long will this historic door remain open?

So, now is the time for the Catholic Church to step forward to promote marriage and childbearing together, in the land of the Eternal City, while the momentum, the cultural and political winds, are favorable, and before the situation becomes hopeless. They have the influence, the presence, the time, and now the political and cultural support, to make a difference. Let us all hope they read the times wisely  and act.

Editors note: This article first appeared at Crisis Magazine.
Black Americans lead the way in 'spiritual vitality' and church attendance

(CP) Black Christians are more likely to say they are engaged with Scripture than all other Christians as new data shows that African Americans are more likely than all other cultural demographics to attend church at least monthly.

The American Bible Society released Chapter 4 of its State of the Bible 2023 report on Thursday, titled "Spiritual Vitality." The data in the report is based on responses collected by 2,761 U.S. adults in January. It has a margin of error of +/- 2.59 percentage points.

The latest chapter looks at how the ways in which Americans connect with God impact their beliefs about God, churchgoing habits and level of scripture engagement.

In a statement coinciding with the release of the new data, ABS Chief Ministry Insights and Innovation Officer John Farquhar Plake noted that the research found "a strong example of spiritual health and community ministry in the Black church."

"In fact, Black Americans lead the way in nearly every measure of holistic spiritual health," he added.

Specifically, the ABS discovered that "black Americans are 44% more likely than all other Americans to attend church at least monthly" and 59% more likely than other Americans to be "scripture engaged."

The term "scripture engaged" refers to those who score 100 or higher on a Scripture Engagement Scale examining an individual's "responses to 14 survey items about the frequency of Bible use and the impact and centrality [of] its message."

The report cited a 2020 article from Ann W. Nguyen of Case Western Reserve University in Ohio examining the centrality of religion in the black community.

"In black communities, religion and the church serve many functions above and beyond spiritual sustenance. Historically and contemporaneously, the black church, in addition to being a religious institution, is a social, cultural, civic, educational, and political institution that is central to black communities," the article reads.

"Because of social, economic, and institutional disenfranchisement, black Americans have traditionally had difficulty accessing public and private services. As a result, black churches tend to offer a greater number of community programs and mental health services than white churches."

The 2023 State of the Bible suggests that black Americans scored 10% higher than all other Christians on the "Spiritual Vitality Gauge" that served as a focus of Chapter 4.

Black Christians had an average Spiritual Vitality score of 76 compared to 69 for whites and 68 for Hispanics.

The SVG measures an individual's spiritual health on a scale of 0 to 100 based on self-identified Christians' "answers to nine concise questions focusing on beliefs, spiritual practices, and faith in action." Prior to discussing the SVG, the report analyzed the impact of Spiritual Temperaments, referring to the ways in which people "connect best to God or the supernatural."

Among historically black Protestant respondents, 23% fall into the "ascetic" category, meaning that they "connect best to God or the supernatural when" they are "alone and reading the Bible or praying." An additional 21% have a "naturalist" temperament, meaning they connect best with God when "surrounded by nature  the mountains, the forests, or the ocean."

Enthusiasts (14%), contemplative (11%) and sensates (11%) round out the top five most common temperaments for black Protestant respondents.

Enthusiasts are defined as those who connect best with God while "singing or praying loudly" and experiencing an emotional awakening. Contemplative people feel closest to God when God "quietly touches" their hearts and makes them feel like He is their "closest friend." Sensates feel closest to God in church, where their senses "come alive," leading them to experience God's presence.

Weekly church attendance varies based on spiritual temperament, with 48% of those with a contemplative temperament attending church weekly as opposed to just 11% of naturalists.

Naturalists are the least likely to attend church weekly, as 72% of them never or almost never attend church services. Pluralities of sensates (44%), ascetics (42%) and enthusiasts (35%) attend church weekly.

Ascetics, the most common spiritual temperament among historically black Protestant respondents, account for a plurality (32%) of those in the scripture-engaged category. By contrast, naturalists make up a plurality (44%) of the Bible disengaged, referring to those who score the lowest on the Scripture Engagement Scale. The contemplative (24%) and sensates (12%) make up larger shares of the scripture-engaged than enthusiasts (7%).

The State of the Bible report will release a new chapter for each of the remaining months of the year, while the finished product of the report will contain a total of nine chapters.

 The Christian Post
Hearing adjourned in case of Christian who lost job offer over LGBT beliefs

An employment tribunal has adjourned the case of a Christian social worker whose job offer was withdrawn because of his beliefs on marriage and human sexuality.

The Leeds Employment Tribunal spent this week hearing the case of Felix Ngole, a 45-year-old Christian who says he was told by Touchstone, a health and wellbeing provider for the NHS, that an offer for the job of mental health worker was conditional on assurances that he would "embrace and promote" the organisation's values, "including the promotion of homosexual rights".

According to the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), which is supporting him, this requirement was not stipulated in the job description.

He is taking legal action against Touchstone on the grounds of discrimination, harassment, indirect discrimination, and compensation for injury to feelings.

The hearing got underway this week but has now been adjourned after Mr Ngole's lawyers submitted expert evidence on 'minority stress theory'.

Minority stress theory was developed by Rev Dr Paul Sullins, a professor of sociology at the Catholic University of America in Washington, and argues that people who are minorities experience disproportionate distress when they encounter ideas which are adverse to their beliefs.

The hearing has been adjourned so that the court can consider the evidence and Touchstone lawyers can provide evidence in response.

It is now expected to resume in April 2024.

Mr Ngole said that he was "frustrated" by the delay but relieved that "the crucial evidence backing my case will now be heard".

It is not the first time Mr Ngole has had to fight for his beliefs in court, having won a landmark victory against the University of Sheffield for removing him from a social work course after he said during a debate on Facebook that believed marriage was between a man and woman and that homosexual practice is sinful.

CLC chief executive Andrea Williams said that his 2019 court victory had important implications for his current case.

"Viewpoint discrimination is escalating in the UK at an alarming rate. We have seen in the recent cases of high street banks denying Christians and free speech advocates the right to a bank account how far organisations captured by Stonewall are prepared to go. Anyone who does not comply and celebrate LGBT ideology must become a 'non-person," she said.

"The Court of Appeal judgment in Felix's case against the University of Sheffield was a major development of the law and must be upheld and respected in current and future Christian freedom cases."

Speaking ahead of this week's hearing, Mr Ngole said, "It is untenable for employers to be allowed to discriminate against Christian beliefs in this way and to force individuals to promote an ideology that goes against their conscience in the workplace."

He added, "If we get to the point where if you don't celebrate and support LGBT you can't have a job, then every Christian out there doesn't have a future. You can study as much as you like, but you will not have a chance."
New Christian in Uganda slain for leaving Islam

About two weeks after a 22-year-old Muslim in eastern Uganda put his faith in Christ, villagers on July 8 killed him for leaving Islam, sources said.

Abudu Amisi of Kasanvu village, Pallisa District was stabbed multiple times while returning from a market in Kasasira West village, Kasasira Town Council, in Kibuku District, and died en route to a hospital, eyewitnesses said.

Amisi had accepted Christ on June 22 after six months of learning about Christianity. He is survived by his wife and 3-year-old son.

Amisi had ties with a Muslim missionary active in Pallisa and Kibuku districts, said a Christian leader whose identity is withheld for security reasons.

"Immediately after his conversion, Amisi was very fearful of his life from the Muslims in his village at Kasanvu in Pallisa District," the leader told Morning Star News. "The church then housed him in a rental house, and he remained indoors for two weeks."

On Saturday July 8, the church sent two young men to go with Amisi to buy food at a market in Kasasira for a seminar training of Christian leaders, he said. One of the young men said that as they entered the market area, a Muslim who seemed to know Amisi from his village greeted them cheerfully, and they spent 10 minutes with him before proceeding to the marketplace.

"After buying the food items, we then began our journey back to the church," said the young man, whose identity is withheld for security reasons. "About 50 meters from the market area, people began shouting and mentioning the name of Amisi, saying, 'Here comes the betrayer of Islam. He should not see the light of the day.' There and then they surrounded him and then began cutting him with long knives on his head, face and neck, and fractured his legs and hand."

The terrified young men fled and called the church pastor, who immediately phoned police, and officers rushed to the scene.

"They hurriedly tried to rescue him, but it was too late, they had already cut Amisi, and he had lost a lot of blood and died on the way to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital," the pastor said.

Amisi's body was taken to a mortuary, where it remained as church leaders feared burial could occasion further retaliation from area Muslims, he said.

"We are now engaging the Pallisa County Council to assist in reaching out to the family of deceased for his burial," he said.

Police were searching for the assailants.

The attack was the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented.

Uganda's constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate one's faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12 percent of Uganda's population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country.

 2023 Morning Star News
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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The city has a couple of big days coming up during which residents are encouraged to join their neighbors by enjoying the summer weather and having some fun.

Scheduled for Saturday July 22 is the citys 13th Annual Community Day. That will be followed five days later by both a Safety Services Night and a concert at the gazebo on the city hall grounds, 5827 Highland Road.

The Community Day, as it has the last two years, will get under way, at 1 p.m. with a parade that will step off at St. Paschals Church, 5384 Wilson Mills Road, then head east to its conclusion at Community Park, 5905 Wilson Mills Road, where the festival will begin at 2 p.m.

Marty Zucker will serve as parade marshal. Zucker is described on the citys website as one of Highland Heights most beloved residents, and a longtime supporter of all sporting events in the Highland Heights Community Park.

The tentative schedule of events for Community Day includes live music from the bands Justin Lee and the Beardy Boys Band at 3 p.m., and The Tea Bags, a British music cover band, at 6:30 p.m.

Scheduled are an axe throwing contest at 2 p.m., a home run derby for youngsters at 2:30 p.m., and appearances by, among others, Jungle Bob at 4:30 p.m. and Dr. UR Awesome and his bubble-blowing exploits, at 6:30 p.m. A yo-yo show will take place at 3:30 p.m., and a wing eating contest at 5:30.

As is customary, a fireworks show will cap off the day at dusk.

We have a wide variety of food this year, said Mayor Chuck Brunello, Jr. One of the new ones coming this year are Tijuana Taco, of course theyre new to the city, Piccolo (Italian Restaurant) will be there, and well have the usuals. Our (Community Day) will have its stand (selling grilled food), and well have alcohol again.

Of the event, Brunello said, More and more municipalities are cutting back on things, and Im very proud to do this (event). Among all thats happened, weve kept the tradition alive.

(Community Day) is something for us to do to give back to the community, to show our appreciation for the people who live here. The idea is to bring the community together every year.

Brunello gave special thanks to the Community Day Committee volunteers who have met for the past 10 months to organize the event. Those resident volunteers include: Chairman Justin Ketchem, City Council representative Anthony DeLisio, Tiffany Ford, Jen Willens, Sarah Tobin, Mark Demankos and Kristen Morelli.

Safety Services Night

For the first time, Highland Heights will hold its version of National Night Out by holding a Safety Services Night from 5-7 p.m. Thursday July 27 at and around the Highland Heights Community Center, 5827 Highland Road.

Residents will have the opportunity to meet Highland Heights first responders and get a close-up look at the citys police, fire, and service department vehicles and equipment.

The free event also will include music, hot dogs Brunello said he will be grilling, snacks, and giveaways.

Many communities locally and around the nation recognize their safety forces on the first Tuesday of each August with National Night Out events. Lyndhurst has scheduled a National Night Out for 6-9 p.m. Aug. 1 so, Brunello said, since the two cities share some vehicles, it was decided to hold a Highland Heights event on a different day.

I think its important for the community to get to know these men and women (of the Highland Heights safety forces) on a more personal level, he said. I think they need some recognition for the job they do and this is a perfect opportunity for that to happen.

Immediately after, next door at the gazebo on the municipal grounds, the band Blue Evolution will play 60s British Invasion-era hits, as well as those by British artists of the 70s. The concert will take place between 7-9 p.m. July 27. Attendees are advised to bring a blanket or chair.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio  In the 24 years since Jugoslav Vidic immigrated to the United States, he has taken on many roles.

A skilled butcher, a husband and father, attentive landlord, small-business owner, demanding boss, sexual harasser and meat scofflaw, among others, according to records and interviews.
I made a promise six weeks ago in this column about how the team at cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer would work even harder to spread the word of the special Aug. 8 election and Issue 1, with an aim of overcoming the lack of awareness and interest that accompany August elections.

We already were all over Issue 1, but anxious readers had implored us to do more.

Weve lived up to the promise, and the purpose of this column is to do what my 7-year-old grandson does when hes trying to get someones attention and engage them: pat your arm and say, Tag, youre it.

In other words, its your turn.

This column reaches a lot of people in Ohio. It also reaches former Ohioans across the country who read it because they want to keep in touch with their native state. Most everyone who reads it surely knows people in Ohio who are not yet aware of Issue 1. Im asking you to make them aware.

Were doing everything we can to spread the word. In stories on our website and in The Plain Dealer. On our Today in Ohio podcast. In our opinion forums. Weve printed the mail-in ballot application repeatedly. Weve concentrated Plain Dealer content on Sundays, which has our highest print circulation. Weve made all Issue 1 content free for anyone to read without a subscription.

But we cant reach everyone. Ohio needs your help. Maybe you could identify one person in your circle who you suspect is unaware, and call them. Or text them. Or direct message them on social media. Most people, upon hearing about what Issue 1 would do to democracy, they are energized to act. You can help energize them.

Our opinion forums have made clear our opposition to Issue 1, so I wont rehash it here. You can read all of our news stories and opinion pieces at https://www.cleveland.com/topic/2023-state-issue-1

The challenge is getting people to pay attention. The people behind Issue 1 put it on the ballot in August specially because people dont pay attention in August. The originators are counting on low voter turnout to push it through.

You can help thwart that cynical effort. Talk to your friends. Talk to your families.

We have been covering Issue 1 with vigor since its inception, and we will continue to cover it through the Aug. 8 election and beyond. Weve run letters to the editor about it almost every day. Weve published pieces about it from some of the most thoughtful experts in the state. The information is all there, available for anyone to read. Please help people find it.

Early, in-person voting has begun. Absentee ballots are being mailed to those who requested them. And the polls will be open Aug. 8.

Time is now the factor. Time is running out to make people aware.

Tag, youre it.

Im at cquinn@cleveland.com.

Thanks for reading
In 2018, House Bill 228, which sought to shift the burden of proof from the shooter to prosecutors in gun violence self-defense claims, drew virtually unanimous opposition from police, prosecutors and other law enforcement groups, mayors and municipal organizations.

Under the law, the shooter must only present evidence that tends to support a self-defense claim.

HB 228 passed the Ohio House and Senate by large margins and mostly party-line votes. After then-Gov. John Kasich vetoed the bill, co-sponsored by then-Rep. Sarah LaTourette of Geauga County, the legislature overrode his veto by even larger margins than the bills original vote. Clevelands then-state Rep. Bill Patmon, a Democrat, was among those voting for the veto override.

The bill, which took effect in 2019, when combined with other loosened gun laws, including the end to concealed-carry licensure requirements and a widened stand your ground law, have begun to have an impact. In Cuyahoga County, as we noted in a recent editorial, quoting from a story by cleveland.coms John H. Tucker, the new laws have dissuaded the prosecutors office from seeking indictments in about 12 to 15 homicide cases each year, Tucker reported, citing Saleh Awadallah, who oversees the county prosecutor offices homicide investigations.

Now, a case tied to the self-defense law, in which a Cincinnati cab driver convicted of felonious assault for shooting an inebriated passenger through the neck after a dispute over fares, has made its way to the Ohio Supreme Court. The cab driver asserts his conviction should be thrown out because his self-defense claim wasnt properly considered at trial and prosecutors didnt prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he did not act in self-defense.

The state high court agreed to hear the case after a panel of the 12th District Ohio Court of Appeals last year unanimously ruled against the cab driver.

So, what does our Editorial Board Roundtable think? Does HB 228 upend usual criminal jurisprudence by allowing shooters to assert specious self-defense claims? Should Ohio revisit and repeal this law?

Ted Diadiun, columnist:

So, who decides that a self-defense claim is specious? Id say thats up to the jury, after considering evidence from both sides on either self-defense or assault. And the burden of proof should be on the prosecution, not the defendant. Innocent until proven guilty  isnt that the way it works? Theres no reason to change this law.

Mary Cay Doherty, editorial board member:

In a December 27, 2018, cleveland.com story, Laura Hancock reported that, before HB 228s passage, Ohio was the only state requiring shooters to prove self-defense claims. And, in Cuyahoga County, HB 228 seemingly dissuades indictments in only 12 to 15 cases annually. Absent evidence of widespread misuse, keep HB 228. It strengthens Ohioans self-defense rights.

Eric Foster, columnist:

HB 228 is a bad law, but its not going anywhere. My sense is the Ohio Supreme Court took this case to tell judges that they should err on the side of allowing defendants to present their self-defense claims to the jury. If so, that makes some sense. Why give defendants an appealable issue?

Lisa Garvin, editorial board member:

Shifting the burden of proof to prosecutors in self-defense cases is a big mistake that emboldens people to shoot first and ask questions later, with increasingly tragic consequences. Victims often dont survive to tell their side of the story, so juries only have the shooters perception of danger. Its the defendants job to prove it.

Victor Ruiz, editorial board member

There are too many examples of stand your ground gone wrong where innocent lives are lost. Not every situation justifies pulling out a gun, so gun owners must be expected to make good decisions. If this law is not repealed, any of us stand the risk of losing our lives over the simplest disagreement.

Thomas Suddes, editorial writer

Yes, the General Assembly needs to revisit and if necessary, revise this law, which obviously has contributed to confusion in the criminal courts -- the last thing that either prosecutors or defense lawyers need in cases such as this.

Elizabeth Sullivan, opinion director

The legislature should repeal not just HB 128, but all the other ill-considered gun laws it passed in recent years despite warnings from law enforcement about their negative implications for law and order.

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments on this editorial board roundtable to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.
Developed countries must face up to their responsibilities to address climate change

11:20, July 15, 2023 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily

"If we persist in delaying key measures that are needed, I think we are moving into a catastrophic situation," United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned after many parts of the globe were recently hit by extreme weathers.

However, developed countries have long ignored their responsibilities and failed to deliver on their promises, which undermined the current climate agenda. They have triggered dissatisfaction from the international community, especially the developing world.

Developed countries have historical responsibilities, legal obligations and moral responsibilities for climate change, making developing countries the biggest victims.

According to a recent study led by the University of Leeds and published in the UK journal Nature Sustainability, almost 90 percent of excess carbon emissions come from developed countries, including the United States.

However, developed countries are just making empty rhetoric and shifting the responsibility to the developing world. This is totally against the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva recently said that who polluted the planet in these last 200 years were those who made the Industrial Revolution, and for this, they have to pay the historic debt they have with planet Earth.

Developing countries have not seen enough sincerity from developed countries in coping with climate change. Climate finance remains a key to the global challenge.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement have made clear the responsibilities and obligations of developed countries to provide financial resources, while developing countries are encouraged to provide such support voluntarily.

The University of Leeds report indicated that developed countries could be liable to pay $170 trillion in climate reparations to low-emitting countries to ensure targets to curtail climate breakdown are met.

Guterres noted that adaptation needs in the developing world are set to skyrocket to as much as $340 billion a year by 2030. However, facing such a financing gap, developed countries have yet to deliver on their promise of mobilizing $100 billion per year for climate action in developing countries before 2020a promise made 14 years ago, and to offer a roadmap for doubling adaptation finance.

Climate finance was a focus of the recent Summit for a New Global Financing Pact held in Paris. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, president-designate of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, noted that there is a huge financing gap in coping with climate change and promoting sustainable development of the world, and the climate finance promise is "barely band-aids, or painkillers, to a problem that requires major surgery."

Over recent years, some developed counties have backpedaled their climate policies. Their fossil energy consumption and carbon emission, instead of decreasing, went up, affecting the global climate governance process.

The U.S. government has repeatedly stressed the importance of transparency, responsibility, and respect for international rules, but it has lacked continuous, consistent, transparent and responsible climate policies. It has failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and once withdrew from the Paris Agreement, becoming a saboteur of global climate governance.

Besides, the United States, under the disguise of promoting energy transition, invested hundreds of billions of U.S. dollars in subsidizing its domestic manufacturers via various unfair acts and administrative measures. It also built trade barriers against the green industries of developing countries by cutting their access to green technologies.

These acts blatantly violated the basic rules of the WTO, disturbed the industrial and supply chains of the global green industry, undermined the efforts of other countries to achieve sustainable development goals and went against the joint efforts of the international community to cope with climate change.

China has all along made efforts to promote ecological civilization and taken concrete actions on climate governance.

The country has announced its targets of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, under which it will make the biggest reduction in carbon emission intensity in the world and move from carbon peaking to carbon neutrality in the shortest time span in world history.

It has worked steadily to adjust the energy mix. Today, China has the world's largest installed capacity and power generation from wind and solar power, and leads the world in the output and sales of new energy vehicles.

A recent Bloomberg report pointed out that China is emerging as a leader on the most important predictor of the climate future - the speed with which clean energy is being deployed to replace fossil fuels.

Apart from following a green development path itself, China continues to deepen South-South cooperation on tackling climate change. It is doing its best to offer support and assistance for other developing countries to cope with climate change under the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South cooperation.

Tackling climate change is a mission facing all mankind. The international community should work together to build an equitable and effective global mechanism on climate change.

For climate change, a take-more-give-less approach based on a utilitarian mindset is in nobody's interest. The developed world should face up to its historical responsibilities, deliver on its promise as soon as possible, expand its support for developing countries in terms of finance, technology and capacity building, and work with developing countries to achieve concrete progress in global climate governance.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
A worker handles wheat grain in a storage granary at Aranka Malom kft mill in Bicske, Hungary on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The Black Sea deal has allowed Ukraine to ship more than 30 million tons of produce from three major ports, helping to bring down global food prices down after they spiked following Russia's invasion. Akos Stiller | Bloomberg | Getty Images

WASHINGTON  A landmark agricultural deal brokered between Ukraine and Russia is set to expire on Monday, a revelation that is expected to further exacerbate the global fallout of the Kremlin's ongoing war if Moscow refuses to renew the agreement. Last week, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin outlining proposals to salvage the deal. On Friday, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that conversations with the Kremlin via Signal and WhatsApp would continue over the weekend. Moscow maintains that the current agreement only supports Ukrainian agricultural products and not Russian fertilizer exports which are also included in the deal but have yet to depart for global destinations. On Thursday, Putin reiterated Moscow's position and threatened for the fourth time since the inception of the agreement to not renew it.

A Ukrainian serviceman stands in front of silos of grain from Odesa Black Sea port, before the shipment of grain as the government of Ukraine awaits signal from UN and Turkey to start grain shipments, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine July 29, 2022. REUTERS/Nacho Doce Nacho Doce | Reuters

Before Russian troops poured over Ukraine's borders in late February 2022, Kyiv and Moscow accounted for almost a quarter of global grain exports. Those agricultural shipments came to a halt for nearly six months until representatives from Ukraine, Russia, the U.N. and Turkey agreed to establish a humanitarian sea corridor under the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The deal, which was brokered last July, eased Russia's naval blockade with the reopening of three key Ukrainian ports. Under the deal, more than 1,000 ships carrying nearly 33 million metric tons of agricultural products have departed from Ukraine's war-weary ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhny-Pivdennyi. The agreement has also overseen the transport of 725,167 tons of wheat to sail on World Food Program ships to some of the world's most food-insecure countries, such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The U.N.-backed organization responsible for tracking exports under the deal said in an update on Saturday that for nearly three months, no ships have sailed from Ukraine's port of Yuzhny-Pivdennyi. What's more, no new vessels have been approved to depart Ukraine for the past two weeks.

'Not the deal we agreed to'

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscow's top diplomat Sergei Lavrov both blamed the West for creating global insecurity and instability. Sean Gallup

In April, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that if the Black Sea Grain Initiative did not soon incorporate fertilizer products, Moscow would not renew the agreement. "It was not called the grain deal it was called the Black Sea Initiative and in the text itself the agreement stated that this applies to the expansion of opportunities to export grain and fertilizer," Lavrov told reporters during an April 26 press conference at the U.N. "That's not the deal we agreed to on July 22," he said, adding that there are dozens of Russian ships loaded with approximately 200,000 tons of fertilizer waiting for export. In addition to the inclusion of fertilizer exports, the Kremlin has also requested the resumption of a pipeline that weaves through Russia and ends at a Ukrainian port. One of Moscow's top demands though is for the Russian Agricultural Bank, or Rosselkhozbank, to return to the SWIFT banking system. Moscow's exclusion from SWIFT, which stands for the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, severed the country from much of the world's financial networks in the days following Russia's full-scale invasion.
SpaceX, Twitter and electric car maker Tesla CEO Elon Musk looks on as he speaks during his visit at the Vivatech technology startups and innovation fair at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, on June 16, 2023.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who is also CTO and executive chairman of Twitter, said early Saturday morning that cash flow remains negative at the social media company because of a nearly 50% drop in advertising revenue coupled with "heavy debt."

"Need to reach positive cash flow before we have the luxury of anything else," Musk wrote in response to a tweet.

Musk took over Twitter in October of last year in a deal valued at around $44 billion, including about $13 billion in debt. He sold billions of dollars worth of his Tesla shares in part to finance that deal.

By January, hundreds of advertisers had reduced or halted their ad spending on Twitter in response to Musk making steep staff cuts at the company, and implementing changes to the platform, especially restoring previously banned accounts and changing its approach to content moderation.

In April, Musk told a BBC reporter that "almost all" advertisers had resumed buying ads on Twitter. He also claimed at that time that the company was "roughly breakeven," and expected to become cash flow positive within the next quarter.

His statement about Twitter's cash flow problems today comes a little over one month since Linda Yaccarino, who previously ran global advertising for Comcast's NBCUniversal, took on the role of Twitter CEO. NBCUniversal is the parent company of CNBC.

Yaccarino's appointment inspired hope among media industry insiders that Twitter would address immediate challenges to its ad business.

In recent days, Twitter began doling out a share of its ad revenue to select content creators on its platform. Musk's remarks were made in response to followers who wanted to know why that revenue-sharing program was so limited in scope.

A number of widely followed accounts on Twitter posted that they were dismayed they did not qualify to earn income from the program yet. As The Verge previously reported, the revenue-sharing program was available only to users who paid for a Twitter Blue verified subscription, and amounts paid were "driven by ads placed in the replies to tweets."

Influencer Andrew Tate  who espouses misogynistic views online, and faces a trial on charges of rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women in Romania -- posted that Twitter paid him more than $20,000. Tate has sued the accusers who made those charges.

Several right-wing influencers also posted about receiving Twitter payments, along with fans and promoters of Tesla stock and products, including Omar Qazi (who uses the handle "@WholeMarsBlog" on Twitter) and Sawyer Merritt, who each posted about netting more than $5,000.

Mainstream and other influencers who shared details about their Twitter income included Brian and Ed Krassenstein, Mr. Beast and the account @interneth0f (which stands for Internet Hall of Fame). The Internet Hall of Fame posts screenshots of other people's popular posts from social media and re-circulates them.

It's not clear how much Twitter paid creators in total in this first round of payments. Twitter sent an automated reply with a crude symbol in response to CNBC's request for comment on Saturday. The parent company of Twitter, X Corp., is facing myriad lawsuits from former employees and vendors over non-payment of bills and severance.
A package of the daily contraceptive Opill is seen in an undated illustration.

The first birth control pill sold without a prescription in the U.S. could remain out of reach for some women and girls because health insurance plans are not required to cover the medication in its over-the-counter form.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the sale of the oral contraceptive Opill without a prescription, a historic decision that should make birth control pills easier to obtain by eliminating the need to visit a doctor's office and refill prescriptions.

One-third of adult women who have ever tried to obtain prescription contraception have faced barriers to access, according to a survey published in the Journal of Women's Health in 2016.

Opill's manufacturer Perrigo expects the pill to be available in major stores and online in early 2024. Perrigo will announce the price of Opill in a couple months before the pill is in stores, said Frederique Welgryn, a Perrigo executive, during a call with journalists Thursday.

Welgryn said the company is committed to ensuring Opill is affordable. Perrigo is setting up a patient assistance program so the cost of the pill is not a barrier for women struggling to make ends meet.

But some women and girls could still face barriers to obtain Opill. The Affordable Care Act does not require private health insurance to cover the cost of the pill when used without a prescription. Most health insurers are required to offer birth control for free when prescribed by a doctor.

State Medicaid programs are also generally not required to cover drugs sold without prescription, according to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement at the Palmachim Air Force Base near the city of Rishon Lezion, Israel July 5, 2023.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday declared that he feels "very good" after he was rushed to the hospital for what doctors said likely was dehydration.

But doctors ordered him to remain in the hospital overnight for further observation, and his weekly Cabinet meeting was delayed by a day and rescheduled for Monday, his office said.

Netanyahu's office said he was hospitalized after feeling mild dizziness. It said that he had spent the previous day in the heat at the Sea of Galilee, a popular vacation spot in northern Israel, and that after a series of tests, the initial assessment was that the veteran Israeli leader was dehydrated.

Later on Saturday, a smiling Netanyahu issued a video statement from the hospital, saying that he had been out in the sun on Friday without wearing a hat and without water. "Not a good idea," he said.

"Thank God, I feel very good," he added, thanking the medical team at Israel's Sheba Hospital and thanking the public for messages of support.

He said he had "one request"  that people drink water and stay out of the sun.

Israel is in the midst of a summer heat wave, with temperatures in the mid-30s Celsius (mid-90s Fahrenheit).

Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving leader. He has served multiple terms stretching over 15 years in office. His current far-right government, a collection of religious and ultranationalist parties, took office last December.

Netanyahu is said to be in generally good health, though he was briefly hospitalized last October after feeling unwell during prayers on Yom Kippur, a day when observant Jews fast.

The Israeli leader faces pressure on multiple fronts.

He is on trial for multiple corruption charges in a case that has bitterly divided the nation. His government's hard-line policies toward Palestinians have drawn international criticism and antagonized relations with the United States, Israel's closest and most important ally.

At home, tens of thousands of Israelis have held weekly demonstrations against Netanyahu's government to protest his plan to overhaul the country's judiciary.

Netanyahu's allies say the plan is needed to rein in the power of unelected judges. But his opponents say the plan will destroy the country's fragile system of checks and balances and concentrate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his allies.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid issued a statement wishing Netanyahu a "full recovery and good health."

"Feel better," Lapid said on Twitter.
Sean Audet stumbled into photography as a career by accident, and nearly for free.

It was 2016, and the trained fine-dining chef was running a pop-up restaurant two nights per week and working in culinary research at Red River College in Winnipeg, Canada. While developing new recipes for the college's clients, small- and medium-sized restaurants, he had an idea: He and his students could stage and photograph food to help those clients advertise their businesses.

Audet quickly realized he had a knack for the work and started taking on his own clients for a food photography side hustle two years later. He borrowed cameras, lights and backdrops from a friend to cut costs.

By 2020, he garnered enough business to invest roughly $20,000 in CAD, or about $15,200 U.S., in new equipment. He quit his jobs and become a full-time photographer.

Last year, Audet brought in roughly $133,900 U.S., according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It  more than he ever earned in higher education or as a sous chef, he says. A majority of that business came from clients on freelance platform Fiverr, he adds.

Leaving a steady 9-to-5 job to become a freelancer was risky, but Audet says he had to give it a try.

"Every once in a while, I'll stumble upon something that gets me super excited," Audet, 30, tells CNBC Make It. "With no prompting, I'll just start working an extra 12 to 14 hours a day on something that interests me. When that happens, I feel like you have to pay attention."

Here's how Audet scaled his side hustle into a full-time job, and how he plans to use his interest in A.I. to make more money.
Growing up in Long Island, New York, Dan Defossey, 44, always thought he would go into politics. And while Defossey did begin his career working in politics, he eventually became a teacher & Teach For America Corps Member in Texas before landing a job as an educator at Apple in New York. He was in that position for just over three years, when he was promoted in 2009 to Head of Marketing in Education for Latin America. Defossey relocated to Mexico City. In 2013, Defossey and his friend and Mexico City-local Roberto Luna were hiking in the city when he turned to Luna and said they should do something else with their lives. Despite having no experience running a restaurant, the two decided it might be a good idea to open one. "We had no idea how to operate a restaurant and were basically learning on the fly," Defossey said.

Defossey and Luna opened the first Pinche Gringo restaurant in an airstream in 2013. Tasia Jensen and Beatriz Bajuelos Castillo / CNBC Make It

In 2013, Defossey and Luna bought an airstream in Texas, drove it back down to Mexico City. In it, they opened their first Texas-Style BBQ restaurant. "I knew we were going to put everything into it because we thought we had something that was unique. There were no barbecue restaurants here in the city; we are so close to the United States. Mexicans love meat," Defossey tells CNBC Make It. "There was a great opportunity to open up a new food category... And when you have that window to be able to do something like that, you have to seize it." The pair decided to name the restaurant Pinche Gringo, which means "Darn American," and pokes fun at the idea of them opening a BBQ restaurant in Mexico City. "It gave us a bit of humility, which I think brought down a wall and allowed our Mexican customers to be more open to something that was very unique and different," Defossey said.

The Pinche Gringo BBQ warehouse is the biggest location and can hold up to 3,000 people. Tasia Jensen and Beatriz Bajuelos Castillo / CNBC Make It

In the beginning, Defossey and Luna spent hours giving out samples of brisket and explaining the meat to locals. Defossey tells CNBC Make It that at first, he and Luna were bringing in $30 USD a day and the food didn't taste good. "We gave a sample of our food to some dogs in the neighborhood. The dogs didn't eat it, and that's when we were like, okay, this is a problem. But we kept on practicing," he said. One day a local reporter came by to try the food and ran a positive piece on Defossey and Luna's restaurant. Since then, Pinche Gringo has had a consistent customer base. Being a Texas-style BBQ restaurant in Mexico City isn't the only thing that sets the Pinche Gringo brand apart. They also didn't tropicalize anything for the location which means they don't offer any traditional Mexican ingredients on the menu. "I do not have tortillas. I do not have agua Jamaica, agua horchata. I don't have chilis toreados. And the most sacrilegious thing is that I do not have limes and Mexicans love limes on things," Defossey says. "And why? Because I wanted to offer something that was unique, that was different than anyone has ever seen before." Defossey and Luna opened that first airstream restaurant in 2013, but have since expanded into what is now known as the Groupo Chilangogringo. The group owns and operates seven restaurants, including sandwich shops, a bar, and the Pinche Gringo BBQ warehouse. It's the largest location and can host up to 2,000 people at a time.

The Groupo Chilangogringo currently has 105 employees. Tasia Jensen and Beatriz Bajuelos Castillo / CNBC Make It

In 2022, Groupo Chilangogringo's revenue was 159,121,000 Mexican pesos which equals over $9 million USD, according to tax documents reviewed by CNBC Make It.



The restaurant group has 105 employees and sells 15-20 metric tons of meat a month "We actually opened this restaurant to share with Mexicans an authentic part of our culture so that we can bring the two countries together," Defossey says. "This is the power of being able to share my beautiful American culture with Mexico. And this is how I can give back to the country that has embraced me so much."

Defossey and Luna's restaurants sell a combined total of 15-20 metric tons of meat a month. Tasia Jensen and Beatriz Bajuelos Castillo / CNBC Make It
In a statement issued here, Adani Group said its "Chairman Gautam Adani called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka on Saturday following the full load commencement of power supply to Bangladesh from the Group's Ultra Super-Critical Thermal Power Plant in Godda, India".

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Saturday called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka.

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His visit follows the commencement of power supply to the neighbouring nation from the Group's ultra-supercritical thermal power plant (USCTPP) in Godda, Jharkhand, Adani Group said in a statement on Saturday.

In a statement issued here, Adani Group said its "Chairman Gautam Adani called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka on Saturday following the full load commencement of power supply to Bangladesh from the Group's Ultra Super-Critical Thermal Power Plant in Godda, India".

The Godda USCTPP marks the Adani Group's entry into transnational power projects. It is India's first commissioned transnational power project where 100 per cent of the generated power is supplied to another nation, it said.

"Honoured to have met Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on full load commencement and handover of the 1600 MW Ultra Super-Critical Godda Power Plant. I salute the dedicated teams from India and Bangladesh who braved COVID to commission the plant in a record time of three-and-a-half years," Adani tweeted after meeting the Bangladesh PM.

The electricity supplied from Godda will replace costly power generated in Bangladesh using liquid fuel. The power will be supplied continuously at a competitive tariff, the statement said.

The Godda plant will supply 1,496 MW under the power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with the Bangladesh Power Development Board for a period of 25 years via a 400 kV dedicated transmission system connected to the Bangladesh grid. The PPA was executed in November 2017.

On April 6, the first unit of 800 MW capacity of the Godda plant in Jharkhand began commercial operations. The second unit, also of 800 MW capacity, followed on June 26.

Adani Power Limited (APL), a part of the diversified Adani Group, is the largest private thermal power producer in India.

The company has an installed thermal capacity of 15,210 MW, spread across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, apart from a 40 MW solar power plant in Gujarat.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15)  The Philippine National Railways (PNR) will operate its last trip for the Alabang-Binan route on Saturday night to make way for the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project.

The last trip from Alabang to Binan will be at 9:32 p.m.

The closure of the Binan to Alabang route will follow on Sunday, with the last trip scheduled at 5:24 a.m.

Some 2,000 passengers will be affected by the closure of the Alabang-Binan and Binan-Alabang routes.

Last July 2, the PNR also closed the Sta. Rosa to Calamba route.

Marami na pala diyang mga bus, at saka mga PUJ (public utility jeeps) na plying along the routes. Sa other side pa, pag nag-close na rin yun, mayron na ring naka-ready na special permits si LTFRB. Nag-o-offer sila ng prangkisa, special permits para sa bus operators and jeepney operators, Geronimo told CNN Philippines.

[Translation: There are already several buses and PUJs plying the routes. At the other side, if that closes too, the LTFRB has special permits ready. Theyre offering a franchise, special permits for bus and jeepney operators.]

In the coming months, the Tutuban to Alabang route will likewise be shut down for the construction of the NSCR Project.

To hasten the construction of the NSCR, an elevated, double-track and electrified rail system will be installed above PNRs current tracks, Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez earlier said.

The 147-kilometer NSCR, which is expected to have 35 stations, can accommodate 600,000 passengers daily. It is expected to be completed in five to six years.

It may partially operate by late 2026 or early 2027, the PNR said.

The rail line can bring commuters from Clark, Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna in just two hours.

Kaunting pasensya lang po, at asahan natin na pag natapos na ang construction ng NSCR ay makakaasa po tayo ng mas mabilis, mas maganda, mas konbinyente na biyahe para sa ating mga commuters, Geronimo told commuters.

[Translation: Were asking for just a bit of patience, and we can expect that when the construction of the NSCR is done, there will be faster, better, and more convenient travel for our commuters.]
(CNN)  The sole nominee to be the next prime minister of Thailand failed to secure enough parliamentary votes to form a government Thursday, a set back for the future of democracy in the country following nearly a decade of turbulent military-backed rule.

The vote was seen as a critical moment for Thailand, in which members of the bicameral National Assembly declared their pick for prime minister, and was expected to reveal whether the ruling establishment would accept the choice of the people who overwhelmingly voted for progressive, opposition parties in a May election.

In a shock election result, newcomer party Move Forward won the most seats and the largest share of the popular vote, capitalizing on years of rising anger over the kingdoms governance.

Move Forwards leader Pita Limjaroenrat received just 324 votes out of the 376 needed for a majority in both the upper and lower houses. The House Speaker will now call for another round of voting scheduled for a later date.

The party had pledged deep structural reforms to how the Southeast Asian country of more than 70 million people is run: changes to the military, the economy, the decentralization of power and even reforms to the previously untouchable monarchy.

Following the vote, Pita told reporters outside parliament that he accepts the result but wont give up.

We will not change our policies, we have to keep our promise given to the people, he said, in reference to his partys radical campaign pledge to amend Thailands strict lese majeste law despite the taboo surrounding any discussion of the royal family in Thailand.

Monarchy looms over the vote

Section 112 of the Criminal Code criminalizes criticism of the King, Queen or heir-apparent and lese majeste convictions carry long prison terms of up to 15 years. Currently, anyone can bring a case, even if they arent connected to the alleged crime.

The subject of royal reform is so sensitive that several senators and conservative parties ruled out voting for Pita for this reason.

He is not suitable to become a prime minister of Thailand. First, the Move Forward Party has a policy amending and abolishing Section 112, secondly, after the Election Commission has forwarded the case to the court to look into his eligibility, this has proved at a certain level that he is not qualified, Senator Seri Suwannapanon told CNN before the vote.

The tendency of the senators, they will protect Section 112 and wont vote for an ineligible person.

Outside parliament Thursday morning, Senator Kittisak Rattanawaraha said he wouldnt vote for Pita, because they are behind attempts to meddle with independent agencies, military, police and Section 112.

But Move Forwards policies won huge support among the countrys youth who have long felt disaffected by years of authoritarian politics and frustrated with the stuttering economy and tough job market.

The May election, which saw a record turnout, also delivered a powerful rebuke to the military-backed establishment that has ruled Thailand since 2014, when then-army chief Prayut Chan-o-cha seized power in a coup.

Thailand has witnessed a dozen successful coups since 1932, including two in the past 17 years.

Prayut was elected prime minister in 2019, a win largely credited to a military-drafted constitution that entrenched the militarys power in politics.

On Tuesday, Prayut announced his retirement, adding he would remain as prime minister until the new government is formed.

Regardless, he was not expected to gain enough support in the lower house to win another term as prime minister, as his party only won 36 seats in the May election.

Roadblocks to the progressive movement

Pitas supporters say a victory for the 42-year-old Harvard alumni in Thursdays parliamentary vote would usher in a progressive and democratic new era for Thai politics.

Despite a clear win at the polls for Pita, it remains far from certain who will be Thailands next leader.

In Thailand, a party or coalition needs to win a majority of 376 seats in both lower and upper houses of parliament  750 seats  to elect a prime minister and form a government.

Move Forwards majority was not big enough to form a government outright, even with a coalition of seven other opposition parties.

To secure victory, the coalition will need support from the unelected 250-member Senate  which was appointed by the military under a post-coup constitution and has previously voted for a pro-military candidate.

That proved to be major roadblock in Pitas path to prime minister.

Thailands powerful conservative establishment  a nexus of the military, monarchy and influential elites  has a history of blocking fundamental changes to the status quo.

Move Forwards proposed structural changes target the heart of this establishment, with priorities to demilitarize, demonopolize and decentralize Thailand, Pita recently told CNN.

That includes getting rid of mandatory conscription, reducing the military budget, making the military more transparent and accountable, and reducing the number of generals.

In another major setback on the eve of the vote, Thailands Constitutional Court Wednesday accepted two complaints against the Move Forward Party and its leader Pita.

The case is set to be reviewed next week and if it moves to trial, Pita will be suspended from political duty. That outcome will likely add fuel to the fire of his young support base, with the potential for mass street protests.

One of the complaints, forwarded to the court by the Election Commission, accuses Pita of violating election law for allegedly holding shares in a media company and requested he be disqualified. Pita has denied he broke election rules and a statement from Move Forward accused the Election Commission of rushing the case to court.

In recent weeks, Pita has been rallying supporters across the country, with thousands of people gathering in Bangkok on Sunday, despite heavy rain.

He has previously been confident of securing enough parliamentary votes, but on Sunday warned senators not to vote against the will of the people.

The voting is not for Pita, not for MFP, but it is for Thailand to move forward into normalcy of democratic system, just like any democratic countries in this world, he said on Twitter.

If Pita is not elected on Thursday, the Speaker of the House has announced two more rounds of voting  on July 19 and 20  for a result to be declared.

After that, coalitions may start to crumble and a political deadlock could derail the progressive movements election success, potentially sparking protests.

Move Forward encouraged citizens to show their support at parliament on Thursday and a prominent Thai protest leader Wednesday called for demonstrations if the senators refused to vote in line with the election results.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Critical moment for Thai democracy as parliament fails to elect new prime minister"
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Youre talking to your pregnant friend, whose partners out drinking instead of there with you. Lets just say Darren wont be winning any Father-of-the-Year awards, she says. Shes right. Mainly because there are no Father-of-the-Year awards, and if there were, the odds are strongly against the nominating committee even hearing about Darren, let alone awarding him one of their medals.

If there were an award for worst father-to-be, however, and the committee did hear about Darren, we trust hed still win nothing. There are men who do things much worse than Darrens ever tried. Things like murder. And things like... Well, the following stories are all about murder, actually, but even knowing that, youre going to be shocked at the specifics of what the following expectant dads did.

5 A Terrorist Used His Pregnant Girlfriend to Take a Bomb on a Plane When Anne-Marie Murphy told her boyfriend she was pregnant late in 1986, he broke up with her. Then, worse, he changed his mind and wanted to get back together. In fact, he wanted to marry her. He wanted them to marry in Israel  which was a little strange, since neither of them were from Israel. Murphy was an Irish hotel maid working in London. Nezar al-Hindawi was Jordanian, and while Jordan and Israel share a border, he said hed have trouble getting an Israeli visa, so she should fly to Tel Aviv ahead of him, alone. via BBC Not really sounding like a model boyfriend, and thats before we tell you about the bomb. Advertisement This 32-year-old woman, six months pregnant, was not the sort of person who generally attracts too much scrutiny at airport security. Nevertheless, the check-in employee became suspicious after asking some routine questions about her trip. Murphy said she planned to stay at the Hilton in Bethlehem, but there was no Hilton in Bethlehem. She said she planned to use credit cards to pay for expenses, but in 1986, you couldnt use British cards in Israel. The check-in officer now decided on a secondary inspection of Murphys one bag. He emptied it, and the bag still felt heavy, suggesting a false compartment, the sort used by smugglers. He opened this compartment and found a package that he first assumed was drugs but turned out to be a bomb. Hindawi had stuck it in there on a timer, planning for it to go off in midair, killing Murphy and almost 400 other passengers. Bob Adams Most guys just suggest an abortion and leave it at that. Advertisement Hindawis family had been from Palestine, he was a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization, and this plot was probably also planned with assistance from Syrian intelligence. Britain sentenced the man to 45 years. Murphy was present at his trial, where she shouted, You bastard, you! How could you do this to me? I hate you, I hate you, youre wicked! Pure serendipity led the airport to spot the bomb before it could kill all those people. Yes, Murphys odd answers aroused suspicion, but that was coincidence because she wasnt really hiding anything. Shed had no idea the bomb was in there. The baggage also passed through an initial X-ray that spotted nothing. Plus, before the weirdly revealing part of the interrogation, the check-in worker asked Murphy the standard did you pack your bag yourself question, and her reply raised no flags. We suppose Murphy answered yes, the same way we all automatically do when asked that question. You wouldnt say no if your significant other packed your bag for you. Why, if you say no, that could add a needless delay to your check-in. Advertisement Advertisement

4 A Jamestown Colonist Cooked and Ate His Pregnant Wife A couple years into their founding, the settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, went through a grueling winter they called The Starving Time. Almost 90 percent of the settlers died. Along the way, as food ran short, people turned to increasingly desperate measures. They ate their horses, then snakes, then cats. Then, without even undesirable animals left, they ate their leather and boots. Some ate the blood that fell out of wounded comrades. Some dug up corpses and ate those. Finally came the ultimate form of cannibalism: murdering victims and eating their flesh. Seth Eastman A supply ship came, but it was full of British food, and cannibalism was preferable. Advertisement Of the several documented cases of cannibalism, the worst may have been one man who killed and ate his wife. We dont know the gourmands name, but Jamestown President George Percy documented the remaining particulars of the case. First, the husband murdered her, then he chopped her into pieces. He salted the pieces to preserve them as he made his way through the body. The wife had been pregnant when he killed her, and you may be relieved, or confused, to learn he did not eat the fetus. Apparently, he had to draw the line somewhere. So he cut her open before the butchering process and extracted the fetus, throwing it into a river. Sarah Stierch On a more cheery note, heres a Jamestown mass grave. John Smith, among the most famous Jamestown colonists, was no longer in Virginia during this winter of 1609. Hed returned to England. But he learned of the murder, hearing the salted wife described as powdered, and heres how he relayed it in his writings. One amongst the rest did kill his wife, powdered her, and had eaten part of her before it was known, for which he was executed, as he well deserved; now whether she was better roasted, boiled or carbonadod (this word meant barbecued) I know not, but of such a dish as powdered wife I never heard of. Advertisement Advertisement

3 A Guy Killed His Girlfriend for the Life Insurance Money, Then Staged an Elaborate Cover-Up On October 23, 1989, Boston couple Charles and Carol Stuart went to a birthing class together. A few hours later, Charles dialed 911. When they were at a stoplight, he said, some Black guy had entered the car, robbed them and shot them both. Charles, shot in the stomach, was in bad shape but would make it through. Carol, shot in the head, died soon after being rushed to the hospital  but not before doctors delivered a child by Caesarian. This boy, named Christopher, would also die as a result of the shooting, making whoever was responsible a double murderer in the eyes of the law. via WCVB Were all trying to find the guy who did this. Advertisement Boston police went out in the city in search of someone who fit the description Black male, and they managed to find quite a few such people. Charles picked out one of them named Willie Bennett in a police lineup. Meanwhile, a life-insurance company quickly paid out $82,000 on a policy Charles had on Carol. Then a second company announced hed taken out a separate policy with them, one worth even more money. He may have taken out additional policies as well; investigators werent sure. A couple months after the shooting, Charles brother Matthew approached police. They should let Bennett go, he said. The truth was, Charles had done the shooting himself. Hed talked about it with his whole family, saying he didnt want to be a dad and thought Carol taking time off from work would cost the couple a bunch of money. Charles had taken care to shoot himself nonfatally, while shooting Carol more seriously (though, did not kill her cleanly or instantly). Boston Herald Kill too cleanly, and that might look suspicious. Advertisement Advertisement Matthews role in all of this was meeting Charles that night and taking away the gun and Carols purse to make it look like a robbery. He threw the gun and purse into a river. When he heard his brother had given him up, Charles now threw himself into a river, and died.

2 Nero Killed His Wife Then Made a Replacement From Some Guy As we go slightly further back in history, it becomes harder to nail down details of crimes. We therefore cant state with certainty how the pregnant Roman empress Poppaea died. We have multiple conflicting accounts  that each say Nero killed her. They vary, though, in how Nero killed her. Abraham de Bruyn He fiddled with the forensic records. Advertisement Perhaps he kicked her right in her pregnant belly, with great fury. Perhaps he kicked her right in her pregnant belly, but casually. Perhaps he poisoned her to death. In any event, it seems like he missed her after she died. He sought out another woman who looked Poppaea. Next, he found someone else, a former slave named Sporus, who looked even more like Poppaea. Only problem was, Sporus was a man. This was no great obstacle, however. The two got married anyway, and Nero still insisted that people call Sporus empress. Then, to improve the simulation, Nero had Sporus castrated. We dont imagine Sporus had much say in this matter. Nero just insisted, missing both Poppaeas face and general feminine form. TcfkaPanairjdde/Wiki Commons He really missed Poppaeas bust.
A lot of fans like their movies the same way Adam Sandler likes his gems: uncut. One might assume that most mainstream Hollywood films are better with all the censor-rankling obscene bits left in  but this isnt always the case. It turns out that some uncut releases of famous movies are actually worse than the versions that would be sanitized for the masses, like how

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4 The 40-Year-Old Virgins Extra Scenes Make It Even Clearer That Andy Was Traumatized Giving director Judd Apatow an extended cut of a movie is a little like handing a can of kerosene and a zippo to a pyromaniac. Case in point: Theres a much longer, unrated cut of The 40-Year-Old Virgin, the comedy classic that probably plays a lot differently today thanks to the whole incel thing. Play The filthier edit features a number of mostly unnecessary moments that wisely ended up on the cutting room floor, including an extended scene in which our hero Andy fantasizes about porn/future headline star Stormy Daniels. Also, theres yet another flashback to Andys past sexual history that makes it even more apparent that his middle-aged sexual timidity is the result of some kind of psychological trauma. In the extra scene, he fumbles his attempt to take his dates bra off before getting aggressively ridiculed by his topless date for prematurely jizzing his pants, which he tries to pass off as Cream of Wheat. Thankfully neither cut of the movie included the even more screwed-up scene where a six-year-old Andy is warned by his domineering mother to never give in to sexual urges and to just play with action figures instead. Play Advertisement Advertisement

3 The Unrated Dumb and Dumber Adds Rape Jokes and Gay Panic The original Dumb and Dumber is a gross-out classic  the extended unrated version that debuted on DVD, not so much. For starters, it weirdly makes Harry and Lloyd seem like giant creeps. Take the scene in which they share a soak in a heart-shaped motel jacuzzi; the amusing gag is completely ruined when Lloyd taunts Harry, calling him a big homo. Play Advertisement Advertisement Even the iconic diarrhea scene takes a weird turn toward the unpleasant in its longer cut, as Harry inexplicably removes the toilet bowl from the bathroom floor and dumps turds all over his girlfriends lawn. Play Advertisement Perhaps the worst change is Lloyds more explicit encounter with Seabass in the gas station bathroom; in this version, the angry trucker flat-out declares that hes going to rape and then kill Lloyd while removing his pants and grabbing his dick. Play Advertisement Advertisement

2 Badder Santa Is Somehow Even More Depressing Bad Santa is one of the bleakest holiday films ever made  second only to Its a Wonderful Life, which ended with George Baileys life in the crapper and somehow neglected to kill off old Mr. Potter  telling the story of a washed-up, alcoholic thief who dresses up as Kris Kringle in order to rob a department store. Play Advertisement Advertisement Capitalizing on the unrated home video trend, we eventually got Badder Santa, the extended cut of the film that is somehow way bleaker than the original. The new cut contains scenes in which Santa/Willie hooks up with a stripper (who he treats like crap) and extended footage of him creeping on an underage girl. You know, for people who complained that Willie wasnt quite enough of a dirtbag in the theatrical cut. Presumably, much of this additional footage came from the reshoots helmed, not by director Terry Zwigoff but by Old Schools Todd Phillips, who was brought in to add broader comedic material as a result of poor test screenings. Zwigoff later released a third cut of the movie, which was actually several minutes shorter than the theatrical version.
Imagine coming home to find a cake on your kitchen table, iced in pink with a slice cut to show the blue sponge inside. With it is a letter from your teenager, saying: 'Mum and dad, I know you thought you had a daughter, but I now understand that I'm really a boy.'

The pink-outside, blue-inside cake is just one of the scripts for coming out as trans to your parents shared in online forums. These portray parents who don't immediately adopt the child's new identity as 'transphobic'. Children are advised to bring them into line by complaining to schools and social services.

In any other context  an anorexic threatening suicide if her parents refuse to let her starve, say  this would be recognised as emotional blackmail. But the idea that you can be 'born in the wrong body'  that everyone has a 'gender identity' which sometimes doesn't match their sex  is now widely presented as fact. And LGBT charities like Stonewall and Mermaids claim that trans-identified children are likely to attempt suicide unless their identity claims are accepted, using catchphrases like 'better a live son than a dead daughter'.

Some parents have bought into this, and seem to enjoy the social status bestowed by a trans-identified child. But most parents who 'socially transition' their child  using a new name and pronouns, and pretending that the child's sex has changed  do so because they believe the trans lobby's distorted narrative, and are terrified of losing their child.

Helen Joyce, a gender-critical author, has hit out over transgender issues, which sees some trans youngsters using cakes that are pink-outside but blue-inside cake for coming out as trans to their parents

Transgender double rapist Isla Bryson was sent to Cornton Vale - Scotland's only all-female facility - to be held in segregation to await sentencing. The move sparked a furious outcry earlier this year

Undated handout file photo issued by Police Scotland of Isla Bryson, formerly known as Adam Graham

In fact, data from the NHS shows that trans-identified youngsters are not at greater risk of suicide when compared with other young people referred to mental health services. And there is mounting evidence that social transition is a terrible idea, because it locks in what may otherwise be a passing phase. It reinforces a child's dissociation from their sex. And it increases the likelihood of progressing to irreversible medical interventions such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and genital surgery, which cause cognitive impairment, brittle bones, sexual dysfunction and sterility.

As the word 'social' suggests, social transition isn't something you can do alone. When parents go along with a child's fantasy of being the opposite sex  or in the case of 'non-binary' identities, of not having a sex  they are making an implicit promise to the child that everyone else will play along.

Helen Joyce (pictured) has hit out 'at the lie that men can be women leads to rapists being put in female prisons and male athletes stealing our prizes'

Not everyone will. Some people believe, in the words of the Bible, that God created two immutable sexes and think that it is sinful to pretend otherwise. Others, like me, have secular concerns. Unless you accept that women are female, men are male and nobody's sex can change, it is impossible to guarantee women privacy, safety and dignity in single-sex spaces, or fair competition in sport for female athletes.

All this is blindingly obvious, and until recently wouldn't have needed saying. But the boom in child transition means it increasingly comes across as criticism of some people's parenting choices. Simply telling the truth about the two sexes implies that they may have catastrophically and irreversibly harmed their children.

Since that is too horrible to contemplate, some such parents respond by becoming radical trans activists. They demand that gender theory is taught in classrooms, and imposed in workplace policies permitting everyone to use the toilets that match their 'gender identity'. And they vilify anyone who presents the facts about childhood gender transition. It's a classic case of shooting the messenger.

Transgender Lexi-Rose Crawford (pictured), who identifies as a woman, was sent to a male prison after being convicted of attacking a friend.

But we cannot simply give up and go away. We don't talk about these harms for fun, or because we're hateful. We do it because it's important for everyone's rights. The lie that men can really be women, and women men, leads to rapists being put in women's prisons, male athletes stealing prizes and victories that should have gone to women  and above all, the medical scandal unfolding in child gender clinics.

It's been really difficult to get the word out. The BBC, Guardian and other left-leaning outlets mostly don't cover this story, and when they do, they misrepresent us as bigots. Before Elon Musk bought Twitter, we were frequently banned for 'misgendering'  referring accurately to trans-identified people's sex.

If we hadn't been silenced, I wonder would so many parents have told their children that everyone else could be coerced into a pretence that damages their rights, and ultimately damages the child, too. The terrible pity for those who have already gone down this path is that there's no way back.
Welcome to Sick Note Britain, a country whose people are succumbing to all manner of medical ailments almost as quickly as they are losing the will to work.

This is uncharted territory. It has been a particular genius of this Tory government that it has managed to combine severe labour shortages with widespread idleness.

Even more worrying, it has no idea what to do about it. Neither does Labour, which refuses to acknowledge, never mind comprehend, the scale of the problem.

Regardless of who wins the next election, we are condemned to tolerate a ludicrous situation in which over one million job vacancies go unfilled while millions of working age folk sit at home living off benefits. It is the new normal for the rest of this decade  and perhaps even beyond.

The Tories were elected in 2010 on an ambitious welfare-to-work commitment. Thirteen years later, theyre presiding over a massive work-to-welfare programme which is nothing short of a national scandal in terms of the waste of talent and taxpayers money.

It has been a particular genius of this Tory government that it has managed to combine severe labour shortages with widespread idleness

In the three months to last April, more than 440,000 people started claiming out-of-work benefits for medical reasons

The figures are stark. According to a report from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) published this week, there are now 5.3 million Brits of working age claiming out-of-work benefits, a modern record.

They dont show up in the unemployment figures because to be deemed unemployed in Britain you have to be looking for work. The 5.3 million are not; theyve effectively left the labour force.

The official 4 per cent unemployment rate, therefore, gives a misleadingly rosy picture of the true state of the labour market.

In cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Liverpool roughly one in five working-age adults are claiming out-of-work welfare, largely disability benefit and universal credit. Not because theres no work  vibrant, growing Manchester has 40,000 job vacancies, for example  but because they cant work or have decided they dont want to work.

For the first time ever, the single largest segment of that 5.3 million who are economically inactive is health-related. In the three months to last April, more than 440,000 people started claiming out-of-work benefits for medical reasons, taking the total who have exited the labour force for health-related issues to a record 2.6 million.

Ominously, more than 40 per cent of new claims involve mental-health issues. The system simply doesnt know how to process or cope with such claims.

The cost to the public purse is enormous. That extra 440,000 now claiming out-of-work benefits for health reasons, coupled with the 490,000 at work, but in poor health (and so also in receipt of some benefits), add almost 7 billion a year to the nations welfare bill and cost HMRC almost 9 billion in lost tax revenues.

In other words, the countrys growing sickie culture will push up government borrowing by almost 16 billion in this financial year alone.

It wont stop there. Every so often, some Tory minister avers theyre going to tackle the problem. But nothing happens. More than 5,000 claims every day are now made for sickness-related benefits, twice the pre-pandemic rate, and nearly all are granted. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) certainly doesnt think it has any answers.

Before the pandemic there were 2.3 million claiming disability benefits. The DWPs internal forecasts see the number of claimants rising to 3.7 million by 2027/28, a rise of one third (bigger than the populations of Glasgow and Edinburgh combined).

Its not quite fair to say the Government has no solution. It has: more immigration. Its solution to the labour shortage is record migration to these shores, despite repeated (and unfulfilled) promises to curtail it

Labour, which refuses to acknowledge, never mind comprehend, the scale of the problem, doesn't know what to do

Our envy of the world NHS doesnt help. With waiting lists now at 7.4 million (which means about one in ten of the population is now on an NHS waiting list), of which more than 3 million are reckoned to be of working age, those whove had to sign off work for an NHS procedure or operation cant count on being back at work anytime soon. This matters because we know that the longer you are on out-off-work benefits for medical reasons, the less likely you are to return to the labour force at all.

Of the 2.6 million inactive for health reasons, 1.5 million (62 per cent) have been out of work since before the pandemic  and more than half a million (23 per cent) have never worked at all.

So it cant all be blamed on the pandemic and the growing incidence of mental health issues spawned by the lockdowns.

While the system struggled to cope with Covid, those who were ill for other reasons sometimes did not get the care they needed. But if the pandemic was the primary cause then youd see whats happening in the British labour market echoed in other major economies. But you dont. The growth of a sickness culture is a peculiarly British phenomenon.

Its not quite fair to say the Government has no solution. It has: more immigration. In the absence of a renewed commitment to welfare-to-work, the Government has opened wide our borders. Its solution to the labour shortage is record migration to these shores, despite repeated (and unfulfilled) promises to curtail it.

We are now in the midst of the second great wave of immigration of modern times. The first followed the accession of a number of East European countries to the European Union at the start of this century. It was unplanned in the sense that the then Labour government of Tony Blair did not foresee the huge numbers who would come here in search of work.

This second wave, under the Tories, is entirely planned. Official projections assume net migration will be about 250,000 a year for the foreseeable future.

It is factored into the official economic growth forecasts of the OBR, on which the Chancellor has to base his tax and spend decisions and  because it helps deal with labour shortages  allows the OBR to predict faster growth than otherwise.

In reality, net migration is likely to be more than the official assumption. In the past two years it has been more than 500,000 a year, twice what the OBR assumes, though that included large numbers from Ukraine and Hong Kong, because of whats happening in both places.

Even so, though the composition of todays migrants has changed  its now more likely to be an Indian IT engineer than a Polish plumber  Brexit has not reduced the numbers. In fact theyve risen as a matter of government policy.

As a result, 20 per cent of the UK workforce is now foreign-born, a higher percentage than in that original immigrant nation, the United States. A quarter of all British schoolchildren have an immigrant mother. In London, its 50 per cent.

Immigration causes me less concern than it does many. I tend to think successful societies in the 21st century will be melting pots, Britain is certainly that and has become so in a manner more successful than most. But I accept that the scale and speed of new arrivals matters, that many voted for Brexit because they wanted less immigration and that they have been seriously betrayed.

However, I am more concerned, angry even, at how politicians have fallen back on more immigration to resolve labour scarcity issues rather than do the heavy lifting that a reinvigorated welfare-to-work strategy would involve.

We will always need an element of migration and that will be healthy. But to tolerate millions living on welfare indefinitely, without the prospect of work, is surely bad for those involved and for society.

Of course, those who are ill require the care and benefit of the welfare state. That is a hallmark of a civilised society. But a caring society doesnt allow those who can work to exist doing nothing and be an endless cost on the public purse.

As part of its duty of care, a progressive society would give people the medical attention they need but also, as they recover, nudge them gently but persistently back into the labour force, always making sure that it pays to work rather than sit at home doing nothing.

But this is not on the agenda of any mainstream political party. It is a singular failure of the British political class and we will pay the price as the years roll by.

This week the OBR predicted that our national debt could balloon to an unsustainable 435 per cent of GDP by 2070. Put aside the rather inconvenient fact that the OBR cant even predict accurately next years budget deficit, never mind the national debt in half a century.

But it was fair enough for it to point out that there are growing demands on the public purse and we need to tackle them if we are to retain any fiscal credibility.

The growing, expensive and debilitating sickness culture taking root is one of them. We need to deal with it. The economy demands it. Society demands it. All that is lacking are the politicians with the courage and foresight to face up to it.
The more things change, the more they remain the same. Last year, there was a chronic shortage of baggage handlers and other ground staff at Gatwick, resulting in huge disruptions during the peak summer period.

This led to a massive recruitment drive on the part of airlines  which hire airport staff through third parties  but 12 months on and we're facing similar chaos and bitter disappointment following news that nearly 1,000 workers are set to go on strike at the airport during July and August.

The unions smell blood. Delays and cancellations are 'inevitable', warns Unite, with undisguised glee. Throw in the prospect of thousands of flights being affected across Europe when air traffic controllers walk out over staffing and rosters  with easyJet already announcing 1,700 summer flight cancellations  and it's not a pretty picture.

Gatwick Airport Ltd is quick to point out that staff preparing to strike are not employed by the airport (and that Gatwick agreed a pay deal with its own staff earlier this year), but are hired by four firms: ASC, GGS, DHL Services and Menzies Aviation.

A spokesman for Menzies Aviation said Unite has rejected its offer of an 11 per cent pay increase, while Unite, in predictable fashion, says the likes of Menzies have failed to make offers that meet the workers' 'expectations'. Most sensible people might take the view that expectations need to be more realistic given that we're in the throes of one of the worst economic crises in living memory. But Unite doesn't do reality. It's another blow for the travel industry, which was largely left to fend for itself during the pandemic, with the result that many companies went to the wall.

Nearly 1,000 workers are set to go on strike at the airport during July and August

The unions smell blood. Delays and cancellations are 'inevitable', warns Unite, with undisguised glee

Gatwick Airport Ltd is quick to point out that staff preparing to strike are not employed by the airport. Pictured, travellers queue for taxis at Gatwick Airport in West Sussex

This latest setback comes when bookings have bounced back better than many had expected. This summer was due to be a bumper one, with holidaymakers desperate to flee Britain, despite the squeeze on household budgets.

The Government wants to keep well out of it. Aviation minister Baroness Vere met easyJet boss Johan Lundgren this week, and Transport Secretary Mark Harper told the Commons his department would 'continue to engage' with airlines  which of course means nothing.

There's talk of airlines introducing contingency plans to keep the disruptions to a minimum but no one seems to know what those plans comprise.

What's crucial is that anyone going away in the next few months should make sure their travel insurance is in order. Booking through a travel agent will also offer further protection  and will mean there'll be someone at the end of a telephone line who might be able to help.
It may just be in time but I sense the 50-year campaign to legalise drugs is at last running into the trouble it has deserved from the start.

The supposed Portuguese drugs miracle  in which giving up enforcing the law was supposedly followed by peace, love and joy  has ended, as it was bound to do, in squalor, crime and fear. And the endlessly praised Amsterdam dope experiment, in letting rip despite the law, has been rejected with disgust and regret by many of the people who live there.

Even the wildly liberal Washington Post has finally seen through all the bilge about Portugal. Thanks to them, I doubt I will again be asked by a drug legaliser or a BBC presenter (often the same thing) 'What about Portugal?' Or at least, not if they have any sense. For, on July 7, the Post explored modern-day Porto, Portugal's second city.

It described a dismal scene  exactly what drug opponents would have predicted after the abandonment of legal penalties for drug possession. 'Addiction haunts the recesses of this ancient port city, as people with gaunt, clumsy hands lift crack pipes to lips, syringes to veins,' it noted.

Even the wildly liberal Washington Post has finally seen through all the bilge about Portugal

Supposedly liberal Amsterdam has also had enough. Europe's semi-official marijuana capital has banned the smoking of dope on the streets of its red-light district

In a long article illustrated with dispiriting pictures of drug-related squalor on the streets, it described how 'authorities are sealing off warren-like alleyways with iron bars and fencing in parks to halt the spread of encampments'.

The neighbours are scared. And the police (always the last to grasp what is going on) 'are blaming a spike in the number of people who use drugs for a rise in crime'. Well done, officer.

Supposedly liberal Amsterdam has also had enough. Europe's semi-official marijuana capital has banned the smoking of dope on the streets of its red-light district. Citizens have had enough of the zombie world that decriminalisation brings: 'Finally, smoking cannabis is banned in public spaces,' says Diederik Boomsma, an Amsterdam city councillor. 'This will send an important message to the gormless and feckless who think they can come here on a holiday from morality. Newsflash to all potheads: go giggle elsewhere!'

Meanwhile, evidence piles up (unnoticed by the BBC or indeed most journalists of any kind) of the growing correlation between marijuana use and serious lifelong mental illness. And media largely captured by the pothead campaign somehow never notice that free democratic Japan and South Korea successfully deter drug abuse by prosecuting possession, just as we once did.

Actual experiments in legal marijuana in North America have been pathetic, embarrassing flops. Drug propagandists always claimed that this move would take drugs out of the hands of criminal gangs. But that simply has not happened. The gangs still flourish, but now do so alongside legal outlets for the timid drug user. Meanwhile greedy, cynical businessmen, much like the human sharks who drove Big Tobacco for decades, are making fat profits from human misery. Immoral politicians are raking in tax revenue from products whose terrible dangers are increasingly obvious.

Politicians, it is true, hardly help the causes they embrace, at least in the public eye. I rejoiced the other day when the Scottish 'government' tried to demand that the UK abolished its drug laws. The Edinburgh statelet is perhaps the worst-governed portion of Europe west of the River Bug (it exists, look it up). If they think something is a good idea, it is pretty sure to be bad.

Surely, if the Washington Post can wake up to the truth, we can do the same here? There is not much time.

Why do people join a particular church, even become priests and ministers and bishops, and then start moaning that they don't like what it stands for? Why not just join something else? Or leave?

I think especially here of the Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell, who used his powerful position to state that referring to God as 'Father' in prayers is 'problematic for those whose experience of earthly fathers has been destructive and abusive'.

Maybe. Maybe not. But the Archbishop has a degree in Media Studies so he can't have been surprised by the attention he then got. Look, Stephen, the C of E is a traditional church based firmly on scripture, and believes that Christ told us to use the words 'Our Father'. So we must.

Other churches are more funky and flexible. But they do not have archbishops, or palaces for them to live in, or cathedrals for them to preach in, or seats in the House of Lords. Choose which is the one for you. But stop messing around with mine. Modernisers have already driven away thousands of C of E worshippers by their meddling, causing much individual grief. That's enough.

Mood is changing on war in Ukraine

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace's tetchy remarks, suggesting that Kiev has responded to our generosity with weapons by treating us like an Amazon delivery driver, are a sign of a big change of mood

I think the nations of the West, especially the US, are tiring of the war in Ukraine. What can it now achieve that has not already been achieved? Russia has been stopped in its tracks.

It will be incredibly costly in men and money to do any more. Even here, where amazingly ill-informed gung-ho politics still dominate the debate, there is a cooling. I think Defence Secretary Ben Wallace's tetchy remarks, suggesting that Kiev has responded to our generosity with weapons by treating us like an Amazon delivery driver, are a sign of a big change of mood. I doubt he would have spoken about this if everyone in London was happy about the way the war is going.

About time too. The West's Ukraine policy has filled cemeteries with thousands of Ukraine's best young men and will continue to do so until we recognise the need for a negotiated peace. I think all responsible people, in this country, whatever their positions have been so far, must begin to accept that this is not some game that we are cheering on, but a profoundly serious combat in which others are dying, losing their homes or suffering terrible injuries.

Of course, in all wars, the young (in my view often too willingly) respond to their leaders' calls for sacrifice. Their families struggle to prevent them doing so. But in later years, we all tend to recognise that much of the death and maiming was unnecessary, could have been avoided and could certainly have been ended earlier with no significant disadvantage.

I promise you this will be the case in Ukraine, unless we reject the all-or-nothing faction's calls for endless war. Can we please skip this stage and save a great deal of needless mourning and pain?

Prefer an IRA guard, Joe?

US President Joe Biden reviews royal guards along with Britain's King Charles III

Curious to see the far from pro-British President Joe Biden greeted by what he presumably refers to in private as 'Redcoats' during his visit to the King at Windsor Castle.

Now that (thanks to US pressure) Sinn Fein/IRA are now wholly integrated into the UK, couldn't we have arranged for a guard of honour of IRA veterans, their traditional berets and balaclavas, and weapons supplied by the late Colonel Gaddafi of Libya? I'd also be curious to see what an IRA marching band looks and sounds like.
At the risk of sounding like a humourless old bat, what is all this Barbie hysteria? Why are so many grown women gushing like pre-pubescent fan-girls at the idea of another fully grown woman (Margot Robbie) playing the part of an anatomically impossible plastic doll?

Everywhere you look, it's Barbie this, Barbie that, Barbie as cultural phenomenon, Barbie as post-modern ironic feminist icon, Barbie as a global marketing juggernaut.

Even my young daughter has been painting her nails a particularly lurid shade of pale yellow  part of the official Barbie merchandising. Yuk.

Have people suddenly developed pink candyfloss for brains? Am I the only person that still thinks Barbie is, at her core, just another cog in the cultural machine that tells little girls that if they don't grow up to be thin, white blondes with size-three feet, perky breasts, a tiny waist and a fixed white smile, they are worthless?

Even my clever friends seem to have been infected. 'Oh, but it's directed by Greta Gerwig,' they say, as if the fact the movie has been made by a feminist legitimises their breathless excitement at the prospect of spending an hour and 55 minutes in the company of Miss Plastic Fantastic 1959 and her friends.

At the risk of sounding like a humourless old bat, what is all this Barbie hysteria? Why are so many grown women gushing like pre-pubescent fan-girls at the idea of another fully grown woman (Margot Robbie) playing the part of an anatomically impossible plastic doll?

(Barbie's 64, by the way. Not that she's permitted to look it. Even Hollywood isn't woke enough to embrace 'Menopausal Barbie'.)

Gerwig is the darling of the cool film-making scene  America's equivalent of Phoebe Waller-Bridge. I don't doubt she is hugely talented and has brought humour and irony and all sorts of clever things to her film.

But still. It's Barbie: every little girl's gateway drug to a lifetime of self-loathing.

Maybe it's just my age. Young women (in which category I include Gerwig) tend to forget how unrelentingly oppressive the pressures on women used to be.

The brutal truth is that Barbie is a pernicious plastic representation of impossible womanhood (if her physical proportions were translated into a real woman, she'd only have room for half a liver and a few inches of intestine).

Her image is a worm that gets into the brains of girls at a very young age and informs the disappointment so many of us feel when we look in the mirror.

When Mattel started producing 'inspirational' versions  Barbie, astronauts, dentists, doctors, scientists, lawyers, presidents and so on  in a bid to silence critics, it just made things tougher. Not only were girls expected to look like supermodels but had to be some sort of genius philanthropist, too. Gee, thanks.

And now here she is again, popping up like a bad penny, surfing the zeitgeist and repackaged for a post-feminist era in which young women seem less concerned about breaking the mould and are happy to fill their bodies with silicone enhancements to achieve a universally approved appearance of desirability.

For what is ITV's Love Island if not an assortment of surgically enhanced human Barbies, performing tricks for a group of Kens, who, too, are a simulacra of shaved, glistening manhood?

What are Instagram and TikTok if not an assemblage of filtered, preening human dollies vying for likes and clicks?

My generation took pills and starved themselves to fit the stereotypes  my daughter's just whacks it all on a credit card and hops on a plane to Turkey.

So maybe this film  and the huge buzz around it  is just a sign of the times. Maybe we should celebrate the fact that young women today are so blissfully unscathed by the constraints imposed upon their sex in the past they feel able to play dress-up with the devil.

On the other hand, maybe we should be disturbed that so many want to shoehorn themselves into Barbie's image, often with the help of plastic surgeons.

Barbie's renaissance is the ultimate representation of the wave of body dysmorphia, dressed up as self-expression, that seems to be sweeping through the younger generation.

I could be wrong. Perhaps I will be converted by the film. Indeed, the tagline is 'If you hate Barbie, this is for you'. The trailers suggest there is a cheerful self-knowledge to the script that I'm sure will make a very enjoyable watch.

But while the publicists have made much of the diversity of the cast and characters, from Kate McKinnon as Weird Barbie to Issa Rae as President Barbie, the truth is that in casting Margot Robbie  Hollywood's leading thin, white, blonde queen  Gerwig does not seem to be pushing any real boundaries.

Not in the real world, anyway.

It seems Ken has a secret: his pink and pale green shirt, right, suggests he's a member of exclusive gentlemen's club The Garrick.

Ken is Barbie's loyal and self-effacing boyfriend  as the tagline for the new movie puts it: 'She's everything. He's just Ken.'

But it seems Ken has a secret: his pink and pale green shirt, right, suggests he's a member of exclusive gentlemen's club The Garrick.

If so, it's hard to picture him dining there on pheasant and claret with the likes of Stephen Fry and Hugh Bonneville. But could you blame him? Sometimes a chap needs to get away from it all.

And where better to escape the Barbie hullabaloo than an all-male club that's resisted the march of feminism for almost 200 years?

Artist Grayson Perry has been in typically subversive mood after recently being knighted, saying: 'It's fun being a Sir, especially when you're in a dress.'

Steady on, Grayson: you don't want to be accused of self-misgendering.

The account by Tory MP's wife Felicity Mercer (right) in yesterday's Daily Mail of her fightback against her husband's Twitter critics, in particular Carol Vorderman, was fascinating

When Carol was not quite so anti-Tory

The account by Tory MP's wife Felicity Mercer in yesterday's Daily Mail of her fightback against her husband's Twitter critics, in particular Carol Vorderman, was fascinating.

I've only met Ms Vorderman a handful of times, once at a lavish Conservative Party fundraiser.

I don't recall her having any complaints then.

No doubt we will see more of Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova's tattoos. They're very on-trend  countless Gen Z-ers are festooned with such fairy wings and cute little homilies.

However, this rather negates what I always thought was the purpose of a tattoo: to stand out. It seems the most rebellious thing a young person can do is NOT get any inkings.

I hope Rishi Sunak is planning to scrap inheritance tax. It is the cruellest of levies. Not least because it hits people at a time of grief but because it's a tax on aspiration.

What's the point in striving to pass something on to the next generation if it's grabbed by the Government?

It's bad enough that we spend half our lives paying tax  can't we have a little respite in death?

A former Goldman Sachs employee has accused the investment giant of fostering a 'culture of bullying' that led to long hours and staff crying in meetings. At the risk of sounding unsympathetic, what did he expect?

Goldman Sachs employees earn small fortunes because high finance is a dog-eat-dog world. If you want nice, join a convent.

Chris is no Sir David

The BBC's decision to ask Chris Packham to present its new five-part nature series, Earth, suggests he's the Corporation's unofficial heir to Sir David Attenborough.

But whereas in all his decades of broadcasting Sir David has adhered to the BBC's principles of impartiality, the same cannot be said of Packham.

For example, he supports the tactics of Just Stop Oil.

Admittedly, BBC chief Tim Davie has a lot else on his mind, but he ought to address the fact that a leading presenter is openly backing the criminal tactics of a group of extremists.
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He gave a very blunt response to the claims on Australian radio

It would seem that it is a king's privilege to be able to make exacting requests when travelling to ensure a comfortable stay.

But even the most demanding visitors may not have thought of bringing the home comforts that are said to be on King Charles' list of travel necessities.

Investigative journalist Tom Bower previously claimed that King Charles does not travel light, with one of his go-to luggage fillers apparently being his own toilet seat.

His biography of Prince Charles, Rebel Prince: The Power, Passion and Defiance of Prince Charles, suggested that Charles once sent a truck full of furniture to replace fittings in guest rooms ahead of a visit to a friend in the North East.

Investigative journalist Tom Bower claimed that Charles took his own toilet seat on a trip to the North East

In among the collection of items was his own orthopedic bed, linen, Laphroaig whisky, bottled water and rolls of Kleenex Premium Comfort lavatory paper as well as his own lavatory seat.

To make himself feel even more at home, Charles is even said to have packed two landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.

The royal was said to travel with a line of staff including a butler, two valets, chef, private secretary, typist and bodyguards, one of whom was spotted carrying his cushion as he got off a plane to ensure maximum comfort.

Even his security staff were said to help with the complex the arrangements, with his personal policeman bringing a flask filled with a pre-prepared martini which they would hand over to the hosts' butler with Charles' personal glass.

The requirements however do not stop at drinks and, unlike the late Queen who would eat the same as the rest of her company, an aide would bring over a bag with Charles' food during a meal, it has been claimed.

The King responded to the claim during an interview on Australian radio in 2019 with 'don't believe all that c**p'

His then director of communications, Julian Payne, posted an comment on Twitter from Australia next to a photo of Charles and Camilla greeting well-wishers saying that the couple had '0 personal loo seats'

But when asked during an interview on Australian radio in 2018 about claims that he travels with his own toilet seat, Charles shocked listeners with his bold response.

'My own what? Oh don't believe all that c**p,' he replied.

The radio crew from Hit105 took the opportunity to verify Charles' answer with his wife Camilla, asking: 'So he doesn't carry his own toilet seat when he travels?'

'Don't you believe that!' the Queen Consort said.

Visiting Australia with Camilla for the opening of the Commonwealth Games, Charles's then director of communications Julian Payne made sure Twitter knew the truth about the royal's travel habits.

Next to a photograph of Charles and Camilla being greeted by well-wishers in Brisbane, Payne wrote: The Prince and The Duchesss tour of Australia and Vanuatu begins: 30 engagements, 7 days, 1 Commonwealth Games, 0 personal loo seats.

Tom Bower told the Daily Mail: I am delighted to hear that Prince Charles has nothing to fear from Australian lavatory seats.
He's known around the world for his roles in Peaky Blinders, Dunkirk and now Christopher Nolan's highly praised Oppenheimer.

Yet Cillian Murphy, 47, is famously private - offering only a sliver of detail about himself throughout his years in the spotlight.

So just what do we know about the Irish star? Here, FEMAIL delves into the father-of-two's home life, early career and family as we take a look at the insights Cillian has shared with his fans.

The Tommy Shelby actor was born in Cork in 1976 to a mother who taught French, while his father, Brendan, worked as a schools inspector before moving to the Department of Education. His grandfather, aunts and uncles were also teachers.

But not wanting to follow the family tradition of working in education, Cillian pursued a career in the arts after getting a 'huge high' from his drama module at Catholic secondary school Presentation Brothers College.

Cillian Murphy, 47, pictured with his wife Irish artist Yvonne McGuinness in 2016 in New York City

However, his first performing love turned out not to be acting - instead he turned his talents toward music.

Cillian and his The Sons of Mr. Green Genes bandmates, which included his brother, were even offered a five-album record deal.

However, they were forced to turn down the opportunity by his parents, with the actor explaining: 'My brother was still in school. I was 18 and he was 16, the idea of losing two of us was just too outrageous and horrifying for them so it didn't happen and then everything just kind of fell apart.

'In retrospect, the music industry is just terrible. Unless you're super successful it's really hard to make a living. Wed have crashed and burned pretty quickly in that industry,' Cillian told the Armchair Expert podcast, via The Irish Examiner.

The Corkman went on to study law at University College Cork before he dropped out in an effort to break out into the world of acting

But recalling the moment he told his parents of his decision, he said: 'It wasn't a happy moment in our family history', reported The Independent.ie.

Cillian also discussed his 'pretty average upbringing' in a video with Vice, saying: 'I grew up in Cork, my parents are teachers.

'Pretty average, middle-class upbringing, you know? They were, I think, probably anxious that I did well at school and went to college, did all that stuff.

The couple have two children together, Malachy, 17, and Aran, 16. Pictured, the family in 2014

Cillian and his family now live in Dublin after he reportedly splashed out close to 1.7million on a Victorian townhouse (pictured before its sale)

The Tommy Shelby actor (pictured in May 2023) was born in Cork in 1976 to a mother who taught French, while his father, Brendan, worked as a schools inspector before moving to the Department of Education. His grandfather, aunts and uncles were also teachers

'I foolishly decided to pursue a law degree. But I was playing music. I was playing in a band, and I just started acting then.

'Those two things were happening and they became much more important than going to college. I didn't really go in at all, and I failed gloriously in the first year.'

But he soon found success as an actor, appearing in late 90s Irish film Disco Pigs and Danny Boyle's violent horror 28 Days Later in 2002.

He's also known for his appearance in director Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy as the villainous Dr Jonathan Crane and his alter-ego Scarecrow.

Most famously, he played Birmingham gang boss Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders for six seasons from 2013 to 2022 - but said he couldn't have stuck to the work schedule without his 'amazing wife'.

He married Irish artist Yvonne McGuinness in 2004, after the pair first met at one of his rock band's shows in 1996. They went on to have two children together, Malachy, 17, and Aran, 16.

Cillian told GQ of his work schedule: 'I couldn't do this without [my wife] and her understanding. But it is a struggle.

He's known around the world for his roles in Peaky Blinders , Dunkirk and now Christopher Nolan's highly praised Oppenheimer (pictured)

The cast of Oppenheimer at a photo call in Trafalgar Square, central London on Wednesday. Left to right: Robert Downey Jr, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh and Matt Damon

'I think it is for any dad whose work takes him away, which it generally does, and which consumes him, which my work does.'

He added: 'I make sure that I try not to go from job to job to job, because that means you live in a bubble of set, hotel, set, hotel, plane, film festivals - which, to me, is not reality. So I just check out from that for six months a year.'

Cillian and his family now live in Dublin after he reportedly splashed out close to 1.7million on a Victorian townhouse.

The four-storey home, originally built in 1863, is located in Monkstown, south Co. Dublin, and has six double bedrooms as well as four receptions rooms.

However while the family are now based in Dublin, his sons were born in London and stayed there until 2015 before they all moved to Ireland, with the actor joking they moved because his sons were developing 'very posh English accents'.

'We were in London for 14 years, both our kids were born there. We only came back to Dublin in 2015,' he told the Armchair Expert podcast.

'It's kind of an Irish story, you know, to move away, do your thing and then come home. That seems to be a common narrative for Irish people.

'We wanted the kids to be Irish, and they were sort of at that age where they were preteens and they had very posh English accents and I wasnt appreciating that too much. Our parents are a certain age and it was just a nice time to come home.'

The 5ft7 star also noted that his sons were almost taller than him.

It also seems he won't be following in the footsteps of the acting elite, claiming he 'couldnt envisage' upping sticks to Los Angeles.

Cillian said: 'I love visiting and I love the food and I do love the weather. I dont know, I just feel European, I just feel Irish. Id feel like a bit of an interloper if I lived in California, I couldnt envisage living there permanently.'
Since the Queen was coronated back in May, there has been one unexpected person who has been by her side every step of the way.

Camilla's sister Annabel Elliot, 74, has joined her at a number of events, including sitting alongside her in the Royal Box at Wimbledon yesterday.

The pair looked animated as they enjoyed an enthralling match between Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybakina, leaning into each other to chat as they kept their eyes on the court.

And last month, Camilla and Charles enjoyed their first Royal Ascot since being crowned - and were joined by a grinning Annabel, amid other family members.

It is perhaps not surprising that the duo are being spotted together more, with Camilla proving to be a pillar of support for the recently widowed Annabel.

Annabel Elliot and the Queen appeared animated as they enjoyed an enthralling match between Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybakina

Here, FEMAIL looks at the history of closeness shared by the siblings...

OPPOSITES IN THEIR YOUTH

Annabel - an interior designer and antiques dealer - has been described as her sister's quieter counterpart.

The pair previously recalled spending their childhood rolling down hills, catching butterflies and dressing correctly for their strict grandmother while staying at their grandparents' Hampshire home.

As young women, Camilla loved the debutante circuit while Annabel was rather more serious and preferred a quieter life  'not the kind of girl to throw her knickers on the table', as it has been put.

Annabel has said that Camilla, who was a debutante a year ahead of her, 'was a great success, but I certainly wasn't. I probably wasn't quite as confident as her.'

At the same time, Annabel was seen as the more intelligent sister with 'taste', who eschewed the London party scene. Instead, she went to Florence to study art.

One friend asserted that Annabel, 'with her style and good taste, is the one who should have been a duchess'.

'She'd have been perfect,' said the friend, 'but would never want to change places. As for Camilla, she pulls it off, in her own way.'

In 1972, Annabel married her first real boyfriend at 23 - Simon Elliot, and in 1973 Camilla, aged 25, married her first husband - dashing Army officer Andrew Parker Bowles.

Annabel and her husband, who died in March aged 82, inhabited a country house in the Dorset village of Stourpaine where Charles and Camilla would meet for discreet weekends as secret lovers.

The pair have previously recalled spending their childhood rolling down hills, catching butterflies and dressing correctly for their strict grandmother. Pictured as children

As young women, Camilla loved the debutante circuit while Annabel was rather more serious and preferred a quieter life. Pictured as children

The then Camilla Parker Bowles with her sister and brother-in-law Simon Elliot at the Westminster Boating Base for Henry Dent-Brocklehurst's 30th birthday party

STANDING BY HER SISTER

Annabel continued to support her sister throughout the difficulties of the relationship, driving Camilla away and out of public view when John Major announced in the Commons the separation of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1992.

Annabel's 40th birthday party was where Diana confronted Camilla over her relationship with Charles.

It was her 50th birthday celebrations at the Ritz where Camilla came out as Charles' partner, using the occasion to pose for their first public pictures together on the hotel steps.

Charles and Camilla have also been advocates of Annabel's interior design business, reportedly paying her 1.5million for goods and design services since the pair married in 2005.

Annabel was paid for refurbishing the Duchy's holiday cottages in Cornwall, the Scilly Isles and Wales as well as the Duchy's office in Restormel, Cornwall, and Penlyne Nursery, also in Cornwall.

She was also employed to oversee a huge interior design commission from the Duchy of Cornwall  a 20-bedroom pub in the centre of Dorset model village Poundbury.

The Duchy admitted that the contract for the work was not put out to tender.

But a spokeswoman said that Elliot understood the Duchy's commitment to environmental sustainability and to sympathetic design which is in-keeping with the local area.

When the pair were younger, Annabel was seen as the sister with 'taste', who eschewed the London party scene and went to Florence to study art . They are pictured together in 2016

Camilla's younger sister, interior designer and antique dealer Annabel Elliot, has supported the Queen Consort throughout the difficulties of her relationship with Charles. Pictured in 2014

SUPPORTIVE FAMILY DURING GRIEF

In March this year, Charles and Camilla were among guests who flocked to the streets of Dorset to pay their respects to Camilla's brother-in-law Simon Elliot.

The businessman was married to the royal's younger sister Annabel for over 50 years and passed away at the age of 82.

The Queen was so close to her brother-in-law that she invited him and her sister Annabel to join her and Charles on their honeymoon in Scotland, Balmoral, after she wed the then Prince Charles in 2005.

The King and Queen frequently visited the couple in Stourpaine when they were dating.

Grieving friends and family of the late businessman were pictured arriving at the service at Holy Trinity Church in Stourpaine, Dorset earlier htis year.

Police sealed off all roads to the church during the service to allow Simon's coffin to be driven through the small village.

Following the service, guests were seen making their way to the local pub The White Horse Inn.

Although Charles and Camilla were not pictured arriving at the funeral, they are understood to have attended the service in a show of support to his widow Annabel.

The church in Stourpaine is where funerals of the Queen's brother, Mark Shand, and her father Major Bruce Shand, had previously been held.

Leading the mourners were Simon's three children, former Conservative Party co-chairman Ben Elliot and his sisters, Alice and Catherine.

CAMILLA'S CORONATION COMPANIONS

Queen Camilla was joined by two elegant companions as she walked alongside her sister Annabel Elliot and close friend The Marchioness of Lansdowne during the historic Coronation ceremony earlier this year. Pictured left to right: Ralph Tollemache, Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, Nicholas Barclay, Prince George, the Marchioness of Lansdowne, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Queen's sister Annabel Elliot, the Queen's grandson Freddy Parker Bowles, the Queen's great-nephew Arthur Elliot, and the Queen's grandsons Gus Lopes and Louis Lopes

The royal, 75, axed the centuries-old tradition of having ladies-in-waiting as part of her retinue last September - instead opting to have a smaller number of 'Queen's companions'

Fiona Clare created two long, ivory dresses for Her Majesty's Companions, designed to complement each other whilst retaining individual touches in terms of the embroidery and choice of fabric

Queen Camilla was joined by two elegant companions as she walked alongside her sister Annabel and close friend The Marchioness of Lansdowne during the historic Coronation ceremony earlier this year.

The royal, 75, axed the centuries-old tradition of having ladies-in-waiting as part of her retinue last September - instead opting for a smaller number of 'Queen's companions'.

It's evident that both have an eye for fashion and aesthetics - having worked in interior design - as the two women struck the perfect chord between sophistication and glamour with their gowns.

Fiona Clare created two long, ivory dresses for Her Majesty's Companions, designed to complement each other whilst retaining individual touches in terms of the embroidery and choice of fabric.

Silver edging features on The Marchioness's, whilst Annabel's has a standing collar and hand-embroidered detail.

The royal had her two confidantes by her side throughout in the festive ceremony.

ENJOYING SUMMER FESTIVITIES TOGETHER

Just yesterday Queen Camilla and her sister were joined by culinary royalty as both Her Majesty and Mary Berry attended the Royal Box at Wimbledon

Elsewhere, last month both were in attendance as Queen Camilla appeared on the edge of her seat while attending her first Royal Ascot since the Coronation. Annabel pictured with Princess Anne

The sisters have been pictured at two big socialite calendar events this summer so far.

Just yesterday Queen Camilla and her sister were joined by culinary royalty as both Her Majesty and Mary Berry attended the Royal Box at Wimbledon.

Dressed in Wimbledon whites, Camilla looked elegant in a knee-length dress with navy piping.

The royal finished the look with a stylish straw clutch bag and a cream shawl, clearly mindful of the changeable Wimbledon weather.

Meanwhile Mary, 88, who is cherished by amateur bakers up and down the country, opted for a summery turquoise dress with flowing sleeves.

Queen Camilla had a front row seat to the action on Centre Court within the Royal Box she sat next to Annabel.

And as Ons Jabeur took on Elena Rybakina in the women's quarter finals, Her Majesty's facial expressions suggested she was absolutely enthralled. Tunisia's Jabeur beat Kazakhstan's Rybakina in a bitterly fought match, and will sail through to the semi finals later this week.

Elsewhere, last month both were in attendance as Queen Camilla appeared on the edge of her seat while attending her first Royal Ascot since the Coronation.

The royal looked effortlessly elegant in cream coat dress, matching hat and gloves for her day at the Berkshire races.

Annabel Elliot and Sir Ben Elliot pictured on day one of Royal Ascot 2023. King Charles and Queen Camilla appeared in high spirits as they lovingly greeted members of their family at the event

The mother-of-two arrived in a horse-drawn carriage with her husband King Charles and their friends the Duke and Duchess of Wellington.

After warmly greeting other members of the Royal Family, the King and Queen made their way to the Royal box - where they had a prime view of the races.

As a life-long fan of horseracing, Camilla seemed particularly invested in what was unfolding on the tracks.

Grasping onto her binoculars, the Queen was seen grimacing as she watched from the sidelines.

King Charles and Queen Camilla appeared in high spirits as they lovingly greeted members of their family at the event.

The couple were joined by other members of the Royal Family - including Princess Anne, Zara and Mike Tindall, Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Camilla's recently widowed sister Annabel.
Alyssa Farah Griffin's puzzling shirt became a hot topic on The View after her co-host Whoopi Goldberg grabbed a pair of scissors and threatened to cut it.

The political commentator, 34, baffled her colleagues on Thursday when she took to the stage in a $479 Alexander Wang button-up top with shoulder-baring cutouts and a halter neck.

'I'm fascinated by that shirt you're wearing,' Joy Behar, 80, told Griffin, which opened the door for their other cohosts to share their thoughts.

'I didn't want to bring it up,' Goldberg, 67, chimed in. 'I thought I wasn't going to say anything.'

Alyssa Farah Griffin, 34, caused a stir on The View this week thanks to her $479 Alexander Wang button-up shirt featuring shoulder-baring cutouts and a halter neck

'I'm fascinated by that shirt you're wearing,' Joy Behar (left) told Griffin. Whoopi Golderberg (right) admitted she also had some thoughts about it but wasn't going to 'bring it up'

'I'm not sure I'm wearing it right,' Griffin admitted. 'But I like it, so I'm just going to go with it'

Griffin's blue and white striped shirt was hanging off her left shoulder, giving it an asymmetrical look that had her co-stars questioning her style.

'I'm not sure I'm wearing it right,' she admitted. 'But I like it, so I'm just going to go with it.'

'You have no choice,' Behar noted. 'That's how it's cut.'

Goldberg was convinced there was something off about the look and was ready to take a pair of kitchen shears to it.

'I don't want anybody to get nervous, but we have been talking about this shirt, and I really feel like somebody needs to cut it so that it works. But I feel like we need to call Fran [Taylor],' she said.

Goldberg explained to the audience that Taylor is the stylist who is in charge of all their wardrobes on the show.

When Taylor stepped on stage, she confirmed that Griffin was wearing the shirt a little differently than the designer had intended.

'The shirt is right. Because the shirt is really supposed to be worn like this,' she said, adjusting the collar so that it was centered.

Goldberg was convinced there was something off about the look and was ready to take a pair of scissors to it

Goldberg called out the show's stylist, Fran Taylor, who adjusted the shirt to show how it's meant to be worn

'That makes so much more sense,' Griffin admitted with a laugh

'Oh, so you're saying I'm wrong? That makes so much more sense,' Griffin admitted with a laugh.

Her hair had been covering the top, and her co-host Sunny Hostin, 54, was surprised to find out that it has 'another side to it.'

'Why did you think asymmetrical was in, Alyssa?' Sara Haines, 45, asked.

Griffin explained that she 'wanted a cold-shoulder look,' but Taylor corrected her, saying it was more 'like the Flash Dance look.'

'I think I might have actually said to Alyssa it goes off the shoulder,' Taylor added, but Griffin insisted she just 'didn't follow instructions.'

For Goldberg, the styling change was a vast improvement.

'That was not as shocking as her looking like she'd just come out from under a building,' she joked of the new look.

'You cannot trust me with fashion,' Griffin added.
A couple who bought a two-bedroom house in the suburbs to live out the 'Great Australian Dream' gave it all up to move overseas - and they haven't looked back.

Ashlee Campbell, 34, and Alex Mogilevski, 35, had stars in their eyes when they bought their $636,000 Brisbane property in 2018, thinking it was 'the right thing to do'.

But when an opportunity presented itself to relocate to London, they jumped at the chance.

'Like most people in Australia, we grew up thinking buying a house is something we have to do and should do - it's like a societal success measure,' Ash told FEMAIL.

'I have always been career-driven, and my whole soul lit up when work asked if I wanted to move overseas. It's always been something I've always wanted to do.'

Without a sense of doubt in their mind, the couple moved their lives to the UK then decided to sell the house in 2019.

And they're not the only ones - research shows more Aussies are opting live their dream life rather than settling down.

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Ashlee Campbell, 34, and Alex Mogilevski, 35, sold their property in Brisbane soon after moving to London in 2019. The couple stayed abroad for four years before moving back in December last year, and they are now renting on the Gold Coast

The couple, who have been together for nearly a decade, bought a $636,000 property in 2018 and sold it 12 months later, after moving to London

The pair didn't want to wait until retirement to see the world. Luckily, both Ash and Alex were able to move overseas at the same time due to work and study opportunities

Luckily both Ash and Alex were able to move at the same time and initially thought they could kept the house.

But they quickly fell in love with the busy London lifestyle and decided to sell, giving up on home ownership for the time being.

'Financially it didn't make sense for us to keep the house. We did consider renting it out but we were living off only my income at the time because Alex was studying,' she said.

'We could have probably struggled to keep the house and live in London, but it would have meant compromising on travel. Life is short and unpredictable: we didn't want to wait until we were retired - we wanted to see the world now.'

To make the decision, the couple asked themselves, 'What is really important to us right now?' and chose career development and making the most of living in London over owning a home in Australia.

With this in mind, keeping the house 'didn't fit into the equation'.

The couple also aren't married and are open to having kids in the future.

'I guess that's another unconventional thing - marriage doesn't really appeal to us either. We treat each other as if we were already married; we just prioritise other things like lifestyle and experiences,' Ash said.

'We want to make sure we had no regrets fulfilling career dreams and aspirations before we settle down.'

Homeownership meant they needed to live in a suburb that 'wasn't as nice or fun' compared to where they were renting

After relocating they considered keeping the property but financially it 'didn't make sense' as they were living off Ash's income while Alex was studying

New research commissioned by Insignia Financial and conducted by McCrindle Research found that Australia's most common aspiration is financial independence (55 per cent) closely followed by taking regular holidays (50 per cent).

Finding a good work/life balance is also a priority (45 per cent), while owning a home dips to the equal third most common aspiration (45 per cent).

Three in five Aussies (60 per cent) have a stronger desire to live their dream lifestyle, while just two in five (40 per cent) have a stronger desire to have their dream home.

While financial independence appeals to Australians across different generations, Gen Z still hold onto the dream of home ownership with 63 per cent listing it as their top aspiration.

Though a good work/life balance appeals more to Millennials (54 per cent) while Gen X and Boomers top aspiration is financial independence (Gen X, 60 per cent, Boomers 57 per cent).

The couple travelled with friends to 16 different countries and eight islands, saying the novelty of catching the train to Paris 'never wore off'

New research commissioned by Insignia Financial and conducted by McCrindle Research found some young Aussies are aspiring for rich, full lives over crippling mortgages

Three in five Aussies (60 per cent) have a stronger desire to live their dream lifestyle, while just two in five (40 per cent) have a stronger desire to have their dream home

Ash's tips before moving overseas: 1. Consider seeking employment before moving - she recommends seeking assistance through recruiters via LinkedIn 2. Sit down with yourself and ask, 'What do I really want in this chapter of my life? What do I want to try next?' 3. Don't put too much pressure on yourself when it comes to 'making the right decision' 4. Consider what your top priorities are, both now and in the long term 5. Consider what you want versus societal pressures you've grown up with Advertisement

Having the luxury of moving abroad with work meant Ash was able to work remotely from lush locations. In total, she visited 16 countries while working from her laptop.

'A core pinch-myself memory was being able to work from Rhodes island in Greece for an entire month. Being in London with other expat friends meant we were all keen to work hard but also see and do as much as possible,' Ash said.

She was able to travel to France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Malta, Greece, Cyprus, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Croatia, and Finland while living in the UK.

Throughout her twenties, Ash said she felt a longing to move abroad, but waited for the perfect time because she didn't want to risk 'going backwards' in her career - and thankfully it worked out.

The couple decided to move back to Australia in December 2022 and are currently living, renting and working on the Gold Coast.

'Right now, renting makes so much more financial sense for us. We can see the ocean from our veranda,' Ash said.

'The idea of owning a house is still something we think about occasionally, but it just doesn't make financial sense right now. Our priorities are elsewhere.'

Throughout her twenties, Ash said she felt a longing to move abroad, but waited for the perfect time because she didn't want to risk 'going backwards' in her career. Thankfully it worked out

The couple decided to move back to Australia in December 2022 and are currently living, renting and working in the Gold Coast

Ash described moving back home as 'bittersweet' because while they were glad to see loved ones again, they were saddened by the thought of leaving the UK.

And she says Australia is on par with London in terms of cost of living.

'It was a rude shock when we moved back. We thought we'd be saving a bit of money, but it's about the same,' she said.

When asked what others should consider before making the leap overseas, she recommended considering your priorities.

'Ask yourself: "What do I really want in this chapter of my life? What do I want to try next?"' she said.

'No decision is forever, but lean in to what decision feels right for you right now. We did this process as a team and London felt like the right move for us in the moment.

'It's normal to weigh up all the options, but turn off autopilot and any societal pressures and figure out what you truly want.'
Eye colour changing procedures that can cause infections and sight loss

Extra large BBLs for an hourglass figure increase the risk of heart attack's

Extreme liposuction that offers to suck 20 litres of fat could cause an embolism

Plastic surgeons and clinics in Turkey entice Brits abroad with the cosmetic surgery staples of boob jobs, cut price liposuction, and Brazilian butt lifts.

But that's not all they offer.

Some Turkish clinics provide other, more extreme transformations that surgeons in the UK would never dream of performing, either because the the procedure is illegal in Britain or is considered too risky.

Here, MailOnline reveals some of the most shocking surgeries and procedures offered in Turkey...

Liposuction that offers to remove up to 15 litres of fat, BBL's, eye colour changing laser treatments and hymenoplasties are all offered in clinics across Turkey

Extreme BBLs

Brazilian butt lifts are one of the most dangerous types of cosmetic surgery available.

As a result, BBLs designed to emulate the pronounced posterior of stars like Kim Kardashian  were heavily discouraged in Britain ever since they burst onto the scene in the 2010s.

Clinics in the UK do, however, offer 'lite' versions of the surgery.

Classic BBLs see unwanted fat harvested from elsewhere in the body (such as the hips or abdomen) and then injected directly into the glutes, giving the buttocks a bigger, curvier appearance.

But while doing so, surgeons can accidentally inject the fat into the bloodstream which can cause a potentially deadly blood clot.

Such complication is what killed British mum Leah Cambridge, 29, who died in August 2018 after paying 6,500 to get a BBL in Turkey.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) recommends SGLs  also superficial gluteal lipofilling or a lite BBL  for patients desiring a bigger bum.

It differs in that the fat is only injected below the skin, avoiding the muscle and, therefore, the blood vessels.

However, in Turkey, the BBL and even what are dubbed 'extreme BBLs' are promoted.

In fact, some clinics even underplay the risks linked with the surgery, with the Clinic Center based in Istanbul claiming that a BBL is 'completely safe when carried out by a qualified BBL surgeon in Istanbul'.

A more extreme BBL is offered at clinics such as Estetikland in Istanbul, with their 'BBL with Vaser Liposuction'.

With this procedure, the clinic claims they are able to extract more fat from the body at once and says this results in a slimmer abdomen which makes the hips more noticeable.

'Lots of clinics in Turkey actively promote these big BBL's,' said London-based aesthetic surgeon Dr Veerle Rotsaert.

Dr Rotsaert discourages patients from getting any BBL and instead recommends they go to the gym and do squats.

READ MORE: The Only Way is... Turkey? Experts claim TOWIE icons like Lauren Goodger and Megan McKenna have fuelled the ever-growing trend for cut-price cosmetic surgery abroad Experts say TOWIE icons like Lauren Goodger and Megan McKenna have fuelled the ever-growing trend for cut-price cosmetic surgery abroad Advertisement

She said: 'In my practice if people want more volume in the buttocks area, I first of all educate them on normal anatomy.

'I recommend going to the gym to do squats.'

Dr Rotsaert also urged Brits to shy away from BBLs, stating that the 'Kardashian body type is a trend'.

'And we all know trends go out of fashion at some stage,' she added.

Mega liposuction

Strict liposuction guidelines in the UK mean it's advised that no more than three litres of fat is removed at a time.

But clinics in Turkey offer 'mega' versions that promise to suck up to seven times this amount of fat.

Some obese Brits have gone above this threshold, with Chad Teixeira being one notable example.

The then-160kg (25 stone) Mr Teixeira, a celebrity talent manager of London, spent 18,000 on the operation that saw him shed 35kg (5.5 stone).

A total 18 litres of fat was removed from the 26-year-old's body in a 10-hour surgery last year in Turkey.

Liposuction is only available on the NHS to treat severe cases of conditions such as lipoedema, where an abnormal build-up of fat occurs in parts of the body.

BAAPS, whose council is formed of prominent UK plastic surgeons, also stresses the procedure is not a substitute for losing weight.

Often, Brits are told to shed a few pounds before a surgeon will even give the green light for lipo.

Clinics in the UK typically refuse to do the procedure on obese patients  those with a body-mass-index (BMI) over 30, due to the increased risk that something could go wrong.

But in Turkey, the Istanbul Care clinic not only offers to suck up to 15 litres of fat, it also states patients should not have BMI over 40, which would be classed as severely obese.

Istanbul Care claims it can remove up to 15 litres of fat during its liposuction procedures. But strict liposuction rules in the UK mean that no more than three litres of fat can be removed at a time

An Instagram story on the Medicci Aesthetics social media site advertises 'extra-mega-liposuction' that can remove 20 litres and pictures an overweight women

Similarly, Dr.Yetkin Bayer Clinics, also based in Istanbul, also offers to suck up to 15 litres of fat with 'mega' lipo and claims it is 'an efficient weight loss procedure.

But, Dr Murat Turegun, a plastic surgeon who operates under Medicci Aesthetics in Ankara, goes even further offering to remove up to 20 litres of fat in one procedure.

In an Instagram story by Medicci Aesthetics it advertised 'extra-mega-liposuction' that can remove 20 litres with pictures an overweight women prepped for surgery.

The surgeon also claimed 'mega liposuction' has the same risks and complications as 'traditional liposuction'.

Dr Turegun defended his extreme liposuction procedure to MailOnline insisting that he only operates 'according to the Turkish medical standards and guidelines'.

Experts warn liposuction isn't a procedure to be taken lightly as it carries the usual side effects of any major surgery and is not a weight-loss procedure.

After removing the fat, patients need to wear a compression garment for about six weeks, to help the healing process and decrease swelling and bruising.

Dr Rotsaert warns that 'high volume liposuctions can be very dangerous' and that the fluid shift caused by lipo can put significant strain on a patient's cardiovascular system and kidneys.

'Here in the UK surgeons and even more so our anaesthetists will generally try to refrain from removing too many litres of fat,' she said.

This is because the risk of complications increases with the amount of fat removed.

The more fat removed, the more likely you are to end up in intensive care in shock, with organ failure, with an infection or fat embolism, says Dr Rotsaert.

Illegal virginity repair

Hymenoplasties, colloquially called virginity repair surgery, controversially claim to restore a woman's virginity.

It involves creating scar tissue in the vagina that is designed to bleed when torn, mimicking the tearing of a hymen during sex.

They were banned in the UK over fears women and girls were being pressured to have the procedure as part of honour-based abuse present in some Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, and Orthodox Jewish communities.

It is now illegal to both offer the procedure here in the UK or arrange for it to be performed on Brits overseas.

This, in theory, means UK-based medical tourism agencies and surgeons who come to the UK for consultations cannot offer hymenoplasties to patients.

Anyone caught doing so could face five years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

MailOnline found several clinics in Turkey offer the procedure from about 1,280, with some even touting the importance of having an intact hymen before marriage on their websites.

Turk Aesthetic clinic offers a hymenoplasty for 1,500 Euros (about 1,280). The website also suggests that a women who is marrying for the first time might want to have the procedure

Hymenoplasty Istanbul sells itself as a clinic that is a 'legal' and 'safe' hymen repair clinic for foreigners

It bears highlighting that just because a woman's hymen is torn does not mean she has engaged in penetrative sex, as the tissue can tear during sport or from tampon insertion.

On the Turk Aesthetic website, it advertises hymenoplasty as something a women who is marrying for the first time might want to have.

Another clinic called Hymenoplasty Istanbul specialises in this procedure and offers superhymenoplasties which promise 'more bleeding and satisfaction for the couple'.

It also highlights that for some women it is important that their hymen is intact while unmarried due to cultural, religious, social or ethnic reasons.

However, there is no known examination that can prove a history of vaginal intercourse and a hymenoplasty does not guarantee bleeding.

Campaigners raised concerns before the UK ban that any woman or girl who 'fails' a virginity test could be at risk of a so-called honour killing.

Karma Nirvana, a charity aiming to end honour-based abuse in the UK, said that it sees at least one 'honour' killing in the UK every month.

The World Health Organization considers virginity testing to be a violation of human rights, saying it 'is associated with both immediate and long-term consequences that are detrimental to her physical, psychological and social well-being'.

Dr Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: 'The RCOG campaigned for the ban of the harmful practices of virginity testing and hymenoplasty as neither is medically required in any circumstance.

'Since the procedure has been made illegal, the College has worked with Government to support safeguarding women, developed a series of webinars and videos for professionals around the new legislation and worked with Karma Nirvana and others to develop resources to improve education and community engagement to dispel myths around the concept of "virginity".

'We hope to see investment in education and community engagement to dispel the myths associated with virginity that perpetuate the demand for these harmful practices.

'We continue to work with Karma Nirvana to ensure that this law has impact, and to reiterate that women have ownership over their own sexual and reproductive health.'

Eye colour changing

Procedures which claim to permanently change eye colour from brown to blue using lasers are considered a 'serious risk', UK experts say.

Laser iris depigmentation involves using a laser to target the melanin in the iris and break the pigments into small particles.

Eventually, this reveals a lighter pigment underneath and permanently changes the colour.

Ophthalmologists warn that the laser treatment  just one method of changing eye colour  can cause light sensitivity and trigger cataracts and glaucoma.

Because iris colour changing procedures have high complication rates, they are not even offered in the UK or US.

Yet it is available in a host of clinics in Turkey.

One clinic offering the laser treatment, Lasikistanbul, compares it to 'tattoo removal' due to the laser used on the eye.

The clinic offers eight sessions of treatment for around 2,000. But it can take 16 to 32 sessions for your eye colour to change to blue.

The clinic only offers one 15-minute session a day with up to eight sessions a month, meaning you would need to make several journeys to Turkey in pursuit of blue eyes.

A diagram from Lasik Istanbul website advertises their laser iris depigmentation treatment. The procedure involves using a laser to target the melanin in the iris and break the pigments into small particles that the body can 'wash away', eventually revealing lighter pigments underneath

Lasik Istanbul also requires it's patients to pay fully in cash on arrival, something which many UK surgeons would warn against

Lasik Istanbul also requires its patients to pay fully in cash on arrival, something many UK surgeons warn against.

The clinic sells the laser treatment in a holiday package with a hotel room stay, breakfast and even an airport shuttle.

As well as offering a laser procedure that removes dark pigments from the iris with a laser, Aram Eyes based in Turkey offers a so-called 'risk free' procedure that inserts a biological dye into the eye, known as keratopigmentation.

Experts warn that such treatments cause blindness if the needle used to inject the ink goes too deep.

'Eye tattooing, which is where needles are injected onto the white part of the eye (the conjunctiva), carries serious risks of infection and blindness if the needle depth is too deep, penetrating the eye,' says Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, a London-based consultant ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeon.

She added laser depigmentation treatments also carried this risk due to the intense energy levels used.

She added: 'Laser depigmentation to permanently change the iris colour from brown to blue has also been described, this procedure also carries risk to eyesight due to the energy levels used in the laser.'

However, these aren't the most dangerous eye procedures on offer.

This title belongs to iris implant surgery, which uses a laser to create a microscopic opening in the cornea (the clear part of the eye at the front).

Then a silicone based iris implant of the desired colour is inserted, changing the eye to the desired colour.

Aram Eyes also offers this controversial treatment and suggests you can choose the eye colour you want, including black.

Although the clinic claims the treatment is safe, it does list eye infections, photosensitivity and inflammation as possible side effects.

Despite appearing as a quick and painless, the procedure can cause blocked eye drains, which can cause pressure to build up in the eye over time eventually leading to glaucoma, which if left untreated, can cause blindness.

Dr Hawks said: 'The procedure has not undergone enough research on safety and long term outcomes and therefore is not offered in the UK for cosmetic reasons alone.

'Despite its used for medical reasons, such as aniridia (no iris), it is not appropriate for cosmetic use when the iris is functioning normally. This procedure is intraocular (inside the eye) and therefore caries risks to eyesight causing blindness.

'Other risks include infection, inflammation, bleeding, cataract formation, raised pressure in the eye and swelling (oedema) of the cornea. The risks outweigh the benefits for a pure cosmetic procedure.'

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists added: 'The College would not advocate for such procedures until such time as advanced and enough data had been collected to inform and evaluate practice and standards to safeguard patient care.

'All surgery carries some risk and patients should take measures to research the risks, complications and outcomes of any procedure.'
Vaping can double your life insurance premium, analysis shows.

Although widely regarded as safer than smoking, major insurers consider e-cigs to be just as dangerous as their tobacco equivalents.

A 50-year-old vaper has to pay 60.24 per month, according to the comparison site myTribe Insurance.

Yet someone of the same age who did not vape would only have to fork out 26.94 under the same plans.

The quote relates to an office worker with no critical illnesses who is in good health. It is based on the average price from 16 leading UK insurers.

A 50-year-old vaper has to pay 60.24 per month, according to the comparison site myTribe Insurance. Yet someone of the same age who did not vape would only have to fork out 26.94 under the same plans

Some insurance companies charge vapers nearly three times the amount than non-vapers, depending on their age

E-cig usage has soared to record levels in the UK, with an estimated 4.3m Brits now regular vapers.

Chris Steele, founder of myTribe Insurance, said: 'Most insurers consider vaping, as well as nicotine gum and patches, to be the same as smoking, so you'll pay significantly more than a non-smoker.

'Long-term effects of vaping... are still unknown, so insurers are erring on the side of caution for the time being.

'As they get more data, we may see this change.

'But for the time being, vapers are treated the same as smokers in respect to life insurance.'

Some insurance companies charge vapers nearly three times the amount than non-vapers, depending on their age.

A 50-year-old vaper would be slapped with an 80.84 monthly bill if they took out insurance with Royal London.

But if they quit and stayed nicotine free for 12 months, they would only be charged 29.13  saving them 15,513 over a 25-year term.

Craig Paterson, chief underwriter at Royal London, said: 'When it comes to life insurance premiums, smokers usually pay around twice as much as their non-smoking counterparts, rising to nearly three times as much for older smokers.

'So there's potential savings, on top of not buying cigarettes, as well as health benefits to be had.'

Some insurers say, in their experience, many users of vaping products will also smoke or have a history of smoking which can also be why their premiums are higher.

Tests on e-cigarettes confiscated from youngsters found they contained dangerous levels of lead, nickel and chromium. Some were almost 10 times above safe limits. Exposure to lead can impair brain development, while the other two metals can trigger blood clotting

Almost 1,000 serious adverse reactions to e-cigs have been logged by Britain's health watchdog including blood, nervous system and respiratory disorders, as well as cancer and injuries like burns. This includes five deaths linked to the devices. Latest figures show the proportion of adults using e-cigs in the UK increased last year to the highest rate on record, at 8.3 per cent, according to the charity Action on Smoking and Health. This accounts for the roughly 4.3million people across the country

Aviva life insurance offered similar to Royal London, as they quoted 84.84 per month for regular vapers and just 35.79 for non-smokers.

A spokesperson for Aviva said: 'When applying for life insurance, applicants will be asked about their smoking status, which includes the use of products containing nicotine.

'As smoking is a known risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer, premiums for customers who smoke or use products containing nicotine are higher than for non-smokers.

'At present, there is a lack of long-term evidence available on the health impacts of vaping.

'And in our experience, many users of vaping products will also use conventional tobacco products or have a history of using these products.'

Other insurers offer much lower rates, but the difference between smoking still doubles the premium.

Liverpool Victoria (LV) quotes 44.11 for the same type of cover for someone who vapes and just 18.51 for those who haven't vaped or smoked in the last 12 months.

In a bid to tackle the lack of information about long-term health impacts, doctors could be forced to ask all patients if they have ever used the gadget and add it to their medical records.

This is part of a major review by the British Medical Association into the dangers, marketing and illegal sales of e-cigarettes.

Concerns are growing across the UK as vaping is not just an adult addiction but a potentially lethal issue for children. Usage rates have almost doubled in a decade.

Doctors fear there could be a wave of lung disease, dental issues and even cancer in the coming decades in people who took up the habit at a young age.

E-cigs produce many dangerous chemicals linked to fatal lung and heart conditions.

This includes acute lung injury, COPD, lung cancer, heart disease and non-infectious endocarditis.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health warned that e-cigarettes 'are not a risk-free product and can be just as addictive, if not more so, than traditional cigarettes'.

Shock data last month revealed a record 11.6 per cent of 11 to 17-year-olds in Britain have now tried vaping. This is up on 7.7 per cent last year and twice as high as rates seen a decade ago  before the UK's kid vaping epidemic blew up

NHS Digital data, based on the smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England survey for the year 2021, showed 30 per cent of children in Yorkshire and the Humber have used a vape

The brightly coloured displays are seen in shops on streets such as Oxford Street and labelled as toy, sweet and gift shops

E-cigarettes themselves have been linked to five deaths in Britain since 2010.

None of the fatalities were proven to have been caused directly by vaping, but health chiefs, tasked with policing the safety of e-cigs, admit there is 'a suspicion' they may have been to blame.

Two of the deaths logged through the decades-old Yellow Card system were caused by heart disorders, including one cardiac arrest.

Respiratory complications were blamed for the other three deaths, with one caused by inhalation of fat  a known potential consequence of vaping.

Almost 1,000 serious adverse reactions to e-cigs have also been logged by Britain's health watchdog, including blood, nervous system and respiratory disorders, as well as cancer and injuries such as burns.

While Rishi Sunak pledges to crack down on the issue, rainbow displays of the gadgets still litter high streets across the UK.

Predatory manufacturers lure kids in with flavours such as bubblegum and cotton candy and some shops even sell the devices next to sweets for as little as 5.

E-cigs allow people to inhale nicotine in a vapour - produced by heating a liquid that typically contains propylene glycol, glycerine, flavourings, and other chemicals.

Unlike traditional cigarettes, they do not contain tobacco or produce tar or carbon - two of the most dangerous elements.

But some have been found to contain over 9.6 times the safe level of nickel and 6.6 times the safe level of chromium.
Drugs should be legalised in Britain, an ex-minister has argued amid growing calls for No10 to reconsider the tough rules currently in place.

Substances such as cocaine, ketamine and MDMA currently fall under class A and B brackets, meaning anyone caught in possession face up to seven years in jail.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) wants personal use laws to be loosened, arguing that decriminalising possession would see addiction treated as a 'health' issue rather than a matter for the courts.

Downing Street has, however, dismissed the demands, claiming there are 'no plans' to change the UK's current stance.

Now a senior Tory MP has waded into the row, branding the current UK drug policy 'politically cowardly' and 'outdated'.

Former Government Minister and chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Drug Policy Reform, Crispin Blunt, told MailOnline: 'It is a scandal that we have such a high number of drug related deaths in this country.' The Reigate MP, who also chairs the Conservative Drug Policy Reform Group, said: 'I am sorry to say that politicians have a lot to answer for. 'The best way to reduce drug related deaths is to follow the evidence on what works.'

Last year, 3,060 people in England and Wales died due to drug misuse  the highest figure since records began in 1993, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. This equates to 53 deaths per million people, with rates higher among men (78) than women (29)

Crispin Blunt, a former prisons ministers under David Cameron, believe that if drugs were legalised, thousands of deaths could be avoided.

Last year, 3,060 people in England and Wales died due to drug misuse  the highest figure since records began in 1993.

Such a move would allow the contents of drugs to be regulated, tested and labelled, compared to the current unregulated scenes which can see street dealers mix drugs with rogue ingredients.

Mr Blunt, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Drug Policy Reform, told MailOnline: 'It is a scandal that we have such a high number of drug-related deaths in this country.'

The Reigate MP, who also chairs the Conservative Drug Policy Reform Group, added: 'I am sorry to say that politicians have a lot to answer for.

What is the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act? Under the 1971 the Misuse of Drugs Act, drugs are divided into three different classes. Under current drug laws, those in possession of Class A drugs face up to seven years in prison, an unlimited fine or both, while those supplying or producing the substances could face a life prison sentence, an unlimited fine or both. Those supplying or producing Class B and Class C could face up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Class A: Crack cocaine

Cocaine

Ecstasy (MDMA)

Heroin

Magic mushrooms

Methamphetamine (crystal meth) Class B: Amphetamines

Barbiturates

Cannabis

Codeine

Ketamine

Methylphenidate (Ritalin)

Synthetic cannabinoids Class C: Anabolic steroids

Benzodiazepines (diazepam),

So-called 'date rape' drug GHB

Khat Critics of the Act, including former government drugs tsar, Professor David Nutt, have argued classification is not based on how harmful or addictive the substances are. They also claim it is unscientific to omit substances like cigarettes and alcohol. Earlier this year in March the Government announced nitrous oxide, better known as 'nos' or laughing gas, would also become a Class C drug despite advice from Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) which said it should not be banned. The Government defended the move, with Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove adding the 'increasing scourge' of nitrous oxide was turning parks and public spaces into 'drug-taking arenas'. Advertisement

'The best way to reduce drug related deaths is to follow the evidence on what works.

'Yet drug policies drawn up in Westminster are usually based on what is likely to sound tough on crime, or on the outdated notion that the public is hostile to any attempt to reform drug policy.'

He added: 'Apart from being politically cowardly, this analysis is wrong.

'In a poll we commissioned in 2019, over half of respondents said drugs policy is best viewed as a health issue, to be dealt with by healthcare professionals focused on reducing harms, rather than maintaining the current emphasis on criminalising users.

'It was heartening to recently hear the Policing Minister speak positively about the cost effectiveness of diamorphine assisted therapy, a healthcare-led treatment for heroin users.

'I hope that we will see a roll-out of these facilities, and other evidence based drug policies in the near future.'

Under the 1971 the Misuse of Drugs Act, drugs are put into three different classes.

Substances including cocaine and crack, ecstasy, MDMA and heroin fall under Class A, while codeine, ketamine and cannabis are deemed Class B.

So-called 'date rape' drug GHB, anabolic steroids and the stimulant khat, meanwhile, are among Class C drugs.

Under current drug laws, those in possession of Class A drugs face up to seven years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Anyone caught supplying or producing can face a life prison sentence, an unlimited fine or both.

People caught in possession of Class B face up to five years in prison, while anyone caught carrying Class Cs can be jailed for two years.

Meanwhile, those supplying or producing Class B and Class C could face up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

Questions over the Government's stance have been raised for decades.

In 2016, confidential proposals by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) explicitly recommended the decrimalisation of drug use for the first time, by repealing possession and usage laws.

It is understood those recommendations were dismissed by the Home Office at the time, despite expert consensus that drug decriminalisation could reduce drug-related harms.

But in recent weeks the debate has reared its head again.

In a report published last week, SNP ministers claimed the 'ambitious and radical plan' was needed to address Scotland's drug deaths crisis and that addicts should be 'supported rather than criminalised'.

In the new paper, the party called for the policy to be implemented across the UK and demanded new powers to introduce it in Scotland if this was refused.

It also asked for a wider review of drugs laws by the UK government which would look at other harm reduction measures.

These include supervised drug consumption facilities where illicit drugs can be used under the supervision of professionally trained staff, drug checking and access to naloxone, which rapidly reverses opioid overdoses.

Scotland's drug death rate is the highest in the UK and higher than that of any European country.

At a memorial run by campaign group Anyone's Child last month  and seventh annual lobby of Parliament  parents, relatives and friends of those who have died because of drugs or overdoses said the system should treat drug use as a 'health issue, not a criminal one'. Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Drug Policy Reform, Crispin Blunt addressed the group in a speech (pictured), supporting their rally

The group Anyone's Child, made up of an international network of parents and family members who have lost their child to drugs, called on the Government to follow the lead of nations, such as Portugal and Canada, where regulated markets for drugs have been introduced.Latest figures show there were 4,517 deaths related to illicit drug use in the UK in 2020  the highest rate since records began

The crisis prompted more than 250million of investment by the Scottish government into the country's disjointed addiction services in 2021.

But drug laws remain reserved to Westminster, and the Scottish Government has engaged in repeated battles with the UK Government in recent years, asking for legislation to be devolved to Holyrood.

And in 2018 the Home Office also refused to permit a trial of 'safe consumption rooms' for drugs in Glasgow.

A joint statement from 10 leading drugs charities welcomed the SNP report last week, but said the Scottish Government must implement the drug consumption rooms and drug testing facilities 'as a matter of urgency'.

However, the proposals were dismissed within an hour of their publication by the Government.

Mr Sunak's spokesperson said he has no plans to alter his 'tough stance' on drug laws, while a source close to Home Secretary Suella Braverman warned the plan were 'irresponsible and would do untold damage to our neighbourhoods'.

Labour also rejected the idea, with shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves saying she was 'stunned' it was an SNP 'priority'.
At the time, the pills came in a container guarded only by a cotton ball

Seven Chicago residents died by poisoning in 1982 after taking Tylenol

A serial killer who has never been caught changed the way Americans consume over-the-counter medication, after they sent the nation into widespread panic with their sick killing scheme.

The poisoning murders of seven Chicago residents in 1982 horrified the country - and the world at large - because they involved Tylenol, the best-selling non-prescription pain reliever at the time.

The killer had opened the capsules and replaced some of the acetaminophen with potassium cyanide then quietly returned them to the shelves.

The only suspect to ever emerge was James Lewis, who died earlier this week at home at the age of 76.

At the time, the pills came in a container guarded only by a cotton ball. But the killings led to universal reforms in how over-the-counter medicines are packaged, with the FDA introducing new tamper-proof packaging including foil seals.

The first victim was 12-year-old Mary Kellerman from the suburb of Elk Grove Village. Her parents gave her one extra-strength capsule on September 29 after she complained of a sore throat and a runny nose. By the morning she was dead.

Mary Kellerman, Mary McFarland, Mary 'Lynn' Reiner, Paula Prince, and Stanley, Adam and Terri Janus died after taking Tylenol pills mixed with cyanide. Their killings changed the way Americans consume over-the-counter medication

Although he always denied being the killer, James Lewis was questioned as recently as September over the murders. He died earlier this week at the age of 76

The same day, 27-year-old postal worker Adam Janus, of Arlington Heights, also mysteriously passed away after taking a Tylenol pill. His death was initially ruled a massive heart attack but turned out to be from cyanide poisoning.

When going to mourn him, his brother Stanley, 25, and sister-in-law Theresa, 19, took tablets from the same bottle to manage a headache. In a heartbreaking family tragedy, Stanley died that day, and Theresa two days later.

Over the next week, three others lost their lives - 35-year-old Mary McFarland of Elmhurst, 35-year-old Paula Prince of Chicago, and 27-year-old Mary Weiner of Winfield.

By early October, police realized Tylenol was the common denominator in the strange deaths.

Before the 1982 crisis, Tylenol controlled more than 35 percent of the over-the-counter pain reliever market. Only a few weeks after the murders, that number plummeted to less than 8 percent.

Because the tampered bottles came from different factories, sabotage in production was ruled out. Instead, it is thought someone went around drug stores, opening bottles and adding a lethal potassium cyanide compound, before returning them to the shelves.

Tylenol manufacturer Johnson & Johnson issued a mass warning and recalled the over 31 million bottles of Tylenol in circulation. Capsules with poison were found in a few grocery stores in the Chicago area and recalled before anyone else was killed.

Within a year of the murders, and after an investment of more than $100 million, Tylenol's sales rebounded, and it had a renaissance as the nation's favorite over-the-counter pain reliever.

In 1983, the U.S. Congress passed what was called 'the Tylenol bill,' making it a federal offense to tamper with consumer products.

In 1989, the FDA established federal guidelines for manufacturers to make all such products tamper-proof.

Tylenol manufacturer Johnson & Johnson issued a mass warning and recalled the over 31 million bottles of Tylenol in circulation

The murders caused worldwide panic and led to reforms in how over-the-counter medicines are packaged, with the FDA introducing new tamper-proof packaging like foil seals

Although he always denied it, police believed Lewis was behind the killing spree and he was questioned as recently as September, as authorities worked to find the person behind the murders 40 years later.

Lewis, a former accountant, was arrested, charged, and convicted for writing extortion letters in which he threatened the killings would continue unless $1 million was wired to a bank account.

In a jailhouse interview, he explained an intricate scheme the killer 'would have used' to poison the pills using a drilled pegboard.

Police have said they believe Lewis acted on revenge against Johnson & Johnson after his five-year-old daughter, Toni, died in 1974. The girl passed away after sutures made by a subsidiary of the company were used to fix her congenital heart defect and they tore.

Lewis was found dead in his Cambridge, Massachusetts, home on Sunday, ending officials' hopes of one day convicting him for the killings.

'I was saddened to learn of James Lewis's death. Not because he's dead, but because he didn't die in prison,' said former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Margolis, who prosecuted Lewis for extortion.

'I was always hoping justice would be served, and this short-circuits it,' added retired FBI special agent Roy Lane.
Weight-loss surgeries can be a lifeline for obese people who cannot fight their food cravings  but the treatments have deadly consequences when they go wrong.

It was revealed last week that Lisa Marie Presley's death in January was the result of an injury she suffered several years earlier following bariatric surgery.

The umbrella term is used to describe procedures that shrink the stomach and reduce the calories a person needs to eat before they feel full.

Presley died from a blockage in her small intestine caused by a build-up of scar tissue that essentially prevented her body from absorbing nutrients or digesting food.

The nature of her death was shocking to many, but it is not entirely unique. Roughly one in five weight loss surgery patients can expect to endure potentially-deadly complications.

Mississippi native and mother of three Markita Kiki McIntyre went to Tijuana to undergo a gastric sleeve operation but she did not make it home

McIntyre [shown], a makeup artist, did her homework, talked to the experts, and asked all the right questions before the procedure, according to her friend Francesca Moultrie. Moultrie was initially planning on undergoing the same surgery but changed her mind in the end

Fatal complications from bariatric surgery are typically rare, with around one in every 1,000 people dying each year after having the operations.

But that risk increases markedly for a patient who undergoes surgery in substandard clinics.

Markita Kiki McIntyre of Biloxi, Mississippi, died on a Tijuana operating table in May 2021 while undergoing gastric sleeve surgery.

What is a strangulated bowel? What is a strangulated bowel? A strangulated bowel is a type of small bowel obstruction that cuts off blood supply to the intestine. It usually occurs when part of the intestine becomes trapped in an abnormal opening. Gangrene - a serious condition where a loss of blood supply causes body tissue to die - can develop in just six hours. As a result, the intestinal wall dies, which can lead to a rupture, infection and, in severe cases, death. In Lisa Marie Presleys case, the strangulated bowel was caused by adhesions - areas of scar tissue that stick together, which can obstruct the gut. The adhesions developed after bariatric surgery - a weight loss procedure - years earlier. Advertisement

The 34-year-old mother of three was one of a growing number of victims of medical tourism, a phenomenon that sees Americans travel abroad for medical procedures such as weight loss and plastic surgeries where they are a fraction of the cost.

Without any insurance to cushion the financial blow, bariatric surgery can cost up to $30,000 in the US, whereas in Mexico, the price is much more doable at $5,000 to $8,000.

Just a few years before Ms McIntyres ill-fated trip to Mexico, Idaho-native Justine Rodriguez had decided to undergo the same sleeve procedure also in Tijuana.

At 387 pounds and a recent letter of rejection for coverage by her health insurance, Ms Rodriguez was desperate. Like many Americans, she went to Mexico.

While she survived, she spent weeks in hospitals and almost two years on feeding tubes, has epilepsy and suffers from seizures, is in constant pain, cannot eat most foods, and has to take more than a dozen pills a day. She also owes the University of Utah Health about a million dollars for saving her life.

She said in 2019 that the cut-rate surgery was not worth her health or the pain the experience has inflicted on her loved ones as well: The problems that I have now are not worth going to Mexico to get that surgery done.

Bariatric surgery is an all-encompassing term for weight loss surgeries that work by altering the anatomy of the digestive tract in some way, such as by removing about 80 percent of the stomach to leave a new, tube- or sleeve-shaped stomach.

The procedure, which severely limits the amount of food a person can take in before feeling full, is fittingly known as a gastric sleeve.

Another common bariatric procedure is gastric bypass in which a surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of the patients stomach and attaches a section of the small intestine to it, limiting the amount of food they can eat and thus restricting calories.

The surgeries are considered the gold standard when it comes to weight loss surgery with up to a 90 percent success rate in helping people shed unhealthy pounds - and even has been cleared for use in children as young as 14.

Justine Rodriguez went to Tijuana in 2016 to undergo the same operation as Ms McIntyre - a gastric sleeve - but the operation left her with a massive abscess in her abdomen. She required a feeding tube for about two years and still deals with epilepsy, a possible side effect of low oxygen during the operation

But the surgeries can have tragic consequences resulting in severe pain, abscesses in the abdomen, organ damage, or malnutrition if performed shoddily or by an unaccredited doctor.

Improper technique can damage healthy blood vessels in the abdomen where the surgery is taking place, potentially causing severe bleeding. And doctors who staple incisions incorrectly can inadvertently cause leakages where the stomach was divided, leading to infection.

Bariatric surgeries are typically successful, which in this instance means the patient has been able to shed about 50 percent of the excess weight packed on their body.

Kelly Osbourne was one of those success stories, having admitted to undergoing a gastric sleeve procedure in 2018, allowing her to shed 85 excess pounds. She is elated with the results and has said getting the surgery was the best thing I have ever done.

But when complications occur, the fallout can be deadly.

Ms McIntyre, a makeup artist, was drawn to Mexico because of the considerable discount though she still did her homework in the lead-up to signing on for the surgery to ensure that she was going to a safe clinic with qualified doctors.

What happened after Ms McIntyre arrived in Mexico is somewhat of a mystery, according to her friend Francesca Moultrie, who was initially planning on undergoing the same surgery but changed her mind in the end.

Ms Moultrie had been in regular contact with her friend, checking in often to make sure everything was going ok. Moultrie said she asked her how she was doing and she said she was OK.

Ms Moultrie said: I had posted something on Facebook and she laughed at it. I was going to talk to her after surgery around 2 or 3 p.m.

At 5 pm, having not heard from her friend, Ms Moultrie got the devastating news from KiKis husband  she had become unresponsive during the procedure and died on the table, an extremely rare event in bariatric surgery.

It is not clear what specifically about the surgery proved fatal, but several negative events are possible.

Excessive bleeding during or after a procedure due to the surgeon improperly sealing or stapling blood vessels shut. The staple line can also leak, leading to a potentially fatal infection.

Ms Rodriguez ended up needing extensive medical care to repair the damage done in Mexico, including several surgeries. While she is doing better now, she has been crushed by medical debt - about a million dollars of it

Ms Rodriguez traveled to Tijuana with her mother in 2016 to have the procedure. The follow-up care was minimal, with her surgeon advising her to reach out with any complications or questions via email. But she did not even know what complications to look out for.

About a week after the surgery and back in Idaho, Ms Rodriguez said her doctors found a massive abscess in her abdomen which required more than one surgery to fix.

Ms Rodriguez said: They did another surgery to try to clear it out, but they couldn't because it was rock-solid, like concrete.

And these are not isolated incidents. The internet is peppered with horror stories of people undergoing the surgery in the US as well as abroad. Some have suffered malnutrition from not being able to keep food down, hair loss, weakened bones, a build up of scar tissue, and gallbladder damage.

In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a gastric sleeve patient nicknamed NI saw weight fall off as intended within the first month post-op, but soon she started having trouble eating and drinking, as well as extreme nausea that left her unable to take in nutrition on her own for a week.

At the emergency department, she was hospitalized for malnutrition, deficient potassium and magnesium, and dehydration. About a week later, doctors had to remove her gallbladder. A second week-long hospitalization showed a build-up of fluid at the surgical site, but NI said she did not receive treatment for it.

She said: I have been home from the hospital for a week and a few days and my body is still numb. It doesnt affect me walking but I have night sweats on my legs only at night. I am scared and dont know what is going on.

Im scared and just feel like if I dont get this under control I could lose my life. Tried some soup today but was only to take 4 sips of it. Before I was able to eat way more. I cant eat at all now. Only drink.
Diabetics across the UK have been unable to monitor their glucose levels after an update on a popular app caused it to stop working on some phones.

The FreeStyle Libre app works by monitoring blood sugar levels through a small sensor inserted into the body. It provides real-time updates to a mobile phone, and can send an alert if glucose levels are too low or too high.

Yesterday the app stopped working for some users with iPhones, and has been removed from the Apple app store.

Abbott, the company which manufactures the device, provided customers with instructions on how to delete the app and reinstall it  which appeared to get it working again.

A spokesman said it expected the app would be made available soon, but the company faced a backlash from diabetics who rely on the technology.

Diabetics across the UK have been unable to monitor their glucose levels after an update on a popular app caused it to stop working on some phones [File image]

A file image showing a woman wearing an Omnipod insulin pump and Freestyle Libre sensor on the arm

David Burchell, who has type 1 diabetes, told the BBC it was 'very scary'. He said: 'This equipment is supposed to save your life. I woke up yesterday morning, went to check my sensor thing... and basically it broke, just showing a white screen and I had a panic.

'I've spoken to [Abbott] many times as this sort of thing has happened before. They told me to delete the app, turn the phone off and on and reinstall... but when trying to re-download it, they'd taken it off the app store so I couldn't download it. I was left without an active test, other than the fingerprint testing. Pricking your finger 100 times a week is a nightmare.'

Another man wrote online: 'You realise that not fixing a critical issue like the Freestyle Libre 2 app can endanger lives? Not been able to check my sugar for the past 24 hours. Careless and a very lackadaisical attitude.'

A third user wrote: 'Major issue with the Freestyle Libre 2 app withdrawn from the app store and not working. They know there's a problem and they have our info but are saying nothing publicly despite this being a life-threatening issue.'

The NHS says 200,000 people use these types of sensors, provided by the health service for those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Abbott said: 'Some customers in the UK are unable to successfully upgrade to the latest version of the FreeStyle LibreLink iOS app. We've temporarily removed it from the iOS app store while we work on solutions.'
Senior doctors have warned that Alzheimer's sufferers may be unaware of the risks of signing up for experimental drug trials.

There are currently just under 190 dementia drug trials assessing 140 different medications around the world, including the UK, involving nearly 60,000 patients.

But a number of the drugs have be linked to dangerous side effects, such as brain bleeds and strokes.

Doctors speaking to The Mail on Sunday say they fear many patients, due to their impaired mental state, are unable to understand the risks of signing up for one of these trials.

'These new drugs are stronger than anything we've previously studied and it's complicated to ensure patients can fully consent to taking part,' says Robert Howard, professor of Old Age Psychiatry at University College London Institute of Mental Health.

Senior doctors have warned that Alzheimer's sufferers may be unaware of the risks of signing up for experimental drug trials (file photo)

There are currently just under 190 dementia drug trials assessing 140 different medications around the world, including the UK, involving nearly 60,000 patients (file photo)

'The consent forms patients are given to sign before they take part in these trials are complicated even for someone without Alzheimer's.

'If patients are desperate to try a treatment, it's possible they won't properly take in the safety warnings. It's crucial that we recruit people with Alzheimer's for clinical trials, otherwise we won't ever discover how to treat the disease, but we need to do more to ensure the risks are properly explained to them.'

US experts have also raised concerns over the recruitment process for Alzheimer's drug trials.

'This is a population that may not fully understand the consent process,' says Professor Aaron Kesselheim, an Alzheimer's expert at Harvard Medical School.

'Investigators need to be careful and make sure people know what they are getting involved with.'

Last week it was revealed that a US woman had raised a complaint with a major pharmaceutical firm when her mother suffered a stroke after taking a new experimental Alzheimer's drug.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Los Angeles Times that her 84-year-old mother had signed up to the trial without her daughter's knowledge.

The woman had no idea her mother had begun taking the drug until she became confused and had to be taken to hospital, where doctors found she had a stroke.

She told the newspaper that her mother's memory was already so poor that she struggled to understand her electric bills. She added: 'How was it possible for her to consent to this study?'
Nine out of ten British office workers described themselves as being 'neurodiverse', according to a study.

It is a term used by some to describe people who have brains that work differently from the average person, encompassing conditions such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and Tourette's.

Studies suggest that about 15 to 20 per cent of the population are neurodiverse.

However, this new research, carried out by online printing company Instantprint, suggests that the vast majority of people in the UK who work in an office environment claim they have one of these brain conditions.

The survey, which polled 1,000 people, also found that women were far more likely to identify as neurodiverse compared to men.

Nine out of ten British office workers described themselves as being 'neurodiverse', according to a study (stock photo)

Bugs lurking in kitchens are safe... mostly

Most of the bacteria found growing in kitchens is harmless, researchers have discovered.

A Norwegian team swabbed everything from sinks and countertops to cutting boards and cloths in 74 kitchens across five European countries.

Their results, published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, found the same eight types of bacteria grow in most kitchens, and none are considered harmful to humans.

They concluded the primary source of illness in the kitchen comes from food containing bugs such as salmonella.

Patients with an aggressive form of endometrial cancer can now access a breakthrough drug that significantly extends their lives.

About a quarter of sufferers have a form of the disease which is particularly difficult to treat due to the DNA of the cancer cells. If chemotherapy failed, there used to be no effective treatments available on the NHS  patients lived for an average of eight months.

But in a study of 500 patients, 60 per cent of those given the new drug dostarlimab were still alive two years later compared with 15 per cent of those not on it.

Health regulators last week approved dostarlimab to be used in an unlicensed drug plan expected to benefit 725 patients with the life-threatening cancer next year.

Tesco is selling a test that can spot urine infections in less than two minutes.

The kit, which looks for substances in a urine sample, is designed to reduce the time patients wait to find out if they have the painful infection.

NHS figures show about 40 per cent of people scheduled to see a GP about a urinary tract infection (UTI) wait for more than four weeks.

Left untreated, UTIs can damage the kidney and may become life-threatening if it spreads into the blood.

Tesco is selling a pack of three tests for about 10.
NICE will review ruxolitinib cream which could help vitiligo vanish in months

The condition causes skin to to be patchy due to a lack of melanin in the body

NHS patients with the patchy skin condition vitiligo could next year access a cream that makes it vanish within months.

UK health regulators have approved the first effective treatment for the disease that causes white areas to develop on the body.

Vitiligo is caused by a lack of melanin, the substance which gives skin its colour, and is often triggered when the immune system wrongly attacks melanin-producing cells. The condition  which affects Victoria's Secret lingerie model Winnie Harlow  had been considered untreatable, but a medicine normally used to treat cancer has been found to reverse the effects.

The drug, ruxolitinib, is applied as a twice-daily cream and has been shown in studies to return skin colour to its natural pigment in six months.

PATCHES: Model Winnie Harlow developed vitiligo when she was four years old

The condition  which affects Victoria's Secret lingerie model Winnie Harlow (pictured)  had been considered untreatable, but a medicine normally used to treat cancer has been found to reverse the effects

Available in the US, it has now been deemed safe and effective by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, the UK's medical regulator, so it can be offered to vitiligo patients aged over 12.

This means ruxolitinib can now be purchased through a private clinician  but also opens up the possibility of the NHS offering it.

The NHS spending watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), will meet in January to decide whether the health service will cover the cost of the treatment for the roughly half a million people in the UK living with vitiligo.

Campaigners have urged NICE to fund ruxolitinib, as the cream is prohibitively expensive  a 60g tube, which lasts around two months, costs about 1,000 on a private prescription.

'This drug is a phenomenal step forwards for vitiligo patients because it's the first effective treatment,' says Emma Rush, founder and chief executive of the charity Vitiligo Support UK.

'It could be life-changing for patients but many won't be able to afford to pay for it privately, so we hope that NICE will agree to fund it so patients can get it on the NHS.'

Vitiligo usually develops at a young age and can affect any skin tone. Sufferers begin to notice white spots on the body, which can appear anywhere. Some may develop only a few small patches but, for others, they can cover large areas. There are also cases where it can cover the entire body  known as universal vitiligo.

The root cause is not known but it is more likely if there is a family history of the condition or other autoimmune problems.

Patients often rely on make-up to hide their patches, and many take antidepressants as a result of their condition.

'People feel incredibly self-conscious about their patches,' says Ms Rush. 'They worry that, when they go for a job interview or a first date, others will be put off by how different they look.'

Until now, some steroid creams have restored a small amount of colour to the skin, but experts say they're not good enough. 'These creams have been hit-and-miss, and largely ineffective,' says Dr Viktoria Eleftheriadou, consultant dermatologist at the Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.

Ruxolitinib was originally designed to treat bone marrow cancer, as it can block the growth of cancer cells in the blood. However, researchers found that when used in a cream it can also suppress the immune system and stop the loss of skin colour caused by vitiligo.

Alicia Roufs, 46, from Minnesota, has lived with vitiligo since she was three months old.

She now runs the vitiligo support group Minnesota VITFriends, but says the condition made her feel isolated from a young age.

'I started getting patches on my face when I was six, and by the time I was a teenager most of my body was affected,' she says. 'I was bullied at school and called names.'

The drug, ruxolitinib (pictured), is applied as a twice-daily cream and has been shown in studies to return skin colour to its natural pigment in six months

She tried a number of treatments but nothing worked.

But when ruxolitinib became available in the US last year, Alicia tried it.

She began using the cream last September. Twice a day, she applied a small amount  about the size of a 10p coin  to her face.

'I decided to see how that went before using it elsewhere,' she says. The results were astounding.

'Within a month I noticed colour coming back to my face. Within six months, the colour had completely changed.

'My whole life I thought I'd never see any colour on my face again, and then, just like that, it was back. Sometimes I look in the mirror and don't recognise myself.'

Alicia says she has no serious side effects, although she has experienced acne  a common symptom seen in studies.

The treatment is not a cure  patients have to keep using the cream or the vitiligo will return.

What's more, the treatment won't be able to fully rid Alicia of the condition.

'I have vitiligo all over my body  it would cost a fortune to use the cream everywhere and I'd need a paint brush,' she says.

But she believes the treatment should be offered to all vitiligo patients who want to reverse the condition on visible parts of their body, such as their face or arms.

'This drug is a total game-changer. I hope patients in the UK will be able to get it on the NHS because there's nothing else like it.'
Do the expensive creams work? When Lyma, a skincare brand endorsed by Gwyneth and Victoria Beckham, revealed it had a 30,000-strong waiting list for its 495 starter kit, my WhatsApp exploded with friends, colleagues and random acquaintances asking me that exact question.

And let's be clear, it's not just Lyma that is fast-selling eye-wateringly expensive products. At Sisley, that purveyor of haute skincare, business is booming. Its Sisleya L'Integral Anti-Age cream, which retails at 390 (see opposite), is a bestseller.

And a new product with a significantly higher price point is planned for autumn. Then there's Augustinus Bader, a stealth-wealth beauty brand whose cult daily moisturiser The Rich Cream is 225 for 50ml (cultbeauty.com).

Cast around and you'll see Selfridges stocks La Prairie Platinum Rare Haute-Rejuvenation Protocol (three x 8ml), priced at 1,596 (selfridges.com), and Harrods has Valmont's anti-ageing treatment Time Master Intensive Program (14 x 3ml) at 1,265 (harrods.com).

Super creams aren't new.

It's not just Lyma that is fast-selling eye-wateringly expensive products. At Sisley , that purveyor of haute skincare, business is booming. Stock image used

I was a beauty intern when Estee Lauder bought Creme de la Mer in the 1990s. It captured the industry's imagination with its backstory and scientific credentials (its creator Dr Max Huber, a German-born physicist, was burnt in a lab explosion and brewed the kelp concoction to heal his skin). Models used it, beauty editors raved about it and its high price point only added to the allure. Soon everyone wanted it.

I remember interviewing Donatella Versace, way before her brand had its own beauty range, and she told me that she used the precious face cream everywhere, including on her feet.

But in 2023 we inhabit a cost-of-living-crisis landscape, so why is expensive skincare thriving? I'd argue we are all human and, despite the economy, are still seduced if a product taps into three essential things. First up, strong anti-ageing claims. We may well be 'pro-age', and claim to 'love the skin we are in', but a turn-back-the-clock promise sells units. Then there's the scarcity element: can't get it?

The waiting list is how long? Now we really need it. Lastly, there's the celebrity endorsement. You can get the looks/life of an A-lister if you buy a pot of this.

But does that triumvirate make these products worth the money? First know this: anti-ageing claims are to be regarded with a degree of scepticism.

The number of participants in a trial is often small (sometimes fewer than 20) and they may be consumer trials, which are very subjective ('How did your skin feel after use?'), or clinical, which are more credible but still vary in their stringency.

When it comes to scarcity, claims can be inflated, and figures massaged. As for the celebrity endorsement, this is also sometimes suspect. In the case of Lyma, Gwyneth and VB were not paid, but I'm assuming were sent the product for free. Which makes them less likely to judge their value critically.

So, back to the original question: are these face creams likely to deliver a result that's ten times better than their cheaper rivals. Honest answer? No.

It's the same as buying a Chanel bag. Yes, you can get a handbag from H&M that essentially does the same thing (carries stuff) but sometimes you just want Chanel

But face creams are not just about firmer, smoother, more even-toned skin. They are about the ritual, the self-care and the joy of owning something precious. They will also often (but not always) have higher-grade ingredients and be the product of more research, so their results will be better. But exactly how much better? There's another factor too. Because you've invested heavily in them, you're more likely to use them regularly and thus more likely to see improvements. This argument also applies to their often luxurious textures, which make you want to use them diligently.

It's not just about firm skin but the joy of something precious

Take Sisley. In the past I've given its products to relatives  people who would never treat themselves to such an expensive luxury. But having experienced the potions they have then gone to the counter and handed over their hard-earned cash for a replacement.

It's the same as buying a Chanel bag. Yes, you can get a handbag from H&M that essentially does the same thing (carries stuff) but sometimes you just want Chanel.

I'D BUY THIS!

Elizabeth Arden's new Retinol + HPR Ceramide Rapid Skin Renewing Water Cream is a groundbreaking formula that allows the retinol to be tolerated by all skin types

Retinol is the gold-standard anti-ageing ingredient, but at active levels it can cause irritation and redness. Elizabeth Arden's new Retinol + HPR Ceramide Rapid Skin Renewing Water Cream is a groundbreaking formula that allows the retinol to be tolerated by all skin types. You can expect firmer, more even toned and radiant skin. 75, boots.com, from Wednesday.

'I've had so much plastic surgery, when I die they'll donate my body to Tupperware'

Joan Rivers

PALE, NAILED

The chic, sheer, nude look is trending. The bonus is it's easy to DIY, lasts longer than a colour manicure (chips don't show) and goes with everything. The key is to keep the number of coats low. A single application of Chanel's La Base Camelia smooths out ridges, neutralises any yellow and nourishes the nails too.

Chanel La Base Camelia, 29, chanel.com

UNDER 10

Transform hands with Seoulista Beauty Rosy Hands Instant Manicure, 2, boots.com
Most people will remember this year's Glastonbury for the bravura finale by Sir Elton John, playing what might be his last show in the UK. But for one 27-year-old festival-goer, it was notable for a far less happy reason.

Returning to the field where he had parked his parents' Land Rover Defender  a high-end SUV  one young man immediately realised that something was amiss.

Both the car's front doors were missing.

'I put my arm through just to check,' he said. 'No, definitely no door.'

He eventually worked out that the thieves had forced open the back window to get into the car, and worked from inside to remove the doors, which together were worth 1,800.

Martin Aldridge's eldest daughter, who has asked not to be named, has been the victim of two separate car-cannibalism attacks

After checking that it was legal to do so, he and his partner were forced to drive the 120 miles home to Oxfordshire in a noisy and doorless vehicle.

They must have attracted curious glances as they proceeded as slowly as they could along the back roads. But, bizarre as the theft seemed, it was not the only such incident at Glastonbury that day.

The family's insurance company said that they had received two other reports of doors being taken from Land Rover Defenders at the festival. All these owners were only the latest victims of an alarming new crime trend, which involves cars being stripped and left in situ rather than stolen outright.

This sickening phenomenon has been dubbed 'car cannibalism'.

Many of the stolen parts  not just doors, but anything from headlights to bumpers and even bonnets  are sold to 'chop shops'. These backstreet garages use the parts to repair damaged cars, which they sell on to unsuspecting purchasers. Other parts are sold via resale websites such as eBay and Gumtree.

Demand for spare parts has increased hugely since the pandemic, when many vehicle part manufacturers closed their doors.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine made matters worse, as both countries play a key role in the supply of car parts to Europe.

According to the Office for National Statistics, 212,900 people had items stolen from their vehicle in 2022, a rise of 10 per cent on the previous year. Car cannibalism comes under this umbrella.

And it's not just the wealthy owners of luxury vehicles that need be concerned. In fact, the most frequent targets are popular, smaller cars such as the Vauxhall Corsa, Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio.

Episodes like this have earned Birmingham an unenviable reputation as the cradle of car cannibalism

As the Mail discovered this week, the stress, cost and disruption to owners' lives is made worse still by the fact that, as with so many other instances of vehicle crime, the police are doing little to catch the perpetrators.

Not that you would suspect it from one early-morning raid on a Birmingham chop shop staged by the West Midlands Police back in May with an ITV crew in tow.

Sparks flew from an angle-grinder as a policeman tore into the metal shutters before his colleagues rushed in and began ransacking the place for evidence.

Three arrests were made  but all related to a cannabis farm discovered on the premises, rather than car cannibalism. It showed the West Midlands Police in the best possible light  as no-nonsense law enforcers cracking down on criminals. But many locals feel they are less available to victims of car cannibalism than they are to TV producers.

That has certainly been the experience of 56-year-old Martin Aldridge, a railway controller who lives not far from that raided chop shop.

His eldest daughter who has asked not to be named, has been the victim of two separate car-cannibalism attacks. The first came one Monday evening last November after she had returned from work and parked her five-year-old Renault Clio on one of the main roads in the Erdington area.

'In the morning, she went back to drive it to work and there wasn't a lot left of it,' says Martin. 'The thieves had broken in through the passenger side window and used some kind of tool to release the bonnet through that window. And then they got the bonnet off and took that, and the entire front end, including the bumper, the grille and all the lights.'

What happened next has proved to be something of a pattern in these cases  and will be all too familiar to those who have reported other vehicle-related crimes.

The police refused to come out to investigate the theft, offering instead a crime reference number for insurance purposes and closing the case the next day because of 'insufficient evidence'.

After her insurance company arranged for what remained of the Clio to be taken away for repairs, Martin's daughter was given a Vauxhall Corsa as a courtesy car. But that, too, lasted only five days.

One evening, at about 9pm, a local shopkeeper saw two men removing parts from the parked Corsa and confronted them.

'They did a runner so he went back into his shop and phoned the police,' says Martin. 'He told them that they needed to attend, and they didn't because they said: 'Well, the people have gone now.'

'Ten minutes later the criminals came back to finish the job.

Renault Clio cannibalised whilst parked in Great Charles Street car park, Birmingham. The front bumper, bonnet and headlights appear to have been stolen

'This time there were about four of them and the shopkeeper's son said: 'I don't think you should be going out there this time because they don't look like the sort of people you should be messing with.' The police hadn't turned up, so all they could do was watch this mob go off with the parts.'

Seven months on, Martin's daughter's Renault Clio is still awaiting repair  due, ironically, to a shortage of replacement parts  and her insurance company has refused to give her another replacement car, deeming their neighbourhood too high-risk as a result of several similar incidents.

'Her work involves visiting lots of different schools in the city so she's having to get public transport, or Ubers, which is costing her a fortune,' says Martin.

'There have been months of waiting with no sign of when she'll get her car back and in the meantime this has pushed her insurance premium up to extortionate amounts.'

Episodes like this have earned Birmingham an unenviable reputation as the cradle of car cannibalism.

Only the month before Martin's daughter's car was targeted, Lauren, a 23-year-old doctor who asked for her second name to be withheld, told how her 2016 Toyota Aygo had been stripped outside her home in nearby Sutton Coldfield.

'The bonnet, bumper, lights and indicators were taken,' she said.

'The car was my 21st birthday present from my grandma. I got quite sentimental about it, it never had a bump or a dent. You put so much effort in to looking after it and this happens. It's awful.'

Lauren told the Birmingham Live news website that there had been a spate of other cars being stripped in the area but, although police promised to step up patrols, many cases have been reported locally since.

In January, a nurse living in the suburb of Selly Oak was woken at 2am by the sound of a van driving away from her Citroen C1.

The bonnet was missing, lights and other parts had been taken, and her number plate lay snapped on the floor.

'I called the police as soon as it happened but the only correspondence I have had is a text message saying that, unless I had clear CCTV footage, then the case would be logged and closed. I understand the police have more serious crimes to attend to, but maybe if they came out when called they would have a better chance of catching the people doing this.'

Elsewhere in the city, a car-stripping incident in April saw a 36-year-old woman cheat death at the hands of the criminals she confronted after a neighbour told her they were acting suspiciously around her Peugeot 208, parked outside her home.

'I shouted at them to 'Get off my car!' They then drove at me pretty fast as they drove off and I screamed.' On that occasion, the police were on the scene within five minutes, quickly enough to escort her to a friend's garage where she could keep her car safe, but not to catch the thieves.

On that same night, the gang stripped several other cars in the area  including a Vauxhall Corsa and a Citroen C1  and all this followed reports of an attack on a Peugeot 2008 containing a special hoist to help its owner get their mobility scooter in and out.

A nurse was left devastated after her car was ransacked by so-called 'car cannibals' - just days after another vehicle was stripped on the same road

The victim has reportedly been left almost housebound since.

West Midlands police said: 'There have been no arrests yet in these cases. We are continuing our work in taking action against car cannibalism and continue to carry out warrants in chop shops across the region. Last week, officers carried out warrants at two industrial units in Small Heath. The successful warrants saw a large quantity of stolen car parts found.

'We appreciate how frustrating this type of crime can be and are continuing to carry out warrants wherever and whenever we receive intelligence around suspected chop shops.'

Meanwhile, finding a location where car cannibalism isn't a problem may not be as easy as it sounds because, as the incidents at Glastonbury suggest, it's already happening elsewhere across the country.

At around 6pm one Monday evening in January, 27-year-old builder Dawid Ciesielski heard a noise outside his home in Harold Hill, Essex, and discovered that thieves had taken the bonnet and headlights from the Ford Transit van which he and his father depend on for their living.

They lost two days of work and decided not to claim on the insurance because it would send their premium shooting up, so they replaced the parts themselves, at a cost of around 800.

'All the police did was give me a crime reference number and then two months later they sent me a feedback form, asking me to comment on how well they'd done.'

Tips from the West Midlands Police include suggestions that you should park in a well-lit area, ideally covered by CCTV.

That's sensible advice, no doubt, but given that your average residential street is not covered by cameras, not particularly practical. So it's no wonder people like Dawid Ciesielski have gone a step further.

He has had the screws holding his bonnet in place welded so that they can't be undone, and has put strong glue behind the van's headlamps.

Extreme measures, certainly, but entirely understandable in the context of the increasingly bitter battle between ordinary motorists and the car cannibals who the police appear unable to stop.
Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below.

B.P. writes: Can you help me get my money back from Wines Premier Cru Limited? They or their agent Rosevelt's Limited cold-called me and convinced me to invest more than 100,000 in wines which they have said they hold in an account for me.

They have sent me lists of wines they say I own, but they refuse to send the wines. After I asked for a refund, Wines Premier Cru returned some of my money but the balance has never been paid.

Our reader invested more than 100,000 in wines, but never received them

Tony Hetherington replies: This is a strange tale of two wine firms, one of which carried on trading after its death and was run by a serious tax offender, while the other handed over your wine without being paid for it and then repaid you thousands of pounds which you had actually forked out to the other company.

Confused? I know I was, so let's start at the beginning. Around 2016, salesmen from Rosevelt's Limited were cold-calling people, offering expensive wines as an investment. Their company was new, but they claimed to be connected to Wines Premier Cru, which had been in business since 2008.

According to Dominic Hall, who runs Wines Premier Cru: 'While we did engage in a limited partnership with Rosevelt's Limited in an effort to offer our fine wine investment services to appropriate clients, this venture turned out to be decidedly unprofitable.'

He told me that Rosevelt's failed to win him a single new client and he scrapped the deal. But if Rosevelt's did not introduce a single new client, what does this make you?

According to Hall, he was selling wine to Rosevelt's, and never received a penny from you. However, I have seen an invoice from Hall to Rosevelt's, issued on April 6, 2018, listing wines in your name at a cost of 82,000.

And now things become even more peculiar. For on April 6, 2018, Rosevelt's Limited was in the hands of liquidators and should not have been trading. The liquidator was appointed more than a year earlier, in February 2017, and the company was formally dissolved ten days after the dodgy invoice was dated.

In a nutshell then, Rosevelt's ordered wines worth 82,000, received them, but failed to pay Wines Premier Cru which handed over the wines on credit. What makes this so strange is that Rosevelt's own records show that when it collapsed in 2017, it already owed Wines Premier Cru 5,000.

So on the face of it, Dominic Hall's business was already owed 5,000 but handed over wines worth a further 82,000. Meanwhile, you were paying Rosevelt's, believing they were acting for Hall, so Rosevelt's ended up with both the wine and the cash.

I asked Hall to comment on this and he told me he believed Rosevelt's only ceased trading in 2021, not 2017 as company records show. He added that, although under no clear obligation, he had decided to pay you almost 68,000, explaining: 'The reason for me taking responsibility was I strongly believed this was the only way Mr P would ever see any funds from Rosevelt's.'

And he emphasised that you had always paid Rosevelt's, and not his company Wines Premier Cru. As things stand, he reckons he has paid you all but 11,000 or so.

Hall could not explain how he was still dealing with Rosevelt's even after it was in liquidation, but he did say that whenever Rosevelt's paid for wine, he was asked to store it in a bonded facility in the name of Mr Jay Lance Stevens. This was the owner of Rosevelt's.

Stevens, 44, from South London, previously ran Watches 7 Fifty Limited. It went into liquidation owing an estimated 27,000. He recently set up a new company, Rocking Horse London Limited, to trade in watches and jewellery. He is well known to the taxman as a bad payer. In 2021, he had notched up 57,859 in unpaid tax bills stretching back as far as 2010.

I contacted Stevens at his new company in Ilford in Essex, but he failed to offer any comment on his dealings with you, the wine he got from Wines Premier Cru with your money, or how his company came to be doing business a year after it failed.

Dominic Hall did offer one final comment though. He told me: 'I do believe the best way to resolve this situation is to contact the police fraud squad'. He is absolutely right.

My 744 pension top-up has failed

Ms L.W. writes: I received a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) seven months ago, advising that if I paid 744 to HM Revenue & Customs, then my state pension would increase by more than 5 a week.

I paid the 744, but I have heard nothing from the DWP. When I call, I am told I will have to wait my turn. I asked about timescales and the DWP speaker said they had been told not to give any.

After our intervention, the pension rise has gone through

Tony Hetherington replies: You are already receiving your state pension, so the offer to top this up should have taken effect immediately.

I asked staff at the DWP headquarters how long you should expect to wait, and they told me they aimed to pay everyone's increased pension as soon as possible after receiving details from HMRC. This was not a precise answer, but the good news is that your pension rise has now gone through.

A spokesman told me: 'We are sorry for the delay in processing Ms W's voluntary National Insurance contributions.'

Immediately after the DWP told me this, your pension rose to over 184 a week and you received more than 200 in arrears.

Am I owed 'wayleave' cash?

M.B. writes: A telecoms company attached a new line to a BT telegraph pole which is on my land. According to the BT website, if an extra line is attached to the pole to benefit a third party, the landowner is entitled to a wayleave payment. However, BT says it is up to the other telecoms firm to pay me, while they say it is up to BT.

Tony Hetherington replies: I suspected a previous owner of your property might have made a deal with BT in return for a lump sum. Sure enough, the BT contract showed the developer who previously owned the site and who built your house had pocketed 150.

The contract gives BT the right to add further cables to the pole without paying any more. However, the contract is dated just five days before you completed your house purchase.

On the face of it, this means that what was delivered to you on completion did not reflect the state of play on the earlier date when you exchanged contracts. This was sneaky behaviour by the developer, and makes it worth going back to your solicitor.

If anyone should get the 150, it should be you.

If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned.
The grandparents of a boy who was orphaned in a July 4 mass shooting last year are battling over who will get custody of him.

Aiden McCarthy, three, was found wandering alone after his parents Irina and Kevin McCarthy were among seven killed by 22-year-old Robert Crimo in Highland Park, Illinois.

A fundraiser raised $3.3million for the toddler, who is now being looked after by his maternal grandparents, and paternal grandmother.

But they're now at war, with both sides demanding to become Aiden's permanent guardians.

Aiden's aunt Kathleen Sharp and her husband Bret Sharp, who live in Iowa, have also applied for custody of the youngster.

Aiden McCarthy, three, survived the July 4 shooting last year, but his parents Irina and Kevin McCarthy were both tragically killed. A fundraiser gartered $3.3million for the toddler, who is now being looked after by both sets of grandparents

Irina McCarthy, 35, (left) and Kevin McCarthy, 37, (right) were among the seven people killed in Highland Park when the 22-year-old shooter opened fire on Fourth of July parade with an AR-15-style weapon

Aiden's maternal grandparents - Michael Levberg, 66, and his 62 year-old wife Nina say his paternal grandma, Margo McCarthy, 70, is too old.

They've also cited Margo's single status as further evidence of her unsuitability to care for Aiden.

But Margo has hit back - and slammed the Levbergs for letting Aiden share a bed with them, claiming their behavior is confusing and upsetting the little boy.

Margo was also shot during the Highland Park massacre. She was celebrating the holiday at the parade with her son, his wife, and her grandson.

A bullet that hit near her ear and passed through her neck but her injuries were not fatal. Now, she is battling to be Aiden's sole guardian.

The Levbergs further claim in legal documents that they are best suited to look after little Aiden - because they have been doing so since he was born.

They are also younger than Aiden's other grandma, Margo - who they claim only 'occasionally' cared for the baby before the shooting, reports the Chicago Tribune.

The Levbergs, Aiden's maternal grandparents, have also made claims on Kevin McCarthy's estate - their deceased son-in-law. Margo is currently the estate administrator, with Aiden still spending part of his time in his late parents $1 million home.

Aiden's location has also proven a bone of contention, with Margo hitting out at the Levbergs for taking Aiden to their home in Linconshire, Illinois, where she claims they're all sleeping in the same bed.

A year on from the terrible ordeal, Aiden McCarthy, 3, is pictured at a July 4 celebration with his aunt Kathleen 'Katie' Sharp. Sharp's brother, Kevin, was killed in the massacre

Kevin's mom, Margo McCarthy (pictured) is Aiden's 70-year-old paternal grandmother. Margo was also shot during the Highland Park massacre. She was celebrating the holiday at the parade with her son, his wife, and her grandson. Now, she is battling to be Aiden's sole guardian

According to court documents, there is an order forcing all grandparents to take care of Aiden at his family's home in Highland Park.

McCarthy's attorney slammed the 'brazen conduct' of the Levbergs, claiming their actions were 'profoundly confusing' to three-year-old Aiden.

In rebuttal, the Levbergs then filed a motion asking the court to stay at their Lincolnshire home, because otherwise they 'relive the trauma of the events of July 4, 2022, every time they go past [Irina and Kevin McCarthy's] bedroom.'

Aiden's maternal grandparents also asked the court to halt the toddler's required monthly trip to see his aunt and uncle, Kathleen 'Katie' Sharp and Bret Sharp, in Iowa, on the grounds that it's a disruption to his routine and stability.

According to the Levbergs, Aiden has not adapted well to his grandparents taking turns with him and frequently gets upset when he has to leave his maternal grandparents.

Bickering has also erupted among the family, according to court documents. In one dispute, Aiden's mother's parents, the Levbergs, asked for a video monitor in the toddler's room.

But his father's family, including Margo McCarthy, unplugged the monitor during their time in the home to get 'private, quality time' without being 'intruded upon,' reports Chicago Tribune.

In a separate incident, Aiden was swimming at a family pool party with his father's family when his maternal grandmother Nina Levberg called and texted to ask where he was.

According to court documents, there is an order forcing all grandparents to take care of Aiden at his family's home in Highland Park (pictured). But the Levbergs have tried to change that. They claim they 'relive the trauma of the events of July 4, 2022, every time they go past [Irina and Kevin McCarthy's] bedroom'

Three-year-old Aiden McCarthy (pictured) was left orphaned after his parents were both killed during the Highland Park parade shooting

The gunman opened fire at 10:14 a.m. on Monday, barely 15 minutes into the parade. He then fled the scene and hid throughout the day before eventually being arrested at 6:30 p.m. in Lake Forrest, eight miles north of where the massacre unfolded

Horror on Independence Day: A police officer bows his head in grief next to abandoned strollers and chairs after a shooting that killed seven people in Highland Park

Aiden's paternal grandmother, Margo, texted back and said that he was safe with her.

When Margo returned home with Aiden, police were waiting at the doorstep because Nina had filed a missing-person report.

No formal action was taken.

Margo, Aiden's paternal grandmother, also tried to enroll the three-year-old into therapy, but Nina opposed. Two court-ordered forensic psychologists also disagreed amongst themselves over a solution - muddling matters further.

There was also a dispute between the parties surrounding the GoFundMe money - and who would be made trustees. The court ordered the funds to be transferred to an escrow account with The Chicago Trust Co.

The guardian ad litem in the case, Marc Schwartz, has not yet filed his report. He was chosen to represent the child's best interests.

Margo McCarthy's attorney declined to comment.
The ex-boyfriend of socialite Hollie Nasser - whose 2021 marriage split became a cause celebre within Sydney's eastern suburbs - has had a challenging few months after getting involved a sundown scuffle at a swanky Rose Bay bar.

James Hodgman began dating Ms Nasser following the demise of her short-lived relationship with investor Charlie Aitken - the former husband of her one-time best friend Ellie Aitken - but they quietly split earlier this year.

With his latest romance over, Mr Hodgman, a father of four, now seems to be on a career break following an incident in February when he brawled with two members of staff at the Empire Lounge at the Sydney Seaplanes terminal.

Mr Hodgman was arrested on February 17 and charged with assaulting bartender Bipin Bhattarai and venue manager Michael-Ross Mendoza Bray.

He due to face court in December for the charges.

James Hodgman (right), the ex-boyfriend of socialite Hollie Nasser (left), has had a challenging few months after getting involved a sundown scuffle at a swanky Rose Bay bar

Mr Hodgman now seems to be on a career break following an incident in February when he brawled with two members of staff at Rose Bay's Empire Lounge (pictured)

Eastern suburbs marriage scandal Sydney socialite Ellie Aitken's life was turned upside down in late 2021 when her husband Charlie Aitken, a high-profile investment banker, ran off with her best friend Hollie Nasser - ending two marriages in the process. The move caused a scandal in the tight-knit eastern suburbs, particularly since Hollie was not only Ellie's best friend, but married to Charlie's business partner Christopher Nasser. Despite the drama, the Aitkens tried to remain on good terms throughout the separation for the sake of their two children. In May 2021, Daily Mail Australia revealed Hollie and Charlie had quietly parted ways, noting the public pressure was too much for them to bear. Christopher and Hollie Nasser are pictured with Ellie and Charlie Aitken Advertisement

Built over the glistening waters of Rose Bay, the Empire Lounge is home to Sydney Seaplanes, a well-known eastern suburbs restaurant and watering hole.

Mr Hodgman had the world at his feet: a young family, a comfortable life in the city's east, and a well-paid executive position at Citibank - home of big bonuses.

But as his personal life hit a hurdle and his relationship ended, Mr Hodgman appears to have decided to part ways with the bank recently.

'I can confirm James Hodgman resigned,' a Citibank staffer told Daily Mail Australia.

He marked his exit from the company with farewell drinks at Paddington's Four in Hand Hotel alongside his former colleagues.

Bartender Bipin Bhattarai (pictured) was one of two staff members allegedly assaulted by Mr Hodgman in February at the Empire Lounge

Citibank employees attended the Four in Hand Hotel in Paddington for Mr Hodgman's send-off drinks in June. Mr Hodgman is circled

'To my besties at Citi, 13 amazing years, love every single one of you, amazing memories thank you,' he wrote on Instagram at the time.

Unemployment doesn't seem to bother Hodgman, with his Instagram profile showing him living the dream on Waikiki beach.

Mr Hodgman's relationship with mother-of-two Ms Nasser followed his split from ex-wife Nicole 'Nikki' Crebar, with whom he shares four children, about 18 months ago.

The pair were the talk of Sydney's eastern suburbs in the mid-2000s thanks to their good looks and seemingly limitless professional success.

Ms Crebar formerly worked for Kerry Packer's publishing arm ACP and now runs The Event Group, a fashion and lifestyle production company.

Mr Hodgman, who recently left his job at City Bank, seems to be living an idyllic beach lifestyle in Hawaii, according to his Instagram account
Don't do the crime if you can't do the time, they say.

Over the years, CCTV has caught many unlucky thieves, muggers and crooks biting off more than they can chew, targeting the wrong person and ending upon their backs.

It is a swift lesson in consequence when a criminal is outmatched by their victim, a vigilante or the natural laws of physics.

MailOnline has rounded up some of the best moments of instant karma caught on camera.

Rejected man pours drink over Muay Thai fighter of 12 years - and regrets it

Whoops! This is the moment a reveller who poured his drink over a girl who rejected his advances experienced some instant karma - when she turned out to be a Muay Thai boxer.

Chainarong Mareejan, 35, asked Pareploy Saeaia, 25, for her number at a street restaurant in Bangkok in the early hours of Sunday morning, February 6. The young woman declined, invoking his ire.

Mareejan is seen on CCTV walking up behind her table and pouring his beer over her head, before coolly walking off. It would be a decision he would soon come to regret, as the camera cuts to her confidently confronting him in the street.

Saeaia, a trained Muay Thai fighter of 12 years, kicks out as he walks away. She kicks again, and then throws a punch. While people try to restrain her, the young woman has seen red and adopts a fighting stance.

In the meantime, another defender gets involved and suffers a few blows. But this only seems to frustrate Saeaia more, who charges back into action, delivering a string of blows to Mareejan's face and leg.

For another two minutes, Saeaia circles and lashes out at her attacker as others struggle to hold her back. Mareejan eventually gets on a moped and rides away - having learned a valuable lesson.

A spurned reveller who poured his drink over a girl after she rejected his advances suffered an embarrassing bout of instant karma - after she turned out to be a Muay Thai boxer (Pareploy pictured throwing a kick at Chainarong, who is seen just behind Pareploy)

Pareploy Saeaia, 25, stood up for herself when a rejected reveller poured a beer over her

Woman holds phone thief in Jiu Jitsu hold for 20 minutes until cops arrive

Many in Brazil also train in a martial art from a young age - something crooks might want to bear in mind before picking a fight with the wrong person.

This is the moment 22-year-old Sabina Leites left 18-year-old Magdeel da Silva screaming and in tears after he tried to steal her phone.

The jiu-jitsu fighter of four years was standing outside her family home in Manaus when da Silva and an accomplice pulled up on a motorcycle and demanded her phone.

But according to Brazilian news outlet D24AM, Leites was ready for it - having had four phones snatched in past home invasions.

The aspiring flight attendant is seen having already floored her assailant and put him in a steady armlock, which she was reported to have held him in for 20 minutes before police arrived.

'When you have the technique you know how to act in a situation of immobilisation because all this is a technique of immobilisation,' Leites said.

Da Silva was arrested and charged with attempted robbery.

An aspiring flight attendant from Brazil took matters into her own hands and prevented a cell phone thief from escaping by placing an arm-bar on him for almost 20 minutes before cops arrived to make the arrest

Bully gets instant karma after tormenting pensioner when a group of men step in to teach him a lesson

CCTV caught the moment a thug was confronted after beating up an elderly man in a lift in Taiwan.

The attacker, named Hu, was getting into the lift at a karaoke bar when the frail man closed accidentally shut the doors on him.

Hu was seen to harass the older man as he tried to apologise for the mistake.

Footage shows him pushing the old man around, grabbing him and getting in his face.

Hu gives the man a harsh shove at one point, before finally backing off and leaving.

He then continued to throw his weight around and pester the old man in the lobby.

The bullying was eventually seen by a group of vigilantes, who came to the elderly man's aid and pounced on Hu and his posse.

The bully cowered as he was beaten by the vigilantes who bashed him with what appeared to be a motorcycle helmet as he lay on the floor.

Taichung police arrived at the scene after the brawl and took in Hu, the old man, and the group of vigilantes for questioning at the station.

Hu reportedly had mild injuries and scratches. Both parties have declined to press charges against each other.

Hu, wearing a blue shirt, started to accost an elderly man in the orange after the lift doors were accidentally closed on him

The argument went on until several men came rushing out of the lift and pounced on Hu and his friends

Waitress sits down man who gropes her at work

This is the moment a waitress showed she wasn't playing around with a customer who appeared to sexually harass her at her place of work, Vinnie Van Go-Go's in Savannah, Georgia.

Ryan Cherwinski, pictured in a red shirt and blue shorts, grabs the woman on his way past.

Waitress Emelia Holden, here 21, quickly puts him in his place, running after him, pulling him and throwing him into the furniture.

The flurry is enough to make another customer, seated, turn around.

The man, apparently stunned, is left to sit and think about how to conduct himself.

Waitress Emelia Holden told People: 'When I felt that happen, my first thought was that it was one of my friends it was a really intimate touch.

'His hand went further than it should have so I was thinking, theres no way a stranger just did that.

'I just did it. I didnt even know I could do that. I dont care who you are. You have no right to disrespect me.'

A man walking past, pictured in a red shirt and blue shorts, seems to think it is appropriate to grab at the woman

'I don't care who you are. You have no right to disrespect me' said victim Emelia Holden

Bag thief is rammed three times by truck before speeding off in backwards pursuit

This is the extraordinary moment a vigilante stepped in to save a woman from having her bag stolen.

CCTV footage shows a man on a motorcycle stopping and dismounting to snatch a bag from a pedestrian.

In a stroke of good fortune, a driver in a large Chevrolet turns the corner to see it unfold.

With less care for the state of his vehicle, he drives slowly up to the thief and rams him off the getaway bike.

The man falls and scrambles to pull the bike up.

In the meantime, the driver reverses and takes another run up. Smack.

The crook again struggles awkwardly to pick up the fallen motorcycle.

Finally he does, and the Chevvy driver gives a third and final warning.

The cyclist gets up a fourth time - incredibly - and decides to ride off without the bag.

The skilled driver throws the car into reverse and chases him backwards down the street as the victim recovers her bag.

Animal abuser bangs head after mistiming kick

This is the moment a 'drunk' man in Revda, Russia, was caught lashing out at a passing dog - and getting his comeuppance.

The man is seen staggering around on a road before aiming a kick at an approaching dog.

He pulls his leg back and takes a swing, but misses and loses his balance.

The man falls forward into the snow, hitting his head on the bumper of a parked car and setting off the alarm.

The dog, meanwhile, looks back as it trots away.

A lesson learned!

The momentum causes the man to fall forward into the snow, smashing a car's rear bumper

Pickpocket is thrown across a bus by female victim

This thief learned a hard lesson after choosing the wrong victim to pickpocket on a bus in China.

The man approaches his victim, who appears distracted by her phone, and is seen trying to loosen the straps on her bag.

He then changes tactic, standing behind her and slowly placing his hand in her bag.

The woman notices and grabs his hand, calling out and confronting the thief.

As he protests, she appears to throw him back, yanking on his arm.

She then stamps on his foot, throws him across the bus and kicks him in the side in one swift motion.

The man falls dramatically back over the seats behind him and the camera cuts.

Shoplifter gets locked out of the getaway car

This video appears to show the moment a shoplifter is left behind during a heist.

The short clip shows a woman clutching a mix of clothes trying to get into the back of a car.

After a couple of attempts, she realises the door is still locked - and so does the driver.

Rather than taking any chances, the driver speeds off, leaving the alleged shoplifter standing awkwardly in the car park.

She drops the clothes and appears to curse at the car as it approaches the exit.

An official starts to chase her down, prompting her to run.

But soon enough, the camera cuts to her arrest - the getaway vehicle nowhere to be seen.
Nobody is believed to have done it. Could you be the first?

At 14,334 miles, it goes through deserts and multiple warzones

This walk is over six times the length of America's Appalachian Trail

For keen hikers, there are a number of long-distance trails which could challenge anyone.

There is the Appalachian Trail in the US, the Greater Patagonian Trail through South America and Te Araroa through New Zealand, to name a few.

But none of them has anything on the longest walk on Earth, which comes in at a whopping 14,334 miles (23,068 kilometres) - over six times the Appalachian's length.

The route takes you from Cape Town, South Africa, to Magadan in north-east Russia, and is entirely walkable.

Be warned though, it crosses through 16 countries which subject you to desert, warzones, and some of the coldest places on the planet.

The longest walkable route on Earth is a massive 14,334 miles long, going from Cape Town, South Africa, to Magadan, Russia

The route goes through the Sahara desert as you cross from Sudan into Egypt

Damascus, Syria, is just one of the places en route where you will find yourself in a warzone

The hike would doubtless give you some great views, including of the Black Sea from the coast of Georgia

The 14,334-mile hike would require approximately 4,500 hours of walking, equating to 188 days, but being realistic - or at least a bit more realistic - it would take closer to three years to complete this journey at a sustainable pace while accounting for time to sleep.

So, if you are thinking of packing your bags, taking a career break, and being the first person to ever do this, here is what to expect along the way.

Firstly, according RealLifeLore on YouTube, Earth's longest walk technically starts in L'Agulhas, rather than Cape Town, which is the southernmost point on the African continent.

From there you walk up the length of South Africa, and cross into Zimbabwe. At this point you meet your first big danger - the black mamba, or Africa's deadliest snake.

Next the route takes you briefly through Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, and then back into Malawi.

After that you trek all the way through Tanzania to Uganda, which is your next big threat, as one of the malaria capitals of the world - so be sure to have your shot before you embark on this getaway.

And once you are through that, you go straight into South Sudan which, according to the Global Peace Index, is the fourth most dangerous country in the world, as it is embroiled in a civil war.

However, you soon get into Sudan, which is a healthy five ranks higher, and could subject you to temperatures of 47 Celsius as you go through the Sahara.

Your last stop before leaving Africa is Egypt, which you depart by crossing the Suez Canal and heading to Israel and Jordan.

After brief stint through those, you head into the last active warzone on the route - Syria, which has been engulfed in civil war since 2011.

The conflict has been marked by the use of chemical weapons, bombings, and other atrocities.

Given that, anyone doing this walk will be keen to get to Turkey as soon as possible, although the route does not go through anywhere especially notable here before crossing into Georgia.

At this point you will meet the edge of the Black Sea, bringing excellent views from the beaches around Pitsunda.

Then you cross into the final country, although there are still over 10,000 km to go, as this is Russia.

You begin by walking through Sochi, the host city of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

The route sees you go through the width of Siberia which would likely involve encountering temperatures as low as -39C in the harsh Russian winter

Magadan is a port town founded in 1930, and was a major transit centre for political prisoners put to work in the closest gulags in Stalinist Russia

The former airport of Magadan, administrative centre of Russia's Magadan Oblast region

Quickly though, the route leaves the Black Sea and begins its monotonous traipse through the world's largest nation, north of its borders with Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China.

This sees you go right through the width of Siberia, and given the length of the journey, this would likely involve encountering temperatures as low as -39C in the harsh Russian winter.

The final stint of the journey is from Yakutsk to Magadan, along the 'road or bones,' so-called because the gulag labourers who died while building it had their bodies simply mixed in with the rest of the rest of the building material.

Any further than Magadan would be practically impossible to get to on foot, hence, this is the destination of our planet's longest walk.
Earlier this month, a landmark report revealed how children are being exposed to controversial 'anti-racism theories'.

The investigation, by campaign group Don't Divide Us, exposed a book that tells children racism started when 'white people wanted more control'.

Another encourages teachers to tell children 'what white privilege is.'

Don't Divide Us is headed up by respected academic Dr Alka Sehgal Cuthburt and features Dr Tony Sewell, the chair of the Government's Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, on its racially diverse board of advisers.

It was set up to foster what they call on their website 'colourblind anti-racism', the notion that individuals are worthy of respect regardless of race, religion or the colour of their skin.

They argue that current 'anti-racist' activists see group identity before they see individuals, a problem they say risks 'reinforcing prejudice by dividing us into a world of victims and oppressors.'

They shared dozens of examples of resources that many parents would regard as questionable. Below, MailOnline highlights a selection.

'Racism started when white people wanted more control'

In a series of bullet points, the reader is told that racism 'started a long time ago when white people wanted to have more control over other people who were not white'

In one children's book which Don't Divide Us say is used in primary schools, a colourful page features the question 'What is racism?' in a speech bubble at the top, with illustrations of concerned and sad-looking youngsters.

In a series of bullet points in My Skin Your Skin, by MBE holder Laura Henry-Allain, the reader is told that racism 'started a long time ago when white people wanted to have more control over other people who were not white'.

While one of the points appears to use a more universalist approach to the topic, saying that racism is 'treating somebody in a nasty way because of their race', others explicitly single out white people as the progenitors of, and the people responsible for, racism.

'Racism isn't always about calling people names; it is also about the way that things are done to stop people who are not white from being equal,' one of the points says.

Another point reads: 'An example of racism is when white people think they are better than people from other races, and treat those who are, for example, Black, of South Asian heritage or of East and South East Asian heritage, in a nasty way.

A third adds: 'Another example of racism is when an organisation, like a school, only has white people in charge and never anybody who is Black or of South Asian, East or South East Asian heritage and says it's because they couldn't find anybody else who was good enough for the job.'

Don't Divide Us say that the book 'clearly promotes a politically partisan definition of racism', and the content is not appropriate for young children who do not have fully developed cognitive abilities.

Don't Divide Us is headed up by respected academic Dr Alka Sehgal Cuthburt and features Dr Tony Sewell, the chair of the Government's Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, on its racially diverse board of advisers

My Skin Your Skin is by MBE holder Laura Henry-Allain. Ms Henry-Allain was made an MBE in the 2021 New Year's Honours List, for her contribution to education

'It encourages uncritical acceptance of the assertion that Britain is systematically racist,' the group says.

The blurb for Ms Henry-Allain's work claims it is 'a powerful book to help children and adults have meaningful discussions about race and anti-racism.'

It adds: 'Most importantly, the book empowers children to be the best versions of themselves; to have self-love, self-esteem and self-worth, irrespective of their skin colour.'

Ms Henry-Allain was made an MBE in the 2021 New Year's Honours List, for her contribution to education.

She created children's characters JoJo and Gran Gran, who became the focus of a popular CBeebies programme of the same name.

'Teach pupils about what white privilege is': Materials for teachers issued by the Church of England

Don't Divide Us collated a series of materials that were made by various organisations for teachers.

One, from the Church of England's Diocesan Board of Education in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, includes a screenshot of a resource titled 'The Pyramid of White Supremacy'.

The image was issued by the Equality Institute, a US-based organisation that claims to be a 'global feminist agency working to advance gender equality and end violence against women and girls.'

'Read books on how to be anti-racist... Teach pupils about what white privilege is'

The pyramid has the word 'mass murder' at the top of a scale of worsening actions.

On the bottom is the word 'indifference', above a series of excuses allegedly uttered by white people.

They read: '"there are two sides to every story", apolitical beliefs, avoiding confrontation, "politics don't affect me".

The pyramid then moves up to 'minimisation', 'veiled racism', 'discrimination' and 'calls for violence'.

Directly beneath the 'mass murder' pinnacle of the pyramid is a step titled 'violence'.

Beneath 'minimalisation' is 'white saviour complex' and the alleged excuse given by those trying to defend against generalisations, '"not all white people"'.

Beneath 'veiled racism' is a 'Euro-centric curriculum', while misdeeds listed under 'discrimination' include 'anti-immigration policies'.

One, from the Church of England's Diocesan Board of Education in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, includes a screenshot of a resource titled 'The Pyramid of White Supremacy'

Along the side of the pyramid is an arrow leading up from 'normalisation' to 'genocide'.

The wider document, which was issued to Church of England schools in the region, is titled 'Responding to Racism' and gives staff guidance on 'what to teach pupils'.

Among instructions is, 'teach pupils about what white privilege is and how they can become more aware of it.'

It also explicitly tells teachers to use the pyramid image mentioned above to help students 'understand how bias, stereotypes and prejudice can lead to racist words and actions, leading to physical harm and death.'

Don't Divide Us said the guidance showed the church's board of education 'is highly partisan and has a strong activist orientation.'

Nigel Genders, the Church of England's chief education officer, told MailOnline: 'Racism exists in our society, and both children and staff experience racism in schools and communities every day.

'The Church of England is committed to addressing racial injustice and we encourage children in our schools to be courageous advocates for equality and to challenge prejudice without political partiality.

'Our aim is to resource and lead learning experiences for all children which consistently and intentionally celebrate equity, diversity, belonging, inclusion and justice at every opportunity, and to ensure that staff and children can flourish irrespective of ethnicity.'

A spokesperson for the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust said: 'All staff at our schools are committed to creating an inclusive and safe space for our children to learn.

'The resources highlighted in this report were made available to staff for guidance in support of our approach to teaching children about racial equality, which is in line with that of the national Church of England and other Dioceses across the country.

'Children at our schools champion equality and we are proud of the diverse learning environment our Trust fosters.'

Primary school children told 'some White people think most Black men and boys are dangerous'

In one book which DDU say is recommended in a London primary school, and appears in other school reading lists as part of their 'commitments to anti-racism', a fictional white mother explains to her child that their family was responsible for 'bad things' in the past.

The children's book Something Happened in Our Town, by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, makes 'huge assertions about group guilt and oppression', the group says.

One of the characters, Emma, asks: 'Did our family do those bad things a long time ago?' as she is looking through a book of old photographs.

The mother replies, 'Yes', adding: 'Back then many White people thought that they were better than Black people, even though it wasn't true.'

The children's book Something Happened in Our Town, by American author Ann Hazard, makes 'huge assertions about group guilt and oppression', the group says

One of the characters is then quoted as saying: 'Some White people still think most Black men and boys are dangerous, even though they're not.'

Another section of the book shows the mother explaining to her children that a man who was shot by police in their community was 'not dangerous', and shooting him was 'a mistake that is part of a pattern'.

'Like the pattern on my blanket?' the child asks, to which the mother replies: 'Yes. But this pattern is being nice to White people and mean to Black people. It's an unfair pattern.'

The themes are 'wholly unsuitable for children at primary level', Don't Divide Us says.

The themes are 'wholly unsuitable for children at primary level', Don't Divide Us says

A note for parents and carers in the book claims there are 'many benefits' to discussing racial bias and injustice with very young children.

It claims: 'Parents who don't proactively talk about racial issues with their children are inadvertently teaching their children that race is a taboo topic.

'Parents who want to raise children to accept individuals from diverse cultures need to counter negative attitudes that their children develop from exposure to the negative racial stereotypes that persist in our society.'

The book was among those banned in Florida schools under governor Ron De Santis's crackdown on 'woke' literature in classrooms.

One review in online publication The Hill slammed the book for allegedly 'demonizing and encouraging prejudice against the police'.

Something Happened in Our Town is aimed at pre-school children

Parents sent letter and leaflet speaking of 'racial trauma' and the 'Black and Global Majority' children in response to Child Q incident

In 2022, a mother sent Don't Divide Us a letter from Hackney Council which her child's school had sent to all parents, accompanied by a leaflet outlining the council's response to the 'Child Q' incident.

The incident involved the strip search of a black student when she was on her period.

A safeguarding report found that the Met Police search of the 15-year-old girl, referred to as Child Q, was not justified, and said that racism was 'likely to have been an influencing factor.'

In 2022, a mother sent Don't Divide Us a letter from Hackney Council which her child's school had sent to all parents, accompanied by a leaflet outlining the council's response to the 'Child Q' incident

The leaflet, headed 'what the Council has done so far', told parents how it had taken measures including the holding of a 'four-day anti-racism staff conference' to 'understand the impact of racial-trauma' and 'prepare and repair racial-trauma in Black and global majority children and families.'

The letter sent to parents made reference to 'Black and Global Majority children' and said they must be 'consistently better heard, understood, championed and protected.

The Council highlighted that, since 2021, it had adopted a 'formal anti-racist position'.

'It means we don't just confront or call-out racism, but actively fight it,' they added.

The leaflet, headed 'what the Council has done so far', told parents how it had taken measures including the holding of a 'four-day anti-racism staff conference' to 'understand the impact of racial-trauma' and 'prepare and repair racial-trauma in Black and global majority children and families.'

They added the conference would help them to 'chance how we work so it's informed by the lived experiences of our Black and global majority communities.'

Don't Divide Us slammed the letter and leaflet, saying: 'Terms like "racial trauma" and "black and global majority" are from a radical politics that is incompatible with educating children.

'It is also incompatible with good child development because it encourages constant suspicion of others and a victim mindset.'

A Hackney Council spokesman confirmed the letter and leaflet were circulated to parents and carers.

The incident involved the strip search of a black student when she was on her period. Pictured: Protesters outside Hackney Town Hall show their support for Child Q

Exam board wants to 'bring greater diversity' to English Literature GCSE and 'improve the overall balance of ethnicity and gender of writers'

Don't Divide Us also posted a screenshot from the website of AQA, a major British exam board.

The post from September 28, 2022 reveals that three new texts and a poetry collection are being introduced to the English Literature GCSE to 'bring greater diversity to the curriculum' - and the 500,000 some students who take their course.

The texts are Chinonyerem Odimba's Princess & The Hustler, Winsome Pinnock's Leave Taking and Kit de Waal's My Name is Leon.

Don't Divide Us also posted a screenshot from the website of AQA, a major British exam board. The post from September 28, 2022 reveals that three new texts and a poetry collection are being introduced to the English Literature GCSE to 'bring greater diversity to the curriculum' - and the 500,000 some students who take their course

The texts are Chinonyerem Odimba's Princess & The Hustler (left), Winsome Pinnock's Leave Taking (centre) and Kit de Waal's My Name is Leon (right)

Pauline McPartlan, Head of Curriculum for English, said at the time that they were making changes 'because it matters that current and future generations of young people have an opportunity to experience a diverse, balanced, inclusive English Literature curriculum that resonates with their lives and better reflects modern Britain'.

Odimba's Princess & The Hustler is described as a play 'about everyday family life set against the backdrop of the Bristol bus boycott'.

Leave Taking is said to be a 'funny and moving' play inspired by Pinnock's own mother who was part of the Windrush generation.

De Waal's My Name is Leon is a coming-of-age novel about a boy who's 'on a mission to reunite his family'.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, The History Boys by Alan Bennett and the play version of Mark Haddon's novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time were the unfortunate texts to be removed amid the push for a greater 'overall balance of ethnicity and gender'

AQA says that the new texts will 'improve the overall balance of ethnicity and gender of writers'.

It adds that while 'all the current poetry clusters will remain available for study... we recognised that the current choice of texts was not appropriately diverse'.

As the course already had twelve modern set texts, it 'needed to make room for the new ones', meaning that three existing texts which were 'less popular with schools' were removed.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, The History Boys by Alan Bennett and the play version of Mark Haddon's novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time were the unfortunate texts to be removed amid the push for a greater 'overall balance of ethnicity and gender'.
A British couple who escaped the UKs cost-of-living crisis by buying a 110-acre farm in rural Italy to start their own olive oil business have revealed their shock at how hard starting again in a foreign country really is.

Lucie Davidson, 27, and Jerry O'Shea, 29, bought the historic Pitino Agricolo farm, located in the Le Marche region, nearly two years ago for 160,000 (about 136,000) after feeling disappointed by the 'expensive property ladder' in London.

But the pair, who had no prior farming experience, have now revealed they are at a 'make or break moment' after having a disappointing first year in sales.

Ms Davidson and Mr O'Shea said the journey has been a 'steep learning curve' and caused 'unbelievable stress'.

Despite long days and sleepless nights, they have sold just 8,200 in olive oil this year, and say if they don't sell more 'it's hard to see us continuing making oil'.

Jerry O'Shea, 29, (left) and Lucie Davidson, 27, (right) bought their historic Pitino Agricolo farm, located in Italy's Le Marche region, nearly two years ago in a bid to escape Britain's cost-of-living crisis. They started an olive oil business, but say its 'make or break at the moment'

Ms Davidson, from Streatham, south London, (pictured tending to the farm) explained how they will have 'physically hard' days of labour out on the farm, followed by 'mentally hard' evenings where they focus on business and marketing

Mr O'Shea, from Kent, said the biggest 'difficulty' is getting people to taste their product. He said it is going to be 'tough selling the oil and staying afloat'. Mr O'Shea is pictured selling Pitino Agricolo olive oil at the Venn Street Market in Clapham earlier this month

Ms Davidson, from Streatham, south London, and Mr O'Shea, from Kent, met while pursuing their politics PhDs at University of Cambridge. The pair decided to leave the capital after soaring property prices left them with the prospect of spending nearly half a million pounds to live in a box.'

They were searching for flats in the trendy Brixton, Bermondsey and Camberwell neighbourhoods, but quickly learned the cost-of-living crisis had left them with options that were less than desirable.

UK couple quit the capital to buy 110-acre farm with no power or water: READ MORE Advertisement

They decided to escape London after discovering a healthy budget of 450,000 left them with little viable options, instead deciding to purchase the Pitino Agricolo farm outright in May 2021.

The couple used their savings and a loan from Mr O'Shea's parents, after negotiating and getting 40,000 knocked off the asking price of 200,000 (about 170,000).

Mr O'Shea and Ms Davidson permanently moved to Italy in January last year and dove straight into their farming venture - but it hasn't been with out trials and tribulations.

They first learned how to tend to the existing 80 olive trees and then then taught themselves how to make olive oil by reading academic papers, watching YouTube videos and asking neighbours for help.

Now the couple have planted around 2,000 new trees and started selling their extra virgin olive oil both online and at shoppers and markets in the UK.

Mr O'Shea, who earlier this month was selling their oil at Venn Street Market in Clapham, told MailOnline the biggest 'difficulty' is getting people to taste their product.

But despite their troubles, the couple have insisted they 'couldn't wish to do anything else'.

'Ninety per cent of people at the market who came to try it would buy it, but it's difficult getting people in the UK to try it and buy it,' he explained, adding that there is 'loads of cheap olive oil' in Britain, but not a lot of 'good quality, early harvest' oil like the kind they produce.

The couple explained that the Le Marche region of Italy has the most recognised autochthonous olive cultivars of any region in the world, but noted that much of the oil farmed there stays in the country.

Mr O'Shea said he wants to 'carry on making what I think is the best oil in the world' but claims they are under 'unbelievable stress because we have so much oil that we have to sell'. The couple's oil is pictured above

The couple have planted around 2,000 new trees and started selling their extra virgin olive oil both online and at shoppes and markets in the UK. They raised money to plant using a crowdfunder that got 9,000 in donations. Pictured: An olive tree on the Pitino Agricolo farm

Mr O'Shea (pictured tending to the olive trees) said: 'We thought people in the UK were learning to love and appreciate olive oil and thought there was space in the market - which there is - but we didn't properly think through that we don't have time to run a farm and sell in the UK. This year is a test of whether we could sell in the UK or just locally in Italy'

Their food market research indicated there is 'quite a buzz around independent food market and quality produce' in the UK, so the pair thought it was the 'right time' to enter Britain's olive oil market.

'I want to carry on making what I think is the best oil in the world,' Mr O'Shea said. 'But the early years are the tough ones. It's going to be tough selling the oil and staying afloat.

'It is optimistic because people love the oil and deals are coming, but it is an unbelievable stress because we have so much oil that we have to sell. It is make or break at the moment. If we don't sell the oil this year, it's hard to see us continuing making oil.'

Ms Davidson, who is still in the process of pursuing her PhD, added that the couple are also trying to navigate running a farm, oil business and the online tutoring business they launched during covid lockdowns which helps pay the bills.

'The work never stops,' she said, explaining how they will have 'physically hard' days of labour out on the farm, followed by 'mentally hard' evenings where they focus on business and marketing.

'It's so hard and you really have to teach yourself,' Ms Davidson said of the business. 'It's just a steep learning curve bringing a new project to market in an already saturated market. But the lows are also the biggest highs.'

Mr O'Shea, who completed his PhD last November, added: 'We thought people in the UK were learning to love and appreciate olive oil and thought there was space in the market - which there is - but we didn't properly think through that we don't have time to run a farm and sell in the UK.

'This year is a test of whether we could sell in the UK or just locally in Italy.'

The couple also noted that the low cost-of-living in Le Marche is a big reason that they are able to push on with their farming venture. Their Pitino Agricolo farm is pictured above

Ms Davidson added that the couple built a 'godsend' greenhouse which has allowed them to be relatively 'self-sufficient for food'. They grow a lot of their own vegetables and have a chicken coup where they collect fresh eggs. Their greenhouse and crops are pictured

Mr O'Shea is pictured with the olive harvest

Mr O'Shea and Ms Davidson are selling their olive oil in the UK. Their product is pictured on the shelf at Panzer's Deli in London

The couple also noted that the low cost-of-living in Le Marche is a big reason they are able to push on with their farming venture.

'We are so lucky rent is cheap here, which makes this possible, and the cost of living here is so much lower,' Mr O'Shea said. 'If we didn't have a cheap cost-of-living and the business we would be under water.'

Ms Davidson added that the couple built a 'godsend' greenhouse which has allowed them to be relatively 'self-sufficient for food'. They grow a lot of their own vegetables and have a chicken coup where they collect fresh eggs.

Despite the saturation of the olive oil market and the harvesting struggles plaguing the industry, Ms Davidson and Mr O'Shea are optimistic about expanding their business in the near future.

Leading oil brands saw prices surge by more than 23 per cent in the last year and bosses declared that the industry was 'in crisis'. Pictured: Pitino Agricolo farm

Despite the saturation of the olive oil market and the harvesting struggles plaguing the industry, Ms Davidson and Mr O'Shea are optimistic about expanding their business in the near future. Their extra virgin olive oil is pictured above

The couple want to renovate the dilapidated farmhouse on the property and rent it out on AirBnB as a luxury farm stay. None of the homes on the property are currently in liveable condition. Pictured: A dilapidated structure on Pitino Agricolo farm

'We have put our heart and soul into this product,' Ms Davidson said. 'We are putting region on the map that isn't well known - everyone knows champagne region in France but we want people to know the Le Marche region in Italy.

'We couldn't wish to do anything else. We are our own bosses and the business is so important in sustaining that way of life.'

They want to create wine and other farm-to-table speciality products, such as truffles. They have launched another crowdfunder to plant oak trees which would allow them to grow and sell truffles.

'The valley is good for truffles which makes more sense economically,' Ms Davidson said, noting that they hope to send truffles to their donors in five to six years. 'We are also doing wine, but it's not ready yet. Hopefully it'll be ready in the next few years.'

The couple's other goal is to renovate the dilapidated farmhouse on the property and rent it out on AirBnB as a luxury farm stay. None of the homes on the property are currently in liveable condition.

Ms Davidson says building plans are in the works, but 'things are a bit slow'. They are hoping to start building next year so they can push on with the hospitality side of their business and start hosting guests.

Ms Davidson says building plans are in the works, but 'things are a bit slow'. They are hoping to start building next year so they can push on with the hospitality side of their business and start hosting guests. The couple are pictured together on their farm

They are also trying to restore an old lake bed which will be 'really important' to their environmental initiatives and sustainability. They want to utilise the bed to water olives and truffles, as well as 'bring the history of the farm back to life'. Mr O'Shea is pictured tending to the farm

They are also trying to restore an old lake bed which will be 'really important' to their environmental initiatives and sustainability. They want to utilise the bed to water olives and truffles, as well as 'bring the history of the farm back to life'.

Last year, the pair sold about 6,000 worth of oil, but noted they were able to plant a lot of new trees through a 'successful' crowdfunder that raised about 9,000.

They have already exceeded last year's sales after having sold about five per cent of their oil to Panzer's Deli, which has multiple shoppes in London, for about 4,000.

They also made about 1,200 selling at Venn Street Market and did 3,000 by selling directly to customers on their website.

The couple added that the also gave a bottle of olive oil from their harvest to those who donated to their crowdfunder and intend to do so again next year.
Getting on a long flight can be an uncomfortable experience at the best of times - but it's made all the worse if your stomach is growling.

Fortunately, flight attendants have come up with a handy set of travel hacks - and the foods jetsetters to avoid at all costs.

While wolfing down chocolates and crisps might be tempting, cabin crew members have recommended healthier snacks instead.

According to The Washington Post, several air crew staff recommend eating foods that are low in salt - which they say will help keep energy levels up and reduce post-flight puffiness.

As well as low sodium food, cabin crew members also recommend holidaymakers pack food like carrot or celery sticks as well as protein bars and dried fruits.

High protein food is a popular choice with flight attendants - but junk food and breaded rolls are bottom of the pile

Healthy foods like carrot and celery sticks are also recommended by cabin crew staff

And nuts were also big on their list of things to take - although they suggested avoiding peanuts as some passengers could be allergic to them.

Michael Rice, who is a cabin crew member for a budget airline, recommended eating bananas.

He added: 'When you are first starting out, you may pack, like, six bananas. By the time you land, they're all brown or black.'

Instead of overpacking bananas, he suggested bringing just one or two onboard the plane.

Another flight attendant recommended foods like hard-boiled eggs and fish fillets - although so-called smelly foods could cause some controversy.

Meanwhile, one former flight attendant on TikTok shared her top tips for curbing the cravings during a long-haul voyage.

Kat Kamalani, who was an air stewardess for six years, put together a list of all the foods she takes on lengthy trips.

In her video, Kat said: 'Whether I'm travelling for business, my family, vacation, or work, this is what I bring every time.'

Kat Kamalani was a former flight attendant for six years. In a video on TikTok, she gave her 'travel hacks' for eating well on long-haul journeys

Giving some extra 'travel hacks', Kat explained she puts her food inside an insulated bag and places an ice pack on top of her items to keep the cool.

And she says she always brings a water bottle to 'stay hydrated'. Kat added: 'First up, I always make sure I bring veggies and a piece of fruit.

'Next, I always have to have something that curbs my sweet tooth when travelling. I love these SkinnyDipped travel packs, and I love that they're full of clean ingredients.'

Much like Michael, Kat's snacks were protein based to help keep her energy levels up - she even comes up with her own homemade recipes.

'I love to travel with protein items like these protein balls,' she said. 'I also never leave the house without my protein waffles, because they're so fulfilling and nourishing.'

Other plane food experts have suggesting avoiding eating pasta on planes as it 'doesn't reheat well', while bread rolls and sandwiches can be carb heavy and make jet lag worse, they say.
He is portrayed in Christopher Nolan's new film by Cillian Murphy

Test weapon was detonated in New Mexico as the scientist watched on

They were words which have become almost as famous as the act which they were uttered in reaction to.

'I am become death, destroyer of worlds,' said Robert J Oppenheimer, quoting from the Hindu scriptures as the sky lit up with a blaze of colour.

The chief of the Manhattan Project, who is depicted by Cillian Murphy in a hit new film that has wowed critics, spoke in the seconds after the world's first atomic bomb was detonated in New Mexico in July 1945.

Less than a month later, the pioneering, devastating technology was used on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, acts which ended the Second World War but took as many as 170,000 lives in the process.

Oppenheimer, who had come a long way from troubled younger days which saw him try to kill his own lecturer with a poisoned apple, felt soon afterwards that he had 'blood on my hands'.

And he would ultimately suffer a devastating career downfall when he was wrongly claimed to have been a Communist sympathiser who passed secrets to the Soviet Union.

Robert J Oppenheimer, who is depicted by Cillian Murphy in Christopher Nolan's new film, was the man who led the project that developed the atomic bomb. Above: At the test ground for the atomic bomb near Almagordo, New Mexico; Murphy as the scientist

The world's first atomic bomb (above) was detonated in New Mexico in July 1945. In the second afterwards, Oppenheimer said: 'I am become death, destroyer of worlds,' as he quoted from the Hindu scriptures

A photograph of Hiroshima shortly after the bomb, Little Boy, was dropped on August 6, 1945

The path to the development of the atom bomb began in 1904, when Frederick Soddy, a physicist at Cambridge University, theorised that if the energy within an atom could be released it would be a weapon by which 'we could destroy the earth.'

The idea was initially dismissed as fanciful but, when the atom was split by scientist Ernest Rutherford in 1917, research continued at pace.

Much of it initially took place in Germany, but when Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, he wrecked his country's hopes by expelling the top Jewish scientists who had been working on the project.

Many of them moved with their knowledge to the United States, where, under strict security and secrecy, thousands of scientists and workers continued the research as part of the Manhattan Project.

Its chief, Oppenheimer, was the son of a German Jewish businessman and his wife Ella, who was a painter.

The genius's childhood had been defined by his family's wealth.

They had a summer house on Long Island, where Oppenheimer learned to sail, and had paintings by Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh hanging on the walls of their main home in New York.

Despite his supreme intelligence, Oppenheimer was unpopular among his peers, thanks in large part to his unsettling behaviour.

When studying for a postgraduate degree at Cambridge, he poisoned an apple with chemicals and left it on the desk of his tutor after falling out with him.

Fortunately, his tutor didn't eat it.

Oppenheimer also forced himself on a woman on a train before falling to the ground in tears.

Another occasion saw him attempt to garotte his friend Francis Fergusson with a trunk strap after he told him he had gotten engaged.

Rave reviews: Oppenheimer features an all-star cast and is led by Cillian Murphy

All-star cast: Matt Damon, who portrays military chief Leslie Groves, is also among those cast in the film

But, in the world of academia, Oppenheimer's intellect was second to none.

Amid the dizzying breakthroughs in quantum physics that were coming thick and fast in the 1920s, Oppenheimer shone by publishing 16 papers in three years.

After securing a teaching job at the University of California, Oppenheimer met psychiatrist Jean Tatlock, who was a keen member of the Communist Party.

As their romance blossomed, Oppenheimer absorbed her hard-Left politics, a fact which prompted the FBI to open a file on him in 1941.

However, they would never prove that he had joined the party.

By the autumn of 1941, Oppenheimer was taking part in secret meetings to discuss how the US might become the first country to develop the atomic bomb.

Despite the misgivings about his politics, Oppenheimer was selected to lead the top secret laboratory, which became the nerve centre of the Manhatten Project.

The chosen site was ultimately one spotted by Oppenheimer during horse riding trips in his childhood: an isolated boys' boarding school in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Once in charge though, Oppenheimer made a crucial slip-up that would ultimately cost him his career.

Having been approached by an old associate to pass nuclear secrets to the Soviet Union, Oppenheimer rightly turned the invitation down.

But, rather than reporting the approach to the authorities, he kept it quiet.

He then compounded his mistake by continuing his relationship with Tatlock despite the fact he was now married with two children.

The FBI had been tapping his phone and reading his mail, meaning they knew he was cavorting with a Communist.

With the bomb race continuing, the US received a huge boost when it became clear the Nazis were nowhere close.

After Hitler's death by suicide at the end of April in 1945, the focus shifted to Japan, who initially refused to surrender.

With help from British scientists sent by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the first bomb detonation took place at 5.29am on July 16, 1945, at the Trinity Nuclear Test site in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Oppenheimer and Major General Leslie Groves view the base of the steel tower which held the nuclear bomb when it was detonated

This aerial view of the atomic bomb testing site near Alamogordo, N.M., shows the shallow crater dug by the blast 300 feet around the tower from which the bomb hung. The sand in an area 2,400 feet around the tower was seared into jade green glasslike cinders. The area devastated by the bomb measures 4,800 feet in diameter, and the steel tower was entirely disintegrated

Aerial view of the first atomic bomb's dark crater surrounded by a lighter splash created when the explosion's heat melted the sand to glass

This photo taken at four seconds after the test bomb's detonation at 5:29:45 a.m. shows the tremendous fireball erupting in the early morning sky, proving the Manhattan Project a success

The bomb had been placed at the top of a metal tower, which was obliterated by the blast, which generated a light so bright and a ball of fire, air and dust so distinctive that observer 20 miles away said it looked like a strawberry.

The mushroom metaphor that is so well-known today would come later.

One scientist who was watching later recalled: 'The massive bang sounded to a military observer like Doomsday.

'It made us feel that we puny things were blasphemous to dare tamper with forces hitherto reserved to the Almighty.'

The power of the blast was put at 18.6 kilotons, a force that was equivalent to all the bombs dropped by the Germans on Britain in the Blitz.

With that having been an astonishing success, attention turned to the planned attacks on Japan the following month.

The weapon planned for the bombing of Hiroshima, Little Boy, was ten feet long, just over two feet wide and resembled a dustbin with fans tacked on to it.

Scrawled on its side was a message for Japan's ruler: 'Greetings to the Emperor.'

When dropped by the crew of the B-29 bomber Enola Gay on August 6, it caused the deaths of up to 130,000 Japanese men, women and children.

The damage wrought on the city and its inhabitants was devastating. Survivors remembered the sensation of being thrown into the air as buildings fell around them and bodies littered their surroundings.

Despite the misgivings about his politics, Oppenheimer was selected to lead the top secret laboratory, which became the nerve centre of the Manhatten Project

The devastating attack on the Hiroshima in August 1945 caused the deaths of up to 130,000 Japanese men, women and children. Above: An Allied correspondent looks at the ruins of a cinema in Hiroshima in the aftermath of the bomb's detonation

The bomb used on Hiroshima, named Little Boy, was dropped by the crew (pictured) of the B-29 bomber named Enola Gay and was the first atomic weapon used in warfare

All that remained of people unlucky enough to have been caught in the initial blast were little piles of charcoal.

The firestorm that followed engulfed many of the buildings that had not been destroyed first off, all the while taking more victims.

That night, Oppenheimer was initially jubilant but his team's mood quickly shifted as the horror of what their research had led to sunk in.

That feeling of revulsion had been felt too by Captain Robert A Lewis, Enola Gay's co-pilot.

Last year, an account of the mission written in a log book by the Captain Robert A Lewis, Enola Gay's co-pilot, sold for more than $500,000.

He described in his log book, which sold last year for more than $500,000, the scene after the bomb was dropped as the 'greatest explosion ever witnessed', before adding: 'Just how many did we kill?

'I honestly have the feeling of groping for words to explain this or I might say My God what have we done.

'If I live a hundred years I'll never quite get those few minutes out of my mind.'

Three days after the levelling of Hiroshima, the US dropped a second atomic weapon - Fat Man - on the city of Nagasaki.

Enola Gay is seen landing after its infamous mission to drop a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima in August 1945

The bomb was detonated at an altitude of 1,750 feet and destroyed an area of approximately 4.7 square miles. Above: The aftermath of the attack

It was an act that took at least 40,000 more lives and forced the Japanese to finally surrender.

Oppenheimer left Los Alamos in early October 1945 feeling an intense sense of guilt. Meeting President Harry Truman in the Oval Office, he told him: 'I feel I have blood on my hands.'

Truman responded nonchalantly, saying: 'Never mind. It'll come out in the wash.'

He later told his aides that Oppenheimer 'a cry-baby scientist', adding: 'I don't ever want to see that son of a bitch in this office ever again.'

It was after that meeting that Oppenheimer's crucial mistakes came back to haunt him.

Officials in Washington who were left angered by his refusal to support a new project for a hydrogen bomb - which would be far more deadly than the bombs dropped in 1945 - came to believe he had been a Soviet spy.

In 1954 he was declared a security risk and stripped of his official clearance, after people including old colleagues turned out against him.

Fellow physicist Edward Teller, who fell out with Oppenheimer over the hydrogen bomb, told the Atomic Energy Commission's hearing that his colleague's clearance should be revoked so America's security could be in more 'trustworthy hands'.

Oppenheimer died 13 years later aged 62 from cancer, with his downfall having left him a broken man.

The 'mushroom' cloud that rose into the air after the detonation of the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima is seen above

It was later estimated that 70 per cent of Hiroshima's buildings were destroyed. At least 70,000 people were killed in the immediate moments after the bomb exploded, with more deaths coming later

In December last year, Joe Biden's administration formally reversed the 1954 decision, an act which finally exonerated Oppenheimer.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a written order that the since-dissolved Atomic Energy Committee had acted out of political motives

'The Oppenheimer matter concerned a man who, not long before, had played an indispensable and singular role in the war effort, a man whose loyalty and love of country were never seriously questioned,' Ms Granholm said.

'More troubling, historical evidence suggests that the decision to review Dr. Oppenheimers clearance had less to do with a bona fide concern for the security of restricted data and more to do with a desire on the part of the political leadership of the AEC to discredit Dr. Oppenheimer in public debates over nuclear weapons policy.

Oppenheimer is rightly credited with helping to bring about the end of the most devastating conflict in history.

But equally he was the man who ultimately triggered the age of nuclear warfare, with all conflicts since - including the ongoing war in Ukraine - carrying the terrifying threat of someone bringing about the unthinkable once again.

Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, which will be released in the UK on July 21, has received rave reviews from critics.

When the Japanese authorities gave no indication that they were going to surrender, the US dropped the second bomb on Nagasaki. The device was carried by the B-29 bomber named Bockscar. The detonation - on August 9 - was the second and, so far, last nuclear attack in history. Above: The aftermath of the Nagasaki attack

The mushroom cloud generated by the bombing of Nagasaki, on August 9, 1945

It also stars Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Junior 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.'

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.

Oppenheimer is rightly credited with helping to bring about the end of the most devastating conflict in history

'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.

'It's 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.
Escape to the Chateau stars Dick and Angel Strawbridge are looking to build on their TV success by launching a new book - but face competition in the sales charts from their own flesh and blood.

The former Channel 4 stalwarts will publish The Chateau: Forever Home, their third release, later this autumn.

Yet their quest for domination in that field will see them having to go head-to-head with Dick's lookalike son, James, who released Salt and the Art of Seasoning just a few weeks ago.

The chef has long been reminded of his likeness to his father and has fronted a BBC programme of his own - Strawbridge Over The Drawbridge - where he visits stately homes to cook up a storm for the Lords and Ladies of each manor.

James spoke of their relationship in an interview with Hello! magazine last year, in which he joked that he had 'a better-groomed moustache and beard'.

Escape to the Chateau stars Dick and Angel Strawbridge (pictured together) are looking to build on their TV success by launching a new book

However, the couple face competition in the sales charts from their own flesh and blood, Dick's son, James (pictured together)

The former Channel 4 stalwarts will publish The Chateau: Forever Home (left), their third release, later this autumn, but their quest for domination will see them having to go head-to-head with Dick's lookalike son, James, who released Salt and the Art of Seasoning (right) just a few weeks ago

He added: 'In terms of the way I cook, I always used to rebel against him and say that I'm going to do more fine dining techniques and then he'd just do a real rustic slow-cooked family one pot meal and people would always gravitate towards that.

'I wouldn't tell him this, but I have learned some of his cooking tricks now and they do work.'

James made a guest appearance on Escape... last year and also previously featured with his father and mother Brigit Weiner in the BBC series It's Not Easy Being Green in 2006, which followed their family's attempt to live as green a life as possible.

Dick and Angel shot to fame after buying a run-down 45-room chateau in France's Martigne-sur-Mayenne for just 280,000 in 2015 and transforming it into a stunning wedding venue, since valued at 2m.

Their renovation journey was charted over nine series of the Channel 4 show between 2016 and 2022, publishing 'A Year at the Chateau' and 'Living the Chateau Dream' in between.

Now they have completed their third book, The Chateau: Forever Home, in which they recount the challenges of keeping their dream life alive throughout Covid.

It touches on everything from the cancellation of the wedding season, to living in an isolated bubble whilst continuing to film their TV series, to being separated from family back in the UK, and finally life after the pandemic.

Meanwhile James has published a string of recipe guides in recent years, including The Artisan Kitchen and The Complete Vegetable Cookbook.

Dick gives his son James a kiss during an appearance on Escape to the Chateau in 2019

James won a legion of fans of his own as viewers pointed out similarities between him and his father, Dick

James spoke of their relationship in an interview with Hello! magazine last year, in which he joked that he had 'a better-groomed moustache and beard'

He also worked with his father on the Made at Home series of cook books, which looks at eggs and poultry, preserves, vegetables and curing and smoking.

His latest release, Sat and the Art of Seasoning, profiles different salts from around the world and interrogates useful techniques - such as brining, curing, charring and preserving, to help cooks bring out a world of hidden flavours.

Perhaps recognising the competition from James, Dick and Angel are trying to entice customers by offering 20% off their books and DVDs until July 25.

As well as competing in the book market, the couple are embarking on a new UK-wide tour, which will see their young children Arthur and Dorothy join them as they tread the boards across the country next year.

In a Facebook post announcing the 33-date blitz, the pair said each theatre show will have a 'click-bait segment' that will allow them to 'set the record straight!'
Llanelli is a quiet, unassuming town in Wales that found itself in the eye of a storm last week.

The Stradey Park sparked local fury when it sacked its entire workforce so it could house more than 240 migrants under a deal struck with the Home Office to tackle the crisis in the Channel.

With sweeping views over Carmarthen Bay, the asylum seekers would be able to enjoy all the amenities you'd expect from a four star hotel - including wide, spacious rooms and beautiful grounds to walk in.

It's a far cry from the the grim hostel just two miles away where 19 homeless locals have been bedding down. Inside the cheap and decidedly uncheerful Vista Hotel, the area's homeless claim they're forced to sleep on bloodstained bed mattresses, and having just very basic facilities - including a small chest-sized fridge and single microwave they're all forced to share.

The issue has paralysed the town and led to days of protests outside the luxury spa which only ended on Wednesday when Carmarthenshire Council issued a temporary stop notice on work to transform the spa into a migrant site.

Speaking to MailOnline, a homeless man named John, 31, laid bare the shocking disparity between his living arrangements and the migrants revealing that he was sleeping on 'bloodstained mattresses' while the Home Office ordered new beds for the foreign arrivals.

Before becoming homeless in January, John worked in retail, security and local factories and admitted that his new digs were a far cry from what he was used to.

He said: 'The only four stars at this place are what you can see through your bedroom window at night.'

At the Vista Hotel 'guests' say they are sleeping on mattresses stained with blood, urine and even excrement. John, an educated and articulate man born in the former steel town, said: 'We also have to put up with bed bugs and fleas - you don't get them at the Stradey Park. It's appalling that homeless people are treated like dirt while asylum seekers get four-star treatment.

241 asylum seekers are due to move into the four-star Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli

The luxury four star hotel has a host of amenities to make their stay as comfortable as possible

Meanwhile 19 homeless men and women are living in conditions they descrfibe as 'squalid' in the Vista hotel

'I know the Stradey Park Hotel well, I went there for my cousin's wedding reception - it's a smart place.

'I appreciate asylum seekers come here to escape war and injustice in their own countries, but when it's to the detriment of British citizens it's wrong.

'We wouldn't get that sort of treatment if we turned up on their doorstep.'

John fears some of the 95 workers sacked from their jobs at the 76-room plush hotel could join him on the Homeless Register.

Residents of the Vista have their rooms paid for out of their housing benefits while trying to get back on their feet after bad luck or bad decisions left them homeless.

Mark Lloyd, 29, said: 'Staying at the Vista is better than being out on the street - but only just.

'Illegal immigrants is a touchy subject and I have sympathy with them if they come here to work and not sponge off the country.

'But 95 people working at the hotel have lost their jobs in the last few weeks - it's not easy for anyone to find work.'

Mr Lloyd said he was a regular taxpayer while working in kitchens and on building sites. He had an interview with British Steel at Trostre, Llanelli, earlier this week and is desperate to find work and move back into rented accommodation.

The Stradey hotel is an amazing facility which has its own in house spa complex as well as acres of rolling grounds

Prior to being commandeered by the government the Stradey hotel was used as a luxurious event space

John and Mark who are both homeless and living at Vista Hotel in Llanelli

Residents inside the hotel claim they are living rough sleeping on 'bloodstained mattresses'

As part of a council scheme, all residents of the hotel pay for their stay through their homeless benefits

He said: 'I've never been to the Stradey Park Hotel but I've seen pictures and it looks amazing.

'It's an important location in Llanelli but they are giving it away. It's very sad.'

Another homeless man who didn't want to be named said: 'Asylum seekers are being treated to top hotels, not just here but all over the country.

'People who are genuinely homeless like me end up on the streets or in a doss house. I've had my problems but I have to sort them out myself - I get nothing on a plate.'

In the past the Stradey Park Hotel has hosted top celebrities and the world's great rugby teams including the New Zealand All Blacks have stayed there.

Until it was earmarked for asylum seekers, a night at the hotel could cost upwards of 200.

But a message on Booking.com says no rooms are currently available.

Meanwhile before the Vista was closed in 2019, TripAdvisor reviews were far less than favorable - with guests describing the site as 'filthy and disgusting.' It has since changed ownership and is under new management.

Meanwhile residents at the Stradey can expect to have their entire luxury stay free of charge

MailOnline approached Carmathenshire Council and Stradey Park Hotel for further clarification.

Cllr. Ann Davies, Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Rural Affairs for Carmarthenshire County Council said: 'Carmarthenshire County Council has issued a temporary stop notice to the owners of the Stradey Park Hotel under section 171E of the Town and Country Planning Act 1980.

'The notice relates to the removal of part of a hedge bank bounding the Stradey Park Hotel, along its boundary with Pentre-poeth Road, Furnace. The gap created is being used as an access point and leads directly onto the carriageway of a classified road at a point where there are no pedestrian facilities.

'The access is therefore considered to be detrimental to pedestrian and highway safety. The notice takes effect immediately and requires the cessation of access by pedestrians.'
His mother revealed he was in quad bike accident and forced to pay 3,000 euros

Bouncers beating British teenagers to a pulp, dealers pushing drugs onto youngsters, rip-off medical bills and kidnappings to settle quad bike repair bills.

Sound like a holiday from hell?

Well, this is the reality for young British tourists travelling to the Greek party island of Zakynthos - a popular destination for teenagers who want a cheap holiday with friends.

A mother whose 19-year-old son saw bouncers wearing knuckle duster gloves beating up British teenagers 'all day, every day' before he got into a quad bike accident and was forced to pay 2,500 euros (2,140) by thugs, is now warning other parents whose children are going to Zante of the dangers on the island.

Emma, not her real name, told MailOnline: 'I wouldn't go there. There's too much crime and the problem is, the crime isn't exposed or prosecuted. I didn't realise how bad it was over there, my son had a horrific holiday.'

Her son, who wants to remain anonymous for fear over his safety, described how he witnessed bouncers targeting British teenagers in Laganas and 'beating the s*** out of them'.

Charlie, not his real name, said he was on week-long holiday to Zante with ten friends last week and he saw bouncers beat up five teenagers along the strip in Laganas.

It comes after footage emerged of another British teenager, James Taylor, 18, being held in a headlock by four bouncers in the CherryBay nightclub in Laganas on July 4 before they took it in turns to punch, kick and elbow him in the face and body.

Distressing footage shows three bouncers holding James Taylor, 18, in a headlock while a fourth pummels him with a series of devastating punches

A mother whose 19-year-old son saw bouncers wearing knuckle duster gloves beating up British teenagers 'all day, every day' before he got into a quad bike accident and was forced to pay 2,500 euros by thugs, is now warning other parents whose children are going to Zante of the dangers on the island. Pictured: Tourists in a nightclub in Laganas, Zakynthos (file image)

Pictured: Map showing Laganas on the Greek island of Zakynthos

Charlie said this isn't rare at CherryBay club and bouncers would beat up British teenagers aged around 18 or 19 years old twice a night.

'It's not just one punch,' Charlie told MailOnline. 'They're beating the s*** out of them. The bouncers are wearing knuckle duster gloves, they're punching, kneeing and kicking them.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE - British teen beaten by bouncers at Greek nightclub reveals injuries and the truth about how brutal assault broke out Advertisement

'And even if they are on the floor, they're still going to kick them. It's really bad, it makes me scared of them.'

Charlie said his instinct told him he needed to jump and help the teenager, but he makes the point that it's not just one bouncer attacking them.

'When one bouncer starts punching one of these kids, another four bouncers come out of nowhere and begin

'One bouncer would start punching the British tourist and then four would come out of nowhere and begin kicking and kneeing them. This isn't just a few punches, this is a beating. And if you get involved, you will get beaten the s*** out of as well.'

Charlie said his friend filmed one British teenager getting beaten up by bouncers at CherryBay one night but they were threatened and forced to delete the video.

'One of my friend was recording a bouncer attacking a tourist on his phone and the bouncers came up to us and they threatened to beat us up if we didn't delete the video,' Charlie said. 'They all try to keep it quiet.'

Charlie said it was obvious that the bouncers, who are mostly Serbian or Albanian, were 'targeting' British tourists.

'It's known for a fact out there that bouncers don't like English people, they hate us. I think they enjoy beating them up. You watch them doing it and they are loving it. They all laugh about it afterwards, they just don't care,' he said.

Charlie's mother added: 'It's unacceptable, violent behaviour. It wasn't a safe environment for them and you feel so helpless when there's nothing you can do.'

Emma also pointed to how drug abuse is rampant in Zakynthos and said drug dealers would walk along the strip and 'push teenagers to take drugs'.

Emma said: 'They were offered drugs every day, they tried to push them on them. It's available in all the bars and clubs and then they are followed.'

Charlie's holiday hell didn't end there.

The 19-year-old was in a quadbike accident on 8 July with his friend while out in Laganas. They both suffered broken arms were rushed to hospital where Charlie underwent a CT scan before being released from hospital.

But when Charlie and his friend walked out of the hospital doors, they were met by 'two big Eastern European men' who bundled them into a car and forced them to withdraw 2,500 euros from a cash point to pay for the quad bike damage.

'They threatened us and said if we didn't go with them and pay the money, they'd call the police and get us arrested,' Charlie said.

'We were scared and concussed after the accident and they were threatening us so we did get in the car with them. They took us to this garage and told us we had to pay them 2,495 euros for the damage.

Charlie's holiday hell didn't end there. The 19-year-old was in a quadbike accident on 8 July with his friend while out in Laganas. They both suffered broken arms were rushed to hospital where Charlie underwent a CT scan before being released from hospital (file image)

'We were in the middle of nowhere, we didn't know where we were, it was nowhere near the strip,' Charlie said.

'My friend and I were pretty much s****ing ourselves and thought we had no choice but to pay it. So they took us back to these offices and we paid them 2,495 euros.'

He added: Because I was concussed at the time, I was more confused and dazed than anything else. It just got to the point where I wanted to go home, I didn't want to be there anymore.'

Emma said: 'I suspect the quad bikes aren't road worthy. It's not safe, all the truth about the dangers are hidden. They just don't care.

'I felt awful when I was told about what happened on the holiday. And it was out of my control. They're not here. You feel so hopeless that there's nothing that you can do.'

When asked whether he would go back to Zante on holiday, Charlie said: 'No, I would never go back to Zante because of this experience. The bad outweighs the good. It was horrible because of all the bad stuff that happened.'

Charlie said it was 'scary' to witness bouncers beating up so many British tourists - and that it's not a rare occurrence.

Indeed, this week, footage emerged of James Taylor, 18, being savagely beaten up by four bouncers at CherryBay nightclub.

James, from Middlesbrough, told MailOnline he suffered two black eyes, a swollen jaw, bumps on his head, a bust lip and a cut on his knee following the attack and shared photographs of his injuries.

James, from Middlesbrough, told MailOnline he suffered two black eyes, a swollen jaw, bumps on his head, a bust lip and a cut on his knee following the savage attack and shared photographs of his horrific injuries

James Taylor (second from the left) is pictured with his friends at the CherryBay nightclub in Zante on the night he was attacked

Michelle (pictured with James) says she hasn't watched the video of her son being attacked because it would be 'too traumatising'

The teenager revealed that the attack happened simply because he had stood on a chair to take a selfie with his friends before dancing there for ten seconds. A bouncer had tried to grab James's arm to pull him down from the chair, but when James pulled back, the club employee disappeared.

'The bouncer came back ten seconds later with the rest of the bouncers who were in the video and they took me outside and started beating me up,' James said. 'That's all it took, something as little as standing on a chair.'

The revelation comes as his 'devastated' mother Michelle Taylor, 55, warned other parents whose children are going to Zante - a popular destination with young Brits - that what happened to James could happen to them.

'I want to get this message out there that this is unacceptable and this is happening to our children,' Michelle told MailOnline. 'I'm a mother and every mother will feel this if this happens to their son when they go on holiday to Zante.

'You shouldn't have to worry about whether they could get beaten up by bouncers.'
A 63-year-old man has been identified as the first death caused by the state's recent spate of massive floods after he hit his head and became trapped underwater while pumping out of his basement.

Stephen Davoll, 63, died Wednesday 'as a result of a drowning accident in his home' in Barre, a city of about 8,500 people in central Vermont, said Vermont Emergency Management spokesman Mark Bosma.

Davoll's wife, Beverly Frost said that she and Davoll were vacationing in New York State when they heard about the flooding and came back to try and rescue their home.

When they arrived at 3:30 in the morning, they found their basement flooded, according to Yahoo News.

Davoll began to try and pump the water out and at one point, Frost went to sleep.

Stephen Davoll (pictured right), 63, has been identified as the first death caused by the state's recent spate of massive floods after he hit his head and became trapped underwater while pumping out of his basement

But when she woke up, she couldn't find him until she walked down to the basement and saw him face down in the water.

'I couldn't pull him out,' she said. 'It was horrific.'

A medical examiner told Frost that it's likely her husband hit his head in a 'freak accident.'

'Everyone loved him,' Frost added.

'The loss of a Vermonter is always painful, but it is particularly so this week,' Vermont U.S. Sen. Peter Welch said in statement.

In a sad twist, Davoll was active on social media and his last Facebook post was sharing a video taken by someone else of the floods rushing through the area.

Bosma urged Vermonters to continue to take extra care as they return to their homes and repair damage.

'The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner investigated the death, in cooperation with the Barre City Police Department,' the statement read. 'Vermonters are urged to continue to take extra care during the latest round of storms and as they return to their homes and repair damage.'

Davoll, 63, died Wednesday 'as a result of a drowning accident in his home' in his home in Barre, a city of about 8,500 people in central Vermont, said Vermont Emergency Management spokesman Mark Bosma

Davoll lived with his wife, Beverly Frost, and sister-in-law Barbara Pennell, who called his death 'a terrible shock.'

In a sad twist, Davoll was active on social media and his last Facebook post was sharing a video taken by someone else of the floods rushing through the area

Vermonters worked Friday to dry out homes and businesses damaged by historic flooding but kept a wary eye on the horizon, with another round of storms forecast for the weekend.

Parts of the state got more rain on Thursday and about 14,000 customers at the height of the storm. More rain is expected on Sunday, and further out, next Tuesday.

'We don't know the extent of some of these storms,' Gov. Phil Scott said at a news conference.

Storms dumped up to two months worth of rain in a couple of days in parts of the region this week, surpassing the amount that fell when Tropical Storm Irene blew through in 2011 and caused major flooding.

Officials called this week's flooding the state's worst natural disaster since floods in 1927.

It was the second flood-related death stemming from a storm system and epic flooding in the Northeast this week.

The first was in upstate New York, where a woman was swept away by floodwaters in Fort Montgomery, a small Hudson River community about 45 miles north of New York City.

President Joe Biden on Friday approved Scott's request for a major disaster declaration to provide federal support for recovering communities.

A small tractor clears water from a business as flood waters block a street in Barre, Vermont

Flood waters submerged crop land at the Intervale in Burlington

Many communities have been in touch with Vermont emergency management officials to discuss their needs, but state officials said Friday that they hadn't yet heard from about two to three dozen of them.

National Guard troops were being sent to establish contact with them.

In addition to roads, homes and businesses, farms took a big hit, with the flooding coming soon after many growers endured a hard freeze in May.

It's expected to 'destroy a large share of our produce and livestock feed,' the state's agriculture secretary, Anson Tebbetts, said at a news conference.

'In our hilly state, some of our most fertile farmland lies in the river valleys, and countless fields of corn, hay, vegetables, fruit, and pasture were swamped and buried.'

It was too soon to determine damage costs, he said.

Meanwhile, Scott and other officials talked about the many Vermonters who have been volunteering to help flood-affected areas.

'I've been inspired by the thousands of Vermonters, businesses and organizations who have reached out, wanting to help. As we transition to recovery, we know well need all the help we can get.'

Abandoned cars sit among debris after being swept up in flood waters in Ludlow, Vermont

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

In Marshfield, a small community about 45 miles east of the state's biggest city, Burlington, the Marshfield Village Store was used as a makeshift shelter one night during this week's flooding, housing as many as three dozen people.

On Friday, it was serving as a distribution point for clean water, as damage to a water main had left the town in need. And officials were still trying to reach people who might need help.

'We're about to start putting it out more formally, if there are other folks who havent been able to get the support that they need yet, so that we can get equipment and volunteers to them, emergency medication, work on their properties, that's where we're at right now,' said Michelle Eddleman McCormick, the store's general manager.

Philip Kolling, director of SerVermont, said as of Friday, about 5,200 people statewide had registered to help relief efforts through the state Emergency Management agency and an online volunteer recruitment effort.

'What we are doing does not even begin to capture all of the volunteers being organized through local organizations, towns, and informal networks, and we encourage those local efforts as they often can address critical needs more quickly,' he said.

Some volunteers have offered drive for the charity Meals on Wheels or take people to medical appointments. Others have offered to help with general cleanup.

In the southern Vermont ski village of Ludlow, Calcuttas restaurant was getting two truckloads of food to prepare meals for first responders, volunteers, and anyone else who might need one. Many people were working on cleanup and fixing roads.

The large banquet room was set up with cots, water, and toiletries for anyone who was displaced.

'Theres plenty of work that needs to be done to get us back to normal,' said Michael Reyes, who works for a hospitality group that owns the restaurant.
Investigators have revealed that they moved to arrest the suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer over fears that he might strike again.

Rex Heuermann, 59, was dramatically arrested Thursday night in midtown Manhattan outside his architectural office on Fifth Avenue, 13 years after the victims' bodies were found on an isolated Long Island beach.

Cops had Heuermann under surveillance since last year, and had planned to continue to follow him as they built their case, but decided to swoop in and make the arrest in the interest of 'public safety,' Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told reporters.

Tierney cited a number of red flags, saying that Heuermann 'continued to patronize sex workers,' was using false IDs and burner phones, and had permits for an astonishing 92 firearms.

'Which of course made us very nervous,' said Tierney, who has led a secret investigative task force focused on Heuermann since the spring of 2022.

Flanked by family members of the victims as he addressed reporters, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison delivered a grim assessment of the suspect, saying: 'Rex Heuermann is a demon that walks among us, a predator that ruined families.'

Manhattan architect Rex Heuermann, 59, is charged with three murders attributed to the Gilgo Beach serial killer, and is the prime suspect in a fourth victim's murder

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Heuermann had been under surveillance since last year, and cops moved in to arrest him over fears he would strike again

At an arraignment hearing on Friday, Tierney told the court his teams had been following Heuermann since last year and planned to continue to do so as they built the case, but feared he was about to flee the country.

Later, at a press conference, he and other law enforcement officials were concerned that Heuermann could target other victims if he remained free.

'We had the FBI surveilling the defendant... this individual that continued to patronize sex workers at all hours of the night, continued to use fictitious emails, identities, burner phones,' said Tierney.

'As we worked through the case and got closer and closer, suddenly the balance tips in favor of public safety,' he said.

'We wanted as a task force to continue it but we felt collectively as a task force that it was time to strike that balance and take him off the street.'

Tierney said Heuermann has permits for 92 firearms which have not yet been accounted for, but added that they might be found in a large safe at Heurmann's home.

'He has a very large safe in which guns are kept,' he said. 'We're continuing to execute search warrants, so I'm sure we'll have that answer shortly.'

It's not clear whether investigators believe firearms were used in any of the murders. The victims' remains were discovered in a decomposed state that complicated efforts to determine their injuries.

'Forensically there was not a lot that could be done with the remains,' said Tierney.

The DA signaled that charges against Heuermann can be expected in a fourth murder, but said that certain forensic tests were still underway in that case when cops decided to make the arrest.

'The initial plan was to allow the grand jury investigation to go a little further, but at a certain time the task force felt that -- for reasons having nothing to do with the evidence in the case -- we needed to take him down,' he said.

Heuermann, who has lived for decades across a bay from where the remains were found, is charged with killing Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello.

He is also considered the prime suspect in the death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, whose body was bound and hidden in thick underbrush along a remote beach highway, authorities said.

A total of 11 bodies were found on a desolate stretch of Ocean Parkway over the course of several months in 2010 and 2011. Most of the victims were young women who had been sex workers.

Tierney declined to say whether Heurmann is suspected in the other murders, saying his task force was focused on the four victims tied to Heurmann, adding that those four cases had distinct 'commonalities'.

He cited the need to maintain investigative secrecy as the other murders are investigated, but vowed to continue pursuing justice for all the victims.

Heuermann, who has lived for decades across a bay from where the remains were found, is charged with killing (L to R): Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello

He is also considered the prime suspect in the death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, whose body was bound and hidden in thick underbrush along a remote beach highway

Crime scene investigators bring out evidence from the Massapequa Park home of Rex Heuermann who was arrested as a suspect in the Gilgo Beach serial killing

Investigators are seen removing potential evidence from the home. The DA revealed that Heuermann had permits for 92 guns, and a large gun safe in his home

Defense attorney Michael Brown (above) said his client had told him, 'I did not do this'

Heuermann's lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf Friday in state court in Riverhead. Judge Richard Ambro ordered him held without bail, citing 'the extreme depravity' of his alleged crimes.

During an initial court appearance, Heuermann appeared smug - puffing his cheeks out and nodding as some of the charges were read. He wore khaki pants and a gray collared shirt, and did not speak in court.

He pleaded not guilty to all six charges - three counts of first degree murder, and three of second degree murder.

After the hearing, his attorney Michael Brown said his client had cried out to him saying, 'I did not do this.'

Prosecutors say a trove of evidence connects him to the murders, including DNA recovered from a pizza crust Heuermann tossed out that matched genetic material found on the women's remains.

Prosecutors allege other evidence tying Heuermann to the murders includes:

His wife's DNA was found on three of the victims' bodies

One of his own hairs was found on one of the victims' bodies

Calls made from a burner phone to the victims were traced to his office

A call made to one of the victims' sisters after she died was traced to his office

His Tinder profile with photos of him was linked to the burner phone number

His personal phones always pinged in the same areas as the suspect burners

His Chevrolet pick-up truck matched the suspect vehicle spotted by a witness

He matches the physical description of 'ogre' like man seen with one victim

Heuermann conducted graphic searches for child porn and sexual torture

He also searched Google for updates on the case, searching 'why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer'

Speaking to reporters, DA Tierney addressed the long delay between the discovery of the bodies and the identification of a suspect.

Tierney said he convened a grand jury investigation after Heuermann's name first came to the attention of investigators as a possible suspect in March 2022, when he was identified as once owning an identical truck to one seen by witnesses when a victim disappeared in 2010.

In March, detectives tailing Heuermann recovered his DNA from pizza crust in a box that he discarded in a Manhattan trash can and matched it to a hair found on a restraint used in the killings, authorities said.

The DA said he used the investigative powers of the grand jury to issue more than 300 subpoenas and summon witnesses, while maintaining strict secrecy to avoid alerting the suspect to progress in the investigation.

He suggested that prior efforts to resolve the case had been too public, and influenced by outside factors.

'The reason why these investigations fell short in the past was because there was a lot of outside influence, a lot of people who had nothing to do with the investigation or any of the agencies, they still asserted pressure,' he said.

'That did not happen with our task force. Ours was run by our members and we did what we thought was in the best interest of the investigation.'

Heuermann lives in Massapequa Park, a community just north of South Oyster Bay and the sandy stretch known as Gilgo Beach where the victims' remains were found.

The evidence against Heuermann was laid out in a 32-page letter by Suffolk County DA's Office explaining why he shouldn't be granted bail.

It details how a new task force set up by Suffolk County DA last year came across his name within months of investigation, prompting questions about why previous investigative units failed to nail him.

Heuermann's first link to the case is through the Chevrolet Avalanche truck that he owned in 2009 and 2010, when the women were murdered.

The vehicle was seen at the homes of at least one of the victims the day before she went missing.

Heuermann also matches the description of an 'ogre' like man visited one of the victims the night before she died.

In that case, he is said to have arranged a meeting with Amber Costello for sex at her home.

Costello and a male friend conducted a 'ruse' whereby the male friend pretended to interrupt their hook-up, claiming he was an angry boyfriend.

The man who'd paid for sex was forced to leave, with his money on the table.

Rex Heuermann is shown in one of his Tinder profile pictures. Police tracked the fictitious email account he used on the profile and his burner phone number to the case

Heurmann in another of the photos he used on the dating app. He is said to have sent the photos to women asking for hook-ups

In January this year, after watching Heuermann and his family since last March, the detectives in the case seized a pizza box he'd thrown in the trash outside his Manhattan office

The pizza box taken from a trash can outside Heuermann's midtown office

These are some of the searches conducted on Heuermann's computer

These are the sick Google searches conducted on Heuermann's computer

Heuermann is shown buying additional minutes for another burner cellphone in May this year. He paid cash

Afterwards, he texted Costello saying 'that wasn't very nice' and demanding a 'credit' on his next service.

Costello met with the customer again the following night, but she he insisted on doing so away from her home.

The witness said the customer was between 6ft 4 and 6ft 6, with a broad frame and glasses.

He lived nearby in Massapequa Park, where he still resides with his family, but his Icelandic wife was out of town when the murders occurred.

In addition to the car matching the vehicle seen at the victim's home, police were able to trace phone calls made from a burner phone to the victims to set up rendezvous to the areas surrounding his home and his Manhattan office.

New York City architect Rex Heuermann, 59, has been arrested in connection with Long Island's Gilgo Beach murders, in a bombshell breakthrough in one of the country's most notorious unsolved serial killer cases

Another call was made to one of the victims' relatives after she vanished. That call was traced to his office.

He also used fictitious email accounts and more burner phone numbers for a Tinder profile, where he posted photos of himself, years later.

In addition to the hard evidence linking him to the specific murders, Heuermann conducted also conducted incriminating internet searches.

Among them were search terms like '

He also conducted heinous Google searches for child porn and violent sexual images of women being tortured.

In January this year, after watching Heuermann and his family since last March, the detectives in the case seized a pizza box he'd thrown in the trash outside his Manhattan office.

His DNA from one of the crusts was a 99.6 percent match to a male hair found at the bottom of the burlap sack one of the victims was found in.

Prosecutors also discovered unidentified female hairs on three of the victims.

They initially traced Heuermann to the case by matching a description of his Chevrolet truck to the vehicle he owned at the time of the murders.

The car was seen at the home of Amber Costello, one of the victims, who vanished on September 2, 2010.

The street in Massapequa Park, Long Island, where a suspect was this morning arrested in connection with the Gilgo Beach murders

Heuermann's truck was removed from the home this afternoon

Representatives from The Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York exit the office building of Rex Heuermann

Representatives from The Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York exit the office building of Rex Heuermann, at 385 5th Avenue in New York City, and re-enter the building with additional supplies and gloves on July 14, 2023

Chilling similarities can be drawn between Heuermann, a married father-of-two, and the unknown suspect described in a 2011 FBI profile of the Gilgo Beach killer.

That profile described a 'sadistic but charming average Joe', who could blend into any environment unnoticed.

Heuermann lived a seemingly normal, 'average Joe' life until his dramatic arrest.

The profilers told The New York Times that the suspect was likely financially stable and bright.

'He may have sought treatment at a hospital for poison ivy infection. As part of his job or interests, he has access to, or a stockpile of, burlap sacks,' the profile read.

Heuermann grew up in Massapequa Park, attending high school with Billy Baldwin, and started working in Manhattan in 1987.

Heuermann was married once in 1990 and again years later to his current wife, Asa Ellerup, who is of Iceland descent.

He and Asa have an adult daughter Victoria, who works with Heuermann at his architectural firm, and a stepson, Asa's son from a previous marriage.

Part of his job was to negotiate between the city of New York's Department of Buildings and private architects.

In a 2022 video, Heuermann boasted about his architectural career working with New York City's Department of Buildings.

'I was born and raised on Long Island and have been working in Manhattan since 1987. A very long time!' he told Bonjour Realty.
Just Stop Oil protesters interrupted a live recording of the Channel 4 programme The Last Leg last night- with one of its infamous activists who stormed a Wimbledon match wrapping his arms around the host Adam Hills.

Three eco-activists wearing Just Stop Oil t-shirts ran onto the set before handing Hills and his fellow comics Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker, their orange branded Hi Vis vests.

One of the protesters who introduced himself to the presenters was 66-year-old William John Ward - a retired civil engineer from Epsom, who just last week disrupted a Wimbledon match by throwing jigsaw pieces and orange confetti onto the court.

An amused Hills cheered as the trio stormed on, quickly announcing to the audience 'this is not part of the show' before crew members escorted the eco activists off the platform, as Ward shouted 'let me tell you about my grandchildren'.

The disruption comes just hours after the eco warriors also caused havoc during the BBC's First Night of the Proms.

Just Stop Oil activist William Ward, 66, was among the trio that stormed The Last Leg on Channel 4 last night - giving presenter Adam Hills a hug

Hills was seen cheering as the group ran onto the set before announcing 'this is not part of the show'

The trio of activities ran onto the set last night as the Channel 4 programme was recorded live

As the activists were cleared from the camera, a chuckling Widdicombe broke the tension, telling the audience: 'I am not going to lie, I s*** myself, when I saw it was Just Stop Oil, I was very relieved, because we slagged off Putin last week'.

'I thought there were three people who weren't laughing,' he quipped.

Hills added: 'If that's what every Just Stop Oil protester is like, I'm down for it. If its people coming out smiling and throwing confetti absolutely bring it on.'

Following the climate group's disturbance on the comedy show tonight, some took to Twitter to question whether it had been organised as part of the show, but Hills told viewers 'that was genuinely not part of the show'.

The activist group confirmed the action, Tweeting: 'Two hours after the BBC Proms, Just Stop Oil have interrupted The Last Leg, handing the presenters their own hi-vis vests.'

Speaking after the action, Ward said: 'I don't want my grandchildren, nieces and nephews to suffer. Right now, millions of people are being forced to live in conditions that are beyond those necessary to support human life.'

Last week Ward was charged with aggravated trespass and released on bail after he invaded a game at Wimbledon between Katie Boulter and her opponent Daria Saville.

The activists were seen chucking their orange vests at the presenters

Ward put his arm around the presenter as he introduced himself live on air

Last week Ward was charged with aggravated trespass and released on bail after he invaded a game at Wimbledon between Katie Boulter and her opponent Daria Saville

Taking out a puzzle box from what appeared to be a laptop case, he is seen unzipping his coat to reveal his Just Stop Oil t-shirt, before flinging the shards of orange plastic onto the grass.

The shocked players are seen standing next to security as the activist tussles with two suited security guards before being pulled off the grounds.

Tonight Ward was joined by fellow protester Kush Naker, 33, a doctor of infectious diseases from London.

After the demonstration he said: 'I love The Last Leg, this action is not against them in any way, but in fact an opportunity to invite the hosts of the show and all its viewers to join us in civil resistance against this criminal government.'

Earlier this evening the eco-clowns who stormed the first night of the BBC Proms were met with boos from a displeased crowd.

He invaded the pitch shaking puzzle pieces and orange confetti all over the court

Earlier last night activists unfurled an orange flag as they ran onto the stage at the Royal Albert Hall, managing to run in front of the orchestra before they were dragged away

Two of the protesters unfurled orange flags as they ran onto the stage at the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington, where the performance was being live streamed to millions across the country.

The group are said to have launched themselves onto the platform a short time after the BBC Symphony Orchestra's rendition of Sibelius Finlandia.

They were met with a chorus of boos from infuriated audience members, which echoed around the hall as the performance was disrupted.

The eco activist group confirmed on Twitter that they had been behind the disruptive action.

The climate change campaigners said their activists had blasted confetti cannons and air horns, but there was no video evidence of this and the BBC denied their claims.

In their tweet after the stage-storming, JSO appeared to mock the dedicated musicians with the idiom: 'We Cannot Afford to Fiddle While Rome Burns'.

It is the latest in a string of action carried out by the group - which has included targeting major events in the British summer calendar - including Wimbledon and the Ashes.

Furthermore the group has been holding daily marches across the central London, holding up rush hour traffic.

Channel 4 was contacted for comment.
Family of one of his patients speaks out

Embattled neurosurgeon Charlie Teo has declared he will soon be leaving the country to perform brain surgeries in China, as the family of one of his patients speaks out.

A Professional Standards Committee on Wednesday found surgeries performed by Dr Teo had 'disastrous' outcomes, placing restrictions on the doctor's registration in its decision.

The Committee found Teo had failed to outline the real risks of his surgeries, which were described as 'experimental,' and was found to have behaved unethically in not obtaining informed consent from his patients before surgery.

Teo has since revealed he has been granted privileges in China and will be taking his work to hospitals there.

Charlie Teo said he will perform brain surgeries in China following adverse findings against him in Australia

'The fact that I have been crucified over here, didn't appear to affect their decision, so I am going over there to check the facilities, make sure they are good, they just bought the latest MRI for me,' he told the Daily Telegraph.

Dr Teo said he chose China because they had 'committed to me', and would also continue to do perform occasional surgeries in Europe and parts of Southeast Asia.

Dr Teo said he was disappointed 'but not surprised' by conditions placed upon his practice, however would 'never' accept that he failed to gain proper consent or that he lacked empathy for his patients.

'I am not guilty of what I am accused of, I reject what they say I have done, they just don't believe me, so why would I show remorse for something that I deny?' he said.

Meanwhile, the devastated family of one of Teo's patients, Ellie Middleton, have broken their silence on how Teo's operation has changed their lives.

Ms Middleton's sister, Sarah Bone, a hairdresser from Molong, told the Sydney Morning Herald that she wished for 'Charlie Teo to come to our house and look after my sister for just one day'.

Ellie Middleton was 20 when Teo performed surgery to remove a brain tumour

In December 2008, Teo told the then-20-year-old and her family that if Ellie was his daughter, he would definitely have the operation to remove her brain tumour that other neurosurgeons had said was inoperable.

The operation was a disaster and for the past 15 years Ellie has spent her days bound to a wheelchair and needs 24-hour care.

Her family said she is unable to walk, talk or feed herself, and is now blind.

'She has no quality of life, none,' her mother Vicki said.

At just seven, Ellie had been diagnosed with an astrocytoma, a slow-growing brain tumour that was regarded as inoperable due to its location.

Ellie had persuaded her family to take her to Sydney to see the famous neurosurgeon despite the family's hesitation about his ability to operate successfully.

'I remember Charlie saying, if it was my daughter, I would do the operation,' Ellie's sister said.

Teo has hinted he was considering an appeal against a the inquiry finding that has effectively ended his career in Australia.

'I could appeal, I think I would win. They wouldn't be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the things they have accused me of because they are not true, he said.

'But I'm not sure I have the strength to run an appeal. Furthermore, I don't have the money to do so.'

Teo (pictured left with partner) said he is considering launching an appeal against the committee's findings

The Professional Standards Committee found Teo was 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.'

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 to that patient's daughter after the surgery.

In its decision announced on Wednesday the committee said it 'found these elements of the complaint proven'.

Restrictions have been placed on Teo, including a requirement to obtain written permission from a Medical Council-approved neurosurgeon with at least 15 years' experience as a registered specialist in neurosurgery before he performs any 'malignant intracranial tumour and brain stem tumour surgical procedures'.
A family who lost their mother and their home in a tragic house fire is facing months without a permanent place to live.

Mother of two Naomie Richings was killed when flames engulfed her single-storey house on Pimpala Place in Orange, four hours west of Sydney on June 3.

Her husband James, who ran back inside to try to save her, was pulled out of the flames with serious burns and was placed in a coma.

Their two children, aged nine and ten, were pulled out by firefighters and taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Now more than a month later James is left living week to week and having to pack up his belongings every seven days to reapply to stay in temporary accommodation for another week.

A tragic house fire that killed a mother-of-two has left James Richings and his sons full of grief but also living week to week in temporary accommodation, fearing homelessness

Naomie Richings was killed as flames engulfed her single storey house on Pimpala Place in Orange, four hours west of Sydney, on June 3

With a long waiting list for public housing, the family has been told by the Department of Housing they could be waiting months for a home to live in.

His brother David Richings told the Daily Telegraph that the father of two is emotionally traumatised by the incident.

'You just dont expect these things to happen to you, every day hed wake up (in hospital) hed have to remember what happened to Naomie,' David said.

'Ive got stuff piled up in my car that people have given us but (James) cant take it because he still has nowhere to live.

'Naomie couldnt get enough of those kids, every photo I have from her is of her playing with the kids.'

A GoFundMe set up to help the family through the tough time has raised more than $16,000 but James - who lost his ID in the blaze - can't even access the funds.

With a long waiting list for public housing, the family has been told by the Department of Housing they could be waiting months for a home to live in (pictured: home in Orange gutted by fire)

Naomi's Facebook profile was full of videos with her children, writing her sons were the 'kings of my heart'.

Pictures from the scene showed black smoke billowing from the red brick home as shocked neighbours watched on.

Harrowing young cries were heard as the children were treated by paramedics in the street for smoke inhalation.

Fire and Rescue NSW region Acting Inspector Dane Phillippe praised the actions of firefighters.

'Due to their brave and rapid actions, they were able to enter the home, which was well alight and rescued two children,' he said.

Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry added the fire was 'a tragedy that will be fully investigated'.

'FRNSW is unable to comment on the details around this fire, however, there is at least one action everyone can take immediately to be safer in their home,' he said.

'That is to make sure you have a working smoke alarm fitted on all levels that is less than 10 years old.'
A new rental listing near the beach won't cost tenants a dime for the first fortnight in a rare gesture of goodwill from a landlord.

The three-bedroom home on 120 East Derwent Hwy overlooks famous Hobart landmark Mount Wellington from Lindisfarne, on the citys eastern shore, for $525 per week.

For the first two weeks of the lease, the property's owner has said that they expect no rent and that the money can instead be put towards the tenant's cost of moving.

The property includes large yards, timber floors and fresh paint. Pets will also be considered, according to the listing from Kunama Property Management.

This isn't the only home up for grabs in Australia offering up this kind on incentive, though it is one of the most generous.

This three-bedroom home on 120 East Derwent Hwy overlooks Mount Wellington from Lindisfarne, on Hobarts eastern shore, for $525 per week

For the first two weeks of the lease, the property's owner has said that they expect no rent and that the money can instead be put towards the tenant's cost of moving

Another three-bedroom dwelling in Prahran, Melbourne boasts a free week's rent for tenants looking to start their move on a good note.

The 1940s-style apartment sitting at 2/2A Craven Street advertises the first week for free as long as the new tenant can start the lease within a week of being accepted.

These offers come as a rental crisis continues to grip the country, with most capital cities experiencing routine rent increases as of June this year.

In pockets of Sydney, rents have climbed by more than 30 per cent, as an influx of international students drove up prices in Australia's most expensive rental market.

The heart of Sydney saw its rent increase by 29.2 per cent to $1,042, while Melbourne's CBD had a 28.4 per cent increase, taking rents to $664.

Rental increases of more than 20 per cent were recorded in parts of Brisbane, with double-digit increases also occurring in Perth and Adelaide.
Every night until he was 16, Moz Hossain shared a double bed, sleeping on a sheet hand-woven from water reeds, with his parents Ali Akbar and Ayesha.

Home was a single-room wooden hut with a mud floor and tin roof, in a poor village in rural Bangladesh. The bathroom was a nearby pond surrounded by papaya trees and pineapple bushes. 'It was magical. I swam every day,' he says.

Next week Hossain, a criminal barrister who didn't own a pair of shoes until he was almost 17, will discover if he is to become the Tory candidate in next May's London Mayoral election.

Even if this unknown upstart secures the candidacy in the vote of 30,000 Tory Party members, the Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan is confident  cocky even  about a third victory. Labour was on 41 per cent in the latest opinion poll, with the Tories on 33 and the Lib Dems eight.

Yet if Moz is attempting the political equivalent of scaling Mount Everest, he is undaunted.

ANDREW PIERCE: Next week Hossain, a criminal barrister who didn't own a pair of shoes until he was almost 17, will discover if he is to become the Tory candidate in next May's London Mayoral election

'My whole life has been about climbing mountains,' he says. 'I'm the boy from a remote village in Bangladesh. Now I'm a criminal barrister, a KC. All my life I have achieved things.'

Not only has he never run for elected office, he doesn't have any experience of running a business either  and the Mayoral budget is an eye-watering 21 billion.

So what qualifies him to be Mayor?

'I'm not a career politician. Londoners want that. They want someone fresh with new ideas. As a KC, I lead a team. I have 21 years' experience in criminal law.'

If he is chosen, it will be a remarkable achievement for Mozammel Hossain (always known as Moz), who until a month ago most people even in the Conservative Party had never heard of.

The youngest of eight children, he was brought up in Mollar Howla, population 500, in southern Bangladesh. 'It's a beautiful village in the middle of nowhere. We lived in one big room. I shared the bed with my parents. It was the only bed. It wasn't unusual. Everyone in the village did that.'

His mother was only 11 when she had an arranged marriage with Moz's father, who was not much older. Each day she rose at dawn to build a fire to cook in a home-made clay oven. She couldn't read or write. His father never went beyond primary school.

'She worked 18 hours a day on the land and cooked for her family. Always rice, often lentils, the children and my father ate first. When it was mother's turn there was often no curry left, just rice which she would eat with an onion and dry chilli,' says Moz.

At 16 he moved to the capital Dhaka to study at college, living in a single room with two older brothers and a nephew. 'We slept in one bed. It never seemed unusual.'

His brothers presented him with his first pair of shoes, black brogues. 'I hated them because my feet had freedom for 16 years. I walked around barefoot or in flipflops. Now they were imprisoned. The shoes did not fit and were ugly. I had awful blisters.'

In Dhaka came the first stirrings of a political conscience as he was angered to see the police dismantling shelters used by women and children on the city's streets. It was the first time he realised he had been brought up in poverty.

'Looking back, poverty in the village was gentle. The only time poverty really hit was when you got ill. There were no doctors.'

A sister died before he was born; another didn't make it through infancy. His brother Mintu died in Dhaka under a train.

If he's chosen to fight for the Mayoralty, Moz's extraordinary backstory will certainly pull on more heartstrings than Sadiq Khan endlessly reminding the electorate of his working- class credentials as the son of a London bus driver brought up on a council estate.

When I remind Moz of the Mayor's background, he replies: 'Well, my father never even saw a bus or a car and the first time I saw either was when I moved to Dhaka.'

His oddly sing-song voice trails off as I suggest he was recreating the Monty Python sketch in which four Yorkshiremen compete to tell the greater story of youthful hardship.

He laughs, saying: 'I'm proud of where I come from. A boy or girl can look at me and think: 'If Moz can do it from a village in Bangladesh, then so can I.'

'I don't tell the story for people to feel sorry for me, but it's who I am. My childhood was wonderful. I was ensconced in love.

'I knew my mum would never give up on me.'

When he arrived in Dhaka he could barely string a sentence together in English. But he worked studiously and even took an English course alongside his primary law qualification.

By the time he was 21 he was applying for places at British universities. Cambridge offered him an interview, but fearing the air fare  a life-changing sum of money for the family  would be wasted should he not get in, Moz had to turn it down.

Instead he went to Liverpool University to continue his education in law and where no interview was required.

His older brother Mohammad, then a doctor (and now a surgeon) in London, bankrolled his student days. Now a successful lawyer, Moz is proud of the fact that in 2019 he was the first Bangladeshi criminal barrister to be made a QC. His mother travelled to the UK to celebrate, her one trip to Britain. 'She couldn't wait to get back to the village.'

In debates with Khan, Moz will also bring his legal experience to bear. According to his practice, 187 Chambers, he has been involved in some of the most 'complex and high-profile cases in the country'.

Every night until he was 16, Moz Hossain (bottom left) shared a double bed, sleeping on a sheet hand-woven from water reeds, with his parents Ali Akbar and Ayesha

Khan is especially vulnerable on law and order. On his watch, murder has rocketed to an 11-year high, knife crime by nearly 40 per cent to new record levels and neighbourhood crimes like robbery and burglary have shot up by 74 and nearly 39 per cent respectively.

'I challenge you: what other politician running for Mayor of London has 21 years intimate experience of crime? I have prosecuted and defended. I know their motivation.'

He's an unashamed advocate of Stop and Search, but adds: 'It must be intelligence-led. I have talked to too many heartbroken mothers who say: 'Why didn't the police stop my son's killer from carrying a knife?' Or heartbroken mothers saying: 'Why didn't the police stop my son carrying a machete?'

'We need good old-fashioned community policing. You never see police officers on foot any more. Stop and Search is effective if . . . police officers are based in the community.'

Khan's hated expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez), which penalises older, more polluting cars to the tune of 12.50 a day, will also be a big electoral dividing line.

Expanded to every London borough, it will also hit millions of people who drive into London for work. A stealth tax, it has brought in more than 400 million in fines in the last 12 months.

Moz, who has never learnt to drive, says: 'I will cancel the expansion of Ulez on day one. I will adapt the cameras so the police can use them in the fight against crime. Ulez is cruel  people can't afford it and they don't have an option.'

There are also tens of thousands of illegal migrants in hotels across London, yet the Government's 'stop the boats' policy was mauled in the House of Lords this week.

Does he support the policy to deport migrants to Rwanda? 'I am a great example of legal immigration. What is happening in the English Channel is evil.

'Criminal gangs exploiting desperate young people. The Labour Party is complaining but does not have a better idea. This is a necessary evil to combat a much greater evil.'

Moz, who is on the shortlist with Susan Hall (a former Tory leader on the Greater London Assembly), makes an impressive case for why he has to be the candidate. 'The only way to win London is to reach all Londoners. I'm the only one, because of my background and the lives I've lived, who can do that. You can't just defeat Khan by being a traditional Conservative. I'm passionate but I'm different.'

In the 2021 Census there were almost 1.4 million Muslims in London, the Bangladeshi population is 322,000. Moz is a Muslim who prays to Mecca, but not every day. Does he go to mosque? 'Not as often as I should or as often as my brother would like, but I do go.'

A huge admirer of Boris Johnson, he's been bolstered by the ex-PM's support behind the scenes.

'He was a fantastic Mayor. There was a sense of excitement with Boris. If Conservative members vote for me, I will bring back that excitement.'

Former Cabinet ministers such as Dame Priti Patel and Sir Iain Duncan Smith are backing him. London Tory Party members, take note.

While he's single, he's had three serious relationships and still hopes to get married. Clearly a modern man, to the horror of his spin doctor, he proudly talks about his skincare regime, revealing: 'I use La Roche-Posay moisturiser.' (It's 16.50 for a small bottle.) He wears designer suits and always red socks.

Pressed on his age, he stumbles. His CV says 48. 'I don't know my date of birth as there was no system of recording it in the village. My date of birth was given to me by my school teacher. Maybe I'm 100!'

A fan of Mrs Thatcher, Moz joined the Tories under David Cameron in 2015 and gained British citizenship in 2009: 'My heart belongs to the village where I was born but my soul belongs to this city, this country.'

The only tragedy is that Moz's parents did not live long enough to see their boy rise to the upper echelons of the British establishment.

Against a story as impressive as his, and such fighting spirit, Sadiq Khan would do well to look over his shoulder, whatever the pollsters say.
Hospital bosses were last night accused of encouraging doctors to profit from strikes by urging them to take up lucrative locum shifts during walkouts.

Correspondence sent to junior doctors states that staff would still be considered to be striking even if they picked up weekend shifts at enhanced rates.

The memo, written by a Gateshead health trust employee, suggests doctors cover shifts as a locum during the five-day walkout that began on Thursday.

Earlier this week the Government confirmed NHS medics would receive a 6 per cent pay rise, in line with pay review body recommendations.

However the British Medical Association is still demanding 35 per cent. The memo to junior doctors says bosses want to support all who wish to take industrial action but finding a safe level of cover was not an easy task.

Hospital bosses were last night accused of encouraging doctors to profit from strikes by urging them to take up lucrative locum shifts during walkouts [File image]

Junior doctors hold placards at a picket line outside St Thomas' Hospital in London

It reads: We would like to remind all junior staff that we are seeking locum cover for the period of industrial action.You can cover shifts as a locum, and still be considered to be striking, so as long as you are not working hours that you would have covered. You can strike during the week and pick up weekend shifts at enhanced rates.

A spokesman for the hospital trust said the arrangements were permitted under NHS guidelines.

Even doctors appeared to criticise the strategy, with one saying on the social media site Reddit: I support my colleagues who choose not to strike, but those who seek to profit from it are a disgrace, especially when they will benefit from any pay restoration.

A further contributor said: You can choose to not strike but to locum on a strike day is below the belt.

Another wrote: There is a curious correlation between the locums scabbing strike days and the locums I wouldnt trust with a blue cannula.
A minister last night ordered an investigation over tampons and sanitary pads being supplied in the men's toilets at a government department.

Feminine hygiene products are regularly replenished in the men's loos, as well as the women's toilets, at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey has called for a probe after the details were disclosed via a Freedom of Information request.

The request also revealed that Defra has 208 gender-neutral toilets across its offices around the country  109 unisex loos and 99 accessible toilets.

Despite staff being offered the use of gender-neutral toilets, the taxpayer-funded products are supplied next to the urinals to help transgender civil servants.

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey has called for a probe after the details were disclosed via a Freedom of Information request

The request also revealed that Defra has 208 gender-neutral toilets across its offices around the country

Last night Defra's policy was branded 'ideological madness'.

Helen Joyce, of Sex Matters, which campaigns for clarity on sex in law, told The Daily Telegraph: 'Workplace regulations require employers to provide single-sex toilets.

It's not single-sex if you allow people of the opposite sex to come in. This idea of telling employees 'use any toilet you feel is right for you' is completely idiotic.

'I'm not unusual in preferring not to use toilets that men are using. The thought process behind all this is ridiculous.

'You have enough female and male toilets and enough unisex toilets and then you've catered for everyone. This has happened because Defra seems to think that men and women are gender identities, not biological fact. It's ideological madness.'

Defra said: 'Since earlier this year, we have offered free period products for those in need across the whole Defra estate.'
Saudi Arabias controversial Crown Prince is set to visit the UK this autumn - his first trip to Britain since the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

In a bid to deepen ties with the oil-rich Gulf state, the Government has invited Mohammed bin Salman to visit this autumn.

It would be the latest sign of the West welcoming Saudi Arabia back into the diplomatic fold after he was frozen out following the murder.

The CIA concluded that Prince Mohammed ordered the assassination of Mr Khashoggi, a Washington Post writer, at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018, although he denied any involvement.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly been invited to Britain by the Government

Downing Street yesterday declined to comment on the invitation, as reported by the Financial Times, citing a Government official.

Asked about the Prime Ministers view of the journalists killing, his official spokesman said: From the start we have been clear that this murder was a terrible crime and that Saudi Arabia must ensure such an atrocity can never happen again.

Weve sanctioned 20 Saudi nationals involved in the murder under the global human rights scheme.

Britain is aiming to strengthen its ties with the kingdom despite concerns over its human rights record as it seeks to attract investment from the oil-rich Gulf following Brexit.

The FT said details of the trip have not yet been finalised, quoting an official as saying: Its more up to them, given we need them more than they need us.

Mr Sunak met the crown prince on the margins of the G20 summit in Bali last November.

The leaders discussed social reforms, womens rights and civil liberties, but Mr Sunak did not raise the murder of Mr Khashoggi, No10 said at the time.

US President Joe Biden raised the subject in his own talks over energy and security issues with the crown prince in July 2022, indicating that he thought the Saudi leader was responsible for the killing.

Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, in October 2018

Last year, then-prime minister Boris Johnson met Prince Mohammed in Riyadh.

Polly Truscott, Amnesty International UKs foreign policy adviser, said the crown prince must be properly held to account for abuses by Saudi officials, including Khashoggis murder.

She said: There must be no question of the UK rolling out the red carpet for Mohammed bin Salman or of the Saudi ruler being able to use this visit to rehabilitate himself on the world stage.

The visit looks set to coincide with the five-year anniversary of Jamal Khashoggis sickening assassination and dismemberment at the hands of Saudi agents in Turkey, a crime which has essentially been covered up by the unrepentant Saudi authorities.
The suspect arrested in connection with Long Island's Gilgo Beach murders has an older brother who killed a police captain in 1988 after striking him with his car while high on cocaine.

Rex Heuermann, 59, was dramatically arrested last night in midtown Manhattan outside his architectural office on Fifth Avenue, 13 years after the bodies were found.

Heuermann's brother Craig, 57, crashed through the central median of a local highway near Rex's Long Island home while going over 60 miles per hour in 1988.

This led to a head-on collision with Winnion Buskey, then 51 and the city's Housing Authority Police Captain.

Buskey was pronounced dead on the scene, while Heuermann was hospitalized with facial lacerations before being taken into custody.

Rex Heuermann (pictured), the suspect arrested in connection with Long Island's Gilgo Beach murders has an older brother who killed a police captain in 1988 after striking him with his car while high on cocaine

The judge in the case cited police records calling Heuermann 'intoxicated and 'coked-up' condition at the time,'

Craig Heuermann pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated.

It's unclear what punishment Heuermann received. Records show that Heuermann now lives in South Carolina.

Rex Heuermann is suspected in the murders of the 'Gilgo Beach four' - four prostitutes whose remains were found on the Long Island beach in December 2010.

Today, the 6ft 6 suspect was charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello and Megan Waterman.

During an initial court appearance, he appeared smug - puffing his cheeks out and nodding as some of the charges were read. He pleaded not guilty to all six charges - three counts of first degree murder, and three of second degree murder.

After the hearing, his attorney said he cried to him 'I did not do this.'

Long Island serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann is shown being taken to court this afternoon. Photo: NBC

Heuermann is shown being taken into a police van today to be taken to the courthouse. Photo: Fox

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told the court his teams intended to follow Heuermann, who they have been watching since last year, for longer but feared he was about to flee the country.

Later, at a press conference, he and other law enforcement officials said he 'continued to patronize sex workers'.

'This obviously made us nervous,' sad Tierney.

'We had the FBI surveilling the defendant, this individual that continued to patronize sex workers at all hours of the night, continued to use fictitious identities, burner phones, as we worked through the case and got closer and closer, suddenly the balance tips in favor of public safety.

'We wanted to continue it but we felt it was time to take him off the street.'

He has been named as the prime suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainar-Barnes, and is also being investigated for the murders of another six women found dead near the beach in 2011.

Ahead of his appearance, prosecutors released their bombshell evidence against him that includes;

His wife's DNA was found on three of the victims' bodies

One of his own hairs was found on one of the victims' bodies

Cell phone calls made from a burner phone to the victims were traced to his office

A call made to one of the victims' sisters after she died was traced to his office

His Tinder profile with photos of him was linked to the burner phone

His Chevrolet pick-up truck was seen by witness to one victim's disappearance

He matches description of 'ogre' like man seen with one victim before she vanished

Heuermann conducted graphic searches for child porn and images of women being sexually abused

He also searched Google for updates on the case, searching 'why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer'

The evidence was laid out in a 32-page letter by Suffolk County DA's Office explaining why he shouldn't be granted bail.

It details how a new task force set up by Suffolk County DA last year came across his name within months of investigation, prompting questions about why previous investigative units failed to nail him.

Heuermann's first link to the case is through the Chevrolet Avalanche truck that he owned in 2009 and 2010, when the women were murdered.

The vehicle was seen at the homes of at least one of the victims the day before she went missing.

Heuermann also matches the description of an 'ogre' like man visited one of the victims the night before she died.

In that case, he is said to have arranged a meeting with Amber Costello for sex at her home.

Costello and a male friend conducted a 'ruse' whereby the male friend pretended to interrupt their hook-up, claiming he was an angry boyfriend.

The man who'd paid for sex was forced to leave, with his money on the table.

Rex Heuermann is shown in one of his Tinder profile pictures. Police tracked the fictitious email account he used on the profile and his burner phone number to the case

Heurmann in another of the photos he used on the dating app. He is said to have sent the photos to women asking for hook-ups

In January this year, after watching Heuermann and his family since last March, the detectives in the case seized a pizza box he'd thrown in the trash outside his Manhattan office

The pizza box taken from a trash can outside Heuermann's midtown office

These are some of the searches conducted on Heuermann's computer

These are the sick Google searches conducted on Heuermann's computer

Heuermann is shown buying additional minutes for another burner cellphone in May this year. He paid cash

Afterwards, he texted Costello saying 'that wasn't very nice' and demanding a 'credit' on his next service.

Costello met with the customer again the following night, but she he insisted on doing so away from her home.

The witness said the customer was between 6ft 4 and 6ft 6, with a broad frame and glasses.

He lived nearby in Massapequa Park, where he still resides with his family, but his Icelandic wife was out of town when the murders occurred.

In addition to the car matching the vehicle seen at the victim's home, police were able to trace phone calls made from a burner phone to the victims to set up rendezvous to the areas surrounding his home and his Manhattan office.

Another call was made to one of the victims' relatives after she vanished. That call was traced to his office.

He also used fictitious email accounts and more burner phone numbers for a Tinder profile, where he posted photos of himself, years later.

In addition to the hard evidence linking him to the specific murders, Heuermann conducted also conducted incriminating internet searches.

Among them were search terms like '

He also conducted heinous Google searches for child porn and violent sexual images of women being tortured.

In January this year, after watching Heuermann and his family since last March, the detectives in the case seized a pizza box he'd thrown in the trash outside his Manhattan office.

His DNA from one of the crusts was a 99.6 percent match to a male hair found at the bottom of the burlap sack one of the victims was found in.

Prosecutors also discovered unidentified female hairs on three of the victims.

They initially traced Heuermann to the case by matching a description of his Chevrolet truck to the vehicle he owned at the time of the murders.

The car was seen at the home of Amber Costello, one of the victims, who vanished on September 2, 2010.

The street in Massapequa Park, Long Island, where a suspect was this morning arrested in connection with the Gilgo Beach murders

Heuermann's truck was removed from the home this afternoon

Representatives from The Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York exit the office building of Rex Heuermann

Representatives from The Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York exit the office building of Rex Heuermann, at 385 5th Avenue in New York City, and re-enter the building with additional supplies and gloves on July 14, 2023

Chilling similarities can be drawn between Heuermann, a married father-of-two, and the killer described in a 2011 FBI profile of the Gilgo Beach killer. That profile described a 'sadistic but charming average Joe', who could blend into any environment unnoticed.

Heuermann lived a seemingly normal, average Joe life until yesterday.

The profilers told The New York Times that the suspect was likely financially stable and bright.

'He may have sought treatment at a hospital for poison ivy infection. As part of his job or interests, he has access to, or a stockpile of, burlap sacks,' the profile read.

He grew up in Massapequa Park, attending high school with Billy Baldwin, and started working in Manhattan in 1987.

Heuermann was married once in 1990 and again years later to his current wife, Asa Ellerup, who is of Iceland descent.

He and Asa have an adult daughter Victoria, who works with Heuermann at his architectural firm, and a stepson, Asa's son from a previous marriage.

Part of his job was to negotiate between the city of New York's Department of Buildings and private architects.

In a 2022 video, Heuermann boasted about his architectural career working with New York City's Department of Buildings.

'I was born and raised on Long Island and have been working in Manhattan since 1987. A very long time!' he told Bonjour Realty.

The suspect's house sits directly north of Gilgo Beach across the South Oyster Bay

Forensics teams working at Heuermann's home on Friday. A freezer was among items seized

Residents of Massapequa Park watch in disbelief as police search the home on the quiet residential street

Heuermann's yearbook photo

Sherre Gilbert, the sister of Shannan Gilbert, one of the victims, told NBC News she was 'relieved' an arrest had been made.

'I am overwhelmed but relieved that they finally caught him.

'Its been a long time coming and I never gave up hope that one day justice would be served.

'The suspect deserves to rot in prison for the rest of his life.

'He destroyed many lives so while it wont bring our loved ones back, it does help that one less monster is off the streets and he cant ever hurt anyone else.'

Heuermann runs a small, architect's firm in the city.

On the company's website, he claims to have worked on projects including JFK Airport, projects for American Airlines and for some Catholic charities.

Long Island architect Rex Heuermann, 59, has been arrested today in connection with the Gilgo Beach serial killings in a major police breakthrough.

Heuermann was arrested last night outside his office in Midtown Manhattan

'Gilgo Four': These photos show the first four victims who were found a decade ago near Gilgo Beach, Long Island, as part of an investigation into a serial killer

Partial skeletal remains of Valerie Mack were located in a wooded area in Manorville in September 2000. Partial skeletal remains of Jessica Taylor, an escort working in New York City, were located in a wooded area in Manorville on July 26, 2003

A suspect has been arrested in connection with Long Island's notorious Gilgo Beach murders Among the victims was Shannan Gilbert, who was found dead in a swamp in Oak Beach in 2011 - about a quarter mile from where she was last seen alive.

A map showing where the victims remains were located along the barren stretch of Ocean Beach Parkway in Gilgo Beach, located on the South Shore of Long Island

John Ray, an attorney representing the family of two of the victims, told DailyMail.com they were given warning a week ago that an arrest was imminent.

'We had a tip about a week ago that they were about to do this. We have two names but we obviously don't want to say unless we're 100% sure.'

He confirmed to DailyMail.com that Heuermann's name was among those they were looking into.

Ray believes the discovery of a man's remains might have prompted the arrest today.

Ray said that while the suspect arrested today is a man, he and his clients 'have always had an outside theory' that a woman may have been involved.

No one has ever been arrested in connection with the killings.

Heuermann in an interview about his architecture firm

Heuermann's daughter Victoria works with him at the architecture firm where he was arrested last night

Heuermann's first marriage in 1990. He has since remarried

The decade-long investigation has been described as one of the most 'intense, prolific' hunts for a serial killer.

In 2020, a true crime podcast cast suspicion on former Suffolk County Police Commissioner James Burke.

Burke, who spent time in jail for assaulting a local man while in office, was the top cop from 2011 until 2015.

Among the victims was Shannan Gilbert, who was found dead in a swamp in Oak Beach in 2011 - about a quarter mile from where she was last seen alive.

The 24-year-old's neck had been broken before she was killed and had a puncture hole in it that could have been caused by a drill, according to her family's attorney.

The first victims were discovered in December 2010.

They were Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, Amber Costello, 27.

Known as the 'Gilgo Beach four', their bodies were found in burlap sacks.

Some of the four had been missing for three years by the time their bodies were found.

All were sex workers who advertised their services on Craiglist, leading policed to believe that is how the killer first made contact with them.

Some had also told friends that they planned to meet a client the day before they vanished.

In March and April 2011, another four bodies were found in the same area, including that of a toddler.

They were Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack and an unidentified woman known as 'Peaches' or 'Jane Doe No. 3'.

Peaches' toddler daughter was also murdered.

In the following weeks, another two set of remains were found.

One belonged to an 'Asian man' now thought to have been a transgender sex worker who had been dead for five or six years, and Jane Doe No. 7, whose remains were found on a beach in the popular tourist town Fire Island.
A new alcoholic version of the classic Australian soft drink Solo has renewed hopes of a return to screens of the legendary Solo Man.

Solo was launched by Taraxin in 1968, with Sydney PE teacher Michael Ace portraying the very first Solo Man in the 1970s and '80s.

The Solo Man quickly became an Aussie legend thanks to his fearless ability to row through rapids, wrestle a wild brumby and kayak off a cliff.

The Solo Man was everything it meant to be a man in the 1980s

A new Hard Solo has been released by Carlton and United

On Saturday, Carlton and United told Daily Mail Australia it was bringing Solo back to the adult audience it always craved with a fully alcoholic version of the drink.

It will be sold in four, 10 and 24-packs of 375mL cans with an alcohol content of 4.5 per cent.

'He's a legend of Australian advertising,' 'Mark' from Melbourne's western suburbs told Daily Mail Australia.

'He was part of a wave of fair-haired Aussie he-men in a golden era that included the likes of Alby Mangels and Leo Wanker.

'He was canoeing down mountains and doing all this dangerous stuff and at the end he would crack a Solo.'

Portrayed as a macho, traditionally masculine beast, the Solo Man quickly went out of fashion in more politically correct times.

The launch of Hard Solo comes as American brewer Budweiser continues to try and win back male drinkers on the back of its Bud Light advertising disaster.

Three months after Bud Light was featured in a social media promotion by a transgender influencer, Dylan Mulvaney, the company shows no signs of winning back its spot at the top of the US beer charts.

You had to keep in shape to be a Solo Man, take the lead and let the others follow

The Solo Man launches himself off a cliff in a kayak in a 1990 advertisement

Solo had been unashamedly targeted at men, with its once famous slogan declaring: 'Solo lemon: a man's drink.'

Poll WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE A RETURN OF THE SOLO MAN YES NO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE A RETURN OF THE SOLO MAN YES 169 votes

NO 17 votes Now share your opinion





Initial publicity shots of the new Hard Solo feature a well-manicured, hipster-looking vegan-like character covered in the kind of tattoos popular in the Abbotsford area of inner Melbourne where the brewer responsible for the alcoholic drink is located.

'He looks more like Kombucha man,' Mark said.

However, sources have told Daily Mail Australia the new drink is targeted at people aged in their 30s and 40s, fuelling hope that we may yet see the rise of the Hard Solo man.

So successful was the original Solo man advertising campaign, it saw the character ripped off by soup maker Campbell's, which ran similar ads featuring the 'Fully Loaded Man'.

With 'balls of meat' the Fully Loaded Man appeared in ads sailing down mountains before crushing a can of soup in his hand.

CUB spokesman Hayden Turner said the new Hard Solo had a taste reminiscent of the classic Solo but with a bitter finish provided by the alcohol.

The new Solo Man could be mistaken for the 'Kombucha Man', one Solo man fan claimed

The Solo Man enjoys a thirst crusher after working up a sweat doing manly things

In developing the new drink, the brewer said it was determined to ensure it was clearly marked as an alcoholic drink to avoid it getting into the hands of kids.

'When developing Hard Solo we were only prepared to proceed if the can and branding looked very different to the regular Solo,' Mr Turner said.

'Weve achieved that  Hard Solo, with its distinct black can, looks very different to regular Solo. Weve also used very prominent alcohol markings on the front of the can so that it cannot be confused with Solo and is clearly for adult consumers only.'

While Australians are begging for a return of the Solo Man, Mr Turner said the company had no immediate plans to bring the legendary man back to screens.

'There will be no traditional out-of-home advertising, TV, or radio campaigns to promote Hard Solo,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

However fans of the Solo Man have already indicated they plan to run a campaign to bring the legend back.

Hard Solo will be available in bottle shops nationwide later this month, with a price of about $24 for a four-pack.
Wang Yi meets Thai deputy PM on ties

Xinhua) 12:21, July 15, 2023

JAKARTA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on Friday met here with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and exchanged views on bilateral ties as well as the Myanmar issue.

Don spoke highly of Thailand-China friendship and was glad to see the continuous advancement of all-round cooperation and increasingly close exchanges in various fields between the two countries.

Wang, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said China and Thailand are one family. The building of a China-Thailand community with a shared future has a solid social and popular foundation and has received strong support from the ruling and opposition parties across the political spectrum, he said.

China is ready to strengthen strategic communication with Thailand, consolidate their friendship and expand cooperation, safeguard the common interests of both sides, as well as regional peace and stability and the basic norms governing international relations, Wang said.

Regarding the Myanmar issue, Don briefed Wang on his recent trip to Myanmar and said he hoped China will continue to play an important role in promoting a political solution to the Myanmar issue.

Wang said China supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to resolve the Myanmar issue in its own way, rise above external distractions, and work out a roadmap acceptable to all parties.

China appreciates Thailand's proactive approach and its latest progress on the Myanmar issue, Wang said, adding that China always stands for maintaining ASEAN unity and cooperation, supports ASEAN community building, and will continue to play a constructive role in its own way.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
Frequent high-level interactions are the latest steps towards a detente between China and the United States.





Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met Thursday with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jakarta, their second meeting within only one month. Earlier this month, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also visited Beijing.





Police officers stand guard outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., the United States, on June 29, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)





Last year in Bali, the two countries' heads of state reached a consensus that set the direction for China-U.S. relations. However, bilateral relations have gone off course owing largely to a string of Washington's misconceived words and deeds against China.





For the world to become better, the China-U.S. relationship brooks no further retrogression. By receiving Blinken and Yellen, China hopes that Washington will work together with Beijing to truly translate the common understandings reached by the two presidents into concrete actions, to steer China-U.S. relations back on track.





To this end, the two countries need to properly manage differences and remain undisturbed by all sorts of distractions so as to create favorable conditions for stabilizing their relations. The pair should guard against Gray Rhino events, which might have a disruptive impact on bilateral relations, and properly handle Black Swan events to ensure that they won't evolve into new challenges.





The U.S. side should fully respect China's core interests, refrain from unwarranted interference in China's internal affairs and violation of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, give up attempts to oppress and contain China in trade and technology, and lift unjustified and unreasonable sanctions imposed on China.





Most imperative is to jointly explore and establish guiding principles or strategic frameworks for China-U.S. relations. Beijing has always hoped for a sound and stable China-U.S. relationship, believing that the two sides can overcome all obstacles and find the right way to get along with each other on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.





To stabilize and improve China-U.S. relations, America needs to reflect on what sent the relations into a downward spiral, translate the Bali consensus into concrete actions and implement those commitments made by U.S. President Joe Biden.





Biden has made multiple pledges that the United States does not seek a new Cold War with China, that it does not aim to change China's system, that the revitalization of its alliance is not targeted at China, that the United States does not support "Taiwan independence" and that it has no intention to seek a conflict with China. It remains to be seen if Washington will follow through on these commitments.





Yawei Liu, director of the China Program at The Carter Center, argued that it's up to the United States whether the bilateral relations can improve.





The recent high-level interactions indicate that both sides aspire to a detente. This momentum needs to be maintained, and sincerity is a prerequisite for constructive communication. The Wall Street Journal reported that Yellen's trip had aided fragile efforts by the two sides to keep talking, but warned that "going any further is likely to test Washington and Beijing's ability to resist tit-for-tat measures."





The peaceful coexistence of the world's two largest economies is crucial for the future and destiny of humanity. China has always demonstrated sufficient sincerity in seeking dialogue to improve relations with the United States, which stand at a crossroads.





There is still hope, notably with the upcoming visit of U.S. climate envoy John Kerry and a possible trip by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, that bilateral relations may go back on the right track. But if Washington persists in playing the old trick of double-dealing, or even becomes all the more bent on containing China, chances are that China-U.S. relations will spiral downward into an abyss of confrontations and conflicts. [ Xinhua]
He used machine learning tool Polis to make his manifesto entirely using AI

Andrew Gray is standing as an independent candidate in Selby and Ainsty

Residents in next week's by-election in Selby and Ainsty will be able to vote for the first parliamentary candidate to create a manifesto entirely using AI.

Andrew Gray, a lawyer who is standing as an independent, used a machine learning tool called Polis to aggregate the policy positions of thousands of local voters.

His manifesto calls for the renationalisation of the Bank of England, distancing Britain from Washington, investing heavily in onshore wind and radically overhauling the NHS.

Mr Gray currently uses Polis at his not-for-profit organisation Crowd Wisdom Project.

During the campaign, constituents responded to questions he put on the platform, as well as creating their own.

Andrew Gray, a lawyer who is standing as an independent, used a machine learning tool called Polis to aggregate the policy positions of thousands of voters in Selby and Ainsty

Polis then guided them to other policy issues were are likely to agree with.

BRITAIN'S FIRST AI MANIFESTO - Re-nationalise the failed Bank of England - Harmonise capital gains tax in line with income tax - Introduce transaction taxes on mega-corporations such as Amazon - Seek closer alignment with the EU - Maintain support for Ukraine but be open to pragmatic peace deal that delivers for the people of Ukraine - Distance ourselves from the US - Large scale investment in onshore wind - Radical overhaul of the NHS - Constitutional and voting system overhaul Advertisement

This enabled the manifesto to be made up of policies that the majority of the electorate favours.

The platform received just over 7,500 votes - or 10 per cent of the electorate - from across the Selby and Ainsty constituency in North Yorkshire, he said

Respondents overwhelmingly favoured having a direct vote to select the Prime Minister rather than letting MPs choose, imposing rapid regulation on AI technology and forging Norway-style ties with the EU.

The system has previously been used by the Taiwanese government and Austrian parliament, as well as the British Food Standards Agency.

Mr Gray, a former Tory and Labour activist, warned sitting MPs they need to adapt to the era of AI in politics or risk being turfed out.

He said: 'Rishi Sunak claims he is in favour of AI technology - imagine if he and the Conservatives worked out what people want instead of using the whipping system?

'The UK is often the first to innovate - and we usually succeed. We are still trying to use old systems to tackle new problems.

'We have the technology that allows us to go back to pure democracy - much like the debate and 'one person, one vote' system in ancient Greece.

'Polis is something that has been used in other countries to help shape politics for the better, and it will be the first time it is being used in a UK election.'

Labour are currently firm favourites to win Selby and Ainsty in Thursday's by-election. Pictured: Tadcaster in the constituency

Labour are currently firm favourites to win Selby and Ainsty in Thursday's by-election after the resignation of Boris Johnson ally Nigel Adams last month.

The Tories have a majority of more than 20,000, but recent polling by JL Partners put Labour 12 points ahead.

Mr Gray said his run will be the first of many to use AI.

'This seat is winnable - every MP is vulnerable to candidates using AI, and there will definitely be copycats following this,' he added.

'The party system is a real turn off for voters - Labour have no ideas and people are tired of the Tories.'
Brittany Higgins has been spotted leaving for a trip away with her fiance while carrying a book by an ABC reporter about Australia's legal system - a day after revelations about her new prestigious new United Nations role.

Ms Higgins was on Saturday seen dressed casually in a blue and white dress and plain sandals, while her fiance David Sharaz donned a beige jacket, jeans and brown boots.

The couple was seen packing designer luggage into a white sedan.

The former Liberal staffer carried her dog under one arm and under the other a copy of ABC journalist Louise Milligan's book Witness.

The book, shortlisted for the 2021 Stella Prize, is an investigation into the failings of how the Australian legal system deals with high-profile sexual abuse claims.

Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins was on Saturday spotted packing for a trip away, holding a copy of ABC journalist Louise Milligan's book Witness

Ms Higgins is pictured with her fiance David Sharaz as the couple prepared for a trip away

Ms Higgins was seen carrying a copy of ABC journalist Louise Milligan's book Witness

The couple's luggage included a navy Longchamp bag and exclusive RIMOWA suitcases, which sell for up to $3,000.

On Friday, it was revealed Ms Higgins had scored a role at the United Nations devoted to ending discrimination against women.

Ms Higgins also confirmed rumours she and Mr Sharaz had recently jetted overseas for an extended trip.

Ms Higgins shared a series of photos of herself posing outside Palais des Nations, the United Nations' conference centre in Geneva, Switzerland.

'Honoured to intern at this year's @unitednations convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW),' she wrote on social media.

Her wardrobe choices included a baby pink suit and blazer matched with Gucci-style high heels. A similarly designed shoe costs $1,000 in Australia.

After the story was published, Ms Higgins posted a message exchange on her Instagram story, revealing the Gucci shoes belonged to her mother Kelly.

On Friday, Ms Higgins revealed she had landed a new role at the United Nations devoted to ending discrimination against women

Ms Higgins was seen dressed casually with her pet dog under her arm on Saturday

Mr Sharaz was spotted carrying a navy Longchamp bag and expensive RIMOWA suitcases

On Saturday, court testimony emerged of a Colombian-born cleaner sent to tidy up Senator Linda Reynolds' parliamentary office in the hours after Ms Higgins alleges she was raped there.

His testimony poured cold water on the persistent rumour of an alleged 'steam clean' cover-up.

Carlos Ramos was asked to clean Senator Reynolds office on March 23, 2019, after Parliamentary Security Staff officers alerted a Department of Finance official that two staffers had entered the office and Ms Higgins had slept on the couch.

Ms Higgins didn't make public allegations of an assault until much later and investigations by the former inspector-general of intelligence and security Vivienne Thom and the Federal Police found there was no reason to suspect one at that point.

Late night drinks in parliamentary offices, however, are not uncommon in Canberra and special cleans are sometimes ordered to ensure MPs do not arrive to the remains of a party.

Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz moved to Queensland after Ms Higgins received a substantial payout from the Commonwealth, after she sought damages for sexual harassment, sex discrimination, disability discrimination, negligence and victimisation

When Mr Ramos arrived to complete the clean, expecting a two-hour or longer job, he found the room so tidy that he called his boss who then reached out to security staff to make sure they had the right room.

In cross-examination, Ramos told defence barrister Katrina Musgrove: 'It was totally just routine clean.'

His testimony refutes the claim the couch in Ms Reynolds' office had been thoroughly steam cleaned in the hours following the alleged sexual assault.

Ms Higgins in 2021 came forward to accuse her colleague Bruce Lehrmann of raping her inside a minister's office in Parliament House in March 2019.

Mr Lehrmann has always strenuously denied the allegations, and they were never proven in court.

His case resulted in a mistrial due to juror misbehaviour and prosecutors declined to take Mr Lehrmann's case to a retrial over concerns over Ms Higgins' mental health.

Senator Linda Reynolds is suing Mr Sharaz in the Supreme Court of Western Australia over five social media posts he uploaded that she alleges were 'falsely defamatory'.

However, the case had been languishing since January as Ms Reynolds lawyers had been struggling to serve the elusive former journalist with court papers.

Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz moved to Queensland after Ms Higgins received a substantial payout, rumoured to be up to $3million, from the Commonwealth, after she sought damages for sexual harassment, sex discrimination, disability discrimination, negligence and victimisation.
Aussies have been left stranded in Tahiti after a cabin crew strike resulted in flights out of the holiday destination being cancelled.

Qantas and Air Tahiti Nui customers were left waiting in the airport after industrial action cancelled flights from Monday to Friday.

Air Tahiti Nui staff commenced strike action on Tuesday, July 4, with cabin crew demanding their wages be reviewed and a new salary package offered.

The motion upended travel plans, with Air Tahiti flights to destinations such as Sydney, Brisbane and Perth cancelled at the very last minute.

Those flight cancellations also meant New Zealand holidayers were left in the lurch as they need to fly to an Australian capital city to catch a connecting flight across the Tasman.

Aussie and NZ travellers have had a horror week, with cabin crew strikes for Air Tahiti Nui flights causing late cancellations and travellers forced to find accommodation or wait out in the airport (pictured)

On Monday a statement from Air Tahiti said they were 'actively working' to find 'alternative solutions' to ensure travellers can reach their destinations.

But throughout the week pictures showed the airport lounges full of people unsure how or when they would be returning home.

'The Commercial Department specifies that each customer will be contacted individually as soon as a new departure option is found,' an Air Tahiti Nui statement on Monday read.

'Our teams are also actively involved in finding accommodation solutions to minimise the inconvenience caused to customers while they wait.'

Qantas said the flights were cancelled at the last minute and that it is Air Tahiti's responsibility to find alternative routes for its customers.

The Aussie airline said its codeshare arrangement with Air Tahiti made it 'difficult' to contact customers affected.

On Monday a statement from Air Tahiti said they were 'actively working' to find 'alternative solutions' to ensure travellers can reach their destinations after they cancelled flights

From Monday to Friday pictures from Tahiti showed the airport lounges full of people unsure how or when they would be returning home, with some forced to sleep inside the terminal

At 2am on Thursday, July 13, Air Tahiti charted a flight from Air Calin - the national airline of New Caledonia - as an 'emergency flight' to get stranded Aussies and Kiwis home

At 2am on Thursday, July 13, Air Tahiti charted a flight from Air Calin - the national airline of New Caledonia - as an 'emergency flight' to get stranded Aussies and Kiwis home.

Pictures show people queueing trying desperately to get on the flight and return home.

On Thursday night the airline confirmed the two unions representing striking cabin crew members had finally reached an agreement.

The airline stated that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed bringing the industrial dispute to an end.

'This agreement will allow our scheduled services to return to normal over the coming days,' Air Tahiti Nui stated.

Sydney couple Shane and Catherine Hogan on Monday told The Daily Telegraph they were left 'disappointed' after being turned away at the departures gate.

'It's been a disaster. Those of us who flew here with Qantas haven't had a text or an email. Qantas hasn't said a word,' Mr Hogan said.

'I rang (Qantas) two days ago and spoke to someone on the desk who said we will call you and keep you informed. Nothing from Qantas.'

The pair were forced to find emergency accommodation, battling other families who were in the same boat and unsure of when they could fly home.

'Every family in the terminal is in the same situation,' Mr Hogan said.

'They don't know when they're going to be on a flight.'
Rex Heuermann was charged with her daughter Melissa's death as well as Megan Waterman and Amber Costello

Lynne Barthelemy said she hopes her daughter's alleged killer 'suffers' at the hands of other prison inmates

The mom of one of the Gilgo Beach murder victims says she hopes suspected killer Rex Heuermann 'suffers' at the hands of other inmates behind bars.

Lynn Barthelemy struck a vengeful tone as she spoke of her daughter Melissa's alleged killer, feeling that 'death is too good' for the 'devil' Manhattan architect.

'Let him receive what the girls received,' she told NBC News, adding that a painless death would be an 'easy' way out of the consequences of the heinous crimes.

The Barthelemy family suffered relentless heartache as Melissa's killer repeatedly taunted them over her death, but as cops went on to trace the calls to Heuermann's Manhattan office, the mom said: 'I always knew that the phone calls were going to be key.'

Her remarks came following Heuermann's dramatic arrest in Manhattan Thursday evening for the murders of three victims found on Gilgo Beach in 2010 and 2011. Up to 11 sets of remains were discovered on the beach.

Lynn Barthelemy, the mother of Gilgo Beach murder victim Melissa Barthelemy, said 'death is too good' for her daughter's killer

Lynn's daughter Melissa disappeared in 2009, with her body found the following year

Rex Heuermann is shown in one of his Tinder profile pictures. Police tracked the fictitious email account he used on the profile and his burner phone number to the case

Heuermann's arrest came after a decade-long manhunt for the infamous 'Gilgo Beach serial killer', with cops admitting Friday they acted due to fears that he might strike again.

He has been charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, who disappeared in 2009, as well as Megan Waterman and Amber Costello.

Despite having the alleged killer in custody, Lynn Barthelemy said it is little comfort because of the heartbreak her family has endured for 14 years.

'Our family has suffered every day,' she said. 'I'd like him to suffer at the hands of other inmates.'

Following Melissa's slaying, the killer made taunting phone calls to her family where he would mock her death and describe sexually assaulting and murdering her.

But the psychopathic move may have led investigators to the murderer, as they were able to trace the calls to a midtown Manhattan location near Heuermann's old office.

'I always knew that the phone calls were going to be key,' added Barthelemy.

Heuermann pleaded not guilty to the killings following his arrest.

Barthelemy said she hopes Heuermann 'suffers' because her family has suffered 'every day'

The sister of Shannan Gilbert (pictured) said they were 'overwhelmed' by the news her killer may have been caught after over a decade. She went missing in May 2010 and her remains were found in December 2011. Heuermann has not been charged with her murder

Up to 11 sets of remains were found on or near Gilgo Beach, and although Heuermann has only been charged with three murders, the families of those found believe their killer may have also been finally caught.

Sherre Gilbert, the sister of Shannan Gilbert, whose decomposed remains were found in December 2011, said she was 'overwhelmed' by the news.

'It's been a long time coming and I never gave up hope that one day justice would be served,' she said in a statement to NBC News.

'The Suspect deserves to rot in prison for the rest of his life,' she continued.

'He destroyed many lives so while it wont bring our loved ones back, it does help that one less monster is off the streets and he cant ever hurt anyone else.'

John Ray, an attorney for the families of Shannan Gilbert and another victim, Jessica Taylor, said he hoped the arrest means 'the dam has broken'.

Although he said the arrest brings a 'sigh of relief', he said he believes that Heuermann is not responsible for all 11 murders and there is 'undoubtedly' another suspect.

A map showing where the victims remains were located along the barren stretch of Ocean Beach Parkway in Gilgo Beach, located on the South Shore of Long Island

Heuermann was arrested after a decades-long hunt for the infamous Gilgo Beach serial killer. He has pleaded not guilty

Prosecutors allege other evidence tying Heuermann to the murders includes:

His wife's DNA was found on three of the victims' bodies

One of his own hairs was found on one of the victims' bodies

Calls made from a burner phone to the victims were traced to his office

A call made to one of the victims' sisters after she died was traced to his office

His Tinder profile with photos of him was linked to the burner phone number

His personal phones always pinged in the same areas as the suspect burners

His Chevrolet pick-up truck matched the suspect vehicle spotted by a witness

He matches the physical description of 'ogre' like man seen with one victim

Heuermann conducted graphic searches for child porn and sexual torture

He also searched Google for updates on the case, searching 'why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer'

The arrest came as investigators admitted they swooped in on Heuermann due to fears he could kill again.

The alleged serial killer had been tailed since last year, and cops had been planning on continuing the operation to build their case.

However, they decided to swoop in and make the arrest in the interest of 'public safety,' Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told reporters.

Tierney cited a number of red flags, saying that Heuermann 'continued to patronize sex workers,' was using false IDs and burner phones, and had permits for an astonishing 92 firearms.

'Which of course made us very nervous,' said Tierney, who has led a secret investigative task force focused on Heuermann since the spring of 2022.

Prosecutors say a trove of evidence connects him to the murders, including DNA recovered from a pizza crust Heuermann tossed out that matched genetic material found on the women's remains.

He has denied the crimes he faces, and is due back in court August 1.
Boston's Democrat Mayor Michelle Wu is drawing comparisons to disgraced former President Richard Nixon for compiling a list of her most vocal critics and sending it to the police.

Wu, the first woman and first person of color elected mayor of Beantown, admitted the list had been put together, but cited safety reasons and a request from Boston police, through a spokesperson.

'The list was made in response to a request from the Boston Police Department after the Mayor had been harassed and physically intimidated by individuals for several months outside her home, at city functions such as the annual neighborhood parks coffee hours, and at other public events,' Ricardo Patron said in a statement.

Notable names on the list of 15 people include several local restauranteurs who have sued Wu's administration alleging that she's biased against Italians and white people.

Shana Cottone, an ex-Boston police officer fired over her opposing of vaccine mandates, was also named.

Boston's Democrat Mayor Michelle Wu is drawing comparisons to former President Richard Nixon after its been revealed she put together a list of her most vocal critics and sent it to the police

Others named include local city council candidate and vehement critic of the mayor Catherine Vitale, as well as several anti-vaccine activists who have protested at Wu's home.

Nixon, a Republican, notoriously had an 'enemies list' during his presidency, one that included names for union execs, sitting Congressmen and even famously liberal actor Paul Newman.

Multiple lists were revealed during the investigation into the wiretapping of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in 1972, along with the following cover up, finally led to his resignation.

Wu's spokesperson Patron told the Boston Herald that the list was requested by the Boston Police Department.

'The request (from police) came after many of the individuals on the list repeatedly impeded the Dorchester Day Parade to harass Mayor Wu and her family and staff, yelling through megaphones at her and her children for nearly ninety minutes as they marched in the parade despite being asked by parade organizers to leave the parade route.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Boston Police Department for comment on the matter.

The restaurant owners include 'the Mendoza Brothers from the North End' who were part of the suit filed in the fall of 2022, centered around Wu's decree that restaurants in the neighborhood were forced to pay $7,500 in order to be able to obtain an outdoor dining license for the 2022 summer season while it was free in the rest of Boston.

The mayor's office said that in the North End, on-street dining will no longer be allowed and sidewalk dining will be limited to establishments with 'adequate' sidewalk width.

Others named include local city council candidate and vehement critic of the mayor Catherine Vitale

Jorge Mendoza, owner of Vinoteca di Monica, is one of the names on the list

Restaurants in other neighborhoods will pay between $199 and $399 per month, depending on whether or not they have a liquor license, for the right to set up tables outside in 2023.

'It is commonly known that the traditional owner of a restaurant in the North End of Boston is a white male of Italian descent, and the North End is generally regarded (as) the last true ethnic Boston Italian neighborhood,' one section of the lawsuit reads.

The new plaintiffs are the same plaintiffs who sued Wu's office in 2022 over the decision to curtail Boston's outdoor dining rules.

They are Jorge Mendoza, owner of Vinoteca di Monica; Carla Gomes, owner of Terramia Ristorante and Antico Forno; Christian Silvestri, owner of Rabia's Dolce Fumo; and Patrick Mendoza, owner of Monica's Trattoria.

Another prominent North End restaurant owner, Frank DePasquale, is also giving his support to the campaign.

'Its upsetting for us to be discriminated against. Its a flaw to Italians,' he told the Boston Globe.

In 2022, restaurants in the North End were not allowed to set up outside until May while in the rest of Boston's eateries had patio dining in April.

The $7,500 was allowed to be paid in installments and it was reduced in some cases, depending on restaurant size. The city collected nearly $800,000 as a result.

The group mentions the mayor's All Inclusive Boston Campaign as an example of anti-white and anti-Italian bias as the advertisement included no mention of the North End and did not feature any Italian Americans.

The suit says that the only white men in the ad were Boston Red Sox players.

The group alleges that the North End is not featured on the All Inclusive campaign's website. At the time of writing, there is a North End section live on the site.

The lawsuit goes on to mention Mayor Wu's jokes at the annual St. Patrick's Day breakfast in South Boston in 2022 in which she said: 'I'm getting used to dealing with problems that are expensive, disruptive and WHITE'

Restaurant owner Frank DePasquale has said Italian Americans are being 'discriminated against with the new rules

In 2022, restaurants in the North End were not allowed to set up outside until May while in the rest of Boston's eateries had patio dining in April

Pat Mendoza, the executive chef of Monica's Trattoria, is among those involved in the law suit. Here he's pictured with actor Steve Carell in September 2022

Bostons outdoor dining program initiated early in the coronavirus pandemic to help drive up business at struggling restaurants has been made permanent, but with some stricter rules to address unique challenges in the citys North End.

'Outdoor dining expanded as a way to keep our businesses open during the pandemic, and has turned into a popular opportunity to enjoy our streets and each others company,' Wu said in a February statement.

The different rules in the North End were in response to the special issues the neighborhood and its maze of narrow streets faces, city officials said.

The North End, which draws visitors from all over the world, has the highest concentration of restaurants in the state, with 95 establishments in just over one-third of a square mile.

Restaurants in other neighborhoods will pay between $199 and $399 per month, depending on whether or not they have a liquor license, for the right to set up tables outside in 2023

The North End plaintiffs are seeking $500,000 in compensatory damage's and $1 million in punitive damages

The lawsuit goes on to mention Mayor Wu's jokes at the annual St. Patrick's Day breakfast in South Boston in 2022 in which she said: 'I'm getting used to dealing with problems that are expensive, disruptive and WHITE.'

The complaint does not mention the punchline of the joke which was: 'Im talking about snowflakes, snowflakes, snowstorms. . . snowflakes.'

Unregulated outdoor dining brings challenges surrounding traffic, access for public safety vehicles, sanitation and residents quality of life. Traffic is expected to be worse this summer with nearby major construction projects.

Nick Varano, owner of Strega restaurant in the neighborhood, was not happy with the citys plan.

'I believe its not very fair, and it puts us at a disadvantage with other neighborhoods in the city,' he told the Boston Herald in February.

'Weve taken what we learned over the last couple years to inform the permanent program, and were committed to working with our neighborhoods to make this program a success,' Wu said last month.

While at least one local resident said that she was relieved by the new rules.

'COVID's done. The restaurants did well before. Theyll do well after. We are a neighborhood, not a district where you go out and dance all night. We want to shop at the CVS and go to the bank without all the outdoor dining,' Darlene Romano told the Globe.

In the same article, the owner of Aquitaine and Metropolis in Boston's South End described the regulations as 'reasonable and appropriate.'

The North End plaintiffs are seeking $500,000 in compensatory damage's and $1 million in punitive damages.
Australia's complacency around influenza has led to soaring cases of the disease and an increase in deaths, experts have warned.

There have been 116,473 flu notifications reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System between January 1 to June 25 this year, as well as 107 influenza-associated deaths and 1,236 hospitalisations.

Despite many people associating flu deaths with older people, three young Australians have died from the disease in recent months, shocking the nation.

An 11-year-old Queensland girl and a teenager from the NSW Central Coast both died from influenza this week alone, sparking fears about the impact of the flu.

Emma Schwab, an 11-year-old Queensland girl (pictured), and a teenager from the NSW Central Coast both died from influenza this week, sparking fears about the impact of the flu

These statistics are not surprising to health experts, as vaccination rates trail behind previous years.

The complacency stems from a misunderstanding about how serious the disease is, according to Mater Health infectious diseases director Associate Professor Paul Griffin.

'We had an unprecedented low number of flu cases during Covid, I think we had less than 1000 in one year which is unheard of and means we've had fewer people with recent exposure,' he said.

'But the main driver is that people have lost sight of the significance of the flu, and that leads to low vaccination rates.'

Australians aged between 5 and 15 are the least likely to be vaccinated at 13.7 per cent, followed by those aged between 15 and 50 at 20.5 per cent.

Australia's complacency around influenza has led to soaring cases of the disease and an increase in deaths, experts have warned

Professor Robert Booy said that low vaccination rates among young people are significantly contributing to the issue

Just 23.6 per cent of children under five have been vaccinated against the flu, a worrying statistic driven by complacency and people being 'a little bit over' immunisation, according to paediatrician and infectious disease expert Professor Robert Booy.

'[The vaccine uptake] is incredibly inadequate to provide protection and we really should have done better by now considering we've had free flu vaccination for children under five for quite some years,' he said.

As a result, young people are much more likely to contract the flu, with 57 per cent of those who caught the illness in NSW being under the age of 20 and 36 per cent being under the age of 10.

Children under five are at particular risk of severe illness and the consequences of the disease can be deadly, with a previously healthy three-year-old Perth boy dying suddenly from the flu in June.

Muhammed Saadiq Segaff contracted influenza A before deteriorating rapidly and going into cardiac arrest. Doctors fought to save him through open-heart surgery, however, he could not be revived.

Three-year-old Muhammed Saadiq Segaff contracted influenza A before deteriorating rapidly and going into cardiac arrest in May

Preventative measures are always helpful to avoid the flu, and Professor Booy says that it's not too late to be vaccinated even if you've caught it already this year

Professor Griffin argued that attitudes toward children and Covid-19 are driving the surge of flu cases among young people.

'We've been reassuring people that children are at a lower risk with Covid, but it's very different with influenza and I think a lot of people have lost sight of that, that children do get the flu, they spread the flu and they can get sick from it,' he said.

'Traditionally, and as we see at the moment, our highest rate of notifications as well as hospitalisations actually occurs in children.'

Though influenza A led the charge at the start of the flu season, influenza B is now taking over as the dominant strain.

Despite the A strain being considered more severe, both can be 'nasty' and cause serious illness.

Associate Professor Paul Griffin has urged all Australians, including those who have already contracted the disease, to get the flu shot

The recent rise in severe cases is not surprising to health experts, as vaccination rates trail behind previous years

'Flu B is typically considered the less severe version, it doesn't cause pandemics and it doesn't change as much but what we are seeing right now is it does tend to cause more severe disease in children,' Professor Griffin said.

'That's why our vaccine actually contains two flu A strains and two flu B strains so that we protect people against both.'

Professor Booy says that it's not too late to be vaccinated and protect yourself and your children from the disease, even if you've caught it already this year.

Only 5-10 per cent of children who contract the flu will need to be taken to the hospital according to Professor Griffin, but he had some tips for parents who were worried about their sick children.

'If you're wondering whether you need to get your child reviewed, it's probably best to err on the side of caution,' he said.

'The main sort of things we worry about is a respiratory infection, so if children are having trouble breathing or wheezing in a significant way, it's a good indication to get checked out.

'Severe infection can cause issues with the central nervous systems and make kids irritable or drowsy ... there can be skin changes, if the skin appears mottled or pale, definitely get them reviewed.'
A couple from California who were celebrating their five year anniversary with a trip to Guatemala were mistakenly charged $30,000 after taking an Uber ride when the app wrongly converted local currency into dollars.

Douglas Ordonez and Dominique Adams from Riverside were left without any money for the rest of their trip after their bank account was overdrawn by tens of thousands of dollars.

The mistake appeared to have occurred when Uber ran the couple's debit card for 30,000 Costa Rican Colones (about $55 U.S. dollars) - but instead processed the taxi journey for $30,000.

Adams, who was in Costa Rica, was taking an Uber to the airport to catch a flight to Guatemala where she had planned to meet her husband for a romantic celebration.

'I took an Uber, everything was fine, I didn't think twice about it,' Adams told KTLA, until she received a call from her concerned husband who saw their joint bank account had been completely drained after his own card was declined.

Douglas Ordonez and Dominique Adams are seen on their anniversary trip to Guatemala

Dominique Adams and Douglas Ordonez celebrating their five-year anniversary in Guatemala were mistakenly charged $30,000 for an Uber ride due to a currency conversion error

The error occurred when Uber processed the couple's debit card transaction for $30,000 instead of the intended 30,000 Costa Rican Colones (about $55 USD)

'He checked our bank account and saw the almost $30,000 charge, and we both were like "What the hell? What do we even do?"'

'The bank was blaming Uber, and Uber was blaming the bank,' Adams said. 'I took the Uber, everything was fine, I got the receipt emailed to me, and then that next morning is when we both realized that I was actually charged in US dollars.'

'I got the notice of insufficient funds, and I knew we had money in the account, so I tried it again, and it said the same thing too. Then I checked my bank account, and that's when I saw the $30,000 charge,' Ordonez told Insider.

The couple say they spent their vacation using whatever little cash they had on them. Adams posted a clip about the incident on TikTok the following day.

'We were both distraught, stuck in limbo, feeling like there's nothing we could do,' she added. We were constantly calling the bank asking for an update, and that's when we were blamed for the mistake because we called our bank to give them a travel notice, the bank said "That's what allowed the charge to go through,"' Adams said.

@dominique.xo.xo Replying to @user485530046132  Part 2 (posting part 3 rn) I always use my credit card for international charges. Unfortunately, I was rushing & didnt realize my debit card was attached to my @Uber account. Yes- obviously taxis, shuttles are better in Costa Rica, but I was traveling solo & Uber was more convenient in that moment.  Aesthetic - Tollan Kim

@dominique.xo.xo Replying to @Chanel  Part 3 Still havent heard from @Uber . While this was being resolved my account was on hold & I had no access to $$ while traveling internationally. @Altura Credit Union refused to send me anything that outlined the policy, but replied w/ an email after I outlined the negligence & failed security measures they had taken place.  Still trying to get answers...  Side note: If you havent visited Guatemala, make sure you do. Its beautiful here!  #emotionaldamage #horrorstory #uberscam #uber #fyp #travelhorrorstory #traveltiktok  Aesthetic - Tollan Kim

Adams posted a clip about the incident on TikTok the following day recounting her tale

Customer service appeared to be of no use whatsoever with help seemingly AI generated

The California couple found themselves without any money for their trip after their bank account was drained

The couple say they will never use Uber again and make sure to use a credit card rather than debit

Adams took to TikTok to document her ordeal

'Cannot believe they allowed a payment of this amount to process. Failed security measures and negligence,' she added.

The couple claim their bank, Altura Credit Union, was equally useless in assisting them.

It took a further four days before the charge for $29,994.33 was finally reversed.

'To this day, Uber hasn't contacted us. They haven't emailed us back. Before this was resolved they marked this case as resolved in their app. They were very negligent,' Adams said.

Uber has since responded in a statement about the couple's ordeal: 'At Uber, we take every report seriously. As soon as we received the user's report, our support team promptly addressed the issue and released the authorization hold mistakenly applied due to a bank error in Dollars and not in Colones. However, the time it takes for the refund to be processed depends on each bank's policies.'

The couple say that they will never use Uber again and suggest fellow travelers use a credit card on their accounts rather than debit.

'I will probably never use Uber ever again just knowing that their customer service is really horrible,' Adams said.
The legendary Bergdorf Goodman saleswoman who has worked for the luxury Manhattan department store for 47 years has opened up about her career in a new interview.

Betty Halbreich, 95, started at the iconic store as a sales associate in 1976, and went on to launch Bergdorf Goodman's personal shopping service catering to the rich and famous.

In her decades working at the Fifth Avenue landmark, which she chronicled in a best-selling 2015 book, she has seen fashion trends come and go, and customers change along with them.

'Manners have changed. People of all ages treat salespeople terribly. It shocks me,' Halbreich told the Wall Street Journal in an interview published on Friday.

'They throw things around and walk away or come out of the dressing room stripping. I won't tolerate it. The only thing I've ever demanded is: Leave me with my dignity.'

Betty Halbreich, 95, started at Bergdorf Goodman as a sales associate in 1976, and went on to launch the iconic store's personal shopping service

The exterior of Bergdorf Goodman store during 2014 Holiday Window Unveiling

Halbreich also observed that younger customers are increasingly drawn to the store, which once catered primarily to older, wealthy customers.

'When I started, it was a small, elitist store. People were afraid to come in. Chauffeured cars were allowed, but if you pulled up on a bike, forget it,' she said.

'Lately, I've seen a huge uptick in the young. It boggles my mind that they spend the prices that are demanded. They're buying two things: handbags and shoes. Yet somehow, they walk around in jeans and a tank all day.'

As she chronicled her book I'll Drink To That, Halbreich was already in her 40s when she began her career at Bergdorf Goodman, known to fans as BG.

She took the job after a tumultuous split from an unfaithful, heavy-drinking husband drove her to a nervous breakdown, and she attempted suicide.

'I grew up here, and another person emerged,' she told the Journal of her career at the store.

She suggested the creation of a personal shopping service, which she was tapped to lead.

As Director of Solutions, her official title, Halbreich has served a bevy of celebrity clients including Hollywood personalities, socialites, and politicians.

Bergdorf Goodman is the favorite store of Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker's beloved character in HBO's Sex and the City

Betty Halbreich, seen around 1950 in an authentic jaguar coat, was already in her 40s when she began her career at Bergdorf Goodman, known to fans as BG

Halbreich has served as a personal shopper and stylist for a bevy of celebrity clients including Hollywood personalities, socialites, and politicians

In her memoir she describes how President Gerald Ford came to her to pick up an altered dress for his wife, and she took it upon herself to show him how to carry it correctly.

'It had just been pressed and finished. He took it and wrapped it over his arm like he was taking his shirts to laundry,' she recalls.

'I said, "Oh, for God's sake. Shes going to wear that dress tonight," she explains.

'He said, "I can't believe Betty's telling me how to carry a dress." I said, "At least Im not telling you how to run the country."'

The quick-witted octogenarian goes on to say that Ford and his wife had 'a wonderful love affair. She came out of that dressing room and showed him every dress. And his appreciation for her was written all over his face.'

Much of Halbreich's success is due to her ability to adapt to the times - although she can't help but remark on how much the fashion world has changed since her youth.

'We dressed - that's what's different,' she writes. 'You went to El Morocco on Saturday night and tipped the head waiter heavily to get a table. You didn't think about going out not dressed.'

Halbreich's list of other former celebrity clients is dizzying but includes Al Gore, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sharon Stone, Julia Roberts, Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder, Farrah Fawcett, Liza Minnelli, and Meryl Streep.

Victoria Beckham poses with a display of Victoria Beckham Beauty at Bergdorf Goodman in 2021

The New York City store, which was founded in 1899 and permanently set up shop on glamorous Fifth Avenue in 1928, sells designer clothes

Andrew Goodman is seen in 1956. He ran the company after his father Edwin Goodman's death

For more than a century, Bergdorf Goodman has served Midtown Manhattan's upper crust.

The New York City store, which was founded in 1899 and permanently set up shop on glamorous Fifth Avenue in 1928, sells designer clothes from brands such as Prada, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Lanvin, Dolce & Gabbana.

It is the favorite store of Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker's beloved character in HBO's Sex and the City.

The store was also the location in which author E. Jean Carrol said that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in a dressing room.

He denied it, but a civil jury awarded Carrol $5 million in damages after finding that Trump had sexually abused and defamed her, though he didn't rape her.
Police previously revealed an array of damning evidence linking Rex Heuermann to the murders , including his DNA found on one of the remains

Chilling drone footage captured the moment cops combed through the backyard of suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann.

The search came a day after the Manhattan architect, 59, was arrested in New York City, 13 years after the first remains were found in his alleged murder spree.

A fleet of forensic investigators descended on Heuermann's Massapequa Park home Friday in hopes of finding further evidence in the serial murder case that stumped investigators for over a decade.

An array of tarpaulin sheets and white-suited workers littered his ghoulish property, which has seemingly fallen into disrepair despite being shared by his wife and daughter.

A family-sized fridge was among the items seen being seized, and officers said they are still searching for 92 firearms that are registered to Heuermann, but are currently unaccounted for.

Although he has been charged with three homicides linked to the infamous Gilgo Beach serial killer, up to 11 sets of remains - including those of a toddler - were found on the coastline between 2010 and 2011.

And on Friday night, one expert speculated that Heuermann could be behind an even greater number of killings.

A fleet of forensic investigators were spotted sweeping the suspected serial killer's property

Manhattan architect Rex Heuermann, 59, is charged with three murders attributed to the Gilgo Beach serial killer, and is the prime suspect in a fourth victim's murder

Katherine Ramsland, an expert in forensic psychology, said the alleged killer's trail of death could extend well beyond what he has been charged with.

She told NewsNation that people 'don't know' if he ever stopped killing, adding that 'all we know is what he's a suspect in right now.'

Asked why he may not have already been linked to other remains found in the area, Ramsland said it was possible another serial killer was on the loose.

'The other (murders) don't seem to have been handled in the same way,' she said. 'Serial killers don't always do the same thing all the time.

'There's a lot of differences in the way some of those victims were treated and then left. So, I'm not sure that he's attached to them. I couldn't rule it out, but they don't look like the same kinds of things that we're seeing with the four victims we're talking about.'

Her fears over another killer were shared by an attorney for two of the families of girls found on Gilgo Beach, who felt there is 'undoubtedly' another killer.

She spoke after investigators revealed an array of disturbing evidence linking Heuermann to the murders, including finding his and his wife's DNA on several varying sets of human remains.

Friday's forensic effort was targeted on the suspect's home in Massapequa Park, which neighbors described to DailyMail.com as 'creepy' and 'dungeon'-like.

'He's an architect but his house looks like garbage,' said one local, as drone footage of the search revealed the yard to hold almost no grass or manicuring.

The roof of the family home was also seemingly falling apart at the seams, with reports indicating the Heuermann may have lived in the home since he was a child.

Investigators have noted a series of 'red flags' in Heuermann's behavior that ultimately led them to his Long Island home, which is roughly a 25-minute drive from Gilgo Beach.

This included blatant Google searches asking why cops were unable to trace calls made by the serial killer, who was known to taunt his victim's families.

Little did he know, however, that cops had been monitoring the vile calls back to his Fifth Avenue office, where they also picked up a half-eaten pizza in January to glean his DNA.

White-suited officers and an array of evidence gathering instruments are seen in the footage

Among the pieces of evidence reportedly being sought is 92 firearms registered to the suspect, but which are currently unaccounted for

Forensics teams working at Heuermann's home on Friday. A freezer was among items seized

Heuermann's truck, which was one of the first pieces of evidence allegedly tying him to the murders, was also removed from the home

The suspect's house sits directly north of Gilgo Beach across the South Oyster Bay, and it is roughly a 25-minute drive between the two areas

Among the evidence cited by cops in their investigation:

His wife's DNA was found on three of the victims' bodies

One of his own hairs was found on one of the victims' bodies

Calls made from a burner phone to the victims were traced to his office

A call made to one of the victims' sisters after she died was traced to his office

His Tinder profile with photos of him was linked to the burner phone number

His personal phones always pinged in the same areas as the suspect burners

His Chevrolet pick-up truck matched the suspect vehicle spotted by a witness

He matches the physical description of 'ogre' like man seen with one victim

Heuermann conducted graphic searches for child porn and sexual torture

He also searched Google for updates on the case, searching 'why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer'

Cops had been surveilling their prime suspect for over a year, saying they were intending to build a case methodically as the evidence piled up.

But officials admitted Friday they swooped in on the suspect this week due to fears he would strike again, leading them to decide it was time to 'take him off the street.'

'As we worked through the case and got closer and closer, suddenly the balance tips in favor of public safety,' said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

Tierney cited a number of unsettling pieces of evidence, saying that Heuermann 'continued to patronize sex workers,' was using false IDs and burner phones, and had permits for an astonishing 92 firearms.

The DA added that while officials have the permits for the 92 firearms, they are still unaccounted for, but he hoped the guns would show up in a sweep of his home.

'He has a very large safe in which guns are kept,' he said. 'We're continuing to execute search warrants, so I'm sure we'll have that answer shortly.'

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Heuermann had been under surveillance since last year, and cops moved in to arrest him over fears he would strike again

The search was carried out at the suspect's dilapidated home in Massapequa Park, New York (pictured), which neighbors told DailyMail.com has long been seen as 'creepy'

Investigators combed through the home in Massapequa Park, Long Island, where the suspected serial murderer lived with his wife and daughter

Questions have been raised over why an arrest in the infamous murders has taken well over a decade, particularly due to the advancements in law enforcement technology.

Heuermann, who has lived for decades across a bay from where the remains were found, is charged with killing (L to R): Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello

He is also considered the prime suspect in the death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, whose body was bound and hidden in thick underbrush along a remote beach highway

Also among the victims was Shannan Gilbert (left) and an unidentified Asian male, who police believe is a transgender sex worker. Heuermann is suspected, but has not been charged, with both deaths

According to investigators, Heuermann's first link to the cold case was through his Chevrolet Avalanche truck, which was seen at the homes of at least one of the victims before she went missing.

He also matches a description of a man who visited one of the victims the night before she died, who was said to have 'ogre'-like features.

In that case, he was allegedly meeting Amber Costello, one of the women he is charged with murdering, for sex at her home.

Costello and a male friend were known to conduct a 'ruse' whereby the male friend pretended to interrupt their hook-up, claiming to be an angry boyfriend.

But when they allegedly pulled the trick on Heuerman, he texted Costello saying, 'that wasn't very nice' and demanding a 'credit' on his next service.

Costello met with the customer again the following night, but she he insisted on doing so away from her home. The witness said the customer was between 6ft 4in and 6ft 6in, with a broad frame and glasses.

In addition to his disturbing and threatening behavior, the alleged killer exhibited a slew of unsettling online antics that also led investigators to him.

He used fictitious email accounts and burner phone numbers to make seedy Tinder profiles, while a slew of grotesque internet searches were also traced to him.

Among them were searches for 'nude slave girls' and 'crying teen porn'.

In January this year, after watching Heuermann and his family since last March, the detectives in the case seized a pizza box he'd thrown in the trash outside his Manhattan office.

His DNA from one of the crusts was a 99.6 percent match to a male hair found at the bottom of the burlap sack one of the victims was found in.

Prosecutors also discovered unidentified female hairs on three of the victims.

The pizza box taken from a trash can outside Heuermann's midtown office

In January this year, after watching Heuermann and his family since last March, the detectives in the case seized a pizza box he'd thrown in the trash outside his Manhattan office

Chilling similarities can be drawn between Heuermann, a married father-of-two, and the unknown suspect described in a 2011 FBI profile of the Gilgo Beach killer.

That profile described a 'sadistic but charming average Joe', who could blend into any environment unnoticed.

Heuermann lived a seemingly normal, 'average Joe' life until his dramatic arrest.

The profilers told The New York Times that the suspect was likely financially stable and bright.

'He may have sought treatment at a hospital for poison ivy infection. As part of his job or interests, he has access to, or a stockpile of, burlap sacks,' the profile read.

Heuermann grew up in Massapequa Park, attending high school with Billy Baldwin, and started working in Manhattan in 1987.

Heuermann was married once in 1990 and again years later to his current wife, Asa Ellerup, who is of Iceland descent.

He and Asa have an adult daughter Victoria, who works with Heuermann at his architectural firm, and a stepson, Asa's son from a previous marriage.

Part of his job was to negotiate between the city of New York's Department of Buildings and private architects.
A woman who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend and buried alive provided a statement to police just five weeks before her death detailing how her 'over possessive' killer repeatedly stalked her at her workplace.

Jasmeen Kaur, 21, was kidnapped from the South Australian aged care home she worked at in North Plympton, Adelaide, in March, 2021.

She was later bound and buried while she was conscious and died from 'actively breathing in and swallowing soil'.

In a statement signed on January 28, 2021 Ms Kaur said she had been in a controlling relationship with Tarikjot Singh, 23, for about nine months.

Jasmeen Kaur, 21, was abducted and buried alive in 2021

'He was over possessive and wanted to control who I spent time with,' she said in the document released by the Supreme Court.

Ms Kaur told police she had ended the relationship on January 4, 2021, but Singh 'didn't take this well'.

'He stated that I had to be with him or if not he would attempt suicide,' she said.

During their relationship she said Singh had sometimes 'got upset' when she made plans to go out with friends and would call her and demand she go home.

The day after the pair split, Ms Kaur said she was working an afternoon shift as a carer at a Southern Cross Care Home in North Plympton when she sighted Singh through a window.

She went outside during her break and he pleaded with her not to end the relationship.

Singh again threatened suicide so she called a friend of his to check on him.

'When I ended my shift at 9pm I went outside and found Tarikjot in his car affected by some type of drug,' she said.

Ms Kaur had warned police about her 'possessive' ex-boyfriend Tarikjot Singh, five weeks before her death

Ms Kaur's body was found in a shallow grave in the Flinders Ranges

She said Singh's friend took him to hospital and she was given a 'suicide letter' in which Singh blamed her family for the downfall of their relationship.

The following day, on January 6, 2021, Singh and a member of his family arrived at the home she shared with her aunt in a bid to convince her to come with them.

Ms Kaur outlined how Singh had played TikTok videos to her family of the couple in a hotel room in an attempt to 'diminish' her reputation.

The next day, Singh again returned to her workplace and waited near her car for her to finish her shift.

Ms Kaur said she ignored him and left, but he 'followed me in his car all the way home'.

'When I got home he kept going but I didn't feel safe or comfortable with what he was doing,' she told police.

She said Singh continued to call and plead with her to recommence their relationship and threatened to further distribute videos of the former couple if she did not do as he said.

On the day she gave her statement, Ms Kaur said her 'very distressed and upset' mother, who lived in India, had called her because Singh had sent her the videos of the former couple.

Ms Kaur's body was discovered bounded, blindfolded and buried in the Flinders Ranges

Police cautioned Singh for stalking on February 9, 2021.

A month later, on the evening of March 5, 2021, Singh again attended her workplace and abducted her.

The day before he murdered Ms Kaur, Singh downloaded a map of security camera locations in Adelaide.

Singh had also swapped cars with his flat mate and used that vehicle to drive to Ms Kaur's workplace where he abducted her.

In the lead-up Singh purchased cable ties and a shovel from Bunnings.

Security footage on the evening of March 5 shows Singh heading north, with Ms Kaur out of sight, allegedly being either restrained in the back seat or the boot.

Ms Kaur was then callously murdered and buried in the Flinders Ranges that night.

Her body was later found with her hands tied together with a cable tie behind her back, her feet taped and cable-tied together and she was blindfolded.

Singh had put his phone's SIM card into another handset, swapping it back upon his return home from the Flinders Ranges about 6pm on March 6, 2021.

He was at home that evening when police came to ask about Ms Kaur's whereabouts.

The court has heard Singh was supposed to work an overnight shift at a southern suburbs pub on the night Ms Kaur was abducted, but his housemate worked the shift instead.

He later made admissions to an aunt, then told police Ms Kaur had taken her own life and he had buried her in the Flinders Ranges, north of Hawker.

He led police to the site on March 7, who found Ms Kaur buried under 30cm of sand. Her hands were bound, she was blindfolded and her throat had been cut  but those wounds were found to be superficial.

When questioned by police following the incident, Singh initially denied knowing anything about where she was before altering his story and saying she had taken her own life and then he had then buried her.

Justice Kimber in July formally imposed a mandatory life sentence for Singh for Ms Kaur's murder, with a non-parole period set to be decided next month.
by N. S. Venkataraman

Reports indicate that the European Parliament, during its plenary session in Strasbourg, France, adopted a joint motion by six political groups, calling for decisive action to address ethnic and religious violence in Indias Manipur state. The motion, voted on after a debate, also urged India to safeguard the rights of religious minorities, including the Christian community in Manipur, and repeal the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.





However, it is evident that the members of the European Parliament did not thoroughly study the ground realities in Manipur with care and understanding. They may have been swayed by biased and one-sided media reports, failing to take a holistic view of the situation. As a responsible parliament, it would have been more appropriate for them to engage in discussions with the Government of India to ascertain its stance and explanation before passing such a resolution.





Violence in Manipur [Photo: Special Arrangement]





While it is true that violent incidents have occurred in Manipur, resulting in the loss of innocent lives, it is important to acknowledge that historical issues between ethnic groups have long contributed to potential conflicts, similar to challenges faced by many countries, including those in Europe.





The recent violent episode in France, where an unarmed 17-year-old of Algerian and Moroccan descent was fatally shot by police during a routine traffic stop in Nanterre, reveals instances of police brutality and conflicts related to migrant issues. As a consequence, protests turned violent, resulting in the burning of several locations. These incidents reflect the state of affairs in Europe, which has experienced various conflicts, hate politics, and frequent violent incidents due to the influx of migrants. It is worth noting that the Indian parliament has not passed any resolutions criticizing such violent and unsavoury incidents in Europe, highlighting its broader worldview compared to the European Parliament.









It is widely known that European countries accommodate various insurgent and separatist groups operating against governments in different countries under the guise of freedom of speech and action. The negative activities of these groups are often disregarded by European governments for various reasons. Notably, the LTTE, a separatist group seeking secession in Sri Lanka, engaged in a prolonged violent war against the Sri Lankan government while enjoying unhindered support and facilities in Europe. Similarly, the Khalistan group, another separatist organization acting against India, finds refuge in certain European countries, causing significant problems for India. European countries tend to adopt different approaches to violence and terrorism depending on whether it directly affects them or involves another country.





Recent events in Europe have garnered widespread publicity for reasons that do not enhance its reputation in any way.





It is high time for the members of the European Parliament to search their consciences and introspect regarding the fairness of their resolution concerning Manipur state in India.





India, with a population of over 1.42 billion people, is a densely populated country characterized by vibrant democracy, boasting around 2,500 political parties of various sizes. The nation is home to diverse linguistic groups, including a considerable tribal population residing in remote areas with traditional value systems. People of different religions coexist, and overall peace and harmony prevail in India.





In a vast country like India, occasional isolated incidents of violence in specific regions should not be exaggerated. For several decades, residents in Manipur have lived peacefully together. The present violence is an isolated incident, and there is no doubt that peace will be restored sooner or later, perhaps sooner than later.





Indias impressive economic progress in recent years has garnered widespread praise from global institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, and others. This progress has been made possible due to cordial and healthy relationships among its people. By and large, people in India live peacefully, and incidents of violence like the one in Manipur are exceptions rather than the rule.





Finally, the European Parliaments resolution can be viewed as an act of hypocrisy. It is akin to the adage of people living in glass houses should not throw stones at others. The European Parliaments action mirrors the pot calling the kettle black.





N. S. Venkataraman is a trustee with the "Nandini Voice for the Deprived," a not-for-profit organization that aims to highlight the problems of downtrodden and deprived people and support their cause and to promote probity and ethical values in private and public life and to deliberate on socio-economic issues in a dispassionate and objective manner.
A grieving family is outraged after an alleged drunk driver, who killed their 11-year-old son after his car t-boned the car the youngster was traveling in, has been freed by a woke judge, without bail

Ryan Ambrose lost his life in the crash last Saturday night which happened in Portland, Oregon.

The suspect, Duprie Smith, 29, is alleged to have been driving at speeds of more than 85mph at the time of the accident when he slammed directly into Ryan's vehicle. Ryan was sitting in the back seat of the car and bore the brunt of the impact.

Smith was said to have been racing to hospital having been previously shot at his younger brother's funeral.

Police recorded a blood alcohol content of .116 meaning he would have been significantly impaired at the time of the crash and was substantially over the legal drink-drive limit.

Ryan was visiting family in Portland from out-of-state when the fatal crash occurred.

11-year-old Ryan Ambrose was killed after the car he was traveling in was slammed by an alleged drunk driver

Duprie Smith, 29, was released without bail by a judge following an 85mph car crash that killed 11-year-old Ryan Ambrose

Ryan's car, which was being driven by his aunt, was t-boned at an intersection in Portland

Dash cam allegedly shows Smith speeding, weaving his way through traffic and running red lights before slamming into the sedan that was carrying Ryan, at an intersection.

Ryan suffered serious, life-threatening injuries in the crash, and despite a witness performing CPR at the scene, he was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Such was Smith's speed, his vehicle overturned and travelled an entire city block before coming to a stop.

He was arrested for DUII (Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants) and manslaughter, but was shockingly released from Multnomah County Jail without bail.

Although the District Attorney's requested bail for Smith to be set at $100,000, Judge Michael Greenlick instead released Smith on condition he did not drive, wore a device to monitor alcohol consumption and not go into any bars.

Duprie Smith was driving under the influence when he killed Ryan Ambrose, 11 years old, in Portland, Oregon on July 8

Such was Smith's speed, his vehicle overturned and travelled an entire city block before coming to a stop

Although the District Attorney's requested bail for Smith to be set at $100,000, Judge Michael Greenlick instead released Smith on condition he did not drive, wore a device to monitor alcohol consumption and not go into any bars. Smith is seen left in court

Smith posted to Facebook that he was glad to be alive but did not mention the name of the boy who was killed in the crash

'I'm releasing you because I believe you will follow these conditions of release,' Greenlick stated in court.

Ryan's family have shared their frustration with Smith's release and believe he should remain locked up until his court hearing in August.

'It's not fair what happened. I feel like, as a community, we should come together,' said Daniela, Ryan's cousin to KOIN. 'Just put yourself in our shoes and imagine this happening to your family.'

The family say Ryan was a fun child who loved his comic book heroes and liked to help others.

'He was amazing. He was one of the sweetest boys,' said Ryan's aunt, Jennifer Trejo, was also in the crash.

'He was killed by a drunk driver and now this guy is in his house watching tv and my grandson is in a case in the funeral home right now,' she said to Fox 12.

'We think this is not fair. What are they trying to do? Wait until he kills someone else and then arrest him? He was drunk driving 90 miles an hour. Ran every single red light. This is not fair. Where is the justice? We need it. The whole family needs it.

'Please, I'm calling on the whole community to help us,' pleaded Trejo. 'To make justice. Please make calls, do something. Please help us. Don't do it for us, do it for the little kid. He was 11-years-old. He didn't do nothing wrong with nobody.'

'Please, I'm calling on the whole community to help us,' said Trejo. 'To make justice. Please make calls, do something. Please help us. Don't do it for us, do it for the little kid. He was 11-years-old. He didn't do nothing wrong with nobody,' aunt, Jennifer Trejo said

The family say Ryan was a fun child who loved his comic book heroes and liked to help others

Ryan's family say he was 'always very positive and knew how to comfort people at such a young age. He was always so mature and his presence filled you with warmth and love, everytime.'

Ryan is pictured with family members during a trip to Disneyland

Family members held a vigil at the intersection where the crash occurred

Friends, family and community members lit candles and laid flowers at the scene of the crash

Ryan's family, who have set up a GoFundMe to pay for funeral expenses, say that they will not rest until Smith is behind bars

Court records on Smith reveal how he had open gunshot wounds that were unrelated to the incident.

Appearing in court this week, Smith was asked why he was driving while wounded.

An attorney speaking on his behalf explained that a shooting had occurred at his younger brother's funeral, and an ambulance did not arrive fast enough, he decided to drive himself to hospital because he believed he was 'bleeding out.'

Ryan's family, who have set up a GoFundMe to pay for funeral expenses, say that they will not rest until Smith is behind bars.

'We don't want revenge. We don't want to harm anyone. We just want the person that caused all of this pain, all this hurt, and all this trauma, to be where he belongs where he's in jail. We won't stop until he's locked away,' Trejo said.

Smith will next appear in court again on August 1st.
A 'misunderstood' Islamic State groomer who convinced an Australian teenager to become a suicide bomber will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Mirsad Kandic, 40, was sentenced to life in jail for charges relating to terrorism and his role in causing the death of 18-year-old Jake Bilardi in New York on Saturday.

Bilardi shocked Australia with a suicide bomb attack in Ramadi, in central Iraq, about 110km west of Baghdad and 1,300km from his home in Melbourne, in March 2015.

After Bilardi's mother died of cancer, he became radicalised by the terrorist group in his bedroom after meeting an ISIS mastermind online.

Kandic fought the charges, which he described as 'discrimination and Islamophobia', while maintaining that he wasn't aware of any US laws he had broken, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Mirsad Kandic, 40, (pictured) was sentenced to life in jail for charges relating to terrorism and his role in causing the death of 18-year-old Jake Bilardi in New York on Saturday

Bilardi (pictured) shocked Australia with a suicide bomb attack in Ramadi, in central Iraq, about 110km west of Baghdad and 1,300km from his home in Melbourne, in March 2015

Kandic had been villainised, he told a New York court before the sentencing was handed down.

'I'm not a violent person, I've never been a violent person,' Kandic told the court.

'I've never harmed anyone and nor do I ever intend to.'

He offered an apology to the court and for 'those who have found themselves being offended or harmed by me'.

'For my actions  I seek forgiveness and I repent to my lord every day, 100 times a day,' he said.

Kandic was told that his radicalization of the teen was 'evil' and that his beliefs had been turned towards sadism.

'This is about taking one's beliefs and turning them into hatred and murder,' New York Eastern District Judge Nicholas Garaufis told the Brooklyn court.

'We have an obligation to say never again, no more  that it's not going to happen on our watch.

'Jake Bilardi did not deserve to die and he didn't deserve to kill anybody. He deserved to be spared at 18 years of age  the opportunity to become an adult, deal with his problems, and be a member of his community.'

Before the sentencing was read to the court, Mr Garaufis asked Kandic if he was ready to hear it only for the room to remain silent.

'I'm not going to wait for an answer,' Mr Garaufis said before sentencing Kandic to life in prison.

Kandic was a high-ranking member in ISIS who was responsible for recruiting overseas radicals and sending them to fight in Syria.

An investigation revealed how Bilardi became Kandic's target, and how he smuggled the teen into the Middle East before planning what Bilardi described as a 'huge coordinated' suicide mission.

Numerous phone calls were also uncovered from desperate family members of Bilardi who begged the teenager to reconsider his newfound beliefs.

Upon sentencing, the court was told Kandic had never shown remorse for the bombing in Ramadi and how radicalising Bilardi prior to it had been a 'powerful shot in the arm for ISIS and its propaganda' by Assistant US Attorney Matthew Haggans.

Mr Haggans continued: 'Bilardi did what he did after he was trafficked by this defendant, inspired by this defendant, encouraged by this defendant.'

After Bilardi's mother died to cancer, he became radicalised by the terrorist group in his bedroom after meeting an ISIS mastermind online

Bilardi blew himself up in a suicide mission targeting the Iraqi armed forces at Ramadi roughly seven months after arriving in the Middle East

Kandic recruited hundreds of foreigners to fight for his terrorist causes from December 2013 through to June 2017.

These recruits would not only fight for ISIS, but also smuggle weapons, equipment and money into the area.

In order to reach so many people, Kandic operated more than 120 Twitter accounts to spread his word.

He would routinely share gruesome propoganda, including footage taken from executions - one of which he had previously labelled the 'best thing ever seen on screen'.

In the video prisoners were forced to dig their own graves before being shot and killed.

Bilardi was inducted as shy and vulnerable teenager who sought solace after his single mother died in 2012.

Bilardi was angry he had not found a way to leave Melbourne and fight overseas and noted down his frustration in his blog 'From Melbourne to Ramadi: My Journey'.

'How was I to get in? I had no contacts to assist me,' he wrote. 'After failed attempts at finding a contact I gave up all hope.'

Soon after posting these entries to his journal, Bilardi met Kandic who said he would be able to help the teenager get into Syria.

New York Eastern District Judge Nicholas Garaufis said Bilardi (left) 'deserved to be spared at 18 years of age ... deal with his problems, and be a member of his community'

Bilardi was gaven him a checklist of things to do in preparation which included learning Arabic, doing cardio to train for battles, and fly to Istanbul pretending to be a tourist.

He paid extra for his passport to be expedited before booking a flight Istanbul for August 25, 2014.

Bilardi called his brother Chris in October where he was pressured to return home.

'I don't know what it's achieving,' Chris said. 'It's achieving maybe something for you, because you think that it's benefiting you, that you go to heaven or something.

'But it's not benefiting anybody else. You're going to be killing innocent people.'

Shortly afterwards Bilardi was given his orders to join seven other suicide bombers for a mission in the northern Iraq city Baiji.

It was called off just before Bilardi was set to detonate his bomb and it would not be until March 2015 when he was given his new orders.

Bilardi then blew himself up in a suicide mission targeting the Iraqi armed forces at Ramadi in central Iraq.

The attack was a failure: nobody was killed and just a few vehicles were damaged.
After a day of sweating it out on the picket lines leading Hollywood actors in their ongoing strike, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher at least has a stunning ocean view to come home to.

Drescher is leading the actors' union in a joint strike with writers, marking Hollywood's the biggest labor dispute in sixty years and bringing film and TV production to a halt.

Drescher's own career has spanned decades of cinema, television and Broadway, but she is most famous for starring in 90's sitcom The Nanny, which she created with her husband at the time, Peter Marc Jacobson - who later came out as gay.

She reportedly earned $1.5 million per episode during the final season of the show, making her one of the highest-paid actresses in TV at the time, while her net worth is estimated to be between $25 million and $30 million.

In the late 90s, she moved to Malibu from the East Coast, seeking a fresh start after her separation, and eventual divorce, from Jacobson, and has remained in the same three-bedroom with sprawling ocean-view terrace ever since.

After a day of sweating it out on the picket lines leading Hollywood actors in their ongoing strike, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher can return to her Malibu mansion

Drescher is leading the actors' union in a joint strike with writers, marking Hollywood's the biggest labor dispute in sixty years

The home last sold for $1.2 million in 1997, property records show, but it is now worth roughly $6 million, according to a valuation by real estate site Zillow.

In a 2020 interview with the New York Post, Drescher told how the Malibu home became a sanctuary after the divorce and a subsequent battle with uterine cancer.

'This was my first major purchase on my own,' she said. 'It was quite scary but that was the journey I was on: to define myself independently of the marriage and to discover who I am without asking somebody else, 'What do you think, honey?'

Now, the Malibu mansion is Drescher's retreat from a different kind of battle, as she leads the actors union in a dispute with studio bosses over a new three-year contract.

In launching their work stoppage, the actors joined the Writers Guild of America, which began its own strike on May 2. The joint action has effectively halted all film production in Hollywood.

Both unions say the streaming model that has taken over the industry in recent years has cheated them of their share of income and funneled money to executives.

No talks are planned, and no end is in sight for the work stoppage. It is the first time both guilds have walked off sets since 1960, when then-actor Ronald Reagan was SAG's leader.

On Friday, the first full day of the actors' walkout, top movie and TV actors joined picket lines alongside screenwriters in Los Angeles and New York.

In the late 90s, she moved to Malibu from the East Coast, seeking a fresh start after her separation, and eventual divorce, from Jacobson, and has remained in the same three-bedroom with sprawling ocean-view terrace ever since

The home last sold for $1.2 million in 1997, property records show, but it is now worth roughly $6 million, according to a valuation by real estate site Zillow

In a 2020 interview with the New York Post , Drescher told how the Malibu home became a sanctuary after the divorce and a subsequent battle with uterine cancer

Drescher joined the union rank-and-file on a picket outside Netflix's offices in Hollywood

'The jig is up,' said Drescher at SAG's press conference Thursday. 'The entire business model has been changed by streaming, digital, AI. If we don't stand tall right now, were all going to be in trouble.'

Among those on the picket lines were Jason Sudeikis, Rosario Dawson, Zoe Kazan, Olivia Wilde, Paul Dano, and other top film and TV actors.

Drescher joined the union rank-and-file on a picket outside Netflix's offices in Hollywood, alongside Lord of the Rings star Sean Astin, Guardian of the Galaxy's Sean Gunn, and Titanic actor Frances Fisher.

'The jig is up,' said Drescher at SAG's press conference Thursday. 'The entire business model has been changed by streaming, digital, AI. If we dont stand tall right now, were all going to be in trouble.'

Following that fiery rallying speech, Drescher has taken center stage in the Hollywood fight for higher pay and historic labor action.

Off the screen, the Queens-born 65-year-old is known for her firebrand anti-capitalist views, and overcoming horrific experiences in earlier life - from being raped at gunpoint to battling womb cancer.

Drescher's acting career also got off to a rocky start in her college days, when she came close to pursuing a very different path.

As a first-year student Drescher dropped out of Queens College, City University of New York, because all the acting classes were filled and she instead pursued a course in cosmetology, according to a 1996 interview with Redbook.

But she managed to secure her first role as a dancer in the 1977 movie Saturday Night Fever, in which she asked John Travolta's character: 'Are you as good in bed as you are on the dance floor?'

The following year, she was cast in several more films, including American Hot Wax and Summer of Fear.

During the 1980s, Drescher scored roles in films like Gorp, The Hollywood Knights, Doctor Detroit, The Big Picture, UHF, and Cadillac Man.

Her most memorable role from the decade was playing publicist Bobbi Flekman in the 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap - a character which also made a cameo in the fifth season of Drescher's The Nanny.

Drescher created the sitcom in 1993 along with Jacobson, her high school sweetheart who she was married to for 21 years. It aired on CBS until 1999.

Reprising the role of Fran Fine, who becomes the nanny of four children before she charms their widower father, Drescher shot to a new level of fame.

She reportedly earned $1.5 million per episode during the final season of the show, making her one of the highest-paid actresses in TV at the time.

The 1990's saw her star in several more films including Francis Ford Coppola's 1996 movie Jack, and The Beautician and the Beast the following year - which she also produced.

In 2000 she starred alongside Woody Allen in Picking UP the Piece, before voicing the character of Pearl in 2006 animation Shark Bait.

Drescher returned to television with her own daytime chat show, The Fran Drescher Tawk Show, in 2010, though it was shelved after a trial period.

Estimates for the net worth of New York-born Drescher, who has long expressed opinions to the political left, range from $25 million to $30 million

Semi-autobiographical: Drescher got her big break producing and playing the nasal-voiced bridal shop salesgirl-turned-careworker Fran Fine for six seasons on CBS spanning 1993-1999

The following year, she created sitcom Happily Divorced with Jacobson, who had by then come out as gay and the pair had split.

As part of the show's promotion, Drescher performed the weddings of three gay couples in New York City using a minister's licence she received from the Universal Life Church.

She chose the couples through a competition she launched on Facebook called 'Fran Drescher's 'Love is Love' Gay Marriage Contest, based on the stories they submitted about their relationship origin story and how it has developed.

Drescher branched out to Broadway in 2014, playing stepmother Madame for a 10-week period in the revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.

Most recently, she reprised a recurring role in Adam Sandler's Hotel Transylvania film series, in which she voices Eunice.

Beyond the stage, Drescher - who has Jewish parents and grandparents who immigrated to the US from Romania and Poland - has endured several traumatic experiences, from being raped at gunpoint to battling womb cancer.

Her private life also made headlines when she and Jacobson divorced in 1999 after 21 years of marriage, with her ex coming out as gay.

Drescher said she did not know Jacobson, who she met when they were both just 15 years old, was gay, in large part because they had a very active sex life - which she spoke about in 2015.

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com last year, Drescher revealed she would never marry again, and she plans to grow old with Jacobson because 'we still love each other'. She is also a vocal supporter of LGBT rights.

Drescher joined actors on a picket outside the Netflix office in Los Angeles, California, on Friday - the first day of their industrial action

The couple experienced a horrific ordeal in their late 20's, when two robbers broke into their Los Angeles home, stole their possessions and raped Drescher and a female friend at gunpoint.

Jacobson was also attacked, tied up, and forced to witness the entire ordeal.

It took Drescher several years to recover from the trauma of the incident, and even longer to tell her story to the press.

In 2020, she revealed how her photographic memory had helped police identify her rapist - who was out on parole at the time - and send him to jail for life.

Drescher informally re-married in 2014, with Indian-American engineer Shiva Ayyadurai at her beach house.

Both said they were married and the event was widely reported as such, but Ayyadurai later said it was 'not a formal wedding' but a celebration of their 'friendship in a spiritual ceremony with close friends and family'.

The couple split two years later.

Drescher has also battled uterine cancer in the early 2000's, which she wrote about in her book, Cancer Schmancer, which was intended to raise consciousness about the early signs of the disease.

She was admitted to Los Angeles' Cedars Sinai Hospital in June 2000 to undergo an immediate radical hysterectomy which cleared her of the disease.

On the seventh anniversary of her operation, Drescher announced the launch of the Cancer Schmancer Movement, a charity which aims to ensure women's cancers are diagnosed in the early stages.

As an outspoken advocate for healthcare, Drescher helped get Johanna's Law for improved education about cancer passed unanimously through Congress, and she was appointed a diplomat for Women's Health Issues by the Bush administration.

She traveled the world in the role, working with organizations in Romania, Hungary, Serbia and Poland.
Chloe Ferry's 22-year-old friend was left black and blue with two broken eye sockets after a British thug battered her on holiday.

Gabriela Hacatoroglu bravely tried to help a girl in Portugal when she saw a man 'screaming' at his sobbing girlfriend - but ended up being his punching bag.

She was knocked to the ground from a single punch - the swing was so powerful she could not remember 'if he punched her twice', according to the Sun.

Geordie Shore star Chloe said the attack was 'f***ing disgusting' on social media.

Gabriela, from Newcastle, said she and her friends were leaving NoSoloAgua beach club in Portimao on Sunday when they saw a girl they were chatting to inside crying.

Gabriela Hacatoroglu, 22, bravely tried to help a girl in Portugal when she saw a man 'screaming' at his sobbing girlfriend - but ended up being his punching bag

The Georgie was left with two broken eye sockets and a fractured nose

Geordie Shore star Chloe said the attack was 'f***ing disgusting' on social media

She told the Sun: 'We asked her why she was crying and she said her boyfriend had hit her.

'We could see him shouting and screaming from the other side.

'His friend was trying to push him back because he was getting so aggressive towards her.

'So we said to him, 'why are you screaming and shouting at her?''

Gabriela said the British man then unleashed a hurl of abuse at her and her friends.

While the group was waiting for a taxi, she claims the man continued his tyrannical behaviour, so she walked over to try and calm him down.

The man then allegedly pushed her, sending her 'flying'.

She said: 'I think I then went to push him back, but as I did, he punched me straight in the face.

'I'm not even sure if it was once or twice. I just remember the pain.

'I was on the floor, and he ran away before the police came.'

Gabriela was rushed to a hospital and given scans and X-rays.

She was then transferred to another hospital before she was allowed to go home with her friends.

After a check-up in the UK, medics revealed she had two broken eye sockets and a fractured nose.

She says the man got a flight back to the UK soon after the attack and hopes Portuguese police will track him down.

Gabriela added: 'I was just trying to calm down the situation. I'm not a shy person, I'm not scared of many things, so I was fine going up to him.

'For him to attack me like that, I was gobsmacked, to be honest.

'There was so much anger in him, I can't explain it. Who else is he going to do that to?'

Gabriela - who works at Chloe's salon CM House Of Aesthetics - has taken time off work to recover from her horrific injuries.
An elderly man has been stabbed in the chest, back and neck in western Sydney and rushed to hospital with a woman understood to have been arrested.

The 76-year-old man was treated by paramedics who were called to a unit block on Torres Crescent, Whalan, at about 2.25pm on Saturday.

The man was transported to nearby Westmead Hospital in a stable condition.

Emergency crews were called to this unit block on Torres Crescent, Whalan on Saturday

NSW Police confirmed a 45-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and is assisting with inquiries.

Officers from Mt Druitt Police Area Command have established a crime scene and detectives are investigating.

More to follow.
A government scheme designed to help those who missed out on the automatic 400 energy bill boost handed to UK households has been branded a 'staggering failure'.

MP Angus MacNeil, who recently had his SNP membership suspended and became an independent member of Parliament, slammed its effects as he called for it to be reopened last nigh, claiming it 'missed the most vulnerable'.

The Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Funding was set up for people who do not have a domestic energy supplier, for example for families living in park homes or members of the travelling community.

Of the almost one million households eligible for the scheme, only 140,000, or a little over 10 percent, received any money, the latest figures show.

Mr MacNeil, who chairs the energy security and net zero committee, is due to question Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Grant Shapps in September, and has now said he will ask him to reopen the scheme.

MP Angus MacNeil, who recently had his SNP membership suspended and became an independent member of Parliament, slammed the government scheme last night

It is thought there are around 750,000 eligible households who got no support - but applications for the scheme are now closed

Data published by the government shows that more than 200,000 applications to the scheme were made in Great Britain, but of these just 140,970 were granted.

In Northern Ireland, around 5,000 of more than 8,000 applicants received monetary support.

It is thought there are around 750,000 eligible households who got no support - but applications for the scheme are now closed.

Mr MacNeil has since said the scheme had 'failed' on delivery.

He told the BBC last night: 'A lot of these will be vulnerable people who are particularly suffering the bite of the energy price spike and government should be moving heaven and earth almost, to make sure these people are getting the money.'

In his role as chair of the parliamentary committee, Mr MacNeil is due to question Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Grant Shapps in September. Mr MacNeil said he would ask him to relaunch the scheme and make it easier to use, since 'clearly delivery has failed'.

Some applicants criticised the scheme for being too complex or not recognising their circumstances. Others said their applications were repeatedly rejected, despite being eligible.

Among those targeted by the scheme were people who live on narrow boats or off-grid, travellers, people in park homes and some tenants and people on heat networks.

Concerns have also been raised over how long those without a domestic supplier had to wait to be able to apply for support. They were only able to access support after February 27 this year, after energy prices had been spiking for months.

A government spokesperson said: 'We spent billions to protect families when prices rose over winter, covering nearly half a typical household's energy bill.

'We're now seeing costs fall even further with wholesale energy prices down by over two thirds since their peak.'

Mr MacNeil released a letter confirming he did not wish to rejoin the SNP's Westminster group

Mr MacNeil has had his membership of the SNP suspended after he refused to rejoin the party's Westminster group.

The MP, who has often voiced criticism of the SNP leadership, was kicked out of the Westminster group after reportedly clashing with chief whip Brendan O'Hara.

He later said he would not seek to rejoin the group until at least October, accusing the party of a lack of urgency on its goal of Scottish independence.

Mr MacNeil, who now sits as an independent for Na h-Eileanan an Iar which covers the Outer Hebrides, also said the Scottish Government was 'utterly clueless about how to pursue independence' since losing the indyref2 case at the Supreme Court.

The BBC has now reported his membership of the party has been suspended.

An SNP spokesman told the broadcaster: 'Angus MacNeil MP was advised by the SNP National Secretary on Wednesday that she considered him to be in breach of the party's code of conduct by his decision to resign from the SNP Westminster parliamentary group.

'Having acknowledged this, Mr MacNeil did not take up the offer to rejoin the SNP parliamentary group and the matter was, therefore, yesterday referred to the SNP Member Conduct Committee for consideration.'
The unsolved killings of 11 victims - most of whom were young female sex workers - have gripped the US for more than a decade and was even the subject of the Netflix film 'Lost Girls' in 2020.

It was the frantic search for 23-year-old escort Shannan Gilbert, who disappeared in the coastal community of Oak Beach, New York, in 2010, which led officers to the remains of a different woman.

But that grim discovery was just the start. Within days, three more young women were found, all within a short distance of one another, sparking fears that a serial killer was on the loose.

Now, 13 years after their human remains were found dumped along Gilgo Beach, US detectives believe they have finally caught the man behind a terrifying killing spree.

On Thursday night, investigators swooped in to dramatically arrest Rex Heuermann, 59, in midtown Manhattan outside his architectural office on Fifth Avenue.

The wealthy architect - who has been charged with murdering three women and is linked to a fourth - is believed to be the prime suspect in the historical Gilgo Beach murders.

Manhattan architect Rex Heuermann (pictured), 59, is charged with three murders attributed to the Gilgo Beach serial killer, and is the prime suspect in a fourth victim's murder

The mystery began with the search for 23-year-old Shannan Gilbert, an escort from New Jersey who had vanished in May 2010 after making a frantic 911 call

The first victim, Melissa Barthelemy (left), 24, was discovered by Suffolk County Police on December 11, 2010. The body of Megan Waterman (right), 22, was found two days later

Heuermann is charged with killing Amber Costello (right) and is linked with the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes (left)

Heuermann, who has lived for decades across a bay from where the remains were found, is charged with killing Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, and Amber Costello, 27. All three were found on the Long Island coastline during the search for Ms Gilbert.

Having been under surveillance since last year, US cops changed their plan to build more of a case against Heuermann who they feared could flee the country. 'He is a demon who walked among us,' police said.

Heuermann, who pleaded not guilty to all three charges, is also a prime suspect in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes - who was found near Ms Barthelemy, Ms Waterman and Ms Costello.

The women, all of whom were sex workers, have been dubbed the Gilgo Beach Four.

Ms Barthelemy, an escort, vanished on July 12, 2009, and was found on December 11, 2010. The night she vanished, she told a friend she was going to see a man and would be back in the morning.

Not long after she vanished, Ms Barthelemy's then-16-year-old sister began receiving calls from her phone. On the other end of the line was a man's voice who told her her older sister was dead and threatened the teen.

Ms Brainard-Barnes, a sex worker, was last seen after taking an Amtrak train from New London, Connecticut, to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan in 2007. She was reported missing on July 14 and her body was found on December 13, 2010.

Ms Costello, also a sex worker as well as a heroin addict, was last seen leaving her home on September 2, 2010 - just months before her body was found.

Partial skeletal remains of Valerie Mack (left) were located in a wooded area in Manorville in September 2000. Partial skeletal remains of Jessica Taylor (right), an escort working in New York City, were located in a wooded area in Manorville on July 26, 2003

The remains of an 'Asian man' were discovered on April 4, 2011. It's believed they had been dead for five or six years

Heuermann appears in a still image from surveillance video in a cellphone store in the New York City borough of Manhattan, New York, U.S. May 19, 2023

Ms Waterman, an escort and mother-of-one and was last seen on June 6, 2010 boarding a New York-bound Concord Trailways. She was found the same day on December 13 that year.

All were sex workers who advertised their services on Craigslist, leading police to believe that is how the killer first made contact with them.

After the Gilgo Beach Four were found, police discovered four additional sets of human remains on April 4, 2011. They were Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, 24, a female toddler and an identified Asian man.

Seven days later, two sets of remains were found off Ocean Parkway about seven miles from Gilgo Beach. One is believed to be the mother of the toddler and the other is known as 'Jane Doe 7'.

Ms Gilbert's body was finally found in December 2011, three miles east of where the other remains were uncovered.

She had vanished in 2010 after making a frantic call to police. A confused Ms Gilbert was heard claiming that someone was trying to kill her before she went missing on May 1.

'Something is going to happen to me,' she said on the call.

Crime scene investigators bring out evidence from the Massapequa Park home of Rex Heuermann who was arrested as a suspect in the Gilgo Beach serial killing

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Heuermann had been under surveillance since last year, and US cops moved in to arrest him over fears he would strike again

A map showing where eight of the victims remains were located along the barren stretch of Ocean Beach Parkway in Gilgo Beach, located on the South Shore of Long Island

The Netflix film Lost Girls was based on the Gilgo Beach killer. It was released in 2020

'Theres somebody after me, I dont know where I am. I am inside a house. I dont know where I am. Can you trace where I am?' At one point a man is heard laughing and saying 'shut up.'

Neighbours of the area later said they saw her knocking on several doors before vanishing.

In total, 11 sets of human remains were found on the same stretch of Gilgo Beach between 2010 and 2011.

Detectives declined to say whether Heurmann is suspected in the other murders, saying his task force was focused on the four victims tied to the architect, adding that those four cases had distinct 'commonalities'.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told reporters that Heuermann was arrested in the interest of 'public safety' and cited a number of red flags, including that he 'continued to patronise sex workers,' was using false IDs and burner phones, and had permits for an astonishing 92 firearms.

Long Island architect Rex Heuermann (pictured), 59, has been arrested in connection with the Gilgo Beach serial killings in a major police breakthrough

The suspect's house sits directly north of Gilgo Beach across the South Oyster Bay

Flanked by family members of the victims as he addressed reporters, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said: 'Rex Heuermann is a demon that walks among us, a predator that ruined families.'

Prosecutors say a trove of evidence connects Heuermann to the murders, including DNA recovered from a pizza crust he tossed out that matched genetic material found on the women's remains.

Chilling similarities can be drawn between Heuermann, a married father-of-two, and the unknown suspect described in a 2011 FBI profile of the Gilgo Beach killer.

That profile described a 'sadistic but charming average Joe', who could blend into any environment unnoticed.

Rosemarie Kafka, 56, a former neighbour who had lived near the Heuermann family, told NBC that if he is found guilty, 'he was living a double life'.

She added: 'You know, the regular guy who goes to work, has kids in the local school and in a good neighbourhood, but he's killing people on the side.'

During an initial court appearance, Heuermann appeared smug - puffing his cheeks out and nodding as some of the charges were read. He wore khaki pants and a grey collared shirt, and did not speak in court.

He pleaded not guilty to all six charges - three counts of first degree murder, and three of second degree murder.

After the hearing, his attorney Michael Brown said his client had cried out to him saying, 'I did not do this.'

Prosecutors allege other evidence connects Heuermann to the murders which includes:

His wife's DNA was found on three of the victims' bodies

One of his own hairs was found on one of the victims' bodies

Calls made from a burner phone to the victims were traced to his office

A call made to one of the victims' sisters after she died was traced to his office

His Tinder profile with photos of him was linked to the burner phone number

His personal phones always pinged in the same areas as the suspect burners

His Chevrolet pick-up truck matched the suspect vehicle spotted by a witness

He matches the physical description of 'ogre' like man seen with one victim

Heuermann conducted graphic searches for child porn and sexual torture

He also searched Google for updates on the case, searching 'why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer'

His name first came to attention in March 2022 when he was identified as once owning an identical truck to one seen by witnesses when a victim disappeared in 2010.

The Chevrolet Avalanche truck, which he owned in 2009 and 2010 when the women were murdered, was seen at the homes of at least one of the victims the day before she went missing.

In March, detectives tailing Heuermann recovered his DNA from pizza crust in a box that he discarded in a Manhattan trash can and matched it to a hair found on a restraint used in the killings, authorities said.

His DNA from one of the crusts was a 99.6 percent match to a male hair found at the bottom of the burlap sack one of the victims was found in.

Prosecutors also discovered unidentified female hairs on three of the victims.

Heuermann grew up in Massapequa Park, attending high school with Billy Baldwin, and started working in Manhattan in 1987.

Heuermann was married once in 1990 and again years later to his current wife, Asa Ellerup, who is of Iceland descent.

He and Asa have an adult daughter Victoria, who works with Heuermann at his architectural firm, and a stepson, Asa's son from a previous marriage.

Part of his job was to negotiate between the city of New York's Department of Buildings and private architects.
A teenager killed in a horror car crash lost the 'love of her life' in an eerily similar accident just six months earlier as Queensland is hit with wave of youth crime.

Heidi Riding, 18, died when the silver Holden Commodore she was a passenger in crashed in the Toowoomba suburb of Newtown on Friday morning.

It is alleged a 19-year-old male driver was speeding down the wrong side of Hursley Road before colliding with trees and a concrete bench.

It has since been revealed Ms Riding had lost her partner Jemmah Lorrain Cole-Crighton, 24, in similar circumstances when an allegedly stolen car she was travelling in ploughed into a tree.

The fiery crash occurred on the Warrego Highway near Helidon in the Lockyer Valley region, just 20km from Toowoomba, on January 13.

Heidi Riding had lost her partner Jemmah Lorrain Cole-Crighton, 24, in eerily similar circumstances when an allegedly stolen car she was travelling in ploughed into a tree

Jen Shaw, the CEO of youth support service Emerge, said Ms Riding had been devastated by her partner's death.

The founder of the Toowoomba organisation said she didn't condone Ms Riding's actions but said the young woman had wanted to turn her life around.

'I'm absolutely heartbroken  I know she's made some seriously bad choices but there is another side to Heidi that was gold,' she told News Corp.

Ms Shaw said Ms Riding was a quiet girl who was funny, loyal and respectful.

'She had so many demons but she was so determined to help other kids because she couldn't give herself the same love,' the youth worker added.

Ms Shaw said the young woman was on the way to getting back on track when Ms Cole-Crighton died in the horror smash.

'She was crippled by grief all her life and grief kept re-emerging  she lost the love of her life under the same circumstances,' Ms Shaw said.

Jen Shaw (pictured) the CEO of youth support service Emerge said Ms Riding had been devastated by her partner's death

Ms Cole-Crighton sustained burns to 95 per cent of her body after the 2009 Toyota Camry she was in hit a tree and burst into flames in January.

She was flown to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital but she died a short time later.

A 27-year-old male passenger was also rushed to hospital with a serious head injury and extensive burns.

A Queensland Police spokesperson alleged at the time the car had been stolen earlier in the week from Hooper Centre car park, in Toowoomba.

Ms Cole-Crighton's mum Kelly Cole told News Corp at the time her daughter fought to the end.

She said despite her injuries she crawled out of the car and dragged herself up to a hill where onlookers were able to help her.

Ms Cole added her 'heart sank' when she was told her daughter wasn't going to live.

'It's the most gut wrenching news, as a mum, that you could hear,' she said.

Ms Cole-Crighton (pictured) sustained burns to 95 per cent of her body after the Toyota Camry she was in hit a tree and burst into flames in January

Meanwhile, in the wake of Ms Riding's horror accident this week a witness told the Courier Mail they had heard the driver screaming.

'Where are you?' he was heard shouting while frantically searching the scene.

After discovering the body moments later the man collapsed, according to the witness.

'She's dead! She's dead!' the driver is said to have screamed.

Debris from the crash was scattered over 50m near the intersection on Tor Street.

Pieces of metal were found embedded into fences and a flaming engine had been thrown at least 20m from the car.

A flaming engine (pictured) had been propelled 20m across the road in the crash where Ms Riding died

The driver was taken to Toowoomba Hospital with minor injuries and an investigation into the single car crash has been launched, Queensland Police said.

No charges have been laid in relation to the crash, but police say that teams from the Forensic Crash Unit and Ethical Standards Command are looking into the incident.

These teams are tasked with finding out what caused the crash and who was responsible, respectively.

The Holden Commodore had been spotted by local patrols earlier in the night but was not engaged, police confirmed in a statement.

It comes as state authorities continue to grapple with a youth crime epidemic that has spiralled out of control.

Queenslanders have repeatedly called on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to take drastic action to address the rising crime rate.

An apprentice electrician who was king hit was angry to learn his alleged attacker was released on bail and issued a desperate plea to Ms Palaszczuk to do more.

Rial Malual, 21, is recovering in hospital with a collapsed lung, five days after he was allegedly robbed and stabbed in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley in late June.

Rial Malual is still struggling to breathe after he was allegedly king-hit and stabbed - causing his lung to collapse

Just one boy, 17, has been charged over the alleged attack and is already back on the streets, despite prosecutors strongly recommending bail be refused when he faced court early this month.

Four other young males remain on the run.

'What's the Premier doing about this?' Mr Malual told Nine News from his hospital bed this month.

'If there's no consequences put in place soon this is going to explode.'

'It'll be knife crime central, people will no longer go out or feel safe.'
A photo of Yevgeny Prigozhin in a greying T-shirt and underpants emerged yesterday after Vladimir Putin claimed he was not the 'real' leader of the Wagner mercenary group.

The image showed warlord Prigozhin sat on an unmade bed inside a large tent, apparently waving to the camera.

Data from the photo appeared to show it was taken in June, before the doomed coup which saw Putin denounce Prigozhin as a traitor.

Humiliating photographs of the Wagner chief have been leaked since the rebellion in an apparent attempt to discredit him.

Putin has denied that Prigozhin was Wagner's true leader, and reportedly named the real commander as 'Grey Hair', the nom de guerre of Andrei Troshev, a former Russian army colonel.

The image showed warlord Prigozhin (pictured) sat on an unmade bed inside a large tent, apparently waving to the camera

Russian despot Vladimir Putin (pictured) has denied that Yevgeny Prigozhin was Wagner's true leader

Putin reportedly named the real Wagner commander as 'Grey Hair', the nom de guerre of Andrei Troshev (pictured), a former Russian army colonel

Previously named as an executive director of Wagner, Troshev fought in Afghanistan and Chechnya and led Wagner forces in Syria in 2016. He was awarded Russia's highest honorary title after capturing Palmyra from the so-called Islamic State in 2017.

In an interview with the Kommersant newspaper, Putin said he had met 35 Wagner commanders, including Prigozhin, and offered them the chance to fight in the Russian army.

The meeting was said to have taken place on June 29, five days after the failed rebellion.

The Russian president said: 'They would all be able to stick together in one place and to continue their service.

'They will still be led by the same person who has been their real commander all this time.'

The newspaper said Putin named the 'real commander' as Troshev. The Russian president claimed that several Wagner leaders had appeared to approve of his offer, but that Prigozhin had rejected it.

The warlord, 62, was thought to have fled to Belarus after the short-lived mutiny, but its premier said he was in Russia and his current whereabouts are unknown.

Photos purporting to show Prigozhin wearing the wigs as part of various disguises were leaked to state-backed Russian Telegram channels

Prigozhin's backers say he was likely working as a state agent and that the leaking of these images flouts Russia's security laws

Humiliating photographs of the Wagner chief have been leaked since the rebellion in an apparent attempt to discredit him

Kremlin watchers suggested that Putin was attempting to keep ties with other Wagner commanders and fighters who have been involved in the war in Ukraine.

But Putin refused to guarantee the group would be preserved as a fighting unit, saying: 'The [Wagner] group is here, but it does not exist legally.'

Belarus said Wagner fighters were acting as military instructors for its forces near the town of Osipovichy, 50 miles outside Minsk.

But the Pentagon said Wagner was no longer playing a 'significant' role in support of Putin.

Meanwhile, Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov warned a 'direct armed clash' with Russia would have 'catastrophic consequences' for Nato.
Spanish police have arrested six German tourists for allegedly raping an 18-year-old German woman on Spain's Mallorca island, authorities said Friday.

Police on the Mediterranean island said the alleged gang rape occurred in a hotel room in the popular tourist spot of Playa de Palma early Thursday. Five were arrested within hours and a sixth, who initially fled the scene, was arrested later in the day.

The six detainees are tourists ages 20 and 21. They are being held at police facilities and are expected to testify before a judge later today. The woman was also on vacation.

According to the woman's statement to police, the gang rape occurred around 3:40am Thursday.

On Wednesday evening, the woman, along with a group of friends, visited the Playa de Palma boulevard, a popular spot for young German tourists in Mallorca. There she met one of the detained and after drinking, went to his hotel room where there were five other men drinking.

Six German tourists have been arrested on suspicion of raping an 18-year-old fellow holiday maker from Germany at a hotel in Mallorca in the early hours of Thursday morning. Pictured, three of the suspects being led to court this morning

Two more suspects, with their faces covered, arrived in court this morning ahead of their appearance before the judge

The alleged victim arrived back at the room with one of the men before she claims she was attacked by the group. Eventually, she was able to escape where she asked the receptionist to call the police

The victim said she tried to leave the room but was prevented from doing so by the occupants, according to her statement to police.

She was then allegedly raped by several of the detainees, the statement said.

The woman managed to flee the room and alerted the receptionist, who called the police.

Five of the arrested were at the hotel when police arrived.

Gang rape is considered an aggravating factor that can carry sentences of up to 15 years of prison in Spain. Several cases of gang rape in recent years have shocked the country.
After the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, there were a lot of ethnic Russians living outside what is now Russia. These expatriate Russians tended to live in Russian communities in these non-Slavic nations and never had to learn the local language. Ambitious locals learned Russian and used their bi-lingual abilities to work with their local Russian overlords. After 1991 these Russians found themselves living in a foreign country. Some still had jobs, usually in technical or professional fields where there were few locals trained to do the job. This often meant the expatriate Russians spoke the local language and were familiar with local customs. This often led to marriages between Russians and locals and the new couple often lost any desire to return to Russia. This was particularly the case as Russia became more aggressive with neighbors while suffering economic decline internally. Until 1991, Russia was considered the vibrant center of a Russian empire. That empire dissolved in 1991 and half the population chose to go their own way in one of 14 new nations. The ethnic Russians who remained in these new non-Russian nations began to shed their Russian identity and many links with mother Russia''. This was easier to handle in post-1991 states that were closer to Europe. Those in the east had fewer ties to the West and were feeling the growing economic and cultural influence of China.

Meanwhile, it took the post-1991 Russian Federation (as Russia is officially known) about a decade to develop nostalgia for the good old days of the Soviet Union and particularly its empire. Eventually Russian leaders realized that this nostalgia could be used as a powerful foreign relations tool. For example, Russian leader Vladimir Putin has, since the 1990s, called for the rebuilding of the pre-1991 Russian Empire. These calls became especially strong among Russian leaders in the last decade. For most people living in Russia and new nations that used to be part of Russia, there was less enthusiasm for the return of the empire.

Opinion surveys and migration patterns indicated a mixed attitude towards the old Russian Empire. The big problem was that half the people in the old empire were not Slavs although ethnic Russians were the majority among the half that was Slavic. The problem was that despite centuries of living in the same country, be it Czarist Russia or the Soviet Union, all these different ethnic groups never developed much affection or tolerance for each other. Most ethnic Russians living in non-Slav parts of the Empire, especially Central Asia and the Caucasus, returned to Russia after 1991. Most of those who stayed in non-Russian areas did so for economic reasons. That was also why non-Russians stayed in Russia, because what is now Russia is where the most economic opportunities always were. That wealthier and better educated population was a major reason Russia conquered all those other countries. But in the end (1991) the conquered, as is usually the case, never got used to the conquest and did not want the conquerors back.

Theres also the racism factor. For example, about 40 percent of ethnic Russians thought other Slavs (like Ukrainians or Byelorussians) were capable of becoming Russians if they lived in Russia for a few years and switched their loyalty to Russia. But less than ten percent thought peoples from the Caucasus or Central Asia were capable of that. This xenophobia (fear of outsiders) is nothing new for Russia. For 70 years the communists sought to eliminate this trait but only managed to suppress it and delude themselves into thinking it was gone. This is a common pattern in communist countries and throughout East Europe. Xenophobia returned in the 1990s because of the collapse of the communist governments in 1989. It was worst in the Balkans, where civil war erupted as the communist police state collapsed and optimists hoped for a democratic Yugoslavia. While that had long been a cherished goal in the region, it was not to be. Several years of vicious fighting between Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, and Albanians followed and was not halted until 1999. The Caucasus also erupted and unlike Yugoslavia, a NATO peacekeeping force was not available to fix things there. In the Caucasus the usual Russian application of carrot (bribes) and stick (violent suppression) did not work either. Eventually (1999) Russia had to reinvade parts of the Caucasus (especially Chechnya) to restore order.

Meanwhile, there has been a major ethnic shift in the Caucasus. Russians, and other people not native to the Caucasus, are still being driven out of the region by terrorism, corruption, and a bad attitude towards outsiders. Its been worse in Chechnya, where Russians comprised 25 percent of the population in 1989, but eventually shrank to less than 2 percent. The decline has not been as great in the rest of the Caucasus but it has been massive, with more than half the Russians who were living in the Caucasus having left by 2011. Actually, this trend began in the 1950s, right after tyrant Josef Stalin died in 1953 and Russia began to trim the power of the secret police. The departure of ethnic Russians from the Caucasus simply accelerated after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. In Central Asia about half the nearly ten million ethnic Russians living there in 1991 have left.

The 2014 Russian operation to take the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine had a bracing effect on the other countries that, until 1991, were part of the ancient Russian Empire. The Crimean operation was the second such land grab Russia had undertaken since 2008. The first was against tiny Georgia. Many of these former Russian subjects feel that the Russians are trying to get their empire back. Ask many Russians that question and most agree that it would be a nice thing. Some Russians are more outspoken and bluntly call for the empire to be reassembled no matter what.

In reaction to this, the forlorn fourteen nations that were part of the Soviet Union until 1991, as well as many East European states that were subject to Russian control from the end of World War II to 1989, have become very nervous. Poland is particularly agitated because large parts of Poland were part of the Russian Empire for most of the 18th and 19th centuries. Same deal with Finland, which broke away after World War I and had to fight off a Russian invasion in 1940 and many threats since then to stay independent. That makes the forlorn fourteen the scared sixteen. All of these nations have noted what happened to Georgia and Ukraine with great trepidation and are responding in expected, and unexpected ways.

The fourteen former Russian imperial possessions that regained their independence are the three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the five Stans of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan). Poland, the Baltic States and Finland escaped from the empire after World War I but only Finland managed to stay free through World War II. The Baltic States were retaken during World War II and Poland remained nominally independent but was occupied by Russian troops (and took orders from Russia) until 1989.

Poland and the Baltic States managed to join NATO after the Cold War ended and are hoping that the mutual defense terms of the NATO alliance will dissuade Russia. All four, plus Finland, have increased their military readiness since 2014 and sought assurances from the West that they will have help against Russia. Many Finns have called for Finland to join NATO, but a large minority has opposed this because of the fear it would anger the Russians. That attitude changed after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Now more Finns believe that NATO membership is preferable to trusting Russia to always behave. Even Sweden, never part of the Russian empire and successfully neutral since the early 19th century, sought to join NATO for protection from an increasingly aggressive Russia.

The Stans of Central Asia have another option; China. The Stans have been very receptive to Chinese diplomatic and economic cooperation. This bothers Russia, but not to the extent that threats are being made, as was the case with the former imperial provinces to the west. The Stans also have a problem with never having been democracies. When the Russians conquered them in the 19th century, the local governments were monarchies or tribes. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, their formerly Soviet leaders held elections and manipulated the vote to get themselves elected "president for life." But many people in the Stans want clean government and democracy, as well as continued independence from Russia. China is no help with that because the Chinese prefer dictators.

In the Caucasus Georgia still seeks closer ties with the West. Armenia, because of disputes with Azerbaijan and long-term fear of Turkey remains a close ally of Russia. Azerbaijan maintains good relations with Russia mainly because Iran claims Azerbaijan as a lost province (stolen by Russia in the 19th century).

Russia is quite open about wanting to rebuild the old Tsarist Empire that the communists managed to lose in 1991 when the Soviet Union came apart and half the population of that empire went off and formed 14 new countries (or reconstituted old ones the Russians had conquered). Russia is proposing things like customs unions, military cooperation and rebuilding the old Soviet air defense system that used to defend everyone in the empire. Theres been some progress, but most of the 14 nations want nothing to do with Russia.

Meanwhile Russia has to face the fact that, when the Soviet Union broke up, half its population enthusiastically chose the 14 new countries and most of those people were quite pleased with the demise of the Soviet Union. If you asked all citizens of the former Soviet Union what they thought of the breakup you would find about 70 percent had no regrets. Thats because the Soviet Union was basically the Russian Empire cobbled together by the old czarist monarchy over more than two centuries of conquest and expansion. In the Soviet Union more than half the population felt like conquered people, not part of any union. The Soviet Union dissolved quickly in 1990-91 because over half the population really wanted it to happen and had wanted it for a long time. Many ethnic Russians were tired of supporting a lot of the less affluent conquered people and were fed up with the economic failures of communism. The former Soviet Union citizens who regret the breakup tend to be older people who were disillusioned at how corruption and bad leadership made post-Soviet life less wonderful than was expected. The younger people are more realistic, never having lived as adults in the Soviet Union and intimately familiar with the fact that freedom isnt free and democracy is difficult. For younger Russians there are more economic opportunities than under communism. While Russia lost half its population when the Soviet Union broke up, it hung on to most of the valuable natural resources like oil and natural gas. While the post-Soviet government was initially reluctant to increase state supplied pensions, which were low during the Soviet period because there was little to spend it on and the state supplied housing and some health care, the pensions did eventually go up. But not as much as the economy grew and the working Russians were obviously doing better than the pensioners who had grown up under communism. In Soviet times that meant there was little economic opportunity and most everyone was equally poor. The old-timers never got used to the post 1991 changes and most would prefer the communists to come back. That wont happen and as the generations that grew up under communism die off so will any desire to return to the bad (but familiar) old days. At the same time, enough Russians favor rebuilding the empire to make the idea a popular talking point among major politicians and that may continue for decades.
Ben Wallace is 'set to quit' Government in the autumn and may leave politics entirely after he missed out on a top Nato position.

After four years as Defence Secretary, Wallace previously expressed an interest in standing for the role of Nato secretary-general.

The current chief, Jens Stoltenberg, was given another year in charge despite military alliance officials dismissing the claims earlier in the year.

Last summer, he became his country's longest-serving premier in history and recently talked about leaving politics altogether to 'do something completely different' when asked about the NATO job.

Mr Wallace, who has played a key role in responding to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and was a close ally of Boris Johnson, is now weighing up whether to exit politics entirely, according to the Times.

Ben Wallace previously expressed an interest in standing for the role of Nato secretary-general. The current chief, Jens Stoltenberg, was given another year in charge

Mr Wallace, who has played a key role in responding to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and was a close ally of Boris Johnson, is now weighing up whether to exit politics entirely, according to the Times

While he has not yet made a concrete decision, Mr Wallace remains supportive of Rishi Sunak and the Government and the departure would not be related to the Conservative Party's current challenges.

Mr Wallace is hugely popular among Tory members and had previously not ruled out a future bid to become the party's leader - although he twice declined to stand for the leadership last year in the contests to replace Boris Johnson and then Liz Truss.

Last week, the Prime Minister shut down comments from Mr Wallace in which he suggested Ukraine should show 'gratitude' for the military support it had been given.

Mr Wallace had made the remark after the country's President Volodymyr Zelensky branded it 'absurd' for Nato to insist there were still conditions for his nation to meet before it could gain membership once the war with Russia is over.

Mr Zelensky later said: 'I believe that we were always grateful to the United Kingdom.

'I don't know what he meant and how else we should be grateful.'

Mr Wallace is the longest continuously serving minister in Government, having been security minister under Theresa May before being promoted to Defence Secretary by Mr Johnson and continuing the role under his two successors.

The Wyre and Preston North MP was previously appointed as a whip in 2014 and a junior minister in the Northern Ireland office in 2015 while David Cameron was prime minister.

All 13 of NATO's previous permanent secretary-generals have been male, which has pressured the alliance to appoint a female chief when Mr Stoltenberg leaves after his nine years in charge.
Hundreds of desks were left empty by civil servants at Welsh Government offices worth millions of pounds this year, figures show.

The 22million Welsh Government HQ at Llandudno Junction, Wales, was built for 650 staff with 409 desks in 2010.

But only 34 staff a day attended the headquarters between January and May this year, with many choosing to work from home.

And in Cardiff, South Wales, only 415 civil servants went into offices where there are 2,697 desks.

It comes after Cabinet Office minister Jeremy Quin urged Whitehall staff to stop working from home and said the 'default position' should be working together in the office.

The 22million Welsh Government HQ (pictured) at Llandudno Junction, Wales, was built for 650 staff with 409 desks in 2010

A Welsh Government spokesman said: 'Having the flexibilities of office, remote and hybrid working can increase productivity, improve work-life balance, and deliver carbon reduction benefits.

'To ensure office space across our estate is effectively used we're offering available space to other public bodies.

'We continue to explore options for sharing capacity further as we look to build on our existing arrangements.'

The Welsh Government has already leased some space to other public sector employers like the Student Loans Company, NHS Collaborative, North Wales Economic Ambition Board, and the Senedd Commission.

But Tory MS Janet Finch-Saunders said: 'We should all be getting back to work. People expect you to be at your desk, they don't expect you to be at home.

'The Welsh Government needs to be more proactive in terms of trying to get people back to work.'

It comes after Cabinet Office minister Jeremy Quin urged Whitehall staff to stop working from home and said the 'default position' should be working together in the office.

In May, just 29 per cent of staff at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) turned up at its Marsham Street offices in Westminster.

And the figures were barely better at the London headquarters of the Home Office (31 per cent), Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (32 per cent), HM Revenue and Customs (also 32 per cent) and Foreign Office (34 per cent).

The departmental data for the week commencing May 29 must be put in the context of it being the half-term holidays for schools and the House of Commons.

But average occupancy for these five departments over the whole of May was still only at around 50 per cent for them all - ranging between 43 and 56 per cent.

Concerns were also raised over the rate of sick days being taken without a note among Whitehall staff.

Ministry of Defence records show 35,065 sick days were taken in the last year without a note, relating to 2,112 employees.

Average occupancy for these five departments over the whole of May was still only at around 50 per cent for them all - ranging between 43 and 56 per cent. Pictured: The Cabinet Office

Freedom of information requests by campaign group the TaxPayers' Alliance also found Defra staff took 1,218 days without a sick note, the Department of Health and Social Care had 954, and the Cabinet Office 308.

Rules state workers must provide a sick note if they are off ill for more than seven days in a row.

A government spokesman said it was 'committed to ensuring we clamp down on non-compliance' over sick leave.

For most staff, their stated workplace is an office location - but the department's hybrid working policy applies to all employees.

For a small number of staff with health or other circumstances such as disabilities, the department has an individual risk assessment process to manage exemptions.

A Government spokesman told MailOnline today: 'There is agreement across government on there being clear benefits from face-to-face, collaborative working and departments remain committed to having staff working in offices at pre-pandemic levels.'
LNP have secured the majority of votes in Fadden by-election

The LNP have secured the majority of votes to retain their seat of power in the Fadden electorate, months after the opposition was dealt a giant blow when it lost the Aston by-election.

The LNP candidate and Gold Coast City councillor, Cameron Caldwell, is likely to claim the majority of votes and become the next Fadden MP.

Queensland opposition leader David Crisafulli said the LNP win indicates just how much the sunshine state wants change.

The LNP candidate and Gold Coast City councillor, Cameron Caldwell, is likely to claim the majority of votes and become the next Fadden MP (pictured with his wife Lauren)

The Liberal National Party have secured the majority of votes to retain their seat of power in the Fadden electorate (pictured is LNP candidate Cameron Caldwell and his wife Laura)

'Earlier this week a Labor senator said that this by election would be an indication of how the LNP is going in Queensland,' Mr Crisafulli said.

'In Cameron Caldwell, half his adult life has been devoted to this community.

'And at a time when Queenslanders are hurting cost of living and housing prices, the youth crime crisis, the health and hospital crisis, Queenslanders have never felt more let down by brand Labor and I spoke loudly.

'But there is a fourth element never have Australians now needed calm and considered and stable leadership more than at this time and in the period and in a period of uncertainty they will look to someone whose equities fit with the challenges that lie ahead of them.

'And today is the first step in the journey to ensuring that Peter Dutton becomes Prime Minister.'

Labor candidate Letitia Del Fabbro conceeded to Mr Caldwell shortly before 8pm on Saturday, calling him to congratulate him on becoming the new member for Fadden.

'We knew this would be an uphill battle, it has sent an important message to the LNP to not take the Gold Coast for granted,' Ms Del Fabbro said.

'I think we can build on this experience to build Labor on the Gold Coast.'

Labor candidate Letitia Del Fabbro (pictured) conceeded to Mr Caldwell shortly before 8pm on Saturday, calling him to congratulate him on becoming the new member for Fadden

Labor's Letitia Del Fabbro casts her ballot at Arundel State School during polling day for the by-election in the federal Queensland seat of Fadden on Saturday

Sky News political analyst Tom Connell called the LNP win about 7.30pm on Saturday, as the party sees a 3.44 per cent swing towards Mr Caldwell in a two candidate preferred projection.

LNP MP Karen Andrews told Sky News she was surprised seeing a swing towards her party.

'I didn't think there would be a swing to LNP,' Ms Andrews said.

'I thought we would lose the margin on primary, given we have a popular prime minster who is polling higher now than he did at the election.

'I think it's been a solid result to the LNP.'

'We knew this would be an uphill battle, it has sent an important message to the LNP to not take the Gold Coast for granted,' Ms Del Fabbro said after conceding defeat to Mr Caldwell

Treasurer Jim Chalmers (pictured) supported Ms Del Fabbro during polling day on Saturday

Agricultural minister Murray Watt said it looks like the ALP vote is stable.

'It's a fairly small swing to LNP... and a very small swing against the government,' Mr Watt told Sky News.

'I'm pretty okay with that result. It's very solid LNP seat, we're not going to be arrogant about this.

'I think we know we still have work to do on cost of living and we have intentions to do that.'

ABC also confirmed the LNP are projected to win about 7.50pm.

Mr Caldwell was up against Labor's Letitia Del Fabbro, Greens candidate Scott Turner and Sandy Roach of Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party.

Mr Caldwell (pictured with his pregnant wife Laura) was up against Labor's Letitia Del Fabbro, Greens candidate Scott Turner and Sandy Roach of Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party

The win will come as some relief to LNP supporters after the party sensationally lost its once considered safe seat of Aston, after Labor's historical victory in March

The LNP had maintained a margin of 10.63 per cent on the two-party preferred count at the last election in 2022.

But when former Coalition minister Stuart Robert quit federal parliament in May, the by-election for the seat of Fadden, of Queensland's northern Gold Coast, was triggered.

Mr Robert had said his 16 years in politics 'has not been a smooth ride'.

The win will come as some relief to LNP supporters after the party sensationally lost its once considered safe seat of Aston, after Labor's historical victory in March.

Labor's win with Mary Doyle was the first time in a century a sitting government had claimed a seat from the opposition in a by-election.

The AEC recorded there were 131,340 eligible electors enrolled at the close of the electoral rolls for the Fadden by-election on June 19.

It's expected Mr Caldwell will now resign from Gold Coast City Council, where he has been a councillor for more than a decade.

The city's planning boss will most likely be replaced by Council because the next local government election is less than 12 months away, meaning no by-election in his division is required.
A top Chelsea plastic surgeon famous for 'making supermodels more beautiful' sent a patient a photo of her naked on the operating table and then asked her to return in thigh-high boots and lingerie for role-play sex.

The patient was still recovering from surgery less than 24 hours earlier when she received a graphic photo that showed her breasts, covered in blood and the surgeon's marker pen while she was unconscious.

The photo of the woman was taken by disgraced plastic surgeon Olivier Branford, who was struck off last month for starting relationships with three vulnerable patients, sending them explicit messages and then having sex with them.

Branford, a married father-of-three, sent her the photo with the message: 'You are perfect all over. I had a peek at your tummy when you were asleep. I so want to kiss your tummy. I didn't take the liberty to look lower I can assure you. Though I wanted to!'

The victim, who wished to stay anonymous, told The Times that he was a 'monster', adding: 'Still to this day I don't know if something happened to me while I was under.'

Olivier Branford (pictured), 49, sent a patient a photo of her naked on the operating table and then demanded she return in thigh-high boots and lingerie for role-play sex

French-born Branford, 50, was hailed by Tatler magazine as a 'fresh-faced and unassumingly suave... visionary' while another website described him as 'the man making supermodels more naturally beautiful'.

But behind the closed doors of the Cadogan Clinic in Chelsea, west London, victims have come forward to describe what he was really like for the first time. Branford tried to reassure his patient after sending her the naked photo - and later asked for more pictures of her breasts.

'I treat a lot of models but you have an elegance and beauty that sets you aside,' he told her. 'I am so happy that I have given you breasts that match your beautiful body. I am so excited to see more photos x.'

The female patient was still in considerable pain when she returned to the Chelsea clinic, which treats around 20,000 patients a year, for her first nurse-led appointment the next week.

She was then invited back at 6pm the same day after Branford had arranged for a fake appointment to be created in the booking system.

Branford sent her a photo she had previously posted of her wearing thigh-high boots and requested she wore them with black lingerie. He also told her to have a drink before coming despite it being clinically inadvisable.

'Please do have a cognac,' he said. 'Will be sexy to smell it on your breath.'

The patient described how she was left shaken up by the surgeon's demands. 'He wanted to role play, that-doctor-patient fantasy thing,' she explained.

French-born Branford admitted 14 of 18 charges against him when he appeared at a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) misconduct hearing in November, last year

She was told she had to call him Dr Branford instead of Ollie and he had a bottle of lubricant next to the examination table.

The patient said that the sex they had was painful and that her stitches had not even dissolved yet. She claims it was a 'massive abuse of power' because she was on a lot of drugs following surgery.

She claims that the surgeon then offered her free Botox and filler - something she believes was done to keep her quiet. Branford 'entirely refutes' claims he offered free treatment in return for their silence, his lawyers said.

The patient says she was left 'drinking heavily and self-harming' by what happened and asked her solicitors to make a formal complaint to the clinic. They then referred Branford to the General Medical Council.

Surgeons are allowed to take photos in a clinical setting but must have written consent, which the woman says she did not give.

The Cadogan Clinic referred Branford to the General Medical Council (pictured) in light of the allegations

Although an independent review from the clinic found no violation of its photography policies, a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) found Branford had abused his professional position by pursuing sexual relationships with three patients, including the aforementioned.

It found he showered the women with compliments after they came to him for breast surgery, before sleeping with them at his private clinic.

He also sent messages which included naked photos of himself and shared details of his sexual fantasies.

He had sex with one woman at the Cadogan Clinic after telling her she was 'beautiful' and that he 'loved her body'.

Cambridge-educated Branford had sex with another woman - behind her husband's back - after saying she had the 'perfect breasts of a 20-year-old' and he wanted to 'oil them up'. This was despite the fact she had sent a picture of her breasts with bandages on them as she was concerned about how swollen they were.

He had sex in 'multiple positions' with a third patient while she was still recovering from breast surgery, despite it not being clinically advisable.

Branford admitted 14 of 18 charges against him when he appeared at a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) misconduct hearing in November last year.

Two of the remaining four charges were later found to be proven.

In June, the tribunal found Branford's fitness to practise had been impaired and it decided to erase him from the medical register.

MailOnline has contacted Branford's lawyers and the Cadogan Clinic for comment.
The Sydney man's catamaran was hit by a storm two months ago

An Australian sailor and his dog have been miraculously rescued after the pair spent months drifting on the Pacific Ocean eating raw fish and drinking rainwater.

Tim Shaddock and his dog Bella were picked up by a tuna trawler off the coast of Mexico after a helicopter accompanying the ship spotted their catamaran.

The Sydney man left La Paz in Mexico in April bound for French Polynesia but a few weeks into the journey a storm destroyed the electronics on his vessel.

Mr Shaddock said he was forced to drift for two months with only his dog for company with the pair eating raw fish and drinking rainwater to stay alive.

Tim Shaddock (pictured) and his pooch Bella were picked up by tuna trawler off the coast of Mexico after spending several months drifting in the Pacific Ocean

The Sydney man left La Paz in Mexico in April bound for French Polynesia but a few weeks into the journey a storm destroyed the electronics on his vessel

Footage of his miraculous rescue obtained by Nine News showed a lean Mr Shaddock sporting an overgrown grey beard as he spoke to authorities.

His dog Bella was seen wagging her tail at the camera crew who filmed the sailor's catamaran littered with buckets and equipment.

'I've just got fishing gear, survival gear,' he was heard telling a man from the ship.

Mr Shaddock said he had endured a very difficult ordeal before he was rescued by the trawler and hadn't eaten enough food for 'a long time'.

'I'm needing some rest and some good food because I've been alone at sea for a very long time,' the sailor said.

'I have very good medicine and I'm being looked after very well.'

An image of Mr Shaddock after his rescue showed him sporting a wide grin with a blood pressure monitor attached to his arm.

An image of Mr Shaddock after his rescue showed him sporting a beaming smile with a blood pressure monitor attached to his arm (pictured)

Mr Shaddock (pictured with his dog Bella) said he had endured a very difficult ordeal before he was rescued by the trawler and hadn't eaten enough food for 'a long time'

A specialist doctor on the trawler compared Mr Shaddock's dire situation to the Tom Hank's movie Castaway (pictured)

A specialist doctor on the trawler said Mr Shaddock is starting by eating small meals while remaining conscious and chatty following the ordeal.

It is understood he has suffered no major illness or injury during the time lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The sailor has also avoided sunburn by hiding under a canopy on his vessel.

The doctor compared Mr Shaddock's dire situation to the Tom Hank's movie Castaway - with the image of the star's lean and bearded character bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Aussie sailor.

The trawler has commenced its slow journey back to Mexico where Mr Shaddock will receive more medical treatment.
A U.S. soldier, 23, who vanished only to return a day after his transgender wife was found dead in their military home has been cleared as a person of interest.

Spc. Craig Chamberlain, 23, is a Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) soldier who, unbeknownst to his wife, stopped showing up for duty in March.

On May 15, after lying about reporting to the military base in Texas for two months, he left their home in Killeen and failed to return.

Craig's wife, Cameron, reported him missing to police and to the base. She was found dead inside their home on May 25 - Craig returned a day later 'covered in bruises' according to his parents.

The US military launched an investigation but have now ruled that Craig was not involved, despite the autopsy having not been completed yet.

In a statement provided to DailyMail.com the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division said: 'At this point in the investigation, Spc. Craig Chamberlain is not a person of interest in her death.'

Craig Chamberlain was found on May 26, a day after his wife was found dead, and ten days after he vanished from home. Cam Chamberlain reported her husband missing on May 15. She was found dead on May 25 at the couple's home

The pair married in October 2020 after meeting through a dating app. They moved in together into a home not far from the base.

It remains unclear why Chamberlain left his wife and their home on May 15

The Department explained that 'Special Agents from the Army Criminal Investigation Division's Central Texas Field Office are working jointly with detectives from the Killeen Police Department on the death investigation of Cameron Chamberlain.

Adding: 'Official cause and manner of death will not be determined until the autopsy report is released.'

Fort Cavazos, formerly called Fort Hood, has struggled in recent years with a number of murders and deaths - including the brutal beating of servicewoman Vanessa Guillen - happening on its premises.

Earlier this year, the Army opened a probe into the death of 21-year-old Fort Hood engineer Ana Basalduaruiz, who had told her mother she was being sexually harassed by her superior.

The latest tragedy has plunged the troubled base back into the spotlight.

Craig Chamberlain, unbeknownst to his wife, absconded from Fort Cavazos base in March.

On May 15, after lying about reporting to the military base in Texas for two months, he left their home in Killeen and failed to return.

Cameron Chamberlain, reported him missing to police and to the base.

On May 15, Cam reported her husband missing. She said he'd left her with no food and that their car had been repossessed

Cam was found dead inside the couple's home in Killeen, Texas, on May 25

Chamberlain was serving at Fort Cavazos, formerly Fort Hood. He stopped showing up in March, but pretended to his wife he was still showing up for duty

On May 25, she was found dead inside their home. Craig then resurfaced in the area the following day. It remains unclear how Cameron died, or where specifically Craig was found.

Because she died in their home, the Army is leading the investigation and the Killeen Police Department is diverting all questions.

Cameron made desperate pleas to find her husband when he was first reported missing.

The pair married in October 2020 after meeting through a dating app. They moved in together into a home not far from the base.

On May 15, Cameron reported Craig missing to the local police department.

In her statement, she said he had not left her with any money, and had missed so many car payments that their vehicle was repossessed.

She begged him to return to her safely, as did his parents, and was horrified to learn that he hadn't been showing up for duty for months.

Chamberlain's parents say he had 'bruises' when he was found on May

In an interview at the time, she said she was only told by Fort Cavazos that he hadn't been going to work when she reported him missing to the police.

On May 25, Cam's death was confirmed by Fort Cavazos, but no one confirmed the cause of death, nor did they reveal what led to her being discovered.

The following day, Craig Chamberlain was found in the area by a 'civilian team'.

It's unclear where he is now.

When he was found, his parents said he had 'bruises' on his body.

Cam's friends fear she became suicidal after being left alone by her husband with no money to pay for food.

'I have nothing to eat. I've been asking so called friends for some grocery money on cash app and nobody can be bothered.

'The army told me there's nothing they can do. I'm suicidal,' she said in one text to a friend.

Craig's parents have not addressed her death publicly, nor have they discussed their relationship.

The absconded soldier has not yet spoken publicly about where he was either.
A woman has died two months after her husband was killed by a suspected gas leak while on their honeymoon.

Mary Somerville was found unconscious lying next to Jaime Carsi at a holiday home in Majorca on May 6.

The 39-year-old was taken to hospital in a serious condition but died at St Columbas Hospice in Edinburgh on July 2.

Authorities in Majorca believe that a gas leak may have caused the deaths.

Mary Somerville lost her fight for life two months after husband Jaime Carsi died in suspected carbon monoxide leak

Mary Somerville, pictured left, died two months after her husband Jaime Carsi, right. The couple had been poisoned by carbon monoxide on their honeymoon in Mallorca in May

A notice posted online by funeral directors D Chisholm and Sons said Ms Somerville passed away peacefully eight weeks after a tragic accident in Majorca.

It went on to describe her as beloved wife of the late Jaime, adored daughter of Helena and David, much loved sister of Misha and John and a dear sister-in-law, auntie and friend to many.

Majorcan newspaper Ultima Hora previously reported that Ms Somerville and Mr Carsi, 40, had married two weeks before the incident.

It is understood that the couple were due to go out on a boat trip and the alarm was raised when they failed to show up.

Cala Mesquida is a holiday location famed for its clear skies, blue waters and sandy beaches

Iain Stewart, executive director of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association, took to social media to pay tribute to his friend Ms Somerville, who was originally from Abriachan, Inverness-shire.

Mr Stewart said: It pains me to share this deeply heartbreaking news. My good friend and friend of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association Mary Somerville sadly passed away.

Many people will know Mary through her role as a teacher in the Art of Living. I will remember Mary for her warm and infectious personality and smile that would light up any room.

Mr Stewart urged people to send prayers to her family and loved ones. He added: As people of faith we are comforted by the belief that Mary will once again be united with her beloved Jaime.

The couple had flown from their home in Edinburgh to spend time at a family-owned house in the Cala Mesquida resort.

It is understood that a broken fridge in the property caused the gas leak.

Last night the yoga and meditation teacher was described by friends as a special soul and an inspiration.

On social media, one person wrote: Mary was a special soul, always happy, always smiling.

Another said: I am so very sorry to hear this. I met Mary several times, she always shone with so much light, love and grace.

What an inspiration. May she have deep peace.

A former Lloyds Bank worker, Ms Somerville was also a breathwork instructor at the non-profit Art of Living Foundation in Edinburgh.

She was a talented harpist, who often played at events organised by the Edinburgh Interfaith Association.

Her husband was an analyst for a Scottish investment management company.

Mr Carsi described himself online as being from Madrid.

Manacor hospital on the island of Majorca

But it is believed that he moved to the UK as a child and relocated to Edinburgh from London about six years ago.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: We supported the family of a British woman who was hospitalised in Majorca.

Spanish police were contacted for a comment.

Ms Somervilles funeral will be held at Inverness Crematorium.
Democratic presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr plunged to new depths of conspiracy theories when he claimed that Covid-19 was 'ethnically targeted' and that 'the people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese.'

RFK Jr, 69, made the remarks at an event Thursday at Tony's Di Napoli restaurant on New York City's Upper East Side.

The son of the late Robert F. Kennedy engaged an audience with his bizarre rants about vaccines but the night descended into 'a war of words and farting,' reports the New York Post.

The Post also reported on RFK Jr's anti-Semitic diatribe. 'We don't know whether it was deliberately targeted or not but there are papers out there that show the racial or ethnic differential and impact,' the Democratic candidate added.

He went to opine that the powers-that-be are working on biological weapons that will leave Covid-19 looking 'like a walk in the park.'

An Anti Defamation League spokesperson reacted with outrage to RFK Jr's statement.

'The claim that COVID-19 was a bioweapon created by the Chinese or Jews to attack Caucasians and Black people is deeply offensive and feeds into Sino phobic and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about COVID-19 that we have seen evolve over the last three years,' an ADL spokesperson told DailyMail.com.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pictured at Thursday's event where he made bizarre claims about Covid-19 telling an audience that the virus was designed not to 'effect Jewish or Chinese people'

RFK Jr, 69, made the remarks at an event Thursday at Tony's Di Napoli restaurant on New York City's Upper East Side

The event was organized by writer Doug Dechert and was said to have descended into a night of 'shouting and farting'

Among Democrats surveyed in the recent poll, 58 percent support Biden for the nomination, while 15 percent back Kennedy

'We do know that the Chinese are spending hundreds of millions of dollars developing ethnic bioweapons and we are developing ethnic bioweapons. They're collecting Russian DNA. They're collecting Chinese DNA so we can target people by race,' he continued.

Kennedy responded to the allegations that he is an anti-Semite by accusing the New York Post of being 'mistaken.'

'I have never, ever suggested that the COVID-19 virus was targeted to spare Jews,' he tweeted.

'I accurately pointed out  during an off-the-record conversation  that the U.S. and other governments are developing ethnically targeted bioweapons and that a 2021 study of the COVID-19 virus shows that COVID-19 appears to disproportionately affect certain races since the furin cleave docking site is most compatible with Blacks and Caucasians and least compatible with ethnic Chinese, Finns, and Ashkenazi Jews,' he went on.

'In that sense, it serves as a kind of proof of concept for ethnically targeted bioweapons. I do not believe and never implied that the ethnic effect was deliberately engineered,' the Democrat added.

Kennedy then accused one of the invited guests to the dinner, journalist Jonathan Levine, of exploiting an off-the-record conversation in order to 'smear' the candidate 'with an outlandish conspiracy theory.'

'This cynical maneuver is consistent with the mainstream media playbook to discredit me as a crank  and by association, to discredit revelations of genuine corruption and collusion,' Kennedy also said.

Kennedy addressing his supporters at Thursday's dinner

There is no reputable evidence to suggest that anything RFK Jr said was accurate. Although there are new reports suggesting that Covid-19 was man made and escaped from a lab in Wuhan, there is nothing to suggest it was ethnically targeted.

The event was organized by writer Doug Dechert. According social diarist David Patrick Colombia, around 16 people attended the dinner, including someone from Amsterdam News, Page Six and radio host Rita Cosby.

Colombia wrote that a question-and-answer session began as soon as the first course was finished.

'The honored guest talked about his thoughts on various subjects and situations he was asked about,' Colombia wrote.

A heated argument ensued towards the end of the evening between the host, Doug Dechert, and art critic Anthony Haden-Guest. The critic called the host 'a miserable blob' and told him to 'shut up.'

The critic went on to call Dechert 'insignificant' and 'f*****g insane.' Videos posted on social media show Kennedy laughing during the war of words.

Eventually, the night turned into further farce as Dechert could be heard farting while announcing: 'I'm farting.'

RFK Jr's advisor and right-wing activist Morton Klein told the Post that the candidate's latest remarks 'worried' him.

'This is crazy. It makes no sense that they would do that. I read everything. I was totally against the vaccine. . . I wanted to convince myself it was correct not to take it. I have never seen anything like this,' Klein said.

Kennedy has dabbled in anti-Semitism with some of his other remarks surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic.

He has repeatedly invoked Nazis and the Holocaust when talking about measures aimed at mitigating the spread of COVID-19, such as mask requirements and vaccine mandates.

He has apologized for some of those comments, including when he suggested that people in 2022 were worse off than Anne Frank.

Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr has pledged to prosecute Dr. Anthony Fauci for his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic

This week, Kennedy pledged to prosecute Dr. Anthony Fauci for his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic should he win the White House in 2024.

'If there were crimes that he committed, of course, I would tell the attorney general to prosecute him, not hold off,' Kennedy promised during an interview on Fox News.

Although Kennedy did not outright state whether America's former top doctor is guilty of committing a crime, he stated how he believes Dr. Fauci caused 'a lot of injury' by alleging he withheld treatments from Americans during the early stages of the pandemic.

Kennedy said it was Fauci's actions that actually contributed to the United States' high death count.

'I think that he particularly, by withholding early treatment from Americans, we racked up the highest death count in the world,' Kennedy said during Monday night's interview.

'We only have 4.2 percent of the globe's population, but we had 16 percent of the COVID deaths in this country and that was from bad policy,' Kennedy explained.

'There are countries that did the opposite of what we did that provided Ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, other early treatments to their populations and had 1/200th of our death rate.

'There are many, many things we did wrong in our country and some of those were I would say  some of the things that were done by health officials at that time, that they knew they would be harmful.'

Kennedy has in the past leveled similar accusations in a book entitled 'The Real Anthony Fauci, Bill Gates, Big Pharma and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health.'

Kennedy was then asked by host Jesse Watters why he continues to tout the false claim that childhood vaccinations are linked to autism.

'I do believe that autism does come from vaccines but I think most of the things people believe about my opinions about vaccines are wrong,' Kennedy said.

'You know, all I have said about vaccines we should have good science. We should have the same kind of testing, placebo-controlled trials that we have for every other kind of medication.

'Vaccines are exempt from pre-licensing placebo-controlled trials. So there's no way that anybody can tell the risk of all those products or even the relative benefits of all those products before they are mandated and we should have that kind of testing.'

Kennedy was not challenged robustly by Watters during the interview who appeared to accept the details that he was touting.

The candidate is thought to be polling as high as 20 percent among some Democratic voters although there has been no indication that President Joe Biden will engage in a debate with him or self-help guru Marianne Williamson.

In announcing his campaign back in April, RFK Jr likened his campaign to the American revolution.

'My mission over the next 18 months of this campaign and throughout my presidency will be to end the corrupt merger of state and corporate power that is threatening now to impose a new kind of corporate feudalism in our country,' Kennedy said.

The candidate was once known most as an environmental lawyer who worked on issues such as clean water.

Kennedy launched his campaign at Boston's Park Plaza Hotel on April 19 with his wife Cheryl Hines, the Curb Your Enthusiasm actress

But over the past nearly two decades, he's become one of the leading voices of the anti-vaccine movement. His work has been described by members of his own family and public health experts as misleading and dangerous.

His efforts intensified after the pandemic and development of the COVID-19 vaccine, and in 2021 he linked up with anti-democratic figures and other groups.

He has appeared at events pushing the lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and with people who cheered or downplayed the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

A photo posted on Instagram showed Kennedy backstage at a July 2021 Reawaken America event with former President Donald Trump's ally Roger Stone, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and anti-vaccine profiteer Charlene Bollinger. All three have promoted the lie about the 2020 election being stolen.

Kennedy has been a guest on Infowars, the channel run by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, and on the 'War Room' podcast hosted by longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon, where he promoted his bestselling 2021 book, 'The Real Anthony Fauci,' in which he accused the U.S.'s top infectious disease doctor of participating in 'a historic coup d'etat against Western democracy.'

During the pandemic, RFK Jr's group, Children's Health Defense, raked in funding and followers in the U.S. and abroad, and doubling its revenue from 2019 to 2020. Revenue more than doubled from $7 million in 2020 to $16 million in 2021.

Facebook and Instagram removed the accounts of Childrens Health Defense for spreading misinformation.
A teenager has been rushed to hospital and three men are in custody following a horror daylight brawl in a busy shopping centre.

The all-out brawl erupted inside the Smart Street Mall in Mandurah, about an hour south of Perth, just before 11.30am on Saturday.

Police said the altercation was between two groups of men known to each other.

Witness Ellie Broughton, who works in the centre, alerted police to the attack and claimed she saw multiple weapons being used.

'There was an axe, a knife and a hammer ... they obviously set the dog on the guy and it just bit his arm I think,' she told Nine News.

'Mostly what I saw was just the guy with the arm, we were trying to get towels around it and get anything to stop it bleeding basically.'

Blood is seen on the ground after a two groups of men allegedly attacked each other in an all-out brawl in a Mandurah shopping centre on Saturday

The all-out brawl erupted inside the Smart Street Mall in Mandurah, about an hour south of Perth, just before 11.30am on Saturday (pictured is witness Ellie Broughton)

Police have arrested three men aged 15, 16 and 53, who are assisting with enquiries.

Officers have marked a crime scene where blood was splashed on the ground.

A 17-year-old boy was taken to the Royal Perth Hospital in a serious but stable condition with injuries to his arm and back, including a deep gash.

It is unclear which weapon caused the injuries.

Investigations were underway in the area to find more witnesses.

WA Police were contacted by Daily Mail Australia for comment.

Investigations are underway as police seek more witnesses (pictured, police at the scene)
Tourists in Italy are sweltering as the temperatures soar to 48C, the highest ever recorded, while people in the Canaries flee from wildfires.

Italy is facing temperatures of historic highs this weekend with the health ministry issuing a red alert for 16 cities including Rome, Bologna and Florence.

The meteo centre warned Italians to prepare for 'the most intense heatwave of the summer and also one of the most intense of all time'.

Meanwhile Spanish authorities have preemptively evacuated some 500 people to avoid a wildfire on the Canary Island of La Palma.

The regional president of the Canary Island, Fernando Clavijo, said the blaze has destroyed at least 11 homes within the relatively small burned zone of 345 acres.

Italy is facing temperatures of historic highs this weekend with the health ministry issuing a red alert for 16 cities including Rome, Bologna and Florence (pictured: tourists sweltering in the heat in Rome)

Meanwhile Spanish authorities have preemptively evacuated some 500 people to avoid a wildfire (pictured) on the Canary Island of La Palma

The meteo centre warned Italians to prepare for 'the most intense heatwave of the summer and also one of the most intense of all time' (pictured: tourists in Venice today)

The thermometer is likely to hit 40C (104F) in Rome by Monday and even 43C (109F) on Tuesday, smashing the record of 40.5C (105F) set in August 2007.

The islands of Sicily and Sardinia could wilt under temperatures as high as 48C (118F), the European Space Agency warned - 'potentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe'.

Greece is also roasting, with parts of the country facing highs of as much as 44C (111F) today.

A red alert warning, which is in place for 16 Italian cities, 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.

The central city of Thebes sweated under 44.2C (111F) on yesterday.

The Acropolis, Athens's top tourist attraction, closed for a second day straight Saturday during the hottest hours with 41C (105F) expected, as did several parks in the capital.

Regions of France, Germany, Poland and Spain are also baking in searing temperatures.

The thermometer is likely to hit 40C (104F) in Rome (pictured today) by Monday and even 43C (109F) on Tuesday, smashing the record of 40.5C (105F) set in August 2007

The islands of Sicily and Sardinia could wilt under temperatures as high as 48C (118F), the European Space Agency warned - 'potentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe' (pictured: people trying to cool down in Venice today)

While people in Italy (pictured in Rome) are suffering under the high temperatures, Greece is also roasting, with parts of the country facing highs of as much as 44C (111F) today

A red alert warning, which is in place for 16 Italian cities, 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 (pictured: tourists sheltering under umbrellas in Venice)

The central city of Thebes sweated under 44.2C (111F) on yesterday, while Rome (pictured today) is expected to experience temperatures above 40C this weekend and next week

Tourists at the Roman forum brave the hot conditions on another sweltering day with high temperatures in Rome today

Tourists shelter from the sun with umbrellas in St. Mark's Square as the city gears up for 'Redentore' festival celebrations in Venice today

In Venice, tourists used umbrellas and hats to shelter from the heat today

The wildfire on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma is further progressing and regional president Clavijo warned today that the number of evacuees - currently 500 - could easily increase.

'With the resources that we are deploying, we hope we can control the fire today, but the winds are shifting,' Clavijo said.

He added: 'More gusting winds are expected and, combined with the dryness of the terrain and the lack of rain, this situation is complicated.'

Spain's army has deployed 150 of its firefighters to help local crews battle the blaze. More local firefighters are arriving on boats from the neighbouring island of Tenerife, according to Clavijo.

The fire is on the western side of the island on wooded, hilly terrain dotted with homes. It is not an area that was directly impacted by the 2021 volcano eruption.

Puntagorda mayor, Vicente Rodriguez, told Spanish public broadcaster RTVE that the fire started inside the limits of his municipality.

He added that the area has seen below-average rainfall in recent years, just like large parts of the drought-stricken mainland, due to changing weather patterns impacted by climate change.

The wildfire on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma is further progressing and regional president Clavijo warned today that the number of evacuees - currently 500 - could easily increase

'With the resources that we are deploying, we hope we can control the fire today, but the winds are shifting,' Clavijo said

He added: 'More gusting winds are expected and, combined with the dryness of the terrain and the lack of rain, this situation is complicated.'

The fire coincides with a heatwave that is hitting southern Europe. Spain saw record high temperatures in 2022 and this spring as it endures a prolonged drought

The fire coincides with a heatwave that is hitting southern Europe. Spain saw record high temperatures in 2022 and this spring as it endures a prolonged drought.

READ MORE: Roasting Brit tourists describe cowering in their hotels and dodging 'flaming-hot' beaches as brutal Cerberus heatwave grips Europe Advertisement

Authorities and forestry experts are concerned that the conditions are ripe for a difficult wildfire campaign after seeing virulent fires as early as March.

La Palma, with a population of 85,000, is one of eight members of Spain's Canary Islands archipelago off Africa's western coast. At their nearest point, the islands are 60 miles from Morocco.

The deadly heatwave hitting Europe has forced Greece to close the Acropolis in Athens after baking tourists collapsed and fainted yesterday as Britons across the Mediterranean brace themselves for record 48.8C (120F) temperatures.

But many British tourists braved the extreme heat yesterday to sunbathe on beaches across Benidorm in Spain and Albufeira in Portugal while others sought relief from the searing temperature by having drinks at nearby bars.

British tourists across the Mediterranean are being warned of the life-threatening effects of the sweltering heat after an anticyclone weather system from the Sahara desert called Cerberus expanded northwards.

Cerberus - named after Dante's three-headed dog in Greek mythology who guarded the gates to hell - will see temperatures rise to above 45C (113F) in Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey by the end of next week.

The deadly heatwave is wreaking havoc across Europe, with wildfires raging across Croatia and tourists fainting from the blistering heat, while others have been rescued while trying to cool off in the sea.

Greece said its top tourist attraction, the Acropolis, would close during the hottest hours on Friday as temperatures were expected to reach 40C (104F) in Athens.

Italians Giorgia Bragion and Maria Romeo use a fan to cool off amid the soaring heat in Rome on July 14

Sun-lover David Campbell cools off by regularly dousing himself with water (pictured)

In Greece, locals and tourists flock to the beach to cool off. Here, they are pictured in the town of Nafplion, some 200km southwest of Athens

A young boy tries to cool off at a fountain at Syntagma Square amid scorching heat. Extreme temperatures have been forecast

In Athens, Greece, another tourist collapsed in front of the Acropolis after temperatures soared to 45C (113F) and was carried to a waiting ambulance on a stretcher by police officers.

The Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily are set to bear the brunt of the unforgiving heat, with forecasters predicting that temperatures could soar above record 48.8C (120F) temperatures next week. The previous record high of 48.8C (120F)was registered in the Sicilian town of Floridia on August 11, 2021.

Land temperatures - how hot the ground is to touch - in Spain reached upwards of 60C (140F) in parts of southern Spain on Thursday, with the European Space Agency warning next week could break continental records.

Extreme weather resulting from a warming climate is 'unfortunately becoming the new normal,' warned Secretary-General Petteri Taalas of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

In response, officials in several countries were preparing emergency measures, cellphone alerts and adjustments to staffing levels.

In Athens and other Greek cities, working hours were changed for the public sector and many businesses to avoid the midday heat, while air-conditioned areas were opened to the public.

A tourist at the Roman colosseum covers her head with a scarf from the hot sun as Rome experiences another sweltering day

Members of the public fill bottles with water at a fountain in Rome on yesterday as Italy is hit by a heatwave

Volunteers of the Hellenic Red Cross hand out bottles of water at the bottom of the Acropolis hill in Athens, Greece

British tourists braced the extreme heat in Benidorm and headed to the beach

'It's like being in Africa,' 24-year-old tourist Balint Jolan, from Hungary, said. 'It's not that much hotter than it is currently at home, but yes, it is difficult.'

The devastating effects of the heatwave has been seen across Europe, with wildfires ripping across Croatia and a 44-year-old road sign worker dying due to the heat in Italy.

The 44-year-old Italian man, who has not been named, collapsed on Tuesday due to the heat in the Italian city of Lodi, southeast Milan, as temperatures soared to above 40C (104F). The worker, who has not been named, later died in hospital.

'We are facing an unbearable heatwave,' Italian politician Nicola Fratoianni said.

'Dying from the heat is unthinkable - we should be taking measures to avoid tragedies like this in the hottest hours of the day.'

Italian authorities have now urged people not to drink alcohol or travel unnecessarily to reduce risk.

In North Macedonia, the high heat triggered a spike in emergency calls for health assistance, while residents in Kosovo, which is also landlocked, flocked to an artificial beach near the capital Pristina.

Excessive heat is one of the deadliest meteorological events, according to the WMO. One recent study estimates over 61,000 people died from heat during Europe's record-breaking summer last year.
MBABANE  Over 20 suppliers were recommended for the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprises (ESWADE) suppliers tenders.

The recommended suppliers were those who scored over 70 per cent in the competitive bidding process. Six suppliers were recommended for supplying general printing and stationary services and those were: Nashua Swaziland, Sionary Investment (Pty) Ltd, Progress Stationary (Pty) Ltd trading as Progress Furniture, The Pelican Print Swaziland (Pty) Ltd, Baobab Express Office Furniture (Pty) Ltd.

Recommended

There were also six companies that were recommended for supply of office equipment, office furniture and fittings and these are: Baobab Express Office Furniture (Pty) Ltd, Sionary Investment (Pty) Ltd, Progress Stationary (Pty) Ltd trading as Progress Furniture, ZCMB Investments (Pty) Ltd trading as ZCMB Office Furniture Suppliers, Sync Agency (Pty) trading as Office Solutions and Nashua Swaziland. Four companies would supply and provide maintainance of air conditioning equipment and these are: Mdzabuko Investment, Macnabs Refrigerators, Swazi roof Masters Investments (Pty) Ltd and Immersion Projects Managers (Pty) Ltd. Sionary Investments (Pty) Ltd along with OMNY Media Group (Pty) Ltd, Branding Design (Pty) Ltd, Dixies International, and S-squire Business Solutions will provide promotional, advertising materials and branding.

Kit

Eswatini Agricultural Supplies (Pty) Ltd, Mdzabuko Investments and LNV Investments will supply Agriculture kit: fertilizer, seed and chemicals.

Provision of irrigation equipment and pipes will be supplied by Plumbers Choice Investment, ECO-BUZZ Investments, Living Waters Investments (Pty) Ltd and Sindroe Investments (Pty) Ltd. TOP EMS Swaziland, ASPIRE 360, Madusizwe, Galaxy supplies, Elcor Industries (Pty) Ltd and Flamelily Investments (Pty) Ltd will supply personal protective clothing and medical supplies.

On the supply of general building equipment and fencing there is: MDZ Construction, ERD Swaziland, Mdzabuko Investments, Preque Investments (Pty) Ltd, KZM Investments, Eswatini Wire, Nkonyeni Precast, TIBU and MBA TIMBALI, ESOR Construction, ICON Construction, Living Waters Investments (Pty) Ltd, BD-SIJULA Investments (Pty) Ltd Construction, DAPHS Investments and BuildCo Projects (Pty) Ltd. Five companies will supply computers, laptops, UPs printers and computer accessories and these are: AKABONGWE Investments, Sionary Investments (Pty) Ltd, Informatics (Africa) (Pty) Ltd trading as PC System and Nashua Swaziland.

It must be noted that, in terms of section 45(2) of the act, the above contract award decision does not constitute a contract. Further, in terms of section 45(4), 46 and 47 of the Act, all tenderers who submitted bids are notified that a period of 10 working days is hereby allowed for submission of any application for review from the above stated date of first publication of this notice.
Guo, an associate of Steve Bannon, has been charged in a $1 billion fraud conspiracy

The sizeable deposits came over the course of just three days in May and follow the congressman's vocal support of Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui

The Long Island liar allegedly collected more than $100,000 of campaign financing donations from donors with Chinese surnames

Republican Rep. George Santos has received more than $100,000 of campaign financing gifts from donors with Chinese surnames.

The sizeable deposits came over the course of just three days, between May 20 and May 22, the Daily Beast reported.

Almost all of those donors, contributing a total $101,861, gave the maximum amount of $3,300, and 26 of them had never given to Santos previously, according to the publication.

For 14 of the donors, it was their first political contribution, according to Federal Election Commission data.

One such donor told the Daily Beast that they had given money to the scandal-hit congressman because of his support for the Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui.

Republican Rep. George Santos has received more than $100,000 of campaign financing gifts from donors with Chinese surnames

One donor said they had given money to the scandal-hit congressman because of his support for the Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui (pictured)

Guo, an associate of Steve Bannon, has been charged in a $1 billion fraud conspiracy.

Prosecutors claim the financier fleeced investors with false offerings and used the proceeds to buy extravagant goods and assets for himself and his family.

These assets allegedly include a 50,000-square-foot mansion, a $3.5 million Ferrari, two $36,000 mattresses and a $37 million luxury yacht.

'He is working on the direction that I believe will benefit United State of America and the world,' the unnamed donor told The Daily Beast.

'So when he asked to chip in, I chip in' the reportedly said.

'I support him because he is not a talker, he did what he promised. He said he will propose a #FreeMilesGuo bill, he actually did it' the Beast reported.

The Long Island liar has publicly offered his support for Guo after his arrest in March.

He has also sponsored eleven bills targeting the Chinese Communist Party, including one specifically introduced to support Guo himself.

Guo, an associate of Steve Bannon, has been charged in a $1 billion fraud conspiracy

Santos is now awaiting trial after he was arrested in May on 13 charges, including wire fraud and theft of public funds

When contacted about the donations Santos told the Daily Beast 'when you see a cluster of donation [sic] of a similar amount its safe to assume its a fundraiser that took place.'

Adding: 'Thats the extent of my comments to you.'

Campaign finance law expert Brendan Fischer told The Daily Beast that the clustered names and dates suggest a coordinated fundraising push.

'It certainly appears like there was some kind of organized fundraising effort for Santos,' he said.

Fischer observed that a large amount of that money went to pay down Santos personal loans.

Another campaign finance expert, Brett Kappel told the publication 'This filing would raise red flags with the lawyers running the Santos investigation in the Eastern District of New York.'

Santos is currently under federal investigation over his campaign financing.

The scandal-hit GOP Rep. has been accused of lying about his resume, career and background during the campaign that landed him in public office.

Santos is now awaiting trial after he was arrested in May on 13 charges, including wire fraud and theft of public funds.

Santos has been involved in a slew of problematic  and illegal  behavior since his 2022 campaign for Congress. But the lies were only revealed after he was elected as the new congressman for New York's 3rd Congressional District.

While the New York case against him continues, Santos is also facing an Ethics investigation in Congress.

Prosecutors claim Guo fleeced investors with false offerings and used the proceeds to but extravagant goods and assets for himself and his family

The scandal-hit GOP Rep . has been accused of lying about his resume, career and background during the campaign that landed him in public office

Following the indictment levied in New York in May, the House Ethics Committee voted to expand the jurisdiction of the probe to include charges noted in New York's case against Santos alleging he fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits.

Allegations against Santos in the indictment claim he applied for unemployment benefits in New York under fraudulent pretenses because he was making $120,000 per year from an investment firm in Florida.

The indictment also notes him spending tens of thousands of dollars that were donated to his congressional campaign on personal expenses like his car payment and designer items, and lying to Congress on financial disclosure forms.

He lied about his education background and work history, as well as claiming that his mother died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
A homicide investigation has been launched after a man and woman were found dead at a shooting school in North Lincolnshire.

Humberside Police were called to White Lodge Shooting School on College Road in North Lincolnshire, at around 3.40pm on Friday after reports of a concern for safety.

A man and woman were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.

Senior Investigating Officer Chief Inspector Al Curtis said: 'Inquiries are in the very early stages to establish the circumstances of the man and woman's death.

A homicide investigation has been launched after a man and woman were found dead at a shooting school in North Lincolnshire

Humberside Police were called to White Lodge Shooting School on College Road at around 3.40pm on Friday after reports of a concern for safety

'A homicide investigation has commenced, and both deaths are being treated as suspicious at this time until we establish the facts.

'We can confirm we are not looking for any else in relation to this inquiry.

'A scene guard will be in place while we carry out our investigation, and residents will likely observe an increased policing presence in the area as we carry out all lines of inquiry.

He said next of kin of both victims have been notified and are being supported.

Mr Curtis, added: 'We would like to reassure local residents there is no risk to the wider public and that we will be conducting house-to-house visits to provide reassurance'.
A 24-year-old transgender socialist who referred to herself as a 'poly, kinky trans, lesbian' announced her bid to unseat a Queens assemblyman accused of sexual abuse and become Albany's first openly trans legislator.

Emilia Decaudin announced that she is running for the District 37 Assembly seat in an interview with THE CITY on Tuesday.

Decaudin said she would run against Assembly member Juan Ardila, who has resisted calls from party leaders to resign over accusations of sexual misconduct.

She credits her decision to run with the 'the lack of leadership in the district right now' along with a need for trans rights legislation and housing reform in the state legislature.

'There were a lot of people in the community who responded to this vacuum of leadership, and were asking me, 'What's going on? Like, is this something you're thinking of doing?' Decaudin said to THE CITY.

Emilia Decaudin announced that she is running for the District 37 Assembly seat in an interview with THE CITY on Tuesday. A 2024 victory for Decaudin would make her the first openly transgender state legislator in New York

Juan Ardila (right), has resisted calls from party leaders to resign over accusations of sexual misconduct. Ardila's coworkers have spoken out condemning his alleged actions and calling for his resignation

'Those are the questions that regular liberal or progressive legislators aren't asking. They are trying to do the best that they can now, and that's great, and I support them,' she added.

Decaudin, who was raised in a conservative community in Westchester County, said 'they're not operating on the same horizon of like, 'How do we move beyond this?'

'And like, how are we balancing all these concerns with the world that we want to live in at the end? How do we do more than just fighting for the best that we can get today?' she continued.

Decaudin said she is ready to 'fight for a State that works for working people, not the rich and powerful,' according to her campaign website.

'It's official,' she tweeted on Tuesday. 'I'm a democratic socialist running for Assembly District 37 in Western Queens to be the first transgender legislator in New York, and to fight for a State that works for working people, not the rich and powerful.'

The 24-year-old promises to make New York affordable to the people who live in the city.

She credits her decision to run with the 'the lack of leadership in the district right now' along with a need for trans rights legislation and housing reform in the state legislature

The 24-year-old promises to make New York affordable to the people who live in the city

'The promise of New York as a sanctuary for the marginalized and oppressed falls flat when people simply can't afford to live here,' she wrote on her campaign website.

'With your help, we will build a State where housing is affordable, where utilities are affordable, where the air is clean, where the streets are safe, and where a good, union job that pays a living wage is within everyone's reach,' she added.

Decaudin was first elected to the Democratic State committee in 2018 to represent part of Westchester County.

She came out as a transgender woman in 2019 and worked to amend a state election law to allow nonbinary New Yorkers to run for political parties' county committee positions that require gendered contests and successfully changed the century old amendment.

A 2024 victory for Decaudin would make her the first openly transgender state legislator in New York.

She would cover district including part of Long Island City, Sunnyside, Maspeth and Ridgewood and join a clique of other socialist officials recently elected in western Queens, including state lawmakers Kristen Gonzalez, Zohran Mamdani and Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas.

In March, Queens Assembly member Juan Ardila (D-Queens) was accused by two women of sexual assault during a 2015 party

Ardila denied all allegations of sexual misconduct by the two women in June after previously claiming he was no longer disputing their claims

She and Melissa Sklarz are currently the state's first openly trans district leaders.

In March, Queens Assembly member Juan Ardila (D-Queens) was accused by two women of sexual assault during a 2015 party.

Ardila denied all allegations of sexual misconduct by the two women in June after previously claiming he was no longer disputing their claims.

'I did not sexually abuse anyone or engage in any sexual assault,' Ardila said in a statement.

According to the Daily News, the two women said Ardilla touched them without consent and exposed himself to one of them.

Ardila's coworkers have spoken out condemning his alleged actions and calling for his resignation.

'I grow more disgusted by Juan Ardila every single day,' New York City Councilwoman Julie Won (D-Queens), who is among the elected officials calling on the state rep to resign.

'Juan's recent comments and his self-funded, 'independent report' continue to demonstrate his utter lack of remorse and his pathological hatred toward women,' she added.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, 73, has been rushed to hospital after suffering chest pains.

Netanyahu said he was feeling 'very good' this afternoon and was assessed to be in 'good condition' as he underwent a medical evaluation, his office said today.

Initial tests determined the Israeli leader was suffering from dehydration. He remains in hospital as of Saturday evening.

A statement from his office said that he had spent Friday enjoying Israel's Sea of Galilee at a time of high summer temperatures. It said Netanyahu felt dizzy and his doctor instructed him to go to Sheba Hospital, near the coastal city of Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu, at 73 the country's longest-serving leader, had reportedly also complained of chest pain, was fully conscious en route to Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer town, and walked into the emergency room, Israel's Channel 12 TV said.

Netanyahu, 73, is Israel's longest serving leader. He has served multiple terms stretching over 15 years in office

Avner Netanyahu arrives at the Sheba Medical Centre to visit his father after he was hospitalised

He was not undergoing sedation and no procedures were underway to declare him incapacitated, it added.

In a video statement hours after being admitted for apparent dehydration on Saturday, the 73-year-old said: 'Thank God, I feel very good.'

He thanked medics and the public for messages of support and said he had 'one request' - for people to drink water and act safely in the scorching summer heat.

Israel is in the midst of a heatwave, with temperatures in the mid-30s degrees Celcius.

The statement said initial tests found everything to be sound, and that it appeared Netanyahu was suffering from dehydration. It said doctors had ordered further tests.

Israel is currently in the midst of a heat wave, with temperatures in the mid-30s degrees Celsius (mid-90s in Fahrenheit).

Netanyahu, 73, is Israel's longest serving leader. He has served multiple terms stretching over 15 years in office.

His current far-right government, a collection of religious and ultra-nationalist parties, took office last December.

It was not immediately clear who might replace him in the event of an emergency succession. However, there have been no indications of a potential handover of power at this stage.

First elected to top office in 1996 at the head of the conservative Likud party, Netanyahu has been both dynamic and polarising, leading a free-market revolution in Israel while distrustful of internationally-backed peacemaking with the Palestinians and talks to cap Iran's nuclear programme.

He is in the grip of a domestic furore over his plan to overhaul the judiciary, which has set off unprecedented protests by Israelis worried for the future independence of the courts.

Netanyahu is himself no stranger to the docks, after being indicted in three corruption cases. He denies wrongdoing and has cast the trial as a politicised witch-hunt.

A statement from his office said that he had spent Friday enjoying Israel's Sea of Galilee at a time of high summer temperatures. It said Netanyahu felt dizzy and his doctor instructed him to go to Sheba Hospital (pictured), near the coastal city of Tel Aviv

Netanyahu (pictured) was assessed to be in 'good condition' as he underwent a medical evaluation, his office said. Initial tests determined the Israeli leader was suffering from dehydration

Anver, 28, was quick to check on his father, who is said to generally be in good health

Tel Hashomer is close to the coastal town of Caesarea, where Netanyahu has a private residence.

Netanyahu is said to be in generally good health, though he was briefly hospitalized last October after feeling unwell during prayers on Yom Kippur, day when observant Jews fast.

Tens of thousands of Israelis have held weekly demonstrations against Netanyahu's government to protest his plan to overhaul the country's judiciary.

Netanyahu's allies say the plan is needed to rein in the power of unelected judges. But his opponents say the plan will destroy the country's fragile system of checks and balances and concentrate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his allies.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid issued a statement wishing Netanyahu a 'full recovery and good health.'
The Russian FSB claimed today to have stopped plans to assassinate Vladimir Putin's TV star 'goddaughter' and his most powerful woman propagandist.

Vladimir Putin's secret services agency claimed the hits were ordered by Ukraine's intelligence service which offered 12,700 each to kill Ksenia Sobchak and Margarita Simonyan.

A 22-year-old alleged neo-Nazi Yegor Savalyev was detained in Ryazan, along with five accomplices.

The story is shady and Savalyev was previously reported to be a 'victim' of a 2019 FSB 'provocation'.

Sobchak, 41, knows Putin from her childhood because her late father Anatoly - liberal mayor of St Petersburg - was political mentor to the ex-KGB spy.

The Russian FSB claimed today to have stopped plans to assassinate Vladimir Putin's TV star 'goddaughter' Sobchak (pictured), 41, and his most powerful woman propagandist

Vladimir Putin's (pictured left) secret services agency claimed the hits were ordered by Ukraine's intelligence service which offered 12,700 each to kill Ksenia Sobchak and Margarita Simonyan (pictured right)

A prominent TV personality Sobchak, who stood against Putin at the 2018 Russian presidential election after privately talking to him, finished fourth.

Putin attended her Orthodox christening, leading to claims he is her godfather.

She now runs an independent media outlet which is often critical of Putin and the war against Ukraine.

In October she reportedly fled Russia for Belarus before entering Lithuania on foot to avoid arrest hours after police raided her mansion in a prestigious Moscow suburb.

Police said that the search on her home was part of a probe into alleged wrongdoing by her media director, Kirill Sukhanov, who was arrested on charges of extortion a day earlier.

Sobchak at the time rejected the accusations against Sukhanov as 'ravings and nonsense' and described his arrest as part of the authorities' efforts to stifle independent media.

She then reportedly returned to Russia two weeks later, entering the country via a border checkpoint with Latvia.

Simonyan, 43, is a hardline Putin loyalist who has been nicknamed 'Goebbels in a skirt'.

She is editor-in-chief of the Russian state-controlled broadcaster RT, and state-owned media group Rossiya Segodnya.

A 22-year-old alleged neo-Nazi Yegor Savalyev (pictured) was detained in Ryazan, along with five accomplices

Savalyev appeared to give a rehearsed confession, saying: 'I am Mikail Balashov, born 27 March 2005.

'I live in Moscow. I created a Neonazi gang Paragraph 88 and got [my] underage friends involved in it...

'I was contacted by Ukraine's special services...

'We were offered [to commit] the contract assassination of Margarita Simonyan and Ksenia Sobchak.

'I....conducted reconnaissance of Margarita Simonyan's home in order to get money.

'After that I contacted a curator who was supposed to leave a Kalashnikov automated gun for me and money.

'When I arrived at the place where the weapon was supposed to be, I was caught by the employees of the [Russian] intelligence service.'

The FSB claimed it had stopped the killing of Sobchak and Simonyan, yet this was doubted by independent oberservers.

'This is more likely an FSB provocation,' said one.

'Members of the Paragraph-88 neo-Nazi group, acting on instructions from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), planned to kill them.'

Vladimir Putin, Lyudmila Narusova (pictured right), and Ksenia Sobchak (pictured second right) in St Petersburg in November 2003

The FSB claimed its officers 'seized a Kalashnikov assault rifle, cartridges, edged weapons, Nazi symbols, literature, as well as communications equipment and computers with information about the preparation of the assassination attempt.'

Simonyan said: 'The FSB, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Investigative Committee, detained a group that, by order of Ukraine, was preparing my murder.

'[They] followed me, knew all my addresses.'

She urged to send them to her fisherman father 'for re-education - he will make real men out of them'.

Caution News - run by Sobchak - reported that the detained man had spent four years in jail for an 'extremist' offence.

Savalyev was appearing in a pro-trial custody hearing in court along with other alleged members of his group.
The Secret Service announced this week that the agency has finished its investigation into the mysterious baggie of cocaine that was found in the White House earlier this month with finding the culprit.

The agency said that the case was closed due to a lack of forensic evidence coupled with the fact that the class A drug was found an area in which around 500 people passed through at the time it was believed to have been discarded.

It was determined by the agency that because the cocaine amounted to around 0.007 ounces, meaning it would only be a misdemeanor offense in the District of Columbia, it would be a waste of public resources to interview 500 people.

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Gugliemi told NBC News that conducting such a vast amount of interviews may also infringe on civil rights and that without physical evidence, a confession would likely be necessary.

'Yes, you could have a consensual interview. But we have no evidence to approach them,' Gugliemi said.

President Joe Biden has been able to avoid facing the latest White House scandal as he escaped Washington, D.C. for meetings across Europe this week

Ex-president Donald Trump wondered on TruthSocial how with all of the security cameras available in the West Wing, investigators couldn't find the culprit

The Secret Service announced Thursday that the investigation was closed

Former US Attorney and acting administrator of the DEA under President Barack Obama, Chuck Rosenberg, echoed Gugliemi's remarks telling NBC News that the agency has to make calls on what to investigate and what not to investigate.

'They could have done the interviews, but at the end of the day it's a long walk through dry sand. They have finite resources and it's OK for them to decide some things are worth their time and some things are not worth their time,' Rosenberg said.

Secret Service agents found the white powder during a routine White House sweep on July 2, in a heavily trafficked West Wing lobby where staff go in and out, and tour groups gather to drop their phones and other belongings.

'Without physical evidence, the investigation will not be able to single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered,' Secret Service officials said in the summary.

The presence of cocaine at the White House prompted a flurry of criticism and questions from Republicans, who received a closed briefing Thursday on the results of the investigation.

'There is no equal justice,' House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Thursday. 'Anything revolving around 'Biden, Inc.' gets treated different than any other American and that's got to stop.'

Ex-President Donald Trump wrote his skepticism of about his skepticism on his Truth Social platform.

'Despite all of the cameras pointing directly at the 'scene of the crime,' and the greatest forensics anywhere in the World, they just can't figure it out? They know the answer, and so does everyone else!,' the former reality TV host wrote.

One of Trump's 2024 Republican primary opponents Nikki Haley told Tucker Carlson in an interview Friday that she believes the closing of the investigation is a 'cover-up'

While Trump's acolyte and 2024 Republican primary opponent Nikki Haley told Tucker Carlson in an interview Friday, without presenting any evidence, that she believes the closing of the investigation is a 'cover-up.'

'I strongly believe this is a cover-up. For either Hunter [Biden], or someone very close to the President and they don't want to say who it is,' the former ambassador to the United Nations said.

'I know the area where the locker is. People don't just go in and out of there. It is either the president, the vice president, cabinet members, or deputy directors. Nobody else is going in there,' Haley added.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden believed it was 'incredibly important' for the Secret Service to get to the bottom of how the drugs ended up in the White House.

The Secret Service is responsible for securing the White House and led the investigation.

Biden wasn't there at the time of the discovery. He was at Camp David with members of his family for the holiday weekend.

The complex was briefly evacuated as a precaution when the white powder was found.

The fire department was called in to test the substance on the spot to determine whether it was hazardous, and the initial test came back negative for a biohazard but positive for cocaine.

The bag was sent for a secondary, more sensitive lab analysis. Homeland Security's National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center analyzed the item for any biothreats. Tests conducted at the facility came back negative.

The cocaine and packaging underwent further forensics testing, including advanced fingerprint and DNA work at the FBI's crime laboratory, according to the summary. The FBI also did chemical testing.

The Secret Service confirmed Thursday that marijuana was found twice at the White House in 2022, sparking more questions about security after cocaine was discovered there earlier this month

Meanwhile, Secret Service investigators put together a list of several hundred individuals who may have accessed the area where the drugs were found.

Anyone who comes through the White House must give identifying information and pass through security before entering.

But the lab results didn't turn up latent fingerprints or DNA, so agents can't compare anything to the possible suspect pool. White House staff are fingerprinted; participants in tour groups are not.

Video of the West Executive street lobby entrance did not identify the person or provide any solid investigative leads, the Secret Service said.

The lobby is open to staff-led tours of the West Wing, which are scheduled for nonworking hours on the weekends and evenings. Those tours are invitation-only and led by White House staff for friends, family and other guests.

Most staffers who work in the complex can request an evening or weekend tour slot, but there is often a long wait list. There were tours on the day, a Sunday, the drugs were found, as well as on the two preceding days.
A 25-year-old woman vanished after pulling over to check on a toddler who was wondering alone along an Alabama interstate highway.

Carlethia 'Carlee' Nichole Russell was on the phone with her sister-in-law when she got out of her car to check up on the child. The family member then heard a sudden scream and shortly after, lost all contact with Russell.

When officers arrived at the location, they found Russell's car, along with her cell phone, purse, wig and apple watch in the nearby area - but Russell and the child were nowhere to be seen.

Hoover Police have not received any other calls of a missing child. One witness reported possibly seeing a gray vehicle and a man standing outside of Carlee's vehicle, but police said they have no additional information.

'In the process at some point she got out of the car and my daughter-in-law could hear her asking the child if they were okay,' her mother, Talitha Russell, said. 'The child did not respond, or at least she did not hear her respond, he or she respond.'

Carlethia 'Carlee' Nichole, 25, vanished after pulling over to check on a toddler who was wondering alone along an Alabama interstate highway on Thursday night while on the phone with her sister

The 25-year-old was on the phone with her sister-in-law when she went to check up on the child before the family member heard a scream and lost contact

'And then she heard our daughter Carlee scream, and from there on all we could hear was noise  background noise in her phone, which we later found out was noise from the interstate.'

Russel left work around 8:20 PM on Thursday before stopping to pick up food for her and her mom.

She then travelled toward Hoover and called 911 at about 9:30 PM to report the missing child wandering on the side of Interstate 459.

After calling 911, Russell reportedly called her sister-in-law to tell her she was going to check up on the child. The family member lost contact with her at about 9:36 pm but the line remained open.

Responding officers located Russell's abandoned car along with her cell phone, her purse, wig and apple watch in the nearby area, but no sign of her or a child.

When officers arrived at the location, they found Russell's car, along with her cell phone, purse, wig and apple watch in the nearby area - but Russell and the child were nowhere to be seen

One witness reported possibly seeing a gray vehicle and a man standing outside of Carlee's vehicle, but police said they have no additional information

'And then she heard our daughter Carlee scream, and from there on all we could hear was noise  background noise in her phone, which we later found out was noise from the interstate,' her mother, Talitha Russell (left), said

Hoover Police have not received any other calls of someone missing a small child.

Lt. Daniel Lowe said said one witness reported possibly seeing a gray vehicle and a man standing outside of Carlee's vehicle, but they have no additional information.

Detectives are currently investigating this incident and are requesting the public's assistance to help locate Russell.

Russell is described as a 5-foot-4, 150 pound black female and was last seen wearing a black shirt, black pants and white Nike sneakers.

Lowe said police are pursing all possibilities in the disappearance.

'We're certainly leaving nothing off the table,' he said when asked if investigators believe she was abducted.

'No piece of information is too small in this investigation,' Lowe said in a presser Friday.

Russell is described as a 5-foot-4, 150 pound black female and was last seen wearing a black shirt, black pants and white Nike sneakers

Family member organized a search Friday. Anyone with information should contact Detective Brad Fountain at 205-444-7562, Sergeant Drew Mims at 205-739-7274, or Crimestoppers of Metro Alabama at 205-254-7777

Family members also organized a search in the area.

'We're just gonna scour the earth,' Russell's dad, Carlos Russell, told WVTM. 'There's no stopping us.'

An anonymous donor offered a $20,000 reward for Russell's safe return and another $5,000 reward is available through Crime Stoppers.

The Hoover Police Department said they are partnering with many local, state and federal partners in the investigation and are 'grateful for the outpouring of support from the local and law enforcement community.'

Police said they would continue to provide periodic updates on Twitter to relay any immediate information to the public.

'We would also ask our community to keep the Russell family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,' Lowe said.

Detectives are currently investigating this incident and are requesting the public's assistance to help locate Russell. Police said an anonymous donor offered a $20,000 reward for Russell's safe return and another $5,000 reward is available through Crime Stoppers

The Hoover Police Department said they are partnering with many local, state and federal partners in the investigation and are 'grateful for the outpouring of support from the local and law enforcement community'

Talitha Russell said the last time she spoke with her daughter was around 9:18 p.m. Thursday when she left Taziki's after picking up food and was headed home

Talitha Russell said the last time she spoke with her daughter was around 9:18 p.m. Thursday when she left Taziki's after picking up food and was headed home.

'We are trusting God, we are staying positive, we are not allowing any negative thoughts to enter our minds so all that we are doing is trusting God, believe in God that our daughter will be brought home safely,' Talitha Russell said to WSAZ.

She's known to be helpful and she has a big heart,' Talitha Russell said of her daughter.

'And she does know not to stop for anyone ... I think she kind of let her guard down thinking they were so close. And when she got out the car, she did tell my daughter-in-law, 'I can't just leave this little child on the side of the road.'

Family and teams of volunteers are spread out across the city to hand out flyers

Carlee's wig was left at the scene of her disappearance. Her mother posted a photo of what her daughter looks like in braids without her wig

Russell's parents are begging anyone with information to come forward

Russell works part time at The Woodhouse Day Spa and attends Jefferson State Community College, according to AL, where she is studying to become a registered nurse.

She has a bachelors degree in psychology from AUM, according to the outlet.

Jefferson State released a statement on Friday and said the school was 'extremely concerned' for Russell's safety.

Angela Harris, mother of Aniah Blanchard, a 19-year-old who vanished in 2019 before she was found dead, joined the search on Friday.

Harris said that despite teams of volunteers spread out across the city to hand out flyers, they are limited because there is 'no place to search.'

'It's the most frustrating,' she said to AL. 'I told the family, whatever you feel in heart, where you think you need to go, go.'
Yet another high-profile general was purged in Russia today as Vladimir Putin's defence minister continues to root out anyone viewed as having betrayed the Kremlin.

Paratrooper commander Major-General Vladimir Seliverstov, 49, is the eighth member of the country's top brass to be fired, suspended, detained or vanished in recent months.

Defence minister Sergei Shoigu is alleged to be conducting 'combat operations' against his own staff as key war generals are axed or sidelined.

Seliverstov is one of Russia's youngest and most ruthless generals who headed the 106th Airborne Division operating in the meat-grinder around Bakhmut where Ukraine is now advancing.

Even the support of Putin's former bodyguard Alexei Dyumin, governor of the Tula region and possible anointed son as Kremlin successor, failed to save the general, according to reports.

Paratrooper commander Major-General Vladimir Seliverstov, 49, (pictured right greeting Vladimir Putin in 2019) is the eighth member of the country's top brass to be fired, suspended, detained or vanished in recent months

Seliverstov is one of Russia's youngest and most ruthless generals who headed the 106th Airborne Division operating in Bakhmut, where Ukraine is now advancing

The reason why Seliverstov was removed could be down to his 'uncompromising nature'

Defence minister Sergei Shoigu (pictured left) is alleged to be conducting 'combat operations' against his own staff as key war generals are axed or sidelined

The reason for his removal is unknown, but could be down to his 'uncompromising nature'.

He is a commander 'not used to being silent when defending issues regarding his [troops]', said a Telegram channel linked to Wagner mercenary army.

His demise follows that of notorious Gen Sergei 'Armageddon' Surovikin, 56, who has been incommunicado for 20 days since the revolt led by Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

He is believed to be under interrogation, likely held in jail for siding with Prigozhin and awaiting Putin's decision on his fate.

Yet the witch-hunt goes wider.

Major-General Ivan Popov - who led Russia's 58th army - vanished last week soon after he was fired.

A leaked voice message to troops revealed he blamed Putin's high command for 'treacherously and vilely decapitating the army at the most difficult and tense moment'.

His wife said Popov, 48, had been 'summoned' to an unknown place and 'abruptly disappeared' after his blistering critique of Putin's war strategy was leaked, according to Telegram channel VChK-OGPU.

Another victim was Major-General Nikolay Gostev - commander of Russia's 4th Air Force Army - who was removed from his post at least temporarily amid Ukraine's counteroffensive.

He is reported to be 'resting' - a euphemism also used about Surovikin, the second most senior military commander in Russia.

Gen Sergei 'Armageddon' Surovikin, 56, (left), pictured with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, has been incommunicado for 20 days since the revolt led by Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin

Air force commander Col-Gen Andrey Yudin, 61, is reported to be suspended after being interrogated following the 24 June Wagner armed mutiny

Another victim was Major-General Nikolay Gostev - commander of Russia's 4th Air Force Army - who was removed from his post at least temporarily amid Ukraine's counteroffensive

The timing has raised eyebrows since Gostev, 60, is in charge of protecting the Black Sea coast, including annexed Crimea and Zaporizhzhia from Ukrainian missile attacks

The timing has raised eyebrows since Gostev, 60, is in charge of protecting the Black Sea coast, including annexed Crimea and Zaporizhzhia from Ukrainian missile attacks.

This week a British-supplied Storm Shadow missile killed a general known personally to Putin - Lieutenant-General Oleg Tsokov, 51, in Berdiansk, an area now under intense long range bombardment.

Air force commander Col-Gen Andrey Yudin, 61, is reported to be suspended after being interrogated following the 24 June Wagner armed mutiny.

The same applies to Lt-Gen Vladimir Alexseev, 62,deputy head of military intelligence.

Both Yudin and Alexseev were suspended from duty and their movements restricted.

The eighth missing general is deputy defence minister Colonel-General Yunus-bek Yevkurov, 59, who has not been seen since early July

Earlier, Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev, who is also known as the Butcher of Mariupol, was ousted in May and joined Wagner.

He was the first to pay with his job.

His current whereabouts are unknown.

Shoigu is also gunning for reservist Lt-Gen Andrey Gurulev - a prominent pro-war propagandist pundit - who was blamed for leaking Popov's message, and thereby humiliating Shoigu and chief of the armed forces General Valery Gerasimov.

No action so far has been taken against him, but it may be only a matter of time.

'Shoigu continues to conduct 'combat operations' inside the Ministry of Defence,' reported channel VChK-OGPU.

The eighth missing general is his close colleague and deputy - Colonel-General Yunus-bek Yevkurov, 59.

He was seen talking to Prigozhin on the day of the armed mutiny in Rostov-on-Don.

The deputy defence minister has not been seen since early July.
Simpson will face an extradition hearing in November alongside four others

Businessman Ardian Nikulaj, 51, was gunned down on April 19 this year

Harry Simpson, 32, was arrested at a Morrisons car park in Peckham, London

A hitman suspect wanted over the assassination of an Albanian businessman was arrested at Morrisons, it has been reported.

A Peckham car park was the unlikely location for an arrest last week as police cornered Harry Simpson - accused of being involved in a major hit job.

Ardian Nikulaj, 51, was blasted six times by a gunman in April this year, with the crime captured on CCTV cameras.

Four Brits - including a young mother - are already due to face an extradition hearing in November which will determine whether they face a murder trial in Albania.

According to The Mirror, Simpson, 32, was remanded to custody last Wednesday at Westminster magistrates court and will now be among the others later this year.

Harry Simpson, 32, was arrested at a Morrisons car park in Peckham, London

Footage of the April 19 incident shows Nikulaj talking on the phone while sitting at the Coral Hotel in Shengjin, Albania, before being gunned down.

It's alleged that Simpson was at this same location earlier that day where he was holding a phone used to communicate with the others involved.

Among the Brits are Edmond Haxhia, 37, who allegedly approached Harriet Bridgeman, Steven Hunt and Thomas Mithan to help him settle a 'blood feud' with Nikulaj.

Earlier this year, Zoe Lash, representing the Albanian government, told the court: 'On April 19 at 1.23pm at the Coral bar in Shengjin, Ardian Nikulaj was shot six times and killed. The security footage from the bar shows the murder take place.

'You can see someone enter the bar in a motorcycle helmet and a fluorescent vest, shoot six times and leave on a grey motorcycle.

'This was clearly a premeditated attack that had a significant degree of planning and specifically targeted the victim described as being involved in a blood feud in Albania between rival families.'

Ms Lash added: 'Mr Haxhia is suspected to be the organiser of the murder. Edmond Haxhia is a cousin to a family called Lekstakaj.

'We say they are in a blood feud with the victim's family since 1997, when they allegedly killed the victim's brother.'

Ardian Nikulaj, 51, was blasted six times by a gunman in April this year

British-Albanian Edmond Haxhia, approached Harriet Bridgeman, pictured, Steven Hunt and Thomas Mithan to help him settle a decades-old score with Nikulaj, prosecutors claim

Haxhia, 37, Hunt, 49, Bridgeman, 27, and Mithan, 35, all deny carrying out surveillance leading to the murder.

Haxhia denies organising the hit and the alleged gunman is under arrest in Morocco.

Haxhia, Hunt and Mithan remain in custody but Bridgeman was granted bail after her father offered the court a surety of 20,000.

The extradition hearing is due in November.
On the East coast Vermont grapples with the fallout from historic flood damage

More than 90 million Americans have been placed under heat alerts as communities across California, Arizona and Texas bake

Las Vegas could break its all-time high temperature of 117 degrees on Sunday, while millions across the US suffer a weekslong heat wave.

Las Vegas city authorities have asked residents and visitors to stay indoors where possible between 9am and 6pm over the weekend.

An influx of elderly residents and dehydrated construction workers have hit the city's emergency rooms in recent days as the city scorches in an intensifying heat dome.

The National Weather Service has placed more than 90 million people under heat alerts.

'We've been talking about this building heat wave for a week now, and now the most intense period is beginning,' the National Weather Service said on Friday.

Hundreds of firefighters were dispatched to fight three separate brush fires that had broken out across Riverside County, southeast of Los Angeles by Friday afternoon

Las Vegas could break its all-time high temperature of 117 degrees on Sunday

'Numerous record high temperatures are likely and air quality issues will be common in multiple areas of the U.S.' the Service said in a bulletin.

Adding: 'Temperatures will reach levels that would pose a health risk, and be potentially deadly, to anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration,' it said.

The blistering heat is forecast to intensify over the weekend for Nevada, Arizona and California, with desert temperatures there predicted to soar in parts past 120 degrees.

'Make no mistake about it: This heat is deadly, and being in it for long periods of time is deadly,' Dr. Matthew Levy of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine told CNN.

Three separate brush fires had broken out across Riverside County, southeast of Los Angeles by Friday afternoon, and hundreds of firefighters were still tackling the blazes on Saturday.

The fires are all within 40 miles of each other and have resulted in nearly 1,000 households being given evacuation orders.

No injuries have yet been reported, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.

Death Valley National Park in California and Saguaro National Park in Arizona both issued warnings advising people not to hike after 10 am local time.

The National Weather Service has placed more than 90 million people under heat alerts

Resident and visitors file past misters in Las Vegas, where authorities have advised people do not go out between 9am and 6pm over the weekend

The California fires are all within 40 miles of each other and have resulted in nearly 1,000 households being given evacuation orders

No injuries have yet been reported, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said

On the east coast Vermont is dealing with the fallout from historic flooding, with at least one man dead

Storms dumped up to two months' worth of rain in a couple of days in parts of Vermont this week

Texas authorities at Big Bend National Park said: 'These are extremely dangerous/deadly temperatures! Hikers should be OFF TRAILS in the afternoon. Stay hydrated. Limit your exposure.'

It comes after a stepfather and one of his stepsons died while hiking in extreme heat in the Texas park last month.

A 57-year-old woman also died while attempting to hike eight miles in Grand Canyon National Park during 100-degree heat earlier in July.

Phoenix has also seen soaring temperatures break records, and marked its 15th consecutive day of 110 degrees or higher on Friday.

'This weekend there will be some of the most serious and hot conditions we've ever seen,' the city's chief heat officer David Hondula told NPR.

'I think that it's a time for maximum community vigilance,' he added.

On the east coast Vermont is dealing with the fallout from historic flooding, with at least one man dead.

Another woman was killed in upstate New York when she was swept away by floodwaters in Fort Montgomery, a small Hudson River community about 45 miles north of New York City.

Officials called this week's flooding Vermont's worst natural disaster since floods in 1927

Residents have faced devastating damage to their homes and property in Vermont this week

People in Las Vegas attempt to cool down as a searing heat dome hits the city

Storms dumped up to two months' worth of rain in a couple of days in parts of the state this week.

Officials called this week's flooding the state's worst natural disaster since floods in 1927.

In addition to roads, homes and businesses, farms took a big hit, with the flooding coming soon after many growers endured a hard freeze in May.

It's expected to 'destroy a large share of our produce and livestock feed,' the state's agriculture secretary, Anson Tebbetts, said at a news conference.

Vermont emergency management officials scrambled to help communities and National Guard troops have also been sent to help with relief efforts.
What should one make of the throngs of people who, on one of the coldest days this winter season, heeded the Kings call and attended Sibaya at the Ludzidzini Cattle Byre this past Tuesday?

This, surely, was one of the biggest Sibaya attendances the country has seen. In the Eswatini context, Sibaya holds political significance  for it is the highest policy and advisory council (libandla) of the nation. Not only that, it is also where the views of the nation on pressing and controversial national issues are presented. This is the forum for the-powers-that-be to demonstrate, or rather test, their political clout. Usman Usman, in an opinion piece he wrote for the Blueprint newspapers on July 6, 2021, said politics is a game of numbers.

The number of people or followers clinging to a personality determines his influence and popularity in the society he lives in. In a political game, like all games world over, no one likes to play and lose; for it is said, a winner has many fathers, but a loser is an orphan, he wrote. In the Western world, opinion polls to measure the popularity, performance or approval of people holding leadership positions. Even heads of State are subjected to opinion polls. For instance, in the United States (US), a presidential approval rating is used to measure a presidents job execution.

ABC News Political Director Rick Klein was asked what this number actually represents and his response was: Presidential approval rating is a snapshot. Its a poll where individuals are asked to give their sense of whether they approve or disapprove of a presidents job performance. A presidential approval rating is considered a simple measure, yet a very powerful one that has played a key role in politics for over 70 years.

Approval

Data agency Gallup has what is known as the Presidential Approval Centre where the publics view of the U.S. presidents job performance at a particular point in time is measured. In Eswatini though, there is no such form of measurement. Instead, the numbers that heed the Kings summon is what has become the unofficial approval rating. The numbers that show up during national events such as the Umhlanga Reed Dance, Incwala, Lusekwane, Buganu and, of course, Sibaya, are always looked at in tandem with the publics support and approval of the Monarch.

It is for this reason, therefore, that during the political unrest, every strategy was engaged by the mass democratic movement to not only demonise such events but to also intimidate and threaten people against attending. That is because the lesser the people in attendance, the more it would appear the King has lost support; and the more it would also appear the King is no longer wanted in power. This strategy though has failed to stick. These events managed to attract large numbers even in the midst of the threats and intimidation. Even the international media has not succeeded in portraying the King as an unpopular leader. Such attempts have always fallen short. In May 16, 2012, the Voice of Africa (VOA) published an article on a poll that purported His Majesty to be the least popular leader in Africa.

The story contradicted itself though because one of the people they interviewed, veteran political activist Mphandlana Shongwe, was quoted saying: You will find that on the ground, the people still like King Mswati III. But, the problem is his government is not delivering to these people.

Government Spokesperson at the time, Percy Simelane, who is now the Kings Office Director of Communications, ridiculed the poll results and likened it to someone coming to you and saying seven of your girlfriends say they no longer love you.

What assurance do you have that I am not telling you all this because I want your girlfriends for myself, he said. At the height of the political unrest in July 2021, His Majesty the King summoned Sibaya for purposes of addressing the situation and to also appoint the prime minister.

Tension was in the air. There was anger from the mass democratic movement. They felt calling Sibaya at a time when they wanted political dialogue was an insult to them. They lobbied and also threatened with violence those who would attend the Sibaya. But still, given the prevailing situation, there was quite a reasonable number of emaSwati who attended that Sibaya. There was then a numbers war between the mass democratic movement and those in support of the status quo. One faction said the Sibaya was poorly attended, the other said the attendance was good, considering the threats that were flying all over the country against those who wanted to attend.

When the Umhlanga Reed Dance came, there were similar threats and there was subsequently a war on numbers. The situation was not different when the time for Incwala, the most sacred of all the cultural ceremonies, came.Despite the threats and intimidation, the numbers that showed up for these events were still impressively high. Government strengthened its press and communications office to counter the narratives that were meant to eat into the numbers that supported the Monarch and the institution of the monarchy. It worked. Propaganda was met with counter information. This resulted in those who had started to distance themselves from the Monarch and monarchy to come closer again.

Developments

Some of those who had rebelled also changed stance. As Economist John Maynard Keynes said that when the facts changed, he changed his mind. Many emaSwati appear to have changed their mind from what they had become as a result of the political developments over the last two years.

The latest Sibaya attests to this. The numbers that attended filled the Cattle Byre, which has itself been extended hence its carrying capacity is now much higher, were so impressive such that every inch of the grass was occupied. But still, there has been a war of numbers. Despite the thousands of people who attended, some still believe these numbers were not enough hence they are, to this day, continuing to punch their calculators to try and find tamper with the indisputable. They know how much numbers matter.

The fact that the Holy Bible has a whole book on Numbers points to the significance of numerals. The name Numbers is a translation of Arithmoi, from the Septuagint, titled thus because the book contains many statistics, population counts, tribal and priestly figures, and other numerical data. Numbers takes the reader on a long and winding path through a desert of excruciating detail. The book records census results for all twelve tribes not once, but twice; it documents priestly instructions for handling the Ark of the Covenant and the tabernacle; and it even spells out the placement of the tribes when they camped. The books authorship is attributed to Moses, the man who led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.

Divisions

In Numbers 1 verses 1 to 3, it reads: The Lord spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. You and Aaron are to count according to their divisions all the men in Israel who are 20 years old or more and able to serve in the army.



So the Lord displayed to Moses something that still rings true today and will do so forever, because the Bible states that everything shall pass away but Gods words shall not pass away, that numerals are key determinant of decision-making. It is for this reason that I wonder why Dominic Kunene, the senior national soccer team Sihlangu coach, has still not been sacked. The numbers are against him, therefore, he should have long been shown the exit door. But thats a story for another day.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has confirmed he will not stand as MP in the next general election.

After four years in the role, Wallace said 'I'm not standing next time' in an interview with the Sunday Times. His tenure makes him the longest serving Conservative defence minister since Winston Churchill who held the post from 1940 to 1945.

Wallace, MP for Wyre and Preston North, added that he will also leave Rishi Sunak's cabinet in the next reshuffle which is expected to take place in September. He ruled out resigning 'prematurely' and forcing a by-election.

His departure comes following reports that he was 'set to quit' Government after he missed out on becoming Nato secretary-general.

He previously expressed an interest in standing for the role but the current chief, Jens Stoltenberg, was given another year in charge despite military alliance officials dismissing the claims earlier in the year.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has confirmed he will not stand as MP in the next general election

After four years in the role, Wallace said 'I'm not standing next time' in an interview with the Sunday Times . His tenure makes him the longest serving Conservative defence minister since Winston Churchill who held the psot from 1940 to 1945

Wallace has played a key role in responding to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and was a close ally of Boris Johnson.

He previously said he remains supportive of Rishi Sunak and the Government and the departure would not be related to the Conservative Party's current challenges.

In his interview with the Sunday Times, he admitted that he told Sunak of his plans to stand down on June 16 and he had hoped to make the announcement this summer.

Wallace is hugely popular among Tory members and had previously not ruled out a future bid to become the party's leader - although he twice declined to stand for the leadership last year in the contests to replace Boris Johnson and then Liz Truss.

He served as a Conservative member of the Scottish Parliament from 1999 until 2003.

He then entered Westminster after he was elected as an MP for Lancaster and Wyre in 2005 and went on to become an MP for Wyre and Preston North in 2010.

Wallace currently holds a 16,781 vote majority in the north west constituency following his re-election in 2019.

He was appointed Secretary of State for Defence on 24 July 2019 following three years spent as the Minister of State for Security at the Home Office.

He told the Sunday Times: 'I took over a department that had suffered 30 years of cuts and conceded that the whole of government was about health and education, while defence was just a discretionary spend.

'What I hope I've managed to do the last four years is unlock genuinely new money and win the argument that defence is core.'

Wallace has played a key role in responding to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and was a close ally of Boris Johnson

Last week, the Prime Minister shut down comments from Wallace in which he suggested Ukraine should show 'gratitude' for the military support it had been given.

Wallace had made the remark after the country's President Volodymyr Zelensky branded it 'absurd' for Nato to insist there were still conditions for his nation to meet before it could gain membership once the war with Russia is over.

Zelensky later said: 'I believe that we were always grateful to the United Kingdom.

'I don't know what he meant and how else we should be grateful.'

Wallace is the longest continuously serving minister in Government, having been security minister under Theresa May before being promoted to Defence Secretary by Johnson and continuing the role under his two successors.

All 13 of NATO's previous permanent secretary-generals have been male, which has pressured the alliance to appoint a female chief when Stoltenberg leaves after his nine years in charge.
Meanwhile, his high school crush came forward to say that Heuermann would regularly leave her love notes in her locker asking her to 'like him'

Heuermann, 59, pleaded not guilty Friday to killing three sex workers and leaving their remains close to where he lives in Massapequa Park

Forensic cops spent all of Saturday hauling all manner of items out of suspected serial killer Rex Heuermann's home in Long Island

Forensic police officers from various agencies including the New York State Police could be seen hauling large items, including a giant filing cabinet, out of suspected serial killer Rex Heuermann's Long Island home on Saturday.

Heuermann, 59, who has lived for decades in Massapequa Park, is charged with killing Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello.

He is also considered the prime suspect in the death of a fourth woman whose body was bound and hidden in thick underbrush along a remote beach highway, authorities said.

Heuermann pleaded not guilty to multiple murder charges. He insists he 'didn't do this,' his lawyer Michael Brown said.

A former classmate of the suspect, Maureen Boyle Holpit, told Fox News that he would regularly leave love notes in her locker while they were in high school together. Messages included: 'I think you're pretty' or 'I like you. Could like me back?'

Forensic cops spent most of Saturday hauling items such as a large filing cabinet out of accused serial killer Rex Heuermann's home

Heuermann, 59, who has lived for decades in Massapequa Park, is charged with killing Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello

Officers in hazmat suits could be seen carrying large see through garbage bags of items including sugar free cough drops, a gum ball machine red cups.

Another officer carried a painting of what appeared to be a fighter jet while another carried a large cat's scratching post.

Two officers carried out a large item that was completely covered by moving blankets.

In her interview with Fox News, Holpit said that she never saw Heuermann as a threat.

'He was quiet, kind of shy. He seemed nice, and pleasant. Mild-mannered. That's all I could really remember of him. I was always nice and kind to him. He seemed to have gotten teased a little bit because he was shy and maybe a little nerdy,' she said.

Heuermann is charged with three murders attributed to the Gilgo Beach serial killer, and is the prime suspect in a fourth victim's murder

Heuermann, who has lived for decades across a bay from where the remains were found, is charged with killing (L to R): Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello

Two officers carried out a large item that was completely covered by moving blankets

A member of the New York State Police carries out a painting of a fighter jet from Heuermann's home

'But there were no indicators or red flags to me now that I'm looking back that he could do something like this,' Holpit also said.

She said that she was only notified about Heuermann's arrest on Friday from other friends, some of who are former classmates.

'And just from what I see from other people's comments (on social media), and from the friends that I'm still in contact with, we're just totally blown away and shocked. You just never expect this,' she said.

Among those classmates who posted online was actor Billy Baldwin, brother of Alec.

Heuermann and his brother Craig attended the same school, Berner High, as Baldwin, and graduated five years after the Hollywood star in 1981.

Yearbook photographs show Heuermann was part of the school drama club.

Household items including red solo cups are seen in a box being taken from the home

A large cat scratching post is loaded on to a truck and taken from the home in Long Island

A green dumpster pictured outside of Heuermann's home on Saturday

Neighbors earlier said that many would avoid Heuermann when they saw him on the street

Alec Baldwin's brother, Billy, tweeted that he was a classmate of Heuermann's. He said: 'Woke up this morning to learn that the Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect was my high school classmate Rex Heuermann.

'Married, two kids, architect. Average guy quiet, family man. Mind-boggling Massapequa is in shock.'

Heuermann went onto study architectural technology at the New York Institute of Technology, before getting his start in the business at Greer Construction Corp in Freeport, New York.

He married Elizabeth Ryan in 1990, but the couple has since divorced. He now has an Icelandic wife, a stepson and a daughter, Victoria, 26, from his second marriage.

Victoria works with her father at the architecture firm, RH Consultants & Associates, where he was arrested last night.

Heuermann founded the company in 1994 and its clients included American Airlines and 'other major tenants' at the JFK International Airport, according to an online biography.

A 1981 Berner High School yearbook photograph of Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann (left), who graduated just five years after Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin (right)

The suspect's neighbors were long wary of the mysterious architect. One, Mike Schmidt, said he would often shares beers with another neighbor and point at Heuermann's home and remark: 'He probably has bodies in there,' according to the Times.

Schmidt said that last Halloween, he finally resolved to break years of tradition by taking his children to trick-or-treat at Heuermann's home, where he lived with his wife, daughter and stepson. The home that the suspect lived in as a child.

He said that hulking architect opened the door to the kids and gave them each a plastic pumpkin packed with candy. Schmidt added that when he told his wife where the sweets came from, she made him throw them out.

Earlier, neighbors described the suspect's home as being 'creepy' and 'dungeon-like' in interviews with DailyMail.com.

In his professional life, some painted Heurmann as an arrogant character. Paul Teitelbaum, who worked with Heuermann in a project involving a building in Brooklyn Heights remarked that he had a 'swagger' about him.

'I'm the expert, you're lucky to have me' was Heuermann's attitude, according to Teitelbaum.

In 2022, Heuermann was involved in a bizarre incident in which he was accused of stealing clementines meant for children from a bowl in a Whole Foods supermarket.

'He took three and put them in his pocket, then he took more. I said: "Sir, those are for the kids,"' store worker Tara Alonzo told the Times. Alonzo said that Heuermann became so angry, a manager had to escort him out.

Heuermann founded his architecture company in 1994 and its clients included American Airlines and 'other major tenants' at the JFK International Airport

Alonzo said that the next time she heard about Heuermann was when she saw his face on TV following his arrest. 'My co-worker said: "That's the orange guy."'

Over the last decade or so, Heuermann has been involved in a series of lawsuits in which he's taken people to court, accusing them of hitting him with their cars and causing him 'serious and permanent injuries,' reports CNN.

The network's report says that the cases were 'settled or discontinued,' a recent one is still open.

During a deposition involving one of those suits, Heuermann said that he only sport he participated in was 'competition rifle.'

CNN also revealed that Heuermann has issues with the IRS, at one point owing more than $425,000 in back taxes going back to 2005. As of October 2022, he repaid $215,078.

He and his wife also owe over $81,000 to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
He was last seen in a black 2017 GMC Arcadia with a tag number of DHF756

The suspect is identified as Andrew Longmore, 41, from Hampton. Police said he he is still at large

At least four people have been shot and killed in Hampton Georgia

At least four people are dead following an active shooter incident Saturday morning in Hampton, Georgia.

The suspect is identified as Andrew Longmore, 41, from Hampton, Hampton Police Chief James Turner said at a press conference Saturday afternoon.

The shooter is still at large. Police are searching for Longmore, described as a black man about five foot ten inches, wearing a dark shirt with a red tone and grey long pants.

He was seen in a black 2017 GMC Arcadia with a tag number of DHF756.

'This is not normal for us, as a community we will grieve together,' the police chief said.

Authorities confirm the shooting suspect is 41-year-old Andrew Longmore, who shot and killed 4 residents in Hampton, Georgia, near Atlanta. He is still at large

Authorities are looking for a shooter in the area of McDonough Street

James Turner, Chief Of Police at Hampton Police Department GRAB held a presser Saturday

According to police, the victims include three men and one woman. The names of the victims have not been released.

Authorities didn't release the victims' names, saying they were trying to notify their families.

The police chief said detectives are investigating at least four crime scenes that are in close proximity to one another. He declined to discuss a possible motive.

Turner also addressed Longmore directly in the presser and said: 'Wherever you are, we will hunt you down in whatever hole you may be hiding in and bring you into custody. Period.'

The first call about the shooting came in around 10:45 am in the Dogwood Lakes subdivision of Hampton Hampton, a small city of about 8,000 resident about 30 miles from Atlanta, Georgia.

Police helicopters swarmed the area while police bordered the streets. Police say this remains an active shooter situation.

Officials are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the suspect's whereabouts or arrest.

Several local law enforcement agencies and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are assisting in the manhunt and investigation.

The Hampton Police Department is leading the investigation with the assistance of the Henry County Police Department, Henry County Sheriff's Department, Henry County Homeland Security and Henry County Crime Scene Unit.

Police are searching for a man in his 50s after four people were gunned down and killed in Hampton Georgia

Mayor of Hampton, Georgia, Ann Tarpley, is pictured giving a press conference after the shooting on Saturday afternoon

The Fortson Public Library was in lockdown for several hours after a woman ran in at about 11 am saying she feared for her life, according to WSB-TV. The shooting did not take place inside the library.

One woman locked inside the library at the time told WSB-TV that the woman ran to the back of the building while the employees called the police.

'Her cell phone was taken away from her and she said she was fearful for her life. She ran to the back of the building and I'm assuming someone here from the library called 911,' the woman said to WSB-TV.

Police arrived and interviewed the woman before announcing a lockdown.

At least four people have been shot and killed as Georgia police search for 'active shooter in his 50s who is on the run'

'I noticed police in the front of the building and asked them if we were ok and if there was anything we needed to do,' the women said to the reporter.

'He let us know that there was a woman who was fearful for her life ... and didn't have any way to call the police and they came in and interviewed with her and let us know we would be in lockdown for a while,' she added.

The woman said she felt safe inside the library, and at about 1:15 pm, the employees told them to gather their things and leave.

Heavily armed police and ambulances then surrounded the area.

This is a developing story.
Germany's answer to Just Stop Oil - known as 'Last Generation' - have taken protests to another level by gluing their hands to airport runways to stop flights.

Climate activists from 'Letzte Generation' blocked runways and taxiways at Hamburg and Dusseldorf airports on Thursday morning, causing delays, cancellations and diversions for several hours.

The group said they were protesting the government's 'lack of planning' and 'breaking the law' in the climate crisis.

A police spokesperson said flights had been suspended at Hamburg airport at around 6am after nine unauthorized people entered an area near the airfield, with eight of them gluing themselves to the ground.

One activist was taken into custody, according to Federal Police.

Climate activists from 'Letzte Generation' blocked runways and taxiways at Hamburg and Dusseldorf airports on Thursday morning

The group said they were protesting the government's 'lack of planning' and 'breaking the law' in the climate crisis

Though flights resumed roughly four hours later, the airport said 17 arrivals and 19 departures had been cancelled on Thursday and further delays and cancellations could not be ruled out.

Around 50,000 passengers were due to fly at the north German airport that day - the first day of the school summer holidays - as many sought to take a well-earned break abroad.

Members of the group also cut through a security fence at Dusseldorf Airport in the west and blocked an access route to the runway, disrupting several flights before operations resumed.

One man told Tagesschau he had been waiting for 'four or five hours' at Hamburg Airport with 'no information' about what was happening next.

In a video, activist Regi, 21, was filmed spraying glue on her hands to stick them to the runway at Dusseldorf airport.

She told the camera: 'We can't watch any longer as our Earth burns with our government adding fuel to the fire every day with their fossil madness.

'That's why we're blocking the airport today.'

In a statement, the group accused the German government of lacking a strategy to tackle the climate crisis and called for immediate measures to cut emissions in the transportation sector, including ending tax exemptions for airline kerosene.

Flights were suspended from around 6am on Thursday, while others were diverted to other airports. Pictured: Security and emergency services at Dusseldorf airport

The activists also gained entry to the runway by cutting through a fence. Others clambered over the railings and barbed wire

If the aviation sector were a country, it would rank in the top 10 global emitters, according to the European Commission.

Last Generation took to Twitter to say: 'Why the protest at the airport? If not at an airport, where is the right place to protest the destruction of our livelihoods?

'The world is on fire and we are the last generation to have a chance to pick up the fire extinguisher.

'Instead, we allow our government to subsidize air travel, a major catastrophe accelerator, with billions annually. It is like a collective suicide and we can no longer accept that.'

Senior German government officials condemned the protests and called for them to end.

'The Last Generation isn't protecting the climate, they're engaged in criminal activity,' said transport minister Volker Wissing, who has blocked several proposals for cutting emissions from road and air travel in recent years.

He and justice minister Marco Buschmann, both members of the Free Democratic Party, accused the activists of dividing society by preventing people from flying on 'well-earned holidays'.

Last Generation insists its protests are peaceful, albeit disruptive, though motorists facing delays when the group blocks roads have at times attacked the activists.

In a statement, Last Generation accused the German government of lacking a strategy to tackle the climate crisis

Activists were filmed spraying glue onto their hands to block the runways

The delays came on the first day of the school summer holidays in Hamburg

A Letzte Generation (Last Generation) climate activist has his hand glued to the asphalt of the runway

Police cars attended the scene at Dusseldorf as delays continued for several hours

German prosecutors raided the homes of several of the group's members in May on suspicion of forming or supporting a criminal organisation.

Videos on Thursday showed the activists clambering over high railings and barbed wire to gain access to the airports, while others cut through a fence.

Dusseldorf Airport tweeted early on Thursday morning: 'Because unauthorized persons have gained access to the airport premises, there are delays in flight operations.'

The protest came as Just Stop Oil threw a number of protests in the UK on Friday evening, including storming onstage during the first night of the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.

Last Generation activists have frequently glued themselves to roads and airport tarmac in Germany since their formation in 2021.

In 2022 they staged 276 road blockages, and used paint to vandalise buildings, paintings, yachts and private jets.

Meanwhile in November the group threw soup at The Sower by Vincent Van Gogh at the Palazzo Bonaparte in Rome - just two weeks after Just Stop Oil activists targeted The Sunflowers.

The previous month the hurled mashed potatoes at a Monet painting behind glass, titled The Grainstacks.
Prince Michael of Kent is under pressure to step down from a charity run by a French billionaire who attends high-level meetings at the Kremlin and has advised on deals with Russia's state-run nuclear industry.

The 81-year-old cousin to the late Queen is the Royal Patron of the Brazzaville Foundation, a charity run by businessman Jean-Yves Ollivier, who has held meetings with Vladimir Putin's ministers in the past two years.

Two months ago he met with Russia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov in Moscow, which the Russian government described as 'discussions about the global geo-political agenda'.

Mr Ollivier said the Moscow meeting was to plan for an African peace delegation to Moscow and Kyiv last month.

In the past he has advised on deals involving Rosatom, the Kremlin's nuclear agency, which the US Congress recently accused of being complicit in 'murder and crimes against humanity' in Ukraine.

The 81-year-old cousin to the late Queen is the Royal Patron of the Brazzaville Foundation

Jean-Yves Ollivier has held meetings with Vladimir Putin's ministers in the past two years

Rosatom executives were sanctioned by the British Government in February after the Foreign Office said the firm was helping to support Russia's war in Ukraine.

Last night, a spokesman for Mr Ollivier confirmed he had worked as an adviser for Rosatom but has had no contact with the company for the past 'four or five years'.

Mr Ollivier has been friends with Prince Michael for years. The Prince was instrumental in setting up Brazzaville Foundation in 2015 and according to the charity the two men regularly meet at Kensington Palace.

There is no suggestion the Prince has played any part in Ollivier's meetings at the Kremlin.

Last night, Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith urged the Prince to sever ties with the charity, adding: 'The Government should be advising Prince Michael of Kent that he should seriously consider stepping back.' The former Tory leader, who recently returned from Ukraine, also called for Mr Ollivier to be sanctioned.

Labour MP Kevan Jones also urged Prince Michael to quit the charity, adding: 'The Intelligence and Security Committee Russia Report 2020 explained how individuals aim to wash their reputations by association with UK public figures. Any member of the Royal Family should be conscious of this.'

Col Philip Ingram, a former military intelligence officer, said: 'Prince Michael and the Royal Family should have their wider interests reviewed so as not to bring further embarrassment to the family and the UK.'

Last month, it emerged the Prince's office had lobbied the Foreign Office in 2018 to fast-track a visa for a Russian financier who had links with an oligarch. The Prince declined to comment.

The Prince stepped down as patron of a Russo-British Chamber of Commerce last year and was forced to hand back an Order of Friendship award, one of Russia's highest honours, after reporters were told he could be hired for 10,000 a day to make representations to Putin's regime.

His friend, the Marquess of Reading, described the Prince as 'Her Majesty's unofficial ambassador to Russia'.

Brazzaville's website also lists a South African arms dealer, Ivor Ichikowitz, as a 'friend' of the charity. Both Ichikowitz and Ollivier are friends with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, a Putin ally who has refused to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Neither Ollivier nor Ichikowitz have been sanctioned by any governments.

A spokesman for the Brazzaville Foundation said: 'Mr Ollivier has no connection or contact any more with Rosatom or its civilian activities for the last five years.'

A spokesman for Prince Michael did not respond to requests to comment.
It is said that Liquid Death's natural minerals and electrolytes' are good for you

Makers claim it is the fastest-growing non-alcoholic drinks brand of all time

Liquid Death cans are accompanied with a slogan urging us to 'murder' our thirst

The wording, written on the cans in a sinister Gothic font, is meant to shock: 'Liquid Death.' An accompanying slogan urges us to 'murder' our thirst.

You might think this is an edgy new craft beer or an energy drink to rival the Monster range. In fact, Liquid Death is simply water. And while a five-litre bottle of Ashbeck mineral water is 1.40, a half-litre can of Liquid Death costs 1.99.

Nevertheless, the price doesn't seem to put people off. Though the product is new to the UK, its American makers already have annual sales of almost 100 million and claim that it is the fastest-growing non-alcoholic drinks brand of all time.

Also selling sparkling water and iced teas like 'Mango Chainsaw' and 'Severed Lime', the company now has 2.2 million followers on Instagram  outstripping Pepsi's 1.8 million.

According to the makers, Liquid Death's 'natural minerals and electrolytes' are 'good for your body'. Yet what really appears to be driving its success is the controversial marketing campaign masterminded by founder Mike Cessario.

Liquid Death cans are accompanied with a slogan urging us to 'murder' our thirst

After working on viral promotions for Netflix shows, including Stranger Things, Mr Cessario knew the power of social media, and launched the company with an advertisement on Facebook even before it had a product to sell.

Featuring a man being waterboarded with a can of Liquid Death, the ad was soon banned by Facebook  but not before it got three million views.

Another disturbing video was a later cartoon that began with a hiker being decapitated by an axe-wielding figure with a Liquid Death can for a head.

Blood then spurted everywhere as the same figure sliced an office worker in half, chopped the legs off a skateboarder and forced a chef's head into a food blender. 'We don't want to make marketing, we want to make people laugh,' Mr Cessario told the American business magazine Forbes.

Whether such scenes qualify as humour is debatable. But what environmentalists certainly don't find funny are claims that canned water helps the planet because aluminium packaging is easy to recycle.

One of Liquid Death's slogans is 'Death to Plastic' and the firm makes much of the fact that its cans are made of more than 70 per cent recycled material.

However, environmental group Green Alliance points out that the other 30 per cent still has to be mined, creating a toxic by-product called red mud, which is stored in vast reservoirs. In 2010, seven people died and 120 suffered burns after a leak from a red mud reservoir in Hungary.

Green Alliance recommends that anyone who cares about the environment should choose tap water. But that, of course, won't help sales of Liquid Death.

What really appears to be driving its success is the controversial marketing campaign masterminded by founder Mike Cessario (pictured)

Makers claim it is the fastest-growing non-alcoholic drinks brand of all time

'Don't be scared, it's just water,' says their slogan on a huge display in the window at the Whole Foods store in Kensington, West London, one of the few British places Liquid Death is so far available  as well as on Amazon and at festivals such as Latitude, Leeds and Reading.

Green Alliance says that if half the UK's plastic water bottles were replaced with cans, mining the aluminium could generate 162,000 tons of toxic waste: enough to fill the Royal Albert Hall six times over.

Now that really is scary.
Left-wing activist and presidential candidate in 2024 Cornel West has slammed President Joe Biden, accusing the octogenarian of committing 'crimes against humanity' against black people.

West, 70, railed against Biden's support of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 which increased funding for prisons and police officer recruitment in an interview with the New York Post.

'Well, I think you'll think Joe Biden contributed to a crime against humanity when he became the architect of the mass incarceration regime in the 1990s,' West told the tabloid.

'I've taught in prison for 41 years. And the level of barbarity in our prisons has something to do with that crime bill that he put forward,' the writer, author and critic added.

West accused Biden of keeping issues that affect black people as a 'low priority' and went on to allege that the Scranton-native was better at putting 'black faces in high places,' a possible slight against Vice President Kamala Harris.

Scholar Cornel West accused President Joe Biden of committing crimes against humanity against black people in a scathing new interview

West, 70, told the New York Post that he felt Biden has done little to help black people or improve race relations during his first term in office

West also questioned the official story put out by the Secret Service that owner of the baggie of cocaine that was left in the West Wing, could not be identified.

Despite his left-wing activism, West questioned what he perceives as Biden's politicization of government departments including the Department of Justice.

He's equally scared of in fascism should Donald Trump return to the White House in 2024.

'Trump is leading us toward a second civil war, Biden is leading us toward a third world war. So I am not excited about either choice. I don't want to just support a caretaker government against fascism every four years because sooner or later, the fascists will still win,' he told the Post.

West graded Biden's efforts on race relations as a C-.

West want on to point out Biden's gaffes, a sign that the president is 'slowing down.'

In June, West said that he was running for the presidency as a member of the People's Party.

'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 People's Party,' 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 I've been trying to do all of my life.'

Biden pictured speaking in favor of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 which increased funding for prisons and police officer recruitment

West previously called Biden's former boss, President Barack Obama, a 'war criminal' and passionately supported Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders' presidential campaigns.

On his campaign website, West says he wants to end wars, disband NATO, forgive all student debt, expand Social Security and invest in clean energy.

Third-party candidates face serious hurdles, including getting their names on ballots in each state. Robert Kennedy Jr. is seeking the Democratic nomination in order to run for the White House.

West's candidacy has worried some Democrats.

In July, DNC Chairman Jamie Harrison, who works closely with Biden, said: 'This is not the time in order to experiment. This is not the time to play around on the margins,' reports The Hill.

Obama's chief strategist David Axelrod felt similarly tweeting: 'In 2016, the Green Party played an outsized role in tipping the election to Donald Trump. Now, with Cornel West as their likely nominee, they could easily do it again.'

While West's joining the race was welcomed by California Democrat Ro Khanna.

'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. I believe he will bring more people into the process and push for progressive policies,' he told Politico in June.

Though Khanna says he remains a committed supporter of President Biden.
Prince George will not be expected to serve in the military before becoming King, breaking centuries of tradition.

The second in line to the throne will be allowed to sidestep the usual stint with the Armed Forces if he wishes, The Mail on Sunday understands, leaving him free to shape his own destiny.

It would be a significant departure for the Royal Family as the monarch is Commander-in-Chief of Britains forces. Georges father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandmother and great-grandfather all served with the military, sticking to a centuries-old precedent.

Writing in this newspaper today, historian Dominic Sandbrook said: The tradition of royals joining the Armed Forces, even for brief periods, lends crucial legitimacy to the monarchy.

But speaking ahead of Prince Georges tenth birthday on Saturday, a long-time friend of Georges father, Prince William, said: In theory, there is nothing to stop George from pursuing a career as an astronaut, for example, if thats what he wants, and then becoming King later.

Prince George will not be expected to serve in the military before becoming King, breaking centuries of tradition

William trained at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and served in the Armed Forces for more than seven years

During the Second World War, the late Queen, as Princess Elizabeth, served with the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), part of the Army that women could join to carry out work that would free up men for front-line duties

King Charles (pictured in June at Trooping the Colour with Queen Camilla) served in both the Royal Navy and RAF between 1971 and 1976 when Prince of Wales

The rules are different now, he wouldnt necessarily have to follow the old formula of going into the military and then Royal life.

So, could Charlotte qualify as a doctor, for example? I dont see why not. Its less of a fishbowl now than when William and Harry were growing up.

Historian Hugo Vickers said: This is significant because it shows that times are moving on. Im all for people keeping up with the times providing they dont throw tradition out of the window.

Maybe the military wont prove to be the best course for Prince George, although I would hope that he might do something like the Duke of Edinburgh gold award instead, which is non-competitive.

For King Charles, his naval service in the 1970s was very helpful. It showed the country that he was gainfully employed and it was a role where he would not be using his title for commercial gain.

Military service allows members of the Royal Family to have a sense of normal life, grants them a certain amount of freedom and teaches them all sorts of timekeeping and presentation skills which prove to be important for Royal duties.

What clearly doesnt work are those cases where members of the Royal Family go into commercial ventures. That always goes wrong.

George showed some early interest in the military at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday. He was given the task of partially raising the ramp on a huge C-17 transporter aircraft, and was delighted to sit in the cockpit and flick some switches.

Last month, George was seen looking round Eton with his parents, sparking speculation that he might follow in his fathers footsteps into the elite school

The late Queen was keen to ensure both her grandsons in the line of succession should serve in Afghanistan, although it later proved too risky to send William. Pictured: Prince Harry in Afghanistan

While Prince Georges future career is still a long way off, those close to the Prince and Princess of Wales say that they want their children to be free to follow their interests

However, his parents the Prince and Princess of Wales have been determined to give him as normal an upbringing as possible  which, it appears, includes the freedom to follow his own interests as he grows up.

Mr Sandbrook added: Military service is the last tradition that takes Royal youngsters outside their sheltered lives of impossible privilege. But he acknowledged: Times change, and institutions change with them... who can blame him if he would rather pursue a different vocation?

General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of Joint Forces Command, said: I think the Armed Forces will think thats a bit of a shame but thats all they are going to think.

But he added that a military stint was a useful way for a young Royal to serve in the years between you becoming an adult and when you take on the mantle of King. And Royal biographer A. N. Wilson came out against the idea, saying: This is a very great change to the way it has always been done and I think he should be told, Sorry, you cant choose.

It does feel like a bit of a snub to the Armed Forces. There could be another way in which Prince George does a stint in the Army and then goes on to be an artist or a pastry chef or whatever interests him. On a point which may seem trivial, it is also helpful to have a uniform, otherwise we may as well have a President in a suit as our head of state.

The late Queen was keen to ensure both her grandsons in the line of succession should serve in Afghanistan, although it later proved too risky to send William.

In an ITV documentary in April, General Sir Mike Jackson, the former head of the Army, spoke about an audience with Her late Majesty, saying: She was very clear. She said, My grandsons have taken my shilling, therefore they must do their duty. And that was that. It was decided that William as heir to the heir, the risk is too great. But for his younger brother, the risk was acceptable.

The second in line to the throne will be allowed to sidestep the usual stint with the Armed Forces if he wishes, The Mail on Sunday understands, leaving him free to shape his own destiny

William trained at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and served in the Armed Forces for more than seven years. He was attached to the Blues and Royals regiment of the Household Cavalry and trained as a pilot at the RAF College, becoming a full-time pilot with the search and rescue team at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales.

Harry, too, went to Sandhurst before joining the Blues and Royals. He carried out two tours of duty in Afghanistan, including as an Apache helicopter pilot. In his memoir Spare, he said he had killed 25 Taliban fighters. He also said his service taught him to grow up pretty fast, adding: The bubble that I was brought up in got burst.

Harry was the first member of the Royal Family to serve in a war zone since his uncle Prince Andrew, who flew helicopters during the 1982 Falklands conflict. The Duke has since been stripped of his honorary military roles.

King Charles served in both the Royal Navy and RAF between 1971 and 1976 when Prince of Wales. He served on guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk, qualified as a helicopter pilot and took command of a coastal minehunter for ten months.

His father, Prince Philip, was 17 when he attended Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, Devon, and famously escorted Princess Elizabeth, then 13, when she came to visit. He served on HMS Valiant and saw action off North Africa. He was mentioned in despatches for bravery and enterprise by training the battleships searchlights on enemy targets.

His distinguished military career, however, came to an end when he gave it up to support his wife when she became Queen.

During the Second World War, the late Queen, as Princess Elizabeth, served with the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), part of the Army that women could join to carry out work that would free up men for front-line duties. She joined at 19, becoming the first female member of the Royal Family to serve on active duty, and trained as a driver and mechanic.

The Kings younger brother, Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, did not serve in the military but spent time as a Royal Marines officer cadet after leaving university.

While Prince Georges future career is still a long way off, those close to the Prince and Princess of Wales say that they want their children to be free to follow their interests. In the spirit of maintaining as normal an upbringing as possible, the Princess of Wales will next weekend bake a cake for Georges tenth birthday, while the Prince has invited school friends to a party.

Last month, George was seen looking round Eton with his parents, sparking speculation that he might follow in his fathers footsteps into the elite school.

A source close to the Palace said: If any of the Waless three children had a particular passion then their parents would be happy for them to pursue it.

Prince George At 10: You Magazine
It was the damning picture of him strolling through New Yorks Central Park in 2010 with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein that triggered Prince Andrews dramatic downfall.

During his catastrophic BBC interview with Emily Maitlis four years ago, the Prince insisted the sole purpose of visiting Epstein in December 2010 was to break off their friendship because of the billionaires 18-month jail sentence for child prostitution offences.

Andrew insisted he had to show leadership and tell Epstein in person.

But now a bombshell legal document seen by The Mail on Sunday reveals how at the time of his New York visit, the Kings brother had also requested Epsteins help with securing $200 million (153 million) in funding for a mysterious fuel company.

Epstein forwarded the request to his private banker Jes Staley on the first of at least five days that Andrew spent at Epsteins 60 million Manhattan mansion.

It was the damning picture of him strolling through New Yorks Central Park in 2010 with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein (pictured right) that triggered Prince Andrews (pictured left) dramatic downfall

During his catastrophic BBC interview with Emily Maitlis (pictured left) four years ago, the Prince insisted the sole purpose of visiting Epstein in December 2010 was to break off their friendship because of the billionaires 18-month jail sentence for child prostitution offences

The document states: On December 2, 2010, Jeffrey Epstein forwards an email to Staley from Prince Andrew with an inquiry the Prince received from Aria Petroleum looking for a $200m working capital line.

'Since the company is based in the US, Prince Andrew appeared to suggest Epstein connect them with a US bank.

The message seems to undermine Andrews justification for visiting Epstein and raises new questions about his role as Britains roving trade ambassador between 2001 and 2011.

The Government this weekend declined to say whether the approach to Epstein was made as part of his role as trade envoy or if it was sanctioned by ministers.

However, former minister Norman Baker said: Andrews case that he flew over to America to break up relations with Jeffrey Epstein was threadbare at best. Now its been shot through to pieces.

The 22-page document, detailing emails between Epstein and Staley, has been released as a result of a case filed against JP Morgan bank by the US Virgin Islands government.

The bank, where Epstein was a client, is being sued over claims that it knowingly benefited from his sex-trafficking operation.

The messages do not make clear where Aria Petroleum was based, what exactly its business was or how it managed to approach a senior member of the Royal Family.

A bombshell legal document seen by The Mail on Sunday reveals how at the time of his New York visit, the Kings brother had also requested Epsteins help with securing $200 million (153 million) in funding for a mysterious fuel company

The only two companies named Aria Petroleum trading in the US in 2010 appear to be local firms linked to petrol stations.

One, whose address is a petrol station and small grocery store in Florida, told an MoS reporter they had never had any contact with Prince Andrew or Epstein.

The address of the second company, now dissolved, was a petrol station in Los Angeles.

Documents leaked in 2021 claimed that a different company named Aria Petroleum  a UK-Cypriot oil trader  partnered with another firm to supply jet fuel to US forces in Afghanistan from 2012.

Arias UK arm was established that same year and paid out a 40.5 million dividend in 2018. It was wound up two years later.

The former directors could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, the legal document also reveals how Epstein emailed Staley to tell him Andrew wanted to represent in China the interests of an organisation he called casanov.

It states this may have been JP Morgan Cazenove  Cazenove being a UK investment banking business known as the Queens broker, and one of the Citys oldest firms before its banking business was bought in 2009 by Wall Street giant JP Morgan.

In his book Blue Blood, Robert Pickering, Cazenoves former chief executive, recalled a meeting with Andrew when he was trade ambassador.

The Duke had a habit of asking questions... so left-field that I struggled to answer, he said.

Prince Andrew was contacted for comment.
Meanwhile homeless Britons are forced to languish in hotel rooms for months

Thousands of British families are being left homeless because the Home Office is paying over the odds for rental properties to accommodate boat migrants, it can be revealed.

The Mail on Sunday has learned that councils are being outbid as vast sums of taxpayers' money are paid to private landlords to put up new arrivals from Calais in flats and houses.

Meanwhile, homeless Britons are forced to languish in hotel rooms for months on end.

An estate agency owned by ten London council boroughs claims a Home Office contractor called Clearsprings has been paying 'introduction fees' of up to 2,000 to entice private landlords to sign contracts with them.

It is also believed that Clearsprings is paying up to 300 more in rent each month for properties than competing local authorities.

Single mother-of-three Michaela Prudence has been living at a Travelodge with her two sons aged 14 and 11 and ten-month-old daughter, since she was evicted from her previous house after the landlord raised the rent

The Travelodge in Enfield where Michaela Prudence has been living with her three children

Council bosses said they are unable to compete with these tactics because they are set a specific rental budget by the Government known as the Local Housing Allowance, which has not risen since 2020, despite soaring rent prices.

Speaking to the MoS, single mother-of-three Michaela Prudence  who has been stuck in a hotel for the past five months  told of her anger at the Home Office for gazumping councils for scarce rental properties.

The 32-year-old has been living at a Travelodge with her two sons aged 14 and 11 and ten-month-old daughter, since she was evicted from her previous house after the landlord raised the rent.

Bosses at Enfield Council have been unable to find her a home locally and even asked if she would move to Leeds, but she refused as her eldest son is starting his GCSEs.

She said: 'The Government keeps promising to house all these people that are coming from overseas, but they can't even house their own.

'It's not fair at all, I was born here, I was raised here. It's like I just don't exist any more.'

There are an estimated 100,000 homeless households who are kept in emergency accommodation  the highest figure in 20 years.

At a recent council meeting in Hackney, which has more than 3,700 children living in temporary accommodation, Ian Williams, the borough's finance director, reportedly said the local authority 'just can't compete with the price they [Home Office] are prepared to pay'.

He added that on a recent rental deal 'we were not just gazumped, we were gazumped squared to the power of three'.

Bosses at Ealing Council in West London say they have 100 families staying in hotels as they cannot find them homes, while the Home Office has placed 850 migrants in the borough in rented accommodation.

Thousands of British families are being left homeless because the Home Office is paying over the odds for rental properties to accommodate boat migrants, the Mail on Sunday has revealed. Pictured: A group of people thought to be migrants are brought to shore in Dover on Friday

Last night, Alp Mehmet, the head of Migration Watch UK, said: 'It is time the Government put the interests of its people before those who break into Britain having come here illegally from a safe country.'

Last night, Clearsprings refused to comment.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'We have a statutory duty to ensure asylum seekers have access to safe and secure accommodation.'
MBABANE  Renowned socialite and controversial prophet, Sivandzisemakhosi Dlamini has irked the Christian community with a statement that says God is married.

Dlamini was speaking in an interview on YouTube channel, The CentTwinz TV, hosted by popular South African actresses, television and radio presenters Millicent Mashile and Innocent Sadiki who are also identical twins. The podcast was aired 10 days ago and has garnered over 19 891 views and 290 comments. Over three quarters of the commentators blasted Dlamini for his doctrine and said he was displaying elements of being familiar to the word of God but was not articulating it accurately. The channel has 168 000 subscribers.

Mysterious

Halfway into the interview, Dlamini started explaining his personal encounter with God and said he saw God come to him through a mysterious cloud that became a human form in front of him. He said after encountering the cloud, he began to understand God in a different level and had revelations of biblical scriptures in a different manner. He said God was clear to him after his encounter with the mysterious cloud. He elaborated on a revelation he received of how God was married and said the sermon was received with contempt by the Christian fraternity, especially pastors.

Understanding

When I started hearing God differently, I started to understand His word differently too. I remember a sermon I once preached which said God is married and pastors even said I was mad because of the revelation. I then told them that the bible is not the Word of God and they were like heee (sic) and I told them that it is written in the same bible in John 1 vs 1 that in the beginning was the word and the word was with God, and the word was God. It continues in verse 14 and says the word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. The bible did not become flesh, he said.

He explained his revelation on God being married, basing it on the premise of Gods trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and said it was not possible to have a son and no mother. He said the Holy Spirit was the wife of God and attempted to qualify his statement with a verse in Ephesians 4:17-32 that says: do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Darkness

If you go back to Genesis you begin to discover that in the beginning the Spirit of God; not God, was hovering in darkness meaning that God stays in darkness. As you have God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, you cannot have a son without the mother. Thats why even Jesus Christ had to be born out of the virgin Mary. Now, the Holy Spirit is the wife of God because if you continue reading the apostles books it says do not grieve the Holy Spirit as there is no sin bigger than that, said Dlamini. Christians in the comment box could not spare Dlamini over what they termed as blasphemous statement that was insulting to God and the Holy Spirit. The hosts were also dragged for nodding in affirmation over what Dlamini was saying.

Revelation

While many castigated Dlamini for his revelation on issues of the bible, others focused on the hosts and said they were not supposed to air the episode as the content was blasphemous. Others even claimed that the channel allowed the content to air in order to get more views. What did I just watch? I thought this was a Christian channel. Clearly its about people just sharing their stories. Its a pity scriptures are brought in this channel without correction, hence some Christians come in to watch thinking its about true gospel, kanti, its purely stories without the revelation of scriptures. To our beautiful twins, discernment is needed and obedience to God is key. Asingadayisi ngezwi leNkosi. I know that you guys are blessed to know what is truly from God and whats not. Asingalidayisi ke. Rather forsake other interviews (sic), wrote a subscriber.

Another subscriber invited Dlamini to read 2nd Timothy 3 verse 16 and 17, which says: all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. One subscriber wrote: many false prophets shall rise and deceive many. People really need to pray for discernment. The subscriber said the word filled her spirit as soon as Dlamini began speaking about the bible not being Gods word.
The audacious legal action was one of four suits launched by Heuermann between 2014 and 2022, all under the guise of a car accident

The Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect 'staged' a car accident near his home in an attempt to swindle $5 million from an elderly woman, her boyfriend has claimed.

Steve VonDuerring, the boyfriend of a target of one of the accused killer's many lawsuits, claimed Rex Heuermann, 59, pretended to be injured after throwing himself in front of her car in 2017.

'It was a staged accident. He didn't even get hurt,' he told the New York Post, with the alleged murderer seeking $5 million in the bogus lawsuit.

The alleged hoax was one of four lawsuits launched by Heuermann between 2014 and 2022, seeking $5 million in each one under dubious claims of a car accident.

Heuermann is currently in custody in New York under suspicion of being the infamous Gilgo Beach killer, and investigators are working to link him to more unsolved homicides.

Long Island architect Rex Heuermann, 59, has been arrested today in connection with the Gilgo Beach serial killings in a major police breakthrough.

Despite building a career as a successful architect in Manhattan, it is claimed that Heuermann would try and burnish his bank account with hoax lawsuits.

His alleged scam against O'Sullivan occurred on a rainy night in January 2017, when Heuerman claimed he was struck by her car as he was walking home.

In a deposition to the court, O'Sullivan claimed she was driving just five miles per hour when Heuermann 'walked right out in front of me' with his head down.

Court records show he launched a $5 million lawsuit against the pensioner, but VonDeurring says the legal action was nothing more than a fraud.

'She just tapped him. He didnt fall down, and he sued,' he said, adding that O'Sullivan detailed the incident as she called him from the scene.

He says as the accused killer took the case to court, he was 'making up lies', including claims that he 'couldn't use his arm.'

'He said his arm was bad, his back was bad, he couldnt go up and down a ladder... We saw him putting up his Christmas lights after that,' he added.

VonDuerring said he was even able to nab photographs of Heuermann hanging his Christmas lights, which he and O'Sullivan submitted in their evidence against the architect's claim.

However, the eagle-eyed move didn't stop the suspect from cashing in, as he says an insurance company went on to pay him $55,000.

'I don't know why they gave him money,' he added.

Heuermann, who has lived for decades across a bay from where the remains were found, is charged with killing (L to R): Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello

Heuermann allegedly tried to burnish his bank account through fake injury lawsuits, despite being a successful architect in Manhattan

A map showing where the victims remains were located along the barren stretch of Ocean Beach Parkway in Gilgo Beach, located on the South Shore of Long Island

O'Sullivan reportedly declined to comment on Heuermann's lawsuit as she is 'under counsel', but she added that 'all I can say us he is weird'.

In her deposition detailing the alleged scam, she claimed that she hurried out of her car when she struck Heuermann and asked him if he was okay.

She says he responded: 'I don't know, we'll have to wait and see.'

Heuermann told the court that his injuries were so severe that he had to miss work, where he typically commuted into his architecture office in Manhattan's Fifth Avenue.

The claims come days after Heuermann was arrested in a dramatic moment by plainclothes offices on the streets of Manhattan Thursday night.

Chilling footage revealed a group of officers confronted the architect just steps from his offices, which is where police say he made phone calls to arrange sex with his victims and to later taunt their families with vile descriptions of their deaths.

Meanwhile, neighbors from the middle class community where Heuermann lived for all of his life in Massapequa Park, close to where the victim's remains were found, have described him as a menacing figure whose home was avoided by children on Halloween, who was once kicked out of a Whole Foods for stealing oranges and who owed thousands in back taxes.

'We would cross the street. He was somebody you don't want to approach,' neighbor Nicholas Ferchaw, 24, told the New York Times.

Rex Heuermann is shown in one of his Tinder profile pictures. Police tracked the fictitious email account he used on the profile and his burner phone number to the case

The suspect's house sits directly north of Gilgo Beach across the South Oyster Bay

Forensics teams were seen combing through Heuermann's Long Island home on Friday. A freezer was among items seized

Heuermann's truck was removed from the home during the forensic search of his property

Heuermann remains in custody charged with first and second degree murder in connection with the deaths of three victims, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. Authorities say he is also the 'prime suspect' in another killing.

Cops have released a laundry list of 'red flags' that they say led them to Heuermann as a suspect, with the first piece of evidence being a Chevrolet Avalanche owned by him and linked to the murder of Costello by a witness.

According to documents filed in Suffolk County court, investigators were then able to link that car to Heuermann's cellphone records, which tied him to locations related to the murders, which eventually led to a DNA sample.

Cops say that Heuermann used Melissa Barthelemy's phone to make taunting phone calls to her family from the victim's phone, calls that were made steps from his swanky Manhattan office.

Following the identification of Heuermann as the owner of the Chevrolet, cops issued over 300 subpoenas, search warrants and other legal processes to obtain further evidence.

After the decade-long hunt for the killer seemingly ended this week, dramatic aerial footage revealed forensic searches of his property were being carried out as authorities continue to try and link him to more unsolved homicides.
He is said to hope the 10mph scooter will speed up journeys around Windsor

William, 41, is an environmental advocate, having founded the Earthshot Prize

The Prince of Wales has reportedly invested in an electric scooter to zip around the Windsor estate.

Eco-friendly William, 41, has made the purchase to speed up the three-mile round trip from Adelaide Cottage - where the Wales family moved last September - to see his father King Charles at Windsor Castle, according to reports.

The prince is a known environment lover, launching The Earthshot Prize in 2020 for environmental innovators to help curb climate change.

And he is now said to have opted for a green transport option with the 10mph scooter to whizz around the 655-acre estate.

A source told The Sun: 'It just makes sense. He whizzes up to the castle when he needs to see the King.

The Prince of Wales has reportedly invested in an electric scooter to zip around the Windsor estate (pictured on July 6)

He is said to have opted for the 10mph green transport option to speed up the journey to Windsor Castle (file image)

'Its a two or three-mile round trip from his family home at Adelaide Cottage to Windsor Castle so its easier by scooter than car or walking.'

The make and model of the scooter are not yet known.

The royal is a lover of motorbikes, having once owned a 20,000 Ducati bike, which can go from 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds.

He even rode it the night before his wedding to Kate in 2011.

However the Princess of Wales once admitted it 'filled her with horror' whenever he went on it and William has appeared to take a step back from his hobby in recent years.

But he seems to have found a new way of getting around - and this time has sought to reduce his carbon footprint.

Currently in the UK electric scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner's permission.

It is illegal to ride them on public roads - unless they are part of a hire scheme.

MailOnline has contacted Kensington Palace for comment.

The royal is also a lover of motorbikes but seems to have given up the hobby in recent years. Pictured: A gleeful Prince William tries out a motorbike in 2018
Jack the Ripper was an alcoholic cripple who was a frequent resident of mental asylums, according to an investigator.

Former police volunteer Sarah Bax Horton claims to have uncovered the identity of the notorious killer who murdered at least five women in Whitechapel in the East End of London in 1888.

She told the Sunday Telegraph she believes Jack the Ripper's real name was Hyam Hyams, an alcoholic that lived in an area at the centre of the murders and was picked up by the police as 'a wandering lunatic' after his alleged killing spree.

Ms Bax Horton, whose great-great-grandfather was a policeman central to the investigation, uncovered witness descriptions of the man believed to be Jack the Ripper and matched them to Hyams physical characteristics.

They described a man in his mid-thirties with a stiff arm and an irregular gait with bent knees. According to his medical notes Hyams, who was 35 in 1888, was unable to 'bend or extend' his arm following an injury and was also unable to straighten his knees.

An expert believes Jack the Ripper was Hyam Hyams, an alcoholic who was in and out of mental asylums

A front page from a 1888 report on the murders

Sarah Bax Horton used witness statements and medical records from 1888

Ms Bax Horton told the told the Sunday Telegraph: 'In the files, it said what the eyewitnesses said  that he had a peculiar gait. He was weak at the knees and wasn't fully extending his legs.

'When he walked, he had a kind of shuffling gait, which was probably a side-effect of some brain damage as a result of his epilepsy.'

'He was particularly violent after his severe epileptic fits, which explains the periodicity of the murders.'

Hyams' medical notes were taken from various infirmaries and asylums, highlighting his physical and mental decline which coincided with the time of the Ripper's killing spree between August 31 and November 9, 1888.

Ms Bax Horton said that Hyams broke his left arm in February 1888 and was incarcerated in the Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum, north London in September 1889.

She added that Hyams was picked up by the police as 'a wandering lunatic' towards the end of 1888, explaining why the murders suddenly stopped.

This is not the first time someone has come forward claiming to know the identity of Jack the Ripper and numerous individuals have been accused over the years.
From the day Prince George was born, it's been his destiny that, on accession as King, he will become Commander-in-Chief of Britain's Armed Forces. When the time comes, King George VII  if that is to be his title  will be the only person able to declare war and peace, albeit on the advice of Ministers.

In turn, all British Army recruits swear an oath of allegiance to the Crown, saying they will 'honestly and faithfully defend His Majesty, his heirs and successors in person, crown and dignity, against all enemies'.

At the heart of this mutual concord is the Royal Family itself, the embodiment of public service, of sacrifice and of individual commitment to a greater collective good. What's more, George's ancestors have always been distinctly martial, even bloodthirsty.

For the Windsors sit on the British throne only through right of conquest.

Had William the Conqueror not fought at Hastings, or Henry Tudor at Bosworth, our Royal Family's history would have been very different.

DOMINIC SANDBROOK: George's father was in the Armed Forces for more than seven years, passing through Sandhurst and working as a search-and-rescue pilot for the RAF

DOMINIC SANDBROOK: From the day Prince George was born, it's been his destiny that, on accession as King, he will become Commander-in-Chief of Britain's Armed Forces

For centuries, its legitimacy has gone hand-in-hand with military prowess.

We remember Henry V as a dashing hero-king for his victory at Agincourt, not for his pudding-bowl haircut. Richard III was the last King to be killed in battle, in 1485. Aged 60, George II led his army into battle in 1743 against the French at Dettingen, helping confirm the place of the German-born Hanoverians in British hearts.

While the role of the modern monarch has evolved, junior Royals have kept up the tradition. Victoria's grandson Prince Maurice was killed in the First World War, and the Duke of Kent in the Second. George's great-grandmother, the late Queen, was the first female member of the Royal Family to be a full-time active member of the Armed Services and was Colonel-in-Chief of 16 British Army regiments and corps, as well as many Commonwealth units.

Prince Andrew served bravely in the Falklands. Prince Harry did his duty in Afghanistan, claiming that he killed 25 Taliban soldiers. He also said military service allowed him to be 'with just a normal bunch of guys, listening to their problems and to what they think'.

George's father was in the Armed Forces for more than seven years, passing through Sandhurst and working as a search-and-rescue pilot for the RAF.

There is good reason for this tradition. If the family does not command the nation's armies, then it is nothing.

DOMINIC SANDBROOK: George's great-grandmother, the late Queen, was the first female member of the Royal Family to be a full-time active member of the Armed Services

DOMINIC SANDBROOK: Prince Harry did his duty in Afghanistan, claiming that he killed 25 Taliban soldiers

However, with warfare becoming increasingly professionalised and high-tech, the image of the Royal Family has rather lost its martial edge. As with the Church of England, the other great institution through which monarchs once exerted their control, the Army has become progressively detached from our daily lives.

EVEN so, the tradition of Royals joining the Armed Forces, even for brief periods, lends crucial legitimacy to the monarchy. That sense of communal service compelled George VI and his family to remain in London when the bombs were falling in the Blitz, and that was what his daughter dedicated herself to when she became our Queen.

It's the legacy of a time when the Royal Family encapsulated the values and ambitions of a nation, and when kings and commoners found themselves side by side in the last ditch. Indeed, it seems unthinkable to expect soldiers entering the British Army to swear allegiance to a monarch without the sovereign having some idea of what military service entails. Let alone for that monarch to declare war on their behalf.

Military service is the last tradition that takes Royal youngsters outside their sheltered lives of impossible privilege.

On Friday, Prince George seemed delighted as he operated the controls of an RAF C-17 Globemaster III during a family visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire. The experience may have given him an appetite for a future career in the military.

George may be too young now to understand the gravity of his role. Perhaps, in the future, he may decide that he too wishes to continue in the military traditions of his ancestors. But times change, and institutions change with them. And given that he's not likely to succeed until the second half of this century, who can blame him if he would rather pursue a different vocation? An astronaut, perhaps  or an AI designer?

lDominic Sandbrook hosts the podcast The Rest Is History.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has announced that he will leave the Government when Rishi Sunak reshuffles his Cabinet, after telling friends he is 'done' with politics.

Mr Wallace, who was bruised by the decision of US President Joe Biden to block him from the job of the next Secretary-General of Nato, announced that he would not be standing again at the next Election.

Although his constituency of Wyre and Preston North is being dissolved under boundary changes, he is said to have turned down the chance to switch to at least five other safe seats.

Downing Street fears that Mr Wallace will be part of a stampede of senior Tory figures quitting politics for the private sector rather than languish on the backbenches in Opposition.

Mr Wallace had hoped to delay his announcement until after the summer, but his hand was forced by briefings into Saturday's papers about his expected departure.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has announced that he will leave the Government when Rishi Sunak reshuffles his Cabinet following an explosive row with Home Secretary Suella Braverman

Mr Wallace was bruised by the decision of US President Joe Biden to block him from the job of the next Secretary-General of Nato

He said last night: 'I'm not standing next time. I went into politics in the Scottish Parliament in 1999. That's 24 years. I've spent well over seven years with three phones by my bed.'

But he has clearly decided to go out fighting  by becoming embroiled in an explosive row with Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

Mr Wallace has refused the Home Secretary's request for 750 troops to be deployed to plug gaps in the UK's Border Force  claiming that Ms Braverman should have made contingency plans for the shortages, rather than expecting him to act as a last-minute stop-gap.

Ms Braverman said that unless 750 members of the Armed Forces were transferred from other duties to help man immigration posts to cover for striking or absent Border Force officers, then British travellers could face long queues at entry points for months.

However, a source said: 'The Home Secretary must not be allowed to always rely on our hard-working Armed Forces to be there to mop up for Home Office incompetence. If she was so worried, she should have planned ahead.'

A Home Office source said last night: 'We have cancelled Border Force leave, recruited more staff and moved as many as we can from other roles to fill gaps.

'But the Defence Secretary has halved the number of troops he's willing to offer to help backfill jobs compared with the last round of strikes at Christmas when our troops were given a lot of credit for their sterling work and he even turned up for a photo op.

'Now an impending summer of chaos seems to be of little concern  but it is for the millions of people trying to use our airports. It's all so petty.'

Mr Wallace has refused the Home Secretary's request for 750 troops to be deployed to plug gaps in the UK's Border Force

It is understood Mr Wallace argued that, given the pressure on the Armed Forces, he would be able to spare just 250 service personnel, with the only alternative being to cancel leave  which he was reluctant to do.

A Government spokesperson said: 'The Ministry of Defence have accepted a Military Aid to the Civil Authorities request from the Home Office, to provide support to Border Force in the event of staff industrial action.'
Thousands of British schoolchildren are being exposed to dangerous levels of lead in school drinking water, experts have warned.

Tests have shown that the concentration of the toxic metal found in tap water at dozens of schools is above the UK standard, despite it being banned from plumbing more than half a century ago.

In 59 tests at 30 schools over the past ten years, lead was found to be at or above the safe UK limit of 10 micrograms of lead per litre, according to data from the Environmental Information Regulations.

The new EU limit is five micrograms per litre.

Lead was found in the tap water throughout the schools, including the kitchens, nursery sinks, classrooms, toilets and medical rooms.

Thousands of British schoolchildren are being exposed to dangerous levels of lead in school drinking water, experts have warned. Pictured: Stock image of primary school

Tim Pye, from the Lead Exposure and Poisoning Prevention Alliance told the i newspaper: Drinking water safety in schools needs to be urgently improved.

Children are more vulnerable to lead toxicity which can lead to lifelong health problems.

According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated one million people die of lead poisoning every year.

Millions more, many of them children, are exposed to low levels of the metal which can cause problems including anaemia, hypertension, toxicity to reproductive organs.

Education Minister Nick Gibb said last week that action needs to be taken where any lead pipes are found.

According to the Drinking Water Inspectorate, water companies take regular random samplings at schools and are working to remove lead piping.

A spokesperson for Water UK, which represents 25 of the UKs biggest water companies, said: Customers in the UK enjoy some of the best drinking water in the world, with more than 99 per cent passing stringent water quality tests.

Where lead is suspected water companies will work closely with building owners to assess the risk and, if necessary, support them to replace any lead piping.
Holidaymakers are being targeted in a social media blitz to warn them of severe penalties for flying when drunk.

Almost two million people will receive adverts telling them they face the threat of jail or 80,000 fines for being intoxicated on an aeroplane.

The campaign will send warnings via Instagram and Facebook to 18- to 35-year-olds across the UK and use internet tracking technology to reach the phones of young people at four busy airports.

The Government-backed One Too Many project  funded by airlines and airport operators  runs until September 1. It follows rising reports of air-rage incidents including mass brawls and violence as travel returns to pre-pandemic levels.

Last week, pop star Lee Ryan appeared in a London court after being found guilty earlier this year of racially aggravated assault during a flight.

The campaign will send warnings via Instagram and Facebook to 18- to 35-year-olds across the UK

Speaking about the need to 'protect staff and passengers', Aviation Minister Baroness Vere said the campaign was part of a 'zero-tolerance approach towards disruptive behaviour'.

It hopes to target 49,000 people a day through 'geofence technology' at four airports  Bristol, London Gatwick, London Heathrow and Belfast International.

There will be adverts at airports warning passengers of the risks of getting too drunk when flying  including up to two years in jail, an 80,000 fine, a lifetime ban or being denied boarding.

The campaign is funded by the UK Travel Retail Forum (UKTRF), the Airport Operators Association (AOA), Airlines UK and the International Air Transport Association.

There will be adverts at airports warning passengers of the risks of getting too drunk when flying  including up to two years in jail, an 80,000 fine, a lifetime ban or being denied boarding

Nigel Keal, chairman of the UKTRF, said: 'The consequences of disruptive behaviour are very serious and could stop you from travelling for years to come.'

Karen Dee, chief executive of the AOA, added: 'The campaign is aimed at reminding everyone to be responsible.

'Airports will be keeping a close watch for any disruptive behaviour and will not hesitate to take action.

'This summer we'll see many people getting away for the first time since the pandemic and it would be a shame if the actions of a few were to spoil it for the many.'
Humza Yousaf 'used his position' as health secretary to help a Canadian TV star skip the queue for a Covid vaccine after being lobbied by actor Martin Compston, it was claimed yesterday.

Compston, an SNP supporter, contacted Mr Yousaf asking for 'advice' on how to get a vaccination for co-star Emily Hampshire.

The now First Minister forwarded the email to his private office and it eventually made its way to NHS Lothian via Scottish Government officials. An appointment for the actress was then arranged by the health board.

Mr Yousaf is now facing calls to refer himself to the ethical standards commissioner over accusations he 'intervened in the process' of arranging an appointment during his time as health secretary.

The email was sent by Compston in 2021, while he was in Edinburgh to film TV series The Rig alongside Ms Hampshire. It began: 'Hey mate hope you're well.'

Mark Compston (right), an SNP supporter, contacted Scotland's First Minister Hamza Yousaf asking for 'advice' on how to get a vaccination for co-star Emily Hampshire (left)

The now First Minister forwarded the email to his private office and it eventually made its way to NHS Lothian via Scottish Government officials. An appointment for the actress was then arranged by the health board

It went on to explain that Compston had been 'hitting a brick wall' trying to get his co-star vaccinated amid concerns about coronavirus on set.

At the time, hundreds of thousands of Scots were still waiting for their second jabs. The email, published yesterday by The Times, revealed the actor said he wanted a 'bit of advice' about whether Ms Hampshire was 'eligible to turn up to any drop-in centres' and complained about the NHS's failure to help.

Mr Yousaf then began the process of arranging an appointment for Ms Hampshire with NHS Lothian.

Compston appeared in Mr Yousaf's official online campaign launch for the Holyrood 2021 election and starred in a promotional video for the SNP in 2015.

Labour's shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray last night called upon the First Minister to refer himself over a possible breach of the ministerial code. Mr Murray said the ex-health secretary 'should have been acutely aware that intervening on behalf of a personal friend looks at the very least highly suspicious and at worst a clear example of using his position to the advantage of those close to him'.

Game of Thrones star Ian Glen (left), Ms Hampshire (centre) and Mr Compston (right) all star in the Amazon Prime show, 'The Rig'

He added: 'There are many questions about what appears to be a serious breach of the ministerial code and Humza Yousaf should immediately refer himself to the independent adviser.'

Tory MSP Annie Wells suggested sharing pro- independence views and a relationship with Mr Yousaf 'boosted your chances of getting vaccinated'.

She added: 'The public will find it remarkable that Humza Yousaf thought helping out Martin Compston was a top priority.'

A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'As with other ministerial correspondence, this inquiry was passed to officials for actioning.'

If he believes he may have broken the rules, Mr Yousaf is able to refer himself to the standards watchdog. However, as First Minister, he is solely responsible for any action to take.
Elon Musk has officially introduced his xAI team to the masses with a live Twitter Spaces event - after years of claiming the tech will be the demise of humanity.

The Twitter boss laid out his plans to make an artificial general intelligence (AGI) that will be 'maximally curious and truth-seeking' and 'won't be politically correct.'

'People will be offended,' Musk said. 'Our AI can give answers that they might find controversial even though they might be true.'

But beyond the AI culture wars, Musk expressed ambitious hopes to produce an AGI with deep analytical reasoning capable of solving higher order math and science problems, including many that have eluded mankind's best thinkers.

The billionaire suggested that xAI could answer questions about the nature of dark matter and dark energy: theorized but difficult to confirm components of the known universe which astrophysicists estimate constitute 95 percent of the cosmos.

Musk also said he hoped xAI could help resolve the 'Fermi paradox'  a theoretical question that asks why humans have not yet encountered extraterrestrial life in a universe that is over 13 billion years old and ripe with the conditions supporting life.

Elon Musk announced Wednesday a new AI company he calls xAI. The Twitter boss shared details in a Twitter Space today alongside xAI's core team of engineers and former physcists

The Twitter boss laid out his plans to an assembled group of approximately 34,000 listeners on Twitter to make an artificial general intelligence (AGI) with xAI that will be 'maximally curious and truth-seeking' and 'won't be politically correct'

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

'It would be great to know what the hell is really going on,' Musk said.

'That's our goal.'

After some preamble, Musk opened the floor to his core team of all-male xAI scientists and engineers, including several poached from the new organization's rivals like the Microsoft Azure-powered ChatGPT, which was made by OpenAI, and Google's Bard AI.

Igor Babuschkin  a former employee of OpenAI with past particle physics research experience working on the Large Hadron Collider at CERN  told the Twitter Space that he shared Musk's ambition to tackle big existential scientific questions at xAI.

The company wants to 'really make a dent in our understanding of the universe,' Babuschkin said.

But several of xAI's other researchers, a group with includes ex-Microsoft researcher Greg Yang, former DeepMind and Google engineer Manuel Kroiss, and former DeepMind computer scientist Guodong Zhang, shifted focus to their AI competitors.

One member of Musk's team said that 'monopolization' was currently the single biggest danger of AI projects in the private sector, adding that the the field's 'incentives' are currently 'not aligned with the rest of humanity.'

Musk, for his part, stressed the need for healthy competition and regulatory oversight, stating that government supervision of this kind was not 'nirvana,' but 'better than nothing.'

Musk also told listeners that he had privately warned senior officials with the Chinese Communist Party that their nation, too, needed to regulate AI projects, or risk becoming ruled by a 'digital super-intelligence.'

Unpredictable outcomes from such complicated undertakings, he suggested, may be the most likely.

'Fate loves irony,' Musk said.
British tourists are being warned to avoid upsetting heavy-handed police in Spain this summer following a number of alleged violent encounters.

An expat living near Marbella on the Costa del Sol is sounding the alarm after claiming he was beaten so savagely by cops that he was hospitalised with a punctured bladder.

It comes after N Dubz's Dappy was left with a huge swelling on his back when he clashed with baton-wielding police officers on the Spanish party island of Ibiza earlier this month.

Now, in an alarming alleged attack, Diego Armando Torres, 37, insists he was punched and kicked by six Guardia Civil agents on a Friday night, after being pulled over for a routine traffic stop.

Even more shocking, he claims he was tied up and a plastic bag was put over his head nearly suffocating him, before being left overnight in a cell while writhing in agony from his injuries.

Diego Armando Torres, 37, insists he was punched and kicked by six Guardia Civil agents on a Friday night, after being pulled over for a routine traffic stop (Pictured: Mr Torres' facial injuries following alleged attack by police)

A resident (pictured in hospital) living near Marbella on the Costa del Sol is sounding the alarm after claiming he was beaten so savagely by cops that he was hospitalised with a punctured bladder

READ MORE: N Dubz rapper Dappy in 'clash' with truncheon-wielding police on Ibiza after blasting out his new song on Lamborghini sound system parked on a busy street Dappy posted a picture of one of his friends who appears to have a giant baton-shaped mark on his back Advertisement

'I actually feared for my life, particularly when one officer told me ''you're going to die'',' he told MailOnline this week.

The expat builder, from Peru, had only recently arrived to the country when he and a friend were driving back from the popular resort town of Estepona following an evening out.

Have you had run-ins with Spanish police? Email me: laurence.dollimore@mailonline.co.uk

At around 9.15pm on June 16, Mr Torres says he was pulled over on the motorway near expat hotspot Sabinillas.

He recalled: 'They stopped us and asked my mate to step out of the car. I initially stayed in the passenger's seat, but then got out to ask what was going on.

'The agents told me to be quiet and not to speak, but I asked again if everything was okay. The police are now saying that I used force and kicked one of them, but this is not true.

'Suddenly they snapped and forced me to the ground and I was handcuffed and taken to a police car.'

His friend, from Bolivia, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed the heavy-handed arrest.

'But when I dared ask a policeman why they were doing it, he replied; ''do you also want to get hit?''

'Diego was put in a car and that was the last time I saw him that day,' explained his friend, who is also a builder.

The victim claims he was then taken to the Guardia Civil barracks in Manilva where he was grilled on what he was doing in Spain.

'I was very scared and just wanted to call someone,' he said.

'Eventually they agreed but as I left my phone in the car I couldn't remember any numbers apart from my brother's, who lives in Norway, and they refused to call a foreign number.'

It was then that a couple of the officers allegedly began slapping him in the face and telling him to 'shut up'.

'I remember there were up to six of them taking turns to slap me,' he claimed.

'After a while they took me back to the car. I was terrified and I started screaming for help. Then, one of the officers punched me in the face through the open window, cutting open my left eyebrow.'

At this point the attack got far more sinister, he claims, after the police took him back to a different smaller and darker room at the station.

Mr Torres (pictured recovering in hospital in Marbella) had only recently arrived to the country when he and a friend were driving back from the popular resort town of Estepona following an evening out

Disturbing pictures appear to show cuts and bruises caused by handcuffs placed on Mr Torres by Guardia Civil officers

Recounting his alleged ordeal, Mr Torres said: 'Suddenly they snapped and forced me to the ground and I was handcuffed and taken to a police car'

'They tied my ankles and wrists together, covered my head with a plastic bag and started punching and kicking me on the stomach,' he claims.

'When I was about to asphyxiate, they would remove the bag then put it back on. They did this many times. An officer also stepped on my head, causing me injuries and bruises.

'They kicked and punched me in the stomach until I passed out from the pain.

'The worst ones were, I estimate, in their 30s and 40s, while two younger agents, probably in their 20s, did not do anything and actually tried to comfort me.'

After the alleged brutal assault, Mr Torres (pictured) claims he was taken to the Policia Local Station in Estepona, where he was put in a cell and fell asleep, but woke up around 3am with agonising stomach pain.

Despite begging to go to hospital it wasn't until 9.20am that three Guardia agents returned and took him to a GP in Estepona, where the doctor told the officers he had to be taken to hospital urgently.

He was taken to Marbella's Costa del Sol Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery on a 'ruptured bladder'.

After the alleged brutal assault, Mr Torres (pictured) claims he was taken to the Policia Local Station in Estepona, where he was put in a cell and fell asleep, but woke up around 3am with agonising stomach pain.

Despite begging to go to hospital it wasn't until 9.20am that three Guardia agents returned and took Mr Torres to a GP in Estepona, where the doctor told the officers he had to be taken to hospital urgently (Pictured: Mr Torres's scraped wrists after being placed in handcuffs)

He also 'presented bruises on the head and face' according to the official medical report seen by expat newspaper the Olive Press.

Diego has since taken legal advice and is currently waiting to hear back from a public defender to file an official complaint.

A Guardia Civil official report claims Diego was arrested for kicking one of the agents, which he vehemently denies.

Leading Marbella lawyer Antonio Flores, described the case as 'an atrocity'.

'If proved, this would be an atrocity. First, these officers should be given a precautionary suspension and then tried for assault and abuse of authority,' he insisted.

A spokesman for Spain's Ombudsman added: 'If he has been beaten up, he needs to file a report and the justice system will do its job.'

A Guardia Civil press officer said: 'I don't know if this is true or not, but it sounds strange to me.

'I have been a Guardia Civil for 30 years and I have never seen anything like this. It sounds like a science fiction movie.

'Once he files a complaint, this will go to court and a judge will decide.'
MBABANE  Cars parked through the streets around Mbabane Free Evangelical Assemblies as masses came from all walks of life to bid farewell to renowned lawyer Mshumayeli Knox Nxumalo.

An estimated 3 000 to 4 000 people attended a memorial service hosted in honour of the late experienced attorney. The diversity of the crowd in attendance was evident as pastors, politicians, lawyers and general congregants from his church, Revival Life Ministries came together to celebrate his life. Nxumalo died in the early hours of Friday July 7, 2023, while in bed. It was revealed that he violently coughed while sleeping at about 3.30am and his wife immediately called family members and he was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

He was 73 years when he met his death. He was remembered as one of the toughest lawyers who handled high profile cases and made impression in every case he held. Different speakers, including former Senator Walter Benett, shared their experiences of the late Nxumalo.His children Winile, Lindelwe, Bhekiwe, Simphiwe, Buyile and Banele said Nxumalo was the best father they would have asked from God and he raised them on the base of love. Taking turns to share memories of their late father Mshumayeli Knox Nxumalo, the children alluded that he was a great father.

Conversation

He was the best father to me and my siblings and did everything a father can do for his children. As the last one in his female children, we were very fond of each other. The last serious conversation I had with him was about my 40th birthday and it seems like a dream that he had to leave us two months before the celebration, said Buyile. Another daughter, Lindelwe said Nxumalo was a passionate father and he took his role with pride as he raised many other children.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Phindela Nxumalo said the late attorney was a unifier for the family and kept them together despite their differences.

He was always available to his siblings and their children. He managed the complex relationships with unity, love, respect and a dexterity that has him remembered with fondness. He was generous in all his ways to his expansive family, ready to offer a word of advice, encourage a dream or provide a strong word of rebuke, he said.

One of his friends and colleagues, Reverend David Matse said Nxumalo was difficult to convert into Christianity and his wife played a major role in praying and convincing him. Matse said he also assisted the process of conversion through providing him with religious literature since he was an avid reader.

Steadily

He pursued God with a fervour and steadfastness, true to his character, steadily becoming a man of great faith through his words and actions said Matse. In 1999 Nxumalo committed his life to the Lord, starting a life long journey of his spiritual walk. Businessman Walter Bennett left the audience in stitches when he shared a recollection of memories between him and the late Nxumalo. He shared how he was afraid to make Nxumalo angry as he was known to be a very sharp lawyer. Judge Mzwandile Fakudze also shared that he was very close to Nxumalo as they both had passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ. He said they once shared an office with Nxumalo when he was appointed Acting Judge of the Supreme Court.

Experience

Nxumalos longest serving employee, Brenda Littler also shared her experience of working for Nxumalo and said she was saddened by his demise.

Littler started working for Nxumalo in April 1986, at Robinson Bertram and Company as his personal secretary. She worked with him for over 37 years. His liberal character, mindset and mostly his loud laugh definitely warmed our spirits to such an extent that he was no longer just Nxumalo from the office, but for many years now a father figure to the entire Littler family, she said. Littler said Nxumalos spiritual journey was the most astounding part of the life they spent with him.
It's one of the world's greatest railway journeys, and video footage reveals the best possible view of it  from the driver's cab.

The mesmerising film shows a driver's-eye view of a ScotRail train making its way along an incredible 42-mile section of Scotland's West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig.

The journey on the line, completed in 1901, kicks off with a show-stopper  Ben Nevis. Britain's highest mountain (1,345m/4,412ft) looms over Fort William as the train arcs away to the west.

A few minutes after departure, the line crosses the Banavie Swing Bridge, which is located at one end of 'Neptune's Staircase', the longest staircase lock in Scotland, which raises the Caledonian Canal by 19m (62ft).

The train then skirts eight-mile-long (13km) Loch Eil prior to the majesty of the 1,250ft-long Glenfinnan Viaduct, which crowns one end of picturesque Loch Shiel.

Mesmerising footage shows a driver's-eye view of a ScotRail train making its way along an incredible 42-mile section of Scotland's West Highland Line from Fort William (above, with Ben Nevis to the right) to Mallaig

This still from the ScotRail video shows the departure point - Fort William railway station

The 21-arch, 30-metre-high (100ft) bridge was completed in 1901, but it was 2002's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the second movie in the Harry Potter franchise, that brought the bridge to the world's attention.

In the movie, we see Harry and his friend Ron Weasley in a flying Ford Anglia car being chased by the Hogwarts Express as it puffs over the viaduct.

The bridge returns in Harry Potter three - The Prisoner of Azkaban  with the train grinding to a halt on the bridge on a stormy night as the terrifying 'dementors' go on the attack.

A few minutes after departure, the line crosses the Banavie Swing Bridge

The train skirts eight-mile-long (13km) Loch Eil prior to the majesty of the 1,250ft-long Glenfinnan Viaduct (above)

The Glenfinnan Viaduct was completed in 1901, but it was 2002's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets that brought the bridge to the world's attention

Glenfinnan Viaduct's Harry Potter debut in the Chamber of Secrets movie, with Harry and his friend Ron Weasley in a flying Ford Anglia car being chased by the Hogwarts Express

READ MORE: The Mail boards the Caledonian Sleeper The Caledonian Sleeper is an absolute whopper  16 carriages in total, the same as a Eurostar. And it rolls past some epic scenery... Click here for more. Advertisement

By the time viaduct appeared in the fourth Potter installment  The Goblet of Fire  it was a celebrity among concrete constructions.

Next comes cute Glenfinnan Station, the most westerly station in mainland Britain  Arisaig  and the jaw-dropping Loch Eilt.

Harry Potter fans may recognise Loch Eilt from The Prisoner of Azkaban  Hagrid skims stones across it, and one of its tiny islands, Eilean na Moine, is used as the final resting place of Dumbledore in the last Potter movie, the Deathly Hallows Part 2.

The line hugs the shoreline, with the A830  'The Road to the Isles' - hugging the one opposite.

Prior to Mallaig on the 'Iron Road to the Isles' the train goes past lochs Ailort and Nan Uamh  they're easy on the eye, too  with the line and the A830 twisting around each other before arriving neck and neck at Mallaig, a few hundred metres from the harbour.

Cute Glenfinnan Station (above), precedes the most westerly station in mainland Britain  Arisaig

The line hugs the shoreline of Loch Eilt, which Harry Potter fans may recognise from The Prisoner of Azkaban and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

The line hugs the shoreline of Loch Eilt, with the A830  'The Road to the Isles' - hugging the one opposite

The line was completed in 1901 and in places twists around the A830

The video was posted to YouTube by ScotRail, where it has been viewed over 37,000 times and praised by dozens.

User 'AndrewG1989' said: 'Wonderful video  Scotland is an amazing country to visit and explore.'

And 'Alisonsimpson125' wrote: 'Great video, ScotRail  the scenery is absolutely beautiful.'

For more on the Fort William to Mallaig service visit www.scotrail.co.uk/train-times/fort-william-to-mallaig. To see the full-length original video click here.

The viaduct over eye-catching Loch Nan Uamh, which lies just south of Mallaig

The line arrives neck and neck with the A830 at Mallaig (above), a few hundred metres from the harbour
When it comes to hotel rooms with views, these certainly fail to hit the mark.

Disgruntled travelers have taken to TikTok to showcase their not-so-Instagrammable vacation vistas.

Canadian comedian Neema Naz revealed that he was shocked when he got into his hotel room in Alberta and pulled back the curtain, only to realize that it looked directly into a corridor off the swimming pool, opposite the female changing rooms.

Failing to see the funny side, he explained to his fans: 'This is my view, the ladies changing room, with a pool with kids in it. Hey maybe let me close the blinds actually so I don't get a peeping Tom charge and have my face plastered all over the news the next morning.'

Canadian comedian Neema Naz revealed that he was shocked when he got into his hotel room in Alberta and pulled back the curtain. He found it faced a female changing room

He explained to his fans: 'This is my view, the ladies changing room, with a pool with kids in it. Hey maybe let me close the blinds actually so I don't get a peeping Tom charge'

Many of his followers questioned if the room was a setup, but he assured them it was a real place.

However, he said that maybe he would use the unusual hotel stay in one of his stand-up routines.

Similarly, Alexandria Dunnuck was flummoxed when she got the keys for her hotel room in Chicago, and found that it faced a brick wall and windows to other apartments.

'What the f***?' she exclaims in her TikTok.

Meanwhile, Kayla Krasnow expressed her disappointment after she checked into a CitizenM hotel in Boston and it failed to live up to the promotional photos.

Instead of getting the photogenic city views she was promised, Kayla uploaded an 'expectation versus reality' clip showing how her room looked out over the roof clad in scaffolding with no city in sight.

Kayla Krasnow expressed her disappointment after she checked into a CitizenM hotel in Boston and it failed to live up to the promotional photos

TikToker @27angelsfan simply described their hotel view in Houston Texas as 'weird' with what appeared to be a building site lurking below and a large storage unit-style building in front

American Horror Story actress Naomi Grossman was horrified after getting to her hotel room

Alexandria Dunnuck was flummoxed when she got the keys for her hotel room in Chicago and found that it faced a brick wall and windows to other apartments

American Horror Story actress Naomi Grossman was equally as horrified after getting to her hotel room.

In the overlaid caption she explains that the hotel receptionist 'knowingly' gave her the room with the worst view.

She then gives viewers a peek of a bleak-looking rooftop outside her window while pulling an angry face.

Running with the rooftop theme, David Leeking landed at a hotel in Wichita, Kansas, for a conference and wasn't too impressed with his lofty lookout.

His TikTok reveals a concrete rooftop with metal chimneys poking out.

He quips to viewers: 'Why don't they make a pretty grassy area and cover up some of this thing and all this junk?

'Give me a better view out of my window, that would be nice wouldn't it? Cos this is just not pretty, at all. I don't understand.'

David Leeking landed at a hotel in Wichita, Kansas, for a conference and wasn't too impressed with his lofty lookout

Creator @jem_rose406 joked that she first thought there was a prison next door when she opened her curtains at the Tropicana Las Vegas

Jessica Noel Rawson, who works as a flight attendant, says she is used to getting bad hotel views while on layovers

Becki Whitbeck was less than impressed with the views from her hotel room while on vacation

Becki Whitbeck discovered a similar scene outside her hotel room while on vacation as did Jessica Noel Rawson.

Rawson, who works as a flight attendant, says she is used to getting bad hotel views while on layovers.

She says in the overlaid caption: 'Every time I do a hotel room tour knowing they give flight crews the worst views.'

TikTok creator @27angelsfan simply described their hotel view in Houston, Texas as 'weird' with what appeared to be a building site lurking below and a large storage unit-style building in front.

While @jem_rose406 joked that she first thought there was a prison next door when she opened her curtains at the Tropicana Las Vegas.

However, she realized that the crumbling walls belonged to the roof next door, while the metal bars of her balcony added to the jail-like effect.
When a young man was found dead in his swimming pool following a drug-fuelled house party more than 20 years ago, Michael Barrymore practically disappeared from public life.

The TV presenter lost his job at ITV shortly afterwards in 2003, and he was rarely seen again until he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in January 2006 - managing to finish in second place.

A series of career revival attempts followed but they were often overshadowed by the ongoing investigation into the death of Stuart Lubbock, the 31-year-old found dead at Barrymore's Essex mansion in the early hours of March 31, 2001.

Between that year and 2019, Barrymore and others were arrested and questioned on multiple occasions, but no charges were ever filed and the star ultimately sued Essex Police for wrongful arrest, although he dropped his compensation claim of 2.4m after a court ruled he was due 'nominal' damages.

But the now 71-year-old is taking his career back into his own hands by building a loyal fan base on the social media app TikTok.

Determined Michael Barrymore is giving showbusiness one last roll of the dice at the age of 71 by orchestrating himself another return - this time as a director

Barrymore posts videos of himself on his TikTok account daily, amassing more than 1.7m followers in the process

He had one of the bumpiest falls from grace in celebrity history when Stuart Lubbock (pictured) was found dead in his swimming pool following a late-night drug-fuelled party more than 20 years ago

READ MORE: Michael Barrymore attempts ANOTHER comeback with a new theatre show about Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin Laurel and Chaplin  The Feud will tell the 'true story of teenage best friends' whose relationship broke down when silent movie star Chaplin found fame in Hollywood Advertisement

Barrymore posts multiple videos per day and has amassed 1.7million followers, many of whom leave him messages of love and support.

'You really are living your best life right now and clearly loving it,' wrote one admirer under his latest video, 'So happy for you.'

Another said: 'You'll always be the funniest man... we love you mister Barrymore, I wish you all the happiness in the world.'

He repeatedly shares old clips from his television shows Kids Say The Funniest Things and Strike It Rich, which aired on ITV between 1998 and 2000 and from 1996 to 1999 respectively.

One fan commented: 'This is the kind of TV we need on screen today! My face hurts from smiling and laughing... you're truly fab!'

Another said: 'Michael can you please have a word and persuade them to bring back some of your shows!'

His videos also show him at rehearsals for a new theatre show he is co-directing.

MailOnline last week revealed how the former darling of ITV is co-directing a new production at the Cambridge Theatre in London about the rivalry between two of the world's biggest entertainers, Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin.

Laurel and Chaplin  The Feud will tell the 'true story of teenage best friends' whose relationship broke down when silent movie star Chaplin found fame in Hollywood.

Barrymore shared a video on Instagram and TikTok, inviting followers to 'come to work with me' as he told fans it 'feels good to be home'.

The entertainer was seen directing Verity Walker and Jordan Conway, two of eight performers, as he laughed on stage and watched them from the stalls ahead of the opening night on July 24.

Conway shared the video on his own channels, and wrote: 'They say never meet your idols... I get the absolute pleasure of working with mine and he's the best ever. so, ha!'

Barrymore posts multiple videos per day and has amassed 1.7million followers, many of whom leave him messages of love and support (Pictured: Barrymore frolics in a field in one of his TikTok videos)

'My life is sweet like cinnamon': Barrymore enjoys a walk with his dog in one of his recent TikTok videos

Barrymore soaks up the sun during one of his recent TikTok clips

Barrymore shares behind the scenes footage of his latest production in London

Barrymore replied: 'Thank you so much Jordan. for asking me. So glad I said yes. Rehearsal Monday; don't be late.'

Ms Walker wrote 'loving working with you,' to which the former Strike it Lucky host said: 'Such a wonderful atmosphere at Rehearsal today Verity. Sometimes things just seem right. Today was one of those days.'

The former host, a recovering alcoholic, was last seen on Piers Morgan's Life Stories in 2019, 13 years after finishing runner up on Celebrity Big Brother.

He was signed up for Dancing on Ice in 2020 but was left 'absolutely devastated' after a broken wrist in training forced him to pull out.

Barrymore uses his TikTok account to share video clips from shows including Kids Say the Funniest Things and Strike it Lucky with his 1.7 million followers.

Replying recently to a fan who said it was a 'travesty' that he is no longer on screen, he said: 'Then TikTok came along. Same stuff, smaller screen. And we can talk on this channel.'

Michael Barrymore, 71, has had a series career revival attempts over the years but they were often overshadowed by the ongoing investigation into the death of Stuart Lubbock, the 31-year-old found dead at Barrymore's pool (pictured) in the early hours of March 31, 2001

Barrymore is no stranger to the stage, having performed sell-out shows before his career collapsed in 2001 when Lubbock, 31, was found dead in the swimming pool of his Essex mansion after the star hosted a late-night party.

Barrymore fled the scene and Lubbock's death was initially thought to be an accident.

However, a post-mortem later found he had suffered internal injuries, though no one was ever charged with his death.

Barrymore, who later apologised after fleeing before police arrived, saying that he had 'panicked'  has always denied any knowledge of what happened.

He, Mr Kenney, and another guest at the party, former dustman Justin Merritt, were arrested in 2007 but later released without charge.

In 2021, a 50-year-old suspect was released without charge in further heartbreak for Lubbock's family, including his father Terry, who had terminal cancer. He died some months later aged 76.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Barrymore for comment.
Andy Lee and his partner Rebecca Harding have got the green light to begin a $5million redevelopment of their 1876 Italianate mansion - and their new neighbours couldn't be happier.

The radio host, 42, and model, 32, splashed $8.5million on the derelict Hawthorn property in 2021 and have grand plans to build a second house on the land.

Lee and Harding intend to connect the heritage home to a modern build via a tunnel, and despite previous reports of neighbourhood unrest, local residents told Daily Mail Australia they can't wait to see the results.

Neighbours living in the street are sick of looking at the current state of the home, which they have described as a 'dump' and 'disgusting'.

'I think it's fantastic they're not knocking down the heritage house. As a private residence, I think it's fantastic compared to what they could do,' one neighbour said.

Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding have got the green light to begin a $5million redevelopment of their 1876 Italianate mansion - and their new neighbours couldn't be happier

'Definitely an eyesore, but worse than that, just an absolute tragedy to treat a historic house like that and leave it to demolition by neglect.'

The neighbour went on to slam the previous owners, who left the property in a horrid state for over a decade after their own renovations ceased for unknown reasons.

'I'm hoping the council has taken the respect for this very old building seriously,' she added.

Another couple agreed, saying: 'It looks so disgusting at the moment, I'd be happy to see it [renovated]. Anything would be better.'

The popular radio host, 42, and model, 32, splashed $8.5million on the derelict Hawthorn property in 2021 and have grand plans to build a second house on the land

Lee and Harding intend to connect the heritage home to a modern build via a tunnel, and local residents told Daily Mail Australia they can't wait to see the results

Neighbours living in the street are sick of looking at the current state of the home, which they have described as an 'dump' and 'disgusting'

'I think it's fantastic they're knocking down the heritage house. As a private residence, I think it's fantastic compared to what they could do,' one said, adding that it was a 'tragedy' the heritage home had been treated the way it was

Others said they have been forced to see the 'wreck' for almost two decades and can't wait for Andy and Rebecca to fix it up.

'I've been here 23 years, and been a falling down wreck of a dump. So as soon as someone fixes it up, the better... I'd be opposing anyone who actually is opposing it,' one man said.

'If they're restoring what's there, then construction towards the back is fine. It's been an eyesore.'

Another couple agreed, saying: 'It looks so disgusting at the moment, I'd be happy to see it [renovated]. Anything would be better'

Others said they have been forced to see the 'wreck' for almost two decades and can't wait for Andy and Rebecca to fix it up

'I've been here 23 years, and that place has been a falling down wreck of a dump. So as soon as someone fixes it up, the better... I'd be opposing anyone who actually is opposing it,' one man said

He added: 'The problem is they pulled down the old Victorian chimneys, the previous owner, and left it like that.

'It actually had a beautiful veranda around it as well previously, and then they pulled that off and renovations stopped whatever the previous owners were doing and it sat like that for 10 years.'

The local council gave Andy and Rebecca the green light to begin their luxury renovation of the derelict Melbourne mansion at the end of June.

They reportedly plan to spend $5million on the redevelopment.

Some of the planned features outlined in the development plan include a home theatre, a gym, a swimming pool and a 'mega bedroom'.

He added: 'The problem is they pulled down the old Victorian chimneys, the previous owner, and left it like that'

The neighbour continued: 'It actually had a beautiful veranda around it as well previously, and then they pulled that off and renovations stopped whatever the previous owners were doing and it sat like that for 10 years'

The local council gave Andy and Rebecca the green light to begin their luxury renovation of the derelict Melbourne mansion at the end of June

They reportedly plan to spend $5million on the redevelopment

Some of the planned features outlined in the development plan include a home theatre, a gym, a swimming pool and a 'mega bedroom'
Delta Goodrem hinted at some new music in the works on Thursday as she gave a sneak peak inside her trip to London.

The international pop star, 38, shared a reel of happy snaps to Instagram which showed her having the time of her life with friends in the UK capital.

She was all smiles in the fun photos as she strolled the streets of England, watched Les Miserables The Musical, and got to singing in the studio.

'London diaries. Meetings and traffic, music and friends, celebrations and changes. Making things happen!' she captioned her post.

'I was so proud seeing Josh Piterman be the perfect Jean Valjean in Les Miserables The Musical last week!'

Delta Goodrem, 38, (pictured) hinted at some new music in the works on Thursday as she gave a sneak peak inside her trip to London

The international pop star hit a recording studio in London during her trip to the UK

She continued: 'Catching up with old friends and meeting new friends this trip was the best. Love you London.

'Can't wait to see everyone at the Shepherd's Bush show in August.'

The reel started with a picture of Delta posing in front of an iconic double decker bus surrounded by the UK flag as she donned a leather jacket and dark sunglasses.

She was all smiles in the fun photos as she strolled the streets of England, watched Les Miserables The Musical, and got to singing in the studio. Pictured with the cast Les Miz

'London diaries. Meetings and traffic, music and friends, celebrations and changes. Making things happen!' she captioned her post

Next was a group snap of Australia's golden girl posing backstage with Josh Piterman and the rest of the cast from Les Miserables The Musical.

What followed was a series of photos which showed Delta having the time of her life with friends, before she was seen putting her vocal pipes to use in a local recording studio.

Delta's fun-filled holiday comes just days after she opened up about her brave cancer battle when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma 20 years ago.

Delta's fun-filled holiday comes just days after she opened up about her brave cancer battle when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma 20 years ago. Pictured in 2003

She was only 18 years old on July 8, 2003 when she received the tragic news, she told The Daily Telegraph as she opened up about the tough battle she faced.

'I was a young girl with doctors explaining that I had to step into a fight for my life,' she told the publication.

The same week Delta received her diagnosis, her debut album Innocent Eyes topped the music charts.

'I was diagnosed with cancer the same week that I debuted around the world. I am so grateful that 20 years later we are here making music,' she said.
Jay Baruchel admitted that his character's onscreen dislike of Jonah Hill in their 2013 movie This Is the End was rooted in reality.

The actor, 41, spoke about not getting along with Jonah, 39, in a resurfaced May 2023 interview on The Daily Beast's podcast The Last Laugh.

'Jonah and I dont get along super well, or at least didnt back then,' Baruchel revealed of their relationship filming the apocalyptic comedy.

After the host told Baruchel that their hatred 'comes through on screen,' the Canadian actor replied, 'Yeah, no f*****g s**t, it does!'

It comes amid a flurry of recent drama for Hill, whose ex-girlfriend Sarah Brady accused him of 'emotional abuse', and who was also accused of sexual misconduct by actress Alexa Nikolas.

Not a fan: Jay Baruchel, 41, admitted that his character's onscreen dislike of Jonah Hill, 39, in their 2013 movie This Is the End was rooted in reality; (L) Baruchel pictured 2023, (R) Hill pictured 2021

In the movie - which follows Baruchel and Hill as exaggerated versions of themselves during a global apocalypse - Hill's character pretends to be nice to Baruchels character, though they clearly hate each other.

The drama between the characters comes to a head when Hill throws a knife at Baruchels leg and shoves him into a sinkhole.

Baruchel went on to describe the onset dynamic: 'It was this weird thing of mining personal s**t. But not for catharsis mining it just for comedy.'

'So mining it in the most monetized, capitalist way of, "were going to dig up real personal st," but nobodys going to go home feeling better about it. Were just going to turn it into a f*****g product.'

Baruchel also revealed that he and Hill did not work out their issues behind the scenes.

'We never talked about any of the real s**t. Like, it never came up for real. Because were both 1982 kids which means we were raised in a great misogynistic tradition of not talking about s**t.'

'Especially two boys  we'll air grievances. When were mad at each other and say that, but its very rare to be vulnerable.'

The film also starred Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Emma Watson, among others.

Don't get along: 'Jonah and I dont get along super well, or at least didnt back then,' Baruchel revealed of their relationship filming the apocalyptic comedy; (L-R) Baruchel, Seth Rogen, and Hill pictured in a still

Enemies: In the movie - which follows Baruchel and Hill during a global apocalypse - Hill's character pretends to be nice to Baruchels character, though they clearly hate each other

Life imitates art: After the host told Baruchel that their hatred 'comes through on screen,' the Canadian actor replied, 'Yeah, no f*****g s**t, it does!'

Never talked it out: Baruchel said he and Hill didn't work out their issues behind the scenes. 'We're both 1982 kids which means we were raised in a great misogynistic tradition of not talking about s**t'; They are seen 2014

Baruchel summed up the situation as f*****g weird but said in the end their dislike of each other worked well for the movie.

Baruchel also worked with Hill on Knocked Up and the How to Train Your Dragon series.

This isn't the first time Baruchel publicly addressed the tension between him and Hill.

In 2017 he told Larry King, 'I know the man. I wouldnt say that [I dont like him] It was contentious once upon a time, but I think now were sort of each the devil the other one knows.'

It's been a challenging week for Hill.

Aside from accusations from ex Sarah Brady, 26, who claimed he emotionally abused her, the Moneyball star also faced misconduct allegations from actress Alexa Nikolas, who went public with claims Hill 'shoved his tongue down her throat' when she was 16 and he was 24.

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 the actor which she captioned: 'survivors unite [fist emoji]'

Nikolas had written to Brady: 'I shared my personal Jonah story from when I was only 16 and he assaulted me.'

Brady replied, 'Thank you for being brave and sharing. 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.

Bonded: It comes after 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

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]'

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)

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***.'

This comes after Brady, 26 - who dated Hill in 2021 for one year - set the internet alight by taking to Instagram to share messages allegedly sent by him that appear to reveal their past arguments.

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 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.

Accusations: Brady accused Hill of 'emotional abuse' last week; the former couple are seen in December 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

Heed: Sarah called her decision to release the private messages a 'warning to all girls'

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.'

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.
Married At First Sight's Ella Ding has finally issued a public apology after receiving widespread backlash for claiming that positive thinking can help cure cancer during an episode of her podcast this month.

In a lengthy statement shared to Instagram on Friday night, the influencer clarified that she wasn't trying to issue formal medical advice and apologised for not being 'more careful' with her comments.

She also addressed backlash around her effusive promotion of a book penned by chiropractor Dr Joe Dispenza, in which she claimed that he had been able to cure cancer patients without using chemotherapy.

'I want to clarify that although I am personally excited by Dr Joe's findings and treatment methods he described in the book, I was not intending to provide any medical or treatment advice, now am I qualified to do so,' she explained.

Ella then discussed the scathing backlash from listeners that her podcast has received since her medical musings went live.

Married At First Sight's Ella Ding (pictured) has apologised after receiving backlash for claiming on her podcast that positive thinking can help cure cancer

'I acknowledge and take full accountability,' she stressed, insisting that she should've been clearer when discussing the sensitive subject.

'I understand that I should have reminded listeners to always seek professional medical advice in relation to medical conditions, or before making any medical decisions,' the brunette wrote.

'I will ensure that I am more careful in the future when sharing information and stories in relation to these sorts of topics.'

In a lengthy statement shared to Instagram, the influencer clarified that she wasn't trying to issue formal medical advice and apologised for not being 'more careful' with her comments

'I acknowledge and take full accountability,' she stressed, insisting that she should've been clearer when discussing the sensitive subject

Ding made the shocking comments earlier this month on her podcast, Sit With Us, which is co-hosted by her fellow MAFS star Domenica Calarco.

During an episode about gratitude and mental health, Ding said, 'Your mind can kill you. It can make you sick.

'If youre sick in whatever way it may be, whether it's with illness, if you have cancer, or if you have depression, you can literally make yourself sicker by focusing on how sick you are,' she continued.

'You can end up terminally ill,' the 29-year-old added.

'We can program our brains to do pretty much anything,' said Calarco.

Ding made the shocking comments earlier this month on her podcast, Sit With Us , which is co-hosted by her fellow MAFS star Domenica Calarco

According to the Cancer Council, some scientific studies do suggest that mindbody techniques can benefit people who have cancer by reducing the symptoms and side effects of cancer and its treatment, such as helping with pain and anxiety.

However, there is absolutely no scientific evidence that these techniques can cure the disease.

Ding then went on to tout the work of chiropractor Joe Dispenza before referencing his book, How to Rewire Your Brain.

'He has hundreds of case studies of people who were sick with cancer, and he literally trained them to just imagine not being sick,' she claimed.

'Imagine the cancer is leaving your body. Imagine the cells are going away. Hes literally cured patients without chemotherapy,' she added.

During the episode, the 29-year-old influencer said that 'your mind can kill you' and urged her followers to think positively when battling depression or cancer

Ding then went on to tout the work of chiropractor Dr Joe Dispenza and claimed that he had 'cured patients without chemotherapy'

She then gushed about Dispenza's recent appearance on the popular Jay Shetty podcast and urged her listeners to check it out for themselves.

Her co-host Calarco than praised the power of positive thinking, saying, 'It is actually up to you in every thing that you do.'

She continued, 'You can either focus on the negatives. You can go and be depressed and sad about that certain thing, or you can choose to be like, "Nah, I'm not allowing this to control my life".'

Daily Mail Australia reached out to Ding, NSW Health, and the Cancer Council for comment.

'We can program our brains to do pretty much anything,' added Ella's co-host Domenica Calarco

Ding received major backlash since the controversial episode went live earlier this month.

Not only is her Instagram page now flooded with negative comments, listeners of her Sit With Us podcast have also left scathing one-star reviews.

'Telling people that their cancer became terminal because they didnt practice mindfulness? Dangerous and offensive,' raged one listener.

'This is quite offensive and just totally wrong. Not sure how this podcast was even released. Big public apology needed. Cancelled!' wrote another.

Sit With Us is currently one of the most popular podcasts in the country.

Domenica and Ella's Sit With Us podcast is one of the most popular in the country

Listeners have flooded the podcast with one-star reviews since the episode about cancer dropped earlier this month

It previously topped the Spotify charts, beating out Joe Rogan, and has racked up millions of downloads.

Ella's former Married At First Sight co-star Lyndall Grace, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, has also weighed in.

'Listen to your doctors. It is not your fault, it is not your choice, and it will not change,' she said on Instagram.

She also stressed that mindfulness are tools to help people, but 'they are not cures'.
'Mama June' Shannon finally held a formal wedding ceremony with her husband, Justin Stroud, in the newest episode of Mama June: Family Crisis, which premiered on Friday.

In the show's new installment, the 43-year-old reality television personality prepared for her big day and officially said 'I do' in front of her family and friends while repairing her relationship with her children.

The media figure, who recently hugged one of her daughters for the first time in years, was also blindsided by a devastating revelation that took place at the very end of the episode.

The show's newest installment started off in Georgia, where Josh Efird arrived home after a session in a rage room with Mama June and Justin to let out his emotions about his turbulent relationship with his mother-in-law.

After Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Efird, 23, and Alana Shannon, 17, asked Josh if he had reconciled with Mama June, he stated that, although he had his reservations about the media figure, he expressed that he could 'at least try to get along with her.'

Tying the knot: 'Mama June' Shannon finally held a formal wedding ceremony with her husband, Justin Stroud, in the newest episode of Mama June: Family Crisis, which premiered on Friday

Harsh news: The media figure, who recently hugged one of her daughters for the first time in years, was also blindsided by a devastating revelation that took place at the very end of the episode

Back in Alabama, June and Justin spoke about their wedding during a lengthy drive, and the latter suggested that she try to reconnect with her daughters before the wedding.

The media figure then attempted to call Pumpkin in an effort to invite her out to go shop for dresses, and although her daughter ultimately did not pick up, she remained in a good mood and stated that she 'manifested' her husband.

In Georgia, Josh saw the call and told Pumpkin while she spent time with her loved ones, and she expressed that she did not 'know if I'm going to the wedding' after listening to her mother's voicemail.

June later went to a bridal store for a dress fitting, and after telling the shop's owner that her daughters could potentially show up, she expressed that she 'never thought that I'd be picking out my wedding dress by myself.'

Pumpkin, Alana and Jessica then unexpectedly arrived at the bridal store and offered their input with regard to wedding dresses, much to their mother's delight.

June then asked her daughters to serve as bridesmaids during the wedding, and the girls appeared open to the idea.

June's daughters eventually went home in order try out dresses for the wedding, and while the three were testing out outfits, Alana received a voicemail notifying her that she had been accepted to Regis University.

The media figure's sisters reacted enthusiastically to the news, and Pumpkin told Alana that she would be calling their mother because 'I want Mama to know what a good job I did of raising your a**.'

Suggestion: Back in Alabama, June and Justin spoke about their wedding during a lengthy drive, and the latter suggested that she try to reconnect with her daughters before the wedding

Mixed feelings: In Georgia, Josh saw the call and told Pumpkin while she spent time with her loved ones, and she expressed that she did not 'know if I'm going to the wedding' after listening to her mother's voicemail

Uncertain plans: June later went to a bridal store for a dress fitting, and after telling the shop's owner that her daughters could potentially show up, she expressed that she 'never thought that I'd be picking out my wedding dress by myself'

Showing their support: Pumpkin, Alana and Jessica then unexpectedly arrived at the bridal store and offered their input with regard to wedding dresses, much to their mother's delight

Big role: June then asked her daughters to serve as bridesmaids during the wedding, and the girls appeared open to the idea

She made it! June's daughters eventually went home in order try out dresses for the wedding, and while the three were testing out outfits, Alana received a voicemail notifying her that she had been accepted to Regis University

The family then discovered that Regis was located in Denver, and although they expressed uncertainty about Alana moving to Colorado, they expressed interest in following her west in order to keep her close.

One week after the acceptance, June's family drove down to Panama City, Florida, where the wedding was set to take place.

During a rehearsal meeting of sorts, Pumpkin remarked that it had 'been a long time since all four girls were in one room,' much to her mother's delight.

Pumpkin then commented that 'having all four of us girls at Mama's wedding is very special to me, because us girls haven't been together or even went on a vacation in God knows how long.'

Alana's boyfriend Dralin later spoke to her about moving to Colorado for college, and after being asked for his opinion on the matter, he responded by inquiring if she could have 'picked a warmer place.'

Later on, June and Justin hosted a bonfire at the beach, during which the latter gifted his wife a Pandora bracelet similar one she lost during her struggles with addiction.

The media figure described the gift as being representative of 'the new beginning' of her life with Justin.

Pumpkin later gave an emotional speech at the event, during which she ominously stated that 'this really will be the last time we're all four, five of us standing here.'

Working it out: The family then discovered that Regis was located in Denver, and although they expressed uncertainty about Alana moving to Colorado, they expressed interest in following her west in order to keep her close

Family gathering: During a rehearsal meeting of sorts, Pumpkin remarked that it had 'been a long time since all four girls were in one room,' much to her mother's delight

Mixed signals: Alana's boyfriend Dralin later spoke to her about moving to Colorado for college, and after being asked for his opinion on the matter, he responded by inquiring if she could have 'picked a warmer place'

Kind gesture: Later on, June and Justin hosted a bonfire at the beach, during which the latter gifted his wife a Pandora bracelet similar one she lost during her struggles with addiction

Deeper meaning: The media figure described the gift as being representative of 'the new beginning' of her life with Justin

She also spoke about her mother's efforts to rekindle her relationships with her children, and she expressed that 'I do appreciate you for trying to work on your relationship with us and trying to do better.'

On the morning of the wedding, Justin spoke to June about the event and expressed that his wedding vows were 'written in my heart.'

Stroud later sat down for a confessional and optimistically stated that 'I've had some really dark times in my addiction, you know, but now my life is completely different.'

The pair's respective families, as well as their longtime friend Sheriff Andre Brunson, then gathered at a beach for the wedding, during which June's daughters walked their mother, arm in arm, to meet her husband.

Pumpkin later expressed that 'It's taken a long road to get to where we are today. This is a happy moment for all of us. It's like we can all sit back and be like, "Wow, we really did this."'

Alana added that she was enthusiastic about the fact that 'Mama is finally marrying a good guy.'

June then addressed Justin at the wedding, and spoke about how her husband had greatly changed her life ever since their first meeting.

'You came into my life almost two years ago and you actually rescued me because I was struggling and nobody knew...you taught me to love myself,' she said.

Affectionate: On the morning of the wedding, Justin spoke to June about the event and expressed that his wedding vows were 'written in my heart'

Looking up: Stroud later sat down for a confessional and optimistically stated that 'I've had some really dark times in my addiction, you know, but now my life is completely different'

Family matters: The pair's respective families, as well as their longtime friend Sheriff Andre Brunson, then gathered at a beach for the wedding, during which June's daughters walked their mother, arm in arm, to meet her husband

Supportive: Alana added that she was enthusiastic about the fact that 'Mama is finally marrying a good guy'

Speaking her mind: June then addressed Justin at the wedding, and spoke about how her husband had greatly changed her life ever since their first meeting

Justin also spoke to his wife during the ceremony, and remarked that 'it's mind blowing from where I was at two years ago to where I'm at now, and I have you to thank for that. You make me a better version of myself.'

The happy couple then exchanged rings and said 'I do' before they lovingly strolled off the sand and invited their families to a buffet of what June humorously described as 'fat kid food.'

Several of June's family members then addressed the guests during the wedding, and Pumpkin told Justin that she felt as if he was a positive influence on her mother.

She told him that 'I do feel like if you wouldn't have come into our life, maybe this would not have gotten fixed.'

June later sat down for a confessional and told the show's viewers that 'anything is possible' after she was able to overcome her substance-related issues and reconnect with her daughters.

She was later joined by Anna, 28, who expressed that, although her girlfriend Shyann was ready to tie the knot, she still wanted to wait for a period of time.

Two weeks after the wedding, Anna called Pumpkin and asked her to get their mother on the line, much to the family's alarm.

Anna then shocked the family by revealing that 'your lovely oldest sister has stage four cancer, adrenal carcinoma.'

Being honest: Justin also spoke to his wife during the ceremony, and remarked that 'it's mind blowing from where I was at two years ago to where I'm at now, and I have you to thank for that. You make me a better version of myself'

Celebration: The happy couple then exchanged rings and said 'I do' before they lovingly strolled off the sand and invited their families to a buffet of what June humorously described as 'fat kid food'

Approval: Several of June's family members then addressed the guests during the wedding, and Pumpkin told Justin that she felt as if he was a positive influence on her mother

Being open: June later sat down for a confessional and told the show's viewers that 'anything is possible' after she was able to overcome her substance-related issues and reconnect with her daughters

Change-up: Two weeks after the wedding, Anna called Pumpkin and asked her to get their mother on the line, much to the family's alarm

Oh no: Anna then shocked the family by revealing that 'your lovely oldest sister has stage four cancer, adrenal carcinoma'

The media figure also expressed that, apart from a course of chemotherapy, there was 'nothing else' that her medical team could do in terms of treatment.

June went on to tell the show's producers that she was greatly affected by the revelation and was unaware of how to process the news.

She stated that 'I don't know whether to scream. I don't know whether to yell. I don't know whether to be mad. I don't know.'

Pumpkin concluded the episode by expressing that Anna's health situation 'is literally going to change everything.'
The once prestigious Miami Swim Week has been branded 'trashy' by industry insiders after a series of racy runway looks divided critics earlier this month.

One source slammed the annual event this week when speaking to The Daily Telegraph.

'There's no doubt designs have been getting racier and racier each year, but the images coming out of Miami Swim this week are boarding on comical,' the insider said.

'One, there's no way anyone is going to wear those designs and two it's made a mockery of the event which was once considered the world's biggest swimwear show and used to be quite prestigious.'

The publication reports that a number of Aussie models and brands were snubbed from the event this year.

Miami Swim Week has been branded 'trashy' by industry insiders after outrageous 'duct tape bikini' trend leaving models to walk the runway almost naked divided the fashion world: 'It's almost comical'. Pictured is a model on the runway at the Black Tape Project show on July 7

'There's no way anyone is going to wear those designs and two it's made a mockery of the event which was once considered the world's biggest swimwear show and used to be quite prestigious,' an insider said

Insiders have reportedly called the Swim Week 'trashy,' 'indecent' and 'offensive'.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Miami Swim Week for comment, in relation to this article.

It comes after one outrageous show at the once prestigious fashion event made headlines.

The presentation by the Black Tape Project on July 7 pushed the boundaries beyond anything seen before, with models walking down the runway completely nude except for strategically placed strips of body tape.

A number of Aussie models and brands were reportedly snubbed from the event this year. However, Aussie model Lucciana Beynon strutted her stuff down the catwalk at Swim Week for Ema Savahi (Lucciana is pictured)

The Black Tape Project is the brainchild of Cuban-American creative Joel Alvarez, who overcame poverty to become one of his country's most provocative designers.

While the very revealing designs drew praise from attendees and the wider fashion world, the runway show was criticised for the models' lack of body diversity.

'I'm confused. Wasn't Victoria's Secret's runway shows cancelled because of the unobtainable body shapes among models?' one critic wrote.

'How come this fashion show can take place? Can't understand the fashion world.'

A runway presentation by the Black Tape Project caused a stir at Miami Swim Week on July 7

The catwalk show pushed the boundaries beyond anything seen before, with models walking down the runway completely nude except for strategically placed strips of body tape

After photos of the catwalk presentation went viral on social media, one Instagram user said it was a 'great show' but asked, 'Where's the variety of bodies?'

Another remarked: 'All the models look the same.'

Despite criticism of the lack of plus-size models, many fashionistas supported the envelope-pushing show, with one simply commenting: 'SPEECHLESS.'

Another added: 'Everyone's jaw MUST be on the floor!' A third said: 'What a show.'

While the very revealing designs drew praise from attendees and the wider fashion world, the runway show has been criticised for the models' lack of body diversity

After photos of the catwalk presentation went viral on social media, one Instagram user said it was a 'great show' but asked, 'Where's the variety of bodies?'

The Black Tape Project is the brainchild of Cuban-American creative Joel Alvarez (centre), who overcame poverty to become one of his country's most provocative designers

Alvarez sells rolls of his signature body tape in a variety of colours on his website.

The most basic black hue starts at $9.99 a roll, while the more vibrant options - including metallic golds, blues, and pinks - cost up to $29.99 each.

But Alvarez does not limit his art form to just runway models.

He was previously invited to Vienna to tape legendary supercars - the Ferrari 488 Spider and Lamborghini Urus - at the Gumball 3000 street rally.

Despite criticism of the lack of plus-size models, many fashionistas supported the envelope-pushing show, with one simply commenting: 'SPEECHLESS'
Most producers and songwriters would be thrilled at the chance of working with some of the biggest names in popular music.

But it turns out that's not the case for Dr. Dre, the legendary NWA rapper and record producer, who has helped shape the careers of artists at the beginning of their careers like Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube.

During a conversation with Kevin Hart on his Hart To Heart podcast, Dre (born Andre Romell Young), 58, revealed his preference is to work with new artists.

Then came his admission that he 'bowed out a couple of times during my career' from working with two of the biggest musical artists of them all: Prince and Michael Jackson.

Stunned by the revelation, Hart asked The Chronic star if he bowed out from working with Prince and Michael Jackson several times over: 'Both of them?' he asked.

Stunner: Dr. Dre, 58, revealed he has an aversion to working with his musical heroes in a conversation with Kevin Hart during his Hart To Heart podcast

Rejected: He stunned Hart during their chat when he confessed to to rejecting the requests to produce such superstars as Prince, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder

Nodding in agreement, the Compton, California native told him: 'Yea. yeah. They just asked me to work with them and I was just like, "What the f**k am I going to do with them?'

The Express Yourself rapper proceeded to explain how he has a set idea of his musical heroes, and that he doesn't want to mess with that idea.

He also explained how with new artists there's room to mold that artist into something that can be un expected and exciting.

But, according to Dre, that's not the case with a superstar artist with a proven track record.

'What the f**k am I going to do with them? Those are my heroes,' he reiterated.

'But you're Dr. Dre, Hart said, in bode of confidence for the legendary producer and song crafter.

'Stop, stop,' Dre shot back, before adding another A-list name to the list of artists he turned down.

'Most recently, Stevie Wonder,' Dre said, which again left Hart in a state of shock that he would have a gravitas to turn down such an icon.

'They just asked me to work with them and I was just like, "What the f**k am I going to do with them?', Dre said when explaining why he refused to work with his musical heroes like Michael Jackson and Prince

Caught off guard: Hart was stunned to hear of the list of superstars Dre refused to work with, but then understood his rationale when he explained his reasoning

'My entire life and career has been dealing with and working with new artists. That's what I like,' he said, 'Nobody comes in with an agenda . These mother f**kers show up on time,' Dr. Dre said of his working relationships with new artists

It's at this point that Dr. Dre expressed his exact mindset to how he has picked the people he has worked with over the years.

'My entire life and career has been dealing with and working with new artists. That's what I like,' he said, 'Nobody comes in with an agenda . These mother f**kers show up on time.'

To further explain his working relationships, he equated his dream scenario to a sculptor with a ball of clay, and the endless possibilities that can come about from the artistry involved.

'It's a ball of clay when they walk in the room. You can just form it and do what you want. That's what I want. Everybody else, especially my heroes, they're coming in and there's a set plan as to how the s**t should sound,' he added. I can't explore.'

Dre first gained prominence in the musical industry by collaborating with a group of like-minded youngsters from Compton, some of which were still in high school at the time, that would ended up forming NWA.

Credited with being among the original architects of hip hop's gangsta rap sub-genre, the group made waves across the world with their seminal debut studio album, Straight Outta Compton (1988), which seemed to harness the rising anger of the urban youth with its powerful messages, beats and rhymes.

Along with Dr. Dre, NWA made stars of Ice Cube, Eazy E, MC Ren, DJ Yella and Ruthless rapper The D.O.C.

The quick rise to superstardom, via the underground and word of mouth from fans, was likely where Dre learned how he can help shape a new artist.

Breakout: Dr. Dre first gained prominence in the music industry as the producer and rapper of NWA, which featured fellow start-ups Ice Cube, Eazy E, MC Ren, DJ Yella, who are pictured with collaborators, rapper Laylaw from Above The Law and The D.O.C

Collaborating: The legendary producer has helped mold such new artists as Eminem, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and Ice Cube; he is seen with Eminem in January 2000

That idea of helping mold a rapper without any preconceived destination other than making good music and lyrics, would serve Dre well, considering he has since gone on to work with relative unknowns like Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar and the D.O.C., among others.

Eventually, during their conversation, the Grammy winner would then go back to his concept of not wanting to work with his musical heroes.

'These are my heroes. I like the idea of what I grew up listening to, and I want to keep it like that. I don't want to f**k up that idea and that look,' he explained again.

'I like the way I feel about Stevie, Prince, Michael, Bruce Springsteen, and all of these amazing artists. I like the way I feel about them, and that could change by working with them.'

Dr. Dre ended this particular subject by sharing that he doesn't need the money and he doesn't need those superstar artist 'on my resume' to feel relevant.
Clementine Ford is one of Australia's most acclaimed writers and public intellectuals.

And while the Fight Like a Girl author is known for her bestselling books on feminism, the 42-year-old decided to showcase a different side of herself this week.

Ford got dolled up to appear in an ad campaign for inclusive vegan makeup brand Holme Beauty.

With her glossy, glowing complexion, peach cheeks and perfectly tousled hair, the media personality looked completely unrecognisable compared to her usual relaxed style.

The flawless photoshoot sent her followers into a frenzy, with one gushing. 'Major Marilyn Monroe vibes!'

Feminist author Clementine Ford looked unrecognisable after getting glammed to promote makeup brand Holme Beauty in a new campaign

The Fight Like a Girl author is pictured in 2017, before undergoing a dramatic makeover

Another exclaimed, 'I audibly said "wow" when I saw this picture! You look amazing!'

One fan even compared the 42-year-old mum-of-one to 21-year-old pop star Billie Eilish.

Clementine has been open about experimenting with skincare and anti-ageing treatments over the last few years, which led one of her followers to accuse the feminist firebrand of 'falling victim to misogyny'.

In a lengthy response, the star explained that part of the reason behind her glow up was to protect herself from being abused online by men, who would often use her appearance as a way to attack her.

The flawless photoshoot sent her followers into a frenzy, with one gushing. 'Major Marilyn Monroe vibes!'

The author was forced to change her appearance after being trolled online by misogynistic men

'For almost all of my public career, I was abused for being ugly, for being fat, for having freckles  even for having a diastema,' she told news.com.au in December.

'As Ive gotten older and begun to play more with my appearance, Ive found the comments have shifted,' she continued.

'Now the men who abuse me are more often to say Ive had too much plastic surgery (Ive had none), which is a welcome respite from the time someone said I was "uglier than a dead dog on the side of the road".'

Ford, along with writer Germaine Greer and reality star Abbie Chatfield, is one of Australia's most prominent feminist voices.

She currently hosts the advice podcast Dear Clementine on Nova.
Kim Kardashian decided to test out the TikTok famous aging filter with her daughter North on Friday.

The reality star, 42, tried out the hyper-realistic face filter - which shows a split screen of the user's face, one at their current age, and one showing an older version of them - with a bare face, wearing just a pair of gold eye patches.

The SKIMS founder gazed at her altered visage as she examined her onscreen wrinkles with a touch of amusement, and tried to contain her laughter while striking a number of poses.

However, unlike her younger sister Kylie, 25, who was left freaked out by her results, Kim had a more positive reaction.

'I look gorgeous,' she said, while breaking into laughter. 'Don't I look...' she went on, cracking up again and unable to finish her sentence as North, 10, joined her in the frame.

Fast forward: Kim Kardashian, 42, decided to test out the TikTok famous aging filter with her daughter North on Friday

Amused: The star gazed at her altered visage as she examined her onscreen wrinkles with a touch of amusement, and tried to contain her laughter while striking a number of poses

'Gorgeous award ' Kim captioned the clip.

However, she was dismayed by the fact that while her faced had aged onscreen, North's looked exactly the same.

'You don't look any older!' she exclaimed, adding, 'How is that possible?'

North laughed replying, 'No, I look older.'

Kim started out the clip solo, wearing her SKIMS pajamas long sleeve taupe top.

She swept her tresses up at one point, trying to discern what she would look like older and with her hair pulled up.

She then let her hair back down and continued to strike a number of poses for the camera.

Kim's positive reaction was a seeming shift in her approach to getting older, after she previously said that she worries about aging 'every single day' but prefers it to 'not being here' in a 2017 interview.

'Gorgeous': 'I look gorgeous,' she said, while breaking into laughter. 'Don't I look...' she went on, cracking up again and unable to finish her sentence as North, 10, joined her in the frame

Testing out the look: She swept her tresses up at one point, trying to discern what she would look like older and with her hair pulled up

The same: Kim was shocked that while her faced had aged onscreen, North's looked exactly the same. 'You don't look any older!' she exclaimed, adding, 'How is that possible?'

Laughing it up: In the end Kim laughed it up and didn't seem too bothered by the filter, unlike her younger half-sister Kylie, who tried it out a few days prior

Not impressed: Kylie, 25, was not as impressed with seeing wrinkles on her face as she tried the filter earlier this week, and stated: 'I don't like it'

Kim told The Cut that though aging brought a 'sense of calmness and wisdom' it still wasn't fun to get older.

'It also just sucks. Theres no easy way. [But] I would take aging over not being here.'

The Kardashians star was also more cautious of wrinkles a few years ago, when she said that the best way to avoid them around your mouth is to 'not smile.'

The cute clip with North comes just a few days after Kim's younger half-sibling Kylie tried out the trend and expressed disapproval after seeing what she would look like.

The lip kit mogul slowly took in the sight of herself with and without the filter side-by-side.

'I don't like it,' the socialite said while smiling and seemingly holding in a laugh at the sight of herself as an old lady.

The entrepreneur took a long pause and reiterated, 'I don't like it at all.'

'No, no,' she said while smirking and shaking her head in dissatisfaction.

Kim and North launched their joint TikTok channel - which has 16. 3 million followers - in 2021, and keep the comments on the videos turned off.

Adorable: Kim also posted a video of North's youngest sister Chicago, five, to the TikTok platform on Friday

Joyful: The little one was pictured bopping around in a onesie, with the proud mom captioning the clip: 'Chicago with the moves'

Exes: Kim shares a total of four kids with her ex-husband Kanye West, 46. The pair were married for six years prior to their divorce in 2022; Pictured in 2019

The dynamic mother and daughter duo have shared a number of cute clips since then, and on Friday Kim also posted a video of North's youngest sister Chicago, five, to the platform.

The little one was pictured bopping around in a onesie, with the proud mom captioning the clip: 'Chicago with the moves '

Kim shares a total of four kids with her ex-husband Kanye West, 46. Aside from North and Chicago they are also parents to sons Saint, seven, and Psalm, four.

Kim's marriage to Kanye came to an end in February of 2021, before their divorce was finalized in November of 2022.
Terry Procter, the face of popular food brand Mainland Cheese, has died at the age of 84.

His son Charlie Procter confirmed the sad news to Stuff New Zealand this week.

Terry appeared in the TV ads for Mainland Cheese for years alongside late co-star and close friend Kevin Corcoran, who died at age 78 in 2012.

'He was just one of those typical Kiwi blokes working the hard yards  he never thought he'd get to the point where he was in advertisements,' Charlie told the publication.

Remembering his adopted father's friendship with Kevin, he said: 'In the end, they weren't really bothered with the money. They just liked getting together, and with the other people who created these adverts.'

Terry Procter, the face of popular food brand Mainland Cheese, has died at the age of 84. His son Charlie Procter confirmed the sad news to Stuff New Zealand this week

The pair became known in the ads for the catchphrase, 'good things take time'.

Charlie sweetly said his dad once gave him some life advice and would often say: 'He always said to me, ''don't let life consume you too much, just enjoy what you can actually hang onto''. I've never forgotten that.'

Fans reacted to the shock news on Twitter, with one person writing: 'RIP Terry. Filmed within minutes of my childhood home, the same characters we would see leaning on the bar having a beer after a hard weeks work. Genuine Kiwis.'

Terry appeared in the TV ads for Mainland Cheese for years alongside late co-star and close friend Kevin Corcoran, who died at age 78 in 2012

'Aww, sad news,' another wrote.

'End of an era,' one said.

Both Procter and Corcoran both reportedly had no acting experience before taking on their iconic roles in the ads, which they held onto for a decade.
Gloria Carter and her wife, Roxanne Wiltshire, attended the Shawn Carter Foundation's 20th Anniversary Black Tie Gala in New York City on Friday.

The nonprofit organization's founder and CEO  who came out to her son, Jay-Z, and moved the rapper to tears in 2017  smiled radiantly as she posed alongside her now-wife.

With the star-studded affair, the newlyweds made their first public outing and red carpet appearance after tying the knot at a lavish, star-studded wedding in Manhattan earlier this month.

Amid their nuptial bliss, the mother-of-four, 72, was seen attached at the hip with Wiltshire throughout the evening.

For the special occasion, the pair showed off their connection as they modeled matching all-black ensembles.

Newlyweds: Gloria Carter and her wife, Roxanne Wiltshire, attended the Shawn Carter Foundation's 20th Anniversary Black Tie Gala in New York City on Friday

The philanthropist looked chic in a black tuxedo jacket with leather lapels worn over a white button-down.

Instead of a classic tie, she accessorized with a gray silk scarf tied into a knot that was tucked underneath the collar of her top.

To finish off the look, she wore a matching pair of trousers and shiny patent leather dress shoes.

Gloria also sported delicate silver hoop earrings as well as a pair of glasses with a black, rounded frame  which she shed, at one point, as she took the stage to give a speech at the gala.

She was also seen toting around a glittering gray clutch that matched and highlighted the sparkling sequined details decorating her wife's dress.

The Wiltshire Foundation president  who Gloria had reportedly been dating, prior to their wedding, as far back as 2018  put on a glamorous display in a strapless, floor-sweeping gown.

The Trinidad-born and New Jersey-based mother-of-two modeled the stunning garment that featured a horizontally-pleated bust and a mermaid-style skirt adorned with a stunning sequined design.

To accentuate her decolletage, she donned a silver necklace with various dainty pendants arranged to depict a cluster of stars.

Chic couple: The nonprofit organization's founder and CEO  who came out to her son, Jay-Z, and moved the rapper to tears in 2017  smiled radiantly as she posed alongside her now-wife

Just married! With the star-studded affair, the newlyweds made their first public outing and red carpet appearance after tying the knot at a lavish, star-studded wedding in Manhattan earlier this month

With her son: Around six years ago, Gloria came out to her son and left him in 'tears' as he faced the fact that she had been 'living her life pretending to be someone else' for so many years

Supportive family: On July 2, Jay-Z as well as his wife, Beyonce , and their 11-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, supported and celebrated his mother as they watched her tie the knot with her longtime girlfriend at Tribeca 360 in Manhattan with all of their loved ones in attendance

She styled her raven black curls in an elegant updo with loose ringlets to frame her face.

She was also seen sporting a delicate silver bangle bracelet and carrying a black, leather clutch purse.

Around six years ago, Gloria came out to her son and left him in 'tears' as he faced the fact that she had been 'living her life pretending to be someone else' for so many years.

The stirring story ultimately inspired the Roc Nation founder's hit track Smile  the third and longest track on his 13th album 4:44 on which Gloria was also a featured artist.

On July 2, Jay-Z as well as his wife, Beyonce, and their 11-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, supported and celebrated his mother as they watched her tie the knot with her longtime girlfriend at Tribeca 360 in Manhattan with all of their loved ones in attendance.
Matt Damon was in great spirits on Friday night as he and wife Luciana Barroso joined fellow A-lister Liam Hemsworth and girlfriend Gabriella Brooks for dinner in London.

The previous night, the actor, 52, had joined his fellow Hollywood stars in walking out of the Oppenheimer London premiere after the SAG-AFTRA strike was announced.

And Matt appeared to be enjoying his downtime as he enjoyed a swanky meal out at La Petite Maison, Mayfair with his pals now that his duties promoting new film Oppenheimer had ground to a halt.

The star cut a smart figure on the night, donning a black shirt with black trousers, before adding a casual element with white trainers.

Ever the gentleman, Matt, also wearing dark-rimmed glasses, held the hand of his glamorous wife as he guided her out of the restaurant.

Glam: Matt Damon was in great spirits on Friday night as he and wife Luciana Barroso joined fellow A-lister Liam Hemsworth and girlfriend Gabriella Brooks for dinner in London

Dinner date: Liam Hemsworth and girlfriend Gabriella Brooks coordinated in monochrome looks as they joined Matt and Luciana at the restaurant

Taking a stand: The previous night, the actor, 52, had joined his fellow Hollywood stars in walking out of the Oppenheimer London premiere after the SAG-AFTRA strike was announced (L-R: Matt, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, and Florence Pugh)

Meanwhile, Luciana, 46, stunned in a black sleeveless top teamed with a racy red leather-look midi skirt.

She elevated her height with a pair of red strappy heels and she added gold jewellery and a black handbag to her stylish look.

Elsewhere, Liam rocked a similar look to Matt, opting for a black shirt worn with black trousers and trainers.

The Hunger Games star, 33, kept a low profile as he headed to the French eatery with model girlfriend Gabriella, also 33.

The beauty showcased her legs in a black mini skirt, teamed with a white shirt, black leather jacket and chunky black boots.

The pair were in great company on the night as Liam's father Craig Hemsworth also joined them at dinner.

While the actor's stunt double Bobby Hanton and fellow stuntman Paul Lowe were also in attendance.

Meanwhile, British TV star Lisa Snowdon and her partner George Smart were also at the dinner, with the couple, Ben and Paul all being Matt's guests at the star-studded Oppenheimer premiere the night before.

Night out: Matt appeared to be enjoying his downtime as he enjoyed a swanky meal out at La Petite Maison, Mayfair with his pals now that his duties promoting new film Oppenheimer had ground to a halt

Looking good: The star cut a smart figure on the night, donning a black shirt with black trousers, before adding a casual element with white trainers

Sweet: Ever the gentleman, Matt, also wearing dark-rimmed glasses, held the hand of his glamorous wife as he guided her out of the restaurant

Gorgeous: Meanwhile, Luciana, 46, stunned in a black sleeveless top teamed with a racy red leather-look midi skirt

Dressed up: She elevated her height with a pair of red strappy heels and she added gold jewellery and a black handbag to her stylish look

What a gent: The actor was earlier seen helping his wife out of the car, in which they were joined by Lisa Snowdon

Lisa looked lovely for the occasion, slipping into a loose black satin co-ord and white trainers.

While her entrepreneur beau George opted for a khaki shirt, black trousers and bold trainers.

It comes after Matt and his Oppenheimer co-stars wasted no time walking out of the Oppenheimer premiere on Thursday as thousands of actors went on the biggest strike to hit Hollywood in 60 years.

The A-list stars joined their colleagues by leaving the premiere early after the strike was announced and returning to the Corinthia Hotel in London.

Footage from the black carpet, which was brought forward by an hour to avoid clashing with the strike's announcement, showed the cast posing for photos together before walking out.

Chilled look: Elsewhere, Liam rocked a similar look to Matt, opting for a black shirt worn with black trousers and trainers

Dinner date: The Hunger Games star, 33, kept a low profile as he headed to the French eatery with model girlfriend Gabriella, also 33

Stunner: The beauty showcased her legs in a black mini skirt, teamed with a white shirt, black leather jacket and chunky black boots

You OK hun? The pair cut glum figures as they headed inside hand-in-hand

Here he is: The pair were in great company on the night as Liam's father Craig Hemsworth also joined them at dinner

Strike a pose: While the actor's stunt double Bobby Hanton and fellow stuntman Paul Lowe were also in attendance

Look who it is: Meanwhile, British TV star Lisa Snowdon and her partner George Smart were also at the dinner

Big night out: Lisa looked lovely for the occasion, slipping into a loose black satin co-ord and white trainers

Great times: The couple, Ben and Paul were all Matt's guests at the star-studded Oppenheimer premiere the night before

The stars were visibly emotional as they exited the premiere early, with the film's director Christopher Nolan later saying the cast had left the event to 'write their picket signs.'

Hollywood is set to grind to a halt for the forseeable future as unions take militant action over how streaming services are pushing down pay and the increasing use of AI in production.

The likes of Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Rami Malek also walked the red carpet at the Odeon in Leicester Square earlier in the night.

But the group left the event prematurely to 'go and write their picket signs' in preparation for the 'imminent' strike by the actors' union.

The last minute change came after the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced it had voted in favour of taking action, after a deadline to reach a deal passed.

Off they go! Footage from the black carpet showed the cast posing for photos together before making their way back to their hotel in London

Director Christopher Nolan told the cinema's audience: 'Unfortunately, they're off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by Sag'

Tension: The last minute change came after the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced it had voted in favour of taking action, after a deadline to reach a deal passed'

Clash: The London premiere of Oppenheimer was moved forward an hour early on Thursday ahead of the writers strike (L-R Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh)

The reasons for the strike include issues such as the use of unregulated AI as well as the effects of the rise of streaming services on pay.

Director Christopher Nolan told the cinema's audience: 'You've seen them here earlier on the red carpet.

'Unfortunately, they're off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by Sag, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of the unions, and we support them.'

Christopher then attended a second premiere screening of Oppenheimer and voiced his support for the strikes while introducing the film as he praised the 'talented' workers.
James Corden and his wife Julia Carey have hit the ground running with their move home to the UK as they went house-hunting in Hampstead, London on Thursday.

The chat show host, 44, and his partner were seen going for an afternoon stroll around the well-to-do neighbourhood to look at a few houses in the area.

James cut a casual figure for the outing as he sported a black jacket which he wore with a matching T-shirt and navy trousers.

Also sporting a pair of box-fresh white trainers, the Gavin and Stacey star completed his look with sunglasses.

Julia donned a white cardigan with a high collar along with a black mini skirt.

New home: James Corden and his wife Julia Carey have hit the ground running with their move home to the UK as they went house hunting in Hampstead, London on Thursday

On the hunt: The chat show host, 44, and his partner were seen going for an afternoon stroll around the well-to-do neighbourhood to look at a few houses in the area

Laid back: James cut a casual figure for the outing as he sported a black jacket which he wore with a matching T-shirt and navy trousers

The TV producer also wore a pair of black flip flops and added to her look with a beige handbag.

Letting her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders, Julia completed her look with a pair of sunglasses.

It comes after James' LA mansion was sold to the daughter of a Hong Kong private equity billionaire for $17.1 million, it has been revealed - $5million less than what he wanted.

James is handing over the keys to LeeAnn Akouri-Shan, daughter of Weijian Shan, 69.

James first listed his home back in the fall at $22 million, a whopping $12 million more than he purchased it for in 2017 from 'Modern Family' co-creator Steve Levitan.

The comedian later lowered the asking price to $18 million and quickly caught the attention of Akouri-Shan, who put in an all-cash offer, according to The Real Deal.

The 8,600-square-foot property is located in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood and has seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms and sits on nearly a half-acre lot.

After purchasing the property from Levitan, the comedian and wife Julia Corden - who is an interior designer - made significant renovations.

Casual: Also sporting a pair of box-fresh white trainers, the Gavin and Stacey star completed his look with sunglasses

Style: Julia donned a white cardigan with a high collar along with a black mini skirt

Outfit: The TV producer also wore a pair of black flip flops and added to her look with a beige handbag

Ensemble: Letting her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders, Julia completed her look with a pair of sunglasses

Deal: It comes after James' LA mansion was sold to the daughter of a Hong Kong private equity billionaire for $17.1 million, it has been revealed - $5million less than what he wanted

The redo was lengthy and reportedly incredibly pricey for the pair who are now expected to move back to their native United Kingdom after Corden ended his run hosting the CBS late-night show.

The couple have been married since 2012 and share three children together.

Additionally, the Cordens will have to fork over give up an even larger portion of the profits thanks to Los Angeles' new mansion tax, which burdens sellers with a 5.5 percent levy on sales larger than $10 million.

Akouri-Shan's new home has been described as 'New England traditional' and features many amenities for a private but lavish lifestyle.

Mansion: James first listed his home (pictured) in the fall at $22 million, a whopping $12 million more than he purchased it for in 2017 from 'Modern Family' co-creator Steve Levitan

New owner: James is handing over the keys to LeeAnn Akouri-Shan, daughter of Weijian Shan (pictured)

The home is located behind gates and stays secluded thanks to a hedge out front.

Inside, the sprawling 8,600-square-foot residence includes a fireplace-equipped living room, an eat-in kitchen with marble countertops, and a library.

For film buffs, the house also comes with a movie theater that seats 20.
Bindi Irwin and her husband Chandler Powell have revealed the hilarious reasoning behind two animals in Australia Zoo.

The happy couple, who work together at the Sunshine Coast zoo, recently posted a YouTube video about native Australian animals.

Showing off the three emus in the zoo, Chandler revealed that two of them are actually named after his parents.

'Meet our hilarious, comical, funny emus here at Australia Zoo,' he said in the video.

'We have three emus, Chris and Shannen, who are named after my parents, and Richard is our third Emu. These guys are so funny.'

Bindi Irwin and her husband Chandler Powell have revealed the hilarious reasoning behind two animals in Australia Zoo. Both pictured

The happy couple, who work together at the Sunshine Coast zoo, recently posted a YouTube video about native Australian animals

Showing off the three emus in the zoo, Chandler revealed that two of them are actually named after his parents

Bindi, 24, and Chandler, 26, then spoke about their love for Australia's tallest native bird.

'One of my favourite things about emus is just their expressions,' Chandler said.

'They're almost as tall as me, they look me in the eye when they're standing upright and their expressions are just always shocked, questioning everything.

'They're one of the funniest birds on the planet and they really are just dinosaurs. I mean look at their feet, it looks like you drew a dinosaurs foot and put it on a bird.'

'Meet our hilarious, comical, funny emus here at Australia Zoo,' he said in the video

'We have three emus, Chris and Shannen, who are named after my parents, and Richard is our third Emu. These guys are so funny' he added

Bindi, who is the daughter of the late Australian icon Steve Irwin, agreed with her husband, saying she love's how dramatic emus are.

'They are like a soap opera. When you watch emus, the way they communicate with each other, the dramas they have over who's going to get the last piece of seed,' she explained.

'It's really funny, but even though they are quirky and hilarious they are so incredibly robust. They have to be one of the strongest animals in the animal kingdom, they can go through enormous drought and still survive.'

The happy couple got married in 2020 and welcomed their first child, Grace Warrior, a year later.
Victoria Beckham has disappointed her fellow Spice Girls by saying she will not appear at Glastonbury next year to mark their 30th anniversary.

Reports had claimed that all five original members would reunite in 2024 for a headline slot at Worthy Farm.

But a source close to Mrs Beckham told The Mail on Sunday that she wants to concentrate on her fashion label, and will not tour with the band again despite their repeated pleas.

She has not ruled out 'some kind of other celebratory appearance'  although that doesn't mean she will sing.

Mrs Beckham, 49, is due to take part in a documentary film made by Star Trek and Star Wars director J. J. Abrams which will tell the story of the band's rise to stardom in the 1990s and feature interviews and unseen material from their personal archives.

Reports had claimed that all five original members would reunite in 2024 for a headline slot at Worthy Farm (pictured: Mel B, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Melanie C of The Spice Girls perform on their tour in 2019)

A source close to Mrs Beckham told The Mail on Sunday that she wants to concentrate on her fashion label, and will not tour with the band again despite their repeated pleas

Mr Abrams and his business partner, Hollywood movie director Jason Hehir, are now shopping the project around streaming giants including Netflix.

A source said: 'Glastonbury is possible the coolest gig on the planet but Victoria won't be doing it next year.

'She has carved herself a career as a fashion designer that she has put blood, sweat and tears into, so singing is something she has to carefully consider.

'She has sadly been hugely ridiculed when she has sung in the past.

'She is a different person now. She looks back fondly on her years in the Spice Girls  they were very special to her  so she hasn't ruled out a one of celebration, maybe, at some point.

'And Glastonbury are not at all keen on having the group without Posh, it just doesn't have the same pull.'

The mother of four was delighted earlier this year when her fashion and beauty range revenues were up 42 per cent to 58 million.

In 2019, the band embarked on a 13-date UK tour without Mrs Beckham, nicknamed Posh Spice during her time with the group.

A headline slot at next year's Glastonbury had been one of the possible dates discussed and promoters were hopeful that Victoria would agree to join Melanie Brown, Geri Halliwell, Melanie Chisholm and Emma Bunton for a performance there (pictured: the Spice Girls in 2007)

At the time she told Vogue: 'It took me a lot of courage not to go on tour with the Spice Girls again, but to be the one who says: 'You know, I'm not doing it because things feel different now than they used to.'

She was sounded out once again recently about returning to the Spice Girls for what would have been the first concerts with the original full line-up since the London Olympics closing ceremony in 2012.

A headline slot at next year's Glastonbury had been one of the possible dates discussed and promoters were hopeful that Victoria would agree to join Melanie Brown, Geri Halliwell, Melanie Chisholm and Emma Bunton for a performance there.

Speculation also increased after this year's festival was dominated by male headlining acts such as the Arctic Monkeys and Elton John, leading to calls for a greater female presence next year.
Sam Cutler, a former tour manager for the Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead, passed away Tuesday at his home in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, after a nearly decade-long battle with cancer.

His death comes as Dead & Company, the current iteration of the Grateful Dead with John Mayer at the helm, are set to play their final two shows ever in San Francisco tonight and tomorrow.

The band released a statement on Twitter, writing: 'His spirit, passion & creativity left indelible marks on the Grateful Dead & the world of music.'

Cutler's long and illustrious career began when he was just 20-years-old and acted as the master of ceremonies for the Rolling Stones free concert in Hyde Park on July 5, 1969.

At the time, he uttered the now infamous phrase, 'Ladies and gentlemen, the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world!'

Sad: Sam Cutler, a former tour manager for the Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead, passed away Tuesday at his home in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, after a nearly decade-long battle with cancer (seen in 2010 with Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Grateful Dead lyricist John Perry Barlow)

Cutler's children, Bodhi and Chesley Cutler, shared the news of his death in a statement on his Facebook page.

'Sam Cutler, our father, your friend, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, July 11, at age 80,' they wrote.

'Our father was first diagnosed with cancer nearly a decade ago, and it is with gratitude that Sam's family thank the wonderful doctors, nurses, hospital staff and administrators in all hospitals that our father received treatment within.

'Many people from across our big beautiful world crossed paths with Sam in his life, and many more formed timeless memories with him that are each beautiful encapsulations of the man that he was.

'Sam would want nothing more [than] for his friends to continue to form timeless memories with whomever they meet, and to share those memories with him in the next life.'

Cutler released his memoir You Can't Always Get What You Want: My Life with the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead and Other Wonderful Reprobates in 2010.

Cutler was born on March 10, 1943 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. He worked as a stage manager and master of ceremonies for several gigs throughout the '60s where he crossed paths with Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones.

He became the road manager for the Stones' U.S. tour in 1969, which ended with the tragedy at the Altamont Free Festival in December 1969.

During the show, an 18-year-old fan was stabbed to death by a Hell's Angel and three other concertgoers also died in accidents leading the event to go down as one of the greatest tragedies in rock n roll.

Despite this incident which changed the trajectory of both bands, Cutler decided to stay in the U.S. with just $300 in his pocket.

He grew close to Jerry Garcia and became their tour manager and eventually, the band's co-manager.

Grateful Dead: He grew close to Jerry Garcia and became their tour manager and eventually, the band's co-manager

A long life: Cutler was instrumental in the transformation of the Dead from a regular band to one with a culture that revolved around concert tours and fan culture

Manager: His death comes as Dead & Company, the current iteration of the Grateful Dead, are set to play their final show ever in San Francisco tonight

Tribute: The band released a statement on Twitter, writing: 'His spirit, passion & creativity left indelible marks on the Grateful Dead & the world of music'

Influential: Cutler's long and illustrious career began when he was just 20-years-old and acted as the master of ceremonies for the Rolling Stones free concert in Hyde Park on July 5, 1969

Cutler was instrumental in the transformation of the Dead from a regular band to one with a culture that revolved around concert tours and fan culture.

'My career as a tour manager, as it were, didn't last that long. I was involved for maybe 10, 15 years,' Cutler told Please Kill Me in 2022.

'But at the end of working with the Grateful Dead, I was talking to myself like, "Well, what do you want to do?" I certainly didn't want to help other people realize their fantasies yet again.'

'We learned some valuable lessons, not least of which is: provide a stage that's the right f***ing height so people can't get on it,' he said. 'That's the major lesson of Altamont.'
Russell T Davies shared a picture of himself on the Doctor Who set on Saturday as he announced filming for the upcoming 14th series of the show had ended.

Screenwriter Russell, 60, could be seen posing in front of a group of people while a TARDIS stood in the background in the photo.

He captioned his post: 'Thats a wrap! @bbcdoctorwho.'

Television producer Russell's post comes after Ncuti Gatwa, who was announced as the new Doctor Who last year, confirmed me would be making a comeback in the 15th series once his first stint in the role airs next year.

Doctor Who is set to return later this year with three special episodes to coincide with the show's 60th anniversary, with David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor.

Momentous: Russell T Davies, 60, shared a picture of himself on the Doctor Who set on Saturday as he announced filming for the upcoming 14th series of the show had ended

The Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, will then take control of the TARDIS alongside Millie Gibson as his new companion Ruby Sunday, with his first episode airing over the festive period next year.

In October, Jodie Whittaker stepped down from her role as The Doctor, replaced by returning star David for the upcoming anniversary episodes.

In Jodie's last episode, fans were given a glimpse of Ncuti's version of The Doctor as he was briefly featured in a teaser trailer along with David.

Ncuti confirmed he would be coming back for a second series as Doctor Who in a recent interview with Rolling Stone UK.

The star spoke out on his plans to return to theatre but insisted he wouldn't be doing so until after a second run as the 15th Time Lord.

He said: 'Im planning on getting back to it next year, after I finish season two of Doctor Who.'

It comes after it emerged Bonnie Langford would be returning to Doctor Who for its upcoming 14th series, over three decades after she originally boarded the TARDIS.

The actress, 58, is reprising her role as Melanie Bush for the new series alongside incoming Doctor Ncuti, with her return set to hit screens in 2024.

Plans: Television producer Russell's post comes after Ncuti Gatwa, who was announced as the new Doctor Who last year, confirmed me would be making a comeback in the 15th series (Ncuti picture last year)

Career: Ncuti spoke out on his plans to return to theatre but insisted he wouldn't be doing so until after a second run as the 15th Time Lord (Ncuti pictured filming Doctor Who in April)

Bonnie made her debut on Who back in 1986 as Melanie alongside the Sixth Doctor Colin Baker, and went onto be the companion for the Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy.

It also comes after the West End star briefly reprised her role in the BBC's Centenery Special The Power Of The Doctor, last year.

On her return, Bonnie said: 'I am absolutely thrilled to be bringing Melanie Bush back.

'To be part of the exceptional cast, crew and production team led by the force of nature that is Russell T Davies is a career highlight.

'I'm so privileged and proud to have been a member of the Doctor Who family since the classic era and to be included in the new generation is phenomenal.'

Showrunner, Russell T Davies said: 'Open those TARDIS doors wide, because Bonnie's back!

'What an honour, delight and hoot to welcome back the character of Melanie, after too long away.

'And this isn't just a cameo, Bonnie is right in the thick of the action, battling monsters and chaos and cliffhangers, right at the Doctor's side, just like the old days.'

Blast from the past! It comes after it was announced Bonnie Langford would be returning Doctor Who for the 14th series, over three decades after she originally boarded the TARDIS

Dynamic duo! Bonnie made her debut on Who back in 1986 as Melanie alongside the Sixth Doctor Colin Baker

Bonnie's last appearance in Who aired back in 1987 when she bid farewell to the Doctor to travel the universe with the rogue Glitz.

It was previously announced that the likes of Jinkx Monsoon and Jonathan Groff will be joining the cast for Ncuti's upcoming series of Doctor Who.

The Broadway star, 38, who is known for the crime series Mindhunter, was previously announced to be joining the science fiction series.

The BBC said he will play a 'mysterious and exciting' guest part where he will be 'jumping aboard the Tardis'.
Acwa Power, a leading developer, investor, and operator of power generation, water desalination, and green hydrogen plants worldwide, along with Haji Abdullah Alireza & Co (Haaco) and Al Moayyed Contracting Group (AMCG), has awarded the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services contract for the 600,000 cu m/day Rabigh 4 Independent Water Plant (IWP) project to a consortium of Power China, SepcoIII and Wetico.

Located in the kingdom's Western Province on the Red Sea coast, the Rabigh 4 IWP project cost is valued at SR2.54 billion ($677 million) and will mainly serve the Makkah and Madinah regions. Financial close for the project is expected during the third quarter of 2023.

Acwa Power currently operates the Rabigh 3 IWP in the same area, the first desalination plant of its size in the private sector.

With the addition of the Rabigh 4 IWP, Acwa Power will double its desalination capacity in the area to 1.2 million m3/day and to 6.8 million m3/day across its portfolio, making it the largest private producer of desalinated water globally.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Riyadh, Chairman Mohammad Abunayyan said: "We are proud to be the world's largest private company in desalinated water development and production, with the lowest levelised water cost, the largest plant, and the most innovative solutions."

"We are pleased with the continuous progress on the project, which further expands our presence in the Rabigh region, which supplies water to the two Holy Cities. In the last month, during a record-breaking Hajj season, we have reliably supplied from our plants over two-thirds of the water demand in the holy sites," he stated.

"Our presence in water desalination has already led key suppliers to localise their production in Saudi Arabia, and this project will create new employment opportunities during construction, as well as in operation and maintenance, where they will be largely staffed by young local talents from the local Electricity and Water Academy that we have developed over the last decade," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Morgan Fairchild is mourning the loss of her fiance, who passed away on on July 7.

The actress, 73, who recently revealed that she had received two hip replacement surgeries, shared the news of his death in a warm remembrance on social media Friday.

'#SadNews. I'm so sorry to let you know that my beloved life partner & fiance, Mark Seiler, passed away last Friday,' the General Hospital star wrote next to an undated photo from their early days together.

She continued: 'Hed had Parkinsons for several years, but it seems to be #longcovid that killed him after his 3rd infection.'

Referring to the man with whom she had spent more than three decades of her life, Fairchild recalled: 'He was a warm, brilliant & very funny man, and I am devastated.'

In mourning: Morgan Fairchild, 73, announced her longtime partner and fiance Mark Seiler had died July 7 on social media Friday. 'He was a warm, brilliant & very funny man, and I am devastated,' she wrote

She then advised her fans to 'hold your loved ones close and please consider wearing a mask.'

The All Good Things actress has demonstrated her continued advocacy for wearing a mask in multiple postings on social media.

'I am Sending Love To You All,' she said using her trademark sign off as she closed the mournful missive.

Journalist Debra Roberts joined thousands of fans in sending condolences writing: 'So very sorry for your loss. What joy he seemed to spark! May the memories sustain you.'

Actress Susan Blakely penned:' Oh Morgan I am so sorry. I cant imagine how difficult and painful this must be for you.'

Morgan and the met and began dating in 1980, and he was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2016.

The Days of Our Lives alum revealed that her partner was being treated in a nursing home in June 2020, the early months of the Covid pandemic while she remained home alone.

'Theyre taking very good care of him there,' the daytime diva told Closer.

Parkinson's disease: Morgan and the met and began dating in 1980 and he was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2016. However the grieving actress said she thought long covid had ultimately claimed his life after be infected with the virus three times (Pictured in Cannes in 1995)

Outing: Morgan shared a photo of her and Mark on an outing in May 2022. She constantly encouraged her fans to continue to wear masks in light of her partner's vulnerable medical condition

'Im very grateful that they havent had any cases there  [but] Im just here.'

Although the couple had been engaged for a long time, Morgan was in no rush to walk down the aisle, telling the outlet: 'Its definitely a long-term commitment and weve been together for a long time  so we may just leave it the way it is right now. Were both getting older.'

Morgan kept her private life to herself, and rarely posted any photos with Mark.

She made the exception in May 2022, when the couple were enjoying some time out of the house.

'#OnMyWalk to lunch with my guy!' she explained. 'Always fun to have iced chocolate @bluestonelane with a nice breeze! Our masks are on the table.'
Gary Barlow has revealed that he hasn't eaten a hamburger in over ten years out of 'discipline' as he made an appearance on the BBCs Saturday Kitchen.

The Take That star, 52, admitted that despite the sandwich being his 'heaven', he has resisted the temptation for over 14 years.

Appearing on the show, Gary, 52, said: 'The food heaven is something I can remember the last time I had it was 2009.

'I don't eat hamburgers very often but I love them so much. It's a big treat.'

Speaking about his choice to avoid the dish, he admitted that he tries to be 'very disciplined.'

Lifestyle: Gary Barlow, 52, revealed that he hasn't eaten a hamburger in over ten years out of 'discipline' as he made an appearance on the BBCs Saturday Kitchen

He added to wine expert Olly Smith: 'We have our daily fitness conversations, we're challenged.'

'The food heaven for me is an ultimate hamburger with everything on, great bun, great beef with shoestring fries, condiments mayonnaise, ketchup, lightly pan-fried red onions, cheese, gorgeous.'

Speaking about his food 'hell' he chose haggis, explaining: 'I'm already worried because I feel like the people of Scotland are taking offence, but it's not that.

'A lot of my friends are Scottish, I love playing gigs in Scotland, it's not an attack on Scotland. It's haggis, I hate it.

'I taste it for about two weeks once I've eaten it. Not good.'

Last month, Gary, and his bandmates, Howard Donald and Mark Owen looked dapper as they attended the premiere of the Take That jukebox film Greatest Days in Leicester Square.

The trio appeared in good spirits as they walked the purple carpet at the Odeon cinema before performing for their fans.

Gary, looked dapper for the event in a white blazer and matching trousers which he paired with a white top.

Fast food: The Take That star admitted that despite the sandwich being his 'heaven', he has resisted the temptation for over 14 years

Event: Last month, Gary , and his bandmates, Howard Donald and Mark Owen looked dapper as they attended the premiere of the Take That jukebox film Greatest Days in Leicester Square

His bandmate Howard, 55, opted for a white blazer with a scoop neck T-shirt and a pair of bright green trousers.

The musical, which was released on June 16, follows five best friends who have the night of their lives seeing their favourite boy band in concert.

Twenty-five years later, their lives have changed in many different ways as they reunite for one more epic show by their beloved band, to relight their friendship and discover that maybe their greatest days are ahead of them.

When the film was announced, Take That said: 'This is a really exciting time for us! We're really looking forward to working with such a talented and creative team on the film and we're absolutely delighted to have such a brilliant cast on board!'
Lori Harvey turned up the heat in the South Of France when she was spotted this weekend during her summer getaway.

The leggy 26-year-old 'nepo baby,' whose father is the beloved TV host Steve Harvey, has been indulging in a vacation to Saint-Tropez.

She showed off her supermodel figure in a clinging, strapless orange dress that plunged to offer a trace of cleavage.

Shielding her face from the rays with a slouched straw hat, she rounded off the ensemble with a stylish pair of sandals.

Her Instagram updates from her holiday included a brief snatch of footage of her out to lunch with her dashing boyfriend Damson Idris.

Hello, gorgeous: Lori Harvey turned up the heat in the South Of France when she was spotted this weekend during her summer getaway

Looking fab: The leggy 26-year-old 'nepo baby,' whose father is the beloved TV host Steve Harvey, has been indulging in a vacation to Saint-Tropez

Swanking about: She showed off her supermodel figure in a clinging, strapless orange dress that plunged to offer a trace of cleavage

Lori also treated her 5 million Instagram followers to a ravishing pair of snaps of her gliding along the Mediterranean on a boat.

She served up a few glimpses of the refreshments she enjoyed on her trip, including a dish of oysters and some chilled rose.

Lori's vacation coincided with Bastille Day, enabling her to take in a breathtaking view of the fireworks display over the ocean at night.

Her latest sighting comes after she shut down rumors that she went on a date with Quavo at the San Vicente Bungalows in West Hollywood.

'Lmao no I was having lunch with my besties who are right behind me,' the showbiz legacy clarified in her Instagram comments.

Lori, who used to hit the headlines for dating Black Panther hunk Michael B. Jordan, has been involved with Damson since last year.

The two of them made a smoldering public appearance as a duo last month, turning up the heat the Serpentine Gallery's annual summer party.

Back in February the couple were pictured standing some distance apart on a red carpet, leading a social media wag to remark that they have 'No chemistry.'

By the sea: Her Instagram updates from her holiday included a brief snatch of footage of her out to lunch with her dashing boyfriend Damson Idris

Living the life: Lori also treated her five million Instagram followers to a ravishing pair of snaps of her gliding along the Mediterranean on a boat

Mouthwatering: She served up a few glimpses of the refreshments she enjoyed on her trip, including a dish of oysters and some chilled rose

Le 14 juillet: Lori's vacation coincided with Bastille Day, enabling her to take in a breathtaking view of the fireworks display over the ocean at night

'Or maybe I just had on body makeup and told him dont stand too close to me because I didnt want to get it on his suit lol,' Lori shot back on Instagram. 'Yall try to find a problem with everything.'

In a cover interview with Essence, in 2022, she confessed that the attention on her love life 'can be tough at times, especially because Im a super-private person.'

However she did shed some light on the type of man she was hoping to become involved with in the long term.

'My experience has taught me that I need somebody who respects me - somebody who understands and respects my standards and my boundaries and is a supportive, God-fearing man, family-oriented, and makes me feel at peace,' Lori dished.

'Thats where Im at in my life right now. Im not compromising my peace and happiness for anything or anybody. And so if I see any signs of that happening, Im like: "Got to go!"' the model explained.

Before she embarked on her modeling career, Lori hoped to go to the Olympics as an equestrian - only for her dreams to be shattered by an injury.
Toni Collette looked decades younger than her 50 years as she vacationed on the Italian island of Ischia.

The United States of Tara alum showed off her trim figure in a tiny orange bikini as she lounged by and swam in the sea.

The Mafia Mamma actress sat in a sun lounger and smiled as she spoke to the person next to her.

The Muriel's Wedding star was also seen descending pool-like stairs into the sea off the volcanic island.

The mom of two's impressive abs were highlighted in her plunging bikini.

Hot mama: Toni Collette looked decades younger than her 50 years as she vacationed on the Italian island of Ischia

The Sixth Sense actress' Italian getaway comes 10 days after she took in the Taylor Swift Eras concert in Ohio.

After the show, she shared images from her night out and captioned them: 'Thank you @taylorswift for the MOST INCREDIBLE night last night'

'Your talent is immeasurable and your generosity boundless. Thank you for sharing it all with the world. You bring endless joy and inspiration to many, including me.'

She continued: 'It's bloody brilliant seeing you having the time of your life up there. We'll never forget it. Brava lady!'

In December, Collette announced she and her husband of 20 years, musician Dave Galafassi, 45, were divorcing.

The couple, who are parents to daughter Sage, 15, and son Arlo, 12, married in 2003.

She announced the split on her newly re-activated Instagram account after photos surfaced of Galafassi frolicking in the surf with chiropractor Shannon Egan.

'It is with grace and gratitude that we announce we are divorcing,' she wrote in the joint statement. 'We're united in our decision and part with continuing respect and care for each other.

Good spirits: The Australian actress appeared to be in good spirits as she enjoyed her day on the beach

Itsy bitsy bikini: The United States of Tara alum showed off her trim figure in a tiny orange bikini as she lounged by and swam in the sea

Happy lady: The Mafia Mamma actress sat in a sun lounger and smiled as she spoke to the person next to her

Going for a swim: The Muriel's Wedding star was also seen descending pool-like stairs into the sea off the volcanic island

Taut tummy: The mom of two's impressive abs were highlighted in the bikini

The month before she announced her divorce, she turned 50 and revealed that she wasn't bothered by reaching the milestone age.

'I wasn't fussed about the number itself,' she told People. 'I know a lot of people are, but I think accumulatively, over time, I've gotten to know myself, accept myself, love myself and all these things really enrich your life.'

She added: 'The more you nurture your internal world, the richer your experience is of engaging with the external world. So it just makes everything deeper and more beautiful.

'Life is so magical and magnificent and I'm in a position where I'm really able to see that clearly. I'm just so grateful for all of the experiences I've had,' the Australian actress said.
Vanessa Feltz has promised 'no more toyboys' as she appeared on Celebs Go Dating after her split from her cheating ex-fiance Ben Ofoedu.

The TV personality, 61, said she's ready to 'shake things up' during her time on the Channel Four dating show.

Earlier this year, Vanessa revealed she had split from her partner of 17 years amid claims he'd been unfaithful and exchanged 'sex texts' with another woman, which he later confirmed

Upon signing up for the dating show, she admitted she was looking for someone she could 'trust' due to past experiences.

Vanessa told The Mirror: 'I've just spent 17 years with a man 10 years younger, so I'm considering not dating a younger man now.'

Mantra: Vanessa Feltz, 61, has promised 'no more toyboys' as she appeared on Celebs Go Dating after her split from her cheating ex-fiance Ben Ofoedu

Exes: Earlier this year, She revealed she had split from her partner of 17 years amid claims he'd been unfaithful and exchanged 'sex texts' with another woman (pictured in October 2022)

She added: 'Someone I can trust would be good and someone who meant what they said. I think it would be lovely to have somebody you could actually trust.

'I've just spent 17 years with a man 10 years younger, so I'm considering not dating a younger man now.'

It comes following the news that Vanessa has decided to heal her broken heart by going out every single night.

The presenter revealed in the 140 days since her relationship with her ex-fiance Ben, 50, broke down she has surrounded herself in the company of others as 'I'm just not being good on my own'.

Five months on, the This Morning star said she is ready to dip her toes into dating again in the hope of finding her 'Prince Charming' who is 'kind and honest'.

'It's been 20 weeks, I've been out every single night for 140 nights without fail, without a single exception. Meeting up with friends and family over to people's houses, out to films, if there's a premiere I've been to those, I've been to everything,' Vanessa told OK! Magazine.

'I've found that's the way I can keep going, I'm just not good at being on my own - it's not in my DNA.

Vanessa says she's feeling a lot better five months after her split as she's got over the initial shock of Ben's betrayal.

Glammed up: Upon signing up for the dating show, she admitted she was looking for someone she could 'trust' due to past experiences

She said: 'I hope to take them freshly for themselves and not to taint them with anything that's ever happened before otherwise if you do that you start to believe you can't trust anyone and then you've kind of scuppered your chances of happiness before you've even had the opportunity to try.'

The presenter revealed she's ready to start going on dates again - but kept coy over the rumours she is set to star of the new series of Celebs Go Dating.

Vanessa said: 'I can certainly say it would be right up my street and I would be absolutely willing to give it my very best shot and I will take it very seriously and hope that it yield me the true love of my life and Prince Charming.'

Meanwhile, Vanessa's ex Ben claimed he 'spiralled out of control' in the wake of his recent cheating scandal and that his life was only 'saved' by a starring role in the new London show, Tony n' Tina's Wedding.
EastEnders star Zack Morris has revealed the real reason why he needed to leave the soap following his departure last year.

The actor, 24, who was best known for his role as Keegan Baker on the soap, opened up about his decision to quit on Saturday, after five years on the programme.

He explained that EastEnders was the perfect 'training ground' and great 'exposure' for future projects.

Speaking to RTE.ie, Zack explained: 'It was definitely not an overnight decision. I had the backing of my team  my UK agent and my US management. We had a lot of talks about when was the right time.

'Ultimately, EastEnders was the perfect training ground for myself.'

Moving on: EastEnders star Zack Morris, 24, has revealed the real reason why he needed to leave the soap following his departure last year

On screen: The actor who was best known for his role as Keegan Baker on the soap, opened up about his decision to quit on Saturday, after five years on the programme

He added: 'It was the perfect place for me to gain exposure in the industry, and also get a feel, essentially, for what every little part of the industry was going to be - be that working on set long hours, be that script changes, the everyday life of a working actor, dealing with the media, being in the limelight. All that stuff thats valuable going forward.'

Last year, Zack revealed he was leaving the hit soap, after five years on Albert Square, after having already filmed his final scenes on the show.

The news was announced via the EastEnders official social media, with the BBC drama noting Keegan will depart Walford later this year.

'After five beautiful years on this incredible show, I have made the tough decision to leave Walford and give Keegan Butcher-Baker some well-earned rest.

'This show has quite frankly changed my life for the better' said Zack.

All may not be lost, as the actor doesn't seem to have ruled out a return for his character - defining the departure as a 'rest'.

Zack joined the show in 2017 as one part of a new family to the fictional borough - becoming a fan favourite with his hard-hitting storylines.

His departure came just months after co-star and his on-screen wife Maisie Smith also announced her exit from EastEnders, after 13 years on the show.

Shock exit! Last year, Zack revealed he was leaving the hit soap, after five years on Albert Square, after having already filmed his final scenes on the show.

The pair shut down real-life dating rumours, with Zack's ex-girlfriend reportedly calling Maisie 'the other woman'.

Maisie, who played Tiffany Butcher on the show, reportedly left after getting a number of big money offers for other projects - following her stint on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

Kate Oates, Head of Continuing Drama, BBC Studios said of Zack's exit: 'Zack has been an incredible asset to EastEnders; not just as a brilliant actor, but as an amazing company member.'

'We will miss Keegan from our screens, and Zack from our Elstree family. Hes a great talent, and we wish him well for the future.'
Nina Dobrev and her snowboarder boyfriend Shaun White looked cozy as ever when they surfaced in New York City this weekend.

The 34-year-old Vampire Diaries actress cut an elegant figure in a fitted orange dress that emphasized her enviably slender frame.

With a square neckline and short sleeves that brought back memories of the 1950s, the outfit also featured a slit that allowed her to show off her slender legs.

Wearing her curtains of dark hair down, she sported a bit of fringe and shielded her eyes from the rays with a pair of shades.

She glowed with romantic bliss as she held hands with her beau, who went for a summery pair of white trousers that matched his t-shirt.

On the move: Nina Dobrev and her snowboarder boyfriend Shaun White looked besotted as ever when they surfaced in New York City this weekend

Shaun threw on a short-sleeved open shirt with a trendy geometric print and lent a splash of glitz to the look with a couple of necklaces.

The couple's latest outing comes after Shaun hailed Nina as 'incredible' while promoting his new Max docuseries Shaun White: The Last Run.

'Shes just been so supportive and having her in my corner for this chapter in my life where Im retired and looking for whats next,' he told Extra.

'And even making this documentary, I was like: "Can you help me? This isnt my world. I dont know the film industry. I dont know what to ask for, what to do."'

Shaun, who gave up snowboarding after last year's Beijing Olympics, explained: 'This was actually a three-part series, and it wasnt fitting in all the episodes.'

Leaping to the rescue, Nina 'was like: "You need to call this person, you need to talk to that, you need to ask for this."'

Shaun rhapsodized about his girlfriend having been 'been so helpful in so many ways in my life. Im feeling very blessed and thankful to have her in my corner.'

Nina and Shaun have been trailed by a recent swarm of engagement rumors, which he addressed in his new interview.

Looking fab: The 34-year-old Vampire Diaries actress cut an elegant figure in a fitted orange dress that emphasized her enviably slender frame

'Were just taking our time and seeing what life has to offer right now,' he said. 'But yeah, we kind of laugh when we see these headlines pop up.'

Now that his snowboarding career is in the rearview, Shaun revealed that a healthy dose of travel is also on his agenda.

'I said: "Im gonna retire, line it up. Lets go! I want to experience some places and things Ive never done. And really enjoy this moment of nothingness,"' he shared.

The dynamic duo first struck up their romance in 2020 and reportedly went into isolation together during the coronavirus lockdowns.

Nina's dating history includes her The Vampire Diaries co-star Ian Somerhalder, who has since married Twilight actress Nikki Reed.
Helen George has split from her partner Jack Ashton seven years after meeting on Call The Midwife.

The actress, 39, and her partner, 36, are said to have 'drifted apart' and decided to go their separate ways 'some months ago'.

The couple of seven years - who share daughters Wren, six, and Lark, two - are now focusing on co-parenting their two children.

Confirming the split, Helen told The Mirror: 'Some months ago, we separated. Our two beautiful girls remain the focus and I respectfully ask for privacy for this next chapter.'

While a source added: 'Helen and Jack's decision to end their relationship has been amicable, and no one else is involved, they have just grown apart as a couple.'

Split: Helen George has split from her partner Jack Ashton (both pictured in March 2022) seven years after meeting on Call The Midwife

'They are both incredibly committed to working together to be the best parents they can for their two daughters,' they said.

MailOnline has contacted Helen's representatives for further comment.

Helen met Jack while they were both starring on smash hit BBC drama series Call the Midwife.

Helen has played Trixie Franklin on the show since 2012, while Jack joined the series two years later as Tom Hereward.

The pair's characters embarked on a romance on screen and Tom proposed to Trixie, before she ended their relationship.

In real life, the couple were said to have fallen for each other after travelling to South Africa to film the show's 2016 Christmas Special.

A year later, they then welcomed their first child Wren, before their second daughter Lark was born in November 2021.

In May 2021, Helen gave a rare insight into her relationship with Jack and told how them working in the same industry helped their romance.

Co-stars: Helen met Jack while they were both starring on smash hit BBC drama series Call the Midwife and started dating while filming in South Africa in 2016

Family: The couple of seven years (pictured in September 2021) - who share daughters Wren, six, and Lark, two - are now focusing on co-parenting their two children

She told the Daily Mail: 'It's not like you have time to have hobbies at the weekends. You're on set for a long time every day and you don't get to see many other people.

'We are like-minded people who understand the industry, the career and the long hours.'

Before her romance with Jack, Helen was married to actor Oliver Boot for three years before they split in 2015.

Helen met her former partner on set of BBC drama Hotel Babylon, and the couple married in December 2012.

The married couple confirmed that they had parted ways in September 2015, telling the Mirror: 'I can confirm that Helen separated from her husband some time ago.'

The news of her split from Jack comes days after Helen revealed that she had broken her leg on Sunday.

She took to Instagram to update her followers, sharing a picture of her right leg in a cast and wheeling herself around on a scooter.

The star remained in bright spirits and kept an optimistic smile on her face as she beamed at the camera but hasn't said how she obtained the injury.

Exes: Before her romance with Jack, Helen was married to actor Oliver Boot (pictured in 2015) for three years before they split in 2015

Ouch! The news of her split from Jack comes days after Helen revealed that she had broken her leg on Sunday

Captioning the post, she simply wrote 'Speedy'.

Helen wore a tight black dress and black Adidas Samba trainers, with a Saint Laurent bag around her shoulder.

Despite being left immobile, the actress didn't let her injury get in the way of having a good time as she shared a snap from Soho House Festival.

She looked in high spirits as she posed alongside actress Pippa Duffy and writer Vikki Stone for a sweet snap.

Helen's also recently teased the return of famous faces for Call The Midwife's final ever episode.

The actress admitted that it would be 'amazing' to have some old characters back on the show.

Among the favourites to appear on the BBC drama is Miranda Hart.

The star played nurse and midwife Chummy between 2012 and 2015 - but left after not being able to 'birth the schedule to make it work', she said at the time.

Speaking to RadioTimes about the possibility of a reunion with past characters, Helen said: 'We've talked about that, wouldn't it be nice?

Exciting: Helen's also recently teased the return of famous faces for Call The Midwife 's final ever episode

Familiar face? Among the favourites to appear on the BBC drama is Miranda Hart who played nurse and midwife Chummy between 2012 and 2015 (pictured in 2015)

'Like at the end of Titanic, all the characters come and it's just beautiful. It would have been amazing to have everybody.'

Teasing reunion plans ever further, she continued: 'Look, you'll have to wait and see. But it'll be nice at some point  maybe at the end of the very, very last series  to get some of the old faces back, for sure.'

The BBC recently confirmed that the show will return for two more seasons, keeping it on air until at least 2026.

The show is set in the 1950s and 1960s in London's East End - and focuses on a group of midwives in a nursing convent.
Megan Fox got back to nature in a new photo shoot shared on Instagram, and her fiance Machine Gun Kelly responded with a rather thirsty comment in response to the sexy bikini snaps.

The actress, 37, who recently covered up a pelvic tattoo of her ex-husband Brian Austin Green, appeared to be very close to her own natural state as she posed in a tree.

The Emo Girl rapper was quick to type out: 'If this is what a wild animal looks like, i'd let it maul me,' marking his first public comment since their rumored relationship woes.

The Transformers actress adapted a sort of Jane of the Jungle persona while scantily clad in a Oseree string bikini.

The swimwear company was tagged in the series of sexy snaps by Megan's makeup artist Jenna Kristina.

Back to nature: Megan Fox, 37, got back to nature in a new photo shoot shared on social media, appearing to be very close to her own natural state as she posed in a tree wearing a green string bikini

Thirsty comment: The Emo Girl rapper typed out, 'If this is what a wild animal looks like, i'd let it maul me'

'The forest is my oldest friend,' the model wrote next to the posting as she appeared to crawl across a wide tree branch.

The green bikini is difficult to see in that photo, but displayed more prominently on another, in which she sat on the branch by hugging the tree's trunk.

Her long dark hair was styled in very loose waves with blonde pieces added for textures. A silk butterfly was added to her lustrous mane for decoration.

The Tennessee-born beauty shared a video from the photo shoot, so fans could watch as she flawlessly moved from one pose to another.

Back in February, Fox shared a cryptic post which she captioned as, 'You can taste the dishonesty / it's all over your breath,' which are lyrics from Beyonce's track, Pray You Catch Me.

The post sparked rumors that there was trouble within their relationship. Shortly after, the pair were seen at a marriage counseling office. However, the stars appear to be working things out.

In May, the couple were seen stepping out together in London, and last month in June, the actress supported MGK at a concert in Berlin.

Megan can also be seen on the big screen next in the upcoming Expend4bles.

She has teamed up with Expendables veterans Sylvester Stallone, 77, and Jason Statham 55, to take on an arms dealer with enough man power to supply his own private army.

The actress has shared a trailer from the action adventure on social media.

50 Cent is joining the fun, as is Andy Garcia.

Jungle queen: The Transformers actress adapted a sort of Jane of the Jungle persona, dressed scanty Oseree string bikini

Forest: 'The forest is my oldest friend,' the model wrote next to the posting as she appeared to crawl across a wide tree branch. Her long dark hair was styled in very loose waves with blonde pieces added for texture. A silk butterfly was added to her lustrous mane for decoration

Video: The Tennessee-born beauty shared a video from the photo shoot so fans could watch as she flawlessly moved from one pose to another

Working it out: In May, the couple were seen stepping out together in London, and last month in June, the actress supported MGK at a concert in Berlin; couple seen in February in LA

Expend4bles opens in theaters September 22.

The Teen Choice Award winner has also completed work on the futuristic sci-fi film, Subservience.

The plot focuses on a man who buys a domestic SIM to help care for his family, only to have the artificial intelligence gain awareness and turn deadly.

Megan traveled to Bulgaria to shoot the project for her Till Death director SK Dale.

The mom of three, who shares sons Noah, 10, Bodhi, nine, and Journey, six, with her ex-husband, has also leant her voice talents to the animated Naya Legend of the Golden Dolphin.
Shore Capital restated their house stock rating on shares of Begbies Traynor Group (LON:BEG  Free Report) in a research report released on Tuesday, MarketBeat reports.

Separately, Canaccord Genuity Group reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 180 ($2.32) price objective on shares of Begbies Traynor Group in a research report on Monday, May 22nd.

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Begbies Traynor Group Stock Performance

Shares of BEG opened at GBX 130 ($1.67) on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is GBX 129.86 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 132.34. The stock has a market capitalization of 201.32 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6,500.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.88, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a current ratio of 1.44. Begbies Traynor Group has a 52-week low of GBX 115.50 ($1.49) and a 52-week high of GBX 150.69 ($1.94).

Begbies Traynor Group Increases Dividend

About Begbies Traynor Group

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 5th will be given a dividend of GBX 2.60 ($0.03) per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 5th. This is a positive change from Begbies Traynor Groups previous dividend of $1.20. This represents a dividend yield of 1.93%. Begbies Traynor Groups dividend payout ratio is 20,000.00%.

(Get Free Report)

Begbies Traynor Group plc provides various professional services to businesses, professional advisors, large corporations, and financial institutions in the United Kingdom. The company operates through two segments, Business Recovery and Financial Advisory Services; and Property Advisory and Transactional Services.

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Kolkata, July 15 (UNI) Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka on Saturday following the full load commencement of power supply to Bangladesh from the Groups Ultra Super-Critical Thermal Power Plant in Godda, India.



The Godda USCTPP, which marks the Adani Groups entry into transnational power projects, is Indias first commissioned transnational power project where 100 per cent of the generated power is supplied to another nation, according to a media statement here.







After the meeting, Adani said in a tweet: Honoured to have met Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on full load commencement and handover of the 1600 MW Ultra Super-Critical Godda Power Plant. I salute the dedicated teams from India and Bangladesh who braved COVID to commission the plant in a record time of three-and-a-half years.



Adani Power Jharkhand Ltd (APJL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Power Ltd, completed the dependable capacity test for the Godda plant on 12 July. The dependable capacity test, a mandatory requirement under the power purchase agreement (PPA) with Bangladesh, was conducted over the stipulated period of six hours to evaluate the simultaneous functioning of both units of the plant after they began supplying electricity.



On April 6, the first unit of 800 MW capacity of the Godda plant, in Indias Jharkhand state, began commercial operations. The second unit, also of 800 MW capacity, followed on 26 June. APJL will supply 1,496 MW from the Godda USCTPP under the PPA with the Bangladesh Power Development Board, executed in November 2017 for a period of 25 years, via a 400 kV dedicated transmission system connected to the Bangladesh grid.



With the commissioning of the Godda USCTPP, the Adani Group has showcased a striking example of world-class Project Management and Asset Management capabilities. The USCTPPs commissioning in a record time of just 42 months after achieving financial closure and obtaining the necessary clearances is particularly noteworthy given the considerable logistical challenges the project encompassed, including the establishment of a 105 km-long 400 kV Double Circuit Transmission Line, the construction of a private railway line, and the implementation of an extensive water pipeline from the Ganges.



Amplifying the impressiveness of this achievement is the backdrop of the COVID pandemic, which posed significant obstacles during more than two years of the project's timeline. Despite this, Adani's engineering team innovatively adapted to the circumstances, handling all testing and commissioning protocols remotely, via tele-conversations and video conferencing. The projects commissioning in record time stands as proof that Adani's capabilities in these areas are truly world-class, equating them with the best in the industry across the globe.



Electricity supplied from Godda will have a positive impact on Bangladeshs power situation by replacing costly power generated by using liquid fuel. This transition will help Bangladesh reduce the average cost of power purchased. The Godda power plant is the first in India to have started operations with 100% flue gas desulphurization (FGD), selective catalytic reconverter (SCR) and zero water discharge for minimizing emissions and for environment friendly operations in alignment with the norms set by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change of the Government of India.







The commissioning of the Godda USCTPP marks a significant milestone for the Adani Group and the BPDB and also for the close cooperation and strong economic ties between the two nations. Adani Power has become a partner in Bangladeshs economic growth and prosperity by supplying uninterrupted and reliable electricity at competitive tariff. This collaboration will boost the growth of industry, and the Bangladesh economy will get stronger.



UNI SJC GNK
B&M European Value Retail S.A. (LON:BME  Get Free Report) crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 522.77 ($6.73) and traded as high as GBX 555.40 ($7.15). B&M European Value Retail shares last traded at GBX 552 ($7.10), with a volume of 1,759,578 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BME has been the subject of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased 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 report on Wednesday, May 24th. Berenberg Bank increased 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 report on Tuesday, June 20th. Shore Capital reissued a hold rating on shares of B&M European Value Retail in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. Finally, Barclays restated an overweight rating and set a GBX 565 ($7.27) target price on shares of B&M European Value Retail in a research report on Thursday, June 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of GBX 513.57 ($6.61).

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B&M European Value Retail Trading Up 0.4 %

The stock has a market cap of 5.48 billion, a PE ratio of 1,566.86 and a beta of 1.07. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 524.05 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 487.85. The company has a quick ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 313.19.

B&M European Value Retail Cuts Dividend

B&M European Value Retail Company Profile

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 29th will be given a GBX 9.60 ($0.12) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.03%. 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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Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (TSE:GTE  Get Free Report) (NYSEMKT:GTE) crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$7.31 and traded as high as C$7.67. Gran Tierra Energy shares last traded at C$7.42, with a volume of 36,083 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Canaccord Genuity Group lowered their price target on Gran Tierra Energy from C$24.00 to C$23.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th.

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Gran Tierra Energy Stock Down 5.8 %

The stock has a 50 day moving average price of C$7.31 and a 200-day moving average price of C$10.21. The stock has a market capitalization of C$279.26 million, a P/E ratio of 1.88, a PEG ratio of 0.13 and a beta of 1.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 147.37, a current ratio of 0.58 and a quick ratio of 0.58.

About Gran Tierra Energy

Gran Tierra Energy ( TSE:GTE Get Free Report ) (NYSEMKT:GTE) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported C($0.40) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Gran Tierra Energy had a net margin of 16.92% and a return on equity of 32.20%. The company had revenue of C$194.99 million for the quarter. As a group, research analysts expect that Gran Tierra Energy Inc. will post 0.1808663 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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Gran Tierra Energy Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas properties in Colombia and Ecuador. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Mitsubishi Electric Co. (OTCMKTS:MIELY  Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 4,000 shares, a drop of 84.1% from the June 15th total of 25,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 175,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on MIELY. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Mitsubishi Electric from a sell rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, June 29th. Mizuho lowered Mitsubishi Electric from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, May 22nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold.

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Mitsubishi Electric Stock Performance

Mitsubishi Electric stock traded down $0.26 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $29.14. The stock had a trading volume of 19,220 shares, compared to its average volume of 47,466. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $27.36 and its 200-day moving average price is $24.23. Mitsubishi Electric has a 52 week low of $17.23 and a 52 week high of $29.44.

Mitsubishi Electric Company Profile

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells electrical and electronic equipment worldwide. It offers turbine generators, hydraulic turbine generators, nuclear power plant and power electronics equipment, motors, transformers, circuit breakers, gas insulated switchgears, switch controls, surveillance-system control and security systems, transmission and distribution ICT systems, large display devices, locomotive and rolling stock electrical equipment, wireless and wired communications systems, network camera systems, elevators, escalators, building security and management systems, and others.

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Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NAN  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 3,400 shares, a decline of 73.0% from the June 15th total of 12,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 52,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund Stock Down 0.6 %

NAN stock traded down $0.06 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $10.68. The companys stock had a trading volume of 40,709 shares, compared to its average volume of 52,652. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $10.78 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.88. Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund has a 1 year low of $9.65 and a 1 year high of $12.16.

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Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be given a $0.036 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. This represents a $0.43 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.04%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund Company Profile

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of NAN. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. lifted its position in shares of Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund by 14.3% during the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 11,465 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $145,000 after buying an additional 1,433 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new position in shares of Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund during the 1st quarter valued at $186,000. Guggenheim Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund by 7.3% during the 1st quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 413,547 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,199,000 after buying an additional 28,168 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in shares of Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund by 14.9% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 132,708 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,668,000 after buying an additional 17,191 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in shares of Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 472,410 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,938,000 after buying an additional 13,907 shares during the last quarter.

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Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of New York. The fund invests in municipal bonds, with a rating of Baa or higher.

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DNB Markets upgraded shares of Pgs Asa (OTC:PGEJF  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Pgs Asa Stock Performance

Shares of PGEJF stock opened at C$0.56 on Wednesday. The businesss 50 day moving average is C$0.62 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$0.76. Pgs Asa has a twelve month low of C$0.49 and a twelve month high of C$1.13.

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About Pgs Asa

(Get Free Report)

Further Reading

PGS ASA, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a marine geophysical company primarily in Norway. The company provides a range of seismic and reservoir services, including data acquisition, imaging, interpretation, and field evaluation to oil and gas companies, as well as carbon storage and offshore wind markets.

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TransAlta Renewables (TSE:RNW  Free Report) had its price objective lowered by Raymond James from C$15.50 to C$13.00 in a report published on Wednesday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a market perform rating on the stock.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. CSFB lowered TransAlta Renewables from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from C$14.50 to C$13.00 in a research report on Wednesday. ATB Capital downgraded shares of TransAlta Renewables from a sector perform rating to a tender rating and lowered their price target for the company from C$14.00 to C$13.00 in a report on Wednesday. National Bankshares lowered their price target on shares of TransAlta Renewables from C$13.00 to C$12.50 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Atb Cap Markets downgraded shares of TransAlta Renewables from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report on Sunday, May 7th. Finally, TD Securities increased their price target on shares of TransAlta Renewables from C$12.00 to C$12.50 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, May 8th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, TransAlta Renewables has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of C$14.50.

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TransAlta Renewables Trading Down 0.5 %

Shares of TransAlta Renewables stock opened at C$13.24 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of C$3.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.66, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.73. The business has a 50-day moving average price of C$12.14 and a 200-day moving average price of C$12.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 44.52. TransAlta Renewables has a twelve month low of C$10.63 and a twelve month high of C$18.45.

TransAlta Renewables Announces Dividend

TransAlta Renewables ( TSE:RNW Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The company reported C$0.17 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.15 by C$0.02. The firm had revenue of C$119.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$134.80 million. TransAlta Renewables had a return on equity of 4.12% and a net margin of 14.55%. Equities research analysts anticipate that TransAlta Renewables will post 0.7003155 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 31st will be given a dividend of $0.0783 per share. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.10%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. TransAlta Renewabless dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 324.14%.

TransAlta Renewables Company Profile

(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.

Further Reading

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Oversea-Chinese Banking Co. Limited (OTCMKTS:OVCHY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,800 shares, an increase of 1,700.0% from the June 15th total of 100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 24,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

OVCHY has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Oversea-Chinese Banking from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Oversea-Chinese Banking in a research report on Tuesday, May 2nd. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Oversea-Chinese Banking from an overweight rating to an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th.

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Oversea-Chinese Banking Stock Performance

Shares of OVCHY traded up $0.12 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $18.73. 15,728 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 19,399. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $18.27 and its 200-day simple moving average is $18.71. Oversea-Chinese Banking has a 52-week low of $15.80 and a 52-week high of $19.96.

Oversea-Chinese Banking Increases Dividend

Oversea-Chinese Banking Company Profile

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 5th. Investors of record on Monday, May 8th were given a $0.5441 dividend. This represents a yield of 4.85%. This is a positive change from Oversea-Chinese Bankings previous dividend of $0.36. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 5th.

(Get Free Report)

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited engages in the provision of financial services in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Greater China, rest of the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company's Global Consumer/Private Banking segment provides products and services to individual customers, including checking accounts, and savings and fixed deposits; housing and other personal loans; credit cards; wealth management products consisting of unit trusts, banc assurance products, and structured deposits; and brokerage services.

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Unum Group (NYSE:UNM  Free Report) had its target price hoisted by Barclays from $46.00 to $52.00 in a report released on Tuesday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Unum Group from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $44.00 to $50.00 in a report on Monday, March 20th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on Unum Group in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. They issued an overweight rating and a $57.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup upgraded shares of Unum Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $49.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Wednesday, March 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price 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. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded shares of Unum Group from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their target price for the company from $49.00 to $52.00 in a research note on Tuesday, March 14th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Unum Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $48.60.

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Unum Group Stock Performance

UNM stock opened at $47.27 on Tuesday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $45.94 and its 200-day moving average is $42.81. The company has a quick ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The company has a market cap of $9.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.09. Unum Group has a twelve month low of $31.26 and a twelve month high of $49.49.

Unum Group Increases Dividend

Unum Group ( NYSE:UNM Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The financial services provider reported $1.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.65 by $0.22. The company had revenue of $3.04 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.05 billion. Unum Group had a return on equity of 14.67% and a net margin of 11.78%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.36 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Unum Group will post 7.49 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 28th will be given a $0.365 dividend. This represents a $1.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.09%. This is an increase from Unum Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. Unum Groups payout ratio is presently 18.70%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CAO Walter Lynn Rice, Jr. sold 2,800 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.71, for a total value of $125,188.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 7,119 shares of the companys stock, valued at $318,290.49. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, COO Michael Q. Simonds sold 18,000 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.72, for a total value of $786,960.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 222,088 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,709,687.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Walter Lynn Rice, Jr. sold 2,800 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.71, for a total transaction of $125,188.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 7,119 shares in the company, valued at $318,290.49. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 55,988 shares of company stock worth $2,513,529. Corporate insiders own 0.94% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Unum Group

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Financial Management Professionals Inc. grew its stake in shares of Unum Group by 2,262.1% during the second quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 685 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 656 shares during the last quarter. Ahrens Investment Partners LLC acquired a new position in Unum Group in the first quarter valued at $44,000. CVA Family Office LLC lifted its holdings in Unum Group by 37.8% in the second quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 1,075 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 295 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted 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. bought a new position in shares of Unum Group during the 1st quarter worth about $63,000. Institutional investors 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.

Further Reading

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AIA Group Ltd lifted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 13.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 15,001 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,829 shares during the period. AIA Group Ltds holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $5,152,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Y.D. More Investments Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Bogart Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 193.3% during the 1st quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 88 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 97.8% during the 4th quarter. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC now owns 91 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Tanglewood Legacy Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.25% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 transaction, the insider now owns 101,908,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $40,608,622,608.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 in the company, valued at $40,608,622,608.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Patrik Jonsson sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the executive vice president now owns 36,941 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,864,681.86. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 970,965 shares of company stock valued at $423,725,107. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

LLY stock opened at $449.46 on Friday. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $296.32 and a 1 year high of $469.87. The company has a market cap of $426.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 71.46, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.38. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $444.17 and a 200 day moving average of $383.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 1.02.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by ($0.11). Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 61.42% and a net margin of 20.54%. The company had revenue of $6.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.87 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.62 earnings per share. Eli Lilly and Companys quarterly revenue was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.79 EPS for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be paid a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.01%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is 71.86%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on LLY shares. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 12th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $430.00 to $505.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Berenberg Bank lifted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $375.00 to $500.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $485.00 to $550.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $290.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $443.45.

Eli Lilly and 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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Brunello Cucinelli (OTCMKTS:BCUCY  Get Free Report) and Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions (OTCMKTS:HESAF  Get Free Report) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership and valuation.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Brunello Cucinelli and Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Brunello Cucinelli 0 2 2 0 2.50 Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions 0 0 1 0 3.00

Brunello Cucinelli currently has a consensus price target of $54.50, indicating a potential upside of 22.42%. Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions has a consensus price target of $1,450.00, indicating a potential downside of 35.34%. Given Brunello Cucinellis higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Brunello Cucinelli is more favorable than Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Brunello Cucinelli N/A N/A N/A Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions N/A N/A N/A

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Brunello Cucinelli and Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This table compares Brunello Cucinelli and Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Brunello Cucinelli N/A N/A N/A $0.24 183.61 Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions N/A N/A N/A $7.84 286.18

Brunello Cucinelli is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Brunello Cucinelli pays an annual dividend of $0.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.1%. Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions pays an annual dividend of $2.70 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.1%. Brunello Cucinelli pays out 15.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions pays out 34.5% 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.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

3.5% of Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions shares are owned by institutional investors. 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.

Summary

Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions beats Brunello Cucinelli on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Brunello Cucinelli

(Get Free Report)

Brunello Cucinelli S.p.A., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and sale of clothing, accessories, and lifestyle products in Italy, Europe, North America, Japan, and China. The company offers women's collection, including coats and jackets, blazers, knitwear, suits, dresses, t-shirts and tops, shirts, skirts, pants, denim, travel wear; sneakers, heels, boots, loafers, sandals, flat shoes; jewelry, scarves, other accessories; mini bags and clutches; crossbody bags and backpacks; and handbags and shoppers. It also provides men's collection, such as coats and jackets, knitwear, blazers, suits, tuxedos, t-shirts and polos, shirts, pants, denims, travel wear; sneakers, lace-ups, loafers; leather goods, bags, hats, belts, scarves; other accessories; and kids collections. In addition, the company offers lifestyle products, which include throw and blanket, cushion, studio products, candle and fragrance, travel essential, decor sets, leisure wear, kitchen and table ware, and ceramic creation products. It manages and operates directly operated stores and wholesale monobrand boutiques. The company was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Solomeo, Italy. Brunello Cucinelli S.p.A. is a subsidiary of Foro delle Arti S.r.l.

About Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions

(Get Free Report)

Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions engages in the production, wholesale, and retail of various goods. The company offers leather goods and saddlery, such as travel articles, small leather goods and accessories, saddles, bridles, and a full range of equestrian products and clothing; ready-to-wear garments for men and women; and accessories, including jewelry, belts, hats, gloves, the Internet of Things products, and shoes. It also provides silk and textiles for men and women; art of living and tableware products; perfumes; and watches. In addition, the company is also involved in weaving, engraving, printing, dyeing, finishing, and producing textiles; and purchasing, tanning, dyeing, finishing, and selling precious leathers. It sells its products through a network of stores worldwide. The company also sells watches, perfumes, and tableware through a network of specialized stores. Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions was founded in 1837 and is based in Paris, France. Hermes International Societe en commandite par actions operates as a subsidiary of H51 SAS.

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Wang Yi urges actions to stabilize China-India relations

Xinhua) 12:22, July 15, 2023

JAKARTA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, on Friday urged actions to stabilize relations between China and India.

Such a relationship is an important consensus between leaders of the two countries, Wang told Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on the sidelines of a series of ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings.

Wang said common development and prosperity between the two neighbors is a global example, calling for mutual support instead of suspicion.

China and India need to work in the same direction to find a solution to border issues acceptable to both sides, Wang noted.

Expressing China's concerns about India's recent restrictions against Chinese companies, Wang underscored a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies.

Jaishankar said the normalization of India-China relations serves the common interests of both sides, adding that India is willing to properly handle differences with an open mind and bring relations between the two countries back on the right track as soon as possible to create favorable conditions for next-stage high-level exchanges.

The two sides agreed to hold the next round of the China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting on border issues on an early date and reached a principled consensus on launching the process of BRICS membership expansion.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
Military drills involving China, Russia expected in near future: DM

Beijing, July 15 (UNI) The Russian Armed Forces will participate in the "North. Interaction-2023" military exercises organized by China in the Sea of Japan in the near future, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced on Saturday.

"In accordance with the annual plan of cooperation between the armed forces of Russia and China, the Russian army will soon send the navy and air forces to participate in the North. Interaction-2023, organized by the People's Liberation Army's Northern Theater Command in the central part of the Sea of Japan," the Chinese Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry specified that the drills will be dedicated to the topic of maintaining the security of strategic sea lanes and will aim to improve strategic interaction between the Chinese and Russian forces, strengthen the ability to jointly maintain regional peace and stability, and respond to various challenges in the field of security.
Barry Investment Advisors LLC lowered its stake in shares of Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL  Free Report) by 4.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 24,367 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 1,208 shares during the quarter. Barry Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Shell were worth $1,402,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Pacific Global Investment Management Co. boosted its position in shares of Shell by 4.8% in the first quarter. Pacific Global Investment Management Co. now owns 14,325 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $824,000 after acquiring an additional 651 shares during the period. Sendero Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Shell by 5.6% in the first quarter. Sendero Wealth Management LLC now owns 16,374 shares of the energy companys stock worth $942,000 after purchasing an additional 865 shares during the period. Flputnam Investment Management Co. bought a new position in Shell in the first quarter worth $246,000. Roman Butler Fullerton & Co. lifted its position in Shell by 30.7% in the first quarter. Roman Butler Fullerton & Co. now owns 5,699 shares of the energy companys stock worth $346,000 after purchasing an additional 1,337 shares during the period. Finally, Simplicity Solutions LLC raised its stake in Shell by 1,706.0% during the first quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 96,492 shares of the energy companys stock worth $5,552,000 after acquiring an additional 91,149 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 8.52% of the companys stock.

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Shell Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:SHEL opened at $60.68 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $59.68 and a 200-day moving average of $59.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.47. The firm has a market cap of $211.49 billion, a PE ratio of 5.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 0.66. Shell plc has a twelve month low of $46.74 and a twelve month high of $62.75.

Shell Announces Dividend

Shell ( NYSE:SHEL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The energy company reported $2.78 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.30 by $0.48. The firm had revenue of $89.02 billion during the quarter. Shell had a return on equity of 20.91% and a net margin of 11.20%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Shell plc will post 9.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 19th were issued a dividend of $0.575 per share. This represents a $2.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 18th. Shells dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.07%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

SHEL has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley upgraded Shell from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on Shell from $75.00 to $67.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $2,525.14.

Shell Profile

(Free Report)

Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, the United States, and Rest of the Americas. The company operates through Integrated Gas, Upstream, Marketing, Chemicals and Products, and Renewables and Energy Solutions segments. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; markets and transports oil and gas; produces gas-to-liquids fuels and other products; and operates upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver gas to market.

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BerganKDV Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD  Free Report) by 70.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 2,700 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 1,115 shares during the period. BerganKDV Wealth Management LLCs holdings in SPDR Gold Shares were worth $495,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 67,584.6% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,037,008 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $515,198,000 after purchasing an additional 3,032,521 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC boosted its position in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 2,546,209 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $431,939,000 after purchasing an additional 88,556 shares in the last quarter. Prostatis Group LLC boosted its position in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 11.9% in the 4th quarter. Prostatis Group LLC now owns 1,144,430 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,466,000 after purchasing an additional 121,868 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 256.0% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,142,717 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $206,432,000 after purchasing an additional 821,773 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its position in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 20.2% in the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 978,771 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $166,038,000 after purchasing an additional 164,256 shares in the last quarter. 38.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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SPDR Gold Shares Price Performance

Shares of GLD opened at $181.43 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $181.54 and its 200-day moving average price is $179.44. SPDR Gold Shares has a 52 week low of $150.57 and a 52 week high of $191.36.

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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BerganKDV Wealth Management LLC cut its holdings in Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH  Free Report) by 3.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,465 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 49 shares during the period. BerganKDV Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Laboratory Co. of America were worth $336,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of LH. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,859,128 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $2,863,118,000 after purchasing an additional 106,063 shares in the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 532.2% during the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 1,530,675 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $360,441,000 after purchasing an additional 1,288,574 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 19.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,317,815 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $310,319,000 after purchasing an additional 218,161 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America during the 4th quarter valued at $219,236,000. Finally, Veritas Investment Partners UK Ltd. grew its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Veritas Investment Partners UK Ltd. now owns 848,026 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $199,718,000 after purchasing an additional 15,731 shares in the last quarter. 87.75% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Laboratory Co. of America

In other Laboratory Co. of America news, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 212 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total value of $50,880.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 7,605 shares in the company, valued at $1,825,200. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Paul R. Kirchgraber sold 4,300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $216.91, for a total transaction of $932,713.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 12,946 shares in the company, valued at $2,808,116.86. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 212 shares of the businesss 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 transaction, the executive vice president now owns 7,605 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,825,200. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 6,012 shares of company stock worth $1,308,748. 0.65% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Laboratory Co. of America Stock Performance

Laboratory Co. of America stock opened at $212.77 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The company has a market capitalization of $18.85 billion, a PE ratio of 19.31 and a beta of 1.06. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $221.19 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $231.36. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a twelve month low of $200.32 and a twelve month high of $263.13.

Laboratory Co. of America (NYSE:LH  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly 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). The business had revenue of $3.78 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.70 billion. Laboratory Co. of America had a return on equity of 15.56% and a net margin of 6.78%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 3.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $6.11 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Laboratory Co. of America Holdings will post 16.83 EPS for the current year.

Laboratory Co. of America Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 8th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 8th will be given a $0.72 dividend. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.35%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 7th. Laboratory Co. of Americas payout ratio is 26.13%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently commented on LH. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price target on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $265.00 to $240.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $260.00 to $235.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $285.00 to $275.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. Mizuho dropped their price objective on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $277.00 to $257.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 16th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Laboratory Co. of America in a report on Saturday, July 8th. They set a buy rating for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Laboratory Co. of America currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $273.50.

About Laboratory Co. of America

(Free Report)

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings operates as a life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and patients make clear and confident decisions. It operates in two segments, Labcorp Diagnostics and Labcorp Drug Development.

Further Reading

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Shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Hold from the seventeen research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $75.44.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on BMY shares. Credit Suisse Group decreased their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $72.00 to $66.00 in a research report on Wednesday. SVB Securities initiated coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday, July 10th. They issued a market perform rating and a $66.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $65.00 to $64.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, 51job restated a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Friday, April 28th.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance

NYSE:BMY opened at $61.94 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.42 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $65.12 and a two-hundred day moving average of $68.52. The stock has a market cap of $130.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.06, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 0.43. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1-year low of $61.57 and a 1-year high of $81.43.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.98 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $11.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.50 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 15.95% and a return on equity of 51.75%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.96 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. 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 3.68%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 66.47%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total value of $3,378,818.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 47,751 shares in the company, valued at $3,202,182.06. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.09% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.7% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 175,584,734 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $12,169,778,000 after buying an additional 2,856,746 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 10.3% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 26,084,266 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,807,487,000 after acquiring an additional 2,439,814 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,873,696,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 114,228.7% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 21,469,785 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,544,751,000 after acquiring an additional 21,451,006 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG lifted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 7.0% in the 1st quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 19,381,102 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,343,304,000 after acquiring an additional 1,263,969 shares in the last quarter. 74.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile

(Get 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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Capital Insight Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 15.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,087 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after acquiring an additional 287 shares during the quarter. Capital Insight Partners LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $239,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 10.5% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 12,826,112 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $1,661,238,000 after acquiring an additional 1,222,209 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 12.9% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 11,551,976 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $1,493,398,000 after acquiring an additional 1,321,754 shares in the last quarter. Tejara Capital Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of EOG Resources during the 4th quarter worth about $106,000. Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 87.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 7,787,281 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $1,008,609,000 after acquiring an additional 3,641,504 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 5,900,147 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $764,187,000 after acquiring an additional 218,689 shares in the last quarter. 89.58% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on EOG shares. Mizuho upgraded shares of EOG Resources from a neutral rating to a buy rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $150.00 to $146.00 in a research report on Friday, May 19th. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on shares of EOG Resources from $170.00 to $155.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on shares of EOG Resources from $142.00 to $141.00 in a research report on Monday, May 22nd. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of EOG Resources from $160.00 to $122.00 in a research report on Friday, March 17th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on shares of EOG Resources from $147.00 to $138.00 in a research report on Monday, May 15th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, EOG Resources has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $146.24.

Insider Buying and Selling

EOG Resources Stock Performance

In other EOG Resources news, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total value of $238,155.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 37,607 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,409,796.82. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . In other EOG Resources news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.87, for a total value of $579,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 149,689 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,344,464.43. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . Also, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total transaction of $238,155.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 37,607 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,409,796.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 0.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

NYSE:EOG opened at $118.93 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a current ratio of 2.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $69.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.44, a PEG ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 1.53. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $112.77 and a 200 day moving average price of $118.09. EOG Resources, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $95.33 and a fifty-two week high of $150.88.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The energy exploration company reported $2.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.42 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $6.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.28 billion. EOG Resources had a net margin of 33.83% and a return on equity of 30.34%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 51.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $4.00 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.18 EPS for the current year.

EOG Resources Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Investors of record on Monday, July 17th will be given a dividend of $0.825 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $3.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.77%. EOG Resourcess payout ratio is currently 20.64%.

EOG Resources Profile

(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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Community Bancorp (OTCMKTS:CMTV  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 200 shares, an increase of 100.0% from the June 15th total of 100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Community Bancorp Price Performance

Shares of Community Bancorp stock remained flat at $18.01 during trading on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.84. Community Bancorp has a 1-year low of $17.20 and a 1-year high of $22.95. The firms 50-day moving average price is $18.15 and its 200-day moving average price is $19.31.

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Community Bancorp (OTCMKTS:CMTV  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, May 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Community Bancorp had a return on equity of 20.07% and a net margin of 31.66%. The company had revenue of $10.28 million for the quarter.

Community Bancorp Increases Dividend

Community Bancorp Company Profile

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.23 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.11%. This is an increase from Community Bancorps previous quarterly dividend of $0.17.

(Get Free Report)

Community Bancorp. operates as the bank holding company for Community National Bank that provides financial services to individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and municipalities in northern and central Vermont. It offers financing for commercial business properties, equipment, inventories, and accounts receivable, as well as standby letters of credit; and business checking and other deposit accounts, cash management services, repurchase agreements, ACH and wire transfer services, card processing, and remote deposit capture.

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Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG  Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported $0.62 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.02, MarketWatch Earnings reports. The business had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3 billion. Conagra Brands had a net margin of 5.57% and a return on equity of 15.19%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.65 earnings per share. Conagra Brands updated its FY24 guidance to $2.70-2.75 EPS.

Conagra Brands Price Performance

Shares of CAG opened at $32.90 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $15.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.17, a P/E/G ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.54. Conagra Brands has a fifty-two week low of $32.18 and a fifty-two week high of $41.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.32. The businesss 50-day moving average is $34.70 and its 200-day moving average is $36.44.

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Conagra Brands Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 31st will be issued a $0.35 dividend. This is an increase from Conagra Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 28th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.26%. Conagra Brandss dividend payout ratio is currently 92.96%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Conagra Brands

Several research firms recently weighed in on CAG. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on shares of Conagra Brands from $36.00 to $35.00 in a report on Friday. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Conagra Brands from $44.00 to $40.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Conagra Brands from $43.00 to $39.00 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Conagra Brands from $42.00 to $39.00 in a report on Friday. Finally, TheStreet downgraded shares of Conagra Brands from a b rating to a c+ rating in a report on Thursday. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $38.69.

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in CAG. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its holdings in Conagra Brands by 6.6% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 64,185 shares of the companys stock worth $2,155,000 after buying an additional 3,975 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its holdings in Conagra Brands by 0.4% in the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 309,389 shares of the companys stock worth $10,942,000 after buying an additional 1,186 shares during the last quarter. Synovus Financial Corp increased its holdings in Conagra Brands by 3.7% in the first quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 22,548 shares of the companys stock worth $758,000 after buying an additional 807 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL increased its holdings in Conagra Brands by 19.8% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 27,151 shares of the companys stock worth $911,000 after buying an additional 4,487 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its holdings in Conagra Brands by 509.0% in the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 366,225 shares of the companys stock worth $12,294,000 after buying an additional 306,086 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.80% of the companys stock.

About Conagra Brands

(Get Free Report)

Conagra Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer packaged goods food company in North America. The company operates in four segments: Grocery & Snacks, Refrigerated & Frozen, International, and Foodservice. The Grocery & Snacks segment primarily offers shelf stable food products through various retail channels in the United States.

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Eldorado Gold Co. (TSE:ELD  Get Free Report) (NYSE:EGO)s share price crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of C$13.33 and traded as high as C$14.64. Eldorado Gold shares last traded at C$14.50, with a volume of 436,322 shares trading hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have issued reports on ELD. National Bankshares set a C$17.00 price target on shares of Eldorado Gold and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 8th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on shares of Eldorado Gold from C$18.00 to C$17.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, June 9th. National Bank Financial upgraded shares of Eldorado Gold from a sector perform spec overwgt rating to an outperform spec overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus downgraded shares of Eldorado Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating and upped their price objective for the company from C$16.00 to C$16.50 in a report on Thursday, April 20th.

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Eldorado Gold Trading Up 1.2 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 15.71, a current ratio of 2.92 and a quick ratio of 2.28. The firm has a market capitalization of C$2.98 billion, a PE ratio of 163.11, a P/E/G ratio of 56.20 and a beta of 1.36. The companys fifty day simple moving average is C$13.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$13.35.

About Eldorado Gold

Eldorado Gold ( TSE:ELD Get Free Report ) (NYSE:EGO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported C$0.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.06 by C$0.09. The business had revenue of C$310.15 million for the quarter. Eldorado Gold had a negative net margin of 1.64% and a positive return on equity of 0.36%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Eldorado Gold Co. will post 0.6238792 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

(Get Free Report)

Eldorado Gold Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the mining, exploration, development, and sale of mineral products primarily in Turkey, Canada, Greece, and Romania. The company primarily produces gold, as well as silver, lead, and zinc. It holds a 100% interest in the Kisladag and Efemcukuru gold mines located in western Turkey; Lamaque gold mines located in Canada; and Olympias, Stratoni, Skouries, Perama Hill, and Sapes gold mines located in Greece, as well as the 80.5% interest in Certej development projects located in Romania.

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Jeppson Wealth Management LLC lowered its position in Evergy, Inc. (NYSE:EVRG  Free Report) by 6.3% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 6,688 shares of the companys stock after selling 449 shares during the period. Jeppson Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Evergy were worth $409,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of EVRG. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Evergy during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. CoreCap Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Evergy during the 4th quarter worth about $40,000. Harbour Investments Inc. raised its position in shares of Evergy by 92.8% during the 4th quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 908 shares of the companys stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 437 shares during the last quarter. Caldwell Sutter Capital Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Evergy during the 1st quarter worth about $58,000. Finally, Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Evergy during the 4th quarter valued at about $63,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.74% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

EVRG has been the subject of several research reports. Guggenheim dropped their price objective on shares of Evergy from $72.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Evergy from $55.00 to $59.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Friday, April 14th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and two have assigned a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $63.00.

Insider Activity

Evergy Stock Performance

In related news, Director Sandra Aj Lawrence sold 2,523 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.32, for a total transaction of $157,233.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 480 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $29,913.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . In related news, Director Mary L. Landrieu sold 1,170 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.62, for a total transaction of $69,755.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 4,210 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $251,000.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, Director Sandra Aj Lawrence sold 2,523 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.32, for a total transaction of $157,233.36. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 480 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $29,913.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 5,021 shares of company stock valued at $303,575 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.47% of the companys stock.

Evergy stock opened at $60.16 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $59.20 and a 200-day simple moving average of $60.63. Evergy, Inc. has a 1-year low of $54.12 and a 1-year high of $71.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 0.52 and a quick ratio of 0.31. The stock has a market cap of $13.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.20 and a beta of 0.50.

Evergy (NYSE:EVRG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The company reported $0.59 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.56 by $0.03. Evergy had a net margin of 13.03% and a return on equity of 9.13%. The business had revenue of $1.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.14 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.58 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Evergy, Inc. will post 3.62 EPS for the current year.

Evergy Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 19th were paid a $0.6125 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 18th. This represents a $2.45 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.07%. Evergys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 73.13%.

Evergy Profile

(Free Report)

Evergy, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in Kansas and Missouri, the United States. The company generates electricity through coal, hydroelectric, landfill gas, uranium, and natural gas and oil sources, as well as solar, wind, other renewable sources.

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First National Corp MA ADV boosted its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA  Free Report) by 19.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 31,049 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 5,035 shares during the quarter. First National Corp MA ADVs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $2,221,000 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 the company. TCG Advisory Services LLC grew its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. TCG Advisory Services LLC now owns 4,925 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $352,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC grew its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,047 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $725,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. Coastline Trust Co grew its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Coastline Trust Co now owns 40,219 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,640,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. ESL Trust Services LLC grew its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. ESL Trust Services LLC now owns 11,339 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $744,000 after acquiring an additional 147 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Baldwin Brothers LLC MA grew its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 7.7% in the 4th quarter. Baldwin Brothers LLC MA now owns 2,105 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $138,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.99% of the companys stock.

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iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF stock opened at $73.88 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $72.39 and its two-hundred day moving average is $71.17. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has a 52 week low of $54.61 and a 52 week high of $74.38.

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Funds investment objective is to seek investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, MSCI EAFE Index (the Index). The Index has been developed by MSCI Inc as an equity benchmark for its international stock performance.

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FMC (NYSE:FMC  Free Report) had its price objective cut by KeyCorp from $144.00 to $128.00 in a report released on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. KeyCorp also issued estimates for FMCs Q2 2023 earnings at $0.58 EPS, Q3 2023 earnings at $1.65 EPS, Q4 2023 earnings at $2.24 EPS, FY2023 earnings at $6.24 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $8.09 EPS.

Several other research firms have also recently commented on FMC. Mizuho cut their target price on shares of FMC from $150.00 to $147.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Redburn Partners upgraded shares of FMC from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $155.00 target price for the company in a research note on Friday, March 17th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of FMC from $148.00 to $142.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on shares of FMC from $140.00 to $136.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of FMC in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $129.38.

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FMC Price Performance

Shares of FMC stock opened at $95.23 on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $105.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $117.91. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. FMC has a 1-year low of $88.77 and a 1-year high of $134.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.62, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.81.

FMC Dividend Announcement

FMC ( NYSE:FMC Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 1st. The basic materials company reported $1.77 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by $0.04. FMC had a net margin of 12.51% and a return on equity of 27.91%. The business had revenue of $1.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.43 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.88 earnings per share. FMCs revenue for the quarter was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that FMC will post 6.61 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a $0.58 dividend. This represents a $2.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.44%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th. FMCs payout ratio is 40.49%.

Insider Transactions at FMC

In related news, CEO Mark Douglas purchased 4,121 shares of FMC stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were acquired at an average price of $115.53 per share, for a total transaction of $476,099.13. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 41,672 shares in the company, valued at $4,814,366.16. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.85% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FMC. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its position in FMC by 9.6% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 10,326 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,359,000 after buying an additional 908 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in FMC during the 1st quarter worth about $191,000. Cibc World Market Inc. acquired a new position in FMC during the 1st quarter worth about $224,000. Prudential PLC acquired a new position in FMC during the 1st quarter valued at about $383,000. Finally, National Pension Service lifted its position in FMC by 872,245.0% during the 1st quarter. National Pension Service now owns 174,469 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $22,955,000 after purchasing an additional 174,449 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.95% of the companys stock.

FMC Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

FMC Corporation, an agricultural sciences company, provides crop protection, plant health, and professional pest and turf management products. It develops, markets, and sells crop protection chemicals that include insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides; and biologicals, crop nutrition, and seed treatment products, which are used in agriculture to enhance crop yield and quality by controlling a range of insects, weeds, and diseases, as well as in non-agricultural markets for pest control.

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Fosun International Ltd decreased its holdings in shares of State Street Co. (NYSE:STT  Free Report) by 13.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,250 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 800 shares during the quarter. Fosun International Ltds holdings in State Street were worth $397,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of STT. FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in State Street during the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. Accurate Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in State Street during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in State Street during the 1st quarter valued at about $34,000. New Hampshire Trust purchased a new position in State Street during the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, City Holding Co. bought a new stake in shares of State Street in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.39% of the companys stock.

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State Street Stock Performance

STT opened at $68.10 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $22.76 billion, a PE ratio of 9.54, a P/E/G ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 1.56. The company has a current ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. State Street Co. has a 1 year low of $58.62 and a 1 year high of $94.74. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $71.41 and its 200-day simple moving average is $77.78.

State Street Dividend Announcement

State Street ( NYSE:STT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 14th. The asset manager reported $2.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.08 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $3.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.14 billion. State Street had a return on equity of 11.96% and a net margin of 18.73%. State Streets quarterly revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.94 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that State Street Co. will post 7.71 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 13th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 3rd were given a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.70%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 30th. State Streets dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 35.29%.

Insider Buying and Selling at State Street

In other State Street news, CFO Eric W. Aboaf sold 11,899 shares of the companys stock in a transaction 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 sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 157,860 shares in the company, valued at $10,778,680.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Michael L. Richards sold 1,814 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 sale, 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 available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Eric W. Aboaf sold 11,899 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 sale, 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. Company insiders own 0.25% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently commented on STT. Bank of America lowered their price target on State Street from $84.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on State Street from $85.00 to $91.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 5th. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on State Street from $80.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Friday, May 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on State Street from $97.00 to $90.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their target price on State Street from $100.00 to $95.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $84.50.

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.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding STT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for State Street Co. (NYSE:STT  Free Report).

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Four Corners Property Trust (NYSE:FCPT  Get Free Report) and AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, risk, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and profitability.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Four Corners Property Trust and AvalonBay Communities gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Four Corners Property Trust $228.75 million 9.88 $97.77 million $1.19 21.82 AvalonBay Communities $2.59 billion 10.84 $1.14 billion $7.29 27.15

AvalonBay Communities has higher revenue and earnings than Four Corners Property Trust. Four Corners Property Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than AvalonBay Communities, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Four Corners Property Trust 0 2 2 0 2.50 AvalonBay Communities 1 10 6 0 2.29

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Four Corners Property Trust and AvalonBay Communities, as reported by MarketBeat.

Four Corners Property Trust presently has a consensus price target of $28.80, suggesting a potential upside of 10.90%. AvalonBay Communities has a consensus price target of $203.67, suggesting a potential upside of 2.91%. Given Four Corners Property Trusts stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Four Corners Property Trust is more favorable than AvalonBay Communities.

Dividends

Four Corners Property Trust pays an annual dividend of $1.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.2%. AvalonBay Communities pays an annual dividend of $6.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. Four Corners Property Trust pays out 114.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. AvalonBay Communities pays out 90.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Four Corners Property Trust has raised its dividend for 6 consecutive years and AvalonBay Communities has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Four Corners Property Trust is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Profitability

This table compares Four Corners Property Trust and AvalonBay Communities net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Four Corners Property Trust 43.12% 9.11% 4.64% AvalonBay Communities 38.49% 9.17% 5.07%

Volatility & Risk

Four Corners Property Trust has a beta of 0.91, suggesting that its stock price is 9% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, AvalonBay Communities has a beta of 0.93, suggesting that its stock price is 7% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

96.5% of Four Corners Property Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 87.9% of AvalonBay Communities shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.1% of Four Corners Property Trust shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.4% of AvalonBay Communities shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

AvalonBay Communities beats Four Corners Property Trust on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Four Corners Property Trust

(Get Free Report)

FCPT, headquartered in Mill Valley, CA, is a real estate investment trust primarily engaged in the ownership, acquisition and leasing of restaurant and retail properties. The Company seeks to grow its portfolio by acquiring additional real estate to lease, on a net basis, for use in the restaurant and retail industries.

About AvalonBay Communities

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As of December 31, 2022, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 294 apartment communities containing 88,475 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development and one community was under redevelopment. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion markets of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.

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The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE:FMS  Free Report) in a research note published on Wednesday, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage issued a buy rating on the stock.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, April 28th. StockNews.com downgraded Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 10th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $28.95.

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Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Stock Performance

Shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA stock opened at $26.21 on Wednesday. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA has a 52 week low of $12.78 and a 52 week high of $26.48. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $23.30 and its 200-day simple moving average is $21.11. The firm has a market cap of $15.38 billion, a PE ratio of 24.73 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Cuts Dividend

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA ( NYSE:FMS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported $0.28 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.10. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA had a return on equity of 5.44% and a net margin of 3.06%. The business had revenue of $5.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.98 billion. Equities analysts forecast that Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA will post 1.17 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 18th were issued a $0.7086 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 17th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.1%. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaAs payout ratio is currently 39.62%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Sandy Spring Bank purchased a new position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Clear Street Markets LLC purchased a new position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. American National Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Assetmark Inc. boosted its position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 61.1% in the 1st quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,969 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 747 shares during the period. Finally, Ronald Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 1,156.0% in the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,366 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 3,098 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 6.66% of the companys stock.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co KGaA provides dialysis and related services for individuals with renal diseases in Germany, North America, and internationally. The company offers dialysis treatment and related laboratory and diagnostic services through a network of outpatient dialysis clinics; materials, training, and patient support services comprising clinical monitoring, follow-up assistance, and arranging for delivery of the supplies to the patient's residence; and dialysis services under contract to hospitals in the United States for the hospitalized end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and for patients suffering from acute kidney failure.

Further Reading

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China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of General Motors (NYSE:GM  Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) by 25.0% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 25,000 shares of the auto manufacturers stock after buying an additional 5,000 shares during the period. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in General Motors were worth $917,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. New York State Teachers Retirement System boosted its holdings in General Motors by 3.5% during the first quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 1,716,089 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $62,946,000 after buying an additional 58,692 shares in the last quarter. BerganKDV Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of General Motors by 379.2% in the 1st quarter. BerganKDV Wealth Management LLC now owns 714 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 565 shares during the period. Flputnam Investment Management Co. increased its stake in General Motors by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co. now owns 258,725 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $9,490,000 after purchasing an additional 3,444 shares in the last quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. acquired a new stake in General Motors during the 1st quarter worth about $147,000. Finally, Argyle Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in General Motors by 44.2% during the first quarter. Argyle Capital Management Inc. now owns 97,825 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $3,588,000 after buying an additional 30,000 shares in the last quarter. 78.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at General Motors

In other news, President Mark L. Reuss sold 9,300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.00, for a total value of $381,300.00. Following the sale, the president now directly owns 282,973 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,601,893. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CFO Paul A. Jacobson purchased 31,000 shares of General Motors stock in a transaction on Friday, May 19th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $32.60 per share, with a total value of $1,010,600.00. Following the acquisition, the chief financial officer now directly owns 186,847 shares in the company, valued at $6,091,212.20. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, President Mark L. Reuss sold 9,300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.00, for a total transaction of $381,300.00. Following the transaction, the president now owns 282,973 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,601,893. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

General Motors Price Performance

NYSE GM opened at $40.00 on Friday. General Motors has a fifty-two week low of $31.10 and a fifty-two week high of $43.63. The stocks 50-day moving average is $35.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $36.37. The firm has a market cap of $55.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.90.

General Motors (NYSE:GM  Get Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The auto manufacturer reported $2.21 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.53 by $0.68. The business had revenue of $39.99 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $39.38 billion. General Motors had a return on equity of 15.74% and a net margin of 5.84%. The firms revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.09 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that General Motors will post 6.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

General Motors Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Friday, June 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.09 per share. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.90%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 1st. General Motorss dividend payout ratio is currently 5.56%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

GM has been the topic of several analyst reports. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of General Motors in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of General Motors from $38.00 to $41.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. Citigroup increased their target price on General Motors from $85.00 to $89.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday. Mizuho lowered their price target on General Motors from $39.00 to $37.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on General Motors from $37.00 to $35.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $50.00.

General Motors Profile

(Free Report)

General Motors Company designs, builds, and sells trucks, crossovers, cars, and automobile parts; and provide software-enabled services and subscriptions worldwide. The company operates through GM North America, GM International, Cruise, and GM Financial segments. It markets its vehicles primarily under the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Baojun, and Wuling brand names.

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Goelzer Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Free Report) by 12.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 67,067 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 7,558 shares during the quarter. Goelzer Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Southern were worth $4,667,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Bell Investment Advisors Inc raised its position in Southern by 127.6% in the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 421 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN bought a new position in Southern in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. VitalStone Financial LLC bought a new position in Southern in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. bought a new position in Southern in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Bourgeon Capital Management LLC raised its position in Southern by 192.0% in the 4th quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC now owns 511 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 336 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.25% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on SO shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on Southern from $73.00 to $69.00 in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Guggenheim dropped their price objective on Southern from $79.00 to $77.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. StockNews.com upgraded Southern from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 17th. VNET Group reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Southern in a report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Southern from a buy rating to a conviction-buy rating in a report on Monday, July 3rd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $73.93.

Southern Stock Down 0.1 %

SO stock opened at $71.38 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $71.05 and a 200-day moving average of $69.72. The Southern Company has a fifty-two week low of $58.85 and a fifty-two week high of $80.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.51. The stock has a market capitalization of $77.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.03, a P/E/G ratio of 4.96 and a beta of 0.50.

Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.79 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.08. Southern had a return on equity of 10.78% and a net margin of 11.53%. The firm had revenue of $6.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.14 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.97 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Southern Company will post 3.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Southern Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th were paid a $0.70 dividend. This is a positive change from Southerns previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 12th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.92%. Southerns dividend payout ratio is currently 90.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Southern

In other Southern news, CEO Thomas A. Fanning sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.16, for a total value of $3,758,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 847,592 shares in the company, valued at $63,705,014.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, EVP Bryan D. Anderson sold 9,491 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.03, for a total transaction of $712,109.73. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 36,119 shares in the company, valued at $2,710,008.57. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Thomas A. Fanning sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.16, for a total value of $3,758,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 847,592 shares in the company, valued at approximately $63,705,014.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 205,678 shares of company stock worth $14,881,721 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.28% of the companys stock.

About Southern

(Free Report)

The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It operates through three segments: Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Pipeline Investments, and Gas Marketing Services. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations.

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Goelzer Investment Management Inc. raised its position in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) by 11.2% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 43,533 shares of the insurance providers stock after acquiring an additional 4,387 shares during the period. Goelzer Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $7,462,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Summit Global Investments boosted its holdings in Travelers Companies by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Summit Global Investments now owns 2,365 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $443,000 after purchasing an additional 54 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Travelers Companies by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,074 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $562,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Travelers Companies by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 3,822 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $655,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Donald L. Hagan LLC boosted its holdings in Travelers Companies by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Donald L. Hagan LLC now owns 4,254 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $798,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quent Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Travelers Companies by 6.6% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 1,027 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $193,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. 81.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently commented on TRV. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $208.00 to $176.00 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $188.00 to $182.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 10th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $181.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $179.00 to $185.00 in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, June 19th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $194.31.

Travelers Companies Trading Down 1.3 %

Shares of NYSE:TRV opened at $165.95 on Friday. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $149.65 and a 52 week high of $194.51. The companys 50 day moving average is $175.32 and its two-hundred day moving average is $178.89. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The company has a market cap of $38.33 billion, a PE ratio of 14.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.60.

Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 19th. The insurance provider reported $4.11 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.64 by $0.47. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 7.41% and a return on equity of 13.41%. The company had revenue of $9.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.98 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $4.22 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 14.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Travelers Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 9th were given a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 8th. This is an increase from Travelers Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.93. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.41%. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio is currently 34.10%.

Travelers Companies announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Wednesday, April 19th that allows the company to buyback $5.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the insurance provider to reacquire up to 12.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity at Travelers Companies

In related news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 10,246 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.85, for a total value of $1,873,481.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,080 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,574,528. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, EVP Andy F. Bessette sold 11,572 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $178.14, for a total transaction of $2,061,436.08. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 17,361 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,092,688.54. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 10,246 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,080 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,574,528. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 59,134 shares of company stock valued at $10,617,466 in the last ninety days. 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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Greene King plc (LON:GNK  Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 849.20 ($10.92) and traded as high as GBX 849.40 ($10.93). Greene King shares last traded at GBX 849.20 ($10.92), with a volume of 6,678,342 shares.

Greene King Trading Up 0.0 %

The firm has a market capitalization of 2.63 billion and a PE ratio of 21.94. The companys 50-day simple moving average is GBX 849.20 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 849.20. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 111.89.

About Greene King

(Get Free Report)

Greene King plc operates as a pub retailer and brewer in the United Kingdom. The company operates through three segments: Pub Company, Pub Partners, and Brewing & Brands. Its brands include Greene King Local Pubs, Hungry Horse, Flaming Grill, Farmhouse Inns, and Chef & Brewer. The company is also involved in brewing, marketing, and selling beer under the Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale, and Belhaven Best brands.

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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. (NYSE:GHL  Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

GHL has been the subject of a number of other reports. JMP Securities downgraded Greenhill & Co., Inc. from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 23rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised Greenhill & Co., Inc. from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Monday, May 22nd. TheStreet lowered Greenhill & Co., Inc. from a c rating to a d+ rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 31st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price objective on Greenhill & Co., Inc. from $9.50 to $8.50 and set a sell rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and three have assigned a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Greenhill & Co., Inc. currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $11.83.

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Greenhill & Co., Inc. Stock Performance

Shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. stock opened at $14.75 on Wednesday. Greenhill & Co., Inc. has a one year low of $5.64 and a one year high of $14.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $270.22 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -21.69 and a beta of 1.14. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $13.07 and a 200 day simple moving average of $11.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.09, a current ratio of 1.90 and a quick ratio of 1.90.

Greenhill & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

Greenhill & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:GHL Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The financial services provider reported ($1.27) EPS for the quarter. Greenhill & Co., Inc. had a negative net margin of 3.02% and a negative return on equity of 13.14%. The firm had revenue of $49.68 million during the quarter.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 21st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 7th were given a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 6th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.71%. Greenhill & Co., Inc.s payout ratio is -58.82%.

Institutional Trading of Greenhill & Co., Inc.

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in GHL. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky bought a new stake in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its position in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 69.0% in the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 3,859 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 1,576 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC boosted its position in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 139.0% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,456 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 2,010 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. in the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, Trexquant Investment LP purchased a new position in Greenhill & Co., Inc. in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $62,000. 63.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Greenhill & Co., Inc. Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Greenhill & Co, Inc, an independent investment bank, provides financial and strategic advisory services to corporations, partnerships, institutional investors, and governments worldwide. The company offers advisory services related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, financings, private capital raising, and other similar transactions.

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Hartford Funds Management Co LLC boosted its holdings in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 15.9% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 23,875 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 3,275 shares during the period. Bank of America makes up about 0.1% of Hartford Funds Management Co LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Hartford Funds Management Co LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $683,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank of Stockton bought a new position in shares of Bank of America during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $616,000. Capital Insight Partners LLC grew its holdings in Bank of America by 1.4% during the first quarter. Capital Insight Partners LLC now owns 126,393 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,615,000 after purchasing an additional 1,755 shares during the period. Sterling Investment Management LLC increased its position in Bank of America by 1.3% in the first quarter. Sterling Investment Management LLC now owns 41,445 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,185,000 after buying an additional 514 shares during the last quarter. Boyar Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Bank of America by 6.7% in the first quarter. Boyar Asset Management Inc. now owns 170,380 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,873,000 after buying an additional 10,724 shares during the period. Finally, Strategic Investment Advisors MI lifted its position in shares of Bank of America by 5.5% during the 1st quarter. Strategic Investment Advisors MI now owns 46,430 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,328,000 after buying an additional 2,407 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 67.34% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Bank of America in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Bank of America from $48.00 to $39.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $39.00 to $35.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 3rd. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on shares of Bank of America from $43.00 to $41.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price target on Bank of America from $38.00 to $33.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $36.72.

Bank of America Trading Down 1.9 %

Shares of Bank of America stock opened at $29.11 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.82. Bank of America Co. has a 1 year low of $26.32 and a 1 year high of $38.60. The firm has a market cap of $231.98 billion, a PE ratio of 8.74, a PEG ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $28.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $30.74.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.11. Bank of America had a net margin of 21.85% and a return on equity of 11.72%. The company had revenue of $26.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.28 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.80 EPS. The firms revenue was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Bank of America Co. will post 3.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Bank of America Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, June 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 1st. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.02%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is 26.43%.

Bank of America Company Profile

(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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Tony Wood in the LRB:

The war in Ukraine has prompted a wave of self-critical reassessment among Western scholars of the former Soviet Union. Have studies of the USSR unthinkingly reproduced the logic of a Russian imperial project? Do we need to look at the Soviet period through the lens of decolonisation? The German historian Karl Schlogels own process of introspection began in 2014, with the annexation of Crimea and the Kremlins stoking of rebellion in Donbas, which he describes in the preface to The Soviet Century as the drop that made my cup run over. Russias leaders, he writes, had exploited post-imperial phantom pains, nostalgic yearnings and fear of the loss of social status to pursue an aggressive policy. Published in German in 2017, on the centenary of the Russian Revolution, the book is his attempt to capture the particular texture and experiences of Soviet life, memories of which are fast fading. It is also a personal reckoning, what Schlogel calls a balance sheet, a sort of final account of my studies of Russia or the Soviet Union. This doesnt mean he plans to retire: Schlogel has another huge book out in German later this year, on American industrial modernity. But it does mark the end of his engagement with the Russia he studied and knew. Its almost 35 years since the USSR entered its terminal crisis. As Schlogel puts it, the quarter of a century that has elapsed since that time has shown how painful this process of transforming the former Soviet Union has been.

More here.
Ninety One UK Ltd trimmed its position in Hess Co. (NYSE:HES  Free Report) by 10.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,224,101 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after selling 149,079 shares during the quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd owned approximately 0.40% of Hess worth $161,998,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in HES. Delta Asset Management LLC TN acquired a new position in Hess during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Orion Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Hess by 63.4% during the 4th quarter. Orion Capital Management LLC now owns 214 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares during the period. Lindbrook Capital LLC boosted its position in Hess by 53.8% during the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 223 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the period. New Hampshire Trust acquired a new position in Hess during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its position in Hess by 36.8% during the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 279 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.89% of the companys stock.

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Hess Stock Performance

HES stock opened at $135.26 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a current ratio of 1.65. The stock has a market cap of $41.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.38 and a beta of 1.57. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $133.91 and a 200 day simple moving average of $138.06. Hess Co. has a 52 week low of $94.00 and a 52 week high of $160.52.

Hess Cuts Dividend

Hess ( NYSE:HES Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.13 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $2.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.37 billion. Hess had a net margin of 18.47% and a return on equity of 25.85%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 3.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.30 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Hess Co. will post 4.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were paid a $0.4375 dividend. This represents a $1.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. Hesss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.07%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hess

In other Hess news, Director Corp Hess sold 6,382,500 shares of Hess stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.12, for a total value of $166,710,900.00. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 9.93% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently issued reports on HES. UBS Group initiated coverage on Hess in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. They set a buy rating and a $184.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Hess from $156.00 to $158.00 in a research report on Monday, May 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Hess from $156.00 to $158.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on Hess from $155.00 to $153.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Finally, Mizuho reduced their price target on Hess from $170.00 to $168.00 in a research report on Friday, May 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Hess currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $167.82.

Hess Profile

(Free Report)

Hess Corporation, an exploration and production company, explores, develops, produces, purchases, transports, and sells crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. The company operates in two segments, Exploration and Production, and Midstream. It conducts production operations primarily in the United States, Guyana, the Malaysia/Thailand Joint Development Area, and Malaysia; and exploration activities principally offshore Guyana, the U.S.

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Shares of JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust plc (LON:JESC  Get Free Report) crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 499 ($6.42) and traded as low as GBX 494.50 ($6.36). JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust shares last traded at GBX 499 ($6.42), with a volume of 179,129 shares changing hands.

JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust Price Performance

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 499 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 499. The company has a market capitalization of 795.72 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.60. The company has a quick ratio of 107.92, a current ratio of 107.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.72.

About JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust

(Get Free Report)

JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Trust plc is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by JPMorgan Funds Limited. The fund is co-managed by JPMorgan Asset Management (UK) Limited. It invests in the public equity markets of Europe, excluding the United Kingdom. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Kronos Advanced Technologies Inc. (OTCMKTS:KNOS  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 25,100 shares, an increase of 188.5% from the June 15th total of 8,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 76,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days.

Kronos Advanced Technologies Stock Performance

Kronos Advanced Technologies stock remained flat at $0.01 during mid-day trading on Friday. 282,607 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 95,637. Kronos Advanced Technologies has a 52-week low of $0.01 and a 52-week high of $0.03. The firms 50 day moving average price is $0.01 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $0.01.

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About Kronos Advanced Technologies

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Kronos Advanced Technologies Inc manufactures, distributes, and licenses air movement and purification devices in the United States. The company offers air purifiers and masks. It markets and sells products directly through our website, 1800safeair.com, as well as through independent sales representatives.

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Middleton & Co. Inc. MA lifted its holdings in Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS  Free Report) by 17.2% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,304 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 485 shares during the period. Middleton & Co. Inc. MAs holdings in Zoetis were worth $550,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ZTS. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Zoetis in the 4th quarter valued at about $745,861,000. Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in shares of Zoetis by 34.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 10,872,704 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,593,395,000 after acquiring an additional 2,796,694 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Zoetis by 124,281.9% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,332,160 shares of the companys stock valued at $341,778,000 after acquiring an additional 2,330,285 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its holdings in shares of Zoetis by 171.7% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,326,448 shares of the companys stock valued at $627,335,000 after acquiring an additional 2,102,306 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CI Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Zoetis in the 4th quarter worth about $125,005,000. Institutional investors own 98.18% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Roxanne Lagano sold 4,338 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.94, for a total transaction of $763,227.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 26,357 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,637,250.58. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.12% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Zoetis Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ZTS opened at $172.19 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $79.57 billion, a PE ratio of 38.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.77. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $171.53 and its 200-day simple moving average is $167.70. Zoetis Inc. has a one year low of $124.15 and a one year high of $187.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46, a quick ratio of 1.94 and a current ratio of 3.27.

Zoetis (NYSE:ZTS  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.27 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $2 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.02 billion. Zoetis had a net margin of 25.59% and a return on equity of 50.26%. The companys quarterly revenue was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.32 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Zoetis Inc. will post 5.4 EPS for the current year.

Zoetis Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Friday, July 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.375 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 20th. This represents a $1.50 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.87%. Zoetiss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.86%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Zoetis in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Bank Of America (Bofa) increased their price objective on shares of Zoetis from $180.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on shares of Zoetis from $220.00 to $210.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Zoetis has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $220.50.

Zoetis Profile

(Free Report)

Zoetis Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes animal health medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic products in the United States and internationally. It commercializes products primarily across species, including livestock, such as cattle, swine, poultry, fish, and sheep and others; and companion animals comprising dogs, cats, and horses.

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Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, July 13th, Zacks reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 1st will be given a dividend of 0.41 per share on Friday, September 15th. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.44%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 31st.

Molson Coors Beverage has decreased its dividend by an average of 8.1% annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 2 years. Molson Coors Beverage has a payout ratio of 34.7% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Molson Coors Beverage to earn $4.53 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.64 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 36.2%.

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Molson Coors Beverage Trading Up 0.9 %

NYSE TAP opened at $67.28 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.49. Molson Coors Beverage has a 12-month low of $46.69 and a 12-month high of $68.13. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $64.73 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $57.25.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Molson Coors Beverage ( NYSE:TAP Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $0.54 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.26 by $0.28. Molson Coors Beverage had a negative net margin of 1.97% and a positive return on equity of 7.16%. The company had revenue of $2.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.23 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.29 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Molson Coors Beverage will post 4.52 earnings per share for the current year.

TAP has been the subject of several research reports. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $74.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 6th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $62.00 to $69.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Molson Coors Beverage from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and increased their price objective for the company from $59.00 to $64.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $67.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Monday, June 26th. Finally, 58.com reissued a maintains rating on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a research note on Monday, June 26th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Molson Coors Beverage has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $60.80.

Insider Buying and Selling at Molson Coors Beverage

In other Molson Coors Beverage news, insider Geoffrey E. Molson sold 1,840 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.62, for a total value of $111,540.80. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 25,904 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,570,300.48. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 2.30% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 6.1% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,329,879 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,138,589,000 after purchasing an additional 1,235,013 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 1.7% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,727,747 shares of the companys stock worth $465,887,000 after buying an additional 143,757 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors increased its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 1.0% during the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 4,721,084 shares of the companys stock worth $252,011,000 after buying an additional 49,044 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 1.0% during the first quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,859,484 shares of the companys stock worth $198,998,000 after buying an additional 38,966 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in Molson Coors Beverage by 10.8% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,216,836 shares of the companys stock worth $171,722,000 after buying an additional 312,326 shares during the last quarter. 77.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Molson Coors Beverage Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Molson Coors Beverage Company manufactures, markets, and sells beer and other malt beverage products under various brands in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers flavored malt beverages including hard seltzers, craft, and ready to drink beverages. It provides its products under Aspall Cider, Blue Moon, Coors Original, Hop Valley brands, Leinenkugel's, Miller Genuine Draft, Molson Ultra, Sharp's, Staropramen, and Vizzy Hard Seltzer above premier brands; Bergenbier, Borsodi, Carling, Coors Banquet, Coors Light, Jelen, Kamenitza, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian Lager, Molson Dry, Molson Export, and Niksicko, Ozujsko under the premium brands; and Branik, Icehouse, Keystone, Miller High Life, Milwaukee's Best, and Steel Reserve under the economy brands.

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Shares of Monarch Ambassador Income ETF (BATS:MAMB  Get Free Report) traded up 0.5% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $22.15 and last traded at $22.14. 4,670 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, The stock had previously closed at $22.02.

Monarch Ambassador Income ETF Price Performance

The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $22.11 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $22.17.

About Monarch Ambassador Income ETF

(Get Free Report)

The Monarch Ambassador Income ETF (MAMB) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Kingsview Ambassador Income index. The fund tracks an index that consists of mainly global fixed income ETFs, plus an alternative sleeve. Constituents are selected and weighted based on the economic cycle. MAMB was launched on Mar 23, 2021 and is managed by Monarch.

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Ninety One SA PTY Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:TT  Free Report) by 2.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 27,100 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 701 shares during the period. Trane Technologies comprises 1.3% of Ninety One SA PTY Ltds portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest position. Ninety One SA PTY Ltds holdings in Trane Technologies were worth $4,975,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. First National Trust Co purchased a new position in Trane Technologies during the 4th quarter worth $274,000. Great Lakes Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Trane Technologies by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 4,635 shares of the companys stock worth $779,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the period. Avestar Capital LLC purchased a new position in Trane Technologies during the 4th quarter worth $265,000. Toth Financial Advisory Corp increased its holdings in Trane Technologies by 2,709.5% during the 4th quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp now owns 2,950 shares of the companys stock worth $496,000 after purchasing an additional 2,845 shares during the period. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Trane Technologies by 103.9% during the 4th quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,060 shares of the companys stock worth $514,000 after purchasing an additional 1,559 shares during the period. 81.23% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TT has been the topic of several research reports. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Trane Technologies in a report on Monday, March 27th. They set a market perform rating on the stock. 888 reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Trane Technologies in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on Trane Technologies from $200.00 to $192.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Trane Technologies from $172.00 to $181.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price target on Trane Technologies from $184.00 to $183.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Trane Technologies presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $184.47.

Trane Technologies Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of TT stock opened at $196.31 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $180.44 and its 200 day moving average price is $179.99. Trane Technologies plc has a 1-year low of $125.79 and a 1-year high of $197.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 0.77. The company has a market cap of $44.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.03.

Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported $1.41 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.08. Trane Technologies had a return on equity of 30.11% and a net margin of 11.06%. The company had revenue of $3.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.64 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.12 EPS. The firms revenue was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that Trane Technologies plc will post 8.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Trane Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 1st will be given a dividend of $0.75 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 31st. This represents a $3.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.53%. Trane Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 38.86%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Trane Technologies news, CAO Mark Majocha sold 2,202 shares of Trane Technologies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $194.28, for a total transaction of $427,804.56. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 3,797 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $737,681.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, CAO Mark Majocha sold 2,202 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $194.28, for a total value of $427,804.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 3,797 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $737,681.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Paul A. Camuti sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $196.00, for a total value of $980,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 89,409 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,524,164. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.39% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Trane Technologies Company Profile

(Free Report)

Trane Technologies plc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sells, and services of solutions for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, custom, and custom and transport refrigeration in Ireland and internationally. It offers air conditioners, exchangers, and handlers; airside and terminal devices; air sourced heat pumps, auxiliary power units; chillers; coils and condensers; gensets; dehumidifiers; ductless; furnaces; home automation products; humidifiers; indoor air quality assessments and related products; large and light commercial unitary products; refrigerant reclamation products; thermostats/controls; transport heater products; variable refrigerant flow products; and water source heat pumps.

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Ninety One UK Ltd lowered its position in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 16.7% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 5,803,661 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,166,539 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltds holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $303,996,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Goelzer Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 2.8% in the first quarter. Goelzer Investment Management Inc. now owns 57,307 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,002,000 after purchasing an additional 1,535 shares in the last quarter. Sterling Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the first quarter valued at approximately $2,463,000. Boyar Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 77.2% during the first quarter. Boyar Asset Management Inc. now owns 5,935 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $311,000 after acquiring an additional 2,585 shares during the period. Latitude Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 40.2% during the first quarter. Latitude Advisors LLC now owns 8,928 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $468,000 after acquiring an additional 2,559 shares during the period. Finally, Curated Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Charles Schwab during the first quarter worth $260,000. Institutional investors own 82.77% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Charles Schwab news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 77,640 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total value of $4,018,646.40. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 59,771,278 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,093,761,349.28. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Charles Schwab Trading Down 2.4 %

SCHW has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. JMP Securities upgraded Charles Schwab from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $73.00 price target on the stock in a report on Monday, July 10th. StockNews.com upgraded Charles Schwab from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Barclays boosted their target price on Charles Schwab from $55.00 to $62.00 in a research report on Thursday. Piper Sandler reduced their target price on Charles Schwab from $75.00 to $69.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 5th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their target price on Charles Schwab from $75.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Charles Schwab presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $67.23.

Shares of SCHW stock opened at $58.52 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $103.53 billion, a PE ratio of 15.99, a P/E/G ratio of 5.59 and a beta of 0.88. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 1-year low of $45.00 and a 1-year high of $86.63. The business has a 50-day moving average of $54.00 and a 200 day moving average of $63.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.39.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.03. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 27.83% and a net margin of 34.82%. The company had revenue of $5.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.13 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.77 EPS. Charles Schwabs quarterly revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 12th were issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.71%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 27.32%.

About Charles Schwab

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

Further Reading

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Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH trimmed its holdings in shares of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC  Free Report) by 39.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 375,004 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 240,576 shares during the quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH owned 0.19% of Omnicom Group worth $35,378,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of OMC. Romano Brothers AND Company acquired a new stake in shares of Omnicom Group during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. grew its position in Omnicom Group by 453.6% in the 1st quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 382 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 313 shares in the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its position in Omnicom Group by 80.1% in the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 389 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 173 shares in the last quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc grew its position in Omnicom Group by 70.1% in the 4th quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 551 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 227 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Spire Wealth Management grew its position in Omnicom Group by 81.3% in the 4th quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 805 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $66,000 after acquiring an additional 361 shares in the last quarter. 92.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Omnicom Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE OMC opened at $96.29 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. Omnicom Group Inc. has a twelve month low of $61.85 and a twelve month high of $97.26. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $93.33 and a two-hundred day moving average of $90.69. The stock has a market cap of $19.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.84.

Omnicom Group Announces Dividend

Omnicom Group ( NYSE:OMC Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The business services provider reported $1.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.38 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $3.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.38 billion. Omnicom Group had a return on equity of 41.72% and a net margin of 9.57%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.39 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Omnicom Group Inc. will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 7th. Investors 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 yield of 2.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 8th. Omnicom Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 42.11%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Omnicom Group news, CEO John Wren sold 100,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.84, for a total value of $9,384,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 328,448 shares of the companys stock, valued at $30,821,560.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, VP Rochelle M. Tarlowe sold 1,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.12, for a total value of $169,416.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 13,496 shares in the company, valued at $1,270,243.52. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO John Wren sold 100,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 328,448 shares in the company, valued at $30,821,560.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 128,500 shares of company stock valued at $12,073,741 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

OMC has been the subject of several research reports. Macquarie lifted their target price on Omnicom Group from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Omnicom Group from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Omnicom Group in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Omnicom Group from $100.00 to $103.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, BNP Paribas raised Omnicom Group from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $96.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Omnicom Group has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $99.86.

Omnicom Group Company Profile

(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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Secom Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:SOMLY  Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 13,100 shares, a drop of 66.2% from the June 15th total of 38,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 213,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Secom Trading Down 1.2 %

SOMLY traded down $0.20 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $16.67. 25,503 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 73,000. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $16.75 and its 200 day simple moving average is $15.59. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.35 and a beta of 0.40. Secom has a 1-year low of $13.34 and a 1-year high of $17.56.

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Secom (OTCMKTS:SOMLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 11th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $2.32 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.29 billion. Secom had a return on equity of 7.07% and a net margin of 8.40%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Secom will post 0.8 EPS for the current year.

About Secom

SECOM CO., LTD. provides security services in Japan and internationally. Its Security Services segment offers static guard, armored car, merchandise, and other services, as well as online security systems; sells security and water-treatment equipment; and operates PFI correctional facilities. The company's Fire Protection Services segment provides building management, automatic fire alarm systems, fire extinguishing systems, other fire protection systems, and related maintenance services to office buildings, plants, tunnels, cultural properties, ships, and residences; and environmental monitoring systems.

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The original site was designed by S. Abbas Raza in 2004 but soon completely redesigned by Mikko Hypponen and deployed by Henrik Rydberg. It was later upgraded extensively by Dan Balis in 2006. The next major revision was designed by S. Abbas Raza, building upon the earlier look, and coded by Dumky de Wilde in 2013. And this current version 5.0 has been designed and deployed by Dumky de Wilde in collaboration with S. Abbas Raza.
Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente, S.A. (OTCMKTS:SEYMF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 9,900 shares, a drop of 69.0% from the June 15th total of 31,900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently  days.

Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente Stock Performance

Shares of Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente stock remained flat at $17.00 on Friday. 40 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,350. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $17.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $18.60. Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente has a 12-month low of $15.25 and a 12-month high of $21.68.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

SEYMF has been the topic of several research reports. Societe Generale cut shares of Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, May 15th. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, June 12th.

About Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente

Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente, SA, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation of solar photovoltaic energy. It owns, manages, and operates a pipeline of approximately 14,200 MW of photovoltaic plants in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Uruguay, and Greece. The company was incorporated in 2002 and is based in Madrid, Spain.

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StockNews.com cut shares of Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report report published on Tuesday.

SON has been the topic of several other reports. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Sonoco Products from $70.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on Sonoco Products from $80.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their target price on Sonoco Products from $61.00 to $57.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn upgraded Sonoco Products from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, March 20th. One 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. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Sonoco Products has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $63.67.

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Sonoco Products Stock Down 0.3 %

SON opened at $57.79 on Tuesday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $59.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $59.67. 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 $5.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.44, a PEG ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.69. Sonoco Products has a one year low of $53.78 and a one year high of $65.96.

Sonoco Products Increases Dividend

Sonoco Products ( NYSE:SON Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 1st. The industrial products company reported $1.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.33 by $0.07. Sonoco Products had a return on equity of 29.17% and a net margin of 6.93%. The business had revenue of $1.73 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.84 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.85 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Sonoco Products will post 5.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 10th were paid a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 9th. This is a positive change from Sonoco Productss previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.53%. Sonoco Productss dividend payout ratio is currently 40.40%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sonoco Products

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Paradigm Financial Partners LLC increased its stake in Sonoco Products by 2.2% during the second quarter. Paradigm Financial Partners LLC now owns 21,080 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,244,000 after acquiring an additional 445 shares during the last quarter. Congress Wealth Management LLC DE acquired a new stake in Sonoco Products during the second quarter worth about $676,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 9.2% in the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 8,699 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $513,000 after buying an additional 732 shares in the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Sonoco Products in the second quarter valued at about $1,223,000. Finally, Sciencast Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Sonoco Products in the second quarter valued at about $900,000. 75.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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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StockNews.com upgraded shares of KBR (NYSE:KBR  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Tuesday morning.

Separately, Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on KBR from $70.00 to $72.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 30th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $67.14.

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KBR Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE KBR opened at $64.16 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 0.99. The firm has a market cap of $8.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.14, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 1.13. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $62.07 and its 200-day simple moving average is $56.50. KBR has a 52 week low of $41.96 and a 52 week high of $65.78.

KBR Announces Dividend

KBR ( NYSE:KBR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 1st. The construction company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $1.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.61 billion. KBR had a return on equity of 26.13% and a net margin of 5.30%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.62 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that KBR will post 2.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th were given a dividend of $0.135 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $0.54 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.84%. KBRs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.68%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Jennifer Myles sold 480 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.32, for a total transaction of $31,353.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 14,520 shares in the company, valued at approximately $948,446.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other KBR news, CEO Stuart Bradie sold 2,387 shares of KBR stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.51, for a total value of $142,050.37. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 669,639 shares in the company, valued at approximately $39,850,216.89. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Jennifer Myles sold 480 shares of KBR stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.32, for a total value of $31,353.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 14,520 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $948,446.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 123,656 shares of company stock worth $7,565,090 in the last 90 days. 1.03% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On KBR

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of KBR in the 4th quarter valued at $84,561,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in shares of KBR by 9,478.0% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,303,373 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $71,334,000 after buying an additional 1,289,765 shares during the period. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp acquired a new stake in shares of KBR in the 4th quarter valued at $63,463,000. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. increased its stake in shares of KBR by 8,845.0% in the 1st quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 813,372 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $44,776,000 after buying an additional 804,279 shares during the period. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of KBR in the 1st quarter valued at $22,631,000.

KBR Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. The company operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

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Tesco PLC (OTCMKTS:TSCDY  Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 11,700 shares, a decrease of 46.1% from the June 15th total of 21,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 840,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days.

Tesco Price Performance

TSCDY stock opened at $9.77 on Friday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $9.82 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.72. Tesco has a fifty-two week low of $6.54 and a fifty-two week high of $10.75.

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Tesco Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 12th were paid a dividend of $0.2625 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 3.81%. This is a positive change from Tescos previous dividend of $0.13. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th.

Analyst Ratings Changes

About Tesco

A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Tesco from GBX 290 ($3.73) to GBX 270 ($3.47) in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Tesco from GBX 310 ($3.99) to GBX 320 ($4.12) in a research note on Friday, April 14th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Tesco from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th.

(Get Free Report)

Tesco PLC, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a grocery retailer in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. It offers grocery products through its stores, as well as online. The company is also involved in the food and drink wholesaling activities.

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The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (NYSEAMERICAN:GLU  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 6,700 shares, an increase of 294.1% from the June 15th total of 1,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 13,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.5 days.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Mario J. Gabelli sold 1,900 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.21, for a total transaction of $25,099.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 4,703 shares in the company, valued at approximately $62,126.63. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GLU. UBS Group AG grew its holdings in The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust by 8.3% in the 2nd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 22,698 shares of the companys stock worth $366,000 after acquiring an additional 1,741 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC boosted its stake in shares of The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust by 27.5% during the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 27,333 shares of the companys stock valued at $441,000 after purchasing an additional 5,897 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust by 11.9% during the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 13,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $213,000 after purchasing an additional 1,400 shares in the last quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust during the 4th quarter valued at about $148,000. Finally, Prospera Financial Services Inc boosted its stake in shares of The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust by 42.5% during the 4th quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 41,007 shares of the companys stock valued at $577,000 after purchasing an additional 12,221 shares in the last quarter.

The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust Stock Down 0.8 %

The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust Dividend Announcement

Shares of GLU stock traded down $0.11 on Friday, hitting $14.09. 16,651 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 16,433. The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust has a one year low of $13.09 and a one year high of $17.19.

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 24th. Investors of record on Monday, July 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 14th.

The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by GAMCO Investors, Inc It is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC. The fund invests in public equity markets across the globe. It primarily invests in stocks of companies involved to a substantial extent in providing products, services, or equipment for the generation or distribution of electricity, gas, or water and infrastructure operations, and in equity securities including preferred securities of companies in other industries, in each case in such securities that are expected to pay periodic dividends.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at Credit Suisse Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research report issued on Thursday, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm presently has a $620.00 target price on the medical research companys stock. Credit Suisse Groups price objective suggests a potential upside of 17.12% from the stocks previous close.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $670.00 to $620.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $693.00 to $670.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $610.00 to $590.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. Finally, KeyCorp decreased their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $710.00 to $640.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Thermo Fisher Scientific currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $629.77.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Price Performance

TMO opened at $529.36 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $522.66 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $549.55. 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 has a 52 week low of $475.77 and a 52 week high of $611.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $204.18 billion, a PE ratio of 34.51, a P/E/G ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 0.78.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Thermo Fisher Scientific ( NYSE:TMO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $5.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $5.03. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 13.75% and a return on equity of 19.16%. The company had revenue of $10.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.67 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $7.25 EPS. The firms revenue was down 9.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Thermo Fisher Scientific will post 23.69 earnings per share for the current year.

In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $534.82, for a total value of $855,712.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 141,330 shares in the company, valued at $75,586,110.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the companys 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 sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 141,330 shares in the company, valued at approximately $77,055,942.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $534.82, for a total transaction of $855,712.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 141,330 shares in the company, valued at $75,586,110.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.32% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Thermo Fisher Scientific

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 31,423,285 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $18,111,439,000 after purchasing an additional 633,163 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 17.7% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 11,730,063 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $6,459,629,000 after buying an additional 1,764,312 shares during the period. FMR LLC boosted its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 11,354,044 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $6,544,130,000 after buying an additional 194,602 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 1.8% during 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 buying an additional 161,344 shares during the period. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 104,536.8% during 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 buying an additional 8,347,260 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 96.33% of the companys stock.

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Flight One, the popular music component of The United States Air Force Band of Flight, is a versatile and energetic music ensemble that is in tune with Americas soundtrack. The members are all active-duty musicians in the United Air Force, and the group entertains public audiences and also provides support to events at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

The Band of Flight presents more than 250 performances annually, providing quality musical products for official military functions and ceremonies as well as civic events and public concerts. Under the command of Lt Col Amy Justus and the direction of SMSgt Christin Foley, the band supports functions for the 88th Air Base Wing, Air Force Material Command, and the state of Ohio.

Air Force Bands inspire immediate, positive and long-lasting impressions of the United States Air Force and the United States of America in the hearts and minds of our audiences. As one of 10 active-duty Air Force and 5 Air National Guard bands, the Band of Flight is committed to supporting the mission and vision of the US Air Force through their musical and military endeavors.



Mission: To Fly, Fight, and Win Airpower Anytime, Anywhere.
Candidates who wrote the Gurukul PET exam, fearing police arrest, stage a demonstration inside the Gandhi Bhavan, which is near the TSPSC office. They demanded the release of exam results and postings. (Picture by P. Surendra)

HYDERABAD: Students from Telangana preparing for competitive exams are disgruntled with the BRS leadership, which has done precious little to provide jobs. Many from the interiors and born into small and marginal farm families, say they cannot go back home without a job and have to live in cramped rooms in Hyderabad, where they came for job-hunting.

M. Srikanth (28), a 2016 B. Tech graduate from a village in Kamalapur mandal of Warangal district, says, "I got a software job but left it as I preferred getting a government job. The government issued several notifications almost simultaneously, which has put us in a fix as we were unable to decide which exam to prepare for. The syllabus and orientation of preparation for them are all different and are causing mental pressure on us. The leakage of question papers adds to our woes."

Hiring contract staff has become the norm for the government and youth are sulking. Some students rely on the cheap food provided by GHMC in the city library premises and by donors in the night. To add insult to injury I am told that the quantum of unemployment dole being paid by the State government was asked as a question in a competitive exam, he added.

Many students work part time to survive in Hyderabad. K. Raghu with a BSc works part time in a cloth store and earns Rs 4,000 a month working five hours a day. Son of a farmer with six acres of land in Borewelli village of Manavapadu mandal, he says, "I have stopped working in the store to devote my time for the exams. Till I turn 30 all my future plans are on hold owing to lack of a job. Parents find it difficult to send money."

Another job aspirant who completed his degree in 2008 and is now a 35-year-old, and sought anonymity, says, "The government is delaying notifications in the name of lack of clarity on the zones and then formation of new districts. Could they not get the new zones approved earlier? They are now talking of 95 percent jobs for locals. Wasnt jobs for locals at the heart of the Telangana agitation? Who will compensate us for this loss?"

"The increase in the upper age limit by five years for appearing in these exams, I feel, worked negatively. The delay in notifications has kept us away from pursuing something else. This way more youth are wasting their time," he added.

E. Ravi a BSc, BEd aged around 30 who cleared his TET in June, 2022 says, "I could not write the 2017 TRT as I didnt have TET qualification. Post that there have not been any TRT (teacher recruitment test) notifications. Many students line up at the GHMC outlet which gives food for `five."

Students hesitate to speak their mind as they fear consequences, he added.

BA graduate G. Kotesh "There has not been even one notification without court cases. We don't hope they will give notifications if BRS comes back again. Elections were held in 2018 and notifications came in 2022 in December. Many are now 30 to 32 and hesitate to go back home as we don't have jobs. I will do my bit against this government. I skip visiting home because my mother said that the `1000 that I saved could be useful for me here."

"I will vote for any party that promises to issue notification for jobs. The youth declaration by Revanth Reddy raises some hope. I had voted for the BRS earlier and my uncle is a sarpanch from that party", he added.

While BTech graduate R. Santhosh from Mancherial district rued that many exams have been caught in court battles, A. Shekhar, BSc, Bed, who hails from Adilabad says he will have to go back to agriculture if he fails to secure a job.
The former Samajwadi Party MP Azam Khan was lodged in jail for the last 27 months in connection with several cases, including for alleged land grabbing. (File Image: PTI)

Rampur: Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan was sentenced to two years imprisonment by an MP/MLA court here on Saturday in a case of inflammatory speech during the 2019 general elections.Judge Shobhit Bansal convicted Khan, 74, and sentenced him to two years imprisonment. He also imposed a fine of Rs. 2500 on the former Uttar Pradesh minister, according to Joint Director Prosecution Shiv Prakash Pandey.

The case was registered against Khan for allegedly making a provocative speech targeting the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, the then Rampur district election officer and the Election Commission at a rally in the Dhamora area on April 8, 2019 during the Lok Sabha polls.

Prosecution officer Amarnath Tiwari said the video surveillance team in-charge Anil Kumar Chauhan had registered the case against Khan.

An MP-MLA court here had last year convicted Khan in another hate speech case which was registered after he addressed a public meeting in Khatanagaria village of the Milak Kotwali area in 2019. He was sentenced to three years of imprisonment, following which he was disqualified from the UP assembly.

However, in May this year, a sessions court overturned the verdict of the lower court.

The former Samajwadi Party MP was lodged in jail for the last 27 months in connection with several cases, including for alleged land grabbing. He was released in May last year after being granted interim bail by Supreme Court.

After the verdict was pronounced on Saturday, Tiwari said that Azam Khan can be granted bail in the case under 389 CrPC.

The provision allows that pending any appeal by a convicted person, the appellate court may, for reasons to be recorded by it in writing, can order the suspension of sentence and grant bail, provided the sentence should not exceed three years.
Minister Ambati Rambabu. (ANI)

VIJAYAWADA: Water resources minister Ambati Rambabu said that they have no objection to any probe into the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme, including by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Refuting allegations of TD leader and PAC chairman Payyavula Keshav of 900 crore scam in the Rayalaseema lift scheme, the minister said it is a fact that a 900 crore loan has been taken from Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) for the project.

However, he clarified that REC paid to contractors not 900 crore as alleged but 739.5 crore. "Field engineers thoroughly checked all works, checked M book records, and tested quality to ensure that works have been done as per norms. REC released the funds only after confirming that all works have been done as stipulated and without violation," Rambabu maintained.

The minister asserted that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will also complete the Polavaram project, just as he has ensured building of Polavarams lower and upper cofferdams, spillway and approach channel.

He emphasised that Polavaram project is going through a predicament because of former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidus reckless decisions, like constructing the diaphragm wall without the cofferdam being in place. "Polavaram, which had been started by great leader Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, will be completed by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy," he declared. He admitted that there has been some delay in works due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Rambabu accused Chandrababu Naidu of using Polavaram project as an ATM. He said the historic mistake that Naidu made by constructing the diaphragm wall without completing the cofferdam, is now being rectified by Jagan Mohan Reddy.

The minister said the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) has inspected Polavaram. Based on its recommendation, which is expected soon, it will be decided whether the diaphragm wall should be repaired or a new diaphragm wall constructed.

"Jagan government is working sincerely on construction of Polavaram project. I am ready to prove Chandrababu's mistake in construction of the diaphragm wall," Rambabu stated.


Annavaram Temple. (DC File Photo)

KAKINADA: Priests and others at the Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy Temple in Annavaram have opposed a decision by the temples trust board that a payment must be made to the temple when certain rituals are performed there.



The board decided on a fee of `5,000 for performing Upananam or marriages, for all communities on temple premises at the Ratnagiri Hills on the temple premises.

As per the decision, the priests for marriage rituals will be allocated by a contractor who wins an auction conducted by the temple authorities. The marriage parties have to make the payment to contractors.

The priests will get the amount from the contractor. So far, priests were getting substantial sums from those who seek to perform such rituals at the temple.

The associations of priests, the Brahmin association and other temple staff rose in protest and submitted a representation to the temples executive officer Chandrasekhar Azad. Following this, he EO temporarily stopped the auction process.

The EO explained to them that the trust board took the decision with a view to eliminate middle-men (mediators) and to streamline the system. Some Brahmins, who are not priests, are acting as Purohits and performing marriages. Recently, a Christian was seen performing a marriage at the temple. He acted as a Purohit due to the influence mediators wielded in the temple, the EO noted.

The association leaders pleaded that the EO should cancel the fees of Rs 5,000 to the temple. The EO agreed to reduce the fees to Rs 1,500.

The Andhra Pradesh Purohit Brahmin Samakhya state general secretary Lakshmana Rao told Deccan Chronicle that they have not accepted the fee-reduction offer of the EO. "The temple should cancel the fees and the contractor system. It is for the temple trust board to eliminate mediators as they are currently taking a fee of Rs 250 from marriage parties.

He said many of those who want to conduct the marriage ritual in the temple were the backward of middle class communities or those below the poverty line. "It is difficult for them to pay even Rs 1.500 as fee to the temple."

The Apanna Pradeepan Brahmin Seva Sangham state general secretary Ayyappa Sarma said many marriage parties are having their own Purohits and the temple authorities "need not give any recognition to them."



He alleged that the EO was involved in many scams and now he opened another scam in the name of "auctioning of Purohits."

The Brahmin associations said, "The decision of the temple trust board means an auctioning of the Vedas. If this is not stopped here, this virus will spread to other temples also."

Bhogi Ganapathi Peetham founder Dusarlapudi Ramanaraju requested the government to stall the move of the temple authorities. "It would become difficult for priests to perform marriages as desired by the devotees."



He wrote a letter to chief minister Jagan Reddy, saying that, already, the temple authorities are not allowing meals from other places to be brought to Ratnagiri hills and now curbs have been imposed on Purohit in the conduct of marriages.

Annavaram Purohit Sangham general secretary Ravi Sarma said he opposed the issue of tenders for auctioning of Purohit contractors, for non-Brahmins. The EO assured them that only a Brahmin contractor would get the tender to allot priests for marriages and that a fee would be fixed for the Purohits as decided by the temple.

Executive officer Chandrasekhar Azad said a media release that the mediators are making deals with marriage parties vis-a-vis selection of purohits, conduct of music, decoration, meals etc and looting them. The temple authorities wanted to stop this, he said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah. (Photo: PTI)

KOLKATA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit West Bengal in August, a month after the violence affected panchayat elections in the state, BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said on Saturday.

Majumdar, who had met Shah in Delhi on Friday, told reporters at the airport here on the arrival from the national capital, that Shah does not want a single death to take place due to political violence in West Bengal.

Police sources said 39 people have died in panchayat poll-related violence since the election date was announced on June 8. A majority of those who lost their lives were affiliated with the TMC.

Majumdar said, "Amit-ji is expected to visit West Bengal in August. The date will depend on his programmes. He is concerned about the prevailing situation in Bengal. He wants peace to return. He wishes not a single death from any party happens any more."

The BJP MP claimed that the casualty figure would have been higher if the central forces were not deployed after the panchayat elections were held on July 8.

"Amitji is monitoring the deployment of forces," he added. The central forces will be stationed in the state for "some more time", he said.

TMC Rajya Sabha MP and party spokesperson Santanu Sen alleged that the violence occurred because of irresponsible and provocative remarks of Union minister Nisith Pramanik and leader of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari.

Shah must rein in these leaders. Most of the victims of panchayat poll-related violence were from TMC," Sen said.

Shah on Friday tweeted that Even bloodcurdling violence in West Bengal could not stop the BJP from putting up a stellar performance in the panchayat election. The BJP nearly doubled its seat tally from the previous election, indicating a significant rise in the trust placed by the people."

The TMC has dubbed Shah's remarks as "distasteful and insensitive", and wondered about the role of his ministry in restoring peace in strife-torn Manipur.
American officials and military analysts warn that US-made cluster munitions probably will not immediately help Ukraine in its flagging counteroffensive against Russian defences as hundreds of thousands of the weapons arrived in the country from US military depots in Europe, according to Pentagon officials.

The scale of effect will be modest, said Jack Watling, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, who has made several trips to Ukraine. It will make the Ukrainian artillery a little more lethal. The real impact will be felt later in the year when Ukraine has significantly more ammo than would otherwise have been the case.

Colin Kahl, the undersecretary of defence for policy, acknowledged last week that no one capability is a silver bullet but said the cluster munitions would allow Ukraine to sustain the artillery fight for the foreseeable future.

President Joe Biden had wrestled with a decision for months. Cluster munitions, which have been outlawed by many of Americas closest allies, scatter tiny bomblets across the battlefield that can cause grievous injuries even decades after the fighting ends when civilians pick up duds that did not explode.

Read | The flawed moral logic of sending cluster munitions to Ukraine

Russia has used weapons of this type in Ukraine for much of the war. The Ukrainians have also used them, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had pressed for more in order to flush out the Russians who are dug into trenches and blocking his countrys counteroffensive.

Biden determined last week that depriving Ukraine of the weapons as it faced dire ammunition shortages would amount to leaving it defenceless against Russia. He said it was a temporary move to hold Ukraine over until the production of conventional artillery rounds could be ramped up.

The decision gives Ukrainian troops more time to probe the Russian defences for weak spots along three main lines of attack  shelling Russian artillery that attacks their advancing forces  and then punch through dense minefields, tank traps and other barriers. It also allows the Ukrainian army to do more of what it knows best: fire thousands of artillery shells a day to wear down Russian defenders.

It looks like theyre back to an artillery duel, said Amael Kotlarski, a weapons team manager at Janes, a defence intelligence firm.

But that artillery-centric approach raises questions about whether Ukraine has lost confidence in the combined arms tactics  synchronized attacks by infantry, armor and artillery forces  that nine new brigades learned from American and other Western advisers in recent months. Western officials heralded the approach as more efficient than the costly strategy of wearing Russian forces down by attrition and depleting their ammunition stocks.

Senior US officials in recent weeks had privately expressed frustration that some Ukrainian commanders, exasperated at the slow pace of the initial assault and fearing increased casualties among their ranks, had reverted to old habits  decades of Soviet-style training in artillery barrages  rather than sticking with the Western tactics and pressing harder to breach the Russian defences.

When asked about the US criticism, Andriy Zagorodnyuk, a former Ukrainian defence minister who advises the government, said in an email, Why dont they come and do it themselves?

Biden administration officials are hoping the nine brigades, some 36,000 troops, will show that the American way of warfare  using combined arms, synchronized tactics and regiments with empowered senior enlisted soldiers  is superior to the rigidly centralized command structure that is the Russian approach.

It pushes them out of their comfort zone a little bit because this has them employing fire and manoeuvre in a way thats more familiar to NATO forces than the kind of forces that have a Soviet legacy and Soviet doctrine behind them, Kahl said. It is requiring them to fight in different ways.

With a vast new supply of artillery rounds now at the Ukrainians disposal, the pressure to fight like Western armies has eased. But Kahl and other top US policymakers and senior uniformed officers said it was too soon to judge the counteroffensive and how the Ukrainians will wage the fight.

It is slower than we had hoped, but the Ukrainians have a lot of combat power left, Kahl said, noting that the bulk of the nine Western-trained brigades has yet to be committed to the fight and is being held in reserve for when Ukrainian troops can pour through holes punched through the Russian defences.

The real test will be when they identify weak spots or create weak spots and generate a breach, how rapidly theyre able to exploit that with the combat power that they have in reserve and how rapidly the Russians will be able to respond, Kahl said.

US and Ukrainian military officials have declined to say exactly how Ukraine will use the cluster munitions, which are US-made M864 155 mm artillery shells that can be fired from howitzers and release 72 small grenades once over their target.

I dont think there will be that much of an immediate effect, said Rob Lee, a Russian military specialist at the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia and a former US Marine officer.

Lee said Ukraine would probably try to use the cluster munitions near sections of the 600-mile front lines where it was less likely to send troops to avoid putting its forces at risk.

The United States will work with Ukraine to minimize the risks associated with the weapons, Kahl said. Specifically, he added, the Ukrainian government has said that it would not use the rounds in densely populated urban areas and that using the rounds would make demining efforts easier after the conflict.

Cluster munitions will be used only in the fields where there is a concentration of Russian military, Ukraines defence minister, Oleksii Reznikov, said in a Twitter message last week. They will be used to break through the enemy defence lines with minimum risk for the lives of our soldiers. Saving the lives of our troops, even during extremely difficult offensive operations, remains our top priority.

Mark F. Cancian, a former White House weapons strategist who is now a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said, Cluster munitions will not only provide enough shells to continue the high level of artillery fires but provide a more effective munition against area targets such as infantry, artillery, and truck convoys.

The munitions are arriving at a time when Ukrainian troops are slowly grinding forward.

Gen. Mark Milley, the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last month that Ukraine was advancing steadily, deliberately working its way through very difficult minefields at some 500 to 2,000 yards a day. Slow advance is very deliberate, Milley said. That is happening.

He added that the fact that the long-awaited push to recapture occupied territory was not advancing as rapidly as many experts had predicted doesnt surprise me at all.

Its going to be very long; and its going to be very, very bloody; and no one should have any illusions about any of that, Milley said. At the end of the day, Ukrainian soldiers are assaulting through minefields and in the trenches, and this is literally a fight for their life. So yes, sure, it goes a little slow, but that is part of the nature of war.
A recent analysis conducted by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has claimed that an approximate 44 per cent of MLAs in State Assemblies across India have declared criminal cases against themselves. The analysis, conducted by ADR and the National Election Watch (NEW), examined the self-sworn affidavits of current MLAs in state assemblies and union territories nationwide.

The data was extracted from the affidavits filed by the MLAs prior to contesting their most recent elections. The analysis encompassed a total of 4,001 MLAs out of the 4,033 individuals serving across 28 state assemblies and 2 Union territories.

Also Read | Row over Kerala trade union leader's luxury car

Of the MLAs analysed, the ADR said 1,136 or about 28 per cent have declared serious criminal cases against themselves, including charges related to murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, and crimes against women, among others.

In Kerala, 95 out of 135 MLAs, accounting for 70 per cent, have declared criminal cases against themselves.

Similarly, in Bihar, 161 out of 242 MLAs (67 per cent), in Delhi, 44 out of 70 MLAs (63 per cent), in Maharashtra, 175 out of 284 MLAs (62 per cent), in Telangana, 72 out of 118 MLAs (61 per cent), and in Tamil Nadu, 134 out of 224 MLAs (60 per cent) have self-declared criminal cases in their affidavits.

Additionally, the ADR reported that 37 out of 70 MLAs (53 per cent) in Delhi, 122 out of 242 MLAs (50 per cent) in Bihar, 114 out of 284 MLAs (40 per cent) in Maharashtra, 31 out of 79 MLAs (39 per cent) in Jharkhand, 46 out of 118 MLAs (39 per cent) in Telangana, and 155 out of 403 MLAs (38 per cent) in Uttar Pradesh have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

The analysis also unveiled disturbing statistics related to crimes against women. A total of 114 MLAs have declared cases pertaining to crimes against women, with 14 of them specifically declaring cases related to rape (IPC Section-376), as highlighted in the report.

Apart from criminal records, the analysis also examined the assets of the MLAs. The average assets per MLA from State Assemblies were found to be Rs 13.63 crores. However, the average assets of MLAs with declared criminal cases stood higher at Rs 16.36 crores, compared to Rs 11.45 crores for those with no criminal cases.

The ADR analysis further revealed the states with the highest and lowest average assets per MLA.

Karnataka topped the list with an average asset value of Rs 64.39 crores for its 223 MLAs, followed by Andhra Pradesh with Rs 28.24 crores for 174 MLAs, and Maharashtra with Rs 23.51 crores for 284 MLAs. In contrast, Tripura had the lowest average assets with Rs 1.54 crores for its 59 MLAs, followed by West Bengal with Rs 2.80 crores for 293 MLAs, and Kerala with Rs 3.15 crores for 135 MLAs.

Out of the 4,001 MLAs analysed, 88 (2 per cent) were found to be billionaires, possessing assets worth more than Rs 100 crores.

Karnataka had the highest number of billionaires among MLAs, with 32 out of 223 (14 percent), followed by Arunachal Pradesh with 4 out of 59 (7 percent), and Andhra Pradesh with 10 out of 174 (6 percent). Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh also had MLAs with assets surpassing the Rs 100 crore mark.
The flood situation in Assam worsened on Saturday with the number of affected people rising to over one lakh, from over 67,000 the previous day, in 17 districts of the state as major rivers including the Brahmaputra were in spate, an official bulletin said.

However, the toll in the current wave of the floods remained unchanged at seven as no fresh death was reported, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) bulletin.

A total of 1,07,829 people remained affected in Baksa, Bishwanath, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Morigaon, Nagaon, Sivasagar, Sonitpur, Tamulpur and Tinsukia districts, it said.

The number of affected people was 67,689 in the same districts on Friday.

Also Read | Heavy rain lashes Delhi, waterlogging causes traffic congestion in parts of city

Brahmaputra was flowing above the danger level in Dhubri, Tezpur and Nematighat, while Buridihing and Sankosh were in spate in Golakganj.

An alert was issued in the western districts bordering Bhutan as excess water was released from the Himalayan kingdom since Friday morning.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday night in New Delhi and apprised him of the flood situation, along with relief and rehabilitation measures taken by the state government.

He also thanked Shah for releasing Rs 340 crore to the state for the situation.

Sarma said the state government was making efforts to channelise excess water from the Brahmaputra to the wetlands and build road-cum-embankments to tackle floods.

The district authorities have set up 93 relief camps and distribution centres with 4,275 inmates taking shelter in these facilities.

A crop area of 4168.40 hectares has been damaged, while 72,315 animals have also been affected.

Three embankments were affected in Golaghat and Majuli, while 42 roads were damaged in Chirang, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Morigaon, and Sivasagar districts.

Large-scale erosion was also reported in Bongaigaon, Charaideo, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Nalbari Sivasagar and South Salmara districts, the bulletin added.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has filed a plea in the Supreme Court, contending that if his conviction in a defamation case for his 2019 remarks as to why all thieves had Modi surname, is not stayed, it would lead to throttling of free speech, expression, thought, and statement.

It would contribute to the systematic, repetitive emasculation of democratic institutions and the consequent strangulation of democracy which would be gravely detrimental to the political climate and future of India, his plea stated.

In his special leave petition, Gandhi said challenged the Gujarat High Court's July 7 decision declining his plea for stay on the conviction relying upon "extraneous and irrelevant factors" like pendency of similar cases against him.

In a democracy, the opinion of the people is supreme and the choice of the voter is treated as the will of the people, his plea said, adding the verdict under appeal has directly led to a situation resulting in the disqualification of the petitioner as a legislator.

Also Read | Kerala HC stays trial against staff members of Rahul Gandhi's Wayanad office in vandalisation case

"If the operation of the judgement of conviction is not stayed, a by-election shall be held within the period stipulated and the petitioner shall forfeit his right to represent the constituency and his political party for the remaining part of his tenure," the plea stated.

He stated this loss is irreparable as even the subsequent acquittal of the petitioner cannot undo the damage and the issue may also be looked at from the point of view of the electorate.

The disqualification of an elected representative essentially interferes with the choice of the electorate in a free and fair election, he said.

Justifying his 2019 statement, Gandhi said he has the right to criticise and comment upon the measures undertaken by the Prime Minister, who is his political opponent, and merely because he was critical or he had a different opinion, the complaint for defamation cant be sustained against him.

It is in that context that the petitioner addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a thief for a substantial reason that the money of the poor people of the country was given away to Anil Ambani. Neither complainant nor his witnesses say that the allegations in this regard were false."

"The petitioner, if at all spoke as to why the surname of all thieves is Modi, he spoke of it in relation to this theme of misgovernance of Shri Modi and not in connection with any Modi samaj or persons holding Modi surname, his petition stated.

His plea also contended that if political satire were to be held to be a base motive, then any political speech which is colourfully critical of the government would become an act of moral turpitude, which would completely corrode the foundations of democracy.

In the case, the High Court, after considering the irrelevant factors, has invented a hitherto unknown definition for the seriousness of an offence through several leaps of logic, by first misreading and misconstruing the idea of moral turpitude and then using that misconstrued notion also to misconstrue the idea of a serious offence.

The plea contended that depravity and vileness, which are the essential core of moral turpitude, are associated with rapists, serious murderers, heinous violence, and such other similar crimes.

To equate a political speech criticising the government or a section of society, even if defamatory, sets a completely incongruous standard unknown to jurisprudence which deals with moral turpitude, it contended.

On March 23, 2023, the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Surat had held Gandhi guilty for the offence of defamation and awarded him a maximum two-year jail term on the complaint by Purnesh Modi.

The conviction had led to the disqualification of Gandhi as Wayanad MP. On April 20, a sessions court in Surat had dismissed Gandhi's plea to stay his conviction. Subsequently, the HC had on July 7 also rejected his plea for suspending the conviction, affecting his chances to get back his status as the Member of Parliament.
The BJP on Saturday asserted that the state-sponsored and brutal police action on its procession in the Bihar capital earlier this week warranted a judicial inquiry and intervention of the National Human Rights Commission.

A four-member fact-finding team constituted by BJP national president J P Nadda stated this here, as it met several party activists, who sustained injuries in the police action on June 13 and are undergoing treatment at hospitals.

Also Read | BJP workers, cops clash in Patna over teacher hiring policy

The team members also include former Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das and Members of Parliament Manoj Tiwari, Sunita Duggal and Vishnu Dayal Ram.

Duggal alleged that women BJP workers were hit with lathis on their chests and heads by male police personnel on Thursday when the party was staging a Vidhan Sabha march in protest against the Nitish Kumar governments teacher recruitment policy.

Tiwari, who is a Lok Sabha MP from Delhi, but has his roots in Bihar, claimed 771 BJP workers were injured in the incident and some of them were chased all the way to hospitals and thrashed inside the premises.

The team members alleged that the incident reminded them of Jallianwala Bagh massacre and wondered whether hired goons were donning police uniforms.

We will submit a report on our investigation to the national president and strongly recommend a judicial inquiry, said the panel members, who replied in the affirmative when asked whether they would also approach the NHRC with the request to look into the matter.

Our state president Samrat Choudhary will pursue the matter with NHRC, said the members, who spoke with the Bihar unit chief seated by their side.
Ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting of the expanded National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Delhi on July 18, an invitation for which has been extended by BJP president J P Nadda to the current and the new allies being brought on board by the ruling party at the centre in preparations for the Lok Sabha elections next year.

At least two parties from Bihar- Chirag Paswans Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhis HAM- have confirmed the receipt of the invite for the meeting at Delhis Ashoka Hotel at 5 pm on Tuesday.

Also Read: 'Poora Disturbed Alliance': BJP taunts Opposition after Ajit Pawar joins NDA

Paswan broke away from the NDA in the 2020 Assembly Polls in the state while Majhi quit the alliance in 2018.

The letter sent by Nadda to Paswan and Manjhi while extolling the performance and achievements of the Modi government acknowledges the role of the allies as important partners of the NDA that strengthens the alliance and contributes towards countrys development journey.

Union Minister of State Home Affairs Nityanand Rai also met Chirag Paswan in Delhi on Friday requesting the Bihar MP to attend the meeting.

Apart from the smaller NDA allies in the Northeast, the Delhi meeting is also likely to be attended by new entrants to the NDA like the breakaway faction of the NCP led by Ajit Pawar and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena.

From Tamil Nadu, three parties AIADMK led by former Chief Minister E Palaniswami, Tamil Manila Congress leader G K Vasan and PMKs Anbumani Ramadoss have been invited.

Also Read: Congress sets stage for AAP attendance in Bengaluru Opposition meeting by announcing opposition to ordinance

However, the contours of BJPs alliance in Andhra Pradesh remain a little fuzzy. The party has had a good working relationship with Jagan Mohan Reddys YSRCP ostensibly the reason why uncertainty continues to loom over whether BJP would explore a larger pre-poll alliance with Pawan Kalyans Jana Sena and Chandrababu Naidus TDP.

The renewed attempts to rebuild the NDA comes in the wake of opposition unity attempts for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections which started with the Patna plenary on June 23. The next round of the Opposition meeting is scheduled to be held in Bengaluru later this week.

Since assuming power at the centre in 2014, BJP has lost allies in many states including Bihar, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Punjab. As the countdown to the next Lok Sabha elections begins, BJP has sought to re-calibrate its strategy in reaching out to regional and sub-regional parties to match the opposition optics and also to compensate for potential losses in regions it performed well in the last elections.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called a meeting of his cabinet ministers Saturday evening on the flood situation in the national capital, reported ANI.

This comes after he said the water level of the Yamuna is receding slowly and the situation would normalise soon if there is no more heavy rainfall.

After wreaking havoc on lives and livelihoods in parts of Delhi close to it, the swollen Yamuna followed a downward trend on Saturday morning, albeit at a slow pace of a few centimetres per hour.

"Now, the water is receding and it will continue receding today and tomorrow... The receding trend will persist since there is no sign of precipitation in the upper regions...The water level of Yamuna at 11 am today stood at 207.43 meters and at 11 pm tonight it will reduce to 206.72 meters," said Ashwani Kumar, Revenue Secretary, and Divisional Commissioner of Delhi Government.

With several parts of the city still inundated, the Chief Minister also urged people to avoid waterlogged areas.

More to follow...
Seven families have been evacuated in Kholaksa, located at a distance of about 3 km from Losar in Lahaul and Spiti district, following flooding due to the melting of a glacier. However, no casualty was reported.

Floods were witnessed late on Friday night and agricultural land was damaged. The seven families were shifted to safer places, Lahaul and Spiti Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar told PTI on Saturday.

Also Read | Amit Shah approves release of Rs 180 crore to flood-hit Himachal Pradesh

The melting of snow and glaciers has led to an alarming rise in the water level of several rivers and nullahs in the region and efforts are on to divert the water towards barren land, said locals. The Spiti region witnessed snowfall on July 9 and 10 and about 250 people, mainly tourists, were stranded at the Chandertal lake at an altitude of about 15,000 feet for six days. They were rescued safely on Thursday.

Himachal Pradesh has suffered losses of about Rs 8,000 crore as heavy rains wreaked havoc in the hill state, triggering landslides and flash floods and damaging roads and other infrastructure, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Saturday.

According to the state emergency response centre, the losses had amounted to about Rs 4,000 crore till Friday night and Sukhu had sought an interim relief of Rs 2,000 crore from the Union home ministry. People rendered shelterless following damage to their houses due to the rain would be rehabilitated and Rs 1 lakh would be given to each affected family, Sukhu said after visiting the rain-ravaged Shamti area in the suburbs of Solan.

He said the loss and damage have been immense and 70 families have been left shelterless, adding that such tragic incidents have been reported from across the state. The foremost task before the government is to restore the water and power supplies and make the state self-reliant in the next four years, Sukhu added.

About 70,000 tourists have been evacuated from the state and 15,000 vehicles sent out, while around 500 tourists have voluntarily decided to stay back, the chief minister said in a statement issued here.

Some tourists stuck at Kasol, Manikaran and other adjoining areas in Kullu district refused to move out without their vehicles and have decided to stay back for a few more days till the situation normalises and all roads are opened.

Due to a heavy landslide near Dunkhara on the Kasol-Bhuntar road, the vehicles could not be moved and the tourists had to trek to reach the other side. However the state government said these tourists are being taken care of.

Electricity, water and mobile phone services have been temporarily restored in 80 per cent of the disaster-affected areas and efforts are on to restore essential services in the remaining areas at the earliest, the statement said.

The bus service of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) is suspended on 899 routes and 256 buses are held en route. The HRTC has suffered losses of Rs 5.56 crore, officials said.

Meanwhile, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla visited Pandoh and Aut in Mandi district and interacted with the affected people and inquired about the relief-and-rehabilitation work being carried out by the administration.

He also inspected a nearly 100-year-old bridge at Pandoh that has been damaged due to flood and announced to donate a month's salary to the relief fund. The governor said there is a need to learn lessons from nature and there should be efforts to ensure that there is no such damage in the future.

The local MeT office has issued an "orange" warning for heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in 10 of the 12 districts of the state, barring Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur, from July 15 to 17 and warned of the possibility of landslides, flash floods, mudslides and increased runoff in rivers and nullahs.

It has also issued a "yellow" warning for heavy rain on July 18 and forecast a wet spell in the state till July 21. The state has received 284.1 mm rain so far in July, against the normal rainfall of 110.4 mm, an excess of 157 per cent.

Light to heavy rain continued to lash parts of the state, with Dharamshala receiving 144 mm rain, followed by Palampur (51 mm), Sundernagar and Nahan (45 mm each), Kangra (27 mm), Narkanda 22 mm and Mandi (17 mm).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held comprehensive talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan here to further deepen the multi-faceted bilateral ties, and announced that the two countries have agreed to start trade settlement in their currencies.

In his remarks after meeting the UAE President, Modi said India-UAE trade witnessed a 20 per cent increase since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement last year.

Modi said the agreement signed on Saturday for trade settlement in the currencies of the two countries shows the strong economic cooperation and mutual trust between the two nations.

Also Read | Manipur burns, EU Parliament discusses it, but Modi hasn't said a word: Rahul Gandhi

The agreement with the UAE on trade settlement in the two countries' currencies will boost bilateral trade and investments.

Modi said he always got the love of a brother from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

"The manner in which ties between our countries have expanded, you have made a big contribution to that. Every person in India views you as a true friend," he told the UAE President.

Modi also noted that preparations for COP-28 to be held in the UAE are going on under the UAE President's leadership, and added that he has made up his mind to participate in the conference later this year.

Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome here at the Qasr-Al-Watan - the presidential palace - where he was greeted by the UAE President with a warm embrace. Children were seen waving the Indian tricolour as the Prime Minister inspected the guard of honour.

India and the UAE are engaged across various sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties.
Nationalist Congress Party leader Nawab Malik is getting specialized medical assistance and his right to health or right to life is not infringed in any manner, said the Bombay High Court while refusing him medical bail in a money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The HC further said Malik's medical report does not indicate he is suffering from any critical ailment.

On the contrary, the report says the former state minister does not need further hospitalization, the HC observed.

Also Read: Bombay High Court rejects interim bail to Nawab Malik

A single bench of Justice Anuja Prabhudessai had rejected Malik's plea seeking bail on medical grounds on July 13. The detailed order was made available on Saturday.

Malik was arrested in February 2022 by the ED in a case linked to alleged activities of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his associates. He is in judicial custody and currently undergoing treatment in a private hospital here.

Malik's counsel Amit Desai had argued his client's health was deteriorating over the last eight months and he was in stage 2 to stage 3 of chronic kidney disease.

In its order, the HC bench said there can be no dispute that the right to health is recognized as an important facet of Article 21 (of the Constitution).

"It is a right available to every person, including an under-trial prisoner or convict. In fact, failure of the state to provide proper medical aid to prisoners, who are largely dependent on the jail authorities, would be in violation of the right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution," the HC order said.

In the instant case, Malik has several pre-existing ailments, it observed. He was admitted to the state-run JJ Hospital in Mumbai from February 25 to 28, 2022 and on subsequent dates.

"He is admitted and is being treated in Criti Care Asia, a multi-specialty hospital of his choice, since May 17, 2022. The applicant is provided adequate, effective and specialized medical assistance, and his health condition is being monitored by the doctors specialized in the field. Hence, his right to health or right to life is not curtailed or infringed in any manner," the court observed.

The bench was of the view that there can be no straight jacket formula in cases of medical bail and exercise of discretion under the proviso depends on facts and circumstances of each case.

The thumb rule essentially is the nature of the sickness, health condition as well as availability of specialized and sustained medical treatment to the inmates confined within the four walls of the jail, the court said.

The medical report of Malik does not indicate the applicant is suffering from any critical ailment or that his right kidney is functioning in a compromised manner. On the contrary, the report states that the applicant does not need further hospitalization, the court said.

A medical board to examine the health condition of the accused was constituted on the direction of the HC and its report reveals he has a small left kidney with few benign cysts and a solitary functioning right kidney, the court said.

It also does not indicate the right kidney of the applicant has deteriorated or that it is functioning only at 60 per cent (as claimed by the accused).

The report otherwise does not indicate that the applicant is suffering from any such chronic illness, which justifies grant of medical bail, the court added.

The court is expected to hear his plea seeking bail on merits after two weeks.

The ED's case against Malik is based on an FIR filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Dawood Ibrahim, a designated global terrorist and a key accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, and his associates under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Geneos Wealth Management Inc. cut its holdings in shares of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD  Free Report) (TSE:TD) by 13.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,884 shares of the banks stock after selling 431 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Toronto-Dominion Bank were worth $173,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TD. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in Toronto-Dominion Bank during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in Toronto-Dominion Bank by 6.3% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 914,064 shares of the banks stock valued at $72,595,000 after purchasing an additional 54,121 shares during the period. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Toronto-Dominion Bank during the 1st quarter valued at about $200,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. increased its stake in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 9,868 shares of the banks stock valued at $784,000 after acquiring an additional 161 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers increased its stake in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 21.8% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 12,022 shares of the banks stock valued at $955,000 after acquiring an additional 2,154 shares during the last quarter. 44.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently commented on TD. CIBC raised Toronto-Dominion Bank from a neutral rating to a sector outperform rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Credit Suisse Group raised Toronto-Dominion Bank from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 8th. StockNews.com raised Toronto-Dominion Bank from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday. Finally, Barclays cut Toronto-Dominion Bank from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $101.83.

Toronto-Dominion Bank Price Performance

NYSE TD opened at $63.43 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $60.33 and a 200 day simple moving average of $62.47. The Toronto-Dominion Bank has a 52-week low of $55.43 and a 52-week high of $70.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 0.99. The stock has a market cap of $116.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.64, a PEG ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 0.90.

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 for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.52 by ($0.09). The business had revenue of $9.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.10 billion. Toronto-Dominion Bank had a return on equity of 15.51% and a net margin of 17.72%. Analysts anticipate that The Toronto-Dominion Bank will post 6.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Toronto-Dominion Bank Cuts Dividend

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 dividend of $0.709 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 7th. This represents a $2.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.47%. Toronto-Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio is currently 48.66%.

Toronto-Dominion Bank Company Profile

(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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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD  Free Report) (TSE:TD).

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Investment Management of Virginia LLC decreased its holdings in Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) by 0.2% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 32,555 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 70 shares during the period. Investment Management of Virginia LLCs holdings in Chevron were worth $5,312,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Acorn Financial Advisory Services Inc. ADV lifted its position in Chevron by 14.3% during the first quarter. Acorn Financial Advisory Services Inc. ADV now owns 1,807 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $295,000 after purchasing an additional 226 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Chevron during the first quarter valued at $5,692,000. Cubic Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Chevron by 2.9% during the first quarter. Cubic Asset Management LLC now owns 3,491 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $570,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the period. Plimoth Trust Co. LLC lifted its position in Chevron by 2.2% during the first quarter. Plimoth Trust Co. LLC now owns 39,922 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $6,514,000 after purchasing an additional 861 shares during the period. Finally, Red Cedar Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Chevron by 50.1% during the first quarter. Red Cedar Investment Management LLC now owns 25,688 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $4,191,000 after purchasing an additional 8,570 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 69.65% of the companys stock.

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Chevron Stock Down 2.5 %

Shares of NYSE CVX opened at $153.58 on Friday. Chevron Co. has a 12-month low of $136.43 and a 12-month high of $189.68. The stock has a market cap of $290.98 billion, a PE ratio of 8.29, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The company has a 50-day moving average of $155.83 and a 200 day moving average of $163.96.

Chevron Dividend Announcement

Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 28th. The oil and gas company reported $3.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.41 by $0.14. Chevron had a net margin of 14.74% and a return on equity of 23.15%. The company had revenue of $50.79 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $49.49 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.36 EPS. Chevrons revenue was down 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Chevron Co. will post 13.75 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 19th were paid a $1.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 18th. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.93%. Chevrons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.61%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Chevron from $202.00 to $205.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on shares of Chevron from $193.00 to $190.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. HSBC upgraded shares of Chevron from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $189.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Chevron from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $165.00 to $180.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. Finally, Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of Chevron from $180.00 to $170.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $191.63.

Chevron Company Profile

(Free Report)

Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the integrated energy and chemicals operations in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and processing, transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as a gas-to-liquids plant.

Further Reading

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The Foyle Hospice is set to benefit from the mammoth fundraising efforts of Corin Kelly Herron (15) and his friends.

In January of this year, Corin, who comes from Strabane, resolved to raise 10,000 for the Foyle Hospice, so he got in touch with his friends to support him with his campaign.

Since then, Corin and his team have taken part in various activities including, door-to-door collections, car washes, bingo, and a community fun day, as well as a number of skydives and raffles, along with his friend Colt (14).

Corin and Colt are both iwill Ambassadors for UK Youth.

As well as fundraising, Corin and Colt volunteer with the local Community Rescue Service and YouthAction NI.

The people of Strabane are very familiar with the great work these young people have done over the past four years, from delivering care packages, helping out with community floods, volunteering at events, checking life rings on the river and fundraising for charities. Over the last four years they have raised more than 20,000.

Due to their success and commitment, UK Youth and YouthAction NI invited Corin and Colt to meet the British Prime Minister for lunch at 10 Downing Street to talk about the work in the community.

Corin and Colt with British PM Rishi Sunak.

Corin and Colt have delivered programmes in primary schools across the North, spreading positive messages to over 200 young people about the importance of volunteering as well as altruism.

Corin said: Young people will get more inspiration, listening to other young people and hearing our stories.

These young people are not planning on stopping and are already thinking about their next charity to support.

They are also working in partnership with a new idea which will be developed over the next 18 months.

A spokesperson for YouthAction NI said: Both Corin and Colt are an inspiration to all young people. Their commitment and passion has enabled them to achieve their fundraising goals.

These two young people have so much inspiration and a will to help others. We have been supporting both Corin and Colt and hope their work in the community will inspire others.

Usually we listen to stories of young people involved in anti-social behaviour, standing in street corners and underage drinking and so on, but there are young people in the community willing to make positive changes within their community. Both Corin and Colt lead the way and they are hoping that more young people will follow them.

Corin said that fundraising gave him so much pride in helping others. It gives me that feel-good feeling, he added.

I feel it is vital to thank those who have supported me over the past seven months, so I will be hosting a celebration event on July 23, at the Railway Bar at 7pm, which will include food, guest speakers and a live draw.
In 1978, Eddie Breslin was offered a permanent job with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. The 21-year-old was over the moon. He had been in the building trade up to then, but times were uncertain and he often found himself out of work while waiting for the next job to come up; not ideal for a young man who had gotten married just the year before.

So when he was appointed as non-resident assistant caretaker of the historic Rossville Flats, standing in the heart of Derry's Bogside, it was a role he carried out with enthusiasm from the start. The flats were the epicentre of much of the Troubles-related activity that raged in Derry at that time, and it was certainly a baptism of fire for the young Creggan native.

In those early days especially, said Eddie, interesting is an understatement. It was during the Troubles and the flats were in the news every day.

I worked with John Dunleavey and an older man, Patrick Miller, and our role was to tidy up the place after rioting from the night before; the stairways would have glass from petrol bombs and there would be bullet holes everywhere.

I remember the lifts were broken more times than enough. The British Army had a command post on top of the flats and if the lift ever broke down, we had to manually move it to get people out.

You had to get the okay from the soldiers up there before you could make a move, but their personnel changed all the time and if it was soldiers who didn't know us, they took ages to give us the go-ahead because they were afraid of their lives of being ambushed.

Many's a time it could be a couple of hours before we could get someone out of the lift, and then we would get it in the neck from the woman stuck in there with her wain, who would say, 'what kept you?'

The three towers of the iconic flats were demolished, in stages, between 1985 and 1989, and next up for Eddie was a move to the general Bogside area. His job was to maintain the communal stairways in the flats opposite Pilot's Row, in streets such as Kells Walk and Colmcille Court.

He stayed in that position for a decade and then, in 1999, took on the role of neighbourhood warden. The job required common sense, diplomacy skills and a good sense of humour; all qualities that those who know Eddie would say he has in good measure.

He said: My role was to deliver offers to people who had put in for properties and then show them around. I also had to deal with anti-social behaviour: people partying, or some other breach of tenancy.

There had to be a wee bit of scare tactics; warning them that if they kept on doing what they were doing they would be asked to leave the property. But nobody wanted that, least of all us because it meant having to find them alternative accommodation, so for me, it was always just about trying to find a way to resolve it, and the best way to do that was by engaging with people.

Eddie's people skills and knack for helping people  especially those who are disadvantaged in some way  are qualities he believes he inherited from his late parents, Thomas (Dusty) and Dolly Breslin.

They were very engaged in the community in Creggan, he said. My father, along with John Starrs, would have helped organise the men's nights in the community centre and my mother would have been heavily involved in the women's groups.

It was right in the middle of the Troubles and that sense of community really kept a lot of people off the street during some really hard times.

I have never been afraid to stand up for people, no matter what, and that is something I got from my mother and father.

Eddie's natural inclination to help people, along with his successful 11-year stint as neighbourhood warden, made him the perfect choice when the role of good relations officer came up in 2010.

Under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, social housing landlords had to engage in trying to create more shared spaces, so the housing executive created a good relations team that would go out and meet with community groups and try to encourage them to interact with one another.

Achieving cross-community harmony, even during times of relative peace, can be a tough needle to thread, but Eddie's skills as a facilitator came to the fore and great strides were made.

He said: I was based in the Waterloo Place office and you'd have representatives of community groups from the Fountain and the Bogside in a room together, and my role was to sit in and advise and mediate and assure them that the housing executive would not give one area special treatment over another in regards to improvements and initiatives, things like that.

We weren't particular to one side or another, and I think the community groups came to trust us. We were able to fund all sorts of things: community fun days, the replacement of sectarian graffiti with something more cultural and aesthetic, the re-imaging at the Long Tower chapel and the artwork in the Brandywell displaying the Unicef charter.

Over a million pounds was spent by the housing executive in the West area between 2010 and 2023. That area takes in 80 community groups, so that's a lot of good relations programmes and projects.

In addition to cross-community initiatives, Eddie has been at the forefront of improving race relations, working with organisations such as the North West Migrants' Forum and the Strabane Ethnic Community Association to help people from ethnic minorities with housing issues and ensure racial equality was upheld.

It earned him the Community Champion of the Year award at the Advancing Race Equality Awards 2022 last year, an honour he compared at the time to 'like winning an Oscar'.

Now, at the age of 67, he feels it is the right time to bow out. His immediate plan is to go on a tour, along with wife Christine, of all 32 counties in Ireland in his 1997 campervan. As he drives along, he will have plenty of time to reflect on a working life well lived.

One of the most rewarding things for me personally, he said, was getting a permanent job. I worked in the building game and you were lucky getting a year at a time, so to get a permanent job was a big deal.

The pay was never brilliant, but I was able to take out a mortgage and book holidays, things like that.

The comradeship of it, too. I remember holding a ladder at three in the morning for a colleague as he put plywood over windows in Rosemount that were shattered when a bomb went off in the barracks  you never even questioned it; when you were called in, you were there straight away.

Also, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet so many different people and go to places I would never have gone to otherwise.

Doing this job has been an absolute pleasure.
The family of an Irishman injured in a crash in Vietnam has confirmed he has died.

Damien Horgan, from Doneraile in Co Cork, had been in critical care at the Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh, after he was seriously injured in the crash.

"We are heartbroken to share the news that our beloved Damien has passed away. He lost his fight yesterday and what a fight he put up," a family member outlined on a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for his treatment.

"The outpouring of love and support we have received has just been unbelievable. Old friends, new friends and everyone in between have shown us so much love and support from every corner of the earth. Damien touched the lives of so many people!" the post added.

"It has been bittersweet to hear different stories of Damien over the past few weeks. He was a witty, smart but gentle person. He will live on in us for the rest of our days. We're so glad our grandfather, Frank, took so many pictures of Damien and us growing up and throughout the years, which we will cherish forever," the post added.

The family thanked everyone who had been so heavily invested in Damien's story.

"Without all of your help, we wouldn't have gotten those extra weeks to be by Damien's side in Vietnam. The love and support my family and I have received has been second to none. We will never be able to put into words how grateful we are to have such an amazing community of people around us from the very start," the post said.

The online fundraiser had raised 115,080 to help with the cost of Damien's hospital treatment. He had no medical cover as his insurance was linked to a previous job, and he was due to start a new one.
Looking for some insane deals on smartphones and electronics? Well, thanks to the Amazon Prime Day Sale 2023, theres no better time to purchase some of the gadgets youve been putting off buying. The sale is live and goes on until July 16, midnight.

The two-day Prime-exclusive sale brings numerous deals on the best smartphones, TVs, laptops, Alexa devices, headphones, and other electronics. Amazon promises up to 40 per cent off on smartphones with options for No Cost EMI and exchange offers.

Also read: Best time to buy Apple iPhone: Amazon Prime Day has huge iPhone discounts

Do note, you would have to be an Amazon Prime member to avail these deals. In this article, we reveal some of the best deals on the latest smartphones. We list out the best deals on new smartphones dubbed Prime Day Launches. If youre searching for a spanking new smartphone during Prime Day with the latest and greatest specifications, look no further.

OnePlus Nord 3 5G

OnePlus Nord 3 5G will be available to purchase on Amazon starting tomorrow at 32,999. During the Prime Day sale, OnePlus is also throwing in an amazing offer where you can get free OnePlus Nord Buds worth 2,799 with the purchase of the Nord 3! However, this offer is only applicable tomorrow, i.e. July 15 and it will be valid until stocks of the buds last. The OnePlus Nord 3 5G comes with the speedy MediaTek Dimensity 9000 SoC and up to 16 GB of latest LPDDR5X RAM. The company has already tucked in the capable Sony IMX890 50 MP camera and a large 5,000 mAh battery. Buy now

iQOO Neo7 Pro 5G

One of the fastest phones under 35K, the iQOO Neo 7 Pro 5G will launch on Amazon tomorrow at just 31,999! Heres how you can avail this deal: the 8 GB + 128 GB variant is priced at 34,999 but as an Early Bird offer, you can claim this for just 33,999 until July 18, 2023. Furthermore, if you have the valid SBI or ICICI Bank Debit/Credit card, you can get a flat 2,000 discount bringing the price down to 31,999 during the Amazon Prime Day sale. The phone comes with the powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC plus an independent gaming chip for even smoother gaming sessions! Buy now

Samsung Galaxy M34 5G

The Samsung Galaxy M34 launched at the beginning of July but during the Amazon Prime Day Sale, the company is launching an amazing new offer that cuts the cost of the base variant by 2,000 without the need for any specific debit or credit card. The phone starts at 16,999 and you even get a 25 W charging adapter free with the purchase. This is great since Samsung doesnt ship charging adapters in phones retail boxes anymore. The phones best feature is its massive 6,000 mAh battery that easily lasts most users 2+ days without needing to reach for the charger. But if you do, you get one free during the Prime Day sale! Buy now

Realme Narzo 60 5G

The Realme Narzo 60 series recently launched in India and Amazon has some amazing deals lined up for these latest smartphones during the Prime Day sale. The new Realme Narzo 60 5G will be available starting at just 16,999 for Prime members, which is a flat discount of 1,000. To avail this, simply click the checkmark next to coupon below the price of the product on the Amazon page. You also get No Cost EMI options and an extended 6 months of warranty if you prebook the deal on Amazon. The Realme Narzo 60 Pro 5G will also be discounted tomorrow by 1,500. The base model will start at just 22,499! Buy now

Motorola Razr 40

If you want to buy a flip folding smartphone, the latest Motorola Razr 40 will see a huge discount starting tomorrow  July 15. The phone will be priced at just 54,999 for those who pay with an ICICI debit or credit card during the Amazon Prime Day sale. This means youll get a flat 5,000 discount on the original price of 59,999. This pocketable foldable has an immersive 6.9-inch pOLED inner display with 144 Hz refresh rate and a reimagined design with a discreet crease. You can also buy the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra at a discounted price during this sale. Buy now
Louth TD Imelda Munster, says she has written to the competition watchdog, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), seeking clarification on GAAGO streaming GAA matches within Ireland.

The Sinn Fein spokesperson on Media, Deputy Munster was speaking after both RTE and the GAA confirmed to her in the Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, and Media that GAAGO has not yet had clearance from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to broadcast within Ireland.

Deputy Munster said: In 2017, GAAGO sought and received clearance from the CCPC to stream games abroad for the Irish Diaspora and for those who want to watch games while on holidays. But they have not received clearance to show games in Ireland, behind their paywall, as they have done this year.

It has been a topic of concern, and indeed anger in some quarters, that GAAGO has cherry-picked certain GAA matches and put them behind a paywall this year.

Many fans view this as being double-billed to see a match, as they already pay their licence fee for RTE or their TV subscription, which has always allowed them to view all televised games.

The language in the CCPC determination allowing GAAGO to broadcast is quite clear as it says, excluding the island of Ireland.

It is my opinion that GAAGO should not be putting GAA games in Ireland behind a paywall, and I have written to the CCPC seeking clarification on how they will deal with GAAGO operating without clearance.
Drogheda Port Company (DPC) says it is delighted to announce that it has taken over full control of Fast Terminals Ireland Limited, the stevedoring company in Drogheda Port in which it held a 50% shareholding.

DPC has acquired the remaining 50% shareholding from its partner Fast Lines Belgium NV. It says that Fast Lines Belgium NV will remain an important customer of Drogheda Port and currently operates the regular Bel-Eire service from Antwerp to Drogheda with conventional cargoes, offering a direct continental service to both importers and exporters.

The company, following acquisition, will trade as East Terminals and continue to offer a complete stevedoring service to all customers in Drogheda Port.

Speaking for Drogheda Port Company, Mr Paul Fleming CEO stated, strategically this is an important move for Drogheda Port and allows a continued investment in personnel and equipment in East Terminals to ensure the long term sustainability of Drogheda Port and allow us to continue to compete against other ports on the East Coast of Ireland.

"We are also extremely happy that we will be continuing our long relationship with Fast Lines Belgium into the future and remain their premier port of call in Ireland.

Speaking for Fast Lines Belgium NV, Ms Catrien Scheers Chair, said: Since the stevedoring partnership was founded in the year 2000 a lot of work has been done by both partners, Drogheda Port Company and Fast Lines Belgium, to make Fast Terminals a premium port terminal stevedore for handling and storage of breakbulk and bulk cargoes on the Irish east coast.

"Now the time is right to step out as partner in the JV company and focus on the continued growth of trade volumes between Antwerp and Drogheda. Fast Lines Belgium will continue its presence and operations in Drogheda with the Bel-Eire breakbulk service between Antwerp and Drogheda and with our subsidiary Antara Shipping.
The Department of Education has confirmed that as of the end of June, 439 Ukrainian pupils are enrolled in schools across Louth.

Out of that figure, 264 of these pupils are attending primary schools while 175 pupils have enrolled in post-primary schools.

The figure represents a slight increase on the 438 Ukrainian pupils enrolled in schools across Louth at the end of May..

Nationally, the Department of Education has confirmed that 15,625 Ukrainian pupils are currently enrolled in Irish schools

Out of that figure, 10,141 of these pupils had been accommodated in primary schools while 5,484 pupils had enrolled in post-primary schools.

There is an enrolment rate of 88% among Ukrainian children aged between five and 18, according to the Department of Education.

To assist with the transition of Ukrainian students and their families into Irish schools Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) continue to operate, hosted by the 16 regional education and training boards around Ireland and staffed by regionally-based education support personnel.
China, EU should strengthen communication, deepen cooperation: Wang Yi

Xinhua) 12:25, July 15, 2023

JAKARTA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China and the European Union (EU) should strengthen communication, enhance trust and deepen cooperation which serves the common interests of both sides, senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi has said.

Wang, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks when meeting EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell on the sidelines of the series of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers' meetings here on Friday.

Wang said there is no fundamental conflict of interest between China and the EU as both sides advocate multilateralism, support world multipolarity and greater democracy in international relations as well as the international system with the United Nations at its core.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang urged the EU to further clarify its positioning of the strategic partnership between the two sides and promote China-EU relations to move forward on existing basis.

The EU should not waver, let alone encourage backpedaling words and deeds, Wang stressed.

For his part, Borrell said that China is first and foremost an important partner of the EU, and this positioning is very clear and certain. The EU is willing to maintain a strong engagement with China and develop a constructive, stable and long-term relationship.

On the Taiwan question, Borrell said that the EU is firmly committed to the one-China policy, the core connotation of which is there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is not a country. The EU has never supported "Taiwan independence".

China plays a key role in global affairs and its global initiatives are widely welcomed. The EU is willing to explore ways to strengthen policy synergy between both sides and promote practical cooperation to achieve more results, said Borrell.

The global production and supply chain is intertwined, so it is unrealistic and impossible for Europe and China to "decouple". The EU does not support confrontation of camps and parallel systems and the EU has no intention of hindering China's development, he said.

In response, Wang stressed that China is committed to building an open economy at a higher level and will continue to share its mega market opportunities with the world.

China supports the EU in pursuing strategic independence and making independent judgments, he said, adding that China is ready to work with the EU to leverage complementary advantages and dovetail each other's global initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative and EU's Global Gateway strategy.

Both sides should jointly safeguard globalization and free trade system by adopting an open and inclusive approach, while opposing protectionism and unilateral bullying, Wang said.

Wang called on the two sides to guard against the politicization and instrumentalization of economic issues and the use of "derisking" as another term for "decoupling".

The two senior diplomats also exchanged views on the Ukraine issue. Wang said China supports a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture, and will continue to promote talks for peace and play a constructive role in seeking a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. 

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work.

I am a proud Baltimore, County Cork man, whose family has been seafaring for as many years as I can remember. Born and raised there, I went to the local national and secondary schools and went on to carve a career for myself at sea, studying for a degree in Nautical Science at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), followed by a Masters in Nautical Science at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI). As a ships master I travelled all over the world for several years, in ships servicing the oil and gas business.

We have recently launched our fourth vessel, Carraig Aonair, a 200-passenger fast ferry from Baltimore to Cape Clear Island, Schull, and the iconic Fastnet Rock. Sailing around the famous Fastnet Rock is on many peoples bucket list when they can experience the full force and beauty of the location at close quarters.

This has been a huge sea change for our tours, whether its daytime or at twilight.

Passengers can take in the beauty of this iconic landmark and feel safe in the knowledge that the boat is fully certified, comfortable, and sturdily seaworthy. Named among the top tours in Ireland by National Geographic, and as one of the 7 Wonders of Ireland by the Irish Independent, the tour has also been recognised as the Wild Atlantic Ways Tourism Business of the Year 2022.

I set up the business with my business partner Seamus O Drisceoil (from Cape Clear Island) in 2007 with one ferry and, with the help of my wife Karen, to date we have built the business up to a fleet of four vessels.

Cape Clear Island is served daily by our ferries, as islanders come and go with their supplies and builders and others carry out various essential works. In the summer season boatloads of tourists and families converge on the island, either on day trips, to Irish college or staying in the various holiday homes and B&Bs. Mingling with the sailors on their yachts, the local anglers, birdwatchers, and musicians who frequent the island, it is undoubtedly an idyllic outpost worth a visit. Have a peek on www.capeclearisland.ie

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

Once our three daughters are settled Karen and I like to unwind in the village, shooting the breeze with other locals and watching the sun set from the square in Baltimore. The sea is usually calm, and it seems like everyone/everything is coming home to roost.

Lie ins or up with the lark. which is it for you?

Up with the lark it is. I like to give Karen a hand to ship the girls off to school before we get stuck in to running the ferry business and all the challenges that brings.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Its all work during the summer  regardless of whether its the weekend or not. Its full steam ahead with the ferries and the schedules and bookings take up quite a lot of time, but thats part of running a successful business I suppose.

Also, my brothers Micheal and Cathal and I are on the RNLI Baltimore Lifeboat, So, often as not, I am on call. I never mind that interruption as it is an essential service to the village and the islands and has been responsible for saving many lives over the years.

Cape Clear Ferries going around the Fastnet Rock in County Cork

If money were no object, where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

It would have to be living the high life in Las Vegas with my wife Karen. I have heard so much about it but have never gotten a chance to go.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

I have been known to sit on a rock for hours on Cape Clear Island, contemplating nothing. The simplicity of just sitting there with the gentle breeze, the lapping seas and screeching seagulls is a great tonic.

Sometimes we bring our own boat to the island, with the children, and its as if we are on some exotic island elsewhere.

We are happy with the simple things in life  swimming, fishing, and traipsing up and down the narrow laneways on Cape.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

Yes, I love time with my girls at the weekend, although youd want to be in the full of your health to keep up with them  and I include my dynamic wife Karen in that. They have lots of activities pre-planned for us and theres no easy way out.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

It would have to be the rugby, but as a spectator. There is nothing like the atmosphere in a packed stadium at a rugby international at home or abroad.

Entertain or be entertained? If its the latter, do you have a signature dish?

Ill go for being entertained  thank you.

We have so many places to eat out in West Cork  where are your go to spots for coffee/lunch/special meal?

We love to eat out as a family in our local area. Were spoilt for choice here, with an interesting mix of restaurants, hotels and pubs serving food, many of whom have won awards for their culinary skills this year. Theres The Algiers Inn, The Jolly Roger on Sherkin Island, Bushes Bar, La Jolie Brise, Jacobs, Dede @ The Customs House, Rolfs Country House, Caseys Hotel, The Stonehouse B & B, The Sibin, and several other dining/staying destinations in Baltimore, and in Ballydehob, Castletownshend, Schull, and Skibbereen  if only I had the time to explore them all.

Sunday evening comes around too fast. How do you normally spend it?

Probably sitting on the barrels in the square in Baltimore  sometimes with a band in full swing. They always seem to catch the mood with their music and its smashing.

Well watch everyone coming back in after their days sailing; the buzz is something else. Everyone knows everyone as people return to Baltimore year in, year out, and its great to see the sheer joy on their faces.

Come rain or shine people seem to make the most of it down here.

Then, of course, well watch (with pride) our ferry glide into position on the pier as tired but happy passengers disembark, all chat, with a couple of tired little ones in tow. The Sherkin Ferry slots into its position, while the whale watching/fishing tour boats nuzzle in where they can.

Theres usually chaos where the ribs go  and its gas to watch their owners navigate a safe landing on pontoons, laden down with cool boxes and wet gear and hungry little passengers. The sun sets, and we roll home for a good nights sleep.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

God only knows  it could be 5am, 6am or a lie in til 7am (with young children they rule the roost).

Anything else you are up to right now...

Right now, we are full steam ahead with trips on the new fast ferry which sails around the Fastnet Rock, and this is generating a lot of interest in the media and bookings from at home and abroad. Then theres Cork Harbour Cruises based at Custom Quay in Cork which is going great, especially with groups and corporate bookings. Come sail with us someday soon.
This past weekend, visitors flocked to Cork Harbour to watch as Spike Island was lit up by a special fireworks display.

The momentous occasion on July 8, 2023, marked 85 years since the historic handover of Spike Island from Britain to Ireland on July 11, 1938.

The island had remained under British control for 17 years after Irish independence. The islands fort and strategic setting were considered so important by the British, they insisted on keeping it as part of the Cork Harbour forts.

Other Cork treaty ports included Berehaven and Lough Swilly, which were held on to by the British for defence purposes, as agreed in the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

Members of Cobh Animation Team in Victorian costumes on Spike Island during a ceremony in 2013 to mark the 75th anniversary of the handing over of the Cork harbour forts to the Irish State. Picture: Denis Minihane.

It took 17 years of fierce negotiation during a trade war between Ireland and Britain to secure Spike Islands return in 1938, just in time to save the remote outpost from German bombers and almost certain destruction.

With Eamon de Valera present, the first tricolour was hoisted over the island on July 11, 1938, which an article from The Echos archives captures:

From the hills overlooking Cork Harbour, one looked down today on gaily bedecked Cove and saw moving about its streets many thousands of people, many of them Americans on holiday, who were eagerly awaiting the historic event which takes place this evening, namely, the formal transference of the harbour forts from British to Irish charge.

95 year old Michael Kelly from Crosshaven, the last remaining soldier present in Spike Island in 1938, and Deputy Mayor of Cobh, Cllr Sinead Sheppard prepare to raise the flag during a ceremony in 2011 to commemorate the first time that the Irish tricolour was raised on Spike Island in 1938. Pic: Diane Cusack

The commemoration of Spike Islands handover has become an annual event, with 1,300 fireworks lighting up the sky to represent each of the 1,300 convicts who were confined to the harsh Victorian and modern prisons.

This year marks the 140th anniversary of the closing of the convict prison in 1883, Spike Islands museum curator Dorota Gubbins told The Echo.

The first Victorian convicts arrived in October, 1847, at the height of the Great Famine, and soon after, Spike Island had become the largest prison in Britain and Ireland, at one point holding over 2,300 convicts.

Members of the Cork brigades of the Irish Republican Army who were interned by the British at Spike Island prison during the War of Independence, pictured at a reception at Cork City Hall in1956.

Spike opened as a civilian prison after Fort Mitchel was handed over to the Department of Justice from the Department of Defence in March, 1985.

There were on average 100 inmates held on Spike during the summer of 1985.

This situation was described as a recipe for disaster as they were not in secure cellular accommodation, and on the night of Saturday, August 31, 1985, a riot erupted and the night guards were quickly overpowered and the prisoners took temporary charge of the fort.

Spike Prison was closed in 2004 and the island has since been gifted to Cork County Council by the State for development as a major tourist attraction.
A CORK native was among five new naval service officers commissioned at a ceremony in Haulbowline yesterday.

Originally from Bantry, John ODonoghue celebrated the momentous occasion with his family.

It was a long two years and I didnt think I would get here, he told The Echo.

The last few weeks have flown by and it is a great day. I always wanted to do something more  going to college and sitting at a desk didnt suit me.

The slogan of the Irish Defence Forces is to Be More and I want to Be More and with the crowd here today you can see that it means a lot to everyone.

Johns mother Breda said the ODonoghue clan is immensely proud of John.

The newly commissioned officer John O'Donoghue, (Co Clare and formerly Bantry, West Cork ) with parents Breda and Con, and grandmother Christine O'Donoghue from, after the Commissioning Ceremony 61 Cadet Class at Naval Base, Haulbowline Co Cork on Friday 14th July 2023. Pic Larry Cummins.

You have to take your hat off to any young man or young woman to show the character and strength to put the work in. We are immensely proud.

It is a huge achievement, not just for John but all of his classmates.

Tanaiste and Defence Minister Micheal Martin attended the 61st naval cadet class officer commissioning ceremony at the naval base in Haulbowline.

He thanked the five newly commissioned officers, John ODonoghue, Fiachra Scully, Oran O hIrile, Conall Kiernan, and Pierce Hannick, for their commitment and service.

Today is a celebration of real achievement for the 61st cadet class, said Mr Martin.

The newly commissioned officers Pierce Hannick, Conall Kiernan, Oran O'hIrile, John O'Donoghue and Fiachra Scully (Best Cadet), at the Commissioning Ceremony 61 Cadet Class at Naval Base, Haulbowline Co Cork on Friday 14th July 2023. Pic Larry Cummins.

It marks a great milestone in the lives of these young officers who have pledged their loyalty to the State and its citizens.

"The people of Ireland can truly be proud of the wonderful work carried out by the naval service and I wish the five individuals before me every continued success with their endeavours.

The five cadets have completed a very challenging and rewarding course of officer training which comprises subjects such as navigation, seamanship, leadership, communications, marine engineering, and naval warfare. They have also completed sea time, gaining experience on board the naval service fleet and commenced their first year of academic study for a bachelor of science in nautical science at the National Maritime College of Ireland.

This day is one of the most important days in the lives of cadets and their families, said Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy.

It marks the first day of their new career as officers in the Permanent Defence Forces and I wish them all the very best of luck as they now start a new journey in leadership roles in the organisation.
THE body of the woman who died following a fatal assault at a house in Cardinal Court in Wilton last night has been transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH) where a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

The 38-year-old woman, who has yet to be named, is originally from India and had only moved to Ireland in recent months.

She died after she sustained what is understood to be a stab wound.

It is understood that the Indian Embassy in Ireland has been contacted.

The local community in the quiet estate of Cardinal Court has been left reeling following the tragic incident.

Fianna Fail councillor in the citys South-West ward, Fergal Dennehy, said his thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased.

It is a very tragic incident to happen in what is a pretty close-knit community.

A lot of the residents there would be working in the CUH  doctors, nurses, catering staff etc  because of its close proximity to it and also Wilton Shopping Centre and Munster Technological University and, of course, UCC.

I would appeal to anybody who has any information at all to come forward to the gardai and to assist them with their inquiries, he added.

In a statement issued earlier today, a garda spokesperson said that gardai and emergency services attended the scene last night shortly after 10pm where the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man, aged in his early 40s, was arrested at the scene and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a garda station in Cork city centre, the spokesperson said.

A family liaison officer has been appointed and investigations are ongoing.

A garda spokesperson confirmed to The Echo this afternoon that the man who was arrested remains in custody.

LOCALS IN SHOCK

One local man said that the area is home to a 'diverse' community as it is extremely close to Cork University Hospital and relatively close to Munster Technological University.

The elderly man said that a number of medics and professionals from overseas reside in Cardinal Court and surrounding areas in Wilton and nearby Bishopstown.

An Indian lady, who lives close to the red brick semi detached home where the woman died, said that she was shocked to hear of the passing of a mother of one in such violent circumstances.

"I was thinking of the time in India that her family would have been called. It would have been around 4am there. It must have been such a shock to get that call. It is such a long way way. I don't know her but when you hear that she has a young son. That is upsetting."

The woman said that members of the Indian Community in Cork plan to join representatives of their Embassy, and the wider community, in assisting the loved ones of the deceased.

She said that every effort will be made to assist the relatives of the deceased on practical matters such as repatriation of the body to India.

Meanwhile, two other Indian women, one holding her young daughter, said that they were deeply upset to hear of the death of the woman in a house in the cul de sac.

They said that they did not know the deceased. However, they stressed that it was hard not to moved by the thought of a five year old boy losing his mother.

One of the women said that the area is home to a lot of rental accommodation and that she did not know many of her neighbours.

Another young Indian woman said that she only moved to Ireland in recent days and was shocked to hear of such an incident occurring in the estate.

The body of the deceased was removed from her home at 10.40am. A postmortem examination will follow at Cork University Hospital.

A forensic examination of the scene has been carried out by members of the Garda Technical Bureau. It is understood the woman was found in a bedroom in her home.

The property remained sealed off today and gardai were maintaining a presence outside. A gold car was in the drive of the house.

The young son of the deceased is being cared for in the aftermath of the tragedy. It is understood he was not in the property when his mother was stabbed.
WEVE grown accustomed to seeing the cost-of-living crisis play out before our eyes in the past year or so.

Every time we fill up at the pumps, or do a grocery shop, we can see the mark-ups. Every time we check our bank statement, we see something else has increased in price.

As for a meal out, or a few pints in an upmarket establishment well, thats just a lap of luxury that only someone in the top ten best-paid RTE stars can afford on a regular basis.

However, if you want to see the most extreme examples of how eye-wateringly expensive Ireland has become, you might want to check into a hotel.

I did it last week - for one night only, mind - and was staggered by some of the prices.

Now, a hotel - and this was a fine 4-star establishment up the country - is rarely a place to source a bargain, granted. You always expect to pay a little more for the ambience, service, and opulence.

Still, the extent to which some of our hotels are gilding the lily on the price front left me shocked.

A sum of 200 for a weekend night is probably to be expected, but when I queried the rather late check-in time of 5pm, I was advised to book the room the night before to guarantee it would be available to me by earlier in the afternoon! Another 200? I dont think so.

The check-out time the next day was reasonable enough, but every extra HOUR I stayed in the room after that would set me back 50.

A pint of lager and two bags of crisps? Well over a tenner.

Sometimes, its the little things that really annoy you. I had to buy three shower caps for the pool and that cost almost a tenner too!

Just a few weeks ago, Dublin hotels came under fire for ramping up prices for the Taylor Swift gigs in the capital in 2024; another issue that has won the hotel industry few friends.

The sector faced allegations of price gouging once Swift had announced her dates, as quoted prices for those nights shot up from between 100-200 to up to 1,000 for one night, in a naked attempt to cash in on demand.

And last week, it emerged that the average cost of renting a hotel room had hit a record high in May.

When you see the expense of hotels in these summer months, you wonder who to feel sorry for most - the Irish staycationer looking for a cheaper holiday at home, or the foreign tourist who came to enjoy a trip in our green and pleasant land and must feel like they have been turned upside down and had their pockets emptied.

The most startling thing of all is that this is the same hotel industry that has been playing the poor mouth ever since Covid hit - and has successfully lobbied to retain its special reduced rate of VAT.

After the most recent extension of the sweetener rate, in February, the hospitality industry hailed it as exceptional news that would prevent further price hikes being passed on to consumers.

How is that working out?

We can expect renewed calls for special treatment in the coming weeks, as the extension of the 9% rate is set to end in September, when it is due to return to the standard 13.5% rate other businesses pay.

I doubt our finance and public expenditure ministers Michael McGrath and Paschal Donohoe will be as amenable to another stay of execution, even if they are feeling flush from the bumper Corporation Tax receipts.

Nobody can deny the hospitality industry suffered badly during Covid, and was deserving of the initial Government supports, introduced in November, 2020.

But, almost three years on, it is becoming very difficult to see a reason to treat it as a special case now, as it hikes its prices.

A year ago, the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) rejected calls for the special rate to end amidst similar allegations of profiteering and warned against the Government swallowing what it called media hype that was negative about hotel pricing.

Would the IHF call the latest media stories about hotel pricing media hype too?

Granted, not every hotel is in a position to charge vast sums, but enough appear to do so to warrant a return to normal VAT rates.

Perhaps the IHF will seize on a survey last week, which claimed that the number of hotel nights being booked online was below pre-Covid levels across the country last year, in some places by as much as 50%.

Nights spent in Irish accommodation, booked via the platforms Airbnb, Booking, Tripadvisor and Expedia, fell 23% on pre-pandemic levels from just over 6.4 million nights in 2019 to just under 5 million in 2022.

Even in the third quarter of 2022 - a crucial time for tourism as it covers the summer months - nights spent in Irish accommodation were down 16.8% on the same period in 2019.

These figures will provide more fuel for those in the hotel industry who want the special VAT rate to be continued - but it could equally be argued that many people are swerving hotels because of the high charges they face.

Certainly, I have anecdotally heard of friends both in Ireland and the UK who will not book a stay in this country any more as they feel they are simply not getting value for money.

The 9% reduced VAT rate on hospitality applies to catering and restaurant services, tourist accommodation, cinemas, theatres, museums, historic houses, open farms, amusement parks, and hairdressing.

However, if the Government want to push through a move on VAT that would surely garner huge support, it would seek to address the current VAT rate on gas and electricity.

In May, 2022 , it implemented a welcome, temporary reduction of VAT on them, from 13.5% to 9%, as oil prices and transportation costs soared.

That sweetener is due to end on Halloween - if Messers McGrath and Donohoe want to win friends and influence voters ahead of another expensive winter of power bills, they should not only freeze that rate, but seek to reduce it again.
I ADORE the beach  I grew up surrounded by easy access to so many beautiful beaches in Sligo, it was probably something I took for granted until I moved to near Fermoy. Now my nearest beach is about a 45-minute drive away so it is more of a dedicated day out than a quick stroll experience these days.

Our summer holidays are dedicated to beach trips, we are lucky enough to spend a week in Cornwall every summer in a tiny village that plays host to nothing but beaches, its a simple holiday but a lovely way for the girls to spend time together and with their grandparents - no interruptions, just simple, happy fun.

I must admit I hated the beach for a while when the girls were younger, especially the first two girls when I was a little more anxious than I was with the third and fourth. I think perhaps by the time the last two came along I was just too exhausted to care if they ate handfuls of sand. However, I came to realise it is one of very few places where the outside world doesnt encroach and the girls are contented with beach sports, swimming and sandy food!

Many of us hit for the beach on hot days or during holidays, and it is worth taking into consideration a few safety checks to make the day go as smoothly as possible. Perhaps we all apply the same rules when were at the beach, but sometimes a reminder is worth the column inches.

Growing up in Sligo, where the wild Atlantic meets the shores of the North West, there are various beaches locally where swimming is not allowed due to riptides and strong currents. It should go without saying that if a beach has signs telling you that it is too dangerous to swim in, please heed the warnings. They are not there just to put people out or because the County Council is too lazy to employ lifeguards. They are there to save lives.

The sea can be a source of much pleasure for people, but it needs to be treated with caution because otherwise the effects can be devastating.

The actions of one irresponsible person entering the water can often end up putting not only them in danger but also the people who take it upon themselves to rescue them - professional or not, its always a risk.

We may think we understand the workings of the sea in that the tide comes in and tide goes out, but some beaches are much more complex like that. There are riptides and currents that can pull you out to sea in minutes and to fight against them is futile as you will only wear yourself out in a pointless attempt to try and get to shore.

If you do get caught in a riptide or current, the best thing to do is swim parallel to the shore until you get out of the pull of the current. However, finding yourself in that predicament is stressful and extremely dangerous so avoid the difficulty and dont get into the water if you are unsure if it is safe.

If you are an adult going swimming, let someone know where and when you are going so that they can keep an eye on the time and keep an eye out for you to return.

My children are relatively competent swimmers but we never let them go out past waist height in the sea and they never enter the water without an adult. We also dont allow them bring floats or inflatables into the sea. Be careful with kids on stand-up paddle boards, they are great fun but it is easy to get pulled out to sea on one in the wrong conditions.

Never underestimate the power of the sun while you are on the beach. If you are in and out of the water frequently, and even on days where it is cloudy or windy, you can still get burned when you are out all day.

We bring a small pop-up beach tent with us if the sun looks to be blinding all day long, so that we can get some respite from the sun if we need it.

I say I make the girls wear caps, but in reality the caps are on and off all day.

We use P20 before we head for the beach and to make our lives easier when we are there for the day the girls wear UV swimsuits, which mainly consist of a t-shirt top and swim shorts. It just means that areas of their bodies that dont get exposed to the sun that often arent on show all day long on the beach. We all know how tricky it is to apply and reapply sunscreen on the beach when kids get sandy so the UV suits save a certain amount of hassle. And, to be honest, we do our best, Im hyper paranoid about the girls being sunburnt but we still, to this day, get caught out if we dont reapply often enough, if theyre in and out of the water a lot or if the girls are not wearing hats.

Beware of how quickly the tide can come in on beaches. If you park your car or your beach gear under the tideline, give yourself plenty of time to move as the tide comes in, because the sea waits for no-one.

We are so lucky to be surrounded by beautiful beaches and clean water in Ireland, make the most of it this summer, but be conscious of the dangers to keep you and your family safe.
Electric vehicle startup Canoo has delivered its first shipment to NASA. This week, a trio of the companys Crew Transportation Vehicles (CTVs) arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Although they look like theyre made for exploring the surface of the Moon, the vans are designed to carry astronauts to the KSCs launch pads, starting with NASAs forthcoming Artemis 2 mission.

According to Canoo, the vans, based on the companys existing lifestyle vehicle design, can carry fully-suited astronauts, as well as flight support crew and any equipment they may need. The vehicles have an exclusive interior and exterior design that will provide astronaut and crew comfort and safety while on the nine-mile journey to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, the company said, adding it would share interior shots of the vehicles later this year.

Canoo

The Artemis 2 mission will see NASA launch its first crewed mission to the Moon since the end of the Apollo program in 1972. Four astronauts will travel around the satellite during the 10-day flight. During Artemis 2, NASA plans to conduct additional tests of its Orion capsule and Space Launch System (SLS) super heavy-lift rocket to ensure both spacecraft are safe for future crewed missions to the lunar surface.

As for Canoo, this is a chance for the automaker to drum up interest for its EVs. In May 2022, the company warned investors it was running low on cash. Since then, it announced an agreement with Walmart to provide the retailer with 4,500 EVs. The company also delivered a test vehicle to the US Army. Still, even with those deals in place, it has a long way to go before achieving financial sustainability.
Atul Bhardwaj writes:

India and the United States (US) are in a tight strategic embrace. China is the pivotal point on which the relationship revolves. The convergence of interests between New Delhis Make in India objectives and Washingtons policy of retention of American primacy, has brought the two closer.
Recently, a video of a man performing the obscene act of urinating on another person in public sparked tremendous political outrage. The video, which was widely circulated online, was reported from Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh (MP). As a consequence, the police showed some promptness in arresting the accused and have charged the latter under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) (POA) Act, 1989 for this alleged atrocity. Consequently, the chief minister of MP has also assured that the accused will be booked under the National Security Act, 1980. Moreover, a part of the house belonging to the accused has been demolished by a bulldozer on the grounds that it was constructed illegally.

This case has justifiably caused massive public outrage, and the state government in MP also took prompt action in arresting the accused under the relevant legal provisions. As disturbing and obscene as this act was, it needs to be mentioned that the means of using bodily waste such as urine and excreta and material waste such as sewage, carcasses, and garlanding with shoes to humiliate individuals or groups belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are not entirely new in Indian society. In fact, the POA Act itself takes cognisance of the historical occurrence of such acts and specifically mentions various types of offences that make use of bodily and material waste to humiliate a person belonging to SCs and STs.
Hours after a federal judge rejected a similar request by the US Federal Trade Commission, the antitrust regulator asked an appeals court to pause Microsoft's purchase of Activision Blizzard.
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U.S. Sen. Steve Daines proposed a bill to address new information the Chinese spy balloon contained American technology. (Provided by the office of Sen. Daines, R-Montana.)

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines introduced a bill this week to identify any institution helping China spy on Americans or working with its military or intelligence as a restricted trade partner.

The Montana Republican also slammed the Biden administration for its response to the Chinese spy balloon fiasco he said is among incidents that have embarrassed the United States on the world stage.

This week, the Wall Street Journal reported the debris collected from the Chinese spy balloon the U.S. military shot down in February contained American technology, citing analyses by the FBI and intelligence agencies.

The news has escalated calls for action by the Biden administration from Montanas senators.

We watched this administration stand back and watch this balloon fly across the entire United States as if it was part of some kind of Taylor Swift state-to-state concert tour, Daines said in prepared remarks of the balloons seven-day sail across the U.S.

In February, Department of Defense officials confirmed a balloon from China was flying over the country after a couple of photojournalists in Montana captured an image of a suspicious object in the sky over Billings.

The Biden administration had said it would shoot the balloon down only as soon as doing so wouldnt present a danger to the public, and the U.S. military did so over the South Carolina coast.

This week, the office of U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, announced he is proposing an amendment to the defense bill to investigate the technology used in foreign espionage programs.

Daines, who worked in China in the 1990s, proposed the bill to help shut down entities that support Chinas military airship and balloon programs. His office said the legislation is written to enforce sanctions on both people and businesses, and the senator will also introduce it as an amendment to the defense bill.

He said China is likely skirting and evading both the law and spirit of U.S. military export restrictions, given new reports about its spying on this country.

Daines bill was introduced this week and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

After U.S. officials confirmed they were tracking the Chinese spy balloon, an expert on China with the Mansfield Center at the University of Montana said the U.S. and China are likely each others No. 1 espionage targets.

In February, Daines said it wasnt the first time a Chinese balloon entered American airspace over sensitive national security areas.

This week in a letter to the secretaries of Defense, Commerce and Treasury, Daines called on the departments to review technology used in the balloon and identify any breaches of military restrictions.

He also called for a report on any and all sanctions and trade regulations that were violated, as well as shortcomings of the current sanctions and regulations that the administration, in conjunction with Congress, can address to prevent future Chinese violation of U.S. national security interests.

Department of Defense briefings and releases this week did not include information on the Chinese spy balloon.

In his letter, Daines also said the U.S. needs to immediately identify how China obtained and illegally deployed the technology and ensure it doesnt do so again.

Given reports that China has been spying on the United States from a base in Cuba since 2019, all of this indicates a pattern of continued malign intentions on the part of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party), Daines wrote. This is nothing short of outrageous.

The post Daines: Chinas continued spying on U.S. outrageous appeared first on Daily Montanan.
In 2019, Donald Trumps Justice Department appointed John Durham to investigate the FBIs inquiry into the Trump campaigns relationship with Russia in advance of the 2016 presidential election. Durham, later promoted to special counsel by Attorney General Bill Barr to protect his investigation under President Biden, was granted access to likely hundreds of thousands of documents pertaining to Trumps communication with Russian operatives, the federal governments interactions with Russia, and the FBIs investigation thereof. Like the Mueller investigation before it, Durhams report was years in the making, involving hundreds of interviews, and culminated largely in disappointmentthe special counsel indicted only three FBI agents, two of whom were acquitted. Unlike Muellers investigation, however, the Durham report was not a major news story. It was not anxiously anticipated in Congress or on social media. The Washington Post did not rush a copy of it onto the shelves of Barnes & Noble.

While Durhams investigation of the FBIs misconduct was ongoing, another long-brewing attempt at post-2016 accountability was also underway. Jeff Gerth, a Pulitzer Prize-winning former New York Times reporter, was crafting a postmortem on the medias misconduct in its coverage of the so-called Russiagate story, which began with a statement of suspicion by Senator Diane Feinstein and Congressman Adam Schiff in September 2016 and accelerated fatefully with the publication of the infamous Steele Dossier. Gerths findings were published in the Columbia Journalism Reviewa respected journalism watchdogon January 30 of this year, and headlined The Press Versus the President. The report is 24,000 words long and composed of four distinct parts. In his Editors Note, Kyle Pope calls it an encyclopedic look at one of the most consequential moments in American media history.

Gerth began his career investigating Watergate; later collaborations with legendary reporter Seymour Hersh led to his hiring by the Times in 1976 where, among other investigations, he reported on early episodes in the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal and the U.S government-approved sale of sensitive technology to China. This latter work earned the Times its 1999 Pulitzer for National Reporting, with Gerth recognized as the primary contributor. He left the Times in 2005 and two years later published Her Way: The Hopes and Ambitions of Hillary Rodham Clinton, an investigative biography.

Gerth began investigating the medias treatment of the Trump-Russia story in 2021, but he published it in a world much changed over the course of two short years. Trump was out of office, and Russia had invaded Ukraine in February of 2022. While Gerths report had little to do with foreign policy per se, the invasion immediately supercharged American sentiment regarding Vladimir Putin. If in 2021 Russians were seen as mere anti-Democratic election-meddlers and human rights abusers, they were now imperial fascists, and any discourse that even slightly softened the degree of their malice was seen as apologia. This was evident not only in the response to Gerths report but also in the continued ignoring of experts like John Mearsheimer and Jeffrey Sachs, whose interpretation of the Russian invasion differs from the mainstream orthodoxy but is not given much attention for fear that it lends support to Putins war effort.

In fact, The Press Versus the President does not acquit Putin, and it often gives explicit credence to claims that the Russians were attempting to meddle in the election. But as its title makes clear, the series offers a thorough account of the many ways in which mainstream corporate media outlets (the Times and the Washington Post get particular attention) operated hastily and sloppily in their coverage of the Trump campaigns alleged collusion with Russian state operatives, and it highlights many specific instances in which editors and newsrooms elided nuanced fact in favor of the congealing narrative that Trump and his team had made deliberate attempts to conspire with Russia and secure the presidency. The report says little about what Russians did or did not do (as is true of Durhams report, as well), focusing instead on the reasons why many news outlets owe the American people an apology for their role in stoking a false panic over deliberate collusion. Bob Woodward, no friend to Trump, put it best in a conversation with Gerth, quoted in part one: newsrooms need to walk down the painful road of introspection.

Gerths four-part retrospective is exhaustive and granular. One throughline is the presence of Peter Strzok, who led the FBI investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Strzok appears throughout the seriesmostly in the form of since-published text exchanges but also in an interview with Gerthas regularly infuriated by the inaccuracies of specific Times Trump-Russia stories; no substance and largely wrong, the press is going to undermine its credibility, and, most famously, Theres no there there. The FBI was in regular communication with the Times about the Russia investigation, and Strzoks private texts were made public by Rod Rosenstein in January of 2020; one of Gerths strongest claims in the report is that the mainstream media made deliberate efforts to avoid publishing Strzoks comments or to use him as a source.

Gerth has said that he sees the Trump-Russia moment in journalism as analogous to the war in Iraq. Memorably, the New York Times published what amounted to an apology in 2004 for its coverage of Iraq leading up to the invasion, citing numerous instances in which its claims about Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda had not been independently verified or rigorously vetted. Nearly two decades later, it is uncontroversial to remember that this carelessness misled perhaps millions of readers to support a war they wouldnt have otherwise. In The Press Versus the President, Gerth has detailed dozens of similarly egregious mistakes.

With The Press Versus the President, Gerth joins a cohort of former establishment journalists who now work as freelancers and who publish work that often counters the top-line dogmas of the papers for whom they once helped win Pulitzers. Nicholas Wade, former Times science writer, is now one of the most outspoken critics of the mainstream medias dismissal of the lab-leak theory of Covid origin. Seymour Hersh, a former colleague of Gerths and the most controversial figure in this group, published a bombshell report on Substack in February, claiming that the U.S., not Russiaas was being speculated by the Times and others at the timewas responsible for the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline bombing. Wades work stands in stark opposition to the Timess lab-leak coverage since the Spring of 2020. (Apoorva Mandavilli, current Times science reporter, has called the lab-leak theory racist, and Julian E. Barnes downplayed the theory as recently as February of this year, even after the FBI and Department of Energy endorsed it as the most plausible explanation for Covids emergence). Even today, and despite mounting evidence, you are unlikely to find discussion of these anti-consensus views in the mainstream media, liberal or conservative.

What these reporters share beyond their former employer is a preoccupation with two of the most contentious topics in American politics: Russia and Covid. The hostile reception their work has received shows how tolerance for journalistic independence has eroded. Wade was called a racist in Congress and nearly barred from testifying on the lab-leak theory; Hersh has been regularly derided as a Putin stooge. Vox calls Gerth a Russiagate revisionist in a piece that concedes many of his major points but goes on to say that he is wrong for calling Russiagate in its entirety a hoaxa claim the reporter has never made. Work that should have inspired reflection on the corrupted relationship between politics and journalism has been glossed over, ignored, or dismissed by the very media outlets most responsible for the loss of public trust in news reporting.

In a climate where partisanship and crude tribalism have compromised our receptivity to truth, Jeff Gerth and others like him are providing a new model of what freedom of the press can meanand reminding us how vital it remains.
The Princes Countryside Fund, a farming charity founded by King Charles over 10 years ago, has been renamed the Royal Countryside Fund.

The rebrand follows the King's coronation in May, with many of the charities he founded as Prince of Wales to undergo a similar renaming.

Founded in 2010 by the King, the Royal Countryside Fund was established to empower small farming businesses and rural communities.

The charity said the renaming was the King's commitment "to farming and rural communities for generations to come".

It becomes the first of his charities to be renamed and echoes the promise he made in his accession speech, to ensure that the important work carried out by the charities he had long championed will go on in the trusted hands of others.

Heather Hancock, chair of trustees at the Royal Countryside Fund, said it was a "truly significant" moment for the charity.

She said: His empathy and respect for farming and the countryside have always stood out.

"People in the countryside have long valued His Majestys support and championing for the challenges they face, and the Princes Countryside Fund has given this tangible expression.

"We are incredibly proud that the King has now chosen to signal his enduring commitment to rural communities and farming families by honouring us with a change of name.

"Becoming The Royal Countryside Fund confirms the importance that His Majesty continues to place upon the countryside and ensures that our support will make a difference for generations to come.

The Princes Countryside Fund seeks to support farmers and rural communities in recognition of the unprecedented pace of social, economic and environmental change contributing to the countrysides steady decline.

This includes rural incomes falling, a loss of local services and amenities, rising costs for farmers, increasing isolation and mental health issues.

The charity provides farming families with tailored support and expertise in business training and land management advice.

Since its formation, it has supported over 2,500 small farms across the UK and has awarded 481 grants totalling at 11.2m, reaching over 150,000 people in rural areas.

Keith Halstead, executive director of the Royal Countryside Fund, added: More than ever, family farms and countryside communities need our practical and grounded support to build themselves a secure and sustainable future.

"Becoming The Royal Countryside Fund gives the charity not only the royal seal of approval, but also national recognition. We are thrilled with our new name, and very proud.
Victoria Beckham will not be reuniting with the Spice Girls at Glastonbury next year.

Victoria Beckham has declined to join the Spice Girls at Glastonbury next year

Reports had claimed that all five members of the 'Wannabe' group were set to reunite for a headline slot at the Worthy Farm festival in 2024 to mark the group's 30th anniversary but a source close to Posh Spice insists that she would prefer to focus on her fashion label.

However, Victoria, 49, has not ruled out a separate 'celebratory appearance' with bandmates Geri Horner, Mel B, Melanie C and Emma Bunton although she is not necessarily going to sing.

An insider told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: "Glastonbury is possibly the coolest gig on the planet but Victoria won't be doing it next year.

"She has carved herself a career as a fashion designer that she has put blood, sweat and tears into, so singing is something she has to carefully consider.

"She has sadly been hugely ridiculed when she has sung in the past.

"She is a different person now. She looks back fondly on her years in the Spice Girls - they were very special for her - so she hasn't ruled out a celebration, maybe, at some point.

"And Glastonbury are not at all keen on having the group without Posh, it just doesn't have the same pull."

Victoria is due to take part in a documentary made by 'Star Wars' director J.J. Abrams that will tell the story of the group's rise to fame in the 1990s and will feature interviews and unseen material from their personal archives.

The star did not join the Spice Girls on their UK tour in 2019 and confessed that her choice not to take part required a lot of "courage".

Victoria told Vogue: "It took me a lot of courage not to go on tour with the Spice Girls again, but to be the one who says: 'You know, I'm not doing it because things feel different now than they used to."
John Lydon is owed money by Vladimir Putin.

John Lydon says he is owed money by Vladimir Putin

The former Sex Pistols frontman had been due to play a gig in Ukraine with his band Public Image Ltd before the Russian invasion in February 2022 and he blames the tyrant for leaving him out of pocket after the show was cancelled.

Asked for his worst decision by The Daily Telegraph newspaper, John said: "Playing in Ukraine with PiL just before the Russians invaded. We got ripped off. The promoter didn't turn up with the money. They left us stranded there and we had to get out of the place as quickly as possible.

"And perhaps foolishly I said in an interview, 'Now Putin can pay us what the Ukrainians owe.' That was a lead balloon of serious proportions."

John also recalled how he and his late wife Nora Forster - who passed away in April after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease - annoyed Donald Trump at a glitzy New York event after she accidentally tore Jennifer Lopez's dress.

The 67-year-old rocker recalled: "I'll never forget my dear Nora accidentally treading on Jennifer Lopez's dress at a gala in New York and next to her was Donald Trump, who turned around, looked at me and said, 'Who let this hooligan in?'

"Nora's high heel had torn J-Lo's frock, but what did she expect when she had a 10ft f****** train?

"It was hilarious to see their anger at watching the dress shred before their eyes."

John, also known by his stage moniker Johnny Rotten, explained how he felt it was necessary to quit the Sex Pistols in 1978 (although he later returned for revivals in the 1990s and 2000s) as it was becoming a "charade" being in the band.

He said: "By the end it was turning into a charade and I had no wish to sing the same songs for ever and ever and turn into the Rolling Stones."
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's spirit paid a visit to her sister, six months after she died.

Six months after her death, Tara Palmer -Tomkinson's spirit visited her sister

The 45-year-old socialite died in her sleep at her London home in 2017 due to a perforated ulcer and peritonitis and her heartbroken older sister Santa Montefiore, 53, has revealed that Tara appeared on her bed, six months after her death.

Writing in the Daily Mail newspaper, Santa explained: "Perhaps most wonderfully, I once saw my sister, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, who passed away in 2017. I didn't know what a profound gift it is to be able to see those who have died until I saw her.

"I had gone to bed every night hoping that she would visit me, but nothing happened for months. I lamented the fact that, now I'm older and my life is busier, my paranormal experiences are rare. I wondered whether I would ever see her.

"Then, six months after her death, I was stirred from sleep by someone sitting by my bed. It was Tara.

"Wearing a baby pink T-shirt, she looked like she was 18 again  glossy, happy, radiating love and excitement. She hated anything to do with ghosts when she was alive, and hated me talking about them, so she was probably finding it funny that she had come to me as a spirit. My husband, sleeping by my side, was unaware of the amazing visitation.

"I didn't try to speak to her  I didn't want to slip out of range, which can happen if I get excited, a bit like a radio dial moving off the mark  I just enjoyed her presence. I felt a deep and expanding love in my chest, and immense joy at finally being reunited.

"I never got to say goodbye to her when she died, because her death was unexpected, so I felt I was being given a chance to tell her, without words, that I loved her and missed her.

"Eventually, she faded, but as I fell asleep, I was left with her wonderful energy, which stayed with me for the following few days, and a profound feeling of gratitude."

And, Santa revealed she knows the visitation was real as Tara was buried in a baby pink T-shirt, which only her mother was aware of.

She explained: "The following morning I called my mother to tell her, knowing it would give her comfort. My mother listened with interest, then told me that she had chosen to bury Tara in a baby pink T-shirt. No one else knew about that but Mum.

"I know that Tara chose to appear like that so Mum knew I wasn't making it up  and Tara would have known that I wouldn't doubt what I saw. Spirits do like to give you some kind of evidence so you don't wake in the morning and write it off as a dream.

"I've seen and sensed Tara various times since and am always so grateful to have this ability. I know there is no death. We simply go home."
Next Story : Stay Har Pal Fashionable With Amazon Prime Day Shopping Event On 15-16 July

Designers Sarah and Sandeep Gonsalves do things differently, believe in staying low-key, and want to take their own time. As they complete a decade in fashion, we sit down with the purveyors of contemporary cool in India.The Sarah & Sandeep flagship store is in a posh suburban locality of Mumbai, where expensive-looking storefronts are neither uncommon nor a rarity. And, yet, this shop window warrants a second look  even if it means that you spend just five extra seconds to take in the perfectly colour-coordinated mannequins dressed in clothes that exude new-age, atypical Indian-ness before finally making your way in. These garments are exceedingly Western in their construct and yet will blend seamlessly into an Indian setting. When you ask husband and wife designers Sarah and Sandeep Gonsalves, theyll tell you that they changed the identity of their brand, SS Homme, to Sarah & Sandeep in 2019 to be able to accommodate this unique brand identity. Homme means man in French, explains Sarah as we settle into lavish chairs in the neomodern basement of their store  a perfect backdrop for their contemporary clothes. Back then, people often asked us if we were a Parisian label. We rebranded because we wanted to be more authentic about where the brand came from. Dropping Homme was not only a strategic move but also in line with the introduction of womenswear  a segment they had stayed away from for the longest time, before finally launching their first collection in 2021.When SS Homme first burst onto the scene with its immaculately made menswear in 2012, people mistook it to be a European label and understandably so. At the time, clothes, especially those for men, lacked form and, more importantly, detailing; garish embellishments were often the highlight. Indian tailoring wasnt considered the best back in the day, says Sandeep. Of course, the concept of tailoring has been around in the country, adds Sarah. Weve watched our fathers go to their local tailors and get bespoke suits made. But, compared to what we saw internationally, the quality was missing. Sarah experienced firsthand the detail-obsessive approach to tailoring in the clothes of international labels such as Prada, Zegna and Armani while interning with a menswear fashion magazine. It was much later, when she made her first suit for Sandeep, that she gave it serious thought. When Sandeeps elder sister was getting married, he came to me for a tuxedo, reminisces Sarah, who, until then, had had no experience in designing suits. But I made one for him. He wore it, and everybody loved it. He was my muse, she says with a laugh.The story of Sarah and Sandeep, the people, is not mutually exclusive from their brands. Sarah has studied fashion design  partly at the London College of Fashion and then in India where she completed her education. Sandeep studied business management, but cultivated artistic perspective through his mother, an interior designer. I was not happy doing what I was doing, recalls Sandeep, who was working with a multinational company when he met Sarah. I had always wanted to build a luxury brand. Just when I was about to leave for Paris to study luxury brand management, we started the brand. It started off with the duo taking on the roles that they thought they were trained to do; Sarah was the creative and Sandeep made analytical business decisions. Two years in, the duo switched roles. I had always wanted to be behind the scenes, and Sandeep has this innate ability to bring any design to life, says Sarah. When we finally got into the roles that we were meant to take on, things changed. An understatement for beginning to make themselves known.Despite wanting to start a luxury brand, when SS Homme was first established, it was a bridge-to-luxury brand  a diffused line of the sort that most veteran designers are tapping into now. Of course, it was by design, states Sandeep, because, 10 years ago, we were just a couple of 20-something kids who had started a label. No one took us seriously. When we went to meetings with fabric manufacturers, theyd be surprised to learn that we were the owners. There was only one way to make their mark  by making clothes that were perfect. Extreme focus on garment construction, a Savile Row approach to tailoring, and working with quality fabrics became the underpinnings of the label. 99% of our clothes are made with worsted wool, says Sandeep. Yes, it is an expensive fabric. Working with it is a time-consuming process. The maintenance is relatively difficult, too. But it is what gives our pieces that fit.Sarah and Sandeeps passion for perfection can feel all-consuming. While most designers elsewhere scurry to produce a new collection every season, these two spent a year and a half perfecting the silhouettes of their latest collection, X-Axis, that coincided with their 10-year anniversary. Its also easy to be fooled by the simplistic nature of their clothes. But, when you belong to the camp that looks at simplicity and thinks zero flaws instead of easy, you perceive things differently. For Sarah and Sandeep, luxury means looking effortlessly good.It is unusual for designers, especially young ones such as these whose business launched when fashion marketing went into complete overdrive, to choose to remain markedly under the radar. Unsurprisingly, Sarah & Sandeeps 10-year anniversary outing, shown off-schedule in January this year, was not a glitzy celebration. Only a handful of people, those who have managed to keep track of the labels slow yet exponential growth, were in attendance to see the extremely forward clothes. As business owners, Sarah and Sandeep are well aware of the downsides of this approach  the missed opportunity to piggyback on the hype of fashion weeks, for one. But sitting out of show calendars also means not clouding their creativity with the bias of buyers who focus mainly on the wedding market.Keeping away from social media and the press ordinarily is one thing but, the introverts that they are, Sarah and Sandeep chose to stay away from the limelight despite being a key part of one of the biggest fashion events of 2023. Barring the two posts that they shared on their Instagram, not much gives away their work with Dior for the Fall/Winter 2023 show that took place at the Gateway of India in Mumbai in March. They worked closely with the luxury brands Paris ateliers to oversee the final fittings for the VIPs that populated the guest list and the models that walked in the show. Sandeep always takes the non-commercial route to showcase what we do, laughs Sarah, and we have no regrets. If you dont already know them, you will become aware of their work. If not immediately, then eventually. And theyre okay with that.Photographs: Sarah & SandeepAlso Read: The Power of Two: In Conversation With Maria Grazia Chiuri & Karishma Swali
Rahul Roy Salman Khan: Actor Rahul Roy, who shot to fame with Mahesh Bhatt's Aashiqui in the 90s and became the nation's crush overnight. For the unversed, Rahul suffered a brain stroke in 2020 during the filming of LAC - Live the Battle in Kargil, Ladakh.

He was immediately airlifted to Wockhardt Hospitals, where he underwent brain and heart angiography. Subsequently, Rahul was transferred to the ICU at Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai for further treatment. And now his soul sister, Priyanka Roy, revealed how Salman Khan helped Rahul financially and called him a "gem" of a person.

Rahul Roy reveals Salman Khan helped him financially after he suffered a brain stroke

Recently, in an interview, Rahul and Priyanka revealed that the stroke could have been avoided if the film's director, Nitin Gupta, had been careful about the Aashiqui star's health condition. Priyanka also shared that Salman Khan helped them pay the pending medical bills.

Adding that it took a lot of time for Rahul to recover from the stroke, his sister Priyanka, while speaking to Bollywood Hungama, expressed gratitude to Salman Khan and said whatever bill was pending, he cleared it in February.

Pak Actress Somy Ali Recalls Being HUMILIATED By ABUSER Ex-Salman Khan In Cryptic Note, Write: No One Sided...

Further, she also mentioned that the LAC director too paid some money for the treatment, which was from Rahul's pending remuneration for the film. Pointing out that it was not enough, she went on to say: "He (Salman Khan) had called him (Rahul) and asked if he can help with anything and he literally helped and the bill is cleared now."

She added that the most beautiful thing about Salman is that he didn't speak about it in front of the media. "This is called really being with a person. This touched my heart. This man is a gem. I mean I didn't ask him, I could have asked," she shared.

She then said, "Somebody out of the whole crowd comes and asks in reality if you are actually in trouble and that's the biggest thing. This is called you are a star. Not just being a star in front of the camera."

Rahul added, "Salman k sath sab log boltein hai woh aisa hai, woh waisa hai, but for me, he is a good person." Priyanka added that Rahul's health is fine now.

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Meanwhile, Rahul Roy starrer Agra, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. The film is directed by Kanu Behl. He was also seen in the Zee5 film Cabaret.
Atul Parchure Cancer: Veteran Bollywood, television and Marathi actor Atul Parchure, who is known for his roles in The Kapil Sharma Show, has revealed that he is suffering from cancer. The 56-year-old left the industry and fans shocked when he opened up about his diagnosis.

ATUL PARCHURE SUFFERS FROM CANCER

Atul Parchure, a known name in the TV industry, said that the wrong treatment had worsened his condition. Recalling his battle with cancer, the Comedy Nights With Kapil star said his health deteriorated after he underwent treatment.

He went down memory lane and talked about the first symptoms he suffered before he consulted a doctor. Atul revealed, "I went to Australia with my family members. There, I was not able to eat anything after a few days. I felt nauseous and had a feeling that something was wrong. Although my brother gave me medicines, they didn't help me. I got an ultrasonography done after consulting several doctors. The doctor told me I had a five cm long tumor in my liver and it was cancerous. When asked if I would recover or not, he replied in affirmative," the Yam Hai Hum actor said in an interview.

The treatment had an adverse impact on Atul's health. While his surgery got delayed, the actor lost out on projects as well. "My first treatment after cancer diagnosis went wrong. I faced issues as my pancreas was affected. I could not walk and used to fumble while speaking. The doctor asked me to wait for a month and a half. They informed me that I would get jaundice for years and my liver would turn watery if they performed the surgery. They even said that I won't survive. I ended up changing my doctor, taking required medication," he was quoted as saying by Times Of India to Maharashtra Times.

ATUL MISSED THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW INTERNATIONAL TOUR

The actor, who shares a close association with Kapil's team, said that he could joined them on The Kapil Sharma Show international tour due to his heaht. "They had called me to play Sumona Chakravarti's father. However, I couldn't feature in the episodes because of my cancer. I would have joined them on the tour if I was fine. I soon get to know if I have recovered fully or not," the RK Laxman Ki Duniya actor added.

We wish Atul a speedy recovery.
Khatron Ke Khiladi Grand Premiere: Get ready for the highly anticipated return of the immensely popular reality show, Khatron Ke Khiladi, as it finally makes a grand comeback with its thirteenth season tonight (July 15). Fans were eagerly awaiting the premiere of this thrilling show, which is being hosted by Rohit Shetty once again.

GRAND PREMIERE OF KHATRON KE KHILADI 13

As previously announced, Khatron Ke Khiladi 13 makers have assembled an impressive set of contestants who shot for the popular stunt-based show in Cape Town, South Africa. After an intense two-month shooting schedule, the contestants returned to Mumbai a few weeks ago.

In Khatron Ke Khiladi 13, a total of 14 contestants will be seen performing many daredevil stunts. The participants who are a part of KKK 13 are: Aishwarya Sharma, Shiv Thakare, Anjali Anand, Arjit Taneja, Anjum Fakih, Dino James, Archana Gautam, Sheezan Khan, Daisy Shah, Rohit Roy, Nyrraa Banerji, Rashmeet Kaur, Ruhi Chaturvedi, and Soundous Moufakir.

While most of them looks superstrong, Sondous Moufakir has been grabbing a lot of eyeballs ever since the makers revealed the contestants' list. Curious to know who's Sondous, the KKK 13 stunner ? Here's all you need to know about her.

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EVERYTHING ABOUT SONDOUS MOUFAKIR

Soundous Moufakir, a Moroccan model and dancer, has gained recognition through her appearances in reality shows like MTV Roadies X9 and MTV Splitsvilla X4. Born on February 17, 1995, in Morocco, Soundous holds Moroccan nationality and has a mixed heritage of Moroccan and French roots. She practices Islam and has an MBA degree. Prior to pursuing her modeling career, she worked as a financial analyst.

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Soundous embarked on her modeling journey in India, collaborating with well-known brands such as Caprese and Softline, and participating in various bridal photoshoots. In 2017, she co-founded Trips Exotica, a travel business, alongside her Indian friends. However, due to organizational concerns, she had to step away from the company.

Her breakthrough moment came when she competed in MTV Roadies X9, which propelled her into the spotlight. She also featured in the short film Uljhe Hue, released on Amazon Mini TV in February 2022. Her participation in Roadies opened doors to other opportunities, including TV commercials, a music album, and a film project.

Soundous further gained prominence by appearing on MTV Splitsvilla X4, where she formed a close bond with Hamid Barkzi, eventually emerging as the winners of the competition. The show, hosted by Arjun Bijlani and Sunny Leone, showcased their journey together.

Now, it'll be interesting to see if she'll be able to make her mark on Khatron Ke Khiladi 13 or not.

Keep watching this space for more updates!
Ravindra Mahajani Death: The Marathi film industry woke up to a sombre morning with the news of the demise of esteemed Marathi actor Ravindra Mahajani. The veteran actor was 77 and was found dead at his rented apartment in Pune's Ambi village, Maval.

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Mahajani had been residing there alone for several months now, and his untimely death has left his fans and industry colleagues in shock. According to reports, his neighbours sensed a foul smell from his flat and immediately contacted the Talegaon MIDC police station at about 4.30 p.m. on Friday, July 14.

When police arrived, they found the actor's apartment was locked from inside and therefore, had to force entry through the door. Upon going inside, Mahajani's body was discovered to be lifeless.

Veteran Marathi actor Ravindra Mahajani found dead at his Pune Apartment

The actor's body has been sent for autopsy, and as per reports, he has been living in the Pune apartment for 8 months. Senior Inspector Shivaji Gaware informed ToI, saying, "Our team broke the door and found Mahajani dead inside the flat. The body was sent to Talegaon Dabhade hospital for autopsy."

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Who was Ravindra Mahajani?

Known as the Vinod Khanna of the Marathi film industry for his looks, Ravindra Mahajani made his debut in 1969 with the movie Saat Hindustani, where he played the role of a police officer. It also starred Amitabh Bachchan.

In the early stages of his career, Ravindra drove taxis and auditioned for films.

Popularly known for working in movies like Mumbaicha Faujdar, Aram Haram Ahe, Zoonj, Bolo He Chakradhari, and Panipat, among several others, Ravindra was born to a journalist in Belgaum.

He made his comeback with the film Rao Tumhi in 2015 and is the father of popular television and Marathi film actor Gashmeer Mahajani. The veteran actor was recently seen in Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal, co-starring Karan Kundrra and Reem Shaikh. Other serials he was a part of include Imlie, Tu Zakhm Hai, and more. While he also featured in the 2019 Bollywood movie Panipat starring Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, and Kriti Sanon.

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Ravindra Mahajani has left behind an everlasting legacy and is survived by his son, Gashmeer, and a daughter.
Rashmika Mandanna Out Of VNTrio Photo Credit: Instagram

Actress Rashmika Mandanna is one of the most sought-after heroines in the South film industry, but this is the word of yesterday. The actress is now busy doing back-to-back Bollywood films.

Allu Arjun and Sukumar B's Pushpa in which Rashmika Mandanna played the role of Srivalli took her to Bollywood the character brought her nationwide fame and stardom.

Rashmika Mandanna's only film in Telugu right now is the sequel to the much-hyped Allu Arjun-starrer Pushpa 2. The actress recently took part in the announcement ceremony of Nithiin and director Venky Kudumula's new project. Their combination for the second time, referred to as VNRTrio was much celebrated since their earlier film Bheeshma was a super hit.

Fans of the respective actors and the director were hoping for another refreshing romantic entertainer from the VNTrio. However, in what can be called a twist, Rashmika Mandanna is said to have opted out of the project. The news surfaced a couple of days ago but the reason for the same was unknown. The movie gained attention due to the reason that Venky Kudumula will be uniting for the third time with Rashmika and second time with Nithiin.

Why Rashmika Mandanna Quit VNTrio?

According to the latest news, we hear Rashmika Mandanna's former manager, who was fired by the Animal actress following a financial fraud, has messed up things. Reportedly, the person spread the news about Rashmika not considering Telugu projects as she likes to work more in Bollywood. In addition, the fund's mismanagement was also said to be another reason for the actress's decision to walk out of this exciting project.

Rashmika Mandanna is expected to react to these rumours and give clarity on the issue whatsoever.

Meanwhile, the actress will be next seen alongside Ranbir Kapoor in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal. Now that VNRTrio is out of her hands, she has no committed Telugu project as yet.
COEUR D'ALENE, ID / ACCESSWIRE / July 14, 2023 / Coeur d'Alene Bancorp (OTC Pink:CDAB), the parent company of bankcda, is pleased to announce its results for the second quarter 2023 and year to date 2023.

Coeur d'Alene Bancorp today reported net income for the second quarter of $543,152 or $0.29 per share, compared to $413,517 or $0.22 for the second quarter of 2022. Net income of $948,437 or $0.50 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was also reported, compared to $644,772 or $0.34 per share for the six months ended 2022. All results are unaudited.

As of June 30, 2023, total consolidated assets were $236.4 million, a decrease of $14.8 million or 5.9% compared to June 30, 2022. Gross loans ended the period at $112 million compared to $96.5 million as of June 30, 2022, a 16% increase. Total deposits ended the quarter at $213.1 million compared to $228.9 million as of June 30, 2022.

"We are pleased with our performance so far this year with a 47% increase in year-to-date net income over the previous year and a 31% over the second quarter 2022. Loan demand remains strong, with an increase of 4.51% in the second quarter, which has historically been a slow period for us. The duration of our investment portfolio remains short at 2.24 years and continues to pay down as expected, which will provide liquidity in the coming quarters. We anticipate increased competition for deposits will put pressure on our net interest margin in the second half of the year." Said Wes Veach, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Financial Highlights :

Diluted earnings per share were $0.50 per share for the six months ended 2023 versus $0.34 per share for the six months ended 2022.

Net Book value per share increased to $9.79 compared to $9.13 from one year ago.

Annualized return on average assets (ROAA) was 0.80% for the six months ended 2023 compared to 0.51% for the six months ended 2022.

Annualized return on average equity (ROAE) was 10.45% for the six months ended 2023, compared 6.75% for the six months ended 2022.

For the 6 months ended June 30, 2023, net interest margin was 3.55% compared to 2.37% for 6 months ended June 30, 2022.

Total assets ended the period at $236.4 million, compared to $251.2 million one year ago and $238.5 million as of March 31, 2023.

Gross loans were $112 million at quarter end, versus $96.5 million on June 30, 2022, and $107.3 million as of March 31, 2023.

Total deposits were $213.1 million at quarter end, versus $228.9 million on June 30, 2022, and $214.7 million on March 31, 2023.

All capital ratios continue to exceed regulatory minimums.

Continue to be FIVE Star-rated by Bauer Financial, which is their highest rating.

Coeur d'Alene Bancorp, parent company of bankcda, is headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with branches in Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Post Falls and Kellogg, Idaho.

For more information, visit www.bankcda.bank or contact Wes Veach at 208-415-5006.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains, among other things, certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "projects," "outlook" or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current belief and expectations of the Coeur d'Alene Bancorp's management team and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond Coeur d'Alene Bancorp's control). Although Coeur d'Alene Bancorp believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, Coeur d'Alene Bancorp can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by Coeur d'Alene Bancorp or any other person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by Coeur d'Alene Bancorp will be achieved.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Coeur d'Alene Bancorp or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Coeur d'Alene Bancorp does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made, except as required by law.

Balance Sheet Overview (Unaudited)

Jun 30, 2023 Jun 30, 2022 Mar 31, 2023 Assets: Cash and due from banks $ 12,689,001 $ 41,883,707 $ 11,630,434 Securities available for sale, at fair value 103,254,381 104,527,719 111,440,827 Net loans 110,192,220 94,652,225 105,281,362 Other assets 10,247,109 10,104,680 10,157,167 Total assets $ 236,382,711 $ 251,168,332 $ 238,509,790

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity: Total deposits $ 213,078,287 $ 228,889,682 $ 214,730,653 Borrowings - 204,515 - Capital lease liability 441,024 455,993 455,017 Other liabilities 4,353,771 4,347,959 4,524,832 Shareholders' Equity 18,509,629 17,270,182 18,799,288 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 236,382,711 $ 251,168,332 $ 238,509,790

Ratios: Return on average assets 0.80 % 0.51 % 0.67 % Return on average equity 10.45 % 6.75 % 9.09 % Community bank leverage ratio 10.04 % 8.46 % 9.57 % Net interest margin (YTD) 3.44 % 2.27 % 3.43 % Efficiency ratio (YTD) 67.03 % 73.98 % 70.17 % Nonperforming assets to total assets 0.01 % 0.05 % 0.01 % Nonperforming assets to tier 1 capital 0.07 % 0.60 % 0.08 %

Income Statement Overview (Unaudited) For the three months ended For the six months ended Jun 30, 2023 Jun 30, 2022 Jun 30, 2023 Jun 30, 2022 Interest income $ 2,326,508 $ 1,624,914 $ 4,615,300 $ 3,023,389 Interest expense 346,257 118,414 604,254 234,407 Net interest income 1,980,251 1,506,500 4,011,046 2,788,982 Loan loss provision 45,000 - 90,000 - Noninterest income 235,399 225,952 448,381 457,916 Salaries and employee benefits 743,477 610,036 1,514,905 1,264,652 Occupancy expense 139,102 147,568 296,535 303,632 Loss on sale, net of gains 9,760 - 263,055 - Other noninterest expense 533,596 425,608 1,001,418 833,473 Income before income taxes 744,715 549,240 1,293,514 845,141 Income tax expense 201,563 135,723 345,077 200,369 Net income $ 543,152 $ 413,517 $ 948,437 $ 644,772

SOURCE: Coeur D Alene Bancorp

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/768052/Coeur-dAlene-Bancorp-Announces-Its-Second-Quarter-and-Year-to-Date-2023-Results
One more male cheetah passed away on Friday at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh, bringing the total number of feline fatalities this year to eight.

Authorities for wildlife in Madhya Pradesh claimed that a monitoring team saw Suraj, a cheetah, in a lethargic state around 6.30 am in the Masavani beat of Palpur East Zone.

The team noticed a fly around the animals neck, but the cheetah fled when they attempted to approach, according to The Indian Express.

A wildlife officer said, The monitoring team immediately informed the control room at Palpur via wireless about the condition of the cheetah. A wildlife medical team and regional officers reached the spot around 9 am. On tracing the cheetahs location, it was found dead on the spot. As per the initial investigation, it was learnt that the cause of the felines death was wounds on the neck and back.

A detailed report on the cause of death will be prepared by the team of wildlife doctors after the autopsy. The cause of death will be clear only on the basis of the report, said the officer.

In February of this year, Suraj was relocated from South Africa to KNP. With its passing, the park has now lost eight cats since March, including three cubs born to Namibian cheetah Jwala.

Suraj passed away shortly after a male cheetah named Tejas, who was also discovered to have damage to his neck and back.

According to Telegraph India, some wildlife experts think that the cheetahs neck collars are an unexpected problem because the countrys humid climate might have caused inflammation, bacterial infections, and septicaemia.

A South African expert overseeing Indias cheetah introduction effort believes that the cheetahs appear to have passed away due to diseases brought on by satellite collars.

But what exactly are satellite collars? Do they really harm these cheetahs? Lets take a closer look.

Also read: Two cheetahs dead in Kuno National Park in past month: Whats ailing the big cat in India?

What are satellite collars?

The cheetah project tracks the cheetahs movements using satellite transmitters attached to the collars.

According to Hindustan Times, with the help of Satellite Collar IDs placed around the cheetahs necks, KNP officials closely track their travels, activities, and state of health. The activity is referred to as animal migration tracking.

The GPS in these gadgets is identical to that in cellphones and other portable electronics. Satellites can easily identify the electronic signals that the GPS chips broadcast.

A collar ID is made to prevent damage or destruction as a result of an animals movements.

Experts utilise this tool to learn more about the animals physical state in addition to its location. These tags also communicate health-related information, which can be used to determine whether the animal needs to be treated or assisted.

Live Hindustan, a Hindi-language sister publication of Hindustan Times, reports that there are numerous hyenas and leopards in Kuno, which officials fear could damage the cheetahs. In order to monitor the behaviours of these leopards and hyenas around the cheetahs, GPS tags were employed.

Also read: A female cheetah translocated from Namibia dies in Indias Kuno: What went wrong?

How does it harm cheetahs?

The wounds in both the cheetahs almost certainly were not caused by another animal, says an associate professor at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, but by a problem that we did not foresee because we put collars on cheetahs in Africa without a problem.

The cheetah that passed away on Tuesday underwent a preliminary post-mortem investigation. Video footage of the wounds close to the necks of both dead cheetahs also suggests that they perished as a result of life-threatening septicaemia (bacterial blood poisoning), which started as skin inflammation beneath the collar that attracted flies, according to The Independent.

Tordiffe said, Possibly because of the humid or wet weather, water accumulates underneath the collar and causes the skin to be constantly wet. This causes dermatitis, infection of the skin, which then attracts flies to the area, these flies lay eggs, and the fly larvae  or maggots  feed on tissues and create wounds that get infected and can lead to systemic infection.

While such wounds may start near the neck, Tordiffe said, as the larvae crawl along the cheetahs back, the wounds too could extend to other parts of the back. This is an area that cheetahs cannot clean and lick away the larvae, he said.

Myiasis is an infection caused by flies that affect animals if the larvae of the flies infest the skin, which they dont do on healthy, dry skin but do when there is wetness or a minor infection with discharge.

According to the post-mortem investigation of the cheetah that passed away on Tuesday, there was evidence of shock or multiple organ failure brought on by septicaemia, and the video photos of the wounds on both cheetahs indicate that they had been caused by such maggots.

The cheetah that passed away on Tuesday had superficial neck wounds, according to a preliminary post-mortem study, but it also had pathological abnormalities in its heart, lungs, and kidneys. According to Tordiffe, those alterations were consistent with septicaemia.

Also read: Explained: Will African cheetahs prosper in India?

Is it silently killing cheetahs?

This discovery, which was revealed to Tordiffe, marks a turning point in the Indian initiative to resurrect an extinct species and find methods to monitor them without placing such equipment around their necks, which could act as a silent murderer.

The satellite collars, which were frequently employed in earlier wildlife programmes and are still on about 20 tigers in India, will probably have to be removed.

It does mean were gonna have to take some action very very quickly, possibly to have a look at the collars and that theres nothing negative underneath. If there is, some of these collars will have to be removed. Thats going to be quite a problem because its one of the most important ways in which we have been able to monitor and find them, Tordiffe said.

If they are causing a problem, then theres no choice but to remove the collars and monitor the animals without them, he told The Independent.

Also read: 6 deaths in 2 months, but the worst is yet to come: Why India will see more cheetah deaths

The Cheetah project

India has lost five of the 20 borrowed cheetahs so far, and three of the four cubs born to a female cheetah in March have already perished from malnutrition and heat, according to the report.

The mission to bring back the wild cat that became extinct in India in the 1960s has been hampered by the increasing rate of cheetah casualties, all of which have been documented as premature.

The Independent has learned that a second transported cheetah is suffering from a metatarsal fracture. According to officials, this is one of the male cheetahs that took part in the violent confrontation between two coalitions last month. All of the animals involved in the fight have wounds, however, the only badly hurt animal is a wild cat who has a broken foot bone.

On Friday, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests JS Chauhan announced that the cheetah had a metatarsal fracture in one of its legs and that it was receiving medical attention. The authorities in charge of the injured cheetahs originally denied that they were hurt.

With inputs from agencies
France extended the red carpet to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Paris and New Delhi celebrated their 25-year strategic relationship.

While he began the day as the special guest at the Bastille Day parade, his subsequent engagements involved well-known figures who work in a variety of different sectors.

Indian-born Chanel CEO Leena Nair was on the list of notable individuals. PM Modi and Nair talked about Indias development and discussed ways to further boost skill development and make Khadi more popular.

Lets take a look at her profile.

Also read: PM Modis pitch for UNSC membership: How can India get a permanent seat?

Who is Leena Nair?

Born in Kolhapur, a small town in the western state of Maharashtra, in 1969, Leena Nair is the daughter of Indian politician K Karthikeyan, and the cousin of industrialists Vijay Menon and Sachin Menon. She studied electronics and telecommunications engineering at Walchand College of Engineering in Sangli. She then graduated with a gold medal from XLRI, Jamshedpur, with an MBA in Human Resources in 1992, according to Financial Express.

Nair started her career in 1992 as a Management Trainee at Hindustan Lever (now Hindustan Unilever Limited). She held a variety of positions inside the company during the ensuing 14 years, steadily moving up the corporate ladder.

She worked her way up to become the organisations first female chief human resource officer and the youngest woman in Asia. She was also a member of the Unilever leadership executive. According to the HR Executives Instagram post, Unilever has been one of the defining relationships of my life in so many ways.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Leena Nair (@leenanairhr)

Nairs impact extended beyond her position at Unilever to a number of prestigious institutions. She was a member of the steering committee for the World Economic Forum, a board trustee for The Leverhulme Trust, and an advisor to the international council at Universita Bocconi. She actively contributed to significant international dialogues and initiatives as a result of her dedication to education, gender equality, and the future of work.

Nair spent 30 years with Unilever before joining Chanel in January 2022. She broke all the barriers when she became the first global CEO of Indian ancestry at the French luxury fashion business.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Leena Nair (@leenanairhr)

After spending a year working for Chanel, Nair wrote on her LinkedIn profile about her time there, calling it an iconic and admired company. In her recollection, she mentions that she visited 25 regional offices, 40 manufacturing locations and heritage sites, 100 points of sale, and every creation studio.

Leena Nair was named one of the most successful Indian business leaders in the United Kingdom by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017. Among her many other accomplishments, she was also named the Role Model of the Year at the 2021 Great British Businesswomans Awards. Additionally, in 2022, she was listed among Forbes Indias Top Self-Made Women.

Nair, who now calls London home, is in charge of the top fashion companies in the world, an 11.5 billion US dollars business empire.

Also read: Modi takes UPI to France: Which other countries use the payments system?

PM Modis commitment to support women in business

Chanel chief executive officer (CEO) Leena Nair expressed her delight at meeting PM Modi on Friday and said that he is keen to support women and girls in the business. You could see his passion and commitment to supporting women more and more in business and in all avenues to grow and develop, Nair said.

According to ANI, Nair was delighted to meet the Indian premier and said, It was a proud moment for me to talk to him. He was encouraging about my achievements but importantly, he was keen that I continue to support other women and girls and be a role model for many of them coming out of India. PM Modi is keen to make India an investment hub for everyone, she said.

PM @narendramodi held a fruitful meeting with @LeenaNairHR, Global CEO of Chanel. They discussed issues related to promoting handicrafts and khadi, and skill development of Indian artisans. PM invited Chanel to take advantage of opportunities in India and forge partnerships pic.twitter.com/xmbgWX1tpt  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 14, 2023

Our PM is really interested in ensuring that India is an investment hub for everyone. He wants to make it easy for businesses to continue to build bonds with India and invest in India, Nair added.

Furthermore, PM Modi and Chanels CEO talked about Indias development. We talked about the development of the embroidery work and chikankari work done in India which is important and requires skill. We also talked about khadi fabric and how we can bring it to the global stage, she said, adding, He felt that Indias handicrafts which are our homegrown skill should be encouraged.

Referring to his meeting with Leena Nair, PM Modi said they talked about ways to further boost skill development and make Khadi more popular.

Its always a delight to meet a person of Indian origin who has made a mark on the world stage. We had a great conversation about ways to further boost skill development among artisans and to make Khadi more popular, he said.

Also read: Modi gets Frances highest award: What is Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour?

Other key meetings

PM Modis Friday list of engagements also included meeting with astronaut and Aerospace engineer Thomas Pesquet.

When it comes to motivating youngsters towards science and space, Thomas Pesquets name figures prominently. It was a delight to meet him and exchange views on a wide range of subjects. His energy and insights are very valuable. @Thom_astro, PM Modi wrote on Twitter.

When it comes to motivating youngsters towards science and space, Thomas Pesquets name figures prominently. It was a delight to meet him and exchange views on a wide range of subjects. His energy and insights are very valuable. @Thom_astro pic.twitter.com/QGgFHLcJCo  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023

Following the meeting, Pesquet also said that he congratulates the premier on the successful launch of Chandrayaan 3.

Pesquest told ANI after the meeting, I think he (PM Modi) is doing the right thing. Like I was saying, hes taking a lot of good decisions. Hes using space for his people, and thats what you should do. I think its great. I think space does a lot for a country. I think its hugely difficult to have a space program. To send people into space is the most difficult part of that. But I think India is going at an incredible speed towards that goal.

He added, And so, congratulations on Chandrayaan 3, and then soon well see Indian astronauts. So I think its great. I think India is going to benefit from it.

The prime minister was also astounded by his meeting with Charlotte Chopin, who started practising yoga at the age of 50. Chopin is renowned for her fitness all around the world and will shortly turn 100.

In Paris, I had the opportunity to meet the remarkable Charlotte Chopin. She began practising Yoga at the age of 50. Shes going to turn hundred soon but her passion towards Yoga and fitness has only increased over the years. pic.twitter.com/zrWkMMTck9  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023

In Paris, I had the opportunity to meet the remarkable Charlotte Chopin. She began practising Yoga at the age of 50. Shes going to turn a hundred soon but her passion towards Yoga and fitness has only increased over the years, PM Modi wrote in another tweet.

Also read: Indian CEOs in top global firms: Diversities of largest democracy help in building leadership qualities

With inputs from agencies
Rahul Gandhi on Saturday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that the Rafale deal got him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade while the BJP, hitting back at the Congress leader, dubbed him a frustrated dynast and accused him of sullying the ambitious Make in India drive.

Union minister Smriti Irani reacted furiously to the Congress leaders barb at the prime minister over the Rafale purchase and the tense situation in Manipur.

Gandhi tweeted, Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses Indias internal matter. PM hasnt said a word on either! Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade.

Attacking the former Congress president, Irani tweeted, A man who seeks international intervention in Indias internal matters, a frustrated dynast who sullies the Make in India ambition mocks India when our PM receives a National honour. Rejected by people, he seethes as defence contracts no longer land at the doorstep of the dynasty.

A man who seeks international intervention in Indias internal matters, a frustrated dynast who sullies the Make in India ambition mocks India when our PM receives a National honour. Rejected by people, he seethes as defence contracts no longer land at the doorstep of dynasty. https://t.co/OcpTPd7gdy  Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) July 15, 2023

Irani had defeated Gandhi in his family pocket borough of Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Modi was the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade on Friday during his two-day visit to France where he was also accorded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, Frances highest civilian and military honour.

The BJP alleged that Rahul Gandhi is leaning on foreign powers, from America to Europe, to settle domestic political scores and collaborating with global syndicates that are working to undermine Indias interests.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said the Rafale issue was settled long back by the Supreme Court and asked Gandhi to stop casting aspersions on constitutional institutions.
Scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation performed the first orbit-raising manoeuvre of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on Saturday, the space agency said.

The health of the spacecraft was normal, ISRO said in a social media post. Chandrayaan-3 is now in an orbit, which when closest to Earth is at 173 km and farthest from Earth is at 41,762 km, the space agency said.

Chandrayaan-3 Mission update: The spacecrafts health is normal. The first orbit raising manoeuvre (Earthbound firing-1) was successfully performed at ISTRAC/ISRO, Bengaluru. Spacecraft is now in 41762kms x 173kms orbit, ISRO said.

ISRO on July 14 successfully launched the third edition of its Moon exploration programme from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, aimed at making a soft landing on the unexplored south pole of the Moon that would make India achieve a rare feat.

Only three countries, the United States, China and Russia, have managed to land on the lunar surface so far.

A successful landing would make India the fourth country  after the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China  to achieve the feat.

The six-wheeled lander and rover module of Chandrayaan-3 is configured with payloads that would provide data to the scientific community on the properties of lunar soil and rocks, including chemical and elemental compositions.

Indias previous attempt to land a robotic spacecraft near the moons little-explored south pole ended in failure in 2019. It entered the lunar orbit but lost touch with its lander which crashed while making its final descent to deploy a rover to search for signs of water. According to a failure analysis report submitted to the ISRO, the crash was caused by a software glitch.

The $140-million mission in 2019 was intended to study permanently shadowed moon craters that are thought to contain water deposits and were confirmed by Indias Chandrayaan-1 mission in 2008.

Somanath said the main objective of the mission this time was a safe and soft landing on the moon. He said the Indian space agency has perfected the art of reaching up to the moon, but it is the landing that the agency is working on.

Numerous countries and private companies are in a race to successfully land a spacecraft on the lunar surface. In April, a Japanese companys spacecraft apparently crashed while attempting to land on the moon. An Israeli nonprofit tried to achieve a similar feat in 2019, but its spacecraft was destroyed on impact.

With nuclear-armed India emerging as the worlds fifth-largest economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modis nationalist government is eager to show off the countrys prowess in security and technology.

As of April, India has launched 424 satellites for 34 countries, including Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The ISRO has earned approximately 1.1 billion rupees ($13.4 million) in the past five years from the launch of foreign satellites, the minister told Indias Parliament in December.

With inputs from agencies.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday held a Cabinet meeting and deputed ministers at six flood-affected districts to ensure proper facilities at relief camps set up by the Delhi government.

Kejriwal discussed with his cabinet ministers the ongoing flood situation and expedite relief efforts, this evening. During the meeting, the ministers were allocated one flood-affected district each.

Under this new arrangement, Kejriwal has distributed the charge of South-East district to Home Minister Kailash Gahlot, East district to Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, North-East district to Revenue Minister Atishi, North district to Social Welfare Minister Raaj Kumar Anand, Central district to Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain, and Shahdara district to Development Minister Gopal Rai.

Each minister will be accountable and responsible for providing essential services, including food, water, electricity, medical aid, and other necessary facilities in the relief camps within their respective districts.

Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj briefed the media after the meeting. He said that the concerned ministers have been entrusted with the crucial task of overseeing the relief operations in their designated districts.

They will work diligently to ensure that the affected residents receive the necessary support and assistance during this challenging time, he added. Furthermore, district officers will report directly to the assigned ministers and follow their instructions, streamlining the communication and coordination process for a more efficient response to the crisis.

Revenue Minister Atishi issued an order right after the meeting. Delhi CM has directed all ministers to monitor and supervise all kinds of rescue, relief and rehabilitation work in the respective revenue district.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged citizens not to play in floodwaters as videos of people enjoying the inundated roads of the national capital go viral.

I urge everyone to avoid this. It cud be fatal. https://t.co/en3dRHMgW1  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 15, 2023

The national capital has been witnessing excessive floods as water levels in Yamuna rose significantly over the week.

However, water levels reportedly started receding on Saturday as low-lying areas still remain flooded.

The floods in Delhi triggered traffic woes as roads remained blocked due to inundation. The ITO crossing, one of the citys busiest intersections, was flooded after a drain regulator broke down.

VIDEO | Children play in floodwaters in Delhis Shanti Van area as waterlogging continues in the area amid record rise in Yamuna levels. pic.twitter.com/SsbxPwlSFk  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 15, 2023

Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light rains in the national capital accompanied by thunderstorms for the next 4-5 days.

Friday marked a turning point as the raging Yamuna and the resulting backflow of foul-smelling water from drains spilled into prominent locations such as the Supreme Court, Raj Ghat, and the bustling intersection at ITO.

Prior to the misery on Friday, the river water had already reached the rear ramparts of the Red Fort and inundated one of the citys major bus terminals at Kashmere Gate.

The Ring Road, constructed partially over floodplains, remained closed for the third consecutive day near Kashmere Gate.

The city has been grappling with waterlogging and flooding issues for a week now. Initially, a downpour caused intense waterlogging on July 8 and 9, with the city receiving 125 per cent of its monthly rainfall quota in just two days.

With inputs from agencies
Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj has written to Lieutenant Governor, demanding action against three bureaucrats for not following the instructions of two ministers to call the NDRF and the army engineers regiment at night to repair the WHO building regulator.

Officers ignored the directions causing flood in Delhis VIP areas, including the Supreme Court of India. Flooding could have been avoided if the directions of Ministers had been followed and Army/NDRF was called on the preceding night. This was a conspiracy against Supreme Court, he said in the letter.

The minister also alleged that the officers ignored the directions with the intention to cause flooding of VIP areas of Lutyens Delhi including the Supreme Court of India.

He also said that flooding could have been avoided had the directions of ministers been followed and the army/NDRF has been called the preceding night.

Earlier today, Bhardwaj accused the BJP of resorting to political conspiracies to flood non-BJP-ruled states. This assertion reflects a concerning trend, showcasing the depths to which the BJP has descended in pursuit of their political objectives, he said.

Despite the absence of even moderate rainfall in the city for the past six days, Delhi finds itself inundated and the Yamuna River has surged beyond its danger mark. The deliberate release of water from the Hathini Kund Barrage in Haryana submerged Delhi. This is not a mere natural calamity but rather a deliberate attempt by the governments at the Center and Haryana, both ruled by the BJP, to inflict havoc upon the people of Delhi, he added.
With monsoon rains flooding Delhis low-lying areas, parts of the National Capital were severely affected due to Yamunas high water levels. Looking at the scenario, Delhis metro services have been the best bet for transporting people to and fro.

As a precaution, metros rail authority, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced a speed limit of 30kmph for trains crossing the four major metro bridges on the Yamuna. However, now as the Yamuna waters are slowly receding, the imposed speed restrictions have now been removed and all trains are back to running at normal speeds.

The move was announced on the microblogging site. Check out DMRCs Twitter post:

Speed restriction imposed while crossing Metro bridges over Yamuna has been removed. All trains are running at normal speed now. https://t.co/bdMaynnYMy  Delhi Metro Rail Corporation I    (@OfficialDMRC) July 15, 2023

Posted a few hours ago, the post has garnered over 19,000 views and counting.

As per the earlier post, the rail authority announced speed restrictions on metro bridges. The locations of the bridges based on metro lines are as follows:

Red line: Kashmere Gate  Shastri Park

Blue Line: Indraprastha  Yamuna Bank

Pink Line: Sarai Kale Khan Nizamuddin  Mayur Vihar Phase 1

Magenta Line: Kalindi Kunj  Okhla Bird Sanctuary

Check out the advisory:

Due to rising water levels of the Yamuna, trains are passing through all the four Metro bridges on the river with a restricted speed of 30 kmph as a precautionary measure. Normal services on all corridors.  Delhi Metro Rail Corporation I    (@OfficialDMRC) July 13, 2023

The four Yamuna Bridges are at these locations: Red Line: Kashmere Gate  Shastri Park

Blue Line: Indraprastha  Yamuna Bank

Pink Line: Sarai Kale Khan Nizamuddin  Mayur Vihar Phase 1

Magenta Line: Kalindi Kunj  Okhla Bird Sanctuary  Delhi Metro Rail Corporation I    (@OfficialDMRC) July 13, 2023

As per another DMRC post, the Delhi metro has emerged as the most accessible mode of transport as rains upended normal life in the national capital. The data is based on Julys first two weeks from 1 to 13 July. The numbers show passenger journeys on weekdays. The number of passengers has crossed the 60 lakh mark on multiple days something witnessed only on Mondays, the first working day of the week.

Check out the post:

Delhi Metro has emerged as the most preferred and reliable mode of transport in the wake of record rain witnessed in recent history and Yamuna River flooding the areas along its plain disrupting lives and movement of thousands of people in the month so far. pic.twitter.com/AXOkzJlbrf  Delhi Metro Rail Corporation I    (@OfficialDMRC) July 14, 2023

The first two weeks passenger journeys during weekdays have crossed the 60 lakh mark on multiple days, a phenomenon which is generally witnessed during Mondays only. To read more, visit https://t.co/CGbdbStre6  Delhi Metro Rail Corporation I    (@OfficialDMRC) July 14, 2023

The post garnered several thousands of views.

One user wrote: The last few days Delhi Metro has been the most dependable transport medium. A big shout out to all the employees of Delhi Metro who kept the services running and ensured Delhi keeps moving.

@OfficialDMRC the last few days Delhi Metro has been the most dependable transport medium. A big shout out to all the employees of Delhi Metro who kept the services running and ensured Delhi keeps moving  sumitsinghss (@sumitsinghss3) July 15, 2023

As per an NDTV report, the river has breached a 45-year record as rising water levels threw life out of gear for over two days. Although the water is receding gradually, coming down to 207.68 meters in the morning, the threat of floods is still not over as parts of Delhi adjoining the river remain flooded.

Delhis Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took cognisance of the matter and announced that work is in progress to open five gates of Yamuna Barrage to let water flow back. He cautioned people to stay alert and help others.
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a framework to strengthen the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions.

The Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das and the Central Bank of UAE (CBUAE) Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama on Saturday signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions and for interlinking their payment and messaging systems.

The MoU on establishing a framework for the use of local currencies for transactions between India and the UAE, aims to put in place a Local Currency Settlement System to promote the use of INR (Indian rupee) and AED (UAE Dirham) bilaterally, the RBI said in a statement on July 15.

The MoU covers all current account transactions and permitted capital account transactions, the Indian central bank added.

The signing of the MoU is Indias latest move to increase the use of the rupee to settle international transactions. Over the last one-year, Indian authorities have tried to push the use of the rupee globally, with the RBI announcing the setting up of a mechanism to settle global trade in rupees in July 2022.

Instead, India continues to use US dollars to pay for the majority of its oil imports from Russia, with only a small portion being paid in a mix of currencies, including dirhams and the Chinese Yuan, Moneycontrol reported on July 14 quoting a government source.

At present India, the worlds third-biggest oil importer and consumer and whose central bank last year announced a framework for settling global trade in rupees, pays for UAE oil in dollars.
Karnatakas Large and Medium Industry Minister MB Patil said on Friday that the legal hurdles to establishing iPhone makers Foxconn factory in the state have been cleared and announced the allocation of 300 acres of land to the company.

A total of 300 acres will be given to the company in the ITIR spread over Devanahalli and Doddaballapura taluks. The company would invest around Rs 8,500 crore to set up a manufacturing plant. The company can commence construction work immediately after the handing over of the land, Patil said.

The company has planned to start production at the plant by next April. The government is facilitating the commissioning of the project which would provide 50,000 jobs, he added.

Earlier this week, Foxconn terminated its joint venture with Indias Vedanta Group for chip production. Sources revealed that Foxconn has been in talks with TSMC and TMH for quite some time now. It is expected that the details of the partnership, encompassing the manufacturing of advanced and legacy node chips, will be finalized soon.

Recently, it was reported that Foxconn plans to establish four to five semiconductor fabrication lines in India. The company has already informed the government about its intentions. In December 2021, the Indian government introduced a $10 billion semiconductor incentive program, offering a 50 per cent subsidy on capital expenditure to companies establishing chip manufacturing units in the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Indias full support for UAEs COP-28 presidency as he held productive talks with the UN climate conferences President-designate Sultan Al Jaber on Saturday.

Modi arrived here in the capital of the UAE following his successful two-day visit to Paris where he joined French President Emmanuel Macron for the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour and signed several agreements to strengthen bilateral ties.

Had a very productive meeting with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the President-designate of

@COP28_UAE. Our discussions focused on ways to further sustainable development. Highlighted Indias contribution in this direction, in particular our emphasis on Mission LiFE, PM Modi tweeted.

PM @narendramod held a productive meeting with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President-designate of @COP28_UAE and Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

Dr. Jaber briefed PM on the forthcoming COP-28. PM assured Indias full support for UAEs COP-28 presidency. PM also highlighted Indias efforts and initiatives to address climate change, he said.

 | Together in Climate Action. PM @narendramodi held a productive meeting with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President-designate of @COP28_UAE and Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Dr. Jaber briefed PM on the forthcoming COP-28. PM assured s full support for s pic.twitter.com/DXOT2a8P5o  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 15, 2023

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, will be the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference, held from November 30 until December 12 at the Expo City, Dubai.

The conference has been held annually since the first UN climate agreement in 1992. It is used by governments to agree on policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to impacts associated with climate change.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public meeting in Rajathans Nagaur district on July 28.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary said that the Prime Minister will also transfer Rs 18,000 crore of Samman Nidhi to the bank accounts of nine crore farmers of the country,

Modi will also visit the temple of Veer Tejaji, a local deity, in Kharnal.

Chaudhary reached Kharnal in Nagaur where the PM is scheduled to address the public rally.

The minister visited Veer Tejaji temple and offered prayers. He then held discussions with the local leaders of the party about the PMs proposed visit.

According to the schedule, PM Modi will address a public meeting at Kharnal in Nagaur on July 28 and will transfer Rs 18,000 crore Samman Nidhi to the bank accounts of nine crore farmers, Chaudhary said.

He said the common people and farmers of the state and the country have deep faith in Tejaji and Modi will also offer prayers in the temple.

Assembly elections in the state are due later this year.
BSP chief Mayawati on Saturday lashed out at the Congress government in Rajasthan over the murder of a Dalit girl in Karauli district in the state and demanded strict action against those responsible.

The body of the girl, a resident of the Todabhim area of Karauli, was found in a well on Thursday. She was allegedly abducted and later found dead with a gunshot wound and acid burns.

In a tweet in Hindi, the BSP supremo said, The case of Dalit harassment/murder in Rajasthan is upsetting and a matter of great shame for the state government there. No amount of condemnation is enough for the well-planned casteist incident of abducting and killing a Dalit girl and throwing her body burnt with acid into a well in Karauli district.

Although the safety and respect of the poor, downtrodden, Dalits, tribals and the most backward classes cannot be expected from governments of the Congress or other parties like the BJP, yet we demand that government ensure strict action against the culprits, she added.
A man convicted in the 2005 terror attack on the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru and serving his sentence in a jail in Belagavi was brought to Nagpur on Saturday in connection with threat and extortion calls made to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Afsar Pasha was arrested from prison in Karnataka and brought here on a production warrant in the evening, Nagpur Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said.

The Nagpur police team had reached Balagavi on Thursday and his custody was obtained on Saturday after all legal formalities were completed, Kumar said.

A probe began after a threat and extortion call seeking Rs 100 crore was received on January 14 this year at the Nagpur-based public relations office of Gadkari.

Another such call was received on March 21 and the probe zeroed in on Jayesh Pujari, a convict lodged in Belagavi jail in the southern state, police had said.

Pujari was brought to Nagpur on March 28 and two cases were registered against him under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Indian Penal Code at Dhantoli police station.

As per police, the probe revealed a connection between Pujari and Afsar Pasha, who was involved in terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir and was also convicted in a 2012 case for recruiting operatives for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba there.
At commencement, Indias simultaneous commencement of both the SCO and G20 were seen as a twin opportunity for the nation to provide direction, if not outright leadership, to the world that was still recovering from the Covid aftermath and yet got caught in the fallouts of the Ukraine War. Yet, halfway through the calendar year, New Delhi gave a quiet end to the former, that too with an online summit while preparing to receive most of those leaders and more at the G20 summit in the physical format.

It does not make sense for the apologists of the government to say that the SCO summit could have become controversial and an embarrassment as both China and Pakistan would gang up against India. It was/is not an impossible situation, especially when India was chairing the session and Pakistan especially could do with some theatrics, to divert domestic attention from the nations economic mess and worse.

Yet, both a China-Pakistan combo and Indias chairing the summit in its turn wee both foregone conclusions when SCO admitted both India and Pakistan together as full-members, and at their request. That was some years after they had remained on board as Observers.

Maybe, for India, it was a better time to catch Pakistan at its lowest, having expended its homilies at Prime Minister Narendra Modis talks with US President Joe Biden in Washington weeks earlier. Anyway, the SCO, too, had sworn against terrorism, and reiterating past institutional commitments would not have made any difference to India-Pakistan strains or China-Pakistan equations.

On other hand, by choosing the online format of the summit, which should have been reserved only for Covid-like situations, or for overnight emergencies, which is mostly confined to the bilateral format than institutional mechanisms of the SCO kind, India may have sent out a wrong message.

This is especially so in the case of Iran, which in the interregnum was seen as having moved closer to China than earlier. Earlier this year, China had quietly played mediator to sort out years of tension between Shia Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia, the two ends of the Islamic ulema at the global level.

India needs both Iran and Saudi Arabia, and has very good relations with both. In fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has built new bridges with both, over and above the traditional ones left behind by his predecessors, and very successfully so.

Both Tehran and Riyadh put bilateral relations on the top of other concerns, including those flowing from their strong religious ideology.

Playing cupid

It is anybodys guess, why Indias mandarins did not think of the possibility of playing cupid between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Maybe, it was overwhelmed by the opportunities that greater and more frequent interactions with western nations offered.

In contrast, China, which the West had earlier boosted up to become the worlds factory, felt becoming increasing sidelined and dumped by the West. Maybe, such dis-entitlements have their own tales to tell, their own ways to re-engineer a nations vision.

Beginning with last year-end Saudi visit of President Xi Jinping, where he met with other Gulf-Arab nations and their collectives, China wanted an economic and diplomatic fall-back in case the strains with the West worsened, to a point of no-return. Then followed, the Saudi-Iran patch-up at Beijing and their decision to reopen their embassies in each others capitals after a break.

Putting all eggs

It can be argued that the two main SCO leaders, namely, Presidents Xi and Russias Vladimir Putin, would be there at the G20 summit too, and that India would not have lost much. But it is about the extended region or at least one part of it, one side of it. SCO is the only organisation that India is involved in, where Central Asian republics are members and partners. They thus have their say. Now, with Iran too joining, SCO is getting a greater relevance and weight.

The question is if India has begun treating the SCO like the NAM before it? Yes, as the SCO chair, India did organise close to 150 events across the country, just as it has done as G20 chair for the year. But the former seldom got the kind of media coverage as the latter even within India. Obviously, the former was not as promoted as the latter  for reasons that are not clearly known.

Already, both history and geography have not been too kind to India. Geography has ensured that the nation is caught in a geo-strategically vulnerable location. History has given adversaries for neighbours. Even if bilateral issues between India and these countries are resolved overnight, mutual suspicions and fears would continue.

Flash-point India

This is more so in the case of China. Because India is even otherwise seen as tilting more towards the US and the rest of the West, and none of them have a shared border with China, the latter would always consider India a flash-point after or along with Taiwan.

There is a greater problem for India. Over the past decade or two, whenever the Wests relations with China had cooled, India had become a critical factor in their calculations. When the other two had warmed up, no one bothers about India and its genuine concerns about China.

Maybe, for the West, keeping the India-China border dispute alive would serve its own cause, both separately viz India and China. It is thus that no western voice has arisen in the past many years about the need and urgency for the three nuclear powers in this part of the world having to sort out their bilateral differences, early.

It is only two decades after the shock and awe of 9/11 that the West, starting with the US, has begun acknowledging that Indias cross-border terrorism issues are for real, and Pakistan needed to be ticked off. Even there, it is only a gentle pat on the knuckle. That is because the West does not want Pakistan to tilt towards China so very completely  not because they love India more.

It is in this background that India needs to evaluate the pluses and minuses flowing from its occasional habit of hunting with the hound and running with the hare  or, something coming close to that.

The writer is a Chennai-based policy analyst and political commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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As the two Asian neighbours looked for methods to reduce simmering military tensions along their extensive border, Chinas top diplomat Wang Yi warned the Indian foreign minister that bilateral relations needed to be normalised.

According to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang informed Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar that mutual assistance is required between the two countries instead of mistrust on the sidelines of ASEAN talks in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.

Over a 3,800-km (2,360-mile) shared border, much of which is poorly delineated, India and China engaged in a brief but devastating war in 1962.

After a series of border accords, relations between the two countries have improved during the 1990s, and China is now Indias second-largest trading partner.

However, a setback in 2020 when 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers died in hand-to-hand combat during a border confrontation prompted both forces to strengthen sites and send out significant numbers of troops and equipment.

The two forces animosities have been reduced via a number of rounds of military and diplomatic negotiations, but New Delhi has characterised the border situation as precarious and hazardous.

Wang advised Jaishankar during their meeting on Friday that China and India must cooperate to achieve a boundary dispute resolution that is acceptable to both nations.

The two sides should support each other and accomplish things together, rather than wear each other down or suspect each other, Wang said.

He argued that India and China shouldnt allow certain disagreements to define their relationship as a whole.

The next round of border issues negotiations between military commanders on both sides will take place soon, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

With the restriction of more than 300 Chinese apps, including TikTok, New Delhi has increased its inspection of Chinese companies since 2020. Additionally, it has increased monitoring of Chinese company investments.

Wang encouraged a fair, open, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises in response to recent limitations imposed by India on those companies.

(With agency input)
Chinese diplomat Wang Yi has called for stabilising bilateral ties between Beijing and New Delhi as he met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Jakarta on Friday.

The two met on the sidelines of ASEAN meetings in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta where Wang told Jaishankar that the two Asian neighbouring countries need mutual support instead of suspicion

China and India need to work in the same direction to find a solution to border issues acceptable to both sides, Wang told Jaishankar during their meeting on Friday.

The two sides should support each other and accomplish things together, rather than wear each other down or suspect each other, Wang said.

He added that both countries should not let specific issues define their whole relationship.

Meanwhile, China and India have agreed to hold the next round of military commander-level talks on border issues at an early date, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

The Indo-Sino relationship suffered a setback in 2020 when over 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers were killed in hand-to-hand fighting during a border clash that forced both sides to fortify positions and deploy large numbers of troops and equipment.

In retaliation, New Delhi has also ramped up scrutiny of Chinese businesses, banning more than 300 Chinese apps, including TikTok since 2020. It has also intensified scrutiny of investments by Chinese firms.

With inputs from Reuters
India and France have signed off on a deal to create a technical office of the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) at its embassy in Paris.

The announcement came as both countries agreed to increase defence engagement.

France is one of Indias most important allies in building a self-sufficient defence industrial and technological foundation, a joint India-France statement informed, adding that the co-development and co-production of cutting-edge defence technologies for the benefit of third nations is a joint commitment of both countries.

The statement further noted that during Prime Minister Narendra Modis two-day visit to France the two nations acknowledged the timely delivery of the 36 Rafale ordered by India.

In line with their outstanding cooperation in military aviation spanning over five decades, India and France welcome the timely delivery of the 36 Rafale ordered by India. In the future, India and France will extend their ground-breaking defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine. (A roadmap on this project will be prepared between Safran and DRDO before the end of this year), the India-France joint communique read.

The two leaders stood in support of Safran Helicopter Engines (France) industrial cooperation for the motorisation of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter [IMRH] programme. A shareholders agreement for engine development was reached between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India, and Safran Helicopter Engine, France, to facilitate the advancement of the IMRH programme.

With inputs from agencies
Scores of Indian Americans held a peace rally in front of the Indian Consulate here to express solidarity with India following a recent attempted arson at the diplomatic facility by Khalistan supporters.

A video by Khalistan supporters, dated July 2 posted on Twitter, showed the act of arson at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. It was the second such act of violence within months.

A large number of Indian Americans from in and around San Francisco came out in support of India this week as they held a peaceful rally in front of the Indian Consulate in San Francisco against the recent act of violence.

The protesters described it as an act of terrorism act and demanded that those responsible for violence be brought to justice.

Indias Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu visited the Consulate here on Thursday and met Indian diplomats and officials at the mission.

India has asked its partner countries such as Canada, the UK and the US not to give space to extremist Khalistani ideology as it is not good for bilateral relations.

The radical, extremist Khalistani ideology is not good for India or its partner countries such as the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in New Delhi early this month.

On March 19, a group of pro-Khalistan protesters attacked and damaged the Indian Consulate in San Francisco.

Raising pro-Khalistan slogans, the protesters broke open the makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and installed two so-called Khalistani flags inside the Consulate premises. Two consulate personnel soon removed those flags.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after concluding a successful two-day trip to France where he held wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron and attended the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour.

PM @narendramodi bids adieu to France following a successful visit that heralded a new chapter in India-France relationship. PM now emplanes for Abu Dhabi for the next leg of his visit, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

PM Modi was also conferred with Frances highest civilian award the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour.

In UAE, the prime minister will discuss Energy, food security, and defence with Arab leaders. During his day-long visit, the two strategic partners will also review the progress after they inked a landmark trade agreement.

Modi will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

#WATCH | Paris: PM Narendra Modi emplanes for UAE after concluding his two-day France visit. pic.twitter.com/AZMQH8Qxxh  ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that defence ties have been an important pillar between India and France relation.

Addressing a joint press meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at Elysee Palace in Paris, PM Modi said that India and France are celebrating 25 years of strategic partnership, and also making a roadmap for the next 25 years on the basis of the strong foundation of the previous 25 years.

France is a crucial partner for India in the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. This is a symbol of the deep trust between the two nations, he said.

Macron also announced plans to send over 30,000 French students to India by 2030. We aim to send 30,000 French students to India. The government is also aiming to set up a favourable visa policy for Indian students. For young Indians aspiring to pursue higher education in France, we want to establish a favourable visa policy, he said.

With inputs from agencies
According to the Interfax news agency, Russias FSB security service announced on Saturday that it had foiled purported Ukrainian-backed conspiracies to assassinate two well-known Russian journalists.

Margarita Simonyan and Ksenia Sobchaks homes and businesses are close to where the FSB said it had detained an undefined number of persons on Friday.

Ukraine, which has previously denied involvement in killing pro-war figures inside of Russia, made no immediate comments.

The prisoners confirmed planning attacks on the two ladies on behalf of Ukraine, and Interfax cited the FSB as claiming they had been promised rewards of 1.5 million roubles ($16,620) for each of them.

Simonyan, the chairman of the state-run RT and an outspoken advocate of Russias conflict in Ukraine, wrote about the suspected plot in a Telegram message, asking the security services to Keep on working, brothers!

Sobchak, a well-known journalist and TV broadcaster, stood for president in 2018 as well.

Vladlen Tatarsky, a military blogger, and journalist Darya Dugina, both notable pro-war Russians, were killed in bombings within Russia in the previous year. The killings were attributed to Ukraine by Russia, but Kyiv rejected this and claimed they were a result of internal strife in Russia.

Zakhar Prilepin, a well-known nationalist author from Russia, was injured in a car bombing in May that also claimed the life of the driver. Authorities reported that a suspect had been taken into custody and admitted to acting on behalf of Ukraine.

(With agency inputs)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described his visit to France as a memorable one and said that seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the Bastille Day parade was wonderful.

The Prime Minister was in France on a two-day official visit at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the French people for the exceptional warmth and hospitality. May India-France friendship continue to soar! Modi tweeted, along with photographs of the parade.

This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the pic.twitter.com/BllJ8gVj8e  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023

Earlier in the day, PM Modi joined Macron for the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour with an Indian tri-services marching contingent wowing crowds during the French National Day celebrations.

Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) also joined the flypast along with French jets.

On Friday night, Macron hosted a banquet dinner for the prime minister at Louvre Museum in Paris. The French president and First Lady Brigitte Macron received Modi at the museum.

A perfect setting to conclude a memorable visit. PM @narendramodi hosted by President @EmmanuelMacron for a State Banquet at the iconic Louvre Museum in Paris, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

A perfect setting to conclude a memorable visit. PM @narendramodi hosted by President @EmmanuelMacron for a State Banquet at the iconic Louvre Museum in Paris. pic.twitter.com/gXkWAYWu0l  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 14, 2023

India and France on Friday said they were exploring possibilities for co-development and co-production of key military platforms, including for the benefit of friendly countries, as they unveiled a 25-year roadmap to deepen their strategic partnership.

After wide-ranging talks between Modi and Macron, the two sides came out with the India-France Indo-Pacific Roadmap and asserted that they believe in a free, open, inclusive, and secure Indo-Pacific region.

Modi and Macron also addressed the CEOs Forum where the prime minister highlighted the ongoing economic reforms in India and urged the French business leaders to harness opportunities that the country offers.

The Forum consisted of 16 CEOs from the French side and 24 from the Indian side in diverse sectors, including aviation, manufacturing, defence, technology, and energy, among others, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

He also announced that India would open a new Consulate in the port town of Marseilles.

(With inputs from PTI)
In a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on Saturday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced that his nation will send a larger shipment of military equipment and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Yoon made the unexpected journey after attending the NATO summit in Lithuania and visiting Poland this week, where he showed support for Ukraine against Russias invasion.

According to the think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), South Korea is a close ally of the United States and the ninth largest exporter of weapons worldwide. However, it is equally concerned about Russias sway over North Korea and has resisted Western attempts to actively arm Ukraine.

Following the deployment of non-lethal equipment including body armour and helmets to Ukraine last year, Yoon stated at a news conference that South Korea aims to give a larger scale of military supplies to that country this year. He made no further explanations.

According to Yoon, South Korea also intends to donate $150 million in humanitarian help to Ukraine this year, and another $100 million in 2022.

It will also work with Kyiv on initiatives like building infrastructure, which might be supported by loans with favourable terms from South Korea, he said.

We are discussing everything that is important for the normal and safe life of people, Zelenskiy said, thanking Yoon for powerful support.

According to Yoons office, he also travelled to the nearby tiny towns of Bucha and Irpin, where Russian soldiers are suspected of committing war crimes against people. Putin disputes that.

Yoon stated this week that his government was getting ready to deploy demining tools and ambulances in response to a request from Ukraine and that it will contribute to NATOs humanitarian fund for Ukraine.

Few other Asian leaders have visited Ukraine, therefore Yoons visit is significant, according to Ramon Pacheco Pardo, the Korea chair at the Brussels School of Governance research group.

He noted that it is unclear how much of a policy shift in favour of further assistance for Ukraine would occur, but the trip demonstrates Kyivs acceptance of the assistance thus far.

If hes going its because Zelenskiy allowed him to go, because he feels Korea is doing enough to warrant it, Pacheco Pardo said, adding that it also suggested South Korea may be offering more support behind the scenes.

Zelenskiy asked Yoon to boost military support when they first met in May. Yoon said on Saturday South Korea has delivered safety equipment and humanitarian aid that Ukraine needs, since May, including mine detectors.

South Koreas defence ministry has said it was discussing exporting ammunition to the U.S., but said parts of a media report that Seoul had agreed to send artillery rounds to the U.S. for delivery to Ukraine were inaccurate.

In 2022, South Koreas arms sales jumped to more than $17 billion from $7.25 billion the year before, including a $13.7 billion arms deal with Poland  Seouls biggest ever  supplying rocket launchers and fighter jets.

South Korean companies and entities in Ukraine and in other countries signed agreements on Friday to help with reconstruction, Seouls Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement.

(With agency inputs)
Tesla built its first Cybertruck at the electric-vehicle markers plant in Austin, Texas, the company said in a tweet on Saturday, after two years of delays.

Tesla founder Elon Musk introduced the pickup truck in a 2019 reveal where the vehicles designer cracked the vehicles supposedly unbreakable armor glass windows.

The company has pushed back production timing since then and Musk had last year cited shortages in sourcing components as the reason for pushing the launch of Cybertruck into 2023.

In a May shareholder meeting, Musk said that Tesla would like to produce a quarter-million Cybertrucks a year, depending on demand.

The Cybertruck launch will give Tesla an EV entrant in one of the most profitable segments of the U.S. market and a competitor to electric pickups from the likes of Ford Motor(F.N) and Rivian Automotive (RIVN.O), both of which have launched models in still-limited numbers.
A large convoy carrying fighters from the Wagner private army was spotted entering Belarus from Russia early Saturday, a monitoring group reported after the countrys Defence Ministry said it planned for the mercenaries and Minsks own armed forces to conduct joint military drills.

The independent monitoring group Belaruski Hajun, which tracks the movements of armed forces in Belarus, said at least 60 trucks, buses and other large vehicles crossed into the eastern European country accompanied by Belarusian police.

The group did not immediately provide photos or videos of the vehicles but said they had license plates from Russian-occupied areas of eastern Ukraine, where Wagner mercenaries fought alongside Russian troops until a short-lived mutiny last month.

The convoy headed toward a military base outside Osipovichi, a town 230 kilometres (142 miles) north of the Ukrainian border. Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press this month showed rows of tent-like structures that appeared to have been built at the base between June 15 and June 30.

The authoritarian president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said at the time that Minsk could use Wagners experience and expertise, and that he had offered the fighters an abandoned military unit to set up camp. That same week, a leader of an anti-Lukashenko guerrilla group told the AP that construction of a site for the mercenaries was underway near Osipovichi.

While Belaruski Hajuns claim about the convoy heading into Belarus could not immediately be verified, a spokesperson for Ukraines State Border Guard Service said Saturday that the force also had observed some groups of Wagner fighters crossing from Russia into Belarus. The spokesperson, Andriy Demchenko, made the remarks in an interview with the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry said in an online statement late Friday that it had developed a road map with Wagners management for joint training exercises drills by the nations military personnel and the private mercenaries.

Earlier Friday, the Defense Ministry said that Wagner fighters had begun training Belarusian soldiers. A TV channel affiliated with the ministry showed footage of fighters in black masks instructing soldiers on how to shoot and provide first aid.

On June 23, the Wagner groups founder and leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, ordered his fighters to leave their camps in Ukraine and head toward Moscow to demand the removal of Russias defence minister and General Staff chief.

The mutiny rattled Russia and posed the biggest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prigozhins one-time benefactor, during his decades in power.

In the revolt that lasted less than 24 hours, Wagner fighters swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there, before driving to within about 200 kilometres (125 miles) of the Russian capital.

Prigozhin had accused the senior Russian military leadership for months of bungling the war in Ukraine and starving his troops of ammunition.

Lukashenko then brokered a deal between Prigozhin and the Kremlin that shielded the Wagner leader and his men from prosecution, allowing Prigozhin to move to Belarus in exchange for ordering his mercenaries back to the camps.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan soon after he touched down in UAE.

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi in UAE on an official bilateral visit, meets Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan pic.twitter.com/DxZNkFaMKP  ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2023

In UAE, the prime minister will discuss Energy, food security, and defence with Arab leaders. During his day-long visit, the two strategic partners will also review the progress after they inked a landmark trade agreement.

Grateful to Crown Prince HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for welcoming me at the airport today. pic.twitter.com/3dM8y5tEdv  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2023

Modi will hold also talks with the President of the UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

As PM @narendramodi is on his way to Abu Dhabi, take a quick look into the multifaceted India-UAE ties. pic.twitter.com/7evaYRq3CR  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 15, 2023

PM Modi left for UAE earlier today after concluding his two-day visit to France.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, PM Modi stated, This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the French people for the exceptional warmth and hospitality. May friendship continue to soar!

This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the pic.twitter.com/BllJ8gVj8e  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that defence ties have been an important pillar between India and France relation.

Addressing a joint press meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at Elysee Palace in Paris, PM Modi said that India and France are celebrating 25 years of strategic partnership, and also making a roadmap for the next 25 years on the basis of the strong foundation of the previous 25 years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the President of the UAE Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his day-long visit to the country.

Earlier today, the prime minister also met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi meets UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/KPP9RQox7j  ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2023

PM Modi arrived in the United Arabs Emirates after a successful two-day trip to France where both countries inked key deals on defence.

In Abu Dhabi, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were also being exchanged between India and UAE in the presence of President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

#WATCH | Abu Dhabi: Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) being exchanged between India and UAE in the presence of UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/4kzefrIUrn  ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2023

In UAE, the prime minister will discuss Energy, food security, and defence with Arab leaders. During his day-long visit, the two strategic partners will also review the progress after they inked a landmark trade agreement.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, PM Modi stated, This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the French people for the exceptional warmth and hospitality. May friendship continue to soar!

With inputs from agencies
Memories keep us alive. An invaluable part of a fascinating journey are the fun memories gathered along the way. In a similar vein, a woman recently experienced one-of-a-kind moment when she tried an unusual pizza during her journey. The woman, Alexandra Blodgett, recently visited Guatemala where she savoured the popular Italian dish cooked inside an active volcano. The clip was shared on Instagram by the woman herself and has left internet users surprised.

The Instagram clip shows a man setting pizza loaded with cheese and veggies on a tray. In the next step, he puts it inside the grounds top layer and covers it with a lid. Just in the time it takes to heat it well, the pizza is served to the woman to enjoy. The video also shows a scenic rock setting with spectacular clouds gracing the skies. Blodgett announced the experience as a fun bonus in the caption of the post: POV: travelling to Guatemala to eat pizza cooked on an active volcano.

Check out the post:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bucket List + Adventure Travel  Alex (@alexandrablodgett)

The post garnered over 73,000 likes and 13 lakh views.

Check out some of the responses below:

One user commented: What a unique experience. Would totally do this. How cool, added to the bucket list, added another.

Did this in 2022, the pizza is so good, said a third. A fourth user asked: What if you eat or inhale arsenic?

Arsenic (As) is a nearly tasteless and odourless toxic metalloid element found in the environment. Its consumption can lead to arsenic poisoning. It can lead to various cancers including lung and skin cancers.

Volcanoes and pizza. I would absolutely travel there for this, said a fifth.

The active volcano last erupted in 2021. She also advised people about the weather turning cold and windy up there, hence it is imperative to keep layers.

As per her Instagram profile, Alex is a regular traveler who updates her followers about travel ideas and tips. She also tells them about bucket lists and adventure travel. In the post, she stated certain facts about the place she had pizza on. While cautioning them about having a guide in order to enter the Guatemalan National Park, she declared that they booked with Pizza Pacaya well ahead of time.

Blodgett has visited 35 national parks out of 63. In addition, she has covered all 50 states on her bucket list.
US smears, blames China, and shirks its own responsibility on fentanyl issue: Chinese FM

Global Times) 14:23, July 15, 2023

Overlooking real trouble. Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

Answering a question related to fentanyl at the daily briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged the US to deal with the issue in an equal, respect and cooperative manner.

The sanctions on Chinese agencies engaged in anti-drug work should be lifted as soon as possible to remove obstacles to dialogue and cooperation between the two sides, Wang Wenbin urged.

On Thursday, Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met Blinken in Jakarta, Indonesia on the sidelines of a series of ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings.

The Chinese spokesperson said Wang Yi had expressed China's stance over the fentanyl issue during the meeting with Blinken. China is one of the countries with the most resolute and thorough anti-drug policies in the world, as well as one of the best records.

In order to accommodate the concerns of the US and proceed from the overall situation of China-US relations, China made a decision several years ago to regulate fentanyl in its entirety. No other country has done so, Wang Wenbin noted.

Instead of fully recognizing China's efforts, the US has smeared, blamed China, and shirked its responsibility on the fentanyl issue and arrested Chinese citizens through phishing law enforcement, which is totally counterproductive, the Chinese spokesperson stated.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer:



The Battle of Britain was Germany's attempt to force the United Kingdom into submission, shortly after the beginning of the war in September 1939. At the point when the bombing that made up the Battle of Britain began, the Axis powers had already invaded and taken control of France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and many other countries. In the eyes of many, the United Kingdom was the last holdout against the Nazis, since the United States had not yet entered the war.



The Battle of Britain was the world's first major battle fought in the air. While most of the Germans' bombing took place over London, particularly the poorer areas in the East End, other major areas of England were also threatened. Germany's Messerschmidt planes fought against Great Britain's Spitfire and Hurricane planes. At the same time, Axis blockading ensured that shipping into England was perilous. The outlook was bleak for the United Kingdom.



A large factor in keeping up the morale of Londoners was King George VI's presence there at Buckingham Palace, and although Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret were sent to live at Windsor Castle, this was still not in a safe area. Queen Elizabeth remained with her husband at Buckingham Palace, which was hit by several bombs, one only about 80 yards from the King. When this happened, however, the Queen said that "I am glad we have been bombed. It makes me feel we can look the East End in the face." The King's dedication to the morale of his people saw him refuse to wear anything but his military uniform in public throughout the whole war.



By the end of the Battle, however, the Royal Air Force had increased in strength by about 40 percent since the beginning of the Battle, while the Luftwaffe's numbers had decreased by 25 to 30 percent. It was a clear victory for the Allied forces.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
New EU Law Requires Smartphones to Have User-Replaceable Batteries in the Near Future News oi -Kabir Jain

The European Union has recently approved a groundbreaking regulation that will mandate all newly manufactured mobile phones from 2027 onwards to have batteries that can be replaced by users. This regulatory change is considered a significant victory for advocates who have long been calling for greater accessibility and sustainability in smartphone battery replacements.

By enabling individuals to easily replace batteries in their smartphones, this rule aims to improve user convenience and reduce electronic waste. Let's delve into the details of this progressive EU regulation and its implications.

A Win for Sustainability

The implementation of this new regulation is part of a broader effort by the European Union to enhance the sustainability of electronic devices. As part of its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030, the EU aims to improve the durability and repairability of electronic equipment. Requiring user-replaceable batteries in smartphones is a crucial step toward achieving this goal.

Impact on the Smartphone Market

The introduction of non-removable batteries in smartphones over the years has limited user autonomy in replacing batteries. Technical constraints, such as waterproofing and design considerations, have been cited as the primary reasons for this trend. However, the EU argues that the benefits of user-replaceable batteries outweigh these concerns.

Extended Lifespan and Reduced Electronic Waste

With user-replaceable batteries, smartphones will have an extended lifespan, as battery replacements can be easily performed by users themselves. This leads to a reduction in electronic waste, as devices with non-removable batteries would often be discarded entirely when the battery degraded over time.

Empowering Consumers with Repairability Information

To facilitate battery replacements, smartphone manufacturers will be required to provide repairability information to consumers. This includes guides and tutorials that empower users to change batteries themselves, reducing their reliance on professional maintenance services. By providing access to repairability information, manufacturers encourage device longevity and consumer independence.

Advancing Device Sustainability

The implementation of this EU regulation represents a significant triumph for both consumers and the environment. It addresses the pressing issue of electronic waste while promoting the sustainability of electronic devices. With user-replaceable batteries and access to repairability information, users gain greater control and autonomy over their devices, fostering a culture of device sustainability.

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Suspected Russian Intelligence Operative Extradited from Estonia to Face Charges Related to Providing American-Made Electronics and Ammunition to Russian Military

Friday, July 14, 2023

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Defendant Allegedly Smuggled Dual-Use Technologies and Ammunition from U.S. Companies for Russia's Defense Sector

A Russian citizen with alleged ties to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) will be arraigned today on an indictment charging him with conspiracy and other charges related to a global procurement and money laundering network on behalf of the Russian government.

According to court documents, Vadim Konoshchenok, 48, of Tallinn, Estonia, was arrested in Estonia on a provisional arrest warrant issued from the Eastern District of New York and extradited from Estonia to the United States on July 13.

"This defendant, who is suspected of having ties to the FSB, smuggled hundreds of thousands of illicit munitions in support of Moscow's war machine, using front companies to conceal his criminal enterprise," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "The Department of Justice remains steadfast in its mission to counter Russian aggression and we will give no quarter to those who violate U.S. sanctions to further fuel its war effort."

"In early December, I met with Estonian counterparts in Tallinn regarding the pending U.S. request to arrest Vadim Konoshchenok," said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. "I would like to pay tribute to Prosecutor General Andres Parmas's team, and to the Estonian Internal Security Service, for their prioritization of this case, and for their close coordination with the Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs on the provisional arrest and extradition of Konoshchenok."

"As alleged, the defendant was a critical participant in a scheme to provide sensitive, American-made electronics and ammunition in furtherance of Russia's war efforts and weapons development, violating U.S. export controls, economic sanctions and other criminal statutes," said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. "Let this case serve as the latest example that no matter where you are in the world, if you violate U.S. export controls or evade U.S. sanctions, we will not rest until you face justice in a U.S. courtroom."

"The FBI and our partners work diligently to bring to justice those who assist Russia's military interests and put national security at risk," said Assistant Director Suzanne Turner of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division. "According to the allegations in the indictment, Konoshchenok helped the FSB smuggle military grade ammunition and a range of nuclear and computer equipment which could be used as instruments of war. Today's indictment is a fierce reminder of the lengths Russian intelligences services will go to advance Russia's military capabilities. The FBI is deeply committed to disrupting and dismantling these actions."

According to the indictment and court filings, Konoshchenok and his co-defendants were affiliated with Serniya Engineering and Sertal LLC (the Serniya Network), Moscow-based companies that operate under the direction of Russian intelligence services to procure advanced electronics and sophisticated testing equipment for Russia's military industrial complex and research and development sector, some of which can be used in the development of nuclear and hypersonic weapons, quantum computing and other military applications. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) levied sanctions against Serniya, Sertal and several individuals and companies engaged in the scheme, calling them "instrumental to the Russian Federation's war machine."

As alleged in the indictment, the Serniya Network was licensed to conduct highly sensitive and classified procurement activities by Russia's FSB, Russia's principal security agency and the main successor agency to the Soviet Union's KGB. According to court documents, in electronic communications, Konoshchenok explicitly identified himself as an FSB "Colonel" and enclosed a photograph of himself wearing his FSB uniform. Additionally, a review of electronic communications equipment recovered from Konoshchenok revealed saved contacts beginning with the prefix "FSB" and email addresses from "FSB[.]ru" domains. One of Konoshchenok's calendar entries referenced an "FSB order."

As described in the indictment, Estonia was a popular transshipment point, where Konoshchenok would smuggle U.S.-origin items across the border into Russia. On Oct. 27, 2022, Konoshchenok was detained by Estonian authorities while attempting to cross into Russia from Estonia with approximately 35 different types of semiconductors and electronic components, including several U.S.-origin and export-controlled items. Konoshchenok has also been repeatedly stopped by Estonian border officials attempting to smuggle hundreds of thousands of American-made and export-controlled rounds into Russia, including 6.5 mm, 7 mm, .338 and .308 magnum rounds, which are commonly used by snipers, as well as military-grade .223 rounds.

Konoshchenok used an Estonian front company called Stonebridge Resources and communicated frequently with other co-conspirators about sourcing, transporting and paying for controlled items. In electronic communications, Konoshchenok is clear that his fee is "10%" because he "can't do less. Sanctions . . . Sanction item for 10%."

To date, over half a ton of military-grade ammunition linked to Konoshchenok has been recovered or interdicted before being smuggled into Russia.

If convicted, Konoshchenok faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

The FBI is investigating the case. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs and the Estonian authorities, including Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO) and the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Estonia, provided significant assistance in securing foreign evidence, the arrest and extradition of Konoshchenok.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell and Matthew Skurnik for the Eastern District of New York and Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

This case has been coordinated through the Justice Department's Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia's unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will leverage all the Department's tools and authorities against efforts to evade or undermine the economic actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.

Topics: Countering Nation-State Threats

Export Control

Components: Criminal Division

Criminal - Office of International Affairs

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - New York, Eastern

Press Release Number: 23-766

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July 13, 2023

Transcript

Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Sims II (USA), Director for Operations, J-3, The Joint Staff; Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, Hold a Press Briefing

Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Sims II (USA), Director for Operations, J-3, The Joint Staff; Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary

GEN. RYDER: All right, great. Thank you very much.

Hey, well, good afternoon, and thanks very much for calling in. As a reminder, today's press briefing is on the record. I'm joined today by Army Lieutenant General D.A. Sims, the Joint Staff J3 director of operations, who's here to provide some information on the White House's executive order being announced today regarding Operation Atlantic Resolve, how this action enables the U.S. to better support and sustain DOD's enhanced presence and level of operations in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility over the long term.

General Sims, thank you for joining us today, Sir. Over to you.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL DOUGLAS A. SIMS II: Pat. Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for joining the call. It's been nearly a decade since the start of U.S. European Command's Operation Atlantic Resolve. Since 2014, U.S. European Command has provided combat-credible forces for rotational deployment to Europe. These forces continue to demonstrate U.S. commitment to NATO, while building readiness, increasing interoperability and enhancing the bonds between allies and partners.

Today, the president signed an executive order approving the mobilization of select reserve forces under 12304 authorities, with no more than 3,000 personnel augmenting the Armed Forces in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Additionally, Operation Atlantic Resolve will be designated as a contingency operation. This new designation benefits troops and families with increases in authorities, entitlements and access to reserve component forces and personnel.

Based on the level of presence and operations in the U.S. EUCOM area of operations, DOD's support requirements have grown, as well. These authorities will enable the department to better support and sustain its enhanced presence and level of operations in the U.S. EUCOM AOR.

Lastly, this reaffirms the unwavering support and commitment to the defense of NATO's eastern flank in wake of Russia's illegal and unprovoked war on Ukraine.

I look forward to answering your questions.

GEN. RYDER: Thank you very much, General Sims.

GEN. RYDER: Ladies and gentlemen, just a reminder to please put your phones on mute if you're not asking a question. Also, this briefing will be in two parts today. General Sims has time to take a few questions. I'd ask that you limit those questions to Atlantic Resolve or operations-related questions, and then afterwards, I'll provide some additional topper information and stick around to answer any follow-on questions.

Our first question will go to Lita Baldor, Associated Press.

Q: Hi. Thank you, and thanks General Sims. One quick question on Atlantic Resolve. Where are these forces going? And what is it expected that they're going to be doing? Can you just give us a bit detail on this deployment? And then, I don't know how to divide up the questions, so I don't know if this is for you or for Pat. But I'm just looking for someone to confirm that the cluster munitions have, indeed, been delivered to Ukraine at this point. Thanks.

GEN. SIMS: Thanks, Lita. So first of all, in terms of where forces will go, it's really up to the U.S. European Command commander's decision. These are not additional forces; these are forces that will augment what we already have there. So as an example, over time, where we may have had someone from an active-component organization doing something, that job now under these authorities may be something that a reserve component unit may be able to do.

And I can't really give you a particular unit or type of unit. It will really depend on what's required from the commander. Based on that, he'd come back and request that, and we would work with U.S. EUCOM and the services to fill that responsibility.

And then on your second question, there are cluster munitions in Ukraine at this time.

GEN. RYDER: Thank you very much. All right, our next question will go to Missy Ryan, Washington Post.

Q: Hi. Hi. Can you guys hear me?

GEN. RYDER: We can hear you.

Q: OK. Lieutenant General Sims, for you, could you give us your assessment of the reasons for what we're seeing in Ukraine's counteroffensive in terms of their -- like, are there sort of smaller advances and sort of small -- the smaller scale of the operations that we're seeing? How would you explain to people who aren't familiar with the situation? Why is that happening at this point?

And then Pat, if possible, can you just talk about whether the secretary's call with Senator Tuberville? Thanks.

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, Missy, I'll -- so I'll come back after we're done with General Sims's portion and address that. But over to General Sims.

GEN. SIMS: Well, Missy, I think if I could sum it up in a single word, I'd tell you it's because it's really hard. You know, we're talking about, you know, actual human beings that are in the midst of some pretty severe fighting. So if you look at this in this case, you know, we have, you know, men and women who are incorporating new techniques. They're using new equipment and they're doing that all while being shot at and bombed, not to mention the -- the -- and if you've seen in other places, extensive mining that the Russians have put in place. And so where they are gaining hundreds of meters a day, maybe a kilometer a day in some places, they're doing that at great cost in terms of effort.

And so just back to my opening comment there, it's really, really hard. I don't think it's impossible, and I think that's what we're seeing from the Ukrainians, is that they are really making a go of it in great order, really, across the battlefield. It may not be at the speed that we would prefer. You know, if you use an historic example and if you look at this country, with the exception of the Gulf War, where we, you know, had gone pretty fast through that, we had done a bunch of preparation prior to our crossing the berm in the Gulf War, let me take you back to World War II -- I mean, just from the time when we hit the beaches at D-Day, you were looking at two months before the breakout.

So this is hard warfare, it's in really tough terrain, it's under fire, and really, when you consider all of that, it's pretty remarkable.

GEN. RYDER: Thank you, sir. All right, next question, we'll go to Patrick Tucker, Defense One.

Q: Hey, yeah, thank you for doing this. Very recently, Romania has suggested that it -- a coalition of 11 countries are going to start training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s in Romania. You have Denmark supporting, a couple other nations supporting.

Real quick, can you talk about how the U.S. might be willing to support that effort? Understanding that there's no announcement being made today on giving Ukraine F-16s, is there any role that you guys are looking to play in supporting this training effort that will take place in Romania? And how might that shift decision making on F-16s going forward?

GEN. SIMS: Sir, I'm going to see if Pat has a better answer on that than me, and if not, then we'll circle back with you and get you a good response.

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks very much, Sir. Pat, so just real quick, as you've heard us say, Denmark and the Netherlands have taken the lead on the F-16 training. I don't have any new announcements to make today from the Pentagon, in terms of, you know, the specific role that the U.S. will play once that program is codified and implemented, other than to say of course, you know, we do support those efforts and appreciate the leadership that Denmark and the Netherlands are providing on that front.

So as we have new details to provide, we'll be sure to do that. Thank you.

Q: OK, a quick follow-up -- this rotational aspect, is -- does it assume additional U.S. forces being in Romania, any force posture change in Romania, U.S. forces?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, again, at this point, as I highlighted and as we saw at the last Contact Group, Denmark and the Netherlands are putting together what this program will look like, and I just don't have anything to announce in terms of whether or not U.S. forces would be a part of any specific training effort, in terms of instructors or any other capabilities on that front.

So again, we'll come back to you when and if we have anything to announce. Thank you.

Q: Thank you.

GEN. RYDER: Let's go to Chris Gordon, Air and Space Forces Magazine.

Q: Thank you, Sir. General Sims, the Russians have challenged U.S. drones over Syria. Does the Russian challenge mean the U.S. needs to extend the deployment of the F-22s in the Middle East? Will you need to change the air composition or air operations in the region to deter this threat, which comes from a near peer competitor? Thank you.

GEN. SIMS: Yeah, thanks for the question, Chris. So the -short answer would be no. You know, there are agreements and conversations every day between our forces and the Russians about the proper way to conduct operations in and around one another. In this case, the Russian actions were in violation of those agreements. They've agreed to this in the past and clearly that didn't mean much to them.

We -- you know, we have the capability present where we need it. I believe that the combatant commander -- in this case, in the Central Command -- has all the necessary assets, if there was an issue. We don't anticipate an issue, nor do we see a level of escalation we're concerned about in Syria.

GEN. RYDER: Sir. We'll go to Tony Capaccio, Bloomberg.

Q: Hi, General. A couple questions. When you said cluster munitions have already arrived over in Ukraine, are those the U.S. DPICMs or are those allied cluster munitions? And I had a follow-up.

GEN. SIMS: It's both. We know that there were some provided by a third country before, but yes, the U.S. cluster munitions are in Ukraine.

Q: All right. Is there any practice of deploying them effectively and minimizing any kind of civilian or Ukraine soldier military casualties? Can you give us just a couple minutes on the theory and practice of doing that, using them effectively but yet not endangering your own forces?

GEN. SIMS: Yeah, so our forces are -- our folks in Europe are in constant communications with Ukrainian leadership on all sorts of thoughts about, you know, tactics, techniques, and procedures. This is certainly is one of them, and we've talked with Ukrainian leadership about the employment of cluster munitions.

I would tell you I don't think that the Ukrainians have any interest in using the cluster munitions in -- anywhere near the civilian population, unlike the Russians. You know, there are -- they also acknowledge and understand the potential for, you know, duds that result -- in this case, a very, very low dud rate -- opposite what the Russians do.

So the Russian cluster munitions we know have an extraordinarily high dud rate and we also know that the Russians have employed these weapons against civilians, in civilian communities, which is a significant difference from what the Ukrainians intend to do. The Ukrainians intend to use the cluster munitions in the tactical environment against Russians, not against civilians.

Q: Thank you.

GEN. RYDER: Thank you very much. OK, we've got time for just a few more for General Sims. We'll go to Meredith Roaten from Janes.

Q: Hi, thank you so much for doing this. My first question is can you talk any more about if there's going to be any new equipment that would go over to EUCOM with this Atlantic Resolve expansion?

And then the second part of my question is about telemaintenance for Ukrainian weapons systems. That's something that the U.S. Army has talked a lot about for sustainment with Ukrainians, and I was wondering if you think that that level of telemaintenance is satisfactory for the counter-offensive right now or is there more support needed from defense companies? Thank you.

GEN. SIMS: Yes, ma'am, thanks for the questions.

On the first one, I really can't talk about the equipment that'll be used, just because the units that may be employed in the future haven't been identified. So -- but again, we're not adding anybody to the organization, so it's probably the same general equipment that's been used up to this point for Atlantic Resolve.

As to the telemaintenance, you know, we have had significant telemaintenance efforts -- or we've been going through that now for quite some time, and I think, you know, as you would expect, maintenance in a combat environment, particularly on the front lines with an organization that is moving forward, is hard, regardless of, you know, where you are.

We do continue to employ that telemaintenance. What we're finding is that the Ukrainians, as they have done in the past, have really proved remarkable in their ability to conduct maintenance in contact, so to speak. And so they've been very effective with getting the rates of their equipment back up in situations in which they are, you know, not losses.

GEN. RYDER: Thanks very much. Let's go to Lara Seligman, Politico.

Q: Hi, Sir. Thanks so much for doing this. I wanted to ask you about the counter-offensive and -- since it is going a little slower than some may have liked, it seems like perhaps this might last longer as well. And as we go into the fall, you look at new U.S. equipment that is potentially arriving -- the Abrams, for example, maybe even F-16s. Can you talk at all about what kind of capability those weapons would bring to the counteroffensive and how useful that would be?

GEN. SIMS: Yes, sure, Ma'am. Well, let me start with air. We've said this for a while, you know, this -- the conditions on the environment certainly are changing over time. But the conditions right now for the employment of the F-16s are probably not -- they're probably not ideal. I mean, the Russians still possess some air defense capability. They have air capability. And the number of F-16s that would be provided may not be perfect for what's going on right now. As the future changes, that certainly will dictate how that is employed.

In terms of the Abrams, you know, the Abrams will certainly make a difference on the battlefield. I mean, we know it's an extraordinary tank. And, you know, the training ongoing right now will make them, you know, I would think, extraordinarily good at employing them. I can't tell you whether the offensive would still be going on by then or not, I just know that when the Abrams arrive, they'll be able to make a difference with Ukrainians.

GEN. RYDER: Thank you, Sir.

And final question for General Sims will go to Mikayla Easley, DefenseScoop.

Q: I want to pass right now, but thank you so much.

GEN. RYDER: All right. Well, thank you very much, General Sims.

Ladies and gentlemen, we'll pause for just a moment, then I'll be right back with you.

OK. Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. We'll pivot to some additional items today. A couple of things to pass along and then I'll be happy to take your questions.

So following a successful NATO Summit in Lithuania, Secretary Austin will return to Washington, D.C., later today. As President Biden highlighted in his remarks from Vilnius, the NATO Alliance remains a bulwark of global security and stability, and is stronger, more energized, and more united than ever. The summit also made clear that the U.S. and the international community continue to resolutely stand alongside Ukraine as they fight to defend their nation and take back their sovereign territory.

On a related note, next week on July 18, Secretary Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Mark Milley will host a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. They will join ministers of defense and chiefs of defense from nearly 50 nations from around the world to discuss Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, and continue close coordination to provide Ukraine with the security assistance they need to protect their people and defend their country. Additional information will be provided in the near future.

And finally, in other news, U.S. and Israeli forces just concluded Exercise Juniper Oak 23.3, which ran July 9 through 12, and built on the great interoperability our militaries exercise during Juniper Oak 23.2 in January. Focus areas for the event included bilateral cyber incident response, agile combat deployment, and aerial refueling. The Juniper series training is essential to building and maintaining military interoperability and ensuring Israel's qualitative military edge. Juniper Oak 23.3 represents another milestone in the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Israel and is an important step in promoting regional stability.

And with that, I am happy to take your questions.

We'll go to Lita Baldor, Associated Press.

Q: Thanks, Pat. I'm going to let other people who didn't have a question yet go. Thank you.

GEN. RYDER: OK. Thanks.

And our next -- in that case, let me go back to Missy Ryan, I know you had a question about Senator Tuberville and Secretary Austin.

Q: Yeah, just did they speak today? And if so, can you give us any readout or whether there was any indication that the holds will be lifted? Thanks.

GEN. RYDER: Sure. Thanks, Missy. So today, at Secretary Austin's request, he did briefly speak with Senator Tuberville to discuss the unprecedented blanket hold the Senator has placed on hundreds of general officer and flag officer nominees at the Department of Defense.

During the brief call, Secretary Austin explained to Senator Tuberville the impact the holds are having to military readiness and uncertainty in the force. The call follows Secretary Austin's remarks on Monday at the Relinquishment of Responsibility for the Marine Corps, which is now without a confirmed Commandant in place for the first time in more than 100 years.

This conversation also follows a call initiated by Secretary Austin earlier this year, as well as ongoing engagement at the staff level. The two did agree to speak again next week. Thank you.

Let me go to -- I'll try to get to folks that haven't had a chance to ask a question yet but I'll try to get through most of the list here. So let me go to Haley Britzky, CNN. Haley, are you there? OK, nothing heard. Let me go to Paul Shinkman, U.S. News.

Q: Yeah, hi, Pat. Excuse me. It's been a couple weeks now since -- I wanted to ask you about the Wagner Group in Ukraine. It's been a couple weeks since Prigozhin withdrew his troops from some front line positions and they were replaced with new Chechen units. Have you noticed any tangible effect on the battlefield, either in those places around Bakhmut or in general, about the way that Russia is waging the war, either as a result of the Wagner withdrawal or the presence of these new Chechen forces? Thank you. Hello?

(UNKNOWN): Yeah, comms went down.

GEN. RYDER: Hey, apologies, folks. Can you hear me now?

(UNKNOWN): Yep, can hear you just fine.

GEN. RYDER: OK, I'm sorry about that. So Paul, I answered your question and then realized I was talking to myself. So did you hear my response or do I need to repeat that?

Q: No, I didn't hear anything. You -- I just got dead air after I asked it and I was worried maybe I -- I ...

GEN. RYDER: Man, it was a great answer. OK, next question.

(Laughter.)

No -- all right -- OK, so your question was what are we seeing in regards to Wagner, as it relates to Ukraine, and on -- participation on the battlefield. So broadly speaking, at this stage, we do not see Wagner forces participating in any significant capacity in support of combat operations in Ukraine.

You know, you've heard me talk before about, as of right now, the majority of those forces we assess are still in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, but really effectively are no longer contributing as a significant combat capability.

Obviously something we'll continue to keep our eyes on but that's kind of where things stand right now.

Q: And General Ryder, I also asked about the new presence of Chechen forces in Ukraine. Do they seem to be making any sort of difference on the battlefield?

GEN. RYDER: I really don't have anything on that, Paul, so not really able to provide any insight unfortunately.

Q: OK. Thank you.

GEN. RYDER: Thank you. OK, let's go to Jonathan Lehrfeld, Military Times.

Q: Hi, Sir, thank you for doing this. I just wanted to quickly follow up regarding the comments on Senator Tuberville. Can you talk more about whether the conversation that Secretary Austin had was productive? What will be taking place at this next call? And what is the ask going to be from either party in terms of kind of finding a solution from this? Thank you.

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks very much, Jonathan. So I really don't have much more to provide in terms of the substance of the call, beyond what I gave you. Again, you know, the hope here is that Senator Tuberville will lift his holds. As you've heard Secretary Austin say, this is a national security issue, and the fact that continuing to hold these senior leader nominations will have an effect on military readiness, given, in large part, the second and third order effects.

And I've talked a little bit about this before -- you know a key principle in the effectiveness of our military is a well-defined chain of command. And so any uncertainty that's introduced about incoming or outgoing commanders and senior leaders can make it difficult to plan for or advance mission requirements.

And you've also heard me say that, by design, our force management is predicated on an up-or-out system -- so as promotions stagnate, it prevents lower tiers from being promoted into key positions, which creates a domino effect.

So ultimately, this all has an impact on the families of service members awaiting updates regarding new assignments, which then gets into questions about things like housing, schools, other aspects associated with a move.

So the Secretary will and the staff here will continue to engage with the Senator and his staff, and we're hopeful that there can be a resolution soon.

All right, let me go to Mike Stone, Reuters.

Q: Thank you. Sullivan said they were talking about long range rockets in Europe but they didn't specify a system. Do you know what they were discussing? That's the first question. The second one is has there been any more discussion about close air support for Ukraine recently? Thanks.

GEN. RYDER: Thanks, Mike. So I'd have to refer you to the White House on that. I don't have any additional insight to provide.

As it relates to close air support, can you clarify a little bit more about what -- what you mean?

Q: Yeah -- yeah, the -- just is there any renewed discussion on close air support for Ukraine or -- to close air support assets to Ukraine?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, I don't have anything to announce right now, in terms of additional capabilities, beyond what we've provided. Certainly, Ukraine maintains an Air Force which includes a close air support capability. And so yeah -- but beyond that, Mike, I don't have anything new to announce.

OK, let me try Haley again from CNN. OK, nothing heard. All right, let me go to Jeff Schogol, Task & Purpose.

Q: Thank you very much. General Sims had mentioned that the Operation Atlantic Resolve's now a contingency operation. Can you say whether that means U.S. troops going to Europe are now going to be eligible for new special pays and benefits? Also, the General used the term "augment." Did he mean "replace," as in these 3,000 forces will replace active duty forces, not be in addition to?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks very much for the question, Jeff. So really, the key thing here, in terms of declaring Atlantic Resolve a contingency operation, is that it unlocks capabilities and authorities that, as I highlighted at the top, enables us to provide better support and sustain our forces.

So this includes things like increased contracting responsiveness, personnel-related entitlements that -- that give activated reservists the same benefits as active component personnel. It also, as a Secretary level operation, enhances our ability to track spending directly associated with this contingency.

And I apologize -- the second part of your question?

Q: Yeah, is it accurate to describe these forces as replacing rather than augmenting?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so the way to think about it is what it does is it provides additional access to reserve component forces. So you're now able to call on Guard or reserve forces to come support Atlantic Resolve, and as I just highlighted, be entitled to the same kind of benefits as their active duty counterparts. So -- it's not additional forces, it's unlocking additional forces for use in support of this operation, if that makes sense.

Q: Thank you.

GEN. RYDER: OK, let's go to Ryo Nakamura, Nikkei.

Q: Hi. Thank you very much. Two questions about Assistant Secretary Ratner's meeting with the Chinese Ambassador yesterday. After the meeting, is the Pentagon more optimistic about reopening military-to-military talks with the Chinese in the near future?

And secondly, according to the Chinese readout, the Ambassador indicated U.S. should lift sanctions on Defense Minister Li again. Does the Pentagon's position on the sanctions remain the same before and after the meeting? Thank you.

GEN. RYDER: Thanks very much, Ryo. So as you saw from our readout, there was a meeting yesterday at the Pentagon. And in terms of communication -- military-to-military communication, that is something that we will continue to seek out. As you've heard us say many times before, we think it's important to keep those channels of communication open. And so we will continue to pursue that.

In terms of lifting of sanctions, I'd refer you to the State Department to talk about that. As we've said before, there is no barrier to communication between Secretary Austin and his counterpart, as it relates to these sanctions. Secretary Austin can talk to his counterpart, and of course that is something that we would welcome.

So we'll continue to do everything we can to keep those lines of communication open. Thank you.

All right, let me go to Ashley Roque from Breaking Defense.

Q: Hi, Pat. I wanted to ask about reports yesterday of the hacking of Microsoft emails. What implications does it have for DOD? Are you investigating? I mean, have you found anything yet?

GEN. RYDER: Sure. Thanks very much for the questions. So as of right now, I'm not aware of any impact on DOD. I know that the FBI is investigating this. So they're the right folks to talk to, broadly speaking, about potential impact on the U.S. government, but right now, there's been no impact on DOD operations that I'm aware of. Thank you.

Let me go to Rebecca Hartmann, BBC.

Q: Hi, thank you so much for this. So my questions just relate to President Biden and committing to support Ukraine for as long as the war continues. He said in -- reported that Russia doesn't have the capacity -- he doesn't think Russia has the capacity or supply to keep going for years. My question is does the U.S. have the supplies and capacity to support Ukraine for years? And what -- and can you give any indication of resources that America can offer going forward?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks for the question. Well, I think the key differentiator here is that Russia is isolated and alone, beyond perhaps Iran, when it comes to conducting their illegal and unprovoked invasion inside Ukraine.

The United States, as you heard me say at the top, is working very closely with more than 50 nations around the world to support Ukraine and ensure that they have the security assistance they need to defend their country and take back sovereign territory.

And so it's important not to look at this as just the U.S. We're all contributing capabilities to provide to Ukraine. And importantly, we're all combining and working together when it comes to our defense industrial bases to enable us to not only provide security assistance to Ukraine but also replenish our own stocks, when it comes to the kinds of capabilities we need to do things like defend NATO and protect our mutual security interests around the world. Thank you.

All right, let me go to Liz Friden, Fox News.

Q: Hey, thanks for doing this, Pat. My first question is on the backlog of weapons to Taiwan. How have military leaders diplomatically sort of made up for that gap? And has it affected relations at all with Taiwan?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks very much, Liz. So what I would tell you is that, first and foremost, we're going to continue to work with Taiwan to ensure that they have the capabilities that they need to defend themselves, in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act.

As you heard us talk about before, we have stood up a Foreign Military Sales Task Force to look broadly at how we are able to work closely with industry to address things like supply chain shortages, the impacts of COVID, et cetera, to speed up that process, not just with Taiwan but with countries around the world. And so that's something that we will continue to do.

Q: Thank you so much, Pat. And then just one more -- on the Microsoft hack, were any DOD or military officials affected by it? And how did it get past Cyber Command?

GEN. RYDER: Again, Liz, as I highlighted to Ashley, I'm not aware of any impact on the Department of Defense at this time but I would refer you to the FBI for any questions about, you know, the broader hack here, as it's being reported.

OK, let me go to James LaPorta of The Messenger.

Q: Hi. So on Friday, Dr. Kahl didn't say how many DPICMs had actually -- he declined to say how many were going to Ukraine, and now General Sims is saying today that they're there. The White House and Pentagon has not been shy at touting exactly how much ammunition has gone to Ukraine. Can you say how many DPICMs have gone to Ukraine or why there's an OPSEC issue on this?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, absolutely, James. So there are some munitions, just based on the types of things we're talking about from an OPSEC standpoint, you know, we'll talk in general terms, and there's going to be other types of capabilities that we won't for OPSEC reasons because, as I'm sure you can appreciate, if you're Russian intelligence, you know, there's certainly information that's going to be useful to you to know about expenditure rates and things like that. So those are things we're just not going to talk about.

As General Sims highlighted, some DPICMs have been delivered to Ukraine already, but again, I'm not going to get into the total number that we will deliver or delivery timelines.

Q: Can you say what -- you know, how many of the -- of a certain variant has gone over, in terms of variant shells?

GEN. RYDER: I really can't get into more detail than what we've provided. So appreciate your understanding on that.

All right, let me go to Caitlin from New York Post.

Q: Hey. Asked and answered. Thank you so much.

GEN. RYDER: OK, thank you.

We have time for just a couple more here. Let me go to Patrick Tucker, Defense One. Pat may have jumped off. All right, let me go to Janne from Korea News.

Q: Yeah. Hi, General. Can you hear me?

GEN. RYDER: I can hear you.

Q: Yeah, thank you very much. I have a couple of questions about the -- North Korea. First, do you know that North Korea fired the long range missile from Pyongyang to the east coast after threatening U.S. reconnaissance aircraft activities? And it is claiming that this ICBM launch was Hwasong-18 type. What is the DOD's assessment of this?

Secondly, the North Korean military commander is warning that if the United States continues its reconnaissance activities against North Korea, it could face danger. Will the United States continue its reconnaissance activities despite these? Thank you.

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Janne. So I don't have any information -- additional information to provide as it relates to the ICBM launch, in terms of specific intelligence on that launch.

As it relates to U.S. operations in the region, as you've heard us say, we're going to continue to fly wherever international law allows. Our aircraft were flying and continue to fly in international airspace. So any statement to the contrary is patently false. Thank you.

Q: But today, North Korean General Headquarters had declared that it will continue strong military offensive if the U.S. does not stop its hostile policy or actions. How prepared is the U.S. to respond to contingency plan?

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, I'd really turn it around. Nothing that we're doing is hostile. The activities that we're conducting, whether it be exercises or regional presence, are all defensive in nature, intended to strengthen our deterrence with our important allies, like the Republic of Korea and Japan, and to demonstrate and improve our interoperability.

I would say that the provocative actions of launching missiles into the ocean and continuing to put out belligerent rhetoric serves to destabilize the region. So we -- again, we would call on North Korea to stop its provocative behavior. As you've heard the White House and State Department say and us, the door is open to diplomacy and we would hope that North Korea would take advantage of that opportunity.

Again, our focus is on regional security and stability and peace for all peoples living in that region. Thank you, Janne, appreciate it.

All right, time for just a couple more. Let me go to Sam LaGrone, USNI News.

Q: Hi, General Ryder. So do you have any overarching guidance from OSD to the flag officers and the general officers that are kind of stalled out? Are you all managing that on the service level or is there any kind of overall, like, Pentagon instructions on how to handle that? Thanks.

GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks for the question, Sam. I'm not aware of any overarching guidance, per se. You know, as a general officer, job number one is to do the mission that you have and to follow the orders of the officers, you know, that are appointed over you, in accordance with our oath.

So we'll continue to stay focused on the mission and, you know, I'll leave it at that.

OK, let me -- last question will go to Lara Seligman, Politico.

Q: No further questions. Thank you.

GEN. RYDER: OK. All right, well, thanks so much, everyone. I appreciate your time today. Thanks for your flexibility and -- on the phone call and we'll talk to you later. Out here.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3458187/

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Prime Minister Orpo and Federal Chancellor Scholz discuss European security

Finnish Government

Government Communications Department

14.7.2023

Press release

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz met in Berlin on Friday 14 July. Their meeting focused on European security and on developing trade and economic relations between Finland and Germany.

"As a like-minded country, Germany is a vital economic, political and security partner for Finland. Relations between our two countries are, and will continue to be, excellent," said Prime Minister Orpo.

Prime Minister Orpo thanked Federal Chancellor Scholz for Germany's support during Finland's NATO accession process and for his leadership in guaranteeing European security. Prime Minister Orpo and Federal Chancellor Scholz talked in depth about strengthening Europe's defence industry and about Europe's Common Security and Defence Policy in general. They also discussed Russia and unwavering support for Ukraine.

"With Finland and Sweden in NATO, the Baltic Sea Region will be more secure than it has been in a long time. We will support Ukraine in their justified fight for as long as it takes. We will also make this message clear at the EU level. We want to build a stronger and more globally active European Union. This is the only way to continue to guarantee European prosperity in the future," Prime Minister Orpo said at the press conference held after the meeting.

In his meeting with the Federal Chancellor, Prime Minister Orpo also highlighted opportunities for Finland and Germany to further develop economic relations. Germany is Finland's most important trading partner.

"Finland and Germany have major shared interests when it comes to the energy transition and hydrogen economy. Finland has relevant technological expertise and is a good investment environment in these areas. We also have expertise, clean nature and a great deal of space. We are a stable and safe country. Clean energy investments will enable us to effectively combat climate change, create jobs, boost the economy and phase out Russian fossil energy all at the same time," said Prime Minister Orpo.

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US House passes record $886 billion military spending bill

Iran Press TV

Friday, 14 July 2023 6:54 PM

The US House of Representatives has passed a record $886 billion annual military spending bill that authorizes the Pentagon's programs in the 2024 fiscal year.

The bill called the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was ratified on Friday by the majority Republican chamber.

A small group of GOP hardliners imposed the amendments onto the Republican-only NDAA that contains many conservative "culture war" victories related to transgender and abortion issues in the military.

If the Democrat-controlled Senate refuses that bill and passes its own version of it, the two chambers will have to reconcile the differences through a conference committee.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has already said the Senate will take up its own version of the package, teeing up partisan clashes when the two chambers reconcile their bills. He is aiming to vote on a bill by the end of the month.

Asked about the path ahead in the Senate, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he "hope[s] the bills that come out of the House are different than the bills that Schumer's in charge of."

"You know what? We designed our government to be this way because then we go to conferences and we find where we can unite," he told reporters.

The possible differences over the defense bill provide a fresh warning of turmoil ahead in the struggle to fund the government before a shutdown that could come as soon as October 1.

In the meantime, Republicans and Democrats alike defended the hefty bill, claiming the added expenses were essential for America's defense and the future of the country.

"Under this bill, men and women in uniform who make sacrifices for our nation every day will receive the biggest pay raise in decades," said McCarthy after the vote. "Radical programs that are forced on troops at the expense of readiness are now eliminated; cutting-edge technology that is essential for the future of this country and to keep freedom around the world from the rise of China and Russia will receive more investment than we've watched in the past."

Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) told reporters that the US military need not be distracted by the budget bill and stay focused on its "readiness and lethality". "The military needs to be focused on readiness and lethality and all these other things are distracters from that and harm our national security."

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) said on the House floor on Friday the 2024 defense bill will help prepare the US military against China's growing clout.

"It will enhance the congressional oversight of the DOD. It will improve the quality of life for our service members and their families. And it will help build the ready, capable, and lethal fighting force we need to deter the Chinese Communist Party," Rogers said.

The vote was 219-210, with four Republicans opposing the package and four Democrats backing it.

However, some Republicans' efforts to cut military aid to Ukraine failed.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-Ga.) attempt to strip out the additional $300 million for Ukraine failed. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) another opponent of US military assistance in Ukraine, offered an amendment to withdraw that aid, but it was overwhelmingly defeated.



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Iran 'very sensitive' about every iota of national territory, will strongly protect it: Army commander

Iran Press TV

Friday, 14 July 2023 2:55 PM

The chief commander of the Iranian Army has said that the Armed Forces will continue to strongly safeguard every iota of the country's territory.

Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi made the remarks while addressing a meeting with a number of Army commanders and deputies on Thursday in reaction to a recent joint statement issued by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Russia about three islands in the Persian Gulf.

In their statement, the Arab foreign ministers from the Persian Gulf countries and Russia 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."

Mousavi responded to the statement, endorsed by the UAE, and said, "We are very sensitive about every iota of our country's soil and whatever is said every now and then about the Islamic Republic's properties."

He urged the Army's ground, air and naval forces to remain more sensitive and vigilant in protecting territorial integrity.

"We will never neglect for a moment protecting the Islamic Republic's borders and interests, from the northernmost to the southernmost spot of the sacred land of Iran and will safeguard the country's territorial integrity with full force," Mousavi said.

The commander added that Iran enjoys great dignity thanks to national strength rooted in the Armed Forces' resolve and preparedness to protect the Islamic establishment's interests.

The three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs 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 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.

In a Persian-language tweet on Wednesday, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian rejected the Russia-GCC joint statement, saying Tehran will not soften its stance over its territorial integrity.

"We do not pull any punches with any side over the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran," Amir-Abdollahian tweeted.





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The Azadi Briefing: Taliban Intensifies Efforts To Eradicate Secular Education In Afghanistan

By Mustafa Sarwar July 14, 2023

The Key Issue

The Taliban ordered the closure of all teacher-training centers in Afghanistan on July 4, according to a letter circulated by its Education Ministry and obtained by Radio Azadi.

The order affects 49 teacher-training centers and 198 support facilities across the country, according to a source at the ministry who spoke to Radio Azadi on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Around 5,600 instructors and other staff were employed by the training centers. Created under the previous Western-backed Afghan government, the centers were aimed at improving the quality of education in the war-torn country.

In its letter, the Taliban did not reveal the reasons for its decision. But the militant group said employees of the centers could be given jobs in Taliban-run education facilities, although it is unclear how many would take up the offer.

The Taliban's Deputy Education Minister Sibghatullah Wasil, in an interview with BBC Pashto, suggested that the centers were inefficient and "had no plans, no work, and were not busy."

Why It's Important: The Taliban's decision to close the training centers appears part of its wider efforts to root out all forms of the modern secular education that thrived in Afghanistan after the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 toppled the Taliban's first regime.

Since regaining power, the militants have converted scores of secular schools, public universities, and vocational training centers into Islamic seminaries, leading to a surge in the number of madrasahs in the country.

The hard-line Islamist group has also vowed to overhaul the national curriculum and build a vast network of madrasahs across the country's 34 provinces.

Last month, a Taliban education official, Abdul Wahid Tariq, said the group had so far built madrasahs in five provinces.

The Taliban's closure of the teacher-training centers will likely see thousands of instructors and educators lose their jobs.

"Cutting off the income of these people and making them unemployed will cause society and the families of the teachers serious problems," a Kabul-based teacher, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Radio Azadi.

What's Next: The Taliban appears likely to continue what some activists have called its war on education.

The group has banned women from attending university and girls above the sixth grade from going to school.

The Taliban's efforts to eradicate secular education and replace it with radical religious instruction are likely to contribute to the spread of extremist ideologies in Afghanistan.

The Week's Best Stories

An Afghan refugee seeking asylum in the United States is now captivating audiences on-screen, portraying a character she has a lot in common with. In her first-ever acting role, Anaita Wali Zada plays a haunted young immigrant named Donya who finds herself beached in the northern California city of Fremont. Her new life: working in a factory, writing fortunes for Chinese cookies.

A court in Pakistan recently ordered the government to grant citizenship to the Afghan husbands of four Pakistani women. While it sets a precedent for a few hundred similar cases, the huge majority of Afghan refugees cannot get Pakistani nationality -- even those who were born and have lived in the country for decades.

What To Keep An Eye On

When the United States pulled out its forces from Afghanistan in 2021, it left behind billions of dollars' worth of military equipment and weapons.

The Taliban seized the arms after the fall of the internationally recognized Afghan government during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal.

Some of those arms are being sold in weapons markets in border areas with Pakistan with the consent of local Taliban officials, according to a new report by the Small Arms Survey.

The Switzerland-based research group says the Taliban has tried to tighten its control over the group's massive weapons stocks. But it said arms smuggling exists.

Why It's Important: The Small Arms Survey says the presence of weapons markets in Afghanistan increases the risk of arms proliferation in the region.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are home to dozens of militant groups, and observers have raised fears that U.S. weapons have fallen into the hands of the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Pakistani Taliban, which is waging an increasingly bloody insurgency against Islamabad.

The Taliban has rejected the findings of the survey as propaganda, saying all weapons under the group's control are accounted for.

Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, recently accused the Taliban of selling U.S. weapons left behind in Afghanistan to Washington's "enemies," including Iran.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/azadi-afghanistan-taliban- education/32503707.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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Mystery Surrounds Alleged Kidnapping And Killing Of Missing Tajik Banker

By RFE/RL's Tajik Service July 14, 2023

DUSHANBE -- Tajik prosecutors say they are continuing to search for the body of a well-connected banker who -- according to officials -- was kidnapped and killed by a group of gangsters and former law enforcement officers three weeks ago.

Shuhrat Ismatulloev, the deputy director of Orienbank, went missing late last month near his home in the capital, Dushanbe. Ismatulloev, 49, was deputy to Orienbank Director Hasan Asadullozoda, the brother-in-law of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

Tajik authorities -- who usually are tightlipped about details of high-profile crimes -- said the banker was forced by four men into a car with tinted windows and driven away at around 8 p.m. local time on June 23.

In an unusual step, the Interior Ministry offered a $30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the kidnappers.

The ministry also issued what it described were images of the car taken by security cameras.

New Twist

In what initially seemed to be irrelevant to Ismatulloev's kidnapping, news broke on June 30 that a Tajik national had fatally shot two airport officials in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau.

Rustam Ashurov, 43, reportedly opened fire on Chisinau International Airport security personnel after he was denied entry into Moldova after flying from Turkey, Moldovan officials said.

Ashurov had grabbed a gun from a guard who was escorting him and began shooting, officials said. He died in hospital on July 3 from the injuries he sustained when security officers subdued him.

Moldovan police told reporters that Ashurov had worked for Tajikistan's law enforcement agencies for seven years but was fired after committing a crime. Police said Ashurov had also served a prison term.

Shortly after the attack -- while Ashurov was still hospitalized -- Tajikistan announced that he was a suspect in Ismatulloev's kidnapping.

Moldovan authorities said they had no information about Ashurov's past when he was detained at the airport.

He was held at the border because he "could not clearly explain the reason for his arrival and the purpose of being in Moldova," according to Ion Munteanu, Moldova's acting prosecutor-general.

Suspects Named

A week later, the Tajik Prosecutor-General's Office claimed Ismatulloev had been killed by his abductors several hours after he was kidnapped, though it did not offer proof.

It said in a July 7 statement that Ismatulloev was taken to a house in the village of Shodob, outside Dushanbe, where he was beaten, tortured, and subsequently killed by his kidnappers. The banker's body and the car were thrown into the Zarafshon River, it added.

The crime was allegedly plotted by 40-year-old Dilshod Saidmurodov, who set up a 10-man "armed criminal group" to carry it out. The group had initially planned to kidnap Ismatulloev in March 2022, but the plan fell apart, authorities said.

Five of those involved have already been arrested, while four others fled the country, the prosecutor's office announced. The names of the five suspects were not disclosed.

Officials issued the names and photos of the four fugitives, two of whom -- including Saidmurodov -- allegedly fled to Russia. Two others -- including Ashurov -- flew to Turkey.

Sources close to the investigation told RFE/RL's Tajik Service that Saidmurodov previously worked in law enforcement agencies.

Saidmurodov's employment records include working for the Interior Ministry's department against organized crime and a stint with the Anti-Cybercrime Unit within the General-Prosecutor's Office, the sources said.

"Saidmurodov had also worked for the state anti-corruption agency but had been unemployed in recent years," one of the Dushanbe sources said.

RFE/RL's Tajik Service also established that Ashurov had been imprisoned in 2012 for armed robbery and stealing some $100,000 from currency exchange shops. A source close to the Dushanbe city court said Ashurov was released from prison about two years ago.

Ashurov's Confession?

In another unexpected turn of events, mobile phone footage appeared on social media that purportedly shows a final phone call between Ashurov and his mother.

RFE/RL cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video in which a man -- said to be Ashurov -- admits to taking part in Ismatulloev's kidnapping, witnessing his killing, and disposing of his body.

He says the motive was "money, what else?!"

According to his account on the video, the men kidnapped Ismatulloev not to kill him but to force him to hand over some "$200 million" in bitcoins that the banker allegedly owned.

But Saidmurodov "beat him so much that he died," the man said, adding that he then helped to throw the banker's body into the river.

"They won't catch [Saidmurodov] alive -- he will kill himself too," he said.

Ashurov allegedly made the video call from the Chisinau airport after killing the two officers.

"I just killed two people," he said, pointing to the bodies on the floor.

"I am in the customs area [of the airport] now," he tells the woman said to be his mother, as she cries hysterically on the phone. Another woman -- purportedly Ashurov's sister -- can also be heard crying in the background with her mother.

No public comments have been made by Ashurov's relatives in Dushanbe.

The video was allegedly recorded by Ashurov's sister as the mother and son spoke on the phone. It remains unclear how it was leaked to social media.

Also, it's not clear how Ashurov was able to freely make a video call while the bodies of the guards he killed laid on the floor with no airport personnel in sight.

Tajik authorities haven't mentioned the video or possible motive behind the mysterious crime that has gripped the corruption-ridden Central Asian country.

Authorities say they're still looking for the banker's body. The fate of Saidmurodov and the two other alleged fugitives is unknown.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/tajikistan-banker- ismatulloev-kidnapped-killed-mystery/32504102.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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Thousands In Nagorno-Karabakh Protest Blockade Of Lachin Corridor

By RFE/RL's Armenian Service July 14, 2023

Thousands of people gathered on July 14 in Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, to protest the blockade by Azerbaijan of the Lachin Corridor, the only land link between the breakaway region and Armenia.

Azerbaijan's State Border Service (DSX) said on July 11 that traffic through a checkpoint in the Lachin Corridor had been suspended pending an investigation after "various types of contraband" had been discovered in the Red Cross vehicles coming from Armenia.

The move sparked concerns over a humanitarian crisis in the restive enclave, which Armenia has said is experiencing food shortages.

The protest staged on July 14 in Stepanakert's main square by some 6,000 people comes as Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian voiced hope that progress will be made on a peace treaty when he meets with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Brussels on July 15.

Speaking at a government meeting on July 14, Pashinian denounced the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, saying it contradicted a ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which in February ordered Azerbaijan to ensure free movement along the road.

"As far as the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor and the deepening humanitarian crisis are concerned, the binding ruling of the ICJ creates a possibility for a greater international consolidation to prevent Azerbaijan's policy of ethnic cleansing in Karabakh," Pashinian said.

He also urged international unity against the blockade of the Armenian-populated region.

Armenia and Azerbaijan are trying to make progress toward a peace settlement of their long-running dispute over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The simmering conflict led to a six-week war in 2020 in which nearly 7,000 soldiers were killed on both sides.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) denied the Azerbaijani allegations about contraband in a statement, saying none of the vehicles under its control was involved in smuggling.

But it said without its knowledge four hired drivers had tried to transport some commercial goods in their own vehicles, which were displaying the ICRC emblem. The individuals were not ICRC staff members and they were fired, the ICRC said.

An unnamed EU official told AFP the trilateral meeting scheduled for July 15 between Pashinian, Aliyev, and European Council President Charles Michel -- the sixth in nearly two years -- would cover humanitarian issues, border delimitation, the peace treaty, rights and security of Karabakh Armenians, and connectivity.

In his comments during the government session, Pashinian did not mention tensions on the border, where sporadic fighting and loss of life have persisted despite a cease-fire brokered by Russia to end the six-week war in 2020 and the presence of Russian troops.

The Armenian Defense Ministry said on July 13 that Azerbaijani units fired on Armenian positions in the Upper Shorzha sector. Baku has not responded to the report.

The two sides have previously blamed each other for violating the cease-fire. The fighting in 2020 resulted in Armenia and ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh losing control over parts of the region and seven adjacent districts.

With reporting by AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-protest- karabakh-lachin-blockade/32503282.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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Tempers Flare In Kosovo's Parliament Over Wiretaps Of Contact With Fugitive Serbian Party Chief

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service July 14, 2023

A fight broke out on July 13 during a session of Kosovo's parliament following the publication of wiretapped recordings involving the head of the ruling Vetevendosje parliamentary group, who admitted she had spoken with the wanted deputy head of the Serbian List party.

The brawl erupted after an opposition lawmaker threw water on Prime Minister Albin Kurti as he spoke about the controversy touched off by the release of the recordings.

The wiretapped conversations of Mimoza Kusari-Lila, head of Kurti's Vetevendosje, speaking with the Serbian List deputy head, Milan Radoicic, were released earlier this week.

Vetevendosje has often criticized people who have had contact with Radoicic, who has been designated for sanctions by the United States and is wanted by Kosovar judicial authorities.

Kurti was speaking to a plenary session of the National Assembly about Radoicic and how a warrant for his arrest was withdrawn in 2021 a few days before Kurti's government was formed when his speech was interrupted.

"When there were previous governments, this chief criminal was in Mitrovica, he was in Pristina. Now, our contribution is that he is in a hotel in Kopaonik, in Serbia," Kurti said.

Opposition lawmaker Mergim Lushtaku of the Democratic Party of Kosovo approached the lectern and threw water at Kurti and at Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, who had previously torn up a drawing mocking Kurti that the opposition had placed on the lectern in the legislative chamber.

As the melee ensued, several legislators moved toward the lectern, pushing and shoving each other and exchanging punches.

Kurti, surrounded by security and his ministers, was pushed and slammed into one of the assembly seats near the lectern. Police intervened to stop the brawl and stayed in the hall until the prime minister left.

The president of the assembly, Glauk Konjufca, said that what happened was "unacceptable," adding that the violence was also punishable by law.

U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Jeff Hovenier said it was "unfortunate to see what happened" in the National Assembly, adding on Twitter that in any democracy there are often strongly held differences, "but differences should be resolved through discourse -- a fundamental purpose of any democracy's legislature."

Eliza Hoxha, speaking on behalf of the Democratic Party's parliamentary group, called for the assembly to be dissolved and elections to be held as soon as possible. She said the wiretapped recordings revealed the communication and the relations between Kurti and the "criminal who is on the black list of America [and] who has an arrest warrant from the prosecutor's office."

Radoicic is wanted by Kosovar authorities over alleged witness intimidation and has also been designated for sanctions by the United States for alleged involvement in transnational organized crime.

Radoicic is also named in an indictment as the leader of the criminal group that planned the murder of Serbian politician Oliver Ivanovic. However, the warrant for his arrest was withdrawn in March 2021 without explanation.

The melee came a day after Kurti announced he would reduce the number of special police officers stationed outside four municipal buildings in ethnic Serb-majority areas in northern Kosovo and hold new mayoral elections in each of the towns.

The United States and the European Union have pressured Kurti to help calm the situation after violence broke out in May, when ethnic Albanian mayors took office following an election that the ethnic Serb majority in the area had boycotted.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but Belgrade still does not recognize it as a sovereign country. Most ethnic Serbs in Kosovo also have refused to acknowledge Kosovo's statehood, which is backed by the United States and most EU states, but not Russia and China.

The EU has told Kosovo and Serbia they must reach a solution to their dispute through an EU-mediated dialogue in order to join the bloc. Kurti is set to meet Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic next week in Brussels under heavy pressure from the EU to dial down tensions.

With reporting by AP and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo-brawl- contacts-radoicic/32503155.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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Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a Press Availability

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

St. Regis Hotel

Jakarta, Indonesia

July 14, 2023

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good evening, everyone. Let me start by saying how good it is to be back in Indonesia.

I came here from the NATO Summit in Vilnius, where our Alliance emerged stronger, larger, more united than ever - including in our support for Ukraine. Allies enthusiastically welcomed President Erdogan's commitment to submit Sweden's NATO accession protocols to the Turkish Parliament. I have been in constant communication with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan, including here in Jakarta, as well as our friends in Sweden to help drive this forward both in the lead-up to Vilnius and in the days since, and we continue to encourage Turkiye to complete the accession process as swiftly as possible.

This is my fourth visit to Indonesia as Secretary of State, and I want to begin by thanking President Jokowi and my friend, Foreign Minister Retno, for their incredibly warm hospitality. Indonesia is a vital U.S. partner, and a regional and global leader.

Earlier today, we had a very productive U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Dialogue, focused on everything from advancing economic cooperation through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, to collaborating on regional issues, to advancing shared priorities on public health, on climate, on cyber, and maritime security.

As we prepare next year to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations, our strategic partnership with Indonesia is stronger than ever, and I want to thank especially our ambassador here, Ambassador Sung Kim and his team, for their work to strengthen that partnership.

Today, I joined ministers from ASEAN and the region at the East Asia Summit Ministerial, the U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum, where we discussed deepening cooperation to realize our shared vision: a free, open, prosperous, secure, interconnected, and resilient Indo-Pacific. And what does that mean? That means a region where countries are free to choose their own path and their own partners; where problems are dealt with openly; where rules are reached transparently and applied fairly; where goods, where ideas, where people flow lawfully and freely.

At the heart of that approach is our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN, ASEAN centrality, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

We've launched what President Biden calls "a new era in U.S.-ASEAN relations" - defined by greater scope, greater collaboration, greater ambition.

Already in 2023, we've had high-level engagements on everything from transportation to transnational crime. Next month, the U.S. will join ASEAN ministers for economic, energy, and climate meetings, in addition to convening the inaugural ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I'm grateful to our Ambassador Yohannes Abraham and his team for elevating our partnership with ASEAN.

In today's meetings, we discussed how we can leverage our combined strength through the U.S.-ASEAN partnership to deliver on the issues that matter most to our people.

The United States is ASEAN's largest source of foreign direct investment, and over 6,200 American companies operate within ASEAN countries, generating inclusive and broad-based growth that will benefit all our people. Last year, U.S. trade with ASEAN totaled more than half a trillion dollars, and that supported more than 625,000 jobs in the United States. To make that trade faster, cheaper, more dependable, we've invested significantly in the ASEAN Single Window. That's an automated system for clearing customs across the region.

We're partnering to address the climate crisis and to accelerate the clean energy transition. That includes working to launch the U.S.-ASEAN Climate Solutions Hub - which will help ASEAN countries build greater resilience and meet their ambitious emissions reduction targets - and as well our collaboration on renewable battery storage and electricity transmission. This was a subject of some discussion today.

We're deepening the bonds between our combined one billion people. Earlier today, I had a chance to meet with some of our Young Southeast Asian Leaders. Since we launched YSEALI a decade ago, we've provided fellowships and in-person training to more than 6,000 trailblazers who are literally transforming their communities, and we're going to double the size of YSEALI in the next three years.

As we work to advance this affirmative vision, this affirmative agenda for the region, we're responding to challenges to our shared security and prosperity - and to the broader international order.

As the military regime in Myanmar continues to commit atrocities and undermine regional stability, there was broad support in today's meetings for continuing to press the regime to end the violence and to fulfill its commitments under ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus.

The DPRK's unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs - including its latest ballistic missile launch just this week - also threaten the region and the global nonproliferation regime. We remain committed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, to countering the DPRK's malicious cyber activities, to addressing its systematic human rights violations. And as we've consistently said - both publicly and to Pyongyang - we are prepared to engage in dialogue without preconditions. Unfortunately, to date, Pyongyang's answer to that proposal has been to launch more missiles.

Like many countries in the region, we're concerned by the PRC's increasing assertiveness in the South and East China Seas and in the Taiwan Strait. We remain committed to upholding freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea - a critical throughway for global commerce and connectivity - and we support ASEAN's negotiation of a code of conduct consistent with international law.

The United States also seeks to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, which is in the interest of all nations. Fifty percent of global commerce goes through that strait every single day. Some 70 percent of the semiconductors made for the world are made in Taiwan. We continue to oppose unilateral changes to the status quo by either side.

The United States will continue to responsibly manage our relationship with China, including by strengthening channels of communication to make clear our positions and intentions around these and other issues, as well as to explore areas where the U.S. and the PRC might cooperate on shared challenges.

Yesterday, following up on my trip to China a few weeks ago, Director Wang and I had a candid and constructive conversation on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues. These included Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and cross-strait relations. Despite very clear areas of disagreement, the United States is also prepared to work with Beijing on challenges that affect people in the United States, the PRC, and around the world.

Finally, Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine continues to harm not only Ukrainians but people across this region. It is essential that we extend and expand the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Russia is threatening to end once again on July 18. If Moscow follows through on its threat, developing countries - including in the region - will pay the price, including quite literally with higher food prices, as well as greater food scarcity.

As we work to extend the initiative, we also stand ready to support a just and lasting peace to the conflict based on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence - principles that are at the heart of the United Nations Charter and ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and that reflect the desire of people and nations in every part of the world to be able to choose their own path free from the use of force, coercion, or aggression.

The U.S. and ASEAN will continue to champion these principles together as we tackle shared challenges and realize the promise of this extraordinarily dynamic region.

With that, I'm happy to take some questions.

MR PATEL: We'll first go to Abigail Williams with NBC News.

QUESTION: Thanks so much, Mr. Secretary.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Abbie.

QUESTION: What was your message to Director Wang about the recent attack on State Department and Commerce email accounts? Was your own account targeted, or were those of other senior officials at the State Department? And what consequences will Beijing face?

And if I may, one more: What progress has been made on the cases of wrongfully detained Americans Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and David Lin?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Let me start with the second part of the question first. As always, when we engage with our Chinese counterparts, we are raising and working on the cases of detained Americans, and did so again yesterday. This is something we're working on. It was a subject of some discussion when I was in Beijing as well, and we will continue to work on that until we succeed in bringing people home.

With regard to the cyber incident that you referenced, here's what I can tell you. First of all, this is something that the State Department actually detected last month, and we took immediate steps to protect our systems, to report the incident - in this case, notifying a company, Microsoft, of the event. I can't discuss details of our response beyond that, and most critically this incident remains under investigation.

As a general matter, we have consistently made clear to China as well as to other countries that any action that targets the U.S. Government or U.S. companies, American citizens, is of deep concern to us, and we will take appropriate action in response.

MR PATEL: We'll go to Yvette Tanamal with The Jakarta Post.

QUESTION: Thank you. My first question for you today would be: What is some of the U.S. practical steps to maintain safety and stability in the region, while upkeeping ASEAN centrality? How is the SEANWFZ negotiations going, and how close is the U.S. to possibly acceding to the treaty?

My second question is: What would be your respond to the criticisms saying that the U.S.'s increased military presence in the Pacific will inevitably provoke what it's trying to deter, which is conflict? Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. First, with regard to the SEANWFZ Treaty, the United States is deeply committed to a rules-based nonproliferation regime, and this is true across the board. We very much appreciate ASEAN's leadership on this issue, and we very much look forward to continuing and in fact intensifying our consultations with ASEAN.

Our engagement in the region is focused intensely on an affirmative agenda, on working collaboratively with countries in the region both individually, bilaterally, and through ASEAN on the issues that are of most concern to the citizens of all of the countries in the region and people in the United States. And I mentioned some of them earlier. If you look at the ASEAN agenda, when it comes to tackling the climate crisis, when it comes to advancing renewable energy, when it comes to global health, when it comes to infrastructure, when it comes to education, science and technology, the digital economy - these are all areas where we are deeply engaged with ASEAN, and that's really the focus of what we're doing.

At the same time, if you look at the ASEAN Outlook, and you look at our own strategy, they're extraordinarily coincident in what we're trying to achieve together, and that starts with a shared vision for the region: one that is free, open, secure, prosperous, connected, and resilient. And part of that, in order to achieve that vision, is making sure, among other things, that we continue to have freedom of commerce, freedom of navigation, freedom of overflight, that we have a rules-based order and every country plays by the same rules that are established together transparently.

One foundational aspect of that rules-based order for the region is the UNCLOS, the Law of the Sea. And we're committed to working with countries around the region to uphold it. But I think it's very instructive that what we see and certainly a big part of the conversation today is a determination of all of the countries in the region independent of the United States to make sure that the Law of the Sea and more broadly freedom of navigation, freedom of commerce, freedom of overflight are all upheld on the basis of international law. So we'll continue to collaborate there as well. That really is a big part of the basis of ensuring that we have a region that is genuinely free, open, prosperous, secure, connected, and resilient.

MR PATEL: We'll next go to Shaun Tandon with the AFP.

QUESTION: Thanks, Mr. Secretary.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Shaun.

QUESTION: I was digging the shirt earlier, but 

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I was tempted to keep it on for you, but 

QUESTION: Something more comfortable. I wanted to ask you about another person who was here. You mentioned your talks with the Chinese foreign minister. Of course, Sergey Lavrov was also here - the Russian foreign minister. The last time you were in a room with him in Delhi in March you did have a conversation. I wanted to see if you had any engagement at all even informally with him. If not, why not? Did you find his use - his appearance here at all constructive? How did that go? And more broadly, Southeast Asia, how do you see them on the invasion? Do you see that they're largely in line with the U.S. stance on that?

And if you allow me something different, you mentioned on Burma/Myanmar, there's broad support in ASEAN for pressuring the junta. Thailand recently has been engaging the junta. How do you see that? Do you see that as a step forward? Do you see that as contradicting ASEAN efforts? Thanks.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, Shaun. So - look, I don't - I don't think it's appropriate for me to speak for the members of ASEAN. I'll let them speak for themselves. I think it's fair to say that based on what we heard from Foreign Minister Lavrov today his interventions and engagements were not constructive or productive on any issue. He focused - unlike the United States and unlike many other countries - on a totally negative presentation and agenda in which he effectively ascribed every problem in the world to the United States. We were resolutely focused on the affirmative agenda that we have with ASEAN, including many of the issues that I've already had an opportunity to discuss, but I'll leave it - I'll leave it to you to see how others heard that. But I think there was a very stark difference in the focus that we brought to this affirmative agenda and this shared vision for the future of the region, and what we heard from Foreign Minister Lavrov.

The countries of Southeast Asia, including by the way in the statement that the foreign ministers released yesterday - the ASEAN statement - but also independently or through the United Nations, other international organizations, have made very clear that they're committed to the basic principles that underly the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Treaty of Amity that are being aggressed by Russia in Ukraine along with the Ukrainian people: territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence. I think virtually every country in the region has spoken clearly to that in one way or another - again, either through statements yesterday at the United Nations or independently.

There is no doubt in my mind that the overwhelming majority of global opinion, including in Southeast Asia, stands strongly for these principles, principles that are being violated every single day by Russia in its aggression against Ukraine. And again, I didn't hear anything from Foreign Minister Lavrov that suggested any change in direction when it comes to what Russia is doing in Ukraine.

I would note also that the effect is being felt profoundly here in the region. I mentioned earlier just the effect on food prices, on energy prices by the Russian aggression. When it comes to food prices, we've had over the last years this perfect storm between climate change, COVID, and conflict, including Russia's aggression - terrible impact on food prices. And in the case of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, as you know, initially they were blockading the port of Odesa and prohibiting Ukraine from exporting its wheat and other food products to the rest of the world - and Ukraine has been one of the breadbaskets of the world - and the result was prices going even higher, supply going even lower.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, which the United Nations and Turkiye helped produce with the support of many other countries, at least had the effect of getting Ukrainian grain and wheat and other products moving out of Ukraine and back onto world markets. And the result of that initiative has been the delivery of the equivalent of 18 billion - 18 billion - loaves of bread, primarily to developing countries, and also, for everyone, a lowering of prices. The fact that Russia is now once again using that as a weapon and threatening to end it is targeting not just Ukraine but targeting people throughout this region and around the world. So I think it's everyone's expectation that Russia extend and, indeed, expand this initiative.

And the last thing I'll say on this is, of course, it never should have been necessary in the first place. The only reason it proved necessary, the Black Sea Grain Initiative, is because Russia invaded Ukraine and then prohibited it from exporting its food products. So I think there's a clear demand signal from around the world, including countries in this region, that, at the very least, if Russia is not going to end its horrific war of aggression against Ukraine, at the very least, it extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative so that these food products can get out to the world, keeping prices down, keeping supply up.

And finally, with regard to your last question on Burma, look, we support any effort that can advance the five-point consensus and its implementation and adherence to that consensus by the regime in Myanmar.

MR PATEL: We'll next go to Iqbal Himawan from Metro TV.

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. It might be the follow-up questions from the previous question, is about the Russian war in Ukraine. President Biden emphasized in the NATO Summit in Vilnius that Ukraine cannot enter the Alliance when the war has not ends in - the Russian war in Ukraine has not ends. And it seems like the war has not ends - it's still far from ends. So what will the U.S. next step toward this situation? Will there be any concrete measures that U.S. take?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I think you saw just this week in Vilnius dozens of countries take very concrete measures in continuing support of Ukraine as it tries to defend its territory, as it tries to retake land that was seized from it by Russia, as it works to protect its people, its freedom, and its future. You saw that in the very robust package of support that all of the NATO countries provided to Ukraine, both politically and practically, including measures that will extend over many years to strengthen Ukraine's defense institutions to help pursue the process of reforming them to make them more interoperable with NATO.

You saw that as well in something that was announced by the G7 countries with some other partners, a commitment to Ukraine's security and to now negotiating on a bilateral basis - with these countries and Ukraine - security programs, security assurances that will strengthen for years to come Ukraine's ability to defend itself and to deter aggression. And that's important for a number of reasons, but one of the reasons it's important is that it may be the best way to disabuse Vladimir Putin of the idea that he can somehow outlast Ukraine and outlast the dozens of countries that are supporting Ukraine in defense of its freedom and its future.

And that's the quickest way probably to bring this war to an end, because as long as Putin believes he can just continue this indefinitely despite the horrific costs that he's incurred on Russia itself - the damage that he's done to his own country is extraordinary across the board. It is militarily, economically much weaker than it was. Its standing in the world has plummeted. A million Russians have left the country. So many have been killed on the battlefield in a meat grinder of Putin's own making. Europe has moved away from energy dependence on Russia. In so many ways, this has been a profound strategic setback for Russia. And again, this is all of Putin's making.

But as long as he continues to believe that somehow he will prevail, he's likely to continue. He needs to be disabused of that notion. These long-term commitments to Ukraine's security but also to its economic well-being, as well as humanitarian assistance, are probably the best way to do that. But fundamentally, as President Biden said yesterday, Putin has already lost in terms of what he was trying to achieve in Ukraine. Remember, this was about, for Putin, erasing Ukraine from the map, ending its independence, subsuming it into Russia. That's failed and cannot succeed.

The question now is exactly where and how this ends. Fundamentally, these decisions need to be up to Ukraine because it's about its future, it's about its people, it's about its land, its freedom. No one wants the war to end sooner than the Ukrainian people themselves. They're on the receiving end of this horrific violence day-in, day-out, and we strongly support any country that can find a way to - move forward toward a just and durable solution, one that is consistent with the UN Charter, territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty. But thus far, as I said earlier, we haven't seen any signs from Russia that it's actually willing to engage in meaningful diplomacy and end the war that it started.

MR PATEL: Thanks, everybody.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you.

MR PATEL: Thank you.





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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Park

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

July 14, 2023

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Minister Park Jin on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Secretary congratulated his counterparts for recent progress in strengthening Japan-ROK ties and stressed the importance of trilateral cooperation in tackling regional and global issues, including efforts to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, maintain unwavering support for Ukraine, advance an affirmative vision in the Pacific Islands, further our economic security and climate cooperation, and work with ASEAN to support an inclusive and democratic future for Burma.

The Secretary reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitments to the defense of Japan and the ROK. He also joined Foreign Ministers Hayashi and Park in condemning the DPRK's continued ballistic missile launches in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, including the July 12 launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Park Jin Before Their Meeting

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

St. Regis Hotel

Jakarta, Indonesia

July 14, 2023

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good evening, everyone. It's, as always, a great pleasure to be joined by my friends and colleagues from Japan and Korea in - I think I've lost count of how many trilateral meetings we've had over the last couple of years. But I think it's evidence of a few things. It's evidence of the fact that our three countries are joined in a common vision, a common approach to the future of the region that we share: a free and open Indo-Pacific; one that is secure, prosperous, connected, resilient. And we're working together to advance that vision, and to make it real. I think we all see that so much of the future is going to be shaped here in this region, and our work together offers the best prospects of shaping that future in a way that advances the vision that we share.

I'm very proud of the progress that we've achieved through our trilateral collaboration over the last couple of years. And we're eager to expand that collaboration, including in areas of economic security and development in the Indo-Pacific, climate, and many other issues. But of course, we're also joined resolutely in terms of our shared and common security, and there is no greater challenge to that common security than the ongoing provocations coming from North Korea, from the DPRK - yet another missile launched just a couple days ago; repeated violations of UN Security Council resolutions. But the net effect of that, among other things, has to been - has been to have our three countries work even more closely together than was already the case, because we are joined resolutely in the common defense and making sure that we are doing everything possible to deter and defend against any aggression coming from North Korea.

So, we have lots to discuss as always, but I am particularly proud of the fact that we have, as well as a strong security agenda, a very important affirmative agenda of the things we can do together in the region that we share.

With that, Yogi, over to you.

FOREIGN MINISTER YOSHIMASA: Thank you. Thank you, Tony. This is my great pleasure for me too to participate in another - I don't know how many - (laughter) - Japan-U.S.-ROK foreign minister meetings with Tony and PJ. So, as mentioned by Tony, North Korea launched an ICBMclass ballistic missile just a few days ago. So, we strongly condemn this launch as it threatens peace and stability for the international community.

So as the Indo-Pacific region is in the midst of the most severe complex security environment since the end of World War II, as seen in North Korea's intensified nuclear and missile activities - including the last launch, trilateral strategic coordination among Japan, the U.S., and ROK has never been more important. I would like to continue to work hand-in-hand with you two, Tony and PJ, in order to bring our trilateral coordination to a new height based on the respectively solidified bilateral relationship (inaudible). Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Jin.

FOREIGN MINISTER PARK: Thank you. I'm very glad that we have reassembled here in Jakarta. According to my count, we have held three trilateral summits, three foreign ministerials, and three vice ministers' meetings among us to forge a trilateral partnership unprecedented in strength.

Just two days ago, North Korea launched another ICBM, and this happened just in the middle of the ASEAN-related meetings where we gather to discuss peace and stability in the region. So what North Korea is doing is completely against the expectations of the international community. So, I hope that our trilateral dialogue today will strengthen our resolve to respond firmly and resolutely, unequivocally, against North Korea's continuous provocations - and send a message that their provocations will not go unpunished. And I think that watertight coordination among the three countries will be essential to achieve the complete denuclearization of North Korea.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you very much, Jin. Thank you, (inaudible).

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Joint Statement by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno L.P. Marsudi on the Second Ministerial Strategic Dialogue

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

July 14, 2023



Begin text

Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi adopted this Joint Statement on the occasion of the U.S.-Indonesia Ministerial Strategic Dialogue held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 14, 2023.

Both Secretary Blinken and Minister Marsudi recognize that bilateral ties have grown stronger since the United States and Indonesia established diplomatic relations on December 29, 1949. These relations continue to strengthen based on shared values and principles of democracy, good governance, growing defense cooperation, respect for human rights and the rule of law, as well as common interests globally and regionally, including an inclusive, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific that promotes peace, stability, and prosperity.

The two countries elevated their partnership from a comprehensive partnership established in 2010 to a strategic partnership in 2015 to address evolving challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities based on mutual benefit and respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

At the 2023 U.S.-Indonesia Ministerial Strategic Dialogue, Secretary Blinken and Minister Marsudi discussed progress in the bilateral relationship. In terms of political cooperation, both sides exchanged views on innovative means to elevate bilateral relations and build institutional connections. The two leaders focused on boosting economic cooperation, strengthening supply chains, advancing energy transition, and furthering maritime, health, and defense cooperation.

Secretary Blinken and Minister Marsudi also addressed regional and multilateral issues of common concern and interest, including Indonesia's ASEAN Chairmanship and the U.S. support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), the United States' APEC host year, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.

In acknowledgement of the 75th Anniversary of U.S.-Indonesia Diplomatic Relations in 2024, both the United States and Indonesia will explore the possibility of further expanding the partnership.

Secretary Blinken and Minister Marsudi welcomed the arrangements that have been signed this year that advance bilateral relations, namely:

1. Agreement on Consular Privileges and Immunities

2. Framework Arrangement between the United States Department of Defense and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia on Research, Recovery, Identification, and Repatriation of the Remains of Department of Defense Personnel from World War II in the Regency of Morotai Islands of the Republic of Indonesia

Finally, Secretary Blinken and Minister Marsudi appreciated the efforts underway to permit the duration of visa and stay permits to be extended to five years for diplomatic and official passport holders.

Secretary Blinken and Minister Marsudi are committed to pursuing concrete steps as outlined in the dialogue and look forward to the next Strategic Dialogue.

End Text

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken Before ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with the United States

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Shangri-La Hotel

Jakarta, Indonesia

July 14, 2023

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Foreign Minister Marsudi, thank you very, very much. Thank you for your leadership as ASEAN chair and thank you for your leadership as the U.S. country coordinator, and especially for your friendship.

To Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, I'm very much looking forward to Laos chairing ASEAN in 2024.

And Secretary General, we are grateful to you for your stewardship of the organization and your investment in our comprehensive partnership.

I also want to begin by thanking my own team and especially Ambassador Abraham for all that he has done to strengthen and deepen U.S.-ASEAN relations. Yohannes is one of President Biden's most trusted advisors, and we are very glad to have him here in Jakarta.

So this is my 12th trip to the Indo-Pacific during this administration, my fourth to Indonesia, my third to an ASEAN ministerial. Each time I visit, I am struck by the incredible dynamism of this region and the critical importance of our partnership.

Our relationship with ASEAN is at the heart of our engagement in the Indo-Pacific, a region that, more than any other, will shape the trajectory of the 21st century. Both the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific underscore ASEAN's centrality, and we share a vision of an Indo-Pacific that is free, open, prosperous, secure, connected, and resilient. And what does that mean? That means a region where countries are free to choose their own path and their own partners; where problems are dealt with openly - not through coercion; where rules are reached transparently and applied fairly; where goods, ideas, people flow lawfully and freely across the land, the seas, the skies, and cyberspace.

That's why we upgraded the U.S.-ASEAN relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year. And it's why we've worked so hard to put that enhanced partnership into concrete action.

Together, we are delivering on the issues that matter most to the lives of our people: expanding access to the Internet and other technologies that small businesses and entrepreneurs need to compete in the 21st century economy; helping communities adapt to the growing effects of a warming climate, and building their resilience to the changes to come; improving the capacity of health systems to deliver on basic needs like maternal and child health. The five high-level dialogues that we've added at last year's Special Summit are helping to drive progress in health, in transportation, women's empowerment, the environment, climate, and energy.

Because of this growing collaboration, more electric vehicles, electric buses, even electric tuk-tuks will soon traverse Jakarta's streets. More women entrepreneurs are receiving training to support their businesses and their careers. More young leaders are acquiring the tools to transform their communities - like the Young Southeast Asian Leaders that I met just this morning, who are doing everything from improving public health, to advocating for survivors of gender-based violence, to empowering refugees.

Elevating our cooperation also means deepening efforts to tackle together complex challenges that are affecting the region and, in fact, the entire planet.

In Myanmar, we must press the military regime to stop the violence, to implement ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus, to support a return to democratic governance. Just yesterday, the United States announced over $74 million in additional humanitarian relief to the region, including nearly $61 million to support Rohingya displaced by ongoing violence in Myanmar.

We need to work to end North Korea's unlawful weapons of mass destruction program and ballistic missile launches - yet another one just this week - which threaten the region and the global nonproliferation regime.

We must uphold the freedom of navigation in the South and East China Seas and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

And we must push for a just and lasting peace to Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine - a war that violates principles at the heart of ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and the United Nations Charter. It's harming not only Ukrainians, but people across this region and around the world by exacerbating food and energy crises.

When President Biden hosted the Special Summit in May of last year, he said, and I quote, we're "launching a new era in U.S.-ASEAN relations." I can't think of a more important charge, or a more important moment to elevate our partnership. We have taken significant steps forward over the past year. I am very much looking forward to working together to accelerate our progress this afternoon and in the weeks and months ahead.

So to all of our colleagues here today, thank you very, very much.

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi Before the U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Dialogue

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Shangri-La Hotel

Jakarta, Indonesia

July 14, 2023

FOREIGN MINISTER MARSUDI: Okay. So first of all, of course, good afternoon, Secretary Blinken, Tony, and thank you very much for having this second Strategic Dialogue. I also appreciate you for joining the ASEAN Summit that's under the Indonesian chairmanship, and of course, we thank you very much for all your support for the chairmanship of Indonesia and ASEAN.

For us, ASEAN-U.S. partnership is very crucial for both regional as well as global strategy, especially in the work-through of complex challenges and uncertainties. We need more cooperation among nations to address all these challenges, including, of course, in the Indo-Pacific. And the Indo-Pacific must be open to have round for dialogue and concrete cooperation, therefore U.S. presence in the region must (inaudible) for peace, stability, and security. And with the U.S. support, we can better establish an inclusive regional architecture through concrete cooperation.

So ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific is the guidance for us and (inaudible) the vision. And this is not only - as I mentioned to you, not only beneficial for the ASEAN itself, but it will contribute to the peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. And next year will mark the 75th anniversary of our bilateral ties, and this anniversary should a turning point of our partnership to be stronger, faster, and more beneficial for our two people.

So now I would like to invite you, Tony, to (inaudible).

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Retno, thank you so much, and we're really grateful for this opportunity to have the second Strategic Dialogue, especially in the midst of all of the activity that you're responsible for, particularly of leading us in ASEAN. I think we had a very good session this morning of the (inaudible) looking forward to more this afternoon. But I'm especially grateful - we're all especially grateful - for Indonesia's leadership, and we're looking forward as well to the leaders meetings and the work that needs - remains to be done.

But our own partnership, our own relationship, as you noted, will be entering its 75th year next year. I think that's an opportunity for us to continue to deepen and to strengthen that partnership. We are working together - the United States and Indonesia - in so many different areas that go directly to the well-being, the lives, and the livelihoods of our people, and we very much value that.

I think we share the same vision for the region that we share: a free, open, secure, prosperous, connected, resilient region. And the work that we're doing together is trying to make that vision real in very concrete ways for our people, and that's the spirit in which we're approaching things.

We are hosting, of course, APEC later this year as well. We're working together on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework as well as on the Just Energy Transition Partnership. But I think what's also very striking to me is the fact that the ASEAN Outlook and our own Indo-Pacific Strategy are very closely (inaudible) in the perspectives and the views that they bring to what we're trying to achieve - a strong adherence to ASEAN centrality. We're reaffirming that here in Jakarta and reaffirming the partnership between the United States and Indonesia. So thank you so much for taking the time for the Strategic Dialogue even in the midst of the ASEAN Summit.

FOREIGN MINISTER MARSUDI: Thank you, thank you Tony. Thank you, colleagues, from the media.



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Security Council urged to address 'most silenced and least condemned crime'

14 July 2023 - The international community must act now to protect future generations from the scourge of conflict-related sexual violence, the UN's advocate on the issue, Pramila Patten, told the Security Council on Friday.

"Every new wave of warfare brings with it a rising tide of human tragedy, including new waves of war's oldest, most silenced and least condemned crime," she said.

The Council meeting to examine implementation of its resolutions on conflict-related sexual violence was convened by the United Kingdom, which holds the rotating presidency this month.

Meetings survivors in DRC

Ms. Patten presented data from her latest report, published last month, which documented 2,455 UN-verified cases of wartime rape committed during 2022. Women and girls accounted for 94 per cent, with six per cent against men and boys.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was again the country with the highest number of cases, 701. The UN expert visited the country in June and was horrified by the testimonies of women and girls, many of whom had been very recently raped.

"So many of them stressed the daily risk of sexual violence while carrying out livelihood activities around the camps, such as searching for food, collecting wood or water. Just imagine facing the reality each day that you are likely to be raped, yet having no choice," she said.

Visit to Ukraine

Ms. Patten also conducted her first field visit to Ukraine last year. She was struck by both the occurrence of sexual violence in conflict zones and the vulnerability of women and children forced to flee to countries such as Poland and Moldova.

"I witnessed first-hand the extraordinary toll on women, children and the elderly, including their vulnerability to unscrupulous individuals and criminal networks for whom the rapid and unprecedented mass displacement of people is not a tragedy but an opportunity for trafficking and sexual exploitation," she said.

Impunity going unpunished

Ms. Patten's annual report also detailed horrors committed in other countries, such as Haiti, Ethiopia and Iraq. Serious allegations of conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan have also surfaced since fighting erupted in April.

The report also clearly demonstrates the emboldening effects of impunity, she said. Nearly 50 parties, mostly non-State actors, are listed for systematically committing sexual violence. More than 70 per cent have appeared on the list for five years or more.

"The reality is that until we effectively raise the cost and consequences for committing, commanding or condoning sexual violence, we will never stem the tide of such violations," she said.

Resolve and resources

Ms. Patten called for greater political resolve and resources. She said there is more knowledge today about what motivates sexual violence, who the perpetrators are, and the response required by survivors.

It is essential that prevention efforts are grounded in this enhanced knowledge, she said, which is at the heart of a strategy launched by her office last September.

She advised that the international community must ensure implementation of Security Council resolutions while adapting actions to today's conflicts and emerging global challenges, such as cyber threats and climate-related insecurity.

"The time is now to double down on the institutional and accountability frameworks put in place by successive resolutions," she said. "We must act urgently, and with sustained resolve, to save succeeding generations from this scourge."

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UNITAS LXIV Kicks off in Colombia

US Navy

14 July 2023

From Petty Officer 1st Class Hunter Harwell

CARTAGENA, Colombia -- Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro attended the opening ceremony for UNITAS LXIV, a multi-national maritime exercise that brings together 20 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.

The Colombian Navy hosts 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 operations off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia, and ashore in Covenas and Barranquilla, Colombia, through July 21.

"I am honored to help kick off UNITAS LXIV," said Del Toro. "This is the world's longest-running multinational maritime exercise in the world. The partnerships we share among the 20 nations participating in this exercise are critical to realizing the peace and security we desire in the Western Hemisphere."

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.

"Economic security is national security," said Del Toro."We must continue to work together to counter the common maritime challenges that threaten our way of life, and that run contrary to the rules-based international order."

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.

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.

U.S. Forces contributing to 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), 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, Meteorological Environmental Team (MET), 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), 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).

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.



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Al-Shabab Kills Police Officers, Teacher in Northeastern Kenya

By Ahmed Hussein July 14, 2023

Suspected al-Shabab militants killed two police officers and a teacher early Friday morning in an attack on the Wargadud police camp in the Mandera South area, in Kenya's northeast, Kenyan authorities say.

The militants also carjacked a police vehicle and destroyed two communications towers.

Security officials declined VOA's request for a comment. However, Mandera South Member of Parliament Abdul Haro confirmed the incident.

"I can confirm last night there was a terror attack in my constituency in a place called Wargadud and there are some casualties. Also, there was another attack a few kilometers away in a place called Iresuki and a probing attack in Elwak," Haro said.

The incidents took place as Kenya's defense secretary, Aden Duale, is touring the northeastern region to meet security officials and residents. Addressing residents in the border town of Diif, in Wajir County, Duale said Kenya will fight militants within and outside Kenya to secure its territory.

"We will fight al-Shabab along our borders. We will fight and take the war to them in Somalia because Kenya has a moral responsibility to bring peace and stability along the countries in the horn of Africa," Duale said.

Last week, Kenyan security forces killed 23 suspected al-Shabab militants during an ambush at the Orgene area, in Kenya's Mandera County. The encounter also left six Kenyan soldiers dead and eight others injured.

Duale said Kenya will use all possible means to flush terrorists and their sympathizers from the region.

"I'm talking to the leadership of al-Shabab, wherever you are: prepare yourself. We will use our land forces, we will use our air force, we will use our navy, we will use our special forces to hunt you down," Duale said.

Earlier this year, Kenya announced plans to reopen its border with Somalia that has been closed for over a decade, but has now suspended those plans following increased attacks by the militant group.

The militant group has in the past carried out a spate of attacks in Kenyan cities and towns in an attempt to drive Kenya to withdraw its troops from African Union-led peacekeeping forces in Somalia.

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Experts: China Faces Uphill Battle Brokering Peace Between Israel and Palestinians

By Christy Lee, Devianti Faridz July 14, 2023

China's attempt to strike peace between Israelis and Palestinians is likely to fail but could create an image that U.S. influence in the region is waning, experts said, even as Beijing is optimistic it could resurrect talks that have been stalled for nearly a decade.

China brokered a peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March that restored diplomatic ties that were severed in 2016. Now Beijing is trying to replicate the achievement with Israel and the Palestinians, whose U.S.-brokered negotiations have been frozen since 2014.

"I believe China is ready to play a positive role in promoting peace talks" between Israel and Palestinians, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told VOA Korean Service on Wednesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on June 27 that Beijing has invited him for an official visit on an unspecified date this month.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang previously offered to broker peace talks in telephone calls to Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Riyad al-Maliki in April.

"Beijing was emboldened by the Saudi-Iran detente, which had been underway for months," said Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center's Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy Project.

"But the Saudis used China to send a message to, and increase leverage with, the U.S. So Beijing attained a kind of status in the region as a credible neutral broker. [China] had to be as they get oil from both Saudis and Iran," said Manning.

"One explanation for this hopeless Israeli-Palestinian effort [by Beijing] is to make a statement to the U.S. that U.S. hegemony in the Middle East is fast fading," Manning added.

Saudi-U.S. relations had soured over the Biden administration's accusing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of approving the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a dissident journalist who fled Saudi Arabia and continued to criticize the government as a Washington Post columnist.

In June, Chinese President Xi Jinping offered Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a proposal for a peace talks with Israel when he was in Beijing. Xi said he supports a two-state solution.

Included in the proposal was "the establishment of an independent state of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty on the basis of the 1967 borders and with east Jerusalem as its capital."

During the Six Day War of 1967, Israel occupied large land areas including the West Bank and Gaza Strip, home to millions of Palestinians who consider them part of their territory.

Palestinians have been seeking to establish the West Bank and Gaza as an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 but continues to occupy the West Bank, expanding its settlements into the area while calling all of Jerusalem its capital.

In a two-state solution, thousands of Jewish settlers in the West Bank would have to leave, relinquishing portions of the land to Palestinians.

"The circumstances of the Israeli-Palestinian standoff have not changed, and China simply will not succeed," said Dennis Wilder, who served as National Security Council director for China from 2004-2005 and is currently a senior fellow for the Initiative for U.S.-China Dialogue on Global Issues at Georgetown University.

"The chance of China brokering a peace agreement are between zero and 5%. There have been many attempts by the United States and others over the decades to find a solution acceptable to both parties and all of these attempts have failed," continued Wilder.

Last week, Israeli forces launched the largest attack on a Palestinian refugee camp since 2002 in Jenin.

Jenin is a city administered by the Palestinian Authority since the 1990s in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Yu Jie, senior research fellow on China in the Asia-Pacific Program at Chatham House, said for China to mediate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it needs to have a deeper knowledge of the region than Beijing may have.

She continued, "China doesn't have many Middle East experts compared to experts on the U.S. foreign policy or European studies," and that Beijing "must come across as being a neutral player."

China has been maintaining good ties with Palestinians. Beijing was one of the first countries to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and its self-declared state of Palestine, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The PLO opened a diplomatic office in Beijing in 1965 followed by an embassy in 1974.

According to Benjamin Ho, assistant professor for the China Program at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, "the perception of China in the Middle East is a relatively positive one" after "a reservoir of goodwill" was created when Beijing sent COVID-19 vaccine to the region.

Experts said Beijing's interest in brokering peace talks with Middle Eastern rivals is motivated by its need for oil imports and deepening economic ties through its Belt and Road Initiative, a massive infrastructure project stretching across the globe.

Wilder said, "It is to China's advantage to have a stable situation in the Middle East as almost half of China's oil supply comes from the region."

Wilder continued, "China's Belt and Road Initiative requires a peaceful environment. China's ambitions in the Middle East are to build extensive economic ties, and it has had success in this realm."

However, he added, "China has no ability to replace the United States as the security guarantor in the region, and there is no evidence it is seeking that role."

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High-Level Member of ISIS Sentenced to Life in Prison for Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization Resulting in Death

Friday, July 14, 2023

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Former Brooklyn and Bronx Resident Convicted of Being an ISIS Fighter, Weapons Smuggler, Propagandist and Recruiter

A New York man was sentenced today to life in prison on one count of conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and five substantive counts of providing material support to ISIS in the forms of personnel, including himself, Australian citizen Jake Bilardi and others, as well as services, weapons, property and equipment, and false documentation and identification, all between January 2013 and June 2017, when the defendant was arrested in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to court documents, Mirsad Kandic, 41, of Brooklyn and Kosovo, was convicted by a federal jury in May 2022 following a three-week trial in Brooklyn.

"Serving ISIS's deadly terror campaign, this defendant fought on the battlefield, spread propaganda, smuggled weapons, and radicalized Western recruits," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "The National Security Division was created to counter foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS and, with our partners, we remain committed to identifying and holding accountable those who provide support to such terrorist groups."

"Kandic was a high-ranking member of ISIS who relished the death and destruction he wrought while providing every conceivable form of material support to a terrorist organization, including the recruitment of countless others to ISIS's bloody campaigns in Syria and elsewhere," said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. "Today's sentence holds the defendant accountable for his conduct and ensures that he will never again pose a threat to the United States or any of our allies. This office will remain relentless in prosecuting terrorists who threaten the safety and security of the United States and U.S. interests around the world."

"The defendant in this case provided numerous forms of material support to ISIS for years, and today, he was brought to justice for his actions," said Assistant Director Robert R. Wells of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division. "This sentencing demonstrates the serious commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners around the world to investigating and holding accountable terrorists who threaten the safety and security of American interests, and those of our allies."

After several failed attempts to travel from the United States to Istanbul, Turkey, Kandic took a two-day Greyhound bus ride from New York City to Monterrey, Mexico, in November 2013, and flew through Panama, Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Kosovo, and Turkey before arriving in Syria at the end of 2013. Once in Syria, the defendant joined ISIS and became a fighter for the group in Haritan, an ISIS stronghold in the outskirts of Aleppo, wielding Russian-made PK machine guns and AK-47 assault rifles.

ISIS leadership then sent the defendant to Turkey to take up the role of smuggling foreign fighters and weapons into Syria from abroad, and to serve as an emir for ISIS media. Kandic disseminated ISIS recruitment messages and gruesome propaganda using more than 120 Twitter accounts. For example, the defendant sent out an ISIS-produced "documentary" titled "Flames of War." This video celebrated ISIS conquests and macabre executions of ISIS captives, including instances where victims were forced to dig their own graves before being summarily executed by gunshot. The defendant tweeted that this video was the "best thing ever seen on screen."

Kandic was a prolific recruiter of foreign fighters for ISIS. He sent thousands of radicalized ISIS volunteer fighters from Western countries into ISIS-controlled territories in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East. This included a fellow New Yorker, Ruslan Maratovich Asainov, who became an ISIS sniper and sniper trainer, and another individual who became an emir for ISIS safehouses in the Idlib province of Syria. Asainov was convicted after trial in February 2023 of conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS, two substantive counts of providing material support to ISIS, one count of receiving military-type training from ISIS, and obstruction of justice. He is awaiting sentencing.

A foreign fighter recruited by the defendant was Jake Bilardi of Australia. Bilardi contacted the defendant in June 2014 for assistance in traveling to Syria to join ISIS. Kandic provided Bilardi - who had just turned 18 years old and had never traveled internationally before - with instructions and guidance for reaching Istanbul, Turkey. Kandic then arranged for Bilardi to be picked up at the airport in Istanbul and smuggled him into Syria. Kandic maintained contact with Bilardi as he became an ISIS fighter and ISIS suicide bomber. Bilardi went on to commit a suicide truck attack with fellow ISIS members on March 11, 2015, in Ramadi Iraq, killing himself, more than 30 Iraqi soldiers and an Iraqi policeman. Prior to the attack, the defendant wished Bilardi well and stated, "May Allah make there [sic] inner organs implode." Bilardi's attack was coordinated with others committed at the same time; 30 members of the Iraqi military were killed, 61 were injured, and 25 were missing, whose bodies were never found, all as a result of this coordinated series of attacks. After the attack, the defendant celebrated Bilardi's service to ISIS, on Twitter and to a co-conspirator. A member of the Iraqi Army general staff testified at trial that the March 11, 2015, attack paved the way for ISIS's takeover of Ramadi and the Anbar Province of Iraq several weeks later.

Kandic also provided battlefield intelligence to top ISIS leadership. He also shaped the information environment in which ISIS operated by enforcing ISIS media and publicity discipline. For example, the defendant directed other ISIS supporters to refrain from posting any information about the success (or failure) of ISIS recruitment efforts as well as to minimize any reporting about ISIS military action in specific military actions. Kandic managed money for ISIS fighters in Syria, including two ISIS fighters who gave the defendant their bank cards, from which bank records showed more than $40,000 was transacted. Kandic smuggled weapons to ISIS in Syria, including a night vision scope for an ISIS sniper. Kandic operated a private market via Telegram - called "Khilafah (Caliphate) Market" - for which he was the group administrator with authority to restrict access to the group. Members posted firearms and military equipment for sale, including mortars and suicide belts (i.e., improvised explosive devices). Among the members of Kandic's private Telegram market was Abu Luqman, who, at the time, was the ISIS governor for the Raqqa province, ISIS's de facto capital in Syria.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Saritha Komatireddy and J. Matthew Haggans for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Huda Abouchaer and Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section.

The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs, the FBI's Legal AttachAs abroad and foreign authorities in multiple countries on three continents provided critical assistance in this case. The Bosnian and Herzegovina State Investigation and Protection Agency, the Bosnian and Herzegovina State Intelligence and Security Agency, the Bosnian and Herzegovina Foreigners' Affairs Service, the Bosnian and Herzegovina State Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Australian Federal Police, the Victoria Police (Australia), the Australian Border Force, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Attorney-General's Department, the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, Joint Operations Command in Iraq, and the FBI Legal AttachA Offices in Sarajevo, Canberra, Nur-Sultan, and Baghdad, provided extraordinary assistance in the investigation and prosecution. The Ministry of Justice for the Republic of Finland, and Federal Office of Justice in the Federal Republic of Germany, the Department of Justice & Constitutional Development in the Republic of South Africa and the central authorities responsible for mutual legal assistance in Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Ukraine; and the FBI's Legal AttachA Offices in those countries provided valuable support in the investigation.

Topic: Counterterrorism

Components: Criminal - Office of International Affairs

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - New York, Eastern

Press Release Number: 23-767

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India Launches Second Moon Landing Attempt

By Anjana Pasricha July 14, 2023

An Indian rocket hurtled into space Friday to land a robotic rover on an unexplored area of the moon - a challenging feat India was unable to accomplish on a mission four years ago.

Only three countries, the U.S., China and Russia, have made what is called a "soft" or "controlled" landing on the lunar surface. If the Indian Space Research Organization, or ISRO, is successful this time, some observers say the mission will establish India's position as one of the world's leading space powers.

Millions around the country watched a live telecast of the launch of the "Chandrayaan-3" spacecraft from Sriharikota in southern India and thousands packed a viewing gallery in the launch site's vicinity.

"Congratulations India. Chandrayaan-3 has started its journey toward the moon," ISRO Chairman Sreedhara Panicker Somanath said, after the launch, as scientists at the mission control center clapped and shook hands.

The mission's real test will come some 40 days from now when the lander equipped with a robotic rover will separate from the main spacecraft to land on the lunar surface on August 23 or August 24.

"This remarkable mission will carry the hopes and dreams of our nation," Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting France, tweeted ahead of the launch.

Friday's launch by the ISRO is the country's first major space mission since the failed attempt in 2019 when scientists lost contact with the lander minutes before it was scheduled to descend on the lunar surface. It was later established that it had crashed.

Chandrayaan-3 also will deploy a rover near the lunar South Pole, where it is expected to run a series of experiments for 14 days focusing on the composition of lunar soil and rocks. Chandrayaan means "moon vehicle" in Sanskrit.

India is hoping to become the first country to conduct studies of the South Pole, where no mission has ventured, and which scientists say has a different geology from the equatorial regions of the lunar surface.

There is an expectation the South Pole has ice deposits in the depths of craters, as well as minerals.

Scientists at the ISRO expressed optimism about Chandrayaan-3 achieving its goal of a "soft landing," saying the mistakes that led to the failure of the previous mission have been rectified.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission is crucial for India a even though its space program is much more modest than that of countries like the U.S. and China, the country wants to showcase its technological prowess amid its ambitions to be seen as an emerging global power.

"It is indeed a moment of glory for India and a moment of destiny for all of us," India's minister for science and technology, Jitendra Prasad, said after the lift-off of the spacecraft.

"Entering a small elite club, or becoming one of the pioneers of certain efforts, such as those in space, will continue to be a major indicator of skill, talent, capability and sound organization that decision-makers are able to utilize and leverage in politics," Tomas Hrozensky of the European Space Policy Institute told VOA in emailed comments.

India's space program, built largely on its own proprietary technology, has long been a source of pride for the country. Its first mission to the moon helped establish the presence of water on the moon.

Although the second mission was unsuccessful in making a landing, it placed an orbiter around the moon that continues to relay data. An unmanned mission to Mars in 2013 marked the country's first interplanetary mission. The ISRO is now developing a spacecraft to take astronauts into orbit, probably in 2025.

India has also for decades launched its own satellites and those of other countries with its space program focusing heavily on low-cost access to space.

Experts also say the price tag of India's current mission, $75 million, also underlines India's prowess in conducting space exploration at a modest cost.

Exploring the moon has reemerged on the radar of many countries in recent years. The U.S. space agency NASA has announced that a four-member astronaut crew will carry out a planned test mission around the moon next year. In addition, India and the U.S. are collaborating to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station next year.

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Wagner fighters reportedly training Belarus soldiers

Iran Press TV

Friday, 14 July 2023 5:30 PM

Belarus says fighters from the Wagner military group are training its troops at a base southeast of Minsk.

Two Belarusian sources close to Wagner, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Friday that a number of fighters have been in Belarus since July 11.

Wagner, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, launched a short-lived mutiny against Moscow in June. Prigozhin said the move was aimed at "bringing to justice" the defense minister and chief of the general staff of Russia for what he called their unprofessional actions in Ukraine.

Belarus intervened to broker a deal between Prigozhin and President Vladimir Putin. As a result, Wagner abandoned the "march for justice" on Moscow by thousands of its recruits in exchange for safe passage to exile in Belarus. Criminal charges against Prigozhin were also dropped as part of the agreement.

President Putin believes the mutiny could have plunged Russia into a civil war. The president denounced the mutiny as treason. And Prigozhin said later that the move was not meant to overthrow the government.

To date, however, there has been no sign of Wagner's fighters in Belarus. Prigozhin has not been seen in public since he left the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on June 24.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that Wagner had transferred more than 2,000 pieces of equipment and over 2,500 tons of ammunition.

Thousands of Wagner members are still believed to be based at the group's camp in Russian-controlled areas in eastern Ukraine.

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Blinken, Wang Yi meet on ASEAN sidelines in Jakarta

New signs of tension emerge as the two powers continue to negotiate a resumption of communications.

Chris Taylor for RFA 2023.07.13 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Jakarta and met with Wang Yi, China's leading diplomat, amid allegations of a Chinese cyberespionage attack targeting U.S. government emails.

The conversation between the two top diplomats on the margins of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers' Meeting "was part of ongoing efforts to maintain open channels of communication to clarify U.S. interests across a wide range of issues and to responsibly manage competition by reducing the risk of misperception and miscalculation," said State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Blinken made clear to Wang in Jakarta that any action that targets the U.S. government, U.S. companies or American citizens "is of deep concern to us, and that we will take appropriate action to hold those responsible accountable," according to a senior State Department official.

The intrusion by Chinese hackers into email accounts at the State Department and other agencies - including that of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo - is believed to have begun in May and been discovered just before Blinken visited Beijing in June.

Diplomats who attended the closed-door 90-minute exchange described the talks as more focused than the ones in Beijing, with both sides zeroing in on areas of interest.

On Blinken's part, one key focus was fentanyl, a sometimes deadly painkiller behind what the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls an "opioid overdose epidemic." In Beijing and again in Jakarta on Thursday Blinken pushed hard for China to crack down on the manufacture of "precursor chemicals" essential for making the drug.

According to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang reiterated China's claims on Taiwan, called on Washington to cancel "unreasonable and illegal sanctions" against China and said the U.S. should "cease suppressing China's economy and technology."

Beijing suspended most formal lines of communication with the U.S. last August over a visit to Taiwan by then House speaker Nancy Pelosi. Further communications were cut off when the U.S. shot down a suspected spy balloon earlier this year.

The latest meeting came just hours after Xie Feng, China's new ambassador to the U.S., held rare talks with a top U.S. defense official for Asia.

Ely Ratner, U.S. assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, stressed the importance of keeping lines of communication open with China.

Earlier in the month, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited China, and climate envoy John F. Kerry is scheduled to visit from Sunday, with Beijing saying it is also open to a visit by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

Looming restrictions

U.S. diplomatic missions and reach-out to China may be undermined, however, as Washington pushes ahead with new restrictions on U.S. investments in Chinese companies involved in quantum computing, artificial intelligence and semiconductors, reported The New York Times.

The new restrictions were a key focus of discussion between Yellen and senior Chinese officials during her four days in Beijing, which concluded last Sunday.

During her visit to Beijing, Yellen repeatedly highlighted the fact that the restrictions were limited to several highly strategic sectors that affect U.S. state security and should not be interpreted as a blockade that sought to hold China's development back.

It's a line China is clearly not buying and the tensions between the two superpowers were further highlighted by China's official responses to U.S. hacking allegations.

The Microsoft-hosted U.S. government email servers that were breached by a Chinese hacking group were detected and fixed "fairly rapidly," National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Wednesday, despite Microsoft saying that the breach was only discovered a month after it happened.

When questioned on Thursday regarding the allegations of the hack, China's Foreign Ministry urged the U.S. to "account for its cyberattacks as soon as possible rather than spread false information and divert attention."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin used his press briefing on Wednesday to accuse the U.S. government of overseeing "the world's No. 1 hacking group" - the National Security Agency - but otherwise did not comment on the claims about the hack, known as Storm-0558.

Shaky ground

China is seeking to engage ASEAN's 10 members, predominantly through trade, in a strategic push to undermine U.S. influence in the region and challenge the existing American-led world order.

However, China's claim to almost all of the South China Sea limits its influence. Several ASEAN members, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines, have overlapping claims and have welcomed the U.S. military's presence in the region. China regards U.S. involvement as foreign interference.

Blinken continued to engage with ASEAN nations in a series of meetings on Friday.

Speaking after bilateral talks with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi, he listed regions where the U.S. and China may come into conflict.

"We must uphold freedom of navigation in the South and East China seas and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Blinken said.

Washington aims to work with Southeast Asian nations to "push back" against an "upward trend" in Beijing's "unhelpful, coercive and irresponsible" actions in the South China Sea, a senior U.S. State Department official said last week, ahead of Blinken's visit.

"It's not a matter of getting countries on board with the US view," said Daniel Kritenbrink, the US assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs. "It's a matter of working with our ASEAN partners to advance our shared view and vision for the region."

This would require pushing "back on behavior that runs counter to that vision and to those principles, including the many irresponsible acts that we've seen carried out by China over the last several years and in the last several weeks," he said.

Edited by Mike Firn.

Updated to include Blinken's comments on Friday.

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Doxxing campaign targeting Hong Kong protesters had China links: report

Campaign exposing personal information on 2,000 protesters was 'designed to avoid attribution.'

By Chen Zifei for RFA Mandarin and Chingman for RFA Cantonese 2023.07.14 -- A doxxing campaign that released the photos, full names and personal contact details of people who allegedly took part in Hong Kong's 2019 protest movement likely originated in China, new research has found.

The campaign took off around the height of the protests, in August 2019, and used websites and social media accounts branded "HKLEAKS" to exposed protesters, journalists and other people thought to be allied with the protests, according to a new report from CitizenLab at the University of Toronto.

It cited "several peculiar features of this operation, from the dodgy Russian-based hosting of its web domains, to the synergy with Chinese state media, to the suspicious sourcing of the data used for the doxxing."

It concluded that Chinese government involvement was likely, despite claims that the doxxing - publicizing private information on the internet, usually with malicious intent - was being carried out by concerned "volunteers" fed up with the protesters.

"The majority of the evidence that we have identified is consistent with the hypothesis of a state-backed influence operation," said the report, titled "Beautiful Bauhinia."

Around 2,000 people were doxxed by the websites, which later also included pro-Beijing political news and commentary, the report said.

"The similarities in layout and language between HKLEAKS and the anonymous bounty campaign HongKongMob, which in turn closely resembled the example overtly set by the Hong Kong-based 803 Fund, could indicate an HK-based (artificial) campaign," it said in a reference to two other pro-China, anti-protest campaigns.

While sympathetic volunteers may have played a role, some of the information posted online was only available to the governments of either Hong Kong or mainland China, the report concluded.

'Doxxing cards'

The websites and social media accounts posted distinctive, downloadable "doxxing cards" that prominently displayed people's photos, names, dates of birth, home addresses, social media profiles, phone numbers and other sensitive information, according to snapshots of the sites still visible on the Wayback Machine, or Internet Archive.

"As the website quickly went down - to date the cause remains unclear - it was immediately replaced with a stream of new websites hosted on domains that all used the same 'hkleaks' naming convention," the report said, adding that some of the source code for the sites contained pinyin spellings of Chinese words of a kind typically used in mainland China.

It said the HKLEAKS campaign was "designed to avoid attribution," using several identical websites registered in different locations around the world, all created around the same time, and lasted around two years from August 2019 to May 2021.

It said the Hong Kong government had issued a takedown request, but then said it couldn't enforce it due to the different locations of the offending websites.

"The Hong Kong authorities could claim that their hands were tied with regards to the privacy violations HKLEAKS was clearly engaging in," the report said.

While the city passed anti-doxxing legislation in 2022, the amended law sought to protect police and other public servants from doxxing by protesters, not the other way around.

'Never bow to the cockroaches'

While thousands of protesters have been prosecuted on public order or "rioting" charges, police have largely avoided any accountability for their role in the violence, largely because they took measures to hide their identities when engaging in violent suppression of the protests, the report said.

"Starting in June 2019, police officers stopped wearing warrant cards on their uniforms and refused to produce them when requested, making it impossible to identify them individually," it said. "Some also began hiding their faces by applying a one-way-mirror privacy film to their helmets' visors."

Some 1,400 complaints against police officers had been filed by December 2019, but none have been formally prosecuted, amid widespread criticism that the official complaints process is skewed against any real accountability.

The report added: "It is in this context that some protesters resorted to doxxing police officers."

A "solemn statement" on the original HKLeaks site claimed it was run by volunteers who only wanted the best for Hong Kong.

"We will never bow to the rioters and the cockroaches," it says, using a police slur for the protesters.

'Label for life'

Former 2019 protester Fu Tong, who now lives in the democratic island of Taiwan, said his details had appeared on the HKLEAKS site.

"It was really stressful, having all of my personal details made public," Fu said. "I moved house several times as a result, and I had to rent an apartment anonymously."

"There was the possibility of being arrested by police and jailed, but also that thugs would attack me," he said.

Fu said some of his potential clients have refused to give him work after researching him online and seeing him described as a "rioter" on one of the sites.

"I have that label for life now," he said. "It did serious damage to my reputation."

Former pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui said he was doxxed by HKLEAKS too.

"I've been paying close attention to these websites since 2019," Hui said. "There's no way they could get that level of detailed personal information from the public domain."

"I've always thought there was government backing for this," he said. "The Chinese Communist Party ... employs a great many hackers."

Jaw-Nian Huang, an assistant professor at Taiwan's National Chengchi University's National Development Institute, who studies China's psychological warfare operations, said the HKLEAKS campaign bore the hallmarks of Chinese government involvement.

"It's pretty obvious that the Chinese government has the role of disseminator in an information and communications operation -- this is a typical sharp power tactic," Huang said.

"The personal information of some protesters has been exposed ... misinterpreted and labeled in an attempt to manipulate information and influence people's ... perception of dissidents or supporters of protest movements," he said.

"It seeks to weaken the legitimacy of such movements, while enhancing and consolidating the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party regime," Huang said, describing the HKLEAKS campaign as a form of "information warfare."

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on July 14, 2023

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

China Daily: Recently, Premier Li Qiang signed a State Council decree unveiling the Regulation of the People's Republic of China on Consular Protection and Assistance. Could you share more details on this?

Wang Wenbin: The CPC Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to protecting the safety of overseas Chinese citizens and institutions. As China expands its opening up and the Belt and Road cooperation advances steadily, an increasing number of citizens, companies and institutions go abroad. There is a growing need among the people for consular protection and assistance.

Given the complex and uncertain security situation abroad, formulating a special administrative regulation on consular protection and assistance, summarizing the experiences and outcomes of China's practices of consular protection and assistance and institution building over the years, further clarifying responsibilities of all parties and formulating detailed measures, are conducive to making relevant work more law-based, institutional and standardized and better protecting the safety and legitimate rights and interests of overseas Chinese citizens, companies and institutions.

The regulation, with 27 items, covers the guiding principles, working mechanisms, plans under different circumstances, preventive measures, responsibilities and obligations of citizens and supporting and safeguard measures of consular protection and assistance. It will take effect on September 1, 2023. The Chinese Foreign Ministry and China's diplomatic missions overseas will take the implementation of the regulation as an opportunity, uphold the people-centered development philosophy, improve the work on consular protection and assistance, and work with relevant departments and local governments to make every effort to safeguard the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens and institutions abroad.

Der Spiegel: Yesterday, the German government revealed its long-anticipated China strategy. How does China view this document and what effect would it have on bilateral relations?

Wang Wenbin: China noted the document released by Germany. We believe that it is counterproductive to compete and practice protectionism in the name of "de-risking" and "reducing dependence", and to overstretch the concept of security and politicize normal cooperation. Such moves will only generate risks. Drawing a line according to values and ideologies and advocating so-called competition of systems, interests and values goes against the trend of the time and will only exacerbate the division of the world.

In fact, between China and Germany, there are far more common understandings than differences, and our cooperation far outweighs competition. The two countries are partners, not rivals. Under the complex and volatile international situation, we hope Germany will view China's development in an all-round and objective way, adopt a rational and practical China policy, and work with China to respond to global challenges and contribute more certainty and positive energy to world peace and development.

CCTV: The ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting were held in Jakarta, Indonesia on July 13, sending the positive signal of jointly supportinga the ASEAN-centered, open and inclusive regional cooperation architecture. Can you further elaborate on that?

Wang Wenbin: Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi yesterday attended the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia.

At the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Director Wang Yi pointed out that in the past two decades, China and ASEAN have been following the purposes and principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and expanding all-round mutually beneficial cooperation and have successfully opened up the right way of long-term neighborliness and friendship and common development. The two sides have worked together to advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, promote the Belt and Road cooperation, boost regional economic integration, and enhance the foundation for peace and stability. China is committed to high-quality development and providing new opportunities for countries through Chinese modernization. China stands ready to work with ASEAN with stronger unity and coordination to carry forward the spirit of friendly cooperation, uphold open regionalism, tap on new cooperation potential, address global risks and challenges, safeguard regional peace and stability and advance the modernization drive in Asia.

Director Wang Yi stressed that China and ASEAN will always be neighbors, partners and brothers and sisters. Our histories are already linked, so are our futures. In keeping with the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness proposed by President Xi Jinping, China will stay committed to the friendly cooperation policy towards ASEAN and work with ASEAN countries for common development and rejuvenation. We look forward to the two sides jointly advancing the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership and making new contribution to regional peace and prosperity.

Parties thanked China for supporting ASEAN centrality and community building, commended China for being the first country to express readiness to sign the Protocol to the Treaty on Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone and welcomed the important progress achieved in the consultations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). All sides expressed readiness to work with China to speed up negotiations on the upgrade of the Free Trade Area and enhance connectivity. All sides hope to bring the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights and strive for new results.

The meeting adopted the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Commemorating and Reflecting on the 20th Anniversary of China's Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the guidelines accelerating the conclusion of the COC.a

At the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Director Wang Yi said that this year is the first year for implementing the newest ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Cooperation Work Plan. Countries in the region should have the long-term vision of building an East Asia Community, uphold ASEAN centrality, improve the inclusive regional cooperation architecture, expand cooperation scope and inject stronger East Asian strength into the economic recovery of the region and beyond.

Director Wang Yi made a three-point proposal for the APT cooperation in the next phase. First, we should stay committed to open cooperation, speed up the process of regional integration and build a regional industrial and supply chain system that is stable, smooth and based on comparative advantages. Second, we should stay committed to common security, enhance the efficiency of responding to crises, reinforce food security in the region and build a stronger regional financial safety net. Third, we should stay committed to innovation-driven development, fully tap on the potential of sustainable development, expand cooperation in emerging sectors and provide more impetus for development.

Foreign ministers from Japan, the ROK and ASEAN countries agreed that the APT mechanism should progress with the times and we should fully leverage the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR), actively promote the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM), implement RCEP for high-quality results, build new growth drivers in such areas as digital economy, innovative science and technology, energy transition and electric vehicles, inject new energy for regional connectivity and greater resilience and help ASEAN to forge a global epicentrum of growth.a

CCTV: Yesterday, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken upon invitation in Jakarta, Indonesia. A US official said that the US side said at the meeting that the US government network was hacked and the US will hold the hackers accountable with proper measures. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: Director Wang Yi made clear China's principled position on the issue of cyber security. The Chinese government agencies face numerous cyber attacks every day, most of which come from sources in the US. We've shared relevant facts with the international community on multiple occasions. China is the biggest victim of cyber attack. The US needs to stop slapping false labels on China.

CCTV: US officials said that the two sides spent a fair amount of time talking about fentanyl. In particular, Blinken emphasized the importance of the US and China working together to disrupt the global flow of synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl, and their precursor chemicals into the US. And the issue of establishing a working group on the illicit drug was discussed in depth. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: The two sides talked about fentanyl-related issues in the meeting, during which the Chinese side expressed our principled position and concerns. Director Wang Yi said that in terms of counter-narcotics, China has the strongest determination, most thorough policies and one of the best records in the world. To accommodate US concerns plus in the interest of the overall China-US relations, China decided several years ago to schedule fentanyl as a class. No other country has done the same. US attempt to take similar action has met with strong obstacles domestically. Instead of fully acknowledging China's effort, the US has discredited and scapegoated China on fentanyl, and hunted Chinese citizens through "sting operations". This is not at all constructive. The US needs to address this issue with an attitude based on equality, respect and cooperation, lift sanctions on Chinese counter-narcotics institutions as soon as possible, and remove obstacles for dialogue and cooperation.

Dragon TV: The Japanese government has reportedly set up a special fund of JPY 80 billion yen to subsidize the fishing industry in Fukushima. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: If the release of the nuclear-contaminated water is indeed harmless, why presume that the fishing industry in Fukushima will be affected? If not for a guilty conscience, why would the Japanese government try to placate the people by giving out compensations? The only logical answer is that there is indeed something very wrong about the ocean discharge. About 40 percent of Japanese people and those who live around the Pacific rim are strongly against Japan's pushing through the ocean discharge plan, including people in China, the ROK, Russia, the Pacific Island countries, the Philippines, Indonesia and Peru. Regrettably, the Japanese government has so far acted indifferently to the opposition from both at home and abroad.

Japan's use of compensation to buy silence domestically and disregard for the safety and wellbeing of people living next to Japan and in the Pacific Island countries will only invite stronger criticism and opposition from the international community.

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China's Internet Regulator Cracking Down on Grassroots Online Posts

By Gao Feng July 14, 2023

China's official internet regulators are tightening control over unofficial grassroots online activities by blacklisting people who stoke hot social issues to gain followers and holding some platforms responsible for the authenticity of information in their posts.

The target group, so-called self-media, are social media accounts that publish news and information but are not government-run or state-approved. Most of the content released by self-media avoids politically sensitive information.

The Central Cyberspace Administration of China, which was a sub-unit of the official propaganda apparatus, the State Internet Information Office, until 2014, established new regulations on July 5.

Authorities now require the grassroots-level self-media internet platforms to deal promptly with all violations. The regulations cover unofficial media that produce and spread rumors, hype hot social issues, or disseminate what the government deems illegal and harmful information.

Penalties include blacklisting by the Central Cyberspace Administration, which is also authorized to shut down platforms for repeated violations.

"All 'self-media' that produce and publish rumors, speculate on social hotspot events, or spread illegal and bad information in a matrix manner that have a bad impact, shall be shut down, included in the platform's blacklist account database, and reported to the Internet Information Department," according to the regulations. The authorities can also cancel interactive functions.

The new regulations also require self-media to mark the source, shooting time, location, and other relevant information for pictures, videos and related content.

An anti-forgery requirement means self-media accounts must manually review account information that contains the names or logos of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the Chinese government and its military agencies, and official news media.

Wei-feng Tzeng, assistant professor at the Graduate Institute of China Studies at Tamkang University in Taiwan, told VOA Mandarin in a telephone interview on Tuesday that this move was triggered by self-media postings during recent accidents and disasters. The authorities worried that the information released by the self-media, especially Internet celebrities, had the potential to cause social unrest, he said.

Authorities believe the new regulations are necessary to strengthen official control of self-media, he added.

"Internet celebrities all ran to film large-scale disasters, such as the gas explosion in Yinchuan earlier this year, police beatings, earthquakes and traffic accidents," said Tzeng. "They livestream to attract traffic. But for the CCP, it is spreading uncomfortable messages, and the CCP will believe that these messages are incorrect."

Tzeng said people in China tend to accept information from the media without question.

"China is relatively closed. Chinese people feel that this information (on self-media) has been screened by the government and is unlikely to be fake. Relatively speaking, they completely trust the information provided by the media. They are incapable of critical thinking," he said.

Yachi Chiang, president of Taiwan Law and Technology Association, told VOA Mandarin in a telephone interview this week that in the past, accounts belonging to the CCP, government and military organizations, and news media were forged.

"We have also seen that some information seems to be deliberately sent through self-media," she said. "Why does it target accounts that contain the names or logos of the Party, government and military agencies, news media, and administrative divisions? Don't the authorities already control these accounts?"

This is not the first crackdown on online speech by the Central Cyberspace Administration of China, which is worried about self-media even though the posters don't cover politically sensitive information, according to Chiang.

"In the past, [posting] these issues that seemed to be related to people's livelihood and relatively irrelevant to politics showed the power of the internet and might lead the direction of public opinion quickly," she said.

"The authorities would think that the Internet can quickly increase the heat of speech and discussion on some topics they do not want to see. These issues may not seem related to core political issues at first glance, but you can't control people using the internet to discuss topics related to politically sensitive issues in the future," she said.

The Cyberspace Administration claims it is cracking down on self-media that "hypes up hot social events or disseminates illegal and harmful information," but there are no clear guidelines, which will inevitably have a chilling effect, she added.

"Such unclear standards will cause everyone to panic," said Chiang.

Tzeng questions whether China's internet regulators can effectively implement the regulations, even with the assistance of "little pinks" or xiao fenhong, as young super-nationalists are known.

He said, "Although the government claims to have a large-scale internet army, plus many little pinks or internet administrators, now online information flows so fast with so many information sources every day, it is hard to regulate online information by relying only on the government's power. Authorities are now asking online platforms to self-censor first, but the point is, it can't really touch the most grassroots level."

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Exiled Hong Kong Activists Weigh Options After Arrest Warrants, Bounties

By William Yang July 14, 2023

Exiled Hong Kong democracy activists say an intensified new campaign authorities launched this month to silence those overseas could have a chilling effect going forward. It is also forcing those in exile, they say, to consider additional precautions as security risks increase for themselves and their families still in Hong Kong.

A little more than a week ago, Hong Kong authorities issued arrest warrants and offered a bounty of 1 million Hong Kong dollars - about $128,000 - apiece for eight prominent activists overseas. After that, four men in Hong Kong were arrested and accused of providing those in exile with support.

And then on Tuesday, national security police raided exiled activist Nathan Law's family home in Hong Kong and took away his parents and older brother for questioning. They were later released.

A Hong Kong Police Force spokesperson told VOA that Law's parents and brother were suspected of "assisting persons wanted by police to engage in activities that endanger national security." The spokesperson also said an investigation is underway and added that further operations, including arrests, may be made.

Law has denied that his family provided him with financial support.

Family ties

Although the eight who have bounties on their heads are in the United States, Australia and Britain, which do not have extradition treaties with Hong Kong, the moves have clearly raised the stakes.

Nathan Law has told the BBC that his life has now become more dangerous.

Alex Chow, a prominent Hong Kong activist and board chair of the Washington-based nonprofit organization Hong Kong Democracy Council told VOA that the new approach "could extend intimidation to people who have nothing to do with the advocacy work done by overseas activists."

Chow added that Hong Kongers now need to consider some precautions to try to protect loved ones who are still in Hong Kong.

"This is a tough situation for activists abroad because their family members could be used by Hong Kong authorities to pressure them," he said.

Given the bounties and arrest warrants, some overseas Hong Kongers have even begun to contemplate whether it is still safe for them to engage in activism.

"The diaspora community may feel some pressure and choose not to attend pro-democracy protests abroad," said Michael Mo, a former district councilor in Hong Kong who now resides in the U.K.

Secure activism

Others are already looking for ways to continue to be a part of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement and make sure that their participation in activism is more secure.

"I know a lot of groups are exploring different ways by adopting secure precautions, both digital and physical," said Maya Wang, the associate Asia director for Human Rights Watch. She added that compared to other diaspora communities, Hong Kong people are already more adept at taking precautions to ensure their security.

Former District Councilor Michael Mo told VOA that one thing some organizers of demonstrations can do is to try to get as many volunteers as they can to help identify whether there are suspicious individuals or too many cameras nearby when protests are held overseas.

"Volunteers need to be prepared for any kind of intimidation and if they think things are not right at the scene, they should inform organizers immediately," he said.

To offer participants enough protection, organizers sometimes hand out masks so activists can avoid being photographed by unknown strangers, Mo added.

Other measures that Mo said he thinks overseas activists could adopt include always participating in events as a group and trying to avoid publicly announcing plans to attend events ahead of time.

"Some activists only share information or photos of events that they've joined afterward because it minimizes the chance of alerting pro-China individuals or anyone who might want to follow their whereabouts," he told VOA.

Digital threats

Chung Ching Kwong, the Hong Kong campaigns coordinator for the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, said that since a lot of threats that overseas Hong Kongers may face are connected to their technology, they should use different tools, including end-to-end encryption and password security to protect themselves and those they are in contact with.

"I see efforts from the diaspora community to educate each other about the importance of digital security, but not enough works have been done and there aren't enough resources and people with enough know-how to share their knowledge," Kwong added.

Host government support

Some experts think foreign governments also have a role to play to ensure Hong Kong diaspora communities' freedom of speech and freedom of assembly will continue to be protected.

"If the host governments can't assure protection of these basic rights, the diaspora community may still think they can be intimidated by Hong Kong authorities, especially if they still have family members back there," said Eric Lai, a visiting researcher at the Dickson Poon School of Law at King's College in London.

Over the past year,there have been several cases of Chinese nationals assaulting Hong Kong activists that live in the U.K. In June, British police began an investigation after video footage showing pro-Hong Kong demonstrators attacked by a group of Chinese nationals in Southampton.

Last October, a Hong Kong protester was attacked on the grounds of the Chinese Consulate in Manchester. The incident pushed British police to launch an investigation and resulted in Bejing removing six Chinese diplomats who were allegedly involved in the assault from the U.K.

Kwong says that more training, education, or information should be provided to frontline civil servants in countries that host large Hong Kong diaspora communities because it will help them understand the severity of the problem facing overseas Hong Kongers, and in turn, they may develop a better understanding about what they can do as well.

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Australia Urges China to Continue to Ease Trade Sanctions

By Phil Mercer July 14, 2023

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong held talks Thursday with the Chinese Communist Party's foreign affairs director, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the East Asia Foreign Ministers summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Australia has urged China to continue to ease restrictions on Australian commodities imposed during the height of diplomatic frictions between the two countries.

China has started to allow imports of Australian coal and timber, but tariffs remain on other products, including wine and lobsters.

Wong has also raised concerns about the detention of Australian citizens on national security charges in Beijing.

Wong gave reporters an update on talks in the Indonesian capital Thursday.

"It was a frank conversation and it was a conversation in which a number of issues were raised certainly in relation to trade impediments," she said. "I acknowledged the progress we have seen in recent months and reiterated our expectation that this progress continues."

Wong said she also raised the continued incarceration of two Australians in Beijing accused of state security-related crimes. Writer Yang Hengjun was detained by China in January 2019. Cheng Lei, a high-profile Australian television anchor for the Chinese government's English news channel, CGTN, was arrested the following year

Wong also said that discussions were held over Chinese arrest warrants issued for two Australia-based Hong Kong democracy campaigners. Beijing has accused them of "anti-China activities aimed at destabilizing Hong Kong." Wong gave no further details.

Trade with China has underpinned Australia's recent prosperity, but political tensions over human rights, Beijing's territorial ambitions in the Pacific and the South China Sea as well as detained Australians and the origins of COVID-19 have destabilized bilateral relations in recent years.

China accounts for more than a quarter of Australia's international trade.

Australia's left-leaning government has been attempting to stabilize bilateral relations since it won an election in May of last year.

Analysts have said Australia is eager to normalize ties with its biggest trading partner before a proposed visit to Beijing by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later this year.

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US Lawmakers Say China Using Coercive Business Practices for Economic Advantage

By Katherine Gypson July 14, 2023

U.S. lawmakers Thursday charged the Chinese Communist Party is using coercive economic practices to achieve worldwide dominance over the United States.

The accusations came at a hearing of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party days after U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen met with Chinese officials in Beijing to discuss the nations' economic relationship.

Yellen said that while the United States was taking targeted national security actions, "a decoupling of the world's two largest economies would be disastrous for interests for both countries and destabilizing for the world, and it would be virtually impossible to undertake. We want a dynamic and healthy global economy that is open, free and fair."

Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been tense since the U.S. downed a Chinese spy balloon earlier this year. Witnesses told the House panel Thursday U.S. companies are facing increasing threats operating inside China.

"There's no such thing as a private company in China, a raft of legislation like the updated counterespionage law, the data security law, the anti-foreign sanctions law has codified what was always true. China reserves the right to swipe any data, to seize any assets and take IP that it wishes," committee Chairman Mike Gallagher said.

According to committee members, China's restrictive environment is resulting in a so-called "brain-drain" of its own business people, turning China into the top country in the world for the departure of wealthy individuals, fleeing what they fear is the Communist Party's ability to arbitrarily seize assets.

Witnesses testified the environment in China is becoming increasingly restrictive for American companies and individuals.

"In the last few months, PRC authorities are now charging any domestic or foreign businessperson with espionage simply for providing any services using PRC information to grant or give to third-country-based customers," Piper Lounsbury, chief research and development officer at Strategy Risks, a risk management firm for companies doing business in China, said.

European companies have also complained about a worsening climate for business. In June, a survey by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China reported a record-high 64% of surveyed China-based European companies reported that doing business in China became more difficult in 2022.

"The crackdown on consulting businesses, the enhanced data, secrecy laws and the flow of PRC information just highlight the negative symmetry that we have with China. This means that even companies now can't even do due diligence in advance of any sort of business transaction," Lounsbury, said.

The Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry pushed back against criticism of its business practices Monday in response to a U.S. State Department travel advisory issued this month warning Americans citizens of the "risk of wrongful detention."

"China is a country under the rule of law. The decision of relevant departments to carry out security review of foreign companies according to law is based on laws and facts. China welcomes citizens and enterprises from all over the world to visit China and do business in China, and protects their safety and legitimate rights and interests in China, including freedom of exit and entry," said Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the ministry.

China's constitution explicitly makes individual rights subordinate to the interests of the ruling Communist Party, which directly controls both the legislative process and the courts. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois, told VOA Mandarin that Washington is focusing on trying to convince Beijing to change policies, not to hold the country's economy back.

"Our quarrel isn't with the Chinese people. We want them to realize their legitimate economic aspirations, but the CCP needs to change its behavior. I mean, you can't have a system without a rule of law, and that's what a lot of people are observing right now in China," Krishnamoorthi said.

Witnesses told the committee that American businesses face a restrictive environment led from the top down by President Xi Jinping, potential intellectual property theft and the constant threat of seized assets.

"The issue is how much do I need to lose to have access to the market, so it's a balancing act," said Desmond Shum, a businessman whose ex-wife, Whitney Duan, was arrested by the Chinese. Shum, the author of Red Roulette: An Insider's Story of Wealth, Power, Corruption and Vengeance in Today's China, told U.S. news program 60 Minutes that he and his then-wife participated in corrupt business practices in China.

In its latest report to Congress in 2022, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, set up by Congress in 2000 to monitor and report on the national security implications of the U.S.-China economic relationship, as well as make recommendations, said U.S. businesses and investors are reevaluating their reengagement in China.

"China has subverted the global trade system and moved further from the spirit and letter of its obligations under its WTO accession protocol," the report said. "China's subsidies, overcapacity, intellectual property theft, and protectionist nonmarket policies exacerbate distortions to the global economy. These practices have harmed workers, producers, and innovators in the United States and other market-based countries."

The commission went on to say the United States' ability to overcome harmful trade practices was undermined by the lack of a coherent strategy.

VOA Mandarin reporter Yi-hua Lee also contributed to this report.

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Joint Statement by U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa, and Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

July 14, 2023

The text of the following joint statement was released by the Governments of the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.

Begin text

The United States, Republic of Korea, and Japan strongly condemn the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the DPRK on 12 July 2023. This constitutes a clear, flagrant violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and poses a grave threat to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. The DPRK's launch of this ICBM threatened the safety of civil aviation and maritime traffic in the region.

We will work together with the UN and the international community to ensure that UN Security Council resolutions that impose sanctions against the DPRK are fully implemented. Furthermore, the three countries will continue to work closely with the international community to block the DPRK's illicit revenue generation through overseas workers and malicious cyber activities that fund its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs.

The United States reiterated that its commitments to defend the ROK and Japan are ironclad and backed by the full range of capabilities, including nuclear. In addition, the three countries will further strengthen our trilateral security cooperation to effectively address the DPRK's nuclear and missile threats including by sharing DPRK missile warning data in real-time and by conducting missile defense exercises, anti-submarine exercises, and maritime interdiction exercises.

The DPRK's continued development of its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities will only bolster the resolve of the three countries and the international community to achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We deplore the DPRK regime's insistence on aggravating the suffering and human rights of the people in the DPRK by using its limited resources to fund its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The United States, ROK, and Japan urge the DPRK to cease its unlawful and escalatory actions and promptly return to dialogue.

End Text

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Joint CommuniquA on the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to France, July 13-14, 2023.

AlysAe - President of France

Posted on 14 July 2023

At the invitation of President of France Emmanuel MACRON, Prime Minister Narendra MODI concluded a historical visit as the Guest of Honour at the National Day of the French Republic on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership. In January 1998, in a world of change and uncertainty, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President Jacques Chirac elevated the relationship to a Strategic Partnership - the first for India with any country.

That decisive commitment was an affirmation of deep mutual trust reflected in five decades of a strong and steady partnership of exceptional endeavours from India's independence in 1947.

When the two leaders met today, they agreed that ours is a relationship that has been resilient in the darkest storms and bold and ambitious in riding the high tides of opportunities. It is founded on shared values, belief in sovereignty and strategic autonomy, an unwavering commitment to international law and the UN Charter, an abiding faith in multilateralism and a common quest for a stable multipolar world.

President MACRON and Prime Minister MODI took stock of the transformation and expansion of the relationship, over the past 25 years, in every area of bilateral cooperation and highlighted its evolution into a partnership of regional responsibilities and global importance.

Our political and diplomatic engagements are among our closest and most trusted. Our defence and security partnership is strong and extends from seabed to space. Our economic ties reinforce our prosperity and sovereignty and advance resilient supply chains. Both leaders agreed that promoting clean and low carbon energy, conserving biodiversity, protecting the ocean and combating pollution is a key pillar of cooperation and that digital, innovation and startup partnership is a new area of growth that builds on the deep convergence and strong complementarities between our two countries.

Our deepening ties in education, science and technology, culture, our burgeoning youth exchanges, and the highly accomplished and growing Diaspora, are bringing the relationship closer to the people and sowing the seeds of future partnerships.

In the turbulence and challenges of our times, this partnership means more than ever before - upholding the international law; advancing cohesion in a fragmenting world; reforming and reinvigorating the multilateral system; building a secure and peaceful Indo-Pacific region; addressing global challenges of climate change, clean energy, health, food security, poverty and development.

Today, we also look ahead to the next 25 years for our journey together to 2047 and beyond, with a bolder vision and higher ambitions, when we will celebrate the centenary of India's Independence, the centenary of our diplomatic ties and half a century of our strategic partnership.

The next 25 years is a critical moment both for our two countries and for our partnership- to build a better future for our people and those with whom we share this planet. In order to set out their shared vision for this next phase of the India-France Strategic Partnership, both leaders adopted the "Horizon 2047 Roadmap on the 25th Anniversary of the Indo-French Strategic Partnership: towards a century of French-Indian relations" along with several other outcomes covering a wide range of areas. The Horizon 2047 Roadmap and List of Outcomes may be found in annex.

25th Anniversary of the Indo-French Strategic Partnership: Towards a Century of French-Indian Relations.

Read the roadmap (.pdf)

India-France Indo-Pacific Roadmap.

Read the roadmap (.pdf)

Visit to France of Prime Minister MODI - 13 and 14 July - Summary of deliverables by the French Presidency

Read the summary (.pdf)

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National security strategy must evolve in line with changes in geo-political order: Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan at DRDO Directors' Conclave

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

"Theaterisation will ensure effective response along the entire spectrum of conflict"

Posted On: 14 JUL 2023 4:32PM by PIB Delhi

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has said that international geo-politics is in a flux and the national strategy should aim to absorb the changes in such a way that it meets the challenges and exploits the opportunities. Inaugurating the DRDO Directors' Conclave, an annual event of DRDO, in New Delhi on July 14, 2023, General Chauhan stressed the need to perform, reform, transform, inform and conform to meet the emerging challenges.

Referring to the "Technology Requirements emerging from Theaterisation", he said superiority in technology and tactics is the need of the hour and Indian Armed Forces are investing in new technologies to win engagements. Highlighting the principles of jointness, integration and theaterisation, General Anil Chauhan said in the national security realm, the concept of theaterisation is a fundamental change that is on the anvil.

"It is one of the most ambitious changes with far reaching implications attempted post-independence. The start on this journey depends on the right steps being taken first towards jointness and integration. Theaterisation involves creation of tri service theatre specific structures for effective response along the entire spectrum of conflict," said General Anil Chauhan.

The CDS said, integration in the physical domain aims to achieve a multiplier effect as it combines the unique capabilities of the Services through integrated processes and structures to increase the war fighting capability.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, in his inaugural address, highlighted the changes occurring in the nature of warfare and criticality involved in them. He stressed on the need to reform and transform the perspectives in tandem with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's goal of Aatmanirbharta and Make in India.

General Chauhan released the DRDO's second list of systems and subsystems for industry to design, develop and manufacture, in line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat. This second list of DRDO is in continuation to the list of 108 items released earlier. He also released the "DRDO Guidelines for Production Coordination", which outlines the mechanism for production coordination and resolution of issues associated with production of DRDO developed military equipment/ platforms/ systems.

The guidelines bring out a two-tier mechanism to resolve issues related to production of these systems by involving designers, users, production agencies, quality agencies and other stakeholders. The initiative will further pave the way for the Indian Defence Industry to develop defence technologies/ systems towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

The two-day conclave is organised as follow up to the various Chintan Shivir meetings and review of their outcome by the Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. It is being attended by top officials of DRDO including Directors General of various technology as well as corporate clusters, directors of DRDO laboratories, directors of DRDO headquarters and Integrated Financial Advisors (IFAs). It will include deliberations on various issues in line with the theme "Redefining Role of DRDO in the Wake of New Government Policies and Emerging Scenarios" through six technical sessions each followed by a panel discussion.

****

ABB/Anand



(Release ID: 1939501)

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India buys French fighter jets, submarines as Modi visits Paris

Iran Press TV

Friday, 14 July 2023 8:33 AM

India has signed a new multibillion-dollar deal with France, buying French fighter jets as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Paris on a two-day trip.

India's Ministry of Defense said in a statement that the country plans to order 26 Rafale jets as well as three more Scorpene-class submarines, with the price and other terms of the purchase still under review.

Addressing a rousing crowd of Indians living in France on Thursday evening, Modi billed the agreement "a reflection of the unwavering friendship between India and France".

Despite different perspectives on the war in Ukraine and tensions over human rights in India, Western countries view Modi and India as a counterweight to China in Asia.

At a meeting with military leaders on Thursday evening, Macron called India "a strategic partner and a friend".

The naval version of the Rafale Dassault jets is intended for India's aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant, which was commissioned last year.

India has already bought six Scorpene submarines, and the statement said an additional three ships "with higher indigenous content" will be built by Mazagon Dock shipbuilders near Mumbai, creating "significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector".

New Delhi has been expanding its armed forces, and the West sees an opportunity to replace Russia as a main supplier of weapons to the emerging economic powerhouse.

New Delhi is one of the biggest buyers of French arms, with Modi announcing a landmark deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets during a trip to Paris in 2015, worth around 4.0 billion euros ($4.24 billion) at the time.

The deal is set to escalate tensions in the subcontinent where India is embroiled in territorial disputes with its neighbors, chiefly China and Pakistan.

On Thursday, state-run China Media Group (CMG) said NATO is aggressively expanding its footprints in the Asia-Pacific region to besiege Beijing.

"Under the command of the US, NATO has increasingly taken a hardline stance on China with the purpose of expanding its footprints in the Asia-Pacific region by labeling China as a 'systemic challenge' in complicity with the US geopolitical rivalry," it said in a commentary.

CMG touched on "NATO's eastward expansion", saying the crisis in Ukraine is rooted in the policy.

"After the crisis broke out, the US pushed NATO members to send a raft of weapons to Ukraine, leading to heightened situations of the conflict," it said.

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Lavrov says not expecting shift in US policy on Iran following 2024 election

Iran Press TV

Friday, 14 July 2023 2:33 PM

Russia's foreign minister says he's not very optimistic about any deal on the revival of the US-abandoned 2015 nuclear agreement and is not expecting a shift in US policy following next year's presidential elections.

"It is not very realistic to expect anything now because the US is holding an election in a year," the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry quoted Sergey Lavrov as saying on Thursday.

"A new administration will arrive and nobody knows whether it will be Democratic or Republican. Nobody can guarantee that the new administration will not repeat the stunt of pulling out of the agreement," Lavrov added.

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.

The 2015 accord was derailed in 2018 by former US president Donald Trump, who unilaterally walked out of the accord and launched a campaign of maximum pressure against Iran.

Joe Biden vowed to return to the JCPOA after taking office but failed to take any practical steps. Talks were held over the JCPOA revival between Iran and the remaining parties to the accord but they have been stalled since last August, with Iran blaming the US for failing to guarantee that it will not leave the deal again.

Lavrov said the JCPOA was simply "broken" by the US, which acted against the UN charter and a UN Security Council resolution enshrining the accord.

He said the Biden administration has been trying to get concessions from Tehran, instead of focusing on reviving the accord.

"The Joe Biden administration declared it is ready to resume the program and its involvement in it. But instead of taking specific decisions on resuming the resolution and the JCPOA in full, they started bargaining and pushing Iran's representatives to agree on some things that are not covered by the JCPOA, and what they would like to get from Tehran on top of the plan," Lavrov said.

The top Russian diplomat said Iran and the other parties came close to an agreement in August 2022, when EU representatives presented a document to be approved by all parties, but European powers blocked that due to unknown reasons.

"Iran was ready. It was France, the UK and Germany that stalled the process. It is hard for me to see the reasons for this," he said.

"Perhaps they wanted to push Iran to do something else. They saw that Iran was ready to agree and decided to push further and put the approval off."

He said informal consultations have been held between Iranian and US officials on how to restore dialogue by means of "unblocking Iran's seized foreign reserves in exchange for deciding the fate of certain US citizens who were charged with breaking the law in Iran."

"We will only welcome any improvement in these relations. Once again, this has little to do with the JCPOA.," he said.

He was referring to indirect Oman-mediated talks between Iran and the US on a prisoner swap.

An agreement on the exchange of prisoners was reached between Tehran and Washington in Vienna on the sidelines of negotiations concerning the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Tehran has repeatedly said it is ready for a prisoner exchange with the United States based on humanitarian issues and independently of the 2015 nuclear agreement.

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Iranian Students Slam Government Over Move To Admit Iraqi Militants

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda July 14, 2023

Iranian students have slammed a government decision to admit members of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to local universities, characterizing the move as a "militarization" of school campuses.

Student groups from Tehran University on July 14 said they would resist the presence of the militants on campus, "regardless of whether they are in combat or academic attire," while the Free Association of Tehran's Polytechnic University issued a statement describing the decision to allow Shi'ite paramilitaries from Iraq into Iranian universities as a "new war" aimed at suppressing student protests.

Universities and students have long been at the forefront of the struggle for greater social and political freedoms in Iran and following recent nationwide protests -- which have provided the biggest threat to the Islamic regime since the revolution in 1979 -- pressure has increased on universities across the country.

Officials have arrested student activists and leaders, sentencing them to prison and banning them from studying, while increasing surveillance on campuses to enforce dress codes.

Many have faced sentences such as imprisonment, flogging, and dozens of students have been expelled from universities or suspended from their studies, as security forces try to stifle dissent.

The plan was first announced on July 9 with officials calling it a "cooperation agreement" that will see PMF forces attend as 'students.'

The student unions argued that bringing in the Iraqi PMF members as students represents the last-ditch efforts of a collapsing regime to demonstrate power and a continuation of the expulsion and suspension of protesting students to suppress free thought at Iranian universities.

They added that authorities have been trying to free up space with these disciplinary moves and are now filling the places that have been vacated with auxiliary forces from Iraqi military groups.

The statement also criticizes the Islamic republic's approach to education, arguing that it has become a commodity, with entrance exams commercialized and quotas in place. This, they argue, has taken away opportunities from hardworking and disadvantaged individuals.

Mohammad Zolfi Gol, the minister of science in President Ebrahim Raisi's government, rejected the students' arguments saying that admissions to Iranian universities are done in various ways and claimed that the entry of PMF members into Tehran University will be achieved while sticking to "scientific standards." He didn't elaborate.

The activist HRANA news agency says that at least 700 university students have been arrested during the recent unrest.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-students-iraqi- militants-universities-protests/32503991.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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Two days of junta attacks in Myanmar's Sagaing region leave 4 dead

The military is stepping up attacks on townships that are resisting martial law.

By RFA Burmese 2023.07.14 -- Junta forces targeted three Sagaing townships this week, killing four civilians and injuring 17, as they continued to try to impose martial law in the region, locals told RFA Friday.

On Wednesday the army turned its heavy artillery on Shwebo township, bombarding Tet Tu village twice, killing a man and injuring 11 people including a four-year-old child.

"The child was hit in the abdomen and another seven people were critically injured," said a local, who didn't want to be named for fear of reprisals. "The other three were slightly injured."

On Thursday the guns turned on Kale township, killing two people and injuring six.

"A heavy artillery shell hit a house in See San village, killing a couple in that house," said a local, who didn't want to be named for safety reasons. "A child and a woman near her house were also injured."

The other locals were injured in attacks on two neighboring villages.

Locals said troops shell their villages nearly every day, and mine explosions are also common.

The junta also sent ground troops into Wetlet township Thursday, burning around 100 homes. Locals said an elderly man died in his home in Thone Sint Kan village.

"The column spent the night in Thone Sint Kan village Wednesday night and troops torched the houses when they left on Thursday morning," said a local, who also requested anonymity for safety reasons. "An old man who was paralyzed died in the fire."

Around 40 homes are still standing but residents have fled the village and say they are afraid to return home until troops have left.

The junta has released no statement on the incidents and junta spokesperson for Sagaing region, Saw Naing, did not return RFA's calls.

The junta placed Shwebo and Wetlet under martial law last February but has struggled to seize control of the townships.

Junta leader Senior Gen.Min Aung Hlaing told a military council meeting in Naypyidaw Thursday that he needed to step up security due to serious violence in Sagaing region, Chin and Kayah states.

The continuing violence has brought widespread international condemnation and calls on this year's Association of Southeast Nations chair Indonesia to put more pressure on ASEAN member Myanmar to end the fighting and restore democracy.

The latest came from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Speaking on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta Friday, he said Myanmar's military rulers must be pushed to stop violence and implement the "five-point consensus" peace plan they agreed with the rest of the 10-member grouping two years ago.

Translated by RFA Burmese. 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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Rights group: Bangladesh failing to protect Rohingya against rising violence in camps

Authorities put refugees at risk by forcing them to be informants against criminal elements, HRW says.

By Ahammad Foyez and Abdur Rahman for BenarNews 2023.07.14 -- Bangladesh is not doing enough to protect Rohingya from increasing violence by armed groups and criminal gangs operating in the refugee camps near the country's border with Myanmar, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday.

Some of these stateless refugees who fled from persecution in Myanmar's Rakhine state are all the more vulnerable because Bangladeshi authorities force them to act as informants against criminal elements, the New York-based watchdog alleged in a new report.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's past pledges to protect Rohingya refugees are now threatened by violent groups and an indifferent justice system," said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch (HRW).

In response, the Bangladesh government and security officials acknowledged the difficulty of policing the camps in Cox's Bazar, a southeastern district where close to a million refugees live, but said they were doing their utmost to ensure safety. They also denied they were forcing anyone to act as informants.

HRW said it had documented 26 cases of violence against Rohingya, including murder, kidnapping, torture, rape and sexual assault, and forced marriage between January and April 2023.

"Authorities have been forcing Rohingya leaders to serve as informants, putting them at grave risk of being abducted or killed, without access to protection," Human Rights Watch said in its report, adding that it interviewed 45 Rohingya and gathered supporting evidence, including police and medical reports, for its report.

Of the refugee population of nearly 1 million, about 740,000 Rohingya fled their home state of Rakhine for neighboring Bangladesh amid a brutal military crackdown in 2017.

Refugees told HRW that rebel groups such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), and criminal groups such as the Munna gang, were the perpetrators of increasingly brutal crimes in the camps.

"Several majhis [community leaders] who were killed or attacked over the past year were targeted by alleged ARSA members who considered them informants for Bangladesh authorities," the HRW report said.

"Majhis said that authorities forced them to take part in nighttime watches, to join police raids, and to identify members of armed groups, at times in front of the suspects."

Rohingya cannot seek redress from police or courts when they have been victims of a crime, the report also said.

'"Instead, they must approach Bangladesh administrative authorities or security forces in the camps. Several families said they could not get the required approval from the camp-in-charge, a Bangladesh official, to file a report with the police," HRW said.

"Others said they obtained permission to bring a complaint to the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) but could go no further, as the force has no civilian investigative function. Refugees who did manage to register their case at a local police station said there was no follow-up, often because they could not cover the bribes and legal fees demanded."

'We face many challenges'

Providing full security in the sprawling but dense camps is a tough task, the government and the Armed Police Battalion said.

Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that a large number of people, whom he described as terrorists, were responsible for criminal acts in the camps.

"While working for the security of the Rohingya, sometimes the members of our forces are also in danger," he told BenarNews.

"It is not very easy to deal with the way crimes are being committed inside the camps. We have to gain a lot of momentum to fight it."

He denied that the Rohingya had no access to the police or courts.

An ABPn Superintendent, whose battalion patrols in the Cox's Bazar area, expressed similar sentiments.

"Being a densely populated area, we face many challenges in carrying out our duties in the camps. Yet we are carrying out our duties risking our lives," said 8-APBn Superintendent of Police Farooq Ahmed.

He denied the police had forced any refugee to become informants for law enforcement.

"Many times the Rohingya leaders keep in touch with the law enforcement agencies for the sake of the security of their people," he told BenarNews.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online 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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Pakistan: Terrorists Enjoy 'Safe Havens' in Afghanistan

By Ayaz Gul July 14, 2023

Pakistan reiterated a call for Afghanistan's Taliban authorities Friday to rein in "terrorists" plotting assaults across their shared border after insurgents killed at least 12 Pakistani soldiers this week.

"Such attacks are intolerable and would elicit an effective response from the security forces of Pakistan," a military statement said without elaborating. "The involvement of Afghan nationals in acts of terrorism in Pakistan is another important concern that needs to be addressed."

The stern warning came two days after insurgents raided an army base in Baluchistan and ambushed security forces elsewhere in the southwestern province, which borders Afghanistan. The violence Wednesday killed at least 12 soldiers and a civilian, making it the deadliest day for the military in recent months.

"The armed forces of Pakistan have serious concerns on the safe havens and liberty of action available to TTP in Afghanistan," the military said.

It referred to the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, waging terrorist attacks against the Pakistani state. The group is an offshoot and close ally of the Afghan Taliban. Pakistani officials say TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, has moved its operational bases to Afghanistan and stepped up cross-border attacks since the Taliban regained control of the neighboring country in August 2021.

Baluchistan and the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan have experienced much of the resurgent violence. Insurgent suicide bombings and attacks reportedly have killed more than 400 Pakistanis, including security forces, nationwide since the beginning of 2023.

The Pakistani military has lost at least 120 officers and soldiers in militant attacks in the first six months of the year. TTP and the so-called Baluch Liberation Army, both designated as global terrorist organizations by the United States, have claimed responsibility for plotting most of the bloodshed.

"It is expected that [the] interim Afghan government would not allow the use of its soil to perpetrate terror against any country, in the real sense and in line with commitments made in the Doha Agreement," the Pakistani military said Friday.

The statement referred to the February 2020 deal the United States negotiated under the Trump administration with the then-insurgent Taliban in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

The landmark understanding paved the way for all U.S.-led NATO troops to depart Afghanistan just days after Taliban insurgents seized power, ending two decades of U.S. involvement in the war. The Taliban, in turn, pledged they would not allow terrorist groups to threaten other countries from Afghan soil.

The Taliban government did not immediately respond to Friday's allegations by Pakistan. Taliban leaders have maintained they do not allow TTP or any other groups to threaten neighboring countries, including Pakistan, from Afghan soil.

Pakistani officials say they have found evidence that fighters of the Afghan Taliban joined hands with TTP to carry out attacks.

The rise in TTP attacks has strained Islamabad's relations with the Taliban-led government in Kabul. The Taliban brokered and hosted talks between Pakistan and the TTP in June 2022, leading to a cease-fire. But the insurgents unilaterally ended the truce last November and resumed their terror campaign against the Pakistani state.

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The Week In Russia: Rebellion, Alliance, And War

By Steve Gutterman July 14, 2023

A "traitor" was welcomed to the Kremlin and a Russian field commander lashed out, echoing the invective that preceded the Wagner mutiny last month. Meanwhile, NATO pledged staunch support for Ukraine but wouldn't say when it can join. And after more than 500 days, Russia's invasion raged on.

Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward.

Hosting The 'Backstabber'

What happens in the Kremlin stays in the Kremlin -- until it's revealed much later in a statement that, if true, means previous statements were flat-out lies.

That's what happened in the wake of the stunning but short-lived mutiny by Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his mercenary force last month.

On June 29, five days after the mutiny in which Wagner fighters seized the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and marched to within 200 kilometers of Moscow, also shooting down Russian military aircraft and killing 13 air-force personnel, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin's administration did not know Prigozhin's whereabouts.

Eleven days later, the story changed: Putin had met with Prigozhin for three hours in the Kremlin on June 29, Peskov told reporters. He said that 35 Wagner commanders were invited and that Putin delivered "an assessment of the June 24 events" -- a laconic way of referring to what many analysts agree was the biggest challenge to Putin in nearly 24 years as president or prime minister.

The flip-flop seems certain to reflect uncertainty in Putin's administration about how to handle the mutiny in terms of propaganda. Putin had already taken a 180-degree turn in the space of several hours on June 24, calling the revolt a "stab in the back" by "traitors" and then agreeing to a resolution that at least for now allows Prigozhin and others to escape prosecution.

Clearly, the content and tone of Peskov's remarks were part of a Kremlin effort to play down the significance of the rebellion -- to portray what was widely seen as a game-changer, a sign of weakness from which Putin could probably never recover, as instead a mere blip or a bump in the road. And even to cast it as show of strength on Putin's part and of loyalty on the part of the Russian people.

The Wagner commanders who met with Putin at the Kremlin "underscored that they are staunch supporters and soldiers of the head of state and the commander in chief," Peskov said. And while Putin later commented on the meeting in a short interview with a Kremlin-friendly journalist, it's hard to know for sure whether it actually took place at all, let alone whether Peskov's claim about assurances of loyalty is accurate.

Meanwhile, though, Prigozhin and a top Russian armed forces commander seen as his ally, General Sergei Surovikin, have not been seen in public since the rebellion, which may be a way for Putin to portray himself as in control by hinting that they are in custody -- or at least that they are not free to travel, speak, and do as they please.

After The Mutiny

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed "people familiar with the situation," reported on July 13 that Surovikin was being held and questioned in Moscow and that about 15 senior Russian military officers had been suspended from duty or fired since the mutiny.

But the challenge to Putin remains, and the reverberations of the mutiny are likely to be felt for a long time.

One of those reverberations came on July 12, with the emergence of a strongly worded audio message is which a top Russian field commander said he was summarily dismissed after complaining to top brass about the situation on the front lines in Ukraine.

In any case, the mutiny and its fallout underscored how Putin's decision to launch a full-scale war against Ukraine, which he said was a forced move that was necessary to ensure Russia's security, has done the exact opposite.

Also highlighting how Putin has harmed his country's security rather than enhancing it: The NATO summit that was held in Vilnius this week, with Ukraine as its focus.

One of the ways Putin has sought to justify the invasion is by saying that if Ukraine were to join NATO, or play host to NATO weaponry, it would pose an intolerable threat to Russia's security -- and even its sovereignty.

'Nothing Extraordinary'

He and other officials have gone further than that as well, suggesting that Russia had to ignite the biggest war in Europe since 1945 because Ukraine, backed by the West, was about to launch a major offensive in the Donbas, where Kremlin-backed forces seized parts of two provinces in 2014 in a war that continued to simmer until the full-scale invasion of 2022, and potentially against Russia itself.

This is false -- as was pointed out by Prigozhin, of all people, in remarks hours before the Wagner mutiny got under way.

There was "nothing extraordinary happening" on February 24, 2022, Prigozhin said, meaning that there was no such threat. "Now the Defense Ministry is trying to deceive the public, deceive the president, and tell a story that there was some crazy aggression by Ukraine, that -- together with the whole NATO bloc -- Ukraine was planning to attack us."

At that time, there was also no indication that Finland, Sweden, or Ukraine would soon join NATO. But as a result of the invasion, Finland -- which shares a long border with Russia -- is now a member, while Sweden is poised to join soon, after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to stop blocking its accession. And Ukraine, long lukewarm or on the fence, adamantly wants in.

Ukraine wasn't expected to get an invitation at the July 11-12 summit, and it didn't. But what it did get fell pretty far short of what it had expected, or at least what it might have been satisfied with: a clear path to membership, with a timeline attached.

'Uncertainty Is Weakness'

Technically, Ukraine did come one significant step closer to joining NATO: The alliance said that it will not require Kyiv to receive and fulfill a Membership Action Plan (MAP). That opens the door to a faster accession process once members are ready to bring it in.

But there was no escaping the drab, disappointing nature of this key passage in the NATO summit communique, which was vague on what Ukraine must do to get in but made plain as day the fact that there is no consensus on when Kyiv can join a group that has been telling it for 15 years, since a summit in Bucharest in 2008, that it will one day be a member: "We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when Allies agree and conditions are met."

Ahead of the summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that for Russia, ambiguity on when Kyiv might be able to join NATO "means motivation to continue its terror. Uncertainty is weakness."

Zelenskiy was more upbeat as the summit concluded, saying it marked "a significant security victory" for his country and "removed any doubts and ambiguities about whether Ukraine will be in NATO."

But despite U.S. President Joe Biden's statement after the gathering that NATO was "more united than ever," Putin seems likely to see its results as a sign that Western unity could still unravel, turning the tide of the war in Moscow's favor.

The summit is "more likely to be remembered for what it didn't do, than what it did," Sam Greene, director of democratic resilience at the Center for European Policy Analysis, said in a comment published on July 12. "Moving beyond the Membership Action Plan for Ukraine was, in fact, a significant step, but Ukraine remains without membership and without a real plan for getting it."

"Unless the allies can move swiftly to clarify the conditions that will need...to be 'right,'" he said, "the vagueness of NATO's commitment to Ukraine will invite unproductive game-playing from the alliance's less responsible members and encourage Moscow to keep trying to chip away at allies' resolve."

The Killing Persists

Meanwhile, the war goes on, and Russia continues to try to break the resolve of Ukrainians, killing and maiming civilians in attacks on cities and towns across the country while its troops try to hold back a major Ukrainian counteroffensive that began last month.

Last weekend, Russia's full-scale invasion passed the 500-day mark -- and as time goes by, Ukraine faces both new attacks and the anniversaries of particularly atrocious events.

A year ago on March 16, for example, Russian forces bombed a theater in the Azov Sea port city of Mariupol, killing hundreds of adults and children seeking refuge there.

Today, July 14, marks one year since a Russian missile strike killed 27 people in the city of Vinnytsya, hundreds of kilometers from the front lines.

Amid those grim reminders of the recent past, a harrowing new report by the Associated Press adds to the evidence that Russia plans to occupy as much of Ukraine and control as many Ukrainians as it can for as long as it can, and take more if possible.

"Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are being detained across Russia and the Ukrainian territories it occupies, in centers ranging from brand-new wings in Russian prisons to clammy basements. Most have no status under Russian law," the report says. "And Russia is planning to hold possibly thousands more."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-rebellion- alliance-war/32503454.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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Status Of Wagner Mercenaries Unclear As Putin Comments On His Offer To Troops

By RFE/RL July 14, 2023

The Kremlin has refused to elaborate on the future of the Wagner mercenary group after Russian President Vladimir Putin said the private military company, which mounted a short-lived mutiny last month, has operated without a legal basis.

"There is no law on private military organizations. It simply doesn't exist," Putin told the Russian newspaper Kommersant three weeks after a brief revolt that posed the most serious threat to the Russian leader's 23-year rule.

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov in a conference call with reporters refused to elaborate when asked about Putin's comments to Kommersant in an interview published on July 14.

While the Kremlin said there was no legal entity named Wagner and the legal status of such companies was a complicated one that required consideration, it has previously admitted the government has paid the group billions of rubles.

Putin told Kommersant that he offered the private military company the option of continuing to serve as a single unit under their same commander, who goes by the call sign "Gray Hair" and has led the private army in Ukraine for 16 months.

The commander, Andrei Troshev, is a retired military officer who has played a leading role in Wagner since its creation in 2014 and faced European Union sanctions over his role in Syria as the group's executive director.

"All of them could have gathered in one place and continued to serve," Putin told the newspaper, "And nothing would have changed for them. They would have been led by the same person who had been their real commander all along."

Putin had previously said Wagner troops had to choose whether to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry, move to Belarus, or retire.

Putin emphasized in the interview that "rank-and-file soldiers of Wagner have fought honorably" in Ukraine, adding that "it's a cause for regret that they were drawn" into the mutiny.

Putin's remarks appeared to be part of efforts to denigrate Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin while trying to maintain control over Wagner mercenaries and secure their loyalty. The fate of Prigozhin remains unclear.

Putin described a Kremlin meeting attended by 35 Wagner commanders, including Prigozhin, on June 29, five days after the rebellion. He said he offered them alternatives for future service, and many signaled their approval, but Prigozhin did not.

Putin didn't mention where and in what numbers Wagner could be deployed under his offer or say what proposal the forces eventually accepted, if any.

Some of the mercenaries were shown on July 14 in a Belarusian state TV broadcast instructing soldiers in Belarus at a military range southeast of Minsk.

The broadcast showed Wagner instructors training Belarusian territorial defense forces at a firing range about 90 kilometers southeast of Minsk.

"Wagner fighters acted as instructors in a number of military disciplines," the Belarusian Defense Ministry's television channel said. State news agency BelTa also reported that Wagner troops were training Belarusian soldiers.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry didn't say how many Wagner troops were in Belarus or specify whether more will follow. Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has previously said it was up to Prigozhin and the Russian government to decide whether to move to Belarus.

Lukashenka, who brokered the deal to end the rebellion in exchange for an amnesty for Prigozhin and his men and permission for them to move to Belarus, has said Prigozhin is in Russia, while Wagner's troops are in their field camps.

With reporting by Reuters and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-wagner- mercenaries-status-unclear-putin-comments/32504002.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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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's response to a question from The International Affairs magazine on the activity of private military companies in the United States, Great Britain and France

14 July 2023 17:23

1422-14-07-2023

Question: Private military companies operating in different countries have been a widely discussed issue lately. American, British and French private military companies are mentioned most often. Does Russia have any information about this? What would be your comment?

Maria Zakharova: Indeed, with every year, private military companies are more actively involved in many armed conflicts around the world. The Russian Foreign Ministry systematically collects and analyses related information and the results of this analysis can be found on the ministry's website.

It is a well-known fact that the United States, Great Britain and France are actively using private military companies abroad. Technically speaking, these companies have the status of commercial entities that provide security and defence services, but in reality, they consist of mercenaries with a wealth of experience in combat operations on the territory of various states.

Therefore, effectively, the reality significantly diverges from the declared noble goals of private military companies. It is completely baseless for the management of US, British or French private military companies to appeal to their noble mission of protecting the people of the countries where these companies operate. As a matter of fact, Western military corporations often choose specific regions of the world based on whether they have large deposits of natural resources. The ambiguous status of private military companies under international law, their non-transparent funding and other factors only add fuel to the fire.

Recently, foreign private military companies have been most active in the zone of Russia's special military operation. Their involvement in Ukrainian neo-Nazis' crimes is beyond doubt. Moreover, private military companies offer their services for training service personnel for the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the territory of Eastern European countries.

I would like to remind foreigners fighting on the Kiev regime's side and the national governments covering them that Western mercenaries in the special military operation zone are legitimate targets for our troops and these targets are hit regularly and successfully.

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Ukraine Claims Advances In South As Forces In East Hold Back Russian 'Onslaught'

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service July 14, 2023

The Ukrainian military says its troops are advancing in the southern Zaporizhzhya region and restraining an "onslaught" by the Russian Army on the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions in the east.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces said in its evening summary on July 14 that the enemy carried out 43 air strikes and launched 17 attacks from rocket salvo systems. It said the Russian military would continue to focus its main efforts on areas around Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka, and heavy fighting is ongoing. About 20 combat clashes took place during the day.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy referred to the fighting in his nightly address, telling Ukrainians that they must realize that Russian forces in the south and east are deploying all possible resources to stop Ukrainian soldiers from advancing.

"We must all understand very clearly, as clearly as possible, that Russian forces in our southern and eastern lands are doing everything they can in order to stop our soldiers," Zelenskiy said after chairing a meeting with top commanders.

"And every thousand meters we advance, every success of every combat brigade deserves our gratitude," he said.

Several Ukrainian regions declared an air-raid alert earlier on July 14 as Russia unleashed a fresh round of Iranian-made drones, causing damage and injuries, regional officials said.

Six drones were shot down by the Ukrainian air defenses over the industrial city of Kryviy Rih in the southern region of Dnipropetrovsk, regional Governor Serhiy Lysak said on Telegram.

"However, it was not possible to destroy all drones, and a utility company was damaged in Kryviy Rih," Lysak wrote, adding that a local transport company and several buildings were also damaged in the city, while special industrial equipment was destroyed. A 56-year-old man suffered light injuries, Lysak said.

The head of the Kryviy Rih Defense Council, Oleksandr Vilkul, said on Telegram that despite the damage, utilities in the city were working.

The Ukrainian air defense said that it shot down 16 of the 17 Iranian-made drones used by Russia in the attack.

The fourth consecutive day of Russian drone strikes came a day after at least two people were killed, several were wounded, and material damage was caused in Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions.

The Pentagon, meanwhile, said on July 13 that the Wagner mercenary group, whose members had fought some of the harshest and bloodiest battles in the Bakhmut area, was not taking part in military operations in Ukraine in any significant way following a brief armed mutiny that the group staged in Russia more than two weeks ago.

"At this stage, we do not see Wagner forces participating in any significant capacity in support of combat operations in Ukraine," Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said.

In the aftermath of the June 23-24 mutiny, Wagner fighters were reportedly offered the option of going into exile, joining Russia's regular forces, or disbanding.

In a boost for its firepower as it conducts counteroffensive operations in several areas of the front, the Ukrainian military said it had received cluster munitions pledged by the United States.

"We just got them, we haven't used them yet," General Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, the head of Ukraine's southern command, said in an interview with CNN, referring to the controversial cluster munitions. He added that Russian forces understand that this will give Ukraine an advantage and "radically change" the battlefield situation.

The United States last week said it would deliver cluster bombs to Ukraine despite concerns over the long-term risk to civilians.

Ukrainian forces will not deploy the weapon in heavily populated areas, Tarnavskiy said.

Germany on July 13 said that additional military aid, including ammunition and Gepard self-propelled antiaircraft guns, was on its way to Ukraine. A government statement said Germany's "security-capacity-building initiative" now amounted to 5.4 billion euros ($6.1 billion) in 2023.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-drones- kriviy-rih/32503194.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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As Black Sea Grain Deal's Expiration Looms, Zelenskiy Enlists South African President

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service July 14, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called for the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative as he invited South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to join what he called a humanitarian initiative to export Ukrainian grain.

Zelenskiy said in his evening address on July 13 that a continuation of the initiative, which is set to expire on July 17, was necessary.

"It is very important that there are no threats to food security anywhere in the world. And Russia must clearly realize that anyone who increases the threat of famine, particularly in critical regions of Africa, is terrorizing the whole world with hunger," he said.

Zelenskiy said he spoke with Ramaphosa on July 13 and that they both agreed it was "vital" to extend the Black Sea deal.

The deal allows the safe export of grain and fertilizers from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports to help alleviate a global food crisis worsened by Moscow's invasion and blockade of the ports. It was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey last year and has been extended multiple times. Moscow has again threatened to walk away from the deal, saying its demands have not been met.

The European Commission is helping the UN and Turkey try to extend the deal and is open to "explore all solutions," a European Union spokesperson said on July 13.

The EU is considering allowing a subsidiary of the Russian Agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) to use the international payment network SWIFT to allow for grain and fertilizer transactions, sources familiar with discussions told Reuters on July 12.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed in a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow allow the Black Sea grain deal to continue for several months to give the EU time to connect a Rosselkhozbank subsidiary to SWIFT, two of those sources told Reuters.

During a visit to Brussels on July 13, Guterres told reporters that he had not yet received a response from Russia. He said his letter to Putin contained "concrete proposals that I hope can allow us to find a positive way forward."

According to TASS, Putin said he had not seen the letter from Guterres but said Russia was in contact with UN officials.

"We are thinking about how to proceed, there are still a few days," Putin said in an interview with state television.

He said there was a possibility of suspending Russia's participation in the agreement until the promises made to Moscow under the deal were realized.

Putin said that "not one" of Moscow's conditions for the deal to function had been met.

A Kremlin spokesman later said that Russia had not made a final decision on whether to exit the grain deal.

Moscow has insisted from the start that in exchange for its cooperation it wants obstacles to exports of Russia's own food and fertilizer lifted. 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.

Guterres said the UN's partnership with the EU on this and other issues was essential to "rebuilding trust with the developing world...and we don't have a moment to lose."

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who met with Guterres in Brussels, said, "The ball is in President Putin's court" on whether to extend the deal.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-grain- russia-zelenskiy-ramaphosa/32503159.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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Every thousand meters of advancement, every success of each of our combat brigades deserves gratitude - address by the President of Ukraine

President of Ukraine

14 July 2023 - 19:53

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today's key points.

I held a very detailed meeting of the Staff, focused primarily on the frontline. The situation in all key areas of action - both defense against Russian assaults and our active steps forward. Plus everything that is important for this. Shells, weapons, equipment. The rational use of shells, supplies from partners and our own Ukrainian production. Logistics.

As always at the Staff, there were reports from our commanders: The Commander-in-Chief, the commanders of operational directions... Zaluzhny, Syrsky, Tarnavsky... Commanders from specific areas of the frontline. And also Minister of Internal Affairs Klymenko. Head of the Border Guard Service Deyneko. There was an important report by Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate Budanov on the situation in Belarus - we are closely monitoring what is happening there in terms of security. As of today, there are no large-scale threats. Our full focus is on the frontline.

We must all understand very clearly - as clearly as possible - that the Russian forces on our southern and eastern lands are investing everything they can to stop our warriors. And every thousand meters of advance, every success of each of our combat brigades deserves gratitude. Everyone who goes on the offensive, everyone who repels enemy attacks, are doing a great job, and I am grateful to each of our warriors!

This week we have not yet finished the planned international work. There will be important negotiations for Ukraine. And we are already preparing for the coming weeks. We will not reduce our international activity for a single day, in particular with regard to the Peace Formula, security guarantees for Ukraine on its way to NATO, and agreements with partners on weapons for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. We are also preparing new NSDC decisions on sanctions.

I continue meetings on the transformation of Ukraine. Today it concerned military education. All the experience of our warriors, all the competencies acquired by Ukrainians in the war, our new defense experience shared with our partners - all this must be integrated into the updated Ukrainian military education.

It is clear that this industry at the state level deserves a significant upgrade. And it is very important that those who are actually defending our country and are already training our country's defenders be involved in the discussion of such an upgrade.

And one more thing.

Today, I took part in a conversation in America - at a conference with the heads of the largest and most promising global companies and major philanthropists. Investments, jobs in Ukraine, support for our country and people... Ukrainians have now realized the enormous potential of our country. All of it is aimed at our defense. But when we end the war, Ukrainian potential must be invested in Ukrainian development. The world is waiting with great interest to see what this development will be like, what the victorious Ukraine will bring to the world. And this is a question for everyone in Ukraine who works for the state, who plans to work for the state... everyone should ask themselves this question now. And find answers.

Ukraine has become a global force. And it should become a force for global development. I am confident that it will.

Glory to all those who are fighting for Ukraine! I thank everyone who defends our country!

Glory to Ukraine!

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Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine met with the Indian delegation headed by Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs of India

President of Ukraine

14 July 2023 - 15:00

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with the Indian delegation headed by Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs of India Sanjay Verma.

During the meeting, the Head of the Presidential Office thanked India for its support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He also expressed gratitude for the participation of Sanjay Verma in the consultations of national security advisors held in the Ukraine - G7 - Global South format in Copenhagen on June 25 this year and invited the Indian side to join the next meeting in this format.

"We plan to continue this format of discussion. It is very important to hear opinions on each point of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. We share the philosophy of each of the points of our Formula to prepare general conclusions," said Andriy Yermak.

In the framework of the meeting, the parties discussed ways to intensify bilateral cooperation between the two states and paid special attention to further steps to promote the Ukrainian Peace Formula.

The Head of the Office of the President congratulated his interlocutor on India's Presidency of the G19 and expressed hope for fruitful cooperation to achieve concrete results in ensuring global security.

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Latest in Ukraine: US Secretary of State Blinken Urges Russia to Extend Black Sea Grain Deal

By VOA News July 14, 2023

Latest developments:

The British Defense Ministry said Friday that Russia's recent announcement that its nuclear-powered submarines will not participate in the Navy Day fleet review in St. Petersburg on July 30 is "likely primarily due to" maintenance and availability concerns. The ministry added, though, there's "a realistic possibility that internal security concerns, since Wagner Group's attempted mutiny, have contributed to the decision."

European Union finance ministers on Friday unanimously backed extra funds for Ukraine. The European Commission has proposed increasing the EU's budget until 2027 by $74.11 billion.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday urged Russia to extend the Black Sea grain deal set to expire on Monday.

"If Moscow follows through on its threat, developing countries including in the region will pay the price, including quite literally with higher food prices, as well as greater food scarcity," Blinken told reporters after the Southeast Asian talks ended in Jakarta. Top diplomats from China, the United States and Russia were among those who gathered for diplomatic discussions.

So far, Russia has not made any statements regarding an extension of the Black Sea grain deal, the Interfax news agency reported Friday, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Earlier Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly said he was in agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin that the deal allowing the export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea corridor should be extended. However, Reuters reports that Erdogan's comments were misconstrued as suggesting a deal had been reached to extend the deal, which expires Monday.

Russia has said it would agree to extend the deal only if its conditions are met regarding its implementation.

During the press conference Friday at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Jakarta, Blinken also said Russia is showing no indication of backpedaling on the course of its war on Ukraine.

The U.S. secretary of state said there was no indication that Russia was willing to engage in meaningful diplomacy on the war it launched on its neighbor in February 2022.

"I didn't hear anything from Foreign Minister [Sergey] Lavrov that suggested any change in direction when it comes to what Russia is doing in Ukraine." He noted that instead, Russia was focused on blaming the U.S. for the world's problems.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said separately that Lavrov had "aggressively" rejected a call to withdraw troops from Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Lavrov said the war would not end until the West "gives up its plans to preserve its domination," including its "obsessive desire" to defeat Russia strategically.

Wagner Group

Belarus said on Friday that fighters from the Wagner mercenary group were training Belarusian soldiers at a military range southeast of Minsk. Two sources close to the fighters told Reuters the mercenaries have been stationed near the Belarusian capital since last Tuesday. This is the first indication that at least part of a deal to end a mutiny in Russia may be in effect.

In an effort to secure Wagner fighters' loyalty after their aborted revolt against the Kremlin's brass, Putin offered the military company the option of continuing to serve as a single unit under a commander, Andrei Troshev.

He is a retired military officer who has played a leading role in Wagner since its creation in 2014 and has faced European Union sanctions over his role in Syria as the group's executive director. Troshev goes by the call sign "Gray Hair." Putin made these comments Friday in an interview with top Russian newspaper Kommersant.

Putin previously said Wagner troops had to choose whether to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry, move to neighboring Belarus, or retire from service.

There has been no news about Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin's whereabouts since the short-lived revolt on June 24, though a private jet linked to him has moved between Belarus, Moscow and St. Petersburg.

President Joe Biden on Thursday said the United States was unsure where Prigozhin was but joked that the mercenary chief could be cautious.

"If I were him, I'd be careful what I ate. I'd be keeping my eye on my menu," Biden said, according to White House. "But all kidding aside ... I don't think any of us know for sure what the future of Prigozhin is in Russia."

Russian strikes

Russian attacks killed at least three Ukrainian civilians and wounded another 38, Ukraine's presidential office reported Thursday.

The government in Kyiv said Russian forces targeted 13 cities and villages under Russian control in the partially occupied eastern Donetsk region with airstrikes, missiles and heavy artillery.

In the Zaporizhzhia region, also partly Russian occupied, Ukraine said 21 people were injured by drone debris on Wednesday, and that fires broke out in Kherson after Russian shelling.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said their air defenses shot down 20 Iranian-made drones fired by Russia that targeted the Kyiv region. But they said wreckage from the drones fell on four districts of the capital early Thursday, hospitalizing two people with shrapnel wounds and destroying several homes.

The interior ministry said firefighters extinguished a blaze in a 16-story apartment building and another fire in a nonresidential building. Debris also smashed into the front of a 25-story apartment building.

The latest wave was the third consecutive night in which the drones were used in attacks on Kyiv.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blender Bites Ltd. (the Company, Blender Bites or Blender), (CSE: BITE, FWB: JL4, WKN: A3DMEJ), is proud to announce it has achieved record-breaking revenues for the month of June, 2023.



Revenue in the month of June, based on orders received and delivered within the month, reached $918,509.00, with related expense for the same period of $611,498, representing a 32% gross profit margin, and the Companys largest month in sales to date. The record-breaking revenues in June surpassed the Companys previous all-time high revenue, demonstrating a continued and growing demand for Blender Bites products in the market. The Companys progression is evident with this historic month of sales, and its looking forward to the next chapter with the full US rollout coming soon.

Blender Bites remains committed to meeting the increased sales demand, enhancing gross margins, and advancing towards profitability in 2024. The Companys strategic focus on delivering high-quality, organic, and plant-based functional foods continues to resonate with consumers seeking healthier and convenient options.

Blender Bites is steadfast in its mission to provide premium, nutritious, and sustainable food choices, while delivering outstanding value to its customers. The Company's commitment to excellence, coupled with its innovative product offerings, is helping to position Blender Bites as a leading player in the functional food industry.

We are thrilled to announce our record-breaking revenue for the month of June, and this momentum sets a promising tone for the upcoming quarter and beyond, as we forge ahead with our full US rollout. This remarkable growth not only showcases the increasing demand for Blender Bites premium, organic, and plant-based functional foods but also underscores the potential for our Companys future growth. We remain dedicated to meeting the rising sales demands, optimizing both gross and contribution margins, and committing tour plan of hitting positive EBITDA by mid 2024, stated Chelsie Hodge, Blender Bites Founder and CEO.

The Company cautions that the above figures for revenue have not been audited and are based upon calculations prepared by the Companys financial management team. Actual results may differ from those reported in this release once these figures have been audited.

ABOUT BLENDER BITES

Blender Bites is a multi award-winning Canadian company involved in the development and marketing of a line of premium, frozen functional food and beverages. Blender Bites products are made with organic ingredients, non-GMO, gluten free, dairy free and soy free. Blender Bites was founded in 2016 and first launched to market in Western Canada in 2017 with a pre-portioned 1-Step Smoothie product that is free of any unnecessary inner plastic packaging. Blender Bites products are now distributed internationally across Canada and the US, and are currently sold in over 1000 stores, including Walmart, Sobeys, Loblaws, Safeway, Save on Foods, Real Canadian Superstore, Whole Foods Market, Buy-Low/Nesters, IGA, and Thriftys.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Blender Bites Limited

Chelsie Hodge, Chief Executive Officer

Email  chelsie@blenderbites.com

Telephone  236-521-0626

For further information, contact Blender IR Team at:

Email  investors@blenderbites.com

Telephone  1-888-997-2055

Media Contact  teamblenderbites@jonesworks.com

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including with respect to the success of the Companys further expansion into the United States consumer market, expectations regarding sustained and continued growth and expected profitability and EBITDA growth. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon several 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. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political, and social uncertainties, and uncertain capital markets. Readers are cautioned that 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. 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.
NEW ORLEANS, July 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC (KSF), announces that KSF has commenced an investigation into loanDepot, Inc. (NYSE: LDI).



In February 2021, the Company, an independent non-bank retail mortgage lender that provides residential and refinance loans, and personal loan products, to borrowers, completed its initial public offering (IPO). On September 21, 2021, the Companys former COO filed a wrongful termination and retaliation lawsuit against the Company, revealing allegations of a wide-ranging illegal scheme conducted to fraudulently inflate the Companys value, including closing loans without required documentation and wrongful collection of double interest from borrowers, among other things.

The Company has been sued in a securities class action lawsuit for failing to disclose material information, violating federal securities laws. Recently, the court presiding over that case denied the Companys motion to dismiss, allowing the case to move forward.

KSFs investigation is focusing on whether loanDepots officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties to its shareholders or otherwise violated state or federal laws.

If you have information that would assist KSF in its investigation, or have been a long-term holder of loanDepot shares and would like to discuss your legal rights, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-833-938-0905 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-ldi/ to learn more.

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 ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:
Sacramento, CCA, July 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- It has been reported that in July 2023, the technology industry witnessed a major breakthrough with the release of WorldBrain by OpenAI Research Institute. This project is considered a significant milestone in the field of artificial intelligence, marking the advent of the Strong AI era for humanity.



WorldBrain is a promising and valuable technological innovation that integrates artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and blockchain technology, creating an unprecedented digital artificial intelligence neural network.

Firstly, WorldBrain integrates human wisdom and experiences into an open platform, providing limitless possibilities for science, art, education, and innovation. In the near future, WorldBrain is expected to become every individual's second brain, as well as the soul of all robots and intelligent Internet of Things devices, driving another leap in creativity and productivity for human society.

Secondly, WorldBrain pioneers a new era for the community of human wisdom. Humans will no longer be limited by individual thinking, as this digital artificial intelligence neural network gathers everyone's intelligence through distributed computing, forming a shared and collaborative community of wisdom. This will foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange on a global scale, accelerating the resolution of global challenges and providing infinite innovative momentum for future technological advancements.

However, with the emergence of this groundbreaking technology, there are also notable concerns to address. Privacy and security issues have become a focal point of public attention. The OpenAI Research Institute must ensure the security of the WorldBrain platform and protect user privacy by implementing effective measures to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. Furthermore, strict ethical guidelines and regulatory mechanisms should be established to ensure the ethical use and fair development of this emerging technology.

Despite facing some challenges, the emergence of WorldBrain will undoubtedly bring tremendous impetus to the future of human technology. This innovative project will break through traditional thinking and lead humanity towards a more intelligent, interconnected, and innovative future. It will drive the integration of artificial intelligence, neuroscience, virtual reality, and other fields, revolutionizing human technology.

As WorldBrain continues to evolve, we can foresee its widespread application in various fields. In the medical field, scientists can leverage WorldBrain to share and compare research findings and medical data worldwide, accelerating disease treatment and prevention. In the field of education, students can access the latest knowledge and educational resources through WorldBrain, enabling personalized learning and global collaboration. In the art field, artists can explore, collaborate, and showcase their work in virtual creative spaces, transcending the boundaries of traditional art.

In conclusion, WorldBrain, as a major breakthrough, will usher in a new chapter in the development of human technology. It will drive the collective intelligence and global cooperation of humanity, leading us towards a more intelligent, interconnected, and innovative future. As this project continues to evolve, we will embrace a digitized world full of infinite possibilities.





Company: OpenAI Artificial Intelligence Research Institute Inc

Contact Person: Ben

Email: info@worldbrains.org

Website: www.worldbrains.org

Telephone: 18008294933

City: Sacramento

Disclaimer:

This announcement is not directed at any investors or potential investors, and does not constitute an offer to sell  or a solicitation of an offer to buy  any securities, and may not be used or relied upon in evaluating the merits of any investment. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects and/or opinions expressed in this release are subject to change without notice. The contents in here should not be construed as or relied upon in any manner as investment, legal, tax, or other advice.
The Georgia Lake Lithium Project is located in the Thunder Bay Lithium District, 2 km east of Rock Tech Lithium Inc.s (TSXV: RCK) advanced lithium project

Victorys just completed work program resulted in the discovery of a previously unmapped intrusive body and feldspar porphyry encountered at the southeast corner of the property

The significance of the newly noted features is that they show the potential of the property to host previously unmapped intrusives - including pegmatites

VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA, July 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Victory Battery Metals Corp. (CSE: VR) (FWB: VR61) (OTC: VRCFF) (Victory or the Company) is pleased to provide its shareholders with an update on the Companys recently completed work program on its Georgia Lake Lithium property in Ontarios proven and highly accessible Thunder Bay Lithium district.

Victorys exploration team has recently completed its summer work program on its Georgia Lake Lithium property and have identified a previously unmapped intrusive unit, a feldspar porphyry, and granitic rock trending towards the property (Fig. 1). The significance of the newly noted discoveries is that they show the potential of the property to host previously unmapped intrusives (including pegmatites). There is one belt of intrusives striking northeast towards the property from the Rock Tech ground and two other granitic belts mapped as approaching the property from the east. From all indications, the newly found intrusive body is on trend with the southern of those granitic belts.

The exploration team took a total of 62 soil and till samples. The bulk of the samples taken were commonly taken from 0.5 m depth along several east west lines across the southern part of the property. These lines are perpendicular to the dominant ice flow direction and down ice from the inferred intrusive trends. Some deeper till samples and a large, screened stream sediment were also taken. This sampling is intended to be an orientation survey towards a more thorough till sampling program.

Pending lab assays from the just completed work program the company will finalize the next phase of development.

ABOUT THE GEORGIA LAKE LITHIUM PROJECT, THUNDER BAY LITHIUM DISTRICT, ONTARIO

The Georgia Lake Lithium Project is located in the Thunder Bay District, Ontario. The property is easily accessible, ranging anywhere from 1-3 km from Trans-Canada Highway, midway between Nipigon and Beardmore, Ontario; 14 km from Beardmore, which is a hub for the mining industry in Northern Ontario. Victorys Georgia Lake property is 2 km east of Rock Tech Resources advanced lithium project within the Georgia Lake lithium District. In addition to external access, much of the project area is accessible through a recently developed network of logging roads, which will benefit Victory in terms of lower exploration costs.

The technical information contained in this news release in relation to the Stingray, Georgia Lake, and Tahlo Lake Properties has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Helgi Sigurgeirson, Victory Geologist, who is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Ireton, President

Telephone: +1 (236) 317 2822 or TOLL FREE 1 (855) 665-GOLD (4653)

E-mail: info@victorybatterymetals.com

About Victory Battery Metals Corp.

VICTORY BATTERY METALS CORP. (CSE: VR) is a publicly traded diversified investment corporation with mineral interests in North America. The company is also actively seeking other exploration opportunities.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.

Attachment
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Vancouver, July 14, 2023 - Getchell Gold Corp. (CSE: GTCH) (OTCQB: GGLDF) ("Getchell" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the second tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering (the "Offering") by issuing 638,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.20 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $127,600 (the "Second Tranche"). Together with the first tranche of the Offering, the Company issued an aggregate of 4,925,500 Units for gross proceeds of $985,100.

Each Unit consists of one common share and one-half of one warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant") of the Company. Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional common share at a price of $0.35 per share for a period of two years from the date of closing.

The proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for exploration and development of the Company's properties and general working capital.

In connection with the Second Tranche, the Company paid finder's fees in the amount of $4,800 and issued an aggregate of 24,000 finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants"). Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.35 per share for a period of two years from the date of closing.

The securities to be issued in connection with the Second Tranche are subject to a statutory four-month hold period expiring on November 15, 2023, in accordance with applicable securities laws.

One officer of the Company participated in the Second Tranche in the amount of $27,600. The transaction with the officer, who is an insider of the Company, constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemptions under section 5.5(a) and section 5.7(1)(a) from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the Units issued to the related party and the consideration paid by the related party under the Second Tranche does not exceed 25% of Company's market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Second Tranche, as the details of the participation by related party of the Company were not settled until shortly prior to closing of the Second Tranche.

The Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 325,000 stock options to certain consultants of the Company. The stock options are exercisable into common shares at $0.20 per share for a period of five years.

The securities offered 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 applicable exemption from the registration requirements.

About Getchell Gold Corp.

The Company is a Nevada focused gold and copper exploration company trading on the CSE: GTCH and OTCQB: GGLDF. Getchell Gold is primarily directing its efforts on its most advanced stage asset, Fondaway Canyon, a past gold producer with a significant in-the-ground historic resource estimate. Complementing Getchell's asset portfolio is Dixie Comstock, a past gold producer with a historic resource and two earlier stage exploration projects, Star (Cu-Au-Ag) and Hot Springs Peak (Au). Getchell has the option to acquire 100% of the Fondaway Canyon and Dixie Comstock properties, Churchill County, Nevada.

For further information please visit the Company's website at www.getchellgold.com or contact the Company at info@getchellgold.com.

Mr. William Wagener, Chairman & CEO

Getchell Gold Corp.

1-647-249-4798

info@getchellgold.com

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 contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the use of proceeds. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including: use of proceeds from the financing. Although management of Getchell have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173621
/NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES WIRE SERVICES/

VANCOUVER, July 14, 2023 - Rhyolite Resources Ltd. (the "Corporation") reports that it has changed its auditor from KPMG LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, Toronto, Ontario ("Former Auditor") to Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, Vancouver, BC ("Successor Auditor").

At the request of the Company, the Former Auditor resigned as the auditor of the Corporation effective July 11, 2023 and the Board of Directors of the Corporation appointed the Successor Auditor as the Corporation's auditor effective July 11, 2023, to hold office until the next annual meeting of the Corporation.

There were no reservations in the Former Auditor's audit reports for any financial period during which the Former Auditor was the Corporation's auditor. There are no "reportable events" (as the term is defined in National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations) between the Corporation and the Former Auditor.

In accordance with National Instrument 51-102, the Notice of Change of Auditor, together with the required letters from the Former Auditor and the Successor Auditor, have been reviewed by the Corporation's Audit Committee and Board of Directors and will be filed on SEDAR accordingly.

SOURCE Rhyolite Resources Ltd.
VANCOUVER, July 14, 2023 -

TSX VENTURE COMPANIES

DECISIVE DIVIDEND CORPORATION ("DE")

BULLETIN TYPE: Declaration of Dividend

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

The Issuer has declared the following dividend:



Dividend per common share: $0.04

Payable Date: August 15, 2023

Record Date: July 31, 2023

Ex-dividend Date: July 28, 2023

________________________________________

FRX INNOVATIONS INC. ("FRXI") ("FRXI.WT")

BULLETIN TYPE: Reinstated for Trading

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Further to the TSX Venture Exchange Bulletin dated July 13, 2023, the Exchange has been advised that the Cease Trade Order issued by the Ontario Securities Commission dated July 12, 2023 has been revoked.

Effective at the opening, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, trading will be reinstated in the securities of the Company.

_________________________________________________

LOGAN ENERGY CORP. ("LGN")

BULLETIN TYPE: New Listing-Shares, Private Placement-Non-Brokered

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 1 Company

New Listing-Shares

Effective at the opening, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, the shares of the Company will commence trading on TSX Venture Exchange. The Company is classified as an 'Oil and Gas Exploration Development' company.

On June 20, 2023, pursuant to a Conveyance Agreement, Spartan Delta Corp. transferred certain oil and gas assets in the Pouce Coupe and Simonette areas of northwest Alberta and the Flatrock area in northeast British Columbia to Logan Energy Corp. Logan issued 173,201,341 shares and 173,201,341 warrants to Spartan shareholders. The warrants are exercisable for 1 additional Company share at $0.35 per share until July 31, 2023.

The Company's Listing Application dated July 12, 2023, has been filed with and accepted by TSX Venture Exchange.

71,029,030 common shares issued to Principals are subject to a Tier 1 Value Security Escrow Agreement to be released over an 18-month period upon listing.

Private Placement-Non-Brokered

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement of Logan units announced by Spartan on March 28, 2023:

Number of Shares: 64,286,100 shares

Purchase Price: $0.35 per share

Warrants: 64,286,100 share purchase warrants to purchase 64,286,100 shares

Warrant Exercise Price: $0.35 for a five year period

Number of Placees: 62 placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation:



Name # of Placees # of Shares Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement 12 29,425,995 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement N/A N/A



Private Placement-Non-Brokered

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement of Logan shares announced by Spartan on March 28, 2023:

Number of Shares: 74,259,080 shares

Purchase Price: $0.35 per share

Number of Placees: 271 placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation:



Name # of Placees # of Shares Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement 11 30,570,100 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement N/A N/A Corporate Jurisdiction: Alberta Capitalization: unlimited common shares with no par value of which

311,746,522 common shares are issued and outstanding Escrowed Shares: 71,029,030 common shares Transfer Agent: Odyssey Trust Company Trading Symbol: LGN (new) CUSIP Number: 540899 10 1 (new) Company Contact: Ashley Hohm

Vice-President Finance and Chief Financial Officer Company Address: 1500, 308 - 4th Avenue SW

Calgary, AB T2P 0H7 Company Phone Number: (587) 770-2020 Company Email Address: ahohm@loganenergycorp.com

__________________________________

23/07/14 - TSX Venture Exchange Bulletins

TSX VENTURE COMPANIES

Adventus Mining Corp. ("ADZN")

BULLETIN TYPE: Halt

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Effective at 9:43 a.m. PST, July 14, 2023, trading in the shares of the Company was halted, pending news; this regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules.

________________________________________

ALUULA COMPOSITES INC. ("AUUA")

BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Brokered

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Brokered Private Placement announced on June 19, 2023:

Number of Shares: 24,489,953 shares

Purchase Price: $0.15 per share

Warrants: 24,489,953 share purchase warrants to purchase 24,489,953 shares

Warrant Exercise Price: $0.25 for a two-year period from the date of issuance.

Number of Placees: 75 placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation:









Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Shares





Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: 22 9,378,302 common shares



Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Options Agent's Fee: $ 404,084,23 N/A 1,469,397



Compensation Option Terms: Each compensation option entitles the holder to purchase one unit at $0.15 per unit. Each unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant, with each warrant exercisable at the price of $0.25 for a period of two years from the date of issuance.

Corporate Finance Fee Units: 918,375 corporate finance fee units issued to the agent at closing on the same term as the offering

Pursuant to Corporate Finance Policy 4.1, Section 1.9(e), the Company issued a news release on July 12, 2023, announcing the closing of the private placement and setting out the expiry dates of the hold period(s).

Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.

_________________________________________

BULGOLD INC. ("ZLTO")

BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on May 11, 2023:

Number of Shares: 7,366,831 shares

Purchase Price: $0.30 per share

Warrants: 3,683,413 share purchase warrants to purchase 3,683,413 shares

Warrant Exercise Price: $0.40 until December 23, 2024

Number of Placees: 37 placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation:









Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Shares





Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: 5 2,555,000 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: 3 533,333



Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Finder's Fee: $84,528.49 N/A 281,759 Warrants



Finder's Warrants Terms: Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at the price of $0.40 until December 23, 2024.

The Company issued a news release on July 7, 2023, confirming closing of the private placement. Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.

________________________________________

CLEAN SEED CAPITAL GROUP LTD. ("CSX")

BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Debt

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue a total of 375,565 shares at a deemed price of $0.12 per share to settle outstanding debt for $45,067.80.

Number of Creditors: 3 Creditors

Non-Arm's Length Party / Pro Group Participation:









Creditors # of Creditors Amount Owing Deemed Price per Share Aggregate # of Shares









Aggregate Non-Arm's Length Party Involvement: 1 $10,054.20 $0.12 83,785 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: 1 $26,038.32 $0.12 216,986



The Company shall issue a news release when the shares are issued and the debt extinguished.

________________________________________

GRAPHITE ONE INC. ("GPH")

BULLETIN TYPE: Halt

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Effective at 11:40 a.m. PST, July 13, 2023, trading in the shares of the Company was halted, pending news; this regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules.

________________________________________

IBC ADVANCED ALLOYS CORP. ("IB")

BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Debt

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 3,200,000 shares at $0.075 to settle outstanding debt for $240,000.

Number of Creditors: 4 Creditors

Insider / Pro Group Participation:

Insider=Y / Amount Deemed Price

Creditor Progroup=P Owing per Share # of Shares 4 Y $240,000 $0.075 3,200,000



For further detail refer to the Company's news release dated June 23, 2023.

________________________________________

Inventus Mining Corp. ("IVS")

BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced May 5, 2023:

Number of Shares: 3,157,895 flow-through common shares

Purchase Price: $0.095 per flow-through common share

Warrants: 1,578,947 share purchase warrants to purchase 1,578,947 common shares

Warrant Exercise Price: $0.15 for a period of three years

Number of Placees: 1 Placee

Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term. The Company issued a news release on May 5, 2023 confirming closing of the private placement.

________________________________________

JZR GOLD INC. ("JZR")

BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Bonuses

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 300,000 bonus shares to 3 arm's length parties, in consideration of 4 loans in the total amount of $1,000,000 for a term of one year, and bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum.

________________________________________

Mantaro Precious Metals Corp. ("MNTR")

BULLETIN TYPE: Resume Trading

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

Effective at 6:30 a.m. PST, Aug. 14, 2023, shares of the Company resumed trading, an announcement having been made.

________________________________________

NEVGOLD CORP. ("NAU")

BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Debt

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 4,109,589 common shares to settle outstanding debt for $1,500,000.

Number of Creditors: 1 Creditor

Non-Arm's Length Party / Pro Group Participation:









Creditors # of Creditors Amount Owing Deemed Price per Share Aggregate # of Shares









Aggregate Non-Arm's Length Party Involvement: 1 $1,500,000 $0.365 4,109,589



The Company issued a news release on July 13, 2023 that the shares are issued and the debt extinguished.

________________________________________

PLURILOCK SECURITY INC. ("PLUR")

BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement Non-Brokered; Amendment

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 1 Company

Further to TSX Venture Exchange Bulletin dated July 05, 2023, the Company advises that the following information is amended:

Number of Shares: 11,457,276 shares

Warrants: 11,457,276 share purchase warrants to purchase 11,457,276 shares

Number of Placees: 68 placees



Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Finder's Fee: $ 61,096.37 N/A 421,354



Pursuant to Corporate Finance Policy 4.1, Section 1.9(e), the Company issued a news releases on June 22, 2023, June 28, 2023 and July 12, 2023, announcing the closing of each tranche of the private placement and setting out the expiry dates of the hold period(s).

Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.

All other details remain unchanged.

_______________________________________

SPC NICKEL CORP. ("SPC")

BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on June 1, 2023:

Number of Shares: 1) 17,029,961 flow through shares

2) 5,285,888 non flow through shares

Purchase Price: 1) $0.105 per share

2) $0.09 per share

Number of Placees: 43 placees

Insider / Pro Group Participation:









Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Shares





Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: 2 155,555 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: 4 1,550,000



Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Finder's Fee: $96,546.65 N/A 939,180 Warrants



Finder's Warrants Terms: Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at the price of $0.105 for period of 1 years from the date of issuance.

The Company issued a news release on June 29, 2023, confirming closing of the private placement. Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.

________________________________________

Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. ("PGE")

BULLETIN TYPE: Warrant Term Extension

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has consented to the extension in the expiry date of the following warrants:

Private Placement:

# of Warrants: 21,635,000

Original Expiry Date of Warrants: July 17, 2023

New Expiry Date of Warrants: January 17, 2024

Exercise Price of Warrants: $0.30 (unchanged)

These warrants were issued pursuant to a private placement of 22,500,000 shares with 22,500,000 share purchase warrants attached, which was accepted for filing by the Exchange effective July 21, 2020.

________________________________________

Volcanic Gold Mines Inc. ("VG")

BULLETIN TYPE: Warrant Term Extension

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has consented to the extension in the expiry date of the following warrants:

Private Placement:

# of Warrants: 8,813,500

Original Expiry Date of Warrants: July 26, 2023

New Expiry Date of Warrants: July 26, 2024

Exercise Price of Warrants: 0.30 (unchanged)

These warrants were issued pursuant to a private placement of 20,000,000 shares with 10,000,000 share purchase warrants attached, which was accepted for filing by the Exchange effective September 01, 2020. The Exchange had previously approved, effective July 22, 2020, the extension of the term of these warrants

from July 26, 2022 to July 26, 2023.

________________________________________

Zimtu Capital Corp. ("ZC")

BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Purchase Agreement

BULLETIN DATE: July 14, 2023

TSX Venture Tier 2 Company

TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to the arm's length acquisition of 100% interest in a total of 4,543 mining claims known as the Eagle Lake Claims, Grove Lake Claims, and Whitefish Lake Claims (the "Properties") located in Ontario from six vendors. The Properties are subject to a 1.0% NSR in the future minerals produced from the claims upon achieving commercial production to one of the six vendors.



CASH ($) SECURITIES WORK EXPENDITURES ($) CONSIDERATION Total of $630,000 within 4 months of closing. 9,000,000 common shares on closing. N/A



For further details, please refer to the Company's news releases dated June 16, 2023, and July 13, 2023.

________________________________________

SOURCE TSX Venture Exchange
KELOWNA, July 14, 2023 - Cantex Mine Development Corp. (TSXV: CD) (OTCQB: CTXDF) (the "Company") would like to announce that it is continuing with its previously announced private placement. The final closing will be on or before August 17, 2023.

Signed,

Charles Fipke

Dr. Charles Fipke, CM

Chairman

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. Information set forth in this news release includes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the 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. Such factors include, among others, risks identified in the management discussion and analysis section of the Company's interim and most recent annual financial statements or other reports and filings with Canadian securities regulators. Forward looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the respective companies undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Cantex Mine Development Corp.
High-Level Member of ISIS Sentenced to Life in Prison for Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization Resulting in Death

A New York man was sentenced today to life in prison on one count of conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and five substantive counts of providing material support to ISIS in the forms of personnel, including himself, Australian citizen Jake Bilardi and others, as well as services, weapons, property and equipment, and false documentation and identification, all between January 2013 and June 2017, when the defendant was arrested in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to court documents, Mirsad Kandic, 41, of Brooklyn and Kosovo, was convicted by a federal jury in May 2022 following a three-week trial in Brooklyn.

Serving ISISs deadly terror campaign, this defendant fought on the battlefield, spread propaganda, smuggled weapons, and radicalized Western recruits, said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division. The National Security Division was created to counter foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS and, with our partners, we remain committed to identifying and holding accountable those who provide support to such terrorist groups.

Kandic was a high-ranking member of ISIS who relished the death and destruction he wrought while providing every conceivable form of material support to a terrorist organization, including the recruitment of countless others to ISISs bloody campaigns in Syria and elsewhere, said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. Todays sentence holds the defendant accountable for his conduct and ensures that he will never again pose a threat to the United States or any of our allies. This office will remain relentless in prosecuting terrorists who threaten the safety and security of the United States and U.S. interests around the world.

The defendant in this case provided numerous forms of material support to ISIS for years, and today, he was brought to justice for his actions, said Assistant Director Robert R. Wells of the FBIs Counterterrorism Division. This sentencing demonstrates the serious commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners around the world to investigating and holding accountable terrorists who threaten the safety and security of American interests, and those of our allies.

After several failed attempts to travel from the United States to Istanbul, Turkey, Kandic took a two-day Greyhound bus ride from New York City to Monterrey, Mexico, in November 2013, and flew through Panama, Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Kosovo, and Turkey before arriving in Syria at the end of 2013. Once in Syria, the defendant joined ISIS and became a fighter for the group in Haritan, an ISIS stronghold in the outskirts of Aleppo, wielding Russian-made PK machine guns and AK-47 assault rifles.

ISIS leadership then sent the defendant to Turkey to take up the role of smuggling foreign fighters and weapons into Syria from abroad, and to serve as an emir for ISIS media. Kandic disseminated ISIS recruitment messages and gruesome propaganda using more than 120 Twitter accounts. For example, the defendant sent out an ISIS-produced documentary titled Flames of War. This video celebrated ISIS conquests and macabre executions of ISIS captives, including instances where victims were forced to dig their own graves before being summarily executed by gunshot. The defendant tweeted that this video was the best thing ever seen on screen.

Kandic was a prolific recruiter of foreign fighters for ISIS. He sent thousands of radicalized ISIS volunteer fighters from Western countries into ISIS-controlled territories in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East. This included a fellow New Yorker, Ruslan Maratovich Asainov, who became an ISIS sniper and sniper trainer, and another individual who became an emir for ISIS safehouses in the Idlib province of Syria. Asainov was convicted after trial in February 2023 of conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS, two substantive counts of providing material support to ISIS, one count of receiving military-type training from ISIS, and obstruction of justice. He is awaiting sentencing.

A foreign fighter recruited by the defendant was Jake Bilardi of Australia. Bilardi contacted the defendant in June 2014 for assistance in traveling to Syria to join ISIS. Kandic provided Bilardi  who had just turned 18 years old and had never traveled internationally before  with instructions and guidance for reaching Istanbul, Turkey. Kandic then arranged for Bilardi to be picked up at the airport in Istanbul and smuggled him into Syria. Kandic maintained contact with Bilardi as he became an ISIS fighter and ISIS suicide bomber. Bilardi went on to commit a suicide truck attack with fellow ISIS members on March 11, 2015, in Ramadi Iraq, killing himself, more than 30 Iraqi soldiers and an Iraqi policeman. Prior to the attack, the defendant wished Bilardi well and stated, May Allah make there [sic] inner organs implode. Bilardis attack was coordinated with others committed at the same time; 30 members of the Iraqi military were killed, 61 were injured, and 25 were missing, whose bodies were never found, all as a result of this coordinated series of attacks. After the attack, the defendant celebrated Bilardis service to ISIS, on Twitter and to a co-conspirator. A member of the Iraqi Army general staff testified at trial that the March 11, 2015, attack paved the way for ISISs takeover of Ramadi and the Anbar Province of Iraq several weeks later.

Kandic also provided battlefield intelligence to top ISIS leadership. He also shaped the information environment in which ISIS operated by enforcing ISIS media and publicity discipline. For example, the defendant directed other ISIS supporters to refrain from posting any information about the success (or failure) of ISIS recruitment efforts as well as to minimize any reporting about ISIS military action in specific military actions. Kandic managed money for ISIS fighters in Syria, including two ISIS fighters who gave the defendant their bank cards, from which bank records showed more than $40,000 was transacted. Kandic smuggled weapons to ISIS in Syria, including a night vision scope for an ISIS sniper. Kandic operated a private market via Telegram  called Khilafah (Caliphate) Market  for which he was the group administrator with authority to restrict access to the group. Members posted firearms and military equipment for sale, including mortars and suicide belts (i.e., improvised explosive devices). Among the members of Kandics private Telegram market was Abu Luqman, who, at the time, was the ISIS governor for the Raqqa province, ISISs de facto capital in Syria.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Saritha Komatireddy and J. Matthew Haggans for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Huda Abouchaer and Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section.

The Justice Departments Office of International Affairs, the FBIs Legal Attaches abroad and foreign authorities in multiple countries on three continents provided critical assistance in this case. The Bosnian and Herzegovina State Investigation and Protection Agency, the Bosnian and Herzegovina State Intelligence and Security Agency, the Bosnian and Herzegovina Foreigners Affairs Service, the Bosnian and Herzegovina State Prosecutors Office, the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Australian Federal Police, the Victoria Police (Australia), the Australian Border Force, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Attorney-Generals Department, the Prosecutor Generals Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, Joint Operations Command in Iraq, and the FBI Legal Attache Offices in Sarajevo, Canberra, Nur-Sultan, and Baghdad, provided extraordinary assistance in the investigation and prosecution. The Ministry of Justice for the Republic of Finland, and Federal Office of Justice in the Federal Republic of Germany, the Department of Justice & Constitutional Development in the Republic of South Africa and the central authorities responsible for mutual legal assistance in Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Ukraine; and the FBIs Legal Attache Offices in those countries provided valuable support in the investigation.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
U.S. uses "black sites" to trample on human rights under counterterrorism guise

Xinhua) 14:49, July 15, 2023

BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Stepping out of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility onto the road to freedom, Haji Ghalib couldn't feel relieved.

He had been jailed for four years without legal trials or charges at Guantanamo before being released on March 1, 2007.

"The detainee is not assessed as being a member of al-Qaida or the Taliban," the U.S. army's report concluded, thus declaring his innocence. However, his stay in the infamous camp was a nightmare for Ghalib.

Ghalib and other inmates at Guantanamo reportedly suffered indefinite custody and years of abuse at the hands of the U.S. government. In June, Fionnuala Ni Aolain, a United Nations (UN) special rapporteur, visited the camp and told the press about the "ongoing cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment" to which the detainees were subjected.

The Guantanamo detention camp is just one of the many "black sites" set up by the United States around the world to hold alleged "terrorists." Throughout the years, the country has furtively established detention camps in at least 54 countries and regions, using them as interrogation facilities for "terrorist suspects" while attempting to evade jurisdiction and legal challenges.

ARBITRARY ARRESTS

Ghalib recalled the chaos and panic on the morning of Feb. 26, 2003, when he, serving as a police officer in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province then, was violently captured by the U.S. forces.

"I finished my morning prayer and had not yet eaten breakfast ... Then I found myself surrounded by U.S. planes, helicopters and tanks," the 59-year-old Afghan told Xinhua.

After physically assaulting him, the American soldiers apprehended him and forcibly transported him to U.S. overseas detention camps.

A document of the U.S. Department of Defense in January 2005 claimed his innocence and denied his affiliation with al-Qaida or the Afghan Taliban. However, he was kept in custody for the subsequent two years.

Upon his return to Afghanistan in 2007, he had to deal with another devastating blow -- the loss of his family members.

Similar tragedies befell other detainees. Of the approximately 780 individuals held at Guantanamo, fewer than 20 were put on trial, while a significant number of others endured prolonged detention and abuse without access to a formal trial or any form of compensation.

But their lives were permanently altered.

One such case was Mohammed Sanghir, a Pakistani who was arrested by the U.S. army while travelling in Afghanistan in 2001.

Following a long period of detention at Guantanamo, the man was eventually repatriated due to a lack of evidence linking him to terrorist activities.

Nonetheless, the consequences were irreversible. "Prior to my arrest, I owned a woodworking shop with prosperous business. After I was arrested, my family faced immense hardships and had to sell our property just to make ends meet," Sanghir told Xinhua.

Equally heartbreaking was the story of young Iraqi Alaa Karim Ahmed. Twenty years ago, Ahmed was on his way to the first day of university with family members. As Ahmed pulled over the car to pick up items fallen to the ground, a nearby group of U.S. troops were struck by an explosion.

Despite the absence of evidence linking him to the explosion, the young man, still dressed in his school uniform, was taken away by U.S. soldiers.

Following multiple transfers between prisons, Ahmed was finally freed after two and a half years. The scars etched on his skin and flesh, resulting from the prolonged wearing of handcuffs and shackles, serve as a constant reminder of his suffering.

CRUEL TORTURE

Following baseless arrests, every detainee suffered severe mistreatment while being interrogated.

At the basement of Jalalabad Airport in the capital of Nangarhar, the U.S. military tied up Ghalib's hands and repeatedly plunged his head into water.

A few days later, he was transferred to the Bagram prison situated about 40 km north of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

The Bagram prison was nicknamed "Afghanistan's Guantanamo" due to numerous instances of prisoner abuse. Within one week in December 2002, two detainees lost their lives as a result of abuse by the U.S. military at the camp.

A few months later, Ghalib was sent to the Guantanamo detention camp. Upon arrival, he was forcibly undressed, followed by being washed by water pipes and having his head shaved.

All inmates, without exception, had to undergo excruciating torture.

"In the first one-and-a-half months, they wouldn't let us speak to anyone, wouldn't let us call for prayers or pray in the room. I tried to pray and four or five commandos came and they beat me up. If someone would try to make a call for prayer they would beat him up and gag him," one of the inmates was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

Waterboarding, one of the most brutal interrogation techniques devised by U.S. intelligence officials, was regularly employed.

In practice, the victim is immobilized on an inclined board, head and feet raised, and the face covered with a cloth. Water is poured over the cloth, making it hard for the victim to breathe and potentially causing suffocation.

Those subjected to waterboarding experience extreme agony as it induces an overwhelming and prolonged sensation of imminent death.

A report of the U.S. Department of Justice showed that victims of waterboarding often resorted to fabricating false confessions or even admitting crimes they did not commit to escape further torture.

Since its inception in 2002 by the U.S. military outside the U.S. territory, the Guantanamo detention camp has been marred by a flagrant breach of human rights.

Raul Capote, editor-in-chief of the Cuban newspaper Granma International, noted that endless detention without fair and lawful trials at Guantanamo led to the deteriorating health of the detainees.

"LUCRATIVE DEAL"

The U.S. intelligence apparatus also exploited the "black sites" to reap substantial profits from government coffers and fabricate false claims of success in counterterrorism.

American taxpayers were burdened with an annual expense of 540 million U.S. dollars to sustain the ongoing operation of the Guantanamo camp, even when the number of detainees there has declined to a mere 30, The New York Times reported.

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has struck deals with certain countries and tribes, whereby the U.S. government bought alleged "terrorist suspects" from those entities at exorbitant prices ranging from 3,000 to 25,000 dollars, The Associated Press reported.

U.S. media outlets also uncovered that the CIA paid a private company nearly 80 million dollars for the purpose of designing torture programs.

Despite the repeated exposure of human rights violations at the "black sites," no U.S. official has been held accountable for developing, authorizing or carrying out covert arrest and torture programs.

The U.S. breach of human rights has also drawn harsh criticism and condemnation from the international community and experts worldwide.

In 2020, the International Criminal Court (ICC) resumed its investigation into the grave crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by all parties involved in the conflict in Afghanistan, including U.S. forces.

Then ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said there was "reasonable" suspicion of war crimes by the U.S. forces in Afghanistan as well as by the CIA in "black sites" across the globe, U.S.-based organization Human Rights Watch reported.

Ni Aolain urged the U.S. government to provide judicial assistance and apologies to the victims at Guantanamo, and to guarantee the non-repetition of such human rights violations.

Despite vaunting itself as a self-proclaimed "beacon of democracy" and champion of "freedom and human rights," the United States has, in reality, committed crimes in flagrant violation of human rights, international law, the UN Charter and the Geneva Conventions, said Najib Khalaf, a professor of law at Al-Iraqia University.

Instead of acknowledging the crimes and making apologies, the United States chose to turn a deaf ear to the global outcry.

In response to a report by the UN Committee Against Torture on the abuse at U.S. overseas "black sites," the U.S. government refused to disclose information regarding detainees involved in the CIA activities, citing confidentiality reasons.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
10,497: The number of fatal alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2016, the highest since 2009

88,000: The approximate number of people who die annually of alcohol-related causes, including traffic accidents and homicides

62%: The increase in stand-alone DWI courts from 2009 to 2015

Most Americans have a general sense that drunken driving isnt as bad a problem as it was a generation ago. But few realize how much those numbers changed in a relatively short time. When the federal government started counting alcohol-impaired traffic deaths in 1982, there were more than 21,000 a year. By 2011, the death toll was down by 53 percent. States had raised the legal drinking age to 21 and adopted a common rule that a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 meant too drunk to drive. Many states also mandated the installation of interlock devices to prevent those with a history of drunken driving from turning on their ignition unless they were sober. Those laws, coupled with education and prevention campaigns, helped reduce drunk driving deaths to fewer than 10,000 in 2011.But recently the trend has stalled. The total number of alcohol-impaired traffic fatalities actually rose in both 2015 and 2016. Drunk driving has been around since the automobile was invented and its still the biggest killer on the highway, says J.T. Griffin, the chief government affairs officer for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Indeed, alcohol causes more traffic deaths per year than either speeding or driving without a seatbelt.In January, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued a report about the causes of the problem and potential solutions. Yes, we made progress. No, we didnt get rid of it, says David Jernigan, a Boston University public health researcher who helped write the report. Ten thousand deaths are too many.The report provided a package of policy recommendations, one of which was for every state to lower the legal BAC limit from .08 to .05. In practical terms, that would mean most women couldnt drive after two glasses of wine in an hour; most men couldnt drive after three. The report is only the latest to call for a more stringent BAC limit: The National Transportation Safety Board has also called for a lower level.Up to now, no state has imposed a limit of .05, but thats about to change. Utah will go to .05 in December. In the past year, Delaware, Hawaii, New York and Washington state have also considered legislation to lower the limit. It will change the conversation from, If you have been drinking too much, you shouldnt drive, to, If youve been drinking, you shouldnt drive, says Utah Rep. Norm Thurston, who sponsored the .05 legislation. The new message -- that driving shouldnt occur after even moderate drinking -- is probably what it should have been all along, he says.American alcohol policy is in a curious state of flux. On one hand, states and localities continue to tax alcoholic beverages not only to raise revenue but also to educate the public about the risks associated with drinking. On the other hand, states are passing laws that make alcohol easier to purchase by permitting sales on Sundays, in movie theaters and at grocery outlets. In December, Congress cut federal alcohol excise taxes to the tune of $4.2 billion over two years. The reduction is expected to bring down prices and increase consumption.The national conversation around addiction has been dominated in recent years by opioids. Certainly, the rapid rise in opioid overdoses, which claimed 42,000 lives in 2016 alone, is a pressing issue for states across the country. The White House has declared a national public health emergency over the epidemic, and governments everywhere are marshalling efforts to combat the crisis.But the fact is that alcohol kills roughly 88,000 Americans each year, more than double the number of opioid deaths. Almost half of alcohol fatalities come from chronic health problems attributed to excessive alcohol consumption, such as liver cirrhosis, breast cancer and heart disease. Those alcohol-induced deaths are on the rise. Excluding certain acute causes, such as homicides and traffic fatalities, the rate of alcohol-induced deaths increased by about 47 percent between 1999 and 2015.Public health specialists say its time for a broader national dialogue about substance misuse, one that includes alcohol. There continues to be a [reluctance to accept that] alcohol is an addictive substance because its legal, because its widely used, because people believe that unless its a drunk driving accident you dont really die from it, says Phyllis Randall, chair of the Loudoun County, Va., Board of Supervisors and a former mental health therapist who worked for 15 years treating offenders with substance abuse problems in an adult detention center.The recent increase in alcohol-related deaths from chronic health problems is part of a new picture emerging about alcohols negative impacts on American life. While public officials are united in the fight against opioids, they are struggling to adjust their strategy toward a substance that is legal, widely available and increasingly popular among American consumers.When it comes to alcohol abuse, one troubling development is that women are closing the gender gap. Over the last decade, the percentage of women who drink, the number of days they drink per month and the percentage who engage in binge drinking have all increased. Women are also visiting emergency rooms more often for alcohol-related reasons.No empirical studies have identified why drinking among women is on the rise, though researchers have theories. Jernigan, the Boston University professor, points to the proliferation of sweet and fizzy alcohol drinks in the late 1990s that targeted young women. One study from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism cited changing cultural norms. The study speculated that it has simply become more socially acceptable for women to binge drink on a regular basis, the way some men do.As more women drink, and the frequency and volume of the drinking increases, so does the risk of expectant mothers unintentionally exposing their fetus to alcohol and harming the childs brain development. About 1 in 10 pregnant women in the U.S. report having had at least one alcoholic beverage in the past 30 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even light drinking during pregnancy can result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), an umbrella term for a group of conditions that can include abnormal growth and facial features, intellectual disabilities and behavioral problems.Until recently, scientists have lacked accurate estimates on the prevalence of FASD because it is difficult to diagnose. But this year, a study of more than 6,000 first-graders in four communities in different regions of the U.S. found that up to 5 percent had FASD. The vast majority had not been diagnosed by a physician, though their parents and guardians knew the children had learning and behavioral difficulties. Children with FASD often are misdiagnosed as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder or autism. Children with FASD dont always have the visible facial abnormalities typically associated with prenatal alcohol exposure, but they can still have alcohol-induced intellectual disabilities and difficulties regulating their emotions. This is a big player in early childhood development, says Ira Chasnoff, a pediatrician at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago.Chasnoff is working with a handful of states, including Arizona, Illinois and Iowa, to improve the way hospitals screen for prenatal alcohol exposure and provide treatment to families. Over the last decade, Congress has updated federal law to require that physicians ask expectant mothers about alcohol use. In the past, doctors were only supposed to ask about illicit drugs. But even today, most physicians still dont ask about or report alcohol use by pregnant mothers. Some research suggests many of them dont know Congress changed the requirement. The upshot is that hospitals identify only a small fraction of the more than 400,000 children born each year with prenatal exposure to alcohol or illicit drugs.Historically, the federal government hasnt prioritized alcohol in the way it has illicit drugs or, in todays opioid crisis, prescription pain killers. The federal government reacts to and bounces [from crisis to crisis], says Chasnoff. A few years ago, it was the methamphetamine crisis, and before that it was cocaine. The list goes on and on.The problem with that approach is that policymakers are designing strategies that assume people use only one substance. The reality is the great majority of women who are using drugs, especially during pregnancy, are polydrug users, and alcohol by far is the common thread, Chasnoff says. In his own research, he has found that 81 percent of pregnant women who are using an illicit drug are also using alcohol.Adult substance use in general is becoming a bigger problem for child welfare agencies. In 2000, 18.5 percent of children placed into foster care were removed from their homes at least in part because of their parents use of alcohol or other drugs. In 2015 the number was 34.4 percent. Child welfare experts believe substance abuse is one of the main reasons the overall number of children in foster care has increased each year since 2012 -- after a seven-year decline. The most frequently reported circumstance that leads to a childs removal from home is neglect -- not physical abuse -- and neglect is often a byproduct of addiction.Four years ago, the Iowa Childrens Justice Initiative, a division of the state judicial system, began working with Chasnoff to set up systems for early screening, substance use assessments and referrals for treatment both for expectant mothers and children under 5. Kathy Thompson, who directs the Iowa initiative, says the systems appear to be identifying more cases where prenatal alcohol exposure may be an issue, but its too early to know whether the initiative will ultimately prevent child removals. I dont know if well ever capture the full impact, she says, because success would mean they never ended up in the child welfare system.In the next few years, more states may look to addiction treatment to control the growth in child welfare caseloads. Congress passed a law in February that allows states to direct money to substance use treatment for families whose children are at risk of being removed; in the past, these funds were reserved for helping children once they were in foster care. States are still waiting for more federal guidance on how to implement the new provision, but the change could mean that more children will be able to stay in their homes while their parents receive treatment.While the medical community is still learning about the treatment options for prenatal alcohol exposure, it is more confident about drunken driving. We have more than 10,000 deaths happening per year from something that is completely preventable, says Jernigan, the Boston University professor. This years report from the National Academies of Sciences avoided prescribing a single solution to drunken driving. Instead, it recommended a group of policy responses, such as increasing alcohol taxes, limiting when and where alcohol is sold, adding treatment courts for DWIs (driving while intoxicated), mandating ignition interlock devices for first-time DWI offenders, expanding public transit and ride-sharing options, and lowering the BAC limit to .05.Some of the recommendations are more practical than others. Even without a public health justification, states and localities are passing regulations that encourage the use of ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft. DWI courts are also on the rise. In fact, 46 states have at least one, and a growing number of drug courts include a division or track for DWI offenders.In some respects, however, alcohol policy is moving in the opposite direction from the National Academies recommendations. Federal alcohol taxes will be lower through 2019, thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Congress passed in December. Rather than limiting alcohol sales, states are enacting more permissive policies. In the past year, Indiana, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Tennessee have joined 38 other states that have laws allowing alcohol sales on Sundays. Florida, Maryland and Pennsylvania have expanded the list of places where alcohol can be sold, including grocery stores and big-box retailers.The recommendation that is most likely to be adopted by the majority of states is stronger laws around ignition interlock devices. As of May, at least 26 states required ignition interlock for all DWI offenders, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Thats a big leap from 2006, when only one state, New Mexico, had such a law. Expanding and strengthening ignition interlock laws is a top legislative priority for MADD. Tougher interlock laws also have the support of the American Beverage Institute, an industry group that has criticized many of the other recommendations in the National Academies report.By comparison, a BAC limit of .05 is considered an impractical stretch in most states, even for advocacy groups like MADD. MADD is still supporting the .08 limit, although we believe that the best choice is not to drink anything and drive, period, says Griffin, MADDs chief government affairs officer. We know that impairment begins with a drink of alcohol. We just think that theres more science and theres more public support around .08.The American Beverage Institute flatly opposes a lower BAC limit. The penalties for drunk driving are very steep, for good reason, says Sarah Longwell, the institutes managing director. But if you recategorize .05 as a per se DWI violation, then youre talking about putting people in jail, and mandating they install an ignition interlock, and hiking their insurance rates, and giving them $10,000 in fines for having one drink. Instead of punishing drivers who engage in moderate drinking, Longwell argues that states should focus their limited resources on the binge drinkers and repeat DWI offenders who are responsible for most fatal alcohol crashes.The National Transportation Safety Board rejects this argument and continues to advocate for a lower limit. The board notes that the U.S. has a higher rate of alcohol-impaired traffic fatalities than other industrialized nations, many of which use .05 as their legal BAC limit. Last year, researchers at the University of Chicago took traffic safety data from other countries that use the .05 limit and extrapolated what might happen if every state in the U.S. adopted the same standard. They concluded that fatal alcohol-related crashes would decline 11.1 percent, avoiding more than 1,000 deaths per year. (For its part, the American Beverage Institute said the researchers exaggerated the potential deterrence effect of a lower limit.)Nonetheless, the public safety benefits caught the attention of Utah lawmakers. Its not about drinking, says Rep. Thurston, the sponsor of the states new .05 BAC law. Its about not driving after you drink -- and its ultimately about saving lives.
While paid sick leave is critical to economic security and health for employees and their families, its impact is even more far-reaching -- even contagious: When ill employees go to work, co-workers, clients and employers can get sick as well. But there is another health factor associated with paid sick leave: employers' fiscal health.For governments and the private sector alike, overly generous sick-leave policies can lead to unexpected back-end costs and potentially significant unfunded liabilities. In terms of employer costs, paid sick leave ranks only behind medical and retirement benefits. This issue is particularly acute for governments: While in the private sector almost 40 percent of employers do not offer paid sick leave, nearly all full-time public-sector employees receive some form of coverage.So how are local governments managing their paid-sick-leave programs? And are cities and counties making the types of post-recession reforms that we have seen in other benefit areas such as pensions and retiree health care?The answer is that paid sick leave (PSL) appears to still be quite generous, with few local governments seeking to reform longtime practices. In a national survey of human-services professionals for large cities and counties, Michael Thom of the University of Southern California and I found that only 14 percent of local governments had sought to reduce their cost exposure by enacting post-recession PSL reforms.Most local governments have continued to offer generous sick-leave policies, including allowing employees to accrue more than 120 hours of PSL annually (53 percent) and having no limit on the number of PSL hours that can be rolled over from year to year (77 percent). Further, over 50 percent allowed employees to cash out unused paid sick leave upon leaving their jobs, while 40 percent allowed unused PSL to be used in calculating retiring employees' service credits for pension purposes -- one form of "pension spiking."Allowing paid sick leave for family members was widespread (89 percent), but other practices, such as sharing programs (allowing employees to donate unused sick leave to needier co-workers) and converting unused sick leave to vacation time, were not as prevalent (42 percent and 13 percent, respectively). While the percentage of local governments requiring a doctor's note for prolonged sickness was quite high (over 70 percent), the number that perform sick-leave audits and have incentive programs to avoid unnecessary use of sick leave were quite low (both less than 25 percent).Collective-bargaining status and employee classification -- such as public safety vs. general staff -- were both significant factors in determining certain practices. In local governments with collective bargaining, the practice of allowing employees to include unused PSL in pension calculations was more likely. Further, public-safety employees were less likely to be affected by budget-savings reforms after the recession, less likely to be required to have a doctor's note for prolonged absences, and more likely to have sharing programs.When governments elect to allow PSL to be accrued and rolled over from year to year with no limit, and either be cashed out when employees leave or used in pension calculations, the costs and impact can be substantial. That's because much of the paid sick leave may have been earned during years in which an employee had a lower salary, while payouts at termination and for pension determinations are calculated at the highest salary levels. Also, many local governments treat PSL costs as a pay-as-you-go item, which means these expenses are seldom included as fixed items in their budgets.As local governments recover from the recent recession and continue to grapple with unfunded pension and retiree health-care costs, their focus undoubtedly will turn to other cost drivers such as paid sick leave. Serious consideration for cost-containment measures should include ending the practice of applying unused PSL hours in pension-benefit calculations; limiting the amount of hours that can be accrued and rolled over from year to year; and limiting unused-PSL payouts to a nominal or fixed amount paid annually instead of allowing it to accumulate until retirement.With such fundamental change on the horizon, local governments should work with their employees to adopt more sustainable, fair and innovative paid-sick-leave practices that also will provide employees with incentives to avoid unnecessary absenteeism.
Bayport marks two decades of driving financial inclusion in Ghana

Business Desk Report Business News Jul - 09 - 2023 , 21:38

Bayport Savings and Loans Plc, has marked 20 years of driving financial inclusion in the country, with a commitment to further enhance its operations.

Speaking at the anniversary launch, the Chief Executive Officer of Bayport Savings and Loans, Akwasi Aboagye, reiterated the company's unwavering commitment to its vision of empowering individuals and improving livelihoods.

My team and I remain more focused than ever on leading the deduction at source lending and savings and fixed deposit investments sectors of the financial services industry, he assured.

Amidst the prevalent macroeconomic challenges and its consequential impact on the financial sector, Mr. Aboagye resolutely affirmed that Bayport had successfully charted a resilient course that guarantees sustained growth in the foreseeable future.

He said the company remains unwavering in its commitment to providing access to essential financial services for Ghanaians.

Mr Aboagye also highlighted the company's transformation into a fully digitized and interconnected financial services provider.

This strategic shift he said had enabled Bayport to meet the evolving needs of its customers more effectively and efficiently.

We firmly believe that we can enhance our operations further, leveraging advancements in technology and automation to become a fully dynamic enterprise. Throughout this evolution, we remain steadfast in upholding the highest levels of security, transparency, customer service, risk management, and ethics, he added.

The CEO further conveyed the company's unwavering commitment to promoting financial inclusion by providing tailored loan and investment products that empower individuals and contribute to their financial well-being.

"Bayport aims to serve as a catalyst for positive change, striving to make a meaningful impact in the lives of its esteemed customers.

While we have come a long way, our journey is far from over. There is still much to be accomplished, and we are committed to building a customer-centric, resilient, and sustainable business, he noted.

He applauded the board, management, and all stakeholders for their unrelenting dedication and support that has pushed the sustained growth of the company over the past two decades.

Head of Supervision at the Bank of Ghana, Osei Gyasi, for his part, commended the leadership of Bayport for the significant role they continue to play in driving financial inclusion in the country, especially in the provision of loans to public sector workers.

He further applauded the companys remarkable journey in the domestic financial sector over the years whilst encouraging them to explore innovations that will sustain growth and profitability.

The 20th-anniversary celebrations are on the theme Bayport Savings and Loans: Celebrating 20 years of needs met, opportunities created, plans accomplished, hopes realized and dreams fulfilled.
Daily Graphic Editorials

Breweniase community deserves fair bargain

Daily Graphic Editorials Jul - 15 - 2023 , 13:32

It is a known fact that every community or the individuals living in it always want to break away from the shackles of poverty, disease or illiteracy.

In doing so, such communities or their residents often strive to better the lot of the younger generation through investment or empowering the residents through education.

Sadly, we often find some communities selling their birthright or families even giving out their children to well-to-do people as labourers and end up becoming poorer.

Such has been the story of the Breweniase community in the Oti Region where a foreign company acquired thousands of hectares of land from the people for peanuts as the company paid the farmers $5 per hectare for a period of 50 years.

In their pain, the community is calling for assistance for a re-negotiation of the price as the $5 per hectare has left them worse off. To add insult to injury, the lump sum the company promised to pay them in addition to the $5 per hectare agreement did not happen (See Daily Graphic, July 7, 2023).

While the people are calling for re-negotiation of the price per hectare, the Daily Graphic believes that all those involved in the payment of the pittance to the farmers must bury their heads in shame. It is possible that those people involved in leading the foreign company to purchase the land had even pocketed much heavier sums at the expense of the land owners.

We cannot sweep the issue under the carpet because there could be many more of such communities who have suffered similar fate, hence the need to deal with the problem.

It is important that we take steps to educate our people on the legal frameworks and processes in land acquisition, education and sensitisation on land ownership and transfer of legal titles of land.

It should also be critical to define the roles of chiefs and families in land and landed property allocation and purchases, and for the regional houses of chiefs to set up various ethical codes of conduct to guide the chiefs in issues related to land acquisition.

The Daily Graphic argues that we cannot continue on the path where our less deprived communities and people are taken for granted. We need to empower them so that they can decipher and accept what is good for them and not allow poverty, ignorance and the state of hopelessness drive them into accepting anything that is thrown at them.

We wish to commend CARITAS Ghana, the Catholic charitable organisation, for undertaking such initiatives and bringing them to the front burner for national discussion. The discussions or workshops should not put an end to the suffering of the people but should push other rights-based organisations to conduct further engagements to help right the wrongs.

For us, creating public awareness and advocacy is critical to ensure our communities and landowners derive maximum benefit from the resources they possess.

It is also a challenge to our state institutions handling land management systems to engage our communities more on how best to manage their resources to the benefit of both present and future generations.

We cannot and should not allow the source of livelihood of our people to be taken away from them. We must protect our people and the little resources they possess.

The Daily Graphic, therefore, urges the authorities and even the Legal Aid Board to revisit the contract or agreement the company signed with the Breweniase community to ensure that the people benefit from their resources.
Do you feel close to any particular political party?

Dr John Osae-Kwapong Opinion Jul - 15 - 2023 , 07:47

Political parties have an interesting history in post-independence Ghana. Their activities were regularly banned anytime the democratic process came to a halt due to a military intervention.

One of the key transitional activities in the lead up to the Fourth Republic was lifting the ban on political parties and their activities. The Fourth Republic has seen the longest uninterrupted history of political parties and their activities in post-independence Ghana.

When the ban was lifted several parties sprang up, although two  the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC)  have emerged as the two dominant ones. There are other political parties who continue to operate but whose support matches nowhere near the support enjoyed by these two.

Democracies, with political parties and regularly held competitive elections, produce, among many things, partisans  people who become aligned with a particular political party. Beyond alignment, these individuals develop very strong attachments to these political parties. One of the consequences is that these partisan attachments shape perceptions on matters of politics and governance.

But in the most recent round of the Afrobarometer survey in 2022, I noticed something peculiar about partisan attachments.

The changing landscape

To measure how partisan Ghanaians are, I turn to this question in the Afrobarometer survey which asks  do you feel close to any particular political party? Ghanaians can respond with Yes, No, Dont Know or can refuse to answer. How partisan are Ghanaians  that is  how many say they feel close to a particular political party? In the maiden edition of the survey (1999), as many as seven out of 10 (67 per cent) Ghanaians described themselves as partisan, with three out of 10 (33 per cent) describing themselves as non-partisan. Twenty-three years later, when the question was asked in the most recent round of the survey (2022), five out of 10 (48 per cent) described themselves as partisan with another five out of 10 (47 per cent) describing themselves as non-partisan. The remaining five per cent answered dont know or refused to answer the question.

If you compare 1999 to 2022, it shows a 19 percentage points decrease (-19) in the number of Ghanaians who describe themselves as partisan and a 14-percentage point increase (+14) in the number of Ghanaians who describe themselves as nonpartisan.

This is quite remarkable but also quite paradoxical especially against the backdrop of a strong demand for political parties. In Round 2 (2002) 56 per cent said more political parties were needed. In Round 9 (2022), 72 per cent said more political parties were needed. The curious point then is, why will Ghanaians be demanding something they are growing less attached to?

Who are these disappearing partisans

Are there particular demographic groups driving this changing partisan landscape? I examined a few demographic groups and compared 1999 to 2022 to see the percentage change in those who describe themselves as non-partisans.

18-25 years (+18); Post-secondary education (+18); 26-35years old(+16); Middle belt regions (+16); Northern belt regions (+16); Men (+15); Rural areas (+14); Women (+13); Urban areas (+13); 36-45years (+13); Coastal belt regions (+12); No formal school (+12); Secondary school education (+12); Primary school education (+11); 56 years and above (+9); 46-55 years (+7).

Each of the demographic groups above have seen significant increases in the percentage describing themselves as nonpartisan over the last 23 years. It does not appear that any one group is driving the phenomenon notwithstanding the variations in growth.

Declining partisanship  Good or bad?

Is this trend a good thing or a bad thing? For political parties, it may not be comforting to see a significant increase in the percentage of Ghanaians who describe themselves as not feeling close to any political party. In my opinion, it potentially shrinks the base of a political party.

For example, in 1999 the duopoly had seven voters to share between them. In 2022, they only have five to share between them. And if the third parties or other independents are able to chip away at this share, it further decreases the size of the pot from which they have to share.

This makes the political competition even fiercer.

But there is an upside to this. This trend makes it very clear that no party wins an election with just its own sympathisers, something our political parties I am sure already know. To get to the magic number  50 per cent plus one vote, parties have no choice but to speak to a much broader audience besides just their party base.

The other upside is this. I have often yearned for impartial arbiters in our public discourse on matters of politics and public policy. In my perfect world, these arbiters will mediate and moderate the polarising conversations between partisans.

Perhaps the disappearing partisans will rise up and do this!

The writer is a fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
Our democracy, our institutions: Born original and dying a copy?

Dr George Asekere Opinion Jul - 15 - 2023 , 07:53

At the opening of the police headquarters in Accra on June 9, 1962, Dr Kwame Nkrumah expressed admiration that the subservience to the colonial master mentality held by the police had radically changed to one with the slogan of Serve Ghana Now.

To him, the quality of people such as graduates joining the police augurs well for Ghana, as it is important for our policemen to be well informed and be capable of balanced judgement.

In that speech, Dr Nkrumah noted: A police Officer  indeed, every Policeman  is first and foremost a servant of the State and a friend of the people and his life is one of continuous service; faithful, unquestioning and loyal service. We have every right to expect therefore that all our Policemen will dedicate themselves to their work, will be courteous but firm in all their dealings with the public, and will give steady and unswerving loyalty to the State which is theirs to protect. The police must be vigilant at all times in the interest of national security.

Security/Democracy

Internal security is critical to every democracy and the police service is the foremost institution to guarantee this. That is why a professional and well-resourced police service is critical. It is within this context that one will not be wrong to argue that the public interest showed in the purported leaked audio involving an unnamed senior police officer and some high-profile politicians is in order. It is because, sometimes, something controversial may erupt, generate some crisis, and out of that, reforms are made; serendipity.

After a successful work at the Kumawu and Assin-North by-elections, I noted in one of my write-ups in the Daily Graphic that: If the perception of interference in the work of the police is anything to go by, then the government needs commendation for repenting after the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election. On the other hand, if the police worked in a manner akin to the Amalekite who reported the killing of Saul to King David to gain the favour of the king, then the police service deserves commendation for repenting and giving their best in the latest by-elections.

Contextually, the first part of the quote above does not necessarily implicate the politicians in the leaked tape because every politician will gladly welcome support from any corner provided that support will inure to positive electoral fortunes. The second part of the quote is of interest because of obvious reasons. Like the biblical Amalekite, many people in public or civil service in Ghana are rational beings who are ready to do everything including attacking, maligning, telling lies, or using other dirty means to seek favour from the appointing authority. In other words, our state institutions are political. This may not necessarily be because the front-line political parties or individuals have asked them to do it but merely because of their self-interest.

John Mason, whose work informed the title of this write-up, noted in his work dubbed: You are born original, dont die a copy, noted God created you for a specific, and unique purpose. He has called you not to imitate someone else, but to become all that He wants you to be.

State institutions

The constitutional arrangement we have in Ghana is such that state institutions are expected to be neutral and loyal to the Republic. The police service in particular is supposed to be non-partisan in their day-to-day work. Does it not strike a chord that educated people who are successful in their chosen careers suddenly cheapen themselves to politicians, some of whom are less intelligent, less experienced, or know little about the real dangers of their actions and inactions? Should the politician be blamed entirely for this folly? The only reason we should blame the politician is that we lack men and women in politics who prioritise the state over their partisanship interests. Unlike King David who rebuked the Amalekite and warned that tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph, Ghanaian women are yet to conceive of the politician who will take this path. This is the real danger.

There have been calls for reforms on how heads of state institutions are appointed in an effort to address some of the ills bedevilling loyalty to the governing party and the state. While it is difficult to achieve this by the average politician, it may be possible if voices of conscience speak up.

As a first step, it will be in our interest to fully investigate the conduct of the police officers caught in the leaked tape. Plotting to overthrow an IGP may not be news as we know or might have read or heard about subordinates who used cunning means to get rid of their bosses and successfully replace them. However, that police officers could be heard in comments that are politically dangerous and may amount to an attempt to subvert the will of the people, should not be taken lightly.

The political class should also be interested in this because sometimes, non-politicians do negative things and the blame is put on politicians. To build a progressive democratic society, we need men and women who will stay faithful to their profession and not become bootlickers and puppets.

The writer is a lecturer at the Department of Political Science Education, University of Education, Winneba
8 Districts in Bono experience KG infrastructure deficit

Biiya Mukusah Ali Jul - 15 - 2023 , 11:22

Kindergarten (KG) education is a foundation that is a delicate and crucial sector in the countrys educational journey.

It is responsible for providing little children with the requisite skills, knowledge and competencies necessary for formal education.

KG education was made part of basic education in Ghana by the government in 2007 to ensure that children are introduced to formal education at the formative stages of their development.

Since it is the formative stage, the education sector requires a stimulating and conducive environment to allow children to explore and grow academically, socially and emotionally to ensure their overall development through play-based learning activities and outdoor playtime.

KG education is designed to have the appropriate infrastructure with adequate teaching and learning materials such as toys, pictures and childrens literature books and activities that promote discovery, creativity and problem-solving abilities.

Situation in Bono

However, the situation is dire in the Bono Region, as eight districts are contending with huge infrastructure deficit in public KG schools, compelling little children to sit in dilapidated structures and under trees, which exposes them to reptiles such as snakes and scorpions.

In some cases, although the schools exist, they are in poor conditions and have unsafe structures for teaching and learning.

Statistics available from the Bono Regional Education Directorate indicate that the districts have a total of 140 infrastructure deficits or gaps in the public preschool.

The eight districts, which have a total enrolment of 39,199 pupils, are Wenchi Municipality with 62 infrastructure deficits, Dormaa West District, 42 and Dormaa Municipality, 35.

Others include Jaman South Municipality, 29; Tain District, 21; Banda District, 14; Jaman North District, six and Sunyani Municipality, which has an infrastructural deficit of six.

Additionally, in some rural and peri-urban communities in the region, children walk long distances to attend school in neighbouring communities due to the lack of facilities in their communities.

Challenges

The KG infrastructure deficit has compelled some school authorities to resort to teaching the pupils under trees or in dilapidated structures or some cases, combining KG one and KG two in one classroom.

The situation is causing discomfort for the pupils in class, who find it difficult to participate in academic activities because of congestion in the classrooms.

During a visit by the Daily Graphic to some of the affected schools, the authorities said the infrastructure deficit had resulted in a drastic reduction in enrolment, particularly for KG pupils.

They said they had to abandon classes anytime clouds gathered, which continued to disrupt teaching and learning.

Huge gap

The Bono Regional Director of Education, Gabriel Antwi, told the Daily Graphic that until recently, KG was not part of the mainstream basic education system in Ghana, which accounted for the huge infrastructure gap.

He said the current situation had a negative influence on the overall development of the pupils as the sector needed a conducive environment for pupils to play around to make them sound and active.

Mr Antwi said successive governments had made conscious efforts to improve the quality of educational delivery and educational infrastructure across the country to meet international standards.

He said last year alone, the government handed over about 40 KG of infrastructural projects to some schools across the region.

Mr Antwi said despite the governments efforts, there were still huge infrastructure gaps and appealed to the government to build modern and standard infrastructure for the educational system, to pave the way for effective and efficient teaching and learning for high academic standards to be achieved.

Classrooms needed

Currently, the region, especially the eight districts, needs a total of 1,485 classrooms, representing 52 per cent, to absorb the increasing number of KG pupils.

However, four districts have an excess to infrastructure of 68, namely; Sunyani West, which has an excess of 27 infrastructures, Berekum East, 20 excess; Berekum West, 19 and Dormaa East, two.

The region, with 12 municipal and district administration areas, has a total enrolment of 51,850 KG pupils, with 1,345 public preschool classroom blocks, representing 48 per cent.

The poor condition under which these little children study, negatively affects their academic performance, as well as their social, emotional and overall development.

It is, therefore, not surprising that the 2015 Early Grade Literacy and Mathematics Assessment (Ghana Education Service 2015) report showed that by the second year of primary school, most pupils in Ghana are not yet able to read with fluency and accuracy.

Additionally, it indicated that the rote-based approach to mathematics instruction did not adequately prepare pupils for more complex mathematics in the higher grades.

The report said after four years of compulsory education (two years of kindergarten and two years of primary), only two per cent of pupils were attaining the desired standards for literacy.

Access, quality

The Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Programme Manager of ActionAid Ghana, Kwame Afram Denkyira, told the Daily Graphic that the lack of adequate infrastructure at the KG level had contributed to limited access and quality education in the country.

He said recognising the challenges in the KG sector, ActionAid had since 2001 constructed 21 model KG schools with recreational facilities across the three regions.

Mr Denkyira said the construction of similar facilities was currently underway at Namasa, including four childcare centres and two girl-friendly school blocks in the Tain District, adding that the provision of the facilities by ActionAid was part of its advocacy to improve learning outcomes.

He said ActionAid had also organised a stakeholder forum on education in Sunyani last month on the theme: Girl-Friendly KG infrastructure: Key to promoting access to quality and gender-responsive public education in Ghana to solicit ideas on how to improve education, especially at the KG level in the regions.

Mr Denkyira said challenges confronting the delivery of quality public basic education could be addressed if the government reversed the budget cuts to the sector and improved on its domestic resource mobilisation.

It is estimated that the country loses about $3 billion to $4 billion annually to tax exemptions. These tax incentives have resulted in significant revenue losses for the government, limiting its ability to invest in the education sector, he said.

Mr Denkyira pledged ActionAid's commitment to partnering with municipal and district assemblies (MDAs), to provide model educational facilities, which were also girl-friendly and appealed to the government to increase budgetary allocation to basic education, to ensure that children in deprived communities were not left behind.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Executive Director of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) with a focus on research, advocacy and good governance - Citizens Watch Ghana, Simon Asore, expressed the need for a national stakeholders dialogue on the infrastructure deficit at the KG level.

He explained that the dialogue would be used to solicit ideas to come out with strategies and policies to improve the KG sector.

Mr Asore partly blamed the huge deficit at the KG level for the continual reduction of the annual budget allocated to the education sector.

He said Ghanaians should be worried about the poor state of some KG classrooms, particularly in rural communities, adding that some of the structures were serving as death traps.

Our children are at risk because such buildings can collapse on them and reptiles can easily invade their classrooms. At their age, they need a conducive learning environment, Mr Asore stated.

Role of chiefs

The Bono Regional Chairman of the Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC), Kobina Afena-Sam, said it was pathetic to see some old structures built during the colonial era still being used as classrooms for KG pupils.

He expressed concern about the low involvement or participation of some traditional rulers in the improvement of educational facilities in their areas, explaining that part of their royalties could be used to support development.

However, Mr Afena-Sam commended some chiefs who had established educational funds to invest in the improvement of education in their communities.

To ensure the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal Four (SDG 4), which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030, there is a need for successive governments to invest heavily in the improvement of educational facilities, particularly at the KG level.
Absence of sanitation facilities compromising quality learning  Education campaign coalition

Biiya Mukusah Ali Jul - 15 - 2023 , 11:04

The Bono Regional Chairman of the Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC), Kobina Afena-Sam, has bemoaned the lack of sanitation facilities in schools, explaining that the situation compromised quality education and the health of pupils and students.

He has, therefore, appealed to the government and other stakeholders to invest in the provision of sanitation facilities in schools to improve the health of learners and teaching and learning.

Mr Afena-Sam was speaking to the Daily Graphic on the sidelines of the World Vision Masters Encounter of the School Sanitation Solutions (TRIPLE S) challenge for the Northern sector in Sunyani in the Bono Region.

He said the absence of proper sanitation facilities in schools had lowered the standard of quality education, as it was likely to increase absenteeism and truancy.

Proposal

Organised by World Vision and Kings Hall Media Limited, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the meeting brought together 10 contestants from basic schools in the northern sector to present their solutions, recommendations and proposals on how to promote water and sanitation in the country, particularly in schools.

The 10 contestants were drawn from two zones, namely Shea Zone and Cocoa Zone, to compete for the first position in their respective zones.

The Shea Zone is made up of the Northern, the North East, the Upper West, the Upper East and the Savannah regions and Cocoa Zone is made up of the Bono, the Bono East, the Ahafo, the Ashanti and the Eastern regions.

At the end of the contest, Hannah Forkuo of the Biadan Methodist Junior High School in the Berekum Municipality in the Bono Region emerged as the winner of the Cocoa Zone contest while Vanessa Adune Wenaba of the Great Victory Academy in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region won in the Shea Zone.

The two winners are to join the winners from the Coconut and Tilapia zones at the final competition in Accra on August 13, 2023.

The essay question was published in the Junior Graphic and other news portals for interested pupils to write and submit for marking.

Mr Afena-Sam said sanitation facilities were key and crucial to the improvement of the health of pupils and teaching and learning.

"If we aim at achieving 100 per cent success in education, health or sanitation in general in schools is key," he stated, explaining that if the environment in schools was poor, it could negatively affect the performance of students.

Mr Afena-Sam expressed concern about educational facilities being constructed without toilet facilities attached to them and appealed to the government and other developers to include toilet facilities in school buildings.

He said authorities in some schools with sanitation facilities had also neglected them, which had rendered them in a poor state.

Mr Afena-Sam also expressed worry about some community members who turned school toilet facilities into public facilities, explaining that the attitude disrupted teaching and learning and destroyed the facilities.

Decent toilet

Speaking during the opening session last Tuesday, the Technical Specialist at World Vision, Ghana, Yaw Atta Arhin, said World Vision was partnering with the government and other organisations to fight poor sanitation and accelerate the delivery of safe water and sanitation in the country, particularly in schools.

He added his voice to calls for the government to provide decent toilet facilities in schools to promote the health and general well-being of pupils and students.

Mr Arhin said most toilet facilities in some schools were in a poor state, posing health challenges to the learners, particularly girls.

He said World Vision introduced the challenge as a result of the missing link it identified on its programmes such as the limited participation of children in safe delivery of water, sanitation and hygiene services.

Challenge

Mr Arhin said the challenge had three main objectives, namely to encourage children to cultivate an interest in issues of water and sanitation to positively influence their peers, to build the capacity of children to create sustainable sanitation solutions and empower the children to become advocates themselves in the delivery of clean water.

For his part, the Bono Regional Director of Education, Gabriel Antwi, commended World Vision and its partners for organising the contest to promote safe water, sanitation and hygiene services among pupils.

Mr Antwi said the Ministry of Education was doing its best to improve the sanitation situation in schools and thanked World Vision and its partners for their intervention.
Abuakwa North MP commends chief for initiatives

Daily Graphic Jul - 15 - 2023 , 08:16

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North Constituency, who is also a Deputy Minister of Education, Gifty Twum Ampofo, has commended Atihene Barima Ati Awuah Kwaako and the Elders of the Ati Palace for their vision and commitment to education.

The MP was full of praise for the chiefs and people of Ati-Amanfrom in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area in the Eastern Region when she paid homage at the Ati Palace as part of the Ohum Festival last Wednesday.

The Director of Education of the Abuakwa North Municipality in the Eastern Region, Abena Gyamera, also added her voice to the commendation when she formally inaugurated the Ati Best Teachers Awards Scheme during the Festival.

The director said that such a far-reaching effort sends signals to teachers that their work is valued by the community. It also encourages them to do more.

The Ati Best Teachers Award Scheme was established by the Atihene and the Ati Traditional Council as part of their strategy to encourage high standards in teaching and learning in schools in the community.

Last year, the Council, with the support of the Rainbow Trust Foundation, refurbished and re-stocked the Presby Schools Library at Ati Amanfrom.

For her part, at this programme, Ms Ampofo promised to give a special award to the best teacher in the maths and science category from this year, so the first of that awards will be declared at next years Ohum Festival.

In the maiden event, Samuel Acheampong of the New Tafo Presby JHS (Ati) won the first prize of a television set.

He was followed by Faustina Korkor of the same school, who won a standing fan.

A teacher at the SDA Primary and KG, Margaret Gyimah, received a full piece of cloth for coming third while Faustina Ataa Danso of the Presby JHS got a half-piece of cloth for coming fourth.

The Traditional Council gave its Star Award for this year to the Headmaster of the Presby JHS, Governor Guggisberg Martey, for his outstanding services to the community.
Address devt disparities for better health outcomes - Prof. Doku to govt

Shirley Asiedu-Addo Jul - 15 - 2023 , 08:33

The government has been urged to address the inequalities and underdevelopment in the country to improve the general health and well-being of citizens, especially vulnerable communities.

A Prof. of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), David Teye Doku, said critical issues that negatively impacted the health of people could be reduced if efforts were made to resolve the underlining factors of disparities.

Speaking at an inaugural lecture in his honour on "The causes of the causes: Is society the producer of its own health and ill-health last Wednesday, Prof. Doku said the health status of people went beyond what was diagnosed in the hospitals, adding that the more inequalities in the distribution of incomes in a country, the worse its health and social state outcomes.

He, therefore, said it was important that people in positions of responsibility worked harder to ensure better public healthcare were provided to improve health indicators.

Social determinants

Prof. Doku further said that there were essential social determinants of health which were non-medical, but significantly influenced health outcomes.

"Our health is greatly impacted by how society is organised, and its important that as a nation, policies are put in place to improve the state of the communities," he said.

He said education, employment and improved infrastructure, such as roads and access to potable water, all impacted the health of communities.

Is it an individual responsible for the fact that there are no seatbelts in trotros which have been deemed roadworthy by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority?" the Prof. queried.

He said while the health of a person was the individual's responsibility, several factors which affected the individual's health were the responsibility of society.

Prof. Doku said there was, therefore, the need to hold leaders accountable to ensure the equitable distribution of the nation's resources.

He said every sector of governance must look at how it impacted public health to ensure that health indicators were improved.

The Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Johnson Nyarko-Boampong, commended Prof. Doku and said he was optimistic that the nation would work collectively to improve healthcare.

Background

Prof. Doku is the Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy of UCC, and is currently the topmost scholar in UCC with nominal citations of papers of all times with 17,335 citations.

He is also the second in UCC with 54 relevant papers in Scopus-indexed journals from 2016 to 2020.

The director began his academic career in 2008 as a researcher at the then-Tampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere, Finland.

He was appointed a lecturer at UCC in 2011, promoted to the rank of senior lecturer in 2013, and associate professor in 2022.
Adoptive parents to undergo mandatory training  Gender Minister

Augustina Tawiah & Elizabeth Konadu-Boakye Jul - 15 - 2023 , 08:22

With immediate effect, prospective adoptive parents will be required to undergo a mandatory 30-hour training before matching and placement of an adoptive child could be done.

The training is designed to provide prospective adoptive parents with the needed basic knowledge and skills to fulfil their roles and responsibilities.

The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP), Lariba Zuweira Abudu, announced this in Accra yesterday at the launch of the first-ever adoption training manual for the country.

Adoption is the legal process that permanently transfers all legal rights and responsibilities of being a parent from the childs birth parents to the adoptive parents. It is the legal process by which a person (child) becomes a lawful member of a family different from their birth family.

Once a final order of adoption has been ruled by a court of law, the adoptive parents gain the same rights and responsibilities as parents whose children are born to them. Subsequently, an adopted child gains the same rights as birth children concerning inheritance, child support and other legal matters.

Manual

The manual will, among others, regulate the adoption process and also serve as a tool for the training required by prospective adoptive parents before the adoption order is granted.

It provides the needed materials for the Central Adoption Authority (CAA), the Department of Social Welfare, and Adoption Agencies to conduct training for persons whose applications have been approved by the Adoption Technical Committee.

Regulation 37 of the Adoption Regulations, 2018 (LI 2360), stipulates that training shall be organised for applicants in accordance with the Training Manual before placement is done. The training shall be organised for in-country adoption applicants and, where applicable, for groups of applicants or individual applicants.

And certificates shall be issued to prospective adoptive parents who complete the training.

Significance

The minister said: "This is a child you agreed to adopt, who needs love, who needs a parent and from someone else's family. So you need to know much about them. We do the training to let you know all about the child. After that, if you accept, we will go ahead with the process," explained Ms Abudu.

She said regional officers of the Department of Social Welfare under the local government service would be given training for trainers on the Adoption Manual so they could train prospective adoptive parents upon receipt of an adoption application form.

Ms Abudu said efforts to reform the adoption process in the country began in 2010 when a technical working group started drafting guidelines for in-country and inter-country adoptions, followed by multiple regional meetings from 2010 to 2012 with various stakeholders to fine-tune the text.

The Head of the Central Adoption Authority of the Department of Social Welfare, Stephen Tikai Dombo, said adoptive children were special from biological children, hence, prospective adoptive parents needed to be properly equipped with skills to be able to handle the child.

A Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF, Young Joo Lee, commended the country for the manual.

The Director of the Social Welfare Department, Rev. Dr Comfort Asare, cautioned the public against exchanging children for money, explaining that such practices were illegal and punishable by law.
Corruption fight mustnt be lip service  President Akufo-Addo

Joshua Bediako Koomson Jul - 15 - 2023 , 08:02

The fight against corruption in Africa must be grounded on legislative, financial and institutional actions and not just on lip service, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said.

He indicated that corruption was not an exclusive African phenomenon but was spread across all nations of the world.

The President, however, explained that nations that had been successful in fighting the canker did so by building a robust legal system underpinned by the rule of law.

They protected the public purse, made institutional reforms and enacted additional requisite laws and resource more adequately the accountability organs of state and in Ghana, that is the anti-corruption law that we are pursuing since I took office, President Akufo-Addo stated.

World Convention

He was speaking in Accra yesterday at the opening of the 70th World Convention of the Full Gospel Business Mens Fellowship International (FGBMFI).

The event, which was held on the theme, Empowered for Service, brought together over 2,000 delegates from across the world to fellowship.

The three-day event is being hosted for the second time on the continent in its 70-year history, after Nigeria.

The occasion began with intense worship and vibrant praises, spiced with song ministrations from the Tema Youth Choir.

There was also a choreography display by a group from the International Central Central Gospel Church who thrilled the audience with a drama dance.

Other dignitaries present at the conference included a former Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood, the Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral Seth Amoama, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Adukwei Mensa, as well as government officials, clergymen, some justices of the Supreme Court and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Corruption

President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the importance of conventions, indicating that they enabled Christians to recharge their spiritual batteries and also encouraged one another.

However, he said it was better when the spiritual change that Christians experienced at conventions was reflected in their dealings in their societies where they spent the larger part of their active lives daily.

The authentic showroom for Christianity is not the church or conventions such as these but in the marketplace.

We tend to point fingers and grumble about corruption in our respective countries. More often than not, we choose the easy road of laying the blame entirely at the doorsteps of politicians.

We, however, forget that we have a significant number of Christians in each of our countries who, together, can help create a counterculture of honest dealings, President Akufo-Addo stressed.

The President indicated that it was not only the corruption that involved politicians and high-profile figures that retarded progress and hindered development.

Indeed, it is about breaking rules and regulations in many aspects of our lives and circumventing the laws that are meant to guide our society, he stated.

President Akufo-Addo added that corruption had to do with driving recklessly and breaking all the traffic regulations and trying to bribe the police officer when pulled up.

It has to do with not getting a proper permit to build a house and it has to do with looking the other way when something wrong is going on.

It has to do with the degradation of our environment and the pollution of the atmosphere and our water bodies. It also has to do with petty bribery and corruption, President Akufo-Addo stated.

Commendation

The President further commended the organisers of the event for making time to incorporate a business expo and seminar on ethics and integrity at the world convention to promote honest business.

New beginning

The International President of the FGBMFI, Francis Owusu, expressed the belief that the convention marked the beginning of the new move of God.

Quoting Jeremiah 29:10-11, he said, the Lord was about to do a new thing, and therefore, the old things needed to be forgotten.

We have now entered a new season of revival in the body of Christ and this fellowship has a critical role as God's instrument to awaken all laymen to go and bring in the last great harvest before the return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

We expect the windows of heaven to open over this convention, so let us all open our hearts and spirits to receive afresh the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit in a new wave of fire, Mr Owusu said.
Posters deface Accra's beauty

Kester Aburam Korankye Jul - 15 - 2023 , 11:44

As one walks along the streets of Accra, it is hard to miss the numerous posters on walls, poles, buildings and interchanges advertising everything from political campaigns to concerts, jobs and religious events.

With their garish colours and bold fonts, these advertising materials somehow present an eyesore that has blighted the city's beauty.

Accra, the nations bustling capital city, is a vibrant hub of culture and commerce, with about 4.5 million people living in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA).

The World Population Review estimates a daily influx of 2.5 million business commuters, and amid the hustle and bustle, one cannot help but notice how these hurriedly plastered posters are defacing walls and monumental structures in the city.

While the posters seek to promote the interests of various groups and individuals, many are plastered without permission from the authorities, violating the citys by-laws.

The Accra Metropolitan Assemblys by-laws (2017) on cleaning prohibits a person from affixing bills or posters for advertisement to any wall, road sign, tree or fixtures, other than on spaces specifically provided or approved by the assembly for that purpose, or on property owned or occupied by that person.

In 2019, the relevant assemblies in the city gave a 14-day ultimatum to churches, advertisers, filmmakers, educational institutions and the public who hoist banners and posters in Accra to remove all such publicity materials affixed to ceremonial streets and other key locations in the city.

Despite the warning, the practice persists, with the posters often left for months or years, if they survive the weather and competing materials, causing a build-up of unsightly clutter.

No authorisation

The Chief Executive of the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, Samuel James Nii Adjei Tawiah, told the Daily Graphic that the plastering of posters around the city without authorisation was a nightmare for the assembly.

The assembly, he said, had launched campaigns and spent a lot of money to remove all illegal posters, and warned that any individual or group caught pasting posters without permission would face legal action.

They do it at night, and by morning, they are there, so we spend a lot of money to get people to remove these posters, and for us, its a daily affair and we are engaging with the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) and other stakeholders to clamp down on it.

Recently, we had to remove some from the AU Roundabout, and you realise that some of the adverts belong to reputable companies, Mr Tawiah said.

Although registered advertisers could be hired to run campaigns for brands and individuals with posters, they can only do so with the right permits from city authorities.

Mr Tawiah explained that posters that were legally pasted were done responsibly at designated places sanctioned by the authorities, but that the bulk of the posters plastered illegally were done by faceless individuals under the cover of darkness.

He noted that the defacement of Accra through illegal posters was a pressing issue that needed to be addressed urgently, adding that it is time for all stakeholders, including the authorities, individuals and groups, to come together and find a lasting solution to this problem.

Monitoring exercise

The Head of Public Affairs of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Gilbert Ankrah, said the assembly recently embarked on an inspection and monitoring exercise and discovered that some banners and posters were positioned at places that were not designated by the assembly.

He said those materials were removed and the owners of advert materials with expired permits were instructed to abide by the assemblys bye-laws.

He said per the assemblys Out of Home Advertising policy, advertisers were expected to renew their licences on a yearly basis, expressing the hope that the advertisers would comply with the procedure.

Mr Ankrah, however, indicated that the situation had improved due to their engagement with advertisers and the demarcation of some areas.

Advertisers

The President of the AAG, Andrew Ackah, told the Daily Graphic that the illegal posting of posters around the city was of grave concern to the association.

He said a yet-to-be-published audit conducted by the AAG suggested that the situation had worsened over the years despite stringent laws to curb it.

The report, done with a digital map, shows the extent to which regulations on advertising were being breached on a daily basis, reducing customer satisfaction.

Mr Ackah said so far the 12.7km long Spintex Road in Accra was facing the most abuse in terms of the illegal mounting and pasting of advertising materials.

The association, he said, was presently working around the clock to find a lasting solution to the issue.

Discipline

The CEO of Jandel Limited, Afi Amoro, said beautification of the city was passionate to her, stressing that it had other side benefits, including cleanliness and orderliness.

She said spaces in the city that had been decorated were hardly littered as people generally appreciated beauty.

You realise that there is less littering at places that are decorated like the recently renovated Police Headquarters, where the whole area has benefited from that extra beauty added to the building, and the landscaping has transformed the entire stretch, so you will hardly see any form of litter around that area, she said.

Ms Amoro called on influential Ghanaians to lend their voice to the beautification of the city in all its forms.

Jandel Limited is a wholly owned Ghanaian company with an acclaimed trade record in the business of interior and exterior decoration, landscaping and renovations.

Environmental impact

A British-Ghanaian environmentalist based in Barking, East London, Joyce Bawuah, told the Daily Graphic that the impact of the posters went beyond visual pollution, and could also damage buildings and infrastructure, as the glue used to affix them could corrode surfaces over time.

She, however, said the removal of those posters could be costly and time-consuming for the authorities.

Political campaigns

However, as the 2024 general election draws closer, the city is experiencing an increase in the number of political party posters that have become the front runners when it comes to damaging the city's aesthetic appeal.

While they serve the purpose of promoting the parties and their candidates, they appear to impact the beauty of the city.

Mr Tawiah said the assembly had already planned to engage the various political parties to encourage them to be circumspect in the plastering of posters during the campaign seasons and to follow the laid down procedures, including seeking and obtaining permit from the assembly, before pasting posters.

A political scientist who did not wish to be named, however, told the Daily Graphic that the presence of political party posters could also have an impact on public perception because although they might serve the purpose of promoting political parties and candidates, they could be viewed by the public as a nuisance.

The sight of these posters can create a negative perception of political parties and candidates among the public, the expert said, and added that while posters served as a reminder to voters about elections and candidates, they did not necessarily translate into more votes for the parties responsible for putting them up.

The Accra scenario is, however, a mere reflection of the greater and wider case across the country.

The Chief Executive of the Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly, Mordecai Quarshie, said by-laws on the menace were mostly flouted by residents, and that the main issue regarding posters was enforcement.

He said per the relevant by-laws of the assembly, the public was required to pay the assembly before pasting posters in the community.

The amount, he said, was used by to undertake the removal of posters when they were no longer relevant.

He added that over the years, politicians in particular made it difficult for officers of the assembly to go after them due to the politics associated with the enforcement of such laws.

He said residents took advantage of the situation to post different materials that marred the walls and structures of important public places in the constituency.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to present mid-year budget review to Parliament on July 25

GraphicOnline Politics Jul - 15 - 2023 , 14:58

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, is set to present the highly anticipated mid-year budget review to Parliament on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

The announcement was made by the First Deputy Majority Whip, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, during the presentation of the business statement for the upcoming week in Parliament.

In accordance with the provisions of the Public Financial Management Act 2016, Minister Ken Ofori-Atta will present the mid-year review of the budget statement on the Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the fiscal year 2023. This crucial presentation aims to provide an update on the government's economic progress, as well as outline any necessary adjustments to the budgetary allocations and policies.

Members of Parliament and the public eagerly await the mid-year budget review, as it offers an opportunity to assess the government's fiscal performance and gain insights into its economic strategies for the remaining months of the year. This review is expected to shed light on the government's efforts in key sectors such as education, agriculture, and finance.

In related news, the Minister of Finance, along with the Ministers of Education and Food and Agriculture, is scheduled to appear before Parliament on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. The purpose of their appearance is to address the challenges faced by the National Food Buffer Stock Company, as requested by the Speaker of Parliament.

The National Food Suppliers Association recently staged a protest at the Food Buffer Stock Company premises due to outstanding debts owed to them by the government. Consequently, the Speaker directed the Business Committee of the house to schedule a briefing session with the Ministers to discuss the issues surrounding the debts and find a suitable resolution.
GRA'S new role on property rate collections - What to expect

Ernest Heymann Politics Jul - 15 - 2023 , 11:58

Until recently, the mandate to administer property rates and their collections was assigned to the local authorities/Municipalities.

The property rate administration, collections and compliance have nonetheless posed enormous challenges to these local authorities.



No doubt, each of them will have their own story to share.

Although these local authorities perceive this "elusive tax" as the largest source of revenue for social and economic development, the question remains if they have effectively managed the administration of this tax and the collection thereofto yield the expected results.

With effect from January 1, 2023, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has partnered with the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to collect property rates using a Unified Common Property Rate Platform.

The Unified Common Property Rate Platform, Myassembly.gov.gh, is an end-to-end district revenue collection and administration platform for property rates, which is linked to the Ghana.gov.gh payment platform.

This article explores the expected roles and responsibilities of MMDAs, GRA, and Property Owners/Ratepayers.

Property rate collection under the local authorities

What was the purpose of this Rate, and why were the local authorities assigned to handle its administration and collections?

As per the Local Government Act, 2016, Act 936, the Rateempowers local authorities to generate revenue, fund governance, establish equity, aid economic development, and control compliance and administration.

Ratepayers pay taxes to finance local government services like schools, fire, police, garbage, libraries, recreational parks, streetlights, and sewer systems.

However, the intended purpose of these taxes remains unclear, and continued payment may be insignificant if the social and economic benefits appear insignificant.

Act 936 aims to give local authorities autonomy over property rate administration and collection to support local communities.

They should act as custodians of the tax having anunderstanding for local needs, priorities, and market dynamics.

Unfortunately, these local authorities have faced challenges in updated valuations, data management, compliance, tax base expansion, public awareness, capacity, resources, and political policy, highlighting the complexity of property rate administration.

To overcome these challenges, municipalities must invest in systems, build capacity, engage stakeholders, and improve administration processes.

Overwhelming responsibilities and population expansions require updating property values and efficient local authorities, and government review of outdated policies may help reach targets.

Property rate collection under Ghana Revenue Authority

As indicated, the introduction of GRA as collection agents for the municipalities has been fraught with mixed feelings among all Stakeholders.

Ratepayers, who should have been considered as the revenue clients appear to have been completely ignored when these major decisions were being taken.

Bearing in mind that property values are not absolute, the values keep changing with varying situations, which ultimately hinders the budgeting of any municipality, one would have assumed that the rate payers at least would be consulted extensively in such a major policy shift.

Ratepayers are increasingly confused about contacting designated authorities for assessment-related issues, and 9 out of 10 do not know how the rate impost (tax rate) is derived and its impact on property rate bills.

With GRA taking over the collection of rates for the municipalities, might they face similar challenges as experienced by the local authorities?

Is the GRA bound by the same statutory provisions in ACT 936 as sole agent of collections? Which accounts would the new agents deposit the property rate proceeds into since by law GRA is supposed to make all deposits into the Consolidated Fund for national development?

Naturally, like any institution jumping on the boat for the first time, the GRA would have to understand and appreciate the new terrain they are in.

Some of the challenges GRA may face are, coordination with the Municipalities, data accuracy & property valuations, compliance and enforcement, capacity & resources, and political & policy considerations. Furthermore, in the event of a change in government, would the new government appreciate the existing role of GRA in their collection efforts or would they seek to reverse the role to the municipalities?

The Property RatePayer

In all this, how is the property owner or ratepayer affected?

Ratepayers should focus on property assessments, as only The Lands Commission's rating division conducts valuations. They can contest new assessments, request revised bills and refunds, regularly examine property record files to identify over-assessments and challenge them effectively, or apply overpayments to future rates.

There are five (5) circumstances in which one can have substantial evidence for a compelling case:

1. If the assessed value of a property is too high . This indicates a higher percentage of value than other similar properties on the valuation roll.

2. If p roperty is assessed at higher percentages than permitted by law.

3. An u nequal assessment , which occurs when the property is valued above market value . Assessing a property below market value is illegal , and it is unequal if the assessment exceeds market value .

4. Check for error s on your property record file since errors are notoriously common.

5. Exemptions or deductions allowed on the property . E.g. vacancies , depreciation , and functional obsolescence making a property less desirable to own .

If you fit into any of the five categories, you may have a reason to appeal your assessment value.

Property Rate Administration under the current dispensation

For many years, the local authorities have tried their hands on this "elusive tax system" and yet have not yielded the desired results expected in the local communities.

GRA should assist municipalities in rate collection, leveraging existing infrastructure and expertise for efficient, timely, accurate payments, and reduced administrative burden.

So, what is the way forward for GRA to succeed in this regard?

1. Setup c oordinating s ystems with Municipalitie s  GRA should establish an efficient coordinating system with Municipalities and Valuation Authorities . A clearer understanding should be established that their intention is not to take away the mandate from the l ocal a uthorities but only to assist in the rate collections efforts so the communities could be empowered to developed rapidly in line with changing times.

2. GRA must clearly outline the c hanges  GRA must outline changes in their new role as collection agents, including revised payment system s , updated deadlines, and enhancing transparency and compliance for the public.

3. GRA to address n on- c ompliance & p enalties  GRA must e xplain non-compliance consequences, penalties, and late fees to ratepayers, encouraging timely compliance to avoid negative consequences.

4. GRA to address FAQs & c oncerns  GRA should offer a platform for property owners to address questions and concerns about the new system.

5. GRA must promote a wareness and e ducation  The contact information for GRA and authorities should be provided for ratepayers seeking clarifications and assistance, includ ing helpline numbers, email addresses or the designated offices for ratepayer support.

In conclusion, property rate administration requires a multifaceted approach, with ratepayers playing a crucial role in supporting local development. Local authorities must prioritize accountability, responsiveness, and public engagement to build trust among property owners.

There is no doubt that the rates would have a positive impact on the community. With all stakeholders prepared to work together whilst embracing their respective roles responsibly, the communities stand a greater chance of developing. GRA, we wish you luck!

By Ernest Heymann

The Writer is a Property Tax Specialist with Auditel International (Gh) Ltd/Member of AGI.
Ill change Lower Manya Krobo  NPP parliamentary aspirant

Ezekiel Sottie Politics Jul - 15 - 2023 , 15:42

A New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary aspirant for Lower Manya Krobo Constituency in the Eastern Region, Robert Tetteyfio Adjase, has appealed to the partys delegates and the people of the area to give him the chance to represent them in Parliament so as to change the current situation in the constituency.

He said his ambition to represent his people in Parliament, come January, 2025 was not because of his parochial interest but for the development of the area.

Mr Adjase, a presidential staffer in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said he joined the NPP in 2014, and has contributed in diverse ways to the growth of the party, both in the Kroboland and in the Volta Region.

He said as someone who wanted to make an impact in Kroboland, he came back to his own area and formed Krobo for change which made the NPP nearly win the election at Lower Manya Krobo Constituency with a close margin, adding My initiative positively affected Upper Manya Krobo which won the seat from the NDC for the first time in the political history of the Dangme areas.

Service

Mr Adjase said even though he was working at the Presidency, he had always touched base with his people at home, and expressed the belief that it was time to get to the political leadership of the constituency to speed up its development.

He stated further that he contributed immensely to the amicable resolution of the impasse between the PDS/ Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Krobos two years ago, which ensured the restoration of power to the area to enhance economic activities..

I believe I have the leadership qualities and the experience that I can bring to bear when given the nod as the Member of Parliament to lobby for development in Klo (Krobo) , he stressed.

Mr Adjase who picked the partys parliamentarynomination forms to constest the primary in the constitiency last Thursday said one of his core mandates when given the nod would also be to work together with the traditional authorities and the people to bring development.

He, therefore, appealed to the partys delegates to give him the opportunity to be the partys parliamentary candidate for the 2024 general election.

Orphan constituencies

Per the NPPs revised timelines, nominations in constituencies where it has no sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), also known as orphan constituencies, will be opened from Tuesday, July 11, 2023 and close on Thursday, August 10, 2023.

It said elections in the orphan constituencies would be held on a case-by-case basis to elect parliamentary candidates to contest on the partys ticket in the 2024 general election in those constituencies.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) released a Notice of Intent (NOI), which includes a Request for Information (RFI) (DE-NOI-0202301), to invest up to $1 billion in a demand-side initiative to support the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) (earlier post). The H2Hubs program will help form the foundation of a national clean hydrogen network.

Later this year, the DOE will announce the selection of 6 to 10 H2Hubs for a combined total funding of up to $7 billion in federal funding. The proposed mechanism outlined in the NOI will help connect the H2Hubs to prospective purchasers.

The announcement will help ensure both producers and end users in the H2Hubs have the market certainty they need during the early years of production to unlock private investment and realize the full potential of clean hydrogen.

DOE says that developing a hydrogen demand-side initiative is critical to ensuring the early commercial viability of a H2Hub given that demand formation for a new energy source typically lags creation of reliable supply. This new initiative will support the growth and sustainability of the H2Hubs program by providing the revenue certainty that hydrogen producers require to attract private sector investment. It will also help meet the needs of end users who often prefer the flexibility to purchase hydrogen on shorter-term contracts and require confidence in the long-term availability of clean hydrogen before making critical, long-term investments.

The NOI, which includes a Request for Information on the programs design, will help DOE refine and validate its approach to provide demand-side support for the hubs to enter the clean hydrogen market and will identify the best approach to engaging and potentially involving private sector institutions in the organization, capitalization, and execution of the implementing entitys mandate.

To help inform the design of a demand-side support mechanism for the H2Hubs program, the NOI seeks public input on potential benefits and risks, operating models, governance structures, and equipped implementing partners. The NOI is also informed by DOEs dialogue with the energy industry, clean energy investment firms, nonprofit entities, non-governmental organizations, and public response from the demand-side request for information issued in spring 2022 and from DOEs Pathways to Commercial Liftoff Report on clean hydrogen. Based on demonstrated performance and experience gained with the H2Hubs demand-side support mechanism, DOE may consider similar mechanisms for other technologies and clean energy products in the future.
FREYR Battery has been awarded a 100-million grant from the European Union to support development of FREYRs Giga Arctic project in Norway. The grant will be funded through the EUs Innovation Fund (EUIF) as part of the EUs efforts to promote localized production of battery solutions.

Giga Arctic, which has been under development since FREYRs Board of Directors sanctioned the start of construction in June 2022, is designed to be a 29 GWh nameplate capacity facility based on the 24M Technologies SemiSolid manufacturing platform and powered with 100% renewable hydroelectricity.

According to a report recently published by Minviro, a life cycle assessment company and independent third-party commissioned by FREYR, the annual production at the planned Giga Arctic facility in Norway could enable FREYRs customers to mitigate 80 million tons of CO 2 emissions over the batteries lifetime when used for renewable Energy Storage Systems (ESS). The projected emissions mitigation corresponds to almost twice the total amount of CO 2 emitted in Norway annually.

The EUs Innovation Fund is one of the worlds largest funding opportunities for projects designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The fund targets highly innovative technologies and large-scale, flagship initiatives that can bring more value to Europe in terms of transitioning to a low-carbon continent.

FREYR has commenced building the first of its planned factories in Mo i Rana, Norway and announced potential development of industrial scale battery cell production in the United States and Vaasa, Finland. FREYR intends to install 50 GWh of battery cell capacity by 2025 and 100 GWh annual capacity by 2028 and 200 GWh of annual capacity by 2030.
The GPA safety team gather after winning second place in their group for the American Public Power Associations safety awards. From left: Richard C. Masanayon, GPA Safety Inspector Supervisor; Gerald T. Smith, GPA Safety Inspector III; Isaac K. Williams, GPA Safety Inspector I; Jacqueline San Nicolas, GPA Safety Administrative Officer; Jarred C. Alerta, GPA Safety Inspector I; Eddie Nick Q. Camacho, GPA Safety Inspector III; Kenneth J. Gutierrez, GPA Safety and Physical Security Manager.

The GPA safety team gather after winning second place in their group for the American Public Power Associations safety awards. From left: Richard C. Masanayon, GPA Safety Inspector Supervisor; Gerald T. Smith, GPA Safety Inspector III; Isaac K. Williams, GPA Safety Inspector I; Jacqueline San Nicolas, GPA Safety Administrative Officer; Jarred C. Alerta, GPA Safety Inspector I; Eddie Nick Q. Camacho, GPA Safety Inspector III; Kenneth J. Gutierrez, GPA Safety and Physical Security Manager.
El Peru ejercera la Presidencia de @APEC en 2024. Conoce mas acerca de este importante foro de cooperacion y coordinacion que une a 21 economias del Asia Pacifico. #RumboAPEC2024 ?????? pic.twitter.com/lu1xXKzWke
The impact of Typhoon Mawar has been disastrous for thousands of residents on the island.

Fortunately, numerous government agencies and nonprofit organizations have been working to provide assistance.

To date, nearly $112 million have flowed into the community to help jumpstart the recovery process, with $62.2 million alone coming from low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration.

The SBA provides recovery loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters.

For homeowners and renters, the SBA has approved 651 disaster loans, which totaled nearly $59.2 million. These loans can be used to repair or replace a survivors disaster-damaged home and personal property. Additionally, 45 businesses and private nonprofits have been approved for loans totaling more than $3 million. These funds will help these businesses and organizations recover by replacing real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and business assets.

More than 16,000 homeowners and renters have been approved for the Federal Emergency Management Agencys federal awards through their Individuals and Households Program with more than $49.7 million being approved. Unlike SBA loans, this money does not have to be paid back.

More than $11 million was approved in repair and replacement assistance to help survivors rebuild or make basic repairs to primary residences that were destroyed due to Typhoon Mawar.

Nearly $14.5 million in rental assistance was provided to more than 4,700 applicants. FEMA rental assistance is intended to help survivors pay for somewhere to live while they repair or rebuild their disaster-damaged homes. FEMA awards eligible applicants an initial Rental Assistance payment based on the Fair Market Rent established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for where their pre-disaster residence is located and the number of bedrooms the household requires.

More than $24.3 million in Other Needs Assistance has been awarded to provide financial assistance for disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs that are not covered by insurance or provided by any other source. This includes critical needs assistance, transportation assistance, personal property assistance, moving and storage, disaster-related medical and dental assistance and money to clean and sanitize a disaster-damaged home.

FEMA application deadline approaching

For those that have sustained damage or loss because of Typhoon Mawar and have still not applied for federal assistance, it is important to act quickly as the deadline is approaching. The registration deadline for FEMAs disaster assistance is July 27.

FEMA assistance may include grants to help homeowners and renters pay for the following:

Temporary housing for those displaced from their disaster-damaged primary homes.

Essential repairs to owner-occupied primary homes, including structural components such as foundation, exterior walls and roof, and interior areas such as ceiling and floors.

Replacement of personal property, including specialized tools for employment, household items, appliances, disability equipment (i.e., wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc.), and vehicle repair or replacement.

Other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance, including medical, dental, moving, and child-care expenses and funeral and transportation expenses

Typhoon Mawar survivors should register for assistance even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

Residents can register, get updates about applications or learn about the appeals process by visiting disasterassistance.gov, by using the FEMA mobile app, by stopping by a Disaster Recovery Center or calling the helpline at 1 (800) 621-3362. The helpline is available 24 hours a day daily at no cost for Guam residents.

Guam Community College and Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School are the only remaining DRCs that are still open. They are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. They are closed on Sundays.

At a DRC, residents can learn more about FEMA and other federal disaster assistance programs, understand any letters they get from FEMA, get answers to their questions about the application or get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance.

DRCs are barrier-free and provide equal access to all visitors. If a resident uses American Sign Language or assistive technology and needs accommodations to communicate, they are advised to notify FEMA staff at the center immediately.

D-SNAP pin can be changed

The Department of Public Health and Social Services is aware of applicants under the Disaster Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program who received their benefits electronically but are having difficulties using their EBT cards.

DPHSS recommended applicants change their PIN by calling 1(866)937-4826, which is also provided at the back of the approved D-SNAP applicants EBT-card. D-SNAP applicants who are changing their PIN number must know their nine-digit case number, which start with 7300, and their social security number. The case number can be found on their Eligibility Determination Notice form.

For further inquiries, D-SNAP applicants can call DPHSSs Bureau of Economic Security at (671)300-8880 or 8882.

These numbers are active Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those calling must also know their nine-digit case number and SSN. After submitting their inquiry, DPHSS staff will then look into the case and respond to the applicant as soon as possible.

Free rebuilding and repair tips offered by FEMA

As Guam residents begin to rebuild, survivors of Typhoon Mawar can get tips and advice on how to rebuild stronger and safer against storms.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand at three locations in Dededo to answer questions and offer home improvement tips with proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. This information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Mitigation is an effort to reduce the loss of life and property damage by lessening the impact of the disaster. Starting on July 15, these mitigation specialists will be available at the Guam Home Center and the Pay-Less Supermarkets in the Micronesia Mall and in the Dededo village. Theyll be there from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from Tuesday through Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Specialists final days at the Pay-Less locations will be July 21 while their final day at the Guam Home Center will be July 28.

In addition, FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance staff will be on hand to offer in-person FEMA registration and application reviews to Guam survivors with questions about FEMA assistance.

Recovery efforts for water infrastructure completedFEMA assigned the crucial mission of recovering drinking water and wastewater infrastructure to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. On July 13, the USEPA announced the successful completion of this collaborative effort, which aimed to expedite the recovery process and enhance the resilience of the affected communities in Guam.

The fulfilled mission included conducting operational assessments of drinking water and wastewater facilities that were affected, evaluating the needs of the water sector and providing necessary technical assistance.

In close coordination with the government of Guam, the USEPA assisted in various tasks. These included inspecting over 20 water hauling trucks and 126 water and ice vending machines, sampling and assessing the condition of water storage tanks at 35 hotels and evaluating a dozen large water storage tanks affected by Typhoon Mawar.

Furthermore, the USEPA supported the Guam Water Works Authority in assessing moderate damage at the Northern District Wastewater Treatment Plant and determining necessary repairs to ensure its full functionality. Fortunately, all other wastewater treatment plants in Guam experienced little to no damage.

The surface water treatment plants at Ugum and Navy sustained moderate to minor damage. The USEPA conducted assessments on critical infrastructure to ensure both systems are fully operational.

The USEPA is continuing to prepare collected household hazardous waste, including waste from schools, for appropriate shipment and disposal off the island.
Legislative committees of land, public safety and environment are convening a town hall on Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the Guam Congress Building.

The meeting will give the public and government representatives the opportunity to share information and learn the logistics and effects of DoDs proposed 360-degree EIAMDS. The public is encouraged to attend and participate.

We have learned from past Department of Defense projects that without complete details during the scoping, Draft EIS, and Final EIS periods, Guams leaders and public cannot effectively prevent the adverse impacts to health, safety, environment, land, and culture that result from these projects, stated Speaker Therese Terlaje.

This upcoming Legislative Town Hall seeks to ensure that those past mistakes do not happen again, and that conflicting information about the 360-degree EIAMD system can be addressed. It is important that all agencies work together to ensure that our community is well-informed so that our government and public responses can be effective to protect the safety of the people of Guam.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has directed the executive departments and agencies under her authority who received invitations from the Guam Legislature to participate in its upcoming town hall meeting on the proposed missile defense system.

While agencies under the governors purview will be participating in the town hall meeting, the governor will not be able to attend.

In a letter to Speaker Therese Terlaje, Gov. Leon Guerrero provided assurance that the administration has the same information already available to the public and the Guam Legislature. That information can be found online at https://www.mda.mil/system/eiamd/, which is additionally mirrored on the governors website at https://governor.guam.gov/militaryaffairs/.

According to the map released by the Department of Defense, there are 20 proposed sites for the missile defense system across the island. According to the administration, although the map lacks specific details, one of the sites identified in the south appears to be outside of DoDs current footprint.

I spoke to Admiral Nicholson about this southern site that is outside of DoDs footprint, and he has indicated that they intend to lease land from private property owners in that area, said Gov. Leon Guerrero. I, however, do not know the specific parcels of land they are looking to lease or who those private landowners may be.

In order to submit scoping comments, the administrated stated that Gov. Leon Guerrero has assembled critical regulatory agencies to review the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for an enhanced integrated air and missile defense system on Guam. The agencies will also identify issues that should be evaluated in the Environmental Impact Statement.

I am confident that our administration will submit very important and pertinent comments for the scoping period, and I encourage everyone in the public to submit comments of their own. This scoping process is meant for DoD to determine what the public would like for them to study in their EIS, added Gov. Leon Guerrero.

On the federal side, the Missile Defense Agency rescheduled open house public scoping meetings to inform the public about the Environmental Impact Statement being prepared for deploying and operating an Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense system on Guam.

MDA welcomes the publics comments on the scope of the EIS, potential alternatives, identification of environmental concerns, issues that should be addressed in the EIS and the projects potential to affect historic properties pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The EIS process requires public involvement during the scoping period and when the Draft EIS is available for public review and comment.

MDA will hold three public scoping meetings to inform the public about the Proposed Action and accept comments on the scope of the analysis. The meetings will be in an open-house format and will include poster stations staffed by project representatives who can provide information and answer questions about the Proposed Action and the upcoming environmental impact analysis. The public may arrive at any time between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. as there will not be a presentation or formal oral comment session. The public scoping meetings will be held at the following locations:

Aug. 2

Hilton Guam Resort & Spa

Micronesian Room

202 Hilton Rd. Tumon Bay, GU 96913

Aug. 3

Micronesia Mall 2nd Floor, Next to Macys Womens

1088 W. Marine Corps Dr. Dededo, GU 96929

Aug. 4

Hagat Mayors Office

Community Center Building

393, Route 2 Hagat, GU 96928

MDA is cooperating with the United States Department of the Army, US Department of the Navy, US Department of the Air Force, and the Federal Aviation Administration. MDA and the collaborating agencies are preparing an EIS to evaluate the potential environmental impacts and potential mitigation of deploying and operating an EIAMDS to defend Guam against advanced missile threats.

Within the context of homeland defense, Guam is a key strategic location for sustaining and maintaining U.S. influence, deterring adversaries, responding to crises, and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. An attack on Guam would be considered a direct attack on the United States and would be met with an appropriate response, stated Joint Region Marianas.

Current U.S. forces are capable of defending Guam against regional ballistic missile threats. However, regional missile threats to Guam continue to increase and advance technologically. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has identified a requirement for an Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense capability in Guam as soon as possible to address the rapid evolution of adversary missile threats.

As an overview, the proposed action is to deploy and operate a comprehensive, persistent, 360-degree Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense system to defend Guam against the rapidly evolving threats of missile attacks from regional adversaries, according to JRM.

The public is encouraged to submit comments during the scoping period through Aug. 18. Comments must be postmarked or received online by Aug. 18 for consideration in the development of the Draft EIS.

Comments may be submitted in the following ways:

In person: Public scoping meetings

Email: info@EIAMD-EIS.com

Website:

Mail: ManTech International Corporation Attention: EIAMD EIS Project Support PMB 403 1270 N. Marine Corps Dr., Suite 101 Tamuning, Guam 96913-4331

This public scoping effort will also support additional consultation under Section 106 of the NHPA of 1966 and its implementing regulations at 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 800. MDA is committed to meaningful public involvement and will keep the public informed throughout the development of the EIS.




Haiti - Jamaica : Portland police call for caution faced the arrival of Haitian refugees





Portland (Jamaica) police are urging residents to be cautious and consider certain risks if they are faced with the arrival of illegal Haitian nationals.



Speaking at the Portland Municipal Corporation meeting in Port Antonio, Superintendent Lloyd Darby, Commanding Officer of the Portland Police Division, while commending residents for their kindness and cautioning "The citizens who first encountered the [29] Haitians[on July 13 in Boston]" did a commendable humanitarian job by assisting them with food and water upon arrival.



"However, I caution that if there is a repeat of this kind of mass arrival, that the citizens be careful of the risk of persons among the group who might be armed, adding "



However, I warn that if there is a repeat of this kind of mass arrival, citizens should be aware of the risk of people among the group who may be armed," adding "There is also the possibility of the risk of infectious diseases. So [residents] should properly mask themselves [during] their interaction with them before the authorities reach."



Superintendent Darby indicated that a multi-agency approach has been taken to deal with the situation, adding that the Haitians are housed in a facility in St. Mary where the process of interviews by the Passport Agency for the Immigration and Citizenship (PICA) was undertaken.



Similar sentiments were echoed by Port Antonio Mayor Councilor Paul Thompson, who praised the agencies involved for their collaborative effort.



SL/HaitiLibre


















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Fiscalia Especializada contra la Criminalidad Organizada realizo el allanamiento de 4 inmuebles -como parte de una investigacion reservada- hallando en una de las viviendas S/360 mil en posesion de Cesar Perez Barriga, teniente alcalde de la Municipalidad Provincial del Callao. pic.twitter.com/u4W48tv8Xl
YEREVAN, 15 JULY, ARMENPRESS The message spread by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan about the fact that on July 15, around 10:00 AM, the units of the Defense Army of Artsakh tried to carry out fortification works in the Askeran region, which were allegedly disrupted as a result of the actions of the Azerbaijani side, is another disinformation, ARMENPRESS reports, the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh said in a message.

"In this way, the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan is trying to justify the fire of its units in the direction of civilians doing agricultural work. On July 15, around 09:50, the Azerbaijani side opened fire from firearms in the direction of civilians doing agricultural work in the village of Nerkin Sznek of Askeran district, reads the message.

The incident was reported to the command of the peacekeeping troops of the Russian Federation.
Weekly Horoscope Predictions says, Your attitude speaks for you The weekly horoscope predicts a safe romantic life, a better workplace & good finance this week. Handle wealth with care while health would also be good. Weekly Horoscope Pisces, July 16 - 22, 2023. New love, robust relationship, and parents approval are the highlights of this weeks horoscope.

New love, robust relationship, and parents approval are the highlights of this weeks horoscope. Your professional performance will be great while general health is also up to the mark.

Also Read: Horoscope Today, July 16, 2023

Pisces Love Horoscope This Week

Be ready to find true love this week. You will come across someone interesting in the first half of the week. However, wait till the weekend to propose as you need to confirm the compatibility. All old romantic clashes would be resolved and patch-ups may happen. This may also lead to the rekindling of old relationships. Married Pisces natives need to stay away from this as you dont want to damage married life.

Also Read: Love Horoscope, July 16, 2023

Pisces Career Horoscope This Week

You will not face any major challenges this week at the office. However, some coworkers will conspire against you. Beware of office politics and gossip that may impact your morale. Ensure to be in the good book of the management and stay away from every controversy. Those who want to quit the job can update their resume on a job portal as youll receive new job calls in a couple of days. Brush up your technical skills as you will need to show them during the test or interview.

Pisces Money Horoscope This Week

Though you are prosperous this week, the horoscope is not in favor of large-scale investment, especially in the speculative business. Some Pisces natives will need money to meet legal expenses this week. Minor financial troubles will impact some Pisces natives who are into arts and music However, things will improve as the days pass by. You may also need money for the educational expenses of your child.

Pisces Health Horoscope This Week

You are good in terms of health. No major illness will impact your routine. However, viral fever, cough, throat pain, and digestion issues will be common among Pisces natives this week. Keep stress under control and practice yoga this week. While diabetic patients may need medical attention, senior Pisces natives will have pain in joints, especially the elbow.

Pisces Sign Attributes

Strength: Conscious, Aesthetic, Kind-hearted

Weakness: Sentimental, Indecisive, Unrealistic

Symbol: Fish

Element: Water

Body Part: Blood Circulation

Sign Ruler: Neptune

Lucky Day: Thursday

Lucky Color: Purple

Lucky Number: 11

Lucky Stone: Yellow Sapphire

Pisces Sign Compatibility Chart

Natural affinity: Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, Capricorn

Good compatibility: Virgo, Pisces

Fair compatibility: Aries, Leo, Libra, Aquarius

Less compatibility: Gemini, Sagittarius

By: Dr. J. N. Pandey

Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert

Website: https://www.cyberastro.com

E-mail: caresponse@cyberastro.com

Phone: 9717199568, 9958780857

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US automaker Tesla on Saturday announced that its first electric pickup -- a slick-looking silver Cybertruck -- had rolled off the assembly line at its huge plant near Austin, Texas. Telsa Cybertruck(AFP)

"First Cybertruck built at Giga Texas!" says a tweet from the company, accompanied by a photo of the futuristic vehicle amid a sea of helmeted and yellow-vested Tesla workers.

Elon Musk, who owns both Tesla and Twitter, reposted the tweet with the comment "Congrats Tesla Team."

Tesla did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment on Saturday.

The company had promised in April that it would be rolling out the first Cybertrucks before the end of the year.

Plans for the vehicle, with its silvery, tortoise-like shape and unusual angles, were first announced in November 2019.

Its original introduction went awry when Musk urged a Tesla employee to strike one of the prototype's windows with a hunk of steel to show its solidity. The window broke -- drawing a laugh and a curse word from Musk -- as did a second window on an ensuing attempt.

Yet within two days, Tesla said it had received nearly 150,000 advance orders.

In May, Musk said the company hoped to build 250,000 of the trucks a year -- a number he said could eventually double, given a relatively accessible price tag.

Tesla will be making three models of the Cybertruck, a vehicle that can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in less than three seconds. The basic model will cost $39,900 and offer a 250-mile range between charges; the top-line truck will have twice that range and sell for $69,900.
A member of the Davinder Bambiha gang, who was arrested after a police encounter, escaped the custody of Faridkot police early on Saturday from the hospital where rival gangster Lawrence Bishnoi is undergoing treatment. Gangster Surinderpal Singh being brought to Guru Gobind Singh Medical College (GGSMCH) at Faridkot on July 10 after he suffered a gunshot wound in an encounter with the police. (HT file photo)

Surinderpal Singh, alias Billa of Jeevan Nagar, was undergoing treatment at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College (GGSMCH) at Faridkot when he escaped. On July 10, Faridkot police had arrested Surinderpal and Shaminder Lal after an encounter near Bir Sikhan Wala village. Surinderpal had sustained a gunshot in his leg during the encounter, following which he was admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Also read: Punjab crime: 2-month-old raped in Ludhiana village

The gangster escaped despite tight security at the hospital for the rival gangs head Lawrence Bishnoi, who is also undergoing treatment at GGSMCH.

Faridkot senior superintendent of police (SSP) Harjeet Singh said: Our teams are conducting raids to arrest him. Bishnoi and Surinderpal were kept in different buildings. He did not go towards the building where Bishnoi was kept and used another passage to escape.

The accused is linked to July 6 firing incident at Jaitu town of Faridkot. He was involved in the extortion racket of the Bambiha gang. Both Surinderpal and Shaminder are accomplices of gangster Deepak Maan and were working of his directions, the police said. Maan makes extortion threats to people in the Jaitu area and the accused used to carry forward his instructions, the police added.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Parteek Singh Mahal Parteek Singh Mahal is a multimedia correspondent based at Faridkot in Punjab. He covers medical education, politics and Punjab police. ...view detail
Four days after a raging Ghaggar submerged vast swaths of land in Sangrurs Moonak sub-division, the floodwaters have started receding in several places, officials said. However, the officials said that many areas are still up to 10 feet underwater. The road link to Sangrur, Patiala and cities in Haryana was snapped. (HT Photo)

According to the officials, the floods affected nearly 94,000 residents in 27 villages and two cities. In Khanauri, the water had reached a height of 12 feet and has now receded to 10 feet. In other parts of the subdivision, many areas are still submerged in 5 feet of water.

The water level in Ghaggar, which was flowing at 754.2 feet on Friday, has also come down by at least two feet. On Saturday, Ghaggar was flowing at 752.6 feet.

Besides throwing normal life out of gear, the flood water damaged National Highway 52, leading to a shortage of essentials in many areas. The NH52 passes through Sangrur and Pattran in Punjab and suffered heavy damage during flooding.

As per officials, as many as 500 trucks are stuck at NH 52 near Khanauri. As many as 500 trucks, loaded with essentials, are stuck at both sides of NH 52 in Khanauri after the road was blocked due to a flood last Wednesday. There was also a cave-in on Friday, which further aggravated the situation.

Road links snapped

The road link to Sangrur, Patiala and cities in Haryana was snapped while many roads which connect Moonak to Patran, Sangrur and Lehra are either blocked due to floods or have been dug out by locals to make way for the flood water.

Sangrur deputy commissioner Jitendra Jorwal hoped that the highway would be open by Sunday. The floodwater has started receding and hopefully traffic may begin on roads by tomorrow, he said.

The snapping of road links has disrupted the supply chain of essential commodities, affecting people in areas which were not inundated.

There were reports that many shops have run out of essentials and even fuel stations are running out of petrol and diesel. Kehar Singh, who sells vegetables, said, I have closed my shop as I do not have any vegetables to sell. Earlier, we used to get supply from the vegetable market of Tohana, but the road is blocked.

Nishan Singh, who works at a fuel station in Moonak, said, It has been four days since we last got the supply of fuel. Now we are two days supply left.

Meanwhile, many government banks have also stopped working as the office staff is finding it difficult to reach the office due to floodwater.

Sangrur DC, however, said that the administration has enough stock of food and essentials and no one should hesitate from asking for help.

The district administration has enough stock of food and anyone can contact us whether they are from flood-affected areas or not, the DC added.

Cheema, Arora tour flood-affected areas

Sangrur: Cabinet ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Aman Arora visited the flood-affected areas of Moonak on Saturday and took stock of the relief works being carried out. They were also accompanied by MLA Barinder Goyal.

The ministers visited Lord Shiva School, Hamirgarh, where district administration has set up a command and coordination centre. Cheema said the district administration has created zones to deliver help through boats. The ministers also held a review meeting with the administrative officers. Fourteen districts  Patiala, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar and SBS Nagar  have been affected by floods in Punjab.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Harmandeep Singh Harmandeep Singh is staff Correspondent and have specialisation in investigative reporting. He covers Punjab politics, mining, crime, school education, health, medical education, administration, labour department, brain-drain and rural areas besides burning issues of Sangrur and Barnala districts. ...view detail
The Amritsar-rural police have busted a gang involved in looting government food grain at gunpoint from various godowns of Amritsar, with the arrest of four of its members. With the arrest of the accused, the police have also recovered two trucks and a .32 bore pistol (HT Photo)

The accused have been identified as Gurmeet Singh alias Bhita, Yudhbir Singh alias Yodha and Lovejit Singh alias Joban of Bhagwanpura village, and Baljit Singh alias Billa of Mehmoodpura village of Bhikhiwind sub-division in Tarn Taran district.

With the arrest of the accused, the police have also recovered two trucks and a .32 bore pistol. The trucks were being used to loot food-grain from godowns. The accused had committed three loots in the period of around one month in which around 2000 bags of wheat valuing around 36 lakh was carried away.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP), rural, Satinder Singh said their teams were working to arrest the accused, who were wanted in the three recent loot cases.

He said, On the basis of a tip-off, the accused were nabbed from the Majitha area and two trucks were recovered from them. A pistol of .32 bore has also been recovered, which was snatched by the accused from a security guard of a Jandiala-based godown. A police official, privy to the investigation, said, On June 13, the accused had looted around 500 bags of wheat from a Jandiala-based godown. The amount of the looted wheat is pegged at around  9 lakh.

He said, The second dacoity was committed by the accused on June 29 in the Verka area where around 500 bags of wheat was looted. Similarly, the third loot was committed a few days ago, in a Majitha-based godown where around 1000 bags were stolen in two trucks.

The official said their preliminary investigation has found that the accused had sold the looted wheat to a Tarn Taran-based commission agent. Our teams will conduct raid to nab the commission agent. Our teams are also working to find if more food grain was stolen from more godowns by the accused, he said. He further said one of the arrested accused has already been facing four criminal cases, including of a dacoity. He said they have identified one more member of the gang, who is absconding and a history-sheeter. All the accused have been booked under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under various Sections of the Arms Act at Majitha police station.

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With two breaches, the Ghaggar unleashed its fury in Punjabs Mansa and Haryanas Fatehabad districts on Saturday, with floodwaters entering villages in the border area. In Haryana, the administration has put Fatehabad district on alert as the water gushed through the breech. In Punjab, the rivers embankments in Rorki village of Sardulgarh sub-division and near Chandpura Bundh in Budhlada sub-division gave way, leading to panic in several villages of Mansa district (HT Photo)

In Punjab, the rivers embankments in Rorki village of Sardulgarh sub-division and near Chandpura Bundh in Budhlada sub-division gave way, leading to panic in several villages of Mansa district.

Of the affected villages, 36 are in the Budhlada sub-division and 12 in Sardulgarh sub-division. Chandpura bundh, constructed on Ghaggar, falls in Fatehabad district of Haryana near the inter-state border.

The water submerged many places in Fatehabads Ratia area. Meanwhile, Rangoli bundh also breached the bank on Friday night, submerging nearby areas.

Chandpura Bundh breach has increased to around 100-ft, and water has entered around five villages in Mansa. After the breach, the water first submerged the Kulrian village. Next on its target were villages of Boha and Jhunir blocks in Budhlada sub-division in Mansa district and Sardulgarh.

The officials said if the breach was not plugged, nearly three dozen villages will be submerged by Sunday morning.

Mansa deputy commissioner Rishi Pal Singh said this is the first time since 1993 that the Ghaggars water level has reached this point in the district. There have been two breaches, and we are trying to plug it. But the water flow is very strong, so it will take some time, he said.

Sardulgarh sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Amrinder Singh Malhi reiterated that irrigation department officials have not been able to plug the breach in Rorki village at this stage as the water current is strong. We are trying to divert the flow to fields and avoid populated areas. It is too early for evacuation, but we are prepared, he said.

Budhlada SDM Parmod Singla said that the breach happened at around 5 am. Chandpura is in Haryana, but the place where the breach happened is on the inter-state border on the Punjab side. We are trying to plug it, but the flow is strong. A similar breach has been reported a few kilometres ahead in Haryana also, he said.

Both Punjab and Haryana government officials are monitoring the situation at Chandpura Bundh on the inter-state border. Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) working president and Budhlada MLA Budh Ram said the state government and people tried to stop the breach but in vain. Due to rapidly rising water levels, the breach occurred. Im in touch with the administration, he said.

Meanwhile, the district administration has set up 10 relief camps for the people affected by floods in Punjab. The people of surrounding villages, where the breach occurred, also started to shift their household goods to other places.

On Friday, district administration officials took stock of the situation at Chandpura Bundh. A small bridge, built on the Ghaggar in Sardulgarh, was demolished to provide passage as trees and water hyacinths afloat in the river.

Punjab authorities have blamed the Haryana counterparts for not doing enough to save the bundh. In view of the alarming situation, Fatehabad district administration has imposed section 144 in three villages- Chandpura, Sadhanwas and Sighani. The farmers of Punjabs Mansa district blamed the Haryana government for not allowing them to go near the Chandpura bundh by imposing prohibitory orders.

A similar situation occurred in Sirsa also where a bundh was breached between Musahibwala village and Nezadela Khurd village, prompting the district authorities to reach the site late Friday night.

Sirsa deputy commissioner Partha Gupta and SP Udai Singh Meena reached the site on a motorcycle and directed the officials and farmers to put in joint efforts to manage the situation.

The farmers had placed sandbags and boulders to stop the breach, but water still entered their fields and houses. The residents of Banni village in Sirsa were also evacuated to other places after flood water entered their houses.

Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala on Saturday visited Jajjal Tonki village in Sonepat, where water submerged the villages from all sides.

Chautala assured the residents that fodder will be provided for their animals and once water recedes a wide road will be constructed to connect the village.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Parteek Singh Mahal Parteek Singh Mahal is a multimedia correspondent based at Faridkot in Punjab. He covers medical education, politics and Punjab police. ...view detail
Agriculture minister JP Dalal on Saturday hit out at Delhi government over its ministers claim that the Haryana government had prevented water from the Hathnikund barrage from entering Uttar Pradesh, instead diverting it into Yamuna river. Agriculture minister JP Dalal on Saturday hit out at Delhi government over its ministers claim that the Haryana government had prevented water from the Hathnikund barrage from entering Uttar Pradesh, instead diverting it into Yamuna river. (HT File)

Dalal termed the AAP leaders claim baseless and accused the AAP-led Delhi government of evading its responsibility.

We do not have any dams and water that comes through Delhi, Agra, Allahabad before finally going into the sea. The water which comes from the river will go to the river and it always flows from top to bottom. When water-level decreases in rivers, we take some water for irrigation in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Now, they (Delhi ministers) are wondering why water was not diverted to Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, I think these statements are not fair. Now, they are evading their responsibilities and the same amount of water had earlier also flown in Yamuna but at that time, the rivers base was wide. Now, encroachment took place on Yamuna and it has shrunk. Illegal encroachment on Yamuna was the main reason behind the flooding in Delhi, he added.

Dalals comments came after Delhi ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Atishi Singh blamed the Haryana government for the flood-like situation in Delhi.

The Haryana government had prevented water from the Hathnikund barrage from entering UP and Haryana, and directed it into the Yamuna. Haryana has not sent water into the Eastern Canal that goes to UP and directed into Yamuna. This means that the water is being prevented from entering Haryana or UP, Bharadwaj had said.

Haryana home minister Anil Vij had also slammed the Delhi government over its remarks.

In our state also, water came from Himachal Pradesh and Punjab but we are not blaming anyone. We are trying to make arrangements and improve the situation. All the villages and cities on the bank of Yamuna received a similar amount of water. Why should we send water to our districts, Vij added.
A 23-year-old Punjab-origin man has been handed a suspended prison sentence and rehabilitation orders after being found guilty of attacking his teenage ex-girlfriend in the West Midlands region of England. Dylan Singh appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage to the victims phoned law books (Representational Photo)

Dylan Singh appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage to the victims phone.

According to a court report in Birmingham Live this week, District Judge Adrian Lower said there was an element of control when Singh followed his victim on and off a bus in December 2021 as he handed a two-year sentence for the prolonged assault, which will be suspended for two years conditional on Singhs behaviour.

He is also subject to 30-day rehabilitation, 200-hour unpaid work and restraining orders.

The court heard how the victim, who met Singh on Snapchat, was left with a black eye, swelling to her eye, red marks and bruising by the attack.

In a statement, the victim, who cannot be named as a minor, said she was now fearful of meeting new people and starting new relationships since the assault.

Singh is also reported to have told her that he had learned his lesson not to go out with white girls.

His lawyer Adam Wieczerzak told the court that it referred to how his mother and grandmother are pressurising him to settle down with an Indian girl but he has no particular view on the subject.

Wieczerzak added that while his client continued to deny the offending, he accepted the guilty verdict of the jury.
As the water started to recede in the city, residents returned to filthy streets and wrecked homes, with stinking furniture and damaged floors. Areas, including Dhokka Mohalla, Dharampura and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Park, in Ludhiana, are still waterlogged. (HT Photo)

The areas, including Dhokka Mohalla, Dharampura and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Park, have been drowned in sewage for a week. After the situation moved towards normalcy, residents returned to their homes on Saturday to take stock of their homes, only to find them loaded with filth and garbage. They started cleaning their localities themselves, rueing the lack of help from the authorities.

As the streets caved-in at multiple points, residents demanded for the roads to be rebuilt above the level of Buddha Nullah. Manholes and sewages in the areas have been flowing in reverse as Buddha Nullah is at a greater height as compared to them.

Residents said that the havoc caused by the flooding, with the reverse flow of sewage and rainwater, has caused damage to the flooring of their homes, sinking it by several inches.

They added that the furniture, motor vehicles and other valuables were ravaged and demanded that authorities conduct a proper survey and compensate for their losses.

Dharampura resident Ishmeet Singh said, I, along with my family, had shifted to a relatives home as the flooding had left my home unliveable. He said that the waterlogging in the area surrounding his home was as high as five feet.

Father of an 11-year-old daughter, Ishmeet added that it would take his family months to recover from what they faced in the last week.

Rajinder, who also lives in Dharampura, said that he is out of work and has no means to earn for the survival of his family.

My autorickshaw, the only source of livelihood for my family, was parked on the street when the water level rose. I could not manage to take it out of the water and its engine has been damaged, said Rajinder.

Residents urged that civic body to ensure supply of potable water and regular fogging to control the spread of vector-borne diseases.

Monitoring the situation regularly, says MC chief

Municipal corporation commissioner Shena Aggarwal said that water accumulation was seen in a few low-lying areas alongside the nullah after its level rose due to the excessive flow of water from upstream areas. She added that soon after the nullahs water level receded, water was pumped out of the low-lying areas, including Dhokka Mohalla, Dharampura and a few areas on Tajpur road, among others, using pumps.

Senior officials are in the field and are monitoring the situation continuously. Chlorine tablets are being distributed in the few affected areas for providing clean drinking water to the residents, she said.

She added that the staff concerned have been directed to take up fogging in these areas regularly.

Still afraid to enter our homes

As the residents of colonies on Tajpur road, including Sunny Homes, CMC colony and Harvdev Nagar, returned to their homes after almost a week, they found a shadow of what they had left behind. They walked to decaying structures of their homes that were ravaged after being submerged by the overflowing Buddha Nullah.

These colonies, which fall outside municipal corporation limits, wear a deserted look as majority of the residents are still afraid to get back, fearing a repeat of what happened last week. The water had risen to such levels that residents had to use boats to rescue their families.

Residents said that electricity and water supply of the area was snapped on July 9 after the nullah started overflowing. They claim that they waited for administrations help, camped on their roofs, only to be left to fend for themselves. They finally moved out using boats.

The colonies on the outskirts of the city are home to almost 200 homes, most of which belong to the working-class population. Residents said that although the area was among those worst affected, their concerns were hardly addressed.

Sardhari Lal, who built his home using his life-savings around three years ago, said, When I opened the gate of my home, I saw the furniture covered in mud. I even found two dead snakes inside. He added that foul-smelling water was flowing through the taps and the electricity supply was restored on Friday.

Mukesh, who has rented a home in CMC colony, said, I camped on the roof and spent seven days, surviving on the bare minimum, as I had nowhere to go.

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Signage at the Shri Bhagavad Gita Park in the city of Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area or GTA was vandalised on Friday, the latest in a series of such desecrations over one year. The matter was referred to the Peel Regional Police. (Representational Photo)

The vandalised sign was discovered on Friday morning with graffiti spraypainted on it attacking Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

City workers quickly removed the graffiti and restored the sign to its original state.

However, this was just the latest episode in a series of similar episodes in Canada since last summer, targeting Hindu temples and even statues of Mahatma Gandhi.

The City tweeted that it was deeply disappointed to learn of the recent act of vandalism targeting a park sign, which is an attack on a faith community.

It said the matter was referred to the Peel Regional Police. Unfortunately, several similar instances of vandalism in the area still remain unsolved and no one has been arrested.

At the City of Brampton, we stand united against such acts of intolerance and discrimination. We proudly uphold our values of diversity, inclusivity, and respect for all and these acts of hate will not be tolerated, the tweet added.

Bramptons Mayor Patrick Brown told the network Prime Asia TV he was outraged with this vandalism and the city had zero tolerance towards intimidation of any faith community.

Indo-Canadians expressed their anger over the vandalism. Brampton resident Vijay Jain described it as purely an act of Hinduphobia. Hiren Patel sought immediate and decisive action against radical elements.

Since July last year, there have been at least six incidents of desecration of Hindu temples in Canada, with the latest the placing of a poster targeting Indian diplomats in Canada outside the Bharat Mata Mandir in Brampton on July 7. Four of the previous incidents had featured spraypainted pro-Khalistan slogans. The latest episode comes just before the next phase of the so-called Khalistan Referendum, which is scheduled for this Sunday in Malton in the city of Mississauga, also in the GTA.

The Shri Bhagavad Gita Park came into existence recently, after the 3.7 acre Troyers Park was renamed in September last year. The city has plans for sculptures in the park including one featuring Lord Krishna and Arjuna in their chariot.

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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
YEREVAN, 15 JULY, ARMENPRESS More than 470 European NGOs and associations have sent a letter to the leaders of the European Union, urging them to take immediate and effective steps to end the ongoing illegal blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.

ARMENPRESS reports, the letter is addressed to the Presidents of the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament, and EU High Representative, as well as the heads of the member states of the European Union and the Council of Europe.

We, the civil society organizations and associations from Europe, are addressing to you our deepest concerns regarding the native Armenian population of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh):

Since 12 December 2022 the native Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh/Artsakh - 120.000 people, including 30.000 children, have been facing existential threat by Azerbaijan, in total violation of international law, Geneva Convention and despite the ongoing negotiations. The November 2020 ceasefire statement, also signed by Azerbaijan after its devastating attack on Artsakh that left 6.000 dead, is being regularly violated by Azerbaijan. The latter continuously carries acts of aggressions against the native Armenian population of Artsakh and violates the sovereign borders of the Republic of Armenia.

On 22 February, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of the United Nations ordered Azerbaijan to immediately lift the blockade of the Lachin corridor. The goal of the blockade is obvious  the ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Armenian population of Artsakh. In its resolution adopted in March 2023 the European Parliament calls on the EU Council to impose sanctions against Azerbaijani government officials, if the ICJs order of 22 February is not immediately implemented. Despite this, and the numerous voices being raised across Europe and around the world, we regretfully observe that the European Commission continues to congratulate itself on its gas partnership with a dictatorship ranked among the worst on the planet  Azerbaijan. A government that is notorious for its deep-rooted corruption at the highest level, and which hires jihadist mercenaries as a support to its army.

In the name of respect for human rights, the values that European democracies claim to stand for, in the name of the sovereign right of peoples to self-determination and as citizens contributing to the prosperity and influence of the European Union who are concerned about its future, we solemnly ask you to act without delay and

demand once again that Azerbaijan immediately stops violating the November 9 ceasefire statement and remove the checkpoint on the Hakari-bridge installed in blatant violation of the binding order of the ICJ and international commitments, unblock the Lachin Corridor, secure the free and safe movement of people and goods to and from Artsakh;

impose economic and political sanctions on Azerbaijan and its leaders for non-compliance with international provisions, for the occupation of part of the territory of the Republic of Armenia, for Azerbaijans war crimes and for the blockade vis-a-vis Artsakh;

use all your leverage to prevent any control of Baku over Artsakh since this inevitably means the ethnic cleansing of the native Armenian population of Artsakh;

recognize the right to self-determination of the native Armenian population of Artsakh as indispensable and use the leverage at your disposal to ensure that the status of Artsakh reflects the democratic expression of will of its native Armenian population and enables sustainable peace as well as security;

set up an air corridor in order to provide emergency economic and humanitarian aid to Artsakh and to guarantee the safety of air links from Stepanakert airport;

put pressure on Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its troops from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia and stop its aggressive stance towards Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia as a prerequisite for peace talks.

The native Armenian people of Artsakh demand nothing less and nothing more than the protection of their fundamental and inalienable right to live as a free people in safety and with dignity in their own homeland. We sincerely hope that their voices as well as ours will be heard!
Haryana home minister Anil Vij on Saturday hit back at the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government over the flood situation in Delhi.



 In our state also water came from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh but we are not blaming anyone. We are trying to make arrangements... All the villages and cities on the banks of the Yamuna have received the same amount of water. Why would we deliberately release water in our districts?, the minister told ANI.



Delhi floods LIVE coverage Haryana home minister Anil Vij.(HT file)

Vij's statement comes in response to the attacks by Delhi minister Atishi who questioned the Haryana government why all water from the Hathnikund Barrage was released only for the capital.

Yamuna river water is receding, the people of Delhi will get relief in the next 12 hours...It is a big question why all the water from Hathnikund Barrage was being released only for Delhi. Not a single drop of water was released into the canals going to UP and Haryana from there. Haryana will have to answer for this. Can the flood situation in Delhi have been avoided? the minister told ANI.



The AAP has been blaming the BJP-ruled Haryana for the flood mess in the capital. The party's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh alleged that the BJP conspired to send all of the water into the stream that forms the Yamuna River and enters Delhi.



The BJP hit back, accusing the Kejriwal government of having failed to control the flood situation in the capital, and making political statements to mislead the public.

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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday reiterated its allegations that the flooding of the Yamuna in Delhi was not a natural calamity, but was caused by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Haryana government releasing water from the Hathnikund barrage only towards the Capital, instead of releasing water equitably into other canals. Between July 9 and 13, the amount of water released by the barrage varied between 9,300 and 359,000 cusecs.(Rahul Singh)

Also read: Conspiracy against...': AAP minister seeks action against 3 officers over Delhi flood

The Haryana government hit back, calling the allegations baseless, accusing the AAP-led Delhi government of evading its responsibilities, and noting that the barrage releases water according to established guidelines, and is not arbitrarily done.

To be sure, according to the guidelines that monitor the release of water at Hathnikund, if the flow of water exceeds 100,000 cusecs, there will be no flow into the western and eastern canals and the entire water is to be discharged into the main Yamuna as two canals cannot withhold the high flow of water, Haryana government officials said.

Between July 9 and 13, the amount of water released by the barrage varied between 9,300 and 359,000 cusecs.

Speaking at a press conference, AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh claimed that the flooding of Delhi was a calculated plan.

The flooding of Delhi was a calculated plan... This is not a natural calamity but a manufactured crisis inflicted upon Delhi There has been no rainfall in Delhi over the past 6 days, yet the Yamuna river has exceeded its danger mark, breaking historical records, Singh said.

The Rajya Sabha MP had made similar allegations on Friday.

From July 9 to 13, no water was released into the eastern and western canals, according to the logsheet of the Hathnikund barrage. Instead, all the water was deliberately directed into Delhi. Members of the AAP raised their concerns about these malicious actions. Eventually, on July 13, water was released through the western canal, and on the following day, the eastern canal started receiving water as well, he added.

Speaking at a separate event, irrigation and flood control (I&FC) department minister Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that when AAP raised the issue of the barrage, water was released in the eastern canal, bypassing all norms of the Central Water Commission.

Even after releasing 400,000 cusecs of water on August 10-11, 2022, the Yamuna did not reach the danger mark, because the water was released in the canals and Yamuna stream simultaneously, he alleged. This time, 350,000 cusecs of water was released only towards Delhi, due to which the water level of Yamuna went three metres above the danger mark.

Also read: I, too, can say a lot of things but: Delhi L-G in front of Arvind Kejriwal over Delhi flood

Denying the allegations, Haryana agriculture minister JP Dalal accused the Delhi government of evading its responsibilities. They are evading their responsibilities Encroachments have taken place along the Yamuna, and the river has shrunk. Illegal encroachment on the Yamuna are the main reason behind the flooding in Delhi, he said.

Haryana home minister Anil Vij said, In our state too, water came from Himachal Pradesh and Punjab but we are not blaming anyone. We are trying to make arrangements and improve the situation. All the villages and cities on the bank of Yamuna received a similar amount of water.
Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Saturday wrote a letter to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena seeking action against three officers, accusing them of deliberately ignoring the instructions of three ministers for calling the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and Army Engineers Regiment to repair the WHO building regulator.



The minister has urged LG to take action against chief secretary Naresh Kumar, divisional commissioner Ashwani Kumar and IFC secretary Ashish Kundra. Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj. (File)

According to Bharadwaj, the named officers allegedly ignored the directions of the ministers which led to the flooding of VIP areas of Lutyens' Delhi including the Supreme Court.



Delhi floods LIVE coverage

In the letter, the minister told LG that there is a WhatsApp group called Delhi Flood Control 2023 and the members include him, minister Atishi and the three officers. Bharadwaj claimed he sent a message to divisional commissioner Ashwani Kumar on the night of July 13 on the group explaining the need to call NDRF. His cabinet colleague Atishi is also said to have suggested for calling the Engineering Wing of the NDRF or Engineering Regiment of Army.



ALSO READ: Is Yamuna water receding? Which roads are accessible? Check updates



Bharadwaj shared a series of messages reportedly exchanged on the group on that night in his letter.

I felt so sad because this situation could have been avoided had the officers like CS Mr. Naresh Kumar, Principal Secretary (I&FC) Mr. Ashish Kundra followed the directions of two ministers to call Engineers' Regiment of Army and NDRF at appropriate time of preceding night only, Bharadwaj wrote.



Calling the two officers' conduct beyond the definition of insubordination and deriliction of duty, the Aam Aadmi Party leader said,"These acts are not the acts of negligence; these acts appear to be deliberate acts to allow the flooding of sensitive VIP areas of Lutyens' Delhi. This was the conspiracy to embarrass the top court of the country".

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Heavy rains lashed parts of Delhi-NCR region including Noida on Saturday. The industrial city received fresh showers after rains lashed Delhi. Some low-lying areas of Noida have been waterlogged due to the swelling level of river Yamuna. Commuters on road as rains lashed Noida on Saturday.(Sunil Ghosh/Hindustan Times)

Follow Delhi flood live updates here



The Noida Traffic Police tweeted that traffic movement was smooth on DND border at 7:30 pm.



Traffic jams were reported in Delhi's ITO due to waterlogging. The rains might lead to increase in Yamuna's water level, which currently stands above the danger mark of 205.33 metres for days.

The Delhi Traffic Police tweeted,"Traffic is affected on Mathura road in the carriageway from Badarpur towards Ashram due to waterlogging opposite Apollo, Jasola metro station which caused slow movement of traffic near Sarita Vihar flyover. Commuters are advised to plan their route accordingly".



While the national capital is battling flood-like situation due to the rise in Yamuna water levels after Haryana's Hathnikund Barrage released excess of water, satellite city Noida's areas along the river are facing the same situation.



Gautambuddha Nagar district magistrate Manish Kumar Verma told PTI that 550 hectares of land in the district got submerged due to floods. He added that people in Jewar area along river Yamuna and those living around Hindon were also affected.

Also Read| Delhi Metro lifts speed restrictions as Yamuna water level falls

The district administration has issued advisories to the people staying in low-lying areas for the past 10 days when heavy rainfall started and the water level in the rivers swelled.

As per the report, 7,210 people were affected by the floods as the overflowing Yamuna inundated around 550 hectares of low-lying land along its banks in Noida and Greater Noida.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted generally cloudy skies with light to moderate rain and thundershowers for Sunday. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 34 and 26 degrees Celsius, respectively.



(With PTI inputs)

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NEW DELHI: The Delhi Traffic Police on Saturday reopened some roads that had been closed to traffic due to the increase in the Yamuna water level over the past few days. The Delhi Traffic Police said the decision was taken in view of the receding water level of the Yamuna (Twitter/dtptraffic)

The traffic police said Boulevard Road to slip road, below Yudhisthir setu to Mahatma Gandhi Marg to Wazirabad flyover have been opened for traffic

Both carriageways of Mahatma Gandhi Marg from Chadagiram Akhara to IP college have been opened now. Similarly, both carriageways of the road connecting Shantivan and Geeta colony have been opened only for light vehicles, including four-wheelers. However, the road from Shanti Van to Rajghat and towards ISBT Kashmere Gate is still closed due to waterlogging, said special commissioner of police (traffic) SS Yadav.

He said the decision was taken in view of the receding water level of the Yamuna.

The Yamuna water level receded to 207.53 metres at 9am on Saturday, down one metre from the peak of 208.66 metre on Thursday evening, and is projected by the Central Water Commission to decline to 206.72 metre by 9-11pm on Saturday.

Yadav said: Bhairon Marg from Mathura Road to Ring Road carriageway has been opened, while both carriageways on Vikas Marg from ITO to Laxmi Nagar have been opened. Similarly, carriageways on Chandgi Ram Akhara to Mukarba Chowk have been opened now.

Listing the prominent roads that are still closed to traffic, Yadav said both carriageways of Ring Road-Majnu Ka Tilla-ISBT-Shanti Van-IP flyover to IP Depot are still closed. The Ring Road-IP Depot to IP flyover to ISBT carriageway is still restricted for any vehicular movement, while the Salim Garh bypass is still closed. The road between the old iron bridge pusta and Shamshan Ghat is still closed. But as these roads are now getting commutable due to the receding water level of Yamuna, we will open these roads one by one. I hope by Saturday evening, well be able to open more roads for vehicular movement, he said.

Yadav said nearly 5,000 traffic police personnel had been deployed in the affected areas of Delhi to keep traffic moving and help commuters in case they get stuck in jams in the waterlogged areas.

According to the advisory issued by the Delhi traffic police on Saturday, the entry of heavy goods vehicles has been banned from Singhu Border, Tikri Border, Rajokari Border, Badarpur Border, Chilla Border, Gazipur Border, Loni Border, Apsara Border and Bhopura Border.

However, there are no restrictions on vehicles carrying essential commodities/services and relief materials, it said.
A teary-eyed, wistful Priyanka wanted to get hold of just a few of her belongings. A necklace, she said, was one of them, gifted by her friends on her birthday. What was left with her were her schoolbag and textbooks, as it was when she returned from school on July 12 to see that her home in Jaitpurs Vishwakarma colony was in knee-deep water. Khushiyal Kumar, a vegetable farmer, ventured back home with a private diver, swimming around two kilometres, only to get a trunk filled with some documents, clothes and a Solar panel. (HT PHOTO)

Also read: Not a natural calamity: Delhi, Haryana continue to clash over Hathnikund water

At least I have my schoolbag, and all my books are intact since I came straight from school..., she said at a flood relief centre set up in a government school. Her friend, Gauri, who lives in a nearby colony, keeps coming to visit her and her family. I wanted to give her company so that she doesnt feel lonely, said the teenager.

For Guddo, 40, who lives nearby, they would have nothing had her son not retrieved a charpoy from their flooded home. My son thought I might not have a place to rest. He was worried because I have knee pain..., she said while sitting on the charpoy that occupies a corner of the corridor at the second floor of the government relief centre.

Both families, however, could not retrieve important documents in time. By now, everything in my house along with documents would have perished, said Guddo.

As waters entered homes and neighbourhoods suddenly on Thursday night, people were left with little time to escape, forcing many to leave behind valuables and important papers, such as identity and financial documents.

Some 30km away from the camp where Guddo and Gauri were whole up, people in Yamuna Khadar of Mayur Vihar, where too floodwaters inundated settlements, people spoke of similar plight.

Dev, a lawyer and a volunteer who has grown up in the area, has been trying to save whatever he can from the local school. Khushiyal Kumar, a vegetable farmer, ventured back home with a private diver, swimming around two kilometres, only to get a trunk filled with some documents, clothes and a Solar panel.

Many of those in the shelters said they were not given adequate warning. In 2010, there was a similar flood but we were given an alert a few hours in advance. Police officers were making announcements on mics and there were announcements made from the mosque and temple, says Sangeeta Devi at the Mayur Vihar camp. With only her purse and her phone, she left home.

If we had even half an hour, we could have saved our belongings. We had invested so much in the house... a fridge, beds, a TV. Everything is gone now. Someone might go in and rob the house... or they might just float away, she said.

An official of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said that they had given people ample time to leave and most were reluctant for fear of theft in their home.

Dev, who claimed to have rescued over 600 people over the last few days, said he and his accomplices had managed to save some of the study material, books and teaching aids that were kept in trunks and a couple of black boards... Its difficult to get all the chairs and tables out of the water, but even these have taken years to put together. All of it will most likely get destroyed in water..., he said.

We had a very difficult childhood in my area and I am the only one around my age who managed to study so much. When I was a child we had to walk over four kilometres to the nearest school. Now everyone here knows and respects me and comes to me with their problems. I have realised how important it is to study.

Thinking about the almirah, and her bed that are probably ruined, Bibi Mariam, 60, a resident of Jaipur, said, I left in such a hurry that all I could save was my purse which had a few hundred rupees and her Aadhar card. On Friday, as she stood in line as an NGO set up camp, she said, They are asking people who lost their homes, to register. We will be given food after we have given our details. Thats why I got my Aadhaar, because I might need it any time.

Also read: Haryana forms fact-finding panel to check jamming of Delhis ITO gates

At a private relief camp near Signature Bridge, Chanda Ram, who migrated from Hyderabad in Pakistan to Delhi in 2019, said that he could only think about saving items from his mobile covers stall.

My jhuggi was suddenly filled with a lot of water. I could not carry a lot of things so I just picked up items from my phone cover stall as I need to survive so that I can sustain a household of six people.
The BJP on Saturday alleged that inaction and corruption of the AAP government was responsible for the flood in Delhi and asked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to apologise to the people for "failing" to handle the situation. BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia(HT File)

Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia and party MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma alleged that the flood was caused by lack of desilting of the Yamuna in the last eight years of the Kejriwal government.

"The AAP and Kejriwal are big on making excuses, corruption and inaction. Just like they blamed the Centre and other states during the COVID-19 pandemic and for pollution, they were now accusing Haryana for flood in Delhi," Bhatia said.

He said while the Centre, army, NDRF, Delhi LG and other agencies were working hard to provide relief to the people, the AAP leader and ministers of the Kejriwal government were alleging there was a "conspiracy" to flood the city.

Verma claimed that in a meeting on May 23 this year, it was decided how much water will be released into the Yamuna during monsoon, and the AAP government in Delhi knew it.

Bhatia asked the Kejriwal government how much it spent on desilting of Yamuna from 6,800 crore that was given to it for cleaning of the river.

He also alleged that the AAP government failed to put in place a proper drainage system and ensure timely desilting of drains in Delhi that led to widespread flooding and waterlogging in the city.

READ | Delhi floods: Amid Hathnikund debate, BJP slams Kejriwal, 'You only tweeted'

"In 2013 and 2019, 8 lakh cusecs water was released from Hathinikund barrage into the Yamuna. This year, only 3.5 lakh cusecs discharge caused flooding in Delhi. This because Kejriwal's priority is not work but to make excuses," Bhatia charged.

He said Kejriwal should apologise to the people for the situation in Delhi.

Verma alleged that the Kejriwal government and leaders of the AAP were indulging in politics and blaming the Centre and Haryana for their failures.

"They do not answer why Yamuna desilting was not done last year. Delhi faced floods after 45 years because the Kejriwal government did nothing to assess the situation and make necessary preparations."

When the chief minister should have been busy with preparations for the monsoon, Kejriwal was meeting opposition leaders across the country "to defeat Narendra Modi", he said.

The Kejriwal government has been "unable to control" the flood situation in the city, for which the chief minister should apologise to the people of Delhi, Verma added.
Gurugram: Nuh police arrested two members of a gang who were allegedly involved in buying stolen trucks and selling them in distant states, especially West Bengal, after changing their registration/chassis numbers. Police said they were able to recover 16 stolen trucks worth 8 crore from their possession. Nuh police arrest two suspects for stealing trucks

Police said the suspects were identified as Sandeep Gautam of Rohtak and Irfan Hannu of Tauru. Both were arrested from Cooch Behar district of West Bengal.

According to police, the gang members were allegedly involved in selling more than 20 stolen trucks.

Police said they received information about a stolen truck from Nuh that will be sold in West Bengal and teams were formed to nab the suspects.

Nuh superintendent of police, Varun Singla, said the gang members were arrested from a truck that was stolen from Nuhs Nagina area earlier this year.

Singla said, After 15 days of rigorous work, our teams were able to arrest the two suspects from Changrabandha in Cooch Behar that borders Bangladesh and recovered 16 trucks.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Leena Dhankhar Leena Dhankhar has worked with Hindustan Times for five years. She has covered crime, traffic and excise. She now reports on civic issues and grievances of residents. ...view detail
JAIPUR: The Karauli police on Friday evening took a 20-year-old man into custody in connection with the murder of a 19-year-old Dalit woman who was shot dead and dumped in a well, a senior police officer said on Saturday. The senior police officer said police were still investigating the possible role of the accuseds father and others in the incident. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

We detained the accused from Jaipur last night... The accused shot the woman to death, Karauli superintendent of police (SP) Mamta Gupta said. The officer said the suspect Golu Meenas father was also detained.

Gupta said the suspect told interrogators that he and the victim were friends and that they met on Thursday evening at his place. They had an argument about her family finalising her marriage and he shot her at his house. He claims that he carried her body to a well four kilometres away in Naudia on his motorcycle and that his father didnt help him.

The senior police officer said police were still investigating the possible role of the accuseds father and others in the incident.

The incident sparked a fresh political conflict in the state, with the opposition staging a protest in the assembly on Friday, criticising the government over the incident and questioning the safety of women and the law-and-order situation under the Congress-led government.

In her statement to the police, the womans mother alleged on Thursday that she was abducted by unidentified assailants who gang-raped her, threw acid on her face, and dumped her body in the well after her death.

The initial autopsy report has not given a firm opinion on the gang rape charge, the police oficer said.

BJP MP Kirori Lal Meena, who started his protest when the rape allegation was levelled, on Saturday demanded 50 lakh compensation for the family of the dead woman and action against police officers who delayed registering a first information report (FIR).

On behalf of the family, we demand compensation of 50 lakh and a government job for the victims family. We also demand the immediate arrest of the culprits and the suspension of the two police constables, accountable for delaying the FIR-lodging process.

Congress leader and Tonk MLA, Sachin Pilot, said the barbaric murder was unfortunate. The administration should immediately probe an investigation considering the seriousness of the matter and should also ensure justice for her, he said in a post on Twitter.

The victims family hasnt accepted her body to press their demands, an official said.

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KOLKATA: Union home minister Amit Shah is concerned about the prevailing situation in West Bengal and is likely to visit the state in August, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bengal chief Sukanta Majumdar said on Saturday a day after meeting the Shah in Delhi. West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdars statement came a day after meeting Union minister Amit Shah in Delhi (Twitter/DrSukantaBJP)

Amit ji is expected to visit West Bengal in August. The date will depend on his programme. He is concerned about the prevailing situation in West Bengal. He wants peace to return. He wishes that not a single death from any party happens anymore, Majumdar told reporters after returning to Kolkata.

Majumdar said he briefed the home minister about the continuing violence in the state and that the union minister is monitoring the situation.

As central forces have been deployed in the state on the orders of the Calcutta high court to contain violence, the Union home minister is looking into every issue and is monitoring all the developments, Majumdar said.

West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose who has faulted the management of the three-tier panchayat elections by Bengals state election commission also met Shah earlier this week.

Majumdars announcement about Amit Shahs possible visit came against the backdrop of reports of two more people dying on Saturday, taking the toll to 54 in alleged poll-related violence since June 8 when the rural polls were announced. A Trinamool Congress worker from Bhangore in South 24 Parganas, who sustained injuries in a pre-poll clash, succumbed at a hospital in Kolkata and a TMC worker was killed in the Canning area of the same district

Police said two children were also injured in Salar area of Murshidabad district when they mistook a crude bomb to be a ball and were playing with it.

To be sure, the police had found many bombs hidden in barrels, drums and bags from multiple places of Rejinagar in Murshidabad, Bhangore in South 24 Parganas and Margram in Birbhum.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh told reporters that the BJP was orchestrating the attacks and violence.

They are triggering the violence because they want dead bodies to do politics of Article 355. Adhikari is responsible for all this, Ghosh said, a reference to a widely circulated video on social media who showed Adhikari saying that an atmosphere has to be created where Article 355 can be implemented. HT couldnt verify the authenticity of the video.
YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS. Russia strongly calls on the leadership of Azerbaijan to take urgent measures to immediately unblock the Lachin Corridor, ARMENPRESS reports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said in a message.

The Russian Foreign Ministry considered worrying the fact that today the situation around Nagorno Karabakh is developing in a negative scenario.

"The humanitarian crisis is deepening. The population has an acute shortage of food, medicine, basic necessities, is practically deprived of electricity and gas. This can bring the most dramatic consequences for the Armenians of Karabakh, the ordinary residents of the region. We strongly call on the leadership of Azerbaijan to take urgent measures to immediately unblock the Lachin Corridor, to resume the unimpeded movement of citizens, vehicles, and cargo in both directions, as well as to restore energy supply," the statement said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation also noted that Armenia recognized Nagorno Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan in the meetings held under the auspices of the EU in October 2022 and in May 2023.

"We respect the sovereign decision of the leadership of Armenia, but it radically changed the fundamental conditions under which the declaration of the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan was signed on November 9, 2020, as well as the status of the Russian peacekeeping force deployed in the region. We believe that under these conditions, the responsibility for the fate of the Armenian population of Karabakh should not be transferred to third countries. It is necessary to immediately start the preparation of the peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan, based on the previously reached agreements," said the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The Russian side emphasized that reliable and clear guarantees of the rights and security of the Armenians of Karabakh should be an integral part of this agreement, as well as the strict implementation of the entire set of tripartite agreements between Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the unblocking of transport communications and the start of the process of delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

The Russian Foreign Ministry added, taking into account the above, the Russian side confirms its determination to actively contribute to the efforts of the international community aimed at restoring normal life in Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia is ready to organize a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers in Moscow in the near future to discuss ways to implement agreements at the highest level, including the issue of agreeing on a peace treaty with the prospect of organizing a Russian-Azerbaijani-Armenian summit for the signing of that document.
A ceremony was held at the Dr Sampurnanad Auditorium of the Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey UP Sainik School, on the schools 64th Founders Day. For representation only (HT File Photo)

The bust of Dr Sampurnanand was garlanded by the chief guest, Col Rajesh Raghav. The staff and cadets also paid tribute by garlanding the bust.

On this occasion, the laundry system donated by 1972-78 Batch was inaugurated in the presence of Maj Gen Nilendra Kumar. Gen Nilendra also gave away the impressive trophy for Best Girl Cdt of the year, instituted by 1972-78 Batch. A chapati-making machine was also donated by 1973-79 batch which was also formally inaugurated in the mess.

It was in 1960, this day, when this school was established by Late Dr Sampurnanand, the then chief minister of the state. His dream was to train academically, physically and mentally selected students of the state of Uttar Pradesh for a career in officers cadre of the defence forces of India through the National Defence Academy and to remove regional imbalance in the officers cadre by providing public school education to common people of Uttar Pradesh.

A group of ex-cadets of the 1973-79 batch gathered on the sprawling campus of Uttar Pradesh Sainik School in the wee hours of Saturday. They were warmly welcomed by Col Rajesh Raghav, the principal of the school, along with teachers, staff and cadets. In his welcome address Col Raghav spoke highly about this illustrious group of Cadets who made indelible mark in various professions.

He apprised the audience about the glorious history of the school and the immense contribution of teachers and alumni. In his address to the august gathering, Col Raghav illustrated the present challenges of the school. He apprised them about the corrective and other necessary administrative steps taken in the recent past to upgrade the academic and training standards.

He expressed sincere hope of taking this institution once again to its glorious heights by implementing new set of standards applicable to teachers, staff and cadets. Prior the main programme, a wreath-laying ceremony took place at the school war memorial to pay the floral tribute to school martyrs.

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Even after being a scientist at one of the most elite organisations in the country for the last six years, being a member of a team that successfully launched Chandrayaan-3, Indias third lunar exploration mission, was like a childhood dream come true for Prayagrajs Neha Agrawal. Neha Agrawal (SOURCED)

Agrawal, who was also associated with the Chandrayaan-2 mission, is also working on many future projects of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), details of which she didnt want to share.

Girls High School and College of Prayagraj was the ISRO scientists alma mater, post which she completed her engineering graduate degree from United College of Engineering and Research. She then pursued MTech in Electronics and Communication from Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) and passed with a gold medal in 2017 before joining the ISRO.

Nehas mother Vandana Agrawal is a teacher at a government-run primary school in Karachhana area of Prayagraj while younger sister Pranjali and younger brother Puneet are working as engineers in private firms.

Nehas father Sanjay Kumar has retired as a special assistant from Indian Bankand is currently serving as the district chairman of the Allahabad Bank Staff Association.

Sanjay Kumar, a resident of Pushpakrishna Palace near Civil Lines in the city, said Neha, her eldest of child, wanted to become a scientist since her childhood.

When she was not reading textbooks, she engaged herself with books of science. It is the result of her dedication that she became a scientist at the ISRO on the very first attempt and has been serving the country for the last six years. With pride, we all watched the launch of the Chandrayaan-3 live on TV, he said.

PHOTO: Neha Agrawal

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR K Sandeep Kumar K Sandeep Kumar is a Special Correspondent of Hindustan Times heading the Allahabad Bureau. He has spent over 16 years reporting extensively in Uttar Pradesh, especially Allahabad and Lucknow. He covers politics, science and technology, higher education, medical and health and defence matters. He also writes on development issues. ...view detail
The University of Lucknow has decided to keep a complaint box in each department, to protect students from harassment or ragging. Should students have complaints against anyone, they can put it in the complaint box with full details. The LU campus (HT File Photo)

Ahead of the beginning of the new session from July 17 (Monday), Lucknow University has listed a number of checklists for the safety of students. While classes for the freshers will begin next month, as the entrance test at the undergraduate level is still on, the university will start teaching for the second and third year students from Monday.

This complaint box will be opened daily by the heads of departments or any person authorised by him and complaint letters will be sent to the proctors office with recommendation for necessary action. The members of the proctorial board will keep visiting the campus and hostels etc for effective action in this regard. Yet, there is an urgent need to remain alert and active at the departmental level as well, so that no unforeseen situation may arise, said proctor Rakesh Dwivedi in a press release.

Lucknow University has been accredited A++ by NAAC last year. We are constantly striving for the progressive upgrade of this dignified university. Therefore, immense cooperation is expected from all for the effective control of incidents like ragging, he said.

These guidelines are in compliance with the instructions given by the University Grants Commission and the Uttar Pradesh government for the upgrade of higher education of students. He said as the teaching for the academic session 2023-2024 is to start from Monday, therefore, with a view to maintaining peaceful academic atmosphere on both the campuses of the University, it is necessary to remind students, teachers and staff about the boxes they need to tick.

All teachers/officers of LU will enter the campus after keeping their vehicles at the parking stand located near their department. If any teacher/officer is required to enter the academic campus of the University with his/her vehicle for any reason, he/she should try to enter and exit from gate number 2.

Students are informed that they will enter the academic campus after keeping their vehicles at the designated vehicle stands at gate numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5. The entry of students vehicles on the campus is strictly prohibited.
Mumbai: On Saturday, Ajit told reporters in Nashik, I followed the voice that came directly from my heart, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said on Saturday during his visit to Silver Oak, Sharad Pawars residence in south Mumbai. Ajit also said that he wanted to meet his aunt Pratibha, senior Pawars wife, who had undergone surgery on Friday. Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar during a press conference in Mumbai, Friday, July 7, 2023. (PTI Photo/Shashank Parade)(PTI07_07_2023_000294B) (PTI)

He also said he had apolitical chat with Pawar during his visit. It was Ajits first meeting with his uncle and mentor following his rebellion earlier this month. On Friday evening, he went to Pawars residence at Peddar Road which raised eyebrows in the political circles.

Ajit wanted to clear the air and thus gave the clarification. We talked nothing (about rebellion) but about a letter he had sent recently to me, chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis about improving the education sector. I also informed him about the action taken on his letter, the deputy chief minister said about his half an hour meeting when he also met Pawar.

He insisted that politics and personal lives are two separate things. After all, they have been following the Indian tradition and culture for decades in which family gets importance above other things. The Pawar family follows the same tradition. We are following the teachings of our elders. I wanted to meet Kaki (aunt) and inquire about her health. For the next 21 days, she will take care of herself, he said.

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Launching a scathing attack on Uddhav Thackeray, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde claimed that Devendra Fadnavis, as erstwhile chief minister, had agreed to give the BMC to the Shiv Sena only because Shinde requested him to for Thackerays sake. He added that Fadnavis also offered the deputy chief ministers post to the Sena but Thackeray did not take it, as Shinde would have then got the post. Talking about his defection last year, Shinde declared that as Balasahebs true Shiv Sainik, he had decided to forego power for the sake of Balasahebs ideology and beliefs. Some people thought my decision was suicidal but I went ahead, irrespective of the outcome. Never has anyone quit when in power, but I and my people did. (Bachchan Kumar/ HT PHOTO)

Also read: Why Maha govt is focusing on Shasan Aplya Dari scheme

Shinde was in Vashi on Saturday evening for his felicitation and party workers meet. Addressing the gathering, he said, The BJP had almost won the BMC when Devendra was CM. If he had decided, the mayor would have been a BJP one. I told him that Mumbai meant the world to our leader so to please leave Mumbai for us without any conditions. Just on my word, Devendra agreed, but how was he rewarded for it? Following the state election results, he made 40 to 50 calls to us, but we ignored them all.

Shinde added that he knew so much. Dont force me to say it, he declared dramatically. I believe in responding with my work.

The CM then gushed about how much work his government had done in the last year. Even Ajit Pawar has joined the government seeing the kind of work we have done, he said. Reassuring his cadre of the political equations following Ajits entry, he said, There is some mathematics we have to follow. Devendra and Ajit Pawar have administrative experience, and together we shall work for everyones welfare. I shall personally ensure that there is no bias against any party MLA who has joined our government. But I will, of course, ensure that not one Shiv Sainik faces any injustice.

Talking about his defection last year, Shinde declared that as Balasahebs true Shiv Sainik, he had decided to forego power for the sake of Balasahebs ideology and beliefs. Some people thought my decision was suicidal but I went ahead, irrespective of the outcome. Never has anyone quit when in power, but I and my people did.

Also read: SC issues notice to House speaker over disqualification pleas against Sena MLAs

He reminisced, We were threatened with consequences when we returned to the city, but I refused to take a helicopter and travelled by road. This is our Balasahebs Mumbai and no one dared to touch me It was my daring that led Modi and Amit Shah to make me the CM, and Devendra, as a brother, also agreed and supported the decision.

Speaking to the media after the felicitation, Shinde dismissed as laughable Congress leader Balasaheb Thorats demand for Presidents rule in Maharashtra. We have 210 MLAs, he said. How can a person who has been a minister make such a demand when we have a thumping majority?
Mumbai: Since June 1 of this year, a total of 41 First information reports (FIRs) have been filed against owners of fishing boats in Maharashtra, for violating the annual ban on deep sea fishing during monsoon season. Many of these boats were found to be operating from the Karanja fishing harbour in Uran, which was raided by the fisheries department on June 27 to crack down on such operations. HT Image

On June 27 alone, 12 violators from Karanja were booked under Sections 186 (obstructing public servant in the discharge of public functions), 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 141 (Unlawful assembly), 143 (Punishment of unlawful assembly), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

A copy of the FIR lodged on June 27, at the request of the fisheries department, also directs action against the owners of 72 motor vehicles who were apprehended for transporting illegally caught seafood. Details of these vehicles were recorded by the fisheries department during a panchnama.

A few other boats against whom FIRs were filed came from Revas, Dighode, Bodni, and Varedi villages in Raigad, and one boat from Mahul in Mumbai. However, fisheries department officials claimed that they had all been operating from the Karanja port during the monsoon period.

On July 14, the fisheries department also apprehended two trawlers at Mumbais Sassoon Dock after being alerted by local fisherfolks, though FIRs against the boat owners are yet to be filed.

Confirming these developments, a senior official with the fisheries department in Mumbai said, Criminal prosecution has been initiated by us against seven of these 41 boat owners. Fisheries minister Sudhir Mungantiwar held a meeting on June 28, a day after the raid in Karanja, and told us to double down on such activities. As per the Maharashtra Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1981, no fishing can happen during the monsoon period to allow for fish breeding and replenishment of stocks.

In almost all instances where FIRs have been filed, the boats had painted over their identification markers, such as the name of the boat, the boat license number, and the fishing license number. We have noticed that this has become a common practice during the monsoons to evade identification. This poses a security risk and requires the police and Coast Guards vigilance as well, the fisheries department official said.

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MUMBAI: A special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court recently refused to grant bail to gangster Iqbal Mirchis close aide Humayun Merchant, observing that he was a frontman of Mirchi and had played a pivotal role in all the activities of the late gangster. The defence contended that the trial against Merchant and other accused has been delayed as the prosecuting agency still does not have clarity on the predicate offences which were registered with the Mumbai police. (Stock Pic)

Merchant was arrested in 2019 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money-laundering case. The agency claimed that Merchant had helped Mirchi (who allegedly looked after the drugs trafficking business of the Dawood Ibrahim gang) acquire properties in Worli in 1986, using money earned through crimes like smuggling, drug trafficking, and extortion.

On careful examination of the Prosecution Complaint, it appears that ED has referred several instances to indicate how the applicant (A10 - Merchant) was a frontman of Iqbal Mirchi and an active participant knowing the process of generating, placing, layering, and integrating the proceeds of crime, the special judge MG Deshpande observed while rejecting Merchants bail plea.

The court further said, Merchant arranged several meetings of co-accused persons with Iqbal Mirchi at various places like London, Dubai, and accompanied them for the same. Those meetings were for acquiring properties to project tainted monies as untainted. All this clearly indicates how the applicant had a prominent role in various illegal activities of Iqbal Mirchi and how he assisted and participated in the same.

The defence contended that the trial against Merchant and other accused has been delayed as the prosecuting agency still does not have clarity on the predicate offences which were registered with the Mumbai police. The court, however, noted that ED has already said that once they get all information of cases relating to the scheduled offence, they would submit the same and also take the step.

As per the chargesheet filed by ED, Merchant planted tenants to purportedly usurp three immovable properties  Sea View, Marium Lodge, and Rabia Mansion in Worli  which were brought by Mirchi in 1986 from Mohammad Yusuf Trust.

The ED also alleged that Merchant then facilitated the deal to develop these buildings located at a prime location in Worli. The agency stated in its remand report that Merchant initially approached a developer, Joy Home Creation Pvt Ltd, and assured him that the properties are free from attachment by the government. Later, he arranged a meeting between Joy Home Creations director Jayesh Soni and Mirchi in London.

During the said meeting, various modalities about the project were discussed. After the approval of Mirchi, an agreement was established between Trust and Joy Home. Initially, five tenants were transferred, the report stated.

Mirchi, however, threatened Soni to exit the said property after he failed to pay 11 crore as promised.

Later in 2010, Sunblink Real Estate Pvt Ltd entered the project, and a deal was struck for the surrender of tenancy rights in favour of Sunblink for 225 crore.
Navi Mumbai: A 43-year-old man was arrested on July 14 for allegedly beheading his friend, and disposing his body on the pretext of disposing of a dead goat for Bakri Eid. HT Image

The murder happened in the early hours of Bakri Eid, on June 28 at around 2 am, and the accused Shafiq Ali Haider, disposed of the body later in the day.

Haider, a resident of the Wadghar area of Panvel, killed his friend Mohammed Aslam Hashmad by beheading him with a fish cleaver. The accused then disposed of Hashmads body by throwing the head and torso at different places.

The murder came to light during the investigations of Hashmads missing persons complaint.

Haider, the accused in this incident, had borrowed 57,000 from Hashmad for his business. Since Hashmad was going to his native village for Eid on June 28 morning, he started demanding his money back from Haider. But since he had no money, he was avoiding Hasad.

On June 27, Hashmad had been demanding money all day. Later in the evening, he went to Haiders workshop, where the duo had a heated argument following which Hashmad abused Haider and punched him in the face.

This angered Haider, and he took a fish cleaver and severed Harshmads head with just one stroke, according to the Panvel City police.

Police sources said Haider then stuffed the head in one polythene bag and the rest of the body in another. He borrowed a bike from a friend, saying that he had to dispose the body of his dead goat who died before the sacrifice and then disposed the torso in a nullah at Chinchpada on Kalamboli Road and his head in a drain at Karanjade.

On the day of the incident, while Hashmad was at Haiders workshop, Hashmads wife had videocalled him, and hence she knew that he was with Haider.

Hashmad had told his wife that he was to reach the native place the next morning, by flight. Since he did not reach his native place, the wife informed her brother-in-law in Nerul to check on him.

Hashmad, who resides in a building near the old Panvel court, was not to be found at his residence nor was he reachable on the phone, and hence his brother registered a missing persons complaint with Panvel City police.

During the investigation of the missing complaint, Haider misled the police by saying that Hashmad had left his workshop after meeting him that night.

Later police received information that Haider had switched off his phone and was secretly leaving for Uttar Pradesh. The police intercepted him at Bhopal Railway Station and detained him. After interrogating him, he revealed the murder details, and we recovered the body parts from the places where he had dumped them, said Assistant Commissioner of Police, Panvel Ashok Rajput.

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Mumbai: As NCP chief Sharad Pawar sets out to rebuild his organisation on the ground, nephew Ajit has begun countering his move to prevent him from regaining political strength. A week after Pawar toured Nashik and addressed a rally, Ajit demonstrated his strength in the city with a roadshow and bike rally and even managed to get one more NCP MLA from the district on his side. While addressing a gathering of Shasan Aplya Dari, Ajit promised that funds would not be an issue. Development projects will be speeded up. We want Nashik to be made slum-free, and free the Godavari river from pollution, he said, repeating the governments pet line of the double-engine government of the Shiv Sena and BJP now being a three-engine government. (HT PHOTO)

Ajit left for Nashik on early Saturday morning by the Vande Bharat Express from Thane. A large number of party workers were present at Nashik Station to welcome their leader who rebelled against Pawars leadership and succeeded in getting a majority of MLAs on his side.

Ajit attended the state governments programme Shasan Aplya Dari (Government at your doorstep) along with chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. He then participated in a road show in Nashik city along with NCP MLAs such as Bhujbal, Manikrao Kokate and Dilip Bankar. The car he was travelling in was driven by none other than Bhujbals nephew and former NCP MP Sameer Bhujbal, who has not been very active in politics after being jailed on money-laundering charges along with his uncle. A bike rally was also carried out to welcome Ajit who travelled in a cavalcade. Flowers were showered on his convoy through a JCB machine.

During his Nashik tour, Ajit attempted to ensure that not just MLAs but a majority of local leaders and workers would remain on his side. His aim was to prevent his uncle from getting support from the district where the NCP is in a very strong positionsix of the 12 MLAs from Nashik are from the party. Ajit got the desired results when MLA Saroj Ahire, who could not decide between Pawar and Ajit on Saturday, also declared her support to the latter, ostensibly for development of her constituency. Many works were stalled and to restart them, it is important to stay in power. Hence I have decided to support Ajit Dada, she proclaimed. With Ahires entry, all the six NCP MLAs from Nashik are now with Ajit.

While addressing a gathering of Shasan Aplya Dari, Ajit promised that funds would not be an issue. Development projects will be speeded up. We want Nashik to be made slum-free, and free the Godavari river from pollution, he said, repeating the governments pet line of the double-engine government of the Shiv Sena and BJP now being a three-engine government.

Ajit also praised prime minister Narendra Modi and his experience of travelling in the Vande Bharat Express for the first time. I will soon be meeting the prime minister to discuss the issues faced by farmers, he said. Meanwhile, CM Eknath Shinde and dy CM Devendra Fadnavis accompanied Ajit on the dais of the state governments programme in Nashik.

For the past few days, the three leaders were involved in intense negotiations over sharing portfolios in the state government. In this background, the trio put up a show of unity.

Speaking at the programme, Shinde insisted that all was well in his government. Ajit Dada will take all MLAs together. We will ensure that there would be no injustice to anyone, Shinde said. Shinde also had words of praise for Fadnavis, whom he called a man with a big heart, for giving up chief ministership for Ajit.

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Mumbai: A 27-year-old woman and her eight-year-old son died of suspected poisoning in their house in Bhayandar. The womans brother-in-law is undergoing treatment. HT Image

According to the police, Ram Chavhan returned from his native village to his home in Morva village of Bhayandar around 8.30pm on Friday. He found his wife Kavita, son Rohit and brother Shyam unconscious.

While Rohit was declared dead on arrival at the hospital, Kavita died during treatment on Saturday morning. Shyam is undergoing treatment at a government hospital.

After his return, Ram kept on knocking on the door for some time, but no one answered. He then broke open a window to enter the house and discovered his family lying unconscious, an official from Bhayandar police said. He added that Chavhan immediately took his family to a hospital with the help of neighbours.

The police have registered an accidental death report in the matter.

We strongly suspect a case of poisoning or food poisoning. We have collected samples of the food found in the kitchen for chemical analysis. We have also found a bottle, which could have contained poison, the officer added.

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France demands that no violence be used against the peaceful population of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is facing a humanitarian crisis as a result of the Azerbaijani blockade and is currently holding a rally in Stepanakert, whose only desire is to live in peace, ARMENPRESS reports at the event organized at the French Embassy in Armenia on the occasion of the French National Day, French Ambassador to Armenia Anne Louyot, who is finishing her diplomatic mission in Armenia in the coming days, said.

July 15, 2023, 09:25 France demands that no violence be used against NK population, whose aspiration is only to live peacefully. Ambassador

STEPANAKERT, JULY 15, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: "France is sorry for the ongoing aggression on the borders of Armenia, as well as against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. A population that has been greatly affected by the blocking of the Lachin Corridor and whose rights must be respected in accordance with the ruling of the International Court of Justice. We know that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are currently holding a rally in Stepanakert, demanding to restore their rights, and we demand that no violence be used against the civilian population, whose only desire is to live in peace," said the Ambassador.
Amid the flood-like situation caused by heavy rainfall in the hills and subsequent rise in the Yamuna water level, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) conducted a rescue operation to save around 500 workers living in illegal farmhouses in Noida, part of Delhi-NCR. These workers were hired to work in the farmhouses, which were built illegally in low-lying areas near the Yamuna River. They were affected, along with thousands of others residing along the riverbanks. Many of these stranded people were discovered on Thursday when police officers and administration officials took a boat ride deep into the flooded areas. (ANI)

Also Read | Noida floods: NDRF rescues bull priced over 1 crore

These farmhouses are situated near Nagli Wajidpur village in Sector 135, around two kilometers away from the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, on the other side of the embankment facing the Yamuna River. A video shared by news agency ANI showed NDRF personnel rescuing the workers from the knee-deep floodwater that had engulfed the entire area.

"Over 500 individuals were evacuated from the farmhouses on Thursday and Friday. As the water level rose, many of the stranded people, including women, sought refuge on the second floor of the farmhouses. They carried limited food and water supplies, which were running out," said an officer involved in the rescue and relief operations. Many of these stranded people were discovered on Thursday when police officers and administration officials took a boat ride deep into the flooded areas.

Government officials acknowledged that despite issuing advisories well in advance, the workers and staff members of these farmhouses, numbering in the thousands, were not moved to safety on time before the area became flooded.

Illegally constructed farmhouses

Noida Authority CEO Ritu Maheshwari told news agency PTI that most of the structures in the floodplains are illegally constructed. In the recent past, over 250 farmhouses were demolished as part of an anti-encroachment drive. A survey estimated presence of around 500-600 more such illegal structures against which action would be ensured in coming days, she said.

Many farmhouse owners have approached the court to obtain a stay order preventing the demolition of their structures. District magistrate Manish Kumar Verma said that 550 hectares of land in Gautam Buddh Nagar have been submerged due to the floods. The floods have also affected people in the Jewar area of Greater Noida along the Yamuna River, as well as those settled along the Hindon River. However, the most severely impacted are the residents of Noida.

Flood situation in Delhi

The Delhi government announced on Saturday that the flood situation is improving, pointing to the decreasing level of Yamuna water at the Old Railway Bridge. As a result, several roads in the national capital, which were closed due to the deluge, were opened for traffic on Saturday as the floodwaters receded. PWD Minister Atishi said that the department is working hard to ensure that the roads and traffic return to normalcy as soon as possible.

Earlier in the day, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter and informed that the water level of the Yamuna is receding now. The water level in Yamuna is decreasing gradually. If it does not rain heavily again, the situation will return to normal soon. We have started withdrawing water from Chandrawal and Wazirabad water treatment plants. After this, the machines will be kept for drying. Both the plants will be operational only by tomorrow, said CM Kejriwal.

Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department on Friday predicted that Delhi will likely receive light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms during the next 4-5 days.

(With ANI, PTI inputs)

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LUCKNOW Lucknow boy Prabuddh Dubey scored 799.64 out of 800 in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG Result 2023, the result of which was declared on Saturday. He got 100 percentile in four subjects -- English, History, Political Science and Economics. CUET Toppers (Sourced)

The results have paved the way for me to get admission in the best colleges of Delhi University. I may go to St Stephens College to pursue a BA program or another option is to take admission at Jamia Millia Islamia and study Economics (Honours) at undergraduate level, said Prabuddh, who passed class 12 from Study Hall and was mentored at CUET Possible.

He added, CUET makes a lot of sense as it is a single window to get a chance to study in the best of the colleges in the country. It is slightly disadvantageous for students coming from ICSE, ISC or UP Board as the National Testing Agency (NTA) that conducts exams follows NCERT syllabus that is advantageous for CBSE students. However, he pointed out a few anomalies that he noticed in CUET system, especially where some of the options given in the exam were wrong and students struggled to get it corrected.

His father, Pramod Dubey, is a general manager at the Punjab National Bank and mother Shivali Sharma is an assistant professor at Amity University where she teaches behaviourial science.

Another city-based student, Ishita Singh, a student of City Montessori School, Gomti Nagar, also scored 100 percentile in English, Legal Studies and Political Science. She obtained 793 out of 800. Ishita wants to study BA Political Science (Honours) from Miranda House. She said CUET has allowed more time for better preparations. Saumya Lal scored 100 percentile in English. Geetika Srivastava of CMS Mahanagar got 769 out of 800. She secured 100 percentile in English, Business Studies, and Economics. She wants to study at Shri Ram College of Commerce.

Shria Agrawal of La Martiniere Girls College scored 760 out of 800. Shria scored 100 percentile in English. She stands a chance to study at her dream college Miranda House where she wants to pursue BA Economics (Honours) or Shri Ram College of Commerce. Shriya feels that CUET is a great option because in the past, admissions were merit-based while CUET makes it a level playing field for all. She too went to CUET Possible for mentoring.

Similarly, Shivansh Rai also secured 100 percentile in English and Economics while Anshpriya Srivastava got 100 percentile in Political Science and Psychology. In addition to the above-stated results, 25 other students of CUET Possible secured 99 percentile across various domains, , said Satyam Shanker Sahai, founder of CUET Possible.

Central University Entrance Test (CUET) is an all-India examination organised by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to various undergraduate courses in Central Universities of India. Students from across India look forward to securing admission to top Delhi University colleges every year.

Prominent among these are St. Stephens, Hindu, Lady Sri Ram, Hansraj, Ramjas College etc. CUET examination is the gateway to all such prestigious colleges affiliated with Central Universities.

Approximately 14.90 lakh students appeared for the CUET UG examination this year which was conducted from May 21 to June 23, 2023, in nine phases in 387 cities across India and 24 cities outside India. The number saw an increase of nearly 4 lakh students vis-a-vis last year which is a testimony of the growing popularity of the examination among the school passing students.

Speaking on the results, Roma Bachchani, co-founder, Prep Guruu, Among the top rankers are Om Singh who scored 100 percentile in English, History, and Political Science. Ishita Agarwal scored 100 percentile in English, Gauri Agarwal scored 99.8 percentile in English and 99 percentile in General Test, Aishwarya Mishra scored 99.7 percentile in English and Legal Studies, Akshara Diya scored 99.5 percentile in English and Maths, Yashvardhan scored 99.4 Legal Studies and General test, Agrima Sahu scored 99 percentile in English and General Test and Sanskriti Khare scored 98 percentile in General Test and English and many more.

Sufi Siddharth Kabir, a student of Study Hall, scored 781 out of 800 with the 100 percentile in Economics, History, and Political Science. He wants to study at Hindu College.
In a bizarre incident, a video of a teacher taking a nap in a classroom, leaving children to sweep the floor and play at a primary school in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur, has gone viral on social media, prompting the education department to order an inquiry into the matter. The incident is said to be from Bajaura primary school located in Lavkushnagar area of Chhatarpur district,(Live Hindustan)

The video, which made the headlines, showed a male teacher sleeping using children's schoolbags as a pillow in the classroom, while, the children can be heard giggling and playing in the background, while some girls were seen sweeping the floor.

According to the India Today report, the incident is said to be from Bajaura primary school located in Lavkushnagar area of Chhatarpur district. As soon as the video gained traction, the relatives of the children started demanding strict action against the teacher, taking cognisance of which district education officer MK Koutarya immediately ordered a probe into the matter.

Koutarya said the video of the teacher has come to the notice and instructions have been given to the cluster principal and block education officer to probe the incident.

The district education officer also said a disciplinary action will be taken against the teacher if found guilty. He said the teacher should ensure thefunctioning of classes and other basic necessities instead of sleeping on the floor.
Former Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das on Saturday demanded a judicial inquiry into the police lathi-charge on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers in Patna on July 13 and alleged that it was a state-sponsored, deliberate assault on the peaceful march. Former Jharkhand CM Raghubar Da addresses a press conference at BJP office in Patna on Saturday. (Santosh Kumar/HT)

Das, who is also the national vice-president of the BJP, was talking to reporters at the BJP office in Patna after meeting with party leaders and workers injured in the incident and undergoing treatment at different hospitals. One of the party leaders, Vijay Kumar Singh, of Jehanabad has died in the lathi-charge, he claimed.

Das is leading the partys fact-finding team, comprising parliamentarians Manoj Tiwari, VD Ram and Sunita Duggal. We are going to meet the deceased family in Jehanabad, he said.

The probe team, set up by BJP president JP Nadda, earlier met party MP Janardan Prasad Sigriwal, who is being treated at the IGIMS for injury, scores of party workers at two other hospitals and recorded their statements on the attack. We will submit the report to the party chief in the next two-three days, said Das.

VD Ram, also a former director general of police (DGP), claimed he had never seen police personnel attacking the political activists. As many as 20 police personnel were together thrashing an individual leader. This requires a judicial probe, he said.

BJP leaders, meanwhile, staged demonstrations at district headquarters across the state on Saturday in protest against the lathi-charge.

State BJP chief Samrat Chaudhary, addressing the party workers at the BJP office, said people of the state would give a befitting reply to the dictatorial dispensation.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) national spokesman Manoj Kumar Jha, however, countered BJPs allegations and asked why BJP leaders were carrying chilly powder sacks when it was a peaceful march. Why did they (BJP leaders) stray from their original route and clashed with the police after entering the prohibited zone, asked Jha, alleging that the BJP never cared for development of the state, and instead used the people for bolstering their political prospects.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Subhash Pathak Subhash Pathak is special correspondent of Hindustan Times with over 15 years of experience in journalism, covering issues related to governance, legislature, police, Maoism, urban and road infrastructure of Bihar and Jharkhand. ...view detail
Often labelled as Vinod Khanna of the Marathi film industry due to his resemblance to the Bollywood actor, Veteran Marathi actor-director Ravindra Mahajani was among the most handsome faces of the industry in the 1970s and 80s. Ravindra Mahajani (right) and Kalpana Iyer in a still from the film Kanoon Kanoon Hai. (HT ARCHIVES)

Mahajani appeared in several Marathi films and his major films as an actor include Mumbaicha Fauzdar, Zunj, Kalat Nakalat, He Chakradhari, and the 2019 Bollywood film Panipat.

The veteran artist began his career as a taxi driver and made a name for himself in the acting circles after landing a role in Janta Ajanata, a play written by Madhusudan Kalelkar.

However, a role in Saat Hindustani, a film produced by V Shantaram and directed by his son Kiran Shantaram, paved the way for Mahajanis successful acting career. His last theatrical release was the 2019 film Panipat starring Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, and Kriti Sanon.

The final rites of Mahajani, who was found dead at his Talegaon Dabhade residence near Pune, were held on Saturday. He was cremated at Punes Vaikunth crematorium in the evening when several members of the Marathi film industry were present.

His son Gashmeer Mahajani is also an accomplished actor, best known for his work in Marathi cinema.

Veteran actor Ashok Saraf mourned his close friend Ravindra Mahajanis demise. Both Saraf and Mahajani dominated Marathi cinema during the 1980s.

In every role that Ravi (Ravindra Mahajani) did, he did it with passion and sincerity. He was among the most successful actors of our time, said Saraf.

He featured in several romantic songs, including Ha Sagar Kinara, Sumbaran Gao Deva, and Phite Andharache Jaale. Among his films, Devta became popular among rural audiences.

Several actors from the film industry expressed their grief at Mahajanis demise.

Noted Marathi actor, director, and producer Subodh Bhave said, My first step as a professional actor was in the film Satte Sikhi Kini produced and directed by Ravindra Mahajani. Your image will always remain as very handsome, extraordinarily handsome, a true Marathi handsome hero.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed his condolences on Mahajanis death.

Veteran Marathi actor Ravindra Mahajani, who ruled the hearts of the audience through his impressive acting skills, has passed away. May God give eternal peace to his soul and give strength to the Mahajani family to recover from this grief. A heartfelt tribute.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar also paid tribute to the actor, saying that his untimely demise has caused a great loss to the Marathi film industry. We share the grief of the Mahajani family. A heartfelt tribute to Ravindra Mahajani! Pawar said in a tweet.

Mahajani was found dead after neighbours complained about a foul smell from the house. Ranjit Sawant, Senior Police Inspector (SPI) at Talegaon MIDC police station said a police team responded to complaints by locals and broke open the flats door and found the dead body. Sawant said doctors estimated that Mahajani died three days ago.

We have contacted his son in Mumbai and informed him, he said.

Police said the actors son Gashmeer Mahajani had been trying to reach his father but the phone calls were going unanswered. On Friday, hours before his body was found, Gashmeer asked a friend in Pune to visit Talegaon Dabhade to check on his father. Gashmeer said his friend planned to visit his father on Saturday.
The consortium of Medical, Engineering, and Dental Colleges of Karnataka released the COMEDK counselling round 1 mock allotment result. Candidates can change /edit preferences in the choice filling form till 3 pm on July 16. The COMEDK round 1 allotment result will be released at 2 PM on July 18, 2023. COMDEK mock allotment result released, edit or change preferences till July 16

Direct link to check mock allotment result

Candidates can make payments through net banking, credit card, and debit card multiple transactions or installment payments are not accepted.

COMDEK 2023: How to change /edit preferences in choice filling form

Visit the official website at www.comedk.org

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Take print for future reference.
CUET UG Result 2023 Highlights: National Testing Agency, NTA has declared CUET UG Result 2023. Candidates who have appeared for the CUET UG examination can check their results through the official site of NTA CUET UG at cuet.samarth.ac.in. CUET UG Result 2023 Highlights: NTA CUET UG results, direct link, toppers, cut off, latest news at cuet.samarth.ac.in

Direct link to check CUET UG Results 2023 ( Available)

Along with the declaration of results, the cut-off marks, and the topper's name is also expected to be announced by the Agency.

Around 14.90 lakh students have appeared for the CUET UG examination that was conducted from May 21 to June 23, 2023, in nine phases in 387 cities across India and 24 cities outside India. Follow the blog for the latest updates on results, direct links and other details.

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Actor-couple Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif on Saturday flew out of Mumbai, a day ahead of her 40th birthday. Taking to Instagram, a paparazzo account posted a video of the couple arriving at the Mumbai airport. (Also Read | Katrina Kaif's mornings are all about hubby Vicky Kaushal and coffee, leaves Internet in awe with their best pic) Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal at the Mumbai airport.

Katrina and Vicky at Mumbai aiport

In the clip, Katrina and Vicky Kaushal walked towards the entrance of the airport, holding hands. They also smiled and posed for the paparazzi before entering the terminal building. Katrina also waved at the paparazzi.

For the travel, Katrina wore a floral full-sleeve top, paired it with flared denims and white sneakers. Vicky opted for a white T-shirt, black jacket, trousers and white sneakers. He also carried a backpack. Both of them wore dark sunglasses.

Fans praise Vicky and Katrina

Reacting to the couple's video, a fan wrote, "Katrina Kaif is simply stunning." A comment read, "Shes too pretty. And Vicky is a hottie." An Instagram user said, "Beautiful Katrina with handsome Vicky Kaushal." "Wow!!! Gorgeous Kat and Hot Vicky," said a person. "Birthday celebration in advanced," commented a fan. "They look so good," said another fan. Another comment read, "So beautiful and adorable couple."

About Vicky and Katrina

Vicky and Katrina got married in December 2021 in Rajasthan. The couple dated for a few years before tying the knot. Talking on the seventh season of Koffee with Karan, Katrina had said, "I did not even know much about him (Vicky). He was just a name I had heard of but had never associated with. But then, when I met him, I was won over. It was my destiny and it was really meant to be. There were so many coincidences that at one point all of it just felt so unreal."

Katrina and Vicky's upcoming films

Katrina will be seen in the action-thriller film Tiger 3 opposite Salman Khan. The film is set to hit the theatres on Diwali 2023. Apart from that, she also has Sriram Raghavan's film Merry Christmas opposite Vijay Sethupathi. Fans will also see her in Farhan Akhtar's upcoming film Jee Le Zara along with Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra.

Vicky, recently, wrapped up shooting for a romantic-comedy film Mere Mehboob Mere Sanam which also stars Tripti Dimri. He will also be seen in Sam Bahadur, helmed by Meghna Gulzar and produced by Ronnie Screwvala. The film also stars Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Sheikh in the lead roles.

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Henry Cavill could have been James Bond instead of Daniel Craig, but he was rejected for being too young. The Bond that never was(Warner Bros)

The Man of Steel and The Witcher star had auditioned for the role of 007 in Casino Royale, but the director Martin Campbell chose Craig over him.

Casino Royale was the first film in the latest series of James Bond adventures. Craig played the iconic spy for five films over a span of fifteen years. His portrayal of Bond catapulted his career to new levels; before becoming Bond, Craig was mostly known for his TV and smaller film roles. Some of his notable pre-Bond appearances were in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Road to Perdition; after he became Bond, he also starred in Cowboys & Aliens, Logan Lucky, and - perhaps most famously - as Detective Benoit Blanc in Rian Johnson's Knives Out and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Craig's talent as an actor is undeniable, but his stint as Bond is certainly a key factor in his success.

The British natives fate could have been different, as well as Cavill's.

In an interview with Express UK, Campbell revealed why he picked Craig over Cavill for James Bond. "He looked great in the audition," Campbell said. "His acting was tremendous. And look, if Daniel didnt exist Henry would have made an excellent Bond. He looked terrific, he was in great physical shape very handsome, very chiseled. He just looked a little young at that time back then."

Now that Craig's era as James Bond has come to an end, the question is: who will be the next James Bond? Is there a chance for Cavill to take on the role?

Campbell answered whether Cavill still has a shot at 007. Sadly, his answer might disappoint those who want to see him as the suave and sophisticated agent. "I think they sign on for three Bonds, Im not absolutely 100 percent certain of that. I know with Pierce he had to sign on to three when we did him. So thats going to take, what, six years of your life maybe? I suspect Daniel [had] the same deal. And the next guys going to have to do that. Henry's 40, so by the time hes done the third one hes going to be 50 and anything beyond thats two, three years per Bond. Hes in good shape Henry, hes a good guy. He did very well in the audition, but ironically he was too young." While Campbell's answer wasn't a definitive no, it seems like Cavill is nearing the age where he'd be too old to play Bond.

ALSO READ| SAG-AFTRA strike: Hollywood stars unveil shockingly low pay - Just $27.30 for 45 episodes!

Even though he may have been too young and now too old to play James Bond, Cavill's career has flourished without the extra boost. His roles as Superman and Geralt of Rivia established him as a star in action and fantasy genres, and his upcoming projects reflect that. Cavill is set to produce and star in a Warhammer 40k movie. He will also star in Guy Ritchie's The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and Matthew Vaughn's Argylle. So, while his fans may have missed out on Cavill's version of James Bond, they will be treated to plenty of thrilling performances from him in the future.
Amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, Universal Pictures has extended its support and cancelled the upcoming red carpet at the US premiere of Oppenheimer. As per a report, the Christopher Nolan film will, however, be screened. (Also Read | Internet reacts as Florence Pugh saves Emily Blunt from wardrobe malfunction at Oppenheimer premiere) About S"AG-AFTRA strike SAG-AFTRA called for a strike on July 13 and the first day of picketing was July 14. On Thursday, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) voted to join screenwriters in the first joint strike after failing to reach a consensus for a new contract with the studios and streaming services, represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr, Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, along with Christopher Nolan and others at Oppenheimer premiere in Paris.(AFP)

Oppenheimer's US premiere

As per Variety, Universal Pictures in a statement said, In support of the ongoing SAG strike, the filmmakers of Oppenheimer will not be proceeding with the NY premiere as originally planned, and will instead screen the movie to celebrate the crew and craftspeople who contributed to making this landmark film." The premiere of Oppenheimer is scheduled to take place on Monday at 7 pm ET (4.30 am IST) in New York City.

Oppenheimer cast left UK premiere

The decision comes after the Oppenheimer cast recently left the films UK premiere in support of the strike. The UK premiere took place July 13 just hours before SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher officially called for the strike. Oppenheimer cast members Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon and Emily Blunt walked the UK red carpet but did not attend the screening of the film. Christopher had then said that the actors left the premiere to start making picket signs for the strike.

Speaking about it, Matt told Variety on the UK carpet, We talked about it. Look, if its called now, everyones going to walk obviously in solidarity  Once the strike is officially called, [were walking]. Thats why we moved this [red carpet] up because we know the second its called, were going home. We gave the strike authorization. We voted 98% to 2% to do that because we know our leadership has our best interest at heart. The premiere was also moved up an hour so that the cast could walk the red carpet before the SAG board's announcement.

About Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer will release in theatres on July 21. The film is about J Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist remembered as one of the fathers of the atom bomb.

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3rd China-Africa Future Leaders' Dialogue held in Beijing

16:00, July 15, 2023 By Chang Sha ( People's Daily Online

The 3rd China-Africa Future Leaders' Dialogue is held in Beijing, July 14, 2023. (Photo courtesy of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries)

The 3rd China-Africa Future Leaders' Dialogue was held offline for the first time in Beijing on Friday, with its participants committing to make unwavering efforts toward jointly developing the Belt and Road, and building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

The dialogue, hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), welcomed about 100 participants. This group included Chinese and African youth representatives from various sectors, sharing their stories under the theme, "China-Africa Youth: Working Together for High-Quality Belt and Road Cooperation between China and Africa."

Jiang Jiang, vice president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, delivers a speech at the 3rd China-Africa Future Leaders' Dialogue in Beijing, July 14, 2023. (Photo courtesy of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries)

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by China. "The BRI puts its focus on development, which is in line with the need of the times and the aspiration of different countries for faster growth," said Jiang Jiang, vice president of the CPAFFC, adding that the initiative seeks to share China's development opportunities globally and achieve shared prosperity.

According to Jiang, the BRI caters to the developmental needs of African countries, garnering their endorsement. So far, 52 African countries and the African Union Commission have inked BRI cooperation documents with China.

Thanks to the BRI, China and Africa have experienced deepened infrastructure cooperation, burgeoning economic and trade collaboration, and closer people-to-people and cultural exchanges, Jiang noted. Looking forward, he anticipates Chinese and African youths contributing their intellect and vigor to the high-quality evolution of the BRI, thereby brightening the prospects for bilateral relations.

Didier Dacko, ambassador of Mali to China, delivers a speech at the 3rd China-Africa Future Leaders' Dialogue in Beijing, July 14, 2023. (Photo courtesy of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries)

In the face of multiple global challenges, Didier Dacko, ambassador of Mali to China, asserted, "In this very context of uncertainties, it remains necessary for China and Africa to maintain the course of their relations toward high-quality Belt and Road cooperation."

The future of China and Africa lies in the "actions and attitudes of today," said Dacko, emphasizing the significant role of the younger generation in this process, encouraging them to unite, overcome obstacles, and improve people's lives.

According to Wang Chao, deputy project manager of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation East Africa Limited, a contractor involved in several infrastructure projects in Tanzania, like the Central Railway Line rehabilitation project, said the BRI doesn't just allow China to portray a more comprehensive image to Tanzania. It also bolsters the East African nation's internal driving force for growth, during which Chinese businesses have improved local infrastructure.

The 3rd China-Africa Future Leaders' Dialogue is held in Beijing, July 14, 2023. (Peoples Daily Online/Chang Sha)

This year also commemorates the 60th anniversary of China deploying its first medical aid team to Africa, following the country's initial medical worker group's arrival in Algeria in 1963.

Wang Xingwen, a doctor from the Xuanwu Hospital under Capital Medical University and a member of the 28th Chinese medical team to Guinea, expressed that Chinese doctors contribute to constructing a global health community through their selfless dedication and professional competence.

Joseph Olivier Mendo'o, a Cameroon native and co-founder of the China-Africa Youth Federation, noted that several BRI cooperation projects between China and Africa target young people. This not only fosters development opportunities for Africa, but also assists African young people in achieving their dreams.

The China-Africa Future Leaders' Dialogue, launched by the CPAFFC in 2021 within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, aims to offer a fresh platform for young people from both sides to engage in comprehensive discussions and collaboratively work toward a brighter future.

The 3rd China-Africa Future Leaders' Dialogue is held in Beijing, July 14, 2023. (Peoples Daily Online/Chang Sha)

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
The message spread by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan claiming that the relevant units of the Ministry of Defense regularly suppress the GPS positioning systems of civilian aircraft flying through the airspace of Artsakh, as a result of which a serious threat to flight safety is created, is an absolute lie, Press Service of Artsakh Republic Defense Army reports.

July 15, 2023, 11:12 Azerbaijan spreads another absolute lie

STEPANAKERT, JULY 15, ARTSAKHPRESS: The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan claims that the most recent incident was allegedly recorded on July 13, when the radio jamming of the corresponding unit of Artsakh Defense Army caused a malfunction in the GPS positioning systems of civilian aircraft flying [Kovsakan-Varanda] Zangelan-Fizuli (11:54-12:07) and [Varanda] Fuzuli-Baku (13:02-13:17). Meanwhile, aircraft flying on the mentioned routes do not need to cross the line of contact, therefore, they cannot be affected by the radio suppression equipment of the Defense Army.

Throughout the entire period of hostilities in 2020 and after, it is the Azerbaijani side that consistently strikes at the civilian infrastructure of the Republic of Artsakh, blocking the Lachin corridor, disrupting gas and electricity supply, blocking access to the Internet and mobile communications.
Actor Priyanka Chopra has spoken about the ongoing SAG AFTRA strike and extended her support. Taking to Instagram on Friday night, Priyanka shared a post announcing that she stands with her 'union and colleagues'. (Also Read | Priyanka Chopra invited me to go see Beyonce's London concert after I bought fake tickets: Stuntwoman) Priyanka Chopra shared a post on Instagram on the SAG AFTRA strike.(Ayush Sharma)

What Priyanka said

Priyanka shared a poster that read, "Sag.Aftra Strong." She wrote, "I stand with my union and colleagues. In solidarity, we build a better tomorrow (red heart and folded hands emojis). She also added the hashtags--Sag Aftra Strong and Sag Aftra Strike.

Earlier, several reports said that production of her project Heads Of State would also be halted or postponed for the strike. Since Priyanka is a member of the SAG AFTRA, she will not be able to film for any project until a new deal between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP can be reached and the strike ends.

Hollywood actors join writers on picket lines

Striking Hollywood actors joined film and television writers on picket lines for the first time in 63 years on Friday, cheering and chanting outside major studios with calls for higher streaming-era pay and curbs on use of artificial intelligence. The twin strikes will add to the economic damage from the writers' walkout that started on May 2, increasing the pressures facing the multibillion-dollar media industry as it struggles with seismic changes to its business.

In New York City and Los Angeles, actors marched outside the offices of Netflix Inc, Paramount Global and other companies, voicing demands for higher compensation for working-class actors and other gains. "We're in an old contract for a new type of business and its just not working for most people," actor Susan Sarandon said outside Warner Bros Discovery offices as quoted by Reuters.

What AMPTP said

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) said it had offered significant increases in compensation to SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America (WGA) members. AMPTP is the group that negotiates on behalf of Netflix, Walt Disney Co and other studios. Reuters sources close to studios also argue that the companies are facing a challenging time. Many streaming services have yet to turn a profit after spending billions of dollars on programming to try and attract customers.

with Reuters input

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BTS member Jungkook performed in New York on Good Morning America's Summer Concert Series amid bad weather. He is the first K-pop solo artist to perform at the GMA. Jungkook's show came just hours after the release of his solo song Seven. After the show, Jungkook took to Weverse on Friday and interacted with his fans in a live session. He shared that he wasn't doing well and his health 'got worse' after he landed in New York. (Also Read | Jungkook performs Seven, blows kisses at fans amid bad weather) BTS' Jungkook held a live session on Weverse.

Jungkook talks about his health

Speaking to fans, Jungkook said, "To be honest my condition wasn't that good either and it got worse once I landed. But don't worry, it's getting better... it's not Covid-19, I got it tested." He also added, as translated by Twitter user @BTStranslation_, "I prepared a mic since my throat condition isn't that good." Jungkook also said, "Due to the weather, the concert was cancelled after the rehearsal, so it was unfortunate."

Jungkook speaks about Seven

Talking about the music video of Seven, Jungkook said, "I wanted to see your reactions, the music video is quite fun right? How should I say, somewhat the plotline and theme isn't something you get to see usually in music videos." On filming the video, he said, "I remember now shooting the music video here it was quite hard. The weather was cold but since the water was warm, I didn't catch a cold."

Jungkook praises Han So-hee

Jungkook also said that actor Han So-hee, who featured in the music video, helped him out a lot while acting. Jungkook added that he knew what he had to do in the music video but when the camera was on, So-hee did 'such a great job' that it helped him a lot. Talking about the funeral scene in Seven, Jungkook said, "The scene you guys like the most, I think it comes out here. It's a scene that makes one annoyed, right? (laughs)."

Jungkook celebrated with a cake

During the live session, Jungkook cut a strawberry cake. He said, "I heard the cake is quite expensive so I wanted to try it. It is delicious." Before signing out, Jungkook said, "I am always thankful (to you) and as I always move keeping you guys in mind. You guys too please cheer for me steadily and I'll also keep working hard while thinking of you guys.. I'll keep running."

BTS fans react to Jungkook talking about his health

After fans came to know that Jungkook wasn't doing well they sent him good wishes. A person wrote on Twitter, "It's okay you still did so much. Jungkook I hope you get well soon." A comment read, "He's working hard. I hope he gets well soon." "Poor Kookie was sick and had to perform in the rain at an ungodly early hour? Wow. The performances - you would never know what he was dealing with. What a professional. But not surprising," said a Twitter user. "I hope youll get better recovery. Stay healthy and stay strong," read a tweet.

About Seven

On Friday, Jungkook performed Seven, Dynamite, and Euphoria followed by many more at Central Park. Jungkook's song Seven also features rapper Latto. The song has been described by BTS agency BigHit as an invigorating summer song. Ahead of his official solo debut, Jungkook previously released two free singles.

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Kim Kardashian, known for her social media presence, is once again facing criticism for her parenting decisions. This time, fans expressed concern over her recent Instagram post featuring her children sleeping. The photos showed Chicago, Saint, and Psalm in bed, while North was absent from the picture. Critics argued that sharing these intimate family moments invades the children's privacy and puts them in a vulnerable position without their consent. Fans expressed concern over Kim Kardashian's recent Instagram post featuring her children sleeping.(Instagram)

Fans on a Kardashian-themed Reddit page debated the appropriateness of Kim's Instagram post. Many expressed discomfort with the public sharing of children's sleeping photos. They argued that it violates their privacy and fails to acknowledge that children are individuals deserving of privacy too. Some fans suggested that these moments should be kept within the family and not shared with millions of followers.

Parenting Backlash Continues

This recent backlash is not the first time Kim has faced criticism for her parenting choices. Previously, she received backlash for a TikTok video featuring her daughter North. Critics expressed concern over North's appearance, as she wore heavy makeup in the video. Fans on Reddit shared their disappointment, emphasizing that a nine-year-old should not be looking like that or wearing such makeup. Some expressed hope that the children would have the agency to break free from the pressures of their upbringing.

Also read | Only room for one peacock, Bethenny Frankel weighs in on Kim Kardashian and Tom Brady romance rumors

The Balloon Controversy

Kim's parenting choices also attracted criticism for her son Psalm's extravagant birthday party in May. The theme of the party was firefighters, with numerous decorative balloons. Critics pointed out that the excessive use of balloons is problematic due to the global helium shortage. They called out the insensitivity of wasting helium when it is an essential resource for medical purposes such as MRI machines.

Also read | Isn't that expensive?', Kim and Khloe Kardashian set the record straight on CGI tears and fake fingers
Shanaya Kapoor, daughter of Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor, will make her film debut with Vrushabha. The Telugu-Malayalam film will feature actor Mohanlal in the lead role. Salma Agha's daughter Zahrah S Khan as well as Roshann Meka will also be seen in the film. (Also Read | Shanaya Kapoors Bollywood debut Bedhadak not shelved, producer Karan Johar confirms shoot to begin next year) Shanaya Kapoor and Zahrah Khan will be seen with Mohanlal in Vrushabha.

About Vrushabha

The 'epic action entertainer will be directed by Nanda Kishore. It will go to floors later in July. Though a bilingual film, Vrushabha will also release in Tamil, Kannada and Hindi. It has been produced by AVS Studios, First Step Movies, and Balaji Telefilms.

More details about Vrushabha

Taking to Twitter on Saturday, film trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared a few photos. He captioned the post, "Shanaya Kapoor, Zahrah S Khan to Star in Mohanlals Pan-India Film Vrushabha... #ShanayaKapoor [daughter of #SanjayKapoor] and #ZahrahSKhan [daughter of #SalmaAgha] to star opposite #RoshannMeka [who has acted in several #Telugu films] in PAN-#India film #Vrushabha Stars #Mohanlal in the central role."

He also added, "Directed by #NandaKishore, the film - an epic action-entertainer transcending generations - goes on floors later this month. A #Telugu - #Malayalam bilingual, #Vrushabha will release simultaneously in #Malayalam, #Telugu, #Tamil, #Kannada and #Hindi. Produced by [AVS Studios] Abhishek Vyas, Vishal Gurnani, Juhi Parekh Mehta, [First Step Movies] Shyam Sunder, [Balaji Telefilms] Ektaa R Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor and [Connekkt Media] Varun Mathur. @Mohanlal."

Shanaya talks about film

As quoted by India Today, Shanaya Kapoor said in a statement, I am highly excited about facing the camera and begin shooting, there will be so much to learn and explore from this film. The storyline is a fascinating one which has stayed with me. Also, the film has all the big names associated with it, and is being made on a massive scale."

She also added, "Its the kind of role any young actor would be excited about, and inspired to play. Especially so early in ones career. Its a dream come true. And with Mohanlal Sir on board, I feel honoured to be a part of Vrushabha. Extremely grateful."

Shanaya will also be seen in Bedhadak

Shanaya will make her acting debut in Bollywood with Karan Johar's Bedhadak, in which she will be seen essaying the role of Nimrit. The film also stars Lakshya and Gurfateh Pirzada in lead roles. In March 2022, she announced the news on her Instagram and unveiled her first look from the film. The official release date of the film is still awaited.

Last year, several reports claimed that Bedhadak has been shelved. Filmmaker Karan Johar had shared a post on Instagram and said, @shanayakapoor02 @gurfatehpirzada@itslakshyaall set to storm the screens next year! Shooting commences first half of next year !!!!#BEDHADAK!!!!

ott:10

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Welcome back to The World Weekly, where we deconstruct some of the biggest international news stories from the week and place the seemingly local developments in global context. This week Nato held the second summit of the security alliance since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 last year. Lets discuss some of the key takeaways from the outcome of the summit itself, and, most importantly, the Russian president agreeing to the extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which has global ramifications. A gaggle of Nato leaders at the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Wednesday. (Reuters) A Nato summit and the grain deal Much has been said about the Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, earlier this week, with discussions and analyses focusing largely on the alliances enlargement, and with good reason: Russia has repeatedly called the expansion of the security bloc an existential threat, and cited it as one of the reasons it launched, what it called, its special military operation in Ukraine. A big win for the alliance was that Finland, which applied for membership last year, was present at the summit as a newly-inducted member, and, after huge delay, Turkey agreed to accept the entry of Sweden, which applied at the same time as Finland, into the alliance. Both Stockholm and Helsinki abandoned their historic neutrality to join the security alliance, perceiving the growing aggression of Russia on their borders. Additionally, the hostility between strategically-located Turkey and the West appeared to thaw. In the World Weekly edition on the Turkish elections, we had discussed how President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who in May managed to extend his 20 years in power, had been accused the West of trying to move against him and promised to make Turkey a global economic and political power during his campaign. Under him, Ankara had objected to Swedens membership into the Nato, blaming Stockholm of harbouring members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which Ankara has labelled a terrorist group. In a momentarily stunning announcement ahead of the summit, Erdogan linked Swedens accession to Nato to Turkeys entry into the European Union. Ankara received candidate status in 1999. But then, just as quickly, he changed his mind, accepting Swedens bid hours later. By backing Swedens Nato bidAnkara is signalling 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, CNN reported. In a way, this is a balancing move for Turkeys position between the West and Russia. Incidentally, hours after his agreement, Washington announced that it would proceed with the transfer of F-16s fighter jets to Ankara. Erdogan denied the two developments were linked. American journalist Seymour Hersch in his Substack, quoting a person familiar with the matter, alleged that Biden has promised Erdogan a much-needed $11-13 billion line of credit through the International Monetary Fund. Turkey is in the midst of a deep financial crisis. No doubt, the F-16s are a calculation on Washingtons part: it sees Turkey  which holds the Black Sea  playing an important role in the Russia-Ukraine war, diplomatically and militarily, and favours the modernisation of its air force. We welcome the conclusion of the trilateral memorandum between Turkiye, Finland, and Sweden to that effect. The accession of Finland and Sweden will make them safer, Nato stronger, and the Euro-Atlantic area more secure, the post summit declaration said on Tuesday. But Russia, whose leader Erdogan once called a "dear friend," said Turkey is turning it into an unfriendly country. Ukrainian ascension Of course, the most-talked about outcome of the summit, with Russias invasion of Ukraine in its 16th month, was the alliances updated commitment to admit Ukraine. Members agreed Ukraines future is in Nato, and, acknowledged that its path to full Euro-Atlantic integration has moved beyond the need for the Membership Action Plan. While easing Ukraines path to Nato membership, leaders retained a level of caution by hinging it on some economic and political conditions Ukraine has yet to meet. "We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met," the communique added. The results of the summit are good, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had lambasted the alliance for their wishy-washy stance on Kyivs admittance just ahead of joining the gathering in Vilnius as a guest, said. "The reality is that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin now is getting the exact opposite of what he wanted when he went to war against Ukraine," said Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg. "It was a big strategic failure." Outside, however, the communique received a lukewarm reception, with the Kyiv Post calling it disappointing. But Article 5 of the Nato charter (war on one country is war with the alliance) constantly looms over any such declarations. Still, even the muted acceptance of Ukraine cannot have pleased Moscow. The Kremlin said it would study the communique for threats to Russia and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov warned on Wednesday that the USA and its Nato satellites are creating the risk of a direct military confrontation with Russia and this can have catastrophic consequences. At the summit itself, the Group of Seven (G7) countries - US, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, Italy, the UK, and the EU - laid out a framework for long-term security assurance for Ukraine, including modern advanced military equipment, training, intelligence sharing and cyberdefence. This may prove to be more significant contribution to Ukraines war right now. "We're going to help them build a strong capable defence across land, air and sea," Biden said. Additionally, Nato leaders agreed to their first comprehensive defence plans (4,000 pages long) since the end of the Cold War, the Economist said, as well as to boost defence spending levels. The plans include guidance for armed forces on how to to prepare for the defence of the north, central and southern parts of Natos borders, from the Arctic in the north to the Mediterranean in the south." On Thursday, Putin himself rebuked Natos commitments on Ukraine, saying, "This will not increase the security of Ukraine itself. And in general, it will make the world much more vulnerable. He dismissed the supply of new weapons saying they will only further fuel the conflict, and add nothing to the battlefield. Putins comments came hours before the Pentagon confirmed that the controversial cluster munitions that the US had promised to Ukraine last week had reached the war-torn country. The Human Rights Watch criticised the supply of the weapons that are banned in over 100 countries and are responsible for killing civilians. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson shake hands next to Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg, in Vilnius, on Monday (AP) The grain deal The summit ended with a modicum of success: ties with Turkey were improved and the alliance was able to project its unity, while showing its support for Ukraine. At the end of the summit, Biden declared that Nato is more united than ever in its history. But a more important development occurred after the summit ended. On Friday, Erdogan said Putin has agreed to extend the Black Sea grain deal which expires on Monday. The deal was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July 2022 to help alleviate a global flood crisis, worsened after Russian forces blockaded Ukrainian ports as it launched the invasion. The deal allowed for more than 30 million tons of Ukrainian grain to travel through the Black Sea. In Vilnius, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Erdogan had agreed on the importance of ensuring an extension to the Black Sea Grain Deal. But on Thursday, Putin said Russia was mulling withdrawing unless its demands are met. The UN and Turkey have been scrambling over the past few weeks to get the deal extended, with Reuters reporting that UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres had written to Putin suggesting that Moscow allow the deal to continue for several months to give the European Union time to connect a subsidiary of the Russian Agriculture Bank (Rosselkhozbank) to the international payment network SWIFT, a key demand from Russia. It was cut off by the European Union in June 2022 over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Putin on Thursday denied having received any letter from Guterres. Plus, to convince Putin to agree to the deal, UN officials had also agreed to help Russia get its food and fertilizer exports to foreign markets - something Moscow says they have failed to do. 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. By ensuring the security of maritime cargo traffic in the Black Sea  along with inspections to counter arms shipments  the deal has allowed the export of nearly 33 million tonnes since it entered force on August 1, 2022, mostly wheat and maize. The accord helped bring down prices that had shot higher following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and avoid hunger and famine in countries heavily dependent upon imports. China was the biggest importer at 7.75 metric tonnes, followed by Spain at 5.6 million tonnes and Turkey at 3.1 million tonnes, according to the coordination centre set up under the accord. The deal also enabled the World Food Programme to provide 725,000 tonnes to countries experiencing crises like Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. "A lack of food supplies produces knock-on effects for the lives of millions of people, particularly the poorest," said the UN. On Friday, wheat and corn futures rose for a second session as uncertainty loomed over the Ukraine grain deal nearing expiry, Bloomberg reported ahead of Erdogans announcement. Later, Erdogan told reporters, "We are preparing to welcome Putin in August and we agree on the extension of the Black Sea grain corridor. It wasn't clear what exactly Putin had agreed to as this newsletter was being written, but hopefully it meant the Monday deadline would no longer pose an issue. (With inputs from agencies) That's all for this week, folx. If you have any suggestions, feedback, or questions, please write to me at sanya.mathur@hindustantimes.com
UK visa fee to rise significantly. Here's how much Indians will have to pay Fees and health surcharges paid by visa applicants, including Indians, to the National Health Service (NHS) will increase significantly, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak announced. The hike may reportedly be around 15 per cent to 20 per cent although no official confirmation has been given yet. Read More Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak(AFP File)

South Korea asks China for constructive role in curbing North Korea's threats

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PM Modi visits UAE, Burj Khalifa lights up with Indian tricolour

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Anupam Kher calls Satish Kaushik's kid Vanshika more than a daughter for me, wishes her on birthday with pics

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Mastering the art of luxurious living: 6 expert tips for designing your dream home

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Watch: Irritated Djokovic's sarcastic clap, crying gesture to booing crowd during Wimbledon semifinal vs Sinner

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An Air India senior management official was allegedly assaulted by an unruly passenger on a flight back to New Delhi from Sydney on July 9. The airlines head of inflight services department, Sandeep Verma, who was flying from Sydney to Delhi on AI 301 was hit by a Delhi-based passenger. However, no action was taken against him, an official close to the matter told HT. The passenger on board AI301 operating Sydney-Delhi on July 9 behaved in an unacceptable manner during the flight, the Air India spokesperson.(Representative image)

The Air India spokesperson told HT that the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was informed about the matter.

A passenger on board AI301 operating Sydney-Delhi on 9 July 2023 behaved in an unacceptable manner during flight, despite verbal and written warnings, causing distress to other passengers, which included one of our employees, the airline spokesperson told HT.

Upon the flights safe landing at Delhi, the passenger was handed over to the security agency, and the passenger later apologised in writing. The DGCA was duly informed of the incident. Air India will take a firm stand against misbehaviour. We will pursue this to the full extent of the law," the spokesperson added.

The DGCA, however, did not confirm if it was informed of Verma being assaulted on board a flight.

The incident took place when Verma, who is a frequent flier to Australia, booked a business class seat for his travel back to New Delhi. He, however, was not able to use the business class seat as a couple of them were defunctive.

He, therefore, had to be downgraded to the economy class.

Verma accepted the downgrade and was then allotted seat 30C. He, however, later moved to row 25 since it was vacant. After shifting, Verma began correcting his co-passenger (who was freely walking around in the galley and also picked up a few alcohol bottles for no reason) and had a loud voice. This is when the passenger slapped Verma and twisted his head and abused him, the official added.

Verma, officials said, rushed to the rear side of the plane but five female crew of the economy class could not contain the rowdy passenger. The male cabin supervisor from the business class had to be called in to control the situation. The passenger was issued a verbal and a written warning after which the situation was brought under control, a second official in the know of the incident said.

Also Read: Passenger arrested for smoking on flight

The crew did not use restraining devices (that are available onboard flights operating on Australian sector) on the request of Verma and no police complaint was filed, the second official confirmed.

This incident brings to light the precarious situation of mishandling in the airline with respect to unruly passengers, a former airline official said.

If the airline could take strict action against all the previous passengers despite getting written apologies from them, then they should have ensured strict action against this passenger too, the official added.

A second former official said, "The airline should set examples of zero tolerance towards such matters. However, this case highlights just the opposite. They are sending poor message to travellers by not taking action against an unruly passenger who assaulted their senior management."

One unruly passenger incident for every 568 flights in 2022

As per the International Air Transport Association (IATA)s latest analysis, there was one unruly passenger incident for every 568 flights in 2022, much higher than 2021, when one incident was reported every 835 flights.

The IATA represents around 300 airlines comprising 83 per cent of the global air traffic. It says that the common type of unruly passenger was non-compliant, verbally abusive, and intoxicated. The international body said it saw a 61 per cent rise in physical abuse incidents in 2022 compared to 2021, with one such incident occurring once every 17,200 flights.

Who is an unruly passenger?

Someone who fails to respect the rules of conduct at an airport or on board an aircraft or to follow the instructions of the airport staff or crew members and thereby disturbs the good order and discipline.

Whats the procedure to deal with such a passenger?

> Informing the pilot

Cabin crew informs the pilot and isolates the unruly passenger

> Alerting the ground staff

The pilot informs the ground staff and the unruly passenger is handed over to the airlines security team after landing

> Filing an FIR

The airline hands over the passenger to the local police and files an FIR

> Forming an internal committee

The pilot files a report on the incident after which an internal committee is constituted to investigate the case

> How is unruly behaviour categorized?

Level 1: Disruptive behaviour (physical gestures, verbal harassment, unruly inebriation.)

Level 2: Physically abusive behaviour (pushing, hitting, grabbing or inappropriate touching or sexual harassment,

Level 3: Life-threatening behaviour (damage to aircraft operating system, murderous assault, etc.)

Punishment for unruly behaviour as per DGCA

Apart from taking action under the appropriate law, an unruly passenger can be put on the no-fly list for a period depending on the level of offence

Level 1: Up to three months.

Level 2: Up to six months.

Level 3: For a minimum period of 2 years or more without limit.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday said he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 18 and will raise the issues faced by farmers in the state during the meeting. Pawar, who bagged the key Finance and Planning portfolio on Friday, said he and other Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs who joined the Eknath Shinde-led government on July 2, were happy with the allocation of portfolios. Ajit Pawar (HT FILE PHOTO)

Speaking during a media interaction here, Pawar said, "I will meet PM Narendra Modi on July 18. During the meeting, I will take up various issues related to farmers with him. (NCP leader) Praful Patel and I will attend the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting."

The deputy CM arrived in Nashik to attend the 'Shasan Aplya Dari' (government at your doorstep) programme.

Asked about Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut's reported claim that as the Shinde-led faction was not willing to part with the finance portfolio, it was asked to give up the CM's post, the NCP leader said, "I don't know. This is an attempt to disturb the atmosphere unnecessarily. We are happy with the portfolio allocation."

There are around 14 vacant positions (in the cabinet) and expansion of the cabinet is the chief minister's prerogative, he said.

"The CM will decide, I will not speak about it," Pawar said in response to a query about the cabinet expansion.

There are now 28 cabinet ministers in the Shinde-led government but no minister of state. The ministry can have a maximum of 43 members. There was speculation that the state ministry expansion would also happen on Friday, but it did not take place.

Asked about the pending civic elections in the state, Pawar said four to five issues, including that of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation, are pending in the Supreme Court.

The Maharashtra Election Commission has issued orders to prepare electoral rolls, he said. After the completion of electoral rolls and the top court's verdict on the concerned issues, elections will be held in the state, he added.

"There will be equitable progress in the state and there will be no differences. There are many communities and castes in the state. We will take everyone along. In 'Mahayuti' (grand alliance), we will work in tandem and efforts will be taken for the development of all," he said.

When pointed out that NCP founder Sharad Pawar's pictures were missing in the posters put up in Nashik to welcome him, he said, "Pawar saheb is our inspiration, our idol. His photograph is there in my cabin."

Sharad Pawar's wife Pratibha Pawar underwent a surgery related to hand at the Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai on Friday.

After the operation, Ajit Pawar visited Silver Oak, the official residence of the NCP supremo, to meet Pratibha Pawar after she was discharged from hospital.

Talking about his visit, he said politics and family are different things. "We value family and traditions. Kaki (Pratibha Pawar) had some injury and was operated upon. I wanted to go in the afternoon, but could not go and therefore visited in the evening. Pawar saheb, kaki and Supriya (Sule) were there...There was no discussion on politics," Pawar said.

On the NCP name and symbol, Pawar said, "We are in the government to solve people's issues. No one's legislature membership will be in problem. We will not hurt the faith of those who have supported us."

Speaking about the prevailing water situation, he said the state has not recorded sufficient rainfall so far this year. Water level in dams has gone down and there is a need to use water carefully, Pawar said.

Pawar arrived in Nashik by Vande Bharat Express train, where he was accorded a warm welcome by his supporters. It was his first visit to Nashik after becoming part of the Shinde-led government.
NEW DELHI: Women-led development forms the core of Indias G20 presidency. While India will play a significant role in bringing stakeholders together to deliberate upon issues of gender disparity, it is not the first one to do so. Earlier G20 presidencies have adopted policy initiatives and mechanisms to foster gender equality. However, under Indias presidency, there has been a shift in the narrative to foster conversations around women-led development, rather than just development of women. HT takes a look at the progress of past G20 initiatives and sheds light on the imminent challenges faced by women. Here are five charts that explain in detail. HT takes a look at the progress of past G20 initiatives and sheds light on the imminent challenges faced by women (File Photo)

More women in G20 participate in labour markets than 2012

At the 2014 summit in Brisbane, G20 leaders committed to reducing the gender gap in labour force participation by 25% by the end of 2025 (from 2012 levels). A set of key principles was agreed upon to improve the quality of womens employment. So how far have the nations progressed?

Data from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) shows that the female labour force participation rate (LFPR) has risen across all G20 economies, except China since 2012; LFPR is the share of the working age population between the ages of 15 and 64 years who are part of the total labour force. Since male LFPR has also seen a marginal decline or rise over the same period, the ratio of female to male LFPR can give a better idea on the extent of gender disparity in the labour markets. On an average, the ratio of female LFPR to male LFPR for most G20 economies, rose to 75.3% in 2021, from 70.6% in 2012. The latest comparable estimates are available for 2021 for most G20 countries, therefore China and the EU were excluded in this analysis. The impact of the pandemic on womens participation was limited to a handful of countries within G20. Countries such as Brazil, Canada, and Turkey, saw a marginal decrease in this ratio in 2021, from 2019.

Reducing gender gap in labour markets remains a challenge

There exist significant variations in the progress achieved by G20 economies in improving the labour market outcomes for women. While advanced nations have narrowed their gender gap to levels that was more than expected, it remains a challenging goal for those countries where the gender gap is significantly large. The former group includes Japan, United Kingdom, Australia, and France, and the latter includes Turkey, India, Mexico, and Indonesia.

Time devoted to unpaid work remains high

Any policy aimed at increasing the female LFPR needs to particularly focus on reducing the gender imbalance in the time devoted to unpaid care work. This is because women face a disproportionate burden of domestic chores and caregiving activities, thereby limiting their engagement in paid employment activities. This is where time-use data of G20 economies from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) comes in handy.

Womens time devoted to unpaid work ranges from 3 hrs and 8 mins per day in Argentina, to 5 hrs and 31 mins per day in Mexico. In contrast, mens time devoted to unpaid work ranges from 39 mins per day in Argentina, to 2 hrs and 52 mins per day in Australia. For India, this figure was almost 5 hrs per day for women, and 1 hr and 37 mins per day for men. Moreover, countries that are unable to show significant progress in reducing the gender gap (as mentioned earlier) are also the ones with high incidence of unpaid activities on women.

Gender pay gap remains high

Women continue to earn substantially less than men in most G20 economies as per OECD data. It is not possible to comment on gender wage gap for all G20 economies for the lack of comparable estimates for China, Russia, Indonesia, South Africa, India, and Saudi Arabia; Gender wage gap is defined as the difference between median earnings of men and women relative to medium earnings of men. In terms of median full-time earnings, women earned between 30 and 35% less than men in Korea, while similar figure was 10% or less in Turkey, Italy, Argentina, and Brazil.

Modest progress in women climbing to leadership posts

The G20 Alliance for the Empowerment and Progression of Womens Economic Representation (G20 EMPOWER), launched under the Japanese presidency in 2019, works to accelerate womens leadership and empowerment in the private sector. Indias G20 presidency is expected to carry this forward. While it is too early to comment on its progress, its importance can be best seen through the progress of G20 nations on this front. A comparison of the latest ILO numbers with 2012 shows that the proportion of women in senior and middle management positions rose marginally for most nations, except France (fell by 6.1%), Canada (fell by 2%) and Italy (no change). Only three nations  Turkey (20.7%), India (16.5%) and Japan (14.7%)  recorded a percentage increase in this number in 25 to 45% range. To be sure, this comparison excludes China, Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, for the lack of data.
All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief and Dhubri MP Badruddin Ajmal on Saturday hit out at Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his comments on Miya Muslims and accused him of trying to separate Assamese Muslims from the youth. AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal (HT File Photo)

Speaking to reporters at Garigaon in Guwahati, Ajmal claimed that Sarma's statement that "Miya" (Muslim) vendors were responsible for the price rise of vegetables in the city was demeaning and hurtful towards the minority community.

The CM is the head of the state and such words coming from his mouth don't seem right. He should not have said this. I did not like this.

By doing all this, he is creating a division between Muslims and the Assamese people. If after all this, some incident happens then the government and CM Sarma will be responsible for it, he added.

Earlier, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen(AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi slammed Sarma over his comments. Owaisi said there were a group of people in the country who blamed the Miyas for everything. There is a group of people in this country who will blame the Miya Muslims if their buffalo does not give milk, if their hen does not lay eggs. They will blame Miya Muslims for all their personal failures too, he said.

"Nowadays, Modiji has a deep friendship with foreign Muslims. Get some tomatoes, spinach and potatoes from them," Owaisi added.

Sarma blamed the Miya Muslim community for the rising prices of vegetables in Guwahati on Thursday. According to Sarma, the prices of vegetables would not be so high had the Assamese people sold them. "Miya vendors are responsible for the price increase of vegetables in the city. Most of the vegetable vendors who are increasing the price belong to the Miya community, he alleged.

If the Assamese people sell vegetables, would they charge more price from their own people at an inflated price? he added.

His statement came after Ajmal challenged the Assamese youth to compete with people from the Miya clan in farming. Ajmal said, "If Assamese youth can compete with people of our 'Miya' community in farming, I welcome them. They will have to put forth a lot of effort. Will they, though? I don't think so." The leader said that Assam was incomplete without Miya Muslims.

The Miyas are Bengali-speaking Muslims who live in Assam but are believed to have migrated from Bangladesh. CM Himanta Sarma sealed a museum belonging to the Miyas in Assam last year saying the building is a Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) house and was not allocated to be used as a museum.

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July 15, 1993

Musicians in central New York have long been overworked and underappreciated.

Because of this, a few dedicated area industry notables, including Herald-American staff writer Brian Bourke, Landmark Theatre Executive Director Frank Malfitano and others had an idea.

Why not create an award strictly designed for the central New York music scene? After three years of thoughts, ideas and action, the Syracuse Area Music Awards (the SAMMYS) may become a reality in June of this year.

The SAMMY needed a specific element to be complete. It needed an award. But what kind? Malfitano decided there was only one person to design a statue of grace and elegance.

He called David O. Chase Design.

Chase Design, located in Skaneateles, is one of the nation's top 10 industrial design firms with an international reputation for quality. David Chase, president of Chase Design, is himself an accomplished musician. Chase jumped at the chance to create a lasting tribute to area musicians. They had designed awards for other organizations in the past, donating their time and talents, and looked forward to the exchange.

With a team of seven designers and model makers, Chase went to work. Initially, Mafitano brought in a rough sketch idea of a star tied to a musical note. "We looked at it and tried to decide whether there could be another approach to the concept," said Chase.

Malfitano explained to Chase that he wanted an award that was of significant stature, and the process began.

"This is not a simple process," said Chase. "We worked toward creating an award that looked solid, exuded strength and stature. It needed to be something that could be carried on throughout the years."

The designers streamlined the original note/star concept and created the stationery, ballots for voting and other Sammy materials. Then came the Sammy itself.
Aman Gupta, CEO and co-founder of BoAT, was one of the young entrepreneurs who were invited as an official delegation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's just-concluded visit to Paris in France. Aman Gupta, CEO and co-founder of BoAT, in Paris.

Gupta said, during the visit, he spoke about Make in India and Indian start-ups at the Indo-French CEO Forum on Friday. Additionally, I had the opportunity to meet with French ministers, bureaucrats, and corporates, and attend a state dinner at Louvre, he tweeted.

Lauding Modi, the BoAT CEO said, I used to see second and third gen entrepreneurs at state visits as official delegation with the Prime Minister but now new age entrepreneurs like myself are also being invited on such visits. This is a significant moment for us, as it reflects the recognition and support given to the entrepreneurial spirit in India.

Gupta, who has found new fame from Shark Tank India, said also witnessed the Bastille Day Parade, as part of the French National Day celebrations, where Modi was invited as the Guest of Honour.

the Indian Contingent played 'Sare Jahaan Se Acha'. My heart swelled with happiness and pride in that moment, he added.

These experiences reinforce my belief that we are entering an era where India stands strong alongside the world. It fills me with hope for our nation's future. Let's work together to build an even stronger India in the coming years, Gupta said.

PM Modi underscores roles of business leaders in deepening ties

At the India-France CEO Forum, Modi acknowledged the significant role played by business leaders in strengthening the partnership between India and France.

I congratulate you on Bastille Day. This year we are celebrating 25 years of our strategic partnership. Business leaders like you have contributed immensely to this partnership," Modi said.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Modi arrived to attend India-France CEO Forum after they addressed a joint press conference at Elysee Palace.

The India-France CEO Forum was held following the joint press meeting of Modi and Macron.

Prior to this, Modi presented a sandalwood sitar to the French President. The prime minister also presented gifts to the French First Lady, the Prime Minister of France, the President of the French Senate and the President of the French National Assembly.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Centre has notified the transfer of three high court judges within three days of receiving the final recommendation from the Supreme Court collegium. The Centre has notified the transfer of three high court judges within three days of receiving the final recommendation from the Supreme Court collegium. (Representational)

In an order issued by President Droupadi Murmu, the central government approved the transfer of Allahabad high courts justice Dinesh Kumar Singh as judge of Kerala high court, Punjab & Haryana high courts justice Manoj Bajaj as judge of Allahabad high court, and Delhi high courts justice Gaurang Kanth as judge of Calcutta high court.

In exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India, the President of India, after consultation with Chief Justice of India, has transferred the following judges of high courts, law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said in a tweet on Saturday, confirming the development.

The three transfers were first recommended by the Supreme Court collegium headed by chief justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and comprising four senior-most judges on July 5 and later reiterated on July 12 after the three judges requested the collegium to reconsider the decision. Justice Kanth, who was elevated from the bar as judge of the Delhi high court in May 2022, had requested transfer to a neighbouring high court, preferably Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan.

A similar request was forwarded to the collegium by justice Dinesh Kumar Singh while justice Manoj Bajaj sought to continue serving at Punjab & Haryana high court. Justice Bajaj practiced before the Punjab & Haryana high court before his elevation as a judge of the same high court on October 29, 2018. His father retired as district and sessions judge in Haryana. As regards justice Singh, he began his practice in the Allahabad high court and later shifted base to the Supreme Court till his elevation as judge of the Allahabad high court in September 2017.

The collegium considered the representations submitted by the three judges and rejected them. The collegium, also comprising justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai and Surya Kant, gave its thoughtful consideration to its earlier decision and reiterated that the transfers would aid better administration of justice.

As per the memorandum of procedure, the collegium is required to consult the chief justices of the high courts of the two high courts involving the transfer. In the present cases, the collegium consulted the high court chief justices and even consulted Supreme Court judges conversant with the affairs of the high courts where the judges were serving.

The decision of the collegium to transfer justice Kanth out of the Delhi high court was objected to by the Delhi high court bar association, which issued a resolution on Thursday, terming the transfer rarest of rare and resolving to abstain from work on Monday in protest.

It is a matter of regret that while no attention is being paid by all concerned regarding the process of filling up of the existing vacancies in the Delhi high court, yet the transfer of sitting judges is being made thereby further reducing the existing strength of judges in the Delhi high court, the resolution said.

The Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR), a body of lawyers seeking transparency in judicial appointments, on the other hand, welcomed the Collegium decision to transfer justice Kanth out of Delhi high court.

The CJAR claimed that it had opposed the elevation of justice Kanth and after his appointment, a fresh representation was sent to the collegium in August last year, expressing apprehension of bias as there are civil and criminal cases pending against him in the Delhi high court, CJAR said in a statement on Friday. However, it is not clear from the collegium resolution if this factor weighed with it for effecting the transfer.

In addition to the three transfers, the collegium on July 12 also resolved to recommend six names  three each for the high court of Telangana and Himachal Pradesh. It recommended the name of a serving judicial officer in Telangana, Sujana Kalasikam, to be elevated as judge of the Telangana high court. She belongs to the backward classes category. The collegium also recommended elevation of two lawyers  Laxminarayana Alishetty and Anil Kumar Jukanti, as Telangana high court judges.

For Himachal Pradesh high court, the collegium recommended the names of two lawyers  Ranjan Sharma and Bipin Chander Negi, along with judicial officer Rakesh Kainthla, as judges.
A day after the launch of Chandrayaan-3, businessman Anand Mahindra on Saturday schooled critics who throw questions such as the need for space programs and the associated expenditure, including any fingers raised on India's moon mission. Mahindra defended ambitious space programs and said reaching for the stars fills us with pride in our advancing technology. Chandrayaan-3, travels after it was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Friday.(AFP)

Taking to Twitter, he wrote, There will be many who will question why were spending money on Chandrayaan-3 and indeed, on the entire space program. Here is the answer. When we reach for the stars it fills us with pride in our technology & with self-confidence as a nation. It literally inspires each of us to reach for the stars.

Along with his tweet, the Mahindra group chairman also shared a video featuring a huge crowd of people gathered at the dedicated gallery near the space centre in Andhra Pradesh to witness the launch of Chandrayaan-3. The gallery has been set up by Indian Space Research Organisation, adjacent to the main entrance of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC).

While Mahindra's comments were not directly aimed at any individual, they seemed to counter a popular discourse which criticises ambitious space programs, suggesting that we should focus on resolving prevailing problems on the Earth instead.

'Go, Chandrayaan!'

Ahead of launch, Mahindra also expressed his enthusiasm, quote tweeting the ISRO's one of the post on the mission. At lift-off, it wont just be the rocket taking flight, it will be our spirits tooGo, Chandrayaan!

Chandrayaan-3 will journey for a month before attempting to land on the Moon's surface on August 23. A follow up mission of Chandrayaan-2 of 2019, ISRO's third lunar exploration project aims at achieving soft landing on the lunar surface. If successful, it would make India the only fourth nation to have done so after the United States, the former Soviet Union and China.

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A day after the eighth cheetah died at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Union Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav said the government is in touch with the experts on the issue but the cheetahs will not be relocated. At present 16 cheetahs including a cub are there at the Kuno park in MP. (Representative Image)

We in touch in international experts too our team will visit and review the situationwe are looking at all possible aspectsthis first year is meant for them to settle in the habitat...I am hopeful the project will be successful, Yadav said.



When asked if some cheetahs will be relocated, he replied, ...They will remain in Kuno onlythey will be cared for in MP only".

16 cheetahs in India now

The recent death was the second this week, leaving the total number of cheetahs now present at the MP park to 16, including a cub. The incident has invited fierce criticism from the opposition parties, who have blamed the deaths on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys mismanagement in taking care of the African big cats after it brought them for merely a show of political power.

The cheetah named Suraj was a male and its cause of death will be ascertained after the postmortem, the principal Chief Conservator of Forest JS Chouhan told news agency ANI. ....There are frequent deaths in such projects.if they happen naturally then we shouldnt panicwe are trying to ensure that no further deaths take place," he added.

Supreme Court had shown concern

In May, the Supreme Court had expressed concern over the death of cheetah and asked the Centre to consider expanding their habitat in other states without bringing politics. The top court said it was not doubting the Centres intentions, but for the sake of the cheetahs, since India has 3-4 sanctuaries for them, they should be considered. Rajasthan has many such places. It is necessary to take everyone on board. Do not bring politics in this matter, it said.

A report by the Indian Express following the court hearing stated that when India inked the pact with Namibia on the cheetahs in July last year, Rajasthans forest department had written to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), entrusted by SC on the project, to host a few big cats in the state. However, the request was rejected by the Centre, the report said.

Eight cheetahs were brought from Namibia in September last year while another 12 cheetahs were translocated from South Africa in February.

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JAIPUR: Rajasthans anti-corruption bureau (ACB) on Saturday arrested Gopal Kesawat, a leader of the ruling Congress party in the state, on charges of accepting a 7.5 lakh bribe from a candidate in a Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) exam. Rajasthan Congress leader Gopal Kesawat participating at a recent Congress event. (Facebook/GopalKeshawatOfficial)

Kesawat was a former chairman of Rajasthans De-notified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes Welfare Board, a post that comes with the perks and rank of a state minister.

He was the fourth person to be arrested by ACB officials in the past 24 hours. All four accused were caught red-handed while allegedly accepting money, the bureau said, adding that they had not found any involvement of RPSC officials in the case.

ACB additional director general of police (ADG) Hemant Priydarshi said the Sikar Unit of ACB received a complaint that Gopal Kesawat and his three associates Anil Kumar, Brahmprakash and Ravinder Sharma were demanding a bribe of 40 lakh from the complainant to clear an executive officers exam conducted by RPSC.

Priydarshi said the allegations were looked into and the sleuths were able to verify that 25 lakh was demanded.

On July 14, Anil and Brahmprakash, residents of Delhi, were arrested from Sikar accepting a bribe of 18.5 lakh. The operation was kept a secret as investigators tried to catch the other suspects. Ravindra Sharma was arrested while accepting 7.5 lakh in Sikar and Gopal Kesawat was arrested accepting 7.5 lakh in Jaipur, said Priydarshi.
Delhi flood news updates: Flood-like situation continued in several low-lying areas, such as ITO, in the national capital, though the water level in the Yamuna River gradually started decreasing. It was measured at 207.98 meters at 11 pm at the Old Railway Bridge. Commuters have been facing difficulties while trying to reach their destinations. Motorists ride along a street amid torrential rain in New Delhi on July 15.(AFP)

Follow LIVE updates on rain in other parts of India

Amid the deluge, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has once again issued a warning for Delhi, that said a light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms is expected for the next 4-5 days, news agency ANI reported.

Also Read | An organised plan: Delhi flood puts Haryana barrage in eye of political storm

According to an official statement, a total of 25,478 people have been evacuated so far from the flood-affected areas through rescue operations. The Delhi Government reported that 22,803 individuals have been relocated to tents and shelters. Additionally, 16 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed to assist with rescue efforts in the flood-affected districts.

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The Delhi government said on Saturday that the flood-like situation in the national capital is expected to improve by Sunday as the water level of the Yamuna river, which had increased to a record level due to the significant release of water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana, is gradually receding. Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) minister Atishi said efforts are underway to pump out water, clean roads, and restore traffic movement as the Yamuna water level falls. (Follow LIVE updates on Delhi flood here) New Delhi: Locals wade through the floodwaters of the swollen Yamuna river near Hanuman Mandir at Yamuna Bazar area, Delhi on Saturday.(PTI)

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also called for a meeting of cabinet ministers on Saturday evening to discuss the ongoing flood situation. He also shared an update about the receding Yamuna water level and urged people to avoid any activities in the floodwater. Sharing a video from the news agency PTI on Twitter that showed a group of children playing in the floodwater, Kejriwal said, I urge everyone to avoid this. It could be fatal.

Also Read | Delhi flood puts Hathnikund barrage in eye of storm

Earlier on Saturday, Atishi questioned over the delay in sending the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) despite the Delhi government's request. She said following Kejriwal's request to involve the army, the Lieutenant Governor instructed the Army and NDRF to assist at the site where the ITO gates were damaged. Atishi expressed gratitude for the support provided by Army engineers in repairing the gates but highlighted that the delay of 12 hours in receiving assistance resulted in waterlogging in the busy ITO areas of Delhi.

Latest updates on Yamuna water level

-The revenue secretary of the Delhi government said the water level of the Yamuna river has decreased by 5 cm, indicating an improvement in the situation expected by Sunday.

-The total number of evacuated individuals stands at 25,478, with 22,803 people currently accommodated in 44 camps across Delhi.

-As of 4pm on Saturday, the water level of the Yamuna river at the Old Railway Bridge was recorded at 207.07 metres. It is anticipated to gradually decrease to 206.72 metres by 10 pm, according to the Central Water Commission.

Also Read | I am not surprised Delhi is flooded because...: Gautam Gambhir

Updates on roads open for traffic

Updating the situation in the national capital, Atishi the Kashmiri Gate ISBT and Bhairon Marg are now accessible for vehicles. She also said after pumping out the water, Metcalfe House Road has also been reopened for traffic.

33 trainees rescued from ITO

As many as 33 trainees of Indian Statistical Services were rescued on Saturday morning from Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) at ITO.

According to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) officials, they received a call at 11.20am. We immediately rushed to the spot and rescued all 33 trainees, who were stuck at IIPA due to the drain water. The trainees were rescued by carrying them on fire tender during the rescue operation, a DFS officer said.

Desilting at Yamuna Barrage

Following the flood-like situation in the national capital, the Indian Navy's diving team stepped in to carry out "desilting work" at the Yamuna Barrage in Delhi's ITO area. Captain Sanjay Kadian, a member of the Indian Navy's diving team, said they received information about five gates at the barrage that were not opening, and they were asked to cut the gate. They conducted an assessment and concluded that the gates were not opening due to silt filling. Later, they began carrying out desilting work at the barrage.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lingamgunta Nirmitha Rao Trainee Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital Stream. India's regional languages attract me. ...view detail
The Delhi flood has brought into sharp focus the Hathnikund barrage, upstream on the Haryana-UP border, through which the flow of water of the Yamuna is regulated, with the Aam Aadmi Party on Friday alleging it was being deliberately mismanaged to inundate the Capital. Hathinikund Barrage in Haryanas Yamunanagar district. (PTI)

Also read: I, too, can say a lot of things but: Delhi L-G in front of Arvind Kejriwal over Delhi flood

How the barrage works, therefore, is important to understand.

Water regulation through Hathinikund barrage (it is not a dam, and does not have a reservoir or overflow channel) is regulated by the Upper Yamuna River Board, which has representatives of all riparian stakeholders of the river -- Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan  ensuring that every state gets the share of the water agreed upon on May 12, 1994.

The agreement was signed under the aegis of the then Water Resources ministry, now Jal Shakti ministry, to resolve a long-pending Yamuna water dispute between different states, and to ensure that the states get adequate water for drinking and irrigation.

A key part of the agreement was to build the Hathinikund barrage, which started in 1996, and was completed in 1998, to replace the Tajewala barrage, 3km downstream, and set up the Upper Yamuna River Board to regulate all water storage and barrages on the Yamuna till Okhla in south Delhi, in consultation with the floodplain states.

The Hathinikund barrage (HKB) regulates the flow and distributes share of water from the main stream of the Yamuna, Western Yamuna Canal (WYC) in Haryana and Eastern Yamuna Canal (EYC) in Uttar Pradesh, as per the agreement. Delhi is supposed to get 0.580 billion cubic meter of water every year from Yamuna through Hathinikund.

The barrage in the Tajewala village of Yamunanagar district, from where the Yamuna enters the plains, 172km from its point of origin in Yamunotri in Uttarakhand, ensures a minimum flow of 10 cumec (cubic meter per second) water in the main Yamuna. One cumec is equal to 35.5 cusecs (cubic feet per second).

The barrage does not stop flow of the water on river Yamuna, it just regulates water flow as per the agreement and water sharing guidelines of the Central Water Commission. The barrage is managed by Haryana government as per the guidelines, said a Jal Shakti ministry official.

The AAP, which rules Delhi, on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Haryana government of releasing all water from Hathinikund to Delhi, and not diverting the excess water to Uttar Pradesh. The party said that had the excess water been diverted to Uttar Pradesh, Delhi would not have got flooded.

Since July 10, the Haryana government has been releasing water in one direction, whereas it could have been distributed evenly in all three states. The Delhi flood is an organised plan. The BJP has purposely pushed the national capital into this situation and made people suffer because of political reasons, said senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh.

There is one key condition in the guidelines that monitor the release of water, Haryana irrigation officials said. Sandeep Kumar, executive engineer of Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Department, said the CWC water sharing-formula is adopted when the flow of water comes down below 100,000 (1 lakh) cusecs. As per the formula, in that scenario, 15,000 cusecs is discharged into western canal and 2,000 cusecs into eastern canal and remaining flows into main Yamuna.

If the flow of water exceeds 1 lakh cusecs, there will be no flow into the western and eastern canals and the entire water is to be discharged into the main Yamuna as two canals cannot withhold the high flow of water, he said. This is because the higher intensity of water, measured through cusec flow, can damage the man-made canals, he added.

As the water flow at Hathinikund got reduced to 58,495 cusecs at 3pm on Friday, 10,510 cusecs was discharged into western canal, which provides drinking water to northern parts of Delhi, and there was no release of water into the eastern canal. The UP has not demanded water as there is a breach in the eastern canal in UP and the water will be discharged when the UP government raises demand, an official said.

When contacted, a spokesperson for AAP said: So the Centres planning was always that whenever there is a natural calamity in Yamuna, the Delhi side would be overwhelmed. Even if the western and eastern Yamuna canals were made for irrigation, in the event of such a calamity why cant it be opened? And if this all was really true, how come water started being released into both the western and eastern canals today after AAP strongly raised this issue? Did the CWC guidelines change so suddenly?

Also read: Of late, Yamuna rises less often but levels turn more dangerous

Devender Singh, advisor (Irrigation) to Haryana chief minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, said the Hathinikund is a barrage, which regulates water flow and is not a dam, in which water can be stored. The water discharged into the Yamuna river, for the protection of the barrage, is the water which is constantly coming from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand these days due to excessive rains, he said in a statement.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva dismissed AAPs allegations. Political leaders do not decide when and how much water will be released from any barrage or dam, but technical officers take such a call, he said

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Neeraj Mohan Neeraj Mohan is a correspondent, covering Karnal, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Panipat and Yamunanagar districts of Haryana. ...view detail
Flooded roads and scarcity of drinking water plagued parts of Delhi amid an intense blame game between Delhi's AAP and Haryana's BJP government over the unprecedented flood situation in the national capital. The Yamuna water which entered the city on Thursday started receding on Friday night though Delhi's ITO remains under water on Saturday morning. As chief minister Arvind Kejriwal thanked the Army Engineer regiment for opening the ITO barrage after working for 20 hours without a break, BJP's Amit Malviya said while Army engineers did all the work, Kejriwal only tweeted to take credit. The road near Delhi's Red Fort went under water on Friday as Yamuna flood water entered the city.

Delhi vs Haryana over Hathnikund water release

The AAP on Friday shared a video claiming that the BJP government in Haryana diverted all water from the Hathnikund barrage towards Delhi, while the Uttar Pradesh side was dry.

The Haryana government said the claim was misleading as the CWC guideline stipulated that if the water is more than 1 lakh cusec, then it can't be streamed into Western Yamuna and Eastern Yamuna Canal (the other routes apart from Delhi). There is nothing controversial in it and an unnecessary controversy is being created over it, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar's advisor retired IAS Devendra Singh said.

Malviya said water is diverted from Hathnikund towards Uttar Pradesh only for irrigation, never to stop a flood.

Yamuna flood: Latest water level

The water level of Yamuna witnessed a steady decline and was recorded at 207,98 metres at 11pm on Friday at the Old Railway Bridge.

'This was bound to happen...': Gautam Gambhir

BJP MP Gautam Gambhir said it is unfortunate that the Capital got flooded and the chief minister said that the city's systems were prepared to take only around 100 mm of rain. "Then what did you do in the past years? But this is not surprising at all because this is what happens when you do freebie politics instead of developing the city's infrastructure," Gautam Gambhir said.

VK Saxena vs Kejriwal

On Friday, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena went to inspect the damaged drain regulator at the ITO where chief minister Kejriwal, Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj were present. "I, too, can say a lot of things but this isn't what we should do at this time," the L-G said at the presence of Kejriwal and the ministers. L-G's comments came after Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that there was a delay in the deployment of the NDRF teams. "We wrote to the chief secretary on WhatsApp group last night to call NDRF else water might enter sensitive areas of Delhi... But, our messages were ignored," Bharadwaj said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
As monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc in Delhi, the city is grappling with severe flooding and a drinking water crisis. Videos on social media highlight the dire situation, showing a car submerged on Bela Road in the Civil Lines area -- flooded streets, temples and homes immersed in water. The swelling of the Yamuna River, caused by heavy rainfall and the release of water from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana, has exacerbated the flooding. Delhi floods: Car immersed in water on on Bela Road in Delhi's Civil Lines.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted further showers for the national capital over the next 4-5 days, raising concerns about the overflow of rainwater and prolonged drainage issues. Experts warn that waterlogging could worsen the situation, leading to more hardships for the residents.

Read | Amid Hathnikund debate, BJP slams Kejriwal, 'You only tweeted'

After breaching a 45-year record, the Yamuna which runs through the national capital, came down to 207.53 metres this morning even as several areas in Delhi remained flooded.

Delhi rains: 3 boys who were trying to swim drowned in floodwater

Three boys lost their lives in northwest Delhi's Mukundpur Chowk after drowning in a floodwater-filled ditch where they had been attempting to take a bath. The victims, identified as Piyush (13), Nikhil (10), and Ashish (13), resided in H Block at Jahangirpuri.

Catch all the live updates of Delhi floods: Not a single drop of water released to canals in UP, Haryana, asks minister Atishi

Delhi floods: Army called in to help

Authorities are working tirelessly to mitigate the impact of the flooding and provide relief to affected residents. The Army and the national disaster response force (NDRF) were pressed into service on Friday as the floodwater submerged parts of the capital  including parts of the arterial Ring Road, the busy ITO intersection, Rajghat, and even reached the periphery of the Supreme Court  following a breach caused by a malfunctioning drain regulator.

Drinking water supply affected

The rising water levels of the Yamuna River have submerged pumphouses and water treatment equipment, leading to the shutdown of three major water treatment plants - Wazirabad, Chandrawal, and Okhla.

These plants provide g a quarter of the capital's water supply. Additionally, production from the Sonia Vihar plant has been reduced by approximately 25%. As a result, residents are expected to face water shortages in the coming days, with water rationing in place until the Yamuna's water level recedes and normal operations can be restored.

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In his first two fundraising quarters as an incumbent, U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams has raised more than $1 million as he prepares for his first reelection bid in 2024.

Williams, R-Sennett, will report raising $539,591 in the second quarter, according to preliminary figures provided by his campaign  July quarterly filings must be submitted to the Federal Election Commission by Saturday. He raised $517,567 in the opening quarter of the year.

Entering the third quarter, he has $806,721 cash on hand.

"As the Democratic primary is shaking up to be a battle to see who is most progressive, Congressman Brandon Williams is delivering commonsense wins for central New York and Mohawk Valley families," said Taylor Weyeneth, a spokesman for Williams.

Weyeneth added, "Rep. Williams is committed to delivering wins for the people of NY-22. The progressive-left is targeting our district because the congressman opposes their agenda that results in high taxes, high crime, high energy prices and no jobs."

Williams announced his fundraising haul as a third Democrat, state Sen. John Mannion, entered the 22nd Congressional District race. Sarah Klee Hood, a DeWitt town councilor, and Clem Harris, a Utica University professor, are also seeking the Democratic nomination.

While Mannion won't have to file a fundraising report until October, Klee Hood said she raised nearly $320,000 in the second quarter. It is more than the double the amount she raised from individual donors during her first run for Congress in 2022.

But it's Williams who, so far, is outpacing the Democratic field in fundraising. At the halfway point of the year, Williams is on track to raise more than $2 million, a large sum in a non-election year. His predecessor, former U.S. Rep. John Katko, raised $1.8 million in 2021, which was his personal best for a non-election year.

Williams is seeking a second term in a race that's expected to be one of the most closely watched in the country. Democrats view the 22nd district race as a key contest to retaking the House majority, while Republicans need to win races like NY-22 to retain control of the chamber.

House Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC, has already pledged to spend $45 million in New York, including NY-22.

There was a major development this week that will affect the 2024 election. An appellate court in New York ruled that the state's congressional district map must be redrawn. Republicans plan to appeal the case to the state's highest court, the New York Court of Appeals.

For now, though, Williams is running for reelection in the 22nd district, which includes all of Onondaga, Madison and Oneida counties. A portion of Oswego County is also in the district.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar stressed on the safety and security of Indian diplomats in Canada with the countrys foreign minister Melanie Joly, amid threats from pro-Khalistan elements, on the margins of the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Jakarta. External affairs minister S Jaishankar meets Wang Yi. (ANI)

Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to Jakarta from July 13 to 14 for the foreign ministers meetings under ASEAN, also met Chinese diplomat Wang Yi and discussed the border issue in the eastern Ladakh sector.

Also read: Pro-India group vs Khalistani protesters outside Indian consulate in Toronto; 2 held

After his second meeting with Joly, Jaishankar tweeted, Discussed the Indo-Pacific and our economic cooperation. Underlined the importance of ensuring the security of our diplomats. And the need to firmly combat incitement to violence.

A senior Indian official, privy to the details of the meeting, said the discussions were both candid as the security concerns were conveyed very strongly and constructive as New Delhi has seen Ottawa taking its concerns seriously and showing great responsiveness those concerns.

The Indian side has zero complaints about how Canadian law enforcement has responded to the threats from pro-Khalistan elements to its senior-most diplomats and missions in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver, the official said requesting anonymity.

In Canada, several incidents involving Khalistani separatists have been reported in the last few months where the activists targeted Indian establishments and diplomats were targeted.

The latest was threats issued by the pro-Khalistani elements, who put up a poster purportedly saying War Zone and targeting Indian diplomats outside the Bharat Mata Mandir in Brampton in Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on July 7. This was followed by a protest rally to the Indian Consulate in Toronto by pro-Khalistani groups.

The July 8 Khalistan Freedom Rally also saw a faceoff between pro-Khalistan protesters and a group of Indo-Canadian citizens amid heavy police presence.

The rally was organised for Khalistan Tiger Force chief and proscribed terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was murdered in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey in British Columbia on June 18. The banned secessionist group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has accused the top Indian diplomats and the Indian high commission for Nijjars killing, with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) still probing the case.

Canadian authorities appeared to be seized of the seriousness of the situation, with Melanie Joly describing the posters threatening Indian diplomats as unacceptable.

On Saturday, Joly tweeted, Met with S Jaishankar to deepen Canada-India cooperation in line with our Indo-Pacific strategy, building on our strong people-to-people ties. I again stressed that Canada takes very seriously its obligations under the Vienna Convention on the safety of diplomats.

Jaishankars discussions with Wang Yi, who is also the director of the office of the CPC Central Commission for foreign affairs, also covered EAS/ARF agenda, BRICS and the Indo-Pacific, people familiar with the matter said.

Just concluded meeting with Director Wang Yi of the Office of the CPC Central Commission for Foreign Affairs. Discussed outstanding issues related to peace & tranquility in border areas. Our conversation also covered EAS/ARF agenda, BRICS and the Indo-Pacific, tweeted Jaishankar.

India has been locked in a military standoff with China at eastern Ladakh for over three years after Indian and Chinese troops engaged in a stand-off in the Galwan Valley in June 2020.

After Fridays meeting, Wang Yi said that both countries should find a mutually acceptable solution to the border problem without letting specific issues define the overall relationship.

During the meeting, Wang said that he hopes that the Indian side will meet China halfway and find a solution to the border issue that is acceptable to both sides, an official statement issued by the Chinese foreign ministry on Saturday quoted him as saying.

We should focus our energy and resources on each others development, improving peoples livelihood and accelerating revitalisation without letting specific issues define the overall relationship, the statement quoted Wang as saying.

Also read: China sends nearly 80 fighter jets, bombers, warships towards Taiwan in 48 hours

Jaishankar, in May this year, said that ties between the two countries cannot be normal until peace and tranquillity are maintained on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

(With agency inputs)

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Two students were killed, one was injured and another was rescued after they were swept away during a flash flood in Jammu and Kashmir's Dall Khadd of Bajoi Billawar town in Kathua district on Saturday. People search four girl students who were swept away in a flash flood at Dall in Billawar area of Kathua district on Saturday.(HT)

The deceased were identified as Radha Devi (13) and Monica Devi (13). Kathua SSP, SDS Jamwal said, "Four girls were returning home after attending their school at around 4 pm when they were swept away in a flash flood in a rivulet near Dall."

"While one girl, who was a class 8 student, was rescued, another girl, a student of class 6 was injured. However, Radha Devi and Monica Devi, both students of class 6 unfortunately died in the incident," he added.

A rescue operation was immediately launched, culminating in the recovery of the bodies of two girls, and the rescue of two others, Billawar SHO Jatinder Singh told news agency PTI. He said one of the rescued girls, Archana Devi, was referred to the sub-district hospital in Billawar for treatment.

In a tweet, Union Minister Jitendra Singh expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

"Just now spoken to DC Kathua, Rakesh Minhas, after receiving the report about the unfortunate incident of 4 school girls getting caught in flash floods in Billawar area. Sadly two of them lost their life while the third one is being given the required treatment in the hospital. My condolence to the bereaved families. My office is coordinating with the administration for all possible assistance. Meanwhile, parents, in general, are advised not to let their children venture out during inclement weather," he said.

All the four girls were students of Government Kasturba Gandhi School near Nangalla, the officer added. He further informed that the area where the incident happened was a hilly and remote area.

Meanwhile, in the border district of Poonch, heavy rain led to waterlogging in the Mendhar market, causing hardships to the people, especially shopkeepers. The water entered many shops and also affected movement of traffic.
AIMIM chief Asauddin Owaisi said there is a group in the country who will blame Miya Muslims for everything that goes wrong, if the buffalo doesn't give milk, or the hen does not lay eggs -- in a swipe as Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who blamed Miya Muslims for the soaring price of vegetables in Guwahati. Miya Muslims have their roots in Bangladesh. Miya Muslims have been increasing the rates in Guwahati, while the vegetable prices are lower in rural areas, Himanta Biswa said. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Miya Muslims are responsible for vegetable price rise in Guwahati.

"Today most of the vegetable sellers, rickshaw pullers, bus drivers, Ola-Uber drivers are Miya Muslims. Local Assamese youth should compete with them and snatch these jobs," the Assam chief minister said commenting on AIUDF's Badruddin Ajmal who earlier said without Miya population Assam is incomplete.

Reacting to Himanta Biswa's statement, Owaisi said PM Modi has developed deep friendships with foreign Muslims. "Ask them for some tomatoes, spinach and potatoes," Owaisi tweeted. "There is a group of people in this country who will blame the Miya Muslims if their buffalo does not give milk, if their hen does not lay eggs. They will blame Miya Muslims for all their personal failures too. Nowadays, Modiji has a deep friendship with foreign Muslims. Get some tomatoes, spinach and potatoes from them," Owaisi added.

PM Modi recently visited Egypt and was conferred with the 'Order of the Nile' the highest honour of the country by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Muslim World League secretary-General Al-Issa met PM Modi in Delhi as he came on an official invitation from the Indian government.

This is not the first time that the Assam CM hit out at the Miya Muslims. Last year, on his instruction a Miya museum was sealed as it was allegedly built. At that time, Himanta said nothing in the museum belonged to Miya Muslims, except the lungi.

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Actor R Madhavan was among several guests who attended the banquet dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. While meeting Macron, the actor expressed his pleasure and said that he's a huge fan of the French President. R Madhavan seen taking picture with President Macron and PM Modi(Twitter)

The ceremonial dinner was organised on the French National Day at Paris' Louvre Museum, where hosting of banquets was closed off after it was last held for Queen Elizabeth in 1953.

President Macron shared a wrap video compiling snippets of power-packed events during PM Modi's two-day visit to France. In the video, Madhavan could be seen shaking hands with Macron and praising him.

To the people of India, trust and friendship, Macron said in the caption of the video, shared on Twitter.

Apart from Madhavan, the banquet was attended by Grammy-wining composer Ricky Kej and Assamese aerospace engineer Priyanka Rajkakati among other dignitaries.

As a part of his itinerary, PM Modi participated in the Bastille Day celebrations. He called the France visit memorable, more so after being a guest to the French National Day event.
IAS officer Tina Dabi, renowned for being the first Dalit to top the UPSC exam in 2015, has bid an emotional farewell to the district of Jaisalmer as she embarks on leave. Tina expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the people of Jaisalmer for their love and support during her tenure as District Collector and Magistrate. Last year, Tina Dabi married a fellow IAS officer, Dr Pradeep Gawande.

In an Instagram post, Tina shared a series of photos showcasing the various initiatives and projects she spearheaded during her time in Jaisalmer. These included successful projects like the Swachh Jaisalmer campaign, Jaisalmer Shakti (Ladies First), securing All India Rank 2 in Niti Aayog's Aspirational District Programme, and organizing the International Desert Festival 2023.

Also read | Who is Manish Kumar, the IPS officer married to Tina Dabi's sister Ria?

Tina Dabi described her journey in Jaisalmer as "fantastic" and highlighted the invaluable knowledge she gained during her tenure.

Several reports suggested that Tina is expecting her first child and has asked for a transfer. In her place, the Ashok Gehlot-led government has appointed IAS officer Ashish Gupta.

See photo: IAS officer Tina Dabi meets pride of Jaisalmer

Ashish Gupta, a 2013 batch IAS officer, is currently serving in Jaipur as the Managing Director of RajCOMP Info Services Limited. Additionally, he holds the position of Commissioner and Joint Secretary in the Department of Information Technology and Communication.

Last year, Tina Dabi married a fellow IAS officer, Dr Pradeep Gawande, who also was transferred to Udaipur as the managing director of Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Limited -- after their marriage.

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The Union Ministry of Education and Abu Dhabi's Education and Knowledge Department (ADEK) on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for setting up an IIT Delhi campus in the Gulf country. IIT Delhi.(Agency file photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi is the second IIT to announce setting up an offshore campus after IIT Madras. Last week, IIT Madras signed an MoU for setting up a campus in Tanzania's Zanzibar.

"MoU for establishment of @iitdelhi campus in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Hon. PM @narendramodiji unfolds a new chapter in internationalisation of India's education," Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted.

"An exemplar of #NewIndia's innovation and expertise, the IIT Delhi campus in UAE will be an edifice of India and UAE friendship. It will set a brand new template for leveraging the power of knowledge for both mutual prosperity and global good as envisioned in NEP," he added.

While Master's courses will be offered at the Abu Dhabi campus of IIT Delhi from January next year, Bachelor's degree programmes will be offered from September 2024.
There has been an increase in the number of students scoring in the hundredth percentile of the new, all-India entrance examination for college admissions this year, according to the results of the common university entrance test for undergraduate courses (CUET-UG) that was declared on Saturday, showing 22,836 were in the topmost performance band. HT Image

Last year, when the test was held for the first time, 21,159 scored in the hundredth percentile, suggesting this year, college admissions will see a tougher competition than last time.

A total of 1.1 million students  513,978 women and 602,028 men  took the test, which was held over multiple sessions between May 21 and July 5. In all, 249 universities will hold their admissions on the basis of applicants CUET-UG performance  this includes all central government-run universities, and some private varsities.

To be sure, the 22,836 number represents multiple hundredth percentile scores being counted separately even if attained by the same student.

Unlike last year, the National Testing Agency (NTA) did not provide the number of students scoring hundredth percentile in more than one subject to up to five subjects. It did not announce the names of toppers either.

The maximum number of hundredth percentile scores were in English (5,685), followed by Biology (4,850), Economics (2,836), Business Studies (2,357), Political Science (1,796), History (1361), and Accountancy (1074).

A percentile represents the relative performance of a student  being in the hundredth percentile means they were virtually better than 100% of the others (this number is in reality likely to be a minute decimal point away from 100). For college admissions, a second metric will come into play: the normalised score.

Since the exam was held over multiple days and sessions, students sat for the same subjects in different shifts, with different questions. Normalising scores is meant to statistically remove any differences in difficulty levels between these shifts to make the performance of all students comparable, irrespective of which specific questions they attempted.

Officials called this the equi-percentile method. The performance of every candidate has been evaluated using the equi-percentile method wherein normalised marks of each candidate have been calculated using the percentiles of each group of students in a given session across multiple days for the same subject, the NTA said in a statement.

The results of candidates have also been shared with the Universities where the candidates had appliedThe participating universities will now prepare their own merit lists, and conduct their individual counselling on the basis of the CUET score cards provided by the NTA, the agency said.

Vikas Gupta, the registrar of the Delhi University, said: Since the results have come out now, we aim to start Phase II on the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS) portal on Monday. Students will be asked to fill in their college and course preferences.

Dean of Admissions at DU, Haneet Gandhi said, Normalised scores will be considered for admissions at Delhi University. If there are two students who have the same college and course preferences and the same scores, we will use a tie-breaker formula and look at their Class 12 results.

Delhi University offers 78 undergraduate programmes and 198 BA programme combinations in 68 colleges. In the second phase on the CSAS portal, candidates are supposed to fill in their preferences on the portal. Candidates will be allocated their highest possible preference based on programme-specific merit, category and availability of seats.

University Grants Commission (UGC) chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar, who is coordinating CUET with NTA, said the agency involved 2,200 subject experts and 800 translators in preparing 2,305 question papers and 148,520 questions this year.

In subjects such as Accountancy, Biology, Business Studies, Economics, English, History, and Political Science, more than 1,000 students got 100 percentile scores. NTA will provide normalised scores to the 250 participating universities. They can use these scores to prepare the merit list for admission to UG programmes, he said.

Like last year, humanities and commerce subjects had more 100 percentile scores than science subjects, excluding biology. For instance, in mathematics, 251 students were in the hundredth percentile, while in physics, this number was 83 and in chemistry 233.

While the exam was conducted in 13 languages, the maximum number of candidates took the test in English followed by Hindi.

The CUET-UG exams were stretched by over two weeks this year due to issues encountered in three states including Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand and Manipur. There was an unprecedented increase in the number of applications from J&K and Jharkhand this year due to which NTA fell short of examination centres in these two states.

The agency had to postpone exams in these states to arrange for extra centres. In the case of Manipur, the NTA had to reschedule the exams due to the law and order situation in the state.

While 91,425 candidates appeared in J&K, 183,852 candidates appeared in Jharkhand and 3,225 candidates took the examination in Manipurs Imphal.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fareeha Iftikhar Fareeha Iftikhar is a principal correspondent with the national political bureau of the Hindustan Times. She tracks the education ministry, and covers the beat at the national level for the newspaper. She also writes on issues related to gender, human rights and different policy matters. ...view detail
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed agreements on trade settlement in national currencies and setting up a real-time link for cross-border transactions, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Abu Dhabi on Saturday to bolster cooperation in areas such as trade, energy and climate action. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday. (ANI)

Also read: India-France to produce subs and warships for export in Mumbai and Kolkata

Educational authorities of the two nations also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on establishing a campus of the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi in Abu Dhabi after Modi arrived in the capital of the Emirates following a visit to France.

The UAE has had a special place in Indias efforts in recent years to increase its engagement in areas ranging from trade to security with West Asian states. The Emirates are home to 3.5 million Indian expatriates, who account for about 30% of the countrys population. Bilateral trade got a boost with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022.

PM Modi was received by Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Khaled Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is in the line of royal succession and is chairman of the Abu Dhabi executive council, along with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, who runs Mubadala Capital, one of the worlds biggest sovereign wealth funds with assets worth $276 billion. Modi then held talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace.

Modi and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed witnessed the signing of two MoUs between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Central Bank of UAE for establishing a framework to use national currencies for cross-border transactions and cooperation in interlinking payment and messaging systems, and another MoU between Indias education ministry and Abu Dhabi authorities for setting up the new IIT Delhi campus.

Modi in a tweet described the agreements between the two central banks as a very important aspect of India-UAE cooperation and said they paved the way for enhanced economic collaboration and making international financial interactions simpler.

After the new trade settlement system was adopted, the first deal was transacted in the form of 25kg gold exported to YES Bank in Mumbai for a rupee payment of 12.84 crore. The UAE is Indias fourth largest supplier of crude oil and the second largest provider of LPG and LNG, which makes de-dollarisation particularly significant.

An enabling agreement for the use of UPI was also sealed during the visit, which will make India and the UAE integrated in terms of digital infrastructure. As nearly 30% of UAEs population is made up of Indians, the move will help them use Rupay cards and make RTGS and IMPS transfers with ease.

Modi and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, who held both delegation-level and one-on-one talks, discussed bilateral cooperation in a range of areas, including trade, investment, fintech, energy, renewables, climate action, higher education and people-to-people ties. Our nations are working together on so many issues aimed at making our planet better, Modi said in another tweet.

The MoU on using national currencies will put in place a Local Currency Settlement System (LCSS) to promote the use of the rupee and dirham. The agreement covers all current account transactions and permitted capital account transactions. The LCSS will enable exporters and importers to pay in their respective domestic currencies and enable development of an INR-AED foreign exchange market.

This arrangement will also promote investments and remittances between the two sides, the RBI said. Use of local currencies will reduce transaction costs and settlement time, including for remittances by Indians in the UAE.

India could use this mechanism to pay for imports of oil and other commodities from the UAE, its fourth largest energy supplier. India currently pays the UAE in dollars for oil.

Under the second MoU, the two central banks will cooperate on linking Indias Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the UAEs Instant Payment Platform (IPP) and RuPay switch and UAESWITCH. They will also explore the linking of Indias Structured Financial Messaging System (SFMS) with the payments messaging system of the UAE.

The UPI-IPP link will enable users in both countries to make fast, safe and cost-effective cross-border transfers. The linking of card switches will facilitate mutual acceptance of domestic cards and processing of card transactions.

Bilateral trade between India and the UAE was worth $84.5 billion in 2022-23. The UAE, which imports most of food requirements, has pledged $2 billion to develop a series of food parks in India. The two sides have also agreed to increase non-petroleum trade to $100 billion by 2030.

Also read: Every Indian sees you as a true friend: PM Modi to UAE president in Abu Dhabi

Modi also met Sultan Al Jaber, president-designate of COP28 and group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and discussed ways to mitigate climate change. Our discussions focused on ways to further sustainable development. Highlighted Indias contribution in this direction, in particular our emphasis on Mission LiFE, Modi said in a tweet.

The trade and economic partnership between the two countries has grown significantly since they signed the CEPA in 2022, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said. The two agreements on settlement of trade in domestic currencies and interlinking payment systems pave the way for increasing strategic economic convergence between the two sides, he said.

The visit opens up new pathways to structuring similar arrangements with other countries in the region and beyond, he added.

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The bilateral ties between India and France during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Paris took an orbital jump with defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) of both countries signing two MoUs to fabricate submarine and surface combatants and parts in Mumbai and Kolkata respectively for export to third countries. Both the MoUs will launch PM Modis Make in India initiative as Mazagon Dockyards Limited will jointly develop and manufacture Scorpene class submarines with French Naval Group for a third country, while Kolkata GRSEs MoU with Naval Group is to fabricate surface naval combatants for export. French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands.(Reuters)

While some in the media have noted that acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for INS Vikrant or reordering of three additional Scorpene class submarines did not find mention in India-France joint statement, fact is that the South Block did not want to get into the Defence Ministrys acquisition processes as the Defence Acquisition Council has already given acceptance of necessity to both the projects. PM Modi's focus was to marry Indias talent and workers with French technology to produce platforms for time to come.

Read more: France ready to offer naval SCALP missile with three Scorpene subs

French President Emmanuel Macron went out of his way to fete PM Modi by discussing global affairs and forthcoming G-20 during a two hour long private dinner in Elysee Palace on July 13 and then closed the Louvre for the first time on July 14 Bastille Day since France hosted Queen Elizabeth in 1953. Even the thread of the specially curated vegetarian menu was in Indian tri-colors and not that of the host nation.

The two leaders discussed the Ukraine war and the forthcoming G-20 summit in India with President Macron giving his commitment to do anything to help India make the event a success despite friction over the war in Europe.

While the media was focused only on 26 Rafale M and three Scorpene submarines, the two leaders decided that small diesel attack submarines will be fabricated for countries in the Indo-Pacific who are at the receiving end of belligerent China. Already Indonesia has contracted two Scorpene class with France with an option of another four. While US submarines are all nuclear powered, the Scorpene attack submarines with diesel power are very difficult to detect in equatorial waters after its engine has been shut down. The nuclear submarines with continuously running nuclear reactors cannot be shut down and hence are easier to detect.

It is understood that PM Modi was more than satisfied with the hospitality extended by his close friend President Macron and the two discussed all the major issues of global concerns like terrorism, Indo-Pacific, climate change, clean energy and the war in Ukraine. Fact is that President Macron went out his way at the Bastille Day parade by introducing PM Modi to the veterans and the two shared an emotional moment after an Indian contingent of Punjab Regiment, which participated alongside French troops in World War I, smartly marched on Champs Elysee.ead

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Jaipur: A 20-year-old man was arrested on Saturday in connection with alleged gang rape and murder of a 19-year-old Dalit woman, whose body was found in a roadside well in Karauli district of Rajasthan two days ago, police said. The autopsy report confirmed the woman was shot dead, police said, adding that the accused, Golu Meena (20), and the deceased hailed from the same village and were known to each other. (HT Archives)

The autopsy report confirmed the woman was shot dead, police said, adding that the accused, Golu Meena (20), and the deceased hailed from the same village and were known to each other.

The woman had gone with Meena on Thursday night. On learning that her marriage was being fixed by her family with another man, they had a fight, a senior police officer said. Meena murdered the woman at his home and carried the body on a bike to Naudia, four km from their village, and dumped it in a roadside well, the officer added, citing the confession of the accused during interrogation.

His father, Amar Singh, was detained on Saturday for questioning, police said.

We detained the accused from Jaipur last night. The accused shot the woman to death. The doctor has kept the opinion on the rape and acid attack charges reserved for the FSL, Karauli superintendent of police (SP) Mamta Gupta said. We are investigating the role of the accuseds father and possible involvement of any other person in the case. However, Meena has confessed that he alone committed the crime. Further investigation is underway.

Responding to the victim familys allegation that two police constables denied to lodge a complaint initially, Gupta said: We are investigating the matter. We will take immediate action if we find any police personnel accountable for it.

A case under sections 302 (murder), 376D (gang-rape), 326A (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 363 and 366 (both related to kidnapping) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against the accused.
HIT: To Auburn Police Officer Michael Bufano, whose idea of an outdoor lightbulb giveaway may help deter criminal activity.

Auburn Police is holding the distribution event from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday in the northern parking at Memorial City Hall with NYSEG donating more than 2,000 lightbulbs. Bufano worked with the city, the police department and NYSEG to make this event happen.

"You can't see anybody, you got a suspicious person, these nuisance neighborhoods or a house, you get a complaint that we have to go to, we get there, you can't see anything," Bufano said during a presentation to city council in June. "The fire department, the ambulance, codes, whoever is doing their job out there, they can't see the house numbers, they can't see anything in the driveway. You're peeking out to see somebody breaking into your car, you can't see them. You have your cameras, your security cameras, now you can see. It's more than a lightbulb, I think it's a neighborhood thing, everybody working together."

MISS: More credit card skimmers have been found at Walmarts across the region.

The New York State Police announced earlier this week that a skimmer was found at a Walmart in Norwich in Chenango County. This comes a week after one was found at the Walmart in Auburn.

State police say 11 skimmers have been found in Walmarts across upstate New York, ranging in a wide area from Geneva to Camillus and Granby to Bath. Authorities continue to look for the trio of suspects shown in surveillance camera footage.

HIT: The Auburn Fastpitch Softball Hall of Fame inducted its latest class on Monday and announced the news that it's relocating to its old digs at Clifford Field.

For the years the hall was located at Casey Park, thanks to A&M Graphics, a new display will debut soon in the Clifford Field clubhouse.

Clifford Field is where Auburn's fastpitch leagues played almost every night during the summer, as hundreds of teams and thousands of players competed over decades until the 1990s.
PUNE: Marathi actor Ravindra Mahajani, was found dead in his Talegaon residence near Pune on Friday, is believed to have died three days before his body was found, a police officer said on Saturday. The officer added the veteran actors body will be handed over to the family for the last rites after his autopsy. Ravindra Mahajani was found dead in a locked flat at Xrbia Housing Society in Ambi area (Live Hindustan)

Mahajani was found dead in a locked flat at Xrbia Housing Society in Ambi area of the Talegaon Dabhade after neighbours complained about a foul smell from the house.

Ranjit Sawant, senior police inspector at Talegaon MIDC police station said a police team responded to complaints by locals and broke open the flats door and found the dead body.

Sawant said doctors estimated that Mahajani died three days ago. We have contacted his son in Mumbai and informed him, he said.

Mahajani acted in several Marathi films such as Mumbai cha Fauzdar, Zoonj, Kalat Nakalat.

Police said the actors son Gashmeer Mahajani had been trying to reach his father but the phone calls were going unanswered. On Friday, hours before his body was found, Gashmeer asked a friend in Pune to visit Talegaon Dabhade to check on his father. Gashmeer said his friend planned to visit his father on Saturday.

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With several parts of Delhi and National Capital Region battling flood-like situation, the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) is carrying out evacuation efforts. The rescuers are also seen helping animals out of the harrowing situation. Among the evacuees is an exceptionally valuable bull from the esteemed 'Pritam' bloodline, carrying an astonishing price tag of  1 crore. The NDRF posted pictures of its rescue operations on Twitter on Saturday. The bull rescued by the NDRF.(Twitter/8th BN NDRF)

It wrote, "Team @8NdrfGhaziabad has rescued 3 cattles including India's No.1 Bull "PRITAM" costing 1 Cr. from Noida. NDRF teams are working hard to save lives in flood affected areas."

The team also posted a video in which two buffalos were seen being rescued from the flood-hit region with the help of ring boys. Using the improvised techniques of NDRF, life buoy became the helper of the speechless, the team tweeted.

Around 550 hectares of land along the banks of the Yamuna River in Noida have been flooded, leading to the displacement of more than 5,000 people. Gautam Buddha Nagar district magistrate Manish Kumar Verma earlier said that there was no need for the public to panic. Government officials are working round the clock to help anyone affected due to the floods in the low-lying regions, Verma told PTI.

According to the Irrigation Department, the Yamuna river crossed the danger mark of 200.60 meters downstream of Okhla Barrage on Thursday. Four shelters were built in Sector 134, 135, and 136 in Noida to shift the affected families from low-lying regions.

Several teams of the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force, the Provincial Armed Constabulary, Noida Police, the Fire Brigade, and the Noida Authority are engaged in rescue operations.

(With inputs from agencies)
Heavy rains lashed many parts of Odisha, mostly the coastal region leading to water-logging in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack on Saturday. The IMD has forecast more rainfall in the state. The IMD warned that moderate to intense rainfall was in the store for the state capital Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. (file) (Representational Image)(HT_PRINT)

The water-logging in the state capital led to traffic jams and caused difficulty for people to drive vehicles in knee-deep water in many places while many slums and low-laying areas were submerged under water.

Also Read | Himachal tourism suffers another jolt after Covid-19 amid heavy rain and flood

IMD said that the highest 118.4 mm rainfall was recorded at Jharsuguda followed by 68.2 mm at Chandbali, 35.2 mm in Bhubaneswar, 13.5 mm in Balasore, 6 mm in Paradip, 7.2 mm in Puri and 10.6 mm at Sambalpur between 8.30 am to 11.30 am.

Similarly, the IMD record said that intense rainfall activities were observed in many areas before 8.30 am, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded 14.7 mm and 41.8 mm of rainfall respectively by 8.30 am, it said.

The IMD also warned that moderate to intense rainfall was in the store for the state capital Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. It cautioned on temporary traffic congestion, slippery road and water-logging in low-lying areas.

Also Read | Rain prediction for north India may not be good news amid flood crises

The IMD also said that several Odisha districts are likely to experience enhanced rainfall activities in the next four to five days.

The weather office said that the state recorded an average rainfall of 10.3 mm during the last 24 hours. Similarly, the average rainfall recorded from July 1 to July 15 was 98.1 mm against the July monthly average of 339.9 mm.

The met office also said that a cyclonic circulation is likely to form over the northwest Bay of Bengal around Sunday. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the same region during the subsequent two to three days.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will not be attending an opposition dinner on July 17 as she has to follow post-surgery protocols, but will be part of the daylong meeting of the parties on July 18, sources in her Trinamool Congress (TMC) said on Saturday. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.(PTI)

Banerjee underwent a microsurgery on her left knee at the state-run SSKM hospital in Kolkata on Thursday. The TMC chief suffered a ligament injury on her left knee during the emergency landing of her helicopter at the Sevoke Airbase in north Bengal on June 27.

"While her doctors have given her the permission to fly and attend the opposition summit, she has been advised rest. So she will skip the dinner, but will attend the daylong meeting on July 18," a source in the TMC said.

A dinner for the opposition parties has been planned by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on July 17.

TMC's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien will be accompanying the West Bengal chief minister to the summit and are likely to attend the dinner as her representatives, the sources said.

In line with her doctor's advice, Banerjee will return to Kolkata soon after the summit.

This will be the first time that the top leadership of the TMC, Congress and Left parties will meet after a violence-marred rural poll battle in West Bengal.

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will participate in the second meeting of opposition parties in Bengaluru on July 18 (Monday). Twenty-four opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have been invited for the meet.

The first opposition meeting, which was attended by around 15 parties, took place in Patna and was hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Since then, a split in Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and his nephew Ajit Pawar's switch to the Eknath Shinde-BJP coalition in Maharashtra is seen to have dampened the opposition unity bid somewhat.

However, parties such as the Congress and the TMC have shown their support for the senior Pawar and said the opposition unity has strengthened further.

Sources claimed that eight parties that were not part of the first opposition meeting in Patna will join Monday's deliberations in Bengaluru.

These are the 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).
President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan on Saturday served a full vegetarian meal at the banquet he hosted in honor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi - who is in Abu Dhabi for a day-long visit. A note on the menu card for the banquet read, All meals are vegetarian and prepared with vegetable oils, and contain no dairy or egg products. Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Qasr-Al-Watan  the presidential palace - where he was greeted by the UAE President with a warm embrace.(PTI)

The banquet - at the Qasr-al-Watan presidential palace - began the meal with wheat and dates salad served with local organic vegetables, followed by grilled vegetables with masala sauce as starters. For the main course, the dignitaries were served black lentils and local harees (wheat) along with cauliflower and carrot tandoori. A variety of local seasonal fruits were served for desserts.

Menu at the banquet in UAE

PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at the presidential palace. Thanking the UAE president, PM Modi said, The respect you gave me, there is no other proof of affinity than this like a brother meeting his brother. Adding that he will attend the COP-28 Summit in the UAE, PM added, We (India-UAE) signed historic agreements within three months which would not have been possible without your cooperation and commitment.

PM Modi also said that India-UAE bilateral trade has grown by 20 percent, with both the countries achieving $85 billion in trade. We will soon achieve the target of $100 billion, he added.

Before meeting the UAE president, PM Modi held a meeting with the UN climate conference's president-designate Sultan Al Jaber.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Saturday on a day-long visit to the UAE during which he will meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and review the burgeoning bilateral ties between the two strategic partners. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.

Modi arrived in Abu Dhabi following his successful two-day visit to Paris where he joined French President Emmanuel Macron for the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour and signed several agreements to bolster bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with Sheikh Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

"I look forward to meeting my friend, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan," Prime Minister Modi said in his departure statement on Thursday.

"Our two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties," he said.

Energy, food security,and defence are expected to be the focus areasof Modi's visit to the UAE during which the two countries will review the progress in bilateral relations after they inked a landmark trade agreement.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which gave a new thrust to the economic engagement between the two countries, was signed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

India and the UAE are engaged across various sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties.

The Indian expatriate community is the largest ethnic community in UAE constituting roughly 30 per cent of the countrys population. The number of resident Indian Nationals was estimated to be 3.5 million in 2021 as per the UAE records.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met UAE president Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.



I am happy to be in Abu Dhabi and to meet you. I thank you for the warm welcome... Every Indian sees you as a true friend, the prime minister told the UAE president.



The prime minister said India-UAE bilateral trade has grown by 20 per cent, with both the countries achieving $85 billion of trade and will soon achieve the target of $100 billion.



Earlier, Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at the Qasr-Al-Watan  the presidential palace. The PM thanked the UAE president for the reception,""The respect you gave me, there is no other proof of affinity than this like a brother meeting his brother".



We (India-UAE) signed historic agreements within three months which would not have been possible without your cooperation and commitment, Modi said, adding that he will attend the COP-28 Summit in the UAE.



The officials of India and UAE exchanged several MoUs in the presence of PM Modi and Al Nahyan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace, in Abu Dhabi, Saturday,(PTI)
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann faced a narrow escape on Friday when an overloaded boat, during his visit to flood-affected villages in Jalandhar district, momentarily lost balance. However, the boat managed to regain balance, averting a possible accident. Mann was conducting a visit to assess the flood-affected Gidarpindi village. The occupants of the boat successfully stabilised it, preventing it from capsizing. Mann was among the people on the boat at the time. (Hindustan Times)

A video accessed by Hindustan Times shows the overloaded boat swaying on a rough water body in the village, which was a result of heavy rainfall in recent days. The occupants of the boat successfully stabilised it, preventing it from capsizing. Mann was among the people on the boat at the time.

Earlier, in a tweet, Bhagwant Mann mentioned his visit to flood-affected areas in Ferozepur, where he interacted with the affected people. He assured that the government would provide full compensation for the losses incurred during the devastating floods. A special survey will be conducted to assess the damage to crops, homes, and other properties caused by the heavy rainfall in the state.

Mann said on Twitter, Surveyed the flood-affected areas of Ferozepur... Listened to the people's sufferings... The floods have affected the elderly and all citizens... The government is providing all possible assistance... Once the situation normalizes, I advise the people. We will make proper arrangements with your cooperation... Until then, let's support each other in whatever way we can

Punjab has been severely affected by heavy rainfall earlier this week. During his tour of the affected areas, Mann visited Nihala Lavera village to oversee relief and rescue operations. He also inspected efforts to repair a breach in the Dhussi embankment in Mandala Channa of Jalandhar district.

BJP slams AAP govt in Punjab: Not photo stunt

Punjab BJP unit chief Sunil Jakhar slammed the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in the state on Friday, blaming them for the flood situation. He accused the ruling party leaders of being more focused on photo opportunities rather than providing immediate assistance to those affected.

Jakhar asked the state government to promptly offer interim relief to those who have suffered losses, instead of waiting for a field inspection to assess the damages.

The BJP leader said, People today need immediate relief and not photo stunts, seemingly referring to visits by Punjab ministers and AAP leaders to flood-hit areas.

Furthermore, Jakhar questioned the chief minsiter asking why preparations for the floods were not reviewed despite alerts from the meteorological department on July 4, followed by an orange alert on July 6.

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As PM Modi attended the Bastille Day Parade as the guest of honour on Friday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Rafale got PM Modi a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade, while Manipur burns and the EU Parliament discusses India's internal matter -- and the PM maintains silence on both issues. A 269-member Indian tri-services contingent participated in the parade and three Rafale jets of the Indian Air Force joined the Frech jets at the flypast. Rafale gets PM Modi ticket to Bastille Day parade while Manipur burns: Rahul Gandhi(HT_PRINT)

This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the French people for the exceptional warmth and hospitality. May India-France friendship continue to soar! Modi tweeted as he posted a photograph of the parade.

During PM Modi's visit to France, the India-news/indian-navy-to-get-26-rafale-m-fighters-and-three-attack-submarines-from-france-101688953456665.html">deal of Indian Navy acquiring 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for the INS Vkrant carrier was announced.

Just ahead of PM Modi's visit, the European Parliament adopted a resolution asking the Indian government to step up efforts to contain the violence in Manipur. India said a resolution on Manipur by the European Union reflected its colonial mindset.

"Such interference in Indias internal affairs is unacceptable, and reflects a colonial mindset," MEA spoekesperson Arindam Bagchi said. "Indian authorities at all levels, including the judiciary, are seized of the situation in Manipur and are taking steps to maintain peace and harmony and law and order. The European Parliament would be well advised to utilize its time more productively on its internal issues," Bahchi said strongly condemning the resolution.

Indian foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said India had reached out to te EU lawmakers ahead of the resolution on Manipur which is India's 'internal matter'.

Cant be mere coincidence that'

BJP took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi's tweet and said it can't be a mere coincience that EU Parliament took up the Manipur issue soon after Rahul Gandhi's London visit.

"Rahul Gandhi goes to London and seeks foreign intervention in Indias internal matters. Then he politicises the unfortunate conflict in Manipur, which is completely a legacy of the Congress, visits Manipur and next we see a foreign power wanting to sit in judgment on an issue, that is internal to India. Interestingly, EU Parliament didnt hold any debate or discussion on the recent riots in France," Malviya tweeted.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi approached the Supreme Court on Saturday, challenging the Gujarat high court order that refused to put on hold his conviction and a two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case. Rahul Gandhi has urged the top court to immediately stay his conviction to enable him to regain his MP status. (Hindustan Times)

The appeal has been filed exactly a week after the high court dealt a blow to Gandhis endeavour to revive his Lok Sabha membership, ruling that the Congress leader breached modesty and that his offence involved moral turpitude. The appeal was filed on Saturday morning, and it is yet to be assigned a date of hearing. Gandhis lawyers are expected to mention the appeal for an early hearing next week.

Gandhi urged the top court to immediately stay his conviction to enable him to regain his MP status, arguing the conviction order would lead to throttling of free speech, free expression, free thought, and free statement.

It would contribute to the systematic, repetitive emasculation of democratic institutions and the consequent strangulation of democracy which would be gravely detrimental to the political climate and future of India, he said.

In his appeal, Gandhi complained that a political speech in the course of democratic political activity, critical of economic offenders, and also of Narendra Modi, has been held to be an act of moral turpitude inviting the harshest punishment.

Such a finding is gravely detrimental to democratic free speech in the midst of a political campaign. It is respectfully submitted that the same will set a disastrous precedent wiping out any form of political dialogue or debate which is remotely critical in any manner, it said.

The complainant in the case, BJP leader Purnesh Modi, has already filed his caveat in the top court to ensure no orders are passed in Gandhis appeal without hearing his side.

On March 23, a Gujarat magisterial court convicted Gandhi for his remarks on Modi surname after Purnesh Modi filed a criminal complaint. The Congress leader was sentenced to two years imprisonment, which disqualified him as an MP under the Representation of People Act. Gandhi was declared disqualified as MP from Keralas Wayanad on March 24, following a notification of the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

Gandhi approached the sessions court, which rejected his plea for a stay on his conviction on April 20, compelling him to approach the high court. The April 20 order cited Gandhis stature as an MP and former chief of the countrys second-largest political party and said he should have been more careful in his comments.

On July 7, the high court affirmed this order, rejecting Gandhis criminal revision application seeking a stay on his conviction.

The present conviction is a serious matter affecting a large segment of society and needs to be viewed by this court with the gravity and significance it commands... It is now the need of the hour to have purity in politics. Representatives of people should be men of clear antecedent, said justice Hemant P Prachchhak.

The high court order meant that Gandhis disqualification from the Lok Sabha will continue. While Gandhi cannot be arrested since his jail term remains suspended for now. Only a stay on his conviction by the Supreme Court or a favourable judgment in his appeal by a sessions court can enable him to contest next years Lok Sabha elections.

Under the law, the conviction and two-year jail term renders Gandhi unfit to enter either House of Parliament for a period of eight years. But this can be reversed if he can get the conviction overturned or suspended by a higher court.

Gandhis legal team has to now get at least a stay on the conviction in the next 10 months to allow the former Congress chief to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

In his appeal to the top court, Gandhi has contended that the entire approach of the judgements by the high court and the courts below has been to mischaracterise his one-line statement as hugely serious.

This has resulted in the inexorable exclusion of the petitioner from all political elective office for a long period of 8 years. That too in the worlds largest democracy where the Petitioner has been a former President of the oldest political movement in the country and is also continuously in the vanguard of opposition political activity, the appeal added.

If political satire were to be held to be a base motive, Gandhi said, any political speech which is colourfully critical of the government, or any other political party or involves a turn of phrase in the course of a vigorous political speech, would become an act of moral turpitude. This would completely corrode the foundations of democracy.

To equate a political speech criticising the government or a section of society, even if defamatory, to the aforesaid, sets a completely incongruous standard unknown to jurisprudence which deals with moral turpitude, the plea said.

The July 7 verdict sparked a political row with the Congress saying it will appeal the decision in the Supreme Court and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying Gandhi was a habitual offender in insulting people, pointing to his comments on the Modi surname before the 2019 general elections that prompted the criminal defamation case and eventually cost him his Lok Sabha seat.

The 125-page judgment of the high court on July 7 stressed on the fact that being a member of Parliament, Gandhi had a bounden duty not to scandalise any person from the society and that the trial court has not committed any error of facts and law in passing the impugned order of conviction against the accused for the alleged offences.

Being a public personality, he is vested with the duty to exercise this vast power at his disposal with caution ensuring that dignity and reputation of a large number of persons or any identifiable class is not jeopardised due to his political activities or utterances... refusal to stay the conviction would not, in any way, result in injustice to the applicant, held the high court.

The high court judgment further noted that there are 10 criminal cases pending against Gandhi, including the one filed by the grandson of VD Savarkar in a Pune court over the Congress leaders controversial remarks on Savarkar at Cambridge University.

In fact, the applicant is trying to seek stay of his conviction on absolutely non-existent grounds. It is a well-settled principle of law that stay of conviction is not a rule but an exception to be resorted to in rare cases, added the high court, even as it requested the sessions court to decide Gandhis criminal appeal against the trial courts March 23 conviction order as expeditiously as possible.

The high court noted that Modi surname holder and members of Modi community were certainly identifiable and well-defined classes, and thus, the seriousness of Gandhis offence was compounded by the fact that the defamation alleged was of a large identifiable class, and not just an individual.

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Registrations for the Gruha Lakshmi scheme will begin on July 19, Karnataka women and child welfare minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar said on Saturday. Karnataka women and child welfare minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar said filing of applications will begin once the Gruha Lakshmi scheme is launched on July 19. (HT Archives)

The scheme, the Congress governments fourth guarantee during the assembly elections, promises cash assistance of 2,000 a month to female heads of households.

Briefing media persons at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Hebbalkar said as many as 12.8 million families will benefit through this scheme. The scheme will be launched by our chief minister (Siddaramaiah) on July 19, she said.

Filing of applications will begin once the scheme is launched on July 19. Registration is free, and there is no deadline to apply since it is a continuous process, the minister told reporters.

Those possessing APL/BPL and Antyodaya cards can avail of benefits of the scheme. However, the income tax and GST payers cannot, she added.

According to the minister, eligible women would get an SMS on their mobile number about the time, date and place of registration.

The beneficiaries can go to designated centres, identified by the government as Karnataka One, Bangalore One, Grama One, and Bapuji Seva Kendra and submit their application.

The applicants will have to carry their ration card, Below Poverty Line card (BPL), Above Poverty Line card (APL), or Antyodaya cards along with their Aadhaar card, the minister said, adding that if someone does not have their bank account linked with Aadhaar, they can produce a passbook.

The details of the passbook will be fed into the system. If the information of the beneficiary on the passbook matches that on the ration card, then the software will immediately approve it. They will also need to carry an Aadhaar-linked mobile phone to the centres, Hebbalkar said.

In case a beneficiary is unable to visit the centres on the designated date and time, she can reach there later on the same day, or any other day, between 5 pm and 7 pm, the minister explained.

Alternately, a Praja Pratinidhi (citizen volunteer identified by the government) will visit every household and register beneficiaries, the minister said.

A sanction certificate will be issued after registration in the designated centre. In case a registration is done by a Praja Pratinidhi, the sanction certificate will be provided later at the doorstep of the beneficiary, the minister added.

The government has also released a helpline number, 8147500500, where beneficiaries can clarify their doubts through SMS. People can also call 1902 if there are any doubts.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Expressing concern over the volatile situation in Manipur, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has asked the government to take every possible action for permanent peace and rehabilitation in the state, which has been on the boil since May 3 after violence erupted over the issue of brining the Meitei community under the ambit of quotas for scheduled tribes. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat(PTI)

Also read: Manipur violence: Case filed against Meitei Leepun chief for promoting enmity

At its annual meeting known as the Akhil Bharatiya Prant Pracharak Baithak that concluded on Saturday in Ooty near Coimbatore, RSS leaders called for building trust between people. The RSS is the ideological fount of the Bharatiya Janata Party that is in power at the Centre and in Manipur.

During the baithak (meeting), serious concerns were expressed about the current situation in Manipur. Efforts were being made by the RSS swayamsevaks to create an environment of peace, mutual trust and provide necessary assistance to the affected families in Manipur, chief spokesperson Sunil Ambekar said in a statement.

The meeting, which was attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and top functionaries, also discussed how volunteers of the Sangh can scale up relief efforts for the affected people. All sections of society were urged to contribute to fostering mutual harmony and establishing peace. Additionally, a call was made to the government to take every possible action for permanent peace and rehabilitation, Ambekar said.

The RSS, which has worked for decades in the northeastern states to build bridges with tribal communities that dominate the region has been concerned by the eruption of violence in Manipur between the Kukis and Meiteis. The Sangh, which was credited for helping its political arm, the BJP, expand its footprint in the region, has over the years flagged the issue of religious conversions and infiltration from across the border states and holds these responsible for disruption of peace and law and order breaches.

At least 150 people have been killed since May 3 in Manipur, where ethnic violence erupted between numerically dominant Meitei community  which forms 53% of the state population  and tribal Kukis, who live primarily in the hill districts. Violent clashes broke out after a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

On June 18, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale described the ongoing violence in Manipur as painful and worrisome. In a statement, he said the Sangh believes that the solution to any problem is possible only through mutual dialogue and expression of brotherhood in a peaceful atmosphere.

Earlier this year, the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (VKA), the RSSs frontal organisation working with tribal communities, had suggested avoiding giving ST status to communities based on political considerations. It has more recently suggested leaving out the tribal communities from the ambit of the proposed uniform civil code, pointing out that customs and traditions of the tribal communities should be protected.

The VKA has also been in the forefront of demanding that individuals from tribal communities who convert to Christianity and Islam should not be allowed to benefit from reservation in government jobs and education. The other issue that was discussed at the three-day meeting was the floods and natural calamity that has left people affected in large parts of northern India.

The baithak reviewed the service activities conducted by the Sangh for the people affected by recent floods in Mandi, Kullu and other districts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi. Immediate measures were considered. Updates on actions taken in various states during recent calamities were also shared with everyone, Ambedkar said.

Also read: NIA files charge sheet against 3 for extortion activities in Manipur

The meeting, which comes ahead of the RSSs centenary celebrations in 2025, also took stock of how its shakhas (units) can be aligned better with social responsibilities and encourage volunteers to be more proactive.

The Sangh shakhas undertake various social and service activities according to their social responsibilities and the needs of the surrounding areas. The baithak included discussions on the details of such activities and the exchange of experiences. Plans were made to enhance the active involvement of each Sangh shakha in this direction, Ambekar said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Smriti Kak Ramachandran Smriti covers an intersection of politics and governance. Having spent over a decade in journalism, she combines old fashioned leg work with modern story telling tools. ...view detail
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict in detail and its impact on the developing countries. He said that the Prime Minister has been the biggest advocate that the conflict must be resolved with diplomacy. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron(AP)

Also read: France a crucial partner in Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, says PM Modi in joint briefing with Macron

"In today's discussions between the two leaders (PM Modi-President Macron), there is a very clear understanding and appreciation of each other's position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. PM Modi has been perhaps the strongest advocate of resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue on diplomacy," Foreign Secretary Kwatra said.

"So when the two leaders meet like they met earlier today and yesterday also they discussed at length what the current status is of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. But from our perspective, and I think this has been greatly appreciated by the friend side also. They also discussed what the impact of this conflict is on developing countries, the challenges, the exacerbating challenges of food security, and the growing uncertainty that it creates for the energy security rapid increase in fertilizer security challenges which can translate into food security challenges tomorrow. So all these things came up for comprehensive conversation between the two leaders and they shared their perspective," Kwatra added.

Speaking on Defence ties, Kwatra said, "The 2047 Horizon document looks at security and sovereignty in a more holistic and a comprehensive manner rather than as a set of individual transactions. The reason for that is because the metrics of defence partnership are not defined by a single acquisition or a non-acquisition, single procurement or a single transaction."

"The nature of India-France strategic partnership looks at all elements of our engagement. So the document talks of the two countries, India and France committed to cooperating on co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies," he added.

"It also talks of India's intent to build its own defence industrial and technological base. This is a vision document. The underpinnings and the specifics of our defence partnership have been actually undertaking technology partnerships," Kwatra said on Defence ties between India and France.

"You will find an entire range of full range actually of military exercises between the armed forces in terms of military-industrial cooperation, research design, and transfer of technology. Coproduction co-manufacturing is increasingly focused on in the years ahead. Supply chain integration between the manufacturing ecosystem, in the field of defence between the two countries. technology value chain integrations going forward between the two countries," Kwatra said further on defence.

Also read: 'Will begin from Eiffel Tower': PM Modi on India's UPI use in France

Without going into any details of helicopter engines or aero engines or any other aspects, Kwatra said that a lot of these are captured in the larger rubric of advanced defence technologies.

"The Prime Minister is very clear that a lot of these things have to link into the priority of Atmanirbhar Bharat," the Foreign Secretary said.
A total of five people on Saturday electrocuted to death and eight others injured on their way back in a religious procession in west Uttar Pradesh's Meerut district, according to official. A group of Kanwariya devotees.(Hindustan Times)

A group of devout followers of Lord Shiva, called Kanwariayas, were returning from Haridwar carrying water from the Holy Ganges. The incident took place when their vehicle brushed against a low-hanging high-tension electric wire after it entered the Bhawanpur's Rali Chauhan village.

Four of them died on the spot and the other on the way to the hospital. Those injured are being treated in the hospital.

Angry over the tragedy, other Kanwariyas and villagers jammed Meerut- Parikshatgarh road and accused officials of negligence in rectifying the low hanging high-tension wires.

On getting information, senior police and administrative officials rushed to the spot. The bodies had been sent for a post-mortem examination, police said.
Rahul Gandhi's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday over his silence on the Manipur violence has triggered a war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress, with Smriti Irani calling him a frustrated dynast, while Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate hitting back at the Union minister with a frustrated soul jibe. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Union minister Smriti Irani.(File)

Criticising Modi over the Manipur violence, Gandhi had tweeted, "Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses Indias internal matter. PM hasnt said a word on either! Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade."

Hitting back, Irani accused Gandhi of seeking international intervention in Indias internal matters. "a frustrated dynast who sullies the Make in India ambition mocks India when our PM receives a National honour," Irani tweeted.

Further, taking a jibe at Gandhi, she added, Rejected by people, he seethes as defence contracts no longer land at the doorstep of dynasty.

Irani's words did go down well with the Congress's Shrinate, who was quick to criticise the minister for allegedly keeping mum on sexual exploitation of our athletes.

A woman who doesnt speak a word on atrocities against other women, who keeps mum on sexual exploitation of our athletes, who is conspicuously silent on back breaking high prices, a frustrated soul whose only relevance is to spew venom against Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader tweeted.

Sidelined in her own party, desperate for eyeballs and relevance - you revel in your silly soul Smriti Irani. I also suggest see a doc, this level of hatred is corrosive and self damaging, she added.

Earlier, BJP IT-cell head Amit Malviya accused Gandhi of leaning "on foreign powers, from America to Europe, to settle domestic political scores, over the latter's tweet on Modi.

It cant be a mere coincidence that EU Parliament proposed to debate the conflict in Manipur, which it has no business venturing into, soon after Rahul Gandhi visits the state. Lets look at the sequence of events. Rahul Gandhi goes to London and seeks foreign intervention in Indias internal matters. Then he politicises the unfortunate conflict in Manipur, which is completely a legacy of the Congress, visits Manipur and next we see a foreign power wanting to sit in judgment on an issue, that is internal to India. Interestingly, EU Parliament didnt hold any debate or discussion on the recent riots in France," Malviya tweeted.

It is quite obvious that Rahul Gandhi is leaning on foreign powers, from America to Europe, to settle domestic political scores. He is openly, brazenly and willingly collaborating with global syndicates, that are working to undermine Indias strategic and geopolitical interests, he added.

MEA slams European Parliament's resolution on Manipur

Gandhi's tweet comes days after the Ministry of External Affairs slammed the European Parliament for adopting a resolution on the situation in Manipur, terming it 'unacceptable'. MEA official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said such interference in India's affairs reflects a "colonial mindset".

Arindam Bagchi said that Indian authorities at all levels, including the judiciary are aware of the situation in Manipur and are taking measures to maintain peace, harmony, law and order.

on July 12, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra in a press briefing said that EU parliamentarians are being reached out and it has been made clear to them that it is a matter absolutely internal to India.

Manipur violence

Manipur has been witnessing violence since May following the protests by the Kuki and Naga communities against the high court's order asking the state government to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the category of Scheduled Tribes (ST). Only STs can buy lands in hilly areas.

The majority Meitei community, which occupies the Imphal valley and nearby areas, sought the ST status keeping in view their increasing population and increased requirement of land so that they could purchase lands in the hilly areas.

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Muslim World League secretary general Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, who is on a visit to India, said a true Muslim coexists with love and sincerity towards everyone, and rejects all forms of extremism and violence. Muslim World League secretary general Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al Issa speaks at Jama Masjid in New Delhi on Friday, (PTI)

Al-Issa was delivering the 'Khutbah' or sermon at the Jama Masjid in New Delhi.

Here are key takeaways from Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa's sermon:

1. A true Muslim possesses high morals that are evident in their conduct, reflecting the magnificence and beauty of Islam through the values upheld by the Muslim community. Embracing these values serves to enhance the reputation of Islam. Furthermore, adhering to these values is an essential aspect of a Muslim's genuine behaviour and is required in all circumstances.

2. The opposite behaviour - regrettably - is often attributed to our religion by those who are unfamiliar with the true essence of Islam. This misrepresentation occurs due to the actions of those who falsely claim affiliation with Islam. Such negative behaviour is considered a deviation from the path of Allah.

3. A true believer is beloved among people, as they exemplify the true essence of their religion through their lofty values and noble deeds. They embody the moderation and balance of Islam, rejecting all forms of extremism and violence, regardless of their justifications or pretexts.

4. Therefore, a Muslim, with their high morals and comprehensive wisdom, coexists with love and sincerity towards everyone, guided by the national framework that encompasses all. This framework serves as the constitution of every nation. There is no choice for peace, harmony, development, and prosperity in our world except through respecting this framework that unites each nation with its citizens.

5. "A Muslim respects their national Constitution and values the general culture of their country. They strive to bring people closer together, fostering unity and avoiding division.

6. What may be appropriate for one country may not necessarily be suitable for another. Therefore, Islamic jurists have clarified that fatwas and Sharjah-based judgments can vary according to the specific circumstances and contexts of each country.

Al-Issa hails PM Modi

On Tuesday Al-Issa met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Wednesday, he hailed Modi's "passionate perspective" towards inclusive growth and said that they agreed on the importance of working together to confront all aspects of extremism and hatred, regardless of their source.

What is Muslim World League?

The Muslim World League or 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 civilisations, follow the path of centrism and moderation, and ward off movements calling for extremism, violence and exclusion.

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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
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Saturday took a jibe at Delhi Police for not arresting outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh despite filing the chargesheet over alleged sexual harassment charges. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi. (ANI)

Read here: Priyanka Gandhi's tweet conspiracy to mislead country: BJP MP Brij Bhushan

So much has been written in the chargesheet by the Delhi Police yet the same police refused to file an FIR till the Supreme Court didnt intervene. And despite the FIR and clear out of line behaviour did not think it fit to arrest him. The MP still continues to throw his weight around without remorse, she tweeted.

The Delhi Police has stated in its chargesheet that based on the investigation, Singh is "liable to be prosecuted and punished for offences" of sexual harassment, molestation and stalking.

Read here: Brij Bhushan liable to be prosecuted for stalking, molesting: Delhi police officer

A total of 21 witnesses have given their statements against Singh. Six of them have given their statements under CRPC 164. Witnesses have also mentioned that they also saw the physical wrong gesture of the WFI chief towards the women wrestlers.

Last week, Delhi's Rouse Avenue court issued summon to the BJP MP after taking cognisance of the chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police on June 15 over charges of sexually harassing women athletes.

Renowned Indian wrestlers including Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat held protests for 38 days at Delhi's Jantar Mantar demanding Singh's arrest until the police detained them for violating law and order on May 28. They suspended their protest after union minister Anurag Thakur met these wrestlers and assured them that the charge sheet in the case would be filed by June 15.

Read here: Hearing on cognisance of chargesheet against WFI chief Brij Bhushan shifted to July 7

The Delhi police had registered two cases against Singh after the intervention of the Supreme Court on April 28 one by six women wrestlers and another by a minor woman wrestler who later changed her statements.

According to deputy police commissioner Pranav Tayal, Singh was charged under sections 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty), 354A (sexual harassment) and 354D (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), HT earlier reported.
The Yamuna receded on Saturday and some of the waterlogging it directly or indirectly caused cleared up, allowing authorities to reopen several key roads that were shut for days, triggering traffic chaos and forcing schools shut and prompting most offices to work from home. NDRF personnel during a rescue operation in Yamuna Bazaar on Saturday. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

At 11pm, the river flowed at 206.54m, down from 207.98m at 11pm on Friday but still well above the danger mark of 205.33m. Areas such as Rajghat, ITO area, Salimgarh underpass, parts of Mukherjee Nagar, Yamuna Bazar, Hakikat Nagar and Jaitpur were still water-logged.

Some key routes, such as Vikas Marg, Metcalfe Cafe Road, ISBT, Sarai Kale Khan as well as some closed parts of the Ring Road and Boulevard Road were reopened, although there was still some water on these stretches.

As water levels in Yamuna have started receding, PWD has started pumping out the water, cleaning the roads and opening them out for traffic. ISBT and Bhairon Marg are open for traffic now. PWD is working on a war footing to ensure that roads and traffic return to normalcy as soon as possible, revenue minister Atishi said in the morning, which was followed by other updates through the day.

The restored links included the two trans-Yamuna routes: Geeta Colony to Shanti Van and Vikas Marg. When both were shut on Friday, traffic across the river had to be funneled to NH24 and DND Flyway, leading to heavy congestion on a number of routes in and around south, east and central Delhi.

Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena said Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him and inquired about Delhi flood. Honble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji called up as soon as he reached India and took a detailed account of the flood situation in Delhi information about the related efforts being made. He again instructed to do all possible work in the interest of the people of Delhi with the help and cooperation of the Centre, LG tweeted.

The Bhairon Marg, connecting the Ring Road to Mathura Road, was reopened briefly before a wall collapsed later in the evening, flooding a nearby slum and the railway underpass on the route, needing it to be closed once more. An MCD official said that teams had been rushed to the site with machines and manpower to build a bund to stop the flow of water into the road and the slum.

Giving details of the stretches still closed for traffic, SS Yadav, the special commission of police for traffic, said both carriageways of the Ring Road stretch between Majnu Ka Tilla and ISBT, and Shanti Van and IP flyover to IP Depot, were still closed. Salim Garh bypass is still closed. The road between old iron bridge pusta and Shamshan Ghat though were opened by late evening. As these roads are now getting commutable due to receding water level of Yamuna, we are opening these roads one by one. I hope by Saturday late night, well be able to open more roads for vehicular movement, he said.

Public Works Department (PWD) officials said they had started pumping out water to ensure more roads are opened for traffic but a spell of rain in the evening, as well as heavier ones forecast overnight, could prolong this endeavour.

Water level of Yamuna River is receding now. The water released from the Hathnikund barrage is normal. The situation may further improve by Sunday morning. Water lever in many residential colonies is also receding. At least 25,000 people were evacuated from many affected areas during the floods, and 22,803 were brought in 44 relief camps, divisional commissioner Ashwini Kumar said in a press conference.

The officer added that 60 personnel and officers of engineering group of army assisted to handle the breach of drain near ITO, where a regulator meant to stop backflow of the river into the city was rebuilt.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal held a meeting with all six ministers to discuss the flood situation and assigned the flood-hit districts of the capital for each to supervise during relief and rehabilitation work. South east district has been assigned to Kailash Gahlot, East district to myself (Saurabh Bharadwaj), north east district to Atishi, central district to Imran Hussain, and Shahdara to Gopal Rai. The ministers will oversee all relief and rehabilitation work. Orders have been issued to officers of the district concerned to report to these ministers, irrigation and flood control minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said after the meeting with CM.

As floodwaters began receding, a new problem showed up: high density of mud was being left behind. The water has receded from a large patch of the Ring Road from Majnu Ka Tilla to Kashmere Gate stretch, but the Bela road along which several bungalows are located is still flooded. The water needs to be pumped out. The drains have been blocked and they need to be cleared. The rehabilitation work is huge and needs a coordinated exercise, said a Delhi government official, who asked not to be named.

Chief secretary Naresh Kumar on Saturday issued an order deploying 66 IAS officers and Danics officers to monitor and assist the district magistrates in the relief and rehabilitation work.

The day also saw a battle between the Delhi government and the bureaucracy. Bhardwaj, also the services minister, sought strictest action against chief secretary Naresh Kumar, divisional commissioner Ashwani Kumar, principal secretary irrigation and flood control department Ashish Kundra.

The AAP, which rules Delhi, continued to accuse the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Haryana government of releasing water from the Hathnikund barrage to Delhi, and not diverting the excess to Uttar Pradesh.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said, The BJP workers are providing food to the flood-affected people even in the government relief centers. It is regrettable that the Delhi government has put the flood-affected people on the streets without proper tents, no roof over their heads, no toilets, no medical arrangements. Keeping this in mind, BJP started a medical camp at Mayur Vihar Phase 1 today and our medical cell will also run a mobile van.
As Shelly Rungta, an arms dealer in The Night Manager, Anil Kapoor does some truly terrible things. In one scene, he kills a man with a pen. In another, he threatens to throw his partner to a horde of predatory men because he suspects that she is betraying him. PREMIUM (From left) Kapoor in The Night Manager, Ford as Indiana Jones in ...The Dial of Destiny, and Cruise in Mission: Impossible 7.

The show is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, in what is Anils 40th year as a leading man (Woh 7 Din was released in 1983). And after years of playing the good guy, hes turned bad with aplomb. Shelly, suave, superbly styled and very much a murderous maniac, is the best part of The Night Manager.

Anil is 66. Some of his Instagram posts show him training fiercely. Alongside talk of his fitness levels and charisma, the word evergreen is now affixed to his name.

This week, another evergreen hero exploded onto our screens  Tom Cruise, with Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1, the seventh film in the series. Cruise is a global superstar so insistent on entertaining us that hes willing to risk his life to do it. Hes 61, and, in this film, drives a motorbike off a mountain in Norway, plummets into the ravine below, and deploys a parachute 500 metres before he hits the ground.

To get a sense of the true scale of this stunt, watch the behind-the-scenes video posted by Paramount Pictures on YouTube, titled The Biggest Stunt in Cinema History (it has over 14 million views so far). Cruise made the leap six times, aside from training for a year, doing thousands of motocross jumps, and 500 skydives, all so that in the eventual shot, he is comfortable enough to ride into thin air, leap off the bike, and freefall in carefully choreographed motion.

Harrison Ford, meanwhile, is now 80, and can be seen on screens worldwide, wielding the whip one last time as Indiana Jones in The Dial of Destiny, released late last month.

Theres even a shirtless scene, in this fifth film in the franchise. Which led to a hilarious moment at the post-premiere press conference at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. A reporter remarked that Ford was still very hot. Ive been blessed with this body, he responded. Thanks for noticing.

This month will also see the release of Rocky aur Rani kii Prem Kahaani, in which Dharmendra, 87; Shabana Azmi, 72; and Jaya Bachchan, 75, play pivotal roles, propelling the narrative alongside lead actors Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt.

Cruise has said he is inspired by Ford, and has no plans to retire. I suspect Anil will keep going too. As will the likes of Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan, 80; Dharmendra and Azmi; Helen Mirren, 77 and Sharmila Tagore, 78. Which is a wonderful thing.

As Ford so memorably said in the first Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, 42 years ago: Its not the years, honey. Its the mileage.
It has been using its mental faculties to hunt and fight off predators; navigate its place in the pack, and its changing landscape. Now, it is welcomed into the cave; becomes a companion, guard and leader of the hunt. In return, it receives food, shelter, protection. The wolf, particularly the gray wolf (Canis lupus), becomes the dog (Canis familiaris), smaller, with a smaller brain-to-body ratio.

Fast-forward to today. Bustling cities; busy lives. Stresses and strains. And a dog with a larger brain-to-body ratio except, its clearly using it for very different things.

Modern breeds of dog, those developed over the last 150 years, have a larger brain-to-body ratio than their early ancestors, found a study published in the journal Evolution in April, led by Laszlo Zsolt Garamszegi, an evolutionary biologist with the Centre for Ecological Research in Hungary.

Perhaps the more complex social environment, urbanisation, and adaptation to more rules and expectations have caused this change, says Eniko Kubinyi, a senior research fellow with the department of ethology (or the science of animal behaviour) at the Eotvos Lorand University in Hungary, and one of the co-authors of the study.

This growth in brain-to-body ratio can be traced to the dawn of the industrial revolution, a period that also coincided with the rise of intensified dog-breeding standards for specific tasks such as hunting, tracking, herding, guarding and companionship, about 160 years ago.

The Hungarian study examined 865 canine skulls and brains across 159 contemporary dog breeds and 48 wolf specimens. About half the skulls were from the canine collection of Tibor Csorg, a researcher with the department of anatomy, cell and developmental biology at Eotvos Lorand, and a co-author of the study, who maintains a vast collection acquired over 10 years. The study, which analysed the data over a year, also sourced tissue samples from the Canine Brain and Tissue Bank at Eotvos Lorand established in 2017.

CT scans were used to reconstruct the volumes of the brains that would have occupied each skull. The researchers found that the farther a dog breed was, genetically, from a wolf, the higher the brain-to-body ratio. This ratio in the wild wolf remains 24% higher than that of a similarly sized dog.

Whats interesting is that the brain remained shrunken through the phases of settled living and agriculture. Pastoralism and the accumulation of wealth offered various tasks for dogs, including fowl-guarding, sheep-herding and the guarding of property, says Kubinyi. Still, the brain did not grow.

So why now? What parts of modern living have caused the canine to make greater demands of its brain? Exactly what parts of the brain have grown, or remained shrunk? These are potential areas of further study.

It takes immense selection pressures on cognitive abilities to yield large enough changes in brain morphology for changes in relative brain size to be detectable, Kubinyi says. Future studies in the field of brain evolution in dogs could focus on changes acting on particular brain regions to uncover the potential links between brain morphology and other traits.

Interestingly, a 2022 study conducted by researchers at the University of Vienna and the National Museums Scotland, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, indicates that the skulls and brains of domestic cats have grown significantly smaller over the last 10,000 years, compared to their African ancestors.

Data does not indicate a reversal of brain size such as has now been observed in dogs. Its unlikely there is a significant change in this direction, says Kubinyi, because cats are not as domesticated as dogs and remain independent, even when they are fed.
Ashura is an important religious observance in Islam that falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar and it holds significance for both Sunni and Shia Muslims but the way it is observed can vary between the two sects. For Sunni Muslims, Ashura marks the day when Prophet Moses (Musa) and the Children of Israel were saved from Pharaoh's tyranny by crossing the Red Sea hence, it is a day of fasting and reflection to thank Allah for helping them and Muslims may also perform acts of charity and good deeds. Muharram 2023: Significance of fasting on Ashura for Shia and Sunni Muslims (Photo by Twitter/Ifrahh__)

For Shia Muslims, Ashura has a deeper significance and is a day of mourning to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. Imam Hussein's martyrdom is seen as a symbol of resistance against injustice and oppression hence, on this day, Shia Muslims participate in mourning processions, listen to sermons and reflect on the sacrifice and courage of Imam Hussein and his companions.

Muharram is the first month of Islamic calendar which is ten or twelve days shorter than the Gregorian calendar followed by the West. The word Muharram means not permitted or forbidden hence, Muslims are prohibited from taking part in activities like warfare and use it as a period of prayer and reflection however, the way Ashura is observed can vary widely depending on cultural and regional traditions too where some communities may also engage in acts of self-flagellation or reenactments of the Battle of Karbala, although these practices are discouraged by some religious authorities.

Overall, Ashura is a significant day in the Islamic calendar, observed with both religious and cultural importance by Muslims around the world since it serves as a reminder of the values of sacrifice, compassion and standing up against injustice in Islam. Both Shia and Sunni Muslims fast on Ashura, but the reasons and practices behind the fast can differ between the two sects.

For Sunni Muslims:

Commemoration of Prophet Moses - The Islamic New Year, also known as Al Hijri or Arabic New Year, is celebrated on the first day of Muharram as it was in this holy month that Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina however, Ashura has been celebrated even in pre-Islamic times as it was on the 10th of Muharram that Allah saved Moses (Prophet Musa) and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh (Firaun) and his army. As a sign of gratitude to Allah, Prophet Musa fasted on Ashura day that is the 10th of Muharram. Later in 622 CE, when Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina in the month of Muharram, he learnt from the Jews that they fasted on Ashura day following the ways of Prophet Musa. Hence, according to Sunni tradition, Prophet Moses and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh's tyranny on the 10th day of Muharram when they crossed the Red Sea safely so, as an act of gratitude and remembrance, Sunni Muslims fast on this day to commemorate this event.

The Islamic New Year, also known as Al Hijri or Arabic New Year, is celebrated on the first day of Muharram as it was in this holy month that Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina however, Ashura has been celebrated even in pre-Islamic times as it was on the 10th of Muharram that Allah saved Moses (Prophet Musa) and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh (Firaun) and his army. As a sign of gratitude to Allah, Prophet Musa fasted on Ashura day that is the 10th of Muharram. Later in 622 CE, when Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina in the month of Muharram, he learnt from the Jews that they fasted on Ashura day following the ways of Prophet Musa. Hence, according to Sunni tradition, Prophet Moses and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh's tyranny on the 10th day of Muharram when they crossed the Red Sea safely so, as an act of gratitude and remembrance, Sunni Muslims fast on this day to commemorate this event. Following the tradition of Prophet Muhammad - Wanting his followers to show the same gratitude to Allah, Prophet Muhammad decided to observe a two-day fast, one on the day of Ashura and the day prior that is the 9th and 10th days of Muharram. These are the traditional customs of Sunni Muslims. Sunni Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad also fasted on Ashura to commemorate the event of Moses and the Israelites' deliverance. It is reported that the Prophet Muhammad encouraged his followers to fast on this day and he intended to fast two days (9th and 10th of Muharram).

2. For Shia Muslims:

Commemoration of Imam Hussein's martyrdom - For Shia Muslims, Ashura holds deep mourning and sorrow as it marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and his companions at the Battle of Karbala. Imam Hussein was a prominent figure in the early Islamic community and stood up against the oppressive rule of the Umayyad caliphate where his martyrdom is seen as a symbol of resistance against injustice and tyranny.

For Shia Muslims, Ashura holds deep mourning and sorrow as it marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and his companions at the Battle of Karbala. Imam Hussein was a prominent figure in the early Islamic community and stood up against the oppressive rule of the Umayyad caliphate where his martyrdom is seen as a symbol of resistance against injustice and tyranny. Expressing grief and remembrance - Shia Muslims observe Ashura as a day of intense mourning to remember the sacrifice of Imam Hussein and to express their grief over his tragic death. Fasting is a way to spiritually connect with the suffering of the Imam and his followers during their difficult times.

It is important to note that while both Shia and Sunni Muslims fast on Ashura, the way they observe the day and the significance they attach to it may differ due to their respective beliefs and historical perspectives. Ashura remains a significant day of reflection, remembrance and religious observance for Muslims worldwide.

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Get ready to mark your calendars and prepare your taste buds as National Ice Cream Day 2023 approaches. This eagerly anticipated occasion, observed annually, brings together ice cream enthusiasts from around the globe to indulge in the creamy and delightful flavours that have captured our hearts for generations. From classic flavours that evoke nostalgia to innovative creations that push the boundaries of taste, ice cream holds a special place in the hearts of people worldwide. National Ice Cream Day is an eagerly awaited celebration dedicated to the delightful frozen treat that brings joy to people of all ages. (Pixabay)

It possesses a luscious and smooth texture, brimming with the delightful tastes that evoke the essence of summer, yet crafted with the chill reminiscent of winter. This delectable treat knows no season and can be savoured with sheer perfection all year round. From history, date to significance here's everything you need to know about this day. (Also read: National Ice Cream Day 2023: Tips and tricks to give your ice cream a healthy makeover )

When is National Ice Cream Day 2023?

National Ice Cream Day 2023 will be observed on Sunday, July 16th.

History of National Ice Cream Day

National Ice Cream Day was established in 1984 by President Reagan to honour the popular treat enjoyed by over 90 per cent of the U.S. population. This recognition elevated the dairy industry and highlighted Americans' love for ice cream, with the country consuming 23 gallons per year, the highest in the world. President Reagan's fondness for ice cream even led to the creation of Ice Cream Month. Ice cream is a beloved dessert enjoyed globally, showcasing its widespread appeal and enduring popularity.

National Ice Cream Day significance

National Ice Cream Day holds significant importance as a designated day to celebrate the beloved frozen dessert that brings joy and delight to people of all ages. It serves as a moment to appreciate the rich history, diverse flavours, and cultural significance of ice cream. Whether enjoyed as a nostalgic treat, a refreshing indulgence on a hot summer day, or a symbol of togetherness and celebration, National Ice Cream Day encourages individuals to embrace the simple pleasures and sweet memories created by this iconic dessert. It unites ice cream enthusiasts around the world, fostering a sense of community and appreciation for the timeless delight that is ice cream.

Ways to celebrate National Ice Cream Day

Visit an ice cream parlour and try new flavours.

Make homemade ice cream with unique mix-ins and flavours.

Host an ice cream party with a variety of toppings and cones.

Explore speciality shops for exotic ice cream flavours.

Get creative and make ice cream-inspired desserts like milkshakes or ice cream sandwiches.

Share your ice cream love on social media with photos and memories.

Learn about the history and fun facts of ice cream while enjoying your favourite scoop.

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Corbyn's Cove Beach in Port Blair is all decked up with wildflowers, showpieces made of coconut shells and corals to celebrate the much awaited 'Monsoon Festival' on July 15-16. Andaman and Nicobar Islands gear up for Monsoon Festival at Corbyn's Cove Beach in Port Blair (File Photo by Shutterstock)

The joyous celebration was planned carefully keeping the vibrant culture of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in mind - where visitors can not only get a chance to enjoy exotic coastal cuisines but they can also experience live music and rain dance competition along the coconut-palm fringed Corbyn's Cove beach, which is nearly six-kilometre away from Port Blair.

"We are organising the Monsoon Festival in association with all line departments of the administration and stakeholders. This will be the first festival of this season where tourists and visitors can enjoy various activities starting from 4 pm to 9 pm," Jatinder Sohal, Director Tourism Department, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, told PTI.

He said, "There will be a rain dance (backed by a Disc Jockey) and rain photography competitions which will be organised by our department. The winners will be judged based on their creativity, choreography, synchronization of movements, and costumes. We will put their work on social media and participants will be awarded based on the number of likes. I would like to thank all the stakeholders for their cooperation in shaping all the events."

During the festival, participants can perform individually, in pairs and in groups keeping the traditional elements and their respective cultures in their moves.

There will be live music, percussionists, recorded soundtracks to lift the atmosphere, energy and mood of the performers and viewers.

"In the Rain Photography Competition  we have invited participants to submit their photographs revolving around rain-related themes. They were requested to submit their photographs in digital format, adhering to specific guidelines set by us. This is open to all from amateurs to professional photographers," Sohal said while adding the best three entries will be suitably awarded with cash prizes in each competition.

For the convenience of the people visiting the festival, the transport department has made special arrangements to reach Corbyn's Cove Beach.
Imagine travelling by train, with your favourite book in hand, and immersing yourself in the breathtakingly beautiful views of the sun's rays reflecting on the shimmering waters. Doesn't it sound magical? India is blessed with stunning train routes that offer mesmerizing views of seas and rivers. Unlike other ways of travelling, trains have the special quality of making the journey itself more beautiful than the destination. In India, there are numerous breathtaking train routes that pass through lush greenery, dry deserts, snow-covered mountains, and much more. However, the routes that take you alongside mesmerising blue waters are more delightful. (Also read: Train travel hacks: Tips for a stress-free and enjoyable journey ) Trains have the special quality of making the journey itself more beautiful than the destination. (Pexels )

India's Beautiful Train Routes with Spectacular Water Views

Dinesh Kumar Kotha Co-founder and CEO, Confirmtkt, shared with HT Lifestyle four train routes in India that provide stunning views of the beautiful sea and river.

1. Mandapam to Rameshwaram

One of the most amazing train trips you can take in the world is the journey from Mandapam to Rameshwaram in India. This train ride goes over the second longest bridge in the country, called the Pamban Bridge, which is a whopping 2.2 kilometres long. It's the only way to reach Pamban Island from the mainland. As you travel on the train, you'll see the beautiful blue waters below, and it's quite exciting to cross this bridge, which is known to be risky, just to experience the stunning views.

2. Vasco Da Gama to Londa

Another train trip starting from Goa is the route from Vasco Da Gama to Londa in Karnataka. This train ride offers breathtaking views as it passes through the winding paths of the mountains in the Western Ghats. You can catch a glimpse of the magnificent Dudhsagar waterfalls from a distance. If you love the beach, you will be thrilled to see the train approaching the beautiful beaches of Goa. Hop on the Goan Express and get ready for an unforgettable journey.

3. Bhubaneswar to Brahmapur

The train journey from Bhubaneswar to Brahmapur is a truly delightful experience, situated between the Eastern Ghats and Odisha's renowned Chilka Lake. This scenic route offers a peaceful and beautiful view of the Chilka Lake on one side and the dense Malyadri forest on the other. Bird enthusiasts will be captivated by the sight of numerous migratory birds flying over the second-largest lagoon in the country, known for its migratory bird population.

4. Mumbai to Goa

The train journey from Mumbai to Goa on the Konkan Railway is incredibly scenic. This route is surrounded by the Sahyadri Hills and the Arabian Sea, offering breathtaking views. You'll cross numerous rivers, tunnels, and bridges, including the famous Panvalnadi Bridge, which is the tallest viaduct in India. Along the way, you'll see stunning sights of coconut and mango trees, picturesque villages, and colourful wildflowers. When you cross the Panvalnadi bridge, you'll be amazed by the stunning rivers flowing down to the sea.

These four train routes in India not only provide convenient transportation but also offer a visual treat to the passengers. From the stunning vistas of the Arabian Sea to the tranquil rivers flowing through lush landscapes, these journeys showcase the incredible natural beauty of India. Whether you are a nature lover or simply seeking a unique travel experience, these train routes are sure to leave you spellbound. So, hop on board and embark on an unforgettable journey that combines the joy of train travel with the mesmerizing beauty of the sea and rivers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Abu Dhabi on July 15. In his day-long visit, he will meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The leaders are meeting to review the burgeoning bilateral ties between the two nations. Expectedly, this visit has prompted social media users to share varied posts. Amid those shares, a video showing Burj Khalifa has gone viral. The clip shows the worlds tallest building lighting up with Indian tricolour to mark the visit of PM Modi. The image shows Burj Khalifa lighting up with Indian tricolour to mark PM Modi's UAE visit. (Twitter/@ANI)

ANI took to Twitter to share the amazing video. Dubai's Burj Khalifa displayed the colours of the Indian national flag yesterday ahead of PM Modi's official visit to the country, they wrote alongside. The video opens to show the skyscraper lighting up in the colours of the Indian flag. As the video progresses, it also shows a picture of PM Modi. The video ends with a message that reads, Welcome honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Take a look at the video that shows Burj Khalifa:

The video was posted a few hours ago. Since being shared, it has collected close to 34,000 views. Alongside, the clip has accumulated more than 1,900 likes.

PM Modis two-nation tour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-nation tour of France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He arrived in the UAE after completion of a two-day visit to Paris where he met French President Emmanuel Macron on Bastille Day parade and was also the Guest of Honour.
Republican 2024 Presidential election candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has opined on the possible reason of Capitol riot in January 6, 2021. Ramaswamy gave his opinion on the shocking incident in US history, during the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines, Iowa. Vivek Ramaswamy(File)

Ramaswamy highlighted the negative impact on the people at the time due to Covid vaccine mandates and lockdowns due to the pandemic.

"You want to know what caused January 6th is pervasive censorship in this country," Ramaswamy told moderator Tucker Carlson.

"You tell people in this country they cannot speak, that is when they scream. You tell people they cannot scream. That is when they tear things down," he added.

ALSO READ| Who are behind San Francisco's fentanyl and other drug menace?

Notably, former US President Donald Trump had blamed rigging in Presidential elections as the reason behind the riots. Trump had lost the elections in 2020 and was the outgoing US President when the Capitol attack happened.

Several US leaders held Trump accountable for the riots and alleged that he incited his supporters to engage in violence. Trump had claimed voter fraud after having lost the elections.

The House select committee investigated into the reasons behind the violence and as per their report Trump lit that fire".

President Trump or his inner circle engaged in at least 200 apparent acts of public or private outreach, pressure, or condemnation, targeting either State legislators or State or local election administrators, to overturn State election results, said the report.
A Moscow court on Saturday issued criminal charges against seven people "motivated by national hatred" to kill two prominent Russian journalists in a Ukrainian-backed plot, Russia's state-owned TASS news agency said. A woman uses her mobile phone in front of the Federal Security Service (FSB) building on Lubyanka Square in Moscow, Russia(REUTERS)

The court approved the detention until Sept. 14, under criminal charges of "hooliganism," of five minors born in 2005 and 2006 and two men it said were part of an organised group, TASS said.

TASS said Russia's FSB security service detained an unspecified number of people on Friday who conducted reconnaissance near the homes and workplaces of journalists Margarita Simonyan, head of state media outlet RT, and Ksenia Sobchak, who ran against President Vladimir Putin in 2018.

Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said in televised remarks that Russia was living in an absurd "constructed mythology."

Asked about the case in an interview, Podolyak played down its significance, saying the journalists "do not play any important role" in the war, nor in the loss of Russia's positions on the world stage.

Interfax news agency quoted the FSB as saying that the detainees had admitted preparing attacks on the two women on behalf of Ukraine and had been promised a reward of 1.5 million roubles ($16,620) for each one.

Simonyan, a vocal supporter of Russia's war in Ukraine, posted a message on Telegram about the alleged plot, urging the security services to "Keep on working, brothers!"

Sobchak, whose late father Anatoly Sobchak was Putin's political mentor, said that if the assassination plans were true, then "thank you all the involved services for their work."

In a post on her Telegram channel, which often carries reports critical of Russian government policy, she added that if the reports were untrue, "and the idea was just to put me and Simonyan in the same sentence, then this is the usual nastiness.

"In any event, I want to report, any terror is evil, no ifs ands or buts," she added.

In the past year, bomb attacks inside Russia have killed prominent pro-war Russian figures, journalist Darya Dugina and military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky. Russia blamed their killings on Ukraine, while Kyiv denied that and portrayed them as evidence of Russian infighting.

In May a prominent Russian nationalist writer, Zakhar Prilepin, was wounded in a car bombing that killed his driver. Investigators said a suspect had been detained and had admitted acting on behalf of Ukraine.

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As the United States grapples with a relentless surge in gun violence, the year 2023 is shaping up to be one of the deadliest in terms of mass killings. The country has already witnessed a staggering 30 mass killings in the first half of the year, surpassing any previous year since at least 2006. The United States has recorded 30 mass killings in the first half of 2023. These incidents have resulted in nearly 150 deaths and over 70 injuries(Pexels)

Defined as incidents where four or more people are killed (excluding the perpetrator), these mass killings have predominantly involved firearms, with 29 out of the 30 incidents involving guns. The consequences have been devastating, leaving nearly 150 people dead and over 70 injured, and experts warn that the worst may be yet to come.

The Alarming Rise in Mass Killings

Renowned mass killings expert, Professor James Alan Fox, emphasizes that the current year is far from ordinary. The frequency and severity of mass killings have reached an alarming high, setting a grim benchmark. Among the 30 mass killings recorded, eight took place in public locations, resulting in the tragic loss of 50 lives and leaving 60 individuals injured.

These public mass shootings are already surpassing the yearly average, and the nation is just halfway through 2023. From a bank shooting in Louisville to a devastating attack during a "Sweet 16" birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, the toll of these horrific incidents continues to mount, with states like Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee also affected.

A Disturbing Trend in Casualties

While mass killings capture headlines, mass shootings are another distressing aspect of the gun violence epidemic. The Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as an incident with at least four individuals injured by gunfire (excluding the shooter), has recorded over 377 mass shootings in 2023.

Tragically, these shootings have claimed the lives of more than 400 people and left over 1,500 injured. Almost every state in the country has experienced a mass shooting, with only ten statesAlaska, Delaware, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyomingthus far avoiding such incidents.

Also read | Fireworks fade, bullets fly! Independence Day ends in mayhem as NYPD reports 11 shot, 2 dead in ten shooting incidents

Uncertain Path Forward

While the numbers paint a grim picture, it remains uncertain whether the trends observed in the first half of 2023 will persist throughout the year. Professor James Alan Fox points out that there have been periods of welcome respite in the past, highlighting a surge in mass killings in late 2022 followed by a decline in December of that year.

The hope is that concerted efforts and increased focus on gun control measures will help curb the escalating gun violence and prevent further loss of life. However, the urgency to address this crisis remains as the nation grapples with an average of approximately 104 gun injuries every day.

Also read | 'Sideshow' chaos overtakes Oakland's Bay Area with blocked roads and guns, residents suffer war-like PTSD
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wants the federal government to reveal its secrets on UFOs, and he has introduced a new bill to make it happen. WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 11: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks to reporters following a classified all-Senate briefing on Artificial Intelligence at the U.S. Capitol on July 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. Briefers included members from the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. Drew Angerer/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Drew Angerer / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

The New York Democrat said Friday that he wants to end the decades-long mystery and speculation surrounding unidentified flying objects, or Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), as the feds prefer to call them.

He said that many Americans have been intrigued by the unexplained sightings and deserve some answers.

For decades, many Americans have been fascinated by objects mysterious and unexplained and its long past time they get some answers, Schumer said.

The American public has a right to learn about technologies of unknown origins, non-human intelligence, and unexplainable phenomena.

Schumers bill, which has bipartisan support, was added as an amendment to the Senates version of its annual defense spending bill.

A similar provision for UFO disclosure was also included in the Houses version of the defense bill that it passed on Friday  making it very likely that the government will soon have to release more information and documents related to UFOs.

Schumers bill, which was co-sponsored by Sen.

Mike Rounds, a South Dakota Republican, and other senators from both parties, would create a new UAP Records Collection under the National Archives and Records Administration.

The bill would require all government agencies to search their files for any UFO-related data and submit it to the collection with a presumption of immediate disclosure, according to the bill.

A special review board would have to approve any requests from agencies to keep any data classified.

The bill is based on the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992, which has revealed thousands of documents related to the assassination of JFK and the investigations that followed.

ALSO READ| Former FBI agent drops bombshell on Hunter Biden scandal, calls allegations extremely serious

There is a lot we still dont know about these UAPs and that is a big problem, said Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, one of the GOP sponsors of the bill. I hope [the new bill] will spur further cooperation from the executive branch.

Rubio claimed last month that some serious US government officials have first-hand knowledge of a secret Pentagon program that recovered crashed UFOs  but officials have repeatedly denied that most of the hundreds of UFO reports over the past three decades were actually unexplained.
US Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer introduced legislation that could possible declassify documents relating to unidentified flying objects, or UFOs as the Democrat seeks an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). As per the proposed change, a commission will be created to declassify information. Republican Senators Marco Rubio and Mike Rounds supported the move. Screengrab of the video of UFO spotted in Middletown, Ohio.

House Republican Tim Burchett said that the government has "been covering this [UFOs] up since the 40s. I think the American people can handle it."

What did Chuck Schumer say about the amendment?

Announcing his plan on Twitter, Chuck Schumer said, I'm introducing new legislation to declassify government records related to unidentified anomalous phenomena and UFOs as an amendment to the NDAA, modeled after the JFK Assassination Records Collection Act", referring to the 1992 act which resulted in the publication of sealed US government records on the 1963 shooting of John F Kennedy.

What does the proposal mean for UFOs?

If adopted, a nine-person review board will be set up with the US Senate approval to go over classified information related to UFOs. After this, the US president will have the power to delay the declassification of documents if there are national security concerns.

"You now will have a process through which we will declassify this material," Allison Biasotti, a spokeswoman for Chuck Schumer, told The New York Times.

Twitter and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk welcomed the legislation writing "Cool" on the social media platform in response to Chuck Schumer's tweet.

This comes as the House Oversight Committee is planning to hold a hearing on UFOs.

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Less than 20% of the dogs that go missing in the United States are returned to their respective owners; cat reunion rates are much lower  under 10%.

Thats according to data provided by High Country Humane (HCH).

The Flagstaff-based shelter sees roughly 3,000 animals every year, many of which might have an owner who misses them.

HCH executive director Liz Olson told the Arizona Daily Sun that a simple engraved ID tag on a collar can be one of the most effective ways to reunite pets and owners.

I would say 95% of the animals that come in have no collar or tag. Especially no tags, she said. Tags are one of the best practices to return animals to their owners. Often, they prevent animals from even coming into the shelter.

ID tags are relatively low-cost and low-tech, unlike other animal identification methods. Microchips, for example, can be a great way for a pet who has lost its collar or tag to be found  with the assistance of a veterinarian to scan an implanted device.

Microchips are awesome, but you have to go to a vet to get those because its an implant under the skin, Olson said. Thats not always a good way for your neighbor when they find your dog to know whose it is.

Microchips through HCH cost owners about $15 for implant and registration. Even at that rate, Olson said most new adoptive pet parents opt out of the process.

A tag can provide easy identification at a glance, as long as an animal is still wearing its collar.

For three years, Olson has wanted to purchase an ID tag printing machine for HCH in order to expand access to tags. Right now, the shelter is raising money to purchase a $1,700 engraving device that will be able to print animal names, owner addresses and phone numbers onto a tag in moments.

We want to offer free tags to owners that are picking up lost pets, and then have tags available for the public to purchase at a really low-cost rate. Im talking under five bucks. Just a couple dollars, Olson said.

She said the shelter will use funds from purchased tags to pay for refill hardware  new tags and loops for future use.

First, the machine has to be acquired.

Ill probably be about $800 over budget if we buy it -- which we will. Weve only raised half the funds. Then we have to buy tags, Olson said.

She said the shelter has decided to acquire the machine no matter what.

Every animal should have a tag and collar. Especially if theyre an outdoor pet or they tend to get out, Olson said.

HCH has remained at or near capacity for more than a year. It relies heavily on foster homes to keep dogs and cats out of the kennels at HCHs facility, but its still busy. Olson hopes if more animals have tags and collars, fewer will need to be dropped off as strays at the shelter.

The new tag machine, once it is purchased, will be the latest addition to HCHs suite of free and low-cost services.

Tags alone dont do much good without a collar, and Olson said HCH has a retail area where current or new pet owners can pick up low-cost harnesses, leashes and collars.

The shelter also expanded its service offerings after hiring a new veterinarian earlier this year.

We started seeing some low-cost appointments two days a week and now were doing a third day of only spay/neuter. That started in June. Thats a big deal. There were no low-cost clinics in Flagstaff, so High Country Humane has opened one, Olson said.

According to Olson, half of the 3,000 animals the shelter sees every year are puppies and kittens.

She said that indicates to her the communitys need for spay/neuter services.

However, so far, clinic days have not been filling up.

We know we have a population problem in Coconino County, Olson said.

Residents of Coconino County and the Navajo and Hopi nations can call HCH to schedule an appointment, Olson said.

Full pricing and qualification information is available on HCHs website.
Former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson could be planning to start a new media company, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported. Tucker Carlson is seeking to raise funds for the new venture which could use Twitter as a backbone as under the proposed model for the company, shorter versions of the anchor's videos may easily be seen on the social media platform, the report claimed. For full videos, users will have to subscribe to watch. Tucker Carlson(AFP)

The major challenge that Tucker Carlson faces in launching his own TV channels is that Fox News earlier sent him a cease and desist notice for allegedly breaching his contract by creating content on Twitter.

What we know about the new channel so far?

Tucker Carlson, along with former White House adviser Neil Patel, have already lined up financiers, lawyers and media strategists, the report said. The channel will also include videos from other hosts. It is set to have its own website and mobile app but Tucker Carlson ad Neil Patel are worried about YouTube usage as they fear some videos could be censored by the platform.

Both have already met Twitter employees to discuss about the platforms readiness, the report claimed.

Why did Tucker Carlson leave Fox News?

Fox News and Tucker Carlson parted ways in April after Fox Corp settled a $787.5 million lawsuit which claimed that the news network defamed Dominion Voting Systems by airing false election-rigging claims. In May, Tucker Carlson said that he would re-launch his show on the social media platform "soon". He also released the first episode of his show Tucker on Twitter in June.

Fox News, however, did not comment on Tucker Carlson's exit from the network only saying that the two had mutually agreed to separate. Tucker Carlson's Fox News show was hugely popular regularly drawing more than 3 million viewers. He also drew criticism over allegedly racist and sexist content in the show.

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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 teenage mother from Florida allegedly killed her own baby by giving him a lethal concoction of formula mixed with what she believed to be cocaine. Little did she know, the substance in the orange pill bottle was not cocaine but a lethal dose of fentanyl, capable of killing ten people. The devastating incident unfolded on June 26, when first responders arrived at the scene to find the 10-month-old boy unconscious and without a pulse in the living room. Teen mom in Florida allegedly kills baby with fentanyl-laced formula, mistaking it for cocaine for a nap.( (Nassau County, Florida, Sherriff's Office))

Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper shared the chilling details during a press conference, expressing his disbelief and outrage over the mother's alleged actions. "What's not normal is what the mother put in the baby's bottle to go to sleep," he stated, emphasizing the vulnerability of infants who rely on their caregivers for everything.

Authorities revealed that the mother, whose identity remains undisclosed due to her age, initially spun a web of lies to mislead investigators. However, they caught her, and she eventually confessed to the crime. Sheriff Leeper expressed his deep concern for the young mother's well-being, acknowledging the exhaustion and fatigue commonly experienced by new mothers. Yet, he emphasized that her actions were far from normal, referring to them as sick and appalling.

Also Read | DNA match in pizza crust lead to Rex Heuermann's arrest in Gilgo Beach killings

During the press conference, Sheriff Leeper displayed an evidence bag containing a Mickey Mouse bottle, discovered at the scene, as he shared that it had been tested and confirmed as a vessel for the deadly fentanyl-laced formula. The medical examiner's office later confirmed that the baby tragically lost his life due to fentanyl poisoning, a heartbreaking consequence of his mother's alleged actions.

The accused mother now faces severe charges of aggravated manslaughter and possession of a controlled substance. As she was being booked, another chilling revelation came to lightshe informed officers that she may be pregnant again, as she had not experienced her period for some time.

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Former FBI agent Nicole Parker has declared the disputed whistleblower allegations against President Joe Biden's son to be "extremely serious." Parker, a familiar face on Fox News, made the stunning remarks during a recent appearance on Fox Business. FILE - Hunter Biden talks with guests before President Joe Biden offers a toast during a State Dinner for India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in Washington, June 22, 2023. The Republican chairmen of three key House committees are joining forces to probe the Justice Department's handling of charges against Hunter Biden after making sweeping claims about misconduct at the agency.(AP)

As the GOP-led House Judiciary Committee persistently pursues the disputed whistleblower allegations, Parker's remarks have inflamed the controversy surrounding Hunter Biden's international business activities. The President's son has been a consistent subject of conservative scrutiny and an array of unfounded conspiracy theories.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an investigation into Hunter Biden's tax history, which has become a focal point of the scandal. After a thorough examination spanning several years, it was announced that Hunter Biden will plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges. These charges relate to his failure to file income taxes for the years 2017 and 2018. Additionally, Hunter Biden has admitted to unlawfully possessing a handgun.

Overseeing the investigation was David Weiss, a U.S. attorney appointed by former President Donald Trump. Weiss vehemently denied any interference from the DOJ and assured GOP Senator Lindsey Graham that charges would be brought against Hunter Biden. He also disclosed that the investigation included bribery allegations involving President Biden and his son's connection to Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

These stunning claims suggest that the president received a payment from Burisma during his time as vice president under Barack Obama. The allegations originate from a confidential source who spoke with the FBI, and details can be found in file FD-1023. However, House Oversight Committee Democrats have presented evidence contradicting their Republican counterparts, revealing that the Burisma executive implicated had never interacted with Hunter Biden during his tenure in the Obama administration.

Parker's appearance on Fox Business shed light on the gravity of the situation. She hailed Weiss's willingness to be interviewed by the Judiciary Committee as a positive development and stressed the seriousness of the bribery allegations. "This is extremely serious. Like I said, Americans deserve to know what is going on," Parker stated. She also expressed concern over the FBI and DOJ's handling of these cases, suggesting a possible blind eye or deliberate slow-walking of the investigations.

President Biden has repeatedly denied any connection to his son's business activities, holding steadfast in the midst of increasing scrutiny. Parker, who left the FBI due to concerns over politicization, has emerged as a prominent presence on Fox News. Aligning herself with Republican assertions that the government has been "weaponized" against conservatives, Parker's stance has drawn skepticism from Democrats serving on House committees assigned to investigate the allegations.
Despite missing out on an Emmy nomination for their Netflix documentary series Harry & Meghan, the former royal couple are not letting the setback affect their future plans, a PR expert has claimed. (FILES) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle speak during the 2021 Global Citizen Live festival at the Great Lawn, Central Park on September 25, 2021 in New York City. A multi-million-dollar deal between a media group run by Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, and streaming giant Spotify is to end, a report said June 15, 2023. (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP)(AFP)

The series, which chronicled the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs departure from the royal family and their new life in California, failed to impress the Emmy voters and did not receive any nods when the nominations were announced this week. The series had attracted 81.6 million hours of viewership.

Mayah Riaz, a Hollywood PR specialist, told The Mirror that the Emmy snub was disappointing but not the end of the world for Harry and Meghan, who reportedly were devastated by the news.

Harry and Meghan didnt get an Emmy nomination. It might have been disappointing but thats all it is, disappointing. Not the end of the world, Riaz said.

Sometimes award snubs, such as the Emmy are a bigger deal for everyone other than Harry and Meghan. This has no impact on their career at all.

Riaz added that Harry and Meghan did not make the documentary with the intention of winning awards, but rather to share their story and vision with the world.

Yes, award nominations and wins would be great but their reasons for doing the Netflix docuseries arent for these nominations. They have their own reasons for it, which are bigger, she said.

The documentary did receive some recognition from the Hollywood Critics Awards, where it was nominated for Best Streaming Nonfiction.

ALSO READ| Insane habit of Prince Harry baffles Meghan: He picked it up from his family'

The Emmy snub comes amid reports of Harry and Meghans media ventures facing challenges, such as their $20 million Spotify deal being scrapped after only 12 episodes of Markles podcast Archetypes, which featured celebrities like Serena Williams, Mariah Carey, Mindy Kaling, and Paris Hilton.

The podcast was not renewed for a second season, leaving Harry and Meghan with one major deal to rely on.

Netflix, however, has reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Sussexes, who signed a $100 million deal in 2021 to produce shows and other content for the streaming giant.
Following social media posts from Donald Trump, Joe Biden's son Hunter sent a cease-and-desist letter to the former president which could lead up to a court showdown between the two. Abbe Lowell, a lawyer for Joe Biden's son sent a cease-and-desist letter to Donald Trump saying that the former president's social media posts discussing Hunter are dangerous. They could lead to harm against him and his family, Hunter Biden's lawyer alleged in the letter. Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden are seen.(AP)

"This is not a false alarm...We are just one such social media message away from another incident, and you should make clear to Mr. Trumpif you have not done so alreadythat Mr. Trump's words have caused harm in the past and threaten to do so again if he does not stop," the letter said as per ABC News.

Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Hunter Biden in various posts on his social media platform TruthSocial. Following the discovery of cocaine in the West Wing of the White House, Donald Trump targeted Hunter Biden.

"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. I'd 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 can't have a crackhead in charge of our Nuclear Arsenal!!!" Donald Trump wrote in a TruthSocial post.

Hunter Biden's lawyer said as per APC News, The Biden family was not at the White House (let alone in the vestibule) in the period when the cocaine was found.

The cease-and-desist letter also talked about the January 6 riots and Donald Trump's alleged role saying that it showed "how his incitement can further hurt people and cause himself even more legal trouble."

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US president Joe Biden said he was unsure where Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was but joked that the mercenary boss could be poisoned. "If I were he, Id be careful what I ate. Id be keeping my eye on my menu," Joe Biden said, according to a White House transcript. Yevgeny Prigozhin has not been publicly seen since leaving the Russian city of Rostov on June 24. US president Joe Biden(Reuters)

But all kidding aside...I don't think any of us know for sure what the future of Prigozhin is in Russia, he said. This comes as details of Russian president Vladimir Putin's meeting with Wagner mercenaries emerged. The Russian leader had offered Wagner mercenaries the opportunity to keep fighting just days after their failed mutiny but suggested Yevgeny Prigozhin be moved aside in favour of a different commander, Kommersant newspaper reported.

The Kremlin said that Vladimir Putin had held talks with Wagner commanders and Prigozhin at a meeting on June 29, five days after the mutiny where the mercenaries reaffirmed their loyalty to the Russian president.

But Kommersant reported that Vladimir Putin said, "Wagner does not exist. There is no law on private military organisations. It just doesn't exist.

The Kremlin explained the Russian president's comments saying that there was no legal entity named Wagner and the legal status of such companies was a complicated one. Vladimir Putin then suggested several options for them to continue fighting, it was reported.

All of them could have gathered in one place and continued to serve. And nothing would have changed for them. They would have been led by the same person who had been their real commander all that time, the Russian president said.

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Michael Cohen, former attorney of Donald Trump, said that his son-in-law Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka Trump are turning against him as more and more witnesses reveal his role during the January 6 Capitol Hill riots. Jared Kushner previously served as Donald Trump's senior advised throughout his presidency. Daughter of former US President, Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner, are seen. (AFP)

As he testified in front of a grand jury amid investigation by the Department of Justice's (DOJ) special counsel Jack Smith, he was reportedly asked if Donald Trump privately admitted to losing the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden, yet pushed fake news that the election was rigged.

"Based upon the plethora of reporting surrounding Jared and Ivanka's profiting off their positions as senior advisors [sic] to the President [Donald Trump], coupled with the unholy relationship with Saudi and MBS [Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman], the fact that they are not both under significant investigations leads me to believe they are informants," Michael Cohen told Newsweek.

Anyone else would have been indicted, prosecuted and convicted," he added. Talking to CNN, Michael Cohen said, "Why would Jack Smith bring Jared Kushner to the table unless you already knew what Jared is going to say. There is no way that Jack Smith brought Jared in there to impeach, you know, the information, or the testimony that he has. That is just not how the grand jury system works.

As investigations against Donald Trump continue, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump want to separate themselves, he alleged, referring to them as inside moles.

Jared does not want to see the inside of a prison cell. He knows what it's like through his father's eyes, he knows how difficult it was for him and his siblings. He doesn't want to do the same thing to his children, Michael Cohen said.

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The foreign ministers of India and Canada met twice on the margins of the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ministerial in Jakarta, with external affairs ministers S Jaishankar stressing on the safety and security of Indian diplomats in Canada amid threats to them. Jakarta: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Melanie Joly during a meeting on the sidelines of ASEAN events, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, July 14, 2023. (PTI)

After the second meeting with minister of foreign affairs Melanie Joly on Friday, Jaishankar tweeted, Discussed the Indo-Pacific and our economic cooperation. Underlined the importance of ensuring the security of our diplomats. And the need to firmly combat incitement to violence.

The discussions were candid as the security concern was conveyed very strongly but constructive as India has seen Ottawa take its concerns seriously and shown great responsiveness to New Delhis concerns, a senior Indian official said.

The official said they have zero complaints about how Canadian law enforcement has responded to the threats from pro-Khalistan elements to its seniormost diplomats and missions in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.

The latest in the series of threats was issued, as has become the trend, by pro-Khalistan online handles, many of Pakistani origin, threatening a picket of the residence of Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma.

Earlier this month, they circulated online the infamous Kill India posters targeting Verma and the Consul Generals in Toronto and Vancouver. Similar signs, using the phrase War Zone then appeared in Toronto and Surrey in British Columbia.

They promoted the rallies to the missions, with pro-India groups facing off against them in front of the Indian Consulate in Toronto last Saturday.

The rallies were held in the name of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, leader of the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice or SFJ in British Columbia. SFJ has blamed India for his assassination. Nijjar was murdered in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey, which he headed. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team or Investigation Team or IHIT, which is probing the killing, has not ascribed any motive while it seeks the murderers.

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. None of the charges against him were tested in Canadian courts and SFJ has maintained it does not use violence.

Canadian authorities appear to be aware of the seriousness of the situation. That was signalled earlier by Canadas minister of foreign affairs Melanie Joly who had described the posters threatening Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and two Consul Generals in the country, as unacceptable. Minister of national defence Anita Anand had tweeted, Canada will continue to ensure the safety of foreign diplomats in this country  and we take this responsibility seriously.

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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 the Gilgo Beach murder case, Rex Heuermann, a New York City architect, was arrested on Thursday night after his own wife's hair and a discarded pizza box connected him to the heinous crimes. The breakthrough came after a comprehensive investigation spanning 13 years. DNA from the hair of victim Megan Waterman matches that of Rex Heuermann, leading to his arrest.(Suffolk County)

According to a bail application filed by authorities, DNA evidence from a pizza box led to Heuermann's arrest. The application stated that Heuermann has been charged with six counts of murder, including first-degree and second-degree murder charges for each of the three identified victims: Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. Heuermann, however, has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The Gilgo Beach murders, which gripped the nation's attention, involved the discovery of 11 sets of human remains between 2010 and 2011 along a beach highway in Long Island. One key piece of evidence was male hair found in a burlap used to wrap Megan Waterman's body back in 2010. Although initial analysis suggested Caucasian/European characteristics, it wasn't suitable for further DNA testing at the time.

In a surprising turn of events, the hair was reanalyzed in 2020, revealing it belonged to a male with a specific DNA profile. Authorities traced a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche, identified by a witness during Amber Costello's disappearance, back to Heuermann. Police then conducted surveillance and witnessed Heuermann discarding a pizza box at a location in Manhattan.

The discarded pizza box became a crucial piece of evidence. A swab from the pizza crust was collected and sent to the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory for analysis. Additionally, a portion of the hair found on Waterman's body was examined alongside the DNA from the pizza crust. Astonishingly, the DNA from both sources matched, excluding 99.96% of the North American population.

The bail application stated, "It is significant that Defendant Heuermann cannot be excluded from the male hair recovered near the bottom of the burlap utilized to restrain and transport Megan Waterman's naked and deceased body." These findings further implicate Heuermann in the murders.

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Rex Heuermann, a married architect and father of two, had been living a double life, working in Manhattan while residing on Long Island. Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone expressed his commitment to bringing justice and closure to the victim's families, who have endured years of suffering.

During Heuermann's arraignment, dressed in casual-business attire, he reportedly smirked throughout the proceedings. Despite his demeanor, the judge denied him bail.

As the investigation continues, prosecutors believe Heuermann is the prime suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, among others. They have uncovered compelling evidence, including phone records, cell-site locations, and online dating account details, which link Heuermann to the victims and the chilling taunting calls made to Barthelemy's sister.
The ongoing border control efforts by the state of Texas have sparked a diplomatic row with Mexico. Mexican officials recently lodged a complaint with the United States government regarding the floating barriers installed by Texas in the Rio Grande River. The aim of these barriers is to deter migrants from crossing into the state illegally. Texas large orange barriers in the Rio Grande have drawn the ire of the Mexican government.

However, concerns have been raised over potential violations of bilateral treaties and the environmental impact of these measures. The dispute highlights the complex challenges surrounding border security and the need to balance various interests.

Implications of the Floating Barriers

Mexico's Foreign Relations Secretary, Alicia Barcena, raised concerns over the floating barriers installed by Texas in the Rio Grande River. In a diplomatic note, she emphasized the need to verify whether these barriers impede the natural flow of the river and cross into Mexican territory.

The 1944 and 1970 treaties between Mexico and the US govern the boundaries and water that separate the two nations. Any interference with the river's flow could potentially violate these agreements, leading to diplomatic tensions.

Territorial Inspection

To address Mexico's concerns, a territorial inspection is being planned by Mexican authorities. This inspection aims to verify the precise locations of the buoys and assess whether they cross into Mexican territory. By conducting a topographical survey, Mexico intends to gather evidence regarding the potential violations of the bilateral treaties. The findings of this inspection will play a crucial role in determining the next steps and potential resolutions to the dispute.

Barbed Wire Fencing and Safety Concerns

In addition to the floating barriers, Mexico also expressed its objections to the placement of barbed wire fencing along a low-lying island in the river near Eagle Pass, Texas. These additional measures have raised further concerns among critics.

Human rights advocates worry about the increased risk of migrant drownings posed by the large buoys. Furthermore, environmental groups have voiced their apprehensions about the potential impact on the river ecosystem. These concerns highlight the multifaceted nature of the issue and the need to consider various perspectives when implementing border control measures.

Governor Abbott's Border Security Initiative

The installation of the floating barriers in the Rio Grande River is part of Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott's comprehensive effort to enhance border security. The multi-billion-dollar initiative aims to address the challenges associated with illegal crossings and protect the Texas-Mexico border.

However, the controversy surrounding the barriers underscores the complexities involved in achieving effective border control while respecting international treaties, ensuring safety, and preserving the environment.

Also read | Indian-origin business owners arrested in $53 Million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme in Texas
Prince Harry has enough material to write a second book which he could use as a bargaining tool against the royal family, a royal expert claimed. Following the release of his bombshell memoir Spare, the Duke of Sussex could reveal more secrets about the royal family, biographer Angela Levin said, adding that the royal family is quite concerned" about this. Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is seen. (Reuters)

Earlier, Prince Harry had himself said that he has enough material edited out for a second book during an interview to promote his memoir.

Harry hasnt run out of material. Hes using that as a sort of bargaining piece. He said that hes got enough for a second book. I think he could say all sorts of things about security. Things hes heard. A little row between King Charles and Prince William. All sorts of things like that," Angela Levin said.

He seems to have an extraordinary memory. And I think the royal family is quite concerned about that," the expert added.

Angela Levin, who wrote Harry: Biography of a Prince also said that she thinks that people may not be interested in the revelations that Prince Harry would make.

I think people have had enough of it. Not just people who dont like the royal family, but people who think thats not the way to deal with anybodys family, she said, even though Spare did extraordinarily well with over 3.2 million books purchased worldwide.

The royal biographer also commented on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's future plans as the couple continue to face professional backlash for reportedly not fulfilling the terms of their Netflix and Spotify contracts.

Angela Levin called Prince Harry and Meghan Markles lives a complete mess. Every day, something else comes up. Their new PR says she [Meghan] has to leave the Sussex problem behind and do things herself. Harry is reportedly going to Africa [to work on a new Netflix documentary] following in his mother Princess Dianas footsteps," the expert said, adding, Now thats changed. Meghan is going with him."

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For Prince Harry taking care of the planet has become an "obsession", a habit he picked up from King Charles. In a documentary from the BBC, Prince Harry spoke about an environmentally-conscious habit which left his wife Meghan Markle baffled. In Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70 released in 2018, the Duke of Sussex opened about how King Charles is obsessed with turning the lights off and has passed on this habit to both Prince William and Prince Harry. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex are seen.(AP)

Speaking in the documentary, Prince Harry said, He's a stickler for turning lights off and that's now something that I'm obsessed with as well. Which is insane because actually, my wife goes 'Well, why turn the lights off? You know it's dark'.

I go 'we only need one light, we don't need like six', and all of a sudden, it becomes a habit and those small habit changes he's making, every single person can do. And I think that's one of the key lessons certainly that I felt that he taught us," he added.

At the time, Prince William agreed with his brother saying, I know I've got serious OCD on light switches now which is terrible."

Prince Harry also said that he picked up another habit from his father which led to him being teased at school. He took us litter-picking when we were younger, on holiday. We were in Norfolk on school holidays, and we went out litter-picking with him. And again, both of us thought, 'Well this is perfectly normal, everyone must do it'. We were there with our spikes, stabbing the rubbish into black plastic bags, he said, adding, he "used to get taken the mickey out of at school for just picking up rubbish. I didn't go out consciously looking for it. When you go for walks anywhere, if you see something, it stands out, you pick it up It's like I've literally done this because I'm programmed to do it, because my father did it. And actually, we should all be doing it.

King Charles had said last year, "As a father, I am proud that my sons have recognised this threat. Most recently, my elder son, William, launched the prestigious Earthshot Prize to incentivise change and help repair our planet over the next ten years by identifying and investing in the technologies that can make a difference.

King Charles continued, My younger son, Harry, has passionately highlighted the impact of climate change, especially in relation to Africa, and committed his charity to being net zero.

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Twenty-two people have died, 14 were missing and thousands evacuated in South Korea as of Saturday, according to ministry data, as a third day of torrential rains caused landslides and the overflow of a dam. A view of a road submerged by a flooded river caused by heavy rain in Cheongju, South Korea on Friday.(via REUTERS)

As of 6 p.m. (0900 GMT), 4,763 people had been evacuated nationwide, according to the Ministry of Interior and Safety, as water overtopped the dam in North Chungcheong province on Saturday morning.

Also Read | How rain in hills is flooding Delhi

Local governments' evacuation orders covered more than 7,000 people at various times, according to provincial authorities.

The tally is expected to rise as more heavy rain is expected on the Korean peninsula on Sunday, the Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted.

Korea Railroad Corp said it was halting all slow trains and some bullet trains, while other bullet trains might be delayed due to slower operation, as landslides, track flooding and falling rocks threatened safety.

A slow train derailed late on Friday when a landslide threw earth and sand over tracks in North Chungcheong province, the transport ministry said. The engineer was injured, but no passengers were on board.

Also Read | South Koreans protest Japan's plans to release treated wastewater from damaged Fukushima plant

In a meeting with government agencies on Saturday, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo called for the military to actively join in rescue activities, working with government officials to mobilise equipment and manpower.
Recently, a video clip circulating on the internet caught the attention of viewers, showcasing an incident involving a paid canvasser affiliated with Ron DeSantis' 2024 presidential campaign. The recording, obtained through a Ring doorbell camera on July 7, reveals an individual wearing a "DeSantis" T-shirt engaging in a conversation while making inappropriate and offensive remarks towards a homeowner who had asked him to leave their property. DES MOINES, IOWA - JULY 14: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks to guests at the Family Leadership Summit on July 14, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Getty Images via AFP)

According to The Washington Post, the canvasser can be heard saying, "get off my f****** lawn," while responding with an offensive suggestion that the homeowner should "eat my b****, honestly." Astonishingly, the canvasser then adds, "And I'm a little stoned, so I don't even care."

The video quickly made its way onto social media platforms after being shared with The Washington Post. The man featured in the clip was subsequently fired by the pro-DeSantis Super PAC Never Back Down, which acknowledged the incident's significance. The Post suggests that the incident highlights a broader issue of hiring canvassers for the Republican campaign solely for monetary compensation, rather than recruiting dedicated volunteers who genuinely believe in DeSantis and his cause.

This latest incident compounds the challenges facing Governor DeSantis in his 2024 campaign, as he continues to lag significantly behind former President Donald Trump in the GOP primary polls. Steve Cortes, the national spokesperson for the pro-DeSantis Never Back Down super PAC, openly admitted during a live Twitter Space discussion on July 2 that DeSantis faces an "uphill battle" in his bid to secure the 2024 Republican nomination over Trump.

Critics argue that the hiring practices of Never Back Down have contributed to these problems. Barbara Comstock, a former Virginia Republican congresswoman who also employed field workers for election campaigns, expressed her concerns, stating, "They're just hiring people who don't even support the candidate. They don't believe in the candidate."

In addition to questions about the canvassers' commitment to DeSantis' campaign, some voters have complained about their lack of local knowledge. Reports indicate that canvassers employed by Never Back Down in other states were unfamiliar with the area, with one New Hampshire resident claiming that a DeSantis canvasser merely stood on his porch without even knocking on the door.

Kristin Davison, the chief operating officer of Never Back Down, defended the group's efforts, asserting that they employ between 350 and 400 trained and audited canvassers nationwide. Davison stated that these canvassers have engaged in thousands of conversations daily, identifying supporters and undecided voters for future follow-up.

Regarding the incident involving the "stoned" canvasser, Kate Roberts, the national field director of Never Back Down, promptly addressed the matter, saying, After learning of the incident, we investigated and terminated the individual. Our field program is having thousands and thousands of incredible conversations around the country every day. This individual's behavior is counter to the standards taught in our training and is not tolerated.
Signage at the Shri Bhagavad Gita Park in the city of Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area or GTA was vandalised on Friday, the latest in a series of such desecrations over one year. Park sign defaced with anti-India grafitti in Canada

The vandalised sign was discovered on Friday morning with graffiti spraypainted on it attacking Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

City workers quickly removed the graffiti and restored the sign to its original state.

However, this was just the latest episode in a series of similar episodes in Canada since last summer, targeting Hindu temples and even statues of Mahatma Gandhi.

The City tweeted that it was deeply disappointed to learn of the recent act of vandalism targeting a park sign, which is an attack on a faith community.

It said the matter was referred to the Peel Regional Police. Unfortunately, several similar instances of vandalism in the area still remain unsolved and no one has been arrested.

At the City of Brampton, we stand united against such acts of intolerance and discrimination. We proudly uphold our values of diversity, inclusivity, and respect for all and these acts of hate will not be tolerated, the tweet added.

Bramptons Mayor Patrick Brown told the network Prime Asia TV he was outraged with this vandalism and the city had zero tolerance towards intimidation of any faith community.

Indo-Canadians expressed their anger over the vandalism. Brampton resident Vijay Jain described it as purely an act of Hinduphobia. Hiren Patel sought immediate and decisive action against radical elements.

Since July last year, there have been at least six incidents of desecration of Hindu temples in Canada, with the latest the placing of a poster targeting Indian diplomats in Canada outside the Bharat Mata Mandir in Brampton on July 7. Four of the previous incidents had featured spraypainted pro-Khalistan slogans. The latest episode comes just before the next phase of the so-called Khalistan Referendum, which is scheduled for this Sunday in Malton in the city of Mississauga, also in the GTA.

The Shri Bhagavad Gita Park came into existence recently, after the 3.7 acre Troyers Park was renamed in September last year. The city has plans for sculptures in the park including one featuring Lord Krishna and Arjuna in their chariot.

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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
US president Joe Biden appeared to nibble at the shoulder of a little girl during his departure from Helsinki. The video of the incident was widely shared on social media in which the girl looked startled as the US president greeted embassy staff members and their families before he boarded Air Force One at Helsinki-Vantaan international airport. Joe Biden: The video of the incident was widely shared on social media.

In the video, Joe Biden can be seen leaning into a young girl and placing his mouth on her shoulder as he nibbled lightly. The girl looks frightened and later turns her head as the US president tries to give her a peck on the head.

Social media users commented on the incident with one tweeting, This has got to be Biden's creepiest moment yet with a child. All Biden has to do is not do this and he can't.

Joe Biden is now confusing babies with ice cream cones, another joked while Donald Trump Jr. wrote, " Biden should be in a nursing home, not leading the free world."

Political comedian Tim Young tweeted, Why would anyone put their mouth on another person's child like this? This is peak, disgusting behavior.

"Biden pretended to bite the back of this little girl today in Finland," another person wrote in a tweet. "

This comes as Joe Biden concluded a five-day trip to Europe, where he participated in a NATO summit in Lithuania. At the military alliance meet, Joe Biden jabbed Russian president Vladimir Putin calling him "craven" while promising Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky full support.

It didn't happen by accident. It wasn't inevitable. 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, Joe Biden 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
The deep-sea exploration community was shocked and saddened by the Titan disaster on June 18, which killed its five passengers. FILE - This photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions shows a submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. The wrecks of the Titanic and the Titan sit on the ocean floor, separated by 1,600 feet (490 meters) and 111 years of history. How they came together unfolded over an intense week that raised temporary hopes and left lingering questions. (OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File)(AP)

It was the first time in nearly a hundred years that anyone had died during a dive. Now, federal investigators are trying to figure out what went wrong with the submersible. Some engineers who spoke to The New York Times have pointed out some possible flaws in the submersible's design.

OceanGates Titan, was different from most submersibles. It had a pill-shaped hull that could fit more people inside. Most submersibles have a spherical hull, which is better at handling the huge pressures of the deep sea.

The ill-fated submersible also used a cheaper material for its hull: carbon fiber. Most submersibles use titanium, which is more expensive but also stronger.

Titan had a carbon fiber cylinder in the middle, and titanium hemispheres on the ends. This meant that there were joints between two different materials, which can be tricky to seal properly.

These design choices may have made Titan more vulnerable to failure. A tubular hull shape is not as good as a spherical one at resisting the pressure that builds up as you go deeper into the ocean. A bigger hull also needs to be stronger and thicker than a smaller one to survive the same pressure.

Titan's hull was mostly made of carbon fiber, unlike Alvin, a research submersible that has been diving safely over 4,500 times since 1973.

Alvin has an all-titanium hull. Carbon fiber is strong and light, but it is better at resisting forces that pull it apart than forces that squeeze it together.

Under the extreme pressure of a deep-sea dive, carbon fiber may crumple or crack.

Another major drawback is that carbon fiber and titanium behave differently when they are compressed or expanded. This can affect how well they stick together at the joints. Other factors, like water, salt, and how tight the hatch bolts are, can also weaken the hull structure.

OceanGate did a lot of work and testing for Titan, but they did not get any certification from any of the organizations that specialize in making sure deep-diving crafts are safe. OceanGate's CEO, Stockton Rush, said that certification would hold back innovation, but experts say that testing and certification are very important for safety.

The materials used for the hull should be tested for how they handle stress and damage over time. The submersible should be tested under the same conditions and pressures that it will face in the ocean. Testing can help find and fix any problems or weaknesses.

ALSO READ| New animation detailing Titan's sub's implosion goes viral, watched by 5M people in 11 days

OceanGate wanted to make deep-sea exploration better by breaking some of the usual rules. That can be a good thing, but safety should always come first.

Experts say that testing and certification should be given a lot of attention to make sure that a submersible is reliable and safe.

Kedar Kirane, a mechanical engineer with expertise in damage and fracture, said that if he had designed the Titan, he would be more focused on testing and certification.

I would probably emphasize the actual testing itself because thats very critical. Safety is at stake, so before actually using it in a real-world application, I would make sure it passes all the certification and a lot of experiments."

Investigators are still looking into what caused Titan to implode.
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WCMA to Host Musicians as Part of Summer Series

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Williams College Museum of Art will present the second program in the "Construct Your Own Meaning" summer series, an exploration of the museum's permanent collection through the lens of local musicians, on Thursday, July 20, at 5 p.m.

In collaboration with museum staff, Andrea Belair, co-owner of Belltower Records in North Adams, Mass., has selected musicians from a range of musical backgrounds who will each compose five- to 10-minute pieces inspired by an artwork in Remixing the Hall. Featured musicians include: Mirabel Thompson Boyer (Williamstown, Mass.), Wednesday Knudsen (Austerlitz, N.Y.), Lemuel Marc (Boston), Father Hotep (Hadley, Mass.), and Carlos / REC  Humble Monarch Media.

Objects that inspired the musicians include a 10th-11th century sandstone sculpture of a head of a devotee from central India, and a Costa Rican terracotta whistle in the form of a jaguar from the Post-Classic Period of 1000-1500; as well as three contemporary works: Sam Gilliam's large fabric drape Situation VI - Pisces 4; Louise Nevelson's sculpture Sky Wave; and Torkwase Dyson's painting In The Middle Of The Ocean (Water Table).

Together the musicians will make a collective concert as they guide the audience through the exhibition, followed by a brief Q&A. DJ Taraka Larson will perform a set inspired by the exhibition at the reception from 6 to 7 p.m.

The series continues on Aug. 3, when a group of youths from the community will present a public tour of Remixing the Hall. The youths will participate in a week-long intensive fellowship, in which they will get a behind-the-scenes look at the museum's collection, hear about different museum careers, and learn methods for interpreting artwork. At the culmination of the program on Aug. 3, the fellows will give a collaborative guided tour of Remixing the Hall designed for kids and adults from their communities. Opening remarks and tour will be from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by a reception featuring foods selected by the fellows in collaboration with Anne Kennedy, WCMA's event and program coordinator, from 6 to 7 p.m.

The series concludes on Aug. 17 with cake artists showcasing their original cakes that interpret an artwork in Remixing the Hall. Featured artists include Edward Cabral (New York City), Cakes For No Occasion, Magnet, and Alli Gelles of cakes4sport (New York City). From 5 to 6 p.m., the cake artists will share about their selection and creation process during a moderated conversation alongside images of their creations and the artworks that inspired the cakes. From 6 to 7 p.m., there will be a reception to taste the cakes alongside iced coffee and tea.

WCMA is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha speaks to the Legislature. (Courtesy of the Unicameral Information Office)

LINCOLN  After one Democratic state senator supported a stricter abortion ban and restrictions on transgender health care, some Nebraska Democrats are advancing a censure resolution they say could decide the partys future.

Leaders of the Nebraska Democratic Party will meet in Scottsbluff on Saturday and, if they reach quorum, consider a censure resolution against Omaha State Sen. Mike McDonnell because of his support this spring for Legislative Bill 574, which restricted gender-affirming care for minors and banned abortion after 12 weeks gestational age.

McDonnell was the only Democratic senator in the officially nonpartisan Legislature to vote for LB 574. For some of his constituents, the timing of the resolution vote raises the stakes for Democrats.

Multiple high-profile Democratic elected officials and volunteers are also expected to march in Heartland Pride with LGBTQ Nebraskans on Saturday, on the other side of the state in Omaha.

Luke Schroer, who lives in McDonnells district and who is gay, said the senator has harmed his constituents.

If Democrats cant figure it out Saturday, Schroer said, its just going to be that one more little feather on the scale, or a rock as the pressure has grown.

Not the first to be disciplined McDonnell is not the first Democrat to be at odds with his party in recent years. In June 2020, party officials demanded U.S. Senate candidate Chris Janicek withdraw from the race after reviewing sexually inappropriate comments about one of his campaign staffers in a group text. When Janicek refused to decline the Democratic nomination, Democrats withdrew all party resources. In September 2020, officials passed a similar resolution criticizing Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine for his handling of the case surrounding James Scurlock and his killer. The party said Kleine perpetuated white supremacy. He left the party a week later.

The Stonewall Democrats of Nebraska, an official LGBTQIA2S+ caucus, introduced the resolution arguing that LB 574 egregiously violated the human rights of Nebraskans.

The resolution calls on Democrats to withhold all party resources from McDonnell, immediately and indefinitely, and alleges McDonnell violated the partys constitution, bylaws, platform and core values.

The platform includes advocacy for reproductive and LGBTQ rights.

McDonnell, responding to requests for comment, said he would be willing to talk after Saturdays vote.

McDonnells past comments

When the Douglas County Democratic Party voted against him in February for a leadership bid, McDonnell told the Nebraska Examiner that he was upfront with voters about his anti-abortion stance and his Catholic faith. He said hes been a Democrat since 1984.

Ive been consistent and made that statement from Day One, he said at the time. If people werent aware of that, if they didnt realize what that meant, then I understand that they have questions and try to answer them.

McDonnell, who is term limited out of the Legislature next year, is considering a run for Omaha mayor in 2025. Marcheck said if he does, he shouldnt run as a Democrat.

The Douglas County Democratic Party denied him the leadership post similarly because of his support for LB 574 and LB 626, a stricter, near-total abortion ban that failed by one vote.

C.J. King, chair of the Douglas County Democratic Party, said he would wait to hear evidence on Saturday before the appropriate course of action. King is a longtime friend of McDonnell but said he disagrees with a whole bunch of his votes.

Were turning the other cheek

Mike Marcheck, chair of the Stonewall Dems, is leading the resolution, at the least, he said, to prevent any party support or funding for McDonnell. Marcheck said it currently feels like McDonnell is laughing at us.

Hes just slapping us in the face and were [Democrats] turning the other cheek, he said.

The end goal is to push McDonnell out of the party, he said.

Republicans didnt get rid of abortion rights in the state, Marcheck added. Democrats did.

The resolution is also supported by the Secular Democrats of Nebraska and the Democrats Experiencing Disabilities Caucus.

All shades of blue

Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, said in a Thursday statement that she has always believed that all shades of blue make our party strong.

Building power is about addition, not subtraction, Kleeb said.  Our party is working to elect Democrats across the state so one vote does not define our reproductive rights, safety and freedoms.

Marcheck and Lacy Smith, who chairs the disability caucus, criticized the state party for celebrating after the 2022 midterms and saying then that the party maintained a firewall of senators  17 members who could, as a bloc, prevent legislation from moving forward.

The Legislatures rules require at least 33 votes to end a filibuster. Republicans hold 32 of 49 seats.

State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, a progressive who left the Democratic Party this spring citing concerns with the national party, warned just days after the 2022 election that the Legislature had anti-abortion Democrats and for the first time, zero moderate Republicans.

Multiple moderate Republicans were term-limited out of the Legislature in 2022. Several were replaced by more conservative lawmakers. This paved the way for the passage of more conservative measures this year, including LB 574.

Size of political tent

The state party has in the past embraced Democratic officeholders who opposed abortion.

In fact, one of the state partys biggest fundraisers is named after former Nebraska Gov. and U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson, who opposed abortion during his time in office.

McDonnells predecessor, former State Sen. Heath Mello, opposed abortion, yet he ran for Omaha mayor in 2017 with party support.

Hunt said that she is personally against censure because the decision on whether to support McDonnell should be up to the voters to decide and that a censure could stifle speech. She said she also didnt like censure actions against former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb.

McDonnell knows that his views are not only deeply unpopular but harmful, and he holds them anyway, Hunt said in a text. But I believe he has a right to be bigoted and cruel and call himself a member of whatever political party he wants.

Hunt said the issue wasnt about McDonnell voting with Republicans but about restricting health care.

Cant have it both ways

Isabella Manhart, an 18-year-old constituent of McDonnells, said their family met with McDonnell earlier this session.

During that meeting, said Manhart, who is nonbinary and whose younger brother is trans, McDonnell compared hormone therapies to heroin.

Jill Dibbern Manhart, Isabellas mother, said the issue is human rights and whether the Nebraska Democratic Party is committed to those values.

Molly Davies, an educator and member of the Omaha Education Association who lives in McDonnells district, said her concern was that McDonnell supported a nearly full ban on abortion and a direct attack on LGBTQ people.

McDonnell is the president of the Omaha Federation of Labor, which includes unions that are among the Nebraska Democratic Partys biggest donors.

Marcheck predicted that the party will lose members and funding either way  from progressives or those aligned with McDonnell.

Isabella Manhart said its time for Democrats in Nebraska to know they cant have it both ways, and Saturdays vote will be an inflection point on where the party stands.

They cant be marching in the pride parade this weekend as our allies, Manhart said, and then also be supporting a man whos attacking our rights to exist in this state.
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The cast of Oppenheimer left a London premiere prematurely to go and write their picket signs in preparation for the imminent strike by the actors union.

Follow along here for real-time updates on SAG-AFTRAs historic strike.

On Thursday (13 July), the cast of Christopher Nolans highly anticipated movie about the creation of the atomic bomb, including leading man Cillian Murphy and co-stars Florence Pugh, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and Ramy Malek, walked out of the films UK premiere in solidarity with SAG-AFTRAs looming strike.

Youve seen them here earlier on the red carpet, Nolan announced to the cinemas audience.

Unfortunately, theyre off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by SAG, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of the unions, and we support them.

Later that day, SAG approved its membership of 160,000 to begin striking on Thursday at midnight, joining screenwriters whove been picketing since May  a historic move that will effectively shut down Hollywood, which hasnt happened in over 60 years.

The decision came hours after contract negotiations with companies such as Netflix, Amazon, Disney and Warner Bros failed to pass before the Wednesday (12 July) midnight deadline.

Ahead of the Oppenheimer screening, the actors had been walking the red carpet, posing for pictures, interacting with fans and speaking to press.

In a red-carpet interview with Variety, Damon said that once the strike is officially called, the cast is going to walk obviously in solidarity.

Thats why we moved this [red carpet] up because we know the second its called, were going home, he said.

The acting unions demands are similar to those of its counterpart, the Writers Guild of America (WGA). Among the formers chief demands include increased wages, higher streaming residuals and improved working conditions.

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Union members should withhold their labour until a fair contract can be achieved, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national executive director and chief negotiator of SAG-AFTRA said during a press conference. They have left us with no alternative.

Following the strike announcement, several other A-listers, including Issa Rae and Jamie Lee Curtis, spoke out in support of the unions decision as they joined the strike, which could last at least six months.

Oppenheimers premiere could be among the last of its kind, at least while the strike is in effect. According to SAGs strike guidelines, union members are barred from attending premieres, film festivals and award shows, or even promoting their projects on social media or in interviews.

They are also barred from attending conventions, including the popular Comic-Con or 90s Con, to promote projects, either past or present, that have been made under SAG contracts.
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At least 24 people died and 10 were missing due to three days of incessant rain that has caused landslides and flooding in South Korea.

More than 1,500 people were evacuated nationwide on Saturday according to the interior and safety ministry, which said the number could rise as water rose over the dam in North Chungcheong province.

The majority of the fatalities were reported from the southeastern province of North Gyeongsang, where 16 people died largely due to landslides that led to house collapses.

One person was killed in a mudslide in the central city of Sejong, while three people died in southeastern county of Yeongju and the central county of Cheongyang due to housing collapse.

In the central city of Cheongju, one person died after their car was struck by a landslide, according to Yonhap news agency.

Earlier in the day, one person was reported dead and nine others were rescued after an overflowing river flooded a nearby underground road.

According to reports, two people went missing after flooding in their village in Yecheon, and five were injured in landslide-related accidents, including a train derailment.

Heavy rainfall has been lashing parts of South Korea since 9 July. Parts of central South Korea were expected to receive rainfall up to 1.6 inches per hour in some places later in the day, authorities said.

The death is likely to rise as South Korea's weather agency said some parts of the country will continue to receive heavy rains until Sunday.

The Korea Railroad Corp announced the halting of all slow trains and a few bullet trains, while other trains might be delayed due to landslides threatening safety.

A slow train derailed late on Friday when a landslide threw earth and sand over tracks in Chungcheong province, the transport ministry said. The engineer was injured, but all the passengers were unharmed.

At least 13 cities across South Korea reported long electricity blackouts. While power has been restored in most places, more than 8,300 households in Mungyeong, Yeongju and Yecheon in North Gyeongsang Province still remain without power.

Prime minister Han Duck-soo in a meeting with government agencies on Saturday called for the military to actively join in the rescue operation.
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The two African cheetahs found dead in Indias Kuno national park this week perished due to bacterial infection in their blood after a maggot infestation in the wet skin underneath their radio collars that went unchecked, a leading South African expert has said.

Officials in India, Namibia, and South Africa are tracking the cheetahs borrowed from African nations using satellite radio collars weighing about 400g in order to monitor their movements in their new habitat in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.

But the video of second cheetah Suryas autopsy on Friday, checked by veterinary wildlife specialist Adrian Tordiffe, showed that the wet skin on the cheetahs neck and underneath the collar  likely from the heavy monsoon in India  left the wild cats prone to septicemia, a bacterial infection in the blood, that originates from skin infection.

It was clear that there was quite a lot of dermatitis, an infection of the skin below the collar. Because of the very wet weather, water accumulates underneath the collar and causes the skin to be constantly wet, something that wouldnt have happened if the collar wouldnt have been there, Mr Tordiffe, who is a cheetah expert on the reintroduction project, told The Independent.

He added: This causes dermatitis, infection of the skin, which then attracts flies to the area, these flies lay eggs and you get maggots, the fly larvae then starts feeding on the infected tissue, puncturing holes in the skin and creating wounds.

Those wounds then lead to septicemia which very much fits with what happened to the cheetah that died on Monday, the expert working with India on the project since 2020, said.

The latest findings eliminate the chances of violent interaction between the deceased cheetahs and leopards, or even the female cheetah around the enclosure as previously claimed by the Indian forest officials in charge of the project.

These wounds, in my view, are almost certainly not caused by another animal. Theyre actually caused by a problem that we actually did not foresee happening, because we collared cheetahs in Africa without any problems, Mr Tordiffe said.

But very wet weather, which he says extends over a number of days within the Indian monsoon, caused a problem with the skin underneath the collar.

Once those fly larvaes start invading the wounds, they actually spread along the back - and that would explain why we have wounds just over the neck area but also extending further along the back, Mr Tordiffe said.

The infection is called myiasis, a problem animals face with flies if their larvae invades the skin which they dont do with healthy and dry skin but when theres moisture or a small infection with discharge.

Its near the area where cheetahs cannot lick or clean away the larvae on the back. Its an area they cant reach to groom themselves and remove the maggots, he added.

Once the skin is compromised, the bacteria spreads through the body and causes septicemia and then ultimately shocks the animal which is what we saw. The animal dies of shock.

This finding, shared with Mr Tordiffe, is a moment of reckoning in the Indian project to revive a once-lost species, and find ways to monitor them without a heavy gear around their neck which could end up as a silent killer.

The radio collars, widely used in previous wildlife projects and still seen in nearly two dozen tigers in India, will likely have to go.

It does mean were gonna have to take some action very very quickly, possibly to have a look at the collars and that theres nothing negative underneath. If there is, some of these collars will have to be removed. Thats going to be quite a problem because its one of the most important ways in which we have been able to monitor and find them, Mr Tordiffe said.

If they are causing a problem, then theres no choice but to remove the collars and monitor the animals without them, he tells The Independent.

On Friday morning, officials at the Kuno National Park  Indias site for repopulating cheetahs on its soil  found Suraj in a lethargic state with flies seen hovering around its neck.

By 9am, the male cheetah was found dead on the spot, barely three hours later he was found wounded on its back and neck. This was the second such death within five days and eighth such since March, alarming several people tracking the project.

Of the total 20 borrowed cheetahs, India has lost five so far and out of four cubs born to a female cheetah in March, three have already succumbed to starvation and heat.

The growing rate of casualty among the cheetahs, all recorded as premature, have served as a setback to the project which aims to bring back the wild cat which went extinct in India in the 1960s.

Another transported cheetah is ailing from metatarsal frasture, The Independent has learnt. This is one of the male cheetahs which was involved in the violent clash between two coalitions last month, officials said.

All animals in the fight have sustained injuries but one wild cat which was seriously injured is suffering from a fracture in his foot bone.

Principal chief conservator of forests JS Chauhan confirmed the metatarsal fracture in one of the cheetahs legs on Friday and said that the animal was under medical care. The officials overlooking the injured cheetahs had initially denied confirming these injuries.

Last week officials said the death of adult male cheetah Tejas was caused by traumatic shock triggered by injuries from a violent interaction with a female cheetah also present in the same enclosure.
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Thailand's progressive party leader Pita Limjaroenrat said he is willing to step aside and let his coalition partner form the next government if he fails to secure an endorsement for the prime minister's seat.

Mr Pita, the 42-year-old leader of Move Forward Party, failed to secure the backing of more than half of the 749-member bicameral parliament on Thursday after a military-drafted change to the constitution meant that all 250 upper-house senators are chosen by the countrys generals.

"If it is clear that Move Forward Party truly doesn't have a chance of form the government, I'm ready to give a chance to Thailand by letting the party that has the second most votes... to be the one to form the coalition," Mr Pita said on Saturday in a video address.

Parliament is expected to attempt another vote on 19 July and then a third vote, if necessary, will be held a day later.

Mr Pita urged supporters to help him on his missions and try every way possible and every method imaginable to convince senators to back his nomination for the second joint sitting next week.

He failed to garner votes last week despite being the sole nominated candidate, undermining the popular choice of people.

Move Forwards victory in the May election alongside its alliance partner Pheu Thai was seen as a major political turning point after nearly a decade of government led by Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former general who seized power in a 2014 military coup.

Only 13 senators supported the Harvard graduate's bid for office, while 34 voted against him and 159 abstained. Dozens more were absent and did not vote. While some senators justified their abstaining as a way to "turn off the switch" of their power to vote for the next leader, abstaining has the same practical effect as voting no.

However, even if Pheu Thai, which secured second-highest number of votes, were to stake claim for government formation, they would require support from the senate to succeed.

Supporters of Move Forward Party hold posters during a protest in Bangkok (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Pheu Thai is expected to field property tycoon, Settha Thavisin, for the next round of votes, which may draw less resistance from the conservative senators.

"... Im willing to give Thailand a chance by letting Pheu Thai Party take the lead of the eight-party coalition, Mr Pita said in the video.

But until that day, were certainly not giving up. Im asking you to fight together until the end.

His party, meanwhile, is trying to push through a bill that seeks to strip the senate of the power to vote.

Party secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon filed a motion on Friday to amend Article 272 of the Constitution, which if successfully passed, would remove the power of senators to jointly vote with elected MPs for the prime minister.

"The amendment will restore the power to elect the prime minister, he said.
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Communities and fragile ecosystems along Indonesias coastlines are increasingly at risk as sea waters rise to unprecedented levels.

Made up of over 17,000 islands and over 54,000 kilometres of coastline, the southeast Asian archipelago nation is one of the most vulnerable in the world to the impacts of the climate crisis, according to a joint report by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

Nowhere is the threat of rising sea levels clearer than Indonesias sprawling capital, Jakarta.

Jumadi Guthafsitom walks around the abandoned Waladuna mosque that has been sinking due to rising seawater and land erosion on Jakartas northern coast (EPA)

Aerial view of the Waladuna mosque in the Muara Baru area (EPA)

Rapid urban development and massive population growth over the past 30 years have caused the city  40 per cent of which already lies below sea level  to sink further, as the paddies and mangroves that would naturally protect the city from excess water are replaced by asphalt and concrete.

The impact is most visible in the north of the city, which is sinking at a rate of 25cm per year. By 2050, it is estimated that over 95 per cent of North Jakarta will be submerged, according to a report by the Bandung Institute of Technology.

Jumadi Guthafsitom, 40, grew up in Muara Bar, a slum area of North Jakarta, and today works at the local fish market. He and his father are among thousands of Jakartans who have been forced out of their homes to safer areas further away from the encroaching water.

Idhi feeds his fish cultivated in water ponds that flooded in the floating village Kampung Apung (EPA)

Fishermen manoeuvre their boats at a fishing dock behind the coastal embankment in Cilincing, Jakarta (EPA)

Residents of West Jakarta face similar challenges. The village that Susnadi, 58, grew up in used to be on dry land, but massive construction projects over the past 20 years have caused the area to sink further below sea level, leading to severe flooding every year.

Faced with the rampant urban development  coupled with rising sea levels triggered by ever-warming global temperatures  the residents of this slum have been forced to adapt, using stilts to raise their houses above the water, but they were powerless to save the surrounding land they used to grow crops.

Boats at a fishing dock behind the coastal embankment in Cilincing (EPA)

Fishermen push their wooden boats which have run aground in the shallow harbor (EPA)

It was once a beautiful place, with a lot of trees, Susnadi says. Then there was a lot of construction and development, the area behind the village was a paddy field and turned to swamp, they levelled up the ground and turned it into warehouses.

The sinking is so severe that Indonesian president Joko Widodo announced in 2019 that the government was moving the capital city 2,000km away to East Kalimantan on Borneo island.

Construction site of Indonesias new capital city Nusantara in Sepaku (EPA)

Villager Siti lays on the floor of her wooden house on stilts standing above water at a floating village in Jakarta (EPA)

The new capital Nusantara is currently being built, raising concerns over the constructions impacts on the environment and local indigenous peoples.

Sibukdin, 58, leader of the Balik Indigenous community in Sepaku, is worried that the massive building project will displace indigenous people whose livelihoods depend on the land and the forest.

I hope the government pays more attention to our community. We are also humans who have the same rights. We want justice for everyone, says Sibukdin.

The abandoned Waladuna mosque (EPA)

Houses on stilts in Kampung Apung (EPA)

While Rusli, a fisherman in nearby Balikpapan Bay, supports the plan to move the capital city to Nusantara, he hopes the government will give more consideration to communities that are likely to see their fishing grounds in the bay be heavily impacted by the construction project.

Coastal Communities Working Group executive director Mappaselle tells EPA that the development of the new capital city has reduced fishing areas and could force fishermen to find new, more dangerous waters outside the bay, where their vessels are at risk from choppier seas.

EPA
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We need some boundaries, he tells you, while exercising some of the most casual cruelty youve ever seen. This is my self-care. If youve dated in the Instagram age, youve probably encountered therapy speak like this, in which professional-sounding, doctor-certified words and phrases bulldoze their way into our relationship vocabulary. Under this doctrine of mental wellness  usually professed by self-help influencers and the very worst people on TikTok  pampering oneself and cosying up to Netflix is branded as self-care. Relaxing is a mental health day. And boundaries? Well those are apparently setting unattainable expectations for the people around you to meet.

Boundaries came under the spotlight last week as texts supposedly sent by the Superbad actor Jonah Hill were leaked by his ex-girlfriend Sarah Brady. In them, Hill allegedly told Brady  who is a professional surfer  that she cannot surf with men, post pictures of herself wearing a bathing suit, model, or have friendships with women who are in unstable places. Why? Because those are his boundaries for a romantic relationship.

Brady alleged that Hill was emotionally abusive. After the screenshots went viral, critics pointed out specific undertones to the language in the texts. Political activist and No Offence, But author Gina Martin claimed on Instagram that the word boundaries, in this context, should be exchanged for misogynistic ultimatums. Others suggested that boundaries as a term was being gravely misused. Typically, to create boundaries is to set limitations in order to protect someones mental wellbeing, such as letting your friend know that repeatedly calling you in the early hours of the morning to whine about an ex might be too much.

While boundaries have been recommended by self-help authors since the Eighties, the term has only entered the mainstream internet vernacular in recent years. Its been further popularised by bite-size video clips on TikTok, in which self-professed wellness influencers preach the benefits of the term. Now, asserting boundaries in all aspects of your life is seen as a solution to batting off toxic behaviour and to protect your energy  a popular idiom that also whiffs of Instagram spirituality and post-pandemic individualism. In a sense, its all shorthand for putting yourself first. But in our search for new ways to articulate our feelings, have we taken boundaries too far in our romantic lives? Are people hiding their judgemental behaviour and unattainable demands behind a veil of mental health?

According to relationship expert Jessica Alderson, there are some serious benefits to implementing boundaries in your romantic relationships. She identifies boundaries as a set of guidelines, limits, and expectations around how you want to be treated by others. And in your love life, setting them with your partner can help build trust, maintain individuality and foster mutual respect. Alderson believes that boundaries can be especially helpful when both parties feel listened to. You might set a boundary with your partner that you need time alone to decompress after a long day, she says. This boundary can help ensure that you get the space you need to reset.

But its not that straightforward. Ironically, in trying to communicate our feelings, there is a major miscommunication behind what we actually mean when we refer to boundaries. In the self-help columns and books Ive read on the topic, boundaries are often referred to rather vaguely and sometimes used as a synonym for merely talking to your significant other about your relationship. One article, titled How to Set Healthy Boundaries in a Relationship, advises readers to tell their partner exactly what you need out of the relationship and what youre willing to do for them. That sounds like a good starting point for a conversation  but do our exchanges need to be so rigid and robotic?

Ali Ross, a psychotherapist and representative of the UK Council for Psychotherapy, tells me that people are often misusing the boundary term, and could be having more productive and open conversations if they ditched therapy jargon altogether. Its rare your therapist will actually advise you to assert some boundaries to quell your lifes problems, after all. Ross says that he avoids using therapy jargon in his sessions, too. I will throw my hands up and say boundaries in air quotes because I think its problematic that people assume we all know what we mean when we say [that].

The problem is that people are using it without understanding the weight of the term. They are using therapy jargon as a way to not be vulnerable or open and its got serious shortcomings Ali Ross

All of this could also have more worrying consequences. Not knowing the meaning of therapy jargon we adopt could be harmful, and weaponising that language can let a partner get away with unkind or controlling behaviour. There is a difference between communicating your needs in a healthy way and trying to control the other person, says Alderson. She adds that using therapy-speak to describe your feelings might come across as clinical, especially if those boundaries being asserted are not coming from an authentic place.

From working with many couples, Ross has noticed that when couples try to implement boundaries to improve their relationship, they usually find themselves in rigid scenarios that lack spontaneity or ease. I dont find that kind of language [is] inviting of any dialogue, he explains. The problem is that people are using it without understanding the weight of the term. They are using therapy jargon as a way to not be vulnerable or open and its got serious shortcomings.

Ross says that using a boundary to establish control or safety over your life is OK, but its worth questioning why you need that boundary in the first place and if there is a more direct way of approaching that problem. But if its a demand or expectation that somebody must meet your boundary purely because you have made a statement, he says, then you must understand what you mean by the terminology that you have used.

Jonah Hill and Sarah Brady in 2021 (Getty)

Its also easy to nod along when someone tells you they have decided to implement a boundary in your relationship, especially when that terminology sounds serious and backed by professional psychoanalysis  it can feel quite arresting, too, when the fingers are being pointed at you. Ross advises people that might feel boxed in by therapy language to trust their instincts and not assume that a persons demands are sacrosanct. You have permission to be curious about what someone means, he says.

Our obsession with therapy jargon might be better understood as a constant desire to find new ways to articulate ourselves. Ross adds that the way forward should be to have more frank, direct conversations, and ask ourselves why we might feel we need boundaries that could otherwise be perceived as demands. The jargon of therapy is not this sort of unchallengeable gospel truth, says Ross. Its just a way of trying to describe the world. And often it does it badly.
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Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has confirmed he will leave Cabinet at the next reshuffle and not seek re-election as an MP.

The announcement follows an unsuccessful bid to replace Jens Stoltenberg as Nato secretary general.

Speculation had grown that he would replace the former Norwegian prime minister as head of the alliance before he revealed in an interview with The Economist that its not going to happen and there are lot of unresolved issues in Nato.

He had been tipped for the post due to his pivotal role in overseeing the approach the UK and many of its allies took in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year.

Here the PA news agency looks back at his life in politics.

Born in 1970, the 53-year old trained as a cadet at Sandhurst military academy before rising through the Armys ranks to become a captain in the Scots Guards.

Upon leaving the Army he entered politics, joining the Scottish Parliament in 1999 as a Conservative at the partys lowest ebb north of the border.

He did not seek re-election to Hollyrood in 2003 and won the Lancaster and Wyre Westminster seat south of the border off Labour in 2005.

Five years later, the constituency was abolished and he moved to the safer Wyre and Preston North seat.

He served in various junior ministerial roles under David Cameron and became an early supporter of any future bid by Boris Johnson for the Conservative leadership.

Unlike the ex-PM, he backed Remain in the 2016 referendum but nonetheless ran Mr Johnsons subsequent leadership campaign.

He did not reach Cabinet until Mr Johnson succeeded Theresa May, under whom he had been security minister, and promoted him to Defence Secretary.

He has remained in post since despite two Conservative leadership contests, three Prime Ministers and party infighting.

In his post he has co-ordinated the UKs response to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and later the Ukraine war.

During an LBC radio interview he broke down in tears as he said he felt emotional because Im a soldier and added some wont get back from the country.

He met Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu in early February last year for last minute talks as tensions with Ukraine rose, concluding the following day that an invasion was highly likely.

Since Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, he has played a key role in shaping the Governments response, including helping determine what weapons the UK will send to Kyiv.

Despite drawing praise and being tipped as the activists favourite, he nonetheless ruled himself out of contests to succeed Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.

Speculation mounted in recent months that he would become the next Nato secretary general until he said the US would prefer Mr Stoltenberg to remain in post for another year.

Mr Wallace also said he is unlikely to run for the position again if it comes up in future.

Despite escaping relatively unscathed from many of the controversies that have plagued PMs he has served under, he has occasionally found himself in hot water over the odd off-script remark.

In March last year, video emerged of him on a Teams call with Russian pranksters believed to have links to the countrys intelligence agencies, who posed as the Ukrainian prime minister, Denys Shmyhal.

The call was said to have lasted about 10 minutes and he is not believed to have disclosed anything sensitive.

At a Nato summit last week, he appeared to suggest Ukraine should show gratitude for the military support it has received.

The comments were immediately shut down by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

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.
A poll conducted earlier this year indicates a majority of Nebraska voters oppose a law providing tax credits for donations made to scholarship funds for private and faith-based schools.

The phone survey done on behalf of OpenSky Policy Institute shows 55% of Nebraska voters oppose the Opportunity Scholarship Act (LB753) that passed in the Legislature this year, including 47% who strongly support repeal.

The law, which goes into effect in January, provides up to $25 million in dollar-for-dollar tax credits to individuals and entities that donate to scholarship-granting organizations. Over time, the total amount of tax credits available to donors could grow to $100 million.

Rebecca Firestone, executive director of OpenSky Policy Institute, which is part of an effort to put the matter before voters next year, said the tax credits could ultimately shift state funds away from funding public education, career and vocational training, and hiring new teachers.

Voters overwhelmingly said those should be the priorities for spending tax dollars for education in Nebraska, not creating these tax credits for private schools, Firestone said in a statement.

OpenSky partnered with Washington, D.C.-based Lake Research Partners on the survey, which gauged the opinions of 600 Nebraskans likely to vote in the 2024 elections.

The survey was conducted between May 31 and June 5. Support Our Schools Nebraska, the organization seeking to put the measure before voters, launched its campaign on June 6.

The coalition, led by the Nebraska State Education Association, plans to gather 90,000 signatures, including 5% of registered voters in 38 of Nebraskas 93 counties, to put the repeal before voters.

Of the respondents to OpenSkys poll, more than half (53%) were female, while a majority (52%) were registered Republicans.

Respondents were also evenly distributed between Nebraskas three congressional districts (33% came from the First District, 32% from the Second District, and 35% from the Third District).

The margin of error is plus or minus 4%, according to a summary of the poll results.

Compared with the 55% of Nebraskans who oppose the new tax credit, OpenSky said 37% of respondents said they wished to retain it.

A total of 9% of respondents said they were undecided on whether to retain or repeal the law.

OpenSky said the percentage totals do not add up to 100 due to rounding.

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, who introduced LB753 in the Legislature this year, said the questions put to likely voters in the poll did not accurately reflect the language of the petition now in circulation.

She also said the survey did not ask about voters opinions of children and families that might benefit from the program, and misled respondents about other bills passed by lawmakers this year to boost teacher training and retention programs.

If you read their questions, I cant believe that only 55% of people support this, Linehan said. It doesnt mention children at all, and it doesnt mention that this money ends up going to kids.

Linehan said the tax credits provided in the Opportunity Scholarships Act would not take money away from public schools, arguing instead the Legislature boosted funding to the state aid formula by $300 million and created the $1 billion Education Future Fund this year.

She said national polling done by the American Federation For Children, a school choice advocacy group, which is the biggest supporter of Keep Kids First  a decline to sign effort running television and radio ads  shows school choice programs are popular.

Other results from the OpenSky survey include:

* Just under half (46%) of respondents said Nebraska lawmakers should seek out new sources of revenue and funding, even if it means raising taxes for some wealthy people and corporations in Nebraska, while 33% signaled support for cutting government spending, even if it means reducing services like childcare, education, health care, roads, and public safety.

* Nearly half (49%) said public schools need more resources than they have right now, while 34% said public schools can provide a quality education with their current resources, and 12% said schools could do the same with fewer resources.

* More than half (51%) of respondents said they do not believe the state budget reflects the states priorities, with 39% saying they strongly believed the states priorities were not reflected in the budget.

* A majority (58%) said they worried Nebraska politicians will continue to protect millionaires and corporations from tax increases, making it harder to invest in our priorities like health care, public safety, and public schools. Thirty percent said they worried politicians would chase millionaires and corporations out of the state by raising their taxes.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
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Thousands of people have marched to celebrate trans joy and demand equal rights on the 10th anniversary of Trans Pride Brighton.

While organisers expected between 5,000 to 10,000 people to take part  half the original estimate after a yellow weather warning for wind and rain forced a change of route  the event is believed to have attracted 30,000 protesters.

Reflecting on the 10-year anniversary since starting Trans PrideBrighton, co-founder and trans activist Fox Fisher said he was immensely proud.

He said: The year we set it up we had no idea who was going to come, we knew we needed to form a community, a community didnt exist.

The film-maker added: For us its about celebrating who we are, its about trans joy

We dont want to hide in the shadows, we want to be seen.

One protester Xandice Armah said the march was incredible, adding: The energy was so good and getting to actually see the whole city come out and support us as well, it just shows us [the] silent majority loves trans people.

Software engineer Alex Chan also praised the turnout of support, saying it was a reminder there are so many of us, particularly at a time when trans people are made to think you are on your own.

People take part in a Trans Pride protest march in Brighton (PA)

Many people travelled from across the country to join the weekend focusing on trans rights and supporting the community.

Comedian Eddie Izzard was spotted taking part while Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas was among the speakers on the day.

Brighton and Hoves first openly trans councillor Raphael Hill was also addressing Trans Pride Brighton later on Saturday, which they said is a real privilege.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Cllr Hill said Trans Pride is really important, particularly in the current political climate where they said the trans community feels treated as a political issue and a problem.

The Green party councillor added: We are people, we deserve rights and have feelings the same as anyone else.

The 26-year-old, who was elected in May, said being trans made their decision to stand as a councillor more difficult because of concerns for their safety and how to deal with misunderstandings around trans people.

Im very mindful of both my safety but also the importance of my role because its quite unique in having those two identities, the councillor added.

According to Trans Pride Brighton, it is the biggest Trans Pride event in Europe and runs the charity with more than 100 volunteers.

Mr Fisher said that the UK is falling dangerously behind on LGBT+ rights and Trans Pride Brighton has highlighted issues such as struggles for trans people to access healthcare, divisive coverage of planned changes to the Gender Recognition Act and dangerous coverage of transgender children.

LGBT+ anti-abuse charity Galop have also commented on the staggering rise of transphobic hate crimes by 56% in the country revealed in the official statistics for 2021 to 2022.

Many protesters believed that Trans Pride as a separate event alongside Pride for the wider LGBT+ community was important due to the need for political protest to promote trans rights.

Teacher Martina Gilli, who came to Trans Pride Brighton to show support for her trans students and friends, said: I think they are on the right side of history,

Its so obvious this is the same fight that gay people went through, this is the next step, she said, adding that Trans Pride is still very much a protest.

Trans people dont have all the rights they should have.

Lex Roberts, who travelled from Nottingham, said the protest has become more important and more angry each year because of trans people being vilified in the media.

Harriet Collier travelled from Chichester in West Sussex to join the Brighton Trans Pride protest for the first time.

The 31-year-old said: I came out in December having spent years since childhood not being able to fully understand who I was.

I felt it was really important to come today to show solidarity with the rest of the community.

Organisers are hoping to raise enough cash to continue running its community space Trans Pride Centre in the city and continue the Pride event for another year.

To find out more about Trans Pride Brighton and its fundraiser click here.
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A nurse has appeared in court charged with the murder of eight babies and the attempted murder of another 10.

Lucy Letby was remanded in custody after appearing via video link at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

The 30-year-old faces eight counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder relating to the period between June 2015 and June 2016.

She was arrested for a third time on Tuesday as part of an investigation into baby deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal unit which began in 2017.

Letby joined the 10-minute hearing via video link from Blacon police station, Chester. She sat behind a desk next to her solicitor, Richard Thomas, and only spoke to confirm her name, date of birth and her home address of Arran Avenue, Hereford.

Families of the victims watched the proceedings via a video link at remote locations.

It took just over two-and-a-half minutes for District Judge Sanders to read out all the charges but no pleas were entered and Letby will appear at Chester Crown Court at 2.15pm on Friday.

The judge, addressing the defendant, said: "Today's court hearing is for a number of matters. I won't be taking any plea today, as I'm sure Mr Thomas has discussed with you.

"These are matters allocated to the crown court, today is a preliminary hearing to send to the crown court."

On Tuesday, Chester Police said parents of all the babies involved were being kept fully updated on developments and were supported by officers.

Additional reporting by PA
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A woman and her partner who enslaved her vulnerable disabled husband leaving him to live in squalid conditions have both been jailed for 11 years.

Sarah Somerset-How, 49, and George Webb, 40, were found guilty of holding Tom Somerset-How in slavery/servitude and three counts of ill-treatment by a care worker between 2016 and 2020 following a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Webb, whose temper was described by the victim as a nuclear bomb anger, was also convicted of causing actual bodily harm while both defendants were found not guilty of fraud by false representation and theft.

The court was told that the pair from Bognor Regis, West Sussex, neglected, abused and exploited 40-year-old Mr Somerset-How, who was left bed-bound and malnourished.

The trial heard that the pairs treatment of Mr Somerset-How, who has cerebral palsy and uses an electric wheelchair, was uncovered by a friend as well as by the victims sister Kate Somerset-Holmes, an actress who has appeared in Silent Witness and Holby City.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Somerset-How described how he was shocked to find out that his wife and Mr Webb had a five-year plan to continue their exploitation of him and that they despised him.

He said: The extent of the betrayal was hard to bear for a long time, I felt I was just being kept alive, when the reality sank in, this really was my life, I wanted to end it all, I couldnt even manage that.

He added: I feel like Sarah has ruined me for anyone else, I feel abandoned like I was pushed to one side, I couldnt trust the one person who should have been on my side.

He continued: Before I met Sarah, I had a career, I went to the cinema and the pub, I had friends and I had a great life.

When we first got together, she and I would do these things together, when George came into our lives, these things stopped.

He said that he had been worried that he would not have been able to build bridges with his family, including his mother, who he had pushed away while being monitored by his wife and Webb to ensure he did not reveal their treatment of him.

He said: I couldnt explain to her what was happening, I thought it was better they stay away, protect them from George and the nuclear bomb that was his anger.

Mr Somerset-How said that he was now living in a care institution but had ambitions to live more independently again.

Describing his frustration at his treatment, he said that in his care home room he would scream a primal scream until he lost his voice.

Sentencing the defendants, Judge William Ashworth praised Mr Somerset-How for his courage and said: I find as fact of which I am sure that Tom Somerset-How was held in slavery for at least two years and eight months, kept in bed, deprived of adequate food or water, kept away from his family with the curtains drawn, frequently in his own urine and excrement, unwashed and unkempt.

He added: He was denigrated by the defendants and humiliated and his requests to go to the toilet scorned.

The judge described how the defendants mocked Mr Somerset-Hows disability by comparing him to the movie alien ET and said he had suffered serious psychological harm.

He added: He had lost any independence and was treated like a cow to be milked.

But, in our society, a cow is protected by minimum standards of husbandry and not even these were afforded to Tom by his carers.

The judge said that Webb exploited Mr Somerset-How with the aim of saving up money to pay for a music studio for his ambition to become a DJ.

Describing the case, a Sussex Police spokesperson said: Sarah Somerset-How conspired with her husbands carer, George Webb to leave their victim bed-bound and malnourished while they took advantage of him for their own gains.

Webb was originally hired as a live-in carer for Somerset-Hows 40-year-old husband, who required round-the-clock care, in 2016.

Over the next four years, Somerset-Hows husband was physically and psychologically abused, left without sufficient food and drink and forced to live in squalid conditions.

He was separated from his family, who reported the situation to the police in August 2020, after he revealed the horrific circumstances in which he was living.

He was moved to safe accommodation while an investigation was launched.

Texts from the defendants mobile phones showed they had become involved in a sexual relationship and intentionally neglected their victim to take drugs and plan nights away.

Detective constable Cheyne Garrett said: Sarah Somerset-How and George Webb totally betrayed their innocent victim, who relied on them both for the most basic of human needs.

The scale of their depravity was revealed thanks to the tenacity of a friend who alerted the victims family.

They acted quickly to report their concerns despite Somerset-How and Webbs efforts to isolate them.

I would like to thank them for raising the alarm, and the victim in this case for supporting the investigation through to conviction under extremely challenging circumstances.

No romantic relationship, friendship or working relationship should make you feel unsafe and isolated from friends and family.

If you feel bullied, trapped, fearful, or someone is telling you that who you are isnt good enough, please ask for help.

Speaking outside court, Mr Somerset-How said: Justice has been served.

He added: It is the best outcome I could hope for, it will help me move forward and I cant thank the lawyers, the police and the judge enough for what they have done.

It wont undo the psychological damage but the positives I have taken from this will help me move forward in my life.

Speaking about the defendants, he said: I cant articulate how I feel, obviously its completely negative towards them but because I have suppressed it for so long I cant articulate it so I would rather move forward rather than focus on how they make me feel.
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Eighty per cent of beaches in Cornwall have been given raw sewage alerts after heavy rain in the South-west, according to the pressure group Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).

SAS monitors water quality across 68 beaches in Cornwall, in the South-west of England. Of those beaches, 33 have received a sewage pollution alert and 21 others have received a pollution risk forecast or incident alert.

According to the group, a pollution risk forecast means there is potential sewage in the area, while a pollution alert means storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours.

During times of heavy rain, water runoff sees human and animal waste, fertilizers, pesticides and other unwanted liquids flood into waterways like rivers.

Contaminated river water will eventually reach the sea, where it normally rests on the surface, and makes it dangerous to enter the water.

Recommended Best spa hotels in Cornwall 2022 for relaxing by the sea

Fistral Beach, near Newquay, is among the 54 monitored beaches to issue a sewage warning (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Swallowing water contaminated with fecal matter could lead to a number of illnesses, including vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, or an inflamed stomach and intestines.

Beaches on both the north and south side of Cornwall have been affected by the most recent alerts, including in hotspots like Falmouth, Penzance and Looe.

The risk of contamination is set to remain high in the coming days, with the Met Office currently forecasting more rain and stormy weather for both Scotland and England.

The current sewage pollution in Cornwall is far from a unique event. According to SAS, in 2021, sewage discharged into rivers and seas 370,000 times for a total of 2.7 million hours.

SAS describes the UK sewage system as woefully inadequate, with water companies regularly utilising a network of 18,000 licensed sewer overflows to regularly discharge raw sewage into rivers and the ocean.

On the SAS website, the group says that companies have been under-investing in their sewage amanagement systems, even as they have paid out 60 billion in dividends to shareholders over the last 30 years.

The group adds that the sheer volume of pollution entering our water means the UK consistently ranks as one of the worst European countries for coastal water quality.

Last year, Labour MP Jim MacMahon called the sewage leaks a scandal.

The shadow environment secretary said that under a Labour government, the party would impose mandatory monitors on all sewage outlets as well as automatic fines for every single sewage discharge.
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Suspended BBC presenter Huw Edwards is facing several allegations against him after being accused last week of paying a young person for sexually explicit photos.

The Sun first reported allegations against an unnamed presenter on Friday, claiming a top BBC star had paid a young person tens of thousands of pounds for explicit images.

The young persons mother made the allegations in the Sun newspaper, which published her claim that payments helped fund her childs crack cocaine habit.

Mr Edwards, who has been suspended by the BBC, was named by his wife Vicky Flind on Wednesday night as the presenter at the centre of the scandal.

Ms Flind also said her husband is suffering from serious mental health issues and is receiving in-patient hospital care, adding he intends to respond when he is well enough.

The presenter was hit by fresh allegations on Wednesday evening, with BBC Newsnight reporting the veteran broadcaster sent BBC staff "inappropriate messages".

Separately, a 17-year-old alleged they were following the star on Instagram when he messaged them, using love hearts and kisses, The Sun reported on Tuesday.

Here, we take a look at the allegations facing the BBC presenter:

Follow The Independents live coverage for the latest updates

Have you been affected by this story? If so email holly.evans@independent.co.uk

What are the allegations?

The first allegations against Mr Edwards emerged in The Sun on Friday. The newspaper - which did not name the presenter in their story - alleged the presenter paid a young person around 35,000 for sexually explicit images. It also claimed the BBC star appeared in his underwear in a video call.

The family of the young person, now 20 years old, claimed the series of payments over three years fuelled their crack cocaine addiction.

Days later the young persons lawyer issued a statement saying the mother and the Sun had made false claims.

The lawyer said: 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.

On Sunday, The Sun published an update that claimed that the 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.

The BBC reported on Tuesday that a second person in their 20s alleged that they were sent threatening messages by the then-unnamed man after meeting on a dating app.

In another set of allegations published by The Sun, a 17-year-old claimed they were following the star on Instagram when he messaged them, using love hearts and kisses.

Separately, a 23-year-old claimed Mr Edwards broke lockdown rules to meet them during the pandemic in February 2021, according to The Sun. Its report alleges the presenter travelled from London to a different county to meet the 23-year-old at their flat in February 2021, when strict lockdown rules were in place.

The young person, who claims to have met the newsreader on a dating website, said Mr Edwards also gave them more than 600 in three payments.

Fresh allegations Mr Edwards sent BBC colleagues "inappropriate messages" also emerged on Wednesday. The new claims come from two current BBC employees and a former member of BBC staff, who said they had received inappropriate messages from Mr Edwards on social media, according to BBC Newsnight.

The former employee said they had never met the presenter but received messages from him on social media, some late at night and signed off with kisses, which they said they believed was an abuse of power.

One of the current staffers said Mr Edwards sent a private message to them on social media, commenting on their physical appearance, which gave them a cold shudder.

While the other current BBC employee said Mr Edwards had sent them inappropriate messages, which had left them feeling uncomfortable. There is a power dynamic that made them inappropriate, they told the BBC.

Two of the three said there was a reluctance among junior staff to complain to managers about the conduct of high-profile colleagues in case it adversely affected their careers, Newsnight said.

What have the police said?

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

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."

What has his wife said?

In a statement issued on his behalf, Vicky Flind stated that Mr Edwards is receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future after suffering from serious mental health issues, requesting that the family receive privacy.

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, Ms Flinds statement read.

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.

What is the BBC saying?

After Mr Edwards was named as the TV presenter by his wife, the BBCs director-general Tim Davie sent a note to staff, saying this is 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 it 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.

Also this afternoon, the Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police confirmed they would be taking no further action following an assessment of information provided to them.

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.

In a new statement on Thursday, a BBC spokesman said: We are moving forward with our fact finding investigations.

We are going to get on with this work calmly, carefully and with diligence, with full consideration of our duty of care to all involved. We will not be providing further comment while this work is ongoing.

BBCs director-general Tim Davie sent a note to staff, saying this will no doubt be a difficult time for many after a challenging few days

What are politicians saying?

Security minister Tom Tugendhat told Sky News the BBC should be given space to conduct an investigation into the allegations, adding the broadcaster should make sure that the family are not dragged into this.

Spokespersons for culture secretary Lucy Frazer and Rishi Sunak both refused to comment in the wake of the BBC presenter being named, saying it was a matter for the BBC.

On Saturday Ms Frazer did comment, saying she had spoken to BBC director-general Tim Davie about the deeply concerning allegations.

And on Tuesday, Mr Sunak described the initial allegations as shocking and concerning on the plane to the Nato summit in Lithuania.

On Saturday Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer did comment, saying she had spoken to BBC director-general Tim Davie about the deeply concerning allegations

What are other BBC stars saying?

Several stars at the BBC tweeted over the weekend to try and distance themselves from the allegations at a time when Mr Edwards had not yet been identified.

Jeremy Vine, meanwhile, was among those urging Mr Edwards to come forward publicly as speculation about his identity deepened before his wife disclosed his name.

Jeremy Vine was among those urging Mr Edwards to come forward publicly as speculation about his identity deepened before his wife disclosed his name on Wednesday

What next?

Currently, Mr Edwards wife said the father-of-five is suffering from serious mental health issues and is receiving treatment in hospital.

The broadcaster is continuing its fact-finding investigations into the allegations, following a pause to allow police to conduct their probe, which found no criminal case.

BBC chief Tim Davie will be questioned in Parliament about the corporations leadership during a pre planned committee.

The BBC director general, acting chairwoman Dame Elan Closs Stephens and policy director Clare Sumner have been called to appear before the Lords Communications Committee on Tuesday.

The peers will raise a range of issues, including in light of recent events, what concerns have been raised about the adequacy of the BBCs governance arrangements and how it is addressing these.

The Sun has said it has no plans to publish further allegations.

The newspaper was on Wednesday accused by its former editor David Yelland of having inflicted terror on Mr Edwards. , saying the paper now faced a crisis.

I wish @thehuwedwards well, Mr Yelland wrote on Twitter. The Sun inflicted terror on Huw despite no evidence of any criminal offence.

This is no longer a BBC crisis, it is a crisis for the paper. Huws privacy must now be respected. Social media also needs speedy reform.
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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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The prestigious Scottish boarding school attended by King Charles III has begun offering pupils lessons in anti-racism.

Gordonstoun, the Elgin-based independent school which charges some boarders nearly 50,000 per year, is among 100 clients including the Premier League, BT and Marie Curie to enlist the racial equity analytics firm Flair.

According to the companys website, the school has enlisted the firm  set up in 2020  to lay the right foundations to measure and progress racial equity.

Following a survey about race and diversity at Gordonstoun, handed out to staff and pupils, the school quickly took several measures aimed at improving its credentials on race, according to Flair.

These included setting up two new prefect roles  that of a captain of equality, diversity and inclusion, and a captain of racial equality  instigating a curriculum audit across all subject areas, and launching a PSHE curriculum to create focused lessons on anti-racism, Flair said.

The school also set up a network of students whose voices will help to lead change and revamped the displays across all curricular areas to show greater diversity, particularly with regard to role models, the company said.

Following the survey, the firm used the results to profile the schools diversity and to attempt to measure how frequently racism occurred, how staff and students were likely to respond if witnessing racism, and whether race was a barrier to feeling included.

It comes two years after the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry heard from a former pupil  who attended the school from 1979  that children at Gordonstoun regularly displayed racist and sexist behaviour.

Queen Elizabeth II opened Gordonstouns sports centre in 1967 when Prince Charles was head boy at the school (Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The woman, referred to as Jane, described cruel behaviour from some boys at the school, who she recalled going on a Jew hunt, and claimed that two girls from Africa in her house would definitely have described the racism they were subjected to as unliveable, the BBC reported.

The ex-pupil told the inquiry that teachers at Gordonstoun and its preparatory school Aberlour House had showed a lack of boundaries, and that she had unsuccessfully tried to get herself expelled after feeling unsafe there.

The school apologised at the time to anyone who suffered abuse in its care.

Set up in 1934 and named after the 150-acre estate owned by Sir Robert Gordon in the 17th century, the school counts three generations of the royal family among its alumni, including Prince Philip and his three sons, Charles, Edward, and Andrew, along with his daughter Princess Annes children, Peter Philips and Zara Tindall.

Other famous former pupils include author William Boyd, Flower of Scotland composer and Corries member Roy Williamson, and the children of musician David Bowie and actor Sir Sean Connery.
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Refugees waiting to be reunited with their families in Britain have been subjected to rape and are living in hiding under totalitarian regimes as they wait to be brought to safety, as a life-threatening backlog grows.

Figures obtained by The Independent show more than 11,000 people who are currently waiting for relocation are stranded abroad while being failed by one of the governments only safe and legal routes to the UK.

The majority are women and children, in countries including Syria, Afghanistan and Iran. In all the cases, one of their close family members has already been granted protection in the UK and has the right to bring their partners and children to join them.

One Sudanese refugee told The Independent he has been waiting for almost a year for a visa for his wife and son, who are stranded amid a raging conflict that has already claimed his nephews life.

In another shocking incident, one girl was followed home from school and raped by Iranian security forces while waiting for the Home Office to process her visa. Meanwhile, hundreds of women remain trapped under the brutal Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, accused the government of leaving people in life-threatening situations and making them easy prey for criminal smuggler gangs who put them on dangerous small boats.

Its time the prime minister and home secretary stopped focusing on media headlines and got a grip of the chaos created on their watch, she told The Independent.

Figures drawn from an official database under freedom of information laws show that the majority of the 11,189 refugees waiting for family reunion visas applied over six months ago, and almost 1,800 have been living in limbo for over a year.

More than 7,000 of those stranded are women and girls, and 5,700 were children at the time applications for their safe transfer were made by relatives in Britain. Syria is the top nationality, followed by Eritrea, Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen.

The borders watchdog has warned that failing family reunion processes are leaving women and children in danger while driving up the risk of vulnerable people resorting to Channel crossings to reach loved ones in the UK.

The Independent has spoken to a Sudanese refugee whose six-year-old son is stranded in Sudan almost a year after he applied for family reunion (Supplied)

But ministers frequently cite the visas as a viable safe and legal route to Britain, while pushing its laws that aim to see all small boat migrants detained, deported and barred from re-entering the UK.

When introducing the Illegal Migration Bill to parliament, Suella Braverman said she was proud of the scheme, telling MPs: We have a family reunification scheme to enable family members to join their family here. That is a record of which we should be proud.

The home secretary has frequently brought up family reunions when defending against MPs criticism of the Rwanda plan  that if passed will see refugees sent to the African nation to claim asylum there  and other punitive policies, calling it a crucial alternative to small boats.

We are proud of those safe and legal routes, she told parliament in March. When we stop the boats, we will look to expand those routes.

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick has also frequently hailed the reunion visas, calling arguments that the government has not created sufficient alternatives to small boat crossings ridiculous.

Shortage of safe and legal routes for migrants, Suella Braverman told by Tory MP

Some 45,000 people have come across on family reunion visas, he said. We need no lectures on playing our part as a generous and compassionate country.

But Home Office figures show that under 4,500 visas were granted last year, meaning that it would take until 2026 to clear the backlog at that rate, while more applications flow in from desperate families.

Scottish National Party home affairs spokesperson Alison Thewliss has lobbied the government on behalf of one of her constituents  an Iranian man who applied for visas for his wife, son and daughter over six months ago.

In the meantime, his family are in danger  his daughter was followed home from school and raped by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, she said. This is why people do not wait in-country for the government to process their visas. They do not wait because they are at risk of persecution, rape, danger and torture.

They are not prepared to wait for safe and legal routes, because in many cases they do not exist.

Family reunion is only available to people granted refugee status in the UK, and the record asylum backlog means that many of those making applications will already have been separated from their relatives for years.

Refugees can only bring partners and children to Britain, and charities have long been calling for the scheme to be widened to include parents and siblings.

Safe Passage, a charity that helps reunite families, said it was handling a case of a nine-year-old girl and her mother who are living in hiding in Afghanistan.

The girl has not been able to go to school since the 2021 Taliban takeover, and her separated parents are suffering from worsening mental health and stress.

Despite an application for family reunion being made a year ago, and the mother and daughter formally registering their biometric details for the Home Office within weeks, there has been no decision on their visas and caseworkers were told the case was not sufficiently exceptional to speed it up.

Caterina Franchi, head of legal at Safe Passage International, said: These delays can have disastrous consequences, as children lose faith in the family reunion process. Sadly, many go on to make a dangerous journey to reach family here as they cannot wait any longer.

A report by the borders watchdog found that failing family reunion processes could drive up small boats crossings (PA Wire)

Families torn apart by war and persecution shouldnt have to risk their lives to hug and hold each other.

Ms Franchi said the ministers were limiting refugee routes without making sure they work, adding: This government needs to quickly get a grip on decision-making, and abandon the Refugee Ban Bill that would punish people for joining family here any way they can.

Alex Fraser, director for refugee support at the British Red Cross, said too many people were facing agonising waits to find out if their loved ones, whose lives are often in peril, can join them.

The governments Illegal Migration Bill will make the situation much worse if it becomes law, as the vast majority of people who arrive here for protection will be unable to claim asylum and apply for family reunion, he added.

A Home Office spokesperson said: The UK has a proud history of providing safe and legal routes for those who need it and more than 46,200 family reunion visas have been granted since 2015, with over half issued to children.

We consider every application very carefully, and remain committed to improving the processing for family reunion applications.
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Ben Wallace believes his time as defence secretary is coming to an end and is mulling whether to quit the government in the autumn, it has been reported.

Mr Wallace has been in post since July 2019 but is said to be considering his future as Rishi Sunak plans a cabinet reshuffle following the summer recess.

It comes just days after Mr Wallace was criticsed for suggesting that Ukraine was treating its Western allies like Amazon over Kyivs requests for further military aid, comments Mr Sunak distanced himself from.

The defence secretary, an ally of Boris Johnson, has served under the three prime ministers and has led the UKs response to Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine.

But his bid to become secretary-general of Nato was recently rejected, with Jens Stoltenbergs tenure extended for a further year.

The knock-back left some of Mr Wallaces colleagues questioning whether the MP for Wyre and Preston North wanted to continue in politics at all.

His Lancashire constituency essentially faces the axe under new boundary changes at the next general election and he has not publicly voiced his intention to stand for another seat.

Recent reports have suggested that Mr Sunak will shake up his top team before the next general election as he tries to overturn Labours huge poll lead.

This reshuffle is about the future and Rishi presenting a fresher team to the public before the election, a senior government source told The Times.

Ben probably isnt going to stand at the election so it feels like a natural time for him to step aside.

Defence secretary is most popular cabinet member among Tory members (PA Wire)

The Conservatives are also facing a series of tricky by-election contests in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Selby and Ainsty and Somerton and Frome, with some analysts predicting the party could lose all three.

Mr Wallace, 53, is a favourite among Tory members and topped the Conservative Home websites July poll of most popular cabinet minister.

He had a net satisfaction approval rating of +77.1, ahead of second-placed foreign secretary James Cleverly on +54.4 and business and trade secretary Kemi Badenoch in third on +43.9.

Mr Sunak was near the bottom of the poll and had a negative approval rating of -2.7.

Despite his popularity with grassroots Tories, Mr Wallace twice declined to stand for the party leadership last year following the downfalls of Mr Johnson and Liz Truss, who resigned after crashing the economy.

Mr Wallace was kept in post by Mr Sunak even though he failed to back his leadership campaign and the prime minister is expected to replace him with a loyalist.
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Ben Wallace has confirmed he plans to resign at the next Cabinet reshuffle and will not seek re-election as an MP after four years as Defence Secretary.

Mr Wallace, who survived three prime ministers as Defence Secretary and played a key role in the UKs response to Russias invasion of Ukraine, announced the news on Saturday.

His Wyre and Preston North constituency will disappear at the next election after boundary changes and he said he would not seek a new seat.

He joins more than 40 other Tory MPs to step down at the next election.

Mr Wallace, who was a close ally of Boris Johnson, told The Times: Im not standing next time.

He confirmed he will not leave prematurely and force a by-election.

The defence secretary went on to talk of his fears of future wars: Towards the end of the decade, the world is going to be much more unsafe, more insecure. I think we will find ourselves in a conflict. Whether it is a cold or a warm conflict, I think well be in a difficult position.

Citing the China situation and a total breakdown of politics in the Pacific, he added: You could find yourself by 2030 in a position of cold war.

Mr Wallace, 53, is a favourite among Tory members and topped the Conservative Home websites July poll of most popular cabinet ministers.

He had a net satisfaction approval rating of +77.1, ahead of second-placed foreign secretary James Cleverly, on +54.4, and business and trade secretary Kemi Badenoch in third, on +43.9.

He had expressed an interest in standing for the role of Nato secretary-general before it was announced the current chief, Jens Stoltenberg, had been given another year in charge.

Mr Wallace observes Ukrainian troops in training at Lydd (Getty)

Last week, Rishi Sunak shut down comments from Mr Wallace in which he suggested Ukraine should show gratitude for the military support it had been given.

Mr Wallace had made the remark after the countrys president Volodymyr Zelensky branded it absurd for Nato to insist there were still conditions for his nation to meet before it can gain membership once the war with Russia is over.

Mr Zelensky later said: I believe that we were always grateful to the United Kingdom.

I dont know what he meant and how else we should be grateful.

Mr Wallace is the longest continuously serving minister in government, having been security minister under Theresa May before being promoted to defence secretary by Mr Johnson and continuing the role under his two successors.

He was previously appointed as a whip in 2014 and a junior minister in the Northern Ireland Office in 2015 while David Cameron was prime minister.

The Wyre and Preston North MP ruled himself out of the running for the Conservative leadership last year, despite being an early frontrunner in the race to replace Mr Johnson.
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The UKs second largest trade union could reduce the amount of money it gives to Labour if the partys leadership does not back more of its policy priorities, its general secretary has said.

Sharon Graham, of Unite, warned Sir Keir Starmer there will be no blank cheques as she urged the party to be bolder in an interview with the BBC.

She told the broadcaster: I want to see some movement if we are going to give what we usually give.

If Labour are saying what's happening now is awful - and it is absolutely awful - they have to come out with solutions to that Sharon Graham, Unite

We would be better off with a Labour government but I am very, very disappointed with the lack of ambition.

Unite is Labours biggest financial backer and guarantees the party almost 1.5 million a year.

Ms Graham made the comments after members of her union, the UKs second largest, voted overwhelmingly against disaffiliating from the party earlier this week.

Ms Graham said she is very, very disappointed by the lack of ambition at the top of the party.

Apathy will be the winner at the ballot box next year if Labour does not become bolder, she added.

She said the opposition is not setting out a distinct alternative to the Tory Government as it tries to reassure voters it can manage the economy.

The union boss said we need be as bold as the 1945 Labour government which created the NHS.

She added: There wasnt much money about then, I can tell you.

Ms Graham told the BBC that strict fiscal rules have led to inertia which has led the public to ask what the difference is between Labour and the Conservatives.

She also said Labour must talk about what they can do to change Britain. People want something to vote for.

She added: If Labour are saying whats happening now is awful  and it is absolutely awful  they have to come out with solutions to that.

The BBC said she is pushing for renationalisation of steel and energy companies to be near the top of the partys priority list.

The real decision-makers are the voters. If they push those ideas, politicians tend to move when they speak to voters Sharon Graham

During several meetings with the Labour leader, she said it would be cheaper to buy a steel industry that has lost much of its market value than to bail out its private owners, the broadcaster reported.

Ms Graham wants hundreds of organisers to go to marginal seats and talk to voters about the case for taking key industries into public hands.

The message will be reinforced by Unite-funded billboards.

The aim is for voters to press local Labour parties and candidates to commit to backing nationalisation.

She told the BBC: We will take our ideas to the people.

The real decision-makers are the voters. If they push those ideas, politicians tend to move when they speak to voters

People will say they remember when energy companies were privatised and when they paid massive bills, and it was a Labour government that stopped all that.
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One police officer was killed and two others sustained injuries after a gunman opened fire on a busy street in Fargo in North Dakota, authorities said.

The suspect was killed on Friday, the police said, adding that a civilian was also injured during the incident.

Witnesses reported seeing a man opening fire on police officers on a busy street before other officers shot him. Shannon Nichole was driving in that area at that time when "shots were fired" and she "saw cops go down".

"My airbag went off and the bullet went through my driver's door," she told KFGO Radio. A man grabbed her and told her they needed to get out of the area, she recalled.

Authorities said there was no threat to the public but officers converged on a residential area about two miles away and evacuated residents as they gathered evidence related to the incident.

Chenoa Peterson said she was driving with her 22-year-old daughter when a man pulled out a gun and began firing at police. "He proceeds to aim it and you just hear the bullets go off, and I'm like, 'Oh, my God! He's shooting!" she told The Associated Press.

Ms Peterson's first instinct was to pull over and try to help, she said, but her daughter convinced her to leave. "It's weird knowing that if you were 10 seconds earlier you could have been in that," she added.

A surveillance video provided by resident Allison Carlson captured the sound of gunfire.

North Dakota attorney general Drew Wrigley said the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation is working with law enforcement agencies in response to a "shooting incident", without providing further details.

Police and other local agencies across the region posted their sympathies for Fargo police on social media. "Thinking of our brothers and sisters in Fargo," read a post from the South Dakota Fraternal Order of Police.

The Fargo police department said it plans to release more details later on Saturday.
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At least four people have been killed in a mass shooting in Georgias Henry County as police continue to hunt for the gunman.

Authorities say that three male adults and one female adult were killed in the Saturday morning incident in the town of Hampton, Georgia.

None of the victims have yet been identified and police said they have not determined a motive for the shooting.

This undated photo provided by the Hampton Police Department, in Hampton, Ga., shows Andre Longmore. (AP)

Wherever you are, we will hunt you down in whatever hole you may be hiding in and bring you into custody. Period, Henry County Sheriff Reginald Scandrett told reporters.

Police have identified the suspect as 40-year-old Andre Longmore, who they had obtained four warrants for and described as armed and dangerous.

This is a sad day in Hampton. Its not normal for us and as a community, we will grieve together, said Hampton Police Department Chief James Turner. As a police department, we will do everything in our power to ensure that the person is brought to justice.

A $10,000 reward for information that leads to Mr Longmores capture has been offered. He is described as being around five feet 10 inches and was wearing a dark shirt with a red tone.

Officials say he was last seen in a black 2017 GMC Arcadia with a tag number of DHF756.

I can confirm that four people are deceased, County government spokeswoman Melissa Robinson earlier told The Associated Press. As of right now, the suspect is still at large.

Hampton is a city of 8,500 residents located around an hour south of Atlanta, Georgia.

The Henry County Police Department, Henry County Sheriffs Office, Henry County Homeland Security, and the Henry County Crime Scene Unit are all assisting Hampton police with the incident, reported WSB-TV.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has also been notified.

Hampton Mayor Ann Tarpley told reporters on Saturday afternoon that today is a sad and sombre occasion and vowed that the shooter would be brought to justice.

We ask that you lift up the families and the victims in your prayers, your thoughts, and that you give them the privacy that they may need to overcome this horrific tragedy, she added.

We have full confidence in our law enforcement that they will perform their duties and bring the suspect to justice.
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The mother of one of the Gilgo Beach victims says she hopes alleged serial killer Rex Heuermann will suffer in prison.

Rex Heuermann, 59, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder in the first degree and three in the second degree over the deaths of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Costello.

The women are among the Gilgo Four whose bodies were found along a stretch of Ocean Parkway in Long Island in 2010.

Id like him to suffer at the hands of other inmates, Lynn Barthelemy told NBC News on Friday. Let him receive what the girls received.

And she added: Death is too good for him. Its too easy.

Court documents state that Mr Heuermann is also the prime suspect in the murder of the fourth woman in that group, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, though he is not facing charges related to her death.

Mr Heuermann, a Manhattan architect who lives in Massapequa Park in Long Islands Nassau County, was arrested on Friday.

This booking image provided by Suffolk County Sheriffas Office, shows Rex Heuermann, a Long Island architect who was charged Friday, July 14, 2023, with murder in the deaths of three of the 11 victims in a long-unsolved string of killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders. (AP)

He was taken into custody more than a decade after the first set of remains was discovered on Gilgo Beach in Suffolk County.

The remains of 11 victims have so far been discovered, including Ms Barthelemys 24-year-old daughter, Melissa.

Our family has suffered every day, added Ms Barthelemy, who lives in upstate New York.

Court documents state that taunting phone calls were made by a male on Melissa Barthelemys phone, in which the caller admitted sexually assaulting and killing the victim.

Investigators state that the calls were eventually traced to a Manhattan location near the suspects then-office.

The sister of Shannan Gilbert, whose disappearance in May 2010 led to the discovery of a string of human remains, also spoke out about the arrest.

I am overwhelmed but relieved that they finally caught him. Its been a long time coming and I never gave up hope that one day justice would be served, Sherre Gilbert said in a statement to NBC News.

The suspect (Rex) deserves to rot in prison for the rest of his life. He destroyed many lives so while it wont bring our loved ones back, it does help that one less monster is off the streets and he cant ever hurt anyone else!
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A former classmate of Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann says the alleged serial killer was very quiet in high school.

The Suffolk County District Attorneys office released charging documents on Friday confirming 59-year-old Mr Heuermann, of Massapequa, as the suspected serial killer who targeted women working as sex workers and dumped their bodies along remote Long Island beaches.

Mr Heuermann appeared in court in handcuffs and wearing a polo shirt and khaki pants. He pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and three of second-degree murder over the deaths of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Costello and was held without bail.

Maureen Holpit, 59, who attended Berner High School in Massapequa with Mr Heuermann, told The Independent that Mr Heuermann was once a shy teen who would often leave love notes in her locker. Ms Holpit said her exchanges with the now suspected serial killer were always pleasant and polite.

I was always nice and friendly to him, you know. Seemed like he kind of got picked on and people would maybe portray him as a little nerdy. He was very quiet, mild-mannered. So I was nice and would say, Hey, Rex, how are you?, Ms Holpit, who now lives in Florida, tells The Independent.

I was getting these notes in my locker. As Im remembering, there were multiple little love notes but they were not signed, she added. Then, one day I did see him put it in my locker and so I knew they were from him. I may have said to him that I had a boyfriend or I just liked him as a friend.

Mr Heuermann, 59, was taken into custody outside his Midtown Manhattan office at around 8.30pm on Thursday night in connection with the unsolved murders, sources told News 12 Long Island.

The architect and married father-of-two works in Manhattan  where some of the Gilgo Beach victims were last seen alive  as the president of architecture firm RH Consultants & Associates.

According to the company website, he founded the company in 1994. It has since worked with the likes of Catholic Charities, NYC-DEP Sewerage Treatment and American Airlines and other major tenants at the JFK International Airport.

Heuermann appeared in court in handcuffs on Friday and pleaded not guilty to six murder charges (Fox 5/YouTube)

Mr Heuermann is also the prime suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, who is believed to be one of the Gilgo Four. Prosecutors noted in the application that records for the burner phones used to contact Brainard-Barnes were not obtained at the time she went missing and no longer exist.

Her body and Barthelemy, Waterman and Castellos were found within one-quarter mile of each other, similarly positioned and bound in a similar fashion by either belts or tape. The unsolved murders sent fear through the shoreline community of Gilgo Beach but for more than a decade, few developments were made in the case.

Last year, the Suffolk County Police Department, New York State Police, Suffolk County Sheriffs Office and the FBI revamped the probe into the killings that ultimately led to Mr Heuermanns bombshell arrest outside his Midtown office on Thursday.

A bail application released by the Suffolk County District Attorney revealed that Mr Heuermann was linked to the serial killings through cellphone evidence and surveillance.

Mr Heuermann was first linked to the cold case in March 2022 after investigators discovered that a Chevrolet Avalanche registered to him was possibly the one spotted by a witness in Costellos disappearance.

Map showing sites where victims of Gilgo Beach killer were found along Ocean Parkway in Suffolk County, Long Island, NY. Heuermann is charged with the murders of Amber Costello, Melissa barthelemy and Megan Waterman (Suffolk County Police Department/Bonjour Realty/YouTube)

As law enforcement closed in on him, they served more than 300 subpoenas and search warrants that uncovered cellphone records for burner phones used to arrange meetings with three of the Gilgo Four victims before they went missing.

Further analysis also allegedly linked Mr Heuermann to taunting calls made to family members of the victims, according to investigators. The calls were made from the Midtown Manhattan area, where the offices of Mr Heuermans architecture business are located.

Among the evidence linking Mr Heuermann to the murders was a hair found on burlap material used to wrap Watermans corpse, according to court documents. DNA analysis had not been possible in the early stages of the investigation, but new technology allowed testing in July 2020.

Records also show that several online accounts under fictitious names linked to Mr Heuermann were used for illegal activities. Mr Heuermann allegedly used those accounts and burner phones to contact women for prostitution services, as well as making chilling online searches.

The searches reportedly included sadistic, torture-related pornography, child pornography and disturbing content. Mr Heuermann is also accused of searching why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer, why hasnt the long island serial killer been caught and new phone technology may be key to break in case.
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A federal jury convicted a Las Vegas police officer Friday on all counts of stealing nearly $165,000 during a trio of casino heists, including one where he was armed with a department-issued weapon that was loaded.

Caleb Rogers, 35, faces life in prison upon sentencing because he brandished a revolver during the third casino heist he carried out in February 2022.

The jury reached a verdict after just over three hours of deliberation.

The case went to the jury shortly after Rogers younger brother testified against him for more than three hours, painting a clear picture for the jury of how the two successfully pulled off the first heist in the series. Josiah Rogers said he participated only in that robbery. Caleb Rogers carried out the other two heists alone, prosecutors said.

While waiting for the jury to enter the courtroom ahead of the verdict, Rogers stood next to his lawyers with his hands in his pockets, shifting his weight from one foot to another.

Throughout the weeklong trial, prosecutors had portrayed Rogers as a gambling addict who had grown increasingly desperate under a crush of debt when the robberies targeting casinos off the Las Vegas Strip began.

Jurors heard from casino employees who said they are still haunted by their encounters with the robber. A security guard wrestled with the suspect for his loaded weapon during on the of heists. He said he couldnt stop thinking about how he might not have made it home to his family that day. And a 63-year-old cashier said she still looks over her shoulder when she handles cash at work.

Assistant U.S. attorney David Kiebler said in his closing argument Thursday that the evidence in all three robberies pointed to the same man: Caleb Rogers.

But Richard Pocker, the officers lawyer, called the bulk of the governments evidence circumstantial and convenient for a police department that already had been trying for months  to no avail  to solve the other robberies when Rogers was arrested.

They tried too hard here, Pocker said in his closing argument. Its just too coincidental.

Rogers trial came to a head Thursday when his brother took the stand.

Josiah Rogers was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony. Jurors scribbled notes and darted glances between the brothers as Josiah Rogers recounted the details. He said they rehearsed for their casino heist in November 2021. They used code words in an encrypted messaging app to communicate, he said. They returned home to their shared apartment after successfully robbing the Red Rock Casinos cashier cage and spread the money across their dining table, counting out $73,810.

Josiah Rogers said he took his $30,000 cut and moved back to their hometown of Columbus, Ohio, a week after the robbery.

Before he took the stand, the governments evidence had been mostly focused on the third robbery in February 2022, when Caleb Rogers was arrested outside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.

Prosecutors said Caleb Rogers stormed that casinos sportsbook, shoved a 63-year-old cashier out of his way, and threatened to use a gun while he shoveled $79,000 into a drawstring bag hidden inside his jacket. Within minutes, prosecutors said, the robber was tackled by a group of security guards outside the casino and detained after a brief struggle.

Caleb Rogers was wearing a wig and carrying a loaded revolver issued by the police department at the time of his arrest, prosecutors said.

Police lapel video played during the trial showed Caleb Rogers identifying himself as a police officer as he was folded into the back of a patrol car outside the casino.

A spokesperson for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said Caleb Rogers has been on unpaid leave without police powers since his arrest, pending the outcome of the case.
 Close Gilgo Beach: Police remove evidence from home of Long Island serial killer suspect

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Law enforcement in Atlantic City, New Jersey, is investigating potential ties between local unsolved cases and Gilgo Beach murders suspect Rex Heuermann.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told ABC News that his task force is looking into possible connections between Mr Heuermann and the murders of four female sex workers whose bodies were found in a ditch just over the Atlantic City border in 2006.

Shame on us if we dont look into Las Vegas, South Carolina, even Atlantic City, weve got to make sure if anyone has any information, Mr Harrison said.

It comes amid comments from Mr Heuermanns sister-in-law that she is in complete disbelief following his arrest over the deaths of Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy.

I vacillate between desperately wanting my niece and nephews life returned to its previous state, intact, without a father accused of being a serial killer to being pleased and secure in knowing that someone is in custody, Dr Johanna Ellerup told NBC News.

My ego has great difficulty processing the idea that I looked Rex in the eye and was unable to discern any murderous intentions.
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Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson announced on Thursday that a Swiss nonprofit will distribute a lower-cost generic version of a popular tuberculosis drug in low- and middle-income countries. The move was celebrated by medical advocates and celebrities like novelist John Green, who publicly pressure the company in recent days to expand access in a high-profile social media campaign.

The move will allow Stop TB Partnership to offer licences to tender, procure, and supply generic versions of SIRTURO, otherwise known as bedaquiline, in 44 new countries, including those where J&Js patent remains in effect, nearly doubling the reach of the company tuberculosis treatment.

In my knowledge, I cant recall a similar deal to this, Brenda Waning, chief of Global Drug Facility, a partner in distributing the drugs, told Forbes. She said she hopes the project can set a model for other companies.

John Green (Getty Images for Allied-THA)

Even though it is curable, tuberculosis is the worlds deadliest infectious disease, killing 1.5 million people a year, according to the World Health Organization.

At $272 for a six-month course, some lower-income countries cant afford to buy SIRTURO, preventing patients from accessing life-saving care.

That status quo inspired Fault in Our Stars novelist John Green to publicly pressure Johnson & Johnson to relinquish its patent. The companys primary patent on the drug was set to expire in July, but advocates feared J&J would use a secondary patent to keep the drug out of generic circulation until 2027, an intellectual property practice known as evergreening.

In those years, six MILLION people who need access to this drug will be unable to get it, leading to an increase in drug resistant tuberculosis and hundreds of thousands of needless deaths, Mr Green recently wrote on Instagram. Tuberculosis is curable and its high time for Johnson and Johnson to allow the cure to become available to the millions who cant afford it.

Mr Greens followers briefly made #PatientsNotPatents a trending topic on Twitter.

In April, Doctors Without Borders also called on the drug company to make the treatment more available.

We are deeply concerned that the persistent high price of bedaquiline will continue to block countries from rolling out the newer, shorter, game-changing, all-oral regimens for treating deadly, drug-resistant forms of TB, Christophe Perrin, a tuberculosis pharmacist with the group, said in a statement.

Before the announcement, Johnson & Johnson responded to calls from Mr Green on Twitter, replying that it already had a partnership with Stop TB Partnership, though its donation of 666,000 courses of SIRTURO to 159 countries since launching the drug in 2012 paled in comparison to global deaths from tuberculosis each year.

The company has since told Medpage Today that it decided to allow the generic drugs in June, before the pressure campaign began.
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The second of two firefighters who were fatally injured while battling a massive fire aboard a cargo ship docked in New Jersey last week was posthumously promoted to captain during his funeral service on Friday.

Hundreds of mourners, including dozens of uniformed firefighters and law enforcement officers, came to the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark to honor Wayne Bear Brooks Jr., 49, who was a Newark firefighter for 16 years. Brooks was remembered as a dedicated public servant with a big personality who was always smiling.

(Firefighters) dont have the luxury of staying home, turning around and changing their mind, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka told mourners. "There are men and women who put on the uniform every day and put their lives on the line for us and we dont even say thank you. We thank you for your service.

Brooks' funeral came a day after a service was held at the same church for his fallen colleague, Augusto Augie Acabou, 45, who also was posthumously promoted to captain.

The two firefighters were killed while fighting the July 5 fire aboard the Grande Costa dAvorio, an Italian-flagged vessel carrying thousands of vehicles and other goods that was docked at Port Newark. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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Two teenage brothers were killed after a boat and jet ski collided on a lake in Kentucky, according to oficials.

Authorities say that the incident took place on Lake Cumberland in the states Pulaski County on Friday.

County Coroner Clyde Strunk says that the victims were an 18-year-old and a 14-year-old from Kenton County who were on the jet ski.

The victims have not been publicly identified and an investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.

My heart breaks. My heart grieves for them, but summertime in our part of the world here, our lives are sometimes filled with grief because of what takes place on the lake, Mr Strunk told WKYT.

The coroner stated that both teens were wearing life jackets and that there is no suggestion alcohol played any factor.

He said that the lake itself has its own set of dangers.

The water narrows up south fork. To a point that sometimes its not very wide. If you have multiple crafts in that area, it makes the passing lanes somewhat narrower, he added.

And he urged lake visitors to enjoy it as safely as possible.

We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, especially in Kentucky. Were blessed, but at the same time, its a very dangerous place, he said.
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James Cameron has denied offensive rumours that linked him to a film about the fatal implosion of the OceanGate Titanic submersible that killed five people aboard.

The famed Hollywood director, who helmed the Oscar-winning Titanic movie in 1997, strongly denied any involvement with a movie on the disaster which gripped people around the world.

I dont respond to offensive rumours in the media usually, but I need to now, he tweeted on Saturday. Im NOT in talks about an OceanGate film, nor will I ever be.

James Cameron denies he is making a movie on Titanic sub disaster (ABC News )

Cameron, 68, has visited the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic 33 times and has been outspoken about the loss of the OceanGate sub.

It lost contact with its mother ship an hour and 45 minutes into its two-hour descent to the ocean floor, sparking a massive search and rescue operation.

After four days of searching, the US Coast Guard revealed that a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) had located pieces of debris from the Titan on the seabed 1,600ft (about 500m) from the bow of the Titanic wreck.

British adventurer Hamish Harding and father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood were killed on board the deep-sea vessel, alongside OceanGate Expeditions CEO chief Stockton Rush and French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

I dont respond to offensive rumors in the media usually, but I need to now. Im NOT in talks about an OceanGate film, nor will I ever be.  James Cameron (@JimCameron) July 15, 2023

Cameron has previously likened the tragic fate of the Titan to the oceanliner its crew were trying to reach.

Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night, Cameron told ABC News.

About 1,500 people were killed when the Titanic sank in April 1912. The site of the wreck remained a mystery until 1985, when explorer Robert Ballard located its remains about 640kms off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at a depth of 4,000m.

Cameron later revealed that he had known sensitive information about the fate of the Titan sub for days before its remains were found.

The director said that he was aware that top secret US Navy listening devices had detected an implosion near the Titanic wreckage within an hour of it occurring on Monday, and has since described the search for the five crew members as a nightmarish charade.

He has also claimed that the Titan crew would have known that the submersibles hull had started to crack and were trying to resurface when the catastrophic implosion occurred.

The 68-year-old told ABC News that his contacts within the community had shared details of the mission with him, a reference to the small and close-knit submersible Manned Underwater Vehicle (MUV) industry.
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Embattled freshman U.S. Rep. George Santos, a Republican from New York charged with a host of financial crimes, including embezzling money from his campaign, withdrew $85,000 from his campaign to help repay hundreds of thousands of dollars he loaned himself to get elected in 2022.

Congressional campaign records released Friday show Santos raised a relatively paltry $138,000 during the last three months for a reelection bid that is expected to be one of the country's most-watched and hotly contested races in 2024.

The records show he spent nearly $118,000, the bulk of it to begin repaying the more than $700,000 he loaned himself for his successful but surprising victory last year.

The underwhelming fundraising suggests potential struggles in fending off a challenge from fellow Republican Kellen Curry, an Afghanistan war veteran and former J.P. Morgan banker, who raised more than $200,000 and spent $36,000 during the same period.

Meanwhile, the top Democrat vying for New York's Third Congressional District, Nassau County legislator Joshua Lafazan, has raised more than $345,000, with much of it still in the bank.

Santos pleaded not guilty in May to a 13-count federal indictment charging him with looting his campaign coffers, fraudulently receiving unemployment and lying to Congress about being a millionaire. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

A day later, he signed an agreement with Brazilian officials that allowed him to avoid prosecution for forging two stolen checks in 2008.

Despite his legal woes, Santos has vowed to fight to keep his congressional seat, which mostly encompasses the western suburbs of Long Island but also straddles parts of the Queens borough in New York City.

Complicating matters is whether congressional districts will again have to be redrawn, which could mean trouble for some Republican incumbents if congressional lines are moved to make districts more favorable to Democrats.

Santos announced his reelection bid in April, despite a steady drumbeat calling for his resignation because of his many deceptions during his last campaign, including lying about his education, Wall Street pedigree and other resume fabrications.

Serious questions about his finances also surfaced  including the source of what appears to be a quickly amassed fortune despite recent financial problems, including evictions and owing thousands in back rent.

Santos is also facing investigation by the House Committee, as well as by local authorities looking into whether he has violated any laws during his previous campaign.
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President Joe Bidens attempts at playfulness were snubbed by a small child after he pretended to nibble her during a campiagn trail stop in Finland.

Mr Biden was meeting and greeting embassy staff and their families before jumping onto Air Force One at Helsinki-Vantaan International Airport when he met the little girl and her family.

In what appears to be an attempt at humour, Mr Biden pretended he was going to eat the little girl before attempting to give her a kiss  which was firmly rejected as she awkwardly turned away from the politician.

The moment was caught on video and was roundly criticised by social media users, with pro-Trump strategist Caleb Hull commenting: This has got to be Bidens creepiest moment yet with a child.

It came as Mr Biden rounded off a five-day visit to Europe, where he met wiith Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, and sad he guarantees that the US will back Nato despte extreme elements of the Republican Party, referencing the time former presdent Donald Trump threatened to remove the country from the alliiance.

No one can guarantee the future, but this is the best bet anyone could make, he said, according to Reuters, as he prepares for the upcoming 2024 election, in which his former rival Mr Trump contiinues to be a popular candidate in the Republican field.
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The top state election official in New Mexico has spoken with federal prosecutors as part of the special counsels probe into the 2020 election, the official's spokesman said Friday.

The meeting with New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver occurred sometime in the past few months, according to spokesman Alex Curtas, who declined further comment.

The Justice Department has spent months examining pressure campaigns by Trump associates aimed at getting battleground states won by Democrat Joe Biden to undo the results of their elections. Special counsel Jack Smith and his team have issued subpoenas to election officials in states that Trump disputed, seeking correspondence from Trump associates and campaign aides, and have also lined up interviews in recent months with state officials.

The communications with state officials are one prong of a much bigger probe by Smith and his team into efforts to block the transfer of power from Trump to Biden. It is not clear when Smiths investigation into the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021 riot might end or whether anyone might be charged.

A spokesman for Smith declined to comment on Friday.

Its unknown what questions were asked of Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat in her second term, about the 2020 election in New Mexico.

After Biden won the state by nearly 11 percentage points, Trumps campaign briefly challenged the results in court before dropping the lawsuit. Republicans in the state submitted false Electoral College certificates declaring Trump the winner  though the fake electors added a caveat saying the certificates were submitted in case they were later recognized as duly elected, qualified electors.

Although Democrats control every statewide elected office in New Mexico, with majorities in the Statehouse, false claims of fraud and manipulation of voting machines in 2020 have resonated in some politically conservative communities, including Otero County, where commissioners in June 2022 initially refused to certify election results.

Former Otero County commissioner and Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin was barred last year from holding public office for engaging in insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson have also spoken with officials from Smiths office in recent months, according to their staffs.

Kathy Boockvar, the chief state election official in Pennsylvania during the 2020 election, said Friday she has not been asked for an interview.

It was not currently clear whether state officials overseeing elections in 2020 in Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin  other states disputed by Trump -- have met with investigators.

Efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn his loss in Georgia are also the subject of a separate investigation in Atlanta's Fulton County with local prosecutors saying they expect a decision later this summer on next steps. It was in a Jan. 2, 2021, phone call that Trump suggested Raffensperger could help find the votes necessary to reverse Bidens win.

___

Cassidy reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writer Morgan Lee in Santa Fe, New Mexico, contributed to this report.
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He's been indictedtwice. Found liable for sexual abuse. And he's viewed unfavorably by about a third of his party. But six months before Republicans begin to choose their next presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump remains the race's dominant front-runner.

Early leaders don't always go on to win their party's nomination, but a growing sense of Trump's inevitability is raising alarms among some Republicans desperate for the party to move on. Some described a sense of panic  or DEFCON 1," as one put it  as they scramble to try to derail Trump and change the trajectory of the race. But there's no clear plan or strategy on how to do that and Trump's detractors aren't rallying around a single alternative candidate yet.

They're very concerned," former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said of fellow Republican leaders who share his view that renominating Trump would be a disaster for the party next November. Hogan, whose fears his own, described a moment of realization that, Oh my gosh, we really could have Trump as the that an unwieldy Republican field would only benefit Trump persuaded him to opt out of a campaign of nominee."

People expected us to have made more progress than we have at this point," he said as polling shows Trump routinely besting his closest rival by 20 to 30 points or more.

To be sure, the six months that remain until the Iowa caucuses can be an eternity in politics, where races can turn in a matter of weeks or days. And Trump faces glaring vulnerabilities, including the ongoing state and federal investigations into his efforts of overturn the 2020 election and the possibility that he could end up in the unprecedented position of standing trial while simultaneously mounting a campaign.

But even critics acknowledge the outside events that many were counting on to dent Trump's standing  namely his criminal indictments in New York and Florida  have not hurt him. In fact, the charges led some voters who were entertaining an alternative to return to Trump's camp.

The indictments have actually helped Donald Trump with the Republican primary voters," said Art Pope, a North Carolina GOP donor who is supporting former Vice President Mike Pence, but nonetheless believes the charges, particularly in New York, were unfounded.

Meanwhile, anti-Trump Republicans have yet to coalesce around an alternative, as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has struggled to build momentum, leaving many still waiting to see whether another viable alternative might emerge from the pack. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott has drawn growing attention.

Several groups that oppose Trump's candidacy have begun to spend big money on efforts to weaken his support, even if they have yet to rally around another candidate. Win It Back PAC, a new independent super PAC with ties to the conservative Club For Growth Action, invested $3.6 million this month on a new ad that features a purported Trump supporter who has grown tired of the former president's antics.

I love Donald Trump, I love what he did," he begins. But hes got so many distractions ... and Im not sure he can focus on moving the country forward."

The conservative Americans for Prosperity Action, which is part of the network founded by the billionaire Koch brothers, has also sought to undermine Trump through door knocking and phone calls. The group says it has found in conversations with voters that Trump's support is softer than most assume and that even those who identify as Trump supporters are concerned about his electability in a general election and open to an alternative.

Their mailers to voters in early states have focused on that message, including one that features photos of Trump and President Joe Biden and asks recipients, Is it worth the risk?

While officials with the group acknowledge that they are facing pressure to rally around a non-Trump candidate, they say they are focused now on laying the foundation for a Trump alternative to emerge.

Weve got to move on from Trump, said Drew Klein, the groups state director. Thats where most of the people were talking to are as well. Theyre not necessarily locked in with a candidate, but they know weve got to move on.

Not everyone, however, agrees with the anti-Trump strategy. Former GOP pollster Frank Luntz, who has been running focus groups in Iowa, warned such messaging makes it more likely that Trump wins because it turns him into a victim."

He said he's found Republican voters are open to an alternative, but want someone who will deliver on Trump's promises.

The moon and the stars will need to be aligned for Trump to be defeated," he said. And it will be done by the candidate that supports the Trump agenda but opposes the lack of success.

Political trajectories can change in an instant, particularly after voting begins. During the 2008 campaign, the eventual GOP nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, didn't emerge as the race's frontrunner until his January 2008 win in the New Hampshire primary. And then-Sen. Hillary Clinton appeared to have a clear advantage for the Democratic nomination, only to be overtaken by Barack Obama, after voting began.

But no former president has mounted a run after losing reelection in the modern era. And Trump maintains a fervent hold on a portion of the party. Indeed, it was eight years ago this month when the then-reality star and political newcomer began to pull ahead in the polls, surpassing rival Jeb Bush to move into first place  a position hed hold until he won the nomination.

Ralph Reed, a longtime Republican strategist who is the chairman of the evangelical Faith and Freedom Coalition, said Trump remains in the "strongest position" of any candidate, but still believes the race "will be competitive and hard fought.

No one should take any state for granted, no one should take this primary for granted because anything can happen and often does," he said. Almost every front-runner has a near-death experience.

Critics and rival campaigns point to what they perceive as a growing list of Trump campaign missteps, particularly in Iowa, where he has criticized the state's popular governor, Kim Reynolds, for her seemingly cozy relationship with DeSantis while purporting to be neutral. He's also skipped a pair of GOP gatherings that attracted most of his top rivals.

As his rivals spent Friday in Iowa at the Family Leadership Summit, Trump was heading to Florida, where he will have the stage largely to himself at the annual Turning Point Action conference, a gathering of thousands of young conservatives.

While DeSantis has had a years-long relationship with organizer Charlie Kirk and had been been featured at last year's event alongside Trump and received a warm welcome from the crowd, DeSantis turned down the groups invitation, citing a scheduling conflict.

You only have a few opportunities in the the grand scheme of an election cycle to get in front of major groups and all the media and to pass up this opportunity to lay out your vision for America I just think is one of the biggest mistakes," said Tyler Bowyer, the COO of Turning Point Action.

Asa Hutchinson, the former Arkansas governor who is among those challenging Trump for the nomination, said he still believes that Trump can be beaten. But he said two things have to change.

First, candidates like myself have to be very clear that Donald Trump is not the right direction for our country or our party, he said. Second: The voters have to realize we cant win in 2024 and it will be a devasting loss for the GOP ... up and down the ballot if Donald Trump is our nominee. And that, I believe, will be understood by the voters as time goes.
 Close Trump shares threatening fan-made video

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Donald Trump will face trial for the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case on 20 May 2024, just six months before the presidential election. Judge Aileen Cannon gave the order on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, the former president has been busy bullying his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, including Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson, on Truth Social as he braces for an imminent grand jury indictment over his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his role in inciting the Capitol riot of 6 January 2021.

Mr Trump announced on Tuesday that he had been sent a letter by special prosecutor Jack Smith informing him that he is the target of the investigation, citing three statutes under which he could be charged, including conspiracy to commit offence or to defraud the United States, deprivation of rights under colour of law and tampering with a witness, victim or informant.

That indictment, Mr Trumps third in four months, could be handed down any day now, The Independent learned.

Meanwhile, the latest attorney to join Mr Trumps legal team says he wants cameras in court when the former president is potentially put on trial over his alleged election interference.
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Former President Donald Trump was not invited to a gathering of evangelical and Jewish leaders, Christians United for Israel, scheduled for this weekend.

While he has been invited in the past, former President Donald Trump was not invited to this years summit, a senior adviser to CUFI told The Messenger on Friday. CUFI is a group of Christian Right activists and Jewish leaders, which is hosting a number of GOP 2024 hopefuls.

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley will be in attendance, the outlet reported.

The Independent has reached out to a spokesperson for Mr Trump for comment.

The news comes the former president drew ire from Jewish leaders after inviting Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), who lost major partnerships after making antisemitic remarks, Nick Fuentes, a Holocaust-denying white supremacist, to Mar-a-Lago.

Evangelicals were seen as a crucial voting bloc in Mr Trumps unexpected 2016 victory.
 Close Aspen Security Forum: Top officials discuss Ukraine war

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Moscow has claimed Ukraine attempted to launch a drone attack on Crimea on Saturday, forcing traffic to be suspended on the key bridge linking the peninsula to Russia.

Crimea's Russian-installed governor Sergei Aksyonov said infrastructure was targeted in the district of Krasnohvardiiske, without providing further details.

Traffic was temporarily suspended on Kerch Bridge with drivers stuck being asked to "remain calm". Traffic has now resumed.

It comes after the Crimean bridge was temporarily closed last Monday following a drone attack which damaged the bridge and killed two civilians.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said the countrys counteroffensive to push back occupying Russian forces is set to gain pace.

Mr Zelensky also called on allies to provide fighter jets and more long-range missiles, with Washington planning to announce a new military package to Ukraine imminently.
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A top Russian official has addressed the whereabouts of a senior general who has not been seen in public since the Wagner mutiny.

Andrei Kartapolov, head of the state Duma defence committee, said that general Sergei Surovikin is resting and not available right now.

It follows reports that Wagner boss Yevgeny Priogozhin has likely been murdered or incarcerated after leading a failed rebellion against the Kremlin regime.

General Surovikin is known to have a close relationship with Mr Priogozhin who last month ordered his soldiers to march on Moscow in what the Kremlin referred to as an aborted mutiny.

The incident formed part of an ongoing feud with Russias top military brass about its strategy in the Ukraine war.

Media reports claim Mr Surovikin was being interrogated by security forces at an unknown location over his connection to warlord Mr Priogozhin.

However, the British Ministry of Defence suggested Mr Surovikin had been sidelined following the mutiny, the Guardian reported.

Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhi (via REUTERS)

The ministry cited the increased public profile of his deputy Viktor Afzalov as evidence of why he has disappeared from public view.

In a televised appearance, Afzalov was shown briefing chief of general staff Valery Gerasimov on July 10, according to the ministry.

Afzalovs increased public profile, while Surovikins whereabouts remains unclear, adds further weight to the hypothesis that Surovikin has been sidelined following the mutiny, it said.

Meanwhile, Russian major general Ivan Popov, who was the commander of Russias 58th Combined Arms Army fighting near Zaporizhzhia, has said that he was fired as a commander after telling his superiors the truth about the dire situation on the frontlines in Ukraine.

Maj Gen Popov told his troops in an audio statement that he was dismissed after a meeting with the top military brass in what he described as a treacherous stab in the back to the Russian forces fighting in Ukraine.

He added that the military leadership was angered by his frank talk about the challenges faced by his forces.

The top officers apparently saw me as a source of threat and rapidly issued an order to get rid of me, which was signed by the defence minister in just one day, he said.
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Russian president Vladimir Putin said that the Wagner private military company simply doesn't exist as a legal entity, in comments adding to the series of often bizarre twists that have followed the groups abortive revolt last month  the most serious threat to Putins 23-year rule amid the war in Ukraine.

There is no law on private military organizations. It simply doesnt exist, Mr Putin told a Russian newspaper late Thursday, referring to the Wagner group.

Mr Putin recounted to Kommersant his own version of a Kremlin event attended by 35 Wagner commanders, including the group's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, on June 29. That meeting came just five days after Prigozhin and his troops staged a stunning but short-lived rebellion against Moscow authorities.

The meeting was revealed earlier this week by a Kremlin official.

Mr Putin said that at the talks, Wagner rejected an offer to keep its troops in Ukraine, where they have played key battlefield roles, under the leadership of their direct commander.

All of them could have gathered in one place and continued to serve, Mr Putin told the newspaper, And nothing would have changed for them. They would have been led by the same person who had been their real commander all along.

Mr Putin has previously said that Wagner troops had to choose whether to sign contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry, move to neighboring Belarus or retire from service.

According to him, although many nodded when he made his proposal, Mr Prigozhin rejected the idea, responding that the boys wont agree with such a decision.

This, Mr Putin said, was one of several employment options put forward at the meeting.

During the revolt that lasted less than 24 hours, Mr Prigozhins mercenaries quickly swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot, before driving to within about 200km (125 miles) of Moscow. Mr Prigozhin described the move as a march of justice to oust the military leaders, who demanded that Wagner sign contracts with the Defense Ministry by July 1.

The fate of Mr 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 remain cloudy.

Wagner mercenaries are completing the handover of their weapons to the Russian military, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

Their disarming of Wagner reflects efforts by Russian authorities to defuse the threat they posed and also appears to herald an end to the mercenary groups operations on the battlefield in Ukraine, where Kyivs forces are engaged in a counteroffensive.
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Less than a month after leaving the Kremlin quaking as his Wagner mercenaries marched on Moscow, leaked photographs of Yevgeny Prigozhin in his underwear in a tent have been leaked online amid an ongoing campaign to discredit the exiled mutineer.

As Vladimir Putin  whose grip on power is perceived by many to have been severely weakened by the popular mercenary bosss armed rebellion  sought to insist that Wagner had never actually existed, images showing a dishevelled-looking Mr Prigozhin in a state of semi-nudity appeared on Telegram.

In the latest bizarre twist of the saga, the president insisted to the Kommersant newspaper on Friday that the private military company simply doesnt exist as a legal entity under Russian law  while his emboldened ally Alexander Lukashenko claimed that some of the exiled mercenaries were now training Belaruss military.

While the latters remarks indicated the enactment of at least part of the deal struck by Mr Lukashenko and Mr Prigozhin for him and his fighters to relocate to Belarus, halting their armed progress less than 125 miles from Moscow last month, efforts to undermine the mercenary leader appeared to continue.

Just days after a pro-Kremlin media outlet published photographs supposedly seized in a raid at Mr Prigozhins St Petersburg mansion showing him donning various bizarre disguises such as lengthy wigs and stick-on beards, a new image began circulating on Russian social media spaces on Friday.

The picture appears to show Mr Prigozhin sitting in a tent wearing Y-fronts and a T-shirt, sparking futher speculation over his whereabouts after weeks of uncertainty.

In claims appearing to chime with Minsks assertion that Wagner fighters are instructing the Belarusian military at a camp near Osipovichi  some 50 miles from the capital  the pro-Russian Telegram account which first posted the image claimed its metadata showed it was taken on 12 July, according to monitoring group Belarusian Gayun, which noted similarities with other photos from the camp.

The floorboards in the tent appear to match those shown in photographs taken last week during an official tour of the formerly disused Osipovichi camp, at which satellite images reported by Radio Free Europe and the BBC appeared to show scores of newly erected tents and other structures.

Leaked picture of Yevgeny Prigozhin fuels further speculation over his whereabouts ( )

Despite the activity at the camp, and potential presence of Mr Prigozhin, Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg had told reporters as recently as Tuesday that the alliance had not witnessed any deployment or movement of any Wagner forces into Belarus.

Despite it being a long-favoured foreign policy tool of his own creation, Mr Putin appears to have urgently sought to defang the private military company since its fighters seized the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don last month and threatened Moscow.

In remarks denouncing the aborted mutiny as high treason, the Russian president toed a cautious line in a televised address last month in which he claimed the mercenaries  whose prestige on the battlefield in Ukraine has boosted their domestic popularity  had been tricked into a criminal adventure, without specifically referring to those under Mr Prigozhin.

Criticising what he called a stab in the back of the troops and the people of Russia, Mr Putin insisted however that Wagner troops were free to join the Russian military, return to their families, or leave Russia for Belarus.

Putin appeals to Russian public after Wagner mutiny

The extraordinary mutiny came after Wagner withdrew from Bakhmut, which it seized from Ukraine after months of bloody attrition in the frontline Donetsk city, with Mr Prigozhin having frequently voiced his anger at an alleged lack of ammunition and coordination by Russian military leaders.

The 62-year-olds vitriolic criticisms drew surprise from many observers given their apparent disregard for the Kremlins typically rigid grip on the narrative of its war in Ukraine, and were widely interpreted as a sign of the former convicts growing political stature within Russia.

A former hot dog vendor, Mr Prigozhin rose to prominence as he garnered the attention and favour of the Russian president while working as a restaurateur, with both men having grown up in St Petersburg.

He benefitted from large state loans while expanding his business under Mr Putins gaze, winning millions of pounds in contracts to provide meals to public schools, the Kremlin and Russian military  also drawing the attention of jailed opposition figure Alexei Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation.

Yevgeny Prigozhin seized the city of Rostov-on-Don last month (PRIGOZHIN PRESS SERVICE)

Claiming to have served 10 years in jail during the final throes of the Soviet Union, reportedly after the violent robbery of a woman whom he choked unconscious, Mr Prigozhin was permitted by Mr Putin to create Wagner in 2014, despite Russias constitution outlawing such groups.

Following exploits in the Donbas and Syria, while also fighting for national leaders and warlords in Africa in return for lucrative sums and assets, Wagner has become a household name during the Ukraine war as a result of its relative prestige in comparison with the faltering Russian military  and its apparent brutality.

While Mr Prigozhins recruitment drive in prisons fuelling human wave attacks was deemed largely responsible for Wagners gains in Bakhmut, footage has also circulated of its fighters bludgeoning an alleged deserter to death with a sledgehammer, symbolism since adopted by Mr Prigozhin himself.

Having long sought plausible deniability on the subject of Wagner, in seeking to discredit Mr Prigozhin following his shortlived mutiny, Mr Putin reversed his position by seeking to claim ultimate responsibility for the group, as he insisted the fighters wages had come out of state coffers.
CCTV footage has captured the moment police officers in Ohio wrestled to get a mayonnaise jar off the head of a racoon who had gotten stuck.

Painesville Police Department officers found themselves in a chase with the animal after a member of the public reported it as 'distressed', but the racoon wasn't willing to let them get close.

It's likely it got stuck in the jar after looking for food.

Eventually blocking off a road, they managed to get the creature out of the jar before it hurried away like nothing had happened.
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A deadly heatwave sweeping across Europe with temperatures forecast to shatter records in the coming days stands in complete contrast to the weather faced by the United Kingdom that has had wet and windy conditions continuing this week.

As the UK gets prolonged showers  the Met Office predicts unsettled conditions to continue for the next few days  the Mediterranean region grapples with soaring heat that could touch a new European record as soon as this week.

Temperatures are expected to go beyond 40C in parts of Spain and Italy in the coming days.

Spain, Italy and Greece have been experiencing scorching temperatures for several days already, damaging agriculture and leaving tourists scurrying for shade.

But a new anticyclone dubbed Charon, who in Greek mythology was the ferryman of the dead, pushed into the region from north Africa on Sunday and could lift temperatures above 45 Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) in parts of Italy early this week.

The countrys blazing mercury led to the death of a 44-year-old man, while a tourist from the UK visiting Romes Colosseum fainted, prompting health warnings.

We need to prepare for a severe heat storm that, day after day, will blanket the whole country, Italian weather news service Meteo.it warned on Sunday.

In some places ancient heat records will be broken.

The temperature of the ground, which is different from the air temperature that weather forecasts mention, hit more than 60C in some areas of Spain last week, satellite recordings have shown.

While mean ground temperatures are generally close to the air temperatures, they can sometimes be higher as the soil in summer can trap more heat. However, a surface land temperature of 60C is extremely high and rare in Europe.

The heatwave will intensify from Monday, with temperatures reaching 44C (111.2F) in the Guadalquivir valley near Seville in the south of the country, forecasters predicted.

The conditions have been raising fears of a repeat of last years extreme heat conditions when Europe experienced its hottest summer on record in 2022, marked by an onslaught of scorching heatwaves, devastating droughts and raging forest fires driven by the human-induced climate crisis.

The heat contributed to the deaths of over 61,000 people, a recent study has shown.

Heat map showing extremely hot areas in black (European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-3 imagery)

Experts have said the European heatwave is because of an area of high pressure named after the underworld monster from Dantes Inferno  Cerberus.

The area of high pressure comes as the world recently experienced record-shattering temperatures that have fuelled baking heatwaves in several countries like the US  that has seen contrasting weather extremes of its own.

The southern US has been engulfed by extreme heat while its northeast grapples with severe flooding.

The UK, on the other hand, finds itself under the influence of a different weather pattern that has brought in more rain and thus pulled down temperatures after the country got its hottest June on record, pointed out experts.

Dr Melissa Lazenby, a climate change lecturer at the University of Sussex, explained that the current placement of a high-pressure system located further south is the primary reason for this divergence.

The current European Heatwave is being driven by stable atmospheric conditions from a stationary high pressures feature, Dr Lazenby explained.

She added that while it is not possible to determine all the drivers and their exact contributions to the current heatwave yet, Europe is not particularly affected by El Nino events directly.

Therefore it is likely the high-pressure system and climate change are the main contributors to this heatwave event, she said.

The UK at the moment is not experiencing the same high temperatures as the rest of Europe and that is mainly due to the placement of the current high-pressure system, which does not cover the UK and is situated further south, Dr Lazenby said, which provides stable atmospheric conditions for enhanced warming and resulting heatwaves.

If you are in the UK today, you will notice the higher winds which are not associated with a high-pressure feature and therefore not allowing conducive heatwave conditions explaining why UK temperatures are not anomalously warm like the rest of Europe.

A woman fans herself in Madrid, Spain (AP)

While the UK may be relieved to avoid sweltering conditions experienced by its European counterparts, extreme temperatures have impacted the countrys summertime this year.

The Met Office said record June temperatures in the UK were caused by the background warming of the Earths atmosphere due to human-induced climate change.

The sea around the UK and Ireland also experienced an unheard of extreme marine heatwave that posed dangers to the coastal ecosystem.

July was largely expected to be the hottest month of the year, surpassing June temperatures, as experts predicted more heatwaves in the coming days. Current changes, however, indicate no imminent heatwave threat to the country.

But the rapid temperature rise in the Mediterranean region serves as a stark reminder that the climate crisis is an intricate system with potential feedback loops and unforeseen events, experts say.

To an extent, the European heatwave we are seeing in summer 2023 reflects what has been observed over the last few years in the science. Namely, that Europe has been warming much faster than other continents in recent decades, and that this trend is especially pronounced in north-west Europe  including the UK, said Dr Leslie Mabon, lecturer in environmental systems at The Open University.

Dr Mabon explained that while it is difficult to pinpoint a single factor responsible for making Europe warm so fast, due to the complex relationships between the different elements in the system, we can be in absolutely no doubt that a critical driver behind this warming trend is carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.

Until we rapidly reduce emissions from fossil fuels, extremes like the heatwave we are seeing in Europe at the moment are going to become more and more likely, Dr Mabon said.

The differences that we are seeing in the extent of warming both globally and between regions of Europe are also a stark reminder that the Earths climate is a complex system.

As we get to higher degrees of warming, the danger of feedback loops or unexpected events occurring becomes greater. This is why we need to urgently reduce emissions from fossil fuels and limit the extent of global heating at all costs.
Fewer than one in four Irish tech startups that raised funding last year had a female founder

Mary McKenna was named overall angel investor of the year by the UK Business Angels Association. Photo: UKBAA

A Tyrone woman, who has won two prestigious awards for her work as an angel investor, says her mission is to draw attention to the gender funding gap and how it can be solved.
Herd of Friesian cattle in the Glen of Aherlow, Co Tipperary. Photo: Getty

The competition watchdog has decided to carry out a full investigation into agri-business co-operative Aurivos proposed acquisition of certain Arrabawn assets.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is set to launch an extensive Phase 2 investigation into the proposed acquisition.

The CCPC will look to establish if the acquisition would lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the State.

The proposed deal would see Aurivo acquire Arrabawns business for the supply of branded and unbranded liquid milk, as well as cream and butter products.

Aurivo, which is headquartered in Sligo, sells dairy ingredients and products, such as powders and fresh milk. The business owns the Connacht Gold and Organic For Us brands.

It also operates agri-retail outlets which sell animal feeds and other agricultural goods.

Employing over 650 people, Aurivo has an annual turnover of 570.3m.

Arrabawn sells dairy products, food ingredients and animal feed.

It also operates some retail stores, while its head office is located in Nenagh, Co Tipperary.

The co-op has revenues of around 365m, with over 370 employees.

The deal was originally announced in August last year.

The board of directors at Arrabawn confirmed at the time that it had accepted an offer to sell its liquid milk sales book to Aurivo.

Arrabawn said at the time that milk supply and upcoming liquid milk contracts will not be impacted by this decision.

Speaking last August, the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society welcomed the decision.

"It will allow Aurivo to achieve even greater scale and reach in their consumer food business, president James ODonnell said.

"It will also allow Arrabawn the opportunity to focus on their core manufacturing business which has been transformed in recent times, particularly with the recent investment of 30m in the Nenagh plant.

The move to a Phase 2 investigation follows an extended Phase 1 review period which commenced in February when the CCPC was first notified of the proposed acquisition.

A final decision on the deal could take up to 135 days, according to the CCPC.

Third parties are being asked to make submissions before August 2.
Eighty-five women who passed through the National Maternity Hospital last year were either homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Housing concerns accounted for over half of the women referred to a new inclusion health unit at the Dublin maternity hospital.

Sinead Stakelum, a senior medical social worker in inclusion health, said that 43 of the women she saw last year had to access homeless accommodation.

The inclusion healthcare programme at the maternity hospital is available to vulnerable women from a variety of backgrounds, including some who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, international protection applicants, Roma and Traveller women, women in the criminal justice system and women engaged in sex work.

The programme originated in acute adult hospitals. Now that it has been expanded to the Dublin maternity hospitals, there are hopes to broaden it nationally and to include paediatric healthcare.

Ms Stakelum is one of three new dedicated inclusion health social workers based at each of the Dublin maternity hospitals. With previous experience working with homelessness services, Ms Stakelum has been working at The National Maternity Hospital at Holles Street since 2015. She became the maternity hospitals dedicated inclusion health social worker in 2021, as part of a pilot programme.

Its about reducing stressors, Ms Stakelum said. I think every woman needs the same thing from your maternity hospital. But its the additional challenges that women in homelessness face. Sometimes, those challenges are invisible.

Women who are living in family, emergency accommodation  so, like, family homeless hubs  visitation is very, very limited. One thing that I talk to many women about is the importance of having your support network after you have a baby, having your tribe and people around you who are minding you.

That is a challenge for homeless women, because your mam cant come in and hold your baby while you have a shower. You might not be able to have someone to come in and cook nourishing food. You might not be able to have someone stay at home and mind your children while you go to a hospital appointment. That is definitely one challenge that I would see in a number of patients, that they would really kind of experience that kind of disconnect.

Ms Stakelum said that part of her work has been educating hospital colleagues about the service, to increase referrals to it.

In its first full year of operation, the inclusion healthcare service at the National Maternity Hospital was offered to 151 women. Of those women, 85 were either homeless or at risk of homelessness at some point during their pregnancy. While the majority were obstetric patients, the figure also includes gynaecological patients.

Some possibly had been given notice to quit, maybe [they] were at risk of losing their home or were in very precarious or unsuitable accommodation, Ms Stakelum said.

So just over half of the whole inclusion-health cohort is housing and homeless related.

Ms Stakelum said that being pregnant while losing access to secure housing is a challenge, but said the hospital works with women throughout the entire pregnancy.

Not just when there is a crisis, she added. Some patients may be homeless in the beginning of their pregnancy, and they may have successfully exited homelessness into private rented accommodation. Some women, it might happen in the middle of their pregnancy But we offer the service antenatally and in the post-natal period too. So when you leave the hospital, it doesnt mean that I stop working with you.

The way we look at it is kind of like a scaffold. Were working antenatally towards discharge and towards baby arriving.

Ms Stakelum said that part of her job is finding and eliminating the barriers that vulnerable and marginalised women may face in pregnancy. Usually, a hospital will communicate with an expectant woman about upcoming appointments through the post. Ms Stakelum said that this is a major issue for women who might be staying in a large housing hub like CityWest in Dublin, or who may have moved on from their emergency accommodation by the time a letter arrives.

Under the inclusion health model, the hospital has made a greater effort to text or telephone marginalised women to update them about upcoming scans.

We want to make sure that women dont miss appointments by virtue of being homeless, Ms Stakelum said. We find out what their preferred method of contact is. The hospital will also move appointments to later in the day if a patient has problems accessing transport.

Ms Stakelum says she sometimes sees women who may not be able to afford the cost of postnatal medication and may not qualify for a medical card. She has successfully lobbied the hospital pharmacy to get such medication free for women treated under the inclusion health model.

Marginalised women also have access to support from The Linen Guild, a charity which has been running within the National Maternity Hospital since 1912.

The guild works with Ms Stakelum to help provide Leap cards, maternity pads, pyjamas, baby clothes and other supplies to vulnerable expectant women.

Being homeless shouldnt be a barrier to excellent care, she said.
Can Ryan Tubridy piece his reputation back together  or does his future lie outside RTE?

The prospects of the broadcaster returning to his Radio 1 show were still in doubt this week. After a fraught appearance before two Oireachtas committees, has he done enough to win over colleagues and the public?

Picking up the pieces: Ryan Tubridys appearance alongside his agent Noel Kelly before the Oireachtas this week was his first significant attempt to repair his reputation

John Meagher Sat 15 Jul 2023 at 03:30
The dead woman (38) who is from India, had only been living in Ireland for a short time

Scene of fatal stabbing of woman on Cardinal Court in Wilton in Cork city. Photo: Andy Gibson

The scene of fatal stabbing of woman on Cardinal Court in Wilton in Cork city. Photo: Andy Gibson

The man in custody in relation to the stabbing death of a woman in Cork is well known to her, Independent.ie understands.

The dead woman (38) who is from India, had only been living in Ireland for a short time and is the mother to a primary school-aged boy who was not present at the time of the incident, according to sources.

The five-year-old was out with friends of his mother and was not present when the incident occurred.

The child was returned to the house late on Friday night accompanied by his mother's friends, who happened upon the aftermath of the killing.

It is understood the chief suspect for the killing then phoned gardai when the boy came home.

Gardai are currently trying to establish a motive for the stabbing on Friday night, but early indications are it is linked to a domestic disturbance.

The woman sustained a stab wound at a house in Cardinal Court in Wilton in Cork city on Friday evening. It is understood the incident occurred in a bedroom of the house.

Emergency services rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised shortly after 10pm. The woman was pronounced dead at the property on the southside of the city.

The body of the deceased was removed from the scene to Cork University Hospital this afternoon with a postmortem examination due later on Saturday.

A technical examination of the scene was carried out. The house remained sealed off this afternoon, with gardai posted outside.

The man in his 40s who was arrested at the scene is being detained at Togher Garda Station on the southside of Cork city for questioning in connection with the incident. He can be held for up to 24 hours. The man was arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Gardai are hoping that neighbours will be able to assist them in their investigation.

Its awful news we are waking up to in Wilton this morning, said local councillor Colm Kelleher.

"Its shocking news. The whole community is rattled to the core.

Mr Kelleher said his thoughts and prayers are with the womans family in the aftermath of the incident.

Its dreadful, absolutely shocking.

The Fianna Fail councillor said Cardinal Court in Wilton is a quiet area, sitting about 5km from the city centre.

Its in close proximity to the city but it is a quite secluded, well-established housing estate  its awful to see something like this happen in such a quiet area, he added.

"The gardai are conducting an active investigation and I think space and time need to be given to them now in carrying out their job.

Councillor Fergal Dennehy appealed for anyone with information that may help the gardai in their investigation to contact their local garda station.

I would be appealing to anybody who saw anything or knows anything in relation to this incident to communicate that to the gardai, he added.

I want to give my condolences to the family at what is an awful time for them. Its a terrible thing to happen.

Cardinal Court is such a quiet, lovely residential area, he added.

One local man said the area is home to a diverse community as it is extremely close to Cork University Hospital and relatively close to Munster Technological University.

The elderly man said that a number of medics and professionals from overseas reside in Cardinal Court and surrounding areas in Wilton and nearby Bishopstown.

An Indian woman, who lives close to the red-brick semi-detached home where the woman died, said that she was shocked to hear of the death of a mother of one in such violent circumstances.

"I was thinking of the time in India that her family would have been called. It would have been around 4am there. It must have been such a shock to get that call. It is such a long way way. I don't know her [the victim] but when you hear that she has a young son. That is upsetting.

The woman said members of the Indian Community in Cork plan to join representatives of their embassy, and the wider community, in assisting the loved ones of the deceased on practical matters such as repatriation of her body to India.

Two other Indian women, one holding her young daughter, said they were deeply upset to hear of the death of the woman in the house in the cul de sac.

They did not know the deceased, but they stressed that it was hard not to moved by the thought of a young boy losing his mother.

Seamus Twomey, who lives in Cardinal Court, said it was "tragic news" and the "last thing you would expect to wake up to" in the estate.

"It is very sad. A very tragic event. It is not good news for the area, he said.

Local woman Ursula Moriarty told Red FM News she was shocked to hear of the incident.

"It is an awful thing to happen. Dreadful. We have a lovely locality here. It is usually very quiet and peaceful. The baby wasn't in the house thanks be to God. We have lovely people here," she said.

Gardai have asked anyone with any information to contact Togher Garda Station on (021) 494 7120, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
Father-of-three had more than 320,000 worth of drugs at his home when it was raided by gardai, court hears
Ms McEntee brought a memo to Cabinet on Tuesday seeking permission to appoint Kildare County Councillor Mark Stafford to the quasi-judicial role.

Mr Stafford, who is serving his second term as a Fine Gael councillor, was chosen by Ms McEntee from three candidates proposed by the Public Appointment Service (PAS) to fill the role of County Louth registrar. The position comes with a 150,000 salary and a 8,979 probate allowance.

Mr Stafford has worked as a solicitor for 25 years and has run for Fine Gael in local elections on three occasions.

He was unsuccessful when he first ran for the party in 2009 but was elected to Kildare County Council in 2014 and again in 2019. He served as Kildare mayor for a year from June 2020.

Mr Stafford is resigning his council seat to take up the new role, as county registrars are not permitted to have other business interests.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Mr Stafford said he was delighted to have been chosen for the role.

He said he did not speak directly to Ms McEntee about the role before he was appointed and said, while he knows all the members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party, he has not spoken to the Justice Minister in a number of years.

The last time I met Ms McEntee was at an ard fheis or selection convention of a colleague 10 years ago, he added.

Mr Stafford said he had applied to become a county registrar a number of times in the past, and he was honoured to have been chosen on this occasion.

The appointment was made through PAS, like all positions in the public service, and Im delighted to have come through the process, he said.

I resigned as a county councillor to give Fine Gael an opportunity to co-opt a successor into my seat and I am very grateful to the people of my municipal district who showed their faith in me.

In a memo published after Cabinet, the Government said it agreed to a request from the Minister for Justice to appoint a new county registrar for Louth following a Public Appointments Service process to fill the position.

It said that following a competitive two-stage interview process, PAS recommended three candidates to the minister for appointment to the post.

Mr Stafford is a solicitor of 25 years standing, having qualified as a solicitor in 1998. He has qualifications in arbitration; employment law; district court practice; family law; environmental and planning law; is an accredited mediator; and has a Masters in Science in business and management, it added.

The Government briefing said that Mr Stafford will resign his position as a councillor in Kildare, where he served as a Fine Gael representative since 2014.

Registrars must devote the whole of their time to their duties and cannot engage or be connected with any business which would conflict with the interest of, or be inconsistent with their official position. They also may not engage in private practice as a solicitor or barrister.

The Minister for Justice consulted the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Minister Ryan, it added.
A Flathead County jury on Thursday evening found 37-year-old Jonathan Douglas Shaw guilty of deliberate homicide and attempted deliberate homicide in the September 2021 death of Matthew Hurley, the former manager of a Kalispell fitness center, and the shooting of gym patron William Keck in the parking lot of Fuel Fitness and Nutrition.

The verdict came in at about 7:40 p.m. following more than four hours of deliberations. Shaw was remanded to the custody of the Flathead County Sheriffs Office. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21.

Judge Dan Wilson presided over the Flathead County District Court trial that began July 10. Evidence and testimony in the case spanned four days and wrapped up a day earlier than scheduled, with Shaw testifying as the defenses only witness.

Closing arguments ended on Thursday afternoon, with deputy Flathead County attorneys Ashley Frechette and John Donovan maintaining that Shaws actions were not justified when he shot two people on Sept. 16, killing Hurley and injuring Keck.

Throughout the trial, they pointed to Shaws aggressive demeanor toward gym managers Hurley and Matthew Underhill when he fired his loaded 9 mm pistol after hearing a message he didnt want to hear, when the Fuel Fitness employees approached him to revoke his membership and refund his fees. Prosecutors also said that the defendant fired five shots at Keck, the gym member he engaged in a shootout with, and intended to kill him.

The defendant testified that this was a war zone, Frechette told jurors. He likened it to a combat incident. This incident was a war zone of the defendants own making.

Defense attorneys Colin Stephens and Paul Simon maintained throughout the trial that Shaw acted in self-defense, feeling threatened when Hurley and his assistant Underhill aggressively approached him in the parking lot, where the defendant, having recently been evicted from his Kalispell apartment, had been sleeping overnight in a parked trailer. Shaw told the jury that he thought the employees were reaching for weapons during the confrontation, prompting him to shoot Hurley four times. He later admitted he never saw any weapons.

He was mistaken, and his actions were reasonable in light of the circumstances, Stephens said.

Shaw also testified during the trial that Keck fired the first shot during the parking lot shootout and that he acted in self-defense.

The jury, however, sided with the county prosecutors who emphasized that the last words that Hurley heard before Shaw shot him four times was youre gonna die and that his intent was to kill him when he discharged the firearm. They were also convinced that Shaw shot Keck with the intention of killing him.
Scene of fatal stabbing of woman on Cardinal Court in Wilton in Cork city. Photo: Andy Gibson

Scene of fatal stabbing of woman on Cardinal Court in Wilton in Cork city. Photo: Andy Gibson

The man in custody in relation to the stabbing death of a woman in Cork is well known to her, Independent.ie understands.

The dead woman (38) who is from India, had only been living in Ireland for a short time and is the mother to a primary school-aged boy who was not present at the time of the incident, according to sources.

The five-year-old was out with friends of his mother and was not present when the incident occurred.

The child was returned to the house late on Friday night accompanied by his mother's friends, who happened upon the aftermath of the killing.

It is understood the chief suspect for the killing then phoned gardai when the boy came home.

Gardai are currently trying to establish a motive for the stabbing on Friday night, but early indications are it is linked to a domestic disturbance.

The woman sustained a stab wound at a house in Cardinal Court in Wilton in Cork city on Friday evening. It is understood the incident occurred in a bedroom of the house.

Emergency services rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised shortly after 10pm. The woman was pronounced dead at the property on the southside of the city.

The body of the deceased was removed from the scene to Cork University Hospital this afternoon with a postmortem examination due later on Saturday.

A technical examination of the scene was carried out. The house remained sealed off this afternoon, with gardai posted outside.

The man in his 40s who was arrested at the scene is being detained at Togher Garda Station on the southside of Cork city for questioning in connection with the incident. He can be held for up to 24 hours. The man was arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Gardai are hoping that neighbours will be able to assist them in their investigation.

Its awful news we are waking up to in Wilton this morning, said local councillor Colm Kelleher.

"Its shocking news. The whole community is rattled to the core.

Mr Kelleher said his thoughts and prayers are with the womans family in the aftermath of the incident.

Its dreadful, absolutely shocking.

The Fianna Fail councillor said Cardinal Court in Wilton is a quiet area, sitting about 5km from the city centre.

Its in close proximity to the city but it is a quite secluded, well-established housing estate  its awful to see something like this happen in such a quiet area, he added.

"The gardai are conducting an active investigation and I think space and time need to be given to them now in carrying out their job.

Councillor Fergal Dennehy appealed for anyone with information that may help the gardai in their investigation to contact their local garda station.

I would be appealing to anybody who saw anything or knows anything in relation to this incident to communicate that to the gardai, he added.

I want to give my condolences to the family at what is an awful time for them. Its a terrible thing to happen.

Cardinal Court is such a quiet, lovely residential area, he added.

One local man said the area is home to a diverse community as it is extremely close to Cork University Hospital and relatively close to Munster Technological University.

The elderly man said that a number of medics and professionals from overseas reside in Cardinal Court and surrounding areas in Wilton and nearby Bishopstown.

An Indian woman, who lives close to the red-brick semi-detached home where the woman died, said that she was shocked to hear of the death of a mother of one in such violent circumstances.

"I was thinking of the time in India that her family would have been called. It would have been around 4am there. It must have been such a shock to get that call. It is such a long way way. I don't know her [the victim] but when you hear that she has a young son. That is upsetting.

The woman said members of the Indian Community in Cork plan to join representatives of their embassy, and the wider community, in assisting the loved ones of the deceased on practical matters such as repatriation of her body to India.

Two other Indian women, one holding her young daughter, said they were deeply upset to hear of the death of the woman in the house in the cul de sac.

They did not know the deceased, but they stressed that it was hard not to moved by the thought of a young boy losing his mother.

Seamus Twomey, who lives in Cardinal Court, said it was "tragic news" and the "last thing you would expect to wake up to" in the estate.

"It is very sad. A very tragic event. It is not good news for the area, he said.

Local woman Ursula Moriarty told Red FM News she was shocked to hear of the incident.

"It is an awful thing to happen. Dreadful. We have a lovely locality here. It is usually very quiet and peaceful. The baby wasn't in the house thanks be to God. We have lovely people here," she said.

Gardai have asked anyone with any information to contact Togher Garda Station on (021) 494 7120, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
Ryan Tubridy arrived into Leinster House promising to try lift a fog of confusion that had descended over payments made to him by RTE.

He said this would have been avoided through full disclosure and transparency from the broadcaster.

But despite another round of hearings at PAC and the Dail Media Committee this week, that fog is yet to dissipate.

Labour TD Alan Kelly bemoaned conflicting accounts that had been given by various participants across what now stands at over 24 hours of meetings.

Its actually more confusing now than it ever was, the Tipperary representative said.

So what are the blurred lines that still need to be clarified:

Underwriting the Renault agreement

RTE scandal contradictions: Underwriting the Renault agreement

There are differing recollections of RTEs underwriting of its tripartite agreement with Ryan Tubridy and car company Renault.

The former Late Late Show presenter was paid 150,000 by RTE under the agreement in lieu of two 75,000 payments per year from Renault.

Noel Kelly provided the PAC with an email from former RTE chief financial officer Breda OKeefe dated February 20, 2020, saying the broadcaster can provide you with a side letter to underwrite this fee for the duration of the contract.

This goes directly against OKeefes recollection of events. She said the management team were against the underwriting.

The former CFO said she was unaware of any underwriting of the agreement by RTE until it was reported in the media.

RTE interim deputy director general Adrian Lynch told the PAC on Thursday that the broadcaster maintains the February 2020 email did not represent a contractual agreement to underwrite the fees.

Former director general Dee Forbes verbally committed to underwrite the agreement in May 2020, he said.

Who knew about the deal?

One of the seven untruths Ryan Tubridy took aim at in his opening statement on Tuesday was that RTEs underwriting of Renaults payment obligations was a secret.

This is not true. RTEs underwriting of Renaults payment obligations was not a secret, he said.

The February 2020 email from Breda OKeefe to Noel Kelly was copied to Dee Forbes and RTEs director of content Jim Jennings.

The interim deputy director general has said it wasnt widely known within RTE that the Renault deal was being underwritten.

RTE and Renault contracts separate

Noel Kelly told PAC the deal with Renault was a commercial one for his client to fulfil live appearances for Renault, separate from his contract with RTE.

Mr Lynch contradicted the claim, saying negotiations for Mr Tubridys salary and those for the tripartite agreement were closely linked.

New RTE Director General Kevin Bakhurst said theres no logic to claims made by Tubridy and Kelly that the two agreements are separate.

My idea of it would be that if the money was negotiated through RTE and paid for by RTE then it should be counted as an overall payment by RTE and therefore should have been properly accounted for and represented in the figure, he said.

RTE's Kevin Backhurst is questioned by the media.

Tubridy walks without underwriting

Noel Kelly contends that there was no chance of Ryan Tubridy walking away from RTE if the parties couldnt agree to the terms of the annual 75,000 payments.

Conversely, Mr Lynch said the belief within RTE was Ryan Tubridys contract would not have been signed without the commercial agreement with Renault in place or RTE underwriting it.

Invoices filed by Noel Kelly

Noel Kelly told PAC: We never expected RTE to actually pay the sum. If there was no sponsor, there would be no payment. Renault didnt engage Tubridy for the roadshows in the final two years of the three-year deal.

However, Mr Kelly filed invoices for the payments to RTE, who then forwarded them on to UK-based media company Astus.

Mr Lynch said Noel Kelly acknowledged in the Grant Thornton report that RTE would make the two 75,000 payments to Tubridy if the sponsor was no longer in place before the contract was up.

We contend that the payments of 75,000 for year two and three of the commercial contract were pursued by NK Management, despite it knowing that the Renault contract was no longer in place.

Meetings between Kelly and Forbes

RTE scandal contradictions: Meetings between Kelly and Forbes

Kelly rejected claims that he had influence at the top level of RTE and said he had never had a one-on-one meeting with Ms Forbes.

Ive only ever met Dee Forbes with her legal team. Ive never had a cup of tea with Dee Forbes, I have never met her for lunch, I have never met her for dinner, I dont know Dee Forbes, he said.

Mr Lynch provided PAC with records of a Microsoft Teams call on April 25, 2022, which was only attended by Mr Kelly and Ms Forbes.
Knock-on delays are expected, with bus transfers in place for some services.

Trains through Thurles and Portlaoise have resumed following a fatal incident on the line this morning.

Irish Rail said services had been suspended shortly after 8am, with service restored around 11am.

The line had closed due to a fatal incident, they said.

Knock-on delays of approximately 15 minutes are expected on some services travelling through the line this afternoon, though they are are expected to ease.

A full schedule of services will operate though some services have been altered as a result of the incident.

Bus transfers will operate in place of the 4.30pm Waterford to Limerick Junction train and the 6.40pm Limerick Junction to Waterford train.

Update:

The line has reopened between Thurles and Portlaoise.

10:00 Heuston to Cork train to run through Cork

10:25 Cork to Heuston train to run through to Heuston

Update to follow. -CL https://t.co/JWNrGykAeG  Iarnrod Eireann (@IrishRail) July 15, 2023

Commuter services between Portlaoise and Heuston were operating as scheduled while the line between Thurles and Portlaoise remained closed.

"Services have been suspended between Thurles and Templemore due to a tragic incident, Irish Rail said in a statement issued to social media this morning.

"06:40 Limerick  Heuston is stopped between Thurles and Templemore. The line will remain closed in both directions until further notice.

Further updates on the situation will be issued by Irish Rail shortly, they added.

Heuston to Cork services were held in Heuston while Cork to Heuston services were held in Cork.
Toymaster supervisor Andy with some of the Barbie dolls on display in the Mary Street store

A Dublin toy shop has said Barbie represents more people now ahead of the film launch next week.

With the movie release on July 21, Banba Toymaster, on Mary Street, has pink shelves, pink flooring and a life-sized Barbie doll box that people can get into and pose for pictures.

Barbie was first launched in 1959 and the movie, directed by acclaimed Little Women filmmaker Greta Gerwig, stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken.

Toymaster supervisor Andy has noticed that Barbie has become more relatable in recent times. Theres a doll to represent everybody and she is no longer the typical tall, slim blonde.

With Barbie, you can be anything now. Barbie used to be kind of like a housewife, but now, shes a doctor, a vet, a sportstar, or an astronaut, the range has exploded, he said.

She represents more people now. Youve all the different coloured skin tones, she can be blonde, she can have an afro, she can have no hair. Its the same with Ken too.

Margot Robbie stars as the iconic doll in the upcoming Barbie movie

There are ones in wheelchairs, theres a pregnant one, theres a deaf one. It doesnt single out girly girls anymore, you can strive to be something else and be better. Its not excluding anyone.

The film hasnt kicked off yet but were getting the movie stock. Her face looks like Margot Robbie and Ken looks like Ryan Gosling, he added.

Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan will also make an appearance in the film and recently spoke to FM104 about being the first Irish Barbie and how her mum keeps her humble.

It's great for the parish. When I got nominated for an Emmy, she said sure we have to go down to Tesco now, Nicola said.

Its really special. Greta has been one of my favourite filmmakers since Frances Ha. I watched that when I was a struggling actor and moved to London in my twenties. Everything she made has just been perfect.

This is a Greta Gerwig movie. Its Barbie, its pink, its fabulous but it has such heart, integrity. It has the most incredible ensemble. I feel incredibly privileged, she added.
The Minister, who was accompanied by Green party Cllr Marianne Butler were welcomed by the chairperson Maire Flynn, director Tony Jordan and manager Irenaeus McCaffrey.

The Minister toured the creche and chatted to all the staff and children, praising the work that gets done in the creche,and remarking on how engaged the children were. He was delighted with the posters and flags which the children had made for his visit, praising them for their efforts.

Minister OGorman asked manager, Irenaeus for her opinion on the funding schemes for the creche and she told him that it places an administration burden on childcare providers as it is time consuming and takes time away from the other duties that need to be done.

The Minister, told her that he likes to speak to people on the ground level and get real feedback and that he can look at it and try to address it. Irenaeus also asked him look at funding for the under threes especially for children with disabilities. He responded by saying that they are presently looking at the AIM funding that they want to expand the scheme. Currently the children that are awarded AIM funding get 3 hours and he wants to increase the hours provided for each of these children to services. Then after this he will look at providing some support for children under three with disabilities.
The Gaisce Gold Medal recognises young peoples outstanding commitment to personal development and contribution to society. This years participants took on a range of activities and projects, from Meals on Wheels, to playing the bagpipes, learning a new language, participating in park-runs and refining their leadership skills.

In Ashley and Sineads case they were rewarded for their work in Lourdes, learning German, taking part in rowing and running events, and tackling the Kerry Way with Colaiste Bride.

This years awardees committed two or more years to completing various challenges, resulting in a total of 37,000 hours spent achieving personal goals and volunteering within their communities. Gaisces vision is an Ireland where every young person, no matter their circumstances, has access to participate in the Presidents Challenge. Gaisce consistently works to achieve this vision, delivering key initiatives to ensure equality of access and opportunity.

Speaking prior to the awards, President Higgins said, Young people possess immense potential, creativity, and a perspective that can shape our world in profound ways, demonstrated through this years recipients of the Gold Award. We must value and empower our youth, ensuring access to education, opportunities, and programmes such as Gaisce to allow them to express their ideas and make a positive impact in the communities in which they live. I would like to congratulate the 98 awardees across the country today, and hope that they will continue to actively engage in their communities to build a brighter, more inclusive society for all."

Avril Ryan, CEO of Gaisce added, I am thrilled to celebrate the huge achievement of each and every gold awardee at this very special event. This occasion is particularly special as the awardees are being welcomed and presented with their Gaisce Award by President Michael D. Higgins in the historic surrounds of Aras an Uachtarain. This group of young people have not only stretched themselves to learn new skills, meet new people and develop talents and skills, but have also made a tremendous contribution to communities in every corner of Ireland.

"The diversity of recipients at this years gold awards ceremony highlights inclusion and equality at the heart of Gaisce as an organisation, supporting its vision to ensure young people aged 14-25 have every opportunity to participate in the Gaisce Awards, fulfilling their potential and discovering lifelong passions and pathways to positive change, learning, and employment. These young people are here today thanks to the tireless dedication of our wonderful Presidents Award Leaders (PAL) whom I look forward to celebrating at our forthcoming PAL recognition event.
With record temperatures being recorded across the globe the government has announced it will invest close to half a billion euro into Rosslare Europort as part of concerted plans to reduce carbon emissions across the country. Key to these developments is the newly-launched Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) which will be responsible for regulating development and activity in Irelands maritime area.

One of the core functions of MARA will be assessing applications for Maritime Area Consents (MACs), which are required before developers of offshore wind and other projects in the maritime area can make a planning application. MARA will also be responsible for granting licences for certain activities in the maritime area.

The establishment of MARA represents the beginning of phase two for Ireland's all-of-government approach to renewable offshore energy and is expected to pave the way for a National Industrial Strategy for Offshore Wind Energy.

Officially launched by Ministers Darragh OBrien, Eamon Ryan, and Simon Coveney at Rosslare Europort on Thursday, MARA marks the beginning of what Minister OBrien described as a transformative journey to tackle the challenges of our generation.

With effect from Monday (July 17) next MARA will be responsible for regulating development and activity in Irelands maritime areas, transforming maritime governance in Ireland, added Minister OBrien.

His government colleague, Minister for Climate and Environment Eamon Ryan TD, spoke in the bleakest terms when summing up the extent of the issues facing the nation right now. Referencing record temperatures in Death Valley, California, a conference in Valladolid, Spain which had to be abandoned due to excessive heat, and the loss of 50 per cent of salmon from Irish waters, Minster Ryan said we were now at action stations, because weve an emergency to address.

"Its a crisis, we have to act fast and everything has to change for the better, in a new decarbonised way, he continued. Tomorrow (Friday, July 14) the figures for our carbon emissions for the last year will be launched, theres not a dramatic shift, but there are clear signs that our state is showing leadership, our people are showing leadership, in tackling this crisis.

"Our emissions are starting to fall and now we need to pick up speed, now we need to head out into the ocean to deliver a more stable future for our people and the natural world.

Delivering that future, said the minister, would involve key facilities being built at Rosslare Europort to help deploy the offshore renewable energy and the utilisation of a rail line which has been traditionally underused.

"That rail line will become centre stage in our future economic development, the minister insisted. It will be the anchor point in an Atlantic rail corridor running from Rosslare right the way to Ballina, everything has to decarbonise, haulage is the hardest, and we can offer a low carbon route out to every business along that route.

"This has to work from the bottom up, has to work with existing interests, has to play in with existing uses of our seas, I think it can and will; theres going to be a future for this country but now we have to turn to our oceans.

Mindful of local resistance to offshore wind energy and their impact on the livelihoods of those within the fishing sector, Minister Ryan said MARA would work for all stakeholders in coastal communities. Citing the newly-published Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) Proposal for Offshore Renewable Energy, he said, The rigorous legislative approach included within the South Coast DMAP Proposal will offer the best approach to protect local marine environments, fishing communities and boost local community development. It will offer comprehensive opportunities for public engagement, including the engagement of local communities.

This focus on protecting existing industries and allowing wind energy source to work in tandem with the fishing sector, was reiterated by new Chief Executive Officer of MARA, Laura Brien. Ireland has one of the highest sea-to-land ratios in Europe and today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in how Ireland will manage that resource, she said.

"MARAs remit is wide-ranging reflecting the diverse marine resource that we will steward for this generation and the ones to come. MARA is confident in our ability to support the governance of our maritime resources. In achieving this, we look forward to working with the wide range of stakeholders in the seafood, tourism, transportation as well as offshore renewable energy sectors to deliver on our role.

In May, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD, began developing a National Industrial Strategy for Offshore Wind which will set out how Ireland can maximise the economic opportunity arising from the production of Offshore Wind Energy (OWE).

The strategy will be developed in consultation with the relevant government departments, agencies, and industry, with the objective of ensuring that Ireland fully captures the value of both the supply chain to deliver an OWE sector at scale and the routes to market for this renewable energy. It is expected that the National Industrial Strategy for Offshore Wind will be published in Q1 2024.

At Thursdays launch, Minister Coveney said, "Together with my colleagues across government, I am committed to creating the environment that will allow a burgeoning offshore wind industry to develop and thrive. The provision of abundant, competitively priced renewable energy can be a key strategic competitive advantage for Irelands future reflecting the ambition as set out in my departments White Paper on Enterprise. On the path to that goal are a series of important policy, legislative, regulatory and infrastructural steps.

Among those steps will be significant investment in Rosslare Europort as it becomes a central hub for offshore wind energy in Ireland.

Theres close to half a billion of planned investment and growth in the port over the next few years to facilitate these developments, said Minister Coveney. The storm were facing in the context of climate change isnt one thats going to pass, it's a permanent new reality, the world is changing and it poses extraordinary and dangerous challenges to humankind; from an Irish perspective not only do we need to do our part, but we need to show global leadership in terms of how we can re-orientate the change in decarbonising our economies and societies, to show other parts of the world how to do it.

"This government is absolutely focused on making that happen. At the moment were simply trying to slow down the storm as well as trying to build resilience for the new future we face.

Also at the launch was the announcement of the publication of a detailed map and notice of intention to designate a new Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EU Birds Directive for the protection of birdlife in the North-west Irish Sea. The new North-west Irish Sea SPA covers more than 230,000 hectares of important marine waters for a range of bird species throughout the year.
Our fashion editor rounds up the latest style news and fashion trends

Hand-embroidered organza lace around the neckline and sleeve edge of the slimline 'Cara' dress, olwenbourke.com. Picture: Martina McNulty

Olwen Bourke is a new name in the occasionwear sector to keep an eye on. The Dalkey-based designer has a lot of experience at creating the wow factor, having worked on the BBCs Strictly Come Dancing.

The NCAD graduate also knows all about fusing a theatrical element into her work, having worked for The Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera House.

I discovered Bourkes one-of-a-kind Brianna corset with internal boning when I took a deep dive into her new Arabella collection. Made with antique lace handmade in Clones, Co Monaghan, it is part of a 10-piece bridal collection. Bourke has a focus on sustainability, and a major element which caught my attention was how she is celebrating Irish artisanal crafts, using earth-friendly fabrics and handmade Irish lace.

I love working with traditional hand crafts historically considered womens work, and reimagining these techniques into contemporary silhouettes, says Bourke.

Handmade Clones lace on the bias-cut 'Cliona' dress from Olwen Bourke's 'Arabella' collection. Picture: Martina McNulty

A member of the Council of Irish Fashion Designers, she has collaborated with some of the few remaining women in Ireland who still make lace by hand to create bespoke lace embellishments, designed and made exclusively for this collection.

My intentions are to help revive traditional Irish lacemaking techniques for the contemporary bridal market, says Bourke. She points to how, during the 18th and 19th centuries, Irish lace was a highly valued and sought-after commodity, worn by royalty and wealthy women across Europe and America. Up to 20,000 women were employed in the industry by 1847, and it was a lifeline for many impoverished families during the Irish Famine, but with the industrial revolution, the demand for handmade lace declined as cheaper machine production methods took over.

Hand-embroidered organza lace around the neckline and sleeve edge of the slimline 'Cara' dress, olwenbourke.com. Picture: Martina McNulty

Today, this beautiful and highly skilled craft has almost completely died out in Ireland. Handmade Irish lace is a highly skilled, beautiful art form, steeped in history, that I believe should be protected for future generations, utilised by our fashion industry, and promoted internationally, she says.

After starting her own occasionwear and bridal brand in 2019, Bourke uses only small areas of lace on each dress, giving a touch of glamour while keeping her dress prices comparable to other independent bridal brands on the market. Her prices run from 2,500, for the lace corset, up to 4,950, for her most expensive bridal gown.

The designer says, I am looking at an element of bridal but they are very much pieces that can be worn again and again, special pieces that will become heirlooms, says Bourke.

For black tie, she sees the lace corset working with a sharp, black tuxedo, and for bridal, she teams it with satin, wide-legged trousers and a matching satin jacket. olwenbourke.com

Made to order

Galway girl Roisin Dockry is back in her native city building her luxury slow-fashion womenswear brand.

For SS23, Dockry was influenced by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. She worked for two years in Barcelona and took inspiration from his signature shapes. You can see how she combined the bulbous shapes with the female form. She named this collection Sui Generis, a latin term meaning art that pushes beyond conventional boundaries.

'Gabriella' top and 'Camila' trousers, roisindockry.com

Looks this season include the Gabriella cotton top (220) and Camila wide-leg trousers in a stretch crepe (160). Dockrys Josafina midi cotton dress is pink with red ruffled sleeves (450). If mini length is more your thing, the Victoria dress has a ruched body (390). The one-shouldered Lorena (350) has a pink, asymmetric ruffle shoulder, and the Sofia dress (385) has a bow-tie back and voluminous sleeves and skirt.

'Josafina' dress, 'Victoria' dress and the 'Lorena' dress, roisindockry.com

Pieces from Dockrys previous collection are available to rent from the Greens Are Good For You website. I think this is a lovely way of getting to know a new designer before commissioning a piece. roisindockry.com

Get the look

Famous for her luxury knitwear in signature chunky yarns and striking dopamine colours, this week Hope Macaulay has put her work into the reach of a wider audience by launching her own Hope range of wools for DIY projects.

She launched with two yarns  the Chunky (12 a ball) is perfect for 8mm-12mm needles, while her Colossal wool (16) is, Macaulay tells me, ideal for finger or arm knitting.

Hope Macaulay's new wool range, hopemacaulay.com

The pleasing colour palette includes pink, purple, greens, blue and cream. We have special limited-edition drops of new bold colours and soft fibres, ethically sourced materials such as recycled yarns and 100pc merino wool, says Macaulay.

A selected few of her viral knitwear designs are now available in the form of beginner-friendly DIY knitting patterns and kits, which have been developed with the help of her team of talented knitters in Northern Ireland. hopemacaulay.com
Lawmen found Antonio Avola didnt touch girl long enough for it to be an assault

The judges ruled that the janitor was not guilty of a crime as his actions were clumsy but lacking in lust. Photo: Getty

A janitor at a school in Rome, Italy who groped a female student was acquitted after judges found he did not touch her long enough for the incident to be considered sexual assault.
The Indo Daily: Introducing Im Not Here to Hurt You  a new podcast about Irelands most polite bank robber
The North Dakota Highway Patrol was involved in two separate vehicle pursuits in Bismarck-Mandan, including one that reached speeds higher than 80 mph.

At 2:50 p.m. Friday, a Highway Patrol trooper observed a car make an improper lane change and cut other vehicles off near Expressway and University Drive.

The trooper attempted to make a traffic stop, but the car fled south on University Drive, at times exceeding 80 mph in a 35-mph zone, the Patrol said. The vehicle crashed into a light pole near University Drive and Wachter Avenue. A passenger was transported to Sanford Hospital for minor injuries.

The driver, Latricia Brave Bull, 26, Solen, was arrested on suspicion of DUI, fleeing a police officer and other charges, the Patrol said. Formal charges were not filed as of Friday.

At 3:05 p.m. Thursday, Bismarck police attempted to stop a motorcycle driven by 33-year-old Rolando Carreno, the Highway Patrol said. The motorcycle fled and Bismarck police did not pursue.

The Highway Patrol had its aircraft in the air at the time and located the motorcycle driving recklessly at a high speed into Mandan. The aircraft tracked the motorcycle to a Mandan hotel, where the motorcycle parked. Troopers arrested Carreno after he got into another vehicle.

Carreno was taken to the Burleigh Morton County Detention Center and charged Friday with felony reckless endangerment and misdemeanor charges of fleeing a police officer, providing false information to law enforcement and reckless driving. An attorney was not listed for Carreno.
Image Credit: Image tweeted by @gautam_adani

Dhaka/Ahmedabad: Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka on Saturday following the full load commencement of power supply to Bangladesh from the Groups Ultra Super-Critical Thermal Power Plant (USCTPP) in Jharkhands Godda.

The Godda USCTPP, which marks the Adani Groups entry into transnational power projects, is Indias first commissioned transnational power project where 100% of the generated power is supplied to another nation, a press release said.

After the meeting, Gautam Adani said in a tweet: Honoured to have met Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on full load commencement and handover of the 1600 MW Ultra Super-Critical Godda Power Plant. I salute the dedicated teams from India and Bangladesh who braved COVID to commission the plant in a record time of three-and-a-half years.

Honoured to have met Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on full load commencement and handover of the 1600 MW Ultra Super Critical Godda Power Plant. I salute the dedicated teams from India and Bangladesh who braved Covid to commission the plant in record time of three-and-a-half years. pic.twitter.com/liwZTKlBDG  Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) July 15, 2023

Adani Power Jharkhand Ltd (APJL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Power Ltd, completed the dependable capacity test for the Godda plant on 12 July.

The dependable capacity test, a mandatory requirement under the power purchase agreement (PPA) with Bangladesh, was conducted over the stipulated period of six hours to evaluate the simultaneous functioning of both units of the plant after they began supplying electricity.

On 6 April, the first unit of 800 MW capacity of the Godda plant, in Indias Jharkhand state, began commercial operations.

The second unit, also of 800 MW capacity, followed on 26 June. APJL will supply 1,496 MW from the Godda USCTPP under the PPA with the Bangladesh Power Development Board, executed in November 2017 for a period of 25 years, via a 400 kV dedicated transmission system connected to the Bangladesh grid.

With the commissioning of the Godda USCTPP, the Adani Group has showcased a striking example of world-class Project Management and Asset Management capabilities.

The USCTPPs commissioning in a record time of just 42 months after achieving financial closure and obtaining the necessary clearances is particularly noteworthy given the considerable logistical challenges the project encompassed, including the establishment of a 105 km-long 400 kV Double Circuit Transmission Line, the construction of a private railway line, and the implementation of an extensive water pipeline from the Ganges.

"Amplifying the impressiveness of this achievement is the backdrop of the COVID pandemic, which posed significant obstacles during more than two years of the project's timeline. Despite this, Adani's engineering team innovatively adapted to the circumstances, handling all testing and commissioning protocols remotely, via tele-conversations and video conferencing," Adani Group said in a press release.

The projects commissioning in record time stands as proof that Adani's capabilities in these areas are truly world-class, equating them with the best in the industry across the globe.

Electricity supplied from Godda will have a positive impact on Bangladeshs power situation by replacing costly power generated by using liquid fuel, according to the statement.

This transition will help Bangladesh reduce the average cost of power purchased, it added.

The Godda power plant is the first in India to have started operations with 100% flue gas desulphurization (FGD), selective catalytic reconverter (SCR) and zero water discharge for minimizing emissions and for environment-friendly operations in alignment with the norms set by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change of the Government of India.

The commissioning of the Godda USCTPP marks a significant milestone for the Adani Group and the BPDB and also for the close cooperation and strong economic ties between the two nations.

Adani Power has become a partner in Bangladeshs economic growth and prosperity by supplying uninterrupted and reliable electricity at competitive tariff.

This collaboration will boost the growth of industry, and the Bangladesh economy will get stronger.
Image Credit: IBNS File

Kolkata/UNI: West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar, who returned from New Delhi on Saturday, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured that he will visit the state in August and hold a public rally.

''Met Honble Union Minister Shri @AmitShah ji today at Delhi and apprised him of the political situation, panchayat election results & violence in West Bengal. Sought his valuable guidance for strengthening the party in the state," Majumdar said on Friday.

"Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured that in the month of August, he will visit West Bengal and hold a public rally... TMC is trying to horsetrade BJP workers," Majumdar stated after meeting Shah in the national capital.

"We are fighting against it...Be it the Assam govt or Manipur govt they are trying to curb violence in their state, but West Bengal has not even tried to curb the panchayat poll violence," the BJP MP from Balurghat reiterated.

"Even after farce and bogus voting, our (BJP) 11,004 members were elected, and it is a great number... CM Mamata Banerjee is doing dirty politics," alleged Majumdar.

Shah earlier tweeted, "Even bloodcurdling violence in West Bengal could not stop the BJP from putting up a stellar performance in the Panchayat Election. The BJP nearly doubled its seat tally from the previous election, indicating a significant rise in the trust placed in it by the people."

"This shows that the people's affection lies with the PM @narendramodi Ji-led BJP, and will surely lead the party to meteoric heights in Lok Sabha and assembly polls, " Shah added.

"My heartfelt gratitude to the people of West Bengal and many Congratulations to Shri @DrSukantaBJP, Shri @SuvenduWB and the Karyakartas who stood firm with the party despite mercilessly adverse circumstances," the Union Home Minister stated.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, "Contempt of Court is an understatement. The State Election Commission has made a mockery of the Order passed by the Division Bench presided over by the Chief Justice of the Hon'ble Calcutta High Court, regarding the preservation of the integral components of the Election Process such as CCTV footage, relevant documents, Ballots & Ballot Boxes etc. "

Adhikari claimed, "The SEC in collusion with the State Govt Officials & police, have executed Pishi-Bhaipo's plan to steal the Elections by by-passing every direction issued by the Calcutta High Court."

"While the actual Ballots are being found scattered in dumping grounds, the fake 'Mamata' ballots have made their way to the Counting centres," he alleged.
New Delhi: Heavy rains lashed Delhi on Saturday, reigniting fresh fears of flooding even as large parts of the national capital remained submerged as the Yamuna River flowed at a record-high level in the past few days.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has given assurance that steps are being taken to unblock all five gates of the Yamuna Barrage.

Currently, some of the gates are jammed by silt, which hampers the effective drainage of floodwater.

The aim is to address this issue and facilitate smoother water flow to mitigate the impact of flooding.

"The water level in the Yamuna is receding. The situation will be normal soon if it doesn't rain. If it rains, then it may take a bit longer," Kejriwal said earlier in the day.

Although the "severe" flood alert has been downgraded after a four-day period, the city continues to remain on high alert.

The Yamuna River, which reached a peak of 208.66 meters earlier this week, breaking a 45-year record, has now receded to 206.97 meters.

Despite the decrease in water levels, precautionary measures are still in place to monitor the situation closely and ensure the safety of the city and its residents.

Authorities are currently engaged in ongoing rescue operations to evacuate residents and animals from areas where water levels have risen to chest level.

The transformation of roadways into miniature rivers has posed significant challenges in terms of transportation and accessibility.

Swift and coordinated efforts are being made to ensure the safety and well-being of affected individuals and animals during this challenging situation.

The scarcity of food in low-lying areas has sparked complaints among residents, adding to the urgency of the situation. Two task forces are being relocated from Meerut to Delhi to assist in handling the crisis.

Yesterday, in response to the flooding that affected central Delhi, including areas such as ITO and Rajghat, the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were called upon for assistance.

The floodwaters have reached critical levels, submerging key locations such as the Supreme Court and several crematoriums, including Nigam Bodh Ghat.

This situation has prompted urgent measures to ensure the safety of the affected areas and provide necessary aid and support to the affected individuals and institutions.
Image Credit: UNI

New Delhi: Severe flooding in Assam's Baksa and Chirang districts could be avoided as water from Bhutan's Khurichu dam was released in a regulated manner.

Unlike in the past, this monsoon season, release of water from the Kurichhu Hydropower Plant was regulated and controlled, Asaam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Talking to reporters at Assam House here, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma disclosed that his government had urged the Bhutan government to release water from the dam in a 'controlled way' in the morning hours, instead of night.

The CM said coordinated efforts with authorities in Bhutan have ensured no flash floods in villages along the Bhutan foothills in Assam.

Several rivers in Assam were in spate on Friday, including the Beki, which emanates from Bhutan and flows through Assam's Baksa and Barpeta districts.

The state government had sounded a high alert on Thursday night after the Bhutan Government informed that there would be the release of water from the reservoir.

The CM further said that the government has taken up flood mitigation projects like channeling excess water from the Brahmaputra River into wetlands.

"Additional water from the Brahmaputra River has been drained into the Deepor Beel wetland," Sarma said, adding that measures like building road cum embankments have also prevented breaches.

He revealed that the idea to channelise excess water from the river into the Deepor Beel has been mooted by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

(With UNI inputs)
Image Credit: wikipedia.org

New Delhi: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has rejected AAP-led Delhi governments allegations that the BJP-led Centre and Haryana government conspired to cause severe flooding in Delhi.

Training guns at BJP, Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said, "The BJP-led governments in Centre and Haryana are conspiring against the people of Delhi. They are deliberately attempting to cause a flood in Delhi. The question that arises is that if it has not been raining in Delhi, how is it that the water level in the Yamuna is a metre higher than the previous record high in 1978?"

"From July 9 to 13, water was deliberately released towards Delhi as part of a conspiracy. Last year, in August, water was not only released towards Delhi but the eastern and western canals as well. The flow was evenly distributed between multiple states, because of which there was no flood in Delhi," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.

Responding to the accusation, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had been explained about the difference between a barrage and a dam.

"The region has received more rain than was expected or forecast. Rainfall in the hilly areas led to water levels increasing in our rivers. The Yamuna had 1 lakh cusecs of water, which went up to 3.7 lakh cusecs the next day. We had told Mr Kejriwal that it is a barrage, not a dam. A dam can stop water, a barrage can store it," Khattar said.

He added that water can be regulated in the barrage to a certain extent but it has a capacity of 1 lakh cusecs. "If the water crosses that level, it will naturally have to be released," Khattar said.

The blame game between BJP and AAP started just a day after the Delhi Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister held a joint press conference and stressed on the need to work together as a team.

"Right now, we need to work as a team. I can also say a lot of things but this is not what we should do at this time," the LG had said.

"This is such a crisis when humans should help other humans. There's no use abusing one another. BJP has been abusing me since yesterday. Let them do it, doesn't matter to me," Kejriwal had said.

However, this message did not have any effect on Delhi government functionaries as AAP ministers stepped up their attack on the BJP over the release of water from the Hathni Kund barrage.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Meerut (UP): Five pilgrims died of electrocution, while an equal number sustained injuries in Western Uttar Pradesh when they were returning with water from the Holy Ganges River in Haridwar, media reports said.

The procession of Kanwariyasfollowers of Lord Shivamet with the accident in Rali Chauhan village, Bhawanpur, located in the Meerut district, NDTV reported.

The vehicle in which the Kanwariyas were travelling came into contact with a low-hanging high-tension line, leading to the electrocution.

The incident occurred when they entered the village. Villagers rushed to call the power station to shut down the electricity supply, but several lives had been already lost.

While one person died on the spot, four others succumbed to their injuries later.

Five people are undergoing treatment in different hospitals.

The villagers have accused the electricity department of negligence and alleged that there no attention was paid in the preparation for the Kanwar Yatra.

The Kanwar Yatra is regarded as the largest religious gathering in India, attracting an estimated 10 to 12 million participants annually.

Pilgrims from various states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Jharkhand take part in this major event.

These devotees, known as Kanwariyas, typically dress in saffron-colored attire and often choose to walk barefoot along highways, alongside vehicles, carrying water from the holy Ganges typically to offer to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas--the Shiva Temples spread all over India and considered holiest for Shiva devotees.
Image instagrammed by actormaddy

Paris: Indian actor R Madhavan on Saturday took to social media to give some glimpses of the fine moments he shared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron at the dinner hosted by the latter in Paris.

The actor, who enjoys a considerable fan following across the country, described India and Frances passion and dedication to do good for the Indo-French relationship as intense.

The passion and dedication to do good for the Indo French relationship, as well as for the people of both countries was palpable and intense during the Bastille Day celebration in Paris on the 14th of July 2023. The positivity and mutual respect in the air was like a loving embrace. I sincerely pray that their vison and dreams bear fruit for all of us at the desired and appropriate time, he wrote in an Instagram post.

In one of the images, Madhavan can be seen engaged in a warm conversation with PM Modi and the prime minister can be seen holding his hand. The French President also took a selfie with PM Modi and Madhavan. He then interacted with the Indian actor for a few moments.

President Macron eagerly took a selfie for us while our Honorable Prime Minister very graciously and sweetly stood up to be part of it.. a moment that will be forever etched in my mind for both the uniqueness and impact of that picture. Thank you President Macron and Modi Ji for the incredible lesson on grace and humility. May France and India forever prosper together, the actor wrote about the experience.

Also 14th July 2023 also marked yet another fantastic and successful launch of Chandrayaan 3 with the unfailing Vikas engine built with the help of SEP France by Shri Nambi Narayanan. Praying also for the success of their important and incredible mission, the Rocketry actor added.

PM Narendra Modi was in France to attend the Bastille Day Parade as Guest of Honour at the invitation of President of France Emmanuel Macron. The Indian PM's attendence at France's National Day also marked the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership. During his visit, PM Modi was conferred with France's highest award, Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor, by the French government.
Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who was re-elected for yet another term recently, took charge of his office on Friday.

He was re-elected with 87.05 percent of the vote in his favour on Sunday.

More than 15 million voters participated in the election, which comprised of 79 percent of the voters.

According to the CEC statement, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who was candidate of the Liberal Democratic Party, won 87.05 percent of the votes.

He was followed by candidates from the Social Democratic Party "Adolat" Robakhon Makhmudov with 4.43 percent, from the People's Democratic Party Ulugbek Inoyatov - 4.02 percent, and from the Ecological Party Abdushukur Khamzaev - 3.74 percent. The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (parliament) of Uzbekistan held a solemn ceremony on Friday for the inauguration of the elected President of the Central Asian country.

At the ceremony, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Zainiddin Nizamkhojaev noted that the presidential elections were held in accordance with the updated Constitution and democratic principles, in an atmosphere of political activity.

The CEC Chairman presented Shavkat Mirziyoyev with a certificate of the President of Uzbekistan.

In accordance with the Constitution of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev took oath to his office.

Then President Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered an inaugural speech where he said Uzbekistan is entering a new era.

"The head of state outlined strategic goals for the next seven years.

These are the improvement of legislative and executive power, the creation of a compact and efficient management system, the development of the social sphere, the expansion of opportunities for entrepreneurship, the increase in jobs and incomes of the population," he said.

The principles of "green" economy and "green" energy will be more widely implemented. The volume of investments in the country's economy will increase several times. An important goal has been set - by 2030 to bring the volume of gross domestic product to 160 billion dollars, he said.

During his speech, the head of state addressed the youth.

My dear sons and daughters, today history itself, time itself opens up unprecedented opportunities for you. You are capable of great deeds that will be inscribed in golden letters in the history of Uzbekistan, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

"It was noted that Uzbekistan is strong with its multinational people living as a united and friendly family. The country will continue to remain a space of humanism and tolerance," he said.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the consistent continuation of a deeply thought-out foreign policy and economic diplomacy.

He said: "The main goal will be to further strengthen relations with the states of the region, to raise cooperation with foreign partners and international organizations to a new level."

"Solving the problems of ecology and environmental protection, as well as the shortage of water resources, will remain an urgent task," he said.
Image: Wallpaper Cave/Wallpaper Flare

A New York man was sentenced today to life in prison on one count of conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and five substantive counts of providing material support to ISIS in the forms of personnel, including himself, Australian citizen Jake Bilardi and others, as well as services, weapons, property and equipment, and false documentation and identification, all between January 2013 and June 2017, when the defendant was arrested in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to court documents, Mirsad Kandic, 41, of Brooklyn and Kosovo, was convicted by a federal jury in May 2022 following a three-week trial in Brooklyn.

Serving ISISs deadly terror campaign, this defendant fought on the battlefield, spread propaganda, smuggled weapons, and radicalized Western recruits, said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division. The National Security Division was created to counter foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS and, with our partners, we remain committed to identifying and holding accountable those who provide support to such terrorist groups.

Kandic was a high-ranking member of ISIS who relished the death and destruction he wrought while providing every conceivable form of material support to a terrorist organization, including the recruitment of countless others to ISISs bloody campaigns in Syria and elsewhere, said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. Todays sentence holds the defendant accountable for his conduct and ensures that he will never again pose a threat to the United States or any of our allies. This office will remain relentless in prosecuting terrorists who threaten the safety and security of the United States and U.S. interests around the world.

The defendant in this case provided numerous forms of material support to ISIS for years, and today, he was brought to justice for his actions, said Assistant Director Robert R. Wells of the FBIs Counterterrorism Division. This sentencing demonstrates the serious commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners around the world to investigating and holding accountable terrorists who threaten the safety and security of American interests, and those of our allies.

After several failed attempts to travel from the United States to Istanbul, Turkey, Kandic took a two-day Greyhound bus ride from New York City to Monterrey, Mexico, in November 2013, and flew through Panama, Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Kosovo, and Turkey before arriving in Syria at the end of 2013.

Once in Syria, the defendant joined ISIS and became a fighter for the group in Haritan, an ISIS stronghold in the outskirts of Aleppo, wielding Russian-made PK machine guns and AK-47 assault rifles.

ISIS leadership then sent the defendant to Turkey to take up the role of smuggling foreign fighters and weapons into Syria from abroad, and to serve as an emir for ISIS media.

Kandic disseminated ISIS recruitment messages and gruesome propaganda using more than 120 Twitter accounts. For example, the defendant sent out an ISIS-produced documentary titled Flames of War.

This video celebrated ISIS conquests and macabre executions of ISIS captives, including instances where victims were forced to dig their own graves before being summarily executed by gunshot. The defendant tweeted that this video was the best thing ever seen on screen.

Kandic was a prolific recruiter of foreign fighters for ISIS.

He sent thousands of radicalized ISIS volunteer fighters from Western countries into ISIS-controlled territories in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East.

This included a fellow New Yorker, Ruslan Maratovich Asainov, who became an ISIS sniper and sniper trainer, and another individual who became an emir for ISIS safehouses in the Idlib province of Syria.

Asainov was convicted after trial in February 2023 of conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS, two substantive counts of providing material support to ISIS, one count of receiving military-type training from ISIS, and obstruction of justice. He is awaiting sentencing.

A foreign fighter recruited by the defendant was Jake Bilardi of Australia. Bilardi contacted the defendant in June 2014 for assistance in traveling to Syria to join ISIS.

Kandic provided Bilardi  who had just turned 18 years old and had never traveled internationally before  with instructions and guidance for reaching Istanbul, Turkey. Kandic then arranged for Bilardi to be picked up at the airport in Istanbul and smuggled him into Syria.

Kandic maintained contact with Bilardi as he became an ISIS fighter and ISIS suicide bomber.

Bilardi went on to commit a suicide truck attack with fellow ISIS members on March 11, 2015, in Ramadi Iraq, killing himself, more than 30 Iraqi soldiers and an Iraqi policeman. Prior to the attack, the defendant wished Bilardi well and stated, May Allah make there [sic] inner organs implode.

Bilardis attack was coordinated with others committed at the same time; 30 members of the Iraqi military were killed, 61 were injured, and 25 were missing, whose bodies were never found, all as a result of this coordinated series of attacks.

After the attack, the defendant celebrated Bilardis service to ISIS, on Twitter and to a co-conspirator. A member of the Iraqi Army general staff testified at trial that the March 11, 2015, attack paved the way for ISISs takeover of Ramadi and the Anbar Province of Iraq several weeks later.

Kandic also provided battlefield intelligence to top ISIS leadership. He also shaped the information environment in which ISIS operated by enforcing ISIS media and publicity discipline.

For example, the defendant directed other ISIS supporters to refrain from posting any information about the success (or failure) of ISIS recruitment efforts as well as to minimize any reporting about ISIS military action in specific military actions.

Kandic managed money for ISIS fighters in Syria, including two ISIS fighters who gave the defendant their bank cards, from which bank records showed more than $40,000 was transacted. Kandic smuggled weapons to ISIS in Syria, including a night vision scope for an ISIS sniper. Kandic operated a private market via Telegram  called Khilafah (Caliphate) Market  for which he was the group administrator with authority to restrict access to the group.

Members posted firearms and military equipment for sale, including mortars and suicide belts (i.e., improvised explosive devices). Among the members of Kandics private Telegram market was Abu Luqman, who, at the time, was the ISIS governor for the Raqqa province, ISISs de facto capital in Syria.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Saritha Komatireddy and J. Matthew Haggans for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Huda Abouchaer and Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section.

The Justice Departments Office of International Affairs, the FBIs Legal Attaches abroad and foreign authorities in multiple countries on three continents provided critical assistance in this case.

The Bosnian and Herzegovina State Investigation and Protection Agency, the Bosnian and Herzegovina State Intelligence and Security Agency, the Bosnian and Herzegovina Foreigners Affairs Service, the Bosnian and Herzegovina State Prosecutors Office, the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Australian Federal Police, the Victoria Police (Australia), the Australian Border Force, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Attorney-Generals Department, the Prosecutor Generals Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, Joint Operations Command in Iraq, and the FBI Legal Attache Offices in Sarajevo, Canberra, Nur-Sultan, and Baghdad, provided extraordinary assistance in the investigation and prosecution.

The Ministry of Justice for the Republic of Finland, and Federal Office of Justice in the Federal Republic of Germany, the Department of Justice & Constitutional Development in the Republic of South Africa and the central authorities responsible for mutual legal assistance in Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Ukraine; and the FBIs Legal Attache Offices in those countries provided valuable support in the investigation.
Image: UNICEF

New York: During the first half of the year, 289 boys and girls died while crossing the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe, or double the number compared to the same period in 2022, the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) reported on Friday.

The figure is equivalent to about 11 children dying each week, far beyond what we hear in news headlines, Vera Knaus, the agencys Global Lead on Migration and Displacement, told journalists attending the biweekly UN humanitarian briefing in Geneva.

We cannot continue to ignore what is happening  stand by silently when nearly 300 children  an entire plane full of children - are dying in the waters between Europe and Africa in just six months, she said.

Preventable deaths

Conflict and climate change are forcing increasing numbers of children to embark on the dangerous sea journey from North Africa to Europe.

UNICEF estimated that 11,600 children have made the crossing during the first six months of the year  again nearly twice as many as in the same period in 2022.

However, the agency warned that the true number of child casualties is likely to be higher as many shipwrecks in the Central Mediterranean leave no survivors or go unrecorded.

Ms. Knaus said it appears the world is willfully ignoring what is happening, given the numbers and the silence surrounding many of these preventable deaths.

Drowning in the worlds inaction

Children are dying not just in front of our eyes; they are dying while we seem to keep our eyes closed. Hundreds of girls and boys are drowning in the worlds inaction, she said, noting that the Central Mediterranean is among the deadliest migration routes for children.

UNICEF further estimated that many children are making the crossing without their parents or guardians, with girls travelling alone especially vulnerable to violence throughout the journey.

During the first three months of the year, 3,300 unaccompanied or separated children arrived in Europe via the Central Mediterranean Sea route, or more than 70 per cent of the total.

Strengthen child protection

In response to the escalating crisis, UNICEF is supporting countries in strengthening child protection, social protection and migration and asylum systems. Staff are also working with governments to provide support and inclusive services to all children, regardless of their legal status, or that of their parents.

These deaths are preventable, Ms. Knaus said. They are as much driven by the complex emergencies, conflicts and climate risks that drive children from their homes as by the lack of political and practical action to do what it takes to enable safe access to asylum and to protect the rights and lives of children wherever they come from and whatever their mode of travel.

Save lives at sea

Meanwhile, countries in the region, and the European Union (EU), must do more to protect vulnerable children at sea but also in countries of origin, transit and destination, she said.

She also stressed the need for safe, legal and accessible pathways for children to seek protection and reunite with their families, through expanding access to family reunification, refugee resettlement or other humanitarian visas.

Additionally, countries must step up coordination on search and rescue operations at sea and ensure prompt disembarkation to safe locations.

Ms. Knaus said the duty to rescue a boat in distress is a fundamental rule in international maritime law, and pushbacks at sea or land borders are violations of national, EU and international law.
A Fargo Police officer has died, two other officers are in critical condition, a suspect has died and another civilian was seriously injured following a street shootout on Friday.

That information was released at 11:43 p.m. Friday night in a City of Fargo news release. It also said the Fargo Police Department would hold a press conference at 3:30 p.m. Saturday to provide more information.

The identities of those involved is not being released as the process of notifying family members is ongoing, the release said. It said the Fargo Police Department "acknowledges and appreciates the community's support during this difficult time."

Dozens of police officers and sheriffs deputies gathered solemnly outside the emergency room at Sanford Medical Center on Friday evening.

By 9 p.m., a procession of first responders left the hospital and traveled to the Cass County coroner's office at 1220 25th St. S., mere blocks from the initial shooting near 25th Street and Ninth Avenue South.

Law enforcement blocked off roads for the evening procession and two officers were seen saluting the procession for its duration.

Earlier Friday, Fargo Police said they were responding to a critical incident" and no further details were being released. There is no further danger to the community, they added.

Eyewitnesses say a gunman opened fire on officers shortly after 3 p.m.

The shooting prompted dozens of emergency crews to respond to the area near Big Top Bingo.

A bystander's cellphone video, shared with The Forum, captured the immediate aftermath of the shooting. The video shows medics working on three people.

As of Friday evening, investigators had shifted their focus away from the shooting scene to a residential neighborhood about two miles south.

There was a large police presence in the 2800 block of 23rd Avenue South as investigators gathered evidence and intelligence related to the incident, Fargo police said via social media.

"Residents in the immediate area have already been notified and asked to evacuate," said police, who did not explain why investigators zeroed in on that block.

Bruce Jenner, an eyewitness to the shooting, told The Forum he was northbound on 25th Street when he saw a crash near the intersection with Ninth Avenue.

"I heard a  pop pop pop  out of a gun. A guy got out of a car and shot three cops out," said Jenner, who lives in a nearby apartment.

He said he saw at least one officer fall to the pavement and that the man who fired the gun was then shot by police. "I was kind of stunned seeing that happen," Jenner said.

Police closed off 25th Street from Main Avenue to 13th Avenue South.

The intersection of 25th Street and Ninth Avenue South was littered with debris, presumably from the crash.

An officer's duty belt could be seen strewn on the sidewalk. Discarded medical equipment was visible nearby, likely from treatment performed at the scene.

Abdraihman Abdullahi was eating a late lunch at Al Hamdi Restaurant, near 25th Street South and Seventh Avenue, when he heard gunshots.

Two cars collided and police came and then pow, pow, he said. I was super frightened. This wasnt the first time Ive heard gunshots. I came from Somalia, but it sure did look like Minneapolis. Ive never seen this kind of thing in Fargo."

Fatah Mohamed works at Al Hamdi Restaurant and came out after the shots were fired, he said.

They pulled up real quick and tried to help their fellow officer, Mohamed said, adding that he saw one officer loaded into an ambulance.

Andrew Buck was biking home from his job at Fargo South High School when he thought he heard firecrackers or gunshots as he cycled down 13th Avenue South. Because he was curious, he rode up to Ninth Avenue South on 25th Street.

When I got up to 25th, I saw all the cops' cars, so I pulled out my phone and started filming, said Buck, boyfriend of Forum reporter Melissa Van Der Stad.

There was a lot of gunfire, he said.

There were bursts. You know, 8 to 10 shots and then a pause. And then another 8 to 10 shots. Im guessing 50 to 60 shots maybe in total. I heard lots of shooting, Buck said.

By the time he reached the scene, there was already a perimeter set up, he said.

He estimates there were about 15 to 20 squad cars and roughly 30 police officers present. Buck also saw medics and a firetruck.

It looked like three people were on the ground injured, Buck said.

Theres two over kind of together, and then there was one a little farther away. He was behind a police car at first and then they dragged him out from behind the police car and they rolled him over and they were doing CPR on him, Buck said.

At least two of the three injured parties were taken away in ambulances, Buck said.

One of the injured individuals was in street clothes, and Buck heard people at the scene say the other two individuals were officers.

Buck saw three cars that were damaged.

One looked like it had some damage on the front end and then the airbags were popped. And then behind that there was a police car at an angle in the street with a flat tire, Buck said.

The third car was in the parking lot of a nearby business and it looked smashed up, too, he said.

Buck's video captured the moments right after the shooting. It shows officers running toward at least three people laying on the ground on the west side of 25th Street South just north of Big Top Bingo.

Officers can be seen performing CPR on one person before medics arrive and take over.

Several police officers surround another person on the ground, remove something from them and drag them from the rear of a squad car to the front of it. No aid was being rendered to that person, and bystanders can be heard calling, Hes moving. Get that guy medical attention.

Over a minute later, a first responder begins CPR on the person.

Throughout the video, emergency vehicles continue to flood the scene and crime scene tape is put up as officers come out of their vehicles wielding large guns.

The first ambulance departs with sirens blaring about 5 minutes after the video begins.

A second person on a gurney is loaded into an ambulance and driven away less than two minutes later, at which point the person who was dragged can be seen being loaded onto another gurney and wheeled out of sight.

The third ambulance departs about 12 minutes into the video, and a fourth remains on scene throughout the recording.

Police cars are visible stretching down the road for several blocks. A gray SUV was the only non-emergency vehicle on the street, parked near a police vehicle with a flat tire.

People at the scene can be heard in the video saying they witnessed the shooting.

At 3:50 p.m., Fargo police put out a statement on social media asking people to avoid the area of 25th Street and 13th Avenue South.

At 4:25 p.m., Fargo police said in a Facebook post that "there is no known threat to the public at this time."

At 6:40 p.m., Fargo police issued a statement about the large police presence in the 2800 block of 23rd Avenue South.

Leon Crooks, a resident of the Bluemont Village Apartments, said law enforcement officers went door to door at the complex, telling him and his neighbors to evacuate the building. "They didnt tell me what it was about, Crooks said.

Crooks said he managed to grab some essential items before he left and that he planned to spend the night on a neighbor's couch.

Sanford Health issued a statement saying that any updates on the conditions of those involved in Friday's incident will come from police.

Forum staffers Paige Naughton and Kaity Young contributed to this report.
Image: UNI

Tel Aviv: Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen strongly condemned on Friday Swedish activists' plans to burn a copy of the Torah in front of the Israel's embassy in Stockholm and called on the Swedish authorities to thwart the action.

Earlier in the day, the Swedish police granted local activists a permission to publicly burn copies of the Torah and the Bible in front of the Israeli embassy on July 15.

"Burning a scroll of the Torah is a hate crime, a provocation and infliction of serious harm on the Jewish people and the Jewish traditions. I call on the Swedish authorities to prevent this outrageous action and not to allow the burning of a scroll of the Torah. I authorized Israel's Ambassador to Sweden Ziv Nevo Kulman and the [Israeli] Foreign Ministry to apply best efforts to prevent this disgraceful incident from happening," Cohen said in a statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog also condemned the decision of the Swedish authorities to authorize the burning of the holy books.

"Israel takes very seriously this disgraceful decision, which harms the holy of the holies of the Jewish people. Holy books of all religions must be respected," Netanyahu tweeted.

Herzog, for his part, said that the permission issued by the Swedish government was not an exercise in freedom of expression, but "blatant incitement and an act of pure hate."

"As the President of Israel, I condemned the burning of the Quran, sacred to Muslims world over, and I am now heartbroken that the same fate awaits a Jewish Bible, the eternal book of the Jewish people ... The whole world must join together in condemning unequivocally this repulsive act," the president tweeted.

In early June, the Swedish police said that it had received several applications requesting permission to publicly burn copies of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim holy books.

On June 28, the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, a protest took place outside Stockholm's main mosque in which a Quran was burned. Swedish police authorized the demonstration with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson saying the permit was "lawful but inappropriate."

A similar demonstration took place in Sweden in January, when Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan burnt the Muslim holy book in front of the Turkish embassy.

The desecration and burning of the Quran was condemned by Algeria, Afghanistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Lebanon, Russia, Syria, Turkey and Uzbekistan, as well as Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Gulf Cooperation Council chief Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

(With UNI Inputs)
Pixabay

Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 13 Chinese nationals for offences bordering on illegal mining in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 1(8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983.

The suspects, which comprise of a female and 12 male, were arrested on Wednesday July 12, 2023 at the Government Reserved Area, G.R.A Ilorin following credible intelligence about their activities which included but not limited to, illegal mining and non-payment of royalties to the Federal Government as required by law.

The suspects are Guo Ya Wang (36), Lizli Hui (42), Guo Jian Rong (36), Lizh Shen Xianian (37), Lishow Wu (26), Guo Pan (38), Lia Meiyu (53), Guo Kai Quan (36) Lin Pan (50).

Others are Ma Jan (38), Wendy Wei Suqin (31), Li Zhinguo Wei (29), and Xie Zhinguo (53).

Prior to their arrest, discrete investigations on the activities of illegal mining operators in Kwara State revealed that the operators have different illegal mining sites in almost all the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to be workers of a Chinese Company known as W. Mining Global Service Limited situated at Olayinka in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. It was gathered that the company was using the illegally mined granite to produce marble for sale locally in Nigeria. Findings also revealed that some of the suspects working in the said company were without work permit , but only entered Nigeria with visitor's visa.

The suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the investigations.

Recall that, the Acting Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulkarim Chukkol had on Thursday, July 6, 2023 during a one-day media training for journalists in Kwara State lamented the activities of illegal mining operators, describing it as grave threat to local and national economy.

Within the last 8 months, no fewer than 80 illegal operators had been arrested by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC and 24 truckloads of assorted minerals impounded.

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC had on September 10, 2022 arrested a Chinese National, Dang Deng, managing director of Sinuo Xinyang Nigeria Ltd, for being in possession of 25 tons of assorted crude minerals and got him convicted on October 19, 2022 before Justice Mohammed Sani of the Federal High Court, Ilorin.

The EFCC had warned that it would be unrelenting in the fight against corruption just as it is leaving no stone unturned in breaking the rings of the illegal mining operators across the country.
Pankaj Tripathi is all set to play Indias former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his biopic titled Main Atal Hoon. The film is reportedly based on Ullekh NPs book, The Untold Vajpayee: Politician And Paradox and will arrive on Atal Jis 99th birthday. Earlier today the actor finished shooting the film.

Indiatimes

Taking to his Instagram, Pankaj shared a video where he was seen recreating the iconic speech that Atal Ji gave at the UN.

He also penned a note alongside which read, This Atal journey will also be remembered. I feel myself lucky to have the opportunity to show such part of such a great personality like Atal Bihari Bajpayee on the big screen. Several of his fans took to the comment section and heaped praises on the actor.



Where one user wrote, Looking awesome, another said, Outstanding sir. The third added, True actor, fourth shared, What a performance. Main Atal Hoon is Ravi Jadhavs directorial and is being bankrolled by Vinod Bhanushali under Bhanushali Studios Limited and Legend Studios Production.

Pankaj in an earlier interview expressed that he felt honoured in playing the great leader.

He shared, We went through rigorous reading sessions, to understand the dialect, his lifestyle, and his vision for India. I feel elated today as we begin shooting for Main Atal Hoon. Pankaj shot his last sequence for this film in Lucknow and shared that this capital city has now become his second home.

Also Read- OMG 2 Teaser: Akshay And Pankaj Leave The Internet Flooded With Chants Of Har Har Mahadev

Tripathi told a news portal, Ab to yahan bada homely sa ho gya hai. Bareilly Ki Barfi, Kaagaz, Gujan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, three parts of Mirzapur series and now this film. Ab toh ghar hi sa hai. Muskuraiye ki aap Lucknow main hai...when we came to know that we have to shoot here toh chehre pe muskurahat aa jati hai ki accha khaane-peene aur ghomne-dekhne ko milega!

Twitter

There is also a special connection with the language...sab log apne hi lagte hai! Atalji ki karmbhoomi rahi hai yeh and unka ek alag lagaav tha is jagah se aur yahan ke logon se.



On the work front, Pankaj will soon be seen in Akshay Kumars OMG 2 which also features Yami Gautam playing a prominent role. This satirical comedy-drama is helmed by Amit Rai and will hit the theatres on August 11. He further has Fukrey 3 and Stree 2 in his kitty.

(For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment)


1. Ranbir Kapoor Encounters A Crazy Fan Peeking Into His Car In The Middle Of Traffic, Fans React

Ranbir Kapoor has been a victim of some of the craziest fan encounters all his life. And it has happened again. While travelling in his car on a busy Mumbai street, Ranbir came across a young boy who was all his mind and heart into capturing Kapoor on his phone. However, this didnt go down well with the actors fans. A paparazzi account shared the video of this crazy encounter that has now taken over the internet by storm. Read More!

Indiatimes

2. Sumona Recalls Feeling Upset After Kapil Made Fun Of Her Lips, Archana Puran Singh Sat Her Down



Sumona Chakravarti is best known for playing Kapil Sharmas wife on The Kapil Sharma Show. The actress who shares a comic banter with Kapil on stage has revealed that in earlier flicks some things made her upset. It all started when Kapil once forgot her lines and cracked a joke on Sumonas lips and it worked. The Bade Acche Lagte Hain actor shared that it was Archana Puran Singh who sat her down and made her understand things. Read More!

Indiatimes

3. Salman Is A Gem, Rahul Roy Expresses Gratitude Towards Actor For Clearing His Hospital Bills



Rahul Roy became an overnight sensation with his debut film Aashiqui back in 1990. It was a few years back that the actor suffered a brain stroke in Ladakh while shooting for the film LAC  Live the Battle. The 55-year-old was then airlifted and admitted to Mumbais Nanavati Hospital. This was the year 2020 and taking Rahuls care were his sister Priyanka Roy and brother-in-law Romeer Sen. Read More!

Indiatimes

4. Watch: Pankaj Tripathi Recreates Atal Bihari Vajpayees Iconic UN Speech As He Wraps His Biopic



Pankaj Tripathi is all set to play Indias former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his biopic titled Main Atal Hoon. The film is reportedly based on Ullekh NPs book, The Untold Vajpayee: Politician And Paradox and will arrive on Atal Jis 99th birthday. Earlier today the actor finished shooting the film. Taking to his Instagram, Pankaj shared a video where he was seen recreating the iconic speech that Atal Ji gave at the UN. Read More!

Indiatimes

5. Alia Bhatt Makes Strange Sounds In Heart Of Stone Promotional Video, Leaves Gal Gadot In Splits



Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt is all set to make her Hollywood debut with Tom Harpers spy action-thriller Heart Of Stone. The film also stars Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan and will release on 11th August worldwide on Netflix. In a new promotional video shared by Gal, Alia can be seen being a goofy person. Other than herself and Alia, Gals clip featured Jamie and Matthias Schweighofer as all of them sat together for a fun clip. Read More!

Indiatimes

(For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment)


Sawan Shivratri 2023 Date And Time: Sawan Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the Chaturdashi tithi during Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravan, solely dedicated to Lord Shiva. This year, the month of Sawan will begin on July 4, 2023, and Sawan end on August 31, 2023.

During this time, special prayers will be offered to Lord Shiva and his family in temples across the country. It's believed that Sawan is a sacred month dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva for success, marriage, and wealth.

Happy Sawan Shivratri 2020 wishes, images: Celebrate the auspicious day by sending these to friends, family | TOI

According to Hindu Panchang, there are 12 Shivratris in a year. Out of these, two Shivratri are considered to be more important than others. The first one is Mahashivratri which is celebrated by all devotees of Lord Shiva in the month of Phalgun with great pomp and show. The second Shivratri is the one that comes during the month of Sawan or Shravan. Commonly called Sawan Shivratri, the day marks special importance for all those who worship Lord Shiva. The festival of Sawan Shivratri 2023 is celebrated with various important rituals and significance.

This year there are two Shivratri in Sawan, which is why according to the Hindu calendar, 2023 is Adhikamas and hence the month of Sawan will come twice. The first Sawan Shivratri is on July 15th, 2023, and the second Sawan Shivratri is on August 14th, 2023.

ALSO READ: Sawan Shivratri 2023 Date: Timing, Shubh Muhurat, And Puja Vidhi Of Shravan Shivratri To Please Lord Shiva

Happy Sawan Shivratri 2020 wishes, images: Celebrate the auspicious day by sending these to friends, family | Freepik

According to religious belief, during the month of Sawan, Mahadeva gets pleased by devotees by observing the fast on the day of Sawan Shivratri. Lord Shiva will showers blessings and grace, on those who worship him with sheer dedication.

Shivratri is the day of the union of Shiva and Mata Parvati

Sawan Shivratri 2023: Best Wishes, Quotes, Messages, Images And Shravan Shivratri Whatsapp Status To Share

Moreover, it is the day when the sacred. This auspicious day is associated with the Samudra Manthan event of the Satyuga. It is believed that the. And last but not least,

Today, as devotees gear up to celebrate Sawan Shivratri, here is the list of Sawan Shivratri wishes, quotes, messages, images, greetings and Shravan Shivratri status to share with friends and family to spread joy.

1. May Lord Shiva eliminate all your troubles and worries and bless you with health, happiness and success. Happy Sawan Shivratri 2023!

2. Experience the mystical beauty on an auspicious day and feel Lord Shivas divine presence. Happy Sawan Shivratri!

3. I wish the glory of Shiva Shankar uplift your soul and banish all your troubles. Happy Sawan Shivratri everyone!

4. Shiv ki mahima aparampar! Shiv karte sabka udhar, Unki kripa aap par sada bani rahe, aur bhole shankar aapke jivan me khushi hi khushi bhar de. OM NAMAH SHIVAY. Happy Sawan Shivratri 2023!

5. Discover your hidden potential and the inner self as you meditate on the thought of reaching closer to Lord Shiva on the occasion of Sawan Shivratri.

6. May the blessings of Lord Shiva always stay with you and your family. Here's wishing you a blissful Sawan Shivratri.

7. May the choicest blessings of Lord Shiva bring happiness, peace, good health, wealth, prosperity, and harmony to your life. Happy Sawan Shivratri!

8. May all the difficulties in your life be banished by Lord Shiva on the occasion of Sawan Shivratri.

9. May the choicest blessings of Lord Shiva bring happiness, peace, good health, wealth, prosperity and harmony to your life. Happy Sawan Shivratri 2023!

10. The mere utterance of OM Namah Shivaya with utmost devotion is substantial to make you feel the power of God within you. Happy Shravan Shivratri to you!

11. When you utter the name of God with utmost devotion, you get virtually transported to another world, where there is contentment. Hara Hara Mahadev.

12. May Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati shower you with their choicest blessings on the pious occasion of Shravan Shivratri!

13. The mere utterance of OM Namah Shivaya with utmost devotion is substantial to make you feel the power of God within you. Happy Sawan Shivratri to you!

14. This Shravan Shivratri, may Bholenath destroy all your sorrow and eliminate all the troubles to help you lead a happy and healthy life.

15. Discover your hidden potential and your inner self as you meditate on the thought of reaching closer to Lord Shiva on the occasion of Shravan Shivratri.

Happy Sawan Shivratri 2020 wishes, images: Celebrate the auspicious day by sending these to friends, family | Freepik

Best Sawan Shivratri Wishes in English

On the auspicious occasion of Sawan Shivratri, here are some heartfelt wishes for you:

1. May Lord Shiva shower his divine blessings upon you and your family on this sacred day of Sawan Shivratri. May your life be filled with love, happiness, and prosperity.

2. Wishing you a blissful Sawan Shivratri! May this divine occasion bring peace, harmony, and spiritual enlightenment in your life. May Lord Shiva guide you on the path of righteousness.

3. As the holy month of Sawan begins, may Lord Shiva's divine presence be with you at every step. May you find strength, courage, and inner peace during this auspicious time. Happy Sawan Shivratri!

4. On this pious occasion of Sawan Shivratri, may all your prayers be answered, and your heart be filled with devotion and gratitude towards Lord Shiva. May you attain spiritual growth and enlightenment.

5. As the sacred chants of "Om Namah Shivaya" resonate in the air, may your life be filled with positivity and joy. May Lord Shiva's blessings protect you from all evils and lead you to a path of prosperity. Happy Sawan Shivratri!

6. May this Sawan Shivratri bring you closer to Lord Shiva and deepen your spiritual connection. May you receive his divine blessings and experience inner bliss and tranquility. Wishing you a blessed and joyous Sawan Shivratri!

7. On this auspicious day, I pray that Lord Shiva's divine grace be upon you and your loved ones. May your life be blessed with good health, success, and fulfillment. Happy Sawan Shivratri!

8. May the light of Lord Shiva's divine wisdom illuminate your path and guide you toward a life filled with love, compassion, and joy. Wishing you a blessed Sawan Shivratri!

9. On this auspicious occasion, may you be blessed with unwavering faith and devotion towards Lord Shiva. May his divine presence empower you to overcome obstacles and lead a life of purpose and fulfillment. Happy Sawan Shivratri!

10. May the blessings of Lord Shiva bring you peace, prosperity, and happiness not just on Sawan Shivratri but throughout your life. May you find solace in his divine embrace. Wishing you a blessed and joyous Sawan Shivratri!

Happy Sawan Shivratri 2020 wishes, images: Celebrate the auspicious day by sending these to friends, family | Freepik

Short Sawan Shivratri Wishes 2023

1. Happy Sawan Shivratri! May Lord Shiva bless you with health, wealth, and happiness. Happy Sawan Shivratri 2023!

2. May Lord Shiva shower his blessings on you and your family. Happy Sawan Shivratri 2023!

3. May you be blessed with a long and prosperous life. Happy Sawan Shivratri 2023!

4. May Lord Shiva protect you from all harm. Happy Sawan Shivratri 2023!

5. I pray for Shivratri's blessings on you and your family. Happy Sawan Shivratri.

6. May Lord Shiva bless you with good health, peace and prosperity.

7. Happy Shivratri!

8. May Lord Shiva shower his blessings on your loved ones. Happy Shivratri!

9. Happy Sawan Shivratri to you and your family!

10. May Lord Shiva give you strength. Wishing you and your family Happy Sawan Shivratri!

Happy Sawan Shivratri Messages and Status

1. May Lord Shiva keep us safe and healthy! Om Namah Shivaya!

2. Har Har Mahadev! Wishing you a divine and happy Sawan Shivratri!

3. May this Sawan brings happiness to you and your family! Shubh Sawan Shivratri!

4. May you experience divine bliss during this Sawan! Happy Sawan Shivratri!

5. Hope you have a blessed Sawan! May you receive blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati!

6. Mahadev aapke har sankat ko dur karein! Happy Sawan Shivratri!

7. Happy Sawan Shivratri to everyone! May Lord Shiva take away all your worries!

8. Wishing a very Happy Sawan Shivratri to everyone. May Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are always there to bless you and show you the right path in life.

9. Warm greetings on the occasion of Shivratri to you. May you are blessed with everlasting happiness and success in life with the blessings of Lord Shiva.

10. Happy Sawan Shivratri to all! May you experience bliss and serenity this month!

11. May Mahakal bless you with health, wealth, peace, happiness, and success. Happy Sawan Shivratri!

Happy Sawan Shivratri Wishes 2023 for Friends and Family

1. Om Namah Shiva... May the start of this auspicious month overcome all your fears and help you prosper. Shubh Sawan Shivratri!

2. May Lord Shiva give power and strength to each and every member of your family! Happy Sawan Shivratri!

3. Wishing my beloved family a blessed and joyous First Sawan Shivratri filled with love. I pray that in the month of Sawan, Lord Shiva fulfills all your desires.

4. May this glorious day bring the seeker away from the confusion and higher up in their estimate of themselves and the world of truth. Happy Sawan Shivratri 2023!

5. This Shravan, may Lord Shiva destroy all your sorrow and eliminate all the troubles to help you lead a happy and healthy life. Har Har Mahadev!

6. May Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati shower you with their choicest blessings on the pious occasion of Sawan. Om Namah Shivay!

7. On the auspicious occasion of Sawan Shivratri, heres extending my heartfelt greetings to you and your family. Om Namah Shivay!

8. Chanting Om Namah Shivaya will bring Lord Shiva's blessings on you. Happy Sawan Shivratri!

9. I pray that Lord Shiva may bless you and your family with abundance and happiness. Happy Sawan Shivratri!

10. As the holy month of Sawan starts, may all your wishes come true and may Mahadev bless you with abundant happiness. Happy Sawan!

Happy Sawan Shivratri 2020 wishes, images: Celebrate the auspicious day by sending these to friends, family | Freepik

Sawan Shivratri Best Wishes in Hindi

1. Mahadev aapke har sankat ko dur karein! Happy Sawan Shivratri 2023!

2. Sawan ka mahina aapke liye dher saari khushiyan laye! Har Har Mahadev! Shubh Sawan Shivratri!

3. Bhagwan Shiva se prathna karte hain ki aap ke liye ye Sawan ka mahina shubh ho!

4. Shiv ki shakti, Shiv ki bhakti, Khushiyon ki bahaar mile, Shivratri ke paavan avsar par aapko, Jeevan ki achchi shuruaat mile. Sawan Shivratri Ki Hardik Shubhkamnaye!

5. Sawan Shivratri ki hardik badhai. Apka ghar mehke Shiv ji ke ashirvad se. Sada aap par barse khushi aur hansi.

6. Jab tak humare sir par Shiv ji ka ashirvad hai, humara har din khushaal hai. Sawan Shivratri ki dher saari shubh kamnayein.

7. Shiv Ratri ke is paavan parv ki aapko dher saari badhai. Bani rahe aap par aur aap ke parivar par Shiv ji ki kripa drishti.

8. Aao saath mil kar Shiv ki aaradhna karein aur apni bhakti se unka mann moh lein. Sawan Shivratri ke paavan din ki hardik badhai.

Happy Sawan Shivratri Images & Posters

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Sawan Shivratri 2023: 75+ Wishes, Quotes, Messages, Images And Shravan Shivratri Whatsapp Status To Share | Freepik

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Sawan Shivratri 2023: 75+ Wishes, Quotes, Messages, Images And Shravan Shivratri Whatsapp Status To Share | Freepik

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Sawan Shivratri 2023: 75+ Wishes, Quotes, Messages, Images And Shravan Shivratri Whatsapp Status To Share | Freepik

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Sawan Shivratri 2023: 75+ Wishes, Quotes, Messages, Images And Shravan Shivratri Whatsapp Status To Share | Freepik

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Sawan Shivratri 2023: 75+ Wishes, Quotes, Messages, Images And Shravan Shivratri Whatsapp Status To Share

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The definition of success has changed, and today's young minds are increasingly drawn to the path of entrepreneurship instead of traditional careers. However, not everyone has access to the necessary resources, guidance and support to pursue the same.

Recognising the potential of their youth to drive economic transformation, many countries are actively building entrepreneurial ecosystems that cater to the needs of today's young entrepreneurs. In this article, we will explore the key elements that contribute to the development of a thriving startup ecosystem.



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Fusion of teaching and skilling

Not all aspiring entrepreneurs have a B-school education. Even if they have one, their know-how may not be adequate to run a business. There are many mentorship and apprenticeship programmes to bridge this gap. Even the government of India has programmes for those who wish to go it alone. Executive programmes in leadership, digital strategy and communication can also help transform todays youth into tomorrows industry leaders. Students in STEM streams aspire to build innovative products. Hence, they need easy access to mentoring sessions, innovation labs and maker spaces to achieve their dreams.

Funding to get business up and running

Startups and early-stage businesses might not be able to access the level of funding that larger corporations leverage. But in recent years, the entrepreneurial spirit of youth has changed the way investors look at funding. Emerging businesses now have access to several VCs, angel investors, private equity and more. Even governments are offering grants and rolling out initiatives. The increase in the number of new businesses creates more employment opportunities, drives business growth and bolsters economic development. The government of India has launched the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) to offer financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, product trials andmarket entry.

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Collaboration for co-innovation

A business that operates in isolation may not have access to adequate knowledge, resources and opportunities. A community offers everything thats needed for sustainable growth. Businesses supported by co-working spaces, incubators and accelerators can exchange ideas and grab more opportunities. Tradeshows, conferences and meetups offer networking opportunities for new business owners. These platforms offer access to the right mentors, investors and bureaucrats. The government of India has taken measures to connect the Indian and global startup communities through virtual connects, mentorship sessions and showcase platforms. The National Startup Awards will recognise innovative solutions in a variety of industries. A startup ecosystem is not complete without all of this.

Business-friendly policies

Conducive government policies play a key role in creating an ecosystem for young entrepreneurs to thrive. Different state governments have several policies to foster entrepreneurship. Usually, businesses get access to funds, tax incentives, subsidies and regulatory support. Government support can also include seed funding, early-stage investment and R&D grants. Programmes like 'Make in India' provide the youth with the self-assurance they require to start their entrepreneurial journey. The support services provided by StartUp India range from finance to income tax to registration and bidding to networking. More than 50,000 firms have been recognised via the Startup India Initiative, a scheme aimed at providing tax benefits to entrepreneurs. The Multiplier Grants Scheme (MGS) promotes collaboration between the industry and academic/R&D institutions for product development. KITVEN Fund-5 is a venture capital fund that supports startups/SMEs focused on disruptive technologies such as AI, ML, and electric vehicles.

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The technological edge

This is the era of artificial intelligence (AI). More players are plunging into it. Startups are developing amazing products that impact people from all walks of life. Businesses of all sizes are gearing up to capitalize on technological trends like Internet of Things (IoT), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Blockchain, Edge Computing and more. Existing startups can digitise and automate their business and HR processes to enhance productivity and profitability. The Indian government has launched Startup India Portal, an online platform that connects all the key stakeholders of the startup ecosystem in India. Entrepreneurs can access a wide array of online courses to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Entrepreneurial culture

A supportive ecosystem encourages risk-taking and failure. It shatters notions that hinder creativity and a positive mindset among youth. The government, private sector and academic institutions have to collaborate and motivate the youth to embrace entrepreneurship. An ecosystem can thrive only if the people inside imbibe a culture of trust, cooperation and camaraderie. Even the media can play a powerful role in making it happen. Campaigns to celebrate successful youth can work wonders. Shark Tank, for example, is a popular show that presents potential investors who listen to business idea pitches and decide whether to invest or not. Today's youth should be inspired to defy traditional thinking and explore new avenues for growth and fame.

Conclusion

Many countries, especially India, are doing everything possible to identify and support young entrepreneurs. Home to 75,000 startups, India ranks third in the global startup ecosystem report. Thats great news for budding entrepreneurs. Governments are formulating business-friendly policies and launching multiple initiatives to foster a promising startup ecosystem. Academicians, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers have to collaborate to accelerate the growth of the startup ecosystem in a country. Whatever is said and done, the golden age of youth entrepreneurship has arrived!

About the author: Girish Rowjee is the Co-Founder and CEO, greytHR Software. All views/opinions expressed in the article are of the author.


The Nigerian Army has asked all terrorists and bandits especially those in the Northwestern region to surrender unconditionally, adding that there will be no negotiation with those who threaten the nations peace.

According to the army, the terrorists have continued to be given a tough time and their only option is to drop their arms and surrender to the troops.

The General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Nigerian Army Sokoto, Major General Godwin Mutkut led this out while addressing newsmen in Gusau, Zamfara State capital after Inaugurating RSM House at the 1 Brigade Cantonment.

READ MORE: Troops Rescue 24 Kidnap Victims, Kill Bandits In Zamfara

Nobody negotiated with them before they entered the bush, now that the fire is hitting them, they want to negotiate, well I wont call it negotiation, they should just come out and surrender, negotiation is a trap they have done it in the past and it did not yield any result, so why still repeating the same mistakes again, General Mutkut asserted.

The Commander noted that the army wont relent in its continuous efforts to clear terrorists from the region.

He reiterated that the military will not negotiate with the bandits but will rather go after them in their hideouts to eliminate, he advised that if the bandits want to survive from the hand of the troops, they should come out from their hideouts to surrender.

According to him, the troops have been going to troubled places like Zurmi, Shinkafi, Tsafe, Dansadau and other troubled areas in Zamfara State in spite of the rainy season, dislodging the terrorists from their hideouts.

Before now there are plenty places that we have not entered but as it is now, despite the rain we are going places where the bandits are not expecting, giving them bloody nose, if they want to survive, they should just surrender.

General Mutkut added that the bandits are now hitting on soft targets especially on the sight of innocent citizens in the villages or Highways. He advised District Heads and communities in Zamfara State to form groups that will protect their communities when there is a distress call before the arrival of the troops in the troubled area.
Haruna Gololo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to create jobs instead of giving out cash to citizens to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

Disclosing this in a statement on Friday, Gololo who said Nigerians are still questioning the manner in which COVID-19 relief packages were disbursed to citizens, said Tinubu should not make the same mistakes of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The money should be used to create jobs through the refurbishing of the Nigerian refineries or put up other industries to help employ the youths and school leavers, he said.

Yes! Palliative is a good thing and I welcome it, at least, it would cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal but Tinubu should beware of the banana peel that is about to consume one of Buharis ministers, the ministers of humanitarian affairs.

READ ALSO: Subsidy Removal: Gov. Nwifuru Approves N10,000 Increase Of Ebonyi Workers Salaries

Many Nigerians still call for her head over the diverted corona virus palliative funds. Many are still calling for the head of former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo over the N5,000 promised to be given to the aged men and women.

What about the school feeding programme and so on, he added.

Gololo said the funds could be invested in infrastructure like transportation that would ease the burden of transportation on Nigerians.

Recall that the President sought and got the National Assemblys approval for an $800 million loan to be used to provide relief to for vulnerable citizens.

The fund is projected to pay N8,000 monthly to 12 million low income households for a period of six months.
New Yorkers are turning to firearms to protect themselves from crime, even as the state has ramped up restrictions on carrying them for self-defense.

A new Siena College Research Institute (SCRI) poll released Wednesday found that 87 percent of New Yorkers say crime is a serious problem in the state today, and 61 percent are either very or somewhat concerned that they might be a victim of a crime. In response, roughly one in eight respondents said they purchased a firearm for self-defense in the past 12 months, including more than one in six respondents living in New York City.

Crime isnt just something that happens to others far away according to New Yorkers, Don Levy, SCRIs director, said in a press release. New Yorkers across the entire state agree that crime is a serious problem, but New York City residents [] are two or more times more likely to have taken a self-defense class, joined a neighborhood watch, moved, or purchased a gun in order to protect themselves than are residents of other parts of the state.

The poll highlights how many New York residents are undeterred by legal hurdles despite the states penchant for restricting legal access to guns. Its also noteworthy that residents of New York City, which has additional onerous restrictions on gun purchasing and ownership above and beyond state law, were twice as likely as other residents of the state to report recently purchasing a firearm.

New York has cracked down on residents abilities to own and carry guns following the states historic loss at the Supreme Court last June. In New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, the justices ruled the states gun-carry permitting system unconstitutionally subjective, but legislators retaliated with a sweeping law designed to create financial and logistical obstacles to the process of applying for gun permits. They also criminalized gun carry for self-defense in a vast array of public places, which a federal appeals court is currently reviewing after it was found unconstitutional by multiple lower court judges.

While carrying a firearm in public for self-defense remains largely illegal as court battles play out, being in public is when New Yorkers say they feel most at risk. Sienas poll found 51 percent of state residents report being concerned about their or their familys safety in public places. Nearly 40 percent say they have witnessed violent or threatening behavior among others in public, and 36 percent say they have felt threatened over the past year in a public place by a strangers behavior.

Protection from crime has been the dominant reason people report for purchasing firearms in recent years. It is routinely cited in national polls as the top reason for gun ownership and is widely believed to be the driving force behind the record-setting streak of new gun sales that began shortly after the pandemic and continued through 2021 as homicides spiked.

The poll found that many New Yorkers are taking additional steps beyond purchasing firearms to keep themselves safe. About one in three reported buying security cameras or lights in the last year, while more than a quarter said they bought non-firearm defensive tools like pepper spray or a taser. Meanwhile, 16 percent of New Yorkers, including a quarter of New York City residents, reported taking a self-defense class.

The poll results reveal that public safety and violent crime continue to concern the states residents eight months after its voters nearly handed the governorship to a Republican for the first time in two decades. Governor Kathy Hochul (D.) defeated challenger Lee Zeldin (R.) by the thinnest margin in a gubernatorial race since 1994 in a state that has not elected a Republican to that office since 2002. Zeldin focused his campaign on crime, which the states voters rated as their number one issue heading into the election.

Levy called fears over crime and the grip it continues to have on New Yorkers worrisome.

A majority of New Yorkers say that they are concerned about their or their familys safety when thinking about being in public places, the places we all go, including schools, stores or religious institutions, he said. Crime and the threat of crime is on the minds of many of us as we simply go through our everyday lives. Most say that they are no more worried than ever but over 40% say its the worst its ever been.

The Siena poll was conducted from June 4 to June 12. It included 382 New York adults surveyed over cellphones and landlines as well as 420 respondents drawn from an online panel. It has a margin of error of 3.7 percentage points.
The Federal Government (FG) has filed a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition against suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, before the Federal High Court in Lagos State.

In the charge sheet sighted on Saturday, the government accused Emefiele of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence.

According to FG, the offence is contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.

In the second count, Emefiele was accused of having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence, which is contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.

Information Nigeria understands that the case is yet to be assigned to a judge, but according to reports, it will be done next week.

Recall Emefiele has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 10.

READ ALSO: Emefiele Has Been Charged To Court  DSS

Peter Afunanya, spokesman for the DSS, had said it was for investigative reasons.

Afunanya, in a statement on Thursday, also disclosed that the agency had charged Emefiele to court following an Abuja High Court ruling.

Count one of the charges reads; That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about the 15th of June 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession one (1) Single Barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap. F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.

Count two reads: That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about June 15, 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession One Hundred and Twenty-Three (123) Rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has urged the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration to release its leader, Nnamdi Kanu if it is serious about ending South-East insecurity.

IPOB in a statement via its spokesman, Emma Powerful on Friday, knocked the Nigerian Army for linking it to the incessant sit-at-home orders in the region, as he disassociated the group from the violent exercise.

The pro-Biafra group also warned the army chief against unleashing terror on the people in the guise of going after sit-at-home enforcers.

Advising Tinubu not to toe same line of the past government, IPOB said, The Army Chief, Taoreed Lagbaja, will not claim ignorance of all the previous press releases written by IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu disassociating ourselves from Simon Ekpa and his criminal sit-at-home enforcers.

READ ALSO: Come Out And Surrender, Therell Be No Negotiation  Army Warns Terrorists

For the avoidance of doubt, IPOB is not responsible for Mondays nor failed seven-day and purported two-week sit-at-home orders and enforcement. The reckless and abusive sit-at-home strategy is from the autopilot group led by Simon Ekpa. We have consistently made it known that Simon Ekpa and his autopilot group are not IPOB members and do not represent Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in their violent enforcement of sit-at-home orders.

If indeed the Federal Government and her security agencies are interested in the peace of the South-East, they should release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally as pronounced by the Appeal Court of Nigeria in Abuja, and see their sponsored criminal agents using Kanus detention to perpetrate crime go into oblivion and fade away.
The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir has slammed the mode that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration adopted for the distribution of N500billion palliatives for small scale industries.

Speaking at a meeting with representatives from the Kano Cooperative Society at the state government house, Yusuf criticized the federal governments allocation of N500 billion through the Bank of Industry to support small-scale industries across the country.

However, Yusuf, who was represented by his Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo, revealed that the distribution was heavily skewed, with Lagos State receiving 47% of the allocation, followed by the South-South Zone with 17%, and other regions receiving significantly lower percentages.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Gwarzo, in a statement, said he deemed the distribution unfair, unconstitutional, and illegal.

The statement read in part: He called on relevant authorities, including senators and members of the House of Representatives, to rectify the situation and take appropriate action against those responsible.

He pledged its commitment to assist cooperative societies in their efforts to combat poverty and regain their influence.

READ MORE: 12m Households To Recieve N8,000 Monthly As Palliative

He emphasised the importance of cooperative societies as vehicles through which citizens can improve their lives and contribute to the overall development of their community and nation.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has asked the court to dismiss the order barring the Commission from imposing fines on broadcast stations.

Information Nigeria reports that on May 10, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the NBC does not have the powers to impose penalties on broadcast stations.

At the time, James Omotosho, the Presiding Judge, set aside fines imposed on 45 broadcast stations by NBC.

Recall that March 1, 2019, NBC sanctioned 45 broadcast stations over alleged ethical infractions during the general election.

The then director-general of the Commission, Ishaq Kawu, said the affected media houses were fined N500,000 each for flouting the provisions of the Nigerian broadcasting code.

Media Rights Agenda (MRA), displeased with the fines, sued NBC, stating that the action of the commission violated the right to fair hearing under section 36 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

READ ALSO: NBC Has No Power To Fine Broadcast Stations  Court Rules

MRA had asked the court to declare the fines unconstitutional and null.

But in a suit filed by NBCs counsel, Babatunde Ogala, the commission said the court reached its decision in ignorance of relevant facts.

NBC also claimed that MRA has two un-appealed, subsisting and binding decisions of the federal high court on the same issues and parties.

According to the Commission, the media group brought a fresh suit before the court, instead of appealing previous rulings.

The NBC further accused MRA of trying to set the court on a collision course with other courts.

Conclusively, Judge Omotosho scheduled hearing of the motion for October 5, 2023.
The Oba of Benin, Oba NEdo UkuAkpolokpol, Ewuare II, has urged Nigerians to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in order for him to succeed.

Oba NEdo UkuAkpolokpol, Ewuare II made this known on Friday while addressing journalists at the State House in Abuja after meeting with the President, expressed optimistic that Tinubu administration will do well in office.

Nigerians should support the President. He will work, he is already working, the monarch stated.

He has hit the ground running; everybody is seeing it. They should support the President. Of course, we will support the President. Other traditional rulers will support the President. We must support the President to be successful.

READ MORE: I Told Buhari Im Running Nowhere, I Want To Occupy The Villa  Tinubu Says As He Visits Oba Of Benin

However, the monarchs visit to the President was unclear, it is believed that the visit was to formally congratulate Tinubu on his inauguration as president and to discuss issues related to the Nigerian people.

The President also congratulated the Benin monarch for the retrieval of the stolen artefacts, commending his effort in ensuring that a befitting museum is built to archive the rich history and traditions of the Benin Kingdom.

It deserves our protection. We are glad to have them back, and we are glad you are happy. They are in protective custody. It is a matter of history, over a hundred years. We will work on the museum, he said.
The Imo State Police Command has arrested two women for child trafficking in Umuguma, Owerri-west Local Government Area of the state and rescued seven stolen children.

The child traffickers, Chinyere, 48, and Glory Okon, were said to have been running a baby factory under the guise of a motherless baby home in Umuguma.

READ ALSO: Defiled 8-Year-Old Girl Dies While Trial Of Suspect Is Ongoing

Spokesperson of the command, ASP Henry Okoye, who disclosed this said some of the stolen children have been reunited with their parents.

On interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of a criminal syndicate that specialised in stealing children from unsuspecting parents in Akwa Ibom and other parts of the country.

The suspects further said that the children are sold to buyers who either use them for child labour or ritual purposes.

Their confession led the police operatives to the baby factory, where seven stolen children and four pregnant teenage girls were rescued.

Some of the children have been reunited with their parents, while other victims are currently in a Government approved home for care and custody, the PPRO added.
The Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams has warned Simon Ekpa, factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to stop plans to stage the sit-at-home protest in Lagos State.

The protest, aimed at pressing the Federal Government for the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is currently happening in South East Nigeria.

Adams noted that IPOB should not attempt to impose its agenda on Lagos or other parts of the South West, as the region is not part of the Biafra Republic.

Ekpa, however, made this known via a tweet of potential plans to stage the protest in Lagos.

In his tweet, Ekpa stated, Biafrans in Lagos should get ready to be part of the demand to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. We are coming to Lagos after the two-week-long sit at home.
The Kwara State Command of the Nigerian Customs Service says smuggling of fuel and other commodities has drastically reduced following the subsidy removal by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Kehinde Dehinde Ilesanmi, Customs Area Comptroller, Kwara Customs Command, disclosed this on Friday during a scorecard media briefing.

The command seized 813 bags of 50kg per boiled rice and 24,950 litres of PMS in 998 jerrycans which is a truckload and 14 kegs of 25 litres of vegetable oil from April to June from different border locations of Okuta, Chikanda and Bukuru axis in the state.

READ ALSO: Organised Labour Faults Tinubus N8,000 Palliative Plan, Says Committee Merely Set Up As Window Dressing

The smuggling of PMS and other commodities has drastically reduced because of the subsidy removal. The capacity of smugglers to purchase and transport fuel now has reduced just as it has affected fuel consumers.

Immediately after the removal of the subsidy by Nigeria, we heard of demonstrations in our neighbouring countries. Reconciling the situation in our borders after the announcement of the policy, smuggling has drastically reduced especially of petroleum products. But smugglers will not relent, he said.
Socio-political commentator, Reno Omokri has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to study the Igbo apprenticeship system if he wishes to turn the economy in the country around.

According to him, the manner at which Igbo people learn trades and reinvent themselves as capitalists should be analysed.

The former presidential aide who stated this via Twitter on Saturday, added that, the system in the informal business sector can be used to tackle unemployment in the country.

Omokri further likened the Igbo apprenticeship model to the South Korean chaebol business model.

The chaebol is a conglomerate system that is controlled by an individual or family, consisting of multiple diversified affiliates

If President Tinubu wants to turn around the Nigerian economy in the shortest possible time, he ought to study the Igbo apprenticeship model.

READ ALSO: N8,000 Palliative: Buharis Tenure Looking Better Than Tinubus 60 Days As President  Charly Boy

It is the most successful informal business model in the world, as well as the most prolific venture capitalist scheme on Earth, producing more US dollar millionaires per capita than both Harvard and Yale Universities.

Igbo traders and merchants recreate wealth by taking on apprentices, almost as unpaid interns, who study their masters day to day business techniques and help them run their shops, markets and businesses.

After a period of time, their masters are required to financially set them up in their own businesses and guide them until they can stand on their own two feet.

Imagine if this was in place in every state of Nigeria and practised by every ethnic group. Unemployment in Nigeria will almost vanish overnight.

Our homegrown economic success will work better for us than borrowed money and ideas that may not fit our peculiar situation, he tweeted.
Popular tech giant, Twitter has started paying verified accounts for their posts online with one profile already paid $100,000 (76,275).

The platform will now help people earn a living directly on Twitter as it announced plans to kickstart monetisation features just last night.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the scheme is only available to notable Twitter Blue subscribers, as creators will need to prove they received at least five million impressions on posts in the last three months.

The platform noted that the impressions are a total tally of times a tweet has been viewed, and funds to support those who fit the bill will be sourced from Twitters advert revenue.

This is coming just a week after rival Meta, run by Mark Zuckerberg, released a similar platform called Threads, which has since had more than 100 million new sign-ups.

Were expanding our creator monetization offering to include ads revenue sharing for creators, Twitter wrote last night.

READ MORE: Twitter Threatens To Sue Meta Over Threads

This means that creators can get a share in ad revenue, starting in the replies to their posts. This is part of our effort to help people earn a living directly on Twitter.

Were rolling out the program more broadly later this month and all eligible creators will be able to apply.

However, some influencers have already received news of the funds theyll be receiving.

Cartoonist Shibetoshi Nakamoto shared a post which claimed that hes earned $37,050 (28,259) which would be transferred to his account within the next 72 hours.

Others, such as author Ashley St. Clair and podcaster Benny Johnson appeared to have made $7,153 (5,455) and $9,546 (7,281) respectively.

Another person who described themselves as a self-taught brain surgeon even claimed to have made $107,247 (81,802) on his account.
When I first met this patient, she was about 14 years old, and always came to the clinic with her mother. I saw them from time to time for more than 1 year, and the girl noticeably grew during this time. Her mother is an attractive woman, and looked too young to have such a big girl. Their clothing was always stylish, especially the mother. She always had nice colored fingernails, neatly trimmed eyebrows and beautifully highlighted short hair. I thought she was prettier than her daughter.

The girl was slim, good looking and had large eyes. Although she was not fully developed, I can see she would grow up to be beautiful. The only problem was she had some acne in her forehead.

The girl spoke good English,and her mother also spoke English, but still had communication problems, which was very common among immigration families. She came to see the psychiatrist in this clinic, a young black male, about every 2 or 4 weeks over a year. At the same time, she had counseling at her school for one hour every week. But all of these treatments and psycho-therapy did not help her much.

She was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and mood swing, and had been taking medication for these mental problems under the care of the psychiatrist. During the time, the psychiatrist kept adjusting the medicine and dosage for her because of the major side effects of these medicines. Sometimes, she still felt depressed even with the medication; sometimes, she felt great, but her mother claimed that she did not sleep or lost appetite. Therefore, the doctor kept making adjustments, but it looked like he never got the optimal treatment plan for the girl. Some drugs had some positive effects on her mood, but none of them showed any effect on her focus levels.

The girl had a rough relationship with her mother, although she is the only family of her in the USA. According to her mother, she divorced with her first husband soon after the birth of this girl, who had a mild congenital heart disease which was cured later. Then the mother came to the USA, and the girl was left in China and raised by her parents. The mother remarried to a Chinese spoken man in the USA, and brought her daughter to the USA when she was about 10. The girl was fine for half a year to one year when she first came to America, and even got along with her stepfather, though her mother thought her husband did not care about the girl too much. However, the mother never told the girl that the guy was not her biological father, and she did not know that fact even when she told the psychiatrist about it. Later, she divorced with her second husband, so she and the girl were the only members of their current family.





I was not sure what kind of job the mother had, but her shift began late in the morning, so when she went back home from work, it was usually around 9 pm. Therefore, the girl spent most of her after school time alone at home. Besides, she only has one day off on the weekend, so the mother and daughter can only spend one full day together every week. It looked like the girl spent most of her free time in her room surfing the internet or playing on her cell phone.

The mother complained a lot about the girls behavioral problems. First, she was very emotional. If her mother tried to control the amount of time she spent on cell phone, she would cry for several hours asking for it. Once, the mother was annoyed by the girl so much, she took off and left the girl alone at home. When she came back to the house a couple hours later, she found there was a police officer at her doorstep. Because the girl kept crying for several hours no stop, her neighbor thought something bad happened and called the police.





Second, the girl did not have any self-control. The girl loves chocolate, and her mother brought her a lot of chocolate, and kept them in a jar. But the girl finished the whole jar in one set, and so much chocolate she ate, she vomited at the end.

The girl also lied. Once her mother found she had worn her jacket, and asked about it, and she refused to admit that she did that, even when her mother told her it would be OK for her to wear her clothes as long as she told her mother about it. She would also lie about taking her medicine. The girl needed to take the medicine twice a day, and her mother usually called her in the middle of the day to remind her about her medication. Sometimes, she said that she already took them, but in fact she did not.

The girl also performed poorly in her school. She only likes drawing, and paid attention in art class. But in other classes such as math or science class, she would not listen to the teachers, and kept drawing or talking. Sometimes, she was asked to stay out of the classroom during some classes because of her bad behavior. As a result, she was falling behind in her school. If the situation continued, it was unlikely for her to graduate high school. She also did not have any friends and had been bullied in school.

Her mother had been taking her to see therapists for a long time, but never got a good result. For example, she had seen this psychiatrist for over a year, and sometimes reported that she was in a good mood, but her mother, teachers and school social worker all said that they saw few changes in the girls behavior after her taking the medication prescribed by the psychiatrist.

At the end, the psychiatrist also said since there was no noticeable progress in the girl, maybe it was time for them to find a new psychiatrist who can better help the girl. I even suggested that a Chinese psychiatrist may be a better fit for the girl. But her mother said that it was difficult to find a psychiatrist who can fit their schedule, and there is no Chinese psychiatrist available. Finally, the psychiatrist suggested the girl have another evaluation, and then adjust her treatment plan in regard with her evaluation result.

It is obvious that the mother loves her daughter very much and the mood and behavioral problems of her daughter put a lot of stress on her life. They need help, and the help from school and psychiatrist were not enough. I sometimes thought that life would be easier for them if they went back to China.








Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has disclosed that the South East has lost about N4 trillion in the last two years due to the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) sit-at-home order.

According to Kalu on Friday, the order observed every Monday across the regions five states has stifled economic growth.

At the All Markets Conference 2023 in Lagos, while speaking on Catalysing Partnership with Traders through Innovation, Technology, Analytics, and Sustainability, the Deputy noted that the situation had forced potential investors out of the South East.

He further urged all Igbo sons and daughters to work together to put an end to the threat.

The existential threat to Igbo entrepreneurship and businesses now is the insecurity and sit-at-home problem in the South-east.

READ ALSO: No Cultist Attack At Poco Lees Homecoming Party  LASU Debunks Reports

The mutation of this problem is largely unfathomable. It is becoming a cankerworm that is eating deep into our collective fortune as a people.

We have to rise up to nip the problem in the bud. The first wave of the migration of Igbo businesses post-civil war was in the late 1980s and the 1990s, when, due to incessant kidnappings, thievery and a rise in occultism, Igbo businesses domiciled in Igboland moved en masse to other parts of Nigeria and the West & Central African region to thrive.

We are currently witnessing the second wave of such migration of Igbos businesses, this time around, due to the insecurity and the sit-at-home problem in our beloved region, he said.

Kalu also advocated for the revival of the Igbo apprenticeship system, which he claimed produced successful businessmen and women, emphasising that it should not be allowed to die out.
Philadelphia Police Officer Lynneice Hill, who died Friday, hugging her husband, Dennis Smith, also a police officer. Officer Kevin Whetstone, 55, of the 39th Police District, also died Friday. Read more

Dennis Smith always called his wife, Philadelphia Police Officer Lynneice Hill, superwoman.

She would do anything, really everything, for anybody, Smith, who is also a police officer, said Saturday night. She took care of everyone. She was just a star.

And Stephanie Whetstone never walked into a restaurant, grocery store, even nail salon where her husband, Officer Kevin Whetstone, didnt know someone.

Everybody he talked to, he made a connection with, she said. It was crazy. Everybody loved him.

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The Philadelphia Police Department suffered a double loss on Friday after Hill and Whetstone  with a combined 39 years of service  died in separate, nonviolent circumstances.

Hill, 44, of the 3rd Police District, died Friday night after experiencing what has been described as an apparent medical emergency, police officials said.

The same day, Whetstone, 55, of the 39th Police District, died in his home, three weeks after suffering a devastating heart attack, his wife said.

Dennis Smith, assigned to the 14th District, said he and Hill grew up together in North Philadelphia. They dated briefly, but decided they were better as friends. They joined the police force a year apart. Describing why Hill wanted to be a cop, he said: It sounds cliche but she was always in the business to help.

Hill married and had two sons and a daughter and now has three grandchildren. She got divorced, then Hill and Smith started dating again.

This time it stuck. Monday would have been their 10th wedding anniversary.

Known as NeNe to her family, Hill was deeply religious. She was an ordained minister at Jones Temple Church of God in Christ in Fairmount and very active in the youth program. The kids in our church just adore her, Smith said.

Her nephew, Wallace Jones, said she had uncanny ability to know when her family needed her. He said he was in a dark place a few months ago and Hill called him out of the blue. She told me to be strong and not give up, he said. She told me shell always be there for me whatever Im going through.

She just had the brightest smile. It lit up the room. Her smile would make you smile, said her uncle, Chris Alston. She touched a lot of lives. Im just numb right now.

On Friday, Hill, a 24-year-veteran, was working an overtime assignment at the parking lot of the T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods stores in the 1800 block of South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, said Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw.

An officer saw her about 5 p.m. and they shared a laugh and Hill showed no sign of pain or sickness. A few hours later, people in the parking lot had seen her eating in the car when they walked into the store. Upon exiting shortly before 9 p.m. they saw her slumped over and called 911, a police source said.

After medics arrived, CPR was performed on Hill and she was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, said a visibly shaken Outlaw at a news conference outside the hospital about 11 p.m.

At this time, we dont know any additional information as to what happened or why, the commissioner said. As you can see behind me, there are a lot of officers here that are not only here in support, but theyre here grieving.

Medic 43 then took her body to the Medical Examiners Office. Highway Patrol motorcycles escorted the unit, followed by a long procession of police vehicles with lights and sirens activated.

Outlaw said she had spoken to the officers husband and met with other family members. Dennis Smith told The Inquirer that the autopsy results are not yet complete, but that his wife had not been sick or suffered from health issues.

The commissioner said she had heard nothing but amazing things about [Hills] dedication and her commitment to the Police Department.

Known for her charitable work helping to feed people with cancer, Hill was a selfless woman with a wonderful spirit, according to Michael Rowe, CEO of Legacy of Hope, a Philadelphia nonprofit that supports people stricken with the disease.

On Saturday evening, Rowe and his team recalled how Hill had delivered groceries to people with cancer in the city twice a month for more than three years.

She was so altruistic, Rowe said. She had a family member with cancer, and she worked to make our communities better places to live.

He added, This is a difficult time for all of us.

In an interview with 6abc in March 2021 during one of her grocery runs, Hill said, Coming from a family with grandparents and aunts [and] losing them to cancer, its no greater joy than to be able to show up at someones house with a bunch of groceries.

On Saturday afternoon, John McNesby, FOP Lodge 5 president, released the following statement about Hill:

Its with a heavy heart that we mourn the sudden passing of dedicated police officer, Lynneice Hill. Our friend and colleague served this city for 24 years with humility, distinction and integrity. We pray for officer Hills family, friends and colleagues with the Philadelphia Police Department. The FOP will never forget her dedication and contributions to the police department and her community.

McNesby also released a statement about Whetstone, saying the 15-year veteran served his community and city with professionalism and integrity. He was beloved by his fellow officers and colleagues. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

Stephanie Whetstone said her husband was the definition of a man. Hes funny. He has wisdom. Hes smart.

They were married four years. I never met anybody like him who could touch so many people in so many ways, she said. He has three adult children and together they have a 3-year-old daughter.

Whetstone had a minor heart attack two years ago, she said.

On June 22, he played basketball after work and came home and told Stephanie he wasnt feeling well. He collapsed. Stephanie said it looked as if her husband was having a seizure. She called 911. But he had suffered severe brain damage. He never regained consciousness.

Doctors fought to save him for two weeks, but there was nothing they could do, she said. He came home on hospice care for a week before he died.

By chance, Whetstone and Smith actually knew one another. We were in neighboring districts, Smith, 45, said. He was a great dude with a great personality. Really funny, he said.

Smith last spoke with his wife Friday when he was driving home from firearms training and she was working the overtime shift.

He showered and took a nap on the couch after enduring 90-degree heat all day. When he awoke he saw hed missed a call from his wife. But at the same time, he had a slew of messages. One was from a police supervisor who said his wife was in distress.

I thought maybe shed fainted or something. I had no idea, he said.

I still cant process this. Im devastated, he said.

Just devastated.

Staff writer Robert Moran and staff photographer Elizabeth Robertson contributed to this article.
A man with a gun in North Philly disrupted the Friday morning commute for five passengers and the driver of a SEPTA Route 57 bus when he shot at the drivers side window. Philadelphia police said no one was injured.

Authorities said the incident began about 5:30 a.m. when the suspect boarded the bus without paying his fare. SEPTA police say the driver and suspect got into an argument during which the suspect threatened the driver before exiting the vehicle. Once outside at Front and Luzerne Streets, the suspect pulled out a handgun and fired a shot at the drivers side windshield before fleeing, authorities said.

The shooting is the latest incident on SEPTA contributing to rising concerns about safety.

In an effort to alleviate those concerns, SEPTA added 21 officers to its transit police last month and leaders of Transport Workers Union Local 234, SEPTAs largest union, are slated to ask for a larger police presence in forthcoming contract negotiations. Still, these efforts are mainly focused on patrolling the Market-Frankford and Broad Street subway lines.

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SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said thats because the trains have the highest concentration of riders and, subsequently, quality-of-life violations.

The fact that there are close to 120 bus routes further complicates deploying police in a similar manner, he said.

We can have officers who go out and check at certain spots, said Busch. If its a repeat, chronic issue we can put undercover officers on the buses.

Busch said the transit agency is looking for ways to improve safety on buses.

In May two men were injured and one teenager was killed in separate shootings on SEPTA buses.

Anyone with information about Fridays shooting is encouraged to reach out to SEPTA Transit Police.
If you are not satisfied with the response from your bank, you can seek free advice from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). If you have lost money, do not accept offers from third parties to help you get it back  this is a common tactic used by scammers to steal more money from you.
Working in the coalface of Australia's insurance and allied health sector has provided me with a deep understanding of the challenges and frustrations currently faced by Australian patients and customers, Williams said. It also highlighted the need for a streamlined solution for Australians recovering from mental and physical injuries, so they can be empowered to take control of their recovery.
Wildlife experts from a conservation group in Ireland began to examine a 62-foot dead fin whale that had washed up on a beach but abandoned their autopsy when they heard bubbling noises  a warning that the whale might blow up. (See example of a dead sperm whale that exploded while being cut open in the video below, posted by EuroNews.)

"I got blubber, baleen and skin. I was going to attempt to get some muscle but I heard some sounds and was like, this is going to explode in my face if I go any deeper," the fin whale examiner, Stephanie Levesque of The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) told the Irish Examiner.

The bubbling sounds indicated a possible build-up of methane gas, which can cause the whale to violently explode. But it was later determined that in this whale's case, an explosion was actually unlikely. However, to play it safe, the experts did not resume the necropsy.

From Live Science:

The dead fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), which was around 62 feet (19 meters) long, washed up in the early hours of July 9 at Baile Ui Chuill Strand, in County Kerry, the Irish Examiner reported. The cause of death is unknown but the hefty whale had likely been dead for up to three weeks before it washed ashore, based on the level of decomposition. When whales die, their guts begin to fill with methane gas, which often causes the corpses to inflate like a balloon, float on the ocean's surface  and occasionally float onto shore like the dead fin whale. In high enough concentrations, and when mixed with oxygen in the air, the gas can cause whales to explode, either spontaneously as pressure increases, or when the remains are cut open; although this is very rare, Levesque told Live Science in an email.  In 2013, a marine biologist in the Faroe Islands had a lucky escape after a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) that washed up dead violently exploded when the scientist cut into its stomach, The Guardian reported at the time. And in 2019, an unidentified baleen whale spontaneously exploded on the surface of the sea off the coast of California, spraying blood and guts into the water, according to IFLScience.  With the fin whale in Ireland, it later became clear that the whale was unlikely to explode and it has been left to decompose naturally, Levesque told Live Science. "There was some bubbling [sounds] but nothing that led me to believe it would actually explode." The necropsy was abandoned as a precaution to make sure that the body cavity stayed intact, she added.

The cause of the fin whale's death has not been determined.

Front page thumbnail image: Juan Gracia / shutterstock.com
Last week, Green Party TD Paul Costelloe suggested that the 12th of July should be designated an all-island holiday, as a gesture of goodwill to the unionist tradition, perhaps even a reconciliatory olive branch for a future shared Ireland.

Reaction was swift and, it should be said, not particularly glowing.

On Wednesday, in these very pages, former Alliance Party leader John Cushnahan said such a move would be a mistake, albeit conceding he thought Mr Costello a decent person, who naively thought his idea would be a gesture of reconciliation towards the unionist tradition.

Ill restate those caveats here, and try to add my own thoughts on a tradition I know only too well.

During my childhood, the 12th of July was inescapable.

Actually, inescapable is exactly the wrong word, since escape is exactly what most Catholics did, either getting out of dodge entirely or avoiding any travel that might carry a risk of

encountering such festivities.

My father, for example, has lived his entire life in Belleek, Enniskillen, and Derry, and this week marked his 75th straight year of never being near a parade on the day itself.

What is inescapable, however, is the coverage of these events.

Most of my awareness came from TV and radio, where the marches were presented with an air of baffling contradiction.

The morning and nightly news would, for weeks, show skirmishes and fires, of towering pyres piled with burning effigies of loyalisms usual bugbears; the Pope, Sinn Fein members, the Irish tricolour (more latterly these have been joined by GAA flags, LGBT symbols, and politicians from the Republic of Ireland).

Always, there was the sideshow of which parades had been blocked by the hated Parades Commission, sometimes spilling into rioting and confrontations with police for that reason alone.

Juxtaposed with such footage, however, was the breezy live coverage of the day itself, showcasing the flags, banners, and general merriment, with cheery commentary offered over scenes depicting a light, carnival atmosphere.

The fact that an entire half of Northern Ireland found such marches distasteful was never examined here but would be immediately remembered minutes later on the next news bulletin via statements from Catholic residents who, unlike me, lacked the opportunity to avoid the events unfolding on their literal doorsteps.

At this juncture, I should address the queasiness with which I use the terms Catholic and Protestant here, something I usually steer clear of, wherever possible.

Flattening the complexity of the six counties divisions into religious lines has always been a bugbear of mine, not least because its so difficult to avoid.

As a shorthand, its clumsy; eliding all of Northern Irelands secular politics and painting a false picture of some inscrutable Holy War between two equally intransigent brands of zealotry.

It fails to distinguish between either the various factions of Protestantism, or the increasing prominence of people, parties, and organisations which do not cleave to either religious banner  or, indeed, any at all.

On a purely personal level, I find it tiresome that this framing re-inducts me, and almost everyone I grew up with on both sides of the divide, into religions we either no longer profess to follow, or never have.

Unfortunately, such distinctions are impossible when discussing the Orange Order, the all-male fraternity which organises most events for the 12th, since its quite hard to view its beliefs as anything other than explicitly anti-Catholic.

Seamas O'Reilly. Picture: Orfhlaith Whelan

I do not necessarily refer to the Orders repeated reluctance to amend their routes to avoid Catholic churches or housing since, for the sake of argument, lets put this down to their obsession with historical precision  an Order that walks through urban and rural Northern Ireland to commemorate a 17th-century battle in Meath, dressed in the bowler hat and gloves of early 20th-century bank managers.

We could point to the ubiquitous burning of Catholic effigies, or the prevalence of loyalist paramilitary slogans and banners at bonfires, but lets take the Order at its word when it condemns these things each time they happen  which is dozens of times, without fail, every single year Ive been alive.

Instead, it is more instructive to consider the articles of faith by which the Order itself compels its brethren.

Members of the Orange Order in Northern Ireland do not merely profess their Protestant faith and refuse admission to Catholics, they are explicitly barred from marrying Catholics, or attending Catholic church services.

In 1984, Rev. David Armstrong, a Presbyterian minister from Limavady, was expelled from his local lodge simply for offering a greeting to the local Catholic church on Christmas Day.

He eventually took exile in England following death threats.

In 1996, shortly before becoming Grand Master of the Orange Order, Robert Saulters decried Tony Blair for having sold his birthright by marrying a Romanist. He would sell his soul to the devil himself.

Saulters would serve as Grand Master until 2010. The following year, UUP leader Tom Elliott was disciplined by the Order just for attending the funeral of a murdered Catholic PSNI member.

In the past few years, there have been signs that the Order is growing less austere.

Bonfires are about celebrating ones culture, said Grand Secretary Mervyn Gibson on Monday, in response to a likeness of Leo Varadkar being burned near Dungannon, these celebrations should not be to the detriment of other peoples culture.

It is disrespectful, added DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, if people want to earn respect and have respect for their own identity and culture then they have got to show respect for others.

Such sentiments are welcome, and should be encouraged by anyone who wants to create a shared future for the island, whatever form that takes.

But eliminating anti-Catholic rhetoric from the Orange Order will take more than them condemning the most extreme expressions of their central beliefs, or us tempting them toward unity with the promise of a bank holiday.

If we want to march toward a future of reconciliation and tolerance, we should be clear that this is a two-way street.
Brought up on a small farm on the edge of the Burren, Mary was the eldest of three girls. She read early.

My mother remembers me reading a newspaper aged three.

After university she started teaching English and History in a school in Galway, as well as teaching English at NUI Galway. During this time she wrote poetry through an evening class in the Galway Arts Centre.

Louis de Paor took the class. Ive since translated his poetry from Irish to English.

Mary then left for America and became a part-time lecturer at Babson College near Boston.

Visa restrictions meant I couldnt work elsewhere, so I had time to write again. I was trying short stories, and the only one to really work turned into a novel. Before the House Burns was published in 2010, the year I got my green card.

Shes been teaching in Babson College ever since, but has taken two sabbaticals: During the first one, in 2018, I lived in Alabama. I still live there when Im not teaching.

The other, last spring, was in Villanova where Mary was the Heimbold Chair of Irish Studies.

I finished the collection there.

The author of several poetry collections and translations, Mary is senior editor at the literary magazine, AGNI.

Who is Mary ODonoghue?

Date/place of birth: 1975/ Galway but raised in Clare.

Education: St Josephs Convent in Gort. NUI Galway, BA in English and History and MPhil in Irish Studies.

Home: Alabama.

Family: Husband James McNaughton, an Irish Beckett scholar, and stepdaughter, Niamh.

The day job: College Professor at Babson College.

In another life: I almost went into architecture.

Favourite writers: Mavis Gallant; Maeve Brennan; Joy Williams; Tatyana Tolstaya; Leonard Michaels; Amy Hempel.

Second book: Ill be working on more short stories, and another novel.

Top tip: Its OK to flail around as long as you stay at it. Be willing to let things go.

The Hour After Happy Hour by Mary ODonoghue

The debut

The Hour after Happy Hour. The Stinging Fly Press, 15.00

Whether examining the strained relationships between parents and children; or following friends in discussion of failed love affairs, these literary stories of emigration, transit, and exile are both entertaining and thought provoking.

The verdict: Clever, witty and sophisticated. Beautifully written.
Oscar-winning actors George Clooney and Jessica Chastain are among the high-profile figures supporting the fight of their US union, following the announcement of a major Hollywood strike.

Cork actor Cillian Murphy walked out of Thursday's Oppenheimer premiere in London and will not appear at tomorrow's Dublin premiere.

The strike, described as an inflection point in the industry, was announced on Thursday in Los Angeles, after new contracts with the American Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) could not be negotiated.

The AMPTP refused to make a fair deal on television, theatrical and streaming work. We are not afraid of a fight and we will not back down. My union, SAG/AFTRA is now on strike. #SAGAFTRAstrong

#SAGAFTRAstrike pic.twitter.com/3yx7Q4oMUM  Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) July 14, 2023

Famous faces joined the picket lines on the first day, while many voiced their support online.

In a statement shared with the PA news agency, Clooney said: This is an inflection point in our industry. Actors and writers in large numbers have lost their ability to make a living.

For our industry to survive that has to change. For actors that journey starts now.

Actor George Clooney is among those supporting the US actors union strike . Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA

Chastain, who last year won the Academy Award for best actress, said the union and its members would not back down.

The AMPTP refused to make a fair deal on television, theatrical and streaming work, she wrote on Twitter.

We are not afraid of a fight and we will not back down. My union, Sag-Aftra is now on strike.

Fellow best actress winner Halle Berry wrote: Its not just actors and writers.

Its every single person who works in our industry that will be dramatically impacted!

I stand to fight for everyones right to be fairly compensated for the hard work they do!

Alec Baldwin congratulated the union for calling the strike in order to protect its rank and file members.

The strike is something that, you know, were a union, were in this together, he said, in a video posted to Instagram.

I dont think anybody really wants a strike but they dont want to continue under the the unfair contracts that were working under now.

So congratulations to everybody and I hope this is over right after we get everything we want.

Josh Gad, who voices animated snowman Olaf in Disneys Frozen movies said strikes did not occur unless they were glaringly necessary.

The actor and Broadway star acknowledged the impact the work stoppage caused by the strikes would have but said the action was about right and wrong.

As we stand on the precipice of the uncertainty of what AI can represent to all of us in this industry and beyond, it is imperative that we ensure we are protected against the inevitability of the cost savings and ease of use that this seismic technology represents to these corporate entities, he wrote on Instagram.

Holy Cow. Go Fran Go! This was a powerful statement. I stand with Fran and everyone in SAG and WGA in this extended moment...onwards https://t.co/1TO5xqkF4l  Mr. Bob Odenkirk (@mrbobodenkirk) July 13, 2023

I hope that, for the sake of our entire industry, and the above the line and below the line folks who are being adversely affected, that these issues can be resolved sooner rather than later.

Gad later urged people to grab a sign and join the picket lines, sharing a picture of himself there.

Also pictured on the picket lines on Friday was Sag-Aftra president Fran Drescher, who gave an impassioned speech while announcing the strike.

She said: The gravity of this move is not lost on me  its a very serious thing that impacts thousands if not millions of people.

This is a moment of history that is a moment of truth. If we dont stand tall now we are all going to be in trouble.

Responding to a clip of Dreschers speech, Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk, wrote: Holy Cow. Go Fran Go!

[social=twitter]

https://twitter.com/CynthiaNixon/status/1679580330427072512[/social]

This was a powerful statement. I stand with Fran and everyone in SAG and WGA in this extended moment onwards.

Sex And The City Star Cynthia Nixon, wrote: The @sagaftra strike has at last arrived.

I am proud to be standing tall with the @WGAWest and @WGAEast as actors and writers together demand a fair share of the record-breaking profits the studios have been reaping from our labor for far too long.

We will win this!

Australian actress Toni Collette wrote on her Instagram story: There is nothing to act without writers. There is nothing to film without actors.

Film making is the most collaborative of art forms. Every single person hired contributes to the whole. Please be respectful and fair.

And if stories are told utilising Al then we are moving into an era of storytelling with no heart. Literally. No human heart.

Then we lose connection. And that is why art exists. To help us connect and feel. This strike is of paramount importance.
When Jolene OConnor embarked on a positive psychology challenge on social media it led her to the love of her life.

Jolene decided to try out the 100 Happy Days experiment in 2014.

Each day you have to post something positive online to spread happiness, she says.

Jolene O'Connor and Jamie White.

Enter Jamie White, who Jolene had known as a friend for four years. Jamie slid into my DMs and asked me if he could take me out on the 100th happy day, says Jolene.

The couple, both from Birmingham, went go-karting as an opener followed by bar crawling until 4am  longest date ever", says Jolene.

Five years later, Jamie whisked Jolene to Paris. "It was in December 2019, for my 30th birthday and New Years Eve celebrations and he proposed next to the Disneyland fountains, she says.

Jolene O'Connor and Jamie White and their wedding party.

For their wedding, in March 2023, they exchanged fairytale realms for the Kingdom of Kerry, travelling to Killarney. We got married in Ireland as Jolenes grandad was from Knocknagoshel and her grandma from Co Cavan, says Jamie. Kerry holds a special place in our hearts; always feel like weve come home when we visit.

The days theme was very romantic, with roses, candles, and deep colour tones, says Jolene. We wanted traditional elements with a non-traditional ceremony, she adds.

Jolene O'Connor and Jamie White.

The newlyweds say the occasion was everything we could have dreamed of. Celebrant Helen OSullivan led the ceremony in the five-star Muckross Park Hotel & Spa. The team at Muckross are incredible; Niall and Orla were fantastic, adds Jamie.

Jolene adds: The ceremony was very different, being a spiritual ceremony with remembrance and unity candles, handfasting, and personalised vows. Our celebrant Helen made the ceremony fun and caring rather than strict and formal.

Jolene O'Connor and Jamie White.

The bride and groom also included a wine box ceremony. We each wrote each other a love letter that neither of us has read and, after putting in a bottle of red wine, we nailed the box shut, planning to open it on our 25th wedding anniversary, says Jolene.

Ash Jones was the best man with Gareth Waterhouse joining the grooms brother Robbie White to take on groomsman duties.

Jolene O'Connor and Jamie White.

Reena Kang was the maid of honour with Catherine Duffy and Olivia Van Der Will as bridesmaids. Caitlyn Davis and Tegan White, the grooms nieces, were junior bridesmaids, while Charlie Davis, the grooms nephew, was the ringbearer. Two extra-special guests were the brides grandmother Margaret OConnor, 95, and the grooms grandfather, Brian White, 83. My grandma went to bed at 3am! says Jolene.

They held their drinks reception in the hotels atrium and their main reception in the Valentia Suite.

Jolene O'Connor.

Their photographer Micheal OSullivan Photography, and their videographer Michael Phelan captured the event on camera. Doing the first look with my dad, Jerry, before the ceremony was very special, says Jolene.

Our videographer called me the bravest woman in Ireland for agreeing to everything asked of me during photos in wild conditions.

Jolene O'Connor and Jamie White.

Joanne Henderson was the bridal hairstylist with makeup artist Sandra Flynn ensuring the bride and her team were ready for their close-ups.

Tie the Knot, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick, created the floral arrangements and Sean Taaffe Hair Salon, Killarney, ensured the groom and the father-of-the-bride looked picture-perfect.

Bridal Bestie Club content creator Nikki Rodgers was also key to capturing memorable moments. Bridal Bestie Club came in the morning to do getting ready shots, and making TikTok videos with my bridesmaids was hilarious and fun, says Jolene.

O'Carroll's Cakes, Killarney, baked the wedding cake and Torc Irish Dancers, Killarney, performed at the reception.

Jolene O'Connor.

The newlyweds honeymooned in Singapore, Bali and Indonesia.

Jolene, a senior buyer, and Jamie, a geotechnical test engineer, live in Birmingham.
So the Young Offenders have finally made it to the splendour of the Cork Opera House? Well, coola boola.

For Hilary Rose, who plays Mairead in the hit show, the upcoming Young Offenders Live event at the Opera House is a case of bringing it all back home  even if she is home most of the time anyway.

As we speak, she says she is doing the classic parent-in-summer trick of trying to avoid her children for a few minutes, while prepping for the live event, in which she will lead a conversation with her co-stars, reviewing a string of key moments and letting the audience in on some behind-the-camera secrets. But mostly, hopefully, having a laugh.

The inspiration for the live show came from her own Live Wild podcast, on which she interviewed co-stars Chris Walley (Jock) and Alex Murphy (Conor).

We said lets make it one step bigger and make a big show of it, Hilary says. And so now its time to add one live audience.

We never did anything live with Young Offenders, Hilary, 43, continues. We needed a break, we did different things, we had no intention of writing a theatrical or live show kind of thing, even though people were crying out for us to tour it. So this is to satisfy fans. Its a very different commitment from the cast  it is going to be a really, really, really special event  possibly a one-off.

With this one, I pulled it together so fast, I dont really have plans beyond it. Im very conscious a podcast is meant to be live and conversational and so to repeat it, it would feel stagey. This is about seeing how this one goes. Well be looking at clips from seasons 1- 3 and playing live  it will be great craic. It will be opened up to a Q+A session as well, so if fans out there really want to ask questions...

And there are likely to be plenty of those. Hilary, who, as well as her role as matriarch Mairead, collaborates with her husband, director Peter Foott, on the show, is used to fielding queries about Conor and Jocks harebrained schemes. As Mairead, she often has cause to scratch her head in bafflement or rage at the collective gormlessness of the lads and their ill-starred capers, but she also emphasises the role of the supportive mother, despite the travails.

It is good writing first and foremost, she says when asked as to one of the reasons for the shows longevity in an era when some shows barely make the credits sequence of the pilot before being scrapped. You could put those characters in any country and in other circumstances and people can still relate to it.

The second part is yes, it is a really flat-out comedy, but it also has a lot of heart, you are rooting for the characters, you dont want them to get in trouble.

Alex Murphy and Hilary Rose in The Young Offenders. Pic: Miki Barlok

That says a lot, considering the film which spawned the TV series saw the lads attempting to pedal down to West Cork to somehow secure some of the floating bales of cocaine adrift after a boat ran aground  a scenario sparked by the real-life 440m drugs haul at Dunlough Bay on the Mizen Peninsula in July 2007.

Any story has potential, even the story of the chicken crossing the road, Hilary says. But about the 2007 smuggling shambles, she says there was a lightbulb moment.

Yes, we thought nothing has ever been done [about it]. It was two storylines  the two lads friendship and then the bigger picture of what happened on the coast that summer.

Of course, when the BBC series began, the lads started afresh, the characters fleshed out in their natural environs, mostly in and around Cork city. It has proven to be a fine showcase for Leeside.

There has to be a certain amount of realism that goes with the characters, Hilary says. The neighbourhoods we worked in for it were so appreciative and welcoming and really, really brilliant. Cork city is such a wonderful city and its great to be able to showcase that, and beyond that, West Cork, and Kinsale. We hope it is showing Cork in a wonderful light.

Heists, the latest business wheeze, even proposing a move to Spain  Conor and Jock have tried them all.

For Hilary, the lads are clearly the fan favourites and she sees something of Del Boy and Rodney in Only Fools and Horses in their persistent attempts to come out on top. The fan profile is 12 to 80, she says, in what she describes as an ensemble piece, but some viewers arent shy about professing their love for Mairead.

You remind me of my mom  I get so many lads saying that, she laughs. Its really cute. She is such a wonderful character. It is really nice to be able to play one of the first single mum characters in a sitcom  that was brought up quite a bit by others who felt represented by it. She has this anger thing, definitely, but she always has their back.

Filming has recently concluded on season four of the show.

Hilary is tightlipped as to what happens, only to say that the show has been able to go in a different direction  as well as shifting to BBC One.

It is expected to hit our screens next spring. As to whether she, Peter and the rest of the cast felt anyadditional pressure with the shift to the BBC flagship channel, she replies: Yes and no. We live quite a quiet family life in Cork. We thought brilliant, BBC One, yay  that was kind of it. When it goes to broadcast we will feel the pressure a little bit more. So far I have not felt the pressure.

And so we are back home again, back on Leeside and preparing for a night at the Opera House.

It is quite remarkable that Hilary and Peter have managed to move their vision onto BBC One while still effectively living and working where it all started for them, and their characters, like theyve taken the working from home mantra to its logical conclusion.

As Hilary says: Normally when you have a big TV series you have to travel away for it. Since we have kids, its family life and kids that are more important.

So before Jock and Conor hit our screens in 2024, the audience back in Cork will get to see the cast review and reminisce about what has already gone. Thats if Hilary gets a move on.

I am still halfway through it, to be honest, she admits when it comes to selecting the clips. I have picked a few  fight scenes and stunt scenes  they are very technical to coordinate but also great fun. You look forward to stunt scenes but youd be wrecked by the end of the day.

She adds with another laugh: Lets just say health and safety improved as time went on. Chalk it down.
A heritage plaque dedicated to Irish nationalist leader General Michael Collins has been unveiled in the centre of London.

The plaque marks the site of the former Barnsbury Hall on Barnsbury St in the north London borough of Islington where Collins was initiated into the secret organisation, the Irish Republican Brotherhood, in 1909, following his recruitment into the group by Sam Maguire.

A large crowd attended the ceremony on Friday which was organised jointly by the Terence MacSwiney Committee and Islington Council and which was hailed as a sign of how far the Irish in London have come.

The plaque unveiled in the London borough of Islington marks the site where Michael Collins was initiated into the Irish Republican Brotherhood in 1909. Picture: Twitter

The deputy lord mayor of Cork, Colette Finn, and the Mayor of the County of Cork, Frank OFlynn were among the guests, and among those attending was former British Labour Party leader and MP for Islington North, Jeremy Corbyn.

Ms Finn said she attended to understand the people who live in Islington who identify as being Irish or having an Irish heritage.

"I think it is important now that the UK has left the EU, that we build new understandings of our relationships, she said.

Post the Belfast/Good Friday agreement we know that there are three sets of relationships that need to be nurtured  relationships between Ireland and the UK, between differing perspectives in the north and south of Ireland and nurturing and understanding different identities within Northern Ireland."

She said Collins and Maguire acted with "courage, determination, and integrity".

"We should aspire as modern-day politicians to continue that tradition," she said. I believe nonviolent dialogue is the best way to come to a satisfactory resolution of differing perspectives.

We need to contemplate enormous change as we move to deal with the fallout of climate change.

Wars and the consequent migration will challenge us all. However, there are always solutions if we understand the needs and fears of others.

The ability to cooperate marks us out as a species in evolving and adapting to our environment.

Building trust and understanding is what underpins that cooperation.

The unveiling of the plaque was attended by politicians from both London and Ireland, which Islington Council said highlighted its commitment to celebrating the cultural diversity of the borough, and the huge contributions of the local Irish community.

Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork City Colette Finn with former British Labour Party leader and MP for Islington North, Jeremy Corbyn, at the unveiling of the Michael Collins plaque in Islington, North London. Picture: Twitter

After Collins left school aged 15, he took the British civil service examination in Cork in February 1906 and moved to his sister Hannies home in London, where he became a boy clerk in the Post Office Savings Bank at Blythe House.

By 1910, he was a messenger at the London firm of stockbrokers, Horne and Company, and he also studied law at King's College London but he did not finish the course.

It is understood that his republicanism emerged during his time on the London GAA scene, and he returned to Ireland in 1916 where he went on to become a leading figure in the Irish struggle for independence.

He was also a key figure in the negotiation of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which established the Irish Free State in 1922.

Ambassador Fraser attended the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to Michael Collins on Barnsbury St today, organised by @IslingtonBC in conjunction with the Terence MacSwiney Committee. A great turnout marking an important part of the story of the Irish community in London! pic.twitter.com/xcZJU2n02I  Embassy of Ireland (@IrelandEmbGB) July 14, 2023

At last years ceremony at Beal na Blath, marking the centenary of Collins' death there in August 1922, then taoiseach Micheal Martin said that Collins should be remembered as one of the greatest Irishmen to have ever lived.

Kaya Comer-Schwartz, leader of Islington Council, said: The Irish community in Islington has contributed so much to our borough over many decades.

In recent months we have unveiled the mural at Navigator Sq to celebrate our Irish community and this plaque for Michael Collins is another example of our recognition.

Migrant communities make up so much of our borough so it is vital that we celebrate their contribution and our diversity.

The council has now installed over 50 plaques at different locations across the borough, showcasing its rich and colourful heritage through the stories of notable historical people, places, and events.

Plans are well advanced for the installation of a statue of Collins on the Grand Parade in Cork.
WHEN the details of Irish woman Jean Tighe were added to the Portuguese polices database of missing people recently, it was a day of mixed feelings for her family.

The decision to upload her details to the database last Monday came just days ahead of the third anniversary of the Cavan womans disappearance on July 13, 2020. For the past three years, the Tighe family have been pushing for action from the Portuguese police to pursue Jeans case, who was 38 years old when she was last seen in Parede near Lisbon.

She was on her second visit to the area that year and had booked a flight on July 12 to return home to Ireland.

However, she has not been seen since leaving the Help Yourself hostel in the tourist resort the following afternoon, July 13.

She was expected to return to the hostel that night but did not. She had been seen leaving the hostel by a hostel worker and that hostel worker has claimed that Jean left with a Brazilian man.

'Hoping and praying'

Jean is a keen traveller who lived abroad previously and is the middle of five children.

Her sister Leona has travelled to Portugal on a number of occasions since her disappearance, to meet Portuguese police in a bid to have her case treated as that of a missing person.

Leona stresses that she does not believe that her sister just decided to live a new life without contact with her family, as has been suggested on occasions. And while she is relieved that her case has finally been included in the database of missing persons in Portugal, Leona is realistic in her approach to the development.

Jean Tighe who is missing in Portugal since July 2020.

She desperately wants a public appeal for information by the police, which has not yet happened.

She says: We are just hoping and praying that something will happen that will spark a chain of events that will lead to Jeans recovery.

At the end of the day, we dont have the in-depth analysis on Jeans social media accounts.

Leona says that the social media companies have told the family that information about her use of them can be made available on receipt of a request from an authority. However, no such request has been made by the Portuguese police as yet.

She adds: We dont have the basics here  we dont have the bank account records or the social media account records, no public media appeal. How are you going to find somebody without that information?

There needs to be a public appeal made out in Portugal.

When Leona was informed on Monday July 3 that Jeans case was registered to the missing persons database, she says it was a tough thing to process. On the one hand, she questioned how it took three years to reach this stage while also feeling that it was a very sad day to see her sisters profile on the website.

She says: We are all very deflated. The message to us is loud and clear that Jean is not important because otherwise, we would have this information about her and it is very, very sad.

She fears that a tonne of information which could have been gleaned in the early days after Jeans disappearance has been lost because of the delay in registering the case on the missing persons website.

Among the other missing people listed on the site is British girl Madeleine McCann who disappeared in Praia da Luz in 2007.

Last Thursday, Masses were held in Jeans native Cavan and in St Anthonys Church in Estoril, close to where she was last seen. Leona says that prayers are regularly offered to Lisbon-born St Anthony, the patron saint for the recovery of lost items, in the hope that Jean can be traced.

The Mass in Estoril was organised by neighbours who were on holidays in the area, and they also handed out flyers locally to highlight Jeans story.

Lucie Blackman Trust

The family has now enlisted the services of the Lucie Blackman Trust in the UK, which specialises in searching for missing persons. The organisation currently has an appeal on its site seeking help in relation to the disappearance of Jean, with an offer of a reward of 10,000 put forward by her family for anyone with verifiable information which would lead to the recovery of Jean.

The family also made a report to gardai in Dublin regarding Jeans disappearance.

Leona says that a video conference was to be held by the end of June between An Garda Siochana and the Portuguese police as an information-sharing exercise in relation to the disappearance of Jean and believes it still has not occurred.

When asked specifically about this by the Irish Examiner, a garda spokesman said the organisation does not provide comment on details of ongoing investigations.

Cavan woman Jean Tighe who has been missing in Portugal since July 2020. Picture: Facebook/FindJeanTighe

Gardai confirmed earlier this year that Jeans disappearance was reported to An Garda Siochana at Mountjoy as well as to the Portuguese police.

The gardai said they will continue to carry out local enquiries to assist the Portuguese authorities with the investigation. They said any information that has come to An Garda Siochana in relation to her disappearance has been forwarded through the appropriate channels (Interpol) for the attention of the Portuguese Authorities.

Meanwhile, the family has also turned to politicians in Ireland for help, including MEP Frances Fitzgerald who raised the disappearance of Jean with her Portuguese counterparts before Christmas. Her family intends to continue putting on political pressure in a bid to locate her.

They have been in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs in their quest to find Jean.

In a statement, the department told the Irish Examiner this week: The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of this case and is providing consular assistance to the family. As with all missing person cases, the responsibility for investigation lies with the relevant policing authority. The Embassy of Ireland in Lisbon will continue to provide support in engagement with the Portuguese authorities.

The Department does not comment on the details of individual consular cases.

The Judicial Police in Portugal have been contacted for comment.
A homeless Dublin man accused of impersonating a garda by wearing an officers stolen uniform jacket has been denied bail.

Robert OShea, 58, who is of no fixed abode, was arrested in Lucan, Co Dublin, on Friday in connection with an incident near the local garda station.

He was charged with possessing stolen property, a garda uniform soft shell jacket, contrary to the Theft & Fraud Act.

He is also accused of an offence contrary to the Garda Siochana Act for impersonating a member of An Garda Siochana at Main St, Lucan.

Mr O'Shea was held pending his appearance before Judge Dermot Dempsey at a sitting of Dublin District Court on Saturday when he faced bail objections.

Garda Brian Halley told the court the accused replied, I just wanted to be a guard, when charged at Lucan station.

The officer agreed with defence counsel Kevin McCrave that the accused was known to live at various addresses around the Lucan area and lately in a park in the middle of the town.

Mr OShea did not give evidence and is yet to indicate a plea.

Counsel said the accused had health problems and was about to start a 12-week residential counselling programme.

Pleading for bail, Mr McCrave said his client would like to be able to take up that opportunity.

The court heard the accused had an alcohol problem.

Judge Dempsey refused bail and remanded the accused in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on July 21 via video link.

He granted him legal aid and ordered gardai to provide disclosure of prosecution evidence to the defence.

The judge also directed that Mr OShea would get medical attention while in custody.
A windfarm owner should compensate a farmer who threatened to dig up its high voltage cables alongside a public road that abuts his land, the High Court has ruled.

Dromada Windfarm (FOI) Ltd, part of the SSE group, secured High Court orders two years ago preventing Denis Cremins from interfering with the electricity cables that were buried in 2009 along a roadside verge at his lands in Athea, Co Limerick.

Dromada claimed Mr Cremins demanded a 4.5m payment in exchange for him allowing the cables to remain in place.

In a ruling on Friday, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey said Dromada, the plaintiff in the case, came to accept a technical trespass and that the cables are in fact laid on ground owned by Mr Cremins and his wife.

Dromada does not seem to have known it was trespassing on Mr Creminss lands when it laid the cables for its 19-turbine windfarm in 2009 along his fenced-off lands along the edge of a public road, the judge said. Lawyers for Dromada pointed to their realisation of a technical trespass after analysing a 2017 High Court judgment.

Mr Cremins's counterclaim

In a counterclaim, Mr Cremins asked the court to order the removal of the cables and wanted damages for interference with my land.

Mr Justice Sanfey said ordering the cables to be dug up would result in profoundly disproportionate consequences, but Mr Cremins is a victim of trespass and deserves to be compensated. The judge expressed no view as to whether the compensation should be large or small. This will be decided in a further module in this case.

Neither partys conduct is beyond reproach, he added.

The judge was influenced by the fact Mr Cremins has not been able to point to any particular interference with his use or enjoyment of his lands and his motivation has always been to extract maximum compensation rather than any serious concern over safety.

Mr Justice Sanfey noted Mr Cremins, who lives in Knocknagoshel, Co Kerry, has significant experience dealing with windfarm developments and entering into commercial arrangements for the use of his lands for windfarms.

He acknowledged during cross-examination in another case, concerning another option agreement relating to other lands, that he has received compensation totalling 10m from two different windfarm operators, the judge noted.

Planning permission for Dromadas windfarm was granted two years before Mr Cremins purchased the Athea lands in 2006, said the judge. There has been a substantial history between Mr Cremins and Dromada, including proceedings initiated but not pursued by Mr Cremins against the windfarm owner.

In a June 2019 letter to the firm, said the judge, Mr Cremins wrote that he would give Dromada two days to remove the cables before he would remove them himself. He said:

Should any injuries or fatalities occur to either me or my workers as a result of your failure to remove the cable, that you installed by trespassing on my land, you will be held responsible.

Correspondence ensued, and it transpired in late 2020 that Mr Cremins had exposed some of the cable ducting on the grass verge. There were further legal letters exchanged, before Dromada issued proceedings against Mr Cremins and, in mid-2021, secured an injunction preventing him from interfering with the cables.

Mr Justice Sanfey said Mr Cremins showed through his letters his intention to intimidate and coerce Dromada into negotiation.

Whether he actually wants the cables removed [...] must be open to doubt, as he has consistently attempted to agree monetary compensation with the firm, the judge added.

There were reprehensible aspects to Dromadas conduct too, and it was the judges view that the firm was aware the cables constituted a trespass by the time it initiated these court proceedings.

While it may have been understandable for tactical reasons to want to avoid making concessions to Mr Cremins until necessary, this led to an approach to affidavits for the injunction that were less than frank, and skirted the boundary of misleading the court.

The judge felt the appropriate and just result was for no order to be made directing the removal of the cables, but that compensation still to be assessed should be paid to Mr Cremins for the trespass.
"I knew sunbeds weren't recommended and could be dangerous, but I never thought about skin cancer and how it could affect me later in life.

Gill Costello, from Ballybrack, Dublin has discovered in the most tragic way the very real risks posed by "sun-worshipping" and sunbed use, after the 43-year-old was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Ms Costello was an infrequent sunbed user during her college years, occasionally opting to use beds when approaching a big holiday or event.

After a friend spotted a mole on her back in 2016, she got it checked out and had it removed for precautionary reasons. The mole turned out to be melanoma.

According to the Marie Keating Foundation, non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with melanoma being the fourth most common. Recent figures suggest there are over 11,736 non-melanoma skin cancers and over 1,156 melanomas diagnosed each year.

When costing as little as 80 cents per minute in some places, it's hard to wean young tan lovers away from the tempting offers, with sunbeds being marketed as a cheap, no-fuss way to build a healthy glow.

The Irish Cancer Society has said that getting burnt just once every two years triples the risk of developing melanoma.

Ireland still has the highest mortality rate in Europe for melanoma with, on average, 159 people dying from this disease annually.

Ms Costello's Stage 1 melanoma was curable, but she had to attend periodical follow-up appointments, as per standard practice.

In Summer 2021, she was told she had one final follow-up appointment to attend before she would be given the all-clear. Fast-forward to November 2021 and her life was plunged into darkness when she ended up in A&E after fainting two days in a row. She underwent tests and it was discovered that she had a bleeding tumour, measuring 7cm long in her stomach, and melanoma in six different parts of her body.

Within five years, Ms Costellos cancer had transformed into stage 4 advanced melanoma, spreading across her lungs, liver, breast, pelvic bone, peritoneum and stomach.

"I wouldn't say sunbeds are 100% of what caused me to get cancer, but they certainly have contributed, Ms Costello said.

Gill Costello: 'I wouldn't say sunbeds are 100% of what caused me to get cancer, but they certainly have contributed.' Picture: Moya Nolan

She wants to see a change in the publics perception of sunbed use and says there is still much work to be done in Ireland to reshape our attitudes to tanning.

I think as a nation we all want to be tanned but we need to change that narrative and tell people its okay to be pale, she added.

We just need to change that whole mindset of younger people.

However, when costing as little as 80 cents per minute in some places, it's hard to wean young tan lovers away from the tempting offers, with sunbeds being marketed as a cheap, no-fuss way to build a healthy glow.

With many offering the option to pay as you go or purchase a top-up card, the sunbed industry is battling hard to lure in younger customers.

Cancer Prevention Manager at the Irish Cancer Society, Kevin OHagan said it has been tracking sunbed use since 2003.

At that time, sunbed use was at 9%, this had fallen to 3% in 2019, Mr OHagan said.

Kevin O'Hagan of the Irish Cancer Society.

The Public Health Sunbed Act was introduced in 2014 and since that time there has been a reduction in the number of sunbed operators.

"It was estimated that there were around 900 sunbed operations prior to the legislation and this fell to 569 in 2016.

While there is a recorded fall in official facilities, those that remain are accompanied by unregulated operators, run by people with little or no training, with no limits on use.

One fair-skinned Limerick woman, who didn't wish to be named, told the Irish Examiner how she had used a bed recently to get a 'base' before going on holidays.

She went on the sunbed for ten minutes, having previously only used the beds for less than five minutes at a time. The result was third-degree burns on her back.

Professor Anne-Marie Tobin, Consultant Dermatologist at Tallaght University Hospital says there is an evident rise in sunbed use amongst patients presenting themselves with melanoma in recent years.

Professor Anne-Marie Tobin, Consultant Dermatologist at Tallaght University Hospital. Picture: Moya Nolan

Ms Tobins advice to those thinking of using sunbeds is simple: Dont do it."

Ms Tobin says the Irish complexion, predominantly fair-skinned, presents an even higher risk of suffering immense damage from sunbeds as it is prone to burning in the sun and to a high number of moles.

Definitely people who have lots of moles should not use sunbeds because they're compounding their risk, she adds.

On the lack of regulation around sunbeds, Ms Tobin cites a study in Scotland that showed nine out of 10 sunbeds there were emitting unsafe levels of radiation.

If you walk into somewhere where they're going to give you a medical treatment and they're using a machine, you know that the machine has been standardised, it's been validated, it does exactly what it says.

"No one knows what the [sunbeds] machines deliver and over the years the bulbs have become a lot more powerful, you don't know whether the machine that youre getting onto is safe, she added.

The Irish complexion, predominantly fair-skinned, is at an even higher risk of suffering immense damage from sunbeds as it is prone to burning in the sun.

Cork influencer Julie Haynes is all too aware of the dangers associated with turning to sunbed use.

Ten years ago, the mother-of-two jumped on the sunbed bandwagon ahead of her holiday to Mexico, with the overused expression of getting a base tan in mind.

However, after just three sessions, Julie noticed an unusual mole which she subsequently had removed.

Only after three beds this was the damage it had caused; luckily my tests came back clear but I promised myself never to go near them again, a rule she has stuck to over a decade later.

The Carrigaline native admits although she longs for the flawless tan observed on other sunbed users, she will not be tempted to try a sunbed again.

Julie Haynes: 'I would urge anyone thinking of doing the beds to just go buy a bottle of fake tan, its the safest way.' Picture: Denis Minihane

I would urge anyone thinking of doing the beds to just go buy a bottle of fake tan, its the safest way, Ms Haynes said.

According to the National Library of Medicine, Brazil imposed a general ban on sunbeds back in 2009, becoming the first country ever to do so, followed by Australia in 2016.

Many countries have taken steps to partially restrict sunbed use, with countries such as Canada, France, Ireland, and the US introducing controls to restrict sunbed operators from highlighting non-cosmetic health benefits, according to the World Health Organisation. Italy has banned sunbed use for fair-skinned and pregnant individuals.

Almost ten years after Ireland introduced legislation forbidding sunbed use for those under the age of 18, Prof Tobin is calling for the country to take further action, backing a complete ban.

She points out that sunbeds are classified as a carcinogen, in the same category as cigarette smoke.

These views are echoed by Mr OHagan.

In July 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), placed sunbeds in the highest cancer risk category and rated sunbeds to be as carcinogenic as tobacco and plutonium.

Young people are particularly at risk  there is a 75% increase in the risk of coetaneous melanoma when people began tanning regularly before the age of 30 years. Even one sunbed session can increase your risk of developing squamous cell skin cancer by 67% and basal cell skin cancer by 29%."

He points out that people with fairer skin types have double the risk of "getting melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.

If you are thinking of using a sunbed, we would really encourage you to please, think again. Sunbed use increases your risk of skin cancer, whatever your age, sex, and skin type. There are some people who are at an even greater risk than others, he said.

This includes you if:

You have fair or freckled skin;

Your skin always burns and never tans or burns before it tans;

You have a lot of moles;

You have had skin cancer or a family member has had skin cancer;

You use cosmetics or take medications that make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.

If you have questions or concerns about cancer, contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1 800 200 700 or email supportline@irishcancer.ie
A San Diego, California man recorded a video (posted by Detect Clips) of his cat-owning neighbor throwing a fit because his cat, Mercury, likes to hang out in the man's yard. To be clear, it's the owner who is upset that his neighbor allows the cat to visit, not the other way around, which is usually the case.

"You're upset with me because we made friends with your cat, sir?" asks the man.

The cat's owner demands that the man speak to Mercury and direct him to return home, "Go in your yard and say, 'Mercury, go home. Don't come in our yard anymore.'"

With a note of incredulity, the man responds, "She's a cat. She doesn't speak English."

Growing increasingly irate, the cat's owner resorts to name-calling, hurling the peculiar insult of "Cat pervert!" at the bewildered man.

Taking things to another level, the cat's owner called the police to report that the man is guilty of "harboring a cat."

The man who recorded the video said of the incident:

"My neighbors have a very friendly outdoor cat that likes to hang out in my yard. The cat is free to come and go as it pleases. For some reason, they don't like that, and decided it's my job to tell the cat where and where not to go. Before I started recording, they said I was 'manipulating' the cat by 'befriending' it. They did end up calling the police after I stopped recording, but the police almost immediately hung up on them. The cat was right back in my yard the next morning."
The Dail is out for summer after a more than gruelling term.

The political class of 2023 has been a mixed bag, there have been some solid performers but no stars, others have struggled under the pressure, while a few have barely scraped through the term.

January kicked off with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly under pressure over trolley figures which reached an all-time high.

Fine Gael's Damien English was forced to resign as a minister of state over his failure to declare ownership of a property.

Just as one ministerial controversy was blowing over, Paschal Donohoe found himself at the centre of another as details of election postering paid by businessman Michael Stone came to light.

Fine Gael's woes didn't end there as the great exodus began with Brendan Griffin, David Stanton, Michael Creed, and John Paul Phelan all announcing they will not be standing in the next general election, leaving gaps of experience across the country.

Fianna Fail's Niall Collins got into trouble with planning issues. Picture: Damien Storan

The heat then turned on Fianna Fail with junior minister Niall Collins getting himself into difficulties over planning issues.

The Government as a whole came under pressure ahead of a motion of no confidence tabled by the Labour Party in response to the decision to lift the eviction ban.

It resulted in Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien doing a deal with some of the regional Independents in exchange for their votes.

As the spring wore on, the three government parties began bickering among themselves.

A coalition row  which the Greens eventually won  erupted over a move by stand-in Justice Minister Simon Harris to fast-track the introduction of facial recognition technology for gardai.

Then there were the three Fine Gael junior ministers who sent Fianna Fail members into an irate tizzy when they called for a 1,000 tax reduction for workers in the upcoming budget.

On the other side of the House, the Social Democrats co-leaders Catherine Murphy and Roisin Shortall stepped down making way for Holly Cairns.

Meanwhile, long-time TDs Denis Naughten and Brid Smith announced that they would not be running again.

In an indication of what a cabinet might look like after the next general election, Mary Lou McDonald unveiled a shake-up of her front bench.

Having taken stock and compiled a report card on our elected representatives, it is fair to say that all members of the Oireachtas will have to pull their socks up when the Dail returns in the autumn.

Top of the class

Michael D Higgins

While this term has been awash with controversies and ministers getting themselves into bother, a quick survey of colleagues on the Leinster House press gallery this week failed to garner any stand-out performers.

One person who certainly made a significant impression in the political sphere is President Micheal D Higgins. His eyebrow-raising remarks have been applauded in certain quarters and condemned in others.

The President's intervention in criticising the Government's Consultative Forum on International Security certainly caused a stir and sparked debate.

He was forced to apologise for his comments about the chair of the forum, but stood firm in his belief that Ireland is "playing with fire" during a dangerous period of "drift" in foreign policy.

He had his own viral moment after his meeting with President Joe Biden circulated in the world's press. The pictures showed off his magnificently chaotic office, featuring piles of dog-eared books, files, and artwork' not to mention the computer monitor perched between manuscripts, which looked to be an afterthought.

Merits in particular subjects

Geography  Simon Harris and Jack Chambers: Two ministers that have gained an honours-level knowledge of Ireland's geographical features are Simon Harris and Jack Chambers.

Having travelled the highways and byways under the guise of their ministerial duties, they have pressed the flesh with intent.

Both are considered contenders to take over the leadership of their respective parties and meeting grassroots members on the "rubber-chicken circuit is a clever move.

History  Alan Kelly: After being ousted by his own party in March 2022, many had consigned Alan Kelly to political history. The Tipperary TD certainly kept a low profile after being forced out, but has recently made a resurgence, just in time for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) showdowns with RTE.

Alan Kelly: Was ousted by his own party last year but could be making a resurgence.

His forensic approach to questioning both RTE heads, former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly gleaned some of the most interesting answers.

Back in January, Kelly, a long-time CervicalCheck campaigner, delivered on the promise he had made to his friend the late Vicky Phelan when a Bill to introduce open disclosure for healthcare professionals was finally introduced.

It remains to be seen whether Kelly will run in the next general election, and any redrafting of his constituency is likely to play into his decision, but he certainly has made a comeback this term.

Music  Michael Creed and Brendan Griffin: Having both announced they will not be contesting the next general election, the Fine Gael TDs have been making sure that their political swansong is a memorable one.

Creed, a former agricultural minister, had been known as a quiet but confident operator, who never rocked the boat too much. However, he has gained a new-found freedom in announcing his departure and has gained a reputation for speaking up and saying what many of his party colleagues would like to say but have their seats and Fine Gael leadership to keep in mind.

He has made a number of strong interventions at recent meetings of the parliamentary party, hitting out at the direction Fine Gael is taking and claiming the the ties that bind us as a party including members were weakening.

Likewise, Griffin has been going about his Dail business with a fresh flourish. He put in a strong performance at the Media Committee over the past three weeks and managed to get a key piece of information out of RTE chair Suin Ni Raghallaigh who confirmed to him that she had sought the resignation of Dee Forbes.

Agricultural Science  Michael Collins: The Cork West certainly knows his beef from his dairy and took great offence to being described as an organic farmer by minister of state Pippa Hackett, herself a farmer.

The two locked horns in May when Collins demanded an apology and a correction of the Dail record.

Collins, who has previously stated in the Dail that he is "proud to be organic", also suggested that the Green Party senator could only have obtained the information from her husband who inspected his farm, an allegation she strongly refuted.

In the end, the Ceann Comhairle, who received letters from both parties, told them to sort out the gripe among themselves.

Group project  PAC and the Media Committee: Members of both the PAC and the Media Committee have diligently worked to put the RTE scandal jigsaw together in recent weeks. Their questioning and probing over many hours only resulted in more pieces being added to the complex puzzle, but their efforts deserve recognition.

(Plain) English  Holly Cairns: Her straight-talking style of politics contributed to Holly-mania which swept across the country for a number of weeks following her rise to the helm of the Social Democrats in March. She has been particularly outspoken on the housing crisis and the Government's stance on land restoration. While her party enjoyed a boost in the polls after she took over as leader, this has flattened out, and gaining support will be her biggest challenge ahead of any general election.

Scraping through  Catherine Martin: The arts minister was plunged into the RTE crisis when details of Ryan Tubridy's pay deal emerged.

Arts Minister Catherine Martin has only scraped through the term.

Many around Leinster House have noted that having a scandal land on your desk can be an opportunity to excel and to show real grit and leadership as a minister.

This is not how the approach taken by Martin could be described. She initially stalled in meeting the chair of the RTE board, and it was clear where the power lay in the relationship between both women when it later emerged that Suin Ni Raghallaigh had failed to inform the minister that she had asked the former director general to resign the week before the scandal broke.

She also drew criticism for her ambiguity on whether the public should continue to pay the TV licence fee. A shrewder politician would have immediately hauled the key players in and would have been picketing outside Montrose with the ordinary workers.
The outbreak of war in Ukraine has tested Ireland's ability to dance on the head of a pin with regards to its own neutrality.

Members of the government insist that Ireland is not neutral in the conflict and cite our support for Ukraine as ongoing and unwavering. While the morality of our stance has been easy to identify, Ireland's military neutrality offers a harder square to circle.

Ireland's initial contribution to the effort included millions of euro in non-lethal assistance, which members of government were keen to stress did not violate Ireland's triple-lock neutrality system.

Since then, there has been a frequent and at times bitter argument about Ireland's place in the conflict, Europe, and the world. This debate has been given a new dimension this week with the announcement that America has begun sending cluster munitions to Kyiv.

US President Joe Biden has defended the so-called difficult decision to dispatch the weapons to Ukraine to help in battling against the Russian invasion. The munitions were banned by a 2008 global convention of which Ireland was not only the lead signatory but the host of the adoption. The deal was seen as a massive coup for Irish diplomacy and particularly for the then Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern. His successor in that role, Micheal Martin, this week recalled convincing people to sign up to the accord.

It was an outstanding diplomatic achievement by Ireland to have so many countries, over 120, I think signed eventually, he said.

I remember working with Gordon Brown at the time to get the UKs agreement to sign up to the banning of cluster munitions and I recall very well meeting many civilians from countries all over, Asia in particular: amputees, people with severe injuries as a result of cluster munitions that are left in the aftermath of battle, the aftermath of war, in childrens playgrounds and so on."

Cluster bombs open in mid-air and scatter hundreds of "bomblets" over a wide area, causing severe injury and death long after conflicts are over.

Criticism

The US, Russia and China were all opposed to an international ban and have not signed up to the new treaty. Mr Biden said the Ukrainians are running out of ammunition and the cluster bombs will provide a temporary fix to help stop Russian tanks, but there was swift criticism from a number of corners about the decision.

A cluster bomb detonated by bomb experts after it was found in the southern Lebanese village of Sultaniyeh. Dropped from warplanes or fired from artillery guns, they explode in mid-air, randomly scattering bomblets and are among the weapons which pose the gravest dangers to civilians.

Here in Ireland, the decision raised questions about the use of Shannon Airport as a transit for the US deliveries. The airport's use since the 2003 Iraq War has been contentious in and of itself, but the continued use of Shannon by US troops since that war ended has largely been taken for granted. The carriage of any weaponry requires an exemption under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons, and Dangerous Goods) Orders, with 120 granted up to the end of May.

But the question was posed: Would the Government break a convention signed in its own capital to allow the US to send banned munitions to an active war zone?

Edward Horgan of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance said: There is a very real possibility that these illegal cluster bombs will be transferred through Shannon Airport on their way to Ukraine".

Mr Horgan said US military planes have not been searched in many instances. Indeed, last year the Irish Examiner revealed that the Department of Transport had admitted it did not check whether a Ukrainian plane that landed in Shannon was carrying heavy artillery in spite of pictures of weapons being loaded in Australia.

But Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was out early strongly criticising the US move.

"I think it's the wrong decision. The United States is an ally of ours and of course we support Ukraine in its battle to defend its country and defend its freedom in democracy. Both Russia and Ukraine are using cluster bombs. I think that's wrong," Mr Varadkar said.

The Taoiseach pointed out that cluster bombs can stay around long after they have first been fired and can cause injury to civilians many years later.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan was as strong on the issue, saying that the Government is opposed to the use of cluster bombs, adding that there would be huge consequences for their use.

Pressed on whether Ireland would use the mechanisms available to it to stop flights coming through carrying the weapons, he was unequivocal.

Yes is my answer, because clearly in my mind, talking to the Taoiseach and Tanaiste about this, were all of a similar view. Weve taken a strong position on the use of cluster munitions and we retain our position.

Mr Martin said on Thursday that the position of Ireland hadn't changed, but is confident the issue won't occur.

He said the possibility that they might be transported through Shannon doesnt arise.

While the Government has been strong on the matter thus far, neutrality campaigners say they want to see what will happen in the coming weeks and months as dozens more US flights land at Shannon.
It has been a long, long week for everyone associated with the scandal surrounding Ryan Tubridys pay.

For RTEs new director general, the six days have been something of a baptism of fire given he only officially took up his role on Monday.

Within 24 hours, Kevin Bakhurst had announced a rejigging of RTEs executive committee, a financial review of the goings on at senior level at the broadcaster, the creation of register of interests for employees, and even committed to cultural change within the organisation.

A generations worth of change committed to within 24 hours. He works fast, though in reality, given the grave nature of the situation, he didnt have much choice.

From there Bakhurst bounced from meeting staff, to meeting the media, to meeting the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Thursday.

By yesterday when we talk, the man  despite a well-earned reputation for unflappability  sounds tired and maybe a little fed up of answering the same questions on repeat. Thats perhaps understandable.

Regardless, we start by wondering why he has decided to return to RTE after a seven-year absence. A London native, the 57-year-old had a long career at the BBC before serving as RTEs head of news and current affairs between 2012 and 2016.

He lost out to Dee Forbes in the 2016 race for the top job, perhaps something of a blessing in retrospect.

I really loved living in Ireland before, and [Im] enjoying being back here again, he says. As to what his qualifications are for reforming RTE given he is a veteran, he notes that he drove a lot of change in news and current affairs.

Anyone you talk to about my time here, theyll recognise that. We delivered an awful lot of change against huge financial constraints. I tried to address as many pay inconsistencies as I could, particularly gender ones.

Im proud of what I did then, he says.

But why RTE for a second time, particularly as he has noted a few times this week his previous role with Ofcom, the UK media regulator, was better paid?

Because I believe in what it does. I believe in the value of public-service broadcasting, and the opportunity to run a national broadcaster is something that doesnt come up very often. Its extremely attractive in that way, is the answer.

Director general Kevin Bakhurst speaking to RTE staff on Wednesday July 12. It has been a busy first week for the Londoner. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Pay is a recurring theme of the conversation, not surprising given the entire Tubridy farrago hinged on the concealed payment of eye-watering sums of money.

Bakhurst was very forthcoming regarding his salary during the week, telling a media scrum on Monday that hes on a base package of 250,000 with a car allowance of 25,000 on top (there are doubtless pension entitlements in the mix also).

Asked if he would forego the allowance (described by one RTE insider to this writer as basically a licence to park your car at Montrose in return for 25 grand a year), in a gesture of solidarity with staff, his answer is a trifle unenthusiastic.

Look, I had to do the sums when I came here. I already said I took a relatively significant salary cut to come do this job. Its a pretty demanding and high-profile job. You know, Ill see, if I have to do that, Ill consider it, he says.

He similarly bridles at the suggestion that the actions of Marty Morrissey  who handed back a car he had on loan from Renault for five years on June 23  and Tubridy, who at brass tacks was simply paid what he had been promised by RTE, are comparable.

Yet Morrissey is still in work, while Tubridy anxiously awaits news of a possible reprieve.

Bakhurst, who is good friends with Morrissey, says its not right to draw comparisons, but then says there are many differences between the two things, lots of differences.

Is what Tubridy did worse?

There are clear differences between the two and their profile and the amount of money involved, and where the money came from, he replies.

Weve said we want to tidy up what people do outside RTE and make it more transparent, and theres a process going on around Marty and around others.

Employment at RTE

We ask how he can make RTE a more attractive employer, given there are a lot of examples of young talented journalists leaving in recent years, generally because they feel theres little scope for advancement.

Bakhurst posits that when people leave RTE for other media outlets that in the end is part of the role of a public service broadcaster, to train people generally for the media market. Its a novel take. He adds:

Its very difficult at an organisation that is financially challenged and has a very low turnover of staff, that is not expanding, to make opportunities for people

But we need to find a way of doing it.

He pushes back regarding much-maligned streaming service GAAGO, and the news it has been operating without the approval of the competition regulator.

Weve taken legal advice that we didnt need that approval, Bakhurst says. In the end audiences benefit. They get access to a lot more games than they would otherwise.

When asked about the RTE Player, he dismisses suggestions that its a national joke.

I dont think thats true actually. The last figures I saw the usage was up 70% year-on-year. My experience is that it is hugely improved, he says.

Well have to agree to disagree on that one.
Ukrainian forces have downed 10 Russian drones across the country on Friday and overnight, the air force said.

In a Telegram post, the Ukrainian air force added that Moscow had fired six Iranian-made Shahed drones at Ukraines south and east during the night, four of which were shot down.
Hollywood stars and rank and file members of Sag-Aftra hailed the extraordinary solidarity within the US actors union on day one of a major industry strike.

Thousands of creatives took to the streets of Los Angeles on Friday, picketing outside major studios after the start of the strike, which threatens to derail productions at both home and abroad.

Actors stood shoulder to shoulder with writers outside major production companies, including Warner Bros, Netflix and Disney in the sweltering heat, while cars drove by honking their horns in support.

Multiple celebrities including George Clooney, Halle Berry and Alec Baldwin have expressed support for the action, announced by the Screen Actors Guild  American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) on Thursday.

In a statement shared with the PA news agency, Clooney said: This is an inflection point in our industry. Actors and writers in large numbers have lost their ability to make a living.

For our industry to survive that has to change. For actors that journey starts now. In a video posted to Instagram, Baldwin congratulated the union for calling the strike in order to protect its rank and file members.

I dont think anybody really wants a strike but they dont want to continue under the unfair contracts that were working under now, he said.

So congratulations to everybody and I hope this is over right after we get everything we want. Stars including Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh also expressed solidarity with their fellow union members, after walking out of the London premiere of upcoming blockbuster Oppenheimer on Thursday, shortly after the strike was announced.

Among the productions that could be affected by the strike action is the filming of Deadpool 3, starring Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.

House Of The Dragon series two with Matt Smith and Emma DArcy could also be affected, alongside the second series of The Sandman with Tom Sturridge and the fourth series of Slow Horses with Academy Award winner Gary Oldman.

Other events that may be affected by the strike could include red carpet premieres and film festivals, including those in Venice and Toronto, and awards shows such as the 75th Emmy Awards.

In Los Angeles on Friday, Sag-Aftra members said the support from other creative unions had been overwhelming.

The union joins over 11,000 members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), who have been on strike since May 2.

Bertila Damas, actress and former member of the Sag-Aftra board, said the turnout was extraordinary, but not surprising.

Weve been dismissed, weve been treated less than, weve been otherised as if the business didnt depend on our backs and the writers, she told PA.

This is an extraordinary show of solidarity and its about time. Damas said she did not feel nervous at all with being on strike and stopping work, but voiced concerns about younger members of the union.

Ive been doing this a long time and Im not as concerned, I can weather the storm of unemployment, she added.

Its a bigger deal than its ever been. What were asking for, if you ask me, is still not enough. Stunt coordinator Mikal Kartvedt said the added weight of the actors union membership to the ongoing writers strike was a gamechanger.

This could be a real crusher when it comes to the timeframe the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) thought they were working with, especially with the writers  this is a gamechanger for the whole thing, he told PA.

Shows that were already in the pipeline and ready to go to production, you could rationalise that you dont need writers and you could shoot the show anyway.

Without Sag-Aftra, theres nothing going on anyway.
Dr. Lucky Tran has shared an image on Twitter of a letter that In-N-Out Burger recently sent to its employees, explaining its "new mask guidelines that emphasize the importance of customer service and the ability to show our Associates' smiles and other facial features while considering the health and well-being of all individuals." How does banning masks contribute to the "health and well-being" of either employees or customers? This makes absolutely no sense, medically, so it's clearly just a statement (and practice) to stick it to the "woke."

For folks unable to see the tweet, here's the full text of the letter:

Dear Associate,

We are introducing new mask guidelines that emphasize the importance of customer service and the ability to show our Associates' smiles and other facial features while considering the health and well-being of all individuals. We believe this policy will also help to promote clear and effective communication both with our Customers and among our Associates. Our goal is to continue to provide safe and customer-centric Store and Support environments that balance two things that In-N-Out is known for  exceptional customer service and unmatched standards for health, safety, and quality.

Please find the details for our updated guidelines below (effective August 14, 2023):

General Guidelines

No masks shall be worn in the Store or Support facility unless an Associate has a valid medical note exempting him or her from this requirement. Associates who wear masks for medical reasons must wear a company-provided N-95 mask. Note: A different type of mask may only be worn with a valid medical note exempting the Associate from the N-95 mask requirement.

This policy applies to all Store and Support Associates working in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, and Utah except Associates who are required to wear masks or other protective gear as part of their job duties (e.g., patty room Associates, lab technicians, painters, etc.).

All Associates, regardless of whether or not they are required to wear a mask, are expected to maintain our grooming standards, proper personal hygiene, and cleanliness to ensure a safe working environment for all.

Medical Note

Associates who have a specific medical condition or health concern that requires them to wear a mask must provide a valid medical note to their Store Manager, Divisional Manager, Manager, or Human Resources. Without disclosing the medical diagnosis or confidential medical information, the medical note should clearly state the reason for the exemption and include the estimated duration, if applicable.

To the extent medical information is provided, it will be treated with strict confidentiality and handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

Compliance and Enforcement

Failure to comply with this policy may result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, based on the severity and frequency of the violation.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure its effectiveness and compliance with evolving health guidelines. Revisions to the policy will be communicated to all Associates in a timely manner.

Local Health Authority Guidelines

This policy is subject to local health authority guidelines and regulations. In case of any conflicts or inconsistencies, the prevailing health guidelines will take precedence. In addition, we will continue to evaluate and approve (where appropriate) reasonable accommodations for medical, religious, and other protected reasons of our grooming guidelines.
Saturday, Jul 15th, 2023 (12:01 am) - Score 3,240

Alternative fixed wireless access (FWA) ISP WeLink Communications UK, which had been offering wireless broadband speeds of up to 1Gbps to poorly served homes and businesses in the city of Edinburgh (Scotland), has confirmed to ISPreview that they are withdrawing from the market.

The situation first came to our attention after a number of WeLinks potential customers in Edinburgh informed us, at the start of this week, that their planned installations had suddenly been cancelled. At around the same time, we noted that a number of the providers staff appeared to have been made redundant.

NOTE: Edinburgh is already quite well covered by gigabit-capable networks from Edinburgh is already quite well covered by gigabit-capable networks from Openreach Virgin Media (VMO2), CityFibre and Hyperoptic . But WeLink were focused on a smaller set of patches that had, so far, been left excluded.

On top of that, some of those customers with cancelled installations claim to have been told that it was because the business is ceasing operations in the UK. The move came as a surprise because the provider only launched during summer 2021 (here). At the time, their Edinburgh pilot service was one of the first in the UK to deliver 1Gbps+ speeds to homes via the millimetre wave (mmW) bands, using 5G style technologies.

In March this year, WeLink followed that up by announcing that their carrier-grade coverage had been expanded to cover 27,500 premises in the city (here) and they were even planning to upgrade this so that it would be capable of delivering speeds up to 10Gbps in the near future. But that will no longer happen.

A Spokesperson for WeLink told ISPreview: We are very disappointed to have to announce that as a result of commercial, technical and financial issues between WeLink UK and WeLink Inc, we will now be withdrawing from the UK ISP market. This will directly affect a small number of customers in one major UK city and will leave our other services unaffected . We regret that events have developed as they have, but we are left with no option but to withdraw from this market and to focus upon our other UK operations.

The exact details of what occurred to cause this are unclear, although being a wireless ISP in an urban area with plenty of growing fixed line rivals cant have been easy.
FILE - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, Sunday, June 25, 2023. Netanyahu's office says he has been rushed to a hospital but that is in good condition as he undergoes a medical evaluation. The Israeli leaders office said he was being treated on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Israels Sheba Hospital, near Tel Aviv.
Crawford Lake, near the Canada-US border, has been chosen as a site that will help scientists understand when our current geological epoch, the Holocene, is replaced by a new epoch, the Anthropocene. Spoiler alert: Many scientists believe we've been in the Anthropocene for years, decades, and even centuries. What's the Anthropocene? The term describes a geological epoch characterized by human-created changes to our planet. Natural History Museum UK explains:

We are living in a time many people refer to as the Anthropocene. Humans have become the single most influential species on the planet, causing significant global warming and other changes to land, environment, water, organisms and the atmosphere. The word Anthropocene comes from the Greek terms for human ('anthropo') and new ('cene'), but its definition is controversial. It was coined in the 1980s, then popularised in 2000 by atmospheric chemist Paul J. Crutzen and diatom researcher Eugene F. Stoermer. The duo suggested that we are living in a new geological epoch.

Recently, the Anthropocene Working Group decided that Crawford Lake is the perfect spot to track the Anthropoceneit's what the group calls a "golden spike." ABC News (Australia) explains:

The vote is the culmination of a three-year project to find the most suitable site, Colin Waters, chair of the working group, said. It's also one step closer to confirming that Earth has entered a new epoch  one triggered by burning fossil fuels, nuclear bomb tests and other human activity . . . The idea that humans have forced changes to the planet so substantive that we've shifted into a new epoch was first popularised by the late Dutch chemist and Nobel Laureate Paul Crutzen in 2000 . . . Professor Crutzen suggested the Anthropocene began with the Industrial Revolution. But, Dr. Waters said, while natural climate archives such as sediments deposited in some lakes do show hints of the industrialisation of the time, those signs are not consistently seen around the globe . . . This is why the Anthropocene Working Group, which formed in 2009, decided the new epoch would be defined as starting in the mid-20th century. Post-World War II, mining, fossil fuel burning, trade and pollution ramped up  a time US historian John McNeill called the "Great Acceleration"  and this left its mark in the geological record around the world. The working group needed a site on Earth that clearly showed traces of the Great Acceleration and could provide a primary marker for the new geological epoch. Such sites are also known as "golden spikes", after the physical objects sometimes driven into the rock at those locations. The group came up with a dozen potential golden spike sites, including one on Flinders Reef in Australia. And after three rounds of voting, the Anthropocene Working Group finally decided on Canada's Crawford Lake as its preferred next golden spike.

Given the unique nature of Crawford Lakeair particles throughout the years, such as ash from coal combustion and pollen, have settled onto the bottom of the lake, where minerals in the lake water have preserved a detailed record over timescientists will be able to see human activity, down to individual years. Again, ABC News:

When Professor McCarthy's team at Brock University and independent teams at other laboratories analysed the sediments, they saw distinct spikes in plutonium and carbon isotopes in layers that formed in the early 1950s  telltale signs of nuclear testing fallout. They also saw increases in the amount of fly ash, as well as a sharp decline in elm pollen, coinciding with the arrival of the deadly Dutch elm disease in the region in the late 1940s. Even the calcite layers were affected. Acid rain that fell in the area during the Great Acceleration prevented as much calcite from forming, so the white layers around 1950 are relatively thin.

To read more about how Crawford Lake will help scientists better understand the Anthropocene, read the rest of the ABC News story here.
After a teenager died in agony of an easily-treated illness at the Diamond Ranch Academy in Utah, local authorities in the rural area made clear there would be no legal consequences for staff or the operators of the "troubled teen" facility. The state's Department of Health and Human Services, however, has withdrawn its license and a state medical review panel determined "breaches in the standard of care" occurred there.

It turns out they hadn't even told Taylor Goodridge's parents she was sick.

That report and the licensing decision show how Taylor's death exposed multiple issues at Diamond Ranch Academy. Acting separately, each authority concluded that school medical staff failed to provide life-saving care as Taylor suffered and eventually died at just 17-years-old. On December 20th, 2022, Diamond Ranch Academy called to say Taylor had suddenly passed away; her family hadn't known she was even sick. "I think about what she would have done later in life, and where she would have been," said Dean Goodridge, Taylor's dad. "During the memorial, I was the last one to see her, I'm the one who helped close the casket."

This story reminds me of residential teen camps like Elan, which meet most of the formal criteria of cults and tend to operate at the dead center of a venn diagram of religion, corruption and profit. The usual procedure at this point, where they can no longer depend on local authorities to shield them, is to move the camp elsewhere. Somewhere with a better place to hide things, perhaps.
Efforts are underway to rebuild a Haudenosaunee longhouse more than a century old that was destroyed by fire on the Cattaraugus Territory.

The Newtown Longhouse, the center of spiritual and cultural life for members of the Seneca Nation of Indians, caught fire Tuesday.

This is an incredibly sad time in our community and across all Haudenosaunee nations, Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong Sr. said in a statement. The longhouse is more than a building. Our people are spiritually, culturally, and historically centered in the longhouse. It is the Haudenosaunee people who come to the Longhouse who make sure that our culture and traditions remain vibrant and vital to who we are.

Photographs on Facebook show a brick fireplace still standing after the fire at the longhouse, built in the 1880s. The photos also show stunned and grieving people staring at the rubble.

We are devastated by this loss, but we are resilient people, Armstrong said. That resiliency has carried us through unimaginable challenges throughout history.

He said the Seneca Nation would work with leaders of the longhouse to rebuild this vital cornerstone of our community.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money to rebuild the longhouse.

The longhouse is more than a building, it is the heart of our spiritual community. It is where all generations  from elders to young children  would gather to hear the Good Words and to carry out the ceremonies that sustain our culture, language, and spiritual being. In doing so, it ensures that our customs and traditions remain vital and vibrant today and for generations to come, the fundraising page stated.

The goal is $375,000.

The Seneca community is determined to rebuild. Together as one community, we can help rebuild this vital cornerstone of the community, the GoFundMe page said.
A combat veteran from Chautauqua County charged in an alleged kidnapping and murder plot nine years ago  and paralyzed in a shooting in 2019  must remain in custody ahead of his trial, said a federal judge.

U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo on Thursday overturned a decision from another judge, who in April agreed to release Anthony Neubauer to an inpatient center for mental-health and alcohol-abuse treatment.

Neubauer, who was indicted in March on a charge of kidnapping resulting in death, has remained in custody at a medium-security prison in Youngstown, Ohio, as prosecutors appealed Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthys release order. Prosecutors say Neubauer kidnapped a person identified as J.A. on May 27, 2014, and took the victim from New York to Pennsylvania.

Once there, the defendant shot and killed J.A., Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler said at a March 31 hearing, calling Neubauer a flight risk. Simply put, this is murder just with a different name. Kidnapping resulting in death is the name of the charge, but the factual underlying basis of this case is a murder.

In a June 16 court filing, Adler called Neubauer too dangerous for release because he is a murderer, he is skilled with firearms, he deals with drug addiction, and he knows that people to whom he confessed have testified in the grand jury against him.

Adler called Neubauer a highly-ranked marksman in the military, and his access to firearms means there are no conditions for pretrial release that can guarantee the safety of others, especially probation officers who would have to check in on him.

Defense attorney Eric Soehnlein told Vilardo at a June 29 hearing that Neubauer really doesnt have anywhere to flee to.

Neubauer, 36, enlisted in the Marines as a 17-year-old, fighting on the front lines during his four tours of duty in Iraq. After five years with the Marines, he enlisted in the Army, where he went overseas again and fought in combat, according to Soehnlein.

Hes received more awards and honors for his military service than we could list, Soehnlein told McCarthy at the March hearing. He received an award for being the most decorated soldier in the Southern Tier.

It should come as no surprise that when Mr. Neubauer returned home after having seen what he had seen, he struggled to re-acclimate into society, Soehnlein said. He has very real, very serious issues with PTSD that led to some very real and some very serious issues with substance abuse. He wants to seek help for those issues.

Since hes been in custody, the Veterans Administration and other organizations have indicated they would be willing to help him, if he is released, Soehnlein said.

Soehnlein also noted medical concerns about Neubauers infections, saying he has suffered from cellulitis, a urinary tract infection and a colostomy infection. He was admitted to Erie County Medical Center several times to address infections when he was initially locked up locally.

Neubauer has been investigated in this case since 2015, meeting with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies numerous times, his defense lawyer said.

He never fled. He never went anywhere. He met with them without attorneys, even though he was aware of the allegations that were being made against him, Soehnlein said at the hearing. Hes not a flight risk.

Until his arrest, Neubauer thought he had outsmarted the FBI, so he had no reason to flee, Adler replied.

Neubauer made statements to multiple witnesses, both explicitly and implicitly, that he had beat the FBI, Adler said in a court filing.

Now that he knows at least three witnesses have testified in the grand jury, Adler said, he realizes he did not, in fact, outsmart law enforcement.

Neubauers lawyer said he lacks the financial means to go anywhere.

He also has physical limitations. Neubauer was shot outside of a bar in 2019 in Jamestown and remains paralyzed.

His military history is impressive, Soehnlein told McCarthy at a March 31 hearing. He struggles with mental health and substance abuse issues that, I think, stem from his military service. And I think he should be allowed to get help on those issues while hes awaiting trial in this matter.

Vilardo noted in his ruling Thursday that the government paints a very different picture of Neubauer, citing his unemployment since 2015 and his alleged role as an enforcer for a Jamestown drug trafficking organization.

The government described the circumstances of the 2019 shooting, which resulted in Neubauers paralysis, as his attempted assault on behalf of a drug trafficker that went horribly wrong, Vilardo said.

Vilardo also expressed concern over Neubauers drug overdose on April 5 in the Chautauqua County jail.

Neubauer has insisted that he did not do this to himself, suggesting that perhaps someone slipped him something while at lunch, his attorney said.

Adler said video footage disproved Neubauers assertion that an unusual number of inmates had approached him at lunch that day. The video showed that Neubauer had only one interaction with any other inmate during lunch, Adler said.

The fact that Neubauer was able to obtain drugs while in prison makes the court quite concerned about his ability to get drugs while released, Vilardo said in his decision. And his overdose while in prison  perhaps survived only because of the quick medical attention he received  only heightens that concern.

Neubauers explanation to Judge McCarthy  that he may have been slipped a mickey because an unusual number of prisoners visited him at lunch that day  does not pass muster, Vilardo said. The video belies that explanation. And Neubauers willingness to create a story out of whole cloth to gain his release makes the court far less confident about his willingness to flee, or perhaps harm himself, given the life imprisonment he might face if convicted.

Vilardo said he cannot in good conscience ... conclude anything other than that remand is required.
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Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  High daytime temperatures in the Mediterranean basin are disrupting life in many ways, in Spain, Morocco, Greece, Turkey and elsewhere.

Tourists in Greece suffered frustrations on Friday when government authorities abruptly closed the Parthenon from midday until evening. There were fears that the tourists up there would have a heat stoke, with the high forecast as much as 104F (40C ).



Image by nonbirinonko from Pixabay

Wired discusses the controversy over the informal name for this heat wave, Cerberus, which started with the Italian meteorological society. The reference is to Kerberos in Greek mythology, the many-headed dog who guarded the gates of the underworld to keep its inmates from leaving.

One problem with naming the heat wave with reference to Cerberus is that the realm of the death-god Hades in Greek mythology was not hot. It was a cold, dank and grim labyrinth.



Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

It was thinkers in the later Christian and Muslim traditions who imagined Gehenna or hell as hot. That is certainly the case in the Quran, which talks of sinners being grilled like kebabs, or words to that effect.

So a heat wave shouldnt be named Cerberus.

The god of fire and volcanoes and forges was Hephaistos (Hephaestus). The modern Greek word for volcano, efaisteio, comes from his name. Hed be a better classical referent for heat waves than the three-headed, or a hundred-headed, or the snake-headed Cerberus. Different classical authors described him differently.

But back to the Parthenon. It is named for Athena, the virgin (modern Greek parthena), who lived at the Acropolis along with eleven other major Olympian gods  Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Apollo, Artemis, Hephaistos, Ares, Aphrodite, Hermes, and Dionysos, who are represented at the eastern freize of the Parthenon.



Image by Gonbiana from Pixabay

The ancient Greek myths are suggestive for our own climate problems, which are taking on cosmic dimensions.

Hephaistos midwifed Athenas birth. Her father, Zeus, had a splitting headache and Hephaistos, being a god of crafts, thought he knew what to do about it. He grabbed an axe and split Zeuss head open. There emerged Athena, fully grown and in armor, bearing arms.

Athena then had to fight her uncle, the sea god Poseidon, for control of Mt. Olympus and the city around it. Athena won, in an early feminist victory over male chauvinism. Hence, Greeces capital is called Athens. I suppose one could interpret her myth as a victory of land-based civilization over the threatening storm surges and floods of the sea.

But the very god of fire who midwifed her birth from the head of Zeus now threatens her city. The twelve gods, the Dodecatheon, cant be approached in the fiery midday over which Hephaistos presides.

That mythological sites of ancient civilization, and mythological figures, suggest themselves so readily to describe our climate crisis points to how overwhelming it increasingly seems. We feel the need to evoke the mythological when talking about it.

Some have suggested, the Wired article reports, that these mythological images are too frightening for the public. From my point of view, the public isnt nearly frightened enough, otherwise there would be way more solar panels on rooftops and people would be voting for green candidates, not fascist or neoliberal ones.

It is true, however, that the public should be constantly reminded that the climate crisis is a challenge we can meet as a species. If we go to zero carbon by 2050, the increase in global heating will immediately stop. And gradually, all the extra CO2 in the atmosphere will be scrubbed out by the oceans and other carbon sinks. Another 150 years and we could get back almost to normal.

If Athena could defeat Poseidon, we too can defeat the natural disasters that threaten our cities. But only if we take this threat very, very seriously. It isnt just an annoyance to tourists that we are speaking about. It is an accelerating, profound change in the conditions of our existence.

It is cosmic. It is mythological.
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By Soren Amelang | 

( Clean Energy Wire )  Oil majors BP and TotalEnergies pledged to pay a combined 12.6 billion euros [$14.7 bn.] for the right to build wind farms in the North and Baltic seas in the worlds largest ever offshore wind auction. Environmentalists hailed the result as a quantum leap for the technology, as it showed how cheap renewables had become. The surprisingly high entry fee  described as obscene by an industry source  in the first tender of this kind in Germany reflects strong industry demand for green power. But it also triggered concerns that German industry might end up paying more than it would hope for the electricity generated in the new wind farms, and that fossil fuel giants with deep pockets could harm competition in the offshore market.

Multinational oil companies BP and TotalEnergies emerged as winners in Germanys latest auction for the right to build offshore wind farms in the North and Baltic seas. The companies, which are headquartered in the UK and France, bid a combined 12.6 billion euros to construct turbines with a total capacity of 7 gigawatts (GW), roughly equivalent to 7 large conventional power stations, and almost equalling the countrys entire existing offshore capacity.

The results confirm the attractiveness of investing in offshore wind energy in Germany, said the head of Germanys grid agency, Klaus Muller. Competition in offshore wind power has never been so high.

Muller added the results are a key step towards achieving Germanys target to increase offshore wind power to 30 GW by 2030  from around 8 GW installed today.

The auction marks the first time that investors pay for the right to build offshore wind parks in Germany. Three of the auctioned sites  each for building 2 GW of turbine capacity  are located around 120 km northwest of the island of Heligoland in the North Sea, and one with 1 GW lies in the Baltic Sea, some 25 km off the island of Ruegen.

Environmental NGO Environmental Action Germany (DUH) called the result a quantum leap for offshore wind energy. Wind power at sea is now so economically attractive that project developers are outbidding each other for access to marine areas, said DUH executive director Sascha Muller-Kraenner. The fairy tale of expensive green electricity is thus finally off the table.

The cost of constructing new offshore wind farms has fallen markedly in recent years, making the reliable technology one of the most profitable renewable power sources on the market. Germany plans to greatly increase its offshore capacity in a bid to reach its ambitious renewable power share target of 80 percent by the end of the decade.The auction results underline decreasing costs.



Image by Andrew Martin from Pixabay

German offshore industry representatives said the prices paid by the oil companies were excessive, and could end up stifling competition. The sums are obscene, an industry source, who was part of a non-successful bid, told business daily Handelsblatt. It also reported that German utilities RWE and EnBW, Danish Orsted, and French EdF all submitted bids.

Industry experts said the results reflected increasing market pressure, as well as strong industry demand for green power  switching to renewables is a central component of companies decarbonisation plans. It is not surprising that applicants are bidding money to win the bid. But the level of bids is quite remarkable, Dirk Briese from the consultancy Wind Research told Handelsblatt. The bidders know that electricity from green sources can be marketed very well and increasingly better in the future.

BP said it would consume part of the electricity produced by the wind farms itself, for example in refineries, for hydrogen production, as well as the companys e-car charging network, with the remainder going directly to industrial customers via so-called Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

Some experts and offshore industry representatives warned that investors will recoup their massive entrance fee by selling the electricity for a correspondingly high price, regardless of low generation costs. This could counteract efforts to lower power prices for industry by the government, which is currently weighing a plan to subsidise industry electricity to boost companies international competitiveness.

The price is likely to be around ten cents [per kilowatt-hour] rather than the five cents the German government hopes to arrive at with the energy transition in the medium term, wrote Steven Hanke in energy newsletter Tagesspiegel Background.

Proponents of the new auction procedure counter that 90 per cent of the 12.6 billion euros are to go towards lowering electricity costs by cutting grid fees, with the remainder to be spent on marine environment protection and sustainable fishing.

No breathing space for offshore wind industry?

The German engineering federation VDMA said the auction result proved that offshore wind can contribute significantly to lowering generation costs. But it added that the government made a mistake by sticking to the bidding procedure because it didnt leave enough breathing space for the offshore industry. Because in order to achieve the expansion targets in Germany and Europe, we need further investment in product innovations, in the scaling of production capacities, and in transport equipment and infrastructures.

The German Foundation Offshore Wind Energy also said the auction design favoured market concentration to a few giant players with huge resources at their disposal. Director Karina Wurtz said she generally welcomed the entry of the large oil and gas companies with their know-how and financial strength into the German offshore wind market, reported Tagesspiegel Background. But with a view to next years tender, she added: If the auction design has not been revised by then, there is a danger of an oligopoly in the German offshore wind market, as the bidding levels and the already large project realisation risks can now only be shouldered and borne by a small group of companies.

Via Clean Energy Wire

Published under a  Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0) .
Bryna Moritz was already a superintendent at Pine Valley Central School District when she became pregnant and was looking for child care.

She found someone  after contacting 18 providers  but she knew families in her district faced the same hurdles, and she wanted to help them.

Thats why last fall, the district began collaborating with a child care provider to open a day care in the school, solving a problem that affects rural communities everywhere.

I started to realize that this is a crisis on multiple levels and that our school districts, some of which have declining enrollment, have added space in them sometimes, and that we could help solve the problem because ultimately, its taxpayers that are suffering with this child care, Moritz said.

Half the people in the United States live in child care deserts, including 64% of New Yorkers, according to the Center for American Progress. The nonpartisan policy institute defines a child care desert as an area with no providers or so few that there are more than three times as many children as there are slots. They are found in urban, suburban and rural areas.

It affects the bottom line for taxpayers when children who need special services, such as speech or other therapies, dont receive them until they enter school.

All of the research shows the earlier you give a child the intervention, the greater impact on the childs life, Moritz said. If we could get our families quality care, at an early age, we actually could end up having  long term  lower special-education costs in our district.

Moritz, who will become a deputy superintendent at Erie 2 Chautauqua Cattaraugus BOCES in August, started researching child care regulations. A district could open a day care, but it could not charge for the service, she discovered. The cost of doing that, about $230,000, was too much for Pine Valley, which has an annual budget of about $18 million.

The School Board did fund a full-day 3-year-old prekindergarten program, which now has a waiting list. The district is already seeing the benefits. One nonverbal child in the program got early intervention and was ready for a general education class in time for kindergarten, Moritz said.

She thought the district could lower the overhead for the child care provider, since it already was paying for things like heat and plowing the parking lot. The district issued requests for proposals from day care operators, and settled on Little Love Bugs, which had a location in Gowanda. The center opened in November.

Heather Mohawk ran a family day care in her home before she purchased a building in Gowanda for Little Love Bugs. She said opening the center in the school was easier because of the support from the district.

Because there is a need for child care, I think it would be so much easier, for people who are interested in doing this, to be able to do that if it was in a school setting, Mohawk said.

The school day care filled a pressing need in the district.

There werent any other options, said Taylor Dipietro of South Dayton. I was looking for a long time.

She found several places, including some that were miles out of her way, but they were full.

I was relying on family and bounding around from place to place, she said.

Her daughter, Eliana, will be 3 in August, and some days she had no place for her daughter when she worked as a personal care aide.

The school day care has been monumentally helpful, DiPietro said.

Kyleen Young of Cherry Creek used to have a family friend watch her son, Asher, 2.

Once the day care opened, it was a no-brainer that I would send him there, just because hes around other kids and not just sitting at home, they do some projects with the kids, they get to go outside, Young said.

Asher also will be going into the 3-year-old prekindergarten this fall.

This is not the first day care in a Western New York school. The model has worked since 2006 in the Chautauqua Lake Central School District. The nonprofit Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center leases space in the district year round, and also offers before- and after-school care for students.

Moritz said a school day care can help with the labor shortage and help rural districts attract and retain teachers.

We get a lot of phone calls from prospective teacher candidates saying to you, Is it true you have a day care in your district? and teachers want to bring their kids, so it helps in that regard, she said.

Shes hoping more school districts will have child care in their buildings, and shes hoping to change some of the regulations to make it easier, such as streamlining fire inspections and fingerprinting, which now must be done separately for the school and day care.

Moritz has asked other school districts to support changes in the regulations that would allow a school district to operate a day care if there is no provider available, and she hopes the New York State School Boards Association also will endorse the idea.

She said shes never gotten such a positive reaction from the community as she has on the school day care.

People are usually mixed on an issue. And as far as our community was concerned, there was an outcry for Please do this, please help here, she said.
A sea turtle swims over corals on Moore Reef in Gunggandji Sea Country off the coast of Queensland in eastern Australia. The International Seabed Authority failed to reach a consensus amid growing calls to pause, ban or place a moratorium on the potential deep-sea mining of minerals used in green technology like electric car batteries.
Former Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez, a native of Snyder, has joined President Bidens White House staff as senior adviser, assistant to the president and director of intergovernmental affairs.

He brings decades of experience to my team, having served in local, state and federal government, Biden said in a statement. His perspective and relationships as a former county councilman, a top civil rights attorney, and secretary of labor will be invaluable as we implement our Invest in America agenda and continue to make our government work for the people and for communities across the country.

Perez replaces Julie Chavez Rodriguez, who left her White House role to serve as manager of Bidens re-election campaign. In his new role, Perez will interact with state and local governments as the Biden administration continues implementing the 2021 infrastructure bill, as well as legislation passed in 2022 that aims to boost the microchip industry and address the climate crisis.

The success is very dependent on the capacity of federal, state and local authorities and business leaders and nonprofit leaders to come together to maximize the moment, Perez told the Associated Press. Ive prided myself on always trying to make government work, and the most effective accomplishments are accomplishments that are done in partnership, and I want to make sure that our state and local partners know that they have a really strong partner in the Biden administration and thats a big part of what were going to do.

Perez has deep Buffalo roots. His first job was working on a city garbage truck, which he highlighted in an ad during his unsuccessful run last year for the Democratic nomination for governor of Maryland. He still returns to Buffalo frequently and is an avid Buffalo Bills fan.

A graduate of Brown University and Harvard Law School, Perez has served in a number of roles at every level of government: from a county council member in Maryland to the states labor secretary to U.S. labor secretary between 2013 and 2017. He also served as assistant attorney general for civil rights earlier in the Obama administration.

After Obama left office, Perez won election as chair of the Democratic National Committee, a post he held from 2017 to 2021. He finished second in the Democratic primary for governor of Maryland last year, losing out to businessman Wes Moore, who now serves as the states governor.

Perez joins the White House after Republicans won control of the House last year, diminishing the chances of any agreement on major legislation with the Democrat-controlled Senate and the Democratic president. But Perez told the Associated Press that theres plenty for him to do in helping enact all the changes called for in legislation passed earlier in Bidens term.

Theres a seemingly limitless amount of opportunity right now, Perez added. The next phase of the world we live in is implementation, implementation, implementation. And thats what the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs is all about.
A "Blame Canada" beer label is shown in this handout image. Another fragrant, hazy phenomenon is turning heads in the United States  only this time, beer fans in Canada will happily take the blame. It's one of the newest IPA offerings from G-Five Brewing Company in Beloit, a southern Wisconsin community of about 36,500 people an hour's drive southwest of Milwaukee, a city synonymous with suds. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-G-Five Brewing Company **MANDATORY CREDIT **
The Willowdale Welcome Centre in Toronto is seen on April 20, 2020. Multiple advocacy groups and shelter operators are calling on all levels of government to immediately help Toronto's overstretched shelter system cope with the high numbers of refugee claimants seeking help with settlement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Were in a rapidly growing food allergy epidemic. 1 in 13 American children have food allergiesa number thats only growing. Private insurance claims of anaphylactic food reactions, which are severe and potentially life-threatening, rose 377 percent from 2007 to 2016. Yet despite their increased prevalence in recent years, one thing hasnt changed: Undermining the very real risks and anxieties associated with living with food allergies.

Beyond the risk of anaphylaxis, food allergies can affect quality of lifeespecially in children and their familiesin myriad ways. Simple activities like meal preparation, dining out, and socializing at birthday parties or extracurricular activities become arduous tasks demanding extra precautions. The economic impact of food allergies can also be significant due to the cost of special foods, treatments, and medical visits. Food allergies are more prevalent in Black and Asian populations, exacerbating health disparities.

Compounding these daily challenges is another psychosocial challenge: The bullying and harassment faced by people with food allergies, especially children and teens. In 2018, the Washington Post reported that three high schoolers faced criminal charges after knowingly exposing a classmate to a known food allergen during lunch. One year earlier, a Central Michigan University student pleaded guilty to smearing peanut butter on the face of an unconscious student who had a peanut allergy.

Incidents like these highlight the widespread failure to understand the dangers of food allergies which often stems from one key misconception: Food allergies are not preferences. They are a legitimate health care concern that are part of a growing public health crisis, and they deserve to be treated as such.

What can we all do to better advocate for people with food allergies? The 2008 amendment to the American Disabilities Act protected conditions that show symptoms only at certain times, including allergies, but more needs to be done.

More recently, the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act, effective since January 1, 2023, adds sesame to the list of major food allergens. However, some businesses have responded not with limiting cross-contamination but by intentionally adding sesame to foods that previously did not contain ita move thats been met with appropriate criticism from senators across the country. Bakeries and other food production sites must take efforts to prevent cross-contamination so that common foods like bread are easily available for those with sesame allergies.

Just as life-saving automated external defibrillator machineswhich can help re-establish heart rhythm in someone undergoing sudden cardiac arrestare located in public venues, epinephrine autoinjectors should be easily accessible as well. Now that most states have passed legislation regarding storing stock epinephrine in K12 schools, auto-injectors should also be supplied in other public places.

Given the low rate of access to epinephrine among college students, this medication should be readily available in university buildings, including dining halls, dorms, and instructional spaces. Similarly, many airlines stock vials of epinephrine, which, unlike auto-injectors, are not easy to use, poorly labeled, and often require the expertise of a medical professional. When 35,000 feet in the air, we cannot rely upon the hope that someone adept at medical treatment will be on board. Having easy-to-use autoinjectors on every airplane ensures that a passenger undergoing anaphylaxis can be administered this time-sensitive medication as opposed to waiting for further treatment on the ground.

Finally, while food allergy research has expanded rapidly in recent years, leading to the development of new oral immunotherapies, there is still no cure. The National Institutes of Health faces a tight budget, which the Association of American Medical Colleges has stated falls short of the funding needed to promote therapeutics across medicine. An increased allocation of money for research will enable the development of innovations across health care, including food allergy.

The Consortium of Food Allergy Research (CoFAR) should also be further supported. Established in 2005, the Consortium has been continuously funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which awarded CoFar $42.7 million in 2017 to maintain operation until 2024. CoFAR should be renewed at the end of this term to ensure the advancement of therapies currently in early research phases.

For people with food allergies, their journey ahead can seem long and daunting. But by treating it with the seriousness it deserves, we can provide them with support to feel safe while participating in society and improve their overall quality of life.

David R. Stukus is a pediatric allergist and can be reached on Twitter @AllergyKidsDoc. Anushree Vashist is an undergraduate student.
Physician burnout is a threat, no different from the spread of a virusheres how to fix it

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Few problems in health care are more vexing or persistent than physician burnout. Its a problem that poses a serious threat to patient care, no different from the spread of a virus or the impact of cigarette smoke. And it has only gotten worse since the pandemic.

Burned-out physicians are less effective as healers. They dont connect as well with patients, undermining the therapeutic benefits of a close clinician-patient relationship. They are also more likely to make clinical errors.

But today, in our health system, an estimated 42 percent of physicians suffer from burnout. Not only is this impacting health outcomes, but it is also causing a severe and worsening physician shortage, especially in primary care. Last year, nearly 30,000 adult primary care physicians (PCPs) left the practice of medicine. A growing number of exhausted physicians are cutting back their clinical hours, pursuing non-medical careers, or retiring prematurely. Addressing burnout and its causes is key to reversing the great migration away from patient care, preventing the current shortage from growing much worse. We are at a tipping point, and we need solutions fast.

The main drivers of burnout, especially for PCPs, are obvious: too many short, hurried visits; diminished professional autonomy; and an overwhelming documentation workload. Doctors are growing increasingly frustrated by a working environment that prevents them from delivering the best possible care to their patients. This all stems from a health care model that incentivizes the quantity of patient visits over quality. Physicians know they could be more effective healers, but the system obstructs them.

Until and unless the nation can move to a system that rewards value more than volume, efforts to reverse burnout are destined to fall short. Health care outcomes will continue to suffer as a result.

Lets start with the problem of the shrinking physician visit. To keep up with the perverse incentives inherent to fee-for-service reimbursement, PCPs have been forced to cram more visits into office hours to make their practices economically viable (four short visits pay better than one long one). By contrast, physicians compensated on patient outcomes  keeping patients well and out of the hospital  do not need to see 25 or 30 patients per day to keep their practice running.

I work with physician groups across the country, representing more than 2,700 community PCPs, who have committed to 100 percent value-based care for seniors. The results have been dramatic. Our most effective partner physicians spend significantly more time with their highest acuity patients  and schedule fewer, longer visits each day. This has proven to be a much more satisfying way to practice. In fact, in these practices, we see a 95 percent annual retention rate.

Value-based care is a team sport. Rather than practicing in an individual and isolated manner, PCPs in value-oriented practices lead interdisciplinary teams consisting of social workers, pharmacists, care managers, and nurse practitioners.

Value-based care can also ease documentation requirements, a major driver of physician dissatisfaction. Under fee-for-service reimbursement, physicians are often forced to jump through hoops to justify billing requirements that have nothing to do with better care. In contrast, value-based care centers on capturing only essential data for improving patient outcomes, freeing up physicians to focus on patient care, even if there isnt an associated billing code.

Physicians choose medicine because we want to make a difference in peoples lives. On my very first day of medical school, a professor welcomed us to this noble guild by saying the greatest thing a physician can be is useful. In a mature value-based care practice, everything  from scheduling to staffing configurations to patient outreach efforts  is designed to make doctors more useful, keeping patients healthy and independent.

We have lost our way in fee-for-service medicine; we can regain it through value-based care.

Ben Kornitzer is a physician executive.
Stoberl Memorial Kids Fishing Day July 22

The Dennis Stoberl Memorial Kids Fishing Day is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 22 at Boston Town Park, the Southtowns Walleye Association of Western New York announced. The park is located at 8500 Boston State Road, and activities will be coordinated out of the Lions Shelter behind Boston Town Hall.

This event is free to the public and open to junior anglers ages 15 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult. There will be several learning stations, including how to cast, where to fish, knot tying and fish identification. There will not be any food available, but feel free to bring your own. For more information, contact Jim Stechenfinger at 310-4646. This is a catch-and-release event with prizes for the largest fish caught.

Double T Memorial Shoot July 23

Double T Archery, 1120 N. French Road in Amherst, will be honoring its past members with its annual Double T Memorial Shoot on July 23. Shooting will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $15 per person. Children under 10 years of age may shoot for free with a paying adult.

The setup will feature 30 3-D targets, as well as 15 bag targets for traditional archers. Call 688-0438 for more information about the shoot. To find out more information about the club, check out doubletarchery.com.

Evans Rod and Gun 3-D Archery Shoot

Evans Rod and Gun Club, located at 864 Cain Road in Angola, will be starting its Wednesday night shoots on Aug. 2. Shooting will begin at 4 p.m. and continue until it is too dark to shoot. The shooting will continue through Sept. 27. According to club member Jerry Gorski (698-3008), the 15 target 3-D course is designed to be a fun and enjoyable archery shoot for all ages, as well as for first-time shooters interested in giving archery a try and shooting at 3-D life-size animal targets.

Last year, the club offered a free program for anyone interested in learning the basics of archery and the fundamentals for beginners. The program was such a success, Evans will be offering it again this year, every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. No appointments are necessary and if you do not have equipment, the club will provide it. The shoot is open to the public and kids 12 and under can shoot for free.

Barts Cove Walleye Tourney July 29-30

Walleye tournament season is in full swing and the next big event on the contest calendar is the Barts Cove Walleye Invitational set for July 29-30 out of Dunkirk. This is a two-day, total-weight event for the best three fish each day. Unlike many of the other tournaments, there is no Big Fish Friday as a warmup to the main event. This is a New York waters only tournament.

Organizer Mark Mohr said the entry fee is $500. There are Calcutta options, but you are not required to participate. The minimum size for walleyes in this event is 22 inches. Only nine rods may be used, and teams may only be up to four members. For more information, call Mohr at 998-9871.

I Bird NY Challenge July 22 at Reinstein Woods

The folks at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve and Environmental Education Center, 93 Honorine Drive in Depew, will be hosting an I Bird NY challenge from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. July 22. Beginners and anyone who has a physical challenge are all invited to participate.

Registration is required for all programs at the Education Center. Call 683-5959 to register or for more information. If you call during normal business hours, leave your name and phone number. Space is limited. For a complete list of programs, check out dec.ny.gov/education/1977.html.

CFs Reels and Revelry Aug. 4

The Western New York Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will be holding a Summer Bash on Aug. 4 with a theme of A Night of Reels and Revelry. It will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Atrium at Richs, 1 Robert Rich Way. Tickets are $150 per person or $250 for a couple.

The Summer Bash will honor Bob and Mindy Rich with a lifetime achievement award for all their efforts to support CFF, especially for the 20-year run of the popular BassEye Fishing event. Waste Technology Services of Lewiston will be receiving the Commitment to a Cure Award for its support and advancement of the CF mission through its angling events. For more information or to purchase a ticket, contact Kelly Tronolone at 204-2535.
By AFP

The International Criminal Court has opened a new probe into alleged war crimes in Sudan, its chief prosecutor said Thursday, expressing major concern over escalating violence.

Karim Khan made the announcement in a report to the UN Security Council, after three months of war between feuding generals have plunged the northeast African country back into chaos.

The ICC has been investigating crimes in Sudans Darfur region since 2005 after a referral by the UN Security Council, and the Hague-based court has charged former leader Omar al-Bashir with offenses including genocide.

Allegations of atrocities have mounted during the recent fighting, with the top UN official in Sudan calling for the warring sides to face accountability.

Around 3,000 people have been killed and three million displaced since violence erupted between Sudan army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglos Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.

The pair were key figures in a 2021 military coup that derailed the countrys transition to civilian rule, following the ousting and detention of Bashir in 2019.

The UN has warned of possible new massacres in Darfur, saying Thursday that the bodies of at least 87 people allegedly killed last month by the RSF and their allies had been buried in a mass grave in Darfur.

The simple truth is that we are in peril of allowing history to repeat itself  the same miserable history, Khan told the UNSC.

If this oft repeated phrase of never again is to mean anything, it must mean something here and now to the people of Darfur that has lived with this uncertainty and pain and the scars of conflict for almost two decades, Khan said as he announced the new probe.

He said there have been a wide range of communications about alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity since fighting broke out in April, while the risk of further offenses was deepened by the clear and long-standing disregard demonstrated by relevant actors, including the government of Sudan, for their obligations.

Alleged sexual and gender based crimes were a focus of the new investigation, Khan said.

 Affront to humanity 

The US State Department welcomed the new probe. Let this be a message to all who commit atrocities, in Sudan and elsewhere, that such crimes are an affront to humanity, spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Even before the recent fighting broke out, Khan said in the report, there was a deterioration of Sudans cooperation with UN investigators.

Sudans UN ambassador denied this. The government of Sudan has constantly cooperated with the ICC, ambassador Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed said.

The lack of justice for crimes in Darfur in the early 2000s, when Bashir set his Janjaweed militia upon non-Arab minorities, had sown the seeds for this latest cycle of violence and suffering, he added.

Bashir was charged with genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, rape and torture and the court has been demanding his extradition to The Hague ever since, without success.

After Bashir was toppled in 2019, Khartoum announced it would hand him over to the court for prosecution, but this never happened.

Even before the recent fighting there was a further deterioration in cooperation from Sudanese authorities, Khan said.

Bashir, 79, as well as Ahmad Harun and Abdel Raheem Hussein, two leading figures in the former dictators government who are also wanted by the ICC, are still at large.

So far the only suspect to face trial for violence committed in Sudan is senior Janjaweed militia leader Ali Muhammad Ali Abd al-Rahman, also known by the nom de guerre Ali Kushayb.

Rahmans defense lawyers are expected to open their case next month, and Khan said the latest Sudan fighting cannot be permitted to jeopardize the trial.

The United Nations says 300,000 people were killed and 2.5 million people displaced in the 2003-4 Darfur conflict.

A summit of leaders from Sudans neighbors met in Cairo on Thursday, urging an end to the fighting, but gun battles, explosions and the roar of fighter jets again shook the capital Khartoum, residents told AFP.
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News / Local

by Staff reporter

Malema on Zimbabwe elections pic.twitter.com/gsB2HGdWPw  Bulawayo24 News (@Bulawayo24News) July 15, 2023

Free-spoken militant South African opposition EFF leader Julius Malema says if Zimbabweans want main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, they must vote for him without hindrances.He also says independent presidential election candidate Saviour Kasukuwere must be allowed to contest the 23 August election if Zimbabwe is a genuine democracy.By banning Kasukuwere, Malema says President Emmerson Mnangagwa is showing signs of panic and running scared of the former Zanu-PF political commissar, minister and MP."Why are you scared of Kasukuwere?; Kasukuwere must be allowed to contest," Malema says.Malema further lashes out at South Africa's governing ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula for suggesting that Chamisa is an American puppet.He says Mbalula has no right to lecture anyone on puppetry politics when the ANC and CCC policies are basically the same.If Mbalula characterises Chamisa as an American puppet, he must produce some evidence to back his claims, he adds."Who is he to tell us that Chamisa is an American puppet?," Malema says.He said the ANC was from the inception a British project to an extent that it even inserted in its constitution that "God protect the Queen".Malema notes the upcoming elections are critical for Zimbabwe and South Africa in the context of regional stability and economic prosperity.He adds South Africa needs a stable Zimbabwe to stem the tide of immigrants and stop xenophobia against Zimbabweans."We need a stable Zimbabwe, especially ourselves as South Africa," he notes.South Africa has borne the brunt of Zimbabwe's dramatic collapse due to a tragic failure of leadership, governance and policy bungling, and corruption.
This Sunday, July 16th, a commemoration of the 1848 Monster Meeting on Slievenamon will take place.

Sunday marks the 175th anniversary of that historic Monster Meeting led by Thomas Francis Meagher and the Young Irelanders in very challenging conditions during the great famine.

There will be a re-enactment of those famous speeches on the top of the mountain and a raising of the tricolour that Thomas Francis Meagher brought back from France.

There is a full programme of events taking place with walkers leaving the village of Kilcash at 12 noon to assemble on the mountain. This is a free event open to all.

At 2pm there will be a re-enactment of the ceremony on the top of Slievenamon, followed by music and refreshments in Kilcash from 4.30pm.

Events will begin on Saturday. At 8pm historian Dr Thomas McGrath will give a lecture on the Yong Irelanders Rebellion in 1848, followed by a re-enactment of the Monster Meeting, at Kilcash Community Centre.

A traditional Irish music sessions will follow in Kehoe's Pub, from 10pm.

The pupils of the schools encircling the mountain have commemorated the 175th anniversary through art and creativity with magnificent life size pieces on display in an exhibition in Kilcash Community Centre.

1848 War House in Ballingarry

Dr McGrath will also lead next weekend's seventeenth annual Famine 1848 Walk in Ballingarry, on Saturday, 29 July.

The Walk begins at 3pm at the Young Ireland 1848 and National Flag monument in the village of The Commons and proceeds to Famine Warhouse 1848, the scene of the Rising, now an OPW national heritage museum and visitor attraction.

The Walk follows the route of the Rising and takes less than hour to reach the house.
National Broadband Ireland, the company delivering the new future-proofed, high-speed Fibre-to-the-Home network under the National Broadband Plan on behalf of the Government, has said that 1,600 Kilkenny premises in its Johnstown deployment area can now order or pre-order broadband on its high-speed fibre network.



19,000 premises in County Kilkenny are included in the States Intervention Area, which will see National Broadband Ireland (NBI) deliver minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second to homes, businesses, farms, and schools.

Investment

As the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification, County Kilkenny will receive 72million of Government investment under the National Broadband Plan.



There are 1,690 Kilkenny premises in the Johnstown deployment area that can join the NBI network. NBI is calling on people living near Johnstown to visit nbi.ie/map/ and enter their Eircode to see if they are ready to connect.

Works have already been completed in other parts of Kilkenny and there are a total of 9,422 premises that are available to pre-order or order high-speed, reliable broadband across the county with 2,468 connections made so far.

Peter Hendrick, Chief Executive Officer, NBI, said: We are delighted to announce that Kilkenny premises in rural areas near Urlingford can now pre-order high-speed broadband services through the National Broadband Ireland network. This will enable users to experience the life-changing benefits that high-speed broadband provides.

Wholesale Network

As a wholesale network operator, NBI does not sell fibre broadband directly to end users, rather it enables services from a range of broadband providers or Retail Service Providers (RSPs). NBI will make the new Fibre-to-the-Home network available to all RSPs operating in the Intervention Area.



Some 62 RSPs have already signed up to sell services on the NBI network and 51 are certified as ready to start providing connections. To see the retail broadband providers that are currently licensed to sell on the NBI network, visit NBI.ie/buy.
Two accusers of divisive social media personality Andrew Tate, who is charged with human trafficking and rape in Romania, have been the victims of "targeted" harassment designed to "scare them into silence," their legal adviser in the United States told ABC News.

Tate, 36, and his brother Tristan, 35, were charged alongside two associates in Romania last month with rape, human trafficking and creating an organized crime group. Romanian prosecutors accuse the four of sexually exploiting seven women by coercing them to work for a webcam business at the Tates' residence in Bucharest. One woman was allegedly raped at least twice, while another woman was allegedly subjected to physical violence to force her to keep performing, according to prosecutors.

The Tate brothers, who are dual U.K.-U.S. citizens, have vehemently denied the charges, claiming that they are the victims of a conspiracy to punish them for their polarizing views and accusing the women of lying.

Both brothers have millions of followers on social media with their controversial content garnering legions of dedicated fans. They promote an "alpha male" lifestyle and have gained widespread notoriety for their self-described misogynist views. Tate himself, who has been dubbed the "king of toxic masculinity," remains banned from Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube after an outcry from anti-hate speech campaign groups alleging his accounts encouraged violent misogyny.

MORE: Andrew Tate appears in court as defendant following rape, human trafficking charges

Dani Pinter, senior legal counsel at the U.S.-based nonprofit National Center on Sexual Exploitation, is the attorney advising two women -- one from Florida and the other Moldovan-British -- whom Romanian prosecutors allege were lured to Romania and then sexually exploited. One of the women alleges she was raped.

Pinter told ABC News that since the Tate brothers were arrested in Romania last year, the two women have faced a deluge of harassment and have been targeted by a "troll army" launching online attacks and seeking to discredit the alleged victims. The lawyer accused Tate of inciting the attacks by his supporters with his social media posts, but said she did not have hard evidence he was directing them and Tate has denied doing so.

"I've never seen anything like it," Pinter told ABC News during a recent interview.

Pinter alleged that Tate's vast social media following has been turned against her clients, who are grappling with thousands of threats and relentless efforts to intimidate and undermine them. Supporters of the brothers have doxed private information of her clients and their relatives online, Pinter said, while at least two private investigators have also pursued her clients, digging into their past and showing up at their homes.

PHOTO: Andrew Tate leaves court after his trial in Bucharest, Romania on February 1, 2023. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Both women remain anonymous for fears of their safety, but online trolls have been able to identify them and posted their details online, forcing the women to leave their respective homes and go into hiding, according to Pinter.

"It's incredibly oppressive," Pinter said. "Because they feel afraid for their safety and for their loved ones and for anyone they engage with, it's incredibly isolating. It's incredibly exhausting and frightening."

On Tuesday, the Tate brothers filed a lawsuit in Florida's Palm Beach County against both women as well as the Florida woman's parents and another man, claiming the human trafficking and rape allegations were invented. The suit, seeking $5 million in damages, alleges that the five conspired to fabricate the accusations, leading to the Tates' imprisonment and costing them millions in lost income.

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation's Law Center said it has "seen the news regarding the Tates' lawsuit."

"We are evaluating next steps as we wait for them to give formal notice, but we do not believe the lawsuit has any merit," the center told ABC News in a statement on Friday.

MORE: Andrew Tate charged with rape, human trafficking, Romanian officials say

The Tate brothers were arrested in Bucharest last December and subsequently held in jail for three months before being released and placed under house arrest in their home on the outskirts of the Romanian capital, where they have lived since 2017. The pair remain in custody under house arrest there.

They have since taken to Twitter to challenge the Romanian case, posting frequently on the social media platform after a 2017 ban on their accounts was lifted. Tate, a former professional kickboxer who appeared on the U.K. version of the television series "Big Brother" in 2016, has more than 7 million followers on Twitter. He and his brother also regularly post videos on the online video platform Rumble, which their supporters clip and share on other social media platforms.

Pinter said there was a spike in the online harassment of her clients every time news articles about the Romanian case or statements from the Tate brothers appeared online. She alleged the same methods that has allowed Tate to build his following through viral social media posts over the years is now being used to instigate mass online attacks against the two women.

"The same strategy that he used to indoctrinate thousands of young men created a readymade army of trolls," Pinter told ABC News. "So he's able to engage this mob to very quickly harass and target these women."

"The swift, immediate, massive response to even the smallest bit of news seems completely consistent with how he always operated with getting his content out there," she added. "It seems to me to be very clear that he's just engaging that community intentionally."

PHOTO: Andrew Tate (R) and his brother Tristan Tate (L) walk out of the central arrest centre of Bucharest police after three months of pre-trial detention, March 31, 2023, in Bucharest, Romania. (Daniel Mihailescu/AFP via Getty Images)

When asked for comment on Pinter's allegations, a spokesperson for the Tate brothers told ABC News in a statement on Thursday: "Andrew and Tristan do not encourage any form of harassment against the alleged victims, or any other individual, as they have stated multiple times in the past via Twitter and other media. They are fully collaborating with the Romanian authorities and they are complying with the conditions of their house arrest. They remain committed to proving their innocence by using all of the legal means at their disposal."

The spokesperson also pointed to recent Twitter posts from the Tate brothers, in which they told their followers, "Leave personal attacks and insults out of it," and, "We win with love, not insults."

Pinter alleged the harassment of her clients has also moved offline. At least two private investigators have knocked on their doors in the U.S., according to Pinter. She said a social media personality sympathetic to Tate had also gone to one of the women's hometowns and questioned her former romantic partners. Both women have received rape and death threats online as well, according to Pinter.

She said the barrage of attacks is taking a heavy toll on her clients and has prevented them from coming forward publicly.

"They're really in a tough position," Pinter told ABC News. "They don't feel like they can go home. They're very isolated. One of the victims was telling me, you know, 'I feel like I can't get a traditional job because even if any of the co-workers Google my name, they could find out some of this.' That's very scary.

MORE: Controversial internet personality Andrew Tate banned from TikTok, Instagram and YouTube

The Tate brothers continue to be active on social media, but have denied directing their huge following to harass their critics and accusers. While making his initial court appearance as a defendant in the Romanian case in June, Tate thanked their supporters and said "we are not the first affluent and wealthy men who have been unfairly attacked."

A trial date has yet to be set.

Pinter said there was little she could do to stop the online attacks, besides calling them out publicly and urging social media companies to take down the abusive content.

"These women astound me every day," she added, "because despite being very distressed and experiencing severe mental anguish and being held back from living their lives to the fullest, they are very committed to not backing down."

Andrew Tate accusers forced into hiding after online harassment from 'troll army,' lawyer says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds light and variable.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable.
A person hacking people's password using a computer. Getty Images

A group of "gay furry" hackers has been releasing information from US state governments.

SiegedSec targeted Texas, naming anti-trans legislation as its motive.

Despite that rationale, the group describes their actions as "black hat," not "hacktivism."

SiegedSec, a self-described group of gay furry hackers, took its skills to state governments in late June, breaching agencies across five states and releasing a wealth of data.

The states targeted on June 27 were Texas, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and South Carolina. Though the other states' targeting was not specifically explained, a 180 gigabyte leak from the previous week on the government in Fort Worth, Texas, was apparently over the state's move to ban gender-affirming care.

"Furries" are a small community of people interested in or identifying with anthropomorphic or animated animals.

"Texas happens to be one of the largest states banning gender affirming care, and for that, we have made Texas our target. Fuck the government," a message posted on the SiegedSec Telegram chat said. "We easily hijacked their administrator account~ :D The files leaked include: Work orders, employee lists, invoices, police reports, emails between employees/contractors, internal documents, camera footage, and lots, lots, lots more~!"

So far in 2023, Texas legislators have introduced 65 anti-trans bills, according to the Trans Legislation Tracker, four of which have passed. One of the laws bars children from receiving any kind of care "intended to transition a child's biological sex."

South Carolina's legislators have introduced 25. One aims to prevent gender-affirming care for minors. Pennsylvania has introduced three, one of which limits trans students' participation in public school sports. South Dakota and Nebraska's legislators have each introduced five anti-trans bills, and each passed one. Both passed bills in South Dakota and Nebraska prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors.

The leader of SiegedSec, who goes only by Vio online to protect their privacy, said in an interview with Insider that the group's overall mission was to "have fun and cause chaos."

"Sometimes we participate in a hacktivist operation though, with different goals. Our small, tight-knit group is made up of members with a wide variety of skill sets," Vio said in a message on the encrypted chat app Signal. "We are also actually gay furries, I've seen countless people doubt that aspect of our group."

Insider independently verified that Vio was a member of SiegedSec and that the group was involved in the data breaches.

While the group's most recent targets are state governments in the US, its past hacks show the group targeted various entities in the governments of Cuba, Colombia, China, the Philippines, and Russia, as well as large corporations and companies in Bangladesh and the US. Vio said the group began its coordinated attacks in February 2022.

"We mostly choose our targets without much thought, as an opportunistic attack," Vio said in a Signal message. "With a few operations though, we make a list of target domains and go down the list with thorough tests."

In late November, SiegedSec announced its retirement from hacking via its Telegram channel, citing a loss of the "joy" it once found from its escapades. But in February, the group notified its subscribers of its return to "hacktivities."

"After several months, we have decided to return to our hacking operations, the world is no longer safe from our furry cuddles UwU~," a SiegedSec Telegram message said on February 8. "Uwu gay furries pwn you~ We'll be back again soon to continue our chaos and destruction!"

Some news outlets, such as Them, raised concerns that the group's actions could expose random people to harm, not just the targeted governments. Them said the random targets could include other LGBTQ+ people.

Vio said that while the group tried to avoid affecting members of LGBTQ+ communities, it defined itself as "black hat," rather than as a "hacktivist group," meaning it does not hack for activist purposes.

While "black hat" hackers are defined by ScienceDirect as those who generally hack to compromise data with malicious intent or for the thrill of hacking, "hacktivists," according to United States Cybersecurity Magazine, work with a Robin Hood or vigilante mindset and push social justice and policy changes.

"We won't intentionally target LGBTQ+ people and we'll attempt to avoid having negative impact on LGBTQ+ people, however its very possible someone is unintentionally impacted by our blackhat attacks and there's not much else we can do about it," Vio said.

Experts have expressed some skepticism toward the hacking group, the Daily Dot reported.

"It shouldn't be assumed that SiegedSec's motivation is as straightforward as they say," Brett Callow, a threat analyst for the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft, told the Daily Dot. "Hacking photos of potholes and other fairly non-sensitive data seems like a very odd way of protesting a state's policies."

In response to these comments, Vio acknowledged the hacked data was "non-sensitive" and "not directly connected to the goal" of the group.

"Our goal was never to expose anyone, or cause significant damage," Vio said. "The goal was to ensure the government saw our motivations, and motivate and encourage people to protest. I'd say we succeeded with our goal."

The Pennsylvania attorney general's office told Insider it was unaware of any effect from the attacks, while government offices from Texas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and South Carolina did not respond to requests for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Evergy says more than 80,000 customers still without power following storms
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was admitted to hospital suffering from suspected dehydration, his office said, as fierce heat grips the country.
Bank of Stockton decreased its stake in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE  Free Report) by 11.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 18,182 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 2,382 shares during the period. Bank of Stocktons holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $1,401,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Appleton Partners Inc. MA lifted its stake in NextEra Energy by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. Appleton Partners Inc. MA now owns 13,360 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,030,000 after purchasing an additional 432 shares during the last quarter. Trust Co. of Virginia VA increased its position in NextEra Energy by 14.0% in the 1st quarter. Trust Co. of Virginia VA now owns 8,776 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $676,000 after acquiring an additional 1,075 shares during the period. Central Bank & Trust Co. increased its position in NextEra Energy by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. Central Bank & Trust Co. now owns 5,511 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $425,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares during the period. M. Kraus & Co increased its position in NextEra Energy by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. M. Kraus & Co now owns 139,454 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $11,658,000 after acquiring an additional 3,229 shares during the period. Finally, Mission Wealth Management LP increased its position in NextEra Energy by 9.7% in the 1st quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 36,563 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,818,000 after acquiring an additional 3,230 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 77.70% of the companys stock.

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In other NextEra Energy news, EVP Robert Coffey sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 11,292 shares of the companys stock, valued at $845,770.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other NextEra Energy news, EVP Robert Coffey sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 11,292 shares of the companys stock, valued at $845,770.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO John W. Ketchum acquired 13,600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $74.26 per share, for a total transaction of $1,009,936.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 184,485 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,699,856.10. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.38% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NextEra Energy Trading Down 0.7 %

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of NextEra Energy from $94.00 to $96.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of NextEra Energy from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of NextEra Energy in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. They issued a buy rating and a $90.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of NextEra Energy from $93.00 to $85.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on shares of NextEra Energy from $95.00 to $90.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $91.17.

NYSE:NEE opened at $73.20 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $148.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.79, a PEG ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.46. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $74.34 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $76.41. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 12 month low of $69.64 and a 12 month high of $91.35.

NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.84 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $6.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.78 billion. NextEra Energy had a net margin of 26.97% and a return on equity of 12.44%. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.74 earnings per share. Analysts expect that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

NextEra Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 30th were issued a $0.4675 dividend. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 26th. NextEra Energys payout ratio is 55.65%.

NextEra Energy Company 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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Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Hold by the fourteen brokerages that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $128.29.

Several research firms have commented on CPT. Wolfe Research lowered shares of Camden Property Trust from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Monday, May 15th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of Camden Property Trust in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. They set an underweight rating and a $102.00 target price for the company. Mizuho reduced their target price on shares of Camden Property Trust from $132.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Friday, May 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on shares of Camden Property Trust from $134.00 to $120.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Bank of America downgraded shares of Camden Property Trust from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the company from $132.00 to $121.00 in a research report on Monday, May 15th.

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Camden Property Trust Trading Down 0.0 %

NYSE:CPT opened at $111.92 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a current ratio of 0.16. The firm has a market cap of $11.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.91 and a beta of 0.79. Camden Property Trust has a 52 week low of $97.74 and a 52 week high of $147.71. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $109.07 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $110.92.

Camden Property Trust Announces Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling at Camden Property Trust

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 17th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a $1.00 dividend. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.57%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th. Camden Property Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 71.17%.

In other Camden Property Trust news, CEO Richard J. Campo sold 5,337 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.35, for a total value of $588,937.95. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 246,799 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $27,234,269.65. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.80% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of CPT. Arizona State Retirement System raised its position in shares of Camden Property Trust by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 28,646 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,205,000 after buying an additional 861 shares in the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Camden Property Trust by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 24,364 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,726,000 after buying an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. HRT Financial LP raised its position in shares of Camden Property Trust by 168.9% during the 4th quarter. HRT Financial LP now owns 28,673 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,207,000 after buying an additional 18,009 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Camden Property Trust by 61.2% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,497,064 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $279,372,000 after buying an additional 947,742 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ossiam raised its position in shares of Camden Property Trust by 163.4% during the 4th quarter. Ossiam now owns 1,981 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $222,000 after buying an additional 1,229 shares in the last quarter. 94.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Camden Property Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Camden Property Trust, an S&P 500 Company, is a real estate company primarily engaged in the ownership, management, development, redevelopment, acquisition, and construction of multifamily apartment communities. Camden owns interests in and operates 172 properties containing 58,702 apartment homes across the United States.

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China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited (OTCMKTS:CIADY  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 2,400 shares, a decline of 55.6% from the June 15th total of 5,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 16,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days.

China Mengniu Dairy Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:CIADY traded down $0.84 during trading on Friday, reaching $36.55. 19,322 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,650. The companys 50 day moving average is $38.88 and its two-hundred day moving average is $42.67. China Mengniu Dairy has a 52 week low of $31.92 and a 52 week high of $50.27.

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China Mengniu Dairy Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 9th were given a dividend of $0.527 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.39%. This is an increase from China Mengniu Dairys previous dividend of $0.53. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 8th.

China Mengniu Dairy Company Profile

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.

Further Reading

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Ferrellgas Partners (OTCMKTS:FGPR  Get Free Report) and Neste Oyj (OTCMKTS:NTOIY  Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, profitability, dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations, risk and earnings.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Ferrellgas Partners and Neste Oyjs top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Ferrellgas Partners $1.50 billion 0.52 -$82.50 million ($0.85) -9.41 Neste Oyj N/A N/A N/A $0.54 38.17

Neste Oyj has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Ferrellgas Partners. Ferrellgas Partners is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Neste Oyj, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Ferrellgas Partners -5.53% N/A -2.81% Neste Oyj N/A N/A N/A

Insider & Institutional Ownership

This table compares Ferrellgas Partners and Neste Oyjs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

0.0% of Ferrellgas Partners shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of Neste Oyj shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.5% of Ferrellgas Partners shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Ferrellgas Partners and Neste Oyj, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Ferrellgas Partners 0 0 0 0 N/A Neste Oyj 1 0 6 0 2.71

Neste Oyj has a consensus target price of $56.00, indicating a potential upside of 173.84%. Given Neste Oyjs higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Neste Oyj is more favorable than Ferrellgas Partners.

Summary

Neste Oyj beats Ferrellgas Partners on 7 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Ferrellgas Partners

(Get Free Report)

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. distributes and sells propane and related equipment and supplies. The company transports propane to propane distribution locations, tanks on customers' premises, or to portable propane tanks delivered to retailers. It conducts its portable tank exchange operations under the Blue Rhino brand name through a network of independent and partnership-owned distribution outlets. The company's propane is primarily used for space heating, water heating, cooking, outdoor cooking using gas grills, crop drying, irrigation, weed control, and other propane fueled appliances; as an engine fuel for combustion engine vehicles and forklifts; and as a heating or energy source in manufacturing and drying processes. It serves residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange, agricultural, wholesale, and other customers in the United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. As of July 31, 2022, the company operates through a network of 49 service centers and 795 service units for propane distribution locations. In addition, it is also involved in the sale of refined fuels; provision of common carrier services; and retail sale of propane appliances and related parts and fittings, as well as other retail propane related services and consumer products. Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. was founded in 1939 and is based in Liberty, Missouri.

About Neste Oyj

(Get Free Report)

Neste Oyj provides renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel in Finland and other Nordic countries, Baltic Rim, other European countries, North and South America, and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Renewable Products, Oil Products, Marketing & Services, and Others. The Renewable Products segment produces, markets, and sells renewable diesel, renewable jet fuels and solutions, and renewable solvents, as well as raw material for bioplastics based on its technology to wholesale markets. The Oil Products segment produces, markets, and sells diesel fuel, gasoline, aviation and marine fuels, light and heavy fuel oils, and gasoline components, as well as special fuels, such as small-engine gasoline, solvents, liquid gases, and bitumen. This segment serves retailers and distributors, oil majors and trading companies, petrochemicals companies, and companies marketing lubricants and solvents. The Marketing & Services segment markets and sells cleaner fuels and oil products, and associated services to private motorists, industry, transport companies, farmers, and heating oil customers through a network of service stations, as well as direct sales. The Others segment offers engineering solutions. The company was formerly known as Neste Oil Oyj and changed its name to Neste Oyj in June 2015. Neste Oyj was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Espoo, Finland.

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Konica Minolta (OTCMKTS:KNCAF  Get Free Report) and HNI (NYSE:HNI  Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, earnings, profitability, dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Konica Minolta and HNI, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Konica Minolta 0 0 0 0 N/A HNI 0 0 1 0 3.00

HNI has a consensus target price of $34.00, indicating a potential upside of 22.30%. Given HNIs higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe HNI is more favorable than Konica Minolta.

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Konica Minolta N/A N/A N/A $59.88 0.06 HNI $2.36 billion 0.49 $123.90 million $2.66 10.45

This table compares Konica Minolta and HNIs gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

HNI has higher revenue and earnings than Konica Minolta. Konica Minolta is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than HNI, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

24.7% of Konica Minolta shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 78.4% of HNI shares are held by institutional investors. 4.1% of HNI shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Konica Minolta pays an annual dividend of $13.93 per share and has a dividend yield of 421.0%. HNI pays an annual dividend of $1.28 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.6%. Konica Minolta pays out 23.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. HNI pays out 48.1% 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. HNI has increased its dividend for 12 consecutive years. Konica Minolta is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Profitability

This table compares Konica Minolta and HNIs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Konica Minolta N/A N/A N/A HNI 4.91% 13.96% 5.69%

Summary

HNI beats Konica Minolta on 10 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Konica Minolta

(Get Free Report)

Konica Minolta, Inc. engages in digital workplace, professional print, healthcare, and industrial businesses in Japan, the United States, Europe, China, other Asian countries, and internationally. The company develops, manufactures, and sells multi-functional peripherals, digital printing systems, and related consumables, as well as offers IT and printing solutions and services. It also provides diagnostic imaging systems, such as digital X-ray diagnostic imaging, diagnostic ultrasound systems, and other systems; digitalization, networking, solutions, and services in the medical field; genetic testing and drug discovery support services; and primary care services. In addition, the company offers measuring instruments; functional film displays; organic light emitting diode lighting products; industrial inkjet printheads; lenses for industrial and professional use; and imaging IoT and visual solutions. Konica Minolta, Inc. was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

About HNI

(Get Free Report)

HNI Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, sells, and markets workplace furnishings and residential building products primarily in the United States and Canada. The company operates through two segments, Workplace Furnishings and Residential Building Products. The Workplace Furnishings segment offers a range of commercial and home office furniture, including panel-based and freestanding furniture systems, seating, storage, benching, tables, and architectural products, as well as social collaborative items under the HON, Allsteel, Beyond, Gunlocke, HBF Textiles, HBF, OFM, Respawn, and HNI India brands. This segment sells its products through independent office products dealers, wholesalers, office product distributors, e-commerce focused resellers, and wholesalers, as well as directly to end-user customers and governments. The Residential Building Products segment provides various gas, wood, electric, and pellet-fueled fireplaces; inserts; stoves; facings; outdoor fire pits and fire tables; and accessories. This segment sells its products primarily for home use under the Heatilator, Heat & Glo, Majestic, Monessen, Quadra-Fire, Harman, Vermont Castings, PelPro, SimpliFire, The Outdoor GreatRoom Company, and Stellar brand names through independent dealers and distributors, and corporation-owned distribution and retail outlets. The company was incorporated in 1944 and is headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa.

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CP ALL Public (OTCMKTS:CPPCY  Get Free Report) is one of 62 public companies in the Grocery Stores industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare CP ALL Public to similar companies based on the strength of its dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, profitability and risk.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

45.3% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are owned by institutional investors. 22.8% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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Valuation and Earnings

This table compares CP ALL Public and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio CP ALL Public N/A N/A 1.59 CP ALL Public Competitors $26.99 billion $611.50 million 205.28

Analyst Ratings

CP ALL Publics peers have higher revenue and earnings than CP ALL Public. CP ALL Public is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for CP ALL Public and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CP ALL Public 0 0 1 0 3.00 CP ALL Public Competitors 1121 2754 3008 115 2.30

As a group, Grocery Stores companies have a potential upside of 94.95%. Given CP ALL Publics peers higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe CP ALL Public has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Profitability

This table compares CP ALL Public and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CP ALL Public N/A N/A N/A CP ALL Public Competitors 1.92% 15.02% 4.91%

Dividends

CP ALL Public pays an annual dividend of $7.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 42.0%. CP ALL Public pays out 66.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Grocery Stores companies pay a dividend yield of 4.3% and pay out 62.2% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Summary

CP ALL Public peers beat CP ALL Public on 10 of the 13 factors compared.

About CP ALL Public

(Get Free Report)

CP ALL Public Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates and franchises convenience stores under the 7-Eleven name to other retailers primarily in Thailand. It operates through three segments: Wholesale Business, Retail Business, and Management of Rental Spaces in Shopping Centers. The Wholesale Business segment engages in import, export, and distribution of frozen and chilled food with delivery services and focuses on selling consumer products, including fresh food, dry food, and consumer products under Makro brand. Its Retail Business segment is involved in domestic supply chain, distribution system, logistics network, and brand equity businesses. This segment also sells its products under various domestic, international, and small and medium enterprises brands. The company's Management of Rental Spaces in Shopping Centers segment manages buildings and retail spaces in shopping malls. In addition, the company is involved in sale and maintenance of retail equipment; cash and carry, catalog, and e-commerce businesses; marketing and advertising activities; provision of information technology and research and development services, as well as engaged in bill payment collection, life insurance, and non-life insurance broker business. Further, the company offers educational institution, training, business seminar services, as well as healthcare and medical specialist's consultation services. The company was formerly known as C.P. Seven Eleven Public Company Limited. CP ALL Public Company Limited was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Envestnet (NYSE:ENV  Free Report) had its price target hoisted by Raymond James from $72.00 to $74.00 in a research note published on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. JMP Securities reissued a market outperform rating and issued a $80.00 target price on shares of Envestnet in a research report on Monday, March 13th. StockNews.com began coverage on Envestnet in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Envestnet presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $65.43.

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Envestnet Price Performance

NYSE ENV opened at $59.94 on Tuesday. Envestnet has a one year low of $41.72 and a one year high of $69.22. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $55.74 and a 200 day moving average of $60.02. The company has a market capitalization of $3.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -27.75 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 0.75.

Insider Activity

Envestnet ( NYSE:ENV Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The business services provider reported $0.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.23 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $298.71 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $300.98 million. Envestnet had a positive return on equity of 7.31% and a negative net margin of 8.90%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Envestnet will post 1.23 EPS for the current year.

In related news, SVP Barry D. Cooper sold 690 shares of Envestnet stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.19, for a total transaction of $40,151.10. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 29,175 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,697,693.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, SVP Barry D. Cooper sold 690 shares of Envestnet stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.19, for a total transaction of $40,151.10. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 29,175 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,697,693.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO William Crager sold 7,250 shares of Envestnet stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.68, for a total value of $389,180.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 325,356 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,465,110.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 11,940 shares of company stock valued at $648,291 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 9.20% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Envestnet

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Arizona State Retirement System increased its stake in Envestnet by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 13,239 shares of the business services providers stock worth $817,000 after acquiring an additional 491 shares during the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Envestnet by 322.1% in the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 10,602 shares of the business services providers stock worth $654,000 after acquiring an additional 8,090 shares during the last quarter. Swiss National Bank increased its stake in Envestnet by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 113,200 shares of the business services providers stock worth $6,984,000 after acquiring an additional 2,000 shares during the last quarter. Summit Creek Advisors LLC increased its stake in Envestnet by 22.3% in the 4th quarter. Summit Creek Advisors LLC now owns 411,829 shares of the business services providers stock worth $25,410,000 after acquiring an additional 74,967 shares during the last quarter. Finally, California Public Employees Retirement System increased its stake in Envestnet by 21.5% in the 4th quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 235,230 shares of the business services providers stock worth $14,514,000 after acquiring an additional 41,577 shares during the last quarter.

About Envestnet

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Envestnet, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides wealth management software and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through Envestnet Wealth Solutions and Envestnet Data & Analytics segments. The Envestnet Wealth Solutions segment offers Envestnet | Enterprise, which provides an end-to-end open architecture wealth management platform, as well as data aggregation and reporting, data analytics, and digital advice capabilities; Envestnet | Tamarac that provides trading, rebalancing, portfolio accounting, performance reporting, and client relationship management software; and Envestnet | MoneyGuide that provides goals-based financial planning solutions to the financial services industry.

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Denbury (NYSE:DEN  Get Free Report) and Shell (NYSE:SHEL  Get Free Report) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, valuation, risk, institutional ownership, dividends and analyst recommendations.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

8.5% of Shell shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Denbury shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.0% of Shell shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings for Denbury and Shell, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Denbury 1 1 5 0 2.57 Shell 1 3 1 0 2.00

Earnings and Valuation

Denbury presently has a consensus target price of $102.63, suggesting a potential upside of 23.84%. Shell has a consensus target price of $2,525.14, suggesting a potential upside of 4,061.41%. Given Shells higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Shell is more favorable than Denbury.

This table compares Denbury and Shells top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Denbury $1.63 billion 2.55 $480.16 million $10.54 7.86 Shell $386.20 billion 0.55 $42.31 billion $12.06 5.03

Shell has higher revenue and earnings than Denbury. Shell is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Denbury, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Volatility and Risk

Denbury has a beta of 2.62, meaning that its stock price is 162% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Shell has a beta of 0.66, meaning that its stock price is 34% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Denbury and Shells net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Denbury 34.69% 23.71% 15.25% Shell 11.20% 20.91% 9.19%

Summary

Denbury beats Shell on 8 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Denbury

(Get Free Report)

Denbury Inc., an independent energy company, focuses on producing oil from mature oil fields in the Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountain regions. It holds interests in various oil and natural gas properties located in Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, and Louisiana in the Gulf Coast region; and in Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming in the Rocky Mountain region. The company was formerly known as Denbury Resources Inc. and changed its name to Denbury Inc. in September 2020. Denbury Inc. was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas.

About Shell

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Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, the United States, and Rest of the Americas. The company operates through Integrated Gas, Upstream, Marketing, Chemicals and Products, and Renewables and Energy Solutions segments. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; markets and transports oil and gas; produces gas-to-liquids fuels and other products; and operates upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver gas to market. The company also markets and trades natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, electricity, carbon-emission rights; and markets and sells LNG as a fuel for heavy-duty vehicles. In addition, it trades in and refines crude oil and other feed stocks, such as low-carbon fuels, lubricants, bitumen, sulphur, gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, and marine fuel; produces and sells petrochemicals for industrial use; and manages oil sands activities. Further, the company produces base chemicals comprising ethylene, propylene, and aromatics, as well as intermediate chemicals, such as styrene monomer, propylene oxide, solvents, detergent alcohols, ethylene oxide, and ethylene glycol. Additionally, it generates electricity through wind and solar resources; produces and sells hydrogen; and provides electric vehicle charging services. The company was formerly known as Royal Dutch Shell plc and changed its name to Shell plc in January 2022. Shell plc was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

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First Mexican Gold Corp (CVE:FMG  Get Free Report) was down 2.5% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as C$0.39 and last traded at C$0.40. Approximately 58,211 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 55% from the average daily volume of 37,447 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.41.

First Mexican Gold Price Performance

The firms 50-day moving average price is C$0.39 and its 200-day moving average price is C$0.40. The company has a current ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 0.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.62. The stock has a market capitalization of C$17.52 million and a PE ratio of -131.67.

First Mexican Gold Company Profile

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First Mexican Gold Corp. through its subsidiary, Cornelius exploration S. de R.L. de C.V., engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Mexico. It explores for gold and silver deposits. The company holds interests in the Hilda Properties comprising the Hilda 30 property; the Hilda 37/38 property with two mining exploration concessions; and the Hilda 31/32 property with three mining exploration concessions comprising a total area of 1,350 hectares in the Yecora District, State of Sonora, Mexico.

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LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB  Free Report) had its price target cut by KeyCorp from $81.00 to $80.00 in a report released on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. KeyCorp also issued estimates for LyondellBasell Industries Q2 2023 earnings at $1.83 EPS, Q3 2023 earnings at $1.79 EPS, Q4 2023 earnings at $1.50 EPS, FY2023 earnings at $7.57 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $11.01 EPS.

A number of other research firms have also issued reports on LYB. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on LyondellBasell Industries from $102.00 to $104.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on LyondellBasell Industries from $113.00 to $108.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 29th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on LyondellBasell Industries from $130.00 to $121.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on LyondellBasell Industries from $109.00 to $100.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 29th. Finally, Scotiabank reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of LyondellBasell Industries in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $97.00.

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LyondellBasell Industries Price Performance

NYSE:LYB opened at $91.00 on Tuesday. LyondellBasell Industries has a 12 month low of $71.46 and a 12 month high of $101.30. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $90.06 and a two-hundred day moving average of $91.86. The company has a current ratio of 1.85, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The firm has a market cap of $29.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 1.21.

LyondellBasell Industries Increases Dividend

LyondellBasell Industries ( NYSE:LYB Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.70. The business had revenue of $10.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.80 billion. LyondellBasell Industries had a return on equity of 28.95% and a net margin of 6.40%. The businesss revenue was down 22.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $4.00 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that LyondellBasell Industries will post 8.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 30th were paid a $1.25 dividend. This is a boost from LyondellBasell Industriess previous quarterly dividend of $1.19. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 26th. LyondellBasell Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 54.11%.

Institutional Trading of LyondellBasell Industries

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. My Legacy Advisors LLC raised its stake in LyondellBasell Industries by 9.0% in the second quarter. My Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 8,529 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $791,000 after buying an additional 707 shares in the last quarter. MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in LyondellBasell Industries in the second quarter valued at $4,004,000. Astoria Portfolio Advisors LLC. raised its stake in LyondellBasell Industries by 5.0% in the second quarter. Astoria Portfolio Advisors LLC. now owns 4,366 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $405,000 after buying an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. Everence Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in LyondellBasell Industries by 9.4% in the second quarter. Everence Capital Management Inc. now owns 46,940 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $4,015,000 after buying an additional 4,050 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Venture Visionary Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 69.1% during the second quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC now owns 19,438 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $1,785,000 after purchasing an additional 7,943 shares during the last quarter. 70.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

LyondellBasell Industries Company Profile

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LyondellBasell Industries N.V. operates as a chemical company in the United States, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Poland, France, Japan, China, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company operates in six segments: Olefins and PolyolefinsAmericas; Olefins and PolyolefinsEurope, Asia, International; Intermediates and Derivatives; Advanced Polymer Solutions; Refining; and Technology.

Further Reading

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Nihon Kohden Co. (OTCMKTS:NHNKY  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 700 shares, a decline of 75.9% from the June 15th total of 2,900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 14,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days.

Nihon Kohden Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS NHNKY traded down $0.20 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $13.18. The stock had a trading volume of 2,174 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,582. The company has a market capitalization of $2.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.43 and a beta of -0.12. The firms 50-day moving average price is $13.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $13.21. Nihon Kohden has a 52 week low of $10.00 and a 52 week high of $14.56.

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Nihon Kohden Company Profile

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Nihon Kohden Corporation engages in research and development, production, sale, repair, and maintenance of medical electronic equipment in Japan, Americas, Europe, rest of Asia, and internationally. The company offers physiological measuring equipment, including electroencephalographs, electrocardiographs, evoked potential and electromyogram measuring instruments, and polygraphs for cath labs, as well as diagnostic information systems and related consumables, such as recording papers, electrodes and catheters, and maintenance services.

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The Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District needs to hire four more special education professionals to address rising demand for services, according to director of Special Education and Pupil Services Christine McMasters.

The expected cost to hire the new educators is between $400,000 and $420,000, McMasters said. Funding would come from a combination of federal grants for special education and federal COVID-19 relief support, which the district has for another year.

The federal special education dollars are available to the schools in the district annually.

Those are not at jeopardy, McMasters said.

But when COVID relief funding ends this year, she said the district will have to look to its budget and staffing again to see how best to manage the costs.

At the end of this year, we may have to see if there are other areas to reduce. We might have to do that and reprioritize, she said.

The number of students requesting special education services has gone up in the past decade, McMasters said, leaving current special educators to manage an increasing load. In that time, the percentage of students requesting special education services rose from about 13% to 18% of the student population.

Were seeing a steady increase, again in 2023, of special education referrals. I would say its still mostly at the same rate of increase since I started in 2014, though it did dip slightly during COVID when students were online. But this trend is just this slow increase over the years. And so were at a point where we just needed to hire some more staff in order to meet the needs of all the kids, McMasters said.

In 2015, McMasters said the district had 704 special education students. Now, it serves more than 920 special education students.

The district employs roughly 50 special education teachers across nine schools, McMasters said.

While all students in the district are considered general education students, some students need different types of instruction.

Those extra services allow them to be a part of their classroom and to get the curriculum and the same education that their peers get, she said. For some students, it just takes more opportunity, it takes more staff support, it takes accommodations and modifications of their curriculum. Sometimes it takes adaptive equipment.

Special education students receive a continuum of services provided by the district.

It starts from students that are in all general education classes with just some support in order to be successful and some accommodations in their general education. And then theres this layering of services for students who need more help, and thats why we call it the continuum of services. It goes all the way to students who really do not have much participation in general education because they have such severe needs that they need more intensive interventions, McMasters said.

Each student using those services has an individual education program to address their specific needs, McMasters said.

We determine, based on their needs, what services theyre going to need in order to be successful and to be able to access their curriculum, she said. So some students, like students that have only a speech disability, might just see a speech therapist 30 minutes a week, whereas other students might have multiple disabilities. So theyre seeing multiple specialists, plus a special education teacher.

Some students need full-time attention while in school, she said.

The four additional special education positions have been posted, and the district aims to get some applicants before the school year starts.

Well leave the positions open until filled, and hopefully well be able to fill them, she said.
AB Industrivarden (publ) (OTCMKTS:IDTVF  Get Free Report) is one of 1,199 public companies in the Asset Management industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its competitors? We will compare AB Industrivarden (publ) to related companies based on the strength of its profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends, earnings and institutional ownership.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for AB Industrivarden (publ) and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score AB Industrivarden (publ) 0 0 1 0 3.00 AB Industrivarden (publ) Competitors 1110 4694 6114 86 2.43

As a group, Asset Management companies have a potential upside of 88.47%. Given AB Industrivarden (publ)s competitors higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe AB Industrivarden (publ) has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Dividends

Earnings & Valuation

AB Industrivarden (publ) pays an annual dividend of $5.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 21.6%. AB Industrivarden (publ) pays out 37.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Asset Management companies pay a dividend yield of 7.6% and pay out 902.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. AB Industrivarden (publ) is clearly a better dividend stock than its competitors, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

This table compares AB Industrivarden (publ) and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio AB Industrivarden (publ) N/A N/A 1.71 AB Industrivarden (publ) Competitors $235.29 million -$2.89 million -33.84

AB Industrivarden (publ)s competitors have higher revenue, but lower earnings than AB Industrivarden (publ). AB Industrivarden (publ) is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

3.0% of AB Industrivarden (publ) shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.6% of shares of all Asset Management companies are owned by institutional investors. 18.3% of shares of all Asset Management companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares AB Industrivarden (publ) and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets AB Industrivarden (publ) N/A N/A N/A AB Industrivarden (publ) Competitors 368.61% 7.68% 4.86%

Summary

AB Industrivarden (publ) competitors beat AB Industrivarden (publ) on 8 of the 13 factors compared.

AB Industrivarden (publ) Company Profile

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AB Industrivarden is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm invests in the public equity markets of Nordic region. It employs fundamental analysis, with a focus on factors like long term return potential, proven business model, balance between risk and return, and attractive valuation to create its portfolio. AB Industrivarden was founded in 1944 and is based in Stockholm, Sweden.

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Ferrellgas Partners (OTCMKTS:FGPR  Get Free Report) and NWF Group (OTCMKTS:NWFFF  Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, dividends and institutional ownership.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Ferrellgas Partners and NWF Groups top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Ferrellgas Partners $1.50 billion 0.52 -$82.50 million ($0.85) -9.41 NWF Group N/A N/A N/A ($0.22) -6.06

NWF Group has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Ferrellgas Partners. Ferrellgas Partners is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than NWF Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Analyst Recommendations

0.0% of Ferrellgas Partners shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 9.9% of NWF Group shares are held by institutional investors. 0.5% of Ferrellgas Partners shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

This is a summary of current recommendations for Ferrellgas Partners and NWF Group, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Ferrellgas Partners 0 0 0 0 N/A NWF Group 0 0 1 0 3.00

Profitability

This table compares Ferrellgas Partners and NWF Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Ferrellgas Partners -5.53% N/A -2.81% NWF Group N/A N/A N/A

Summary

NWF Group beats Ferrellgas Partners on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Ferrellgas Partners

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Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. distributes and sells propane and related equipment and supplies. The company transports propane to propane distribution locations, tanks on customers' premises, or to portable propane tanks delivered to retailers. It conducts its portable tank exchange operations under the Blue Rhino brand name through a network of independent and partnership-owned distribution outlets. The company's propane is primarily used for space heating, water heating, cooking, outdoor cooking using gas grills, crop drying, irrigation, weed control, and other propane fueled appliances; as an engine fuel for combustion engine vehicles and forklifts; and as a heating or energy source in manufacturing and drying processes. It serves residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange, agricultural, wholesale, and other customers in the United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. As of July 31, 2022, the company operates through a network of 49 service centers and 795 service units for propane distribution locations. In addition, it is also involved in the sale of refined fuels; provision of common carrier services; and retail sale of propane appliances and related parts and fittings, as well as other retail propane related services and consumer products. Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. was founded in 1939 and is based in Liberty, Missouri.

About NWF Group

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NWF Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the sale and distribution of fuel oils in the United Kingdom. It operates through Fuels, Food, and Feeds segments. The Fuels segment sells domestic heating, industrial, and road fuels. This segment owns and operates through a network of 25 depots. The Food segment is involved in the warehousing and distribution of grocery and other products to supermarkets and other retail distribution centers. The Feeds segment manufactures and sells animal feeds and other agricultural products. NWF Group plc was founded in 1871 and is headquartered in Nantwich, the United Kingdom.

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Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds light and variable.
Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.
An 18-year-old man who Omaha police said threatened to shoot at responding officers and kill himself outside of Westroads Mall in Omaha was taken into custody Wednesday night.

Police, including a SWAT team, went to the west parking lot at 7:11 p.m. after the North Platte man called 911 on himself. An Omaha Police Department spokesman said the man shot a gun outside the mall but did not shoot at anyone.

Shoppers inside the mall were evacuated to a safe location, police said. There was no threat to anyone inside the mall.

Police said the man was holding a handgun. The man eventually put the handgun down and he was taken into custody without incident. Police said they found several spent shell casings outside the mall and a vehicle damaged by gunfire.

The man is in the Douglas County Jail.

Chief Deputy Douglas County Attorney Brenda Beadle said the man will be charged with multiple offenses including terroristic threats, use of a weapon and discharge at an occupied building. Beadle said the man is scheduled to appear in court Friday afternoon.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
The Madison County Chamber of Commerce hosted the official Ribbon Cutting and Open House for the Madison County Justice Center recently.

Thank you all for coming today, Circuit Clerk Tenia Herman said. It took a lot of hard work to get us here, and we are proud to show you all the final product.

The Justice Center houses the courtroom, judge, prosecuting attorney, juvenile offices and circuit clerks offices.

Construction began on the annex in January 2022 and by January 2023, though not 100% complete, court proceedings were being held in the new courtroom.

The building had a price tag of roughly $2.5 million, but it was funded without a tax increase.

Madison County Commissioner Larry Kemp said it was important to the commission to build without asking for more tax money. The project was funded partially by ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds and then by a lease purchase with one of the local banks.

It had come to the point where we really needed a new building, Kemp said. Times have changed. Codes have changed, and we just outgrew the old building.

Herman said, having everyone under one roof really makes it easier to manage the caseloads. She said, if there is a question, they can now walk down the hall instead of trying to catch them via phone or email.

Prior to the building of the Justice Center, the circuit clerk offices, juvenile offices, and prosecuting attorney were all located in different buildings around town.

While the structure does have a full basement for storage and future growth, all of the court services are now located on one level. No steps are required.

Kemp said, the Justice Center was a long time coming and something the community needed.

The age of the building made for issues such as the court facility not being ADA compliant. Those who were unable to climb steps had no way of getting up and into the courtroom.

A lot of people dont understand the troubles that people would have when it comes to the steps, Herman said. How do you tell a grandmother, who cant make it up the steps, that she cant see the adoption of her grandchild. How do you tell somebody that?

Now the courtroom is large enough for the whole family to attend those happy moments but also room to take on the more difficult cases.

Madison County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tessa Rehkop welcomed everyone to the beautiful courtroom.

It is a pleasure to welcome you all to this celebration of our new Justice Center, Rehkop said. We are so glad you could join us and we hope this building reminds everyone that Madison County is working hard to be a great place to live, work and play.

Following the ribbon cutting, guests were invited to tour the building during an open house.

During the tour of the facility Herman explained how safety is a top priority. Some of the facility features include codes on doors needed to access non-public areas and a secure holding cell for inmates. Prisoners, who used to enter through public areas at the historic courthouse, now have a back entrance which takes them straight to the holding cell.

The vast basement area, which remains partially unfinished, has plenty of room to store county records. This area is also being used for Madison County Emergency Management, which the recent tornado showed the need for having a physical location.

The Madison County Justice Center stands ready to serve the community and uphold the principles of justice for years to come.

This project has been a long time in the making, Kemp said. I am glad I was able to be a part of seeing these plans come to life.
There are many ways to enjoy a refreshing ice cream treat. Whether its creamy custard in a cone, soft serve in a sundae, or hand-scooped in a milkshake, the possibilities are endless.

Ice cream can even become the showstopper in unusual items, like nachos.

General Custards Retreat, located along Highway 67, created a new product which quickly became a fan-favorite. Their custard nachos, with waffle chips, creamy custard and dipping sauce, are one of their most requested items.

General Custards Retreat has been a Parkland mainstay for nearly 40 years. Its also been one of Reggie AuBuchons favorite places to get ice cream since he was a boy growing up in St. Francois County. That tradition became a family favorite when Reggie moved back to the area with his wife Chelcy. When the opportunity came up to purchase the business in 2021, they didnt hesitate to turn that tradition into their family-owned business.

General Custards has been in business since 1987.

We provide the same great product and service, plus a few new ones, as they did in 1987, said Reggie, and we have an amazing staff that provides great service and greets our customers with a smile.

For Parkland residents who plan to celebrate National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, there are plenty of local options to grab a tasty ice-cold treat. There are countless varieties of unique flavors and colors of ice cream.

Heres a short list of a few of the Parkland businesses where ice cream is a fan-favorite:

Lix Frozen Custard in Farmington and Desloge

Columbia Street Mercantile of Farmington

Scoops on Main in Park Hills

Dairy Queen of Farmington and Bonne Terre

Hunts Dairy Bar in Farmington and Park Hills

Scoops Frozen Custard of Fredericktown

Lady Queene of Bismarck

Culvers in Farmington

Sonic Drive-In of Farmington and Park Hills

The Trax in Bismarck

Sharps Kitchen in Park Hills

Old Village Mercantile in Caledonia

Porters Candy World & Ice Cream Parlor of Arcadia
Jammu, July 15: A fresh batch of over 7,000 pilgrims left Jammu city early Saturday for the twin base camps in the Valley to join the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, officials said. The 62-day annual pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine of Amarnath in the south Kashmir Himalayas commenced from the twin tracks -- the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the shorter 14-km Baltal route in the Ganderbal -- on July 1.

The officials said the 13th batch of 7,392 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in a convoy of 272 vehicles amid tight security. While 4,024 pilgrims left for Pahalgam in a convoy of 146 vehicles, 3,368 devotees left for Baltal in 126 vehicles around 4 am, they said. Amarnath Yatra 2023: Annual Pilgrimage Temporarily Suspended for Third Consecutive Day Due to Bad Weather Conditions in Jammu and Kashmir.

With this, a total of 80,181 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the Valley since June 30. Pilgrims from across the country undertake the Amarnath Yatra to pay obeisance at the holy cave shrine that houses a naturally formed ice shivlingam. Amarnath Yatra 2023: Inspired by Swami Vivekananda, US Nationals From California Undertake Pilgrimage, Share Their Experience (Watch Video).

At 24,445, the highest number of pilgrims offered prayers at the shrine on Friday. So far, over 1.90 lakh devotees have undertaken the yatra. This number is likely to cross the 2-lakh mark by this evening, the officials said.

The pilgrims are being provided all the facilities by the departments concerned round the clock, they said.
NewsVoir

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], July 15: Students at Oakridge International School Bachupally recently went on an exciting journey to explore the Swiss Alps, led by Nord Anglia Education experts. The expedition aimed to inspire personal growth, build resilience, and encourage global citizenship through challenging activities.

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Oakridge students and the expedition team met at Geneva International Airport before heading to Les Plans Sur Bex. They bonded and prepared for the adventure ahead, participating in various activities that challenged them and broadened their horizons.

The expedition included an exciting 4-day trek around Tour de Grand Muveran. They were in awe of the stunning alpine panorama, guided by experienced mentors through challenging terrains until they reached Gite de l'alpage de Dorbon.

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Beyond physical endurance, the expedition encompassed cultural exploration, allowing the students to gain valuable insights into the rich Swiss heritage. Students had the opportunity to explore the charming town of Gruyeres, which is known for its delectable Swiss chocolate and the renowned Gruyere cheese. The students fully engaged themselves in the art of cheese-making and and marvelled at the captivating Chateau de Gruyeres, a testament to the region's fascinating history.

"The expedition was a transformative and invaluable experience for our students. They had the opportunity to challenge themselves physically and mentally, discovering newfound strengths and skills. They have become more resilient and globally aware through cultural immersion and navigating daily challenges," expressed Manas, PE Coordinator at Oakridge International School Bachupally.

Principal Baljeet Oberoi praised the students for their outstanding accomplishments, expressing admiration, "We are immensely proud of our students for undertaking this life-changing expedition. Their dedication, perseverance, and willingness to step out of their comfort zones have resulted in an experience that will forever inspire and shape their lives. We thank our parents for believing in us and sending their kids to the expedition. We also sincerely thank the Nord Anglia team and the entire Oakridge community for making this journey a resounding success.

To know more about, visit www.oakridge.in/bachupally.

Oakridge International School, Bachupally, is part of Nord Anglia Education, the worlds leading premium school organization. Oakridge students are connected to a community of 76 international schools spread across 31 countries, with access to rich resources, support, and global opportunities that enhance the schools already excellent teaching and learning experience. Oakridge Bachupally School was recently ranked in the Top 3 International Schools in Hyderabad and No.1 in Northwest Zone in Times School Rankings 2021. The school also ranked among the Top 3 International Day Schools in Hyderabad and Telangana by Education World India School Rankings 21-22.

(Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Guwahati (Assam) [India], July 15 (ANI): All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal on Saturday accused Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of trying to separate Asamese Muslims from the youth with his remarks on the rising prices of vegetables in the state.

Speaking to media persons at Garigaon in Guwahat, the AIUDF chief claimed that Assam CM Sarma's statement that "Miya" (Muslim) vendors were responsible for the price rise of vegetables in the city was demeaning and hurtful towards the minority community.

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"The CM said people from the Miya community will not be allowed to sell vegetables and spices in Guwahati. This kind of statement isn't appropriate for the chief minister of a state. He is the head of the state and it isn't right for him to be making such remarks. We are disheartened by the CM's remarks," Ajmal, also a perfume baron, said.

The AIUDF chief alleged further that Sarma's statement creates a chasm between the Muslims and the other Asamese people, including the youth.

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"By making such statements, the Assam CM is trying to separate the Muslims from their fellow Asamese brothers and sisters. The government will have to bear the responsibility for any unrest that this statement foments," the AIUDF chief warned.

Earlier, on July 13, the Assam CM said the soaring prices of vegetables in state capital, Guwahati, was largely because of the fact that the vendors largely belong to the "Miyan" (Muslim) community.

"Miya vendors are responsible for the rising prices of vegetables in the city. Most of the vendors, who are selling vegetables at inflated rates, are from the Miyan community," CM Sarma told reporters earlier.

Reacting to Sarma's remark, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief, Asaduddin Owaisi, said, "There is a mandali (group) in the country, who will blame Miyan-ji even when a buffalo does not give milk or a hen does not lay eggs in their homes. They would, perhaps, not hesitate to blame their personal failures on Miyan bhai as well." (ANI)

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Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], July 15 (ANI): Border Security Forces (BSF) Meghalaya seized 7 country boats packed with about 29,000 kilograms of sugar worth more than rupees 11 lahks, meant for smuggling to Bangladesh, an official release of BSF said on Saturday.

According to the official statement, BSF Meghalaya on Friday intercepted seven boats with country-built engines that were packed with a massive amount of sugar and were headed for Bangladesh.

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The release said, "On 14 July 2023, vigilant troops of BSF Meghalaya seized 7 country-made engine-fitted boats loaded with huge quantities of sugar meant for smuggling to Bangladesh through the international border of West Jaintia Hills."

Acting on a specific tip-off, alert BSF troops observed some suspicious movement of boats in the Harai River near BOP Jaliakhola. On being challenged by BSF, the Bangladeshi miscreants jumped into the river and swam across to Bangladesh, abandoning their boats in the river, added the statement.

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The release further stated that BSF recovered massive amounts of sugar worth more than Rs 11 lakhs that were handed over to the Dawki Customs Office.

"During the operation, BSF seized seven country-made engine-fitted boats loaded with approximately 29,000 kilograms of sugar worth more than Rs 11 lakh. The seized items were handed over to the customs office of Dawki for further action."

Earlier in July, BSF Meghalaya seized huge quantities of clothing items worth more than Rs 13 lakhs on the international border.

The release said, "Acting on a specific tip-off, vigilant troops 04 Bn BSF Meghalaya seized clothing item i.e, saree of worth Rs 13 lakh approx while being smuggled to Bangladesh from bordering area of East Khasi Hills on July 10, 2023."

According to the official statement, the consignment was seized when miscreants were trying to smuggle it to Bangladesh.

"The consignment was seized by active/vigilant troops of BSF BOP Pyrdwah when the miscreants were trying to smuggle it to Bangladesh. On being challenged by BSF, smugglers fled away from the spot by taking advantage of thick vegetation and undulating terrain leaving behind a consignment of saree," it said.

The seized items were handed over to the concerned customs office for further action. (ANI)

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Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 15 (ANI): In response to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's appeal for more housing for rural residents, the state has been allotted an additional 1,44,220 houses for the financial year 202324 under the 'Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojna-Gramin' (PMAY-G) by the Centre.

Following this, the state's total quota of houses completed will reach 21,68,574.

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On May 18, 2023, CM Yogi requested the Union Ministry of Rural Development to allot additional housing targets.

Showing a positive attitude towards this initiative of CM Yogi, the Ministry of Rural Development wrote a letter to the State Government's Rural Development Department informing them about the approval, said the state authorities.

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In the letter, it is stated that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath demanded an additional target in a letter he wrote in May 2023.

It is informed that with the approval of the competent authority in the Ministry of Rural Development, additional targets of 1,44,220 houses from finalised Awaas+ lists have been allocated to your State for the financial year 2023-24, the letter states.

It is also mentioned in the letter that in line with the schemes focus, the state is required to earmark at least 60% of the targets for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes subject to their availability in the housing database. It is also requested to finalise the District, Block, GP-wise and Category-wise targets in the State as per the User Manual on Housing issued by the Ministry.

The letter from the Ministry of Rural Development also requested, to issue necessary instructions to all the Districts/Blocks/GPs within your State to fix targets on AwaasSoft as per the User Manual and expedite the sanctioning of these houses to ensure timely completion of houses.

Apart from this, the state is also requested to sanction the houses to the eligible families within one month, i.e. by August 13, 2023.

The letter also states that the Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the scheme till March 2024 to complete the remaining houses within the cumulative target of 2.95 crore houses. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): The water level in swollen River Yamuna was recorded at 207.48 metres at 10 am in Delhi on Saturday. The overflowing Yamuna river has touched the Red Fort wall on Ring road, inundating the nearby areas.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday, took to Twitter and saying that the water level of the river is gradually decreasing and the situation would get back to normal soon.

Also Read | Yamuna River Water Level Receding Slowly, Situation To Normalise Soon if There Is No More Heavy Rain, Says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

"The water level of the Yamuna is decreasing gradually. If it does not rain heavily again, the situation will be back to normal. We started withdrawing water from Chandrawal and Wazirabad water treatment plants. After this, the machines will be kept for drying. Both plants will be operational tomorrow. Please stay aware and help each other," CM Kejriwal tweeted.

Further, he appealed to the people to take care of themselves and help each other.

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Additionally, Public Works Department Minister, Atishi Marlena, stated, "Yamuna river water is receding, the people of Delhi will get relief in the next 12 hours...It is a big question why all the water from Hathnikund Barrage was being released only for Delhi".

"Not a single drop of water was released into the canals going to UP and Haryana from there. Haryana will have to answer for this. Can the flood situation in Delhi have been avoided?" added Marlena.

Notably, Yamuna water level was recorded at 207.58 metres at 8 am, today. At 9 pm on Friday, the water level of Yamuna was recorded at 208.07 metres.

CWC had expected the water level to be at 208.05 Metres on July 14 (Friday) between 10:00 pm to 12 am. But the water level came down faster than the expectations of the Central Water Commission.

Meanwhile, Delhi flood evacuees at Mayur Vihar Phase I were provided with medical aid by the government on Saturday.

Several areas of the city are under water as the water level of River Yamuna rose following heavy rainfall and the release of water from the Hathnikund Barrage in neighbouring Haryana.

Delhi Government also said that a total of 25,478 people have been evacuated so far. 25,478 people have been evacuated. 22,803 people are in tents/shelters.

"16 teams of NDRF have been deployed in flood-affected districts in rescue work. Some of the low-lying areas of Delhi have witnessed flood water due to very high levels of river water and consequent backflow of water, breach of embankments etc," the Delhi government said in a statement.

The government also said that 45 boats including 17 orf Boat Club, and 28 of Irrigation and Flood Control Department, have been deployed as precautions and for rescue work in case of an emergency. (ANI)

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Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 15 (ANI): As the rescues and restoration work continues in flood-hit Himachal Pradesh, road connectivity to Kasol is expected to be restored by Saturday, the Deputy Commission, Kullu said.

Road connectivity to Kasol shall be restored by tomorrow. The mobile network has been restored upto Kasol, Banjar and certain areas of Tirthan, DC Kullu said in a tweet late on Friday night.

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"Efforts are being made to restore mobile connectivity in Sainj by way of very small aperture terminal (VSAT) by tomorrow," DC Kullu said further.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday approved the advance release of the second instalment of Central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) amounting to Rs 180.40 crore for 2023-24 as an interim relief to Himachal Pradesh, which is severely affected by relentless heavy rains that led to landslides and flash floods.

Also Read | Delhi Races to Drain Floodwaters with More Rain Expected.

In order to support the affected people, the Central Government has already released the first instalment of a Central share of Rs 180.40 crore to Himachal Pradesh from SDRF on July 10, 2023, for relief measures of immediate nature, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in a statement. "The release of funds will help State Government to undertake relief measures to the affected people during the current Monsoon season," said the MHA.

In order to deal with the situation caused due to recent flash floods, cloudbursts and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, the ministry said, the Government of India has provided all necessary logistics and financial assistance to the State Government of Himachal Pradesh to meet the situation efficiently.

The Central Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has already released of Rs 10,031.20 crore as Central share of SDRF to 27 states during year 2023-24, said the MHA. A total of 11 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with rescue boats and other necessary equipments have been deployed for rescue operation in Himachal Pradesh.

Besides, the Ministry said, one Column of 1 PARA SF and 205 Army Aviation Squadron has been deployed at Paonta Sahib for civil evacuation. "Two MI-17V5 helicopter have been deployed for evacuation mission."

The Central Government has also constituted an Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs), to make an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and relief works being carried out by the State Government of Himachal Pradesh. The IMCT would commence their field visits on July 17. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) The Ministry of Education and Abu Dhabi's Education and Knowledge Department (ADEK) have signed an agreement for setting up the campus of IIT Delhi in the gulf country.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to the UAE. The MoU is part of the "IITs go global" campaign. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi is the second IIT to announce setting up an offshore campus. Last week, IIT Madras had signed an MoU for setting up its campus in Tanzania's Zanzibar.

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"MoU for establishment of @iitdelhi campus in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Hon. PM @narendramodiji unfolds a new chapter in internationalisation of India's education," Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted.

"An exemplar of #NewIndia's innovation and expertise, the IIT Delhi campus in UAE will be an edifice of India and UAE friendship. It will set a brand new template for leveraging the power of knowledge for both mutual prosperity and global good as envisioned in NEP," he added.

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While the Masters courses will be offered at the Abu Dhabi campus from January next year, the Bachelor-level programmes will be offered from September.

The academic programmes, inputs and pedagogy will be provided by IIT Delhi and degrees will be conferred by IIT Delhi too.

"Setting up of an IIT campus in the UAE was envisioned in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between the top leadership of the two countries in early 2022. In due course, IIT Delhi was identified by the Ministry of Education to roll out this effort of strategic importance to the country," an IIT Delhi statement said.

IIT Delhi - Abu Dhabi is envisioned to be a research centric campus of IIT Delhi which will offer degrees at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level, and will contribute to the research and academic eco-system of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

"IIT Delhi - Abu Dhabi is expected to offer a diverse range of programmes covering Energy and Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science and Engineering, Healthcare, Mathematics and Computing and other disciplines of engineering, sciences and humanities. IIT Delhi has already initiated outreach programmes for school students from the UAE as parts of its offerings for the academic eco-system of the country. Short courses and executive programmes for the industry are expected to start soon," the statement added.

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New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) India is poised to rise among emerging markets in this decade, driven by remarkable expansion in direct and fixed asset investment, Capital Group said in a recent report.

The country has had political stability over the last 10 years allowing economic development to be a top priority.

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"While political instability and market volatility may increase in advance of general elections next year, we believe that India is poised for a period of secular growth, fueled by significant expansion in direct and fixed asset investment," Capital Group said.

The report has listed several key aspects that make India appealing compared with other emerging markets.

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Those aspects include reforms measures taken under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government such as Aadhaar, Goods and Services Tax (GST), Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and Production-linked incentive programs, Capital Group, the biggest money managers in the world, said.

These reforms have helped bolster Indian stocks.

Apart from reform measure several factors make India appealing are -- infrastructure boom, strong tailwinds for manufacturing, the country's growing capital market, investment opportunities in sectors like real estate, financials and industrials, scope in the chemical industry, and demographics, it added.

Manufacturing capacity is expanding for mobile phones, home appliances, computers, and telecommunications equipment.

"We anticipate India will become a desirable location for companies looking to diversify their supply chains outside of China, a strategy commonly known as China plus one. That said, it likely has many years to go before it can challenge China as a global manufacturing powerhouse. On the flip side, the upside looks promising, " Capital Group, which manages USD 2.2 trillion, said.

With regard to equity market, top analysts of Capital Group said that India's capital markets have seen a proliferation of initial public offerings (IPOs) in recent years. The types of companies going public  and those in the IPO pipeline  reflect its ongoing transformation.

Market experts believe that "secular growth" happens when there is a fundamental change or essential shift in an industry or sector leading to substantial growth.

India is now behind only the US and China in terms of the number of unicorns -- unlisted companies valued at USD 1 billion-- as of December 2022. Capital Group believe this could be a decade to shine for India.

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Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 15 (ANI): Priests on Saturday morning performed 'aarti' at the holy Amarnath Cave in Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of Sawan Shivratri.

Meanwhile, officials of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board informed with over 1.4 lakh pilgrims visited the cave since the Yatra started on July 1.

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https://twitter.com/i/status/1680085391544827904

Meanwhile a fresh batch of pilgrims left from Srinagar's Pantha Chowk for the twin routes of Baltal and Pahalgam for their onward pilgrimage to Amarnath cave shrine.

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Earlier, the Yatra was suspended on many occasions after incessant rains in the past week triggered landslides causing the closure of the Jammu -Srinagar National Highway.

Thousands of Amarnath Yatris traverse mountainous routes along Pahalgam and Baltal axis with much fervour to perform darshan at Holy Cave.

The Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu and Kashmir, Dilbag Singh on Friday visited Base Camp yatri niwas Bhagwati Nagar Jammu to review the security arrangements and other facilities for the pilgrims of Amarnath Yatra.

The 62-day pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave, which is an abode of Lord Shiva, will culminate on August 31.

To ensure that this religious pilgrimage becomes a memorable and life-changing experience for the yatris, approximately 30 government departments are providing their services relentlessly. The officers and officials are making strenuous efforts to extend essential services and basic amenities at every destination to pilgrims. (ANI)

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Mumbai, July 15: A yellow alert was issued for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigarh and other districts of Maharashtra on Friday. India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, "Yellow alert issued for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigarh and other districts of Maharashtra today." IMD has predicted moderate to heavy rainfall for the next five days in Mumbai, Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Dhule.

According to the notice issued by Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai, heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places in Mumbai for the next five days. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also forecasted at isolated places in Raigad and Ratnagiri. Maharashtra Weather Update Today: IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar, Orange Alert for Raigad, Ratnagiri.

IMD has also issued notice for the fisherman community and warned them not to venture out in the sea for the next five days. "Squally weather with strong wind speeds expected in various sea regions over the next 5 days. Take necessary precautions and stay safe out at sea!" Mumbai Rains Forecast: Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall at Few Places As IMD Issues 'Orange' Alert for Mumbai and Thane for July 5.

According to IMD, squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is likely over Westcentral and Southwest Arabian sea, Gulf of Mannar. IMD also said, "Squally wind with wind speed reaching 40-45 kmph gusting to 50 kmph likely over North Kerala-Karnataka-Maharashtra and Southwest Bay of Bengal off Sri Lanka coast."

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New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): Attorney General R Venkatramani on Saturday said that there is a need for reforming and strengthening the institution of marriage in the country.

Venkatramani was addressing an event organised by the National Commission for Women (NCW).

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The Commission conducted a Final Consultation on the Rights of Muslim Women, focusing on reviewing Muslim Personal Law.

The programme was attended by Attorney General R Venkatramani and several Additional Solicitor Generals and several Vice Chancellors of renowned law universities and legal luminaries and civil society organisations.

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The Attorney General of India Venkataramani contributed to the discussion by highlighting the need for reforming and strengthening the institution of marriage.

The points emphasised by him include- equal regard for men and women, equal status for men and women, and equality of processes ensuring dignity in entering and exiting marital relationships irrespective of religion.

During the consultation, there was an unequivocal need expressed for the codification of Muslim Personal Law. The need to revisit the marriage and divorce law and guardianship law.

NCW Chairperson, Rekha Sharma, remarked that the need for codified laws is urgent.

"In our pursuit of equality, let's reflect: if a law cannot serve the rights of Hindu, Christian, Sikh, and Buddhist women, can we truly say it is just for Muslim women? The need for codified laws is urgent. We need to work towards a legal framework that ensures equal rights for all, regardless of religion," Rekha Sharma said.

The event was moderated by Meenakshi Negi, the Member Secretary of NCW.

The focus is on ensuring equal opportunities for all, collaborating with legal authorities to establish a framework that supports children's well-being and promotes gender equality. The principle of natural guardianship should rest jointly with parents as a rule, and custody should be based on the best interests of the child, stated a statement issued by NCW.

The discussions also emphasised that the absence of a Uniform Civil Code has perpetuated inequalities and inconsistencies in our diverse nation, hindering progress towards social harmony, economic growth, and gender justice. The non-codified nature of Muslim personal law poses challenges for Muslim women, arising from misinterpretation.

Other points discussed included reforming divorce as a judicial process, with exceptions for divorce by mutual consent, and the need to reform inheritance rights based on universal principles governing succession, both testamentary and intestate, stated NCW communication.

With just a month until the 77th Independence Day, the National Commission for Women urges deep reflection on the essence of freedom, which lies in every Indian woman's life of dignity, respect, and equal agency alongside her male counterpart, stated NCW. (ANI)

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Jaipur, July 15: Prime minister Narendra Modi will address a public meeting in Rajathan's Nagaur district on July 28. He will also transfer Rs 18,000 crore of Samman Nidhi to the bank accounts of nine crore farmers of the country, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary said. Modi will also visit the temple of Veer Tejaji, a local deity, in Kharnal. Menu for PM Modi During UAE Visit: Harees and Dates Salad, Grilled Vegetables With Masala Sauce in Starter, Take a Look at Full Veg Menu for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chaudhary reached Kharnal in Nagaur where the PM is scheduled to address the public rally. The minister visited Veer Tejaji temple and offered prayers. He then held discussions with the local leaders of the party about the PM's proposed visit.

"According to the schedule, PM Modi will address a public meeting at Kharnal in Nagaur on July 28 and will transfer Rs 18,000 crore Samman Nidhi to the bank accounts of nine crore farmers," Chaudhary said. PM Modi in UAE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Assures India's Full Support for COP-28 Presidency (See Pics).

He said the common people and farmers of the state and the country have deep faith in Tejaji and Modi will also offer prayers in the temple.

Assembly elections in the state are due later this year.

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New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday returned after "successful" visits to France and the United Arab Emirates.

In France, the prime minister was the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade, which saw participation of a tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band to mark the 25th anniversary of India-France Strategic Partnership.

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India and France signed a slew of agreements covering sectors as diverse as space, civil aviation, museology, petroleum, and business, besides unveiling a roadmap for partnership over the next 25 years titled Horizon 2047.

India and France were also exploring possibilities for co-development and co-production of key military platforms for export to friendly countries and stepping up cooperation in space-based maritime awareness.

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In the UAE, Modi met President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the two leaders agreed to start trade settlement in their currencies and link their fast payment systems to make international financial interactions simpler and open a campus of IIT-Delhi in the Gulf nation.

The prime minister also met UN climate conference's President-designate Sultan Al Jaber.

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Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], July 15 (ANI): The Punjab government on Friday announced that the timing of its offices will be reverted to 9 am to 5 pm with effect from July 17.

As per the directives of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, official orders have been issued in this regard by Chief Secretary Anurag Verma, the statement said.

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The Punjab government has decided to change the timings of all government offices in the state and Chandigarh from 9 am to 5 pm from July 17, 2023, said an official statement by Punjab Information and Public Relations Department.

Earlier in April, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had announced new office timings for all the state government offices for the summer season.

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As per the new timing, all the state government offices would operate from 7.30 am to 2 pm. The new timings would be in effect from May 2 to July 15, during the summer season.

According to CM Mann, the new office timings would help save electricity power in the states and give visitors to government offices some respite from the summer heat.

In his address, Bhagwant Mann said, "Our government runs by the new ideas, new thought processes and new blood. Keeping that in mind we have decided to change the government working hours from 7:30 am till 2 pm. This will be implemented from May 2 till July 15".

"Public is happy. We see in summer, there is a heatwave in the afternoon and the public suffers a lot outside. So this new timing will give them relief. Now people will not have to skip their jobs to visit government offices for their work. Our government officials will also get free in the afternoon and can spend time with their families," he said.

"Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) will be a major beneficiary of this decision. In the months of May and June electricity consumption increases and after 2 pm PSPCL faces peak hours. When offices are closed it will save electricity in Punjab. We have come to this decision after consulting with our stakeholders. This decision will not be implemented in the government and private schools in the state," he added.

He further mentioned that this is a unique decision and hopes that other state governments also implement this decision."We have seen some foreign countries implementing this. There is a concept of making better use of daylight. We are the first state in our country to do so. I hope others will also follow this. The better usage of daylight should be promoted in the country," he said. (ANI)

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Nuh, July 15: Two leopard cubs were rescued on Friday by the Wildlife Department from Haryana's Nuh district. According to officials, these cubs were discovered by some kids who had gone to the forest for cattle grazing. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) department Officer Rajesh Kumar said, "Some children had gone to the forest to graze their goats when they found these cubs. We will take them to the forest and try to reach their mother." Officials further informed that the cubs had been safely handed to the Wildlife Department. Leopard Attack in Karnataka: Minor Girl Dies After Being Attacked by Big Cat in Chamarajanagar; State Government Announces Rs 15 Lakh Compensation.

Earlier in July, a female leopard was found dead under suspicious conditions in the revenue area of Karaundi at Dheemarkheda forest area in Madhya Pradesh's Katni district. The body of the leopard was found late at night. The age of the big cat was said to be around 5 years. Upon getting the information about the matter, the forest department officials rushed to the spot and started an investigation into the matter. Leopard Cubs Found in Haryana Video: Minor Goatherd Brings Two Cubs Home From Jungle in Nuh, Recovered by Forest Officials.

Leopard Cubs Found in Haryana

#WATCH Haryana: Villagers found 2 leopard cubs in Haryana's Nuh district; the cubs were safely handed over to the Wildlife Department. Rajesh Kumar, DFO department officer: "Some children had gone to the forest to graze goats, and they found these cubs. We will take them to the pic.twitter.com/W1Q7NFn2EM  ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2023

"The carcass of a female leopard was found in the revenue area of Karaundi Beat at Dheemarkheda (Pan Umaria) forest area late at night. Upon receiving information, the area has been searched with a dog squad team," Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) Gajendra Chaturvedi said.

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New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) The BJP on Saturday appointed Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar the convenor of its Election Management Committee for the forthcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly polls.

A seasoned organisation leader, Tomar has held various positions in the party, including that of its Madhya Pradesh president, and is considered a low-key profile leader who enjoys cordial relations with various regional satraps.

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He also comes from the Gwalior-Chambal region where the BJP is working overtime to improve its show after being bested by the Congress in the 2018 assembly polls.

Union minister Bhupender Yadav was recently made the BJP's poll in-charge for Madhya Pradesh.

Also Read | Yamuna River Water Level Receding Slowly, Situation To Normalise Soon if There Is No More Heavy Rain, Says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

The BJP-ruled state is expected to go to polls later this year along with Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram.

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Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 15 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Mango Festival 2023, where many different varieties of mangoes are displayed, continued to attract a large number of visitors from across the state on Saturday.

Many mango farmers, who see the festival as an opportunity to market their products, displayed their produce to the people visiting the festival.

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Some of the farmers participating in the festival grow many varieties of mangos. For example, more than 170 varieties of mangoes are produced by Satish Chand Shukla in Yog Bihar Bagh located on Para Road of the capital Lucknow. He was honored by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for better mango cultivation techniques.

During the inauguration of the Uttar Pradesh Mango Festival 2023 at Avadh Shilpgram in Lucknow on Friday, CM Yogi noted the high demand for UP's mangoes in European markets.

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He urged to make them available worldwide, stating that the markets of Europe are waiting for the mangoes of UP.

He said, "The markets of Europe are waiting for the mangoes of Uttar Pradesh. We must take the mangoes from here to every corner of the world."

"In Russia, mangoes are being sold at Rs 800 per kg, but it costs Rs 190 to send mangoes through cargo from here. That means, if a farmer exports mangoes to Russia, he will get a net profit of more than Rs. 600," he added.

Furthermore, he asked the farmers to avoid shortcuts, prioritize quality, and prepare their products in accordance with market demands.

"Our government is working on the 'Beej Se Bazar Tak' approach to increase the income of farmers," he said.

CM Yogi also said that the state government had sent its teams to numerous nations during the Global Investors Summit. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington [US], July 15 (ANI): In recent months, Chinese companies have shown interest in investing in Afghanistan under the Belt and Road Initiative but face challenges due to terrorism and instability, Voice of America (VOA) reported.

Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs position paper on Afghanistan stated that China would do its best to support Afghanistans reconstruction and development.

Also Read | Pakistan: Federal Investigation Agency Arrests Customs Officers in Mega Corruption Scandal.

The USD 62 billion CPEC connectivity project is a flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. The initiative is a series of infrastructure projects and investments that span the globe with the aim of connecting China to foreign trade, VOA reported.

Last week, in a meeting with Taliban officials in Kabul, officials of Fan China Afghan Mining Processing and Trading Co. announced an investment of USD 350 million in various sectors ranging from construction to health to energy in Afghanistan, according to the Bakhtar News Agency, Afghanistans state news agency.

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The company is a joint venture between Chinas Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas Co. (CAPEIC) and Afghanistans Watan Group.

In January, the Taliban signed a contract with CAPEIC to extract oil in the north of the country by investing USD 150 million annually, VOA reported.

China has also shown interest in the development and operation of mines in Afghanistan. A Chinese company, Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC), signed a contract with the then-Afghan government in 2008 to extract copper from Mes Aynak in Logar province. But that work has not started yet.

Last month, the Talibans mining and petroleum minister, Shahabuddin Delawar, urged MCC to begin practical work on the development and operation of the mine.

The Taliban may have achieved a diplomatic win in an agreement to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, analysts said, but the implementation of the project still faces challenges, VOA reported.

The three sides reaffirmed their resolve to fully harness Afghanistans potential as a hub for regional connectivity," said a joint statement released in May following a meeting of officials representing the three countries in Islamabad.

The countries restated their commitment "to further the trilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and to jointly extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan.

Since the withdrawal of the US and NATO forces and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, China has been vocal in criticizing the US for freezing Afghanistans assets.

[B]y seizing Afghanistans overseas assets and imposing unilateral sanctions, the U.S., which created the Afghan issue in the first place, is the biggest external factor that hinders substantive improvement in the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in April, VOA reported.

Investment in the Taliban also brings multiple security concerns with it. A UN report, published last month, said the Taliban still has ties with al-Qaida and other groups, including the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party.

China considers ETIM, which was founded in Pakistan by a Uyghur religious figure, Hasan Mahsum, in 1997, as a threat to its security. However, the US removed the ETIM from its terror list in 2020.

Hamidullah Farooqi, a former Afghan minister of transport and civil aviation, told VOA that the Taliban tried to reassure China and Pakistan that they can address their security concerns, and no terrorist groups will be allowed to use Afghan soil."

I do not think that Chinese and Pakistani officials are convinced, said Farooqi, adding that the Taliban have to act on their counterterrorism commitment, VOA reported.

Farooqi said that the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan was considered years before the Talibans takeover, but, because of security concerns, it was not implemented.

He said that because of a lack of security in the country and the activities of TTP [Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan] and other terrorist organizations in the region, the project was not implemented. (ANI)

(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 15 (AP) A Florida woman was sentenced to six years in federal prison for attacking police officers during the insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Audrey Ann Southard-Rumsey (54), of Spring Hill, Florida, was sentenced in District of Columbia federal court, according to court records.

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She was found guilty in January of seven felony charges, including three counts of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers, three counts of civil disorder and one count of obstruction of an official proceeding.

Southard-Rumsey was arrested in June 2021.

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According to court documents, Southard-Rumsey joined with others in objecting to Democrat Joe Biden's 2020 election victory over then-President Donald Trump.

A mob stormed the Capitol to try to stop Congress from certifying election results for Biden over Trump, a Republican, authorities have said. Five people died in the violence.

According to the criminal complaint, Southard-Rumsey amplified calls for revolution on social media and worked with others on a declaration calling for the abolition of the Democratic Party and the institution of a new government.

On the day of the Capitol attack, Southard-Rumsey uploaded a photograph of herself at the east plaza to Facebook and then broadcasted a live video of herself, the complaint states.

Southard-Rumsey was part of a large group that broke through police barricades, prosecutors said.

At one point, she grabbed an officer's riot shield and then later pushed an officer with a flagpole, causing him to fall and hit his head, officials said. She also joined a group that pushed officers down some stairs, authorities said.

More than 1,000 people have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for alleged crimes related to the Capitol breach, according to officials.

More than 350 people have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Abu Dhabi, Jul 15 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday said there was an urgent need for developed countries to fulfil the USD 100 billion delivery plan to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.

In a joint statement on climate change issued after talks between the two leaders, India and the UAE highlighted the importance of the global stocktake (GST) of collective action to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and its successful conclusion at COP28 scheduled to be held in Dubai later this year.

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Modi congratulated the UAE for being selected as the host country of COP28 in 2023 and extended his full support to its incoming presidency of the climate conference.

The Prime Minister thanked Sheikh Mohamed for the invitation to attend the COP-28.

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"I am thankful for your invitation and I always look for the chance to come here. I have decided to attend the COP-28 Summit in the UAE

In the joint statement, both leaders urgently called upon the international community to expedite efforts in order to preserve the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement through the fulfilment of nationally determined contributions and the display of solidarity and support.

The two leaders underscored the imperative of achieving ambitious, balanced, and implementation-oriented outcomes at COP28 across all the important pillars of global climate action; namely the mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage and means of implementation including climate finance.

In this context, both leaders highlighted the importance of the global stocktake (GST) and its successful conclusion at COP28, an ambitious exercise designed to take stock of global collective action to achieve the objectives of the Conventions and the goals of the Paris Agreement, the joint statement said.

They emphasised the importance of implementing a balanced approach to the Global Stocktake at COP28 and called upon the nations to use the outcomes of GST to strengthen their national commitments, including those on the mobilisation of greater finance and support to the developing nations.

They also emphasised the necessity of international cooperation in supporting developing nations to respond effectively to the adverse impacts of climate change, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention and the Paris Agreement.

Modi and Sheikh Mohamed noted that investments in renewable energy, green hydrogen, utilization and storage technologies, energy efficiency, and other low-carbon solutions will have the potential to accelerate sustainable economic growth and also foster job creation.

The leaders emphasised on the necessity of supporting and deploying all technologies to effectively address and reduce emissions while ensuring a just transition that enables comprehensive sustainable development.

In this regard, both leaders call upon the international community to redouble efforts towards ensuring availability, accessibility and affordability of critical technologies for the developing countries, the joint statement said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Cairo, Jul 16 (AP) Security authorities in the Libyan capital of Tripoli released a former minister less than a week after his detention which had prompted his tribesmen to shut down crucial oil fields, a tribal elder said.

Former Finance Minister Faraj Bumatari, who hails from the al-Zawi tribe in southeastern Libya, walked free on Saturday afternoon from detention in Tripoli, said al-Senussi al-Zawi, one of the tribe's elders.

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I spoke with him by phone, and he is awaiting a flight to the east of Libya, al-Zawi said.

Bumatari was detained earlier this week by the Tripoli-based Internal Security Agency which is allied with the government of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, according to local media.

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His detention was prompted by his bid to replace Sadiq al-Kabir as governor of the Central Bank of Libya, according to al-Zawi. Al-Kabir, a divisive figure in Libya, is a close ally of Dbeibah.

Dbeibah's government didn't comment on Bumatari's detention.

To force his release, Bumatari's tribe shut down crucial oil fields, which produce hundreds of thousands of barrels per day.

Al-Zawi didn't say when they would allow the resumption of oil production. Local media, however, said technical teams were working to restart production from the closed fields.

Libya's prized oil output has been subjected to repeated closures for different political reasons and local protesters' demands during the chaotic decade since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising against former leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The North African country has been divided between two rival governments, each backed by international patrons and numerous armed militias on the ground. (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 15 (ANI): The Supreme Court of Pakistan has decided to hear Pervez Musharraf's appeal against the rejection of his nomination papers for a National Assembly seat, five months after the former president and chief of the army of Pakistan passed away, Dawn reported.

The top court has fixed Monday (July 17) for hearing the plea he had filed against the rejection of his nomination papers for a National Assembly seat of Kasur in the 2013 general elections.

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The case will be heard by a three-judge Supreme Court panel that includes Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ayesha A. Malik, and Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi.

In 2013, the returning officer of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rejected the late former president and army chief's nomination papers for the National Assembly constituency NA-139, Kasur, after his opponent Advocate Javed Kasuri objected to the former president's nomination papers on six different grounds, according to Dawn.

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The complaint filed against Musharraf stated that he didn't match the requirements, as given under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution which deal with qualifications and disqualifications of a candidate to become a member of the National Assembly.

The returning officer ruled that the former army leader was ineligible to run for the NA-139 seat.

Due to several court charges brought against him for repeatedly violating the country's constitution, the ECP then disqualified him from Kasur's elections, reported Dawn. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
By Maheep

New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL), on Tuesday hailed India as the role model of peaceful coexistence among religious communities. His address resonated with admiration for India's unparalleled diversity and acknowledged the profound contributions of "Indian wisdom" to humanity in a grand event jointly organized by the Khusrau Foundation and Indian Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi.

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The grandeur of the occasion reached new heights with the presence of India's highly respected National Security Advisor Ajit Doval who shared the stage with Al Issa. Their collective presence infused the gathering with pearls of wisdom and invaluable insights to enrich the momentous occasion. Together, these esteemed personalities not only celebrated the diversity and coexistence of different religious beliefs in India but also emphasized the significance of fostering unity and understanding in a complex world.

Al Issa is a world-renowned scholar of Islam and a distinguished jurist. He implemented several important reforms with regard to womens rights as the Saudi law minister. Of late, he has been one of the most eloquent spokesmen in the Islamic world for interfaith dialogues and harmony among the worlds religions. The Muslim world league under his leadership has rejected the infamous clash of civilisation theory.

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He held in high regard the rich tapestry of India's illustrious and extensive history, as well as its splendid multicultural tapestry, particularly highlighting the harmonious coexistence that flourishes amidst its diverse populace.

Al Issa eloquently elucidated the inescapable nature of diversity that encompasses variances in languages, ethnicities, and modes of thought, recognizing it as an integral facet of life itself. Moreover, he discerned that such a perspective is the only way to build positive relations among nations, religious communities and ethnic groups. Projecting diversity as a source of enrichment, he called for sincere applications of the concept on the ground.

He expressed that the Muslim World League (MWL) is an autonomous worldwide establishment that forges alliances and nurtures friendships with diverse religious and cultural entities. Fondly recollecting his personal affinities with Indians hailing from myriad backgrounds, he affirmed that the organization diligently endeavours to portray the authentic essence of Islam. Within the expansive framework of MWL, provisions are made for reciprocal visits fostering harmonious exchanges with a multitude of nations and peoples including India.

Al Issa observed that even though India is a Hindu-majority country, its tradition and constitution provide for peaceful coexistence for all communities. Citing his personal friendship with Hindu religious figures such as the Sadhguru and Shri Shri Ravishankar, he underlined their ultimate aim to promote peace in society and in the world at large. Working with diversity and difference is a common feature of that shared mission.

Al Issa noted with satisfaction that the Muslim component in Indian society is proud of the nation and its constitution emphasizing its role in preserving harmony and cooperation among the diverse Indian communities. He posited that traditional Indian wisdom has significantly enriched humanity, especially in fostering and protecting diversity and peaceful coexistence. In his view, India's model of coexistence could serve as a blueprint for global harmony. He called for a partnership with India for fostering the positive values which have sustained the Indian model of civilizational and cultural coexistence.

Referring to the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), which works on mobilizing international action against extremism through international, intercultural and interreligious dialogue and cooperation, Al Issa mentioned his recent visit there, and the launch of a new initiative called building bridges between the east and west, which may serve as one of the plausible institutional vehicles to promote the kind of interfaith dialogues that he advocates.

He expressed satisfaction with his India visit, observing that his Indian interlocutors have all agreed that there should be joint institutional efforts to promote patriotic values and harmony all over the world. These may be done through positive education from an early stage of life, since agencies such as family and education play a major role in cultivating patriotism and constitutional values.

Stressing that such alliances between MWL and India is an imperative, Al Issa observed that education about interfaith harmony across the world should begin from an early age. Religious education may form a part of it. It is necessary to forge a global alliance of nations for a better tomorrow for future generations.

He reiterated that Islamic culture and civilisation are open to engaging everyone with love and dialogue and that Islam teaches everyone to follow law and constitution of their home countries. Peaceful coexistence is obligatory for all Muslims to practice. Islam is open to everyone. Islam calls for resolution of disputes through peaceful dialogues. It not only promotes tolerance but forgiveness also. He proclaimed his admiration for India, identifying it as an exemplar of openness and commonality in objectives. He concluded his discourse calling once again for immediate tangible actions on the ground through imaginative action for utmost promotion of the values emanating from Indias long and successful history of diversity and peaceful coexistence.

Responding to Al Issa, Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, a distinguished security specialist who has led numerous peace missions in the different parts of the world and within the country in the last fifty years of service to the nation, conveyed sincere gratitude, commending Al Issas visionary thought and clear message that communities must live in peace. In particular, Doval appreciated Al Issas unequivocal understanding of Islam as a religion of peace and his clear stand against extremist ideologies.

Likewise, against the abovementioned backdrop at India Islamic Cultural Centre, a congregation of eminent scholars and intellectuals bore witness to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's eloquent testimony. His profound words illuminated the rich tapestry of India's multicultural heritage, where Islam occupies a position of unparalleled eminence. Addressing the gathering, Doval acknowledged the indomitable spirit of India as a thriving melting pot of cultures, religions, languages, and ethnicities that have coexisted harmoniously for centuries. He celebrated India's inclusive democracy, which valiantly offers space for all its citizens, irrespective of their religious, ethnic, and cultural identities.

Underlining India's distinctive socio-religious landscape, Doval proclaimed Islam's unique and significant position of pride in the country. India's staggering Muslim population, the second-largest in the world, surpasses the combined populace of over 33 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This testament to the enduring legacy of Islam in India attests to the nation's exceptional commitment to pluralism and religious coexistence.

Deepening India-Saudi Arabia Relations: With deep reverence for the historical connections between India and Saudi Arabia, Doval extolled the excellent bilateral relations built upon a shared cultural heritage, common values, and robust economic ties. He lauded the convergence of vision between the leaders of both nations, who have forged strong bonds through close interactions. In this context, Doval harkened back to a bygone era, recounting the love for Indian silk and shawls by Khadija, the esteemed wife of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

The National Security Advisor took pride in India's noble tradition of providing refuge to those oppressed politically, underscoring the nation's commitment to humanitarianism. Delving into the historical influence of Islam in India, he acknowledged the profound impact of the syncretic culture fostered by the religion. Fondly reminiscing about the Sufi renaissance, which served as a beacon of enlightenment during a time of waning Islamic political influence, Doval paid tribute to the enriching contributions of Islam to Indian society.

Inclusive Democracy and the Fight against Extremism: Emphasizing India's unwavering dedication to equality and opportunity, Doval highlighted the constitutional guarantees that ensure the rights and liberties of every citizen, regardless of their religious background. He debunked the fallacious notion that terrorism arises from religion, instead attributing it to the unfortunate influence of a misguided few who fall prey to pernicious propaganda. Undeterred by these challenges, India embraces dissent with an infinite capacity to absorb and assimilate diverse viewpoints.

Towards Global Peace and Harmony: Doval commended Mr. Al-Issa's profound observation that the world is a family, resonating with India's shared vision. Citing India's presidency of the G-20, he unveiled the central theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, symbolizing One Earth, One Family, One Future. Prime Minister Modi, too, envisions a similar future, prompting India's willingness to collaborate with the Muslim World League in establishing an institutional framework. This collaborative effort aims to promote global peace and harmony through regular interfaith dialogues and a robust system of popular education.

In an intellectual tour de force, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval mesmerized the eminent scholars present at the India Islamic Cultural Centre. His eloquent testimony showcased India's extraordinary tapestry of multiculturalism and religious harmony. Islam's enduring significance in India, rooted in a legacy of inclusivity and coexistence, serves as a beacon of inspiration for the world. As India takes strides towards fostering global peace and harmony, collaboration with the Muslim World League promises to lay the foundations for an enlightened future characterized by interfaith dialogues and comprehensive education. These resonating ideas set the tone for a more harmonious and interconnected world.

In conclusion, the grand event held at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, graced by the esteemed presence of Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, and the distinguished Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor, showcased the magnificence of India's harmonious coexistence served as a sublime inspiration for global harmony and interfaith dialogue.

Al-Issa's heartfelt admiration for India's unparalleled diversity resonated deeply, acknowledging the profound contributions of "Indian wisdom" to humanity. Doval, in his eloquence, celebrated India's inclusive democracy, where cultures, religions, languages, and ethnicities thrive in harmonious unity for centuries. The event thus encapsulated the essence of interfaith dialogue, underscoring the transformative power of India's model of peaceful coexistence as a catalyst for global harmony with the vision of collaboration between India and the Muslim World League.

Dr Maheep is an Expert in Indias Foreign Affairs with a Specialisation in the Arab Gulf States and Islam. He is the Principal Investigator of a National Project on Indias Soft Power Diplomacy. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad, Jul 15 (PTI) Pakistan's Defence Minister Khwaja Asif on Saturday claimed that terrorists involved in bloodshed in his country were getting refuge in neighbouring Afghanistan and that Pakistan would no longer tolerate this.

Afghanistan is not fulfilling the right to be a neighbour and brother country and is not abiding by the Doha agreement. 50/60 lakh Afghans have 40/50 years of asylum in Pakistan with all rights," Asif said.

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On the contrary, the terrorists who shed the blood of Pakistanis can find refuge on Afghan soil. This situation cannot continue any longer. Pakistan will use all its resources to protect its land and citizens, the minister said.

The statement comes a day after the Pakistan Army warned Kabul to stop militants from using its soil for attacks in Pakistan.

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Tempers are running high in Pakistan after 12 soldiers were killed in two separate terrorist incidents in Balochistan on July 13, the highest single-day toll of troops in the province.

A group of Pakistani Taliban militants accepted responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan accused the Taliban government in Kabul of tolerating the presence of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants in the country.

TTP militants, who are fighting for the law of Sharia across Pakistan, often conduct attacks in the country.

Defence minister Asif in another tweet said that individuals who attended the assembly during the Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) government and provided briefings to the members, emphasising the advantages of bringing the TTP from Afghanistan to Pakistan, should also communicate with the families of those killed daily.

Asif also said that those individuals were the ones who introduced Imran Khan in 2018, leading to the unfortunate events of May 9 this year when supporters of Khan's PTI party attacked military buildings.

For the subsequent four years, they were responsible for causing immense destruction to our beloved country in every possible aspect, he said referring to the PTI rule after the 2018 elections.

Pakistan has seen a significant increase in TTP attacks since the Afghan Taliban came to power in 2021.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kabul [Afghanistan], July 15 (ANI): Woman students in Afghanistan have reiterated their request for the Taliban to reopen schools, TOLO News reported.

TOLO News is an Afghan news channel broadcasting from Kabul,

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This comes 660 days after closure of schools for girls from grade 7 to 12 in Afghanistan.

The students said that they are facing an uncertain future. A student, Fareshta, said: "We should together, men and women, improve and take Afghanistan to a position, so that everyone can see us as capable."

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Talibans policies of restricting women from public life, including from education and work, have sparked reactions at international levels.

If this process continues it will cause Afghanistan to go backwards and towards less development and a period like the middle ages will come into effect, said Almatab Rasuli, a womens rights activist, as per TOLO News.

Recently, Nobel Prize-winning education activist Malala Yousafzai condemned the Taliban for reversal of womens rights to education in Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported.

The Khaama Press News Agency is an online news service for Afghanistan.

Yousafzai expressed her despair over the Talibans complete reversal of womens rights and education in Afghanistan.

She told an audience at the United Nations House in Abuja, Nigeria: Ten years ago, millions of Afghan girls were going to school.

One in three young women were enrolled in university. And now? Afghanistan is the only country in the world to ban girls and women from seeking education, she said.

Yousafzai described how she experienced Taliban brutality when she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in 2012 for advocating for girls education, Khaama Press 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)
Kolkata, July 15: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit West Bengal in August, a month after the violence affected panchayat elections in the state, BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said on Saturday. Majumdar, who had met Shah in Delhi on Friday, told reporters at the airport here on the arrival from the national capital, that Shah does not want a single death to take place due to political violence in West Bengal.

Police sources said 39 people have died in panchayat poll-related violence since the election date was announced on June 8. A majority of those who lost their lives were affiliated with the TMC. Chandrayaan 3 Launch: India Embarks on Its Historic Space Journey, Says Home Minister Amit Shah.

Majumdar said, "Amit-ji is expected to visit West Bengal in August. The date will depend on his programmes. He is concerned about the prevailing situation in Bengal. He wants peace to return. He wishes not a single death from any party happens any more." The BJP MP claimed that the casualty figure would have been higher if the central forces were not deployed after the panchayat elections were held on July 8.

"Amitji is monitoring the deployment of forces," he added. The central forces will be stationed in the state for "some more time", he said. TMC Rajya Sabha MP and party spokesperson Santanu Sen alleged that the violence occurred because of irresponsible and provocative remarks of Union minister Nisith Pramanik and leader of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari.

Shah must rein in these leaders. Most of the victims of panchayat poll-related violence were from TMC," Sen said. Shah on Friday tweeted that Even bloodcurdling violence in West Bengal could not stop the BJP from putting up a stellar performance in the panchayat election. The BJP nearly doubled its seat tally from the previous election, indicating a significant rise in the trust placed by the people." Amit Shah Approves Release of Rs 180 Crore to Flood-hit Himachal Pradesh.

The TMC has dubbed Shah's remarks as "distasteful and insensitive", and wondered about the role of his ministry in restoring peace in strife-torn Manipur.
Temperatures are nearing record-breaking levels in Italy, Spain and Greece, as well as parts of the US and Japan. Weather experts warn scorching weather will likely continue into next week.Dozens of cities across southern Europe were under heat wave warnings Saturday, as officials warn of extreme temperatures persisting in the coming days.

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In Italy, at least 16 cities were under "red" alerts for heat, including Rome, Florence and Bologna.

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In the southern Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia, temperatures were set to soar to 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit).

That would make it the hottest temperature ever recorded in Europe, according to the European Space Agency, whose satellites monitor land and sea temperatures.

The temperature was expected to hit 40 degrees Celsius in Rome Monday and perhaps climb higher on Tuesday, smashing the 2017 records of 40.5 degrees Celsius in Italy's capital.

In Greece, the Acropolis was closed for a second day, with the national weather service warning that "parts of the country could see highs as much as 44 degrees Celsius on Saturday."

The service said the heat wave warnings would continue into next week.

In Spain, the national meteorological service said that temperatures in the eastern Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands would rise to between 40 and 42 degrees Celsius.

US, Japan also face scorching weather

Japan has also been experiencing extreme heat, with temperatures expected to rise to 39 degrees Celsius on Sunday and Monday.

In the US, over 90 million Americans were under extreme heat advisories, watches and warnings.

Experts warned that heat would get worse this weekend for Nevada, Arizona and California, where temperatures were predicted to soar above 120 Fahrenheit (48.8 degrees Celsius) in some desert locations.

In Las Vegas, Nevada, an intense heat wave was threatening to break the city's all-time record high of 47.2 degrees Celsius this weekend. Phoenix, the capital city of Arizona, was set to record temperatures above 43 degrees Celsius for the fifteenth day.

Meanwhile, a series of blazes also erupted across California this week. A forest fire in the Spanish island of La Palma on Saturday also forced the evacuation of at least 500 people, authorities said.

While dangerous levels of heat swept some countries, others like South Korea and China have reported deadly floods because of unusually heavy rains that has left several people dead.

Scientists have warned that the frequency and severity of heat waves has increased steadily because of climate change.

rm/dj (Reuters, AFP)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2023 09:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Mehsana, July 15: Two persons were arrested on Saturday in Gujarat's Mehsana district for forging marksheets for 50 students, some of whom used the falsified documents to secure jobs, the police said. The mastermind, identified as Kuldeep Parmar, used his photocopy shop to forge marksheets of Class 10 and Class 12 and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) among others for Rs 1,500 each, the police said.

The accused doctored the educational documents for 50 students, helping many of them secure jobs in private companies, the Mehsana Local Crime Branch said in a release. Parmar (23) had rented a shop where he used Adobe Photoshop software and a printer-cum-scanner to change the names in marksheets with better scores. Fake Currency Note Racket Busted in Gujarats Rajkot, Three Held.

In just two months, he made such fake marksheets for 50 students. Some of the students bagged jobs in private firms on the basis of duplicate ITI marksheets made by Parmar, the crime branch said. Gujarat Shocker: Man Kills Sister's Paramour in Rajkot, Dumps Body in Farm.

Acting on a tip-off, the police raided the shop and arrested Parmar and his accomplice Vijaysinh Laxmanshin on Saturday. A case has been registered against the two under Indian Penal Code sections including 465 (forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), and 471 (using fake documents as genuine).
Chamarajanagar, July 15: The six-year-old girl, who was attacked by a leopard, succumbed to her injuries at the hospital on Saturday in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. The Minister for Forests and Environment Eshwar Khandre has announced that the family of the deceased girl would get Rs 15 lakh compensation. The leopard had attacked the girl when she was playing in front of her house. It had attempted to drag her into the forest in Kaggaligundi village of Hanur taluk on July 15. The girl, Susheela, was seriously injured in the incident and was admitted to the Holy Cross Hospital, Kamagere.

The incident, which took place during the night had raised the concern in the whole village and surrounding areas. The villagers had complained that they were afraid to step out of their houses and go to their farms. The people stated that they are living under fear of leopard attack. Leopard Attack in Karnataka: Big Cat Attacks Six-Year-Old Girl Outside Her House in Chamarajanagar.

Susheela, daughter of Ramu and Lalitha couple, was playing in front of her house alone. The leopard, which appeared from nowhere, had attacked the girl and tried to drag her into the forest. It had pulled her up to 200 metres. After hearing the screams of the girl, the parents and villagers have chased the leopard with sticks. The leopard had left the girl and escaped into the forest following the commotion. Leopard Scare in Karnataka: Panic Grips Residents After Big Cat Kills Calf in Dasanapura, Search Operations Underway.

The forest officials visited the girl in the hospital and spoke to the family. The school teachers and students had also paid a visit to her. The authorities have assured people of action. The people of Soliga tribe inhabit the place located close to the forest and the leaders of the community have appealed for quick action against leopard menace which has surfaced in the region in recent times.

Minister Eshwar Khandre stated that he is saddened by the incident of death of a girl who was attacked by a leopard. "I will immediately direct the compensation of Rs 15 lakh to her family and also try to provide Rs 4,000 monthly allowance for the deceaseds family," he added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2023 04:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Jewish and Israeli leaders labeled Saturday's planned desecration as antisemitic and incitement to hatred. A similar burning of Islam's holy book, the Quran, also drew international condemnation.Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the approval by authorities in Sweden for the public burning on Saturday of the Torah as an act of "pure hate."

Also Read | CUET UG Result 2023: NTA Likely To Declare Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduate Courses Results at cuet.samarth.ac.in Today.

The planned desecration of a Hebrew Bible and a Christian Bible  outside the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm  comes days after a man set fire to pages of the Quran, Islam's holy book, drawing widespread condemnation from Muslims worldwide.

Also Read | CBSE Board Exams 2024: Central Board of Secondary Education Announces Board Examination Dates, Class 10 and 12 Exams to be Held From February 15 to April 10.

What have Israeli and Jewish leaders said?

"As the President of the State of Israel, I condemned the burning of the Quran, sacred to Muslims the world over, and I am now heartbroken that the same fate awaits a Jewish Bible, the eternal book of the Jewish people," Herzog said on Friday.

"Permitting the defacement of sacred texts is not an exercise in freedom of expression, it is blatant incitement and an act of pure hate," Herzog said. "The whole world must join together in clearly condemning this repulsive act."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on Twitter, "The State of Israel takes this shameful decision, which harms the Holy of Holies of the Jewish people, very seriously."

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen urged the Swedish authorities to "prevent this despicable event and not to allow the burning of a Torah scroll."

Israel's Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef implored Sweden's king to intervene:

"By preventing this event from occurring, you would send a powerful message to the world that Sweden stands firmly against religious intolerance and that such acts have no place in a civilized society," he wrote.

Yaakov Hagoel, chairman of the World Zionist Organization, said granting the permit for the burning of a Torah was "not freedom of expression but antisemitism."

The European Jewish Congress (EJC) also issued a condemnation, saying the Swedish authorities shouldnt allow the event to take place.

"Provocative, racist, antisemitic and sickening acts such as these have no place in any civilized society," EJC President Ariel Muzicant said.

The Council of Swedish Jewish Communities expressed their disapproval of the police decision to allow the protest, saying, "our tragic European history links the burning of Jewish books with pogroms, expulsions, inquisitions and the Holocaust."

Why is Sweden allowing the burning of religious texts?

Stockholm police granted a permit to an applicant to hold a public rally to burn a Jewish and a Christian Bible on Saturday. The Associated Press reported that a police permit was obtained for three people to demonstrate outside the Israeli Embassy.

Seen as blasphemous by religious followers, others regard the book burning as an example of freedom of expression, which is protected by the Swedish constitution. Blasphemy laws were abandoned in the 1970s in Sweden.

The man who filed the request for Saturday's protest said the move was in response to the Quran burning outside a Stockholm mosque last month by an Iraqi immigrant during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

After that incident, Swedish authorities said they had opened an investigation over "agitation against an ethnic group," noting that the man had carried out the burning very close to the mosque.

A similar protest by a far-right activist was held outside Turkey's Embassy in Stockholm earlier this year, complicating Sweden's efforts to convince Turkey to let it join NATO.

Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco summoned Swedish ambassadors in protest at the Quran-burning incident, which led to an emergency meeting of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

On Wednesday, the UN's top human rights body overwhelmingly approved a measure calling on countries to do more to prevent religious hatred in the wake of the Quran burnings.

Swedish government denounces burnings, police say hands tied

Sweden's government also condemned the Quran burning as "Islamophobic," while noting that the country had a "constitutionally protected right to freedom of assembly, expression and demonstration."

Meanwhile, Stockholm police stressed on Friday that they can only refuse to approve a public gathering if it causes major disruptions or is a risk to public safety.

"The police does not issue permits to burn various religious texts  the police issues permits to hold a public gathering and express an opinion," Carina Skagerlind, press officer for Stockholm police, told the AFP news agency. "An important distinction."

In a meeting with representatives of religious communities, Haaretz newspaper reported that Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said: "Sweden is and must be a country where people of different faiths  or no faith  can live together side by side in mutual respect.

Let us together fight the hatred in society, which drives people to burn the Quran, the Bible or the Torah, and in places and times that are most offensive. Instead, lets show each other respect."

mm/sms (AFP, AP, dpa)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2023 02:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Kolkata, July 15: In a repeat of Sidhi urination incident, the Trinamool Congress activists allegedly abducted a local BJP worker, assaulted him and urinated on his face when he asked for water in West Bengal's West Midnapore district, sources said on Saturday.

According to them, on Thursday night, the said BJP worker, who was a polling agent for the recently-concluded panchayat polls, was abducted by the ruling party activists and taken to a local party office in Garbeta, where the alleged torture and humiliation took place. Sidhi Urination Case: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan Washes Feet of Urination Incident Victim, Apologises to Him (Watch Video).

He was admitted to a local hospital late on Friday evening. A BJP delegation led by the partys vice-president Samit Das, went to the hospital this morning to meet the victim who narrated his ordeal.

Trinamool Congress hooligans demanded money from our party worker to celebrate their victory. Being very poor, he refused to pay up which infuriated them. Then he was abducted and taken to a local party office. First, he was beaten up severely. When he asked for water, the inebriated assailants urinated on his face. We have already filed a police complaint in the matter. We will be going for a bigger movement on this issue, Das told the media at the hospital. Sidhi Urination Video: Dashmat Rawat Not Man Whom Pravesh Shukla Urinated On? Madhya Pradesh Congress Shares Interview Clip Asking If CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan Washed Feet of 'Fake Victim'.

However, Trinamool Congress MLA and the party district-coordinator in West Midnapore Ajit Maiti refuted the allegations saying, The elections in the Garbeta area were absolutely peaceful. We had organised victory processions in a limited and humble way to avoid any kind of tension. BJP is cooking up stories now to create tension in the area, Maiti said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2023 04:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Ranchi, July 15: Former chief minister Babulal Marandi on Saturday assumed the charge of new BJP Jharkhand president. Before taking over the charge, he performed religious rituals at state BJP headquarters where the outgoing president Deepak Prakash, BJP Jharkhand in-charge Laxmikant Bajpai and other senior leaders were present.

The saffron party on July 4 had named Babulal Marandi, G Kishan Reddy and Sunil Jakhar its new president in Jharkhand, Telangana and Punjab respectively, effecting key organisational changes in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Hyderabad: BJP Leader Goes Missing, Special Teams Formed for Search Operation; Family Members Allege Local MLA for Kidnapping.

Speaking to media persons, Marandi said, "With cooperation from party leaders and workers, we will try to take the party to a new height so that we could win all 14 Lok Sabha seats of Jharkhand in 2024 and register a big win in upcoming Assembly polls."

He said that the party would be strengthened in the state and it would form a government in the state after the 2024 Assembly polls. After the event, the party also organized 'Sneh Milan', a workers gathering, at a banquet hall in Ranchi's Harmu area. India Feeling Proud About French Honour for PM Modi: BJP.

Speaking at the function, Prakash said that the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly election would be a challenge but the party has full confidence that lotus will bloom in all 14 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand under the leadership of Marandi.
Ottawa, July 15: A 19-year-old firefighter lost her life while battling a raging wildfire in Canada, officials said. As the country continues to battle its worst wildfire season on record, Devyn Gale was struck by a falling tree while working in a remote area near the town of Revelstoke, British Columbia, reports the BBC. The officials said on Friday that Gale had been found caught under a tree after becoming separated from the rest of her team while clearing an area of brush.

She was airlifted to hospital but died on Thursday. This is the first death on the ground since the start of Canada's wildfire season -- and reportedly the first in British Columbia since 2015. Canada Wildfires Smoke: New York Remains Under Air Quality Alert Due to Forest Fire in Canada.

Condoling her death, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a tweet on Friday: The news from British Columbia -- that one of the firefighters bravely battling wildfires has lost her life -- is heartbreaking. At this incredibly difficult time, Im sending my deepest condolences to her family, her friends, and her fellow firefighters.

"We must never forget the risks these heroes take every time they run toward the danger. To firefighters in British Columbia and across the country who are doing just that to keep us safe: Thank you. We are inspired by your courage, and grateful for your service." Canada Wildfires: New York City Sees Worst Air Quality in Any Major City Across World Due to Forest Fire in Canada (See Pics and Videos).

About 900 wildfires are currently raging across Canada, out of which some 560 remain out of control. According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, the wildfire have burned more than 9.8m hectares of land so far this season, the BBC reported.

he figure is higher than for any previous year on record and more than three times the average for the previous 10 years. British Colombia has been one of the worst-affected areas, with 365 active fires currently burning across the province.

On Thursday, the province put out a call for help from an additional 1,000 international fighters. The wildfires have also sparked pollution alerts across North America as smoke is blown south along the continent's eastern coast.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2023 09:10 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Abu Dhabi, July 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured India's full support for UAE's COP-28 presidency as he held productive talks with the UN climate conference's President-designate Sultan Al Jaber here on Saturday. Modi arrived here in the capital of the UAE following his successful two-day visit to Paris where he joined French President Emmanuel Macron for the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour and signed several agreements to strengthen bilateral ties. PM Modi in UAE: Dubais Burj Khalifa Lit Up in Colours of Indian Flag, Welcomes Prime Minister Narendra Modi With Dazzling Light Show (Watch Video).

PM Narendra Modi Meets Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber

"PM @narendramod held a productive meeting with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President-designate of @COP28_UAE and Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted. "Dr. Jaber briefed PM on the forthcoming COP-28. PM assured India's full support for UAE's COP-28 presidency. PM also highlighted India's efforts and initiatives to address climate change," he said.

PM Modi in President-designate Sultan Al Jaber

           COP28.       .              LiFE. pic.twitter.com/eOPMnXltAl  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2023

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, will be the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference, held from November 30 until December 12 at the Expo City, Dubai. PM Modi in France: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron Agree on India-France Relationship Being Resilient.

The conference has been held annually since the first UN climate agreement in 1992. It is used by governments to agree on policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to impacts associated with climate change.
Abu Dhabi, July 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held comprehensive talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan here to further deepen the multi-faceted bilateral ties, and announced that the two countries have agreed to start trade settlement in their currencies. PM Modi in UAE: India Signs MoU With United Arab Emirates For IIT-Delhi Campus in Abu Dhabi (Watch Video).

In his remarks after meeting the UAE President, Modi said India-UAE trade witnessed a 20 per cent increase since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement last year. Modi said the agreement signed on Saturday for trade settlement in the currencies of the two countries shows the strong economic cooperation and mutual trust between the two nations.

The agreement with the UAE on trade settlement in the two countries' currencies will boost bilateral trade and investments. Modi said he always got the love of a brother from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

"The manner in which ties between our countries have expanded, you have made a big contribution to that. Every person in India views you as a true friend," he told the UAE President. Modi also noted that preparations for COP-28 to be held in the UAE are going on under the UAE President's leadership, and added that he has made up his mind to participate in the conference later this year.

PM Narendra Modi Meets UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Prime Minister @narendramodi lands in Abu Dhabi. Prime Minister Modi to meet President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to bolster cooperation between India and the UAE.@MEAIndia @IndembAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/r89Vp5uKuw  All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) July 15, 2023

Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome here at the Qasr-Al-Watan - the presidential palace - where he was greeted by the UAE President with a warm embrace. Children were seen waving the Indian tricolour as the Prime Minister inspected the guard of honour. PM Modi in UAE: Dubais Burj Khalifa Lit Up in Colours of Indian Flag, Welcomes Prime Minister Narendra Modi With Dazzling Light Show (Watch Video).

India and the UAE are engaged across various sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties.
The Joe Biden student loan forgiveness program is planning to cancel $39 billion in student debt for over 804,000 borrowers, according to a recent announcement from the Education Department, per Reuters.

This debt relief initiative directly results from adjustments made to income-driven repayment plans.

Under the new guidelines, borrowers making 20 or 25 years' monthly IDR payments will be eligible for forgiveness.

The IDR program sets a cap on payment requirements for lower-income individuals and forgives the remaining balance after a specified number of years.

President Biden expressed his support for this measure, stating, "These borrowers will join the millions of people that my administration has provided relief to over the past two years - resulting in over $116 billion in loan relief to over 3 million borrowers under my administration."

The Education Department clarified that the debt relief aims to rectify what it refers to as "historical inaccuracies" in the tally of payments that qualify for forgiveness under IDR plans.

READ NEXT: Joe Biden Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Hits Major Snag

Who Will Benefit From Joe Biden Student Loan Forgiveness Plan?

The new round of automatic loan forgiveness will benefit borrowers who have Education Department Direct Loans or Federal Family Education Loans and have reached the forgiveness threshold of payment credits. The forgiveness periods encompass various scenarios, including:

Any month a borrower was in a repayment status, irrespective of partial or late payments, loan type, or repayment plan.

Any period of 12 or more consecutive months spent in forbearance.

Any month in forbearance for borrowers who accumulated 36 or more cumulative months in forbearance.

Any month in deferment (excluding in-school suspension) before 2013.

Any month in economic hardship or military deferments on or after January 1, 2013.

The Education Department will initiate the process of notifying borrowers of their loan forgiveness beginning July 14.

Loan discharges will commence 30 days after the borrowers are informed, according to the Department of Education website.

President Joe Biden also voiced criticism of Republican lawmakers, accusing them of hypocrisy and disregard for working and middle-class families. He emphasized their objections to the announced relief measures, despite their businesses benefiting from loan forgiveness.

Biden expressed his determination to relieve hardworking Americans and create alternative paths for borrowers, particularly in response to the Supreme Court's decision.

Announcement Comes 2 Weeks After Supreme Court Blocked Joe Biden Student Loan Forgiveness Plan

Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her and President Joe Biden's commitment to relieving student loan debt borrowers, acknowledging the importance of helping them move forward in various aspects of their lives, such as starting a family, buying a home, or pursuing entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, Harris emphasized that their efforts extend beyond the current US student loan forgiveness plan announcement, Fox Business noted.

She mentioned President Biden's recent announcement regarding pursuing an alternative path to relief through the Higher Education Act and the finalization of a new IDR plan that will significantly reduce monthly payments for undergraduate loans.

Their administration aims to ensure Americans have access to high-quality postsecondary education without overwhelming student loan debt burdens.

The recent announcement follows the Supreme Court's ruling two weeks ago, which stated that the Biden administration cannot proceed with its proposed student loan debt forgiveness program.

In a 6-3 decision, the court determined that federal law does not authorize the secretary of education to cancel more than $430 billion in student loan debt.

In response to the court's decision, Biden expressed determination to explore alternative means of delivering relief to hardworking middle-class families, stating that he would not cease finding other ways to provide relief.

The student loan initiative was put on hold due to the litigation involving the federal government offering up to $10,000 in debt relief, with a potential increase to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients for individuals earning less than $125,000 per year.

The Joe Biden Student Loan Forgiveness program was estimated to cost the government over $400 billion.

READ MORE: Joe Biden's 'Bidenomics' Tag

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Biden administration announces $39 billion in student loan forgiveness - From 10 Tampa Bay
Police have arrested a New York architect in connection to the horrifying serial murders that happened in Long Island, New York more than a decade ago, known as the Gilgo Beach Killings. The suspect has been identified as 59-year-old architect Rex Heuermann.

So far, he has been charged with the killing of three women and is the "prime suspect" in the death of a fourth one. In total, the Gilgo Beach serial murders has eleven victims nine women, a man and a toddler all of whom were discovered in a remote part of Gilgo Beach.

The cases of the eleven bodies found buried on the beach remained unsolved for over a decade, terrifying residents of Long Island's South Shore. The New York Times reported that during that time, investigators were trying to determine if they were all killed by multiple individuals or just one person.

In the decade of trying to find the suspect in those killings, investigators tried all sorts of methods, from a monogrammed belt wrapped around one of the victims to looking through the electronic signals of disposable mobile phones.

Heuermann was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder. These were for the killings of Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman, and Melissa Barthelemy. All women had similarities, such as being in their 20s, petite, and working as escorts at the time of their disappearances between 2009 and 2010.

The fourth woman is Maureen Brainard-Barnes, who was 25 when she went missing in 2007. The four women were found wrapped in hunting camouflage burlap within a quarter mile of each other at Gilgo Beach.

Mother of Gilgo Beach Serial Murder Victim Reacts to Suspect's Arrest

Following the alleged serial killer's arrest, Lynn Barthelemy, mother of victim Melissa Barthelemy, spoke with NBC News and did not offer any kind words to her daughter's killer.

READ MORE: Texas Serial Killer Raul Meza Jr. Confessed To Multiple Murders

It was Melissa Barthelemy's burner phone that led to a breakthrough in the case. as suspect Rex Heuermann used it to call her family members in the days after her disappearance in 2009.

The suspect allegedly taunted family members in that call, admitting to killing and sexually assaulting Barthelemy. Using its signal, investigators traced the call to an office in midtown Manhattan. That office used to belong to Heuermann.

Her mother stated that she hopes that he will suffer at the hands of the other inmates and that "Death is too good for him" because "It's too easy."

Gilgo Beach Murders Suspect's Brother Once Killed a Police Chief in 1988

Gilgo Beach Murder suspect Rex Heuermann is not the only person in their family who has killed someone, as his brother previously killed a police captain during a car crash in 1988.

The suspected serial killer's younger brother was "coked up" while driving through the Southern State Parkway, which was close to where they lived. However, according to The New York Post, he slammed head-on into a car driven by city Housing Authority police Capt. Winnion Buskey, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The younger Heuermann pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated. He was also hospitalized after receiving a cut to the face from the crash.

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: Arrest of alleged Gilgo Beach Long Island serial killer Rex Heuermann announced - 11Alive
Despite a ruling by electoral authorities that found Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to be violating equity and neutrality rules with his comments, he has continued his attacks against Xochitl Galvez, the frontrunner of the opposition in the 2024 presidential elections, per Al Jazeera.

The war of words between Lopez Obrador and Galvez reached its peak Friday.

The president likened Galvez to a mafia leader, while she accused him of illegally leaking confidential tax information about her businesses.

AMLO, who is prohibited from running for re-election after his current six-year term ends, has been using his morning press briefings to criticize Galvez. She has not been officially nominated as a candidate but has gained momentum within the opposition party.

The complaints commission of the National Electoral Institute determined on Thursday that Lopez Obrador's remarks "apparently violated the principles of equity, neutrality, and impartiality."

The commission ordered the president to refrain from commenting on electoral matters.

However, Lopez Obrador contested the ruling on Friday, claiming that the electoral authorities were attempting to silence him and violate his freedom of expression. He argued that since his office had not received formal notification of the ruling, he could continue his criticisms of Galvez.

READ NEXT: Mexico President Alleges US Of Spying After Sinaloa Cartel Members Charge

Mexico President Leaks Document Claims to Reveal Political Rival's Finances

After claiming that Xochitl Galvez's companies had received $82 million in government contracts, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador faced pushback from Galvez, who denied the allegations and challenged him to provide proof, AP reported.

In response, Lopez Obrador posted a link on Twitter that led to an unsigned document displaying alleged contract totals.

Although the link was flagged by Twitter as "spammy or unsafe," it was not blocked. The document and the disputed government contracts contained information regarding contracts with private companies, payroll figures, and bank deposits of Galvez's company.

These details are typically confidential and only accessible to tax authorities, with exceptions for specific circumstances such as court cases.

Galvez criticized the president for sharing confidential government information and stated her intention to file a complaint. She accused Lopez Obrador of leveraging the power of the government to conduct a deceitful investigation against her due to her political aspirations.

In her social media posts, Galvez admonished the president, stating that he had violated several laws and declared her intent to take legal action against him for his actions.

Xochitl Galvez Vowed to Withdraw if Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Proves His Allegations

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a leftist leader, has positioned himself as a champion of Mexico's impoverished majority against a perceived corrupt and wealthy elite.

He has accused them of orchestrating Xochitl Galvez's potential candidacy for president, according to Reuters.

Galvez, however, rejects this narrative and emphasizes her humble background, which she believes sets her apart from other leading contenders from the MORENA party.

This incident is not the first time President Lopez Obrador has publicly disclosed financial information about a political opponent.

Last year, he released the alleged earnings of journalist Carlos Loret de Mola, a vocal critic of the president.

During a regular press conference, Lopez Obrador boasted about the purported amount of business Galvez had supposedly secured, prompting her to challenge him to substantiate his claims.

Xochitl Galvez vowed to withdraw her campaign if the president could provide evidence to support his assertions.

On the other hand, if he failed, she demanded that Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador resign from the presidency.

READ MORE: US Sanctions 10 Mexicans on Fentanyl Trade

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Mexican president says U.S. will not 'intervene in our territory' - From NBC News
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is constructing floating barriers around the Rio Grande to stop migrants from crossing. However, these may have broken the border boundaries treaty between Mexico and the US.

Mexico's top diplomat, Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Barcena, has already sent a diplomatic note to the US government, expressing concerns that the Texas floating barriers along the Rio Grande may be violating the 1944 and 1970 treaties on boundaries and water.

The Mexican government will send an inspection team to the river to take a look at the floating barriers and see if they extend to the Mexico side of the river, according to the Associated Press. The foreign relations secretary stated that "if the buoys impede the flow of water, it would violate the treaties, which requires the river remain unobstructed." The country has already asked the US to remove those barriers.

Barcena also complained about the barbed wire being installed on a low-lying island in the river near Eagle Pass, Texas.

Rio Grande Floating Barriers May Cause More Drowning Deaths

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is spending billions of taxpayer money to secure the US-Mexico border and stop migrants from crossing, Part of that effort is deterring migrants from crossing the Rio Grande with those floating barriers.

However, Migrants Rights advocates are also raising alarms over those floating barriers. They pointed out that these things are drowning risks as those who are not deterred by them might drown. Environmentalists are also not very fond of the barriers as these things could have a negative impact on the environment.

READ MORE: Illinois Law Will Stop Landlords from Discriminating Tenants for Immigration Status

2 News pointed out that once these floating barriers are installed, they will be anchored in the river bed. It will cover a 1,000-foot or 305-meter stretch of the Rio Grande, including the orange buoys that make up its above-river parts and the webbings that connect them. A local kayaking company has already filed a lawsuit against these buoys.

Abbott has been under fire for his harsh immigration policies, which include allowing the Texas National Guard to arrest illegal immigrants and also bus migrants and asylum seekers to liberal cities and states. This tactic is being copied by ally Ron DeSantis, who is currently running for president but is being investigated by a Texas sheriff for fraudulently luring these migrants from shelters to be bused for his political stunts.

Rio Grande Floating Barriers May Not Deter Migrants From Crossing Into Texas

Critics and experts are pointing out that these barriers may be nothing more than a speed bump from migrants trying to cross from Mexico, with migration and border expert Adam Isacson telling BBC News that the act is "pure theatre" as it only looks good for the cameras and will not really do anything.

Texas-based Nicaraguan activist Justine Ochoa also warned that some of the migrants might try other places to cross, including the more "inhospitable" parts of the Rio Grande. Her organization, Texas Nicaraguans, regularly helps repatriate the remains of Nicaraguan citizens who drown in the river.

READ NEXT: Florida Could Face Mass Labor Shortage Due to Ron DeSantis' New Immigration Law

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: 'Floating barrier' to be placed in Rio Grande to prevent migrants from crossing the river - KENS 5: Your San Antonio News Source
Las Vegas police officer, Caleb Rogers, was convicted by a federal jury on all counts for stealing approximately $165,000 during a series of casino heists, AP reports.

These heists included one where Rogers was armed with a loaded weapon issued by the police department.

The 35-year-old officer now faces a potential life sentence when he is sentenced in October.

US District Judge Andrew Gordon presided over the case. The jury deliberated for just over three hours before reaching a verdict.

The decision was made using common sense and by considering all the evidence and testimonies presented during the trial, according to one of the jurors, Lloyd Dickerson. Dickerson stated that "everything kind of added up" to lead them to their conclusion.

Caleb Rogers, the Las Vegas police officer, who remained emotionless as the verdict was announced, was seated next to his attorney.

Richard Pocker, Rogers' attorney, said they plan to appeal the conviction.

At the time of the casino heists, Rogers was an active-duty patrol officer. Since his arrest, he has been on unpaid leave without police powers.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department indicated that Rogers' future with the department would be determined after the conclusion of an internal investigation.

READ NEXT: Las Vegas Journalist Killed Outside His Home

The Las Vegas Casino Heist

The Las Vegas police officer engaged in a series of criminal activities, according to the allegations outlined in the complaint, per PEOPLE.

He entered a Las Vegas casino on February 27, 2022. He allegedly approached two employees in the sportsbook area, threatening them by shouting, "Get away from the money. I've got a gun. I will shoot you!"

The complaint further stated that when the employees activated an alarm, Rogers fled toward the parking garage.

As he was pursued, a casino security officer tackled him. At this point, Rogers reportedly drew a revolver, placed his finger on the trigger, and threatened the security officer, saying, "I'm going to shoot you!"

The security officers managed to disarm and restrain Rogers until Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers arrived.

Rogers was arrested, and the LVMPD officers seized the firearm, discovering it belonged to the police department.

Investigations and prosecution revealed that Rogers, who had been a police officer with the LVMPD for seven years and was on active duty as a patrol officer at the time, allegedly carried out two heists totaling over $85,000 at casinos located away from the Las Vegas Strip between November 2021 and January 2022.

Authorities added that he was apprehended while attempting to steal an additional $79,000 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in February 2022.

Brother, Casino Employees Testify Against the Rouge Las Vegas Police Officer

During the trial, prosecutors painted a picture of Caleb Rogers as a gambling addict burdened by mounting debts, exploiting his position as a law enforcement officer to carry out the robberies, according to Daily News.

Testimonies from casino employees who encountered Rogers during the heists provided insight into the lasting impact and trauma caused by the robberies.

A security guard shared his wrestling experience with Rogers to gain control of his loaded weapon during one of the heists. He expressed the constant reminder of how he might not have made it home to his family that day.

Additionally, a 63-year-old cashier revealed that she still feels a sense of unease and remains vigilant when handling cash at work due to the ordeal.

Caleb's younger brother, Josiah Rogers, testified against him, recounting their involvement in the initial casino heist and subsequent events.

Josiah was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony, and provided details about their preparations and actions during the robbery.

He claimed to have received a $30,000 share from the job and returned home to Columbus, Ohio.

Security guards apprehended Caleb Rogers as he exited the casino, causing a wig he had been wearing to come off during the struggle.

Video footage of the incident captured him identifying himself as a police officer while being placed into the back of a patrol car.

READ MORE: Ohio Bans Surgeon Who Livestreamed Botched Procedures

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Las Vegas police officer set to go on trial over $165k stolen in 3 casino heists - From 8 News NOW Las Vegas
Is Bethlehem becoming a sex-trafficking sanctuary city? With a 4-3 vote, Bethlehem City Council has declined to participate in a countywide task force that would help combat the abhorrent problem of sex trafficking in the Lehigh Valley.

Bethlehems police Chief Michelle Kott advocated for this commonsense program. Even progressive Mayor J. William Reynolds (no doubt a political decision) spoke in favor of it. Other local police departments are already participating in this program in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security/ICE.

An out of touch city council has foolishly put Bethlehem in a position that will embolden the monsters of depravity that traffic in children and the most vulnerable. Choosing not to cooperate with agencies because they are named ICE is chilling. The city council is being controlled by an ideology that most Bethlehems citizens find extreme and dangerous.
A footpath to link a new housing estate with Errill has not factored into the building of the houses so no money was set aside to install a pavement.

So it emerged at a recent meeting between councillors and council officials at Laois County Council HQ in Portlaoise.

Cllr John King, Fine Gael, raised the issue in a motion, which called on the council to seek funding to install new footpath from St Kierans Park to Errill village. He said this was needed not just for the existing residents but for the families moving into 14 new homes under construction in in the area.

Cllr King said the path would provide a pedestrian link for the residents of with the school, village shop and post office. He believed that if funding was secured accidents could be prevented.

He added that the new houses would be ready for occupation next March.

He was supported by Cllr Ollie Clooney, Independent who believed that the houses were a big boost for Errill and a footpath would be ideal as it would make things safe.

The reply from Edmond Kenny, District Engineer, confirmed that there is no money available at this point.

An application will be made to the National Transport Authority for funding primarily aimed at providing safe, accessible and convenient pedestrian facilities that will link the housing estate to the village, he said.

The issue was raised at the recent Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Mountmellick Municipal District meeting.
Sinn Fein MEP Chris MacManus has commended the team at Good Energies Alliance Ireland (GEAI) for their work on tackling issues related to the climate crisis.

The Midlands Northwest representative was speaking after meeting with GEAI Chief Executive Aedin McLoughlin and volunteers at their offices in Ballinaglera, alongside his Sinn Fein colleague, Cllr Brendan Barry.

MEP MacManus said: I was pleased to visit GEAI in Ballinaglera with my colleague Cllr Brendan Barry recently.

GEAI works on issues such as climate, renewable energy and anti-fracking campaigning. They run community energy dialogues, publish studies, and campaign against new fossil fuel extraction. They do a lot of very important work in identifying solutions to issues affecting local communities in this area.

I was also glad to get the opportunity to meet with some of the young volunteers at GEAI, who come from a number of different European countries. They are here as part of Erasmus+, which is an EU funded programme that supports education and training across Europe. They all bring significant expertise to the group, and it is a very positive example of how EU funding can support the work of local organisations.

The volunteers are currently carrying out a survey of the sustainable energy communities in Leitrim to look at the barriers to community-owned renewable energy. There are significant issues with access to the grid which have prevented community energy projects from going ahead across the country, so this is important work which can help to identify how these problems can be overcome.

I would like to thank Aedin and her team for having us in Ballinaglera and I wish them continued success for the future.
There is only one dentist in the whole of Leitrim who is available to treat patients under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS), Cllr Brendan Barry told the Leitrim Observer this week.

He added that in some cases, medical holders are being forced to travel as far afield as Dublin in order to get treated.

The Sinn Fein councillor said the continuing decline of dentists available to treat patients under the DTSS is a concern.

The DTSS allows private dentists to provide basic dental services to adult medical card holders.

Cllr Barry said: "At a recent meeting, we had correspondence back from the Minister saying that he acknowledged that a significant number of dentists left the scheme but he didn't really say what he was going to do to try and get more dentists to sign back up for it."

Cllr Barry said that dentists are leaving the scheme "because the terms in the agreement with the HSE are not good enough for them and they just aren't partaking in it. Dentists are looking for it to be changed and hopefully that will happen so they stop leaving the scheme and some may go back into it."

Cllr Barry added that: "Some people are travelling to Dublin and going up the country to try dentist appointments with a dentist who will take medical card holders."
Greens from Leitrim, Sligo, North Roscommon and South Donegal (North West) have welcomed the adoption of the Nature Restoration Law by MEPs in the European Parliament.

The law aims to preserve nature across the European Union and is supported by individuals, NGOs and concerned bodies throughout the EU, including Ireland.

The North West Greens took the opportunity to thank Green MEPs, Grace O'Sullivan and Ciaran Cuffe, for advocating in the European Parliament, rallying support for the Nature Restoration Law and securing the backing of all Irish MEPs in the critical vote.



Blaithin Gallagher, Chair of the North West Greens stated: "This significant step forward in restoring nature across the European Union would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of individuals, NGOs, and concerned bodies throughout the EU and in Ireland. We express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who played a role in making this happen. Special commendation goes to our Green MEPs, Grace O'Sullivan and Ciaran Cuffe, for their tireless advocacy in the European Parliament, rallying support for the Nature Restoration Law and securing the backing of all Irish MEPs in the critical vote.

"This law represents a crucial milestone in preserving our natural heritage, fostering sustainable ecosystems, and ensuring a thriving environment for future generations. While it is understandable that certain communities may have concerns about its impact on their livelihoods, we firmly believe that seeking consensus by engaging all stakeholders in an inclusive public participation process is vital. Through transparent and honest discussions grounded in robust ecological and socio-economic evidence, we can address reservations and recognize the long-term benefits this law brings.

Johnny Gogan, Energy spokesperson and Local Electoral Area Rep for Sligo Drumcliffe said: "Let us prioritise a visionary outlook that transcends short-term interests and work together to protect our environment for a sustainable future. Our heartfelt thanks go to the MEPs who supported the Nature Restoration Law. This successful vote is not just a vote for our future; it represents a critical step towards restoring degraded ecosystems and establishing binding conservation targets. Together, we have the power to make a positive impact on our local environment while playing our part in the need for wider global restoration."

Recent polling reveals overwhelming support for this law among the Irish population, underscoring the critical importance of restoring biodiversity for the well-being of present and future generations. The North West Greens firmly reject scaremongering and disinformation that needlessly burdens and instills fear in people, including our farmers. As Green MEP Grace O'Sullivan aptly stated, "Without nature, there are no farmers, without nature, there is no food production, and without nature, our basic conditions for survivalair, water, plants, and seaswill be compromised."

Blaithin Gallagher added,

"We must unite against divisive narratives that pit urban against rural, farmers against green. Urgent action on environmental and biodiversity issues is essential for everyone's future, including farmers. Climate change has already devastated livelihoods worldwide, and as significant carbon emitters, we must take responsibility for our lifestyle choices which impact the climate and we must address the challenges of climate chaos. Together, we can forge a sustainable future where clean air, clean water, and the wonders of nature are cherished and protected. Let us continue working hand in hand to build a world where nature thrives and future generations can flourish."
Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, March 8, 2023. ANDREW MEDICHINI / AP

Pope Francis gave in Saturday, July 15 to China's unilateral appointment of a new bishop in Shanghai, formally recognizing Beijing's installation of Bishop Shen Bin three months after the fact. In its daily noon bulletin, the Vatican said Francis had appointed Shen as bishop of Shanghai, transferring him from Haimen. The Vatican spokesman said in early April that the Holy See learned of Shen's appointment to lead the Catholic Church in Shanghai from media accounts.

The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said Francis decided to accept China's unilateral appointment for the "greater good" of the faithful in Shanghai. But Parolin made clear China's move had violated the "spirit of collaboration" outlined in a 2018 accord between the Holy See and Beijing on bishop appointments. He said he hoped future appointments would be made according to the letter and spirit of consensus called for in the accord.

In comments to Vatican media explaining the pope's decision, Parolin said Francis approved Shen's appointment to allow the bishop to lead his flock and to "heal the canonical irregularity" created by Beijing's unilateral transfer in April, which he said occurred without the Holy See's involvement.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Ten years of Pope Francis's pontificate in ten words

China and the Vatican haven't had diplomatic relations since 1951, following the Communists' rise to power and the expulsion of foreign priests. The Vatican has sought in recent years to open contacts and reduce frictions, particularly over the appointment of bishops. The Vatican previously acknowledged that the 2018 accord was far from ideal. It regularized the status of several bishops and paved the way for future nominations, but China has repeatedly violated it amid a broader overall crackdown by President Xi Jinping on religious freedoms.

Full details of the agreement never were made public, but Francis has claimed he has the final say in the bishop appointment process. Beijing has long insisted that it must approve such appointments as a matter of its national sovereignty. The Vatican has insisted on the pope's divine authority to choose the successors of Christ's apostles.

Opinion Article reserve a nos abonnes 'Why Pope Francis' tribute to Blaise Pascal will go down in history'

Since the break in China-Holy See ties, Catholics in China have been divided between members of an official, state-sanctioned church, the Patriotic Catholic Association, and those who belong to an underground church loyal to the pontiff. Estimates of the total number of Chinese Catholics run between 6 million and 12 million.
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Heat waves stretching across large parts of the globe are straining power grids and shutting businesses that cant keep their workers cool. Some of the hardest-hit areas will face hotter temperatures in the coming days, forecasters say, adding to risks that infrastructure will fail.

More than 100 million Americans are being affected by the heat barrage, according to the National Weather Service. A streak of 110-degree days is frying Phoenix, and an unrelenting heat wave is punishing Texas and other parts of the South.

Extreme heat swept across Southern Europe, with temperatures hitting triple digits in Italy, Spain and Greece. More than a dozen Italian cities, including Rome and Florence, have been put under a red alert for extreme heat, and authorities in Athens closed the Parthenon as temperatures topped 100 degrees.

Researchers studying the impact of recent heat waves found they can cut economic growth.

There are pretty clear signals that the warmer years are associated with lower output," said Derek Lemoine, an economist at the University of Arizona who studies the economic consequences of climate change. Excess heat hurts labor productivity and can harm learning capabilities in school since people arent using their brains as well in the heat," he said.

A 2018 study of the impact of rising temperatures on the U.S. economy published in the Journal of Money, Credit and Banking found that a one-degree Fahrenheit increase in the average summer temperature can reduce the annual growth rate of a states output by 0.15 to 0.25 percentage point.

So far there have been few indications of catastrophic breakdowns in the power grid or elsewhere, an indication authorities had been able to manage through the extreme temperatures. The burden is falling on small businesses and individuals.

In Burger Fresh & More in Conroe, Texas, the air conditioner broke in June with the arrival of triple-digit heat. The temperature soared to 118 degrees in the kitchen. Workers relied on cooling towels and fans with misters to stay open while a new system was installed at a cost of $12,450.

We had to get a small-business loan to cover it because were just a little bitty company," said manager Karen Swearingen.

Governments are trying to limit the human toll of the heat. But they are constrained by the hot weather itself, which limits the ability of workers to help people in need.

The heat wave is testing the aging U.S. electric grid, which is being asked to deliver more power for running air conditioners without much of a break for routine maintenance. A forecast from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, a nonprofit that monitors the health of the bulk power system, says large portions of the U.S. could face blackouts this summer. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the states grid operator, said power demand this week hit record highs.

Power lines can carry just a certain amount of current through them, and its basically heat limited," said Kyri Baker, assistant professor of architectural engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. If they heat up too much they start to sag. If they sag they can do things like touch a tree and cause a short, in addition to just being less efficient and having more losses."

The National Energy Assistance Directors Association estimates home energy bills will rise 11.7% to an average of $578 this summer, up from $517 last summer. If the heat wave continues there will be more people saying that they dont have the money to pay for cooling," said Neada Executive Director Mark Wolfe. If youre worried about the economy recovering, this is money that cant be spent on something else."

Mary Swindell, who runs outdoor dog-training classes in Boyd, Texas, said she has had to cancel at least half of her lessons because many of the dogs cant handle heat. Emotionally they shut down because theyre too hot and too uncomfortable to work and focus," she said.

Swindell estimates her business, Dancing Dogs, has lost around $3,000 in revenue from the canceled classes, which is about half of what she expected to make. She said she has had to cancel more classes this year because June was so hot.

The main thing thats different is that our emissions have continued to increase and so the baseline warming is higher," said Friederike Otto, co-founder of World Weather Attribution, a group of scientists that analyze extreme weather events and climate change. The extremes that we are seeing now are less extreme and less rare than they were a few years ago."

For the past few years, the average global temperatures have been moderated by the cooling effects of a three-year La Nina weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean. Now the Pacific is switching to its opposite pattern, known as El Nino, which brings warm water to the eastern Pacific and influences weather patterns across the globe.

Last month was the worlds hottest June in the 174-year global climate record tracked by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. Early July saw the worlds warmest days on record, according to daily temperatures NOAA and the University of Maine began tracking in 1979.

Extreme heat can trigger irrational behavior that can add up economically, said Gernot Wagner, a climate economist at Columbia Business School and author of Climate Schock: The Economic Consequences of a Hotter Planet."

Car crashes go up, road rages go up, domestic violence and assaults go up," he said. A major risk of long-lasting heat waves is that they can help push ecosystems toward tipping points, such as melting glaciers, that might be impossible to reverse, leading to widespread economic harm.

Canada, which is suffering its worst wildfire season on record, saw record temperatures in the north. Fires reduced output in the oil-rich province of Alberta and shut down lumber mills in Quebec.

Traders and analysts are worried the fires could drive up wood prices during peak building season. In the province of Quebec, where wildfires have sent smoke that clouded the skies over the East Coast in June, Montreal-based Resolute Forest Products temporarily closed four sawmills.

The fires were getting too close to the operations, and the company also wasnt able to get logs to the mills, said company spokesman Seth Kursman. The mills have all reopened, but it is too soon to say how much the closures have hurt the companys production, he said.

Restaurant workers can risk getting heat stroke when they cook over hot stoves in a heat wave. Tamy Jaramillo had to close her Blanding, Utah, restaurant after she spent too long working at the grill and got overheated.

Air conditioning doesnt help much. Even with the chilled air blowing, the kitchen at her restaurant, Yaks Cafe, can become unbearable, she said.

It kicks your ass," she said.

Vipal Monga and Eric Niiler contributed to this article.

Write to Scott Patterson at scott.patterson@wsj.com, Jennifer Hiller at jennifer.hiller@wsj.com and Alyssa Lukpat at alyssa.lukpat@wsj.com
In today's rapidly evolving world, technological advancements are transforming various industries, and one area experiencing notable growth is drone technology.

According to leading data and consulting firm Grand View Research, the global drone market is projected to witness a remarkable compound annual growth rate of 38.6% from 2023 to 2030.

This surge indicates the undeniable potential for capitalizing on this emerging field. Enterprise drones are swiftly making their mark across diverse business sectors, including real estate, emergency response, and military security and defence.

As these remarkable machines continue to reshape the way we work, the idea of investing in drone stocks has attracted significant attention.

One such drone company, in particular, has gained significant investor's attention by surging over 45% in the past three days. The company is none other than Zen Technologies.

Shares of the company jumped 13.3% intraday to hit a fresh 52-week high on 13 July 2023.

Here's why the stock is up.

Back-to-back order wins

Zen Technologies achieved a major milestone on 11 July 2023 by securing a significant export order valued at approximately 3.4 billion (bn) (around US$ 41.5 million).

This success comes shortly after the company's announcement on 6 July, where it won a 1.6 bn order from the Government of India.

The recent order from the export markets aligns with the government's Indigenous Design and Development (IDDM) plan, which emphasizes the use of Indian intellectual property and a minimum of 60% domestically manufactured content.

Zen Technologies stood out as the sole vendor meeting these strict criteria, further establishing its position in the industry.

As a result of these consecutive wins, Zen Technologies' shares experienced a significant upswing in the market.

Strong growth prospects

Going forward, the management foresees significant order wins in the future, driven by their active participation in various defence events. Additionally, they anticipate securing more substantial orders due to the Indian government's aggressive procurement activities.

A major catalyst for this growth is the government's recent policy liberalization, which allows for the global export of drones categorized for civilian use.

Previously restricted under the SCOMET list, these drones can now be sold worldwide, opening up vast international markets and boosting the company's potential for expansion.

Furthermore, the recent disbursement of 300 million (m) as a PLI for drones and drone components is a game-changer for the industry.

This scheme offers a 20% incentive based on value addition, making it one of the most generous PLI schemes to stimulate the industry.

Furthermore, the rising demand for drones across various industries further fuels this upward trajectory. The government's steadfast support positions India as a global hub for drone manufacturing and innovation, creating a fertile environment for the company's sustained success and robust growth.

How Zen Tech shares have performed recently

Zen Tech shares have given multibagger return over 219.3% in 2023. Over the month, the companys shares have rallied over 45%.

Zen Tech touched its 52-week high of 654.9 on 13 July 2023 while it touched a 52-week low of 167.3 on 15 July 2022.

Zen Tech Share Price - 1 Month

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About Zen Tech

Zen Technologies is a leading provider of military training and anti-drone solutions. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Hyderabad, India.

Zen is at the forefront of applying new technologies and developing new products. It is actively involved in the indigenization of technologies, which is beneficial to the Indian Security Forces.

It was the first Indian company to commercialize PC-based visual simulation technology for training simulators. Now, Zen is the leader, offering Firearms, Tank, Driving, Mining and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) simulators.

The firm offers its products to police and paramilitary forces, armed forces, security forces, and government departments, such as transport, mining, infrastructure, and civilian markets.

Disclaimer:This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com
By Steve Fraser

13 July 2023

(The Nation)  An aged Native American chieftain was visiting New York City for the first time in 1906. He was curious about the city and the city was curious about him. A magazine reporter asked the chief what most surprised him in his travels around town. Little children working, the visitor replied.

Child labor might have shocked that outsider, but it was all too commonplace then across urban, industrial America (and on farms where it had been customary for centuries). In more recent times, however, its become a far rarer sight. Law and custom, most of us assume, drove it to near extinction. And our reaction to seeing it reappear might resemble that chiefsshock, disbelief.

But we better get used to it, since child labor is making a comeback with a vengeance. A striking number of lawmakers are undertaking concerted efforts to weaken or repeal statutes that have long prevented (or at least seriously inhibited) the possibility of exploiting children.

Take a breath and consider this: The number of kids at work in the United States increased by 37 percent between 2015 and 2022. During the last two years, 14 states have either introduced or enacted legislation rolling back regulations that governed the number of hours children can be employed, lowered the restrictions on dangerous work, and legalized subminimum wages for youths.

Iowa now allows those as young as 14 to work in industrial laundries. At age 16, they can take jobs in roofing, construction, excavation, and demolition and can operate power-driven machinery. Fourteen-year-olds can now even work night shifts and once they hit 15 can join assembly lines. All of this was, of course, prohibited not so long ago.

Legislators offer fatuous justifications for such incursions into long-settled practice. Working, they tell us, will get kids off their computers or video games or away from the TV. Or it will strip the government of the power to dictate what children can and cant do, leaving parents in controla claim already transformed into fantasy by efforts to strip away protective legislation and permit 14-year-old kids to work without formal parental permission.

Alone and exploited, migrant children work brutal jobs across the United States. From left: Oscar Nambo Dominguez, 16, was crushed last year under an earthmover near Atlanta. Edwin Ajacalon, 14, was hit by a car while delivering food on a bike in Brooklyn. Juan Mauricio Ortiz, 15, died on his first day of work for an Alabama roofing company when he fell about 50 feet. Photo: The New York Times

In 2014, the Cato Institute, a right-wing think tank, published A Case Against Child Labor Prohibitions, arguing that such laws stifled opportunity for poorand especially Blackchildren. The Foundation for Government Accountability, a think tank funded by a range of wealthy conservative donors including the DeVos family, has spearheaded efforts to weaken child-labor laws, and Americans for Prosperity, the billionaire Koch brothers foundation, has joined in.

Nor are these assaults confined to red states like Iowa or the South. California, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, and New Hampshire, as well as Georgia and Ohio, have been targeted, too. Even New Jersey passed a law in the pandemic years temporarily raising the permissible work hours for 16-to-18-year-olds.

The blunt truth of the matter is that child labor pays and is fast becoming remarkably ubiquitous. Its an open secret that fast-food chains have employed underage kids for years and simply treat the occasional fines for doing so as part of the cost of doing business. Children as young as 10 have been toiling away in such pit stops in Kentucky and older ones working beyond the hourly limits prescribed by law. Roofers in Florida and Tennessee can now be as young as 12.

Recently, the Labor Department found more than 100 children between the ages of 13 and 17 working in meatpacking plants and slaughterhouses in Minnesota and Nebraska. And those were anything but fly-by-night operations. Companies like Tyson Foods and Packer Sanitation Services (owned by BlackRock, the worlds largest asset management firm) were also on the list.

A handwritten ledger, in Spanish, of Nery Cutzals debts to his sponsor, including money for tacos and clothes. The child owed more than $4,000, plus interest. Court information has been redacted for privacy. Photo: The New York Times

At this point, virtually the entire economy is remarkably open to child labor. Garment factories and auto parts manufacturers (supplying Ford and General Motors) employ immigrant kids, some for 12-hour days. Many are compelled to drop out of school just to keep up. In a similar fashion, Hyundai and Kia supply chains depend on children working in Alabama.

As The New York Times reported last February, helping break the story of the new child labor market, underage kids, especially migrants, are working in cereal-packing plants and food-processing factories. In Vermont, illegals (because theyre too young to work) operate milking machines. Some children help make J. Crew shirts in Los Angeles, bake rolls for Walmart, or work producing Fruit of the Loom socks. Danger lurks. America is a notoriously unsafe place to work, and the accident rate for child laborers is especially high, including a chilling inventory of shattered spines, amputations, poisonings, and disfiguring burns.

Journalist Hannah Dreier has called it a new economy of exploitation, especially when it comes to migrant children. A Grand Rapids, Mich., schoolteacher, observing the same predicament, remarked, Youre taking children from another country and putting them almost in industrial servitude. [more]

Child Labor in America Is Backand Its As Chilling as Ever
Mutual funds investment: Amid Indian stock market climbing to a new peak in recent sessions, most of the benchmark indices including small-cap index has surged to record high levels, delivering stellar return to the equity investors. However, for surprise to some fresh mutual fund investors, some asset management companies (AMCs) declined to receive fresh lump-sum investment in small-cap schemes when Indian stock market was scaling new highs on a regular basis.

According to tax and investment experts, mutual fund AMCs declining to accept fresh lump-sum investment in small-cap mutual fund schemes is not a new phenomenon. AMCs discourage fresh upfront investment in any index fund when it is at record high. This exercise is aimed at ensuring the safety of their existing investors and maintain high yield of their scheme. They said that taking fresh investment at record higher levels in any index fund would lead to lowering of their annual yield that will hit return of their existing investors. So, they advised mutual fund investors to continue with their mutual funds SIP plans but avoid investing upfront in an index when it is at record higher levels.

Investors' safety in focus

On why AMCs are declining fresh lump-sum investment in small-cap schemes, Pankaj Mathpal, MD & CEO at Optima Money Managers said, "AMCs are declining upfront fresh investment in small-cap schemes these days because small-cap index has been hitting fresh highs on a regular basis. Due to this, there is high risk involved in small-cap funds. If they continue receiving fresh lump-sum investment in small-cap schemes, then in that case fresh investor will be at high risk. Apart from this, this will lead to lowering of their small-cap scheme's return, which will hit annual yield of their existing investors. So, AMCs are ensuring safety of both existing and fresh investors by declining fresh lump-sum investment in small-cap schemes." He said that he won't be surprised if such practice is witness in other index funds as most of the indices are at record high in recent rally on Dalal Street.

Problems for AMC fund managers

Explaining the complexities involved while receiving fresh lump-sum investment in current stock market scenario, Mohit Gang, CEO at MoneyFront  a subsidiary of Niyogin Fintech Limited said, "Small-cap category is now around 1.6 lakh crore category and fresh net flows are hitting all-time high numbers. In June 2023 itself category saw 5472 crore of net flows, highest across all equity categories. This has created deployment challenges for fund managers."

Small-cap mutual funds by definition have to invest at least 65 per cent of their corpus in 251st and below companies, by market capitalisation. In India, this universe, though large by volume is very restrictive and limited from investing perspective. Liquidity in these smaller companies is wafer-thin because of lack of institutional participation which in turn is owing to lack of good quality research in this segment. In case of market corrections, it becomes difficult for fund managers to manage redemptions (liquidity).

"Just consider an example of Nippon Small cap fund, which closed lumpsum purchases after touching an AUM of almost 29,000 crore. Largest holding in that portfolio is around 3.25 per cent (about 900 crore+) and that scrip hardly has a liquidity of 50-100K shares per day. And the more we go down the ladder, we see that most of the small cap holdings have marginal liquidity and in a scenario of forced-exit, there could be huge price distortions," Mohit Gang added.

"A fund manager's task is finding the right stock, getting the desired quantity and most importantly, keeping the impact cost minimal while buying or selling of stocks. Hence, good AMCs typically prefer restricting inflows so that they can manage all the three tasks neatly, keep proper liquidity and manage true-to-label nature of their schemes," Mohit Gang concluded.
As Assam state went on high alert post the release of water from Bhutans Kurichhu dam, the flood situation in Assam worsened on Friday. Severe flooding affected 17 districts of the state impacting nearly 67,000 people in the state. Water level in major rivers continue to rise including Brahmaputra, flowing above the danger level at several places, an official bulletin said.

The number of people impacted by severe flooding in the state increased to 67,689 as against the previous day's 41,000 but no death was reported during the day and the toll remained at seven in the current wave of floods, according to the bulletin of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

Assam districts affected due to flood

The state was heavily affected due to flood like situations after the release of water from neighbouring country Bhutan. Out of the total districts, 17 were hit the most including Baksa, Biswanath, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpuyt, Majuliu, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sivasagar, Tamulpur and Tinsukia.

Major rivers of the state that are considered the lifeline of the state turned into a destroyer after they began flowing above the danger mark. River Brahmaputra at Dhubri and Tezpur, Beki, Buridihing and the Sankosh at Golakganj were flowing above the danger mark.

The districts in Western Assam bordering Bhutan have been put on an alert after excess water was released early morning.

IMD forecast heavy rainfall in Assam

IMD has predicted heavy rainfall in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan on the coming days. Heavy rainfall will impact the situation of rivers in Assam. The District Project Officer of Barpeta, Assam, Dr Nandita Dutta, urged the people to take necessary preparatory measures to deal with adverse situations.
Delhi continues to face Yamuna river's fury as the city's lifeline swell to its historical level in past few days. Meanwhile, the political parties are busy in passing the buck to each other. Yamuna water entered the city on Thursday and started receding on Friday night.

Delhi floods latest update Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal thanked the Indian Army's Engineer regiment for opening the ITO barrage after working for 20 hours without any break. Soon after Delhi CM tweeted praising Army's work, BJP's Amit Malviya criticised Kejriwal for only tweeting to take credit instead of doing any work.

Also Read: Delhi rain updates: IMD predicts more rains for 4-5 days amid continued flood-like situation, yellow alert issued

Despite river Yamuna level continued to reduce gradually after Friday, Delhi's ITO remained under water on Saturday morning.

AAP and BJP at loggerheads over Hathnikund water release

After the BJP-led Haryana government diverted all water from the Hathnikund barrage towards Delhi instead of Uttar Pradesh, the AAP was quick to call out the move and shared a video criticising the Haryana government on social media.

Also Read: Yamuna Overflows: Why is there a flood-like situation in Delhi when it hasn't rained in days; Explained

In retaliation, the Haryana government called the claim to be misleading. The government cited the CWC guideline which states that if the water is more than 1 lakh cuses, then it can't be streamed into Western Yamuna and Eastern Yamuna Canal (the other routes apart from Delhi), reported HT. After providing the information, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's advisor retired IAS Devendra Singh said that the accusations are nothing but an unnecessary controversy. He also said tha the water is diverted from Hathnikund towards UP only for irrigation purpose and not for the prevention of flood.

Flood in Delhi is the result of AAPs freebie and vote bank politics,' says BJP MP Gautam Gambhir

Calling the flood like situation in Delhi to be a very unfortunate event, BJP MP Gautam Gambhir said that the he was not surprised with the current situation of the capital. He also rejected AAP government's claim that it was prepared for 100 mm of rain but not for 150 mm of rain.

Also REad: Delhi floods: Not just Yamuna, THIS is another cause of deluge. 5 updates

"Then what did you do in the past years? But this is not surprising at all because this is what happens when you do freebie politics instead of developing the city's infrastructure," Gautam Gambhir said.
Delhi floods: Several areas of the national capital are reeling under floods as the water level of the city's main river Yamuna crosses a dangerous mark. However, Yamuna is the only reason behind Delhi floods, another reason is the drains of the city. Several drains of Delhi that emptied into the Yamuna began flowing back on Friday, according to the report by the Hindustan Times. Water in at alteast half a dozen drains back flowed, creating pools of muddy and stinking water.

Yesterday the lieutenant governors office and the elected government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal clashed over Drain Number 12. Officials and personnel of the Indian Army are racing to fix a broken flow regulator Drain No 12 where water backflow from the river reached at Supreme Court of India.

Delhi floods top updates:

1. Yamuna water level declines: Water level in the Yamuna River is witnessing a steady decline and recorded at 207.98 metres at 11 pm at the Old Railway Bridge. After breaching the 45-year-old record three days ago, water levels in the Yamuna in Delhi came down to 207.98 metres at 11 pm on Friday.

2. Evacuation: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the Delhi government is taking all measures to ensure that there are no barriers to the exit of water entering the capital. An official statement said that 23,692 people were evacuated on Thursday from the adjacent areas of the Yamuna. However, 21,092 people are currently residing in tents and shelters

3. Delhi weather forecast: India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning with predictions that Delhi will likely receive light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms for the next 4-5 days. However, the flooding in Delhi is not due to localized rain but because the Yamuna River has received a lot of water from Himachal and other states.

4. All Municipal Corporation of Delhi-run schools are closed until 16 July. The Delhi Traffic Police has put out an alert urging people to plan their journeys accordingly in view of the flood-like situation in many parts of the city. Over 4,500 traffic personnel have been deployed in affected areas to decongest traffic and help navigate commuters

5. Indian Army has completed the restoration work of the Bund at the Irrigation and Flood Control regulator near the WHO building in the city. After the Irrigation and Flood Control Departments regulator was breached, many areas, including ITO and Rajghat, were submerged.
As the swollen Yamuna on Saturday morning followed a downward trend, albeit at a slow pace of a few centimetres per hour, Delhi chief minister assured that the people in the city is likely to get relief in the next few hours. However the flood risk is not completely over, he further cited.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said, Yamuna water level receding slowly, situation will normalise soon if there is no heavy rainfall.

Adding to it PWD minister Atishi said, The people of Delhi will get relief in the next 12 hours"

The water is still flowing over two metres above the danger mark of 205.33 metres. The situation could worsen if weather predictions of more rain in the capital and upper catchment areas come true.

According to the Central Water Commission's flood-monitoring portal, the Yamuna water level declined to 207.62 metres by 7 am on Saturday from its peak of 208.66 metres at 8 pm on Thursday.

With the flow rate from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana's Yamunanagar decreasing over the past two days, further decline is expected.

Meanwhile, Continuing the debate around Hathnikund water release to Delhi, city's PWD Minister said that Haryana will have to answer why not a single drop of water was released into the canals going to UP and Haryana. Meanwhile, Delhi CM assured that Yamuna river water is receding, the people of Delhi will get relief in the next 12 hours.

It is a big question why all the water from Hathnikund Barrage was being released only for Delhi. Not a single drop of water was released into the canals going to UP and Haryana from there. Haryana will have to answer for this. Can the flood situation in Delhi have been avoided?, Atishi told news agency ANI.
Delhi flood updates : Delhi on Saturday only got a momentary relief when Yamuna river waters were noted receding after flooding the national capital. However, later in the day heavy rains lashed the national capital threatening a further surge in the Ganga basin river's water level that has been flowing well over the danger mark since the past week.

In the midst of an ongoing crisis situation that demanded the help of the National Disaster response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Army, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and the Congress indulged ina political mud slinging over the infrastructural development of the national capital Delhi.

The road stretches that still remain shut for movement, include Ring Road - Majnu Ka Tilla ISBT - Shanti Van - IP flyover to IP Depot both carriageways, Ring Road - IP Depot to IP flyover to ISBT carriageway, Salim Garh bypass, Old Iron Bridge Pusta to Shamshan Ghat, Outer Ring Road - Mukarba Chowk to Wazirabad carriageway and Ring Road from Shanti Van to Rajghat and towards ISBT.

The Kashmere Gate ISBT remains closed.

Here are the big updates to the Delhi flood situation

-IMD has predicted moderate rain in the city over the next two days and "heavy to very heavy" rainfall over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh during the next five days.

-According to the Central Water Commission portal, Yamuna's water level declined to 206.87 metres by 7 pm on Saturday from its peak of 208.66 metres at 8 pm on Thursday

-Yamuna's water level receding allowed the authorities to open important roads in Delhi.

-Boulevard Road - slip road - service road - left turn under Yudhishthira Setu - Ring Road, Chandgi Ram Akhara to Mukarba Chowk Carriageway and Chandgi Ram Akhara to IP College both carriageways have been opened for traffic movement

-Bhairon Marg from Mathura Road to Ring Road carriageway, Vikas Marg from ITO to Laxmi Nagar both carriageways, Nishad Raj Marg from Shanti Van to Geeta Colony both carriageways have also been opened

-The normal drinking water supply in the city, which was affected due to flooding in WTPs, is likely to be restored on Sunday. CM Arvind Kejriwal said water treatment plants (WTPs) at Wazirabad and Chandrawal will be started by Sunday.

-Delhi minister Atishi said the Public Works Department (PWD) has started pumping out water, cleaning roads and opening them up for traffic movement in view of a fall in the Yamuna's water level

-CM Kejriwal appealed to people of the city not to take selfies or swim in flooded areas as it could be fatal and said the threat of floods was not over yet.

-The army had been called in for the first time since the 2010 floods to repair a broken flow regulator at drain no. 12, the reason behind the flooding in central parts of the capital on Friday.

-The consequences of the floods have been devastating with around 23,000 people evacuated from their homes. The losses incurred in terms of property, businesses, and earnings have amounted to crores.

-The Delhi Metro trains have started running at normal speed and speed restriction imposed while crossing Metro bridges over Yamuna River have been removed.

MARG More Information
Himachal Pradesh rainfall has created widespread destruction in the hill state, leading to cloudbursts, landslides, and floods that claimed 108 lives so far. The estimated cost of the damage is reportedly over 3,738.28 crore. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert till July 18.

Among all the affected states in North India, Himachal Pradesh remains the hardest hit, after which Union Home Minister Amit approved the advance release of the second installment of the central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) amounting to 180.40 crore.

The union home ministry informed that the Central government has also released the first installment of a Central share of 180.40 crore to Himachal Pradesh from SDRF on July 10, 2023, for relief measures of immediate nature, ANI reported.

A total of 11 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with rescue boats and other necessary equipment have been deployed for rescue operation in Himachal Pradesh.

Apart from this, one Column of 1 PARA SF and 205 Army Aviation Squadron has been deployed at Paonta Sahib for civil evacuation. Two MI-17V5 helicopters have been deployed for an evacuation mission."

The Central Government has also constituted an Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCT), to make an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and relief works being carried out by the State Government of Himachal Pradesh. The IMCT would commence their field visits on July 17.

"108 people lost their lives in Himachal Pradesh from June 24 to July 14. 36 deaths happened due to landslides, cloudbust, and flash floods and 72 due to Road Accident, Fire, Drowning, fall from Steep Rock, Snake Bite, Electrocution, etc," the government officials' data stated.

The weather office has predicted heavy rainfall for the next five days in Himachal Pradesh. "Heavy to very Heavy rainfall over Uttarakhand and heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh likely to continue during next five days," IMD said.

Meanwhile, the district authority in Kullu has begun the restoration work in the tiny hamlet Kasol where hundreds of people have been stranded after rain wreaked havoc in the northern state this week.

The Deputy Commissioner asserted that the road connectivity to Kasol, Bhuntar, and Tirthan would be restored by today (15 July). Efforts are also being made to restore mobile connectivity in Sainj by way of a very small aperture terminal (VSAT).

(With ANI inputs)
Himachal Pradesh rainfall: The district authority in Kullu has begun the restoration work in the tiny hamlet Kasol where hundreds of people have been stranded after rain wreaked havoc in the northern state this week. The Deputy Commissioner asserted that the road connectivity to Kasol, Bhuntar, and Tirthan would be restored by today (15 July).

Further, efforts are also being made to restore mobile connectivity in Sainj by way of a very small aperture terminal (VSAT).

Himachal Pradesh has continued to suffer from the damages caused by torrential rainfall, cloudburst, and massive floods last weekend. As per the government's data, 108 people have lost their lives because of rain fury this month.

"108 people lost their lives in Himachal Pradesh from June 24 to July 14. 36 deaths happened due to landslides, cloudbust, and flash floods and 72 due to Road Accident, Fire, Drowning, fall from Steep Rock, Snake Bite, Electrocution, etc," the government officials' data stated.

The estimated cost of the damage in the state is reportedly over 3738.28 crore monetary loss, the Department of Revenue, Himachal government added.

Among all the affected states in North India, Himachal Pradesh was hit the most this year, and the Idia Meteorological Department has also issued a yellow alert till 18 July in the state.

The monsoon become active in Himachal Pradesh on July 14. Due to this, a yellow alert has been issued in Himachal Pradesh for the next 5 days. In these 5 days, heavy to very heavy rains will be recorded in most areas of Himachal Pradesh. Also, incidents like landslides, flash floods, falling trees, and shooting stones will happen," IMD said.

The continuous rain has triggered flash floods and landslides, resulting in significant destruction across Himachal Pradesh.

The Central government has also approved the advance release of the second installment of the central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) amounting to 180.40 crore.
Marathi actor-director Ravindra Mahajani, a veteran of the industry, was found dead at a rented apartment in the Talegaon Dabhade vicinity near Pune.

The police reported on Saturday that the body of the 77-year-old actor was found on Friday evening, and it is suspected that he passed away approximately three days prior to the body being found.

"We received a call from the neighbours of the flat, where Mahajani was staying alone, informing us about a foul odour emanating from his house. We went to the spot and broke open the door of the flat, where he was found dead," a senior official of Talegaon Dabhade police station said.

"It is suspected that he died three days ago," he said. Mahajani, who owns a house in Mumbai, was residing in Talegaon Dabhade for the last eight months, the police official said.

His mortal remains were sent to a hospital for post-mortem, police said. Mahajani acted in several Marathi films from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s.

Some of his notable films as an actor include "Mumbaicha Fauzdar", "Zunj" and "Kalat Nakalat". His son Gashmeer Mahajani is also an actor and is best known for his work in Marathi cinema.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condoled Mahajani's death. Veteran Marathi actor Ravindra Mahajani, who ruled the hearts of the audience through his impressive acting skills, has passed away. May God give eternal peace to his soul and give strength to the Mahajani family to recover from this grief. A heartfelt tribute."

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar also paid tribute to the actor, saying that his untimely demise has caused a great loss to the Marathi film industry. "We share the grief of the Mahajani family. A heartfelt tribute to Ravindra Mahajani!" Pawar said in a tweet.

(With inputs from PTI)
The Mumbai Police has issued a preventive order and banned the flying of drones, remote-controlled microlight aircraft, paragliders, para motors, hand gliders, and hot air balloons over the metropolis for 30 days, an official said on 15 July.

Though termed as a 'regular' one, the prohibitory order was given the possibility of misuse of such objects to target VVIPS, endanger the life of the public at large, destroy public property, and cause law and order disturbance, added the official.

ALSO READ: Caller warns Mumbai Police of 26/11-like terror attack again if

Apart from this, the order also restricts unlawful assemblies of five or more persons, as the police gathered information from various sources about the likelihood of a breach of peace and disturbance to public tranquility from such gatherings.

The ban covers processions, the use of loudspeakers and other sound amplifying systems, musical bands, and bursting of firecrackers, said the official.

But, the order exempted marriage and funeral functions, statutory meeting of companies, clubs, and assemblies in and around cinemas, halls, schools, etc.

The part in the prohibitory order about unlawful assembly will be in place from Saturday till July 29, the Mumbai police official said.

With agency inputs.
Blood stains the water red as the people of the Faroe Islands slaughter dolphins in Leynar on 14 June 2023. The Faroe Islands has killed more than 500 dolphins since its controversial hunt resumed in May 2023. Photo: Sea Shepherd UK / AFP / Getty Images

By Ryan Hogg

15 July 2023

(Insider)  Marine conservationists were among the horrified cruise ship passengers who witnessed the slaughtering of 78 whales last week.

Ambassador Cruise Line issued an apology on Twitter after its Ambition ship docked in the Faroe Islands at the same time a group carried out its regular hunting of pilot whales. The islands are a self-governing part of Denmark about halfway between Iceland and Norway.

The cruise docked in the Faroese port of Torshavn last Sunday as locals carried out their sixth hunt of the year. Nine calves no older than a month were among the 78 whales slaughtered, conservation and campaign group ORCA said.

In a press release, ORCA said some of its conservationists were on the ship with tourists when the killings took place.

ORCA said its conservationists witnessed more than 40 small boats and jet skis herd the whales into shallow waters before 150 hunters slaughtered the 78 whales with hooks and killing lances in 20 minutes.

The group said some of the pilot whales, including a calf, took more than 30 seconds to die.

People of the Faroe Islands drive pilot whales to slaughter during the annual grind hunt. Around 800 whales are killed annually during the brutal slaughter. More than 500 dolphins have been killed since the controversial hunt resumed in May 2023. Photo: Andrija Ilic / Reuters

Sally Hamilton, the CEO of ORCA, said in a statement it defies belief that Faroese authorities allowed the hunt to take place in the view of the cruise ship.

Its almost as if they are flaunting the hunt and taunting the tourists, she said.

According to Visit Faroe Islands, about 800 whales are killed annually and meat is distributed among those who participate.

Islanders say the practice has been deemed sustainable due to the whale population in the area.

In a statement shared with ORCA, Ambassador said while the practice was a traditional way of sustaining communities, it had now become outdated and had instead turned commercial, with whale meat being sold in local supermarkets.

We are utterly opposed to the commercial hunting of whales and dolphins in the Faroes, or anywhere else come to that, Ambassador said.

Visit Faroe Islands didnt immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Marine conservationists were among cruise ship passengers who witnessed 78 whales being slaughtered

The sea runs red with blood as people of the Faroe Islands slaughter pilot whales during the annual grind hunt. Photo: Andrija Ilic / Reuters

By Jon Haworth

14 July 2023

LONDON (ABC News)  A cruise line has apologized to over 1,000 of its passengers after one of its ships arrived at port in the middle of a whale hunt where dozens of the marine mammals were being slaughtered.

Ambassador Cruise Lines confirmed on Thursday that the arrival of their ship Ambition in Torshavn in the Faroe Islands  located between Scotland, Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic  coincided with the culmination of a hunt of 40+ pilot whales in the port area, according to the cruise line.

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, Ambassador said following the arrival of their ship in the Torshavn port area on the southern part of the main island.

The government of the Faroe Islands, however, has been clear on their stance of the whale hunting for several years.

As has been the case for centuries, whaling still occurs in the Faroe Islands today, a statement from the government of the estimated 53,000 people on the island said explaining the values of the whaling hunt. The Faroese have eaten pilot whale meat and blubber since they first settled the islands over a millenia ago. Today, as in times past, the whale drive is a community activity open to all, while also well organised on a community level and regulated by national laws.

In their apology, Ambassador said that sustainability is one of the cruise lines core values and that the company fully appreciates 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.

We are dedicated to supporting ORCA in their endeavours to collect data and to monitor whales and dolphins and 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, Christian Verhounig, Ambassadors CEO in their statement. 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.

But the Faroe Islands government said that the hunt is part of the islands sustainability efforts and that the meat and blubber from the hunt is distributed equally among those who have participated  Hunting and killing methods have been improved to ensure as little harm to the whales as possible. All hunters must now obtain a hunting license in order to kill a whale.

Although pilot whale meat and blubber contains much protein, iron, carnitine and vitamins, the Faroe Islands government said there are concerns that the high levels of mercury and PCBs in the whales can have detrimental health effects and said that ocean pollution by heavy industries and industrialized agriculture has resulted in the pollution of whales.

Records of all pilot whale hunts have been kept since 1584 and the practice is deemed sustainable, as there are an estimated 778,000 whales in the eastern North Atlantic region, the government continued. Approximately 100,000 swim close to the Faroe Islands, and the Faroese hunt on average 800 pilot whales annually.

In 2023 alone, the Faroe Islands has registered 646 whale killings to date, including the 78 on Sunday when the Ambition arrived. [more]

Cruise line apologizes after dozens of whales slaughtered in front of passengers
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on an official visit to the UAE, met president-designate of COP28, Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, on Saturday, assuring Indias full support for the presidency to the Gulf nation, the prime ministers office said.

According to the PMO, Jaber briefed PM Modi on UAEs approach to this important meeting. Modi also highlighted Indias efforts and initiatives to address climate change, including international solar alliance, coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure, international year of millets and mission lifestyle for environment (LiFE).

The meeting comes hours after PM Modi landed in the capital of the UAE on Saturday. At the airport, he received a majestic welcome from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and several senior officials. The PM and the UAE ruler then held bilateral talks.

During his brief visit, Modi discussed matters of energy, defence, and enhanced cooperation as India presides over the G20 and the UAE chairs COP28 this year.

COP28, also known as the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, is the 28th edition of a conference on climate change that has been held annually by the UN since 1992. This year, it will take place between November 30 and December 12 at Dubais Expo City.

The conference aims to urge governments to come together and tackle rising temperatures and the detrimental effects of climate change.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a verbal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on Manipur and further alleged that Rafale gets him a ticket to Bastille Day Parade. Rahul also questioned the lack of response of Modi on the ongoing situation in Manipur. Taking to Twitter, Gandhi said, Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses Indias internal matter. PM hasnt said a word on either! Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade." Rahul Gandhi's comment on Rafale comes at a time when the Defence Ministry declared its plan to acquire an additional 26 Rafale fighter jets for deployment on its newly built aircraft carrier. In addition, the ministry also intends to procure three more Scorpene-class submarines. This deal is anticipated to have a significant value in the range of billions of euros. Also Read: Defence Ministry greenlights Rafale purchase, France ready to offer naval SCALP missile Earlier on Friday, the Congress questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on Manipur and alleged that it seems he has taken a "vow of total silence" on the violence in the northeastern state.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said it was good to hear that the prime minister has shown concern over the flood situation in Delhi, asserting that he should also show interest in Manipur, which is still burning.

The Congress party has been demanding a response from the Prime Minister regarding the situation in Manipur. The state has been experiencing ethnic violence since May 3, resulting in loss of lives and property.

Earlier on July 12, the Indigenous Tribal Leader Forum (ITLF), on Wednesday, extended an apology to the Kuki Zo people for "misguidance and conflict with Meitei people" in the state.

In an official statement, ITLF stated, "The Indigenous Tribal Leader Forum, a leading organisation committed to the welfare and unity of indigenous communities, acknowledges and deeply regrets the misguided actions that resulted in brainwashing and involvement of innocent Kuki Zo people in the unfortunate conflict with the Meitei people in Manipur".

(With inputs from agencies)
After 17 years, the accused of the Ramadevi murder case has been arrested by the Thiruvalla Crime Branch in the Koipuram village of Kerala. The victim's husband CR Janardhanan (75) of Vadakkechattukulam Vadakkekavala Pullad is the accused in the Ramadevi murder case.

The crime branch arrested Janardhanan on the basis of scientific evidence, according to media reports. He is a retired postmaster who had approached the high court citing an 'ineffective police investigation in the alleged murder case.

In addition, Janardhanan also demanded a crime branch intervention in his wife's murder case, the reports added.

Ramadevi was found dead on May 26, 2006, in the dining room of the house. Her post-mortem reports revealed that she was killed using a sharp weapon like a billhook. Police investigated the case, but ended up finding no results. Hence, Janardhanan approached the High Court for further investigation.

Police interrogated the workers who are constructing a building near Ramadevi and Janardhanan's house after the murder. Initial investigations revealed that their neighbor, Tamil Nadu native Chudalamutthu, went missing following Ramadevi's murder, the media report stated.

For many years, the cops searched for Ramadevi's neighbor, but could not find him. However, they found a woman who lived with him in Tenkasi.
1 min read

A viral photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in front of the Eiffel Tower from the 90s was shared by the 'Modi Archive' Twitter account

Amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tour to France, an old picture of him in front of the Eiffel Tower has gone viral on the internet. The picture was shared by the 'Modi Archive' Twitter account in which the Indian Prime Minister can be seen in front of the distinctive symbol of France's capital Paris. The picture is from the 90s, the Twitter account claimed. "Bonjour, Paris! A throwback to the 90s when Narendra Modi visited the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris...," the Twitter handle captioned the photo. Yesterday, Prime Minister Modi posed with French President Emmanuel Macron and captioned the photo as 'friends forever'. According to PM Modi, the talks with Macron were productive. "We reviewed the full range of India-France relations. I am particularly enthusiastic about deepening cooperation in futuristic sectors like green hydrogen, renewable energy, AI, semiconductors, and more," Modi wrote on Twitter.

The Prime of India ensured that New Delhi and Paris will work together to boost the innovation and StartUp ecosystems. Climate change, sustainable development, technology, and defence were also discussed between the two leaders.

PM Modi announced an agreement for the use of UPI in France. Modi announced the opening of a new Indian consulate in Marseille in France and told the cheerful audience that Indian students doing masters in the European country will now get five-year-long post-study work visas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the first Indian premier to have been conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France's highest civilian and military honour, by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Modi received the honour at the Elysee Palace this week and joined the ranks of other prominent world leaders such as the former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela, King Charles - the then Prince of Wales, former Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former Secretary General of the United Nations, among others.
Awali village, situated near the Chulband River in Maharashtra, continues to witness the dangerous journey undertaken by its young residents as they make their way to school each day. In the absence of educational facilities beyond the fourth grade within the village, children are compelled to cross the overcrowded river in boats to reach the Soni Village school, which offers classes from fifth grade onwards.

The hazardous nature of this daily commute is further exacerbated during the monsoon season, when the river swells and floods, causing students to miss school due to the treacherous conditions. The construction of a bridge spanning the Chulband River was initiated six months ago, but progress has been slow, leaving the children and villagers in a precarious situation. Also Read: IMD predicts very heavy rainfall in 10 states, issues yellow alert for Maharashtra Bhagat Gaike, a primary teacher from Awali village, expressed concern over the risks involved in this daily transportation ordeal. He revealed that approximately 100-150 individuals, including 30-40 students, rely on boats for their commute.

The inherent dangers of this mode of transportation, coupled with the adverse impact of inclement weather, further compound the difficulties faced by the villagers, ANI reported.

"The movement happens through boats and hence a lot of risk is involved...The movement of students is reduced during rain. We also face several problems using boats. There is a risk to life as well. Every day there is a movement of around 100-150 people and apart from this around 30-40 students also cross it...," ANI quoted teacher Bhagwat Gayke as saying.

Mayur Meshram, a ninth-grade student, shared his fears regarding the daily river crossing, emphasizing the risk and the toll it takes on his clothing. Despite the challenges, Meshram, like many other students, is determined to undertake this arduous journey in order to pursue his education.

The pressing need for a bridge to alleviate the plight of the villagers has become increasingly evident. The completion of the bridge would not only ensure safe and convenient access to educational institutions but also offer improved connectivity for the local community.

As the monsoon season sweeps across the country, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for districts including Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigarh, extending the warning until July 18.

This serves as a reminder of the urgency surrounding the implementation of infrastructure projects, such as the Chulband River bridge, to mitigate the hardships faced by residents during challenging weather conditions.

(With ANI inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sounak Mukhopadhyay Sounak Mukhopadhyay, who also goes by the name Sounak Mukherjee, has been producing digital news since 2012. He's worked for the International Business Times, The Inquisitr, and Moneycontrol in the past. He's also contributed to Free Press Journal and TheRichest with feature articles. He covers news for a wide range of subjects including business, finance, economy, politics and social media. Before working with digital news publications, he worked as a freelance content writer. Read more from this author
After the two-day visit to France came to an end, PM Modi will be heading towards UAE to visit Abu Dhabi on July 15. In his official statement, PM Modi said that India and UAE are engaged across various sectors, including fintech, defence, security and energy. During his visit, he is scheduled to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Also Read: Sandalwood Sitar to Silk Fabric: What did PM Modi gift to French President Macron and other France leaders?

"From Paris, I will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an Official Visit on July 15. I look forward to meeting my friend, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi," PM Modi said in a statement before his departure from India.

Also read: Delhi floods: Not just Yamuna, THIS is another cause of deluge. 5 updates

Bastille Day celebrations made France visit memorable

Terming the France visit more memorable because off Bastille Day celebrations, PM Modi expressed his gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron and the people of France for their warmth and hospitality.

"This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the French people for the exceptional warmth and hospitality. May friendship continue to soar," tweeted PM Modi.

Also Read: Centre gives 'one-time' option to IAS, IPS, IFoS officers to choose OPS. Here's the condition

During his two-day visit, PM Modi participated in the Bastille Day celebrations on Friday as Guest of Honour at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron on the Champs-Elysees.

PM Modi joined the celebration to markt the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership. Other than this, a 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band also participated in the parade. The army contingent was led by the Punjab Regiment, along with the Rajputana Rifles Regiment.

During his visit, PM Modi also met top CEOs to discuss ways to diversify business cooperation. He called the his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron very productive as the two leaders reviewed the full range of India-France relations and discussed ways to deepen cooperatoon in futuristic secotrs like green hydrogen, renewable energy, AI, semiconductors and more.
US President Joe Biden has cracked a joke after media reports suggested that Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin could be in danger for carrying out an attempted mutiny last month against Russian President Vladimir Putin and briefly capturing Moscow's military facility.

In a press conference in Helsinki, Biden said, "If I were he Id be careful what I ate...I would keep an eye on my menu".

The joke was a reference to high-profile instances of Russian security services using nerve agents and polonium to poison and kill political enemies of President Vladimir Putin.

Biden said world leaders at the NATO summit in Vilnius discussed not knowing where Prigozhin was currently located, and uncertainty around how the mutiny might impact Russian operations in Ukraine and the future of the Wagner Group.

As per the latest report, Belarus has said instructors from the Russian mercenary force Wagner were training its troops.

The Belarusian defence ministry appeared to confirm Friday that at least some Wagner fighters had arrived.

"Near Asipovichy, units of territorial defence troops are undergoing training," the defence ministry told AFP News.

The Wagner group, which recruited extensively from Russian prisons, played a key role in the Ukraine offensive.

A video released by the Belarusian defence ministry showed masked fighters as instructors in the drills for soldiers living in a nearby tent camp.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address Friday that Kyiv was "closely monitoring what is happening there in terms of security".

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko brokered the agreement that persuaded Wagner's leader to end his brief rebellion on June 24 after his mercenaries came within 200 kilometers (124 miles) of Moscow, meeting little resistance from army units.

Putin said hed offered Wagner the option of continuing to serve as a single unit under their battlefield commander in Ukraine, nicknamed Grey Hair," but that Prigozhin had rejected the proposal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the UAE on Saturday for a one-day visit. During his stay, he is scheduled to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to assess the growing bilateral relations between the two nations and hold wide-ranging talks, focusing on the key areas of energy, food security, and defence. He was greeted by Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ministry of external affairs said. Our two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties," Modi said. As reported by PTI, Modi's visit to Abu Dhabi follows his successful two-day trip to Paris, where he attended the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. The visit to France also witnessed the signing of multiple agreements aimed at strengthening the bilateral ties between India and France. Meanwhile, Dubai's Burj Khalifa displayed the colours of the Indian national flag yesterday ahead of PM Modi's official visit to the country.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE, the key focus areas are anticipated to be energy, food security, and defence. The purpose of the visit is to review the progress made in bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly after the signing of a significant trade agreement.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed between India and the UAE, has played a pivotal role in enhancing economic engagement between the two nations. Notably, this agreement was signed amidst the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, underscoring the commitment to strengthen economic ties even during difficult times.

India and the UAE have extensive collaboration in multiple sectors including trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, and security, and have strong people-to-people ties.

The Indian expatriate community in the UAE is the largest ethnic community, accounting for approximately 30 per cent of the country's population. As per UAE records in 2021, the estimated number of resident Indian Nationals stood at 3.5 million.

(With inputs from PTI)
In response to escalating concerns over Iranian seizures in the Gulf region, the United States has intensified its deployment of fighter jets near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

As per a report by AP, a high-ranking defence official revealed on Friday that the US is bolstering its efforts to safeguard ships from potential Iranian aggression. The official further emphasized the mounting apprehension regarding the strengthening alliances between Iran, Russia, and Syria across the Middle East.

During a briefing with Pentagon reporters, a senior defense official disclosed that the United States plans to dispatch F-16 fighter jets to the Gulf region over the upcoming weekend as an augmentation to the A-10 attack aircraft that have been conducting patrols for over a week. The decision follows a recent incident in which Iran attempted to seize two oil tankers in close proximity to the strait, with one of the vessels coming under fire.

Requesting anonymity to disclose operational specifics in the region, the defence official affirmed that the deployment of F-16 fighter jets aims to provide air cover for ships transiting through the waterway, while simultaneously enhancing the military's presence in the area as a deterrent against Iran.

The official also noted that this move would increase visibility and surveillance capabilities in the region. According to the US Navy, on both occasions when Iranian naval vessels attempted to seize ships, their actions were halted when the USS McFaul, a guided-missile destroyer, promptly arrived at the scene.

Furthermore, the defence official informed reporters that the United States is evaluating various military options to address the growing instances of Russian aggression in Syrian airspace, AP reported.

Although the official refrained from elaborating on the specific options under consideration, they emphasized that the US is resolute in not relinquishing any territory and will persist in conducting anti-Islamic State missions in the western region of Syria.

According to the defense official, the recent surge in Russian military activity, characterized by increased frequency and aggression since March, can be attributed to the growing collaboration and coordination among Moscow, Tehran, and the Syrian government. The primary objective of this concerted effort is to exert pressure on the United States to withdraw from Syria.

The official further revealed that Russia is indebted to Iran for its support in the Ukrainian conflict, while Tehran seeks the US's departure from Syria to facilitate the transfer of lethal aid to Lebanese Hezbollah and to pose a threat to Israel. The United States has observed a heightened level of cooperation, collaboration, joint planning, and intelligence sharing primarily among mid-level leaders from the Russian military and the Iranian Quds force within Syria. These activities are intended to mount pressure on the US to withdraw its troops from Syria.

Also Read: Why America and Saudi Arabia are still inseparable

There are about 900 US forces in the country, and others move in and out to conduct missions targeting Islamic State group militants.

The official said, The US does not believe Russian aircraft plan to drop bombs on US troops or shoot down manned aircraft. But there are concerns that Russian pilots will knock a Reaper drone out of the sky and that Moscow believes that type of action would not get a strong US military response."

Highlighting a notable incident, tensions escalated between Russia and the United States in March when a Russian warplane intentionally doused a US surveillance drone with jet fuel and subsequently damaged its propeller, resulting in the US military being compelled to ditch the MQ-9 Reaper into the Black Sea.

Following this provocative act, the incident sparked a dialogue between the defense chiefs of both Russia and the United States. However, it is important to note that there was no immediate military retaliation in response to the incident. Nonetheless, the event played a significant role in intensifying the already escalating tensions between the two nations.

In recent developments, Rear Adm. Oleg Gurinov, who leads the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria, revealed that the Russian and Syrian militaries have been engaged in collaborative training exercises. In statements reported by Syrian state media, Gurinov expressed Russia's concerns regarding drone flights conducted by the US-led coalition in northern Syria. He referred to these flights as "systematic violations of protocols" intended to prevent clashes between the two military forces.

To prevent unintended clashes between US and Russian forces in Syria, military commanders from both sides regularly communicate via a deconfliction phone line, which has been in operation for several years. This communication channel is crucial due to the presence of troops from both countries on the ground and in the air within Syria.

According to a US official, these communications can occur multiple times a day and sometimes become contentious, with commanders engaging in heated arguments about ongoing operations. The official further explained that during these conversations, Russian commanders frequently declare certain airspace areas as restricted operating zones, citing ongoing military exercises in those areas.

The US sees no exercises, and tells Russia that American forces are on a counterterror mission against the Islamic State group and plan to fly in that area. The Russians then say they can't guarantee US aircraft safety if they go there. And once the mission begins, and the aircraft move into the zone, it sometimes gets very heated," said the official, as both sides loudly protest and reject the other's assertions.

In a recent incident on Friday morning, a Russian aircraft conducted multiple flyovers above the at-Tanf garrison located in eastern Syria. The at-Tanf garrison serves as a training facility for Syrian allies and serves the purpose of monitoring Islamic State militant activities. According to the official, the Russian aircraft involved was identified as an An-30 and was engaged in intelligence-gathering operations focused on the base.

Notably, the United States did not have any fighter aircraft present in the vicinity during the incident and did not undertake any direct measures against the Russian flight.
Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and union minister Smriti Irani on Saturday took to Twitter making a jibe at Congress leader and former MP Rahul Gandhi. On Saturday Gandhi took to the microblogging site saying "Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses Indias internal matter. PM hasnt said a word on either! Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade."

Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "silence" on Manipur violence. The Congress leader was talking about the ethnic violence that has ripped the north eastern state of Manipur since May. The violence took lives of many in the state, refuses to die down. PM Modi arrived in France on Thursday. He attended the Bastille Day Parade as the 'guest of honour', on Friday. The Prime Minister was also conferred with the highest French honour by French President, Emmanuel Macron. Rahul Gandhi's comment on Rafale comes at a time when the Defence Ministry declared its plan to acquire an additional 26 Rafale fighter jets for deployment on its newly built aircraft carrier. In addition, the ministry also intends to procure three more Scorpene-class submarines. This deal is anticipated to have a significant value in the range of billions of euros.

The Congress party has been demanding a response from the Prime Minister regarding the situation in Manipur. The state has been experiencing ethnic violence since May 3, resulting in loss of lives and property.

India on Thursday described as a reflection of a "colonial mindset" a resolution adopted at the European Parliament on the situation in Manipur.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said such interference in India's internal affairs is "unacceptable".

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, who has been attacking the government over its handling of the situation in Manipur, also slammed the Centre.

Targeting the Centre, Ramesh said, "In January 1977 Richard Nelson a noted economist at Yale University published a very influential essay called The Moon and the Ghetto. It became required reading for people like me in graduate school. Nelson poses the question: why is it that a technologically dynamic America is able to land man on the moon but is unable to meaningfully address its problems at home especially in the inner cities."

Union Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday slammed Congress leader and former MP Rahul Gandhi by calling him a "frustrated dynast" after the latter criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's France visit and "silence" on Manipur issue.

"A man who seeks international intervention in Indias internal matters, a frustrated dynast who sullies the Make in India ambition mocks India when our PM receives a National honour," Irani tweeted.

Further, taking a jibe at Gandhi, she added, "Rejected by people, he seethes as defence contracts no longer land at the doorstep of dynasty".

Manipur got hit by violence in May following the High Court's order asking the state government to consider including the Meitei community into the category of Scheduled Tribes (ST).

Also, the Congress leader and the former MP visited the state on June 29 and said, "Manipur needs peace to heal".
Map showing OSHA reported heat deaths per 1 million workers in the U.S., 2017-2022. Oklahoma and Arkansas had the highest death rates, at 2.26 / million and 2.1 / million, respectively. Data: OSHA / Census Bureau / Bloomberg Law. Graphic: Jacob Bogage and Eli Tan / The Washington Post

By Jacob Bogage and Eli Tan

14 July 2023

(The Washington Post)  The pain usually starts for Karla Perez when the temperature reaches 100 degrees.

When its too hot, I feel like vomiting, said Perez, who has worked landscaping and construction jobs in the Dallas area for the last decade. My legs are shaking. And it feels like I cant see well, I see dark.

Now Perez is worried about losing water breaks in 115-degree heat, a result of a new state law stripping worker protections in Dallas and Austin that had codified baseline heat safety regulations.

Recent weeks have seen Earths highest average temperatures on record, according to climate studies, yet most U.S. workers have few legal protections related to extreme heat conditions. The federal government is in the midst of a years-long process to draft heat safety rules, and only six states have their own regulations that guarantee laborers access to water, rest and shade  the three elements that medical professionals say can protect workers from heat illness.

A worker in Houston digs fence post holes in late June 2023 during a historic heat wave in Texas. Photo: David J. Phillip / AP

The result, experts say, is that workers in a bevy of industries  from farmworkers to roofers and delivery drivers to sanitation professionals  are left to defend themselves under the scorching sun.

The consequences can be deadly.

Between 2017 and 2022, the deaths of 121 workers on the job were officially attributed directly to heat, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which says that number is almost surely an undercount because heat-related deaths are often blamed on other workplace accidents or underlying health conditions. For example, an individual who mishandles dangerous machinery in heated conditions may have been severely dehydrated to the point of incapacitation, or a roofer who falls to their death may have lost consciousness due to heat.

Heat illness can lead workers to make unsafe decisions, said Elizabeth Strater, director of strategic campaigns for the United Farm Workers.

You are already reacting more slowly, and you are making different choices than you would, she said. A lot of people become irritable at this point, theyre not going to be taking the advice of the people around them. Youre not recognizing these are [working] conditions that are unusual and dangerous.

That danger is only going to get worse, both over this summer and in years to come. July 4 was Earths hottest day on record as a heat dome smothered parts of Texas and conditions from El Nino, the infamous climate pattern that provokes stifling heat and harsh rains, began to strafe the West Coast.

We are seeing our extreme summer weather, which we always have, superimposed on a long-term trend that is not only greater than, but happening faster than, any time in human history, said Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist at the Nature Conservancy, a leading global environmental advocacy group. The average temperature of the planet is warmer than any time in the history of human civilization.

A construction worker takes a sip of water while repairing a road that was damaged from the heat in Houston in late June 2023. Photo: Mark Felix / AFP / Getty Images

Heat policy

In Texas, lawmakers nullified heat safety ordinances in Dallas and Austin as part of a sweeping statute that stripped local governments rights to regulate workplace issues. The Republican-controlled Texas legislature found those and other local workplace ordinances too burdensome on employers that do business across the state and especially on the booming construction industry.

What was happening was we had some rogue cities that maybe stepped too far over their skis and ventured into some areas that they shouldnt have ventured into, said Geoffrey Tahuahua, president of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas.

The water break ordinances were not a direct target of this bill, he said, though other construction industry officials found them superfluous. Industry standards, Tahuahua said, provide more heat safety breaks than Dallas and Austin required.

The rules that were adopted by Dallas and Austin are not anything that any of our members would try to enforce because it doesnt seem sufficient, said Scott Norman, CEO of the Texas Association of Builders. It doesnt seem enough in the heat of Texas. You could argue theyd violate the OSHA standards.

Extreme heat risk falls under the OSHAs general duty clause, a catchall for job-site hazards without specific guidelines.

That makes it difficult for regulators to hold employers accountable for heat injuries, said Jordan Barab, who served as OSHAs deputy assistant secretary from 2009 to 2017. Regulators must meet a higher burden of proof to establish heat as the cause of an injury or death.

Those legal and procedural hurdles mean OSHA often imposes penalties for heat hazards after a worker has died or been hurt on the job, he said, rather than proactively forcing employers to provide adequate water, shade and rest. []

Emergency medical technicians William Dorsey and Omar Amezcua assist a person who had reported chest pains after working outside for hours on 29 June 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas. Photo: Brandon Bell / Getty Images

They send us with two bottles of water, and thats it, said Motte, 60, whose work for a Houston-based staffing agency often has him toiling outdoors. Sometimes the sites have cold water, sometimes they dont.

The most dangerous workplaces during heat waves are outdoor sites. According to OSHA data, the three most fatal heat-related jobs are construction, agricultural work and landscaping, and among these jobs, OSHA says 50 to 70 percent of heat fatalities occur within a workers first few days.

On 1 January 2023, a farmworker died of heat stroke in Parkland, Fla., on his first day on the job harvesting vegetables, according to an OSHA investigation.

In Inman, Neb., in July 2019, a worker collapsed and died in the extreme heat after digging holes next to telephone poles for 11 hours on his first shift, the agency found.

And on a blistering June 2017 day in Catarina, Tex., a new worker complained of cramps and nausea while working inside a well, but was told to work through the shift, after which he convulsed for 90 minutes before dying of heat stroke, according to an OSHA incident report. [more]

Forcing people to work in deadly heat is mostly legal in the U.S.
BJP President JP Nadda on Saturday wrote a letter to Bihar's regional party LJP's leader Chirag Paswan on Saturday. Paswan who is the son of late BJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan has received a letter of invitation from Nadda for an NDA meeting in Delhi on 18 July. Besides, Paswan, the BJP has also invited Hindustani Awam Morcha President Jitan Ram Majhi for NDA meeting on 18th July in Delhi.

The letter stated that Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is an important part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP. The letter added, " Your party Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas Paswan) is an important partner of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). As an important partner of the NDA, you are also a major ally in the journey of service, good governance, and poor welfare by the NDA government under the leadership of respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. In the last 9 years, the NDA government under the leadership of respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given a new height to the multi-dimensional development of the country....As a result, under the leadership of Prime Minister, India of Amritkal is taking forward the journey of the development of the country with the new dreams of Vision-2047 with public participation and public trust. NDA meeting has been decided to be held on Tuesday, 18 July 2023, at 5 pm at Hotel Ashok in New Delhi in the presence of the Honorable Prime Minister. You are cordially invited to this meeting. Your role as an important partner of NDA and your cooperation not only strengthens the alliance but also strengthens the country's development journey. Your presence is requested in the meeting of NDA partners".

Paswan has received a letter at a time when BJP ties with Bihar's other two regional parties--Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have turned bitter. This week, BJP leader Vijay Singh died in Patna following a police lathi charge during the partys march towards the assembly.

At that time Nadda claimed in a tweet that the lathi charge on BJP workers in Patna is the result of the failure and indignation of the state government.

Besides, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan wondered if Bihar is currently under an undeclared emergency".

He tweeted: In the arrogance of power, the chief minister's police took the life of an unarmed BJP worker fighting for the rights and rights of Biharis... if this is not an undeclared emergency in Bihar then what else is?"

Paswan last week dropped hints of joining the BJP-led NDA for which he had campaigned in the recent by-polls in Bihar.

Meanwhile, RJD leader and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav lambasted BJP for blaming his government for the death of a party leader. Yadav also bristled upon learning that the BJP's central leadership has constituted a four-member fact-finding team to look into the death of Vijay Singh, the Jehanabad district general secretary.
The man has devoted much of his life to building giant rockets.

So, perhaps, it should be no surprise that it has come to this: Elon Musk resorting to phallic barbs in his online feud with fellow billionaire Mark Zuckerberg.

I propose a literal dick measuring contest," Musk tweeted last Sunday night, topping even himself for a new level of blatant crassness.

His coarse banter on a very public stage stands in stark contrast to much of corporate Americas current state of heartburn over possibly triggering any offense. After watching Bud Light fumble with transgender issues, c-suite executives have increased trepidation over being associated with social topicseven ones that may have recently been seen as promoting social goodout of concern about falling within someones crosshairs.

Not Musk. He has built a following with wink-wink high-jinks at the companies he runs, from Tesla, the car company; to SpaceX, the rocket maker; and, as of late October, Twitter, the social-media platform.

Some Twitter users found his Zuckerberg zinger out of bounds, such as Emmet Peppers, a hedge-fund manager, who responded: Come on manprobably should delete this one."

For many othersmore than 55,000 users liked the tweet as of Friday eveningthe jab appealed to a certain sophomoric sensibility, helping explain the unusual populism that Musk, as the worlds richest man, has cultivated after more than a decade of unusual tweeting.

Over the years, his jokes have only grown edgier. Years ago, it was about naming Teslas vehicles so the ending characters on the model monikers spelled out S.3.X.Y. Today, he automatically responds to press inquiries at Twitter with poop emojis. His antics, even if off-putting to some, have helped endear him to others, who say he seems more authentic compared with image-conscious CEOs at other companies.

Musks sense of humor was on display in 2021 when he appeared as host of NBCs Saturday Night Live," making jokes about himself, Gen Z and dogecoin. He also dressed up as Super Mario Bros. archrival Wario.

With almost 150 million Twitter followers, Musks public stage may be bigger than most, although he isnt the first business leader to try to harness the power of humor, which done successfully can create delight and foster connections.

Among the most notable is Warren Buffett, who has long peppered his shareholder letters with aw-shucks humor. In 2008, the Oracle of Omaha cited country music lyrics to sum up the challenges of buying companies: Ive never gone to bed with an ugly woman, but Ive sure woke up with a few."

Yet Musks style is riskier, especially as he toys with topics not universally seen as funny such as Hitler, mansplaining or sperm banks. And at times, some have viewed Musks comments as going too far, veering into hurtful attacks and sexist tropes.

Last year, for example, he made light of an Insider report thatSpaceX had settled claims by a flight attendant that included an accusation Musk had exposed himself to her. The billionaire took to Twitter to call the allegations utterly untrue" and went into joke mode. Finally, we get to use Elongate as scandal name," he tweeted. Its kinda perfect."

Employees later complained, in an open letter to SpaceX executives, that his public antics, including that tweet in particular, were a distraction. The group cited more than a couple dozen of Musks tweets between 2020 and 2022 that it said clearly depict the Bro culture Elon seems to not only tolerate, but embrace and encourage online and in his personal life."

Also among their list of offending tweets: One Musk sent during an October night in 2021 that was aimed at those who were wise to spelling humor: Am thinking of starting new university: Texas Institute of Technology & Science."

It wasnt lost on certain followers that the made-up school names acronym was a certain vulgar slang for the female anatomy. It will have epic merch," Musk added in follow-up tweets. Universally admired."

Swiftly, Musk faced criticism as being a chauvinist, especially as the tech industry broadly struggles with accusations of misogyny within its male-dominated ranks.

As a shareholder and customer, this is really a puzzling and disappointing attempt at humor," responded Eric Wenger, an executive at Cisco. We are trying to encourage more women to pursue technology degrees and careers. I cannot see how this helps that effort in any way."

In following months, Tesla faced a string of lawsuits, unrelated to Musks comments, by women claiming sexual harassment at the automakers Bay Area assembly plant. Tesla has subjected women working in its Fremont plant to nightmarish conditions of rampant sexual harassment," a lawsuit filed by one of the women said.

The automaker didnt respond to a request for comment on the continuing cases. It has said it is against any kinds of harassment or discrimination.

Musk saves some of his most pointed, blue retorts for fellow billionairesas if he is trying to rattle them or define them publicly on his own terms.

After billionaire Jeff Bezos rocket company Blue Origin in 2021 protested a government contract being awarded to Space X, Musk responded on Twitter that his rival, Cant get it up (to orbit) lol."

Then last year, Musk, who has claimed Bill Gates was short selling Tesla stock, posted a tweet of the Microsoft co-founder in an unflattering profile picture in which he compared him with a pregnant-man emoji and wrote, in case u need to lose a boner fast."

The latest beef with Zuckerberg emerged as the Meta Platforms CEO prepared to launch a rival app to Twitter. In the lead up to its debut last week, Musk had already proposed a cage fight between the two, but his pokes became more lewd after Zuckerbergs Threads was greeted with a wave of positive publicity amid struggles at Twitter.

Hours after Sundays tweet proposing the bawdy measuring contest, Musk posted something akin to a P.S.A. for Twitter: You will get more laughs from this app than everything combined."

But I have to warn you," Musk added, dont be shockedtheres some negative stuff too."
Elon Musk on Friday said the purpose of his new artificial intelligence company, xAI, will be to "understand the universe."

In an often meandering 90-minute long Twitter Spaces audio chat, the billionaire discussed his vision for xAI for the first time while veering into topics such as the Earth's evolution and the fragility of civilization.

In seeking to deepen the understanding of the universe, Musk joked that xAI's mission statement would be "what the hell is really going on?"

Musk announced the formation of xAI on Wednesday after accusing companies like OpenAI and Google of developing the technology without considering risks to humans.

OpenAI and Google did not respond to request for comment.

He said xAI would seek to build a "good AGI," as an alternative to Microsoft, Google and OpenAI. AGI stands for artificial general intelligence and refers to AI that can solve problems like a human.

During the Spaces session, which had a delayed start as Twitter needed to "tweak the algorithm" to promote the chat to more users, Musk said xAI would work closely with his other companies, Twitter and Tesla.

The company will use public tweets to train its AI models and may also work with Tesla on AI software.

Such a relationship would have "mutual benefit" and could accelerate Tesla's work in self-driving capabilities, Musk said.

He also accused all AI companies of training their models using Twitter data in what he characterized as an illegal manner.

Musk, who has advocated for regulations in AI, said he has pushed for meetings with White House officials and has emphasized the importance of regulating AI in his recent meetings with top government officials in China.

(Reporting by Sheila Dang in Dallas and Krystal Hu in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis, Josie Kao and Diane Craft)
Aerial view of the Paso Severino reservoir that supplies water to Montevideo, Uruguay, in July 2023. It is nearly completely empty and currently only holds only 3 percent of its normal capacity due to three consecutive years of drought. Uruguay is facing the worst water crisis in its history due to the prolonged drought. Photo: Guardian News

By Martin Tocar

15 July 2023

(The Guardian)  More than half of Uruguays 3.5 million citizens are without access to tap water fit for drinking, and experts say the situation could continue for months.

Some had predicted the crisis years ago when pointing out the vulnerability of the single reservoir supplying water to the metropolitan area around the capital, Montevideo.

By Latin American standards, Uruguay is a high-income country, and it has historically thought of itself as having abundant water resources. Those who warned of diminishing supplies were considered catastrophists and investment was postponed.

Three consecutive years of drought have almost emptied the reservoir of fresh water, and to avoid shortages the state-run water supplier, OSE, has since the beginning of the year been gradually adding brackish water from the Rio de la Plata estuary.

A protester holds a sign that reads For water, for life in Montevideo in May 2023. Photo: Santiago Mazzarovich / AP

By early May the mix had reached the maximum levels of sodium and chlorides recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), and now it has double those levels, giving the water a repulsive taste and raising questions about potential effects on health.

Authorities maintain that the chemicals only affect the taste and smell of the water and do not necessarily pose a risk to most peoples health.

Some vulnerable groups such as babies, pregnant women and people with health conditions have been warned against drinking the water but there have been conflicting claims about its safety for the broader population.

Alvaro Mombru, the dean of the chemistry faculty at the Universidad de la Republica, said he would not recommend its consumption at present, while his colleague Arturo Briva, the dean of the medicine faculty, said the water was still considered safe but warned that as levels rise and time of exposure increases, some repercussions may appear.

15 July 2023: Uruguay is facing the worst water crisis in its history due to a prolonged drought that has led to the practical depletion of fresh water from the main reserve that supplies Montevideo. Video: Guardian News

Experts have advised taking shorter showers, and there have been increased reports of damage to water heaters.

A poll in May 2023 found that roughly half of people in the area affected had reduced their consumption of tap water and 35% had stopped drinking it completely.

The government has exempted bottled water from taxes and announced it would provide free bottled water to more than 500,000 people.

Mario Bidegain, a meteorologist, said calculating the amount of rain needed to bring the situation back to normal was a difficult task. If there are heavy rains as expected by early September, authorities will still have to decide whether to reduce the sodium and chloride levels back to normal or keep some kind of mix to preserve supplies in case the drought continues. We will probably come out of this slowly, Bidegain said.

Drought leaves millions in Uruguay without tap water fit for drinking
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Longford County Council has congratulated the local groups, Colmcille Broadband Connection Point (BCP), St Joseph's National School and Scoil Bhride Glen, who won awards at the first ever national Microsoft Dream Space Showcase.

Prize winners from the inaugural Longford Microsoft Dream Space Showcase which was held in Edgeworthstown at the end of May, represented the county at this national event which took place at Microsoft Irelands campus in Leopardstown, Dublin on Friday, June 16. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

Having already presented at the local Dream Space Showcase event, the Dublin event gave the primary school children and the local Our Kids Code clubs an exciting opportunity to present and showcase their micro:bit projects to an even wider audience.

The first-of-its-kind event saw 320 pupils from across counties Longford, Tipperary and Kildare travel to One Microsoft Place to showcase their Scince Technology Engineering Arts Maths (STEM)-based projects.

The innovative projects presented by the pupils addressed various challenges related to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include wearable tech for improving young people's wellbeing, inclusive and accessible voting systems, initiatives to clean the ocean and prevent illegal dumping, as well as measures to reduce water wastage and so much more.

On the day the students engaged in a wide range of activities including Minecraft Education Build Challenges, Badge Making, Music Making, Stem Sign Language. They also heard from speakers who shared their insights and experiences of working with Microsoft as well as having the opportunity to meet with Microsoft Ireland Site Lead and Vice President for Microsoft Global Operations Service Center, James OConnor.

The Longford winners awarded prizes were:

* Scoil Bhride, Glen was awarded the Digital Creativity Award,

* St Josephs National School was named Longfords Rural Future Champion, and

* Colmcille BCP Our Kids Code Club won Most Collaborative Project

These groups saw off competition from schools and clubs across counties Tipperary, Longford and Kildare.

Cllr Paul Ross, on behalf of then Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Turlough McGovern, attended the event and extended his congratulations to all the schools, teachers and children involved. The Longford primary schools and local Our Kids Code Clubs were exceptional on the day in how they presented their micro:bit projects and how they represented Longford.

Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon added, A huge well done to all of the children who got to represent Longford on this new national stage.

Longford County Council is committed to continuing the operation of these programmes under the Longford STEAM Programme uniting educational initiatives in the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

Schools and local coding clubs will be contacted in the coming months to engage with the next programme of activities.
Satellite view of Vermont flooding in July 2023, showing some of the historic damage to roads and infrastructure. In this photo from midday 11 July 2023, the muddy Otter Creek causes extensive flooding by Rutland, VT. The normal channel is a thin line through the floodwaters. Photo: Evan Dethier

By Anna Skinner

12 July 2023

(Newsweek)  Flooding in Vermont this week was so severe that it showed up on satellite images.

A long-duration rainstorm overwhelmed state creeks and rivers and pushed the Wrightsville Dam to its limits, severely flooding Mountpelier, Vermonts capital. Water rose quickly, destroying roads and causing evacuations. Some people felt they couldnt abandon their homes and businesses and chose to stay, while others are just now returning to assess the damage to their property.

In some areas, the flooding surpassed that from Hurricane Irene in 2011, which caused $733 million in damage to the state, which had up to 11 inches of rain in some places. Some business owners who didnt experience flooding during Hurricane Irene battled more than 6 feet of flooding in their basements. At the Kitty Korner Cafe in Barre, the owner resorted to chiseling a hole in the first floor with a screwdriver and a hammer to divert floodwater away from her cats.

Satellite view Townshend Dam in Vermont on 9 July 2023 (above) and 11 July 2023 (below). On 9 July 2023, the reservoir held just 1 percent of its maximum capacity. Two days later it was at 82 percent and rising. Southern Vermont experienced catastrophic, generational flooding during Tropical Storm Irene in July 2023. Photo: Evan Dethier

The worst of the flooding occurred in such places as Newport, Montpelier, Middlebury and Springfield, according to a Tuesday flood warning from the National Weather Service. The flooding severity was second to conditions during the Great Vermont Flood of 1927which is considered Vermonts worst natural disasterand was spotted by satellites in space, images of which were shared on Twitter.

Satellite views of the Vermont floods are just out, and they show some of the historic damage to roads and infrastructure, a Twitter user said on Tuesday night. Here, the muddy Otter Creek causes extensive flooding by Rutland, VT. The normal channel is a thin line through the floodwaters. from midday July 11.

In the satellite image, the creek winds through the landscape in a thick line much wider than normal.

In a follow-up tweet, the user shared a satellite image near Okemo, a ski resort in the Green Mountains, where some of the worst floods occurred.

Satellite view of flooding in Vermont near Okemo, a ski area in the Green Mountains, on 11 July 2023. As much as 10 of rain may have fallen here. Satellite images showed that flooding had receded somewhat after 24 hours, but rivers and lakes remained muddy from landslides and other erosion. Photo: Evan Dethier

As much as 10 of rain may have fallen here. Satellite images show flooding has receded somewhat after 24 hours, but rivers and lakes remain muddy from landslides and other erosion, the user tweeted.

AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told Newsweek that not all floods are picked up by satellite imagery.

You wouldnt see it for every flood, just the bad ones, he said. Its a big deal that you can actually pick that kind of stuff out, the flooding, on satellite pictures. Its not a common occurrence.

Kines called the Vermont floods devastating. [more]

Vermont Flood Damage Is So Severe It Can Be Seen From Space
Ever since the days of Eddie Macken Granard has been synonymous with showjumping.

When the Horse Jumping and Horse & Ridden Classes returned to the annual Granard Agricultural Show programme the response was remarkable as Hazel McVeigh, Show Secretary, explained.

We haven't had the show jumping as part of the Agricultural Show for a number of years, Hazel told the Leader, when the new committee was drawing up our programme for the weekend we decided to include it to see how it was received.

The highlight was the six bar competition. We couldn't believe the response we got. The numbers in attendance on the second day of the show were extraordinary.

Granard Show is on the rise, says proud president PJ Reilly As events go, this weekends hotly anticipated Granard Agricultural Show cant come quick enough for its president PJ Reilly.

The second day of the show is dedicated to showjumping: The sponsorship we have received means we are able to maintain that, Hazel explained.

The two day show has a packed programme including Arts & Crafts; Vegetables, Fruit & Flowers; and of course the Cattle Classes. Granard's central location draws visitors from far and wide to the Show.

Thankfully we have a good catchment area. We get people from Northern Ireland, Sligo, Leitrim, the West of Ireland and even from Dublin. They are exhibitors, competitors and people who just want to see what the show has to offer. We are very lucky, Hazel said.

The committee uses social media to raise awareness about what the show has to offer: Our Facebook page has everything on it.

We have almost 5,000 followers. People who may not have heard about Granard Show a few years ago have access to information on what we are about. It really gets at what we are doing.

Hazel says community support is vital for the life of the Show: Granard is a great little town. It has the historic reputation as a market town. The mart attracts people from far and wide. The show is another branch on that tree. We are a small hard working committee. People realise the huge effort that is put into the organising of the show and they support that.

We rely on the community a lot. We rely on the people who act as volunteers and stewards who give up their time. They are the backbone of any show. If you don't have people willing to give their time it leaves you in a tight position.

Day one will see competition in the Cow and Calf Class with a prize fund of 2,000, while the Irish Draft Mare Class has a prize of 500.

Volunteering is what sets Granard Show apart, says ISA chief The unbridled success of Granard Agricultural Show would not have reached the lofty heights it did but for the unselfish dedication of a select, but tireless band of local volunteers.

There is also great interest in the Young Handlers in the Sheep and pony section and the young stock-person in cattle: We have been inundated with sponsorship from businesses. We also have many people giving sponsorship to ensure the show goes ahead. It's not always the big money, it's the person who gives 5 or 10 that ensures the viability of the show into the future.

Hazel concluded by saying: It is a fantastic day out. All we are praying for now is the good weather.
In case you missed them, the Luxembourg Times has selected the best stories of the week for you

Bishopsgate in London, where the Bank of London is based  Photo credit: Shutterstock

The Bank of London to hire 300 staff at new Luxembourg hub

The UK-based clearing bank The Bank of London will set up shop in Luxembourg to service the EU's single market and will hire 300 people and invest 200 million over the next five years, the firm said on Wednesday.

"Formally establishing a base in the EU enables The Bank of London to support businesses in the worlds largest single market and trading bloc," the bank said in a statement.

The lender has applied for an EU banking licence with the European Central Bank and Luxembourg's financial regulator, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), the bank said.

UK lawyers finally gain access to Luxembourg after Brexit

British lawyers will once again be able to fully serve clients in Luxembourg, after the Grand Duchys parliament passed a law last month to allow registration with the countrys Bar Association, bringing years of post-Brexit limbo to an end.

The law change commits Luxembourgs Bar Association  the professional body for the countrys lawyers  to creating a new list of UK-qualified lawyers who would be able to provide services to Luxembourg-based clients on UK law.

The new law, part of the 2020 UK-EU withdrawal agreement which was finally passed into Luxembourg law at the end of June, removes major obstacles which had been in place since Brexit for businesses and investors with a foot in both financial centres.

Luxembourg rejects Amazon's tax calculations

The gloves have come off between Amazon and the Luxembourg tax office as the latter has rejected how much tax the e-commerce giant said it should pay on a transfer of intellectual property, shining yet another spotlight on the company's tax practices in the Grand Duchy.

The Amazon group in 2021 transferred "certain intangible assets", an accounting term for intellectual property, from one of its Luxembourg units to the United States where the group is headquartered.

The Luxembourg tax office, which previously issued favourable tax rulings to the company that became public during the LuxLeaks revelations, "denied the tax basis" of that sale in September last year, according to Amazon's consolidated accounts of 2022.

Luxembourg car maker Arrival loses major financing lifeline

A Luxembourg-headquartered e-car maker that has been struggling financially has lost a key financing lifeline, raising further questions about its future viability.

Arrival agreed to terminate a business agreement with US-based special purpose acquisition company Kensington Capital, which would have provided Arrival with more than $280 million in liquidity at a time when the car maker is burning through cash and its founder dropped shares in the business.

Both companies agreed to end the agreement signed in April, the firms said last week.

Government transparency registers empty for several months

Two transparency registers listing details of meetings held by Luxembourg ministers have not been updated for over three months, the government has confirmed, despite the European Commission criticising the country for failing to update the records regularly.

The two registers, one for ministers and the other for senior officials, give a brief description of meetings which have been held since last year, but the last meeting currently listed was on 2 March.

Earlier this month, the European Commission criticised Luxembourg's registers for their lack of detail in a report which also raised wider concerns about the country's progress in improving government transparency.
Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry testifies during the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability hearing entitled, The State Departments Climate Agenda: A Budget Overview by the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate at the Capitol on Thursday, 13 July 2023. Kerry said the U.S. would under no circumstances pay reparations to other countries ravaged by climate change. Photo: Tierney L. Cross

By Zack Budryk

14 July 2023

(The Hill)  White House climate envoy John Kerry said the U.S. would under no circumstances pay reparations to other countries ravaged by climate change in testimony Thursday before the House Foreign Affairs Committees oversight subcommittee.

During the hearing, subcommittee chairman Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) directly asked Kerry whether the U.S. would pay reparations, to which Kerry responded in the negative.

Im glad to hear you say that, Mast replied.

The exchange between Kerry and Mast marked a solicitous moment in a hearing that saw frequent fireworks between the former secretary of State and the panels other Republicans. Reps. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) and Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) made repeated references to Kerrys familys ownership of a private jet, prompting Kerry to say he does not own a private jet and flies commercially in the course of his duties.

Another Republican on the subcommittee, Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), accused Kerry and world leaders who signed onto the Paris Climate Agreement of grifting.

Kerry testified before the subcommittee ahead of a scheduled visit to Beijing for another round of climate negotiations with Chinese officials. China is the worlds largest single emitter of carbon dioxide but has been classified as a developing nation by the United Nations, due to the relatively recent growth of its economy compared to other major emitters.

At last years COP27 climate summit in Egypt, the U.S. joined other nations in committing to a loss and damages fund for developing countries affected by climate change.

However, unlike a reparations program, that fund is not considered compensatory and does not involve specific countries conceding legal liability, a distinction that advocates for reparations have been quick to point out. The COP27 agreement does not specify who would pay into the loss-and-damages fund, and the U.S. and other Western powers heavily lobbied for excluding legal liability for historic emitters from the text.

Kerry testifies under no circumstances will US pay climate reparations
A CHICAGO man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for soliciting sexually explicit photos and videos from young girls in the Philippines.

Karl Quilter, 58, pleaded guilty last year to sexual exploitation of children, the US Attorneys Office for the North District of Illinois said.

Quilter was sentenced to 30 years in a federal prison by US District Judge Virginia Kendall, the US Attorneys Office said in a statement on Friday.

Quilter enticed at least nine girls in the Philippines to produce sexually explicit photos and videos and send them to him via Facebook, Viber, and Skype between 2017 and 2020, it said.

Quilter preyed on the victims financial difficulties, using money transfers to the victims families to entice the girls to record the sexually explicit images, the US Attorneys Office said.

Victim by victim, and message by message, defendant used social media and the internet to target and groom young Filipino girls, Assistant US attorney Ashley Chung said in the governments sentencing memorandum.

This was not a one-time aberration, but rather a years-long pattern of predatory abuse and exploitation of minors, Chung said.

Quilter was arrested in Chicago in November 2020.

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BAGHDAD, IraqWith scorching temperatures and power cuts, Wissam Abed cools off from Baghdads brutal summer by swimming in the Tigris river, but as Iraqi rivers dry up, so does the age-old pastime.

Near a bridge linking the east of the city to the west, Abed stood in the middle of the river, but the water only came up to his waist.

I live here in Adhamiya, like my grandfather did before me. Year after year, the water situation gets worse, said the 37-year-old, referring to his neighbourhood nestled along the Tigris in northern Baghdad.

HOT SUMMER. BAGHDAD, IraqAn Iraqi dives into the waters of the Tigris river in Baghdad on July 12, 2023, as temperatures soared past 45 degrees Celsius. AFP

Abed waded through the water to the middle of the ancient river, as temperatures reached near 50 degrees celsius (122 Farenheit) and wind whipped through the city like a hair dryer one July afternoon.

He told AFP he comes to the Tigris to have fun and feel refreshed.

Summer in Iraq is a prime example of the convergences of multiple crises weighing down the lives of the 43-strong population: a dilapidated electricity sector, rising temperatures and severe water shortages.

The United Nations says Iraq is one of the five countries in the world most touched by some effects of climate change.

In parts Baghdad, home to around nine million people, the water is still deep enough for youths to enjoy diving into the water from mounds of bricks. But elsewhere, new islets of earth stick out from the middle of the river.

In the evening when we return to our homes, there is no water or electricity, said Abed, a public employee at the ministry of electricity.

Last night, I came to swim in the river at one oclock in the morning before returning home.

In addition to the declining levels of rainfall, Iraqi authorities say upstream dam construction by Turkey and Iran has impacted the volume of the water that runs in rivers through Iraq.

Ravaged by decades of conflict and international sanctions, oil-rich Iraq relies on Iranian gas imports for a third of its energy needs.

It is also beset by rampant corruption, and suffers from dilapidated infrastructure.

Generally power cuts can last up to 10 hours a day. But every summer when the thermometer climbs, the supply of public electricity worsens.

Families who can afford it hook up their house to neighborhood generators to make up for the poor supply.

But to do away with power cuts, Iraqi power plants would need to produce more than 32,000 megawatts (MW) daily, according to authorities.

This year, for the first time, Iraq produced 26,000 MW per day on average until the onset of July when production fell due to Iran shutting off the gas taps over 11 billion euros of unpaid bills.

An agreement has been reached and electricity production has improved to exceed 24,000 MW, the ministry of electricity said on Friday.

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Miss Ecuador, Andrea Aguilera, 22, was crowned Miss Supranational 2023 at the glitzy pageant held on Friday night (early Saturday morning in Manila) at Strzelecki Park Amphitheater in Maopolska, Poland.

However, it was Miss Philippines, Pauline Amelinckx, who captured the hearts of online fans, with many fervently believing that she was deserving of the crown. Fans took to Twitter to express their overwhelming support for the Filipino beauty queen causing her name to trend for several hours after the conclusion of the coronation night.

Miss Supranational 2023 showcased a stunning lineup of international beauty and talent, featuring 65 contestants from different countries. As the competition neared its climax, the Top 5 finalists, including Aguilera, Sancler Frantz of Brazil, Emma Rose Collingridge of the United Kingdom, Pauline Amelinckx of the Philippines, and Ngan Dang Thanh of Vietnam, eagerly awaited the final verdict.

During the highly anticipated Question-and-Answer segment, where the finalists were tested on their intelligence and ability to articulate their thoughts, Andrea Aguileras response resonated with the judges, ultimately leading to her victory.

The Top 5 were asked: What makes for a good brand ambassador for this organization?

Oh my god. For me, work with Miss Supranational Organization would be the greatest honor of my life. I could travel around the world carrying its legacy. I would really love to start my own foundation to help single moms to find employment. But one of the most important things for me, the Miss Supranational platform, makes me accomplish one of the most, the biggest dreams of my life. This is studying medicine by my own funds, become a doctor, and continue helping people, Miss Ecuador said.

Meanwhile, Miss Philippines exemplified the qualities of an exceptional brand ambassador through her statement:

It would be dedication. Dedication to this journey, dedication to the people who have brought her up to this journey, and dedication of course with the organization that shell end up working with. This is such a beautiful experience. And she has to be someone who will bring people together. Someone who knows that this is not a one-woman journey. We all have our differences, but we also realize that we have so much in common. And we are now gathered here on this stage transcending our own borders, bringing nations together.

Pauline Amelinckxs remarkable performance that captured the attention of online fans did not go unnoticed.

Ladies and gentlemen, she came so close, she did so well. Please, put your hand together as we wish our Miss Philippines, our first runner-up, a huge congratulations, the female host said as the camera pans to the teary-eyed Pauline whos being given the spotlight during the pageant.

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Boston police are seeking Patrick Mendoza, the owner of a restaurant in the North End neighborhood of the city, after a shooting outside the popular Italian bakery Modern Pastry earlier this week, news outlets reported.

Authorities are asking for the publics help in locating Mendoza, who is around 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs roughly 160 pounds and has black hair, the Boston Police Department said in a statement. The 54-year-old man is wanted on a arrest warrant issued out of Boston Municipal Court for a slew of charges in connection with the shooting Wednesday outside the bakery, including assault to murder, assault by means of a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling and witness intimidation.

Mendoza should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone that comes into contact with him should call 911 immediately, the department noted in its statement.

WCVB reported Mendoza is one of the owners of Monicas Trattoria on Prince Street, an Italian restaurant that is a short walk away from Modern Pastry. He was was in court for a probation hearing in connection with a different issue, according to the news outlet.

Police responded to the shooting outside the bakery at 257 Hanover St. around 11:10 p.m. Wednesday and noticed a window at the business had been shot, The Boston Globe reported, citing a police report. Nobody was injured.

A man standing outside Modern Pastry at the time alleged Mendoza rode by him on a bicycle, yelled obscenities at him, pulled out a gun and fire two times in his direction, the report said, according to the Globe.

Read more: Worcester man arrested after police say he was seen waving a gun

Anyone with information about Mendozas location is urged to contact Boston police detectives at (617) 343-4240. Community members wishing to assist in the investigation anonymously can do so by calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463).

The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to help this investigation in an anonymous manner, the department said.
A man is accused of stealing a truck with a toddler inside of it and later leaving the child on a sidewalk in Boston on Friday, police said.

Officers responded to a report of a kidnapping at Geneva Avenue and Leroy Street in the Dorchester neighborhood of the city around 2:55 p.m. Friday. The parents of the 2-year-old child claimed while parked at 430 Geneva Ave., they exited the truck to tend to their toddler when a man entered their truck and sped toward Bowdoin Street with the kid still inside the vehicle, according to a statement from the Boston Police Department.

Moments later, the suspect returned to 430 Geneva Ave. and placed the infant, who was still in the car seat, on the sidewalk, the department said in its statement. The suspect then fled in the stolen truck toward Bowdoin St. The infant was reunited with the parents and Boston EMS responded to evaluate the infant.

Roughly an hour later, officers located the truck at 156 Columbia Road, according to the statement.

The man accused of stealing the truck is described as a heavy-set man with long hair and a beard, who was last seen wearing a grey shirt and grey pants, the department said.

The department said it is actively reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact detectives at (617) 343-4335 or reach out anonymously by calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463).
Windsor, Conn. - Seven Windsor attractions have joined forces this year to promote the town and its many cultural destinations. The collaboration, called the Windsor Arts & Museum Association, has contracted CTM Media Group to distribute the new brochure to dozens of tourist sites throughout the state beginning this month. The new brochure, designed by Sue Tait Porcaro of 2 Lips Art Design, invites people to Visit Windsor! A diverse community rich in history, arts and fun! and features all seven sites as well as the comprehensive TourWindsorCT.org website.

The Windsor Arts and Museum Association is a collaboration of seven museums, arts and cultural organizations located in Windsor, Connecticut. Participating organizations include the Connecticut Valley Tobacco Museum, Mercy Gallery at Loomis Chaffee School, Oliver Ellsworth Homestead, The Vintage Radio and Communications Museum, Windsor Art Center, Windsor Freedom Trail, and Windsor Historical Society.

Windsor also offers a wide range of restaurants and shops to help you make a full day experience right here in town! For a complete listing of all Windsor attractions, as well as historical information and walking tours, visit tourwindsorct.org to help plan your day.

Look for the new brochure at tourist sites up and down the I-84 and I-91 corridors over the next 12 months, and at local sites such as the Windsor Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center and WAMA partner sites. For details, hours of operation and directions for each site, check organization web sites listed below.

Connecticut Valley Tobacco Museum, 860.285.1888, tobaccohistsoc.org.

Mercy Gallery, Loomis Chaffee School, loomischaffee.org/arts/mercy-gallery.

Oliver Ellsworth Homestead, 860.688.8717, ellsworthhomesteaddar.org.

The Vintage Radio and Communications Museum, 860.683.2903, www.vrcmct.org.

Windsor Art Center, 860-688-2528, windsorartcenter.org.

Windsor Freedom Trail, 860-688-5225, ctfreedomtrail.org.

Windsor Historical Society, 860.688.3813, windsorhistoricalsociety.org.
Massachusetts marine biologist Greg Skomal didnt previously name sharks. But four days after his friend Luke Gurney, a Marthas Vineyard fisherman, was killed in a 2016 fishing accident, he knew he needed to name a shark Luke.

Seven years later, Luke the shark has revisited Cape Cod waters at least 28,396 times, the highest number of detections than any other of the 600-plus sharks tagged since 2010.

Skomal said his naming of Luke the shark and its unfaltering returns changed the way he views his relationship with the animals in his career.

Im a fisheries biologist, and fisheries biologists typically dont name fish ... when I named the shark Luke, it took on greater meeting meaning for me, because it reminded me of him, Skomal said.

Gurney and Skomal had met in the early 1990s after Skomal had moved to the island years earlier to develop a shark research program for his state division. Skomal hired Gurney to work for him, as Gurney had recently graduated with a biology degree and was looking for a job in the field.

I hired him for the summer, but we became close friends and remained that way for years, Skomal said, recalling how the two spent that summer collecting samples from striped bass fish for the agency.

[Luke] had that wonderful curiosity of a scientist  he just didnt want to necessarily be one, his friend stated. After learning to analyze and write marine data, Skomal said Gurney figured out his true oceanic passion was being a professional fisherman.

Despite their separate careers, the two maintained a close relationship hanging out together on the island, through mutual friends and through phone calls to share information with one another related to marine life in the coastal waters. They were together both times when each met their wives, Skomal recalled.

Luke was an incredible fisherman and we always felt like he had this wild to him that could could never be broken. He was just a great person, you know? Everybody knew Luke. And everyone liked him; he was incredibly personable, Skomal said.

Gurney was killed on June 20, 2016, at the age of 48, when he got entangled in a fishing line attached to cement fishing pots, and was dragged into the ocean. The Marthas Vineyard Times reported the Coast Guard searched for four hours before they found his body.

To be able to honor him by tagging the shark that morning felt good, it was nice and it got me thinking about the whole naming process, which I was hesitant to do. Even though we were doing it, I never really embraced it ... [but now], that shark weve gotten to see every year, so it became much more powerful for me, Skomal said.

Read more: 10 Massachusetts whale and shark tours to go on this summer

It was just a regular day on the water for us, tagging. It was not the day Luke died; it was probably a week or a few days later, my next time on the water. This large male shark was hunting close to shore, the researcher remembered.

After coming up on the shark and getting video, Skomal placed the tag on the 13-foot predator. I had decided before that the next male shark I tag Im going to name in honor of my friend Luke, and thats exactly what we did.

Now, Luke the shark ranks number one in the number of detections of any shark tagged in the Atlantic White Shark Conservancys logbook.

Luke likes to spend time towards on the bottom of the Cape by Chatham Harbor, according to thousands of single detections from receivers in the area since 2016, but he has also been detected across the entirety of the archipelagos Atlantic side.

According to images and data from the conservancys site, Luke is about two feet longer than the average tagged white shark, and has dark gray markings that uniquely identify him to researchers.

The first white shark of 2022 was tagged by Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and researcher Greg Skomal Thursday.

Luke the shark is back in town for the 2023 season as of June, but Skomal said he doesnt have a scientific reason to off as to why the shark has heavily favored Cape Cod waters.

Read more: Photos of sharks near Cape Cod shared by Atlantic White Shark Conservancy

Theres forever this torturous struggle between the scientist in me that says, Well, thats just because Luke likes it in Cape Cod and he has great success feeding on seals, and therefore hes going to come back every year; hes been tagged since [2016], hes going to have the most detections, Skomal quipped.

Then theres the spiritual side of me that says, The spirit of Luke [Gurney] lives on in a shark thats gonna always come back to Cape Cod, Skomal stated.

When you study animals and you turn those animals into friends, thats what Ive kind of tried to avoid doing, but Luke forced me to take it beyond just a study animal and thats nice, the researcher said.
As a military veteran, U.S. Congressman Seth Moulton sees the potential of artificial intelligence for the United States.

He also sees the dangers AI poses when its in the hands of our adversaries.

I dont think Congress is ever going to keep up with the industry when it comes to regulating it and therefore we should not focus on regulating the industry as a whole, but rather focus on the edge cases  the most dangerous potential uses of AI  and to focus our time and resources on ensuring the safety of this new technology, Moulton said in an interview with MassLive.

One of the biggest concerns Moulton has over AI is its use in military warfare. Although the U.S. Congressman acknowledges how the new-age technology can benefit troops on the battlefield, he also fears that the United States sluggishness to embrace AI will make us vulnerable to our adversaries whove already gotten a headstart.

Today our adversaries are adopting AI faster than we are, and they are showing less concern for how it gets used, Moulton wrote in an op-ed for the Boston Globe in May. If America falls short in this new AI arms race, someone else will set the moral guardrails for its use. And once that happens, it will be very difficult to pull back.

As one of the leading figures in the House Armed Services Committee, Moulton has pushed the Department of Defense to faster adopt AI technology. According to The Future of Defense Task Force, a report Moulton authored in 2020, the U.S. needs to adopt emerging technologies such as AI to compete with countries like China and Russia, who pose both economic and national security threats.

But Moulton isnt the only politician worried about America dragging its feet when it comes to adopting AI technology. In an op-ed to the Washington Examiner, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio pointed out that some of the United States adversaries  China, Iran and the Kremlin  have already begun to use AI technology.

The Florida senator predicts with the use of complex AI technology, each of these countries could sow propaganda or even mimic government leaders.

We can and should do better, Rubio wrote. The U.S. must lead the world in adapting to the AI future and partner with technological trailblazers to make the free world more resilient to foreign influence campaigns. And policymakers must put Americas long-term interests over short-term party politics.

Read More: GOP roadblock leaves Marines without confirmed leader for 1st time in 100 years

On Friday, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act, an annual bill that set the policy for the Pentagon. Weeks before the Senate passes its own version of the bill later this month, Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) has filed over a dozen amendments that would prohibit the use of AI in the military, including in nuclear launch decisions.

Seventy-eight years ago this weekend, Robert Oppenheimer witnessed the worlds first nuclear weapons explosion, Sen. Markey said in a statement. In 2023, we face a new kind of nuclear threat: the militarization of increasingly powerful artificial intelligence systems. We must pass legislation to keep AI away from the nuclear button before its too late.

Although the Department of Defense updated its autonomous weapons directive earlier this year to follow its AI ethics principles, Moulton said that the U.S. needs both domestic and international agreements around the use of AI.

This is the place where we really have to have some big thinking on, like a Geneva convention or something, he said. Thats the kind of thing that we need to do.
SPRINGFIELD  Two former Springfield political figures have passed away recently  Martin T. Reilly, former state senator for the Hampden District, and Rudolph J. Chmura, who served seven terms as a state representative.

Reilly, a Wilbraham resident, was youngest person to be elected to the state Senate when he was chosen by voters at the age of 24 in 1981. He had defeated the incumbent senator, Stanley J. Zarod, for the seat.

Former Springfield Mayor Michael Albano, then sitting on the citys School Committee, remembered working with Reilly on a piece of legislation providing for Drug-Free School Zones in the commonwealth.

He and I worked hard on that one. He seemed to be perpetually in motion, he never seemed to stop, Albano chuckled. He was really quite a visionary. He wanted to make the Westover Base an international airport. He caught quite a lot of flack for that one. He was also an early supporter of wind farms on the Cape, and thats going back perhaps 20 years.

Reilly was also very dedicated to constituent service while in office, Albano said.

If you called his office with a problem, he would have someone get back to you within an hour or two, Albano said. That was very important to him.

Paul Caron served in the House at the same time Reilly was in the Senate. He agreed with Albanos assessment of the former senator.

We worked together on issues in our district, and he was really intense about the job. He really loved it and did it well, but he was always on the go, Caron said. We were both in our mid-20s at that time. All of our contemporaries had been there for 30 or 40 years, and we were the new kids on the block. We were out every night at events in the district, and that sort of became the hallmark of our time in the Legislature.

Reilly served four complete terms before leaving the Senate in 1989, when Republican Brian Lees was sworn in. Reilly moved to Cape Cod, where he became a lobbyist.

He passed away at Cape Cod Hospital on Friday. He was 68 years old.

A city native

Chmura was a native of Springfield and grew up working in the familys bakery and farm, eventually becoming co-owner of both. He was a veteran of the Korean War.

Chmura was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1969 and served seven consecutive terms in office. He was appointed as House chairman of the Post Audit and Oversight Committee from 1979 to 1981.

After stepping down from the Legislature in 1981, and in 1982, Chmura was appointed to serve as the assistant superintendent of the Soldiers Home in Holyoke, a position he held until 1990 when he was selected as superintendent of the facility. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 1997.

Chmura later moved to Nashua, New Hampshire, where he died June 30. He was 91 years old.
A man accused of killing another man at a Walmart Supercenter location in Somersworth, New Hampshire on Friday has been charged with second-degree murder, according to authorities.

Brian Roberge, 52, of Somersworth was arrested in connection with the killing of Jan VanTassel, 79, of Center Ossipee, New Hampshire at the Walmart on Waltons Way late Friday. Roberge is accused of recklessly causing VanTassels death by striking him repeatedly in the head and face, state Attorney General John Formella and Somersworth Police Chief Timothy McLin said in a statement.

Officers received a report of one man assaulting another man at the Walmart shortly before 11:20 p.m. Friday. When police arrived at the supermarket, they found VanTassel unresponsive with visible head and facial injuries. First responders determined he was dead, according to law enforcements statement.

Mr. Roberge is alleged to have recklessly caused the death of Mr. VanTassel under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by striking him repeatedly in the head and face, law enforcement said in their statement.

An arrest warrant was later obtained charging Roberge with one count of second-degree murder following an investigation into the circumstances surrounding VanTassels death. He is expected to be arraigned on July 17 in Strafford County Superior Court, according to the statement.

Anyone who may have information about the killing is asked to contact New Hampshire State Police Det. Sgt. Justin Rowe at (603) 223-4381.
In the Eastfield Mall on Saturday, a child rode a bicycle on the Springfield shopping centers floors, several customers waited for their hair appointments at D.R. Tropic Beauty Salon and others relaxed in black, plush massage chairs.

All were visiting the mall on its long-expected final day of business. After opening in 1967 as the regions first enclosed mall, the Western Massachusetts shopping center closed its doors for good Saturday. Long a staple of the city and the region, the shopping center, like many across the U.S., has seen major vendors at its site, including Macys and Sears, shutter in the past decade and experienced a nosedive in popularity as online retailers like Amazon have witnessed their sales soar.

In April, developer Onyx Partners Limited, the company that contracted to buy most of the mall, was granted a special permit from the Springfield City Council to begin redevelopment at the shopping center. In the rubble of the decades-old mall, work is expected to kick off soon to build the Eastfield Commons, a property the developer anticipates will span more than 360,000 square feet and include retailers, offices and other businesses.

Mountain Development, which previously floated the idea of the Eastfield Commons in 2018, sold the mall to Onyx Partners for $4.5 million in April. The redevelopment of the property is expected to take roughly two years and cost $65 million to $85 million.

The building is expected to be demolished soon after the remaining employees at the mall finish removing salvageable items from inside the shopping center and close the site for good next week.

Open on the malls last day of business were the arcade at the shopping center, Donovans Irish Pub, D.R. Tropic Beauty Salon, E.B.S., Rainbow Shops, The Pretzel Twister and Tranquility Day Spa. Moving trucks lined many doors on the periphery of the property as people packed up their stores. A couple dozen individuals walked around the site Saturday afternoon, many taking photographs and videos.

Read more: Take one last look at the Eastfield Mall

Forty-three small business merchants remain at the site, and most had their last day Saturday. Donovans pushed back its last day at the mall to Saturday, July 21.

The Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts is working with many of the businesses at the mall to relocate. Some have found space at the Holyoke Mall.

In April, David Thompson, the manager of the mall, said all of the shopping centers in-line spaces were rented as recently as last year by small businesses, but the spaces previously occupied by anchor stores went unfilled, The Republican reported.

Read more: Onyx Partners secures a special permit to begin redevelopment at Eastfield Mall

JCPenney closed its doors at the mall in 2011. Macys followed suit, shuttering in 2017, and a year later, Sears closed as well.

Jim Kinney, business reporter at The Republican, contributed to this report.
SPRINGFIELD  Hampden County Sheriffs Office has partnered with the Springfield Police Department to assist with serving orders issued by civil court, documents such as court summons, restraining orders and harassment prevention orders.

In a statement, Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood said the arraignment will help Springfield Police officers focus on responding to calls.

We are a 9-1-1 driven department, and our squad officers are incredibly busy throughout their shift, Clapprood said.

According to Robert Rizzuto, spokesman for the Sheriffs Office, two sheriff deputies started July 10 assisting the Police Department, which tries to serve an average of 20 restraining and harassment prevention orders a shift. The amount of court summons fluctuates, however.

According to a clerk from the Hampden District Court, who said he is not authorized to give his name, there are between 60 and 75 restraining orders served a week.

Rizzuto said sheriff deputies are helping the Holyoke Police Department in serving civil papers there as well.

In Springfield, this is one of our many partnerships with the city and the police department, and we are proud to work alongside them, Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi said in a statement. Wherever this is a need in the 23 cities and towns we serve, that is where you will see us step up to assist.

The Sheriffs office has also scheduled two deputy sheriffs to continue to patrol Forest Park seven days a week.
Les membres du gouvernement ont pris note de lintroduction du Private Recruitment Agencies BIll 2023, de remplacer le Protection from Domestic Violence Act, de la revision des conditions pour le Water Tank Grant Scheme, dun cas de grippe aviaire a la Reunion entre autres.

1. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction of the Private Recruitment Agencies Bill into the National Assembly. The main object of the Bill is to repeal the Recruitment of Workers Act and replace it with a new and more appropriate legislative framework. The new legislation consolidates and strengthens the law with regard to the recruitment of citizens of Mauritius for employment locally and abroad, and for the recruitment of non-citizens for employment in Mauritius.

The Bill also reflects ethical recruitment standards in line with the recommendations of the International Labour Organization and the International Organization for Migration.

2. Cabinet has agreed to instructions being conveyed to the Attorney Generals Office for the drafting of a new legislation to replace the existing Protection from Domestic Violence Act, with a view to, inter alia, protecting spouses from acts of domestic violence.

The new legislation would be a comprehensive and multidisciplinary one, criminalising all forms of violence, and encompassing issues of prevention, protection, survivor empowerment and support (health, economic, social, psychological), aiming at reinforcing the legal parameters to protect victims of domestic violence, making the perpetrator of domestic violence accountable for his or her behaviour or acts. The new Bill would also make provisions for support and rehabilitative services to deter perpetrators from committing further acts of domestic violence. The powers of Enforcing Officers, Police Officers, amongst others, would be reinforced.

3. Cabinet has agreed to review the following criteria for the provision of a water tank and a domestic water pump under the Water Tank Grant Scheme, as announced in the 2023/2024 Budget:

(a) an increase in the provision of the water tank storage from at least 400 litres to 1,000 litres or more for a quantum of Rs 10,000;

(b) an increase in the grant for the purchase of domestic water pump from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000;

(c) the supplier for the water tanks would now be required to provide the beneficiary under the Water Tank Grant Scheme with some essential fittings for an amount of Rs 1,000;

(d) households which had already benefitted from a grant for the purchase of a water tank under the existing scheme would not be eligible under the new scheme; and

(e) applications which had already been processed and approved under the existing Scheme by the Development Bank of Mauritius, and in respect of which applicants had been informed, would not be eligible to apply under the new Scheme.

4. Cabinet has taken note of the activities being carried out to commemorate World Day against Trafficking in Persons on 30 July 2023. The theme for this year is Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind.

The campaign for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023 aims to raise awareness of the population regarding the disturbing developments and trends identified by the latest UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons. The following activities would, inter alia, be conducted:

(a) sensitisation campaigns by the Crime Prevention Unit and Brigade Pour la Protection de la Famille of the Police Department;

(b) organisation of a workshop by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to raise awareness on Trafficking in Persons, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration; and

(c) mass awareness campaigns on commercial sexual exploitation of children as well as other activities by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare; and

(d) organisation of a dissemination workshop on a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment and Employment of Migrant Workers in Mauritius, by the Prime Ministers Office in collaboration with Mauritius Export Association and the Ministry of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training.

5. Cabinet has taken note of the holding of the second meeting of the Eastern and Southern Africa Commission on Drugs (ESACD) in Mauritius on 10 and 11 August 2023. The ESACD, an EU-funded initiative, was established and launched in February 2023, with the aim of:

(a) developing evidence-based policy recommendations for political and civil society leaders on how to address drug trafficking more holistically;

(b) mobilising public awareness and political commitment around the issue; and

(c) promoting local and regional capacities to address multifaceted drug problem.

The second meeting of ESACD would focus on law enforcement, trafficking and organised crime. The objective of the meeting would be to discuss evidence-based findings and recommendations by experts contracted by the ESACD to produce thematic papers on the issues of drugs and drug policy in the region, including law enforcement and maritime efforts and to map a way forward.

6. Cabinet has taken note that Mauritius would host the Regional Preparatory Meeting of SIDS from the Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea (AIS) Region on the implementation of the Samoa Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway from 24 to 26 July 2023. The Meeting would be jointly organised by Mauritius in collaboration with the United Nations through the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.

The purpose of the AIS Regional Meeting would be to formulate a common position for the AIS SIDS in preparation for the discussions on the outcome of the next International Conference on SIDS which would be held in Antigua and Barbuda in 2024.

7. Cabinet has taken note of the holding of a National Workshop on Nuclear Security Architecture in Mauritius by the Office of the Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence, in collaboration with the Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security Authority, from 31 July to 02 August 2023. The main objectives of the workshop are to:

(a) develop a functional understanding of the interagency process, agency jurisdictions, and operational capabilities;

(b) identify and share best practices related to detection of smuggled nuclear and other radioactive material;

(c) exchange lessons learned in the prevention of radiological and nuclear smuggling and terrorism; and

(d) provide an overview of emerging and current radiation detection systems for the detection of smuggled nuclear and other radioactive material.

8. Cabinet has taken note of the holding of a Consultative Inception Workshop relating to the Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-Chemical Development in SIDS (ISLANDS) project by the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, on Thursday 10 August 2023. The main objectives of the workshop are to, inter alia:

(a) familiarise and raise awareness of key stakeholders on the detailed project strategy and the project organisation structure;

(b) discuss and review the results framework and monitoring plan; and

(c) discuss reporting, monitoring and evaluation mechanism and the responsibilities and roles of stakeholders.

9. Cabinet has taken note that as at 12 July 2023, there were 25 active cases of COVID-19, out of which two were admitted at the New ENT Hospital. Over the period 06 to 12 July 2023, no death was attributed to COVID-19.

10. Cabinet has also taken note that with regard to cases of Dengue in Mauritius and Rodrigues, the situation was being monitored closely.

11. Cabinet has taken note that the Indian Ocean Commission has informed of a case of avian flu in a poultry farm in Reunion Island. New disinfection mats were being used at the airport in Mauritius and Rodrigues and precautionary measures put in place since October 2022 were still being maintained. The Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security and the Ministry of Health and Wellness were monitoring the situation closely in Mauritius and Rodrigues.

12. Cabinet has taken note of the list of public holidays for the year 2024, which is as follows:

NEW YEAR Lundi 1er janvier 2024 NEW YEAR Mardu 2 Janier 2024 THAIPOOSAM CAVADEE Jeudi 25 janvier 2024 Alolition de lEsclavage Jeudi 1er Fevrier 2024 Fete du Primtemps Samedi 10 fevrier 2024 Maha Shivaratree Vendredi 8 mars 2024 Fete de lIndependance et de la

Republique Mardi 12 mars 2024 Ougadi Mardi 9 avril 2024 Eid-Ul-Fitr*** Mercredi 10 avril 2024 Fete du Travail Mercredi 1er mai 2024 Assomption Jeudi 15 aout 2024 Ganesh Chaturti Dimanche 8 septembre 2024 Divali Jeudi 31 octobre 2024 Arrivee des travailleurs

immigres indiens Samedi 2 novembre 2024 Noel Mercredi 25 decembre 2024

** The exact date of this festival is subject to confirmation as its celebration depends on the visibility of the moon

13. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent participation of the Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance in the 43rd Session of the African, Caribbean and Pacific  European Union (ACP-EU) Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) held at the European Parliament in Brussels. Mauritius presently holds the Presidency of the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Council of Ministers. The Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance participated in the session dedicated to the interaction Parliamentarians had with the representatives of the European Commission and the Joint ACP-EU Council of Ministers. The JPA adopted a number of resolutions on, inter alia, the rules of procedures that would apply to the new OACPS-EU Partnership Agreement once the latter enters into force, AML/CFT, SMEs, Terrorism and the situation in Haiti.

14. Cabinet has taken note that at the 76th Session of the Executive Committee of the African-Asian Rural Development Organisation, held recently in Zambia, Dr M. Nardeosingh was re-elected to the post of Secretary-General of African-Asian Rural Development Organisation.
Fianna Fail Minister Dara Calleary has welcomed funding for four creative, cultural and artistic initiatives in Co Mayo under a new 5.8 million fund.

A total of 43 projects across the country are due to receive investment under the Governments new Creative Climate Action Fund II.

The Creative Ireland initiative supports creative, cultural and artistic projects that build awareness around climate change and empowers citizens to make meaningful behavioural changes.

This year's fund received 239 applications from an array of disciplines and industries from architecture to theatre and animation.

A Ballina project exploring how the laneways of our historic town centres can adapt to cope with climate change and an initiative aiming to raise awareness and foster support for the restoration and rewilding of the Wild Nephin National Park are among the projects gaining funding in Co Mayo.

Minister Calleary said: The Creative Climate Action Fund is hugely ambitious containing a range of projects that will benefit the whole island of Ireland. Im delighted to see four projects are located in Co Mayo.

In the north of the county the Wilderland project aims to raise awareness and foster support for rewilding of the beautiful Wild Nephin National Park. In Ballina, the Cascade project will explore how laneways can become a connected trail of climate-resilient, cohesive spaces that celebrate water, while the Envisioning the Uplands initiative will be the cultural element of Hometrees Wild Atlantic Rainforest Project which will bring artists to the uplands to facilitate community engagement.

Its also great to see a cross-border project being given investment. The BluePrint project between Derry and Mayo will produce a creative co-creation toolkit that will target local governments working with flood affected communities.

These are all hugely important projects and I want to commend everyone involved.

Minister Calleary added: This Creative Ireland funding is a thoughtful, creative and powerful way of raising awareness of climate change and biodiversity loss. It will bring about meaningful change in our local communities by inspiring people to take action. This is something Fianna Fail in Government is hugely passionate about.
A FULL-time judge in Mayo is needed to cater for the increased workload of cases appearing before the Circuit Criminal Court in the county according to a sitting judge.

Judge Eoin Garavan made the comments during a sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court when he was asked to specially fix a sitting before the scheduled October sitting of the court to hear a trial which may last up to two weeks.

Mr Patrick Reynolds, counsel for the DPP said that the trial involving three defendants who are charged with assault causing serious harm and false imprisonment would 'destroy the sessions' if it was to take place during the scheduled October sessions. The October sessions of criminal cases are due to start October 3 and last for four weeks.

Judge Garavan said he was not sure if it could be facilitated but accepted that the current system is not dealing with the increased number of cases before the court.

There really needs to be a full time judge in Mayo and one and a half in Galway. The reality is work has grown exponentially where you have over 100 cases in waiting. That was never heard of before. The old fashioned two or three week session doesn't hack it.

If you look at the 2023 returns it is extraordinary and that is the way it is. Having a case like that squeezed into a vacation sitting is fine but it doesn't deal with the principle of the problem. It gets over one hump but it is a bigger issue, he commented.

His comments were supported by members of the legal profession who were present in the courtroom with Mr Reynolds pointing out that the volume of cases has increased in recent years without taking into account the delays caused by Covid-19.

Mr Reynolds added that he had no proposals for the court to solve the 'bigger issues' and was merely trying to solve the problems facing the prosecution.

In relation to Mr Reynolds' application to vacate two weeks, Judge Garavan said he has listened to what he had to say and will 'report back next week'.

Strike Action

Meanwhile, the court was put on notice that barristers have indicated they will go on general strike on October 3 if demand pay reforms for those working on the legal aid scheme are not met.

Barrister Diarmuid Connolly informed Friday's sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court that his colleagues wished to express solidarity with his 'brothers and sisters' in Dublin who were protesting against the 'failure of the Government to restore fees going back a number of years'.

Mr Connolly said he agreed with the position of the Bar Council to restore the fees which were cut and that if this was not done there would be a general strike on October 3.
A woman was airlifted from Inishturk in a medical evacuation involving the Irish Coast Guard and members of the Achill Island RNLI lifeboat.

The incident took place on Friday morning, July 14 when Achill Island RNLI responded to a request to assist a woman requiring medical evacuation from Inishturk.The request came from the Irish Coast Guard, who had also requested the assistance of Sligo based rescue helicopter, R118.

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched shortly after 7.30am under the command of Sean Curtain, Relief Coxswain, with six additional crew on board. Sea conditions were moderate at the time with a gentle to moderate breeze. There was some cloud but visibility was good, and the passage took the all-weather lifeboat, Sam and Ada Moody south-west of Clare Island, arriving at Inishturk Island shortly before 8.30am.

On arrival at Inishturk, the lifeboat was met by the casualtys nephew, who transported four of the crew to the casualtys house on the other side of the island where R118 had already landed.

The woman was assessed by the crew of the rescue helicopter and the lifeboat crew assisted with transferring the woman to the helicopter. They then secured the area for a safe take-off for the aircraft and the woman was transferred to Mayo University Hospital.

The crew returned to the lifeboat and departed Inishturk Island for Achill Island, arriving back at the station at 10.30am.

Speaking after the call out, Michael Cattigan, Achill Island RNLI Mechanic said: This is another excellent example of inter-agency cooperation. We train regularly with R118 for various situations both at sea and on land and we were delighted to be able to offer our assistance again on this occasion for the benefit of this woman who needed help. We wish her well for a speedy recovery.
When the first recruiting class of Gov. Ron DeSantis new Florida State Guard showed up for training last month, they had varied experiences and expectations.

Over 30 days in June, teenagers out of high school and retired military veterans came to Camp Blanding, the National Guard base near Jacksonville.

Many were told they would volunteer for a revived State Guard with a non-military mission: help Floridians in times of need or disaster.

Instead, the states National Guard trained the volunteers for combat. Khakis and polos were replaced by camouflaged uniforms. Volunteers assured they could keep their facial hair were ordered to shave. And they were drilled on how to rappel with ropes, navigate through the woods and respond to incidents under military command.

When DeSantis announced in 2021 he wanted to revive the long-dormant State Guard, he vowed it would help Floridians during emergencies. But in the year since its launch, key personnel and a defined mission remain elusive. The state is looking for the programs third leader in eight months. According to records reviewed by the Herald/ Times and interviews with program volunteers, a number of recruits quit after the first training class last month because they feared it was becoming too militaristic.

Weeks into that inaugural June training, one volunteer, a disabled retired Marine Corps captain, called the local sheriffs office to report he was battered by Florida National Guard instructors when they forcibly shoved him into a van after he questioned the program and its leadership.

DeSantis office referred questions to Major General John D. Haas, Floridas adjutant general overseeing the Florida National Guard.

In a statement, Haas said the State Guard was a military organization that will be used not just for emergencies but for aiding law enforcement with riots and illegal immigration.

We are aware that some trainees who were removed are dissatisfied, Haas said. This is to be expected with any course that demands rigor and discipline.

Chosen as a leader, this vet quit on Day 1

Three former members told the Herald/Times the program veered from its original mission.

The program got hijacked and turned into something that we were trying to stay away from: a militia, said Brian Newhouse, a retired 20-year Navy veteran who was chosen to lead one of the State Guards three divisions.

The original leadership team envisioned a disaster response team of veterans and civilians with a variety of practical skills, according to Newhouse. Two other former military veterans, who asked not to be named for fear of potential consequences and later quit, expressed similar concerns over a change in the State Guards mission.

On the first day of training, Newhouse said he was escorted off the base after lodging several complaints, including that the National Guards schedule required training on Sundays, instead of allowing members to use those days for religious services and personal time, as was the original plan.

He said he had previously complained that the National Guard didnt have medics available during training.

I dont even think the governor knows whats going on. I dont think this is a fly on his radar right now, Newhouse said, noting that DeSantis himself is a veteran.

I think he would be appalled that a veteran  a disabled veteran  would be abused by other military members.

Governors vision for the State Guard

The revival of Floridas State Guard started off modestly.

DeSantis proposed bringing back the World War II-era force to supplement the overworked and understaffed Florida National Guard.

Although some Democrats were critical of handing DeSantis more power, state lawmakers last year gave the governor twice the volunteers than he requested: 400 members and a $10 million budget.

Unlike the National Guard, State Guard members cant be deployed by the federal government. They answer only to the governor.

Lawmakers in 2022 added stipulations saying that members could only be called up in an emergency and couldnt operate outside the state. Those requirements were dropped a year later.

The program, open to Floridians ages 18 to 60, received thousands of applications, according to DeSantis.

In June last year, DeSantis named a decorated Marine and Purple Heart recipient from Miami as director of the State Guard. He died by suicide in October, with post-traumatic stress disorder a contributing factor, according to a police report. In January, DeSantis named the programs deputy director, Luis Soler, to lead the force, earning a $165,000 salary.

Soler, a captain in the United States Navy Reserve, began recruiting. Newhouse and others were asked to crisscross the state, interview State Guard recruits and seek people with a variety of skills. Volunteers are supposed to get $200 stipends for the days theyre called to work.

Newhouse said he and Soler viewed the program as more of a Federal Emergency Management Agency response team than a National Guard unit, shunning ranks and camouflaged uniforms. He said he saw the State Guard as a resume-builder for college students and a way for veterans and others to continue to serve their communities.

By March, however, the states vision began to change.

That month, state lawmakers and the governor revealed that they wanted to assign the State Guard $89 million to buy boats, planes and helicopters. They wanted a specialized unit within the guard to have police powers and the ability to carry weapons.

And they wanted to boost the State Guard to 1,500 members. Instead of being activated only during emergencies within Florida, they could be sent to any state to protect and defend the people of Florida from threats to public safety.

While nearly half of states have volunteer state guards, usually with military structures, few, if any, appear to have equivalent powers. Texas, for example, has deployed its State Guard to the U.S.- Mexico border, but members cant carry guns or make arrests and dont have aircraft.

DeSantis, a presidential candidate, has sent Florida National Guard members and state law enforcement officers to the Texas border, and has said he is willing to work with like-minded Republican governors and sheriffs to do more state-led efforts at the southern border.

I think states need to be more aggressive, DeSantis said in terms of taking action on federal immigration enforcement.

Disabled veteran reported abuse

The programs first volunteers arrived in June at the National Guards training center at Camp Blanding.

Attendees told the Herald/ Times that the training wasnt led by Soler, the programs director. Instead, it was led by Florida National Guard Lt. Col. Peter Jennison, a pilot, lawyer and training officer who composes music on the side, and by the State Guards new chief of staff, Ben Fairbrother, a former political operative who has since worked for state agencies including the Division of Emergency Management.

The agenda included Red Cross shelter training, CPR and water safety and rescue, according to calendars obtained by the Herald/ Times. It was referred to as a Basic Orientation and Operations Training, or BOOT camp, with military drill instructors and a battle rhythm that had volunteers up at 6 a.m. and lights out by 10 p.m.

Members were taught to operate in a military hierarchy and had to meet certain physical requirements depending on their age groups. Some were also taught de-escalation and defensive tactics, engagement skills training and how to fire weapons without live rounds during a video-game-like setting, records show.

The training only loosely resembled a military boot camp, however, according to Newhouse and two other volunteers who together spent decades in the military. They described the National Guard trainers as inexperienced and the training as slapdash.

Unlike a military boot camp, State Guard volunteers were given almost no written training materials, and they werent tested on what they learned. Despite having to meet physical fitness tests, no doctor issued them physical exams to determine their level of health.

Some military veterans found themselves being barked at by National Guard members who were much younger  and had much less experience.

Two other volunteers, who completed the training and spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters, said the program did change from when they first signed up. Recruits and trainers often remarked that they were flying the plane as we are building it, the two volunteers said, but that was expected.

A Clay County Sheriffs Office incident report reveals that tensions simmered during training.

On the morning of June 23, a volunteer who was a retired Marine Corps captain stopped Jennison in the barracks to ask questions about the training that he felt had not been answered, the report states.

So youre the leader of the group! Jennison responded, according to the report, pointing at the former Marine, whose name is redacted.

Jennison was apparently referencing one or more members who were criticizing the new organization, the sheriffs deputy wrote.

After asking questions, the two shook hands, and the retired Marine took the bus to the chow hall. But once there, he said he was pulled out of line by two National Guard sergeants and ordered to do push-ups.

He refused, saying, No, I cant! because he is 100% disabled and was in pain from a physical fitness test the day before, the deputys report states.

Then you need to leave and go home! the sergeants yelled at him, he claimed.

He finally agreed, and a white van pulled up. Not feeling safe, he refused to get in, and he said he would walk to his car some distance away, according to the report.

As a retired officer, he was allowed to use the base. But the sergeants grabbed him and pushed him into the van.

He protested that they were assaulting an officer as he tried to exit the van and was told he is not an officer, only a recruit, the report states.

When police inquired, a National Guard lieutenant told a deputy that the retired Marine had been questioning the program since he entered into it and was argumentative with leadership.

Another volunteer, a retired 30-year Marine, witnessed the incident and gave a statement to police, saying the sergeants acted rather harshly, and that they told the alleged victim that they didnt care he was a retired [ U.S. Marine Corps] Captain, that he was only a recruit.

The sheriffs deputy closed the case, determining that the retired Marine captain was not assaulted or falsely imprisoned.

The former captain quit the State Guard that day. So did the witness.

Drill instructors are largely forbidden under Army training and doctrine from touching trainees except in rare situations, such as helping them up an obstacle, according to retired Command Sgt. Major Teresa King, the first woman to lead the Armys Drill Sergeant School in South Carolina.

King read the report and said the National Guard trainers were in the wrong and should have brought the retired Marine in for counseling instead.

Out of respect for that person whos training, you never, ever touch a soldier. Ever, she said.

Program now leaderless

Newhouse said he has been talking to other former State Guard volunteers, and they all want to see the program succeed.

Were not here to tear the program down, Newhouse said. Were here to right a wrong.

Haas, in a statement, said it was unfortunate that some of these individuals resorted to complaints to the media.

The overwhelming majority of the participants have lauded the training, and in fact, have appreciated the opportunity to self-reflect and become better citizens, he said.

Neither Haas nor the governors office answered questions about the retired Marine captains complaint. They also didnt answer questions about why volunteers received weapons training.

Florida National Guard spokesperson Lt. Col. Miranda L. Gahn said the members who trained the State Guard volunteers were called up from day jobs based on their unique skillset and expertise.

The investigation into the case you mentioned found no offense was committed, and the case was closed, Gahn said in a statement.

On June 30, the State Guard graduated its first class, 120 recruits, far below the 1,500 members state lawmakers approved this year.

Jennison and Fairbrother spoke at the graduation. Soler did not attend. Neither did DeSantis, who was in Philadelphia speaking to the conservative parents rights group Moms for Liberty that day. His office sent a news release congratulating the graduating State Guard soldiers.

A week later, DeSantis office announced, via the conservative news outlet Florida Standard, that Soler was stepping down for personal reasons. Soler couldnt be reached for comment.

The program now finds itself leaderless for the second time in less than a year. Most of the original leadership Soler appointed have quit.

Among the members of the State Guards first graduating class was state Rep. Tom Fabricio, R- Miami Lakes, a lawyer with no apparent prior military experience.Future Florida House Speaker Sam Garrison attended the ceremony, tweeting a photo with Fabricio in his camouflage uniform.

Responding to questions only in writing, Fabricio said the training was what he expected.

It was no surprise to me that FSG boot camp was a militaristic boot camp, Fabricio wrote. This is mainly because, to put it plainly, its called boot camp and it was on a military training base.

2023 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Saturday, offering an apparent show of support for the country in its war with Russia.

Yoons office said he traveled to Ukraine with his wife, Kim Keon Hee, following trips to Lithuania for a NATO summit and to Poland. Its his first visit since Russia invaded Ukraine almost 17 months ago.

Yoon toured Bucha and Irpin, a pair of small cities near Kyiv where bodies of civilians were found in the streets and mass graves after Russian troops retreated from the capital region last year. He laid flowers at a monument to the country's war dead.

The South Korean leader was scheduled to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later in the day, Yoons senior adviser for press affairs, Kim Eun-hye, said in a statement.

South Korea, a key U.S. ally in Asia, joined international sanctions against Russia and has provided Ukraine with humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine.

But the Asian nation, a growing arms exporter, has not provided weapons to Ukraine in line with its long-standing policy of not supplying arms to countries actively engaged in conflict.

Earlier this month, Yoon said in written responses to questions from The Associated Press that supplies of de-mining equipment, ambulances and other non-military materials are in the works following a request from Ukraine.

He said South Korea already provided support to replace the Kakhovka Dam, which was destroyed last month. The Russian and Ukrainian governments have accused the other of blowing up the dam, but the evidence suggests Russia had more of a motive to cause deadly flooding, endanger crops and threaten drinking water supplies in a contested part of Ukraine.

The government of the Republic of Korea is firmly committed to actively joining the United States and other liberal democracies in international efforts to defend the freedom of Ukraine, Yoon said in written responses to the AP.

During a January visit to South Korea, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called for the country to provide direct military support to Ukraine, saying Kyiv was in urgent need of weapons to fight off the prolonged Russian invasion.

In May, when Yoon met Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska in Seoul, the president said he would expand South Korea's non-lethal aid to Ukraine. Yoons spokesperson, Lee Do Woon, said at the time that Zelenska made no request for South Korean weapons supplies during her conversation with Yoon.

Since Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, South Korea has reached billions of dollars worth of deals to provide tanks, howitzers, fighter jets and other weapons systems to NATO member Poland.

An American official said in November that the United States had agreed to buy 100,000 artillery rounds from South Korean manufacturers to provide to Ukraine, although South Korean officials have maintained that the munitions were meant to refill depleted U.S. stocks.

Yoon and Zelenskyy met in May on the sidelines of a Group of Seven industrialized nations summit in Hiroshima, Japan. Zelensky thanked South Korea for its humanitarian shipments of medicines, computers and generators and requested additional provisions of non-lethal items, Yoons office said at the time.

The two leaders also agreed to work to assist South Korean companies taking part in post-war reconstruction projects in Ukraine, according to Yoons office.

Yoon and his wife's visit came two days after Russia launched another barrage of Iranian-made drones at the Kyiv region. Ukrainian officials said their air defenses intercepted the drones but that wreckage fell on four districts of the capital, wounding two people and destroying several homes.

Although Kyiv did not come under attack in the hours before the South Korean president's arrival, Ukrainian forces on Friday and overnight downed 10 Russian drones across the country, the Ukrainian air force reported Saturday.

In a Telegram post, the air force added that Moscow fired six Iranian-made Shahed drones at Ukraines south and east during the night, four of which were shot down. It did not immediately give details of any casualties or damage.

In southern Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia province, where Ukraine has been engaged in a counteroffensive to take back occupied territory, there were 45 air and artillery attacks between Friday and Saturday, Gov. Yurii Malashka reported.

Russian forces shelled neighboring Kherson province 70 times over the same period, using mortars, artillery, drones, tanks, aviation and multiple rocket launchers, Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said Saturday. No civilians were wounded, he said.

Russian shelling over the past day killed one civilian in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk province, Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko reported Saturday. Ukrainain forces have been pressing their counteroffensive in the area, inching their way from Velyka Novosilka down toward the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol.
BEIRUT (AP)  The United Nations agency responsible for ovfanterseeing humanitarian aid has described conditions placed by the Syrian government on aid deliveries from Turkey to northwest Syria as unacceptable.

The future delivery of aid across Syria's northern border was thrown into question Tuesday after the U.N. Security Council was unable to agree on either of two competing proposals to extend the mandate for bringing aid from Turkey by way of the Bab al Hawa border crossing.

Two days later, Syrias ambassador to the U.N. said Damascus would give voluntary permission for the U.N. to use the crossing for six months, on condition that aid delivery would be done in full cooperation and coordination with the government, that the U.N. would not communicate with terrorist organizations and their affiliates, and that the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent would run aid operations.

In a letter sent to the Security Council on Friday, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press on Saturday, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA, said the Syrian proposal called two of those conditions unacceptable for carrying out principled humanitarian operations.

The prohibition on communicating with groups considered terrorist by the Syrian government would prevent the U.N. and partner organizations distributing aid from engaging with relevant state and non-state parties as operationally necessary to carry out safe and unimpeded humanitarian operations, the letter said.

Stipulating that aid deliveries must be overseen by the Red Cross or Red Crescent is neither consistent with the independence of the United Nations nor practical, since those organizations are not present in north-west Syria, it said.

The letter also noted that the Syrian government's request that aid deliveries should be carried out in full cooperation and coordination" with Damascus requires review and that the mechanism for aid delivery should not infringe on the impartiality.., neutrality, and independence of the United Nations humanitarian operations.

Aid delivery to the rebel-held enclave in the northwest has been a perennial point of contention during Syria's 12-year-old uprising-turned-civil war.

The Syrian government of Bashar Assad and its ally, Russia, which is a member of the Security Council, want all aid deliveries to be run through Damascus. Opponents of Assad and humanitarian organizations say this could lead to aid being diverted from the vulnerable population in the northwest.

Emma Beals, a non-resident fellow at the Middle East Institute who has studied aid delivery, said people living in northwest Syria face grave risks if humanitarian assistance depends on permission from Damascus.

The regime has used aid denial and attacks on aid workers as a military strategy for twelve years, she said.

The Security Council initially authorized aid deliveries in 2014 from Turkey, Iraq and Jordan through four crossing points into opposition-held areas in Syria. But over the years, Russia, backed by China, had pushed the council to reduce the authorized crossings to only one - Bab al-Hawa - and the mandates from a year to six months.

After a deadly magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey in February, Assad opened two additional crossing points from Turkey, at Bab al-Salameh and al-Rai, to increase the flow of assistance to victims, and later extended their opening until Aug. 13. However, in practice, most aid has continued to cross via Bab al Hawa.

A limited amount of U.N. aid has entered the opposition-held northwest by crossing battle lines from government-held areas.

After February's earthquake, aid convoys were blocked from entering the province of Idlib from government-held areas by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, originally an offshoot of Al Qaida, which dominates the area. The group accused Assad of trying to benefit from the aid intended for victims of the earthquake.

In June, in an apparent bid to convince Russia to allow the extension of aid deliveries through Bab al Hawa, the group allowed a shipment to cross from from a government-controlled area in the province of Aleppo into Idlib.

___

Associated Press writer Edith Lederer in New York contributed to this report.
The Reds have been in contact with the White Sox as they search for rotation help, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com (on Threads). Specific targets arent reported, though its not hard to infer which players could be of interest.

Lucas Giolito is arguably the sports most apparent trade candidate. The right-hander is an impending free agent and has a 3.45 ERA through 19 starts. Hes striking out a little more than a quarter of opponents against a modest 7.3% walk rate. While Giolitos velocity and whiffs are down marginally from a 2019-21 stretch that saw him post a 3.47 ERA in 72 appearances, he has rebounded nicely from a down 2022 season.

With the White Sox now 17 games below .500, theyre predictably approaching the deadline as sellers. The Sox arent expected to make a strong run at re-signing Giolito, whose upcoming free agent deal is likely to easily eclipse Chicagos franchise-record $75MM guarantee for Andrew Benintendi.

Hed be a lock to receive and reject a qualifying offer that would afford Chicago draft compensation if he signs elsewhere. Theyll almost certainly receive more compelling prospect offers in the next couple weeks though. The Dodgers have already checked in and virtually every contender figures to be in touch with Chicago GM Rick Hahn before August 1.

Giolito is playing this season on a $10.4MM arbitration salary. Around $3.35MM will be remaining from the deadline onwards. Cincinnati GM Nick Krall has indicated the club has the payroll flexibility to accommodate midseason trade targets. Rotation help is the obvious area to do so.

While Giolito would be the more appealing target for other teams, Chicago seems likely to move veteran righty Lance Lynn as well. The 36-year-old carries a career-high 6.03 ERA over 103 innings but has much better strikeout and walk marks. Lynn is fanning hitters at a strong 27.9% clip against an average 8.1% walk rate. His biggest issue, an MLB-worst 22 home runs allowed, could be a tough fit at Cincinnatis very hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Still, the durability Lynn provides would be welcome for a Reds rotation light on experience at present.

Lynn is making $18.5MM this season. His contract contains an $18MM club option that seems likely to be bought out for $1MM. With the two-time All-Star likely headed to free agency next winter, the Sox figure to look for trade possibilities this month. Thats also true of Mike Clevinger, whose contract contains a $12MM mutual option the team will likely buy out for $4MM. They could be hard-pressed to find interest in Clevinger considering the fairly lofty buyout price and biceps inflammation that has had him on the injured list for a month.

Theres less urgency on either Dylan Cease or Michael Kopech. Both pitchers are eligible for arbitration through 2025. The asking price on either player  Cease especially  would be significantly higher than what the Sox would expect for even their top rental in Giolito. Jon Heyman of the New York Post suggested earlier this week that Chicago could be willing to hear offers on Kopech but wasnt interested in parting with Cease.

Cincinnati is surely in contact with a number of teams as they explore rotation possibilities. Tonights 1-0 loss to the Brewers dropped them into a tie with Milwaukee for first place in the NL Central. Theyre still positioned as deadline buyers, of course, with a rotation that ranked 28th in ERA (5.69) entering play Friday standing as the big concern. Nick Lodolo and Hunter Greene are on the injured list. Cincinnati has rookie Andrew Abbott at the top of the rotation, followed by Graham Ashcraft, Ben Lively, Brandon Williamson and Luke Weaver. The latter two pitchers have struggled.
CLARKSTON, MI - Hes not actually Bret Michaels, but he looks just like him and many concert-goers at Michaels first-ever Parti-Gras concert didnt even believe him when he told them he wasnt actually him.

Meeting the actual Poison frontman was four years in the making for Chris Stiles of Southgate and it finally came to fruition at the concert on Thursday, July 13th at Pine Knob.

Stiles, 58, is just two years younger than Michaels. Hes a Public Safety Officer at the University of Michigan. Stiles says he had planned to meet the rocker at the stadium tour at Comerica Park, but COVID kept delaying the tour. When the concert finally happened last year, Michaels was not meeting with fans.

Stiles was on a mission to finally make it happen this past week. He says he entered a Michaels sing-a-long contest where the winner would perform on stage with Michaels. But Stiles says he cant sing. Knowing he probably wouldnt win, he says his fiance and kids bought him a VIP meet-and-great ticket.

Each recent show Ive been to, he cancelled the meet-and-greets. This was the first time hes ever seen me. This was the end of my journey because all I wanted to do was meet him while dressed like him, Stiles told MLive. When he first saw me, he said hey, my brother from another mother.

Stiles says he went so far as to get temporary tattoos to match Michaels actual tattoos.

We had the same shirt on and same stars and stripes-style hat. I also mimicked all of his tattoos with temporary ones. While I was talking with him, I kept looking at him to see if I had them right. We had a conversation about being Bret. I told him that I could not be you everyday. All of the attention and no privacy. Michaels said you find ways to sneak out.

Stiles says he couldnt go anywhere at the concert as people were taking photos with him non-stop. He says he was so overwhelmed in the crowd at Parti-Gras in character as Michaels, that he had to go to the restroom just to get away from people at times simply to catch his breath.

I had so many picture requests. So many date requests. So many people told me stories of the first time they had seen Bret thinking I was Bret. I kept telling them I wasnt Bret and they didnt believe me until I showed them the meet-and-greet photo of myself with him.

Stiles says this could actually be the last time people ever see him dressed like Michaels.

Truly, my end goal was to meet Bret Michaels dressed like him. It took me four years to do this and I dont have any future plans of dressing like him. Its very difficult to keep up the body at 58. Youve got to work out a lot and tan. Its a lot of work. Ive kind of reached the peak of the mountain, so to speak, in meeting him.

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ST. JAMES, MI -- There isnt much by big city standards on Beaver Island. There isnt a movie theatre, drive-thru restaurant or Trader Joes. But thats exactly the draw for many of its residents and the visitors who come to the island for an escape.

The village of St. James on Beaver Island has everything youd expect from a northern Michigan town. Theres a post office, a marina, a hardware store and a grocer. Theres a brewery. The Shamrock Bar & Restaurant is bustling in the evening. One of the first things visitors to the island will see is the distinctive Central Michigan University boathouse with its red roof at the entrance to the harbor. The university has a biological research station on the island.

MLive journalists are visiting the island all week; reporting on the environment and the culture of a fascinating corner of Michigan.

More: Why MLive is visiting Beaver Island

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EAST GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A small Catholic school in East Grand Rapids, serving grades kindergarten through eighth, is expected to close Aug. 10 due to declining student and staff numbers.

Father Scott Nolan, the Saint Stephen parish pastor, announced the closure in a letter to parishioners on Friday, July 14.

He wrote that Saint Stephen School has experienced sharp declines in enrollment in the last five years.

An effort to change the trend was made by launching a new educational vision, rebranding marketing, and securing new school leadership, according to Nolan.

He said the scales tipped at the end of June when a handful of families chose other educational options and four of our 10 staff members discerned that they will not be returning to Saint Stephen School this fall.

With the June departure of students, the school was expected to have only 21 total students for the upcoming school year.

Nolan said the school principal is working with remaining families to find other schooling options.

Rev. David J. Walkowiak, the bishop for the Grand Rapids diocese, said the decision to close Saint Stephen School is extremely difficult.

He noted that the network of Catholic schools in the Grand Rapids diocese appear to be doing generally well with enrollment, with overall enrollment growth for a third year in a row.

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UPDATE: MDOT officials report the eastbound I-96 ramp to M-6 has fully reopened.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A load of hay being hauled by a semi-truck caught fire Saturday morning on westbound I-96 at M-6.

Michigan State Police troopers reported the fire around 8:40 a.m. Saturday, July 15, and said no one was injured.

Troopers are asking drivers to use caution when driving where I-96 converges with M-6, as firefighters are continuing to extinguish hotspots on the load of hay.

The Michigan Department of Transportation reports the right lane and right shoulder of the eastbound I-96 ramp to M-6 has been blocked since around 8:05 a.m.

The ramp is adjacent to the westbound I-96 ramp to M-6.

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KALAMAZOO, MI -- Movie night in the park came with a canine twist Friday night, July 14, in Kalamazoo.

Kzoo Parks hosted its free movie night at Fairmount Dog Park, showing the 1997 movie Air Bud.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Southwest Michigan was also at the event, allowing attendees to spend some time with adoptable rescue dogs.

SPCA Southwest Michigan Executive Director Katie Timber said that shes been trying to put together an event like this for awhile. The SPCA brought eight puppies and two adult dogs -- a couple named Bonnie and Clyde -- for visitors to spend time with.

Due to a nationwide shelter crisis in which adoptions are down, Timber said the shelter is currently running at capacity of about 161 to 180 animals at a time. This event helps get their name out in front of potential pet owners.

The event attracted many guests, both human and canine. Attendees could also interact with the pups at a dog bandana-making station.

Ive loved dogs all my life, said guest Samantha Walker, who learned of the event through her father-in-law, who volunteers with the SPCA.

Many were attracted to the event because they could spend time with small dogs that will be available for adoption soon.

More movie nights are scheduled this summer -- although none at the dog park. Heres the schedule for the remaining shows.

Friday, July 28: Vivo, Frays Park, 4400 Canterbury Avenue

Friday, Aug. 4: The Bad Guys, Kalamazoo Farmers Market, 1204 Bank Street

Friday, Aug. 11: Voters will select online between Mean Girls, Freaky Friday, Legally Blonde or Shes the Man for a drive-in movie at Spring Valley Park, 2600 Mount Olivet Road

Friday, Aug. 25: Inside Out, Frays Park, 4400 Canterbury Avenue

For those looking to adopt a dog or cat, more information can be found on the SPCA website https://www.spcaswmich.org/

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GRAND HAVEN, MI - Lakeside Eats in downtown Grand Haven is earning its place along the lakeshore as a go-to spot to grab a fresh hot or cold lunch since opening in late May.

The smalltown deli, located at 216 Washington Ave., specializes in made-to-order deli sandwiches, homemade salads, soups and desserts. Catering is available.

Owner Melita Ewbank, who has 20 years of experience in food and beverage, said the decision to open up the shop was something that just popped up.

After she spent most of her time working at different establishments across the state, she got a job in Las Vegas for a while. Fast forward to January 2023, thats when a building in downtown Grand Haven became available.

Ewbank said she and her husband Josh, whos been in the industry for as long as her, sat down and talked about purchasing the former Rustic Roots pizza place.

He said, You know what? You dont want to regret not doing it in ten years, so lets give it a shot, Ewbank told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. And thats kind of how the whole thing got started.

And the rest was history. Ewbank said that since opening up to the public on Wednesday, May 31, the feedback from the community has been positive.

Weve had a lot of support from the community, from our other fellow merchants downtown, she said. Were just overwhelmed with gratitude for what weve received so far.

Ewbank said what continues to be one of the best sellers on the menu are the grilled sandwiches like The Caprese ($10.50) and Livin The Dream ($10.50) as well as cold sandwiches like The Clubhouse ($8.50 for half and $10.50 for full).

She said her favorite menu item is The Knuckle Sandwich ($8.50 for half/$10.50 whole). It comes with savory ham, hard salami, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, banana peppers, and house mayo on sourdough.

Other popular options on the menu include rotating soups, deli salads like the Italian and dessert bars.

The chicken salad that you have this week may not be the chicken salad youre going to have next week, Ewbank said. Were trying to do our best to use seasonal and local ingredients as long as we can.

Additionally, for those who like to switch it up, there will be plenty of different deli options each week.

We have our number ten, the Get What You Get And You Dont Throw A Fit, Ewbank said. That was kind of a fun one for us, and its chefs choice. If you dont know what you want, whoever is in the kitchen that day gets to pick your sandwich.

Ewbank touts the place as a beach-themed and bright space equipped with art from local artists. She said she is looking to be a good filler for a lunch spot in downtown Grand Haven.

Weve got a beachy, light, Grand Haven tourism vibe going on, Ewbank said. Were excited to be here.

Would you like MLive to consider featuring your favorite restaurant in Michigans Best Local Eats? Send the details, including business name, address and best menu item, to Skyla Jewell-Hammie at sjewell-hammie@mlive.com.

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The rumour spread through Mbour like an Atlantic wave unfurling on a beach.

Two boats laden with migrants that had left on the dangerous crossing to Spain's Canary Islands 1,500 kilometres (950 miles) away had gone missing.

But the grim tale failed to deter desperate Senegalese men thirsting for a new life in Europe.

"Spain... We all want to go there. If a boat leaves, I'll jump right in," said Abdou, in his twenties.

Sitting in a beachside shelter made of sheet metal, an oasis of calm in this thrumming port city 80 kilometres (50 miles) south of Dakar, his friends agreed.

"Whether you live here or die here, it's all the same," said one. "There's no work here, no money. The only solution is Spain."

The crossing to the Canaries is among the most perilous of all the routes that West African migrants take in their bid to reach the El Dorado of Europe.

The "Atlantic route" usually entails days of sailing across treacherous currents in large motorised open canoes known as pirogues.

Perilous trip: The Canary Islands lie around 1,500 kilometres (950 miles) from Senegal. By (AFP)

The wooden vessels are often ancient and unseaworthy, overladen and lacking in water and other essentials.

Crossing attempts surged in late 2019 after Niger clamped down on migration across the Sahara while Europe stepped up patrols on its southern coast, crimping the trans-Mediterranean route.

According to the Spanish authorities, 7,213 people arriving on 150 boats landed in the Canaries in the first half of this year, compared to 8,853 during the same period in 2022.

A Spanish watchdog NGO, Caminando Fronteras, last week estimated that 951 migrants -- five per day, on average -- died trying to reach Spain in the first half of 2023.

Missing

Attempted crossings typically rise between June and September, when the winds are more favourable, said Moustapha Ndiaye, president of the fishermen's association in Mbour.

He estimated that 10 pirogues had set sail this month alone, leaving in the dark.

On Thursday, a boat with 41 migrants on board made it to the Spanish archipelago while another, with 71 onboard, was intercepted by the Senegalese navy.

A photo released by the Spanish Red Cross showing first responders tending to a group of 41 migrants who arrived at a beach on the Canary island of Tenerife on Thursday. By Handout (SPANISH RED CROSS/AFP)

Caminando Fronteras says there is no news of three boats with at least 300 migrants on board, two of which left the Mbour region late last month. The coastguard are still searching.

The Senegalese government has said 260 Senegalese "in distress... were rescued in Moroccan territorial waters" between June 28 and July 9. On Wednesday, eight people died off Saint-Louis, Senegal's northernmost town, when their pirogue overturned.

Ndiaye said he had also heard "the rumour' of the missing vessels, but cautioned that many boats were simply late arriving at their destination.

"You never know what happens out at sea," he said.

He said pirogues were skippered either by fishermen who were familiar with the sea or by "businessmen" bent on maximising profit. The latter smugglers counted on pocketing up to 20 million CFA francs ($34,000) for a successful trip.

Poverty

Ndiaye and others pointed the finger at poverty as the big motivation for young people wanting to head to Europe, with a traditional employer in the region, small fishing boats, struggling under competition.

"The state signed agreements with European and Asian trawlers for industrial-scale fishing," Ndiaye said. "There's less fish and the young are leaving."

Industrial-scale trawling has badly hit Senegal's small-scale fishermen, leaving younger people without work, say representatives. By SEYLLOU (AFP/File)

"Our young people need work," said Mouhamadou Barro, chairman of a commission on migration in the Mbour area.

"The police and gendarmes can't do anything to stop undercover migration."

The dreams of the young are fed by tales of those who successfully made the crossing, found work and saved money -- enough, even, to build themselves a home back in Senegal.

Ousmane (name changed), a 29-year-old married man with a child, said he had tried to reach the Canaries in 2020 but their boat was stopped by the Spanish coastguard.

He said he would try another attempt as soon as he could, and leave without telling anyone.

"I don't have any other options," he said.

Abdou said: "If you're starving, you always end up finding something to eat somewhere."

Mame Elimane Ndoye, 69, said his eldest son had left on June 29, "the day of Tabaski", 'the local term for the Muslim festival of Eid el-Adha.

"He bought a big ram for his dad," to be sacrificed for the family feast, Ndoye recalled.

"He came to see me and told me he wanted to be with his friends over there. So I told him, 'I am the one who will be praying for you,' and this really boosted his morale."

"The trip was hard," Ndoye said by phone. "There was a lot of wind. They turned the engine off for three days. Then they arrived."

He added: "If by God's will he finds work, if he sends back money, it will be shared by everyone. We will be proud of him. I know him, he'll manage."
The Deputy Attorney-General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah has accused lawyers of Assin North Member of Parliament James Gyalye Quasyon of delaying his criminal trial.

Mr Tuah-Yeboah however said his team was ready to handle the situation.

This comes after Lawyers of Gyakye Quayson filed an application at the Supreme Court to stop the High Court from hearing his trial until the determination of the appeal at the Court of Appeal.

The High Court has therefore adjourned his proceedings to Tuesday, July 18 by which time the Supreme Court may have determined the application.

Speaking to journalists after the court hearing on Friday, July 14, one of Mr Gyakye Quaysons lawyers Abraham Amaliba said Lawyers for Gyakye Quayson indicated that because disclosures were not fully made in accordance with the Republic vrs Baffoe Bonney case, there is a need to stay proceedings and so this argument was forcefully made and the judge adjourned to the 18th for a determination whether or not he will stay proceedings or to go ahead with the trial.

On Wednesday Gyakye Quaysons lawyers filed an application for a stay of proceedings at the Court of Appeal, they followed with another application for certiorari [ a writ or order by which a higher court reviews a case tried in a lower court] at the Supreme Court and so today was the day that the court allowed the two lawyers from both sides to address on the implications of those two applications.

It turned out that from the side of the NDC, Gyakye Quayson's lawyers, we were putting out the argument that we could not proceed with the trial once these applications are pending before higher courts than the High Court, particularly the application for certiorari which is before the Supreme Court.

In that application, we are seeking some relief which are; because the Attorney-General failed to fully make disclosures to the lawyers of Gyakye Quasyon there was the need for the Supreme Court to determine that matter because the disclosures were not fully made

The rules are that you must fully disclose but in this case, the AG did some half disclosures.

Also speaking in an interview with the media, Mr Alfred Tuah-Yeboah said We came to court this morning only to be told that the accused person and his counsel have filed an application at the Court of Appeal seeking a stay of proceedings and then an application at the Supreme Court seeking to quash and prohibit the judge from hearing the matter.

Per practice, filing an application does not automatically stay proceedings so we made the point that notwithstanding the fact that these applications had been filed the judge has the right to proceed to hear the case by asking that cross-examination be done. The judge will be giving her ruling on that on Tuesday.

He added There is an attempt to delay proceedings through the legal process, which we say is fine, it is within their right to use the legal procedure to fight their course but that doesnt mean that when they file such applications the court must wait for them for those applications to move from the Appellate court or the Supreme Court, so we are concerned about that but we are ready.

I told you last week that we come to court to speak law, this morning we have spoken law in court, and on Tuesday we will know what the judge will say whether the judge will agree with us or disagree with us.

-3news.com
Emmanuel Okai Minta, the former Eastern Regional Youth Organiser of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged the youth within the party to remain vigilant and aware of potential electoral schemes and manipulations by the ruling government leading up to the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

Minta emphasised the importance for the youth to actively observe and gather valuable electoral intelligence in order to generate actionable data for the party.

This information will help inform strategic decisions and countermeasures to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

Acknowledging that the outcome of elections is determined at the polling stations, Minta highlighted the crucial role of the youth in maintaining heightened vigilance, especially those who will be assigned as polling agents.

He emphasized the need for these individuals to be responsible and attentive during election day.

Minta made these remarks while addressing a section of the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN), urging the youth to actively engage in the political process and play a significant role in safeguarding the democratic principles of Ghana.

Source: Classfmonline.com
South Africa's radical leftwing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Friday said it was open to forming a grand coalition with centrists and other rivals in order to oust the long-ruling ANC in next year's elections.

"The opposition parties should come together to unseat the ANC," EFF leader Julius Malema told a press briefing in Johannesburg.

The country's biggest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), this month announced a coalition with six smaller groups, but the initiative left the EFF on the sidelines.

"If the DA had invited us, we would have come onboard," Malema, 42, said.

"But we cannot impose ourselves on the opposition parties. If they don't want us, we will work with those who want to work with us."

The African National Congress (ANC), which spearheaded the fight against apartheid, has governed South Africa since the advent of democracy in 1994.

But in next year's legislative elections it risks seeing its share of the vote slide below 50 percent, its standing battered by discontent at corruption, power cuts, a sickly economy and entrenched unemployment.

The party suffered record losses in the 2021 municipal elections, the first time in the democratic era its support dipped below half of ballots cast nationally.

The DA is a liberal party that has a fifth of the seats in parliament. Polls currently indicate it stands to win about 16 percent of the vote.

The militant EFF, which draws inspiration from Marxism-Leninism, is South Africa's third largest party, polling at around 13 percent.

The DA this month described its "Moonshot Pact" as bringing together "different parties -- excluding the ANC, EFF and their proxies."

Under the constitution, the National Assembly meets after the elections in order to choose the president. Usually, a candidate from the party with majority lawmakers wins.
14.07.2023 LISTEN

Standard Chartered Bank and Access Bank Plc (Access) have entered into agreements for the sale of Standard Chartereds shareholding in its subsidiaries in Angola, Cameroon, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone, and its Consumer, Private & Business Banking business in Tanzania.

Each transaction remains subject to the approval of the respective local regulators and the banking regulator in Nigeria.

The announcement was made today at Standard Chartereds Headquarters in London in the presence of senior representatives from both banks and was signed by, Sunil Kaushal, Regional CEO, Africa & Middle East, Standard Chartered and, Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc. The agreement with Access for the sale of the banks business in Angola, Cameroon, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone, and its Consumer, Private & Business Banking business in Tanzania is in line with Standard Chartereds global strategy, aimed at achieving operational efficiencies, reducing complexity, and driving scale.

Access Bank will provide a full range of banking services and continuity for key stakeholders including employees and clients of Standard Chartereds businesses across the five aforementioned countries. Access Bank and Standard Chartered will work closely together in the coming months to ensure a seamless transition, with the transaction expected to be completed over the next 12 months.

Commenting on the agreement, Sunil Kaushal, Regional CEO, Africa & Middle East, Standard Chartered, said: Following on the announcement we made in April last year, the project is now substantially completed with the announcement for the sale of the 5 markets and the furtherance of a partnership with Access Bank. This strategic decision allows us to redirect resources within the AME region to other areas with significant growth potential, ultimately enabling us to better support our clients. We look forward to working closely with Access Banks team over the coming months to achieve a successful conclusion to this transaction while safeguarding the interests of our valued clients and prioritising our employees.

Commenting on the agreement, Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, stated, We are pleased to sign this agreement today and express our appreciation for being selected as the preferred partner to Standard Chartered through this transaction, in which it is exiting four African markets and refocusing in one. As a distinguished regional and international bank with a rich heritage spanning over 150 years, Standard Chartered Bank has built a solid presence in these markets for over 100 years.

For Access Bank, this strategic transaction represents a key step in its journey to build a strong global franchise focused on serving as a gateway for payments, investment, and trade within Africa and between Africa and the rest of the world, anchored by a robust capital base; a relentless focus on execution; and best-in-class customer service & governance structures.

At Access Bank, we are committed to reshaping the global perception of Africa and African businesses, even as we continue to build toward our vision to be the World's Most Respected African Bank. Our 5-year growth plan will see us build a world-class class payments gateway leveraging the power of technology and a robust network of relationships across our operating countries. This will be supported by a dynamic ecosystem of local and international partnerships, enabling us to serve global payments and remittances efficiently. With our recent European expansion and our deepened presence in key trading corridors across Africa, we will bridge the gap between cross-border and domestic transfers across all business segments. More importantly, we are committed to impacting our host communities positively, Ogbonna added.

In April 2022, Standard Chartered strategically decided to divest from a number of markets, namely Lebanon, Angola, Cameroon, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and Jordan, and to exit the CPBB (Consumer Private and Business Banking) business in Cote dIvoire and Tanzania. The Bank announced its sale of its business in Zimbabwe earlier in June and in Jordan in March this year. With this announcement, Standard Chartered has substantially completed the divestment process from the markets announced in April 2022, except Cote dIvoire where it remains actively engaged in discussions with potential buyers for the sale of its CPBB business in the country.
A Technologist who allegedly swindled a US-based military officer of GHC103,300 under the pretext of providing her with 10 plots of land has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

Kwaw Egya Asmah, collected the money when the complainant who had needed land to build an orphanage in Ghana.

Asmah allegedly agreed to offer the complainant 10 plots at Ayikuma, near Dodowa.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charge of defrauding by false pretences.

The court presided over by Mrs. Evelyn Asamoah admitted Asmah to bail in the sum of GHC250,000 with three sureties, two of whom are to be public servants.

The court further directed Asmah to deposit his passport at the court's registry.

It asked the prosecution to file their disclosures and serve the accused person with the same.

The matter has been adjourned to August 22, 2023.

Chief Inspector Benson Benneh prayed to the court that in granting bail, it should be minded of the fact that, the Police had to apply force to apprehend Asmah and charged him with the crime.

He told the Court that Asmah failed to report to the Police after several invitations had been extended to him.

The prosecution, therefore, urged the court to order Asmah to deposit his passport as part of his bail condition.

Defence Counsel denied that Asmah failed to report to the Police, insisting that his client perceived evasiveness did not warrant an order to deposit his passport at the court's registry.

The case of the prosecution was that the complaint, whose name is withheld, is Military personnel domiciled in the United States of America, while Asmah resided in Accra.

The prosecution said in 2014, the complainant was introduced to Asmah by a witness in the case as someone who owned plots of land for sale.

It said the complainant was in search of parcels of land to establish an orphanage and she chose Dodowa as the most suitable place for that endeavour.

The prosecution said Asmah told the complainant that he had vast land at Ayikuma near Dodowa and offered to sell each plot at GHC6,000.

It said Asmah led the complainant and a witness in the case to the land for inspection and thereafter demanded and collected GH8,000 as an initial deposit.

The prosecution said Asmah collected various sums of money totalling GHC95,300 from the complainant as the cost of documentation covering the land.

The complainant thereafter returned to the US.

In 2019, the complainant returned to Ghana and requested Asmah to lead her and a witness to the 10 plots of land she had paid for but was taken to a different lot.

It said the complainant then became suspicious of Asmah's conduct.

The prosecution said two years later the complainant came back to Ghana to commence the work on the land only to find out that some other person was developing the lot.

It said Asmah could not give a reasonable explanation for the development of the second land .

The prosecution said investigations revealed that Asmah did not engage the rightful owners of the land and that he did not own any lot.

Further investigations revealed that Asmah was in the habit of defrauding prospective land buyers by bringing them to the same location.

The prosecution said in June 2023, the complainant reported the matter to the police.

On July 4, 2023, Asmah refused to report to the Police when he was invited.

According to the prosecution, Asmah was arrested by the police and during interrogation, admitted the offence.

GNA
The Tema Circuit Court B has sentenced Ronald Kwabena Quansah Hammond to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for dishonestly appropriating 200 bags of soya bean meal valued at Gh38,000.

Quansah was ordered to give 2,940 bags of soya beans to the complainant, Best Grain Company Limited, within sixty days.

The court presided over by Ms. Bertha Aniagyei, sentenced Quansah, after a full trial, to seven years imprisonment, on eight counts of stealing, which would run concurrently.

The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mrs Stella Odame, said the complainant, William Edem Tetteh, is the proprietor of Bill Logistics Enterprise, Accra, a transporter stationed at Flour Mills Ghana Limited, Tema, to transport goods purchased by clients of Flour Mills Ghana to their various destinations.

ASP Odame told the court that Quansah lives in Saki, Tema, and works with Bill Logistics as its representative at Flour Mills Ghana Limited, Tema.

The prosecution said the client informed Flour Mills, which in turn informed the representative of Bill Logistics to convey the goods to the client.

Mr Tetteh came to Flour Mills Ghanas office in Tema to meet with the owners.

She said during the interaction, Tetteh wanted to find out why business was slow and there had been no activity.

That was when he got to know that Quansah had gone to deceive Flour Mills Ghana and had dishonestly appropriated the soya bean Mill belonging to Best Grains Ghana and could not be traced as he had switched off his phone.

The prosecution told the court that somewhere in April 2021, Best Grains, a client of Flour Mills Ghana, through its Managing Director, Francis Owusu Afriyie, made a total order of 19,000 bags of soya bean mill, totalling Gh 3,610,000.

Immediately after the order, Best Grains requested through the Kumasi Representative of Flour Mills Ghana for a total of 14,280 bags to be loaded, which was forwarded to the Bill Logistics representative at Flour Mills Ghana Limited Kumasi, leaving a balance of 4,720 bags of Soya beans at Flour Mills Ghana.

The prosecution said the Managing Director of Best Grains indicated to officials of Flour Mill Ghana that his warehouse was full, so he would arrange to take delivery of the outstanding 4,720 bags of Soya beans from Flour Mill Ghana amounting to Gh896,800.00 later.

Quansah, armed with the information, and unknown to the Managing Director of Best Brain Ghana, went to Flour Mills Ghanas Tema office and misrepresented to them that the Managing Director of Best Gains had authorized him to load the remaining 4,720 bags of Soya beans and deliver the same to the company at Kumasi.

ASP Odame said with this misrepresentation, the Quansah succeeded and dishonestly appropriated 4,540 bags of Soya beans belonging to Best Grains, amounting to Gh672,600 leaving 180 bags with Flour Mills Ghana.

Investigations revealed that between April 16 and May 8, 2021, Quansah dishonestly appropriated many bags of Soya beans.

The investigation showed that he sold the goods to third parties at a reasonable price of Gh195.00 per bag and pocketed the proceeds.

However, 600 bags out of the last consignment of 800 bags of soya beans from Flour Mills, which was sold to one Christiana Atia Lariba by Quansah, were retrieved from the proceeds of the remaining 200 bags while Gh30,000 deposited in Quansah's Stanbic Bank account was frozen.

Quansah was later arrested, and in his caution statement confessed to receiving the goods from Flour Mills Ghana upon his request to deliver them to Best Grain without their consent.

The prosecution said Quansah claimed during investigations that proceeds from the illegal acts had been invested in a business in Nigeria and pleaded with the police to grant him time to redeem the investment and pay the money back to the Managing Director of Best Grains.

GNA
The Ocean Viking should have been on the water Friday, searching for migrants needing rescue in the Mediterranean.

Instead, the vessel operated by Marseille-based SOS Mediterranee was docked at the Civitavecchia port outside Rome due to a bureaucratic tangle with Italy -- leaving more migrants to fend for themselves in open waters.

"We would have been at sea right now," said SOS Mediterranee spokeswoman Claire Juchat during a tour of the ship.

"To be honest, it's a bit tough," she told AFP.

Stuck at port, a crew member tinkered with an engine while another smoked and looked at his phone.

The Ocean Viking was ordered to Civitavecchia where the 57 migrants it last rescued disembarked.

Port authorities detained the ship over what SOS Mediterranee calls a 'restrictive interpretation' of ship safety standards. By Andreas SOLARO (AFP)

After a seven-hour inspection Tuesday, port authorities detained the ship over what SOS Mediterranee calls a "restrictive interpretation" of ship safety standards.

Authorities found there were not enough certified crew members to operate its life rafts, even though it holds more than the required amount of rafts.

The issue had never been raised during seven previous inspections over the past four years, said Juchat. It amounted to the latest roadblock thrown in the charity's path by Italian authorities, she added.

The Italian coast guard did not respond to AFP's questions about the inspection.

Rescuers shot

There was an eerie emptiness on the anchored migrant rescue boat.

Reminders of the absent migrants were everywhere, from the hand-drawn map of the ship's last itinerary from Libya to Rome, to the sign declaring "You are Safe" outside the women's sleeping area.

In the middle of the deck is the men's shelter, a large converted container whose walls are decorated with pictures of giraffes, impalas, zebra and palm trees. Messages to migrants are written in various languages, including Arabic, Bangla and Farsi.

"When we have 400 people we unfortunately have people sleeping here as well," said Juchat, indicating the 69-meter-long wooden deck.

Claire Juchat said the Libyan coast guard fired shots within close range of an inflatable rescue boat last Friday. By Andreas SOLARO (AFP)

Ocean Viking and other ships have faced mounting challenges rescuing migrants this year.

A new law by Italy's new far-right government in effect since January has forced rescue ships to dock in assigned ports, often far away and requiring days of extra sailing.

That has pushed the Ocean Viking's daily operations costs up to about 24,000 euros ($27,000) per day from a previous 14,000 euros, Juchat said.

Last Friday, during the rescue of 11 migrants, Juchat said the Libyan coast guard -- in a vessel donated by Italy -- fired shots within close range of an inflatable rescue boat carrying her, other Ocean Viking crew and migrants.

"Our lives are put at risk... we should not be a target," she said, calling for more transparency and accountability from the Libyan coast guard, to whom the EU is giving "millions, training them and giving them boats.

"And then we see these boats in the hands of these militias three weeks after," she said. "It's like the world upside down. We are rescuers, and (yet) being shot and being detained."

Eye on horizon

It's not only the rescuers who face violence.

Down in Sicily, Hans Leijtens, the executive director of Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, wound up a two-day visit to Italy on tackling ballooning migration numbers.

Talking to journalists, he stressed the need "to seek partnerships that prevent departures because migrants are not aware of the dangers of the crossing. They board, sometimes at gunpoint."

On the Ocean Viking's main deck, the medical ward is empty, as is the small room where a midwife, specialised in sexual violence meets with female migrants.

To the stern of the ship stands a white, innocuous-looking container -- the morgue.

From the bow, two enormous cruise liners are visible, docked at a nearby pier.

It's at the bow where the crew normally takes turns day and night scanning the horizon for migrant boats.

With binoculars and a sharp eye, rescuers can spot a boat up to eight miles away.

"When you find them, you don't want to lose them," said Juchat.
Kranyanh Weefur, a Liberian Ambassador and progressive, departed this world on June 14, 2023. He was buried on July 8, 2023, in Mesurrado County, Liberia. He was 82 years old. Kranyanh was birthed in Monrovia on December 24, 1941, and was the son of Mr. Moses Kranyanh Weefur, Sr., Cecelia Weefur, and Mrs. Ida Ammah.

The ambassador graduated from the College of West Africa (CWA), a high school in Monrovia, Liberia, in 1966. He obtained a Bachelor's degree in political science and sociology from St. Peter College and a Master's degree in International Affairs from Columbia University in the US. After serving as Second Secretary and Vice Consul at the Liberian Embassy in Washington, DC, and as First Secretary at the Liberian Embassy in Rome, Italy, he became an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire. He performed exceptionally well in these positions.

But while his education and positions were important, they did not mainly define his person. He was uniquely different. He stood for something. His cultural and social awareness and his progressive advocacy constituted his legacy. I will personally discuss them below.

I met Kranyanh at CWA in the early 1960s (His high school picture on the right). We resided at the Methodist Boys Hostel, the school dormitory, with his three brothers, Richard, Clarence, and Moses, and other students, including Joseph Boakai, the late Willie Knuckle, and Eugene Peabody. I was surprised to hear him speak Kru, our traditional language. During those days, it was not fashionable to publically speak tribal languages or dialects, as some people called them. Most educated native parents who had obtained government positions did not encourage and motivate their children to speak traditional languages; for fear that the children would be considered "country children" if they spoke native dialects. And most native children, including me in the cities, wanted to speak English and become Americo-Liberians, the ruling class who descended from American Black ex-slaves who settled in the land now called Liberia in 1822. We admired their Western-oriented culture and, at the same time, were ashamed of ours.

Kranyanh was born speaking English. At about seven, he went to live in Grandcess, his father's village, which is now part of Grand Kru County. He became famous for his English-speaking ability. His peers adored him because of that, as Nyudueh Morkomana recalled. But while Kranyanh enjoyed this popularity, he realized that it isolated him from the general population that spoke Kru. He could not participate in general conversation. He felt terrible about this isolation. Within a few months, Kranyanh learned and spoke Kru fluently. He was happy to become part of his people and their culture.

At CWA, Kranyanh was one of my big brothers. They included Benjamin Dugba, Ralph Marshall, Lawrence Nya Taryar, and Eugene Peabody. As indicated in my autobiography, I looked up to them on campus, and they guided me.

When Kranyanh came to the US for further education, he became a founding member of Awina, thanks to Nyundueh. He told him of Krus in America, thinking about founding an organization called Awina, meaning in Kru, "Our Voice." Awina intended to advocate against Americo-Liberians' domination and for multi-party democracy in Liberia. The country had one political party then. Kranyanh was excited about the idea. Awina was organized in the early 1970s in New York. Its membership grew, entailing other Liberian natives in various American states.

On March 14, 1975, Awina staged a peaceful demonstration at the Liberian Embassy in Washington, DC. It was the first protest by Liberians in the Diasporas against the Liberian government. The regime in Liberia was stunned. It had not seen this before. At the march, we announced to the world Awina's manifesto:

"We organized to address the general issue of native suppression and repression in Liberia. We believed that only through a radical approach would the regime in Liberia take us seriously and improve the condition of all Liberians. Moreover, AWINA is dedicated to liberating Liberia from Black Colonialism as a revolutionary organization. We view the struggle as the people's struggle because the people and only the people alone are the motives in making history."

Teniweti Toh, Kranyanh, Nyundueh, and others headed the demonstration. Teniweti led Awina as national leader. Comrade Siahyonkron Nyanseao and I functioned as editors of the Awina Drum, the organization's newspaper.

Kranyanh was also active in the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), representing the New York-New Jersey association. Several years after the protest, in 1979, ULAA held a mass demonstration in Washington, DC, and in New York against the Tolbert government. The advocacy responded to the administration's killing of unarmed Liberians in the rice riot. Kranyanh was part of the demonstrations.

Kranyanh's self-awareness can also be attributed to his father, Moses Kranyanh Weefur. The father served as a principal of the Booker T. Washington Institute (BWI) in Liberia during William Tubman's presidency. Under the administration of William Tolbert, he headed the JFK Hospital. He later served as a representative of Margibe County in the Liberian House of Representatives. Mr. Weefur told me he met hardship as a boy in Grandcess. He became a ward living with influential ruling-class people to acquire an education. He lived with a man called Diggs in Grand Bassa County. Diggs named him Moses Diggs. Later he resided with Clarence Simpson, former Vice President under Tubman. Mr. Simpson named him Moses Simpson, but the father politely resisted. He returned to his family name, Weefur or Weefluh, meaning Big Road in Kru. In appreciation of Simpson's help, he named his second son Clarence in Simpson's honor. "I was tired of taking other people's names. I was losing my identity, and I was unhappy", he said.

In addition to his self-awareness and progressive advocacy, Ambassador Weefur was honest, cheerful, and likable. He loved dressing and liked fine clothing. He controlled his emotions and did not display undue anger toward others. Moreover, he was not pompous. He was modest. Before he worked in the Liberian Foreign Service, he returned home. Without a job, he became a taxi driver in Monrovia. When he came back to the US and told me, I asked.

"Did you ready do that?"

He answered, "Yes I did, and I was not ashamed for I was earning honestly. I did not beg, nor requested help from family members."

I admired his independence and personality. Upon his appointment to the Liberian Embassy in Washington, DC, he and his wife Hawa stayed with me briefly until they found their place in Silver Spring, Maryland. Again I noticed his love for clothing, displaying his refined style. His favorite dish was palm butter. He liked it "souppee souppee", as he described it.

Kranyanh was first married to Hawa Beyslow, a Liberian. He later married Zeineh Ahmed, an Ethiopian. Lastly, he wedded Christina Akel, a Liberian. His wife, Christina, his children, Wortaji, Semah, Laila, Tecumpla, Linda, Kranyanh, and many siblings survived him.

Before his death, I visited him in Monrovia. He had returned from the Foreign Service and was not too well. I had not seen him for about 20 years since our meeting in the US. He greeted me, saying in Kru, "Na fluh da," meaning how your body is?

"Na fluh noon shun," meaning my body is well. I replied.

Then I asked, "Kind na fluh da?" How is your body too?

He replied. "Na fluh ne Neswa kleh," saying my body is with God.

He told me about his health: he suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes. We talked about the old good days at CWA and in America. He asked about old US friends; some, unfortunately, had died. We talked and laughed. Before, he introduced his family to me. I was happy to meet them. His youngest child, Linda, about 4 years old, played with him, touching his beard as we spoke. His son, Semah, was sitting next to me. Semah was born blind, Kranyanh told me.

"I am sorry about that," I said. But Semah was friendly.

"Uncle Nyanfore, I am happy to meet you. Daddy has talked about you a lot", Semah said.

I was moved by Semah's spirit. He was genuine.

I spoke about Favour (Chinedu Okoli), the famous Nigerian musician, his excellent work, and his collaboration with a blind Liberian boy. Then Kranyanh laughed and said, "The boy is Semah sitting next to you."

I was pleasantly shocked.

"You mean your son, Semah?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied.

"My God, this is wonderful. I am in the present of a celebrity whose music is international". I said happily.

Semah was smiling. "Do you want me to sing for you, Uncle Nyanfore?"

"No thanks Semah, your talent followed you. I am happy for you. God will continually bless and be with you", I said.

Then Kranyanh and I talked about other things. Semah had left. I asked Kranyanh the reasons for his recall from the diplomatic service by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He told me he did not really know. I asked if he tried to know.

"I did but could not be informed of the reasons." He answered.

"Did you ask your CWA classmate former Vice President Boakai to find out?" I followed.

He laughed. "I did but Boakai said he could not interfere. Boakai was correct. The president has the constitutional right to appoint and dismiss at will." He said, smiling.

Here he showed his maturity and emotional control. I said to myself. "This guy has a good personality. He speaks without anger and malice".

Interestingly, Sirleaf called his mother Cecelia, aunty when the mother was alive. Also, Sirleaf's late husband, Doc Sirleaf, worked with Kranyanh's father at BWI. Kranyanh and Benedict Rick, whom the Sirleafs raise, was Kranyanh's best friend. In other words, Sirleaf knew Kranyanh very well. But why could she tell him the reasons for her action? I asked myself.

Kranyanh displayed a similar attitude in a situation with the late Ernest Eastman, then Foreign Minister under President Samuel Doe. According to Kranyanh, he gave his CV to Eastman for presentation to the president for consideration for appointment in the Foreign Service. Eastman sat on the CV and failed to discuss it with Doe, giving Kranyanh the run-around. Fortunately, Kranyanh met Doe's armed forces chief, Henry Dubar, who took a copy of the CV to the president resulting in Kranyanh's appointment to Washington, DC. When Eastman found out, he got angry with Kranyanh, saying Kranyanh passed over him to talk to Doe. Eastman made life difficult for Kranyanh in DC. But Kranyanh did not react negatively toward Eastman. He was calm. Eastman observed Kranyanh's composed and peaceful behavior and finally befriended Kranyanh. "We became good friends after," Kranyanh recalled.

On his dying bed at the hospital, his wife Christina said he asked to see his family. Christina brought the children. They prayed for him and cried. He consoled them. Later he died with a smile on his face. When Christina told me what happened, I said, "He wanted to say goodbye, and was happy to be with his ancestors."

The church was parked during his funeral. Family, friends, organizations, the Liberian government, and Favour paid tributes to him. I, too, did as a family member. A former ambassador praised him as an honest man.

He was an inspiration. We will remember him not for his education and political appointments but for what he stood for; his honesty, integrity, personality, cultural pride, and advocacy for social justice.

I pray that his soul rests in perfect peace!
A member of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, has expressed that Parliament will not be deterred by legal actions in its efforts to pass the Promotion of Proper Sexual Human Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, commonly known as the Anti-LGBT bill.

This comes as the Supreme Court is being petitioned to impose sanctions on the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, for allowing the house to proceed with a debate on the bill despite pending legal actions.

Dr. Amanda Odoi, one of the individuals who have sued the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney General over the Anti-LGBT bill, argues that the Speaker has shown disregard and contempt for court processes.

She asserts that the Speakers actions violate the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and warrant sanctions for contempt, in the public interest and to uphold the dignity of the Court.

Dr. Odoi claims that the Speakers conduct in allowing Parliament to proceed with the bills Second Reading, despite the pending lawsuit and related interlocutory injunction application, demonstrates a disregard for the authority of the Court and undermines public confidence in the judicial system.

In response to the lawsuit, Mahama Ayariga, the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, has stated that he hasnt paid much attention to it, as he believes it is unlikely to succeed in the Supreme Court. He deems the content of the lawsuit to be flawed.

I havent paid attention to it because I took the view that it is not going to see the light of day in the Supreme Court.
15.07.2023 LISTEN

Quite a long time back, I remember, our respected teacher at Dhaka University started his talk on the role of foreign aid as a development strategy by saying: "Remember, my dear students, if your friend offers you ice cream, it means he wants a king-size burger from you". This rhythmic statement produced instant laughter in the entire class. However, as the session proceeded, it took little time for the students to understand that foreign aid is not just aiding, it certainly is an exchange with a big target. More precisely, foreign aid is not always altruistic as it sounds, rather it is mainly transactional and wrapped with strategic motives.

Today's contention about foreign aid is not just related to its effectiveness in ensuring viable economic development of the recipient countries, but also the need to settle whether using foreign aid goes against national interest. That foreign aid has advantages and disadvantages for the aid-receiving countries is a settled matter. Tons of research and writing have so far been made on the efficacy of foreign aid, but these research findings have all along produced mixed answers. And therefore the debate on the use of foreign aid by economically backward countries has now shifted from, " how far foreign aid is really effective for the recipient countries" to " how to make foreign aid really work for the recipient countries".

Foreign aid is identified as a transfer of financial and non-financial resources from the governments of the developed countries and from the donor agencies like the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, etc. to emerging and poverty-stricken developing countries. Foreign aid is classified in several ways: loans or grants, bilateral (aid from the government to government) or multilateral (aid from international financial institutions), project-based or specific program-based, hard or soft loans, tied or untied, etc. Whatever the classification, it is a matter of serious question, how far does foreign aid promote national interest and development?

These days foreign aid has increasingly become a big source of panic for the people and the government of the aid-seeking countries because of the much-talked-about, "Debt trap diplomacy". According to Wikipedia: Debt trap diplomacy is an international financial relationship where a creditor country or institution extends debt to a borrowing nation partially, or solely, to increase the lender's political leverage. The creditor country is said to extend excessive credit to a debtor country intending to extract economic or political concessions when the debtor country becomes unable to meet its repayment obligations". So, this is quite clear from the aforesaid words that foreign aid can seriously undermine a country's vital interest if it is systematically designed to trap the aid-receiving country by the donor country or institutions.

An Indian academic, Brahma Chellaney introduced the term "Debt trap diplomacy" which describes how the Chinese government leverages the debt burden of smaller countries for geopolitical ends. It is said that China prefers to give hefty amounts of loans to vulnerable countries because, with heavy loans burdened, it will enjoy a clear opportunity to dictate the terms and conditions of loans. In addition, loan terms are not allowed to be made public by the recipient country. It is reported that China's big project loans to several African and Asian countries have fallen into 'debt trap' syndrome. For example, China's infrastructure loans to Angola earned them greater control and ownership of vital oil blocks.( Source: China's Aid to Africa: Monster or Messiah?) BROOKINGS, Yun Sun, February 7, 2014). Similarly, Brahma Chellaney reported that in failing to repay loans on the stipulated terms, Tajikistan lost 1158 kilometres of strategic territory to China. Similar has been the fate of Sri Lanka when, in default of repaying loans, it had to surrender Hambantota port for a 99-year lease to a Chinese Company. On the same grounds, Pakistan, the ace ally of China, had to hand over Gwadar Port for four decades, which allowed China to grab valuable revenues from the use of this important port. ( Source: Brahma Chellaney, THE TIMES OF INDIA, May 11, 2021). These are just a few examples of the Chinese foreign aid fallout.

Equally, donors from Western countries, whether an individual government or international financial institutions (who are primarily funded by the capital of the rich Western countries, particularly by the US government) have ulterior motives behind the decision to offer aid to a particular country. These motives are straightforward: to invest the surplus capital of the powerful Western countries as loans and grants and perpetuate their sphere of influence on the recipient countries or gain some geopolitical advantage or achieve some other objectives by imposing stringent terms and conditions (e.g., carrying out structural adjustments in the economy such as, stop giving subsidy to agriculture and nationalised industries , stop devaluing national currency, raising rates of utility services like electricity , natural gas,etc.) that may contravene the national interests of the aid-receiving countries. So, loans coming from rich Western countries or international financial institutions or from China achieve their respective strategic interests that might actually disregard the genuine requirements of the recipient countries.

That loan-giving countries and international financial institutions have their strategic motives behind extending loans to developing countries is only one part of the story. But another part of the story is about the borrowing countries' dealing with foreign aid issues. Yes, there are compelling reasons for poor developing countries to take financial and non-financial support from donor countries and agencies and countries with huge foreign currency reserves (e.g.China). It is claimed that developing countries need to take loans because of overcoming the low level of domestic savings compared to the level of investment required to increase economic growth and development and also make up for the shortages of foreign currencies to pay for rising import bills. So far, so good. But these countries overlook the fact that once the loans are taken, particularly for mega projects, they will be saddled with a hefty amount of debt burden. Loans, whether small or big, must be paid back to the lenders on due time. Otherwise, they have to embrace the stigma of being a defaulting nation with consequent undesirable interference by the lending countries and institutions. In addition, they have to earn even more foreign currencies from their export earnings to service the debt burden every year which turns out to be a really difficult task with their narrow export base and facing a highly competitive international market in a globalised world. This is a familiar story of many poor developing countries in Asia and Africa.

What is the way out of this dire state? They have to increase the ability to repay the loans and this calls for enforcing an extraordinary amount of discipline in the eco-political system. This implies that they have to ensure the best utilisation of foreign aid and gradually reduce a country's dependency on it by mercilessly eliminating corruption at home as much as possible ; ensuring efficient management of the economy and establishing political stability by taking opposition parties into confidence and also bringing the entire country together. This will enhance the economic strength of the country and help thwart the attempt of the donors to trap aid recipients into an unsustainable debt burden. They have to accept the bitter truth that if their house is deeply divided politically and sinking in internecine turmoil, even massive external financial support will not bring much-needed relief and comfort to the people.

So, foreign aid has the potential to turn a poor developing country into a defaulting nation and this creates a fertile ground for the donor countries and agencies to cast a debt trap or unsustainable debt burden. It is, therefore, imperative to enforce national unity and eco-political discipline before considering the use of foreign aid as a strategy for economic and social development. Otherwise, foreign aid will certainly turn out to be a curse for the whole the country. Aid-seeking developing countries should not forget the essence of this popular adage: " United we stand, divided we fall". But the reverse is also equally true that ' Divided we stand, unitedly we fall'.

Written by: M. Ashiq

Dhaka University graduate in Economics.

Ex-teacher, SCHOLASTICA and SUNBEAMS.

Dhaka, Bangladesh
15.07.2023 LISTEN

Imani President Franklin Cudjoe has described Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare as one of the few excellent appointments President Akufo-Addo has made so far in his administration.

In a post on Facebook, Mr Cudjoe urged the President to ignore those plotting to remove the police chief over his professionalism.

Mr. President, ignore those treasonable elements planning to oust the Inspector General of Police (IGP). Much as we at IMANI would have wished the power to appoint the IGP should be taken away from your office and vested in a police electoral college, we say without equivocation that the current IGP is one of the very few excellent appointments you have made in seven years, portions of the post read.

It continued Remove the IGP, and you would have lend credence to the ignoble and infamous sagas of your penchant for throwing good men and women to political hounds on a whim. May this not be part of your enduring legacy.

On Wednesday, head of the media foundation for West Africa Sulemana Braimah in a statement said the overwhelming public support for the IGP shows Ghanaians appreciate good leadership.

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, let's 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: Classfmonline.com
The Covid-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and the war in Ukraine have pushed 165 million people into poverty since 2020, the United Nations said on Thursday. The UN is calling for the world's wealthiest economies to pause debt repayments by developing countries to ease the burden.

Because of the shocks of the past three years, 75 million people will have fallen into extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $2.15 a day, between 2020 and the end of 2023  and 90 million more will fall below the poverty line of $3.65 a day, according to a study published by the United Nations Development Programme.

The report says that the poorest suffer the most, with their incomes in 2023 projected to remain below pre-pandemic levels.

"Countries that could invest in safety nets over the last three years have prevented a significant number of people from falling into poverty," UNDP chief Achim Steiner said in a statement.

In contrast, he said, "in highly indebted countries, there is a correlation between high levels of debt, insufficient social spending, and an alarming increase in poverty rates".

The report called for a "debt-poverty pause" in economically struggling countries, "to redirect debt repayment towards financing social expenditures and countering the effects of macroeconomic shocks".

According to another UN report published on Wednesday, some 3.3 billion people, nearly half of humanity, live in countries that spend more on paying interest on debt than on education and health.

And developing countries, despite having lower levels of debt, are paying more interest, partly because of higher rates.

'Outdated system'

According to the UNDP report, the annual cost of lifting 165 million newly poor people out of poverty would be over $14 billion  0.009 percent of global output.

If the income losses among the already poor prior to the shocks are also included, the mitigation cost would reach some $107 billion, or 0.065 percent of the world's GDP, the report's authors estimated.

"There is a human cost of inaction in not restructuring developing countries' sovereign debt," Steiner said. "We need new mechanisms to anticipate and absorb shocks and make the financial architecture work for the most vulnerable."

Earlier this week UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who has been pushing for a reform of international financial institutions, denounced "our outdated global financial system, which reflects the colonial power dynamics of the era when it was created".

(With newsagencies)
Imani President Franklin Cudjoe has described IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare as one of the few excellent appointments President Akufo-Addo has made so far in his administration.

In a post on Facebook, Mr Cudjoe urged the President to ignore those plotting to remove the police chief over his professionalism.

Mr. President, ignore those treasonable elements planning to oust the Inspector General of Police (IGP). Much as we at IMANI would have wished the power to appoint the IGP should be taken away from your office and vested in a police electoral college, we say without equivocation that the current IGP is one of the very few excellent appointments you have made in seven years, portions of the post read.

It continued Remove the IGP, and you would have lend credence to the ignoble and infamous sagas of your penchant for throwing good men and women to political hounds on a whim. May this not be part of your enduring legacy.

On Wednesday, the head of the Media Foundation for West Africa Sulemana Braimah in a statement said the overwhelming public support for the IGP shows Ghanaians appreciate good leadership.

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."

3news.com
IT is not easy to be a woman writer in Africa. (I might just as well say that it is not easy to be a writer in Africa male or female!)

But the point is that whatever the difficulties that face a writer in Africa, they are doubly, if not triply, experienced by an African writer who is also a woman.

Generally speaking, the modern African writer is supposed to be 'cautious' in choosing what to write about. No serious social criticism should be attempted, it is assumed.

Why? Because that might give ammunition to those who want to denigrate Africa in order to continue exploiting or oppressing her.

No politics (it is also assumed. )

Why? Because although people like Graham Greene, Ernest Hemingway or George Orwell (to say nothing of E M Forster, whose Aspects of the Novel is often cited as a rule-book for would-be novelists) gave themselves permission to write about anything that came to their minds, African writers should be careful not to tread on the toes of important people in the political or commercial fielods, be they Africans or non-Africans.

Such The taboos face all African writers, but it appears that thoise that subconsciously apply to African women writers are more insidious. The poor ladies are expected -- by societies steeped in moral hypocrisy -- to be modest enough not to write about whether they enjoy sex or not.

Nor to express strong opinions about mens cruelty to women (if any comes to their notice.)

Why? Otherwise, men would be scared of marrying them! If they condemned oafish behaviour in other women, it could be taken for jealousy.

Ama Ata Aidoo, [our DEAR SISTER who has just died aged 81] was one African woman writer who made her own rules and couldnt care less whether what she said or wrote pleased other people or not, be they men or women.

Let me give readers one examople: at a public discussion held in her honour at the London Library, she was being fawned upon by many African women in the audience. One of them asked her (as a way of idirectly acknowledging how special she herself was!) what she thought about the scarcity of young African women writers.

Have you tried to read them? Ama shot back. They are all over the place! Just Google!

An uneasy outbreak of tittering greeted this response.

Typical Ama. For Gods sake, do the basic things first before you come to waste peoples time, she implied. And one shivered on behalf of the many "lazy" students who had passed through her hands during her career as a teacher and Professor.

Ama was larger than life (and in relation to her, the phrase is not an exaggeration.) Built by nature with the luxuriant flesh and openness of the African woman who had no apologies to make about her so=called figure, be she at the chiefs palace or the market-place, she complemented her naturalness with the sharp tongue of someone who KNEW what words were acyually about.

In the years of her intellectual formation, she moved in the company of fellow writers (like the earthy Kofi Awoonor) who practically made the English language sound like their backyard patois. I regret that in the company of such "smart" linguistic craftsmen, I once used crude language whilst talking to Ama.

But Not only did she NOT mind, she replied in kind! Now, thats what I call a liberated African woman!

It was whilst acquiring her secondary school education at the famous Wesley Girls High School (Wegehe) in Cape Coast, that she was prescient enough, when asked by a favourite teacher of hers, Ms Bowman, what she wanted to be when she grew up, to tell her that she wanted to be a Poet!

Poet? The astonished teacher asked. But Christine (Amas Christian name) Poets do not bring food to the table!

However, this same teacher was so perceptive as to give Ama a typewriter as a gift, at a later date!

She didn't use it to become a shorthand-typist! I am sure that as her writing career flourished after school and she made money out of the plays, novels and poems she published, Ama hit the keys of that typewriter with special relish, as she said in her mind to the said teacher: No food to the table, eh? Take that!

Ama was born on 23 March 1942 at Abeadzi (near Saltpond) in the Central Region.

Her self-confidence was implanted in her at an early age, for she was the daughter of Nana Yaw Fama, the chief of Abeadzi. Her mother was Maame Abasema.

Amas political attitude was underpinned by the fact that her grandfather was murdered by the British colonial administratin. This brutal fact brought to her father's attention, the absolute importance of educating the children and families of the village on the history and events of the era. Thus, it was he who built the first school in the village and made sure that Ama attended it.

Ama arrived at Wesley Girls in 1957, the year of Ghanas independence. After that, she went to the University of Ghana, Legon, where she read English. It was while she was a student at Legon that she wrote her first play, The Dilemma Of A Ghost. The play was published in 1965, making Ama the first published African playwright. But whenever this fact was mentioned, Ama dismissed the idea:  I dont want to be the first anything! she would say scornfully.

She was appointed Secretary for Education in the second Jerry Rawlings Administration, the PNDC, in 1982. But being Ama, she criticised the emptiness of the "ideology" of some of the PNDCs policies, to the face of Rawlings. So she only lasted a year in the Ministerial post.

She used to chuckle mischievously when she recalled her Ministerial tenure. I was too much for everybody! she said. Education was so important to her that she wasn't going to play tootsie with it to please anyone, including the widely-feared Jerry Rawlings.

Ama's novel, Changes, won the Commonwealth Writers Prize in 1992. In 2000, she established the Mbaasem Foundation, to give a practical expression to her desire to promote and support the work of African women writers.

Among other academic achievements, Ama held a fellowship in creative writing at Stanford University in California. She also taught English at Legon, where she later served as a research fellow at the Institute of African Studies. She further became a lecturer in English at the University of Cape Coast, where she eventually rose to the top and became a Professor.

Amas works portray the role of African women in contemporary society. She condemned, in her opus, the way that nationalism has been prostituted by some African leaders, into a means of keeping their people oppressed.

She is also critical of those literate Africans who profess to love their country but are seduced by, and sell their souls to be awarded the rewards that the "developed world" dangles before their eyes.

Following her departure from the Rawlings Government in 1983, Ama moved to live in Zimbabwe, where she continued her work in education, serving as a curriculum developer for the Zimbabwe Ministry of Education. While there, she published a collection of poems: Someone Talking to Sometime, as well as writing a children's book entitled The Eagle and the Chickens and Other Stories.

May she, I say again, rest in perfect peace.
15.07.2023 LISTEN

The Ukraine war and the LGBTQ+ issue have thrusted Africans and more specifically African politicians into the limelight and on to the international stage. The historically minded would understand why many African leaders overtly or covertly support Russia in its proxy war against the West in Ukraine. Africans who know their history would remember that it was the Soviet Union that sent weapons and personnel to Africa in support of the African independence movements, especially in South Africa, and Angola.

The reluctance of many African leaders to vote against condemning Russia at the UN in recent times is a fitting quid pro quo for the assistance rendered to the African continent by the Soviet Union. African leadership can be congratulated for taking an independent stance on the Ukrainian issue. History will no doubt judge African leadership favorably for their highly reasonable and perfectly understandable show of support for Russia.

Perhaps not so reasonable and understandable is the current stance being taken by many African politicians on the LGBTQ+ issue. The incomprehensible nature of the current African stance on the LGBTQ+ issue stems from the realization that much of the animus against the LGBTQ+ community on the African continent is rooted in either Judeo-Christian or Islamic religious ideals.

We in the Caribbean are well aware of the conditioning process that effectively separated our enslaved African ancestors from their African essence. Enslaved Africans in the Caribbean were stripped of their history, their languages, their culture, their religion, and even their African names. Kunta Kinte was fed into the mouth of the beast and expelled as Toby. Every effort was made to ensure that enslaved Africans were disconnected from their African identity.

Many Black people assume that the Africans who evaded capture on the continent were spared the conditioning process that made a Toby out of a Kunta Kinte. Such an assumption unfortunately is sadly incorrect. Continental Africans were spared the agony and terror of chattel slavery, courtesy of the Christian Europeans, but there was no escaping the same conditioning process once the European powers cut Africa up like an apple pie and divided the continent among themselves.

Africans on the continent may have retained more of their African identity than their kith and kin in the Diaspora, but they also have scars that were inflicted deep in their African souls. Continental African have drunk deeply from the golden cup of European religion, education, language, politics, law, and culture. Judeo-Christian values and norms are as deeply enshrined in the hearts of continental Africans as they are in the hearts of Africans in the Diaspora.

A careful analysis of the rhetoric being bandies around in the public square by many African leaders clearly reveals that those leaders who are opposed to extending full human rights to the LGBTQ+ community in Africa are opposing on the basis of their spiritual affinity with the religious value structure imposed on them by their European or Arab colonizers. The conservative, prudish, Victorian religious ethic with its antiquated views on human sexuality is the motivating factor behind most of the anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment on the African continent.

The same conservative, evangelical, Bible literalism that that is opposing the LGBTQ+ community in the US and around the world wherever conservative evangelical Bible literalism is strong, is the same force that is opposing the LGBTQ+ community in Africa. This is very ironic because the same Europeans who introduced conservative evangelical Bible literalism have consigned it to the dustbin of history along with all the antiquated laws that were a throwback to the prudishness of the Victorian age.

Regrettably many Africans on the continent and many Blacks in the Diaspora are trapped in a time warp in which religion trumps reason and common sense. The Europeans, who bequeathed the backward and sometimes barbaric moral and ethical system found in the Judeo-Christian scriptures, have wisely evolved to a higher system of values and ethics. It is to the shame of many people of African ancestry that we find it so hard to follow suit and consign the same backward religious values to the nearest garbage can. No wonder the whole world laughs at Africans and Black people in the Diaspora. We have imbibed the detritus of antiquated European, Jewish, and Arab spirituality and are now defending ideals from these spiritual systems, flying the false flag of African culture.

Lenrod Nzulu Baraka is the founder of Afro-Caribbean Spiritual Teaching Center and the author of The Future of African and the Caribbean: Challenges and Possibilities.

By Lenrod Nzulu Baraka
Igbo Mandate Congress IMC , a body divinely mandated to shepherd Ndigbo into greatness in Africa , and silently fulfilling its mandate since 2014, wishes to advice President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian security agencies to ignore calls for the arrest of Asari Dokubo.over his calls for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB not to be released from detention.

Igbo Mandate Congress in an inline communication, had earlier cautioned various Igbo groups seeking the sacrifice of Asari Dokubo over his recent outbursts concerning Nnamdi Kanu , to act circumspectly while meddling in the feud between the leader of Niger Delta Volunteer Force NDVF Mujahedeen Asari Dokubo and the leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Igbo Mandate Congress is saddened by the advice of Asari Dokubo to President Bola Tinubu that Nnamdi Kanu should not be released.

IMC is also saddened by the flurry of non-circumspect responses from numerous Igbo groups condemning Asari Dokubo and subsequently calling for his arrest.

Igbo Mandate Congress condemns the penchant with which Igbo groups calls for the arrest of anybody who at certain times does not agree with their opinions.

Igbo groups have severally called for the arrest of Bola Ahmed Tinubu over Bullion Van, Alpha Beta, Lekki Toll Gate and every discourse associated with civil opinion differences. Igbo groups have severally called for the arrest of Sheikh Abubakar Gumi for negotiating the release of abducted innocent Nigerians from Fulani bandits. They have also called for the arrest of President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum. Alhaji Sanni Yerima and his counterpart at Coalition of Northern Group, CNG, Abdulazeez Suleiman. They have also called for the arrest of Mahmoud Yakubu, INEC Chair, knowing quite well that his arrest can prejudice all cases concerning the electoral body.

Recently, they are renewing calls for the arrest of the Commander of IPOB Auto Pilot, Simon Ekpa, for daring to declare a Biafra in Exile without their consent. Calling for the arrest of somebody at the flimsiest difference in viewpoint, and at the same time wailing when your kinsmen is arrested for same flimsy reasons, is a sign of double speak and double standards.

It is on record that Igbo Mandate Congress was pressurized into abandoning its plot WITH THE Buhari Cabals to release Nnamdi Kanu before the 2023 elections.

Rev Obinna Akukwe and other key leaders of Igbo Mandate Congress were told emphatically by many Igbo leaders and their youth supporters that releasing Nnamdi Kanu will stop Peter Obi of the Labour Party from winning elections, and advised the group to put n hold any plot to get the IPOB leader released, as finalized by the Buhari cabals.

Therefore, it is hypocritical to condemn Asari Dokubo while Igbo leaders, youth leaders and key members of the Obidient Movement echoed the same sentiments with the militant leaders just before the Presidential elections, and frustrated all attempts to let Kanu off the gulag.

Igbo Mandate Congress thanks President Tinubu for balancing the lopsided security appointments by elevating Igbo into a Service Chief. IMC also asks him to extend another olive branch by releasing Nnamdi Kanu, to his family.

Igbo Mandate Congress also asks President Tinubu to ignore calls for the arrest of Asari Dokubo. IMC also asks Tinubu to also ignore calls for the extradition of Simon Ekpa by members of the same IPOB he abandoned to form his own branch. IMC also wants to alert President Tinubu that yet another branch of IPOB is suspected to be plotting to smuggle ubiquitous doctors to harm Nnamdi Kanu in detention which the family is already aware of.

Igbo Mandate Congress, first with credible intelligence, wants to warn all these agents of arrests, illegal detention, extradition and poisoning through injection, that any further attempt to carry out their heinous activities will be exposed to the entire Nigeria.

Igbo Mandate Congress believes that it is silly of any Igbo group to believe that Asari Dokubo will speak on behalf of Nnamdi Kanu when they all stood by and allowed the feud between the two warlords to fester for over four years.

IMC advises Igbo groups who cry marginalization of Eastern Nigeria to unite Asari Dokubo and Nnamdi Kanu , reintegrate Simon Ekpa back to mainstream IPOB, and stop the Senseless Sit at Home destroying the people of the South East.

IMC also advises Igbo groups to blaming and attacking the Fulani, Hausa, and Yoruba for our self inflicted problems and seek internal solutions to our numerous problems.

IMC describes the flippant calls for arrest of persons with diverse viewpoint as undemocratic and bullying.

Signed

Rev Obinna Akukwe

Director General, Igbo Mandate Congress IMC

Rev Paschal Nwaigwe

Head, Internal Communications IMC
Streetlight at CMB on the pavement opposite the Accra Regional Police Headquarters in the Klottey Korle Constituency, is on the verge of collapse.

Traders there told the Ghana News Agency that a vehicle crashed into the pole one Sunday leaving it in such a state, posing threats to passers-by and traders.

We were fortunate the crash happened on Sunday when we don't come to sell. The vehicle crashed into two street lights; one fell completely and was taken away leaving this one here, a trader explained.

The traders admitted that selling under the falling pole was dangerous, however, they had no other alternative.

They said they did not know how to contact the Assembly so, relying on God for divine protection from the looming danger.

We have faith in God that it won't fall on us. Even if it does, we know that just as the crash happened in our absence, God will let the same thing happen if it falls, another trader said.

The GNA also saw a collapsing electricity pole at the Kinbu traffic light area across the street adjacent to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).

Traders in the area said the pole had been in that state for about two years.

They said about two weeks ago some personnel from the Electricity Company of Ghana came around to carry out wiring on the pole besides it, but left the falling one unfixed.

The traders asked the Aseembly and the Electricity Company to fix the pole to avoid any disaster.

GNA
A group has presented a bankers' draft of GHC3,000 to pay for the nomination forms for Michael Gyato, a New Patriotic Party parliamentary aspirant.

The group, calling itself Michael Must Contest comprise some Branch Executives, Area Coordinators, Floating Voters, and other women wings committed to work assiduously to ensure victory for Mr Michael Yaw Gyato and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The intention is to snatch the seat from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 general elections.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), after picking the nomination forms for the former legislator, Mr Abramani Alhassan convener of Michael Must Contest group, said the decision was informed by his good works.

We believe in the good works done by him during his tenure in office, delegates and party faithful decided to pick the forms for him to come and continue with projects in the Constituency, he said.

They said under the watch of Mr Gyato, Krachi East was elevated to Municipal status, and 16 communities connected to the national grid, among other achievements.

The group, led by Mr Alhassan, said breaking the eight was possible with Gyato and that the forms would be officially presented to the former Deputy Minister of Sanitation at the weekend in Accra.

The group was of the view that Mr Gyato is the only person within the NPP that can transform the Constituency if he is given the nod as the next member of parliament in 2025.

GNA
Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:VCV  Get Free Report) crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $9.75 and traded as low as $9.58. Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust shares last traded at $9.60, with a volume of 68,102 shares.

Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust Stock Down 0.8 %

The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $9.52 and a 200 day moving average price of $9.75.

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Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a $0.0335 dividend. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

About Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new position in Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust during the 1st quarter worth $88,000. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust during the 3rd quarter worth $91,000. Virtu Financial LLC bought a new position in Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust during the 1st quarter worth $140,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust during the 3rd quarter worth $155,000. Finally, Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. bought a new position in Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust during the 1st quarter worth $178,000. 12.23% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

(Get Free Report)

Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Invesco Ltd. The fund is co-managed by Invesco Advisers, Inc, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Canada Ltd., Invesco Hong Kong Limited, and Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc It invests in the fixed income markets of the United States.

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PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (NYSE:PFL  Get Free Report) crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $8.26 and traded as low as $8.20. PIMCO Income Strategy Fund shares last traded at $8.21, with a volume of 116,164 shares traded.

PIMCO Income Strategy Fund Trading Down 0.2 %

The businesss fifty day moving average price is $8.05 and its 200-day moving average price is $8.26.

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PIMCO Income Strategy Fund Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.0814 per share. This represents a $0.98 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 11.96%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 12th.

Institutional Trading of PIMCO Income Strategy Fund

About PIMCO Income Strategy Fund

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in PFL. JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new stake in shares of PIMCO Income Strategy Fund during the 1st quarter worth $48,000. Elequin Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of PIMCO Income Strategy Fund during the 4th quarter worth $89,000. Nomura Holdings Inc. bought a new stake in shares of PIMCO Income Strategy Fund during the 2nd quarter worth $90,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of PIMCO Income Strategy Fund by 498.5% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 12,006 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $97,000 after acquiring an additional 10,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of PIMCO Income Strategy Fund during the 3rd quarter worth $105,000.

(Get Free Report)

PIMCO Income Strategy Fund is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC. The fund is co-managed by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC. It invests in fixed income markets across the globe. The fund invests in a diversified portfolio of floating rate debt instruments with an average duration of around three years.

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Pembina Pipeline Co. (NYSE:PBA  Get Free Report) (TSE:PPL) saw a significant decrease in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 6,190,000 shares, a decrease of 67.7% from the June 15th total of 19,180,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 718,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 8.6 days. Approximately 1.1% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently commented on PBA. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on Pembina Pipeline in a research report on Wednesday, June 21st. They issued a buy rating on the stock. StockNews.com began coverage on Pembina Pipeline in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Credit Suisse Group upgraded Pembina Pipeline from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pembina Pipeline presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $50.20.

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Institutional Trading of Pembina Pipeline

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Pembina Pipeline by 3.4% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 19,783,270 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $600,818,000 after purchasing an additional 641,772 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its stake in shares of Pembina Pipeline by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 11,275,677 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $365,233,000 after buying an additional 440,185 shares during the period. Toronto Dominion Bank grew its stake in shares of Pembina Pipeline by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 9,185,493 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $327,483,000 after buying an additional 119,814 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its position in Pembina Pipeline by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 7,745,013 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $250,620,000 after acquiring an additional 371,913 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Asset Management Inc lifted its position in Pembina Pipeline by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 7,384,434 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $238,976,000 after acquiring an additional 123,855 shares in the last quarter. 51.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Pembina Pipeline Price Performance

Shares of PBA traded down $0.52 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $30.82. The stock had a trading volume of 703,076 shares, compared to its average volume of 698,855. Pembina Pipeline has a 12 month low of $29.59 and a 12 month high of $38.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.93 billion, a PE ratio of 8.21, a PEG ratio of 4.99 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.46. The companys 50-day moving average is $31.27 and its two-hundred day moving average is $32.77.

Pembina Pipeline (NYSE:PBA  Get Free Report) (TSE:PPL) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The pipeline company reported $0.45 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.50 by ($0.05). The firm had revenue of $1.70 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.91 billion. Pembina Pipeline had a net margin of 26.15% and a return on equity of 14.59%. Research analysts expect that Pembina Pipeline will post 2.07 EPS for the current year.

Pembina Pipeline Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a $0.493 dividend. This represents a $1.97 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.40%. This is an increase from Pembina Pipelines previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. Pembina Pipelines dividend payout ratio is presently 52.39%.

Pembina Pipeline Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Pembina Pipeline Corporation provides energy transportation and midstream services. It operates through three segments: Pipelines, Facilities, and Marketing & New Ventures. The Pipelines segment operates conventional, oil sands and heavy oil, and transmission assets with a transportation capacity of 2.8 millions of barrels of oil equivalent per day, the ground storage capacity of 11 millions of barrels, and rail terminalling capacity of approximately 105 thousands of barrels of oil equivalent per day serving markets and basins across North America.

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Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente, S.A. (OTCMKTS:SEYMF  Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 9,900 shares, a decrease of 69.0% from the June 15th total of 31,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently  days.

Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente Price Performance

SEYMF remained flat at $17.00 during midday trading on Friday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 40 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,350. The companys 50-day moving average price is $17.00 and its 200-day moving average price is $18.59. Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente has a fifty-two week low of $15.25 and a fifty-two week high of $21.68.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on SEYMF shares. Royal Bank of Canada raised Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Monday, June 12th. Societe Generale cut Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, May 15th.

Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente Company Profile

Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente, SA, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation of solar photovoltaic energy. It owns, manages, and operates a pipeline of approximately 14,200 MW of photovoltaic plants in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Uruguay, and Greece. The company was incorporated in 2002 and is based in Madrid, Spain.

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African Gold Acquisition Corp (OTCMKTS:AGACU  Get Free Report)s stock price was down 0.6% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $10.56 and last traded at $10.56. Approximately 100 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, The stock had previously closed at $10.62.

African Gold Acquisition Price Performance

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $10.58 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $10.35.

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Aguia Resources Limited (CVE:AGRL  Get Free Report) fell 7.1% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as C$0.13 and last traded at C$0.13. 361,698 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 14% from the average session volume of 418,301 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.14.

Aguia Resources Stock Down 7.1 %

The company has a market capitalization of C$24.14 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.00. The stocks fifty day moving average price is C$0.13 and its 200-day moving average price is C$0.13.

Aguia Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Aguia Resources Limited engages in the exploration and development of mineral resource projects in Brazil. Its flagship Rio Grande phosphate assets include the Tres Estradas, Joca Tavares, Porteira carbonatite, and Cerro Preto deposits located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil. Aguia Resources Limited was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

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Annex Advisory Services LLC cut its position in AmerisourceBergen Co. (NYSE:ABC  Free Report) by 89.6% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,418 shares of the companys stock after selling 29,565 shares during the quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLCs holdings in AmerisourceBergen were worth $547,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. United Bank boosted its holdings in AmerisourceBergen by 16.6% in the first quarter. United Bank now owns 3,632 shares of the companys stock valued at $562,000 after purchasing an additional 518 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its holdings in AmerisourceBergen by 29.9% in the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 5,193 shares of the companys stock valued at $803,000 after purchasing an additional 1,194 shares during the period. Synovus Financial Corp boosted its holdings in AmerisourceBergen by 123.4% in the first quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 6,301 shares of the companys stock valued at $975,000 after purchasing an additional 3,480 shares during the period. Vontobel Holding Ltd. increased its holdings in AmerisourceBergen by 22.5% in the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 2,767 shares of the companys stock valued at $430,000 after buying an additional 508 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL raised its stake in AmerisourceBergen by 12.4% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 8,124 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,257,000 after buying an additional 899 shares in the last quarter. 92.64% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at AmerisourceBergen

In other AmerisourceBergen news, CEO Steven H. Collis sold 10,499 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.52, for a total value of $1,779,790.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 257,967 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,730,565.84. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Gina Clark sold 27,542 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $186.84, for a total transaction of $5,145,947.28. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,733 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,994,793.72. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Steven H. Collis sold 10,499 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $169.52, for a total value of $1,779,790.48. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 257,967 shares of the companys stock, valued at $43,730,565.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 627,815 shares of company stock worth $110,824,233. Insiders own 20.10% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AmerisourceBergen Price Performance

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Mizuho upped their price objective on AmerisourceBergen from $174.00 to $192.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of AmerisourceBergen from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of AmerisourceBergen from $182.00 to $189.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. TheStreet upgraded shares of AmerisourceBergen from a c rating to a b+ rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on shares of AmerisourceBergen from $174.00 to $182.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $185.38.

ABC stock opened at $191.42 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $179.96 and a 200-day moving average of $167.75. AmerisourceBergen Co. has a 12-month low of $135.14 and a 12-month high of $193.83. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.13. The company has a market cap of $38.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.60, a PEG ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 0.56.

AmerisourceBergen (NYSE:ABC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $3.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.29 by $0.21. AmerisourceBergen had a return on equity of 809.53% and a net margin of 0.65%. The firm had revenue of $63.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $60.40 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.22 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that AmerisourceBergen Co. will post 11.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AmerisourceBergen Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 12th were issued a $0.485 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $1.94 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.01%. AmerisourceBergens dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.94%.

AmerisourceBergen Company Profile

(Free Report)

AmerisourceBergen Corporation sources and distributes pharmaceutical products. Its U.S. Healthcare Solutions segment distributes brand-name and generic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter healthcare products, home healthcare supplies and equipment, and related services to acute care hospitals and health systems, independent and chain retail pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, medical clinics, long-term care and alternate site pharmacies, and other customers.

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Shares of Masonite International Co. (NYSE:DOOR  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the five ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $108.67.

DOOR has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Masonite International from $110.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 10th. StockNews.com raised Masonite International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 19th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Masonite International from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 10th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Masonite International from $102.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 10th.

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Masonite International Price Performance

Masonite International stock opened at $102.16 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average is $96.69 and its 200 day moving average is $90.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 3.39 and a quick ratio of 2.10. The firm has a market cap of $2.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.44 and a beta of 1.62. Masonite International has a one year low of $65.71 and a one year high of $104.23.

Insider Transactions at Masonite International

Masonite International ( NYSE:DOOR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The company reported $1.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.58 by $0.30. Masonite International had a return on equity of 27.22% and a net margin of 6.40%. The firm had revenue of $726.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $688.20 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.89 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up .0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Masonite International will post 7.91 EPS for the current year.

In other news, CAO Catherine Anne Shellabarger sold 803 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.50, for a total transaction of $75,080.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 3,769 shares in the company, valued at approximately $352,401.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Masonite International news, CAO Catherine Anne Shellabarger sold 803 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.50, for a total value of $75,080.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 3,769 shares in the company, valued at approximately $352,401.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Alexander Albert Legall sold 1,700 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.01, for a total value of $156,417.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 3,257 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $299,676.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.21% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Legal & General Group Plc boosted its position in shares of Masonite International by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 22,733 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,746,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System boosted its position in shares of Masonite International by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 5,969 shares of the companys stock valued at $481,000 after acquiring an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Masonite International by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 9,381 shares of the companys stock valued at $756,000 after acquiring an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Masonite International by 55.0% during the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 513 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can raised its holdings in shares of Masonite International by 13.6% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 1,683 shares of the companys stock valued at $160,000 after buying an additional 202 shares in the last quarter.

About Masonite International

(Get Free Report

Masonite International Corporation designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes interior and exterior doors for the new construction and repair, renovation, and remodeling sectors of the residential and non-residential building construction markets worldwide. It offers molded panel, flush, stile and rail, steel, and fiberglass residential doors, as well as medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and architectural interior doors.

Further Reading

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Annex Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in Unitil Co. (NYSE:UTL  Free Report) by 16.3% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,513 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,055 shares during the period. Annex Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Unitil were worth $429,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Millennium Management LLC raised its holdings in Unitil by 338.0% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 142,015 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $8,339,000 after acquiring an additional 109,588 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its holdings in Unitil by 19.3% in the 4th quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 349,425 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $17,946,000 after acquiring an additional 56,620 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Unitil by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,224,631 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $56,885,000 after purchasing an additional 50,451 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. bought a new position in shares of Unitil during the 4th quarter worth about $2,420,000. Finally, Sei Investments Co. increased its holdings in shares of Unitil by 43.7% during the 2nd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 126,689 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $7,439,000 after purchasing an additional 38,540 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.37% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Unitil in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock.

Unitil Price Performance

NYSE:UTL opened at $51.83 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $833.94 million, a PE ratio of 18.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.51. Unitil Co. has a 12 month low of $44.67 and a 12 month high of $60.59. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00. The companys 50-day moving average price is $53.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $54.10.

Unitil (NYSE:UTL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.51 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $220.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $179.00 million. Unitil had a net margin of 7.45% and a return on equity of 9.38%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Unitil Co. will post 2.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Unitil Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 16th were given a dividend of $0.405 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 15th. This represents a $1.62 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.13%. Unitils payout ratio is 58.91%.

Unitil Company Profile

(Free Report)

Unitil Corporation, a public utility holding company, engages in the distribution of electricity and natural gas. It operates through two segments, Utility Electric Operations, Utility Gas Operations. The company distributes electricity in the southeastern seacoast and state capital regions of New Hampshire, and the greater Fitchburg area of north central Massachusetts; and distributes natural gas in southeastern New Hampshire and portions of southern and central Maine, including the city of Portland and the Lewiston-Auburn area, as well as electricity and natural gas in the greater Fitchburg area of north central Massachusetts.

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Annex Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in Vishay Precision Group, Inc. (NYSE:VPG  Free Report) by 10.4% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 10,013 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock after buying an additional 942 shares during the period. Annex Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Vishay Precision Group were worth $418,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of VPG. Dorsey Wright & Associates bought a new stake in shares of Vishay Precision Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Byrne Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Vishay Precision Group during the 4th quarter worth $34,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Vishay Precision Group by 99.9% during the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 2,869 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $110,000 after buying an additional 1,434 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in shares of Vishay Precision Group by 500.9% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,335 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $128,000 after buying an additional 2,780 shares during the period. Finally, Vestcor Inc acquired a new position in Vishay Precision Group in the 4th quarter worth about $157,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.95% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, Director Wes Cummins bought 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 15th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $33.99 per share, with a total value of $339,900.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 465,292 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,815,275.08. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 7.01% of the companys stock.

Vishay Precision Group Price Performance

VPG stock opened at $36.54 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $496.94 million, a PE ratio of 13.58 and a beta of 1.30. Vishay Precision Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $27.79 and a 1 year high of $45.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 4.26 and a quick ratio of 2.82. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $35.99 and a 200-day simple moving average of $39.48.

Vishay Precision Group (NYSE:VPG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 9th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.53 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $88.86 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $89.79 million. Vishay Precision Group had a return on equity of 12.16% and a net margin of 10.08%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.49 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Vishay Precision Group, Inc. will post 2.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have commented on VPG shares. B. Riley started coverage on Vishay Precision Group in a report on Friday, April 14th. They set a buy rating and a $54.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com began coverage on Vishay Precision Group in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company.

Vishay Precision Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Vishay Precision Group, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets specialized sensors, weighing solutions, and measurement systems in the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Asia, and Canada. It operates through three segments: Sensors, Weighing Solutions, and Measurement Systems.

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Banco Macro S.A. (NYSE:BMA  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Friday, July 14th, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Thursday, July 20th will be given a dividend of 0.4504 per share by the bank on Tuesday, July 25th. This represents a yield of 20.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 19th.

Banco Macro has a payout ratio of 2.2% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect Banco Macro to earn $1.12 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.08 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 7.1%.

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Banco Macro Price Performance

BMA stock traded down $1.65 on Friday, hitting $24.93. 429,747 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 269,770. Banco Macro has a twelve month low of $9.72 and a twelve month high of $27.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 0.72. The businesss fifty day moving average is $21.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $20.18.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Banco Macro ( NYSE:BMA Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 17th. The bank reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.78 by $0.26. Banco Macro had a return on equity of 8.14% and a net margin of 5.15%. The business had revenue of $913.72 million for the quarter. Analysts anticipate that Banco Macro will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Banco Macro in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Banco Macro

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. UBS Group AG boosted its position in Banco Macro by 980.3% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,889 shares of the banks stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 3,529 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in Banco Macro by 456.9% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,298 shares of the banks stock valued at $109,000 after purchasing an additional 5,167 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC bought a new stake in Banco Macro in the 2nd quarter valued at about $134,000. Engineers Gate Manager LP bought a new stake in Banco Macro in the 1st quarter valued at about $253,000. Finally, Trium Capital LLP lifted its position in Banco Macro by 70.4% in the 1st quarter. Trium Capital LLP now owns 17,623 shares of the banks stock valued at $314,000 after purchasing an additional 7,279 shares during the last quarter.

Banco Macro Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Banco Macro SA provides various banking products and services to retail and corporate customers in Argentina. It offers various retail banking products and services, such as savings and checking accounts, time deposits, credit and debit cards, consumer finance loans, mortgage loans, automobile loans, overdrafts, credit-related services, home and car insurance coverage, tax collection, utility payments, automated teller machines (ATMs), and money transfers.

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Bancroft Fund Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:BCV  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 8,100 shares, an increase of 350.0% from the June 15th total of 1,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 17,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.5 days.

Insider Transactions at Bancroft Fund

In related news, insider Mario J. Gabelli sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.98, for a total transaction of $50,940.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 40,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $679,200. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 4.10% of the companys stock.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bancroft Fund

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in shares of Bancroft Fund by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 193,476 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,169,000 after buying an additional 4,670 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of Bancroft Fund by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 192,887 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,159,000 after buying an additional 2,549 shares in the last quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC grew its stake in shares of Bancroft Fund by 6.3% in the 1st quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 109,308 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,857,000 after buying an additional 6,504 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG grew its stake in shares of Bancroft Fund by 6.9% in the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 79,084 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,344,000 after buying an additional 5,138 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Bancroft Fund by 22.4% in the 2nd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 60,934 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,041,000 after buying an additional 11,151 shares in the last quarter. 17.87% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Bancroft Fund Stock Down 1.2 %

Bancroft Fund Announces Dividend

BCV traded down $0.21 during trading on Friday, hitting $17.39. 11,575 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 13,661. Bancroft Fund has a 1 year low of $16.01 and a 1 year high of $20.98.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th were paid a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.36%.

About Bancroft Fund

(Get Free Report)

Bancroft Fund Ltd. is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by GAMCO Investors, Inc It is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC. The fund invests in the public equity markets. It primarily invests in convertible securities including convertible debt and convertible preferred stocks. The fund invests in stocks of companies across market capitalization.

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Bank of Queensland Limited (OTCMKTS:BKQNY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 400 shares, a growth of 100.0% from the June 15th total of 200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.0 days.

Bank of Queensland Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:BKQNY remained flat at $7.58 during trading on Friday. The stock had a trading volume of 81 shares, compared to its average volume of 905. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $7.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $8.63. Bank of Queensland has a 1 year low of $7.18 and a 1 year high of $10.12.

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Bank of Queensland Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 16th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 10th were given a dividend of $0.2369 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 9th. This represents a dividend yield of 6.2%. Bank of Queenslands dividend payout ratio is currently 75.18%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

About Bank of Queensland

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Bank of Queensland from an underweight rating to a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, May 18th.

(Get Free Report)

Bank of Queensland Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Australia. The company operates in Retail Banking, BOQ Business, and Other segments. It offers personal banking services comprises savings and term deposits, and transactional accounts; debit and credit cards; home, personal, and car loans; and travel, home and content, landlord, and car insurance, as well as investment services comprising online share trading services, and self-managed superannuation funds.

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Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH increased its stake in shares of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 0.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 124,146 shares of the asset managers stock after acquiring an additional 792 shares during the period. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH owned 0.08% of BlackRock worth $83,069,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in BLK. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,037,009,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in BlackRock by 104,159.9% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 697,499 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $494,269,000 after buying an additional 696,830 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in BlackRock by 14.8% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,335,602 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $2,363,708,000 after buying an additional 430,524 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in BlackRock in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $187,527,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP grew its holdings in BlackRock by 277.9% in the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 317,614 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $242,711,000 after buying an additional 233,568 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.37% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director J. Richard Kushel sold 3,000 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction on Monday, April 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $696.00, for a total transaction of $2,088,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 71,307 shares of the companys stock, valued at $49,629,672. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other BlackRock news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 35,799 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $694.50, for a total value of $24,862,405.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 484,325 shares of the companys stock, valued at $336,363,712.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director J. Richard Kushel sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $696.00, for a total value of $2,088,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 71,307 shares of the companys stock, valued at $49,629,672. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.96% of the stock is owned by insiders.

BlackRock Trading Down 1.6 %

Shares of BLK opened at $728.03 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $109.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.58, a PEG ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.27. BlackRock, Inc. has a 52-week low of $503.12 and a 52-week high of $785.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 4.20 and a current ratio of 4.20. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $678.73 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $689.48.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 14th. The asset manager reported $9.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $8.52 by $0.76. The company had revenue of $4.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.47 billion. BlackRock had a return on equity of 13.66% and a net margin of 28.13%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $7.36 earnings per share. Analysts predict that BlackRock, Inc. will post 34.39 EPS for the current fiscal year.

BlackRock Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Thursday, June 8th were paid a dividend of $5.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 7th. This represents a $20.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.75%. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.03%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BLK has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on BlackRock from $583.00 to $542.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 17th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised BlackRock from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $770.00 to $835.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. StockNews.com started coverage on BlackRock in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on BlackRock from $829.00 to $861.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on BlackRock from $780.00 to $770.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 3rd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $767.15.

BlackRock Company Profile

(Free Report)

BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BLK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report).

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Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) had its price objective trimmed by Credit Suisse Group from $72.00 to $66.00 in a report published on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

BMY has been the topic of a number of other reports. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, April 21st. SVB Leerink reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday, July 10th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. 51job reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Finally, SVB Securities began coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, July 10th. They issued a market perform rating and a $66.00 target price for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $75.44.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Down 0.5 %

BMY stock opened at $61.94 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. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $65.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $68.52. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 52 week low of $61.57 and a 52 week high of $81.43. The company has a market capitalization of $130.13 billion, a PE ratio of 18.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 0.43.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.07. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 15.95% and a return on equity of 51.75%. The business had revenue of $11.34 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.50 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.96 earnings per share. Bristol-Myers Squibbs revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.05 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Investors of record on Friday, July 7th will be issued a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.68%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 66.47%.

Insider Activity at Bristol-Myers Squibb

In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 47,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,202,182.06. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.09% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Bristol-Myers Squibb

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,873,696,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 114,228.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 21,469,785 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,544,751,000 after buying an additional 21,451,006 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 193.4% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,214,000 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $186,351,000 after purchasing an additional 4,755,058 shares during the period. Boston Partners increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 31.1% during the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 18,080,568 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,252,480,000 after purchasing an additional 4,286,479 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2,077.2% during the 1st quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 4,049,072 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $280,641,000 after purchasing an additional 3,863,095 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.57% of the companys stock.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile

(Get 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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British American Tobacco p.l.c. (OTCMKTS:BTAFF  Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 288,300 shares, a decrease of 83.0% from the June 15th total of 1,695,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 15,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 18.4 days.

British American Tobacco Price Performance

British American Tobacco stock remained flat at $33.11 during mid-day trading on Friday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,040 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,843. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $33.28 and a 200 day simple moving average of $36.04. British American Tobacco has a 12 month low of $31.72 and a 12 month high of $43.21.

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About British American Tobacco

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British American Tobacco p.l.c. engages in the provision of tobacco and nicotine products to consumers worldwide. It offers vapour, tobacco heating, and modern oral nicotine products; combustible cigarettes; and traditional oral products, such as snus and moist snuff. The company offers its products under the Vuse, glo, Velo, Grizzly, Kodiak, Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Camel, Natural American Spirit, Newport, Vogue, Viceroy, Kool, Peter Stuyvesant, Craven A, State Express 555 and Shuang Xi brands.

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China Youzan Limited (OTCMKTS:CHNVF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 776,000 shares, a drop of 79.7% from the June 15th total of 3,824,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently  days.

China Youzan Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS CHNVF remained flat at C$0.01 during mid-day trading on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$0.02 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$0.02. China Youzan has a 1-year low of C$0.01 and a 1-year high of C$0.04.

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China Youzan Company Profile

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Further Reading

China Youzan Limited, an investment holding company, provides online and offline e-commerce solutions in the People's Republic of China, Japan, and Canada. The company operates through five segments: General Trading, Third Party Payment Services, Onecomm, Merchant Services, and Others. It trades in watches and other good; sells integrated smart point of sales devices; and offers third party payment and related consultancy services, as well as third party payment management services.

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Jefferies Financial Group reissued their buy rating on shares of Coca-Cola HBC (LON:CCH  Free Report) in a report released on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat reports. Jefferies Financial Group currently has a GBX 3,000 ($38.60) price objective on the stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a neutral rating and issued a GBX 2,600 ($33.45) price objective on shares of Coca-Cola HBC in a report on Monday, July 10th. Barclays restated an overweight rating and issued a GBX 2,700 ($34.74) price objective on shares of Coca-Cola HBC in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Coca-Cola HBC in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Numis Securities reaffirmed an add rating and issued a GBX 2,800 ($36.02) target price on shares of Coca-Cola HBC in a research report on Thursday, May 25th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on shares of Coca-Cola HBC from GBX 2,950 ($37.95) to GBX 3,150 ($40.52) and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 2,753.33 ($35.42).

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Coca-Cola HBC Price Performance

Shares of CCH opened at GBX 2,432 ($31.29) on Tuesday. Coca-Cola HBC has a twelve month low of GBX 1,811 ($23.30) and a twelve month high of GBX 2,582 ($33.22). The firms fifty day simple moving average is GBX 2,400.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 2,224.42. The firm has a market capitalization of 8.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2,507.22, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a current ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 101.01.

Coca-Cola HBC Increases Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling at Coca-Cola HBC

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 19th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 25th were paid a 0.78 ($0.86) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 25th. This is a positive change from Coca-Cola HBCs previous dividend of $0.71. This represents a yield of 2.67%. Coca-Cola HBCs payout ratio is currently 6,907.22%.

In other news, insider Zoran Bogdanovic purchased 167 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 17th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 2,572 ($33.09) per share, for a total transaction of 4,295.24 ($5,525.85). Over the last three months, insiders have acquired 540 shares of company stock worth $1,300,979. 46.86% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Coca-Cola HBC

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Coca-Cola HBC AG engages in the production, distribution, and sale of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages under franchise in Switzerland and internationally. The company offers sparkling soft drinks, adult sparkling, hydration drinks, juices, ready-to-drink tea, energy drinks, dairy, coffee, water, plant-based drinks, premium spirits and flavored alcoholic beverages, and snacks.

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Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $0.62 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.60 by $0.02, MarketWatch Earnings reports. The company had revenue of $2.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3 billion. Conagra Brands had a net margin of 5.57% and a return on equity of 15.19%. Conagra Brandss revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.65 EPS. Conagra Brands updated its FY24 guidance to $2.70-2.75 EPS.

Conagra Brands Trading Down 0.8 %

Shares of CAG opened at $32.90 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $34.70 and its 200-day moving average price is $36.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.17, a PEG ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. Conagra Brands has a 1-year low of $32.18 and a 1-year high of $41.30.

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Conagra Brands Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.35 per share. This is a positive change from Conagra Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 28th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.26%. Conagra Brandss payout ratio is presently 92.96%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Conagra Brands

Several research firms have issued reports on CAG. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Conagra Brands from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Conagra Brands from $43.00 to $36.00 in a report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Conagra Brands from $43.00 to $39.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. TheStreet cut shares of Conagra Brands from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of Conagra Brands from $40.00 to $38.00 in a research report on Friday. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $38.69.

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of CAG. Toroso Investments LLC bought a new stake in Conagra Brands during the first quarter worth about $218,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 33.5% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,416,559 shares of the companys stock worth $128,327,000 after buying an additional 858,083 shares in the last quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 21.7% in the first quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 10,950 shares of the companys stock worth $411,000 after buying an additional 1,951 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC lifted its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 19.8% in the first quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 45,308 shares of the companys stock worth $1,702,000 after buying an additional 7,475 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. lifted its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 28.3% in the first quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 204,275 shares of the companys stock worth $7,672,000 after buying an additional 45,006 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 88.80% of the companys stock.

Conagra Brands Company Profile

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Conagra Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer packaged goods food company in North America. The company operates in four segments: Grocery & Snacks, Refrigerated & Frozen, International, and Foodservice. The Grocery & Snacks segment primarily offers shelf stable food products through various retail channels in the United States.

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ENTERPRISE-After a day-long search by multiple law enforcement agencies, Shannon Scott Anthony, 40, is in Coffee County Jail on no bond after being taken into custody in Enterprise at 7:45 p.m. Friday.

Anthony, 40, had eluded officers who responded to a 4 a.m. Friday report of a disorderly person in the 100 block of Boll Weevil Circle, Enterprise Police Departments Public Information Officer Capt. Billy Haglund said.

When officers arrived at the residence, they discovered two men fighting. During the altercation, Anthony ran back into the residence and threatened officers with a firearm. Officers were able to get the victim and two other occupants of the residence to safety before Anthony barricaded himself inside.

Haglund said police entered the home at 9:30 a.m. and discovered that Anthony had fled.

Tracking dogs from the Alabama Department of Corrections and a Dale County Sheriffs Department helicopter joined in the search and at 12:38 p.m., members of the search team located Anthony hiding in an abandoned pickup truck in the woods behind the Mitchell Dodge dealership on Boll Weevil Circle.

Haglund said Anthony was armed and barricaded himself in the truck. After multiple hours of negotiation with the suspect, he finally surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident, Haglund said.

Anthony is charged with second-degree burglary, certain persons forbidden to possess firearms, and two counts of menacing.

We would like to thank the ALEA, ALEA SWAT Team, Coffee County Sheriffs Office, Dale County Sheriffs Office, Houston County Sheriffs Office, Dothan Police Department, ATF, Enterprise Rescue, and Alabama Department of Corrections for their assistance in apprehending this individual, Haglund said. We would also like to thank the staff of Mitchell Dodge for their support during this incident.
Conning Inc. bought a new position in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 353 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $243,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Columbus Macro LLC raised its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 5.0% during the first quarter. Columbus Macro LLC now owns 1,108 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $763,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the period. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 141.0% during the first quarter. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,451 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,000,000 after acquiring an additional 849 shares during the period. Simplicity Solutions LLC raised its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 159.7% during the first quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 1,005 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $692,000 after acquiring an additional 618 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System raised its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 2.0% during the first quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 13,221 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $9,107,000 after acquiring an additional 262 shares during the period. Finally, DAVENPORT & Co LLC raised its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 2.6% during the first quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 2,211 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,523,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares during the period. 72.65% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other W.W. Grainger news, VP Laurie R. Thomson sold 476 shares of W.W. Grainger stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $683.74, for a total value of $325,460.24. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 1,731 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,183,553.94. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 9.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

W.W. Grainger Stock Performance

Shares of GWW stock opened at $763.35 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $38.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.41, a PEG ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 2.70. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $717.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of $667.45. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a 52 week low of $452.46 and a 52 week high of $811.60.

W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The industrial products company reported $9.61 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $8.57 by $1.04. The business had revenue of $4.09 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.08 billion. W.W. Grainger had a net margin of 10.65% and a return on equity of 61.00%. W.W. Graingers revenue was up 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $7.07 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 35.86 earnings per share for the current year.

W.W. Grainger Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Investors of record on Monday, May 8th were issued a dividend of $1.86 per share. This is an increase from W.W. Graingers previous quarterly dividend of $1.72. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 5th. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.97%. W.W. Graingers payout ratio is presently 22.82%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

GWW has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Loop Capital raised their price objective on shares of W.W. Grainger from $750.00 to $800.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of W.W. Grainger in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of W.W. Grainger from $537.00 to $555.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. UBS Group downgraded shares of W.W. Grainger from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $815.00 to $820.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on shares of W.W. Grainger from $730.00 to $760.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $705.50.

About W.W. Grainger

(Free Report)

W.W. Grainger, Inc distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services in the United States, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. The company provides safety and security supplies, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance supplies, and metalworking and hand tools.

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Core Molding Technologies, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:CMT  Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 190,300 shares, a growth of 454.8% from the June 15th total of 34,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 77,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.5 days. Approximately 2.5% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Insider Activity at Core Molding Technologies

In related news, Director Thomas R. Cellitti sold 21,463 shares of Core Molding Technologies stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.49, for a total transaction of $418,313.87. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 106,123 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,068,337.27. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other Core Molding Technologies news, Director Thomas R. Cellitti sold 21,463 shares of Core Molding Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.49, for a total transaction of $418,313.87. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 106,123 shares in the company, valued at $2,068,337.27. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Eric Palomaki sold 5,000 shares of Core Molding Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.50, for a total transaction of $102,500.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 152,348 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,123,134. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 65,128 shares of company stock valued at $1,294,222. Company insiders own 15.80% of the companys stock.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Core Molding Technologies

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bank of America Corp DE raised its holdings in Core Molding Technologies by 51.4% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,016 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 684 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in Core Molding Technologies by 6.9% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 15,503 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $154,000 after purchasing an additional 1,003 shares during the last quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC raised its position in Core Molding Technologies by 10.1% during the 4th quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 14,504 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $188,000 after purchasing an additional 1,334 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in Core Molding Technologies by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 57,832 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $751,000 after purchasing an additional 1,785 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. raised its position in Core Molding Technologies by 4.8% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 54,519 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $981,000 after purchasing an additional 2,483 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 44.26% of the companys stock.

Core Molding Technologies Trading Down 4.0 %

Shares of CMT traded down $0.93 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $22.18. The companys stock had a trading volume of 40,745 shares, compared to its average volume of 66,791. The stock has a market cap of $202.06 million, a PE ratio of 13.44 and a beta of 1.82. The company has a current ratio of 1.71, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Core Molding Technologies has a 52 week low of $8.74 and a 52 week high of $24.00. The companys fifty day moving average price is $18.10 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $14.61.

Core Molding Technologies (NYSEAMERICAN:CMT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 9th. The industrial products company reported $0.66 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $99.51 million during the quarter. Core Molding Technologies had a net margin of 3.67% and a return on equity of 13.89%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com raised Core Molding Technologies from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 11th.

Core Molding Technologies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Core Molding Technologies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a molder of thermoplastic and thermoset structural products. The company offers a range of manufacturing processes that include compression molding of sheet molding compound, resin transfer molding, liquid molding of dicyclopentadiene, spray-up and hand-lay-up, direct long-fiber thermoplastics, and structural foam and structural web injection molding.

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EFG Asset Management North America Corp. boosted its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW  Free Report) by 62.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 21,974 shares of the medical research companys stock after purchasing an additional 8,406 shares during the period. EFG Asset Management North America Corp.s holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $1,817,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 43,556 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $5,127,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares during the period. Geller Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 6.5% during the 1st quarter. Geller Advisors LLC now owns 1,965 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $231,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 5,015 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $415,000 after acquiring an additional 122 shares during the period. Rockland Trust Co. increased its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 1.4% in the first quarter. Rockland Trust Co. now owns 8,639 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $715,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Architects Inc raised its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 5.1% in the 4th quarter. Financial Architects Inc now owns 2,893 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $216,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. 79.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Edwards Lifesciences

In other Edwards Lifesciences news, CEO Michael A. Mussallem sold 19,875 shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.49, for a total transaction of $1,758,738.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 81,725 shares in the company, valued at $7,231,845.25. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 3,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, July 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.94, for a total value of $325,290.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 39,503 shares in the company, valued at $3,671,408.82. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Michael A. Mussallem sold 19,875 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.49, for a total value of $1,758,738.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 81,725 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,231,845.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 228,316 shares of company stock worth $20,215,378. 1.29% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Edwards Lifesciences Trading Up 0.3 %

EW opened at $93.38 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $56.61 billion, a PE ratio of 38.75, a PEG ratio of 5.29 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a quick ratio of 2.17, a current ratio of 3.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. The business has a 50 day moving average of $88.51 and a 200-day moving average of $83.10. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a 52 week low of $67.13 and a 52 week high of $107.92.

Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $0.62 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $1.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.39 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a return on equity of 25.81% and a net margin of 27.07%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.60 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

EW has been the topic of a number of research reports. Truist Financial raised their price objective on Edwards Lifesciences from $97.00 to $101.00 in a report on Thursday, May 18th. Barclays raised their price objective on Edwards Lifesciences from $94.00 to $102.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. TheStreet upgraded Edwards Lifesciences from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $78.00 to $90.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Mizuho raised their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $85.00 to $95.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Edwards Lifesciences has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $91.67.

About Edwards Lifesciences

(Free Report)

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease, and critical care and surgical monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of heart valves; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases.

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Electronic Data Processing PLC (LON:EDP  Get Free Report)s stock price shot up 1,916.9% on Friday . The stock traded as high as GBX 90.50 ($1.16) and last traded at GBX 90.50 ($1.16). 4,657,952 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 57,849% from the average session volume of 8,038 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 4.49 ($0.06).

Electronic Data Processing Price Performance

The firms 50 day moving average price is GBX 90.50 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 90.50.

Electronic Data Processing Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Electronic Data Processing PLC provides computer software solutions in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company provides ERP solutions for the merchanting/wholesale distribution industry, as well as e-business, application hosting, and sales intelligence solutions. It also offers hosting services, such as Software as a Service managed hosting, disaster recovery/business continuity, and online backup.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Employers (NYSE:EIG  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Tuesday.

Employers Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:EIG opened at $35.78 on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $37.38 and a 200 day moving average price of $40.76. Employers has a fifty-two week low of $32.58 and a fifty-two week high of $46.73. The firm has a market cap of $961.77 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.15 and a beta of 0.25.

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Employers (NYSE:EIG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The financial services provider reported $0.60 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.03. Employers had a net margin of 9.67% and a return on equity of 9.26%. The firm had revenue of $206.50 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $206.81 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.33 earnings per share. Employerss revenue for the quarter was up 35.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Employers will post 3.13 earnings per share for the current year.

Employers Increases Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 24th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 10th were given a dividend of $0.28 per share. This is a positive change from Employerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 9th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.13%. Employerss dividend payout ratio is currently 41.18%.

In other Employers news, CEO Katherine H. Antonello acquired 6,880 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 1st. The stock was acquired at an average price of $36.46 per share, for a total transaction of $250,844.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 77,177 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,813,873.42. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Employers

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Advisor Partners II LLC lifted its position in Employers by 1.9% during the first quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC now owns 17,452 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $728,000 after purchasing an additional 317 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in shares of Employers by 7.3% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 5,127 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $214,000 after acquiring an additional 349 shares during the last quarter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Employers by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 79,747 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,325,000 after acquiring an additional 511 shares during the last quarter. Unison Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Employers by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. Unison Advisors LLC now owns 13,453 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $561,000 after acquiring an additional 566 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pathstone Family Office LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Employers by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 17,091 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $737,000 after acquiring an additional 617 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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Boston Beer (NYSE:SAM  Get Free Report) and United Malt Group (OTCMKTS:UMLGF  Get Free Report) are both consumer staples companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, risk and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares Boston Beer and United Malt Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Boston Beer 2.82% 7.58% 5.50% United Malt Group N/A N/A N/A

Institutional & Insider Ownership

65.5% of Boston Beer shares are owned by institutional investors. 23.3% of Boston Beer shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Earnings and Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Boston Beer $2.09 billion 1.77 $67.26 million $4.86 62.18 United Malt Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

This table compares Boston Beer and United Malt Groups revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Boston Beer has higher revenue and earnings than United Malt Group.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Boston Beer and United Malt Group, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Boston Beer 5 5 3 0 1.85 United Malt Group 0 1 1 0 2.50

Boston Beer presently has a consensus target price of $307.75, indicating a potential upside of 1.84%. Given Boston Beers higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Boston Beer is more favorable than United Malt Group.

Summary

Boston Beer beats United Malt Group on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Boston Beer

(Get Free Report)

The Boston Beer Company, Inc. engages in the production and sale of alcohol beverages primarily in the United States. The company's flagship beer is Samuel Adams Boston Lager. It offers various beers, hard ciders, flavored malt beverages, and hard seltzers under the Samuel Adams, Twisted Tea, Truly Hard Seltzer, Angry Orchard, Dogfish Head, Angel City, Coney Island, and Havana Lager brand names. The company markets and sells its products to a network of approximately 400 wholesalers in the United States, as well as international wholesalers, importers, or other agencies that in turn sell to retailers, such as grocery stores, club stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, bars, restaurants, stadiums, and other retail outlets. The Boston Beer Company, Inc. also sells its products in Canada, Europe, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, the Pacific Rim, Mexico, and Central and South America. The Boston Beer Company, Inc. was founded in 1984 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts.

About United Malt Group

(Get Free Report)

United Malt Group Limited processes and supplies malt and craft ingredients to brewers, distillers, and food markets in North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company operates through Processing and Warehouse & Distribution segments. It is also involved in the distribution and sale of bagged malt, hops, yeast, adjuncts, and related products to craft brewers. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington.

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American Heritage International (OTCMKTS:AHII  Get Free Report) and Swedish Match AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:SWMAY  Get Free Report) are both consumer goods companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, risk, earnings and dividends.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

0.0% of American Heritage International shares are held by institutional investors. 36.0% of American Heritage International shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for American Heritage International and Swedish Match AB (publ), as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score American Heritage International 0 0 0 0 N/A Swedish Match AB (publ) 0 2 0 0 2.00

Valuation and Earnings

Swedish Match AB (publ) has a consensus price target of $116.00, suggesting a potential upside of 997.45%.

This table compares American Heritage International and Swedish Match AB (publ)s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio American Heritage International N/A N/A N/A ($0.01) N/A Swedish Match AB (publ) $2.16 billion 7.48 $724.90 million $0.44 24.02

Swedish Match AB (publ) has higher revenue and earnings than American Heritage International. American Heritage International is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Swedish Match AB (publ), indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares American Heritage International and Swedish Match AB (publ)s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets American Heritage International N/A N/A N/A Swedish Match AB (publ) 30.27% -135.79% 34.22%

Summary

Swedish Match AB (publ) beats American Heritage International on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About American Heritage International

(Get Free Report)

American Heritage International Inc. manufactures, distributes, and sells premium disposable electronic cigarettes under the American Heritage and America's Original E-Cig brand names. The company was formerly known as Cumberland Hills Ltd. and changed its name to American Heritage International Inc. in August 2013. American Heritage International Inc. was founded in 2010 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

About Swedish Match AB (publ)

(Get Free Report)

Swedish Match AB engages in the manufacture and trade of lighters and tobacco products. It operates through the following segments: Snus and Moist Snuff; Other Tobacco Products; Lights; and Other Operations. The Snus and Moist Snuff segment produces and markets smokeless cigarettes. The Other Tobacco Products segment manufactures and sells chewing tobacco and cigars. The Lights segment develops and trades matches, lighters, razors, batteries, light bulbs, and toothpicks. The Other Operations segment consists of corporate and Swedish distribution functions.The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

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Hitachi, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:HTHIY  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $128.89 and last traded at $128.79, with a volume of 34325 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $125.74.

Hitachi Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $59.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.35, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.83. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $121.92 and a 200 day moving average of $111.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24.

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Hitachi (OTCMKTS:HTHIY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The conglomerate reported $5.71 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.46 by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $20.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.98 billion. Hitachi had a return on equity of 12.42% and a net margin of 5.98%. Research analysts anticipate that Hitachi, Ltd. will post 7.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hitachi Company Profile

Hitachi, Ltd. provides digital system and services, green energy and mobility, and connective industry solutions in Japan and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Digital Systems & Services, Green Energy & Mobility, Connective Industries, Automotive System, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Hitachi Metals, and Others.

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Hong Yuan Holding Group (OTCMKTS:HGYN  Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 500 shares, a growth of 400.0% from the June 15th total of 100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 11,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days.

Hong Yuan Holding Group Price Performance

OTCMKTS HGYN traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $0.07. The company had a trading volume of 10,650 shares, compared to its average volume of 24,340. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $0.07 and a 200-day moving average price of $0.07. Hong Yuan Holding Group has a twelve month low of $0.00 and a twelve month high of $0.15.

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About Hong Yuan Holding Group

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Further Reading

Hong Yuan Holding Group does not have significant operations. Previously, it was engaged in the development and commercialization of bio-based resins. The company was formerly known as Cereplast, Inc and changed its name to Hong Yuan Holding Group in June 2021. Hong Yuan Holding Group was incorporated in 2001 and is based in Zhengzhou, China.

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IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. (OTCMKTS:IAALF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 9,300 shares, a decline of 88.3% from the June 15th total of 79,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 35,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days.

IBC Advanced Alloys Price Performance

IAALF traded up $0.01 during trading on Friday, hitting $0.09. The companys stock had a trading volume of 17,523 shares, compared to its average volume of 33,392. IBC Advanced Alloys has a twelve month low of $0.03 and a twelve month high of $0.18. The stock has a market cap of $8.99 million, a PE ratio of -2.21 and a beta of 0.57. The firms 50 day moving average price is $0.05 and its 200-day moving average price is $0.07.

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IBC Advanced Alloys (OTCMKTS:IAALF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 30th. The company reported ($0.01) EPS for the quarter. IBC Advanced Alloys had a negative net margin of 14.85% and a negative return on equity of 65.40%. The business had revenue of $7.76 million during the quarter.

IBC Advanced Alloys Company Profile

IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. develops, produces, and sells specialty alloy products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Copper Alloys and Engineered Materials segments. It offers various copper alloys as castings and forgings, such as beryllium copper, chrome copper, oxygen-free high conductivity copper, and aluminum bronze in the form of plates, blocks, bars, and rings, as well as specialty copper alloy forgings for industrial welding, oil and gas, plastic mold, metal melting, marine defense, electronic, and industrial equipment markets.

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I worked at Landmark Park for almost 9 years. I managed the old Martin Drug Store that was in Enterprise for 85 years. The drug store is the first stop for folks visiting the park. I saw almost every one of the guests. I talked to the ones who wanted to talk. I listened, like a bartender, from behind the 1950s soda fountain, to the ones who often had nothing to say. I answered the questions of the curious. I left alone the ones who just wanted to look without my pester-some help.

I understand 100% that I saw people at their best. Getting an ice cream cone at a park with grandbabies/grandparents is as good as life affords, whether we recognize it at the time or not.

Here is what I saw every day:

I saw retired couples who were moseying through the country. I saw retired couples who park their RVs in Dothan for a month or two in winter, year in and out. I saw families heading to and from vacation who stopped for the kids to run. I reminded myself that I might be the only person they met in the Circle City, and I wanted to be a worthy representative and leave a happy memory. They often took my picture. I said, Tag the park if you post on social media!

I met Fort Rucker soldiers and their families, out for a day together. I met former soldiers who were stationed at Fort Rucker years ago and enjoyed their time in the Wiregrass so much that they moved here after their service. I said, Thank you for your service, even though Ive heard/read thats pithy and inappropriate, but I mean it, and dont know how else to say it. No one ever looked offended. They always nodded, Youre welcome.

I saw kids on field trips who stood in line patiently and said please and thank you and yes maam and no maam. I bragged to their teachers when they were especially well behaved. I saw kids buying treats for their friends who didnt bring money. I saw white children and black children playing together. I met Mexican families who usually had a kid as spokesperson for the family. I found myself unintentionally e-nun-ci-a-ting.

I heard longtime Wiregrass residents say, We renew our membership every year, even though some years we dont get out here, because our community needs this.

Once, I saw a German couple who had landed in Atlanta that morning and were meeting friends in Tallahassee by bedtime. They asked me where to go for supper. Coincidentally, it was the week of the National Peanut Festival. They would LIT-trally pass the fairgrounds on their way south. I told them, If you want Americana at its finest, please stop. I advised which local food vendor to visit for their dinner. It was midafternoon. They could enter before the bulk of the crowd. I checked with the food vendor later, and the couple did stop and reported that a woman from the park sent them there.

One percent of the parks guests were petty and would holler at me over penny candy thats now a quarter or that the private, non-profit organization requires a few of their dollars for admission. Occasionally, when I was battling my own demons, I let them upset me. Mostly, I considered them the exception that proves the rule. Sometimes, Id whisper a prayer for them to lay down their anger. Sometimes, Id wish for them to get bitten by a dogjust a small one.

The grumpy ones barked on a slow afternoon (although we might have had 100 kids that morning), Dont you get bored here?! Typically, I replied, Intelligent people are rarely bored. I grinned to myself when it went over their heads. But more likely I was asked, Dont you love your job?

I sure did. I loved it. I loved almost every second. I loved that park members knew my name, and their children hugged my neck. Shes much nicer than Mrs. Olsen is my all-time favorite compliment. My adrenaline skyrocketed in the happy chaos of a noisy drugstore on a special event days. My soul restored on quiet days. I thought I would stay until my 10th anniversary, and another 10 years after that. I landed there at 49 years old. I thought Id be there forever. But sometimes, the trumpet sounds without warning, and the walls crumble. Stunned, we step, oh so gingerly, through the rubble and guard our heads against falling rocks.

I will greatly miss my group of friends of all ages and both genders that I spent my days with, an energetic and encouraging community that made me laugh and brought me solace. And I to them.

Now at an aging 58, Im more aware of the hurts of the world, not as enthusiastic and optimistic, but wiser and more honest, sans the desire to be lauded as sweet. Not as hopeful. Yet still hopeful. Significantly more merciful and forgiving.

Once the wounds heal.
Plenti Group Limited (ASX:PLT  Get Free Report) insider Daniel Foggo bought 254,466 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, July 10th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of A$0.38 ($0.25) per share, for a total transaction of A$96,697.08 ($64,464.72).

Daniel Foggo also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, June 2nd, Daniel Foggo 10,542 shares of Plenti Group stock.

Plenti Group Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 55.39, a current ratio of 60.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4,077.91.

About Plenti Group

Plenti Group Limited engages in the fintech lending business in Australia. The company offers personal, car, wedding, legal fee, motorcycle, and dental loans; green, holiday, debt consolidation, and EV loans, as well as engages in auto refinancing activities. It also offers automotive and renewable energy related loans.

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INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc (LON:IPU  Get Free Report) passed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 427.12 ($5.49) and traded as low as GBX 409.12 ($5.26). INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust shares last traded at GBX 416 ($5.35), with a volume of 53,469 shares traded.

INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust Price Performance

The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 426.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 434.90. The company has a market cap of 138.70 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -362.83 and a beta of 1.11.

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INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 11th were paid a dividend of GBX 6.79 ($0.09) per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a yield of 1.58%. This is a positive change from INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trusts previous dividend of $3.75. INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trusts payout ratio is -1,592.92%.

INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust Company Profile

INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Invesco Fund Managers Limited. It is co-managed by Invesco Asset Management Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (NYSEARCA:XLG  Free Report) shares are going to split on Monday, July 17th. The 10-1 split was announced on Monday, July 17th. The newly issued shares will be payable to shareholders after the market closes on Monday, July 17th.

Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF Stock Up 0.2 %

Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF stock opened at $354.35 on Friday. Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF has a 12 month low of $260.46 and a 12 month high of $356.73. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $337.18 and its 200-day simple moving average is $311.29. The stock has a market cap of $2.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.22 and a beta of 1.00.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of XLG. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF by 60.7% during the 1st quarter. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 98 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Global Wealth Management Investment Advisory Inc. acquired a new position in Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. National Bank of Canada FI acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $58,000. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF by 71.0% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 171 shares of the companys stock valued at $61,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the period.

About Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF

Guggenheim Russell Top 50 Mega Cap ETF (the Fund), formerly Rydex Russell Top 50 ETF, seeks to replicate as closely as possible the performance of the Russell Top 50 Index (the Index). The Index is an unmanaged capitalization-weighted index consisting of the 50 largest companies in the Russell 3000 Index.

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Ninety One UK Ltd decreased its position in Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J  Free Report) by 10.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 1,691,564 shares of the companys stock after selling 192,787 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltd owned about 1.33% of Jacobs Solutions worth $198,776,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of J. BerganKDV Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Jacobs Solutions in the first quarter valued at $26,000. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Jacobs Solutions during the 1st quarter worth about $211,000. Arizona State Retirement System raised its holdings in Jacobs Solutions by 1.7% in the first quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 36,728 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,316,000 after buying an additional 609 shares during the period. DAVENPORT & Co LLC grew its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 3.0% during the first quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 4,409 shares of the companys stock worth $518,000 after buying an additional 129 shares during the period. Finally, Madison Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 9.9% during the first quarter. Madison Asset Management LLC now owns 664,611 shares of the companys stock worth $78,098,000 after buying an additional 59,733 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.11% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their price objective on shares of Jacobs Solutions from $165.00 to $150.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 10th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $149.00.

Jacobs Solutions Price Performance

Shares of J stock opened at $123.22 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $15.63 billion, a PE ratio of 20.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 0.84. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $116.83 and a 200-day simple moving average of $118.35. The company has a current ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. Jacobs Solutions Inc. has a twelve month low of $106.78 and a twelve month high of $138.05.

Jacobs Solutions (NYSE:J  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported $1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.03. Jacobs Solutions had a net margin of 4.96% and a return on equity of 14.78%. The business had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.72 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Jacobs Solutions Inc. will post 7.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Jacobs Solutions Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 28th will be given a $0.26 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 27th. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.84%. Jacobs Solutionss payout ratio is currently 17.25%.

Insider Transactions at Jacobs Solutions

In other news, insider Steven J. Demetriou sold 6,666 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.10, for a total value of $767,256.60. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 594,624 shares in the company, valued at approximately $68,441,222.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, insider Steven J. Demetriou sold 6,666 shares of Jacobs Solutions stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.10, for a total value of $767,256.60. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 594,624 shares in the company, valued at approximately $68,441,222.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Kevin C. Berryman sold 1,500 shares of Jacobs Solutions stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.25, for a total transaction of $171,375.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 252,132 shares in the company, valued at $28,806,081. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 21,498 shares of company stock worth $2,474,745. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Jacobs Solutions Company Profile

(Free Report)

Jacobs Solutions Inc provides consulting, technical, scientific, and project delivery services for the government and private sectors in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Mexico, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through three segments: Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, and PA Consulting.

Further Reading

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JPMorgan Russian Securities plc (LON:JRS  Get Free Report) shares passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 83 ($1.07) and traded as high as GBX 83 ($1.07). JPMorgan Russian Securities shares last traded at GBX 83 ($1.07), with a volume of 61,008 shares trading hands.

JPMorgan Russian Securities Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of 33.56 million and a P/E ratio of 21.78. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 83 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 86.24.

About JPMorgan Russian Securities

(Get Free Report)

JPMorgan Russian Securities plc is an equity mutual fund launched and managed by JPMorgan Funds Limited. The fund is co-managed by JPMorgan Asset Management (UK) Limited. It invests in the public equity markets of Russia. The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the MSCI Russian 10/40 Equity Indices Index.

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Jeppson Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (NYSE:KYN  Free Report) by 6.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 79,764 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 4,955 shares during the period. Jeppson Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund were worth $689,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC raised its position in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 6,970,480 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $59,667,000 after acquiring an additional 253,544 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 9.5% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,696,218 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $23,080,000 after acquiring an additional 233,579 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 20.6% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,529,359 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $14,100,000 after acquiring an additional 260,858 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG raised its position in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,496,827 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $12,813,000 after acquiring an additional 75,046 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Penserra Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $9,820,000.

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Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund Stock Performance

Shares of KYN opened at $8.45 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $8.16 and a 200 day moving average price of $8.49. Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. has a 12 month low of $7.84 and a 12 month high of $9.66.

Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund Announces Dividend

About Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Investors of record on Monday, June 26th were paid a dividend of $0.21 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 23rd. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.94%.

(Free Report)

Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Company is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by KA Fund Advisors, LLC. It is co-managed by Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It invests in stocks of companies operating in the energy sector.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KYN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (NYSE:KYN  Free Report).

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Mammoth Resources Corp. (CVE:MTH  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as C$0.02 and last traded at C$0.02, with a volume of 39000 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$0.02.

Mammoth Resources Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 3.61 and a quick ratio of 5.53. The company has a market capitalization of C$1.01 million, a PE ratio of -4.38 and a beta of 0.79. The firms fifty day simple moving average is C$0.02 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$0.03.

About Mammoth Resources

(Get Free Report)

Mammoth Resources Corp., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of mining properties in Mexico. It holds a 100% interest in the Tenoriba property consisting of four concessions, including Mapy, Mapy 2, Mapy 3, and Fernanda covering a land package of totalling 5,333 hectares located in the Sierra Madre precious metal belt in southwestern Chihuahua State, Mexico.

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AmerisourceBergen (NYSE:ABC  Free Report) had its target price lifted by Mizuho from $174.00 to $192.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on ABC. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on AmerisourceBergen from $174.00 to $182.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Citigroup began coverage on AmerisourceBergen in a research note on Friday, March 31st. They issued a buy rating and a $185.00 price objective for the company. 888 reissued a maintains rating on shares of AmerisourceBergen in a research note on Friday, May 26th. TheStreet raised AmerisourceBergen from a c rating to a b+ rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on AmerisourceBergen in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $185.38.

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AmerisourceBergen Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ABC opened at $191.42 on Tuesday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $179.96 and its 200 day moving average price is $167.75. The firm has a market cap of $38.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.56. AmerisourceBergen has a 52 week low of $135.14 and a 52 week high of $193.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.13.

AmerisourceBergen Dividend Announcement

AmerisourceBergen ( NYSE:ABC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $3.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.29 by $0.21. AmerisourceBergen had a return on equity of 809.53% and a net margin of 0.65%. The company had revenue of $63.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $60.40 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.22 earnings per share. AmerisourceBergens revenue for the quarter was up 9.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that AmerisourceBergen will post 11.89 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th were paid a $0.485 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $1.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.01%. AmerisourceBergens dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 24.94%.

Insider Activity

In other AmerisourceBergen news, CEO Steven H. Collis sold 10,499 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $192.87, for a total transaction of $2,024,942.13. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 257,967 shares in the company, valued at approximately $49,754,095.29. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other AmerisourceBergen news, CEO Steven H. Collis sold 10,499 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $192.87, for a total transaction of $2,024,942.13. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 257,967 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $49,754,095.29. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, major shareholder Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. sold 275,984 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $181.17, for a total value of $50,000,021.28. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 33,090,404 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,994,988,492.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 627,815 shares of company stock worth $110,824,233. 20.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of AmerisourceBergen

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ABC. RFP Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of AmerisourceBergen during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Harbour Investments Inc. grew its holdings in shares of AmerisourceBergen by 61.8% in the 1st quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 165 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Tilia Fiduciary Partners Inc. grew its holdings in shares of AmerisourceBergen by 321.2% in the 2nd quarter. Tilia Fiduciary Partners Inc. now owns 139 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH acquired a new position in shares of AmerisourceBergen in the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of AmerisourceBergen in the 1st quarter worth $32,000. 92.64% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AmerisourceBergen Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

AmerisourceBergen Corporation sources and distributes pharmaceutical products. Its U.S. Healthcare Solutions segment distributes brand-name and generic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter healthcare products, home healthcare supplies and equipment, and related services to acute care hospitals and health systems, independent and chain retail pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, medical clinics, long-term care and alternate site pharmacies, and other customers.

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Orient Overseas (International) Limited (OTCMKTS:OROVY  Get Free Report) shares passed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $75.76 and traded as low as $72.92. Orient Overseas (International) shares last traded at $73.05, with a volume of 4,483 shares traded.

Orient Overseas (International) Stock Up 2.2 %

The firms 50-day moving average is $75.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $84.89.

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Orient Overseas (International) Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 25th will be given a $22.75 dividend. This represents a yield of 52.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 24th. This is a boost from Orient Overseas (International)s previous dividend of $12.85.

About Orient Overseas (International)

Orient Overseas (International) Limited, an investment holding company, provides container transport and logistics services in Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America. The company offers supply chain management services; and containerised shipping services in various trade lanes comprising Trans-Pacific, Trans-Atlantic, Asia/Europe, Asia/Australia, and Intra-Asia trades.

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Peruvian Metals Corp (OTCMKTS:DUVNF  Get Free Report)s share price crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $0.07 and traded as low as $0.06. Peruvian Metals shares last traded at $0.06, with a volume of 5,000 shares changing hands.

Peruvian Metals Price Performance

The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $0.06 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $0.07.

Peruvian Metals Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Peruvian Metals Corp. engages in the processing and acquisition, exploration, and development of precious and base metals in Peru. The company holds 100% interests in the Panteria phorphyry gold-copper project that consists of 15 mineral concessions covering an area of 7,204 hectares in south central Peru; and the Mansa Musa project, a gold-silver bearing project consisting of 10 concessions totaling 6,900 hectares situated in the Department of Huancavelica.

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ELKO  Its been a year of record growth for the Northern Nevada Moses Project.

The charity, established in Elko two years ago by Elishia and Jon Gift, is hoping to exceed the number of youth supported during a crisis in their lives.

Last year we were able to give 357 children support, whether that meant beds or clothing, Elishia said. This year were going to beat it by far.

Its been a busy year, Elishia explained during an interview in June. A lot of kids are moving into the area because the economy, I think, is harder in other places, so theyre sending their grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Theres a lot of guardianship situations.

Ive got 14 boxes started at the shop, she continued. Theres a lot of kids and theyre coming with just about nothing.

For the items that arent distributed thats still good stuff so we have these clothing events so we can give to the community free of charge but in mass quantities and they can choose what they want.

A recent clothing event had 300 participants.

We like doing those. Were going to have another one in August with CK Connections, Elishia said.

According to the groups mission statement, The Northern Nevada Moses Project is committed to providing support and necessary resources to the most vulnerable of all populations, foster children, at-risk children, homeless teens and families in crisis.

The Elko branch at 350 Seventh St. provides brand new clothes, personal care items and bedding to children who are removed from their homes by the Division of Child and Family Services and placed in foster care.

During the transition from their home to a foster home, children have little to no clothing with them. If they do have something it might be worn, stained or ill-fitting.

We want to give back to these kids so they have their self-esteem back after losing everything, Elishia told the Elko Daily Free Press in a previous interview. Its hard to be torn away from a home, even if its not the greatest circumstances. They lose everything they know.

Clothing and other items are also available to homeless and at-risk teens.

In 2022, the Moses Project in Elko handed out 5,300 outfits, 3,500 pairs of socks, 2,500 pairs of underwear 600 coats and jackets, 700 pairs of shoes, 64 beds and cribs, 357 toiletry sets with hygiene products, and 101 gift cards.

Elishia and Jon said the organization received $28,228 in monetary donations last year that allowed them to help 297 local children.

During the holidays, about 101 children along with 32 families were given Christmas due to four giving trees placed throughout the community.

In the time they have been open, the Gifts have met many children and teens, one of whom was inspired to give back to his peers facing the same situation he was in. It lead to the Moses Projects newest location in Winnemucca.

We had a former foster youth here who volunteered with us. He needed to go home with his family and asked, What do you think of me opening one over there? Elishia recalled. Its going pretty well.

The new Winnemucca shop makes four branches throughout Northern Nevada, Jon said, including Elko, Reno and Fernley.

The Gifts said multiple community organizations have rallied around the Moses Project since it opened its doors. They thanked all their donors who appear as Silver, Ruby, Diamond and Gold sponsors on their website at nnmosesproject.org.

The Moses Project also received $2,500 from attendees at the Women in Business event in April.

Elishia and Jon hope to reach many at-risk children and ask the community to refer them to the Moses Project for assistance.

If you ever hear of anyone who needs help, please send them our way, Elisha said. Kids are innocent. They dont need to struggle.
Ninety One UK Ltd lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 1.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,582,613 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 132,432 shares during the period. Philip Morris International accounts for 2.9% of Ninety One UK Ltds investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest holding. Ninety One UK Ltd owned approximately 0.62% of Philip Morris International worth $931,909,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Advisor OS LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $200,000. Prospera Financial Services Inc boosted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 8.3% in the 4th quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 12,912 shares of the companys stock worth $1,307,000 after buying an additional 987 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 54,238 shares of the companys stock worth $5,489,000 after buying an additional 2,545 shares during the period. Profund Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 10.1% in the 4th quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 17,092 shares of the companys stock worth $1,730,000 after buying an additional 1,568 shares during the period. Finally, K.J. Harrison & Partners Inc bought a new position in Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $5,484,250,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.43% of the companys stock.

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Philip Morris International Stock Performance

Philip Morris International stock opened at $99.50 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $94.66 and its 200-day moving average price is $97.80. The stock has a market cap of $154.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.50 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 Announces Dividend

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 20th. The company reported $1.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.34 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $8.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.03 billion. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 10.80% and a negative return on equity of 128.55%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.56 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.19 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 23rd were given a dividend of $1.27 per share. This represents a $5.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.11%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 22nd. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 90.88%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

PM has been the subject of several analyst reports. 22nd Century Group reaffirmed a reiterates rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $109.00 to $116.00 in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $114.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Citigroup raised shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised 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 issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $111.40.

Philip Morris International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products that are sold in markets outside the United States.

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Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG  Free Report)  Zacks Research lowered their Q1 2024 earnings per share estimates for Graco in a research report issued on Tuesday, July 11th. Zacks Research analyst S. Roy now forecasts that the industrial products company will post earnings of $0.76 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $0.77. The consensus estimate for Gracos current full-year earnings is $3.06 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Gracos Q3 2024 earnings at $0.77 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $3.11 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $3.59 EPS.

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Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. StockNews.com upgraded Graco from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on Graco from $75.00 to $83.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Graco from $82.00 to $89.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. William Blair reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Graco in a research report on Monday, June 5th. Finally, DA Davidson boosted their target price on Graco from $70.00 to $75.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $82.33.

Graco Price Performance

Shares of Graco stock opened at $86.31 on Thursday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $81.50 and its 200-day simple moving average is $74.08. Graco has a 52 week low of $57.79 and a 52 week high of $86.81. The company has a market capitalization of $14.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.30, a PEG ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a quick ratio of 2.07, a current ratio of 3.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04.

Graco (NYSE:GGG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The industrial products company reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.61 by $0.13. Graco had a return on equity of 26.12% and a net margin of 22.44%. The business had revenue of $529.65 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $501.87 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.57 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 7.2% on a year-over-year basis.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC boosted its position in Graco by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 6,270 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $437,000 after acquiring an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its position in Graco by 18.1% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 86,910 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $6,176,000 after acquiring an additional 13,302 shares in the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can boosted its position in Graco by 8.3% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 96,025 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $6,879,000 after acquiring an additional 7,396 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its position in Graco by 8.2% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 5,834 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $407,000 after acquiring an additional 440 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. boosted its position in Graco by 74.3% during the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 9,636 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $684,000 after acquiring an additional 4,108 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.47% of the companys stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Timothy R. White sold 2,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.77, for a total transaction of $228,879.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 50,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,304,790.14. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, insider Jeffrey P. Johnson sold 15,252 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.55, for a total value of $1,198,044.60. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 30,835 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,422,089.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Timothy R. White sold 2,700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.77, for a total value of $228,879.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 50,782 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,304,790.14. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 67,358 shares of company stock valued at $5,367,802. 2.98% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Graco Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.235 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.09%. Gracos dividend payout ratio is 33.10%.

About Graco

(Get Free Report)

Graco Inc designs, manufactures, and markets systems and equipment used to move, measure, control, dispense, and spray fluid and powder materials worldwide. The company's Industrial segment offers proportioning systems to spray polyurethane foam and polyurea coatings; equipment that pumps, meters, mixes and dispenses sealant, adhesive, and composite materials; and gel-coat equipment, chop and wet-out systems, resin transfer molding systems and applicators, and precision dispensing solutions.

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Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MHK  Free Report)  Equities research analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q3 2023 earnings per share estimates for shares of Mohawk Industries in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, July 10th. Zacks Research analyst S. Mukherjee now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $2.79 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $2.78. The consensus estimate for Mohawk Industries current full-year earnings is $9.48 per share.

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MHK has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Bank of America reduced their target price on Mohawk Industries from $110.00 to $108.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Credit Suisse Group lowered their price target on Mohawk Industries from $109.00 to $103.00 in a report on Monday, March 20th. StockNews.com began coverage on Mohawk Industries in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Loop Capital upgraded Mohawk Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $115.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of Mohawk Industries from $115.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $122.69.

Mohawk Industries Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MHK opened at $112.33 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 1.83 and a quick ratio of 1.00. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $99.65 and a 200 day moving average price of $103.64. Mohawk Industries has a 1-year low of $87.01 and a 1-year high of $137.41. The company has a market cap of $7.15 billion, a PE ratio of -50.60 and a beta of 1.30.

Mohawk Industries (NYSE:MHK  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.28 by $0.47. The firm had revenue of $2.81 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.74 billion. Mohawk Industries had a positive return on equity of 8.47% and a negative net margin of 1.21%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.78 earnings per share.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mohawk Industries

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Mohawk Industries by 1.9% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,033,272 shares of the companys stock worth $550,173,000 after purchasing an additional 112,111 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Mohawk Industries by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,362,231 shares of the companys stock valued at $541,788,000 after purchasing an additional 35,043 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Mohawk Industries by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,242,650 shares of the companys stock valued at $229,243,000 after purchasing an additional 25,255 shares in the last quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Mohawk Industries by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 2,028,127 shares of the companys stock valued at $203,259,000 after acquiring an additional 6,726 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in shares of Mohawk Industries by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,744,679 shares of the companys stock worth $178,341,000 after purchasing an additional 4,710 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.55% of the companys stock.

About Mohawk Industries

(Get Free Report)

Mohawk Industries, Inc designs, manufactures, sources, distributes, and markets flooring products for residential and commercial remodeling, and new construction channels in the United States, Europe, Russia, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Global Ceramic, Flooring North America (Flooring NA), and Flooring Rest of the World (Flooring ROW).

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QS Energy, Inc. (OTCMKTS:QSEP  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 72,100 shares, a growth of 4,706.7% from the June 15th total of 1,500 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 157,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.5 days.

QS Energy Price Performance

QSEP remained flat at $0.08 during trading hours on Friday. 84,480 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 56,474. QS Energy has a 1 year low of $0.02 and a 1 year high of $0.17. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $0.06 and its 200 day moving average price is $0.08.

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QS Energy Company Profile

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QS Energy, Inc develops and commercializes energy efficiency technologies in the United States and internationally. The company's energy efficiency technologies assist in meeting energy demands, enhancing the economics of oil transport, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Its intellectual properties include a portfolio of domestic and international patents, which have been developed in conjunction with and licensed from Temple University of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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CTT  Correios De Portugal, S.A. (OTCMKTS:CTTOF  Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 56,300 shares, a drop of 71.0% from the June 15th total of 194,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently  days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Barclays upgraded CTT  Correios De Portugal from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, June 19th.

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CTT  Correios De Portugal Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:CTTOF remained flat at $3.94 on Friday. The stock had a trading volume of 5 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,114. CTT  Correios De Portugal has a twelve month low of $2.39 and a twelve month high of $4.00. The business has a 50-day moving average of $3.77 and a 200 day moving average of $3.74.

About CTT  Correios De Portugal

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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Enel Chile S.A. (NYSE:ENIC  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 4,030,000 shares, an increase of 541.5% from the June 15th total of 628,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,350,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.0 days.

Institutional Trading of Enel Chile

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brandes Investment Partners LP increased its position in Enel Chile by 457.3% in the 1st quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 6,274,925 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $16,942,000 after acquiring an additional 5,149,036 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC increased its position in Enel Chile by 147.2% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,496,126 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,366,000 after acquiring an additional 890,978 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership acquired a new position in Enel Chile in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,716,000. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in Enel Chile by 38.4% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,781,819 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,459,000 after acquiring an additional 494,605 shares during the period. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in Enel Chile by 17.4% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,795,465 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,103,000 after acquiring an additional 415,298 shares during the period. 2.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com raised Enel Chile from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, May 11th.

Enel Chile Stock Down 1.9 %

Shares of NYSE ENIC traded down $0.07 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $3.57. The company had a trading volume of 2,848,841 shares, compared to its average volume of 901,354. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. Enel Chile has a 52-week low of $1.12 and a 52-week high of $3.71. The stock has a market cap of $4.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.37 and a beta of 1.09. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $3.16 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $2.65.

Enel Chile (NYSE:ENIC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.12 earnings per share for the quarter. Enel Chile had a return on equity of 122.04% and a net margin of 24.73%. The business had revenue of $1.41 billion during the quarter.

Enel Chile Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 1st were issued a $0.3076 dividend. This is an increase from Enel Chiles previous semi-annual dividend of $0.01. This represents a dividend yield of 10.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 18th. Enel Chiles payout ratio is presently 26.42%.

About Enel Chile

(Get Free Report)

Enel Chile SA, an electricity utility company, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in Chile. The company operates through Generation, and Distribution and Networks Segments. It generates electricity through various sources, such as hydroelectric, thermal, wind, solar, and geothermal power plants.

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Swiss Re AG (OTCMKTS:SSREY  Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 56,500 shares, an increase of 194.3% from the June 15th total of 19,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 65,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.9 days.

Swiss Re Stock Performance

OTCMKTS:SSREY traded down $0.15 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $26.17. The stock had a trading volume of 17,158 shares, compared to its average volume of 32,121. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $25.07 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $25.23. The company has a quick ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 0.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. Swiss Re has a one year low of $17.26 and a one year high of $27.24.

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About Swiss Re

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Swiss Re AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides wholesale reinsurance, insurance, other insurance-based forms of risk transfer, and other insurance-related services worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Property & Casualty Reinsurance, Life & Health Reinsurance, and Corporate Solutions.

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Smart Employee Benefits Inc. (CVE:SEB  Get Free Report)s share price passed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of C$0.30 and traded as low as C$0.30. Smart Employee Benefits shares last traded at C$0.30, with a volume of 11,100 shares trading hands.

Smart Employee Benefits Trading Up 1.7 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1,180.39, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.47. The company has a market capitalization of C$52.63 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.00 and a beta of 1.66. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is C$0.30 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$0.29.

Smart Employee Benefits Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Smart Employee Benefits Inc, a technology company, provides business process automation and software solutions, and professional services in Canada and internationally. It operates through Benefits and Technology segments. The Benefits segment offers software solutions, services, and products that focuses on managing group benefit and wellness plans for corporate and government clients.

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SpareBank 1 SR-Bank ASA (OTCMKTS:SBRKF  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 13,800 shares, a growth of 557.1% from the June 15th total of 2,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently  days.

SpareBank 1 SR-Bank ASA Stock Performance

OTCMKTS:SBRKF remained flat at $14.65 during trading hours on Friday. SpareBank 1 SR-Bank ASA has a one year low of $13.40 and a one year high of $15.35. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $14.65 and a 200-day moving average price of $14.65.

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SpareBank 1 SR-Bank ASA Company Profile

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SpareBank 1 SR-Bank ASA, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services for personal and corporate customers in Southern and Western Norway. The company operates through Retail customers, SME & Agriculture, and Large Corporates segments. It offers its products and services in the areas of savings, loans, insurance, and pensions.

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Storebrand ASA (OTCMKTS:SREDF  Get Free Report)s stock price was up 17.5% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $8.87 and last traded at $8.87. Approximately 186 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 81% from the average daily volume of 1,000 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.55.

Storebrand ASA Price Performance

The firms fifty day moving average price is $7.58 and its 200-day moving average price is $7.56.

Storebrand ASA Company Profile

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Storebrand ASA, through its subsidiaries, primarily provides insurance products and services in Norway, the United States, Japan, and Sweden. The company operates through four segments: Savings, Insurance, Guaranteed Pension, and Other. The Savings segment offers retirement savings, defined contribution pensions, asset management, and retail banking products.

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Chinese drone manufacturer DJI, known for its widespread consumer and commercial drones, is facing increasing scrutiny in the United States.

According to Reuters, two U.S. senators said on June 8th they had proposed barring the Federal Aviation Administration from buying or using Chinese-made drones. On April 5th, the rule that bans Florida government agencies from using drones made by a "foreign country of concern" formally took effect. These movements practically targeted DJI since the world's biggest drone maker got thousands of orders from state and local agencies.

Last October, the U.S. Department of Defense added DJI to its list of companies with alleged ties to the Chinese military, saying it threatens the country's data security and national security. Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas have all introduced their own anti-Chinese-manufactured-drones legislation.

These moves are some common cards that American politicians are not shy of playing: suppressing foreign companies in the name of "national security," leaving aside who will be the real victims taking consequences.

A recent analysis article titled "There's No Substitute for Chinese Drones (and That's a Problem)", published on theForeign Policymagazine by unmanned aerial vehicles expert Faine Greenwood, points out that the ban on DJI drones in the United States would have significant implications for the search and rescue, agriculture, and scientific research sectors, as these industries heavily rely on drones for various applications.

Saying a ban appeared absurd, Randall Warnas, former Autel CEO in America, pointed out that police departments largely use drones to record footage of crimes, like drug dealers on the run and individuals going missing.

Apart from the above, the ban on Chinese drones in the United States would affect several other sectors, for example, environmental monitoring and conservation. Drones are used in efforts such as wildlife tracking, habitat assessment, and anti-poaching activities. The ban would hamper the capabilities of environmental organizations and conservationists, potentially affecting their ability to protect and preserve natural resources.

But as Greenwood said in the article, banning DJI, or Chinese drones in general, is not a simple transfer as switching from Samsung smartphones to Apple, or swapping out Coke for Pepsi.

In August 2020, the U.S. Department of Defense initiated a program called the Blue UAS (unmanned aerial systems), a list of approved UAS for federal agencies with a trusted selection of drones that meet certain criteria for government use. However, it achieved little. And the reason is plain to see: there is no comparable U.S.- or European-made replacement for DJI products "when it comes to affordability, availability, ease-of-use, and (in many cases) quality."

Greenwood said, "the Western drone companies that remain and have received U.S. government approval via the Blue UAS list have almost all shifted toward making small numbers of very expensive drones designed for money-flush law enforcement and military customers."

Tim Martin, a former Huntington Beach officer, did a simple math. He said, "you can get two DJI drones for the price of those other ones." That's why 95% of the drones police want training on are DJI, he added.

Dave Merrick, the director of the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program and the Center for Disaster Risk Policy at Florida State University, worried about the future as another hurricane season is approaching Florida, but his Chinese drone fleet, which is a powerful helper in disaster responders by making maps and locating missing persons, and assessing disaster-stricken areas without endangering human lives, has been grounded due to the Florida ban on DJI.

Merrick said there already had been smaller state agencies, and fiscally constrained counties had to give up using drones because they couldn't afford to purchase anything legal.

According to DroneDJ, a website providing up-to-date information about drones, Palm Beach County officer Robert Allen said his department had five failures of the manufacturers on the list in the past year and a half, but with DJI, the number is zero. He said that could "put us in danger."

Firefighters and mosquito control workers are not happy about the ban, either, because they were forced to replace the handy and budget-friendly Chinese drones with drones on the Blue UAS list with higher prices but low functionality.
Swire Pacific Limited (OTCMKTS:SWRAY  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 900 shares, a decline of 88.9% from the June 15th total of 8,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 109,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days.

Swire Pacific Price Performance

SWRAY stock traded up $0.05 on Friday, reaching $7.94. 18,497 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 40,818. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $7.18 and a 200-day moving average of $7.84. Swire Pacific has a twelve month low of $5.38 and a twelve month high of $9.40. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18.

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Swire Pacific Company Profile

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Swire Pacific Limited engages in property, aviation, beverages, marine, and trading and industrial businesses in Hong Kong, Mainland China, rest of Asia, the United States, and internationally. The company's Property division develops, owns, and operates mixed-use properties. This division's property investment portfolio comprises office and retail premises, serviced apartments, and other luxury residential accommodations; and trading portfolio consists of residential properties.

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Hourglass Capital LLC lessened its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 1.6% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 22,561 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 374 shares during the quarter. The Goldman Sachs Group accounts for about 2.7% of Hourglass Capital LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest holding. Hourglass Capital LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $7,380,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $66,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. increased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1,505.1% in the first quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 41,300 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $13,633,000 after buying an additional 38,727 shares during the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 18.5% in the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 118,609 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $39,153,000 after buying an additional 18,540 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 79.4% in the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 827 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $273,000 after buying an additional 366 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd increased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 118.3% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 310 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $102,000 after buying an additional 168 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.90% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently issued reports on GS shares. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $495.00 to $437.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $390.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $429.00 to $414.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Societe Generale downgraded shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, July 10th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $410.00 price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $387.73.

Insiders Place Their Bets

The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance

In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 24,819,473 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.61, for a total transaction of $536,348,811.53. Following the sale, the insider now owns 110,337 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,384,382.57. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . In other news, insider Kathryn H. Ruemmler sold 7,277 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated 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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Also, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 24,819,473 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.61, for a total value of $536,348,811.53. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 110,337 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,384,382.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last quarter, insiders have sold 34,978,986 shares of company stock worth $660,057,057. Company insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock opened at $326.19 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25. The companys 50-day moving average price is $325.64 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $337.73. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $285.15 and a 52 week high of $389.58. The stock has a market cap of $108.44 billion, a PE ratio of 11.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.38.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The investment management company reported $8.79 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $8.14 by $0.65. The firm had revenue of $12.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.66 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.23% and a return on equity of 9.84%. The Goldman Sachs Groups revenue for the quarter was down 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $10.76 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 25.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were issued a dividend of $2.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $10.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.07%. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is presently 35.60%.

The Goldman Sachs Group Profile

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The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in resale agreements.

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The Mexico Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MXF  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,900 shares, a growth of 137.5% from the June 15th total of 800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 30,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On The Mexico Fund

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James & Associates bought a new position in The Mexico Fund during the 1st quarter valued at about $207,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of The Mexico Fund by 16.6% in the first quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 1,537,822 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $25,497,000 after buying an additional 218,594 shares during the period. Matisse Capital lifted its stake in shares of The Mexico Fund by 40.8% during the 4th quarter. Matisse Capital now owns 90,000 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,327,000 after acquiring an additional 26,096 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in The Mexico Fund by 28.7% during the 4th quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,803,931 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $26,590,000 after acquiring an additional 402,194 shares during the period. Finally, Wolverine Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in The Mexico Fund by 55.3% during the 4th quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 36,353 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $536,000 after acquiring an additional 12,949 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 46.05% of the companys stock.

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The Mexico Fund Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of The Mexico Fund stock opened at $17.48 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $16.83 and a 200-day moving average price of $16.57. The Mexico Fund has a one year low of $12.94 and a one year high of $17.51.

The Mexico Fund Dividend Announcement

The Mexico Fund Company Profile

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 27th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 19th will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.58%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 18th.

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The Mexico Fund, Inc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Impulsora del Fondo Mexico, S.C. It primarily invests in public equity markets of Mexico. The fund seeks to invest its portfolio across diversified sectors. The Mexico Fund, Inc was formed in June 01, 1981 and is domiciled in Maryland, United States.

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Middleton & Co. Inc. MA trimmed its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 1.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 5,435 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 89 shares during the quarter. Middleton & Co. Inc. MAs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $3,133,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Morgan Stanley grew its holdings 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 buying an additional 1,764,312 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings 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 buying an additional 161,344 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings 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 buying an additional 8,347,260 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings 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 buying an additional 123,256 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 4th quarter valued at $3,105,677,000. 96.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Price Performance

TMO stock opened at $529.36 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 0.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $204.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.51, a P/E/G ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.78. The businesss 50-day moving average is $522.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $549.55. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 1 year low of $475.77 and a 1 year high of $611.06.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Announces Dividend

Thermo Fisher Scientific ( NYSE:TMO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $5.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $5.03. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 19.16% and a net margin of 13.75%. The company had revenue of $10.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.67 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $7.25 EPS. Thermo Fisher Scientifics revenue for the quarter was down 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 23.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be issued a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.26%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics payout ratio is currently 9.13%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently commented on TMO shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $693.00 to $670.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $675.00 to $660.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $670.00 to $620.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $610.00 to $590.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $629.77.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $534.82, for a total value of $855,712.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 141,330 shares in the company, valued at approximately $75,586,110.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $545.22, for a total transaction of $5,452,200.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 141,330 shares in the company, valued at approximately $77,055,942.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $534.82, for a total value of $855,712.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 141,330 shares in the company, valued at $75,586,110.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Profile

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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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Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp. (OTCMKTS:TCYMF  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 3,115,100 shares, an increase of 61.4% from the June 15th total of 1,930,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently  days.

Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Stock Performance

Shares of Tingyi (Cayman Islands) stock remained flat at $1.57 during trading on Friday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $1.59 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1.68. Tingyi has a 1-year low of $1.57 and a 1-year high of $1.75.

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About Tingyi (Cayman Islands)

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Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp., an investment holding company, manufactures and sells instant noodles, beverages, and instant food products in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Instant Noodles, Beverages, and Others segments. It offers ready-to-drink teas, juices, bottled water, and carbonated soft drinks, as well as coffee drinks/functional drinks/probiotics.

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UBS Group set a C$90.00 price target on Canadian Natural Resources (TSE:CNQ  Free Report) (NYSE:CNQ) in a research report report published on Wednesday, BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on Canadian Natural Resources from C$97.00 to C$95.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. CSFB reduced their target price on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$93.00 to C$90.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$90.00 to C$87.00 in a research report on Monday, March 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Canadian Natural Resources from C$92.00 to C$94.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 14th. Finally, Scotiabank increased their price objective on Canadian Natural Resources from C$86.00 to C$87.00 in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Canadian Natural Resources presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$89.25.

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Canadian Natural Resources Trading Down 2.6 %

TSE CNQ opened at C$74.87 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of C$81.61 billion, a PE ratio of 8.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 2.04. Canadian Natural Resources has a one year low of C$61.05 and a one year high of C$84.25. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of C$74.51 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$76.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 35.14, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.83.

Canadian Natural Resources Announces Dividend

Canadian Natural Resources ( TSE:CNQ Get Free Report ) (NYSE:CNQ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported C$1.69 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$1.62 by C$0.07. The company had revenue of C$8.63 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$8.48 billion. Canadian Natural Resources had a return on equity of 25.00% and a net margin of 23.94%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Canadian Natural Resources will post 7.9403315 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 16th were issued a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 15th. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.81%. Canadian Natural Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 42.70%.

Insider Activity at Canadian Natural Resources

In other Canadian Natural Resources news, Director Stephen W. Laut sold 60,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$75.46, for a total value of C$4,527,600.00. Company insiders own 2.22% of the companys stock.

Canadian Natural Resources Company Profile

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Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO).

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Urals Energy PCL (LON:UEN  Get Free Report) crossed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 38 ($0.49) and traded as low as GBX 38 ($0.49). Urals Energy PCL shares last traded at GBX 38 ($0.49), with a volume of 14,900 shares traded.

Urals Energy PCL Stock Up 15.2 %

The firms 50 day simple moving average is GBX 38 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 38. The company has a market cap of 4.80 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of 0.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 28.96.

About Urals Energy PCL

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Urals Energy Public Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an independent exploration and production company in Russia. Its primary exploration and production operations are on the Kolguyev Island based in Timan Pechora, on Sakhalin Island, and Komi region. The company has 2P proved and probable reserves of 46.3 mmboe.

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Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Saturday called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka.



His visit follows commencement of power supply to the neighbouring nation from the Groups ultra super critical thermal power plant (USCTPP) in Godda, Jharkhand, Adani Group said in a statement on Saturday.



Adani Power Ltd (APL) started exporting power to Bangladesh from its 1,600 MW power project on April 10, 2023. In a statement issued here, Adani Group said its Chairman Gautam Adani called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka on Saturday following the full load commencement of power supply to Bangladesh from the Groups Ultra Super-Critical Thermal Power Plant in Godda, India.



The Godda USCTPP marks the Adani Groups entry into transnational power projects. It is Indias first commissioned transnational power project where 100 per cent of the generated power is supplied to another nation, it said.



Honoured to have met Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on full load commencement and handover of the 1600 MW Ultra Super-Critical Godda Power Plant. I salute the dedicated teams from India and Bangladesh who braved COVID to commission the plant in a record time of three-and-a-half years, Adani tweeted after meeting the Bangladesh PM.



The electricity supplied from Godda will replace costly power generated in Bangladesh using liquid fuel. The power will be supplied continuously at a competitive tariff, the statement said. The Godda plant will supply 1,496 MW under the power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with the Bangladesh Power Development Board for a period of 25 years via a 400 kV dedicated transmission system connected to the Bangladesh grid. The PPA was executed in November 2017.



On April 6, the first unit of 800 MW capacity of the Godda plant in Jharkhand began commercial operations. The second unit, also of 800 MW capacity, followed on June 26. Adani Power Limited (APL), a part of the diversified Adani Group, is the largest private thermal power producer in India.



Adani Power Limited (APL), a part of the diversified Adani Group, is the largest private thermal power producer in India. The company has an installed thermal capacity of 15,210 MW, spread across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, apart from a 40 MW solar power plant in Gujarat.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on July 14 sought Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre as interim aid and said the relief manual will be changed to enhance compensation to flood victims in the state.



Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over the past week triggered landslides and flash floods, blocked roads and damaged infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh.



"I spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and requested him for an interim relief of Rs 2,000 crore, Sukhu said. He added that the state has suffered losses worth Rs 4,000 crore and said the figure is likely to go up as estimates continue to pour in.



Sukhu, who had announced Rs 1 lakh to every affected family, said changes will be made in the relief manual to enhance the compensation to the victims.



According to the manual, each disaster victim is granted Rs 5,000 as aid at present.



Addressing reporters here, Sukhu said a disaster relief fund has been established to help the people in distress and all ministers in his government and Congress MLAs have decided to donate a months salary to help the victims.



Associations of Indian Administrative Service and Himachal Administrative Services officers and others have also decided to contribute a days salary to the fund, the chief minister added.



"We will request the BJP legislators to do the same," Sukhu said as he also appealed to the general public to contribute. The government devised a three-point strategy  rescue, evacuation and restoration.



"Having rescued and evacuated about 67,000 of the 75,000 tourists, including 250 stranded in snowbound Chandratal in Lahaul and Spiti, the focus is now on restoration of infrastructure," the chief minister said. Some tourists are still in Kasol and Tirthan Valley. They are all safe and have been provided with food and other essential items, he said.



In the past 15 days, the state government has released Rs 1,100 crore, including Rs 610 crore to the Public Works Department, Rs 218 crore to the Jal Shakti Department and Rs 180 crore to the State Disaster Relief Fund, he said.



He clarified that the Rs 180 crore received from the Centre was the annual assistance given to the state during the monsoon and reiterated that the state government is yet to receive financial aid. He also urged the Union government to release the Rs 315 crore pending since last year.



The death toll since the onset of monsoon on June 26 has risen to 108 from 91 on Thursday while 12 people are still missing. As many as 667 houses have been completely and 1,264 partially damaged, according to the State Emergency Response Centre.



Of the 17 deaths reported in the past 24 hours, six were in road accidents in Mandi and Shimla districts. The death toll figure includes those killed in road accidents besides rain-related incidents. Over 860 roads in the state are still blocked. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation has suspended operation on 994 routes, while 260 buses are held enroute, Transport Department officials said.



Police teams are now focusing on inaccessible areas with tough topography and low mobile connectivity to trace stranded people. Rescue operations are underway and police teams are moving to the tough interior areas where roads have been blocked due to floods and landslides, acting Director-General of Police Satwant Atwal told PTI.



A number of tourists stranded in Kasol, Manikaran and adjoining areas have refused to move out without their vehicles and decided to stay back till the situation normalises, she said. The tourists said they would prefer to take their vehicles and wait for the roads to reopen, she added. A landslide near Dunkhara on the Kasol-Bhuntar Road prevented the vehicles from moving, forcing the tourists to trek to reach the other side.



Noting the reluctance of some tourists to leave without their vehicles, Sukhu on July 14 said the police would provide them with a receipt that would allow them to take their vehicles when the roads reopen.



Families of tourists are still contacting the police to know their whereabouts. The police are now seeking details of hotels, vehicle numbers, and photographs besides the names, numbers and last locations to trace the tourists who have not communicated with their family members.



Light to moderate rain drenched some parts of the state and the local Met office has issued a yellow alert for heavy showers at isolated places till July 18.
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Analysts confident of vigorous growth driven by China-proposed initiative

The Belt and Road Initiative has made significant contributions to global economic recovery through the promotion of infrastructure interconnectivity, analysts said, expressing confidence in the initiative's vigorous development in the future.

The analysts, also members of the Advisory Council of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, made the remarks after attending a council meeting in Beijing to exchange views on BRI construction this week.

China also plans to host the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation this year, which marks the 10th anniversary of the initiative.

Douglas Flint, former HSBC chairman, said the anniversary is a good opportunity to look back on the development of the China-launched initiative and review what the world has benefited from it over the past decade.

He said the initiative is "one of the biggest, if not the biggest, facilitators" of the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and has an "incredibly positive" impact on regional and world development.

Flint said it is "very narrow" to simply focus on issues such as how much BRI infrastructure projects are going to cost, who is going to finance them, and how long it will take for them to be completed.

Instead, one should be aware of the long-term assets they will offer, which include greater trade flows, more active people-to-people exchanges and more technology transfers made possible by the construction of decent infrastructure.

"What's been done around and through the projects  is as important as the actual ports, airports, roads or bridges," he said.

More than 3,000 cooperation projects have taken place under the BRI, creating 420,000 jobs and lifting nearly 40 million people out of poverty, according to official statistics.

The latest examples of projects are the China-Laos Railway, which began operation of international passenger trains in April, and the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway, which is expected to start operating in August, according to Indonesian media.

Outstanding success

Kishore Mahbubani, former dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, said the initiative has been "an outstanding success" by making infrastructure projects happen in many different countries with different cultures, and governance systems.

China has been generous in sharing its capital, talent and technology to help other developing countries build these projects, many of which have improved the well-being of people, he said.

Investment in infrastructure is "one of the best ways to boost economic growth", Mahbubani said, adding that the fact that more than 150 countries have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents shows "there's a tremendous demand for more investment".

Such solid demand will continue to serve as good momentum for the initiative, Mahbubani said.

Speaking of Western media's accusations that the initiative's projects pose as "debt traps", Mahbubani said the accusations are "unfair" and show the West's "arrogance" and "prejudice" against the BRI.

Some independent think tanks and scholars have published analyses showing that such accusations are not true, Mahbubani said.

The accusations are "also very insulting" to developing countries, many of which have participated in the initiative, he said. "(The countries) know what they are doing. They know what is good for them. And I think they should be allowed to make their own decisions," he added.

Besides traditional infrastructure projects, China has also focused on exploring new areas for BRI cooperation, including health, green development, and the digital industry.

Mari Elka Pangestu, former managing director of development policy and partnerships at the World Bank, stressed the importance of BRI cooperation on environmental protection. She hopes more resources will be allocated to help developing countries address relevant issues, especially climate change.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Indias full support for UAE's COP-28 presidency as he held productive talks with the UN climate conferences President-designate Sultan Al Jaber here on July 15. Modi arrived Abu Dhabi in the capital of the UAE following his successful two-day visit to Paris where he joined French President Emmanuel Macron for the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour and signed several agreements to strengthen bilateral ties. "PM @narendramod held a productive meeting with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President-designate of @COP28_UAE and Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted. "Dr. Jaber briefed PM on the forthcoming COP-28. PM assured Indias full support for UAE's COP-28 presidency. PM also highlighted India's efforts and initiatives to address climate change," Bagchi said. The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, will be the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference, held from November 30 until December 12 at the Expo City, Dubai. The conference has been held annually since the first UN climate agreement in 1992. It is used by governments to agree on policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to impacts associated with climate change.

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi moved the Supreme Court on Saturday challenging the Gujarat High Court's July 7 order which dismissed his plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark.



The appeal has been filed by Gandhi through advocate on record Prasanna S.



Gandhi was disqualified as a Member of Parliament on March 24, 2023 after a Gujarat court convicted him and sentenced him to a two-year imprisonment on charges of criminal defamation for comments he made about the Modi surname. In a setback to 53-year-old Gandhi, the high court on July 7 dismissed Gandhi's plea for a stay on his conviction, observing that "purity in politics" is the need of the hour.



A stay on Gandhi's conviction could pave the way for his reinstatement as a Lok Sabha MP. However, he has not received any relief from either the sessions court or the Gujarat High Court. In his verdict, Justice Hemant Prachchhak also noted that 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.



There was no reasonable ground to stay the conviction, he added. Delivering a 125-page verdict, Justice Prachchhak had also said Gandhi, a former Congress president, was already facing 10 criminal cases across India, adding the order of the lower court was "just, proper and legal" in handing over a two-year jail term to Gandhi for his remarks.



The judge maintained it was not an "individual-centric defamation case", but something which affected a "large section of the society". The court also noted Gandhi took Prime Minister Narendra Modi's name in his speech to "add sensation" and with an intention to "affect the result" of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.



BJP MLA Purnesh Modi, the complainant in the defamation case against Gandhi, has also filed a caveat in the top 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 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.



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 on the doors of the high court.




Floodwaters have started receding from several places in Punjab and Haryana, battered by heavy downpour earlier this week, even as relief works were underway in flood-hit areas of both states on Saturday.



With 14 districts in Punjab and 13 in Haryana hit by the recent downpour, at least 55 people have died in rain-related incidents in both states. A total of 29 people died in rain-related incidents in Punjab while the death toll in Haryana stands at 26, according to official data.



Over 25,000 people have been evacuated to safe places from waterlogged localities in various flood-hit districts of Punjab and more than 5,300 in Haryana. The flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage in Haryanas Yamunanagar was 53,370 cusecs at 6 pm and 54,619 cusecs at 8 pm.



Meanwhile, two breaches occurred along the Ghaggar river in Punjabs Mansa district on Saturday, following which many villages bordering Haryana stare at a flood threat. The first breach occurred in an embankment near the Chandpura dam in Budhlada and the second at Rorki village in the Sardulgarh area, officials said.



Work is underway to plug the breaches in order to prevent flooding of several villages but the high velocity of water is posing a problem, they added. However, the district administration said arrangements have been made to evacuate villagers to safe places in case flood water enters villages.



Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala Saturday inspected flood-hit villages of Faridabad district. Chautala visited Manjhawali on a tractor and inspected the flood condition near the Mohana-Baghpat Bridge and in the Baghpat area on a boat.



Meanwhile, the overflowing Ghaggar river continued to wreak havoc in Khanauri and Moonak blocks in Punjabs Sangrur district, inundating vast tracts in these areas. Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal said flood water was still in at least 20 villages in Moonak though the level of water has started receding and will reduce further by Sunday.



Jorwal added that he held a meeting with officials to review the ongoing relief work and evacuation works in the flood-affected areas of Khanauri and Moonak. Health and animal husbandry departments have been asked to carry out operations to avoid any health risk especially when water recedes, he added.



Some roads, including national highway 71 near Khanauri, were shut for traffic movement because of being damaged due to floodwaters. In Punjabs Patiala district, Shutrana, Samana and Sanour were the worst-affected areas.



Sub-divisional Magistrate, Patran (Patiala), Mandeep Kumar on Saturday said floodwater has started receding from some flood-affected areas. Patiala Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said though Ghaggar river was above danger mark, the situation should normalize soon.



Patiala Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said though Ghaggar river was above danger mark, the situation should normalize soon. A 350-feet-wide breach in the dhusi bundh (earthen embankment) along the Sutlej river in Mandala Chhanna area of Jalandhar districts Lohian block has been plugged, said officials.



Punjab Cabinet ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Aman Arora visited Lehra in Sangrur and distributed relief material to flood-affected people. Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has released funds worth Rs 10 crore for the repair of drinking water supplies affected by floods. The state government is already ensuring the supply of clean water to flood victims through alternative arrangements, but the pipes, motors or tubewells which got damaged by floods, will be repaired with this amount, he said.



As the threat of water and vector-borne diseases looms large in flood-affected areas of both states, health department officials have been directed to take appropriate steps to prevent the outbreak of any disease, said officials. Medical camps have been set up in flood-hit areas while teams of health officials are also distributing medicines to people in affected places. In Punjab, officials said the health department teams are actively working in the flood-affected areas.



At present, 359 rapid response teams are operational, while the number of medical camps has been increased to 263. A total of 25,160 flood-affected people have been evacuated to safer places. A total of 164 relief camps are running in the state in which 3,331 people are staying, said officials. Over 1.60 lakh hectares of farmland have been affected by the floods.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 15 described his visit to France as a "memorable one" and said that seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the Bastille Day parade was wonderful.



Modi is in France on a two-day official visit at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.



"This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the French people for the exceptional warmth and hospitality. May India-France friendship continue to soar!" Modi tweeted, along with photographs of the parade.



This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the pic.twitter.com/BllJ8gVj8e

 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023





Earlier in the day, Modi joined Macron for the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour with an Indian tri-services marching contingent wowing crowds here during the French National Day celebrations.



Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) also joined the flypast along with French jets. On the night of July 14, Macron hosted a banquet dinner for the prime minister at Louvre Museum here. The French president and First Lady Brigitte Macron received Modi at the museum.



"A perfect setting to conclude a memorable visit. PM @narendramodi hosted by President @EmmanuelMacron for a State Banquet at the iconic Louvre Museum in Paris," the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.



On July 14, India and France said they were exploring possibilities for co-development and co-production of key military platforms, including for the benefit of friendly countries, as they unveiled a 25-year roadmap to deepen their strategic partnership.



After wide-ranging talks between Modi and Macron, the two sides came out with the "India-France Indo-Pacific Roadmap" and asserted that they believe in a free, open, inclusive, and secure the Indo-Pacific region.



Modi and Macron also addressed the CEOs Forum where the prime minister highlighted the ongoing economic reforms in India and urged the French business leaders to harness opportunities that the country offers. The Forum consisted of 16 CEOs from the French side and 24 from the Indian side in diverse sectors, including aviation, manufacturing, defence, technology, and energy, among others, the external affairs ministry said in a statement. He also announced that India would open a new Consulate in the port town of Marseilles.
Former chief minister Babulal Marandi on Saturday assumed the charge of new BJP Jharkhand president. Before taking over the charge, he performed religious rituals at state BJP headquarters where the outgoing president Deepak Prakash, BJP Jharkhand in-charge Laxmikant Bajpai and other senior leaders were present. The saffron party on July 4 had named Babulal Marandi, G Kishan Reddy and Sunil Jakhar its new president in Jharkhand, Telangana and Punjab respectively, effecting key organisational changes in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Speaking to media persons, Marandi said, "With cooperation from party leaders and workers, we will try to take the party to a new height so that we could win all 14 Lok Sabha seats of Jharkhand in 2024 and register a big win in upcoming Assembly polls." He said that the party would be strengthened in the state and it would form a government in the state after the 2024 Assembly polls. After the event, the party also organized 'Sneh Milan', a workers gathering, at a banquet hall in Ranchis Harmu area. Speaking at the function, Prakash said that the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly election would be a challenge but the party has full confidence that lotus will bloom in all 14 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand under the leadership of Marandi.

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Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday said he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 18 and will raise the issues faced by farmers in the state during the meeting.



Pawar, who bagged the key Finance and Planning portfolio on Friday, said he and other Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs who joined the Eknath Shinde-led government on July 2, were happy with the allocation of portfolios.



Speaking during a media interaction here, Pawar said, "I will meet PM Narendra Modi on July 18. During the meeting, I will take up various issues related to farmers with him. (NCP leader) Praful Patel and I will attend the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting." The deputy CM arrived in Nashik to attend the 'Shasan Aplya Dari' (government at your doorstep) programme.



Asked about Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut's reported claim that as the Shinde-led faction was not willing to part with the finance portfolio, it was asked to give up the CM's post, the NCP leader said, "I don't know. This is an attempt to disturb the atmosphere unnecessarily. We are happy with the portfolio allocation." There are around 14 vacant positions (in the cabinet) and expansion of the cabinet is the chief minister's prerogative, he said.



"The CM will decide, I will not speak about it," Pawar said in response to a query about the cabinet expansion.



There are now 28 cabinet ministers in the Shinde-led government but no minister of state. The ministry can have a maximum of 43 members. There was speculation that the state ministry expansion would also happen on Friday, but it did not take place.



Asked about the pending civic elections in the state, Pawar said four to five issues, including that of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation, are pending in the Supreme Court. The Maharashtra Election Commission has issued orders to prepare electoral rolls, he said.



After the completion of electoral rolls and the top court's verdict on the concerned issues, elections will be held in the state, he added.



"There will be equitable progress in the state and there will be no differences. There are many communities and castes in the state. We will take everyone along. In 'Mahayuti' (grand alliance), we will work in tandem and efforts will be taken for the development of all," he said.



When pointed out that NCP founder Sharad Pawar's pictures were missing in the posters put up in Nashik to welcome him, he said, "Pawar saheb is our inspiration, our idol. His photograph is there in my cabin." Sharad Pawar's wife Pratibha Pawar underwent a surgery related to hand at the Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai on Friday. After the operation, Ajit Pawar visited Silver Oak, the official residence of the NCP supremo, to meet Pratibha Pawar after she was discharged from hospital.



Talking about his visit, he said politics and family are different things.



"We value family and traditions. Kaki (Pratibha Pawar) had some injury and was operated upon. I wanted to go in the afternoon, but could not go and therefore visited in the evening. Pawar saheb, kaki and Supriya (Sule) were thereThere was no discussion on politics," Pawar said.



On the NCP name and symbol, Pawar said, "We are in the government to solve people's issues. No one's legislature membership will be in problem. We will not hurt the faith of those who have supported us." Speaking about the prevailing water situation, he said the state has not recorded sufficient rainfall so far this year.



Water level in dams has gone down and there is a need to use water carefully, Pawar said.



Speaking at the state government's 'shasan aplya dari' programme here, Pawar said the development of Maharashtra was the only agenda in hand, with focus on creation of jobs, good prices for farm produce and overall development for all.



There will be no caste or community considerations while embarking on the agenda of development, adding that no district of the state will be deprived of funds, said Pawar, who was on Friday given the Finance portfolio in the Shinde government.



"The 'shasan aplya dari' programme will prove ideal for the country. Government and administration are two wheels of development, which have now picked up speed," he said.



Pawar said issues related to Nashik, including Ozar Airport development, water planning, the Nashik-Mumbai led of the Samruddhi Corridor, Nashik-Pune high speed railway, would be taken up on priority.



The newly-appointed deputy CM said all efforts will be taken to make Nashik slum free and Godavari, which is the lifeline of the district, pollution free.



Pawar arrived in Nashik by Vande Bharat Express train, where he was accorded a warm welcome by his supporters. It was his first visit to Nashik after becoming part of the Shinde-led government.
Aman Gupta, co-founder and CEO of BoAT, was one of the young entrepreneurs who was invited as part of the official delegation for Prime Minister Narendra Modis 2-day visit to Paris. Gupta took to Twitter to share a few pictures and also wrote a lengthy, heartfelt caption to go with them.



Thanking PM Modi for the recognition, Gupta wrote, I used to see second and third gen entrepreneurs at state visits as official delegation with the Prime Minister but now new age entrepreneurs like myself are also being invited on such visits. This is a significant moment for us, as it reflects the recognition and support given to the entrepreneurial spirit in India.



During his visit, Gupta said that he spoke about Make in India and Indian startups at the Indo-French CEO forum on Friday. During my recent trip to Paris with the Honourable Prime Minister Mr @narendramodi and the Government of India, I had the honor of speaking about Make In India and Indian startups at the Indo-French CEO Forum.



The Shark Tank India judge also mentioned about the state dinner at the Louvre Museum in Paris and witnessing the Bastille Day Parade where PM Modi was the guest of honour. Additionally, I had the opportunity to meet with French ministers, bureaucrats, and corporates, and attend a state dinner at Louvre. The highlight of the trip was witnessing the Bastille Day Parade, where the Indian Contingent played "Sare Jahaan Se Acha." My heart swelled with happiness and pride in that moment, he added.



No force can stop us. Our time has come.

I used to see second and third gen entrepreneurs at state visits as official delegation with the Prime Minister but now new age entrepreneurs like myself are also being invited on such visits. This is a significant moment for us, as it pic.twitter.com/ZAjGJmvjvw



 Aman Gupta (@amangupta0303) July 15, 2023





These experiences reinforce my belief that we are entering an era where India stands strong alongside the world. It fills me with hope for our nation's future. Let's work together to build an even stronger India in the coming years, Gupta wrote while concluding the post.



Meanwhile, Grammy award-winning composer Ricky Kej was also among the guests invited for the banquet dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. He also shared two selfies that he took with Macron and PM Modi in his post on Twitter.





Wow! Our Hon'ble Prime minister @narendramodi ji, you constantly make all us Indians proud!

Attended the official dinner in honor of PM Modiji at the @MuseeLouvre hosted by the suave & gracious President of France @EmmanuelMacron. The last leader hosted at the Lovre was Queen pic.twitter.com/ychh2iBWlY



 Ricky Kej (@rickykej) July 15, 2023









Kej said that it was an honour to be seated with two world leadersPrime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. The last leader hosted at the Louvre was Queen Elizabeth II in 1957!! A huge honour to be seated with the 2 world leaders and dine with them. The world is indeed in great hands. Bright future ahead, he tweeted.
After his successful two-day trip to Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Abu Dhabi for a day-long visit to the UAE on July 15. Ahead of PM Modis visit, Dubais Burj Khalifa lit up in the colours of the Indian tricolour. A video of the same is doing the rounds of the internet. The now-viral video was shared on Twitter by ANI. In the clip, the tallest building in the world can be seen lighting up in the colours of the Indian flag. As the video progresses, the skyscraper displayed a picture of PM Modi as well. Welcome honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, read the message displayed at the end. Dubai's Burj Khalifa displayed the colours of the Indian national flag yesterday ahead of PM Modi's official visit to the country, read the caption of the post by ANI. WATCH | Dubai's Burj Khalifa displayed the colours of the Indian national flag yesterday ahead of PM Modi's official visit to the country pic.twitter.com/xQ9e7cJ6uH  ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2023 The prime minister is currently on fifth visit to the UAE. He was warmly welcomed by UAEs Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport. PM Modi said that he was looking forward to his talks with President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to deepen the multifaceted bilateral ties further. "Landed in Abu Dhabi. I look forward to the deliberations with HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which will further deepen India-UAE cooperation," Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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The CEO of a global jewellery brand has opened up about why she refused to switch seats with another woman on a flight. In a now-viral TikTok video, Tammy Nelson, CEO of CONQUERing, said that when she boarded her Delta Airlines flight, she saw another woman was already sitting on her window seat.



The unnamed woman asked Nelson if she would switch seats so she could sit next to her children. This happened on a Delta Airlines flight from Cincinnati, Ohio to San Jose, California  a journey that takes almost eight hours to complete.



I double-checked my boarding pass thinking I may have had the wrong row, Nelson told Newsweek. When I confirmed I was looking at the correct seat, I thought she must have just mistakenly sat in the wrong seat. So I said, Im sorry but it seems youre in my seat, thinking she would realise it and move.



Instead of moving, the woman asked Nelson: Oh  you want to sit here?



I was pretty surprised at the question but replied simply saying, Yes, thats the seat I selected, Nelson told Newsweek.



The woman then told the CEO that she wanted to sit next to her children, so she took the window seat. She offered Nelson her middle seat instead, which Nelson refused.



In her video, she explained her reasons for not agreeing to swap seats.



I get motion sickness during takeoff and landing if I cant see out the window. I also dont get a lot of sleep. I often try to get a little sleep on planes which is easiest with a window seat, Nelson said.



On that particular day, I only had 90 minutes of sleep the night before, she said. And I was headed into a high-pressure work week where I would be presenting to 500 people and really needed to be at my very best so getting a little sleep on that flight was extra-important.



Her viral video has divided opinion on social media, with some saying she should have helped the mother out and others praising her for taking a stand.



However, several commenters criticised the other flyer as entitled for sitting on a seat that Nelson had already booked for herself.
Contains spoliers



The latest Mission Impossible movie released on Wednesday, July 12. By all estimates, the movie will mark Tom Cruises last outing as spy Ethan Hunt. The Mission: Impossible finale has been split into two parts, making the title quite a mouthful to say (or indeed write). While the official title of the movie is Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One, the movie is simply being referred to as Mission Impossible 7 or MI7, in tune with the rest of the series.



When will Mission Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part Two release?



Mission Impossible isnt the only movie franchise to split the finale into two parts. Avengers did it with Infinity War and Endgame, the Spider-verse series will also conclude with Across the Spider-Verse and Beyond the Spider-Verse.



But should you think about it, the very first movie franchise to experiment with a two-film finale was Harry Potter. As some of us of a certain vintage will remember, the final book of Harry Potter was too large to fit into a two-and-a-half-hour movie. As a result, we got Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2.



Mission Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part Two is scheduled to release about a year from now, on June 28, 2024.



What is the Entity in Mission Impossible 7?



While it would appear that Esai Morales plays the villain in Mission Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One, it become clear that his character is merely a pawn and an employee of sorts to an invisible antagonist.



Morales boss, so to say, is an AI program called the Entity. While we dont see the Entity itself (how can we, it being a string of ones and zeroes), we are told that it was designed by the Americans to sabotage a Russian submarine with a state-of-the-art stealth technology.



Even though the Americans were able to embed it in the subs mainframe and gave it a singular purpose of sabotaging its stealth capabilities, Entity becomes sentient, rewrites its own objective, and proceeds to destroy the boat. Worse, it starts infiltrating the files of the world's governments.



And so, the Entity becomes an omniscient being thats nowhere to be seen but present everywhere. One would say, almost godlike. No surprise (if somewhat eye-roll-inducing) the beings loyal employee should be called Gabriel.



Mission: Impossible 7s ending explained



Even as the Entity goes about creating chaos and wreaking havoc all over the world, we are told that there is a way to stop it, or at least control it.



This is where Ethan Hunt and his team of merry men come into the picture. The key to stopping this sentient being from taking over the world is, as it turns out, a key! Split into two parts, said key can rein in the sentient powers of our invisible god or destroy it.



Governments all over the world are now in a race to find the two parts of the key so they can control this all-powerful AI and gain supremacy. Ethan Hunt, of course, believes no one person or country should hold so much power. So, defying his orders, Hunt goes rogue (yet again), decides to find the two parts of the key, and shut down the Entity.



To be able to do this, he must fight Gabriel atop The Orient Express, steal the key from him, and most importantly, not kill him since hes the only one who knows what the key is capable of. To make matters worse for Hunt, we are told that Gabriel and he have a history, one involving a womans death nearly 30 years ago, setting Hunt down the path he walks today.



At the end of the movie, we see Ethan Hunt parachuting his way out of The Orient Express down to a meadow where Simon Peggs Benji Dunn awaits his arrival. Mission Impossible 7 ends on a cliff-hanger as Hunt and Benji drive away from the scene as a submerged submarine housing a god casts a long shadow.
When I first heard about Disability Pride while scrolling on Instagram a few years ago, I was confused. This phrase, which was more like an oxymoron  a word that is a blend of two seemingly opposing words  felt like a slap because how could something which was a supposed flaw be something I could take pride in? After all, my entire life I had learnt that I needed to "overcome" my disability and "prove my worth" and, now, everything crumbles down to acceptance. It didn't make sense.



But I was intrigued to know what exactly this term encapsulated. So, I began reading and to my surprise, there was an entire month dedicated to Disability Pride  July! So, as the monsoon pours down in the background, let's decode the meaning of Disability Pride, what it means for the disability community, why people with disabilities are proud of their disabilities, and where India is in the conversation of disability pride or if it is even there.



Disability Pride Month commemorates the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which came into effect on July 26, 1990. The ADA was the first ever legislation in the world that prohibited any form of discrimination against people with disabilities, including employment, transportation, or even access to central and state services.



The year 1990 was also the year when Boston held its first pride march! While the month was observed first in the US, it resonated with people all across the world and came to be seen as a time of solidarity for the global disability community! It is a time for people with disabilities to reflect on their journeys and acknowledge the paths they've covered, navigating the numerous barriers of inaccessibility, ableism, and discrimination that stood in their way.



Disability Pride Month isn't a time to be proud of the fact that we're disabled but to accept our disabilities just as one of our many other identities! Perhaps, not just for persons with disability, Disability Pride Month is also the time to engage with the Disability community, learn about our history and make Disability a mainstream topic of discussion that doesn't remain restricted to NGOs run by people with disabilities themselves!



Though Disability Pride as a concept is fairly new, there's a Disability Pride flag that gives the concept a tangible representation. Created by Ann Magill, a fellow person with a disability, the Disability Pride flag comprises bands of five colors  red, yellow, white, green, and blue on a grey background. Each of the colours has a symbolic representation of different disabilities too:



 Red for physical disabilities



 Yellow for neurodiversity



 White for non-visible and undiagnosed conditions



 Green for sensory disabilities



 Blue for emotional and psychiatric conditions



The dark charcoal grey background represents all the people with disabilities who lost their lives to exclusion, discrimination, and ableism.



The Disability Pride flag







While globally Disability Pride Month is a much-awaited and celebrated time among the disability community, India does not share similar feelings yet. In a society that still thrives on finding cures for a disability and views it as a deficit rather than a natural figment of diversity, Disability Pride feels like a far-fetched dream. When there is so much perfection and independence around us, it takes a whole lot of undeterred self-belief to foster acceptance of one's unconventional differences.



Many people with disabilities grow up to be the only people with disabilities they know of in their entire lives. In situations like these, it is natural to feel out of place because one doesn't have anyone to look up to. How many people with disabilities do we see in politics, fashion, hospitality, medicine, educational institutions, corporates, and other such fields? Barely any. Even in the media, which constitutes a major source of our social schema, we witness disability representation that is largely misleading and stereotypical. With nothing around us that is actually about us, how do we even sow the seed of Disability Pride?



As a country, we don't really take pride in our disabled folks. We either see them as divine, inspirational beings or treat them as objects of charity. Take, for instance, the recent exclusion of disability-related questions from the sixth National Family Health Survey. The Centre defended its stance by stating that disability data doesn't change so quickly; hence, it is not required to conduct the survey every three years! The data from the National Sample Survey indicates that only 28.8 per cent of India's disabled population has a disability certificate. The share of the disability budget in budget 2023-24 was Rs 1,225 crore, merely 0.027 per cent of the total budget. The deadline for making all public buildings accessible under the Accessible India Campaign also witnessed a new dawn after it failed to meet the previous deadline, which was June 2022. There are numerous examples and all of them point towards a single stance  people with disabilities and everything related to them is an afterthought. We're like frogs in a well, who want to come out and live freely just like everyone else, but we're pulled down every time we leap forward. With hurdles paved throughout the way, Disability Pride rarely finds a place in the vocabulary of people with disabilities.



When we're surrounded by so much of what we're not, it requires nothing but a well-executed expedition to find who we really are with everything that makes us 'us', including our disabilities. Here are a few things to know this Disability Pride Month:



 Disability Pride is not a destination but a journey toward finding, exploring, and identifying little parts of ourselves that make us who we are. It is an extremely intimate space of the relationship we share with our disabilities and other identities.



 Disability Pride can mean many different things to different people and it's only natural if one's definition of Disability Pride is different from the other's.



 One can be proud of oneself and still be angry at the challenges, discrimination, and ableism that knocks at our doors days in and out.



 There's no such thing as being disabled enough. Disability is a spectrum with as many hues as people with disabilities and all of them are valid!







As mentioned above, Disability Pride Month isn't just a celebration of the disability community by the community but also a chance for allies to get to know us better. Here are a few ways you can do that:



 Engage with disabled creators online or offline.



 Educate yourself about disability etiquette.



 Watch movies and shows that showcase authentic disability representation such as CODA, Crip Camp, etc.



 Read books about disability.



 Shush the hush about disability with young ones so that they grow up to be kind, empathetic, and inclusive beings.



The crux is to engage with folks with disabilities and know about them through them. Disability Pride Month is just an occasion to be sensitive to the nuances and expression of disability both as those who have first-hand experience of living with a disability and as allies. It's our time to start. Now.
The only writer who can turn the outpouring of love and heartfelt obits post his death into a short, amused novella about the ridiculous nature of fan grief is Milan Kundera. Or rather, was Milan Kundera.



It is understood at a subconscious level that everyone dies, including authors, both of high repute and those unknown. But some deaths mark the end of a thought, transcending mere clocks and calendars, and ripple into flashbacks of what it meant to be a reader in a world full of writers.



Kundera, whose death caused a social media grumbling that grew to a mighty rumbling, as Robert Browning may have said, was a Czech-born French novelist who went into exile in France. His works have reached most of us primarily in translation. For an author expected to perhaps acknowledge, if not thank profusely, the process of translation for the mighty reach it provided him with, Kundera was known for his utter distrust in translators. His novel Zert (The Joke) has been translated many times into the same languages at his behest. Rage seized me, he had said about a translation. Since his stories were eccentric in a comic or tragic way, giving us characters we could identify with emotionally, in their ennui, strangeness and most of all sudden departure from norm, their takeover of our minds seems in retrospect like a stealthy army takeover in the middle of the night.



Also read: The unbearable relevance of being Milan Kundera



The popularity of his plots rested on a readership that met him more than halfway, as it was a rare treat to be accorded high respect by those who told us stories. A writer who did not talk down to a reader. The latter was seduced, almost against will, to exercise whatever intellectuality she/he possessed, to bring to the table every last bit of honesty. For Kundera would not play to the gallery or be a populist narrator. Instead, he revelled in shocking, in taking away the breath, and leaving nothing for granted. His prose did not entertain fools. I particularly remember reading idiocy associated with blue eyes (though not which book of his it is from) that immediately made a mockery of aesthetics that were popular at a particular point in life, and the adjustments I then made to my own secret expectations of beauty.



In his books  The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Life is Elsewhere, The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, to name just three  a philosophical mood prevailed, with a potential for mayhem and the human habit of dithering or changing mind. His career as a writer began in 1947 when he wrote a poem to his music teacher murdered in a Nazi camp, To the Memory of Pavel Haas. The political spirit was soon overpowered by his fidelity to fiction, so that it got difficult to separate sentences or paragraphs and label him neatly as a writer of a particular ilk.



No self-respecting bookshelf of a certain vintage could do without a Kundera book jutting out its spine proudly. This advertised not only a reading habit, but an acceptance of the glorious absurdity of being human.



Also read: Tribute: Milan Kundera was the greatest 20th century writer who did not win the Nobel Prize for Literature
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday hosted a banquet dinner for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej, who was among the guests, shared a few glimpses from the event on social media.



Kej said it was an honour to be seated with two world leaders  Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron  and to dine with them. He added that PM Modi has been making India proud at the global stage. The last leader hosted at the Lovre was Queen Elizabeth II in 1957!! A huge honor to be seated with the 2 world leaders and dine with them. The world is indeed in great hands. Bright future ahead, Ricky Kej tweeted alongside two selfies, one which shows him with PM Modi and the second which shows him at the dining table with both Modi and Macron.



Wow! Our Hon'ble Prime minister @narendramodi ji, you constantly make all us Indians proud!

Attended the official dinner in honor of PM Modiji at the @MuseeLouvre hosted by the suave & gracious President of France @EmmanuelMacron. The last leader hosted at the Lovre was Queen pic.twitter.com/ychh2iBWlY

 Ricky Kej (@rickykej) July 15, 2023



Assamese aerospace engineer Priyanka Rajkakati was also invited to the banquet dinner hosted by the Macrons in honour of PM Modi. She shared a picture from the dinner, writing that it was truly an honour to be seated at the table of honour.



Rajkakati wore a traditional Assamese mekhela chador for the dinner.





PM Modi was in France for a two-day official visit during which he graced the Bastille Day parade, which is part of the French National Day celebrations, as the guest of honour. A vegetarian menu was specially prepared for both days of his stay, Emmanuel Lenain, ambassador of France to India, revealed. Lenain also shared a few pictures of the menu, the table setting and the food served to PM Modi.





At theNational Assembly, a vegetarian menu was specially designed for PM Modi - as at yesterday's private dinner at Elysee Palace.



Tonight's State dinner at the Louvre will also be a curated vegetarian spread with a French touch! pic.twitter.com/m1QUSyUJaz



 Emmanuel Lenain (@E_Lenain) July 14, 2023







Addressing the guests at the dinner, PM Modi said that the biggest similarity between India and France is that both countries know how to enjoy food. French President Emmanuel Macron honoured me with his country's highest award yesterday. This is not only a matter of pride for me but also for 140 crore Indians. I express my heartfelt gratitude to French President Macron for this honour," he said during the dinner.



(With inputs from PTI)
A quick-thinking cashier foiled a bank robbery by tricking the robber into a taking a seat until cops arrived to arrest him. The bizarre incident was reported from Florida. According to an affidavit located by Miami New Times, on the morning of July 7, James Timothy Kelly entered PNC Bank in Hollywood, Florida, with a mesh bag and a note demanding money. Give me the money, the note read. Kelly handed the note to a cashier who pretended not to see it. Instead the cashier gave him a withdrawal slip. In fear, the victim bank teller pretended not to see the note and handed a bank withdrawal slip to Kelly. Kelly then stated, 'I am not here for that. I am here to rob you,' the FBI alleged in the affidavit. At this point, the cashier pretended she was having computer troubles and asked the robber to take a seat. Kelly dutifully obliged in a decision that soon led to his arrest. The affidavit said that the cashier pretended she was having computer issues and asked Kelly to take a seat. It is not clear whether she did this so she could call the cops or to bide for time  but as Kelly waited, police were called to the bank. Cops entered PNC Bank through a back entrance and arrested Kelly while he was sitting in the lobby. He was taken to the FBIs Miami office, where he confessed to attempted robbery. The would-be robber now faces 20 years in jail for his foiled heist attempt.

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The successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 got the top leadership of start ups and big companies with Indian roots in Silicon valley thumping their chest with pride and looking at what lies ahead for India.



Some of the top representatives of the Silicon Valley companies echoed the sentiment that the successful launch of the lunar mission signalled the emergence of India as global leader in key areas of the technology sector. An entrepreneur, engineer and venture capitalist Bipul Sinha who co-founded the multi-cloud data control company Rubrik headquartered at Palo Alto in Silicon Valley told PTI, "Chandrayaan is such a proud moment for India as well as every Indian origin person everywhere across the world."



He said, "The implication of Chandrayaan is not just landing on the moon, but it is the technology and inspiration that India is showing to everybody as to what the future could be. How we own the technology future and propel India into the technology future. This will be a huge catalyst to the Indian economy, Indian innovation and overall Indian diaspora across the world."



Arvind Jain, CEO Glean AI said, "India is now part of the core innovation engine for all companies in the world. All the years of investment done in India in an amazing number of educational institutions and the number of engineers who graduate every year have resulted in India being the future of tech talent and R&D talent. My belief is that we will see a lot more start ups and a lot more innovation happening. Unicorns and large multinational companies will actually be born and grow in India and then become multinationals."



Umesh Sachdev, Co Founder and CEO of Silicon Valley based Conversational AI company Uniphore said Chandrayaan-3 marked the coming of age of Indias science and technology capabilities.



Sachdev said, "It was a big milestone from a global and Indian aerospace industry standpoint. I think what yesterday represented was the coming of age of Indian science and tech. India is not just going to be a follower or be a back office to the companies of the west and developed technologies. India can start to lead in specific industries. And the successful launch of Chandrayaan mission on Friday is a prime example that India is leading the world in certain areas like low cost innovation, high impact innovation. India is showing the world in some places how the playbook can be written."



Connecting the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 to the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US, Sahil Chawla, CEO and Founder of Tsecond, a data-tech innovation startup, said "the optics are changing."



California-based Chawla said, "I think India made history in the afternoon of July 14 at a cost of less than 100 million dollars which is Rs 670 odd crores. We are going to the Moon as a country. It is a game changer for all the space sectors in the world. After Prime Minister Modi came here (US) the optics have changed. Any industry, even Indian Americans are looking for new AI which is America India. It is very important that this kind of success comes in."
The United States recent decision to conclude a Master Ship Repair Agreement with the Larsen & Toubro (L&T) shipyard is an attempt by the US to turn India into a hub for resupplying and maintenance of its naval vessels in South Asia.



Reports quoting the White House said the US Navy is close to finalising separate deals with two other shipbuilders in Mumbai and Goa.



However, some see the developments with concern and fear this is Americas plan to draw India closer to its military.



The proposed Indian hub is part of the US militarys search for more such facilities that will allow it to quickly handle resupply activities and repair in the Indo-Pacific and maintain its deterrence against the growing Chinese presence.



The agreement with L&T will allow the repair of US naval warships in its shipyard in Kattupalli near Chennai.



Reports say the first warship to be repaired is USNS Salvor, which has already arrived at the shipyard for repair and is scheduled to return in November.



Other shipyards in India can also be used for similar work after the US firms up agreements with them.



Under the partnership, the US will support India in developing the necessary infrastructure for resupply, repair, and maintenance of ships and aircraft.



Japan and Singapore at present serve as key naval hubs for the US in Asia.



According to the Pentagon press secretary, Air Force Brig. Gen Pat Ryder, much more would unfold in future, but the main aim for now is to make India a logistic hub for the US and its partners in the Indo-Pacific.



The China factor



Growing Indo-US defence ties are also being propelled by Chinas aggressive rise in the region.



The joint statement issued at the end of the summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US President Joe Biden in the US in June said The US-India major Defence Partnership has emerged as a pillar of global peace and security.



Some other recent developments indicate Indias tough attitude towards China. Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a stand-off at eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) since May 2020.



Despite several rounds of talks, China has been reluctant to withdraw from several positions it occupied, violating agreements and protocols to maintain the status quo in the area.



India has maintained that normal relations will not be restored unless China withdraws from these positions.



India has also moved closer to Taiwan in recent months. Recently, it allowed Taiwan to open its trade and cultural centre in Mumbai  its third office in India after Delhi and Chennai.



India also broke its earlier ambiguity on a maritime dispute between the Philippines and China, expressing support for the 2016 arbitration ruling at The Hague, which rejected Beijings claims in the South China Sea.



In addition, India also allowed the visiting US Under-Secretary and Special Coordinator, Uzra Zeya, on Sunday to meet the Dalai Lama at his headquarters in Dharamshala  a decision which was a major departure from its past stand.



China doesnt regard the Dalai Lama as a revered spiritual and cultural leader. It accuses him of indulging in anti-Chinese activities from Indian soil and has often urged Delhi not to encourage his meeting with visiting political leaders or officials.



On the other hand, US experts see the proposed hub in India as a significant development as securing a maintenance and repair and logistic hub in South Asia would allow the US Navy the much-needed flexibility in the vast Ocean region.



The US Navy currently operates from Diego Garcia and Western Australia to maintain its vigil over the Indian Ocean.



The Pentagon fears that China, which currently has about 355 ships and submarines, would continue to have an edge over the US navy if American vessels cannot spend more time at sea.



The risk of falling behind China in terms of naval capabilities and weakening deterrence has prompted the US to seek more hubs in the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific region.



According to financial advisory firm KPMG, India is likely to spend about US$ 130 billion on defence procurement in the next five to seven years. Since this will create massive opportunities for domestic industry given the governments push for indigenisation, there will be ample opportunity for American companies entering the Indian defence market.



The potential benefit to the Indian industrial base would be in the form of upgrading domestic infrastructure, capacity addition and research and development activities,  KPMG said.



Strategic autonomy



However, India has so far maintained strategic autonomy and continues to build strong ties with Russia, its traditional strategic partner and main supplier of weapons.



But some Russian experts in the Indian establishment worry that the US is drawing India closer to its military.



Buying arms from America is different from allowing a naval hub to the US, says a former Indian diplomat.



He fears that soon the US will try to convince India to allow a naval base for the American navy. This is not only a concern for China but also for Russia, the diplomat added.



In September, India will chair the G20 summit in New Delhi where the president of America will be present along with his Chinese and Russian counterparts.



How India maintains close ties with both Washington and Moscow will be watched closely and with a lot of interest by strategists around the world.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said China must build a "solid" security barrier around its internet under the supervision of the ruling Communist Party, in his latest call to safeguard online data and information.



China must persist in managing, operating and ensuring access to the internet in accordance with the law, Xi said in instructions delivered to officials attending a two-day cybersecurity meeting in Beijing that ended on Saturday.



"We must adhere to the Party's management of the internet and adhere to (the principle of) making the internet work for the people," state-run Xinhua news agency cited Xi as saying.



In the past decade, Xi has made preserving security a priority, with his concept of security covering everything from politics and the economy to the environment and cyberspace.



In 2015, China passed a national security law with a broader scope to include its cyberspace. A year later, a law was passed that contained requirements for security reviews and for data to be stored on servers in China.



In 2021, China rolled out regulations around so-called critical information infrastructure.



This year, lawmakers updated anti-espionage legislation to ban the transfer of information related to national security and broaden the definition of spying.



Navigating China's dense network of rules and laws on online data and information is not without risk for companies.



In April, U.S. consultancy firm Bain & Co said police visited its office in Shanghai and questioned some staff. The Financial Times, citing people briefed on the surprise visit, reported that the police also took away computers and phones.



Last year, regulators told China's biggest financial data provider Wind Information Co to stop providing offshore users with certain data, sources told Reuters at the time.



In 2021, authorities launched a cybersecurity investigation into ride-hailing giant Didi Global two days after it went public in the United States.
Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol visited Bucha, the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO) has said.

"Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin showed President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife the scenes of the crimes committed by the Russian troops during the occupation of Bucha in March 2022," it said on the Telegram channel on Saturday.

The Prosecutor General thanked President Yoon for his steadfast position and underlined that the global community has no right to tolerate large-scale attacks on the civilian population. He also said that Ukraine appreciates South Korea's support on the international arena, in particular, in the UN, as well as its support for the Peace Formula proposed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"We visited Bucha today to have a first-hand look at the consequences of Russia's gruesome tactics aimed at the extermination of civilian Ukrainians. All kinds of war crimes were committed here over 33 days of the occupation of Bucha. They include tortures, shooting of civilians and evacuation columns, sexual assault. The Russian regime must be held accountable for all it did. The most effective way to do this is a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression," Kostin said.
July 15, 2023

AP Obfuscates The Real Black Sea Grain Deal Numbers

Just two days ago I wrote about Grain Deal Shenanigans and summarized:

The grain deal had two parts. One was the access of ships to Ukrainian harbors. The other was the normal export of grain and fertilizer from Russia. While Russia had facilitated the first part of the deal the 'West' had collectively blocked the second part. The lengthy creation of exclusive payment channels that can be blocked and controlled by the 'West', as Guterres now offers, is not a solution that Russia will support. When you see the next headline about 'Russia blocking Ukrainian exports to hungry people' keep the above in mind.

Today I stumbled over a new Associated Press piece of the kind I had warned about:

Why allowing Ukraine to ship grain during Russia's war matters to the world

It starts:

Agreements that the United Nations and Turkey brokered with Ukraine and Russia to allow food and fertilizer to get from the warring nations to parts of the world where millions are going hungry have eased concerns over global food security. But they face increasing risks.

It then asserts:

The Black Sea Grain Initiative has allowed 32.8 million metric tons (36.2 million tons) of food to be exported from Ukraine since last August, more than half to developing countries, including those getting relief from the World Food Program.

Are half of the Ukrainian grain exports really going to 'developing countries'?

I snooped around a bit to find the numbers. The United Nations has a Black Sea Grain Initiative Joint Coordination Centre website with some general explanations and detailed data.

Under 'Vessel Movements' there is a link to an excellent Google spreadsheet which provides cargo totals by destination and commodity:

It lists the amount of each kind of grains that the countries received due to the Initiative. The countries are classified into four types of 'Income Groups', split into 'Developing' and 'Developed' and marked as 'Least Developed Country' or 'Non Least Developed Country'.

One can sort the table by each column by clicking on its top cell. When one marks several cells in the 'total metric tons' column the spreadsheet will show the total sum of the marked cells on the bottom right.

The total of the listed grain amounts is 30,817,452 metric tons.

The total for all countries that are marked 'developed' is 14,104,113 metric tons. The total for 'developing' countries is 18,713,339 metric tons.

The AP assertion that 'than more than half' of the grain goes to developing countries is thus technically correct. But the developing/developed categorization, which is likely based on decades old World Trade Organization agreements, list China, Turkey and even several rich countries as 'developing'.

China, who's 'developing' status under WTO rules has been questioned, received the most from Ukraine with a total of 7,963,950 metric tons of barley, wheat and sunflower products. Turkey is third with a total of 3,289,155 metric tons.

China has been a long term customer of Ukraine's agricultural products. Turkey is a special case as it facilitates the transport, receives a heavy rebate and resales most of what it gets at higher world market prices:

Turkey buys Ukrainian grain at a 25% discount by the terms of the relevant agreement with Ukraine, as stated by Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Fahit Kirishci. The discount was about $100 per ton of grain. On June 7, the minister spoke about the course of trilateral negotiations on the grain corridor with representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the UN in Istanbul: ...

Both the 'developing' countries Turkey and China are also characterizes as 'upper-middle income' countries. In fact there are even 'developing' countries, like Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which are 'high income'.

While the AP assertion that more than half of the grains goes to 'developing countries' is technically correct, it does not really say anything useful but obfuscates the real numbers.

The total of Ukrainian grain exports to the eight 'least developed' countries, of which seven are also 'low income', was just 1,896,077 metric tons or 6.8% of the total. For comparison Spain, a 'developed country' with 'high income', imported a total of 5,980,657 metric tons of grain from Ukraine which is a whooping 19.4% of the total.

The 116 million people in 'developing', 'low-income' Ethiopia received a total of 282,760 metric tons while the 17.8 million people in the 'developed', 'high income' Netherlands bought 1,920,649 metric tons of mostly corn feed for pigs.

Most exports of Ukrainian grain only go to countries 'where millions are going hungry' if one adds chicken, pigs and cattle in medium-rich to rich countries to the count.

During the next season Ukraine will have much less grain to export while other big producers, including Russia and Brazil, have increased their output. There will thus be no shortage of grains in the world markets.

Posted by b on July 15, 2023 at 14:18 UTC | Permalink

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FILE PHOTO: The Pentagon building is seen in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. October 8, 2020. REUTERS/Erin Scott/
A mural of President John F. Kennedy is shown July 3, 2023, at JFK High School in Tamuning. Officials plan to use the campus to host double sessions with Simon Sanchez High School at the start of the new school year.
The seal of the Office of the Attorney General of Guam is shown May 4, 2023, in Tamuning. The office is hosting roundtable to discuss the Guam Department of Education school reopenings on July 18.
Attorney General Douglas Moylan, second from right, and staff from the Office of the Attorney General are sworn in before a legislative budget hearing Friday, July 14, 2023, at the Guam Congress Building in Hagatna.
Cambodian opposition party officials arrested for allegedly encouraging casting of spoiled ballots View Photo

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP)  Two senior members of the only major functioning opposition party in Cambodia have been arrested for allegedly teaching voters how to cast a spoiled ballot in this months general election, their party and a government spokesperson said Saturday.

They are the first people to be arrested under the countrys recently amended election law. It penalizes politicians who encourage election boycotts in a country where the party of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power for 38 years, is running virtually unopposed.

The Candlelight Party, the only other contender capable of mounting a credible challenge in the July 23 election, was barred on a technicality from contesting the polls by the National Election Committee. Its decision was widely seen as political.

With the party not running, some opponents of the Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party see the use of spoiled ballots as the only way of registering a protest while still showing up to vote.

The amended law, passed by the National Assembly on June 23, discourages boycotts by allowing the election committee to impose a fine of 5 million riels to 20 million riels ($1,200-$4,800) on anyone who encourages people not to register or vote.

It also bans anyone who fails to vote from running in future elections, a measure that would place opposition figures who wish to contest future polls in an awkward position of urging people not to vote while they themselves cast ballots.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Gen. Khieu Sopheak told The Associated Press on Saturday that Bun Khet and Ly Ry, members of the Candlelight Partys steering committee, were arrested Friday after the authorities obtained information that they incited party supporters to cast a spoiled, or void, ballot in the upcoming polls. He confirmed they were the first two people to be arrested under the new provisions in the election law.

He said the two men in recent weeks had held conversations encouraging the practice, which would violate the new election law. Khieu Sopheak said police had collected evidence and were preparing to send the necessary documents to court so they could be formally charged.

Rong Chhun, a Candlelight Party deputy president, said the arrests were contrary to law because police failed to show an arrest warrant and did not inform them or their families of what crimes they were accused of. He denied they would violate the election law, saying the arrests were politically motivated, and an effort at intimidation to keep the party from voicing critical views.

Hun Sen, 70, is an authoritarian ruler in a nominally democratic state. He and his party hold all the advantages of incumbency in the election in terms of political organizing, personnel, finances and media influence. About 9.7 million Cambodians are registered to vote for the 125-seat National Assembly, all of whose seats currently are held by the ruling party.

-

Peck reported from Bangkok.

By SOPHENG CHEANG and GRANT PECK

Associated Press
By Abbas Ganbay, AZERNEWS

"A spoken word is not a sparrow. Once it flies out, you can't catch it" means that words are very important and it is necessary to realize what you say.

In Armenia they deny in every possible way the obvious - the inevitability of full restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. It is terrible for the Armenian side to admit to itself that the myth that they have lived for decades may finally and irrevocably burst.

So far for Armenia it is sixth time to sit at the negotiation table to discuss the same issues with Azerbaijan with the participation of Charles Michel, the President of the EU Council.

It is another fresh meeting taking place in Brussels to achieve results on the five main principles put forward by Azerbaijani side that is powerful and perseverant.

In the last meeting, Armenian authority demonstratively expressed its position towards recognizing Azerbaijans territory despite some of his entourages later tried to distort Pashinyans acknowledgment by bringing illogical arguments in the Armenian parliament.

"Despite the fact that they constantly make some contradictory statements, and Pashinyan assents to some nationalists and public opinion, he really wants to stall at somewhere," Russian financial analyst Alexander Razuvaev said in his comments on Azerbaijan-Armenia peace negotiations for Azernews.

"I think that with a high probability, Armenia will officially recognize Karabakh, as a single entity and as part of Azerbaijan without any pretension by the end of the year, because it is impossible to oppose anything, the war was lost by Armenia three years ago, and accordingly it is better to recognize the reality," the expert added.

Having discussed the current economic situation in Armenia, Russian analyst said that Yerevan is better to normalize relations with its neighbors, which will give impetus and growth to the economy. "First of all, I must say that Armenia was more hopeful of support from France, the diaspora, and some forces in the West such as US Congress and elsewhere, but how to say, it did not go further than verbal statements, no one fought and will fight for them. Therefore, I think willy-nilly Armenia will come to peace agreement with Azerbaijan as it did in November 2020. The only thing is the time which is unpredictable whether now or by the end of this year," Razuvayev emphasised.

Azerbaijani expert Anar Hasanov's comments on the issues also concurred the views expressed by Alexander Razuvayev, saying that Armenia had been doing everything to freeze the conflict for many years. Even some forces have been eager to prolong this in the South Caucasus for some dirty purposes.

"The thing is that some forces in the world are also interested in this, taking advantage of the Armenian factor to influence Azerbaijan. So, in this sense, the general policy of the forces that are interested in the region, coincide with the interests of the Armenian government as well. And all of Pashinyan's actions are aimed at freezing this conflict, and in parallel that this conflict would have international resonance. All events and agendas related to the region, had international resonance. Based on these two goals, the Armenian Minister makes statements. Of course, we should not exclude the internal audience," the political analyst said.

According to the Russian expert, Russia's position in regard to peace negotiation and in terms of economy is clear. Razuvayev said that opening all the transport routes and communications is vitally important for his country.

"Developing economy is important for Russia now. Besides, for Russia the North-South corridor through Azerbaijan, trade with Iran is a priority, and I would say even talks on the North-South corridor is much more important than elements on the agenda of negotiations, so naturally Russia will go for any talks on this," A.Razuvayev underlined.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has recorded the movement of individual groups of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) in Belarus.

"Wagner is in Belarus: the border guards record the movement of Russian mercenaries," it said on the Telegram channel on Saturday.

"According to the currently available information, individual groups of representatives of private military companies have been noticed in Belarus, [they are] moving from the territory of Russia," Head of the State Border Guard Service Andriy Demchenko was quoted as saying in the statement.

Ukrainian border guards continue to monitor the situation so as to detect the location, number and tasks of the mercenaries.
SOUTHINGTON  A town firefighter spent the past week rescuing flood victims as part of a Connecticut team helping Vermont first responders.

Fire Lt. Daniel Comen, a member of swift water rescue team, was deployed on Monday as part of regional aid to the rain-stricken areas of Vermont.

Heavy rain and swollen rivers trapped residents in their homes and cut them off from rescue except by boat or helicopter. Comen joined firefighters and police from around the state who helped stranded Vermonters along with their pets from homes, some of which were flooded to the window sills.

The resident of that particular mobile home had called 911 on Monday but the persons cell phone battery had died. Comen and the team were tasked with making contact with the person and getting them out. Rescues involved basically landing right into their front doors by boat, Comen said.

Had Comen and his boat team not been able to reach the person, the only other option would have been to wait for a helicopter. He said they arrived and got the rattled person and two cats to safety.

Comen talked with the Record-Journal on Friday as he was heading back to Connecticut. The pace of operations was nonstop while in Vermont.

The operational periods are 24 hours, he said. Were always available for missions that the state of Vermont and FEMA dispatch out to the different teams.

Abandoned vehicles

Later in the week, FEMA crews arrived and Comens team was tasked with removing and searching vehicles that were flooded. The work took place in Barre, the town with Vermonts first recorded flooding death.

Part of the responsibly was removing the vehicle but also to make sure there wasnt a victim still trapped, Comen said. One of the vehicles Comens team worked on was a Lays potato chip truck that had been featured in news coverage.

We located what was left of the truck a ways down the river, Comen said. No victim was found inside.

Using boats, dry suits, life jackets and ropes, Comen and other swift water rescuers searched vehicles in challenging conditions. The water is high and its moving really fast, Comen said.

Water rescue expertise

Scott Lee, assistant chief of the Southington Fire Department, said Comen was requested for his expertise in water rescue. Comen runs a water rescue training company and has extensive training and experience with a host of specialized rescue operations.

Hes above average for the skill sets, Lee said. He grew up on the water.

Comen has also trained on rope rescues, used by firefighters when climbers fall from Ragged Mountain.

Lee said theres some disruption when firefighters are deployed in other states but that the department is able to compensate. Theres also a willingness to help out where needed, even if its not local.

We have some highly skilled guys willing to share their knowledge, Lee said.

jbuchanan@record-journal.com203-317-2230Twitter: @JBuchananRJ
ABSURD: British government sent $65.5M worth of foreign aid to China last year, the worlds second largest economy

The government of the United Kingdom gave nearly 50 million pounds ($65.5 million) worth of foreign aid to China last year.

This is according to a new report by the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI), a watchdog group that found overseas aid sent to Beijing from 2021 to 2022 was around 48 million pounds ($63 million).

ICAI noted that this is a significant decrease from the over 80 million pounds ($107 million in 2019 dollars) the British government sent to China in 2019. Furthermore, this foreign aid to Beijing is expected to continue decreasing, with the commission estimating that it could fall to as low as 10 million pounds by the end of 2024. (Related: British government funding experiments that involve feeding African children INSECTS.)

The decrease in aid to China comes during an extended period of frosty relations between the rising Asian power and the British parliament.

In an interview with the British newspaper the Daily Express, member of parliament and former Conservative Party Leader Iain Duncan Smith noted how "bizarre" it is that Britain continues to provide handouts to Beijing and believes the money being sent to China should be diverted to countries more in need.

"China is now the second largest economy in the world. It seems bizarre that we would be giving aid to China given their own financial position," he said. "Whatever else the government says, it's time for that to stop and for that aid to be given to countries that genuinely need the assistance and help in developing their economies."

British government not transparent about how foreign aid is being spent

ICAI's main concern with the foreign aid being sent to China is not so much the amount, but the fact that the British government and the British Council  one of the main government bodies responsible for providing overseas aid  are not being transparent about how the taxpayer-funded aid is being spent.

The ICAI report noted that it was only able to find "very limited information in the public domain" about how aid being sent to China was being spent.

"The British Council does not publish documents reporting on the design, implementation and results of its substantial programs in China," reads the ICAI report.

"While U.K. aid to China has fallen rapidly in recent years, taxpayers are still not being told clearly how much aid will continue and what it will be spent on," said ICAI Commissioner Hugh Bayley, who led the latest review of government aid spending.

According to the investigation and from the very limited information provided to ICAI by the British government, most aid funding that goes to the communist nation has either ended or been substantially reduced. What little remaining aid there, is being spent on programs related to higher education, arts and culture, English language teaching and human rights.

"Average incomes in China will soon be too high for the country to continue to receive foreign aid and there appears to be no clear government strategy for how to manage this, which could put some of the benefits from past U.K. development assistance at risk," noted Bayley.

ICAI's report further found that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Britain's equivalent to a foreign affairs department, has been spending a stable 1.65 million to 1.7 million pounds ($2.17 to $2.23 million) to fund the studies of Chinese students under the Chevening Scholarships program since 2019. This is one of the few remaining foreign aid the FCDO is sending to China.

"We stopped direct aid to the Chinese government in 2011 and the FCDO committed to cut ODA [official development assistance] funded programs in China by 95 percent from the 2021-22 financial year with remaining funding focused on specific programs that support British values around open societies and human rights," said a spokesperson for the Foreign Office.

"No funding goes to the Chinese authorities," the spokesperson continued. "We remain committed to transparency and will continue to work closely with ICAI to ensure that all U.K. aid spending maintains our high standards of transparency and has the greatest impact."

Watch this video discussing why foreign aid to developing nations is the biggest scam in the world meant to enrich corporations and aid agencies and deceive governments and taxpayers.

This video is from the African Voice channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

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Research shows Carnival cruise ships emit more toxic fumes than all the cars in Europe

Cruise ships are often associated with vacations and indulgence. But according to a study, they are also guilty of emitting more toxic fumes than all of Europe's cars in 2022

The July study from The European Federation for Transport and Environment, a sustainable transport campaigner, revealed that at least 63 cruise ships owned by parent company Carnival Corporation emitted 43 percent more sulfur oxides, a group of harmful air pollutants, than all the 291 million cars in Europe in 2022.

The statistic is jarring, but it also points to a noteworthy decrease from several years ago, when the organization revealed that ships owned by Carnival Corporation that visited European ports in 2017 emitted 10 times more sulfur oxides compared to all of Europe's cars.

The decrease is mostly due to a 2020 rule from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that lowered the sulfur content limit of ship fuel from 3.5 percent to only 0.5 percent.

While the IMO rule reduced the sulfur emissions of individual ships, it didn't enforce any measures to efficiently limit the increasing number of cruise ships in recent years.

The report also revealed that compared to 2019, cruise ships spent more time in 2022 at European ports and consumed more fuel. This resulted in cruise ships overall emitting nine percent more sulfur oxides than in 2017.

Cruise ship emissions harm both human health and air quality

Experts are concerned about sulfur oxides because they are released into the atmosphere. These pollutants can harm both human health and air quality. (Related: California Greenies ban gas furnaces, water heaters in pursuit of zero carbon emissions.)

Sulfur oxides can exacerbate respiratory illnesses such as asthma and have been linked to the formation of acid rain. According to a 2016 study, enforcing sulfur regulations would help prevent at least 570,000 premature deaths worldwide.

Poor air quality is considered a major global health hazard. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that an estimated 4.2 million people die due to air pollution each year.

Like vehicle exhaust tanks that emit toxic waste fumes, cruise ships engines also emit polluted air. According to research, the air on the aft areas of cruise ships is as polluted as the air in large cities like Beijing, China, which is rife with particulate matter.

Particulate matter is a mixture of solid particles (e.g., dust, dirt or smoke) and liquid droplets in the air that are so small they can easily be inhaled by humans. Particles smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter can get into the bloodstream or deep into the lungs and cause serious health issues.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to such small particles has been linked to premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function and increased respiratory symptoms (i.e., irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing).

In 2017, Carnival-owned cruise line Princess was also fined a record-breaking $40 million after pleading guilty to purposely discarding oil-contaminated waste into the ocean and intentionally hiding traces of the violation. The line was also slapped with an additional $20 million fine for violating the terms of its probation.

Oil pollution from the shipping industry is considered the main reason for increased marine pollution.

Cruise ships are much larger compared to other vessels and burn more heavy fuel oil, one of the dirtiest fuels on the market. This oil contains dangerous levels of sulfur and heavy metals.

Data suggests that, on average, cruise ships use at least 150 tons of heavy fuel oil every day. With the bilge oil mixing with ocean water, the use of heavy fuel oil harms many marine animals.

Faulty engine systems and faulty repair work could also result in oil leaking and mixing with oceanic water.

Visit Pollution.news for more updates on pollution causes and solutions.

Watch the video below to learn how wildfires are affecting air quality in the United States.

This video is from the Evolutionary Energy Arts channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

BusinessInsider.com

EPA.gov

MarineInsight.com

Brighteon.com
Former counter-intelligence chief has been warning about CIVIL WAR in France long before riots erupted due to decades of MASS IMMIGRATION

Pierre Brochand, former head of France's General Directorate for External Security (DGSE) counter-intelligence agency, has been warning about the looming threat of civil war long before a fatal shooting of a teenager sparked violent riots and lootings across the country.

Specifically, he said that the decades of mass "colonizing immigration" could lead to collapse. In April, during a discussion about immigration on the public radio station France Culture, he reiterated his point. (Related: Hungarian expert: MIGRATION is the major reason for France riots.)

"If we do nothing or if we do little, we are going to head either towards a progressive implosion of social trust in France, that is to say toward a society where the quality of life will collapse and where it will be less and less pleasant to live, or, by successive explosions, toward confrontations that will make France a country where one will not be able to live at all," he said at the time.

Brochand was the head of DGSE from 2002 to 2008. Since 2019, he has made repeated calls for a radical change in France's immigration.

It may be time to finally heed his call. The death at the hands of the police of Nahel Merzouk, a 17-year-old of Algerian descent, became a perfect excuse for some to stage a series of violent protests.

Just recently, in an interview published on July 6 on the website of Le Figaro daily newspaper, Brochand exposed "the deadly cocktail of a society of individuals based on openness and democracy and the arrival of entire diasporas with totally different cultural backgrounds."

However, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has a different opinion. According to Darmanin, the riots are not linked to immigration as "only" 10 percent of the rioters were foreigners.

For Darmanin, the non-White youth that caused mayhem on the streets of France for days, often invoking the Quran and the name of Allah, have no link to immigration as they are French citizens.

Darmanin's stance isn't exactly surprising. Brochand said he did not think there's currently enough courage among the French political class to do what is necessary to avoid the worst-case scenario: that of confrontation.

"Closing borders in the name of the precautionary principle  the Polish way  has never been seriously considered in our country," Brochand told Le Figaro after the recent rioting, which has seen over 700 members of security forces injured, some 4,000 arrested, and many towns and cities devastated.

Migration is the major reason behind France riots

Viktor Marsai, executive director of the Hungarian Migration Research Institute (MRI), also believes that migration is the major reason for the ongoing riots in France.

He told the Hungarian channel M1 News that the riots taking place on French streets demonstrate the multitude of problems associated with mass migration.

"In France, in recent decades, there have been several street riots like the current one," said Marsai. He continued that the riots mostly involve "young people from immigrant backgrounds who are not integrated into society, do not go to school, have no job, and seek their rights via street demonstrations."

The MRI executive director also noted that the European Commission's proposed mandatory migrant quota would be a problem. "If the plan is implemented, the number of refugee applications and procedures at the European Union's external borders will increase sharply," he said.

Read more news about unchecked migration in Europe at Migrants.news.

Watch this video about how the French welcomed their own destruction.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Whistleblower claims medical device company engaged in years-long bribery scheme with Veterans Administration hospital

A whistleblower lawsuit that was recently unsealed claims that sales reps from the world's largest medical device manufacturer, Medtronic, engaged in a years-long bribery scheme with a Veterans Administration (VA) hospital.

As reported by CNBC, according to the unsealed lawsuit, sales representatives from Medtronic allegedly engaged in a bribery scheme at a Kansas veterans hospital for almost 10 years. The illicit scheme is claimed to have resulted in the squandering of millions of taxpayer dollars and posed a threat to the lives of patients.

The sales reps bribed hospital staff to purchase its devices over those of competitors and to purchase grossly excessive inventory, the lawsuit states, according to the news outlet.

Tom Schroeder filed the lawsuit, United States ex rel. Schroeder v. Medtronic, Inc., in 2017, which remained under seal until the end of 2022 when the government chose not to intervene in the case.

Prior to the lawsuit dominating his life, Schroeder dedicated his career to the medical device industry. He spent years working at Becton Dickinson, a direct competitor of Medtronic. During the alleged kickback scheme, Schroeder held the position of sales manager at Becton Dickinson. Over time, he advanced to become an area vice president, assuming responsibility for overseeing sales representatives in his region.

We get into this industry to help people, Schroeder said.

However, during his tenure at the small veterans' hospital in Kansas, while he was working at one of his client sites, Schroeder discovered a scheme that had the complete opposite effect.

According to the whistleblower, rumors were circulating that Medtronic sales representatives were engaging in bribery, incentivizing VA staff to procure an excessive quantity of the company's inventory. Allegedly, the products were then utilized in medically unnecessary procedures conducted on veteran patients. Schroeder asserted that the potential harm to patients was significant.

I had a hard time sleeping at night, Schroder said.

CNBC noted further:

Medtronic, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the worlds largest medical device manufacturer in terms of revenue. Shares of the company were up more than 12% year to date as of Tuesdays close. Medtronics 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 Schroeders lawsuit fall under the cardiovascular umbrella.

Theres a lot of money tied up in this business, Schroeder said.

The lawsuit primarily focuses on the treatment of patients with peripheral artery disease at the Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Wichita.

Peripheral artery disease arises when plaque accumulates in the arteries, leading to the obstruction of blood flow to the legs. An effective treatment for this condition involves the use of an atherectomy device, which is designed to eliminate plaque buildup and restore proper blood circulation. Balloons may also be utilized in conjunction with these devices to exert pressure on the plaque, facilitating its clearance. Additionally, stents can be inserted to maintain the artery in an open and unobstructed state.

Medtronic is a major manufacturer of the devices, the outlet reported.

Schroeder said that the frequency of atherectomy procedures conducted at the hospital was at a level he'd never seen during his career.

Text messages from the case, which have now been unsealed, reveal an incident that occurred in 2017. A Medtronic sales representative was present in an operating room while doctors were treating a veteran patient for peripheral artery disease. During the procedure, the employee sent a detailed text message account to a Medtronic colleague, providing a play-by-play description of the devices being inserted into the patient's body.

According to the text messages, medical experts assert that the typical number of devices used in these procedures ranges from one to two.

U are going to want to start going to the VA all the time, the colleague texted in response after hearing how many of the devices were used.

If you read those text messages, and youre not pissed off, and youre not angry, and youre not sad for those veterans, I dont know what to say, Schroeder said. That broke my heart.

Sources include:

CNBC.com

BigPharmaNews.com
Mexicos Sinaloa Cartel threatens fishermen in hostile attempt to take over the jellyfish industry of Santa Clara Gulf

Fishermen near the Santa Clara Gulf in the Mexican state of Sonora have made a living from fishing and selling jellyfish, a product that is in high demand in Asia.

The local industry was expecting a good season this 2023, but fishermen are now too terrified to work because the Sinaloa Cartel is eyeing the multimillion business.

Mexican fishing authorities report that the "cannonball jellyfish" is one of a dozen sea products exported from Mexico to Singapore and Vietnam. The jellyfish sells well and leaves more than $10 million in revenue during a three-month season.

Around this time of the year, fishermen should already be processing tons of jellyfish that will be sent to other major Mexican companies that manage the export side of the business.

But it's already July and no fisherman has dared to go back into the sea due to an all-powerful threat: They fear heavily armed cartel members who are ensuring that no one can go out to fish.

In an interview, a local fisherman from Guaymas, Sonora, explained that the cartel wants fishermen to work for them exclusively.

The fisherman, who asked to remain anonymous to avoid retaliation from the Sinaloa Cartel, added that he and other fishermen are afraid and they are stuck because they are unable to earn a living.

Before cannonball jellyfish is ready for export, it must be dehydrated using tons of salt. This part of the process can only be done with a "salina" or an industrial salt processing company.

In the past, these companies worked with the local fishermen: The companies would buy products from the fishermen and they would process the jellyfish and export it themselves to different companies in Asia, the bulk of which is sent to Singapore or Vietnam.

The process of fishing and dehydrating the jellyfish requires at least 300 men and processes over 250 tons a day, explained Jose Velazquez, the manager of Pesquera Asia, the biggest jellyfish processing company in Sonora.

Sinaloa Cartel eyes the fishing industry for added revenue

One month ago, alleged Sinaloa Cartel members burned several trucks that belonged to two different processing companies. The threat was meant to scare the companies so they would stop buying directly from the fishermen and start dealing with the cartel instead.

The anonymous fisherman said cartel members also threatened the drivers, who were told to stop coming to the coast to buy jellyfish. He added that because of the cartel threats, the whole industry is now at a standstill.

Mexican authorities still haven't addressed the issue publicly.

The Daily Beast reached out to the Mexican National Guard for a comment, but no answer was forthcoming.

A Sinaloa Cartel operative in Sonora, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said trying to monopolize the fishing industry is "nothing new."

The operative added that cannonball jellyfish would be a new source of revenue for the Sinaloa Cartel.

"War is very expensive, and when you are at war against other cartels, you need a lot of money." But drugs are not enough to finance all the arms, cars and men cartels need to wage war with other groups, explained the anonymous operative. (Related: DEA head: Mexican cartels are using FENTANYL to kill Americans in record numbers.)

The Sinaloa Cartel is currently fighting a civil war on the Mexican Pacific Coast: Two different factions, one based in Sonora and the second one located out of Baja, California are "battling for wider control of the criminal organization."

One side has the sons of infamous drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, collectively known as "Los Chapitos."

The group has sent thousands of men to seize the region from "Los Russo" (the Russians), an armed faction of the oldest Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada.

It's true that the trade in marine wild species between Mexico and Asia is old news.

For the last decade, the Sinaloa Cartel has been exploiting endangered species like the Totoaba fish, an exotic dish served in China. They have also targeted the sea turtle to earn revenue.

However, as the ties between China-based companies and criminal actors like the Sinaloa Cartel have intensified in recent years, the Mexican government has been defunding programs to protect the wildlife in the country, reports Vanda Felbab-Brown, a security analyst and researcher.

Mexican environmental agencies can't protect jellyfish fishermen

In a recent investigation published at the Brookings Institute, Felbab-Brown wrote that it is alarming that the Lopez Obrador administration "eviscerated the budgetary and personnel resources of Mexican government regulatory environmental agencies."

Felbab-Brown added: "Unfortunately, as fishermen need them most, the traditionally weak enforcement has become even weaker and is now practically non-existent."

With the threats from the Sinaloa Cartel, the fishermen can do nothing but wait. They are too scared to get into the sea without the cartels clearance, but they are stuck because they also dont want to get involved with them.

While they are helpless, the fishermen turn to the Mexican government.

According to the anonymous fisherman, they have tried calling the Mexican army, but they did not get an answer. The fishing season ends this July and they are worried that they might lose "a full year of work and revenue."

Desperate fishermen might be forced to look for other jobs, probably far from the coast, while others might be left with no choice but to work for the cartel, concluded the fisherman.

Visit DrugCartels.news for updates about drug cartel activity in the U.S.

Watch the video below to know more about the Sinaloa Cartel's revenue from human trafficking.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

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Radical LEFT-WING CULT plots in a private online chatroom to MURDER COPS

The William McKinley Institute recently published, through an anonymous source, the Discord server and organizational documents of the anti-white extremist group Organize Against Transphobia (OAT). A private chatroom of the said radical leftist activist group has been exposed where members were found plotting the murder of cops

One of the militant transgender terrorists is Timothy Johnson also known as "Caboose" Johnson, who describes himself as an Irish-American and "reconnecting" Cherokee on Twitter. According to Justice Report, Caboose is somewhat of a minor e-celebrity in the communist TikTok community. He is also an ANTIFA activist who has infiltrated the anti-government "Boogaloo Boys" group which started as libertarian but drifted leftward due to their lack of vigilance. He also served in the United States Armed Forces as an "Infantry Soldier" for the Army National Guard, as per his LinkedIn.

Reports reveal that Caboose regularly puts on fatigues and engages in live-action role-playing (LARP) as a military enforcer during ANTIFA rallies. (Related: Antifa attack on police training site outside Atlanta deemed 'domestic terrorism' as dozens are arrested.)

"I provide transportation solutions with years of trucking, dispatching, insurance, and supply chain experience at my disposal. My military experience shows I can operate well under pressure and adapt to challenges in a creative way," he wrote regarding his activity at a protest in Louisville for Breonna Taylor, a drug-dealing, gun-slinging thug who was killed during a police encounter.

Johnson expressed his desire to kill cops and praised the actions of renegade Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) cop Christopher Dorner, who went on a murder rampage on some of his former colleagues before committing suicide back in 2013. However, he still critiqued Dorner's personal ideology and motivations as "cringe."

In the private chatroom conversations, he posted hundreds of times since the OAT Discord was first created, repeatedly expressing his desire for extreme violence. On April 19, he made the sadistic comment in a fit of rage after a conservative University of South Carolina student defied his anti-social politics at an "Uncensored America" speaking event. The post came immediately after OAT's supposedly peaceful counter-protest escalated into violence. "I wanna bash his face in and piss into the back of his skull. That's all I could think about last night," he said.

Not only does he regularly post about rage and violence, but he also is a major advocate of grooming children with pro-transgender sexual propaganda as well as leftist-anarchist materials to make them hate America and white people as well as bask in the revolutionary Marxism ideology. He even has a video reading a subversive propaganda book aimed at children.

Meanwhile, another individual exposed in these leaks is Matt Cox, who is a "proud father of a nonbinary child" and professes to be the "official dad of OAT." Cox offers his expertise as a mixed martial artist to the group and has regularly trained OAT members in what he calls "mutual aid martial arts" (MAMA) regimens. Also, according to the leaked convos, he attended firearm combat exercises hosted by local members of the infamous John Brown Gun Club (JBGC) and the local Socialist Rifle Association (SRA).

In a January 31 discussion, which took place after one of the group's first firearm combat drills, Cox debated with another user, who didn't want to mention JBGC due to a rightful fear of public backlash. The discussion, where Cox questioned the hesitancy, revealed that the only vetting done prior to entry to one of OAT's SRA-hosted rifle training exercises is a round of what they called "vibe checking."

The unearthed Discord chats also suggested latent aggression simmering within Cox and numerous times it appears as if he's champing at the bit to fight "fascists" in the streets. "I didn't think I could get more angry at this situation," he said in a January 24 post. When another member of OAT replied, "They are really f*cking around today," he replied, "Time for them to find out."

He also pledged that he would "bleed" with them "till the war is won," referring to his devotion to fighting "transphobia."

Additionally, Cox seemed to present himself as arrogant and invincible in his posts. However, this is not because of his own abilities. "My wife's a lawyer in the biggest progressive firm in [South Carolina], f*ckin come at me ghouls," he boasted, referring to his wife Sarah JM Cox of Burnette Shutt & McDaniel.

During his free time, this late 40s man admitted he'd troll mainstream conservatives with immature comments during YouTube live streams. In his post on January 6, he shared a screen capture of his comment during a live episode of Corey Allen's "The Overton Report," a conservative program critical of homosexual perversion in South Carolina.

"The comment, made with his personal YouTube account '@phagtacular,' is crude and full of cheap profanities but appears to stem from a previous incident in which Cox allegedly harassed Allen in real life, adding further evidence of Cox's willingness to abide by OAT's point of unity #2, "a diversity of tactics.'"

He was proud of himself that the host did not know it was him, but a little scared that he vowed to be more careful next time.

Visit LeftCult.com to read more on how the Left can go radical to push their ideologies.

Sources for this article include:

WMKInstitute.com

BigLeaguePolitics.com

JusticeReport.news
Secret Service admits it found marijuana twice at the White House in 2022

The Secret Service has confirmed that, apart from its recent discovery of cocaine, it also found marijuana twice at the White House in 2022.

This is according to a classified Secret Service briefing to members of the House Oversight Committee during an investigation into the recent discovery of cocaine in the White House's West Wing over the Fourth of July weekend. A follow-up statement from the Secret Service confirmed the two discoveries of marijuana to media outlets. (Related: FLASHBACK: A timeline of Hunter Biden's years of drugs, addiction, dildos, arrests and multi-million dollar deals thanks to daddy.)

"Per the Secret Service Uniformed Division, small amounts of marijuana were found on two occasions in 2022  June and September  at a checkpoint," said the Secret Service representative in a statement. "No one was arrested in these incidents because the weight of the marijuana confiscated did not meet the legal threshold for federal charges or D.C. misdemeanor criminal charges, as the District of Columbia had decriminalized possession. The marijuana was collected by officers and destroyed."

That's not the first time the administration of President Joe Biden has been caught up in a drug scandal. In March 2021, five members of Biden's staff had to be fired for past marijuana use.

Quick closure of Secret Service probe into cocaine discovery raises questions

While possession of less than two ounces of marijuana is not a crime in Washington, D.C., possessing marijuana is still prohibited on federal property, which includes the White House. Furthermore, members of the House of Representatives who were part of the Secret Service briefing have raised concerns regarding security in the White House.

"In 2022, twice while going through screening, people were caught with marijuana in their possession," noted Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, a member of the Oversight Committee. "So this being the third time that drugs were found on the White House property during the Biden administration certainly poses a question: What kind of people are we allowing to go into that premise? And what is their actual purpose there?"

Republicans have also raised concerns about the Secret Service's recently concluded probe regarding the discovery of cocaine at the West Wing  an investigation that failed to identify the owner of the illicit substance.

The Secret Service claimed in a statement that the investigation ended "due to a lack of physical evidence," noting that forensic testing by the Federal Bureau of Investigation was unable to determine whether there were any fingerprints or DNA present around the site where the dime-sized bag of cocaine was discovered.

"Without physical evidence, the investigation will not be able to single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered," the Secret Service said.

"It seems to me that Biden Inc. strikes again," noted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California in an interview with reporters. "How can in the White House  [which has] 24/7 security  they find cocaine but now they just closed the investigation. Where in the country do you get treated like this? Only with the Bidens, with the Bidens in charge. There is no equal justice."

Boebert raised concerns regarding how the locker where the cocaine was found was not observable on any security cameras on the West Wing, despite this vestibule sitting feet away from the Situation Room and one floor below the Oval Office.

"This probably is an area that should have had video surveillance, especially since this is not the first time that drugs have been found on the White House property since Biden has taken office," said Boebert. "There should have been implementations made to ensure security at the White House already before this cocaine appeared."

"We did not have scandals when [former President Donald Trump] was in office to this degree," Boebert added. "And it just poses the question: What kind of people is Joe Biden bringing into the White House?"

Learn more about Joe Biden's latest activities and illicit actions at JoeBiden.news.

Watch this clip of former President Donald Trump reacting to the White House cocaine scandal and speculating on whether Biden himself is taking cocaine.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

COCAINE found in West Wing phone cubby hours after Biden visit, Secret Service confirms.

UN report: Cocaine smuggling and production increase amid growing demand for illicit substances.

Arizona state trooper seizes over $3M worth of fentanyl pills and cocaine during traffic stop less than 30 miles from the border.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

FoxNews.com

NYPost.com

Brighteon.com
FL Rep. Luna: Ukraine asks $200 per day from every American to establish mercenary army like Russias Wagner Group

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) revealed that the Ukrainian Parliament demanded $200 per day from every American to create a mercenary army similar to Moscow's Wagner Group.

During a recent appearance at Steve Bannon's "War Room," Luna said she took a trip to meet with representatives from the parliament in Poland in May, along with four other Republicans and two Democrats. This is how she learned about Kyiv's demand for help in the war against Russia in the form of payments and fighter jets.

"They want to not only demand that Americans pay $200 every single day, every American in the country because it is our 'obligation' according to Ukraine so that they can defend the western world from Russia. But they are also saying that they want F-35s," she said. "And if that isn't crazy enough, they're saying that after Russia leaves Crimea, where their head is, they're going to potentially privatize and create a mercenary army similar to the Wagner Group. So that is the mindset of Ukraine," Luna said.

The Wagner Group is a private militia group that took the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut earlier in the Russia-Ukraine war before handing it over to Russian President Vladimir Putin's troops. After more than a year, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner's leader, staged a short-lived coup that failed. However, Putin met with the leader in the days following.

As a guest on Bannon's Tuesday show, Luna pointed out the absurdity of the United States' continuous support of Ukraine. She even called out President Joe Biden's administration for stepping up military assistance to Ukraine, saying the crisis in the Eastern Europe nation is "not our problem."

"I want to remind everyone that Ukraine had the option to join NATO and they didn't," Luna told Bannon. "So, they want to get housing insurance essentially after their house flooded and that's not our problem. We don't represent Ukraine, we represent the United States."

According to the representative from Florida's District 13, Biden is causing America to "hemorrhage money to give it to Ukraine" and emphasized how unsure she is that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's troops "would have the military capabilities to actually take on Russia" if the United States did not stick its head into the conflict.

Luna co-sponsors bill to halt US transfer of cluster bombs to Ukraine

Luna said she co-sponsored, along with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to stop the transfer of cluster munitions. She proved she walks the talk.

Biden announced last Friday the United States will send cluster munitions to Ukraine, part of an $800 million package of military aid despite the declaration of then-White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki in a February 28, 2022 briefing, condemning the use of cluster bombs in the conflict, saying it was a "war crime." And now the POTUS claimed to approve sending these war weapons because 'Russia used them first,' implying that only the 'bad guys' use them.

"Not only are they highly dangerous for civilians and children," Luna said, but "there is a potential that these will be unexploded ordinance and that there will have to be a massive demining effort afterward."

On Monday, Gaetz tweeted, "I will be the Republican co-sponsor on the NDAA amendment introduced by Rep. Sara Jacobs 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."

BREAKING: I will be the Republican co-sponsor on the NDAA amendment introduced by @RepSaraJacobs 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 pic.twitter.com/xmu8KAWPEt  Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) July 10, 2023

Meanwhile, at the NATO Summit in Vilnius in Lithuania, Biden acknowledged that the alliance did not invite Ukraine to membership during the summit as it works on "necessary reforms" but he offered a joint declaration of support for Ukraine in strengthening the country's military capability, protecting the country from future attacks.

"We're not waiting on that process to be finished to boost the country's security," he explained. "Mr. Zelensky and I talked about the kind of guarantees we could make in the meantime And so today, the long-term commitments we're making are backed up by the notion that in the meantime, we're going to provide security to Ukraine for its needs and against any aggression that may occur."

The announcement came one day after Zelensky decried NATO's "absurd" refusal to offer an invite or timetable for Ukraine's entry into the alliance. The Ukrainian president may be disappointed over the lack of a membership timetable but none of that tension was present when Biden and Zelensky stood in front of cameras the next day.

Zelensky claimed that the summit results "had been good overall and welcomed a flurry of announcements of new military aid from allies."

UkraineWitness.com has more stories related to updates on the continuing conflict in Ukraine.

Sources for this article include:

ThePostMillenial.com

WashingtonExaminer.com
WeChat facing potential BAN in Australia over repeated no-shows at government hearings

Messaging platform WeChat is facing a potential ban in Australia as the company repeatedly refused to appear before an inquiry by Canberra regarding foreign interference.

Federal Sen. James Paterson, who chairs the Australian Senate's Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media, aired out his thoughts in a July 11 press conference. He said the refusal of WeChat and its parent company Tencent to appear before lawmakers shows their minuscule regard for Australia's democratic process. Tencent is tied to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), prompting suspicion from Paterson and other legislators.

"WeChat and  Tencent continue to show contempt for the Parliament of Australia by refusing to appear, despite being now invited on four occasions. It reflects very badly on [them if]  they continue to refuse to do so," Paterson remarked.

"Compelling evidence has been put [forward] to the committee about their behavior, including their surveillance, censorship and permissiveness for foreign interference. 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."

According to the senator, WeChat was the only major social media company that refused to attend the hearings. This was deeply disturbing, he added, because the committee would draw conclusions based on their lack of openness. Unfortunately, WeChat has no legal presence in the Land Down Under, so Canberra has no power to compel the company to attend.

WeChat  also known by its Chinese name Weixin  is an instant messaging, social media and mobile payment app rolled into one. The app developed by Tencent was used by more than 1.2 billion active users in September 2020 alone. Around 690,000 of its daily active users are based in Australia.

Expert warns: WeChat is MORE DANGEROUS than TikTok

WeChat's refusal to attend the hearing, alongside Paterson's remarks, followed a warning by an expert that Tencent's app is more dangerous than the Chinese video-sharing app TikTok.

"Everything that we fear about what TikTok may become is already occurring on WeChat," said Seth Kaplan during an April 2023 hearing by the committee. Kaplan, a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. state of Maryland, also advises groups such as the United Nations, the U.S. Department of State and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The lecturer pointed out that in WeChat, "narratives  [and] information in there is managed" and "dissenting views are demoted or eliminated." He continued: "It's basically a narrative machine for the CCP and what it wants to promote, similar to what actually happens in China."

According to Kaplan, WeChat is monitoring, surveilling and developing a strong influence on the Chinese diaspora community in areas where it sees widespread use  making it vulnerable to false narratives and manipulation. He also told Australian lawmakers that he is most concerned about how the CCP is using WeChat to directly interfere in the politics of other nations' societies.

Kaplan cited one case in Canada involving a politician from a federal district in Toronto. The said politician was critical of the CCP, leading Beijing to launch a political information campaign on WeChat. The campaign worked, causing a significant shift in the votes for the said candidate. (Related: Chinese agents caught using TikTok to manipulate midterm election in favor of Democrats.)

While the lecturer had seen such campaigns at the federal level, he had also seen them happen at the state and local levels.

"WeChat is managing information, helping to mobilize Chinese speakers, and then basically seeking coalition partners among the non-Mandarin-speaking civil society. All of this, basically, is direct interference in the politics of the country," he said.

"Instead of your democracy being a debate among people who live in the country, there's 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."

Watch this video discussing how WeChat serves as the CCP's tool to monitor and censor people.

This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Aussie gov't gives Elon Musk 28 DAYS to combat online hate on Twitter.

CCP blocks ChatGPT: Party officials fear chatbot will spread American propaganda online.

U.S. spy chiefs now support ban on China state app TikTok but don't want to reign in big tech that spies on Americans.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Brighteon.com
Fact check: No, RFK, Jr. did not say COVID was an ethnically targeted bioweapon that spared Jews

The internet is ablaze with a story that claims RFK, Jr. said COVID was an ethnically targeted bioweapon that were engineered to spare Jews and Chinese people. This headline from the NY Post captures the meme that's going wild: "RFK Jr. says COVID was ethnically targeted to spare Jews."

The NY Post offers outstanding coverage on many important topics, but for this story, they got it wrong. RFK never actually said that he believed COVID was ethnically targeting certain groups while sparing Jews and Asians. Yet few people actually bother to read what RFK actually stated, which is the following (emphasis added):

COVID-19. There is an argument that it is ethnically targeted. COVID-19 attacks certain races disproportionately. The races that are most immune to COVID-19 because of the genetic differentials among different races, because of the receptors, the ACE-2 receptor, COVID-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and black people. The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese. We dont know whether it was deliberately targeted or not but there are papers out there that show the racial or ethnic differential and impact.

In other words, what RFK, Jr. actually said -- which is accurate -- is that certain ethnic groups are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infections because they carry more ACE-2 receptor sites, which is determined by genetics. This statement is true.

In fact, it's published science, as shown below:

Scientific findings on ACE-2 receptors and COVID susceptibility

A 2021 scientific paper published in MedRxIv.org found that those of European ethnicity were more susceptible to COVID infections compared to Asians and other groups. That paper, found here, is entitled, "SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and ACE2 gene variations within diverse ethnic backgrounds."

The paper confirms what RFK, Jr. is saying, concluding that: (emphasis added)

We identified three novel nonsynonymous variants predicted to alter ACE2 function, and showed that three variants (p.K26R, p.H378R, p.Y515N) alter receptor affinity for the viral Spike (S) protein. Variants p.K26R and p.N720D are more prevalent in the European population (p < .001), but Y497H is less prevalent compared to East Asians (p = .020).

The study was also covered in News Medical Life Sciences, which wrote: (emphasis added)

According to a new study, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) genetic variants may also help explain differences in infection rates among ethnic groups. Led by Ioannis Karakikes of Stanford University, a new study suggests some hospitalized patients with COVID-19 contain ACE2 genetic variants that increase ACE2 expression. Some variants that altered ACE2 protein expression and binding affinity were more prevalent in people with European backgrounds.

From the positive cases, about 68.3% were of European descent, 17.5% were South Asian, and 2.7% were of African descent. People of East Asian (0.8%) and Ad Mixed American (0.2%) backgrounds made up the lowest number of cases. Approximately 10.5% of people were labeled as Other. The results confirmed that hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were statistically different across ethnic groups.

In other words, actual published science confirms exactly what RFK, Jr. was referring to, which is that different ethnic groups are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 than others, based on the prevalence of ACE2 receptors, which is determined by genetics.

Critically, RFK, Jr. states, "We dont know whether it was deliberately targeted or not but there are papers out there that show the racial or ethnic differential and impact."

That statement is true, rational and factually correct.

Once again, this shows that RFK is willing to speak the truth even when people lose their minds and imagine him saying something he did not.

We can only imagine that one of the reasons people are losing their minds over this statement is because the radical Left likes to imagine that biology and genetics aren't real and that people can simply "self-identify" as any biology they want. For them, this includes the delusional fantasy that men can transform themselves into women and then give birth as women. (Yes, Leftists actually believe this nonsense.) Thus, they have abandoned the very concept of genetics and biology, so when a paper appears that shows genetics can play a role in ACE-2 receptor sites, Leftists dismiss it for the simple reason that if biology and genetics were actually true, then their transgender fantasies couldn't be real after all.

Thus, to defend their LGBT cult, they have to attack all genetic and biological science. Hence, when RFK cites actual genetic science, he gets attacked as a "racist."

RFK, Jr. might be the only sane Democrat remaining in America.

Read more news about him at RFK.news. He's also running for president. See his campaign details at Kennedy24.com.

Here's my most recent interview with him:

Brighteon.com/d292f93a-fca3-42d4-a814-82008dcffb5a

Be sure to watch each episode of my new show, Decentralize TV, which features top guests who teach pro-freedom decentralized living principles and skills, at www.Decentralize.TV

Discover more interviews and podcasts each day at:

https://www.brighteon.com/channels/HRreport

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A territorial hawk is dive-bombing people in a Texas neighborhood, making mail deliveries very challenging to impossible

Dive-Bombing Hawk in Texas

In a neighborhood in the south of Austin, a brazen hawk has been creating some trouble.

The United States Postal Service said it must cease operations to neighbors within the bird's range until it calms down after the hawk swoop assaulted many households.

USPS claimed that it has halted making deliveries to a number of Travis Heights residences in order to keep its staff safe from the aggressive bird.

A representative for the USPS stated in a statement that while the Postal Service always aims to offer the best services, the security of their workers and clients comes first. The presence of a hawk has made it unsafe for several residents on Milal and Kenwood streets to get their mail in the Travis Heights neighborhood.

Since hawks are an endangered species under federal law, USPS claimed it sought assistance from Austin Animal Control and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. According to USPS, residents will have to pick up their mail at the post office as long as the threat exists.

Customers of USPS were sincerely thanked for their patience as we worked to find a satisfactory solution to this issue and apologized for the trouble this may have caused. If there is a risk of harm, the postal service has a policy of refusing to deliver to a residence. For example, if a hornet's nest was close to a mailbox.

Therefore, until it is safe for mail carriers and delivery personnel to resume their route, residents of about 20 residences must pick up their mail at a local post office, as per USPS spokesman Becky Hernandez via Axios Austin.

Blake Hendon, a wildlife researcher, believes the bird is a red-shouldered hawk, according to reports from FOX7.

Common Bird Behavior

According to Nicole Netherton, the Travis Audubon Society executive director, this behavior is actually rather typical. Every time they sense a potential predator around, the parent hawks automatically react in this way. The birds mistakenly believe that people are approaching their young too closely rather than realizing that humans are not trying to eat them.

Netherton said that not only hawks exhibit this territorial behavior; cardinals and mockingbirds are also known to swoop when they perceive that their nest is in danger.

During a bird's mating season, which normally lasts from March to July, people can anticipate witnessing this kind of behavior, according to Netherton.

Netherton said that this also occurs frequently in mammals. Simply said, we pay greater attention to it whenever these animals are armed.

Also Read: Weekend Torrential Rain, Hail Leaves Hundreds of Birds Dead, Injured in Oklahoma

Dive-Bombing All Over Texas

Netherton speculated that the rise in bird assaults might be related to the trees that were felled during the ice storm in February 2023, though she did not have any evidence to back up this theory. Despite being a typical occurrence, bird assaults seem to be more common or remarked about this year. 10.5 million trees, or 30% of the city's canopy, were damaged by the ice storm, possibly driving birds to select less-than-ideal nesting locations closer to residences.

Netherton suggests ignoring any hostile birds until they fly away. She urges people to regard this as a short-term problem with limited health hazards by pointing out that wildlife predates humans and is adapted to exist here. This is a shared space; only humans may use it, KXAN reports.

Related Article: Critically Endangered Capercaillie Population in Scotland Rises Following Extinction Scare


Fireman Dan is also a Sheringham church pastor

There was a baptism of fire for Sheringham church pastor Daniel Ward when he decided to take on a role as a retained firefighter during the hottest summer the country has ever seen last year. Tony Rothe reports.

Daniel is one of the ministers at Lighthouse Community Church in Sheringham, but also finds time to be a retained fireman in Cromer, where he lives, in his spare time. At Lighthouse, he is part of the leadership team, sometimes preaching or leading Sunday services, and assisting the senior leader. He is also project manager of two of the churchs major community initiatives  Sheringham Shed, part of the Mens Shed movement, and Priory Patch - a community allotment.



However, last year, Daniel decided to apply to become a retained fire-fighter with Cromer Fire Brigade. I have an urge to serve my local community  to give something back, he explained, Because of my work at Lighthouse, I have always felt involved with Sheringham, but not so much with Cromer, where I live, and this seemed an ideal away to connect with the community there. I was sure the work would be rewarding, even potentially fun and, lets face it, firefighters are usually well liked!



So is there any problem reconciling these two aspects of his life? Daniel explained that there is a surprisingly good fit between the two, as difficult situations can occur in both jobs and firefighting tends to make you more confident, especially under stress. It can also help with people skills, for example engaging with people in distress.



But it also works the other way, said Daniel. My work with Lighthouse, and especially my faith in Jesus, is really important when dealing with unpleasant or even perilous situations when firefighting, for example body retrieval or dealing with bereaved relatives. My faith helps me to comfort and reassure people in those situations, and even helps in my relationship with my colleagues at the station.



Daniels his role at Cromer fire station started in quite a dramatic, and certainly demanding, way as the hottest day of 2022 occurred within a month of him joining the brigade. Fires were starting all over the county at an alarming rate because of the heat, and Norfolk Fire Service declared a state of emergency. Every appliance in the county was in use for those few days  the service even borrowed fire tenders from a local museum to transport water!



Each job can take anywhere between 30 minutes and four hours, explained Daniel, but on the hottest day last year, we started at 3am and I think finished just before midnight! One of the big jobs we had that day was spent successfully saving a house in Stibbard which was surrounded by a field fire. And of course we were wearing our thick, heavy personal protective gear in all that intense heat! You could almost say it was a baptism of fire!



Daniels lifestyle certainly keeps him busy as, with wife, Amy, they have three young children  Phoebe, Judah, and Toby. He says it helps that his boss, Lighthouse senior leader Ian Savory, is happy for him to be absent to perform his firefighting duties, as he sees it as one of the ways in which the church contributes to the community.



And what of the future? Well, Im sure God has a plan for my life, said Daniel, And at the moment, I feel that firefighting is part of that plan. Well have to see what the future holds.



The photo of Daniel Ward is courtesy of Tony Rothe.

Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in North Norfolk?

If so, e-mail tony.rothe@networknorwich.co.uk with details and, if possible a suitable picture.

Tony Rothe, 15/07/2023


Gorleston Morrisons collection for foodbank Gorleston Morrisons collection for foodbank

Morrisons in Gorleston is inviting customers to support local charity, Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank, at its food drive next week.

The collection will take place during the week commencingVolunteers will be manning the donation point at the front of store atand would be glad to talk with shoppers about the foodbank and receive donations.

Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank currently serve around 80 households per week. Last year, food banks in the Trussell Trust network (of which the Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank is a part) distributed nearly 3 million emergency food parcels across the UK, with 5,776 being distributed by Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank alone. The Trussell Trusts annual statistics also show that as an increasing number of people struggle to afford the essentials.



A food parcel is designed to last a household for three days, and typically consists of items including cereal, tinned fruit and vegetables, canned meat and fish, tea, coffee, biscuits, UHT milk, and pasta and rice. Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank also offers each recipient a listening ear and a wider range of signposting support, engaging with specialist services to support with issues such as benefits, debt, budgeting, housing, addictions and well-being.



Victoria, a parent with a child with complex health needs, said: I had a house, a job, didnt think I would need to go to a food bank ever. I sat in the car for about an hour before I went in, because I was scared. But I knew that I had to go so we could have food. People at the food bank were unbelievable. They treated me without any judgment, like a friend.



When I came home and started unpacking the bags, it felt amazing. I had sugar, tea bags, biscuits - things that were normality to us before and probably to a lot of people. But when you dont have them for God knows how long, and when someone can give them to you, you feel relieved.



Emma Revie, Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust, said: Nobody in the UK should face hunger, so I want to thank Morrisons in Gorleston, their staff and their customers, for their support. The support of Morrisons in Gorleston will help Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank to continue to provide the lifeline of emergency support for local people in crisis, while we work in the long term to build a hunger free future. Thank you so much.



Morrisons Gorleston Community Champion, Stacey Wade explained: Morrisons want to support our local needs and help to raise awareness about the Yarmouth and Magdalen foodbank's incredible work. We are delighted to be holding a special foodbank drive and encourage our wonderful customers to donate."



Anna Price, trustee of the Yarmouth and Magdalen commented: We are excited about this food drive and grateful to Morrisons Gorleston for enabling it. We depend on the generosity of local people to care and share their resources. Every tin or financial donation makes a difference to someone in need and will give hope and the offer of wider support in a time of crisis.



You can find out more or donate online by visiting their website: yarmouthmagdalen.foodbank.org.uk If you are a business or volunteer who would like to help out, please contact info@yarmouthmagdalen.foodbank.org.uk



Photo above of Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank storage courtesy of Yarmouth and Magdalen Foodbank
Manoj Viswanathan By

Express News Service

KOCHI: The fishermen unions in Kerala are planning to launch an agitation demanding to modify the guidelines for the regulation of fishing by Indian-flagged vessels in the high seas by incorporating provisions to modernise the small-scale fisheries sector.

The unions have objected to the draft guidelines alleging that it encourages private capital investment which may facilitate corporate firms to enter the sector and thus adversely affect the livelihood of traditional fishermen.

The draft notification to issue permits for fishing operations in the area beyond national jurisdiction was issued in July 2022.

The scientific committee of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) has cautioned against the over-exploitation of tuna resources. The precarious state of tuna stocks is evident from the fact that the catch of Yellowfin tuna has surpassed the maximum sustainable yield. The Centre is planning to issue permits to large factory vessels owned by corporate firms.

The guideline does not specify the number of vessels that will be provided licences to fish in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Issuing more permits will adversely impact the livelihood of traditional fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Kerala who are operating 900 vessels in the sector, said Fishermen Coordination Committee president Charles George.

The draft notification recommends a licence fee of Rs 5 lakh for vessels with a length of over 25m. The fee should be reduced by half and the number of licences should be regulated based on scientific advice, he said.

The concerns raised by small-scale fishermen are genuine and should be addressed, however, we cannot blindly oppose the move to promote fishing on high seas as large mother vessels from China, Korea and Japan are exploiting the resources, said fisheries researcher and founder vice chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) B Madhusoodana Kurup.

It is not wise to stay away from high seas fishing in the name of conservation, as it will not make any difference. The squid fishing in the Indian Ocean region grew by 830% during the past five years and the resources are mostly tapped by China. India has been a votary of international agreements on sustainable fishing like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA), the UN fish stocks agreement and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission. We should adopt sustainable practices adhering to international regulations and discourage illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, he said.

Though the Union government had introduced the Indian Marine Fisheries Bill in 2021, it was not taken forward due to which the fishing in Indias Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) continues to be unregulated, said Madhusoodana Kurup.

We should demand strong regulations to fix the number of permits based on scientific data and to set the catch quota. Besides small-scale fishermen should be empowered to undertake high sea fishing by providing training and equipment. The number of permits for big vessels should be limited to 25%. By demanding a blanket ban we are missing an opportunity, he said.

KOCHI: The fishermen unions in Kerala are planning to launch an agitation demanding to modify the guidelines for the regulation of fishing by Indian-flagged vessels in the high seas by incorporating provisions to modernise the small-scale fisheries sector. The unions have objected to the draft guidelines alleging that it encourages private capital investment which may facilitate corporate firms to enter the sector and thus adversely affect the livelihood of traditional fishermen. The draft notification to issue permits for fishing operations in the area beyond national jurisdiction was issued in July 2022. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The scientific committee of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) has cautioned against the over-exploitation of tuna resources. The precarious state of tuna stocks is evident from the fact that the catch of Yellowfin tuna has surpassed the maximum sustainable yield. The Centre is planning to issue permits to large factory vessels owned by corporate firms. The guideline does not specify the number of vessels that will be provided licences to fish in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Issuing more permits will adversely impact the livelihood of traditional fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Kerala who are operating 900 vessels in the sector, said Fishermen Coordination Committee president Charles George. The draft notification recommends a licence fee of Rs 5 lakh for vessels with a length of over 25m. The fee should be reduced by half and the number of licences should be regulated based on scientific advice, he said. The concerns raised by small-scale fishermen are genuine and should be addressed, however, we cannot blindly oppose the move to promote fishing on high seas as large mother vessels from China, Korea and Japan are exploiting the resources, said fisheries researcher and founder vice chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) B Madhusoodana Kurup. It is not wise to stay away from high seas fishing in the name of conservation, as it will not make any difference. The squid fishing in the Indian Ocean region grew by 830% during the past five years and the resources are mostly tapped by China. India has been a votary of international agreements on sustainable fishing like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA), the UN fish stocks agreement and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission. We should adopt sustainable practices adhering to international regulations and discourage illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, he said. Though the Union government had introduced the Indian Marine Fisheries Bill in 2021, it was not taken forward due to which the fishing in Indias Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) continues to be unregulated, said Madhusoodana Kurup. We should demand strong regulations to fix the number of permits based on scientific data and to set the catch quota. Besides small-scale fishermen should be empowered to undertake high sea fishing by providing training and equipment. The number of permits for big vessels should be limited to 25%. By demanding a blanket ban we are missing an opportunity, he said.
Ramashankar By

Express News Service

PATNA: Patna police booked 63 leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and 7,000-8000 unknown persons involved in attacking Patna police during the 'Vidhan Sabha march' organised by the saffron party in the state capital on Thursday.

The march was organised against the new appointment policy of teachers in government-run schools.

Additional district magistrate, Law and Order, Patna, Shashibhushan Kumar lodged an FIR against 63 BJP leaders at the Kotwali police station of the state capital.

The FIR, based on the statement given by Kumar, includes names of former union minister Ram Kripal Yadav, former deputy chief ministers Tar Kishore Prasad and Renu Devi, Aurangabad MP Sushil Kumar Singh, former Bihar ministers Nitin Nabin, Shahnawaz Hussain and Mangal Pandey.

In the application given to the station house officer (SHO) of Kotwali police station, Kumar said that he was deputed for maintaining law and order during the BJP's assembly march. He claimed that suddenly a crowd of BJP workers started raising slogans.

As per the FIR, a crowd approached Dak Bungalow, broke the barricades, and attacked the deployed police with banners and sticks. They also sprinkled chilli powder on the faces of the policemen while raising slogans.

In the meantime, some other workers got furious and started hitting the barricades with sticks and confronted the police by climbing over the barricades.

To normalise the situation, the police personnel and officials used water cannons and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd and the people who were pelting stones at the police.

During this attack, a total of 60 BJP leaders and workers were detained by the police. They were released on personal bonds.

Meanwhile, BJP has formed a four-member team to probe the use of alleged excessive force during the assembly march on Thursday.

BJP president J P Nadda has made former Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das the convener and Manoj Tiwari, Vishnu Dayal Ram and Sunita Duggal as the members of the team. The team is likely to reach Patna on Sunday.

PATNA: Patna police booked 63 leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and 7,000-8000 unknown persons involved in attacking Patna police during the 'Vidhan Sabha march' organised by the saffron party in the state capital on Thursday. The march was organised against the new appointment policy of teachers in government-run schools. Additional district magistrate, Law and Order, Patna, Shashibhushan Kumar lodged an FIR against 63 BJP leaders at the Kotwali police station of the state capital.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The FIR, based on the statement given by Kumar, includes names of former union minister Ram Kripal Yadav, former deputy chief ministers Tar Kishore Prasad and Renu Devi, Aurangabad MP Sushil Kumar Singh, former Bihar ministers Nitin Nabin, Shahnawaz Hussain and Mangal Pandey. In the application given to the station house officer (SHO) of Kotwali police station, Kumar said that he was deputed for maintaining law and order during the BJP's assembly march. He claimed that suddenly a crowd of BJP workers started raising slogans. As per the FIR, a crowd approached Dak Bungalow, broke the barricades, and attacked the deployed police with banners and sticks. They also sprinkled chilli powder on the faces of the policemen while raising slogans. In the meantime, some other workers got furious and started hitting the barricades with sticks and confronted the police by climbing over the barricades. To normalise the situation, the police personnel and officials used water cannons and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd and the people who were pelting stones at the police. During this attack, a total of 60 BJP leaders and workers were detained by the police. They were released on personal bonds. Meanwhile, BJP has formed a four-member team to probe the use of alleged excessive force during the assembly march on Thursday. BJP president J P Nadda has made former Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das the convener and Manoj Tiwari, Vishnu Dayal Ram and Sunita Duggal as the members of the team. The team is likely to reach Patna on Sunday.
By Express News Service

KOLKATA: In the backdrop of large-scale violence and a sharp drop of 16% in the vote share of the BJP in the just-concluded panchayat elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit West Bengal next month.

BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar, who returned to Kolkata on Saturday after meeting Shah in Delhi, said, Amit-ji is expected to visit the state in August and the date will depend on his schedule. He is concerned about the prevailing situation in Bengal and he wants peace to return. He wants not a single death from any party anymore.

The saffron camps Bengal chapter head said Shah is monitoring the deployment of central forces in Bengal. The central force personnel, who were deployed in the state for the rural polls, will be stationed in Bengal for some more time, he added.

Sources in the Bengal BJP said a list of strife-hit areas would be sent to the office of the Union Home Minister so that they can be added to his schedule during his Bengal visit.

ALSO READ | Lessons from the violent West Bengal panchayat poll

Shah termed the incidents in the rural polls that claimed 39 lives as bloodcurdling violence. Even bloodcurdling violence in West Bengal could not stop the BJP from putting up a stellar performance in the panchayat election. The BJP nearly doubled its seat tally from the previous election, indicating a significant rise in the trust placed by the people, he tweeted.

BJP functionaries in Bengal said Shahs remark describing the partys performance as a significant rise was compared to its tally in the 2018 rural polls.

But we received a setback in the panchayat elections comparing to our vote share in the 2021 Assembly elections. Our partys vote share came down to 22 per cent in the rural polls when we secured 38 per cent votes in the elections two years ago, said a BJP leader in Kolkata, adding, The statistics dont reflect the real picture of the loss in our grassroot-level support base as we failed to submit nominations in many seats because of the TMCs muscle flexing and the violence unleashed by the ruling party. But is is fact that we suffered significantly in the rural polls.

The leader also pointed out that the partys performance was disappointing in the constituencies of many of its MPs which is not a good sign before next years Lok Sabha elections. During his last Bengal visit, Shah said in a public rally that the BJP would bag at last 35 Lok Sabha seats in 2024 but our performance in the rural polls was not in favour of the target, he added.

KOLKATA: In the backdrop of large-scale violence and a sharp drop of 16% in the vote share of the BJP in the just-concluded panchayat elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit West Bengal next month. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar, who returned to Kolkata on Saturday after meeting Shah in Delhi, said, Amit-ji is expected to visit the state in August and the date will depend on his schedule. He is concerned about the prevailing situation in Bengal and he wants peace to return. He wants not a single death from any party anymore. The saffron camps Bengal chapter head said Shah is monitoring the deployment of central forces in Bengal. The central force personnel, who were deployed in the state for the rural polls, will be stationed in Bengal for some more time, he added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Sources in the Bengal BJP said a list of strife-hit areas would be sent to the office of the Union Home Minister so that they can be added to his schedule during his Bengal visit. ALSO READ | Lessons from the violent West Bengal panchayat poll Shah termed the incidents in the rural polls that claimed 39 lives as bloodcurdling violence. Even bloodcurdling violence in West Bengal could not stop the BJP from putting up a stellar performance in the panchayat election. The BJP nearly doubled its seat tally from the previous election, indicating a significant rise in the trust placed by the people, he tweeted. BJP functionaries in Bengal said Shahs remark describing the partys performance as a significant rise was compared to its tally in the 2018 rural polls. But we received a setback in the panchayat elections comparing to our vote share in the 2021 Assembly elections. Our partys vote share came down to 22 per cent in the rural polls when we secured 38 per cent votes in the elections two years ago, said a BJP leader in Kolkata, adding, The statistics dont reflect the real picture of the loss in our grassroot-level support base as we failed to submit nominations in many seats because of the TMCs muscle flexing and the violence unleashed by the ruling party. But is is fact that we suffered significantly in the rural polls. The leader also pointed out that the partys performance was disappointing in the constituencies of many of its MPs which is not a good sign before next years Lok Sabha elections. During his last Bengal visit, Shah said in a public rally that the BJP would bag at last 35 Lok Sabha seats in 2024 but our performance in the rural polls was not in favour of the target, he added.
Amit Mukherjee By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: In a bid to strengthen the countrys farming sector, the government on Friday released an action plan for the formation of 1,100 new Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO). The FPOs are entities collectively formed by farmers, enabling them to pool resources and improve their produce and profits.

The plan was released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the inaugural session of the day-long mega conclave Strengthening PACS (primary agricultural credit society) through FPOs, organised by the National Cooperative Development Corporation, in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Cooperation in the national capital.

In his address, the home minister said that in such a large country, where about 65 crore people are engaged in agriculture, it has become very essential to revive the cooperative movement, modernise it, bring transparency in it and aim to achieve new heights.

Shah said in the field of agriculture and rural development, every person can be made prosperous only through cooperative movements. He further said that it does not matter whether one has capital or not, but if one has the courage and passion to work hard and the ability to take oneself forward, then the cooperative movement is a great medium to make those who lack capital prosperous.

According to Shah, the Modi government has taken adequate initiatives to extend support at every level  from the production to marketing of the products  for the FPOs made through PACS. These FPOs have the highest potential to make farmers prosperous, and all associated ministries will work together with the mantra of three-pronged rural development and prosperity through PACS, FPOs and self-help groups, Shah asserted.

We have to move away from traditional methods and adopt modern methods of agriculture with time to make the countrys marginal farmers prosperous, and PACs FPO is the beginning of this, the minister added. The initiative covers economic activities based on agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries which are the backbone of the Indian economy. These three sectors make up 18 per cent of Indias GDP today, boosting them means boosting the countrys economy, he said.

NEW DELHI: In a bid to strengthen the countrys farming sector, the government on Friday released an action plan for the formation of 1,100 new Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO). The FPOs are entities collectively formed by farmers, enabling them to pool resources and improve their produce and profits. The plan was released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the inaugural session of the day-long mega conclave Strengthening PACS (primary agricultural credit society) through FPOs, organised by the National Cooperative Development Corporation, in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Cooperation in the national capital. In his address, the home minister said that in such a large country, where about 65 crore people are engaged in agriculture, it has become very essential to revive the cooperative movement, modernise it, bring transparency in it and aim to achieve new heights.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Shah said in the field of agriculture and rural development, every person can be made prosperous only through cooperative movements. He further said that it does not matter whether one has capital or not, but if one has the courage and passion to work hard and the ability to take oneself forward, then the cooperative movement is a great medium to make those who lack capital prosperous. According to Shah, the Modi government has taken adequate initiatives to extend support at every level  from the production to marketing of the products  for the FPOs made through PACS. These FPOs have the highest potential to make farmers prosperous, and all associated ministries will work together with the mantra of three-pronged rural development and prosperity through PACS, FPOs and self-help groups, Shah asserted. We have to move away from traditional methods and adopt modern methods of agriculture with time to make the countrys marginal farmers prosperous, and PACs FPO is the beginning of this, the minister added. The initiative covers economic activities based on agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries which are the backbone of the Indian economy. These three sectors make up 18 per cent of Indias GDP today, boosting them means boosting the countrys economy, he said.
Ramashankar By

Express News Service

PATNA: BJP president JP Nadda has invited LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan to attend a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in New Delhi on July 18. This has given credence to the speculation that Chirag would join the alliance.

Nadda has also invited former Bihar chief minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief patron Jitan Ram Manjhi to participate in the meeting.

Manjhi and his son Santosh Kumar Suman, HAM president, had recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah announcing their partys decision to join the NDA in principle.

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai had met Chirag for alliance talks ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election and the 2025 state assembly election. The leaders met on Saturday for tea.

After the meeting, Chirag had said that the talks for an alliance with BJP were going on and one or two more rounds of meetings would be held in this connection.

Chirag has a good command over the Paswan community, which constitutes around six per cent of the states population.

BJP is aiming to get a stronghold of Dalit votes with the support of Chirag and Manji. Dalits constitute nearly 16 per cent of the state's population. Manjhi's party claims to have the support of 5.5% votes of Dalit community.

PATNA: BJP president JP Nadda has invited LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan to attend a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in New Delhi on July 18. This has given credence to the speculation that Chirag would join the alliance. Nadda has also invited former Bihar chief minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief patron Jitan Ram Manjhi to participate in the meeting. Manjhi and his son Santosh Kumar Suman, HAM president, had recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah announcing their partys decision to join the NDA in principle. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai had met Chirag for alliance talks ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election and the 2025 state assembly election. The leaders met on Saturday for tea. After the meeting, Chirag had said that the talks for an alliance with BJP were going on and one or two more rounds of meetings would be held in this connection. Chirag has a good command over the Paswan community, which constitutes around six per cent of the states population. BJP is aiming to get a stronghold of Dalit votes with the support of Chirag and Manji. Dalits constitute nearly 16 per cent of the state's population. Manjhi's party claims to have the support of 5.5% votes of Dalit community.
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Around nine months ahead of the 2024 parliamentary polls, the ruling BJP is focusing on the Pasmanda (left out) Muslims and has devised a special outreach programme that carries forward the legacy of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, the countrys Missile Man.

In a meeting on Thursday at the party headquarters, the partys Minority Morcha under the chairmanship of Jamal Siddiqui decided to kick it off from July 27, the death anniversary of Kalam, till his birthday on October 15.

Speaking to the media, Siddiqui said the outreach, named Pasmanda Sneh Samvad Yatra with a catchy tagline Swabhiman se utthaan ki Ore(from self-respect to uplifting lives), will initially start from 13 states across north and west India where Pasmandas population is significantly high.

Our PM wants Pasmanda Muslim populations to develop and join the mainstream dedicated to development without discrimination. Our outreach, which is soon to be approved by BJP chief JP Nadda, will have wider reach among the people belonging to the Pasmanda community comprising 80 per cent of the Muslim population, he said.

NEW DELHI: Around nine months ahead of the 2024 parliamentary polls, the ruling BJP is focusing on the Pasmanda (left out) Muslims and has devised a special outreach programme that carries forward the legacy of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, the countrys Missile Man. In a meeting on Thursday at the party headquarters, the partys Minority Morcha under the chairmanship of Jamal Siddiqui decided to kick it off from July 27, the death anniversary of Kalam, till his birthday on October 15. Speaking to the media, Siddiqui said the outreach, named Pasmanda Sneh Samvad Yatra with a catchy tagline Swabhiman se utthaan ki Ore(from self-respect to uplifting lives), will initially start from 13 states across north and west India where Pasmandas population is significantly high.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Our PM wants Pasmanda Muslim populations to develop and join the mainstream dedicated to development without discrimination. Our outreach, which is soon to be approved by BJP chief JP Nadda, will have wider reach among the people belonging to the Pasmanda community comprising 80 per cent of the Muslim population, he said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the Ukrainian leadership "will keep the highest pace of international work at all levels in order to restore peace for all our land and for all our people."

"One of the most terrible things that war brings is separation We cannot leave a single one of our people, not a single city or village in Russian captivity. Wherever Russian occupation continues, violence prevails, people are humiliated," he said in a video address on Saturday.

The president expressed gratitude to "all our partners  every leader, every politician, public figure, every country who truly support us [and the fact] that only the complete liberation of our entire Ukrainian territory will allow the rules-based international order to return to its full strength."

According to Zelenskyy, "during the 15 days of July, I had negotiations, meetings, events with the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Also, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Sweden, Portugal, Spain and Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Republic of South Africa, Guinea-Bissau. NATO Secretary General [Jens] Stoltenberg, President of the European Council [Charles] Michel, President of the European Commission [Ursula] von der Leyen, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew."
By PTI

KOLKATA: The family members of ISRO scientist Anuj Nandi, who designed the camera of Chandrayaan 3, are still celebrating the launch of the spacecraft and his success with other neighbours here at Islampur, a small town in West Bengal, a day after the rocket was launched.

Nandi's 70-year-old mother who watched the launch is now praying that the equipment designed by her son works flawlessly on landing.

His cousin's wife Rinku Nandi offered puja at the local Siddeshwari Mandir in Islampur in Uttar Dinajpur district on Friday.

"We watched the entire event on television. We are happy and feel proud that someone from our family is a team member of Chandrayan-3," Rinku Nandi told PTI over the phone on Saturday.

Anuj's younger cousin said Animesh Nandi said that though he does not know much about the subject or space mission, he could only understand that his elder cousin has achieved "something very big."

Animesh's 15-year-old son Aritra was also glued to the television when the spacecraft was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 2.35 pm on Friday.

"He (Anuj) was here last month. I did not call him yesterday as it was a very important and busy day for him. I will call him later," Animesh said.

Anuj Nandi, a resident of Islampur Ashrampara, went to Ambagan Primary School and then went on to study at Islampur High School, Animesh said.

He completed his graduation in a college in district headquarters Raiganj, and did his masters in physics from Jadavpur University in Kolkata.

Animesh, who runs a medical store in Islampur, said that his cousin was earlier posted in Kolkata and then was transferred to Bangalore a few years ago.

"I am very happy that a boy from such a small place as Islampur has made it to ISRO and contributed to the Chandrayan-three project.

I am elated. This is a rare kind of happiness; I do not feel the same way often," said Bani Prasad Nag, a retired teacher at Islampur High School.

Nag, who superannuated in 2006, said he does not remember Anuj Nandi but he is pretty sure that he was in service when the ISRO scientist was a student in the school.

KOLKATA: The family members of ISRO scientist Anuj Nandi, who designed the camera of Chandrayaan 3, are still celebrating the launch of the spacecraft and his success with other neighbours here at Islampur, a small town in West Bengal, a day after the rocket was launched. Nandi's 70-year-old mother who watched the launch is now praying that the equipment designed by her son works flawlessly on landing. His cousin's wife Rinku Nandi offered puja at the local Siddeshwari Mandir in Islampur in Uttar Dinajpur district on Friday.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "We watched the entire event on television. We are happy and feel proud that someone from our family is a team member of Chandrayan-3," Rinku Nandi told PTI over the phone on Saturday. Anuj's younger cousin said Animesh Nandi said that though he does not know much about the subject or space mission, he could only understand that his elder cousin has achieved "something very big." Animesh's 15-year-old son Aritra was also glued to the television when the spacecraft was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 2.35 pm on Friday. "He (Anuj) was here last month. I did not call him yesterday as it was a very important and busy day for him. I will call him later," Animesh said. Anuj Nandi, a resident of Islampur Ashrampara, went to Ambagan Primary School and then went on to study at Islampur High School, Animesh said. He completed his graduation in a college in district headquarters Raiganj, and did his masters in physics from Jadavpur University in Kolkata. Animesh, who runs a medical store in Islampur, said that his cousin was earlier posted in Kolkata and then was transferred to Bangalore a few years ago. "I am very happy that a boy from such a small place as Islampur has made it to ISRO and contributed to the Chandrayan-three project. I am elated. This is a rare kind of happiness; I do not feel the same way often," said Bani Prasad Nag, a retired teacher at Islampur High School. Nag, who superannuated in 2006, said he does not remember Anuj Nandi but he is pretty sure that he was in service when the ISRO scientist was a student in the school.
By PTI

CALIFORNIA/ BENGALURU: The successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 got the top leadership of start-ups and big companies with Indian roots in Silicon Valley thumping their chest with pride and looking at what lies ahead for India.

Some of the top representatives of the Silicon Valley companies echoed the sentiment that the successful launch of the lunar mission signalled the emergence of India as a global leader in key areas of the technology sector.

An entrepreneur, engineer and venture capitalist Bipul Sinha who co-founded the multi-cloud data control company Rubrik headquartered in Palo Alto in Silicon Valley told PTI, "Chandrayaan is such a proud moment for India as well as every Indian origin person everywhere across the world."

He said, "The implication of Chandrayaan is not just landing on the moon, but it is the technology and inspiration that India is showing to everybody as to what the future could be. How we own the technology future and propel India into the technology future. This will be a huge catalyst for the Indian economy, Indian innovation and overall Indian diaspora across the world."

ISRO's Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3) M4 rocket carrying 'Chandrayaan-3' lifts off from the launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (Photo | PTI)

Arvind Jain, CEO of Glean AI said, "India is now part of the core innovation engine for all companies in the world. All the years of investment done in India in an amazing number of educational institutions and the number of engineers who graduate every year have resulted in India being the future of tech talent and R&D talent. My belief is that we will see a lot more startups and a lot more innovation happening. Unicorns and large multinational companies will actually be born and grow in India and then become multinationals."

Umesh Sachdev, Co-Founder and CEO of Silicon Valley-based Conversational AI company Uniphore said Chandrayaan-3 marked the coming of age of India's science and technology capabilities.

Sachdev said, "It was a big milestone from a global and Indian aerospace industry standpoint. I think what yesterday represented was the coming of age of Indian science and tech. India is not just going to be a follower or be a back office to the companies of the West and developed technologies. India can start to lead in specific industries. And the successful launch of the Chandrayaan mission on Friday is a prime example that India is leading the world in certain areas like low-cost innovation, high-impact innovation. India is showing the world in some places how the playbook can be written."

Connecting the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 to the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US, Sahil Chawla, CEO and Founder of Tsecond, a data-tech innovation startup, said "the optics are changing."

California-based Chawla said: "I think India made history in the afternoon of July 14 at a cost of less than 100 million dollars which is Rs 670 odd crores. We are going to the Moon as a country. It is a game changer for all the space sectors in the world. After Prime Minister Modi came here (US) the optics changed. Any industry, even Indian Americans are looking for new AI which is America India. It is very important that this kind of success comes in."

CALIFORNIA/ BENGALURU: The successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 got the top leadership of start-ups and big companies with Indian roots in Silicon Valley thumping their chest with pride and looking at what lies ahead for India. Some of the top representatives of the Silicon Valley companies echoed the sentiment that the successful launch of the lunar mission signalled the emergence of India as a global leader in key areas of the technology sector. An entrepreneur, engineer and venture capitalist Bipul Sinha who co-founded the multi-cloud data control company Rubrik headquartered in Palo Alto in Silicon Valley told PTI, "Chandrayaan is such a proud moment for India as well as every Indian origin person everywhere across the world."googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He said, "The implication of Chandrayaan is not just landing on the moon, but it is the technology and inspiration that India is showing to everybody as to what the future could be. How we own the technology future and propel India into the technology future. This will be a huge catalyst for the Indian economy, Indian innovation and overall Indian diaspora across the world." ISRO's Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3) M4 rocket carrying 'Chandrayaan-3' lifts off from the launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (Photo | PTI) Arvind Jain, CEO of Glean AI said, "India is now part of the core innovation engine for all companies in the world. All the years of investment done in India in an amazing number of educational institutions and the number of engineers who graduate every year have resulted in India being the future of tech talent and R&D talent. My belief is that we will see a lot more startups and a lot more innovation happening. Unicorns and large multinational companies will actually be born and grow in India and then become multinationals." Umesh Sachdev, Co-Founder and CEO of Silicon Valley-based Conversational AI company Uniphore said Chandrayaan-3 marked the coming of age of India's science and technology capabilities. Sachdev said, "It was a big milestone from a global and Indian aerospace industry standpoint. I think what yesterday represented was the coming of age of Indian science and tech. India is not just going to be a follower or be a back office to the companies of the West and developed technologies. India can start to lead in specific industries. And the successful launch of the Chandrayaan mission on Friday is a prime example that India is leading the world in certain areas like low-cost innovation, high-impact innovation. India is showing the world in some places how the playbook can be written." Connecting the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 to the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US, Sahil Chawla, CEO and Founder of Tsecond, a data-tech innovation startup, said "the optics are changing." California-based Chawla said: "I think India made history in the afternoon of July 14 at a cost of less than 100 million dollars which is Rs 670 odd crores. We are going to the Moon as a country. It is a game changer for all the space sectors in the world. After Prime Minister Modi came here (US) the optics changed. Any industry, even Indian Americans are looking for new AI which is America India. It is very important that this kind of success comes in."
By Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday hit out at the AAP for accusing the state government of being responsible for the flood-like situation in parts of Delhi, saying doing politics on natural calamities is unethical.

His remarks came after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh held the BJP-JJP Haryana government responsible for the flood-like situation in Delhi by releasing water in the Yamuna from its Hathnikund barrage.

There has been a natural calamity and it is unethical to do politics even in such a time, the chief minister said, according to a statement issued here.

Khattar is in Delhi and he met Union Urban and Housing Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and held detailed discussions on various issues related to the state. He said that the water level in the river has increased due to heavy rains and the rapid flow of rainwater from hilly areas.

Taking a jibe at CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Khattar said that it seems that Haryana has become a nightmare for Kejriwal whenever Delhi is in trouble.

Be it a pollution issue, water issue or any other, when Arvind Kejriwal fails to find any solution, he starts playing the blame game. Doing politics even on natural calamities is totally unethical, he said.

Haryana Deputy CM and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala alleged that Kejriwal has a habit of blaming neighbouring states. Arvind Kejriwal, who was born in Haryana, likes to blame Haryana for all the issues of Delhi, he said.

He advised the Delhi CM to join hands and fight this calamity together instead of playing the blame game.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh also alleged that water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryanas Yamunanagar was released only in the Yamuna canal of Delhi and not towards the east and west canals that flow to Uttar Pradesh and within Haryana.

AAP leader, Somnath Bharti, termed the flood-like situation in Delhi a BJP-made disaster.

The east and west canals that flow to Uttar Pradesh and Haryana are completely dry. The water flow has been diverted towards Delhi purposely, Bharti alleged.

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday hit out at the AAP for accusing the state government of being responsible for the flood-like situation in parts of Delhi, saying doing politics on natural calamities is unethical. His remarks came after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh held the BJP-JJP Haryana government responsible for the flood-like situation in Delhi by releasing water in the Yamuna from its Hathnikund barrage. There has been a natural calamity and it is unethical to do politics even in such a time, the chief minister said, according to a statement issued here.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Khattar is in Delhi and he met Union Urban and Housing Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and held detailed discussions on various issues related to the state. He said that the water level in the river has increased due to heavy rains and the rapid flow of rainwater from hilly areas. Taking a jibe at CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Khattar said that it seems that Haryana has become a nightmare for Kejriwal whenever Delhi is in trouble. Be it a pollution issue, water issue or any other, when Arvind Kejriwal fails to find any solution, he starts playing the blame game. Doing politics even on natural calamities is totally unethical, he said. Haryana Deputy CM and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala alleged that Kejriwal has a habit of blaming neighbouring states. Arvind Kejriwal, who was born in Haryana, likes to blame Haryana for all the issues of Delhi, he said. He advised the Delhi CM to join hands and fight this calamity together instead of playing the blame game. AAP leader Sanjay Singh also alleged that water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryanas Yamunanagar was released only in the Yamuna canal of Delhi and not towards the east and west canals that flow to Uttar Pradesh and within Haryana. AAP leader, Somnath Bharti, termed the flood-like situation in Delhi a BJP-made disaster. The east and west canals that flow to Uttar Pradesh and Haryana are completely dry. The water flow has been diverted towards Delhi purposely, Bharti alleged.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: With the death of a three-day-old lion cub of choking on Thursday, a total of four newly-born lion cubs perished at the Etawah Safari Park within a week, said officials.

Lioness Sona gave birth to five cubs last week. While the first birth took place on July 6, three others were born on July 9, and the fifth one on July 10.

According to the Etawah Safari authorities, who kept the death of the lion cubs a closely guarded secret initially, out of five cubs born, three had died by July 10.

While two cubs were stillborn and one was very weak and could not survive. The fourth one, which had taken birth along with two others on July 9, died on Thursday and now the vets were monitoring the condition of the only surviving cub.

At around 8.30 am on Thursday, the condition of the fourth cub started deteriorating. There was swelling in its stomach and the cub had difficulty in breathing too.

Doctors attending the newborn said that at 11.55 am, the body became still, said the officials while interacting with media persons after the primary probe by the directors office of the park.

Lioness Sona is also under medical observation and has gradually started eating meals. She had not been eating since her delivery. Breathing issue is stated to be the primary cause of death. A post-mortem examination will reveal further details, said officials.

According to the officials, the experts claimed that the survival of the cubs of the first pregnancy of the lioness was difficult and if the number of cubs delivered was more, the chances were even bleaker.

Meanwhile, after the first three deaths, the two surviving cubs were kept in a wooden enclosure with a barrier on all sides and mesh above to allow air to circulate, said the authorities adding that the cubs were moving inside the cot and trying to open their eyes.

However, the one born on July 10 has survived and is under medical observation. It is being fed artificially. Even the safari authorities had got in touch with experts from Gujarat over the development.

The officials also said that it was rare for a lioness to give birth to cubs over a period of four days. Lionesses take a maximum of 24 to 30 hours to give birth to cubs. There is no research available about this either. Dehradun Wildlife Institute authorities have also been contacted to study why this happened, said the official, adding, In this case, lioness Sona gave birth to five cubs in a period of 100 hours which is not common.

The Etawah safari with a perimeter of 8 km is one of the biggest in Asia. It is being established in an area of 350 hectares with a plan for a lion safari, a deer safari, an antelope safari, a bear safari, and a leopard safari.

LUCKNOW: With the death of a three-day-old lion cub of choking on Thursday, a total of four newly-born lion cubs perished at the Etawah Safari Park within a week, said officials. Lioness Sona gave birth to five cubs last week. While the first birth took place on July 6, three others were born on July 9, and the fifth one on July 10. According to the Etawah Safari authorities, who kept the death of the lion cubs a closely guarded secret initially, out of five cubs born, three had died by July 10.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); While two cubs were stillborn and one was very weak and could not survive. The fourth one, which had taken birth along with two others on July 9, died on Thursday and now the vets were monitoring the condition of the only surviving cub. At around 8.30 am on Thursday, the condition of the fourth cub started deteriorating. There was swelling in its stomach and the cub had difficulty in breathing too. Doctors attending the newborn said that at 11.55 am, the body became still, said the officials while interacting with media persons after the primary probe by the directors office of the park. Lioness Sona is also under medical observation and has gradually started eating meals. She had not been eating since her delivery. Breathing issue is stated to be the primary cause of death. A post-mortem examination will reveal further details, said officials. According to the officials, the experts claimed that the survival of the cubs of the first pregnancy of the lioness was difficult and if the number of cubs delivered was more, the chances were even bleaker. Meanwhile, after the first three deaths, the two surviving cubs were kept in a wooden enclosure with a barrier on all sides and mesh above to allow air to circulate, said the authorities adding that the cubs were moving inside the cot and trying to open their eyes. However, the one born on July 10 has survived and is under medical observation. It is being fed artificially. Even the safari authorities had got in touch with experts from Gujarat over the development. The officials also said that it was rare for a lioness to give birth to cubs over a period of four days. Lionesses take a maximum of 24 to 30 hours to give birth to cubs. There is no research available about this either. Dehradun Wildlife Institute authorities have also been contacted to study why this happened, said the official, adding, In this case, lioness Sona gave birth to five cubs in a period of 100 hours which is not common. The Etawah safari with a perimeter of 8 km is one of the biggest in Asia. It is being established in an area of 350 hectares with a plan for a lion safari, a deer safari, an antelope safari, a bear safari, and a leopard safari.
By PTI

HAMIRPUR: The water supply in Hamirpur town of Himachal Pradesh was restored on Saturday after a gap of six days amid incessant rainfall in the state, but residents claimed the water is so muddy it is unfit for drinking.

Many residents of the town also complained that they were being forced to purchase water from tanker owners at Rs 1,700 per tanker.

Officials of the Jal Shakti department said there is a possibility of water bodies getting muddy because of the torrential rain over the last few days and people should take precautions to prevent any water-borne diseases.

Superintending Engineer, Jal Shakti, Neeraj Bhogal said although the department was determined to provide clean drinking water, precautions should be taken. He advised the residents of Hamirpur district to boil water for at least 20 minutes before drinking and regularly clean water storage utensils and tanks.

Hamirpur district witnessed an outbreak of water-borne diseases in January and jaundice in June this year. The department has provided field testing kits to all gram panchayats for sampling and testing of water.

Meanwhile, officials of the Electricity Board cautioned people to stay away from electric poles and power lines to prevent accidents.

HAMIRPUR: The water supply in Hamirpur town of Himachal Pradesh was restored on Saturday after a gap of six days amid incessant rainfall in the state, but residents claimed the water is so muddy it is unfit for drinking. Many residents of the town also complained that they were being forced to purchase water from tanker owners at Rs 1,700 per tanker. Officials of the Jal Shakti department said there is a possibility of water bodies getting muddy because of the torrential rain over the last few days and people should take precautions to prevent any water-borne diseases.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Superintending Engineer, Jal Shakti, Neeraj Bhogal said although the department was determined to provide clean drinking water, precautions should be taken. He advised the residents of Hamirpur district to boil water for at least 20 minutes before drinking and regularly clean water storage utensils and tanks. Hamirpur district witnessed an outbreak of water-borne diseases in January and jaundice in June this year. The department has provided field testing kits to all gram panchayats for sampling and testing of water. Meanwhile, officials of the Electricity Board cautioned people to stay away from electric poles and power lines to prevent accidents.
Dilip Singh Kshatriya By

Express News Service

AHMEDABAD: The murder of two Dalit brothers in Gujarat is taking on political overtones. As families protested, the Gujarat Police constituted a Special Investigation Team to investigate the incident and suspended two police sub-inspectors. This is not an isolated incident in Gujarat. As many as 9,178 cases of crime against Dalits were registered in seven years since 2015, the Union government told Parliament citing a National Crime Records Bureau report.

The families of two Dalit brothers, who were allegedly killed on Wednesday by members of the Kathidarbar community in Samadhiyala village in Gujarat's Surendranagar district protested outside the hospital and claimed their bodies after more than 40 hours. This was after the police agreed to provide the family with protection in their agricultural field and during court hearings, as well as a fast-track trial in the case.

According to NCRB data provided by the Government of India in the Lok Sabha, 1010 cases of atrocities against Dalits were registered in 2015, with only 10 cases convicted; in 2016, 1322 crimes were reported, with only 22 people convicted. The conviction rate in 2015 was only 3.2 percent, but it rose to 4.6 percent in 2016. In 2017, 1477 incidences of atrocities against Dalits were reported, followed by 1426 cases in 2018, 1416 cases in 2019, 1326 cases in 2020, and 1201 cases in 2021.

Thus, according to Gujarat statistics, as many as 9,178 incidences of crime against Dalits were filed in the last seven years. Hiren Banker, spokesperson for the Gujarat Congress said, "The Gujarat government claims women's safety on one hand, but the government's own statistics show that incidents of rape of Dalit women in Gujarat have been increasing steadily for the last three years."

In 2015, there were 25 cases of attempts to commit murder, 65 cases of rape, and 51 cases of atrocities against women; in 2016, there were 32 cases of attempts to commit murder, 70 cases of rape, and 75 cases of atrocities against women; and in 2017, there were 24 cases of attempted murder, 105 cases of rape, and 63 atrocities against women. In 2018, 25 attempts to commit murder, 92 rapes, and 77 atrocities against women, 31 attempts to commit murder, 107 rapes, and 82 crimes against women in 2019, and 27 attempts to commit murder, 116 rapes, and 69 crimes against women in 2020. In 2021, there were 21 attempts to commit murder, 120 rapes, and 69 crimes against women.

Thus, 185 cases of attempts to commit murder, 675 cases of rape, and 476 cases of assault on Dalit women to outrage have been documented in the last seven years.

AHMEDABAD: The murder of two Dalit brothers in Gujarat is taking on political overtones. As families protested, the Gujarat Police constituted a Special Investigation Team to investigate the incident and suspended two police sub-inspectors. This is not an isolated incident in Gujarat. As many as 9,178 cases of crime against Dalits were registered in seven years since 2015, the Union government told Parliament citing a National Crime Records Bureau report. The families of two Dalit brothers, who were allegedly killed on Wednesday by members of the Kathidarbar community in Samadhiyala village in Gujarat's Surendranagar district protested outside the hospital and claimed their bodies after more than 40 hours. This was after the police agreed to provide the family with protection in their agricultural field and during court hearings, as well as a fast-track trial in the case. According to NCRB data provided by the Government of India in the Lok Sabha, 1010 cases of atrocities against Dalits were registered in 2015, with only 10 cases convicted; in 2016, 1322 crimes were reported, with only 22 people convicted. The conviction rate in 2015 was only 3.2 percent, but it rose to 4.6 percent in 2016. In 2017, 1477 incidences of atrocities against Dalits were reported, followed by 1426 cases in 2018, 1416 cases in 2019, 1326 cases in 2020, and 1201 cases in 2021.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Thus, according to Gujarat statistics, as many as 9,178 incidences of crime against Dalits were filed in the last seven years. Hiren Banker, spokesperson for the Gujarat Congress said, "The Gujarat government claims women's safety on one hand, but the government's own statistics show that incidents of rape of Dalit women in Gujarat have been increasing steadily for the last three years." In 2015, there were 25 cases of attempts to commit murder, 65 cases of rape, and 51 cases of atrocities against women; in 2016, there were 32 cases of attempts to commit murder, 70 cases of rape, and 75 cases of atrocities against women; and in 2017, there were 24 cases of attempted murder, 105 cases of rape, and 63 atrocities against women. In 2018, 25 attempts to commit murder, 92 rapes, and 77 atrocities against women, 31 attempts to commit murder, 107 rapes, and 82 crimes against women in 2019, and 27 attempts to commit murder, 116 rapes, and 69 crimes against women in 2020. In 2021, there were 21 attempts to commit murder, 120 rapes, and 69 crimes against women. Thus, 185 cases of attempts to commit murder, 675 cases of rape, and 476 cases of assault on Dalit women to outrage have been documented in the last seven years.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Underlining that defence cooperation remains the pillar of Indo-French ties, India and France on Friday announced the joint development of jet and helicopter engines and the construction of three Scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy.

The announcements were made after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

However, there was no word on the procurement of 26 naval variants of Rafale fighter jets. The two countries have set 'bold and ambitious' goals to strengthen the strategic cooperation over the next 25 years, PM Modi said as he concluded his two-day visit to France.

We are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our Strategic Partnership. On the strong foundation of the last 25 years, we are preparing a roadmap for the coming 25 years. We are setting bold and ambitious goals for this, Modi said in a joint press statement with French President Emmanuel Macron.

WATCH |

Modi also announced that a new Indian consulate will be opened in Marseilles. In a joint statement, Marcon highlighted the defence ties between India and France and how Indian soldiers fought for the French. He said 30,000 French students will study in India by 2030, adding that the visa process will be simplified to allow Indian students to come and study in France.

Earlier in the day, Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, Frances highest civilian and military honour, becoming the first Indian PM to receive the coveted honour. The other dignitaries who received the honour include Nelson Mandela, King Charles and Angela Merkel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and France can look at jointly manufacturing key military platforms for friendly third countries as well.

NEW DELHI: Underlining that defence cooperation remains the pillar of Indo-French ties, India and France on Friday announced the joint development of jet and helicopter engines and the construction of three Scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy. The announcements were made after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. However, there was no word on the procurement of 26 naval variants of Rafale fighter jets. The two countries have set 'bold and ambitious' goals to strengthen the strategic cooperation over the next 25 years, PM Modi said as he concluded his two-day visit to France. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); We are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our Strategic Partnership. On the strong foundation of the last 25 years, we are preparing a roadmap for the coming 25 years. We are setting bold and ambitious goals for this, Modi said in a joint press statement with French President Emmanuel Macron. WATCH | Modi also announced that a new Indian consulate will be opened in Marseilles. In a joint statement, Marcon highlighted the defence ties between India and France and how Indian soldiers fought for the French. He said 30,000 French students will study in India by 2030, adding that the visa process will be simplified to allow Indian students to come and study in France. Earlier in the day, Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, Frances highest civilian and military honour, becoming the first Indian PM to receive the coveted honour. The other dignitaries who received the honour include Nelson Mandela, King Charles and Angela Merkel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and France can look at jointly manufacturing key military platforms for friendly third countries as well.
By PTI

JAIPUR: Police in Rajasthan's Karauli have arrested the main accused in the murder of an 18-year-old Dalit girl, a senior official said on Saturday.

The woman's body was found in a well on Thursday. She was allegedly abducted and later found dead with a gunshot wound and acid burns.

According to the post-mortem report, the cause of death was the gunshot wound.

Superintendent of Police, Karauli, Mamta Gupta said the main accused in the murder of the Dalit woman has been arrested and is being interrogated. She said the woman's family members are refusing to accept the body.

Gupta had said on Friday that officials are in talks with the woman's family regarding compensation and other demands.

Meanwhile, BJP national general secretary and Rajasthan in-charge Arun Singh met the woman's family members in Karauli and targeted the Congress government over the law and order situation in the state.

P R Meena, Congress MLA from Todabhim, reached the hospital in Karauli where the woman's body has been kept and met BJP MP Kirodi Lal Meena, who is sitting on a dharna with the woman's family members.

The woman's family members are demanding strict action against the culprits and compensation.

The BJP has been targeting the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot-led government over the issue.

Members of opposition parties had raised the matter in the Rajasthan Assembly on Friday and demanded a response from the government.

Earlier today, BSP chief Mayawati lashed out at the ruling Congress government and demanded strict action against those responsible.

JAIPUR: Police in Rajasthan's Karauli have arrested the main accused in the murder of an 18-year-old Dalit girl, a senior official said on Saturday. The woman's body was found in a well on Thursday. She was allegedly abducted and later found dead with a gunshot wound and acid burns. According to the post-mortem report, the cause of death was the gunshot wound.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Superintendent of Police, Karauli, Mamta Gupta said the main accused in the murder of the Dalit woman has been arrested and is being interrogated. She said the woman's family members are refusing to accept the body. Gupta had said on Friday that officials are in talks with the woman's family regarding compensation and other demands. Meanwhile, BJP national general secretary and Rajasthan in-charge Arun Singh met the woman's family members in Karauli and targeted the Congress government over the law and order situation in the state. P R Meena, Congress MLA from Todabhim, reached the hospital in Karauli where the woman's body has been kept and met BJP MP Kirodi Lal Meena, who is sitting on a dharna with the woman's family members. The woman's family members are demanding strict action against the culprits and compensation. The BJP has been targeting the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot-led government over the issue. Members of opposition parties had raised the matter in the Rajasthan Assembly on Friday and demanded a response from the government. Earlier today, BSP chief Mayawati lashed out at the ruling Congress government and demanded strict action against those responsible.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the situation in Manipur and the European Parliament discussing it, saying he has not uttered a word on either of these.

Taking to Twitter, Gandhi said, "Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses India's internal matter. PM hasn't said a word on either!"

"Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade," he added.

Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses Indias internal matter.



PM hasnt said a word on either!



Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade.  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 15, 2023

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, who has been attacking the government over its handling of the situation in Manipur, also slammed the Centre.

Targeting the Centre, Ramesh said, "In January 1977 Richard Nelson a noted economist at Yale University published a very influential essay called The Moon and the Ghetto. It became required reading for people like me in graduate school. Nelson poses the question: why is it that a technologically dynamic America is able to land a man on the moon but is unable to meaningfully address its problems at home, especially in the inner cities."

"It is a deeply thought-provoking analysis not without its relevance to us too," the Congress leader said.

"We can go to the moon but are unable or unwilling to deal with the basic issues our people face at home. An Indian version of the Nelson essay may read, The Moon and Manipur," Ramesh added.

In January 1977 Richard Nelson a noted economist at Yale University published a very influential essay called The Moon and the Ghetto. It became required reading for people like me in graduate school. Nelson poses the question: why is it that a technologically dynamic America is  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 15, 2023

India on Thursday described as a reflection of a "colonial mindset" a resolution adopted at the European Parliament on the situation in Manipur. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said such interference in India's internal affairs is "unacceptable."

Manipur has been witnessing violent clashes, especially between the Kuki and the Meitei communities for close to two months. Opposition parties have accused the government of failing to contain the violence.

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the situation in Manipur and the European Parliament discussing it, saying he has not uttered a word on either of these. Taking to Twitter, Gandhi said, "Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses India's internal matter. PM hasn't said a word on either!" "Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade," he added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses Indias internal matter. PM hasnt said a word on either! Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade.  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 15, 2023 Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, who has been attacking the government over its handling of the situation in Manipur, also slammed the Centre. Targeting the Centre, Ramesh said, "In January 1977 Richard Nelson a noted economist at Yale University published a very influential essay called The Moon and the Ghetto. It became required reading for people like me in graduate school. Nelson poses the question: why is it that a technologically dynamic America is able to land a man on the moon but is unable to meaningfully address its problems at home, especially in the inner cities." "It is a deeply thought-provoking analysis not without its relevance to us too," the Congress leader said. "We can go to the moon but are unable or unwilling to deal with the basic issues our people face at home. An Indian version of the Nelson essay may read, The Moon and Manipur," Ramesh added. In January 1977 Richard Nelson a noted economist at Yale University published a very influential essay called The Moon and the Ghetto. It became required reading for people like me in graduate school. Nelson poses the question: why is it that a technologically dynamic America is  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 15, 2023 India on Thursday described as a reflection of a "colonial mindset" a resolution adopted at the European Parliament on the situation in Manipur. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said such interference in India's internal affairs is "unacceptable." Manipur has been witnessing violent clashes, especially between the Kuki and the Meitei communities for close to two months. Opposition parties have accused the government of failing to contain the violence.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: India has announced scholarships to Syrian students who want to study in India. Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan during his just-concluded visit to Syria also said India will soon send a consignment of cancer medicines.

During my meeting with Syrian President Dr Bashar al-Assad, we exchanged views on our bilateral cooperation. We have also announced 300 new scholarships for Syrian students who want to study in India, said Muraleedharan, who also met Syrias Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister of Health.

The Syrian president described the relations binding Syria and India as deep-rooted and hailed Indias firm objective stance on Arab issues, as well as for its stances towards the war waged against Syria. He also thanked New Delhis assistance to the country during the deadly earthquake in February.

This was the first ministerial visit from India to Syria since August 2016. In his meeting with Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous, Muraleedharan discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties, including development partnership assistance, education and capacity building.

The Syrian leadership widely appreciated Indias humanitarian support to Syria in the hour of need, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating Earthquake in February 2023.

The minister also called on His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Syriac Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and discussed the robust people-to-people ties between the two countries, especially between the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and Kerala.

NEW DELHI: India has announced scholarships to Syrian students who want to study in India. Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan during his just-concluded visit to Syria also said India will soon send a consignment of cancer medicines. During my meeting with Syrian President Dr Bashar al-Assad, we exchanged views on our bilateral cooperation. We have also announced 300 new scholarships for Syrian students who want to study in India, said Muraleedharan, who also met Syrias Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister of Health. The Syrian president described the relations binding Syria and India as deep-rooted and hailed Indias firm objective stance on Arab issues, as well as for its stances towards the war waged against Syria. He also thanked New Delhis assistance to the country during the deadly earthquake in February.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); This was the first ministerial visit from India to Syria since August 2016. In his meeting with Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous, Muraleedharan discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties, including development partnership assistance, education and capacity building. The Syrian leadership widely appreciated Indias humanitarian support to Syria in the hour of need, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating Earthquake in February 2023. The minister also called on His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Syriac Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and discussed the robust people-to-people ties between the two countries, especially between the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and Kerala.
BRUSSELS, Belgium, July 15. We have also discussed possible concrete steps that will help normalize the situation in the South Caucasus, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, told journalists, following the meeting with President of the Republic Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Trend reports.

"Our exchanges have once again been frank, honest and substantive. Our meeting was the latest in a series of intensive and productive high-level meetings involving Armenias and Azerbaijans leaders, Deputy Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers since early May, in Brussels, Chisinau, Washington, Moscow and on the bilateral border. We are going through one of the most comprehensive and vigorous stages of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. I commended the leaders for their strong commitment to the peace process and encouraged them to take further courageous steps to ensure decisive and irreversible progress on the normalisation track. And even though our meeting took place in the context of a worrying increase in tensions on the ground, I noted an important momentum in the political discussions and efforts. We discussed all issues on the agenda," he said.

Today, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels.

During the trilateral meeting, issues of delimitation of borders, continuation of negotiations on a peace treaty, opening of transport corridors, connection of Nakhchivan with the main territory of Azerbaijan, withdrawal of illegal military formations from the territory of Azerbaijan and their disarmament, as well as issues related to the facts of smuggling were discussed.

The sides also discussed the prospects of transportation of humanitarian goods intended for Karabakh from Barda-Aghdam, issues of further residence of the Armenian population of Karabakh on the basis of the sovereignty and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

At the same time, the issue of the Western Azerbaijan Community and their return to their homes was discussed during the negotiations.
Express News Service

NEW DELHI: As snakebite cases have started rising because of the rains, the ICMR is soon going to roll out a series of educational materials in Hindi, English and Odiya for medical officers in the community and public health centres due to their lack of knowledge on its treatment.

The educational material for health workers will also be published in other regional languages, especially in the states where snakebite cases are rampant.

The idea to come out with these educational materials was also to assist ASHAs, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) and other health workers to identify snake bites early, provide effective first aid, and timely referrals to the nearest healthcare facility.

The material has been jointly prepared by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRH), Mumbai.

The booklet pictorially depicts the commonly found snake species, signs and symptoms of snakebite envenomation and outlines first aid and preventive measures for the same.

We hope this material will help in high-burden areas across India and will prove effective in reducing deaths and disabilities associated with snakebite envenomation, said Dr Rahul K. Gajbhiye, Scientist D and DBT Wellcome India Alliance, clinical and public health intermediate Fellow, Head Clinical Research Department ICMR-NIRRH.

As part of our national snakebite implementation project, we developed medical officers' flow chart for snakebite treatment. Medical officers in PHC and CHC should be able to treat snakebite cases using the document, Gajbhiye told The New Indian Express.

There was a lack of appropriate IEC material on snakebite and training manual for ANMs, MPW and ASHAS so we developed these educational materials in consultation with snakebite experts, herpetologists, scientists, physicians and community health experts, he added.

ALSO READ | Orange alert issued for Uttarakhand till July 18, devastating monsoon continues

We are disseminating these educational materials from this month as snakebite cases started rising after the monsoon, he said.

It was also felt that this educational material  which also lists the identification of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, common hiding places for snakes, and symptoms - should be shared with the health workers as they are the first ones to get in contact with the victims.

But as most of them are unaware of its treatment, the chances of deaths increase.

Eight states -- Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana -- shared the burden of about 70% of snakebite deaths from 2001 to 2014.

Snakebite envenomation (SBE) is an acute, life-threatening, time-limiting, medical emergency affecting 1.8-2.7 million people with estimated 138,000 deaths annually across the globe.

India contributes an average of 58,000 deaths annually. India is one of the worlds most affected countries due to the large population engaged in agricultural activities.

It is estimated that India had 1.2 million snakebite deaths (average 58,000/year) from 2000 to 2019 which is an increase of about 8000 cases/year compared to the earlier estimated survey (2001-2003).

Gajbhiye said that the majority of the deaths occurred at home in the rural areas with half of the deaths happening between 30-69 years of age, which is a productive age.

In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) resolved to halve the global burden of snakebites by 2030.

Being a major contributor to the existing global burden of mortality, India is taking initiatives at the national and regional level to achieve the WHO target of 2030.

Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTD) leading to around 81,410 to 137,880 deaths from 1.8 million to 2.7 million cases globally.

SBE affects around 400,000 people every year causing permanent physical or psychological disabilities including blindness, amputation, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

It is estimated that in countries with a frail health system and scarcity of anti-venom, one death occurs every five minutes and four more people are disabled permanently due to SBE.

NEW DELHI: As snakebite cases have started rising because of the rains, the ICMR is soon going to roll out a series of educational materials in Hindi, English and Odiya for medical officers in the community and public health centres due to their lack of knowledge on its treatment. The educational material for health workers will also be published in other regional languages, especially in the states where snakebite cases are rampant. The idea to come out with these educational materials was also to assist ASHAs, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) and other health workers to identify snake bites early, provide effective first aid, and timely referrals to the nearest healthcare facility.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The material has been jointly prepared by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRH), Mumbai. The booklet pictorially depicts the commonly found snake species, signs and symptoms of snakebite envenomation and outlines first aid and preventive measures for the same. We hope this material will help in high-burden areas across India and will prove effective in reducing deaths and disabilities associated with snakebite envenomation, said Dr Rahul K. Gajbhiye, Scientist D and DBT Wellcome India Alliance, clinical and public health intermediate Fellow, Head Clinical Research Department ICMR-NIRRH. As part of our national snakebite implementation project, we developed medical officers' flow chart for snakebite treatment. Medical officers in PHC and CHC should be able to treat snakebite cases using the document, Gajbhiye told The New Indian Express. There was a lack of appropriate IEC material on snakebite and training manual for ANMs, MPW and ASHAS so we developed these educational materials in consultation with snakebite experts, herpetologists, scientists, physicians and community health experts, he added. ALSO READ | Orange alert issued for Uttarakhand till July 18, devastating monsoon continues We are disseminating these educational materials from this month as snakebite cases started rising after the monsoon, he said. It was also felt that this educational material  which also lists the identification of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, common hiding places for snakes, and symptoms - should be shared with the health workers as they are the first ones to get in contact with the victims. But as most of them are unaware of its treatment, the chances of deaths increase. Eight states -- Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana -- shared the burden of about 70% of snakebite deaths from 2001 to 2014. Snakebite envenomation (SBE) is an acute, life-threatening, time-limiting, medical emergency affecting 1.8-2.7 million people with estimated 138,000 deaths annually across the globe. India contributes an average of 58,000 deaths annually. India is one of the worlds most affected countries due to the large population engaged in agricultural activities. It is estimated that India had 1.2 million snakebite deaths (average 58,000/year) from 2000 to 2019 which is an increase of about 8000 cases/year compared to the earlier estimated survey (2001-2003). Gajbhiye said that the majority of the deaths occurred at home in the rural areas with half of the deaths happening between 30-69 years of age, which is a productive age. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) resolved to halve the global burden of snakebites by 2030. Being a major contributor to the existing global burden of mortality, India is taking initiatives at the national and regional level to achieve the WHO target of 2030. Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTD) leading to around 81,410 to 137,880 deaths from 1.8 million to 2.7 million cases globally. SBE affects around 400,000 people every year causing permanent physical or psychological disabilities including blindness, amputation, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It is estimated that in countries with a frail health system and scarcity of anti-venom, one death occurs every five minutes and four more people are disabled permanently due to SBE.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: A 40-year-old air passenger Furoqon Hussain, who was on an IndiGo flight from Hyderabad to the national capital on July 8, allegedly opened the cover of the emergency exit door of the aircraft during taking off, according to Delhi airport sources.

The incident happened on flight 6E 5605 and the individual was handed over to the security personnel after landing at the Delhi airport.

An FIR has been filed against the individual.

The unruly behaviour of the flyer caused panic among other passengers, crew and the pilot-in-command, the sources said.

The passenger was in seat 18A which was close to the emergency exit door.

After the incident, the cover of the emergency exit was immediately restored and the passenger was relocated to another seat in the aircraft, they added.

Query sent to IndiGo seeking comments on the incident remained unanswered.

According to safety experts, the handle of the emergency exit door has a cover which protects it from opening due to cabin pressure or any other accidental reasons.

"If the cover is removed, then the handle is bare open and it can open mid-air due to any reason and it is hazardous for the aircraft," S S Panesar, former Director of Flight Safety at erstwhile Indian Airlines, said.

A crew member from an airline told PTI that the emergency exit cover is such that it cannot open by mistake.

"You have to pull it out and it needs effort. It is only out of mischief that someone can do that," the crew member said on the condition of anonymity.

"Passengers who are allocated seats closer to the emergency exit are told categorically that they should not fiddle with the cover or handle. If any passenger does it, it is clearly out of some mischief. It comes under the definition of unruly behaviour because it endangers the aircraft," the crew member said.

The sources said that based on a complaint filed by the airline, Delhi police has registered an FIR against the individual.

The police has invoked Section 336 of the Indian Penal Code that deals with endangering the personal safety of others and Section 22 of Aircraft Rules for refusing to follow a lawful instruction given by the pilot-in-command or crew of an aircraft, they said.

NEW DELHI: A 40-year-old air passenger Furoqon Hussain, who was on an IndiGo flight from Hyderabad to the national capital on July 8, allegedly opened the cover of the emergency exit door of the aircraft during taking off, according to Delhi airport sources. The incident happened on flight 6E 5605 and the individual was handed over to the security personnel after landing at the Delhi airport. An FIR has been filed against the individual.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The unruly behaviour of the flyer caused panic among other passengers, crew and the pilot-in-command, the sources said. The passenger was in seat 18A which was close to the emergency exit door. After the incident, the cover of the emergency exit was immediately restored and the passenger was relocated to another seat in the aircraft, they added. Query sent to IndiGo seeking comments on the incident remained unanswered. According to safety experts, the handle of the emergency exit door has a cover which protects it from opening due to cabin pressure or any other accidental reasons. "If the cover is removed, then the handle is bare open and it can open mid-air due to any reason and it is hazardous for the aircraft," S S Panesar, former Director of Flight Safety at erstwhile Indian Airlines, said. A crew member from an airline told PTI that the emergency exit cover is such that it cannot open by mistake. "You have to pull it out and it needs effort. It is only out of mischief that someone can do that," the crew member said on the condition of anonymity. "Passengers who are allocated seats closer to the emergency exit are told categorically that they should not fiddle with the cover or handle. If any passenger does it, it is clearly out of some mischief. It comes under the definition of unruly behaviour because it endangers the aircraft," the crew member said. The sources said that based on a complaint filed by the airline, Delhi police has registered an FIR against the individual. The police has invoked Section 336 of the Indian Penal Code that deals with endangering the personal safety of others and Section 22 of Aircraft Rules for refusing to follow a lawful instruction given by the pilot-in-command or crew of an aircraft, they said.
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: Several Congress workers and leaders were injured allegedly in police action during their protest against the alleged irregularities in the Patwari Recruitment Exam in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal on Saturday.

The critically injured party members included newly appointed Bhopal district Congress president Monu Saxena and female worker Mahak Rana.

The incident happened when around 200 Congress workers as part of their march to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's house, tried to make their way through the barricades near the Banganga Crossing.

The protestors did not stop despite the barricades; instead, they climbed on the top of the barricades which resulted in the police using water cannon to stop them.

Due to the sudden force of water, some Congress workers fell down from the barricades, while other workers of the opposition party were injured allegedly after being pulled down by on-duty cops.

While local MLA and former MP minister PC Sharma alleged that more than 20 workers and leaders were hurt in a police lathi charge, a senior on-duty police officer denied any police cane charge and instead blamed the protestors for getting injured due to falling from the barricades after coming in contact with the sudden rush of water from the water cannon.

Visuals of the protest showed deep injuries to at least two Congress workers, including Bhopal district Congress chief Monu Saxena who sustained a deep injury in the eye and Mahak Rana.

Congress workers injured during protest against the alleged irregularities in the Patwari recruitment exam in Bhopal.

While condemning police action on the party workers in Bhopal, state Congress president Kamal Nath said, I want to say very clearly to the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government that the people of Madhya Pradesh have made up their mind to uproot the BJP government. Neither the Congress workers nor the people of Madhya Pradesh are afraid of your atrocities. Each and every worker of the Congress will continue to fight the battle to uproot the misrule with double enthusiasm.

For the last four days, the opposition Congress has been alleging major irregularities in the March-April Patwari Recruitment Exam conducted by the Employee Selection Board-ESB (formerly known as Vyapam).

The Congress has been particularly alleging scams in the recruitment test based on the declaration of the ten toppers of the exam, seven of whom had appeared in the test on different dates and different shifts at the same examination centre in a management and engineering college run by BJP MLA Sanjiv Singh Kushwah in Gwalior district.

The state Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta had recently alleged major irregularities in candidates under the disabled category, claiming that a large number of them were from one part of Morena district only.

The principal opposition party has demanded a CBI probe into the matter, even as the MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced putting an on hold appointment based on the exam results and also ordered a re-examination of results of the concerned exam centre in Gwalior district.

BHOPAL: Several Congress workers and leaders were injured allegedly in police action during their protest against the alleged irregularities in the Patwari Recruitment Exam in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal on Saturday. The critically injured party members included newly appointed Bhopal district Congress president Monu Saxena and female worker Mahak Rana. The incident happened when around 200 Congress workers as part of their march to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's house, tried to make their way through the barricades near the Banganga Crossing.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The protestors did not stop despite the barricades; instead, they climbed on the top of the barricades which resulted in the police using water cannon to stop them. Due to the sudden force of water, some Congress workers fell down from the barricades, while other workers of the opposition party were injured allegedly after being pulled down by on-duty cops. While local MLA and former MP minister PC Sharma alleged that more than 20 workers and leaders were hurt in a police lathi charge, a senior on-duty police officer denied any police cane charge and instead blamed the protestors for getting injured due to falling from the barricades after coming in contact with the sudden rush of water from the water cannon. Visuals of the protest showed deep injuries to at least two Congress workers, including Bhopal district Congress chief Monu Saxena who sustained a deep injury in the eye and Mahak Rana. Congress workers injured during protest against the alleged irregularities in the Patwari recruitment exam in Bhopal. While condemning police action on the party workers in Bhopal, state Congress president Kamal Nath said, I want to say very clearly to the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government that the people of Madhya Pradesh have made up their mind to uproot the BJP government. Neither the Congress workers nor the people of Madhya Pradesh are afraid of your atrocities. Each and every worker of the Congress will continue to fight the battle to uproot the misrule with double enthusiasm. For the last four days, the opposition Congress has been alleging major irregularities in the March-April Patwari Recruitment Exam conducted by the Employee Selection Board-ESB (formerly known as Vyapam). The Congress has been particularly alleging scams in the recruitment test based on the declaration of the ten toppers of the exam, seven of whom had appeared in the test on different dates and different shifts at the same examination centre in a management and engineering college run by BJP MLA Sanjiv Singh Kushwah in Gwalior district. The state Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta had recently alleged major irregularities in candidates under the disabled category, claiming that a large number of them were from one part of Morena district only. The principal opposition party has demanded a CBI probe into the matter, even as the MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced putting an on hold appointment based on the exam results and also ordered a re-examination of results of the concerned exam centre in Gwalior district.
Shruti Kakkar By

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who was convicted for his alleged remarks on the Modi surname has approached Supreme Court against Gujarat High Courts refusal to stay his conviction.

Gandhi was convicted in the case and was sentenced to two years in jail by a Surat Court. The imprisonment had resulted in his disqualification as an MP under the Representation of People Act on March 24, 2023.

He had approached sessions court seeking a stay on his conviction but the same was rejected on April 20. His sentence was however suspended and he was granted bail on the same day to enable him to move appeal against the conviction within 30 days.

A bench of Justice Hemant M Prachchhak while upholding the Surat sessions court verdict on July 7 said that the need of the hour was to have purity in politics and had termed the two-year jail term as just, proper and legal. He had noted that stay on conviction is not the rule but an exception to be reserved for rare cases only and that the present case did not fall into that category.

Justice 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 high courts order had said.

Declining to stay his conviction, the High Court noted that the leader had used PM Narendra Modis name in his speech at a poll rally to add sensation with an intention to affect the result of the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

The court had said that representatives of people should be men of clear antecedent. Additionally, the bench had also taken note of other complaints pending against Gandhi which also included the one filed by Vir Savarkars grandson in Pune court.

Notably, Purnesh Modi, the complainant who filed a defamation case against Gandhi for his alleged remarks on the Modi surname had also filed a caveat in Supreme Court urging the top court to also hear him in case the Congress leader decides to appeal.



ALSO READ |

'Modi surname' case: AAP backs Rahul; Kejriwal claims 'conspiracy' against non-BJP leaders

'Modi surname' case: Rahul punished for speaking truth, says Congress

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who was convicted for his alleged remarks on the Modi surname has approached Supreme Court against Gujarat High Courts refusal to stay his conviction. Gandhi was convicted in the case and was sentenced to two years in jail by a Surat Court. The imprisonment had resulted in his disqualification as an MP under the Representation of People Act on March 24, 2023. He had approached sessions court seeking a stay on his conviction but the same was rejected on April 20. His sentence was however suspended and he was granted bail on the same day to enable him to move appeal against the conviction within 30 days. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); A bench of Justice Hemant M Prachchhak while upholding the Surat sessions court verdict on July 7 said that the need of the hour was to have purity in politics and had termed the two-year jail term as just, proper and legal. He had noted that stay on conviction is not the rule but an exception to be reserved for rare cases only and that the present case did not fall into that category. Justice 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 high courts order had said. Declining to stay his conviction, the High Court noted that the leader had used PM Narendra Modis name in his speech at a poll rally to add sensation with an intention to affect the result of the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The court had said that representatives of people should be men of clear antecedent. Additionally, the bench had also taken note of other complaints pending against Gandhi which also included the one filed by Vir Savarkars grandson in Pune court. Notably, Purnesh Modi, the complainant who filed a defamation case against Gandhi for his alleged remarks on the Modi surname had also filed a caveat in Supreme Court urging the top court to also hear him in case the Congress leader decides to appeal. ALSO READ | 'Modi surname' case: AAP backs Rahul; Kejriwal claims 'conspiracy' against non-BJP leaders 'Modi surname' case: Rahul punished for speaking truth, says Congress
By Express News Service

LUCKNOW: Rampur MP/MLA court has convicted the former lawmaker Azam Khan in another hate speech case registered against him during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections campaign and sentenced him to two years imprisonment on Saturday.

The case against the Samajwadi Party stalwart Azam Khan was registered for derogatory remarks against the then Rampur district magistrate Anjaneya Kumar Singh and UP CM Yogi Adityanath in 2019 while campaigning himself as he was contesting as SP-BSP alliance candidate from Rampur parliamentary constituency.

The complaint against Khan was filed by Rampur districts assistant development officer (Panchayat) Anil Kumar Chauhan at Shahjad Nagar police station after a video clip of Azam Khans speech went viral on social media.

Notably, Azam Khan was convicted in another case of hate speech also delivered during the 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign. He was sentenced to three years in jail by an MP-MLA magistrate court on October 27, 2022. This led to his disqualification from the UP Assembly two days later.

It is pertinent to mention here that Azam Khan had contested the Assembly election of 2022 from the Rampur Sadar's seat quitting his Lok Sabha membership from Rampur parliamentary constituency resulting in the by-poll which was held in June 2022. The Samajwadi Party lost the seat to the BJPs Ghanshyam Lodhi.

However, on an appeal filed by Khan to challenge his conviction, the sessions court, designated to try parliamentarians and legislators in Rampur, overturned the conviction and acquitted the Samajwadi Party leader in the case in May, this year.

After Khans disqualification from the assembly in October 2022, a by-poll was held in the Rampur Sadar assembly seat which was wrested by BJPs Akash Saxena, the complainant in a number of 89 cases registered against Khan in different courts in Rampur and others. Saxena won the Rampur Sadar seat by defeating Khans close aide and SP candidate Asim Raja.

The acquittal from the sessions court did not help Azam Khan since he and his son Abdullah Azam Khan were also convicted and sentenced to two years in jail on February 14, 2023, by a Moradabad court in connection with a 2008 case for blocking traffic after their vehicle was stopped by the police for checking in Moradabad.

Khan was a cabinet minister in the Samajwadi Party government led by Akhilesh Yadav from 2012-2017. He was released from Sitapur district jail in May 2022 after remaining behind bars for 27 months following a bail granted to him by the Supreme Court of India in a land-grab case. He walked out of prison after receiving bail in all 81 of 89 cases lodged against him.

LUCKNOW: Rampur MP/MLA court has convicted the former lawmaker Azam Khan in another hate speech case registered against him during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections campaign and sentenced him to two years imprisonment on Saturday. The case against the Samajwadi Party stalwart Azam Khan was registered for derogatory remarks against the then Rampur district magistrate Anjaneya Kumar Singh and UP CM Yogi Adityanath in 2019 while campaigning himself as he was contesting as SP-BSP alliance candidate from Rampur parliamentary constituency. The complaint against Khan was filed by Rampur districts assistant development officer (Panchayat) Anil Kumar Chauhan at Shahjad Nagar police station after a video clip of Azam Khans speech went viral on social media. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Notably, Azam Khan was convicted in another case of hate speech also delivered during the 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign. He was sentenced to three years in jail by an MP-MLA magistrate court on October 27, 2022. This led to his disqualification from the UP Assembly two days later. It is pertinent to mention here that Azam Khan had contested the Assembly election of 2022 from the Rampur Sadar's seat quitting his Lok Sabha membership from Rampur parliamentary constituency resulting in the by-poll which was held in June 2022. The Samajwadi Party lost the seat to the BJPs Ghanshyam Lodhi. However, on an appeal filed by Khan to challenge his conviction, the sessions court, designated to try parliamentarians and legislators in Rampur, overturned the conviction and acquitted the Samajwadi Party leader in the case in May, this year. After Khans disqualification from the assembly in October 2022, a by-poll was held in the Rampur Sadar assembly seat which was wrested by BJPs Akash Saxena, the complainant in a number of 89 cases registered against Khan in different courts in Rampur and others. Saxena won the Rampur Sadar seat by defeating Khans close aide and SP candidate Asim Raja. The acquittal from the sessions court did not help Azam Khan since he and his son Abdullah Azam Khan were also convicted and sentenced to two years in jail on February 14, 2023, by a Moradabad court in connection with a 2008 case for blocking traffic after their vehicle was stopped by the police for checking in Moradabad. Khan was a cabinet minister in the Samajwadi Party government led by Akhilesh Yadav from 2012-2017. He was released from Sitapur district jail in May 2022 after remaining behind bars for 27 months following a bail granted to him by the Supreme Court of India in a land-grab case. He walked out of prison after receiving bail in all 81 of 89 cases lodged against him.
By Express News Service

LUCKNOW: Giving a big jolt to Samajwadi Party (SP) and cementing his image as a perpetual party hopper yet again, SP MLA from Ghosi assembly seat, Dara Sigh Chauhan, resigned from the UP assembly on Saturday. If the sources are to be believed, Chauhan is set to return to BJP and is likely to get a ticket from Ghosi parliamentary constituency in the 2024 general elections.

Chauhan, who was a cabinet minister in the previous Yogi Adityanath government, had switched sides to SP in January 2022 just ahead of UP assembly polls after quitting his membership. In his resignation letter, Chauhan had accused the BJP government of neglecting backward classes, the deprived, Dalits, farmers and unemployed youths. He was among the three prominent Yogi ministers including Swami Prasad Maurya and Dharam Singh Saini, who had switched over to the SP in mid-January 2022.

A leader belonging to Nonia caste, coming under Most Backward Class (MBC), from eastern UP, Chauhan was elected from the Ghosi seat in Mau district on the SPs poll symbol in 2022. However, Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana accepted his resignation on Saturday. Chauhan has not cited any reason for his sudden resignation.

Currently, the Ghosi parliament seat is held by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Atul Rai, who is a rape accused and is in jail as an undertrial. Chauhan, as Cabinet minister, held Forests, Environment and Animal Husbandry portfolios in Yogi's cabinet for five years from 2017 to 2022. He resigned from the cabinet on January 12, 2022.

Chauhan, who concentrated in east UPs Azamgarh and Varanasi divisions, had started his political career from the BSP and was sent to the Rajya Sabha in 1996 as its nominee. He then joined the SP and was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2000 as an SP candidate. He also became a member of the SPs National Executive.

Later, Chauhan returned to the BSP and became Ghosi MP in 2009. He was made leader of the BSP parliamentary party in Lok Sabah. In 2014, he contested from Ghosi as a BSP nominee but lost to the BJPs Hari Narain Rajbhar. After this, he started sending feelers to the BJP and was expelled from the BSP.

Without losing time, Chauhan switched over to the BJP in 2015. He subsequently impressed top BJP leader Amit Shah by organising a huge rally of backwards in Azamgarh. Shah was the chief guest in that rally. A few days later, Singh was appointed the national president of the BJPs OBC Morcha.

The BJP fielded Chauhan from the Madhuban constituency in Mau district in the 2017 UP Assembly polls. He won the election comfortably and was inducted as a minister in the Adityanath Cabinet. Considered to be a prominent face of the Nonia Chauhan community, Dara Singh Chauhan is believed to have an impact on around 20 Lok Sabah seats of eastern UP.

LUCKNOW: Giving a big jolt to Samajwadi Party (SP) and cementing his image as a perpetual party hopper yet again, SP MLA from Ghosi assembly seat, Dara Sigh Chauhan, resigned from the UP assembly on Saturday. If the sources are to be believed, Chauhan is set to return to BJP and is likely to get a ticket from Ghosi parliamentary constituency in the 2024 general elections. Chauhan, who was a cabinet minister in the previous Yogi Adityanath government, had switched sides to SP in January 2022 just ahead of UP assembly polls after quitting his membership. In his resignation letter, Chauhan had accused the BJP government of neglecting backward classes, the deprived, Dalits, farmers and unemployed youths. He was among the three prominent Yogi ministers including Swami Prasad Maurya and Dharam Singh Saini, who had switched over to the SP in mid-January 2022. A leader belonging to Nonia caste, coming under Most Backward Class (MBC), from eastern UP, Chauhan was elected from the Ghosi seat in Mau district on the SPs poll symbol in 2022. However, Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana accepted his resignation on Saturday. Chauhan has not cited any reason for his sudden resignation.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Currently, the Ghosi parliament seat is held by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Atul Rai, who is a rape accused and is in jail as an undertrial. Chauhan, as Cabinet minister, held Forests, Environment and Animal Husbandry portfolios in Yogi's cabinet for five years from 2017 to 2022. He resigned from the cabinet on January 12, 2022. Chauhan, who concentrated in east UPs Azamgarh and Varanasi divisions, had started his political career from the BSP and was sent to the Rajya Sabha in 1996 as its nominee. He then joined the SP and was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2000 as an SP candidate. He also became a member of the SPs National Executive. Later, Chauhan returned to the BSP and became Ghosi MP in 2009. He was made leader of the BSP parliamentary party in Lok Sabah. In 2014, he contested from Ghosi as a BSP nominee but lost to the BJPs Hari Narain Rajbhar. After this, he started sending feelers to the BJP and was expelled from the BSP. Without losing time, Chauhan switched over to the BJP in 2015. He subsequently impressed top BJP leader Amit Shah by organising a huge rally of backwards in Azamgarh. Shah was the chief guest in that rally. A few days later, Singh was appointed the national president of the BJPs OBC Morcha. The BJP fielded Chauhan from the Madhuban constituency in Mau district in the 2017 UP Assembly polls. He won the election comfortably and was inducted as a minister in the Adityanath Cabinet. Considered to be a prominent face of the Nonia Chauhan community, Dara Singh Chauhan is believed to have an impact on around 20 Lok Sabah seats of eastern UP.
By Agencies

NEW DELHI: France made several special gestures for the banquet hosted by its President Emmanuel Macron for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officials said on Saturday.

To begin with, the banquet on the occasion of Bastille Day on Friday was hosted at the Louvre Museum.

The last time the museum, home to some of the world's most famous works of art, was the venue for a banquet was in 1953 which was held in the honour of Queen Elizabeth, they said.

Generally, it gets a lot of footfall on this national day for France but was closed off for the banquet.

Here are highlights from yesterdays programmes in Paris, which include the iconic Bastille Day parade. pic.twitter.com/HmDcRSdjs1  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2023

"Even the thread for the menu had the Indian tricolour which is a deviation from their protocol because they always do French colours only," an official said.

The menu also featured specially curated vegetarian dishes, they added.

In his remarks at the banquet dinner, PM Modi said that the world has faced many ups and downs in the past 25 years but the friendship between India and France continued to grow deeper.

He also said that the two nations have prepared a roadmap for the next 25 years and that their partnership is a force for global good.

PM Modi, who was on a two-day visit to France participated in the Bastille Day celebrations on Friday.

He attended Bastille Day Parade as Guest of Honour at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron on the Champs-Elysees.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)

NEW DELHI: France made several special gestures for the banquet hosted by its President Emmanuel Macron for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officials said on Saturday. To begin with, the banquet on the occasion of Bastille Day on Friday was hosted at the Louvre Museum. The last time the museum, home to some of the world's most famous works of art, was the venue for a banquet was in 1953 which was held in the honour of Queen Elizabeth, they said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Generally, it gets a lot of footfall on this national day for France but was closed off for the banquet. Here are highlights from yesterdays programmes in Paris, which include the iconic Bastille Day parade. pic.twitter.com/HmDcRSdjs1  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2023 "Even the thread for the menu had the Indian tricolour which is a deviation from their protocol because they always do French colours only," an official said. The menu also featured specially curated vegetarian dishes, they added. In his remarks at the banquet dinner, PM Modi said that the world has faced many ups and downs in the past 25 years but the friendship between India and France continued to grow deeper. He also said that the two nations have prepared a roadmap for the next 25 years and that their partnership is a force for global good. PM Modi, who was on a two-day visit to France participated in the Bastille Day celebrations on Friday. He attended Bastille Day Parade as Guest of Honour at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron on the Champs-Elysees. (With inputs from PTI and ANI)
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in a letter to the 22nd Law Commission informed that the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was not in the nations interest and enforcing it without a genuine countrywide inter-faith consensus, especially among minorities, would violate the spirit of the Constitution and generate fear, distrust and divisive sentiments.

In a letter to the Member Secretary of the Commission by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, the party noted uniformity should not be confused with unity. India symbolises unity in diversity and not in uniformity. Only a truly federal structure can resolve our problems.

The Shiromani Akali Dal has informed the 22nd Law Commission that the#UniformCivilCode is not in the nations interest. Enforcing it without a genuine countrywide inter-faith consensus especially among minorities will violate the spirit of the Constitution and generate fear, pic.twitter.com/glT8CYmqzH July 14, 2023

The SAD chief also asked the Centre to respect the sentiments of the patriotic sikh community on UCC while urging the union government not to go ahead with the idea of a UCC.

Badal said that since no draft of the proposed UCC had been prepared and circulated by the Law Commission, it was impossible to make any tangible suggestions on the issue.

He said a concrete draft that outlines all details of the proposed legislation should be circulated among the people throughout the country so that they could give their opinions.

The issue, he argued, had already been examined in depth by the 21st Law Commission which also in its report in 2018 noted that UCC was neither necessary nor desirable.

The SAD said the Commission also observed that reforms in family laws of different communities would provide a better guarantee for securing the rights of women and children than bringing in uniform civil laws.

It also detailed how the Commission had stressed on not compromising cultural diversity or doing something that posed even a remote threat to the idea of 'unity in diversity' which will eventually pose a threat to the country's territorial integrity.

The party said in light of the observations there was nothing significant that happened after 2018 that should compel the Union government to seek the views of stakeholders afresh.

(With additional inputs from PTI)

CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in a letter to the 22nd Law Commission informed that the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was not in the nations interest and enforcing it without a genuine countrywide inter-faith consensus, especially among minorities, would violate the spirit of the Constitution and generate fear, distrust and divisive sentiments. In a letter to the Member Secretary of the Commission by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, the party noted uniformity should not be confused with unity. India symbolises unity in diversity and not in uniformity. Only a truly federal structure can resolve our problems. The Shiromani Akali Dal has informed the 22nd Law Commission that the#UniformCivilCode is not in the nations interest. Enforcing it without a genuine countrywide inter-faith consensus especially among minorities will violate the spirit of the Constitution and generate fear, pic.twitter.com/glT8CYmqzHgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); });  Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) July 14, 2023 The SAD chief also asked the Centre to respect the sentiments of the patriotic sikh community on UCC while urging the union government not to go ahead with the idea of a UCC. Badal said that since no draft of the proposed UCC had been prepared and circulated by the Law Commission, it was impossible to make any tangible suggestions on the issue. He said a concrete draft that outlines all details of the proposed legislation should be circulated among the people throughout the country so that they could give their opinions. The issue, he argued, had already been examined in depth by the 21st Law Commission which also in its report in 2018 noted that UCC was neither necessary nor desirable. The SAD said the Commission also observed that reforms in family laws of different communities would provide a better guarantee for securing the rights of women and children than bringing in uniform civil laws. It also detailed how the Commission had stressed on not compromising cultural diversity or doing something that posed even a remote threat to the idea of 'unity in diversity' which will eventually pose a threat to the country's territorial integrity. The party said in light of the observations there was nothing significant that happened after 2018 that should compel the Union government to seek the views of stakeholders afresh. (With additional inputs from PTI)
Shruti Kakkar By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Defending the early release of former Bihar MP Anand Mohan who was serving life imprisonment for lynching Gopal Ganj DM G Krishnaiah in 1994, the Bihar government has told the Supreme Court that the victims status cannot be a factor to grant or refuse remission.

The status of a victim cannot be a factor for grant or refusal of remission...the remission of the Respondent No.4 (Mohan) was considered in accordance with the policy and as per the procedure prescribed, the affidavit stated.

The affidavit has been filed in response to a plea by the victims wife Uma Krishnaiah challenging the remission granted to Mohan who was released on April 24 after 14 years in jail. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and JK Maheshwari had earlier sought a response from the Bihar government, Anand Mohan and the Centre in the plea filed by Uma Krishnaiah.

She in her plea has challenged the circular dated April 10 issued by the Bihar Home Department (Prisons) which made persons convicted for the murder of a public servant eligible for remission and Mohans subsequent release. It is a settled principle of law that the remission policy of the State framed either under CrPC or under Article 161 of the Constitution, the Judicial interference is very limited and only in rarest of rare cases, the affidavit stated.

The Bihar government said 2012 prison rules were changed on April 10 to remove the prohibition against premature release of life convicts guilty of murdering public servants after heeding to a variety of relevant factors and the fact that no such distinction existed in the similar rules which were framed by other states such as Delhi, Punjab and Haryana.

The punishment for the murder of the general public or a public servant is the same. On the one hand, the life convict prisoner guilty of murder of the general public is considered eligible for premature release and on the other hand, the life convict prisoner guilty of murder of a public servant is not eligible for consideration for premature release. The discrimination on the basis of the status of a victim was sought to be removed, the affidavit had said.

Stating the states decision has been taken on extraneous considerations, Uma in her plea said the state while releasing Mohan ignored relevant factors such as the conduct of the prisoner in the jail, and past criminal antecedents. It has also been contended that the states amendment to its remission policy according to which it did not consider the fact of Mohan being convicted for the murder of public servants on duty is contrary to public policy and amounts to demoralising the public servants. The plea sought to apply the state policy which was prevalent at the time of the offence.

Also in top court

Speakers response sought on Sena plea

A Supreme Court bench led by the CJI on Friday sought Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekars response in a petition filed by the Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) within two weeks. The petition sought to direct the Speaker to expedite his decision on the disqualification pleas pending against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and 15 other rebel Sena MLAs led by him.

Two new judges sworn in by CJI

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Friday administered oath to Telangana High Court Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Kerala High Courts S Venkatanarayana Bhatti, who were elevated as judges of the top court. Their names, recommended by the Supreme Court collegium, were cleared by the Central government on July 12, 2023. With this, the total strength of the Supreme Court has now increased to 32.

Lawyers protection from arrest extended

The Supreme Court on Friday extended till July 17 the protection from arrest granted to a woman lawyer in connection with an FIR lodged by Manipur police over alleged utterances of the members of a fact-finding mission to the strife-torn state she was part of. On July 11, SC had protected lawyer Deeksha Dwivedi from arrest in connection with the FIR over reported comments by the team members that the ethnic violence in Manipur was state-sponsored.

Adipurush makers to be heard on July 21

The Supreme Court will consider a plea of the makers of the Adipurush movie on July 21. The filmmakers plea challenges the Allahabad High Courts order asking them to personally appear before it on July 27, along with affidavits explaining their bonafide conduct. On the counsel emphasizing that the pleas are listed for July 21, the CJI agreed to ensure that the matter retains its place in the list dated July 21.

NEW DELHI: Defending the early release of former Bihar MP Anand Mohan who was serving life imprisonment for lynching Gopal Ganj DM G Krishnaiah in 1994, the Bihar government has told the Supreme Court that the victims status cannot be a factor to grant or refuse remission. The status of a victim cannot be a factor for grant or refusal of remission...the remission of the Respondent No.4 (Mohan) was considered in accordance with the policy and as per the procedure prescribed, the affidavit stated. The affidavit has been filed in response to a plea by the victims wife Uma Krishnaiah challenging the remission granted to Mohan who was released on April 24 after 14 years in jail. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and JK Maheshwari had earlier sought a response from the Bihar government, Anand Mohan and the Centre in the plea filed by Uma Krishnaiah.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); She in her plea has challenged the circular dated April 10 issued by the Bihar Home Department (Prisons) which made persons convicted for the murder of a public servant eligible for remission and Mohans subsequent release. It is a settled principle of law that the remission policy of the State framed either under CrPC or under Article 161 of the Constitution, the Judicial interference is very limited and only in rarest of rare cases, the affidavit stated. The Bihar government said 2012 prison rules were changed on April 10 to remove the prohibition against premature release of life convicts guilty of murdering public servants after heeding to a variety of relevant factors and the fact that no such distinction existed in the similar rules which were framed by other states such as Delhi, Punjab and Haryana. The punishment for the murder of the general public or a public servant is the same. On the one hand, the life convict prisoner guilty of murder of the general public is considered eligible for premature release and on the other hand, the life convict prisoner guilty of murder of a public servant is not eligible for consideration for premature release. The discrimination on the basis of the status of a victim was sought to be removed, the affidavit had said. Stating the states decision has been taken on extraneous considerations, Uma in her plea said the state while releasing Mohan ignored relevant factors such as the conduct of the prisoner in the jail, and past criminal antecedents. It has also been contended that the states amendment to its remission policy according to which it did not consider the fact of Mohan being convicted for the murder of public servants on duty is contrary to public policy and amounts to demoralising the public servants. The plea sought to apply the state policy which was prevalent at the time of the offence. Also in top court Speakers response sought on Sena plea A Supreme Court bench led by the CJI on Friday sought Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekars response in a petition filed by the Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) within two weeks. The petition sought to direct the Speaker to expedite his decision on the disqualification pleas pending against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and 15 other rebel Sena MLAs led by him. Two new judges sworn in by CJI Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Friday administered oath to Telangana High Court Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Kerala High Courts S Venkatanarayana Bhatti, who were elevated as judges of the top court. Their names, recommended by the Supreme Court collegium, were cleared by the Central government on July 12, 2023. With this, the total strength of the Supreme Court has now increased to 32. Lawyers protection from arrest extended The Supreme Court on Friday extended till July 17 the protection from arrest granted to a woman lawyer in connection with an FIR lodged by Manipur police over alleged utterances of the members of a fact-finding mission to the strife-torn state she was part of. On July 11, SC had protected lawyer Deeksha Dwivedi from arrest in connection with the FIR over reported comments by the team members that the ethnic violence in Manipur was state-sponsored. Adipurush makers to be heard on July 21 The Supreme Court will consider a plea of the makers of the Adipurush movie on July 21. The filmmakers plea challenges the Allahabad High Courts order asking them to personally appear before it on July 27, along with affidavits explaining their bonafide conduct. On the counsel emphasizing that the pleas are listed for July 21, the CJI agreed to ensure that the matter retains its place in the list dated July 21.
By Express News Service

BELAGAVI: Narayan Mali, the main accused in the murder of Jain monk Kamkumar Nandi Maharaj of Hirekodi near Belagavi, had borrowed Rs 30-40 lakh for his friends and himself from the monk, the police investigation has revealed.

Mali had borrowed Rs 5 lakh for himself and stood surety for several lakhs of loans given out to his friends, investigators said. I strongly suspect that Mali collected all the money from the monk, but did not give it to his friends. For the past few weeks, he was under intense pressure from the monk to return the money. As he did not have so much money, he decided to get rid of the monk, said the chief investigating police officer.

Before killing the monk, Mali burnt the monks dairy to destroy evidence of the money given out to his friends. We tried to find out other angles to the murder, but found that the accused decided to kill the monk following pressure from him, the police officer added.

In the meantime, the police have recovered the motorbike on which the accused had taken the body of the monk after the murder. Mali and Hasansab Dhalayat, who was Malis driver and second accused in the case, had taken the body to Katakbhavi village and dumped it in a well after cutting the body into several pieces.

DIST MINISTER VISITS MONKS ASHRAM

District in-charge minister Satish Jarkiholi visited the Kamkumar Nandi Maharajs ashram at Hirekodi on Tuesday and assured the Jain community and the devotees of the ashram that the government is taking steps to ensure a stringent punishment to the killers. He said the police acted swiftly and arrested the accused. The state police are doing a good job and there is no need for a CBI probe, he added.

BELAGAVI: Narayan Mali, the main accused in the murder of Jain monk Kamkumar Nandi Maharaj of Hirekodi near Belagavi, had borrowed Rs 30-40 lakh for his friends and himself from the monk, the police investigation has revealed. Mali had borrowed Rs 5 lakh for himself and stood surety for several lakhs of loans given out to his friends, investigators said. I strongly suspect that Mali collected all the money from the monk, but did not give it to his friends. For the past few weeks, he was under intense pressure from the monk to return the money. As he did not have so much money, he decided to get rid of the monk, said the chief investigating police officer. Before killing the monk, Mali burnt the monks dairy to destroy evidence of the money given out to his friends. We tried to find out other angles to the murder, but found that the accused decided to kill the monk following pressure from him, the police officer added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In the meantime, the police have recovered the motorbike on which the accused had taken the body of the monk after the murder. Mali and Hasansab Dhalayat, who was Malis driver and second accused in the case, had taken the body to Katakbhavi village and dumped it in a well after cutting the body into several pieces. DIST MINISTER VISITS MONKS ASHRAM District in-charge minister Satish Jarkiholi visited the Kamkumar Nandi Maharajs ashram at Hirekodi on Tuesday and assured the Jain community and the devotees of the ashram that the government is taking steps to ensure a stringent punishment to the killers. He said the police acted swiftly and arrested the accused. The state police are doing a good job and there is no need for a CBI probe, he added.
BRUSSELS, Belgium, July 15. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has held a meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels, Trend reports.

Following the meeting, President of the European Council Charles Michel has made a press statement.

Our exchanges have once again been frank, honest and substantive. Our meeting was the latest in a series of intensive and productive high-level meetings involving Armenias and Azerbaijans leaders, Deputy Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers since early May, in Brussels, Chisinau, Washington, Moscow and on the bilateral border.

We are going through one of the most comprehensive and vigorous stages of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. I commended the leaders for their strong commitment to the peace process and encouraged them to take further courageous steps to ensure decisive and irreversible progress on the normalisation track. And even though our meeting took place in the context of a worrying increase in tensions on the ground, I noted an important momentum in the political discussions and efforts," he said.

Charles Michel noted that the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders once again fully reconfirmed their respect for the other countrys territorial integrity and sovereignty, based on the understanding Armenias territory covers 29.800 km2 and Azerbaijans 86.600 km2.

"Both leaders reconfirmed their unequivocal commitment to the 1991 Almaty Declaration as a political framework for the delimitation. I welcomed the 12 July meeting of the two border commissions. Work has advanced on the statutes of these commissions and on discussions regarding the basis for delimitation. And it is very important the leaders agreed to intensify and accelerate the work of the commissions," he added.

Moreover, according to the president, on connectivity, the sides also made clear progress over the past two months in their discussions aimed at unblocking transport and economic links in the region.

"We discussed modalities of future transport arrangements which will respect the principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction and reciprocity. The construction of the railway connection should be undertaken forthwith. The EU would be ready to provide financial contribution. Some details still require clarification, but positions on this topic are now getting closer and options are being actively explored," he added.

Furthermore, President Michel noted Azerbaijans willingness to equally provide humanitarian supplies to Armenian resident of Karabakh via Aghdam.

"I see both options as important and encourage the humanitarian deliveries from both sides to ensure the needs to the population are met. I also welcomed the resumption of medical evacuations by the ICRC," he said.

The parties also agreed to remain in close contact to ensure concrete follow-up on what has been discussed today.

"Real progress depends on the next steps that will need to be taken in the near future. As a matter of priority, violence and harsh rhetoric should stop in order to provide the proper environment for peace and normalisation talks. I also reiterated my intention to invite the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders for another meeting in Brussels after the summer as well as for another pentalateral meeting, with the participation also of the leaders of France and Germany, in Granada in the margins of the next European Community Summit," President Michel concluded.
By PTI

KOZHIKODE: The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a political tool being used by the BJP to sharpen communal polarisation, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Saturday.

Uniformity does not mean equality, he stressed, while addressing a massive gathering attending a national seminar to discuss the UCC organised by the Left party here.

Yechury said, laws that are discriminatory have to be corrected in consultation with the entire community and not by imposing UCC from the top.

"Uniformity does not mean equality. The CPI(M) stands for equality like the Constitution of India stands for equality.And it's that equality that we need to fight for...that everyone of us is first a human being and then everything else follows," Yechury said.

The CPI(M) leader pointed out that the 21st Law Commission, appointed by the Modi government, had made it clear that the UCC was "neither necessary nor desirable at this stage".

Yechury said any effort to impose uniformity will tear our social fabric.

"UCC is a slogan that is meant to sharpen communal polarisation and not to actually achieve any uniformity at all...but to be used as a political tool by the BJP for sharpening communal polarisation," Yechury added.

The seminar is being held at the Calicut Trade Centre near Sarovaram Biopark.

Many associations of the Muslim community including Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama and various Christian communities are attending the event.

MPs Elamaram Kareem and Jose K Mani, members of the state cabinet like P A Mohammed Riyas, A K Saseendran and Ahmed Devarkovil, as well as various Christian priests and bishops also attended the event.

KOZHIKODE: The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a political tool being used by the BJP to sharpen communal polarisation, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Saturday. Uniformity does not mean equality, he stressed, while addressing a massive gathering attending a national seminar to discuss the UCC organised by the Left party here. Yechury said, laws that are discriminatory have to be corrected in consultation with the entire community and not by imposing UCC from the top.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Uniformity does not mean equality. The CPI(M) stands for equality like the Constitution of India stands for equality.And it's that equality that we need to fight for...that everyone of us is first a human being and then everything else follows," Yechury said. The CPI(M) leader pointed out that the 21st Law Commission, appointed by the Modi government, had made it clear that the UCC was "neither necessary nor desirable at this stage". Yechury said any effort to impose uniformity will tear our social fabric. "UCC is a slogan that is meant to sharpen communal polarisation and not to actually achieve any uniformity at all...but to be used as a political tool by the BJP for sharpening communal polarisation," Yechury added. The seminar is being held at the Calicut Trade Centre near Sarovaram Biopark. Many associations of the Muslim community including Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama and various Christian communities are attending the event. MPs Elamaram Kareem and Jose K Mani, members of the state cabinet like P A Mohammed Riyas, A K Saseendran and Ahmed Devarkovil, as well as various Christian priests and bishops also attended the event.
By PTI

MUMBAI: Of the 111 lunar missions in the last seven decades, 62 were successful, 41 failed and eight achieved partial success, according to the US space agency NASA's database on Moon missions.

India on Friday launched its third mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-3, with an aim to soft-land on the surface of Earth's only natural satellite.

A successful landing would make India the fourth country to achieve the rare feat after the United States, China and the erstwhile USSR.

According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the technically challenging soft landing on the lunar surface, which Chandrayaan-2 could not achieve, has been planned for 5.47 pm on August 23.

Former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair said the success rate of lunar missions is nearly 50 per cent because of the uncertainties when the rockets leave Earth's gravitational field.

"The influence of other planets, from the Sun, is quite a bit. A lot of radiation conditions exist in space and this leaves some equipment or components prone to failure. In India's both missions (Chandrayaan 1 and 2), we have precisely reached the moon's orbit," Nair told PTI on Friday.

ALSO READ | How Chandrayaan-3 payloads will help ISRO understand moon better

From 1958 to 2023, India as well as the US, the USSR (now Russia), Japan, the European Union, China and Israel have launched different lunar missions  from orbiters, landers and flyby (orbiting the Moon, landing on the Moon and flying by the Moon), as per the data.

The first mission to the Moon  ' Pioneer 0'  was launched by the US on August 17, 1958, though it was unsuccessful. Six more missions were launched by the USSR and the US in the same year, but all failed.

'Luna 1', launched by the USSR on January 2, 1959, achieved partial success. It was also the first 'Moon flyby' mission. The Ranger 7 mission launched in July 1964 by the US was the first to take close-up pictures of the Moon.

The first lunar soft landing and first pictures from the lunar surface came from 'Luna 9', launched by the USSR in January 1966. Five months later, in May 1966, the US successfully launched a similar mission named Surveyor-1.

The Apollo 11 mission in July 1969 was the landmark expedition through which humans stepped onto the lunar surface for the first time. The three-crewed mission was headed by Neil Amstrong.

READ MORE:

From 1958 to 1979, only the US and the USSR launched Moon missions. In these 21 years, the two countries launched 90 such space expeditions.

There was a lull in the decade that followed with no lunar missions from 1980-89. Japan, the European Union, China, India and Israel were late entrants.

Since 1990, the US, Japan, India, the European Union, China and Israel have collectively launched 21 lunar missions.

Japan launched Hiten, an orbiter mission in January 1990. This was also Japan's first Moon mission. After that, in September 2007, Japan launched Selene, another orbiter mission.

There were six lunar missions from 2000-2009  Europe (Smart-1), Japan (Selene), China (Chang'e 1), India (Chandrayaan-1) and the US (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and LCCROSS).

MUMBAI: Of the 111 lunar missions in the last seven decades, 62 were successful, 41 failed and eight achieved partial success, according to the US space agency NASA's database on Moon missions. India on Friday launched its third mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-3, with an aim to soft-land on the surface of Earth's only natural satellite. A successful landing would make India the fourth country to achieve the rare feat after the United States, China and the erstwhile USSR.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the technically challenging soft landing on the lunar surface, which Chandrayaan-2 could not achieve, has been planned for 5.47 pm on August 23. Former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair said the success rate of lunar missions is nearly 50 per cent because of the uncertainties when the rockets leave Earth's gravitational field. "The influence of other planets, from the Sun, is quite a bit. A lot of radiation conditions exist in space and this leaves some equipment or components prone to failure. In India's both missions (Chandrayaan 1 and 2), we have precisely reached the moon's orbit," Nair told PTI on Friday. ALSO READ | How Chandrayaan-3 payloads will help ISRO understand moon better From 1958 to 2023, India as well as the US, the USSR (now Russia), Japan, the European Union, China and Israel have launched different lunar missions  from orbiters, landers and flyby (orbiting the Moon, landing on the Moon and flying by the Moon), as per the data. The first mission to the Moon  ' Pioneer 0'  was launched by the US on August 17, 1958, though it was unsuccessful. Six more missions were launched by the USSR and the US in the same year, but all failed. 'Luna 1', launched by the USSR on January 2, 1959, achieved partial success. It was also the first 'Moon flyby' mission. The Ranger 7 mission launched in July 1964 by the US was the first to take close-up pictures of the Moon. The first lunar soft landing and first pictures from the lunar surface came from 'Luna 9', launched by the USSR in January 1966. Five months later, in May 1966, the US successfully launched a similar mission named Surveyor-1. The Apollo 11 mission in July 1969 was the landmark expedition through which humans stepped onto the lunar surface for the first time. The three-crewed mission was headed by Neil Amstrong. READ MORE: Rocket Ritu: Woman scientist leading ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 mission Meet P Veeramuthuvel, the Tamil scientist behind India's Chandrayaan-3 mission As Chandrayaan goes for moon ride on Bahubali, private players join party From 1958 to 1979, only the US and the USSR launched Moon missions. In these 21 years, the two countries launched 90 such space expeditions. There was a lull in the decade that followed with no lunar missions from 1980-89. Japan, the European Union, China, India and Israel were late entrants. Since 1990, the US, Japan, India, the European Union, China and Israel have collectively launched 21 lunar missions. Japan launched Hiten, an orbiter mission in January 1990. This was also Japan's first Moon mission. After that, in September 2007, Japan launched Selene, another orbiter mission. There were six lunar missions from 2000-2009  Europe (Smart-1), Japan (Selene), China (Chang'e 1), India (Chandrayaan-1) and the US (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and LCCROSS).
By PTI

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka would want to see the Indian rupee used as much as the US dollar, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said, days ahead of his first official visit to New Delhi.

Wickremesinghe, also the cash-strapped country's finance minister, made this remark while addressing the Indian CEO Forum here this week.

"Just as East Asia, including countries like Japan, Korea and China, witnessed significant growth 75 years ago, it is now India's turn, along with the Indian Ocean region," Wickremesinghe said.

Wickremesinghe is expected to visit New Delhi next week, his first since becoming president a year ago amidst unprecedented economic and political turmoil in the island nation.

Wickremesinghe's comments were in response to the chair of the Forum, T S Prakash, who in his address had called for the enhanced use of the Indian rupee in the Sri Lankan economy.

"It makes no difference to us if India (the Indian rupee) becomes a common currency. We will have to figure out how to go about it. We must become more open to the outside world," Wickremesinghe said.

"The world is evolving and India is undergoing rapid development, particularly under Prime Minister Modi's leadership," he added.

He also said that Sri Lanka benefits from its proximity to India, coupled with a rich history, cultural heritage and longstanding trading relationships spanning 2,500 years, The Daily Mirror newspaper quoted him as saying.

Wickremesinghe has steered the island nation out of the economic crisis and said the economy is recovering despite its slowness.

"Once we complete debt restructuring our focus will shift towards a comprehensive growth agenda. This entails a massive overhaul of our economy, legal framework and systems aligning our path with that of India," he said.

Wickremesinghe The 74-year-old Sri Lankan politician was elected through parliament to fill in the rest of the term of the ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka-India relationship history points to that it was unusual that Wickremesinghe's tour to Delhi had taken a year to happen, analysts noted.

India had thrown a lifeline to the last days of the Rajapaksa presidency with an economic assistance package that amounted to 4 billion dollars.

Sri Lanka used the Indian credit lines to import essentials and fuel as the country was gripped in forex shortages which triggered massive street protests.

Meanwhile, the High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka Gopal Bagle who was at the July 13 event, said that the Indian government and the Indian business community have helped the island nation in recuperating from the last year's financial crisis.

"Even during the initial crisis, Indian businessmen began doing business in Sri Lanka to demonstrate to the rest of the world that the country's financial status is stable," Bagle was quoted as saying by the Sri Lankan media.

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka would want to see the Indian rupee used as much as the US dollar, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said, days ahead of his first official visit to New Delhi. Wickremesinghe, also the cash-strapped country's finance minister, made this remark while addressing the Indian CEO Forum here this week. "Just as East Asia, including countries like Japan, Korea and China, witnessed significant growth 75 years ago, it is now India's turn, along with the Indian Ocean region," Wickremesinghe said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Wickremesinghe is expected to visit New Delhi next week, his first since becoming president a year ago amidst unprecedented economic and political turmoil in the island nation. Wickremesinghe's comments were in response to the chair of the Forum, T S Prakash, who in his address had called for the enhanced use of the Indian rupee in the Sri Lankan economy. "It makes no difference to us if India (the Indian rupee) becomes a common currency. We will have to figure out how to go about it. We must become more open to the outside world," Wickremesinghe said. "The world is evolving and India is undergoing rapid development, particularly under Prime Minister Modi's leadership," he added. He also said that Sri Lanka benefits from its proximity to India, coupled with a rich history, cultural heritage and longstanding trading relationships spanning 2,500 years, The Daily Mirror newspaper quoted him as saying. Wickremesinghe has steered the island nation out of the economic crisis and said the economy is recovering despite its slowness. "Once we complete debt restructuring our focus will shift towards a comprehensive growth agenda. This entails a massive overhaul of our economy, legal framework and systems aligning our path with that of India," he said. Wickremesinghe The 74-year-old Sri Lankan politician was elected through parliament to fill in the rest of the term of the ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Sri Lanka-India relationship history points to that it was unusual that Wickremesinghe's tour to Delhi had taken a year to happen, analysts noted. India had thrown a lifeline to the last days of the Rajapaksa presidency with an economic assistance package that amounted to 4 billion dollars. Sri Lanka used the Indian credit lines to import essentials and fuel as the country was gripped in forex shortages which triggered massive street protests. Meanwhile, the High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka Gopal Bagle who was at the July 13 event, said that the Indian government and the Indian business community have helped the island nation in recuperating from the last year's financial crisis. "Even during the initial crisis, Indian businessmen began doing business in Sri Lanka to demonstrate to the rest of the world that the country's financial status is stable," Bagle was quoted as saying by the Sri Lankan media.
By Associated Press

MEXICO CITY: Central America is experiencing a wave of unrest that is remarkable even for a region whose history is riddled with turbulence.

The most recent example is political upheaval in Guatemala as the country heads for a runoff presidential election in August. A look at various events roiling Central American countries:

Guatemala

Guatemala is locked in the most troubled presidential election in the country's recent history.

The first round of elections in June ended with a surprise twist when little-known progressive candidate Bernardo Arevalo of the Seed Movement party pulled ahead as a front-runner.

Now headed to an August runoff election with conservative candidate and top vote-getter Sandra Torres, Arevalo has thus far managed to survive judicial attacks and attempts by Guatemala's political establishment to disqualify his party.

It comes after other moves by the country's government to manage the election, including banning several candidates before the first-round vote.

While not entirely unprecedented in a country known for high levels of corruption, American officials call the latest escalation a threat to the country's democracy.

El Salvador

El Salvador has been radically transformed in the past few years with the entrance of populist millennial President Nayib Bukele.

One year ago, Bukele entered an all-out war with the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatruchas, or MS-13, gangs. He suspended constitutional rights and threw 1 in every 100 people in the country into prisons that have fueled allegations of mass human rights abuses.

The sharp dip in violence that followed Bukele's actions, combined with an elaborate propaganda machine, has ignited a pro-Bukele populist fervour across the region, with other governments trying to mimic the Bitcoin-pushing leader.

At the same time, Bukele has announced he will run for reelection in February next year despite the constitution prohibiting it. He has also made moves that observers warn are gradually dismantling the nation's democracy.

FILE - Men who were detained under the state of emergency are transported in a cargo truck, in Soyapango, El Salvador, Oct 7, 2022. (Photo | AP)

Nicaragua

President Daniel Ortega is in an all-out crackdown on dissent.

For years, regional watchdogs and the US government raised alarms that democracy was eroding under the leader of the Sandinista National Liberation Front. That came to a head in 2018 when Ortega's government began a violent crackdown on protests.

Most recently, Ortega forced hundreds of opposition figures into exile, stripping them of their citizenship, seizing their properties and declaring them "traitors of the homeland."

Nicaragua has thrown out aid groups such as the Red Cross and a yearslong crackdown on the Catholic Church has forced the Vatican to close its embassy. The tightening chokehold on the country has prompted many Nicaraguans to flee their country and seek asylum in Costa Rica or the US.

Honduras

President Xiomara Castro took office last year as the first female president of Honduras, winning on a message of tackling corruption, inequality and poverty. The wife of former President Manuel Zelaya, who was ousted in a military coup, won a landslide victory.

But her popularity has dipped as many of her promises for change have gone unfulfilled. At the same time, the government has sought to mimic neighbouring El Salvador's crackdown on gangs, responding fiercely to a grisly massacre in a women's prison in June.

Panama

Panama is headed into presidential elections in May, with simmering frustration at economic woes, corruption and insecurity acting as a potential harbinger for change. Any shift could have global significance due to Panama's status as a financial hub.

The nation has also become the epicentre of a steady flow of migration through the perilous jungles of the Darien Gap running along the Colombia-Panama border.

FILE - Migrants line up to take a boat after walking across the Darien Gap from Colombia, in Bajo Chiquito, Panama, May 7, 2023. (Photo | AP)

Costa Rica

Once known as the land of "pura vida" and mild politics compared to the surrounding region, Costa Rica has seen rising bloodshed that threatens to tarnish the country's reputation as a secure haven.

Homicides have soared as the nation has become a base for drug traffickers.

President Rodrigo Chavez, who took office last year, has promised more police on the street and tougher laws to take on the uptick in crime. At the same time, a migratory flight from Nicaragua has overwhelmed the country, which is known as one of the world's great refuges for people fleeing persecution. The government has since tightened its asylum laws.

Belize

Belize is often seen as a place of relative calm in a region that is anything but. A former British colony named British Honduras, Belize's government system is still tightly tethered to the country. But Prime Minister Johnny Briceno has sought to distance his nation from the monarchy.

The nation is also one of the few in the Americas that maintains formal ties with Taiwan amid a broad effort by China to pull support away from the island country by funnelling money into Central America.

MEXICO CITY: Central America is experiencing a wave of unrest that is remarkable even for a region whose history is riddled with turbulence. The most recent example is political upheaval in Guatemala as the country heads for a runoff presidential election in August. A look at various events roiling Central American countries: Guatemalagoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Guatemala is locked in the most troubled presidential election in the country's recent history. The first round of elections in June ended with a surprise twist when little-known progressive candidate Bernardo Arevalo of the Seed Movement party pulled ahead as a front-runner. Now headed to an August runoff election with conservative candidate and top vote-getter Sandra Torres, Arevalo has thus far managed to survive judicial attacks and attempts by Guatemala's political establishment to disqualify his party. It comes after other moves by the country's government to manage the election, including banning several candidates before the first-round vote. While not entirely unprecedented in a country known for high levels of corruption, American officials call the latest escalation a threat to the country's democracy. El Salvador El Salvador has been radically transformed in the past few years with the entrance of populist millennial President Nayib Bukele. One year ago, Bukele entered an all-out war with the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatruchas, or MS-13, gangs. He suspended constitutional rights and threw 1 in every 100 people in the country into prisons that have fueled allegations of mass human rights abuses. The sharp dip in violence that followed Bukele's actions, combined with an elaborate propaganda machine, has ignited a pro-Bukele populist fervour across the region, with other governments trying to mimic the Bitcoin-pushing leader. At the same time, Bukele has announced he will run for reelection in February next year despite the constitution prohibiting it. He has also made moves that observers warn are gradually dismantling the nation's democracy. FILE - Men who were detained under the state of emergency are transported in a cargo truck, in Soyapango, El Salvador, Oct 7, 2022. (Photo | AP) Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega is in an all-out crackdown on dissent. For years, regional watchdogs and the US government raised alarms that democracy was eroding under the leader of the Sandinista National Liberation Front. That came to a head in 2018 when Ortega's government began a violent crackdown on protests. Most recently, Ortega forced hundreds of opposition figures into exile, stripping them of their citizenship, seizing their properties and declaring them "traitors of the homeland." Nicaragua has thrown out aid groups such as the Red Cross and a yearslong crackdown on the Catholic Church has forced the Vatican to close its embassy. The tightening chokehold on the country has prompted many Nicaraguans to flee their country and seek asylum in Costa Rica or the US. Honduras President Xiomara Castro took office last year as the first female president of Honduras, winning on a message of tackling corruption, inequality and poverty. The wife of former President Manuel Zelaya, who was ousted in a military coup, won a landslide victory. But her popularity has dipped as many of her promises for change have gone unfulfilled. At the same time, the government has sought to mimic neighbouring El Salvador's crackdown on gangs, responding fiercely to a grisly massacre in a women's prison in June. Panama Panama is headed into presidential elections in May, with simmering frustration at economic woes, corruption and insecurity acting as a potential harbinger for change. Any shift could have global significance due to Panama's status as a financial hub. The nation has also become the epicentre of a steady flow of migration through the perilous jungles of the Darien Gap running along the Colombia-Panama border. FILE - Migrants line up to take a boat after walking across the Darien Gap from Colombia, in Bajo Chiquito, Panama, May 7, 2023. (Photo | AP) Costa Rica Once known as the land of "pura vida" and mild politics compared to the surrounding region, Costa Rica has seen rising bloodshed that threatens to tarnish the country's reputation as a secure haven. Homicides have soared as the nation has become a base for drug traffickers. President Rodrigo Chavez, who took office last year, has promised more police on the street and tougher laws to take on the uptick in crime. At the same time, a migratory flight from Nicaragua has overwhelmed the country, which is known as one of the world's great refuges for people fleeing persecution. The government has since tightened its asylum laws. Belize Belize is often seen as a place of relative calm in a region that is anything but. A former British colony named British Honduras, Belize's government system is still tightly tethered to the country. But Prime Minister Johnny Briceno has sought to distance his nation from the monarchy. The nation is also one of the few in the Americas that maintains formal ties with Taiwan amid a broad effort by China to pull support away from the island country by funnelling money into Central America.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the prevention of the coup attempt in Turkiye, Trend reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

My dear Brother,

On the seventh anniversary of the July 15 events in Turkiye, we respectfully revere the dear memory of our martyrs who sacrificed their lives to prevent the coup d'etat attempt.

This treacherous plan directed against the Republic of Turkiye was a difficult test in the history of your country. The people of Turkiye, who came out of this test with the heads high, once again clearly demonstrated to the whole world the indomitability of their resolve, determination, loyalty to statehood and democracy. Thanks to the determination of the Turkish people and state, who stood shoulder to shoulder on that difficult day, the victory achieved at the cost of the blood and lives of our martyrs confirmed the incomparable spirit of struggle and invincibility of your people and their love for the Motherland. The Democracy and National Unity Day established as a symbol of solidarity and national unity will remain a day of great honor in the history of Turkish statehood.

It is beyond doubt that when the real epic of heroism was written on that day as a clear manifestation of the immense faith and trust in you, the brotherly people of Turkiye rallied around you and immediately responded to your call, saving your country from great tragedies by putting an insurmountable shield against treacherous intentions.

The people and state of Azerbaijan stood by the brotherly state and people of Turkiye from the first moments of this struggle and unequivocally condemned the traitors of the country who attacked the country's constitutional structure and legitimate authority. We shared in the victory of the Turkish people, who emerged stronger from those events, as our own victory, their joy as our own joy, and their sadness as our own sadness, and we once again clearly proved that we are one nation and two states.

I am sure that we will continue our joint efforts for the sake of preserving and bequeathing to future generations the indestructible Azerbaijan-Turkiye brotherhood, unity and solidarity, which is our greatest asset, and for our comprehensively developing and strengthening strategic alliance.

Dear Mr. President, I wish you good health and continued success in your work, and peace and prosperity to the brotherly people of Turkiye," the letter said.
US FDA okays 1st over-the-counter birth control pill

Washington, July 14: The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first birth control pill to be sold without a prescription in the country.A .

US FDA okays 1st over-the-counter birth control pill

The drug Opill contains one hormone progestin, and is taken daily. It was first approved by the FDA as a prescription in 1973.It provides an option for consumers to purchase oral contraceptive medicine without a prescription at drug stores, convenience stores and grocery stores, as well as online.Availability of nonprescription Opill may help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and their potential negative impacts.Today's approval marks the first time a nonprescription daily oral contraceptive will be an available option for millions of people in the US, said Patrizia Cavazzoni, MD, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in a statement.When used as directed, daily oral contraception is safe and is expected to be more effective than currently available non-prescription contraceptive methods in preventing unintended pregnancy, Cavazzoni added.Opill was found to be 93 per cent effective in preventing pregnancy with typical use, similar to prescription oral contraceptives, but must be taken at the same time every day.The pill comes amid advocacy groups' fight for women's reproductive rights in the US, and working to expand contraceptive access in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning the abortion-rights ruling Roe v. Wade in 2022.This is a monumental decision, Dr Melissa Simon, a professor of clinical gynaecology at Northwestern University, was quoted as saying by NBC news.OTC birth control is available in over 100 countries, so we've been behind in availing safe, effective methods such as this oral contraceptive pill to individuals who are trying to avoid pregnancy, she added.The FDA also cited the side effects of Opill which include irregular bleeding, headaches, dizziness, nausea, increased appetite, abdominal pain, cramps or bloating.IANS14 July 2023

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Indian students pursuing Masters in France to get 5-year work visa: PM Modi

New Delhi, July 14: Indian students pursuing a Master's degree in France will now be given a five-year long-term post-study visa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced.

Indian students pursuing Masters in France to get 5-year work visa: PM Modi

Modi, who is on an official visit to France at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron, made the announcement during his address to the Indian community at LA Seine Musicale in Paris on Thursday.The last time I came to France, it was decided that Indian students studying in France would be given a two-year post-study work visa. Now, it has been decided that Indian students pursuing Masters in France will be given a long-term post-study visa of five years, he said.During his address, the Prime Minister also highlighted the contribution of the Indian community in France, who form a strong foundation of the India-France partnership.Approximately 65,000 immigrants from India currently reside in France.Around 2.7 million students enroll for French higher education, 14 per cent of whom are foreign students, according to a French embassy data.France is especially popular for its management programmes with over 70 per cent of Indian students enrolled in them.According to the latest official data collected post-Covid, there were around 6,000 Indian students in France in the 2021-2022 academic year.IANS14 July 2023

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Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll avoid crash at British Grand Prix

Nottingham, July 13: F1 drivers rarely see eye to eye over their crashes and that appeared to be the case for Pierre Gasly and Lance Stroll after the pair's coming together at Silverstone, which saw Gasly retire from the race.

Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll avoid crash at British Grand Prix

According to a press release by Formula 1, Stroll was already in Gasly's bad books after the Frenchman felt that he'd been overtaken by the Aston Martin when Stroll was off the track at Stowe corner - although the stewards investigated and ruled no further action.However, a few laps later, Stroll and Gasly came together at the Vale chicane, the impact damaging Gasly's right-rear suspension and forcing him into retirement.Pierre Gasly said, We got passed by Lance off the racetrack but apparently it was fine. I managed to pass him back and Carlos as well, and in the end we were taken out of the race.So I'm just extremely disappointed obviously. We're not fighting for big points but still, it would be a small reward. It just feels like all the job and hard work we're doing is ruined, so extremely disappointed right now.With Stroll handed a five-second penalty for the incident, Gasly was asked whether he felt that was a just punishment for his adversary.Gasly said, It doesn't change my race. What do you want me to tell you? I'm here talking to you, I didn't finish the race so. I got a 10-second penalty last week five hours after the race. Now he's taking me out of the race and gets a five-second penalty.That's racing nowadays. I'll race him how I want to race in the future and make sure we score points next time.Lance Stroll said, I got pushed off the track both times. So pretty simple for me. Both times I went by him, he gave me no room.Stroll would eventually be classified in P14, while Gasly's failure to score was compounded by Esteban Ocon retiring from the race on Lap 9 - marking the third time Alpine have failed to score on a weekend this year.ANI14 July 2023

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On Day 2 of France visit, PM Modi to attend Bastille Day celebrationsA

Paris, July 14: PM Modi, who arrived in Paris on Thursday, will join French President Emmanuel Macron for the French National Day celebration in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

On Day 2 of France visit, PM Modi to attend Bastille Day celebrationsA

This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries.Taking to Twitter, Macron said, "India and France are celebrating 25 years of strategic partnership made of trust and friendship, which are only getting stronger with time. Dear @NarendraModi, welcome to Paris."An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, while three Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jets, as part of the military contingent, are also set to participate in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees, Paris.AThe 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 Bastille Day Parade will have about 6,300 soldiers in various marching contingents. This includes a tri-services contingent of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The Indian Army is being represented by the Punjab Regiment. The troops of the Regiment have participated in both World Wars, having been awarded 18 Battle and Theatre Honours in the first war.The Punjab Regiment participated in an offensive near Neuve Chapelle in France in September 1915 during World War One. The regiment also won 16 Battle Honours and 14 Theatre Honours in the Second World War.Earlier, the Ministry of Defence, in a press release, stated, "The Indian Army contingent comprising of 77 marching personnel and 38 members of the Band is being led by Captain Aman Jagtap. Indian Navy contingent is being led by Commander Vrat Baghel and the Indian Air Force contingent is by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy. The Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force will also form part of the flypast during the parade."It added, "The Army contingent is being represented by the Punjab Regiment which is one of the oldest Regiments of the Indian Army. The troops of the Regiment have participated in both the World Wars as well as the post-independence operations."PM Modi's visit is expected to herald the next phase in the India-France Strategic Partnership by setting new and ambitious goals for our strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, and economic cooperation, including in a wide range of industries, the official statement read.ANI14 July 2023

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PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen move to quarter-finals of US Open badmintonA

Iowa, July 14: India's star shuttlers PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen moved to the quarter-finals of the US Open 2023 BWF Super 300 tournament here on Thursday.A .

PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen move to quarter-finals of US Open badmintonA

Sindhu defeated Sung Shuo Yun of the Chinese Taipei with ease in two straight sets, 21-14, 21-12, in the round of 16 of women's singles.While, Lakshya beat the Czech Republic's Jan Louda 21-8, 23-21 in his men's singles second-round match, as per Olympics.com.World No 12, Sindhu started slow but found her rhythm as the match progressed. The Indian badminton player quickly took the lead of 13-5 and sent Sung Shuo Yun on the back foot.AThe Chinese Taipei shuttler had no answers to the brilliant play of Sindhu who wrapped up the first game and took the lead.In the second game, PV Sindhu and Sung Shuo Yun went toe-to-toe early on with both shuttlers looking to seize control of the encounter. As the match progressed, Sung Shuo Yun was unable to match PV Sindhu's intensity as the Indian pulled away for a healthy lead. PV Sindhu won five consecutive points to seal the match in 37 minutes.Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu will go up against Gao Fang Jie of the People's Republic of China next in the last eight. The Indian holds a 1-3 head-to-head record against the Chinese shuttler.Earlier in the day, Lakshya Sen, seeded third in the tournament, found his momentum early on and comfortably pocketed the first game.The second game proved a far bigger challenge as Lakshya Sen trailed Jan Louda 19-14. The Indian badminton player rallied back to level the scores at 19-all. In what was a thrilling finish to the match, Lakshya Sen held his nerve and eventually clinched the 39-minute encounter.In the quarter-finals, Commonwealth Games 2022 champion Lakshya Sen will face compatriot S Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian, who defeated Israel's Misha Zilberman 21-18, 21-23, 21-13..AANI14 July 2023

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aWe will parade at same place our ancestors dida: Indian Armys Punjab Regiment gears up for Bastille Day military parade

Paris, July 14: An Indian tri-services contingent, led by the Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army, gathered at the Champs-Elysees Avenue on Friday, ahead of the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France.A .

aWe will parade at same place our ancestors dida: Indian Army's Punjab Regiment gears up for Bastille Day military parade

Preparations are underway for the Bastille Day Parade, which commemoratesA the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison, an ancient royal fortress in 1789 during the French Revolution.Meanwhile, security has also been beefed up.French security forces are seen checking the cars and buses ahead of the parade.Earlier, on Wednesday, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced the adoption of an exceptional security plan for the French national holiday, which will be placed under heavy police surveillance due to a "particular environment (...) of violence," Le Monde reported.ANo fewer than 130,000 members of law enforcement will be mobilised across the country on Thursday and Friday, "including 45,000 each evening, equipped and organized (...) for urban violence", the minister said.ATheA Punjab Regiment will be led by Captain Aman Jagtap. The Indian Navy contingent is being led by Commander Vrat Baghel while the Indian Air Force contingent is by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy.AExpressing his happiness over being part of the Bastille Day parade, Captain Aman Jagtap, 23rd Battalion, Punjab Regiment, Longewala, who will command the Indian contingent at the Bastille Day Parade, said, "It is a proud and historic moment. After 107 years, we will parade at the same place where the ancestors of my Regiment did. For my troop and me, it is a matter of pride for me...It is not every day that someone gets to parade before one's PM in a foreign land. It is a huge and rare opportunity for us."This year the Bastille Day Parade will have about 6,300 soldiers in various marching contingents. This includes a tri-services contingent of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The Punjab Regiment participated in both World Wars, having been awarded 18 Battle and Theatre Honours in the first war.Meanwhile, Subedar Satinder Pal Singh from the Punjab Regiment, said, "The troops are full of vigour. We are ready to march. Our 'josh' and morale is high. Our ancestors sacrificed themselves for this land. Now we are here."Indian Navy's contingent is also set to participate in the Bastille Day Parade.ARanveer, an officer of the Indian Navy, told ANI, "Our contingent is brimming with anticipation and enthusiasm. From the parade, you will get a sense of the preparations that went into it. We have been preparing (for the parade) for the last one month. However, all stage rehearsals are over and we are all set for the march today. We are very proud that the PM is here and that our contingent is taking part in the Bastille Day Parade."Earlier, the Ministry of Defence, in a press release, stated, "The Indian Army contingent comprising of 77 marching personnel and 38 members of the Band is being led by Captain Aman Jagtap. Indian Navy contingent is being led by Commander Vrat Baghel and the Indian Air Force contingent is by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy. The Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force will also form part of the flypast during the parade."It added, "The Army contingent is being represented by the Punjab Regiment which is one of the oldest Regiments of the Indian Army. The troops of the Regiment have participated in both the World Wars as well as the post-independence operations."ANI14 July 2023

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India-Ukraine holds ninth round of Foreign Office Consultations in Kyiv

New Delhi, July 14: India and Ukraine held the ninth round of the India-Ukraine Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Kyiv and exchanged perspectives on the ongoing Moscow and Kyiv conflict and peace efforts.A .

India-Ukraine holds ninth round of Foreign Office Consultations in Kyiv

Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sanjay Verma co-chaired the 9th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) with Ukraine's First Deputy Minister of Foreign Ministry Emine Dzhaparova on Thursday,A according to the statement released by MEA."The two sides reviewed bilateral ties in their entirety and also exchanged perspectives on the ongoing conflict and peace efforts. Global and multilateral issues of mutual interest were also on the agenda," the statement read.A"During the visit, Secretary (West) called on Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine and discussed the ways to strengthen parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. He also called on Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to the President of Ukraine. Secretary (West) also interacted with the Indian Diaspora and Ukrainian academia and think tanks," it added.ATaking to her Twitter account, Emine Dzhaparova said, "Happy to greet@SanjayVermalFSin #Kyiv for Foreign office consultations. We discussed areas of our mutual cooperation and elaborated on #PeaceFormula of@ZelenskyyUa to ensure just and lasting peace. Confident Ukraine-India relationship will continue to prosper."Earlier in April, Emine Dzhaparova during her four-day visit to India said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy of democracy, dialogue and diversification is very important for Ukraine.She further said that India should be pragmatic in diversifying its energy resources, diversifying military contracts and diversifying political interaction."As my President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says, extraordinary times need extraordinary decisions. So of course, Prime Minister Modi with his 3D policy of democracy, dialogue and, to my knowledge, its diversity. I think that this no-era-of-war and strategic application is really, really important," she added."We hope that India and Ukraine will be...even though we are distant geographically, but we will become closer physically and politically and in many other ways," Dzhaparova added.During the visit, Secretary (West) is expected to call on Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk and Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, the release added.ANI14 July 2023

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Sare Jahan Se Accha rents Paris air as Indian contingent marches at Bastille Day Parade

Paris, July 14: The Indian military contingent marched to the beats of 'Sare Jahan Se Accha' even as a compliment of Rafale fighters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in a flypast over the Champs-Elysees at the Bastille Day Parade.

'Sare Jahan Se Accha' rents Paris air as Indian contingent marches at Bastille Day Parade

The Punjab Regiment led the march and was followed by the Indian Navy and then the Air Force as the left their mark at the annual parade to mark the historic fall of Bastille in 1789.The Punjab Regiment was led by Captain Aman Jagtap whie the Indian navalA contingent was led by Commander Vrat Baghel. The Indian Air Force contingent was commanded by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was at the event as the Guest of Honour, took the salute from the Indian contingent as they marched at the Champs-Elysees.In a moment to savour for India, the IAF Rafales streaked the skies over Champs-Elysees, leaving the audience in awe.French President Emmanuel Macron, First Lady Brigitte Macron, topped the dignitaries attending the Bastille Day Military Parade on Friday.The French fighters, which led the flypast, left a trail of smoke in the colours of the French national flag a red, blue and white, leaving the skies of Champs-Elysees bathing in its afterglow.Both the Indian and French troops marched with trumpets and drums.Macron received the Guard of Honour upon his arrival ahead of the military parade.AAhead of the parade, PM Modi and the French President shared a warm hug as the latter arrived for the Bastille Day parade at Champs-Alysees in Paris.Champs-Alysees was gilded in the colours of the French Flag.This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries.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 Bastille Day Parade had 6,300 soldiers in various marching contingents. This included a tri-services contingent of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The Indian Army was represented by the Punjab Regiment. The troops of the Regiment have participated in both World Wars, having been awarded 18 Battle and Theatre Honours in the first war.The Punjab Regiment participated in an offensive near Neuve Chapelle in France in September 1915 during World War One. The regiment also won 16 Battle Honours and 14 Theatre Honours in the Second World War.Earlier, the Ministry of Defence, in a press release, stated, The Indian Army contingent comprising of 77 marching personnel and 38 members of the Band is being led by Captain Aman Jagtap. Indian Navy contingent is being led by Commander Vrat Baghel and the Indian Air Force contingent is by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy. The Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force will also form part of the flypast during the parade.It added, The Army contingent is being represented by the Punjab Regiment which is one of the oldest Regiments of the Indian Army. The troops of the Regiment have participated in both the World Wars as well as the post-independence operations.ANI14 July 2023

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Amit Shah approves advance release of 2nd installment of Rs 180.40-cr to flood-hit Himachal Pradesh

New Delhi, July 14: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday approved the advance release of the second installment of Central share of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) amounting to Rs 180.40 crore for 2023-24 as an interim relief to Himachal Pradesh, which is severely affected by relentless heavy rains that led to landslides and flash floods.

Amit Shah approves advance release of 2nd installment of Rs 180.40-cr to flood-hit Himachal Pradesh

In order to support the affected people, the Central Government has already released the first installment of Central share of Rs 180.40 crore to Himachal Pradesh from SDRF on July 10, 2023, for relief measures of immediate nature, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in a statement."The release of funds will help State Government toA undertake relief measures to the affected people during the current Monsoon season," said the MHA.In order to deal with the situation caused due to recent flash flood, cloudburst and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, the ministry said, the Government of India has provided all necessary logistics and financial assistance to the State Government of Himachal Pradesh to meet the situation efficiently.The Central Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has already released of Rs 10,031.20 crore as Central share of SDRF to 27 states during year 2023-24, said the MHA.A total of 11 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with rescue boats and other necessary equipments have been deployed for rescue operation in Himachal Pradesh.Besides, the Ministry said, one Column of 1 PARA SF and 205 Army Aviation Squadron has been deployed at Paonta Sahib for civil evacuation. "Two MI-17V5 helicopter have been deployed for evacuation mission."The Central Government has also constituted an Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs), to make an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and relief works being carried out by the State Government of Himachal Pradesh. The IMCT would commence their field visits on July 17.Over the period of June 24 to July 13, Himachal Pradesh witnessed 91 casualties caused by the monsoon havoc."91 people lost their lives in Himachal Pradesh from June 24 to July 13. 34 deaths happened due to landslides, cloudbust, and flash floods," a government officials' data stated.In addition, the state of Himachal Pradesh is grappling with the closure of over 1000 roads and the damage of more than 5000 water supply schemes. The IMD has forecasted heavy rainfall for Himachal Pradesh, starting on July 14 and lasting for five days.ANI14 July 2023

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Tripzygo International planning to offer EMI options for tour packages

PNN, New Delhi, July 14: Tripzygo International, a prominent player in the travel industry, is gearing up to introduce a new offering that will make tour packages even more accessible to travelers.

Tripzygo International planning to offer EMI options for tour packages

The company is planning to provide EMI options for its tour packages, relieving countless individuals who have been constrained by affordability issues. Price is a key factor that sets it apart from other travel agencies. The company firmly believes that discovering the world's wonders should not come at the cost of breaking the bank. In the vast realm of travel, finding a company that offers personalized experiences, affordable prices, and advanced technology-driven solutions can be a challenge. That's where Tripzygo International comes in.AA is committed to delivering personalized experiences to its customers.ARecognizing that every traveler has their own preferences and tastes, the company tailors dream vacations accordingly. Whether it's a luxurious getaway, a cultural immersion, or an adrenaline-packed adventure, the company ensures that each trip is customized to meet the unique requirements of its clients. It offers a comprehensive range of products and services to cater to all aspects of travel planning. From hotel and flight bookings to excursion activities and holiday packages, the company covers it all. The company also provides visa assistance, corporate travel services, and expertise in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and events. Furthermore, it embraces highly innovative technology to streamline those dreams.Simran Vani, a former journalist turned marketing professional, and Manish Yadav, a passionate traveler, joined forces as the co-founders to create Tripzygo International. While traveling together, they faced numerous challenges that inspired them to come up with a solution to all the problems that an avid explorer faces on the go. Simran brings her creative mindset and branding expertise, while Manish's industry experience and understanding of customer desires make for a powerful combination. Together, they have built a company that is dedicated to creating tailored and unforgettable travel experiences for adventure-seeking individuals.AThe achievements of Tripzygo International speak volumes about its commitment to excellence. The company is IATA certified, highlighting its adherence to international standards of safety and service. Moreover, it is a proud member of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), further solidifying its reputation as a trusted and reliable travel partner. Looking ahead, the company has ambitious plans for growth and expansion. To further enhance the convenience for their customers, they will be launching a mobile app, allowing travelers to access their services at any point in time.A(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI14 July 2023

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Illegal Armenian armed formations on the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily deployed, attempted to establish long-term fortifications in front of the positions of the Azerbaijani Army in the Khojaly district on July 15, at about 10:00 (GMT+4), Trend reports.

The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan noted that as a result of urgent measures taken by the units of the Azerbaijani army, the work was immediately stopped.
Chandrayaan-3: PM Modi hails dedication of ISRO scientists

New Delhi, July 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the relentless dedication of India's scientists on the launch of Indian Space Research Organisation's lunar mission Chandrayaan-3.

Chandrayaan-3: PM Modi hails dedication of ISRO scientists

Propelled by an LVM3-M4 rocket, the Chandrayaan-3 mission lifted off at 235 pm from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.Sharing a tweet by ISRO, Modi tweeted Chandrayaan-3 scripts a new chapter in India's space odyssey. It soars high, elevating the dreams and ambitions of every Indian. This momentous achievement is a testament to our scientists' relentless dedication. I salute their spirit and ingenuity!Earlier today through a series of tweets, the Prime Minister, who is currently on a two-day visit to France, had sent his best wishes to the third lunar mission of ISRO.IANS14 July 2023

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United States Institute of Peace calls for continuation of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

Kabul, July 14: The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) emphasized the need to sustain humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in a recent report titled Afghanistan's Dire Humanitarian Situation released on Thursday, Khaama Press reported.

United States Institute of Peace calls for continuation of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

The Khaama Press News Agency is an online news service for Afghanistan.As per the report, since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the country's economy and financial system have largely collapsed, and the international community has decided unanimously not to recognize the Taliban. Donors also have difficulty providing for the population's needs in these dire circumstances.The report said In the two years since the Taliban takeover, the Afghan economy has crumbled, the financial system has largely collapsed, and the international community has opted for unified non-recognition of the Taliban.It added Donors and NGOs now face the immense challenge of meeting the needs of the Afghan people under these dire conditions.These organizations have had to navigate cautious engagement with an unrecognized administration while continuing to offer crucial aid and services, given that most Afghans live in extreme poverty.As per the UN's estimation, nearly 29 million people in the country need urgent humanitarian aid amid a shortage of funding.The report also revealed that since the Taliban tightened its restrictions on Afghan women working for NGOs, the humanitarian situation has only worsened.The report emphasized the clear and effective response to the country's dire humanitarian crisis.UN Secretary-General told reporters that six million Afghans are one step away from starvation conditions, financing is evaporating, and 28 million people will need humanitarian assistance to survive this year.Guterres also said that only USD 294 million, or 6.4 per cent of the USD 4.6 billion total requested for the humanitarian response plan, had been received.ANI14 July 2023

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VEGA launches Go Mini Hair Styling Series - The Mini-sized marvels: a next big disruption in the Hair Styling Appliances Category

SRV Media, Delhi-NCR, July 14: VEGA, India's one of the leading brands in personal and beauty care, also known as the India's number one Hair Styler Appliance brand, announced today the launch of its vibrant Vega Go Mini Series under the hairstyling appliances category.

VEGA launches Go Mini Hair Styling Series - The Mini-sized marvels: a next big disruption in the Hair Styling Appliances Category

Designed with the needs of travellers, college goers, beauty enthusiasts, influencers, professionals, and among others in the mind. The Vega Go Mini Series would offer a range of mini-sized and on-the-go hair-styling appliances that ensure maximum style on-the-go.The Vega Go Mini Series features a line-up of two exceptional products in July month; the Vega Go Mini Hair Straightener and the Vega Go Mini Hair Straightener Brush. These travel-friendly gems embody precision, portability, convenience, versatility, and affordability. Their compact design prioritises ease of use, storage and fast heat, making them ready to use in just 50 seconds. With narrow heating plates, they delicately glide through medium to short hair, creating elegant styles and quick style touch-ups and refined styles. Ideal for both working professionals and beginners, these gems are the perfect choice for on-the-go hairstyling. Expect salon-quality results with effortless glam, no matter where you find yourself.According to Sandeep Jain, Director at Vega, this unique Vega Go Mini series- stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication to excellence, consistently meeting the ever-evolving demands of the market. With each product in this series, we set out to meet the demands of modern lifestyles, offering innovative solutions that seamlessly integrate into your everyday routines. We are exciting about this new series where portability and style converge, empowering users to redefine their hairstyling experience on-the-go.In a world where time is precious, we yearn for solutions that integrate into our fast-paced routines. Recognizing the evolving demands of Gen-Z, travel enthusiasts, ambitious professionals, and convenience seekers, our Vega Mini Go Series- is a reliable companion always by your side no matter where you go. Each carefully crafted piece within this series embodies a spirit of innovation, offering elegance and portable appliances for your dynamic lifestyle. Whether exploring distant horizons, preparing for pivotal meetings, or immersing yourself in the vibrant allure of nightlife, our lightweight mini companions effortlessly fulfil your styling need, said Eiti Singhal, Chief Marketing Officer at Vega.The Vega Go Mini Hair Straightener is priced at MRP 999/-, while the Vega Go Mini Straightener Brush is priced at MRP 1,499/-. Both products offer a two-year warranty and on-site service in select cities. Vega Go Mini Series will be available on Amazon Prime Day Sale starting from 15 July' 22, with a special launch offer.Vega is also gearing up for an exhilarating expansion of its Go Mini Series in the upcoming months, introducing a diverse array of products designed to revolutionise the on-the-go styling and grooming routine in India.VEGA, one of India's leading personal care appliances and beauty care accessories brands, is revolutionizing the industry with its unparalleled range of head-to-toe home styling, personal care appliances, and beauty care accessories. With a legacy of more than two decades, it has firmly established itself as a frontrunner, captivating the hearts of countless beauty enthusiasts nationwide, particularly in the hair styling and personal care appliance categories. Committed to innovation and excellence, it has been recognized as India's No. 1 hair styler, Hair Brush, Hair comb brand according to research conducted by AZ Research, published in February 2023. Currently, with over 600 SKUs, it caters to the discerning needs of millions of valued customers within India's thriving markets, offering everything from hair brushes to hair combs and cutting-edge head-to-toe grooming and styling products for women & men's personal care. https//www.vega.co.in/For media inquiries, please contactAnu BakshiA anu.bakshi@vega.co.in7838666725(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI15 July 2023

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Mick Schumacher drive McLaren F1 car in Portugal

Portimao, July 14: Mick Schumacher has insisted he wouldn't say no to another test with McLaren after getting behind the wheel of one of the team's F1 cars for the first time. The Mercedes reserve driver carried out a test at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal earlier this week for them.

Mick Schumacher drive McLaren F1 car in Portugal

According to the official website of Formula 1, It was announced back in February that Mick Schumacher who raced for Haas in 2021 and 2022 before taking on his current Mercedes role had been added to McLaren's pool of reserves for the 2023 season, via an agreement with the Silver Arrows.That means, should regular McLaren drivers Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri be unable to compete, the working operation could call upon Mick Schumacher, the son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher.As such, Mick Schumacher was given the chance to test the team's 2021 Italian Grand Prix-winning MCL35M during a private session in Portimao, helping him prepare for any potential stand-in duties.Ahead of the test, Mick Schumacher spent time in Woking to undergo a seat fit and set out a run plan specifically tailored to him, while meeting team boss Andrea Stella, who worked with his father's Performance Engineer at Ferrari between 2002 and 2006.As per the official website of Formula 1, Mick Schumacher said, My first test with McLaren was great, we did so many laps out there. It has been really good to get that experience with the team. It is a great team and a great bunch of people.He added, We went through the whole schedule beforehand when I was at the factory. We were trying to focus on the things that I think are important for me, in terms of my development, and for the team to get to know me.Mick Schumacher continued, We ran through some different projects, it was mainly about driving style and getting to understand the tyre. The tyre we used is an academy tyre, so it is a little different, but it is a great one to learn on and improve my skills, and that is what we were really focused on.While concluding he said, I did the Pirelli test with Mercedes in Barcelona, so it is not like I was coming into this test super, super fresh, he added. It is good for me to get as much driving in as possible, and that is why this day is an amazing opportunity for me. I wouldn't say no to another test with McLaren.Mick Schumacher will sample another F1 car this weekend as he jumps into the cockpit of the Mercedes W02 driven by his father Michael Schumacher during the 2011 season at the UK's Goodwood Festival of Speed.ANI15 July 2023

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UP: Directorate of Local Bodies instructs urban bodies to ensure conservation of planted trees

Lucknow, July 14:A The Uttar Pradesh Directorate of Local Bodies has issued directives to all urban bodies in the state, emphasizing the importance of preserving planted trees.

UP: Directorate of Local Bodies instructs urban bodies to ensure conservation of planted trees

"Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi has aimed to increase the state's overall green cover from the current 9 per cent to 15 per cent by 2026-27. To achieve this ambitious goal, the Urban Development Department has set a target of planting 34.97 lakh saplings in the upcoming financial year of 2023-24," an official statement said.AAccording to an official statement, the target must be met within the designated time frame. Consequently, every department is expected to contribute to these efforts in order to fulfil the outlined objectives.In accordance with the instructions, it has been notified that "all urban bodies must coordinate and allocate responsibilities for the care and maintenance of each plant. This task must be undertaken collectively with the utmost dedication.""Additionally, every plant will be geotagged to facilitate accurate location tracking. The geotagging process will utilize GPS technology to precisely identify the placement of each plant. To encourage public engagement and awareness, individuals are encouraged to take selfies with the planted trees and share them on social media platforms," an official statement said.AThe Uttar Pradesh Government's aim is to achieve approximately 85 per cent of the targeted plantation by July 22 with the goal of achieving 100 per cent plantation by August 15.AThe state government have set specific targets of planting 5,000 saplings in every Nagar Panchayat, 10,000 in Nagar Palika Parishad, and 50,000 to 25 lakh saplings in Municipal Corporations, based on their respective capacities."The construction of Amrit Sarovar on the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a commendable effort to address the issues of low groundwater levels and saline water in the state. Rainwater harvesting through these sarovars can significantly contribute to replenishing the groundwater and improving the overall water situation in the area," an official statement said.AThe Nandan Van and Miyawaki methods are popular approaches for intensive tree plantation. Active cooperation from the Forest Department is crucial for the success of such initiatives. Their expertise and support can help in identifying suitable tree species, providing technical guidance, and ensuring the long-term maintenance of the planted trees, the statement said.ANI15 July 2023

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India, France can find solutions for global crises...: President Macron

Paris, July 14: Highlighting the historic trust between France and India, French President Emmanuel Macron asserted that the two countries together can find solutions for global crises.

India, France can find solutions for global crises...: President Macron

Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Elysee Palace on Friday, President Emmanuel Macron envisioned India and France's future plans for students saying by 2030 we want to send 30,000 French students to India.2030 we want...We can't forget the youth...By 2030, we want to send 30,000 French students there (to India)...For the young Indians who want to pursue higher education in France, we want to make a conducive visa policy..., Macron said.At the joint press meeting, the French President again highlighted the participation of the Indian contingent at the Bastille Day parade.He added, ...I was proud to see the Punjab Regiment here in the heart of Paris (at the Bastille Day parade). We are going ahead on the basis of a historic trust. Together we can find solutions for global crises...Noting that defence ties have been a strong pillar of relations between India and France and a symbol of the deep trust, Prime Minister Narendra ModiA talked about the possibilities of co-development and said the two countries together want to fulfill not just ours but also requirements of other friendly countries.Addressing a joint press conference with President Emmanuel Macron, PM Modi said France is an important partner in 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives.Defence ties have always been the basic foundation of our relations. This is a symbol of the deep trust between the two nations. France is an important partner in Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat...Be it submarines or Indian Naval ships, together we want to fulfill not just ours but also the requirements of other friendly countries..., he said.The Prime Minister noted that the two countries are celebrating 25 years of strategic partnership.We are making a roadmap for the next 25 years on the basis of the strong foundation of the previous 25 years. Bold and ambitious goals are being set for this. The people of India have taken the resolve to make ourselves a developed nation. In this journey, we see France as a natural partner, he said.PM Modi also announced that Indian students who are pursuing a master's degree in France will now be given a five-year long-term post-study visa.Earlier, Indian students were given two-year work visas. PM Modi made the announcement during his address to the Indian community at LA Seine Musicale in Paris on Thursday.He also received a gala welcome from the people gathered there.The last time I came to France, it was decided that Indian students studying in France would be given a 2-year post-study work visa. Now, it has been decided that Indian students pursuing Masters in France will be given long-term post-study visa of 5 years, said PM Modi in his address.Following their delegation-level talks with President Macron here, the two leaders issued a joint press statement.Prior to delivering a joint statement, PM Modi arrived at Elysee Palace in Paris and was received by French President Emmanuel Macron.Earlier in the day, along with Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron, PM Modi attended the Bastille Day Parade as the guest of honour.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 also marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries.ANI15 July 2023

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After flood, river erosion hits Assams Bongaigaon district, locals on edge

Bongaigaon July 15: Along with the floods, the locals of the Basbari area in Assam's Bongaigaon district are now fighting with massive river erosion problems.

After flood, river erosion hits Assam's Bongaigaon district, locals on edge

According to the locals, in recent times nearly 30-40 families have become homeless after the Aie River swallowed their homes and lands.In recent times, the Aie River swallowed a market area, as many as 40 houses, one temple, one Mosque and several bighas of agricultural lands.Many villagers were forced to leave the Basbari area due to massive river erosion and moved to other places.Naruttam Mazumdar, a resident of the Basbari area told ANI that, in the last two years the people of the area had to face massive problems."Around 30-40 families have lost their homes due to river erosion and many of them left this area. My house is also located nearby the river. I am also now fearing that, the river will swallow my house and due to this reason, I am now destroying my house. Where, we will go, where we will live. Maximum villagers of this area are labourers and few villagers are engaged in small business," Naruttam Mazumdar said.He further said that earlier the river swallowed one temple, one mosque, and a market area and also threatened to swallow a school.On the other hand, Saddam Hussain, a resident of Basbari village said that people are now facing lots of problems."More than 30 houses were submerged due to river erosion. Earlier, the river swallowed the temple, mosque of this area and many bighas of agricultural land. People of this area are now living in fear," Saddam Hussain said.On the other hand, locals said that the government has taken up measures to stop river erosion, but the soil erosion is still continuing.ANI15 July 2023

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PM Modi, Macron discuss Russia-Ukraine conflict, its impact on developing countries

Paris, July 15: Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict in detail and its impact on the developing countries. He said that the Prime Minister has been the biggest advocate that the conflict must be resolved with diplomacy.

PM Modi, Macron discuss Russia-Ukraine conflict, its impact on developing countries

"In today's discussions between the two leaders (PM Modi-President Macron), there is a very clear understanding and appreciation of each other's position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. PM Modi has been perhaps the strongest advocate of resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue on diplomacy," Foreign Secretary Kwatra said."So when the two leaders meet like they met earlier today and yesterday also they discussed at length what the current status is of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. But from our perspective, and I think this has been greatly appreciated by the friend side also. They also discussed what the impact of this conflict is on developing countries, the challenges, the exacerbating challenges of food security, and the growing uncertainty that it creates for the energy security rapid increase in fertilizer security challenges which can translate into food security challenges tomorrow. So all these things came up for comprehensive conversation between the two leaders and they shared their perspective," Kwatra added.ASpeaking on Defence ties, Kwatra said, "The 2047 Horizon document looks at security and sovereignty in a more holistic and a comprehensive manner rather than as a set of individual transactions. The reason for that is because the metrics of defence partnership are not defined by a single acquisition or a non-acquisition, single procurement or a single transaction.""The nature of India-France strategic partnership looks at all elements of our engagement. So the document talks of the two countries, India and France committed to cooperating on co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies," he added."It also talks of India's intent to build its own defence industrial and technological base. This is a vision document. The underpinnings and the specifics of our defence partnership have been actually undertaking technology partnerships," Kwatra said on Defence ties between India and France."You will find an entire range of full range actually of military exercises between the armed forces in terms of military-industrial cooperation, research design, and transfer of technology. Coproduction co-manufacturing is increasingly focused on in the years ahead. Supply chain integration between the manufacturing ecosystem, in the field of defence between the two countries. technology value chain integrations going forward between the two countries," Kwatra said further on defence.AWithout going into any details of helicopter engines or aero engines or any other aspects, Kwatra said that a lot of these are captured in the larger rubric of advanced defence technologies."The Prime Minister is very clear that a lot of these things have to link into the priority of Atmanirbhar Bharat," the Foreign Secretary said.ANI15 July 2023

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Indian firm operating Chabahar Port to invest USD 85 million to carry out loading and discharging of cargo: Official

Chabahar, July 15: Senior port state control officer of the Chabahar Port of Iran, Sa Hashemi, on Saturday said the port's operator, an Indian company, is going to invest USD 85 million by bringing equipment to carry out loading and discharging at the port.

Indian firm operating Chabahar Port to invest USD 85 million to carry out loading and discharging of cargo: Official

Our operator, which is an Indian company, is going to invest USD 85 million here by bringing some equipment to carry out loading and discharging, Hashemi said.He added, The Indian company here is the operator of this port. It means that it has the loading and discharging responsibility of all the ships that come, all the ocean-going ships.He said the Chabahar Port's depth is -16 and all the 120,000 deadway ships can load, discharge and convert here without any problem.Hashemi added that there is no limitation to any kind of vessel.A We have the passenger terminal for marine passengers that come here, any passenger ship. Any ferry ship can come here. We can also have converted, very big 6000 containerships as well. We have no limitation for berthing and onboarding of these ships, he said.ANI on Saturday visited Iran's Chabahar port and met the Indians working at the port to get a sense of how the country wasA conducting day-to-day activities at Shaheed Beheshti port in the Chabahar Free Zone.Indian Ports Global Limited (IPLG) cranes were seen at the port for loading and unloading of cargo from ships.There is a huge office of IGPL at the port in Chabahar, which is run by the Indian authority.Shippin containers were seen at the port while a cargo vessel named DELRUBA, bound for China, was loading iron dust.Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador to Iran, Rudra Gaurav Shresth, paid a visit to the Chabahar Port on Friday, marking his first visit to the port since assuming charge as envoy.The visit came on the heels of him presenting his credentials to the Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, in the first week of July.Chabahar is an important project for India and the same was reflected in how the IndianA ambassador chose Chabahar for his first official visit outside Tehran, a source told ANI.On his first visit to theA Chabahar Port, the ambassador interacted with several senior port officials.The port's general director, Engineer Asgari, Governor of Chabahar, Dr Sepahi and managing director, India Ports Global Limited, Sunil Mukundan and senior officials of the port also interacted with the envoy.Ambassador Rudra Gaurav Shresth is a career diplomat and a member of the Indian Foreign Service. He assumed charge as the Indian Ambassador to Iran in May 2023.ANI15 July 2023

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India has selected 26 Rafale fighters for Navy after successful trial campaign, confirms Dassault Aviation

New Delhi, July 15: The central government announced on Saturday a selection of Rafale fighters to equip the Indian Navy with the advanced combat jets.

India has selected 26 Rafale fighters for Navy after successful trial campaign, confirms Dassault Aviation

According to French aerospace company, Dassault Aviation, 26 Rafale fighters for the Indian Navy will add to the 36 advanced fighters that areA already in service.This decision comes after a successful trial campaign held in India, during which the Navy Rafale demonstrated that it fully met the Indian Navy's operational requirements and was perfectly suited to the specificities of its aircraft carrier, Dassault Aviation said.This selection confirms the excellence of the Rafale, the exceptional quality of the link between Dassault Aviation and the Indian Forces, and the importance of the strategic relationship between India and France, it added.India's DefenceA Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired byA DefenceA MinisterA Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy on Thursday.DAC, which held a meeting here on Thursday, also granted the AoN for the procurement of three additional Scorpene submarines under Buy (Indian) category, which will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).A Defence Ministry release informed that the acceptance of Necessity for Rafale Marine aircraft has been approved along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support for the Indian Navy from the French Government, based on Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA).It said the price and other terms of purchase will be negotiated with the France government after taking into account all relevant aspects, including comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries.Further, the integration of Indian-designed equipment and establishment of a Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) Hub for various systems will be incorporated into the contract documents after due negotiations.The release said the DAC also approved the proposal to lay down guidelines for achieving the desired indigenous content in all categories of capital acquisition cases.It will help in achieving 'Aatmanirbharta' in critical manufacturing technologies and life-cycle sustenance of defence platforms and equipment through indigenous manufacturing, the release said.ANI15 July 2023

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Turkiye and Azerbaijan will continue act together against the traitors, Turkish Ambassador Cahit Bagci said at a commemorative event on the occasion of the Day of Democracy and National Unity celebrated in Turkiye annually on July 15, Trend reports.

"Seven years ago, during the prevention of a coup attempt in Turkiye, the flag of Azerbaijan flew next to our flag, just as later, during the 44-day second Karabakh war, the flags of our countries flew together. This was another proof of how connected the two fraternal peoples are", added the ambassador.

Bagci noted that Turkiye will always deeply honor the memory of 251 martyrs who died seven years ago - on July 15, 2016.

"The FETO [Fethullahist Terrorist Organization] still continues its activities on a global scale and is constantly trying to realize its insidious plans against the world," the ambassador emphasized.

On July 15, 2016, about 9,000 military servicemen were involved in the coup attempt using 35 aircraft, 37 helicopters, 246 armored vehicles, including 74 tanks and about 4,000 light weapons. During the confrontation on the night of July 15-16, over 2,000 people were killed - civilians, policemen, soldiers, 150 of them - in Ankara, 99 - in Istanbul and two - in Mugla.

The failed coup attempt plotted by Fethullah Gulen and his supporters completely exposed the terrorist organization, which had been linked to state structures for many years, in Turkiye.

In memory of the civilians who died as a result of the coup attempt on July 26, 2016, the Bosphorus Bridge was renamed the 15 July Martyrs' Bridge.

On July 16, 2017, in honor of the first anniversary of the prevention of the July 15 coup attempt, the 15 July Martyrs' Monument was opened in Ankara.

During the prevention of the 2016 coup attempt, Azerbaijan fully supported Turkiye. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev expressed great concern from the first minutes of the event and openly supported the Turkish state and the legitimate government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The fraternal people of Turkiye have always highly appreciated the fair and resolute position of Azerbaijan.
Samantha taking break from acting to heal, confirms her hair stylist

Mumbai, July 14: Samantha Ruth Prabhu has recently finished shooting for action-packed 'Citadel'. The actor will now take a brief break from acting to take care of her health as she is dealing with Myositis, an auto-immune condition.

Samantha taking break from acting to heal, confirms her hair stylist

Samantha's hair stylist and close friend Rohit Bhatkar confirmed her break via an emotional Instagram post.2 years, 1 sensational music video, 3 movies, 7 brand campaigns, 2 editorials and a lifetime of memories. We saw it all from sunny days to rainy days, From tears of joy and laughter to tears of pain and agony.From being confident to being vulnerable, From our highs to our lows and then back up. What a beautiful ride it has been with you. Certainly, one to remember, he wrote.https//www.instagram.com/p/CupNK7HPEKt/?hl=enHe continued saying, As you now go on a healing journey I wish you more Strength and Power to you. And that you unfold certain dimensions of your existence which you never tapped on up until now. Upwards and onwards. Big hug and lots of love to you Sam! Remember that 'you are that wildflower which grew even after the forest fire'. Know that we will all be waiting for you to come back even stronger than ever. Until next time friend.Last year, Samantha revealed that she is diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called 'Myositis' and broke her silence on her health update via her social media.A few months back I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called Myositis. I was hoping to share this after it had gone into remission. But it is taking a little longer than I hoped, she had posted.She also added, I am slowly realising that we don't always need to put up a strong front. Accepting this vulnerability is something that I am still struggling with. The doctors are confident that I will make a complete recovery very soon. I have had good days and bad days.... physically and emotionally.... and even when it feels like I can't handle one more day of this, somehow that moment passes. I guess it can only mean that I am one more day closer to recovery. I love you.. (black heart emoji). THIS TOO SHALL PASS.According to National Health Service UK (NHS), myositis is the name for a group of rare conditions which lead to weak, painful and aching muscles. Also, this condition gets worse with time.There are generally three types of myositis Polymyositis, dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis (IBM).ANI15 July 2023

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greytHR Academy Signs MoU with Avinash College of Commerce to Empower Students through Digital HR Training

PNN, Bengaluru, July 15: greytHR Academy, recently announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Avinash College of Commerce (ACC), a prestigious institution renowned for its commitment to excellence in education.

greytHR Academy Signs MoU with Avinash College of Commerce to Empower Students through Digital HR Training

This strategic collaboration aims to empower students by equipping them with skills in HR Operations through greytHR Academy's comprehensive Digital HR Training Programme.By leveraging greytHR Academy's industry-leading resources and cutting-edge training curriculum, students will gain a competitive edge in the job market, enabling them to embark on successful careers in HR and Payroll. Certified students from the college who successfully complete the Digital HR Programme offered by greytHR Academy will receive assistance during job placements. By working collaboratively, both institutions aim to empower students with practical skills that meet the demands of the ever-evolving HR industry."We are delighted to forge this collaboration with Avinash College of Commerce," saidA Mr. Girish Rowjee, Co-founder and CEO, greytHRA "Our mission at greytHR Academy is to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the HR and Payroll domain. Through this collaboration, we will deliver our industry-leading Digital HR Training Program to Avinash College of Commerce students, enabling them to become proficient in HR and Payroll Operations. We are committed to supporting them in their journey towards rewarding careers."Dr. Suseela Kanduri, Dean, Avinash College of Commerce expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "The digital revolution has transformed the HR landscape, and it is crucial for our students to acquire the necessary skills to succeed in this dynamic field. This partnership will enable us to enhance our curriculum and offer industry-relevant training, ensuring our students are well-prepared for the evolving HR landscape. We are confident that this collaboration will open new doors of opportunity for our students and pave the way for their professional growth."A offers industry-relevant courses across domains such as HR Operations, Payroll Statutory Compliance, New Labour Codes, TDS for Indian payroll and many more.AGreytip Software is an HR software company mainly serving SME businesses, across the globe, through a cloud HR platform a greytHR. The greytHR platform is a popular cloud HR and Payroll software with 20,000+ customers and 2 million+ users. The platform offers 40+ tools in areas like core HR, payroll, leave and attendance, statutory compliances, expense claims, employee self-service and much more. Headquartered in Bangalore, India, Greytip has branches in Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Dubai.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI15 July 2023

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The Trial: Kajol impresses in dauting task of matching up to original

New Delhi, July 14: The purpose of a trial is to ensure that the defendant gets a fair assessment of all evidence against him or her, and so, it is a structured process wherein the facts of a case are presented to a jury, which decides if the defendant is guilty or not. If the ruling in the case is found to be not maintainable, then it can be challenged in a higher court.

The only difference is that unlike in the US, India does not have a trial by jury system!

The process of trial as enumerated in our Constitution is that "trial is the right of a person", or that the trial of a court should be a "fair trial". And that could be a huge challenge if a story around the American courts is adapted to suit the Indian milieu and its legal system.

Understandably then, the eight-episode Disney+ Hotstar series, 'The Trial: Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha', adapted from the multi-season CBS show 'The Good Wife', has been tweaked -- at times, a bit liberally -- to cater to Indian audiences, and has amended the original creative writing with some of the technical legal terms and laws altered.

By doing so, it does fit into the mindset with which court cases are filed, viewed and judged under the Indian Penal Code.

And while you watch an altered version of Robert and Michelle King's 'The Good Wife;, the American legal and political drama television series that aired on CBS between 2009 and 2016, gear yourself for a trial that had a lot of potential to be an edge-of-the-seat drama series, but ends up as less absorbing.

In many ways, complicated court cases involving murders and defamation getting solved fast -- or getting solved at all -- are never a breeze in this part of the world, and take ages.

But the final judgment in this case is rather illusory. That's quite unfortunate, for the innovative premise in the American series is a stupendous idea capable of unputdownable variety.

The storyline isn't too complicated, but the treatment could be. For, it is about a housewife who is forced to join back the legal profession after her husband is accused of corruption and is also involved in a sex scandal.

The development of the plot has more of storytelling from the woman's point of view. In the end, the show is all about her, and how she steers clear of hindrances that would obviously stall the proceedings.

It is also about all the hardships she faces in her journey seeking justice.

The female protagonist is stay-at-home Noyonika Sengupta (Kajol), a law school grad who gave up her career a decade ago for the sake of her husband and children.

She is forced to resume work as defence counsel when her husband, an additional judge Rajiv (Jisshu Sengupta), is put behind bars on charges of bribery and abuse of his prestigious position.

A good wife and mother, Noyonika must save her family and her husbandas reputation, and decides to join the law firm of her former love interest Vishal (Aly Khan). Her life is riddled with troubles and there are rivals who are out to add discontent in her life. When she seeks support from another lawyer she had known, Malini (Sheeba Chaddha), the vibes she gets are negative.

There is an intern, Dheeraj (Gaurav Pandey), who resents her rise and attributes her success to her being close to their boss Vishal. Allies include Sana (Kubbra Sait), whose selfless support and running around, help her in preparing the intricacies of the case smoothly.

There is enough meat for the series to pique and sustain your curiosity with legal tangles taking centrestage.

But the writers, Hussain Dalal, Abbas Dalal and Siddharth Kumar, put aside the ins and outs and other particulars of complex cases, and focus on the three principal female characters: Noyonika, Sana and Malini, as Noyonika tries to balance work and home, struggling to piece together the broken pieces of her life and all along protecting her children and defending her spouse.

Despite its inherent drawbacks, 'The Trial' stands a fair chance of appealing to a large part of streaming platform addicts who will find a novel approach to a narrative that is mostly realistic in form.

Director Suparn S. Varma relies heavily on actors who deliver so what if the writing is not first rate and fails to look deeper into the psyche of respected citizens -- men and women -- whose lives could face a serious conflict unexpectedly, and throws them off the kilter.

In trying to have the wife's story as the focal point, the imperfections and shortcomings of the human mind are not explored. That results in a lot of loose ends that are not even addressed.

I have always had an issue with the background score both in films and web series. Why do filmmakers want us to react to the forewarning that some musical chords play out before an important scene?

For both somber and cheery moments, there is either a thud sound or a melancholic strain gearing us up for the impending doom or euphoria, as the case may be. Taking our audiences to be naive and uninitiated, they want us to go by their auditory signs often thrown in for good measure.

Kajol, as the protagonist Noyonika, has a tough act to emulate: Alicia Florrick playing her role in the original is a powerful combination of cold fury, bafflement and persistence.

She does have her moments especially in the latter episodes where she holds her own and looks more controlled. Alas, there are far too many lines given to her -- and other actors too -- to spoon feed viewers whom the writers believe are incapable of comprehension. Perhaps, producers Banijay Asia and Ajay Devgn's FFilms wanted to play it safe by not adding extra layers to a knotty tale.

As for other actors, Sheeba Chadha and Kubra Sait, as also Alyy Khan, are impressive.

We have had quite a few web series related to crime-law-justice in the recent past. And though most of the cases are dealt with in a typical filmi fashion, the good news is that a number of brushed-under-the-carpet issues are being discussed -- issues that lay bare a corrupt legal system and provide us with engaging fare. Well, almost!

Web Series: The Trial: Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha. Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. Running Time: Eight episodes (39-46 minutes per episode).

Director: Suparn Verma Cast: Kajol, Jisshu Sengupta, Kubbra Sait, Sheeba Chaddha, Alyy Khan and Gaurav Pandey.

Producers: Ajay Devgn, Deepak Dhar, Rajesh Chadha and Parag Desai.

Cinematography: Manoj Soni

IANS Rating: ***

'The Trial': Kajol impresses in dauting task of matching up to original

IANS15 July 2023

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Launch of 11th Edition of National Employability Test by Wheebox on World Skills Day

NewsVoir, New Delhi, July 15: On the occasion of World Skills Day, leading talent assessment firmA Wheebox, announced the launch of the 11th edition of the National Employability Test, aimed at empowering final year students of Engineering, Non-Engineering, and Vocational fields across universities, colleges, and vocational and technical centres in India.

Launch of 11th Edition of National Employability Test by Wheebox on World Skills Day

This initiative is supported by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), Taggd by PeopleStrong, and Google.The National Employability Test is designed to evaluate candidates on a comprehensive range of skills essential for today's dynamic job market. Leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, the test encompasses various critical dimensions, including English Language Skills. All candidates will undergo an AI-enabled video interview to assess their proficiency in the English language, cognitive aptitude, problem-solving capabilities, and logical reasoning skills. Future Skills will be nurtured by evaluating emerging trends and technologies. The test ensures they possess the necessary competencies to thrive in the future workforce. The test also assesses candidates' soft skills, such as learning agility, interpersonal skills, and adaptability, which are evaluated to gauge their overall employability. Engineering graduates will additionally undergo Coding skill assessments, while non-engineering candidates will be tested on their domain-specific skills, enabling Government, Academic Institutions, and employers to make well-informed decisions based on their employability report.To commemorate the occasion of World Skills Day on July 15th, the National Employability Test opens on the same day and will continue until October 30th. All campuses and aspiring candidates can register for the test by visiting the official website,A ."Through the 11th edition of the National Employability Test, our teams are providing a unique opportunity for final-year students across various fields to showcase their skills and unlock their potential. The employability report shall enable Governments, Academic Institutions, and Employers to make informed decisions, while also empowering graduates to embark on successful professional journeys," said Nirmal Singh, Founder and CEO of Wheebox. "We believe in enabling inclusive growth and creating a level playing field for all job seekers, regardless of their educational background. By evaluating candidates on multiple dimensions, we are empowering employers to make informed hiring decisions."(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI15 July 2023

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Uttar Pradesh Mango Festival attracts many visitors

Lucknow, July 15: Uttar Pradesh Mango Festival 2023, where many different varieties of mangoes are displayed, continued to attract a large number of visitors from across the state on Saturday.

Uttar Pradesh Mango Festival attracts many visitors

Many mango farmers, who see the festival as an opportunity to market their products, displayed their produce to the people visiting the festival.Some of the farmers participating in the festival grow many varieties of mangos. For example, more than 170 varieties of mangoes are produced by Satish Chand Shukla in Yog Bihar Bagh located on Para Road of the capital Lucknow. He was honored by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for better mango cultivation techniques.ADuring the inauguration of the Uttar Pradesh Mango Festival 2023 at Avadh Shilpgram in Lucknow on Friday, CM Yogi noted the high demand for UP's mangoes in European markets.He urged to make them available worldwide, stating that the markets of Europe are waiting for the mangoes of UP.He said, "The markets of Europe are waiting for the mangoes of Uttar Pradesh. We must take the mangoes from here to every corner of the world.""In Russia, mangoes are being sold at Rs 800 per kg, but it costs Rs 190 to send mangoes through cargo from here. That means, if a farmer exports mangoes to Russia, he will get a net profit of more than Rs. 600," he added.AFurthermore, he asked the farmers to avoid shortcuts, prioritize quality, and prepare their products in accordance with market demands.A"Our government is working on the 'Beej Se Bazar Tak' approach to increase the income of farmers," he said.ACM Yogi also said that the state government had sent its teams to numerous nations during the Global Investors Summit.ANI15 July 2023

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We will soon power agro economy by planting 1 crore saplings: Assam CM Himanta

New Delhi, July 15: After meeting with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Saturday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that his government will soon power the agro-economy of the state by planting 1 crore saplings in a single day.

We will soon power agro economy by planting 1 crore saplings: Assam CM Himanta

Under Hon PM's Mission LiFE, we will soon power our Agri economy by planting 1 cr saplings on a single day. To ensure that this effort becomes a massive success, I sought guidance of Shri @byadavbjp ji, Hon Union Minister for Environment and true champion of a green economy, Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted.ABhupender Yadav said that he and Himanta Biswa Sarma had an engaging discussion on a host of issues concerning the sustainable development of Assam.Met with Assam Chief Minister Shri @himantabiswaji at my official residence today. We had an engaging discussion on a host of issues concerning the sustainable development of the state. Thankful to Himanta ji for his kind visit, The Union Minister tweeted.On October 20, 2022, the Prime Minister launched Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), a global movement to safeguard our environment from the impact of climate change. LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) is an India-led global mass movement for mindful and deliberate utilization, instead of mindless and destructive consumption to protect and preserve the environment.Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that under the proposed plantation initiative, this year around one crore saplings having commercial value would be planted on a single day across Assam.Though SHG members, Anganwadi workers and helpers, ASHA workers, police including VDPs and battalions, tea gardens, educational institutions and government offices have been identified as target groups, DCs should encourage the voluntary participation of people, NGOs, public and religious institutions in the drive to turn the exercise into a mass movement to plant one crore saplings having commercial value would be planted on a single day across Assam, said Sarma.ANI15 July 2023

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Dedicated team probing Cheetah deaths, they wont be shifted from MP: Union Forest Minister

Bhopal, July 15: Union Forest Minister Bhupendra Yadav on Saturday said a dedidated team was investigating into the recent Cheetah deaths at Kuno National Park, adding that they would not be shifted outside Madhya Pradesh.

Dedicated team probing Cheetah deaths, they won't be shifted from MP: Union Forest Minister

Speaking on the recent deaths of Cheetahs in the state, Yadav said a team was put together to look into the arrangements for the Cheetahs in the state and international specialists were conducting a review on the same.Our team is looking into the entire arrangement and testing for cheetahs and a review is underway. Even international experts have been roped in for the purpose. We are committed to taking good care of the Cheetahs. Our team will also visit Kuno.A We had reviewed the arrangements earlier as well. We are aware of all the concerns but the Cheetahs will not be shifted from Madhya Pradesh, the Union Forest minister said.Earlier, in July, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said that no plan has been formulated by the state government to stem the continuing deaths of Cheetahs.Reacting to the death of one more Cheetah named Suraj at Kuno on Friday, Congress leader Kamal Nath took to Twitter saying, The news of the death of the eighth cheetah was received today in Kuno National Park. Despite the continuous death of cheetahs, no such plan has come to the fore in which any initiative has been taken to preserve the lives of these wild animals.Making wild animals an object of adoration for political exhibitionism does not suit the elected representatives of democracy. I urge the responsible people to make such a plan soon after discussing with environmentalists and scientists, by which the lives of these creatures can be saved, he tweeted.Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, JS Chouhan, said the cause of death of the Cheetah that perished on Friday will be known after a post-mortem.Speaking to ANI, Chouhan said, One more male Cheetah named Suraj died in Kuno, taking the toll thus far to 8. The cause of death will be known after the post-mortem. There are frequent deaths in such projects. If these deaths are taking place naturally then we shouldn't panic.ANI16 July 2023

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Donors, NGOs face immense challenge in meeting needs of Afghan people: ReportA

Kabul, July 15: In a recent report titled 'Afghanistan's Dire Humanitarian Situation', the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) recommended the continuation of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported.A .

Donors, NGOs face immense challenge in meeting needs of Afghan people: ReportA

The report released on Thursday underlined that since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, the country's economy has only crumbled.Since the Taliban took control of the country, the Afghan economy and financial system have largely collapsed, and the international community has decided unanimously not to recognize the Taliban. Donors also have difficulty providing for the population's needs in these dire circumstances, Khaama Press cited the USIP report as stating.Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the situation of people, especially women in Afghanistan has only deteriorated as the country is under a massive humanitarian crisis.The report, highlighting the present situation in Afghanistan, added, Donors and NGOs now face the immense challenge of meeting the needs of the Afghan people under these dire conditions.Given that the majority of Afghans live in great poverty, these organisations have had to navigate cautious involvement with an unrecognised state while continuing to provide essential relief and services to the people of the country.The United Nations estimates that there are close to 29 million people in the nation that require immediate humanitarian assistance due to a lack of financing.The USIP report also showcased that the humanitarian situation has been worse ever since the Taliban increased its restrictions on Afghan women working for NGOs.The terrible humanitarian crisis facing the nation was addressed in a clear and efficient manner, according to the report.With time, the situation of people in Afghanistan has become miserable. People continue to face food shortages, and the basic amenities to live have become a far cry for all. Moreover, the situation of women in the country has only got worse.Women in the country are prohibited from leadership posts, and not allowed to work as well as travel unless accompanied by a male companion. There is still no word on when or if these schools will reopen or if the ban is indefinite.ANI16 July 2023

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Xboxs Larry Hryb aka Major Nelson leaves Microsoft after 20 yearsA

San Francisco, July 15: Larry Hryb, also known by his Xbox Live Gamertag Major Nelson, has announced that he is leaving Microsoft after 20 years to work on the next chapter of his career.A .

Xbox's Larry Hryb aka 'Major Nelson' leaves Microsoft after 20 yearsA

"After 20 incredible years, I have decided to take a step back and work on the next chapter of my career. As I take a moment and think about all we have done together, I want to thank the millions of gamers around the world who have included me as part of their lives," Hryb tweeted on Friday."Also, thanks to Xbox team members for trusting me to have a direct dialogue with our customers. The future is bright for Xbox and as a gamer, I am excited to see the evolution," he added.Hryb spent many years as one of the most prominent public faces of the brand as Director of Programming for the Microsoft gaming network Xbox Live.He joined the company as editor-in-chief of MSN Music in 2001, but in 2003, when he joined the Xbox division, he found his identity with the company.His activities included hosting Microsoft's Official Xbox Podcast and regularly sharing Xbox team news with his more than 1 million Twitter followers.Hryb hasn't said where he'll be going next, but he plans to spend some time with his family and enjoy the summer in Seattle in the US."What's next? Going take some time to spend time with my family (no really!) and enjoy the Seattle Summer. As many of you know, I never really took time off... so now I will take that opportunity," he tweeted.IANS16 July 2023

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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the prevention of the coup attempt in Turkiye, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

Dear Mr. President,

My dear Brother,

On the seventh anniversary of the July 15 events in Turkiye, we respectfully revere the dear memory of our martyrs who sacrificed their lives to prevent the coup d'etat attempt.

This treacherous plan directed against the Republic of Turkiye was a difficult test in the history of your country. The people of Turkiye, who came out of this test with the heads high, once again clearly demonstrated to the whole world the indomitability of their resolve, determination, loyalty to statehood and democracy. Thanks to the determination of the Turkish people and state, who stood shoulder to shoulder on that difficult day, the victory achieved at the cost of the blood and lives of our martyrs confirmed the incomparable spirit of struggle and invincibility of your people and their love for the Motherland. The Democracy and National Unity Day established as a symbol of solidarity and national unity will remain a day of great honor in the history of Turkish statehood.

It is beyond doubt that when the real epic of heroism was written on that day as a clear manifestation of the immense faith and trust in you, the brotherly people of Turkiye rallied around you and immediately responded to your call, saving your country from great tragedies by putting an insurmountable shield against treacherous intentions.

The people and state of Azerbaijan stood by the brotherly state and people of Turkiye from the first moments of this struggle and unequivocally condemned the traitors of the country who attacked the country's constitutional structure and legitimate authority. We shared in the victory of the Turkish people, who emerged stronger from those events, as our own victory, their joy as our own joy, and their sadness as our own sadness, and we once again clearly proved that we are one nation and two states.

I am sure that we will continue our joint efforts for the sake of preserving and bequeathing to future generations the indestructible Azerbaijan-Turkiye brotherhood, unity and solidarity, which is our greatest asset, and for our comprehensively developing and strengthening strategic alliance.

Dear Mr. President, I wish you good health and continued success in your work, and peace and prosperity to the brotherly people of Turkiye.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. VOMA, one of the most famous Armenian terrorist organizations in the world, continues its activities to involve Armenian children into its ranks, Trend reports.

The terrorist organization, made up of Armenians, has called on Armenian children and youth through its social media accounts to join their camps for mine-laying training.

This terrorist group is also known for involving underage teenagers in its "events", instilling the ideas of "Miatsum", hatred towards Azerbaijan and making them to memorize Nazi Garegin Nzhdeh's statements about the racial supremacy of Armenians.

Although the 1949 Geneva Convention, to which Armenia acceded, and its 1977 additional protocols prohibit the participation of children under the age of fifteen in military exercises, VOMA ignores this prohibition.

By engaging in hostilities children under the age of 15, Armenia grossly infringes upon not only the relevant paragraphs of the Geneva Convention, but also Article 38 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), adopted at the 44th session of the UN General Assembly on November 20, 1989. The convention calls participating States to strict observance of the norms of international humanitarian law relating to children in armed conflicts, in particular, prohibits persons under the age of 15 from direct participation in military operations and calls for all measures to be taken to do so.

During the second 2020 Karabakh war, facts of children's direct involvement in military operations by Armenia, as well as in military drills by VOMa, POGA and Tigran Mets paramilitary organizations, have been revealed.

The mentioned terrorist organizations still adhere to such tactics in the Karabakh region, which is the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, however, the international community and organizations haven't shown any serious reaction to the illegal military activities carried out by VOMA, POGA and other Armenian terrorist groups in Karabakh.

Baku repeatedly called on the UN and its specialized agencies (UNICEF), as well as other international organizations including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, which have global authority in the field of human rights, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to react the developments and intervene in the activities carried out by the separatists, but these structures dismissively approached this issue.
BRUSSELS, Belgium, July 15. Charles Michel has invited the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to another meeting in Brussels after the summer, Trend reports.

"Real progress depends on the next steps that will need to be taken in the near future. As a matter of priority, violence and harsh rhetoric should stop in order to provide the proper environment for peace and normalisation talks. I also reiterated my intention to invite the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders for another meeting in Brussels after the summer as well as for another pentalateral meeting, with the participation also of the leaders of France and Germany, in Granada in the margins of the next European Community Summit," Charles Michel, President of the European Council, told journalists, following the meeting with President of the Republic Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Today, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels.

During the trilateral meeting, issues of delimitation of borders, continuation of negotiations on a peace treaty, opening of transport corridors, connection of Nakhchivan with the main territory of Azerbaijan, withdrawal of illegal military formations from the territory of Azerbaijan and their disarmament, as well as issues related to the facts of smuggling were discussed.

The sides also discussed the prospects of transportation of humanitarian goods intended for Karabakh from Barda-Aghdam, issues of further residence of the Armenian population of Karabakh on the basis of the sovereignty and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

At the same time, the issue of the Western Azerbaijan Community and their return to their homes was discussed during the negotiations.
Noyan Gokce, MD, professor of medicine at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, has been awarded a $453,750 National Institutes of Health (NIH) R-21 grant for his research study "Impact of Per/Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) pollutants on vascular disease mechanisms." This work will be performed in collaboration with co-investigator Jennifer Schlezinger, PhD from the Boston University School of Public Health.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are manmade chemicals that are extensively used in industrial and consumer products such as stain- and water-repellent fabrics, food contact materials, polishes, waxes, paints and foams. PFAS are omnipresent in the environment including our food and drinking supplies and can be absorbed by humans.

Gokce's research project will focus on the growing evidence that PFAS exposures are associated with negative health outcomes and may play a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. "Our preliminary data shows that PFAS disrupt key physiological functions of human blood vessels by impairing arteriolar vasomotor function and angiogenesis," says Gokce, who also is Director of Echocardiography at Boston Medical Center (BMC).

He will seek for the first time to characterize the causal pathophysiological actions of diverse classes of PFAS toxicants upon the human vascular system. "The overall project tackles an unmet clinical need for innovative research as outlined by the recently established PFAS Commitments to Action Strategic Roadmap (2021-2024) by the EPA, for understanding how PFAS pollutants can play causal roles in mediating human disease," he explains.

Gokce is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC), American Society of Echocardiography (FASE) and a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI). He is board certified in cardiovascular diseases and adult echocardiography. He is recipient of the Excellence in Clinical Teaching award in 2006, 2011, 2017 and 2019 in the cardiovascular division. He is the recipient of the Collaborator of the Year award in clinical/translational sciences at BMC, as well as the Department of Medicine's first prize in clinical research.

His laboratory has been NIH funded for 20 consecutive years and he is currently the principal investigator on several NIH R01 grants that study the relationships between dysfunctional adipose tissue in human fat stores and cardiometabolic dysfunction.
Over the past two decades, conditional cash transfer programs have led to a 24% reduction in child mortality in Brazil, Mexico and Ecuador, equivalent to more than 700,000 child deaths averted, according to an impact evaluation study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), an institution supported by "la Caixa" Foundation. The results, published in JAMA Network Open, also show that expanding these programmes could save more than 150,ooo lives by mitigating the effects of the current economic crisis.

Conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs are one of the most consolidated poverty-reduction policies. They were designed to break the cycle of poverty by giving money to low-income families in exchange for meeting certain health and education requirements for their children. There are currently 30 such programmes in Latin America, a region with some of the largest income and health inequalities in the world. "Countries have reported various health benefits of these programs, but we lacked evidence of their impact across countries and during the current period of multiple global crises" says Davide Rasella, ISGlobal researcher.

In this study, an international team coordinated by Rasella evaluated the health impact of these programs over the past 20 years and predicted their impact in future scenarios. The research team linked CCT coverage to health and socioeconomic data from 4,882 municipalities in three countries: Mexico, which launched the first nationwide CCT program (Progreso) in 1997; Brazil, which has the world's largest program (Bolsa Familia); and Ecuador, whose Bono de Desarrollo Humano costs the most in percentage of gross domestic product.

Reduction of poverty-related diseases

The retrospective analysis shows that, between 2000 and 2019, consolidated municipal CCT coverages were associated with a 24% reduction on overall mortality in children under five years, corresponding to 739,919 child deaths averted in all the three countries over the same period. The higher the coverage of CCT, the greater the impact on child mortality and hospitalization, particularly for poverty-related diseases such as malnutrition, diarrhea, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, respiratory infections and malaria.

We believe that this effect is mostly due to better socioeconomic conditions, such as better nutrition and housing, rather than to conditioning the income on the use of basic health services." Daniella Medeiros, from the Federal University of Bahia in Brazil, and first author of the study

This may explain why the stronger effect was seen on postneonatal and under-five mortality, which is more dependent on socioeconomic conditions, compared with neonatal mortality, which depends more on health care services.

Expand coverage in response to economic crises

The forecast analyses considered three potential economic crisis scenarios (short, medium and long) and three alternative responses in terms of CCT coverage (mitigation, baseline and fiscal austerity). In the medium crisis scenario, mitigation (i.e. expanding coverage to include the "new" poor) would reduce child mortality by up to 17% and prevent 153,601 child deaths in the three countries by 2030. Rapid expansion of CCT programs during economic crises is therefore an effective policy to mitigate the health impact and save children's lives.

"Poverty remains one of the main drivers of disease and death in low- and middle-income countries, but sometimes we focus on other risk factors and overlook its predominant role, even though it is a determinant on which we can effectively act from multiple perspectives," concludes Rasella.
A new research perspective was published in Oncoscience (Volume 10) on May 27, 2023, entitled, "Think outside the box  atypical infections in chronic sinusitis."

Inflammations of the paranasal sinuses represent a common clinical picture. The annual prevalence of chronic sinusitis in Europe is up to 10%. Sinusitis can be divided into acute and chronic forms. In particular, the chronic forms (>12 weeks duration) are often challenging in the context of therapy.

Generally, all ventilation disorders of the paranasal sinuses (concha bullosa, nasal septal deviations, etc.,) represent risk factors for the development of any form of sinusitis. In addition, an immune deficiency or systemic diseases relevant to the immune system predispose to infections with atypical pathogens. Most sinusitis are caused by viruses, sometimes bacteria and, in rare cases, fungal infections. Furthermore, sinusitis can be differentiated with regard to the affected paranasal sinuses.

In addition to conservative treatment options for chronic sinusitis (glucocorticoid nasal sprays, antibiotics, antimycotics, immunotherapy), surgical procedures (functional endoscopic sinus surgery) can also be considered. However, chronic sinusitis tends towards a high rate of recurrences. Therefore, in many cases only symptom control is achieved. In their recent research perspective, researchers Florian Dudde, Kai-Olaf Henkel and Filip Barbarewicz from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Army Hospital Hamburg discuss treatment refractory forms of chronic sinusitis with unclear etiology. The authors note that these cases require interdisciplinary diagnostics and treatment, which they were able to demonstrate clearly in their recently published article.

"Fungal infections are a rare cause of sinusitis. A detailed anamnesis and clinical examination of the patient should be carried out, particularly in the case of therapy refractory forms of chronic sinusitis. It is also important to consider atypical causes and disease connections (root canal treatment, aspergilloma) when dealing with chronic sinusitis. Interdisciplinary diagnostics and therapy are crucial for the successful treatment of this rare entity."
A team of scientists led by researchers from the University of Leicester have discovered that the genes required for learning, memory, aggression and other complex behaviors originated around 650 million years ago.

The findings led by Dr Roberto Feuda, from the Neurogenetic group in the Department of Genetics and Genome Biology and other colleagues from the University of Leicester and the University of Fribourg (Switzerland), have now been published in Nature Communications.

We've known for a long time that monoamines like serotonin, dopamine and adrenaline act as neuromodulators in the nervous system, playing a role in complex behavior and functions like learning and memory, as well as processes such as sleep and feeding. However, less certain was the origin of the genes required for the production, detection, and degradation of these monoamines. Using the computational methods, we reconstructed the evolutionary history of these genes and show that most of the genes involved in monoamine production, modulation, and reception originated in the bilaterian stem group. This finding has profound implications on the evolutionary origin of complex behaviors such as those modulated by monoamines we observe in humans and other animals." Dr Roberto Feuda, from the Neurogenetic group in the Department of Genetics and Genome Biology

The authors suggest that this new way to modulate neuronal circuits might have played a role in the Cambrian Explosion  known as the Big Bang - which gave rise to the largest diversification of life for most major animal groups alive today by providing flexibility of the neural circuits to facilitate the interaction with the environment.

Dr Feuda added: "This discovery will open new important research avenues that will clarify the origin of complex behaviors and if the same neurons modulate reward, addiction, aggression, feeding, and sleep."
The range of COVID-19 symptoms varies-; some feel a mild cold, others are hospitalized, while others perish. Many studies have linked the severity of COVID-19 symptoms with an individual's biological factors, but less is known about the impact of non-biological factors, such as the environment in which people live.

A new study that published on June 14, 2023, in the journal PLoS ONE, is the first to show that the neighborhood-built environment might pose an independent risk determining the individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19 illness.

The authors found that in a cohort of more than 18,000 individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infections, living in multi-family building, living in a neighborhood with higher air pollution (PM2.5) levels and living in a neighborhood with lower walkability and bike-ability were associated with a greater incidence rate of hospitalization, even when controlling for socioeconomic vulnerability and individual-level demographic and medical characteristics. Neighborhoods with higher public transit quality and access were also associated with a higher incidence rate of hospitalization.

The study identified differences between the two largest ethnic groups in the region. Higher PM2.5 levels posed a higher rate of hospitalization for Latinx individuals, and density and overcrowding showed stronger associations for non-Hispanic White individuals.

The findings could help inform public health and urban planning initiatives in lowering the risk of hospitalizations linked to COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens.

For urban planners, the findings underline what we're already trying to do to build healthier communities-;create more walkability, bike-ability and infrastructure that will reduce air pollution. From a public health perspective, the findings can help testing and vaccination campaigns target areas with higher air pollution or multi-family housing." Alessandro Rigolon, associate professor at the University of Utah and lead author of the study

The study also exposed how urban policies from the past continue impact the daily lives of many communities.

"We found much higher rates of COVID-19 hospitalizations along the I-25 and I-70 corridors and in the industrial areas of North Denver," said Jeremy Nemeth, professor at the University of Colorado Denver and co-author of the study. "These are the same areas that have experienced decades of disinvestment and increased air pollution due to racist land-use policies levied on our cities in the early 20th century."

Neighborhood-built environments

The study analyzed the neighborhood characteristics in the Denver Metro Area associated with hospitalizations of 18,042 people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between May and December in 2020, before vaccines became extensively available. Researchers from two of the Denver Metro Area's major health care systems, Denver Health and University of Colorado Hospital, reviewed more than 30,000 cases of eligible individuals. They limited the cohort to those living in the greater metro area, and matched available health record data for each case. Variables pulled from the medical record included age and body mass index (BMI), evidence of tobacco use, hypertension, chronic lung disease, some forms of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Researchers at the University of Colorado Denver then converted addresses of people in the final cohort to their geospatial coordinates and assigned environmental variables accordingly.

Ethical oversight and approval for the study was granted by the Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board and all protected health information was anonymized prior to sharing.

"Very few studies are comprehensive like ours. We're able to control for some individual level factors that, for people with COVID-19, would lead to higher chances of being hospitalized," said Rigolon.

With biological factors largely accounted for, the authors identified four characteristics of a neighborhood that might contribute to COVID-19 hospitalization: density and overcrowding, including living in an overcrowded home or multi-family building; environmental hazards, such as air pollution levels (PM 2.5) and proximity to highways; environmental amenities, including access to parks; and mobility options, including public transit access, walkability and bike-ability.

The authors were unsurprised that individuals with compromised lung and immune systems who face chronic air pollution would be unable to respond as well to the respiratory disease and would be more likely to need hospitalization after contracting COVID-19. Their finding that higher PM2.5 levels impacted Latinx individuals more than non-Hispanic White individuals underscores a worldwide problem-;air pollution disproportionately affects People of Color. While findings support making existing neighborhoods more walkable and bikeable, the authors emphasized that future planning efforts to reduce emissions should center the principles of environmental justice. Since walkability was particularly protective in Latinx communities, the authors suggest that cities should prioritize investing to make Latinx-dominant neighborhoods pedestrian-friendly.

The result for density and overcrowding underscore the need for vaccination and testing efforts to focus on areas with multi-family housing to mitigate risk of severe disease. Because living in transit-rich neighborhoods was associated with higher risk of hospitalization from COVID-19, public health measures like educational campaigns and outreach in these areas are particularly important.

"So many health disparities track along geographic lines. We've long suspected that more than just pre-existing medical conditions were to blame for the disparities. It was interesting to work with the urban planning teams to pinpoint exactly which environmental factors were partially to blame for disproportionate rates of hospitalizations that we keep seeing. This will help public health leaders continue to advocate for healthier cities, and it helps inform outreach efforts to address COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses," said Sarah Rowan, associate professor of medicine at University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver Health infectious diseases physician and the study's senior author.

Neighborhoods in other areas, other diseases?

The authors would like to replicate this study in other regions such as in the Salt Lake Valley in Utah, which has similar environmental and population characteristics as the Denver Metro Area. They'd also like to expand to other respiratory diseases where people are hospitalized, such as the flu. Though it took multiple years to process the massive quantity of patient records, studies that can look at health outcomes and the built environment on an individual level are valuable.

"Urban planning was born out of public health concerns in the U.S. when cities were getting very crowded, very polluted and sanitation was an issue. It's only natural that urban planners do research that involves public health," said Rigolon.

Additional contributing authors include Brenn Anderson-Gregson, Ann Rae Miller and Priyanka deSouza of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Colorado Denver; Brian Montague and Kristine M. Erlandson of the Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine; and Cory Hussain, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Denver Health.
Monitoring dairy calves with precision technologies based on the "internet of things," or IoT, leads to the earlier diagnosis of calf-killing bovine respiratory disease, according to a new study. The novel approach -; a result of crosscutting collaboration by a team of researchers from Penn State, University of Kentucky and University of Vermont -;will offer dairy producers an opportunity to improve the economies of their farms, according to researchers.

This is not your grandfather's dairy farming strategy, notes lead researcher Melissa Cantor, assistant professor of precision dairy science in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. Cantor noted that new technology is becoming increasingly affordable, offering farmers opportunities to detect animal health problems soon enough to intervene, saving the calves and the investment they represent.

IoT refers to embedded devices equipped with sensors, processing and communication abilities, software, and other technologies to connect and exchange data with other devices over the Internet. In this study, Cantor explained, IoT technologies such as wearable sensors and automatic feeders were used to closely watch and analyze the condition of calves.

Such IoT devices generate a huge amount of data by closely monitoring the cows' behavior. To make such data easier to interpret, and provide clues to calf health problems, the researchers adopted machine learning -; a branch of artificial intelligence that learns the hidden patterns in the data to discriminate between sick and healthy calves, given the input from the IoT devices.

We put leg bands on the calves, which record activity behavior data in dairy cattle, such as the number of steps and lying time. And we used automatic feeders, which dispense milk and grain and record feeding behaviors, such as the number of visits and liters of consumed milk. Information from those sources signaled when a calf's condition was on the verge of deteriorating." Melissa Cantor, assistant professor of precision dairy science, Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences

Bovine respiratory disease is an infection of the respiratory tract that is the leading reason for antimicrobial use in dairy calves and represents 22% of calf mortalities. The costs and effects of the ailment can severely damage a farm's economy, since raising dairy calves is one of the largest economic investments.

"Diagnosing bovine respiratory disease requires intensive and specialized labor that is hard to find," Cantor said. "So, precision technologies based on IoT devices such as automatic feeders, scales and accelerometers can help detect behavioral changes before outward clinical signs of the disease are manifested."

In the study, data was collected from 159 dairy calves using precision livestock technologies and by researchers who performed daily physical health exams on the calves at the University of Kentucky. Researchers recorded both automatic data-collection results and manual data-collection results and compared the two.

In findings recently published in IEEE Access, a peer-reviewed open-access scientific journal published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the researchers reported that the proposed approach is able to identify calves that developed bovine respiratory disease sooner. Numerically, the system achieved an accuracy of 88% for labeling sick and healthy calves. Seventy percent of sick calves were predicted four days prior to diagnosis, and 80% of calves that developed a chronic case of the disease were detected within the first five days of sickness.

"We were really surprised to find out that the relationship with the behavioral changes in those animals was very different than animals that got better with one treatment," she said. "And nobody had ever looked at that before. We came up with the concept that if these animals actually behave differently, then there's probably a chance that IoT technologies empowered with machine learning inference techniques could actually identify them sooner, before anybody can with the naked eye. That offers producers options."

Contributing to the research were: Enrico Casella, Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Melissa Cantor, Department of Animal Science, Penn State University; Megan Woodrum Setser, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky; Simone Silvestri, Department of Computer Science, University of Kentucky; and Joao Costa, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Vermont.

This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Science Foundation.
A new study from University Hospitals (UH) Connor Whole Health describes the scope and integration of their music therapy program within10 UH medical centers. The study, entitled "Effectiveness of Medical Music Therapy Practice: Integrative Research using the Electronic Health Record (EMMPIRE): Rationale, Design, and Population Characteristics" is the largest such observational study of medical music therapy practice to date. Unlike other music therapy programs, which may be limited to specific hospital units, the program at UH Connor Whole Health is integrated throughout the UH health system, serving patients on general medical/surgical, intensive care, and specialized oncology units, as well as more restricted environments such as the stem cell transplant unit and specialized COVID-19 units in 2020. Within these units, music therapists collaborate with the medical team to address the needs of patients with various medical conditions, the most common being mental health (39.4%), cardiovascular (11.8%), respiratory (9.9%), and musculoskeletal (8.9%) conditions as reported in the study. The findings from this study were recently published in Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, a leading journal focusing on evaluating the impact of modalities such as music therapy and their integration within medical care.

In this retrospective study conducted between January 2017 and July 2020, researchers from UH Connor Whole Health examined the delivery and integration of music therapy across the UH health system and described the demographic and clinical characteristics of all hospitalized adults seen by the music therapy program outside of inpatient psychiatric or emergency departments. Overall, this large study examined 14,261 music therapy sessions provided to 7,378 unique patients who had been referred by 1,169 healthcare professionals within 10 UH medical centers over 3.5 years. This study builds upon a 30-year history of seminal music therapy studies at UH funded by the Kulas Foundation, the country's leading private foundation for funding scientific research in music therapy. Kulas has funded studies at UH studying the efficacy of music therapy in palliative care, surgery, and sickle cell disease. The findings from the current study serve as the foundation for the EMMPIRE study led by researchers at UH Connor Whole Health. Other recent publications from the EMMPIRE dataset support the real-world clinical effectiveness of music therapy for addressing patients' symptoms within community hospitals and at an academic cancer center.

"In addition to the size of the EMMPIRE dataset, this descriptive study is also novel in that it demonstrates our ability to use the electronic health record as a research tool. We also compared the characteristics of the population seen by music therapy to the UH population overall to demonstrate the integration of the music therapy program," said Samuel Rodgers-Melnick, MPH, MT-BC, co-investigator for EMMPIRE and the lead author of the study.

To facilitate a comparison of the music therapy population with hospitalization trends reported by UH, the researchers separated the population into patients seen within Cuyahoga County hospitals (six mostly urban hospitals including the academic medical center in Cleveland) and patients seen in counties outside Cuyahoga County (four hospitals serving mostly rural areas). This analysis revealed similarities in demographic and clinical characteristics. For example, the percentage of patients seen by music therapy who identified as Black/African American within Cuyahoga County (48.0%) was reflective of the demographics of that county, where 48.3% of Cleveland (the largest city within Cuyahoga County) residents identify as Black/African American. Additionally, the distribution of medical populations seen by the music therapy team (i.e., cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal) were similar to the rates reported by UH within and outside Cuyahoga County..

Music therapy services are embedded across the UH healthcare system and integrated into frontline interdisciplinary teams caring for critically ill patients. We are committed to providing non-pharmacologic support to patients from diverse backgrounds for both physical and psychological vulnerabilities." Seneca Block, The Lauren Rich Fine Endowed Director of Expressive Therapies at UH Connor Whole Health and co-author of the study

UH Connor Whole Health manages the largest health system-based music therapy program in the US with 11 board-certified music therapists who collaborate with providers across the system to help patients and their families manage the physical and emotional toll of an illness or hospitalization. Additionally, UH Connor Whole Health provides a diverse offering of integrative health and medicine modalities, including acupuncture, chiropractic, and integrative medicine consults, that are centered on patients' entire well-being.

Other important descriptive findings from the study include: (1) patients seen by music therapy were predominantly female (63.7%), White (54.3%) or Black/African American (44.0%), 63.7  18.5 years of age at admission, and insured under Medicare (51.1%), Medicaid (18.1%) or private insurance (14.2%); (2) patients were referred by physicians (34.7%), nurses (29.4%), or advanced practice providers (24.7%) for coping (32.0%), anxiety reduction (20.4%), or pain management (10.1%); and (3) 39.4% of patients' hospital admissions included a mental health diagnosis, a significantly higher rate than the average of 27.8% reported among all 2016 inpatient stays in the United States. "The strength of EMMPIRE and other real-world studies is the reliable documentation in the electronic health record by the integrative health and medicine providers on these interventions and patient-reported outcomes," said Jeffery A. Dusek PhD, Director of Research, UH Connor Whole Health and Principal Investigator of EMMPIRE as well as the BraveNet Practice-Based Research Network, the largest such network of integrative health and medicine centers in the world.
The IIT-Delhi is all set to establish a new international campus at Abu Dhabi in UAE by 2024. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the signing of an agreement between the two governments to this effect on Saturday. This will be the second global campus of an Indian Institute of Technology.

Last week, IIT-Madras announced the launch of its campus at Zanzibar in Tanzania, the first global IIT campus from October. Also, IIT-Kharagpur is in talks with setting up its international campus at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. In an interview with News18 in January, IIT-Delhi director Prof Rangan Banerjee had said they will be coming up with a new campus in Abu Dhabi, and talks about setting it up had been ongoing since last year.

An agreement was signed between the ministry of education and Abu Dhabis department of education and knowledge (ADEK), as well as IIT-Delhi to establish its first campus. The signing of this MoU unfolds a new chapter in internationalisation of Indias education. An example of new Indias innovation and expertise, the IIT Delhi campus in UAE will be an edifice of India-UAE friendship," said Pradhan, announcing the tie-up in a tweet. The IIT-Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi will set a brand new template for leveraging the power of knowledge for both mutual prosperity and global good, he added.

The signing took place in the presence of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agreement was signed by Abu Dhabis undersecretary for education, Indian ambassador to UAE and IIT-Delhi director.

IIT-Abu Dhabi will be collaborating with key players in higher education in the UAE, including Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Khalifa University, New York University, Abu Dhabi, Technology Innovation Institute, and Hub71 to offer complimentary programmes, conduct cutting-edge research, and advance the local startup ecosystem, the statement read.

The new campus is expected to offer a host of bachelors, masters and PhD programmes. It is also likely to operate research centres related to sustainable energy and climate studies, as well as computing and data sciences. It is expected to offer a diverse range of programmes covering energy and sustainability, artificial intelligence (AI), computer science and engineering, mathematics and computing and other disciplines of engineering, sciences, and humanities," it stated.

IIT-Delhi is yet to announce the courses to be offered at its international campus. Meanwhile, IIT-Madras director Prof V Kamakoti had earlier this week said the IIT-Zanzibar campus, will initially begin with offering a BS in data science and AI as well as an MTech in the same discipline.

Setting up an IIT campus in the UAE was envisioned in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between the top leadership of the two countries in early 2022. In due course, IIT-Delhi was identified by the ministry of education to roll out this effort of strategic importance to the country.

The IIT at Abu Dhabi is envisioned to be a research-centric campus of IIT-Delhi. Our new Abu Dhabi campus is a challenge and opportunity for us to ensure that our education and research makes a global impact, said Banerjee.

IIT-Delhi has already initiated outreach programmes for school students from the UAE as part of its offerings for the academic ecosystem of the country. Short courses and executive programmes for the industry are expected to start soon, the director added.
Internships provide invaluable hands-on experience and a chance to hone your skills under the guidance of industry professionals. They offer an immersive learning environment where you can apply your knowledge, gain practical insights, and build a strong portfolio. Moreover, internships often serve as a stepping stone to future employment opportunities and can significantly boost your chances of securing a rewarding graphic design career.

Graphic design plays a crucial role in todays digital age, where visual content is paramount in capturing attention and conveying messages effectively. Whether its designing stunning logos, crafting captivating social media posts, or creating visually appealing websites, graphic designers are in high demand across various industries.

Are you a creative individual looking to kickstart your career in graphic design? Look no further! We have compiled a comprehensive list of exciting internship opportunities in the field of graphic design that you can apply for this week through Internshala.

Graphic Design Internship In Pune At Exa Mobility India Private Limited

Exa Mobility India Private Limited in Pune is offering an exciting internship opportunity in graphic design. The internship, with a duration of three months, is open for immediate start. The selected intern will be responsible for creating visually appealing graphics, designing infographics for social media posts, and developing digital creatives/illustrations for multiple mobile applications. The stipend for this position ranges from Rs 10,000 to 20,000 per month. Candidates can apply for this internship before the deadline of July 27.

Graphic Design Internship At Additans Digital, Delhi

An internship program in Delhi, providing hands-on experience in the field of graphic design, is set to start immediately. This opportunity involves various responsibilities related to design, content development, image editing, collaboration, communication, quality assurance, and industry research. The duration of the internship is six months, during which interns will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 8,000. Candidates may apply on or before July 27.

3d Designing Internship In Noida At ABL Education LLP

ABL Education LLP, located in Noida, is seeking individuals for a 3D Designing opportunity. This internship offers an opportunity to work on various aspects of 3D rendering and design creation. The intern will be responsible for tasks such as creating 3D models, working on video shoots, creating animated videos, and editing videos. Proficiency in 3ds Max is a required skill for this internship. The position is available for an immediate start and has a duration of four months. Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 8,000. The application deadline is July 27.

Graphic Design Internship In Mumbai At Overseas Consultant

There is an opportunity for a graphic design position available at The Overseas Consultant, located in Mumbai. The position is open for an immediate start and has a duration of 3 months. This internship offer involves various responsibilities related to designing creatives for social media platforms, logos, page layouts, user-friendly interfaces, and video editing. The selected intern will primarily utilize skills such as Adobe Photoshop, Canva, CorelDRAW, UI & UX Design, and video editing software to fulfil these tasks. Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000-6,000. Interested individuals can apply for this position by the deadline of July 27.

Graphic Design Internship In Gurgaon At Warewe Consultancy Private Limited

Warewe Consultancy Private Limited offers an immediate start opportunity with a duration of two months. The selected intern will be responsible for finding creatives, creating illustrations for online blogs for websites covering different topics, and occasionally designing posters. The required skills for this internship position include proficiency in Adobe After Effects, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and CorelDRAW. The position offers a monthly stipend ranging from Rs 4,000 to 5,000. Interested applicants should apply by July 27.
To tackle the shortage of teachers in government schools across Maharashtra, the state government has announced plans to recruit 50,000 teachers. School Education Minister Deepak Vasant Kesarkar confirmed this news, highlighting the need to address the staffing shortfall. According to Kesarkar, the recruitment process will be carried out in two stages. Around 30,000 posts will be filled in the primary stage, with the remaining 20,000 in the second stage.

There was a delay in the recruitment process due to a stay order issued by the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court. Kesarkar assured that the recruitment process will now commence, with a government resolution to be issued accordingly.

To ensure that students are not inconvenienced in the meantime, the education department has appointed retired teachers on a contract basis in schools where there is a shortage of teachers. These retired teachers will be reassigned to Zilla Parishad schools and aided institutions once the new teachers are appointed, Kesarkar explained.

The appointment of 50,000 teachers in government schools is expected to have a positive impact on schoolchildren. The shortage of teachers has affected the teaching and learning process. Additionally, the state government plans to introduce pre-primary classes in 17,000 schools.

Regarding the recent slip in the states ranking from second to seventh place in the education Performance Grading Index, Kesarkar attributed the change to the revised evaluation parameters. He noted that all states had achieved over 90%, and only Chandigarh and Punjab were able to secure the sixth and seventh positions, respectively, under the new evaluation system.

Furthermore, Kesarkar acknowledged that the standard of aided educational institutes, which are privately run, had fallen in comparison to Zilla Parishad schools. The new evaluation method prevents any state from ranking in the top five categories.
BRUSSELS, Belgium, July 15. During the talks with President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the issue of transportation of humanitarian supplies for the Armenian residents of Karabakh in the direction of Barda-Aghdam was discussed, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, told journalists, following the meeting with President of the Republic Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Trend reports.

President Michel noted Azerbaijans willingness to equally provide humanitarian supplies to Armenian resident of Karabakh via Aghdam.

"I see both options as important and encourage the humanitarian deliveries from both sides to ensure the needs to the population are met. I also welcomed the resumption of medical evacuations by the ICRC," he said.

Today, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels.

During the trilateral meeting, issues of delimitation of borders, continuation of negotiations on a peace treaty, opening of transport corridors, connection of Nakhchivan with the main territory of Azerbaijan, withdrawal of illegal military formations from the territory of Azerbaijan and their disarmament, as well as issues related to the facts of smuggling were discussed.

The sides also discussed the prospects of transportation of humanitarian goods intended for Karabakh from Barda-Aghdam, issues of further residence of the Armenian population of Karabakh on the basis of the sovereignty and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

At the same time, the issue of the Western Azerbaijan Community and their return to their homes was discussed during the negotiations.
Spiritual leader and preacher Amogh Lila Das is in the news after he was banned by ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) for a month recently. The ban was imposed after a video of him went viral criticising two of the biggest and most popular Bengali spiritual leaders of the 19th century, Ramkrishna Paramhansa and his disciple Swami Vivekananda.

Amogh Lila Das had disregarded Ramakrishna Paramhansas teaching of there are as many routes as there are opinions" and condemned Swami Vivekananda for eating fish", which fuelled outrage among their followers. With people taking a keen interest in Amogh Lila Das after the news of his ban from ISKCON, let us delve deeper into his transformation from an engineer to a spiritual guru.

The real name of Amogh Lila Das is Ashish Arora. He was an engineer by profession before becoming a monk. He joined ISKCON at the age of 29 and has been with the organisation for 12 years. He currently serves as the Vice President of the Dwarka chapter of ISKCON.

Ashish Arora was born in Lucknow to a Punjabi family. Hes presently residing in Delhi. After graduating from Delhi College of Engineering in 2004 with a degree in software engineering, he began working for a multinational company with headquarters in the United States. In 2010, he left his corporate job and, after adopting celibacy, joined ISKCON at the age of 29.

Amogh Lila Das has often said that very early in his life, he had a strong spiritual calling. He discusses a variety of topics, primarily religious ones, on his Reviving Values YouTube channel. He rarely misses an occasion to touch on contentious topics, from talking about the morality" of live-in relationships to advocating the necessity of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Amogh Lila Das confessed his mistake in uttering unacceptable" remarks regarding Swami Vivekananda and his guru, according to a press release issued by ISKCON on July 11. According to the official statement, he has deliberately chosen to withdraw from social life for a month as a way to make amends for his comments.
The Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) is gearing up to release the admit cards for the upcoming RUHS BSc Nursing exam. Although an official announcement is still pending, it is anticipated that the admit cards will be made available today. Candidates are advised to visit the official website of RUHS atruhsraj.org to download their admit cards once released. The admit card is a crucial document that needs to be carried to the examination centre. According to the official website, the RUHS BSc Nursing exams tentative date is July 23 in Jaipur. Candidates are advised to ensure they have downloaded and printed their admit cards from the official website.

RUHS BSc Nursing Admit Card: Steps to Download

Step 1: Navigate to the official website of RUHS at ruhsraj.org.

Step 2: On the homepage, choose the option that mentions Admissions 202324.

Step 3: Click on the BSc Nursing Admit Card 2023 option.

Step 4: Add your login credentials and submit.

Step 5: Your RUHS BSc Nursing admit card will be displayed on the screen.

Step 6: Check all the details mentioned on the admit card and take a printout for the exam day.

It is important to note that candidates who are appearing for the BSc Nursing exam must carry certain documents to the examination centre. These include valid proof of identity such as an Aadhar card, PAN card, voter ID, or passport.

The entrance examination will have a total of 100 questions. Out of which, 34 questions of biology, 33 questions of chemistry, and 33 questions of physics will be there. Each correct answer will have one mark, and there will be no negative marking for wrong or unattempted answers.

To ensure a smooth exam day experience, students must carefully read and adhere to the exam day guidelines provided on the RUHS BSc Nursing admit card. This will help them avoid any last-minute hustle at the exam centre.

After the completion of the RUHS BSc Nursing exam, the university will publish a provisional answer key. This will allow students to review their answers and raise objections or challenges if they find any discrepancies. Candidates will be provided with a specified period within which they can submit their challenges.

Following the challenge period, the university will release the final answer key, incorporating the necessary corrections based on the challenges raised by the students. This final answer key will provide accurate and official answers to the exam questions.
The Delhi High Court has refused to put a stay on the Union Public Service Commissions (UPSC) decision to invite applications for the Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2023. Justice Chandra Dhari Singh denied a suit filed by several civil services aspirants and said that the application has been dismissed". The application was made in a pending petition by 17 unsuccessful UPSC candidates demanding the answer key to the preliminary exam conducted earlier this year.

The petitioners counsel sought the postponement of the invitation to apply for the Mains application, arguing that otherwise their main case, which concerns the preliminary round of tests, will become infructuous. The Delhi High Court, however, stated verbally that the exam is crucial for talented people rather than those seeking writ petitions.

The application claims that by providing the form, the UPSC demonstrated undue hastiness to subvert the process of law and justice and carry on its arbitrary practises in a covert manner. It further stated that the UPSC had successfully dismissed cases in the past due to them being infructuous owing to non-compliance, the passage of time or change in circumstances.

The candidates filed the motion in a writ petition in response to a news release issued on June 12 which said that the preliminary exam answer key would be released only after the entire process of the Civil Services Examination 2023 is completed. The main petition also asked the exam conducting body to provide the answer key as soon as possible.

The main writ petition further argued that when a competitive exam is held, the answer key to the questions (multiple choice questions) is usually arranged ahead of time so that it can be released after the exam, providing a fair evaluation to the candidates. The Delhi High Court, on July 3, had asked the UPSC to file its preliminary objections in the main petition. However, it refused to provide a notice of the plea and scheduled the hearing for July 26.
The Border Security Force has appointed a nodal officer in each district to manage post-poll violence in West Bengal. A senior official said the need to appoint such an officer was to help those who were apprehensive about being attacked. The central forces are sharing the contact numbers of all 22 nodal officers.

In an important notification by the State Election Commission, meanwhile, it is to be kept in mind that candidates will be considered elected depending on the order of the court. Two days ago, the court in its observation had said winning candidates will be considered elected as per the courts final order.

According to orders of the high court, central forces will be deployed in the districts for 10 days now. Initially, there were hiccups in coordination between BSF and state forces, regarding data but both seem to be working together now.

BSF DIG SS Guleria told CNN-News18: Nodal officers have been detailed by the CAPF in all the police districts for the purpose of liaising with local police for planning and making effective use by suitable deployment of CAPF/SAP troops to avert the chances of occurrence of any incident of violence in the post panchayat election phase."

Each district in West Bengal has deployment of CAPF up to block level and they have been entrusted with the responsibility of responding to all incidents of post-poll violence. So, flag marches and area domination in affected areas have been increased.

Some from political circles though have raised the question of the need of nodal officers when state police is already present. Sources in the administration said West Bengal chief secretary conducted meetings and told officers that there should be no incident of violence and CAPF should be sent to sensitive areas.
Sunny Singh is known for his memorable performances in films like Adipurush, Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 and Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. He recently spoke candidly about his friendships with fellow actors, including Kartik Aaryan. Sunny expressed that he shared a strong bond with Kartik and compared their bond to that of school or college buddies. He also revealed some interesting details about their late night outing, which hogged the limelight when a video of them at a roadside Chinese stall went viral last year.

In a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Sunny said, The bond between Kartik and me has always been strong, you can say we have that school friend, college friend kind of feeling. We dont even realize whether we are both actors. If we are sitting together, he will keep laughing and I will also keep laughing. We go to the same gym, so we laugh from a distance and then talk. Nushrratt is the same, Sonnalli is the same, when we meet, we meet like friends. We share a lot of things and have been there for each others ups and down.

Kai baar kya hota haina ki aap itne busy ho jate ho, ye acha bhi lagta hai ki aap busy hain lekin, but jab baat ho jati hai ya jab milte hain fir wohi wapas hasi mazak, masti aur Sagar Chinese. (Many times, what happens is that you become so busy and it feels good that you are busy, but when we talk or when we meet, its the same laughter, jokes, fun and Sagar Chinese)," he added.

When asked about Sagar Chinese, Sunny Singh recalled, He (Kartik Aaryan) took me there. I was sitting at home, and he said, kuch time pass karte hain, we live near each other. He had bought a new car, so we drove in the car and reached the roadside Chinese stall. And then the media showed up."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Varinder Chawla (@varindertchawla)

On the work front, Sunny Singh was last seen in Om Rauts Adipurush. The actor has an exciting lineup of projects. He will be seen in Single Salma, Luv Ki Arrange Marriage and The Virgin Tree.

As for Kartik Aaryan, he recently appeared in Satyaprem Ki Katha opposite Kiara Advani. Kartik recently made an exciting announcement about his collaboration with director Kabir Khan for Chandu Champion, a film based on a true story. Kartik is also set to star in Aashiqui 3 and Captain India.
In yet another incident of unruly passenger behavior mid-flight, a man allegedly slapped and verbally abused a senior Air India official on board its Sydney-Delhi flight, the airline stated on Saturday. The incident unfolded when the official, who had been downgraded from business class to economy due to a seat malfunction, attempted to address the passengers loud voice, according to reports.

Despite the physical assault, the Air India cabin crew refrained from utilising restraining devices to control the unruly passenger, as per reports.

An Air India spokesperson, in a statement confirmed the incident and said, A passenger on board AI-301 operating Sydney-Delhi on July 9, 2023, behaved in an unacceptable manner during flight, despite verbal and written warnings, causing distress to other passengers, which included one of our employees.

Upon the flights safe landing at Delhi, the passenger was handed over to the security agency, and the passenger later apologised in writing, the airline said.

Air India said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was duly informed and it takes a firm stand against misbehaviour that compromises the safety, security, or dignity" of its customers and staff.

We will pursue this to the full extent of the law, it said.

According to the source, the Air India official was initially assigned seat 30-C, but as there were other passengers, he chose to shift to seat 25 ABC. It is alleged that the official began correcting his co-passenger about his loud voice, resulting in the passenger slapping him, twisting his head, and verbally abusing him.

As the five young cabin crew members were unable to handle the unruly passenger, the Air India official moved towards the rear seats.

This unruly passenger was playing with emergency equipment and walking freely in the galley, the source alleged.

According to the source, the male cabin supervisor was called and the passenger was issued a verbal warning and a written warning.

The incident is the latest in the series of unruly passenger behaviour reported in Indian-operated flights.

In an Air India Delhi-London flight on April 10, a passenger identified as 25-year-old Jaskirat Singh Padda from Punjab caused physical harm to two female cabin crew members, Air India has imposed a two-year flying ban on the individual. The Delhi Police registered a case against the passenger based on a complaint filed by Air Indias cabin crew supervisor.

In May, during a Air India flight from Goa, a male passenger reportedly assaulted a crew member. Upon landing at the Delhi airport, the unruly passenger was handed over to the security personnel.

Under the regulations of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), an unruly air passenger can face a flying ban for varying periods.

The DGCA classifies unruly passenger behavior into three levels. Level 1 encompasses unruly behavior like physical gestures, verbal harassment, and intoxication. Level 2 involves physically abusive conduct such as pushing, kicking, or sexual harassment. Level 3 pertains to life-threatening actions like damaging aircraft operating systems, engaging in physical violence such as choking, or committing murderous assault.

The duration of the flying ban for an unruly passenger is determined by an internal committee established by the respective airline, depending on the level of the unruly behavior.

(With inputs from PTI)
After massive chaos due to waterlogging and flooding in Delhi as rains lashed the national capital for the past two weeks, several routes were opened on Saturday when Yamuna floodwater receded from the roads but traffic continues to remain affected even today.

The water level of the Yamuna River is receding at the rate of 5 cm every hour, the Delhi government said on Saturday, adding that the situation is expected to improve significantly by Sunday.

Delhi Flood News Latest Updates

Delhi Flood: Avoid These Routes

Traffic movement continues to remain affected on Ring Road due to the overflow of sewer water near IP (Indraprastha) flyover from Rajghat to Nizamuddin carriageway. The stretch from IP flyover to ITO opened while floodwater has not receded yet.

Commuters have been advised to take an alternate route via Shanti Van, Rajghat, JLN Marg, and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg to avoid the stretch.

Traffic movement on Bhairon Marg near Pragati Maidan started in the evening which was closed earlier due to waterlogging under the railway bridge.

Traffic AlertBhairon marg is now open for vehicular traffic.Commuters are advised to plan their journey accordingly. pic.twitter.com/ctl7r46eLE Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) July 16, 2023

Traffic movement has been opened on Ring road in both the carriageways between ISBT Kashmere Gate and Majnu ka Tilla for Medium and light Vehicles. However, in view of issues faced by the commuters, one carriageway of Ring road from Majnu ka Tila to ISBT Kashmere gate is closed for traffic.

Traffic AlertTraffic movement has been opened on Ring road in both the carriageways between ISBT Kashmere Gate and Majnu ka Tilla for Medium and light Vehicles.Commuters are advised to plan their journey accordingly.  Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) July 16, 2023

According to a Delhi Traffic Police advisory issued late on Saturday night, traffic movement is affected on some roads due to waterlogging and uprooting of trees

Commuters have been advised to avoid routes like Khan Market, Teen Murti round-about, GGR-PDR, A-Point to W-Point, Kamla Express Building, Andrews Ganj, Khanpur T-point, Under Railway Bridge at Bhairon Marg among others as roads in these areas remain water-logged.

Traffic AlertDue to rains in evening hours, some roads have been affected by water logging and fallen trees. Commuters advised to plan their journey accordingly and avoid these stretches for their convenience.#DPTrafficCheck#DelhiRains pic.twitter.com/c4NupAxx7Q  Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) July 15, 2023

The traffic advisory also stated that routes like Tuglak Road must be avoided as trees were also uprooted during rain, hampering vehicular movement.

Traffic Movement Restarts On These Routes

According to a traffic advisory, Boulevard Road - slip road - service road - left turn under Yudhishthira Setu - Ring Road, Chandgi Ram Akhara to Mukarba Chowk Carriageway and Chandgi Ram Akhara to IP College both Carriageways have been opened for the traffic movement.

The police said that the traffic movement at Pragati Maidan Tunnel is normal.

In addition to that, Bhairon Marg from Mathura Road to Ring Road carriageway, Vikas Marg from ITO to Laxmi Nagar both carriageways, Nishad Raj Marg from Shanti Van to Geeta Colony both carriageways have also been opened.

As water levels in Yamuna have started receding, PWD has started pumping out the water, cleaning the roads and opening them out for traffic. ISBT and Bhairon Marg are open for traffic now.PWD is working on a war footing to ensure that roads and traffic return to normalcy as  Atishi (@AtishiAAP) July 15, 2023

Updating the situation in the national capital, Atishi the Kashmiri Gate ISBT and Bhairon Marg are now accessible for vehicles. She also said after pumping out the water, Metcalfe House Road has also been reopened for traffic.

Arvind Kejriwals Review Meet on Delhi Flood

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday held a Cabinet meeting and deputed ministers at six flood-affected districts to ensure proper facilities at relief camps set up by the Delhi government.

Orders will be issued shortly to officers to report and coordinate and cooperate with ministers to ensure proper facilities such as food, water, toilets and electricity at flood relief camps, Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control Saurabh Bharadwaj said.

(With PTI inputs)
In a remarkable display of courage and dedication, the Indian Army came to the rescue as Delhi grappled with severe flooding caused by the overflowing Yamuna River and drainage issues. With low-lying areas inundated in the city, Army Jawans have been deployed to tackle problems at various points.

The flow of the Yamuna River at the Old Delhi Railway Bridge is gradually receding. It was recorded at 207.68 meters at 6 am on Saturday. Although predictions indicate that the water level will continue to decrease, it is flowing above the danger level as of now. As a result, problems like drainage and sewer overflow have persisted in areas ITO, Bhairon Marg, Daryaganj, Red Fort, Yamuna Bazar, Rajghat, Mathura Road, and several other areas.

Army Called For Help

The magnitude of the flooding on July 13 prompted the Delhi administration to seek assistance from the Indian Army.

The first task assigned to the Army Jawans was to open the jammed sluice gates at the ITO Bridge Barrage. These five gates had jammed after being shut for years. The objective was to open the gates to allow water to flow through and prevent backflow.

An expert team of engineers worked tirelessly through the night, utilizing their skills to remove the obstructions hindering the gates. By morning, one of the gates was successfully cleared, facilitating improved water flow management," said a senior officer of the Indian Army.

The Army team worked for more than 24 hours, and by late evening on Friday, the first jammed gate of the ITO Barrage was opened. Efforts to open the remaining gates are underway.

A team of Indian Navy from Mumbai is also headed to Delhi to help expedite the opening of the remaining jammed barrage gates. A diving team from Western Naval Command with specialist welding, cutting and desilting equipment (airlift) is being mobilised by air and would augment the diving operations today. They will try to either open the gates or else cut.

Regulator Door Damaged

As the national capital continued to face severe waterlogging in several areas, officials reported that drain number 12 at ITO near the WHO building contributed significantly to the problem.

In the early hours of July 14, a new challenge emerged near the WHO Building, where backflow from the Yamuna River began inundating the city. The surge of water had damaged the regulator door, exacerbating the situation. An Army team was also deployed to handle the task.

The regulator, which was already in a state of disrepair, couldnt withstand the pressure of the water flowing from the river and gave in, resulting in alarming backflow. The work on this issue is nearly complete, after which the restoration of the regulator at the mouth of the drain will commence," said sources from the LG office. The regulator was restored on Friday.

Army to Help Restore Drinking Water Supply

The Army will also assist in the restoration of the water supply from the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant. Submerged pumps and a non-functional filtration plant have disrupted the citys water supply. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the plant and highlighted the expected water scarcity in the city.

On Friday, several NDMC public toilets were found to be operating without water. The workers pointed out the supply problem.

The Chief Works Engineer Utility of Delhi Area, in collaboration with the Delhi Jal Board, conducted a thorough assessment to determine the requirements for restoring the functionality of the filtration plant.

Once the water level recedes, the Army Engineer team, fully equipped and closely coordinated with the authorities, will commence the restoration work, ensuring uninterrupted water supply to the citizens of Delhi," said the army officer.

Army HQ Monitors Flood-Like Situation in Delhi

As the water level in the Yamuna River remains above the danger mark, the Army HQ in Delhi is monitoring the situation, fully comprehending the gravity of the ongoing floods.

The Army Engineers Teams remain on standby, ready to respond to any further challenges that may arise due to the rising water levels," added the officer.
An employee of a supermarket at Bhayander suburb in Mumbai set afire a portion of the market after her leave request was denied. She has been arrested yet.

The local police said that a fire set in the clothes and toys section of the supermarket was reported to them on July 13. According to a Times of India report, the 23-year-old woman staffer was caught in the act on the CCTV. The woman had lit the section on fire in the afternoon.

During the probe it was revealed that her application for leave was rejected, following which, she applied for leave again on Thursday. On being turned down the second time, the woman set the section on fire.

The fire was extinguished by other employees in the supermarket with the help of a fire extinguisher, the report said. Police are trying to identify the source of the fire on the clothes and toys.

The woman was booked under IPC Section 436 for causing mischief by fire.

The woman, reportedly, was also unhappy with her shift timings. She had asked for a change in the timing and this request was also denied.
Four people were arrested after they allegedly sprayed pepper, violently attacked a man and robbed Rs 7 lakh as he was withdrawing cash at a Punjab National Bank (PNB) ATM in Hyderabad on Saturday.

The CCTV footage of the ATM, shows a man withdrawing money when two men, one of them wearing a helmet, enters and starts violently attacking him.

The man struggles as the duo try and snatch his bag of money, finally giving in within a few minutes, after which the robbers exit the area and run.

#WATCH | Hyderabad Commissioners Task Force, along with the Domalguda Police apprehended four people involved in a Punjab National Bank ATM robbery on July 3.(CCTV footage of the incident confirmed by Police) pic.twitter.com/DRctQQchKC  ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2023

According to the police, the accused plundered away Rs.7 lakh as the man was depositing his money. The robbery was carried on by four people, news agency ANI reported.

Police have seized Rs 3.25 lakhs, one four-wheeler and one two-wheeler, along with the pepper spray bottle which were used for the robbery.

The four are identified as  Thansif Ali (24), Muhammed Sahad (26), Thanseeh Barikkal (23) and Abdul Muhees (23), the Central Zone Commissioners Task Force said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. The issues discussed between President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, who met today at the invitation of President of the European Council Charles Michel, have been disclosed, Trend reports.

During the trilateral meeting, issues of delimitation of borders, continuation of negotiations on a peace treaty, opening of transport corridors, connection of Nakhchivan with the main territory of Azerbaijan, withdrawal of illegal military formations from the territory of Azerbaijan and their disarmament, as well as issues related to the facts of smuggling were discussed.

The sides also discussed the prospects of transportation of humanitarian goods intended for Karabakh from Barda-Aghdam, issues of further residence of the Armenian population of Karabakh on the basis of the sovereignty and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

At the same time, the issue of the Western Azerbaijan Community and their return to their homes was discussed during the negotiations.

On July 15, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a trilateral meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan.
IndiaMyanmarThailand Trilateral Highway has been a very difficult project" because of the situation in Myanmar and it is the governments priority to find ways to resume it, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday.

Jaishankar is here to participate in the 12th Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism and attend the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers Retreat.

Addressing the Indian community soon after his arrival here, Jaishankar spoke about the connectivity between Thailand and India.

The real challenge today before us one which we are working on, is how do we build road connectivity between Thailand.We have this project from northeast India, that if we build a road through Myanmar, and that road connects up with what Thailand will be building towards," Jaishankar said.

He said with good road connectivity, the movement of goods, movement of people will undergo an enormous change.

But it has been a very difficult project. It has been a very difficult project mainly because of the situation in Myanmar. And one of our priorities today is to find ways of how to resume this project, how to unlock it, and how to make it because large parts of the project have been built," Jaishankar said.

India, Thailand and Myanmar are working on about 1,400-km-long highway that would link the country with Southeast Asia by land and give a boost to trade, business, health, education and tourism ties among the three countries.

Around 70 per cent of construction work on the ambitious India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway has been completed.

The highway will connect Moreh in Manipur, India with Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar.

The strategic highway project has been delayed. Earlier, the government was aiming to make the highway operational by December 2019.

On Indias ties with Thailand, Jaishankar said the relationship with Thailand goes back in history.

This is a historic and cultural relationship of many centuries. It is a relationship was started flowering again after independence. It got greater momentum in the 1990s. But the last 10 years have been a very, very different period for this relationship," he said.

During his address, he also spoke about the economic growth in India.

If you look at major economies in the world today, there are not many major economies which are growing above 5 per cent. We hope today despite all the problems in the world to come closer to 7 per cent growth," Jaishankar said.

He also praised the contribution made by the Indian community in Thailand during the COVID pandemic.

He also highlighted the changes happening in India.

Speaking about digitisation in India, he said from Bill Gates to Michael Bloomberg from Satya Nadella to Elon Musk, everybody today is looking at digital India and looking at how digital talent and the digital infrastructure is today being applied to governance.

That is really you know, when we say confidently that we have it in us in the next 25 years to become a developed country," Jaishankar said.

Speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, he said, We used to be once regarded as a country very difficult on climate change. Today, we are seen as one of the leaders of climate change." He said the biggest proposals on climate change in the last 10 years came from Prime Minister Modis side.

Talking about the Ukraine-Russia war, he said, Theres a grain shortage in the world, which is made worse by the fact that grain is not coming out of Ukraine and Russia," he said.

Jaishankar said Prime Minister Modi is the one who is pushing the idea to grow millets which require less water and there are many new sources of millets.

Im not minimising the challenges, there will be problems. You cant be the most populous country in the world and not have problems. You cant be a developing country and not have challenges but the issue today is how firmly with what conviction with what determination with what vision and leadership, we are addressing some of this," he said.
As a new spate of leopard-human conflicts has arisen in several parts of the country causing concern and panic among people, a heartening incident has come to the fore from Karnataka where a man saved the life of a dehydrated" leopard found lying in a field in the scorching heat.

A 25-year-old man named Venugopal aka Muttu, from Bagivalu village near Arsikere taluk in Hassan district, spotted the leopard lying unconsciously on the corner of a farm on Friday. After observing the big cat for some time, he approached it and realised it was too exhausted to move.

Sensing the deteriorated condition of the leopard, he gathered some courage and picked up the animal, tied it to his two-wheeler and rode towards the village.

Astounded to see Venugopal coming with the leopard tied on his bike, the villagers immediately alerted forest officials, who tracked him and then took the ailing the big cat to a government veterinary hospital in their vehicles.

Times of India quoted Hassan DCF Ashish Reddy as saying, The leopard is around nine-month-old and must have strayed into the village seeking food which led to dehydration."

When asked about the way Venugopal tied the leopard on his bike and brought to village, the officer said no action will be taken against him as there was no criminal intent behind it and the condition of the leopard was stable.

Our staff members have given him advice on what needs to be done about noticing wild creatures in the area," he was quoted as saying.

Conflicts between humans and animals often come to the news. In a connected but separate event, people have reported sighting of a leopard at a Zilla Parishad-run school in Bavda village in Maharashtras Palghar.

Frequent sighting of a leopard has triggered panic at a village in the district with the local authorities asking the residents, especially children and elderly people, not to step out of houses after sunset, officials said on Saturday.

On July 3, a woman was mauled to death by a leopard in the Sukhidhang area in Uttarakhand. An official had said that the incident was reported from Dhura village and the deceased identified as Chandravati. The district administration official added that the leopard attacked some women who were going to a forest to collect fodder for their livestock. The leopard dragged Chandravati away, the official had said, adding that the other women escaped and informed villagers.

(with inputs from PTI)
KERALA LOTTERY RESULT TODAY LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala state lottery department has announced the results for Karunya KR-611 lucky draw for Saturday, July 22. The draw was held at Gorky Bhavan, near Bakery Junction, in Thiruvananthapuram. Check LIVE Updates and full list of winning numbers for Kerala Karunya KR-611 lucky draw here.

FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR KARUNYA KR-611 LOTTERY

WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 80 LAKH IS KN 444543 (PATTAMBI)

Agent Name: P MURALI

Agency No.: P 1910

WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 5 LAKH IS KY 457546 (VAIKKOM)

Agent Name: KRISHNA KUMAR M

Agency No.: K 7683

WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 LAKH ARE

KL 223861

KO 457416

KP 708987

KR 194118

KS 804741

KT 856545

KU 784488

KV 303845

KW 424119

KX 880197

KY 256001

KZ 827222

WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8000 ARE

KO 444543

KP 444543

KR 444543

KS 444543

KT 444543

KU 444543

KV 444543

KW 444543

KX 444543

KY 444543

KZ 444543

WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE

0029 0168 0574 1392 2224 2552 3503 4645 4998 5196 5245 5443 5784 6766 8052 8281 9129 9310

WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 5TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE

0376 0595 2672 2892 3035 3684 6239 7267 7644 8566

WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE

1577 1638 2173 3203 4188 5464 6726 7554 7949 8192 9046 9243 9662 9887

WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE

0230 0375 0379 0480 0765 0770 0916 1102 1261 1338 1495 1514 1655 1715 1720 1990 1996 2196 2690 2876 3243 3269 3468 3540 3681 3829 3973 4125 4231 4400 4420 4640 4743 4751 4811 4855 5037 5136 5150 5174 5275 5297 5331 5551 5831 5832 5834 5878 6071 6297 6388 6409 6610 6816 6866 7088 7197 7199 7251 7306 7359 7516 7610 7626 7718 7748 7936 8072 8262 8464 8525 8877 9142 9661 9674 9745 9784 9811 9933 9988

WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE

8307 5605 0403 8991 3125 6455 7879 7827 5626 8754 2654 1346 5844 3158 5774 4248 9521 8808

0223 9208 5718 2270 5604 1490 0156 4051 8951 7819 7847 8981 8604 9187 6231 2791 8147 5910 7566 6640 1139 1263 1915 1826 6256 2624 1321 3685 8800 4198 6381 1483 6669 6234 9560 6254

To be continued

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT TODAY: KARUNYA KR-611 PRIZE DETAILS

1st Prize: Rs 80 Lakh

2nd Prize: Rs. 5 Lakh

3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh

4th Prize: Rs. 5,000

5th Prize: Rs. 2,000

6th Prize: Rs. 1,000

7th Prize: Rs. 500

8th Prize: Rs. 100

Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000

HOW TO DOWNLOAD PDF WITH FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS

STEP 1: Visit keralalotteries.com

STEP 2: Click on Lottery Result

STEP 3: A new page will open. Click on View

STEP 4: You can access PDF by clicking on Download icon on the top right side of the page.

HOW TO CHECK KARUNYA KR-611 LOTTERY RESULT?

Participants of Karunya KR-611 lottery can check result by clicking on the official website of the Kerala Lottery Department: www.keralalotteries.com. Apart from the website, these results are also published in the Kerala Government Gazette. Interested candidates can participate in the lottery by purchasing the tickets, which are priced at Rs 40, from any Taluk lottery offices in the state. The Kerala has three lottery offices in Punalur (Kollam district), Kattappana (Idukki district) and Thamarassery (Kozhikode district).

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 2023: HERES HOW TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY

Winners of Karunya KR-611 lottery draw must confirm their winning tickets with the Kerala lottery results published in the Kerala Government Gazette. If they find their ticket number in the published gazette, they must report to the Kerala lottery office in Thiruvananthapuram along with their tickets and identification proof to claim the prize within 30 days.

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 2023 FAQs: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

How do I buy Kerala lottery tickets?

Kerala lottery tickets can only be purchased from authorized retailers in state.

Which online sites are best to buy Kerala lottery tickets?

Selling or buying lottery tickets over the Internet is illegal in India, so you can buy it only through authorised ticket agents by physically visiting them.

Is Kerala lottery available online?

No. As per the rule, only physical tickets are permitted to sale.

What is the price of Kerala lottery ticket?

Weekly lottery tickets are available for Rs 40, while the Bumper lotteries price varies - Rs 200 to Rs 300 - depending upon prize amount.

Who is eligible for Kerala lottery?

Anyone above the age of 18 years can purchase lottery tickets. Even those who are not the residents of the state can buy, but they need to physically visit the state of Kerala and buy the ticket from an authorized retailer.

Also, its important to check the local laws of the state you live in. Some states have restrictions on participating in lotteries or buying lottery tickets from other states.

Where to buy Kerala lottery?

One can buy the ticket from an authorized retailer in Kerala.

How much money will I get from Kerala lottery?

Depending upon the prize money, winner of Kerala lottery can win from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 12 crore

When is Kerala lottery results declared?

The results of weekly lottery is announced everyday at 3 pm, and for the Bumper lottery, it is announced at 2 pm.

Is lottery legal in Kerala?

The Kerala Lotteries are regulated by the State Government.
Its illegal to conduct or abet a child marriage in India, with the offence being cognizable and non-bailable. But legal and social reality is not so straightforward. Customary or personal law practices continue to override judicial pronouncements and fly in the face of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.

Muslim Personal law is the only personal law that permits the marriage of girls below 18  legally. No statute has reformed it. Despite criticism, the customary law has thrived and survived because it has been supported by the conservative within the community and even protected by the courts.

In the last article of this series, we spoke about why the Shariat Application Act of 1937 must go. The Act is not just a remnant of the troublesome past of Partition but also shields regressive customs. The Act provides legal sanction to the marriage of minor girls and provides blanket protection to religious practices without any codification. It is because of the Shariat Application Act, 1937 that even statutes like the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, do not apply to the Muslim community and even the courts have protected such practices.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had held the marriage of a 15-year-old Muslim girl child as valid. The position is not new. Even earlier, various judicial pronouncements have said that Prohibition of Child Marriage Act cannot override the Muslim Personal Law. The courts have cited the Muslim Personal Law and Shariat practice under which a girl can be legally married off once she attains puberty.

The matter is now pending in the Supreme Court for final consideration whether girls under the age of 18 can be legally married off under the garb of personal laws. After 75 years of Independence, does the democratic republic of India permit the marriage of girls under 18? If so, then why? And what stops the elected government from outlawing such an acrimonious position in law.

While the demand for a uniform age of marriage awaits a final consideration from the Supreme Court of India, one is reminded of another landmark case at the Supreme Court that read down the exception under the Indian Penal Code which allowed sexual intercourse with a minor wife. The Supreme Court ruled that sexual intercourse with a minor wife is rape, clarifying the position in 2017 in a landmark judgment of Independent Thought vs Union of India.

Reading down the provision of the Indian Penal Code that allowed the husband of the minor wife between the ages of 15 and 18 to have intercourse with them, the apex court ended an anomaly in law.

Child marriage is a punishable offence in India, yet a maze of personal laws obfuscates the scenario even after the judgment of the Supreme Court.

While the complex issue of a Uniform Civil Code is being discussed in India, even its staunch supporters cannot deny the challenges that lie in the way of implementing UCC. The Uniform Civil Code cannot be one stroke of statute of legislation. If one imagines that one day the government shall bring one law that ends all customary practices, then you have clearly underestimated the complexity. UCC will be a series of reforms, changes, amendments, and repeal. But few steps can be taken by the government which are not so difficult.

The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act should be applied to all communities. No customary practice should prevail. This is a strict position that the law must undertake. The government must bring in amendments to the Shariat Application Act, 1937  if not a complete repeal. The customary practice which sanctions the marriage of girls above the age of 15 not just violates the judgment of the Supreme Court but is also covered under the special statutes that guard children against sexual abuse.

If sex with minor wife is rape, irrespective of her marital status, sex with minor wife should be rape irrespective of her religion as well.
Frequent sighting of a leopard has triggered panic at a village in Maharashtras Palghar district with the local authorities asking the residents, especially children and elderly people, not to step out of houses after sunset, officials said on Saturday.

A Zilla Parishad-run school at Bavda village in Dahanu taluka, where the big cat was seen in the past few days, was also shut as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident, they said.

Some youths residing in Kanikpada and Dhondipada hamlets in Bavda spotted the leopard a few times since July 9. They told about it to the elderly people in the village, who in turn informed the forest department, a district administration official said.

As a precautionary measure, a local ZP school has been kept shut since the last couple of days to prevent any eventuality. Local citizens, especially children and elderly, have been asked not to venture out after sunset," he said.

Forest officials said leopard pugmarks were found in and around the village, which confirmed the presence of the spotted feline.

Talking to reporters on Friday, Range Forest Officer (RFO) from Boisar Apeksha Satam said the forest department has now installed cameras at certain spots to track the movement of the leopard.

However, the forest guards have not seen the animal in the area, nor was it captured on camera," she said.

But the forest guards are keeping a vigil round-the-clock to help the villagers, Satam added.
PM Narendra Modi in UAE LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New Delhi on Saturday after concluding his productive" visit to UAE at the invitation of the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Our nations are working together on so many issues aimed at making our planet better. I thank HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the warm hospitality," he said in his concluding remarks.

PM Modi expressed Indias deep regard for the UAE during talks with UAE President and said, Our bilateral trade has risen by 20 per cent. We have achieved $85 billion of trade and soon we will achieve the target of $100 billion."

The Prime Minister acknowledged the UAE Presidents respect and warmth, equating it to the affection shared between brothers. We (India-UAE) signed historic agreements within three months which would not have been possible without your cooperation and commitment," he said. Additionally, he announced his decision to attend the upcoming COP-28 Summit in the UAE.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in UAE for a day-long visit where he met Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi on Saturday. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome when he reached Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi where he was welcomed by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In a tweet he said he was glad to meet the UAE President adding, His energy and vision for development are admirable. We discussed the full range of India-UAE ties including ways to boost cultural and economic ties."

It is always gladdening to meet HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. His energy and vision for development are admirable. We discussed the full range of India-UAE ties including ways to boost cultural and economic ties. @MohamedBinZayed pic.twitter.com/XCBWW8cP38 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2023

PM Modi also welcomed the agreement between India and UAE to start trade settlement in their currencies and link the Indian Unified Payments Interface with the Gulf countrys Instant Payment Platform (IPP). He said the move paves the way for enhanced economic collaboration and will make international financial interactions simpler."

This is a very important aspect of India-UAE cooperation. It paves the way for enhanced economic collaboration and will make international financial interactions simpler. https://t.co/nuoQbUIFq6 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2023

He also met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi receives a ceremonial welcome as he arrives at Qasr Al Watan, in Abu DhabiPM Modi was welcomed by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. pic.twitter.com/FvxgliIhLI  ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2023

Both leaders will discuss how to take forward India-UAE cooperation in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture.

As PM @narendramodi is on his way to Abu Dhabi, take a quick look into the multifaceted India-UAE ties. pic.twitter.com/7evaYRq3CR Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 15, 2023

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, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

The leaders will also discuss cooperation on global issues and UAEs Presidency of COP-28 and Indias G-20 Presidency. UAE is a special invitee in this years G20 Summit.

Here are top updates from PM Modis visit to the UAE:



India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Education and Knowledge Department of Abu Dhabi to establish an IIT Delhi campus in the region. The campus, located in Abu Dhabi, will offer Masters courses starting from January 2024, followed by Bachelors courses scheduled to begin from September next year.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the decision and said it marks a significant stride in our educational internationalisation and is testament to Indias innovation prowess. Education is the bond that unites us, its the spark that ignites innovation. Together, we will leverage this power for mutual prosperity and global betterment."



Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, PM Narendra Modi warmly welcomed by UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the iconic Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace."

Deepening - Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.PM @narendramodi warmly welcomed by UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the iconic Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace. Extensive discussions between the two leaders covering various pic.twitter.com/r7NQLuDeYx  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 15, 2023
Police have arrested the main accused in the murder of an 18-year-old woman whose body was found in a well in Karauli district, an official said on Saturday.

Karauli SP Mamta Gupta said the main accused, Golu Meena alias Prabhakar, has been arrested for the murder of the woman. Meena allegedly murdered the woman at his fathers old house on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday and then threw the body into the well.

The body bearing a gunshot wound was recovered from the well on Thursday.

Meenas father has also been detained and his role is being examined, the SP said.

Primary investigation reveals that the womans family had engaged her to someone else sometime back but she wanted to live with Meena and was allegedly forcing him to elope with her.

This led to a dispute between the two following which Meena murdered her, police said.

Meena is a resident of the same village as the Dalit woman, they said.

Asked about the allegation of rape and acid attack, the SP said medical teams that conducted post-mortem of the body twice have kept their opinion about the acid attack and rape reserved and anything can be said only after the forensic report is available.

Meanwhile, BJPs Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Meena continued with his dharna at Hindaun hospital in Karauli.

BJP national general secretary and in charge of Rajasthan Arun Singh reached Karauli and met the family members.

He alleged that the law and order in the state has deteriorated under the Congress rule and women and girls are not safe.

Congress MLA from Todabhim P R Meena also reached the hospital and met BJP MP Meena.

Police said the family members of the woman have now agreed to accept the body as the main accused has been arrested. The body is likely to be handed over to the family later this evening, they said on Saturday.

In Jaipur, BJP MP from Rajsamand Diya Kumari said Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi gave the slogan Ladki Hoon Lad Sakti Hoon but she does not look at the women suffering in the state ruled by her party.

She alleged that incidents of rape have increased in Rajasthan but the state government is not bothered.
Digital travel platform, Agoda, unveils the user preferences of Asian travellers and the choices they make while booking hotels. The insights collected over the past two months reveal that almost half (46%) of the travellers from Taiwan opted for breakfast included, followed closely by Vietnamese (43%), and Indian travellers (42%). On the other end, the statistics found South Korea (29%), Japan (27%), and Malaysia (23%), ranking 8, 9, and 10 respectively on the breakfast requirement popularity table.

When comparing domestic with overseas travel, the platform noticed that travellers on an international trip are more likely to opt for some comfort and peace of mind. 37% of international travellers select the breakfast included option on the platform, compared to 31% of those who stay within country borders. 60% of Indian travellers almost always opt for breakfast-inclusive packages for outbound holidays, with 41% of them choosing to avail this domestically.

There are lots of factors at play to determine the popularity of including breakfast when booking your accommodation says Krishna Rathi, Agoda Country Director, India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives. Its often the flexibility to decide last-minute depending on your plans during the trip, but its well worth noting that if you do plan to start the day with a meal, its often most economical to include it during the booking. And at Agoda, anyone that reaches VIP Platinum status automatically qualifies to receive complimentary free breakfast at many accommodations. That way, the only appetite left will be the appetite to travel, adds Rathi.

Going specific with destination analysis, the platform reveals that including breakfast is quite popular among travellers heading to Vietnam, followed by Taiwan and the Philippines. Conversely, there was less appetite for breakfast buffets in Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. The least popular destination for including breakfast in hotel reservations was South Korea, where only 1 in 10 travellers opted for the morning meal.
GOOGLE DOODLE TODAY, 16 JULY, 2023: Todays Doodle celebrates Indian American artist and printmaker Zarina Hashmi, who is widely recognized as one of the most significant artists associated with the minimalist movement. Illustrated by New York-based guest artist Tara Anand, the artwork captures Hashmis use of minimalist abstract and geometric shapes to explore concepts of home, displacement, borders, and memory.

Zarina Hashmi Birth Anniversary: Lesser-known Facts
BRUSSELS, Belgium, July 15. The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan once again fully reaffirmed their respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, told journalists, following the meeting with President of the Republic Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Trend reports.

Charles Michel noted that the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders once again fully reconfirmed their respect for the other countrys territorial integrity and sovereignty, based on the understanding Armenias territory covers 29.800 km2 and Azerbaijans 86.600 km2.

"Both leaders reconfirmed their unequivocal commitment to the 1991 Almaty Declaration as a political framework for the delimitation. I welcomed the 12 July meeting of the two border commissions. Work has advanced on the statutes of these commissions and on discussions regarding the basis for delimitation. And it is very important the leaders agreed to intensify and accelerate the work of the commissions," he added.

Today, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels.

During the trilateral meeting, issues of delimitation of borders, continuation of negotiations on a peace treaty, opening of transport corridors, connection of Nakhchivan with the main territory of Azerbaijan, withdrawal of illegal military formations from the territory of Azerbaijan and their disarmament, as well as issues related to the facts of smuggling were discussed.

The sides also discussed the prospects of transportation of humanitarian goods intended for Karabakh from Barda-Aghdam, issues of further residence of the Armenian population of Karabakh on the basis of the sovereignty and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

At the same time, the issue of the Western Azerbaijan Community and their return to their homes was discussed during the negotiations.
Actor Satish Kaushik passed away unexpectedly on March 9, a day after Holi. His sudden death sent shock waves throughout the film industry, especially since he had posted photos on social media of himself celebrating Holi with great enthusiasm just the day before. At a time when his daughter Vanshika Kaushik is struggling to cope with the loss of her father at a young age, she has the support of Anupam Kher and other close friends of Satish to take care of her and her mother, Shashi Kaushik. On Saturday, Vanshika turned 11 and Anupam shared a warm post for her on Instagram. He also called her more than a daughter for me.

Anupam took to Instagram and posted a series of photos  both new and ones from back in the day. The photos featured Anupam, his mother Dulari Kher, Vanshika, Satish and his wife Shashi Kaushik. One of the photos captured baby Vanshika confidently walking on a ramp with Satish. There were also adorable family portraits, including one with Anupam himself.

Anupam captioned the post, Happy birthday my dearest darling #Vanshika! May God give you all the happiness in the world, long life, peace and great success. May all your dreams come true. I know you will miss #Papa today. But he is wishing you and also singing #HappyBirthdayVanshika song for you! Everybody loves you. You are more than a daughter for me."

Praising Vanshika as a brilliant girl, he wrote, You are amazing, gorgeous, brilliant, bright, funny and unique. All my love, prayers and blessings on your special day and for the rest of your life! Jeete raho aur humesha khush raho (Stay blessed and be happy always)."

Reacting to the post, Mahima Chaudhry wrote, Happy birthday Vanshika." Chunky Panday wished, Happy Happy birthday." Isha Koppikar commented, Happiest bday doll."
The Marathi film industry is mourning the death of actor-director Ravindra Mahajani. The 77-year-old was found dead in his Pune apartment, where he has been living alone for a while. The reason behind his death, which can be deduced after a post-mortem, is still awaited. The industry is extending its condolences on his sudden death. Veteran actor Ashok Saraf mourned his close friend Ravindra Mahajanis demise. Talking to TV9, Ashok said that the only handsome actor of their generation is now gone. He said that apart from being a good friend, Ravindra Mahajani was also a very good person and that he will always remain in his heart. He remembers how Ravindra always had a smile on his face and would address every problem he faced with a smile. Sincerity was his greatest quality, he excelled in every role. Whatever he did, he did it with his heart, so he was one of the most successful actors of our time. Ashok Saraf said.

Ashok Saraf and Ravindra Mahajani once dominated Marathi cinema. Both worked in many movies together. Presently, Ravindra Mahajanis mortal remains have been sent for postmortem.

Ravindra Mahajani was born in Belagavi (Karnataka). He spent his childhood in Mumbai. After completion of his education, he tried his luck in films, while driving a taxi at the same time to make ends meet in his initial struggling days. He stepped into films in 1969 with the movie Saat Hindustani. In the film, which also starred Amitabh Bachchan, he played the role of a police officer. Ravindra Mahajani was known as the Vinod Khanna of the Marathi film industry for his looks.

On July 14, after neighbours raised concerns about a bad smell coming from his residence, Ravindra Mahajani was discovered dead in a locked unit at the Xrbia Housing Society in the Ambi neighbourhood of Talegaon Dabhade. According to senior police inspector Ranjit Sawant of the Talegaon MIDC police station, a police squad responded to citizen concerns and broke down the door of the flat to discover his body.
The trailer for Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoors Bawaal, a romantic drama about a couple in a troubled marriage, was released last week. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film features scenes set against the backdrop of the Second World War. While the scenes left the audience confused about the films plot, in a recent interview with Galatta Plus, the director Nitesh Tiwari explained he chose World War II because he wanted to bring something fresh" to the screens.

Talking about why the film is not set during an Indian war, Nitesh said, Rather than him teaching World War 2 in the school, he could have been teaching any of our historical stuff. My biggest thing was there is something fresh which I always crave to bring to my audience, both story-wise as well as visually."

Nitesh argued that he could not bring any new perspectives to screen for an Indian war and added, There has been such lovely stuff which has already been done and in plenty of numbers by some of our very renowned filmmakers in our country on the historical wars which our country has been a part of. I personally felt that I would not be able to bring anything new on-screen if I were to do that."

Nitesh revealed that he removed a reference to the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy from an early draft of Bawaal after the release of Vicky Kaushals Sardar Udham as it no longer remained fresh".

We have done Indo-Pak wars and Indo-China war ad Kargil and everything, and some very good stuff has been done, I just felt that maybe you know if I were to bring something fresh for the audience, this was a way to go," he shared.

Bawaal marks Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoors first collaboration. The film will exclusively premiere on Prime Video in India and across 200 countries and territories on July 21.
Prabhas, Kriti Sanon and Saif Ali Khan starrer Adipurush is getting trolled once again. This after a viral tweet claims that Om Raut spent more money on his film than what Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) did on its third lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan 3.

The tweet claims that while Adipurush was made on a budget of Rs 700 crore, Chandrayaan 3 had a budget of Rs 615 crore. Approximate Budget  Adipurush - 700 Crore Chandrayaan 3 - 615 Crore Gives a Fair Understanding of Priorities," the tweet read.

Even though the authenticity of the tweet cannot be examined, it has left netizens in splits. Several social media users are now sharing hilarious memes to mock Adipurush. Adipurush-600 crores, Chandrayaan 3-Approx 615 crores. So if producers of movie can donate to government,we may have chandrayan 4 Jokes apart, we are damn proud of ISRO (sic)," one of the tweets read. Check out how netizens are responding to the viral tweet:

Prabhas at the T-Series office with Om Raut, Bhushan Kumar and Manoj Muntashir after knowing Chandrayaan 3 budget was less than Adipurush. pic.twitter.com/M9jnj0HEKL Abhishek Ojha (@vicharabhio) July 14, 2023

Adipurush-600 crores,Chandrayaan 3-Approx 615 crores.So if producers of movie can donate to government,we may have chandrayan 4Jokes apart,we are damn proud of ISRO pic.twitter.com/JwybfKSmAF The mood doctor (@Chulbulpanda420) July 14, 2023

Adipurush might have the grand sets, but Chandrayaan 3 has the entire cosmos as its backdrop. Who needs extravagant props when you have the wonders of space? #Chandrayaan3VsAdipurush #isroindia #isromissions #ISROTeam #ISRO #Chandrayaan3 pic.twitter.com/2cJMR4uLMB Swathi (@Swathi_Ji) July 14, 2023

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.
Disha Patanis sartorial choices have always been ahead of the curve. Be it red carpet affairs, candid public appearances, or work photoshoots, the actress always makes sure to make heads turn. Having said that, the actress recently raised the heat in a black bodycon dress.

Disha looked all things ravishing, while she found the right balance between elegance and charm. She donned an all-black bodycon attire. Shiny wavy locks and well-defined eyes, along with chunky jewellery tied her whole look together. Fans gushed about her looks in the comments section. One of them wrote, Hotness  . Ufff this is too irresistible , read another one.

Have a look at the photos:

Last month, Disha made headlines, when she was spotted with her rumoured ex-boyfriend Tiger Shroff. They were rumoured to be dating for a few years before parting ways last year. They were seen arriving together for this event in Delhi. Tigers sister Krishna also accompanied them. Now a video of them from the event has gone viral.

This year when, Disha celebrated her birthday, Tiger took to his Instagram stories to share a picture of them against the background of a crowd cheering for them. He wrote, Only the best times ahead. Keep spreading your wings and love and laughter always. Happy birthday." He also tagged her and dropped a red heart emoji, while the song O Saathi played in the backdrop.

While Tiger and Disha remained silent about the break-up speculations, reports suggested that Tiger had moved on with Akanksha Sharma, with whom he has collaborated on two music videos. These include Casanova and I am a Disco Dancer 2.0.

In fact, when Jackie Shroff was asked about Tiger and Dishas breakup rumours, he called them thick buddies and said, They (Tiger and Disha) have always been friends and are still friends. I have seen them go out together. Not that I keep track of my sons love life. Thats the last thing I want to do, like infringe on their privacy. But I feel that they are thick buddies. They spend time with each other besides work.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Disha Patani will soon be seen in Project K with Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan and Prabhas. Tiger on the other hand has Bade Miyan Chote Miyan with Akshay Kumar.
After delivering strong women-centric films like Gunjan Saxena, Good Luck Jerry and Mili, Janhvi Kapoor is all set to step into the shoes of an IFS Officer in the much-awaited Ulajh. The actress recently announced her next film with Roshan Mathew and Gulshan Devaiah. Produced by Junglee Pictures, the film will be helmed by National award-winner Sudhanshu Saria. The patriotic thriller that was all set to go on floors from July 10 for its Delhi schedule has been delayed because of Delhi floods.

A report by Hindustan Times suggested that the entire team of Ulajh were planning to arrive in New Delhi for the shoot but amid heavy rainfall and flood-like situations in some parts of the capital, the makers had to postpone their plan, The whole team with Kapoor were to come to Delhi on July 10, everything was set. But they pushed the plan because the whole situation changed in a matter of a few days because of the rain, leading to a flood crisis," a source close to the development shared.

They further added, And that is the reason they didnt have any other option but to push the shoot. They were supposed to shoot in old Delhi, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, other monuments, at Lajpat Nagar market and area. They had an extensive plan to shoot in South Delhi too. And it is impossible at the moment, and keeping everyones safety in mind, the team pushed the plan. However, they have not decided to change the location. They will come to shoot in Delhi in mid of August and cover the locations.

Janhvi Kapoor recently expressed her excitement on being a part of the same. The actress shared, When I was approached with the script of Ulajh, it instantly attracted me because as an actor, I am constantly looking for scripts that make me break out of my comfort zone and portraying a character based in the celebrated world of the Indian Foreign Services was just that. Just as the name of the film suggests, my character and the story, have so many layers, emotions, and parameters, which are challenging and exciting at the same time. I am thrilled for the audience to see me in this new role envisioned by Sudhanshu, who has such a fresh approach towards dealing with this genre. I am also looking forward to work with such talented co-actors and a development studio like Junglee Pictures for the first time.

Director Sudhanshu Saria shared, In their typical fashion, Junglee Pictures has picked yet another original, bold and daring film to bring to audiences and Im so thrilled theyve entrusted me with the task of helming it. In Janhvi Kapoor, the film has found its beating heart and its going to be a treat for audiences to watch her spar with thespians like Rajesh Tailang and Sachin Khedekar, maverick actors like Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Matthews and Meiyang Chang. We have a rollercoaster of a ride planned for our audience and I cant wait to start rolling cameras on Ulajh.

Sources close to the production house shared that Ulajh follows the journey of a young IFS officer, belonging to a prominent family of patriots, who gets embroiled in a dangerous personal conspiracy while far from her home turf, at a career-defining post. Written by Parveez Shaikh and Sudhanshu Saria, with dialogues by Atika Chohan, this new-age thriller promises to be unlike anything else audiences have seen in this genre.

The film also stars Rajesh Tailang, Meiyang Chang, Sachin Khedekar, Rajendra Gupta and Jitendra Joshi in pivotal roles.
The makers of upcoming Tamil Film Virunnu have unveiled the intriguing first look poster, offering viewers a glimpse into an exciting and mysterious story. The presence of the Illuminati symbol on the poster hints at a thriller drama. Filmmaker Kannan Thamarakkulam, known for his previous works in mystery thrillers such as Angels and Demons, has once again captured the attention of audiences with yet another film of same genre.

Actor Arjun Sarja is making his return to the Malayalam industry with the upcoming film Virunnu while Nikki Galrani will be playing the female lead.

The makers of the movie shared the first glimpse of the poster on Instagram, expressing their excitement and seeking support from the public. They also commended director Kannan Thamarakkulam and the exceptional cast and crew involved in the project.

Virunnu is touted as an action drama with multiple mysteries woven into its narrative. The film will also feature Aju Varghese, Asha Sharath, Priyanka Sreelakshmi, and Gireesh Neyyar in pivotal roles.

Written by Dinesh Pallath, the movie has been bankrolled by Neyyar Films and will be released in the Malayalam language. Fans can anticipate its release on September 29.

Arjun Sarja, a veteran actor with over 160 films to his credit, has primarily worked in Tamil cinema but has also made appearances in Malayalam and Hindi films. In addition to his acting prowess, he has also directed 12 films. Apart from Virunnu, Arjun Sarja is currently working on four other projects, including Contract in Kannada, which is set to release on August 19. He is also working in Telugu movie Rani Ranamma, directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. He is also a part of Thalapathy Vijays upcoming Tamil movie Leo, which is helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Arjun Sarja also has Martin in the pipeline.

On the other hand, Nikki Galrani, who made her debut in 2014, will next be seen in the Malayalam film Enthoru Bhagyam, directed by Sharath A. Haridaasan. The movie is slated for a theatrical release on December 16.

As anticipation builds for the release of Virunnu, audiences eagerly await the enthralling storyline and stellar performances from the cast. With its action-packed drama and thriller storyline, the film promises an exciting cinematic experience for viewers.
The A-list cast of filmmaker Christopher Nolans new movie Oppenheimer left the films London screening midway in solidarity with the strike called by Hollywoods actors union. On Thursday, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) voted to join screenwriters in the first joint strike after failing to reach a consensus for a new contract with the studios and streaming services, represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

The London premiere of Oppenheimer, Nolans sprawling epic about J Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist remembered as one of the fathers of the atom bomb, saw lead stars Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and Ramy Malek grace the red carpet. But they left before the screening of the movie in preparation for the imminent strike, the filmmaker announced later.

Youve seen them here earlier on the red carpet. Unfortunately, theyre off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by Sag, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of the unions, and we support them," Nolan said at the stage. The premiere was also moved up an hour so that the cast could walk the red carpet before the SAG boards announcement.

At the carpet, Damon told American news outlet Variety that once the strike is called, the cast will be walking off in solidarity". We talked about it. Look, if its called now, everyones going to walk obviously in solidarity Thats why we moved this (red carpet) up because we know the second its called, were going home," the actor said.

We gave the strike authorisation. We voted 98 per cent to 2 per cent to do that because we know our leadership has our best interest at heart," he added. His co-star Blunt said, Obviously we stand with all of the actors and at whatever point its called, were going to be going home and standing together through it because I want everyone to get a fair deal.

The strike by Hollywood actors is the first strike since 1980. It is also the first instance when two major Hollywood unions have been on strike at the same time since 1960. Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) have been on strike since early May, demanding better wages, higher minimum pay, more writers per show, and shorter exclusive contracts among other things.

Oppenheimer is set to be released in theatres worldwide on July 21.
Director Christopher Nolan is known for his charismatic filmmaking and unique storytelling. Creating masterpieces time and yet again, Nolan has proved himself to be one of the best storytellers in the world. Fans are excited that the phenomenal director is coming back with another movie Oppenheimer after 3 years.

Blowing the viewers minds and exploring his talent in the genre of feature biopic, Christopher is back with a story about the creation of the first atomic bomb by Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer. Playing the lead role in a Nolan movie is a dream for many talented artists, one such actor among them is Cillian Murphy, who is renowned for getting into the skin of the character and blowing peoples minds with his skills. Murphy opens up about the first call he got from the director to know that he will play the role of Oppenheimer and shares his feeling of excitement and gratitude.

Cillian Murphy says, Phone call from Christopher Nolan for Oppenheimer was unforgettable. Its 20 years since I first met Chris, but even at that point, I was a fan, because I had seen Memento and Insomnia, says Murphy, whose first encounter with Nolan was auditioning for Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins, a part which ultimately went to Christian Bale.

He further added, To get to meet Chris for that moviewhich, personally, I always thought was an absurd idea; me playing Batman! was huge for me. But that meeting led to the character of Scarecrow, and an extraordinary working experience. My feeling ever since has been, if Christopher Nolan asks you to do something, no matter what the size of the part, you just turn up. I was not expecting him to call and ask me to play Oppenheimer. But he did. When I got off the phone, I just sat there rather stunned. I felt very lucky. And then we got to work.

Produced by Universal Pictures (distributed by Warner Bros. Discovery), Oppenheimer will release on July 21 across theatres in India and advance booking across IMAX theatres in India have already successfully opened.
Actor Prabhas has shared a new poster of his upcoming film, Project K, that shows a fist bump and reads that the first glimpse of the film will be available in the US on July 20 and in India on July 21. While one arm looked suited in armour, the other was seemingly wearing a plain shirt with the fist wrapped in bandage material. According to this announcement, the film will be the ultimate showdown".

Excited fans commented, The world is waiting.. to witness the RISE of Super hero," and, Dinosaur marching towards USA! K ramp loading. History will be created." Another excited fan wrote, The Throne is Awaited my king."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vyjayanthi Movies (@vyjayanthimovies)

Some have also drawn comparisons to other films like RRR, commenting, Looking like RRR poster," and, Isse dekh kar mujhe RRR yaad aa gaya."

The comparisons did not end here. One person commented, Why are the visuals looking derived from the Moonlight series." Another added, Batman vs Superman???" While one person wrote that the K stood for KGF, another person called the film Bahubali 3.

Making guesses about whos fists are featured on the poster, some fans think that Prabhas is playing two roles, while others thought it would be a face-off between the actor and Kamal Haasan.

Makers and cast members of the upcoming science fiction film had earlier announced that it will feature at the San Diego Comic-Con, making it the first Indian film to debut at the internationally renowned festival.

According to reports, Deepika Padukone, Prabhas and Kamal Haasan will be attending this years Comic-Con on July 20 for the official trailer launch of Project K. Director Nag Ashwin said in a statement, India is the home of some of the greatest lore and superheroes ever written. We feel that our film is an attempt to bring out and share this with the world. And Comic-Con gives us the perfect stage to introduce our story to a global audience."

The San Diego Comic-Cons unofficial blog mentions a little treat for fans, Theyre hosting a giveaway now for 100 lucky fans, who could get a chance to attend an exclusive screening."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. The tripartite statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the statement of 15 July 2023 commenting on the peace process are both misunderstood and disappointing, Trend reports citing Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry does not comply with the Declaration on Mutual Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation and the speeches of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, including the Karabakh region.

"It is unacceptable for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to interpret and condition the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the context of the fact that Armenia, which has occupied our territories for almost 30 years, recognizes Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan.

It was Azerbaijan that put forward five basic principles for establishing relations with Armenia after the 44-day Patriotic War, a proposal to conclude a peace treaty, as well as an initiative to delimit the border, and is the author of all the initial documents in these areas. At present, the Azerbaijani side is taking practical steps towards promoting a peace agreement.

Our country has always demonstrated loyalty to the tripartite statements signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and the Russian Federation.

However, from the first day of signing the said tripartite statement, the Armenian side did not fulfill many provisions of the statement, and the Russian side did not ensure the full implementation of the statement within the framework of its obligations.

Despite Azerbaijan's repeated warnings about illegal activities using the Lachin road, the transport of military cargo and mines from Armenia to Azerbaijan, the rotation of illegal military units, the smuggling of third-country nationals into the territory, nothing has been done to prevent these actions.

The Azerbaijani side has established the Lachin BCP in accordance with the legislation of Azerbaijan and international norms in order to prevent illegal activities in the country and ensure transparency. Over the past few months, hundreds of Armenians have been allowed through this checkpoint in a regulated and transparent manner. Despite this, the Armenian side still did not stop its military provocations against Azerbaijan.

In this context, it is clear to everyone that there are no grounds for attempts to politicize the creation of the Lachin BCP, which is the sovereign right of Azerbaijan, and statements about the tense humanitarian situation in the region.

Despite the foregoing, contrary to the 2020 tripartite statement, to which the Russian Federation is a party, the complete withdrawal of the remnants of the Armenian armed forces located on the territory of Azerbaijan has not yet been ensured. On the contrary, support for the Armenian armed forces is carried out in the region under the supervision of the Russian peacekeeping contingent.

Along with this, it is known that unhindered communication between the western regions of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic under various pretexts is hindered.

Azerbaijan is interested in ensuring peace and tranquility in the region and will continue its efforts in this direction," the statement said.
Purab Kohli has redefined himself with the kinds of projects he has been headlining off late. From playing a complicated father in Rohan Sippys legal drama Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach to his big Hollywood stint in Keanu Reeves, Priyanka Chopra starrer The Matrix: Resurrections, the actor has truly proven himself that his craft is as pristine and nuanced as it was when he made his acting debut with Hip Hip Hurray in 1998.

Maintaining the trajectory, Purab was seen in Shome Makhijas thriller Blind in which he played a serial killer. The film brought him together with Sonam Kapoor and Vinay Pathak. During an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Purab spoke about his character in the film, the graphic-style storytelling style and treatment, reuniting with his teacher in Hip Hip Hurray Vinay Pathak after so many years and more.

Here are the excerpts:

Tell us about your journey with this character. Actors have time and again played serial killers and they have their approaches, what was yours?

My approach has always been to take from the script first as much as I can and a good well-written script can provide you a lot. Not that I go and meet a lot of serial killers, but theres enough information available online, you can watch content. Some of these OTT platforms are filled with documentaries on real life stories. And then also books on real life incidents and reasons explaining the psychology of people like this. It was quite an intense character to research and play.

From what I perceived from the trailer, the whole setup of the film seems quite atmospheric which in turn adds intensity to the overall story. So how will those factors gonna add more thrill in the whole experience?

Youve actually pointed it out very well. Because I think what Shome has really tried to attain was a very graphic novel kind of feel. And I think they really succeeded in that. And I think thats gonna add a whole another layer to the story thats being told before. Not just Blind being a Korean film but I think the cat and mouse chase between the cop and the serial killer is not new to our eyes or our minds. But how theyve done it is interesting and how Shome has looked at his characters. And even the driver which I play in the film, he does look with his eyes, the lenses they have given me, the hairstyle theyve given me, its like the super-hated villain and thats the whole vibe of the film. Its like a superhero villain sort of thing. Thats how weve tried to make it different and entertain everybody with.

Whenever we talk about the chemistry between two actors, we always talk in the context of love and passion. But here in this trailer, I see a very different, menacing chemistry between you and Sonam. And its far from love. So how did you both achieve that? Since from the trailer, it looks natural and not contrived.

I have to give credits to Shome over here because he was very effective and conscious that I as a character would stay apart from everybody else and the film. You do a lot of readings and you do tests and all of that. So while I did all of that but I did mine very separately from everybody else. And I remember asking Shome right at the beginning if I can meet any of the actors in the reading sessions and he said no lets keep you at a distance. And even in the film, my character, given the nature of the serial killer, he is always at a distance, lurking in the background which adds to the whole intensity or the frightfulness of the character.

How was Sujoy Ghosh as a producer in Blind? What was the best aspect about collaborating with him?

Sujoy Ghosh is always a pleasure to have him around on the set. Its always a pleasure to work for him.But then again, he knows when he is captain and when hes not. Here Shome was the captain and whatever inputs Sujoy might have given would have been before Shome came onto the floor. He is around as the guiding force at any point of time. I also want up to him once or twice and asked him a few questions about what he felt about the way the character was coming out. So hes always around and he always ends up by saying its Shomes call and I think he really gives that to the director he works with. To let them make those decisions and make the final call about their project. Its wonderful to have him around and its also wonderful to have a very capable director Shome Makhija. It was such a joy to shoot with him because he was clear about what he wants and how he wants it. So there was no hanging about or wasting time shooting unnecessary things. We used to finish each day an hour before time. So Shome was very efficient and it was a pleasure being on the set. As you might know, Ive worked with Sujoys team a few times now right from Typewriter. Its great to be involved in films that come under the same umbrella.

Apart from you and Sonam, this film also has Vinay Pathak. From Hip Hip Hurray to Fatso to Ek Tho Chance to Blind, its been quite a journey. How did it feel reuniting with him on this? Did you guys reflect on your respective creative journeys?

I think Vinay Pathak and me last were on sets together was during Hip Hip Hurray. In Fatso, he played a small role and in Ek Tho Chance, I dont even remember him in it because its been such a long time. So I never had any interaction with him on screen or on the set even after Hip Hip Hurray and something Ive been talking a lot about is that Vinay has been one of my first acting teachers. So it was an absolute joy to be around him. Vinay and me are there is certain parts of the film together but like I said, I was lurking in the back. But theres one proper scene that we have together which is quite dramatic. But we were in same hotel, we were seeing each other everyday and we were going for long walks. There was a lovely park behind the hotel where we were staying so it was great fun catching up with him and reuniting with him.

Since its a remake of a Korean film, are they any original twists and turns that one should expect from the plot that might not be there in the main movie?

Its been a long time since I saw the original film so I cant quite remember. But it has been Indianized largely for the Hindi version. Theres a South Indian version too but our film definitely looks very different from the real film as well as the South Indian version of it and theres no doubt about that. I think Shome has brought in a few things that are quite clever.

The kind of work youve done in recent times is phenomenal. Whether its Criminal Justice or London Files or Matrix, at this juncture of your career, what kind of roles that really excites you and that really drives you to be a part of?

I think you always want to do a part that is prominent in the film or the story or which is involved in the central part of the story. After being around for so many years, I just din want to narrow down on a role that I only want to do this. It sounds very boring. I am open to doing anything and everything. I do feel a dearth of some things so right now I am looking at something which is a nice romantic comedy or something. That would be nice too.

Any update on Rock On 3 as fans have been eagerly waiting for the third part?

Why dont we all put our questions together for Excel Entertainment and say Whens Rock On 3 gonna happen?'(laughs)
Back in 2020, Aashiqui actor Rahul Roy suffered a brain stroke, while he was shooting for LAC  Live the Battle in Kargil. He was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he underwent angiography of the brain and heart. Later, he was admitted to Mumbais Nanavati Hospital in the ICU on November 27, 2020. The actor recently revealed in an interview about how Salman Khan helped him clear the hospital bills back then.

In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Rahul Roy along with his sister Priyanka Roy shared it was Salman Khan who cleared all the pending medical expenses, once the former was discharged. I want to thank Salman Khan because whatever bill was pending, he cleared it in February. Priyanka also added that the producer of his film LOC also had paid Rahuls remuneration but that wasnt enough to clear the bills. Later when Salman called to check up on him and asked if he can help with anything, thats when he cleared the pending bills.

In the same conversation, Rahul also heaped praises on Salman Khan. People have many misconceptions about Salman Khan. But for me, he is a good person," he added. The most beautiful thing is Salman did not speak about it in front of the media. This is called really being with a person. This touched my heart. This man is a gem. I mean I didnt ask him Somebody out of the crowd comes and asks in reality if you are in trouble, and thats the biggest thing. This is called you are a star," added Priyanka.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Rahul Roy recently returned to the film set with Nitin Kumar Guptas Walk. He will next be seen in a sequel to one of his big films. The actor has also wrapped shooting for Kanu Behls Agra. The film also stars Priyanka Bose, Mohit Agarwal, Ruhani Sharma, Vibha Chibber, Sonal Jha and Aanchal Goswami in pivotal roles. Reportedly, the film explores sexual dynamics within a small-town family.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu has wrapped the filming of Citadel India. The actress confirmed the news of wrapping up the shoot schedule on her Instagram Stories. Directed by Raj & DK of The Family Man fame, Citadel India is a spin-off of Priyanka Chopras Citadel. Samantha stars as the lead with Varun Dhawan in the series, marking their first on-screen collaboration. The news of her wrap comes amid rumours that she is taking a break from acting. Last week, it was reported that Samantha is taking a backseat from her work to focus on her health.

Now, the actress has taken off on a road trip across Tamil Nadu. Taking to her Instagram Stories, Samantha gave a sneak peek into her playlist as she enjoyed the long drive. The playlist featured Harish Raghavendras Melliname and Oru Kal Oru Kannadi title track. She even gave a glimpse into the Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple in Vellore as she reached there.

Earlie, a source had told India Today, She will take a year-long break from work and will not sign any new Telugu or Bollywood films. She plans to use this time to regain her health and seek additional treatment. Samantha has returned advance payments to producers she had previously taken."

On Friday, Samanthas hairstylist Rohit Bhatkar took to his Instagram handle and penned down a long emotional note to wish the actress strength and power on her healing journey. He shared pictures from the time he spent with Samantha and wrote, 2 years. 1 sensational music video. 3movies. 7 brand campaigns. 2 editorials. And lifetime of memories. We saw it all from sunny days to rainy days, From tears of joy and laughter to tears of pain and agony. From being confident to being vulnerable, From our highs to our lows and then back up. What a beautiful ride it has been with you. Certainly one to remember.

Samantha will be next seen with Vijay Deverakonda in Kushi.
Actress Shanaya Kapoor will soon be seen in the Mohanlal-starrer Vrushabha. Shanaya, the daughter of actor Sanjay Kapoor, will make her pan-India debut in the action film opposite Roshann Meka. Shanaya has a pivotal role in the film, as her character will bridge the gap between past and present timelines of this epic action entertainer," read a statement from the makers.

Confirming that Shanaya has been finalised for the film, Producer Juhi Parekh Mehta of AVS Studios said, We are elated to have Shanaya Kapoor on board for Vrushabha. Her debut has been much awaited by the audience and are thrilled to have her in our team."

Expressing her gratitude and joy, Shanaya shared, I am highly excited to face the camera and begin shoot, there will be so much to learn and explore from this film. The storyline is a fascinating one which has stayed with me. Also, the film has all big names associated with it, and is being made on a massive scale, its the kind of role any young actor would be excited, and inspired to play. Especially so early in ones career. Its a dream come true. And with Mohanlal sir on board, I feel honoured to be a part of Vrushabha. Extremely grateful."

Karan Johar, too, took to Instagram, to pen a long note. Some journeys are perceived as privileged some are also given the tag of lineage benefit  and all of that is true but in you Shanaya @shanayakapoor02 I have only seen a girl who dreamt of nothing but being a pure artist and facing the camera only when you had put in all that immense hard work and so much passion. This is such a brilliant opportunity for you  so much to learn from the legendary @mohanlal sir.. who I admire and respect so much #VRUSHABHA is a pan Indian spectacle that will wow the world with its narrative and breathtaking visuals  as family to you I am ever so grateful to the entire team for giving us this opportunity  thank you to the immensely talented #roshanmeka to Connekkt media AVS studios and to my darling and the best @ektarkapoor we are humbled and grateful to all of you. You go shine on girl focus on the end goal and never be distracted by obstacles on your course! Your perseverance will guide you. And you and I both know what exciting news is yet to come  Love you  Karan"

The director of the film, Nanda Kishore also explained why Shanaya is the perfect fit for her character and added, She is a very talented and hardworking young actor and for me, as a director, I want to bring the best out of her. Our collaboration as an actor and director is something I am eager to experience".

Vrushabha is a joint venture between Connekkt Media and Balaji Telefilms in association with AVS Studios. The producers of the film also include Ektaa R Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, Shyam Sunder and Varun Mathur. High on VFX, the film will go on floors in London this month and will release sometime next year in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi.
A wave of grief and shock has swept across the Marathi film industry after the news of actor Ravindra Mahajanis death surfaced online. The actor, who was known for his charming good looks and personality, had been living alone in a house in Ambi village at Maval in Pune.

Ravindra Mahajani is survived by his wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandson. His son Gashmeer Mahajani is also a successful actor and is currently working in Hindi television. Following in his fathers footsteps, Gashmeer also made his cinematic debut. The father-and-son duo has also appeared in some films together.

Ravindra Mahajani belonged to a lower middle-class background and he used to drive a taxi to make ends meet while looking for work in the film industry. After having some success in films, he started a business of his own but was reportedly subjected to fraud which not only made him lose money but resulted in a huge debt. It was reportedly Gashmeer, who was in school at that time, who then came forward to rescue the family out of debt.

In an interview, Gashmeer said that at the age of 15, he started his own dance academy in Pune. This was at a time when their house was mortgaged to the bank and they had a debt close to Rs 50 lakh. After running the dance academy for 2 years, he started his own corporate event management company and by the age of 21, he was able to pay off the debts. He further said that he paid taxes when he was 17 years old.

Gashmeer, who has a very strong presence on social media, has a lot of posts where he mentions and posts about his mother but his followers have noticed that he does not have any posts about his father. This has led to speculation that Gashmeer is closer to his mother than he was to his father.

The most recent project where Gashmeer and Ravindra worked together was the 2019 Bollywood film Panipat directed by Ashutosh Gowariker.
Zoya Akhtars film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD) celebrated its 12th anniversary on Saturday. Starring Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, and Katrina Kaif, among others, the movie follows the transformative journey of three best friends on a bachelor road trip across Spain.

Shot in 107 locations across Spain, ZNMD features the iconic recreation of Spains famous Tomatina festival. To capture the scene, a staggering 16 tons of tomatoes were imported from Portugal, as the local Spanish tomatoes were not ripe enough. The tomatoes reportedly cost a whopping Rs 1 crore.

Back in 2011, producer Ritesh Sidhwani had shared with IANS, To recreate the Tomatina festival and make it look authentic, we had to call for some 16 tons of tomatoes from Portugal, as the tomatoes in Spain were not ripe.

Describing the festival, Zoya Akhtar had then said that Tomatina in Spain is like Holi in India. They play with tomatoes and the whole world turns red for a day. The energy is contagious and the scene is a visual delight. We had a blast shooting this sequence but it was not all rosy. It was a logistical nightmare for the producer, she had said.

Zoya Akhtar had mentioned that they had to close down the entire town of Bunyol in Spain to film the sequence. They shot at the actual location where the festival occurs, and had to temporarily halt all activities in the town. The people of Bunyol were incredibly kind, and as a gesture of appreciation, they celebrated Tomatina twice - once for Spain and once for India," Zoya had shared in 2011.

Only recently, Zoya Akhtar unveiled the poster for the highly anticipated second season of her popular show Made In Heaven. Co-created by Reema Kagti, the official release date for the second season is yet to be announced.
Freedom of speech and expression is the cornerstone of democracy, and proving the world wrong, India surprised and shocked everyone in equal measure when the country stood as one to preserve, protect and promote democracy. Despite the few odd spells of authoritarian diktats from time to time, in one or the other part of the country, or even across the country during the declared emergency  1975 to 1977  India and Indians enjoy a free press.

The countrys right, left, and centrist political forces show solidarity and unanimity on the surface that they are all for a free press but it is in practice that questions arise on the true freedom of the media, how much it is allowed to function objectively.

If media practitioners of yore, of the emergency era, shudder even today at the very ideas of the kind of suppression of the free media at that time that was in operation, current-day media practitioners bemoan that there is an undeclared emergency in operation today.

The state of the media and the efficiency of the media practitioners, whether in terms of the language they use, the issues they raise and the narratives they set, there is an ongoing debate over the quality of journalism in practice. Whether one takes the national media or the regional or vernacular media in regions where regional political forces are in control, the media industry operates within the parameters and boundaries set by the political masters.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), often, is blamed for the kind of stranglehold it has over the media  print and electronic using different kinds of allurements or coercive threats  but just scratch the surface a bit and similar, if not tougher, actions are visible in different states. By and large, among the political formations that appear on the surface to be more tolerant of critical media is the Congress, but even it seems to have been bitten by the bug of a control freak as is shown by a few decisions of the Congress-led state governments  in taking coercive actions against media men or media groups.

Et tu, Left Front?

But similar action from a Left Front was the least expected, given the fact that their influence today is limited to just one or two small pockets in the country  Kerala, and well, Kerala  where CPM-led Left Front has been in power for over seven years now.

Yes, the tiny state of highly literate and educated Kerala is a two-horse race politically, with the Left Front taking on the Congress-led left-of-centre political formation, United Democratic Front, even as the BJP is making strong attempts to break out as the third political force in the state.

And herein begins the media game, or the media management of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government that embodies all the elements of a concerted effort to prevent any media expose of the happenings in the government. And this, at a time when Left Fronts leading national icons, Sitaram Yechury and Prakash Karat are trying to mobilise public opinion against BJP-RSS efforts to gag free and independent media in the country.

For the moment, without going into the antecedents or political leanings of media organisations, one should at the outset express dismay and anger and condemn the police action against journalists and staff of YouTube media channels that take an anti-government stance in Kerala. Booking journalist Shajan Skariah, editor and publisher of YouTube channel Marunadan Malayalee, under SC/ST Act, and his continued detention is something that all right-thinking journalists, of any school of thought, ought to oppose and fight. But, more important, the state government also unleashed state police against the media organisation, raiding its offices in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, and confiscating computers, cameras, memory cards etc. from its personnel. Raids were also conducted at the residence of the organisations journalist, to browbeat the media channel that is a strong critic of the Left Front government.

Strong-arm tactics

Strong-arm tactics against uncomfortable media has been the tried and tested formula of many a state and Central government since times immemorial, but this is something that is not expected from a Left Front government that criticizes the Central government for harassing the media, precisely.

The use of SC/ST act to counter the uncomfortable persons is not new, last year too, CPM MLA PV Sreenijin made a complaint under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against Twenty20 partys chief coordinator and industrialist Sabu M Jacob, Aikkaranadu Panchayat President Deena Deepak and four other panchayat members.

Now the action against Shajan Skariah is an example of the intimidation being deployed against the media by a government that is facing several scams ranging from gold smuggling by people close to the CM to awarding contracts in traffic CCTV cameras to allegations of corruption in waste management in Kochi, to name a few. The increasing use of threats of arrests and raids to silence journalists and media organisations takes away the sheen of the Pinarayi Vijayans governance model. He has targeted the media, and his political opponents, the Congress. But most notably against journalists, for reports critical of his government and for trying to effectively muzzle the media. And the fact that Vijayan holds the home portfolio only makes it imperative that he reigns in the police force.

According to media reports, staffers of Marunadan Malayalee have alleged police high-handedness when they raided the offices and residences of the employees across the state in connection with the case against Shajan Skariah. He was accused of making derogatory statements against an MLA named Sreenijan, during the telecast on May 23. The journalist is on the run and the police are on the lookout for him. The Kerala Union of Working Journalists has condemned the police action. Marunadan Malayalee management alleges that the case was fabricated and it hoped for justice from the Supreme Court.

BJP and Congress condemn media bashing

This case is registered as an SC/ST atrocity case. This never happened in the video. He just raised certain allegations against the MLA. But the court has seen something other than the criticism. They considered this criticism a caste atrocity, one that was not true, the management of the media group said.

Here, in Kerala, condemnation of the state governments alleged media repression came from two national parties that are opposed to each other  the BJP and the Congress. Former Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, Prakash Javadekar, charged the Left Front government with terrorizing the media for exposing its alleged wrongdoings, and the Leader of the Opposition in Kerala assembly, VD Satheesan of the Congress, said, The CPI(M) is hunting media houses and reporters who criticize it or the state government and the police are having double standards.

But the police deny that the actions were designed to curb media freedom. Police maintained that all actions were part of investigations to trace the groups absconding editor and did not construe a crackdown on activities of the media house.

The author is a senior journalist tracking social, economic, and political changes across the country. He was associated with the Press Trust of India, The Hindu, Sunday Observer and Hindustan Times. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Saturday suspended two senior leaders for allegedly indulging in anti-party activities, days after they were served notice to explain their side.

The Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) has suspended Barabati-Cuttack MLA Mohammed Moquim and ex- MLA Chiranjib Biswal from the party.

They were earlier served notices and to discern an explanation on the issues and allegations against them and based on their replies this action has been taken.

The replies received from the two leaders were carefully considered and found to be unsatisfactory, Tariq Anwar, Member Secretary-DAC, AICC, said.

Thereafter, the DAC announced to place both the leaders under suspension with immediate effect.

This comes after, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Sarat Pattanayak had brought the alleged anti-party activities of the two leaders in front of the committee.

Responding to the allegations, Moquim said that he has not violated any rules of the party. He is still in Congress and is going to fight in 2024 Election with Congress ticket itself. In case of denial for party ticket he is ready to contest as an independent candidate."

Who were the suspended leaders?

Biswal had been elected to Odisha Assembly twice on Congress tickets in the past. He is the elder son of former Deputy Chief Minister Basanta Biswal. He acted as partys working president for some years.

Moquim was elected to Odisha Assembly for the first time in 2019. The Barabati-Cuttack MLA had voted for NDA nominee Droupadi Murmu in the presidential election in 2022.

Notably, Moquim and Biswal had expressed their views regarding the prevailing condition in OPCC in a meeting in Bhubaneswar before some days.
Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan was sentenced to two years imprisonment by an MP/MLA court here on Saturday in a case of inflammatory speech during the 2019 general elections.

Judge Shobhit Bansal convicted Khan, 74, and sentenced him to two years imprisonment. He also imposed a fine of Rs. 2500 on the former Uttar Pradesh minister, according to Joint Director Prosecution Shiv Prakash Pandey.

The case was registered against Khan for allegedly making a provocative speech targeting the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, the then Rampur district election officer and the Election Commission at a rally in the Dhamora area on April 8, 2019 during the Lok Sabha polls.

Prosecution officer Amarnath Tiwari said the video surveillance team in-charge Anil Kumar Chauhan had registered the case against Khan.

An MP-MLA court here had last year convicted Khan in another hate speech case which was registered after he addressed a public meeting in Khatanagaria village of the Milak Kotwali area in 2019. He was sentenced to three years of imprisonment, following which he was disqualified from the UP assembly.

However, in May this year, a sessions court overturned the verdict of the lower court.

The former Samajwadi Party MP was lodged in jail for the last 27 months in connection with several cases, including for alleged land grabbing. He was released in May last year after being granted interim bail by Supreme Court.

After the verdict was pronounced on Saturday, Tiwari said that Azam Khan can be granted bail in the case under 389 CrPC.

The provision allows that pending any appeal by a convicted person, the appellate court may, for reasons to be recorded by it in writing, can order the suspension of sentence and grant bail, provided the sentence should not exceed three years.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay on his conviction in the 2019 defamation case. In the plea, Gandhi challenges the Gujarat High Courts order last week, requested the apex court to suspend his conviction and grant him relief in the Purnesh Modi defamation case.

Legal sources told CNN-News18 that the matter is expected to be brought before the top court on July 17. Rahul Gandhi is likely to request an urgent hearing for his plea seeking a stay on his conviction," they said.

On July 7, the Gujarat High Court declined to grant a stay on the conviction and two-year sentence imposed on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case. The sentence, which represents the maximum penalty for defamation, led to Gandhis disqualification from the Lok Sabha.

While dismissing the plea, Gujarat high court judge, Justice Hemant Prachchhak noted that Rahul Gandhi is currently facing 10 cases across India, and affirmed that the lower courts conviction of the Congress leader was just, proper and legal". The High Court further stated that there are no reasonable grounds to grant a stay on the conviction.

In March, Rahul Gandhi was convicted by the magisterial court for his comments about the surname Modi. The criminal defamation case was filed in response to a remark made by Gandhi during the 2019 Lok Sabha campaign. In his statement, Gandhi questioned the common surname among individuals like Lalit Modi and Nirav Modi, asking, Why do all thieves have the same surname?"

However, Gandhis sentence was later suspended and he was granted bail on the same day, allowing him to file an appeal against his conviction within the designated 30-day period.

Purnesh Modis Caveat in SC

July 7, BJP MLA Purnesh Modi, who is the complainant in the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi, took the proactive step of filing a caveat in the Supreme Court. The purpose of this caveat is to ensure that he is given an opportunity to be heard if Rahul Gandhi moves a plea challenging the high courts decision to not grant a stay on his conviction in the case.

A caveat is typically filed by a litigant in an appellate court to request a chance to present their arguments before any order is passed on the opponents appeal challenging the lower courts judgment or order.

In 2019, Purnesh Modi, a former minister in the Gujarat government, filed a criminal defamation case against Rahul Gandhi based on his remark made during an election rally in Kolar, Karnataka, on April 13, 2019.

Subsequent to this, another complaint was filed against Rahul Gandhi in a Pune court by the grandson of Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar for his alleged defamatory remarks against Veer Savarkar at Cambridge. Additionally, a separate complaint was filed against him in a Lucknow court.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Another attempt to smuggle drugs from Iran to Azerbaijan has been prevented, the press center of Azerbaijani State Border Service told Trend.

According to the press center, the attempt was prevented thanks to vigilance of the 'Horadiz' border detachment of the State Border Service, located near Boyuk Bahmanli village of Fuzuli district, at 08:20 (GMT+4) on July 14.

As a result of the border searches and operational activities, over 53 kilograms of marijuana were found and seized.

Recently, attempts to smuggle drugs to European countries through Azerbaijan have intensified due to the favorable relief conditions of the country, which smugglers (mainly Iranian citizens) use when trying to bring drugs into Azerbaijan through the sea and hard-to-reach mountainous places.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday claimed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena had urged the BJP leadership in Delhi to not give finance portfolio to NCP leader Ajit Pawar, but it did not relent.

He also claimed the Shinde-led Sena was told that if it had issues with the NCP leader getting the finance ministry in the Maharashtra government, then it could swap the chief ministers post with him (Ajit Pawar).

Responding to Rauts claim, Pawar said this was an attempt to disturb the atmosphere unnecessarily.

They went to Delhi and they were not paid any heed. They were told to stay (in government) if they are willing. Delhi said if you have issues with Ajit Pawar keeping the finance department, then keep the department with you and swap the chief ministers post with him (Pawar). This is my information, Raut claimed while speaking to reporters.

Pawar was allocated the key Finance and Planning ministry on Friday when portfolios were allocated to nine NCP MLAs who joined the Shinde-Fadnavis government on July 2. The finance portfolio was held by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Notably, Shinde and other MLAs of Shiv Sena had cited the blocking of funds by Ajit Pawar as finance minister in the erstwhile MVA government as one of the reasons behind their rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray last year.

Raut said welcoming Ajit Pawar into the state cabinet and as the finance minister shows the helplessness of the Shinde faction.

The importance of the Shinde faction was restricted to splitting the Shiv Sena and it is over now. I doubt whether the Ajit Pawar faction will be in power for a long time. BJPs policy is to use and throw, the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP added.

He claimed at least 17-18 MLAs are in touch with Shiv Sena (UBT), but they have not decided what to do with them.

Raut said Uddhav Thackeray will travel to Bengaluru to attend the meeting of Opposition parties next week.

Asked about Rauts claim that the Shinde-led faction was asked to give up the CMs post as it was not willing to part with the finance portfolio, Pawar said, I dont know. This is an attempt to disturb the atmosphere unnecessarily. We are happy with the portfolio allocation. There are around 14 vacant positions (in the cabinet) and expansion of the cabinet is the chief ministers prerogative, he told reporters in Nashik.

The CM will decide, I will not speak about it, Pawar said in response to a query about the cabinet expansion.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday said he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 18 and will raise the issues faced by farmers in the state during the meeting.

Pawar, who bagged the key Finance and Planning portfolio on Friday, said he and other Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs who joined the Eknath Shinde-led government on July 2, were happy with the allocation of portfolios.

Speaking during a media interaction here, Pawar said, I will meet PM Narendra Modi on July 18. During the meeting, I will take up various issues related to farmers with him. (NCP leader) Praful Patel and I will attend the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting." The deputy CM arrived in Nashik to attend the Shasan Aplya Dari (government at your doorstep) programme.

Asked about Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Rauts reported claim that as the Shinde-led faction was not willing to part with the finance portfolio, it was asked to give up the CMs post, the NCP leader said, I dont know. This is an attempt to disturb the atmosphere unnecessarily. We are happy with the portfolio allocation." There are around 14 vacant positions (in the cabinet) and expansion of the cabinet is the chief ministers prerogative, he said.

The CM will decide, I will not speak about it," Pawar said in response to a query about the cabinet expansion.

There are now 28 cabinet ministers in the Shinde-led government but no minister of state. The ministry can have a maximum of 43 members. There was speculation that the state ministry expansion would also happen on Friday, but it did not take place.

Asked about the pending civic elections in the state, Pawar said four to five issues, including that of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation, are pending in the Supreme Court. The Maharashtra Election Commission has issued orders to prepare electoral rolls, he said.

After the completion of electoral rolls and the top courts verdict on the concerned issues, elections will be held in the state, he added.

There will be equitable progress in the state and there will be no differences. There are many communities and castes in the state. We will take everyone along. In Mahayuti (grand alliance), we will work in tandem and efforts will be taken for the development of all," he said.

When pointed out that NCP founder Sharad Pawars pictures were missing in the posters put up in Nashik to welcome him, he said, Pawar saheb is our inspiration, our idol. His photograph is there in my cabin." Sharad Pawars wife Pratibha Pawar underwent a surgery related to hand at the Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai on Friday. After the operation, Ajit Pawar visited Silver Oak, the official residence of the NCP supremo, to meet Pratibha Pawar after she was discharged from hospital.

Talking about his visit, he said politics and family are different things.

We value family and traditions. Kaki (Pratibha Pawar) had some injury and was operated upon. I wanted to go in the afternoon, but could not go and therefore visited in the evening. Pawar saheb, kaki and Supriya (Sule) were thereThere was no discussion on politics," Pawar said.

On the NCP name and symbol, Pawar said, We are in the government to solve peoples issues. No ones legislature membership will be in problem. We will not hurt the faith of those who have supported us." Speaking about the prevailing water situation, he said the state has not recorded sufficient rainfall so far this year.

Water level in dams has gone down and there is a need to use water carefully, Pawar said.

Speaking at the state governments shasan aplya dari programme here, Pawar said the development of Maharashtra was the only agenda in hand, with focus on creation of jobs, good prices for farm produce and overall development for all.

There will be no caste or community considerations while embarking on the agenda of development, adding that no district of the state will be deprived of funds, said Pawar, who was on Friday given the Finance portfolio in the Shinde government.

The shasan aplya dari programme will prove ideal for the country. Government and administration are two wheels of development, which have now picked up speed," he said.

Pawar said issues related to Nashik, including Ozar Airport development, water planning, the Nashik-Mumbai led of the Samruddhi Corridor, Nashik-Pune high speed railway, would be taken up on priority.

The newly-appointed deputy CM said all efforts will be taken to make Nashik slum free and Godavari, which is the lifeline of the district, pollution free.

Pawar arrived in Nashik by Vande Bharat Express train, where he was accorded a warm welcome by his supporters. It was his first visit to Nashik after becoming part of the Shinde-led government.
From subtly shifting the position of Ramses IIs 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.

Also read: The Story Of These Thirsty Camels Has An Unexpected Hero

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 didnt 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".
A warning sign has been put up near the waters of West Cliff Dive in Santa Cruz, US, to alert surfers about hostile sea otters. One of the marine mammals, identified to be a five-year-old female named Otter 841, is believed to be involved in multiple incidents of attacking tourists. She has been pestering surfers by stealing their boards. According to the Guardian, photographer Mark Woodward, who goes by the moniker Native Santa Cruz on Instagram, has shared multiple photos of sea otters riding on surfboards online. Recently, the heated moment of a man trying to gain control of his board after an otter attack was shared on his profile.

In the video, the marine mammal can be seen violently gnawing on a surfboard, with no signs of giving up the fight. The rider makes several attempts to snatch the board away but in vain. Even after the board is flipped upside down, the otter refuses to leave his firm hold. Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Native Santa Cruz (@nativesantacruz)

In a subsequent post that features a series of photos of the aggressive mammal riding on a surfboard, the photographer informs how the otter has struck thrice within a span of two weeks. Sharing details of the incident Mark stated, I do believe its been the same otter, but this time it was extremely aggressive and the surfer abandoned his board and swam to shore. When this encounter first happened, there were two otters on the board, but the bigger one stayed on it."

It was after the arrival of a catamaran that the otter abandoned the board and the surfer managed to retrieve it. This may seem cute and funny, but its getting to be dangerous and Im afraid that the sea otter, which was born in captivity and released when it was old enough, will have to be captured and live at a rescue sanctuary," the photographer concluded.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Native Santa Cruz (@nativesantacruz)

Upon witnessing the rise in otter attacks, a warning sign has been placed at the Santa Cruz shoreline to keep people informed about the animals aggressive behaviour.

Enter the water at your own risk!I was talking with a reporter when a City employee walked up and posted this sign pic.twitter.com/atK5zUMAv7 Native Santa Cruz (@NativeSantaCruz) July 11, 2023

As per the Guardian, wildlife experts havent yet identified the reason behind the marine mammals behaviour. But it is likely that the hostile otter will be captured and relocated. The federal and state departments of Fish and wildlife reportedly theorise the aggressive could have stemmed from hormonal surges. Even though there havent been reports of serious injuries, kayakers and surfers are advised not to approach any otters.
The launch of Chandrayaan-3 by India has instilled a sense of pride and celebration across the nation. The event took place on Friday at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, where enthusiastic spectators witnessed the dream space mission unfold. Meanwhile, online users also took part in the festivities, sharing messages, images, and videos to mark this momentous occasion. During this online buzz, a Pakistani man happened to come across a tweet from Pakistan, placed just above an Indians tweet, highlighting the contrasting priorities of the two countries. The man decided to share this screenshot online which is sure to make every Desi proud!

The screenshot, shared by Twitter user Ali Shan Momin, prominently displayed a tweet from a Pakistani user, discussing Pakistans plan to hoist a 500-foot flag in Lahore, poised to become the tallest flag in the region. This grand undertaking that comes at a cost of Rs. 400 million is scheduled for the flag-raising ceremony on Pakistans Independence Day in 2023. In stark contrast, nestled right beneath this tweet was an Indians jubilant expression of Indias triumph with Chandrayaan-3.

Thus, while India celebrated its remarkable feat in space exploration, showcasing its advancement in science and technology, the neighbouring Pakistani tweet seemingly reflected a different national concern, centred around outdoing India by erecting a taller flag - a competition that has been ongoing since 2017.

Accompanying the screenshot was a simple smiling through pain emoji, capturing the essence of the post while revealing the distinct priorities of the two countries.

As expected, Desis took a lighthearted approach and spared no wit in jesting about Pakistans peculiar interest. One commenter empathised, saying, I really feel sorry for you bro," while another simply exclaimed, Funny!"

According to reports, the Pakistani project is funded by the Punjab government and will feature an 800 kg polyester fabric flag. To add to its grandeur, the flag will be adorned with LED lights and a sound system, visible from a remarkable distance of 15 km.

Also Read: Pakistan Man Appeals to Modi Govt After Wife Enters India With Kids to Meet PUBG Boyfriend

While some view this project as an expression of patriotism and national pride, it has not escaped criticism from others who see it as a misuse of taxpayer money and valuable resources.
A man who gained fame when a dress worn by his mother-in-law at his wedding went viral due to its optical illusion-like properties has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of his wife. Keir Johnston, 38, from the Isle of Colonsay in Scotland, is accused of engaging in a nearly 11-year-long pattern of serious domestic violence and coercive control that culminated in his alleged attempt to kill his wife, according to The Times.

The allegations against Johnston span from April 2019 to March 2022 which include repeated physical assaults, such as pushing his wife against a wall and attempting to strangle her. It is also reported that he tried to enter a vehicle in which his wife was present and struck her through an open window. Another incident allegedly involved placing his wife in a headlock and forcibly removing her from a pub after she declined to leave with him.

In addition to the physical abuse, Johnston is accused of isolating his wife from her friends, monitoring her movements, and controlling her finances in order to limit her access to money.

To the unversed, the couple gained worldwide attention following their wedding in 2015 when the mother of the bride wore a dress that caused a global sensation due to differing perceptions of its colours. The dress, nicknamed The Dress That Broke the Internet, appeared black and blue to some viewers while others saw it as white and gold. In fact, it went viral on social media platforms, with celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Justin Bieber, and Taylor Swift sharing it. The couple even appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where they received a cash prize and a trip to Grenada after revealing the dresss true colours.

Also Read: Blue or White? That Optical Illusion Viral Dress is Back and it Looks Like This in Sunlight

However, prosecutors now allege that the couples relationship took a dark turn, marked by a series of violent attacks by Johnston that ultimately led to the attempted murder of his wife.

Johnston, denying all charges against him, appeared in court on Monday, and the case has been scheduled for a further preliminary hearing before the trial, which is set for 2024.
Evidence is mounting about what may be a wealth of organic molecules - a potential indicator of life - on Mars, with new findings from NASAs Perseverance rover suggesting the presence of a diversity of them in rocks at a locale where a lake existed long ago.

The latest evidence comes from an instrument called SHERLOC mounted on the six-wheeled rovers robotic arm that enables a detailed mapping and analysis of organic molecules. Researchers are reporting SHERLOCs findings from 10 places on two geological formations on the floor of Jezero crater.

They obtained evidence indicating the presence of organic molecules in multiple rock samples, including some collected for potential return to Earth for future analysis. The researchers noted that evidence of such molecules is not proof of life past or present on Mars, and that non-biological processes remain a more likely explanation.

Organics are the molecular building blocks of life as we know it, but can also be formed from geological processes not directly related to life. We see multiple signals that appear to vary across the formations of the crater floor and in the minerals they are associated with," said astrobiologist Sunanda Sharma of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, lead author of the research published this week in the journal Nature.

Also read: Astrophysicists Spot Possible First-ever Dark Stars

Perseverance, on a mission to search for evidence of ancient life on Mars and collect samples of rock and soil for possible return to Earth, landed in February 2021 at Jezero crater, an area in the planets northern hemisphere that once was flooded with water and home to an ancient lake basin.

Mars has not always been the inhospitable place it is today, with liquid water on its surface in the distant past. Scientists suspect that microbial life once could have lived in Jezero crater. They believe river channels spilled over the crater wall and created a lake more than 3.5 billion years ago.

Signals of organic molecules were detected at all 10 places that SHERLOC - short for Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals - studied on the crater floor. The rocks were igneous - volcanically formed.

SHERLOC employs cameras, a laser and instruments called spectrometers that analyze light wavelengths to search for organic molecules that may be signs of past microbial life. Joining the Sherlock Holmes theme, SHERLOC is assisted by WATSON, a color camera for getting close-up images of rock grains and surface textures.

The researchers do not know the specific organic compounds that SHERLOC detected, but have some clues. Study co-author Ryan Roppel, a University of Pittsburgh graduate student in chemistry, said the chemical signatures could come from compounds like benzene or naphthalene.

On Earth, these are quite common in crude oil, which has a biotic origin, but we can also form these synthetically through various chemical reactions," Roppel said.

The concentrations weve detected are generally low, but weve observed signals associated with organics on nearly every rock weve sampled," Roppel added.

Roppel said the researchers cannot rule out that inorganic - metal - sources could be responsible for the some of the signals that suggest organic molecules.

Signs of organic molecules were first detected on Mars in 2015 by a different rover called Curiosity, followed by more evidence in subsequent years. With Perseverance now detecting possible signatures of organic molecules, the evidence is accumulating that organic molecules may be relatively common on Mars, though at low levels.

The researchers remain cautious about the findings.

There are both biotic and abiotic mechanisms that can form organic molecules. Interplanetary dust, infall from meteorites or water-rock interactions can produce organics abiotically," Roppel said. On the other hand, ancient life could produce these organics as well, but this is generally a last resort hypothesis. We need to rule out all abiotic mechanisms before we jump to the conclusion that any organic molecule is a sign of life."
The age-old struggle of finding satisfying meals while venturing into foreign lands continues to plague travellers worldwide. While sightseeing might be the main attraction, one cant overlook the fact that food can either make or break the entire experience. Imagine the joy of savoring a mouthwatering dish that perfectly captures the essence of a destination! Well, these culinary unicorns are a rare find. Unfortunately, incidents like the recent one involving a woman seeking a vegetarian meal in a French restaurant underscore the struggle.

A Twitter user, Erin L. Thompson, shared a picture that showcased a plate with rice, spaghetti without sauce, and some julienned vegetables. In her tweet, she lamented, Went to a restaurant in the French countryside for lunch and asked if it was possible to get something vegetarian. I got rice, vegetable peelings, and spaghetti without sauce."

Her tweet rapidly gained traction, accumulating over 2.3 million views and 400 retweets. Some users argued that the vegetables were julienned (cut into shreds), but Erin clarified, They had no sauce, salt, oil, or flavor." She then vented out her frustration, saying, 90% of the time in France, asking for something vegetarian gets me all the delicious side dishes. The other 9.9% of the time, they say they cant make something, and I get a delicious cheese plate. This is the 0.1% occurrence of straight go f*** yourself.'"

The comment section, soon, got flooded with various reactions, as people expressed their opinions on the matter. One commenter quipped, Looks like grass clippings, shoestrings, and a rice cake theyre wild af for this" while another one remarked, Youre in the French countryside. You were lucky to get anything."

Also Read: Man Gets Chicken in Paneer Biryani Ordered From Zomato in Varanasi, Restaurant Reacts to Viral Tweet

What would be your move in such a situation? Leave it or have it?
In a remarkable turn of events, a cashier in Florida successfully prevented a bank robbery and led to the arrest of the robber. The incident unfolded at PNC Bank on July 7, leaving witnesses and authorities amazed by the cashiers clever tactics. As per an affidavit obtained by Miami New Times, the suspect, James Timothy Kelly, entered the bank armed with a mesh bag and a note demanding give me the money. However, the cashier, displaying remarkable wit, pretended not to see the note and instead handed Kelly a withdrawal slip. This unexpected response prompted Kelly to explicitly state his intentions, leading to his subsequent arrest. I am not here for that. I am here to rob you," he said, as detailed in the affidavit.

Undeterred by the suspects explicit intentions, the cashier pretended she was having computer issues and asked Kelly to take a seat. At this point, Kelly dutifully obliged but it soon led to his arrest. While the exact motive behind the cashiers actions remains unclear, it is evident that her actions ultimately led to law enforcement being alerted. Entering through a back entrance, officers apprehended the suspect. The affidavit stated, Responding law enforcement officers entered PNC Bank through the back entrance and found Kelly sitting in the lobby.

Kelly was promptly taken into custody and transported to the FBIs Miami office for further questioning. In a surprising turn of events, he confessed to his attempted robbery, admitting defeat in the face of the cashiers ingenious strategy.

Now facing severe legal consequences, the failed robber finds himself potentially serving up to 20 years in jail for his ill-fated heist endeavour. His foiled plans serve as a stark reminder that crime rarely pays and that even the most seemingly ordinary individuals possess the capacity for extraordinary bravery and resourcefulness.
Azerbaijan and Armenia held a fresh round of EU-mediated peace talks Saturday, while Russia offered a summit in Moscow in a bid to reassert a lead role in the normalisation process.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met in Brussels for talks aimed at resolving their decades-long conflict for the control of Armenian-populated Karabakh, the foreign ministry in Baku said.

European Council President Charles Michel, who mediated the discussions, said the exchanges were frank, honest and substantive".

I encouraged them to take courageous steps to ensure decisive and irreversible progress on a normalization track," he added.

As a matter of priority, violence and harsh rhetoric should stop in order to provide a proper environment for peace."

The Armenian foreign ministry said negotiations focused on the deepening humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh" among other issues.

Both sides agreed to step up work on addressing the existing issues" as the peace process goes forward, the ministry added.

Michel said he intended to organise a fresh meeting between Aliyev and Pashinyan in Brussels and another in Spain in October involving German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The talks come amid renewed tensions after Azerbaijan closed the Lachin corridor, the sole land link between Karabakh and Armenia.

Threat to aviation safety

Baku and Yerevan have been trying to negotiate a peace deal with the help of the European Union and United States, whose diplomatic engagement in the Caucasus has irked traditional regional power broker Russia.

Moscow on Saturday offered to host the two countries foreign ministers and suggested the future peace treaty could be signed in Moscow.

Russia is ready to organise a trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers in Moscow in the near future", the countrys foreign ministry said in a statement.

It offered to hold later a Russian-Azerbaijani-Armenian summit in Moscow to sign the relevant (peace) treaty".

Azerbaijans defence ministry has also said Armenian separatist forces in Karabakh use radio interference against GPS navigation systems of local and foreign airlines passenger aircraft flying through our countrys airspace".

Two Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft reported the interference on Thursday, the ministry said.

Such incidents pose a serious threat to aviation safety," according to the statement.

Karabakhs rebel authorities dismissed the claims as an absolute lie".

Uneasy peace talks

On Friday, around 6,000 people rallied in Karabakh calling for the reopening of the Lachin corridor.

Local separatists, warning of a humanitarian crisis, urged Moscow to ensure free movement through the road.

Azerbaijan later allowed the Red Cross to resume medical evacuations from Karabakh to Armenia.

Karabakh has been at the centre of a decades-long dispute between the two countries, which have fought two wars over the mountainous territory, mainly populated by Armenians.

During previous rounds of Western-mediated talks, Baku and Yerevan made some progress towards preparing the text of a peace agreement, but its signature remains a distant prospect.

Yerevan agreed to recognise Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan but demanded international mechanisms for protecting the rights and security of the regions ethnic-Armenian population.

Baku insists such guarantees must be provided at the national level, rejecting any international format.

In autumn 2020, Russia sponsored a ceasefire agreement that ended six weeks of fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces for control of Karabakh.

The deal saw Armenia cede swathes of territories it had controlled for decades, while Russia deployed peacekeepers to man the five-kilometre-wide Lachin corridor to ensure free passage between Armenia and Karabakh.

Armenia has relied on Russia for military and economic support since the collapse of the Soviet Union. It has accused Moscow  bogged down in its war against Ukraine  of failing to fulfil its peacekeeping role in Karabakh.

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, ethnic-Armenian separatists in Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan, and the ensuing conflict claimed some 30,000 lives.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. The Azerbaijan Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA), the Economic Zones Development Agency of Azerbaijan and Supreme Pharmatech Co., Ltd. (Thailand) have signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Trend reports.

The document was signed by Chairman of the Board of SMBDA Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of Economic Zones Development Agency Elshad Nuriyev and Director General of the Supreme Pharmatech Co., Ltd. Yuri Nelepchenko.

The memorandum provides for the implementation of joint activities, programs and projects in the field of pharmaceuticals, support for the development of local human resources, organization of training for SMEs, research, information and interaction of SMEs for enabling them to contribute to pharmaceutical and nutritional supplements sector.

Besides, the MoU envisions the implementation of joint activities to develop the local raw material base, including the production of pharmaceutical products in the field of supply chain development, joint support for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups operating in the pharmaceutical industry.

In the field of pharmaceuticals, joint cooperation is expected in such areas as support for business incubators and research centers.

Within the framework of the event, an agreement was signed between Economic Zones Development Agency and the Thai-Azerbaijani joint company - Supreme Pharmatech Manufacturing LLC.

Meanwhile, a meeting was held between Mammadov, Nuriyev, Nelepchenko and the Director of Supreme Pharmatech Manufacturing LLC Mushfig Huseynov. Issues arising from the trilateral document signed between the parties, and the possibility of cooperation were discussed at the meeting.

SMBDA is a legal entity designed to support the development of small and medium-sized businesses in Azerbaijan, providing a number of services to SMEs, coordinating and regulating services provided in this area by state bodies.
The Guatemalan Attorney Generals office said Friday it would not drop an investigation into the party of presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo, but insisted this would not interfere with the August 20 vote.

The announcement came a day after the countrys highest court overturned the suspension of Arevalos Semilla party just weeks ahead of the vote in a move that left his position uncertain and prompted international concern.

There are going to be difficult days from now until August 20, we are going to have to fight lies and misinformation," Arevalo told hundreds of Mayan indigenous supporters at a rally in Solola, some 200 kilometers (125 miles) west of the capital.

Wearing a hat and coat featuring indigenous embroidery, the candidate said the castle of corruption, where our country was imprisoned, has begun to crumble."

Arevalo finished second behind Sandra Torres in a first election round on June 25. The two must now face off at the polls on August 20 to become leader of a country beset by poverty, corruption and gang violence.

As both are from social democratic parties, the contest would yield the Central American countrys first president from the left of the political spectrum in more than a decade.

But on Wednesday, a court granted a request for the suspension of Arevalos Semilla (Seed) party brought by anti-graft prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche, who is under US sanctions.

The ruling against Semilla sparked protests in the capital and stern rebukes from the United Nations, United States and European Union.

The Constitutional Court overturned the lower courts decision on Thursday, paving the way for the runoff to go ahead as scheduled.

Then on Friday, the Attorney Generals office said it would continue investigating Semilla but insisted the move was not intended to interfere with the second round nor to disqualify any candidate."

Curruchiche claims thousands of people were falsely listed as Semilla members, invalidating the partys registration in 2018.

But Semilla said the moves against it were motivated by Arevalos unexpectedly good showing in the June polls, from which three other popular candidates had previously been disqualified.

Corrupt actors

Curruchiche was appointed by Attorney General Consuelo Porras, who features on a US list of corrupt actors" accused of obstructing anti-graft investigations based on political considerations.

She abruptly fired Curruchiches predecessor  one of several prosecutors now in exile  sparking widespread condemnation.

Wednesdays ruling against Semilla prompted protests in Guatemala City and criticism at home and abroad.

Arevalos running mate Karin Herrera said Semilla was a danger that they did not see coming." Arevalo had featured at number eight in opinion polls ahead of the June vote.

The son of reformist former president Juan Jose Arevalo, the candidate on Thursday filed suit against Curruchiche, whom he accused of being corrupt."

In the first round of voting, former first lady Torres won 15.8 percent of the vote and Arevalo 11.7 percent, beating out 20 other candidates.

Eight rightwing parties challenged the June outcome, prompting a review of the count which was officially validated by Guatemalas top electoral court on Wednesday.
Pakistans Quaid-i-Azam university issued a show-cause notice to students who were celebrating Holi in the university campus without taking prior permission, the Dawn said in a report.

This fresh development comes a month after Pakistans top education body, the Higher Education Commission (HEC), lashed out at students for celebrating Holi inside the university.

Shaista Sohail, the executive director of the HEC, in her letter said that the celebration erodes Pakistans Islamic identity. This triggered nationwide criticism and was later rescinded.

Members of PRSF joined the Holi celebrations at Quaid-e-Azam University today. We are especially grateful to our allies who invited and hosted us & wish a very Happy Holi to all! pic.twitter.com/GXsWhgd2dA PRSF Islamabad Rawalpindi (@ProgStudentsFed) June 12, 2023

However, the Dawn said that a new notice was issued on July 12. The notice says that students who participated in the June 12 function from 3pm to 8pm and were involved in celebrating, organising and participating in the festival without prior permission and approval of the university and its event management committee.

Despite advice/instructions by the university security staff, you refused to stop playing loud music and forcefully continue this function which caused an unpleasant/uncomfortable environment for others, the notice said, according to Dawn.

The notification further added the students violated public morals, indulged in acts which might have caused insult or physical injury to other university residents. It said that their actions defied the universitys authority and obstructed the universitys functioning.

The students have been told to appear before the disciplinary committee on July 18 and present a written response to the accusations against them.

The notification said that if the students fail to appear before the committee it would mean that they have nothing to say and the universitys disciplinary committee will take a decision based on the evidence and record available.

The notice also warned that the students may face penalties and punishments such as a fine, cancellation of hostel accommodation, cancellation of financial benefits and concessions, suspension of admission and ban on entry for a specific period, cancellation of examination results, suspension for a specific period of time and expulsion, according to the report by Dawn.
Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Jakarta has said that both countries should find a mutually acceptable solution to the border problem without letting "specific issues" define the overall relationship.

India has been locked in a military standoff with China at eastern Ladakh for more than three years, with Jaishankar saying it to be the most complex challenge in his long diplomatic career.

Jaishankar has also made it very clear to China that until there is peace and tranquillity in border areas, the relationship between the two countries cannot progress.

Wang and Jaishankar met on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Friday. Wang, a former Chinese foreign minister, attended the ASEAN meetings in Jakarta as the incumbent foreign minister Qin Gang is unwell.

During the meeting, Wang said that he hopes that the Indian side will meet China halfway and find a solution to the border issue that is acceptable to both sides, an official statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry here on Saturday quoted him as saying at the meeting with Jaishankar.

We should focus our energy and resources on each other's development, improving people's livelihood and accelerating revitalisation without letting specific issues define the overall relationship, the statement quoted Wang, Director of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Foreign Affairs as saying.

On his meeting with Wang, Jaishankar said on Twitter that he discussed outstanding issues related to peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

Our conversation also covered the East Asia Summit/ARF agenda, BRICS and the Indo-Pacific, he tweeted on Friday.

Wang also said that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have reached an important consensus on stabilising China-India relations.

The two sides should take actions to this end, adhere to the correct direction of bilateral relations, grasp the general trend of world development, and promote the stabilisation and improvement of China-India relations, he said.

As the world's top two developing countries and eternal neighbours, China and India's common interests obviously outweigh their differences and the realisation of their common development and common prosperity is of global significance, Wang said.

The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over-three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.

The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday he felt very well" after being hospitalised for dizziness, with his office saying the politically and legally beleaguered 73-year-old had likely been dehydrated.

Netanyahu had been rushed to Sheba medical centre in the afternoon, his office said of Israels largest hospital, located near Tel Aviv, noting he was in good condition and undergoing medical evaluations".

Later his office said Netanyahu had on Friday spent time in the scorching heat of the Sea of Galilee, in Israels north.

Today, he felt slightly dizzy, and at the advice of his personal physician, Dr Zvi Berkowitz, was taken to Shebas emergency department," another statement said.

The initial examinations showed normal findings," it added. The initial evaluation is dehydration."

In a video recording released several hours later, Netanyahu said he spent time on the lake with his wife in the sun, without a hat, without water".

Not a good idea," Netanyahu said, noting however that he was now feeling better.

I feel very well," he said, imploring Israelis to spend less time in the sun" and drink more water" in the wake of the countrys hot weather.

Netanyahu, who was reelected late last year, is heading a hard-right coalition whose proposed judicial overhaul has triggered weekly demonstrations since January.

The premier is also standing trial for corruption charges he denies.

In October, Netanyahu was hospitalised for overnight. His office said at the time he was feeling ill while observing the Jewish fast of Yom Kippur.
A New York architect was charged on Friday in connection with the long-unsolved murders of three women whose bodies were found near a beach on Long Island more than a decade ago. Rex Heuermann, 59, is facing murder charges for the 2009 and 2010 deaths of the three women and is the prime suspect" in the murder of a fourth woman, officials said.

Rex Heuermann is a demon," Suffolk County police commissioner Rodney Harrison told reporters. A predator that ruins families." Heuermann, who lived in Massapequa Park, a town near Gilgo Beach, where the bodies were found, was arrested in Manhattan on Thursday evening. All four women  Amber Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Maureen Brainard-Barnes  were in their 20s and were sex workers, according to prosecutors.

Each of the four victims were found similarly positioned, bound in a similar fashion by either belts or tape, with three of the victims found wrapped in a burlap-type material," US District Attorney Ray Tierney said. He said the case against Heuermann was based on DNA evidence from a discarded pizza box, cellphone data linking him to the victims and a sighting of his vehicle at the home of one of the murdered women.

For each of the murders he got an individual burner phone and used that to communicate with the victims," Tierney said. Then, shortly after the death of the victims, he would get rid of the burner phone."

- Taunting calls -

Heuermann also performed hundreds of internet searches about the investigation into the murders, asking questions such as Why hasnt the Long Island serial killer been caught?"

In addition to that there was a lot of torture porn, and what you would consider depictions of women being abused, being raped and being killed" found on Heuermanns computer, Tierney said.

The US attorney said Heuermann, who owned permits for 92 guns, also made taunting calls" to a sister of one of the victims following her disappearance. He said Heuermanns wife and children were always out of town when he allegedly committed the murders, which were the subject of a 2020 Netflix film called Lost Girls."

The bodies of at least 11 people have been found since 2010 along the same isolated stretch of ocean beachfront on Long Island, but police have said previously they do not believe all of the cases are linked.

Heuermann is the owner of RH Consultants and Associates, which bills itself on its website as New York Citys premiere architectural firm." Heuermann was interviewed last year for a YouTube show called Bonjour Realty."

Im a troubleshooter, born and raised on Long Island, been working in Manhattan since 1987  very long time," Heuermann said in the interview.
The UN Security Council on Friday urged the international community to support Haitis police, but stopped short of any concrete moves to create an international intervention force that is being called for by the crisis-wracked country.

Haiti, the Western Hemispheres poorest nation, has seen compounding humanitarian, political and security crises, with gangs controlling most of the capital and terrorizing the population with kidnappings, rape and murder.

The Security Councils unanimously adopted resolution encourages member states to provide security support to the Haitian National Police," including through the deployment of a specialized force."

But the text, which was focused on a one-year extension of the mandate for the special UN political mission to Haiti, BINUH, stopped short of making any direct plans for such a force.

The 15 member states asked Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to submit a report within 30 days on the full range of support options" for improving security, in particular in fighting arms trafficking, providing police training and bolstering a non-UN multinational force, or a possible peacekeeping operation."

For months, Guterres and Haitis Prime Minister Ariel Henry have called for an international force to help quell the mounting violence, but there has been little action as no country has stepped up to lead the operation.

Violence meanwhile has continued to escalate and spread," Guterres said in a report Friday, citing murders, kidnappings, rape of women and girls, looting, and the displacement of thousands of people.8

Between January and June homicides increased by 67.5 percent compared to the second half of 2022, according to the document, which said some victims had even been beheaded.

Without a sufficient security apparatus to combat the rampant gangs, Haitians have begun taking matters into their own hands, including via the emergent Bwa Kale" self-defense movement, which has spread across the country.

From late April to late June, at least 224 suspected gang members were killed by vigilante groups, sometimes having been stoned, mutilated or burned alive in the middle of the street while police officers stood by."

Disappointment

While some members of the Council, notably the United States, have indicated support for a possible international intervention, endorsement is far from unanimous.

The 30-odd years of UN practice in Haiti have shown that quick fixes implemented from the outside often fail to deliver long-term results or help Haiti truly emerge from the crisis," said Geng Shuang, deputy UN envoy from China, which holds veto power on the Security Council.

Before taking the next step, the United Nations should fully learn from the past," he said.

While China has long advocated for a broad arms embargo, he said no amount of support for Haitian police will make any difference unless the flow (of weapons to gangs) is stopped."

The Security Council resolution reiterates a call on member states to prevent the transfer of small arms to gangs.

Fridays text is a step in the right direction," Haitian Ambassador Antonio Rodrigue said, but added it would not be sufficient to help the government face the security challenge."

The population is waiting for a concrete decision on the deployment of an international force, which has not happened, and the disappointment is great," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi bid adieu to Paris on Friday following a successful visit that heralded a new chapter in the India-France relationship. He embarked on the next leg of his visit to Abu Dhabi after a memorable" two-day visit, during which the two countries set a vision for the next phase of their strategic partnership.

Prime Minister Modi also shared snippets of his two-day visit and moments from the Bastille Day parade in a two minute and forty-three seconds long video. Here are highlights from yesterdays programmes in Paris, which include the iconic Bastille Day parade," PM Modi said.

Here are highlights from yesterdays programmes in Paris, which include the iconic Bastille Day parade. pic.twitter.com/HmDcRSdjs1 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2023

It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful," PM Modi said as he emplaned for Abu Dhabi. As he boarded the plane, the Prime Minster expressed graduate to President Emmanuel Macron and the French people for their exceptional warmth and hospitality.

This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the pic.twitter.com/BllJ8gVj8e Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023

Over the course of his two-day visit, the Prime Minister held meetings with various stakeholders in France as both sides took stock of the strategic ties between the two countries. During his visit, Modi was also conferred with the countrys highest civilian and military honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour.

Talks between PM Modi and Macron encompassed various areas of cooperation, including defense, clean energy, innovation, and cultural exchange. With the adoption of the Horizon 2047 Roadmap," both nations set forth a shared vision for the future, aiming to build upon their robust relationship and foster a better world together.

The talks with my friend, President @EmmanuelMacron were very productive. We reviewed the full range of India-France relations. I am particularly enthusiastic about deepening cooperation in futuristic sectors like green hydrogen, renewable energy, AI, semiconductors and more," PM Modi tweeted.

The talks with my friend, President @EmmanuelMacron were very productive. We reviewed the full range of India-France relations. I am particularly enthusiastic about deepening cooperation in futuristic sectors like green hydrogen, renewable energy, AI, semiconductors and more. pic.twitter.com/kNxPGYj5Fh Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023

After a fruitful France visit, PM Modis next stop is UAE.

Energy, food security, and defence could very well be the focus areas when Modi touches down in Abu Dhabi for the day-long visit during which the two strategic partners will review the progress after they inked a landmark trade agreement.

Modi will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. His trip to Abu Dhabi will mark the completion of the triad after a substantive engagement with the leadership of France.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a productive" visit to Abu Dhabi on Saturday, where he met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to further deepen bilateral ties and announced a slew of new initiatives, including an agreement on trade settlement in local currencies and the establishment of an IIT Delhi campus in the Gulf country.

Here are some of the key highlights of PM Modis UAE Visit
Belarus said Friday that instructors from the Russian mercenary force Wagner were training its troops, following weeks of uncertainty about the future of the group after its failed mutiny in Russia. The short-lived rebellion was ended by a deal under which some Wagner fighters and their outspoken leader Yevgeny Prigozhin were supposed to move to Belarus.

But Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had cast doubt on the deal when he said earlier this month that no Wagner fighters had moved to the country yet. The Belarusian defence ministry appeared to confirm Friday that at least some Wagner fighters had arrived.

Near Asipovichy, units of territorial defence troops are undergoing training," the defence ministry said in a statement. Fighters of the Wagner private military company are acting as instructors in a number of military disciplines," it said.

The ministry later added that it and Wagner had worked out a road map for the near term on training and sharing experience" between various units.

- Countdown for grain deal -

The Wagner group, which recruited extensively from Russian prisons, played a key role in the Ukraine offensive. A video released by the Belarusian defence ministry showed masked fighters as instructors in the drills for soldiers living in a nearby tent camp.

A group of foreign reporters earlier this month was shown a camp near Asipovichy where Belarusian officials said the mercenaries could be based. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address Friday that Kyiv was closely monitoring what is happening there in terms of security".

The latest development came as the clock ran down on a UN and Turkey-mediated deal with Russia to allow Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea  a vital supply route for the developing world. The deal, first signed in July 2022, five months after Moscows all-out assault on Ukraine, is set to expire on Monday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly threatened not to renew it because of what he says have been obstacles to Russian exports. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared confident on Friday on the prospects of an extension to the deal.

We are preparing to welcome Putin in August and we agree on the extension of the Black Sea grain corridor," Erdogan told reporters. But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state news agency RIA Novosti: There were no statements on this subject from the Russian side".

- Every success deserves gratitude -

In Ukraine, Kyivs much-hyped counteroffensive, which began last month, ground on with only very gradual advances.

Ukraine has blamed the slow delivery of promised arms, calling on allies to send long-range weapons and fighter jets.

Ukraine said on Friday its forces had moved forward 1,700 metres (just over a mile) on the front line in the south over the past seven days.

Ukrainian troops are advancing despite dense" minefields and shelling, Mykola Urshalovych, a senior representative of the National Guard, told reporters.

There have also been some advances to the north and south of Bakhmut, a city captured by Russian troops in May after a battle lasting nearly a year.

The aim of Ukrainian forces is to surround the eastern city in a pincer movement.

The head of Ukraines presidential office, Andriy Yermak, admitted that Kyivs troops were advancing not so quickly". If we are going to see that something is going wrong, well say so. No one is going to embellish," he told reporters.

Yermak also said that Ukraine would not consider talks with Moscow until Russian troops had left. Even thinking about these talks is only possible after Russian troops leave our territory," he said.

Zelensky addressed the challenges facing the frontline troops in his evening address. We must all understand very clearly  as clearly as possible  that the Russian forces in our southern and eastern lands are investing everything they can to stop our soldiers.

And every thousand metres of advance, every success of each of our combat brigades deserves gratitude," he added. Ukraines air force said on Friday it had downed 16 Iranian-made drones launched by Russian forces overnight, in the fourth consecutive night of aerial attacks by Moscow.
The Burj Khalifa in United Arab Emirates Dubai lit up in the colors of the tricolour on Friday and featured a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to welcome him ahead of his visit to the West Asian nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Abu Dhabi on Saturday morning (local time) after his two-day visit to France where he presided over the Bastille Day celebrations along with his host French President Emmanuel Macron.

WATCH | Dubai's Burj Khalifa displayed the colours of the Indian national flag yesterday ahead of PM Modi's official visit to the country pic.twitter.com/xQ9e7cJ6uH ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2023

The video clip of the worlds tallest buildings lighting up in the national flags colours was shared by news agency ANI.

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai was lit up with the Indian tricolour flag on August 15, 2022 to commemorate Indias 75th year of independence from British rule.

The tallest building in the world also lit up in the colours of the tricolour earlier this year during Indias 74th Republic Day.

Earlier in 2021, the Burj Khalifa was illuminated in the colours of the Indian flag to show solidarity with India during the deadly second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.

These gestures show that India and the UAE share strong cultural and historical ties.

Prime Minister Modi was greeted by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he landed at the Abu Dhabi airport.

He will later meet Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discuss with him issues of regional and global importance.

The India-UAE bilateral relationship has now acquired multilateral dimensions. India is the West Asian nations second-largest trading partner. The UAE is Indias third-largest trading partner and fourth-largest source of FDI in 2022-23.

These two nations are also part of the multilateral forum I2U2 along with Israel and the US. The UAE is also Indias special guest at this years G20 summit which is being held under Indias presidency.

PM Modi and President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will also review the progress made following signing of the India-UAE CEPA agreement.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Azerbaijan imported 493,210 tons of wheat worth $145.6 million from January through June 2023, Trend reports via the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan.

This indicator increased by 23 percent (92,462 tons) in volume terms, and by 1.8 percent (2.7 million tons) in quantitative terms, compared to the same period last year.

At the same time, over the first 6 months of 2022, Azerbaijan imported 400,748 tons of wheat worth $142.9 million.

During the reporting period, the cost of 1 ton of wheat imported by Azerbaijan decreased by 17.2 percent ($61.6) and amounted to $295.1. For reference, the price for imported wheat in the same period last year totaled $356.7.

Moreover, in the first 6 months of 2023, wheat imports accounted for 1.78 percent of Azerbaijan's total imports.
Slain at the hands of strangers or gunned down by loved ones. Massacred in small towns, in big cities, inside their own homes or outside in broad daylight. This year's unrelenting bloodshed across the US has led to the grimmest of milestones: the deadliest six months of mass killings recorded since at least 2006. From Jan. 1 to June 30, the AP reports, the nation endured 28 mass killings, all but one of which involved guns. The death toll rose just about every week, a constant cycle of violence and grief. Six months. 181 days. 28 mass killings. 140 victims. One country.

"What a ghastly milestone," said Brent Leatherwood, whose three children were in class at a private Christian school in Nashville on March 27 when a former student killed three children and three adults. "You never think your family would be a part of a statistic like that." Leatherwood, a prominent Republican in a state that hasn't strengthened gun laws, believes something must be done to get guns out of the hands of people who might become violent. The shock of seeing the bloodshed strike so close to home has prompted him to speak out. "You may as well say Martians have landed, right? It's hard to wrap your mind around it," he said.

A mass killing is defined as an occurrence when four or more people are slain, not including the assailant, within a 24-hour period. A database maintained by the AP and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University tracks this large-scale violence dating back to 2006. The 2023 milestone beat the previous record of 27 mass killings, set in the second half of 2022. James Alan Fox, a criminology professor at Northeastern University, never imagined records like this when he began overseeing the database about five years ago, per the AP. "We used to say there were two to three dozen a year," Fox said. "The fact that there's 28 in half a year is a staggering statistic." The chaos of the first six months of 2023 doesn't automatically doom the last six months; the rest of the year could be calmer. Or, one expert said, "This could be part of a trend."

Experts attribute the rising bloodshed to a growing population with an increased number of guns. Yet mass killings represent just a fraction of the country's overall gun violence. Nearly all of the mass killings in the first half of this year, 27 of 28, involved guns. The other was a fire. Despite unprecedented carnage, the National Rifle Association maintains fierce opposition to regulating firearms, including AR-15-style rifles. "Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' constant efforts to gut the Second Amendment will not usher in safety for Americans; instead, it will only embolden criminals," NRA spokesman Billy McLaughlin said. Andre and Jordan Anchondo died shielding their 2-month-old son in the 2019 mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas. Paul is now 4 years old. Tito Anchondo, Andre's brother, worries about the boy's future. "It's just a little unnerving to know that he's eventually going to go to school with kids that also may bring a gun to school."

(Read more gun violence stories.)
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UPDATE

Jul 17, 2023 7:40 PM CDT

Georgia's Supreme Court quickly and unanimously rejected former President Donald Trump's attempt to put a stop to an investigation into interference in the state's 2020 presidential election results on Monday, just days after the motion was filed. Trump's lawyers asked the court to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the case; the ruling said they had not presented the court with "either the facts or the law necessary to mandate Willis's disqualification," per the New York Times. The filing had recognized the unlikelihood of success, and the court rejected every Trump argument, the Hill reports. Eight of the court's nine justices were named by Republican governors, per CNN.

Jul 15, 2023 2:50 PM CDT

Donald Trump has gone to the Georgia Supreme Court to try to shut down Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her investigation of the former president for possible interference in the 2020 presidential election. In their petition filed Thursday, Trump's lawyers seek to have Willis disqualified from the case, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The petition also asks that evidence gathered by a special-purpose grand jury and its final report be quashed. The lawyers want the removal of Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, whom they asked in March to do what they're now asking the Supreme Court to do. McBurney hasn't ruled on that motion yet.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High around 85F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 63F. Winds light and variable.
Co-Director of Think Tank Indicted for Acting as Unregistered Foreign Agent, Trafficking in Arms, Violating U.S. Sanctions Against Iran, and Making False Statements to Federal Agents

A dual U.S.-Israeli citizen who serves as the co-director of a Maryland-based think tank was indicted today for allegedly engaging in multiple international criminal schemes.

According to court documents, Gal Luft, 57, is charged in an eight-count indictment with offenses related to willfully failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), arms trafficking, Iranian sanctions violations and making false statements to federal agents. Luft was arrested on Feb. 17 in the Republic of Cyprus based on the charges in the indictment. Luft subsequently fled after being released on bail while extradition proceedings were pending and remains a fugitive.

According to the allegations contained in the indictment, for years, Luft conspired with others in an effort to act within the United States to advance the interests of the Peoples Republic of China (China) as agents of China-based principals, without registering as foreign agents as required under U.S. law. As part of this scheme, while serving as the co-director of a Maryland-based nonprofit think tank, Luft agreed to covertly recruit and pay, on behalf of principals based in China, a former high-ranking U.S. government official (Individual-1), including in 2016 while the former official was an adviser to the then-President-elect, to publicly support certain policies with respect to China without Luft or Individual-1 filing a registration statement as an agent of a foreign principal with the Attorney General of the United States, in violation of FARA.

Among other things, in the weeks before the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Luft and a co-conspirator (CC-1), who is a Chinese national and worked for a Chinese nongovernmental organization affiliated with a Chinese energy company, created a written dialogue between CC-1 and Individual-1, in which Luft wrote Individual-1s responses and included information that was favorable to China. The dialogue was then published in a Chinese newspaper online and sent to, among others, individuals in the United States, including a journalist and professors at multiple U.S. universities. When Luft was writing the dialogue, CC-1 told Luft that [i]n these articles, we do not want to spill all the beans yet, just enough to let people know he [i.e., Individual-1] is in the corridor of power to be. Just broad stroke policy consideration that leaves plenty of room for interpretation and imagination to be filled in later. After the purported conversations were published, Luft told CC-1 that certain information, favorable to China, had been tucked between the lines. Shortly after the 2016 election, Luft and CC-1 also discussed possible roles Individual-1 might have in the incoming U.S. administration, and discussed Individual-1 taking a silent trip to China. Luft responded that [w]e are debating about his role in the new admin. There are all kinds of considerations . . .We should talk ftf [i.e., face-to-face] as there can be a supremely unique opportunity for china.

Second, Luft conspired with others and attempted to broker illicit arms transactions with, among others, certain Chinese individuals and entities. In his role as a broker or middleman, Luft worked to find both buyers and sellers of certain weapons and other materials, without a license to do so as required under U.S. law, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act. Among other things, Luft worked to broker a deal for Chinese companies to sell certain weapons to Libya, including anti-tank launchers, grenade launchers and mortar rounds (which Luft and his associates referred to in coded language as toys). Luft also worked to broker deals for certain weapons to be sold to the United Arab Emirates, including arial bombs and rockets. Luft further worked to broker deals for certain weapons to be sold by a Chinese company to Kenya, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)  and specifically strike UAVs, which Luft acknowledged [t]he US doesnt want to sell[, . . .] hence the opportunity. Luft also discussed brokering a deal for weapons to Qatar, and told CC-1 that Israel was not a good fit as the middleman for the deal because it had the [s]ame problem the [] Q [i.e., Qataris] have w uncle [i.e., the United States]. Need a third party. . . . I will activate. In his role as a broker for illicit arms deals, Luft worked on a commission basis, and traveled to meetings and received and passed on documentation needed to secure the deals. During a voluntary interview with U.S. law enforcement in which he was asked questions about his involvement in arms trafficking, Luft made multiple false statements, including that he had just been checking prices for a friend and had not sought to engage in or profit from arms deals.

Third, Luft conspired with others and attempted to broker deals for Iranian oil  which he directed an associate to refer to as Brazilian oil in an effort to conceal the activity and evade sanctions  in violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). In his role as a broker or middleman, Luft solicited buyers and passed on pricing and other information. One offer letter for Iranian oil that Luft received noted that the origin of the oil was Iranian / It can be presented as UAE origin without Iranian papers. He also assisted in setting up meetings between Iranian representatives and a Chinese energy company for the purpose of discussing oil deals. During a voluntary interview with U.S. law enforcement in which he was asked about his role brokering deals in Iranian oil, Luft made multiple false statements, including that he had tried to prevent oil deals with Iran and had not been present during meetings with the Chinese energy company and Iranians.

Luft is charged with the following offenses, which carry the maximum prison terms listed below. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Count Charge Maximum Prison Term One Conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act Five years Two Conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act Five years Three Violation of the Arms Export Control Act (relating to Libya) 20 years Four Violation of the Arms Export Control Act (relating to the United Arab Emirates) 20 years Five Violation of the Arms Export Control Act (relating to Kenya) 20 years Six Making false statements Five years Seven Conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act 20 years Eight Making false statements Five years

The FBI New York Field Office and FBIs Counterintelligence Division are investigating the case, with valuable assistance provided by the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and the Justice Departments Office of International Affairs.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel C. Richenthal and Catherine Ghosh for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the National Security Divisions Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

If you have any information about Lufts whereabouts, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Tips can be reported anonymously and can also be reported online at tips.fbi.gov.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
UNICEF said Friday that at least 289 children are estimated to have died or disappeared this year attempting to cross the perilous Central Mediterranean Sea migration route from North Africa to Europe, Azernews reports, citing ANSA.

The UN agency said this equates to nearly 11 children dying or disappearing every week.

Furthermore, UNICEF said that it estimates around 1,500 children have died or gone missing while attempting the Central Mediterranean Sea crossing since 2018.

This number accounts for one in five of the 8,274 people who have died or gone missing on the route, according to IOM's Missing Migrant Project records.

Many shipwrecks on the Central Mediterranean Sea crossing leave no survivors or go unrecorded, making the true number of child casualties practically impossible to verify and likely much higher, the agency said.

UNICEF said it that estimates 11,600 children have arrived on the shores of Italy from North Africa since January 2023, twice as many as in the same period in 2022.

The majority of the children depart from Libya and Tunisia, having already made dangerous journeys from countries across Africa and the Middle East, it said.

"In attempts to find safety, reunite with family, and seek more hopeful futures too many children are boarding boats on the shores of the Mediterranean, only to lose their lives or go missing on the way," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

"This is a clear sign that more must be done to create safe and legal pathways for children to access asylum, while strengthening efforts to rescue lives at sea. Ultimately, much more must be done to address the root causes that make children risk their lives in the first place."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. The first round of negotiations on a draft agreement between the government of Azerbaijan and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China on the elimination of double taxation and the prevention of tax evasion was held on July 11-13 in Hong Kong, Trend reports.

According to the data of the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, as a result of the discussions, all provisions of the draft agreement in terms of taxation were fully agreed upon, and a decision was made to conduct appropriate mutual work to agree on the remaining issues.

In the end the parties signed a document on agreed issues.

Previously, Azerbaijan and Slovakia signed an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of income tax evasion. Double taxation between Azerbaijan and Japan has also been eliminated.

Currently, Azerbaijan, Turkiye and Singapore are discussing elimination of double taxation.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The National Institution of Human Rights (NIHR) yesterday warmly received the report issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which removed Bahrain from the list of Human Rights Priority Countries.

This significant development acknowledges Bahrains commendable strides in progressive reforms achieved over the past years. The NIHR attributed this achievement to Bahrains unwavering commitment to upholding international covenants and laws pertaining to human rights.

Such commitment is supported by the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, with the valuable support and guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The institution highlighted the FCDOs report, which lauded the active participation of Bahraini citizens in the decision-making process through the Shura and Representatives councils, as well as the significant involvement of women in national progress.

The report also recognised Bahrains global humanitarian efforts and initiatives in promoting principles of tolerance, peace, love, and harmonious coexistence among people, while fostering interreligious, intercultural, and intercivilizational communication and dialogue.

This acknowledgment reflects the tangible reality of Bahrains progress in the field of human rights. On behalf of the Council of Commissioners members and General Secretariat, Chairman Ali Ahmed Al Derazi of the NIHR extended heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty the King for this remarkable achievement.

He also expressed deep appreciation to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for recognizing the role of the NIHR Council of Commissioners in promoting human rights within the Kingdom of Bahrain.



Al Derazi affirmed that the institution will steadfastly continue its mandate, as prescribed by the law, to effectively translate the royal directives for the promotion and protection of human rights.

This commitment is in line with Bahrains adherence to all international covenants and laws related to human rights, with the aim of continuously enhancing the human rights system with transparency and independence.
There is speculation that Oppenhimer will not be released in Japan.

While there's no confirmation that Nolan's film will depict the catastrophe of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the story and subject matter are so closely tied to the atomic bombings of the Japanese cities. The atomic bomb created by The Manhattan Project was used by the United Nations in 1945 to bomb the cities, which killed around 200,000 civilians, and it's the only time nuclear weapons have been used in an armed conflict. As the bombings were in relatively recent history, a lot of families are still understandably traumatized, and a three-hour movie about the creation of the bomb obviously wouldn't help.

Other movies have been banned in Japan in the past, but most of those films were banned due to graphic sex scenes (In the Realm of the Senses) or because they were disrespectful to the ruler of Japan (The Mikado). Japan has previously tried to ban other films, most notably Battle Royale, but not primarily because of the action movie's graphic violence. There was an attempt by Japanese officials to ban Battle Royale because of its depiction of a crumbling society in Japan. While not linked to the country's history, the reason for the attempt to ban Battle Royale closely resemble why Oppenheimer might be banned, as they could both be seen as traumatic by Japanese natives. ...continue reading




The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Iyiola Omisore, on Friday, stated that the Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who has been ill for a while, is expected to return to the state soon.





Omisore reassured the government and people of the state that there is no need for alarm but rather for prayers for the governor, who he stated is already recuperating.





Speaking during a meeting in Akure with the acting governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa, the state chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, members of the House of Assembly, and other high-ranking government officials, Omisore, who was said to be on a solidarity visit to the state, conveyed the regrets of the National Secretariat regarding the recent statement allegedly credited to the National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, regarding the governors health.





The APC chieftain, who said the visit was aimed at providing support and solidarity to the state government during the challenging time, emphasised that the party stands united in its support for Akeredolu and expressed confidence in his swift recovery.





Omisore added that Adamu never said Akeredolu was incapacitated, as he stressed that he was in the state to dispel the misinterpretation of the national chairmans sincere and noble statement and set the record straight.





Mr Chairman only urged people to pray for the quick recovery of your governor, not on account of being incapacitated.





Our visit, therefore, is to reinforce the position of the national secretariat that we only prayed for the quick recovery of Arakunrin Akeredolu, SAN, and not otherwise.





While expressing appreciation to the team for taking the time to visit the state solidarity grounds, he decried the unprofessional twisting of facts by some members of the press and opted for outright falsehood.
The Lagos state government has announced plans to shut Eko bridge inwards Apongbon bridge on Sunday to allow for immediate remedial palliative works.

Abdulhafiz Toriola, permanent secretary of the ministry of transportation, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the closure will last for 24 hours.

The development comes a week after the popular Eko bridge was reopened to traffic after a 15-month closure.

The 4.1-kilometre bridge links Lagos Island with the mainland and directly connects Apongbon on the island side.

It was initially shut on March 23, 2022, after many shops were destroyed in a fire outbreak in the Apongbon market area.

According to Toriola, the planned work on the bridge will be carried out by the Lagos state public works in conjunction with the federal ministry of works and housing.

He added that closure will allow uninterrupted palliative adjustment of the bridge.

He further said that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) personnel have been deployed to control and manage traffic around C.M.S, Marina, Ijora, and other alternative routes on Lagos Island and the mainland.




The All Progressives Congress, APC in Osun State has been accused of scheming to suspend Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate past Minister of Interior, from the party in the state.





The allegations were made in a statement issued by Abosede Oluwaseun, the Osun APC former factional youth leader, on Thursday.





Oluwaseun also warned that any attempt to suspend Aregbesola will backfire.





He alleged that The plot is being orchestrated by ousted former governor Gboyega Oyetola and five of his loyalists, among who are a Senator and former Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly who lost their re-election.





Others involved in the grand plot are a young former commissioner for Works and Transport and former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs who are said to be the initiators of the suspension idea, he alleged.





We have it on high authority that the Ilesa Ward 8 executives of the APC, which is Aregbesolas ward, were manipulated yesterday (Wednesday) to sign a blank sheet of paper on the false pretence that the APC state leadership wanted to get their commitment to the progress of the party.





We are also reliably informed that a huge amount of money was given to the ward executives a few hours ago by an emissary sent by Oyetola and other conspirators.





We note that having failed in the various attempts to blackmail Aregbesola, Oyetola and others resorted to unjustly suspending Aregbesola to stall the reconciliation between him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.





However, the Osun APC has debunked the allegations and dismissed the viral report that it is planning to suspend Rauf Aregbesola over anti-party activities.





The Chairman of the APC in Osun, Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement in Osogbo on Friday, described the claim as false and spurious.





He said the alleged plans by some people to suspend Aregbesola do not add up and is grossly illogical, which could only be taken hook, line and sinker by a demented person.





Lawal said the question that should be begging answers by right-thinking members of society is if the said former minister is still genuinely qualified to be called a member of the APC in Osun State and elsewhere in Nigeria, having expressly fulfilled all the conditions to tag him as having technically left the party for many years.





It is no longer news that Aregbesola and his co-travellers through The Osun Progressives, TOP have been consistently working against the interest of the APC and its candidates in Osun State.





It is on record that Aregbesola and the members of his TOP of which he was a patron turned themselves into an opposition within the Osun APC where they were hurling insults and criticising Oyetolas government at their every Thursday meetings at the Oranmiyan House which is the campaign office of Aregbesola in Osogbo.





Apart from the fact that Aregbesola never voted during the last presidential election which was won by President Tinubu, National Assembly and governorship elections, he never voted or campaigned for any APC candidates during the series of the elections that were held in the state last year and this year respectively.





Lawal also claimed that Aregbesola and his loyalists have been hobnobbing with Senator Ademola Adeleke, the governor under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP platform, to the detriment of all the APC candidates.
The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi, has claimed it would be difficult to convince a school child that crime does not pay handsomely if things stay as they are and courts allow the status quo.

Amadi urged election tribunals sitting across the country to reverse as many as possible of what he described as fraudulent declarations by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

He asked the courts to throw away those with fake certificates and those who bribed their way to office in order to save the country.

In a post on his Twitter handle on Friday, Amadi claimed that no evidence has shown a successful economy run by corrupt leaders.

He wrote, If things stay as they are & the courts allow the status quo, it is difficult to convince a school child that crime does not pay handsomely. By then, the country would be completely lost.

I dont have one evidence of a successful economy run by very corrupt leaders. No, not one. The tribunals sitting across the country have a yeomans job to do: to reverse as many as possible of these INECs fraudulent declarations. Throw away those with fake certificates and those who bribed their way to office .save the country.
Nigeria has made full payment of its annual contribution to the African Union (AU) for the year 2023.

Adamu Lamuwa, permanent secretary of the ministry of foreign affairs, announced the development while speaking on the sidelines of the 43rd ordinary session of the executive council of the AU in Nairobi, Kenya.

President Bola Tinubu is on his way to Nairobi, Kenya, to participate in the fifth mid-year coordination meeting (5thMYCM) of the AU, the regional economic communities (RECs), the regional mechanisms (RMs), and the AU member states.

Lamuwa said the payment of the 2023 dues demonstrates Nigerias commitment to its responsibilities as an AU member-state.

The permanent secretary commended Tinubu for being a president who emphasises prompt payment of financial assessments.

Lamuwa, during the executive council meeting of member-states, welcomed the consideration outlook of African countries and the execution rate of AU departments and organs over the past three years, in the budget drafting process.

He also shared Nigerias stance on the proposed 2024 budget of the AU.

Nigeria emphasised the importance of an austerity-driven, results-oriented budget that avoids duplication, Lamuwa said.

Accountability and prudent resource management were also highlighted to encourage other member countries to fulfil their financial obligations.

In addition, he called for synergy among AU organs and departments and also requested that the AU Commission (AUC) reduce travel costs by hosting more meetings at its headquarters in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.

The permanent secretary said the ministerial-level meeting, preceding the heads of states participation, adopted education as the theme for the AU in 2024.

Lamuwa said the theme aligns with Tinubus focus on education as a priority area domestically, adding that this makes his leadership in Nigeria and ECOWAS timely and beneficial.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, on Thursday, said he does not operate the contentious Security Vote.

Rather, he said he has made a case for state governors to be given more freedom to tackle security challenges at sub-national levels, collaborating with the nations federal structure.

The governor bared his mind, shortly after he met behind closed doors with President Bola Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa Abuja to seek an appointment for southeast leaders and Ohaneze Ndigbo to meet the president over unrelenting insecurity in the region.

Recall that while the federal government continues to detain the proscribed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu the South East has witnessed unrest owing to the sit-at-home directive still being enforced.

Uzodimma stressed that while he has no security vote to draw from even as the Chief Security Officer of Imo State, he manages to adopt both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to deal with security challenges as much as he is able to within the law.

Moreover, Uzodimma pointed out that the people of southeast believe in the unity of Nigeria and like other regions, deserve the federal governments support to enable them live their daily lives and go about their businesses.

He declined to give details of what the southeast leaders would be demanding from Tinubu when the meeting holds, but lamented that non-state actors have utilised fear and indiscriminate killings and brigandage to enforce an illegal sit-at-home on some days in the region.

According to him, the problem had also become an issue of perception management, even as he pointed out that international diplomacy, which is also part of the solution, is beyond the purview of State Governors.

Asked about the claim by former Nigeria Delta militant, Asari Dokubo, that his men were helping the federal government tackle insecurity in the southeast, Uzodimma replied that he was not aware of such, and cant identify who are Dokubos men.

He also noted that because of the federal structure of the country, state governors are not at liberty to choose or reject security measures decided by the Federal Government.

The governor further highlighted the flooding ravaging the Southeast, declaring that a recent hydrographic survey shows that the huge cost of remedying the situation may be beyond the capabilities of state governments.
The Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams has warned Simon Ekpa, factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to stop plans to stage the sit-at-home protest in Lagos State.

Ekpa had said the sit-at-home protest currently being enforced in the South East will be done in Lagos State.

According to him, the sit-at-home is part of actions to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

But in a reaction to Ekpas plans, Gani Adams cautioned the Finnish-based ethnic propagandist to desist from repeating the mistake of the 1970s, and drop the move.

He maintained that the sit-at-home was uncalled-for and counterproductive.

Adams also warned that the South-West is not part of the Biafra Republic and as such, it was preposterous for outsiders to dictate or impose their agenda on people of other regions who they cohabit with as residents.

He said, I cant go to the South East now and say I want to decide for the people of that region. So, it is not possible to import the South-East agenda into Yorubaland. It would be counter-productive. We advise him (Ekpa) to drop that idea.

He should not try that. The South West is not Biafra Republic. Any attempt to impose the Biazsfra Republic agenda will be resisted. He should desist from repeating the mistake of the 1970s. He should be very, very careful.

They are entitled to their opinion, but South West is not their Biafran region. He should be very, very careful, Gani warned Ekpa in Tribune.




Apostle Johnson Suleman believes those who attacked him and his family in October 2022 would have continued to walk freely if he had not mobilized police officers to go after them.





While speaking to his church members on the arrest of one of the criminals, Suleman revealed that he worked with three different police units to achieve results.





The cleric also stated that Yusuf Isah paraded by police on Thursday was arrested two months ago.





October there was an attempt, you all saw the attempt, and when the attempt came I told myself I wasnt going to rest till we get them arrested. I started with a group of officers, they were not fast so I moved to the next group, they were not fast, and I moved to another set, you see now, police are taking the credit for something that someone mobilized them to do. If I wasnt serious they wont get those guys, they can take the credit, it is fine but I said I was going to pursue them and find them, they were deadly guys. They dont use phone calls, they use telegram, so to track them was a little bit difficult. The guy you saw in the video is a sniper. They caught him in Akure. You will be shocked that we caught him two months ago, you are just hearing it now. We were using him to get all the information we needed to get, Apostle Suleman stated.





The cleric added that the group who attacked him was also involved in kidnapping.





There was a man in this town called Baba Petrol, those are the group that kidnapped him.





Apostle Suleman alleged that they were the group that attacked the mother of the Kogi State governor as well.





He noted that six of them are from Kogi State, one is a Fulani. That is not my interest, my interest is who sent you?





Apostle Suleman said he was pained because some persons on social media accused him of using those who died during the attack for rituals.





Some said I arranged it with my children inside.





They spent 4 million to do charm before they attacked me. He (the suspect) said a lot but I dont know why they were squeezing the video. Its ok. all I want is justice.





For five years people come for me, I kept quiet. But this time, you come for me, I will pursue you. I have told our team, everybody that has come out to accuse me, open a case on them, all of them. From 2017 till now, we are going to two courts, one is the court of man, the other is the court of God.





On Thursday, Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi told reporters that operatives of the Intelligence Rapid Team arrested one of the suspects Yusuf Isah, 32, following an intensive investigation.





Adejobi said, Following an intensive investigation into the fatal attack on the convoy of Apostle Johnson Suleman, the senior pastor and General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Auchi, on October 21, 2022, along with Benin police personnel, who were gruesomely murdered, the operatives of FIB-IRT on Auchi road comprising six people, including three of the assailants, apprehended one Yusuf Ismael Isah m, a native of Okene, Kogi State and a plumber, at Agbaraoluwa Phase 2 Ijoka, Akure, Ondo State and recovered five Ak47 Rifles, two K2 Assault rifles, 180 live ammunition and 4 suspected IEDs were found in his apartment.




President Bola Tinubu has departed Abuja for Nairobi, Kenya, where he will join other African leaders for the 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union.





He was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Dele Alake, his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication, and Strategy.





Tinubu will attend the meeting in his dual capacity as the President of Nigeria and the newly appointed Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States.





The meeting, themed Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation, will bring together the Bureau of the AU Assembly, comprising the Heads of State and Government from Comoros, Botswana, Burundi, and Senegal, alongside leaders from the eight Regional Economic Communities.





President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria upon the conclusion of the meeting.
Proceedings at the Enugu governorship election tribunal turned rowdy on Friday, as the Labour Party (LP) and Chijioke Edeoga, its candidate, lost their bid to commit Chukwuemeka Chukwu to prison.

Chukwu is the resident electoral commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state.

The LP in the state had accused him of disobeying a valid order of the tribunal, which they said amounted to contempt of court.

LP and Edeoga alleged that Chukwu prevented them from inspecting the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) machines used in conducting the March 18 election.

The petitioners had on March 29, applied for an order to enable them inspect the BVAS machines, an application that was granted on the same date.

On July 12, the petitioners, through Valerie Azinge, their counsel, drew the attention of the tribunal to the March 29 ex-parte order directing INEC to grant them access to inspect the BVAS machines.

POLITICAL PARTIES DISAGREE WITH LP

However, 14 other political parties present in court, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisted that INEC had complied with the order of the tribunal.

The political parties said while the order of the court was for LP and Edeoga to inspect the BVAS machines, they attempted to tamper with and operate them, when there were brought for inspection by the electoral umpire.

Azinge went on to ask the tribunal to commit the Enugu REC to prison for allegedly denying the LP an opportunity to inspect the machines.

However, the court rejected the application on grounds of fair hearing, stating that Chukwu should be served to enable him respond.

After the tribunal declined to imprison Chukwu, the LP requested that proceedings be postponed to July 18, to extend the deadline for concluding their case by two days.

The tribunal however declined the request, stating that the case would be adjourned to the next day, and that the petitioners should appear in court on Saturday and Sunday alongside their witnesses, to finalise their case.

At this point, supporters of the LP began shouting in an effort to disrupt the proceedings.

The police had to intervene to restore order.

Tribunal members thereafter returned to their desks and adjourned the case to July 15.
Abbas Tajudeen, speaker of the house of representatives, says solving the nations problems requires thinking outside the box.

Speaking on Thursday when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) led by Tayo Aduloju, chief operating officer, Abbas said all hands must be on deck to fix Nigerias challenges.

The speaker said the parliament is ready to partner with non-governmental and civil society organisations on better ways to solve socio-economic problems in the country.

He said the 10th national assembly would support any organisation working towards addressing the challenges the country is facing.

We need to put on our thinking caps and think outside the box to be able to proffer solutions to the numerous challenges facing the country, he said.

We are looking forward to more ideas and more initiatives.

The speaker said the lawmakers will come up with a robust legislative agenda to guide their activities for the next four years for Nigerias benefit.

Speaking earlier, Aduloju said the national assembly should promise bills that grow Nigerias economy and promote small and medium-scale businesses.
Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo, has approved the increase of minimun wage of workers in the state to N40,000 to cushion effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.

Uzodinma, while addressing members of the state executive council on Saturday, said the current economic situation caused by the removal of fuel subsidy is biting hard on the people.

In a statement by Oguwike Nwachukwu, the governors chief press secretary, Uzodinma said his administration will give out soft loans, grants, provide seedlings and farm tools to qualified farmers in the state.

There shall be an immediate upward review of the salaries and wages of workers in the state. The minimum wage is hereby raised to forty thousand naira (N40,000) with discretionary consequential adjustments, the governor said.

At least, your salaries would be able not only to take you home, but to also provide your basic necessities to enable you to make ends meet.

Apart from the free transport which the workers are already enjoying, I shall increase the fleet of buses carrying workers to and from work with ten more new buses. This is to ensure every nook and cranny of the state capital is captured in the routes that the buses ply, to bring the service closest to the doorsteps of every worker.

Also, plans have reached advanced level to recalibrate the tax system in Imo state, with Governor Uzodimma hinting that those who earn below N100,000 annually are likely going to be yanked off the States tax net.

I have discovered, with pain, how some traders are taking advantage of the economic situation to increase the prices of food items in the market.

Against this backdrop, the government will soon establish Imo State Marketing and Commodity Board (ISMCB), which will ensure food items are sold at normal prices.

We shall achieve this by setting up low cost markets in the state where prices of food items and commodities will be affordable for the masses. The markets will be situated in all the 27 LGAs of the state.

The Imo governor added that his administration will set up a scholarship education board in the state for students whose parents cannot afford sending them to school.

In the same vein, we are introducing a scholarship education board for our brilliant students whose parents are poor to train them in school, he said.

I have found out that most of our brilliant children come from poor homes and end up not furthering their education after leaving the primary and secondary school.

These brilliant students will be given scholarship to higher institutions.

The Edo government had also increased the minimum wage of workers in the state to N30,000.
President Bola Tinubu says the federal government will build a befitting museum for Benin artefacts returned to the country from different parts of the world.

Tinubu spoke on Friday when he received Omo NOba NEdo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, and other traditional leaders at the state house.

According to a statement by Dele Alake, special adviser on special duties, communications and strategy, Tinubu assured the monarch that his administration would support the Benin royal council in its bid to establish a museum that will house the artefacts.

Tinubu also congratulated the monarch for the retrieval of the stolen artefacts.

It deserves our protection. We are glad to have them back, and we are glad you are happy. They are in protective custody. It is a matter of history, over a hundred years. We will work on the museum, Alake quoted Tinubu as saying.

The president said he will ensure that roads in Edo state are considered in line with a request made by the traditional ruler.

While speaking, Oba Ewuare II commended Tinubu for the giant strides of his administration within the short days in office.

Weve predicted that you would hit the ground running and you have done so, even faster than we thought, the monarch said.

He said the steps taken by Tinubu since his inauguration had renewed the hope of Nigerians and put the country on the path to progress and development.

In October 2022, TheCable reported how the federal government recovered 31 Benin bronzes from three museums in the United States 125 years after they were stolen.

Out of the 31 artefacts, 29 were returned by the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art while one was recovered from the National Gallery of Art, and another from the Rhode Island School of Design Museum.

Nearly one month later, Horniman Museum, based in south-east London  United Kingdom, handed over 72 artefacts forcefully taken from Benin in 1897 to the Nigerian government.




The Zamfara Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has adjourned sitting to July 19 after the former governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, led 19 witnesses to prove his petition against Governor Dauda Lawal-Dare.





Matawalle, candidate of the All Progressives Congress had approached the tribunal challenging the election of Dare of the Peoples Democratic Party.





The Petitioner said the March 18, 2023 election was flawed with irregularities and sought the tribunal to declare him the winner of the said election having scored the majority of lawful votes.





He also prayed the tribunal to mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue him a new certificate of return.





At the resumed hearing on Friday, the petitioners lead counsel, Mr Usman Sule SAN, led the 19th witness, Dr Ahmad Kainuwa, who is the Returning Officer of Maradun Local Government Area during the governorship election.





Kainuwa identified the result sheet he collated from the ward collation officers he supervised which was part of the exhibits in evidence and told the tribunal that INEC asked him not to present it but rather announce the result generated from the INEC server.





The witness said the result sheet he presented to INEC was different from that on the server.





He, however, said that INEC officials instructed him to present the one from the INEC server which they said is authentic.





He said there was tension during the collation exercise at Maradun, adding that the Divisional Police Officer mandated him to hasten the process as bandits were in transit to the area.





During cross-examination by the respondents counsel, Chief Solomon Akuma SAN, Mr. O.M. Atoyemi SAN, and Mr. Wilson Tinger, the witness testified that different figures were generated and identified the ones he produced.





The Tribunal Chairperson, Justice Cordelia Ogadi, adjourned to July 19 for Lawal and PDP to open defense.
Time and Tides

Time marches forward like the arms of a clock, slow, steady and ever-forward. Emotions move more like water, in drips and rushes, rising to the highest points and falling to the lowest. As the moon returns home to the water sign realm of Cancer, these styles of movement will complement one another, creating patterns like tides.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You have a talent for lifting, supporting and teaching. Even when youre in a position to correct someone or deliver less-than-pleasant news, youll do it with a light touch and a positive spin.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Get help with unfinished business. Physically you are more than capable of wrapping this up, but, unless you involve others, the process will be joyless and boring. With a partner, youll make quick work of it so all can move on.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The sky thats above you is also within you. In a sense, every intake of breath is a heavenly intermingling, every exhale an interpretation of the universe.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Having been on both sides of oversharing, youre sensitive to the pitfalls of revealing information thats not useful to the situation at hand. Youll strive for, and attain, a healthy balance between honesty and tact.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Youre luckiest when you work on something that can be completed within the day. Choose a small task. Involve a friend and there will be a thrill in every stage: preparation, process and presentation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Youll count your blessings and weigh them against your issues, most of which are minimal on a world scale. Knowing that someone, somewhere, would relish your worst luck, you change your ideas about whats really a problem.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Just put one foot in front of the other and dont worry about what blocks the path. Obstacles of the outside world are the easiest to get around. Limits you impose on yourself are more difficult, but still surmountable.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Fates favor an all-or-nothing approach to projects. Even if youre not entirely sure, act like you are. Confidence puts everyone at ease. Pretending can get everyone over the initial jitters and put important things in motion.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The scenario playing out is a rerun. It matches up with a pattern thats been with you for a long time, perhaps even since childhood. As comfortable as this cycle may be to you, does it really serve you? If not, theres an opportunity to break it.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). There are positive and negative ways to use every quality. Even ruthlessness can be a winning quality if its applied well. Youll make a determined effort. The power of Mars surges through your efforts.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You put action behind what you say, and you honor your agreements. Youll be given responsibility. Within the responsibility is power. Tonight: Residual feelings from your childhood will influence events and relationships.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Youll watch a problem from the sidelines deciding when and if it would be right to intervene. Do it sooner rather than later. This one has potential to escalate. Monsters are easy to manage when they are small.

TODAYS BIRTHDAY (July 15). The characters, atmospheres and games that fill your year make it feel like one long, unforgettable party. Youll establish a series of habits that give you the vitality to keep up with the fun. More highlights: A serendipitous moment sparks love. Youll follow an inkling to a thrilling payout. You bravely offer help, which sends you to wonderful places. Capricorn and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 3, 19, 15 and 17.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: As the founder and CEO of Thrive Global, Arianna Huffington is focused on promoting well-being and addressing the stress and burnout prevalent in modern society. Huffingtons natal chart is unusual as her sun, moon, Mercury and Uranus are all nestled in Cancer, suggesting a highly intuitive, soulful and nurturing personality. Venus in Gemini brings the sharp wit and sociability.

Holiday Mathis debut novel, How To Fail Epically in Hollywood, is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and ebook. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information.

Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

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A Gloucester County girl died after she was struck by a car while riding her bike Wednesday evening, officials said.

The crash occurred in front of a Wawa on the 300 block of Route 322/South Black Horse Pike in Williamstown around 7 p.m., according to Monroe Township Police.

The 14-year-old was riding a mountain bike and tried to cross Route 322 from the Wawa entrance when her bike collided with a car traveling west on 322 approaching the intersection with New Brooklyn Road, police said.

The teen failed to yield the right of way to traffic, according to police. The driver of the car, a 36-year-old Williamstown man, remained at the scene after the crash.

The bicyclist was taken to a nearby hospital and later airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where she died of her injuries, police said.

The incident remains under investigation, according to police.

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
It was a frightening and frantic 911 call that alerted investigators on Long Island that Shannan Gilbert, a 23 year old fromJersey City, believed she was in danger.

Please stop it. What are you going to do to me? she said during the call early on May 1, 2010, as a police operator asks her location.

Gilbert, a prostitute, was driven to Long Island to meet with a client. Then something went terribly wrong and Gilbert ran from the home. She knocked on several doors and spoke with two homeowners as she fled.

That was the last time she was seen alive and a massive search for Gilbert would lead to a much larger mystery that has lingered for decades until Friday with the arrest of an architect charged with three murders in what have become known as the Gilgo Beach serial killings.

While searching for Gilbert, investigators to skeletal remains of 10 other bodies, most of them prostitutes who are believed to have been murdered by the same serial killer and dumped in the marshes of Gilgo Beach. They also included an unidentified man and a toddler, according to police.

Her remains were not recovered until Dec. 13, 2011. The case has drawn immense public attention. The mystery attracted national headlines for many years and the unsolved killings were the subject of the 2020 Netflix film Lost Girls.

On Friday, police announced the arrest of Rex Heuermann, an architect who lived in Massapequa Park, across the bay from Gilgo Beach. Heuermann is facing three murder charges, but none of those involve the death Gilbert. Authorities have raised questions as to whether her death is actually connected to the other killings, other than by location.

Heuermann is charged with first and second degree murder in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. Authorities say he is also the prime suspect in another killing.

Crime laboratory officers arrive to the house where a suspect has been taken into custody on New York's Long Island in connection with a long-unsolved string of killings, known as the Gilgo Beach murders, Friday, July 14, 2023, in Massapequa Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)AP

The client Gilbert met with that fateful night on Long Island has long denied any involvement in her death and cooperated with investigators. On Friday, his attorney told NJ Advance Media says he had nothing to do with Heuermann or his arrest.

He doesnt have any involvement with Rex (Heuermann), said the attorney, Nicholas Ramcharitar, said. The attorney declined to say more, noting a pending lawsuit from Gilberts estate.

The first bodies recovered became known as The Gilgo Four, which did not include Gilbert because police believed she had drowned in the Gilgo Beach marsh.

Her family contested the police version of accidental drowning and retained their own pathologist who determined the woman may have been strangled. The cause of death, however, remains unknown.

Gibert wasnt the first victim from New Jersey found on Gilgo Beach.

Valerie Mack, 24, disappeared from Port Republic in Atlantic County more than 22 years ago. Her family said they last saw her in the spring or summer of 2000, according to police.

Mack was working as an escort in Philadelphia and went by the name Melissa Taylor.

Her remains were found in two places on Long Island more than 40 miles and a decade apart - in 2000 in Manorville, near where Long Island splits into its two forks, and in 2011 near Gilgo Beach, where the remains of the others were found.

The skeletal remains of a female toddler were discovered along Ocean Parkway in close proximity to Valerie Mack on April 4, 2011, police on Long Island said in a statement.

The toddler was about 2 years old at the time of her death, according to the statement.

Gilberts family was struck by tragedy five years later with the death of her mother, Mari Gilbert, who was stabbed more than 225 times and beaten with a fire extinguisher in her home in upstate New York.

Maris daughter, Sarra Elizabeth Gilbert, was convicted of her murder. Now 34, Sarra Gilbert is serving a prison sentence of 25 years to life in Bedford Hills, New York, according to the New York Department of Corrections.

Prosecutors contended Gilbert plotted the killing and carried it out because the older woman had Gilbert arrested months earlier for killing a puppy and had temporary custody of Gilberts young son, according to published reports.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
By Andrew Youssouf

As medical director of an addiction treatment facility serving communities in Northern New Jersey and Southern New York state, I am deeply saddened to learn of the recent possible overdose death of actor Robert De Niros 19-year-old grandson, Leandro, from fentanyl-laced pills.

Yes, his grandfather is famous, but Leandro could be anyones child or grandchild.

It is incredibly hard for parents or grandparents to accept that their child may have a substance use disorder (SUD). And just as troubling for everyone is the knowledge that even one poor decision by an otherwise drug-free individual can kill them. So many street drugs young people use are laced with potent synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. They are visually undetectable, so people who take them arent aware. And it only takes a tiny amount to kill.

Drug overdose rates in the U.S. have risen fivefold in the past two decades, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published in December. NJ CARES data shows that nearly 2,900 people in New Jersey died from suspected drug overdoses in 2022. A vast majority of these overdose deaths involved some form of opioid, including prescription painkillers, heroin and synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl.

As the increased frequency of drug use means more opportunity for calamity, I urge everyone should learn the warning signs a young person they love might display:

Note any behavioral changes. The teen years are a time when most people will try new things and grow in terms of their personality and identity, but at the core, you know your child. For example, does your child seem increasingly secretive? If you run a zero-tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol in your home, your child may try to find workarounds and sneak the substances into the home. Or, they may become less communicative regarding their whereabouts and the company theyre keeping.

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Recognize withdrawal symptoms. Your child may take a break from using substances. If so, they can experience withdrawal. Symptoms include headache, trouble sleeping, anxiety, restlessness, nausea, etc.

Understand its not just pot. Marijuana use comes with real risks that can impact a persons health and life. Marijuana is the most used illegal substance in the U.S. Marijuana use among all adult age groups and both sexes is rising while the perception of how harmful marijuana use can be is declining. Increasingly, young people today do not consider marijuana use a risky behavior but there are real risks for people who use marijuana, especially youth and young adults. Todays marijuana is stronger than ever before, and other substances may be present. People can and do become addicted to marijuana.

Be prepared. Have naloxone on hand and know how to use it. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved an over-the-counter (OTC) version of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray (commonly referred to by its brand name Narcan). Previously available in the U.S. only by prescription, naloxone can reverse opioid overdoses and save lives.

If you suspect your loved one might be abusing drugs, it is essential to seek medical help and support immediately.

Dr. Andrew Youssouf is the medical director of Recovery Centers of America at Raritan Bay in South Amboy. He is board certified in addiction medicine and emergency medicine.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, July 15. Azerbaijan imported 398.87 million cubic meters of natural gas from Turkmenistan from January through April 2023, the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan told Trend.

The cost of natural gas imports from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan amounted to over $59.18 million, which exceeds the figure of the first four months of 2022 by 4.8 times.

Azerbaijan imported more than 151.96 million cubic meters of natural gas in the period from January through April of the previous year for an amount exceeding $12.15 million.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan imported more than 1.19 billion cubic meters of natural gas worth $202.41 million in the first four months of this year.

During this period, Turkmen gas accounted for 33.25 percent of Azerbaijan's total natural gas imports.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan imported more than 857 million cubic meters of natural gas worth $110.8 million from Turkmenistan last year.
Jack Summers developed the recipe for Sorel, a Caribbean-inspired hibiscus and spice liqueur, in his kitchen in Brooklyn a dozen years ago. When his distillery in Red Hook was approved, he became the first Black distiller licensed since Prohibition.

This week, hes bringing Sorel to Tales of the Cocktail, where it will be one of a handful of Black-owned spirits. Summers got involved with Tales in 2018 when he joined its education committee. This year, hell also co-present a seminar on the benefits of increasing equity.

I have been advocating for higher levels of equity in the industry for years for communities that have been underserved. I have been talking about racism, sexism, homophobia, religious intolerance, disabled awareness for years, he says. The reason it works is not because we tolerate differences, but because we lean into them.

Addressing equity in the industry has been a growing topic within Tales of the Cocktail since it was reorganized as a nonprofit with new leadership in 2018.

The annual conference brings together bar and spirits industry workers, tastemakers and spirits writers and liquor companies of all sizes. The event includes everything from tasting rooms and parties hosted by the biggest global liquor companies to seminars on bar and spirits history to professional development and wellness programming for industry workers. Events run July 23-28 at the festival home at the Ritz-Carlton and venues in the French Quarter and beyond.

Summers seminar, The Truer Vision: Diversity as the Pathway to Profitability, is at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, July 26. Hes working with Hoby Wedler, a chemist and master sommelier who has been blind since birth. Summers enlisted Wedler to help him with Sorel, and the liqueur has won numerous awards at spirits competitions. The seminar features a blind-tasting  with blindfolds  and it explores how to break down barriers. (For more on Summers and Sorel, see 3-course interview, page 21.)

Tales seminars cover a wide range of topics, from agave drinks and deep dives into vermouth brands to finding work-life balance in service industry jobs and hours. There are bar business topics such as serving cocktails on tap; incorporating no- and low-alcohol programs into a bar; queer bars as safe spaces; and more. Africa is Now! explores the cocktail scenes developing in African cities, and the panel features Lara Rawa, founder of Lagos Cocktail Week, Stephen Aidoo of the Bartenders Guild Ghana, as well as brand ambassadors.

This is What Indigenous Representation Looks Like is a panel discussion featuring bartender and advocate Chockie Tom, Charlotte Big Canoe of the Toronto nonprofit The Full Plate, whiskey distiller and advocate Roxanne Tiburolobo and others. A seminar on koji explores how the Japanese mold is used in fermenting everything from sake and shochu to culinary items including miso and mirin.

The conference is a showcase for liquor brands. Last years event featured more than 200 brands. There are opportunities to explore the offerings in Tasting Rooms, in guided tastings in seminars and other brand presentations. Tasting Room day passes are available.

Tales of the Cocktail started a partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board in 2022. The island country is the birthplace of the Singapore Sling, a cocktail of gin, cherry liqueur and soda water created at the elegant Raffles Hotel in 1915. At Tales, four Singaporean bars will have pop-up residencies at the Ritz-Carlton. The bars include Fura, The Elephant Room, No Sleep Club and Republic.

A spirits competition was added to Tales last year. New Orleans-based spirits writer Wayne Curtis organized the event, which takes advantage of the conference to enlist local and visiting experts as judges. Categories include whiskey, gin, vodka, baijiu, agave spirits and liqueurs, as well as best new spirit, distillery of the year and more. The initial rounds have already taken place, but there is a round thats open to the public, and judges will share their comments on the blind tasting. Medal winners will be announced on Tuesday, July 25, and those spirits will be offered for tasting at a special Meet the Distillers event on Friday, July 28.

The event also includes the Spirited Awards, recognizing bars and bar teams in both U.S. and international fields. And there are media awards for spirits writing. Also at Tales is Speed Rack, a bartending competition for women.

In recent years, Tales has added more programming addressing mental health and substance abuse. There are conference lounges with nonalcoholic beverages, exercise sessions, panels on mental health resources and a meeting of Bens Friends, a sobriety support group started in the restaurant industry.

Some events have evolved but have been event staples from Tales earliest years, including themed walking tours about New Orleans drinking history and dinners featuring local restaurants and either specific spirits or guest mixologists. Different tours explore the history of Bourbon Street, the Sazerac, gay bars and more. This years dining events include a celebration of the three-martini lunch at Galatoires, a tequila dinner at El Cucuy, a host of whiskey dinners and more. There also are some bar takeovers sponsored by spirits or featuring visiting bartenders.

There are various packages to attend Tales, including individual cocktail tour tickets. A full schedule, information and tickets are available via talesofthecocktail.org and the event app.
Although hes a petroleum engineer by trade, Glenn Mahiya always dreamed of having a restaurant. Now, thanks to his life and business partner Warakorn Tom Intavichai, that dream has become a reality with Dahla, a new Thai restaurant in the CBD.

The pair met through mutual friends in their Marigny neighborhood. Intavichais parents, Waraphon and Thongchai Chittrakul, had a restaurant in Metairie, Thai Ocha, which they sold last year. I wanted a bigger place with a bar, Intavichai says.

Although the partners signed the lease on the space formerly home to Magasin Kitchen in September, a slow permitting process delayed opening until March.

Dahla Where 611 OKeefe Ave., (504) 766-6602; Instagram, @dahlarestaurant When lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. How Dine-in and delivery Check it out Traditional Thai in the CBD

Intavichais parents are the opening chefs as well as partners in the business, but they have one eye on the door while theyre making popular Thai dishes like spicy drunken noodles and pad thai.

They want to retire to Thailand, says their son, whose family hails from the city of Sukhothai, Thailands ancient capital city. His folks are currently training a crew that includes a few cousins to take over their roles.

The menu is true to the familys roots. The house-made Chiang Mai pork sausage, a favorite Thai street food, is rich with flavors of lemon grass, lime leaves, ginger and chili paste. Prad kra pao kai, or Thai basil chicken, is a chili-spiced stir fry with Thai basil leaves and ground chicken, served with rice and topped with a fried egg.

Theres also a fried snapper fillet, treated to a sweet and spicy chili sauce and served with vegetables on the side. Tiger tears is a grilled flank steak salad bright with citrus and nam pla, or Thai fish sauce.

Diners can pick a protein to add to noodle dishes, stir-fries, curries or fried rice. Options also include vegetables, tofu and shrimp, which the menu notes are imported, and not locally sourced. Most entrees are around $20.

Besides the familiar red, green, massaman and Penang curries, there is a chefs special duck curry. The meat is roasted, then fried and bathed in a sweet-and-sour curry simmered with pineapple, raisins and peppers.

Some of the menu items come from family recipes.

My grandmother taught my mom to cook, Intavichai says. We use some of her recipes. I grew up helping her when I was little. When we moved to the U.S., I didnt know how to cook for myself, so I called her all the time for help.

When Mahiya and Intavichai were looking for a location, they looked around the city. There are good restaurants in the Marigny and the French Quarter, Intavichai says. There are chefs who are doing more of a modern or fusion version of Thai food. Our food is traditional, and we wanted to offer it in a welcoming space with a bar. The South Market (District development) broker was looking for an Asian restaurant concept to replace Magasin Kitchen, so it was a good fit.

The space is handsome, with gorgeous Thai-designed wallpaper and murals from an artist friend, Trey Bryan. Striking chandeliers provide soft lighting. The restaurant seats about 80 guests between the dining room and bar.

The drinks menu impresses with cocktails like the Blood Moon, a mix of Aperol, Luxardo, orange juice and gin, and the Dahla 75, a riff on the French 75 made with brut rose sparkling wine, lemon juice and St-Germaine. Happy hour is from 4:30-6 p.m.

Although Mahiya left Shell last year after 20 years with the company, hes still doing some engineering consulting for a company based in his home country, the Philippines. Because of the time difference, I work for them at night and then come here when I can, he says.

Intavichai handles the front of the house with Mahiya helping as needed. My culture and Toms are similar, Mahiya says. Filipinos and Thai people are known for their hospitality.
Great Western Rail have announced that they, along with other rail operators in England, will be closing ticket offices across their network.

Whilst at many stations, ticket offices are rarely used, that is certainly not the case in Barnstaple. For 45% of journeys made from Barnstaple the tickets are bought in the ticket office, and with the ticket machine more are bought at the station overall than online.

This will not surprise anyone who has travelled through Barnstaple station, its is a great community hub, welcoming to locals and tourists alike. Not only does it have a popular cafe, but the whole area is well cared for by volunteers such as Barnstaple in Bloom and Tarka Rail Association.

As the gateway to North Devon visitors have access to facilities such as bike hire and it is just a short walk to the bus station where people can take advantage of the 2 bus fare to explore along our coast and visit our beautiful countryside.

The ticket office is not just a convenient and friendly option for those who opt to use it, for many it is the only way to buy tickets. I recently attended a local Age Concern event where I heard first hand how isolated our older members of society can feel as businesses move online, and away from traditional cash and customer service.

Only 47% of their recent survey had a computer or laptop, and only 70% had a mobile phone. Of course, digital connectivity offers fantastic opportunities to rural areas, but we cannot move all of our services exclusively online when so many of us are either still lacking a reliable online connection or do not have the confidence or skills to use them.

As Chair of the All Part Parliamentary Group for Broadband I recently met with Simon Blagden, Chair of Building Digital UK, and Simon Fell MP, the Governments newly appointed Rural Connectivity Champion to discuss broadband rollout. Whilst Project Gigabit, the Governments 5 billion project to connect the UK, has done great work connecting isolated towns like Lynton and Lynmouth it is important that there is more coordination as we connect our most remote areas which are not necessarily attractive to commercial suppliers.

I also met with Wildanet who are committed to increasing the rollout of broadband in the harder to reach areas of Devon which currently lack a reliable connection. Their research shows what we all know, that reliable broadband not only connects communities but brings growth opportunities to level up rural areas like North Devon.

However, at present we need physical services like our ticket office, I met with Huw Merriman, Minister for Transport, to discuss why the Barnstaple ticket office should stay open and its role in our community. After working with the Department for Transport they have recently begun to incorporate rurality into their funding decisions, such as the awarding funding for the Tarka Trail in the recent Active Travel round. I hope they and Great Western Rail (GWR) also recognise the importance of services such as ticket offices in rural areas.

I will be meeting with GWR to discuss this further but I have also formally submitted into their consultation which is running until Wednesday the 26th July. Thank you to everyone who has written in to my office but I would also ask that people write directly into GWRs consultation at https://www.gwr.com/haveyoursay.
LOWELL  A charge of attempted murder has been filed against a 45-year-old West Chicago man accused of intentionally crashing into several police vehicles and driving toward an officer during a pursuit Wednesday along a local stretch of Interstate 65.

Three Indiana State Police troopers were reportedly treated for minor injuries from the pursuit of Thomas Sanhamel.

Sanhamel was also charged with felony counts of attempted battery by means of a deadly weapon, battery by means of a deadly weapon, attempt to commit battery against a public safety official, battery to a public safety official and resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, ISP said.

Sanhamel was booked into the Lake County Jail.

A state trooper first attempted to stop Sanhamels vehicle around 3:15 p.m. Wednesday along southbound I-65, three miles north of the Ind. 2 exit, after learning he was posing a safety hazard by driving 5 mph.

Sanhamel drove away southbound, during which time he nearly struck a parked semi with pedestrians standing alongside, police said.

Winfield residents encouraged to lock vehicles in wake of break-ins The thieves have not been breaking windows or otherwise damaging locked vehicles to gain entry, police say.

He continued to flee at 10 mph and appeared to swerve toward a police officer attempting to put Stop Sticks in the road, according to police. He then drove into the median near the mile-238 marker, stopped and then accelerated, again ramming police vehicles.

Sanhamel headed north in the southbound lanes until stopped traffic forced him into a grassy ditch, police said. He then repeatedly rammed a Jasper County police vehicle until his vehicle became disabled.

He was taken into custody and transported to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries, police said.

Three state police cars were damaged by the suspect ramming the vehicles during the pursuit, ISP said.

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
Anyone with information on the suspect can contact Detective Robert Carney at 219-924-7503, ext. 239. Tips can also be made to Griffith police

GRIFFITH  Police are searching for a person who recently stole hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise from a Walgreens store.

The suspect fled the scene in an "older-style" SUV, police said. The window on the driver's side was covered with either a bag or plastic. The vehicle may have a front driver's side steel wheel or could be missing a hub cap.
MICHIGAN CITY  A lawn maintenance worker at an apartment complex was shot Wednesday, LaPorte County police said.

Police said they were called out shortly before 11 a.m. to the Woodland Crossing Apartment Homes, 300 Woods Edge Drive, for a report of the shooting.

Deputies arrived, located one gunshot victim and secured the scene, police said.

The early stages of the investigation revealed the victim was an employee of the complexs contracted lawn maintenance company. The victim was approached on foot by a male subject, who began shooting at the victim.

Two shot; Region police seeking tips Officers collected numerous pieces of evidence and interviewed multiple witnesses, police said

The victim suffered a nonlife-threatening gunshot wound to one of his hands, police said. The shooter entered a nearby vehicle that left the complex traveling northbound on Woodland Avenue.

Anyone who witnessed or otherwise has information about the shooting is encouraged to contact Capt. Andy Hynek at 219-326-7700, ext. 2401, or ahynek@lcso.in.gov.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into LaPorte County Jail Yazmin Lopez Jalyn Orzech Jaylon George Duaine Gorbonosenko Branden Hewlett William Warren David Tucker James Stout Brian McFarland Malik Cunningham William Saulsgiver William Nye Maryann Carmichael Jordan Wasy Kimberly Richardson Quandell Crawford Nathan Walenga Moesha Payne Michael Love
Officers responded to the scene around 10:35 a.m. after they received a report of a gunshot-wound victim. The man was wounded in his right shoulder, police said. An officer provided first aid to the victim, who was transported to a nearby hospital. He was later taken to a Chicago area hospital for additional care.
MERRILLVILLE  The largest town in Indiana is welcoming job seekers to Merrillvilles annual Job Fair.

The Job Fair is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 27 at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center, 6600 Broadway. Attendees can enjoy a free lunch. There also will be giveaways and a chance to win a free laptop or tablet.

Dozens of local companies and organizations have signed up to participate. They include the town of Merrillville, Robinson Engineering, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, Paladin, Modern Forge, Boask Auto Group, Methodist Hospitals, Albanese, Webb Auto Group, Midwestern Electric, Casa of Hobart, WorkOne, Proven IT, Horseshoe Hammond, Ardagh Metal Packaging, and Midwest Truck & Auto Parts.

The business community continues to grow in Merrillville, and so does our annual Job Fair, Town Manager Patrick Reardon said. This is a great opportunity to meet directly with representatives from many great companies in the town and surrounding communities.

The town would also like to thank the Silos at Sanders Farm and Commercial In-Sites, who are among the sponsors of the Job Fair.

The town continues to seek businesses and organizations interested in participating in the Job Fair. Visit https://www.merrillville.in.gov/news_detail_T27_R38.php for an application to have a booth at the event. The deadline to apply is July 17.

A list of participating businesses will be updated on the towns website (www.merrillville.in.gov) and on Merrillvilles Facebook page (www.facebook.com/thetownofmerrillville).

For more information about the Job Fair, contact Linda Rosas at lrosas@merrillville.in.gov or at 219-769-5711, ext. 302.
The United Auto Workers union is kicking off a new members' handshake tradition before this year's negotiations with the Big Three automakers.

The recently elected union leadership, largely a slate of reform candidates who have pledged to take a more aggressive approach to negotiations and more vigorously represent workers' interests, went to plants to shake members' hands and hear what they have to say.

"Instead of kicking off Big Three negotiations with a dog and pony show shaking hands with CEOs, were putting the membership first," President Shawn Fain said in a letter to members. "Our UAW leadership went directly to the plant gates at Stellantiss Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, GMs Factory ZERO, and Fords Michigan Assembly Plant to shake members hands and take their message to the bargaining table."

Union leaders plan to seek higher pay, cost-of-living adjustment and an end to the two-tier system in which newer hires are paid less to do the same work. They toured plants to hear what rank-and-file workers wanted.

"Leadership heard from members about what they want to see change at the Big Three," Fain said in the letter to members. "They also asked members what they are willing to do to win big, not just for autoworkers, but for their families, their communities, and working-class people everywhere."

The UAW represents thousands of autoworkers at the Chicago Assembly Plant in Hegewisch, at the Chicago Stamping Plant in Chicago Heights and the Lear Corp. seat-factory in Hammond. Many workers have signed support cards avowing that they're united in the struggle for a fair contract.

The UAW hopes to preserve good-paying union jobs at a time when automakers have been transitioning more to electric vehicles and investing in new operations in less union-friendly states like Tennessee and Kentucky.

"We have a once in a generation opportunity to make things right at the Big Three. Were fighting to end tiers, to win back COLA and fair raises, and to secure our jobs in this transition to electric vehicles," Fain said. "If we stick together, as a united UAW, theres nothing we cant achieve. Lets go make history."
An over-the-counter pill would eliminate a lot of barriers, she said.

Nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. Rates are highest among women in their twenties. The move to greenlight Opill, which is commonly known as a mini pill because it contains only progestin, is a total game changer for that demographic, said Dr. Elise Berlan, a physician at Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, who served as an independent scientific adviser to the F.D.A. when it was debating Opills approval.

For young people, accessing birth control can be really challenging, she said. Sexual health education is very spotty, so there are a lot of people who just dont have very good information, she added. And its further complicated for folks who are low-income, who have transportation issues or who live in rural parts of the U.S.

A survey conducted last year by KFF, a research company, found that 77 percent of women 18 to 49 favored the decision to make a pill available without a prescription. Thirty-nine percent said they would be likely to use it, citing convenience as the main reason. Of those who said they probably would not use it, the main reason was that they did not have plans to use oral contraception; the second-most-cited reason was that they would want to first discuss it with a provider.

The New York Times interviewed 18 women and girls about the F.D.A. decision on Thursday and Friday. Some teenagers noted that having access to the pill in a store would be helpful for those who did not feel comfortable speaking with their parents about contraception. My mom does not approve of birth control because of her more conservative Sri Lankan heritage, said Tharushi Samarasinghe, a 19-year-old student at Hunter College. I took birth control once for hormonal issues as I was going through puberty. I was on it for a year and then my mom was like, No more.

Elizabeth, 18, said she was wary about the potential side effects of the mini pill, but described it as a great option for someone like her, whose parents were pretty conservative. She added: They raised me in a Catholic church. Im not comfortable talking to them about this. (She requested that her last name be withheld to avoid potential conflict with her family.)
Crime has a way of making travel writers out of its victims. Suddenly you find yourself being asked questions like: Where were you? Did you come across anyone unusual? Tell us everything you remember; even the most mundane detail might be significant in ways you do not yet understand. The novelist Vendela Vida seems to perceive this parallel acutely. Her books, which often combine the two genres  crime and travel fiction  showcase the way violence can transport a person out of the land of the naive faster than any jet. Indeed, the antonym for naive is worldly.

In The Divers Clothes Lie Empty, we meet an American woman traveling to Casablanca. Within minutes of her arrival at the hotel, the bag carrying her computer and wallet is stolen, along with all her identification. Not long after, our nameless traveler starts making an inventory of lost contents for the local detective, a list that might as well include her too. She is running away from some vaguely outlined personal disaster that occurred back home in Florida. Whatever it was triggered a divorce and a trip to Morocco she cannot really afford. Im a writer for The New York Times. Im doing a travel story on Casablanca, she lies to the police, hoping to scare them into finding her belongings. I really dont want to have to include this, she adds, in the politely threatening tone of an American abroad.

Without money, she starts improvising, taking on new identities that take her further and further from herself  including, at one point, a job as a body double for an American actress shooting a movie in Casablanca. In other words, she will pretend to be another woman pretending to be someone else. While waiting for her scene to start, she grabs a book from the set. It is a collection of poems by Rumi. She starts reading:

Youre sitting here with us, but youre also out walking

in a field at dawn. You are yourself

the animal we hunt when you come with us on the hunt.

Youre in your body like a plant is solid in the ground,

yet youre wind. Youre the divers clothes

lying empty on the beach. Youre the fish.

The poem captures the tension at the heart of the novel. Is this a story about sadness or adventure? Sometimes a life lived fully and voraciously can look like absence to the people you leave behind, and maybe, in a way, it is.
This months books all feature women making bad decisions  about themselves, about other people and about how to confront the threats swirling around them. Each is unwise in her own interesting way.

Lets begin with Detective Elise Sutton, the forensics expert thrust into a bewildering crisis in Wendy Walkers WHAT REMAINS (Blackstone, 293 pp., $27.99). Shopping for towels at a local megastore, Elise is startled by a shooter firing into the crowd. Her response is contrary to her nature.

I am suddenly aware that, after 12 years in the department, this is the first time I have drawn my weapon in the outside world, she thinks. And then, just as the gunman points his weapon at a bystander, she shoots him dead.
For nearly a year, talks between the planets two biggest polluters, China and the United States, have been suspended as the impacts of global warming have only grown more intense in the form of deadly heat, drought, floods and wildfires.

John Kerry, President Bidens special envoy for climate change, is set to arrive in Beijing on Sunday to restart climate negotiations with the Chinese government. He is slated to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, and other officials for three days of talks, with the goal of finding ways to work together on climate change despite simmering tensions between the two countries on trade, human rights and other issues. Heres what you should know:

Why does this meeting matter?

The United States and China are the worlds biggest economies, the worlds biggest investors in renewable energy and, most critically, the worlds biggest fossil fuel polluters. Together they spew about 40 percent of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Analysts agree that the speed with which the two countries slash emissions and help other nations transition to wind, solar and other forms of clean energy will determine whether the planet can avoid the most catastrophic consequences of climate change.

There is no solution to climate change without China, said David Sandalow, a veteran of the Clinton and Obama administrations now at Columbia Universitys Center on Global Energy Policy. The worlds two largest emitters should be talking to each other about this existential threat.
As the police scoured the beach for more bodies in the spring of 2010 (and found several), Ms. Cann and the family members of the other women were caught in a peculiar bind. On one hand, they were energized. Now that they were part of a serial-killer case, the world was beating a path to their doors; perhaps there might even be a break in the case. Then came the horrible hangover of seeing their daughters and sisters in the news, constantly being referred to as prostitutes. The point Ms. Cann made to me on that pier was similar to what all the family members eventually said to me: These women were more than this.

I dont like how theyre talking about her, Ms. Cann told me. I understand they only know what she was down there doing, and thats what they look at her as. But it doesnt matter what she did. She was still a mother. She still meant the world to her daughter, she meant the world to me.

The police seemed to resist taking the case seriously at first, and in reality, they had not even been looking for these women. They were found by happenstance, after a fifth woman, Shannan Gilbert, disappeared in 2010 during an escort appointment in Oak Beach, three miles from where the first four women were discovered.

At a public-safety hearing on Long Island in May 2011, while teams of rescue workers and police officers were still searching the bramble of Gilgo Beach, Dominick Varrone, the chief of detectives of the Suffolk County Police Department, suggested that the public could be at ease because the killer was selecting only a certain sort of victim. The subtext was clear: If the victims had been successful and well-educated, like the victims of David Berkowitz, the serial killer known as Son of Sam, all of Long Island might need to be in a panic. But everyone could relax. Sex workers didnt seem to deserve the same consideration.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, July 15. The second meeting of the Interdepartmental working group on the development of hydrogen energy was held in Turkmenistan under the leadership of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Berdyniyaz Myatiev, Trend reports.

According to the official source of Turkmenistan, during the meeting, the participants considered a set of priority tasks, in particular, the implementation of the roadmap for the development of international cooperation in the field of hydrogen energy in Turkmenistan for 2022-2023, as well as the study of foreign experience in the development of this area.

In his speech, Myatiev noted that one of the priorities of Turkmenistan's foreign policy is energy diplomacy.

He also added that the country has rich reserves of energy resources, contributes to the development of international cooperation in the field of energy, consistently puts forward important initiatives in this area and actively participates in the implementation of projects of international and regional importance.

Meanwhile, at the meeting, the participants of the meeting emphasized that the country is engaged in the implementation of international initiatives in the field of hydrogen energy.
At his office near the Empire State Building, Rex Heuermann was a master of the meticulous: a veteran architectural consultant and a self-styled expert at navigating the intricacies of New York Citys building code. He impressed some clients and drove others crazy with his fine-toothed directives.

At home in Massapequa Park on Long Island, while some neighbors saw Mr. Heuermann as just another commuter in a suit, others found him a figure of menace. He glowered at neighbors while swinging an ax in the front yard of a low-slung, dilapidated house that parents cautioned their children to avoid on Halloween. He was kicked out of a Whole Foods for stealing fruit.

We would cross the street, said Nicholas Ferchaw, 24, a neighbor. He was somebody you dont want to approach.

On Friday, Suffolk County prosecutors said that residents of Massapequa Park had a serial killer living in their midst. They accused Mr. Heuermann, 59, of leaving a quarter-mile trail of young womens bodies on the South Shore of Long Island in what came to be known as the Gilgo Beach Killings. Yet he was so careful in covering his tracks, they said, that it took them nearly 15 years to arrest him.
This philosophy has significant drawbacks. In a public health system thats strapped for resources, its certainly arguable that this is the wrong kind of spending. Everyday differences in bodies end up being pathologized by the medical establishment, defining attractiveness in a limiting way. Small breasts, for instance, might be diagnosed as hypotrophy of the mammary glands. Because plastic surgeons gain practice at government hospitals, poor patients are basically guinea pigs, Jarrin says.

For all its failings, however, what Brazils policy creates is an acceptance that beauty is a form of self-care and that theres nothing embarrassing about wanting to meet societys standard for how we should look, no matter our social class. Theres no denying that small changes we can make to our surfaces have profound influence on our quality of life and that beauty is often a means of gaining power.

When I got back to Virginia after my daughters accident, I kept wondering what her treatment would have been had it happened there. Most countries health coverage applies just to reconstructive care, not aesthetic. Brazil, an outlier, sees more continuity between the two, likely a means to push their own agenda, but that they also have a point, says Alexander Edmonds, the author of Pretty Modern: Beauty, Sex, and Plastic Surgery in Brazil.

Our system in the United States makes the kind of hospital treatment my daughter received a matter of privilege. While her procedure might be considered reconstructive rather than cosmetic, whether she got a chance to see a plastic surgeon would depend on where she was getting treated. For example, hospitals visited by patients on Medicaid are less likely to provide the option of a plastic surgeon, and Medicaid does not cover cosmetic surgery unless the procedure is medically necessary  which, in my daughters case, it was not.

Beauty standards continue to rise, yet access to cosmetic care is rarefied.

When I went to my daughters pediatricians office to get the stitches out, the nurse hesitated at first. Shed never seen stitches like hers, with the thread visible only at its entry and exit points. She brought in two doctors just to check she was doing it right. None of them knew for sure, but when pulled from one end, the thread came out easily. I asked about what the care would need to be like to minimize scarring. Sunscreen, they all said.
I dont see whats so difficult. If contact information is disseminated about an individual, be it an email address, a phone number or a street address, its not reporting. Its doxxing. Simple.

David Friedman

St. James, N.Y.

To the Editor:

I was struck by how a wildly unproductive cycle of phony outrage and course rescheduling could have been avoided if the course had just been titled more accurately. I dont know if Rebecca Journey was simply careless or trying to increase interest in her course through false advertising, but surely nothing was gained by giving cynical troublemakers a chance to pretend to misunderstand what it was about.

It took me about 30 seconds to come up with The Problems of Defining Whiteness, The Ambiguity of Whiteness or The Fluidity of Whiteness as more authentic titles. Im rather stunned that nobody there thought of something similar and successfully presented it to Dr. Journey as a way to help her end a truly senseless controversy in time for the course to be taught.

To borrow a word from the article, if Dr. Journey has prepared a solid, interesting course, it doesnt need a provocative title inconsistent with its content.

Dallas Lea

Alexandria, La.

To the Editor:

The discussions described in your article about the student whose social media posts led to attacks on a professor for offering a course on whiteness seem to focus on rules: whether there is, or should be, a rule against what the student did.
On June 14, 2023, the migrant boat Adriana capsized off the coast of Greece, killing more than 600 men, women and children who had been crammed onboard the trawler by traffickers. As investigations by the BBC and The New York Times have revealed, officials and coast guard crews failed to treat the crisis as a rescue mission until the last few hours.

Those on the Adriana died torturous deaths. According to interviews with survivors, those on deck were tossed into the sea. Panicking people stepped on each other in the dark, desperately using each other to come up for air, to stay alive. At the waters surface, some clung to pieces of wood, surrounded by drowned friends, relatives and strangers. Others climbed onto the ships sinking hull. Coast Guard crew members pulled dozens of people from the sea.

And yet, given the scope and horror of the disaster, few people seemed to care; the story was barely a blip on many news websites. Not long after, the world eagerly turned its attention and resources to an ultimately unsuccessful rescue of five wealthy passengers aboard a faulty OceanGate submersible. Two tragedies, two responses, and one staggering contrast. As the headline on another Times story, by Richard Perez-Pena, put it: 5 Deaths at Sea Gripped the World. Hundreds of Others Got a Shrug.

Refugees and migrants dying while trying to cross the Mediterranean in search of safety is not new. The United Nations estimates that more than 27,000 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean since 2014. As I am an African American keenly aware of our history, the tragedy of the Adriana is in some ways familiar to me, a haunting that is almost heritage: Humans squeezed onto a boat by their traffickers, crushed skin to skin, bone to bone, throats gasping in the breaths of a hundred suffering others, enduring or perishing in the hellish conditions of starvation and dehydration as the vessel churns them away from their homeland.
Putin claims to be a champion of the rights of Russian speakers, whose families often moved to neighboring nations when they were all under Soviet rule. And historically many were allied with Moscow and had grievances against the post-Communist pro-Western governments. Now Putin has upended that. His invasion and behavior embarrasses many Russian speakers and makes them rethink their allegiance.

In Lviv, Ukraine, Oleksandra Kabanova told me that she and her husband are native Russian speakers who always spoke to each other in Russian. But after her husband joined the Ukrainian Army last year to fight the Russian invaders, they switched to Ukrainian, even if she sometimes struggles to find the right word.

It was way too toxic to continue speaking Russian, she said.

Putins invasion paradoxically strengthened the Baltic countries, which until last year faced fundamental challenges. Each had a seemingly indigestible Russian minority, plus NATOs real-life commitment to protect these countries was uncertain  especially during the presidency of Donald Trump. (A nightmare for leaders in the region is that Trump is re-elected in 2024, possibly wrecking NATO, cutting off aid to Ukraine and rescuing Putin from himself.)

Putin also revived NATO. It has added Finland and is moving to include Sweden, and there is renewed commitment to Article 5, which would lead all NATO countries to rush in to fight off any Russian incursion. As for the Russian speakers, they are finally being digested.

The majority of our Russian-speaking people are with us, Estonias prime minister, Kaja Kallas, told me. They clearly see that life here is so much better than life in Russia.
WASHINGTON  In the 2002 movie Simone, Al Pacino plays a director whose star, played by Winona Ryder, walks out on him after saying her trailer on set isnt grand enough.

Disgusted, Pacinos character secretly creates an obedient computer-generated actress to replace his temperamental one. Simone is a perfect-looking blonde, named after the computer program that crafted her, Simulation One.

But Simone is so successful  lavished with Oscars, adored by fans  that she overshadows her director, who becomes jealous and gets rid of her with a computer virus. But he has made her so realistic, he is charged with her murder.

Be careful what you wish for, Hollywood studios, as you mess with the primal force of A.I.

Tinseltown is going dark, as the actors join the writers on the picket line. Hollywoods century-old business model was upended by Covid and also by streaming, which swept in like an occupying army. Then streaming hit a ceiling, and Netflix and Co. scrambled to pivot.
Everett I. Mendelsohn, a Harvard professor who as a scholar of the history of science explored how sciences evolution has been influenced by historical and cultural trends and vice versa, died on June 6 at his home in Cambridge, Mass. He was 91.

His wife, Mary B. Anderson, said the cause was a stroke.

Professor Mendelsohn had a long association with Harvard, beginning in 1953, when he was a graduate student in biology, and continuing for more than half a century. In 1960, he earned a Ph.D. in the history of science at the university and, after a year as a junior fellow, began teaching there. He retired in 2007.

Over that time he lectured on diverse topics  genetic engineering, the environment, the making of the atomic bomb  and encouraged students to examine how science had influenced world events and everyday lives.

Everett was one of a new generation of social historians of science who insisted that it was not enough to pay attention to the internal intellectual story of science, Anne Harrington, the Franklin L. Ford professor of the history of science at Harvard, said by email. The field needed to attend also to how science was shaped by and also helped shape the conditions of the social world.
Weddings are steeped in tradition, but where do those rituals come from? Traditions, a new column, explores the origins of various wedding customs from around the world.

Ever since Mandana Ansari was a little girl, she knew she wanted to recognize her Iranian heritage by having a Sofreh Aghd on her wedding day. Ive always loved the symbolism and the meaning of the Sofreh  new life, new beginnings, fertility, Ms. Ansari said. My culture is such a huge part of who I am.

The literal meaning of Sofreh is traditional spread, said Mitra Ghahramani, the creative director and founder of Designs by Mitra, an event and wedding planning company that specializes in Sofreh Aghd designs and multicultural ceremonies. The word Aghd, Ms. Ghahramani added, means to connect, to tie together, like a knot.
Generative artificial intelligence, the technology engine powering the popular ChatGPT chatbot, seems to have a limitless bag of tricks. It can produce on command everything from recipes and vacation plans to computer code and molecules for new drugs.

But can A.I. invent?

Legal scholars, patent authorities and even Congress have been pondering that question. The people who answer yes, a small but growing number, are fighting a decidedly uphill battle in challenging the deep-seated belief that only a human can invent.

Invention evokes images of giants like Thomas Edison and eureka moments  the flash of creative genius, as the Supreme Court justice William O. Douglas once put it.

But this is far more than a philosophical debate about human versus machine intelligence. The role, and legal status, of A.I. in invention also have implications for the future path of innovation and global competitiveness, experts say.
Of the 150 people accepted into the program, 120 had graduated, program officials said.

We are aware that some trainees who were removed are dissatisfied, Maj. Gen. John D. Haas, Floridas adjutant general, said in a statement.

This is to be expected with any course that demands rigor and discipline, he added. The overwhelming majority of the participants have lauded the training and, in fact, have appreciated the opportunity to self-reflect and become better citizens.

As planning for the organization got underway this year, ambitions for the group quickly expanded.

The original plan to field 200 volunteers with a budget of $3.5 million, proposed in late 2021, grew to 1,500 people and $108 million. The first-year budget includes $50 million for five aircraft and $2.7 million for boats  equipment that many experts say is beyond the budget of most State Guards.

When the initial boot camp began in June, Mr. Newhouse and six other volunteers who spoke to The Times said they were surprised to find that the training syllabus included such lessons as rappelling off buildings and learning to use a compass to navigate out of the woods, skills they said seemed better suited to training for war.

One of the recruits, who like most of the others did not want to be named because of fear of reprisals, described the training as more like a military fantasy camp than the practical instruction expected in topics such as how to respond to hurricanes.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15. Armenia is lagging behind Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) standards, Trend reports.

This issue was reflected in an article published in The Caspian Post news portal.

"Back in 2015, the previous Armenian government committed to becoming compliant with the EITI to bring the country to international standards in terms of ethics, honesty, open data, and civil society participation. However, according to a World Bank Report, the initial steps lacked substance," the article said.

According to the article's author, in 2018, when the Armenian authorities began to take the first steps towards the transformation of the industry, these actions turned out to be very doubtful.

"In 2018, rigorous inspections were initiated as part of the initiative, and certain mines - notably the Lichk Copper Mine in the south - closed rather than submitting to full checks. In February 2018, the operation of a large copper-molybdenum mine near Teghut in Lori Province was temporarily suspended following a leak from its tailings dam into the Shnogh River," the author said. "In April that year, the same companys major copper smelting works at Alaverdi were fined for its excessive sulphur dioxide emissions."

Initially unable or unwilling to upgrade out-dated equipment, the copper production in Armenias copper city ground to a halt, only restarting in 2022 once new, cleaner furnace technology had been fitted, the author added.

The article stressed that the Teghut mine reopened in 2019 with a strengthened tailings dam and a reforestation project (later found to be partially fraudulent), and as of June 2023, the mining operation is due to be expanded, having passed an environmental impact assessment.

Previously, Azerbaijani environmental activists sent an open letter to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, mentioning enterprises of Armenia polluting environment.

The letter noted that degradation of the ecosystem as a result of ongoing mining operations is not only a threat to Armenia's environment, but also a great threat to the neighboring countries, and demanded Armenia to immediately stop the work in the mining industry that threatens the region and the planet as a whole.

In addition, the letter pointed out that the construction of a new metallurgical plant in Arazdayan, which is being built against the requirements of environmental norms and international conventions, should also be stopped.

According to the letter, the potential impacts of toxic chemical waste from this metallurgical plant on the local ecosystem could be enormous.

The discharge of waste into the Araz river means a tragedy for the creatures living in the river and for the large farms that use the Araz water for irrigation. This impact on drinking water supplies can also lead to the spread of infectious diseases in border areas. This will create a serious public health crisis for both Azerbaijan and Armenia, the letter concluded.
People across the southwestern United States were trying to stay cool on Saturday as a punishing heat wave was posed to break temperature records.

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for this weekend that covered more than 31 million people, mostly in Arizona, Nevada and California. Another 61 million people on the West Coast and in the South were under a heat advisory.

The Weather Service forecast 45 record-high temperatures across the country ahead of the weekend. Most of the predicted record-breaking temps were in the Southwest.

Municipalities and community organizations scrambled to provide water and cool shelter to their most vulnerable populations, primarily homeless individuals.
Melvin Wulf, a constitutional lawyer who reshaped the American Civil Liberties Union into a more aggressive litigator, argued 10 cases before the United States Supreme Court and supported the future Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in bringing a landmark sex discrimination case, died on July 8 at his home in Manhattan. He was 95.

His daughter Jane Wulf confirmed the death.

As the legal director of the A.C.L.U. from 1962 to 1977, Mr. Wulf turned the organization from a passive one that mostly filed friend-of-the-court briefs in others cases into one that directly filed suit on behalf of people who said their civil liberties had been violated.

Mel really transformed the culture of the A.C.L.U., Alan Levine, a former staff counsel of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said in a phone interview. Directly representing clients put the A.C.L.U. in the middle of the great political movements for justice and equality, namely the civil rights, antiwar and womens movements.

Under Mr. Wulfs leadership, the A.C.L.U. opposed the Vietnam War, represented conscientious objectors and organized the Lawyers Constitutional Defense Committee, a network of lawyers drawn from several groups, including the A.C.L.U., the N.A.A.C.P. and the American Jewish Committee. It provided legal representation for students, both Black and white, who traveled to the South to register Black voters during the Freedom Summer in 1964.
A new political platform focused on cooperative governance by the bipartisan group No Labels has something for everyone to embrace  and just as much for both sides to reject.

For example, the government must stop releasing undocumented migrants into the country, it maintains. But the government must also broaden legal immigration channels and offer a path to citizenship to those brought to the country as children.

Or this one: The constitutional right to bear arms is inviolable but must be tempered with universal background checks and age restrictions on the purchase of military-style semiautomatic rifles.

Then there is this: A woman must have a right to control her reproductive health, but that right has to be balanced with societys obligation to safeguard human life.
The F.E.C. reports are the M.R.I. scan of a campaign, said Mike Murphy, a veteran Republican strategist. Its the next-best thing to breaking into the headquarters and checking the files.

But the picture will not be complete. For one thing, super PACs, which can raise unlimited money and play an outsize role in supporting presidential candidates, do not have to file reports on their fund-raising and spending until the end of the month.

The total number of donors to each campaign will not be provided in the filings, either. That figure is a vital measure for Republicans, because the party is requiring presidential candidates to have at least 40,000 unique donors to take part in the first primary debate on Aug. 23.

Saturday will also be the first detailed look at President Bidens war chest as he slowly ramps up his re-election campaign. His campaign said on Friday that along with the Democratic National Committee and a joint fund-raising committee, it had raised more than $72 million combined for the second quarter.

In the same period in 2019, former President Donald J. Trump and his allies raised a total of $105 million  $54 million for Mr. Trump and his committees, and $51 million for the Republican National Committee. In 2011, former President Barack Obama raised $47 million for his campaign and $38 million for the Democratic National Committee.
In the first two weeks of Ukraines grueling counteroffensive, as much as 20 percent of the weaponry it sent to the battlefield was damaged or destroyed, according to American and European officials. The toll includes some of the formidable Western fighting machines  tanks and armored personnel carriers  the Ukrainians were counting on to beat back the Russians.

The startling rate of losses dropped to about 10 percent in the ensuing weeks, the officials said, preserving more of the troops and machines needed for the major offensive push that the Ukrainians say is still to come.

Some of the improvement came because Ukraine changed tactics, focusing more on wearing down the Russian forces with artillery and long-range missiles than charging into enemy minefields and fire.

But that good news obscures some grim realities. The losses have also slowed because the counteroffensive itself has slowed  and even halted in places  as Ukrainian soldiers struggle against Russias formidable defenses. And despite the losses, the Ukrainians have so far taken just five of the 60 miles they hope to cover to reach the sea in the south and split the Russian forces in two.
They were not alone. Their town of 2,100 people had suffered some of the worst flooding in the state amid more than seven inches of rain. It was part of a broad corridor of destruction that also included the capital, Montpelier, 80 miles to the north, and Barre, where the states first death from the storm was reported on Wednesday after a 63-year-old man drowned in his home.

It was a painful setback for Vermont at the height of its summer tourist season. Tourism pumps $3 billion into its economy each year and employs at least 30,000 people, as 13 million visitors flock to take in the sweeping mountain views and covered bridges. While much of the state was untouched by the flooding  even in Ludlow, which is in south-central Vermont, some businesses were unscathed  national news coverage of disasters typically leads to a wave of cancellations.

In Ludlow  first settled by farmers in 1783, later home to woolen mills powered by the river, and now best known as the home of Okemo Mountain Resort  momentum had been building. Since Vail Resorts bought the ski area in 2018, upgrading lifts and boosting marketing and year-round recreation, new businesses had sprung up to serve new visitors.

The success of other young entrepreneurs, whose cocktail bars and freshly styled motels enlivened Main Street, had emboldened Ms. Prasse and Mr. Kovalsky, who had both snowboarded in Vermont as children and had roamed its back roads for months in search of the perfect place to put down roots.
Later, in November, Mr. Lee and his wife, Anne, flew to Shanghai. At the airport, he said he was separated from his wife and detained for seven hours while the authorities searched his personal cellphone and a government-issued Blackberry.

He asked why and said he was told: You know what you have done. We believe you could endanger our national security.

He and his wife were put on a plane back to Canada.

In Burnaby, the political climate shifted. He was no longer invited to some events because organizers told him that the consul general did not want to attend if Mr. Lee was also present. Longtime supporters started keeping their distance. Mr. Lee said he believed the icy treatment contributed to the loss of his seat in 2017, after 16 years in office.

A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa did not reply to questions about the consulates alleged actions in Vancouver, saying only that China never interferes in other countries internal affairs and that accusations of interference were an out-and-out smear of China.

But Chinas former consul general in Vancouver, Tong Xiaoling, boasted in 2021, according to The Globe, about helping defeat two Conservative lawmakers, including one she described as a vocal distractor of the Chinese government: Kenny Chiu.
Carlos Alberto Montaner, a writer who escaped Cuba shortly after its Communist revolution, then built a career as one of the exile communitys leading opponents of the Castro regime, died on June 29 at his home in Madrid. He was 80.

His son, Carlos, confirmed the death, from euthanasia. Mr. Montaner had been suffering from progressive supranuclear palsy, a neurological disease similar to Parkinsons.

In a column published four days after his death, Mr. Montaner praised Spain for making it legal to end ones life in cases of terminal illness like his. I fulfill my wish to die in Madrid, he wrote. I do so while still enjoying the ability to express my will.

Throughout his career as a novelist, essayist and political commentator, Mr. Montaner developed a reputation as a fierce critic of the Castro government and defender of classical liberalism.
There is the world, and then there is Appleby.

Appleby as in the annual Appleby Horse Fair, where thousands of Irish Travellers and Gypsies gather in northwest England for the rare pleasure of being not shunned by communities, but embraced.

When we come to a place like Appleby Fair and sit around the campfires, it gives a sense of place, a sense of belonging, a sense of ancestry, said Billy Welch, an organizer. We feel for that week that we are actually home.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said that Russian forces were throwing everything they can at Kyivs troops fighting to retake land in the south and east, again emphasizing the grueling nature of a counteroffensive that is moving more slowly than some allies had hoped and later stressing the importance of their continued support.

Ukrainian troops have made only small gains since launching the widely anticipated campaign in June, and in recent weeks, they appear to have stalled in some areas in the face of staunch Russian defenses. Casualties are mounting, and American officials have said that Ukraine has also lost newly provided Western armored vehicles in field after field of land mines.

Mr. Zelensky, who has defended the pace of the counteroffensive, said in his nightly address late Friday that he had had a detailed meeting earlier in the day with his top commanders to discuss the front lines and logistics  including weapons and the rational use of shells, supplies from partners, an apparent reference to the rate at which Ukraines forces are expending ammunition.

We must all understand very clearly  as clearly as possible  that the Russian forces on our southern and eastern lands are investing everything they can to stop our warriors, he said. Every thousand meters of advance, every success of each of our combat brigades deserves gratitude.
There is lots to catch up on this week from a new website to innovative ways of creating bespoke timepieces, and exciting new releases. See what you missed in our special weekly round-up

Time To Be Nice

To kick off the week, our Editorial Director, Sophie Furley, shares her thoughts on the hate we encounter all too often on social media - hate that watch brands are victims of as well. Its time we shared some positivity! Here are a few ideas on how to show kindness online.

A New Way Of Communicating

Is being able to witness the creation of your bespoke timepiece live too good to be true? Not according to Jaquet Droz! Join our Editorial Director, Sophie Furley, for a visit of their incredible Studio 8 that allows clients from all around the world to follow every step of the process.

Jaquet Droz Studio 8  WorldTempus

WorldTempus Unveils Its New Website

Speaking of technological innovations: as you may have noticed, things are looking a little different over here! We are very happy and proud to present to you our brand-new website filled with exciting new features, for all of you to enjoy!

Ralf Tech x Lexus: Together In Electric Dreams

Next, the Franco-Swiss watch brand Ralf Tech and the Japanese automaker Lexus have joined forces to create an electric watch available only at Lexus dealerships. Discover more about the sporty timepiece here.

Kross Studio: Wild Card

Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Batman, Space Jam, Wonder Woman and Transformers What do all of these global franchises have in common? They have all been turned into fascinating timepieces. Find out everything about the wild brand that created them here.

GOT Central Floating Tourbillon  Kross Studio

The Month With A Bow On It

Dont fully understand how Glashuttes PanoMaticCalendar works? Dont worry, we have you covered. Our correspondent, David Chokron, takes a deep dive into all of its fascinating features.

New Releases

Last but not least, for the new releases of the week, we have the new gemset Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronographs, the Ulysse Nardin Final UFO Editions and the TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper.
At least 180 senior fighter pilots, elite commandos and cyber-intelligence specialists in the Israeli military reserve have informed their commanders that they will no longer report for volunteer duty if the government proceeds with a plan to limit judicial influence by the end of the month.

About a dozen have already resigned, but hundreds more have discussed the possibility of doing so during in-person gatherings and online forums this week and are preparing to formally suspend their service in the coming days, according to interviews with 12 of those reservists and group resignation letters and messages seen by The New York Times.

Military leaders fear that this would significantly impact the capacity of the Israeli armed forces, particularly its Air Force, as well as tempt full-time soldiers to consider standing down, two senior defense officials said, speaking anonymously because of the volatility of the situation.

Israeli fighter squadrons are strongly reliant on reserve pilots who have regular civilian jobs but who volunteer for several days each month to train or participate in combat and reconnaissance missions. Israels regular strikes in Gaza and Syria; patrol missions over Israel; and surveillance missions over Lebanon and the occupied West Bank are frequently led by reserve pilots and drone operators, who often have more experience than those in the full-time forces.
The Disappearance and Murder of Amber Costello Amber Costello was last seen alive on September 2, 2010, leaving her residence at 1112 America Avenue in West Babylon during the late evening hours. At that time, she was believed to be working as a sex worker. On September 1, 2010, the day prior to the disappearance of Amber Costello, Ms. Costello's cellphone was contacted by a burner cellphone. On September 1, 2010, this burner cellphone had communications with the Costello Phone at approximately 11:33 p.m. and 11:34 p.m. During those communications, the burner cellphone connected to cell site towers in West Amityville and Massapequa Park. Thereafter, the burner cellphone traveled to West Babylon, in proximity to the residence of Amber Costello, and had contact with the Costello Phone at approximately 12:05 a.m. on September 2, 2010. According to witnesses, around the time of these communications between the burner cellphone and the Costello Phone on September 1-2, 2010, a prostitution client showed up at Ms. Costello's residence located in West Babylon, New York. After the client entered the home, a ruse was executed on the client whereby a person pretended to be the outraged boyfriend of Amber Costello and the client left from the residence, while Amber Costello retained the money the client had brought to pay for her services. Based upon interviews, that client was described as a large, white male, approximately 6'4' to 66 in height, in his mid-forties, with dark bushy hair," and "big oval style 1970's type eyeglasses." A witness described him to police as appearing like an ogre. Furthermore, a witness noticed a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche parked in the driveway of the residence. According to the witness, following the ruse, this client said he was just her friend," "tell her I'll give her a call," and walked out the front door. Thereafter, at This mirrors the physical attributes of Defendant Rex A. Heuermann who is a large, white male, approximately 6'4 in height, in excess of 240 pounds in weight, with dark bushy hair, who wears large eyeglasses and who was 46 years old when Amber Costello went missing. 7 2
TWENTY SIX modular homes to house Ukrainian refugees are now in place on a site at Clonminch on the outskirts of Tullamore.

In total 62 modular homes will be installed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) on the land off the main Portlaoise road close to Clonminch Lane, where a number of residents have raised serious concerns about lack of consultation.

Negotiations between residents and the OPW are ongoing and developments are expected during the week, Frank O'Reilly a spokesperson for the residents of Clonminch Lane told the Tribune on Tuesday morning.

Mr O'Reilly said the units couldn't really be any closer to our homes.

There have been astonishing changes in just a few weeks, he added.

This development will have a social and economic impact on Clonminch and Tullamore for many years to come.

Of the 62 homes, 16 will be directly behind four of the houses on Clonminch Lane. A perimeter wall is to be built around the modular homes to separate the site from Clonminch Lane.

The wall will protect privacy on both sides, increase security and reduce noise levels, Mr O'Reilly told the Tribune in May.

The wall will be constructed on Offaly County Council property beyond the boundaries of the homes on Clonminch Lane and existing hedgerows and trees will remain intact.

The OPW also stated it will plant semi-mature trees on the council side of the wall.

Mr O'Reilly condemned the construction of the modular homes adjacent to Clonminch Lane without the residents of the area being notified in advance as an appalling invasion of privacy.

I woke up on Monday, April 17 to the sound of construction equipment on the land directly behind our homes, he said.

Councillors hit out at the lack of consultation with Clonminch residents when the Tullamore Municipal District met in May.

The Tullamore houses are part of a Government approved modular home project which will see 700 homes built and completed on sites throughout the country.

Each unit measures in the region of 45 square metres in area and costs approximately 145,000 to construct.

The homes will include a kitchen-dining-living area combined, a bathroom, a small bedroom and a large bedroom.

However the sites can only be used for this purpose for a maximum of three years, after which a full routine planning process must take place to determine the future use of the sites.

The Clonminch site will have roads, footpaths, street lighting and community facilities, including a play area and green spaces in line with local authority planning guidance.
NASA is beginning testing with humanoid robots in Australia, NASA stated last week, Azernews reports, citing Jerusalem Post.

NASA plans to test the Valkyrie robots ability to perform remote mobile dexterous capabilities, with the hope that the robots will one day be able to takeover caretaking roles of uncrewed offshore energy facilities. If the testing is successful, these robots will take over roles that are generally considered hazardous for human workers.

The Valkyrie robot testing will occur in Perth, a ways away from NASAs Space Center in Texas, thanks to the Space Act Agreement made with Woodside Energy. Woodside Energy will be testing the technology and be providing feedback to NASA.

Eventually, NASA hopes that the technology may be used for the Artemis mission and other objectives.

The Valkyrie robot's potential

NASA claims that the use of these humanoid robots could advance lunar and Martian exploration as data-gathering will not require human presence.

Additionally, the robots could help inspect and maintain infrastructure and leverage materials and plants on space missions. This will, potentially, increase astronauts' ability to live off the land and reduce the amount of pre-packed resources needed during lift-off.

"We are pleased to be starting the next phase of development and testing of advanced robotic systems that have the potential to positively impact life on Earth by allowing safer operations in hazardous environments," said Shaun Azimi, lead of the dexterous robotics team at NASA Johnson. "These demonstrations will evaluate the current potential of advanced robots to extend the reach of humans and help humanity explore and work safely anywhere."




The story of the invention of the atomic bomb told in the new film "Oppenheimer" is a "warning" to the world as we grapple with artificial intelligence, insists the movie's director Christopher Nolan.
Centre Announces Selection Of 26 Navy Rafale After Successful Trial

India

oi-Deepika S

The Indian government on Saturday announced the selection of the Navy Rafale to equip the Indian Navy with the latest-generation fighter. The Indian Navy's 26 Rafale will eventually join the 36 Rafale already in service, said Dassault Aviation.

This decision comes after a successful trial campaign held in India, during which the Navy Rafale demonstrated that it fully met the Indian Navy's operational requirements and was perfectly suited to the specificities of its aircraft carrier.

India on Thursday cleared proposals to procure 26 Naval variant of Rafale jets from France and three French-designed Scorpene class submarines on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day high-profile visit to Paris.

The procurement proposals were approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the defence ministry said.

Four of the 26 Rafale-M jets, the naval variant of the deck-based platform, will be trainer aircraft, sources in the defence establishment said.

The delivery of the aircraft will begin within three years of signing of the contract, they said, adding it may take close to one year to seal the final deal as detailed price negotiations are to be undertaken.

"The DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support for the Indian Navy from the French Government based on Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA)," the ministry said.

It said price and other terms of purchase will be negotiated with the French government after taking into account all relevant aspects, including comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries. "Further, integration of Indian designed equipment and establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) hub for various systems will be incorporated into the contract documents after due negotiations," it said in a statement.

The Rafale jets were India's first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 year after the Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia.

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Story first published: Saturday, July 15, 2023, 8:30 [IST]
Chandrayaan-3: Indian Origin CEOs In Silicon Valley Are Over The Moon

India

oi-PTI

The successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 got the top leadership of start ups and big companies with Indian roots in Silicon valley thumping their chest with pride and looking at what lies ahead for India.

Some of the top representatives of the Silicon Valley companies echoed the sentiment that the successful launch of the lunar mission signalled the emergence of India as global leader in key areas of the technology sector.

An entrepreneur, engineer and venture capitalist Bipul Sinha who co-founded the multi-cloud data control company Rubrik headquartered at Palo Alto in Silicon Valley told PTI, ''Chandrayaan is such a proud moment for India as well as every Indian origin person everywhere across the world.'' He said, ''The implication of Chandrayaan is not just landing on the moon, but it is the technology and inspiration that India is showing to everybody as to what the future could be. How we own the technology future and propel India into the technology future. This will be a huge catalyst to the Indian economy, Indian innovation and overall Indian diaspora across the world.''

Arvind Jain, CEO Glean AI said, ''India is now part of the core innovation engine for all companies in the world. All the years of investment done in India in an amazing number of educational institutions and the number of engineers who graduate every year have resulted in India being the future of tech talent and R&D talent. My belief is that we will see a lot more startups and a lot more innovation happening. Unicorns and large multinational companies will actually be born and grow in India and then become multinationals.''

With Chandrayaan-3 Success, ISRO's Gaganyaan Receives Major Boost

Umesh Sachdev, Co Founder and CEO of Silicon Valley based Conversational AI company Uniphore said Chandrayaan-3 marked the coming of age of India's science and technology capabilities. Sachdev said, ''It was a big milestone from a global and Indian aerospace industry standpoint. I think what yesterday represented was the coming of age of Indian science and tech. India is not just going to be a follower or be a back office to the companies of the west and developed technologies. India can start to lead in specific industries. And the successful launch of Chandrayaan mission on Friday is a prime example that India is leading the world in certain areas like low cost innovation, high impact innovation. India is showing the world in some places how the playbook can be written.''

Connecting the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 to the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US, Sahil Chawla, CEO and Founder of Tsecond, a data-tech innovation startup, said ''the optics are changing.''

California based Chawla said: ''I think India made history in the afternoon of July 14 at a cost of less than 100 million dollars which is Rs 670 odd crores. We are going to the Moon as a country. It is a game changer for all the space sectors in the world. After Prime Minister Modi came here (US) the optics have changed. Any industry, even Indian Americans are looking for new AI which is America India. It is very important that this kind of success comes in.''
Dont Take Selfies Or Swim In Flooded Areas, Threat Not Over Yet: Kejriwal Warns Delhiites

India

oi-Deepika S

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday urged Delhiites not to take selfies or swim in flooded areas as it could be fatal and warned the threat of floods was not over yet.

The statement comes a day after Delhi reported its first death due to waterlogging on Friday as 3 kids aged between 13-15 drowned in the north-west district's Mukundpur while trying to swim in floodwaters.

The victims have been identified as Piyush (13), Nikhil (10), and Ashish (13). All three were residents of H-block, Jahangirpuri.

Tagging a PTI video of children playing in floodwaters at Shanti Van, he said, "I urge everyone to avoid this."

I urge everyone to avoid this. It cud be fatal. https://t.co/en3dRHMgW1  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 15, 2023

"Reports are coming from several places that some people are going to play or swim or take selfies or shoot videos in waterlogged places. Please do not do this. It can be fatal. The threat of flood is not over yet. The flow of water is very strong and the water level can rise anytime," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

On Friday, Kejriwal expressed sadness over the boys' deaths and cautioned people against bathing in the Yamuna River, which is in spate. He told reporters, "It is very unfortunate that three children have died in the city.

Delhi Flood: Yamuna Water Level Receding Gradually But Situation Remains Grim

From news reports, we have learned that all three children were out to take a bath in the river."

The AAP leader reiterated that people should not go near the water to click selfies. "We have already urged everyone to stay away from the river at the moment. Some people are curious and they are coming towards the river to see the floods and take selfies. I humbly request everyone to not do this as the level of the water can suddenly rise and there can be an accident. The flow of the river at the moment is so strong that you will not be able to tackle the current even if you are a very good swimmer."

These are the first deaths to be reported in Delhi since the overflowing Yamuna inundated large parts of the national capital. Parts of Delhi have been inundated after the Yamuna breached its banks following days of heavy rain in the city and the upper catchment areas, prompting the evacuation of thousands from low-lying areas.
Defamation Case: Rahul Gandhi Moves SC After Gujarat Court Refused To Stay His Conviction

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, challenging the Gujarat High Court's decision to deny a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case related to his 'Modi surname' remarks. The conviction in this case resulted in his disqualification as a Lok Sabha Member of Parliament.

The criminal defamation case was filed by BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi in response to a remark made by Gandhi during the 2019 Lok Sabha campaign. Gandhi had allegedly questioned, "Why do all thieves have the same surname?", referring to individuals like Lalit Modi and Nirav Modi. Purnesh Modi claimed that Gandhi's remarks defamed the entire Modi community, leading to the defamation case against him.

The Gujarat High Court dismissed Rahul Gandhi's review plea to suspend his conviction, stating that the grounds for seeking a stay on conviction were "absolutely non-existent." Justice Hemant Prachchhak noted that a stay on conviction is not the norm and highlighted that multiple cases are pending against Gandhi. The court emphasized the need for integrity in politics and mentioned a separate complaint filed against Gandhi by the grandson of Veer Savarkar in Pune Court. Refusing to grant a stay on conviction, the court stated that there were no reasonable grounds to do so.

BJP MLA Purnesh Modi welcomed the high court's verdict, suggesting that Rahul Gandhi should reflect on his actions and avoid making such remarks in the future.

Rafale Gets PM Modi Ticket To Bastille Day Parade While Manipur Burns: Rahul Gandhi

In solidarity with Rahul Gandhi, the Congress party launched a nationwide protest and accused the BJP of resorting to "dirty tricks" to disqualify him from Parliament. Congress workers and leaders participated in a 'maun satyagraha' (silent protest) near Mahatma Gandhi statues in state capitals on July 12. However, due to heavy rain and floods, the scheduled "Maun Satyagrah" in four states (Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh) has been called off and rescheduled for July 23, as announced by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal.

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Story first published: Saturday, July 15, 2023, 16:56 [IST]
Dont Take Selfies Or Swim In Flooded Areas, Threat Not Over Yet: Kejriwal Warns Delhiites

Delhi Flood: How A Few Good Folk Are Saving Animals

India

oi-Deepika S

Heavy rains pounded Delhi for the last couple of days, turning roads into rivers and submerging entire localities. The flood-like situation is likely to persist in the next few days as one of the heaviest and continuous rainfall struck the national capital.

The suffering of animals is no less than that of humans due to the relentless torrential rainfall. Amid the deluge in Delhi, several good Samaritans came forward to rescue the animals stranded in the flooded areas in Delhi.

More than 700 cattle were also moved to safety from submerged locations along Yamuna banks by the rescue team.

Flood Heroes: Humanity Rises Above the Floodwaters for Stranded Animals#delhi #YamunaWaterLevel

    pic.twitter.com/VzpX8MZpXy  Anuj Sayal (@AnujSayal) July 13, 2023

A photograph of a young boy carrying a dog to safety in a flood-affected area is winning hearts online.

Delhi Flood: Yamuna Water Level Recedes At 5Cm Every Hour, Relief Expected By Tomorrow

A video tweeted by ANI shows the shirtless boy carrying the dog on his shoulder while wading through water in the Mayur Vihar area of Delhi.

1000-1500 people including children are stuck in the flood-affected area near Mayur Vihar Phase I. I have spoken to the DM to provide a boat to rescue them. The people of Delhi are our responsibility. Delhi CM should be questioned on how much money has his government spent on pic.twitter.com/icEDsj4x9h  ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2023

Visuals of police rescuing animals like Cattle, dogs, cats, horses, and even camels have emerged on social media.

Meanwhile, a group of four animal lovers braved the floods to locate hungry strays who needed their help.

"Amid the floods in Delhi East (Mayur Vihar), numerous furry friends from the Yamuna Basin have sought shelter in the upper regions. We're on a mission to feed and care for these 250+ strays in the affected zone. It's a tough time for animals too, and your support matters! Join us in making a difference by donating or volunteering. Together, let's show them that they're not alone," a Twitter user said.

Amid the floods in Delhi East (Mayur Vihar), numerous furry friends from the Yamuna Basin have sought shelter in the upper regions. We're on a mission to feed and care for these 250+ strays in the affected zone. It's a tough time for animals too, and your support matters! Join pic.twitter.com/2zvXrWQrob  Vidit Sharma  (@TheViditsharma) July 13, 2023

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Story first published: Saturday, July 15, 2023, 16:10 [IST]
Dont Take Selfies Or Swim In Flooded Areas, Threat Not Over Yet: Kejriwal Warns Delhiites

Delhi Flood: Yamuna Water Level Recedes At 5Cm Every Hour, Relief Expected By Tomorrow

India

oi-Deepika S

After breaching a 45-year record three days ago, the water level in the Yamuna in Delhi showed signs of calming on Saturday as the flow of the river at the Old Railway Bridge gradually receded.

However, the water level of the Yamuna river was recorded at 207.62 metres, still above the danger level despite the water level receding.

"Now, the water is receding and it will continue receding today and tomorrow... The receding trend will persist since there is no sign of precipitation in the upper regions...The water level of Yamuna at 11 am today stood at 207.43 meters and at 11 pm tonight it will reduce to 206.72 meters," said Ashwani Kumar, Revenue Secretary, and Divisional Commissioner of Delhi Government.

"We can see around five centimeters reduction in the water level and the situation will further improve till tomorrow... We have around 44 camps in Delhi at present, some of them are in schools and some are makeshift arrangements which we are aiming to move to school buildings only. The total number of evacuated people so far stands at 25,478 and a total of 22,803 people have come to the camps," he added.

Update on Metro service

Delhi Metro trains are now crossing the four Yamuna bridges at normal speed amid a fall in water level of the Yamuna on Saturday, the transporter said. Metro trains had been crossing the four Yamuna bridges at a restricted speed of 30 kmph as a precautionary measure due to the level of the river.

"Speed restriction imposed while crossing Metro bridges over Yamuna has been removed. All trains are running at normal speed now," the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said in a tweet.

Speed restriction imposed while crossing Metro bridges over Yamuna has been removed. All trains are running at normal speed now. https://t.co/bdMaynnYMy  Delhi Metro Rail Corporation I    (@OfficialDMRC) July 15, 2023

The four metro bridges are at Yamuna Bank (698.8 metres on Blue Line), Nizamuddin (602.8 metres on Pink Line), Kalindi Kunj (574 metres on Magenta Line), and Shastri Park (553 metres on Red Line).

Yamuna Water Levels Drop Marginally

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday appealed to people of the city not to take selfies or swim in flooded areas as it could be fatal and said the threat of floods was not over yet.

His appeal came a day after three boys drowned in a ditch while bathing in floodwaters in northwest Delhi's Mukundpur Chowk area.

"Reports are coming from several places that some people are going to play or swim or take selfies or shoot videos in waterlogged places. Please do not do this. It can be fatal. The threat of flood is not over yet. The flow of water is very strong and the water level can rise anytime," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

Delhi Flood: Yamuna Water Reaches Supreme Court, Remains Over Danger Mark

Over 4,500 traffic personnel have been deployed on the ground in affected areas of Delhi to decongest traffic and help navigate commuters, police said, adding, the traffic restrictions will be removed depending on how fast the water recedes.

Due to overflow of drain water, vehicular movement has also been restricted on the Mahatma Gandhi Marg on both carriageways - from Sarai Kale Khan towards Rajghat and vice-versa.
Delhi Floods: AAP Alleges Flood Conspiracy, BJP Hits Back

India

oi-PTI

After wreaking havoc on lives and livelihoods in parts of Delhi, the level of the swollen Yamuna on Saturday followed a downward trend, allowing authorities to open roads and ease traffic movement as floodwaters receded from many areas. However, a blame game erupted between the ruling AAP and the BJP which held each other responsible for the flood in the national capital.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the water level of the Yamuna is receding slowly and the situation will normalise soon if there is no more heavy rain, but added that threat of flood is not over yet.

The situation in the national capital's flooded areas is improving, according to the Delhi government.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), however, predicted moderate rain in the city over the next two days and ''heavy to very heavy'' rainfall over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh during the next five days.

According to the Central Water Commission's flood-monitoring portal, the Yamuna's water level declined to 206.87 metres by 7 pm on Saturday from its peak of 208.66 metres at 8 pm on Thursday. On Saturday, at 7 am, the water level was 207.62 metres.

Delhi Floods: Stranded To Die, 500 Workers Rescued From Illegal Farmhouses

With the flow rate from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana's Yamunanagar decreasing over the past two days, further decline is expected. However, the water level of the Yamuna is still above the danger mark of 205.33 metres.

The normal water supply in the city, which was affected due to flooding in WTPs, is likely to be restored on Sunday as the chief minister said that water treatment plants (WTPs) at Wazirabad and Chandrawal will be started by Sunday.

Several roads in the national capital which were shut for vehicular movement were opened on Saturday, even as traffic regulations are still in effect on some road stretches. According to an advisory issued by the traffic police, Boulevard Road - slip road - service road - left turn under Yudhishthira Setu - Ring Road, Chandgi Ram Akhara to Mukarba Chowk Carriageway and Chandgi Ram Akhara to IP College both carriageways have been opened for traffic movement, Bhairon Marg from Mathura Road to Ring Road carriageway, Vikas Marg from ITO to Laxmi Nagar both carriageways, Nishad Raj Marg from Shanti Van to Geeta Colony both carriageways have also been opened, the advisory added.

The road stretches that still remain shut for movement, include Ring Road - Majnu Ka Tilla ISBT - Shanti Van - IP flyover to IP Depot both carriageways, Ring Road - IP Depot to IP flyover to ISBT carriageway, Salim Garh bypass, Old Iron Bridge Pusta to Shamshan Ghat, Outer Ring Road - Mukarba Chowk to Wazirabad carriageway and Ring Road from Shanti Van to Rajghat and towards ISBT. The Kashmere Gate ISBT remains closed, police said. Delhi minister Atishi said the Public Works Department (PWD) has started pumping out water, cleaning roads and opening them up for traffic movement in view of a fall in the Yamuna's water level.

The PWD minister also said that the Kashmiri Gate ISBT and Bhairon Marg have been opened for vehicular traffic.

In the Kashmere Gate area, at least 12 people stuck in a hostel were brought to safety by police and NDRF teams, a police official said Chief Minister Kejriwal on Saturday deputed ministers at six flood-affected districts to ensure proper facilities at relief camps set up by the Delhi government.

He gave the charge of South-East district to Home Minister Kailash Gahlot, East district to Saurabh Bharadwaj, North-East district to Revenue Minister Atishi and North district to Social Welfare Minister Raaj Kumar Anand, according to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office.

Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain will look after camps in the Central district, while Environment Minister Gopal Rai has been given the charge of Shahdara district, it said.

Delhi Chief secretary Naresh Kumar also issued an order deploying senior IAS and DANICS officers to supervise and help district magistrates in the relief and rehabilitation work.

However, Bharadwaj alleged that flood in the city was caused under a conspiracy by the BJP-led Centre and the Haryana government.

Addressing a press conference here, he said it has not rained in Delhi in the last three-four days, yet still the water level in Yamuna reached 208.66 metres. ''The water from Hathnikund Barrage is released from three canals -- Western Canal, Eastern Canal and Yamuna. As part of a conspiracy, between July 9 and 13, water was released from Yamuna canal only towards Delhi. There was no water released through the Western and Eastern Canal,'' he claimed.

The BJP hit back at the AAP, alleging that inaction and corruption of the AAP government was responsible for the flood in Delhi and asked Chief Minister Kejriwal to apologise to the people for ''failing'' to handle the situation.

Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia and party MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma alleged that the flood was caused by lack of desilting of the Yamuna in the last eight years of the Kejriwal government.

Later, Bharadwaj wrote to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena expressing concern over the handling of the recent flooding and accusing senior officials of deliberately ignoring the urgent calls and messages sent by ministers during the crisis.

Senior officials, including Divisional Commissioner Ashwani Kumar, expressed disappointment over elected representatives targeting officers who have been working ''tirelessly'' to bring the flood situation in the city under control.

Atishi also wrote to the chief secretary and raised concern over the absence of basic facilities such as drinking water and toilets in relief camps.

In her letter, she also alleged that the divisional commissioner did not respond to her calls.

Ashwani Kumar, however, said he had been attending Atishi's calls. Terming her behaviour ''unfortunate'', he suggested that her actions were politically motivated. Kejriwal appealed to people of the city not to take selfies or swim in flooded areas as it could be fatal and said the threat of floods was not over yet.

His appeal came a day after three boys drowned in a ditch while bathing in floodwaters in northwest Delhi's Mukundpur Chowk area.

In reference to the ITO barrage, where five of the 32 gates are jammed, obstructing the drainage of water out of Delhi, Bharadwaj on Saturday evening said that a Naval team has arrived from Mumbai. ''I welcomed Naval team that has arrived from Mumbai. It's raining heavily now, so work of Navy will start from tomorrow,'' he tweeted The city has been grappling with waterlogging and flooding issues for a week now. Initially, a downpour caused intense waterlogging on July 8 and 9, with the city receiving 125 per cent of its monthly rainfall quota in just two days.

Subsequently, heavy rains in the upper catchment areas, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana, led to the Yamuna swelling to record levels.

The river reached 208.66 metres on Thursday, surpassing the previous all-time record of 207.49 metres set in September 1978 by a significant margin.

The river breached embankments and penetrated deeper into the city than it has in over four decades.

The army was called in for the first time since the 2010 floods to repair a broken flow regulator at drain no. 12, the reason behind the flooding in central parts of the capital on Friday.

The consequences of the floods have been devastating with around 23,000 people evacuated from their homes. The losses incurred in terms of property, businesses, and earnings have amounted to crores.

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Story first published: Saturday, July 15, 2023, 22:57 [IST]
Delhi Floods: Stranded To Die, 500 Workers Rescued From Illegal Farmhouses

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Among the thousands of people impacted by the floods along Yamuna banks in Noida this week, there were hundreds who were hired as help in farmhouses built illegally in the low-lying areas near the river, officials said.

Government officials said the workers and staffers of the farmhouses-thousands in number - were not moved to safety in time, even though advisories were issued well before the area got inundated.

These farmhouses are located near Nagli Wajidpur village in Sector 135 on the other side of the pushta (embankment) towards the Yamuna - some two kilometres off the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway.

"More than 500 such people were evacuated on Thursday and Friday from the farmhouses. As water entered the ground, many of those stranded, including women, had taken shelter on the second floor of the farmhouses. They carried some food and water with them, which had started to run out," an officer engaged in rescue and relief measures said.

Many of these stranded people were discovered on Thursday when top police officers and administration officials took a boat ride deep into the flooded areas.

Several teams of the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force, the Provincial Armed Constabulary, the Noida Police, the Fire Brigade, the Noida Authority, and local village residents were engaged in rescue operations.

How Delhi Police is Helping People in Flood-Hit Areas

"Most of the structures in the floodplains are illegally constructed. In recent years, we demolished over 250 farmhouses in anti-encroachment drives. A survey estimated the presence of around 500-600 more such illegal structures, against which action would be ensured in coming days," Noida Authority CEO Ritu Maheshwari told PTI during an inspection of the site on Friday.

The IAS officer said that the owners of many of the farmhouses have moved court to get a stay on the demolition of their structures.

District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma said 550 hectares of land in Gautam Buddh Nagar got submerged in water due to the floods. People in the Jewar area of Greater Noida along Yamuna and those settled along Hindon were also impacted due to the floods, but the most affected were those in Noida.

"Advisories were being issued to the people inhabiting the low-lying regions here for the past 10 days when heavy rainfall started in the region and water levels in the rivers rose. Despite this, many stayed back and did not move to safety in time," Verma, who visited the site several times on Thursday and Friday, told PTI.

Kaushalya, around 50, said she worked at a farmhouse but was left behind with no help until a team of rescuers brought her and her husband back to safety Friday evening.

"I and my husband were stuck in the farmhouse. We both feel safe now and are thankful to those who saved us," Kaushalya told PTI as she alighted from a boat on a partially submerged road leading to the string of farmhouses.

On the embankment, some of the rescued people now live in temporary structures with tarpaulin as a roof to shelter them. One of them, Shiv Pal, around 45, said he was working at a farmhouse with his wife and moved out just in time on Thursday.

"We live here and work to make some money because we have two daughters who are to be married. The daughters live back home in Shahjahanpur," Shiv Pal's wife said, as the couple waited to return to work in the farmhouse once the water subsided.

Altogether, by Friday evening, 7,210 people had been impacted by the floods as the overflowing Yamuna inundated around 550 hectares of low-lying land along its banks in Noida and Greater Noida.

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Of the impacted people, 3,610 have been displaced and moved to shelter homes, where arrangements for their stay, food, water, and medications were made.

As many as 5,974 animals, including cattle, dogs, rabbits, ducks, roosters, and guinea pigs, have also been moved out of the waterlogged areas to safety since Thursday, according to official figures.

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Story first published: Saturday, July 15, 2023, 18:48 [IST]
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Fire Breaks Out At Building In Delhi's Barakhamba Road

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

A fire broke out on Saturday on the 9th floor of the DCM building located on Barakhamba Road in New Delhi. The fire was reported at around 6:21 pm. Ten fire tenders have been rushed to the site to bring the blaze under control.

The cause of the fire is not yet known. However, it is believed that the fire may have started due to a short circuit.

The fire has caused extensive damage to the 9th floor of the building. However, no casualties have been reported so far.

#WATCH | Firefighting operation underway after a fire broke out on the 9th floor of the DCM building in Connaught Place. 10 fire engines are present on the spot. pic.twitter.com/A3PZ4dsVTs  ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2023

The fire brigade is working to bring the blaze under control. However, the fire is still raging and it is not clear when it will be extinguished.

#WATCH: Delhi | A fire broke out on the 9th floor of DCM building in Connaught Place. 10 fire engines are present on the spot. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/hyKOkN4sGQ  ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2023

The fire has caused traffic congestion in the area. The police have advised people to avoid the area and take alternate routes.

The fire department is investigating the cause of the fire.

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Story first published: Saturday, July 15, 2023, 20:25 [IST]
EgyptAir Cargo resumed on Wednesday its regular flights to Mitiga International Airport in Libya in April after more than an eight-year hiatus.

The company said in a statement that it will operate one flight per week to the international airport, which is located about eight kilometres from the capital of Tripoli.

The company might operate more weekly flights to Mitiga based on demand, added the statement.

Meanwhile, CEO of EgyptAir Cargo Jaser Hussein said plans are underway to increase the number of regular and charter flights to various destinations in Libya, such as Benghazi and Misrata, in coordination with the Libyan side.

This comes as part of the company's plan to expand its air cargo network," Hussein explained.

According to recent figures released by the General Organization for Export & Import Control, Libya tops all African markets for Egyptian exports, with a total value of $317 million annually.

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Himachal Floods: CM Sukhu Seeks Rs 2,000 Crore Interim Aid From Centre

India

oi-PTI

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has sought Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre as interim aid and said the relief manual will be changed to enhance compensation to flood victims in the state.

Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over the past week triggered landslides and flash floods, blocked roads and damaged infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh.

"I spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and requested him for an interim relief of Rs 2,000 crore," Sukhu said on Friday.

The state has suffered losses of Rs 4,000 crore and the figure is likely to go up as estimates continue to pour in, he said.

Monsoon Mayhem Claims Over 90 Lives In Himachal; Yellow Alert Issued In Uttarakhand

Sukhu, who had announced that a compensation of Rs 1 lakh will be given to every affected family, said changes will be made in the relief manual to enhance the compensation.

According to the manual, each disaster victim is granted Rs 5,000 as aid at present.

Addressing reporters here, Sukhu said a disaster relief fund has been established to help the people in distress and all ministers in his government and Congress MLAs have decided to donate a month's salary to help the victims.

Associations of Indian Administrative Services and Himachal Administrative Services officers and others have also decided to contribute a day's salary to the fund, he added.

"We will request the BJP legislators to do the same," Sukhu said and also appealed to the general public to contribute.

The government has devised a three-point strategy - rescue, evacuation and restoration. Having rescued about 67,000 of the 75,000 tourists, including 250 stranded in snow-bound Chandratal in Lahaul and Spiti, the focus is now on restoration of infrastructure, the chief minister said.

Some tourists are still there in Kasol and Tirthan Valley. They are all safe and have been provided with food and other essential items, he said.

In the past 15 days, the state government has released Rs 1,100 crore, including Rs 610 crore to the Public Works Department, Rs 218 crore to the Jal Shakti Department and Rs 180 crore to the State Disaster Relief Fund, he said.

Sukhu clarified that the Rs 180 crore received from the Centre was the annual assistance given to the state during the monsoon and reiterated that the state government is yet to receive financial aid. He also urged the Union government to release the Rs 315 crore pending since last year.

Hospitality In The Storm: Amid Rain Fury, Himachal Hotels Offer Free Stay And Meals To Stranded Tourists

Since the onset of the monsoon in Himachal Pradesh on June 26, 108 people have died, while 12 are missing. As many as 667 houses have been damaged completely and 1,264 suffered partial damage, according to the State Emergency Response Centre.

Seventeen deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, including six in road accidents in Mandi and Shimla districts. The death toll includes those killed in road accidents and rain-related incidents.

Over 860 roads in the state are still blocked. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation has suspended operation on 994 routes while 260 buses are held enroute, Transport Department officials said.

Police teams are now focusing on inaccessible areas with tough topography and low mobile connectivity to trace stranded people.

Rescue operations are underway and police teams are moving to the tough interior areas where roads have been blocked due to floods and landslides, acting Director-General of Police Satwant Atwal told PTI.

A number of tourists stranded in Kasol, Manikaran and adjoining areas have refused to move out without their vehicles and decided to stay back till the situation normalises, she said.

The tourists said they would prefer to take their vehicles and wait for the roads to reopen, she added.

A landslide near Dunkhara on the Kasol-Bhuntar Road prevented the vehicles from moving, forcing the tourists to trek to reach the other side.

IMD Issues Red, Orange Alerts for Himachal Pradesh for next 24 hours

Noting the reluctance of some tourists to leave without their vehicles, Sukhu on Thursday said the police would provide them with a receipt that would allow them to take their vehicles when the roads reopen.

Families of tourists are still contacting the police to know their whereabouts. The police are now seeking details of hotels, vehicle numbers and photographs besides the names, numbers and last locations to trace the tourists.

Light to moderate rain drenched some parts of the state and the local meteorological office has issued a 'yellow' alert for heavy showers at isolated places in the state till July 18.

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Story first published: Saturday, July 15, 2023, 9:41 [IST]
Will Sue Channels For Claiming Pro-Aurangzeb Slogans Were Shouted At AIMIM Rally, Says Owaisi

Himanta Biswa Blames Miya Muslims For Surge In Vegetable Prices; Owaisi Hits Back

India

oi-Deepika S

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi hit back at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for blaming the soaring prices of vegetables on Muslim vendors.

Owaisi claimed that there is a group in the country who will blame their personal failures on "Miya bhai" as well.

Sarma kicked up a huge controversy on Friday by claiming Muslim vegetable sellers are jacking up vegetable prices, and if "Assamese people" sold vegetables, they would've never charged "their Assamese people" more.

Manipur Situation Will Improve in 7-10 Days: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

"Who are the people who have increased the price of vegetables so much? They are Miya traders, who are selling vegetables at a higher price," Sarma reportedly said.

"Miya traders are charging high prices for vegetables from Assamese people in Guwahati, while the price of vegetables is low in the villages. If Assamese traders were selling vegetables today, they would never have charged more from their Assamese people," he added, according to a BBC report.

'Miya', in local parlance, refers to Bengali-speaking Muslims who live in Assam but are believed to have originally migrated from Bangladesh.

Taking exception to Himanta Biswa Sarma's statement, Owaisi tweeted "There is a group of people in this country who will blame the Miya Muslims if their buffalo does not give milk, if their hen does not lay eggs. They will blame Miya Muslims for all their personal failures too."

Owaisi Slams PM Modi for Citing Pakistan Law on Triple Talaq

The AIMIM chief also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying there's deep friendship going on between the PM and foreign Muslims.

"Nowadays, Modiji has a deep friendship with foreign Muslims. Get some tomatoes, spinach and potatoes from them," Owaisi added.

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Story first published: Saturday, July 15, 2023, 10:22 [IST]
How Delhi Police is Helping People in Flood-Hit Areas

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

As the situation in Delhi remains critical following heavy rainfall and unexpected flooding, the city continues to grapple with the aftermath.

Localities are submerged, water levels have risen to waist level, and the devastation has left public and private infrastructure crippled. In this desperate time, people are seeking any help they can get.

Amid this exigency, the Delhi Police has emerged as a ray of hope. Working tirelessly, they have become the frontline warriors in rescuing people and animals trapped in low-lying areas. The force is fully committed, working day and night to carry out intensive rescue operations.

Yesterday, we witnessed a critical rescue operation in Seelampur, North-East Delhi. The area was on the verge of flooding as the Yamuna river water rose rapidly. Without wasting a moment, the Delhi Police and the NDRF units sprang into action, launching an operation in the low-lying areas. Their mission was twofold: to rescue the residents and to save the cattle who were unable to escape from the rising water on their own.

#

Team 8(P-1) of @8NdrfGhaziabad is conducting flood rescue and evacuation ops in Yamuna river at Ram park , Ghaziabad.

Safely evacuated 485 people and 06 livestocks till now and ops continue.@ANI @ndmaindia @NDRFHQ @HMOIndia @PIBHomeAffairs @UPGovt pic.twitter.com/uEUWJ91alq  8th BN NDRF (@8NdrfGhaziabad) July 15, 2023

The water levels reached distressing heights, forcing the Delhi Police and NDRF units to utilize boats for reaching people. The operation lasted an entire day, but every life was saved. The rescued residents were provided temporary shelter until the administration deems it safe for them to return home.

Our dedicated police officers are working tirelessly for your safety. Please follow our TrafficAdvisory and Stay Safe to help us in this effort.

 #DelhiFloods #DelhiPoliceCares pic.twitter.com/06CvQZIUpx  Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) July 15, 2023

By the end of the day, these brave men had rescued over 2000 people in Seelampur and the surrounding areas alone. Their unwavering dedication and swift action undoubtedly made a significant difference.

Rescuing animals, however, presents its own challenges. Such operations can quickly turn perilous when an animal becomes scared and reacts unpredictably. Officials highlighted the risks associated with these rescue missions.

#DelhiFloods | In Delhi's North District, Kashmere Gate Police Station has rescued 12 students who were stuck inside the Dharma Sangh Vidyalaya Gurukul. @DelhiPolice along with the @NDRFHQ team are rescuing people who got stuck due to the rising water level.@DcpNorthDelhi pic.twitter.com/iZLUEc09bK  DD News (@DDNewslive) July 15, 2023

Around 1200 cows were rescued by the NDRF using inflatable boats, and mobile veterinary centers were set up on-site to address any water-borne diseases.

With parts of Delhi inundated, we are doing our utmost to help affected citizens & bring them to safety. Yesterday, @DelhiPolice received 142 distress calls at ERSS-112 upon which 168 persons & 128 animals were rescued. We request you to follow our #TrafficAdvisory and #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/mJs9mYHatc  Sanjay Singh (@SanjaySingh_IPS) July 14, 2023

As residents begin the process of rebuilding their lives and homes, hoping that the worst is behind them, these heroes shift their focus to the next battle - another locality, more families, and another endless day.

The Delhi Police's selfless efforts, courage, and unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the city's residents during this crisis are truly commendable.
There Is Now A Strong Front Against Dictatorship: Uddhav Thackeray On INDIA Coalition

India, UAE Agree On Trade Settlement In Local Currencies, Linking Fast Payment Systems

India

oi-PTI

India and the UAE on Saturday agreed to start trade settlement in their currencies and link the Indian Unified Payments Interface with the Gulf country's Instant Payment Platform (IPP) as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held comprehensive talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan here.

In his remarks after meeting the UAE President, Modi said India-UAE trade witnessed a 20 per cent increase since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement last year.

Modi said the agreement signed on Saturday for trade settlement in the currencies of the two countries shows the strong economic cooperation and mutual trust between the two nations.

''It is always gladdening to meet HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. His energy and vision for development are admirable. We discussed the full range of India-UAE ties including ways to boost cultural and economic ties,'' Modi said on Twitter after the meeting.

The agreement with the UAE on trade settlement in the currencies of the two countries will boost bilateral trade and investments.

Modi said he always got the love of a brother from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

''The manner in which ties between our countries have expanded, you have made a big contribution to that. Every person in India views you as a true friend,'' he told the UAE President.

Talking about the MoUs between the central banks of the two countries, Modi said, ''This is a very important aspect of India-UAE cooperation. It paves the way for enhanced economic collaboration and will make international financial interactions simpler.'' Modi also noted that preparations for COP-28 to be held in the UAE are going on under the UAE President's leadership, and added that he has made up his mind to participate in the conference later this year.

PM Modi Holds Talks With UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed

According to an official statement, the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of the UAE signed two MoUs for - establishing a framework to promote the use of local currencies viz. the Indian rupee (INR) and the UAE Dirham (AED) for cross-border transactions; and for cooperation for interlinking their payment and messaging systems.

The MoUs were signed by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das and UAE Central Bank Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama, in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and Mohamed Bin Zayed.

The MoU on establishing a framework for the use of local currencies for transactions between India and UAE, aims to put in place a Local Currency Settlement System (LCSS) to promote the use of INR and AED bilaterally.

The MoU covers all current account transactions and permitted capital account transactions, the statement issued by the RBI said.

Creation of the LCSS would enable exporters and importers to invoice and pay in their respective domestic currencies, which in turn would enable the development of an INR-AED foreign exchange market, it said and added that his arrangement would also promote investments and remittances between the two countries.

The use of local currencies would optimise transaction costs and settlement time for transactions, including for remittances from Indians residing in UAE, the statement said.

Under the MOU on 'Payments and Messaging Systems', the two central banks agreed to cooperate on -- linking their Fast Payment Systems (FPSs) - Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India with the Instant Payment Platform (IPP) of UAE and linking the respective Card Switches (RuPay switch and UAESWITCH).

They also agreed to cooperate on exploring the linking of payments messaging systems i.e., Structured Financial Messaging System (SFMS) of India with the messaging system in the UAE.

The Union Ministry of Education and Abu Dhabi's Education and Knowledge Department (ADEK) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for setting up an IIT Delhi campus in the Gulf country.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi is the second IIT to announce setting up an offshore campus after IIT Madras. Last week, IIT Madras signed an MoU for setting up a campus in Tanzania's Zanzibar.

Earlier, Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome here at the Qasr-Al-Watan - the presidential palace - where he was greeted by the UAE President with a warm embrace. Children were seen waving the Indian tricolour as the Prime Minister inspected the guard of honour.

India and the UAE are engaged across various sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties.

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Story first published: Saturday, July 15, 2023, 17:31 [IST]
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PM Modi Takes Stock of Flood Situation in Delhi, Assure Centre's Support In Relief Work

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday to take stock of the flood situation in the capital.

After returning from his visits to France and the United Arab Emirates, PM Modi discussed the status of the rising water level in the Yamuna River and assessed the efforts being made to mitigate the situation with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.

PM Modi also spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah about the situation.

Earlier, the prime minister had already contacted Home Minister Amit Shah and the Delhi Lieutenant Governor to assess the situation.

The water level in the Yamuna had breached the 208-meter mark, causing widespread flooding in Delhi.

The Delhi government said that the flood situation is expected to improve by Sunday as the water level in the Yamuna is gradually receding.

UP: Azam Khan Convicted In Hate Speech Case Against PM Modi, Yogi Adityanath

Atishi, the Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) minister, stated that measures are being taken to pump out water, clean roads, and restore traffic movement as the water level decreases.

However, later in the day, heavy rainfall occurred in Delhi and other parts of the National Capital Region, raising concerns about a potential further increase in the Yamuna's water level.

Waterlogging led to traffic jams in several areas, prompting the Delhi Traffic Police to issue advisories regarding disrupted traffic areas due to the rainfall and waterlogging.

The rise in the Yamuna's water level was a result of excessive water discharge from Haryana's Hathinikund Barrage on Thursday, causing several areas in Delhi to be submerged under water. The water level had reached a record high of 208.62 meters.

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Story first published: Sunday, July 16, 2023, 0:08 [IST]
PM Modi's UAE Visit Highlights: IIT Delhi Campus in Abu Dhabi, Boosting Trade In Local Currencies

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Prime Minister Modi arrived at Abu Dhabi airport, where he received a special welcome from Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This marked his fifth visit to the UAE, and he was greeted with a ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honour.

Expressing his excitement, PM Modi tweeted, "Landed in Abu Dhabi. I look forward to the deliberations with HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which will further deepen India-UAE cooperation." He also expressed gratitude to Crown Prince HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the warm reception at the airport.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF PM MODI'S UAE VISIT

During their meeting, Modi conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, considering him as a brother who has played a significant role in expanding the ties between India and the UAE. He stated, "The manner in which ties between our countries have expanded, you have made a big contribution to that. Every person in India views you as a true friend." Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the UAE President's leadership in preparing for COP-28, an upcoming climate conference, and confirmed his participation, showcasing his commitment to addressing global climate issues.

Delhi Floods: Stranded To Die, 500 Workers Rescued From Illegal Farmhouses

In another significant development, India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Education and Knowledge Department of Abu Dhabi to establish an IIT Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi. The campus will commence Master's courses from January 2024 and Bachelor's courses from September the following year. Prime Minister Modi welcomed this decision, recognizing it as a major step towards internationalizing Indian education and showcasing India's innovation prowess. He emphasized the role of education in fostering unity, igniting innovation, and driving mutual prosperity and global betterment.

After the meeting, PM Modi expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his warm hospitality and admired his energy and vision for development. They discussed various aspects of India-UAE ties, with a focus on enhancing cultural and economic cooperation. PM Modi concluded by highlighting the collaborative efforts of both nations in addressing global challenges, stating, "Our nations are working together on so many issues aimed at making our planet better. I thank HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the warm hospitality."

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Story first published: Saturday, July 15, 2023, 20:41 [IST]
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Rafale Gets PM Modi Ticket To Bastille Day Parade While Manipur Burns: Rahul Gandhi

India

oi-Deepika S

Taking a veiled dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the purchase of Rafale warplanes got him an invite to the Bastille Day parade in France.

The Gandhi scion added that the EU discussed the Manipur issue which is an internal matter of India.

"Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses India's internal matter. PM hasn't said a word on either!", Gandhi said.

"Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade", Gandhi added.

Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses Indias internal matter.



PM hasnt said a word on either!



Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade.  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 15, 2023

Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi, BJP leader Smriti Irani tweeted, "A man who seeks international intervention in India's internal matters, a frustrated dynast who sullies the 'Make in India' ambition mocks India when our PM receives a National honour. Rejected by people, he seethes as defence contracts no longer land at the doorstep of the dynasty."

Irani had defeated Gandhi in his family pocket borough of Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described his visit to France as a "memorable one" and said that seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the Bastille Day parade was wonderful.

PM Modi Gifts Sandalwood Replica Of Sitar to French President Macron

"This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the French people for the exceptional warmth and hospitality. May India-France friendship continue to soar!" Modi tweeted, along with photographs of the parade.

Earlier in the day, Modi joined Macron for the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour with an Indian tri-services marching contingent wowing crowds here during the French National Day celebrations.

Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) also joined the flypast along with French jets.
Days after disqualification from UP Assembly, Azam Khan's son's name struck off electoral rolls of Rampur

UP: Azam Khan Convicted In Hate Speech Case Against PM Modi, Yogi Adityanath

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Former MP of Samajwadi Party Azam Khan has been convicted for making derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He has been sentenced to two years in jail.

Khan faced prosecution under Section 171 G, Section 505 (1) B, and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act. The case was registered against him at Shahzad Nagar police station in Rampur for delivering a provocative speech during the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 when he was a candidate from the SP-BSP alliance.

Previously, the Rampur Additional Superintendent of Police, Sansar Singh, confirmed that the Y-category security provided to Khan, a ten-time MLA from Rampur, had been withdrawn following a directive from the security headquarters in Lucknow. This category of security entailed three gunmen and round-the-clock security personnel stationed at Khan's residence. All the security personnel have been called back to the police lines in Rampur.

Azam Khan's Y-Category Security Cover Withdrawn

Khan, who won the Rampur assembly seat in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh polls for the tenth time, resigned from the Lok Sabha after assuming the MLA position. In October 2022, the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Secretariat announced Khan's disqualification from the House, a day after he received a three-year jail sentence in a hate speech case.

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Story first published: Saturday, July 15, 2023, 16:43 [IST]
Will Cheetahs Be Relocated From Kuno To Other Sites?

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The recent death of the eighth cheetah at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh has raised questions about the future of the project to reintroduce the big cats to India.

Union Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav has said that the government is in touch with experts on the issue, but that the cheetahs will not be relocated. He said that the government is "looking at all possible aspects" of the project and that he is "hopeful that it will be successful."

However, the opposition parties have blamed the deaths on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's "mismanagement" in taking care of the cheetahs. They have also demanded that the government relocate the cheetahs to other states, such as Rajasthan, which has a more suitable habitat.

The Supreme Court had also expressed concern over the deaths of the cheetahs in May and had asked the Centre to consider expanding their habitat in other states.

It is unclear what the future holds for the cheetah reintroduction project in India. The government has said that it is committed to the project, but the recent deaths have raised serious questions about its viability.

Another Cheetah Dies At Kuno Park, 8th Death In 4 Months

It is important to note that the deaths of the cheetahs may not be due to mismanagement. There are always risks associated with any wildlife reintroduction project, and it is possible that the deaths were simply due to natural causes.

However, the opposition parties have raised valid concerns about the project. The government needs to be transparent about the reasons for the deaths and to take steps to ensure that the remaining cheetahs are properly cared for.

If the government is unable to ensure the safety of the cheetahs, then it may be necessary to relocate them to other states. This would be a setback for the project, but it would be better than allowing the cheetahs to die in Kuno National Park.

The future of the cheetah reintroduction project in India is uncertain. However, the government needs to take the concerns of the opposition parties seriously and to take steps to ensure the safety of the cheetahs.

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Story first published: Saturday, July 15, 2023, 16:46 [IST]
India, France Vow To Build Stable, Balanced Order In Indo-Pacific Region

International

oi-PTI

Asserting that they believe in a free, open, inclusive and secure Indo-Pacific region, India and France on Friday vowed to advance the rule of international law and build a balanced and stable order in the strategic region, with respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The two countries released an 'India-France Indo-Pacific Roadmap' after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. The roadmap said that India and France are strategically located resident powers and key partners with vital stakes in the Indo-Pacific region.

The roadmap comes amid growing Chinese assertiveness in the strategic region. "The Indo-French partnership in the Indian Ocean has become an important focus of our bilateral relations. In 2018, India and France agreed on a 'Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region'. We are now ready to extend our joint efforts to the Pacific," the two countries said in their document.

India and France said they believe in a free, open, inclusive, secure and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. "Our cooperation seeks to secure our own economic and security interests; ensure equal and free access to global commons; build partnerships of prosperity and sustainability in the region; advance the rule of international law; and, working with others in the region and beyond, build a balanced and stable order in the region, with respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity," the two countries said.

Prime Minister Modi's vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and President Macron's vision of security and cooperation outlined in the Indo-Pacific Strategy of France are very much aligned, the statement said.

"Our cooperation is comprehensive and covers defence, security, economic, connectivity, infrastructure, sustainability and human-centric development," the two countries said.

"Our bilateral cooperation advances our mutual security and supports peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Our cooperation extends from the seabed to space. We will continue to deepen our exchanges, cooperate on situational and domain awareness, intensify maritime cooperation across the region such as the one we conduct in the South West Indian Ocean Region in liaison with partner countries in the region," they said.

The two countries also vowed to increase militaries' naval visits and develop defence industrial capabilities in India and jointly support the needs of other countries. "We will continue to develop our comprehensive cooperation including the French overseas territories of La Reunion, New Caledonia and French Polynesia and in coordination with other countries in the region and beyond," they said.

India and France asserted that they will continue to work together to extend development cooperation to countries in the region, including in Africa, the Indian Ocean Region, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

"We will strengthen our plurilateral arrangements with Australia and UAE and build new ones in the region. We will strengthen our cooperation in regional forums such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association, Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, the Indian Ocean Commission, Djibouti Code of Conduct, the ADMM+ and ARF," the two countries said.

They also said that they will strengthen maritime security coordination through IFC-IOR in India, EMASoH in UAE and Atalanta, RCOC in Seychelles, RMIFC in Madagascar and ReCAAP in Singapore. France also supports India's willingness to join Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the statement said.

Both countries said they will work together to advance the objectives of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative which aims to address common challenges in the region through collaborative actions under its seven pillars.

Under France's lead on the Maritime Resources pillar, the two countries said, they will work together to implement practical projects, in synergy with, and under, the various bilateral, regional and global initiatives by the two sides, for creating an ecosystem for the sustainable development of maritime resources and combatting activities like Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

India and France noted that they launched the International Solar Alliance and were committed to the deployment of renewable energies in the region. They are also proposing that start-ups in the region benefit from the Solar X Challenge project, the statement said. India and France are continuing to implement the Indo-Pacific Parks Partnership and are supporting a mangrove conservation initiative aimed at the Pacific States in particular, it said.

The two sides said they would work on finalizing the India-France Indo-Pacific Triangular Development Cooperation Fund. "Our partnership in the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure will help build a more resilient and sustainable future for the people of the region, especially in the small island states," the two countries said.

Furthermore, France invited India to join the KIWA initiative, a multi-donor programme designed to strengthen resilience to climate change and the preservation of biodiversity in the Pacific through simplified financial support for concrete projects. India and France also vowed to set up the Indo-French Health Campus for the Indo-Pacific, with the aim of making it a regional magnet for research and academia.

Building on the experience in the Indian Ocean, we may consider opening the Campus to Pacific Island Nationals, they said. "We believe that the India-France partnership will be a crucial pillar of the inter-connected and intersecting arrangements in the Indo-Pacific region and indispensable for a peaceful and prosperous future for the Indo-Pacific region," they said.

Modi and Macron held wide-ranging talks and laid out a roadmap to strengthen ties in various sectors. Earlier, at a joint press event, Modi said India and France have a special responsibility to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

"As resident powers of the Indo-Pacific, India and France have special responsibility for peace and stability in the region," he said. Modi arrived here on Thursday on a two-day official visit. Earlier in the day, the prime minister graced the Bastille Day parade, which is part of the French National Day celebrations, as the Guest of Honour.

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Story first published: Saturday, July 15, 2023, 1:39 [IST]
EgyptAir announced the launch of two new routes: one to Manchester, UK, starting mid-July, the other to Delhi, India, starting August, a statement by the national carrier read on Sunday.

The flagship carrier recently added the Dhaka route in Bangladesh and New Jersey's Newark city to its network of routes as part of its plan to expand its network of direct routes.

Flights from Cairo to Manchester are scheduled to operate starting 15 July, with plans to operate five weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, using the Boeing B737-800NG model.

The departure time for the first flight from Cairo, numbered MS781, will be at 10:00 am, arriving in Manchester at 1:30 pm local time.

EgyptAir is scheduling four weekly flights to Delhi starting 1 August, using the latest A320neo Airbus model.

The departure time from Cairo for flight number MS973 will be 11:40 am on Fridays and Sundays, arriving in Delhi at 8:45 pm local time.

Another Cairo-Delhi flight will depart at 11:50 pm on Thursdays and Saturdays on flight number MS975, arriving at 8:55 am the next day in Delhi.

In April, Egypt welcomed a record-breaking 1.35 million tourists, marking a significant milestone for the country's recovering tourism sector amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa recently stated that the country aims to attract a total of 15 million visitors in 2023, surpassing the previous record of 14.7 million set in 2010.

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PM Likely To Interact With NDA MPs During Monsoon Session

If PM Modi Is Angry About Manipur, He Must Dismiss The CM: Mallikarjun Kharge

PM Modi Holds Talks With UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed

International

oi-Deepika S

After a memorable France visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to further deepen the multifaceted bilateral ties.

PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome here at the Qasr-Al-Watan - the presidential palace - where he was greeted by the UAE President with a warm embrace. Children were seen waving the Indian tricolour as the Prime Minister inspected the guard of honour.

PM Modi expressed India's deep regard for the UAE during talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

"Our bilateral trade has risen by 20 per cent. We have achieved $85 billion of trade and soon we will achieve the target of $100 billion," he said.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the UAE President's respect and warmth, equating it to the affection shared between brothers.

"We (India-UAE) signed historic agreements within three months which would not have been possible without your cooperation and commitment," he said. Additionally, he announced his decision to attend the upcoming COP-28 Summit in the UAE.

""Deepening India- UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. PM Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed by UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the iconic Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace. Extensive discussions between the two leaders covering various aspects of bilateral ties lie ahead," tweeted MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

"Deepening India- UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. PM Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed by UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the iconic Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace. Extensive discussions between the two leaders covering pic.twitter.com/tXolVjTVvz  ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2023

Energy, food security, and defence are expected to be the focus areas of Modi's visit to the UAE during which the two countries will review the progress in bilateral relations after they inked a landmark trade agreement last year.

PM Modi Gifts Sandalwood Replica Of Sitar to French President Macron

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which gave a new thrust to the economic engagement between the two countries, was signed during the Covid-19 pandemic. India and the UAE are engaged across various sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties.

PM Modi's trip to Abu Dhabi will mark the completion of the triad after a substantive engagement with the leadership of France.
If PM Modi Is Angry About Manipur, He Must Dismiss The CM: Mallikarjun Kharge

PM Modi Leaves For UAE After Concluding France Trip

International

oi-PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday left for the UAE after concluding his two-day visit to France where he held wide-ranging talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and was conferred with the country's highest civilian and military honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour.

Energy, food security, and defence could very well be the focus areas when Modi touches down in Abu Dhabi for the day-long visit during which the two strategic partners will review the progress after they inked a landmark trade agreement.

"PM @narendramodi bids adieu to France following a successful visit that heralded a new chapter in India-France relationship. PM now emplanes for Abu Dhabi for the next leg of his visit," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

PM Modi Gifts Sandalwood Replica Of Sitar to French President Macron

PM Modi will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Modi's trip to Abu Dhabi will mark the completion of the triad after a substantive engagement with the leadership of France.

India and France on Friday said they were exploring possibilities for co-development and co-production of key military platforms, including for the benefit of friendly countries, as they unveiled a 25-year roadmap to deepen their strategic partnership.
NATO Set To Unite With Ukraine For Military Assistance Only, Not Membership: Here's Why

Wagner Chief Is Likely Dead After Rebelling Against Putin: Former US General

Russian General Dismissed After Criticizing Leadership

International

dwnews-DW News

Discussions over the recent, short-lived mutiny by Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner militia had barely begun to die down when another military figure emerged echoing Prigozhin's complaints.

Ivan Popov, the commander of Russia's 58th Army in Ukraine, was dismissed from his position after criticizing lack of artillery support as well as a high death toll among Russian soldiers.

"I had to either keep quiet, be a coward... or tell the truth...In the name of you, in the name of my fallen comrades in arms, I couldn't lie. So I outlined all the existing problems in the army," Major

General Ivan Popov said in a voice message to his colleagues.

As Popov explained, he was fired for speaking the truth about units that had no rotation for prolonged periods, adding, "while troops of the Ukrainian Armed Forces couldn't break through our army on the front, we were stabbed in the back by our senior commander, in a treasonous and vile way."

Some Russian military bloggers claimed Popov's dismissal was ordered by General Valery Gerasimov, head of Russia's armed forces, who accused the rebellious Popov of "alarmism and blackmail."

Popov's voice message was shared on the Telegram channel of Russian Parliamentarian Andrey Gurulyov  who was once in charge of the same 58th Army and is well known for his hawkish views on the war in Ukraine, which he occasionally expresses on Russian state television.

The 58th Army fighting against the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Zaporizhzhia region is thought to be one of the strongest units in the Russian Army.

Later this week, media reports suggested that Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov of the 58th Army was killed in a missile strike on a hotel in Ukraine's southern city of Berdyansk. The Russian Ministry of Defense, however, has not confirmed that information.

Although there appears to be leadership dysfunction in the military and supplies and manpower are running low, Pavel Luzin, a visiting scholar at Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the US, told DW that Popov's dissent, "does not mean the Russian generals believe in the urgent necessity of ending the war. They may believe that the war must be continued at any cost."

As Vladimir Pastukhov, a senior researcher at University College London, points out, Popov, in his message appealing to motivation to fight further in the name of the dead soldiers, "represents the crisis of the war philosophy" among the Russian military.

"Death for the sake of death. The war without a goal," he says, "will lead to the collapse of the army, not intrigues and plots."

What was the reaction from the war bloggers?

As a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the number of pro-war channels on Telegram has increased as has the number of war bloggers who report on the conflict and advocate further escalation. Military officers are thought to run some of those channels.

One well-known Telegram channel, Grey Zone, believed to be affiliated with the Wagner Group, pointed out that Popov  who is also known as "Spartacus"  referred to his troops as "gladiators," and "enjoyed the respect of his subordinates, and his report about the lack of rotation on the frontline is accurate."

Some military bloggers supported Popov, calling his dismissal, "a terrorist act against the army's morale," whereas others accused him of sabotage and treason.

One influential pro-war Telegram channel suggested Prigozhin's riot had started a "witch hunt in the Russian army" that maintains, "the one who talks about problems in the army is the enemy."

In response to Popov's statement, Igor Girkin, a former Moscow-installed "defense minister" in Ukraine's Donetsk region who has criticized both Putin and Prigozhin, called it "nonsense, scandal, the most dangerous precedent, and almost mutiny." He then added: "As observers correctly noted, we can only expect mutinies and the uncontrolled collapse of the army."

What are the risks for the Kremlin?

Still, this is not the first wave of reshuffling among Russia's senior military officials. In the first months of the war, when Moscow's plans for a quick seizure of Ukrainian territory proved misguided, media reports about missing or detained generals began.

Following Prigozhin's riot, purges in the Russian Army resumed. General Sergey Surovikin, who has close ties with Wagner chief Prigozhin, was detained along with more than 10 other top military officials, as the Wall Street Journal reported.

Addressing the question of Surovikin's whereabouts, Andrey Kartapolov, chair of the defense committee in the Russian parliament, claimed that he was "resting."

Surovikin is the commander of Russia's Aerospace Force and also briefly served as the overall commander of Russian forces in Ukraine.

Nikolay Petrov, an expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, says despite problems among Russia's top military brass, the situation has not yet become alarming for the Kremlin. "In the West, there is such a belief that Putin is not in control, and his reaction will be to prove that he is master of the situation and act more rigidly."

As Petrov explained to DW, the Russian military has been built on the idea that loyalty is more important than competence, which justified itself in peace but not during war. The analyst suggests Vladimir Putin faces a choice: accept risk and advance more competent generals who cannot be completely controlled, or further support Gerasimov and Sergei Shoigu.

"While they are not popular in the Russian army, they are convenient for the Kremlin because of their loyalty and lack of political ambitions. But there is a price to pay  such a system cannot be effective."

Edited by: Jon Shelton

Source: DW
Jewish and Israeli leaders labeled Saturday's planned desecration as antisemitic and incitement to hatred. A similar burning of Islam's holy book, the Quran, also drew international condemnation.
In Russia, former prisoners are returning to their hometowns after being freed to fight in Ukraine. Victims and experts are worried.
The US, South Korea, and Japan condemned North Korea's launch of an ICBM this week, saying it violated numerous UN resolutions.
After June's mutiny, Wagner troops were told they could join the regular Russian army or head to Belarus.
Dammam: Ten people, including a Malayali, were killed in a massive fire that broke out at Al-Ahsa in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

Ajmal Shahjahan alias Nizam from Poonthura used to live near Nedumangad's Azheekot in Thiruvananthapuram. He is survived by wife Najima Biwi and children Muhammad Ajmal, Alzalna and Afzal.

Ten people died in the fire at a workshop in the industrial area of Al Ahsa Hufof on Friday evening. The other victims hailed from Bangladesh.

All the victims lived above the workshop. The workshop employees had worked till dawn as Friday was a holiday. They were fast asleep when the fire spread from the workshop to the premises.

The blaze was brought under control by around 10 fire brigades from different centres. The bodies were extracted from the accommodation above after this.
Bank of America - they are in your wallet. Bank of America policies support criminal enterprises, and Bank of America employees falsify records in accordance with these policies to force customers to give money to thieves during fraudulent credit card purchases.

The Bank of America Fraud

The Bank of America implements two policies that directly defraud customers and falsify banking records.

1) To falsify records, if a customer is lied to and cheated by a merchant, the Bank of America refuses to record such crimes when credit card frauds are reported. Such crimes must be reported to the Bank of America as Business Disputes if the credit card number is provided to dishonest merchants in good faith. According to several Bank of America agents, fraud can only be reported if a credit card is used without permission, i.e., a hacked credit card. In other words, the Bank of America's records do not record crimes, where the number of such falsely reported crimes is unknown.

2) If the thieves then claim that the fraudulent charges are legitimate, the customer must pay the money that has been stolen from them. Thieves are given priority over customers who have been cheated. The full scope of this credit card fraud by the Bank of America, and perhaps other banks, is unknown.



Figure 1. My bank is stealing $23,559 from my family, and they know that they are stealing our money.

(Image by Leishear Engineering, LLC) Details DMCA



The Original Fraud

As one of many customers, I am dealing with such a fraud by the Bank of America (Figure 1). Full details of this fraud are documented along with an FBI crime report.

The original crimes in France are discussed in an Op Ed, titled "Visit France as a Tourist-Risk Fraud and False Imprisonment in Jail-Luxury Tours France and Hotel Le Pavillon Des Lys", click here. Explicit details of these crimes and supporting evidence of this fraud are presented in two reports, titled "Luxury Tours France, Bank of America Fraud Complaint"; and "Hotel Le Pavillon Des Lys, Bank of America Fraud Complaint", Click Here).

Based on these crimes, this Op Ed focuses on the subsequent criminal fraud by the Bank of America. Bank of America polices and employees are presently implementing such thefts.

I am being charged more than $29,000 for a service worth approximately $2400. The merchants, Luxury Tours France and the Hotel Le Pavillon Des Lys, attempted to defraud my 73-year-old wife and I of more than $47,000 in this elaborate criminal scheme (Table 1).

International Frauds are Complicated by Even More Dishonesty

When I asked these two companies to pay back the money that they stole, the Hotel Manager and the Tour Company Owner accused me of blackmail. They stole tens of thousands of dollars from my wife and me, threatened to have me arrested in a foreign country if I did not immediately pay $5000 when we we were in France, lied about receiving full payment, cancelled our tour and transportation to abandon us in France, and then compounded their lies with false accusations.

Apparently, these two companies were crooks from the beginning of these crimes.

Luxury Tours France received a full payment of $6500 in advance. This wire transfer from my bank account with Bank of America is documented through bank records.

Since this tour was illegally cancelled prematurely, only $2436 of the contracted services were provided.

Luxury Tours France then requested a duplicate $6500 payment, using a money order from Western Union.

Luxury Tours France then demanded another $5000 in cash, and threatened me with jail in a foreign country when I did not pay. Such actions constitute extorsion, and constitute threats of kidnapping and false incarceration.

This tour company then fraudulently charged us approximately $6500 four more times by credit card.

I learned of these fraudulent charges before the charges were placed against my credit card. Accordingly, I advised a Bank of America agent by phone to cancel these charges, and he agreed. However, the Bank of America later charged my credit card for all four fraudulent charges anyway.

Then, Luxury Tours France demanded an additional $9000 through their credit card company.

I was coercively charged twice for the same hotel room stay, and I paid twice for this hotel room.

After all of this theft, both the hotel and the tour company libelously claimed that I blackmailed them since I asked them to stop these thefts, and pay back the money that they stole. Their audacity in crime is only exceeded by their slanderous claims of blackmail.

Accused crimes plus accused and threatened crimes by the hotel manager and tour company owner include fraud, extortion, slander, breach of contract, and false imprisonment. By endorsing the frauds of Luxury Tours France and the Hotel Le Pavillon Des Lys, is the Bank of America complicit in other crimes as well, since the Bank of America increases criminal profits?

The Bank of America Joins the Frauds

To make matters far worse, the Bank of America demands immediate payment to the thieves or interest will be charged for the outstanding balance. I was informed that if I do not pay, I can get a lawyer to challenge Bank of America. The bank steals our money, and we are mandated to hire attorneys to fight the crimes committed against us by our bank.

To date, the Bank of America has supported the thieves on three separate occasions, where two responses were provided in written documents. These documents stated that 'The merchant provided documentation confirming that [I] received the merchandise or service'. The merchants blatantly lied. The Bank of America stands behind their lies.

Through Bank of America, I am still appealing this criminal banking decision. Based on numerous conversations with Bank of America employees, I expect the Bank of America to continue stealing our money.

The Bank of America Frauds Continue

So far, the Bank of America discarded faxes that supported fraud claims, where those two Bank of America Fraud Reports are noted above. More importantly, the Bank of America also claims that the thieves' four different credit card claims for the same incomplete service are legitimate, since the thieves lie and say that I received the service. All four of these charges are fraud, where receipts prove that this tour service was paid by wire transfer through the Bank of America before any of these criminal card charges were accepted by the Bank of America.

The Bank of America claims over and over that I authorized the charges. I state over and over that I did not agree to pay over and over.

Included in this same fraud complaint, Bank of America agreed that I should pay $500 to a company called Anontech. I have never had any contact at all with this company, and I have repeatedly informed the Bank of America of this parallel fraud.

The Bank of America still wants me to pay all of the crooks.

I mentioned these crimes to someone else, and they are being similarly defrauded. Once again, the scope of this fraud against customers is unknown.

The FBI Ignores Credit Card Fraud

The scope of internet fraud in this country is so monumental that the FBI refuses to investigate any fraud less than $100,000. Since the fraud against my wife and me is less than $100,000, the FBI did not even respond to my FBI report concerning this internet fraud.

Banks Endorse and Support the Crooks

The Bank of America, and other banks, are caught in the midst of an extraordinary crime spree, and banks become complicit in these frauds when they support criminals rather than customers who have been swindled.

A Fight Against The Bank of America Crimes

Immediately after this Op Ed was published, I filed a fraud complaint. Along with a supporting copy of this Op Ed, I filed this complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (See Addendum). This fraud report was specifically filed against the Bank of America for this ongoing crime.

This Op Ed adds to customer 'deceptive practices' perpetrated by the financially beleaguered Bank of America. Specifically, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered the "Bank of America to pay $250M in fines, customer refunds over junk fees, [and] fake accounts" (click here). Perhaps there are habitual crimes against us by the Bank of America.

Bank of America - The Crimes Keep On Coming.

This Op Ed exposes one more attempt by the Bank of America to illegally obtain, or steal, money from customers.

Addendum

The following fraud complaint was filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

'What happened? Describe what happened, and we'll send your comments to the companies involved. Since April 18, 2023, I have contacted the Bank of America on multiple occasions, and requested that this bank stop charging me fraudulent charges for a trip that my wife and I took to France from April 11-15, 2023. As documented in the attached Op Ed, I paid for this trip in full through a wire transfer. In fact, I paid more than the service was worth since the tour service was cancelled. Then, Luxury Tours France charged me four more times for the same service by credit card through Bank of America. Hotel Le Pavillon Des Lys and Luxury Tours France both charged me for the same hotel stay. The Bank of America has repeatedly refused to cancel these charges, and on one occasion an agent told me to me get a lawyer. Bank of America even discards faxes that provide documented proof of this fraud, and the bank dismisses my claims without considering this evidence at all. The Bank of America is currently defrauding me of $23,559.39. The referenced Op Ed provides a detailed table for all of these fraud charges and references to available fraud complaints and a referenced copy of an FBI crime report that have been filed and discarded by the Bank of America (click here). Fraud complaints are also attached with the FBI report enclosed. I published the following Op Ed today, 7/14/2023, to document this fraud against my family. The Bank of America Steals our Money - The Bank of America's International Fraud against America ... A copy of this complete Op Ed, less Table 1, Figure 1, and this Addendum, were provided within this complaint. ... What would be a fair resolution to this issue? Pay back the money that is being stolen from me, and stop cheating other customers.'

(Article changed on Jul 15, 2023 at 12:44 AM EDT)
Russia said Tuesday that it saw no reasons for extending an accord that allows Ukraine to export grain through the Black Sea, while criticising alleged obstacles to its own exports of agricultural products.

"It is obvious that there are no grounds for the further continuation of the Black Sea Initiative which expires on July 17," Russia's foreign ministry said.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, both major grain exporters, triggered fears of a global food crisis when major Ukrainian ports were blocked by Moscow's warships.

In July 2022, the agreement allowing Ukrainian grain exports to restart was signed, as well as a parallel memorandum on unhindered Russian food and fertiliser exports.

"The normalisation of Russian supplies of food and fertilisers to world markets, provided for by the Russia-UN Memorandum, has continued to degrade," the ministry said.

Moscow says the problems stem from secondary effects of Western penalties on shipping and insurance companies as well as banks.

Moscow has also accused Ukraine of destroying a section of a pipeline Russia used to export ammonia, a core component of fertiliser.

The foreign ministry also said that most of the Ukrainian exports were going to wealthy countries, contradicting data provided by the UN and Ukraine.

Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov has said that 29 ships with 1.4 million tonnes of grain are blocked because of delayed inspections, blaming Russia for the holdup.

Kubrakov also wrote on Twitter that Russia had stopped the registration of inbound ships since June 26.

Moscow said in its statement Tuesday that it would ensure the back-log of ships awaiting inspection would be clear before the deal expires on July 17.

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Oregons largest tax delinquents include black-market sneaker sellers, struggling restaurateurs, convicted white-collar criminals and even some big-name business executives.

They collectively owe more than $332 million, according to a list of 2,000 people and businesses owing back taxes released Friday by the Oregon Department of Revenue.
Fire crews spent Saturday beating back a blaze along U.S. 26 west of the Banks Interchange, prompting the busy highway to close for hours, officials said. The highway was closed and detours in effect for most of the day. At 6:30 p.m., tripcheck.com showed no closures in the area and cameras showed traffic moving in both directions.

Banks Fire District reported several minor injuries in the fire and said it has spread through a mobile home, a house and onto the surrounding land. U.S. 26, one of the main routes from the Portland area to northern beaches, is closed in both directions near the intersection of U.S. 47 with detours in place, according to Oregon Department of Transportation spokesperson Don Hamilton.
A federal judge Friday ruled that Oregon gun control Measure 114s ban on the sale or manufacture of large-capacity magazines and its requirement for a permit to purchase a gun are constitutional.

U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut found that the Second Amendment does not protect magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, and even if it did, that Oregons restrictions on the use of such magazines are consistent with the Nations history and tradition of firearm regulation.
A Portland man who stomped another man to death in the parking lot of a motel in a dispute over a red beanie was convicted of murder Friday after a Multnomah County jury deliberated for just three hours.

There was no question that Jacauree T. Walker, 27, was the man shown on surveillance footage pounding his sneaker-clad foot onto Clyde K. Hunts head. Walker admitted as much on the stand earlier in the five-day trial.
The Portland school boards refusal to sign off on firing a popular Black teacher accused of lying to his principal is raising wider questions about institutional racism and limits on principals and the superintendents authority.

The board voted 4-3 to block Superintendent Guadalupe Guerreros move to fire the teacher, who said he was out sick when he was in fact doing paid work elsewhere during school hours.
Nineteen Oregon high school journalists will be working hard this week to report, write and photograph news stories under the guidance of journalism professionals.

The students are participants in the High School Journalism Institute, the long-running program offered in a partnership between The Oregonian/OregonLive and Oregon State University. Its supported by news organizations from across the state who donate their journalists time and insight to help train the next generation. Partners this year include Oregon Public Broadcasting, Underscore News and Pamplin Media Group.

The program aims to help overcome obstacles to a career in journalism, and in doing so, build newsrooms that better represent the communities they serve.

In service of that goal, the High School Journalism Institute is offered free to students, who also receive a free college credit upon completing the course. Major funding for the program comes from the S.I. Newhouse Foundation and the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. You can contribute, too, through our GoFundMe page.

This years students, selected through a competitive application process, hail from a wide swath of western Oregon, from Portland to Klamath Falls. (The program is open to students from anywhere in Oregon or southwest Washington.)

Fifteen of our students report they have a linguistic or cultural background that differs from those that predominate Oregon schools. Six come from low-income households, and six have a documented disability. Nearly half attend schools with no journalism program, and several would be the first in their family to earn a college degree.

School newspapers used to be a staple in high schools across the country, but today far fewer offer formal journalism programs. That means fewer students are exposed to this field as a potential career, or to the unusual combination of skills it teaches  among them curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, and clear and effective communication, all valuable in any field.

Over the coming week, these students will learn the basics of interviewing, newsgathering and photography, then put their skills to work by reporting real news stories with the help of their professional editors.

The stories are held to the same exacting standards a professional news organization would expect  and youll see them appear next week in The Oregonian, on OregonLive and on the pages, websites and airwaves of partner news organizations.

In the meantime, you can keep up with their progress at oregonlive.com/hsji, where students and staff will blog about their experiences, or by following the program on Instagram or Facebook.

Thank you to Oregon States Office of Precollege Programs, Pro Photo Supply, Nikon USA and Oregon Lithoprint for their support of the High School Journalism Institute.

-- Elliot Njus; enjus@oregonian.com
The Clackamas County Sheriffs Office on Friday publicly identified the woman found dead on a vacant property near Wilsonville.

An autopsy concluded Salem resident Clarissa Anne Hammon-Sweet, 43, died due to homicidal violence, according to a news release from sheriffs officials. They declined to release further details of how Hammon-Sweet died.

Hammon-Sweet was found dead Monday at a property in the process of being sold on the 26000 block of Southwest Stafford Road shortly before noon by a person doing work on the property. The worker initially called deputies for a welfare check, the sheriffs office said.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office provided these photos of Clarissa Anne Hammon-Sweet, the sixth woman found dead under suspicious circumstances in a secluded location within 100 miles of the Portland area since February.Courtesy of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

No suspects have been identified and it remains an open investigation, sheriffs officials said.

Spokesperson Brian McCall said Friday he could not comment if Hammon-Sweets death is connected to the death of Portland resident Ashley Real, 22, whose body was found in the 29000 block of Southeast Judd Road in the Eagle Creek area of Clackamas County on May 7.

Reals death was considered suspicious and McCall declined to provide an update on the sheriffs offices investigation in her case.

Hammon-Sweet is the sixth woman found dead under suspicious circumstances in a secluded location within 100 miles of the Portland area since February. The cases of the women are being investigated by the Portland Police Bureau and sheriffs offices in Multnomah, Polk, Clark and Clackamas counties. (The death of another woman originally included in the list was not suspicious, authorities later said.)

A source close to the investigations told The Oregonian/OregonLive earlier that authorities are examining possible connections in at least three of the cases.

Police officials with Multnomah, Polk, Clark and Clackamas counties also said they couldnt comment on any connections between their investigations and the latest killing.

The Clackamas County Sheriffs Office asked anyone who has information about Hammon-Sweets death, her actions in the days leading up to her death and any suspicious activity near Southwest Stafford Road to contact the office tip line by calling 503-723-4949 or through their website.

 Nick Gibson; ngibson@oregonian.com; 971-393-8259; @newsynicholas

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The 12-year-old boy killed in a murder-suicide Wednesday night was the younger brother of a woman embroiled in a contentious divorce whose estranged husband broke into his in-laws house and fired on the child a day after appearing in court to fight a restraining order against him, according to authorities and court records.

Rickoshay Kerr, 34, of Hillsboro plowed his car into the garage of the Damascus home, where his wife had been living, entered the house and shot the boy before turning the gun on himself, Clackamas County sheriffs officials said.

The boys parents, Amber and Patrick Landers, said in Facebook posts that their seventh-grade son, Patrick Landers Jr., had died.

I am so sad to say that last night my strong, smart, handsome and kind baby boy was taken too soon, the boys mother wrote in a Facebook post Thursday. He will forever be held in my heart. I love you Patrick Landers Jr.

Amber Landers wrote in another post that Kerr had said in court Tuesday that he was going to kill himself and told multiple people the next day he planned to do this.

My daughter called 911 multiple times and was hung up on, she wrote. And by the time they arrived my baby was already dead.

The Clackamas County Sheriffs Office declined Friday to answer questions about the shooting, citing the open investigation.

Sheriffs deputies had responded to the Southeast Delia Street home about 5:55 p.m. Wednesday after multiple neighbors reported seeing a man in the area with a gun. Sheriffs officials said in a statement that they believed a man had broken into the home in violation of a restraining order. It is believed the 12-year-old was home alone at the time.

One 911 caller told dispatchers Kerr was suicidal and was going to do something stupid, according to a Clackamas County law enforcement radio broadcast.

Deputies near the scene reported firing at a car speeding past them toward the house and shooting out two of its tires. Sheriffs officials identified the driver as a concerned family member and said no one was hurt. Amber Landers said in a Facebook post that her husband raced through in his truck trying to get anybody to help PJ (and) they shot at him.

One 911 caller told police they had received a FaceTime call from the 12-year-old boys phone, along with a video from Rick of the boy on the ground with blood on him, according to the broadcast.

Officials heard gunfire shortly after 6 p.m. and entered the house, where they found one injured person with a gun and another person with a gunshot wound to the head. Deputies called for LifeFlight and began chest compressions on the 12-year-old, who died at the scene, according to sheriffs officials and the dispatch broadcast.

The murder-suicide was a violent end to an acrimonious breakup between Lacie Kerr and Rickoshay Kerr. Lacie Kerr requested temporary sole custody of the couples young son during a court hearing Tuesday, according to a memorandum filed that day in Washington County Circuit Court.

The two met when she was 21 and he was 30 and got married in August 2019, court records indicate. The two lived together in a rental home in Hillsboro, where he worked as a technician for an HVAC company.

Lacie Kerr said in court documents that her husband was abusive toward her before and during their marriage, including sexually assaulting her, throwing her against a dresser and shaking her. She said she did not report the abuse to police because her husband had promised to get counseling.

Lacie Kerr in April moved with the couples 2-year-old son into her parents home after another alleged incident of domestic violence and filed for divorce later that month, court records show.

A Washington County judge in May granted a restraining order filed by Lacie Kerr, forbidding Rickoshay Kerr from going near his estranged wife or her workplace and ordering him to immediately turn over any guns and ammunition in his possession and forbidding him to acquire any. He signed paperwork that month indicating he did not have any guns, court records show.

Rickoshay Kerrs attorney, Jessica Braverman, disputed Lacie Kerrs allegations in a response to the restraining order petition, adding that her client was a reliable and fit parent. She did not respond to an inquiry Friday from The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Lacie Kerr said her husband had begun to act erratically and stalk her, including by calling and texting her repeatedly in the middle of the night, contacting her family in violation of the restraining order and going to their childs daycare while she was picking him up.

She also suspected her husband had physically abused their child, according to the court filings.

After one of two supervised visits with the 2-year-old, the boy returned to Lacie Kerr with a bruise on his head and bloodshot eyes and was almost unresponsive, she said in court records. She then got a call from the childs pediatrician telling her that Rickoshay Kerr had reported to the doctors office that the boy had a seizure in his care and needed medical attention.

She rushed the boy to an emergency room, where a doctor said he suspected child abuse and filed a report with state Child Protective Services. A case worker advised Lacie Kerr not to allow any unsupervised contact between the toddler and his father until the end of their investigation, according to court records.

Lacie Kerr said she moved into her parents home because its locked gate and security cameras made her feel safe.

But, according to the memo from Tuesdays restraining order hearing, she was still terrified (Kerr) will retaliate in anger.

-- Catalina Gaitan, cgaitan@oregonian.com, @catalingaitan_

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Drops of sunshine filtered through a towering Western red cedars soft foliage on a hot empty lot in Seattles Wedgwood neighborhood last week.

The hulking tree, full of carbon and a cool resting place for raccoons and red-breasted nuthatches, was slated to be axed in the development of six units of housing.

But after community outcry, the city says developers cant yet cut the tree because the public wasnt properly notified.

About a dozen community members eager to save the tree, including one person suspended some 40 feet in a hammock tucked in the trees limbs, amassed outside the lot on Friday. Some held signs reading: Leaf the tree be, destruction is a poor tradition to pass down and trees = healthy community. They say theres room for both the homes and the tree.

The Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Lands Movement, run by the tribe, said its working to save the tree, and others that have been culturally modified across the tribes ancestral lands.

For thousands of years the Snoqualmie people used an extensive trail system to reach fishing, hunting and gathering places and to visit relatives across the region, the tribe added. Along the trails, important locations would be marked by the shaping of boughs, often cedar trees, in certain directions, the tribe said.

The tribe says State Historic Preservation Officer Allyson Brooks asked the city to give the tribe and Washington States Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation time to understand the significance of the tree and assess the situation before any work proceeds.

The developer of the property, Legacy Group Capital, didnt respond to requests for comment Friday, but a spokesperson earlier in the week said the company understands the importance of addressing the housing crisis and taking care of natural surroundings.

Legacy is in the practice of removing trees only when absolutely necessary after careful consideration of the sites constraints and approval by [the city], spokesperson Chantele Machado said in an email.

Passersby stopped to appreciate the giants bountiful shade, and mourn other big trees theyd recently lost. Many bemoaned the citys tree-retention policies.

The city approved a permit for the trees removal, among others now in a pile on the lot, on June 8. But the developer failed to provide correct public notice, according to the city.

Arborists or tree service providers hired to remove trees must apply for public notice and wait several days after the public notice is approved by the city before removing trees, said Wendy Shark, spokesperson for the citys department of Construction and Inspections. However, no one has applied for a valid public notice or had it approved at the Wedgwood site, Shark said.

Ballard Tree Service, the company slated to remove the tree, backed out of the deal last week, according to a company representative.

The citys standards define the cedar as an exceptional tree  one that provides unique value due to its size or history and should be assessed before removal for development. Under the citys new tree code, which goes into effect July 30, the tree will be considered under a tier system.

The two-trunked cedar is estimated to be about a century old, said Sandy Shettler with The Last 6000, a group that aims to find and document Seattles roughly 6,000 remaining majestic trees that have a diameter of 30 inches or greater.

The city has a formula to determine if developers can remove trees like this, with a diameter of 2 feet or greater, under the new tree code, Shark said. If the city approves removal, developers must replace the tree onsite or pay into the citys tree fund and plant additional trees in the public right-of-way.

The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, one of the regions largest development voices, celebrated the new tree legislation.

The chopping down of such exceptional trees is additional evidence that City Hall is failing to protect our dwindling tree canopy, Councilmember Alex Pedersen, who represents parts of northeast Seattle, said, and recent legislation that claims to protect more trees potentially worsens the outlook for our urban environment in the face of climate change and heat domes.

Susan Su, who lives nearby, brought her 10-month-old son to a gratitude gathering for the cedar Wednesday evening. It was an opportunity to honor the tree and discuss ways to preserve other big trees in the city.

She said she feels the tree removal is an example of the citys failure to be a leader on climate action and create an urban community thats in harmony with nature.

Seattle was the first to sign onto the states tree equity pledge, doubling down on the citys commitment to plant and grow 8,000 trees on public and private properties and an additional 40,000 seedlings in natural areas in the next five years. By the end of next year the city is supposed to develop a Tree Canopy Equity and Resilience Plan.

The move came alongside a city assessment that found the city lost 255 acres of tree canopy from 2016 to 2021. It wasnt a radical change in the citys more than 15,000 acres of trees, but the bulk of it was in neighborhoods that couldnt afford to lose it.

Neighborhoods in Seattles Council District 1, encompassing West Seattle and neighborhoods along the Duwamish, lost more than 3% of their trees from 2016 to 2021. Parks and residential areas recorded the greatest net losses, making up 78% of the total canopy loss.

A King County study revealed that on a hot summer day, communities along the Duwamish might experience temperatures 10 or more degrees higher than neighborhoods to the north, like Ballard. Urban trees can help reduce energy use, filter stormwater and air pollution, and cool hot city streets.

Cutting this tree would be a grave abdication of our duty to care for our other living organisms, said Droplet, the person suspended in a hammock in the Wedgwood cedar. We live in this interconnected system where each part provides for the other. And in many cases we fall down on our part of that bargain.

(c)2023 The Seattle Times

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A Portland Fire & Rescue program that threatened to draw money away from Portland Street Response, the citys non-police crisis intervention team housed within the bureau, is unlikely to do so in the coming year because its set to receive a new round of funding from the states largest Medicaid provider.

Commissioner Rene Gonzalez received a verbal agreement this week from CareOregon that the provider would bankroll the bureaus Community Health Assess and Treat  or CHAT  program for at least another year, his office told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Friday.
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.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson announced Saturday that he will resign as president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Chicago-based civil rights group he founded more than 50 years ago.

Jackson, 81, announced his resignation during a quiet farewell speech at the organizations annual convention, where the group paid tribute to him with songs, kind words from other Black activists and politicians, and a video montage of Jacksons 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns.

Jackson, who has dealt with several health problems in recent years and uses a wheelchair, capped the proceedings with muted remarks. Flanked by his daughter, Santita Jackson, and his son, U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, the once-fiery orator spoke so softly it was difficult to hear him.

I am somebody, he said. Green or yellow, brown, Black or white, were all perfect in Gods eyes. Everybody is somebody. Stop the violence. Save the children. Keep hope alive.

The Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes, a longtime student of Rev. Jackson and supporter of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, will take over as the groups leader, the coalition said in a statement. Haynes is the pastor at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, according to the churchs website.

Jesse Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease eight years ago. He suffered a host of health setbacks in 2021, beginning with gallbladder surgery, a COVID-19 infection that landed him in a physical therapy-focused facility and a fall at Howard University that caused a head injury.

Jackson has been a powerful advocate for civil rights and a strong voice in American politics for decades.

A protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., he broke with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1971 to form Operation PUSH, initially named People United to Save Humanity, on Chicagos South Side. The organization was later renamed the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. The groups mission ranges from promoting minority hiring in the corporate world to voter registration drives in communities of color.

Jackson has been a driving force in the modern civil rights movement, pushing for voting rights and education. Among other things, he joined George Floyds family at a memorial for the slain Black man and has participated in COVID-19 vaccination drives to counter Black hesitancy about the drugs.

Before Barack Obama was elected president in 2008, Jackson had been the most successful Black presidential candidate. He won 13 primaries and caucuses in his push for the 1988 Democratic nomination, which went to Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis.

Jackson said in his remarks that he plans to continue working on social justice issues, including advocating for three survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre who this week saw a judge dismiss their lawsuit seeking reparations.

Were resigning, were not retiring, Jackson said.

Ron Daniels, who works with the National African-American Reparations Commission, a panel working for financial payments to Black people as compensation for slavery, told convention-goers that Jackson is a synthesis of King and another 1960s civil rights leader, Malcolm X.

He is an authentic genius, Daniel said. (Jackson) had the unparalleled capacity to frame and articulate ... political strategy in a way common, ordinary people could understand it.

Marcia Fudge, secretary of the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development, thanked Jackson for paving the way for Black politicians like herself.

Most people talk a good game but they have no courage, she said. But you never left us, no matter how hard (things became).

Santita Jackson implored convention-goers to follow her fathers lead and continue to fight for equality.

Rev. Jackson has run his leg, she said. What are you going to do?
The states largest public employee union has reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract with the state of Oregon that would include a 13% to 22% pay increase over the next two years.

Service Employees International Union 503 -- which represents more than 22,000 state employees, about half the states workforce -- negotiated the new contract.
The National Weather Service predicts highs in the mid- to upper 90s for the Willamette Valley and Portland metro area on Saturday, before a slight cooldown Sunday and even cooler conditions Monday.

A red flag warning goes into effect from 2 p.m. Saturday until 8 p.m., meaning high temperatures and humidity increase fire risks. The coast, meantime, will be much cooler.

The weather service said conditions would improve Sunday as cooler marine air is expected to filter into the lower Columbia River and Willamette valleys.

Before that cooldown, though, high temperatures in the 90s are expected throughout the Willamette Valley on Saturday. Here are tips for dealing with the heat.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed agreed on Thursday to start negotiations to finalize an agreement between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan on the filling and the rules of operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) soon.

According to a joint statement following their meeting in Cairo on Thursday, President El-Sisi and PM Ahmed stressed a joint commitment to exert all efforts to reach a deal on the GERD dispute within four months.

Ethiopia has stressed its commitment not to harm Egypt and Sudan's share of water during the filling of the fourth filling of GERD, indicating it would be carried out in a manner that safeguards the water needs of both countries, the statement added.

The Ethiopian prime minister arrived in Cairo on Wednesday to participate in Sudans Neighbouring Countries Summit to discuss ways to end the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan and also deal with its impact on its neighbours. countries.

President El-Sisi and PM Ahmed held talks on Wednesday evening which covered recent developments in Sudan, ways to resolve the GERD dispute and enhance bilateral relations between Egypt and Ethiopia.

It was the first official meeting between El-Sisi and Ahmed since October 2019 when the two leaders met in Sochi on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit.

The two leaders had informal encounters during the Summit for the New Global Financing Pact in Paris in June of this year and during COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh in November of 2022.

Earlier in July, PM Ahmed announced in a speech at the Ethiopian House of Representatives that the fourth filing of GERD would be extended to the end of August or early September - instead of early August as previously planned - to accommodate the needs and concerns of the two downstream countries Egypt and Sudan.

During that speech, Ahmed also announced that Ethiopia was ready to resume talks with Egypt and Sudan to resolve the dispute over the GERD.

Both Egypt and Sudan have repeatedly called for Ethiopia to sign a legally binding agreement on the GERD in order to protect the two downstream countries water rights and interests.

In February of this year, Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry said Cairo has no plans to take the GERD issue once again to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as it did in the previous filings.

In September of 2021, the UNSC issued a presidential statement following a collective Arab action urging Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt to resume negotiations under the auspices of the African Union (AU) and to "finalize a mutually acceptable agreement on filling and operating the dam within a reasonable time frame."

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President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that nothing had been done to meet Russian demands around a deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain through the Black Sea.

"I want to emphasise that nothing was done, nothing at all. It's all one-sided," Putin said in a televised interview.

In July 2022, the agreement allowing Ukrainian grain exports to restart was signed, as well as a parallel memorandum on unhindered Russian food and fertiliser exports.

The grain deal is due to expire on July 18 unless Russia agrees to extend it.

Moscow however has repeatedly threatened to pull out of it because of enduring obstacles to its own exports.

"We will think about what to do, we have a few more days," he said.

"We will extend... when promises given to us are fulfilled," Putin said.

The Russian leader added he was ready to wait "as long as it takes".

On Wednesday Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- who helped broker the deal -- said he was working with Moscow and Kyiv to salvage the agreement.

It has so far allowed Ukraine to export more than 32 million tonnes of grain and foodstuffs from Black Sea ports.

Ukrainian officials said that Russian attack drones had targeted grain facilities at one of the ports this week.

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New York, US (PANA) - The international community must act now to protect future generations from the scourge of conflict-related sexual violence, the UNs advocate on the issue, Pramila Patten, told the Security Council on Friday
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Warring factions in Sudan must respect international law, protect civilians, and stop targeting relief and aid workers, the United Nations top humanitarian official urged on Saturday, as the conflict reached its three-month mark
Photo: (Photo : Valery Tenevoy on Unsplash)

In a significant development related to the untimely death of Robert De Niro's grandson, a 20-year-old woman was apprehended in New York City on Thursday night.

According to law enforcement sources, Sophia Haley Marks was arrested as part of an ongoing drug dealing investigation, suspected of selling drugs to 19-year-old Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, who tragically passed away. The arrest, made by the collaborative efforts of the New York City Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, sheds light on the severity of the opioid crisis gripping the nation.

Marks has been charged with one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and alprazolam, substances that can carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. Additionally, she faces two counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, each also carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars. Known on the streets as the "Percocet Princess," Marks has become a significant figure in the ongoing investigation.

"Percocet Princess" Charged for Distributing Lethal Substances

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, speaking on behalf of the Southern District of New York, stated, "Last night, my Office... authorized the arrest of Sophia Marks in connection with her distribution of fake oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl."

He emphasized the critical nature of the arrest, highlighting that Marks was aware of the lethal potential of the pills but continued to sell them regardless. Williams further stressed the severity of the fentanyl crisis, labeling it as the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 49.

According to ABC, the investigation revolves around the tragic demise of Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, whose cause of death is yet to be officially determined. Detectives have been meticulously examining the circumstances surrounding his passing on July 2 in Lower Manhattan, suspecting a drug overdose.

The grieving mother, Drena De Niro, announced the heartbreaking news of her son's demise through an Instagram post on July 3, refraining from disclosing specific details of the incident.

The loss has had a significant impact on Drena De Niro, who Robert De Niro adopted during his marriage to Diahnne Abbott, the actor's first wife. De Niro-Rodriguez, an aspiring actor himself, shared the screen with his mother in the films "A Star Is Born" and "Cabaret Maxime" in 2018, leaving behind a promising future that was tragically cut short.

As law enforcement agencies intensify their efforts to combat the devastating impact of fentanyl and other dangerous substances, the arrest of Sophia Haley Marks stands as a critical step towards justice and raising awareness about the urgent need to address the opioid crisis plaguing the nation. The tragic passing of Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez serves as a stark reminder of the toll that these illegal drugs exact on people and the need to act quickly to stop further harm.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the New York City Police Department are all involved in the arrest of Marks as part of a larger investigation. These agencies have been working tirelessly to dismantle drug networks and stem the flow of lethal substances into communities. The prevalence of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl has contributed to the escalating number of overdose deaths across the country.

Read Also: Shocking Truth: Selena Gomez Drug Abuse Struggle and Rehab Lies Revealed

Opioid Crisis Intensifies: Arrest Sheds Light on Severity of Fentanyl Epidemic

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is significantly more potent than heroin, has emerged as a grave public health crisis. Its lethal nature and ease of distribution have resulted in an alarming increase in fatal overdoses.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, "Fentanyl is now the number one killer of Americans between the ages of 18 and 49. More than cancer, car accidents, or gun violence. It is a law enforcement crisis and a public health crisis. And we are doing everything we can to stop it."

The tragic death of Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez serves as a poignant reminder that behind the alarming statistics lie real lives and grieving families. The impact of the opioid crisis is far-reaching, affecting individuals from all walks of life, including the families of well-known public figures like Robert De Niro.

As the investigation progresses, law enforcement agencies will continue their efforts to hold accountable those responsible for the distribution of dangerous drugs. The arrest of Sophia Haley Marks underscores the determination of authorities to dismantle drug networks and prevent further loss of life.

The tragic loss of Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez has prompted a renewed call for action to address the opioid crisis. Efforts must focus on prevention, education, and providing resources for addiction treatment and support. By tackling this crisis at its roots, society can strive to prevent more families from enduring the pain of losing loved ones to this devastating epidemic.

Related Article: Three 7-Year-Olds Hospitalized After Mistaking Methamphetamine-Related Drug for Candy at Maryland School
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is participating on Sunday in the fifth semi-annual coordination meeting of the African Union and African Economic Communities held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, the Egyptian state news agency (MENA) reported.

During the meeting, El-Sisi will present Egypt's ambitious roadmap, as the current chair of the Steering Committee of the African Development Agency (NEPAD), for the next two years.

As the current president of the United Nations Climate Conference, COP 27, he will also speak about environmental preservation and climate change and showcase Egypt's efforts to motivate advanced nations and international financial institutions to provide support and funding to African states to help them confront the repercussions of climate change.

African leaders and heads of government will convene within the framework of the African Unions (AU) theme for 2023 entitled Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation.

The meeting will be preceded by the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, held from 13 to 14 July 2023.

The Egyptian president will engage in insightful discussions with fellow African leaders and heads of state on the progress achieved in the commercial integration work program for the African countries and on means to enhance that integration.

These means include measures such as promoting free movement, implementing the unified African passport, and interlinking financial markets and infrastructures of the continent, noted MENA.

The meeting's agenda goes even further since it tackles financing of Agenda 2063, which focuses on Africas economic recovery.

It also focuses on initiatives that address challenges in agriculture, infrastructure, debt management, climate change, security, energy, and health.

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Photo: (Photo : Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

In a significant move aimed at alleviating the burden of student loan debt, the Biden Administration has unveiled a major student loan relief plan that will grant forgiveness to over 800,000 borrowers.

The announcement, made by the Department of Education, marks a significant step towards fulfilling President Joe Biden's campaign promise of providing relief to those grappling with the weight of student loans.

The plan is set to provide approximately $39 billion in federal student loan forgiveness.

Addressing Administrative Issues: A Fix to Income-Driven Repayment Plans

According to NBC News, under the current income-driven repayment plans, federal student loan borrowers become eligible for forgiveness after 20 or 25 years of consistent payments, depending on the specific plan.

However, the Department of Education has acknowledged certain administrative issues within the system that have prevented some borrowers from progressing towards forgiveness despite making qualifying payments.

These overlooked payments, which "should have moved borrowers closer to forgiveness," were not appropriately accounted for, as highlighted in a news release issued by the department.

The recent announcement by the Biden administration is a significant step towards providing federal student loan relief within the existing framework.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona emphasized the importance of rectifying past administrative failures, ensuring that all borrowers receive the forgiveness they rightfully deserve.

Cardona stated, "For far too long, borrowers fell through the cracks of a broken system that failed to keep accurate track of their progress towards forgiveness."

Supreme Court Ruling and Biden's Pursuit of Relief

President Biden's original plan to forgive up to $20,000 in debt for 43 million federal student loan borrowers faced a setback when the Supreme Court struck it down in a 6-3 ruling last month. Undeterred by this setback,

Biden swiftly pledged to explore alternative avenues for relief, stating, "Today's decision has closed one path. Now we're going to pursue another."

He directed the Department of Education to develop a new proposal for loan forgiveness grounded in the Higher Education Act, ensuring its legality while acknowledging the extended timeframe required for its implementation.

According to CBS News, the Biden administration has announced that approximately 804,000 individuals will receive notification of their discharged debt.

These individuals were participants in income-driven repayment (IDR) plans and have fulfilled either 20 or 25 years of eligible monthly payments, according to the administration.

The coverage extends to borrowers with Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loans held by the Education Department, and Parent PLUS loans.

Read Also: California Takes Stand Against Child Trafficking: Tougher Penalties Bill Gains Ground

A Victory for Borrowers, but a Sign of a Dysfunctional System

While the loan forgiveness announced by the Biden administration represents a substantial victory for the affected borrowers, it also serves as a stark reminder of the dysfunctional nature of the student loan system.

According to CNBC, Persis Yu, deputy executive director at the Student Borrower Protection Center, acknowledged the relief as a well-deserved outcome for the borrowers, but lamented the fact that it took administrative failures and countless individuals falling through the cracks to reach this point.

Yu stressed that the number of beneficiaries, 800,000 borrowers, only scratches the surface of the larger issue at hand.

Despite the political debate surrounding the plan, the Biden administration remains confident in the legal authority of the Department of Education to implement the loan forgiveness program.

The relief stems from the rectification of systemic failures within the income-driven repayment plans, addressing the discrepancies that prevented borrowers from making progress towards becoming debt-free.

The administration aims to count payments made by borrowers who paused their payments during certain deferments and forbearances, as well as those who made partial or late payments, ensuring that they can finally attain the promised forgiveness.

Related Article: The Aspartame Controversy: WHO Warns of Cancer Link, FDA Maintains Approval
The University of Ghana Council has officially announced the reappointment of Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse as Chancellor of the esteemed institution.



Following a thorough selection process, the Council, in its meeting held on July 6, 2023, approved her appointment for a second five-year term, set to commence on August 1, 2023, and conclude on July 31, 2028.



Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, the first female Chancellor of the University of Ghana, brings with her a remarkable career in both Ghana's Civil Service and the United Nations.



Recognized as a prominent figure in economic and development matters, she has dedicated her efforts to championing human and women's rights, while also advocating for African imperatives, conflict resolution, and mediation.



A trailblazer in her field, Mrs. Chinery-Hesse holds the distinction of being the first African woman appointed as the Resident Coordinator of the UN System, as well as the first African woman to attain the rank of Under Secretary-General of the United Nations.



Since assuming the role of Chancellor in August 2018, Mrs. Chinery-Hesse has demonstrated her exceptional capabilities in various capacities. Notable among her achievements are her role as a Friend of the African Union Panel of the Wise, a former Chief Advisor to the President of Ghana, a retired Deputy Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and a former Vice-Chairperson of the National Development Planning Commission.



Furthermore, Mrs. Chinery-Hesse's outstanding contributions have garnered recognition from her alma mater, the University of Ghana, which awarded her an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1991. In November 2021, she received another prestigious accolade, an honorary Doctor of Science Degree in Economics from the University of London. This recognition has also fostered a renewed connection between the University of Ghana and the University of London, as both institutions share a longstanding history dating back to the establishment of the University College of the Gold Coast, where University of London degrees were conferred upon its students.



The University of Ghana in a press release on behalf of the university community congratulated Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse on her reappointment as Chancellor.

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Featured Video
"A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses" goes that Chinese proverb that says people who do good to others benefit indirectly.



For a free giver like Alhaji Seidu Agongo, that fragrance and goodness is life itself.



The business magnate who started his sojourn as a shoeshine boy knows and feels the pains of others' poverty in his bones. He came from there and has vowed never to let others suffer that pain, so long as he can help it.



He is a friend to widows and orphans, the sick and the rejected, those abandoned and those living with disabilities. Indeed, he just about anybody on the vulnerability spectrum.



For many who have encountered or heard about his philanthropy, his name is synonymous with generosity, charity, and free giving. And he does without talking, behind the scenes and without showing up.



However, despite the secrecy of those good works, they eventually get to the public arena, mostly through the beneficiaries who will talk about their blessings from a man so calm and humble to their friends and family.



And such unbridled gratitude is the fragrance left on a giver like Alhaji Seidu Agongo, whose charitable reputation goes before him. And they cut across the cross section of society.



Your favourite koko or waakye spot may not have existed but for his charity. That exceptional doctor and surgeon might not have made it to medical school but for Alhaji Agongos intervention and sponsorship; that smart young lawyer who helped you to successfully fight your case in court might have ended up wasted had Alhaji Agongos helping hand been missing in his or her life; and I'm sure some of you reading this article may have tasted his generosity in one life-saving way or the other.



Apart from his uncountable anonymous charity works and generosity, there are some that, by their mere nature, caught the attention of the media or were powered through those platforms for greater and wider reach.



BUILDING OPD WARD FOR KORLE BU CHILD EMERGENCY UNIT



In 2018, the Muslim philanthropist constructed an Out-Patient Department (OPD) block at a cost of GH857,000 for the Child Emergency Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBu) in Accra.



He handed the 30-bed capacity block to the Hospital in 2019.



Alhaji Agongo decided to build the block after visiting the hospital in 2017 to console one of his secretaries who lost her baby at facility and witnessed how newborn babies and their mothers were packed into a small, congested space with some of them making do with the bare floor due to the congestion. He said he saw four babies sharing a cot meant for one, which really got to him.



Such is his fellowfeeling and humanity.



He said upon enquiry, he was told that the unit had space limitation.



One officer, Dr Otoo, jokingly asked if I was going to build them a new block and we all laughed over it, he said.



He said he later contacted the unit formally and requested to construct an additional block for the unit and land was provided for it.



He explained that he was from humble beginnings and had to strive often to ensure that his God-given successes impacted others positively in whatever small way he could.



SCHOLARSHIPS FOR BRILLIANT-BUT-NEEDY PUPILS & STUDENTS



The management of St. Pauls Lutheran School, in 2019, presented a citation to Alhaji Agongo for adopting and sponsoring 17 pupils there over the past few years.



The 17 were among 81 pupils Alhaji Agongo adopted almost 10 years ago and sponsored from the basic to the university level.



Realising that education was the only means by which he could help end the cycle of poverty in the families of poor pupils, Alhaji Agongo decided to move his own children from Al-Rayan International School, where he was spending about $5,000 on each child, at the time, to the St. Pauls Lutheran School near the state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in Accra, so that he could use the savings he made on his childrens school fees, to sponsor the 81 poor pupils up to the university level.



Presenting the citation to Mr Agongo at a PTA meeting on Wednesday, 27 February 2019, Mrs Fatimah Carol Yamusah, the Admissions Coordinator of St. Pauls Lutheran School, expressed gratitude to the Muslim businessman for his care for the less-privileged in society and his many philanthropic works and encouraged him to continue his good deeds, especially his scholarship offers to help needy children get a good education and foundation in life.



The citation read: For your outstanding contribution towards the admission drive of St. Pauls Lutheran School, it is with great pleasure that the management of the school would like to honour you for your exceptional initiative and tangible impact".



You do this unobtrusively and efficiently without bringing attention to yourself. You certainly have set a fine example of reliability, dependability and commitment".



You do not speak of the people you help or the crisis you have diffused in the lives you have touched. Your religion is no barrier to your compassion for all. You are a person who shows selfless dedication to others and believes in promoting academic excellence in the lives of every young person you have encountered. Mr Agongo is without question a most deserving recipient of this honour.



GIFTING HAIRDRYERS, SEWING MACHINES TO POOR ARTISANS



In November 2019, one hundred talented-but-needy hairdressers and seamstresses/tailors benefited from the third edition of Class Media Groups Founders Empowerment Project held in Kumasi, Ashanti Region.



Class Media Group is a Ghanaian media conglomerate which operates Class91.3FM, Accra100.5FM, No.1 105.3FM, Kumasi 104.1FM, Adehyee 99.1FM, Ho FM, Sunyani FM, Taadi FM, Dagbon FM, CTV, and ClassFMonline.com.



It is founded by Alhaji Agongo, who decided to use the power and wide reach of his media empire, to positively impact the lives of the poor across the country.

Fifty hairdryers and 50 sewing machines were given to the beneficiaries in Kumasi.



Alhaji Agongo initiated the philanthropic programme with the aim to equip underprivileged artisans, including apprentices, who do not have the financial means to set up their own businesses, so that they can be independent.



The Kumasi charity event followed a similar donation of the first set of 86 hairdryers and sewing machines to a similar profile of people in the Greater Accra Region.



Also, some 31 underprivileged seamstresses/tailors and hairdressers including two people living with disability, benefited from the second edition at an event held on 25 November 2019 at the forecourt of the Ho Central Market.



The project was replicated across the country.



The Founders Empowerment Project adds to the numerous charity programmes of CMG that the group uses to support the less-privileged in society.

CMG organises the annual Celebrity Easter Funfair and donations to orphans in the Greater Accra Region. The Group also makes a yearly GHS50,000 donation to single mothers, all with the sponsorship of Alhaji Agongo.



DISTRIBUTING MOBILE MONEY TO 10,000 WIDOWS, SINGLE MOTHERS DURING COVID LOCKDOWN



In the heady days of the COVID-19 outbreak in Ghana in 2020, Alhaji Agongo, in an attempt to mitigate the impact of a three-week partial lockdown in Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi, launched an e-charity programme through which he disbursed cash to some 10,000 widows, single mothers and the underprivileged across the country through mobile money platforms.



It was to his little support to help them to cope with the financial challenges that the pandemic brought.



His intervention benefitted more than 4,600 widows, single mothers and other lessprivileged people in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions in April.



Alhaji Agongo, who said helping the poor makes him feel human, explained that although his initial target was to support 600 people through the intervention, he had to revise the figure upward after noticing that many people were going through financial difficulties, as a result of the partial lockdown.



He said he reached this conclusion after his radio stations that were advertising the support scheme got inundated with calls far beyond the numbers that were projected.



As a result, he said he revised the initial target to 10,000 people.



The support programme, Alhaji Agongo noted, was christened the 'CMG MoMo for Lockdown' and implemented in association with his Class Media Group (CMG).

People who were disadvantaged, he explained, were encouraged to call telephone numbers advertised on the groups 10 radio stations, a television station and an online portal in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi and Ho to give their personal and mobile money details and their economic conditions.



A group of people then vetted the information and those found to be authentic received the money.



The amount sent to the beneficiaries, he noted, varied from person to person, taking into consideration the individuals situation and the number of children, among others.



What matters in life is the impact you make in peoples lives. Different people are making impact in different ways but everybody and his choice; my choice is the widows, the single mothers, the underprivileged children and also to create employment, he said.



ESSENCE OF GIVING



Alhaji Agongo sees philanthropy as a way to share the blessings of God with those in need.



Islam teaches about giving but I go beyond Islam.



What I believe is that life has realities and be it the Bible or the Quran, the holy books tell us that you will be judged according to your own deeds.



So, I believe that whatever blessings God has blessed me with, God knows why He has blessed me with that and, of course, God will also know the fact that the blessing he gave me, I did not utilise the blessing alone; I also tried to bless others, he explained.



Alhaji Agongo, who held the most significant shares of the now-defunct Heritage Bank Limited, which was collapsed in 2019, said: To be very honest with you, I just dont get up and do anything. And with everything I do, I want it to make an impact on peoples' lives.



He continued: We have a lockdown, and all those kids we see selling in traffic, all those mothers we see selling on tabletops, they are doing that to earn a living  They earn a living on a daily basis, hand-to-mouth, to feed their family; so, if the mother is sick today, youd realise that the whole family can even go hungry; everybody will struggle because the hand that feeds the family is not well, so, on that basis I decided that; Let me see how best I can identify the single mothers, widows, the needy, through your platform, the Class Media Group, and send them MoMo".



Somebody might need money to buy kerosene, somebody might need money to buy water, somebody needs money to do so many things based on his or her priority, he noted.



Such philanthropic activities, he said, give him a lot of gratification.



Islam teaches about giving but I go beyond Islam, Alhaji Agongo said, explaining: What I believe is that life has realities and be it the Bible or the Quran, the holy books tell us that youll be judged according to your own deeds, so, I believe that whatever blessings God has blessed me with, God knows why He has blessed me with that and, of course, God will also know the fact that the blessing he gave me, I didnt utilise the blessing alone; I also tried to bless others. So, basically, that is what makes me feel human.



Asked why he loves helping widows, single mothers and children the most, the businessman replied: I dont know whether youve ever examined a war in any country, Liberia or wherever; it is the women and children that suffer. The men dont suffer.



Men, sometimes, dont even care about the kids and wife but, of course, a woman will carry a baby for nine months, shes even at work and shes thinking about the kid, and that is how God created women, so, Ive always realised that ones you help a woman, youre helping a lot of people because like it or not, if you give a woman money, shell prepare food for the husband and kids and everybody will eat".



A woman will see how best she can manage the home with whatever you give her to make sure that the house functions, so, personally, Ive been so much into widows, single parents and kids. Kids because, as a nation, if we want to kill poverty, once you invest in old people youre not killing poverty but once you invest in kids: into their education, the same kids will become doctors, lawyers, businessmen and there is a multiplier effect because once the kid becomes a businessman like me, hell assist people, assist the family and the family will cut poverty at a particular level. So, that is what I believe. So, giving money to widows, single parents is to help them to invest in their kids so as to break the poverty cycle, Mr Agongo said, as he philosophised: You came into this world alone and youll leave alone. You came into this world empty and youll leave this world empty.



SEIDU AGONGO EMPOWERS HO TRADERS WITH BUSINESS SUPPORT



In early July this year, Alhaji Agongo, once again, extended his support to petty traders in Ho, Volta Region, providing them with invaluable business advice, guidance on record-keeping, and capital to enhance their ventures.



The beneficiaries of this initiative, including widows and single mothers engaged in various petty trading activities such as the selling of sachet water, eggs, roasted plantain/yam, charcoal, toffee, cola nuts, Aliha, and Dzowoe, expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the support they have received.



During a brief ceremony hosted at the premises of Ho 92.5 FM, a subsidiary of CMG, Dr Richard Akplotsi, representing Alhaji Seidu Agongo, delivered an inspiring speech, urging the recipients to utilise the funds judiciously to expand their businesses and provide for the education and well-being of their children.

Alhaji Seidu Agongo emphasised his unwavering commitment to empowering individuals in the communities where his business ventures are established. Acknowledging the challenging economic conditions faced by many, he assured that tailored support would be provided in the future to meet the needs of those who were not selected this time.



"I firmly believe that the path to success begins by taking the first step. Our businesses will flourish when more people engage in productive ventures," stated visionary philanthropist.



The initiative received an overwhelming response, with over 400 applications submitted for the support programme. Out of these, 63 applicants met the stringent selection criteria and were chosen as beneficiaries. The programme's primary aim is to uplift and empower individuals, particularly those facing economic hardships.



ALHAJI AGONGO OFFERS TO HELP FELLOW BANK OWNER PRINCE KOFI AMOABENG



Despite his focus on helping the poor and vulnerable, Alhaji Agongo also extends assistance to people who may have fallen from grace to grass due to circumstances that may have connived against them unjustly.



In October 2022, UT Bank founder Prince Kofi Amoabeng expressed gratitude to Alhaji Agongo for being the only Ghanaian who offered to assist him after a selfie of him wearing a scruffy beard with a sad face went viral on social media and got Ghanaians rumouring that he was now a pauper on the verge of death following the collapse of his bank.



Speaking to Nana Otu Darko on CTVs breakfast show, Dwabre Mu, on Tuesday, 4 October 2022, Mr Amoabeng said the only reason he accepted an invitation to appear on that show was because the station belonged to Mr Agongos Class Media Group.



Actually, the reason why I couldnt say no to your invitation was because of his [Seidu Agongos] personality, Mr Amoabeng told Nana Otu Darko, adding: Ive never set eyes on him but at some point in time, after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I started wearing this beard and I took a picture of myself and I posted it on [social media] and that set tongues wagging that I was on the verge of death, Im now a pauper, but the boss of this place [CMG], Seidu Agongo, sent me a WhatsApp message that if Im in difficulty, I should send him my account number for him to give me some money.



Of course, I didnt pursue it but Im ever so grateful that, at least, one Ghanaian thought that 'instead of laughing at him, let me help', he noted.



BANK OF GHANA WAS ORDERED TO COLLAPSE AGONGOS HERITAGE BANK



In that same interview, Mr Amoabeng said the Bank of Ghana was told by officialdom to collapse Mr Agongos Heritage Bank Limited.

Mr Amoabeng, whose bank was also collapsed in the first term of the Akufo-Addo government, told Nana Otu Darko that: I was pained by the collapse of Heritage Bank because it was young.



The Bank of Ghana had issued a licence to Heritage Bank and Heritage Bank had not operated for long and, so, unlike UT Bank, it had no bad loans or anything and it was a wholly-owned Ghanaian company that we had to nurture to grow, he explained.



Secondly, the owners of Heritage Bank found it fit to appoint a solid board, he noted, adding: I mean, the chairman was [Prof] Kwesi Botchwey. When it comes to finance in this country, he is the safest hands you can get; hes seen it all.



As chairman, the board members run the bank, not the owner, so, I dont know Seidu Agongo  as I told you, I havent met him before  but I know Kwesi Botchwey and I know his track record. So, if you have a bank that hasnt got any baggage, its fresh and its got a board headed by Kwesi Botchwey, then it means its closure was a worse decision than UT Banks, he further noted.



As for UT Bank, we owed and they could have bailed [us out] but decided not to bail; thats an option. That is why I mentioned that Heritage Bank, for example, was collapsed out of sheer wickedness, he added.



Mr Amoabeng observed that the unfortunate thing is, the Bank of Ghana is supposed to be independent but I dont think they were independent with their decision on Heritage Bank because, if they were independent, why do you issue a licence and withdraw it?



When you were issuing the licence, didnt you know the owners and the board? he asked.



It means they were told to withdraw the licence, he deducted.



And its not a fair way but its another dangerous path that Ghana has taken, he regretted, noting: Every institution has been politicised including even the army.

And that is why I am saying that for Heritage Bank, the institution that is supposed to be independent of the government, even though in principle, issues a licence and then withdraws that licence when the company hasnt even done anything wrong, Mr Amoabeng added.



Mr Amoabeng made similar comments some years prior, saying he found it extremely odd for the Bank of Ghana to have collapsed Heritage Bank Limited, which had no bad loans on its books and was being run by the right people within the industry.



In his view, the revocation of the licence of the Ghanaian-owned bank, whose founder, Mr Agongo, has always argued, was above board, as far as its books were concerned, was not only politically motivated but also extremely unfair and unfortunate.



Asked directly by TV3s Paa Kwesi Asare in an interview on Business Focus: Do you think, as many think, that some of the decision to close down certain banks was politically motivated? Mr Amoabeng answered: A few of them; specifically Heritage Bank.



I dont understand the issue because the Chairman of the Board is Dr Kwesi Botchwey. I have a lot of respect for him when it comes to finance in this country and managing Boards and he will not, in my estimation, ever accept to be Chairman of a bank that is not right and dealing in all sorts of things. I can say that for him, Mr Amoabeng, whose bank, along with eight others, were collapsed in the central banks financial clean-up exercise in President Nana Akufo-Addos first term of office, noted.



So, Mr Amoabeng noted, I find it extremely odd that a bank  and it had not started doing business for it to have bad loans and all those things  and for you to say that the owner didnt have what it takes [doesnt meet the fit-and-proper criterion] or however they put it, I mean the owner doesnt run the bank, hes a Ghanaian, hes got the money, hes appointed the right people to run the bank for him, so, what is the excuse?



I find that extremely, extremely unfair, Mr Amoabeng asserted, adding: Maybe I dont have all the facts, but from where I stand, I find it really unfortunate.

The Bank of Ghana revoked Heritage Banks licence on Friday, 4 January 2019, on the basis that Mr Agongo, the majority shareholder, among other things, used proceeds realised from alleged fraudulent contracts he executed for the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), for which he has been facing prosecution together with former COCOBOD CEO Stephen Opuni, for the past four years.



Announcing the withdrawal of the licence, the Governor of the central bank, Dr Ernest Addison, told journalists  when asked if he did not deem the action as premature, since the COCOBOD case was still in court  that: The issue of Heritage Bank, I wanted to get into the law with you, I dont know if I should, but we dont need the courts decision to take the decisions that we have taken.



We have to be sure of the sources of capital to license a bank; if we have any doubt, if we feel that its suspicious, just on the basis of that, we find that that is not acceptable as capital. We dont need the court to decide for us whether anybody is fit and proper. Just being involved in a case that involves a criminal procedure makes you not fit and proper.



However, Mr Agongo responded with a press statement in which he said that the not fit and proper tag stamped on him by the central bank was capricious, arrogant, malicious and in bad faith.



According to Mr Agongo, In purportedly making the determination, the central bank obviously had little regard for the time-honoured principle that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, adding that: The fact that I have a case pending before the High Court is a matter of public knowledge but my guilt or innocence is yet to be determined by the Honourable Court.



The determination that I am not a fit and proper person to be a significant shareholder of HBL because the central bank suspects the funds are derived from illicit or suspicious contracts with Cocobod is not only calculated to pre-judge the outcome of the criminal proceedings but also violative of the principle of presumption of innocence to which every individual is entitled. Since when has suspicion become a substitute for credible evidence? Mr Agongo asked.



Also, the erstwhile Prof Botchwey Board issued a statement on the matter in which it said: Heritage Bank was by the Bank of Ghanas own admission, a solvent bank. It never received liquidity support from the Bank of Ghana. Its corporate governance record had never been impugned by the Bank of Ghana. We believe we have been done a grave injustice and a terrible precedent set that does not bode well for the future.



"I APPRECIATE YOUNG SEIDU AGONGO AND WANT TO SEE HIM DO GREAT THINGS; IT WAS PAINFUL HIS BANK WENT DOWN"  KWEKU BAAKO



In August 2020, the Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul-Malik Kweku Baako, said he appreciates Alhaji Agongo and wants to see him succeed.



Kweku Baako, thus, said he was pained a lot when the simple and unassuming hard-working businessmans Heritage Bank was collapsed by the Bank of Ghana.

He [Agongo] is a young man and I appreciated him and I want to see a young man like him who does great things, adding: It was painful his bank went down.



Similarly, Kweku Baako expressed qualms about the central banks collapse of uniBank and GN Bank, which, respectively belonged to the former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Kwabena Duffuor and former presidential candidate Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom.



I felt for the three banks: Nduoms bank [GN Bank], Heritage Bank that belongs to that young man, Seidu Agongo (because of his extension into radio, we met a couple of times in 2014 and 2015) and Dr Duffuors bank [uniBank], he said on Accra-based Peace FM's Kokrokoo morning show.

The same with uniBank, he said.



I will tell [you] honestly; Dr Duffuor is a personal friend but the action taken against the banks was not right, he added.



Kweku Baako is not the first to have spoken against the collapse of Heritage Bank, in particular.



AGONGOS REBUTTAL TO BANK OF GHANA



Following the Bank of Ghana's claim that Mr Agongo failed the 'fit and proper' test, the buisnessman responded with a press statement in which he said that the not fit and proper tag stamped on him by the central bank was capricious, arrogant, malicious and in bad faith.



According to Mr Agongo, In purportedly making the determination, the central bank obviously had little regard for the time-honoured principle that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, adding that: The fact that I have a case pending before the High Court is a matter of public knowledge but my guilt or innocence is yet to be determined by the Honourable Court.



The determination that I am not a fit and proper person to be a significant shareholder of HBL because the central bank suspects the funds are derived from illicit or suspicious contracts with Cocobod is not only calculated to pre-judge the outcome of the criminal proceedings but also violative of the principle of presumption of innocence to which every individual is entitled. Since when has suspicion become a substitute for credible evidence? Mr Agongo asked.



Also, the erstwhile Prof Botchwey Board issued a statement on the matter in which it said: Heritage Bank was by the Bank of Ghanas own admission, a solvent bank. It NEVER received liquidity support from the Bank of Ghana. Its corporate governance record had never been impugned by the Bank of Ghana. We believe we have been done a grave injustice and a terrible precedent set that does not bode well for the future.



Alhaji Agongo is currently being prosecuted by the state for an alleged fraudulent sale of fertiliser to Ghana Cocoa Board during the tenure of Dr Stephen Opuni.



The two of them have pleaded not guilty to all 27 counts and are on self-recognisance bail. The case has been in court for five years now. It is currently in the hands of a third judge, after the first one, Justice Clemence Honyenuga retired, and the second one, Justice Anokye Gyimah, got transferred after deciding to start the case de novo.



The new judge, Justice Aboagye Tandoh, first sat on the case on Wednesay, 12 July 2023 following the overturning of the de-novo decision of Justice Gyimah by the Court of Appeal.



This means the case is to continue from where Justice Honyenuga left off.



The defence team has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, challenging the Court of Appeal decision.



However, the criminal prosecution and the collapse of Heritage Bank has not daunted Alhaji Agongos charitable and giving spirit, as he continues to help the poor and most vulnerable in society whenever he has the means to do so.



Perhaps, the fragrance of his free-giving heart, would be freedom and peace of mind to keep giving to those who need it most.

Source: Peacefmonline com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A solemn and befitting state burial service was held Thursday at the forecourt of the State House in Accra for the illustrious Ghanaian poet, playwright and academician, Professor Ama Ata Aidoo, who died on May 31, 2023 at 81.



In attendance was President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former President John Dramani Mahama; the African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns, Dr Ibn Chambas; Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Akosua Frema Osei Opare, and the 2020 NDC running mate, Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman.



Officiated by a large retinue of clergy led by the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Dr Paul Boafo, it also attracted ministers of state, Members of Parliament, some members of academia, the military top brass, family and friends.



Outstanding writer



Reading a tribute, President Akufo-Addo quoted an African saying that: Every time an elder dies, a library burns with him, meaning when an elder passes on some amount of stored knowledge disappears.



He explained, however, that that could not be said about Ama Ata Aidoo who was a knowledgeable teacher, famous poet, flawless public servant and an outstanding writer, who possessed excellent mastery of the English language and put all into writing.



He said the late professor was his contemporary in the 1960s when they were students at the University of Ghana, Legon and someone whom I enjoyed friendly and productive relations.



President Akufo-Addo indicated that through her work, Ama Atta Aidoo made a tremendous contribution to the development of Ghana and Africa, and expressed so many of the feelings about the faith of Ghanaians and Africans.



The ceremony was interspersed with some of her poems, hymns by the Methodist Church and songs by the Winneba Youth Choir.



Brochure



A 143-page gorgeously designed brochure which was distributed contained memorable pictures of her with some leaders around the world, classmates, colleagues and family members. Tributes written by laureates such as Wole Soyinka, Efua Sutherland, Anne Adams, among others, as well as tributes by family members were also captured in the brochure.



Words



She said her contribution towards the education of the women and the girl-child in general was remarkable and that even though she never took up a gun in the African struggle for independence, her pen did the fighting for the liberation of the political and social consciousness of the African.

In her tribute, Kinna Nana Adjoa Kwesiwa Likimani, her only daughter, like her mum, used words to describe in colourful terms her relationship with her mum, which drew applause from the crowd.



She described her mum as a made-in-Ghana mum, whose Pan-Africanism, feminism, socialism, tolerance and acceptance of marginalised people was exemplary and that she would always say that the world was big enough to hold all kinds of people.



These values, coupled with clarity and courage of purpose meant she was unstoppable and unwavering. She wrote us to freedom. Love and kindness don't make you weak.



Mummy, a mountain of outstanding things is being said about you, all deserved. If you were here, you would be incredulous and ask "they are saying these wonderful words about me?, part of the tribute read."



As Uncle Kojo used to say, I have "a big mouth" so I'll tell those gathered here today that you were the most stubborn person, period. Founder of Stubborn Academy. She Who Will Not Be Moved, she added.



Sermon



Delivering the sermon, Rev. Dr Paul Boafo said just as Ama Ata Aidoo used her writings and speeches to fight for the right of others, including domination of the western world over Africa, others must emulate her example.



He urged that people should lead a good and exemplary life because death was inevitable and after death, as the holy Bible had stated, there would be judgement.



Navy



Female ladies of the Ghana Navy in a regimented fashion presented the wreaths to seven designated people who laid them on behalf of the state, the chiefs and people, her daughter, the clergy, the writers association and Wesley Girls High School.



Her casket, draped in the colours of the flag of Ghana, was carried by the officers and men of the Ghana Navy to a waiting hearse in a well-rehearsed slow match to be transported to Abeadze Kyeakor in the Central Region for burial on Saturday.

Source: Graphiconline









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The management of 12 Ghana Education Service (GES) offices in six regions are to face prosecution over procurement breaches amounting to GH1,028,700.91.



They comprise district and municipal offices in Tema, Ledzokuku, and Ga Central in Greater Accra; Abuakwa North in Eastern; Tumu in Upper West; Hohoe in Volta; Sefwi Juaboso, Aowin and Sefwi Akontobra in Western North, and Asikuma Odoben Brakwa, Twifo Praso and Hemang in the Central Region.



The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, Dr James Klutse Avedzi, referred them to the Attorney Generals Office yesterday in Accra at the committees sitting.



The Committee is seeking answers to infractions in the Report of the Auditor-General on the Public Accounts of Ghana  Ministries, Departments and other Agencies for the year ended December 31, 2021.



The report said the 12 offices violated Section 20 of the Public Procurement (Amendment) Act, 2016 (Act 914) which requires procurement entities to request quotations from as many suppliers or contractors as practicable, but from at least three different sources.



These sources should not be related in terms of ownership, shareholding or directorship and the principles of conflict of interest shall apply between the procurement entities and their members and the different price quotation sources.



In line with the committees approach to non-competitive procurement, Dr Avedzi asked the management of the affected institutions to explain themselves to the Attorney-Generals office or the judge that would preside over their respective cases.



Whatever excuses you have, package them nicely and give it to the judge, he might set you free, he said.



Earlier, the committee upheld a recommendation in the AG report that a retired Eastern Regional Manager of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Stephen Okpoti Mensah, should pay for an official vehicle which went missing under his care.



Per the report, the official vehicle with registration number GC 7923- 12 which was parked at the retired Regional Directors official residence (SSNIT Flat Estate) was stolen in March 2019 while he was outside the country.



It said although the matter had since been reported to the police, it was a violation of Section 52 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921) which required him to ensure a proper control system existed for custody and management of the assets.



The committee rejected the excuse that the theft case was being investigated by the police because after five years if no headway had been made, the retiree should take responsibility for the negligence that led to the theft of the vehicle.



The committee was of the view that he should have left the vehicle at the office, where there was security, before travelling, and that if every official is not held accountable for what happened to state property in their care, they would be mismanaged.

Source: Ghanaiantimes.com.gh









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The Ministry of Trade and Industry in partnership with the Rural Enterprises Programme yesterday inaugurated a rice processing factory at Nkrankwanta in the Dormaa West District of Bono Region.



The facility would serve farmers in the area and ensure that the problem of post-harvest losses are reduced or eliminated completely.



On the day, the team also inaugurated a regional technology transfer centre at Dormaa Ahenkro. The facility is expected to produce all kinds of machinery t to support governments desire to create small-scale enterprises in the country.



The Nkrankwanta rice processing factory under the 1D1F common user facility and built at the cost of GH7.243 million has the state-of-the-art rice processing equipment with the capacity to produce 1.5 to 2.8 tonnes of processed rice per hour.



The processing plant installed at the factory includes milling and packaging machines, with a standby generator and a mechanised borehole to supply the factory with water.





The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi, at the inauguration said the 1D1F programme was a phenomenal policy by the government to boost the industrialisation agenda, to address the unemployment issues in the country.



According to him, a total of 296 factories had been created under the one district one factory policy which were at various stages of completion.



The deputy minister said the Nkrankwanta rice processing factory which would create 150 direct jobs and several indirect jobs, would have farmers in the area owning the facility with 70 per cent shares, adding that traditional authorities, assembly and



the Ministry of Trade would have 10 per cent shares respectively.



He charged a nine-member board which he inaugurated yesterday to ensure proper maintenance of the facility.



The Director of the Rural Enterprises Programme (REP), Akwasi Atta-Antwi, said the programme had played a vital role in the establishment of a decentralised institutional framework to support the development of micro and small enterprises in rural areas of Ghana.



According to him a key achievement of rural enterprises and its predecessor, Rural Enterprises project phase 1 and 2 had been the establishment of rural technology facilities through a collaboration with District Assemblies and the GRATIS foundation.



The facilities, he noted had served as magnets for industrial activity, promoting technology dissemination and transfer to the informal sector.



Mr Atta-Antwi said the 1D1F user facility was an agro-industrial factory set up by the Rural Enterprises under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, to enhance the value addition of primary agricultural commodities.



The Dormaa Ahenkro Technology Solution Centre is a technical workshop equipped with metal working machines for the development and promotion of appropriate technology to micro, small and medium-scale enterprises, spare parts production and technical training.

Source: Ghanaiantimes.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah has added his voice to calls for an inquiry into the alleged leaked tape of a purported plot to remove the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare from office.



The leaked audio recording in which a supposed Police Commissioner and an executive of the governing New Patriotic Party could be heard plotting to depose Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare in order to tamper with the 2024 elections has become a serious matter for concern.



Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, a lecturer at the Central University, commenting on the tape during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show called for investigations into it stressing the "things said on the tape are very serious. We can't just sweep it under the carpet".



He feared for the future of the country stating this trend of secret recordings is breaking social relationships and called for punishment to the persons heard on the tape if it is established that the tape is true.



"Such people should be punished," he insisted.



He also condemned the politics attached to the appointment of an Inspector General of Police, particularly when one could say the Police Chief's allegiance should be to the government in power.



He advised that the Police should be allowed to do their work without political interferences and questioned why an IGP whose service is to the nation should become a political puppet.



"Let's allow them to do their work professionally," he emphasized.





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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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appealed to the Senate to approve a borrowing request of $800 million from the World Bank. Recall that former President Muhammadu Buhari had, towards the tail end of his administration, forwarded same request to the 9th Senate in May. However, the 9th Assembly could not consider the request before its tenure ended in June 11.



In a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio 4during plenary on Thursday, July 13, President Tinubu asked the 10th Senate to approve the borrowing request. He told the lawmakers that the loan would be used to scale up the National Social Safety Net Programme.



The letter reads in part



Please note that the federal executive council led by President Muhammadu Buhari approved an additional loan facility to the tune of $800 million to be secured from the World Bank for the National Social Safety Net programme. Copy of FECs extract attached.



You may also wish to note that the purpose of the facility is to expand coverage of shock responsive safety net support among the poor and vulnerable Nigerians. This will assist them in coping with basic needs.



You may further wish to note that under the conditional cash transfer window of the programme, the federal government of Nigeria will transfer the sum of N8,000 per month to 12 million poor and low income households for a period of six months, with a multiplier effect on about 60 million individuals.



In order to guarantee the credibility of the process, digital transfers will be made directly to beneficiaries accounts and mobile wallets.



It is expected that the programme, will stimulate economic activities in the informal sector, and improve nutrition, health, education, and human capital development of beneficiaries households.



Given the above, I wish to invite the Senate to kindly grant approval for the additional loan facility of $800 million to be secured from World Bank for the National Social Safety Net Programme.



While hoping that this submission will receive expeditious consideration by the Senate, please accept the assurances of my highest regards.









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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Charles Owusu has taken a jab at the former Special Prosecutor and Attorney General, Martin Amidu over his utterances against President Nana Akufo-Addo and his government.



Martin Amidu has become very critical of the Akufo-Addo administration.



It could be recalled that Mr. Amidu, after exiting the office of the Special Prosecutor, called the President many names including describing him as a "mother serpent".



In recent times, the former SP has also taken active interest in the politics of the country and his latest comment is on the leaked audio recording where a supposed Police Commissioner and an NPP executive are heard plotting for the removal of the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.



To him, the leaked tape is not fake but a diversionary tactic by the governing New Patriotic Party.



"The recording and leaking of the tape concerning discussions to persuade the President to terminate the appointment of the Inspector General of Police on grounds of disloyalty to the incumbent Government and the NPP was a deliberate ploy to divert the attention of the opposition political parties, particularly the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to render it embarrassing for them to complain should the Ghana Police Service fail to supervise the security aspect of the 2024 elections fairly and impartially," he said in a statement copied to Peacefmonline.



According to him, he knows for a fact that "Dr. George Akuffo Dampare was handpicked for the position of IGP on grounds of proven loyalty to this Government".



He further shared that "the discussion for the replacement of his predecessor started long before his predecessor left office. The three kingpins in this discussion who held positions on the Police Council were my friends. When Dr. Dampares predecessor was to leave office the discussions and maneuvers intensified and the Presidents support and concurrence sought and obtained.



"I know as a matter of fact that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who chairs the Police Council and chaired the Council meeting which formally recommended Dr. Dampares appointment to the President was a staunch supporter of Dr. Dampare, long before the office of IGP became vacant".



Responding to Martin Amidu in a panel discussion on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show Friday morning, Charles Owusu labeled Mr. Amidu as a traitor.



"Martin Amidu has betrayed Ghana because of politics," he exclaimed.



Listen to his full submissions:





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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YOUNGSVILLE, Pa (AP)  A homicide suspect who used bed sheets to escape from jail last week continues to evade capture, but authorities said Friday they believe he may be growing desperate as he tries to live with little support while apparently camping in the rough terrain of northwestern Pennsylvania woodlands.

Lt. Col. George Bivens, the deputy commissioner of Operations for the Pennsylvania State Police, reiterated during a news conference that authorities believe Michael Burham, 34, remains in the area.

Bivens showed a brief video, apparently taken by a home security camera, that showed a man walking on a residential street. Bivens said authorities believe the man was Burham but declined to provide specific details about the video, or say when or where it was taken,

Authorities have said they believe someone is or may have been helping Burham evade capture, citing the discovery of small stockpiles or campsites in wooded areas in the general vicinity and that it was believed at least some of those might be associated with Burham. Bivens said the stockpiles consisted of supplies that would assist him with a prolonged stay in a wooded area.

Bivens has said Burham taught himself survival skills and had military reserve training, but he said Friday the inmate is likely facing many difficulties as he tries to remain free.

Hes trying to live out there with very little support, and thats hard to do for a long time, Bivens said. He needs to surrender. He needs to bring this to an end.

Burham fled the Warren County jail in northwestern Pennsylvania in the late evening hours of July 6 by climbing on exercise equipment, going through a window and scaling down a rope fashioned from jail bedding, authorities have said. He was being held on $1 million bail and was charged with kidnapping, burglary and other counts.

District Attorney Jason Schmidt, of Chautauqua County, New York, said in June that Burham was the prime suspect in the May 11 killing of Kala Hodgkin, 34, and a related arson in Jamestown, New York. Authorities also accused him of abducting an older couple in Pennsylvania while trying to evade capture before his arrest in South Carolina. Warren city police said Burham was considered very dangerous.

Officials in those states agreed to let Pennsylvania handle the initial prosecution, giving New York authorities more time to investigate the murder and arson cases.
Tunisian rights groups called on Friday for emergency aid and shelters for migrants expelled from Sfax last week, as dozens of people protested in Tunis in support of their plight.

Hundreds of migrants fled or were forced out of Tunisia's second-largest city after anti-migrant tensions flared following the July 3 killing of a Tunisian man in an altercation between locals and migrants.

The port of Sfax is a departure point for many migrants from impoverished and violence-torn countries seeking a better life in Europe by making a perilous Mediterranean crossing, often in makeshift boats.

Hundreds of migrants were forcibly taken to desert and hostile areas bordering Libya and Algeria after the unrest in Sfax.

Romdane Ben Amor, spokesperson for the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), told reporters on Friday that between 100 and 150 migrants, including women and children, were still stuck on the border with Libya.

He said about 165 migrants abandoned near the border with Algeria had been picked up, without specifying by whom or where they were taken.

"Migrants are transferred from one place to another while other groups hide out in the wild in catastrophic conditions for fear of being detected and suffering the same fate as those stranded on the borders," Ben Amor said.

He called for emergency accommodation to be given to the migrants and said the authorities must send "a clear message" to Tunisian citizens to help them, regardless of their status.

Around 100 protesters demonstrated Friday evening in Tunis at the call of an anti-government coalition, expressing their "solidarity with undocumented migrants".

The demonstrators also slammed Tunisia's police for "expelling you (migrants) and repressing us".

Meanwhile, the head of a Cameroonian association claimed police had carried out "arbitrary arrests" of sub-Saharan Africans around the train station in Zarzis, south of Sfax.

"Around 300 have been arrested," said Eric Tchata, who posted online a video purporting to show a group of people, including women and children, packed into a warehouse in Medenine, also south of Sfax.

'Blank cheque' for violence



Ben Amor expressed fears that migrants could die if they are not immediately given aid and shelter, noting that the bodies of two had already been found.

Human Rights Watch has said the migrants had been left to fend for themselves without water or shelter in the border regions, where temperatures surpass 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).

Tunisia saw a rise in anti-migrant attacks after President Kais Saied in February accused masses of migrants from sub-Saharan African countries of bringing violence, linking the violence to a "criminal plot" to change the country's demographic makeup.

The president's remarks "gave people the green light to do what they liked to migrants", said Naila Zoghlami, head of the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women.

Speaking to reporters alongside Ben Amor, she said women from sub-Saharan African countries have become more "vulnerable" since Saied's remarks, with several saying they have been raped.

On Friday, Saied added that what Tunisia offered migrants "is better than what they find elsewhere."

"But we refuse to be a land of transit or a land of settlement."

He also doubled down on claims that Tunisia was a victim "of criminal networks of trafficking in human beings".

On Sunday, a high-ranking European delegation is due to visit Tunis to sign a deal stipulating financial aid for the North African country aimed at tackling illegal migration.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online

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ROME (AP)  Italians are using social media to denounce a court verdict clearing a school janitor of a sexual assault charge for groping a 17-year-old student because it only lasted around five to 10 seconds.

The teenager said the man came up from behind her as she was pulling up her trousers while walking with a friend up the stairs in a Rome high school, and slipped his hand beneath her underpants, according to court documents. Pulling on the undergarments, he then lifted her slightly in the air. He admitted to groping her in the April 2022 incident but claimed it was a joke.

A court in Rome ruled last week that the groping was just a few seconds and wasnt sexual, and that it was so brief that his argument that it was a joke was convincing even if inopportune.

The verdict will be appealed, the teens lawyer, Andrea Buitoni, told The Associated Press. Italian law allows acquittals to be appealed by both the prosecutor and the defense.

Actor and comedian Paolo Camilli, who appears in The White Lotus, posted a video on TikTok this week fondling his chest in front of the camera as a chronometer counts down 10 seconds. If this is not molestation, I dont know what is, he said.

The video has spawned copycats, with both men and women fondling their chests to a countdown clock.

Other satirical videos include a woman apologetically excusing a man who has grabbed her rear end after he said he touched her for fewer than 10 seconds, so had committed no crime.

The victim has been following the social media reaction with mixed feelings, her lawyer said, even if she is heartened by knowing that the judges decision is seen by many as an injustice.

The case has been criticized by womens rights organizations.

This kind of verdict is unacceptable. It makes us go backward, and we cannot allow that, Cristina Ercoli, who heads the anti-violence center at Differenza Donna, told The Associated Press.

She said that the younger generation mobilizing on social media were making clear that they have no doubt that decision was wrong. They dont need us to say that it was a crime, she said of the janitors action.

In a similar case, Italys highest court in 2001 upheld an appeals court decision overturning the conviction of a manager of sexual assault for patting a female employees bottom. While the court acknowledged the pat had occurred, it ruled that there was no evidence it was an act of libido. He had been found guilty by a lower trial court and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

The same court in 1999 ruled that it was impossible to rape a woman wearing jeans, since tightness makes them impossible to remove without help. The ruling prompted female lawmakers to wear jeans to Parliament in protest.

READ MORE:

Rural Pa. township cant block cell phone tower construction, federal appeals court rules
Rewards totaling $25,000 are being offered as the search continued Friday for a woman missing after she told family she was checking on a child she said was walking alone along Interstate 459 in Hoover.

An anonymous donor has put up $20,000 for the safe return of 25-year-old Carlethia Nichole Carlee Russell, Hoover police said Friday afternoon. Additionally, Crime Stoppers is offering up to $5,000.

The search began Thursday night when Hoover 911 at 9:34 p.m. received a call from Russell, said Lt. Daniel Lowe.

Russell told the dispatcher that she was near mile marker 11 when she saw a toddler walking alone on the side of I-459 between the flyover to the Galleria and Highway 150.

After calling 911, Russell stopped to check on the child and called a family member to report the same details, Lowe said. The family member lost contact with her, but the line remained open.

Officers who were already en route to the location of the initial 911 call located Russells vehicle and some of her belongings nearby but were unable to find her or a child in the area.

Hoover police have not received any other calls of someone missing a small child.

Authorities are not committing to any one theory in Russells disappearance, police said at a Friday afternoon press conference.

We currently are investigating every possibility, Lowe said. Were certainly leaving nothing off the table.

He said they have received numerous tips from the community. Each tip is assigned to an investigator.

We have a myriad of resources, he said. Everything we have at the Hoover Police Department, in addition to our partners, is involved in this investigation right now.

Russells parents, Talitha and Carlos Russell, have been with family and friends throughout the day Friday searching the area where their daughter was last seen.

Helping them is Angela Harris, Aniah Blanchards mom, who is on the scene aiding the search.

Blanchard, a 19-year-old Southern Union Community College student from Homewood, vanished in 2019. More than a month would pass before she would be found dead from multiple gunshot wounds in Macon County.

Were maintaining a very close contact with them in that process, Lowe said of Russells family.

Talitha Russell said her daughter left The Woodhouse Day Spa at the Summit, where she works part time, and stopped by Tazikis at the Colonnade at 9 p.m. to pick up food for herself and her mother.

Talitha Russell talked to her daughter at 9:19 p.m. as she was leaving Tazikis and heading to the Hoover home she shared with her parents.

At 9:36 p.m., Talitha Russell said, her daughter was on the phone with her brothers girlfriend when she was pulling over on the side of the interstate after saying she saw a child alone that appeared to be 3 or 4 years old.

She called 911 when she pulled over, Talitha Russell said. She got out of the car. I think she probably let her guard down thinking 911 would be there in a second.

Carlee Russell in the clothes she is believed to have been wearing at the time she disappeared.

My sons girlfriend heard her asking the child, Are you Ok? She never heard the child say anything but then she heard our daughter scream, Talitha Russell said. From there all you hear on her phone is background noise from the interstate.

A Hoover police officer dispatched Carlee Russells report of a child alone on I-459 arrived within three minutes, Talitha Russell said.

Her car door was open, the engine was running, and they found her phone on the ground, along with her wig and her hat, Talitha Russell said. Her purse was still in the car. Her Apple watch was in her purse and her Air Pods as well.

Talitha Russell said a tip was called in from a trucker who was traveling along I-459 at the time of Carlee Russells disappearance.

He saw her red car with the door open and he saw a grey car with a tall brown skinned man with khaki shorts on leaning over in the car, Talitha Russell said.

The police did find some tire tracks in the grass, she said. They said because it was not a muddy area, they were not able to determine what type of vehicle it could have been.

Carlee Russell attends Jeff State where she is studying to become a registered nurse. She has a bachelors degree in psychology from AUM.

Talitha said its heartbreaking that her daughter disappeared just minutes from the family home.

She was so close, she said through tears.

Russell is a Black female, 5-feet, 4-inches tall and weighs between 150 and 160 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black shirt, black pants, and white Nike shoes.

Russell is too old to be the subject of an Amber Alert, but her family is questioning why no Ashanti Alert was issued in this case.

An Ashanti Alert deals with critical missing adult cases and became a law in 2018.

It is named in honor of Ashanti Billie, a 19-year-old woman who was abducted and killed in Virginia in 2017.

The law was designed to cover missing people too old for an Amber Alert and too young for a Silver Alert.

Lowe said the information in Russells disappearance has been provided to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and it will be up to ALEA to make that decision.

If you have any information please contact Detective Brad Fountain at 205-444-7562, Sergeant Drew Mims at 205-739-7274, or Crimestoppers of Metro Alabama at 205-254-7777
The first day of the annual Jalsa Salana event began this Friday, marking its 73rd celebration of the nations oldest Muslim convention.

Jalsa Salana is taking place at the Farm Show complex this year, expecting to host around 9,000 to 10,000 people to Harrisburg over the weekend with the event ending late Sunday.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has held the Jalsa Salana event for over 72 years across the United States with a purpose to renew their commitment to peace and to advancing human rights around the world.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are a sect of Islam that differs from Sunnis and Shias in some basic beliefs. Ahmadiyya Muslims believe the messiah has already come, in the person of their founder Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, of India, who lived from 1835 to 1908. This has made them targets of extremists who consider them heretics.

In addition to self reflection and prayer, activities are set up throughout the complex. Food will also be served all throughout the weekend, even welcoming members of the public to join the event.

Take a look at scenes from the first day of this years convention in Harrisburg.

READ MORE: City leaders join Ahmadi Muslims in service to Harrisburg
Given the gunshot wounds to his head and arm, the fact that Ralph Yarl was able to celebrate his 17th birthday on May 7, 2023, is a modern-day miracle.

Less than a month earlier, on April 13, Yarl had gone to pick up his twin younger brothers from a play date in the Northland section of Kansas City, Kansas.

Instead of going to NE 115 Terrace, Yarl went a block away to NE 115 Street Place, where he rang the doorbell.

Within a few seconds after seeing Yarl at his door, the homeowner, Andrew Lester, an 84-year-old white man, fired his .32-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver and struck Yarl twice, once in his forehead and once in his arm.

No hesitation. No conversation. Yarl remembers Lester saying these five words before he shot him: Dont ever come here again.

Eventually, Lester was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action, both of which are felonies. He was released after posting US$200,000 bail. On the assault charge alone, Lester faces a penalty of up to life in prison.

Local prosecutors have said there was a racial component to Yarls shooting. No hate crime charges have been filed against Lester.

Weeks after Yarls shooting, another incident involving neighbors occurred in Ocala, Florida, on June 3. But this one ended in the death of a 35-year-old Black woman, A.J. Owens.

In that case, Susan Lorincz, 58, a white woman, has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and manslaughter with a firearm after reportedly shooting Owens after Owens rang her doorbell.

It is reported that Owens wanted to discuss the womans attacks on Owens children. Lorincz has claimed that she, too, feared for her life.

A long way from a colorblind society

In my book, Bodies out of Place: Theorizing Anti- blackness in U.S. Society, I describe how racist attitudes persist in society.

One way this happens is through fixed social ideas about where Blacks belong, when, with whom and in what position.

Any Black person outside of what someone else determines is his or her socially designated physical or social location is presumed to be out of place. In my book, I argue that the repercussions for being deemed out of place range from what some might call benign amusement to death. Make no mistake: Harm results in either case.

The shootings of Yarl and Owens are important to our national conversation about race and sense of place.

It hints at a reality that is both unpleasant and often ignored: Most Black people in American society are forced to navigate increasingly segregated spaces.

I argue that as Black people travel to, through and in spaces, the presumption of criminality shrouds their bodies. It follows them to work, school and play. To survive, Black people operate with a knowledge of beauty and precarity. For Black women, sociologist Patricia Hill Collins calls this consciousness an awareness of our status as the outsider within.

Scared to death

Like Owens shooter, Lester said he feared for his life and was only protecting himself when Yarl rang the doorbell. Through his attorney, Lester further said he was scared to death and thought Yarl was a burglar.

Because most would-be burglars do not ring doorbells, its fair to question on what he based his fear.

By all accounts, Yarl was a gifted young man before the shooting.

Meara Mitchell, a teacher of Yarls for several years, described him as a stellar human being with a quiet fortitude.

Yarl still has dreams of continued academic achievement, despite experiencing frequent headaches and other mental illnesses as a result of the gunshot wound.

During an interview on Good Morning America, Yarl told host Robin Roberts: Im just going to keep doing all the stuff that makes me happy. And just living my life the best I can, and not let this bother me.

It boggles the imagination that the shooting would not bother Yarl. What is clear is that he is resolved  at least publicly  to not let it steal his joy.

As Elaine Nichols wrote for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Black Joy is and has been an essential act of survival and development.

And as is often the case, the ability to feel great joy is only possible for those who have also known great pain.

Racism operates on a continuum

In its guidebook Race and Racism in the United States, the American Sociological Association describes how racism operates on the structural and individual level.

There are often expectations about who belongs in certain spaces. As the work of sociologist Nirmal Puwar demonstrates, physical spaces are gendered, raced and classed.

In Space Invaders: Race, Gender and Bodies Out of Place, Puwar aptly describes the way women and ethnic minorities are perceived as space invaders in comparison to white men who are perceived to belong.

Some have called Yarls shooting the wrong door case.

In my view, that characterization trivializes what happened.

As Yarls aunt, Faith Spoonmore, explained, he was shot in the neighborhood where he lived.

Kansas City resident Michele L. Watley called her city a place where this veil of nicety and smiles  overlays microaggressions and all kinds of crazy stuff.

Sociologist Eduardo Bonilla-Silva notes that colorblindness has been the dominant racial ideology of the postCivil Rights era.

That ideology maintains that race no longer matters for peoples life chances.

But as Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson cogently wrote in her dissent in the Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina, Deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life.

Just ask the families of A.J. Owens and Ralph Yarl.

Barbara Harris Combs, Professor and Chair Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Kennesaw State University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
FILE - A Tesla electronic vehicle charging station is seen Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. The Biden administration is making available $20 billion from a federal "green bank" for clean energy projects such as residential heat pumps, electric vehicle charging stations and community cooling centers. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
The US is beefing up its use of fighter jets around the strategic Strait of Hormuz to protect ships from Iranian seizures, a senior defence official said on Friday.

Washington is increasingly concerned about the growing ties between Iran, Russia and Syria across the Middle East, the official added.

Speaking to Pentagon reporters, the official said the US will send F-16 fighter jets to the Gulf this weekend to assist the A-10 attack aircraft that have been patrolling for more than a week.

The move comes after Iran tried to seize two oil tankers near the strait last week, firing on one of them.

The defence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the F-16s will give air cover to the ships moving through the waterway and increase the military's visibility in the area, as a deterrent to Iran.

The US Navy said in both instances the Iranian naval vessels backed off when the USS McFaul, a guided-missile destroyer, arrived on the scene.

In addition, the defence official said the US is considering a number of military options to address increasing Russian aggression in the skies over Syria, which complicated efforts to strike an ISIS leader last weekend.

The official declined to provide further detail, but said the US will not cede any territory and will continue to fly in the western part of the country on anti-ISIS missions.

The Russian military activity, which has increased in frequency and aggression since March, stems from growing co-operation and co-ordination between Moscow, Tehran and the Syrian government to try to pressure the US to leave Syria, the official said.

The official said Russia is beholden to Iran for its support in the war in Ukraine, and Tehran wants the US out of Syria so it can more easily move lethal aid to Lebanese Hezbollah and threaten Israel.

The US has seen more co-operation, collaboration, planning and intelligence sharing, largely between mid-level Russian and Iranian Quds force leaders in Syria, to pressure the US to remove troops from Syria, the official added.

There are about 900 US forces in the country, and others move in and out to conduct missions targeting ISIS militants.

The US does not believe Russian aircraft plan to drop bombs on American troops or shoot down manned aircraft.

But there are concerns that Russian pilots will knock a Reaper drone out of the sky and that Moscow believes that type of action would not get a strong US military response, the official said.

US and Russian military commanders routinely communicate over a deconfliction phone line that has been in place for several years to avoid unintended clashes in Syria, where both sides have troops on the ground and in the air.

There are often many calls a day, and at times result in angry threats as commanders argue over a continuing operation, said the US official.

Describing a conversation, the official said the Russians will often declare an area of space a restricted operating zone and say they are doing military exercises there.

The US sees no exercises, and tells Russia that American forces are on a counter-terror mission against ISI and plan to fly in that area. The Russians then say they can't guarantee US aircraft safety if they go there.

And once the mission begins, and the aircraft move into the zone, it sometimes gets very heated", said the official, as both sides loudly protest and reject the other's assertions.

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Alex Kulev Wins $50K High Roller for $2,087,073; Moves Atop Bulgarian All-Time Money List

July 14, 2023 Liam Gannon Live Reporter

As the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) winds to a close, Event #84: $50,000 High Roller saw a massive uptick in entries from last year to this year. A total of 176 entrants came out to play this iteration of the high roller, creating a prize pool of $8,404,000. From that starting, only five returned on Friday to play for the WSOP bracelet.

At the end of the day, it was Bulgarian high roller Alex Kulev taking home his first WSOP bracelet with a career-best score of $2,087,073.

Im just very grateful and very excited to be here, the newly crowned champion said surrounded by his supportive rail. It has always been a dream of mine to win a bracelet, and doing it in this event against this type of field is the best that it can be.

Kulev had also final tabled the WSOP $250,000 No-Limit Holdem event earlier in the 2023 series. Finishing in fourth place for $1,632,005 was his best result ever at the time. This time he came into the day with the chip lead and only relinquished it once throughout the final table.

The best players in the world came out to play this tournament, he said about the tough competition, I max-late-regged with 15 big blinds, so it was very touch and go for a bit but when the cards want you to win, they usually let you win.

With this score, Kulev rises to number one on the all-time Bulgaria money list, with career earnings of $6,630,310.

It feels good, but it doesnt take away from the other players high on that list. Ognyan Dimov and Dimitar Danchev have helped me a lot in my career and I dont like to rank them in any way, its just an honor to be there.

The 28-year-old had nothing but kind words to say as he left the tournament surrounded by his friends on his rail.

2023 WSOP Event #84 Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Alex Kulev Bulgaria $2,087,073 2 Gergely Kulcsar Hungary $1,289,909 3 Jake Schindler United States $957,491 4 Daniel Smiljkovic Germany $713,413 5 Koray Aldemir Germany $533,561 6 Johannes Straver Netherlands $400,562 7 Brandon Wittmeyer United States $301,859 8 Moshe Refaelowitz Israel $228,347

2023 World Series of Poker Hub Bookmark this page! All you need to know about the 2023 WSOP is here. Click here

Action Of The Day

With five players returning today, it did not take long for action to kick off. The first hand of the day saw the elimination of Koray Aldemir when he check-raise jammed with second pair and the nut flush draw against Gergely Kulcsar, who had flopped three nines. The flush draw did not come home on the turn and the 2021 WSOP Main Event champion ended his run in fifth place for $533,561.

Aldemir played one hand at this final table before departing it after his flush draw missed.

The next one to leave was Daniel Smiljkovic who moved in his final chips with ace-jack and Kulcsar called him with ace-ten. The flop came out safe enough, but the turn paired with Kulcsars kicker and the river didn't with Smiljkovics, which saw the WSOP bracelet holder's exit the tournament in fourth place for $713,413.

Three-handed saw Kulcsar relinquish the chip lead as Kulev began to rise up. Chips were exchanged between the three players as Kulcsar dipped to the shortest stack for a bit.

Next out the door was WSOP bracelet winner Jake Schindler, who exited in third place. Schindler moved in his final chips with ace-eight and Kulev called him with ace-nine. The flopped nine had Kulev lock up the board on the turn as he took a massive lead while Schindler collected $957,491 for his efforts.

Kulev came into heads-up play with a massive chip lead that grew as he won a big pot in heads-up play with three twos. A couple of hands later, Kulcsar moved all in with ace-five over an open for 14 big blinds, only to have Kulev call with ace-nine. The board provided no help for Kulcsar as Kulev won his first WSOP title and the Bulgarian player collected a career-best score of $1,289,909.

Alex Kulev

Click here to read live updates from the 2023 WSOP!

Sharelines Alex Kulev (@alexkulev95) won the #WSOP2023 Event 84: $50,000 High Roller for $2,087,073.
Matthew Parry Wins 2023 WSOP Event #82: $3,000 PLO 6-Handed ($480,122)

July 14, 2023 Chris Land Live Reporter

The final day of 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Event #82: $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 6-Handed at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas crowned a new first-time bracelet winner in Matthew Parry. On top of the prestigious achievement of winning the most coveted trophy in all of poker, Parry will also take home first-place prize money totaling $480,122.

Parry was already an accomplished player in his own right, having over $1,200,000 in live tournament earnings before this score according to The Hendon Mob, but this accomplishment is made extra sweet by his having just missed out on a bracelet a few short weeks ago after a third-place finish in an earlier $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha event. That, and the tough nature of the final table he had to navigate to claim victory, makes this an achievement anyone would be proud to call their own.

Parry now stands atop a start-studded field of 1,013 entrants who came together to create a prize pool worth a staggering $2,704,710. This year's field crushed last year's attendance by 294 entries, continuing the theme of massive field growth through the 2023 WSOP.

2023 WSOP Event #82 Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Matthew Parry United States $480,122 2 Dustin Goldklang United States $296,746 3 Ian Matakis United States $205,696 4 Cuba Levenberry United States $144,890 5 Lawrence Wayne United States $103,738

The final day saw some serious talent return to chase the gold as Dustin Goldklang came into the final table second in chips with none other than Player of the Year leader Ian Matakis coming back to the third biggest stack.

Matakis was making his fourth final table appearance of the series, his 19th cash, and going for his second bracelet of the summer and even though he held the chip lead off and on for a good portion of the day, he ultimately fell in third to make way for a newly-minted champion.

2023 World Series of Poker Hub Bookmark this page! All you need to know about the 2023 WSOP is here. Click here

Final Table Action

Lawrence Wayne was the life of the party late on Day 3 but came into the final table as the short stack by a wide margin and although he did manage to find not one double but two, he still ended up being the first man to make his exit from the final table. Cuba Levenberry followed about a half an hour behind after getting a flush draw in versus Matakis' flopped straight and failing to improve.

From there, Matakis, Parry, and Goldklang would trade blows back and forth for a bit and at times, be relatively even in chips until Parry made the nuts in a massive confrontation that left Matakis short going into a break. Matakis came back from the short breather ready to battle back but ultimately fell at the hands of Parry who made two pair to send him to the exit just short of winning his second bracelet of the summer.

Ian Matakis

Parry entered heads-up play with almost a 7:1 chip lead over Goldklang and while Goldklang did manage to make quads against Parry's boat to find a double, he ended up falling in second place shortly thereafter when Parry made a straight to put a lock on the tournament once and for all.

Winner's Reaction

Parry, who bills himself as "mostly a cash game player," described bringing home the bracelet as "surreal," adding that he, "came into the World Series with an intention to really put a lot of effort into the tournaments and after having a couple of deep runs, it just feels amazing finally close one out."

Parry says he plays mainly Pot-Limit Omaha and No-Limit Hold'em and when asked what he thinks contributes to his success this summer in the PLO events specifically with four of his five cashes coming in this game variant, he said, "One thing that I like about the tournament versus cash play is it feels like there's less variance. You see a lot less re-raising and it allows you to navigate through a field like this a lot better".

After notching his biggest score ever by a multiple of two, Parry was quick to point out the massive blessing it is to be able to play this great game for a living and be successful at something that he truly loves to do.

His parting words to PokerNews was a call to action for anyone with similar dreams, simply saying, "You know what? If you have a dream of coming out to the World Series of Poker, you can do it and you should it."

Matthew Parry and supporters.

This officially brings coverage of this event to a close, but stay tuned to PokerNews for up-to-date coverage all remaining events as the 2023 World Series of Poker nears its exciting end!

Sharelines Matthew Parry topped a field of 1,013 entries to win the #WSOP2023 Event 82: $3,000 PLO 6-Handed.
As the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) winds to a close, Event #84: $50,000 High Roller saw a massive uptick in entries from last year to this year. A total of 176 entrants came out to play this iteration of the high roller, creating a prize pool of $8,404,000. From that starting, only five returned on Friday to play for the WSOP bracelet.

At the end of the day, it was Bulgarian high roller Alex Kulev taking home his first WSOP bracelet with a career-best score of $2,087,073.

Im just very grateful and very excited to be here, the newly crowned champion said surrounded by his supportive rail. It has always been a dream of mine to win a bracelet, and doing it in this event against this type of field is the best that it can be.

Kulev had also final tabled the WSOP $250,000 No-Limit Holdem event earlier in the 2023 series. Finishing in fourth place for $1,632,005 was his best result ever at the time. This time he came into the day with the chip lead and only relinquished it once throughout the final table.

The best players in the world came out to play this tournament, he said about the tough competition, I max-late-regged with 15 big blinds, so it was very touch and go for a bit but when the cards want you to win, they usually let you win.

With this score, Kulev rises to number one on the all-time Hungarian money list, with career earnings of $6,630,310.

It feels good, but it doesnt take away from the other players high on that list. Ognyan Dimov and Dimitar Danchev have helped me a lot in my career and I dont like to rank them in any way, its just an honor to be there.

The 28-year-old had nothing but kind words to say as he left the tournament surrounded by his friends on his rail.

2023 WSOP Event #84 Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Alex Kulev Bulgaria $2,087,073 2 Gergely Kulcsar Hungary $1,289,909 3 Jake Schindler United States $957,491 4 Daniel Smiljkovic Germany $713,413 5 Koray Aldemir Germany $533,561 6 Johannes Straver Netherlands $400,562 7 Brandon Wittmeyer United States $301,859 8 Moshe Refaelowitz Israel $228,347

Action Of The Day

With five players returning today, it did not take long for action to kick off. The first hand of the day saw the elimination of Koray Aldemir when he check-raise jammed with second pair and the nut flush draw against Gergely Kulcsar, who had flopped three nines. The flush draw did not come home on the turn and the 2021 WSOP Main Event champion ended his run in fifth place for $533,561.

Aldemir played one hand at this final table before departing it after his flush draw missed.

The next one to leave was Daniel Smiljkovic who moved in his final chips with ace-jack and Kulcsar called him with ace-ten. The flop came out safe enough, but the turn paired with Kulcsars kicker and the river didn't with Smiljkovics, which saw the WSOP bracelet holder's exit the tournament in fourth place for $713,413.

Three-handed saw Kulcsar relinquish the chip lead as Kulev began to rise up. Chips were exchanged between the three players as Kulcsar dipped to the shortest stack for a bit.

Next out the door was WSOP bracelet winner Jake Schindler, who exited in third place. Schindler moved in his final chips with ace-eight and Kulev called him with ace-nine. The flopped nine had Kulev lock up the board on the turn as he took a massive lead while Schindler collected $957,491 for his efforts.

Kulev came into heads-up play with a massive chip lead that grew as he won a big pot in heads-up play with three twos. A couple of hands later, Kulcsar moved all in with ace-five over an open for 14 big blinds, only to have Kulev call with ace-nine. The board provided no help for Kulcsar as Kulev won his first WSOP title and the Hungarian player collected a career-best score of $1,289,909.

Thank you for reading along with PokerNews, be sure to stay tuned for all updates regarding the 2023 WSOP.
Day 1a of Event #88: $1,500 The Closer is now on the books at the 2023 World Series of Poker. Benson Tang bagged the lead with 2,185,000 in chips. The Californian native had an incredible Day 1A, putting on a clinic.

After dinner break, Tang crossed the 1,700,000-chip mark when he made a straight against three-time WSOP bracelet winner Ryan Leng.

Tang has secured two WSOP cashes this summer and is looking to capture his first WSOP gold bracelet.

A total of 1,141 players entered the fray, creating a prize pool of $1,523,235. This will be added to flight 1bs prize pool. Only 76 players remained as bags were handed out to advance to Day 2, which will be played on Sunday, July 16th at 10 a.m. local time.

Day 1a Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Benson Tang United States 2,185,000 73 2 Alan Hamza United States 1,910,000 64 3 Jeffrey Tanouye United States 1,865,000 62 4 Lisa Hamilton United States 1,605,000 54 5 Faizal Khoja United States 1,580,000 53 6 Mohommed Khan United States 1,475,000 49 7 Yann Perron France 1,445,000 48 8 Renmei Liu Canada 1,445,000 48 9 Jason Wheeler United States 1,360,000 45 10 Michael Noori United States 1,355,000 45

The bubble burst shortly after the final break of the night when three players were eliminated at once during the hand-for-hand period. These three players split the minimum cash of $2,400.

An unknown player who disappeared after the dinner break was blinded down to just 5,000 and was set to be all-in the very next hand when the bubble burst, officially getting them into the money.

Several big names played in this event, one of the last of the series. However, these big names failed to make the money, including Daniel Negreanu, Barry Greenstein,Robert Mizrachi, Lexy Gavin-Mather, and Jeremy Wien.

Many well-known players did manage to find a bag though, including Michael Noori (1,355,000), Preston McEwen (1,115,000), Chris Moorman (835,000), and Ethan Yau (565,000).

Day 1b will begin at 10 a.m. local time in Paris with 22 30-minute levels. There will be a 20-minute break after every four levels and a 75-minute dinner break after level 12. Registration will close at the end of the dinner break. As always, PokerNews will be first with all of the latest news from the World Series of Poker at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.
Another day of hot poker action took place at the World Series of Poker 2023 at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. Event #89: $1,000 FLIP & GO No-Limit Hold'em saw 128 players make it through the Flip stage of this unique tournament, which draws its inspiration from the GGPoker's online variant bearing the same name.

Those players who made it through the Flip stage were then whittled down to a final 18 over the course of 12 levels of more typical poker action. The total prize pool is $1,182,810 with $160,490 reserved for the eventual champion.

Poker regular Pete Chen bagged up the most chips at the close of play with an impressive 2,990,000 in his stack with which to start Day 2. Right behind him is James Bullimore (1,840,000) and rounding out the top three is Mason Vieth (1,715,000).

Other notables who return for Day 2 include bracelet winners Kevin Eyster (815,000), Jesse Lonis (1,120,000), and David Williams (725,000).

Top Ten Chip Counts

Place Player Country Chips Big Blinds 1 Pete Chen Taiwan 2,990,000 75 2 James Bullimore United Kingdom 1,840,000 46 3 Mason Vieth United States 1,715,000 43 4 Jack Salter United Kingdom 1,675,000 42 5 Dong Meng United States 1,420,000 36 6 Xizhe Yuan United Kingdom 1,245,000 31 7 Eric Wasserson United States 1,200,000 30 8 Jesse Lonis United States 1,120,000 28 9 Drew Gonzalez United States 960,000 24 10 Brady Hinnegan Canada 945,000 24

The action was fast paced throughout the tournament portion of the event, as players were not at all afraid to get their chips into the middle. The result was a plethora of bustouts early on.

Some big names who were eliminated in the tournament portion included Shaun Deeb, Koray Aldemir, Shannon Shorr, and this tournaments poster child Scott Seiver (who only took six bullets to make the money this year).

Scott Seiver

ACR Ambassador Ebony Kenney suffered a bad beat early on, getting it all in with ace-king against the ace-queen of Yuchung Chang. Of course, the queen appeared on the turn to send her home.

Williams also ran up an impressive stack after busting Colton Blomberg. Williams snap-called with a set of eights against Blomberg's turn shove with a gutter straight flush draw that bricked on the river. Unfortunately, Williams' resulting big stack was cut back down within the same level when he got involved with a big hand versus Chen in a set-over-set situation that rocketed Chen into the chip lead.

Even more exciting action is promised for Day 2 as players return at 12:00 p.m. local time in the Horseshoe on July 15th. The blinds will be 20,000/40,000 with a 40,000 big blind ante.

There is sure to be plenty of action with this lineup, so make sure to tune into PokerNews for all of your updates!
Former US President Donald Trump on Friday criticized incumbent Joe Biden's executive order on mobilizing reserve troops for deployment in Europe, Azernews reports, citing Yeni Safak.

"Bidens decision to mobilize reserve forces proves that his reckless escalation in Ukraine is straining the US military to the point of disaster," Trump said in a statement.

Stating that Biden "confessed" last week that US military ammunition was badly depleted and nearing exhaustion, Trump argued that the US reserves were forced to support Biden's "calamitous" policy in Europe while its own borders were vulnerable.

"The last thing this incompetent administration should be doing is pushing us further toward 'World War Three'. Yet Biden has proclaimed that he will continue sending American treasure and weaponry to fuel endless war in Ukraine for 'as long as it takes'," he said.

He reiterated that he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours if he becomes president, and said, "Not one American mother or father wants to send their child to die in Eastern Europe."

- Reactions from Republican lawmakers

Republican Senator Ted Cruz, in a post on Twitter, described Biden's decision as "reckless and dangerous" and argued that American soldiers should never be sent to fight in Ukraine.

Senator Mike Lee, on the other hand, pointed out that there is an active war on NATO's eastern flank and argued that the decision was a dangerous provocation.

- White House response

"They need to get their facts straight. This mobilization is not an increase, but to rotate troops," said Andrew Bates, White House deputy spokesman, said in a statement.

Noting that Republican lawmakers are damaging military preparedness and military families with an "unrelated political agenda," Bates said, "American service members and their families are not pawns."

With the executive order he signed Thursday, Biden authorized the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) and the Department of Homeland Security to mobilize up to 3,000 reserve troops within and around the area of responsibility of the US European Command.

Biden also said in an interview with CNN last week that the ammunition of Ukraine and the US is running low.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed confidence Friday on the prospects of an extension to the deal that allows Ukraine to export its grain and ease a global food crisis.

"We are preparing to welcome Putin in August and we agree on the extension of the Black Sea grain corridor," Erdogan told reporters.

Erdogan said he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the crucial deal, set to expire on Monday, though he did not say when the conversation had taken place.

Questioned by Russian press agencies Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov neither confirmed nor denied Erdogan's statement. "There is no statement about this from the Russian side," he said.

The Black Sea grain deal was first signed in July 2022, five months after the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, and has already been renewed two times. This time however, Putin has repeatedly threatened not to renew it because of obstacles to Russia's own exports.

Earlier Friday, speaking in Jakarta, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Russia to extend the deal, warning that the most vulnerable countries would suffer without it.

"Developing countries including in the region will pay the price including quite literally with higher food prices, as well as greater food scarcity," Blinken told reporters after Southeast Asian talks.

UN letter to Putin



UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres this week sent Putin a letter about the extension of the deal. He supports removing hurdles to Russia exporting its fertilisers -- another element Moscow has complained is not being respected.

Erdogan said he hoped "that with this letter we will ensure the extension of the grain corridor with our joint efforts and those of Russia".

"Discussions are being had," said Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for Guterres. "WhatsApp messages are being sent, Signal messages are being sent and exchanged."

They were still waiting for a reply to Guterres's letter, he added.

On Thursday, Putin had argued that none of Moscow's conditions for the deal to function had been met.

"I want to emphasise that nothing was done, nothing at all. It's all one-sided," Putin said in a televised interview.

"We will think about what to do, we have a few more days," he added.

The deal, which Erdogan helped broker, has allowed Ukraine to ship more than 32 million tonnes of grain past Russian warships in the Black Sea.

Much of the grain has gone to feed people in developing countries in Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere. If the exports were again blocked, food prices could spiral even higher than they are now.

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In a statement, President Biden called out Republicans who are complaining about his new action to forgive $39 billion in student loans.

The President said in a statement:

I have long said that college should be a ticket to the middle class  not a burden that weighs down on families for decades.

My Administration is delivering on that commitment. Starting today, over 800,000 student loan borrowers who have been repaying their loans for 20 years or more will see $39 billion of their loans discharged because of steps my Administration took to fix failures of the past. These borrowers will join the millions of people that my Administration has provided relief to over the past two years  resulting in over $116 billion in loan relief to over 3 million borrowers under my Administration.

But were not stopping there. My Administration has worked hard to secure the largest increases to Pell Grants in a decade, fixed broken loan programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and created a new income-driven repayment plan that will cut undergraduate loan payments in half and bring monthly payments to zero for low-income borrowers. And, when the Supreme Court made the wrong decision, I immediately announced a new plan to open an alternative path to relief for as many borrowers as possible, as soon as possible.

Republican lawmakers  who had no problem with the government forgiving millions of dollars of their own business loans  have tried everything they can to stop me from providing relief to hardworking Americans. Some are even objecting to the actions we announced today, which follows through on relief borrowers were promised, but never given, even when they had been making payments for decades. The hypocrisy is stunning, and the disregard for working and middle-class families is outrageous.

As long as Im in office, I will continue to work to bring the promise of college to every American.

There is a reason why Biden brought in a record amount of fundraising for his reelection campaign in the second quarter. Those who are looking at popularity or horse race metrics might miss it, but Joe Biden is getting things done for people, and voters have demonstrated throughout his term that when Biden and Democrats deliver they get rewarded at the polls.

Biden has found a powerful issue with student loans that he has used to illustrate the difference in priorities between himself and Republicans.

The GOP complains about anything that helps working and middle-class people.

President Biden knows where his potential voters are, and he is doing everything in his power to deliver for them.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low near 70F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
The Aiken City Council's latest executive session included a discussion of downtown redevelopment plans with some members of the Aiken Corporation's board of directors.

Aiken Corporation Board Chairman Buzz Rich confirmed Wednesday afternoon some members of the board were included in an executive session held prior to Monday's city council meeting.

Rich added not all of the board was included to avoid triggering meeting notice requirements. He did not specify how many board members attended the meeting.

An Aiken Standard reporter observed Rich and Jason Rabun prior to the executive session and spoke with Sam Erb after the meeting.

The council entered the executive session at 5:18 p.m. after a brief work session to discuss an update to the city's comprehensive plan.

Kay Brohl made the motion to enter executive session. Mayor Pro Tempore Ed Woltz seconded her motion.

Mayor Rick Osbon read the reasons for entering executive session. The reasons listed included "contractual arrangements relating to the proposed Savannah River National Laboratory location in downtown Aiken," contractual arrangements related to the northside sewer expansion and the Aiken Land Conservancy's conservation easement grant application.

He also cited two sections of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act allowing a public body to enter executive session. Those sections relate to receiving legal advice (S.C. Code Ann.  30-4-70(a)(2) and economic development (S.C. Code Ann.  30-4-70(a)(5)).

The vote to enter executive session was 4-0. Osbon, Woltz, Brohl and Lessie Price voted in favor of entering executive session. Gail Diggs arrived while the council was in executive session. Ed Girardeau and Andrea Gregory did not attend the public portion of the meeting Monday evening.

The amount of time the council spent on each topic is unknown.

However, four people connected with the Aiken Land Conservancy waited for the executive session in the council chambers and were later summoned into the executive session room.

The council exited executive session at 7:14 p.m. after returning to the dais and reciting a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to begin the regular meeting.

Brohl made the motion to exit executive session. Diggs seconded her motion.

The vote was 5-0.
A new cookie franchise is coming to Augusta this fall.

Dirty Dough Cookies, a franchise that started in Utah, looks to combine a mental health message with stuffed cookies.

Its a little bit unique compared to some other competitors out there in that it's more of a plain cookie and a frosting. We have stuffed cookies with all these different fillings. That is what makes Dirty Dough different. What drew me to it was the branding, said Michael Ralphs, CEO of Ralphs Franchising.

We care about your feelings, it's whats inside that counts, and it's all about that mental health aspect of 'you are good enough as you are, you dont have to be perfect,' battling that social media mentality that everything has to be perfect and life is a little bit messy.

Ralphs, who owns the franchising rights to the Augusta location at 3602 Exchange Lane, expects the store location to open in early October. According to Ralphs, a mental wellness center geared for students will also be created.

First of all, they're great cookies, just really good quality," Ralphs said. "The cookies taste great  so it's just a really great product along with a great message.

Ralphs looks forward to integrating into the community.

We are very excited to be in the area here and we love the area, Ralphs said. I think it will be something that people really enjoy having around.

For more information, visit dirtydoughcookies.com.
The Statehouse has been abuzz for more than two years with charges of children being indoctrinated with leftist propaganda about race, gender and politics, even though the closest anyone could come to an example in S.C. classrooms was a teacher who instructed students to dress in black to mourn the election of Donald Trump. At a private school.

In the smattering of examples at public schools  most recently a reading assignment that encouraged students to click on an adult website to learn more about a society of gay men  the schools took action up to and including firing teachers once they learned about the problem.

After the Legislature passed a temporary law outlawing indoctrination, the Houses extremist wing filed lawsuits last year claiming the Charleston County and Lexington One school districts were violating that law. But like the testimony denouncing critical race theory and the new favored term for stuff I dont like  wokeness  the lawsuits were completely devoid of any allegations that either district had done anything that violated the actual language in the law. Just a bunch of innuendo designed to grab headlines and anger people who look for reasons to get angry.

Finally, in the past few days, I saw the first concrete allegation of a S.C. district teaching white kids they ought to feel guilty about being white.

If it were true, it would mean the Charleston County School District violated the law. Because theres a world of difference between teaching that it was white people who enslaved black people in this nation until a war put an end to it in the 1860s and it was white people who spent the next century passing laws designed to deprive black people of their rights  all of which is fact and needs to be taught  and telling kids theyre to blame for what anybody did other than themselves.

After our latest editorial about the lawsuits, we got an email from the attorney representing the S.C. Freedom Caucus, pushing back on our assertion that they didnt allege any violations of the law. He suggested that we hadnt actually read the suits or else that we were hiding the worst examples from our readers, and included allegations that actually seemed to violate the law.

Its true that we hadnt used those examples, but thats because they werent in the lawsuits he filed last year. It was only after we wrote our initial editorials about the lack of substantive allegations, and after the Charleston district filed a motion asking the court to dismiss the suit for that reason and others, that the caucus quietly filed an amended lawsuit in April.

Think of it as a do-over for someone who files a fatally flawed lawsuit in order to grab some headlines and possibly cow a defendant into settling, and in the interim manages to find some evidence that seems to support his claim. Of course what matters isnt the misleading way the lawyer presented the information to us but the substance, and the substance in the amended lawsuit is disturbing.

It quotes a book it says is used in at least one high school as saying What you receive for your whiteness comes at a steep cost for those who are not white, which should cause you to feel guilt, anger, and frustration. It claims a book taught in middle school tells students that All of us white people need to be responsible for white supremacy and that all white people have done harm to other people.

It says another book used by the district preaches that all white people are racist and are invested in and collude with racism, and that the goal of the book is to make white readers feel discomfort because White people do need to feel grief about the brutality of white supremacy and (their) role in it. It includes a page from a picture book it claims is used in a half-dozen elementary schools that compares white people to the devil and says that as a white person YOU get: *stolen land *stolen riches *special favors.

When I reached out to the districts deputy superintendent, Anita Huggins, she was shaken by the quotes, which shed never seen. Of course the district cant teach that, she told me. And after a day and night of checking, it turned out the district isn't teaching it.

Those books are not part of the curriculum, she said; theyre not listed as supplemental material for teachers to use in class. The district does have some copies of the books in its libraries: Theres a single copy of the first book I quoted from, Me and White Supremacy; seven copies each of the second and third, The Other Talk and White Fragility; and eight copies of Not My Idea. Thats a total of 23 copies of the four titles in a district with 48,000 students.

To be clear: Some books shouldnt be in school libraries, particularly books that show people having sex or give instruction on how to do that. But while I dont agree with the messages of these anti-white books, theyre in an entirely different category. Even if you dont think they should be available in school libraries, though, state law doesnt prohibit them. It prohibits teaching them.

I didnt ask Ms. Huggins about all of the books in the do-over lawsuit  just those four that were the most egregious  so its theoretically possible that others listed in the suit are being taught. But the district hasn't endorsed teaching the ideas in those four examples, and she isn't aware of such material being taught. And it's her job to know what's being taught.

Its theoretically possible, too, that shes not telling me the truth, that the caucus actually has its facts right and its lawyer isnt making misleading claims and manipulating the language in a way that gives lawyers a bad name. Even if I condoned gambling, though, I wouldnt bet on it.

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The Medical University of South Carolina and one of Charlestons largest technology companies are collaborating on a project to help teach young students how to manage their emotions and behaviors to prevent mental health emergencies.

Courses developed by Everfi, a division of Daniel Island-based Blackbaud Inc., will be made available at no cost through MUSCs strategic partnership with the technology giant in about 70 schools in Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Orangeburg, Bamberg and Calhoun counties for the 2023-24 school year.

Teachers can use the program to reach elementary through high school students.

According to the 2022 Kids Count Data Book, 12 percent of children in South Carolina reported experiencing depression or anxiety in 2020, a 55 percent increase from 2016.

Suicide rates among 10- to 24-year-olds continue to rise, and substance use in teens has been a growing concern in the Palmetto State, with drug overdose deaths rising yearly.

Preventive courses like the ones MUSC is helping bring to our school district support the efforts we already have underway by reinforcing state standards for health education, reinforcing district initiatives to prevent and reduce substance abuse and provide parent engagement opportunities to share educational information related to substance abuse, said Holly Kut, instructional specialist for health and physical education for the Charleston County School District.

Available courses include the Compassion Project, designed for grades two through five to help educators teach compassion through understanding self, social awareness and relationship skills.

Another called Understanding Mental Wellness introduces students in grades eight through 12 to mental health and how they can implement coping strategies to manage challenging thoughts, emotions and behaviors.

In addition to learning how to cope with their own emotional challenges, the roughly $500,000 initiative will teach students how to support struggling friends and family and recognize when to seek and how to get help.

Numerous factors have contributed to an enormous wave of behavioral and mental health needs for our most vulnerable population, our children, Dr. David Cole, MUSCs president, said in a written statement.

Since the pandemic, that wave has turned into a tsunami, he added.

Research has shown that mental health problems in youth are often associated with other health and behavioral risks, including drinking and vaping.

The program will provide students in grades nine through 12 access to courses to prevent underage drinking and empower them to make safer and healthier decisions.

This program provides the opportunity to position South Carolina as a leader in offering necessary behavioral health education to students, removing the stigma, and empowering our youth to take control of their health, said Blackbaud CEO Mike Gianoni.

Developed through Everfis work with Truth Initiative and Kaiser Permanente and in collaboration with the American Heart Association, it also will provide students access to a digital learning tool that teaches the dangers of using e-cigarettes and offers resources to help them quit if they already vape.

In addition, the medical university and Everfi will conduct research on the high school-level programs to discover how theyre used and the impact they have on students.

MUSC will continually assess the success of the program and opportunities to offer it to more South Carolina students, spokesperson Heather Woolwine said.

Blackbaud bought Everfi for $750 million in late 2021. The acquired firms niche was using technology to help businesses and other organizations address their environmental, social and governance goals  or ESG  by providing them with content on topics ranging from financial wellness to mental health to racial equity and workplace diversity.
Youre seeing The Post and Courier's weekly real estate newsletter. Receive all the latest transactions and top development, building, and home and commercial sales news to your inbox each Saturday here.

Charleston apartments sold for almost $3M more than transaction 3 years ago

A Charleston multifamily complex now carries a new name after being sold recently.

The former Haddon Hall Apartments complex at 1801 Haddon Hall Drive is now called Enclave at West Ashley.

The 71-unit, two-story development changed hands for $15.9 million, according to Charleston County land records.

An affiliate of New York-based DXE Properties LLC bought the nearly 7-acre property from an affiliate of the commercial real estate firm Collett, which paid $13.1 million for the site in 2020. DXE also borrowed $10.6 million for the property transaction.

The complex, west of West Ashley Circle and Bees Ferry Road, offers units with two to three bedrooms and two bathrooms with rental rates from $1,850 to $1,999 a month.

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A Carolinas division of Miami-based homebuilder Lennar bought about 300 acres in the Wooddale tract off Plow Ground Road near Charleston Executive Airport.

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By the numbers

22: Percentage decline in Charleston-area home sales during the year's first half.

318: Number of new apartments coming to a development in Moncks Corner near a rapidly developing intersection.

61: Number of lots sold to a pair of affiliated homebuilders in a North Charleston development.

This week in real estate

+ On the waterfront: A new restaurant is planned on Johns Island where another venture once was in the works during the Great Recession.

+ Coming to King: A New York-based retailer plans to open its second shop in in the ground floor of a Charleston office building that's undergoing renovation.

+ New townhomes: A new townhome development is in the works for Daniel Island near the eastbound on-ramp to the Mark Clark Expressway.

A planned yacht club on 18 acres called Andell along Bohicket Creek on Johns Island includes a clubhouse, pool house, boat house, dock, walking trails and 10 cottages. The owner hopes Seabrook Island will annex the site and change the zoning to mixed-use from its current agricultural/residential designation in unincorporated Charleston County.

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Two years after first proposing hundreds of new houses in a new Johns Island development, one of the nation's largest builders recently paid $18 million for about 300 acres near Charleston Executive Airport.

Lennar Carolinas, a division of Miami-based Lennar Corp., bought the land in the Wooddale tract off Plow Ground Road and about a mile off of River Road on June 30 for just under $60,000 an acre, according to Charleston County land records.

A Lennar representative declined to comment on the purchase, but the company's original proposal called for 430 homes with slightly more than half of the tract left as open space. The newly acquired parcel includes about 58 acres of wetlands.

The tract is west of the Johns Island airport. Most of the development is not near River Road, but one of the two runways is just across the road.

More new homes

In the developing Watson Hill neighborhood of North Charleston, a pair of affiliated homebuilders recently snapped up some new real estate.

Ashton Woods bought 21 lots in the development off Ashley River Road for $2.04 million while subsidiary Starlight Homes purchased 40 lots for $3.13 million. The seller in both transactions was New York-based Brookfield Holdings LLC.

At full buildout, the 6,600-acre Watson Hill tract is slated to have 1,000 houses.

For 55-plus group

Ashton Woods also is building a new residential community for the 55-plus set in the developing Nexton community near Summerville.

Hammock Walk, in the North Creek neighborhood near U.S. Highway 176, will feature more than 100 homes in the first phase.

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The development will include ranch-style houses with two- and three-bedroom plans, outdoor living space and one-car garages. Prices start in the $300,000s. Amenities will include pickleball courts, walking trails, ponds and green spaces.

The 5,000-acre Nexton community, where 7,500 residential units are planned, has sold more than 2,600 homes in its first decade of development.

Daniel Island project

A new townhome community is in the works for Daniel Island.

Holder Properties wants to build a 30-unit project on a nearly 9-acre wooded parcel between Fairchild Street and the eastbound on-ramp to Interstate 526. The proposal includes 18 two-story units and the 12 three-story units.

The city of Charleston's Design Review Board will consider the proposal July 17.

Changing hands

A Charleston multifamily complex now carries a new name after being sold recently.

The former Haddon Hall Apartments complex at 1801 Haddon Hall Drive is now called Enclave at West Ashley.

The 71-unit, two-story development changed hands for $15.9 million, according to Charleston County land records.

An affiliate of New York's DXE Properties LLC bought the nearly 7-acre property from an affiliate of the Charlotte-based commercial real estate investment firm Collett, which paid $13.1 million for the site in 2020. DXE also borrowed $10.6 million for the property transaction.

The complex, west of West Ashley Circle and Bees Ferry Road, offers units with two to three bedrooms and two bathrooms with rental rates from $1,850 to $1,999 a month.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
A number of Arab countries have welcomed the final communique of the Sudans Neighbouring States Summit held in Egypt on Thursday as a step towards reaching a peaceful solution to the Sudanese crisis.

The summit in Cairo brought together Egypt, Libya, Chad, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, along with the secretary-general of the Arab League and the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson, about three months after the conflict erupted in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The summit has agreed on eight points mentioned in the communique, most notably the formation of a ministerial mechanism comprising the foreign ministers of Sudans neighbours to address the conflict, which has had severe impacts on regional countries.

Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Oman, Tunisia, Yemen, Palestine and Sudan have welcomed the communique, hailing Egyptian efforts in hosting the summit.

In a statement on Friday, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the communique as an important step that is part of the regional and international endeavours aiming to stop the fighting in the sisterly Republic of the Sudan with dialogue and peaceful means.

The Qatari state looks forward to seeing the outcomes of the summit and other endeavours pave the way for a permanent resolution to the armed conflict in Sudan, the ministry stressed.

Expanded negotiations including all political forces in Sudan should follow the ceasefire in order to reach a sustainable peace that fulfills the aspirations of the Sudanese people for stability, development and prosperity, the ministry added.

The UAEs Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the communique, affirming the importance of reaching a ceasefire and resolving the conflict peacefully through dialogue.

Jordan also voiced support for all efforts towards a solution to the Sudanese crisis, including the summit in Cairo, said the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said.

The Omani Foreign Ministry, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, and the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs all expressed appreciation for Egypt's efforts in hosting the summit, called for an immediate end to the fighting, and for security, peace and dialogue in Sudan.

In a statement from the Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Yemen hailed the great and fruitful efforts led by Egypt's President El-Sisi at the summit as a means to ending the bloodshed and fulfilling the Sudanese peoples aspirations to achieve peace and prosperity.

Meanwhile, the acting government of Sudan, the Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC), as well as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) welcomed the results of Sudan's Neighbouring Countries Summit.

The crisis in Sudan has significantly affected the countrys neighbours, which have received hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees over the past three months.

Thursdays summit warned that prolonging the crisis will result in an increasing number of refugees, overwhelming the capabilities of neighbouring countries.

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CONWAY  The first book bans Horry County Schools made in 20 years were prompted by one parent's complaints.

New documents released to The Post and Courier show that David Warner, a parent from the Conway area, was the sole person to formally complain about the 12 books that were removed and nine other titles that were restricted since the start of 2022.

Warner said he read all of the books that were challenged, and he filed the complaints after working with other district parents who supported them being removed. Although he said they support removing inappropriate books and not book bans, the American Library Association defines a "book ban" as the removal of any library materials.

"These books, some of the pictures (in the library books) are the same graphic pictures that are in magazines like Hustler, but they're in our public schools," Warner said. "That is pretty concerning as a parent."

Warner is the chairman of the Horry County chapter of Moms for Liberty, a controversial conservative parental rights' group that advocates against LGBTQ education and teaching critical race theory in schools. Some of his complaints were made before the county's chapter held its first meeting in January.

"It's important to realize that we're working as a team on these with multiple parents from our chapter and from other people in the community," Warner said, regarding the complaints. "There is a much larger effort (to remove books) that's going to come into play this new school year. We have a list of somewhere around 100 that still need to be removed."

Members of Moms for Liberty have been involved in other statewide book ban efforts.

When asked why one parent's complaints prompted the books to be pulled, Horry County Schools spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said, "HCS has a policy and process in place regarding the reconsideration of library materials, which is located on our website."

Bourcier said the district was aware that only one parent had complained because "a request for reconsideration form must be submitted." Bourcier said the district still trusts and supports its librarians and media specialists, those who curate the school library collections.

"We support all our employees and appreciate the hard work and dedication they demonstrate every day in supporting our students," Bourcier said.

Horry County Board of Education members Tracy Winters and Janet Graham, who represent Carolina Forest and Conway, served on the district media review committee that reviewed Warners complaints and voted to pull the books last year.

Winters declined to comment, directing all questions to Bourcier. Graham did not respond to comment requests.

Horry County has removed the following books this past year, per district records:

Juno Dawsons This Book is Gay

Amy Reeds Beautiful

Kacen Callenders Felix Ever After

Jennifer Nivens Breathless

Craig Thompsons Blankets

Isabel Quinteros Gabi: A Girl in Pieces

Anonymous Go Ask Alice

Saundra Mitchells All the Things We Do in the Dark

Ellen Hopkins Burned, Crank, Fallout and Glass,

Before 2022, the district had only banned Bette Greene's The Drowning of Stephan Jones from middle school shelves. The book, banned in 2002, discusses the bullying and murder of a young gay man, according to school officials.

The district also created a "restricted-access" section last year. It includes books that require parental permission before students can access them.

The books in that section include Jessica Love's Julian is a Mermaid;" Elana Arnold's "What Riley Wore;" Donna Gephart's "Lily and Dunkin;" Alex Gino's "Melissa;" Lisa McMann's "Fade;" Brian Katcher's "Almost Perfect;" Ibram Kendi's "How to be an Antiracist; A.S. King's "Ask the Passengers;" and Malinda Lo's "Last Night at the Telegraph Club," per district records.

Eight of the nine books discuss LGBTQ-related topics, and the other discusses racism.

To ban or restrict a book in Horry County Schools, a person must submit a "request for reconsideration" form, where they provide the book they want to challenge and the reason for opposing it. Then the book is reviewed by a committee that decides whether to allow the book or enact restrictions.

This committee includes a district library media services coordinator, district professional development and standards director, two school board members, a teacher, principal and four parents or members of advisory boards, according to the district.

The district states on its website that library materials must meet certain criteria to be selected and/or reconsidered. The material must be consistent with "the district's vision and core values;" support and "enrich students' curriculum and personal needs;" and be appropriate for the students' age groups.

Most of the books were challenged after being found at North Myrtle Beach High School and the Academy for the Arts, Science and Technology, according to the complaints.

However, Alex Ginos Melissa" drew a complaint after it was included on a media specialists recommended reading list, and Malinda Lo's Last Night at the Telegraph Club was challenged after it was included as a book highlight on a media specialists newsletter in late November, according to the district's records.

There was no record of Juno Dawsons This Book is Gay being checked out by a student before it was removed, according to district officials.

Included in Warner's 178 pages of complaints were page sections, including some illustrations, where he believed the problematic issues were featured. He also included a count of certain profane words used in each book.

Some of the reasons Warner challenged the 12 now-banned books included their racial and political commentary, profanity and discussions of sexuality, sexual and non-sexual violence, drug and alcohol abuse and/or suicide. Specific reasons varied for each book, and not all books included these things.

For example, he challenged Jennifer Niven's "Breathless" because it contained "obscene sexual activities and sexual nudity."

Then, he challenged Isabel Quinteros Gabi: A Girl in Pieces" because it included depictions of rape, sexual nudity and sexuality, as well as profanity, drug and alcohol abuse, gender ideologies and "inflammatory racial commentary," according to the complaint.

Also, he challenged Saundra Mitchell's "All the Things We Do in the Dark" because it contained mild/infrequent profanity, sexual activities, alternate sexualities and suicide references, according to the complaint.

Warner challenged the eight now-restricted LGBTQ books because they discussed sexual orientation and gender identity, which he called "gender-identity indoctrination" and "sexual identity pedagogy," according to the complaints.

Warner challenged the ninth restricted book, Ibram Kendi's "How to be an Antiracist," because he said it was "historically inaccurate," and that it sought to "program children to become critical race theorists to join the Marxist revolutionary struggle," according to the complaint.

Warner wrote that all 21 books "failed to provide educational value," and he asked for the district to remove them from shelves, instead of requesting that his children not be allowed to check them out, according to his complaints.

Warner said he chose to request removal of the books because he is not the only parent who feels concerned by the books.

"It's not just about my child," Warner said, regarding the removal of the books. "It's about all the children."

Moms for Liberty has 240 chapters across 42 states and over 100,000 members. There are 20 chapters across South Carolina, including Horry and Georgetown in the Grand Strand, Charleston in the Lowcountry, Lexington in the Midlands, Florence in the Pee Dee and Pickens in the Upstate.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights-focused nonprofit, categorized the group as "extremist" for the first time in 2022 for its "anti-student inclusion activities," according to its website.

Josh Malkin, senior advocacy specialist for the ACLU of S.C., said Moms for Liberty members are among those who have advocated for statewide book bans.

Across the state, Malkin said, book challengers have largely condemned the various books for either being "indoctrination"  due to the books' discussions of racism and LGBTQ issues  being too sexual and "pornographic" for children or not being age-appropriate in other ways for children to read.

"I think that complainants are trying to impose their beliefs on entire school districts of children," Malkin said. "I think any restriction is an infringement on students' First Amendment right to access information."

In Beaufort County, Ivie Szalai, a member of the Beaufort County Moms for Liberty chapter, was reportedly involved in efforts to pull nearly 100 books off the school district's library shelves. Szalai denied that she acted on behalf of the organization to remove the books.

In Pickens County, the ACLU of S.C. sued the Pickens Board of Education in federal court in April for its decision to remove Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi's "Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You" from district library shelves. The lawsuit alleges the books removal was based on political pressure from the Freedom Caucus, Moms for Liberty and a group called Conservatives of the Upstate.

Malkin declined to comment on whether the ACLU plans to take legal action against Horry County Schools for the books it has removed and restricted.

In 2022, there was a record of 1,269 demands to ban or restrict library resources reported nationwide  a significant increase from the 729 attempts reported in 2021, according to the American Library Association.
COLUMBIA  Gregorio Leon, a Mexican restaurateur who was recently convicted of murdering his wifes lover, died July 14 at a hospital hours after he was discovered hanging by a bedsheet in his prison cell.

The 56-year-old man was found at 12:36 p.m. on July 14 hanging by a bedsheet in a cell at the Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center, according to South Carolina Department of Corrections spokeswoman Chrysti Shain.

He was taken to a hospital, where he died shortly before midnight. SCDC said it is investigating his death as a suspected suicide, along with the State Law Enforcement Division.

Leon's death comes just more than a week after he was convicted in Lexington County and sentenced to 30 years in state prison for murdering his wife's lover. The San Jose, Mexico native was a devout Catholic and father of seven who rose from humble roots to operate eight restaurants in the Midlands.

Leon had intended to appeal the conviction, according to his criminal defense attorney, Jack Swerling, who said he was saddened by the death of his client.

"Throughout the time I represented him, he vigorously asserted his innocence," Swerling said. "This is a tragic end to a tragic story."

Leon, following his conviction, was taken to Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center, a maximum security prison in Columbia that receives, assesses and classifies all new male SCDC inmates before assigning them to one of the system's 21 prisons.

Kirkland is designed to closely supervise individuals who are entering the SCDCs custody. This is partially because their medical and mental health conditions are unfamiliar to the prison, which has a legal obligation to protect inmates from harm.

Shain, the SCDCs spokeswoman, said Leon underwent a mental health evaluation at the facility and there were no indications that he needed to be placed on suicide watch or needed a higher level of scrutiny.

Shain provided The Post and Courier a timeline of events leading up to Leon's discovered hanging.

He was moved into a cell in this particular housing unit on July 12. The housing unit features cells that can house up to three inmates. Leon had two other cellmates on July 12, but he only had one cellmate on July 14, who was outside of the cell "at work performing tasks."

Correctional officers are required to check on all inmates twice an hour pursuant to the facility's policy. Each check takes roughly 20 minutes.

On July 14, officers completed security checks throughout Leon's housing unit at 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m., and 12:35 p.m., according to Shain. An officer discovered Leon hanging at 12:36 p.m. Officers requested emergency medical personnel.

Shain declined to comment on the ratio of correctional officers to inmates, citing security concerns. She referred requests for an incident report to SLED. The agency said its investigation is ongoing but declined to provide further information.

Stuart Andrews, a Columbia-based attorney, said it is well known that individuals experience higher risks of self-harm during the initial weeks of their incarceration. Andrews won a class-action lawsuit against the SCDC in 2012 that brought sweeping reforms to the agency's provision of mental health care.

Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center is a facility that generally maintains very close supervision of all inmates that are being processed through that facility for entry into the department, he said. There is tighter supervision during the first several months of incarceration because of the uncertainty of the state of mind and the physical conditions of individuals who come into their custody.

For those reasons, Andrews said, individuals in Kirkland are kept in lockup  where cells should be suicide proof  before they enter general population at another facility.

A Lexington County jury found Leon guilty on July 6 of murder in the slaying of Arturo Bravo Santos. Leon fatally shot Santos on Valentine's Day in 2016 after discovering him in an intimate moment with Leons wife, Rachel, in the backseat of a pickup.

Leon, who testified in his own defense, said he had been concerned about his wife and asserted he fired his gun in self-defense after the victim threatened to kill him. But over the course of the three-week trial, prosecutors argued that the defendant was a controlling and jealous husband who shot his wife's lover and then bribed a witness to lie about the victims character.

Leon passed away at Prisma Health Richland Hospital surrounded by nearly 100 friends, coworkers and family, including six of his children, according to his friend and business attorney, Eric Bland.

Bland said he was shocked by the circumstances of Leon's death in a phone interview July 15. He said Leon was in good spirits when the two met in person the day before Leon died.

"He is and was a very optimistic man," Bland said. "He lived a God fearing life but for that five seconds where he took another man's life. That really weighed on him."
For years, a growing backlog of cases in South Carolina's criminal courts has imperiled justice. But a recent state Supreme Court order that took effect this month intends to lay the groundwork for an efficient criminal justice system.

The order offers the first statewide system for managing cases since the S.C. Supreme Court ruled more than a decade ago that the previous system was unconstitutional. Solicitors and public defenders charged with implementing the order in their courts will also benefit from an increase in funding from the Legislature for the upcoming fiscal year.

Effective July 3, the order outlines roles for solicitors, defense attorneys and judges in managing cases in all 46 counties in the 16 judicial circuits throughout the state. It offers a collaborative, multi-pronged approach to chop at the conveyor belt of cases with attention given to both the new and old.

"In an efficient criminal justice system, cases should be disposed of within months instead of years," the order acknowledges.

The right to a speedy trial, which is enshrined in the Sixth Amendment, is a hallmark of American jurisprudence. Its earliest expression is found in the Magna Carta, a charter of rights signed in 1215 by the King of England.

But in 2023 in South Carolina, defendants may not be afforded that right as their cases crawl through the court system.

Years-old misdemeanor offenses as well as murder cases gather dust on the docket. The longer defendants wait in line for their day in court, the greater the chance they miss a hearing, face re-arrest or languish in jail before trial. Victims and witnesses, likewise, may lose touch with the court system, experience loss of memory or endure emotional distress waiting in limbo for justice.

First Judicial Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe said the order and a corresponding increase in funding the Legislature has provided solicitors and public defenders will improve justice in his circuit composed of Dorchester, Orangeburg and Calhoun counties.

"The efficiency of the criminal docket directly impacts the rate of crime in a county, jail costs, and justice for victims, defendants, and those falsely accused," he said. "Were going to see vast improvements to our criminal justice system in South Carolina."

More than four years after Ann Witherspoon was killed in her home in Mount Pleasant's Old Village, her brother, Sam Witherspoon, is still waiting for justice. Police arrested a man in 2019 on murder charges in the death of the 60-year-old physical therapist. Police contend he staged the scene of her death to make it to look like a suicide.

With every year the case sits pending, her family worries the courts will care less and less about their loved one's death.

Its worrisome," said Ann's sister-in-law, Teddy Witherspoon. "The heat of the moment is gone.

The man charged in her killing, Norman Browne, wants a jury trial, and is 49th in line, according to Charleston Countys General Sessions docket. Browne is free on a combined $250,000 bond.

As his case trickles through the court system, delayed justice has caused numerous hardships for the Witherspoons.

The victims father died in hospice without closure two years after her death.

It preyed on his brain the whole time until his passing, said Teddy Witherspoon. Hed always ask, Well, anything about Ann? Anything about her murder?

For Ann's older brother, participating in the court process is a way he can do right by his sister.

I represent Ann, he said. This is a big deal to us.

Browne is one of 161 defendants charged with murder in Charleston County whose case remains open, according to data from the 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office. According to a May report, the typical case in General Sessions Court lasts 625 days  more than 1 years  marking a 51 percent increase from 2014 and a 5 percent increase from 2021. More than 14,000 criminal cases are pending in the county.

Charleston County has more serious cases than most counties across the state, according to 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson, and that makes it harder to dispose of cases.

Before the Supreme Court order was passed down, Wilson had already been trying to reduce the backlog through diverting less serious cases and screening new cases on charges that her office routinely dismisses for insufficient evidence. The solicitor said she welcomes the increased role solicitors will play in crafting the docket under the new order.

Under the new system, a solicitor will propose a trial docket 45 days before the court's term with 70 percent of cases dating back at least 30 months  2.5 years. Defense attorneys will then have an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposal before the chief administrative judge makes a final decision.

This collaborative effort comes 10 years after the Supreme Court stripped solicitors of their unilateral control over the docket in a case known as State v. Langford.

In the 2012 case, the S.C. Supreme Court found solicitors control of the docket was unconstitutional  as officers of the executive branch, solicitors were infringing on the judicial branch's authority by independently deciding when a defendant would appear in court and which judge he would face.

The court's decision wrested control of the schedule from solicitors, but no statewide case management system emerged.

The case management system adopted by judges in the 1st Judicial Circuit, Pascoe said, consisted of two-hour status conferences once a week in which the oldest cases were placed on a trial docket. The new order and additional state funding will allow the solicitor's office to focus not only on disposing old cases but evaluating new cases and concentrating on cases in which defendants are jailed awaiting trial.

Cameron Blazer, the chief public defender for Charleston and Berkeley counties, said the order recognizes that reducing the backlog should be a shared goal among judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys.

"If that unites us and we use that to direct us, we should be able to get some things done," she said.
Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy is reinventing itself for the upcoming 2023-24 school year.

Starting from the top with new principal Natonia Tillman, the K-8 public tuition-free charter school in Trenton is focusing on STEM education for its students.

I love school choice. I am very for public schools as a whole and I think to give an option for the type of learning environment is the greatest view that a parent can have. Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy is a STEM charter and so we all know that we are in the new phase of pushing STEM education with the technology-driven approaches. Engineering has taken a huge leap right now. So being here at Bettis allows us to do some innovative things with students, Tillman said.

This opportunity allows me to push some things that I believe in education as a curriculum instruction innovation specialist and bring it to the students and a lot of the teachers, too, she added.

Tillman, who has degrees in education from Aiken Tech, the University of South Carolina and Cambridge, started as the charter school principal in July 2023. Prior to this role, she worked in Aiken County Public Schools in the classroom and in administration.

Tillman is looking forward to the STEM-based education and autonomy that charter schools offer to the students.

We call ourselves STEM reinvented because it's going to be a very different approach to STEM. We have some partnerships with some amazing innovative STEM specialists and companies, and it is going to be a very different year for Bettis, Tillman said. The environment will be changing. The instructional staff is changing. The leadership has changed so we are just excited. We are going to have some fun. Im excited.

Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy begins school on Aug. 14. For more information, visit www.bettisprep.org.
PFAS and similar chemicals have been around for more than 50 years, but a lot of readers first heard of them just four years ago, when The Post and Courier revealed that they were used in firefighting foams and other industrial processes and had seeped into groundwater supplies on or near Shaw Air Force Base and dozens of other military bases nationwide.

Forever chemicals, as theyre now commonly known, have since become a top-tier concern among environmental activists and litigators for two reasons: For decades the water- and heat-resistant per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances have been ubiquitous, used in cookware, packaging, cosmetics, clothing, carpet, electronics, firefighting foam and many other products. And theyre linked to cancers, thyroid disease, pregnancy complications, developmental delays in children and other ailments, although we still dont know nearly enough about the extent or degree of the danger.

What we can say for sure is that they dont break down naturally like most chemicals, hence the nickname, and that means whatever danger they pose diminishes little if any with time.

As government regulators begin grappling with how to protect human health going forward  the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency just acted earlier this year to strictly limit the chemicals in drinking water  lawsuits are determining how much manufacturers will pay for the damage already done. A lot of that will come down to whether plaintiffs are able to prove that, like the tobacco companies, manufacturers knew for decades what sorts of dangers they were inflicting on the public but hid those dangers from regulators.

Whether manufacturers hid the dangers or just didnt know about them, its not fair to blame government for not regulating what it didnt realize was a danger. It is, however, both fair and wise to look for lessons that public officials can learn from our history with forever chemicals.

And one of those lessons comes from the rural Pee Dee community of Society Hill, where a now-bankrupt chemical company dumped PFAS-tainted sludge onto farmland for decades. Columbias State newspaper reports that DHEC and Clemson allowed  and in some peoples minds encouraged  the sludge to be dumped on the land as a free substitute for fertilizer.

The same thing continues to happen elsewhere in the state, as municipal wastewater plants and industries spread their sludge on more than 3,500 farm fields. But in Society Hill, where DHEC has detected high levels of the forever chemicals in the drinking water, residents are reporting a range of illnesses that have been linked to the chemicals.

Again, DHEC didnt know about the dangers while the Galey and Lord textile mill was applying the sludge, but it did know about other environmental problems at the plant. In 1988, a toxic solvent was discovered in groundwater under the plant that flowed toward the Great Pee Dee River. DHEC fined the company $137,400 for 13 separate violations of air and water regulations from 1992 through 2008, making it one of the states most-sanctioned polluters during that period.

A 1992 enforcement order cited increasing problems with how the company was handling the sludge, which it regularly spread on 10,000 acres of farmland from 1993 through 2013.

The company signed a voluntary cleanup contract with DHEC in 2013 promising to remove groundwater contamination that had been found years earlier, but it shut down three years later without completing the work.

Certainly, we cant blame DHEC for not sufficiently guarding against threats it didnt know existed from the sludge. But we can blame the agency for not sufficiently guarding against threats it did know existed.

Obviously there were concerns about the sludge-disposal process before we knew about the danger of forever chemicals, or else it wouldnt have required DHEC approval. And as environmental lawyer Bob Guild told The State, the $137,000 in fines should have caused the agency to question why it would give the company permission to do anything it didnt already have a right to do. At the least, he said, the fines ought to be a red flag to let the farmers know so they can exercise some prudence in deciding whether to take the sludge in trade with the company, Guild said.

Today, we do know about the dangers, and yet our state still allows the sludge to be applied to farmland, with no limits. That raises serious questions about whether DHEC is doing enough to protect us from environmental dangers. Or perhaps more accurately, whether the Legislature is doing enough.

It's worth debating whether the current evidence is sufficient to justify ending the practice entirely, but it's not worth simply doing nothing as the tainted sludge continues to be applied to the land on which farmers grow our crops and from which it flows into our creeks and rivers. The question for our lawmakers needs to be how and how much, not whether, to protect the public from the dangers we are only beginning to understand.

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FLORENCE  Nurse practitioner students at Francis Marion University are set to receive millions in funding.

The universitys School of Health Sciences will receive $2.2 million from the federal governments Health Resources and Services Administration through the Advancing Nursing Education Workforce grant.

The grant comes nearly three years after the university began offering its psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program.

This $2.2M for nurse practitioner scholarship support will substantially enhance the accessibility and quality of care throughout the region, University President Fred Carter said.

The Pee Dee has some of the lowest numbers of nurse practitioners in the state according to data from a South Carolina Area Health Education Consortiums 2021 report. Two Pee Dee counties  Williamsburg and Lee  are tied for fifth-fewest nurse practitioners with only seven offering primary service in each county.

Figures from after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic have yet to be reported but Deborah Hopla, director of the family nurse practitioner program and other high-level nursing programs, thinks they can only be worse.

Francis Marion Universitys two nurse practitioner programs see between 25 and 35 graduates each year. Those graduates tend to stay in the Pee Dee, Hopla said.

Ive been here for 12 years, and out of 12 years weve had a very, very small number of people that have moved out of our state, she said.

The grant will distribute tuition assistance, textbook assistance and a living stipend to students over a four-year period. Approximately 15 nurse practitioner students this year will get funding based on financial need, with incoming students and several existing students as the first to receive assistance.

Students who want to apply for the grant must be willing to seek employment in a medically underserved community, similar to many in the Pee Dee.

Florences recently announced behavioral health hub will be able pull some employees from the nurse practitioner programs upon its completion. The facility will create 250 jobs and help curb issues with mental health care access in the Pee Dee.

Were in desperate need of all kinds of providers with 42 out of 46 countries medically underserved, Hopla said.

The Pee Dees lack of nurse practitioners doesnt stop in Lee and Williamsburg Counties. Just one county in the area  Florence manages to surpass 100 practitioners with 183. No other Pee Dee county has more than 63 nurse practitioners practicing primarily in the county.

Most have fewer than 20.

Francis Marion University still is working to grow its nurse practitioner programs. The family nurse practitioner program is about 10 years old while the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program just graduated its first cohort of two students.

The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program was designed to start slowly, Hopla said. A slower start allows the university to ensure that it has faculty and clinical sites for its students.

More students graduating means more nurse practitioners will be available in the Pee Dee.

During the pandemic, there were many physicians and just nurses that left the profession, Hopla said. This is a way to help ease some of that burden because we know how valuable health-care people are.

The universitys School of Health Sciences has received four federal grants since 2017, totaling more than $5.5 million.

Candidates should be in good standing and be willing to complete clinical experience and seek employment in a medically underserved community following graduation.

Applications can be sent to Dr. Deborah Hopla at dhopla@fmarion.edu.
FLORENCE  A group home for children with special needs is being criticized after community members questioned the environment and safety at the home, pointing to an unusual number of police calls to the property.

I ask the city of Florence leaders today, is one location resulting in 112 calls and 79 police reports safe? Is that what should be expected? Jonathan McKnight said at the City Councils July meeting.

McKnight represented almost 20 Tarleton Estates subdivision residents who attended the City Council meeting. The group home, which has one location on DeBerry Boulevard, plans to open another in Tarleton Estates.

Heather Williamson, a clinical social worker who runs the home, defended it, at times growing emotional. She described her system as a little bit experimental, acknowledging there have been problems. But she said staff have learned from early mistakes.

I think it's really easy to look at numbers and say, Oh they're villains or They're doing this, that and the other, but if you take it out of context, anything looks bad, Williamson said.

Since 2019, emergency services have responded to 112 calls at the location on DeBerry Boulevard, according to data from the Florence County Emergency Management Department. Those calls have varied widely, from vandalism and disorderly conduct to fighting, assault and attempted suicide.

Many are missing-person reports.

Connie Maxwell Childrens Home, also in Florence, initiated just 12 calls for service in the same timespan.

Both homes have a similar number of children, but Connie Maxwells caters to teenage girls who voluntarily accept placement there.

Williamsons home, operated under Wise Care Services for the past four years, hosts at-risk children whom foster parents would struggle to care for. It specializes in those with mental health issues and developmental delays and can accommodate up to nine children at a time.

Wise Care Services takes placements directly from the South Carolina Department of Social Services, and its goal is to reintegrate children into the community, Williamson said. Some children live there for less than a year, while others live there for multiple years.

Staff members arent licensed clinical social workers but have undergone state-mandated training, Williamson said.

Williamson said shes trying to break away from institutionalized facilities by fostering a home-like environment that is as unrestrictive as possible.

The children spend their days doing many of the things those in more traditional settings do, going to school, heading to the movies or the pool, traveling during the summer.

I know that they are pleased to be in a nice and safe house in a neighborhood.  They like to have that opportunity, and I won't let anybody take that away from them, Williamson said in an interview.

She said being close to the center of town in a residential neighborhood is key to that approach, but the police presence has alarmed neighbors.

Now, Wise Care Services is set to open a new home in the Tarleton Estates neighborhood that will be similar to the home it already operates.

McKnight, president of the Tarleton Estates Homeowners Association, stressed he wants the foster care system to succeed in Florence.

The best-case scenario for me is that this company is doing great work providing wonderful homes for kids and we can be glad that they will be doing the same thing in our neighborhood, McKnight said.

However, when he looked into Wise Care Services, thats not what he found.

McKnight said the number of emergency calls from the home, as well as the lack of online information about it, troubled him. Having a property that would potentially draw law enforcement to his neighborhood on a frequent basis also concerned him.

I believe that we would all agree on three key principles, McKnight said. Number one, the children in these homes deserve to be safe. Number two, my neighbors deserve to be safe. Number three, our community deserves to be safe.

Meg Temple is the executive director of the CARE House of the Pee Dee, a childrens advocacy center. Temple, who has years of experience working with at-risk children, said its rare but not unusual for the staff to call emergency services. In a year, the organization generally wont call law enforcement more than 10 or 15 times.

Calls for law enforcement are going to happen occasionally because you are potentially dealing with high-risk children  but that should not be the standard, Temple said.

When told Wise Care Services averages nearly 25 calls a year, Temple was shocked.

Holy moly, that doesnt sound normal, she said.

For Temple, the sheer number of calls is a sign that either something is wrong or the children need a higher level of care.

Williamson said opening the home has been a learning experience.

Staff have determined that certain children dont do well in the environment theyre trying to create.

One child, in particular, caused many of the calls. That child recently left, and Williamson said she expects the number of calls to decline now.

Williamson, however, also said neighbors have mischaracterized the situation. She described most of the calls as relatively minor and said the kids havent disrupted the community in any way.

Almost a third of the calls were related to missing-person reports.

Workers try not to use restraints or physical force when interacting with the children, which leads to some who simply walk off the property at times, Williamson said. She emphasized that those children are not genuinely missing but that they ask for law enforcements help in getting them back to the house.

Around 16 percent of the 112 calls were for disorderly conduct, and 15 percent were for a psychiatric incident, such as attempted suicide. A handful were for more violent reasons, such as assault and fighting.

I don't want to create an argument with the neighbors, more so than they already have, because I think a lot of that stuff comes from fear and just not really understanding, Williamson said.

City Council members largely avoided taking sides, instead thanking both parties for attending and expressing hope they can address the concerns without the city having to get involved.

DSS is responsible for regulating foster homes, licensing them every two years and inspecting them at least once a year.

The state agency confirmed it licenses and regulates the home operated by Wise Care Services on DeBerry Street.

The city has limited options to address any potential problems at the existing home, but it can move to block the new home from opening.

Once the state licenses the new home, city officials have the opportunity to object to its placement, Assistant City Manager Clint Moore said. At that point, an official from the city, the home and a third party would meet to determine an alternative location.

City staff is still gathering information before deciding how to proceed.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will make his first campaign trip to South Carolina since launching his 2024 bid for the White House.

The Republican, who entered the presidential field last month by calling former President Donald Trump "a lonely, self-consumed, self-serving mirror hog," will take questions from voters during a town hall event in Columbia on July 21.

Christie announced his travel plans in a July 14 Twitter post. "Bring any question you got and join us," Christie wrote in his message.

According to details published on the Eventbrite website, Christie's South Carolina town hall will take place at Senate's End, 300 Senate St. The town hall is scheduled to last two hours, beginning at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

It will be Christie's first public campaign swing to the Palmetto State since entering the 2024 Republican presidential race. The visit will also put Christie in an early state where he did not get a chance to compete back when he ran for president in 2016.

In that contest, Christie dropped out of the race after a poor showing in New Hampshire. His name did not appear on the ballot in South Carolina's "First in the South" Republican presidential primary. He then endorsed Trump for the 2016 nomination.

This time, Christie is one of 12 Republican contenders running for the White House, a diverse field that includes two South Carolinians, a former president, a former vice president, and a popular governor, among others.

So far, Christie has been putting most of his energy into campaign events in New Hampshire, which holds the first presidential primary on the Republican nominating calendar.

In a July 12 interview with Anderson Cooper on CNN, Christie projected confidence about his candidacy when asked whether he is on pace to qualify for the first GOP presidential primary debate on Aug. 23 in Milwaukee.

"Last night, we went past 40,000 unique donors in just 35 days," Christie told Cooper, noting that the number outpaced the estimated 5,000 donors he acquired in the same time frame when he ran in 2016. "There is a donor in every state in America, and we have over 200 donors in 36 states."

He also stressed that he would like to either win or come in second place in New Hampshire, but he also added, "We're going to work in South Carolina as well and try to make progress in South Carolina."

When Christie kicked off his campaign last month with a town hall at Saint Anselm College, he suggested that other Republicans in the field have been afraid to challenge Trump or even mention his name while campaigning.

But Christie made it clear he has no concerns about going after Trump directly. He described Trump as "the person obsessed with the mirror, who never admits a mistake, who never admits a fault, who always finds someone else and something else to blame for whatever goes wrong  but finds every reason to take credit for anything that goes right."

Christie will not be the only presidential hopeful spending time in the Palmetto State next week.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be making a return trip to South Carolina with two days of events starting Monday evening.

According to his campaign, DeSantis will hold an event July 17 at the Philip T. Glennon Community Center in Tega Cay. The next day, DeSantis plans to file his 2024 candidacy for South Carolinas Republican presidential primary. He will also be holding a press conference in the afternoon in Columbia.

The day before Christie's town hall, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will hold a campaign event of her own on July 20 at Zen Greenville, 924 S. Main St. Haley's event starts at 6:30 p.m.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Some sunshine with a thunderstorm or two possible this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 93F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 76F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed asserted that the contentious Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will provide "great benefits" to all parties, stressing that Ethiopia does not want to cause any harm to the downstream countries.





In a statement posted on Twitter today, Ahmed sent a message of reassurance stating that Addis Ababa does not plan to cause any harm to sisterly Nile Basin countries.

He also stressed that Ethiopia will continue to share the divine gift of the river Nile.

For thousands of years, Ethiopia has been committed to sharing the river Nile with the downstream countries with integrity and trust. Therefore, let our brothers know that Ethiopia's will to honour this commitment has never been stronger, the Ethiopian PM said.

Furthermore, Ahmed noted that holding sufficient quantities of Nile water to help all parties in case of any upcoming droughts constitutes one of GERDs great benefits.

'True partnership'



In his statement, Ahmed said that Egypt and Ethiopia should cooperate to achieve sustainable development.

Our development needs are redoubling due to population growth, which urges Egypt and Ethiopia to work together to achieve sustainable development and build a true partnership, he said.

The Ethiopian PM added that such a partnership between Egypt and Ethiopia should achieve the aspirations of their two peoples towards sustainable development and decent life.

In this regard, Ahmed praised the wise leadership of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and his strenuous efforts in the field of construction and development in Egypt.

He added that Ethiopias permanent communication with the downstream countries, and their leaders, truly reflects our (Ethiopias) keenness to foster the relations of brotherhood and cooperation between us.

Finalising GERD deal



Ahmeds remarks come only two days following his meeting with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo Wednesday evening on the sidelines of the Sudan Neighbouring States Summit.

In a joint statement following the meeting, both leaders stressed that they were committed to exerting all efforts to reach a deal on the GERD dispute within four months.

The Ethiopian prime minister stressed that Ethiopia was committed to not harming Egypt and Sudan's water share during the fourth filling of GERD, indicating that the filling of the dam would be carried out in a manner that does not jeopardize both countries interests in the water, the statement added.

Earlier in July, PM Ahmed announced in a speech at the Ethiopian House of Representatives that the fourth filling of GERD would be extended to the end of August or early September  instead of early August as previously planned  to accommodate the needs and concerns of the two downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan.

During that speech, Ahmed also announced that Ethiopia was ready to resume talks with Egypt and Sudan to resolve the dispute over the GERD.

Tensions between Cairo and Addis Ababa have continued for years as Ethiopia kept filling and operating the dam unilaterally despite the concerns of the two downstream countries.

Egypt has repeatedly affirmed that it does not object to development in Ethiopia.

However, it called on Ethiopia to sign a legally-binding agreement on filling and operating the dam to spare the downstream countries any potential harm to their people and water interests.

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A new Issues&Insights/TIPP poll found that 56% of those surveyed think its either very likely or somewhat likely that President Joe Biden took bribes from foreign nationals during his vice presidency. Just 27% said it was not very likely and 18% were not sure.

Participants were asked, How likely is it that the claims made by government whistleblowers alleging that President Biden, his son Hunter, and other members of his family have received up to $30 million from sources connected to foreign governments, including China, Russia, and Ukraine, are true?

Among Democrats, 39% said it was very likely or somewhat likely, compared to 42% who found it unlikely and 19% who were unsure. For a party that generally sticks together, the nearly even divide in the results was startling. At the risk of reading too much into a single poll, its possible the work of the House Republicans is starting to resonate with members of Bidens own party.

Among independents, those believing it was likely climbed to 45%, while 22% found it unlikely and 22% were unsure. This is an ominous sign for Team Biden, who is counting on independent voters to break his way next year.

As one would expect, 80% of Republicans believed Biden likely took money while a mere 9% said it was unlikely and 10% were unsure.

The poll of 1,341 adults was conducted between July 5 through July 7 and has a margin of error of +/-2.7 points.

Issues & Insights broke the survey results down into 36 major demographic and political sectors and found that all had either an outright majority or plurality saying they believed Biden engaged in bribery except two: Democrats and liberals.

Despite the stonewalling efforts of FBI Director Christopher Wray, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and other top administration officials, House Republicans have managed to produce a steady drip of bad news for several months. Rather than innuendo, Congress has provided concrete evidence to support their allegations of the Biden familys vast influence peddling scheme.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) has been examining the Biden familys money trail closely. Last week, Comer told Fox News Jason Chafetz that he should have additional information soon. He said:

Were up to six banks now, Jason, and were gonna have an announcement hopefully next week. More findings, more disturbing findings. Bank records dont lie. People make a big issue out of taxes but people cheat on their taxes all the time, but its hard to cheat on bank records.

The HOC will hold a hearing next Wednesday titled, Hearing with IRS Whistleblowers About the Biden Criminal Investigation,

One committee member told The New York Post that the second IRS whistleblower, who has so far remained anonymous, will be identified at the hearing.

In an announcement of the hearing on the HOC website, Comer said:

Thanks to the good work of Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, IRS whistleblowers recently provided information to Congress that confirm many findings of our investigation. Additionally, 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. 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. I look forward to their testimony as the Oversight Committee, along with the House Judiciary Committee and Ways and Means Committee, work to deliver transparency and accountability.

Hopefully, continued revelations from the House GOP investigators will persuade the 19% of Democrats, the 22% of Independents, and the 10% of Republicans who are still undecided about Bidens involvement in the family business and maybe even change the minds of those who dont believe its true. As Comer said, Bank records dont lie.
John Yoo is away overseas this week, so Lucretia and I are joined by Glenn Ellmers, author of the brand new book The Narrow Passage: Plato, Foucault, and the Possibilty of Political Philosophy. Do not be intimidated by the mention of Foucault or anything else in the title, as this crispy-written and very accessible book comes in at a reader-friendly 79 pages (Glenn admits that it began as an essay that grew a little out of control).

It sheds a lot of light on our current culture war, which is really a continuation of the ructions in the country from the left that began in the 1960s but fooled us by receding briefly into the shadows for a time when the Cold War ended. More than that, though, the roots of our current contentions trace all the way back to Plato, from whom we may also find some answers. And as we say, all this in 79 pages!

Lucretia and I also dilate the Farce of the Week in Washington, the latest lower court rulings that look like promising attacks on the administrative state and additional evidence that a new era in jurisprudence is taking hold, and why the Equal Protection Clause was such a mess at the Supreme Court for 150 years, contra Alan Dershowitzs argument that Earl Warren had it in hand all along that I wrote about here on Thursday. No sale!

Well be back next week with John, when well subject him to a heroic pummeling over his new co-authored book everyone should get, The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Supreme Court. Send in your questions!

Our topical exit music this week is Nihilist by a group called The Ancients, which fits our discussion in this episode on both ends.

So listen here, over at Ricochet, or wherever your cast for your pods.

P.S. This was another two-fer podcast week for me, as I subbed for Peter Robinson on the flagship Ricochet podcast today, where we joined special guest Carol Roth in beating down on the World Economic Forum and its sinister agenda to reduce us all to serfs. You can listen to the episode here.

P.S. (2) A loyal listener produced this original meme based on an old pic from my misspent time as a DC intern in my youth:
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RADNOR, PA / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2023 / The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP( www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. ("Charles River") (NYSE:CRL). The action charges Charles River with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects. As a result of Charles River's materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, Charles River's investors have suffered significant losses.CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR CHARLES RIVER LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/charles-river-laboratories-international-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=crl&mktm=r LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE:JULY 18, 2023CLASS PERIOD: MAY 5, 2020 THROUGH FEBRUARY 21, 2023CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:Jonathan Naji, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or via email at info@ ktmc.com Kessler Topaz is one of the world's foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field individually and our firm is both feared and respected among the defense bar and the insurance bar. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.CHARLES RIVER'S ALLEGED MISCONDUCTCharles River is a full-service, non-clinical global drug development partner with a mission to create healthier lives. The company has three reporting segments: Research Models and Services, Discovery and Safety Assessment, and Manufacturing Solutions. The Discovery and Safety Assessment segment accounts for approximately 60% of the company's total revenue and offers, among other things, safety assessment studies required for regulatory submission of therapeutic solutions.On February 22, 2023, Charles River revealed that the company had received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice relating to an ongoing investigation in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service into the supply chain and illegal importation of non-human primates for research. On the same day, during an earnings call with investors, James C. Foster, the company's CEO, stated that the "investigation in current [non-human primate] supply situation will result in study delays in our Safety Assessment business." He further stated that the investigation into the Cambodian non-human primate chain would reduce the annual revenue forecast by approximately 200 basis points to 400 basis points.Following this news, the price of Charles River shares declined by $24.51 per share, or approximately 10.06%, from $243.60 per share to close at $219.09 on February 22, 2023.WHAT CAN I DO?Charles River investors may, no later than July 18, 2023, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class, through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPor other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPencourages Charles River investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. The class action complaint against Charles River, captioned Coleman v. Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., et al, Case No. 23-cv-11132, is filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts before the Honorable Denise Jefferson Casper.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASEWHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLPKessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPprosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPplease visit www.ktmc.com CONTACT:Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPJonathan Naji, Esq.280 King of Prussia RoadRadnor, PA 19087(484) 270-1453info@ ktmc.com SOURCE: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
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LOCOMeX Inc, a renowned leader in advanced analytics and business intelligence solutions, is proud to be named a winner of the esteemed Drexel LeBow Analytics 50 Awards for 2023. This award reaffirms LOCOMeX's position as an industry leader, continuously pushing the boundaries of analytics technology and providing transformative solutions for growth, efficiency, and innovation.DELAWARE CITY, DE. / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2023 / LOCOMeX Inc, a leading innovator in the field of advanced analytics and business intelligence solutions, is thrilled to announce that it has been honored as a winner of the prestigious Drexel LeBow Analytics 50 Awards for the year 2023. The biennial award program, organized by the LeBow College of Business at Drexel University, recognizes organizations that have demonstrated exceptional achievements and innovation in leveraging analytics to drive business success.Locomex Bags Drexel LeBow Analytics 50 Awards for 2023The Drexel LeBow Analytics 50 Awards is highly regarded as one of the most esteemed accolades in the analytics industry, honoring companies across various sectors that have showcased outstanding utilization of analytics to enhance decision-making processes, optimize operations, and achieve significant business outcomes.LOCOMeX Inc's relentless commitment to delivering cutting-edge analytics solutions has propelled the company to the forefront of the industry. Through its state-of-the-art AI-powered advanced data analytics techniques, LOCOMeX has empowered businesses around the globe to unlock the power of data and gain valuable insights for strategic decision-making and contribute to Sustainability measures."We are absolutely delighted to receive the Drexel LeBow Analytics 50 Award, a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our exceptional team," said Ayo Jemiri, Founder & CEO at LOCOMeX Inc. "This prestigious recognition affirms our mission to provide our clients with transformative analytics solutions that drive growth, efficiency, and innovation." The award highlights LOCOMeX Inc's remarkable achievements in utilizing analytics to generate actionable insights, optimize business processes, and gain a competitive edge in the market. The company's groundbreaking solutions have been instrumental in enabling organizations to improve operational efficiencies, optimize supply chain sustainability strategies and maximize revenue growth.LOCOMeX Inc's win at the Drexel LeBow Analytics 50 Awards 2023 reaffirms its position as a leader in the analytics industry, setting new benchmarks for excellence and innovation.For more information about LOCOMeX Inc and its award-winning AI-powered data-driven analytics solutions, please visit www.locomexgroup.com About LOCOMeX Inc.LOCOMeX was founded under the belief that everyone deserves transparency and equal access to opportunities in the supply chain. Our vision is to empower suppliers and drastically reduce economic inequality & greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by increasing, widening, and greening the global supply chain through local content, supplier diversity, and ESG policies. As a result, ALL communities can thrive.Contact InformationAyo JemiriFounder and CEOajemiri@ locomexgroup.com +1 267-885-5329SOURCE: LOCOMeX
Cagan Uctug, an official of Sabanci University, one of Turkeys renowned schools, has said there has been a noticeable increase in the number of Nigerian students enrolling in universities in Turkey in recent years.

Mr Uctug, who spoke at an education fair recently held in Abuja, Nigerias Federal Capital Territory (FCT), cited what she described as the countrys welcoming culture and affordability as some of the reasons provided by the enrollees.

He said, We have witnessed a growing influx of Nigerians to Turkey in recent years. I believe they view us as more welcoming and equally affordable. I must commend the Nigerian students in our schools; they have been excellent ambassadors of their country. We hope to see even more Nigerian students joining us in the future.

Some students who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES at the fair expressed their preference for studying abroad rather than remaining in Nigeria.

Some also admitted fascination with Turkish universities, citing affordability.

The education fair was organised by a private organisation- Blue Stream Group.

Forex, not a clog

Meanwhile, Abdulkareem Ogirima, Managing Director of Blue Sream Group, said despite the prevailing surge in exchange rates within the country, some Nigerians remain resolute in their pursuit of tertiary education abroad.

He cited various reasons for the continued preference for education abroad, noting that Nigerians would always aspire to seek education abroad if the existing structures and systems within the country are not adequately improved.

Mr Ogirima also dispelled that pursuing education abroad signifies a lack of patriotism, saying it is a win-win situation for Nigeria, the students and the foreign countries.

He said: It is a well-known fact that successful academia became successful because of their exposure and interactions with the global space. They did not achieve everything staying in Nigeria. They still go abroad for further engagements, including additional academic qualifications.

For me, it will always be a win-win situation for the schools and the students. While they are studying abroad, they are the ones who will eventually return home to contribute to Nigerias development. Without better facilities, freedom from prolonged strikes, and various other factors, people will continue to choose foreign schools. It is now our responsibility to guide them appropriately.

Addressing the issue of surging exchange rates, Mr Ogirima acknowledged the direction the country is currently heading, saying, unlike in the past, when there was ambiguity in the foreign exchange market.

He commended the governments declaration of a free-floating foreign exchange market, describing it as a significant step towards addressing the issue.

Student loan policy

Mr Ogirima also commended President Bola Tinubus administration for the newly introduced Student Loan Policy, which he described as a step in the right direction if properly implemented.

He said: For us in Nigeria, I can only say we are just starting. I have read different perspectives from different media houses, and we know there are still some grey areas surrounding the policy. But at least we know now that the government is willing to have a student loan policy. The whole conceptualisation is not totally clear now but it is a step in the right direction in terms of wanting to assist our educational system.

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Azerbaijan and Armenia held a fresh round of EU-mediated peace talks on Saturday, as Baku accused Armenian separatists in its breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region of using radio interference against passenger aircraft.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met in Brussels for talks aimed at resolving their decades-long conflict for the control of Armenian-populated Karabakh, the foreign ministry in Baku said in a statement.

European Council President Charles Michel was mediating the discussions, which come amid renewed tensions after Azerbaijan closed temporarily the Lachin corridor, the sole land link between Karabakh and Armenia.

Adding to the standoff, Azerbaijan's defence ministry said Armenian separatist forces in Karabakh "use radio interference against GPS navigation systems of local and foreign airlines' passenger aircraft flying through our country's airspace."

The alleged interference impacted two Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft on Thursday, the ministry said.

"Such incidents pose a serious threat to aviation safety," according to the statement.

Karabakh's rebel authorities denied the claims, calling them an "absolute lie."

Uneasy peace talks

On Friday, some 6,000 people rallied in Karabakh to demand the reopening of the Lachin corridor.

Local separatists, warning of a humanitarian crisis, urged Moscow to ensure free movement through the road.

Azerbaijan later allowed the Red Cross to resume medical evacuations from Karabakh to Armenia.

Karabakh has been at the centre of a decades-long territorial dispute between the two countries, which have fought two wars over the mountainous territory, mainly populated by Armenians.

In autumn 2020, Russia sponsored a ceasefire agreement that ended six weeks of fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces for control of Karabakh.

The deal saw Armenia cede swathes of territories it had controlled for decades, while Russia deployed peacekeepers which are manning the five-kilometre-wide Lachin Corridor to ensure free passage between Armenia and Karabakh.

Baku and Yerevan have been seeking to negotiate a peace agreement with the help of the European Union and United States, whose diplomatic engagement in the Caucasus has irked traditional regional power broker Russia.

During previous rounds of Western-mediated talks, Baku and Yerevan have made some progress towards preparing the text of a peace agreement, but its signature remains a distant prospect.

Yerevan agreed to recognise Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, but demanded international mechanisms for protecting the rights and security of the region's ethnic-Armenian population.

Baku insists such guarantees must be provided at the national level, rejecting any international format.

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, ethnic Armenian separatists in Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan. The ensuing conflict claimed some 30,000 lives.

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Maryam Abubakar had been in labour for days. She had endured the pains but there was no childbirth facility in her neighbourhood.

The 26-year-old mother of two dreaded the interstate trip to a health facility because it would intensify her pain.

But as her condition became more desperate, she finally accepted to embark on the 70-kilometre trip from her hometown, Nguru in Yobe State, to Hadejia in Jigawa State.

Hours after she arrived at Jahun General Hospital in Jigawa, she had a stillbirth through cesarean section.

Doctors at the facility later told her that due to her prolonged labour, she had vesicovaginal fistula (VVF).

According to one of the oldest and globally recognised medical journals, Lancet, vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is a serious medical disorder characterised by an abnormal opening between the vagina and the bladder or rectum, which results in continuous leakage of urine or stool.

Ms Abubakar said after she was admitted to the fistula section of the hospital managed by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which translates to Doctors Without Borders, her husband divorced her.

When I was told about my condition, I was terrified and cried like I had never done in my life. The doctors pleaded with me and gave me hope that they will treat me and return my life to normal. But I am disturbed because I am aware that women with VVF are stigmatised, she said.

While still being treated at the hospital, my husband called me and said he needs a new car, which is an idiom that he wanted to marry a new wife. This was days after he stopped visiting the hospital or calling to check on me.

He said he could no longer eat the food I cook because of my condition, she said crying.

After she was discharged, (by which time her husband had married another woman) she spent two months with her parents while she waited to be certified VVF-free. After she was certified as being completely healed following corrective surgery, she prepared to return to her husband.

Ms Abubakar said she wore decorative traditional henna on her legs and hands and was set to return to her husband when he called asking him to wait for a message. He subsequently sent her a message divorcing her.

She said her life took a difficult turn after her health challenge. She said she is now stigmatised in her community and would-be suitors stay away from her upon learning of her battle with VVF.

Prevalence of VVF in Nigeria

VVF is one of the most devastating maternal diseases in Nigeria. Approximately two million women were estimated to be living with unrepaired vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) and about half of the total from developing countries were from Nigeria.

It is considered one of the most serious and tragic childbirth injuries that often lead to depression, social isolation and deepening poverty. It is prevalent in Nigeria due to the existence of some cultural practices including child marriage, female genital mutilation and poor access to healthcare facilities.

According to the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), between 400,000 and 800,000 Nigerian women are living with VVF and between 50,000 and 100,000 new cases are added every year.

The United Nations agency said Nigeria has a prevalence of obstetric fistula, as VVF is also known, of 3.2 per 1000 births. It bemoans the slow rate of fistula repairs caused by inadequate fistula surgeons and the high rate of new cases.

1The agency estimated that it may take up to 83 years to clear the backlog of cases at the current rate of repair.

At the Jahun General Hospital where MSF renders free surgical repairs VVF in women from Northern Nigeria and the neighbouring Niger Republic, 532 women with the condition were treated in 2021 and 2022.

The MSF team at the facility also provided 33,917 women with antenatal care, assisted in 12,519 deliveries and another 1,626 deliveries through caesarean section.

More fistula patients recount ordeals

Shemau Muhammed from Bauchi who got her fistula repaired in the Jahun hospital said the rupture was caused by prolonged labour and how she could not get a professional medical personnel to attend to her following a long strike by doctors.

I could not get medical attention in my community because doctors were on strike. I started the labour one certain Sunday morning but because there were no doctors in the Darazo hospital, I was referred to Bauchi Teaching Hospital (in the state capital). I was attended by doctors on Tuesday, and I delivered through cesarean, unfortunately, I lost the baby.

My complications worsened for about six days after the surgery, my stomach was swollen like a bubble. It later burst and there was water all over the ward. My bladder was infected. I was later referred to the Jahun hospital, where MSF treated me for free, and I am now okay, but life will no longer be the same, she said.

She said after she had an obstetric fistula, she was stigmatised by community members, and her husband divorced her and married another wife.

I have a child with my husband. He later married a new wife. After she delivered a baby, my husband was instructed to divorce me because his family believed that I could no longer conceive. The marriage has ended because of my health condition.

I am now assisting women who found themselves in my conditions. I am travelling across northern states and even to the Niger Republic to counsel women facing stigmatisation due to obstetric fistula, Mrs Muhammed told PREMIUM TIMES.

Underage marriage

According to a United Nations survey, 43 per cent of Nigerian girls are married before they are 18. The problem of early marriage is particularly endemic in the North-east and North-west regions of the country.

With more than 80 per cent of girls married before their 18th birthday, Jigawa State has one of the highest prevalences of child marriages in the country.

Under the Childs Rights Act 2003, the minimum legal age of marriage is 18 years. The act covers vital aspects of the lives of children and adolescents. It is divided into survival rights, development rights, participation rights, and protection rights.

Jigawa is among the Nigerian states that have domesticated the legislation. It, however, expunged the section that regulates the age of marriage for children.

In the states version of the Childs Rights Act, parents are allowed to decide the marriage age of their children. Thus, the law in Jigawa still does not protect girls from underage marriage.

Aishatu Suleiman-Jahun, the head of the Baba Azumi Foundation (BAF), a non-governmental human rights organisation, said in Jigawa State, violence against person prohibition law penalises female genital modulation  one factor responsible for the Obstetric Fistula in the state.

A person who cut a female genital and a person that hires another to cut a female genital will be sent to prison for a minimum of six months or pay a fine of a minimum of N10,000 or both.

A person that attempts to cut the genitals of a female and a person that assists or counsels another to cut the genitals of a female will be punished with community service, Mrs Suleiman-Jahun, a barrister, said.

27-year-old Binta Manu, from Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa State, who got married at 14, told our reporter how she got affected by the fistula in her eighth child delivery.

I got an obstetric fistula when delivering my eighth child. Of all the children I gave birth to, this is the first time that I am coming to the hospital for delivery because of complications.

I took a long period of labour, and the baby was removed through cesarean. Two days after I was discharged from the hospital, while at home, I noticed that my urine was uncontrollable. I returned to the hospital again, where I was diagnosed with fistula and was successfully treated by the MSF doctors, she said.

READ ALSO: UNFPA trains 210 VVF survivors in Borno

Mrs Manu described her husband as a caring man who stood by her in trying times. She was, however, worried about the condition of her co-patients, whom she said were divorced due to their conditions.

Its a bad experience for many of us who have undergone the treatment. Some men are not patient enough to stand with their wives in trying times like this. I witnessed how at least five of my co-patients were divorced because of their condition, and their husbands married other women while they were undergoing treatment, she added.

Dangers of traditional practices

Some women receiving treatment at the hospital have VVF after engaging in harmful traditional practices during home delivery.

Unskilled traditional birth attendants ruptured their bladders, said Halima Uba, a nurse who has been treating fistula patients for several years.

Mrs Uba, a focus of the Jigawa Ministry of Health at the hospital, said harmful traditional practices such as Yankan Gishiri  a cut performed during labour by traditional birth attendants meant to expand the pelvic outlet to relieve obstructed labour and aid delivery also, aside from the long obstructed labour during the home delivery, often resulted to fistula.

Traditionally, when a girl runs away from a forced marriage and her husband complains about difficult penetration during sex, her parents would think something was blocking their private part that needs to be removed. They get traditional barbers, locally called Wanzan, to open their vaginas. This usually affects her bladder, causing uncontrollable pouring of urine, and sometimes faeces, Mrs Uba said.

She said though the hospital gets patients from across the north of the country and even from Niger Republic, the treatment process is slow.

From 2008 to date, when the fistula department was handed over to MSF, we admitted over 4,000 patients across the states in the north. Some of the patients have both urine and faeces running down on them. We need to treat one at a time which usually causes prolonged stay in the health facility, she said.

Some of our patients are being stigmatised by their family and the larger community, some of them are being abandoned in the hospital by any caregiver from their relatives, and some got divorced while on admission in the hospital.

They are being divorced while on treatment some of the patients got divorced after the successful surgery was repaired due to a belief that they will no longer conceive. Divorce is one of the major challenges we are facing while the patients are on admission, Mrs Uba lamented.

A patient with repaired fistula can have normal sexual life- Expert

Obstetric fistula occurs mostly in girls whose pelvis are not mature for reproductive function. It is also common in girls who suffer from malnutrition and polio. They usually lack the strength to deliver by themselves unless through cesarean, said Naima Idris, a Kano-based reproductive health expert.

It also occurs in adult women with illnesses such as diabetes. Its prevalent in underserved communities with the dominance of low-income earners and where women are being marginalised  with poor medical accessibility, acceptability and affordability.

Fistula is preventable, and when it occurs, there is going to be reconstructive surgery to repair the fistula. Afterwards, when it is treated, women can have a normal sexual life and deliver as many babies as they want.

However, problems occur only when the fistula is left unrepaired  the patient will contract reoccurring infections, chronic incontinence and even infertility, Mrs Idris said.

On underaged marriages, Mrs Idris said a girls maturity goes beyond the ages of puberty  their physical maturity must correspond with inner development  which gives them the strength to deliver a baby. The gynaecologist insisted that parents should evaluate the development of their children before allowing them to get married.

Efforts are being made to address the problem

The Head of field communication for the MSF in Nigeria, Abdulkareem Yakubu, told PREMIUM TIMES that the MSFs medical team repaired 524 women across Nigeria using surgical procedures at the Jahun Hospital between 2021 and 2022.

Mr Yakubu said having completed their treatment, the women left the MSFs care in Jahun and returned home after a colourful celebration ceremony last conducted in December last year.

The ceremony is also an opportunity to promote the socio-economic integration of these women who have often been pushed aside. We give them spaghetti-making machine and flour to enable them to start a small business at home as a self-reliant activity, Mr Yakubu quoted Jean-Clement Ishimwe, the MSFs Field Coordinator in Jahun.

Around 50 women who completed the fistula treatment will start a rehabilitation and skill acquisition training in January 2023, a programme that is supported by the Fistula Foundation and the Jigawa State Government.

The international medical organisation, Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors WithoutBorders (MSF), is calling for a concerted effort to help women affected reintegrate into their communities and prevent these devastating injuries from occurring in the first place by expanding access to quality maternal care.

Since 2008, when MSF started its activities in Jahun, the organisation has been providing surgical repairs, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and psychosocial support to women suffering from fistula. This condition often leads to shame, isolation and stigma, with husbands, families and communities excluding the women who suffer from it.

Most of these women usually live in abject poverty, shunned or blamed by society which leads them to fall deeper into poverty and further despair. Many of the women who develop fistula lose their babies to stillbirth, which adds to their depression, pain and suffering, the MSF said.

However, due to the corrective surgeries and reintegration programme by MSF doctors at Jahun General Hospital, many women, like Ms Abubakar, are getting their lives back. They are filled with hope for the future.

Life is difficult. I only feel happy whenever I am at home with my parents, or I come to Jahun Hospital and meet the doctors from the Medecins Sans Frontieres who treated me. They gave me hope and courage to live, and when I saw other women who are yet to be healed, I gave glory to God, she said.

This article was edited by Nicholas Ibekwe , Bisi Abidoye and Oluwaseyi Bangudu .

Page Planned and produced by Ezekiel Oyero .

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The Nigerian government has charged the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

The case consisting of two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition was filed against Mr Emefiele at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Channels Television reports.

A copy of the charges shared on the televisions website showed the case was filed on Thursday (13 July), the same day a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja gave the State Security Service (SSS) one-week ultimatum to either charge him in court or release him.

The SSS had held Mr Emefiele, who was arrested on 10 June, for over a month without charge until Thursdays ruling.

In the newly filed case, the agency accused Mr Emefiele of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence; an offence said to be contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.

In the second count, the SSS charged him with illegally possessing 23 rounds of live ammunition (cartridges) without a licence. The offence is also said to be contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.

The case has not been assigned to a judge.

Illegal possession of firearms vs terrorism financing

The charge is a downgrade of much weightier allegations of terrorism financing and economic sabotage the SSS earlier levelled against the suspended CBN governor.

In a desperate move to obtain an order for his arrest, the SSS had stated on oath in December 2022 that Mr Emefiele was sponsoring the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In a slew of weighty allegations, the SSS accused him of sabotaging President Muhammadu Buharis administration, financing terrorism, aiding and abetting terrorism, and committing other economic crimes to undermine Nigerias national security.

The agency also accused Mr Emefiele of mismanaging the CBN subsidiary, NISRAL, and the central banks Anchor Borrowers Programme.

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, who heard the SSS application for an arrest order against Mr Emefiele, had dismissed the request on the grounds of improper procedure.

The agency took no further action until after Mr Emefiele was suspended on 9 June by the new President, Bola Tinubu.

The SSS filed the lighter charges after over one month of holding Mr Emefiele in custody. But it is unclear if the agency plans to file additional charges against him.

Lawyer criticises SSS

A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, is among Nigerians disappointed by SSSs charges.

Mr Effiong said the allegation of illegal firearms possession is a crime for the police.

The SSS is essentially a political tool in the hands of every occupant of Aso Rock. They are notorious for bungling cases and creating needless political tensions. The SSS needs to rethink its involvement in cases. It is becoming very embarrassing, Mr Effiong said on his Facebook page on Saturday.

The lawyer argued that the CBNs currency redesign policy under Mr Emefieles watch was not a crime.

The Naira redesign policy is not a crime, and it is immaterial whether it was properly implemented. It seems the suspension and arrest of Emefiele were not propelled by any interest in holding him accountable for the mismanagement of public resources, but a political vendetta.

Mr Effiong queried, Where are the charges on terrorism financing? Why is Mr Tinubu handling this case like this?

He noted that many Nigerians applauded Mr Emefieles suspension owing to the hardships the naira redesign policy occasioned on them.

Mr Effiong, however, criticised the handling of Mr Emefieles arrest and detention for over a month without trial.

The SSS has taken Nigerians for granted again. I am upset about the two-count charge filed against the suspended CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele.

Arrest, detention, suits and judgements

The SSS had arrested Mr Emefiele at his home in Lagos on 10 June and immediately flew him to Abuja to face interrogations.

Worried about SSS denial of access to him in custody, his lawyers and family members had launched a fundamental human rights enforcement suit on his behalf at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja.

On 16 June, the court ordered the Director General of SSS, Yusuf Bichi, to grant lawyers access to the suspended CBN governor in custody. The court issued the order based on a request by the detainees lawyer, Joseph Daudu.

In his final judgement on Thursdays case, the judge, Hamza Muazu, ordered the SSS to release or charge the suspended CBN governor in court within one week.

He held that the Nigerian constitution is rooted in the rule of law and presupposes that all actions must be done according to the law.

Detention, no matter how small, can amount to a breach of fundamental rights, Mr Muazu said.

He noted that since allegations against the suspended CBN governor were ordinarily bailable offences, SSS should grant him administrative bail pending trial.

Mr Muazu held that Mr Emefieles continued detention without trial amounted to a gross violation of his fundamental human rights.

But the court referenced an order from an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court permitting the SSS to detain Mr Emefiele for a period of 14 days to enable it to conclude its investigations.

With this, the judge held that Mr Emefiele could not prove his arrest, detention, and investigation were unlawful since it was based on a valid court order.

He described SSS as a reputable institution mandated to guarantee the countrys internal security.

Therefore, the judge said the agency must conduct its operations with strict adherence to the provisions of the Constitution.

At this point, the continued detention of the applicant cannot be justified without any charge against him.

At the very least, justice demands that the applicant be released on administrative bail.

Consequently, I hereby make an order, directing the respondents to, within one week, charge the applicant to court or release him on administrative bail, the court held.

Meanwhile, another judge of the FCT High Court in Abuja on Friday declared the arrest and detention of Mr Emefiele by the SSS as illegal.

The judge, Bello Kawu, held that the arrest, detention, and interrogation of Mr Emefiele breached a subsisting judgement and orders of another judge, M. A. Hassan.

Mr Kawu agreed with Mr Emefieles lawyer, Peter Abang, that the action taken against him by the SSS was illegal and amounted to a nullity in view of the subsisting judgment by the other judge delivered on 29 December 2022.

The judge went on to set aside any warrant of arrest obtained or procured by the SSS for the arrest of Mr Emefiele in connection with the allegations of terrorism financing, fraudulent practices, money laundering, and threat to national security before any court.

READ ALSO:

During the Buhari administration, Mr Emefiele pursued an unpopular naira redesign policy that brought untold hardship to many Nigerians.

The policy put him on the line of verbal attacks from President Tinubu, who was then campaigning for office ahead of the last presidential election in February.

Since coming to office, Mr Tinubu had attacked Mr Emefiele, accusing him of destroying Nigerias financial system.

Charges in full

Count one:

That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about the 15th of June 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession one (1) Single Barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap. F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.

Count two:

That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about June 15, 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession One Hundred and Twenty-Three (123) Rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.

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Antonia Peter, 70, laid on an old wooden bench, flanked by young children who were playing various games, in Seri, a village nestled among hills and valleys in Kanke local government area of Plateau State.

At their age, Mrs Peters world was abruptly veiled in shadows when she fell victim to the merciless grip of river blindness.

I started struggling with my sight, and my skin was also itching often. I cannot remember how old I was when it happened, she said.

In the 80s, 90s, and early to mid-2000s, river blindness (or Onchocerciasis) was prevalent in Seri.

Due to how early she contracted the disease, she was unable to get formal education due to the distance to the only school at the time. However, she attended catechism at a Catholic church beside her parents house, and she got baptized by the missionaries who gave her the name, Antonia.

River blindness is a parasitic disease caused by the filarial worm, Onchocerca volvulus, and transmitted by repeated bites of infected blackflies (Simulium spp.).

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), these blackflies breed along fast-flowing rivers and streams, close to remote villages near fertile land where people rely on agriculture.

The Seri stream is located about 200 meters away from the spot where Antonia laid.

Most of the early residents of this village depend on this stream for their domestic needs and agriculture. The downside of the stream was the increased exposure of the community to this neglected tropical disease (NTD).

We were told stories of many of our ancestors who died from this disease, says Amos Bitrus, a community leader at Seri.

As of 2018, Nigeria [was] the most endemic country in the world for river blindness, accounting for as much as 40% of the global disease burden, according to Frank Richards, senior advisor to the Carter Centers River Blindness Elimination Program.

The Global Burden of Disease Study estimated in 2017 that at least 220 million people required preventive chemotherapy against Onchocerciasis, 14.6 million of the infected people already had a skin disease; and 1.15 million had vision loss; with over 99% of infected people living in 31 African countriesincluding Nigeria.

Halting the plague

In 1996, The Carter Center, in collaboration with other partners, including Nigerias Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), commenced a project to curb several NTDs in Nigeria, including river blindness. This initiative was aimed at doubling down on the efforts of Nigerias River Blindness Foundation, which began in 1991.

At one time, elimination of river blindness in Nigeria was deemed impossible, and the government of Nigeria and The Carter Center set their sights on merely keeping it under control, according to the Center.

However, in 2013, the co-founder of the Carter Center and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said that River blindness can and should be eliminated, not just controlled, even in the most afflicted areas of Africa.

With its partners, The Carter Center set up offices across the country, with its headquarters in Jos, Plateau Statewhere the disease was more prevalent.

During the programme, The Carter Center and its partners provided health education in rural communities like Seri, alongside mass drug administration (MDA) of the medicine Mectizan, donated by Merck & Co., Inc.

The White people and some other Nigerian medical personnel [referring to The Carter Center team and its partners] visited our village every month to teach us safety precautions and also administer medications; older people, pregnant women, and children were prioritized, Mr Bitrus said.

Antonia Peter is one of the beneficiaries of the initiative.

After many years of struggling with these diseases [river blindness and elephantiasis], I had given up on recovering, Antonia said as she struggled to speak while lifting her face mapped with deeply etched lines, revealing the countless stories within the tapestry of her existence.

Mrs Peter did not receive any treatment throughout the period when she went down with the NTDs.

No one knew what these ailments were, we did not even have herbal medications for it, she said. However, two years after she was administered Mectizan, she said she got healed.

I started walking distances I was not able to cover before that time. I cant do that now because of old age, but you can look at my eyes and legs; they look normal, unlike before, she added.

Mectizan kills the parasite larvae in the human body, preventing blindness and skin disease in infected people and stopping the transmission of the parasite to others.

After delivering 27 million doses of medication over more than 20 years, The Carter Center announced in 2018 that it had interrupted the transmission of river blindness in Plateau and Nasarawa states and had also halted the mass administration of Mectizan in affected communities.

Stopping the mass drug administration program in Plateau and Nasarawa states is a major achievement, Mr Richards said. But we must be careful to monitor closely over the next few years to ensure it does not come back. This will require continued effort and perseverance.

As of June 2023, when this reporter visited The Carter Center office in Jos, it was still operational.

Currently, the Carter Centre is collecting and reviewing samples from three states in Southern Nigeria; this will enable them to commence MDA in the region.

According to Yao Sodahlon, director of the Mectizan Donation Programme, It is the largest stop MDA decision in the history of the struggle against onchocerciasis. The Carter Center said that over 6,000 people and more than 18,000 vector black flies were tested and found free of river blindness infection, confirming the need to stop the MDA in both states.

Since the elimination was announced, we have not encountered any case of the disease, says Mafullu Rafan, the deputy health officer at Primary Health Centre (PHC), Amper Centre, the largest healthcare facility close to Seri Community.

Engaging communities came with hurdles

Initially, when the River Blindness intervention started in Plateau State, the FMOH and the Plateau State River Blindness Foundation were using existing primary healthcare facilitieslike the PHC Amper Centreto distribute the medication as a way to cut costs.

However, the intervention transitioned from a mobile delivery system to community-based distribution (CBD), leveraging village-based personnel to hasten the process.

As of 1992, when this transition started, most of the eligible volunteers who were mostly recommended by their community leaders were school teachers.

This was due to their communication and arithmetic experiences. The community-based distributors (CBDs) were required to be available for five to ten work days just before and during the treatment period, the Carter Center said.

As part of this transition, CBDs were provided with monetary incentives ranging from 100 to 200 (approximately $816 in 1992). However, some of these distributors were underpaid or received no payment at all.

Also, favouritism affected the selection of competent CBDs in these communities, as community leaders often selected their relatives or friends for the roles.

However, at the end of 1994, over 1000 CBDs were trained in Plateau State.

Why Niger state still battles to eradicate NTDs in 25 LGAs

Niger State is one of the states that is still endemic for Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis, Soil-transmitted helminths, and Trachoma.

According to a mapping survey by the state Ministry of Health carried out in the 25 local government areas of the state, NTDs were found to be prevalent in these local government areas, ranging from 2% to 88%.

The Niger State Coordinator on NTD Elimination, Hajiya Nauzo, said that onchocerciasis was the major cause of blindness in many rural communities across the state, pointing out that even though the state has effectively eradicated trachoma, it is still battling with combating Onchocerciasis as there are often spots of cases reported once in a while.

The state coordinator highlighted insecurity in some parts of the state, high attrition of community implementers (Community Directed Distributors), low commitment of health workers and community implementers, diminishing community support in many communities endemic for NTDs, lack of release of counterpart funds at all levels, weak involvement of line ministries in the elimination activities of NTDs, and the non-conduct of regular operational research to address programme challenges as reasons why Onchocerciasis and other NTDs may not have been successfully eliminated in the state.

Niger State is faced with insecurity, and this is greatly affecting the fight against the elimination of NTDs. Most often, when we are about to go for field work, we get information about attacks and turn back. Sometimes you will be in the field, and then you will start hearing gunshots up and down and you have to stop whatever you are doing and look for a place to hide, Mrs Nauzo said.

Last year, that was what happened to those who went to the Mariga, Rafi and Shiroro axis. They were inside when these attacks occurred, but they could not leave, they had to stay in the bush, including the partners who came in from Abuja. Several of them are unwilling to go to that area, but they need these drugs because they are also endemic to the NTDs. The security challenges are so serious that if not addressed, we will not be able to eliminate NTDs.

Mrs Nauzo said that the state adopted the Community Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) strategy as the main strategy of programme implementation, while for the collection of data, Lymphatic filariasis (LF) mapping and baseline surveys were conducted.

The Mission to Save the Helpless (Mitosath) is one of the organisations helping the state government in the eradication of NTDs. According to Salome Marcus, the initiative has been in place in the state for seven years. She pointed out that there has been a massive reduction in cases of river blindness, but it has not been eliminated in the state.

She noted that schistosomiasis is the most prevalent in the state, while Onchocerciasis is endemic in 21 local government areas.

We are using the standard community and school-based approach during the NTDs interventions. Sometimes strategies are initiated based on situations or problems confronted in the local government areas to ensure smooth implementation, she said.

Mrs Marcus also disclosed that for effective monitoring and evaluation, Mitosath also provided the local government coordinators with motorcycles so that they would be able to get to hard-to-reach communities.

She expressed optimism that river blindness and other NTDs would soon be eradicated in Niger State as several local government areas have passed the transmission assessment survey (TAS 1), which is a surveillance tool to determine that infection levels are sustained below target thresholds, which is an indication that treatment is working.

FCT on course for elimination of River Blindness

In Nigerias Federal Capital Territory, onchocerciasis is prevalent in all of its six area councils: Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Bwari, and Kwali.

However, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), with support from its partners  nongovernmental organisations like the Christian Blind Mission (CBM) is working towards eliminating river blindness and other NTDs in the FCT.

CBMs intervention for the elimination of river blindness in the FCT commenced in 1995, Joseph Kumbo, the organisations NTD Technical Specialist in Nigeria, revealed.

We have been supporting the FCT to carry out Mass Drug Administrations (MDAs) against river blindness and other NTDs for the past 28 years. At baseline, the FCT was one of the most endemic areas for river blindness in Nigeria. People raised concerns at the time about the location of the federal capital territory here due to the prevalence of black flies. But we were able to push it down thanks to the regular donation of drugs from the WHO, said Mr Kumbo.

He noted that while onchocerciasis (river blindness) is still endemic across all six area councils of the FCT, interventions are continuous and ongoing until total elimination is achieved.

Onchocerciasis is one of the diseases set for elimination by the Nigerian Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Elimination Programme. Currently, we have reached the stage of impact assessment. The first transmission assessment survey was conducted last year, which is the epidemiological assessment, where children from [ages] one to nine were tested to see if the transmission was going on amongst them, he said.

We got a good result, which moved us to the second level of assessment, where we had to monitor parasites inside the black flies, which lasted for one year, ending in 2022.

READ ALSO: Christian charity donates N100m equipment to fight blindness in Jigawa

Mr Kumbo noted that results from the second assessment showed that black flies were still vectors of the parasite, which meant that intervention was still required.

The elimination committee has directed us to continue with MDAs once a year for two years across all the area councils. But for the two area councils, Bwari and Abaji, where the positive black flies were caught, we are having two interventions in a year, for two years, he said.

He revealed that residents in the FCT are at risk of being infected with river blindness and advocated for preventive measures to reduce the chance of infection.

Most times, people do not see the physical manifestation of the disease, but it is still there. So, people living within the FCT should take a dose of Ivermectin at least once a year as a preventive measure, he said.

This story has been made possible by Nigeria Health Watch, with support from the Solutions Journalism Network, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to rigorous and compelling reporting about responses to social problems.

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The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has presented cheques worth N535.6 million to 68 families of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Presenting the cheques to the families on Friday in Abuja, the IGP said the money was from the Group Life Issurance Policy for 2022/2023.

He said the money was also for officers who suffered permanent deformities in the course of duty.

Mr Egbetokun said the gesture was part of the passionate drive of the force to the welfare of police personnel and their families.

According to him, over the years, men and women of the Force have displayed unwavering commitment, dedication and selflessness in the face of grave danger.

They have confronted countless challenges and put their lives on the line to safeguard our communities.

Regrettably, some have paid the ultimate price while others have been left with serious injuries that altered the course of their lives forever.

It is our duty to honour their sacrifices and recognise their immense contributions, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also witnessed the presentation of N70 million cheque to the IGP by Anchor Insurance Company Limited.

READ ALSO: Police arrest suspect over attack on Apostle Suleman

The IGP said the cheque was a contribution by the insurance company for the rebuilding of the Police Command in Kano that suffered extensive damage due to a devastating fire incident on 14 January.

According to him, the insurance money will aid in the restoration of the commands infrastructure, bolster its operational capabilities and ensure efficient and effective policing.

(NAN)

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Nigerian lender, Wema Bank, has lifted its suspension of international transactions on naira cards.

The bank in a letter addressed to its customers announced the end of the suspension on international transactions conducted through naira cards.

This means customers using the bank mastercard can now use their naira debit cards to pay for transactions done in foreign currency.

In March 2022, the bank had joined other Nigerian banks to limit their monthly international spending limit on naira cards from $100 to either $20 or $50.

Subsequently, in September, the banks said that naira cards would no longer be used for international transactions, adding that the decision was due to market realities on foreign exchange.

Wema Bank went a step further to end cross-border payments with Naira cards in March.

The bank also had a $500 monthly limit on international spending conducted through its naira cards.

You can now use your Naira cards, including Mastercard, ALAT Mastercard, and Visa, for international spending. For your international transactions, you can enjoy up to $500 per month, the bank said in a notice this week.

Heres what you need to know:

Expanded Possibilities: The Naira card allows you the freedom to make international purchases, explore international online stores, and buy from your favourite international brands. You know what? The world is now at your fingertips!

Monthly Limit: To provide you with enhanced security and control, there is a $500 monthly spending limit for international transactions. This allows you to manage your expenses responsibly while enjoying the benefits of international spending.

Effortless Convenience: Your Naira card gives you the convenience of making payments in foreign currencies, eliminating the need for currency conversion or carrying excess cash. Its a hassle-free and secure way to shop and transact abroad.

The new development comes against the backdrop of President Bola Tinubus efforts to unify the nations multiple exchange rates as part of measures to attract investors into the economy.

The Central Bank of Nigeria had on 14 June announced the unification of all segments of the Nigerian forex market, collapsing all windows into the Investors & Exporters (I&E) window.

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Six people have allegedly gang-raped a 19-year-old girl in Anam, a community in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigerias South-east.

The six suspects are between the ages of 16 and 27 years old.

One suspect reportedly filmed the rape of the victim while it lasted.

Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, a media aide to the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in Anambra State, Ify Obinabo, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

The statement did not indicate when the incident happened.

Ms Ikeanyionwu said the commissioner has arrested the suspects and subsequently handed them over to the police in the state.

She gave the names of the arrested suspects as Afam Ezenwa, Chijioke Ifeanyi, Collins Obadom, Abuchi Okechukwu, Chima Obiekezie and Sunday Okafor.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department of Police for investigation and prosecution, according to the statement.

The commissioners intervention in the matter followed a video clip which surfaced online showing the victim being raped by the suspects, Ms Ikeanyionwu stated.

How they ambushed, gang raped me  victim

The victim (name withheld) told Mrs Obinabo that the suspects ambushed her along the road and dragged her to a room where they took turns to rape her.

She said despite her pleas, the suspects continued to rape her without stopping while one of them filmed the act.

In tears, she recalled that she was initially rescued by some neighbours who heard her shouting for help. But while she headed home, some suspects accosted and attacked her.

The suspects, according to the victim, forced her to undress before raping her again amidst threats to kill her if she resisted.

A passerby, who saw her helpless along the road, would later take her to her family house.

Commissioner speaks

Mrs Obinabo, while interacting with the parents, lamented the rising rate of crime carried out against women and girls in the state.

The commissioner urged parents and guardians to desist from spoiling their children by failing to train them properly.

She said the Anambra State Government, under the administration of Governor Charles Soludo, has zero tolerance for crime in the state, assuring that the ministry would ensure that the arrested suspects were brought to justice.

Ritual purposes?

The parents of the victim, whose identities were not disclosed, said the 19-year-old was the third victim to be raped by the suspects.

They said the suspects were notorious for raping young girls and collecting their pants which usually resulted in the death of their victims after a period of time.

The victims parents appealed to the government to ensure the suspects were prosecuted, pointing out that their daughters life was now at risk.

Prohibited in Nigeria

Nigeria, in 2015, enacted the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which outlawed all forms of violence against women and girls, including rape and female circumcision.

Offenders, on conviction, face life imprisonment or maximum of 14-year jail term, depending on the age of the offender and type of violence committed.

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Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta on Saturday condemned the killing of a two-year-old boy, Ivan Omorhiakogbe, allegedly shot by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The governors reaction is contained in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, to the family of the deceased Ivan Omorhiakogbe in Asaba.

According to the governor, it was reported that the young Omorhiakogbe was hit by a stray bullet during an operation by the NDLEA, Delta Command, at Okpanam area of the State capital.

The governor said the tragic incident was regrettable and avoidable if the officers had operated based on their rules of engagement.

He called on the NDLEA authorities and the Police Command in Delta to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the boy and injury to his brother, with a view to bringing the culprits to book and avoiding a future occurrence.

On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I commiserate with the family of Fidelis Omorhiakogbe on the tragic death of their two-year-old son, Ivan, and injury to his younger sibling, Eromonsele.

READ ALSO:

This incident is tragic, painful, and grievous because of the loss of a child and injury to his younger sibling.

I condemn this unfortunate incident because no matter the provocation, armed security men must operate within the standard procedure as enshrined in their rules of engagement, he said.

Mr Oborevwori added, any action taken outside these international best practices could be catastrophic, as in this case.

I, therefore, call on the NDLEA and police authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident and bring all the culprits to book.

(NAN)

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said it is investigating the alleged killing of a two-year-old boy by its operatives during a raid at a drug joint in Delta State, South-south Nigeria.

The boy, Ivan Omorhiakogbe, was hit by a stray bullet during an operation by NDLEA officers at the Okpanam area of Asaba, the state capital.

In a statement on Saturday, Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, said a panel of top agency officials has been set up to visit the state for an on-the-spot investigation.

Mr Babafemi posted the statement on Twitter.

Explaining what led to the incident, Mr Babafemi said that its operatives were conducting a raid at a notorious drug dealer in the area on Thursday when a Toyota Camry zoomed off and knocked down one of its officers, whom it claimed is in critical condition in a hospital.

In a bid to demobilise the car and prevent it from escaping, another officer fired a shot aimed at the tire of the vehicle, which eventually escaped.

While the injured officer was rushed for treatment, the Officers got a report of a stray bullet hitting a young person and immediately located the father of the victim, followed him to the hospital, and supported in facilitating his treatment, but he, unfortunately, died in the process, Mr Babafemi said.

The agency said it was in touch with the deceaseds family and assured the public that it would get to the root of the matter and take necessary actions.

Meanwhile, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has condemned the killing of the two-year-old boy and called on the NDLEA authorities and the police in the state to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the boy in order to bring the culprits to book and prevent future occurrences.

In a condolence message to the deceaseds family, the governor described the loss of the child as tragic, painful, and grievous.

I condemn this unfortunate incident because no matter the provocation, armed security men must operate within the standard procedure as enshrined in their rules of engagement, the governor said.

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Research Africa Publications, a new pan-African journal database, is set for its official launch in honour of the late Professor of Communications, Lai Oso, who was reportedly part of the initiative.

Mr Oso, who died in a car crash along the Benin-Sagamu expressway on 24 June, was billed to be the co-director and the editorial board member, according to the platforms founder, Olasunkanmi Arowolo.

Mr Arowolo, in a statement to PREMIUM TIMES Saturday, noted that the launch of the African journal aggregator portal aims to improve the international visibility of African journals through robust databases and indexing.

The launch of the website is coming at a time when we lost a legend in the Nigerian academic community in the person of Lai Oso, who was part of the conception of this platform and had been pencilled down to be a co-director and member of the editorial board, Mr Arowolo said.

Unfortunately, the launch, which is scheduled to hold in mid-August, will be in his memory.

Why Research Africa?

According to the founder, the platform was inspired by the lack of access to African works during his studies abroad, and it seeks to address the limited digital availability of African journals.

He noted that the platforms goal is to provide viable digital solutions that bridge the research visibility gap for African journals and scholars.

By hosting African journals on our platform and applying rigorous peer-review standards, we aim to help transition these journals from local to international status and impact, Mr Arowolo said.

We see the platform ultimately becoming an African equivalent of major international journal publishers like SAGE, Taylor & Francis, and Routledge  providing tailored services for the African market.

He explained that the platform has a user-friendly interface and cutting-edge technology that allows users to search for journals by categories, disciplines, and year of release.

It also features modern journal management systems, allowing editors, authors, and publishers to track submissions, manage reviewer boards and handle their collections efficiently in the cloud, he added.

About Oso

Mr Oso was a deputy rector at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, formerly Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta, before joining the services of the Lagos State University.

He served as the dean of LASU School of Communication and now the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies between 2011 and 2015.

Mr Oso also served as President of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).

He attended the University of Lagos for his BSc in Mass Communication. He obtained a Masters in International Relations at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.

He also bagged his PhD from Leicester University, United Kingdom. He was a former Dean of Students Affairs at Caleb University  a private university located in the Imota area of Lagos State.

Mr Oso was a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, African Council of Communication Education, International Association for Communication Research, and Lagos Communication Forum.

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Nigeria has fulfilled its financial obligations to the African Union (AU) by fully paying its assessed contributions for the year 2023.

The confirmation was made on Saturday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adamu Lamuwa, on the sidelines of the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU in Nairobi, Kenya.

Mr Lamuwa explained that the payment demonstrates Nigerias commitment to its responsibilities as an AU member-state.

This is according to a statement by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information, State House, Abuja, on 15 July 2023.

Mr Lamuwa praised President Bola Tinubu for living up to expectations not only as the Chairperson of ECOWAS but also as a president who emphasises prompt payment of financial assessments.

During the Executive Council meeting, the permanent secretary shared Nigerias stance on the proposed 2024 Budget of the AU.

He welcomed the consideration of the economic outlook of African countries and the execution rate of AU departments and organs, over the past three years, in the budget drafting process.

Nigeria emphasised the importance of an austerity-driven, results-oriented budget that avoids duplication.

Accountability and prudent resource management were also highlighted to encourage other member countries to fulfil their financial obligations, he said.

The permanent secretary called for synergy and complementarity among AU organs and departments and requested that the AU Commission (AUC) reduce travel costs by hosting more meetings at its headquarters in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.

He also stressed the need for compliance with internal audit processes to ensure transparency and accountability.

Mr Tinubu is scheduled to attend the 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting on Sunday in Nairobi, where discussions on other significant matters will take place.

Mr Lamuwa also highlighted that the ministerial-level meeting preceding the Heads of States participation adopted the theme of Education for the AU in 2024.

He noted that this aligns well with Mr Tinubus focus on education as a priority area domestically, making his leadership in Nigeria and ECOWAS timely and beneficial.

Nigeria is one of the major financial contributors to the African Union (AU), alongside four other member-states.

The AUs 2023 budget of $654.8 million is primarily financed through annual statutory contributions and voluntary contributions from development partners, as well as other miscellaneous income.

Development partners play a crucial role in supporting the AUs budget, covering at least 67 per cent of the total amount, while member-states, including Nigeria, contribute to the remaining balance of the budget based on the approved scale of assessment by the executive council.

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The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, has dismissed media reports that he is looking forward to run for office in the 2027 presidential elections.

The presidential candidate also denied commenting on appointees of the Federal Government.

Peter Obi, who is also a former governor of Anambra, made this known in a statement on his official Twitter handle in Lagos on Saturday.

The presidential candidate described both reports as bogus, regretting that Nigerian politics had deteriorated to the level where manipulation of the media space was now a trade.

I have noticed with dismay, an emerging pattern, where fake media reports and news items are predicated on interviews and press remarks I never granted, Peter Obi said.

Two recent instances relating to my saying that I am looking forward to running for office in 2027 on a supposed Arise TV interview.

This never took place and the other, about my reaction to prospective appointees into the current Federal Government.

The presidential candidate said he would not allow fake news to distract his focus for a new Nigeria which he said is possible.

READ ALSO:

The politician said his focus and that of the Obidient Movement that he leads, would not derail from the original mission of creating a new Nigeria.

He said for him, he would continue to speak on topical national issues via recognised news and media outfits but certainly would not concern himself with cheap distraction.

He also said the focus of his followers had never been on political appointments and positions.

Our emphasis has never been on political positions or personal aggrandisement but on putting the nation on the right footing and deepening our democracy by helping to elevate and empower the downtrodden in our society, Peter Obi said.

He added that that was the reason his messages during the electioneering campaigns were all issue-driven.

(NAN)

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President Bola Tinubu on Saturday in Nairobi, Kenya, called on African leaders to respect democracy, rule of law, and ensure political stability.

In his statement at a high-level event organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the margins of Fifth Mid-Year African Union (AU) Coordination Meeting, the President urged African military institutions and states to recognise and respect the need for democratic renewal.

The Nigerian leader, who is also the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said coups detat should be discouraged in the continent, especially in the face of challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, insecurity, and climate change.

The president, in his statement, presented by Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said it was regrettable that West Africa, despite its numerous instruments and mechanisms for promoting democracy and good governance, is leading other regions in the use of unconstitutional means to change governments.

He warned that the ugly trend of the military straying into the political arena is causing threats to peace, security and stability, and engendering poverty, displacement, and humanitarian crises.

This ugly trend has only succeeded in threatening the peace, security and stability of the sub-region and by extension the African continent, leaving in its trail poverty, internally-displaced persons and humanitarian crisis. In the same vein, this ugly trend has also led to food shortages and escalated health challenges.

We therefore must take deliberate steps to address the root causes of unconstitutional changes and coups detat in Africa. As a continent, we cannot make progress toward achieving the goals and targets of the UN Agenda 2030 for sustainable development, as well as those of AU Agenda 2063 for the Africa We Want.

Between 2020 and now, Africa has witnessed six successful coups detat and three unsuccessful attempts. This rise in military takeovers and unconstitutional changes in government disrupts our democratic processes and undermine stability on the continent.

It is for this reason that I call on all African leaders at all levels to make concerted efforts in respecting the tenets of democracy and the rule of law, in order to ensure political stability on the continent, he said.

Reiterating that Africa has no intention of regressing on its democratic gains and credentials, as well as its maturing democratic political culture, President Tinubu said, I call on all Afro-centric supranational organisations, especially the African Union, the various Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms, to individually and collectively adopt Protocols on democracy and good governance, and ensure their effective implementation.

While acknowledging that democracy may present challenges in terms of management and dynamics, President Tinubu reiterated that it is the best form of government for 21st century Africa.

Drawing a comparison between military rule and democratic regimes, he noted that democracy ensures good governance, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability.

Emphasising the need to disincentivise coups detat, the ECOWAS chairperson urged the United Nations to take a firm stance against military coups.

It is my view that while grappling with the challenges caused by the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and other geostrategic tragedies, including insecurity and climate change amongst others, African leaders must disincentivise coups detat.

The United Nations must also stand firm and unyielding in its opposition to military coups, he said.

He also acknowledged that democracy and development are interconnected in achieving sustainable goals and the African vision, adding that commitment to democratic principles and governance is crucial for long-term peace, security, and economic growth.

As Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, the president expressed his readiness to work with the UNDP and other development partners to advance the course of democracy on the African continent.

The Nigerian leader thanked UNDP for inviting him to deliver a goodwill message at the event and assured the organisation of his commitment to confronting the issue of military coups and promoting democratic renewal in Africa.

The issue of military coups and the need for democratic renewal in Africa is one that I am passionate about and indeed committed, along with my colleagues, to confront and we are prepared to change the narratives, he said.

He commended the UNDP for launching its flagship report Soldiers and Citizens: Military Coups and the Need for Democratic Renewal in Africa, stating that the military has no place in the governance of the 21st Century Africa.

Jide Okeke, UNDP Regional Programme Coordinator (Africa), said his organisation invited the Nigerian leader after his inspiring message, denouncing military coups, during his inauguration as Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on 9 July.

He expressed delight that President Tinubus presence and participation in the UN high-level event demonstrates Nigerias commitment to democratic values and stability, reasserting Nigerias leadership in Africa and the global community.

He described the presidents message as sending a positive signal to the international community about Nigerias commitment to democratic values and stability.

On UNDP flagship report, the African regional coordinator said it is timely in advancing Nigerias vision of stability for West Africa and the continent as a whole.

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He explained that the report combines empirical data, literature, and personal stories from citizens who have lived through coups, contrasting their experiences with those in countries transitioning to democracy.

Gambias Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad, Mamadou Tangara; Hanna Tetteh, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa and Bankole Adeoye, commissioner of political affairs, peace and security, African Union Commission, delivered their respective remarks at the event.

Dele Alake

Special Adviser to the President

(Special Duties, Communications and Strategy)

July 15, 2023

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The Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) has created opportunities for children with special skills to express themselves through cultural drawings and paintings.

WSICE made this public during the unveiling of an art gallery in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, as part of the activities marking Wole Soyinkas 89th birthday.

The art gallery studio showcases works of local and international artists who are poised to promote the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

PREMIUM TIMES correspondent learnt that the cultural gallery houses about 84 visual artworks by various primary and secondary school pupils nationwide.

While addressing pupils from different primary and secondary schools who attended the event, the Producer of this years Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange, Joy Nweye, said that the gallery was the artistry part of the WSICE.

At the event, which was held in Omida, Abeokuta, capital of Ogun state, she added that aside from international contributors, the works at the gallery comprise works received from pupils at previous events where school children displayed their artistic skills.

Rationale

Ms Nweye noted that the event is targeted at developing the artistic abilities of the younger ones.

She said the primary motive is to make children know that they can communicate and pass powerful messages across through drawings, paintings, and sculptures, among other channels.

We compiled those works to unveil the gallery. The majority of what you see here are from students who participated in WSICE events years ago.

She explained that the main idea behind the Wole Soyinka art gallery was to explore the visual artistry embedded in school children.

The main idea, she added, is the unification of the visual artistry embedded in individuals from different backgrounds, national and international, to express themselves using works of art.

Each artwork means something. They mean different things to different people, depending on your mindset, geographical location and others. These artworks speak something to you, and compiling them artistically in a gallery speaks volumes, she added.

Symbolism

A lecturer of Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan, Tunde Awosanmi, said a gallery signifies, symbolically, the memory bank of a nation.

The lecturer regretted that the government lacks the political will to institute the consciousness of a gallery in the sense of its memory bank.

He said budgetary allocation for art and culture in the annual budget is always meagre and asked the government to do more to promote art and culture.

Mr Awosanmi, who was Mr Soyinkas Personal Assistant until 2010, maintained that there are specialised galleries worldwide.

He also clarified that the Mr Soyinka gallery is distinct because it is dedicated to children, with 95 per cent of the artworks produced by secondary school children.

He said the project was tied to Soyinkas life vision adding, whose weakest point is his love for children.

Gabriel Emmanuel, a German artist, on the other hand, said besides the gallery, the cultural programme would morph from just essay writing to displaying artworks.

Mr Emmanuel disclosed that the WSICE focuses on education and developing talents in children.

So many children have talents in painting and drawing. Thats what we are encouraging; thats why we are inviting different schools and children to let them see what artists do, to let them feel their works and to spark their interest in creating artwork.

I want children to be bold, brave and embrace that certain talent they have within themselves. We are going to support them, encourage them to bring their talents out, the German explained.

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The Speaker House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Saturday in Zaria, Kaduna State, said the 10th assembly would revisit the bill seeking constitutional roles for traditional rulers.

The speaker disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli.

He said the visit was a homecoming to seek royal blessings, guidance and prayers from the royal father.

Mr Abbas, who was accompanied by some members and leadership of the house, told the emir that the visit was to also appreciate the support and prayers received from his constituency and Nigerians.

We are here to also seek for advices from you the traditional rulers.

I want to also intimate you that we will revisit the recommendations of the bill submitted by the traditional rulers seeking for a constitutional roles and ensure that the bill is passed, he said.

In his response, the emir noted that the traditional rulers had played several developmental roles at the pre-independent and post independent Nigeria, as such their roles could not be over emphasised.

He also noted with dismay that some politicians were initially against the bill seeking constitutional roles for the rulers on the premise that such roles would amount to creating another tier of government.

The emir said it was not true that assigning constitutional roles to the traditional rulers amounted to creating another tier of government.

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The royal father said an extensive deliberation on the issue was held in Kaduna under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto.

He added that a committee headed by Emir of Lafia, Nasarawa State, who is a former Justice of Supreme Court, drafted the bill which was eventually not passed by the NASS.

We are therefore appealing to the 10th assembly to revisit the bill and ensure its speedy passage to enhance security, growth and national development.

After the courtesy visit, the speaker held an interactive session with people of Zaria Federal Constituency.

(NAN)

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The Lagos State government has announced that the Eko Bridge at the recently reopened Apongbon Bridge end will be closed for 24 hours.

The permanent secretary of the ministry of transportation, Abdulhafiz Toriola, announced this on Saturday in a statement.

The bridge was reopened on 18 July, over 15 months after a fire outbreak at the market in its environs.

He said that the bridge will be shut on Sunday for 24 hours for immediate remedial palliative works by the Lagos State Public Works in conjunction with Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

He further said that the 24 hours closure is necessary to allow for uninterrupted palliative adjustment of the bridge.

Mr Toriola also said traffic operatives from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have been deployed to manage traffic around C.M.S, Marina, Ijora, and other alternative routes on the Lagos Island and Mainland.

Alternative routes

The alternative routes made available during the period of repair are highlighted as follows:

1. For motorists from Mainland/Surulere going to Lagos Island are advised to make use of Ijora-Olopa/Causeway to Carter Bridge (Idumota) to connect their desired destinations;

Or b. Connect Costain to Iganmu through Ijora-Oloye via Ijora Causeway to Carter Bridge (Idumota), for their desired destinations;

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2. For motorists from Lagos Island going to Surulere/Mainland are advised to connect Carter Bridge (Idumota) through Iddo/Oyingbo to Herbert Macaulay for their desired destinations;

b. Connect Carter Bridge(Idumota) through Ijora Olopa by LAWMA Headquarters to Eko Bridge inwards Costain/Alaka for their desired destinations;

3. Motorists can equally make use of the Third Mainland Bridge through Adekunle to connect Herbert Macaulay to link their desired destinations.

Mr Toriola urged road users to cooperate with the traffic managers during the palliative works to enhance seamless movement.

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BEIJING, July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Known to many Chinese as the Magic City, Shanghai, an international metropolis famous for its economy, culture, tourism and swag style, also has an equally important identity: It is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Rose Oliver, MBE: I feel more at home in China than I do in any other place

Largely because of this identity, the city was chosen as the site of the CPC International Image Innovation Forum, which took place there on July 6. Jointly hosted by China International Communications Group (CICG) and the Central Institute of Socialism, the forum gathered around 200 experts from government institutions, universities, media outlets and think tanks, who exchanged ideas about how to help the international community understand the CPC, including its role in advancing China's modernization.

As one of the keynote speakers invited to the forum, Rose Oliver, a British cultural exchange specialist at Shanghai University, Director of the British Cultural Center at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, a recipient of the 2019 Shanghai Magnolia Gold Award and a Member of the Order of the British Empire, shared her firm belief in the importance of communication and understanding in our ever-changing and, at present, more volatile world. This realization comes from her 30-plus years of working in the fields of education and cultural exchange, both in China and internationally.

As an expert on Chinese culture, she has long been accustomed to observing the world from the perspective of Chinese philosophy: "Like the philosophical concept 'yin does not depart from yang, and yang does not depart from yin,' we cannot divest ourselves from the other, we are a union of countries and cultures in one sphere, thus communication and mutual understanding are the glue that binds," she said at the forum.

Home is where the heart is

"When I first came to China, I honestly didn't even have any culture shock. I didn't feel out of place," Oliver remembered. "I had done a lot of research and had been invested in understanding China, so it felt like home."

Her interest in Chinese culture traces back to her childhood. "When I was little, my brother and I used to watch The Water Margin [a TV series adapted from one of the four greatest classical Chinese novels]. The heroes of the marsh, like Lin Chong and the lady with the double swords [Hu Sanniang], left a deep impression on me. They would fight against evil and injustice, which reminded me of Robin Hood [a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore]. That's how I first started to get interested in Chinese culture," Oliver recalled.

Later, when actor Bruce Lee took the world by storm, he piqued Oliver's interest in Chinese martial arts. So when she was suffering from serious lower back pain and was looking for a type of physical exercise that would bring some relief, a poster of a taijiquan seminar, better known as tai chi chuan to international audiences, immediately got her attention.

"I wanted to try it, so I went to the lesson. And almost the moment I followed the movement, I felt the energy from what I was doing physically. It gave me a totally different sense of self," she said.

The encounter proved life-changing as Oliver decided to turn her newfound passion into a professional pursuit and opened a taijiquan school in the United Kingdom where she hosted workshops and taught classes. "And so, an enjoyable cultural center was born and lots of people would come there and practice taijiquan," she told Beijing Review. "After some time had passed, I really wanted to learn more about what's behind taijiquan and get to know more aspects of Chinese culture. So I decided to come to the home of taijiquan, or China, to have a look."

What she didn't expect was that one trip would keep her in China for more than 20 years. And the longer she stayed, the more she felt she had come home. "I've learned that all elements of Chinese culture are underpinned by the same philosophical concepts of yin and yang and the idea of balance and harmony. I feel at home here because that matches my own personal feelings and life philosophy. Everybody has their own way of being, and my way of being is being at one with nature," she explained.

Her appreciation and understanding of Chinese culture, as well as her experience in the field of education, also led her to embark on a journey of teaching English and cultural exchange related classes at Shanghai's universities. "I think the most important thing for a teacher is to help each student reach his or her own potential. I need to get to know each of them and find out what they need," she continued. Oliver also offers free taijiquan and traditional Chinese massage courses in several of Shanghai's communities.

She believes taijiquan has helped her better connect with her students. "Taijiquan requires us to feel connected to the greater environment around us so that I can manage to reach into every area of the classroom, to make everybody feel engaged," she explained. For Oliver, teaching is more than a job; it's about the strong bond she has forged with her students.

Work and life as one

Reflecting on her more than 20 years of life in China, the 58-year-old British expat stated, in all honesty, that she has no real personal life. "My career and my personal life are all about cultural exchange, about sharing Chinese culture with the world. It's like one and the same. I am totally immersed in it," she explained.

Oliver further stated her strong belief that the world needs more people who have the best interests of all cultures at heart to help those cultures bridge their potential misunderstandings or obstacles to communication. "And when you are a cultural bridge or a cultural interpreter, your role is to make those other sides feel that they are directly communicating," she added.

In 2010, Oliver was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to Sino-British relations and cross-cultural work. She still distinctly remembers the ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where she met the late Queen Elizabeth II.

"It was a proud moment. I got the chance to have a quick chat with Her Majesty the Queen, who was genuinely interested in China." Oliver told the queen a little about her undertakings in cultural exchange and the queen told her, "It's very important work. You must keep it up."

After receiving this royal approval and encouragement, the British expert became even more determined in her quest for mutual understanding on a global level. "Communication and cultural exchange are essential for our world, as well as for our global harmony and balance. It's my pleasure and privilege to be in this situation and to have this as my career," she concluded.

Comments to [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeijingReview/status/1679895295067582465?s=20

Facebook: https://facebook.com/597434752475220

YouTube: https://youtu.be/q3zyPWQXeQM

Website: http://www.bjreview.com/Multimedia/Video/Through_Their_Eyes/202307/t20230714_800336855.html

SOURCE Beijing Review
NEW YORK, July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) between May 12, 2022 and February 8, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 11, 2023.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Baxter securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Baxter class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=17664 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 11, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants made false and/or misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the Company concealed the true extent of the supply chain problems it was experiencing while simultaneously exaggerating its ability to maintain a healthy supply chain in the face of global pressures; (2) as a result, the Company's projected earnings were materially misleading during the Class Period; (3) the foregoing, once revealed, was reasonably likely to have a material negative impact on the Company's financial condition; and (4) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Baxter class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=17664 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi arrived in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Saturday to attend the Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (5th MYCM) of the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, Regional Mechanisms and African Union Member States.

African leaders and heads of government will convene on Sunday in the 5th MYCM under the AU's 2023 theme: Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation."

President El-Sisi will deliver a speech presenting Egypt's ambitious two-year roadmap as the current chair of the Steering Committee of the African Development Agency (NEPAD), said Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Ahmed Fahmy in a statement.

He will also discuss the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the need for African countries to work together to implement it.

According to Fahmy, the president's second speech, which he will deliver as the current president of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), will be given at the session on the environment, climate change and the blue economy at the Nairobi Summit.

It will include an overview of Egypt's efforts to cope with the effects of climate change and adapt to climate change, as well as the Loss and Damage Fund, which was agreed upon at the COP27 summit in Sharm El-Sheikh in November last year.

The president will also stress in his second speech the principles of climate justice and shared responsibility in coping with the effects of climate change, considering the varying burdens that vary from one country to another.

El-Sisi is also scheduled to meet with his Kenyan counterpart, President William Ruto, on the sidelines of the MYCM meeting to discuss deepening cooperation between the two brotherly countries on matters of common African concern, and enhancing continental integration, said Fahmy.

Executive Council



The 5th MYCM was preceded by the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, which was held from 13 to 14 July.

During these sessions, officials from Egypt and fellow African countries discussed the progress achieved in the commercial integration program for African countries and the means to enhance that integration, reported the Egyptian states news agency MENA on Friday.

These means include promoting free movement, developing a unified African passport, and integrating continental infrastructure and financial markets.

The meeting's agenda also covered the financing of Agenda 2063, which focused on Africas economic recovery, as well as agriculture, debt management and energy.

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WUHAN, China, July 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dunxin Financial Holdings Limited ("Dunxin" or the "Company") (NYSE American: DXF), a licensed microfinance lender servicing individuals and small and medium enterprises ("SMEs") in Hubei Province, China, today announced that it plans to change the ratio of its American depositary shares ("ADSs") from one (1) ADS representing forty eight (48) ordinary shares to one (1) ADS representing four hundred and eighty (480) ordinary shares.

There will be no change to the Company's ordinary shares. The effect of the ratio change on the ADS trading price on the NYSE American (the "NYSE American") is expected to take place at the open of trading on July 25, 2023 (U.S. Eastern Time). ADS holders of record on the effective date will need to surrender their ADS to the depositary bank for cancellation and exchange in connection with the ADS ratio change, with further details to be provided in the notice by the depositary bank. As of the effective date for the ADS ratio change, DXF's ADSs will continue to be traded on the NYSE American under the symbol "DXF".

No fractional new ADSs will be issued in connection with the change in the ADS ratio. Instead, fractional entitlements to new ADSs will be aggregated and sold by the depositary bank and the net cash proceeds from the sale of the fractional ADS entitlements (after deduction of fees, taxes and expenses) will be distributed to the applicable ADS holders by the depositary bank.

As a result of the change in the ADS ratio, the ADS price is expected to increase proportionally, although the Company can give no assurance that the ADS price after the change in the ADS ratio will be equal to or greater than the ADS price on a proportionate basis.

About Dunxin Financial Holdings Limited

Dunxin is a licensed microfinance lender serving individuals and SMEs in Hubei Province, China. Dunxin suspended offering loans to its customers since 2020.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as "may, "will, "intend," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate" or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development; product and service demand and acceptance; changes in technology; economic conditions; the growth of market in China and the other international markets the Company plans to serve; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and the international markets the Company plans to serve and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forwardlooking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

SOURCE Dunxin Financial Holding Limited
NEW YORK, July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Irish whiskey market size is projected to increase by USD 2,105.64 million and the market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.34% between 2022 and 2027 according to Technavio. The growing competition in the market is compelling vendors to adopt various growth strategies such as promotional activities and spending on advertisements to improve the visibility of their services. Technavio report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors including Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Bacardi Ltd., Becle SAB de CV, Brown Forman Corp., Diageo Plc, Irish Distillers International Ltd., Pernod Ricard SA, Quintessential Brands Group, Suntory Holdings Ltd., Teeling Whiskey Co. Ltd., West Cork Distillers Ltd., and William Grant and Sons Ltd.- Download a Sample Report Now!

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Irish Whiskey Market

Irish Whiskey Market Insights -

Vendors : 15+, Including Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Bacardi Ltd., Becle SAB de CV, Brown Forman Corp., Diageo Plc, Irish Distillers International Ltd., Pernod Ricard SA, Quintessential Brands Group, Suntory Holdings Ltd., Teeling Whiskey Co. Ltd., West Cork Distillers Ltd., and William Grant and Sons Ltd.

: 15+, Including Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Bacardi Ltd., Becle SAB de CV, Brown Forman Corp., Diageo Plc, Irish Distillers International Ltd., Pernod Ricard SA, Quintessential Brands Group, Suntory Holdings Ltd., Teeling Whiskey Co. Ltd., West Cork Distillers Ltd., and and Sons Ltd. Coverage: Parent market analysis; key drivers, major trends, and challenges; customer and vendor landscape; vendor product insights and recent developments; key vendors; and market positioning of vendors

Parent market analysis; key drivers, major trends, and challenges; customer and vendor landscape; vendor product insights and recent developments; key vendors; and market positioning of vendors Segments: Distribution Channel (Offline trade and Online trade), Type (Blended, Single malt, Single pot still, and Single grain), and Geography ( Europe , North America , APAC, South America , and Middle East and Africa )

To understand more about the Irish Whiskey Market, request a sample report

Irish whiskey market - Customer Landscape

To help companies evaluate and develop growth strategies, the report outlines 

Key purchase criteria

Adoption rates

Adoption lifecycle

Drivers of price sensitivity

For highlights on customer landscape analysis, download a sample!

Irish Whiskey Market  Market Dynamics

Major Driver -

Increasing use of online sales channels for selling alcohol is driving the Irish whiskey market growth. There is an increasing preference among consumers for online channels because they offer a wide range of choices and conveniences to consumers. Besides, consumers are able to compare the prices of the products on online platforms. Rising preference for online channels to purchase products by consumers and the Increasing appearance of strong online distribution channels and platform providers are the key factors that are expected to significantly contribute to the market growth.

Moreover, one of the main benefits of online platforms is that vendors can add videos, give full descriptions of their products, highlight unique properties, and make their products more attractive. Thus, such factors are expected to fuel the growth of the Irish whiskey market growth during the forecast period.

Leading Trend

Growing preference for organic whiskey is expected to have a positive impact on the Irish whiskey market in the coming years. The increasing demand for Irish whiskeys is fueled by consumers' desire for organic whiskeys and versions with lower alcohol content. Most of the interest in Irish whiskeys comes from rapidly expanding developing countries. As a result of this, there has been a rise in preference for organic whiskeys from Europe and different countries.

Moreover, a few well-known vendors, such as Bainbridge Organic Distillers, developed novel artisan-distilled spirits by the cultivation of wheat, barley, triticale, and maize that have been certified as organic by the USDA and are intended for use in the distillery. As a result, the flawlessness of their grains is reflected in the high quality of each of their products. Therefore, the growth of the Irish whiskey market is expected to be propelled by these factors during the forecast period.

Significant challenges -

Rising health awareness among consumers will be a major challenge for the Irish whiskey market during the forecast period. There is a rising preference for healthier drinks over alcoholic beverages owing to a raised health awareness and the inclination towards adopting healthy lifestyles among the US population. As a result, has become a major challenge and is expected to create a notable threat to Irish whiskey vendors.

In addition, the wide accessibility of other expected substitutes and the awareness about their health advantages among purchasers can adversely affect the interest in Irish whiskey. Moreover, the rising awareness campaigns by the government and health institutions have educated the masses about the perils of drinking alcohol. Thus, these factors are expected to impede the growth of the Irish whiskey market during the forecast period.

Drivers, & Challenges have an impact on market dynamics and can impact businesses. Find some insights from a sample report!

The Irish whiskey market report provides critical information and factual data, with a qualitative and quantitative study of the market based on market drivers and limitations as well as future prospects.

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What are the key data covered in this Irish Whiskey Market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the Irish whiskey market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the Irish whiskey market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the Irish whiskey market across Europe , North America , APAC, South America , and Middle East and Africa

, , APAC, , and and A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of Irish whiskey market vendors

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Related Reports:

The whiskey market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.02% and the size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 34,078.61 million between 2022 and 2027. Furthermore, this report extensively covers market segmentation by distribution channel (off trade and on trade), product (scotch whiskey, American whiskey, Canadian whiskey, Irish whiskey, and others), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The increasing demand for premium whiskey is notably driving the whiskey market growth during the forecast period.

The scotch whisky market size is expected to increase by 209.49 million liters from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.36%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers scotch whisky market segmentation by distribution channel (off-trade and on-trade), product (blended, bulk blended, and others), and geography (Europe, North America, APAC, the Middle East and Africa, and South America). The increased number of marketing and advertising campaigns is notably driving the scotch whisky market growth during the forecast period.

Irish Whiskey Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.34% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 2,105.64 million Market structure Concentrated YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 5.81 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution Europe at 34% Key countries US, India, Germany, Ireland, and Russia Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Bacardi Ltd., Becle SAB de CV, Brown Forman Corp., Diageo Plc, Irish Distillers International Ltd., Pernod Ricard SA, Quintessential Brands Group, Suntory Holdings Ltd., Teeling Whiskey Co. Ltd., West Cork Distillers Ltd., and William Grant and Sons Ltd Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Type



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global Irish whiskey market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on global irish whiskey market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Distribution Channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Distribution Channel Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel

6.3 Offline trade - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Offline trade - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Offline trade - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Offline trade - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Offline trade - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Online trade - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Online trade - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Online trade - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Online trade - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Online trade - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by Type

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 44: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Type

Exhibit 46: Chart on Comparison by Type



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Comparison by Type

7.3 Blended - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 48: Chart on Blended - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Blended - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 50: Chart on Blended - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on Blended - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Single malt - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 52: Chart on Single malt - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Single malt - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 54: Chart on Single malt - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 55: Data Table on Single malt - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Single pot still - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 56: Chart on Single pot still - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Data Table on Single pot still - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 58: Chart on Single pot still - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 59: Data Table on Single pot still - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Single grain - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 60: Chart on Single grain - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Data Table on Single grain - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 62: Chart on Single grain - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on Single grain - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.7 Market opportunity by Type

Exhibit 64: Market opportunity by Type ($ million)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on Market opportunity by Type ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 66: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 67: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 68: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 69: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 70: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 71: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 72: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 73: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 75: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 76: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 77: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 79: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 80: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 81: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 82: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 85: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 89: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 90: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 91: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 92: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 93: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 94: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 97: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 98: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 Ireland - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on Ireland - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 100: Data Table on Ireland - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 101: Chart on Ireland - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on Ireland - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 103: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 105: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 106: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 Russia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 107: Chart on Russia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 108: Data Table on Russia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 109: Chart on Russia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 110: Data Table on Russia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 111: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)



Exhibit 112: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 113: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 114: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 115: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 116: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 117: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 118: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

Exhibit 119: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 120: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 121: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 122: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 123: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Segment focus

12.4 Bacardi Ltd.

Exhibit 124: Bacardi Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 125: Bacardi Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 126: Bacardi Ltd. - Key offerings

12.5 Becle SAB de CV

Exhibit 127: Becle SAB de CV - Overview



Exhibit 128: Becle SAB de CV - Business segments



Exhibit 129: Becle SAB de CV - Key offerings



Exhibit 130: Becle SAB de CV - Segment focus

12.6 Brown Forman Corp.

Exhibit 131: Brown Forman Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 132: Brown Forman Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 133: Brown Forman Corp. - Key offerings

12.7 Diageo Plc

Exhibit 134: Diageo Plc - Overview



Exhibit 135: Diageo Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 136: Diageo Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 137: Diageo Plc - Segment focus

12.8 Irish Distillers International Ltd.

Exhibit 138: Irish Distillers International Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 139: Irish Distillers International Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 140: Irish Distillers International Ltd. - Key offerings

12.9 Pernod Ricard SA

Exhibit 141: Pernod Ricard SA - Overview



Exhibit 142: Pernod Ricard SA - Product / Service



Exhibit 143: Pernod Ricard SA - Key offerings

12.10 Quintessential Brands Group

Exhibit 144: Quintessential Brands Group - Overview



Exhibit 145: Quintessential Brands Group - Product / Service



Exhibit 146: Quintessential Brands Group - Key offerings

12.11 Suntory Holdings Ltd.

Exhibit 147: Suntory Holdings Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 148: Suntory Holdings Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 149: Suntory Holdings Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 150: Suntory Holdings Ltd. - Segment focus

12.12 Teeling Whiskey Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 151: Teeling Whiskey Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 152: Teeling Whiskey Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 153: Teeling Whiskey Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.13 West Cork Distillers Ltd.

Exhibit 154: West Cork Distillers Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 155: West Cork Distillers Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 156: West Cork Distillers Ltd. - Key offerings

12.14 William Grant and Sons Ltd

and Sons Ltd Exhibit 157: William Grant and Sons Ltd - Overview

and Sons Ltd - Overview

Exhibit 158: William Grant and Sons Ltd - Product / Service

and Sons Ltd - Product / Service

Exhibit 159: William Grant and Sons Ltd - Key offerings

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 160: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 161: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 162: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 163: Research methodology



Exhibit 164: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 165: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 166: List of abbreviations

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NEW YORK, July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The low code development platform market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 27.96% and is expected to increase by USD 35.73 billion from 2021 to 2026 according to Technavio. The growing competition in the market is compelling vendors to adopt various growth strategies, such as promotional activities and spending on advertisements to improve the visibility of their services. Technavio report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, including AgilePoint Inc., Appian Corp., Aura Difusion SL, Betty Blocks BV, CREATIO EMEA Ltd., Cybozu Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Idera Inc., Magic Software Enterprises Ltd., Mendix Technology BV, Microsoft Corp., Netcall plc, Newgen Software Technologies Ltd., Nintex Global Ltd., Oracle Corp., OutSystems Software em Rede SA, Pegasystems Inc., Pramati Software Pvt. Ltd., Quickbase Inc., Salesforce.com Inc., ServiceNow Inc., Skuid Inc., Thinkwise Innovation B.V., TrackVia Inc., Tyler Technologies Inc., and Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd.- Download a Sample Report Now!

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Low Code Development Platform Market

Low Code Development Platform Insights -

Vendors : 15+, Including AgilePoint Inc., Appian Corp., Aura Difusion SL, Betty Blocks BV, CREATION EMEA Ltd., Cybozu Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Idera Inc., Magic Software Enterprises Ltd., Mendix Technology BV, Microsoft Corp., Netcall plc, Newgen Software Technologies Ltd., Nintex Global Ltd., Oracle Corp., OutSystems Software em Rede SA, Pegasystems Inc., Pramati Software Pvt. Ltd., Quickbase Inc., Salesforce.com Inc., ServiceNow Inc., Skuid Inc., Thinkwise Innovation B.V., TrackVia Inc., Tyler Technologies Inc., and Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd. among others

: 15+, Including AgilePoint Inc., Appian Corp., Aura Difusion SL, Betty Blocks BV, CREATION EMEA Ltd., Cybozu Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Idera Inc., Magic Software Enterprises Ltd., Mendix Technology BV, Microsoft Corp., Netcall plc, Newgen Software Technologies Ltd., Nintex Global Ltd., Oracle Corp., OutSystems Software em Rede SA, Pegasystems Inc., Pramati Software Pvt. Ltd., Quickbase Inc., Salesforce.com Inc., ServiceNow Inc., Skuid Inc., Thinkwise Innovation B.V., TrackVia Inc., Tyler Technologies Inc., and Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd. among others Coverage: Parent market analysis; key drivers, major trends, and challenges; customer and vendor landscape; vendor product insights and recent developments; key vendors; and market positioning of vendors

Parent market analysis; key drivers, major trends, and challenges; customer and vendor landscape; vendor product insights and recent developments; key vendors; and market positioning of vendors Segments: Product (Platform and Services) and Geography ( North America , APAC, Europe , South America , and Middle East and Africa )

To understand more about the Low Code Development Platform, request a sample report

Low code development platform market - Customer Landscape

To help companies evaluate and develop growth strategies, the report outlines 

Key purchase criteria

Adoption rates

Adoption lifecycle

Drivers of price sensitivity

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Key Driver - One of the key factors driving the low code development platform market is the pricing strategies of vendors. Vendors have re-evaluated their software pricing and delivery strategies in response to the high cost of the software and limited IT budgets. For instance, visual LANSA has a three-tiered pricing structure which is USD 16.66 per user per month. In addition, when implementing such a platform, customers focus on specific economic and market factors like ROI, the ability to select free models, and limited IT budgets. Furthermore, the vendors have to assist with variations in customer pricing preferences and budgets. With the changing demands, vendors provide SaaS, commercial open-source models, and term licensing. Hence, the variation in the pricing structures of the low code development platform will increase its adoption among end-users during the forecast period.

Leading Trend - The rise in digital transformation in the IT industry is one of the key low code development platform market trends that is expected to impact the market positively during the forecast period.

Significant challenge - The low skillset in emerging economies is a significant challenge restricting market growth.

Find more insights on trends and challenges from a sample report!

The low code development platform market report provides critical information and factual data, with a qualitative and quantitative study of the market based on market drivers and limitations as well as future prospects.

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What are the key data covered in this Low Code Development Platform Market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the low code development platform market between 2022 and 2026

Precise estimation of the low code development platform market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the low code development platform market across North America , APAC, Europe , South America , and the Middle East and Africa

, APAC, , , and the and A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of low code development platform market vendors

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Low Code Development Platform Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2021 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 27.96% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 35.73 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 26.57 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 48% Key countries US, China, Japan, UK, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled AgilePoint Inc., Appian Corp., Aura Difusion SL, Betty Blocks BV, CREATIO EMEA Ltd., Cybozu Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Idera Inc., Magic Software Enterprises Ltd., Mendix Technology BV, Microsoft Corp., Netcall plc, Newgen Software Technologies Ltd., Nintex Global Ltd., Oracle Corp., OutSystems Software em Rede SA, Pegasystems Inc., Pramati Software Pvt. Ltd., Quickbase Inc., Salesforce.com Inc., ServiceNow Inc., Skuid Inc., Thinkwise Innovation B.V., TrackVia Inc., Tyler Technologies Inc., and Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 09: Parent market



Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 12: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Product

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Product

5.3 Platform - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on Platform - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Platform - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Platform - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Platform - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Services - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on Services - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Services - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on Services - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Services - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 37: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 38: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 40: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Geographic comparison

7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 42: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 43: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 44: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 45: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 46: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 51: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 52: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 53: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 55: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 56: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 57: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 59: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 60: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 61: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 62: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.9 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 67: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 68: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 69: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.10 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 71: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 72: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 73: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.11 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 74: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 75: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 76: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 77: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 80: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 82: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 83: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 84: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 85: Overview on factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 86: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 87: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 88: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 Appian Corp.

Exhibit 89: Appian Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 90: Appian Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 91: Appian Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 92: Appian Corp. - Key offerings

10.4 Betty Blocks BV

Exhibit 93: Betty Blocks BV - Overview



Exhibit 94: Betty Blocks BV - Product / Service



Exhibit 95: Betty Blocks BV - Key offerings

10.5 Mendix Technology BV

Exhibit 96: Mendix Technology BV - Overview



Exhibit 97: Mendix Technology BV - Product / Service



Exhibit 98: Mendix Technology BV - Key offerings

10.6 Microsoft Corp.

Exhibit 99: Microsoft Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 100: Microsoft Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 101: Microsoft Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 102: Microsoft Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 103: Microsoft Corp. - Segment focus

10.7 Oracle Corp.

Exhibit 104: Oracle Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 105: Oracle Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 106: Oracle Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 107: Oracle Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 108: Oracle Corp. - Segment focus

10.8 OutSystems Software em Rede SA

Exhibit 109: OutSystems Software em Rede SA - Overview



Exhibit 110: OutSystems Software em Rede SA - Product / Service



Exhibit 111: OutSystems Software em Rede SA - Key offerings

10.9 Pegasystems Inc.

Exhibit 112: Pegasystems Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 113: Pegasystems Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 114: Pegasystems Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 115: Pegasystems Inc. - Key offerings

10.10 Salesforce.com Inc.

Exhibit 116: Salesforce.com Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 117: Salesforce.com Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 118: Salesforce.com Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 119: Salesforce.com Inc. - Key offerings

10.11 ServiceNow Inc.

Exhibit 120: ServiceNow Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 121: ServiceNow Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 122: ServiceNow Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 123: ServiceNow Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 124: ServiceNow Inc. - Segment focus

10.12 Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 125: Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 126: Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 127: Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 128: Inclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 129: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 130: Research methodology



Exhibit 131: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 132: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 133: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
NEW YORK, July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE, NEE-PR, NEE-PQ) between December 2, 2021 and February 1, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important July 25, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased NextEra securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the NextEra class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=16680 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 25, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) NextEra's primary subsidiary, Florida Power and Light Co. ("FPL"), surreptitious orchestration of political misconduct exposed NextEra to substantial legal and reputational risk; and (2) in light of the above, defendant's positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the NextEra class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=16680 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
NEW ORLEANS, July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until August 7, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE: S), if they purchased the Company's securities between June 1, 2022 and June 1, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

Get Help

SentinelOne investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-s-7/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

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 ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Patna, July 15 : A day after four migrant workers from Bihar were shot at by militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district, the family members of the victims blamed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for job scarcity in the state.

They said that if jobs would have been available in Bihar why their family members would go to other places to earn their livelihood.

The victims are identified as Anmol Kumar, Pintu Kumar Thakur and Vinod Kumar Thakur of Supaul district and Heera Lal Yadav in Saharsa district.

They were working as Raj Mistri in Gagran village when militants came there on Thursday night and shot at them. They are critically injured in the attack and battling for their lives in hospitals.
Kiev, July 15 : Ukraine received $3.87 billion from its partners for the country's rapid recovery, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko has said.

The total sum includes $2.6 billion for critical infrastructure reconstruction, $837 million for the energy sector, and $169 million for humanitarian demining projects, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

Marchenko stressed that rapid reconstruction is a key priority for the government, as it contributes to the country's economic recovery and the creation of safe living conditions for its people.

The Ukrainian government estimated that the country's rapid recovery requires $14.1 billion dollars this year.
Colombo, July 15 : President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the Sri Lankan government would want to see the Indian rupee (INR) be used as much as the US dollar in the South Asian island nation.

"It makes no difference to us if the INR becomes a common currency. We'll have to figure out how to go about it," Sri Lanka's head of state said while participating as the chief guest at the 'Indian CEO Forum' in Colombo.

Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka must become more open to the outside world. "We must be competitive not just for Sri Lanka, but also for the rest of Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Australia," the Sri Lankan President emphasised.

Ahead of his first official visit to India on July 20, Wickremesinghe reiterated that the main aim of his visit is to strengthen the bond between the two countries. "During my visit to India, my primary objective will be to explore connectivity, as High Commissioner Gopal Bagley aptly stated. We need to determine our long-term objectives and aspirations for the next 10 to 15 years. This marks the beginning of a new era, and we must forge ahead together," Wickremesinghe said.

Stressing the need to be guided by the vision of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi under whose leadership the South Asian giant nation is going through a major development process, Sri Lankan President said: "The world is evolving, and India is undergoing rapid development, particularly under Prime Minister Modi's leadership."

"It's essential to remember that development doesn't halt in India. In the next 50 years, it will extend to Africa and beyond. Therefore, the vision we discussed with Prime Minister Modi should guide our immediate actions. Ultimately, it's crucial to recognise that the relationship between our countries is not solely driven by governments but by our people, who are moving forward at a rapid pace. We must adapt to the changing world, avoiding the pitfalls that come with government intransigence. Hence, we must foster a long-term relationship between our two nations, transcending individual leaders or political parties. Together, India and Sri Lanka possess immense potential, and it is our path forward," he added.

Referring to Sri Lanka's ongoing economic crisis and the need to join India's progress, Wickremesinghe said: "As our economy recovers, we must prioritise economic restructuring. We initially made progress, but our pace has slowed. Once we complete the debt restructuring process, our focus will shift towards a comprehensive growth agenda. This entails a massive overhaul of our economy, legal framework, and systems, aligning our path with that of India."

Hailing India's rapid development, he said that Sri Lanka could be benefited from its geographical positioning closer to India. "Positioned strategically in the middle, Sri Lanka benefits from its proximity to India, coupled with a rich history, cultural heritage, and longstanding trading relationships spanning 2,500 years."

He further said that by the late 19th century, "India accounted for only 1 per cent of the world's GDP. However, with the shift of economic power towards Asia, India has once again risen to prominence. Just as East Asia, including countries like Japan, Korea, and China, witnessed significant growth 75 years ago, it is now India's turn, along with the Indian Ocean region. It's important to note that India is not the sole nation rising in this context; the oil countries in West Asia are also on the ascent".

Speaking at the event, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Bagle recalled the support extended by India and its business community, especially during the last year's economic crisis.

"During last year's financial crisis, India and the Indian business community helped Sri Lanka's economy recover. Sri Lanka is now recuperating from the financial crisis... The Government of India and the Indian business community both supported it in this regard. Even during the initial crisis, Indian businessmen began doing business in Sri Lanka to demonstrate to the rest of the world that the country's financial status is stable," the High Commissioner stated.
Ottawa, July 15 : A 19-year-old firefighter lost her life while battling a raging wildfire in Canada, officials said.

As the country continues to battle its worst wildfire season on record, Devyn Gale was struck by a falling tree while working in a remote area near the town of Revelstoke, British Columbia, reports the BBC.

The officials said on Friday that Gale had been found caught under a tree after becoming separated from the rest of her team while clearing an area of brush.

She was airlifted to hospital but died on Thursday.

This is the first death on the ground since the start of Canada's wildfire season -- and reportedly the first in British Columbia since 2015.

Condoling her death, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a tweet on Friday: The news from British Columbia -- that one of the firefighters bravely battling wildfires has lost her life -- is heartbreaking. At this incredibly difficult time, Iam sending my deepest condolences to her family, her friends, and her fellow firefighters.

"We must never forget the risks these heroes take every time they run toward the danger. To firefighters in British Columbia and across the country who are doing just that to keep us safe: Thank you. We are inspired by your courage, and grateful for your service."

About 900 wildfires are currently raging across Canada, out of which some 560 remain out of control.

According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, the wildfire have burned more than 9.8m hectares of land so far this season, the BBC reported.

he figure is higher than for any previous year on record and more than three times the average for the previous 10 years.

British Colombia has been one of the worst-affected areas, with 365 active fires currently burning across the province.

On Thursday, the province put out a call for help from an additional 1,000 international fighters.

The wildfires have also sparked pollution alerts across North America as smoke is blown south along the continent's eastern coast.
Srinagar, July 15 : More than 24,000 pilgrims had 'Darshan' of the cave shrine on the 14th day of the Amarnath Yatra, as another batch of 7,392 devotees left Jammu for the Kashmir Valley on Saturday.

Officials said that since the annual pilgrimage started on July 1, over 1.87 lakh pilgrims have had darshan of the cave shrine.

"A fresh batch of 7,392 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the valley in an escorted convoy today (Saturday) morning.

"Of these, 4,897 are male, 2,095 female, 55 children, 319 Sadhus and 26 Sadhvis," the officials added.

So far, 19 people have died due to natural causes.

Yatris approach the Himalayan cave shrine either from the traditional south Kashmir Pahalgam route which involves an uphill trek of 43 km for from the north Kashmir Baltal base camp which involves a 13 km uphill trek.

Those using the Pahalgam route take 3-4 days to reach the cave shrine, while those using the Baltal route return to the base camp the same day after darshan.

Helicopter services are also available for yatris on both routes.

The cave shrine situated 3,888 metres above the sea-level, houses an ice stalagmite structure that devotees believe symbolises mythical powers of Lord Shiva.

The istructure wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon.

The 62-day long Amarnath Yatra will end on August 31 coinciding with the Shravan Purnima festival.

To protect the pilgrims from high altitude sickness, authorities have banned all junk food at the free community kitchens set up along the two routes.

The banned items include all bottled drinks, halwai items, fried food and tobacco-based products.
Seoul, July 15 : At least seven people were killed, three others reportedly missing and thousands forcibly to evacuated from their homes as torrential rains battered South Korea, authorities said Saturday.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters said two people died in a building collapse triggered by a landslide in Nonsan, South Chungcheong province, on Friday, reports Yonhap News Agency.

One person was killed in a mudslide in the central city of Sejong and housing collapses killed three people in Yeongju and Cheongyang counties.

In the central city of Cheongju, a car was struck by a landslide, killing one person.

The death toll is likely to increase as government agencies assess damage reported across the nation.

Two people, including a woman in her 60s, are feared to have been killed when a landslide destroyed a home in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang province, at around 9 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Some 6,400 residents in the central county of Goesan were evacuated, as the Goesan Dam began to overflow at around 6.30 a.m.

Many low-lying villages near the dam were submerged, and roads and bridges connecting the villages were cut off, trapping some residents in their homes.

A total of 1,567 people from 1,002 households in 13 cities and counties had sought temporary shelters as of Saturday morning, as heavy downpours continued to fall across the country.

Among them, 1,114 people could not return home due to safety concerns.

Thirty-one cases of damage to public property were reported, including 10 mudslides and six cases where roads were destroyed, while 71 cases of damage to private property were reported, including 22 flooded homes.

Electricity blackouts were reported in 13 cities and counties nationwide.

While power has been restored in most places, more than 8,300 households in Mungyeong, Yeongju and Yecheon in North Gyeongsang province still don't have electricity.

Floods swept away crops and roads. Nationwide, 97 roads remain closed, while 384 trails in 19 national parks are closed.

The Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) suspended all regular trains and some KTX bullet trains that run through the country's central inland region due to heavy rains.

The Korea Meteorological Administration issued heavy rain warnings for the provinces of Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, Gangwon, North Jeolla and South Jeolla.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security raised the natural disaster level posed by torrential rains to the highest in the three-tier system.
London, July 15 : As much of southern Europe is baking due to blistering heat waves, authorities have warned of higher temperatures in the coming days.

In its latest update, the European Space Agency (ESA) warned that Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Poland are likely to witness extreme conditions as a fresh heat wave is likely to begin from next week, reports the BBC.

On Friday, Greece witness temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius or higher, prompting authorities to close the Acropolis, the country's most popular tourist attraction, during the hottest hours of the day to protect visitors.

Greek officials also fear a greater risk of wildfires, especially in areas with high winds.

In 2021, the country suffered major wildfires after being hit by an exceptional heat wave.

Meanwhile in Croatia, fires broke out on Thursday, burning houses and cars in at least one village, Grebastica, on the Dalmatian coast.

Officials told Croatian TV on Friday that the fire had been brought under control.

High temperatures have also been reaching the central parts of Europe, with Germany and Poland among countries affected, the BBC reported.

Czechia's meteorological office issued a warning that temperatures at the weekend could go above 38 degrees, which is exceptionally high for the country.

In the UK, heavy showers and gusty winds are expected in parts of England on Saturday.

Earlier this week, a man in his forties died from the heat after collapsing in northern Italy, while several visitors to the country have collapsed from heatstroke, including a British man outside the Colosseum in Rome.

The cause is the Cerberus heatwave -- named by the Italian Meteorological Society after the three-headed monster that features in Dante's Inferno.

Italian weather forecasters are warning that the next heatwave -- dubbed Charon after the ferryman who delivered souls into the underworld in Greek mythology -- will push temperatures back up above 40 degrees next week.

People have been advised to drink at least two litres of water a day and to avoid coffee and alcohol, which are dehydrating.

Last month was the hottest June on record, according to the EU's climate monitoring service Copernicus.
Chennai, July 15 : Eight refugees, including five children, from Sri Lanka reached the Indian coast at Tamil Nadu's Dhanushkodi in the early hours of Saturday.

Sources in the Dhanushkodi coastal police told IANS that the refugees from Jaffna in Sri Lanka have been shifted to rehabilitation camp for refugees.

With the arrival of eight more people, the number of refugees who reached Indian shores since the economic crisis in Sri Lanka has touched 265.

Notably, several people have earlier reached Indian coasts by paying huge money to illegal ferry agents who used to drop them near the Dhanushkodi coast.

Generally, the refugees who reach the Indian coast illegally are arrested and produced before a judicial magistrate court and remanded in judicial custody.

However, in the case of Sri Lankan refugees, the state government has not pressed for registering any criminal case against them.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has already written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the refugees reaching the Indian shores in Dhanushkodi and Rameswaram.
New Delhi, July 15 : Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi once again targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has departed from France and is on the way to Abu Dhabi, questioning his silence on the violence in Manipur even after the European Parliament discussed India's internal issue.

In a tweet, the former Lok Sabha MP said, "Manipur burns. European Parliament discusses India's internal matter. Prime Minister hasn't said a word on either. Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade."

Rahul Gandhi had visited the visited the violence-hit Manipur for two days on June 29 and 30 and met with the affected families in the relief camps.

He had also met Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey and apprised her of the condition of the relief camps and also appealed for normalcy in the northeastern state.

The ethnic violence in Manipur erupted on May 3 and since then over 100 people have died and thousands have been forced to take refuge in the shelter camps.

The Congress has questioned the silence of the Prime Minister over the Manipur violence and also demanded removal of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for "failing miserably" to control the situation in the state.
Ahmedabad, July 15 : The Gujarat government has unveiled a relief package worth Rs 240 crore for farmers who suffered losses in the aftermath of Cyclone Biparjoy that hit the districts of Kutch and Banaskantha last month.

The relief package encompasses financial aid to address the damage incurred by standing crops, plants, and trees, which affected approximately 1.30 lakh hectares of land in Kutch and Banaskantha. The cyclone caused the complete uprooting or partial destruction of numerous fruit trees during its landfall.

As per the government's statement, farmers who experienced losses ranging from 10 to 33 per cent of their perennial horticulture crops or trees will get an assistanceof Rs 25,000 per hectare.

If the damage exceeds 33 per cent of their total perennial horticulture crops or trees, farmers will be eligible for a compensation of Rs 1.25 lakh per hectare, with a maximum limit of two hectares.

To avail the compensation, farmers whose names have been included in the survey teams' list must submit applications to the respective taluka development officer.
Chennai, July 15 : Tamil Nadu BJP state president and former IPS officer K. Annamalai is likely to be nominated to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan where the party has 73 seats .

Annamalai was a Karnataka cadre IPS officer who resigned from service and joined the saffron party. Ever since he has become the party state president in Tamil Nadu, the BJP has become more aggressive and has been taking up several people-centric issues thus making the party a live organisation.

The Tamil Nadu BJP president is nominated as one of the four member BJP delegation attending a policy discussion in BRICS, South Africa next week.

He was also a speaker in a conference in London organised by the National BJP.

Annamalai is undertaking a padayatra across Tamil Nadu titled, aEn Mann En Makkala from July 28. The 'padayatra' will be inaugurated by the Union Home minister Amit Shah at Rameswaram.

C. Rajeev, Director, Centre for Policy and Development Studies, a think tank based out of Chennai while speaking to IANS said, "Ever since K. Annamalai became the state president of the Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP, the party has become more aggressive and has taken up several people centric issues, including taking up the corruption charges against the ruling DMK."

He further said that if Annamalai is nominated to the Rajya Sabha it would give a major fillip to the prospects of the BJP in the state.
London, July 15 : The UK police have released a picture of an Indian-origin man in England who stalked and attacked his former girlfriend in 2021 as she boarded a bus in a bid to get away from him.

Dylan Singh, 23, got on the same bus before following the teenage victim into a property where he beat her, leaving her with a black eye and bruises in West Bromwich, the Birmingham Live reported on Friday.

Singh appeared at the Wolverhampton Crown Court recently, where he avoided immediate jail time for his offending.

The court heard that Singh met the victim on Snapchat and was in a relationship with her for about two months.

The relationship became 'toxic', with the victim describing how Singh "always wanted to know where she was".

The victim was at the West Bromwich town centre with her young nephew when she spotted Singh at the bus station on December 21, 2021.

He followed her throughout the journey, right from the time she boarded the bus to avoid him, till she entered her sibling's flat.

He then grabbed her mobile and spotted a message which described the victim as "good-looking" and flew into a violent rage, slapping, hitting and also biting her, prosecutor Amiee Parkes said.

Singh grabbed the victim, threw her to the floor and kicked her "with a shod foot", and when the victim told Singh she felt dizzy, the defendant told her "it was her own fault".

He also told her he had "learned his lesson not to go out with white girls".

"The incident of abuse I suffered at the hands of Singh has caused me to be fearful of meeting new people and starting new relationships," the victim said in a statement.

"It took me a very long time to leave the house on my own, I always had somebody with me."

Singh was convicted by jurors of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage of the phone.

District Judge Lower said there was an "element of control" when Singh followed his victim on and off the bus.

"This was, in my view, a prolonged assault upon her because there was a break between the beginning and end of the offence."

Singh was handed a two-year sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also subjected to a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement, 200-hours unpaid work, and a restraining order.

--IANS

mi/ksk
A Russia-Africa pre-summit roundtable was held Wednesday in Addis Ababa, focusing on social partnership, digitization and agricultural cooperation.

The roundtable titled "Social and Humanitarian Fields between Russia and Africa" discussed the wide-ranging connections between Russia and Africa, as a prelude to the Russia-Africa Summit which will take place in St. Petersburg from 26 to 29 July 2023.

Opening the event, Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU) Evgeny Terekhin said Russia will prioritize economic and trade cooperation with African countries.

"The Russia-Africa Summit has emerged as a pivotal event, driving the development of Russian-African relations. Through this collaboration, we envision attaining an unprecedented level of mutually beneficial partnership that will fortify our resilience against the challenges of the twenty-first century" said Terekhin.

"The summit will contribute to strengthening comprehensive and equal cooperation between Russia and African countries," stressed the ambassador.

The Advisor to the General Manager of the United Chemical Company, Andrei Guturov, announced an ambitious initiative to supply approximately 300 thousand tons of fertilizers to developing countries, mainly in Africa, free of charge.

The primary objective of this initiative is to combat hunger and prevent the escalation of the global food crisis.

Guturov further explained that the initiative also focuses on technology transfer and capacity building, including the training of skilled personnel.

"The aim is to foster mutually beneficial cooperation that will enable African countries to enhance agricultural productivity, create new employment opportunities, and ensure access to essential food resources," he added.

Igor Morozov, Chairman of the Coordinating Committee for Economic Cooperation with African Countries, addressed the digital transformation taking place in Africa, which has captured Russia's keen interest.

We live in a digital world, and there is no doubt that the future of civilization depends on the digital economy, " Morozov said.

He also highlighted Russia's digital platforms, including B2B and B2C, along with advancements in educational products and services. Morozov noted Moscow's reputation as one of the world's leading cities in terms of quality of life and digitization of services, trailing only Toronto and Singapore.

Morozov emphasized the potential for Africans to benefit from the experience of Russia's digital transformation, and collaborate for a shared technological future.

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Kolkata, July 15 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the multi-crore cattle smuggling scam in West Bengal, will seek fresh permission to interrogate Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal in judicial custody.

Source said that the central agency officials are considering this fresh move after tracing fresh assets and properties registered in the names of Mondal and his family members.

Mondal, the Trinamool Congress's Birbhum district president, is currently in judicial custody in New Delhi's Tihar Jail in connection with his alleged involvement in the multi-crore cattle smuggling case.

Fresh assets in the names of Mondal, his family members and close associates, include petrol pumps, landed property and rice-mills.

The counsel of the central agency has already informed a special court of CBI at Asansol in West Burdwan district about the new recoveries by the investigating sleuths.

The CBI counsel has especially mentioned about a petrol pump registered in the name of Mondal's daughter Sukanya Mondal, jointly with the ruling party strongman's close associate Bidyut Baran Gayen.

Also under the CBI scanner are huge transactions in the accounts of the real estate construction company, which again is registered in the name of the brother-in- law Sehgal Hossain, the erstwhile bodyguard of Mondal.

Both Sukanya Mondal and Sehgal Hossain are currently under judicial custody at Tihar jail in New Delhi.

Sources said that the investigations have revealed that the kingpins of the alleged scam have involved their close family members and their kin in diverting proceeds in the scam just as Mondal has done involving his daughter.

"Just as investment in sins pays a full return, Sukanya Mondal too seems to be paying the price for being involved in the investments in sin made by her father," a CBI associate said.
Guwahati, July 15 : The principal of a college in Assam's Bajali district has allegedly been suspended after he participated in a protest against the draft delimitation proposal in the state published recently by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

A senior state government official said the demonstration was staged on Thursday in Bhawanipur.

As a result of Mukunda Sarma, principal of the Bhawanipur Anchalik College, participation, the Director of Higher Education in Assam, suspended him Friday, the official added.

The new Bhawanipur constituency was defined in the draft plan by the removal of certain areas and the addition of other areas.

The state government recommended renaming the Bhawanipur constituency to Barnagar in response to a proposal to rename the district.

Sarma, who is from Tihu in Nalbari District, is renowned for being a good administrator and has served as the college principal for more than five years.

He has also authored several course and reference books.

Meanwhile, the state Education Minister Ranoj Pegu said that no government employee is allowed to protest against any government decision.

"Although the draft delimitation proposal was published by the ECI, it is a constitutional exercise and government employees should refrain from making any statements or staging any protest against it," Pegu said.
Los Angeles, July 15 : Hollywood star Kevin Spacey has told a court that he did not hold a "power wand" in front of people in order to get them into his bed.

The actor is currently appearing at Southwark Crown Court following accusations of three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, reports Mirror.co.uk.

He has also denied four charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. But in his latest appearance, he slammed the prosecution, claiming the case was "weak" and then claimed one of his accusers was after "money, money and then money."

As per Mirror.co.uk, Spacey, 63, told the court that he could have had sex "all the time" but struggled to trust people due to his fame. He also went on to object to the term "crotch grab" which his alleged victims had claimed was a "trademark" move for the American actor.

Following the accusation by an alleged victim he is said to have met on the West End in the mid-2000's, Spacey claimed it was "absolute b******s", as prosecutor Christine Agnew KC quipped back: "Because that's exactly where you did grab him, isn't it?"

Spacey went on to question the judge and asked: "Did he accuse me of grabbing his b******s?" After being asked by the judge to answer the question, the defendant eventually said: "I did not."

Kevin denied sex offences concerning four men, including sexual assault and indecent assault, which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013. Agnew went on to say that Spacey was not a "big flirt" which he had described himself in evidence on Thursday, but a "big sexual bully", to which the actor responded, "Yes, that's your term".

She went on to ask whether Spacey believed that he was a powerful man, and he responded: "I did not have a power wand that I waved in front of people's faces whenever I wanted someone to go to bed with me."

Kevin responded to allegations that he "drugged" an aspiring actor before performing a sexual act on him, saying, "We were in a romantic situation. I don't know who made the first move, but we were consensually together in a romantic situation. He did not fall asleep and I did not perform (a sex act) on him while he was asleep, despite what he has shockingly accused me of."
United Nations, July 15 : The UN is considering an offer from the Damascus government for the world body to use the Bab al-Hawa border crossing to deliver aid into northwest Syria through Turkey, a spokesman said.

Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, confirmed that the would body has received a letter from Syria's Permanent Mission to the UN, granting permission to use the Bab al-Hawa border crossing, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Security Council on Tuesday failed to re-authorise the Syria cross-border humanitarian aid delivery mechanism through Bab al-Hawa.

A draft resolution tabled by Brazil and Switzerland, the co-penholders on the Syria humanitarian file, was vetoed by Russia.

A competing draft resolution tabled by Russia failed to win enough positive votes.

"I'll just confirm to you that we did indeed receive the letter. We are continuing to look at it and we are consulting with a number of partners on this," Dujarric told reporters on Friday.

"That being said, we are committed to delivering life-saving assistance to millions of people in need in Northwest Syria, guided by humanitarian principles and using all available means and delivery modalities," he added.

The spokesman didn't say why the UN cannot accept the Syrian offer outright as the world body is already using two other border crossings temporarily authorized by Damascus after the massive February earthquakes.

"We're consulting with various partners. We're taking a look at the modalities, what exactly was expressed in the letter," Dujarric told the reporters.

"The letter was a substantive letter, which needs to be looked at. I will ask for your indulgence and your patience," he added.

There have been no crossings at Bab al-Hawa with UN humanitarian aid since the Security Council authorisation expired on Monday.

But the UN had pre-positioned a lot of material in the area before the deadline, he said.
New Delhi, July 15 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday took a swipe at the BJP government at the Centre saying under its rule, "Act East" policy has become "Act least" policy for the northeastern states and the country is witnessing an onslaught of saffron party's vicious politics of division.

The Congress chief made the remarks in a tweet, while presiding over a meeting of leaders from North East states of Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim for preparation of Lok Sabha elections 2024.

During the meeting, the Congress chief, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, highlighted the deteriorating situation in Manipur, which was a major concern of all the leaders.

According to party leaders, Mizoram leaders were not invited as they had already met Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi and General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal on July 6.

A meeting with the leaders of Assam will be held later to discuss the poll preparations, they said.

In a tweet, slamming the BJP, Kharge said, "The aAct East' policy of the Modi government has become the aAct Least' policy for our Northeastern States. India, today is witnessing an onslaught of BJP's vicious politics of division and discord. Communities are being pitted against each other.Freedom of speech is under attack. Fundamental Rights are being questioned."

He said that the solid foundation of peace, tranquility and progress established by the successive Congress governments is being systematically dismantled.

"Important life-changing projects, implemented by the Congress party in the Northeast, are being appropriated by the BJP to seek fake credit. It is time for every leader and worker of the Congress party to unite everyone. Unity in diversity is not only our hallmark but the basis of our existence. It is time to hit the ground running and start from the booth level. Reach out to people and strongly raise the voice of our fellow citizens in the Northeast. No opposition can withstand the power of truth," he said.

"A meeting of our leaders from North East States-Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim was held today, for the preparation of Lok Sabha elections. We already held a meeting with Mizoram leaders on July 6, 2023. The deteriorating situation in Manipur is of grave concern to us. We will do everything to foster peace and resolve issues in the border state. The Congress party is determined to fight for our Constitutional ethos - social justice, peace, progress and welfare of the North eastern states," he added.

The ethnic violence in Manipur erupted on May 3 in which over 100 people have died and thousands have been forced to take refuge in the relief camps.

The Congress has questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also demanded the immediate removal of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for failing to control the situation in the northeastern state.
Council Bluffs : , July 15 (IANS) Indian badminton player Lakshya Sen reached the men's singles semifinals of the US Open 2023 but two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu lost her women's singles match and crashed out of the tournament, here.

Lakshya defeated compatriot S Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian 21-10, 21-17 in his quarterfinal match on Friday night.

Commonwealth Games 2022 champion Sen dominated S Sankar and raced to a 7-1 lead early on and rode the momentum to take the first game. The second game saw S Sankar put up a sterner fight but it wasn't enough to push the match to a third game and Lakshya eventually won the contest in 38 minutes.

The 21-year old Sen, currently ranked 12th in the badminton rankings, will face reigning All England champion and world No. 7 Li Shi Feng of China next for a place in the final.

Interestingly, the two shuttlers met in the Canada Open final last week, where Lakshya emerged as the winner. Head-to-head, the Indian holds a 5-3 record against his Chinese opponent.

On the other hand, Sindhu lost 20-22, 13-21 against China's Gao Fang Jie in the quarterfinals.

Sindhu, currently 12th in the BWF world badminton rankings, was playing catchup to Gao Fang Jie for most of the first game.

Despite the dominance of the Chinese shuttler, the Indian badminton player kept attacking and levelled the scores at 20-all. However, Sindhu's effort fell short as Gao Fang Jie won the final two points to take the lead.

The second game was closely-fought early on with the lead exchanging hands several times. With the scores tied at nine-all Gao Fang Jie won five consecutive points to take a healthy lead. The Chinese badminton player kept firm control on the proceedings and pocketed the match in 49 minutes.

This was Sindhu's fourth loss to Gao Fang Jie in five head-to-head meetings.

--IANS

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Kolkata, July 15 : Within a day, a second Trinamool Congress activist was killed on Saturday in post-poll violence in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, just hours after another party worker was hacked to death.

Trinamool Congress activist, Pralay Mondal was shot dead from point-blank range on Saturday morning in front of his residence in the Bishnupur area.

Earlier in the day,another ruling party activist Nantu Gazi, was hacked to death also in the same area.

In both the cases, the Trinamool Congress leadership has accused All India Secular Front (AISF) workers of carrying out the murder.

But the AISF has dismissed the allegation, saying the killings were due to infighting between two groups of the ruling party in the area.

With the two new fatalities, the overall death toll in connection to the recently-held panchayat elections since the polling date was announced on June 8 has increased to 47.

While 19 deaths were reported before the elections were held on July 8, the rest occurred during post-poll violence.

The death toll continues to spike despite the presence of the central armed forces personnel in different pockets of the state.

They forces are supposed to remain in the state till July 22 as per a directive of a division bench of the Calcutta High Court headed by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam.

On July 18, a crucial hearing on poll-related irregularities is scheduled at the Calcutta High Court.
Cairo, July 15 : Egypt is scheduled to launch this year's month-long summer sale on August 7, with retail stores nationwide to sell products at lower prices, local media reported.

Shops that intend to participate in the sale need to obtain approval from the Supply and Internal Trade directorates beforehand, the English-language daily Egyptian Gazette reported, citing a statement by Ali Moselhi, minister of supply and internal trade.

The shops must declare goods prices before and after the sale, Xinhua news agency quoted the Minister as saying.

Supply and Internal Trade Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Kamal said the event was aimed at encouraging Egyptians to buy more at lower prices, thus stimulating domestic consumption, according to the report.

The summer sale would offer a wide range of consumer products, including clothing, household appliances and leather goods, and was expected to boost other commercial activities, Kamal added.
Hassan : , July 15 (IANS) Two migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh were found dead under suspicious circumstances in Hanumanthapura village in Hassan district of Karnataka.

The incident came to light on Saturday.

The deceased have been identified as 24-year-old Nawab and 30-year-old Ramsanjeevan from Nayanpur in Uttar Pradesh. The youth had come to Hassan district in search of work. According to police, the victims went to sleep on Wednesday at their residence and never woke up.

They had developed symptoms of fever and took medicine. They had taken a rented house from the local landlord Mahesh and were on leave from the work for two days as they had got fever. They had gone to the doctor and went to sleep after taking medicines in the night on Wednesday.

The landlord had noticed that there was no movement of labourers for the whole day on Thursday. He had broken the door and entered the house on Friday and found that the two men from Uttar Pradesh had died. The bodies were lying in the sleeping position and the house is intact.

Hassan Rural police have visited the spot and the dead bodies have been shifted to the government hospital of Hassan. The police stated that the exact cause of death is not known yet and they are awaiting the postmortem report.
Bengaluru, July 15 : Karnataka Police on Saturday seized 1,500 kg of ganja worth Rs 12 crore and arrested two persons, including an MBA graduate, in Bengaluru.

According to the police, the prime accused in the case is the MBA graduate from Rajasthan.

The second accused is from Andhra Pradesh and is a BA graduate.

The duo got involved in drug peddling for minting money to lead a luxurious life, the police said.

They purchased ganja from local sources on a large scale and sold it across many states.

The accused had created a secret compartment of an ISUZU goods vehicle that was used to transport ganja from jungles to various places.

They also packed the ganja in Flipkart boxes to evade police and had different registration numbers for the vehicle.

The sleuths of City Central Crime Branch (CCB) conducted an operation for three weeks in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, to nab the accused.

An FIR has been registered against the accused persons in Chamarajpet police station and booked under Column 20 (B) (2) of the NDPS Act.
A large convoy carrying fighters from the Wagner private army was spotted entering Belarus from Russia early Saturday, a monitoring group reported after the country's Defense Ministry said it planned for the mercenaries and Minsk's own armed forces to conduct joint military drills.

The independent monitoring group Belaruski Hajun, which tracks the movements of armed forces in Belarus, said that at least 60 trucks, buses and other large vehicles crossed into the Eastern European country accompanied by Belarusian police.

The group didn't immediately provide photos or videos of the vehicles but said they had license plates from Russian-occupied areas of eastern Ukraine, where Wagner mercenaries fought alongside Russian troops until a short-lived mutiny last month.

The convoy headed toward a military base outside Osipovichi, a town 230 kilometers (142 miles) north of the Ukrainian border, Belaruski Hajun said. Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press this month showed rows of tent-like structures that appeared to have been built at the base between June 15 and June 30.

The authoritarian president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said at the time that Minsk could use Wagner's experience and expertise, and that he had offered the fighters an abandoned military unit to set up camp. That same week, a leader of an anti-Lukashenko guerrilla group told the AP that construction of a site for the mercenaries was underway near Osipovichi.

Ukraines Center for National Resistance, an arm of the Ukrainian defense ministry that assists guerrilla groups in Russia-occupied territory, said later Saturday that about 240 Wagner fighters, 40 trucks and a large amount of weapons had arrived in the Osipovichi area. It cited unspecified members of Belarus underground anti-Lukashenko opposition as the source of the information, which couldn't be independently verified.

Separately, a spokesperson for Ukraine's State Border Guard Service said Saturday that the force also had observed some groups of Wagner fighters crossing from Russia into Belarus. The spokesperson, Andriy Demchenko, made the remarks in an interview with the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry said in an online statement late Friday that it had developed a road map with Wagners management for joint training exercises drills by the nation's military personnel and the private mercenaries.

Earlier Friday, the Defense Ministry said that Wagner fighters had begun training Belarusian soldiers. A television channel affiliated with the ministry showed footage of fighters in black masks instructing soldiers on how to shoot and provide first aid.

On June 23, the Wagner group's founder and leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, ordered his fighters to leave their camps in Ukraine and head toward Moscow to demand the removal of Russia's defense minister and General Staff chief. The mutiny rattled Russia and posed the biggest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prigozhin's one-time benefactor, during his decades in power.

In the revolt that lasted less than 24 hours, Wagner fighters swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there, before driving to within about 200 kilometers (125 miles) of the Russian capital. Prigozhin had accused the senior Russian military leadership for months of bungling the war in Ukraine and starving his troops of ammunition.

Lukashenko then brokered a deal between Prigozhin and the Kremlin that shielded the Wagner leader and his men from prosecution, allowing Prigozhin to move to Belarus in exchange for ordering his mercenaries back to the camps.

Putin indicated on Friday that he intends to maintain Wagner as a single fighting force under its existing commander, while appearing to denigrate Prigozhin. His remarks, made in an interview with Russias Kommersant newspaper, seemed to reflect the Kremlins efforts to secure the loyalty of the mercenaries, who make up some of the most capable Russian forces in Ukraine.

Lukashenko previously allowed the Kremlin to use Belarusian territory to send troops and weapons into Ukraine. He has also welcomed a continued Russian armed presence in Belarus, including joint military camps and exercises, as well as the deployment of some of Russias tactical nuclear weapons there.

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Mumbai, July 15 : The journey of 'MTV Roadies - Karm ya Kaand' is like the toss of a coin, heads or tails you never know what you may get which adds to its thrill. The first task of Roadies will take place in the land of Kurukshetra, where once the epic war of 'Mahabharata' took place. The upcoming episode will also see 6 eliminations of the contestants.

Now preparing itself for another war, Sonu Sood, signifying the relevance of this, will say, "Karm ya Kaand dono ek hi sikke ke pehlu hai aur kab kaunsa sikka kaam kar jaae koi nahi jaanta!"

This land will now witness a fight of endurance, patience and hardcore aggression, as contestants battle one another and take the fight to the Gang Leaders.

With the unfolding of the first Kaand, six eliminations will take place in the very first episode of the journey.

In the inaugural task, titled 'Bhai Bhai Ki Pisai,' Gang Leaders - Rhea, Prince, and Gautam will have to divide their teams into two groups.

Each group will consist of a captain that will be selected by the leaders and then attain immunity along with two 'Saarthis'. This will then be followed by two attackers whose mission will be to shoot arrows at the rival team's clay masks and shatter them.

A massive metal door will be held by three ropes, and the captains must collect arrows and pass them to the attackers on their way to the ropes. They also must cut all three ropes, causing the door to collapse, carving a path for the captain to enter the rival's territory.

Upon the completion of all the tasks by the teams, Prince will then be seen saying, "Mein tumse thoda disappointed hoon, maine socha tha tum is se better perform karoge."

When asked how Rhea motivated her gang members, she will simply say, "Haqq se patel, rakh ke dhakel", while Gautam will sternly tell his fellow Gang Leaders to not underestimate anyone, saying "Ek toh..over confidence nahi chahiye, theek haina you're speaking too much!"

Then finally, Sonu Sood will warn the contestants to be alert, saying, "Kehte hain 'Roadies' meh peeth mazboot rakhna kyuki chura aage se nahi peeche se bhoka jaaega!"

'MTV Roadies - Karm ya Kaand' will airs Saturday and Sunday on MTV and Jio Cinema.
Seoul, July 15 : South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Saturday, sending a strong signal of support for the war-torn nation, his office said.

Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee arrived in Ukraine following a three-day official visit to Poland, according to senior presidential secretary for press affairs Kim Eun-hye.

He will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later in the day and likely discuss areas where South Korea can provide additional aid, reports Yonhap News Agency.

Earlier Saturday, Yoon visited the site of mass killings in Bucha, near Kiev, before visiting Irpin, a civilian residential area that has been subject to large-scale missile attacks, the press secretary said.

He was also scheduled to lay a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine in Kiev.

Further details are yet to be disclosed.

Yoon has shown strong support for Ukraine in line with his campaign for freedom, human rights and the rule of law in solidarity with like-minded nations.

South Korea has provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in its protracted war with Russia but denied the country's requests for lethal weapons.

This will be the second Yoon-Zelensky meeting after one held on the sidelines of a G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, in May.

At the time, Yoon promised additional non-lethal aid, including demining equipment and ambulances.

Yoon's visit to Ukraine came at the end of a two-leg trip that earlier took him to Lithuania for the NATO Summit and then to Poland for an official visit.
Bhubaneswar, July 15 : In a shocking incident, a youth has killed his minor girlfriend as she started "avoiding" him in Odisha's Bolangir town, police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred late on Thursday when the 15-year-old victim's parents were out of home for their work.

Prime accused Milan was in a relationship with the girl for the last four years. However, the girl was not interested in the relationship anymore.

"As the girl started avoiding the accused, he along with two others went to the girl's home. An altercation ensued between the two after which the accused attacked her with a sharp-edged weapon," said Tophan Bag, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Bolangir.

The arrested have been identified as prime accused Milan Rana and his associate Jitu Rana while another accused is still at large, Bag said.

Milan Rana was arrested from Vijayanagar in Andhra Pradesh when he was trying to flee while Jitu Rana was arrested from Sambalpur.

A manhunt has been launched to arrest him, Bag informed.

The weapon and motorcycle used in the crime along with the deceased's mobile phone have been seized, he added.

--IANS

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Bhopal, July 15 : BJP legislator Kedarnath Shukla on Saturday asserted that urination case accused Pravesh Shukla's family residence that was demolished by Sidhi district administration was not illegal.

Perhaps its for the first time that Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan's "quick justice" system is being questioned by his own party leader in Madhya Pradesh.Maintaining that Pravesh Shukla, who is in jail after the National Security Act (NSA) was invoked on the direction of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, was not his representative, the BJP leader blamed media trial for the bulldozer action.

While talking to IANS over phone, four-time BJP MLA Kedarnath Shukla (68) stated, "Galat ko galat kehna chahiye aur maine wahi kiya. Usko (Pravesh) uske kiye ki saja milni chahiye, lekin parwar ko saja dena theek nahi hai. Mai shuru se hi is bat ko bol raha hun. (Pravesh should definetly face the music for his misdeeds, but not his family)."

According to sources, this "fearless" attitude of Kedarnath Shukla may affect his political career as the party leadership is likely to replace him with a new candidate in the upcoming Assembly elections.

"Reasons why the party may replace Kedarnath Shukla from Sidhi are series of controversies, a bunch of corruption allegations and his advancing age," a senior party functionary told IANS.

However, Kedarnath Shukla is not the only leader facing resentment of Brahmin community after inhuman incident of urinating on a tribal man's face. Local people associated with political parties said that Ajay Singh (Rahul), who is the son of Ex-CM Arjun Singh, also facing resentment of both Tribal and Brahmin community because of his statement regarding the incident.

Ajay Singh, after the incident has said that the "BJP would not dare to bulldoze Pravesh Shukla's house. Only a small portion of a building (for cows and buffalo) was razed, not the entire house."

Sitting BJP MLA from Churhat is also facing resentment from both - the Brahmin and tribals after this incident.

Interestingly, the local politicians who watched the entire episode silently were - senior Congress leader and former minister Kamaleshwar Dwivedi, who is racing for ticket from Sidhi and BJP MP (Sidhi) Riti Pathak, who is also willing to contest the Assembly polls.

While Pravesh Shukla's wife has moved the High Court to challenge the National Security Act (NSA) invoked against her husband, IANS has learnt that the family was also planning to file a separate petition to challenge the state administration's order of bulldozing her house following the arrest of her husband.

Forest-rich Sidhi, which falls under Rewa division, has four Assembly seats - Sidhi Churhat, Sihawal and Dhauhani. The BJP bagged three of them, while the Congress could manage one seat in 2018 elections.

Madhya Pradesh's coal mines hub - Singrauli was also part of Sidhi untill it was made a separate district in 2008, and as result, three assembly seats - Chitarangi, Singrauli and Devsar were shifted into Singrauli district.

Except Dhauhani seat, which is reserved for the Scheduled Tribe ( ST), rest of three assembly seats are dominated by upper castes - Brahmin and Kshatriya (Thakur). In Sidhi and Churhat assembly each have more than 55,000 Brahmin voters.

--IANSpd/shb
Seoul, July 15 : Heavy rains have killed 21 people and caused thousands to evacuate their homes across South Korea, authorities said on Saturday.

Officials said 10 people remained missing and nine others were injured.

Most fatalities were reported from the southeastern province of North Gyeongsang, where 16 people died largely due to landslides and housing collapses.

The death toll is feared to rise as government agencies assess damage reported across the nation.

Some 6,400 residents in the central county of Goesan were evacuated, as the Goesan Dam began to overflow.

Many low-lying villages near the dam were submerged, and roads and bridges connecting the villages were cut off, trapping some residents in their homes.

A total of 1,567 people from 1,002 households in 13 cities and counties had sought temporary shelters as of Saturday morning, as heavy downpours continued to fall across the country.

Among them, 1,114 people could not return home due to safety concerns.

Thirty-one cases of damage to public property were reported, including 10 mudslides and six cases where roads were destroyed, while 71 cases of damage to private property were reported, including 22 flooded homes.

Electricity blackouts were reported in 13 cities and counties nationwide.

While power has been restored in most places, more than 8,300 households in Mungyeong, Yeongju and Yecheon in North Gyeongsang province still don't have electricity.

Floods swept away crops and roads.

Nationwide, 97 roads remain closed, while 384 trails in 19 national parks are closed.

The Korea Meteorological Administration issued heavy rain warnings, especially for the Chuncheong and Jeolla provinces, saying heavy rains are forecast to fall across the nation until July 18 and till next weekend for Jeju Island.

The weather conditions pose a "grave" danger, it added.
New Delhi, July 15 : In a swift operation, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) on Saturday rescued more than 30 trainees from the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) from Delhi's ITO.

According to the director of DFS, Atul Garg, the fire department received an emergency call at 11:20 a.m., alerting them about the situation at IIPA.

"Without delay, the DFS personnel rushed to the scene to assess the situation and initiate the rescue operation. The primary concern was the safety and well-being of the 33 trainees from the Indian Statistical Service who found themselves trapped at the institute due to rising water levels," said Garg.

Visuals from the scene depict the commendable efforts of the DFS staff, who skillfully carried the stranded students on fire tenders during the operation.

Meanwhile, the water level in the Yamuna River has slightly decreased.

On Saturday morning, it was recorded at 207.53 meters, which was 2.20 meters above the danger level but slightly lower than Friday.

The nearby areas of the Yamuna River, such as ITO, Rajghat, ISBT, and Mathura Road, are still submerged in water.

--IANS

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Bhopal, July 15 : Union Ministers Bhupendra Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw, who were recently appointed as BJP's in-charge and co-in charge respectively for the upcoming Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, will soon begin the task assigned by the central leadership.

The duo have arrived in Bhopal and are scheduled to chair a series of meetings with state BJP leaders, sangathan (organisation) leaders and workers at party headquarters.

According to the MP BJP office, the ministers will be chairing a series of meetings, besides interacting with individual leaders and party workers to take stock of party's situation in different regions.

For the next three days, they will pass the Centre's instructions to the state leadership.

Former IAS officer and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will be assisting Bhupendra Yadav, while the latter a law graduate forest minister who is considered close to Shah, would play a key role in implementing the instructions received from the central leadership.

They will submit their daily reports to Amit Shah.

Interestingly, both these Union Ministers tasked to look after elections related developments in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh hail from the neighbouring state Rajasthan.

In a fresh development, the Central leadership has appointed Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar as the convenor of its Election Management Committee for the forthcoming polls.

A seasoned organisation leader, Tomar has held various positions in the party, including that of its Madhya Pradesh president, and is considered a low-profile leader who enjoys cordial relations with various regional satraps.

He also comes from the Gwalior-Chambal region where the BJP is working overtime to improve its show after being bested by the Congress in the 2018 assembly polls.
July 15 : Known for his bold shenanigans, Bigg Boss and Roadies fame Karan Kundra graced the birthday bash of environmentalist, philanthropist and politician Asif Bhamla in Banra last night.

Upon arrival, Karan Kundra as usual pulled a fast one, when he started interacting with street dweller, and walked in the venue for party. But when he came out, he was carrying a glass of wine, which he tried to hide in failed attempt, as the camera captured everything.

Karan even jokingly said, Let me hide my glass, but when paparazzi said, its too late we got it, Karan walked out with the glass in his car. Looks like it was an epic party.

Image Source: News Helpline Did Karan Kundra walk out with a wine glass at Asif Bhamlas birthday bash

Comedian Munawar Faruqui, Arjun Bijlani, Aanahan Kumra, and more grace the birthday bash of Asif Bhamla in Bandra.

Asif Bhamla is an he is the founder of the Bhamla Foundation which advocates the effects of environmental pollution on child improvement, women empowerment and global warming.

Karan Kundra is currently part of serial Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal ensemble. He was awarded the Outstanding Talent of the Year at Filmfare Middle East 2022 held in Dubai.
Jaipur, July 15 : Is the BJP preparing for the Lok Sabha and assembly polls simultaneously in Rajasthan? This is the big question doing the rounds in the political circles of the state -- The reason is the constant visits of the central leadership to the desert state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already made back to back trips here. He visited Abu Road in September 2022, Banswara in November 2022, Bhilwara in January 2023, Dausa in February 2023, Nathdwara and Ajmer in May 2023. And now Modi recently visited Bikaner. This has been Modi's first visit to the northwestern region in this election season. So far, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have taken the flag forward for the BJP cause in this area.

Besides Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Udaipur recently, BJP president JP Nadda was in Bharatpur, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed a rally in Jodhpur.

Says political expert Manish Godha, "it is very evident that the BJP in Rajasthan is keeping an eye on the Lok Sabha polls and is also preparing for the assembly elections. This is a two-way strategy where they are equally trying to work on Assembly and LS seats."

In Rajasthan, the BJP won all the 25 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP had an alliance with the RLP but its convenor Hanuman Beniwal later parted ways with the NDA on the issue of the farm laws and hence now the party has 24 MPs in Rajasthan.

Now, the party is yet again making untiring efforts to sweep all the seats in the desert state.

That is why the back to back visits of the central leaders. The nine years of the Modi government campaign is also to highlight the aim of winning Lok Sabha seats in 2024, said Godha.

Modi's Bikaner visit last Saturday in fact was his seventh to Rajasthan in the past nine months. The aim was to cater to 30 Assembly seats and four Lok Sabha seats across half a dozen districts of Rajasthan, said party workers.

The BJP has used the strategy smartly.

When we talk of Bikaner, the Congress has three MLAs in Bikaner, with all three serving as ministers in the government. The BJP's strategy here was to target Ashok Gehlot's free schemes while touting its own "double engine" development model.

Eventually, PM Modi opened the Greenfield Expressway between Amritsar and Jamnagar, built at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore. He also inaugurated other infrastructure projects worth crores. He was accompanied by Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Earlier, Modi flagged off the first phase of the Mumbai Delhi Expressway in Dausa.

"So the central projects are being launched in Rajasthan keeping in mind the Lok Sabha and assembly polls," said party workers on condition of anonymity.

Political analysts pointed out how four of the BJP's most prominent leaders have made a beeline for Rajasthan to mobilise party workers and highlight the work done by the central government.

Further the party is well aware that the Rajasthan elections will be the toughest of all states, said Godha adding that "The Rajasthan Assembly elections will likely witness a three-cornered fight, as beside the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP, the Aam Aadmi Party is also making its presence felt."

"The AAP is in power in Punjab. Rajasthan's Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh are districts adjoining Punjab. In such a situation, the Aam Aadmi Party is engaged in strengthening its organization in these areas."

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has kicked off the party's campaign in the poll-bound state with a public meeting in Sriganganagar. The AAP is hoping to reach out to those parts of Rajasthan which have a considerable number of people from the farming community, including Sriganganagar, Bikaner and Hanumangarh.

Besides the Congress, the BJP is facing a strong challenge from the AAP in this area.

Godha says "It's clearly a tough fight for the saffron party. There is a directionless campaign in the state as there is no CM face and the party leadership is fractured. Party workers are confused about who they should follow. No one knows when the central leadership will come and take over but till then, there needs to be some face. Hence, the central leadership seems to be making this two way preparation for the Lok Sabha and assembly polls simultaneously. This looks like the toughest state in terms of political conditions here. So the saffron party is focusing on the Rajasthan as well as the Lok Sabha polls. They have started preparations well in advance as the elections might be held before December," he added.

The BJP is not taking chances. If it loses the assembly, there will be Lok Sabha seats in its hands, and hence comes this two way strategy. However, its clear that the national polls will be contested on Modi's face and so come the back to back visits by Modi.

"Dono ka campaign [ek saath chal raha hai kyunki dono elections aane wale hain; we are just making headway to win the assembly and parliamentary polls, " said a party worker.
Nanded, July 15 : Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok S. Chavan has said that the present-day politics in the country has been reduced to an "IPL auction", with most politicians coming across as uncommitted and unprincipled, and the masses are detesting the downfall of ethics in public life.

In a scathing critique, Chavan said that everyone should have full commitment to their work, in whichever field they may be serving, to contribute meaningfully to the society and nation.

"What is the status today... The level of politics has stooped to abysmal lows. 'Auctions' are going on like the IPL matches. Everything is set aside and people are being 'bought and sold' ... Someone is here today, there tomorrow, and elsewhere the next day. There are no scruples or ethics left anymore in public life," rued Chavan, referring to the recent political dramatics witnessed by Maharashtra.

He lamented that even the Anti-Defection laws have been discarded and in the high courts and the Supreme Court, the situation is marked by "tarikh pe tarikh" (repeated postponements).

"Now, politics has become directionless, we don't know where we are heading to... These days, when we meet any leader, we don't know which party he/she belongs to, or which faction in that party he/she is aligned with," said Chavan, 65, who ruled the state twice (December 2008-November 2009 & November 2009-November 2010).

The ex-Chief Minister's clear hint was at the breakaway factions of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party - which vertically split in June 2022 and July 2023 respectively, with the factions led by CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

Chavan's sharp comments came on the 103rd birth anniversary of his illustrious father, the former Union Minister and two-time CM, the late Shankarrao B. Chavan (February 1975-May 1977 & March 1986-June 1988), to give away memorial awards named after his mother, Kusum Shankarrao Chavan.

Slamming the "politics of convenience" that has become fashionable in the country, the senior Congress leader labelled it as "completely bereft of commitment or purpose".

Citing an example, Chavan said that in June, 2022, the Shinde group of MLAs toppled the then Shiv Sena President and MVA Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray complaining that the Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who handled the Finance Department at that time was "discriminating against them".

"Look at their predicament today... The same Dada (Ajit Pawar) because of whom they left Shiv Sena, is now back as the NCP's Deputy CM and Finance Minister... So these MLAs will have no compunctions about returning to the party again, but whether to take them or not will be Thackeray's call, I will not say anything," asserted Chavan.

He lamented that compared to the good old days, the country's politics has become "tremendously polluted", and it was a tragedy that even a politically-stable state like Maharashtra should experience the same.

"I have watched the political situation very closely with stalwarts like Vasantrao Naik, S. B. Chavan, Vasantrao Patil, Sharad Pawar, Abdul Rehman Antulay, Babasaheb Bhosale, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Sushilkumar Shinde, their careers and roles, working styles and the development of the state under them..." recalled Chavan.

Chiding the "ayarams-gayarams", he said that those who claim to have switched sides in the name of public service are just fooling the people with their immoral and uncommitted style of politics.

"Can you honestly say what your purpose in public life is, your commitment, what you have to offer to the society... Are you doing it right or wrong? Do the people support whatas going on? The politicians must seriously introspect to find out," urged Chavan.

He warned that the people of Maharashtra have not taken kindly to the current political goings-on beyond a certain level and they will not like it in the future a" hinting at a possible backlash.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
Sudanese army representatives have returned to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia for talks with their paramilitary foes, a government source said Saturday as the war between rival generals entered its fourth month.

"A delegation of the armed forces has returned to Jeddah to resume negotiations with Rapid Support Forces rebels," the source told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to speak to media.

The RSF has made no comment on returning to the Jeddah talks, which Saudi and US mediators adjourned last month after a series of repeatedly violated ceasefires.

Witnesses in the Sudanese capital Khartoum again reported clashes Saturday after a day of heavy fighting Friday left plumes of black smoke over several parts of the capital.

The war between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has claimed at least 3,000 lives and displaced more than three million people since it began on April 15.

The delegation in Saudi Arabia signals a return to diplomatic efforts by the army, after it boycotted talks in Addis Ababa last week.

Khartoum's foreign ministry had objected to Kenyan President William Ruto leading a quartet from East African regional bloc IGAD, accusing Nairobi of siding with the RSF.

Before the Jeddah talks were suspended, US mediators had grown increasingly frustrated with both sides' reluctance to work towards a sustained truce.

Experts believe that both Burhan and Daglo have opted for a war of attrition instead, hoping to extract more concessions at the negotiating table later.

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New Delhi, July 15 : Bollywood diva Kriti Sanon, who has created a big wave of excitement with the announcement of her production house Blue Butterfly Films, has explained the real reason of her choosing this title.

Taking to social media, Kriti has shared a video of her journey, explaining and showing visuals of her high points so far, and also revealed how she has been using the 'blue butterfly' emoji since her debut.

Kriti also said that how she truly resonates with the title of her production house.

In the video, she said: "So why Blue Butterfly Films -- I do love butterflies and I do love the colour blue, it's there on my insta bio since ages, I use it in my captions, I use it when I write poetry. I think it signifies dreams, wings, flight, freedom, liberal, positivity, happiness all of it. I feel like a butterfly is beautiful but it starts off with you know, being a caterpillar, turning into a cocoon and then turning into a butterfly."

"It is a slow steady process and becoming the most beautiful version of yourself and I think my life on my journey has kind of been like that, I've learnt everything on the job, I've slowly gotten to where I am today, evolved into the person I am today," said the 'Shehzada' actress.

"You have your struggles but you move on, you grow, you change and then you find the best, the most beautiful version of yourself and then you fly. So, that's why it is blue butterfly," added Kriti.

On the work front, Kriti will next be seen in Vikas Bahl's 'Ganapath - Part 1' and 'The Crew' starring next to Kareena Kapoor, Tabu and Rajkummar Rao.
New Delhi, July 15 : Even as the Trinamool Congress swept the recently concluded panchayat polls in West Bengal with the BJP taking a distant second seat, the Congress is hopeful that with the increase in its vote share it will easily manage to win four to five Lok Sabha seats if the general elections are held today.

In the panchayat polls, the Trinamool Congress secured about 51.14 per cent votes, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which secured 22.88 per cent votes, whereas the Communist Party of India (Marxist) got 12.56 per cent votes.

The Congress secured about 6.42 per cent votes, while the Indian Secular Front (ISF) got about 2 per cent votes.

A party source said that the performance of the Congress has improved in the state as compared to the last elections where it managed to win only 2 per cent votes. "We registered a growth of over four per cent in the panchayat elections, which is a positive sign for the party," the source said.

The source admitted that despite getting one of the worst results in the 2021 Assembly elections, where it could not win a single seat in the assembly elections, the vote share of the party has increased.

The source also admitted that despite not being in the state for over 42 years, the party is improving its performance and there is no disconnect between the central leadership and the state level leaders.

He said that in the panchayat elections, the party won over 3,000 plus seats out of 63,229 seats.

Pointing out the reason for not putting up a good show in the politically sensitive state, the source said "The assembly elections in West Bengal were quite bipolar, which gave an advantage to the BJP to secure the position of the second biggest party as it managed to win 77 out of the 294 seats."

The Trinamool Congress had won 213 seats in the assembly elections.

The Congress, which had won 44 seats in the 2016 assembly elections, could not open its account along with the Left parties in 2021.

The Congress managed to secure 2.94 per cent votes in the 2021 assembly elections in the state whereas the Left parties got a 4.72 per cent vote share.

The source added that the party is hopeful of making a strong comeback in the state in next year's Lok Sabha elections, even if it does not have an alliance with any party.

The source pointed out that the Trinamool Congress lost 6 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections due to the Congress, including the parliamentary seats of Malda North and Jadavpur.

The poor results in the 2021 assembly elections, the source said, have not pushed the Congress on the back foot and it is eager to give a good account in the state in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

He pointed out that the Congress was reduced to two seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections due to the polarising campaign of the BJP and the Trinamool Congress, where party leader Abhijeet Mukherjee, son of former President Pranab Mukherjee, too lost.

He said that the BJP polarised the issue of Pranab Mukherjee going to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, which went against Abhijeet in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

"But the people are now getting frustrated with the polarising campaigns and voting on religious lines and thus the party is hopeful of winning four to five seats in the Lok Sabha elections in the state next year," he said.

He added that even if the general elections are held now, the party will easily manage to win four to five seats, as its cadre and leaders are well aware of the ground situation.

"With senior party leaders Deepa Dasmunshi, a former MP and union minister from Raiganj LS seat in West Bengal, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, AH Khan Chaodhary, Shankar Malakar, Pradeep Bhattacharya, Nepal Mahto and Abdul Mannan, the party is hopeful of giving a spirited and united fight in the state," he stated.

The source said that Dasmunshi and Choudhary still have clout in the Raiganj and Malada South parliamentary constituencies.

He pointed out that with the veteran party leaders Chowdhury, Bhattacharya, Malakar, Mahto and Mannan, it is not tough for the Congress to give a good fight to the ruling Trinamool and the BJP.

Explaining why people are fed up with the polarised campaigns of the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, the source said both these parties run their campaigns aggressively due to which a lot of tension is generated.

"People are fed up with the alleged corruption in the Trinamool Congress government as many of their leaders, including ministers, are facing the heat from the central investigation agencies which has dented their image in the public. Whereas the BJP's religious polarisation fuelled by the resentment of a section of Bengali Hindu society is now also being opposed by the people in several parts of the state, which is a perfect opportunity for the Congress to tap on," he said.

The Congress has started preparing for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and has already initiated talks to bring like-minded parties together.

The source said, "Even if an alliance is stitched together with the Trinamool Congress, the BJP which had won 18 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections will go below 10 in the state."

The Trinamool Congress, which had won 34 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections was reduced to 22 seats in the 2019 polls, while the BJP gained a lot in five years from two seats in 2014 to 18 in 2019.

The Congress had won seven seats in West Bengal in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and it was reduced to four in 2014 and two in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

IANS

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New Delhi, 15 July : Result of Common University Entrance Test for undergraduate courses (CUET-UG) was declared by the National Testing Agency on Saturday.

Student can check their result on official website. There are 5685 students who have scored 100 percentile in English. 102 students have scored 100 percentile in Hindi and 41 students have scored 100 percentile in Sanskrit language.

According to the UGC chairman, professor M Jagadesh Kumar, 389 students secured 100 percentile in Geography or in Geology. 1361 students scored 100 percentile in history. 1796 scored 100 percentile in Political Science and 978 scored 100 percentile in psychology.

In CUET (UG) 2023, the total registered candidates in all slots were 28,06,021, out of which 19,15,433 appeared in the exams. The test was conducted in 295 cities in India in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode and 17 cities abroad, UGC Chairman added.

Around 140 questions have been dropped from the CUET UG 2023 question paper. But the marks of these dropped questions will be awarded to only those candidates who had attempted those questions. The NTA score of CUET-UG 2023 will be valid for admission to the academic year 2023-24 in undergraduate programmes.

CUET-UG 2023 was held for multiple choice questions (MCQs). NTA evaluated the MCQs of all the test papers by using final CUET-UG answer keys.

Considering the violence in Manipur, some specific arrangements were made for the stranded students. The National Testing Agency said that as far as Manipur is concerned, there were about 6753 candidates registered out of which 3225 candidates took the examination in Imphal city. The candidates who earlier opted to appear in Manipur for the CUET (UG) - 2023 examination were given an opportunity to change their city through the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) facility.

NTA carefully reviewed the law-and-order situation in consultation with the State Administration and contacted these candidates by telephone (IVRS) for asking their preferred city for the said examination. Some candidates who were not in Manipur or wanted to take the examination in another state or city allocated to other cities like Delhi, Guwahati, etc.

The option to change the city for the examination was also made available to those candidates in the state of Manipur who had not appeared or missed the CUET (UG) - 2023 examination due to the law and order situation, irrespective of whether they had downloaded their Admit Cards or not, NTA said.

According to the NTA, there were 2328 candidates from Pauri Garhwal, Srinagar in Uttarakhand who were also accommodated and 1625 took the examination in Srinagar, Uttarakhand itself.
Kolkata, July 15 : In a repeat of Sidhi urination incident, the Trinamool Congress activists allegedly abducted a local BJP worker, assaulted him and urinated on his face when he asked for water in West Bengal's West Midnapore district, sources said on Saturday.

According to them, on Thursday night, the said BJP worker, who was a polling agent for the recently-concluded panchayat polls, was abducted by the ruling party activists and taken to a local party office in Garbeta, where the alleged torture and humiliation took place.

He was admitted to a local hospital late on Friday evening.

A BJP delegation led by the party's vice-president Samit Das, went to the hospital this morning to meet the victim who narrated his ordeal.

"Trinamool Congress hooligans demanded money from our party worker to celebrate their victory. Being very poor, he refused to pay up which infuriated them. Then he was abducted and taken to a local party office. First, he was beaten up severely. When he asked for water, the inebriated assailants urinated on his face. We have already filed a police complaint in the matter. We will be going for a bigger movement on this issue," Das told the media at the hospital.

However, Trinamool Congress MLA and the party district-coordinator in West Midnapore Ajit Maiti refuted the allegations saying,"The elections in the Garbeta area were absolutely peaceful. We had organised victory processions in a limited and humble way to avoid any kind of tension. BJP is cooking up stories now to create tension in the area," Maiti said.
Lucknow, July 14 : Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Dara Singh Chauhan resigned from the Uttar Pradesh assembly on Saturday.

Sources said he is set to join the BJP soon.

Chauhan was cabinet minister in the previous Yogi Adityanath government but had resigned ahead of 2022 Assembly elections and joined the SP.

An OBC leader from eastern UP, he was elected from the Ghosi seat in Mau district on the SP's poll symbol.

Speaker Satish Mahana has accepted Chauhan's resignation, sources added. He has not cited any reason for the move in his resignation letter.

A senior BJP leader said, "Dara Singh Chauhan will join the BJP very soon. But it has not been decided yet from which constituency he will contest the Lok Sabha elections."

Sources said that the party may field Chauhan from Ghosi Lok Sabha constituency from where the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) had won in 2019 while contesting in alliance with the SP.

Chauhan was Cabinet minister for Forests, Environment and Animal Husbandry in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet from 2017 to 2022. He resigned from the cabinet on January 12, 2022.

In his resignation letter, Chauhan had then said that he was upset with the BJP government sidelining the backward classes, the deprived, Dalits, farmers and unemployed youths.
Chennai, July 15 : Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), the political arm of the powerful Vanniyar community, has written a detailed petition to the Law Commission of India opposing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

Given the support base PMK enjoys among the Vanniyar community, the BJP national leadership has invited it to attend the NDA meeting in New Delhi on July 18.

However, PMK state president and former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, in a letter addressed to the Law Commission of India, said that the PMK was a political party formed for upholding social justice.

He further said that the PMK as a political party could not accept UCC as it would take away the rights of certain sections of the population.

He said, "Each and every religion have separate civil codes pertaining to marriages, divorces, child adoption, property rights and others. PMK's stand is that government should not intervene in the civil rights of the people. It is inferred that the intention of implementing UCC is to take away the rights of minorities rather than bringing in Uniform code."

Ramadoss, however, said that there were some issues in civil laws of minorities and called upon the Law Commission to seek suggestions based on such issues.

He said, "The Supreme Court will set issues right. It is unnecessary to seek suggestions on implementation of UCC as there is no need for it and without disclosing reasons."

The PMK leader called upon the Law Commission to drop the measures taken to implement UCC as it would destroy the diversity of the country.

He also said: "UCC will also affect the growth of the country in addition to the trouble it create for the minority communities."

--IANS

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Gurugram, July 16 : The cyber crime team of Gurugram Police busted an illegal call centre operating from Sector-27 on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, the police said.

The call centre mostly used to cheat US nationals on the pretext providing technical support, the police said.

A team of the cyber crime police station (East) led by inspector Jasbir raided the call centre, which was being run from House No. 291, Sector 27, following a tip-off.

During the raid, the police arrested the owner Ajay aka Mohit, Saurabh Kumar, Krishan Pathak and Ravi Tyagi and seized four laptops and four mobile phones and other gadgets from the spot.

"We received specific inputs that a fake call centre had cheated several US nationals on the pretext providing technical support. The youth were employed at the call centre, which was being operated without a licence issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DOT)," said Varun Dahiya, ACP (Crime).

"During questioning, the accused revealed that they used to send text messages to US citizens from providing technical support for Amazon, Apple, Cash App, and Zelle with the help of Dialler/X-Lite Application and used to charge $300/500 via E-Gift redeemed card. The call centre was being run for the last six months. The employees of the fake call centre were getting salary plus incentive from the call center operators," he added.

"The matter is under investigation. The involvement of other people cannot be ruled out," the officer said.

An FIR under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the IT Act has been registered at the cyber crime police station.

The cyber police have have busted five fake call centres in the past two months and arrested 41 suspects besides recovering over Rs 1 lakh in cash, 42 laptops, and 28 mobile phones from the accused.
Chennai, July 15 : AIADMK senior leader D. Jayakumar on Saturday said that selling alcohol in tetra packets would attract children as "they would assume it to be fruit juice and consume it which in turn will make them alcoholic." He was responding to the recent statement of Tamil Nadu Excise Minister Muthuswamy that Tasmac was contemplating to sell alcohol in tetra packs of 90 ml.

Jayakumar, the former Fisheries Minister, said, "Serving alcohol in tetra packs will attract children and make them alcoholics at a young age."

"Children would assume that the alcohol tetra pack was fruit juice and consume it making them turn alcoholics at a tender age," he said.

The AIADMK leader also came out strongly against the suggestion of Muthusamy that the department was considering opening Tasmac shops at 7 a.m.

The former minister asked, "If people would drink before going to work, will they be able to perform, or reach their workplaces safely."

After Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) took full control of the AIADMK, the party is taking on the DMK government on various issues.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 15 : An MoU has been signed on Saturday for the opening of an IIT-Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the MoU, Masters-level programmes are expected to commence on the campus from January 2024 while Bachelors-level courses will start from September 2024.

Academic programmes, inputs and pedagogy will be provided by IIT Delhi. The degree to be conferred by IIT Delhi.

Speaking on the signing of the MoU, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said: "The MoU for establishment of IIT Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi in the presence of PM Modi unfolds a new chapter in internationalisation of India's education."

He said the IIT Delhi campus in UAE would be an edifice of friendship.

"It will set a brand new template for leveraging the power of knowledge for both mutual prosperity and global good as envisioned in NEP," he added.

PM Modi arrived in Abu Dhabi on Saturday morning.

In a special gesture, PM Modi was warmly welcomed by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport.

A ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour were also accorded to the visiting Indian Prime Minister.

The Education Ministry said that MoU will further invigorate the India-UAE strategic partnership.

"It will make knowledge and skills a key pillar of cooperation, and also serve as an exemplar of Indian expertise and innovation," the Education Ministry official added.

This is the second campus of any IIT outside India.

Earlier on July 6, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for setting up a campus of IIT Madras in Zanzibar-Tanzania.

Zanzibar was the first and IIT Delhi's Abu Dhabi is the second campus on foreign land set up by any IIT in the country.
Patna, July 15 : Former union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday said that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has crossed the limits of shamelessness.

The people of the country are watching him and they will give appropriate answers at the right time, Prasad, who is MP from Patna Sahib, said.

"The way protesting BJP leaders were brutally assaulted by the police during lathicharge in Bihar is condemnable. We have all the video evidence of Dak Bungalow Chowk.

"Leaders who are in government machinery are making unnecessary statements in public which is unacceptable," Prasad said.

While reacting to the allegation of Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, JD(U) president Lalan Singh and Patna police who said that the BJP leaders were involved in throwing chilli powder in eyes of a cop, Prasad said: "I don't believe it. The statements of grand alliance leaders are absolutely untrue."

"I just returned from West Bengal after the investigation of the violence that happened with BJP leaders during the Panchayat election. Whatever happened in Patna was an indication that Nitish Kumar has crossed the limits of shamelessness. They have beaten MP, MLAs, women leaders, mothers and sisters in a brutal manner. One of our soldiers VIjay Singh died in the lathicharge and Mahagathbandhan leaders are making a mockery of his death," Prasad said.

"I want to ask Nitish Kumar what kind of politics you are doing and what kind of statements your leaders are making. Nitish Kumar has become a dictator now. He has deliberately directed Patna police to initiate lathicharge on the BJP leaders," Prasad said.
Rena Murshud

Various crimes of Armenia continue at a slow but steady pace. The Yerevan government, which ranks first in cruelty against both humanity and nature, continues its illegal actions as well as ignoring the international law. We are talking again about the metallurgical plant that Armenia started to build illegally in Arazdayan, bordering the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (AR). Detailed comments about the fact that the construction of that plant does not comply with the UN Espoo Convention, as well as the flow of serious toxic substances in the waters of the nearby Araz River, which will cause serious consequences, were also reported in previous articles.

Even some time ago, non-governmental organizations unanimously protested worldwide against the ecocide committed by Armenians.

However, Armenia, which is emboldened by some foreign forces, continues its illegal activities, giving no single attention to protests.

Since the plant is built in the area near the Araz River, which passes through the territory of neighboring countries, it poses a serious threat to the territory of Azerbaijan as well as Iran from an environmental point of view.

At the same time, as Armenia continues this crime, many representatives of NGOs in the world who are experiencing similar problems do not stop their protests - on the contrary, their number is increasing day by day.

Azerbaijan must convey to the whole world this ecocide committed by Armenians until it changes its behavior and draw conclusions for the protests in the world. Because by continuing to build a plant, it seems that the country does not comply with international laws. I think that Azerbaijan, as a law-abiding country, should always keep this issue in the foreground."

This was told by Shamsia Kukanbekova, project coordinator of the "Stop TB Partner Organization" in Tajikistan, one of the non-governmental organizations participating in the protest, while making a comment for Azernews.

According to her, since this needs a global appeal, the real negative impact of this plant on the environment should be shown globally enough and conveyed to the world community in various ways. Because it not only poisons one area, but can even lead to mass poisoning.

In conclusion, Shamsia Kukanbekova stated that environmental problems are primarily solved by state organizations at the regional, national or international level. Therefore, the goal is to strengthen state institutions that deal with such environmental problems.

As mentioned above, Armenia has started to illegally build a new metallurgical plant in Arazdayan territory, which borders Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan AR, with the help of foreign forces. Another reason behind this is Armenia's lack of financial resources and ability to make decisions as an independent state.

Dangerous is that this plant is being built in an area close to the rivers flowing into the territories of neighboring states, and all the toxic wastes from the plant are potential threat flo into the river. Another dangerous point is that during the construction of the plant, Armenia directly decided to build the plant illegally without notifying the governments, and consulting with Azerbaijan as stipulated in the UN Espoo Convention.

At present, the step taken by Armenia knowingly or unknowingly seriously damages the ecological structure of not only Azerbaijan, but also Iran, through whose territory the Aras river flows. The Azerbaijani side demands that Armenia construct the plant remote from the Aras River or far from the border, in the depth of itscountry's territory.

The statement of civil society organizations from a number of countries in protest against the construction of a metallurgical plant in Arazdayan due to its negative impact on both people and the planet, as well as a possible environmental catastrophe, caused a great resonance.

The number of foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) opposing the construction of a mining enterprise in Armenia is steadily growing. Of late, more than 35 foreign NGOs joined the document.
Egypt has signed contracts with the private sector to sell state-owned entities worth $1.9 billion under the Initial Public Offering (IPO) programme which the country adopted earlier this year.

The privatized assets include steel and petrochemical companies, along with state-owned hotels and green energy plants.

Here is a breakdown of the key deals signed between the government and the private sector:

Petrochemicals and drilling sector



The Egyptian government has offered stakes ranging from 25 percent to 30 percent three companies  Ethydco, Elab, and National Drilling  for $800 million to Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.

The Egyptian Ethylene and Derivatives Company (ETHYDCO) is an Egyptian joint stock company established in 2011 with a total investment cost of $1.9 billion.

The Egyptian Linear Alkyl Benzene Co. (ELAB) is an Egyptian Shareholding Company established in 2003 to produce Linear Alkyl Benzene licensed by UOP Technology for a capacity of 100,000 tons per year.

Established in 1981, National Drilling specializes in drilling new wells and management of existing ones, exploring oil onshore and offshore, storage and maintenance of drilling equipment. National Drilling Company provides its engineering experience and expertise to train the proper management of drilling equipment.

Al Ezz Dekheila Steel



Egypt sold a 31 percent stake in Al Ezz Dekheila Steel for $241 million.

Al Ezz Dekheila Steel, a subsidiary of Ezz Steel, is the largest steel manufacturing facility in Egypt, with a total capacity of 3.2 million tons of finished steel products per annum. It is located in Dekheila, west of Alexandria, Egypt's second-biggest city and its main port.

The company has a total value of EGP 1.95 billion, calculated from its 19.5 million listed shares with a nominal value of EGP 100 per share.

In preparation for the transaction, the company's board of directors decided on Tuesday to delist from the Egyptian Exchange.

EGOTH



Icon Investments, a subsidiary of Talaat Mostafa Holding, has partnered with a foreign partner to increase the capital of the state-owned Egyptian General Company For Tourism and Hotels (EGOTH) by around 37 percent, or $700 million.

EGOTH is a subsidiary of The Holding Company for Tourism, Hotels and Cinema (HOTAC), one of the regions largest hotel-owning companies. EGOTH owns 14 hotels and one cruise. Their portofolio includes five historic hotels, including Marriott and Mena House in Giza, Sofitel Winter Palace in Luxor, Legend Old Cataract in Aswan, Hotel Palestine in Alexandria.

They have renovated 2,902 hotel rooms across Egypt in five years and plan to develop around 1,227 existing rooms and establish 320 new rooms in the next three years.

First wave deals



The government has sold stakes in two state-owned companies. The UAE's National Paints company acquired a majority stake (81 percent) in state-owned Paint and Chemicals Industries (PACHIN) for EGP 770.4 million (about $25 million). Also, a 9.5 percent stake was sold in Telecom Egypt for EGP 3.7 billion ($122.2 million).

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced that other deals worth $1 billion would be announced soon and Planning Minister Hala El Said revealed details about future deals.

In the pipeline



National Investment Bank is preparing the privatization of eight state-owned entities.

The government has received non-binding bids for Gabal El Zeit Wind Farm and the winning bid will be announced in October. The project will secure over $300 million.

Egypt received six bids for Wataniya company and the company and the winning bid will be announced in October or November.

21 water desalination plants with a total capacity of 3.3 million cubic meters per day are prepared for offering until 2025 for a value of $3 billion.

Until now, 99 investors have submitted bids for the plants from 30 countries and 17 consortiums were qualified. Four plants are to be offered in 2023.

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Gurugram, July 15 : The wife of jailed gangster Amit Dagar has been arrested from Gurugram on charges of extortion, the police said on Saturday.

After collecting information about extortion bids made by Twinkle, the accused, the police registered an FIR against her at the Shivaji Nagar police station. Accordingly, the crime unit of Sector-10 arrested Twinkle from the Bhondsi area in Gurugram on Friday.

According to the police, a complaint was received that 5-6 persons, in the name of the gangster Kaushal and Amit Dagar, forcibly extorted Rs 3,000 to 4,000 each from street vendors and shopkeepers in Khandsa Mandi.

Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered.

During preliminary interrogation, it was revealed that Twinkle possessed a licence for selling vegetables in Khandsa Mandi and, along with her accomplices, she was engaging in illegal extortion.

"So far, a total of five suspects have been arrested by the Gurugram Police in this case. Twinkle, the wife of jailed gangster Amit Dagar, confessed that she had extorted money from the street vendors and shopkeepers at the behest of her husband. She will be produced in a city court for further proceedings," said Varun Dahiya, ACP (Crime).
Chennai, July 15 : Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), the political arm of the powerful Vanniyar community, has written a detailed petition to the Law Commission of India opposing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

Interestingly, given the support base it enjoys among the Vanniyar community, the BJP national leadership has invited it to attend the NDA meeting in New Delhi on July 18.

However PMK state president and former Union Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss in a letter addressed to the Law Commission of India said that the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) was a political party formed for upholding social justice.

He said that the PMK as a political party could not accept UCC as it would take away the rights of certain sections of the population.

"Each and every religion has separate civil codes pertaining to marriages, divorces, child adoption, property rights and others. PMKs stand is that government should not intervene in the civil rights of the people. It is inferred that the intention of implementing UCC is to take away the rights of minorities rather than bringing in Uniform code," he said.

Anbumani Ramadoss however said that there were some issues in civil laws of minorities and called upon the Law Commission to seek suggestions based on such issues.

"The Supreme Court will set issues right. It is unnecessary to seek suggestions on implementation of UCC as there is no need for it and without disclosing reasons," he said.

The PMK leader called upon the Law Commission to drop the measures taken to implement UCC as it would destroy the diversity of the country.

He also said that UCC will also affect the growth of the country in addition to the trouble it will create for the minority communities.
San Francisco, July 15 : Larry Hryb, also known by his Xbox Live Gamertag "Major Nelson", has announced that he is leaving Microsoft after 20 years to work on the next chapter of his career.

"After 20 incredible years, I have decided to take a step back and work on the next chapter of my career. As I take a moment and think about all we have done together, I want to thank the millions of gamers around the world who have included me as part of their lives," Hryb tweeted on Friday.

"Also, thanks to Xbox team members for trusting me to have a direct dialogue with our customers. The future is bright for Xbox and as a gamer, I am excited to see the evolution," he added.

Hryb spent many years as one of the most prominent public faces of the brand as Director of Programming for the Microsoft gaming network Xbox Live.

He joined the company as editor-in-chief of MSN Music in 2001, but in 2003, when he joined the Xbox division, he found his identity with the company.

His activities included hosting Microsoft's Official Xbox Podcast and regularly sharing Xbox team news with his more than 1 million Twitter followers.

Hryb hasn't said where he'll be going next, but he plans to spend some time with his family and enjoy the summer in Seattle in the US.

"What's next? Going take some time to spend time with my family (no really!) and enjoy the Seattle Summer. As many of you know, I never really took time off... so now I will take that opportunity," he tweeted.
New Delhi, July 15 : Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi has filed a plea before the Supreme Court against the Gujarat High Court's verdict denying to put a stay on his conviction in the 'Modi surname' defamation case.

The Gujarat High Court had refused to stay Rahul Gandhi's conviction and two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case, which cost the Congress leader his Lok Sabha membership. A bench of Justice Hemant Prachchhak had observed that granting a stay on his conviction would be an exception, and not a rule.

Congress leader and senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi had termed the high court judgement as "disappointing but not unexpected", and indicated that the former Congress President will approach the Supreme Court.

Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a Member of Parliament in March, after a Surat court convicted him and sentenced him to two years in prison for his "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname" remark made during an election rally in Karnataka in April 2019.

In anticipation, Purnesh Modi, a BJP MLA and the complainant in the defamation case against Gandhi, had submitted a caveat in the Supreme Court requesting for a chance to present his case if the Congress leader challenges the high court verdict.

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.

Rahul Gandhi's 2019 remark was interpreted as an attempt to draw an implicit connection between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi.

In March, the sessions court in Surat had dismissed Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking suspension of his conviction by the magistrate court, stating that his disqualification will not result in an irreversible loss to him.

According to legal experts, if the top court stays Rahul Gandhi's conviction, it would be sufficient to restore his Lok Sabha membership. The Congress leader was disqualified under a rule that bars convicted MPs from holding Lok Sabha membership.
Kochi, July 15 : A 40-year-old woman was stabbed to death by her former friend inside a private hospital at Angamali in Kerala's Kochi on Saturday afternoon, police said.

The incident occurred when the woman was accompanying her ailing mother to the hospital.

The accused identified as Mahesh came to meet her former friend on the fourth floor of the hospital and stabbed her multiple times with a knife after a heated argument.

Hearing the cries of the woman, onlookers and security staff rushed towards the spot and overpowered Mahesh.

The police were informed which took the accused into custody.

Motive behind the the crime is yet to be ascertained.
Abu Dhabi, July 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who received him at the airport on his arrival from France.

In a tweet, the PMO said: "Prime Minister Modi had a wonderful meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Their discussions focussed on enhancing India-UAE ties in a host of sectors, including trade, economy, culture as well as people-to-people connect."

During the meeting, Modi and the UAE President announced that their countries have agreed to begin trade settlement in their currencies.

"This is a very important aspect of India-UAE cooperation. It paves the way for enhanced economic collaboration and will make international financial interactions simpler," PM Modi said in a tweet in reply to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) commenting on MoUs between the two nation.

The RBI and the Central Bank of the UAE on Saturday signed two MoUs to establish a framework to promote the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions and cooperation for interlinking their payment and messaging systems.

The MoUs were signed by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das and the Governor of the Central Bank of UAE, Khaled Mohamed Balama.

The MoUs were exchanged between the two Governors, in the presence of the PM Modi and Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Sharing the details of the two MoUs, the RBI in a statement said the MoU on establishing a framework for the use of local currencies for transactions between India and UAE, aims to put in place a local currency settlement system (LCSS) to promote the use of Indian Rupee and AED bilaterally.

It said that the MoU covers all current account transactions and permitted capital account transactions. It further said that creation of the LCSS would enable exporters and importers to invoice and pay in their respective domestic currencies, which in turn would enable the development of an INR-AED foreign exchange market.

"This arrangement would also promote investments and remittances between the two countries. Use of local currencies would optimise transaction costs and settlement time for transactions, including for remittances from Indians residing in UAE," it said.

It also said that under the MoU on 'Payments and Messaging Systems', the two central banks agreed to cooperate on linking their fast payment systems (FPSs) a" Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India with Instant Payment Platform (IPP) of UAE and linking the respective Card Switches (RuPay switch and UAESWITCH) and exploring the linking of payments messaging systems i.e., Structured Financial Messaging System (SFMS) of India with the messaging system in the UAE.

"The UPI-IPP linkage will enable the users in either country to make fast, convenient, safe, and cost-effective cross-border funds transfers. The linking of Card Switches will facilitate mutual acceptance of domestic cards and processing of card transactions. The linkage of messaging systems is aimed to facilitate bilateral financial messaging between the two countries," the RBI said.

It further said that two MoUs are aimed at facilitating seamless cross border transactions and payments, and foster greater economic cooperation between the two countries.

The Prime Minister in a tweet also said that he had a very productive meeting with Sultan Al Jaber, the President-designate of COP28UAE (the 28th session of the UN Climate Change Conference of Parties in the UAE).

"Our discussions focused on ways to further sustainable development. Highlighted India's contribution in this direction, in particular our emphasis on Mission LiFE,"Modi said, attaching a picture of the meeting.

Commenting on the MoU done for establishment of IIT Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi, Modi said: "This marks a significant stride in our educational internationalisation and is testament to Indiaas innovation prowess. Education is the bond that unites us, it's the spark that ignites innovation. Together, we will leverage this power for mutual prosperity and global betterment."

Before leaving for India from his one day visit to UAE, Modi said: "Concluding a productive UAE visit. Our nations are working together on so many issues aimed at making our planet better. I thank HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the warm hospitality."

The Indian Prime Minister had arrived in Abu Dhabi on Saturday and was warmly welcomed at the airport by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

This was PM Modi's fifth visit to the UAE.
Islamabad, July 15 : The management of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) has withdrawn notices issued to several students for celebrating Holi on the campus without permission, Dawn reported.

The decision was taken two days after the notices were issued on July 12.

According to the notices, the students were directed to appear before the university disciplinary committee on July 18.

"The show cause notices  dated 12th July, 2023 issued to the students without the approval and knowledge of the competent authority, hence stands invalid," read the statement issued on Friday night, Dawn reported.

The notices stated that the students had participated in the Holi event on June 12 without taking prior permission from the university's event management committee.

"Despite advise/instruction by the university security staff you refused to stop playing loud music and forcefully continue this function, which caused [an] unpleasant/uncomfortable environment for others."

The students were accused of allowing the entry of expelled students and "anti-social elements" into the premises while indulging in actions that may have caused "insult and physical injury to the students, teachers and others".

The notices were issued after videos of students celebrating Holi went viral on social media, Dawn reported.

Subsequently, the Higher Education Commission (HEC), on June 20, also wrote to the universities to ban Holi celebrations on campus.

The letter addressed to all vice-chancellors, rectors and heads of universities stated that the festival of Holi was celebrated in a university and it "caused concern and disadvantageously affected the country's image as Pakistan has an Islamic identity", Dawn reported.
Kolkata, July 15 : Despite the grand opposition meeting in Patna last month which brought West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechuri on the same platform, hardly anyone has any illusions that the Patna conclave will bring the Trinamool Congress, Left Front and the Congress closer against the BJP in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha polls.

Now with the results of the three-tier panchayat polls in the state out with the Trinamool Congress getting a thumping majority in all three tiers, even the smallest possibility of the state's ruling party softening its stand towards the Congress for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls seems out of the question.

Already the Trinamool Congress's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has given a subtle hint on this count while ridiculing the slogan of "No vote to Mamata" coined by the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari.. "The opposition call for 'No Vote to Mamata' has turned into 'Now vote for Mamata' in the rural civic body polls," he said. Banerjee also claimed that the sweeping mandate in the civic polls has paved the way for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Even Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, after the results were announced, sent a strong message to the Congress. "There is a discussion on an alliance at the national level. So everyone should think before what they say. If you abuse me here, I cannot worship you there. I will reciprocate if you also give me due respect," she said.

From the comments, political observers in West Bengal feel that the signal is clear that the Trinamool will go it alone in West Bengal in 2024 as well. According to them, there could be some post-poll arrangement between the opposition parties with the Trinamool, Congress and the CPI(M) as parties to it depending on the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. But any pre-poll understanding which means a seat-sharing agreement in West Bengal between the Trinamool Congress, Left Front and the Congress is out of the question.

In fact, Mamata Banerjee has said that in West Bengal there is no question of backing the Congress because of the latter's understanding with the CPI(M) in the state. State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has claimed that in West Bengal, the Congress and the BJP are equal political opponents.

Political observers feel that in such a situation the only remote possibility of a pre-poll understanding between the Congress and the Trinamool Congress can be there if the Congress's high command in New Delhi forces such an understanding on the state unit of the party. But even the possibility, feel observers, is remote since that would mean that the Congress will lose whatever little popularity it retains in certain pockets of West Bengal. "In that case there will be a mass exodus from the Congress to the BJP and ultimately the saffron camp will gain out of it, said a city-based political observer.

Logically, too, any pre-poll understanding between the Congress and the Trinamool Congress does not sound beneficial for either of the two parties.

Mamata Banerjee's aim is to gain the maximum numerical presence in the Lower House of Parliament and she is quite aware that West Bengal is the only state that will provide it to her. Precisely that is why since the time she started her dialogue with other regional parties, she has been insisting on the choice of the opposition leader only after the polls. So, from the point of view of the Trinamool Congress this is the principal barrier to an amicable understanding with the Congress.

Similarly, from the Congress's point of view, especially the party's West Bengal unit, an amicable understanding with the Trinamool Congress will not be an easy task since in that case the Congress's existing understanding with the Left Front will receive a setback. At the same time, in a bargain with the CPI(M), the Congress will be able to contest on many more seats in the state than what it can get in a similar bargain with the Trinamool Congress.
Kolkata, July 15 : In the recently concluded polls for the three-tier panchayat system in West Bengal, the biggest bet for the BJP were the districts in North Bengal.

This is because these pockets gifted the BJP with several seats not just in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls but also in the 2021 West Bengal assembly polls.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections the BJP won seven out of the eight seats scattered over the eight districts of Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Malda. Not as good as in 2019, but the performance of the saffron camp in these north Bengal districts was quite impressive in the 2021 West Bengal assembly polls, when they had won 26 out of the 56 assembly seats in these eight districts.

However, in the recently concluded rural civic body polls the BJP had not only faced disaster in the tribal dominated pockets in the plains of North Bengal, the saffron camp and its allies also faced similar setbacks in the hill regions of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong. Similar was the case in the other districts and North Bengal namely North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Cooch Behar.

The BJP's performance had been especially pathetic in the tribal-dominated Alipurduar district, which has the Union minister of state John Barla as its Lok Sabha member. There are several BJP legislators from this district as well. However, in the rural civic body polls, the saffron camp was unable to win a single seat from this district at the zilla parishad level, which is the highest tier in the three-tier panchayat system.

Equally bad was the performance of the saffron camp in South Dinajpur, which is not only the home district of the BJP's state president in West Bengal Sukanta Majumdar, he is also the Lok Sabha member from the same district. In this district not a single seat at the zilla parishad level has gone in favour of the saffron party.

According to the minister in charge of the north Bengal department Udayan Guha, the success of the BJP in the north Bengal districts in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls started fading since the 2021 assembly elections which has now been completely wiped out in the 2023 rural civic body polls.

"In 2019, they succeeded in getting so many seats by successfully creating communal polarization and instigating the people from the tribal communities in the north Bengal district against each other. But that started fading after the 2021 polls, when the Trinamool Congress won more seats than the BJP from the same district. Now in 2023, the people are fully aware of how they had been bluffed by the BJP, the reflection of which has been in the ballot papers. This anti-BJP wave will continue in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as well and the saffron forces will be totally wiped out from north Bengal," Guha said.

However, Dr Sukanta Majumdar feels that the 2023 results have not been a reflection of the true sentiments of the people. "In several seats, many of our candidates were unable to file nominations because of the violence unleashed by the ruling Trinamool Congress. Even after some of them filed nominations, either they were forced to withdraw or their nominations were cancelled. What kind of violence was unleashed on the polling day by the ruling party activists, the entire world is aware of that. But that same thing will not happen in the Lok Sabha polls. Rather many Trinamool Congress voters will vote against the ruling party to teach them a lesson as had happened in the 2019 elections," Majumdar said.
Kolkata, July 15 : The 2019 Lok Sabha election results in West Bengal came as a surprise to many with the BJP emerging as the strongest opposition party in the state bagging 18 out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats, reducing the ruling Trinamool Congress to 22. While the Congress managed to win two Lok Sabha seats, the CPI(M)- led Left Front ended with a zero.

Indications of the BJP emerging as the principal opposition party in West Bengal were there in the 2018 polls for the three- tier panchayat system in the state leaving behind the Congress and the Left Front who contested separately then unlike in the rural civic body polls this year. However, none thought that the saffron camp would put up such a good performance in 2019 bagging 18 Lok Sabha seats.

At that point several interpretations surfaced of this meteoric rise of the BJP. One argument was that several ardent Trinamool Congress voters voted in favour of the: "Lotus" symbol out of anger against the ruling party because of the massive violence unleashed by it. The second argument was that several dedicated voters of the CPI(M), with a feeling that the party they support will not be able to protect them from the ruling party's onslaught, opted for the BJP with the hope of getting protection from the strongest party nationally.

Now with the Trinamool Congress's thumping victory in the 2023 rural civic body polls, the question is whether the BJP will be able to hold its own in the state in the big battle of 2024 or will the sky over Bengal be all "green" in favour of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

Trinamool Congress national general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee seems to be elated over the results in the 2023 rural civic body polls. Ridiculing the slogan of "No vote to Mamata" raised by the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari, Banerjee said that it is "now vote for Mamata".

On the other hand, Adhikari has claimed that the results are in no way a reflection of the public pulse considering the massive violence unleashed by the ruling party claiming a total of 42 lives till Wednesday afternoon. "People will give a befitting reply to the Trinamool Congress as they did in 2019, since the Lok Sabha polls will be under a blanket security cover and in multiple phases, where the ruling party hooligans would not be able to unleash the same violence."

State Congress president and Lok Sabha member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty, both felt that the 2024 Lok Sabha polls will neither be a cakewalk for the Trinamool Congress nor for the BJP . Both felt that the results of the civic body polls prove that the performance of both the Left Front and the Congress, being able to put up a united fight was much better than all the past elections since the 2018 panchayat polls. They also claimed that whatever resistance was built up against the ruling party in 2023 was from Congress, Left Front and their associate All India Secular Front and not from the BJP.

Now, there are two sets of arguments about the BJP's prospects in West Bengal for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. To an extent the logic of the Leader of the Opposition is correct that aggrieved voters becoming victims of poll- violence in 2023 might vote in bulk against the ruling party to teach the latter a lesson. Secondly as perceived by many political analysts the pressure from the central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate on the Trinamool Congress leaders will undoubtedly increase in the coming days with more influential leaders coming in the line of fire. In that case, it will be more difficult for the ruling party to handle the dual agency and poll pressure at the same time.

However, the counterargument is that the results of the 2023 rural civic body polls are a clear indication that both the Left Front and the Congress have not only been able to arrest the erosion in their vote banks in the last few elections but have also been able to revive them substantially. Political observers feel that it is now a foregone conclusion that the Congress and the Left Front will be having a seat-sharing agreement in the 2024 polls. The more the Congress and the Left Front regain strength, the more will be division in the opposition and the more the situation will be difficult for the BJP and beneficial for the Trinamool Congress.
An iconic pottery factory in Fustat, Old Cairo may be demolished because it extends by just one metre into the path of new road construction.

Ashraf Abdeen, the owner of one of the oldest factories in the Fustat Pottery Village, explained to Ahram Online the difficult situation he finds himself in.

"Last Sunday, the head of Old Cairo municipality paid us a visit and said that the back end of our factory is in the way of the road development of the extension of El-Asher bridge."

"They already dug two metres from the road on our side, leaving us only the buffer area of the factory. However, they intend to take one more metre from our side, which means that the wall of the factory will be torn down.

However, Abdeen pointed out that there is a hill in front of the factory where the metre can be taken from instead. The head of the municipality, according to Abdeen, promised to pass on their suggestion that would spare the factory.

The road expansion is part of a bigger plan to develop the Old Cairo district

Pottery has always been one of Egypts most prosperous handicrafts.

The Fustat Pottery village is part of Fustat, Egypt's first Islamic capital city, in Old Cairo. The village is located close to the Amr Ibn El-As Mosque, the first mosque to be built in Egypt, as well as Coptic Cairo.

Abdeen's grandfather, who started the workshop in 1920, was one of the icons of the craft and he was referred to as the Sheikh of Pottery.

In 1972, Abdeens father moved the workshop further down the block. In 1999/2000, the factory was remodeled with entrances and gateways with a grant from the European Union.

"I have represented Egyptian pottery abroad in France and Italy and I was awarded from each of such countries. I have served my country the most possible way. This factory employs 40 workers in addition to single mothers, widows and youth with disabilities. Tens of artists were trained in our factory, Abdeen said.

We hope our voice will reach the authorities," he concluded.

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Kolkata, July 15 : The poor performance of the CPI(M)-led Left Front in West Bengal in the recently concluded panchayat polls has once again raised the question whether the communists, who ruled the state for 34 years at a stretch from 1977 to 2011, are becoming a spent force in the state.

As the results show, the Left Front has not been able to secure the second berth in any of the three tiers of the pandhayat system . It came in the third position only at the lower tier of gram panchayat, while in the remaining two tiers of panchayat samiti and zilla parishad it came fourth after the Congress, despite contesting in more seats in an arrangement between the Left Front, Congress and the All India Secular Front (AISF).

However, the optimistic CPI(M) leadership has found a silver lining in the improvement in the vote share of the Left Front- Congress- AISF alliance from what it was in the 2021 West Bengal assembly polls.

In the 2023 rural civic polls, the vote percentage of the trio has more than doubled at 21 per cent from 10 per cent in 2021. Proportionately the BJP, despite emerging in the second position in all the three tiers of the panchayat systems in terms of the number of seats won, has witnessed a significant decline in the vote percentage share. The saffron camp's vote share in the 2023 civic polls has declined to 22 per cent from 38 per cent in 2021.

The CPI(M) leadership has also come out with detailed statistics on how the vote percentage of the Congress- Left Front- AISF alliance has increased since the 2021 assembly polls in successive elections for five municipal corporations, 86 municipalities and by-polls for one Lok Sabha and three assembly constituencies.

"Despite the massive violence and booth capturing by the ruling party and fake nominations filed by them in the rural civic body polls, the series of vote percentage rise for the Left Front and its associate parties prove major opposition in the state," the CPI(M) leadership said in a statement issued immediately after the results of the rural civic body polls were announced on Wednesday evening.

However, political observers find some jugglery in the statistics of an increase in the vote share as presented by the CPI(M) leadership, despite admitting that there had been a substantial arrest in the erosion in the dedicated Left vote bank since 2021 and also that there had been initial signals of revival of the same.

From the combined vote share percentage of the Left Front- Congress-AISF alliance, it is not clear what has been the individual vote percentage increase for the Left Front. Rather from the number of seats won in the three tiers of the panchayat system it seems that the Congress has gained the most in this alliance arrangement. This is despite the Congress contesting from a lesser number of seats as part of the arrangement.

While now it is almost certain that the Congress and the Left Front will have a pre-poll alliance and a seat sharing agreement for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, political observers feel that in all probability the gain for the Congress will be more than that for the Left Front next year as well.

This is because, according to political observers, the CPI(M) or the Left Front being an extremely regimented force with a similar dedicated and disciplined vote bank, who had been voting for the red force even at its worst times, it will be easier for the Left Front to mobilize their traditional voters behind a Congress candidate as part of an alliance formula. But it is doubtful whether the Congress can achieve the same mobilization of their traditional voters behind the Left Front.

In the 2016 West Bengal assembly polls, there was a similar seat-sharing arrangement between the Congress and the Left Front against the Trinamool Congress. But it resulted in the Congress emerging as the principal opposition party winning more seats than the Left Front despite the latter contesting from more seats.
Kolkata, July 15 : Despite not leaving any mark in the two hill districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, the ruling Trinamool Congress has reasons to cheer over the results of the panchayat polls in these two districts.

Unlike the remaining districts, polls were conducted for only two tiers of gram panchayat and panchayat samiti. As the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) is in overall charge of the civic administration in the hills, there were no polls at the zilla parishad level, which is the highest tier in the three-tier panchayat system.

The Anit Thapa- led Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), with outside support from the Trinamool Congress was on one side. An eight party alliance led by the BJP and including the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Hamro Party, Gorkha National Liberation Front, Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists, Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League, Sumeti Mukti Morcha and Gorkhaland Rajya Nirman Party was the principal contender on the other side.

After the results became clear on Wednesday afternoon, the BGPM was way ahead of the eight-party alliance in both the tiers in both these hills district.

Of the 70 gram panchayats in Darjeeling, as many as 38 had gone to the BGPM, 14 to Independents and three to the BJP . The situation is hung in the remaining 15 gram panchayats. In case of panchayat samitis in the same district, the BGPM has bagged four out of five, while one panchayat samiti has a hung verdict.

In the case of Kalimpong district, 29 out of 42 village panchayats has gone to the BGPM. While the BJP has ended with two, eight have gone to Independents. In the panchayat samitis in the same district, the BGPM has bagged two out of four while the remaining two panchayat samitis have gone to Independent candidates.

Elated by the results, BGPM chief Anit Thapa, who is also the chief executive of the GTA, said that he is extremely happy that the panchayati raj system has returned to the hills in a democratic manner. aThere was not a single incident of poll- related violence in the hills this time. Now our only aim is development of the hills. Since the election results the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supremo Bimal Gurung, who was once the final word in the hills, is incommunicado from the media. Even his party's general secretary Roshan Giri did not field questions from the media."

Accepting defeat, a BJP Lok Sabha member said that their elected members in the two tiers in the hills will work for the development of the people.

Senior observers of the hill politics feel that the results in the two tiers are a warning to the BJP for the 2024 big battle in the case of the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency, from where the saffron camp candidates have been elected to Parliament since 2009.

While the Trinamool Congress- BGPM alliance has worked wonders for the duo in the rural civic body polls, the BJP's attempts by forging an understanding with the seven hill parties has not yielded results. It is also evident that Bimal Gurung is not in a position to mobilize the hill voters.

According to political observers, there is cause for concern for the BJP since it was the GJP which had sailed through the saffron camp candidates in Darjeeling constituency in successive Lok Sabha elections in 2009, 2014 and finally in 2019. Now it is to be seen what would be the arrangement between the Trinamool Congress and the BGPM for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat in 2024 -- whether there would be a BGPM- backed Trinamool Congress candidate or vice versa.
Kolkata, July 15 : With the elections to the three-tier panchayat system in West Bengal ending with unprecedented violence and bloodbath with the death toll already touching 44, there seems to be a tussle within the ruling Trinamool Congress on the violence issue.

One section within the Trinamool Congress while calling the casualties unfortunate, has stuck to their argument that the extent of violence had been sporadic and limited to specific and a minimum number of pockets. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the state Trinamool Congress spokesman Kunal Ghosh were the two most vocal voices in favour of this argument.

On the other hand, a section of heavyweights, but without much voice within the party in recent times, have become vocal and seem to be in a mood of self-introspection over the bloodbath.

After the trend was clear on Wednesday evening that the Trinamool Congress was heading for a thumping majority Mamata Banerjee met media persons where she expressed condolences over the violence- related deaths and announced compensation and Home Guard jobs for the families of the deceased.

However, soon she changed her tone and said that West Bengal was deliberately projected in a bad light where sporadic incidents of violence have been blown out of proportion.

"There has been polling in over 71,000 booths and incidents of violence have been reported from a maximum of 60 booth areas. Even the violence there was planned to show the state in a bad light. In states like Tripura and Uttar Pradesh, the situation gets worse on polling days," the chief minister said.

Kunal Ghosh went a step ahead in claiming the sporadic violence in the polls has been deliberately blown out of proportion by the BJP in order to divert attention from Manipur which had been burning with ethnic clashes for quite some time. Ghosh also accused a section of the media for being a party to this attempt to create an anti-Trinamool Congress narrativer.

The leaders of the opposition BJP, CPI(M) and the Congress have claimed that this violence and clashes have aggravated due to the inaction of the state election commission and the denial-mode of the state administration in refusing to accept the reality.

While the top leadership seems to be in denial mode about the bloodbath, a note of disagreement seems to be surfacing from a section of the ruling party leadership on this count.

One vocal voice is that of actor-turned-politician and the state minister in charge of the tourism department, Babul Supriyo, who felt such incidents of violence on the part of the ruling party were unnecessary when the Trinamool Congress would anyway have won the rural civic polls He also expressed apprehension that such acts of violence by a section of the ruling party activists would actually give political mileage to the opposition in the elections to come.

A similar note of dissent has surfaced from another actor- turned-politician and three-time Trinamool Congress legislator Chiranjit Chakraborty who said that if victories are achieved through violence, they do not reflect the confidence of the people in the victor. "Such victories are pointless. It is impossible to stick to power for a long time through such actions if the common people ultimately revolt silently," he said.

Seniormost party legislator Abdul Karim Chowdhury, who has been sidelined of late in the party because of his frequent notes of dissent, feels that it is unfortunate that the ruling party has to depend on violence instead on having faith in the people for victory. "Even if the victory has been achieved, it becomes meaningless following the loss of so many lives," he said.

In fact, before the panchayat polls Trinamool Congress national general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee cautioned the party workers to refrain from violence and bloodshed. But when it came to the day, the same picture of violence, clashes and loss of human lives emerged which unfortunately has become a tradition of West Bengal over the years.
New Delhi, July 15 : Buoyed by winning a 'double number of seats' this time as compared to the last panchayat elections held in 2018, the BJP is now claiming that it will defeat Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to IANS, a senior BJP leader said that the message of this victory in the panchayat elections is very clear that the BJP's position has strengthened in the rural areas and if this trend continues, the BJP can become the state's number one party in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, leaving the TMC behind.

Responding to a question on the estimated number of seats the party will contest, he said that the BJP will contest all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state, claiming that the party will win 22 to 25 seats.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP could win only two seats in West Bengal with about 17 per cent votes, while in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it won 18 seats with 40.64 per cent votes.

However, Mamata Banerjee's party remained number one in the state in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with 43.69 percent votes and 22 Lok Sabha MPs. In such a situation, the BJP's claim of winning 22-25 Lok Sabha seats in 2024 is definitely not less than a warning bell for Mamata Banerjee.

Several BJP leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and national organization general secretary BL Santosh reacted after the party's performance in the West Bengal panchayat elections.

On July 12, BL Santosh tweeted, "Congratulations to the BJP Bengal team for winning around 10100 gram panchayat wards with 24 per cent vote share." He also claimed to bring democracy in its true spirit to the state in tandem with development with this mandate.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah met West Bengal BJP president Sukant Majumdar on Friday and congratulated him for the party's 'excellent performance'.

It is being said that Amit Shah will soon visit West Bengal and brainstorm with the party leaders regarding preparations for the Lok Sabha elections, hold rallies and also meet party workers.

Shah issued his first statement on the results of the West Bengal panchayat elections on Friday, and tweeted, "Even the blood-shedding violence in West Bengal could not stop the BJP from performing brilliantly in the panchayat elections. The party has almost doubled the number of seats as compared to the last election. This shows that the confidence of the people of Bengal towards BJP is increasing."

Shah said, "The results of the panchayat polls show that the affection of the people is with the BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and that this will take the party to tremendous heights in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections."

The BJP is also confident of winning more Lok Sabha seats in the state on the basis of its track record. The BJP won only three seats in the 2016 West Bengal Assembly elections with 10 per cent votes. With 37.97 per cent votes, the number of BJP MLAs increased from three to 77 directly in the 2021 Assembly elections.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP wrested many seats from the Trinamool Congress, winning 18 seats. The Trinamool Congress had won 22 Lok Sabha seats in 2019, whereas in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Trinamool Congress had won 34 seats and the BJP had won only two seats.
Mumbai, July 15 : Marathi actor Ravindra Mahajani, who is known for films such as 'Mumbai cha Fauzdar', 'Zoonj' and 'Kalat Nakalat' was found dead in his Talegaon residence near Pune. He was 77.

A police officer said that the actor passed away 3 days before his body was discovered. The actor's body will be handed over to the family for the last rites after his autopsy.

Mahajani was found dead in a locked flat at Xrbia Housing Society in Ambi area of the Talegaon Dabhade after neighbours complained of a foul smell from the house.

As per media reports, Ravindra's son Gashmeer Mahajani had been trying to reach his father but the phone calls were going unanswered. Hours before his body was found, Gashmeer asked a friend in Pune to visit Talegaon Dabhade to check on his father. The friend in question planned on visiting the actor's flat on Saturday but the actor's death was reported before the friend reached the flat. The door of the flat was broken after the complaints from the neighbours.

The cops then discovered the actor's body in the house.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde and Sharad Pawar condoled the death of the actor and have paid tributes to him.

Shinde wrote in his Twitter: "Veteran Marathi actor Ravindra Mahajani, who ruled the hearts of the audience with his all-round beauty, has sadly passed away. May the Lord grant eternal peace to his soul and give strength to Mahajani family to recover from this grief. A heartfelt tribute (sic)".

--IANSaa/kvd
New Delhi, July 15 : An architect and his associate have been sentenced to imprisonment by a Delhi court for using the thumb impression of a deceased individual and forging the signature of a sub-divisional magistrate (headquarters) in order to obtain a water harvesting certificate for a building.

The building's plan had already been approved by the DDA (Delhi Development Authority) in 2010.

Special Judge Sanjeev Kumar Malhotra has ordered architect Charan Singh Solanki and his associate Parmod Garg to serve a two-year jail term, rejecting the possibility of probation for Solanki.

The judge said that as an architect, Solanki held a greater responsibility when it came to verifying signatures, thumb impressions, and issuing certificates in accordance with the law.

The prosecution also argued against leniency, stating that such forgery impacts the moral conscience of society.

The judge also took into consideration that Solanki was already serving a prison sentence in another case.

The judge said that considering the role of Solanki and the fact that he is an architect with a higher responsibility to attest signature/thumb impressions and issue certificates as per rules and law, I am not inclined to grant him the benefit of probation.

According to the prosecution, Solanki, functioning as an architect, submitted a report to the DDA, which was accepted for the purpose of approving a building plan.

He provided a water harvesting certificate that included a forged thumb impression of the original allottee.

Additionally, he attached a copy of a letter requesting an extension of time, which had not been issued by the DDA, as per the prosecutionas claims.
Mumbai, July 15 : Marathi actor Ravindra Mahajani, who is known for films such as 'Mumbai cha Fauzdar', 'Zoonj' and 'Kalat Nakalat' was found dead in his Talegaon residence near Pune. He was 77.

A police officer said that the actor passed away 3 days before his body was discovered. The actor's body will be handed over to the family for the last rites after his autopsy.

Mahajani was found dead in a locked flat at Xrbia Housing Society in Ambi area of the Talegaon Dabhade after neighbours complained of a foul smell from the house.

As per media reports, Ravindra's son Gashmeer Mahajani had been trying to reach his father but the phone calls were going unanswered. Hours before his body was found, Gashmeer asked a friend in Pune to visit Talegaon Dabhade to check on his father. The friend in question planned on visiting the actor's flat on Saturday but the actor's death was reported before the friend reached the flat. The door of the flat was broken after the complaints from the neighbours.

The cops then discovered the actor's body in the house.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde and Sharad Pawar condoled the death of the actor and have paid tributes to him.

Shinde wrote in his Twitter: "Veteran Marathi actor Ravindra Mahajani, who ruled the hearts of the audience with his all-round beauty, has sadly passed away. May the Lord grant eternal peace to his soul and give strength to Mahajani family to recover from this grief. A heartfelt tribute (sic)".

His legion of fans and admirers flooded the social message with condolences, pictures, songs and film clips remembering Mahajani and his heydays in the Marathi film industry.

Born in Belgaum, Karnataka, Mahajani had come to Mumbai in the 1960s and started working as a taxi-driver while struggling to find a foothold in films.

After many auditions and attempts in between ferrying passengers, he landed a bit role of a policeman in the Hindi film, 'Saat Hindustani' (1969) - which was also the debut film of Amitabh Bachchan - and later on Mahajani bagged a role in Kiran V. Shantaramas film, 'Zunj' (1975), which kickstarted his film career.

Later, Mahajani worked with some of the leading actors and actresses in nearly two dozen Marathi films like 'Laxmi' (1978), 'Duniya Kari Salaam' (1979), 'Gondhalat Gondhal' (1982), 'Mumbaicha Fauzdar' (1984), 'Sarja' (1987), 'Kalat Nakalat' (1990), 'Carry On Marath' (2015, his son's debut, in which he played a guest role), and 'Panipat' (2019), and a couple of Gujarati films also.
Mumbai, July 15 : Veteran Marathi actor and director Ravindra Mahajani was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his rental home in Talegaon-Dabhade on the outskirts of the city, here early on Saturday, officials said.

Mahajani, 75, was living alone there since January and had limited interactions with the people in the neighbourhood, and the cause of the death is being investigated.

A police officer said that the actor passed away 3 days before his body was discovered. The actor's body will be handed over to the family for the last rites after his autopsy.

Mahajani was found dead in a locked flat at Xrbia Housing Society in Ambi area of the Talegaon Dabhade after neighbours complained of a foul smell from the house.

As per media reports, Ravindra's son Gashmeer Mahajani had been trying to reach his father but the phone calls were going unanswered. Hours before his body was found, Gashmeer asked a friend in Pune to visit Talegaon Dabhade to check on his father. The friend in question planned on visiting the actor's flat on Saturday but the actor's death was reported before the friend reached the flat. The door of the flat was broken after the complaints from the neighbours.

The cops then discovered the actor's body in the house.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde and Sharad Pawar condoled the death of the actor and have paid tributes to him.

Shinde wrote in his Twitter: "Veteran Marathi actor Ravindra Mahajani, who ruled the hearts of the audience with his all-round beauty, has sadly passed away. May the Lord grant eternal peace to his soul and give strength to Mahajani family to recover from this grief. A heartfelt tribute (sic)".

His legion of fans and admirers flooded the social message with condolences, pictures, songs and film clips remembering Mahajani and his heydays in the Marathi film industry.

Born in Belgaum, Karnataka, Mahajani had come to Mumbai in the 1960s and started working as a taxi-driver while struggling to find a foothold in films.

After many auditions and attempts in between ferrying passengers, he landed a bit role of a policeman in the Hindi film, 'Saat Hindustani' (1969) - which was also the debut film of Amitabh Bachchan - and later on Mahajani bagged a role in Kiran V. Shantaramas film, 'Zunj' (1975), which kickstarted his film career.

Later, Mahajani worked with some of the leading actors and actresses in nearly two dozen Marathi films like 'Laxmi' (1978), 'Duniya Kari Salaam' (1979), 'Gondhalat Gondhal' (1982), 'Mumbaicha Fauzdar' (1984), 'Sarja' (1987), 'Kalat Nakalat' (1990), 'Carry On Marath' (2015, his son's debut, in which he played a guest role), and 'Panipat' (2019), and a couple of Gujarati films also.
Los Angeles, July 15 : Hollywood icon Robert De Niro's grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez was warned by his drug dealer about the oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl which are believed to have killed him.

Leandro, 19, was found dead at his apartment in New York City on July 2, reports TMZ.

Sofia Haley Marks, 20, has been accused of selling him drugs containing fentanyl - a powerful opioid which is said to be up to 50 times stronger than heroin.

According to police documents, obtained by TMZ, texts were found on Leandro's phone from Marks, where she asked him: "Do you really need them? I don't wanna kill you. I just don't like serving you them because they are not scripts."

She is reported to have agreed to sell him three oxycodone pills and two Xanax tablets for $105 before allegedly texting him to say: "don't go overboard with these," as per femalefirst.co.uk.

The drugs were delivered by car to Leandro around 9pm on July 1.

According to police, Marks texted him at 1.50 am to ask "u good?"

However, Leandro never responded and was found dead on July 2.

Investigators found "one bag of cocaine, one straw with residue, two blue pills with 'M' and '30' (the oxycodone) and seven rectangular tablets - believed to be Xanax" on a table beside Leandro after his death.

Leandro's mother Drena De Niro, who is Robert De Niroas adopted daughter from his marriage to ex-wife Diahnne Abbott, has claimed her son died after taking pills laced with fentanyl.

In a post on Instagram, she alleged: "Someone sold him fentanyl-laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him.

"So for all these people still f****** around selling and buying this s***, my son is gone forever."
New Delhi, July 15 : The low-lying areas, which are submerged in water, can become epicenter of pandemic diseases for locals, who even after repeated warning play in the stagnant water.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also tweeted that people should avoid it as it can be fatal.

Dr. Om Prakash Jhakar of Indira Gandhi Hospital (Delhi Government) told IANS that those who were playing in the water should take it seriously, as the situation might turn ugly in the coming days.

"Malaria and cholera are common these days. Water can also lead to skin-related problems. People should understand the gravity of the situation," Jhakar said.

Delhi Home Guards have also been instructed to keep people and children away from the stagnant water.

Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, an Internal Medicine specialist at Apollo Indraprastha Hospital, told IANS that stagnant or logged water can instantly lead to skin rashes, skin diseases, and skin infections among those who come into contact with it.

"If water enters the body, the person might contract Leptospirosis, which is a fatal disease," said the official.

He said that there were possibilities of health hazards like cholera, diarrhea, and leptospirosis due to stagnant water.

Shantivan, Red Fort, ITO, ISBT, and nearby areas have flooded streets, which have turned into recreation points with families coming to take photos.

The doctors have also said that people should avoid venturing into the water as it is not safe for them.
Accordionella - a trio featuring Rafeek Gamal on the piano accordion, Dany Joseph on the guitar and Ahmed Adel on the cajon - captures audiences and wins hearts.

Interactive, festive, joyful The band plays music that incorporates many musical genres: from pop to folk, from gypsy jazz to swing and waltz, from tango to Javanese music, and from punk rock to Western classical music; they perform French and Latin music, topping these compositions and arrangements with a creative twist that suits all tastes.

In those settings, the bands protagonist, the accordion, proves its versatility, encouraging movement and dance.

The accordion is a perfect alternative to many traditional instruments and an integral and inseparable part of folk music. The accordion allows me to play bass lines and chords, and creates a good groove, Rafeek Gamal, Accordionellas founding members tells Al-Ahram Hebdo. Gamal, who also owns iStudio in Heliopolis, launched the band in 2021.

The accordion is an instrument found across times and sounds," he continues. "Mine has free reeds, frames and bellows. It has a voice. By pressing a key, my piano accordion vibrates between the different reeds. Hence the flute-like sound, alongside the bassoon and the piccolo sounds. It is a great pleasure to bring the accordion back to life in modern times and allow it to be heard differently.

The trio rehearses in iStudio, where they create arrangements of well-known songs and new compositions.

Sadness does not exist at all in our compositions. We opt more for groovy songs, with a lively rhythm, elements of funk, pop, hip-hop, waltz, Latin beats, etc. We always lean towards a playful atmosphere, introducing taqasim [a non-metric improvised solo form in Arabic music] on accordion, guitar and cajon that embed the maqams [a melody type]," explains Accordionellas guitarist, Dany Joseph.

This approach to music is particularly apparent in their instrumental takes on songs such as Habibi Ya Nour El-Ain (My Love, the Light of My Eyes) by Amr Diab, Heya (Her) by Mahmoud El Esseily, Batwaness Beik (I Take Comfort in Your Company) by Warda.

The band also brings its own approach to international songs, such as Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On, or selections from the Western classical repertoire such as Mozart's Symphony No. 40.

The tunes most requested by their fans include John Fogertys I Will Walk With You (in rock and rumba style), the polkas Train and Non Stop (polka), along with Latin-influenced songs; a variety of dancing rhythms and tones, crescendos and decrescendos, intersecting various moods. Currently, the trio is working on a new musical arrangement of Mozart's Turkish March, played to a fast beat.

On stage, the trio dresses in beige pants, blue shirts and fedora hats that give them an air of elegance and adventure. Great explorers of free, unique and independent music, far from deja-vu, Accordionella steers away from restrictions and limitations. Even their instruments and equipment, shaped like carry-on luggage, move just as easily from one venue to the next.



Play, excel, improvise



"The idea of Accordionella was born when I met Ahmed Adel, the troupe's percussionist, while working on a theatre play by Tarek Al-Deweri in El-Hanager," Gamal reveals.

"The play required live music performed on stage. Away from the stage, we started jamming, him on cajon, I on the accordion. People liked our improvisations hence the idea for Accordionella came to our minds. We soon began performing regularly in Merryland Park and Al-Korba Street in Heliopolis during Christmas celebrations, he explains.

Self-taught, Gamal is one of the rare few musicians who take up the accordion; an instrument that has become an integral part of his life.

The accordion is halfway between traditional instruments and electronic keyboards. By playing multiple sounds, hitherto unknown to the accordion, I can bring this instrument to heights that we would never have thought of reaching. It can take its place in the academic repertoire and, at the same time, is capable of adapting all-new musical trends, he adds.

Gamal says that he often draws inspiration from the musical roots of his home city of Minya in Upper Egypt. This influence allows him to express both the most exuberant cheerfulness and the darkest melancholy.

It was at my school and my church in Minya that I started exploring the accordion; I also learned to play this instrument in the street.

Since 2001, Gamal has carved out his own place in the music scene. In his early years, he joined Ayman Fekry's CompuSound studio, one of the most famous studios in Assiut, then worked with the Cairo Steps and the Cairo Celebration Choir (CCC) performing solo.

In 2019, he joined Quadro Nuevo and the Munich Radio Orchestra to compose Servus Habibi. In 2021, he took part in concerts held by the CCC and the Cairokee whose Ya Abyad Ya Eswed (Either White or Black) features accordion.

As Accordionella, Gamal, Joseph and Adel open new doors of creative expression for the accordion to resound across all musical genres.

While the band did not reveal dates of their upcoming concert, they perform at various events and every Monday at Novotel.

*This article was originally published in Al-Ahram Hebdo (French), 8 July 2023.

Translation to English: Ati Metwaly

Additional editing: Ahram Online

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Guwahati, July 15 : : An armed branch inspector was suspended for allegedly sending vulgar text messages to a college girl in Tezpur, officials said on Saturday.

According to a police complaint, the victim received inappropriate text messages from the accused, Lohit Rajbongshi, and as a result, a FIR was filed at the Kacharigaon police station in Tezpur.

As per the victim's accusation against Rajbongshi, the officer used to send the girl explicit texts, which lead the girl to file a complaint against the officer.

On Friday, a video of the cop being reprimanded by the community went viral on social media, forcing him to apologise to the victim girl.

While saying that no deviant behaviour by a cop will be permitted, Assam DGP G.P. Singh reiterated the firm attitude taken by the police department with regards to upholding discipline in the force.

He said that Rajbongshi was suspended and that a departmental inquiry had been ordered. Both actions would take seven working days to complete. He also promised that after the investigation is through, the cop would face harsh punishment.

Singh wrote on twitter: "Reference incident of objectionable text message to a woman by a policeman in Tezpur - Armed Branch Inspector Lohit Rajbongshi has been placed under suspension and a departmental enquiry ordered to be completed in seven working days after which strongest appropriate action shall be taken. No deviant behaviour by a Cop would be brushed under the carpet."
New Delhi, July 15 : Seven stocks, making up close to $ 11tn in market capitalisation today, contributed 73 per cent of returns of the S&P 500 in the first half of 2023, a crescendo to FANG, FAANMG and tech leadership, BofA Global Research said in a report.

These top seven stocks, Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla, are called as the 'Magnificent Seven'.

The Top 7 stocks drove 73 per cent of S&P 500 gains in 1H, each up 90 per cent on average in 1H.

These have a market capitalisation of roughly equivalent to half of US GDP.

They gained $4tn+ YTD, more than GDP growth of Japan (3rd largest economy).

Apple's market capitalisation exceeds that of the entire Russell 2000 index.

Tech, Media, and Telecom (TMT) companies have contributed 30 per cent of S&P 500's earnings growth since 2010.

TMT represents 8 per cent of US GDP, 17 per cent of S&P EPS and 40 per cent of S&P mkt cap, the report said.

On the reasons for market concentration, the report said ultra-low rates and a lackluster economy in the 2010s created the perfect petri dish for idiosyncratic, secular growth and disruptive themes to flourish.

This coupled with market-capitalisation weighted index inflows favoring larger companies, global Tech Wars driving big spend, fiscal support and lighter regulation, a pandemic hastening more tech adoption, e-commerce, cloud, today's nascency-to-maturity theme: AI, and Tech IPOs incubating longer and debuting as hypergrowth mega caps.

"Irrational exuberance, top-heavy markets and speculative bubbles of one sort or another trace back to the 1700s' tulips. In our career, the Nifty 50 of the mid-90s morphed into the Internet Bubble of the late '90s, the Housing Bubble of the 2000s, cryptocurrency of the 2010s," the report said.

Bubbles fueled by excessive leverage, democratisation of markets and rampant speculation tend to end badly. But real disruptors can do well. The 2000 Tech Bubble saw consolidation and relative losses for about a decade but 1 in 5 IPOS of the late 1990s survived and are today's blue chips.

Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at sanjeev.s@ians.in
Mumbai, July 15 : Actress Rakul Preet Singh had a great time recently having fun chat with her fans, regarding her decision to pursue acting as a profession and being good at academics amongst other topics.

Rakul Preet was pleasantly surprised to receive all the love, warmth and support of her fans who came from different cities including Jaipur, Indore and Lucknow to meet her at the event which she attended as a guest.

One of her fans from Delhi presented her with a cute painting made by his daughter focusing on her critically-acclaimed film, 'Chhatriwali'. Reciprocating the love to her young fan, Rakul obliged to the fan's request and thanked his daughter on the video.

Another fan presented her with a big poster of the cult classic 'Mother India'. On the work front, she will be next seen in 'Indian 2' starring alongside Kamal Haasan. She was recently seen in the streaming special 'I Love You' opposite actor Pavail Gulati.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Mumbai, July 15 : Actor-director-producer Farhan Akhtar, who is known for films like 'Rock On!!', 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag', and 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara', is celebrating the 12th anniversary of his road trip film 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara' in which he shared the screen with Abhay Deol and Hrithik Roshan.

The actor took to his social media on Saturday to share a video which shows the key moments from the film.

The video has the song 'Sooraj Ki Baahon Mein' playing in the background.

Farhan wrote in the caption: "On this special day, we raise a toast to 12 years of 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara'. Thank you to the remarkable cast and crew for gifting us a film that celebrated love, friendship, and the zest for life."

In the film, Farhan portrayed the role of Imran, a copywriter who struggles with his internal conflict of meeting his biological father but when he does so, he becomes a better man, who understands the feelings of others and what it feels like to hear sorry from someone who truly means it.

Meanwhile, Farhan will next be directing 'Jee Le Zara' which boasts of an all female cast. The makers are currently busy locking the cast of the film.
New Delhi, July 15 : Actress Shraddha Arya celebrated the six years of completion of the show 'Kundali Bhagya', and thanked everyone for making her character 'Preeta', a household name.

The show features Shraddha, Shakti Anand, Manit Joura, Paras Kalnawat, Sana Sayyad and Baseer Ali.

This family drama explores and brings to life a whole range of emotions as well as the deepest intricacies of human relationships. Since 2017, the chemistry of its lead characters Karan-Preeta has been loved by the viewers. It then comes as no surprise that the show has consistently ruled the viewership charts and won many awards.

With immense love pouring in from the audience, the cast and crew of the show recently celebrated a glorious milestone of six years on the sets of the show. With fans sending in cakes, there were numerous selfie moments amongst the cast and crew of the show.

The showas leading lady Shraddha said, "Honestly, it is truly surreal to be part of an accomplishment like this. For a show to run successfully for six years and remain oneaof the top-rated shows on television is a big deal. As Kundali Bhagya completes its remarkable six-year journey, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and joy".

She further mentioned, "It has been an incredible experience portraying Preeta and being a part of this iconic show. I owe this success to Ekta Ma'am, the creative team, and above all, the viewers of the show. The love and support from our fans has been overwhelming, and I am deeply grateful for their constant encouragement".

Calling aKundali Bhagyaa her second home, and family, she said that she cherishes every moment spent with her co-actors and the dedicated crew.

aThank you all for making Preeta a household name, I promise to continue giving my best and keep you hooked with unexpected twists and turns in the upcoming episodes", she added.

aKundali Bhagyaa airs on Zee TV.
Los Angeles, July 15 : Screenwriter-director John Ridley, best known for writing the Oscar winning 2013 film '12 Years A Slave', is now putting his own spin on the sci-fi alien invasion genre with 'Ministry of Compliance', an upcoming sci-fi thriller for comic book publisher IDW.

Known for his unique writing abilities, John Ridley's style has been critically acclaimed, and this new comic promises to be a thrilling and thought-provoking addition to the genre. The creative team behind the comic also includes colorist Brad Anderson and letterer Ariana Maher, with the main covers being drawn by Raffaele & Anderson, and variant covers by Ryan Sook.

Apart from being an Oscar nominee, Ridley is also an Eisner nominee for his work on 'The Other History of the DC Universe'. An Eisner is essentially the Academy Award equivalent in the world of comic books.

According to 'The Hollywood Reporter', 'The Ministry of Compliance' takes place thirty seven years after Earth was secretly invaded by an alien force called the Devolution, which has been shaping humanity in preparation for our assimilation into its empire."

"The thirteen ministries of the Devolution are responsible for manipulating different aspects of human life, with the Ministry of Compliance being the most feared. Led by Avigail Senna, the Ministry of Compliance ensures all ministries stay in line and focus on the larger mission. As Earth stands on the verge of assimilation, things start to go very wrong, and Avigail must deal with a conspiracy head-on."

Expressing his excitement about working on 'Ministry of Compliance', Ridley said in a statement, "I've been real fortunate to have had many 'phases' in my career, from starting out writing on 'The Martin Show' all the way up to '12 Years' and everything that flowed from it."

Speaking about the leads of the story and its themes, he said, "'The Ministry of Compliance', however, is really about these three trying to figure out who they are, and what they mean to each other which are the basics of human nature. Sometimes it takes 'aliens' to show us a little something about ourselves."

He also added "But there's always going to be part of me which is the kid who fell in love with storytelling by way of comic books. And to be real this is the craft that brings me the most joy."

Comic book fans and those who are fans of Ridley's work can look forward to the release of 'Ministry of Compliance No. 1' on November 15.
Kolkata, July 15 : With an eye on next year's Lok Sabha elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to come to West Bengal in August and attend a number of public rallies in different parts of the state.

This was informed by state BJP President Sukanta Majumdar on Saturday after he returned to Kolkata from Delhi, where he had a meeting with Shah.

During the meeting, Majumdar updated Shah on the continuing violence in the state.

Meanwhile, state BJP sources said that during his proposed visit to the state next month, Shah might stay here for quite some time and address a number of rallies in different parts of the state.

Political observers feel that the proposed visit of the Home Minister just after the panchayat elections is very crucial in the backdrop of the big battle in next year's Lok Sabha polls.

The visit will be critical considering the saffron camp's unsatisfactory performance in the rural polls, especially in the BJP strongholds in North Bengal and the tribal-dominated pockets of Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore.

In such a situation, Shah's visit is probably meant for setting the organisational directions for the state unit of the party, rejuvenating the grassroots level party workers and finalising the strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Soon after the results for the panchayat polls were announced, Shah had tweeted congratulating Bengal BJP for performing "well" despite the unprecedented violence witnessed in the state since the announcement of polling date on June 8.

The state BJP leadership has also claimed that the panchayat poll results were not true reflections of public sentiments.
New Delhi, July 15 : Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj on Saturday wrote a letter to Lt Governor V.K. Saxena, demanding action against Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Ashwani Kumar, and Irrigation and Flood Control Secretary Ashish Kundra.

Bhardwaj alleged the officials deliberately ignored the instructions given by him as well as his cabinet colleague and another Delhi minister, Atishi.

"We have a WhatsApp group named 'Delhi Flood Control - 2023' in which two Ministers, CS Naresh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Ashwani Kumar, Principal Secretary (I&FC) Ashish Kundra, DMs of six affected districts and other important officials are members. All officers and ministers communicate throughout the day on this WhatsApp group.

"At 11.09 p.m. on July 13, I sent a message to Ashwani Kumar (Divisional Commissioner) on the group explaining the need to call NDRF at the earliest. Atishi also suggested calling them. In spite of this, Ashish Kundra and Ashwani Kumar did not follow the directions," read his letter.

The letter further stated that the junior officials of the MCD had no idea about the catchment area of collapsed regulator.

Bhardwaj said that he asked Ashwani Kumar to send the Chief Engineer of MCD to the site but even this direction was ignored.

Later, Atishi asked Ashwani and Ashish Kundra to take help from the Army Engineers' Regiment or NDRF.

Bhardwaj alleged that all these messages were being read by CS Naresh Kumar but he conveniently chose to ignore them.

Bhardwaj has further alleged in the letter that one DM also tried to mislead by claiming that she was at the site but "she was bluffing".

"These are clearly acts of criminal conspiracy against the people of Delhi. These acts are not acts of negligence; these acts appear to be deliberate acts to allow the flooding of sensitive VIP areas of Lutyen's Delhi. This was a conspiracy to embarrass the Supreme Court of India. Therefore I urge you to take action against these officers," his letter read.
Guwahati, July 15 : The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has apprehended as many as 62 foreign nationals, including 18 Rohingyas, for illegally entering India in June, an official said on Saturday.

Sabyasachi De, CPRO of NFR, said: "The illegal migrants were arrested during different drives and checks conducted at various railway stations and trains throughout this zone. Further, during the current month, RPF teams apprehended 30 illegal migrants, which includes 18 Rohingyas and 12 Bangladeshi nationals at Kumarghat, Agartala and Jalpaiguri railway stations."

The apprehended illegal migrants were handed over to the concerned Government Railway Police (GRP) and Border Security Force (BSF) for necessary legal action.

De further said that recently, the RPF of Dharmanagar post along with the police and BSF personnel conducted checks at Kumarghat railway station where they apprehended 12 Rohingyas, which include nine males and three females, including one minor girl, who had illegally entered into Indian territory.

Later, the apprehended illegal migrants were taken into custody by BSF for necessary legal action. Also, another six illegal Rohingya migrants were arrested at Agartala Railway station by the security forces.

Meanwhile, 12 Bangladeshi nationals who entered India illegally were taken into custody from Agartala and New Jalpaiguri railways stations during a routine check by the RPF, the officer mentioned.

"RPF staff deployed at stations and trains are very vigilant and keep a close eye on illegal migrants, Rohingyas and suspected persons," he added.
New Delhi, July 15 : Several top legal counsels of the Congress on Saturday held a meeting to discuss the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) at the party headquarters.

It was decided after the meeting that the party will wait for the draft proposal of the government before taking a stand on the issue.

According to party sources, senior Congress leaders P Chidambaram, Manish Tewari, Salman Khurshid, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Vivek Tankha, KTS Tulsi and L. Hanumanthaiah held a meeting for over UCC.

The meeting of the Congress leaders, who all are senior counsels deliberated over the issue of UCC for over 90 minutes, party sources said.

The source said that during the meeting it was decided that the party will first wait for the draft proposal of the government on the UCC and then decide its stand over the same.

The meeting of the senior counsels of the Congress comes ahead of the Monsoon Session that will begin on July 20 and continue till August 11.

The Rajya Sabha Parliamentary standing committee on personnel, public grievances, law and justice, which is headed by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Modi, on July 3 discussed the UCC during its meeting.

Congress Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore sought to know from the committee, the real intent behind discussing the UCC at a time when several state assembly elections are lined up during the next few months.

It is unlikely that the government will bring the Bill on UCC during the Monsoon Session.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing BJP booth workers in Madhya Pradesh last month had pitched for UCC and said that Muslims were being misled in the name of UCC.

"These days, people are being provoked by the UCC. You tell me, if there is one law for one person in a home, and another law for another person, can that house function?" he asked.

On June 14, the Law Commission published a notice soliciting views and ideas of the public at large and recognised religious organisations about the UCC.

The 22nd Law Commission of India, with regard to reference dated June 17, 2016, sent by the Ministry of Law & Justice, is examining the subject matter of UCC once again seeking the opinions and ideas of the general public.

It states that views and suggestions are to be submitted within 30 days.
The death of Lisa Marie Presley, the singer-songwriter and only child of rock and roll legend Elvis, was caused by a bowel obstruction related to a prior weight loss surgery, medical examiners said.





Presley, who led a tumultuous life in the sprawling shadow of her world-famous father, died in January at age 54 after being discovered unresponsive in her home and rushed to the hospital.

Her cause of death was determined to be "a small bowel obstruction caused by scar tissue that developed after a previous bariatric surgery years ago. The manner of death is natural," the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner said in a statement Thursday.

Bariatric surgery is a stomach-shrinking bypass procedure carried out on those wanting to lose excessive weight.

Presley was found by her ex-husband on January 12, and pronounced dead later that afternoon, the medical examiner said.

The ex-husband, Danny Keough, lived at her property in the celebrity-studded Los Angeles suburb of Calabasas. He performed CPR until paramedics arrived and transported her to hospital, where she was put in an induced coma on life support before dying, TMZ reported at the time.

In addition to Keough, whom she divorced in 1994, Presley had also been married to Nicolas Cage, Michael Jackson and actor-composer Michael Lockwood.

Lisa Marie was Elvis's only child. She previously controlled Elvis Presley Enterprises, although she sold the bulk of shares in the company to a private equity firm in 2005.

She retained control of Graceland, the estate her father owned and where he was found unconscious in August 1977.

Elvis' widow Priscilla Presley reached a settlement in May, following a dispute over an amendment removing her from her daughter's will.

In addition to her mother, Lisa Marie Presley was survived by her daughter Riley Keough, who appeared in "Mad Max: Fury Road," as well as teenage twin daughters Harper and Finley. Her son Benjamin Keough died by suicide in 2020.

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New Delhi, July 15 : The Customs officials have arrested an Uzbekistan national for smuggling 2510 grams valued at Rs 1,16,36,009.

The Customs officials said that the accused was held based on suspicion. He arrived at IGI from Tashkent on July 14.

"He was intercepted after he had crossed the Green Channel and was approaching towards exit gate of International Arrival Hall.

"Subsequently, on thorough checking of his baggage, 2510 grams of Gold was recovered from the from six leather pouches, concealed inside underpant.

"On personal and baggage search of the PAX, recovery of Fifty Seven (57) yellow metal chains, one bracelet and four chain hooks made of gold weighing 2510 grams valued at Rs 1,16,36,009 was recovered," said the official.

The official said that the gold was seized under section 110 of Customs Act. The said passenger was placed under arrest in terms of section 104 of the Customs Act.

Further investigations into the matter is going-on.
Chennai, July 15 : Sitara Ghattamaneni, daughter of Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu and Namrata, said she gave away her first salary from a commercial to a charity.

Along with the preview of a short film titled 'Princess' for a jewellery brand in which she had acted, Sitara also launched the look book for a collection named after her at a five-star hotel in Hyderabad, along with her mother Namrata Ghattamaneni.

Sitara also interacted with the media on this occasion. She said she liked to see movies and was very interested in acting in them, and that she had acquired her confidence from her mother.

She said her father was very happy to see the signature jewellery collection being launched at Times Square, New York, and got emotional when he saw the advertising video.

Namrata, meanwhile, added that their son Gautham might enter films, but is at present engaged in his higher studies.
Jaipur, July 15 : Rajsamand MP and BJP General Secretary Diya Kumari on Saturday demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on moral grounds in wake of alleged rise in harassment cases, murder, rape, and Dalit oppression in the state.

"The Chief Minister is also the Home Minister of the State and has a direct responsibility of such unfortunate incidents taking place one after another in the state," Diya Kumari while addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in Jaipur said.

Kumari was flanked by BJP State Vice Presidents Jitendra Gothwal and Mukesh Dadich.

She expressed concern over the Hindaun incident in Karauli, which sent shockwaves throughout the state.

"In this tragic event, a girl was not only raped and murdered but acid was also poured on her face before being thrown into a well. Regrettably, the police demonstrated negligence in promptly registering the report.

"In response, we staged a protest, demanding action be taken against the police officers and staff responsible for this negligence; however no action has been taken so far," Kumari said.

Kumari also criticised Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, pointing out that while she may visit Hathras for political gain, she failed to visit the victim families in Rajasthan.

"The safety of women is now compromised throughout the state, leading to a pervasive sense of insecurity," she said.
New Delhi, July 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in the national capital after completing his visit to France and UAE.

Modi had embarked on two-day visit to France on July 13 and was received by his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne on his arrival in Paris.

Modi was also conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France's highest award on Thursday by French president Emmanuel Macron.

He is the first Indian prime minister to receive the honour.

During his visit, the Prime Minister on Friday participated in the Bastille Day parade in Paris as the guest of honour.

Among the list of outcomes of Modi's visit to France includes the roadmap of India-France Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Another outcome was the issuance of five-year validity short-stay Schengen Visa for Indians who are degree holders from French educational institutions (Masters and above).

In view of the uptick in defence industrial collaborations between the two countries, India is setting up a Technical Office of the DRDO at its embassy in Paris.

India and France will also constructively engage other like-minded countries to strengthen the negotiations for an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, pursuant to the historic UNEA 5.2 resolution among several others.

After completing his France visit, Modi also visited UAE on Saturday and was warmly welcomed at the airport by UAE's Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This was Modi's fifth visit to the UAE.

Modi held talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the two countries signed several MoUs.

Before leaving for India from his one day visit to UAE, Modi said: "Concluding a productive UAE visit. Our nations are working together on so many issues aimed at making our planet better. I thank HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the warm hospitality."
Bhopal, July 15 : In a shocking incident, two teenage sisters were allegedly confined and sexually assaulted by a group of four schoolmates, including the son of a BJP MLA, in Madhya Pradesh's Datia district.

According to the police, one of the sisters was subjected to gang-rape while the other was molested. One of victims even attempted suicide, however, she was rescued on time by her family members. The incident has triggered outrage within the local community, leading to protests.

Datia district SP Pradeep Sharma said that an FIR has been registered on the basis the statement of the younger sister, who is 17 years old.

The incident took place in the Unnav area of Datia district on Friday.

Three of the accused, all below 18 years of age, have been booked under the relevant IPC sections for gang-rape, wrongful confinement, molestation and also under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

aThree of the four accused have already been detained for questioning. We are waiting for the alleged gang-rape survivor's condition to improve to record her statement," Sharma said.

One of the three detained boys is reportedly the son of a BJP MLA, sources told IANS.

Notably, Datia is the home district of Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra, and the state Congress unit has launched a scathing attack against him.

"Names of BJP leaders are getting linked to most heinous crimes in Madhya Pradesh. Shockingly, this heinous crime took place in the home district of the state's Home Minister, who has maintained complete silence in the matter," tweeted Piyush Bable, a member of the Congress media cell.
Imphal, July 15 : Legendary athlete and Rajya Sabha member P.T. Usha on Saturday appealed for peace and harmony in Manipur, where ethnic violence has claimed the lives of more than 150 people besides injuring over 600 others.

Usha, who's also the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), said in an open letter to the people of Manipur: "Let's heal together, let's progress together, let's bring those smiles back, and let a new day begin, with hope and harmony for a better future.

"Our strength is our unity, our success is our inclusive diversity. Today, let us pledge that we will bring those smiles and warmth back into the hearts and minds of our Manipuri brothers and sisters by dedicating ourselves to welcoming peace and harmony."

Referring to India's mission to the Moon that was launched on Friday, Usha said that India's success story in industrial growth, manufacturing and technology is inspiring the world.

"In our path to development, we are one, we are Indians and Indians are what we all are. My career as an athlete and my humble achievements were celebrated by all, and my medals reflected the ambitions of all Indians," she said.

"The highly-skilled and hardworking Manipuris like M.C. May Kom, Kunjarani Devi, Sarita Devi, Mirabai Chanu, Devendro Singh, Sanjita Chanu, Lourembam Brojeshori, Khumujam Tombi, Likmabam Sushila, Linthoi Chanambam, Laishram Bombayla, Pukhrambam Sushila Chanu, Bala Devi, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Moirangthem Mandakini Devi and Oinam Bembem, and our dear late Dingko Singh, won many medals for the country," she said.

"Their victories and success inspire millions of Indians to excel, and to follow their dreams, and these legends from Manipur are respected as India's precious assets and our crown jewels," the IAO President said.

She also said that as the mother of democracy, India is a nation where people from different castes, religions and languages live in harmony, and progress together in this new era of confident

growth.
New Delhi, July 15 : An Air India senior official was reportedly assaulted by a 'unruly' passenger during a Sydney-Delhi flight that took place on July 9.

The name of the official is believed to be Sandeep Verma, however the Air India has not yet confirmed the name of the official.

According to Air India's statement, a passenger aboard flight AI301, which was operating from Sydney to Delhi on July 9, displayed unacceptable behavior despite receiving verbal and written warnings. This behavior caused distress to other passengers, including one of Air India's employees.

Upon the flight's safe arrival in Delhi, the passenger was handed over to the security agency, and they later issued a written apology. The incident was duly reported to the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), as stated by the spokesperson.

The spokesperson also emphasised Air India's commitment to taking a strong stance against misbehavior, stating that they would pursue the matter to the fullest extent of the law.

The incident comes few days after an FIR was 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

According to the FIR, 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.
Jaipur, July 15 : Four persons including a Congress leader Gopal Kesawat were arrested in Rajasthan on Saturday while accepting a bribe of Rs 18.5 lakh, an official said.

The bribe amount was sought to get a job in the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) recruitment exam. Sikar ACB had received a complaint in this regard from the victim.

The ACB, investigating the matter, revealed that a bribe was demanded for the recruitment of 'Executive Officer' in RPSC. A total of Rs 40 lakh was demanded. Later, the 'deal' was finalised for Rs 25 lakh.

On Friday, brokers Anil Kumar and Brahmprakash were arrested in Sikar for taking a bribe of Rs 18.50 lakh.

Of this, Rs 7.5 lakh was returned to the complainant and he was asked to give this amount to Gopal Kesawat, former chairman of the Rajasthan Pradesh Vimukt, Ghumantu aur Ardha-ghumantu Welfare Board in Jaipur.

On the other hand, brokers Anil Kumar and Brahmprakash reached Sikar on Friday night to give a bribe of Rs 7.50 lakh to broker Ravindra Sharma's son Balram out of the remaining Rs 11 lakh. The ACB also arrested Ravindra.

After this, the complainant went with Rs 7.50 lakh as bribe to be given to Gopal Kesawat, who was also arrested by the ACB on Saturday while accepting the bribe.

During the questioning of the accused, the information about the collusion of any member and officer employee of RPSC has not been revealed.

ACB officials said that the bribe amount had been recovered from the four accused after arresting them. These people asked for money by assuring them to get jobs in RPSC.

Thereafter, the complainant complained to the ACB. On this, ACB's Sikar and Jaipur team executed the trap operation. The ACB team is currently conducting searches at Kesawat's residence and other locations.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Govind Dotasra said: "There is no caste or party of a criminal, Keshawat was already expelled from the party earlier."

Meanwhile, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared a picture of the accused shaking hands with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

In his tweet, he said: "In the picture, Rahul Gandhi is shaking hands with Gopal Kesawat, who has been arrested for accepting a bribe of Rs 18.5 lakh to clear the RAS recruitment exam. Gopal is the former chairman of the State Vimukt, Ghumantu aur Ardhghumantu Welfare Board, who had the status of Minister of State.

"Congress is a corrupt party from bottom to top. As long as the high command continues to get black money, Ashok Gehlot's say will continue to dominate in the state Congress," he said.
Patna, July 15 : Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das who was leading a four-member team to probe the July 13 Bihar cane-charging issue said that the Nitish Kumar-led state government has conspired against the BJP leaders to "brutalise" them.

"Our leaders had not even reached Dak Bungalow Chowk when a cane-charge was initiated on them. The district administration had diverted the route deliberately. One of our workers died in that incident. It was totally a state-sponsored brutalisation of the BJP leaders," Das said.

"The way the cane-charge was initiated, reminded me of the incident during the 'JP movement'. I came to Patna on November 5, 1974. On that day too, cane-charge was initiated. Our central leadership has taken it seriously. We demand a judicial inquiry into the matter," the former Jharkhand chief minister said.

"It was extremely unfortunate that the BJP leaders were peacefully taking out the march and the district administration fired tear gas shells latched with chilli powder on them. This has led to the death of our Jahanabad party worker Vijay Singh," Das said.

Raghuwar Das claimed that over 1,000 BJP leaders were injured in this cane-charge and 300 of them were critically injured.

MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal, Leader of the opposition Vijay Sinha, MLA Amrendra Pratap Singh and other leaders were injured.

The four-member team comprising Raghubar Das, Sunita Duggal, Manoj Tiwari and Vishnu Dayal Ram visited Gandhi Maidan, PMCH, IGIMS and bone hospital at Rajvansi Nagar.
Chennai, July 15 : The police in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore district police are planning to deploy a drone unit over the Bhavani river to prevent people from getting drowned in the water.

The drone unit, according to a senior police officer of the district, will monitor the 40-km stretch between Pillur Dam and Sirumugai to alert people about the flash floods.

The Bhavani River flows through southern Coimbatore, covering 20 villages of the district and in Karamadai, Mettupalayam and Serumugai police station limits.

Two persons have recently died from drowning in the Bhavani river and the Coimbatore district police had constituted a team of trained policemen to monitor the increase in water levels in the Bhavani river.

The team trained by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) used to monitor the water flow in Bhavani river and inform people while releasing water into the river from the Pillar and Sirumugai dam.
On invading Jenin on Monday, Israel claimed it aimed to thwart the infrastructure of armed Palestinian groups affiliated to Palestinian factions in the West Bank, after a series of serious security incidents that took place there recently.

This is the largest operation since the mass invasion of the West Bank as part of Operation Defensive Shield in 2002, two years after the outbreak of the second Palestinian Intifada. The invasion two decades ago targeted all the cities of the West Bank, including Jenin, which the occupation army almost completely demolished.

The army began military operations in Jenin with an opening strike of heavy aerial bombing of allegedly military targets, and a house it claimed housed armed Palestinians. This was followed by the deployment of more than 150 military vehicles including personnel carriers and military bulldozers into the city.

Israeli bulldozers blocked the main streets leading to Jenin Refugee Camp, and erected barricades at main streets to prevent the entry and exit of cars. The occupation army also deployed snipers on the roofs of tall buildings in areas surrounding the refugee camp.

Jenin Refugee Camp is part of the larger city inhabited by about 353,000 Palestinians, and is one of the most densely populated camps in the northern West Bank. Despite repeated incursions by the Israeli occupation army in recent months, Tel Aviv had avoided storming the refugee camp because homes are closely packed and it is difficult to take control on the ground with armed Palestinians fortifying themselves in populated areas in a terrain they are very familiar with.

In a statement, the occupation army said that it does not intend to reoccupy the city of Jenin, nor expand the operation to include other areas in the West Bank, refusing to describe its actions in Jenin as a military operation. Instead, it said it is an intense military effort in the city to debilitate terrorist infrastructure.

A few hours into the invasion, the occupation army announced the seizure of high explosive devices, a launch pad for rockets, weapons and ammunition, and a factory for manufacturing explosive devices. It also said that it bombed a site used by militants in Jenin as an operations centre, and arrested dozens on wanted lists.

The Israeli invasion killed nine Palestinians and wounded more than 80 others, many of them seriously, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Occupation soldiers prevented medical staff and cars belonging to the Palestine Red Crescent from reaching victims and evacuating the injured, especially from inside Jenin camp. The army also directly bombed Al-Amal Hospital in Jenin, and seized two cars belonging to the Red Crescent. The latter urged that pressure should be put on Israel to provide safe passages to remove the wounded from Jenin, noting that the number of wounded and injured is rising.

The Palestinian presidency described the invasion as a war crime, and declared that in the light of Israels non-compliance with the Aqaba and Sharm El-Sheikh understandings, these understandings are no longer valid. It also decided to halt all meetings and contacts with Israel, and end all coordination.

At an expanded meeting of the secretaries-general of factions in the Palestine Liberation Organisation, it also decided to immediately reach out to the UN Security Council for the implementation of Resolution 2334 and the resolution on international protection for the Palestinian people, as well as completing its membership in the rest of UN and international organisations.

Additionally, the organisation called on all Palestinian agencies and bodies to play their part in defending the Palestinian people, without indicating whether this includes engaging with the Israeli occupation army, which is repeatedly storming cities in the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority (PA) also called on families to file cases with the International Criminal Court against occupation forces.

Israeli assessments indicate that security circles in Israel want a limited military operation, because the occupation army does not want to cause significant damage to its forces. Accordingly, it entered the camp quickly and with heavy firepower to eliminate the infrastructure of armed elements in Jenin. Israeli officials do not want escalation to spread to other areas in the West Bank or the Gaza Strip.

Armed Palestinian factions, however, declared they would not allow Israel to pummel Jenin, according to separate statements of the joint chamber of Palestinian factions  an entity that includes the military wings of factions such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad asserted in separate declarations that they had informed mediators they would not allow the occupation army to implement a new formula in Jenin.

Despite the grave risks involved in the Israeli operation in Jenin, the military analyst at Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper Avi Issacharoff doubts the assault will resolve the security problems in the northern West Bank, since the operation is merely a stopgap solution.

Issacharoff noted that the main dilemma facing Israel is that within a few weeks it will find itself once again in an intense military operation in the city, especially in the absence of a real body such as the Palestinian Authority in reference to the absence of any security role for the PA in Jenin.

Mohamed Jarbou, a Palestinian analyst, believes Israel has systematically worked to weaken the PA in the West Bank and create chaos there. However, it has recently realised this was a mistake.

Jarbou told Al-Ahram Weekly that Israels excuse of the PAs inability to control security in some cities in the West Bank is due to repeated incursions into the West Bank, especially the cities of Jenin and Nablus in the north.

Jarbou pointed to the dim political prospects resulting from the policies of successive Israeli governments, their failure to be responsive to the efforts of international parties sponsoring the peace process, and the lack of any genuine will by the US to put pressure on Israel to return to peace. All these factors have undermined the project led by the PA, which calls for a solution based on the 4 June 1967 borders, and East Jerusalem as the capital for the Palestinians.

Jarbou asserted that Israel is merely looking for pretexts to continue its operations against the Palestinians, to cover up the crimes of Judaisation and swallowing up the West Bank with settlement construction, which is currently at a peak.

The new security situation imposed by Israel in the West Bank, especially by once again resorting to fighter jets and large-scale invasions of Palestinian cities, has cast a long shadow on the PAs future as it struggles with a political crisis and grave economic pressures.

Earlier, Israeli officials warned that the collapse of the PA is closer than ever, which prompted the head of Shin Bet Ronen Bar to discuss the matter during his visit to Washington last month. However, despite Israeli fears about the PA collapsing, observers assert Israels policies are accelerating this fate, especially with the policies of Benjamin Netanyahus far-right government.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 6 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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New Delhi, July 16 : The Customs officials have arrested a Nigerian woman at the IGI Airport here for allegedly smuggling 1,511 gm meth valued at over Rs 75 lakh.

The woman concealed the meth in her body, which was retrieved through medical examination, an official said on Saturday.

A Customs official said that the accused was being held based on specific information.

She had arrived at IGI from Addis Ababa.

The official said that after the medical examination, 95 oval-shaped capsules were recovered which were concealed in her body.

This yielded recovery of a psychotropic substance that tested positive for methaqualone, weighing 1,511 gm having an international market value of Rs 75,55,000.

"In view of the above, it was clear that the said passenger has committed an offence punishable under Section 22, 23, and Section 29 of NDPS Act. Accordingly, the passenger has been placed under arrest under Section 43(b) of NDPS Act, while the said psychotropic substance suspected to be methaqualone has been seized along with concealing material under Section 43(a) of NDPS Act," said the official.
Meerut, July 16 : Five people died of electrocution while several others were injured after a vehicle carrying a group of Kanwariyas on Saturday night brushed against a low-hanging high-tension line in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut district.

The incident took place in Bhawanpur's Rali Chauhan village in Meerut, where Kanwariyas were returning with water from the Holy Ganges river in Haridwar.

The high-voltage current charged the vehicle and into the crowd, knocking down the devotees. Locals rushed to the spot and called the power station to shut down the electricity supply.

"Ten kanwariyas were admitted to the hospital. Of them, five died during treatment. Investigations are under way," Meerut DM Deepak Meena said.

The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage of devotees of Shiva. Millions of pilgrims fetch water from Ganga river and carry on their shoulders for hundreds of kilometres to offer it in their local Shiva shrines, or specific temples. The pilgrims, known as kanwariyas, dress in saffron attire, often walking barefoot in a show of devotion.
Bhopal, July 16 : Madhya Pradesh police on Saturday resorted to lathicharge on Congress workers and leaders protesting in Bhopal against alleged irregularities in Patwaris' (revenue officials) recruitment process.

In the police actions, newly-appointed Bhopal district Congress chief Monu Saxena received severe injuries, while several other party workers were also injured. They were rushed to a hospital for treatment.

Demanding a CBI inquiry into the matter, the Congress workers were taking out a protest march from Bhopal's Roshanpura Chowk to Shyamla Hills to gherao Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's official residence.

Aware of the protest, a heavy police force was deployed with multi-layer barricades. The protesters tried to jump the police barricades, which prompted the personnel to use water cannon to disperse them. Fail to control the protesters with water cannons, the police resorted to lathicharge.

During the protest, a scuffle also broke out between some Congress workers and police personnel deployed on duty.

The state Congress office released a video, showing that Saxena was badly injured and was spitting blood while lying on a hospital bed. It condemned the lathicharge on party workers terming it a "barbaric act" of the police.

The Congress also alleged that the police resorted to the lathicharge on the instructions of Chief Minister Chouhan.

State Congress chief Kamal Nath also condemned the "barbarism" meted out to Bhopal Congress workers. "I want to tell the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government very clearly that the people of Madhya Pradesh have made up their minds to uproot the BJP government. Neither the Congress workers nor the people of Madhya Pradesh are afraid of your (Shivraj Singh Chouhan's) atrocities. Each and every worker of the Congress will continue to fight the battle to uproot the misrule with double enthusiasm," Kamal Nath said expressing his anguish on social media.
Jerusalem, July 16 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was sent to hospital on Saturday after he complained of dizziness, his office said.

Netanyahu, 73, is "in good condition and is undergoing a medical examination", Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement released by his office.

"The initial assessment is dehydration," the Sheba Medical Center outside Tel Aviv where Netanyahu was being treated and the Prime Minister office said in a joint statement.

Netanyahu had spent several hours in the heat at the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel on Friday, and complained of slight dizziness on Saturday before he was admitted to hospital, Israeli media quoted the medical centre and his office as saying.

In the evening, Israel's Channel 12 news aired a video statement from Netanyahu made in the medical centre, in which he said, "I feel very good."

"Yesterday (Friday), I was with my wife at the Sea of Galilee, in the sun, without a hat, without water ... not a good idea," he said.

On Wednesday, Israel's Meteorological Service issued a severe heat stress warning, stating that rising temperatures will lead to a "risk of dehydration and heat stroke," especially among the sick and elderly.
kat's Coffeehouse recently opened in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, through Crimson Cup's 7 Steps to Coffee Shop Success program. If you're thinking of opening a coffee shop in Pennsylvania or any other state, call 1-888-800-9224 to reach our startup team. Were excited to share information and resources to help entrepreneurs like you." - Greg Ubert, Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

Want to learn how to open a coffee shop in Pennsylvania? Get tips on starting a profitable business in The Keystone State from coffee shop startup experts at Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea.

Through its 7 Steps to Coffee Shop Success program, Roast magazine's 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year has taught over 400 entrepreneurs across the country how to open their own independent coffee shops.

In 2022, Crimson Cup published a series of startup guides to help entrepreneurs in each state achieve their dreams of opening their own coffee shops.

For 2023, the company's 7 Steps coffee shop startup consulting team has updated its "How to Start a Coffee Shop in Pennsylvania guide with even more tips and resources.

Pennsylvania is a terrific place to start a coffee shop! said Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert.

Currently, the state has only eight coffee chain locations per 100,000 residents. And there are over 5,669 Pennsylvania residents for every existing coffee shop. That leaves many Pennsylvanians without a local coffee shop, especially in the smaller cities and towns.

The 7 Steps program is based on Uberts book, Seven Steps to Success: A Common-sense Guide to Succeed in Specialty Coffee, which he wrote to help coffee shop owners develop profitable businesses by mastering all aspects of successful coffee shop operations.

We help entrepreneurs with little or no coffee experience become owners of thriving coffee shops serving their local communities, he said.

From choosing a terrific location and writing a strong coffee shop business plan to buying and laying out equipment, hiring and training staff and more, our team is here to guide you.

To hear about the book in Uberts own words, download a free recorded introduction on Soundcloud.

Owners of coffee shops in Pennsylvania towns including Altoona, Bedford, Gibsonia, Irwin, Mansfield, Marleysburg, Springs and Trexlertown have learned how to open and run a coffee shop through our coffee shop startup program.

The Java Joint, a drive-through coffee shop located in Trexlertown, marked its 20th anniversary of successful operation on July 12, 2023.

A few months earlier, kat's Coffeehouse opened at 617 Warrendale Road, Suite E, in the Pittsburgh suburb of Gibsonia.

At the shop's April 25 Grand Opening, Owners Kathy and Todd Williams welcomed Allegheny County coffee lovers with a $1 special on all regular-sized specialty coffee drinks.

The new shop invites customers into a warm environment designed by Kathy Williams. Ample seating and free Wi-Fi invite guests to stay while they savor specialty coffee drinks, including espressos, mochas and lattes. A drive-thru window caters to Gibsonia coffee lovers on the go. Locally sourced pastries, subs and ice cream round out the menu.

We want to serve the best coffee and provide an experience that the customer remembers as extremely positive, Todd Williams said. We focus on the details, from lighting to music, fiber internet to fast drive through. And we hire people who truly enjoy the dance of making outstanding specialty coffee drinks that make people happy.

kats Coffeehouse is the latest in a series of enterprises for the couple. Before venturing into coffee, the entrepreneurs made waves in kitchen textile design, the steel industry and retail clothing boutiques.

Kathy has worked in fashion since she started in retail at age 15. Before opening two Kat & Willie clothing boutiques in Pittsburgh, she spent 14 years designing kitchen textiles.

Todd sold more than three million aprons and tea towels designed by Kathy to retail stores such as HomeGoods, TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Earlier in their marriage, he sold steel while Kathy raised their four children.

After the clothing boutiques got off the ground, the serial entrepreneurs needed something new to keep the momentum going. Then, encountering a local coffee shop for sale, they took a chance and made an offer.

The only problem? They had zero coffee experience.

"With no prior experience in the industry, we knew we needed a partner that truly understood coffee," Todd Williams said.

Enter Crimson Cup. The award-winning coffee roaster helps entrepreneurs achieve their dreams of starting and running thriving independent coffee shops.

I was researching coffee providers and got in touch with their amazing 7 Steps coffee shop startup consulting team of Scott Fullerton, Steve Bayless, Heather Syx and Dave Eldridge, Todd said. He then read Ubert's book.

It was apparent from reading the book and talking to the consulting team that the business model Crimson Cup provides works, Todd said.

As part of their due diligence, the couple visited the Crimson Cup Innovation Lab in Columbus, Ohio, where Kathy tasted a cup of black java with no additives. "It was the best cup of coffee Ive ever had! she exclaimed.

That was the deciding factor. "After an exhaustive three-month search, we knew we had found our coffee partner," Todd said.

The 7 Steps team is outstanding, Todd said. Each of them knows this coffee business and shares your joy when you succeed.

"Weekly calls with Steve and Heather and learning from Dave, whom I call the expert of experts, have helped us avoid so many mistakes, he added.

The coffee, roasted by Crimson Cup, is gaining a following among area coffee lovers.

Customers say its amazing, the best coffee theyve ever had. They even compare it to shops in Europe, Todd said.

The company has received 20 five-star Google reviews in just over two months.

This place is awesome! wrote one reviewer. I went for the first time today and was immediately greeted by a man named Todd. He shared with me that he was the owner and was just so kind and welcomed me in! The decor is really fun and cozy. I got an iced latte with oat milk and caramel drizzle, and it was great! Very smooth and not too sweet. They had lots of different options too. Will definitely be going back and bringing friends. Definitely check this place out!

After completing the startup process, Todd had several thoughts to share with others contemplating opening a coffee business.

Don't do it alone! he said. Do it with someone who shares when you win and helps when you need help. Plus, work with a coffee business consultant that instills operations best practices so you can get to be profitable faster than doing it alone or just buying coffee from a roaster with a marketing pitch.

"Most important  if you don't have great coffee and training nothing else matters."

To help entrepreneurs learn about opening coffee shops, Crimson Cup will continue to post an updated state-level guide each week in 2023 until all 50 states are covered.

Although the fundamentals of coffee shop operation remain the same from state to state, the economic opportunities, business formation and licensing requirements vary widely, Ubert said. Were excited to share information and resources to help entrepreneurs expedite their startup journey.

He invited anyone who is thinking of opening a coffee shop in any state to call Crimson Cup for guidance.

If you run into any roadblocks or just want to discuss your vision with a coffee expert, you can reach our startup team by calling 1-888-800-9224.

About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

Founded in 1991, Crimson Cup is at the forefront of the coffee industry. Its attentive roasting, startup support and global partnerships are consciously designed for the greater good of communities around the world. Among other national recognitions, the company has earned 2020 and 2017 Good Food Awards, the 2019 Golden Bean Champion for Small Franchise/Chain Roaster and Roast magazines 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year.

Crimson Cup travels the world searching for the perfect cup  driven by meaningful relationships, honesty and a shared vision for the future. Its Friend2Farmer initiatives foster respect and decency through mutually beneficial collaboration across local and global communities.

Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, the company teaches entrepreneurs how to open and run independent coffee houses in their local communities. By developing a coffee shop business plan, entrepreneurs gain insight into coffee shop startup costs.

Crimson Cup coffee is available through over 400 independent coffee houses, grocers, college and universities, restaurants and food service operations across more than 30 states, Guam and Bangladesh. The company also owns several Crimson Cup Coffee Shops and its CRIMSON cafe and retail store in Easton Town Center. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram.


Last months mutiny by Russian Wagner Group forces may help Turkey and Iran to further their agendas in the Middle East and Africa.

The mutiny of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) last month continues to cast its shadow over Russian domestic and foreign policy.

The statement that Evgeny Prigozhin, leader of the PMC, released on his Telegram channel on 24 June protesting against Moscows strategies and directives in Ukraine and harshly criticising Russias senior military command threw many factors into relief.

Prigozhin is not opposed to the Russian military operation in Ukraine. Like others on the far right in Russia, he wants it to be more aggressive, possibly, in his case, so he can continue to strut around in military uniform.

Above all, the mutiny of the Wagner PMC after Prigozhins criticisms shows how it has evolved into a parallel wing of the Russian army, driving home the extent to which it has become a mainstay of Russian interests in its zones of influence.

As a consequence, Prigozhin has acquired considerable personal influence that may make Moscow think twice before dismantling the Wagner Group.

The Wagner mutiny was over in 24 hours, thanks to the mediating efforts of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin called off his march on Moscow, and the Wagner forces turned in their heavy weapons preparatory to being incorporated into the Russian army.

However, the tensions between Moscow and the Wagner Group have not subsided. Given the growing likelihood that the Russian military authorities will move to dismantle the Wagner Group or at least suspend its activities or cut its incentives, tensions could surge again.

This might induce some countries in the region, especially Iran and Turkey, to attempt to take advantage of the confusion to further their own agendas in areas where they are competing with Moscow for influence.

Tehran and Ankara immediately declared their support for Moscow and the steps it took to quell the Wagner Group mutiny, which was natural in view of the many common political and economic interests the three countries share.

However, this does not mean that Ankara and Tehran may not have seen a window of opportunity to advance their particular agendas following the exposure of a weakness in the Russian military structure.

During the mutiny, Prigozhins forces took over an operations command centre in Rostov-on-Dom and then marched halfway to Moscow without meeting any resistance.

Even though Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the help of partners, succeeded in putting a speedy end to the march, Prigozhins act of defiance may have eroded popular support for him, undermined the Russian Governments campaigns to justify the war in Ukraine, and affected the morale of regular Russian forces, which have been grumbling about the Russian military leadership.

While the Wagner problem may have been formally resolved, problems may continue to lurk beneath the surface.

Syria is one major country in which Russian, Turkish, and Iranian interests overlap. While the three countries have been working together to promote a resolution to the Syrian conflict through the Astana Process, Russia still opposes Turkish military operations in northern Syria.

However, Moscows tensions with the Wagner Group, the backbone of Russian military actions on the ground in Syria, could hamper Moscows ability to pressure Ankara on various political and military concerns in the country.

While Tehran, like Moscow, supports the regime led by Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in Damascus, Moscow opposes Iranian attempts to assert its control over the regime and vital Syrian facilities. Following the Wagner rebellion, Tehran may have greater leeway to bolster its strategic position in Syria.

Wagner forces have been deployed in Syrian oil fields east of Damascus as well as in the area that falls under the Turkish-Russian de-escalation agreement. More than 3,000 Syrian conscripts are reportedly serving under Wagners command in Syria.

Moscows preoccupation with the Wagner crisis, its concerns over the potential repercussions, and the need to fill anticipated gaps on the battle fronts in the light of the reductions in Wagner forces may all also offer Iran and Turkey an opportunity to strengthen their influence in Central Asia at Russias expense.

The Caucasus, situated directly between the three powers, has been a main locus of regional competition.

Turkey will have undoubtedly turned its attention to Libya as well. Wagner forces in the east of the country have long been a thorn in the side of Ankaras attempts to assert its influence over the government in the Libyan capital Tripoli.

Seething tensions between Moscow and the Wagner Group might give Turkey greater manoeuvrability in Libya and strengthen its hand against the agendas of other regional and international players.

An estimated 1,200 Wagner forces support the Libyan National Army (LNA) under the command of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi. Many of them are based at the Al-Khadim Airbase and at other bases in Jufra and Sirte and are equipped with fighter planes and other defence systems. Turkey operates out of the Watiya Airbase near Tripoli and other facilities.

On the other hand, both Turkey and Iran might leap at the chance to export arms to Wagner. A leaked US intelligence report in May revealed that Wagner representatives had met with a Turkish source in February to discuss purchases of Turkish weapons and military equipment.

Possible changes in Russian policies towards Wagners activities in Africa may also open avenues for Turkey and Iran, particularly since reports in Western news outlets have suggested that African leaders are concerned over the future of Wagner PMC operations in their countries.

Wagner PMC has been operating in the Central African Republic (CAR) and several other Sub-Saharan African nations, especially since the withdrawal of French counterterrorist forces from the region.

At a recent press conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov explained that the Wagner forces were in those countries in accordance with contracts concluded directly between their respective governments and Wagner PMC. It was up to the leaders of those countries to determine the future of the contracts, he said.

After the French military withdrawal from Central and West Africa, Turkey and Iran stepped up their efforts to increase their influence in the region. Turkey has been using defence and armaments deals towards this end, while Iran has been trying to build networks of influence through the Sufi orders and Shia currents in the region.

A shakier Wagner position in Africa and a shaken Russian image as a result of Wagners brief rebellion may be conducive to Ankaras and Tehrans strategic agendas in Africa as well as in other regions.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 13 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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In Flee North (Celadon, Sept.), journalist Shane spotlights Thomas Smallwood, a free Black man living in Washington, D.C., who led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom in the 1840s.

What was radical about Smallwoods operation?

The hope was that, in addition to freeing those particular people, each escape would demoralize the slaveholders and undermine the enslaver system by making it uncertain and unprofitable. And the U.S. Capitol is right there. Some of the people he was helping to escape were actually escaping from members of Congress or the Cabinet. So it was sending a very direct message.

Which he amplified in letters to an abolitionist newspaper in Albany, N.Y. What was unique about them?

They constitute a very unusual kind of literary work, an unusual work of satire. And theyre unique in terms of being real-time accounts of escapes from slavery. The core aim of these dispatches is to mock the slaveholders, and to ennoble the people escaping slavery. It was really a turning of the tables. He would portray the slaveholders as a dim-witted bunch who were easy to outsmart.

Why did the dispatches cause such an uproar among Washingtons elite?

Hes taking advantage of his social invisibility and turning it into a kind of superpower. White people are having conversations around him in public and paying no attention to this shoemaker whos there. And so he is able to hang out and take notes. He very much wants to send the message that I am among you, Im exposing your crimes. Im exposing your use of violence against the people you enslave. Im exposing you raping the women you enslave. He writes about all that. He gets the paper to mail a copy of each issue to the slaveholders who are mentioned. He even describes, at one point, witnessing a slaveholder reading about himself in the paper, and losing it because hes so furious at whats happening to him.

Readers may be surprised to learn that the phrase underground railroad started as a joke.

Researching this book, I stumbled upon the solution to a 150-year-old mystery, which is where this term underground railroad comes from. Well, it turns out it comes from Thomas Smallwood. According to him, a notorious slavecatcher was overheard exclaiming in frustration that the escapees must be leaving by underground railroad or steam balloon.

At that point, those were futuristic, nonexistent modes of transportation. In other words, hes just expressing his frustration. Smallwood got wind of this and starts riffing on it. A lot of these letters are framed as consolation to the bereaved slaveholders. So, he starts advising these enslavers to go to the Office of the Underground Railroad in Washington for further information about their lost loved ones. It becomes a running joke, and others pick up on it.


Authors have now joined the growing ranks of concerned creators suing tech developers over their much-hyped generative AI technology. And a pair of copyright class action suits recently filed on behalf of authors is raising broader questions about the most effective way to protect creators and creative industriesincluding authors and publishersfrom the potentially disruptive aspects of AI.

Filed on June 28 and July 7 by the Joseph Saveri Law Firm on behalf of five named plaintiffs (Mona Awad and Paul Tremblay in one case, and Christopher Golden, Richard Kadrey, and comedian Sarah Silverman in the other), the suits claim that Microsoft-backed OpenAI (creators of ChatGPT) and Meta (creators of LLaMA) infringed the authors copyrights by using unauthorized copies of their books to train their AI models, including copies allegedly scraped from notorious pirate sites. While the authors attorneys did not comment for this story, a spokesperson for the firm suggested to Ars Technica that, if left unchecked, AI models built with stolen works could eventually replace the authors they stole from, and framed the litigation as part of a larger fight for preserving ownership rights for all artists and creators.

The authors join a spectrum of increasingly concerned creators on whose behalf the Saveri law firm has filed similar copyright-based lawsuits in recent months. In November 2022, the firm filed suit against GitHub on behalf of a group of software developers. And in January, the firm sued three AI image generators on behalf of a group of artists. Those cases are still pendingand, like most copyright cases involving new technology, they have divided copyright experts. Those who lean in favor of the tech side claim that using unlicensed copyrighted works to train AI is fair use. Those on the content creator side argue that questions of ownership and provenance cannot simply be waved away without major, far-reaching implications.

Neither Meta nor OpenAI has yet responded to the author suits. But multiple copyright lawyers told PW on background that the claims likely face an uphill battle in court. Even if the suits get past the threshold issues associated with the alleged copying at issue and how AI training actually workswhich is no sure thinglawyers say there is ample case law to suggest fair use. For example, a recent case against plagiarism detector TurnItIn.com held that works could be ingested to create a database used to expose plagiarism by students. The landmark Kelly v. Arriba Soft case held that the reproduction and display of photos as thumbnails was fair use. And, in the publishing industrys own backyard, theres the landmark Google Books case. One lawyer noted that if Googles bulk copying and display of tens of millions of books was comfortably found to be fair use, its hard to see how using books to train AI would not be, while also cautioning that fair use cases are notoriously fact-dependent and hard to predict.

I just dont see how these cases have legs, one copyright lawyer bluntly told PW. Look, I get it. Somebody has to make a test case. Otherwise theres nothing but blogging and opinion pieces and stance-taking by proponents on either side. But I just think theres too much established case law to support this kind of transformative use as a fair use.

Cornell Law School professor James Grimmelmannwho has written extensively on the Google case and is now following AI developments closelyis also skeptical that the authors infringement cases can succeed, and concurred that AI developers have some powerful precedents to rely on. But he is also a little more sympathetic in principle to the idea that some AI models may be infringing. The difference between AI and Google Books is that some AI models could emit infringing works, whereas snippet view in Google Books was designed to prevent output infringement, he said. That inflects the fair use analysis, although there are still a lot of factors pointing to transformative use.

 Somebody has to make a test case. Otherwise theres nothing but blogging and opinion pieces and stance-taking by proponents on either side. 

Whether the AI in question was trained using illegal copies from pirate sites could also be a complicating factor, Grimmelmann said. Theres an orthodox copyright analysis that says if the output is not infringing, a transformative internal process is fair use, he explained. Nevertheless, some courts will consider the source, he added, noting that the allegedly unsavory origins of the copies could factor into a courts fair use analysis.

In a June 29 statement, the Authors Guild applauded the filing of the litigationbut also appeared to acknowledge the difficult legal road the cases may face in court. Using books and other copyrighted works to build highly profitable generative AI technologies without the consent or compensation of the authors of those works is blatantly unfairwhether or not a court ultimately finds it to be fair use, the statement read.

Guild officials go on to note that they have been lobbying aggressively for legislation that would clarify that permission is required to use books, articles, and other copyright-protected work in generative AI systems, and for establishing a collective licensing solution to make getting permissions feasible. A subsequent June 30 open letter, signed by a whos who of authors, urges tech industry leaders to mitigate the damage to our profession by agreeing to obtain permission and compensate writers fairly for using books in their AI.

But a permissions-based licensing solution for written works seems unlikely, lawyers told PW. And more to the point, even if such a system somehow came to pass there are questions about whether it would sufficiently address the potentially massive issues associated with the emergence of generative AI.

AI could really devastate a certain subset of the creative economy, but I dont think licensing is the way to prevent that, said Brandon Butler, intellectual property and licensing director at the University of Virginia Library. Whatever pennies that would flow to somebody from this kind of a license is not going to come close to making up for the disruption that could happen here. And it could put fetters on the development of AI that may be undesirable from a policy point of view. Butler said AI presents a creative policy problem that will likely require a broader approach.

On that score, there is growing agreement that the potential threat posed by AI to creators must be addressedand with urgency. The striking writers of the Writers Guild of America (now joined by SAG-AFTRA, who went on strike on July 13) are at the forefront of pushing for guardrails on the use of AI via their labor contracts, for example. And this week, the Washington Post reported that the Federal Trade Commission is probing OpenAI for potential breaches of consumer protection law, sending the company some 20 pages of questions and record requests about its practicesincluding about how the company obtains the data it uses to train its AI.

Such approaches are more likely to yield progress for creators than copyright infringement litigation, lawyers told PW, though copyright law will certainly inform the debate. Copyright law is not a good place to look for comprehensive solutions to big policy problems, Grimmelmann said. But it enables us to ask important questions.
Social media is awash in travel photos trumpeting what appears to be a return to business as usual. PW asked the folks on the groundguidebook publisherswhether their experiences match what were all seeing in our Instagram feeds.

Jaimee Callaway, v-p and associate publisher at Avalon Travel, home of the Rick Steves and Moon guides, is unequivocal in her market assessment. Travel is really, truly, fully back, she says. People are out there again in full force, especially in Europe, and theyre buying guidebooks.

Circana BookScan sales figures hint at the shift: while print unit sales of adult nonfiction overall were down 5% for the first half of 2023 compared with the first half of 2022, print unit sales of travel books during that time period were up 6%.

Other publishers share Callaways optimism. European destinations are coming back massively, says Georgina Dee, publishing director at DK Travel. Pauline Frommer, copresident and editorial director at FrommerMedia, says her company underestimated the strength of the revival. We didnt print enough on a wide range of titles and have gone back to press multiple times, she says. Its been kind of crazy.

Many forthcoming releases represent the first updated editions their publishers have released since travel restrictions eased significantly. The pace of growth this year may have been a pleasant surprise, but the direction was entirely expected. European destinations dominate the catalogs of the publishers PW spoke with, with an emphasis on much-needed revisions of existing guides.

Open skies

Rick Steves is exhilarated and not just because, per BookScan, half of the years 10 bestselling travel titles to date bear his name. The travelers are back, Steves says, and so is his network of researchers and coauthors, who waited until spring 2022 to head back out into the fieldfor safety reasons and also because their information would have been outdated once the health emergency was over.

The first fruits of those renewed efforts are just starting to hit the market, and reflect a new reality. Because the crowds in Europe rival those of the before times, updated editions emphasize tips for navigating the fray. For example, regardless of whether the Alhambra or the Eiffel Tower requires a reservation or advance purchase for admission, Steves says, Youd be crazy to show up without a ticket.

Rick Steves Pocket guides, geared toward travelers staying less than a week in a city, have begun rolling out with substantial updates and refreshed covers ahead of schedule, Callaway says, thanks to improved shipping timelines. Junes Pocket London will be followed by August books on Barcelona and Florence. Fall updates to the Best of country series, designed for a one- to two-week stay, include Spain and France (Sept.) and Italy and Ireland (Nov.).

Apa Publications, home of Rough Guides and Insight Guides, has 44 titles due out between August and January, including a handful of new Mini Rough GuidesBudapest, Gran Canaria, Reykjavik, and Vienna. But the majority of forthcoming titles are updates, says managing director Agnieszka Mizak, and given all the changes since guidebook writers were last out in the field, those updates are taking about 20% more time than they did before.

The extra effort is necessary, says Apa CEO Rene Frey. Demand for European destinations is coming back hugely. All updated editions and new publications include more information about sustainable travel, he adds, with an emphasis on appealing to a variety of traveler interests. In September, Apa is releasing The Rough Guide to Top LGBTQ+ Friendly Places in Europe, a photo-packed compilation of 20 destinations that celebrate queer culture. Divided seasonally, the entries include a winter Pride festival in Stockholm and a summer arts and electronic music festival in Puglia, Italy.

At Moon, editor-in-chief Grace Fujimoto reports fewer first editions than usual and an emphasis on more thorough revisions. We really needed to regroup, she says. Moon, which historically focused on Asia and the Americas, launched its European list in 2019 to a strong start only to watch sales evaporate in 2020. Those destinations began taking off again in spring 2023. We were surprised by how strong the urge was to get back to Europe, Fujimoto says. Its been gratifying to see.

In addition to updated editions, the imprint is releasing two new titles. Moon Best of Greece (Nov.) by Joanna Kalafatis, a travel blogger, and Sarah Souli, a journalist in Athens, delineates seven- to 10-day itineraries. In December, Moon Norway by Norwegian author Lisa Stentvedt, who previously contributed to Fodors Essential Norway, will replace an earlier publication from 2019 written by British expat David Nickel. Stentvedts Moon Guide contains more outdoor activities than Nickels, based on the expectation that the current vogue for wide-open spaces will continue.

Grand tour

Like other publishers PW spoke with, FrommerMedia is concentrating on updating its existing collection, moving to a full-color format in the process. The publisher initially thought travelers would remain wary of international travel and as a result focused on U.S. guides. But what were finding is that no, people really want to go to the bucket list destinations, says copresident Pauline Frommer. They want to go to Europe.

Six of Frommers 14 fall updates are to European guides, including, in November, the chunky Frommers Italy 2024, totaling more than 800 pages. Contributors include Elizabeth Heath (The Architecture Lovers Guide to Rome) and Stephen Keeling (Frommers Family Travel Guide to Tuscany and Umbria).

Piers Pickard, managing director at Lonely Planet, notes that many titles are selling heavily even outside their typical seasons. Weve been surprised by the desire this year for the big trips or the dream trips.

New ventures for the publisher include the forthcoming Best Bike Rides series, which is aimed at recreational cyclists. We dont see any slowdown in peoples interest in wellness while theyre traveling, Pickard says. The guides contain more practical information than the coffee-table Epic Bike Rides books (see 6 New Bucket List Travel Guides) and go on sale beginning in October with destinations including Italy, France, and Great Britain.

Hardie Grants city-centric Curious Travel Guides have taken urban explorers to Italy (2019s Lost in Florence), Denmark (2020s Hygge Travels in Copenhagen), and elsewhere. In September, with Beyond the Cobblestones in Dublin, the series alights on the Emerald Isle. Author Fiona Hilliard, a Dublin local, maps out half-day and full-day itineraries aimed at a contemporary touristthink brunch spots and sustainable design boutiques, though good old-fashioned pubs get their due.

Hardie Grant's sibling imprint, Quadrille, launches its Rainy Day series in August with guides to London and Edinburgh. Isabelle Aron, formerly an editor at Time Out London, gathers 100 spots to seek shelter from the English elementsvenerable cultural institutions, hidden booze dens, and even a Victorian-era brolly shop. In Rainy Day Edinburgh, travel journalist Mike MacEacheran gives the Scottish capital similar treatment.

DKs Like a Local series expands its city roster to include Rome in September. The slim hardcover groups attractions by theme rather than locationeat, drink, shop, arts and culture, nightlife, and the outdoorscapping each with a neighborhood walking tour.

Also in September, DK is releasing a color-saturated revamp of Where to Go When: Great Britain and Ireland, after the 2019 overhaul of the flagship title in the series. The month-by-month guide would have been released sooner were it not for Covid, Dee says.

Travel is in this emotionally charged space right now where people are either returning to a place they really love or trying something completely new, she explains. Either way, according to Dee and others, the compass points to Europe: All the classic destinations are back.

Jasmina Kelemen is a freelance writer in Houston.

Read more from our Travel Book feature:

Baggage Claim: PW Talks with Shahnaz Habib

The author of 'Airplane Mode' (Catapult, Dec.) reconsiders what it means to be a "bad traveler."

6 New Bucket List Travel Guides

New books help readers check off all their dream destinations and activities.

6 New Special Interest Travel Guides for Film Buffs, Gardeners, and More

In these forthcoming titles, the journey is the destination.
Once known as a success story of the Arab Spring, Tunisia is now making headlines for its anti-black African policies and mass expulsion of sub-Saharan migrants and asylum-seekers.

According to the international NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW), Tunisian security forces have expelled several hundred black African migrants including children and pregnant women to a remote and militarised buffer zone on the Tunisia-Libya border since 2 July.

They include people with both regular and irregular status in Tunisia who were rounded up in and around the port city of Sfax in the southeast of the country.

The Mediterranean city is an attraction point for black African migrants and asylum-seekers of West African region who benefit from visa-free status in Tunisia.

Black Africans in Tunisia have been the subject of sporadic racist assaults for years, but this escalated in recent months following a speech by Tunisian President Kais Saied five months ago in which he called for urgent action to halt sub-Saharan migration to the country.

In a speech in February, Saied charged that undocumented immigration from sub-Saharan African countries to Tunisia was part of a criminal plan designed to change the countrys demographic composition.

The successive waves of irregular migration to Tunisia are a criminal plan designed to consider it solely African with no affiliation to the Arab or Islamic nations, he said.

The statements triggered racist attacks against sub-Saharan Africans in Tunisia accompanied by robberies, evictions, and job losses as residents of Sfax campaigned for African foreigners to leave the country.

These escalated to the recent attacks against black migrants and clashes between them and Tunisians. Last week a Tunisian man was killed in Sfax, and a migrant from the West African state of Benin was killed in May.

The World Bank, a major donor to Tunisia, has said it has paused future work with the North African country until further notice in response to Saieds speech, and the African Union (AU), of which Tunisia is a member, has urged Tunisia to avoid racialised hate speech.

The AU said it had summoned the Tunisian representative to the organisation for an urgent meeting to register its deep shock at Saieds remarks. Both the Tunisian Foreign Ministry and presidency responded with statements denying the accusations, the latter insisting that Saieds speech had been maliciously interpreted.

Even so, the crackdown on sub-Saharan migrants has continued in full force. Videos circulating on social media in early July depicted groups of Tunisian men threatening black Africans with batons and knives, and in other videos security officers were seen shoving them into vans while people cheered, HRW said in a statement this week.

An investigation by HRW estimated that Tunisian security forces have expelled between 500 to 700 people to a dangerous area on the Tunisian-Libyan border with little food and no medical assistance.

At least six of those expelled were asylum-seekers registered with the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, and at least two adults had consular cards identifying them as students in Tunisia.

People interviewed by the international rights group said they had been arrested in raids by police, national guard, or military in and around Sfax, before they were transported 300 km to the Libyan border where they were effectively trapped in what they described as a buffer zone from which they could neither enter Libya nor return to Tunisia.

The expelled migrants told HRW that several people had died or been killed at the border area between 2 and 5 July, including some shot and others beaten by the Tunisian military or national guard.

They alleged that Libyan men carrying machetes or other weapons had robbed some people and raped several women, either in the buffer zone or after they had managed to cross into Libya to look for food.

Saied, a retired professor of constitutional law, was elected president in 2019 on an independent, pan-Arab leaning platform that revealed little about his conservative politics. In 2021, he consolidated his power by suspending the constitution, dissolving parliament, and then arresting the parliaments speaker and opposition figures.

While his popularity was affected by these measures, Tunisians have grown more discontented with the countrys crippling economic crisis, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the fallout from Russias war on Ukraine.

Critics say that Saieds anti-black African narrative is meant to deflect attention from the growing economic crisis in the country while scapegoating migrants who account for 0.5 per cent of Tunisias population.

The country is seeking a $4 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and had reached a staff-level agreement with the Washington-based lender. However, the IMF board did not approve the deal, planned for December 2022, as prior government actions were not met.

In June, the international ratings agency Fitch Ratings downgraded Tunisias credit-rating on concerns that it was struggling to meet IMF requirements to clinch a financing deal.

According to Jean-Pierre Cassarino, an expert on international migration in the Maghreb and North Africa region, officially documented migrants from sub-Saharan Africa number around only 21,000 persons out of a total immigrant population of around 58,000.

In addition to visa-free agreements between Tunisia and a number of West African countries, there are also several bilateral university agreements that often make Tunisia an attractive destination for sub-Saharan students who have obtained scholarships or who wish to continue their training in Tunisian universities.

However, even students with regular status in Tunisia can be rendered irregular due to the countrys cumbersome bureaucracy.

Other migrants come to Tunisia to work or to attempt to cross to Europe from its Mediterranean shores. Due to the unofficial nature of these migrants, there are no precise figures, but at least 23,328 irregular migrants were intercepted by Tunisian authorities trying to cross to Europe in 2021.

Following the death of a Tunisian man earlier this month in clashes with sub-Saharan migrants in Sfax, Saied reiterated his statements against black African migrants.

Tunisia is a country that only accepts people residing on its territory in accordance with its laws, he said. It does not accept to be a transit or settlement zone for people arriving from numerous African countries.

In contrast to its intolerance of black African migration, Tunisias migrant policy is quite open with European immigrants and very restrictive with non-EU citizens, Cassarino said.

On the ground, Tunisias approach to migration and migration rights oscillates between the need to comply with international standards and the necessity to maximise the benefits of its citizens living abroad, such as remittances or the transfer of skills acquired abroad.

This means it needs to try to keep its migration policies quite open. At the same time, it wants to act as a credible player in the fight against irregular migration in its interactions with the European Union and its member states. This means that Tunisia needs to show it can cooperate with the EU and its member states as well as control its own borders, he said.

According to Avocats sans Frontieres (ASF), an organisation providing legal aid to asylum-seekers and migrants, at least 840 black African migrants, students, and asylum-seekers have been rounded up in cities in Tunisia since Saieds speech in February.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 13 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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The following is a condensed version of "The Emperor's Tutor" by Ralph L. DeFalco III, published at Law & Liberty.

In 1988, Wang Huning was a well-known political scientist and Professor of International Affairs at Chinas Fudan University. That same year, Wang embarked on a trip that took him to the United States as a visiting scholar and across the country to more than thirty cities and more than twenty colleges and universities. His account of that journey, America Against America, is an assessment of the historicalsocialcultural conditions that created and still shape the American political landscape and its system of governance and economics.

Wangs observations and judgments have also influenced generations of Chinese leaders and bureaucrats; thirty years after its first publication in 1991, the book is still widely read. In that time, Wang has risen to prominence as a close confident to the succession of Chinas paramount leadersthe Emperors Tutor to General Secretaries Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, and now to Xi Jinping. Wang is today the fourth ranking member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and likely the principal architect of Chinas political ideologies and domestic and foreign policies. Those ideologies and policies are influenced by Wangs experiences in the United States.

America as Allegory

On one level, America Against America reads like a travel diary composed of recollections and first impressions. Wang makes superficial assessments and snap judgements that echo long-standing critiques of the social ills of the United States. This is a broader reflection of what Chinese scholars and politicians thought of the United States in the 1980s. That jaundiced view of the country is reinforced by Wangs narrative. Then too, in the later 1980s and early 1990s, there was no room in Chinese political discourse for outright criticism of Chinas policies or political order. Often-times, critics of Beijings policies, or advocates of changes to policy made subtle, even allegorical arguments in their writing.

America Against America, then, reflects a great degree of political circumspection. Wangs book was never intended for a U.S. audience but written instead for Chinese political science scholars and students and even more directly for Chinas political leaders. Wang wanted his book to burnish his reputation as a Communist thinker, party loyalist, and neo-conservative. By this time in his career Wang is also likely to have begun to aspire to power and to higher offices in the party. Wang avoided any criticism of Chinese policies that would either provoke ire or jeopardize his growing political ambitions.

In America Against America, Wang argues he is fulfilling his obligation as a Chinese scholar with a dual responsibility to study both the Chinese phenomenon and the American phenomenon, so that he can better understand himself and the world, and better explore the path to Chinas strength. His claim then to use the case study of the United States to promote our understanding of capitalism and, indirectly, socialism as well, should be taken at face value. America Against America is Wangs view of the growing schisms in the American polity, the inequities of democracy, the contradictions inherent in the capitalist mode, and a warning to the liberalizing elements in the CCP of what China could become.

Values, Order, and Stability

Throughout America Against America, Wang repeatedly argues Americans will continue to lose faith with many of the core values of their society and culture. He cites as evidence for this the dissolution of the extended family, new expressions of sexual freedom, an increasingly secular society, a sense of alienation engendered by the rise of technology, and a nihilism that has replaced a broader and explicit morality. The freedom of choice exercised by each individual, Wang argues, makes it impossible for American society to perpetuate its core values in a value-unified nation.

For Wang, and for his audience of CCP leadership, this leads to a troubling question of how to maintain order and stability. How can there be true harmony when everyone wants to have individualism and private spheres, Wang writes. Individualism and private domains are important values in American society, but are they beneficial and harmless within any limits?

Wang, with the publication of America Against America, was cautioning against the loss of core values. Wang understood that social and economic development cannot be achieved without the spirit of innovation . . . in a society that encourages and accepts new and innovative ideas. At the same time, the continuity of values is essential for any society, otherwise social stability is unsustainable. But the volatile free market of new ideas is filled with the potential for discord and disagreement and always threatens to push aside old values. The question, Wang decided, is how to separate value continuity from technological and material innovation so that value continuity ensures the development of the latter, and the development of the latter strengthens value continuity and transmission?

In the pages of America Against America, that question is left unanswered. Perhaps, it will only be answered by a historicalsocialcultural work not yet written: China Against China.

Dr. Ralph L. DeFalco III, is a 25-year veteran of the US Navy and retired in the rank of Captain. His assignments included tours at the Office of Naval Intelligence, Defense Intelligence Agency, on the staff of the Director of Naval Intelligence, and as Deputy Director of Intelligence, National Joint Operations and Intelligence Center. He is a graduate and former member of the faculty of the National Intelligence University and served previously as Fleet Professor, United States Naval War College. His articles, essays, and reviews have appeared in the pages of publications including the Naval Institute Proceedings, International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, International Journal of Intelligence Ethics, and The National Strategy Forum Review, and H-net. The views expressed here are only those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the US Government.
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The Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections has delayed their vote to change polling locations and precincts for the March 2024 presidential primary. The vote, which was scheduled to take place at the boards July 11 meeting, was delayed until August.
IMAGE: Vehicles ply on a waterlogged road after the water from the swollen Yamuna river reaches Yamuna Bazar in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

After wreaking havoc on lives and livelihoods in parts of Delhi, the level of the swollen Yamuna on Saturday followed a downward trend, allowing authorities to open roads and ease traffic movement as floodwaters receded from many areas.

However, a blame-game erupted between the ruling AAP and the BJP which held each other responsible for the flood in the national capital.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the water level of the Yamuna is receding slowly and the situation will normalise soon if there is no more heavy rain, but added that threat of flood is not over yet.

The situation in the national capital's flooded areas is improving, according to the Delhi government.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), however, predicted moderate rain in the city over the next two days and "heavy to very heavy" rainfall over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh during the next five days.

According to the Central Water Commission's flood-monitoring portal, the Yamuna's water level declined to 206.87 metres by 7 pm on Saturday from its peak of 208.66 metres at 8 pm on Thursday. On Saturday, at 7 am, the water level was 207.62 metres.

With the flow rate from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana's Yamunanagar decreasing over the past two days, further decline is expected. However, the water level of the Yamuna is still above the danger mark of 205.33 metres.

The normal water supply in the city, which was affected due to flooding in WTPs, is likely to be restored on Sunday as the chief minister said that water treatment plants (WTPs) at Wazirabad and Chandrawal will be started by Sunday.

Several roads in the national capital which were shut for vehicular movement were opened on Saturday, even as traffic regulations are still in effect on some road stretches.

According to an advisory issued by the traffic police, Boulevard Road - slip road - service road - left turn under Yudhishthira Setu - Ring Road, Chandgi Ram Akhara to Mukarba Chowk Carriageway and Chandgi Ram Akhara to IP College both carriageways have been opened for traffic movement,

Bhairon Marg from Mathura Road to Ring Road carriageway, Vikas Marg from ITO to Laxmi Nagar both carriageways, Nishad Raj Marg from Shanti Van to Geeta Colony both carriageways have also been opened, the advisory added.

The road stretches that still remain shut for movement, include Ring Road - Majnu Ka Tilla ISBT - Shanti Van - IP flyover to IP Depot both carriageways, Ring Road - IP Depot to IP flyover to ISBT carriageway, Salim Garh bypass, Old Iron Bridge Pusta to Shamshan Ghat, Outer Ring Road - Mukarba Chowk to Wazirabad carriageway and Ring Road from Shanti Van to Rajghat and towards ISBT.

The Kashmere Gate ISBT remains closed, police said.

Delhi minister Atishi said the Public Works Department (PWD) has started pumping out water, cleaning roads and opening them up for traffic movement in view of a fall in the Yamuna's water level.

The PWD minister also said that the Kashmiri Gate ISBT and Bhairon Marg have been opened for vehicular traffic.

In the Kashmere Gate area, at least 12 people stuck in a hostel were brought to safety by police and NDRF teams, a police official said

Chief Minister Kejriwal on Saturday deputed ministers at six flood-affected districts to ensure proper facilities at relief camps set up by the Delhi government.

He gave the charge of South-East district to Home Minister Kailash Gahlot, East district to Saurabh Bharadwaj, North-East district to Revenue Minister Atishi and North district to Social Welfare Minister Raaj Kumar Anand, according to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office.

Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain will look after camps in the Central district, while Environment Minister Gopal Rai has been given the charge of Shahdara district, it said.

Delhi Chief secretary Naresh Kumar also issued an order deploying senior IAS and DANICS officers to supervise and help district magistrates in the relief and rehabilitation work.

However, Bharadwaj alleged that flood in the city was caused under a conspiracy by the BJP-led Centre and the Haryana government.

Addressing a press conference here, he said it has not rained in Delhi in the last three-four days, yet still the water level in Yamuna reached 208.66 metres.

"The water from Hathnikund Barrage is released from three canals -- Western Canal, Eastern Canal and Yamuna. As part of a conspiracy, between July 9 and 13, water was released from Yamuna canal only towards Delhi. There was no water released through the Western and Eastern Canal," he claimed.

The BJP hit back at the AAP, alleging that inaction and corruption of the AAP government was responsible for the flood in Delhi and asked Chief Minister Kejriwal to apologise to the people for "failing" to handle the situation.

Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia and party MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma alleged that the flood was caused by lack of desilting of the Yamuna in the last eight years of the Kejriwal government.

Later, Bharadwaj wrote to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena expressing concern over the handling of the recent flooding and accusing senior officials of deliberately ignoring the urgent calls and messages sent by ministers during the crisis.

Senior officials, including Divisional Commissioner Ashwani Kumar, expressed disappointment over elected representatives targeting officers who have been working "tirelessly" to bring the flood situation in the city under control.

Atishi also wrote to the chief secretary and raised concern over the absence of basic facilities such as drinking water and toilets in relief camps.

In her letter, she also alleged that the divisional commissioner did not respond to her calls.

Ashwani Kumar, however, said he had been attending Atishi's calls.

Terming her behaviour "unfortunate", he suggested that her actions were politically motivated.

Kejriwal appealed to people of the city not to take selfies or swim in flooded areas as it could be fatal and said the threat of floods was not over yet.

His appeal came a day after three boys drowned in a ditch while bathing in floodwaters in northwest Delhi's Mukundpur Chowk area.

In reference to the ITO barrage, where five of the 32 gates are jammed, obstructing the drainage of water out of Delhi, Bharadwaj on Saturday evening said that a Naval team has arrived from Mumbai.

"I welcomed Naval team that has arrived from Mumbai. It's raining heavily now, so work of Navy will start from tomorrow," he tweeted

The city has been grappling with waterlogging and flooding issues for a week now. Initially, a downpour caused intense waterlogging on July 8 and 9, with the city receiving 125 per cent of its monthly rainfall quota in just two days.

Subsequently, heavy rains in the upper catchment areas, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana, led to the Yamuna swelling to record levels.

The river reached 208.66 metres on Thursday, surpassing the previous all-time record of 207.49 metres set in September 1978 by a significant margin.

The river breached embankments and penetrated deeper into the city than it has in over four decades.

The army was called in for the first time since the 2010 floods to repair a broken flow regulator at drain no. 12, the reason behind the flooding in central parts of the capital on Friday.

The consequences of the floods have been devastating with around 23,000 people evacuated from their homes. The losses incurred in terms of property, businesses, and earnings have amounted to crores.
India and the UAE on Saturday agreed to start trade settlement in their currencies and link their fast payment systems to make international financial interactions simpler and open a campus of IIT-Delhi in the Gulf nation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's day-long visit in Abu Dhabi.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Photograph: @MEAIndia/Twitter

Modi held wide-ranging discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during which the two leaders lauded the economic partnership and hoped to achieve the target of USD 100 billion in trade before the G-20 meeting in Delhi in September this year.

The warmth of the bilateral ties was on full display as the UAE President welcomed Modi with a warm embrace at Qasr-al-Watan, the presidential palace, for a ceremonial welcome.

"The manner in which ties between our countries have expanded, you have made a big contribution to that. Every person in India views you as a true friend," Modi told the UAE President.

After the delegation-level talks, the two sides exchanged three Memoranda of Understanding for the establishment of a framework to promote the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions; for the bilateral cooperation on interlinking their payment and messaging systems; and for planning to establish IIT Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi.

The MoU on establishing a framework for the use of local currencies for transactions between India and the UAE aims to put in place a Local Currency Settlement System (LCSS) to promote the use of INR and AED bilaterally, an official statement said.

Under the MOU on Payments and Messaging Systems', the central banks of the two countries agreed to cooperate on linking their Fast Payment Systems  Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India with the Instant Payment Platform (IPP) of the UAE.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate on linking the respective Card Switches (RuPay switch and UAESWITCH); and exploring the linking of payments messaging systems  Structured Financial Messaging System (SFMS) of India with the messaging system in the UAE.

This is a very important aspect of India-UAE cooperation. It paves the way for enhanced economic collaboration and will make international financial interactions simpler, Modi said.

IMAGE: Modi with Crown Prince HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Photograph: @MEAIndia/Twitter

India's Ministry of Education and Abu Dhabi's Education and Knowledge Department signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for setting up an IIT Delhi campus in the Gulf country.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi is the second such institution to announce setting up an offshore campus after IIT Madras. Last week, IIT Madras signed an MoU for setting up a campus in Zanzibar in Tanzania.

In a Joint Statement on Climate Change, the two leaders underscored the urgent need for developed countries to fulfil the USD 100 billion delivery plan and highlighted the importance of the global stocktake (GST) of collective action to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

In his remarks during a meeting with the UAE President, Modi said India-UAE trade witnessed a 20 per cent increase since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement last year.

"For the first time, we have achieved USD 85 billion in trade and soon we will achieve the target of USD 100 billion. If we decide, we can cross this milestone before the G20," Modi said.

Modi said he always received brotherly affection from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and always felt his commitment to policies.

Modi also noted that preparations for COP-28 to be held in the UAE are going on under the UAE President's leadership, and added that he has made up his mind to participate in the conference later this year.

A Joint Statement issued during the visit said the leaders resolved to further enhance bilateral partnership in the energy field, both in oil, gas, and renewable energy.

Both sides will take forward their cooperation in Green Hydrogen, solar energy and grid connectivity. Both sides also agreed to increase investment across the energy spectrum, including in India's Strategic Petroleum Reserve Programme, it said.

It said the leaders acknowledged the joint work on issues of climate change, particularly during India's presidency of the G20 and the UAE's presidency of COP28.

They resolved to work together to make COP28 a success for all, the joint statement said.

Recognising the importance of food security, the leaders reiterated their resolve to promote the reliability and resilience of food supply chains and expand food and agriculture trade, including through food corridor projects in India, it said.

The UAE side will complete its consultations with various Indian stakeholders swiftly for the early realisation of projects in this area, it added.

Modi assured India's full support for UAE's COP28 presidency as he held productive talks with the UN climate conference's President-designate Sultan Al Jaber on ways to further sustainable development and bilateral energy cooperation.
The world has long been embroiled in conflicts over precious natural resources. However, since the mid-20th century, countries have become more acutely aware than ever of the looming threat of water scarcity.

The burgeoning population, coupled with surging industrial operations and production requirements, have necessitated ever-increasing quantities of water. Climatic disruptions wrought by industrialisation in Europe and North America have exacerbated the crisis. Water has also been used as a source of pressure to secure other gains from different parties.

The last 70 years have witnessed a significant uptick in dam construction, a measure aimed at generating hydroelectric power and establishing irrigation networks. This has particularly been the case in nations where rivers originate, even if they do not fully capitalise on local precipitation.

Anxiety over water resources today has begun to manifest itself in the form of skirmishes that portend a catastrophic escalation, threatening to unleash interminable conflicts that will bring neither victory nor peace.

The prevailing situation is untenable, especially between neighbouring countries that rely on rivers for their water like an oasis in the desert.

Iran, a nation beset by drought for three decades, is understandably worried about the dwindling water supply from the Helmand River, which originates in Afghanistan.

Kenya is experiencing escalating societal tensions due to the depletion of Lake Turkana, which sustains the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people who rely on it for grazing and hunting. The reduction in the lakes water level is caused by the operation of the Gebe III Dam on the Omo River in neighbouring Ethiopia, which feeds a vast desert lake with over 90 per cent of its water.

Iraq and northern Syria have been under Turkish pressure since 1990 to provide oil in exchange for water. Parts of Syria have dried up as a result of its confrontation with Ankara-backed terrorist groups.

Such water-related conflicts are not exclusive to these countries alone, but instead are part of a global phenomenon affecting both the Eastern and Western nations. One solution to the worlds water crisis lies in the development of low-cost technologies to desalinate seawater. Until then, tensions and conflicts over water are likely to persist.

I - Iran-Afghanistan dispute



Long-standing disputes between Iran and Afghanistan over water rights have recently turned into deadly clashes.

The dispute between Iran and Afghanistan over rights to the water of the Helmand River that runs through the two countries reached a deadly climax on 27 May and resulted in the deaths of two people, one from each side, and two injuries, the Kabul and Tehran authorities have reported.

The fighting broke out between Iranian border guards and Taliban fighters in the Makki border area following disputes over the flow of the river. Both Tehran and Kabul have pointed accusing fingers, blaming the other for successive dry seasons that have led to reduced water levels.

Iran and Afghanistan are grappling with unprecedented droughts, with the Iranian Meteorological Institute estimating that about 97 per cent of the country was affected by drought to some degree in 2020. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has reported that Iran has suffered from multiple droughts in the past 30 years, with the situation worsening in the last decade.

Similarly, Afghanistan has been suffering from a massive drought that has prompted the FAO to appeal to the international community for assistance. Seven million Afghans who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods are threatened, it said in a report published in August 2021.

The situation is particularly dire for those among the 14 million people in Afghanistan already suffering from food insecurity, or one third of the population, it said.

Relations between Iran and the Taliban government in Afghanistan have been complicated, with Iran initially supporting Islamic groups hostile to the Taliban and not recognising the establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan following the final withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in 2021.

In 1998, the Taliban killed 11 Iranian diplomats and an Iranian journalist in the Iranian consulate in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif, which led to tensions between the two countries.

The Iranian media at the time considered that going to war against the Taliban would be a trap that could bring together hardline Sunni Islamists to repeat the defeat of the former Soviet army in Afghanistan between 1979 and 1989. But Iran supported the US in overthrowing the Taliban during its invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, though it also granted refuge to dozens of Taliban fighters fleeing the country.

Over the years, Iran has been developing relations with successive Kabul authorities, notably during the periods in office of former Afghan presidents Hamid Karzai (2002-2014) and Ashraf Ghani (2014-2021).

But the two countries have not been able to implement the 1973 Agreement on sharing the water of the Helmand River.

With the Taliban coming to power in Afghanistan for the second time in August 2021, clashes broke out over Helmand again in December of the same year, but the two sides quickly contained them.

The Helmand River originates from the south of the Hindu Kush Mountains north of Kabul and flows for over 1,000 km before draining into the Iranian Lake Hamoun near the border with Afghanistan.

It is the most important river in Afghanistan and its basin accounts for 40 per cent of the countrys area.

Under the 1973 Agreement, the amount of water allocated to Iran from the river is just over 82 million cubic metres out of a total of 5.66 billion cubic metres. However, Afghanistan has since built two dams on the Ajrandab River, the main tributary of the Helmand River, as well as the Kajaki Dam on the main course of the river itself.

Construction is also underway for the Kamal Khan Dam north of the border with Iran.

There are several rivers bordering the two countries, such as the Harirud, Helmand, and Farah, as well as smaller rivers like the Harut, Khasbush, Khash, and Budai, all originating from Afghanistan and flowing into the Bozek and Sabri Lakes located near the border between the two countries.

The Helmand River is the main source of water supply for the Sistan Plain and is a vital artery for the Iranian provinces of Sistan and Baluchistan, which suffer from chronic droughts.

Disputes over the river began in 1872, but were shelved during the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880).

With the first attempts at development in Afghanistan during the reign of Habibullah Khan, conflicts arose again in 1903, when the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to settle them.

Problems in sharing the water of the river under a 1939 Agreement prompted the two countries to start the Washington talks in 1955, the first round of which ended without tangible results.

However, more development efforts launched during the reign of former Afghan King Zahir Shah during the 1950s and 1960s, and other modernisation endeavours in Iran during the reign of former Shah Mohamed Reza, led Kabul and Tehran to negotiate further over water-sharing and sign the 1973 Agreement.

But the agreement was not ratified, and the 1974 coup in Kabul, leading to the overthrow of the monarchy, followed by the 1979 Revolution in Iran, put it on hold.

However, the two parties have continued broadly to adhere to it, there being no political or legal alternative.

As the dispute over water-sharing between the two countries escalates, some have warned of the risk of armed conflict. There is no doubt that Iran is stronger than the Taliban. But even for the more powerful side, going to war is not a favourable option, said Ahmed Selim, a professor of Asian Studies in Cairo.

The Taliban does not enjoy popularity in Afghanistan. This is a factor that raises the fears of the Kabul rulers, he added.

The majority of the Taliban belong to the Pashtun ethnicity that constitutes more than 40 per cent of Afghanistans population but has placed it in a situation of conflict with smaller ethnic groups such as the Uzbeks and Tajiks.

The extremist Sunni-Salafi ideology of the Taliban also places the Shia Hazaras in the ranks of the Talibans opponents.

Iran has used the Hazaras to fight in the conflict in Syria, where they participated as the Fatimid Brigade and obtained combat training in a conflict that has claimed 300,000 lives.

This could be a weapon that Iran could use against the Taliban, but it could also provoke Pakistan, which fears that the Pashtuns will unite against the rest of the components of Afghanistan, Selim said.

Pakistan has a significant Pashtun population of about 25 million people, and if the Pashtuns turn from the ideology of Political Islam to nationalism, it could lead to Pashtun nationalism gaining control over the country.

The government of Dawoud Khan in Afghanistan in the 1950s rejected the so-called Durand Line between Afghanistan and Pakistan that was drawn up by secretary for foreign affairs in the government of British India Sir Henry Mortimer Durand in the 19th century.

The Durand Line divides the Pashtuns between the two countries, whereas the Pashtuns want to gain control over the Pashtun-dominated regions of both.

Irans involvement in the conflict in Afghanistan could potentially lead to retaliation from Sunni countries, who could mobilise extremist fighters to take revenge on Shia Iran that defeated them in Syria and Iraq, Selim said.

If the Taliban prevents water from reaching Iran, will Iran engage in a war that would divide it from neighbouring countries, or will it risk losing precious water that is all the more necessary at a time of drought, he asked.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 13 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan was sentenced to two years imprisonment by an MP/MLA court in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur on Saturday in a case of inflammatory speech during the 2019 general elections.

IMAGE: Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan. Photograph: ANI Photo

Judge Shobhit Bansal convicted Khan, 74, and sentenced him to two years imprisonment. He also imposed a fine of Rs. 2500 on the former Uttar Pradesh minister, according to Joint Director Prosecution Shiv Prakash Pandey.

The case was registered against Khan for allegedly making a provocative speech targeting the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, the then Rampur district election officer and the Election Commission at a rally in the Dhamora area on April 8, 2019 during the Lok Sabha polls.

Prosecution officer Amarnath Tiwari said the video surveillance team in-charge Anil Kumar Chauhan had registered the case against Khan.

An MP-MLA court in Rampur had last year convicted Khan in another hate speech case which was registered after he addressed a public meeting in Khatanagaria village of the Milak Kotwali area in 2019. He was sentenced to three years of imprisonment, following which he was disqualified from the UP assembly.

However, in May this year, a sessions court overturned the verdict of the lower court.

The former Samajwadi Party MP was lodged in jail for the last 27 months in connection with several cases, including for alleged land grabbing. He was released in May last year after being granted interim bail by Supreme Court.

After the verdict was pronounced on Saturday, Tiwari said that Azam Khan can be granted bail in the case under 389 CrPC.

The provision allows that pending any appeal by a convicted person, the appellate court may, for reasons to be recorded by it in writing, can order the suspension of sentence and grant bail, provided the sentence should not exceed three years.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Saturday said the cheetahs will continue to remain in the Kuno national park in Madhya Pradesh and asserted that the project will be successful.

We are in touch with experts, including international experts. Our team will visit there. The cheetahs will not be relocated and will remain in Kuno only, the minister said.

Yadav's comments came amid concern expressed by some experts on the cheetah project and that some recent deaths could possibly be due to infection caused by radio collars though that is highly unusual and collars have been used in wildlife conservation in India for over two decades.

Other experts, however, said only the post-mortem report will determine the exact cause.

Rajesh Gopal, the head of the cheetah monitoring committee set up by the NTCA, said the reason for the cheetahs' death could be septicemia from radio collar.

It is highly unusual. I have also seen it for the first time. It's a cause for concern and we have directed (MP forest staff) to check all the cheetahs," he said.

He said it is possible that aberrations, humid weather can lead to infection from radio collar use.

"We have been using collars in wildlife conservation for around 25 years in India. I have never come across such an incident. We have good, smart collars available these days. Still if such an incident is happening, we will have to bring it to the notice of manufacturers," Gopal added.

A South African expert also suggested that septicemia caused by radio collars could be a possible reason behind the death of two male cheetahs in MP this week.

Male cheetah Suraj, translocated from South Africa, died at the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Sheopur on Friday, while another translocated male cheetah Tejas died on Tuesday.

Vincent van der Merwe, the South African cheetah metapopulation expert, said extreme wet conditions are causing the radio collars to create infection and possibly that was the reason behind the cheetahs' death.

The death of two cheetahs has pushed the fatality count to eight, including three cubs, in less than four months.

Asked about the fate of the cheetah project in India, Merwe sounded optimistic. "We still have 75 per cent of the founder population alive and well in India. So all is still on track with observed mortality well within normal parameters for wild cheetah reintroduction," he added.

KNP director Uttam Sharma said they have sent the post-mortem reports of the two cheetahs to the senior authorities in Bhopal.

On Friday, MP Forest Minister Vijay Shah said the exact cause of Suraj's death will be known from the post-mortem report. When asked about the fatalities, he pointed out that the three cubs that died were malnourished from birth itself, while other deaths were from fights during mating or eating, which is common among animals.

Sheopur district, which houses the KNP, has received 321.9 mm rainfall between June 1 and July 15 whereas the normal rainfall for this period was 161.3 mm, the India Meteorological Department's Bhopal Centre Duty Officer S N Sahu said.

Eight Namibian cheetahs -- five female and three male -- were released into quarantine enclosures at KNP on September 17 last. In February this year, 12 more cheetahs arrived at KNP from South Africa.

The birth of four cubs had taken the total count of cheetahs to 24, but eight deaths have brought the number down to 16.

The fastest land animal was declared extinct in the country in 1952.
Rahul Gandhi on Saturday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that the Rafale deal got him a "ticket to the Bastille Day Parade" while the Bharatiya Janata Party, hitting back at the Congress leader, dubbed him a "frustrated dynast" and accused him of sullying the ambitious 'Make in India' drive.

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi consoles a woman during his visit to a relief camp in violence-hit Manipur. Photograph: ANI Photo

Union minister Smriti Irani reacted furiously to the Congress leader's barb at the prime minister over the Rafale purchase and the tense situation in Manipur.

Gandhi tweeted, "Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses India's internal matter. PM hasn't said a word on either! Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade."

Attacking the former Congress president, Irani tweeted, "A man who seeks international intervention in India's internal matters, a frustrated dynast who sullies the 'Make in India' ambition mocks India when our PM receives a National honour. Rejected by people, he seethes as defence contracts no longer land at the doorstep of the dynasty."

Irani had defeated Gandhi in his family pocket borough of Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Modi was the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade on Friday during his two-day visit to France where he was also accorded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France's highest civilian and military honour.

The BJP alleged that Rahul Gandhi "is leaning on foreign powers, from America to Europe, to settle domestic political scores" and "collaborating with global syndicates that are working to undermine" India's interests.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said the Rafale issue was settled long back by the Supreme Court and asked Gandhi to stop "casting aspersions on constitutional institutions".

It was Gandhi who had to tender an apology for misattributing some comments to the highest court, he noted. The court has asked him to be more responsible but he and responsibility cannot go together, Bhatia said.

It is disgraceful that when the prime minister has been honoured in France, "some people are indulging in breast-beating", he said.

The BJP spokesperson targeted the opposition parties over the recent violence during panchayat polls in West Bengal and the death of a BJP worker in Bihar allegedly in a police lathi-charge.

He criticised the Congress' remarks on the Manipur situation and stressed that effective steps were being taken to restore peace in the northeastern state.

Amid the war of words, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also again lashed out at the government over its handling of the situation in Manipur.

Ramesh said, "In January 1977 Richard Nelson a noted economist at Yale University published a very influential essay called The Moon and the Ghetto. It became required reading for people like me in graduate school. Nelson poses the question: why is it that a technologically dynamic America is able to land man on the moon but is unable to meaningfully address its problems at home, especially in the inner cities."

"It is a deeply thought-provoking analysis not without its relevance to us too," the Congress leader said.

"We can go to the moon but are unable or unwilling to deal with the basic issues our people face at home. An Indian version of the Nelson essay may read, The Moon and Manipur," Ramesh added.

BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya linked the EU's comments on Manipur to Gandhi's visit to the state.

He claimed, "It can't be a mere coincidence that EU Parliament proposed to debate the conflict in Manipur, which it has no business venturing into, soon after Rahul Gandhi visits the state."

Gandhi goes to London and seeks foreign intervention in India's internal matters, he said and accused the former Congress president of politicising the "unfortunate conflict" in Manipur.

Interestingly, the EU Parliament didn't hold any debate or discussion on the recent riots in France, Malviya said.

He alleged the Manipur issue is "completely a legacy" of the Congress.

"It is quite obvious that Rahul Gandhi is leaning on foreign powers, from America to Europe, to settle domestic political scores. He is openly, brazenly and willingly collaborating with global syndicates, that are working to undermine India's strategic and geopolitical interests," he alleged.

India on Thursday described as a reflection of a "colonial mindset" a resolution adopted at the European Parliament on the situation in Manipur.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said such interference in India's internal affairs is "unacceptable".

Manipur has been witnessing violent clashes, especially between the Kuki and the Meitei communities for close to two months. Opposition parties have accused the government of failing to contain the violence.
Even smartwatches can help. One office worker in his 40s bought a smartwatch last year for W300,000 hoping it would help him sleep better (US$1=W1,305). The device lets him see how long he slept and how much he snored. "My physical condition is determined by the quality of sleep I get, so it was money well spent," he said.

Manufacturers of beds and pillows as well as IT companies like Apple and Samsung are busy marketing products to help people sleep better, some using cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology to help with diagnosis and treatment.

The market for insomnia is growing rapidly in Korea as people become more health-conscious but increasingly have trouble sleeping in a competitive world.

Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 released last year gauges the total amount of sleep, REM sleep, deep sleep and time spent awake at night. The user's snoring is also recorded and can be played back the following morning. The watch then recommends the best sleeping strategy for the user.

Apple offers a paid app called AutoSleep that lets users analyze their sleeping habits and assesses the quality of slumber, while Amazon's Halo Rise bedside sleep tracker for US$109.99 even gauges room temperature and humidity levels by using AI to promote sleep quality.

New pillows and beds are also being developed. Ace Bed's Ace Heritz and Simmons Beautyrest Black mattresses cost a whopping W20-30 million but have proved popular all the same. Continuous positive airway pressure devices to deal with snoring, massage eye patches and smart pillows are also selling well, while heated blankets adjust temperature automatically.

But when consultants McKinsey polled 2,000 people in the U.S., they found that 37 percent of respondents were dissatisfied with the sleep-enhancing products. Experts said the most important factors are a regular routine and an environment that induces deep sleep.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends going to bed and waking up at set times, maintaining a quiet, dim bedroom, staying away from smart devices or TVs before sleeping and cutting out coffee or alcohol before bed.

Lee Heong-jeong at Korea University Anam Hospital said, "People usually get tired when they've been awake for 15 to 16 hours, so if you wake up late you shouldn't expect to become tired early. The body adjusts the biological clock through light, so you need to be exposed to plenty of light when you wake up in order to become active in the day and sleep well at night."

Jung Ki-young of the Korean Sleep Research Society said, "The key to sleeping well is to wake up at regular times even at the weekends. Not even the most expensive gadgets can help you get a good night's sleep unless your habits change."
Under the offer, the fighters would stay under their current commander, who the newspaper identified only by his call sign of "Grey Hair." Putin also said it was up to Russia's government and parliament to work out a legal framework for private military formations.

Putin, interviewed by the Russian daily Kommersant, said this was one of several offers he made at a meeting with around three dozen fighters and Wagner founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, late last month, five days after Wagner staged the abortive revolt against Russia's military hierarchy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered mercenary fighters with the Wagner Group the opportunity to remain serving together in Russia after their revolt, he said in an interview published late Thursday.

Kommersant said Putin spoke of meeting 35 Wagner fighters and Prigozhin in the Kremlin and offering them options for the future, including remaining under their commander of 16 months. "All of them could have gathered in one place and continued their service," Kommersant quoted the president as saying. "And nothing would have changed. They would have been led by the same person who had been their real commander all that time."

As Putin is the army's commander-in-chief, he seemed to be implying that they would remain within the Russian military, although he did not say that explicitly. "Many of them nodded when I said this," Kommersant quoted Putin as saying.

However, Prigozhin disagreed, it reported. "Prigozhin... said after listening: 'No, the boys won't agree with such a decision," Kommersant quoted Putin as saying.

Wagner fighters played a key role in the Russian army's advance into eastern Ukraine and were the driving force in the capture in May of the city of Bakhmut after months of battles.

But Prigozhin constantly accused the military of failing to back his men, and Wagner fighters unhappy with the Defense Ministry's conduct of the war took control of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don on June 23 and began moving toward Moscow.

They halted their advance the next day after being offered a deal under which they could resettle in Belarus, along with Prigozhin. Any notion of pressing charges against Prigozhin was dropped.

Putin told the newspaper there was no possibility of Wagner remaining in its current form. "Wagner does not exist," Putin told Kommersant. "There is no law on private military organizations. It just doesn't exist."
Gautam Adani, Chairman of Adani Group met with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka on Saturday to mark the full load commencement of power supply from the Adani Group's Ultra Super-Critical Thermal Power Plant (USCTPP) in Godda, India. This power plant is India's first commissioned transnational power project where 100 per cent of the generated power is supplied to another nation.

Following the meeting, Gautam Adani tweeted about the handover of the 1600 MW Ultra Super-Critical Godda Power Plant to Bangladesh and expressed his honor in meeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He commended the dedicated teams from India and Bangladesh who worked amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to commission the plant in a record time of three and a half years.

Honoured to have met Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on full load commencement and handover of the 1600 MW Ultra Super Critical Godda Power Plant. I salute the dedicated teams from India and Bangladesh who braved Covid to commission the plant in record time of three-and-a-half years. pic.twitter.com/liwZTKlBDG  Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) July 15, 2023

Adani Power Jharkhand Ltd (APJL), a subsidiary of Adani Power Ltd, completed the dependable capacity test for the Godda plant on July 12. This test, required under the power purchase agreement (PPA) with Bangladesh, evaluated the simultaneous functioning of both units of the plant during a six-hour period of electricity supply.

Godda plant units

The Godda plant consists of two units, each with a capacity of 800 MW. The first unit commenced commercial operations on April 6, followed by the second unit on June 26. As per the PPA signed with the Bangladesh Power Development Board, APJL will supply 1,496 MW from the Godda USCTPP for a period of 25 years through a dedicated transmission system connected to the Bangladesh grid.

Despite facing logistical challenges, such as the establishment of a 105 km long 400 kV Double Circuit Transmission Line, construction of a private railway line, and the implementation of an extensive water pipeline from the Ganges, the project was completed in a record time of 42 months. Notably, the project's timeline also had to navigate the obstacles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Adani's engineering team adapted to the circumstances by conducting testing and commissioning remotely through tele-conversations and video conferencing.

Adani Group Chairman meets with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh | Image credit: Twitter

How will it impact power situation in Bangladesh?

"The power supply from the Godda plant will have a positive impact on Bangladesh's power situation, replacing costly power generated using liquid fuel. This transition is expected to reduce the average cost of power purchased by Bangladesh," Adani Group said in a press statement.

"The Godda power plant is the first in India to operate with 100 per cent flue gas desulphurisation (FGD), selective catalytic reconverter (SCR), and zero water discharge, aligning with the environmental norms set by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change of the Government of India," Adani Group further added.
Pilak, an over 1000-year-old archaeological site in Tripura, is set to woo more travellers as the state government has initiated steps to develop it as a historical tourism circuit with two other places.

The place, nestled in Jolaibari, about 100 km from here, formed part of a chain of Hindu-Buddhist sites on the tri-junction of East Bengal (now Bangladesh), Tripura and Arakkan (Myanmar) region.

"It is a famous tourist spot in Tripuras South District which is visited by people from different parts of the country. We have created an archaeological tourist circuit, including Chhabimura and Udaipur in Gomati district and Pilak in South Tripura district. There is a package tour connecting the three sites", T K Das, Director of the state tourism department told PTI.

Approximately, 200 people visit Pilak every day.

The tourism circuit starts from Agartala and links Pilak with Udaipur, a temple town in the northeastern state where Tripureswari Kali temple, one of the 51 Shaktipiths is situated. Bhubaneswari Kali temple, which featured in Rabindranath Tagores novel 'Rajarshi' is also located at Udaipur.

It also covers Chhabimura, famous for its panels of rock carvings on the steep mountain wall on the bank of river Gomati.

Stone engravings of Hindu Gods carved on stone in the Buddhist style, figurines of Shiva, Surya, Baishnabi, Mahishasurmardini, and Buddha statue can be found Shyam Sundar Tilla, Deb Bari, Thakurani Tilla, Balir Pathar, and Basudeb Bari at the Pilak site spread over three sq km in the uplands and green valleys of Belonia subdivision.

Research by late Ratna Das, who had authored a book on Pilak, suggest that the place had emerged as a major Hindu-Buddhist site in the eighth century.

Several rock-cut images and terracotta plaques lie scattered in the area and the Archaeological Survey of India is the custodian of the site.

Executive engineer of the state Tourism department, Uttam Pal, said, the state government has plans to develop the site for Buddhist tourists of South-East Asia and other places.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had taken over the site since 1999.

Pal said, "Since Pilak is declared an Archaeological site, no permanent structure can be built within 150 metres of it, but many facilities have been created for tourists outside the restricted zone. Footfall of visitors is remarkably good. The state government has built a tourist Bungalow at Jolaibari, near the site".

A senior official of the ASI, said, a stupa was excavated at Sundari Tilla under the supervision of ASI Superintendent, P Kumaran.

Explaining its importance, the official said, "This is a full-size Buddhist stupa built in the 11th century on the pattern of architecture during the reign of Palas of Bengal." Panna Lal Roy, a writer, and a historian said, Pilak stands as an eloquent symbol of Hindu-Buddhist cultural affinity and the glorious cultural past of the state.

The dominant style of the rock-cut images and the sculptures in Pilak depict the influence of the Palas and Guptas of Bengal, the Arakkans in Myanmar (formerly Burma), and the local style, Roy said.

"Various images of Tantric Buddhist gods and goddesses are also found in the area. Buddha, Chunda (10th c) Avalokitesvara (8th -9th c), Marichi (9th c) made of stone and Tara, Avolokiteswar, Hariti (made of bronze). The style of Pilak sculptures was prevalent in Bengal during the 9th, 10th, and 11th centuries'," Dr Biswadip Nandi, a historian, wrote in his book 'Rock-cut and sculptures of Tripura'.

"The moulded terracotta plaques bear resemblance with moulded plaques recovered from Paharpur and Mainamati in Bangladesh", Roy said.

According to a state government website, "it may be presumed that the extensive plains of Tripura were under the control of several dynasties who ruled in Eastern Bengal and Samatata in ancient period. Some of them were Buddhists and the others were Hindus. Most of these rulers had their capitals near this region. The ancient kingdom of Pattikera had its capital in Comilla region and Pilak is not very far from Comilla".

The Tripura government received over Rs 1,600 crore in funds for developing the tourism sector for the next five years, state Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said in April.

In 2022-23, the northeastern state received nearly 3 lakh tourists of whom more than 35,000 were foreigners.

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly was recently roped in as the brand ambassador for Tripura Tourism and the initiative is expected to give a boost to the state's unexplored tourist destinations.
Frida Kahlo is one of Mexicos most famous artists and has become a pop culture icon. Her story is told in paintings, international exhibitions, books and even in souvenirs sold everywhere. Her home and studio were turned into museums.

Born in Mexico City, in the well-known Casa Azul [Blue House], she was the daughter of German photographer Wilhelm Kahlo (Guillermo Kahlo) and Matilde Calderon. The painter wrote in her diary that she was born in 1910, so she called herself a daughter of the Mexican Revolution; however, her date of birth is really July 6, 1907. According to the Frida Kahlo Museum, the artist remembered that she gave aid in the Casa Azul to those injured in the Mexican war.

Her father was a photographer and painter who served as an example for the artist; the two became extremely close. Guillermo Kahlo suffered from epileptic episodes, and when Frida suffered from polio at six years old, her father was the one who took care of her. The same was true when she was involved in the bus accident that shaped her life and caused her spinal ailments. Frida describes him in her diary as an example of tenderness, hard work, and, above, all understanding.

Kahlo was the third of four sisters. She wanted to study medicine and was one of 35 women accepted by the National Preparatory School, along with 2,000 men. During those years at school, she met Alejandro Gomez Arias, who in addition to being her partner, was the one with whom Kahlo discussed and became interested in social classes and the peoples uprising. Both belonged to the student group Las Cachuchas [the Caps]. At the same time, she spent her free time in her fathers studio, where she learned to color photographs with a brush.

Kahlo was always politically active, even before she gave refuge to the Russian politician and leader Leon Trotsky. After the Spaniard Ramon Mercader assassinated Trotsky, Frida Kahlo and her sister Cristina Kahlo spent two days in jail following hours of interrogation.

The accident that shaped her art

On September 17, 1925, as Alejandro and Frida were traveling by bus, a streetcar collided with them. An iron pipe pierced her hip and pelvis. The accident was so severe that Kahlo had to be wrapped in a cast and bandages for her multiple fractures to heal.

Due to her injuries and paralysis, she had to remain in bed. She was hospitalized for a month at the Red Cross. That was when she began to paint more frequently. Her friends praised her work, and she gave them her canvases, which werent valuable at that time. The painter did countless self-portraits that would later become the essence of her work.

Three years after the accident, in 1928, Frida was finally able to leave her bed. She began to frequent political debate circles where she met the photographer Tina Modotti and Diego Rivera, who was already a renowned painter by then.

An anecdote about the couples first encounters says that Frida Kahlo sought out Diego Rivera to criticize his paintings. After Diego asked her to paint a picture, the famous artist told her that she had talent. They were married only a year after they met.

Motherhood

The artistic couple lived in Cuernavaca, in the State of Morelos. Because of her accident, there was a high likelihood that Kahlo would have a high-risk pregnancy and die. In August 1929, when she got pregnant, Kahlo decided it was best to have an abortion.

In a second pregnancy, the doctors gave her the option of having a cesarean section, but she lost the baby. After that, she painted an unfinished painting in which she portrays Diego, the medical procedure and herself in the center with a baby in her womb. In 1934, she had a third miscarriage. That same year, she was also hospitalized to have her appendix removed and to heal ulcers on her diseased foot.

The impossibility of having children is a recurring theme in her work. The artist is in pain and portrays fetuses and unborn children that reflect her constant thoughts. The work Moses, which received an honorable mention from the Mexican Presidency and the Ministry of Public Education, shows two infants in the center, one before birth and the other just after. Her work Henry Ford Hospital, which was initially titled Lost Desire, also reflects the trauma of her second miscarriage.

'Henry Ford Hospital,' painting by Frida Kahlo in 1932. Getty Images

Her legacy in art

With over 150 works to her name, the painter is known for her self-portraits and scenes. Andre Breton tried to classify them as surrealist, but Frida Kahlo denied that label, saying that they were simply scenes from her life. Breton was so impressed with her that he offered to promote Kahlos art worldwide.

Her artwork was exhibited for the first time at the National Autonomous University of Mexicos Art Gallery. Her first solo exhibition was held at the Julien Levy Gallery in New York in 1938, under the curatorship of Andre Breton; there, she managed to sell several of her works and received very positive reviews in the media.

A year later she exhibited in Paris, also at the invitation of Andre Breton, as part of the Mexique exhibition at the Colle Gallery. There, she learned more about the European avant-garde and the surrealists close associates. One of them, Marcel Duchamp, opened the doors of the Renou et Colle gallery, where she exhibited her work alongside Manuel Alvarez Bravos photographs.

Art collector Peggy Guggenheim also invited her to exhibit in London; however, the imminent outbreak of World War II in 1939 caused Kahlo to leave Europe and return to Mexico. The war broke out in September, six months after Guggenheims offer.

The Louvre acquired her self-portrait The Frame, and in 1941 she exhibited her work at the Contemporary Institute of Art in Boston. A year later she presented her work at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, where Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair is now on display.

It was not until 1953 that Frida Kahlos work was exhibited individually in Mexico. Organized by photographer Lola Alvarez Bravo, Kahlo arrived at the Contemporary Art Gallery in an ambulance and participated while lying in a hospital bed. Her health was extremely fragile that year, but the painter did not want to miss the exhibition. By that time, Kahlo had already taught at the La Esmeralda National School of Painting and Sculpture; exhibited at the Philadelphia Art Museum and at the Art of This Century Gallery alongside other women artists under the curatorship of Peggy Guggenheim; and won an honorable mention from the Presidency of the Republic and the Secretary of Public Education for her work Moses.

Frida Kahlos inspiration

In her diary, the painter talks about Hieronymus Bosch and Brueghel the Elder, who, perhaps, were the true inspiration for her paintings: Hieronymus Bosch died in Hertongenbosch in 1516, wonderful painter. Perhaps he was born in Aachen. I am very disturbed that almost nothing is known about this fantastic man of genius. My beloved, magnificent Brueghel, the Elder, lived almost a century later

The Wounded Deer is among her most famous paintings.

Her last days

Frida Kahlo died on July 13, 1954. Before her death, she had already undergone surgery for her spinal problems. In 1950, she had seven operations and two toes on her right foot were amputated. During the last years of her life, she remained bedridden. Friends and colleagues from the worlds of art and show business, such as Dolores del Rio, Maria Felix and Jorge Negrete, visited her frequently, and she continued painting and selling her work.

The last words she wrote in her diary were: Thanks to the nurses, the orderlies, the waiters and waitresses of the English Hospital. Thanks to Dr. Vargas, to Navarro, to Dr. Polo and to my willpower. I am looking forward to my departure and I hope I will never come back.

The guard of honor during Frida Kahlo's funeral at the Palace of Fine Arts. Morton
To review the situation on the border, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande on Saturday visited forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) and interacted with the jawans and officers.

The Army Chief was briefed by the commanders on the ground and on the prevailing security situation on the LoC. COAS was given first-hand information about the anti-infiltration grid and robust posture of forces to maintain the sanctity of the Line of Control.

Meanwhile, Army Chief also interacted with the troops and complimented them for their high morale and professionalism. General Manoj Pande is on a two-day visit to Kashmir Valley to seek feedback from the Army commanders serving on the ground.

Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai reviews the security situation

On July 10, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 15 Corps, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai also reviewed the security

situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir.

Lt Gen R. Ghai visited Machil Sector in Kupwara district and Uri in Baramulla district where he was briefed about the prevalent security situation and measures taken by the army to counter any infiltration of terrorists.

Major infiltration bids were foiled in the last six months

In the last six months, major infiltration bids were foiled by the alert troops in the Kupwara sector of North Kashmir.

On June 16, five highly trained Pakistani terrorists of 'JK Ghaznavi Force' were eliminated as the joint forces successfully foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Jumagund Sector of north Kashmirs Kupwara district. Indian Army recovered 'war-like stores that include 5 AK47 rifles, magazines, binoculars, etc. during this operation.

The eliminated group was affiliated with the banned Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force (JKGF). This terror outfit has Rafiq Nai and Shamsher Nai alias Zafar Iqbal, both residents of Poonch presently settled in Pakistan-occupied J&K (POJK) as handlers and Murtaza Pathan alias Ghaznvi, residents of Faisalabad in Pakistan, an Afgan veteran affiliated with Deoband School of Thought as operational commander supervising tactical aspect from POJK.

On June 13, a joint party of Kupwara police and Army gunned down two foreign terrorists and foiled a major infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Machil sector of the Kupwara district.

On May 4, two terrorists were killed as the Army and the J&K Police foiled an infiltration bid at the Line of Control in north Kashmir Kupwara district.
Lashkar-e-Taibas commander Saifullah is operating the Over Ground Worker module in Kashmir to revive terrorism in the valley by providing oxygen to terrorists and radicalising youth to join terror groups in Kashmir. The revelation was made by two terror associates Mushaib Fayaz Baba alias Shoaib and Hilal Yaqoob Deva alias Sethi Soab, who were arrested yesterday by NIA from South Kashmirs Shopian.

Sources informed Republic that both terror associates confessed to having been in touch with Lashkar Commander Saifullah through a particular social media platform. Both Fayaz Baba and Yaqoob Deva were in touch with Saifullah and have been providing financial support to terrorists in Kashmir valley. They even helped terrorists in the transportation of weapons to felicitate terror attacks. Both were radicalising youth of Shopian to pick up guns on the directions of Saifullah, he added.

Sajid Jutt alias Saifullah Sajid alias Langda is currently operating from Pakistan and has been tasked with the launching of terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba from Pakistan/ PoJK into Jammu and Kashmir as Launching Commander. He is handling the Over Ground Network for Lashkar-e-Taiba in Kashmir valley which acts as a backbone for terror activities.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) has already announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh rupees on any information about Saifullah Sajid Jatt of Shangamanga in Kasur, Pakistan affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF)-an offshoot of the proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Ministry of Home Affairs in October last year designated Sajid Jutt as a terrorist under section 35 (a) (1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. MHA notification available with Republic World reads, Habibullah Malik @Sajid Jutt @Saifullah @Noomi @Numan @Langda @Ali Saiid @Usman Habib @Shani having date of birth on the September 3, 1982, son of Muhammad Rafique, resident of Village - Shangamanga, District Kasur, Pakistan is associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT)/ The Resistance Front (TRF) and has been involved in radicalising Kashmiri youths and recruiting them into militancy through his network.

It further went on to read that Saifullah is the key handler of terrorists who carried out the attack on Indian soldiers in Bhata Dhurian, District Poonch; 10 jawans of the Indian Army were killed in a deadly attack in Bhata Dhurian in the second week of October 2022. Saifullah has been involved in drone dropping of arms and communication systems in Jammu region for Jammu and Kashmir based terrorists and has created a wide network of hardcore militants and has been masterminding multiple terrorist attacks in the Kashmir valley including fidayeen attack against the army at Hyderpora, Srinagar in June 2013 and killing of Station House Officer Chadoora, Budgam in December 2013, said MHA in its notification.
Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan has declared that in the event of his party being banned, he will forge a fresh political entity to contest the upcoming general elections. Undeterred by recent protests and calls for a ban on PTI, Khan exudes unwavering confidence in his ability to secure victory, according to sources cited by Dawn, drawing from an interview with Nikkei Asia.

The aftermath of the nationwide protests on May 9 and actions taken by demonstrators and PTI members prompted government figures to call for a ban on the party. Pakistan's Interior Minister, Rana Sanaullah, expressed firm belief that banning PTI represented the sole viable solution. In a similar vein, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif revealed that the prospect was under consideration. Furthermore, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, indicated his party's reluctance to oppose any move aimed at banning PTI.

Khan claims his support base is intact

When questioned about the potential impact of a ban on his political future during the interview, Imran Khan articulated his determination to establish a new party under an alternate name, displaying unwavering confidence in its capacity to emerge victorious in the elections. Khan asserted that even in the face of party dissolution, his support base remains steadfast and resolute, underscoring a transformation within national politics.

Imran Khan went on to assert that the current administration persists in attempting to dismantle PTI through acts of intimidation. The relentless crackdown on his party, Khan argued, seeks to undermine its resilience and impact. Nevertheless, he affirmed that PTI would persevere and thrive, regardless of potential disqualification or imprisonment. As political dynamics continue to evolve, keen observers await the trajectory of PTI and Imran Khan's political career with anticipation and intrigue.
Central America is experiencing a wave of unrest that is remarkable even for a region whose history is riddled with turbulence. The most recent example is political upheaval in Guatemala as the country heads for a runoff presidential election in August.

A look at various events roiling Central American countries:

Guatemala

Guatemala is locked in the most troubled presidential election in the countrys recent history. The first round of elections in June ended with a surprise twist when little known progressive candidate Bernardo Arevalo of the Seed Movement party pulled ahead as a front-runner.

Now headed to an August runoff election with conservative candidate and top vote-getter Sandra Torres, Arevalo has thus far managed to survive judicial attacks and attempts by Guatemalas political establishment to disqualify his party. It comes after other moves by the countrys government to manage the election, including banning several candidates before the first-round vote.

While not entirely unprecedented in a country known for high levels of corruption, American officials call the latest escalation a threat to the countrys democracy.

El Salvador

El Salvador has been radically transformed in the past few years with the entrance of populist millennial President Nayib Bukele. One year ago, Bukele entered an all-out war with the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatruchas, or MS-13, gangs. He suspended constitutional rights and threw 1 in every 100 people in the country into prisons that have fueled allegations of mass human rights abuses.

The sharp dip in violence that followed Bukele's actions, combined with an elaborate propaganda machine, has ignited a pro-Bukele populist fervor across the region, with other governments trying to mimic the Bitcoin-pushing leader.

At the same time, Bukele has announced he will run for reelection in February next year despite the constitution prohibiting it. He has also made moves that observers warn are gradually dismantling the nations democracy.

Nicaragua

President Daniel Ortega is in an all-out crackdown on dissent. For years, regional watchdogs and the U.S. government raised alarms that democracy was eroding under the leader of the Sandinista National Liberation Front. That came to a head in 2018 when Ortegas government began a violent crackdown on protests.

Most recently, Ortega forced hundreds of opposition figures into exile, stripping them of their citizenship, seizing their properties and declaring them traitors of the homeland. Nicaragua has thrown out aid groups such as the Red Cross and a yearslong crackdown on the Catholic Church has forced the Vatican to close its embassy. The tightening chokehold on the country has prompted many Nicaraguans to flee their country and seek asylum in neighboring Costa Rica or the United States.

Honduras

President Xiomara Castro took office last year as the first female president of Honduras, winning on a message of tackling corruption, inequality and poverty. The wife of former President Manuel Zelaya, who was ousted in a military coup, she won a landslide victory.

But her popularity has dipped as many of her promises for change have gone unfulfilled. At the same time, the government has sought to mimic neighboring El Salvador's crackdown on gangs, responding fiercely to a grisly massacre in a womens prison in June.

Costa Rica

Once known as the land of pura vida and mild politics compared to the surrounding region, Costa Rica has seen rising bloodshed that threatens to tarnish the country's reputation as a secure haven. Homicides have soared as the nation has become a base for drug traffickers. President Rodrigo Chavez, who took office last year, has promised more police in the street and tougher laws to take on the uptick in crime.

At the same time, a migratory flight from Nicaragua has overwhelmed the country, which is known as one of the worlds great refuges for people fleeing persecution. The government has since tightened its asylum laws.

Panama

Panama is headed into presidential elections in May, with simmering frustration at economic woes, corruption and insecurity acting as a potential harbinger for change. Any shift could have global significance due to Panamas status as a financial hub.

The nation has also become the epicenter of a steady flow of migration through the perilous jungles of the Darien Gap running along the Colombia-Panama border.

Belize

Belize is often seen as a place of relative calm in a region that is anything but. A former British colony named British Honduras, Belizes government system is still tightly tethered to the country. But Prime Minister Johnny Briceno has sought to distance his nation from the monarchy. The nation is also one of the few in the Americas that maintains formal ties with Taiwan amid a broad effort by China to pull support away from the island country by funneling money into Central America.
Police patrol in a night food market near the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar in northwestern China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, June 25, 2017.

In the latest strike hard campaign in Xinjiang, authorities are cracking down on any gatherings of more than 30 people and say it will last 100 days, according to Chinese media and two police officers in the region, in the latest effort to persecute the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs who live there.

China regularly conducts strike hard campaigns in its far western region of Xinjiang that include police raids on Uyghur households, restrictions on Islamic practices and curbs on the culture and language of the ethnic minority group.

Reports about the start of the new campaign in Xinjiang appeared on the Chinese social media app Douyin on July 3, saying it was being implemented across Hotan prefecture, which is in southern Xinjiang.

The Hotan Prefecture Public Security Bureau will implement summer strikes, taking place from June 25 to Sept. 30 in order to ensure the protection of security within the region, said Chinese media reported.

Other media in Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and Korla, the second-largest city in the region, broadcast similar announcements. Information about the 100-day strike hard campaign also appeared on government websites for every prefecture in Xinjiang.

Local public security bureaus are carrying out the operation in their respective areas, focusing on crimes deemed to pose a threat to public order, Chinese media reports said.

The illegal activities include stirring up trouble, engaging in group fights, bullying the public, blackmailing, monopolizing the market, participating in illegal gatherings, and spreading rumors with malicious intent. Authorities also will target "illegal mafias and criminal organizations.

Combat illegal activities

RFA contacted police stations in various cities and counties in Xinjiang for information on the campaign, and two officers working the night shift at the Toqquztara County Police Department in northern Xinjiangs Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture confirmed the 100-day campaign.

A Chinese police officer said that the 100-day strike hard measures are in effect continuously throughout the year.

We take action against illegal activities at any time throughout the entire year, 365 days, he said. Even after the conclusion of the 100-day strike, our efforts to combat illegal criminal activities will not cease.

Another officer there said the current strike-hard campaign is targeting individuals involved in drug use, drug dealing, gambling, group fighting and theft, as well as those who pose threats and disturbances to public peace.

If we just watch and do nothing, they will think nothing is going to happen to them, he said. Some individuals may choose to hide during the day and engage in theft during the night, and we can take care of that.

Additionally, those who host gatherings with more than 30 people, organize parties or conduct religious ceremonies without first reporting to their neighborhood committee or to police will be targeted for holding illegal gatherings, the police officer said, referring to religious gatherings.

While some individuals may attend gatherings with good intentions, there are others who may have ulterior motives, the policeman said. However, regardless of their initial intentions, if any participant engages in discussions or activities involving forbidden matters, all individuals present at the gathering will face consequences.

Other illegal activities include watching and sharing forbidden content.

Reading from the Quran, the central religious text of Islam, should only be done under the guidance of a government-assigned imam, and individuals are forbidden to discuss the holy book on their own, the second officer said.

Individuals from abroad who come to Xinjiang, including those visiting relatives, should report to neighborhood committees or a local police station within three days of their arrival or risk police action, he added.

Neither Chinese media nor police contacted by Radio Free Asia states reasons for the current strike hard campaign.

Catalyst for crackdown

The current crackdown coincides with a politically sensitive anniversary of deadly ethnic violence in Urumqi, which began on July 5, 2009.

The unrest was set off by a clash between Uyghur and Han Chinese toy factory workers in southern Chinas Guangdong province in late June that year that left two Uyghurs dead. News of the deaths reached Uyghurs in Urumqi, sparking a peaceful protest that spiraled into beatings and killings of Chinese, with deaths occurring on both sides. Chinese mobs later staged revenge attacks on Uyghurs in the citys streets with sticks and metal bars.

About 200 people died and 1,700 were injured in three days of violence between ethnic minority Uyghurs and Han Chinese, according to Chinas official figures.

Uyghur rights groups say the numbers of dead and injured were much higher.

The crackdown in Urumqi became a catalyst for the Chinese governments efforts to repress Uyghur culture, language and religion through mass surveillance and internment campaigns.

Behind the repressive measures undertaken by the Chinese Communist Party government, there are significant underlying issues, said Omir Bekali, a Uyghur of Kazakh descent who spent nine months in three re-education camps in Xinjiang on allegations of terrorist activities, commenting on the latest strike hard campaign.

First, the timing of this strike operation coincides with the July 5 Urumqi incident, a sensitive event that the Chinese government prefers not to acknowledge, he told RFA. It has been 14 years since the incident, yet the crackdown persists.

Second, the current policies pursued by the Chinese government in the region can be seen as a form of ethnic and cultural genocide, he said, adding that authorities justify subjecting Uyghurs to physical and psychological harm as necessary measures for maintaining social stability.

The government also imposes restrictions on Uyghur weddings, funerals and candlelight ceremonies that do not adhere to government regulations, labeling them illegal gatherings as another way of carrying out genocide, said Bekali, who now lives in the Netherlands.

The U.S. government and the parliaments of several Western countries have said that abuses, including the detention of Uyghurs in camps and prisons, physical mistreatment and torture, and the use of Uyghur forced labor, amount to genocide or crimes against humanity.

Translated by RFA Uyghur. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
About 90 Uyghur teenage girls are locked up in a Chinese-run garment factory in Xinjiang, where they are forced to toil 14 hours a day, seven days a week, and routinely face verbal and physical abuse, an investigation by Radio Free Asia has found.

The Wanhe Garment Co. Ltd. in Maralbeshi county has a secret agreement with the nearby Yarkant 2nd Vocational High School under which female students aged 16 to 18 are sent to work at the factory against their will, according to four sources, including a village chief and the factorys security chief, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity to speak freely.

Local authorities have pressured parents not to object to sending their children to work at the factory, said the village chief, a woman who was responsible for coaxing the parents to let the girls go.

Workers at the plant, which also employs about a dozen women in their 30s and 40s as well as some men, are prevented from leaving. They sleep in dormitories on the factory compound. Most are Uyghurs, but about 15 are Chinese who came from elsewhere to work.

The girls are kept in line by a middle-aged Uyghur woman named Tursungul Memtimin  called teacher by the workers  who regularly insults and criticizes them, and sometimes hits them with a bat, said the village official.

The teacher is known to have a very bad temper. She physically assaults the workers using a bat as a means of inflicting harm, she said.

The workers live in fear of her, and due to this intimidating environment, no one dares to make an escape, the official told RFA.

Forced labor in supply chains

The revelation comes amid mounting evidence of Uyghur forced labor in Xinjiang and allegations that forced labor is used in the supply chains of major companies.

Inditex, owner of the Zara clothing chain, and Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing, as well as carmakers Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have all come under increased scrutiny to ensure that they arent using Uyghur forced labor.

In the United States, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, signed into law in December 2021, requires American companies that import goods from Xinjiang to prove that they have not been manufactured with Uyghur forced labor at any stage of production.

Repeated requests by RFA to Wanhe factory officials for an interview have been ignored.

A Uyghur woman drives a scooter past a billboard showing China's President Xi Jinping joining hands with a group of Uyghur elders at the Unity New Village in Hotan, northwestern China's Xinjiang region, Sept. 20, 2018. Credit: Andy Wong/AP





Despite the intense security around the factory, some workers have managed to escape  but not for long.

Last April, during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, four girls slipped out of the compound and returned to their families in the village of Charibagh in Yarkant county, the village chief and factory security guard said.

Within a few days, Memtimin and some other factory officials went to the village to forcibly bring the girls back. They threatened to send their parents to re-education camps if they didnt turn over their daughters, the village official said.

The village chief said she proposed to Memtimin that the girls work at a larger factory in Charibagh, but the manager refused.

So we packed their belongings and took them to the train station, she told RFA. Their parents were scared that Tursungul would send them for re-education, so they handed over their daughters.

Once back inside the factory, the girls underwent criticism and education, the security chief said.

Long hours, meager pay

The garment factory employs residents who mostly hail from Maralbeshi, or Bachu in Chinese, in Kashgar province, the largest cotton-producing county in Xinjiang.

Ranging in age from 16 to 45, the workers toil from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. in three shifts, with hour-long breaks for lunch and dinner, the security chief said.

They are paid monthly salaries of roughly 300 yuan (US$42) or 400 yuan (US$56) at best, the guard and village chief said.

The government forcefully brought those workers to the factory to work, and they could not leave the factory of their own will, said the guard.

A Chinese husband-and-wife team oversees the factory, and gives orders to Memtimin and to the security chief, who jointly manage the workers, the village chief said.

Secret agreement

The village official said that about 90 students were first transferred from Yarkant 2nd Vocational High School  for students ages 15 to 18  to the factory in February 2017 based on a private contract.

She said she saw a contract that was signed by Wanhe officials and the schools two principals, surnamed Qurbanjan and Abdurusul. Neither the workers nor their families were aware of the agreement's content, she said.

"Tursungul Memtimin speaks Chinese, so the Vocational High School invited her to work for them. She does not teach at the school, but she manages the workers at the factory, the village official said.

Her monthly salary is 6,500 yuan (US$910). The school gives her 3,000 yuan, and the factory gives her 3,500 yuan, she said.

I saw the signatures of Qurbanjan and Abdurusul on the contract, she said. They are the presidents of the 2nd Vocational High School.

Attempts to reach school administrators were unsuccessful.

But two officials at the Yarkant County Education Bureau described the contract's content as a state secret, and that they were aware of the workers' situation.

I know the contract between the Vocational High School and Wanhe clothes factory, said the education bureau chief, insisting he not be named for security purposes. But it is considered a state secret, so we cannot say anything about it hastily.

The factory security guard also confirmed the existence of a secret contract.

"The workers complained about Tursungul because she has a terrible mouth and curses them, he said. We cannot say Tursungul has a right to condemn and beat the workers, but she deals with workers' problems.

I cannot tell you if it is in the contract that the workers cannot leave the factory on their own will, he said.

Cotton industry

The Wanhe factory was set up in an industrial zone in Maralbeshi in 2014, public records show. The area was poor, and required support from other cities.

The company is one of thousands of textile and garment enterprises that have injected investment and built factories in southern Xinjiang, according to an October 2021 report by the official Xinhua News Agency.

The Chinese government and the garment industry set up a vocational skills training school to train rural residents in the use of sewing machines and other equipment, the report said.

By the end of 2020, Xinjiangs production capacity in the cotton textile industry accounted for 17.6% of Chinas total capacity and provided jobs for almost 600,000 people, the report said.

For companies, cheap labor is a key draw.

"It is difficult to recruit workers with a wage of 3,000 yuan ($420) in the mainland, but here we can hire them for 1,500 yuan, said Yang Yuqing, Wanhes chairman, who hails from Henan province, and has served as vice president of the Henan Garment Association.

In addition to the government's various preferential policies and subsidies, under the same conditions, the company can save 10% to 15% of costs, Yang told the China Textile magazine. Currently, Xinjiang has indeed provided great support to garment companies.

But workers in the factory are mistreated, the village chief said.

Even those who suffer from physical exhaustion and end up in the hospital are made to return to work as soon as possible.

After a worker collapsed from excessive work and was hospitalized, Memtimin made threatening phone calls to him, the village official said. He wanted to return home to recover, but she made him return directly to the plant instead.

Translated by the Uyghur Service. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here.

I'm Abubakar Siddique, a senior correspondent with RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm keeping an eye on in the days ahead.

The Key Issue

The Taliban has carried out another execution as it continues to implement strict Islamic punishments the group sees as central to its drive to enforce Shari'a law.

Under the concept of qisas, or retributive justice, a man was publicly killed in the eastern province of Laghman on June 20 for allegedly killing five members of a single family.

The killing of the man -- identified only as Ajmal, a resident of Guldara, near Kabul -- was the second retributive execution carried out by the Taliban in the past seven months. The group has sought to recreate its infamously brutal emirate of the 1990s, when such punishments turned its government into an international pariah.

In November, Taliban Supreme Leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada ordered the return to qisas and hudood punishments, which essentially allow "eye-for-an-eye" retribution and corporal punishments for offenses considered to be in violation of the boundaries set by God. Since then, hundreds across the country have been publicly flogged, stoned, or had body parts amputated for crimes such as theft and adultery.

These punishments, however, have met strong criticism and skepticism from both human rights watchdogs and Afghans. Islamic scholars have questioned whether the Taliban has met the stringent conditions required by Islamic law in implementing such harsh punishments.

Why It's Important: The Taliban has defied international criticism in implementing capital and corporal punishments, which its leaders see as a key benchmark of their commitment to impose Islamic Shari'a law.

But in the absence of an overall governance framework capable of addressing the economic, social, and political challenges and grievances of Afghans, such punishments alienate the Taliban from the people it rules and the international community alike.

The Taliban's failure to establish a professional judiciary makes selling the implementation of qisas and hudood punishments as a symbol of justice difficult. The Taliban's courts are comprised of Taliban members or pro-Taliban clerics, most of whom are not formally trained for the roles.

Meanwhile, international human rights watchdogs, the United Nations, and the wider international community have opposed the use of capital and corporal punishments by the Taliban. Some campaigners advocate for international sanctions to remain in place as long as the Taliban metes out these punishments.

What's Next: The Taliban is unlikely to give up on Islamic punishments. But the rapid rise of executions, stonings, amputations, and other penalties will continue to overshadow the group's second stint in power.

For Afghans, these punishments underscore the Taliban's excesses and oppression. At the same time, the world will see them as symbols of the group's cruelty and misrule.

Given that the Taliban is unlikely to reform, some Afghans are bracing for mounting instances of capital and corporal punishments as the group fails to address the continuing economic and humanitarian crises in Afghanistan.

The Week's Best Stories

Afghanistan's Taliban rulers are trying to control thousands of rural classrooms. These are part of the Community Based Education program funded by Western donors through the UN and international NGOs. The Taliban's efforts have left the future of more than 500,000 Afghan children enrolled in these education centers hanging in the balance.

What To Keep An Eye On

In a briefing to the UN Security Council, the UN envoy to Afghanistan warned that the Taliban's restrictions on Afghan women and girls have made it "nearly impossible" for the international community to recognize the ruling group's government.

On June 21, Roza Otunbaeva, the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), told the UNSC that the restrictions against Afghan women "cost the Taliban both domestic and international legitimacy."

Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban has banned women from education and employment, effectively denied them any public role in society, and imposed strict limitations on their mobility and appearance.

Why It's Important: The damming assessment will dampen the Taliban's hopes that its isolated hard-line government will soon be recognized. The group has gradually extended its control over Afghan diplomatic missions in neighboring countries as it continues to press for recognition.

Yet no country or international organization has recognized the Taliban government.

Otunbaeva's statement lays out that the Taliban's only path to international recognition starts with rescinding its harsh restrictions on Afghan women.

While the Taliban had promised more moderate policies in the years leading up to its return to power, its leaders have doubled down on the recreation of a totalitarian clerical regime since seizing power.

Until next time,

Abubakar Siddique

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday.
An estimated 10,000 people took part in a Pride march in the Hungarian capital on July 15. Participants protested against tightening restrictions over public displays of LGBT identity. One protester carried a poster asking: Are you going to wrap me in foil, too? -- a reference to a bookstore having been imposed a hefty fine for the sale of an LGBT-themed graphic novel, Heartstopper, without closed wrapping. In 2021, Prime Minister Viktor Orban banned the "display and promotion of homosexuality" among those under 18 in books and films. On the eve of the Pride event, the embassies of the United States, Germany, and 36 other countries urged Hungary to protect LGBT rights and scrap discriminatory laws.
ALMATY -- "There is no 'new' Kazakhstan. What they are doing is not just! No matter what they give me -- four years or more -- I will not bow my head, I will not bend my knee! The fight goes on!"



Such were the words by activist and professional translator Aigerim Tleuzhan after she was given a four-year prison term for what prosecutors said was her role in seizing the country's largest airport during the worst unrest in Kazakhstan's independence some 18 months ago.



Public skepticism about the state investigation into the bloody violence that killed at least 238 people -- overwhelmingly civilians -- runs deep.



But the verdicts this week that saw five people handed real sentences of up to eight years over one of the most dramatic and convoluted chapters of those events has shocked even the most pessimistic observers.



Tleuzhan, after all, had been held under house arrest prior to the July 11 verdict, which in the world of Kazakh justice usually hints at a lighter sentence, perhaps one without any jail time.

The activist herself was not surprised, however.



She had predicted that the judge would likely fulfill the prosecutors' demands for tough sentences in comments to journalists prior to sentencing.



"I think they want to punish us in the strongest way possible so that other people don't take the initiative, or attend rallies, so that they will shut up and sit in fear, so to speak," Tleuzhan said.



"But our people are not the same as before the January [2022] events. You cannot scare us," she added.



When the verdicts were eventually read, the court descended into chaos, with dozens of supporters of the defendants chanting "freedom" as soldiers sealed them off, allowing Judge Martdek Qaqimzhanov to make a hasty exit.



"Since the citizens gathered here will not allow the court the opportunity to explain the essence of the verdict, the pronouncement of the verdict is over," Qaqimzhanov said, according to a courtroom report by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service on July 11.



"Everybody is free to leave! Goodbye!"



Siding With The State



After surviving the unrest of January 2022 and emerging as a more confident and powerful president, Toqaev offered his theory as to how the airport in Kazakhstan's financial capital briefly fell out of state control.



In an interview with state television that same month, the president said the airport was attacked by bandits and terrorists who wanted to paralyze its work and welcome "militants who had flown in under the guise of guest workers from [another] Central Asian city."



Almaty's City Hall, known as the Akimat, released a statement during the unrest that noted "the high level of organization of the bandits [that] testifies to their serious training abroad."



But authorities have provided no evidence confirming the participation of "well-trained" militants in the events of January 5, either during the chaos at the airport or in the city as a whole.



As regards the idea of "foreign" fighters descending on the city, an early attempt to make that case on state television collapsed in embarrassing fashion.



Kyrgyz citizen Viktor Ruzakhunov was paraded before the cameras with bruises and cuts on his face, making a "confession" that he was unemployed and had accepted cash to incite chaos in Almaty.

Indignant Kyrgyz back in Bishkek recognized him as a well-known musician who sometimes traveled to Kazakhstan to perform concerts, and Kazakhstan's "Jazz Revolution" soon began trending on Kyrgyz Twitter.



Ruzakhunov's confession was, of course, extracted under duress. Some months after he returned to Kyrgyzstan he would tell the real story of how he was forced to make the statement.



Not that Kazakhstan has ever made up for the "mistake."



In May, Ruzakhunov wrote on Instagram that his legal challenge to force the Interior Ministry to acknowledge their depiction of him as false and issue a public apology had been thrown out by a judge in the Kazakh capital, Astana.



Ruzakhunov's case is just one of several examples of the courts siding with the government in the January violence, sometimes to the point of absurdity.



In total, only a handful of state officers have been convicted in connection with the abuses perpetrated during what has come to be known as "Bloody January."

And that is without even getting into the widely held theory that the worst of the violence that followed peaceful protests against a fuel price spike was caused by warring factions in the Kazakh elite.



At any rate, it was a so-called peacekeeping intervention by Russian-led troops under the banner of the Collective Security Treaty Organization that stabilized the country by bolstering Toqaev's control over the situation.



That in turn enabled him to sideline allies and relatives of former President Nursultan Nazarbaev to complete a Kazakh leadership transition that began in March 2019 but never really felt real until after the January 2022 events.



It was Toqaev's request for the CSTO intervention, according to 38-year-old Tleuzhan, that motivated her and others angered by the news to travel to the airport on January 5, where they were expecting to see Russian soldiers arriving.



Witnesses Pressured?



Sentenced to jail on July 11 in the airport case along with Tleuzhan were schoolteacher and activist Qalas Nurpeisov and three other Almaty residents: Nurlan Dalibaev, Yermukhamet Shilibaev, and Zhan-Aidar Qarmenov.



Of that trio, one was a man with irregular employment, another a self-employed entrepreneur, another unemployed.



As a group, they hardly fit the profile of the well-trained militants that Toqaev spoke about both during and after the crisis.



But that isn't the only thing that felt off about the process, according to lawyers of the defendants and observers who spoke to RFE/RL's Kazakh Service after the process.

Ainara Aidarkhanova, Tleuzhan's lawyer, explained that the case against her client rested on witness testimony, with 13 people giving evidence in court.



"But none of them said that Aigerim was guilty, and no one recognized Tleuzhan as an active participant [in the unrest at the airport]," Aidarkhanova said.



Moreover, two of the defendants who received prison sentences -- Nurpeisov and Dalibaev -- said "that the investigators persuaded them to accept [a deal] in exchange for testimony against Tleuzhan," Aidarkhanova noted.



Shynquat Baizhanov, who defended Shilibaev and Dalibaev at the trial, questioned the nature of charges against his clients centering around an "attack" on an airport that wasn't defended.



Airport security disappeared into thin air that day, and soldiers earlier positioned close to the airport took their leave -- apparent symptoms of a regime with divided loyalties.

Baizhanov points out that this means Shilibaev and Dalibaev's crime should, in the worst case, have been qualified as "trespassing," since even another article in the criminal code, "trespassing on a guarded object," would also appear inapplicable.



The judge did not want to hear about such distinctions, he complained. Moreover, he argued that video evidence of Shilibaev and Dalibaev's crimes was inconclusive.



"There is no capture [of the airport]. They gathered, entered the building, talked to some people, and then left," the lawyer argued.



'The Fight Goes On'



Discrepancies like these have appeared in many trials where protesters and others who claimed no involvement in the events are being tried.



The vast majority of cases concerning torture of protesters in detention by security officers have, in contrast, been ignored or are otherwise stalled.



But the airport unrest trial has resonated because of the high profile and contested nature of the event and because Tleuzhan was well known to the city's community of activists and journalists, guaranteeing an outpouring of anger on social media and at the trial itself.



Perhaps feeling the need to push back, the office of the Almaty city court released a video stressing the guilt of the five defendants.

Tleuzhan and Nurpeisov "organized mass riots accompanied by pogroms, arson, destruction of property, and theft of official vehicles," the court affirmed in the video.



The other three, "having learned of the planned arrival of CSTO aircraft [carrying] a military contingent, decided to prevent this by attacking and seizing the control center. Then, threatening violence, they demanded that employees turn off the runway lights in order to prevent planes from landing."



Several Kazakh airlines, who figured in the court case as injured parties, did not respond to requests to comment on the trial's outcome.



But in the court of public opinion, it is Kazakhstan's Bloody January prosecutors who are under suspicion.



Serik Beisembaev, director of the Almaty-based think tank Paperlab, told RFE/RL's Kazakh Service that his group's research earlier this year had found that more than 60 percent of the public do not believe that justice is being served in the trials connected to the January events.

Writing on Facebook, Beisembaev called the verdicts against the five defendants "another step toward the end of the regime" due to the widespread uproar over the vote.



"After verdicts like that one, the level of distrust will, of course, increase," he said.



In the cases of Tleuzhan and Nurpeisov, there were additional concerns that Prosecutor-General Berik Asylov had prejudiced the outcome by referring to both defendants in public as "religious extremists" -- a designation that doesn't appear to have any grounding in reality -- earlier this year.



And Toqaev, who issued a "shoot to kill order" during the violence, put out his own influential opinion in November about the role political activists played in the bloody events, referring to people who "deliberately shook up the situation in the country."



"They fueled protest moods in various ways and pursued the goal of splitting our society. Many of them are also indirectly responsible for the January tragedy," he said.



In her comments after sentencing, as her speechless mother cried beside her, Tleuzhan argued that both men -- Toqaev and Asylov -- should be facing justice instead of her.

Written by Chris Rickleton based on reporting by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service
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.

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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
Presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo of the Semilla political party gestures near the Public Ministry, in Guatemala City, Guatemala July 13, 2023.

The Guatemalan governments clumsy interference with its presidential election has turned a global spotlight on rampant corruption that previously had received only limited international attention.

President Alejandro Giammattei was deeply unpopular at home, but other than occasional reprobation from the United States and Europe, had managed to consolidate his control of the justice system, completely upending a longstanding anti-corruption campaign in the country with little consequence.

The June 25 presidential election may have changed all that. In the days leading up to the vote, it appeared there would be a runoff between a small number of right and extreme right candidates, including Giammattei allies. But with a large number of null votes, many cast in protest, and a campaign that resonated especially with young Guatemalans, progressive candidate Bernardo Arevalo placed second, ensuring his participation in an Aug. 20 runoff.

Suddenly, it seemed there was a real possibility of choice for Guatemalans who want to change the status quo. That stunned the powers that be, who quickly reacted.

I think that fear clouded him, blinded him, Katya Salazar, executive director of the Due Process Foundation, said of Giammattei. She added that Arevalos surprise support was a demonstration of the dissatisfaction in the Central American country.

I think he (Giammattei) thought that it would be the same as always, she said.

Late Wednesday, a federal prosecutor announced that Arevalos party, the Seed Movement, had been suspended for allegedly violating election laws. Prosecutors followed up on Thursday morning by raiding the offices of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal just hours after it certified the election results that put Arevalo in the runoff.

On Friday, the Attorney Generals Office said in a statement that it was carrying out its duty to enforce the countrys laws and not trying to interfere with the second round of voting or keep any candidate from participating in the runoff.

It said the suspension of the Seed Movement happened after a year of investigation sparked by a complaint from a citizen in May 2022 about being improperly included among the signatures the party gathered to form. The signature drive would have taken place in 2018, according to the Seed Movement.

The Attorney Generals Office said its investigation would continue.

The governments actions have triggered a domestic and international uproar. In addition to statements of concern from the United States, European Union and Organization of American States, criticism came from other Latin American governments as well as Guatemalas most powerful private business association.

Even Arevalos runoff opponent, conservative former first lady Sandra Torres, joined in, announcing that she would suspend her campaign activities because the competition was uneven while authorities pursued the Seed Movement.

Torres UNE party has been a key force in allowing Giammattei to advance his legislative agenda, but it appeared she felt the attack on the Seed party could undermine her own candidacy.

We want to demonstrate our solidarity with the voters of the Seed party and also with those who came out to vote, she said. As a candidate, I want to compete under equal conditions.

Not long after that, the Constitutional Court, the countrys highest tribunal, provided another blow to the Giammattei administration, granting the Seed Movements request for a preliminary injunction against its suspension. That quickly, if temporarily, lowered tensions.

Giammattei, who was barred by law from seeking reelection, kept out of sight. His office issued a statement saying it respects the separation of powers and would not be involved in any judicial processes.

His response had little effect on a population that witnessed how the president had dramatically transformed a nation that until four years ago had hosted an aggressive and productive anti-corruption effort supported by the United Nations. After Giammatteis predecessor forced out the U.N. mission that supported the fight against graft, the current president systematically forced out prosecutors and judges who were continuing that effort, replacing them with loyalists. Even those who had grown critical of the zealous anti-corruption effort concede the country is much worse off now.

Hundreds protested in front of the Attorney Generals Office on Thursday afternoon.

We are fed up with the corruption in Guatemala, said Adolfo Grande, a 25-year-old repair technician. We want them to let us choose and not to impose who they want.

Dinora Sentes, a 28-year-old sociologist, said she supports the Seed Movement but was protesting in defense of Guatemala.

Its not about defending a party but rather an entire country, she said. We have so many needs in education, health, urgent necessities to attend to.

Arevalo thanked the Constitutional Court as well as the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, which promised to defend the will of voters against government interference.

The corrupt who have tried to steal these elections from the people today find themselves marginalized, he said. Today we are starting the first day of the campaign.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called for the continued operation of the Black Sea grain export deal after Russia suspended its participation in it, saying that he has agreed with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to work with "responsible states to restore food security and food supply via the Black Sea routes."

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Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address that the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Russia withdrew from earlier on July 17, could operate without Moscow's participation and said Russia's decision gives the world an opportunity to show that "blackmail" cannot determine who has enough food to eat.



He said earlier through a spokesman that Ukraine is prepared to continue grain exports without Russian participation and that Ukraine had been approached by companies that own ships and they said that they are ready.



Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba condemned Russia's move after meetings in New York with U.S. and European diplomats, saying the grain initiative has been "vital" to preventing global food prices from rising.



"Ukraine and [the] U.S. will spare no effort to ensure export of Ukrainian grains to Africa, Asia, and beyond," Kuleba said on Twitter.

White House national-security spokesman John Kirby also blasted Moscow for pulling out of the deal and said the decision would harm millions of vulnerable people around the world.



The United States will continue to work with other countries to ensure movement of grain out of Ukraine but is not considering using U.S. military assets to help protect grain shipments, Kirby said. He also said the use of Turkish vessels to facilitate the movement of Ukrainian grain was not a viable solution.



Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said officials were talking with Russia and that he hoped the deal would be extended, while Guterres expressed deep disappointment over Russia's withdrawal, which he said had been "a lifeline for global food security and a beacon of hope in a troubled world."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined other Western diplomats in criticizing Russia's decision, calling it "unconscionable."



"The result of Russia's action today weaponizing food," Blinken told reporters on July 17. It will make food "harder to come by in places that desperately need it, and have prices rise."



U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said earlier that Russia's exit from the deal was an "act of cruelty," while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described Russia's suspension as a "cynical move" and said the EU would continue to try to secure food for poor countries.

The deal, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey one year ago, helped alleviate a global food crisis by allowing grain to flow from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.



Moscow refused to extend the agreement beyond the July 17 expiration of a two-month extension agreed in May, complaining that promises to free up its own shipments of food and fertilizers had not been kept.



Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Russia was halting its participation in the deal, adding that Moscow will return to the deal after its demands are met.



When the part of the Black Sea deal related to Russia is implemented, Russia will immediately return to the implementation of the deal, Peskov said.



Asked whether an attack on a bridge connecting the Crimean Peninsula to Russia was a factor in the decision on the grain deal, the Kremlin spokesman said it was not.



Russia's UN mission said no more talks on the deal are planned, RIA Novosti reported.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, reacting to Russia's withdrawal during a visit to UN headquarters, demanded that Putin "refrain from once again using hunger as a weapon in this brutal war of aggression."



The French Foreign Ministry condemned Russia's suspension and demanded that Moscow stop its "blackmail" on world food security.



"Russia is solely responsible for blocking navigation in this maritime space and imposes an illegal blockade on Ukrainian ports, the ministry said in a statement.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa
Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here.



I'm Frud Bezhan, regional desk editor for Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm keeping an eye on in the days ahead.

The Key Issue

The Taliban this week burned scores of musical instruments it claimed to have recently seized across Afghanistan.

The Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice on July 19 released photos of the blaze. The ministry declared music is un-Islamic and promotes "immorality that has caused the youth to go astray and society to be destroyed."

Widely condemned by Afghans on social media, the move is seen as part of the Taliban's war on music.

The extremist group banned music soon after seizing power in 2021 and has burned instruments and beaten musicians. That has led hundreds of musicians to flee the country in fear of their lives.

Why It's Important: The Taliban also banned music during its brutal regime in the 1990s.

At that time, many musicians fled to neighboring Pakistan and Iran, where they could practice freely and pass their knowledge on to the next generation. Most musicians who remained in Afghanistan either played secretly in their homes or hid their instruments.

Now, a new generation of Afghan musicians have decided to escape their homeland.

"Music is ending in Afghanistan," a musician, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. "We [musicians] will go to Pakistan or anywhere else [where we are safe]."

Ahmad Sarmast, the self-exiled founder of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, told Radio Azadi that Afghanistan is the only country where music is prohibited.

"The people of Afghanistan have been deprived of all their musical rights, which includes access to music education, listening to music, participating in musical programs, making a living through music, and access to facilities for publishing, reproducing, and sharing music with society."

What's Next: Great strides were made in reviving Afghanistan's musical traditions after the U.S.-led invasion ousted the Taliban's first regime in 2001.

Those gains have now been reversed, and more musicians and artists are likely to flee Afghanistan or abandon their musical careers if they remain in their homeland.

The Week's Best Stories

Afghan women demonstrated in Kabul on June 19 to demand the Taliban back down from its decree ordering the closure of beauty salons. The women say the shutdown would leave their families with no income. Taliban officials say beauty salons are forbidden under Shari'a law and demanded they be closed by July 25.

The Taliban has suspended the activities of a major Swedish aid group operating in Afghanistan. Afghans fear the move will aggravate an already devastating humanitarian crisis that has pushed millions to the brink of starvation.

What To Keep An Eye On

The family of Afghan journalist Irfanullah Bidar said he has been missing since July 12.

A source close to the family who did not want to be named for fear of retribution told Radio Azadi that Bidar was detained by unknown gunmen outside a mosque in the eastern city of Jalalabad. The men put a bag over Bidar's head before whisking him away in a car, the source said.

The source said Bidar, a reporter for Radio Safa, had no known enemies.

The disappearance of Bidar, a father of four, has been widely blamed on the Taliban's notorious intelligence service. The militant group has not publicly commented on his disappearance.

Why It's Important: Bidar is the latest journalist to be arrested or disappear in Afghanistan, where the Taliban has intensified its crackdown on independent reporters and media outlets.

In its annual report issued in May, the Afghanistan Journalist Center, a media watchdog, said cases of arbitrary arrests and detention, threats, and intimidation of journalists rose around 60 percent in the past year.

Since seizing power, the Taliban has waged a brutal crackdown on dissent that has targeted human rights defenders, women activists, intellectuals, and journalists.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. You can always reach us at azadi.english@rferl.org.



Until next time,



Frud Bezhan



If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday.
The eastern Amazon is home to vast tracts of jungle with the highest concentration of indigenous groups in voluntary isolation on the planet; peoples who a century ago took refuge in the most inaccessible corners of the jungle after fleeing from slavery in rubber plantations. Since then, they have been self-sufficient, living outside the market economy, consumer goods, and the abstractions of the nation state, traveling between Peru and Brazil along trails now exploited by drug traffickers, in lands surrounded by illegal fishermen and coveted by loggers and miners. Despite all this, their territories remain among the best preserved in the basin and are a priority for climate, biodiversity, and global food security, the three major challenges of a decade that will determine the future of the planet.

For most of society, dependent on money, cell phones, and fossil fuels, the questions are many: how do the last isolated peoples of the Earth live? What is it like to share the land with them? How have the peoples who joined the outside world fared since first contact a few decades ago?

This newspaper has traveled to some of the most remote corners of the Peruvian Amazon to talk to the Matse Indians who came out of isolation in 1969, and to document the coexistence between a settlement of Yine settlers and the Mashco-Piro. The former are the grandchildren of slaves who killed the rubber boss and fled south; the latter, descendants of other Yine speakers who allegedly chose to move deeper into the forest, becoming the largest isolated population in Peru.

This news outlet has also traveled to the Amazonian city of Pucallpa to meet a new generation of Isconahua, a group forcibly contacted half a century ago and abandoned on the margins of society; without a voice in the decisions that affect them, but determined to change their fate. And threaded into these stories are Spanish researchers, a bishop from Leon and Gustave Eiffel. Three indigenous peoples, three stories, and many lessons for the future of the Amazon.

The strange return of the Mashco Piro

In the southwestern Peruvian Amazon, a community of Yine settlers is experiencing an unprecedented and, for the moment, unexplained phenomenon. Since the beginning of the year, members of the countrys largest indigenous group in voluntary isolation have been sneaking into their plantations. They slip in stealthily and on tiptoe, with blunt machetes swiped years ago from illegal loggers, and retreat carrying bunches of ripe bananas. Before melting into the forest, they leave crossed branches as symbolic barriers: Do not follow us. The first is a warning. The second, a reminder. The third, the last chance to turn around. The residents of Monte Salvado have learned to respect them.

Nilo Vargas, 27, shows his scars. In 2010, in the community of Monte Salvado, a group of people in voluntary isolation attacked him with an arrow that pierced his abdomen. Florence Goupil

In 2010, a group of locals were looking for the right tree to make a canoe, which is essential for getting around the jungle wetlands. Along the way, three of these no trespassing signs were ignored. They understood what they meant, but did not heed their warnings. On their way back, when they reached the banks of the Piedras River, the teenager at the head of the party collapsed. A bamboo arrow, flying at more than 150 kilometers (93 miles) per hour from a reed bed, had just pierced his abdomen. The tip measured 25 centimeters (9.8 inches). Against all odds, he survived. His life has never been the same again, but he bears no grudge against the isolated people who shot him.

A jaguar attack is not cruel, and neither was this one, says Vargas, now a thoughtful 27-year-old who seems to have several lifetimes behind him. The Mashco Piro are people like you and me, and they have suffered a lot at the hands of illegal loggers ... They fired because they must have thought we meant them harm too.

A century ago, the Mashco Piro people retreated to the headwaters of the rivers to escape subjugation in rubber camps such as the one that stood around the present-day settlement of Monte Salvado. The rubber boom passed, but in the 2000s, the mahogany and cedar boom arrived. International prices for these luxury woods attracted thousands of illegal loggers to the Madre de Dios reserve, created to protect the isolated people.

A body in the sand

During the timber boom, a then community policeman and former Monte Salvado logger found himself leading a strange mission: to recover the body of an indigenous girl who had been murdered and buried in a shallow grave on a beach on the Piedras River.

In the mid-2000s, loggers hired 22 mercenaries to kill calatos [derogatory term for isolated people] in the Madre de Dios Reserve, explains a local expert on isolated peoples, who asks that his identity be protected for fear of reprisals. After killing the girl, the henchmen followed her tracks into the forest to liquidate other members of the group, he says. By the time the community policemans boat reached the beach, the body had already been washed away by the rising waters of the Amazon river. From that moment on, events moved quickly: members of the isolated group attacked the loggers in the so-called killings of quebrada Perro and quebrada Seca (two jungle streams); the president of the Native Federation of the Madre de Dios River and Tributaries (Fenamad) denounced the loggers incursion onto the reserve to the United Nations. The prices of mahogany plummeted on global markets and, in 2008, loggers began to migrate in search of more lucrative activities, such as illegal mining.

That invasion passed, but the renewed trauma of the Mashco Piro changed their relationship with the settlers of Monte Salvado, a village founded in isolated territory shortly before the logging boom. With the incident on the banks of the Piedras River in 2010, Nilo Vargas became the first member of the community to be wounded by arrows (picado, as the locals call it). In 2017 and 2019 there were other incidents. Then, the Mashco Piro disappeared from the vicinity of Monte Salvado. Until this January.

Monte Salvado has a plan

Wednesday, June 7, 2023. An expert from the Fenamad indigenous federation consults his cell phone in his office. There is a message. It has been sent by the official control and surveillance post of Monte Salvado, whose objective is to prevent third party access to the Madre de Dios reserve and to manage the peaceful coexistence between isolated groups and the community. Report: At the time she was collecting firewood behind Romuel P.s chacra [orchard], Vilma C. sighted a PIA [indigenous person in isolation]. Realizing several other PIAs were present, she immediately ran away. Earlier in the year, Vilma had already had a chance encounter with a lone Mashco who was taking her yucca. They made eye contact and he, apparently as surprised as she was, melted into the forest.

Abel Bina, an indigenous Matse man, remembers being contacted by missionaries flying over his territory in a small plane in 1969, when he was still a child. Florence Goupil

Monte Salvado is one of the seven surveillance posts that Fenamad created in the southern Amazon and now shares with the Ministry of Culture, which is responsible for this matter. The agents patrol on foot and by boat around the community; keep a daily log of sightings and signs of isolated peoples activity in the area; and notify the locals, the indigenous federation, and the authorities. If you come across a Mashco Piro trail, the rule is clear: turn around and wait four days before returning. And if the isolated people have left no trespassing signs, respect them.

For months now, a group of Mashco have been entering our farms on a weekly basis, sometimes every other day, but we dont know why this change in their movement patterns has occurred, explains agent Belizario Sebastian, astonished. We recognize them from previous years by their footprints: one of them has an injured foot, he says during a patrol in cassava and papaya orchards.

If you come across a Mashco Piro trail, the rule is clear: turn around and wait four days before returning. And if the isolated people have left no trespassing signs, respect them.

The Mashco Piro are the most visible isolated people in the Peruvian Amazon, especially since more than a hundred members gathered in front of the village in 2013 to ask for bananas and ropes in a variant of the Yine language. In other places, the presence of isolated people has been documented, but their ethnicity is unknown and no one has been able to talk to them.

In turn, Monte Salvado is the community with the most isolated people sightings in the Peruvian Amazon. The agents ban illegal fishermen from the reserve, the locals adapt their hunting habits so as not to interfere with the isolated peoples  knowing that they are the ones who settled in the indigenous groups territory and not the other way around  and even the children know what to do when they hear Mashco!: stay calm; head for the safe house next to the guard post; and huddle under the kitchen sinks, along with their beloved baby spider monkeys. If you dont have time to leave the house, you cover the windows with blankets or mattresses so that [in a worst-case scenario] arrows wont get in, explains Kasumi, a cheerful and quick-witted seven-year-old girl, during a drill. Everything that can be planned for is planned for: an agent to communicate in Yine language with the nomole (brothers), people to document the event with photos and videos, and a person in charge of changing the posts satellite internet password so that only the agent responsible can communicate verified information.

Cross-border collaboration

The lessons learned from Monte Salvado are already helping other communities on the Brazilian side of the border. Last year, monitoring agents from the Fenamad indigenous federation traveled to southern Brazil, also a Mashco Piro territory, to share their experiences with local communities and the CPI-Acre non-governmental organization[WG1] . After a few weeks, the Mashco appeared on the other side of the river, but the villagers already knew how to act, explains Fenamads expert on peoples in isolation, Israel Aquise

Figure 1. In the Peruvian region of Loreto, a road project between Genaro Herrera and the border colony of Angamos threatening the Yavari-Mirim reserve for isolated indigenous groups is already well advanced. The resistance of the Matse to this same type of road resulted in air force bombing raids in the 1960s. Figure 2: In the Madre de Dios region, a road opened during the Covid-19 pandemic passes within half an hours walk of one of the guard posts that protect isolated indigenous people. Around this road, human and drug trafficking is proliferating. Pedro Tipula, Instituto del Bien Comun

With the recent change of government in Brazil, one of Aquises objectives is to resume binational talks with NGOs and authorities that were put on hold under the administration of Jair Bolsonaro. The idea is to build surveillance posts on both sides of the Acre River and ensure that they work in a coordinated manner, given the cross-border nature of the isolated groups and the threats they face.

The same is happening a few hundred kilometers further north, where the Yaquerana River separates the Peruvian region of Loreto from Brazils Vale do Javari. The indigenous organization UNIVAJA and the Regional Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the East (ORPIO) met with government officials in Lima in June to urge both states to coordinate monitoring posts, among other things. The problems on both sides of the river are identical, sums up UNIVAJA member Manoel Chorimpa. These include illegal fishing, the advance of drug trafficking, and impunity for the harassment and murder of indigenous people and environmentalists. Neither Peru nor Brazil has yet ratified the Escazu Agreement, a groundbreaking treaty by which Latin American states pledge to protect those who want to protect the environment in the worlds deadliest region for these activists.

The man who talks to isolated people

All of you who wear this [pointing to clothing] are evil. This is one of the first phrases Damian heard from the mouth of a Mashco Piro man, one listening from the river lookout in front of a guard post, the other projecting his voice from the opposite bank of the river. Damian, an indigenous Yine man as extraordinary as he is discreet, speaks under a pseudonym because of the sensitive nature of his work on behalf of the isolated peoples together with indigenous bodies, the authorities, and anthropologists.

Every Amazonian summer, when the water levels drop, the isolated people descend from the headwaters to the beaches to collect taricaya turtle eggs, a primary source of fat and protein. One of these groups has established a special relationship with Damian. They call him river wolf because of his skill as a fisherman, and he knows their favorite colors: red and black, the natural colors of huito (Genipa americana) and achiote (Bixa orellana) with which they paint their bodies. From a distance, the Mashco explain how they hunt, but are careful not to give details about where or how they live. Then, their naked, muscular bodies vanish back into the tangle of the forest.

The first time Damian communicated with isolated people on the other side of the river, the adrenaline of the moment gave way to the awareness of a shared humanity. In time, Mashco Piro youths would eventually tell him how they had wept around a mighty tree felled by illegal loggers. They used to eat the fruit of that tree.

General view of the Piedras River from the community of Monte Salvado, Peru. Florence Goupil

An evangelical sect was planning to take Mashco Piro youths out of the jungle by tempting them with gifts, he says, contrary to national and international norms that recognize the right of isolated people to non-contact and self-determination. Once they have tasted salt and sugar, how are you going to continue to provide for them? Damian asked them, recalling that, elsewhere, survivors of forced contact spent their lives wondering why they had been taken out of the forest only to be abandoned.

After the first contact

The Isconahua were contacted by an evangelical group from the United States. They had small planes, megaphones and guides who spoke languages from the same linguistic family. Some Isconahua died when the canoes that were taking them away from their sacred mountain refuge capsized. Others succumbed to ailments from the outside world for which they had no immunity, such as gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases. Half a century later, those who survived are still trapped in a state of permanent limbo: without a land they can truly call their own, without a voice in political processes, with only a handful of people fluent in the language, but without the means to teach it in public schools.

According to the Peruvian government, the Isconahua remain in the category of indigenous people in initial contact, which suggests that they are not organized or prepared to participate in decision-making that affects them. The state is responsible for the well-being of these peoples, but it has yet to develop policies that facilitate their integration and provide an outlet for territorial demands for their subsistence and cultural continuity.

William Ochavano, Isconahua youth

The government focuses on isolated people, but what happens when they make contact? asks Isconahua youth Felix Ochavano. We were abandoned on the margins of society. Decades have passed, but we continue to feel invisible. A sentiment shared by groups such as the Chitonahua, who have moved from place to place until they took possession of land borrowed from another indigenous people near the Brazilian border; a place too small to hunt and fish and too temporary to develop other economic activities.

Peoples such as the Isconahua are a source of fascination for researchers from all over the world, who cannot study their isolated relatives because of the no-contact principle enshrined in the national and international legal framework. They tend to treat us like an academic curiosity that needs to be investigated before it dies out, says William Ochavano, Felixs older brother. There are many who have analyzed us as objects of linguistic or anthropological research, but few who are concerned about our needs in terms of health, education, employment, or political representation.

The Ochavanos represent a new generation of Isconahua. When they were little, other children taunted them by shouting hey, Isco! As adults, they were met with scorn from a string of bureaucrats, and even teachers, who told them to their faces that the Isconahua no longer exist. Years ago they managed to secure a piece of land, Chachibai, with the misfortune that the deed is also in the name of a local clan of Shipibo loggers who are seeking to sell the territory. The case is before the courts.

William and Felix Ochavano, who are trained as a teacher and an engineer respectively, are tired. Tired of papers, insults, and courts; tired of sending letters to the ministry, to the regional government, to the local technocrat, to indigenous organizations here and there. They are exhausted, but the fire accumulated over decades of submission, mockery, and contempt in the lower echelons of society has not got the better of them. The brothers have created the first organization to represent the interests of the Isconahua people to regional and national authorities. They have already laid the foundations for a cultural center and intend to bring together representatives of all the indigenous groups in initial contact in the Ucayali district, where there are some 200 indigenous people. The objective is to jointly address common problems and promote support policies for their communities and for isolated fellow countrymen who, in the future, may face the same problems they face: life after first contact.

Lessons in jungle survival

As they near the end of their lives, the Matse elders, who had lived in isolation, feel the urge to share memories they had hitherto kept to themselves. Salomon Dunu Uaqui Moconoqui and three other elders are preparing to go into the forest with a new generation that, they say, is losing the skills to survive in the wild. Undoubtedly, something has changed.

In their braided leaf baskets are the few belongings of the semi-nomadic groups  resin pots, fishing poles, palm fiber hammocks, ceramic pots  and other objects of post-contact life, such as FC Barcelona T-shirts and bottles of InkaCola. The groups that continue to live in isolation as a survival strategy live in the same way these elders did until 1969. But for some groups in the neighboring Yavari-Tapiche Indigenous Reserve that they maintain to this day.

Salomon Dunu Uaqui Moconoqui and company show how they hid among the leaves; how they would flee on tiptoe and in single file; how they would leave a man in the rear to erase the signs that they had been there  bent branches, trampled plants, footprints in the mud  and throw their pursuers off the scent. To communicate without arousing the suspicion of the mestizos [non-indigenous] they assigned each person an animal sound. When they sighted an invader or faced danger, they warned each other by imitating the corresponding sound. Suddenly, in the middle of the demonstration, there is a burst of laughter in the forest. Theyre being answered by a real monkey and a real partridge, the youngsters explain, cracking up. The isolated people with whom they share hunting areas do the same to this day, with such perfection that only the true inhabitants of the jungle can distinguish whether they are humans or animals. Therefore, the testimonies of indigenous people such as the Matse are an indispensable first step to ringfence and protect the territories of isolated groups; an exercise that now faces a campaign to discredit the indigenous voices that coexist with isolated people by negationist businessmen.

Sara Beso Dunu weaves some palm leaves for the roof of her house. Her father was one of the Matse in voluntary isolation until he was contacted by missionaries in 1969. Florence Goupil

Alternatives to ground butter

The creation of the Yavari-Tapiche reserve in 2021 was a victory for isolated people. However, despite all their survival tricks, there are overwhelming threats that lurk: an attempt to open an illegal road between Peru and Brazil that has been simmering since the 1960s, when the government responded to Matse opposition with aerial bombardments; the threat of oil, which they call ground butter; and a dance of illegal fishermen, tourists, and loggers seeking to sow discord in the community with a new hook: money.

Fathers against sons and brothers against brothers. Indigenous people who feel they are a physically and spiritually part of the forest, such as Salomon Dunu, co-author of a 500-page tome on medicinal plants, versus those who deny the documented existence of isolated people because they aspire to work for oil companies, loggers, and builders with political influence. And in the background, the lack of alternatives to generate income to meet the needs of the new generations: fuel for the boat; cartridges for the shotgun; batteries for the flashlight, and money to study and receive medical care in Iquitos, the capital of the huge Amazon region of Loreto.

Aware of this, international actors such as Rainforest Foundation Norway (RFN) are mobilizing funds to protect two transboundary territories with a combined area larger than that of the United Kingdom; globally important forest zones inhabited by isolated peoples migrating between Peru and Brazil. The backbone of this combined human rights, biodiversity, and climate protection strategy is the local communities themselves.

Clothes dry in the sun in the Matse indigenous community of Puerto Alegre, Peru. Florence Goupil

We consider it a priority to support indigenous peoples bordering the territories of isolated groups so that they can develop alternative sources of income, both for their own well-being and for the protection of these vulnerable groups, says RFN project coordinator Armando Lamadrid, by phone from Oslo. The goal is to combat the drivers of deforestation and protect the cultures and ways of life that have kept these forests standing for millennia.

Mercury and arsenic in the body

This May, the Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) in Barcelona published a study on the impacts of oil extraction in northern Loreto, the most polluted area of Peru. Conclusion: Indigenous people in four watersheds have elevated body levels of mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead, all of which are toxic to humans. The health effects of these metals range from cancer to severe neurological damage, childhood developmental delays, kidney disease, and bone fragility.

The latest company to exploit oil in this area is the Canadian company Frontera Energy. According to its website, it is committed to running its business safely and in a socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible manner.

The family of Natan Bina, 37, and Sandi Teca, 32, are traditional hunters. Florence Goupil

Antonina Duni does not need to know what an epidemiological study is or to read corporate commitments. As an indigenous Matse, she is well aware of the impact of half a century of oil spills on other native communities. You are the ones who buy the food, says Antonina Duni, wife of an former isolated person, as she returns from hunting armadillos with her dog Sasha. We get all our sustenance from this river, from these forests, from this soil.

Her neighbor Sara Beso Dunu Duni Beso is there too, as she weaves palm fronds to renovate the roof of her house, which is built entirely from natural elements. How can these companies talk about development if what they have brought to other places is division and pollution, this daughter of an ex-isolate is indignant, criticizing that those who end up profiting at the expense of the territory are people who do not live there.

The perennial problem with greed

In the main square of Iquitos, the capital of the Amazonian region of Loreto, stands an iron house designed by Gustave Eiffel and transported from the Universal Exposition in Paris in 1890, when the Peruvian town  today the largest in the world without road access  epitomized the boom in rubber exploitation. Right next to the Casa de Fierro stands the stately but decadent Casa Pinasco, the surname of another rubber magnate. It is no less than one of his descendants, a property developer, who is leading a nationwide campaign against the Escazu environmental treaty. He denies the documented existence of isolated peoples and advocates lifting legal protections for their territories  a bill to this effect was stopped in extremis this June.

From the opposite side of the square, a man from Leon with thousands of kilometers of Amazonian rivers under his belt observes the vestiges of a history that seems to be repeating itself. On his coffee table lies a public document the weight of a phone book, its topic: half a century of oil spills in oil lot 192, in northern Loreto. The Catholic Bishop of Iquitos Miguel Angel Cadenas, is known for defending the dignity of neglected communities affected by the irresponsible extraction of resources. Now, he is also fighting to vindicate the right of isolated indigenous peoples to life without contact. Greed was, and still is, very evident in the Amazon.

This feature was made with support from the Dom Phillips grant by the Rainforest Journalism Fund in collaboration with the Pulitzer Center.

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Recovering the ability to communicate after having lost it due to a degenerative disease. Turning switches on or off with your mind. Writing on the computer by just thinking about the words. All of these things may sound like science fiction, but theyre actually realities. Humanity has had access to these abilities for several years, thanks to brain implants.

Scientists, government representatives and senior UN officials gathered this past Thursday in Paris to address the ethical problems arising from these significant advances in neurotechnology, while trying to draw up a roadmap to regulate this branch of engineering as soon as possible.

UNESCOs interest is to build the basis of an understanding about the challenges of neurotechnology, from an ethical perspective, says Gabriela Ramos, deputy director-general of Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO. The specialized UN agency organized the meeting.

The biggest debate of all  according to the experts who spoke throughout the day  is the dichotomy between the technologys development and respect for human rights. Theres an active search for a balance to guarantee that freedom of thought and privacy are respected, without stopping scientific research that can benefit humanity.

What seemed like science fiction is already here. If we dont act quickly, the same thing will happen with the internet, social media or artificial intelligence, which got out of control, explains Spanish neuroscientist Rafael Yuste, a professor at Columbia University. In addition to being an expert when it comes to deciphering the secrets of the human brain, Yuste is also a pioneer when it comes to safeguarding the human rights that can be compromised by this technology. In 2017  years before managing to manipulate the behavior of mice by intervening directly in their brains  the Spaniard created the Neurorights Foundation, to promote five fundamental principles: mental privacy, personal identity, free will, equal access to life-improving technologies and protection from biases.

The risk, explains Yuste, is that the same tools which  in medicine  can help improve peoples lives, can also end up violating the information stored in the brain. Although the roadmap is beneficial, these technologies are neutral and can be used for better or worse, he notes. This isnt only about securing personal data, such as shopping habits, a home address, or which political party one supports  it also involves things as intimate as memories and thoughts. And, in the not so distant future, even the subconscious.

The same thing happens with foreign languages  at first, its easier to read them than to speak them. Weve been reading the brain for a long time there are about five or 10 years left until were also capable of manipulating it, Yuste adds.

Regulation to protect neurorights

Back in 2021, Chile was the first country to spearhead neurorights, after the government introduced a constitutional amendment to protect brain activity. The reform  which was approved unanimously  recognizes the need to carry out any type of scientific and technological development with respect for life and the physical and mental integrity of people. Meanwhile, the Congress of Chile is continuing to work on a bill that codifies neurorights, according to the recommendations of a group coordinated by Yuste and made up of 25 international specialists in neuroscience, law and ethics.

We understand that the regulation of these technologies cannot be based on fear of technological development, but rather on an unwavering commitment to human rights. And thats a complex task, because the legislation has to leave enough space for innovation, explains Carolina Gainza, the Chilean governments undersecretary for Science and Technology. This is why its important to promote a discussion informed by evidence and ethical awareness. [We need to] have an open mind to be able to imagine new possibilities that, until now, we havent even imagined.

Gabriela Ramos  who recently moderated the debate among the main international actors in this field  acknowledges that the Chilean model works, since it begins from a very basic concept: the idea that neural information shouldnt be commercialized. If we have a solid regulatory framework, with transparency and accountability, there are no reasons to be afraid of this [technological] revolution, affirms the deputy director from UNESCO.

Currently, Yustes group is working in Brazil  the second country that has introduced a constitutional amendment similar to the Chilean one. It will be voted on in the coming months by the Senate. Spain, for its part, published a Charter of Digital Rights  the first document of its kind in Europe  which came to light after more than a year of work. Multiple experts participated in this project, coordinated by Carme Artigas, secretary of state for Digitization and Artificial Intelligence. There are two aspects that concern me the most in this field. First, I think its important that we dont make the same mistake as with artificial intelligence, when we let ourselves be guided by the industry, instead of the academic world, the secretary acknowledged during her speech at the Paris forum. Second, the potential benefits of this research must be made accessible, so that everyone can take advantage of these advances when it comes to health.

The Spanish document  which isnt yet legally applicable  sets out some initial bases that will guide future policy on tech. The guidelines are a good place to start talking about [this subject]  there are many countries and international organizations that are doing it. However, they dont solve the problem. What you have to do is really take charge of it and change the constitution to protect the citizenry, Yuste emphasizes.

Gabriela Ramos  UNESCOs deputy director-general for Social and Human Sciences  during the neurotechnology conference in Paris. UNESCO/Christelle ALIX

A market in private hands

The strong component of private investment in this type of technology is one of the factors that worries experts the most. A market analysis by Yustes Neurorights Foundation has calculated that there are more than $33 billion currently invested in private neurotechnology projects an exorbitant figure compared to the $10 billion that are invested globally in all publicly-funded research projects that examine the brain.

A fundamental role in this area is played by Milena Costas, a UN human rights expert. Together with her team, shes working on a study into the impact, opportunities and challenges of neurotechnology, based on a questionnaire that is being supplied to various governments and international organizations. The opportunities are endless. Especially in the medical field, when we talk about applications to make diagnoses and determine treatments for neurological diseases, Costas explains. What may be more problematic is the rapid commercialization of these technologies, which are already available on the market.

The scenario is even more disturbing if we look at the results of another study that Yuste presented during the UNESCO conference. It will be published in September. After analyzing the consumer contracts of the 24 largest neurotechnology companies in the world  most of which are located in the United States and Canada  the researchers have been able to verify that all companies, without exception, take control of all user neural data. Not only do they have [the data], but they can do whatever they want with it. This information can be destroyed, decoded, sold. And half of the companies make users pay to consult their own data, Yuste laments. He didnt want to provide the names of the firms in question.

Another of the emerging concerns from the scientific community is the difficulty in monitoring non-invasive technology, such as video game glasses or fitbits, which already have access to a lot of information about the lives of their users. From the point of view of patients, this is perhaps the most relevant revolution. But the fact that these are external implants makes their regulation feel less urgent this is a mistake, Yuste warns. In fact, the progress of more daring projects that plan to implant chips in the brain  such as the case of Neuralink, Elon Musks company, which has been waiting for years to test its implants in humans  is slow, since activity depends on permission being granted by regulatory agencies.

With these questions in mind, Costas insists on the need to regularize this technology, thinking  above all  about the rights of the most vulnerable groups, such as children, people with disabilities and the elderly. We must never forget that, despite the fact that advances may be advantageous, they cannot be accepted without [precautions]  [users shouldnt have to] sacrifice mental privacy or freedom of thought. Trying to define the red lines more precisely isnt a way of limiting the growth of this technology, but a boost for it to develop in the most useful way for humanity, the expert affirms.

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Jalandhar Crackdown

Case will now undergo further scrutiny to determine the exact nature of the business activities

In a significant breakthrough, officials from the Jalandhar mobile wing of the GST department have uncovered a major case of GST refund fraud involving the creation of counterfeit businesses. The culprits involved neither engaged in purchasing nor selling any goods. Instead, they devised a sophisticated scheme by establishing 144 fictitious firms using fraudulent documentation. Shockingly, all these entities shared a single registered mobile number, which ultimately led to the exposure of the illicit operation.

The fraudulent activities revolved around the manipulation of invoices between the different bogus firms. The individuals behind this racket simulated a non-existent garment manufacturing business, wherein they deceitfully portrayed the sale of exported garments from Jalandhar to Ludhiana and subsequently to Dubai. Based on this fictitious turnover, they fraudulently applied for GST refunds. However, when tax records were thoroughly scrutinized by the department, the entire scam was brought to light.

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The Jalandhar mobile wing initially intercepted a truck carrying a substantial stock of ready-made garments being exported by one of the implicated firms. This discovery paved the way for further investigations, leading to the unravelling of the intricate web of fraudulent practices. In a remarkable development, a record-breaking fine of Rs 3.65 crore has been imposed in this case, marking the highest penalty ever imposed on a single vehicle in Punjab.

The Intelligence and Preventive Unit of the GST department dedicated several days to analyzing the stock bills found in the seized truck, along with the available business data. It was uncovered that these counterfeit firms were generating invoices in each other's names, indicating a complex network of fraudulent transactions. Moreover, it was discovered that all 144 firms shared the same mobile number, while their registered owners possessed different addresses and identification documents, including Aadhaar cards. The investigation revealed that the claimed purchase and sale of readymade garments were based entirely on falsified documentation.

The case will now undergo further scrutiny to determine the exact nature of the business activities reported by each firm and to ascertain the validity of the GST refunds claimed. It is anticipated that this investigation will potentially unveil significant instances of tax evasion. Furthermore, the GST refunds of all those entities conducting business with fictitious firms are likely to face thorough examination.
BSF

BSF's swift action to ensure peaceful resolution

AMRITSAR: Border Security Force (BSF) personnel have successfully detained a Pakistani national near the Indian border in the Amritsar sector. After a day-long process of thorough interrogation and investigation, the individual was eventually handed over to the Pakistani Rangers late at night, showcasing a demonstration of humanity and adherence to established protocols.

As per the available information, the Pakistani citizen was apprehended by vigilant BSF jawans while attempting to cross the barbed wire fencing near Kamirpura village in the Gurdaspur sector of Amritsar district. During the questioning, it came to light that the individual had unknowingly strayed into Indian territory and had no objectionable items in their possession.

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Subsequently, the BSF officials promptly initiated communication with the Pakistani Rangers to relay information about the detained Pakistani national. After the necessary verification process conducted by the Pakistani Rangers, the individual was formally handed over to them during the late hours of the night.


A child weeps while on the bus leaving The Covenant School following a mass shooting at the school in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, March 27, 2023.

Slain at the hands of strangers or gunned down by loved ones. Massacred in small towns, in big cities, inside their own homes or outside in broad daylight. This years unrelenting bloodshed across the U.S. has led to the grimmest of milestones: The deadliest six months of mass killings recorded since at least 2006.

From Jan. 1 to June 30, the nation endured 28 mass killings, all but one of which involved guns. The death toll rose just about every week, a constant cycle of violence and grief.

Six months. 181 days. 28 mass killings. 140 victims. One country.

What a ghastly milestone, said Brent Leatherwood, whose three children were in class at a private Christian school in Nashville on March 27 when a former student killed three children and three adults. You never think your family would be a part of a statistic like that.

Leatherwood, a prominent Republican in a state that hasnt strengthened gun laws, believes something must be done to get guns out of the hands of people who might become violent. The shock of seeing the bloodshed strike so close to home has prompted him to speak out.

You may as well say Martians have landed, right? Its hard to wrap your mind around it, he said.

A mass killing is defined as an occurrence when four or more people are slain, not including the assailant, within a 24-hour period. A database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University tracks this large-scale violence dating back to 2006.

The 2023 milestone beat the previous record of 27 mass killings, which was only set in the second half of 2022. James Alan Fox, a criminology professor at Northeastern University, never imagined records like this when he began overseeing the database about five years ago.

We used to say there were two to three dozen a year, Fox said. The fact that theres 28 in half a year is a staggering statistic.

But the chaos of the first six months of 2023 doesnt automatically doom the last six months. The remainder of the year could be calmer, despite more violence over the July Fourthholiday weekend.

Hopefully it was just a blip, said Dr. Amy Barnhorst, a psychiatrist who is the associate director of the Violence Prevention Research Program at the University of California, Davis.

There could be fewer killings later in 2023, or this could be part of a trend. But we wont know for sometime, she added.

Experts like Barnhorst and Fox attribute the rising bloodshed to a growing population with an increased number of guns in the U.S. Yet for all the headlines, mass killings are statistically rare and represent a fraction of the countrys overall gun violence.

We need to keep it in perspective, Fox said.

But the mass violence most often spurs attempts to reform gun laws, even if the efforts are not always successful.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, had urged the General Assembly in the wake of the Nashville school shooting to pass legislation keeping firearms away from people who could harm themselves or others, so-called red flag laws, though Lee says the term is politically toxic.

Getting such a measure passed in Tennessee is an uphill climb. The Republican-led Legislature adjourned earlier this year without taking on gun control, prompting Lee to schedule a special session for August.

Leatherwood, a former executive director of the Tennessee Republican Party and now the head of the influential Southern Baptist Conventions public policy arm, wrote a letter to lawmakers asking them to pass the governors proposal.

Leatherwood said he doesnt want any other family to go through what his children experienced at the time of the shooting when they were in kindergarten, second grade and fourth grade. One of his kids, preparing for a recent sleepaway camp, asked whether they would be safe there.

Our child was asking, Do you think that there will be a gunman that comes to this camp? Do I need to be worried about that? Leatherwood said.

The Nashville shooter, whose writings Leatherwood and other parents are asking a court to keep private, used three guns in the attack, including an AR-15-style rifle. It was one of at least four mass killings in the first half of 2023 involving such a weapon, according to the database.

Nearly all of the mass killings in the first half of this year, 27 of 28, involved guns. The other was a fire that killed four people in a home in Monroe, Louisiana. A 37-year-old man was arrested on arson and murder charges in connection with the March 31 deaths.

Despite the unprecedented carnage, the National Rifle Association maintains fierce opposition to regulating firearms, including AR-15-style rifles and similar weapons.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris constant efforts to gut the Second Amendment will not usher in safety for Americans; instead, it will only embolden criminals, NRA spokesman Billy McLaughlin said in a statement. That is why the NRA continues our fight for self-defense laws. Rest assured, we will never bow, we will never retreat, and we will never apologize for championing the self-defense rights of law-abiding Americans.

Tito Anchondos brother, Andre Anchondo, was among 23 people killed in a 2019 mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas. The gunman was sentenced last week to 90 consecutive life sentences but could face more punishment, including the death penalty. The prosecution of the racist attack on Hispanic shoppers in the border city was one of the U.S. governments largest hate crime cases.

Andre Anchondo and his wife, Jordan, died shielding their 2-month-old son from bullets. Paul, who escaped with just broken bones, is now 4 years old.

Tito Anchondo said he feels like the country has forgotten about the El Paso victims in the years since and that not nearly enough has been done to stem the bloodshed. He worries about Pauls future.

I hope that things can drastically change because this country is going down a very, very slippery slope; a downward spiral, he said. Its just a little unnerving to know that hes eventually going to go to school with kids that also may bring a gun to school.

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For India, the new BMW X5 launched from Rs. 93.9 Lakh (ex-sh) takes the CKD route and assembly process happens in BMWs Chennai plant

The German luxury brands newest mid-size SUV, X5, landed here in India. It starts from a price point starting from Rs. 93,90,000 for BMW X5 xDrive40i xLine and goes till Rs. 1,06,90,000 for top spec BMW X5 x30d M Sport. BMW is launching it in both petrol and diesel engine choices and a sole 8-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox.

BMW X5 redefines the luxury midsize SUV space where players like Audi Q7, Mercedes Benz GLE LWB and Volvo XC90 currently operate. For better or for worse (mostly better), BMW has stayed away from the controversial new design language that currently goes on M3, M4, i4, i7, 7-Series, XM and the likes.

New BMW X5 Launched

There are six colour choices to choose from. They include Brooklyn Grey, Carbon Black, Mineral White, Skyscraper Grey, Tanzanite Blue and Black Sapphire. The quoted price includes GST and compensation CESS, but excludes RTO tax, insurance, TCS and other paraphernalia. In terms of dimensions, it slots below BMW X7 full-size SUV.

Service packages include BMW Service Inclusive and BMW Service Inclusive Plus as options. There are financing options available as well. External design attributes include illuminated BMW Kidney Iconic Glow grill, matrix adaptive LED headlights, and a sporty bumper that define its front fascia. Roof rails are standard and amplify its height further. 21 alloy wheels have a five-spoke design emerging from its center and become ten spokes towards the rim.

Side profile features a typical sharp German design language with a strong profile. Tail lights get an X motif. If this aint sporty enough, BMW offers an M Sport package with gloss black elements for that extra dynamism. On the inside, the new 14.9 BMW Widescreen Curved Display and the new 12.3 infotainment screen take center stage.

Overall layout is typical, which reflects high quality standards and immaculate fit and finish. Ambient lighting adds that extra spice. Only the M Sport trim gets seat ventilation. But electrically adjustable seats with memory function, lumbar support, and Merino Leather are standard. 4 Zone climate control is standard too.

Redefining luxury mid-size SUV genre

New BMW X5 launched in India is a CKD vehicle and assembled here in BMWs Chennai plant. There are two engine options. A 3.0L in-line 6-cylinder petrol engine (381 bhp, 520 Nm, 0-100 km/h in 5.4 sec) and a 3.0L in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine (286 bhp, 650 Nm, 0-100 km/h in 6.1 sec). Both engines get BMW TwinPower Turbo tech along with a 48V mild hybrid system which adds 12 bhp and 200 Nm into the mix.

BMWs 8-speed Steptronic unit is the sole gearbox choice. Along with that, BMW xDrive AWD system and adaptive 2-axle air suspension with self leveling feature are standard fitments. BMWs Driver Assistance Systems, BMW ConnectedDrive telematics suite, BMW Digital Key Plus, BMW Live Cockpit Professional, BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, and other attributes make the overall experience that much better.

Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, There are no limits to confidence when youre driving the new BMW X5. The most powerful car in the segment, the new BMW X5 is distinctive and imposing. Exuding a dominating road presence, its confident stature leaves a lasting impression. The newly crafted luxurious interiors underscored by state-of-the-art technology provides an unparalleled elegance that makes the new BMW X5 as convenient and compelling as ever. It has all the ingredients required to strengthen its position as the global market leader in its segment. The new BMW X5 not only demands high standards but lives up to them earning your respect with every mile of the journey.
Actress and SAG-AFTRA actors union president Fran Drescher, along with chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, picket on the first day of the actors' strike at Netflix offices in Los Angeles, California, on July 14, 2023.

Its official: Hollywood is on strike and there is no going back. At midnight on Friday, the announcement that the actors union (SAG-AFTRA) had made hours earlier went into force. After failing to reach an agreement over their collective bargaining agreement with the studios, the unions 160,000 members walked out, staging protests in Los Angeles and New York.

The picket lines got moving in the middle of a heat wave in L.A., where the temperature was in excess of 87 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius). The sweltering weather did not deter the thousands of people who yelled, paced and blew on their whistles outside studio doors. The Netflix offices, located on Sunset Boulevard, in the heart of Hollywood, were busy first thing in the morning. The most visible faces of the union, including its president, Fran Drescher, arrived there at around 9:20 a.m.. Also present was her discreet and skilled right-hand man, chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.

The actress, known for her role in the 1990s series The Nanny, has been the star of crowded demonstrations outside studios. Among the protesters there were also many screenwriters who, after more than two months on a strike of their own, wanted to show support for their colleagues. However, there was a dearth of famous faces, unlike when screenwriters walked out and stars like Mark Ruffalo, Cynthia Nixon and Pete Davidson brought them pizzas. At the Disney headquarters, it was possible to see some members of the cast of series This Is Us.

Pickets in front of the Netflix studios, in Los Angeles, Caljfornia. MIKE BLAKE (REUTERS)

But Drescher made up for everything with her enthusiasm and charisma, focusing the attention of the American media, which keep turning to her for juicy statements delivered in fiery tones. Early on Friday outside the Netflix offices, she again reiterated how disappointed she was with the studios, but added that she felt tremendously excited by the support she had received from all corners of the world. Drescher has insisted on an idea aimed at averting any rejection that ordinary citizens may feel for this strike: that this is a stoppage of normal people who do not earn millions of dollars. The message is being repeated from all sides to prevent this from looking like a war between the elites. As actress Caroline Renard successfully tweeted, As a member of SAG-AFTRA, you have to earn $26,000 a year to qualify for health insurance. 87% of union members do not reach that annual amount.

Drescher has not shied away from criticizing the most powerful people in the industry. When Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, said that the actors demands were unrealistic, she described these statements by an executive who earned $45 million in 2021 and who intends to cut 7,000 jobs as disgusting and tactless.

Drescher has been accompanied by some familiar faces, such as Frances Fisher, Ben Whitehair, Michelle Hurd, Joely Fisher and Sean Astin. Protesters carried placards, many personalized with photographs, drawings and messages such as We are irreplaceable, You need us and Without actors there are no superheroes.

Karyna Shackelford and Chris Pecchenino, two actors who are a couple, were protesting outside the Paramount studios, and lamented what they described as selfishness on the part of the studios. Many of us have two jobs, there are people who have to drive Uber cars... The middle class is dropping all over the world, including among us, lamented Shackelford, who said they would protest a couple of times a week, because the bills have to be paid. If musicians have royalties, we actors should have them too, because with our work, our voice, our body, we create the characters that otherwise would not exist.

People should cancel their subscriptions to platforms, said Shackeford. Money... Its the only thing that worries them.
This video frame grab received from Chinas state broadcaster CCTV on July 25, 2016 shows a tiger (far R) attacking a passenger after she stepped out a car at Beijing Badaling Wildlife World.

An argument between a husband and wife led to a horrible incident at a drive through animal park in China that left the wife severely injured and her mother dead after both were mauled by tigers.

The disturbing incident, which was reported Saturday at Badaling Wildlife World in Beijing, was recorded on the parks security cameras.

Woman mauled to death by tiger

The woman is see in the video getting out of the car and walking to the drivers side after quarreling with her husband, reported China Central Television.

She is standing there for just a few seconds when a large tiger comes up and grabs her from behind and drags her away.

Her husband and the womans mother are then seen jumping out of the car in a frantic attempt to rescue her.

A second tiger, however, attacked the older woman and killed her. The younger woman was seriously injured.

CCTC reports that tourists are not allowed to get out of cars within the park. The news agency also reported that the couples child, who was also in the car, stayed inside the vehicle.

View the Video Tiger attacking woman in Beijing wildlife park
Law enforcement officers at the scene of a shooting Friday in Fargo, N.D.

One police officer was killed and two others were critically injured in a shooting that also left the suspect dead on a busy street in Fargo, North Dakota, police said.

A civilian also was seriously wounded in the shooting that happened just before 3 p.m. Friday, police said in a late-night statement that provided no details on how the shooting unfolded or on a possible motive. Many witnesses said they saw a man open fire on officers before other officers shot him.

One woman said she was driving when she saw the officers fall.

I saw the traffic stop and as soon as I drove, shots were fired and I saw the cops go down, Shannon Nichole told KFGO Radio. My airbag went off and the bullet went through my drivers door.

The Fargo Police Department said the investigation is ongoing and authorities withheld the identities of the officers and the suspect pending notification of their families.

Fargo police plan to provide more details at a press conference at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, said Gregg Schildberger, the citys chief communications officer.

We sincerely are asking for your patience and our communitys patience and understanding as the Fargo Police Department works through this incident, Schildberger said Friday evening.

This is very difficult on all of us, Schildberger said. We appreciate all the messages from the community that have been given to us in support of our officers.

Police initially said little about the shooting, calling it only a critical incident for nine hours. Early details emerged from witnesses, who said they saw the shooting or heard the sound of gunshots. Shortly after the shooting, officers converged on a residential area about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away and evacuated residents while gathering what they said was related evidence.

Chenoa Peterson told The Associated Press that she was driving with her 22-year-old daughter when a man pulled out a gun and began firing at police: He proceeds to aim it and you just hear the bullets go off, and Im like, Oh, my God! Hes shooting!

Petersons first instinct was to pull over and try to help, but having her daughter there convinced her to leave. Its weird knowing that if you were 10 seconds earlier you could have been in that, she said.

Surveillance video provided by Fargo resident Allison Carlson captured the rapid sounds of gunfire.

Bo Thi was working alone at a nail salon near the shooting scene when she heard what sounded like fireworks or a motorcycle backfiring. She said gunshots didnt cross her mind at the time.

Police and other agencies across the region posted sympathies for Fargo police on Facebook.

Thinking of our brothers and sisters in Fargo, a post from the South Dakota Fraternal Order of Police said.

The Glenwood Fire Department in Minnesota posted, Please keep the blue lights shining to show our support of not only our local law enforcement, but also those affected by todays events!

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The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that it obtained a final judgment in a previously-filed case against Cooper J. Morgenthau, the former CFO of African Gold Acquisition Corp., a SPAC or special purpose acquisition company, for orchestrating a scheme in which he stole more than $5 million from the company and from investors in two other SPACs that he incorporated.

The SEC's complaint, filed in January 2023 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleged that, from June 2021 through July 2022, Morgenthau embezzled money from African Gold and stole funds from another SPAC series called Strategic Metals Acquisition Corp. I and II to pay for his personal expenses and to trade in crypto assets and other securities.

According to the SEC's complaint, Morgenthau concealed unauthorized withdrawals by falsifying African Gold's bank account statements and then provided those falsified documents to African Gold's auditor and accountants for purposes of preparing African Gold's SEC filings. During the same general time period, Morgenthau raised money from Strategic Metals' investors based on misrepresentations that the money would be used to launch the Strategic Metals SPACs, when in fact Morgenthau misappropriated the money for personal uses, including to conceal his embezzlement of African Gold's funds.

On July 13, 2023, the court entered a final judgment ordering Morgenthau to pay disgorgement of $5,111,335, plus prejudgment interest thereon in the amount of $221,237, deemed satisfied by the amounts of restitution and forfeiture ordered in a parallel criminal case filed against Morgenthau. Previously, Morgenthau consented to the entry of a judgment on January 6, 2023, enjoining him from violations of Sections 10(b) and 13(b)(5) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rules 10b-5, 13b2-1, 13b2-2(a) and (b), and 13a-14 thereunder and Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, and barring him from serving as an officer or director of a publicly traded company.

On January 3, 2023, Morgenthau pled guilty to criminal charges brought by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. On April 27, 2023, Morgenthau was sentenced to 36 months in prison, plus 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to forfeit $5,111,335 and to pay restitution of $5,111,335.

For further information, see Litigation Release No. 25605.
The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Celsius Network Limited (Celsius) and its founder and former CEO, Alex Mashinsky, for violating registration and anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws, including by failing to register the offers and sales of Celsius's crypto lending product, the Earn Interest Program; making false and misleading statements to investors of the Earn Interest Program and Celsius's own crypto asset security, CEL; and engaging in market manipulation as it relates to CEL.

According to the SEC's complaint, from almost the inception of Celsius in 2018 to the point the company effectively halted its platform on June 12, 2022, Celsius offered to investors the Earn Interest Program, by which investors tendered their crypto assets to Celsius in exchange for interest payments. As alleged, although the Earn Interest Program constituted the offer and sale of securities under the federal securities laws, no registration was filed or in effect for the offering, and no exemption from registration was available. As a result, the Earn Interest Program lacked the protection that registration would offer.

According to the SEC's complaint, throughout its operating period, Celsius and Mashinsky continually misrepresented core aspects of Celsius's business to Earn Interest Program and CEL investors, including making false and misleading statements about trading and business strategies, risks, the company's business model, its financial health and success, and the safety of customer assets on Celsius's platform.

The SEC's complaint alleges that Celsius and Mashinsky manipulated the market of CEL. Starting in at least 2020, according to the complaint, Celsius and Mashinsky engaged in a fraud to artificially increase and support the price of CEL through manipulative buy backs of CEL far in excess of its publicly disclosed purchases. As alleged, Celsius and Mashinsky - the single largest holder of CEL other than Celsius - structured the scheme to have the greatest impact on the market and induce others to buy CEL, to the benefit of Celsius and Mashinsky.

The SEC's complaint, filed in the Southern District of New York, charges Celsius and Mashinsky with violating Sections 5(a), 5(c), and 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, and Sections 9(a)(2) and 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. The SEC's complaint seeks injunctions against future securities law violations and an injunction that prohibits Mashinsky from participating, directly or indirectly, in the purchase, offer, or sale of any crypto asset securities or engaging in activities for the purposes of inducing or attempting to induce the purchase or sale of any crypto asset securities by others. The complaint also seeks to bar Mashinsky from acting as an officer or director of a public company and seeks monetary relief in the form of civil penalties, disgorgement of profits, and prejudgment interest.

Celsius is cooperating with the SEC and has consented to the relief requested in the complaint, which includes a permanent injunction against future securities law violations.

In parallel actions, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced charges against Mashinsky and a non-prosecution agreement with Celsius, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced charges against Celsius and Mashinsky.

The SEC's ongoing investigation is being conducted by Randall D. Friedland and Christian J. Ascunce, with the assistance of Sachin Verma, Peter Rosario, and Adam Gottlieb. The matter is being supervised by Pei Y. Chung and Stacy L. Bogert, as well as David Hirsch and Jorge G. Tenreiro of the SEC's Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit. The litigation is being led by H.B. Roback under the supervision of James Connor and Olivia Choe.

The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, the FBI, and the CFTC.
In December 2010, police found the bodies of four women wrapped in burlap and hidden in thick underbrush along a remote beach highway that runs parallel to the ocean at Gilgo Beach, on the coast of Long Island, New York. Within a few months, they discovered six more bodies in the same area, including the skeleton of a toddler.

And then, for over a decade, there was nothing. The deaths long stumped investigators. Most of the victims were young women who had been sex workers. Last year, an interagency task force was formed with investigators from the FBI, as well as state and local police departments, aimed at solving the case.

Then, this past Friday, more than a quarter of a century after the first news emerged about the Long Island serial killer  one of the most famous unsolved crime cases in recent U.S. history  the police finally announced the arrest of a suspect. The announcement brought some relief to the residents of South Oyster Bay, as well as to the relatives of the victims.

In denying bail, Judge Richard Ambro cited the extreme depravity of Heuermanns alleged conduct.

The suspect has been identified as Rex Heuermann, a 59-year-old architect. He was a family man with two children who looked like hed never killed a fly. He lived in a house in a residential area in Massapequa Park, a community just north of South Oyster Bay and about a 25-minute drive away along a causeway spanning the bay. The arrest, however, took place in midtown Manhattan, where he worked.

His neighbors in the community where he has lived for decades told the media that they would never have imagined such a nondescript individual could have had anything to do with the macabre events. Were going to continue to work, investigate, and try to get a small measure of closure for all the victims families, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Heuermann has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello over a decade ago. He is also considered the prime suspect in the death of another woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, although he has not been charged yet. Investigators have said its unlikely just one person killed all the victims.

The killer allegedly contacted his victims on disposable cell phones at a time when tracking technology had not yet reached todays levels of sophistication. He called them to request their escort services from places in midtown Manhattan, where his studio is located. The first disappearance that caught the attention of the authorities was in May 2010, when Shannan Gilbert, 24, went missing after visiting a client five kilometers from Gilgo Beach, but had time to call 911 and say, Someone is trying to kill me. Her body appeared near there in December 2011.

During the search for her remains, police also found the bodies of Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy, all sex workers in their 20s. Months later, investigators unearthed the dismembered body of Valerie Mack, who had disappeared 20 years earlier.

The belt

Following the gruesome findings, which quickly captured the imagination of the American public, the investigation entered a nearly decade-long dead end. In 2020, it was reactivated thanks to an image of a belt with the initials (HW or MH, depending on the orientation of the buckle) allegedly belonging to the suspect and found wrapped around one of the victims.

Heuermann was first identified as a suspect in March 2022, when detectives linked him to a pickup truck that a witness reported seeing when one of the victims disappeared in 2010. In March, detectives recovered Heuermanns DNA from a pizza crust he discarded and matched it to evidence found on one of the victims, authorities said.

In a news conference on Friday afternoon, a few hours after the accuseds lawyer enterered a not guilty plea at an arraignment Friday, Suffolk County District Attorney Tierney said the decision to arrest Heuermann was based on the suspicion that he was about to kill again. He kept using fictitious email addresses, fictitious identities, disposable phones, harassing sex workers, he said. We had to get him off the streets.

Like so many true crime stories in a country obsessed with them, the Gilgo Beach crimes inspired a series of cultural products, from books to podcasts to movies, including The Long Island Serial Killer (2013) and the Netflix production Lost Girls, which focuses on Gilberts mothers struggle to find her daughters killer.
Hes been indicted twice. Found liable for sexual abuse. And hes viewed unfavorably by about a third of his party. But six months before Republicans begin to choose their next presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump remains the races dominant front-runner.

Early leaders dont always go on to win their partys nomination, but a growing sense of Trumps inevitability is raising alarms among some Republicans desperate for the party to move on. Some described a sense of panic  or DEFCON 1, as one put it  as they scramble to try to derail Trump and change the trajectory of the race. But theres no clear plan or strategy on how to do that and Trumps detractors arent rallying around a single alternative candidate yet.

Theyre very concerned, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said of fellow Republican leaders who share his view that renominating Trump would be a disaster for the party next November. People expected us to have made more progress than we have at this point.

Polling finds Trump routinely besting his closest rival by 20 to 30 points or more. Of course, the six months that remain until the Iowa caucuses can be an eternity in politics, where races can turn in a matter of weeks or days. And Trump faces glaring vulnerabilities, including the ongoing state and federal investigations into his efforts of overturn the 2020 election and the possibility that he could end up in the unprecedented position of standing trial while simultaneously mounting a campaign.

But even critics acknowledge the outside events that many were counting on to dent Trumps standing  namely his criminal indictments in New York and Florida  have not hurt him. In fact, the charges led some voters who were entertaining an alternative to return to Trumps camp.

The indictments have actually helped Donald Trump with the Republican primary voters, said Art Pope, a North Carolina GOP donor who is supporting former Vice President Mike Pence, but nonetheless believes the charges, particularly in New York, were unfounded.

Meanwhile, anti-Trump Republicans have yet to coalesce around an alternative, as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has struggled to build momentum, leaving many still waiting to see whether another viable alternative might emerge from the pack. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott has drawn growing attention.

Several groups that oppose Trumps candidacy have begun to spend big money on efforts to weaken his support, even if they have yet to rally around another candidate. Win It Back PAC, a new independent super PAC with ties to the conservative Club For Growth Action, invested $3.6 million this month on a new ad that features a purported Trump supporter who has grown tired of the former presidents antics.

I love Donald Trump, I love what he did, he begins. But hes got so many distractions ... and Im not sure he can focus on moving the country forward.

The conservative Americans for Prosperity Action, which is part of the network founded by the billionaire Koch brothers, has also sought to undermine Trump through door knocking and phone calls. The group says it has found in conversations with voters that Trumps support is softer than most assume and that even those who identify as Trump supporters are concerned about his electability in a general election and open to an alternative.

Their mailers to voters in early states have focused on that message, including one that features photos of Trump and President Joe Biden and asks recipients, Is it worth the risk?

While officials with the group acknowledge that they are facing pressure to rally around a non-Trump candidate, they say they are focused now on laying the foundation for a Trump alternative to emerge.

Weve got to move on from Trump, said Drew Klein, the groups state director. Thats where most of the people were talking to are as well. Theyre not necessarily locked in with a candidate, but they know weve got to move on.

Not everyone, however, agrees with the anti-Trump strategy. Former GOP pollster Frank Luntz, who has been running focus groups in Iowa, warned such messaging makes it more likely that Trump wins because it turns him into a victim.

He said hes found Republican voters are open to an alternative, but want someone who will deliver on Trumps promises.

The moon and the stars will need to be aligned for Trump to be defeated, he said. And it will be done by the candidate that supports the Trump agenda but opposes the lack of success.

Political trajectories can change in an instant, particularly after voting begins. During the 2008 campaign, the eventual GOP nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, didnt emerge as the races frontrunner until his January 2008 win in the New Hampshire primary. And then-Sen. Hillary Clinton appeared to have a clear advantage for the Democratic nomination, only to be overtaken by Barack Obama, after voting began.

But no former president has mounted a run after losing reelection in the modern era. And Trump maintains a fervent hold on a portion of the party. Indeed, it was eight years ago this month when the then-reality star and political newcomer began to pull ahead in the polls, surpassing rival Jeb Bush to move into first place  a position hed hold until he won the nomination.

Ralph Reed, a longtime Republican strategist who is the chairman of the evangelical Faith and Freedom Coalition, said Trump remains in the strongest position of any candidate, but still believes the race will be competitive and hard fought.

No one should take any state for granted, no one should take this primary for granted because anything can happen and often does, he said. Almost every front-runner has a near-death experience.

Critics and rival campaigns point to what they perceive as a growing list of Trump campaign missteps, particularly in Iowa, where he has criticized the states popular governor, Kim Reynolds, for her seemingly cozy relationship with DeSantis while purporting to be neutral. Hes also skipped a pair of GOP gatherings that attracted most of his top rivals.

As his rivals spent Friday in Iowa at the Family Leadership Summit, Trump was heading to Florida, where he will have the stage largely to himself at the annual Turning Point Action conference, a gathering of thousands of young conservatives.

While DeSantis has had a years-long relationship with organizer Charlie Kirk and had been been featured at last years event alongside Trump and received a warm welcome from the crowd, DeSantis turned down the groups invitation, citing a scheduling conflict.

You only have a few opportunities in the grand scheme of an election cycle to get in front of major groups and all the media and to pass up this opportunity to lay out your vision for America I just think is one of the biggest mistakes, said Tyler Bowyer, chief operating officer of Turning Point Action.

Asa Hutchinson, the former Arkansas governor who is among those challenging Trump for the nomination, said he still believes that Trump can be beaten. But he said two things have to change.

First, candidates like myself have to be very clear that Donald Trump is not the right direction for our country or our party, he said. Second: The voters have to realize we cant win in 2024 and it will be a devastating loss for the GOP ... up and down the ballot if Donald Trump is our nominee. And that, I believe, will be understood by the voters as time goes.

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Jodi Kelly and her husband Dan Kelly use a canoe to remove surgical supplies from their flood-damaged vet center on July 11, 2023, in Montpelier, Vt.

Vermonters are working to dry out homes and businesses damaged by this weeks historic flooding and keeping a wary eye on the horizon with another round of storms on the horizon. More rain is expected Sunday. President Joe Biden on Friday approved Gov. Phil Scotts request for a major disaster declaration to provide federal support.

The storms have been blamed for two deaths, including a woman in New York state and a 63-year-old man in Barre, Vermont, who drowned in his home. Scott also said late Friday he has requested the U.S. Department of Agriculture issue a disaster designation for the state due to damage to crops.

The Marshfield Village Store, which sits at the junction of two country highways in a tiny Vermont town, has become a little bit of everything in recent days as residents struggle to recover from historic floods that battered the state.

First the shop in Marshfield, about 45 miles (70 kilometers) east of the states biggest city, Burlington, served as a shelter for about three dozen people. By Friday it was a distribution center for much-needed fresh water and a go-to for supplies.

Were about to start putting it out more formally, if there are other folks who havent been able to get the support that they need yet, so that we can get equipment and volunteers to them, emergency medication, work on their properties, thats where were at right now, said Michelle Eddleman McCormick, the stores general manager.

Storms dumped up to two months worth of rain in a couple of days in parts of the region earlier this week, surpassing the amount that fell when Tropical Storm Irene blew through in 2011 and caused major flooding. Officials called this weeks flooding the states worst natural disaster since floods in 1927, and some suggested storms like this showed the impacts of climate change. More rain is expected in the coming days.

The flooding has been blamed for one death: Stephen Davoll, 63, drowned in his home Wednesday in Barre, a central Vermont city of about 8,500 people, according to Vermont Emergency Management spokesman Mark Bosma. He urged people to continue taking extra care as they return to their homes and repair damage.

The loss of a Vermonter is always painful, but it is particularly so this week, U.S. Sen. Peter Welch said in statement.

It was the second flood-related death stemming from a storm system and epic flooding in the Northeast this week. The first was in upstate New York, where a woman was swept away by floodwaters in Fort Montgomery, a small Hudson River community about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of New York City.

President Joe Biden on Friday approved Vermont Gov. Phil Scotts request for a major disaster declaration to provide federal support. Scott also said late Friday he has requested the U.S. Department of Agriculture issue a disaster designation for the state due to damage to crops.

Farms were hit hard, just after many growers endured a hard freeze in May. Its expected to destroy a large share of our produce and livestock feed, Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts said at a news conference. It was too soon to determine damage costs, he said.

In our mountainous state, much of our most fertile farmland lies in river valleys, and countless fields of corn, hay, vegetables, fruit, and pasture were swamped and buried, Scott said.

Assessors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency were scheduled to begin inspecting hard hit areas of Vermont on Saturday. That will help determine who will qualify for government assistance. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is also scheduled to arrive in the state next week to survey flood damage.

The state and others in the Northeast, including New Hampshire and Maine, are bracing for more wet weather expected to hit Sunday and into next week. The New Hampshire Department of Safety and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services said they are closely monitoring water levels across the state.

We dont know the extent of some of these storms, Scott said.

With more rain coming, its critical that residents adhere to safety restrictions as they dig out of the storm, said Miro Weinberger, mayor of Burlington, Vermonts largest city.

We continue to operate under a state of emergency, and more heavy rain is expected Sunday. Again, I urge you to heed all road closures and all directions from state and local officials, including to stay away from the river banks, brooks, and

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KYODO NEWS - Jul 15, 2023 - 20:37 | All, Japan

A man died Saturday after he was hit by a 1-ton float during a major summer festival in southwestern Japan, police said.

Toshimi Akiyoshi, 57, was fatally injured during the climax of the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival, when people race decorated floats through the streets of Fukuoka early in the morning. According to a festival official, Akiyoshi was one of the float carriers.

As far as is known, no one has died previously at the event in such circumstances, an association promoting the time-honored festival has said.

At around 5:30 a.m. Saturday, a call requesting an ambulance was made for a man who had fallen over on a street in Hakata Ward. Akiyoshi, a Hakata resident, had apparently hit his chest and was taken to a hospital, but was confirmed dead at around 7 a.m., according to the police.

The festival is said to have a history of more than 780 years. This year, the climax event known as "Oiyama" was held without coronavirus-related restrictions limiting spectator numbers for the first time in four years.

Before the pandemic, the festival had been known to attract crowds of about 3 million people. It is registered as an intangible cultural heritage event by the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
By Keita Nakamura, KYODO NEWS - Jul 15, 2023 - 14:21 | All, Japan, World, Feature

While Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has expressed readiness to engage in high-level communication with North Korea, Japan must perform a careful balancing act to ensure its outreach to Pyongyang does not undermine its alliance with the United States and South Korea.

Pyongyang has apparently not immediately declined Kishida's offer. However, some experts do not believe the two countries are making any significant progress behind the scenes, even warning that North Korea may try to leverage dialogue with Japan to create fissures in the trilateral alliance.

North Korea made a rare appearance on the diplomatic stage on Friday, with its envoy taking part in a ministerial meeting of an Asia-Pacific security forum in Jakarta, also attended by Japan. But as was widely predicted, no obvious contact was made between the two countries.

Kishida expects direct communication with North Korea, including a summit with leader Kim Jong Un, could lead to a resolution of the long-standing issue of Japanese nationals abducted by the North in the 1970s and 1980s.

For North Korea, however, engaging in diplomacy is taking a back seat at this time to efforts to develop its missile and nuclear capabilities, especially with the conservative government of President Yoon Suk Yeol in power in Seoul, Korea specialists say.

Trying to rush talks with Pyongyang might endanger the ability of the trilateral alliance of Tokyo, Washington and Seoul to pressure the North to stop missile and nuclear activities, they added.

At the gathering of the ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia's largest political and security conference and one of the few multilateral events involving North Korea, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi condemned the North's latest international ballistic missile test Wednesday.

At the same time, Hayashi underscored Kishida's resolve to meet Kim "without conditions," and pushed North Korea to resume "substantial dialogue" with the countries concerned.

But the reclusive country's foreign minister was absent for the fifth straight year, partly due to the North's border closure since 2020 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

North Korea's ambassador to Indonesia An Kwang Il attended the talks -- which involved regional powers such as the United States, China and Russia along with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations -- in place of Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui.

An only reiterated the country's "unique claim" that is incompatible with Japan's view, and had no contact with Hayashi, a Japanese government official said without giving further details.

Less than two months ago, Kishida unexpectedly voiced readiness to set up a high-level consultation with North Korea to pave the way for a meeting with Kim.

It prompted Pyongyang's Vice Foreign Minister Pak Sang Gil to release a comment saying there is "no reason" for the two countries "not to meet."

Tomohiko Kawaguchi, an associate professor at Nihon University, said Pak's comment was taken positively by Japanese media as a sign dialogue may be possible in the near future, but in reality he believes it was effectively a refusal.

"In the comment, North Korea has set preconditions for dialogue, which are totally unacceptable for Japan, such as that the abduction issue has been already resolved," Kawaguchi said.

The development also fueled speculation that a backdoor bilateral negotiation toward the resumption of communication is progressing.

But Shunji Hiraiwa, a Nanzan University professor, is reluctant to accept such a view. He said that in 2002, "only a few officials" of the Foreign Ministry were informed in advance when then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi made a surprise visit to Pyongyang.

"I do not think (the government) would announce it in advance" if the situation is really serious, he said.

Koizumi held a summit with Kim's father and former leader Kim Jong Il during the visit. After he returned to Pyongyang in 2004, North Korea handed over five abductees to Japan.

In South Korea, Yoon assumed office in May last year with a pledge to take a future-oriented approach toward Japan. Replacing left-leaning Moon Jae In, Yoon has adopted a hard-line stance on North Korea.

In addition to its COVID-19 entry ban, North Korea has apparently become less open to dialogue since Yoon's inauguration, while repeatedly firing ballistic missiles since the start of 2022.

In a show of unity in the face of North Korean provocations, U.S. forces have been conducting joint drills with South Korea and Japan near the Korean Peninsula.

Tadashi Kimiya, a professor at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tokyo, said Yoon prioritizes enhancing the credibility of Washington's extended deterrence involving nuclear capabilities against North Korea to neutralize its military threats.

"To counter that move, North Korea has been promoting missile and nuclear development and taking more provocative military actions, instead of responding to calls for dialogue," he said.

Under such conditions, Kimiya pointed out that the North is possibly considering Tokyo as a favorable target to "drive a wedge" between it, Washington and Seoul, as Japan cares deeply about solving the abduction issue.

Kishida's attempt to hold a summit with Kim at this time may "irritate" Yoon's administration, Kimiya also said, given the significant efforts the South Korean president has made to improve Tokyo-Seoul relations that had sunk to the lowest point in decades.

In March, Yoon's government proposed a solution to a long-running and controversial dispute between the countries over the issue of compensation for laborers allegedly forced to work for Japanese companies during World War II.

Experts are also skeptical as to whether holding a leaders' meeting between Japan and North Korea could bring favorable results, unless Pyongyang changes its stance on the abduction issue.

Still, Kimiya said Tokyo should make efforts to engage Pyongyang in denuclearization through dialogue over the long term.

"Japan should not leave everything up to the United States and South Korea forever," he said, adding that Japan has a "just cause" to talk with North Korea.

Related coverage:

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Japan, South Korea reaffirm cooperation on North Korea after ICBM launch

North Korea fires ICBM, longest-ever flight time
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The New York City civil service exam schedule is open for July, and some jobs pay more than others.

The application period for exams opened July 6.

Exam applications currently open include: call center representative; housing assistant; oiler; oiler (CUNY); plant maintainer (Hospitals)/oiler (NYC H+H); quality assurance specialist trainee; reporter/stenographer (DA); special officer; special officer (NYC H+H); youth development specialist.

Positions open in the New York City Bridge Exam include: bookkeeper; clerical associate; clerical associate (NYC H+H); computer service technician; maintenance worker; maintenance worker (CUNY); maintenance worker (NYC H+H); secretary; staff analyst trainee.

Open, competitive, computer-based tests are administered throughout each month for various positions. If you meet the basic requirements of the job, you can apply for your exam online at Online Application System (OASys) or at one of the Computer-Based Testing and Application Centers (CTAC).

Here are the starting salaries, deadlines and job descriptions for each career.

Call center representative

Salary: $38,336

Job description, according to DCAS: Call Center Representatives, under supervision, in the Office of Information Technology and Innovation New York City 24-hour 3-1-1 Call Center, provide a single point of contact for all non-emergency city services. Representatives perform the following tasks: respond to phone inquiries from the public; provide customer service and information to callers; take complaints and service requests and forward them for further action; enter inquiries, complaints and requests into appropriate computer systems, and perform related clerical and computer support work

Application deadline: July 26, 2023

Housing assistant

Salary: $39,098

Job description, according to DCAS: Housing Assistants, under general supervision, with some latitude for independent action or decision, perform work of ordinary difficulty and responsibility in the administration and management of the NYC Housing Authoritys public housing and leased housing program

Application deadline: July 26, 2023

Oiler

Salary: $59.75 per hour for a 40-hour work week

Job description, according to DCAS: Oilers, under direct supervision, are responsible for the lubrication of power plant, pumping and/or construction equipment. They lubricate and clean pumps, engines, blowers, compressors, motors, gears, ejectors, bridge cables and other operating equipment; assist in the operation, maintenance and repair of this equipment; read meters and gauges; keep logs; operate lubricant filtering and purifying equipment; maintain lubricant inventory; and may operate a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned duties.

Application deadline: July 19, 2023

Oiler (CUNY)

Salary: $59.75 per hour for a 40-hour work week

Job description, according to DCAS: Oilers (CUNY), under direct supervision, are responsible for the lubrication of power plant, pumping and/or construction equipment. They lubricate and clean pumps, engines, blowers, compressors, motors, gears, ejectors and other operating equipment; assist in the operation, maintenance and repair of this equipment; read meters and gauges; keep logs; operate lubricant filtering and purifying equipment; maintain lubricant inventory; may be designated to inspect and service swimming pools and building safety equipment; and may operate a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned duties.

Application deadline: July 19, 2023

Plant maintainer (Hospitals)/oiler (NYC H+H)

Salary: $59.75 per hour for a 40-hour work week

Job description, according to DCAS: Plant Maintainers (Hospitals)/Oilers (NYC H+H) perform the duties and functions of a Plant Maintainer (Hospitals)/Tender (NYC H+H) in a hospital or health-care setting: may inspect, maintain, repair, and/or tend equipment used in heating, ventilating, refrigeration, air conditioning and related mechanical systems; inspect and read meters, gauges and other controls of operating equipment; may tend and/or operate stoker equipment, boilers and incinerator furnaces and related equipment; except that where equipment requires a New York City high pressure boiler or refrigeration mechanic operators license, may assist in this function; may dismantle and/or assemble equipment associated with the heating, ventilating, refrigeration, air conditioning or mechanical systems and make operational; requisition parts as required; maintain necessary work records and logs.

Application deadline: July 19, 2023

Quality assurance specialist trainee

Salary: $31,463

Job description, according to DCAS: Quality Assurance Specialist Trainees, under close supervision, receive training in and perform beginning level quality assurance work to determine the acceptability of various supplies, materials, products and/or services by ensuring that purchase or contract specifications, terms, conditions and related regulations are fulfilled.

Application deadline: July 26, 2023

Reporter/stenographer (DA)

Salary: $44,457

Job description, according to DCAS: Reporter/Stenographers (DA), under general supervision, perform difficult and responsible stenographic activities on a stenotype machine; take verbatim statements of witnesses, complainants and defendants; take verbatim testimony introduced before a grand jury; transcribe this material for use in court proceedings; may appear in court to testify as to accuracy of statements or testimony and of circumstances surrounding interrogations; maintain records and files of proceedings and stenographic notes in order to locate testimony and other records pertaining to specific cases.

Application deadline: July 26, 2023

Special officer

Salary: $34,834

Job description, according to DCAS: Special Officers, under supervision, perform Special Officer work of ordinary difficulty and responsibility relating to physical security, safety, loss prevention and maintenance of order.

Application deadline: July 26, 2023

Special officer (NYC H+H)

Salary: $34,834

Job description, according to DCAS: Special Officers (NYC H+H), under supervision, perform Special Officer (NYC H+H) work of ordinary difficulty and responsibility relating to physical security, safety, loss prevention and maintenance of order.

Application deadline: July 26, 2023

Youth development specialist

Salary: $51,787

Job description, according to DCAS: Youth Development Specialists under supervision, and with limited latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative, work as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide secure, safe care, and skill-based therapeutic interventions for pre-adjudicated and post-adjudicated youth in juvenile detention facilities and other ACS operated or managed juvenile justice facilities and programs.

Application deadline: July 26, 2023

Bookkeeper

Salary: $41,917

Job description, according to DCAS: Bookkeepers, under supervision, perform computations of varying degrees of difficulty related to financial records.

Application deadline: July 18, 2023

Clerical associate

Salary: $32,217

Job description, according to DCAS: Clerical Associates, under supervision, with a limited latitude for independent judgment, perform clerical work in relation to records, files, invoices and reports using alphabetical and numerical procedures including data/control coding; perform ordinary mathematical calculations; operate a telephone call directory, multi-line phone, or switchboard; perform clerical operations in an assigned area, such as the filing of material and the searching of files for difficult to locate material; prepare reports requiring the selection of data from simple records or statistics; check records for accuracy of information and for conformity with established policy and procedures; perform data entry and retrieval using a personal computer, monitor, video display terminal, or other automated office systems; maintain related library files; may perform incidental typing.

Application deadline: July 18, 2023

Clerical associate (NYC H+H)

Salary: $35,895

Job description, according to DCAS: Clerical Associates (NYC H+H), under supervision, with some latitude for independent judgment, perform responsible clerical work in various administrative and operational areas by processing, recording, checking and maintaining records, files and invoices using alphabetical and numerical procedures including data/control coding; furnish information and prepare reports requiring the selection of data from simple records or statistics; perform ordinary mathematical computations; operate a telephone call directory, multi-line phone, or switchboard; perform clerical operations in an assigned area, and more.

Application deadline: July 18, 2023

Computer service technician

Salary: $44,791

Job description, according to DCAS: Computer Service Technicians, under supervision, with some latitude for independent initiative and judgment, perform routine service functions in maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing computers, computer peripheral equipment and/or networking technology equipment; as well as supervise personnel performing routine repair or maintenance functions in order to maintain efficient functioning of computer operations and minimize downtime in the case of system failure; and operate a motor vehicle in the performance of these functions in field locations.

Application deadline: July 18, 2023

Maintenance worker

Salary: $29.98 per hour for a 40-hour work week

Job description, according to DCAS: Maintenance Workers, under direct supervision, assist in the routine maintenance, operation and repair of public buildings and structures, and the equipment they contain. They conduct visual inspections of building equipment and conditions; maintain, adjust and make repairs of building hardware, furniture, shelving and equipment; replace broken window and door glass; repair windows and sash; make repairs to masonry, woodwork, flooring and walls; make repairs to building electrical, plumbing and heating systems; assist in relocating building equipment as directed; visually inspect public buildings, structures and equipment to assess and check for defects, malfunctions and hazardous conditions; visually check for and record the observable conditions of the premises; prepare reports; keep records; and may operate a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned duties.

Application deadline: July 18, 2023

Maintenance worker (CUNY)

Salary: $29.98 per hour for a 40-hour work week

Job description, according to DCAS: Maintenance Workers (CUNY), under direct supervision, assist in the routine maintenance, operation and repair of public buildings and structures, and the equipment they contain. They maintain, adjust and make repairs of building hardware, furniture, shelving and equipment; replace broken window and door glass; repair windows and sash; make repairs to masonry, woodwork, flooring and walls; make repairs to building electrical, plumbing and heating systems; assist in relocating building equipment as directed; visually inspect public buildings, structures and equipment to assess and check for defects, malfunctions and hazardous conditions; visually check for and record the observable conditions of the premises; prepare reports; keep records; and may operate a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned duties.

Application deadline: July 18, 2023

Maintenance worker (NYC H+H)

Salary: $29.98 per hour for a 40-hour work week

Job description, according to DCAS: Maintenance Workers (NYC H+H), under direct supervision, assist in the routine maintenance, operation and repair of public buildings and structures, and the equipment they contain. They conduct visual inspections of building equipment and conditions; maintain, adjust and make repairs of building hardware, furniture, shelving and equipment; replace broken window and door glass; repair windows and sashes; make repairs to masonry, woodwork, flooring and walls; make repairs to building, electrical, plumbing and heating systems; assist in relocating building equipment as directed; visually inspect public buildings, structures and equipment to assess and check for defects, malfunctions and hazardous conditions; visually check for and record the observable conditions of the premises; complete work orders; prepare reports; keep records; and may operate a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned duties

Application deadline: July 18, 2023

Secretary

Salary: $32,217

Job description, according to DCAS: Secretaries, under supervision, perform typing, secretarial and related office work with limited latitude for independent judgment; perform typing work including copy typing from rough or clear drafts, typing statistical tables, and typing transcription from tapes and varityping; perform secretarial work, including scheduling appointments and other general office work; perform basic word processing assignments using a personal computer, word processing equipment or other automated office equipment; may perform basic data entry functions; review and correct typed material to ensure correct spelling, syllabification, punctuation, and proper format; may respond to routine telephone calls; refer calls and visitors to appropriate staff.

Application deadline: July 18, 2023

Staff analyst trainee

Salary: $42,150

Job description, according to DCAS: Staff Analyst Trainees, under supervision with some latitude for independent judgment, receive training in and assist in professional and technical work in the preparation and administration of departmental budgets; the preparation and conduct of administrative and procedural studies and analyses of the organization and operations of City agencies, and in personnel administration.

Application deadline: July 18, 2023

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A Graniteville synagogue suffered a break-in Wednesday night, and police are now on the lookout for a suspect.

The NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information (DCPI) released a photo of an individual sought for questioning in relation to the break-in that occurred Wednesday, July 12, at around 1 a.m. at the Congregation Ohel Abraham synagogue on Amador Street.

Cops described the man, who they say broke in through a side window, as being approximately 5-feet 8-inches to 6 feet tall with a thin build and a light complexion.

He was last seen wearing a short-sleeved, button-down shirt and dark-colored jeans. He fled the synagogue towards South Avenue, according to police.

Lynn Schoen, president of the congregation, and her husband, Michael, were on vacation Saturday, but were able to speak with the Advance/SILive.com about the incident the pair called disheartening.

They had not yet been to the synagogue to see what had or had not been taken, but said they had video of the man that showed he violated some of the congregations four torah scrolls.

The couple also shared video of the break-in showing the suspect crawling through a window on the side of the synagogue. Michael Schoen raised concerns that things could have been worse.

Everybodys horrified, he said. God forbid somebodys in the building when this guy comes back...He knew he was attacking a synagogue.

The break-in follows Mayor Eric Adams June announcement about a first-of-its-kind, 37-member Jewish Advisory Council that will discuss issues impacting the citys Jewish population.

Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, president of the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO), sits on the council, and said the rising rate of hate crimes against Jewish people will be one of the councils main focuses.

The most important thing is to never allow an awareness of the situation to be forgotten, Mirocznik said. In order to combat crime, in particular hate crimes (and) anti-semitic hate crimes, we have to focus and make certain that there is priority by us and take every effort, whether its prevention or whether its prosecution.

There were 78 arrests for anti-semitic hate crimes in the five boroughs last year, with seven occurring on Staten Island. Four were in the 121st Precinct and three were in the 120th Precinct, according to NYPD data.

Anyone with information regarding the Graniteville break-in 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 tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Suffolk Countys police commissioner, who created the task force that led to the arrest of the man allegedly responsible for the Gilgo Beach murders, has longstanding ties to Staten Island.

Rodney K. Harrison, who was once the NYPDs chief of department, joined the force in 1992 and held other senior ranks such as the NYPDs executive officer for Staten Island, chief of patrol and chief of detectives.

Harrison became the first African American to hold the title of chief of detectives in December 2019. In that role, he directed the investigations of crimes during one of the most violent years that New York City had experienced in decades.

Promoted to chief of department in 2021, Harrison oversaw the crime-tracking CompStat system, managed recovery efforts following anti-police riots and worked to improve relationships with community leaders amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He was also considered fundamental in the creation and implementation of the neighborhood policing initiative.

Harrison has made a number of appearances on Staten Island throughout the years, including recruiting minority candidates to the NYPD.

I beg everybody to please go out and touch somebody and just get them to file for the [NYPD] test, he said during an appearance at First Central Baptist Church in Stapleton in May 2021. We have to make change within this organization and it starts with us being a part of it.

That October, he, along with other law enforcement leaders, encouraged members of the community at the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center in Tompkinsville, to consider taking the upcoming police officer exam.

RETIRED FROM NYPD

Retiring from the NYPD in 2021 after 30 years on the job, Harrison was named police commissioner for the Suffolk County Police Department  the first African American commissioner in that departments history.

In 2022, law enforcement agencies on Long Island formed a Gilgo Beach task force, showing what Harrison said was a renewed commitment to solving the killings.

I believe this case is solvable and identifying the person or people responsible for these murders is a top priority, Harrison said in announcing the task force. We will not rest until we bring those accountable to justice.

Rex Heuermann, an architect, was taken into custody in Massapequa late Thursday near where investigators were seen on Friday searching his home. He has been charged with first- and second-degree murder in the slayings of three Gilgo victims: Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello.

I have to thank the teamwork by all members of the task force for allowing us to get to this point today, Harrison said in a press conference on Friday.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 15, 2023 - 22:21 | World, All

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has been out of public view for about three weeks due to an extramarital affair with a Chinese television journalist well-known across the country, Taiwanese media reported Saturday.

Photos and videos of Qin and the female reporter, who works for Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV, have recently circulated on Twitter. The ruling Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection has reportedly asked the minister about the matter.

Qin, 57, skipped Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings in Indonesia earlier this week for "health reasons," according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. A newspaper in Hong Kong reported last Monday that he had contracted COVID-19.

According to the ministry, the foreign minister's last public appearance was on June 25. The former Chinese ambassador to the United States assumed the ministerial post last December, succeeding the country's top diplomat Wang Yi, who attended the ASEAN-related gatherings instead of Qin.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A retired police officer who served in the 120th Precinct was given a final ceremonial honor by the NYPD after her death at age 58.

Officers lined the street and saluted Thursday as a hearse carrying Sylvia Faison made its way to St. Peters Cemetery.

Faison died at home on June 23, according to a family obituary.

The pallbearers were also officers in uniform, photos published on Twitter by the NYPDs ceremonial unit show.

Faison was born on Staten Island and grew up in New Brighton. She later lived in Todt Hill and West New Brighton.

In the obituary, her family remembers her as a woman committed to serving her faith, family and community.

Police Officer Sylvia Faison retired in 2018 from the @NYPD120Pct and today was carried to her final resting place at Saint Peters Cemetery.



May she rest in eternal peace. #NeverForget @NYPDnews pic.twitter.com/oov132okr5  NYPD Ceremonial Unit (@NYPDCeremonial) July 14, 2023

According to Advance records, among the honors she received during her three-decade career as a police officer was a recognition at a NYPD Appreciation Day in 2015.

Its nice to be appreciated, said Faison at the time. She was then in her 27th year with the NYPD. Im thankful for everything.

Three years later, in 2018, Faison retired.

Survivors listed in the obituary include: Jason R. Price, our children Jason II, Angelique, her sisters Virginia Gill and Irene Faison, and a brother Alfonzo Faison, also her nieces and nephews, and granddaughter Lea.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police are seeking the publics assistance in locating a woman reported missing from 777 Seaview Ave. in Ocean Breeze.

Divina Lopez, 49, was last seen in her residence at 8:20 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, according to a statement from NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. The address provided by police is that of the South Beach Psychiatric Center.

Police describe Lopez as being approximately 5-feet, 8-inches tall and weighing about 230 pounds, with a light complexion, brown hair and brown eyes. Lopez was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt and gray sweatpants.

The NYPD supplied a photo of Lopez to the media.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident 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 tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- With summer in full swing and much of the country experiencing its warmest weather in years, millions of Americans have been cooling off in the waters of their favorite local beaches.

What many of these beachgoers may not know is that theres a greater than 50% chance that the waters theyre wading in could be contaminated with fecal matter.

A new report from Environment America found that 55% of beaches nationwide tested positive for potentially unsafe levels of fecal matter contamination on at least one day last year based on the Environment Protection Agencys Beach Action Value, a tool used to measure bacteria levels.

More than 10% of all beaches, 363 across the country, were found to have unsafe levels of fecal contamination on at least 25% of days tested.

On a regional basis, the waters off the Gulf Coast were found to be the nations biggest offenders, with 84% of beaches testing positive for unsafe levels of fecal contamination on at least one day in 2022, followed by the West Coast (70%), the Great Lakes (63%), the East Coast (48%) and Alaska and Hawaii (24%).

The report further breaks down the data to a state-by-state level, allowing residents to identify the local beaches they may want to avoid this summer.

In New York, 198 of the 344 beaches, representing roughly 58%, were found to have potentially unsafe levels of fecal contamination on at least one day, with 12% testing positive on at least a quarter of the days tested, both of which were slightly above the national averages.

The following 10 New York beaches had the highest number of days testing positive for potentially unsafe levels of fecal contamination in 2022.

Ontario Beach (Monroe County)

Potentially unsafe days: 30

Total testing days: 82

Percentage of unsafe test days: 37%

Tanner Park (Suffolk County)

Potentially unsafe days: 24

Total testing days: 50

Percentage of unsafe test days: 48%

Woodlawn Beach State Park (Erie County)

Potentially unsafe days: 23

Total testing days: 104

Percentage of unsafe test days: 22%

Benjamins Beach (Suffolk County)

Potentially unsafe days: 20

Total testing days: 44

Percentage of unsafe test days: 45%

Hamburg Bathing Beach (Erie County)

Potentially unsafe days: 17

Total testing days: 84

Percentage of unsafe test days: 20%

Hewlett Beach (Nassau County)

Potentially unsafe days: 16

Total testing days: 57

Percentage of unsafe test days: 28%

Krull Park - Olcott Beach (Niagara County)

Potentially unsafe days: 15

Total testing days: 28

Percentage of unsafe test days: 54%

Douglaston Homeowners Association (Queens County)

Potentially unsafe days: 13

Total testing days: 19

Percentage of unsafe test days: 68%

Harbor Island Beach (Westchester County)

Potentially unsafe days: 13

Total testing days: 24

Percentage of unsafe test days: 54%

Bayport Beach (Suffolk County)

Potentially unsafe days: 13

Total testing days: 47

Percentage of unsafe test days: 28%

Environment America noted that swimming in contaminated waters can cause various ailments, including gastrointestinal illness, respiratory disease, ear and eye infection and skin rash, with an estimated 57 million annual illnesses resulting from swimming in oceans, lakes, rivers and ponds.

LOCAL TESTING EFFORTS

Thankfully for Staten Islanders, none of the boroughs beaches made the list of those with the highest levels of contamination, which echoes the findings of local high school students who tested the waters in recent years.

In 2021, students at Monsignor Farrell High School, part of the Marine Biology Society, conducted a six-month water quality study, collecting samples from two Staten Island beaches.

It was very interesting to test our waters here in Staten Island, and actually find out if it is safe for everyone to swim in, student Aidan Lihari told the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com at the time.

The study, which measured fecal pollution in the water off Oakwood Beach and Great Kills Beach, showed that over six months the water quality was usually safe for swimming, but at times -- usually after heavy rains -- was not.

The study began after Farrell launched its own on-campus water testing research laboratory using an EPA-approved proprietary Enterolert system from IDEXX Laboratories.

The testing method identified the amount of Enterococcus bacteria in each water sample, which is an indication of fecal pollution and the possible presence of other pathogens that could be harmful to human health. Its the same bacteria that the New York City Department of Health tests for at the citys beaches.

Students added a nutrient mix to the water samples, poured them into a quanti-tray, ran them through the IDEXX laminating sealer and then placed the trays in an incubator for 24 hours.

On Fridays, the students would use an ultraviolet (UV) light to check for glowing wells on the tray. They counted the number of glowing wells to determine the MPN, or most probably number, of Enterococcus colonies per 100 milliliters of water.

Any count over 35 per 100 milliliters would warrant a swim advisory and anything over 104 would warrant a beach closure.

According to Farrells Marine Biology Society, large spikes in MPN were most likely caused by periods of heavy rain in the days prior to sample collection. They pointed to data from Aug. 20-26 when there was a total of 8.19 inches of rain, and from Aug. 27 to Sept. 2, there was a total of 7.19 inches of rain.

During those time periods, the MPN at Great Kills beach had increased dramatically  going up to 117 MPN during the Aug. 26 data collection. You can see the results of the water quality study of Oakwood Beach and Great Kills Beach in the chart below.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Friends, family, and fellow police officers clapped and cheered as Inspector Robert Brower made bittersweet strides down the steps of the 121 Precinct in Graniteville, saying goodbye to his 37 years of service in the New York City Police Department.

On Friday, July 14, over 100 people gathered at the precinct at noon for a luncheon and Walkout Ceremony to commemorate the leadership and companionship and the overall impact Brower made throughout his career.

He will be missed here, Lieutenant Rafet Amad, who has worked with Brower for over 15 years, said of the inspector.

Amad isnt the only one who will be feeling Browers absence. Any conversation about him was nothing but a glowing review of his work and character, talking about what a good guy Brower is, as one officer phrased it.

The ceremony started at about 1:30 P.M. with the Star Spangle Banner and an invocation read by NYPD Chaplain Victor Brown.

On Friday, July 14, 2023, Inspector Brower stands at his Walkout Ceremony, at which over 100 people gathered at the 121 Precinct in Graniteville to honor the career and celebrate his retirement. (Staten Island Advance/Sonya Gugliara) Sonya Gugliara

Weve come to witness a change of seasons in the life of Inspector Brower, one who is not only a gentleman but a gentle man, Brown said.

Among the ceremonys speakers was Deputy Chief Joseph Gulotta, who also spoke highly of Brower. He served the city well, he said.

To honor his years of service and devotion to New York Citys safety, Brower was also given recognition from the offices of Assemblyman Michael Tannousis, Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and District Attorney Michael McMahon.

Before the ceremony formally began, Community Liason Vanesa Limani of Scarcella-Spantons office presented Brower with a Certificate of Recognition.

Although he was not present at the ceremony, Community Partnership Director Andrew Crawford of McMahons office delivered Brower a proclamation on behalf of the District Attorney Friday afternoon.

On behalf of Tanousis, Chief of Staff Ian Yanda presented Brower with a plaque, which first line reads, The State of New York takes pride in recognizing and honoring those individuals who selflessly dedicate themselves to inspiring others and improving the community...

Inspector Robert Bower stands with Chief of Staff Ian Yanda after being presented a plaque of recognition from Assemblyman Michael Tannousis' office on Friday, July 14, 2023 at the 121 Precinct in Graniteville. (Staten Island Advance/Sonya Gugliara) Sonya GugliaraSonya Gugliara

When asked how he felt about his retirement, Brower expressed his plans to spend more time with family  especially his two-year-old granddaughter Jamison  but how he fought to hold back tears during his emotional speech showed how close the NYPD is to his heart.

Before ending the indoors portion of the ceremony and walking out to the police car waiting for him, Brower left his colleagues with inspiring words, Always remember to treat the public with respect, he continued, Be proud to be a New York City police officer.

Its been a journey, Brower said of his time on the police force. The respected Inspector joined the NYPD in 1986 and was first assigned to a precinct in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and eventually to a precinct in Chinatown. In 1994, Brower was promoted to Sergeant and was moved to a precinct in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

On Friday, July 14, 2023, Inspector Robert Brower gives a speech to the over 100 people gathered at the 121 Precinct in Graniteville to honor his career and celebrate his retirement. (Staten Island Advance/Sonya Gugliara) Sonya Gugliara

After being promoted to a Lieutenant in 1997 and a Captain in 2001 and crossing paths with serval Brooklyn precincts along the way, Brower was promoted to Deputy Inspector in 2006 and was moved to the 121 precinct on Staten Island in 2007.

Brower was more than content with his new assignment as a born and raised Staten Islander. At the 121 precinct, he served as the Operations Commander and the Commanding Officer of the Patrol Borough Staten Island Investigations Unit. In 2016, when he was promoted to Inspector.

Brower was also the Adjutant for Patrol Borough Staten Island, making him responsible for overseeing the Body Worn Camera Program and major details and events on Staten Island, such as the St. Patricks Day Parade.

[I was] just making sure everybody was doing the right thing at all times, Brower said regarding his leadership positions.

Despite his undeniable successes and devotion to serving his community, Browers career has come with trials and tribulations. Ive been through a lot, he admitted.

Brower responded to the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack, and riots throughout the 1980s. He was also an officer on Staten Island and aided relief efforts during devastating storms like Hurricane Irene and Sandy.

Horses trailed the police car that drove off with Inspector Robert Brower on Friday, July 14, 2023, at the conclusion of his Walkout Ceremony. (Staten Island Advance/Sonya Gugliara) Sonya Gugliara

At approximately 2 P.M., attendees were directed outdoors to watch Brower walk out of the precinct and into a police car, signifying his official retirement.

While walking to the car, a band of police officers played instruments. The crowd lining either side of the staircase was evidently engaged and excited.

After approaching the vehicle, which horses trailed after it drove away, Brower took Jamison for the ride.

Its an honor, Brower said of the ceremony.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  President Joseph Biden announced Friday that his administration would cancel student debt for another 800,000 Americans.

In total, the Biden administration put the total value of the debt forgiven at about $39 billion, which brings the total student loan debt forgiveness in the presidents first two years to $116 billion for over 3 million borrowers.

I have long said that college should be a ticket to the middle class  not a burden that weighs down on families for decades, Biden said. As long as Im in office, I will continue to work to bring the promise of college to every American.

While the Biden administration has cancelled debt for millions of Americans, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down what would have been the largest debt cancellation on the part of the administration.

The conservative majority on the court ruled that the plan to cancel $20,000 in debt for millions of Americans using the pandemic-era HEROES Act overstepped the administrations authority.

Thanks to the decision, borrowers, who have had their student loan payments paused since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, will receive no relief under that plan with payments set to resume in October.

Bidens latest plan, announced Friday, will be for borrowers who have been repaying their loans for at least 20 years, and follows a series of fixes to the U.S. Department of Educations income-driven repayment plans.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said the move was the latest from the administration, ensuring fair student debt relief.

Student loans were never meant to be a life sentence, but its certainly felt that way for borrowers locked out of debt relief theyre eligible for, he said. Today, the Department of Education will begin to remedy years of administrative failures that effectively denied the promise of loan forgiveness to certain borrowers enrolled in (income-driven repayment) plans.

Following the announcement, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) took to Twitter to thank the president for the move, and to say that it will impact 42,000 New Yorkers.

We will not stop fighting to #CancelStudentDebt to provide relief for millions of Americans struggling with student loan debt, he wrote on the social media website.

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Magellan Financial Group was a titan of Australias investment market based on the public image of its rock star, billionaire co-founder Hamish Douglass. Loading That all ended with his divorce in 2021. That Christmas Eve, Douglass was trying to disabuse investors  who had parked more than $100 billion worth of funds with his investment group  of the absurd notion that he was going through a nasty divorce which would trigger a liquidation of his shares in the company. Nothing could be further from the truth, he said in a company video. Over the next year, he stepped down as CEO temporarily, then permanently. Then November last year, he sold the lions share of his Magellan stake for $118 million for family diversification.

Investors in the groups funds have followed suit with funds under management down from $115 billion in 2021 to just $40 billion  shredding Magellans share price in the process. Pre-dating the Douglass divorce was the godfather of Australias funds management industry, Kerr Nielsen  founder of Platinum Asset Management  who split with his wife Judith, in 2015. She received  and then sold  a 20 per cent stake in the struggling Platinum, which allowed Judith to further her philanthropic work, which includes the highly regarded White Rabbit Gallery in Sydney. Billionaire and philanthropist Judith Neilson at the White Rabbit gallery which she founded. Credit: Janie Barrett Kerr Nielsen has stepped back entirely from the business but remains Platinums largest shareholder with a 21 per cent stake.

It is not enough to give Kerr any real control as the business has faltered in recent times. This year he vented his frustration with public statements to the effect he is willing to sell to anyone willing to shake up the underperforming business. Loading But these two divorces are molehills compared to the empire commanded by the Forrests. Perhaps a better reference is to the doyen of divorce: Rupert Murdoch. He ended a 30-year marriage to Anna Murdoch in 1998, putting at risk a multi-billion global media empire and a wealth that also ranked among the richest globally  a rare feat for an Australian-born entrepreneur at that time.

Anna made big sacrifices to ensure control of the media empire passes equally to her children  Elisabeth, Lachlan, James, and step-daughter Prudence  when Rupert dies. She walked away with a few homes, roughly $US100 million cash, and a continuing board presence at News Corp. The latter continued a relationship with the company she had held since her teenage years as an employee. Rupert Murdochs divorce from Anna, his second wife, was the most consequential for his media empire. Credit: AP Her continuing board role was displayed as a sign of the amicability of the divorce when it went public. Like many things with Rupert, it did not last long. Just six months later it was announced she was leaving the board. I wasnt given a choice, Anna said in a 2001 interview with the Australian Womens Weekly. I was told.

This was not just the end of my marriage. It was the end of a whole life. But the Murdochs might not represent the best example of the dynamics that could play out in the Forrests divorce. Unlike the Murdochs, who are still focused on media domination, Andrew Forrest stepped back from Fortescues mining operations many years ago and is just as focused on their philanthropic efforts and personal investments in businesses, including RM Williams. And the parting couple seem genuinely focused on their philanthropic efforts. It is the only part of the Forrest empire where Nicola has had a very public role.

In 2019, they told this publication of a conversation dating back 30 years when they were about to wed. Loading I want to make $50 million, Forrest told his wife-to-be. And I want to give the vast majority of it away. Nicola recalls being stunned at the number, which seemed to her almost fanciful. Oh my gosh, she thought to herself. 50 million?! This commitment remained as their wealth grew beyond imagination.

When you get wealth beyond what you ever could imagine, you have to stop and think. And as a family, we made the decision a long time ago ... to give it away. And we had more than enough for ourselves and for our family, she said. In this regard, their situation is comparable to the divorce of Bill and Melinda Gates in 2021. The wealth was split equally, but the common ground remained their focus on giving their wealth away to worthy causes via the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The divorce of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda has not impacted on their philanthropy. Credit: AP The divorce may have forced some changes at the foundation, though. According to a New York Times report, Bill could be dominant and dismissive of his wifes views in meetings of the foundation during their marriage. The divorce may have helped French Gates, as she is now known, to help fight more for the womens causes she holds dear  on top of the foundations traditional focus on curing diseases like HIV, malaria and polio.

The more I speak my truth, the more I know its opening the way for other people to speak their truths, French Gates said in a Wall Street Journal report this year. Since the divorce, I just get more and more comfortable with it all the time. Meanwhile, Mackenzie Scott  the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos  didnt have this problem. She went her own way, with the Amazon stake worth $US38.3 billion ($55.5 billion) at the time of their divorce in 2019. In a post from her foundation late last year, Scott said she has made donations totalling $US14 billion ($20.3 billion) since 2019. Too big for Rotterdam? Jeff Bezos new superyacht. Bezos has also announced plans to give most of his money to charity, but is setting a slower pace while enjoying a few toys like his $US740 million ($1 billion) super yacht, with its own helipad and pool.

According to a Forbes report late last year, Bezos has donated around $US2.4 billion ($3.4 billion) to charity, and committed $US10 billion ($14.5 billion) to his own climate nonprofit, the Bezos Earth Fund, in 2020. If a 2019 interview offers any clues, Andrew and Nicola might continue to see eye-to-eye on their shared causes. We are outraged by injustice, and why should it continue? Nicola said. A lot of our initiatives are global and have to be tackled globally. Particularly around the oceans. Slavery, cancer, youre damn right, chimed in Andrew. We are not going to be fixing it at home without fixing it globally.
China is one of the most important strategic markets for MAN Energy Solutions. The German company's strong connection with the country stretches back more than a century. Its CEO recently talked with Xinhua about business prospects in China during his business trip to Shanghai.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Barbie is no dumb doll. She may stand just 29 centimetres tall, but over the course of six decades shes been everything from a pastry chef, firefighter and zoologist to an architect, news anchor, showgirl and surgeon.

Shes even been a US president, so navigating delicate geopolitics should come pretty easy, right?

Barbies world map incensed Vietnams censors so much that they banned the $150 million blockbuster. Credit: Warner Bros

Well, not if we are to believe the executives from Warner Bros who have attempted  somewhat in vain  to explain how their little doll in the upcoming blockbuster film managed to cause an international diplomatic row between Vietnam and China.

Before the actors strike took over the news cycle, a seemingly harmless and rather unruly world map in the film had been at the centre of a media storm.
The countries broadly defined as The West were at their most united and confident during the Cold War, when the boundaries between democracy and its main rival were marked by the physical restraint of populations within the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

Vladimir Putin, in his voluptuous nostalgia for the Soviet empire, has gifted the West a glimpse of those glory days. During the NATO summit last week, formerly neutral countries Sweden and Finland renewed their application to become part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the alliance of countries originally formed in 1949 to stand guard over freedom and repel any threats from Stalins authoritarian-communist bloc.

They were granted membership, to their great relief, while Ukraine has been promised membership in future. Liberal democracy this week burned again as a light on the hill  an aspiration for countries that want to remain free and provide their citizens the opportunity to pursue happiness.

Credit: Matt Davidson

But liberal democracies no longer see themselves the way aspirants see them. A free media rightly keeps us alive to all the faults of the West, while the faults of the alternative are distant or abstract and largely historical. It is one of the enduring ironies of the liberal democratic tradition that its greatest strength is that it empowers citizens to examine and criticise the liberal democratic tradition  and for that reason, the faith in liberal democracy can wane and weaken.
Astronomical cocaine prices have made Australia irresistible for the worlds most powerful drug cartels, groups with industrial-scale supply lines, nation-sized GDPs and arsenals of weapons. Blood is already being spilled here to secure the market.

Australians pay among the highest prices in the world for cocaine, at $250 to $400 a gram  only two Gulf states with death penalties for drug crimes fetch slightly higher prices.

AFP Assistant Commissioner Kirsty Schofield has warned the most dangerous global crime groups are partnering, and fighting, to supply Australia with cocaine. Credit: Kate Geraghty

The market is so valuable that the most bitter enemies in Australias underworld have joined forces and sent buyers to the jungles of Colombia and hitmen to Bondi while foreign cartels send their own emissaries here.

The OMCG [bikies] only ever did domestic stuff; its not the case now, no one is staying in their lane, Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Kirsty Schofield told this masthead.
The number of people applying for strata scheme mediation has surged by 45 per cent in five years as owners clash with owners corporations over building defects and repairs.

The average wait time for parties to meet with a mediator was three months, NSW Fair Trading confirmed, while it takes another four months on average for a resolution for those who escalated the issue to the NSW Civil Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).

Nearly all applications were submitted by owners against a volunteer-based strata committee or professional strata manager.

About one in seven NSW residents live in buildings with strata schemes, and its estimated that 50 per cent of Greater Sydney will live in strata schemes by 2040, which would likely put more pressure on the dispute resolution system.

Pobi Lawyers founder and principal strata lawyer Michael Pobi said the mandatory mediation attempt added unnecessary delays, especially in cases where time was of the essence.
A Dominos pizza delivery driver is in a serious condition in hospital after being stabbed multiple times while on the job in Ipswichs western suburbs.

Police allege the 40-year-old was attacked by a group of youths on Abbot Circuit in the suburb of Bellbird Park at about 7.15pm on Friday.

Queensland police have charged four youths after an alleged stabbing and robbery in Bellbird Park.

He suffered serious injuries to his torso before managing to escape, police said on Saturday.

Detectives found the alleged offenders at a home in Redbank Plains and later charged four youths  aged between 15 and 17  with armed robbery and acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm.
Last month I travelled from Melbourne to New York and received my ordination as a rabbi. If I was a man this would be routine, as Australia does not have any rabbinical schools and most local rabbis are ordained overseas.

Had I been born male, there is no doubt I would have chosen a career as a rabbi. However, because I am female, my ordination is hotly contested and not widely accepted in Orthodox Judaism.

Nomi Kaltmann at her ordination as a rabbi in Riverdale, New York, in June. Credit: Jane Halsam

Until recently, Orthodox Jewish women could not become rabbis. In 2009, the first Orthodox Jewish woman was ordained as a rabbi in New York. Her name is Rabba Sara Hurwitz, now my friend and mentor.

After her ordination, Hurwitz founded a rabbinical school called Yeshivat Maharat along with her rabbi, Avi Weiss, to ordain Orthodox Jewish women. In 2023, 64 women from around the world have graduated from Maharat, and a further 100 are in training.
Shepparton mother Lauren Whelan told me she was discharged from hospital so swiftly after the birth of her son in 2019 that she wasnt wearing shoes. She was experiencing urinary and bowel incontinence and had to use a public bathroom in the hospitals hallway. Her son had been transferred to the hospitals special care nursery 36 hours earlier following a traumatic birth. I didnt have a choice. I was told to leave. I remember standing in the hallway sobbing, alone, humiliated and separated from my baby boy, Whelan recalled. It was one of the worst experiences of my life. Whelan was barely able to walk but found herself driving to and from the hospital every three hours for the next week to breastfeed her baby.

Another mother who emailed me recounted how she was discharged from a major public hospital in Melbourne 11 hours after the birth of her son earlier this year. It had been a gruelling birth, involving forceps, and the mother-of-three pleaded with midwives to let her stay longer. I was in a lot of pain and my milk hadnt come in, she said. I said, I would feel a lot better if I could stay an extra night and they just said no. I told them Im not going to be comfortable if I have a two and a four-year-old on top of me at home while Im holding a newborn and bleeding on the floor. She ended up back in hospital a few months later to have surgery to repair an internal tear that had been overlooked. They didnt realise or sew me up after the birth because they were in such a rush to kick me out, she said. Disgraceful. Another reader said she was sent home less than 36 hours after an emergency caesarean.I was furious, she wrote, noting that she also had to care for two other young children at home. Something needs to change.

I agree. Women should be given more of a say about when they leave hospital following childbirth. At the very least, hospitals should be considering the World Health Organisations recommendation that women and newborns spend at least 24 hours receiving high-quality care in a health facility following an uncomplicated vaginal birth. Many mothers want to spend more time in hospital to recover from the birth, detect potential health issues impacting the mother and baby, finetune breastfeeding and learn other vital parenting skills. They also want to rest: something that is often hard to achieve when you are going home to care for another child. A quick discharge would be less of an issue if women and babies received good at-home support, such as regular visits from a midwife and follow-ups from maternal child health nurses. But many experts and mothers say these services are patchy in Australia. While one family might receive two visits from a hospital midwife in the week after birth, another might miss out on these services entirely. It can often feel like the focus of these hurried visits is on the baby, rather than the mother. Its not a substitute for the comprehensive, around-the-clock support available in hospital. Another option might be expanding what is routinely offered to women who birth in private hospitals. After being discharged, some private patients move into a hotel for a five-day stay with 24-hour postnatal support from midwives.

This arrangement eases the transition between hospital and home and, most importantly, ensures that women can access immediate support during one of the most vulnerable moments of their life. It also frees up beds in hospital, which are much more expensive to operate and in intense demand. UK research published in 2020 found there was no evidence to support early discharges less than 24 hours after birth, despite this practice being increasingly common across hospitals. It also found that babies who are discharged less than 48 hours after a vaginal birth and less than 96 hours after caesarean birth are more likely to be readmitted to hospital within 28 days. Surely this is a cost that health systems should be considering when setting postnatal discharge policies. Age journalist Henrietta Cook and her mum Felicity in 1987. When I was born at the Royal Womens Hospital  32 years before I gave birth to my eldest son there in 2019  it was common for women to have a lengthy postnatal stay. A five to seven-day stay was standard in Australian hospitals until the mid1990s.

My mum, a single parent who had no family in Melbourne, was able to rest and recover during her five-night stint in hospital. A midwife would bundle me up in a swaddle every night and take me to the nursery so that mum could sleep. When she was discharged, she slipped into her new role as a mother with ease. I felt well looked-after and was taught how to feed and care for my baby, mum recalled. When the midwives decided it was time for me to leave, I was ready to go home. Henrietta Cook is a senior reporter covering health for The Age.
Labor and the Coalition want to keep spending big at Victorian election campaigns despite integrity experts calling for limitations, as the Liberals argue donation caps should be quadrupled.

The Andrews government on Friday defended the appointment of former Labor senator David Feeney  who is a paid board member of a public entity  to a panel reviewing political donation laws. Legislation bans employees of public entities from the panel, but paid board members are not legally considered employees.

Victorian Deputy Premier Jacinta Allen (left) and Premier Daniel Andrews. Credit: James Ross

The three-member independent review panel, which is chaired by former Victorian Electoral Commission deputy Elizabeth Williams, also includes former Liberal senator Helen Kroger.

Labor committed to the review in 2018 when sweeping reforms were introduced to blunt the influence of political donors, by capping donations at $4670 for every four-year election cycle.
When Merri-Bek Primary School principal Maria Giordano first hosted parent tours, she wondered why her Coburg school had space for language lessons but no library.

The school community agreed and spent months fundraising and donating books. Last year, the school library opened, featuring gorgeous murals of childrens book characters the Cat in the Hat, the Wonky Donkey and Zog the dragon.

Merri-bek Primary School library resource manager Helen Brown with student leaders Sonquette (left) and Shaurya. Credit: Eddie Jim

Giordano had identified a growing problem  school libraries with no qualified librarians and few books, and worrying national literacy rates as fewer children read for pleasure.

I love to be at the school gate every morning and hearing the kids holding their library bags and saying, I cant wait, Ive got library today, Giordano said.
The prayers of a former Anglican church in Sydney have finally been answered as the mid-century building that was on the market for the third time in three years has found new buyers.

Melbourne-based Daniel Schwartz, of the Schwartz family who are powerful players in property development, finance and publishing, and his wife Uschi have revealed themselves as the buyers of the approximately 2000-square-metre-block after lodging a caveat on the property.

The former Vaucluse Anglican church looks set to become a landmark family home. Credit: Ray White Double Bay

And the new owners look set to take advantage of its elevation and space to transform it into a family home.

It is thought to have sold for $9.3 million through Alan Fettes of Ray White Double Bay, who would not be drawn on the sale which was run through an expression of interest campaign since February.
This aerial photo taken on July 7, 2023 shows wildfires in the northern part of British Columbia, Canada. With tremendous plumes of smoke sent into the atmosphere, Canada is grappling with its worst wildfire season on record. By Thursday there are 907 active wildfires in Canada with 572 of them classified as "out of control," according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center (CIFFC). (BC Wildfire Service/Handout via Xinhua)

SHENYANG/OTTAWA, July 14 (Xinhua) -- As Canada is bracing for "higher-than-normal fire activity" this summer with hundreds of blazes still burning with fervor, scientists have warned that increasing wildfire emissions will exacerbate climate warming, calling for globally collaborated measures in this regard.

The massive carbon emissions from these wildfires have already exceeded 700 million tons and are expected to rise in the coming weeks.

UNPRECEDENTED FIRE

With tremendous plumes of smoke sent into the atmosphere, Canada is grappling with its worst wildfire season on record. By Thursday there are 907 active wildfires in Canada with 572 of them classified as "out of control," according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center (CIFFC).

The scale of the wildfires is unprecedented, with over 90,000 square km of land already burned, said the CIFFC. That exceeds the previous record of some 76,000 square km set in 1989, according to official data.

Natural Resources Canada said earlier this month that due to long-range forecasts for warm temperatures and ongoing drought, most recent projections indicate a continued potential for higher-than-normal fire activity across most of the country throughout the 2023 wildland fire season.

The smoke generated by the fires shrouded regions from British Columbia to Quebec, blanketed a large portion of the United States and even made their way across the Atlantic to Europe by late June, triggering weeks of air quality alerts and jeopardizing residents' health.

"Smoke is really dangerous for humans and wildlife because if the very small particulates in smoke get into our lungs and bloodstream, they are difficult for bodies to handle," said Karen Hodges, a professor in ecology at the University of British Columbia.

Hodges said that the overall impact of wildfire on the ecosystem is a long-lasting change in water flow, in the trees and plants that grow there and also in habitat quality for wildlife.

On top of that, the professor noted, wildfire releases a significant amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to the exacerbation of global warming.

SOARING EMISSIONS

Canada's unprecedented wildfires have already emitted 724 million tons of carbon dioxide by July 1, Liu Zhihua, a researcher from the Shenyang-based Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, told Xinhua.

"This is a huge number," Liu said, noting the wildfire emissions have already exceeded emissions from fossil fuel consumption in Germany in 2021, which stood at around 670 million tons and ranked 7th among all countries.

Liu's latest study showed that if the current trend continues, it is estimated that wildfire emissions in Canada will reach 1 billion tons in the coming weeks.

The emissions will increase the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and accelerate climate warming, the researcher said, adding that with climate warming, forest fires are becoming more frequent, more severe and larger, which will further affect Earth's climate.

"In recent years, there have been frequent extreme forest fire events, including the 2019 Amazon wildfires, the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires, the 2022 Siberian wildfires, and this year's Canadian wildfires," Liu said.

Forest fires emit around 1.5 billion tons of CO2 per year, Liu said, noting with increasing fire intensity and burned area, emissions from forest fires are increasing at a speed of around 1 percent per year.

In 2021, nearly 1.76 billion tons of CO2 were released from burning boreal forests in North America and Eurasia, 150 percent higher than annual mean CO2 emissions between 2000 and 2020, a research paper published in Science magazine said.

Increasing numbers of extreme boreal fires and stronger climate-fire feedback challenge climate mitigation efforts, read the paper titled "Record-high CO2 emissions from boreal fires in 2021."

GLOBAL COLLABORATION

For individual countries, effective measures should be taken to mitigate CO2 emissions from natural processes, said Liu, adding in the case of wildfire, strategies such as fuel treatment and improved forest management can be used to limit fire intensity and subsequently reduce CO2 emissions.

China, for example, has made significant progress in forest fire prevention, Liu said, noting forest fires have decreased significantly in China since 2000.

"The annual burned forest is around 750 square km between 2000 and 2022, emitting only a few million tons of CO2 per year. Considering China's vast forested area of 2.2 million square km, it is a significant contribution to global CO2 reduction," Liu said.

Restoration after fire is also encouraged, said Hodges, because plant bodies are able to use carbon dioxide and will help remove some carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Forest fire emissions affect health and contribute to climate change globally. Therefore, addressing carbon emissions from wildfire requires international collaboration, said Liu.

As forest fire has become one of the major CO2 sources, Liu said it is crucial to build better carbon emission monitoring and accounting systems, which include CO2 emissions from both human activities and natural processes, such as wildfires.

Echoing Liu, Hodges also said governments should "get far more serious about climate change and policies that reduce fossil fuel emissions, and we need to do that globally." 

This aerial photo taken on July 3, 2023 shows wildfires in the northern part of British Columbia, Canada. With tremendous plumes of smoke sent into the atmosphere, Canada is grappling with its worst wildfire season on record. By Thursday there are 907 active wildfires in Canada with 572 of them classified as "out of control," according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center (CIFFC). (BC Wildfire Service/Handout via Xinhua)

This aerial photo taken on July 3, 2023 shows wildfires in the northern part of British Columbia, Canada. With tremendous plumes of smoke sent into the atmosphere, Canada is grappling with its worst wildfire season on record. By Thursday there are 907 active wildfires in Canada with 572 of them classified as "out of control," according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center (CIFFC). (BC Wildfire Service/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows a forest after wildfires in the south western part of British Columbia, Canada. With tremendous plumes of smoke sent into the atmosphere, Canada is grappling with its worst wildfire season on record. By Thursday there are 907 active wildfires in Canada with 572 of them classified as "out of control," according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center (CIFFC). (BC Wildfire Service/Handout via Xinhua)
The home had been popular because it didnt need any work to be livable, but still could be improved in future when the issues plaguing the construction industry eased, he said. Loading It was a good quality home that was turn-key, Hurlston said. There was potential to update and improve it but you could live in it immediately, that was the appeal. To buy a home you can settle in 30 to 60 days and you can just put a key in the front door is attractive, and low stock is a big one. The Wheelers Hill auction was one of 535 scheduled for Saturday.

By evening, Domain Group recorded a preliminary auction clearance rate of 73.4 per cent from 368 reported results, while 33 auctions were withdrawn. Withdrawn auctions are counted as unsold properties when calculating the clearance rate. It comes after Melbournes monthly clearance rate for June was 76.2 per cent, on Domain figures, reaching above 70 per cent for the first time since October 2021. Earlier in Collingwood, a three-bedroom house sold at the top of its price range after passing in at auction.

The terrace at 127 Keele Street had been renovated by its vendor, which had been attractive to buyers, Fletchers listing agent Daiman Kane said. Loading The kitchen and bathroom were first class, hed updated those, he said. The third bedroom was good and it had a nice courtyard, the position and character was what sold it. The [third bedroom] didnt have a window as such, so it was more of a study or a nursery. It was a handy, multipurpose room. The auction began at the bottom of the $1.2 million to $1.3 million price range, and stalled when one of the two bidders pulled out at $1.28 million.

They were bidding healthily up to $1.28 million, Kane said. The underbidder shook his head, and we passed it in to the highest bidder, a young couple who lived around the corner. We negotiated up to $1.3 million and sold it to them. The vendors reserve was $1.3 million. Kane said the seller was selling the home to travel. In Kensington, a terrace passed in at auction after slow bidding spooked otherwise keen buyers, until its eventual sale through negotiations.

When Jellis Craig auctioneer Jerome Feery called for bids for the renovated three-bedroom investment property with a stylish outdoor entertaining area at 31 Smith Street, the crowd was silent for some time. Feery made two vendor bids, at $1 million and $1,025,000, before bidders came to the party. Jerome Feery auctioning the house at 31 Smith Street, Kensington on Saturday. Credit: Simon Schluter Even still, the auction was slow. The first genuine bid was for $1.03 million, below the quoted price range of $1.05 million to $1.15 million. Three bidders took part and eventually brought the price to $1,085,000, before the home was passed in.

The home sold then to the highest bidder after about 30 minutes of negotiations. The buyers, a family from Eaglemont, paid $1,187,500. Jellis Craig listing agent Simon Mason said the buyers were happy to work with the vendor to reach a fair price, but were put off by the lack of movement from others at the auction. Buyers paid more than the quoted price range, despite the property passing in at auction. Credit: Simon Schluter They were uncertain because others were slow to act, he said. Feery agreed. I think its just that its that domino effect, he said. Just getting that first hand in the air is the big thing.

Buyers were interested in the property for its turn-key renovation, Feery said. Its a beautiful Victorian terrace, with a nice north-facing backyard, full renovation, he said. Weve got the beautiful outdoor built-in barbecue, gas fireplace, and a big master bedroom upstairs. Theres some pretty impressive views out towards the city and the block itself is just shy of about 150 square metres. In Albert Park, another three-bedroom terrace sold after a short and sharp auction.

The like-new house at 34 Herbert Street was renovated nearly 20 years ago, but still had a modern feel. Loading It was fully rebuilt in 2005, Belle Property listing agent and auctioneer David Wood said while calling the auction. That means everything inside, except the real estate agent, is under 20 years old! A buyers advocate opened bidding at the bottom of the quoted price range of $1.95 million to $2.1 million. Two other bidders quickly joined and pushed the price to $2.13 million, in mostly $10,000 increments. After briefly conferring with the vendor, Wood sold the home to a family for that price.
Heuermann lives in Massapequa Park, a community just north of South Oyster Bay and the sandy stretch known as Gilgo Beach, where the remains were found in 2010 and 2011. Most of the victims were young women who had been sex workers. Their deaths long stumped investigators, a mystery that fuelled immense public attention and led to a 2020 Netflix film, Lost Girls. Determining who killed them, and why, vexed a slew of seasoned homicide detectives through several changes in police leadership. Last year an interagency task force was formed with investigators from the FBI, as well as state and local police departments, aimed at solving the case. Rex Heuermanns mug shot following his arrest. Credit: AP Ladies and gentlemen, Rex Heuermann is a demon that walks among us  a predator that ruined families, Suffolk County police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said. If not for the members of this task force, he would still be out on the streets today. After connecting Heuermann to the pickup, prosecutors said, investigators were able to link him to other evidence, including burner cellphones used to arrange meetings with the slain women, and taunting calls that a person claiming to be the killer made to one of Barthelemys relatives using her cellphone after she disappeared in 2009.

In recent months, Heuermann sought to keep tabs on the probe and searched obsessively on the internet for facts about the Gilgo Beach killings, including the names of women hes accused of killing, as well as podcasts and documentaries about the case, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said. Tierney said authorities moved to charge Heuermann now with three of the killings out of concern for this defendant fleeing and the danger to the community. They are continuing to work toward charging him in the death of a fourth victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes. I never thought theyd find this person. Amy Brotz, a cousin of one of the women killed Until his arrest, Heuermann continued to use burner phones, patronise sex workers and search the internet for sadistic materials, including sexually exploitative images of children, Tierney said. He also has permits for 92 guns, the prosecutor said. This is a day that is a long time in coming, and hopefully a day that will bring peace to this community and to the families  peace that has been long overdue, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said during an unrelated appearance on Long Island.

Loading The arrest came as a shock and a relief to some of the victims relatives. I never thought theyd find this person, Barthelemys cousin, Amy Brotz, said. Law enforcement personnel converged on Friday morning on Heuermanns home, a small red house about 64 kilometres east of midtown Manhattan. Dozens of residents mingled alongside police and media, watching as a half-dozen investigators, some in protective suits, conferred outside the front porch, which was in disrepair, its roof propped up by 2-by-4s. The home, where Heuermann has lived since childhood, belonged to a family that had long kept to themselves, neighbours said, noting that the dilapidated property seemed out of place among rows of single-family homes and well-kept lawns.

Barry Auslander said the man who lived in the house commuted by train to New York City each morning, wearing a suit and tie and carrying a briefcase. It was weird. He looked like a businessman, Auslander said. But his house is a dump. Heuermann, married with a daughter and a stepson, is a licensed architect with a Manhattan-based firm that, according to its website, has done store build-outs and other renovations for major retailers, offices and apartments. Jessica Taylor, whose remains were found along at Gilgo Beach. Credit: AP Were happy to see that theyre finally active, the police, in accomplishing something. Lets wait and see what it all leads to, said John Ray, the lawyer for the families of two other women whose remains were found, Shannan Gilbert and Jessica Taylor.

Gilberts disappearance in 2010 triggered the hunt that exposed the larger mystery. A 24-year-old sex worker, she vanished after leaving a clients house on foot in the seafront community of Oak Beach, disappearing into the marsh. Months later, a police officer and his cadaver dog were looking for her body in the thicket along nearby Ocean Parkway when they happened upon the remains of a different woman. Within days, three other bodies were found, all within a short walk of one another. By spring 2011, that number had climbed to 10 sets of human remains  those of eight women, one man and one toddler. Some were later linked to dismembered body parts found elsewhere on Long Island, making for a puzzling crime scene that stretched from a park near the New York City limits to a resort community on Fire Island and out to far eastern Long Island. Gilberts body was found in December 2011, about five kilometres east of where the other 10 sets were discovered. AP
New York: In 2013, Mirsad Kandic began working with the Islamic State group, helping to advance its campaign of global jihad.

Over the next four years, he fought in at least one battle and operated from safe houses in Syria, Turkey and Bosnia, federal prosecutors said, spreading propaganda and controlling a network of pro-Islamic State Twitter accounts. He was also said to have funnelled money, weapons, equipment and false identifications to the groups fighters.

Australian Jake Bilardi (centre) alongside two Islamic State members. Credit: Twitter

And, prosecutors said, he played a role in recruiting or trafficking many of those fighters, including an Australian teenager named Jake Bilardi, who eventually died as a suicide bomber in Iraq.

Last year a jury in Brooklyn found Kandic, who had lived there and in the Bronx before travelling overseas, guilty of conspiracy and of providing material support to the Islamic State group. On Friday (Saturday AEST), he was sentenced to life in prison by Judge Nicholas Garaufis of the US District Court in Brooklyn.
Gold finds are always spectacular

Sometimes a treasure of old gold coins is found, as recently in Kentucky, sometimes it is gold nuggets.

Gold discoveries are always a fascinating affair. More than 700 rare gold dollars were recently found by a Kentucky man, buried on his farm in a cornfield. They date from the Civil War era, and among them are eighteen $20 gold Liberty coins, for example, with one alone worth six figures. The coins, probably hidden during the American Civil War, are also in very good to mint condition. But it is not only old gold coins that are fascinating, but also large gold nuggets that have been found. Nuggets have very high purity grades. Especially nuggets found in Australia score with a purity grade of 95 percent or more.

The largest nugget ever found (in 1869) weighed 72 kilograms, came from Australia and was given the name Welcome Stranger. It was cut into three pieces and melted down. A German miner found the Holtermann nugget, weighing 290 kilograms, three years later in New South Wales, Australia. The fine gold content was about 57 kilograms. Basically, it was not a nugget, but a gold quartz lump with a very high gold content.

A nugget found in Germany, the heaviest, weighed 10.2 kilograms. Several sensational nuggets were discovered at the time of the Brazilian gold rush in the 1980s. This was, for example, the CanaA 5 nugget weighing 18.3 kilograms. This nugget was not melted down and is still on display at the Brazilian Central Bank. Gold prospecting companies include Skeena Resources and Sierra Madre Gold and Silver.

Skeena Resources  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/skeena-resources-ltd/  is reviving the formerly producing Eskay Creek gold-silver property. It is located in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia and a feasibility study is available.

Sierra Madre Gold and Silver  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/sierra-madre-gold-silver/  is also reviving a former producing mine in Mexico and has two other high-grade gold and silver projects, also in Mexico.

Current corporate information and press releases from Skeena Resources (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/skeena-resources-ltd/ -) and from Sierra Madre Gold and Silver (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/sierra-madre-gold-and-silver-ltd/ -).

In accordance with A34 WpHG I would like to point out that partners, authors and employees may hold shares in the respective companies addressed and thus a possible conflict of interest exists. No guarantee for the translation into English. Only the German version of this news is valid.

Disclaimer: The information provided does not represent any form of recommendation or advice. Express reference is made to the risks in securities trading. No liability can be accepted for any damage arising from the use of this blog. I would like to point out that shares and especially warrant investments are always associated with risk. The total loss of the invested capital cannot be excluded. All information and sources are carefully researched. However, no guarantee is given for the correctness of all contents. Despite the greatest care, I expressly reserve the right to make errors, especially with regard to figures and prices. The information contained herein is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but in no way claims to be accurate or complete. Due to court decisions, the contents of linked external sites are also co-responsible (e.g. Landgericht Hamburg, in the decision of 12.05.1998  312 O 85/98), as long as there is no explicit dissociation from them. Despite careful control of the content, I do not assume liability for the content of linked external pages. The respective operators are exclusively responsible for their content. The disclaimer of Swiss Resource Capital AG also applies: https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/disclaimer/
Police cordon off the parking lot of a San Mateo County Sheriff's substation in Half Moon Bay, California, the United States, Jan. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

The Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), a low-security all-women's prison in Dublin, California, is now notoriously known for a pattern of shocking sexual abuse of inmates.

SACRAMENTO, the United States, July 14 (Xinhua) -- A women prison scandal in California sparked anger again Friday as two more correctional officers pleaded guilty to sexual abuse, taking the number of charged officers to eight.

The Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), a low-security all-women's prison in Dublin, California, is now notoriously known for a pattern of shocking sexual abuse of inmates.

The two former officers were the seventh and eighth individuals charged with sexually abusing eight inmates at the Dublin facility, and federal agents were still investigating "these heinous allegations," according to a press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office of Northern District of California on Friday.

The two latest prosecutions involved Andrew Jones, 35, a former cook supervisor who admitted six felony charges of sexual abuse of three women he supervised; and Nakie Nunley, 48, a guard at the prison call center, who pleaded guilty to four charges of sexual abuse and five lesser felonies of abusive sexual contact of five women.

Both also pleaded guilty to making false statements to the government when questioned by federal agents. They will be sentenced at later dates.

Friday's announcement of additional guilty officers, along with earlier convictions, had further revealed the toxic culture of sexual abuse happening in prisons and necessitates urgent actions to reform the country's prison system, said advocates.

The prison, with about 650 inmates, has been wrecked by disclosures of sexual abuse that apparently went on for years. It was first reported by The Associated Press in February 2022.

In the previous cases, the traumatizing experience caused psychological injuries to the victims. During the highly-publicized trial of the former warden Ray Garcia, another individual who was sentenced for sexual abuse, with two victims testifying against him and telling about the horrors they endured.

One of the women called Garcia a "sick predator" while describing how she contemplated suicide due to the trauma of his abuse. Another woman told the court that she still lived with post-traumatic stress disorder and extreme mental anguish.

The nature of prison creates an imbalance of power between guards and inmates, said Jaehyun Oh, a partner at Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm, which represents some of the victims in Dublin sexual abusing cases.

Rules strictly forbid any sort of sexual contact between prison guards and inmates, said Oh. "However, in FCI Dublin, those rules were openly and widely disregarded because even the Warden and Chaplain participated in sexually abusing the inmates."

"The sheer number of perpetrators and victims have shown that there is a desperate need for systematic change," she said.
ROME, July 14 (Xinhua) -- So far this year, around 11 children have died or been lost at sea every week while trying to cross the central Mediterranean route to Europe, according to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

UNICEF estimates in its latest data that since 2018, around 1,500 children have died or gone missing during the perilous journey.

These figures don't include the situations where vessels were lost at sea with no survivors or leaving behind no records, meaning the actual numbers are probably much higher.

"In an attempt to find safety, reunite with families, and seek a more hopeful future, too many children are boarding boats on the shores of the Mediterranean and end up losing their lives or going missing," Catherine Russell, UNICEF's executive director, said in a statement.

Italy is the main European landing place for migrants seeking to gain refugee status in Europe. The numbers have been rising, the UNICEF said, noting that around 11,600 migrant children -- many of them traveling alone -- have landed on Italy's shores so far this year, around twice as many as during the first half of 2022.

According to data from Italy's Ministry of the Interior, more than 73,000 migrants landed in Italy by sea during the first 12 days of July, compared to just over 31,000 over the same period last year and more than the total number of arrivals in Italy during all of 2021 when the number of arrivals declined due to fears of the coronavirus pandemic. 
S ome banks are wrongly closing customers accounts or applying markers which could affect their ability to access finance, according to Which?

The consumer champion said its findings are evidence that banks are not always taking sufficient care to avoid closing down the accounts of innocent customers.

The ability for banks to close customers accounts quickly and without reason can, however, be an important tool in the crackdown on suspected fraud.

In the year 2022-23, the FOS received more than 1,380 new complaints about the closure of current accounts, upholding a quarter (25%) of them, according to data given to Which?

Customers who successfully make a claim against their bank to the FOS may not have their account reopened, but they could receive compensation and an apology, the consumer group said.

Any decision to close an account is only taken after extensive review and analysis of the activity on the account and each case is dealt with on an individual basis

A suspicion of fraudulent activity may lead to someone end up with a marker against their name on the Cifas national fraud database.

Consumers with Cifas markers against their name can struggle to be accepted for new products and services, Which? said.

But it said people may be unaware of a marker against their name, which could mean they make other applications for bank accounts or cards without success, which could potentially negatively impact their credit score.

A UK Finance spokesperson told Which?: Protecting customers from the risks of fraud is an absolute priority for the banking and finance industry.

Any decision to close an account is only taken after extensive review and analysis of the activity on the account and each case is dealt with on an individual basis.

Banks are required to adhere to legal requirements when assessing criminal activity and in every case, the bank must always ensure the customer is treated fairly. UK Finance runs a consumer education campaign, Dont Be Fooled, which highlights the tell-tale signs and risks of being a money mule.

We encourage all customers to never share their pins, passwords or passcodes with anyone or allow your bank account to be used by someone unless you know and trust them.

Which? recognises the importance of banks having the ability to close accounts quickly in the fightback against fraud, but wants to see better communication to customers on what they need to do to challenge decisions, and fairer reviews by banks of these decisions

Sam Richardson, deputy editor of Which? Money, said: Having your bank account closed without warning can be an incredibly stressful experience  not least at a time when millions of households are struggling to pay the bills.

Which? is concerned that some banks are wrongly closing customers accounts or handing them Cifas markers which can affect their ability to access other financial products for years.

Which? recognises the importance of banks having the ability to close accounts quickly in the fightback against fraud, but wants to see better communication to customers on what they need to do to challenge decisions, and fairer reviews by banks of these decisions  rather than leaving customers to have to take their claim to the ombudsman.

In a separate issue, which is also related to bank account closures, concerns have recently been raised over the way that politically exposed persons (PEPs)  those considered to be higher risk because of their political connections  have been treated by banks.

City minister Andrew Griffith recently wrote to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), urging it to prioritise an important review into whether people are being denied banking services due to their political views.

Mr Griffith wrote: The Government is clear that domestic PEPs should be treated in a manner which is in line with their risk, and that banks should not be closing individuals accounts solely due to their status as a PEP.

It followed previous claims by former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage that he believed he was being targeted because of his status as a PEP.

The Treasury previously said it would be a serious concern if financial services were being denied to those exercising the right to lawful free speech.

It had already asked the FCA to review the current rules and publish its findings, including any recommendations.

A spokesperson for Cifas said: Cifas members file individuals to the national fraud database to share information about accounts which indicate fraudulent conduct.

Evidence to support markers must be robust and meet our standard of proof, and there are strict rules and guidance around the use of markers in automated systems.

Out of hundreds of thousands of cases, we acknowledge that occasionally our members will place a marker where a consumer believes this is incorrect.

There are clear processes in place for individuals to make an appeal and, where necessary, we are able to carry out an independent investigation and have cases removed or amended without the need to involve the Financial Ombudsman.

This process is clearly explained on our website.

All Cifas members provide a Fair Processing Notice when a customer opens a bank account, and this explains how personal data is processed and the consequences of being filed to the database.

Here are some suggestions from Which? for what innocent banking customers can do if their bank account is closed:

1. Make arrangements

Check what has happened to the money in your account, as banks deal with this differently. Direct debits may not be be paid, so contact receiving firms to make alternative arrangements.

2. Make a complaint

Complain in writing to your bank or provider first. If you are not happy with its response, or it does not respond in eight weeks, you can go to the FOS.

3. Look for Cifas markers

Check for a Cifas marker. To do this, make a data subject access request to Cifas online.

4. Challenge markers

Complain to the firm or organisation that recorded it. If this does not work, take your complaint to Cifas. If that fails, you could take the matter to the FOS.
U nion members have hailed an extraordinary show of solidarity on the picket line on day one of the Hollywood actors strike.

Actors and other creators stood shoulder to shoulder outside multiple studios across Los Angeles, reiterating that industrial action was what needs to happen.

Thousands of members picketed outside the studios of major production companies, including Warner Bros, Netflix and Disney in the sweltering heat on Friday.

Members of actors union Sag-Aftra and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) joined forces while cars drove by honking their horns in solidarity.

Among the famous faces were Lord Of The Rings star Sean Austin, and Jim Rash, who appears in popular comedy TV series Community.

Speaking outside the Paramount Pictures studios, Rash, who has previously been picketing with members of the WGA, told the PA news agency the action was simply about securing a fair deal.

I think today is about unity and about reigniting the cause, because weve been out here for a while, he said.

For me its just a fair deal  our checkpoints are slightly different for what that deal is, but everyone wants a fair deal.

The industry has already changed and we never changed the rest with it.

Bertila Damas, actress and former member of the Sag-Aftra board, said the turnout was extraordinary, but not surprising.

Weve been dismissed, weve been treated less than, weve been otherised as if the business didnt depend on our backs and the writers, she told PA.

This is an extraordinary show of solidarity and its about time.

Make-up artist Jeremy Bramer said the display of support from other unions was overwhelming.

Everybody banding together to get what we want is amazing and the support from all the actors and everybody from every union is just overwhelming, he said.

From all over the world, everybody is banding together from the UK to the United States  its amazing.

High profile actors including George Clooney, Jessica Chastain, Halle Berry and Alec Baldwin are among those who have expressed support for the action, to protect the lower-paid members of the union.

Actress Anna Garcia told PA: I think it feels great to have those voices amplify and almost add legitimacy to the situation.

I think a lot of the bigger Hollywood execs can write off the whiney oh theyre asking for too much  but I think even having people in the positions where they have their needs met, to have them join in, validify it, is huge and very empowering.

Asked what she wanted personally from the situation, Garcia said: I would just like to see a resolution.

Personally I want to come out with getting what they want, regardless of how long it takes, its what needs to happen.

Announcing the strike on Thursday, Sag-Aftra president Fran Drescher said the length of the strike was up to the Hollywood studios.

We are open to talking to them tonight, she said, adding: All of this is because of their behaviour, its up to them if they want to talk in a normal way.

Drescher was also pictured at various picket lines on Friday.

Damas said she did not feel nervous at all with being on strike and stopping work, but voiced concerns about younger members of the union.

Ive been doing this a long time and Im not as concerned, I can weather the storm of unemployment, she told PA.

Its a bigger deal than its ever been. What were asking for, if you ask me, is still not enough.

Stunt coordinator Mikal Kartvedt said that the added weight of the actors union membership to the ongoing writers strike  which began on May 2  was a gamechanger.

This could be a real crusher when it comes to the timeframe the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) thought they were working with, especially with the writers  this is a gamechanger for the whole thing.

Shows that were already in the pipeline and ready to go to production, you could rationalise that you dont need writers and you could shoot the show anyway.

Without Sag-Aftra, theres nothing going on anyway.

He added: The AMPTP will rustle up, theyll double down and then theyll start looking at the bottom line and realise its time to do the right thing.
A ttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could be better diagnosed in the future after three projects exploring the condition and how it progresses over time were awarded funding.

The Medical Research Council (MRC) has handed 2.4 million to three studies taking place at institutions in England and Wales.

ADHD is usually diagnosed in children and those with the condition can be restless and have difficulty concentrating.

The MRC said it hopes the studies will help to identify more people at risk, enabling doctors to offer intervention at an earlier stage.

If ADHD is correctly diagnosed and treated, the negative impacts that it can lead to in some circumstances will be greatly reduced

Projects that will receive funding include a study led by Queen Mary University of London, which will look at how ADHD affects girls and women in particular.

It will use existing data from a longitudinal cohort with yearly assessments of ADHD to see if the onset of puberty can be linked to increasing symptoms.

The team will also collect new data to understand whether hormonal fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle are associated with ADHD symptoms.

Elsewhere, researchers at Birkbeck, University of London, and the University of East London, will examine whether increased activity levels and signs of emotional distress in infants who go on to to develop ADHD can impact real-world interactions, and if different parental responses could change the impact of ADHD on learning in later life.

The study will work with babies with and without a family history of ADHD, combining the data with new analysis of existing results from older children.

The data will be collected at home and in a purpose-built toddler lab, which will be equipped with motion tracking, facial recognition and wireless wearable neuroimaging to measure brain activity during natural play.

At Cardiff University, a project will examine how ADHD and symptoms of depression can co-develop over time in a bid to understand how the condition can increase the risk of depression.

It will use two existing UK cohorts with data spanning childhood, adolescence and young adulthood.

Dr Joanna Latimer, head of neurosciences and mental health at the MRC, part of UK Research and Innovation, said: Previous research has shown that intervening at an early stage is crucial.

If ADHD is correctly diagnosed and treated, the negative impacts that it can lead to in some circumstances will be greatly reduced.

Our hope is that these projects will mean a greater number of people can be offered evidence-based interventions at the right time, so that the condition does not hold children and young adults back from reaching their potential.
S adiq Khan has urged the government to re-enter the Horizon research programme after three years of being locked out following a tit-for-tat dispute over Brexit.

The UK has reportedly drawn up a draft agreement with the European Union on securing Britains re-entry to the 81bn science research scheme.

The UK was locked out of Horizon after leaving the EU in 2020, which sparked a bitter dispute over post-Brexit trade rules in Northern Ireland.

But talks restarted in March, when the Windsor Framework deal ended the post-Brexit impasse between London and Brussels.

Mr Khan, the Mayor of London, has said it is crucial for London as a home to some of the worlds leading scientific institutions to be part of the programme.

Our withdrawal is yet another example of London being damaged by our departure from the EU, and means we have lost out on huge benefits to the capital including access to funding and collaborations on projects, he said.

The government must not delay its decision to re-join the scheme if we are to restore our role as a leader in European science.

Horizon is the EUs key funding programme for research and innovation. It allows scientists to apply for research grants and link up with other innovators across Europe to collaborate on research projects.

Senior UK science and industry leaders have called for a swift resolution to the stalemate, warning that further delays could damage Britains aspirations to be a science superpower.
The FSO Safer, a super oil tanker that has been left unattended for years, is seen at Ras Issa Port in Hodeidah Province, Yemen, on July 15, 2023. A vessel chartered by the United Nations set sail from Djibouti on Saturday toward Yemen to transfer oil from a deteriorating tanker that poses a major environmental and humanitarian threat. The replacement vessel, Nautica, is expected to arrive at the site of the FSO Safer supertanker on Sunday. Once it arrives, a meticulous ship-to-ship transfer operation will be initiated to extract the oil from the Safer, according to a statement from the UN Development Programme (UNDP). (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

SANAA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A vessel chartered by the United Nations set sail from Djibouti on Saturday toward Yemen to transfer oil from a deteriorating tanker that poses a major environmental and humanitarian threat.

The replacement vessel, Nautica, is expected to arrive at the site of the FSO Safer supertanker on Sunday. Once it arrives, a meticulous ship-to-ship transfer operation will be initiated to extract the oil from the Safer, according to a statement from the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

The Safer, which is estimated to contain 1 million barrels of oil, has been deteriorating for years and is at risk of breaking up or exploding. A major spill from the vessel would have devastating consequences for the environment and the millions of people who live in the region.

The UNDP, which is overseeing the operation, said all technical preparations and agreements have been finalized.

"With the Nautica now en route, we expect the oil removal from the Safer to commence within the next week," said Achim Steiner, the UNDP administrator.

"Removing the threat the Safer poses will be a huge achievement for the many people who have worked tirelessly on this complex and difficult project over months and years to bring us to this point. We will not rest until that threat is gone, and today we are close to beginning the operation," he added.

Speaking from aboard the Nautica, David Gressly, UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, emphasized that the ship-to-ship transfer of oil represents a significant milestone but does not signal the end of the operation.

"The next critical step involves the installation of a CALM buoy to securely moor the replacement vessel," said Gressly.

The FSO Safer is a floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel that was built in 1976. It was anchored off the coast of Yemen in 1984 to store oil produced by the Marib oil field. The tanker was designed to be emptied and maintained regularly, but the war in Yemen has made the work impossible.

On May 30, a UN engineering vessel arrived at the site of the FSO Safer to make preparations for the transfer of its oil.

The United Nations has warned that a spill from the FSO Safer could have a devastating impact on the Red Sea and the coastline of Yemen. The spill could release four times as much oil as the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, which killed thousands of seabirds and marine mammals and caused widespread environmental damage. 

The rusty hulk of the FSO Safer, a super oil tanker that has been left unattended for years, is seen at Ras Issa Port in Hodeidah Province, Yemen, on July 15, 2023. A vessel chartered by the United Nations set sail from Djibouti on Saturday toward Yemen to transfer oil from a deteriorating tanker that poses a major environmental and humanitarian threat. The replacement vessel, Nautica, is expected to arrive at the site of the FSO Safer supertanker on Sunday. Once it arrives, a meticulous ship-to-ship transfer operation will be initiated to extract the oil from the Safer, according to a statement from the UN Development Programme (UNDP). (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

The FSO Safer, a super oil tanker that has been left unattended for years, is seen at Ras Issa Port in Hodeidah Province, Yemen, on July 15, 2023. A vessel chartered by the United Nations set sail from Djibouti on Saturday toward Yemen to transfer oil from a deteriorating tanker that poses a major environmental and humanitarian threat. The replacement vessel, Nautica, is expected to arrive at the site of the FSO Safer supertanker on Sunday. Once it arrives, a meticulous ship-to-ship transfer operation will be initiated to extract the oil from the Safer, according to a statement from the UN Development Programme (UNDP). (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

A engineer stands on the upper decker of the FSO Safer, a super oil tanker that has been left unattended for years, at Ras Issa Port in Hodeidah Province, Yemen, on July 15, 2023. A vessel chartered by the United Nations set sail from Djibouti on Saturday toward Yemen to transfer oil from a deteriorating tanker that poses a major environmental and humanitarian threat. The replacement vessel, Nautica, is expected to arrive at the site of the FSO Safer supertanker on Sunday. Once it arrives, a meticulous ship-to-ship transfer operation will be initiated to extract the oil from the Safer, according to a statement from the UN Development Programme (UNDP). (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)
B en Wallace has said he will step down as Defence Secretary during the next Cabinet reshuffle.

The MP - who has been in the Cabinet role for more than four years, serving under three prime ministers - then plans to step back from politics entirely by not to standing in the next general election, he has told the Sunday Times.

But Mr Wallace ruled out leaving prematurely, and triggering another by-election for the Conservatives to battle.

Im not standing next time, he told the Sunday Times.

I went into politics in the Scottish parliament in 1999. Thats 24 years. Ive spent well over seven years with three phones by my bed.

Mr Wallace remains supportive of Rishi Sunak and the Government and his departure is not understood to be related to the Conservative Partys current challenges.

He told the prime minister of his plans to step down on June 16.

It is believed the next Cabinet reshuffle could take place in September.

Regarding what the future might hold for him once he has stepped back from politics, Mr Wallace told the Sunday Times: Im quite happy to go and work at a bar.

I feel quite fulfilled, and that gives me lots of options. I sometimes think Id just like to go and do things I love, like Formula One or horse racing  just do something completely different.

Mr Wallace has played a key role in the UKs response to Russias invasion of Ukraine and was a close ally of Boris Johnson.

Mr Wallace had expressed an interest in standing for the role of Nato secretary-general before it was announced the current chief, Jens Stoltenberg, had been given another year in charge.

He told The Economist there were a lot of unresolved issues in the military alliance and its not going to happen. He later downplayed the prospect of a future bid to run the organisation.

Last week, the Prime Minister shut down comments from Mr Wallace in which he suggested Ukraine should show gratitude for the military support it had been given.

Mr Wallace had made the remark after the countrys President Volodymyr Zelensky branded it absurd for Nato to insist there were still conditions for his nation to meet before it can gain membership once the war with Russia is over.

Mr Zelensky later said: I believe that we were always grateful to United Kingdom.

I dont know what he meant and how else we should be grateful.

Popular within the Tory party, Mr Wallace is the longest continuously serving minister in Government, having been security minister under Theresa May before being promoted to Defence Secretary by Mr Johnson and continuing the role under his two successors.

He was previously appointed as a whip in 2014 and a junior minister in the Northern Ireland Office in 2015 while David Cameron was prime minister.

The Wyre and Preston North MP ruled himself out of the running for the Conservative leadership last year, despite being an early frontrunner in the race to replace Mr Johnson.
I sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been rushed to hospital after suffering a health complication.

The 73-year-olds office has confirmed that he is in good condition after undergoing a medical evaluation at the Sheba Hospital near Tel Aviv.

An unnamed source close to the politician said he had fainted at home but regained consciousness at hospital, Israeli news site Walla reported.

Meanwhile, health officials told Haaretz that Mr Netanyahu was conscious and walking on his own.

A spokesperson for his office confirmed: Prime Minister Netanyahu arrived a short while ago to the Sheba Medical Center.

He is well and is undergoing a medical evaluation.

Mr Netanyahu is Israels longest serving leader. He has served multiple terms stretching over 15 years in office. His current far-right government, a collection of religious and ultranationalist parties, took office last December.

Mr Netanyahu is said to be in generally good health, though he was briefly hospitalised last October after feeling unwell during prayers on Yom Kippur.

Israel is currently in the midst of a heat wave, with temperatures in the mid-30C range.
R ussias military leadership is facing increasing levels of criticism from subordinates due to disaffection over their handling of the war in Ukraine, the UKs Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

In its latest intelligence update, the MoD cited the sacking of Russias Maj Gen Ian Popov, who was dismissed after being scathing of the military leadership in a leaked video intended for his troops.

Mr Popov, who commanded the 58th Combined Arms army, which is fighting on the front in Ukraine near Zaporizhzhia, said the Russian defence ministry leadership was hitting us from the rear, viciously beheading the army at the most difficult and intense moment.

The MoD said Russia had routinely sacked commanders since the start of the invasion but that Popovs removal was notable because he was apparently dismissed for voicing concerns rather than for any alleged poor performance.

The ministry tweeted: Popovs comments draw attention to serious disaffection many officers likely harbour towards the senior military leadership. The complaints largely echo those made by Wagner Group owner Yevgeny Prigozhin prior to his June 2023 mutiny.

Direct criticism from subordinates is likely to become an increasing problem for defence minister Sergei Shoigu and chief of the general staff General Gerasimov.

It follows reports that mercenary group Wagner - Russias frontline fighting force in Ukraine - is no longer involved in combat in any significant way following its mutiny, according to US officials.

With Vladimir Putins military inner circle in turmoil, the Russian President has also admitted that the group does not legally exist.

The Pentagon said that the 25,000-strong group of fighters, led by the feared warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin, had now left the country.

Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, told a news briefing: We do not see Wagner forces participating in any significant capacity in support of combat operations in Ukraine.

President Putin said that Mr Prigozhin rejected an offer to his fighters to serve as a unit in Russias army.

He told Kommersant newspaper that many group commanders had backed the plan to be led by a senior Wagner figure during recent talks in Moscow.

He said Mr Prigozhins reply was: The guys do not agree with this decision.

When asked whether the group would be preserved, utin said: There is no law on private military organisations. It just doesnt exist.

Mr Prigozhin launched a rebellion against Russias military leadership last month, but backed down after a deal was brokered by Putins ally, President Lukashenko of Belarus.

The head of the Wagner Groups whereabouts are unknown, but yesterday an unverified image of him in his underwear emerged on Russian chat forums.
A large convoy carrying fighters from the Wagner private army was spotted entering Belarus from Russia early Saturday, according to reports.

It comes after the Belarusian Defence Ministry said it planned for the mercenaries and Minsks own armed forces to conduct joint military drills.

Wagner mercenaries had fought in Ukraine alongside Russian troops in the group carried out a short-lived mutiny against the Kremlin last month.

Independent monitoring group Belaruski Hajun, which tracks the movements of armed forces in Belarus, said on Saturday at least 60 trucks, buses and other large vehicles crossed into Belarus accompanied by police.

The convoy headed toward a military base outside Osipovichi, a town 230 kilometres (142 miles) north of the Ukrainian border, Belaruski Hajun said.

Ukraines Center for National Resistance said later on Saturday that about 240 Wagner fighters, 40 trucks and a large amount of weapons had arrived in the Osipovichi area.

It cited unspecified members of Belarus underground anti-Lukashenko opposition as the source of the information, which couldnt be independently verified.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company / AP

Separately, a spokesperson for Ukraines State Border Guard Service said on Saturday that the force also had observed some groups of Wagner fighters crossing from Russia into Belarus.

The spokesperson, Andriy Demchenko, made the remarks in an interview with the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper.

Satellite images analysed by news agency The Associated Press (AP) this month showed rows of tent-like structures that appeared to have been built at the base between June 15 and June 30.

The authoritarian president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said at the time that Minsk could use Wagners experience and expertise, and that he had offered the fighters an abandoned military unit to set up camp.

That same week, a leader of an anti-Lukashenko guerrilla group told the AP that construction of a site for the mercenaries was underway near Osipovichi.

The Belarusian Defence Ministry said in an online statement late Friday that it had developed a road map with Wagners management for joint training exercises drills by the nations military personnel and the private mercenaries.

Earlier on Friday, the Defence Ministry said that Wagner fighters had begun training Belarusian soldiers.

A television channel affiliated with the ministry showed footage of fighters in black masks instructing soldiers on how to shoot and provide first aid.

On June 23, the Wagner groups founder and leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, ordered his fighters to leave their camps in Ukraine and head toward Moscow to demand the removal of Russias defence minister and General Staff chief.

The mutiny rattled Russia and posed the biggest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mr Prigozhins one-time benefactor, during his decades in power.

In the revolt that lasted less than 24 hours, Wagner fighters swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there, before driving to within about 200 kilometres (125 miles) of the Russian capital.

Mr Prigozhin had accused the senior Russian military leadership for months of bungling the war in Ukraine and starving his troops of ammunition.

Lukashenko then brokered a deal between Mr Prigozhin and the Kremlin that shielded the Wagner leader and his men from prosecution, allowing Mr Prigozhin to move to Belarus in exchange for ordering his mercenaries back to the camps.

Putin indicated on Friday that he intends to maintain Wagner as a single fighting force under its existing commander, while appearing to denigrate Mr Prigozhin.

His remarks, made in an interview with Russias Kommersant newspaper, seemed to reflect the Kremlins efforts to secure the loyalty of the mercenaries, who make up some of the most capable Russian forces in Ukraine.

Lukashenko previously allowed the Kremlin to use Belarusian territory to send troops and weapons into Ukraine.

He has also welcomed a continued Russian armed presence in Belarus, including joint military camps and exercises, as well as the deployment of some of Russias tactical nuclear weapons there.
WASHINGTON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- One officer has died and two were critically injured in North Dakota shooting in which a suspected gunman was killed, the Associated Press reported on Saturday. 
CHANGCHUN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China's leading automaker FAW Group Co., Ltd. celebrated its 70th anniversary as its 55.77 millionth car rolled off the intelligent production line on Saturday.

The construction of the First Automotive Works, China's first automotive manufacturing plant and predecessor of FAW Group, was launched in Changchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province, on July 15, 1953, marking the beginning of the nation's auto industry.

On July 13, 1956, the first domestic Jiefang truck rolled off the company's assembly line after three years of preparation and trial production, ending the history that China could not produce vehicles. From its first car rolling off the production line to being one of the world's top 500 companies, the FAW Group has become the epitome of China's auto industry development.

After seven decades of relentless efforts, China is moving forward to become a world auto-making powerhouse.

Data showed that China has been the world's largest automobile production and sales country for 14 consecutive years, and the production and sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) topped the global market for the eighth year in a row.

Particularly, China's vehicle exports soared to around 1.07 million units in the first quarter of 2023, data from the General Administration of Customs showed, indicating that China had become the world's largest auto exporter in the period, even outpacing Japan.

"We have broken through a number of bottleneck technologies, put in a batch of competitive products, and made solid steps in science and technology self-reliance," said Qiu Xiandong, general manager of FAW Group, at the commemorative activity on Saturday.

According to Wang Deping, executive vice president of the R&D institute under the FAW Group, the company has broken through 494 key and core technologies in the past three years.

"Our R&D staff number has grown from 2,360 to more than 4,500, and the development cycle for new cars has been reduced from 48 months to 24 months," Wang said.

Industry insiders believe that this round of new energy transformation opportunities for China's automobile industry has not only given new vitality to the old industrial bases but also given birth to new car-making forces such as NIO and Li Auto.

Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showed that from January to June 2023, China's NEV production and sales exceeded 3.78 million units and 3.74 million units, a year-on-year increase of 42.4 percent and 44.1 percent, respectively.

Nowadays, the Chinese people have shown diversified demand for vehicles, and major automakers have therefore launched more segmented products.

Liu Kexin, senior researcher with the China Automotive Technology and Research Center Co., Ltd., said the younger generation of Chinese consumers, who value the appearance, technological sense, and personalization of vehicles, now prefer domestic brands.

After 70 years of development, Chinese automobiles have also gone global, with local brands such as Hongqi, BYD, and Chery accelerating their overseas layout.

Yang Dayong, chairman of China FAW Group Import and Export Co., Ltd., said from the very beginning, Hongqi chose developed regions abroad as its target market and opened up sales channels in 17 countries, including Saudi Arabia and Norway. 
FERGUSON  In the not-so-distant future, when the need arises to get from one side of a bustling metro area to another, one may have the option of hailing an electric air taxi.

A growing number of companies are working to develop such aircraft. And a manufacturer in Ferguson hopes to tackle one of the key engineering challenges: Creating an electric motor strong enough to lift the craft into the skies, and lightweight enough to remain aloft.

Last month at the Paris Air Show, Japan-based Nidec and Brazil-based Embraer announced plans to establish a joint venture to develop motors for eVTOLs, or electric Vertical Take-Off Landing vehicles. The new venture would be headquartered at Nidecs motor business  Nidec Motor Corporation  in Ferguson, and will mark the companys largest move yet into the aerospace industry.

The technical challenges of applying an electric motor in aerospace are huge, said Greg Gorman, chief growth officer at Nidec Motor Corporation. We have to get the power thats necessary  at the lowest weight possible.

Nidec supplies industrial, automotive and appliance companies. It makes motors that open sunroofs and adjust seats in cars, and run compressors in refrigerators, and adjust the angles of wind turbines. It makes small motors that make smartphones vibrate.

Nidec and Embraer are hoping to capitalize on the push in the industry to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Last year, the United Nations aviation agency  the International Civil Aviation Organization  advocated for a goal of net-zero air transport emissions by 2050. The air taxi motors Nidec is developing would run on lithium ion batteries.

These are the waves that Nidec is following, Gorman said. The industry wants to decarbonize. Needs to decarbonize.

The joint ventures first customer, Florida-based Eve Air Mobility, is a spinoff company of Embraer. Eve aims to get its craft into service in 2026. The Eve air taxis will have a range of 60 miles, a spokesperson said. They will initially seat a pilot, four passengers and luggage, but will eventually be made to function autonomously and carry six passengers.

There should be a number of different companies bringing eVTOLs to the market between 2025 and 2027, said Vincent Braley, chief of staff for Nidecs motion and drives business.

One California-based company, Joby, plans to begin passenger flights in 2025.

Federal regulators are laying the groundwork for eventual approval of eVTOLs  just last month the Federal Aviation Administration released its proposed rules for certifying eVTOL pilots.

In the future, the motors could potentially be used for cargo drones. Further in the future, they could be used to power airplanes  perhaps beginning with smaller, private or agricultural aircraft, Braley said.

It is a very substantial, high-growth market, Gorman said.

Braley said Nidecs new joint venture plans to hire 30 to 60 people in the first two to three years, many of them engineers.

The team will work on computer models of motors, and then develop prototypes, and run tests on those prototypes.

While the joint venture will be headquartered in Ferguson, its undecided how much of the research and development work will be done in there, Braley said. St. Louis is an aerospace city, while Embraer has a large presence in Floridas space coast.

Nidecs motors business used to be a part of Emerson, until Nidec acquired it in 2010. The unit is still located on Emersons 200-acre campus on West Florissant Avenue in Ferguson. Nidec has several hundred employees at the site, most in roles that support the larger companys operations, like accounting and marketing. Others work in the labs there, running tests on motors and components.

Nidec has ventured into aerospace in other ways: It has worked with Tokyo-based SoftBank to create a lightweight motor for an unmanned, solar-powered glider. But the new joint venture is the companys most significant push, so far, to enter the aerospace industry.

Nidec will own 51% of the joint venture, and the deal is expected to close by the end of the year.
I did not go to Scotland to seek my roots. In fact, I was only there because one of my wifes sisters and her husband had rented a place in rural northern England and we decided to visit.

As long as we were in northern England, we might as well hop the train north to Edinburgh. And as long as we were in Edinburgh, we might as well hop the train north to Inverness. Thats where Loch Ness is. I booked us a hotel next to the Loch.

If I get a photo of Nessie, we pay for the trip and then some, I said to Mary.

But back to Edinburgh and my roots. We were strolling along in the tourist section when we came across a Clan store. The different Scottish clans  families  have their own tartan patterns and family crests. These crests include the family motto and are displayed on brooch pins, which are meant to be worn on kilts.

The Clan store did not have any tartan stuff in the MacLellan pattern  no scarves for the women in my life  but it did have a brooch pin. I took a quick look at it. Think On was the family motto. I do not want to embarrass any Scotsperson by singling out a particular clan, but most of the mottos were fierce. These were people who glorified violence.

Then there was us. Think On.

Maybe these guys wouldnt be scornful of a descendant who enjoys a good latte on weekend mornings. Vanilla with whole milk. Think On.

In addition to the brooch, I bought a booklet of our clan history. On the back of the booklet, it said, Recipients of high honors, they nevertheless often paid dearly for their allegiances and beliefs.

Bad choices. Its a family thing. Im going to start asking for skim milk with those lattes.

Back in the hotel room, I read the booklet. It explained that Think On came from a 15th-century incident. The king had put out a reward for the head of a notorious bandit called Black Morrow. Apparently, he was a Moor from North Africa. Sir William MacLellan had the good fortune to come upon the bandit as he lay in a drunken stupor. Sir William dispatched him.

I remember my dad saying, If you cant kick a man when hes down, when can you kick him?

Too bad that wouldnt fit on a brooch pin.

Sir William got an immediate audience with the king, and because those were literal times, he showed the head of Black Morrow to the king. The king seemed to hedge a bit about the reward. Sir William drew the kings attention back to the severed head. Think on this, he said.

A threat to the king in the kings own castle? Who would dare do such a thing? I read it to Mary and said that it had the sound of a story a guy might make up after a few glasses of malt. So then I said to the King, Think on this!

Mary nodded. That does sounds like something a McClellan might do.

Think on, I replied.

The king relented. Sir William got the reward and the family got a motto. All for the good luck of stumbling upon a bandit who had passed out.

The good luck did not last. There was always a lot of fighting going on and far too often we found ourselves on the losing side. We won an occasional battle. Using a huge cannon, we battered down Threave Castle. We gave ourselves a second family motto. Destroyers of Proud Things.

But our destroyer days were short-lived. One bad choice too many, and we were banished to Northern Ireland. In return for signing a pledge to remain protestant, we were given land.

I had always imagined that a forefather had distinguished himself while serving for a protestant king and had been rewarded for that service with land in Ulster. Yes, I know. No matter how we got the land, it didnt belong to us. We were usurpers. The displaced owners would never accept our ownership. Welcome to The Troubles.

I took a closer look at the brooch. The design features a head impaled on a sword. The Black Morrows head, no doubt.

I wondered if our clan could be any more politically incorrect. Why couldnt we have stumbled upon a drunken white renegade? Why did our bandit have to be Black and a Muslim?

That is the thing about life, though. You have to play the cards youre dealt. Had Sir William stumbled upon a passed-out white Christian with a price on his head, hed have dispatched him. This was not a hate crime. No bigotry involved. Just circumstance.

Still, would any of the women in my life want to wear the the brooch? You have to look pretty closely to see the impaled head, but once you see it, it is unsettling. Why are you wearing a pin with an impaled head and who did the head belong to?

Too much explaining required. The brooch will end up in a drawer.

So, yes it is a strange history I discovered in the tourist section of Edinburgh, but Im glad I learned about the clan. Im proud of my ancestors. They kept on keeping on. I have always maintained that you cannot judge a person of the past by todays standards. Wise people predict that people of the future will be appalled that we ate meat. So I cut the old-timers some slack. Besides, I really like the family motto.

Think on.
JEFFERSON CITY  A man ordered to be executed next month has asked Missouri Gov. Mike Parson for mercy to stop his state-ordered death on Thursday.

In his request, Johnny A. Johnson, 45, cited mental and intellectual disabilities as the primary reasons why he should not be given the death penalty for his 2002 murder of 6-year-old Casey Williamson.

On Wednesday, Johnsons medication was changed  another reason his attorneys want Parson to either grant clemency or appoint a judicial panel to review to consider commuting Johnson to life in prison without parole. Johnson has been incarcerated since the day he murdered Casey on July 26, 2002.

Even Casey's father does not want Johnson to be executed for his daughters murder, according to the clemency application submitted on Thursday to the governor by both Johnson's attorney and federal public defender. Williamsons father was not able to be reached for comment on Thursday.

"The taking of Johnnys life is not necessary for the people of Missouri," Johnsons attorneys stated in the application. "If the honorable governor chooses not to intervene, Johnnys life will be taken unnecessarily."

Last month, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled Johnson failed to prove that his claims of constitutional violations related to his sanity should stop his execution.

Parson has denied clemency requests three times this year, approving the deaths of Amber McLaughlin on Jan. 3, Leonard Taylor on Feb. 7 and Michael Tisius on June 6.

Most recently, Parson dissolved the board of inquiry, or judicial panel, for Marcellus Williams, which was created by former Gov. Eric Greitens. Williams pleaded guilty to murdering a former Post-Dispatch reporter, Felisha Gayle, during a home burglary in 1998. His execution date has not been set as of Thursday.

Johnson, 45, is ordered to die by lethal injection on Aug. 1 at Bonne Terre prison. No other executions in the state have been scheduled as of Thursday.

The 55 people Missouri has executed since 2000
CLAYTON  A Lake Saint Louis man dubbed by officials as the "cleaning ad rapist" faces several felonies after authorities say he repeatedly posted ads on dating sites looking to hire women to clean his home, then attacked them when they showed up for the job.

Enrique White, 29, is accused of several rapes or attempted rapes between December 2015 and May 2023. Maj. Steve Runge, of the Berkeley Police Department, said White offered the women between $200 and $600 to clean his house and befriended them before assaulting them.

"It wasn't a date," Runge said. "These women were applying for a cleaning job."

White was held without bail Friday at the St. Louis County Justice Center. White lives in the 18200 block of Cuivre Drive in Lake Saint Louis.

The charges stem from attacks on four women, including when White lived at a home in north St. Louis County. Police suspect there may be more victims.

"There's no reason to suffer in silence," said St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell. "Please come forward. Please seek help. We are here for you."

In all, White was charged Thursday with four counts of rape or attempted rape and three counts of sodomy. He also faces separate charges in St. Charles County, where he's accused of child molestation, statutory rape and other crimes connected with the attack of a 12-year-old victim in April.

White was working for a food delivery service, police said, and denied all charges when police arrested him at his home. He did not have an attorney listed in court records.

Bell credited St. Louis County, Berkeley and Hazelwood police with collaborating to investigate White.

"Charges like these don't happen by accident," Bell said at a news conference Friday, "but by diligent, detailed and thorough investigations."

After White attacked the women, "their survival instincts kicked in" and they escaped, Runge said. One of the women, in May, fell from his moving car on Interstate 170 in Berkeley.

"There's more out there," Runge said of the potential additional victims. "I think he's a monster. I think he's a sexual predator. He repeated what he did over and over, the same M.O. It's not an accident.  I've locked up murderers and bank robbers, but reading what he did to these young women just makes my blood boil."

Berkeley police began looking into White about two months ago when the woman fell from the moving car on I-170 in the city of Berkeley. Runge said investigators discovered White's identity using license plate readers. They ran White's name through police databases, which indicated he was a suspect in other investigations going back to 2015. Berkeley police worked with several other police departments and, by gathering each individual report, Runge said, investigators suspected White was a serial rapist.

White had the same routine, Runge said. He would post an ad to hire someone to clean his home, befriend the respondent, and then rape them, Runge said. Three of the four accusers met White through dating sites.

The first victim, from December 2015 was the exception. She got drunk and lost track of her friends at a now-closed bar called Bobby's Place on Main Street in St. Charles, police said, and White and two other men offered to drive her home.

The men raped her at one location, police said, then White took her to a home on Larbrook Drive, in unincorporated St. Louis County, and raped her again before falling asleep. The woman used White's phone to call her sister for a ride home, and police said White's DNA was found on her clothing.

It wasn't immediately clear why charges weren't filed before this week in that attack.

In May 2016, a woman met White on the dating site "Plenty of Fish." The woman's profile said she cleaned houses for a living. White messaged her and asked if she would clean his house for $200, police said. White asked her to come to his home on Larbrook right away, and she arrived but immediately felt uneasy, police said.

She called a friend and asked her friend to call the police if she didn't hear from her in an hour. She started cleaning, but White pushed the woman onto the bed and raped her, police said. A DNA analysis again was a match with White, police said.

Authorities said charges were issued in that attack, but the case was eventually dismissed for failure to prosecute.

In June 2016, a woman met White on the dating site "Meet Me." She agreed to clean White's home but asked if she could bring a friend. White told her no, police said. He said he had been robbed before and didn't want a second person to clean his home. He walked into the room naked and she ran out; he slapped her as she ran by, police said. He was charged with a misdemeanor in that case in 2016.

In September 2019, a woman met White on the dating site "Meetup," and he offered $600 for her to clean his home while naked, police said. The woman had recently lost her job and needed the money so she agreed  as long as nothing sexual would happen, police said. White picked up the woman in Centralia, Illinois, brought her to his home and sexually assaulted her, police said. She tried to run from the home, but White drove her to an empty parking lot at an outlet mall in Hazelwood and dropped her off, police said.

On May 27, White is accused of sending a message to a young woman through a dating site. He then picked her up from a college in Illinois, drove her to St. Louis County and pointed a gun at her head, and forced her to perform sex acts, police said.

Runge said all of the women reported what happened right away, but Runge said he doesn't know why charges weren't filed or the cases were dismissed.

Runge said police departments sharing information helped build the case into a serial rapist investigation, resulting in Thursday's charges. Runge lauded St. Louis County assistant prosecutor Melissa Smith for putting a team together to find all of the victims years later to follow up on their cases.

When asked why charges weren't filed in 2015 and why the case from May 2016 was dismissed, Christopher King, a spokesman for the St. Louis County prosecutor's office, said he can't speak for decisions made by previous prosecutors; Bell took office in January 2019.

King said he would look at the office's case-management system to see if there were any notes that could explain how previous cases were handled.

But in an email Friday, King said: "These were all difficult cases to make as standalone charges on victim testimony alone for various reasons that we would not discuss now that charges are pending."

King also said the case from Berkeley "was critical in bringing a single case based on four cases that are bundled as seven counts.

"We filed charges just as soon as we decided we had the evidence to do so," King said.
ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis jury on Friday convicted a 31-year-old man of one murder and acquitted him of more than a dozen other charges in the deaths of two people and non-fatal shootings of four others over a 10-day period in 2017.

Ollie Lynch faces an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole for first-degree murder in the death of 31-year-old Jeramee Ramey. Prosecutors said during a five-day trial that Lynch rode in the back of a car to the 4400 block of Red Bud Avenue, where he opened fire on Ramey as he stood in the street.

"This was a hit  a planned and pre-determined hit," said prosecutor Marvin Teer.

But jurors did not buy prosecutors' arguments that Lynch, at the behest of his girlfriend, Makala Mayo, fatally shot 25-year-old Amber Green and 17-year-old Jalen Woods days later as they sat in a car with three others at a gas station in north St. Louis days. They acquitted him of 14 charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, in those killings.

Lynch's attorney, Yashwanth Manjunath, maintained throughout the five-day trial that his client was innocent of all the charges.

"Even though the case didn't go the way Ollie and I would've liked, we thank the jury for their service," he said. "We hope to continue fighting this case on appeal."

On May 25, 2017, Lynch called a man named Marvel Williams and asked him to pick him up at a home on Sacramento Avenue. He asked Williams to bring a gun, Williams said at trial.

Williams arrived at the home in his Chevrolet Impala. Lynch told Williams to follow Mayo, who was riding in another vehicle.

They arrived in the 4400 block of Red Bud Avenue, and Williams said he couldn't see anything through the darkness. In seconds, Lynch fired the gun multiple times from the back seat on the driver's side, killing Ramey.

In exchange for his testimony, Williams is set to plead guilty to second-degree murder in Ramey's death. Prosecutors agreed to recommend a 15-year prison term  a deal that Lynch's attorney argued gave Williams an incentive to lie.

"Marvel Williams, the real murderer, tried to save himself," Manjunath said.

Manjunath also argued that Williams had allowed his brother to sell the murder weapon in order to hide evidence that would have exonerated Lynch and offered witnesses who said the shots came from the driver's window, not the back seat.

But Teer said Lynch, not Williams, had a motive to kill Ramey: He wanted to "earn his stripes" in Mayo's crew.

After Ramey's death, Teer argued, Mayo convinced Lynch to show up at a Mobile gas station on Union Boulevard, where two masked men started spraying dozens of bullets at a car parked on the lot.

A woman who was in the car testified that she saw the shooter smiling and he had gold teeth, like Lynch.

But immediately after the shooting, that same woman told police that she couldn't identify the shooter. She said he was 6 feet tall and weighed roughly 200 pounds  much taller and heavier than Lynch.

Manjunath seized on the discrepancy as proof that the woman didn't actually know who shot up the car. He said surveillance video also exonerated Lynch because the shooter was wearing different clothing than his client that night.

Ultimately, jurors took roughly five hours to convict Lynch in Ramey's murder. Mayo had previously pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in his death in exchange for a nine-year sentence. Williams is set to plead guilty and be sentenced at a later date.

Prosecutors had initially sought the death penalty in Lynch's case, but that request was later withdrawn.
DES MOINES, Iowa  As the six-month sprint to the Iowa caucuses begins, the sprawling field of Republican presidential candidates is facing growing pressure to prove they can become serious challengers to former President Donald Trump.

The urgency is particularly acute for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who entered the race in May with expectations that he would quickly become Trumps top rival. For now, however, he has struggled to generate the enthusiasm that Trump commands from the GOP base.

DeSantis was among six White House hopefuls in Iowa on Friday for the Family Leadership Summit, where an audience of close to 2,000 conservative Christians gathered to see former Fox News host Tucker Carlson interview the candidates individually. Trump did not attend, though he swung through the state in recent weeks and will return Tuesday.

DeSantis and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy received the most raucous cheers from the packed hall in the downtown Des Moines events center, notably when they argued for a more limited U.S. military role backing Ukraine.

Yet it was Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, choosing the event to sign the recently passed six-week abortion ban, who received the loudest and most sustained standing ovation when she took the stage. She is publicly neutral in the race, though she appeared with candidates in the state.

Theres still time for any of the contenders to mount a more robust challenge to Trump  but not a lot. Iowas first-in-the-nation caucuses are Jan. 15.

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott impressed many with an agenda that is as conservative as those of Trump or DeSantis. Some say Scott is distinguishing himself with an aggressive outreach strategy paired with an upbeat message.

Carlson noted reports of increased interest in Scott, prompting a crack from the senator that he hoped the money would follow.

Im glad to hear theyre all flocking to me, Scott said. I wish they would go out and write the check, too, because we havent seen that yet. Ive heard the stories myself, but what I havent seen is the millions and millions.

Trump is the undisputed leader in Iowa, making the state crucial for anyone hoping to stop him.

Theres no question Donald Trump is winning Iowa right now, said Josie Albrecht, a former top Iowa GOP Statehouse communications adviser who is helping the state party. I think there has been a lot of support for him for many years, and thats a hard wall to crack.

Yet Trump faces some vulnerabilities, including a feud with Reynolds over her refusal to formally endorse his campaign. His recent indictments risk becoming a liability that rivals may exploit.

In a memo shared last month with donors to the influential network started by Charles and David Koch, Michael Palmer, who leads the groups data and polling operation, argued against what he called the myth of Trump inevitability. He wrote that a significant number of Trump voters remain open to a Republican alternative and he cited public polling that indicates DeSantis may be a stronger general election candidate against President Joe Biden.

Americans for Prosperity, the political arm of the Koch brothers operation, is working to explicitly undermine Trump. Since February, the groups paid staff and volunteers have been knocking on thousands of doors a week in Iowa and raising questions about Trumps chances in a general election, said Drew Klein, the organizations state director. Klein told people last week they should not back Trump in the caucuses.

But a central challenge for Republicans is to hone a message that resonates with voters who backed Trump but are open to others in 2024.

Candidates who are the most blunt in knocking Trump are not making inroads in Iowa.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, for instance, has not visited the state as a 2024 candidate and was not among the speakers Friday. He is focusing on the more libertarian voters in New Hampshire.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson had an awkward exchange with Carlson on Friday when the conservative commentator grilled Hutchinson over the COVID-19 vaccine and his veto of a 2021 law banning gender-affirming treatments for transgender youth.

Is it treatment to prevent him from going through the natural process of adolescence? Carlson asked. This is one of the biggest issues in the country.

The audience applauded Carlson, while Hutchinson tried to reinforce his position that parents, not the state, should be the guiding force for children  and met with silence from the crowd.

Similarly, former Vice President Mike Pence got a tepid response when he said he had no right to reject the electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2021, when Congress was certifying the 2020 election results. He drew jeers when he defended his position that military support for Ukraine is a U.S. national security interest.

Anybody that says we cant be the leader of the free world and solve our problems at home has a pretty small view of the greatest nation on Earth, Pence responded when Carlson challenged Pences commitment to domestic priorities.

DeSantis may ultimately be best positioned for a long slog against Trump. DeSantis will almost almost certainly have the financial resources to stay in the nomination fight long after Iowa Republicans vote.

The 2024 presidential field, in the order they've announced Donald Trump, Republican Nikki Haley, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican Marianne Williamson, Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Democrat Larry Elder, Republican President Joe Biden, Democrat Asa Hutchinson, Republican Tim Scott, Republican Ron DeSantis, Republican Mike Pence, Republican Chris Christie, Republican Doug Burgum, Republican Francis Suarez, Republican Will Hurd, Republican
KYIV, Ukraine  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 now 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, Kyiv resident Lada Bondarenko said. She was especially impressed by the instructors lecture on possible land mine threats.

It was a reminder that the Kyiv region, although not 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 front lines is now largely in stalemate, indiscriminate Russian missile attacks continue to hit residential areas, wreaking havoc and causing almost daily casualties across the country.

Several days after registration on the city's website was opened, more than 2,000 people had 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. 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, 38.

His house is located in nearby Irpin, an area in the northwestern outskirts of the capital where fierce battles took place last spring. When the Russians retreated in March 2022, many land mines were left hidden in the grass in the area, which now could be deadly and dangerous.

Vitaliis wife couldnt attend the training in person, so he transmitted it online while she stayed at home with their 2-year-old child. Next time, he plans to bring the whole family to the training, especially his 13-year-old, he said.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, some 174,000 square miles in Ukraine are potentially contaminated with mines, about the size of Florida.

On Tuesday, local authorities held the first such training for civilians. Previously, they mostly trained people who worked in municipal services. 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 would not disappear easily. He felt that by attending this training, people were preparing for the possibility that this war could last for a long time.

Photos: Russia's war in Ukraine reaches the 500-day mark
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)  Drought and dry conditions in South Dakota are improving thanks to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures.

This week's U.S. Drought Monitor report shows only around 25% of South Dakota is still under varying degrees of drought conditions, with just a small pocket of Charles Mix County in extreme drought. The dry conditions are concentrated in southeastern and eastern South Dakota.

Just three weeks ago, around 75% of South Dakota was in drought. Now 63% of the state has normal conditions.

And South Dakota is in better shape than most other Midwestern states. Drought conditions are widespread in Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri. Significant portions of those states are in extreme or exceptional drought.

State Climatologist Laura Edwards told South Dakota Public Broadcasting that recent weather changes are good news for the state's crops.

I think the rain in addition to the cooler than average temperatures weve seen over the last couple weeks, you know for most of July, really has improved or reduced the stress on especially corn and soybeans, Edwards said. And so, were seeing much improved crop conditions in the corn and soybean areas.

Next week could bring above-average temperatures, she said, but she hopes the rain will be enough to keep crop conditions stable.
ST. LOUIS (AP)  Federal investigators on Thursday began the task of trying to determine what caused a Greyhound bus crash in southern Illinois that killed three passengers.

The accident just before 2 a.m. Wednesday happened when the bus carrying a driver and 22 passengers slammed into three tractor-trailers parked along an Interstate 70 exit ramp near St. Louis.

Those killed were identified as Juan Vasquez-Rodriguez, 34, of Passaic, New Jersey; Buford Paya, 71, of Supai, Arizona; and Bradley Donovan, 47, of Springfield, Illinois. Madison County Coroner Stephen Nonn said preliminary findings showed all three men died of blunt trauma.

The bus was traveling from Indianapolis to St. Louis. It isn't yet known why it was on the exit ramp that leads to a rest area near Highland, Illinois, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) short of the Greyhound's destination. No one in the trucks was hurt.

The vehicle was equipped with cameras facing both inward and outward, and their video will be analyzed, National Transportation Safety Board member Tom Chapman said. He added that the 2014-model bus had seatbelts.

A team of NTSB investigators is expected to be on-site for up to six days, and Chapman said the trucks' presence on the ramp will be a part of this investigation.

Parking spots are at a premium in public rest areas, and truckers often park along exit ramps at night. The practice is illegal in Illinois and many other states, but police often ignore it, understanding the shortage of places for overnight truck parking.

Certainly we'll be looking at the location, the proximity of the parked trucks, such details as the width, the length of the ramp, Chapman said.

Photos and video from the scene showed the side of the bus peeled open and its roof crumpled.

Passenger Edwin Brown, 22, of Friars Point, Mississippi, told the St. Louis 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 after the crash as Brown turned the ignition off with the help of a trucker, he said.

The bus driver was hospitalized in serious condition, according to a Facebook post by the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents Greyhound drivers.

Paya, whom friends called Buffalo because he was so burly, was a member of the Havasupai Tribe that is nestled inside the Grand Canyon. Leaving his community meant going by helicopter to the rim or an 8-mile walk or horseback ride, said his niece, Marian Paya Marshall, of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Still he sometimes showed up without warning, calling her from along a nearby highway and asking her for a ride. How, she would ask, did you get here?

Then would ensue a wild tale, which sometimes involved hitchhiking, she said. Other times he would catch a bus or simply walk.

He was so silly, she said describing him as a jokester, with a love of horses. And wed say, How come you didnt call us? And hell say, I just felt like exploring.

A GoFundMe page was set up to raise money to help the family of Vasquez-Rodriguez transport his body to Peru. A family friend who set it up, Gabriela Benitez, wrote in Spanish that Vasquez-Rodriguez left Peru looking for a future and a better future for his entire family. There are no words to comfort at a time like this and that is why financial aid would help them alleviate the great sorrow a little.

Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas. Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed.
Because my column was already written and approved days before the Supreme Courts affirmative action decision, my view on the subject was delayed. Now, two weeks later, Ive had time to reflect upon the times that precipitated the original philosophy and absorb the ramifications. And, as a Black graduate of a top university  Washington University in St. Louis  Im sure my perspective differs from those who were not alive or old enough to bear witness. Let me clue you in.

I was always puzzled that our Jewish citizens had a mantra of Never Forget, because I was unaware of Holocaust deniers. But that was before witnessing people on the right attempting to deny the effect that slavery has had on Black families today. This is the crux of the critical-race-theory protestations. These people want to deny that the generational wealth resulting from the labor of enslaved people is the precipitating cause of the generational poverty of Black and, yes, brown people now. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as all the others signed into law that year to provide equal rights to minorities, including affirmative action statutes, were all necessary because the white majority refused to police itself, just as it continues to do today.

As a child Id been shielded from the segregation and covert racism in St. Louis. Here I could sit in any seat on a bus, in any theater, or at any dime-store counter. Salesclerks waited on me in turn, even if there was a white person in the line, and I did not have to get off the sidewalk if a white person approached. None of these things was conceivable for a Black person in Tennessee (where I spent my summers) before the enactment of the various civil rights laws in 1964.

Now comes the cry that these nearly 60-year-old laws are unfair. Fairness depends upon who wields the gavel and who has or receives the coin, then and now.

It wasnt fair that education was prohibited to slaves for hundreds of years, or that anyone who dared to teach them faced potential death. Nor was it fair that the white majority used fabricated rules (i.e., poll taxes, literacy tests, etc.) to keep minorities from voting. Many Black soldiers returning from WWII were often denied the benefits guaranteed under the G.I. Bill such as educational assistance or help with downpayments on a home that were afforded to their white counterparts, simply because of prejudice within the Veterans Administration. That was definitely unfair.

Even though the 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education demanded that all public schools be integrated, it would take a lawsuit in 1972 by Minnie Liddell et al, (which wasnt settled until 1983) to force the desegregation process in St. Louis. Still, before college I never attended an integrated school.

Did I benefit from affirmative action? Probably. Was I aware? No. I was not a stupid child; I could read at 5. I graduated elementary school at 12, high school at 16, college at 20. Despite being in the top 10% of my high school class, and maybe because of the large size of Sumners enrollment, no counselor ever helped me investigate or apply for college scholarships. So, at 16, rather than ask my family to co-sign a loan for school, I enrolled in junior college. At 18, my political science teacher suggested that I apply to Washington University, and I entered as a junior in 1969.

Was I accepted because someone loved my admission essay, or did my test scores match or exceed other applicants? Was it a consideration that Id be the first in my family to receive a degree? Possibly. Was there a racially based quota system? Doubtful. According to archival records from the school there were a total of 3,906 undergraduates in the fall semester that year. I dont have the racial breakout from those times to calculate a percentage. But meeting another Black person on campus was like seeing a yeti in the woods. Except for one biology class, I was always the only Black student in class. And when Black students staged a sit-in in 1970 to ask for more Black faculty representation, they numbered less than sixty.

Affirmative action allowed minority students a chance to overcome the unfairness that had been part of their lives for generations. Eliminating it negates the advantage of diversity, keeps minorities in low-paying jobs, perpetuates generational poverty, and reinforces racial prejudice. Can we trust that those in power will provide Black and brown children equal access to good schools now? No.

Janet Y. Jackson is a Post-Dispatch columnist and Editorial Board member.
BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the need to thoroughly implement the important guidelines of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on boosting China's strength in cyberspace, and to vigorously advance the high-quality development of the work on cybersecurity and informatization.

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a recent instruction on the work of cybersecurity and informatization.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China has achieved significant progress in the cybersecurity and informatization work, with the Party's leadership of the work strengthened across the board, Xi said.

He said that China has put in place a system for integrated cyberspace management, and its system and capacity for cybersecurity have been constantly improving.

The country has accelerated its efforts to boost self-reliance and strength in science and technology while strengthening law-based governance of cyberspace, Xi said, adding that new strides have been made in boosting China's strength in cyberspace.

He said the important role of the cybersecurity and informatization work is increasingly prominent in the new era.

Xi stressed adherence to several principles, including the Party exercising leadership over cyberspace affairs, developing cyberspace affairs for the people, and taking a path of internet governance with Chinese characteristics.

He also underscored the need to coordinate development and security, strengthen the capability to ensure cybersecurity of the country, and promote building a community of a shared future in cyberspace.

Vigorous efforts should be made to advance the high-quality development of the cybersecurity and informatization undertakings, and make new achievements in boosting China's strength in cyberspace, thus making new contributions to building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts, Xi said in the instruction.

A national meeting on work concerning cybersecurity and informatization was held from Friday to Saturday in Beijing.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting and made a speech.

Xi's instruction was conveyed by Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier, who also attended the meeting. 
The first atomic bomb test in New Mexico on July 16, 1945, opened the door to the dangerous nuclear arms races we have seen ever since. J. Robert Oppenheimer, a leader in the Manhattan Project that developed the atomic bomb during World War II, thought after the blast, Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.

But we must also remember a moment of hope 18 years after that first nuclear weapons test by the United States, codenamed Trinity.

In July, 1963 President John F. Kennedy addressed the nation: I speak to you tonight in a spirit of hope. Eighteen years ago the advent of nuclear weapons changed the course of the world as well as the war. Since that time, all mankind has been struggling to escape from the darkening prospect of mass destruction on earth.

JFK announced the signing of the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty with the Soviet Union: Yesterday a shaft of light cut into the darkness. Negotiations were concluded in Moscow on a treaty to ban all nuclear tests in the atmosphere, in outer space, and under water.

Keep in mind this treaty came almost one year after the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the U.S. and Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war in October, 1962. Nuclear weapons testing was prolific on both sides even during the crisis. The world needed some hope.

The 1963 Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty provided some restraint on the nuclear arms race. It was the beginning of hope and each subsequent nuclear arms control treaty since then has tried to build momentum toward disarmament and peace.

But today, as we dreadfully know, so much more needs to be done as there are over 12,500 nuclear weapons in the world, according to the Arms Control Association. About 90% of these weapons are held by the U.S. and Russia.

Progress toward nuclear disarmament has stalled. Nuclear states are modernizing their arsenals. The war in Ukraine has even raised the horrifying possibility of nuclear weapons being used by Russia.

A new report from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons confirms again that too much money is wasted on nukes. Their report says nine nuclear-armed states spent $82.9 billion on their nuclear weapons in 2022  more than $157,000 per minute.

We have to do better. Nuclear spending is out of control and is wasting precious resources while also adding to existing global tensions. As nuclear spending runs wild, food aid programs to provide relief to those starving are low on funds.

The United States and the other nuclear states need to divert spending away from nuclear arsenals and toward global food aid. President Dwight Eisenhower proposed such a plan in his 1953 Chance for Peace speech. Eisenhower called for devoting a substantial percentage of the savings achieved by disarmament to a fund for world aid and reconstruction.

Such disarmament can be achieved today by reducing reliance and emphasis on nukes. There must also be a resumption of negotiations for treaties to reduce nuclear arsenals.

For many years we have built up treaties, verification and inspection systems only to see them fall apart in recent years. We have seen the U.S. withdraw from treaties such as the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and the Open Skies Treaty. The New START Treaty between the U.S. and Russia is currently not functioning with a suspension of inspections. The New START Treaty is set to expire in 2026. We need to jumpstart nuclear treaties again.

The United States, Russia and China should lead in nuclear disarmament. Instead of thousands of nukes worldwide, why not bring that number down to hundreds in a relatively quick basis?

Back in 1996, retired generals Andrew Goodpaster, a former Eisenhower aide, and Lee Butler put forward such a plan. Their idea was to bring nuclear weapons down to very low levels with hundreds instead of thousands of nukes. The two generals stated Steady pursuit of a policy of cooperative, phased reductions with serious commitments to seek the elimination of all nuclear weapons is a path to a world free of nuclear dangers.

Reducing the nukes can offer a vision for all on how to get to zero weapons. There will be much more security for every nation with fewer nukes  and hopefully, some day, zero.

William Lambers is the author of The Road to Peace and partnered with the UN World Food Program on the book Ending World Hunger.
Given the outrageous failure of St. Louis dysfunctional 911 system to provide even the most basic level of protection to city residents against crime, injury and other emergencies, its a wonder that lawsuits like the one filed against the city this week arent more common. Maybe they should be.

The family of a 36-year-old father who bled out from an accidental gunshot wound while waiting on hold with 911 is seeking damages for the citys failure to ensure that emergency calls are getting through to emergency responders.

Far be it from us to wish litigation on the city. But if the endemic failure of this most basic of municipal responsibilities starts getting expensive in court, perhaps it will finally move City Hall to fix what should have been fixed years ago.

As has been reported for years, St. Louis city 911 system is a mess. Its understaffed to the point of crisis, with about a third of police dispatcher positions and half of emergency medical services dispatcher positions vacant as of this spring. Under the outdated system, all calls are routed through police 911, meaning an extra step is required to transfer calls meant for fire or EMS.

As of the start of this year, more than a third of calls werent being answered within the time frame set by national standards. Long waits on hold arent uncommon. The problem was tragically demonstrated July 1, when a woman pinned under a fallen tree in The Grove slowly died as bystanders frantically tried for more than half an hour to get through to the citys 911 system.

Officials blamed that tragedy  like a similar one that day in Jennings, just outside St. Louis city limits, in which a 5-year-old boy died under a tree as his mother tried in vain to summon emergency services  on the massive storms that moved through the region , overwhelming 911 systems everywhere. That was undoubtedly true, but problems with the citys system are by no means limited to such wide-ranging emergencies.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday by the family of Richard Schlesing alleges the city contributed to his Jan. 27 death by failing to address the problems that have long been apparent in the 911 system.

Schlesing, a sergeant in the Missouri National Guard, was driving on Morgan Ford Road in south St. Louis when he accidentally shot himself. When he called 911 he was put on hold, according to the suit, and his family and others couldnt get through to the system either. Schlesing bled to death after a substantial wait for a 911 response, the suit alleges.

The issues with the system far pre-date the tenure of Mayor Tishaura Jones  but two years in office is too long to blame the problems entirely on her predecessors. The administration argues it has raised dispatcher pay and begun overhauling the systems outdated technology. But pay may need to go higher still, given the continuing understaffing, and other reforms must be given priority over most other city issues.

Garbage collection, pothole repair and the rest are important municipal obligations in their own right. But few if any city responsibilities are equal to the imperative of getting emergency help to residents who are in dire need of it. Its literally a matter of life and death.
India has long been an enthusiastic user of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). So have Indias enemies, especially Pakistan-backed Islamic terrorists who operate from the Pakistani side of the border in northwest India. This combat zone of Kashmir and the border area is heavily defended by both sides. This led to both sides eventually using various types of UAVs to patrol this border, and occasionally briefly cross the border. The most frequent and aggressive border activity is by Pakistan in support of allegedly non-Pakistani Islamic terrorists based in Pakistan who are officially allowed to attack Indian-held Kashmir. These UAVs are used to assist Islamic terrorists to cross the heavily defended border and reach the Indian side undetected. Larger quadcopters are also used to transport small quantities of supplies across the border from Pakistan to India. This is nothing new, drug smugglers have been caught using quadcopters to get drugs across the Mexican border into the United States or criminals using quadcopters to smuggle contraband into prisons. Quadcopters carrying explosives have been used as weapons, most recently by Ukrainians against Russians. India responded to the Pakistani quadcopter threat by developing an AUD (Anti UAV Defense) that uses an electronic system to detect quadcopters and then disrupt their navigation systems.

The military and intelligence threats posed by the proliferating use of commercial UAVs, particularly quadcopters, have led to the development of more AUD systems. Ukraine recently began receiving a novel new AUD system called Vampire. This system is palletized - all components are secured on a shipping pallet that can be mounted in a light truck, and consists of a telescoping mast mounting an electro-optical/infrared modular sensor ball and laser designator, a generator for power and a launcher that carries four APKWS 70mm laser guided rockets. These weigh only 15 kg (32 pounds) each and have a range of about a thousand meters when fired from the ground. Vampire can be used to detect and fire APKWS laser guided rockets at air and even ground targets. Any UAV, cruise missile or helicopter within range is vulnerable. Vampire is designed to be reconfigured, which is the kind of system Ukrainians prefer. The Fletcher launcher is designed to use the new, longer range APKWS rockets that gain additional range by having a larger rocket motor which makes the APKWS longer. Ukrainians are expected to modify Vampire to better suit their needs or simply to obtain longer range while carrying more rockets ready to fire.

Ukraine has already received many man-portable (size and weight of a large rifle) AUDs that use electronic jamming. Ukraine has been using DroneGun for over a year. KVS G-6, a more recent example of this type of AUD, quickly appeared in Ukraine because it was developed and manufactured in Ukraine. The Ukraine War has created a market for AUDs and manufacturers have responded.

Until the Ukraine War, Israel was the leader in combat proven AUD systems. One example is Skylock, which proved itself against Iranian UAVs used during the early 2021 Hamas/Israel ten-day war with Israel. This brief conflict provided ample opportunities to test new Israeli AUD systems. Israel is a leader in the development of AUDs, mainly because it faces attacks from the widest variety of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) types, and the most attacks using UAVs.

In preparation for a large-scale use of different type UAVs against Israel from Iran-backed Hamas in the south or Hezbollah (Lebanon) and Iran (Syria), Israel had developed numerous ways to detect and destroy or disable hostile UAVs. Israel has already detected and defeated six Hamas UAV attacks. There may have been other Hamas UAVs launched that never got near the border because of UAV malfunctions or operator error. The six UAVs that were a threat were all detected and taken down via missiles, usually from Iron Dome but one was by an air-to-air missile, and at least one UAV was disabled using a technology that Israel would not discuss. This was probably one of the electronic AUD systems, which Israeli tech companies have developed over the last few years.

One of the new (to large-scale combat) systems Israel would discuss receives data from all sensors (radars or electronic detection systems) and, in real time, creates a single database/map display of all enemy systems detected. One feature of this new systems software is an accurate estimate of where UAVs were launched from. This provides an opportunity to attack the UAV operator or launch site. This system has already caused more losses to Hamas rocket launching teams, who thought the Israelis were just getting lucky. Now Hamas knows that luck had nothing to do with it. Israel has often sought to come up with defenses against new enemy weapons or tactics with a multi-system solution. Nowhere has this been more evident than when it comes to the growing threat from armed UAVs.

For over a decade, many if not most new AUD systems have come from Israel. Many specialize in the use of multiple sensors and systems to detect and disable UAVs. The best and most recent example of this is Skylock, an AUD system using multiple sensors and EW (Electronic Warfare) equipment, plus a short-range laser, to detect, identify and jam or take over unidentified UAVs trying to enter military bases, airports, or industrial facilities. Skylock uses a combination of radar, electro-optical (visual) and electronic signal monitoring sensors capable of detecting the smallest UAVs, especially quad-copters, approaching a restricted area. Another Israeli approach is to use an interceptor UAV that can drop a net on a UAV but the preferred method is to jam the UAV control signals or, if possible, seize control and land it.

A growing number of AUDs are built to deal with any small UAV. One of the more effective, and expensive of these AUDs is the Israeli Drone Dome system. These cost $3.4 million each and consist of a 360-degree radar system, an electro-optical day/night surveillance unit and a wideband (most frequencies drones use) electronic emissions detector. With all this Drone Dome can reliably detect any small quadcopter or fixed-wing UAV within 3,500 meters. Most quadcopters and UAVs encountered are larger and can be detected out to ten kilometers. Once spotted, Drone Dome uses a focused jamming signal that disrupts radio control signals and force the drones to crash or operate erratically. Drone Dome has an optional laser gun that can be aimed by Drone Dome to destroy the drone at ranges up to 2,000 meters. In a combat zone, you can also employ machine-guns to bring down the drone. Many buyers do not purchase the laser option and depend on Drone Dome being able to reliably detect all manner of small quadcopters from several manufacturers.

What makes Skylock and Drone Dome different is their heavy use of electronic sensors to detect and jam the control signals used by UAVs, leaving the laser as a last resort. Several such AUD systems are already in service and effective because they are good at detecting UAVs electronically, and either jamming those control signals or taking over the control signals and capturing (by making it land) the UAV. American troops in Iraq and Syria were asking for AUD systems that use lasers, plus better UAV detection systems as well those with jammers to disable UAVs. There is also a need for AUDs that can detect and destroy UAVs that do not use control signals and basically go on pre-programmed missions. This can be to take photos or deliver a small explosive. Usually, it is to take photos and return. Drone Dome is one of several AUD systems equipped to detect and locate UAVs operating in pre-programmed mode and destroy or disable them quietly with a vehicle-mounted laser.

AUDs like Drone Dome also use one or more radar systems and one or more sensor systems for detecting UAV control signals or visual images that pattern recognition software can quickly identify. While commercial UAVs are more common, the basic design principles have not changed. AUDs are constantly evolving to better detect and disable or destroy unwanted UAVs. The best ones are recent models that tend to be very expensive and used only for extreme situations, like UAV defense in combat zones. Airports, especially the larger ones, are going to have to join the military in buying the latest AUDs, which at least lowers the AUD price and inspires even faster innovation and development.

Ukraine could have used Skylock or Drone Dome, but Israel does not provide weapons for Ukraine because of an arrangement with Russia to assist Israel in keeping Iranian forces in Syria from getting close to the Israeli border or launching any attacks on Israel. In Ukraine, NATO nations providing weapons are not directly threatened with Russian attacks.
by Austin Bay July 15, 2023

Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine directly targets the Kiev government, but dismantling NATO has been another energizing mania.

NATO's Vilnius, Lithuania, summit confirms Putin has lost his NATO war.

Putin despises the alliance. NATO defeated his beloved Soviet Union (a Russian Empire hawking utopian Marxist pap). Further insult: NATO defeated the Russian Empire without a macho major war. For the better part of five decades the alliance demonstrated the united will of diverse nations to morally, militarily and economically resist political intimidation, threatened invasion and threatened nuclear annihilation by Moscow's assorted tyrants.

Putin's anti-NATO propaganda campaigns confirm his obsession. Here's the typical pattern: Russian operatives and proxies make false but sensational accusations such as "NATO is preparing to attack Russia" or "NATO is militarizing the Black Sea." Pro-Russian protesters appear before cameras. Digital media propagate the lies.

Putin bet his hate narratives would seed suspicion and division in the alliance. He believed dividing NATO would open the whole of Eastern Europe to Russian domination.

Call it Cold War KGB agitprop recast. One oft-repeated line fed to ethnic Russians: Ukrainian forces are "bloodthirsty thugs." This repeats 1975-era Soviet propaganda, which described American forces in West Germany as gangsters and imperialist occupiers.

Lies by tyrants have consequences. In Ukraine Putin's obsessions and lies have led to the violent slaughter of tens of thousands of Ukrainians and Russians.

Ukraine was the second critical piece in Putin's 21st century Russian empire. RUBK, I dubbed it in a column written in 2004 -- Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan (pronounced "rubik," like the puzzle Rubik's Cube.) Putin controls Russia. Belarus (B) and Kazakhstan (K) were (and are) political basket cases vulnerable to intimidation.

Yes, in 2004 it was clear, by word and deed, Putin saw the RUBK as a Russian superpower restored.

However, Ukraine presented a problem. It's a big country with a large population and looks west, to Poland and the European Union. And Ukraine wanted to join NATO.

Ukraine's November 2004 Orange Revolution frustrated Putin's covert bid to use bribery and fomented chaos to install a pro-Russian Ukrainian puppet government.

At a NATO meeting in October 2013 the alliance rejected Georgia's and Ukraine's bids for full NATO membership. Both nations needed political, economic and judicial reform before they could join the alliance and benefit from Article 5.

Article 5 of NATO's charter -- it expresses united will. It states that "an armed attack against one or more of them... shall be considered an attack against them all." If an aggressor attacks a NATO member's territory or its forces operating in NATO territory, each member will take "action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain" NATO security.

In February 2014 Putin decided to act, before Ukraine had Article 5 protection. Russian "green men" attacked in Crimea. In March 2014 Putin annexed Crimea to Russia. Later that spring, Russian proxies seized territory in eastern Ukraine.

Invading Ukraine violated the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which guaranteed Ukraine's territorial integrity in exchange for Ukrainian denuclearization. Would Russia have attacked a Ukraine armed with nuclear weapons? We will never know.

However, 2014's slow invasion didn't lead to submission. 2022's all-out conventional assault didn't either. Public opinion in Sweden and Finland swung from neutrality -- in Sweden's case tacky socialist virtue-signaling neutrality -- to publicly pro-NATO.

In April 2023 Finland joined NATO. The big news just prior to the Vilnius summit was Turkey had decided to support Sweden's bid.

On July 10 Turkey's mercurial President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested Turkey would approve Sweden's bid to join NATO -- if Turkey can join the EU. Quite a quid pro quo. Erdogan got his headlines. By the time Erdogan arrived in Lithuania Turkish approval was confirmed. Sweden will be NATO's 32nd member nation.

The summit, however, denied Ukraine admission, despite the support of several NATO members. Turkey supports Ukraine's admission. Naysayers have a case. Admitting a nation fighting a war on its territory against an invader risks escalation.

However, the U.S. and other key allies promise military, economic and intelligence security commitments similar to those given Taiwan and Israel.

Putin gambles he can outlast Western support for Ukraine. Looks like another lousy bet.
PALM BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2023 / Building on 15 years of pioneering undercover journalism, training over 200 reporters, and developing three distinct journalism organizations, James O'Keefe is now unveiling the secretive world of investigative reporting to the public with the launch of O'Keefe Academy.

O'Keefe Academy for Citizen Journalism

The Academy's official launch was announced amidst a festive celebration of journalistic excellence attended by citizen journalists and guests, who enjoyed handcrafted cocktails and gourmet cuisine. The O'Keefe Academy, a first-of-its-kind endeavor, democratizes the intricate art of exposing corruption through undercover methodologies.

The Academy's curriculum comprises five initial classes, each based on O'Keefe's unique experiences, abilities, successes, perseverance, and even his failures. O'Keefe's unmatched expertise, distinctive skills, and limitless creativity bring these classes to life.

Enrolling in the Academy equips you with the skills and knowledge necessary to break life-changing stories, investigate surrounding corruption, and expose the rot undermining our society. Students will learn about the stamina required in investigative journalism, the strength needed to uphold justice, and the principles of a citizen dedicated to preserving freedom.

The O'Keefe Academy's program is divided into five classes: Ethics, Legal, What is a Story, Tradecraft, and Technology. Each class explores different facets of O'Keefe's journey and the key elements necessary to bring a story to life, providing the tools to do it repeatedly with consistency and finesse. With malfeasance, corruption, illegal activity, deceit, and fraud prevalent in our society, the Academy aims to empower you to expose these atrocities.

O'Keefe Academy is committed to training, enabling, and encouraging individuals to contribute to creating a transparent, truthful, and honest society. Start your journey towards changing the future with O'Keefe Academy today.

James O'Keefe states, "The media has abdicated its responsibility to hold the powerful accountable; it's now up to all of us."

For further details, visit: http://okeefemediagroup.com/okeefe-academy

Media Contact: For interview requests, visit: http://okeefemediagroup.com/contact

About O'Keefe Media Group

O'Keefe Media Group, led by CEO James O'Keefe, is dedicated to promoting citizen journalism and equipping individuals with the tools and skills needed to contribute effectively to the democratic process.



Contact Information

R.C. Maxwell

Spokesperson

[email protected]

551-248-6059

SOURCE: O'Keefe Media Group

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BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On July 13, 2023, the completion ceremony of the Dasherkandi Sewerage Treatment Plant (DSTP) project undertaken by POWERCHINA was held in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others attended the ceremony.

Sheikh Hasina praised at the ceremony, "The overall plan for wastewater management in Bangladesh began with the Dasherkandi Sewerage Treatment Plant (DSTP). It has played a significant role in improving the environment and water quality of multiple rivers. "

The Dasherkandi Sewerage Treatment Plant (DSTP) Project is an important component of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) . It is not only the first and largest modern large-scale sewage treatment plant in Bangladesh, but also the largest single sewage treatment plant in South Asia so far.

This sewage treatment plant has been operational for over a year, and it can treat the domestic sewage produced by nearly 5 million people every day. It has significantly reduced the water pollution in downtown Dhaka and improved the quality of life of local people. During the construction of the project, it also created thousands of job opportunities for the local community and contributed to the local economy by procuring equipment and materials worth approximately 300 million yuan.

The villagers of Dasherkandi expressed their delight and gratitude for the operation of the Dasherkandi Sewerage Treatment Plant (DSTP): "Previously, the water here was black and dirty. Now we can swim in clean water," another villager added, "After the Dasherkandi Sewerage Treatment Plant (DSTP) was put into use, a lot of diseases have been curbed, such as mosquito bites, malaria, diarrhea, etc. Before the construction of the plant, many of us had no jobs, and many people were employed during the construction process. For us its a good thing, and I hope to benefit more in the future.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230715628529/en/

Shi Pei

[email protected]

Source: POWERCHINA
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE: AGN) (FRANKFURT: AGW0) (OTCQB: AGNPF) (the Company or Algernon), a Canadian clinical stage pharmaceutical development company, announces a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CDN$205,000 (the Offering) of units (the Units) at an issue price of CDN$0.20 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one Class A common share in the capital of the Company (a Common Share) and one Common Share purchase warrant (a Warrant). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one Common Share (a Warrant Share) at an exercise price of CDN$0.25 per Warrant Share for a period of 2 years from the date of issuance (the Expiry Date), subject to acceleration of the Expiry Date as described below. The Offering is expected to close on July 21, 2023.

The Warrants are subject to accelerated expiry in the event the volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares exceeds CDN$0.50 for 20 consecutive trading days, the Company may, within 10 business days of the occurrence of such event, deliver a notice to the holders of the Warrants accelerating the Expiry Date of the Warrants to a date that is not less than 30 days following the date of such notice and the issuance of a press release by the Company announcing the acceleration notice (the Accelerated Exercise Period). Any unexercised Warrants shall automatically expire at the end of the Accelerated Exercise Period. The Company will use the proceeds of the private placement for working capital purposes.

The Company also intends to issue on July 21, 2023 to Maxim Group LLC (Maxim) 200,000 common shares (Common Shares) at a deemed issue price of CDN$0.22, being the closing price of the Common Shares on the CSE on July 13, 2023, as initial compensation for entering into an engagement letter (the Engagement Letter) pursuant to which Maxim will provide financial advisory and investment banking services, and assist in identifying and evaluating potential M&A and strategic opportunities, including the potential spin-off of the Company's NP-120 (Ifenprodil) chronic cough research program, as previously announced on June 27, 2023. In connection with entering into the Engagement Letter, the Company may be obligated to issue up to an additional 200,000 Common Shares to Maxim in certain circumstances. The Company may also be obligated to pay Maxim a success fee upon the consummation of a successful transaction.

The securities issued and issuable, described in this news release, will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation.

The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration.

About Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Algernon Pharmaceuticals is a Canadian clinical stage drug development and repurposing company investigating multiple drugs for unmet global medical needs. Algernon Pharmaceuticals has active research programs for IPF with chronic cough, and chronic kidney disease, and is the parent company of a newly created private subsidiary called Algernon NeuroScience, that is advancing a psychedelic program investigating a proprietary form of psychedelic DMT for stroke and traumatic brain injury.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Christopher J. Moreau CEO Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. 604.398.4175 ext 701 [email protected] [email protected] www.algernonpharmaceuticals.com.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: No Securities Exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the completion of the Offering, use of proceeds from the Offering, engagement of Maxim, the completion of future transactions and the spin-off of the Ifenprodil research program 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 release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Companys expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities exchange(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.

Source: Algernon Pharmaceuticals
Seattle, Washington--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2023) - Pioneer Square -based Law Office of Shira J. Stefanik has announced a new range of services for clients who face DUI charges in Belltown and the greater Seattle area.With a focus on the complexities and challenges that often surround DUI cases, the new services from the Law Office of Shira J. Stefanik offer skilled legal representation and support for Seattle clients, from early consultation stages to the final outcome.

More information can be found at https://stefanikdefense.com.



Law Office of Shira J Stefanik Announces New Belltown DUI Legal Defense Service



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Now serving Belltown and the surrounding area, the legal solutions aim to help individuals who may find themselves facing criminal allegations relating to a DUI, with comprehensive legal strategies tailored to each clients circumstances and experienced assistance for defendants.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, penalties for first-time DUIs in Washington state currently include the automatic revocation of a persons drivers license, fines up to $5,000, and mandatory jail time, but Shira J. Stefanik's law office aims to help clients with a defense strategy that takes the latest regulations and laws into account. Shira says, Criminal allegations are serious problems. I am here to be the solution.

While DUI charges can cause a great deal of stress for clients and their families, Ms. Stefaniks law office strives to alleviate the anxiety and burden by managing all legal aspects of a case, including helping clients understand the specific charges they may face, handling administrative tasks, and representing clients in court.

As part of the legal framework in a DUI case, the Law Office of Shira J. Stefanik will advise clients on whether or not to plead guilty or enter a plea bargain, while exploring all available options for contesting a DUI charge.

With years of experience in handling DUI cases, Law Office of Shira J. Stefanik applies its legal skills and experience to negotiate the details of a case during a pre-trial conference, identify key witnesses and investigators who can testify on the clients behalf, and fight for an optimal outcome.

Along with legal guidance regarding DUI charges, Law Office of Shira J Stefanik is available to assist Seattle clients with domestic violence, drug crimes, asset forfeiture, and other criminal defense cases.

Further details can be found at: https://stefanikdefense.com.

Contact Info:

Name: Shira Stefanik

Email: [email protected]

Organization: Law Office of Shira J Stefanika

Address: 119 1st Ave S Suite 500, , Seattle, WA 98104, United States

Website: https://stefanikdefense.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/172487
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Dayton Barns of Arizona opens new location in Florence, AZ, providing customizable barns, sheds, and outdoor structures. Focused on craftsmanship and customer satisfaction, they cater to the growing demand for premium buildings in the area.



Dayton Barns of Arizona, a leading shed builder and provider of high-quality barns, is pleased to announce the grand opening of its new location in Florence, Arizona. The new facility, situated at 425 S Main St, Florence, AZ 85132, marks a significant milestone in the company's expansion strategy for providing portable buildings to Arizona.



Dayton Barns of Arizona is known for its exceptional craftsmanship and commitment to delivering durable and stylish barns, sheds, and other outdoor structures like garages, carports, she-sheds, and more. With the opening of their Florence location, they aim to better serve customers in the area and cater to the growing demand for premium barn solutions.

Customers visiting the new Dayton Barns location in Florence, about an hour south of Phoenix, will have access to a wide range of customizable products that meet their specific needs and preferences, as well as portable wood buildings. From traditional barns and carports to modern garage structures and she-sheds, the company offers a diverse selection of designs, sizes, and finishes to suit various residential and commercial requirements.

"We are thrilled to bring Dayton Barns to Arizona, offering the local community a trusted source for high-quality outdoor structures," said Eric Olson, Owner of Dayton Barns. "Our team is dedicated to providing superior craftsmanship, exceptional customer service, and innovative designs that elevate the aesthetics and functionality of any property."

Dayton Barns of Arizona is a trusted provider of high-quality wood structures, specializing in the construction of barns and sheds sourced from Graceland Portable Buildings. With a commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and durable materials, Dayton Barns offers a wide range of customizable options to meet the unique needs of each customer. Whether it's a spacious barn for storing equipment and livestock or a practical shed for extra storage space, their team of skilled professionals ensures that every structure is built to withstand the test of time. By partnering with Graceland Portable Buildings, Dayton Barns ensures that their customers receive top-of-the-line products that combine functionality, style, and durability. With Dayton Barns of Arizona, customers can trust that their wood structures will not only meet their immediate needs but also provide long-lasting value and aesthetic appeal.

In addition to its commitment to product quality, Dayton Barns of Arizona emphasizes customer satisfaction. Their team of knowledgeable professionals is ready to guide clients through the selection process, ensuring they find the perfect barn or shed to meet their specific needs. The company also offers financing options, making it easier for customers to realize their dream of owning a premium outdoor structure.

To learn more about Dayton Barns of Arizona's products and services, please visit their website at www.DaytonBarnsAZ.com or contact their dedicated team at (520) 518-5758. The knowledgeable staff is eager to assist customers and provide expert advice on selecting the ideal barn or shed for any project.

About Dayton Barns of Arizona:

Dayton Barns of Arizona is a leading provider of high-quality barns, sheds, and outdoor structures. With their first location opening in Dayton, Ohio, Dayton Barns has quickly expanded into a handful of locations. With a focus on exceptional craftsmanship and customer satisfaction, the company offers a wide range of customizable products to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of any property. Dayton Barns of Arizona is committed to delivering superior service and creating durable structures that withstand the test of time.

About Us: Dayton Barns of Arizona is a leading shed builder and portable building supplier, offering high-quality, customizable structures for residential and commercial applications. With a focus on craftsmanship, we deliver durable and stylish sheds, barns, garages, cabins, and other portable structures. Our knowledgeable team provides personalized service, guiding clients through the selection process and ensuring customer satisfaction. We prioritize superior materials, precision construction, and attention to detail, resulting in long-lasting solutions. Trust Dayton Barns of Arizona for excellence in design, prompt communication, and timely delivery. Explore our products and find the perfect solution for your needs by visiting our website or contacting our friendly team.

Contact Info:

Name: Eric Olson

Email: Send Email

Organization: Dayton Barns of Arizona

Address: 425 South Main Street, Florence, Arizona 85132

Phone: (937) 203-5902

Website: https://www.daytonbarnsaz.com



Video URL: https://youtube.com/channel/UCOzQkZmo4REEoW3SjsmFy0w

Release ID: 89101097

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Ancient Wisdom and Modern Strategies Combine in Ash Shukla's Program, Empowering Entrepreneurs to Achieve Unprecedented Financial Success.



Ash Shukla, a successful planner turned holistic business consultant, has revolutionized how entrepreneurs achieve financial success with his program, Financial CHAKRAS. He empowers entrepreneurs to achieve financial abundance through his revolutionary program, Financial CHAKRAS, combining ancient wisdom with modern strategies. With over two decades of experience in the business world and has personally helped more than 5,000 entrepreneurs achieve seven figures in revenue, Ash is a sought-after keynote speaker and author. To book Ash to speak, go to https://ashshukla.com/speaking

Ash's journey began in 1989 when he arrived in the United States with just $20 and no knowledge of English. Determined to succeed, he worked tirelessly and soon found himself in the financial planning industry. After years of success in the industry, Ash realized his true passion was in speaking and training to consult. He turned his focus to helping entrepreneurs achieve financial abundance and began developing his revolutionary program, Financial CHAKRAS.







Financial CHAKRAS is a scientifically-backed methodology that equips entrepreneurs with the tools and mindset necessary to attract financial abundance, understand the significance of effective financial management, and establish a solid foundation for long-term financial stability. By addressing common obstacles such as financial stability, lack of grounding, inconsistent revenue streams, financial wastage, and risk assessment, the program offers a comprehensive roadmap to financial success. It is a proven roadmap that prepares entrepreneurs to attract financial abundance, understand the importance of financial management, and set the roadmap for financial stability.



As Ash aptly puts it, "Peace always comes before prosperity," stressing the importance of aligning one's inner state with wealth creation. His guiding principle of getting aligned to become wealthy has resonated with entrepreneurs worldwide, making Financial CHAKRAS a sought-after program for those seeking financial abundance. Ash gives the gift of community for individuals to join the Financial Chakra Community free of charge at https://financialchakras.mn.co.



Ash's extraordinary achievements have garnered widespread recognition. He is an Amazon best-selling author of 'Sell Like Crazy,' a life-changing book that has transformed the lives of millions. With his highly anticipated fifth book, Financial CHAKRAS, set to release soon, Ash's expertise and insights are eagerly awaited by entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts alike.



In addition to his literary accomplishments, Ash is a highly sought-after keynote speaker who captivates audiences with his inspiring speeches. The United States Congress has acknowledged his remarkable dedication to supporting small businesses by awarding him a prestigious Congressional Honor.



Ash's unwavering commitment to helping entrepreneurs achieve financial abundance has positioned him as a trailblazer in the industry. With Financial CHAKRAS, he has guided countless individuals toward their financial goals and is revolutionizing the way entrepreneurs approach wealth creation. As the media his exceptional work and revolutionary program, Ash continues to inspire and guide entrepreneurs worldwide toward unparalleled financial success.



For more information on Ash Shukla and Financial CHAKRAS, please visit the website at https://financialchakras.com.



About Ash Shukla:

Ash Shukla is a renowned holistic business consultant, keynote speaker, and author. With over 20 years of experience in the business world, he has helped more than 5,000 entrepreneurs achieve seven-figure revenue milestones. Ash's innovative program, Financial CHAKRAS, combines ancient Vedic methodology with modern financial management strategies to empower entrepreneurs and pave the way for financial abundance. His transformative insights and dedication to helping entrepreneurs succeed have earned him accolades and recognition from prestigious institutions such as the UN.

Contact Info:

Name: Ash Shukla

Email: Send Email

Organization: Financial CHAKRAS

Phone: (410) 493-3358

Website: https://financialchakras.mn.co



Video URL: https://youtu.be/0ie6KZ4VUWs

Release ID: 89102452

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Teachers and students from five mainland universities arrive at the Taoyuan International Airport, southeast China's Taiwan, July 15, 2023. A group of 37 teachers and students from five mainland universities arrived at the Taoyuan International Airport on Saturday, starting a visit to Taiwan for exchanges.

The group visit, led by the Party chief of Peking University Hao Ping, marks the first one made by mainland universities to the island for exchanges over more than three years.

At the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, the mainland visitors will have exchanges with their peers from universities on the island, including Taiwan University and Chengchi University. (Xinhua/Chen Jun)

TAIPEI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A group of 37 teachers and students from five mainland universities arrived at the Taoyuan International Airport on Saturday, starting a visit to Taiwan for exchanges.

The group visit, led by the Party chief of Peking University Hao Ping, marks the first one made by mainland universities to the island for exchanges over more than three years.

At the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, the mainland visitors will have exchanges with their peers from universities on the island, including Taiwan University and Chengchi University.

Hao said this trip will promote friendship between young people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and will advance cross-Strait exchanges in education and culture.

The group was greeted by Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, at the airport. Hsiao called for more interactions of young people, as the future across the Strait lies with the young generation.

According to the schedule, the trip will include stops in Taipei, Taichung, New Taipei, Hsinchu, and Hualien. The group will pay a visit to the TSMC Museum of Innovation in Hsinchu on Saturday afternoon.

From late March to early April this year, Ma Ying-jeou led a group of Taiwan students to the mainland and had discussions at three universities, during which Ma repeatedly expressed the hope that teachers and students from mainland universities could also go to Taiwan for exchanges. 
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

United Online Cinema is accelerating its European expansion, intending to establish its offices in every Italian city by 2025.



On July 13th, the United Online Cinema (UOC) has further engaged with the Italian government, exchanging views on future developments, and has reached a sound consensus. Following the completion of necessary preparatory work, UOC plans to establish its offices in all Italian cities by 2025, signifying a comprehensive acceleration of UOC's global expansion strategy.

Since entering the European market, UOC has been methodically extending its market reach throughout Europe, using Italy as its development hub. The establishment of UOC offices in all Italian cities by 2025 will not only provide comprehensive service to Italian users but also bring new employment opportunities and investment patterns, thereby enhancing local businesses' capabilities and facilitating a transformation in local employment and investment methods.

UOC is a world-leading film promotion company, engaged in online film sales and the promotion of films and actors. Since its inception in the United States in 2020, it has been fully accredited, winning multiple awards in media and communication. Leveraging its business model and marketing strategy, it has built a solid reputation in the market and received high recognition and widespread dissemination from society and users.

In terms of business, UOC maintains a healthy cooperative relationship with film companies such as Universal Studios, Disney, Warner Bros., and Paramount Pictures. It has also signed alliance contracts with media groups and TV and star providers, offering its partners the best services and most efficient solutions. UOC has become the preferred choice for many film companies to boost their films and actors' fame, which adds confidence to UOC's robust communication effects.

UOC actively responds to the global film market's needs, committed to propelling the development and prosperity of the film industry in America, Europe, and Asia. In 2021, it launched a strategy for market globalization, aiming to provide comprehensive promotional services for films and actors worldwide, and construct a more personalized media application scenario for media users.

An agreeable culture can lead a company towards healthy growth. UOC is dedicated to providing an equitable environment, fostering a diverse and joyous optimum workspace. "Freedom, Innovation, Equality" is the platform's corporate spirit and mainstream culture. They adhere to a "people-centered" philosophy, ensuring fair treatment of all employees, without distinction of race, gender, or nationality, respecting each employee's dreams and hobbies.

Remarkably, UOC has the well-being of its employees in mind. As UOC's business and staff span numerous countries and regions worldwide, it has chosen to use cryptocurrency to pay salaries to employees in different countries/regions. This strategy effectively circumvents issues arising from varied regional currencies, enabling all employees to receive their salaries.

UOC states that to further expand in the European market, it plans to secure cooperation agreements with major European banking institutions. It intends to popularize the Euro as the method for salary collection throughout Europe, projecting that the Italian market will be the first to fully implement this Euro-centric salary system by 2024.

UOC's growth potential is substantial. The platform also plans to establish subsidiaries in over 100 countries by the end of 2030, providing stellar services and high-quality films to media users in more nations.

Contact Info:

Name: Louis Jones

Email: Send Email

Organization: UOC Film And Television Promotion Co., Ltd.

Website: https://unitedwebgroup.com/



Release ID: 89102454

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BEIJING , July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Known to many Chinese as the Magic City, Shanghai , an international metropolis famous for its economy, culture, tourism and swag style, also has an equally important identity: It is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Largely because of this identity, the city was chosen as the site of the CPC International Image Innovation Forum, which took place there on July 6 . Jointly hosted by China International Communications Group (CICG) and the Central Institute of Socialism, the forum gathered around 200 experts from government institutions, universities, media outlets and think tanks, who exchanged ideas about how to help the international community understand the CPC, including its role in advancing China's modernization.

As one of the keynote speakers invited to the forum, Rose Oliver , a British cultural exchange specialist at Shanghai University, Director of the British Cultural Center at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, a recipient of the 2019 Shanghai Magnolia Gold Award and a Member of the Order of the British Empire, shared her firm belief in the importance of communication and understanding in our ever-changing and, at present, more volatile world. This realization comes from her 30-plus years of working in the fields of education and cultural exchange, both in China and internationally.

As an expert on Chinese culture, she has long been accustomed to observing the world from the perspective of Chinese philosophy: "Like the philosophical concept 'yin does not depart from yang, and yang does not depart from yin,' we cannot divest ourselves from the other, we are a union of countries and cultures in one sphere, thus communication and mutual understanding are the glue that binds," she said at the forum.

Home is where the heart is

"When I first came to China , I honestly didn't even have any culture shock. I didn't feel out of place," Oliver remembered. "I had done a lot of research and had been invested in understanding China , so it felt like home."

Her interest in Chinese culture traces back to her childhood. "When I was little, my brother and I used to watch The Water Margin [a TV series adapted from one of the four greatest classical Chinese novels]. The heroes of the marsh, like Lin Chong and the lady with the double swords [Hu Sanniang], left a deep impression on me. They would fight against evil and injustice, which reminded me of Robin Hood [a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore]. That's how I first started to get interested in Chinese culture," Oliver recalled.

Later, when actor Bruce Lee took the world by storm, he piqued Oliver's interest in Chinese martial arts. So when she was suffering from serious lower back pain and was looking for a type of physical exercise that would bring some relief, a poster of a taijiquan seminar, better known as tai chi chuan to international audiences, immediately got her attention.

"I wanted to try it, so I went to the lesson. And almost the moment I followed the movement, I felt the energy from what I was doing physically. It gave me a totally different sense of self," she said.

The encounter proved life-changing as Oliver decided to turn her newfound passion into a professional pursuit and opened a taijiquan school in the United Kingdom where she hosted workshops and taught classes. "And so, an enjoyable cultural center was born and lots of people would come there and practice taijiquan," she told Beijing Review. "After some time had passed, I really wanted to learn more about what's behind taijiquan and get to know more aspects of Chinese culture. So I decided to come to the home of taijiquan, or China , to have a look."

What she didn't expect was that one trip would keep her in China for more than 20 years. And the longer she stayed, the more she felt she had come home. "I've learned that all elements of Chinese culture are underpinned by the same philosophical concepts of yin and yang and the idea of balance and harmony. I feel at home here because that matches my own personal feelings and life philosophy. Everybody has their own way of being, and my way of being is being at one with nature," she explained.

Her appreciation and understanding of Chinese culture, as well as her experience in the field of education, also led her to embark on a journey of teaching English and cultural exchange related classes at Shanghai's universities. "I think the most important thing for a teacher is to help each student reach his or her own potential. I need to get to know each of them and find out what they need," she continued. Oliver also offers free taijiquan and traditional Chinese massage courses in several of Shanghai's communities.

She believes taijiquan has helped her better connect with her students. "Taijiquan requires us to feel connected to the greater environment around us so that I can manage to reach into every area of the classroom, to make everybody feel engaged," she explained. For Oliver, teaching is more than a job; it's about the strong bond she has forged with her students.

Work and life as one

Reflecting on her more than 20 years of life in China , the 58-year-old British expat stated, in all honesty, that she has no real personal life. "My career and my personal life are all about cultural exchange, about sharing Chinese culture with the world. It's like one and the same. I am totally immersed in it," she explained.

Oliver further stated her strong belief that the world needs more people who have the best interests of all cultures at heart to help those cultures bridge their potential misunderstandings or obstacles to communication. "And when you are a cultural bridge or a cultural interpreter, your role is to make those other sides feel that they are directly communicating," she added.

In 2010, Oliver was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to Sino-British relations and cross-cultural work. She still distinctly remembers the ceremony at Buckingham Palace , where she met the late Queen Elizabeth II .

"It was a proud moment. I got the chance to have a quick chat with Her Majesty the Queen, who was genuinely interested in China ." Oliver told the queen a little about her undertakings in cultural exchange and the queen told her, "It's very important work. You must keep it up."

After receiving this royal approval and encouragement, the British expert became even more determined in her quest for mutual understanding on a global level. "Communication and cultural exchange are essential for our world, as well as for our global harmony and balance. It's my pleasure and privilege to be in this situation and to have this as my career," she concluded.

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Workers work to install a hoarding board near the venue of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting at Gandhinagar in Gujarat, India July 13, 2023. REUTERS/Amit Dave

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers expressed optimism on Saturday about progress on a long-awaited overhaul of global corporate taxation at a meeting of Group of 20 (G20) nations in India.

"There's been progress made over the years and we want to advance that progress further," Chalmers told ABC television, referring to the meeting Monday and Tuesday of G20 finance ministers and central bankers.

More than 140 countries were supposed to start implementing next year a 2021 deal overhauling decades-old rules on how governments tax multinational corporations. The rules are widely considered outdated as digital giants like Apple or Amazon can book profits in low-tax countries.

But several countries have concerns about a multilateral treaty underpinning a major element of the plan, and some analysts say the overhaul is at risk of collapse.

"This is a really important opportunity to make sure that we get the multinational tax arrangements right so that companies pay the tax where they make their profits," said Chalmers, who will attend with outgoing Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Philip Lowe.

"Countries like ours stand to be beneficiaries and that's why we want to be part of it."

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 second pillar calls on governments to end competition on tax rates between governments to attract investment, by setting a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% from next year.

(Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by William Mallard)
By Ben Blanchard

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Paraguay "would love" to do more trade with China, but Taiwan offers the best bet for moving the largely agricultural economy up the value chain, the country's president-elect Santiago Pena said on Saturday on a visit to Taipei.

Paraguay is the last South American country with formal relations with Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. Honduras ended decades of ties in favour of Beijing this year, and only 13 countries now recognise Taiwan.

Pena pledged during his election campaign to maintain more than six decades of relations with Taiwan despite pressure from Paraguay's agricultural sector, which wants to open up lucrative Chinese markets to soybeans and beef.

Speaking to reporters, Pena said he was "fully committed" to Taiwan and happy with his meetings this week, which have included with President Tsai Ing-wen and Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua.

"We have no constraints on doing trade with China. We would love to do more trade with the PRC," he said, referring to the People's Republic of China.

But Paraguay cannot rely on a single market, as a small country does not have the same negotiating clout as Brazil or the United States and does not want to be flooded with Chinese goods while only be able to export raw materials.

"Paraguay is a powerhouse on food production, but still at a very early stage. We provide very low value-added goods. Grains, soy and beef," he said.

"We need to advance in giving more value added and for that, having a closer collaboration with Taiwan puts us closer on a path to developing an industrial sector than we would have if we had relations with China."

Pena, who takes office on Aug. 15, said he did not know whether Tsai or Vice President William Lai, who is running to succeed her in Taiwan's January elections, would come to the ceremony, though added he would be delighted to receive either or both.

"I have no doubt it will be a large delegation, it will be a high-level delegation."

If Lai, goes he would likely travel via the United States on what would officially be a stopover but would allow him to meet U.S. officials and discuss his policy priorities should he win the election. Lai leads in most opinion polls.

Taiwan's presidential office said that they were still in the planning stages of who would attend and would make an announcement once details were set.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by William Mallard)
A child looks back at a banner for Roblox, displayed to celebrate the company's IPO, on the front facade of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., March 10, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

By Anna Tong

(Reuters) -Roblox Chief Business Officer Craig Donato is leaving gaming and metaverse company Roblox, the company told Reuters on Friday.

Donato has been at Roblox nearly seven years and will be departing at the end of the summer, the company said.

Roblox, which operates a metaverse  a virtual place where people play and make transactions - gets 66 million daily users and is available on mobile devices, desktops, and Microsoft's Xbox. It is among the world's most popular gaming sites for children.

The company said it promoted Christina Wootton to Chief Partnerships Officer, who will oversee all the company's business relationships, in the wake of Donato's imminent departure.

Wootton has been at the company since 2014 and has worked with large brands and corporations including Gucci, Nike, Netflix and Disney to develop a presence in the Roblox metaverse, the company said.

"We firmly believe that all brands will eventually have a presence on Roblox," Wootton said in a statement.

The company also said Arvind KC, hired for the newly created position of Chief People and Systems Officer, will take over the recruiting division of human resources that had been reporting to Donato.

(Reporting by Anna Tong in San Francisco; Editing by Edmund Klamann)
FILE PHOTO: South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol attends a meeting of the North Atlantic Council during a NATO leaders summit in Vilnius, Lithuania July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

By Joyce Lee and Olena Harmash

SEOUL/KYIV (Reuters) -South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Saturday his country will provide a bigger batch of military supplies and humanitarian aid to Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv for a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

The surprise trip came after Yoon attended a NATO alliance summit in Lithuania and visited Poland this week, where he expressed solidarity with Ukraine against Russia's invasion.

South Korea is a U.S. ally and the world's ninth biggest arms exporter, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) think tank. But it is also wary of Russia's influence over North Korea and has been resisting Western pressure to help arm Ukraine directly.

In a press conference, Yoon said South Korea plans to provide "a larger scale of military supplies" to Ukraine this year, following last year's provision of non-lethal supplies such as body armour and helmets. He did not give more details.

Yoon said South Korea also plans to provide Ukraine with $150 million in humanitarian aid this year, following about $100 million in 2022.

It would also cooperate with Kyiv in projects such as infrastructure construction, which can be backed by concessionary loans from South Korea, he said.

"We are discussing everything that is important for the normal and safe life of people," Zelenskiy said, thanking Yoon for "powerful" support.

ZELENSKIY'S APPROVAL

Yoon's office said he also visited Bucha and Irpin, small towns near the capital where Russian soldiers are accused of war crimes against civilians. Moscow denies that.

Yoon said this week his administration was preparing to send demining equipment and ambulances, following a request from Ukraine, and will join NATO's aid fund for Ukraine.

Yoon's visit is significant because few other Asian leaders have visited Ukraine, said Ramon Pacheco Pardo, the Korea chair at the Brussels School of Governance research organisation.

How much of a policy shift towards providing more support for Ukraine remains to be seen, he added, but the trip shows Kyiv's approval for aid sent so far.

"If hes going it's because Zelenskiy allowed him to go, because he feels Korea is doing enough to warrant it," Pacheco Pardo said, adding that it also suggested South Korea may be offering more support behind the scenes.

Zelenskiy asked Yoon to boost military support when they first met in May. Yoon said on Saturday South Korea has delivered safety equipment and humanitarian aid that Ukraine needs, since May, including mine detectors.

South Korea's defence ministry has said it was discussing exporting ammunition to the U.S., but said parts of a media report that Seoul had agreed to send artillery rounds to the U.S. for delivery to Ukraine were inaccurate.

In 2022, South Korea's arms sales jumped to more than $17 billion from $7.25 billion the year before, including a $13.7 billion arms deal with Poland - Seoul's biggest ever - supplying rocket launchers and fighter jets.

South Korean companies and entities in Ukraine and in other countries signed agreements on Friday to help with reconstruction, Seoul's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement.

(Reporting by Joyce Lee and Olena Harmash; Additional reporting by Josh Smith and Hyonhee Shin; Editing by William Mallard and Andrew Cawthorne)
MADRID (Reuters) - Francisco Ibanez, Spain's best-known comic artist of the late 20th century and who was famous for the children's strip "Mortadelo and Filemon", has died, his publisher said on Saturday. He was 87.

"It is with great sadness that Penguin Random House Group Editorial announces that this morning the great cartoonist Francisco Ibanez has died in Barcelona," the publisher said in a statement.

Ibanez grew up in Barcelona where he started drawing on the corner of his father's newspaper, having found no other paper to work on at his family home.

In 1943, at the age of seven, he was paid five pesetas for his first cartoon in the comic Chicos, but on the advice of his father he studied accounting and worked for a bank after leaving college.

Much to his father's annoyance he quit the bank to work in comics and in 1958 "Mortadelo and Filemon", featuring two secret agents who work for the TIA, a parody of the CIA, was born.

The strip became hugely successful and the characters were used for animated cartoons and films, and have been translated into nine languages, the publisher said.

"We bid farewell to the most important figure in Spanish comics," Penguin tweeted. "He leaves us the enormous legacy of his lucidity, sense of humour and more than 50,000 pages with memorable characters that have made a large number of readers happy."

Ibanez was also known for 13 rue del percebe, a satirical comic about neighbours in a block of flats.

Arturo Perez-Reverte, a Spanish writer best-known for his Alatriste novels, tweeted: "With the death of Ibanez, almost all of us who were children in Spain are in mourning."

Married to Remedios Solera, the couple had two daughters. When they were children, they liked to read comic strips by Ibanez's rivals.

(Reporting by Graham Keeley; Editing by David Holmes)
(Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned Ukrainians that Russia was throwing all its resources into a campaign to stop Kyiv's troops from pressing their counter offensive and a top general reported new progress on the southern front.

But Ukrainian military analysts suggested that things were not easy for Ukrainian forces in their bid to advance southward.

Ukraine has launched a counter offensive to take back swathes of land in eastern and southern Ukraine captured by Russian forces in their invasion launched in February 2022.

It has focused on capturing villages in the southeast in a drive towards the Sea of Azov and areas near the eastern city of Bakhmut, taken by Russian forces in May after months of battles.

Russian accounts said its forces had repelled Ukrainian attacks in eastern Donetsk region, including around Bakhmut.

"We must all understand very clearly, as clearly as possible, that Russian forces in our southern and eastern lands are doing everything they can in order to stop our soldiers," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address after chairing a meeting with top commanders on Friday.

"And every thousand metres we advance, every success of every combat brigade deserves our gratitude."

Reuters was unable to verify battlefield reports.

General Oleksander Tarnavskyi, commander of Ukrainian forces in the south, said after the meeting that his troops were "systematically moving the enemy out of their positions".

Enemy losses over the past 24 hours were equivalent to at least 200, he wrote on Telegram.

"In the south, the situation is very difficult in advancing towards Berdiansk," military analyst Serhiy Hrabskyi told Ukrainian NV radio, referring to a port on the Sea of Azov. Ukrainian forces hope to cut off a land bridge Russian forces have established with the annexed Crimean peninsula.

"They are moving on the village of Robotyne. The enemy is offering resistance to stop our advance southward."

Russia's Defence Ministry, in its daily report, said its forces had repelled 16 Ukrainian attacks on the eastern front, including near the long-contested town of Maryinka and in the strategic village of Klishchiivka, on Bakhmut's southern fringe.

(Reporting by Ronald Popeski and Oleksander Kozhukhar; editing by Diane Craft)
Washington (Tribune News Service)  A new bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would require the Department of Homeland Security to set up an operations center to coordinate northern border security, with its likely home at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

The legislation, led by Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, does not mention Selfridge but is written in such a way that only Selfridge would qualify as the site of the center because of the various DHS components and personnel that it must be situated with, according to a Peters aide.

The center, which would support staff in carrying out the agency's northern border strategy, would have to be located at the same site as an existing U.S. Border Patrol sector headquarters, the U.S. Border Patrol Northern Border Coordination Center, an Air and Marine operations branch of the Customs & Border Protection and a U.S. Coast Guard air station, according to the bill's text.

The center would assist in tracking northern border security metrics, counter drones along the border, and serve as a training location for DHS personnel as well as a testing site for border security technologies, according to a bill summary. The purpose is in part to serve as a hub for information sharing, intelligence, training and engagement with stakeholders in state, federal, local and tribal entities, according to the text.

"The federal government must ensure the needs of the Northern Border are met and that DHS personnel have what they need to effectively secure the Northern Border," Peters said.

"Selfridge Air National Guard Base already houses a number of DHS missions and this center will work hand in hand with existing resources and capabilities, allowing the Department to further enhance efforts to ensure that the Northern Border's security needs remain a priority."

Peters chairs the Senate homeland security committee, which will debate the bill Wednesday.

The bill, if it becomes law, could be a boon for Selfridge, whose future is unsettled with the expected retirement of the A-10 squadron there in the next decade or sooner.

The A-10 mission is the backbone of the Harrison Township base, which marks its 106th anniversary this year and supports an estimated 5,000 jobs in the community, according to state figures.

The push to retire A-10s is part of an Air Force effort to reduce the top line number of fighter aircraft across the service, with leaders this year proposing to divest, for example, an additional 42 A-10s in its fiscal 2024 budget.

Last year, lawmakers let the Pentagon to divest 21 A-10s based in Indiana while blocking divestment of the oldest and least capable F-22s.

A measure adopted Friday as part of the annual defense policy bill would temporarily freeze planned retirements of aging aircraft at Air National Guard bases around the country, including the A-10 squadron at Selfridge, until after the U.S. Air Force produces a 10-year plan for replacing legacy airframes like the A-10, one for one, with next-generation aircraft.

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UNITED NATIONS, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is considering an offer from the Syrian government for the world body to use the Bab al-Hawa border crossing to deliver aid into Northwest Syria through Turkiye, a spokesman said Friday.

Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, confirmed that the United Nations has received a letter from Syria's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, granting the world body permission to use the Bab al-Hawa border crossing.

The Security Council on Tuesday failed to re-authorize the Syria cross-border humanitarian aid delivery mechanism through Bab al-Hawa. A draft resolution tabled by Brazil and Switzerland, the co-penholders on the Syria humanitarian file, was vetoed by Russia. A competing draft resolution tabled by Russia failed to win enough positive votes.

"I'll just confirm to you that we did indeed receive the letter. We are continuing to look at it and we are consulting with a number of partners on this," Dujarric told reporters on Friday.

"That being said, we are committed to delivering life-saving assistance to millions of people in need in Northwest Syria, guided by humanitarian principles and using all available means and delivery modalities," he added.

The spokesman didn't say why the United Nations cannot accept the Syrian offer outright as the world body is already using two other border crossings temporarily authorized by Damascus after the February earthquakes.

"We're consulting with various partners. We're taking a look at the modalities, what exactly was expressed in the letter," Dujarric told a daily press briefing.

"The letter was a substantive letter, which needs to be looked at. I will ask for your indulgence and your patience," he added.

There have been no crossings at Bab al-Hawa with UN humanitarian aid since the Security Council authorization expired on Monday. But the United Nations had pre-positioned a lot of material in the area before the deadline, he said. 
This article first appeared in the Stars and Stripes Europe edition, July 16, 1958. It is republished unedited in its original form.

BEIRUT  A battalion of American Marines swarmed ashore on the beaches of Beirut Tuesday to spearhead Americas first military intervention in the troubled Middle East.

Under the command of Lt. Col. Harry Add [sic; correct spelling Hadd], of St. Paul, Minnesota, a Korean veteran, the marines moved onto the sandy beach grimly but quietly.

While hundreds of Lebanese swarmed to the beaches for one of the biggest shows they have ever seen, the marines systematically moved of the sand and soon fully surrounded Beiruts airport.

In the sun set in the Mediterranean behind ships of the U.S. Sixth Fleet which brought them, the marines dug foxholes in the sand and settled down for the night.

Lebanese watching the landing were friendly. The marines came on invitation from President Camille Chamoun, who had called for help after 67 days of disturbances in Lebanon.

A task force of four troopships, two destroyers and the command ship Taconic steamed up within two miles of the shore, sat two hours while landing craft were launched, and then spouted out the combat-garbed marines. The landing took two hours.

Throughout the operation Grumman Hellcats, carrying rockets for low-level missions if needed, roared overhead at treetop level from the supporting carrier Essex.

At the airfield the marines immediately took charge of the control tower, hangers and service installations. Other units deployed surrounding the field. The cordon apparently was decided on as a result of a rebel assault last week that for a time threatened to sweep the field from government control.

Six hours later the airport was reopened to commercial traffic.

In the city itself, it appeared the government and the U.S. command had no intention of bringing marines close to the Basta Moslem quarter where the rebels have their headquarters.

President Chamoun explained the U.S. intervention Tuesday night in a broadcast to the nation.

He said the Arab League and then the United Nations had failed to provide a solution to Lebanons crisis. Therefore, he said, Lebanon decided to invoke Article 51 of the United Nations charter and summon direct aid.

The destiny of Lebanon is now being determined during these moments of danger, he said. May all work for Lebanon.

Want to delve further into U.S. military interventions during the early years of the Cold War? Subscribe to Stars and Stripes historic newspaper archive! We have digitized our 1948-1999 European and Pacific editions, as well as several of our WWII editions and made them available online through http://starsandstripes.newspaperarchive.com/
Lebanon, July 1958: U.S. Marines land on a beach near Beirut during the American effort to back the beleaguered pro-Western Lebanese government of President Camille Chamoun. Although the landing force was prepared for rebel resistance, they were greeted by curious local residents.

Operation Blue Bat  an intervention aimed at protecting the beleaguered Lebanese government  was U.S.s first combat operation in the Middle East after World War II. Chamoun, increasingly unpopular in his country and going against the Lebanese constitution in seeking another presidential term, had requested aid from the United Nations and the United States. Negotiations between the various Lebanese factions, facilitated with the help of U.S. diplomats, led to agreements that allowed Chamoun to finish his legal presidential term and the election of moderate Christian general Fouad Chebab.

Read more about the operation here.
MIAMI (Tribune News Service)  Three Cuban men, including a ringleader arrested in Miami, have been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to sex-trafficking and other charges of smuggling Cuban women into the United States and forcing them to work in strip clubs to pay off their debts.

The leader, Rasiel Gutierrez Moreno, 28, was sentenced to 17-1/2 years in Houston federal court on Wednesday after admitting that he smuggled about 20 women from Cuba to the United States and made them pay inflated debts up to $30,000 for the illicit trip, according to court records. Gutierrez Moreno admitted that he forced the women to dance at strip clubs in the Houston area and engage in prostitution with patrons to pay down their debts, according to a 2021 plea agreement.

Gutierrez Moreno admitted coercing one unidentified woman, Victim 1, by bragging about committing acts of violence against other women and their families, according to investigators with the State Departments Diplomatic Security Service and Homeland Security Investigations.

Gutierrez Moreno beat another woman shortly before Victim 1 arrived at his home and ensured that Victim 1 observed that womans injuries, the Justice Department said in a news release. When Victim 1 escaped Gutierrez Moreno, [he] contacted her family in both Miami and Cuba to demand that she return to work and finish paying her debt.

As part of his punishment, Gutierrez Moreno was also ordered to pay about $451,000 in restitution.

His associate, Hendry Jimenez Milanes, 39, who pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement charges last year, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was ordered to pay about $359,000 in restitution.

Another associate, Rafael Mendoza Labrada, 29, who pleaded guilty to a racketeering charge in 2021, was sentenced to about three years  time he had already served in federal custody.

These human smugglers terrorized female migrants, using Houstons strip clubs combined with psychological threats and sexual violence for their personal financial gain, U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani in the Southern District of Texas said in a statement.

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(Tribune News Service)  India launched an uncrewed mission to the lunar surface, joining the U.S., China and others in a new moon race.

The Chandrayaan-3 blasted off at 2:35 p.m. local time Friday from Indias main spaceport on Sriharikota, an island off the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, as a crowd of visitors watched. It will spend about six weeks in space before attempting to touch down close to the lunar south pole, near where the nations previous moon mission ended in a crash in 2019.

If successful, the rover will conduct experiments on the chemical makeup of the moons surface and search for water. The rover will have a life span of one lunar day, which is equivalent to 14 days on Earth.

Only the Soviet Union, China and the U.S. have made successful moon landings, and only NASA has sent astronauts there. India launched its first lunar probe, Chandrayaan-1, in 2008.

The mission highlights Prime Minister Narendra Modis focus on bolstering Indias place among the worlds space faring nations. His administration began liberalizing the space sector in 2020, allowing private companies to participate actively.

The U.S. aims to send humans back to the moon before the end of the decade, using landers developed by Jeff Bezos Blue Origin and Elon Musks SpaceX, and China has plans for its first crewed lunar mission by 2030. Russia, which hasnt landed on the moon since the end of the Soviet Union, will attempt to send a robotic mission next month. Japan has an uncrewed mission planned for August, too.

Indias new mission comes as the country has made a breakthrough in boosting cooperation with the U.S. in outer space. The country is also in discussions with Japan to work on a moon mission together, ISRO Chairman S Somanath told reporters in New Delhi on Monday.

During Modis state visit to Washington last month, India signed the Artemis Accords, a U.S.-backed framework with more than two-dozen other nations  but not China or Russia  governing joint missions and civilian space exploration. NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization also agreed to a joint mission next year that will include sending an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station.

Indias space infrastructure includes 25 Earth observation satellites and about 30 other satellites, Somanath wrote in an article in the May issue of Yojana.

That puts India well behind China, which had 590 operating satellites at the end of 2022, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. While Chinese rockets have carried more than two dozen people into space since Chinas first astronaut, Yang Liwei, went to orbit in 2003, its been nearly 40 years since the only Indian to go into outer space, Rakesh Sharma, traveled aboard a Soviet rocket to the USSRs space station.

ISRO has not yet set a date for the initial flight of its human spaceflight program, called Gaganyaan, but in his article Somanath described the project as at an advanced stage.

By signing the Artemis Accords and getting NASA to agree to send an Indian astronaut to the ISS, Modi may reap political benefits as he prepares to ask voters next year to extend his premiership into a second decade, said Konark Bhandari, an associate fellow at Carnegie India, a New Delhi-based affiliate of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

It would be impressive to have an astronaut of your own in space before the elections, he said.

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KYIV, Ukraine  South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Saturday, offering support for the invaded country in its war with Russia while demonstrating his own nation's cooperation with NATO.

Yoons office said he traveled to Ukraine with his wife, Kim Keon Hee, following trips to Lithuania for a NATO summit and to Poland. Its his first visit since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Yoon toured Bucha and Irpin, two small cities near Kyiv where bodies of civilians were found in the streets and mass graves after Russian troops retreated from the capital region last year. He laid flowers at a monument to the country's war dead, before he sat down for a summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

South Korea, a key U.S. ally in Asia, joined international sanctions against Russia and has provided Ukraine with humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine. But the Asian nation, a growing arms exporter, hasn't provided weapons to Ukraine in line with its long-standing policy of not supplying arms to countries actively engaged in conflict.

During a joint news conference with Zelenskyy later Saturday, Yoon announced plans to expand support shipments to Ukraine but didn't touch upon weapons supplies.

Yoon began his statement with a mention of the U.N. forces support of South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War that helped repel a North Korean invasion.

The current situation facing Ukraine reminds us of the past situation of the Republic of Korea," Yoon said.

Zelenskyy thanked Seoul for its firm support of Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity and the significant political, security, economic and humanitarian aid it has supplied since the start of Russias invasion.

Yoon said that South Korea will increase the shipments of nonlethal military items such as body armor and helmets this year. He said that South Korea will also provide humanitarian aid worth $150 million this year, up from $100 million last year. He said that South Korea has also sent the de-mining equipment and other aid items that had been requested by Ukraine.

Yoon said that he and Zelenskyy agreed on cooperating on post-war reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. Yoon said South Korea will also launch a scholarship fund named after him and Zelenskyy to expand support for Ukrainian students in South Korea.

South Korea isn't a NATO member, but like Japan, Pakistan and a handful of other countries, it's considered a global partner of the military alliance. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Ukraine in March.

In his recent written responses to questions from The Associated Press, Yoon said that the security of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is closely intertwined, saying: In particular, the war in Ukraine has reminded us all that a security crisis in one particular region can have a global impact.

Yoon took office last year amid a mix of tough foreign policy challenges such as North Koreas advancing nuclear program and the intensifying rivalry between the U.S., South Koreas main security ally, and China, its biggest trading partner.

During a January visit to South Korea, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called for the country to provide direct military support to Ukraine, saying Kyiv was in urgent need of weapons to fight off the prolonged Russian invasion.

In May, when Yoon met Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska in Seoul, the president said he would expand South Korea's nonlethal aid to Ukraine. Yoons office said at the time that Zelenska made no request for South Korean weapons supplies.

Later in May, Yoon and Zelenskyy met for the first time on the sidelines of a Group of Seven industrialized nations summit in Hiroshima, Japan. Zelensky thanked South Korea for its humanitarian shipments of medicines, computers and generators and requested additional provisions of non-lethal items, Yoons office said.

Since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, South Korea has reached billions of dollars worth of deals to provide tanks, howitzers, fighter jets and other weapons systems to NATO member Poland.

An American official said in November that the United States had agreed to buy 100,000 artillery rounds from South Korean manufacturers to provide to Ukraine, although South Korean officials have maintained that the munitions were meant to refill depleted U.S. stocks.

Yoons visit to Ukraine reflects his globally-minded foreign policy and shows South Korean solidarity with NATO partners in defending the rules-based international order, Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said. Seouls support of Ukraine includes not only humanitarian assistance, but also arms sales to backfill NATO countries providing military aid to Kyiv, and plans for post-conflict reconstruction of infrastructure.

Yoon and his wife's visit came two days after Russia launched another barrage of Iranian-made drones at the Kyiv region. Ukrainian officials said their air defenses intercepted the drones but that wreckage fell on four districts of the capital, wounding two people and destroying several homes.

Although Kyiv didn't come under attack in the hours before the South Korean president's arrival, Ukrainian forces on Friday and overnight downed 10 Russian drones across the country, the Ukrainian air force reported Saturday.

In a Telegram post, the air force added that Moscow fired six Iranian-made Shahed drones at Ukraines south and east during the night, four of which were shot down. It did not immediately give details of any casualties or damage.

In southern Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia province, where Ukraine has been engaged in a counteroffensive to take back occupied territory, there were 45 air and artillery attacks between Friday and Saturday, Gov. Yurii Malashka reported.

Russian forces shelled neighboring Kherson province 70 times over the same period, using mortars, artillery, drones, tanks, aviation and multiple rocket launchers, Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said Saturday. No civilians were wounded, he said.

Russian shelling over the past day killed one civilian in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk province, Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko reported Saturday. Ukrainain forces have been pressing their counteroffensive in the area, inching their way from Velyka Novosilka down toward the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol.

Russia's Federal Security Service, or FSB, said Saturday that a group of neo-Nazis was arrested in connection with a Ukrainian plot to kill Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the state-funded RT international television channel, and journalist and celebrity Ksenia Sobchak.

When Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the full-scale invasion, he vowed to denazify Ukraine, alleging that radical neo-Nazi groups dominate the country led by a Jewish president. Kyiv and its Western allies dismissed his assertion as a bogus cover for an unprovoked act of aggression.

The FSB, which is the main successor to the KGB, didnt say how many people were arrested, but Russian news media later said seven suspects had been put in detention by a Moscow court.

The FSB said that the plot was organized at the direction of Ukraines SBU security agency. But the FSB didnt provide any evidence of that, and there was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Russia previously has charged Ukrainian authorities were behind the killings of nationalist television commentator Daria Dugina and popular pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky.

Also Saturday, Russias defense ministry said it had completed its planned spring call-up of 147,000 military conscripts, 12,500 more than in the previous years draft.

Hyung-jin Kim reported from Seoul, South Korea. Joanna Kozlowska in London and Jim Heintz in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report.
BARCELONA, Spain  More than 2,000 people were evacuated as a wildfire rages "out of control" on La Palma in Spain's Canary Islands on Saturday, destroying around a dozen homes, authorities said.

The blaze has affected an area of about 11,000 acres and officials warned residents that the situation could worsen because a heat wave has made the terrain tinder-dry.

"The fire has spread very fast," Canary Islands regional president Fernando Clavijo said. "The fire is out of control."

He said that some residents didn't want to abandon their homes, and he appealed for people to be responsible and heed the calls for evacuation.

Clavijo said that he was very concerned about the possibility of shifting winds at night, saying they could make the evacuation operation more dangerous. He said that 10 aircraft were battling the fire, and that water-dropping planes were expected to arrive.

The wildfire and evacuations come nearly two years after a three-month volcanic eruption caused devastation on La Palma. While nobody was killed, around 3,000 buildings were buried along with many banana plantations, roads and irrigation systems.

The fire is on the western side of La Palma on wooded, hilly terrain dotted with homes. It's not an area that was directly impacted by the 2021 volcanic eruption.

Puntagorda's mayor, Vicente Rodriguez, told Spanish public broadcaster RTVE that the fire started inside the limits of his municipality. He added that the area has seen below-average rainfall in recent years, just like large parts of the drought-stricken mainland, because of changing weather patterns impacted by climate change.

The fire coincides with a heat wave that is hitting southern Europe.

Spain saw record high temperatures in 2022 and this spring as it endures a prolonged drought. Authorities and forestry experts are concerned that the conditions are ripe for a difficult wildfire campaign after seeing virulent fires as early as March.

La Palma, with a population of 85,000, is one of eight members of Spain's Canary Islands archipelago off Africa's western coast. At their nearest point, the islands are 60 miles from Morocco.

Frank Griffiths contributed to this report from London.
LONDON  Russia has suspended a wartime deal designed to move grain from Ukraine to parts of the world where millions are going hungry.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the U.N. and Turkey, has allowed 36.2 million tons of food to be exported from Ukraine since August, more than half to developing countries, according to the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul.

Some analysts don't foresee a lasting rise in the cost of commodities like wheat because there's enough grain in the world to go around. But many countries are already struggling with high local food prices, which are helping fuel hunger.

Here's a look at the crucial accord and what it means for the world:

WHAT IS THE GRAIN DEAL?

Ukraine and Russia signed separate agreements in July 2022, one that reopened three of Ukraine's Black Sea ports that were blocked for months following Moscow's invasion. The other facilitated the movement of Russian food and fertilizer amid Western sanctions.

Both countries are major suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other affordable food products that Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia rely on. Ukraine is also a huge exporter of corn, and Russia of fertilizer  other critical parts of the food chain.

Interrupted shipments from Ukraine, dubbed the "breadbasket of the world," exacerbated a global food crisis and sent prices for grain soaring worldwide.

The deal provided assurances that ships won't be attacked entering and leaving Ukrainian ports. Vessels were checked by Russian, Ukrainian, U.N. and Turkish officials to ensure they carry only food.

Meant to be extended every four months, the deal was hailed as a beacon of hope and was renewed three times  the last two for only two months as Russia insisted its exports were being held up. That's despite Moscow shipping record amounts of wheat.

No new ships have joined the initiative since June 27, and Ukraine blames Moscow. The last vessel left Ukraine on Sunday.

WHAT HAS IT ACCOMPLISHED?

The deal helped bring down global prices of food commodities like wheat that hit record highs after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Once the grain deal was struck, the World Food Program got back a top supplier, allowing 725,000 metric tons of humanitarian food aid to leave Ukraine and reach countries on the precipice of famine, including Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Yemen.

"It is a pretty unique phenomenon to have two warring parties and two intermediaries agree to establish this sort of corridor to get humanitarian products  which is ostensibly what this is  out to markets that need it most," said John Stawpert, senior manager of environment and trade for the International Chamber of Shipping, which represents 80% of the world's commercial fleet.

After Russia exited the deal, wheat prices in Chicago trading rose about 3% on Monday, to $6.81 a bushel, still about half what they were during last year's peaks. Prices fell later in the day.

WHY DID RUSSIA END THE DEAL?

Russia has said it wants an end to sanctions on the Russian Agricultural Bank and to restrictions on shipping and insurance that Moscow insists have hampered its agricultural exports.

Some companies have been wary of doing business with Russia because of sanctions, but Western allies have made assurances that food and fertilizer are exempt.

"It's not uncommon in situations like this for countries to use whatever levers they have to try and get sanctions regimes changed," said Simon Evenett, professor of international trade and economic development at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.

Russia also has complained that a commitment to pipe its ammonia, a key component of fertilizer, to a Ukrainian port to be exported has never started under the deal. That's true, but the U.N. says the pipeline has been damaged in the fighting.

"Regrettably, the part of the Black Sea agreements related to Russia hasn't been fulfilled," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week proposing to ease transactions through the agricultural bank, a spokesperson said.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Monday that the last-minute offer was not feasible and couldn't be implemented.

Russian "claims that its agriculture sector is suffering are countered by the reality" that production and exports are up since before the war, said Caitlin Welsh, director of the Global Food and Water Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Russia exported a record 45.5 million metric tons of wheat in the 2022-2023 trade year, with another all-time high of 47.5 million metric tons expected in 2023-2024, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates.

WHO IS AFFECTED?

The International Rescue Committee calls the grain deal a "lifeline for the 79 countries and 349 million people on the frontlines of food insecurity."

Losing millions of tons of food from Ukraine at a time when many countries are increasingly reliant on imported food because of conflict and drought, "will result in inaccessibility and unavailability of food but also will increase prices and impact affordability for households," Shashwat Saraf, the group's regional emergency director for East Africa, said in an interview Monday.

While global prices for grain may stabilize, countries that depend on imported food, from Lebanon to Egypt, may see their costs rise for a while if they need to find suppliers that are farther away, analysts say.

That will compound costs for countries that also have seen their currencies weaken and debt levels grow because they pay for food shipments in dollars.

For low-income countries and people, food "will be less affordable," World Food Program chief economist Arif Husain told reporters last week.

WHAT ABOUT UKRAINE?

Ukraine's economy depends on agriculture, and before the war, 75% of its grain exports went through the Black Sea.

It can send its food by land or river through Europe, but those routes can handle lower amounts compared to sea shipments and their use has stirred anger in neighboring countries.

Nonetheless, the Ukrainian Grain Association wants to send more grain through the Danube River to neighboring Romania's Black Sea ports, saying it's possible to double monthly exports along that route to 4 million metric tons.

Ukraine's wheat shipments have fallen by more than 40% from its pre-war average, with the USDA expecting 10.5 million metric tons exported in the coming year.

Ukraine accused Russia of slowing down inspections of ships. Combined with no new ships joining the effort, that has led to a drop in exports from a high under the deal of 4.2 million metric tons in October to 2 million in June.

WHAT ELSE AFFECTS FOOD SUPPLY?

Fallout from the pandemic, conflict, economic crises, drought and other climate factors affect the ability of people to get enough to eat.

There are 45 countries that need food assistance, the Food and Agriculture Organization said in a July report. High domestic food prices are driving hunger in most of those countries, including Haiti, Ukraine, Venezuela and several in Africa and Asia.

While drought can also be a problem for major grain suppliers, analysts see other countries producing enough grain to counterbalance losses from Ukraine.

Besides Russia's huge exports, Europe and Argentina are increasing wheat shipments, while Brazil saw a banner year for corn.

"These markets adapt and producers adapt  and boy, the wheat and corn markets have adapted very, very quickly," said Peter Meyer, head of grain analytics at S&P Global Commodity Insights.

Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.
A large convoy carrying fighters from the Wagner private army was spotted entering Belarus from Russia early Saturday, a monitoring group reported after the country's Defense Ministry said it planned for the mercenaries and Minsk's own armed forces to conduct joint military drills.

The independent monitoring group Belaruski Hajun, which tracks the movements of armed forces in Belarus, said at least 60 trucks, buses and other large vehicles crossed into the eastern European country accompanied by Belarusian police.

The group did not immediately provide photos or videos of the vehicles but said they had license plates from Russian-occupied areas of eastern Ukraine, where Wagner mercenaries fought alongside Russian troops until a short-lived mutiny last month.

The convoy headed toward a military base outside Osipovichi, a town 142 miles north of the Ukrainian border. Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press this month showed rows of tent-like structures that appeared to have been built at the base between June 15 and June 30.

The authoritarian president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said at the time that Minsk could use Wagner's experience and expertise, and that he had offered the fighters an "abandoned military unit" to set up camp. That same week, a leader of an anti-Lukashenko guerrilla group told the AP that construction of a site for the mercenaries was underway near Osipovichi.

While Belaruski Hajun's claim about the convoy heading into Belarus could not immediately be verified, a spokesperson for Ukraine's State Border Guard Service said Saturday that the force also had observed "some groups" of Wagner fighters crossing from Russia into Belarus. The spokesperson, Andriy Demchenko, made the remarks in an interview with the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry said in an online statement late Friday that it had developed a "road map" with Wagner's management for joint training exercises drills by the nation's military personnel and the private mercenaries.

Earlier Friday, the Defense Ministry said that Wagner fighters had begun training Belarusian soldiers. A TV channel affiliated with the ministry showed footage of fighters in black masks instructing soldiers on how to shoot and provide first aid.

On June 23, the Wagner group's founder and leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, ordered his fighters to leave their camps in Ukraine and head toward Moscow to demand the removal of Russia's defense minister and General Staff chief. The mutiny rattled Russia and posed the biggest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prigozhin's one-time benefactor, during his decades in power.

In the revolt that lasted less than 24 hours, Wagner fighters swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there, before driving to within about 125 miles of the Russian capital. Prigozhin had accused the senior Russian military leadership for months of bungling the war in Ukraine and starving his troops of ammunition.

Lukashenko then brokered a deal between Prigozhin and the Kremlin that shielded the Wagner leader and his men from prosecution, allowing Prigozhin to move to Belarus in exchange for ordering his mercenaries back to the camps.
(Tribune News Service)  Alabama Republicans, in touting passage in the House of Representatives of the 2024 defense spending bill, included mentions of amendments to end the Pentagon abortion policy in a fight being led by Sen. Tommy Tuberville.

The National Defense Appropriations Act bill narrowly passed the House on Friday and now moves to the Democrat-controlled Senate  which will likely attempt to halt some provisions in the bill, including on abortion. House Democrats overwhelmingly voted against the bill, including Alabamas Terri Sewell.

For years, the far-left Biden Administration has moved to use the military as a venue to showcase their unpopular, liberal social policies, Alabama Congressman Mike Rogers, R-Saks, said in a statement. Rogers is chair of the House Armed Services Committee.

I am proud that this years NDAA counteracts the woke agenda and refocuses our military on lethality. Specifically, amendments to halt Bidens unconstitutional abortion travel policy, eliminate unjust DEI measures and prohibit drag shows on military bases all passed in the final House bill, he said.

The abortion policy, a hot-button issue in Washington these days, permits the military to provide paid leave and travel expenses for servicewomen traveling to obtain an abortion. Tuberville has protested the policy, enacted earlier this year by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, by putting a hold on all military promotions awaiting Senate confirmation.

The stalemate has been ongoing for months with neither side budging and no signs of a resolution, though Austin and Tuberville spoke by phone Thursday for the first time in months.

This bill prioritizes a strong national defense, military readiness, and servicemembers needs over Bidens far-left, woke agenda at the Department of Defense, Congressman Barry Moore, a Republican from Enterprise, said in a statement. In the face of alarming recruiting numbers and emerging global threats, Republicans are working to ensure our military is focused on protecting American citizens instead of holding drag shows and funding travel for abortion.

Sewell, the states lone Democrat in Congress, said in a statement she voted against the NDAA for the first time since coming to Washington in 2010.

I cannot and will not support a bill that would rip basic health care away from our service members and make bigotry and discrimination a centerpiece of our defense policy, Sewells statement said. Republicans need to stop playing politics with our national security.

The defense bill also impacts Alabama financially. Congressman Dale Strong, whose district includes Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, said the bill provides more than $310 million in direct funding for the arsenal and other north Alabama endeavors. Strong also said he worked to block funding for Space Command headquarters spending in Colorado Springs that Colorado lawmakers wanted to add to the bill. The issue of a permanent home for Space Command HQ remains undetermined despite multiple reviews identifying Redstone Arsenal as the best location.

Congressman Gary Palmer of Hoover also hailed the bill as a win not just for our military but also for Alabamians, lauding the efforts to halt Space Command work in Colorado.

To ensure the administration stops playing politics with our national security, section 2866 prohibits funds for being used to build a headquarters for Space Command and cuts the travel budget for the Secretary of the Air Force in half until he submits a report to the congressional defense committees justifying the selection of a permanent location for the headquarters, Palmer said in a statement. Its time to bring Space Command home to Huntsville.

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WASHINGTON  The Republican-led House narrowly approved a $886 billion defense policy bill Friday that restricts service member access to abortions, blocks transgender transition care and limits diversity training, endorsing a conservative agenda for the military over the objections of many Democrats.

The National Defense Authorization Act passed 219-210 with near total Democratic opposition after right-wing Republicans loaded the annual, typically bipartisan bill with amendments designed to remove policies targeting race, gender and other "woke" social justice issues from the Pentagon.

The legislation notably undoes a Defense Department policy providing leave and travel reimbursement for troops who need to go to another state for reproductive health care services, including abortions. It also prevents the military health plan from covering gender-transition surgeries or gender-affirming hormone therapy and strips funding from the Pentagons diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Today was an important victory for our men and women in uniform who risk their lives to keep us safe. It was also an important victory for every American in this country that wants to see our military focused on our enemies abroad, not on wokeness and all of the indoctrination attempts you're seeing within the Pentagon," said House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La. "It was a massive rebuke of that far-left ideology and the push that we've seen under the Biden administration."

Another conservative amendment bans the flying of unapproved flags, such as the pride flag, at federal facilities.

Top Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee said they refused to vote for a bill that had become an ode to bigotry and ignorance.

Attacks on reproductive rights, access to basic health care, and efforts to address our countrys history of racism and marginalization of huge swaths of our country will worsen our recruitment and retention crisis, make our military less capable, and do grievous harm to our national defense and national security, the lawmakers said in a statement.

The draft of the bill approved by the committee last month featured some conservative priorities, including a ban on drag shows at military installations and the teaching of critical race theory as well as the elimination of the Pentagons chief diversity officer position. But the measure still garnered the support of almost the entire bipartisan panel and passed nearly unanimously.

When the legislation hit the House floor and ballooned with items from conservative Republicans, however, Democrats began abandoning the bill.

Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, a member of the Armed Services committee, criticized the reversal of the abortion policy as a backdoor effort to create a national abortion ban. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., who is a former Navy helicopter pilot, said the provision puts service women and military families lives at risk by preventing them from traveling to states where abortion is still legal.

Republicans argued the move rescinds an illegal policy that violates a prohibition against taxpayer-funded abortions. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., has held up the promotion of hundreds of military officers for months in protest of the policy.

Not all Republican proposals made the cut. The House soundly defeated two amendments aimed at denying training and security assistance to Ukraine as it battles Russias invasion.

The bitter battle over culture war issues hijacked a traditionally bipartisan process that shapes Pentagon policy and aims to better the lives of service members.

Troops are set to receive a 5.2% pay hike, the largest in decades, under the bill while financially struggling junior troops with ranks of E-6 and lower will be eligible for new monthly bonuses.

Another measure meant to combat the rising cost of living excludes housing allowances from calculations of household incomes so that more service members can qualify for a basic needs stipend.

The bill also seeks to improve affordable access to child care and health care and expand education benefits.

Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said the bill makes significant strides in addressing quality-of-life issues but lawmakers will try to go even further next year.

The committee last month set up a new panel to examine pay, housing, health, spousal employment, child care and other personnel concerns and ultimately provide recommendations for next years NDAA.

Youre going to see big leaps in next years bill and theyre going to be thoughtful, Rogers said. We want it to be comprehensive, we want people to see a career in the military as a career worth spending their life on, not just the service member but we want their family and children to feel valued too.

This years bill strives to prepare troops and the armed services for a world altered by Russias invasion of Ukraine and Chinas growing military dominance.

Lawmakers are authorizing $9 billion to shore up the Pentagons deterrence initiative in the Indo-Pacific region and investing billions of dollars into precision missiles, technology such as hypersonics and artificial intelligence, and warships.

Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., said the bill instills accountability for the Navy as it shrinks to less than 300 ships while Chinas fleet nears 500. The House is authorizing the procurement of nine battle force ships and preventing the Navy from retiring three amphibious ships and two cruisers.

The House is also using its version of the defense bill to push again for the creation of a Space National Guard, though efforts in prior years to include the provision in the final version of the legislation have failed.

The lower chamber must reconcile its bill with the Democrat-led Senate before it is sent to President Joe Biden for his signature into law. The Senate will take up its version of the legislation next week but is unlikely to support many of the conservative provisions in the House measure.

shkolnikova.svetlana@stripes.com

Twitter: @svetashko
SACRAMENTO, the United States, July 14 (Xinhua) -- A scandal involving a women's prison in California sparked anger again Friday as two more correctional officers pleaded guilty to sexual abuse, taking the number of charged officers to eight.

The Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), a low-security all-women's prison in Dublin, California, is now notoriously known for a pattern of shocking sexual abuse of inmates.

The two former officers were the seventh and eighth individuals charged with sexually abusing eight inmates at the Dublin facility, and federal agents were still investigating "these heinous allegations," according to a press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office of Northern District of California on Friday.

The two latest prosecutions involved Andrew Jones, 35, a former cook supervisor who admitted six felony charges of sexual abuse of three women he supervised; and Nakie Nunley, 48, a guard at the prison call center, who pleaded guilty to four charges of sexual abuse and five lesser felonies of abusive sexual contact of five women.

Both also pleaded guilty to making false statements to the government when questioned by federal agents. They will be sentenced at later dates.

Friday's announcement of additional guilty officers, along with earlier convictions, had further revealed the toxic culture of sexual abuse happening in prisons and necessitates urgent actions to reform the country's prison system, said advocates.

The prison, with about 650 inmates, has been wrecked by disclosures of sexual abuse that apparently went on for years. It was first reported by The Associated Press in February 2022.

In the previous cases, the traumatizing experience caused psychological injuries to the victims. During the highly-publicized trial of the former warden Ray Garcia, another individual who was sentenced for sexual abuse, with two victims testifying against him and telling about the horrors they endured.

One of the women called Garcia a "sick predator" while describing how she contemplated suicide due to the trauma of his abuse. Another woman told the court that she still lived with post-traumatic stress disorder and extreme mental anguish.

The nature of prison creates an imbalance of power between guards and inmates, said Jaehyun Oh, a partner at Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm, which represents some of the victims in Dublin sexual abusing cases.

Rules strictly forbid any sort of sexual contact between prison guards and inmates, said Oh. "However, in FCI Dublin, those rules were openly and widely disregarded because even the Warden and Chaplain participated in sexually abusing the inmates."

"The sheer number of perpetrators and victims have shown that there is a desperate need for systematic change," she said. 
Marylands bid for a new FBI headquarters got a boost Friday when the federal General Services Administration changed its criteria for selecting a site, giving less weight to a location near facilities in Quantico, Va., and more weight to cost and social impact.

Virginia had seemed to have the advantage in the sweepstakes for the multimillion-dollar headquarters, which carries some 7,500 jobs, but Marylands congressional delegation and Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, put up a spirited argument that the federal government was failing to prioritize values other than simple convenience.

We are encouraged to see todays announcement from the General Services Administration corrects the flawed approach released in September that ignored taxpayer costs and the Biden-Harris Administrations commitment to equity. Todays revised guidelines are a critical step in the right direction, Moore and the states congressional delegation said in a joint statement.

A spokesperson for Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a joint statement, Virginia Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark R. Warner expressed dismay about the changes.

The GSA didnt pluck its initial criteria out of thin air  it spent years talking to experts and carefully deliberating on what is best for the mission of the FBI, the senators wrote. While we are concerned that these changes to the criteria will further delay what has already been a drawn-out, decade-long process to select a new site to replace the dilapidated headquarters downtown, we remain confident that Virginia continues to be a home run in every category, and encourage the GSA to draw this process to a close sooner rather than later.

The news came as Republicans in Congress escalated an effort to derail the project entirely. Angry about the bureaus involvement in investigations of former President Donald Trump, some conservatives are threatening to either block funding for a new headquarters or move it far from the Washington region altogether.

On Friday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters that he opposes building a centralized FBI headquarters in the D.C. area.

This idea that were going to build a new big Pentagon and put all the FBI mainly in one place I dont think is a good structure, McCarthy said at a news conference in the Capitol, adding that he favors scattering FBI facilities across many locations.

Theyre asking for billions (for the new facility) and I just dont think thats the best use or the best structure, McCarthy said.

Earlier this week, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, proposed moving the FBI headquarters to Huntsville, Ala., and other Republicans have suggested withholding salaries for agency officials.

Kaine was traveling Friday but dismissed Jordans proposal Wednesday to move the headquarters as a stunt.

I dont think its a serious proposal, Kaine said. It demonstrates that Jim Jordan and anybody who would support an amendment like that  have profound disrespect for federal law enforcement agencies.

Rep. Jen A. Kiggans. R-Va., had stood with McCarthy for most of his news conference, but her office did not immediately respond when asked later whether she agrees that the headquarters should not be in Virginia.

The FBI has long sought a replacement for its offices in the decrepit J. Edgar Hoover building in downtown D.C. Though the agency itself had shown preference for staying in the District to be near the Justice Department, Congress and the union representing FBI agents pushed for a suburban location for the roughly 7,500 employees who work at the headquarters.

The search has settled on sites in suburban Maryland and Virginia, touching off an intense competition between the states. Delegations from each made their cases to the General Services Administration earlier this year. In June, a letter from the FBI boosted Virginias case, saying that the agency would benefit from being close to its training facility in Quantico.

At that time, the GSA was operating under a site formula that gave top priority to being near other facilities related to the FBIs mission, such as its Quantico training complex. The next priority was ease of transportation. Both of those criteria were seen as advantages for Virginia.

However, Moore, the nations only elected Black governor, pledged to get the FBI to relocate to majority-Black Prince Georges County, calling on President Joe Biden to deliver on promises to work for equity and to invest in historically underfunded communities.

Moore also questioned why the FBI would locate in Virginia when its Republican leaders  particularly Youngkin and state Attorney General Jason S. Miyares  have criticized the agency for its targeting of Trump over allegations of improper handling of classified documents.

Pushing for Marylands interests, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., got language inserted into this years federal spending bill requiring the GSA to reconsider its siting criteria, particularly related to mission requirements, sustainable siting and equity.

On Friday, GSA officials announced that the agency had lowered the importance of being near other FBI facilities to 25% from 35%, and the importance of transportation to 20% from 25%. It then boosted cost and social equity to 20% each.

The consultations with the delegations (from each state) provided valuable feedback, and helped us refine our plan to maximize value for the FBI and the public, GSA Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service Nina Albert said Friday in a news release. While the core elements of the site selection plan remain the same  we believe these adjustments will support a process that results in a site that best serves the FBI and the public for years to come.

The agency continues to focus on three sites it identified in 2014: Greenbelt and Landover in Maryland and Springfield in Virginia.

Some congressional Republicans vowed this week to work against that process after hauling FBI director Christopher A. Wray before the House Judiciary Committee to accuse him of a vendetta against conservatives. Wray, who was appointed by Trump, called that charge somewhat insane, given his background as a Republican.

McCarthy had not weighed in on the issue until Friday, when he was asked about it by reporters in the Capitol.

I dont know that moving to Huntsville is the answer, McCarthy said, referring to Jordans Alabama proposal. I personally think structure dictates behavior. Id like to see the structure of a much smaller FBI administration building and more FBI agents out across the country, helping us keep the country safer.

McCarthys opposition could jeopardize funding in the House, setting up a conflict with the Democratic-controlled Senate over moving forward with any new FBI headquarters.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. is beefing up its use of fighter jets around the strategic Strait of Hormuz to protect ships from Iranian seizures, a senior defense official said Friday, adding that the U.S. is increasingly concerned about the growing ties between Iran, Russia and Syria across the Middle East.

Speaking to Pentagon reporters, the official said the U.S. will send F-16 fighter jets to the Gulf region this weekend to augment the A-10 attack aircraft that have been patrolling there for more than a week. The move comes after Iran tried to seize two oil tankers near the strait last week, opening fire on one of them.

The defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details of military operations in the region, said the F-16s will give air cover to the ships moving through the waterway and increase the military's visibility in the area, as a deterrent to Iran.

The U.S. Navy said in both instances the Iranian naval vessels backed off when the USS McFaul, a guided-missile destroyer, arrived on the scene.

In addition, the defense official told reporters the U.S. is considering a number of military options to address increasing Russian aggression in the skies over Syria, which complicated efforts to strike an Islamic State group leader last weekend. The official declined to detail the options, but said the U.S. will not cede any territory and will continue to fly in the western part of the country on anti-Islamic State missions.

The Russian military activity, which has increased in frequency and aggression since March, stems from growing cooperation and coordination between Moscow, Tehran and the Syrian government to try to pressure the U.S. to leave Syria, the official said.

The official said Russia is beholden to Iran for its support in the war in Ukraine, and Tehran wants the U.S. out of Syria so it can more easily move lethal aid to Lebanese Hezbollah and threaten Israel. The U.S. has seen more cooperation, collaboration, planning and intelligence sharing, largely between mid-level Russian and Iranian Quds force leaders in Syria, to pressure the U.S. to remove troops from Syria, the official added.

There are about 900 U.S. forces in the country, and others move in and out to conduct missions targeting Islamic State group militants.

The U.S. does not believe Russian aircraft plan to drop bombs on U.S. troops or shoot down manned aircraft. But there are concerns that Russian pilots will knock a Reaper drone out of the sky and that Moscow believes that type of action would not get a strong U.S. military response, the official said.

As an example, in March, a Russian warplane poured jet fuel on a U.S. surveillance drone and then struck its propeller, forcing the U.S. military to ditch the MQ-9 Reaper into the Black Sea. The incident spiked tensions between the two countries and triggered a call between their defense chiefs, but led to no direct military response.

Last week, Rear Adm. Oleg Gurinov, head of the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria, said the Russian and Syrian militaries have been doing joint training. In comments carried by Syrian state media, he said Moscow is concerned about drone flights by the U.S.-led coalition over northern Syria, calling them "systematic violations of protocols" designed to avoid clashes between the two militaries.

U.S. and Russian military commanders routinely communicate over a deconfliction phone line that has been in place for several years to avoid unintended clashes in Syria, where both sides have troops on the ground and in the air.

There are often many calls a day, and at times result in angry threats as commanders argue over an ongoing operation, said the U.S. official. Describing a conversation, the official said the Russians will often declare an area of space a restricted operating zone and say they are doing military exercises there.

The U.S. sees no exercises, and tells Russia that American forces are on a counterterror mission against the Islamic State group and plan to fly in that area. The Russians then say they can't guarantee U.S. aircraft safety if they go there. And once the mission begins, and the aircraft move into the zone, "it sometimes gets very heated," said the official, as both sides loudly protest and reject the other's assertions.

The most recent incident was Friday morning, when a Russia aircraft flew repeatedly over the at-Tanf garrison in eastern Syria, where U.S. forces are training Syrian allies and monitoring Islamic State militant activity. The official said the Russian An-30 aircraft was collecting intelligence on the base.

The U.S. did not have fighter aircraft in the area and took no direct action against the Russian flight.
Evelyn Boyd Granville, one of the first Black women to receive a doctorate in mathematics from an American university and whose groundbreaking work in computers included helping calculate orbit trajectories and lunar-landing scenarios for the space program, died June 27 at her home in Silver Spring, Md. She was 99.

The death was announced by a funeral home in Washington. No cause was given.

Dr. Granville specialized in the analysis and interplay of complex equations and variables, a valuable expertise as NASA looked to harness early mainframe computers for an edge in the space race with the Soviet Union.

Recruited in 1956 by IBM to program a data-processing unit, Dr. Granville was part of the companys team working with NASA after its founding in 1958, a year after the U.S.S.R. launched the Sputnik satellite.

At IBM, Dr. Granville was assigned to the satellite-focused Project Vanguard. At that time, the satellite was the size of a grapefruit, she told Scientific American in 2014. We were writing programs for something up in the air the size of a grapefruit!

Then she was on the astronaut program Mercury, which in February 1962 successfully launched a rocket with John Glenn aboard as the first American to orbit Earth. Dr. Granville wrote programs to track orbital trajectories, critical calculations that included safe reentry into the atmosphere.

Later, with North American Aviation and IBM, she was part of divisions aiding the Apollo missions, providing technical support to engineers working on Moon landing calculations years ahead of the first steps on the lunar surface in 1969.

There was such a need for talent, she told the Tyler Morning Telegraph in Texas in 2000, that companies stopped looking at race and gender.

That was true, up to a point. Dr. Granville was part of a small cadre of other Black women involved in the space program, such as the group recounted in the book and 2016 film Hidden Figures. But Dr. Granville also knew segregation and sexism firsthand, and she often lamented that women and minorities remained significantly underrepresented in math and sciences.

She spent her childhood in Washington, in the segregated education system. After receiving her doctorate in 1949 from Yale University, she took a teaching position at Fisk University, a historically Black college in Nashville, because she felt professorships at other colleges were effectively closed to Black women at the time.

We accepted education as the means to rise above the limitations that a prejudiced society endeavored to place upon us, she wrote in a 1989 essay for the scholarly journal Sage, which focuses on Black women.

Over a career spanning six decades, Dr. Granville embraced reinvention. She taught in a public school in Texas, collaborated on a math textbook used in more than 50 universities and helped her husband raise chickens and catfish at a 16-acre tract in East Texas.

Once asked to list her accomplishments, Dr. Granville said: First of all, showing that women can do mathematics. Then she added: Being an African American woman, letting people know that we have brains, too.

Proud nerd

Evelyn Boyd was born in Washington on May 1, 1924. Her father, who worked as a custodian in their apartment building, left the family when she was young. She was raised by her mother and an aunt (her mothers twin sister), both of whom worked as examiners for the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Evelyn and her older sister often spent portions of the summer at the farm of a family friend in Linden, Va.

She was valedictorian in her 1941 graduating class at Dunbar High School and received a partial scholarship to the all-female Smith College in Northampton, Mass. She planned to study French but was soon fascinated by courses in mathematics, physics and astronomy. She returned to Washington during summer break to work at what was then the National Bureau of Standards.

This whole word theyve invented, nerd, didnt exist in my day, she told the Christian Science Monitor in 2002, thank goodness.

She received her bachelors degree in mathematics from Smith in 1945 and began work at Yale toward her masters degree (1946) and then doctorate, studying functional analysis of equations and mathematical theory.

Dr. Granvilles doctorate was awarded the same year that another Black woman, Marjorie Lee Browne, finished her doctoral work in mathematics at the University of Michigan. In 1943, Euphemia Lofton Haynes received a doctorate in mathematics from Catholic University in what is widely cited as the first such mathematics degree to a Black woman in the United States. (Black women had earlier doctorates in other academic disciplines.)

If I had known then that, in the not-too-distant future, the United States would launch its space program, and astronomers would be in great demand in the planning of space missions, I might have become an astronomer instead of a mathematician, Dr. Granville wrote.

In 1950, Dr. Granville became an associate professor of mathematics at Fisk, where two of her female students went on to complete doctorates in mathematics. She worked from 1952 to 1956 as an applied mathematician at the Diamond Ordnance Fuze Laboratory, a defense industry supplier, before joining IBM.

She moved to Los Angeles in 1960 after her marriage to the Rev. Gamaliel Mansfield Collins. She continued in space flight calculations, first with Space Technology Laboratories and then North American Aviation. She rejoined IBM in 1963 as a senior mathematician for the Apollo project.

She left in 1967 for a teaching position at California State University in Los Angeles, where she described being shocked at the math skills of students. She remained in education for the rest of her career, co-writing a college textbook, Theory and Applications of Mathematics for Teachers (1975).

She later held positions at Texas College, a historically Black college in Tyler, and the University of Texas at Tyler before her retirement in 2010.

Her first marriage ended in divorce. She and her second husband, a retired real estate broker she met in Los Angeles, Edward Granville, raised chickens on their property near Tyler and sold eggs as well as catfish from the propertys lake. I was convinced that a move to a rural setting in East Texas would be a welcome change from the Los Angeles metropolis, she wrote.

Edward Granville died in 2008. She had no children. Information on survivors was not immediately available.

Despite Dr. Granvilles contributions to computer advancements, she saw one spinoff - the humble calculator - as an enemy. She proposed banning calculators in elementary school and returning to classic teaching methods such as long division and multiplication tables.

The children end up crippled in mathematics at an early age. Then, when they get to the college level, they are unable to handle college classes, she said. Its tragic because almost every academic area requires some exposure to mathematics.
NEW YORK  Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis are dominating the fight for campaign cash in the Republican presidential contest, according to federal filings made public Saturday. While some struggled, like former Vice President Mike Pence, others reported significant hauls that help ensure the GOP's 2024 primary will be crowded for the foreseeable future.

On the Democratic side, President Joe Biden's reelection campaign has quickly amassed a sizeable fortune. But longshot Democratic primary opponent Robert Kennedy Jr. also raised enough to ensure he won't be ignored.

Overall, the 2024 presidential class's second-quarter filings with the Federal Election Commission, covering the period between April 1 and June 30, leave unanswered several questions. For example, the total numbers of individual donors for each campaign, a figure tied directly to GOP debate participation, won't be known until the end of the month.

And each candidate's allied super PACs, which in some cases account for the majority of their campaign's cash, won't file latest figures until the end of the month.

Still, the federal reports offer several insights six months before the first primary votes are cast. Here are some key takeaways:

TRUMP AND DESANTIS IN A TIER OF THEIR OWN

While Trump is leading most polls, he and DeSantis are in a tier of their own on the fundraising front.

Trump's team recently confirmed that his joint fundraising operation  which splits money between Trump's campaign and the Save America PAC  received $35 million in the second quarter. His campaign paid a little more than $153,000 for legal fees.

Overall, Trump's campaign reported more than $22.5 million in the bank as of June 30. The average donation to the former president's campaign now stands at $34, evidence, the campaign said, of his grassroots backing.

Meanwhile, DeSantis raised more than $20 million for the first six weeks he was in the race. While a massive sum, the Florida governor also burned through nearly $8 million over the same period, leaving his campaign with $12.2 million at the end of June. DeSantis' report also shows a significant reliance on high-dollar donors who won't be able to give any more money to his campaign.

Despite the potential warning signs, DeSantis' allied super PAC, which is legally barred from coordinating with the campaign, said it raised a stunning $130 million since the committee launched in March. More than half of that came from a state-level political committee once controlled by DeSantis.

Regardless of where it came from, DeSantis' fundraising will buy him some time to strengthen his candidacy as he struggles to catch Trump in the polls.

DEBATE IMPLICATIONS

The fundraising numbers carry additional significance because they are tied directly to the GOP's first presidential debate next month.

Beyond a 1% polling threshold, the Republican National Committee has announced that candidates must have a minimum of 40,000 unique donors with at least 200 unique donors per state or territory, in 20 states and territories.

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and conservative businessman Vivek Ramaswamy announced in recent days they had reached the 40,000 donor threshold. Pence has yet to make such an announcement.

Saturday's federal filings do not provide a complete accounting of such figures, which won't be available until the end of the month.

Overall, Haley's campaign raised $7.3 million in the second quarter and ended June with $9.3 million in the bank. That's as the main pro-Haley super PAC claimed $17 million cash on hand.

Scott raised nearly $6 million since announcing his campaign in May and finished the quarter with more than $21 million on hand, thanks to a big transfer from his Senate account. And Ramaswamy, a 37-year-old entrepreneur, raised more than $7.7 million in the quarter, including lending his campaign $5 million from his own personal fortune. He finished the quarter with more than $9 million on hand.

Christie, in the race for just 25 days of the second quarter, raised $1.65 million through his campaign and reported nearly $1.6 million in the bank as of June 30.

PENCE IN TROUBLE?

Pence raised less than $1.2 million and finished the quarter with nearly $1.1 million in the bank, according to his federal filing.

He still may ultimately hit the 40,000-donor threshold to qualify for the opening debate, but the extraordinary possibility remains that the former vice president might find himself excluded from the Aug. 23 primetime affair.

Pence has struggled to find his footing since launching his campaign in early June.

A lifelong conservative and staunch Trump loyalist while in office, Pence has been vilified by the GOP base for refusing to block the certification of Biden's victory on Jan. 6, 2021, as Trump insisted. The former vice president had no legal standing to block the election results despite Trump's claims to the contrary, which sparked a violent uprising at the U.S. Capitol at which radicalized Trump supporters chanted for Pence to be hanged.

Others appears to be struggling to attract donations as well.

Former Arkansas Gov. Hutchinson announced a fundraising total of more than $743,000 including his principal campaign and his joint fundraising committee. On Friday, he said that he received contributions from 3,928 unique donors from April to June. And since July 1, he claimed contributions from another 2,516 unique donors.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, the only Hispanic candidate in the Republican primary, raised $945,000 since launching his campaign two weeks before the end of the quarter. California conservative Larry Elder raised just $467,000.

BIDEN STRONG, BUT NOT ALONE

Biden and the Democratic National Committee have raised more than $72 million for his reelection in the 10 weeks since he announced his 2024 candidacy.

The president's fundraising total includes donations to his campaign and to a network of joint fundraising arrangements with the national and state parties. While that's a huge sum, President Barack Obama raised $85.6 million during the April-to-June quarter in 2011 when he launched his campaign for a second term, although he announced his candidacy three weeks earlier.

The Biden campaign said the total came from nearly 400,000 donors, and that 97% of donations were under $200 and more than 30% of donors had not given to Biden in 2020.

Biden is especially well positioned, at least compared with Republicans, because he can devote his money toward the general election. The incumbent president faces only token opposition in the Democratic Party's nomination contest, although one of his opponents, Kennedy, has raised enough money to ensure he won't be ignored completely.

Kennedy's campaign raised nearly 6.4 million for the quarter and had $4.5 million in the bank as of June 30. A pro-Kennedy super PAC, meanwhile, said it has raised more than $10 million so far.

Associated Press writers Chad Day and Brian Slodysko in Washington contributed to this report.
The Marshfield Village Store, which sits at the junction of two country highways in a tiny Vermont town, has become a little bit of everything in recent days as residents struggle to recover from historic floods that battered the state.

First the shop in Marshfield, about 45 miles east of the states biggest city, Burlington, served as a shelter for about three dozen people. By Friday it was a distribution center for much-needed fresh water and a go-to for supplies.

Were about to start putting it out more formally, if there are other folks who havent been able to get the support that they need yet, so that we can get equipment and volunteers to them, emergency medication, work on their properties, thats where were at right now, said Michelle Eddleman McCormick, the stores general manager.

Storms dumped up to two months worth of rain in a couple of days in parts of the region earlier this week, surpassing the amount that fell when Tropical Storm Irene blew through in 2011 and caused major flooding. Officials called this week's flooding the state's worst natural disaster since floods in 1927, and some suggested storms like this showed the impacts of climate change.

More rain is expected in the coming days, and Vermont authorities said Saturday that brings the possibility of landslides.

The flooding has been blamed for one death: Stephen Davoll, 63, drowned in his home Wednesday in Barre, a central Vermont city of about 8,500 people, according to Vermont Emergency Management spokesman Mark Bosma. He urged people to continue taking extra care as they return to their homes and repair damage.

The loss of a Vermonter is always painful, but it is particularly so this week, U.S. Sen. Peter Welch said in statement.

It was the second flood-related death stemming from a storm system and epic flooding in the Northeast this week. The first was in upstate New York, where a woman was swept away by floodwaters in Fort Montgomery, a small Hudson River community about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of New York City.

President Joe Biden on Friday approved Vermont Gov. Phil Scotts request for a major disaster declaration to provide federal support. Scott also said late Friday he has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue a disaster designation for the state due to damage to crops.

Farms were hit hard, just after many growers endured a hard freeze in May. Its expected to destroy a large share of our produce and livestock feed, Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts said at a news conference. It was too soon to determine damage costs, he said.

"In our mountainous state, much of our most fertile farmland lies in river valleys, and countless fields of corn, hay, vegetables, fruit, and pasture were swamped and buried, Scott said.

Assessors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency were scheduled to begin inspecting hard hit areas of Vermont on Saturday. That will help determine who will qualify for government assistance. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is also scheduled to arrive in the state next week to survey flood damage.

The state and others in the Northeast, including New Hampshire and Maine, are bracing for more wet weather expected to hit Sunday and into next week. The New Hampshire Department of Safety and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services said they are closely monitoring water levels across the state.

We dont know the extent of some of these storms, Scott said.

Many communities have been in touch with Vermont emergency management officials, but state officials said Friday they hadn't yet heard from about two to three dozen of them. National Guard troops were sent to establish contact. The state also announced centers will open to help flood survivors recover this weekend in Barre and Ludlow, a southern Vermont ski village.

Most emergency shelters have emptied, with fewer than 70 people remaining. The focus has shifted to providing food and water and repairing infrastructure, including dozens of closed roads. State officials estimated 23 water treatment plants were either flooded or discharged untreated sewage into waterways.

Ludlow residents have mostly returned home and were able to get electricity and water, Municipal Manager Brendan McNamara said. All roads into town previously cut off by flooding are now accessible.

But plenty of challenges remained. The post office and wastewater treatment plant were heavily damaged. The main grocery store and several restaurants were closed due to damages. In their place, scores of pop-up pantries emerged to provide fresh meals. The community center has served as a clearinghouse for water, food and medicines donated by volunteers streaming into town.

You walk up and down the street, and any place that wasn't hit has a sign out front  free food. Please come and get, McNamara said. That tells me we have one heck of a community.

As of Friday about 5,200 people statewide had registered to help relief efforts through the state emergency management agency and an online volunteer recruitment effort, according to Philip Kolling, director of SerVermont.

What we are doing does not even begin to capture all of the volunteers being organized through local organizations, towns and informal networks, and we encourage those local efforts as they often can address critical needs more quickly, Kolling said.

Some volunteers offered to drive for the charity Meals on Wheels or take people to medical appointments, others to assist with general cleanup.

In Ludlow, Calcuttas restaurant was preparing meals for first responders, volunteers and anyone else who might need one. The large banquet room was set up with cots, water and toiletries.

Theres plenty of work that needs to be done to get us back to normal, said Michael Reyes, who works for a hospitality group that owns the restaurant.

With more rain coming, it's critical that residents adhere to safety restrictions as they dig out of the storm, said Miro Weinberger, mayor of Burlington, Vermont's largest city.

We continue to operate under a state of emergency, and more heavy rain is expected Sunday. Again, I urge you to heed all road closures and all directions from state and local officials, including to stay away from the river banks, brooks, and streams where flash floods can happen quickly, Weinberger said.

McCormack reported from Concord, N.H., and Whittle reported from Portland, Maine. Associated Press reporters Lisa Rathke in Marshfield and Michael Casey in Boston contributed.
(Tribune News Service)  Attorneys for a man who is suing the city of Alpharetta over his constitutional right to free speech have settled a similar lawsuit for their client in a victory against another Georgia city.

Last January, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Jeffrey Gray against Alpharetta and two city police officers; and separately sued the chief of police in Blackshear, a South Georgia town located about 240 miles from Atlanta.

Grays legal actions state that his rights to free speech were violated when he was wrongly thought to be protesting without a permit and panhandling.

The Blackshear case was dismissed in U.S. District Court in Waycross, July 6, with a settlement that includes rescinding a city law, foundation attorney Adam Steinbaugh said on Thursday.

Gray, a U.S. Army veteran, travels to cities in the southeast to test official reaction to demonstrations of his civil rights while standing on sidewalks in business districts or outside a local government buildings. He typically greets passersby with a statement that also appears on the sign that hes holding, God bless our homeless vets.

The self-described civil rights investigator records interactions with the public for his YouTube channel, Honor Your Oath. While demonstrating, he is often interrupted by police who question him about illegal panhandling or protesting.

He has reached the age of retirement and he believes very strongly in free speech and he wants to essentially see how the public and public officials respond to the exercises, Steinbaugh said of Gray.

The foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to defending the right to free speech and partnered with the University of Georgia First Amendment Clinic in filing the suit against the Blackshear police chief.

The chief approached Gray while he was demonstrating outside City Hall in 2021. He told Gray that he needed a permit to protest or demonstrate and must file an application with the mayors office.

Its kind of silly but thats what the rules are, Wright is heard saying on Grays video.

Gray had the option of leaving the area before being arrested. Before leaving, he asked for a citation saying it was his First Amendment right to demonstrate.

In settling the lawsuit, Blackshear revoked the ordinance that resulted in his citation, Steinbaugh said. The city also donated $1,791 to the the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. The amount represents the year the First Amendment was ratified.

In addition, Blackshear agreed to train its officers in free speech.

Grays lawsuit against Alpharetta includes Lt. Arrick Furr and Officer Harrold Shoffeitt as co-defendants. The city filed a response to Grays complaint in June and declined to comment this week.

Gray was handcuffed by Furr outside City Hall in January 2022. Police had been notified by two people that he was panhandling.

Im not panhandling, Im just saying, God bless the homeless vets on public property, Gray is heard saying in his video recording.

Last January, Lt. David Freeman, Alpharettas police public information officer, said via email that Furr violated department policy in his interaction with Gray. He was suspended and required to complete additional police training.

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BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Frequent high-level interactions are the latest steps towards a detente between China and the United States.

Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met Thursday with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jakarta, their second meeting within only one month. Earlier this month, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also visited Beijing.

Last year in Bali, the two countries' heads of state reached a consensus that set the direction for China-U.S. relations. However, bilateral relations have gone off course owing largely to a string of Washington's misconceived words and deeds against China.

For the world to become better, the China-U.S. relationship brooks no further retrogression. By receiving Blinken and Yellen, China hopes that Washington will work together with Beijing to truly translate the common understandings reached by the two presidents into concrete actions, to steer China-U.S. relations back on track.

To this end, the two countries need to properly manage differences and remain undisturbed by all sorts of distractions so as to create favorable conditions for stabilizing their relations. The pair should guard against Gray Rhino events, which might have a disruptive impact on bilateral relations, and properly handle Black Swan events to ensure that they won't evolve into new challenges.

The U.S. side should fully respect China's core interests, refrain from unwarranted interference in China's internal affairs and violation of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, give up attempts to oppress and contain China in trade and technology, and lift unjustified and unreasonable sanctions imposed on China.

Most imperative is to jointly explore and establish guiding principles or strategic frameworks for China-U.S. relations. Beijing has always hoped for a sound and stable China-U.S. relationship, believing that the two sides can overcome all obstacles and find the right way to get along with each other on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

To stabilize and improve China-U.S. relations, America needs to reflect on what sent the relations into a downward spiral, translate the Bali consensus into concrete actions and implement those commitments made by U.S. President Joe Biden.

Biden has made multiple pledges that the United States does not seek a new Cold War with China, that it does not aim to change China's system, that the revitalization of its alliance is not targeted at China, that the United States does not support "Taiwan independence" and that it has no intention to seek a conflict with China. It remains to be seen if Washington will follow through on these commitments.

Yawei Liu, director of the China Program at The Carter Center, argued that it's up to the United States whether the bilateral relations can improve.

The recent high-level interactions indicate that both sides aspire to a detente. This momentum needs to be maintained, and sincerity is a prerequisite for constructive communication. The Wall Street Journal reported that Yellen's trip had aided fragile efforts by the two sides to keep talking, but warned that "going any further is likely to test Washington and Beijing's ability to resist tit-for-tat measures."

The peaceful coexistence of the world's two largest economies is crucial for the future and destiny of humanity. China has always demonstrated sufficient sincerity in seeking dialogue to improve relations with the United States, which stand at a crossroads.

There is still hope, notably with the upcoming visit of U.S. climate envoy John Kerry and a possible trip by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, that bilateral relations may go back on the right track. But if Washington persists in playing the old trick of double-dealing, or even becomes all the more bent on containing China, chances are that China-U.S. relations will spiral downward into an abyss of confrontations and conflicts. 
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on a two-day official visit. According to a press statement issued by the Inter Services Public Relations today, the army chief will hold meetings with the Iranian military and civilian leadership.

During the visit, COAS will discuss bilateral matters related to defence and security cooperation, the militarys media wing said.

COAS Asim Munir, UAE president discuss bilateral cooperation over phone call

Pakistan enjoys strong diplomatic, political and military relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and both countries have a serious determination to address issues between them and secure common interests.
Awn Chaudhry and Nauman Langrial, two federal cabinet members of the IPP, would keep their cabinet positions.

Party leader Jahangir Tareen has directed both Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) leaders to keep their federal cabinet positions till the government completes its tenure. IPP is a responsible party and believes in political stability, Tareen was quoted as saying.

We are part of the prime ministers team and will remain till completion of the governments tenure, Awn Chaudhry has said.

There is no truth in resignations from the cabinet, he added.

Earlier, on Thursday, it was reported that Awn Chaudhry and Nauman Langrial had resigned as special assistant to PM Shehbaz Sharif on the the party leaderships command.

The resignations have been handed over to the partys Patron-in-Chief Jahangir Khan Tareen, according to media sources.

It may be noted that IPP president Aleem Khan had directed Nauman Langrial and Awn Chaudhry to resign from cabinet.

Aleem Khan said the IPP had no relation with the PDM-led government, adding that Langrial and Chaudhry were independent members of the cabinet. The IPP will contest election separately, he added.

Recently, Jahangir Tareen had officially launched his Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party along with Aleem Khan and other estranged leaders of the PTI.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday voiced grave concerns over the existence of safe havens for terrorists in Afghanistan, and said that the very terrorists who have shed the blood of Pakistanis find refuge on Afghan soil.

The concerns were voiced in the wake of recent military operations in the Zhob and Sui areas of Balochistan, where 12 soldiers of the Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom while combating terrorist elements.

The civil and military leadership of Pakistan is increasingly dissatisfied with the measures taken by the Afghan government against Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) and other terrorist groups operating on Afghan soil.

In a statement released earlier, the military top brass also expressed their concern over the availability of safe havens and liberty of action to the TTP in Afghanistan emphasising that the Afghan interim government must uphold its commitments made in the Doha agreement and not allow its soil to be used for perpetrating terror against any country.

Defense Minister Asif took to Twitter to rebuke the Afghan government, accusing for neglecting their duties as a neighboring and fraternal country.

He highlighted the long-standing support Pakistan has provided to Afghan refugees, hosting five to six million of them for several decades, ensuring their rights are intact.

However, he criticised the fact that the very terrorists who have shed the blood of Pakistanis find refuge on Afghan soil.

Asserting that the ongoing situation could no longer persist, the minister stated that Pakistan would utilize all possible resources and measures to safeguard its territory and citizens.
Pakistan Saturday condemned the permission for public desecration of the Torah and Bible in Sweden.

In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, Offensive acts of religious hatred cannot be condoned in the guise of freedom of expression and opinion. As a religion of peace, Islam calls for respect for all religions, sacred personalities and holy scriptures.

 In line with this Islamic ethos, Pakistan has always stressed the need to advance mutual respect, harmony and peaceful coexistence among religions, faiths, and cultures, Baloch said.

We call on the international community to condemn, with one voice, all such abhorrent acts of religious hatred, which hurt the sentiments of its followers and constitute deliberate incitement, she added.
The Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday claimed to have arrested five alleged terrorists belonging to a banned organization from Gujranwala and other cities of Punjab.

According to CTD spokesperson, Afghan identity cards, explosives, detonators, mobile phones and weapons were also seized from their possession.

The arrested terrorists were identified as Hanif, Syed alias Sedoo, Tariq, Khalid and Abdul Sattar, officials said.

A case was registered against the arrested terrorists and an investigation was underway, the officials said further. The authorities further said that 46 suspects were arrested during 200 combing operations this week.

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Thursday arrested an active operative of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from Karachi.

According to the CTD officials, the arrested operative Asif Rehman is from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
Robert OShea, who is of no fixed abode, was arrested in Lucan, Co. Dublin, on Friday in connection with an incident near the local Garda station

A HOMELESS Dublin man accused of impersonating a garda by wearing an officers stolen uniform jacket has been denied bail.

Robert OShea, 58, who is of no fixed abode, was arrested in Lucan, Co. Dublin, on Friday in connection with an incident near the local Garda station.

He was charged with possessing stolen property, a Garda uniform soft shell jacket, contrary to the Theft & Fraud Act.

He is also accused of an offence contrary to the An Garda Siochana for impersonating a Garda at Main Street, Lucan.

Mr O'Shea was held pending his appearance before Judge Dermot Dempsey at a sitting of Dublin District Court on Saturday when he faced bail objections.

Garda Brian Halley told the court the accused replied, I just wanted to be a guard, when charged at Lucan station.

The officer agreed with defence counsel Kevin McCrave that the accused was known to live at various addresses around the Lucan area and lately in a park in the middle of the town.

Mr OShea did not give evidence and is yet to indicate a plea.

Counsel said the accused had health problems and was about to start a 12-week residential counselling programme.

Pleading for bail, Mr McCrave said his client would like to be able to take up that opportunity.

The court heard the accused had an alcohol problem.

Judge Dempsey refused bail and remanded the accused in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on July 21 via video link.

He granted him legal and ordered gardai to provide disclosure of prosecution evidence to the defence.

The judge also directed that Mr OShea would get medical attention while in custody.
Judge Bryan Smyth noted that the threat had a deeply unsettling effect on the victim, but he gave the accused an eight-month suspended sentence given the circumstances.

A father-of-two who threatened to petrol bomb a gardas house while manic and having a mental health crisis has been spared jail.

David OSullivan (29) made the threat after gardai responded to an emergency call he had made while heavily intoxicated, a court heard.

Judge Bryan Smyth noted that the threat had a deeply unsettling effect on the victim, but he gave the accused an eight-month suspended sentence given the circumstances.

OSullivan, from Offington Manor, Sutton, pleaded guilty to threatening to kill or cause serious harm to a garda and threatening to cause criminal damage to his home.

Dublin District Court heard gardai were called to Harbour Road, Howth, on April 19 last year, where OSullivan was acting in a very erratic manner.

He threatened to petrol bomb [the gardas] residence and said that he knew where he lived, Sergeant Tony Flanagan said.

The accused had been drinking, had an acute mental health crisis and when gardai arrived he was effectively manic, his lawyer said.

He was taken to Beaumont Hospital where he had to be sedated.

OSullivan accepted he said what he said and apologised, his lawyer said. The accused had been in homeless services for a number of years, suffered mental health issues and turned to drugs to self-medicate. 

This incident had been a catalyst for him to straighten things out and he had been in treatment since then.

Judge Smyth said a sentence was warranted but he suspended it for two years in view of the mitigation.
"Driven by China's carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, I think carbon accounting is a very good and promising career." A young carbon accountant in China's Shanxi explains how China's transition to a low-carbon economy generates new job opportunities.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
The death of James Jim Carlisle (42) is not being treated as suspicious.

A notorious gangland criminal facing a potential life sentence for attempted murder has been found dead in his prison cell.

James Jim Carlisle (42) was found dead at Maghaberry Prison, Northern Irelands only maximum security prison, early yesterday morning.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

Carlisle, who has more than 170 criminal convictions including a deranged attack on a dog with a knife, was a close associate of murdered Northern gang boss Malcolm McKeown, who was shot dead four years ago.

The violent thug was recently remanded in prison after being charged with the attempted murder of his partner after he set her chest and neck on fire with lighter fluid.

He was due back in court on the charge later this week.

The alleged attack came while he was on bail for a separate, unrelated attack on a different woman.

Carlisle, originally from Lurgan, had only recently been convicted of a horror attack on Olivia Creaney.

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday World, brave Olivia revealed the true horror of the attack carried out by career drug dealer Carlisle.

She revealed how she resisted pressure from all quarters to drop the charges against the Craigavon gangster because she wanted her kids to know she had done the right thing by following through.

Olivia Creaney

He fractured both sides of my jaw, fractured my right eye socket, broke my nose, shattered my left eye socket and left me with a metal plate holding my face together and he left me with two bleeds in the back of eyes going into my brain, Olivia told us.

I had never met Jim Carlisle until the night he attacked me.

"He stomped on my face and kicked me in the head over and over again.

And then he sent hoods to my door to tell me he was going to burn my mums house down and then go for my kids."

She added: After what he did I had to see it through in court. I had to show my daughter that its not acceptable for a woman, or anyone for that matter, to be treated like that.

And I had to teach my son that you cant treat a woman like that and expect to get away with it.

Last month, Carlisle ultimately entered guilty pleas to inflicting grievous bodily harm, one count of common assault, possessing a weapon, namely a knife, and attempted intimidation arising from events on October 28 2021.

Further charges of GBH with intent and having weapons were left on the books by the prosecution.

He was facing up to five years behind bars but was allowed out on bail.

Career criminal Carlisle was one of the henchmen of Malcolm McKeown and although both cases were dropped in the end, he was co-accused with the slain gangster in the murders of Hugh and Jacqueline McGeough who were gunned down as they lay asleep in their Legahoy Court home in March 2011 in an alleged drug feud.

Charges were dropped in 2013 but in 2018, Carlisle and McKeown found themselves co-accused in an aggravated burglary where, according to the Crown case, they broke into a house on the Beanstown Road in Lisburn, tied up the householder and beat him up.

Malcolm McKeown

The pair allegedly ransacked his home before fleeing with a box of jewellery when the mans relatives came home and they had to take to their heels across fields after they crashed their van during a police pursuit.

Carlisle was allegedly linked to the incident by DNA uncovered on a high vis vest but the charges were dropped in October 2019 a few weeks after McKeown was murdered.

With plenty of enemies, Carlisle was subject of an assassination attempt outside a school in 2016.

He had been sitting in a car outside St. Brendans primary school when he was shot several times.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) confirmed to the Belfast Telegraph the death of a 42-year-old man in custody yesterday morning.

His next of kin has been informed, an NIPS spokesperson said.

As is standard practice, the PSNI, coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have been informed.

The Prison Service would like to extend its sympathy to the family of the man at this difficult time.
Gardai suspect at this early stage that it was going to be distributed among a number of Irish gangs.

Associates of a man targeted as part of the Hutch/Kinahan feud have been linked to a 11.4m cocaine haul seized in Co Wexford on Friday.

An Eastern European drugs gang were involved in smuggling the massive haul seized in Rosslare and gardai are trying to ascertain if it was to be distributed to a number of Irish gangs.

The Sunday World has learned that associates of a criminal who was once a major target of the Kinahan cartel, have been linked to the shipment  one of biggest seizures in Ireland this year.

Gardai sources said they had not received any intelligence ahead of the 163kg shipment coming into Ireland at Rosslare and only became aware of it after custom agents found it concealed in a horsebox that disembarked off a ferry at the port.

The drugs were sniffed out by customs drug detector dog Daithi which led to customs agents taking a closer look at the horsebox.

Two Bulgarian men aged in their 20s and 30s were arrested at the scene and gardai are now trying to gather intelligence on where the drugs were going to be distributed.

Both men are set to appear in court in Wexford later today in relation to the seizure.

Gardai have not ruled out that part of the shipment was destined for the UK market but suspect at this early stage that it was going to be distributed among a number of Irish gangs.

It could have beee in transit but reports are that it destined for here, a source said yesterday. If it is, its a very large consignment for the Irish market and its unlikely one gang would be able to finance a consignment of that value so it may be that it was going to be distributed among several gangs.

The Garda National and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCB) is liaising with Europol and Interpol in relation to the haul to try to build up more intelligence.

The truck that the drugs came in on was Irish registered and its final destination was a false address in Dublins north inner city,

Gardai are liaising with international partners to track the vehicles movements through Europe.

Technical experts are also set to examine electronic devices seized from the two Bulgarian men arrested as part of the operation.

Cocaine use has soared in Ireland in recent years and addiction workers have told the Sunday World about massive increases in those seeking treatment after getting hooked on the drug.

The number of those seeking treatment tripled between 2014 and last year.

A HSE study released in June indicated those figures would continue to rise over the coming years with no sign of a decrease of demand.

Ireland has the second highest cocaine use in Europe after Austria amongst the 15-34 age bracket with around one in 20 young people admitting to using it in the past year.

Irish adults in general also have the second highest cocaine use in their lifetime after Spain with one in 12 adults admitting to using it in their lifetime.

The two men arrested in connection with Thursdays haul were interviewed by gardai in Wexford with the help of a Bulgarian interpreter before being charged earlier today.
The court heard the men, including five brothers and cousins along with two Latvians, swindled a number of unsuspecting property owners.

FRENCH prosecutors have demanded jail time for six Irish men accused of carrying out driveway botch jobs across western France over ten years ago.

Authorities in Le Havre recently brought the case to trial, where it was heard the men, including five brothers and cousins along with two Latvians, swindled a number of unsuspecting property owners.

They had agreed to carry out tarmac work but instead used a mix of concrete and gravel and were found to be untraceable once the fees had been paid over.

In the Pays de Caux on the English Channel coast, police had received several complaints by the end of February 2012 of a tarmacking gang doing shoddy work.

The eight accused men were due to go on trial over a two-day hearing last month, but none of them appeared at court in Le Havre

The facts against the accused gang members were put before the court in a day-long session in which it was heard how they moved about different parts of France.

Cash was paid into accounts they had opened in Le Havre or Montivilliers, according to local media reports.

As they continued to travel, accounts were closed and new ones opened, with cash being transferred to accounts in Ireland and Latvia.

The accused men are also facing money-laundering charges and other offences under commercial law such as issuing false invoices.

The case involved several hundred thousands of euro and prosecutors asked for three-year prison sentences, with two suspended, for the Irish defendants.

They also asked the judge to impose a 15,000 fine on each man and a ten-year ban from French territory.

It was also heard over the years of the investigation various defendants had been tracked down and were even detained for a number of days over the case.

Last summer an extradition request was heard in the High Court in Dublin after prosecutors in Le Havre had issued a European Arrest Warrant for Patrick Flynn (34).

The warrant stated he was to face charges of money laundering, fraud, and being a member of a criminal organisation involved in bogus tarmacking.

It was heard how Flynn and two other men were alleged to have sold new driveways over the doorstep to homeowners in western France.

But his customers later alleged they had been duped into agreeing to the new drives.

They also claimed the quality of the work carried out was shoddy and that they could not find the men afterwards to seek refunds or repairs.

It was also alleged the men started the work almost immediately after their customers agreed to their quote, and did not allow for a cooling-off period required under French law.

The warrant alleged that the work carried out by Mr Flynn and two other men was of poor quality and the word swindling had been highlighted underneath a list of offences Mr Flynn was been accused.

Prosecutors allege the group had misinformed customers they were going to use tarmacadam for the new driveways when in fact the material used was a mixture of gravel and concrete.

The companies the men used to lodge customer payments were fictitious, counsel continued, and the invoices they provided did not comply with French regulations.

The maximum penalty for the offences, which were alleged to have taken place between January 2011 and January 2012, was 10 years imprisonment, the court was told.

In June last year Mr Flynn agreed to be extradited on consent according to court records.
Browning did not contest the 1.4 million case against him, but other family members who did lost their legal battle last February

Family members of the Kinahan Cartels No. 1 man in Ireland, Ross Browning, have until Monday morning to hand over the first of the three homes to be seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau.

His home built without planning permission at Garristown, as well as the renovated cottage on the property where his mother lives, have to handed over before 10am.

A third house at Deanstown Road where an uncle of Browning lives was ordered to be handed over on Tuesday with progress to reported at the High Court on Wednesday.

Browning did not contest the 1.4 million case against him, but other family members who did lost their legal battle last February

Judge Alex Owens made the orders for the three remaining properties to be handed over after allowing the occupants time to make arrangements.

This includes Chesnut Lodge at Garristown where Brownings mother Julie Conway and her partner ex-garda David OBrien have been living.

The Ross Browning property at Garristown, Co Dublin

The judge previously said that notice must be given to people who still live in the CAB-targeted properties before the houses can be seized.

Last month he was told a letter had been handed personally to Ms Conway and another was left there for Mr OBrien before making the order.

Counsel for the couple said they accepted the property had to be surrendered and asked to be allowed until 31 July to vacate.

Judge Owens said in light of the fact they are co-operating" he would give the necessary time to make arrangements.

However, counsel for CAB asked for a sooner date to allow the case to be mentioned on 19 July if any issues arose.

He ordered the property to be vacated before 10am on July 17 and appointed a receiver to take charge of Chesnut Lodge.

Ross Browning

He made a similar order for a property on Deanstown Road in Finglas which has to be handed over to the receiver on the following day.

Two other parcels of land in Rush had already been taken over by CAB.

Browning didnt challenge the CAB case against him for his own home at Garristown which were deemed the proceeds of crime last February.

Paddocks and an indoor show-jumping arena were built there as well as the completely renovated cottage now called Chestnut Lodge.

Browning, who is originally from Hardwicke Street in the north inner-city, was previously described in court as the Kinahan Cartels No.1 man in Ireland.

He had been part of the Kinahan gang well before the Hutch Kinahan feud started, having come to garda attention during Operation Shovel in 2010.

Browning was previously described by CAB in this case as being at the heart of a 1billion crime gang and was the Kinahan Cartels principal representative in Ireland.

In his February judgement Judge Owens said that although Brownings name was not on the properties they were controlled by him, his partner Sinead Mulhall and his mother Julie Conway.

Ross Browning's mother, Julie Conway

Browning had tried to disguise his drug money in Ireland through his family members who in return enjoyed his generosity when it came to cars, jewellery and travel.

The case also revealed how his cousin convicted drug smuggler Ian OHeaire, had taken part in what was described as a money-laundering exercise by buying the Deanstown house from Brownings now deceased grandfather William Conway.

Brownings top rank within the Kinahan Cartel emerged as it was revealed he had been a guest at Daniel Kinahans 2017 wedding at the Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai.

He would have rubbed shoulders at the event with the members of the super-cartel that included Comorra boss Rafaelle Imperiale, the Balkan Escobar Edin Gacanin and Dutch Moroccan crime lord Ridouan Taghi.
The victim aged in his early 30s received injuries to his arm following the incident

A man suffered injuries after a pipe-bomb exploded Limerick in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The victim aged in his early 30s received injuries to his arm following the incident on Hyde Road at 3.10am on Saturday.

Emergency services treated a man at the scene and a Garda spokesperson said his injuries were not life-threatening

Damage to the front of houses where the device went off was visible yesterday afternoon.

The Hyde Road area of Limerick has long been a stronghold of the Dundon-McCarthy gang.

However, according to sources, the attack was not related to the Dundon-McCarthy gang or their rivals.

It is believed to be related to a personal matter and the victim is not linked to any gang dispute.

Gardai seen attending Hyde Road where an explosion occurred

Tensions have been rising between rival criminals in the Hyde Road area for the past number of months.

There has been a number of violent incidents in the area in recent months, including a drive-by shooting at a house, and gardai conducted a major drugs raid last February in which they recovered a cocaine press machine as well as a large amount of suspected drugs.

An associate of one of the gang members has been making attempts to re-establish their presence in the community.

The most recent serious incident in the area was the drive-by shooting on Hyde Road last month.

A least one shot was fired from a firearm in the vicinity of a number of people in the broad daylight attack around 1.15pm on June 4.

No one has been arrested in connection with the attack.

Heavily armed gardai also carried out a series of raids in the Hyde Road area in February and seized a cocaine press and drugs.

The location is the base for the notorious Dundon gang who were key players in the two-decade gangland feud in Limerick that claimed at least 17 lives, including those of several innocent people.

While some of the leaders of the gang are in prison or facing serious criminal charges, they still operate from their Limerick base.

Gang member Ger Dundon was jailed for 15 years in the UK two months ago in connection with an attempt to extort cash from convicted drugs dealer Shah Ali and his younger brother Mohammed in July 2020.

From inside the sealed dock, Dundon shouted as he was being taken down that you wouldnt get that for rape or for killing someone.

His brothers Wayne, John and Dessie are all serving life sentences for murder in Ireland in killings that were part of their organised crime-gangs reign of terror in Limerick, but other gang members remain free and are active in the city.

Gardai have appealed for witnesses in relation to Saturdays pipe-bomb incident.

Gardai in Roxboro Road attended the scene of an explosion of a viable device that occurred at two residential properties on Hyde Road, Limerick City, at approximately 3:10am this morning, said a Garda spokeswoman yesterday.

Gardai and emergency services attended the scene. During the course of the incident, one man aged in his early 30s received injuries to his arm which were non life-threatening.

Appealing for witnesses to this mornings bomb attack, the Garda spokeswoman said: Any persons who were in the Hyde Road area of Limerick City between the hours of 2.30am and 3.15am this morning Saturday 15th July, 2023, and who may have camera footage  including dash cam  is asked to make this available to investigating gardai.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Roxboro Road Garda Station on 061 21 4340, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Gardai and emergency services attended the residence where the woman, (aged in her late 30s) was pronounced dead at the scene.

A woman (30s) has died after she sustained a stab wound at a house in Cardinal Court in Wilton in Cork city yesterday evening.

Emergency services rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised shortly after 10pm. The woman was pronounced dead at the property on the southside of the city.

The body of the deceased remains at the scene. The Office of the State Pathologist has been contacted and is due to visit the scene later today.

A post mortem will be subsequently performed at Cork University Hospital. The scene has been sealed off for a technical examination.

A man in his forties who was arrested at the scene is being detained at Togher Garda Station on the southside of Cork city for questioning in connection with the incident.

He can be held for up to 24 hours. The man was arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Gardai are hoping that neighbours will be able to assist them in their investigation. Anyone with any information, or persons who heard a disturbance at the property, are asked to contact Togher Garda Station on (021) 494 7120 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

Alternatively members of the public who may have information relevant to the garda probe can contact any Garda station.
Gardai confirmed that the line is currently closed as there is an incident ongoing at this time

Gardai have rushed to the scene of what has been described as a "fatal incident on the train line near Thurles this morning.

Gardai confirmed that the line is currently closed as there is an incident ongoing at this time.

Gardai and emergency services are currently at scene at an incident on the Railway line in Thurles which occurred this morning, Saturday, July 15, at approximately 7.30am, gardai said.

Services between Thurles and Portlaoise were suspended following the fatal incident on the railway line, according to Irish Rail.

The line has been closed after an incident took place at around 7:30am this morning,

The line is due to remain closed until further notice, the company said on Twitter.

It is expected to reopen at some point today.

Bus transfers are currently being laid on between Thurles and Portlaoise for the 10am Heuston to Cork service and the 10.25 Cork to Heuston service.

The bus transfers will remain in place as long as the line is closed.

In an update on social media, an Irish Rail spokesperson said: "The line between Thurles and Portlaoise is closed due to a fatal incident.

"The line will remain closed until further notice. Bus transfers from Thurles to Portlaoise are being established in both directions.

"Update to follow."

Short delays may occur with the transfer buses and once the line has reopened.

Irish Rail will issue an update on their Twitter account.
Laura McGann has made a documentary about one of freedivings greatest champions

When Irish filmmaker Laura McGann first heard about freediving, she was astonished at the sport where swimmers hold their breath and plunge deep into the ocean.

The risky activity sees divers compete to dive the deepest using only their own breathing and no oxygen supply.

Mesmerised, McGann went on to make a documentary about one of freedivings greatest champions  and her close bond with the Irishman who helped her achieve her goals.

McGann trains her lens on Italys world-record breaker Alessia Zecchini and her remarkable connection with Dublin safety diver Stephen Keenan.

The Deepest Breath is released globally next weekend, and is set to make the Irish filmmaker the latest to make an impression on the world stage.

Laura McGann

Having read about the duo, McGann googled freediving and knew she had found her next dream project.

I just thought, oh my god, I cant believe this exists, recalls the director. It was like finding out that there were certain people in parts of the world who could fly  thats kind of what it felt like.

It was the connection as well, between Stephen and Alessia, how they met, at the pinnacle of this incredible world, a magical world really. They had this connection with the sea, which then transfers back in the connection between the two of them.

As well as being fascinated at the prospect of bringing the films stunning underwater imagery to the screen, the Kildare filmmaker felt an affiliation with the subject matter.

I moved to Dun Laoghaire and then out to Wicklow to live near the sea because we just really love being in the sea, she says of family life. It does an awful lot for our mental health and we love the space that being near the sea gives you.

The Deepest Breath is now on Netflix

She still vividly remembers reading about Stephen and Alessia in a newspaper piece and being introduced to their world.

I googled what is freediving and I was met with just these incredible visuals of humans behaving more like seals and dolphins than like human beings. No tanks, just holding their breath under the water swimming with every kind of mammal or fish, in really stunning images shot by freedivers as well.

Even the cinematography had this fluidity to it, that they werent laden down with tanks, they moved with the divers. It felt like it was almost shot by something that lives under the sea, a whole different type of film-making. I love Blue Planet  Id happily binge on Blue Planet for the weekend  but this was something that Id never seen before.

The more I learned about it, the more youre learning about what happens your body under the water, which is incredible.

Prehistoric instincts kick in, as humans go deeper into the water holding their breath.

Theres mammalian dive reflex as well, she says, explaining the process of physiological changes that happen. It shoves all the oxygen into your major organs to keep you alive. And that helps you to retain oxygen and hold your breath for longer.

McGanns film is set to grip viewers from the first five minutes, with a nerve-wracking opening scene showing Zecchinis dramatic world-record attempt as her heartbeat slows and she struggles physically.

The Deepest Breath focuses on Alessia Zecchinis dogged determination to make history in her sport.

But it also shows her unique connection to Stephen Keenan as he helps her achieve those goals.

The director spoke with many close friends of the Irishman for the documentary, including former freediver Kristof Coenen, who regularly dived with him.

How I got involved in freediving, its simple  Steve, says Coenen, who now works in the film industry. He taught me everything. He introduced me to freediving because he needed a buddy to dive with in the mornings, before going into work, so that was me.

He worked with McGann on the project from the early stages, telling her about the world of freediving and what the experience is like.

The sea is so in my DNA now. Everything else just disappears. Its like it doesnt exist anymore, he says of the actual experience.

Theres this other world that you dive into. On the way down you feel your heart rate slowing down. You can feel it in your body.

In the beginning its scary because its slowing down to 40, 30 beats a minute. So its quite low and its amplified because its so silent around you. Then you have your eyes closed. At 20-25 metres your freefall starts and you fall down at a metre or two metres a second. And then its time to climb up again.

The freediving experience is beautifully captured in many scenes in the movie by the Irish filmmaker, who previously directed roller derby documentary Revolutions. After getting involved in youth theatre in her native Kildare, McGann first started making films in her teens.

I was in Kildare Youth Theatre in the Riverbank in Newbridge and that really gave me an appreciation for story, she says.

Peter Hussey, whos the artistic director, was really encouraging for us to put on our own shows, so you might write a couple of plays and put them on with my friends and invite my family and friends and it was great.

Then I thought, you know what? Im going to try and make films because then more people can see them, were not just confined to that one viewing.

I made a couple of short scripted pieces. When I was about 20-21, I kind of realised Im young enough and I maybe dont have the stories in my head yet that are gonna really light the world on fire.

There are much more interesting stories that are real-life stories. And perhaps I should turn my hand to that. So I started there but when I was a teenager, I got a lend of my uncle Dereks camera, and we made a feature scripted piece over the summer with my friends.

Following rave early buzz for The Deepest Breath, McGann has a number of other projects on the way.

Im at the really early stages of developing a couple of new projects that are just completely in their infancy.

Hopefully therell be something on the horizon soon, but these things, they just take time to grow organically. Im excited about whats to come.
This photo taken on Aug. 4, 2022 shows the White House and a stop sign in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Throughout the years, the United States has furtively established detention camps in at least 54 countries and regions, using them as interrogation facilities for "terrorist suspects" while attempting to evade jurisdiction and legal challenges.

BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Stepping out of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility onto the road to freedom, Haji Ghalib couldn't feel relieved.

He had been jailed for four years without legal trials or charges at Guantanamo before being released on March 1, 2007.

"The detainee is not assessed as being a member of al-Qaida or the Taliban," the U.S. army's report concluded, thus declaring his innocence. However, his stay in the infamous camp was a nightmare for Ghalib.

Ghalib and other inmates at Guantanamo reportedly suffered indefinite custody and years of abuse at the hands of the U.S. government. In June, Fionnuala Ni Aolain, a United Nations (UN) special rapporteur, visited the camp and told the press about the "ongoing cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment" to which the detainees were subjected.

The Guantanamo detention camp is just one of the many "black sites" set up by the United States around the world to hold alleged "terrorists." Throughout the years, the country has furtively established detention camps in at least 54 countries and regions, using them as interrogation facilities for "terrorist suspects" while attempting to evade jurisdiction and legal challenges.





ARBITRARY ARRESTS

Ghalib recalled the chaos and panic on the morning of Feb. 26, 2003, when he, serving as a police officer in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province then, was violently captured by the U.S. forces.

"I finished my morning prayer and had not yet eaten breakfast ... Then I found myself surrounded by U.S. planes, helicopters and tanks," the 59-year-old Afghan told Xinhua.

After physically assaulting him, the American soldiers apprehended him and forcibly transported him to U.S. overseas detention camps.

A document of the U.S. Department of Defense in January 2005 claimed his innocence and denied his affiliation with al-Qaida or the Afghan Taliban. However, he was kept in custody for the subsequent two years.

Upon his return to Afghanistan in 2007, he had to deal with another devastating blow -- the loss of his family members.

Similar tragedies befell other detainees. Of the approximately 780 individuals held at Guantanamo, fewer than 20 were put on trial, while a significant number of others endured prolonged detention and abuse without access to a formal trial or any form of compensation.

But their lives were permanently altered.

One such case was Mohammed Sanghir, a Pakistani who was arrested by the U.S. army while travelling in Afghanistan in 2001.

Following a long period of detention at Guantanamo, the man was eventually repatriated due to a lack of evidence linking him to terrorist activities.

Nonetheless, the consequences were irreversible. "Prior to my arrest, I owned a woodworking shop with prosperous business. After I was arrested, my family faced immense hardships and had to sell our property just to make ends meet," Sanghir told Xinhua.

Equally heartbreaking was the story of young Iraqi Alaa Karim Ahmed. Twenty years ago, Ahmed was on his way to the first day of university with family members. As Ahmed pulled over the car to pick up items fallen to the ground, a nearby group of U.S. troops were struck by an explosion.

Despite the absence of evidence linking him to the explosion, the young man, still dressed in his school uniform, was taken away by U.S. soldiers.

Following multiple transfers between prisons, Ahmed was finally freed after two and a half years. The scars etched on his skin and flesh, resulting from the prolonged wearing of handcuffs and shackles, serve as a constant reminder of his suffering.

Protesters rally to demand the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp outside the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 11, 2018. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

CRUEL TORTURE

Following baseless arrests, every detainee suffered severe mistreatment while being interrogated.

At the basement of Jalalabad Airport in the capital of Nangarhar, the U.S. military tied up Ghalib's hands and repeatedly plunged his head into water.

A few days later, he was transferred to the Bagram prison situated about 40 km north of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

The Bagram prison was nicknamed "Afghanistan's Guantanamo" due to numerous instances of prisoner abuse. Within one week in December 2002, two detainees lost their lives as a result of abuse by the U.S. military at the camp.

A few months later, Ghalib was sent to the Guantanamo detention camp. Upon arrival, he was forcibly undressed, followed by being washed by water pipes and having his head shaved.

All inmates, without exception, had to undergo excruciating torture.

"In the first one-and-a-half months, they wouldn't let us speak to anyone, wouldn't let us call for prayers or pray in the room. I tried to pray and four or five commandos came and they beat me up. If someone would try to make a call for prayer they would beat him up and gag him," one of the inmates was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

Waterboarding, one of the most brutal interrogation techniques devised by U.S. intelligence officials, was regularly employed.

In practice, the victim is immobilized on an inclined board, head and feet raised, and the face covered with a cloth. Water is poured over the cloth, making it hard for the victim to breathe and potentially causing suffocation.

Those subjected to waterboarding experience extreme agony as it induces an overwhelming and prolonged sensation of imminent death.

A report of the U.S. Department of Justice showed that victims of waterboarding often resorted to fabricating false confessions or even admitting crimes they did not commit to escape further torture.

Since its inception in 2002 by the U.S. military outside the U.S. territory, the Guantanamo detention camp has been marred by a flagrant breach of human rights.

Raul Capote, editor-in-chief of the Cuban newspaper Granma International, noted that endless detention without fair and lawful trials at Guantanamo led to the deteriorating health of the detainees.





"LUCRATIVE DEAL"

The U.S. intelligence apparatus also exploited the "black sites" to reap substantial profits from government coffers and fabricate false claims of success in counterterrorism.

American taxpayers were burdened with an annual expense of 540 million U.S. dollars to sustain the ongoing operation of the Guantanamo camp, even when the number of detainees there has declined to a mere 30, The New York Times reported.

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has struck deals with certain countries and tribes, whereby the U.S. government bought alleged "terrorist suspects" from those entities at exorbitant prices ranging from 3,000 to 25,000 dollars, The Associated Press reported.

U.S. media outlets also uncovered that the CIA paid a private company nearly 80 million dollars for the purpose of designing torture programs.

Despite the repeated exposure of human rights violations at the "black sites," no U.S. official has been held accountable for developing, authorizing or carrying out covert arrest and torture programs.

The U.S. breach of human rights has also drawn harsh criticism and condemnation from the international community and experts worldwide.

In 2020, the International Criminal Court (ICC) resumed its investigation into the grave crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by all parties involved in the conflict in Afghanistan, including U.S. forces.

Then ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said there was "reasonable" suspicion of war crimes by the U.S. forces in Afghanistan as well as by the CIA in "black sites" across the globe, U.S.-based organization Human Rights Watch reported.

Ni Aolain urged the U.S. government to provide judicial assistance and apologies to the victims at Guantanamo, and to guarantee the non-repetition of such human rights violations.

Despite vaunting itself as a self-proclaimed "beacon of democracy" and champion of "freedom and human rights," the United States has, in reality, committed crimes in flagrant violation of human rights, international law, the UN Charter and the Geneva Conventions, said Najib Khalaf, a professor of law at Al-Iraqia University.

Instead of acknowledging the crimes and making apologies, the United States chose to turn a deaf ear to the global outcry.

In response to a report by the UN Committee Against Torture on the abuse at U.S. overseas "black sites," the U.S. government refused to disclose information regarding detainees involved in the CIA activities, citing confidentiality reasons.
A Ngati Awa whanau has brought an opportunity to the plate in purchasing the Ohiwa Oyster Farm.

For Wini Geddes, it's a 'dream from growing up around the area when we were collecting her kaimoana.

Wini and her husband Simon Geddes spoke to Country Life and explained how Tio Ohiwa, as it is now known, is believed to be the only 100 per cent Maori-owned oyster farm.

But for the pair who run the training programme Tane Mahuta, the purchase of the farm is also a crucial piece to the puzzle.

'We have five aquaculture placements and tried around the country to place a cadet into another business and didn't get any joy,says Wini.

'We get the wrong people and make it right, for our young people who just don't get the opportunity otherwise to work.

Since acquiring the business last month, 13 new jobs have been created, including five aquaculture cadets.

The small fish and chip shop caravan hugs the bank of Ohiwa Harbour, a short drive from Ohope in Eastern Bay of Plenty.

The food is renowned, with 2000 oysters shucked fresh each day from the four farms that sit in the harbour behind.

Oysters are shucked daily and soon run out by lunchtime. Photo: Supplied.

Wini says it was emotional for her and many others when the business venture was blessed with karakia.

'It's bringing it back to the hands of Ngati Awa which was our traditional seafood basket. I remember as a young girl camping out at Ohiwa and harvesting mussels and fish.

"It's really about that and bringing it back to let our young people enjoy what we enjoyed.

The Geddes whanau are conscious of the environment the oysters grow in. They are consciously monitoring the water quality and oysters with the help of the Ministry for Primary Industries.

However, Simon says oysters were lucky in that they were a filter.

'They're not a polluter, they actually enhance the quality of the water.

Simon also shared a tip - if anyone was keen on some freshly shucked oysters that can sell by lunchtime.

'If they want to get some raw oysters, make sure they ring the shop. They'll set the oysters aside for them, you just have to make sure you show up on time.

"That's a good little tip.

Thirteen new jobs have been created since Wini and her whanau took over the business last month. Photo: Supplied

Leah Tebbutt/RNZ
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Syracuse, N.Y.  An East Syracuse man was charged Friday with fatally shooting a girl from Syracuse outside a convenience store on the night of July 4.

Malcolm Barner, 28, was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, Lt. Matthew Malinowski, a Syracuse police spokesperson, said in a news release.

Barner is accused of shooting Karlianne Short, 17, who was in a group of people outside a store on the corner of East Fayette Street and Westmoreland Avenue. Friends said she was out to get a bottle of water that night.

Karlianne was shot in the back and was taken to Crouse Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

She had just graduated from Henninger High School and had college aspirations.

Related Syracuse teen was getting a bottle of water when killed; shes remembered as everyones friend

Angela Short, Karliannes mother, said seeing her daughter walk the stage to get her diploma was the the second best day of my life, other than her being born.

Barner is being held in the Onondaga County Justice Center jail as he awaits arraignment.

Barner was already scheduled to appear in county court Monday on charges that he was involved in a car chase in Syracuse that turned into a shootout in 2021. The chase ended in a crash in DeWitt.

Barner was charged with second-and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm and first-degree reckless endangerment.

In 2013, Barner was convicted of robbing a man delivering pizza, according to court records. He held a gun to the man and demanded money. He was released from prison in 2020, according to state prison records.

At his sentencing, Barner admitted to making mistakes.

Im not me. Im with the wrong people, he told the judge, according to court transcripts.

Onondaga County Court Judge Anthony Aloi said he didnt want to see Barner back in the criminal justice system.

This could have been a totally life-altering experience for you, Aloi said, because you could have been sentenced up to 25 years.

Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him: Email | Twitter or at 315-690-6950.
Narayan Kaji Shrestha (4th L, front), deputy prime minister and home minister of Nepal, and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song (3rd R, front) cut the ribbon at the shipment ceremony for the first batch of haylage for export to China's Tibet Autonomous Region, in Bharatpur, Nepal, July 15, 2023. Ten trucks set out on Saturday from Bharatpur in southern Nepal, shipping the first batch of haylage for export to China's Tibet Autonomous Region. A total of 80 tons of silage, produced by Nepal Horizon International Pvt. Ltd. with green maize, shall land in the Tibetan city of Shigatse to feed animals in winter.(Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

BHARATPUR, Nepal, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Ten trucks set out on Saturday from Bharatpur in southern Nepal, shipping the first batch of haylage for export to China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

A total of 80 tons of silage, produced by Nepal Horizon International Pvt. Ltd. with green maize, shall land in the Tibetan city of Shigatse to feed animals in winter.

The deal helps alleviate the shortage of animal feed in winter and improve the environment and soil erosion in Tibet on the one hand, and it generates more incomes for farmers in Nepal and creates more jobs for local youths on the other hand, said Zhang Jinxiang, CEO of Nepal Horizon International.

The company is aiming at opening up three or four more processing factories in Nepal within the next two years and exporting 300,000 tons of haylage to Tibet annually, which are worth 30 million U.S. dollars, Zhang added.

The export of Nepali haylage to China is not easily achieved, but is a result of joint efforts by the two sides, noted Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song.

And 30 million dollars in annual exports mean "the export volume from Nepal to China will double," Chen said at the shipment ceremony.

The ambassador voiced readiness to cooperate more with Nepal to boost the development of modern agricultural science and technology in the country, so as to produce more high-quality agricultural products to meet the needs at home and export to the whole world.

"The export of haylage might look simple, but it has the potential to prove to be a turning point in decreasing our trade deficit," said Narayan Kaji Shrestha, deputy prime minister and home minister of Nepal.

"What I believe is that the export of haylage has given a message that there are prospects in increasing our exports given that we produce quality goods," he said while addressing the shipment ceremony.

"Today the commencement of haylage export to Tibet has opened a new area for cooperation and support," said Bedu Ram Bhusal, Nepal's minster for agriculture and livestock development.

For Sujan Hamal, a farmer working with Nepal Horizon International, the processing of silage with green maize has made it possible for him to cultivate maize three times a year now instead of once a year.

"If the company runs smoothly as it does, we will benefit and we will be more attracted to this farming, which increases our living standard too," he said. 

This photo taken on July 14, 2023 shows bales of haylage at Nepal Horizon International Pvt. Ltd. in Bharatpur, Nepal. Ten trucks set out on Saturday from Bharatpur in southern Nepal, shipping the first batch of haylage for export to China's Tibet Autonomous Region. A total of 80 tons of silage, produced by Nepal Horizon International Pvt. Ltd. with green maize, shall land in the Tibetan city of Shigatse to feed animals in winter.(Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)
Syracuse, N.Y.  A man was shot Friday evening on the East Side of Syracuse, police said.

Police were called to the shooting around 7:51 p.m. to the 200 block of Croly Street, Lt. Matthew Malinowski, a Syracuse police spokesperson, said in a news release.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Storms will roll into Syracuse Saturday night and a flood watch is in effect for Central New York.

The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for Onondaga, Madison, Oneida, Cortland, southern Cayuga and Broome counties. Storms are expected to start Saturday evening with possible heavy rainfall and flash floods, weather officials said.

The storms could be accompanied by strong to severe winds that could possibly cause damage.

The rest of Central New York will see storms. Some Upstate areas are under a flood watch: Otsego, Delaware, Sullivan, and Wayne counties.

This comes after parts of New York state saw flooding in the past week. The town of Long Lake in the Adirondacks declared a state of emergency after homes, roads, dams and bridges were damaged by flooding.

Sunday will continue with more storms and possible flash floods, officials said.

Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com.
Solvay, N.Y. -- The village of Solvay has mismanaged the finances of its municipal electric department, resulting in a drop in its cash balance from $4.1 million to $1 million over four years, according to an audit by the state Comptrollers Office.

A report released by Comptroller Thomas DiNapolis office on Friday said an audit of the villages books from 2016-17 to 2020-21 showed:

Officials in the villages electric department failed to maintain up-to-date records or provide adequate financial reports to the village Board of Trustees.

The board and village officials failed to take action to ensure the villages electric fund revenues kept pace with expenses.

Officials did not ensure that annual payments from the electric fund to the villages general fund totaling approximately $1 million were justified and supported.

In addition, the report said officials did not monitor the villages general fund budget during 2021-22. As a result, expenditures totaled $7.3 million, which was $1.3 million higher (22%) than the original budget appropriations of $6 million for the year, auditors said.

Solvay is one of more than 30 villages in New York that operate their own electric department. The village buys electricity wholesale from the New York Power Authority and the New York Municipal Power Authority and sells it to village residents and businesses at rates significantly below those paid by customers of private electric companies such as National Grid.

The villages electric department is overseen by a five-member commission which includes the village mayor and four members appointed by the mayor, subject to the village boards approval. The commission is a subsidiary body acting for and at the pleasure of the village board, according to the report.

The report said the village electric funds total net assets declined about 50%, from $18 million at the start of the 2016-17 fiscal year to $8.9 million at the end of 2020-21.

It said the decline occurred primarily because the electric fund experienced annual losses ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million over that period. At the same time, the electric funds cash balance -- the money left over after all costs are paid -- declined approximately 75%, from $4.1 million to $1 million, the report said.

Under village code, the electric department commission is responsible for preparing and submitting a proposed annual budget for the electric fund to the village board by March 31 of each year for its review, according to the report. However, they have not historically done so, it said.

During our audit period, the commission did not develop a proposed budget and the board did not adopt a budget for the electric fund, the report said. Therefore, officials had no information or records that detailed the commission or boards financial plan for each fiscal year, such as the proposed appropriations necessary to carry out the electric departments activities and the proposed means of financing those activities.

Because officials did not develop budgets for the electric fund, they were unable to monitor actual revenues and expenses against budgeted mounts, the report said.

It said the lack of proper financial management has caused cash-flow problems for the electric department.

In August 2021, Mayor Derek Baichi signed and released checks including three purchased power payments totaling $1.6 million when the electric departments former treasurer was unavailable, according to the report. However, it said the bank account did not have sufficient funds to cover the payments.

This caused the account to have a temporary negative balance of approximately $17,000, the report said. While the bank allowed the checks to clear and the negative balance was corrected with deposits the following day, this demonstrates the precarious cash position of the electric fund and the need for the board and officials to receive up-to-date financial information to carefully monitor electric fund finances.

The report said the electric department has not conducted a rate study since 2008. As a result, base rates charged to customers have not increased in more than 14 years. During this same period, purchased power, labor, supplies, equipment and other costs have increased, but the revenues generated from electric sales have not been sufficient to cover the increasing expenses, it said.

Auditors also questioned payments made by the electric department to the villages general fund. They said the electric fund paid the general fund about $1 million annually, or nearly $5 million from the 2016-17 through the 2020-21 fiscal years for rent and property taxes the electric department would have paid if it was not tax exempt.

While some of these payments were permissible, we question certain components that make up those payments, the auditors said. Furthermore, because the electric fund incurred annual losses in recent years and its cash position declined, we question whether the fund will have sufficient resources to continue making these payments to the general fund.

In a letter to the comptrollers office in response to the audit, Baichi said the village acknowledges that there are improvements that need to be made regarding the budgeting and monitoring of the Electric Funds financial condition.

We are currently working to implement various changes in relation to the Electric Fund, including the completion of a rate study, he said in the letter.

In a phone interview on Friday, Baichi said he has been advocating for a rate study since 2016, when he was a village board member. He became mayor in 2018.

Baichi said the village has not raised its electric rates since 2009 to keep bills as low as possible for residents. The average electric bill for homeowners in the village is $30 to $40 a month, compared with bills of $85 to $100 for residents in other communities, he said.

Our rates are significantly less than they are for most other communities, he said. Thats why there are not a lot of homes for sale. People dont want to leave.

However, he said that after the rate study is completed, the village will probably ask the state Public Service Commission for permission to raise rates a small amount while keeping them far below the rates in other communities.

In addition, he said the village is instituting cost cutting measures, looking to get better prices on vehicles and other equipment for the electric department and lower rates on health insurance for employees. It also has hired the Dannible & McKee accounting firm to assist it in improving management of its general and electric funds, he said.

As a result, he said he expects the electric funds cash balance will improve significantly over the next two years.

Were moving in a much more positive direction, he said.

Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148
A classic rock band is returning to the New York State Fair for the first time in five years.

Foghat will perform at the NYS Fairs Chevy Court on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4, at 4 p.m. The concert is free with admission to the Fair.
BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China's national observatory on Saturday renewed a yellow alert as heatwaves scorch vast parts of the country.

During daylight hours on Saturday, temperatures in parts of Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan are forecast to hit 35 to 36 degrees Celsius, according to the National Meteorological Center.

In some areas of Xinjiang, Zhejiang and Fujian, temperatures may exceed 40 degrees Celsius.

People are advised to avoid outdoor activities during high-temperature periods, and workers should shorten their duration of exposure to the heat, according to the meteorological center.

China has a three-tier weather warning system for high temperatures, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange and yellow. 
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Paul Nathan Beck of Ojo Caliente hasn't been seen in weeks, according to State Police.
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UNITED NATIONS, July 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Friday expounded on his country's position on conflict-related sexual violence, stressing conflict prevention and resolution.

Sexual violence is a heinous violation of human rights. China firmly opposes the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and strongly condemns all acts of sexual violence, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

"We call on the international community to make joint efforts and take comprehensive measures to eliminate sexual violence in conflict as soon as possible and promote new progress in women, peace and security," he told a Security Council open debate on conflict-related sexual violence.

Geng stressed the importance to strengthen conflict prevention and resolution.

Sexual violence in conflict cannot be eliminated in isolation. Only through the cessation of hostilities and restoring peace can women and children be fundamentally free from harm and their basic rights protected, he said.

"To achieve peace, we must adhere to a political settlement to disputes and increase efforts in negotiations, mediation and facilitation. We must practice true multilateralism and translate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter into action. We must also focus on addressing root causes and investing more in achieving common security."

Security Council resolutions explicitly prohibit sexual violence as a means of warfare. But this red line of international law has been repeatedly breached. Unless past crimes are effectively punished, it will be difficult to deter and prevent new violations. The international community must strengthen the rule of law and implement the requirements for combating sexual violence in conflict, so that perpetrators can be held accountable and justice can be served for the victims, said Geng.

The countries concerned shoulder the primary responsibility for the prevention and elimination of conflict-related sexual violence and the protection of women and children. The international community, on the basis of respect for their sovereignty and leadership, should support the countries concerned in strengthening security-sector capacity-building to effectively combat terrorist and violent extremist forces, strengthening the rule of law, improving the legal and regulatory system for the protection of women's rights and interests, and strengthening humanitarian efforts and helping victims of sexual violence obtain assistance and reparation, he said.

In conflict situations, sexual violence is often intertwined with issues of discrimination and poverty. In addition to a peace-focused approach, the international community should also address this issue from the perspective of women's empowerment and sustainable development. Efforts should be made to eliminate gender discrimination and differentiated treatments to address the livelihood challenges and development gaps faced by women, said Geng.

Digital and information technologies are important means of empowering women and critical tools for early warning of conflicts, victim assistance, and investigation and accountability. China advocates for the use of digital technology to enhance the protection of women, amplify the active role, participation, and transformative power of women in peace and security, he said.

As the host country of the Fourth World Conference on Women, China has always been an advocate for gender equality, a protector of women's rights, and a practitioner of women empowerment. China will continue to work with the international community to make active efforts and greater contributions to the advancement of women globally, said Geng. 
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Re: BYD plans to invest US$ 1 billion to build EVs in India



The ATTO-3 is a smart looking car with a spacious rear bench. The leather from factory and the pano roof are to watch out for. The Audio is actually good and the gizmos are on par with Tesla. Range claimed by Dubai showroom was 450Kms, I take it with a pinch of salt and would pray 300-325 is decent.



Battery warranty is 8 years, other parts of the car is warranted for 7 years. Best and attractive part is the car costs 150,000 AED which is much lesser than 185,000 AED for the Tesla Model 3.



My only grouse was the frunk is missing and it looks silly for that class of competition. It looks a 3 cyl petrol engine bay.







Pic credit to this website, and it is a great review on the Atto3.



https://thedriven.io/2022/08/31/byd-...pect-it-to-be/ Whether all of it comes to be a reality or not...The ATTO-3 is a smart looking car with a spacious rear bench. The leather from factory and the pano roof are to watch out for. The Audio is actually good and the gizmos are on par with Tesla. Range claimed by Dubai showroom was 450Kms, I take it with a pinch of salt and would pray 300-325 is decent.Battery warranty is 8 years, other parts of the car is warranted for 7 years. Best and attractive part is the car costs 150,000 AED which is much lesser than 185,000 AED for the Tesla Model 3.My only grouse was the frunk is missing and it looks silly for that class of competition. It looks a 3 cyl petrol engine bay.Pic credit to this website, and it is a great review on the Atto3.
What just happened? Microsoft is doing something it's only done once in 15 years: replacing its default Office font. The long-used Calibri is being swapped out for a new font called Aptos, which has been chosen based on years of user feedback.

Microsoft writes that its 15-year relationship with Calibri has come to a natural end. The font replaced Times New Roman across Microsoft Office back in 2007, but the twilight of its reign started in 2021 when the Redmond company commissioned five original, custom fonts to replace Calibri, asking users to choose their favorite default option.

Of the five chosen fonts - Bierstadt, Grandview, Seaford, Skeena, and Tenorite  Bierstadt was picked to be the default for Microsoft 365, though all of them were added to the drop-down font picker for users. The typeface, inspired by mid-20th-century Swiss typography, also underwent a name change, becoming Aptos, though it will be in the drop-down picker under its original Bierstadt name for "those who just aren't ready for the font's new name."

Si Daniels, a principal program manager at Microsoft, writes that the company is in the final phase of the change where Aptos will start appearing as the default font across Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel. It will be rolled out for all customers over the next few months.

Aptos is a sans serif, also referred to as Grotesque or Gothic, which has simple letterforms and is easily readable. It's made of varying geometric shapes and described as bold, well-defined, directive, and constrained. Daniels adds that subtle circular squares within the letters' contours allow higher legibility, especially at small sizes.

Aptos was designed by Steve Matteson, a type designer who developed the original Windows TrueType core fonts and created the Segoe font family. He has designed more than 80 typeface families including brand families for Toyota and Google. Matteson renamed Bierstadt to Aptos, after his favorite town in Santa Cruz, California.

So why change the default font now? Microsoft says it is to adapt to evolving technology, such as higher-resolution screens, for which Aptos is called the perfect font. "The font needed to have sharpness, uniformity, and be great for display type," Daniels explains.

Daniels said Aptos is part of a broader range of features coming to Microsoft 365, a push to make the software more expressive and inclusive. "There's a newly designed font picker experience, along with new themes, colors, and backgrounds," he wrote.

For those who aren't fans of Aptos, users can still change the default font to their favorite.
A new gig worker app is providing enhanced financial management services for gig workers in the flexible job market.



Solo, a Seattle-based startup, has introduced its smart schedule and pay guarantee program in major metropolitan areas in California and New York City, offering gig workers predictive earnings and income guarantees, according to a report by Los Angeles Times.



Co-founded by Bryce Bennett and Keith Ng, both former employees of Uber and Convoy, Solo aims to empower gig workers by providing them with a new way of managing their work schedules and financial stability.

$2 Billion in Earnings Data

Leveraging a vast dataset of $2 billion in earnings data collected from over 150,000 workers nationwide, Solo generates hourly predictions of potential earnings across various gig work platforms, such as ridesharing and delivery services.



The Solo app offers gig workers the flexibility to select their preferred jobs based on fluctuating wages. Going beyond this, the app enables workers to secure their anticipated income, as projected by Solo, for a specific gig work platform.

For instance, if Solo predicts earnings of $20 per hour for driving with Instacart from 9 to 10 a.m. the following day, gig workers can ensure these earnings by utilizing a credit worth 25 cents.



In the event that actual earnings are lower than the guaranteed amount, Solo compensates for the difference, while any additional earnings exceeding the prediction are retained by the worker.



The income guarantee feature is presently accessible to gig workers in select regions of California, including portions of Los Angeles and Orange counties, Riverside, San Diego, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay area. The Solo platform has already attracted over 8,000 workers in Southern California.

Read Also: Ontario Driver Crashed a Tesla During Test-Drive, Resulting in an Over $6,000 Fine but Company Dropped Charges

Available in Over 50 Metro Areas

To maintain the reliability of its earnings predictions, Solo has disbursed substantial sums to workers whose actual earnings did not meet the projected amounts.



Bennett expressed confidence in Solo's predictions, emphasizing that as more users join the platform, the accuracy of the predictions will improve over time.

The company's current goal is to run the pay guarantee program at a net neutral, offering gig workers a reliable and trustworthy floor for their earnings.



Bennett also highlighted the potential for workers to optimize their earnings by leveraging Solo's predictions, stating that some workers have seen a 40% increase in hourly earnings by selecting the right job at the right time.



Solo's predictive earnings and income guarantee services are now available in more than 50 major metropolitan areas across the US, with New York City being the most recent addition. In 2021, the company secured $5.3 million in seed funding to support its expansion and further development.

Related Article: Mercedes-Benz Is Adding OpenAI's ChatGPT to MBUX Voice Assistant: Here's What You Need To Know

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The fight against global warming may have found an unexpected ally in an unconventional source: paint. In 2021, researchers at Purdue University unveiled their creation-the whitest paint ever developed.



This remarkable paint reflects over 98% of light, making it a potential game-changer in addressing rising temperatures on Earth.

Heat-absorbing White Paint

Business Insider reports that the primary benefit of this ultra-white paint lies in its ability to mitigate heat absorption. When applied to buildings, it can significantly reduce surface temperatures, leading to cooler interiors and decreased reliance on air conditioning.



However, what if this innovation could be applied on a much larger scale-like lowering the temperature of the Earth?



Jeremy Munday, a clean technology expert and professor at the University of California, Davis, explains that if a material similar to Purdue's paint were applied to just 1-2% of the Earth's surface, it could effectively reflect enough light to stabilize global temperatures, presenting significant potential in the fight against climate change.



Munday assures us that the amount of light redirected into space would have no adverse effects on the cosmos, likening it to pouring a cup of water into the vast ocean.



To grasp the scale of 1-2% coverage, we need to consider the Earth's total surface area, which is approximately 197 million square miles, with a majority being covered by water. Consequently, we would need to apply the white paint to an expanse of roughly 2-4 million square miles.



To put this into perspective, the land area of the United States alone spans slightly over 3.5 million square miles. Envisioning a scenario where the entire country is coated in white paint, extending from one coast to the other, provides a glimpse into the magnitude of this undertaking.

Read Also: Butterfly Inspired: The World's Lightest Paint Offers Eco-Friendly Alternative to Pigment-Based Paint

Painting the Earth White

The sheer quantity of paint required is staggering. If the Purdue researchers' claims are true and the paint behaves similarly to commercial varieties, a gallon of this white paint would be able to cover approximately 400 square feet, according to Business Insider's report.



To cover a mere 1% of the Earth's surface, an astounding amount of around 139 billion gallons would be required.



Naturally, these staggering figures double if we aspire to cover 2% of the Earth's surface. Additionally, the complexity of painting extensive areas such as oceans, deserts, and forests cannot be overlooked.



While the concept of utilizing white surfaces to mitigate rising temperatures is not entirely novel-evidenced by the prevalence of white cars in hot regions Texas-implementing this approach on a global scale poses a truly monumental challenge.

Nevertheless, the work being done by Purdue University and other researchers signifies progress in our fight against climate change. The development of the whitest paint ever created showcases the potential of innovative solutions.



However, it also underscores the long road ahead before we can fully address the challenges posed by rising global temperatures.

Related Article: [WATCH] NASA Releases Shocking Animation Showing How Far Sea Levels Have Risen in 30 Years

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
An intense heatwave, dubbed "Cerberus," is scorching Europe and has triggered an urgent warning as the United Kingdom prepares for powerful winds, heavy rain, and potential disruptions.

The heatwave, originating from the Saharan desert, has already caused wildfires in Croatia and brought unprecedented high temperatures, raising concerns about the health and safety of millions.

Additionally, a study highlights that the UK and Switzerland will be among the most adversely affected countries globally due to an increase in "uncomfortably hot days."

As Europe battles extreme weather conditions, experts urge swift action to combat rising temperatures and prepare for the future impacts of climate change.

The Cerberus Heatwave and Its Effects

Cerberus, an intense heatwave named after the triple-headed hound of ancient Greek lore guarding the entranceway to Hell, has wreaked havoc across Europe.

As Mirror reports, the searing conditions, with temperatures soaring into the high 40s, pose significant risks, including heat-related illnesses and even fatalities.

The situation is further exacerbated by developing another "Charon" heatwave after the ferryman in Dante's Inferno. Charon is anticipated to break records, intensifying the challenges the continent faces.

UK Weather Warning and Impending Disruptions

As Cerberus engulfs Europe, The Guardian reports that the UK is bracing itself for the impact of the heatwave. The sweltering temperatures have altered the jet stream, redirecting low-pressure systems toward the country.

The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning for south-west England and Wales, followed by another warning for central and southern England.

Gusts of up to 55mph are expected, accompanied by heavy rainfall. The adverse weather conditions may lead to road, rail, and air transport delays, potential power cuts, and damage to trees.

Authorities caution the public to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure safety.

Read Also: Mycocrete: Scientists Turn to Knitted Molds, Fungal Networks for Futuristic Eco-Buildings

Study Highlights UK's Vulnerability to Rising Temperatures

Sky News reports that a comprehensive study warns that the UK and Switzerland are particularly susceptible to a relative increase in "uncomfortably hot days."

Homes in these regions, designed to retain heat, are ill-prepared to cope with rising temperatures, leaving residents vulnerable to overheating.

Dr. Nicole Miranda from Oxford University emphasizes that even a slight temperature increase can have a disproportionately high impact, necessitating increased cooling measures.

The study underscores the importance of implementing strategies such as improved ventilation, window shutters, dress code modifications, ceiling fans, and altered working hours to mitigate the risks associated with extreme heat.

However, concerns arise as key policy documents have not adequately prioritized cooling requirements.

Mitigating the Vicious Cycle

Scientists raise concerns about a "vicious cycle" where increased demand for air conditioners leads to higher energy consumption, subsequently contributing to more greenhouse gas emissions and further global warming.

To break this cycle, sustainable alternatives must be adopted. The study calls for urgent action in addressing the risks of heat and emphasizes the need to strengthen adaptation strategies to protect national security and the economy from future challenges.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: China: Heatwave, Possible Flood Prompt Power Grid, Crop Damage Warnings

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Google has recently introduced NotebookLM, an experimental AI-powered tool to enhance productivity and knowledge retention for students and knowledge workers alike.

Formerly known as Project Tailwind, NotebookLM utilizes powerful language models and user-uploaded content to create a personalized AI assistant capable of summarizing facts, explaining complex ideas, and generating creative connections.

What Is NotebookLM?

The core concept behind NotebookLM is to reimagine the traditional note-taking experience by harnessing the potential of AI technology.

As PhoneArena writes, "NotebookLM takes all of your notes and builds an AI model based on that information."

By grounding the language model in users' own notes and selected sources, NotebookLM becomes a virtual research assistant that adapts to individual needs, making sense of vast amounts of information quickly and efficiently.

"NotebookLM is an experimental product designed to use the power and promise of language models paired with your existing content to gain critical insights, faster," explains Google in a blog post.

Taking Note-taking to the Next Level

With NotebookLM, users can take their note-taking to the next level. Upon uploading their Google Docs, they can enjoy a range of functionalities to enhance their learning experience.

Firstly, NotebookLM automatically generates a summary of the uploaded document, along with key topics and questions, to provide a better understanding of the material at a glance.

Read Also: Google One VPN Set to Upgrade User Experience with Local IP Addresses, Boosting Privacy Options

The AI-powered assistant also facilitates deep dives into the content. Users can ask specific questions about the uploaded documents, enabling them to extract valuable insights.

For example, Google says a medical student studying neuroscience could request NotebookLM to "create a glossary of key terms related to dopamine," while an author working on a biography could ask for a summary of the interactions between Houdini and Conan Doyle based on their research notes.

Furthermore, NotebookLM does not just stop at Q&A; it also empowers users to generate ideas. Content creators can upload their concepts for videos and request the AI assistant to "generate a script for a short video on this topic."

How About Data Privacy?

Privacy and data security are essential considerations for any AI-driven product, and Google has taken measures to address these concerns.

NotebookLM is designed so that the model only has access to the user's selected source material, ensuring that personal data remains confidential.

Furthermore, citations are provided with each response to enable fact-checking against the original source material.

Sign Up Now

While NotebookLM is currently available to a small group of users in the United States, Google has plans for a gradual public release.

Interested users can sign up for the waitlist through Google Labs and be notified as the tool becomes more widely accessible.

Google intends to refine NotebookLM based on user feedback, making it an indispensable tool for anyone seeking to unlock the full potential of their notes and enhance their learning experience.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Google Issues Security Warning to 1.8 Billion Gmail Users

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Kahoot, the Oslo-based e-learning game platform, is set to go private in a significant all-cash private equity (PE) deal led by Goldman Sachs.



The acquisition values Kahoot at $1.7 billion and will see the private equity division of Goldman Sachs Asset Management take the lead, along with existing Kahoot backers General Atlantic, KIRKBI Invest A/S, and Glitrafjord.



The deal represents a premium of 53.1% on Kahoot's publicly traded shares as of May 22, 2023.

Kahoot Goes Private

Kahoot, known for its popular education-focused game platform, has gained immense popularity among students and adults worldwide. The platform allows users to create, share, and play interactive games with an educational focus.



By going private, Kahoot aims to capitalize on the expertise and resources of its new investors to further enhance its learning platform and expand its global reach.



The chairman of Kahoot's board, Andreas Hansson, expressed confidence in the offer, stating that it aligns with the company's best interests and will benefit its employees, customers, and partners.



He sees the deal as a fair valuation of the company and an opportunity to accelerate Kahoot's journey toward becoming the leading learning platform worldwide.



Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs Asset Management views Kahoot as a company with immense potential to unlock learning opportunities for individuals worldwide.



The investment aims to contribute to Kahoot's growth, impact, and innovation in the field of learning and engagement. The partnership with Kahoot's leadership team and other co-investors is expected to drive further advancements in the platform's capabilities.

Read Also: Worksport Ltd. Receives US$720,000 in Purchase Orders for Innovative Soft-Folding Tonneau Covers; Commences Shipping from US Manufacturing Facility

Goldman Sachs Approves

"Kahoot! is unlocking learning potential for children, students, and employees across the world. The company has a clear mission and value proposition and our investment will help to grow its impact and accelerate value for all stakeholders," said Michael Bruun, Global co-Head of Private Equity at Goldman Sachs Asset Management.

"Through this transaction, we are pleased to partner with a fantastic leadership team and group of co-investors to expand a mission-critical learning and engagement platform and contribute to its further growth and innovation."

The acquisition comes at a significant premium, reflecting the value and potential of Kahoot. With the PE deal, Kahoot is set to transition to private ownership, allowing it to focus on its long-term strategic goals and leverage the expertise and resources of its new investors.



The completion of the deal is subject to regulatory approvals, including competition clearances, and the Offeror's ownership of shares representing more than 90% of the issued and outstanding shares and voting rights in Kahoot.



Once finalized, the acquisition will mark a new phase for Kahoot as it seeks to solidify its position as a leading global learning platform.

Related Article: Are No-Code Technologies Susceptible to Force Developers out of the Market: Sergey Romancov, IT Team Lead, About the Prospects of Development in this Area

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China accused the United States of militarizing space after protesting the Taiwan Strait passage of a US Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

Col. Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, condemned US efforts, including creating the Space Force as a new military branch, saying that they have had a detrimental effect on space security and global strategic stability, AP News reported.

Tan highlighted that China supports peaceful space exploration and opposes space weaponization, the use of space as a battlefield, and any space arms race.

Leaders of the Space Force voiced alarm about China's progress in space technology, which led to the Chinese Defense Ministry's reaction. China is working on a crewed moon trip and has an orbiting space station. In 2007, China was heavily criticized for destroying one of its aging weather satellites with a missile and producing a debris field that jeopardized other spacecraft.

Recent visits by US authorities, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, indicate that US-China relations remain tight. However, in reaction to possible US shipments of defensive weapons to Taiwan and sanctions placed on Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu, China has refused to resume military-to-military ties.

China Asserts Claim in Taiwan Strait

Even though the Taiwan Strait's waters and airspace are recognized as international, China nonetheless asserts its exclusive claim. It often sends out aircraft and warships to harass the island's military and scare its inhabitants because it views Taiwan, a vital ally of the United States, as its territory.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command stated that it had scrambled fighters to monitor the US aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait, claiming national sovereignty and regional peace and stability as its missions, per a report from ABC 4.

According to the US Navy fleet, by operating in the Taiwan Strait in compliance with international law, the country is protecting the freedoms and rights of all nations to travel through the strait.

Read Also: Threads Emerges as Twitter's Primary Rival, Yet Challenges Lie Ahead

The US Navy said the aircraft's Taiwan Strait passage highlighted its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The statement underscores that the US military flies, sails, and operates legally within international law.

US Military Space Race Plans

Meanwhile, the US Space Force's 2024 budget highlights the importance of resilience in space programs. The budget places a strong emphasis on ensuring American access to space and being able to react in the face of threats.

 A squadron of U.S. Marines lands an Osprey during #UNITAS2023, the world's longest-running multinational maritime exercise!  The Space Force provides situational awareness and navigation tools, ensuring seamless coordination with partners.



 Lance Cpl. Christian Salazar pic.twitter.com/739uA3yPxT  United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) July 12, 2023

The Space Force sees China as the greatest urgent danger in the region and seeks to compete with space powers like China and Russia, according to Space News. Reports say Russia is building anti-space devices to destroy American satellites despite its inferior capabilities.

The Space Force's resilience policy ensures US military units and allies have ongoing satellite services. Its emphasis on adaptability shows the Space Force's dedication to preserving technical superiority and dissuading insurgents in space.

The Space Force's competitive endurance strategy is based on three guiding principles: avoiding surprise acts, eliminating the benefit of acting first, and carrying out responsible counter-space operations without leaving behind permanent space trash.

According to Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt, the deputy head of space operations for cyber and nuclear affairs, if the plan is implemented, it will stop any crisis or war from spilling into space.

Related Article: 19-Year-Old MIT Drop-Out Is Making Waves in Defense Technology

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RABAT, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The Moroccan foreign minister met separately with his Ethiopian and Malawian counterparts in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations in various fields, Moroccan official news agency MAP reported on Friday.

The two meetings took place on Thursday on the sidelines of the 43rd Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council meeting, which was held in Nairobi on July 13-14, according to MAP.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita discussed with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen Hassen ways to develop bilateral ties in various sectors, said the report.

Bourita also met with Malawian Foreign Minister Nancy Tembo, reviewing bilateral cooperation fruits and examining prospects for strengthening these cooperations, it added.

The AU meeting kicked off on Thursday in Nairobi, with a focus on regional integration in Africa. 
Xiaomi Automotive, the emerging automotive division of the renowned Chinese electronics manufacturer Xiaomi Corporation, is generating considerable buzz despite not having unveiled its first electric vehicle (EV) model yet.

Recent leaks suggest that Xiaomi may be working on an impressive EV battery pack boasting an 800-volt platform and over 100 kWh of battery power.

What is Xiaomi Automotive?

Back in September 2021, Xiaomi reportedly registered an EV division as an official business in China. At that time, the tech giant only noted that it was already in a "substantial development phase."

Now, almost two years later, the company aims to stretch its coverage in the business. Aside from producing smartphones and other consumer electronics, Xiaomi plans to enter the EV market soon.

According to Electrek, Xiaomi's ambitious move to invade the automotive industry has led it to test its own self-driving EV technology.

By next year, the Chinese firm will attempt to manufacture a fully-functional EV to compete with other brands in the Chinese market.

Of course, this won't be an easy battle for the starting EV maker since a lot of established players in the market continue to add more enhancements to their EVs.

Related Article: Xiaomi Car Spotted: Worth $40,000?

Specifications of the Leaked Xiaomi EV Platform

As posted on Facebook's Chinese counterpart Weibo, MetaAuto shared an image of a Xiaomi EV battery. The picture bears the company logo.

The following are the specifications of the EV battery, according to the tipster.

Model Name: A1310C

Part Number: P000000367001

Manufacturer Code: F47832

Lithium-Ion Chemistry

726.7V

139 Ah

101 kWh

642 kg (1,415 lbs)

It is important to note that Xiaomi Automotive has not officially confirmed these battery specifications. However, the leaked image has generated substantial excitement among enthusiasts and industry observers.

While it remains as leaked information, it's interesting to know what an 800V fast-charging feature can bring to Xiaomi EV owners in the future.

What's more, its capacity will exceed 100 kWh so it's guaranteed to deliver an impressive range for the drivers.

In fact, Xiaomi Automotive is currently planning to launch a sedan equipped with LiDAR technology supplied by Hesai Technology in the first half of 2024.

The anticipated starting price for this flagship EV is around 300,000 yuan ($43,100), an enticing offer considering the potential inclusion of an 800V platform and LiDAR technology.

In case Xiaomi wants to target a specific market for its upcoming EVs, the company might first launch it on the mainland. This way, it can avoid extreme competition with other global automakers such as Tesla and Toyota.

Furthermore, this strategy will also focus on a group of customers that are often overlooked in the industry.

Outside the field of vehicles, The State Intellectual Property Office has given Xiaomi the green light to create a foldable phone with a revolutionary camera.

Read Also: Tesla Is the Most Searched Car Brand in the US, Google Search Data Says

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In a battle over the future of news consumption, tech giants Meta and Google are locking horns with the Canadian government regarding the implementation of the Online News Act (C-18).

This legislation aims to financially support the struggling journalism industry by compelling platforms to pay Canadian news outlets for hosting links to their content - but tech firms are not exactly in with the initiative.

As tensions rise, the outcome of this standoff could have far-reaching implications for the global tech and media landscape.

Instagram Blocks Canadian News Outlets

Vox reports that Canadian news outlets, including the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and the Tyee, recently found themselves blocked from accessing their own Instagram accounts.

The move comes as Meta, the owner of Instagram, starts implementing a feature that blocks Canadian users from viewing or sharing links to news content.

This action is a response to the impending Online News Act, which Meta and Google have strongly opposed. As a result, Canadian news organizations are caught in the crossfire between the government and tech giants, risking a significant blow to their reach and revenues.

Read Also: Meta to Remove News Content in Canada if Online News Act Passes

The Online News Act

The Online News Act (C-18) is at the heart of the conflict between the Canadian government and tech giants Meta and Google.

The legislation designates platforms as "digital news intermediaries" (DNIs), compelling them to establish payment agreements with eligible news outlets for hosting their content. Failure to reach a deal would prompt an arbitration panel to intervene.

Supporters argue that the law aims to rectify the decimation of the journalism industry by tech platforms, while critics claim it favors established media players, potentially stifling innovation.

According to Google, "the bill creates an unprecedented requirement that platforms pay for simply showing links to news, something that everyone else does for free."

As the law faces scrutiny and potential amendments, it serves as a litmus test for similar legislation under consideration globally.

What's Next?

The outcome in Canada resonates beyond its borders, as many countries, including the United States, observe the clash between Meta, Google, and the Canadian government.

This precedent-setting case will likely influence the implementation of link tax laws in different jurisdictions. Should Meta and Google succeed in their resistance, it could dissuade other nations from pursuing similar legislation.

Conversely, if the Canadian government prevails, it may encourage other countries to enact their own news link tax laws.

The United States, for instance, is currently debating the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act, which seeks to enable news outlets to negotiate with covered platforms collectively.

The ongoing struggle between the Canadian government and tech giants has captured global attention, underscoring the profound implications for the future of news distribution and the power dynamics between governments and big tech companies.

What's In the News?

The gridlock highlights a delicate balancing act between the government's intent to support the struggling journalism industry, Meta and Google's resistance to paying for news links, and the broader implications for media diversity and innovation.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: [UPDATE] Meta Confirms Removal of News Content From Facebook and Instagram in Canada

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Amazon's Astro is a unique addition to the world of home automation, combining the functionality of the voice assistant Alexa with a cute and competent robot companion.

With its advanced features and adorable personality, Astro aims to enhance your smart home experience. It might look like Disney's Wall-E at first glance, but are they also the same when it comes to functions?

Is Astro Robot Affordable?

According to CNET, Astro is currently available exclusively by invitation. Interested customers can sign up for an invite to purchase Astro. However, it's worth noting that Astro comes with a starting price of $1,599.99, which makes it more expensive than any other smart home device with Alexa.

Is Astro the Next Wall-E?

Although both Astro and Disney's Wall-E share adorable appearances and communicate through robotic sounds, they have distinct differences.

While Wall-E's purpose was to clean up Earth's garbage, Astro offers the functionality of Alexa, including answering questions, responding to commands, and telling jokes. Astro's personality stands out from Alexa's, providing a unique and endearing experience.

How Mobile is Astro?

Astro, at present, is not equipped with legs, making it unable to climb stairs. It operates on a single level of your home. While there have been reports of Astro having difficulty with stairs, Amazon is continuously improving its navigation system to minimize such issues.

Speaking of issues, a past report claimed that the machine was rushed, that's why it breaks easily. However, the e-commerce giant denied the allegations about its build.

Astro Can Function Like a Robot Vacuum

Despite not being a vacuum cleaner itself, Amazon's Astro robot shares similarities with robot vacuums. It incorporates sensors, cameras, and mapping technology to navigate your home and understand its surroundings.

Additionally, Astro is battery-powered and can return to its charging station when its power is running low. While it won't vacuum your floors, it offers convenience and smart navigation capabilities.

Related Article: Amazon's Astro Can Now Look After Your Pets at Home

Astro's Interaction with Kids

Astro's playful personality and pet-like persona make it enjoyable for the whole family. Kids especially find Astro engaging, as it can mimic a dog, burp, and even perform a cleaner version of Ludacris's Get Back. However, it's important to note that interest in Astro's features may wane once the initial novelty wears off.

Safety and Tripping Hazards

While Astro does not pose a significant tripping hazard, it's always wise to be mindful of its presence. Astro emits a humming sound while moving, providing an audible cue to its whereabouts. Additionally, Astro includes safety features such as the ability to call 911, ensuring peace of mind for emergencies.

Astro as a Beverage Assistant

Astro offers a unique perk by featuring built-in cup holders on its back. It can fetch your preferred beverage from around the house, making it a handy companion. However, as Astro lacks arms, someone else would need to load the drinks onto it for delivery.

Read Also: Post-Amazon Prime Day Deals 2023: Buy These Discounted Items NOW

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China has achieved a significant milestone in its pursuit of advanced nuclear technologies by launching its first thorium reactor.

The South China Morning Post reports that this two-megawatt liquid-fueled thorium molten salt reactor (MSR) represents a significant step forward in China's nuclear energy sector.

Located in Wuwei, Gansu province, the reactor is operated by the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

With China's National Nuclear Safety Administration issuing an operational permit, the Shanghai Institute is set to test the reactor's operations over the next decade.

Advantages of Thorium Reactors

Thorium MSRs offer a host of advantages over traditional uranium reactors, making them an attractive option for the future of nuclear power.

These reactors use liquid fuels, typically molten salts, as both fuel and coolant. One of the key benefits is increased safety, as the liquid fuel's properties reduce the risk of overheating and meltdown.

Additionally, thorium reactors produce reduced waste and demonstrate improved fuel efficiency, maximizing the use of available resources.

Furthermore, thorium offers a potentially abundant and sustainable long-term energy alternative, with an average thorium concentration of 10.5 parts per million in the Earth's upper crust, compared to 3 parts per million for uranium.

Read Also: Mycocrete: Scientists Turn to Knitted Molds, Fungal Networks for Futuristic Eco-Buildings

China's Progress in Advanced Nuclear Technology

China declared the completion of its first experimental thorium-based nuclear reactor in August 2021, and the country has come a long way since then. Last month, China's environment agencies greenlighted its first thorium molten salt reactor.

Experts in China's nuclear industry laud the launch of the thorium reactor as a significant achievement, positioning China as a potential leader in thorium reactor technology.

The Shanghai Institute has also unveiled plans for a small-scale modular thorium MSR research facility, aiming to address technical challenges and further advance the technology.

Small-scale modular reactors offer flexibility, enhanced safety features, and cost-effectiveness, making them an appealing option for energy production.

China's Thorium Reserves and Inland Energy Potential

SCMP notes that China possesses one of the world's largest thorium reserves, estimated to meet the country's energy needs for over 20,000 years.

The abundance of this resource presents an opportunity for China to expand its nuclear energy supply to inland cities.

Thorium MSRs offer the flexibility to establish nuclear power plants in regions far from coastal areas, diversifying the energy mix and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Furthermore, the use of molten salts as fuel and coolant reduces the reliance on water, making these reactors suitable for areas with limited water resources.

International Implications

China's advancements in thorium reactor technology have broader implications for the global energy sector.

The potential to deploy large-scale thorium reactors could enhance China's competitiveness, strengthen energy security, and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Additionally, China aims to sell small thorium reactors to other countries as part of its Belt and Road Initiative.

These reactors, with their smaller capacity and modular design, provide a viable and accessible nuclear energy option for countries with smaller energy demands or limited grid infrastructure.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: World's First Non-Toxic Water-Based Aluminum-Ion Batteries Successfully Developed by Chinese, Australian Scientists

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Meta, Instagram's parent company, announced that it prohibits EU users from using the Threads app through a VPN after several user concerns.

The tech company said that due to privacy concerns, Threads, launched last week, is not accessible in most EU nations. Meta said it had taken further steps to block EU citizens' access to the social app, according to TechCrunch.

Even though Threads is accessible in more than 100 nations, including the US and the UK, the EU has expressed concern over Meta's data-sharing policies.

Despite not being accessible in the EU, Threads has gained over 100 million users in a week. Due to its spontaneous growth without advertising or promotion, it has become a powerful Twitter opponent. Analysts speculate that a drop in Twitter's traffic may have been caused by users experimenting with or moving to Threads.

Instagram appears to have blocked EU users from accessing Threads via a VPN



Profiles and content not loading. Notifications not working.



Is this true @mosseri ? pic.twitter.com/3QcqoKeGuo  Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) July 14, 2023

However, Sensor Tower reported a 20% drop in daily active users and app use this week compared to Saturday. Some pointed out the challenge of keeping users engaged among the decline factors, per ARS Technica.

Meta also issued an iOS app update for Threads, including iOS 17 compatibility, decreased binary size, and other minor improvements.

Meta Must Comply with EU Restrictions First

The impending Digital Markets Act (DMA) is something that Meta, which is regarded as a technological "gatekeeper" in the European region, wants to make sure Threads complies with, per Engadget. The EU needs Meta to seek authorization for tailored ads, which further complicates the app's entry into the EU market.

For targeted advertising, Threads gathers user data, including private information like financial and health records, exact location, and search and browsing histories. In the EU, where the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires data minimization and restricted uses, this data-collecting strategy creates questions.

Read Also: Twitter Starts Paying Creators for Ads Shown in Their Tweet Replies - Here's How to Know if You're Eligible



Additionally, the DMA places additional requirements on gatekeeper platforms to monitor user activity for targeted advertisements. If Meta violates the DMA again, the sanctions may be as high as 20% of its worldwide sales or up to 10% of its overall income.

The DMA requires Meta to assure compliance within six months of the EU's deadline of September 6, when all gatekeepers will be formally named.

EU Users May Have to Wait for Some Time

Users in several European nations may anticipate Threads to stay unavailable until Meta fixes the compliance problems. Due to recent statistics from Sensor Tower and Similarweb showing a reduction in daily active users and average use duration, this circumstance can impede the app's development.

Although it is still unknown how many EU users used Threads at its busiest, the effect of preventing VPN access in the EU is apparent. David Carr, senior insights manager at Similarweb, asserts that although Threads initially attracted a lot of attention, unlike other social applications, not all users have used it often.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk, the CEO of Twitter, asserts that despite reports of decreased Twitter traffic and higher activity on Threads, Twitter's user seconds per day statistic is still rising.

Related Article: Threads Emerges as Twitter's Primary Rival, Yet Challenges Lie Ahead

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China has become among the first nations worldwide to publish new guidelines that regulate generative artificial intelligence (AI).

The nation's leading internet watchdog, the Cyberspace Administration of China, released amended regulations on Thursday to regulate the quickly expanding AI sector. On August 15, these "interim measures," as they are known, will take effect, according to CNN.

The published version of the guidelines loosens up a few clauses from the first draft issued in April. This shows that Beijing, which wants to revive economic development and provide employment prospects, sees a chance in the emerging AI business.



An extensive regulatory assault on China's digital titans ended last week when officials fined fintech firm Ant Group over $1 billion. Consequently, Alibaba, Baidu, and JD.com are working on AI chatbots.



Only AI services offered to the general public in China would be subject to the new regulations. Services created by research institutes or designed for customers outside the United States are excluded. Additionally, the present version does not include sanctions for infractions, such as penalties of up to 100,000 yuan ($14,027).

Security Checks, Fighting Misinformation

The statement outlining China's generative AI regulations states that the state promotes the development of safe and reliable infrastructure, including chips, software, tools, processing capacity, and data sources, and fosters creative use of generative AI across all sectors. China also encourages platforms to actively participate in developing global regulations and standards for generative AI.



One of the crucial stipulations is the need for generative AI service providers to perform security checks and register their algorithms with the government if their services can mobilize or influence the public.



These new restrictions aim to stop incorrect information, foster intolerance, and breach users' privacy and basic rights. Since they must comply with the new laws and get licenses for their generative AI services, Chinese IT businesses will be greatly impacted. Conducting security audits and protecting user data will demand a significant expenditure.

Read Also: 19-Year-Old MIT Drop-Out Is Making Waves in Defense Technology



Additionally, companies must ensure that their generative AI services comply with the "core values of socialism," which may include changing their algorithms and content to reflect Beijing's philosophy, per ReadWrite.

Concerns on AI Regulation

There are worries that China's AI regulation might stifle innovation and creativity even while they aim to promote ethical AI development. The development of AI services that encourage fresh ideas or question the current quo may be hampered if adherence to the nebulous concept of "core values of socialism" is mandated.



China's approach to AI legislation echoes worldwide efforts to create standards for new technology while promoting creativity. Beijing is especially interested in finding a balance because of the tech competition between the US and China, as per a Quartz article. The significance of encouraging local research via more lenient government regulations is that US-based AI firms got five times more investment in 2022 than their Chinese counterparts.



Many nations' laws governing artificial intelligence, including the EU's AI Act, are still in flux. This presents difficulties for companies, particularly startups while developing their AI solutions. Governments may want to adopt the least restrictive laws feasible to retain creative enterprises and attract startups from overseas if stringent regulations cause entrepreneurs to migrate to nations with more hospitable environments.

Related Article: Researchers Create AI-Aided Biosensor to Improve, Speed Up Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnosis

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In collaboration with Switzerland's Astrostrom company, the European Space Agency (ESA) is envisioning a groundbreaking project called the Greater Earth Lunar Power Station (GE-LPS).

ESA tells us in a blog post that this study aims to construct solar power satellites primarily using lunar resources, including moon-manufactured solar cells, to provide renewable energy for surface activities and potential future crewed bases.

Utilizing Lunar Resources

Taking inspiration from the elegance of a butterfly, the GE-LPS features innovative V-shaped solar panels with integrated antennas arranged in a helix configuration that stretches over a square kilometer.

These advanced solar panels are based on iron pyrite monograin-layer solar cells produced right on the moon. This ingenious approach not only reduces the cost of manufacturing but also utilizes the abundance of lunar resources, making the entire system self-sufficient.

Power Generation and Location

The lunar power station, located at an Earth-moon Lagrange point around 61,350 km from the lunar surface, is designed to provide continuous power of 23 megawatts for lunar surface operations.

The station will also serve as a pivotal gateway between Earth and Moon operations, facilitating potential tourist activities and providing artificial gravity for adaptive health purposes.

This unique combination of clean energy generation and space exploration could lay the foundation for future space settlements in cislunar space.

What's the Catch?

While the concept of Space-Based Solar Power may seem futuristic, the study emphasizes that it does not require any groundbreaking technological breakthroughs.

Most of the core technologies needed for lunar surface mining, beneficiation, and fabrication are already in use or under development on Earth.

By extrapolating and adapting these technologies to the lunar environment, the production of solar power satellites on the moon becomes economically viable and environmentally friendly.

Read Also: NASA Releases Never-Before-Seen Photo of Star Birth on 1st Anniversary of James Webb Telescope

This lunar power generation system offers numerous other benefits besides addressing Earth's clean energy needs. Launching satellites from the moon significantly reduces the energy required to place them into geostationary Earth orbit compared to satellites launched from Earth itself.

This reduction in velocity change opens doors for developing a cislunar transportation system, mining facilities, processing centers, and manufacturing facilities, effectively creating a two-planet economy.

The success of this project could mark the birth of a spacefaring civilization, propelling humanity further into the cosmos.

What's Next?

The GE-LPS project represents a major step forward in the quest for sustainable energy solutions both on Earth and beyond.

ESA's SOLARIS R&D initiative plays a crucial role in confirming the feasibility of Space-Based Solar Power for terrestrial clean energy needs.

If proven successful, this visionary project could pave the way for large-scale, cost-competitive, and environmentally friendly solar power satellite production.

With ongoing advancements in space exploration and renewable energy, the possibilities for a brighter, cleaner future are within our reach.

In Other News

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched its Chandrayaan-3 mission on Friday, July 14, with the goal of landing a spacecraft at the lunar south pole.

If successful, India will become the fourth country to execute a controlled lunar landing, joining the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China.

Related Article: NASA James Webb Successor? Thin-Lensed Design to Bring More Powerful Tech with Diffractive Lenses

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

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Tesla has finally introduced credit card readers to its V4 Supercharger stations for the first time. The American automaker is taking huge strides to allow EV owners to access the charging facilities, thus giving them opportunities for state subsidies.

How Tesla Supercharger Network Thrived Throughout the Decade

Back in 2012, when Tesla announced the launch of the Supercharger network, the company initially rolled out exclusive charging services to Tesla drivers. These are free of charge. However, as its business model evolved, the carmaker began to include fees every time a person wanted to use it.

According to Electrek, all payments and charging session activations were handled through automatic processes and Tesla's mobile app at that time.

Over time, the electric vehicle landscape has changed, with Tesla's connector becoming the standard in North America. Additionally, various markets now require payment systems for charging stations.

Tesla has been hesitant to introduce payment systems, but the latest development indicates a shift in its approach.

Tesla is Going All Out With Payment Systems

As spotted on Twitter via Tesla Owners UK, the new Tesla V4 Supercharger appears to have a dedicated space for the screen. That's not the only thing you can see here since the charging station also has a contactless bank card area. This indicates that the latest change permits the inclusion of credit card readers in such a way.

Exclusive: We can reveal a new Tesla V4 Supercharger with contactless bank card area and space for a screen! Global debut at @fosgoodwood, never been shown before! Nice work @TeslaCharging / @Tesla / @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/7jIvVx1A3M  Tesla Owners UK  (@TeslaOwnersUK) July 14, 2023

This is good news not only for Tesla owners but also for non-Tesla users to embrace the use of Superchargers. With this, the company sees a more robust adoption of EVs in its entire space.

Related Article: Analysts Claim Tesla Supercharger Network is Worth Over $100 Billion: Take a Look at These Valuations

What's the Purpose of Credit Card Readers in Superchargers?

One notable advantage of credit card reader implementation is the potential for state subsidies. At first, Tesla opposed this action, but this time, it seems that the company is heading in a different direction.

Electrek also notes in its report that Tesla could potentially "walk away" from the subsidy money in California.

It quoted that:

In California, Tesla was in the running for $6 million in funding for four large Supercharger stations with 420 [nice] charge points. The California Energy Commission's Clean Transportation Program Rural Electric Vehicle Charging program was behind the funding. Now we learn that Tesla has given up on the $6 million in subsidies because it doesn't want to comply with "payment infrastructure requirements."

Indeed, adding credit card readers could pave the way for hassle-free payment within the charging stations. In the case of Tesla, this might be a way to attract more customers in the long run.

Meanwhile, data miners recently unearthed a secret feature of the Tesla iPhone app. Early leakers revealed that the next update hints at the arrival of the Apple AirPlay feature to the EVs.

Elsewhere, a Tech Times report wrote that Tesla was declared as the most searched car brand in the United States.

Read Also: Tesla Expands Supercharger Network to Other Brands' EVs in Canada

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
As extreme heatwaves spread throughout several regions of the United States, experts warn that extended exposure to high temperatures significantly impacts people's mental health.



In addition to causing physical pain and discomfort, high temperatures harm cognition, decision-making, communication, and sleep habits.

According to experts, the condition may even be connected to an upsurge in violent crime and suicide. Hence, mental health doctors encourage people to take care and get help since these effects are seen both during temperature spikes and in areas with regularly hot weather.



Dr. Joshua Morganstein, Chair of the American Psychiatric Association's Committee on the Psychiatric Dimensions of Disaster, emphasizes that high temperatures can impair cognitive functions like clear thinking, decision-making, and effective communication. He also links these effects to sleep disruption and mental health, according to ABC News.



Extreme heat also interferes with sleep; research has connected it to higher chances of violence and suicide. Dr. Beth Oller, a family physician, explains that even temperatures over 70 degrees Fahrenheit may cause diminished sensations of joy, more tension, rage, and weariness. These effects intensify when temperatures rise over 90 or 100 degrees Fahrenheit.



Dr. Morganstein stresses that extreme heat puts pre-existing mental health conditions at risk. Several mental illness drugs may disrupt the body's temperature regulation, making it more vulnerable to heat-related disorders. The American Psychiatric Association believes severe and chronic mental illness puts individuals susceptible.

Hotter Weather, Higher Suicide Rates

An alarming link has been found between increasing temperatures and suicide rates, according to 2018 research by Stanford economist Marshall Burke that was published in Nature Climate Change, cited by a Time report.

Read Also: Current Bird Flu Outbreak Can Easily Infect Humans, WHO Warns

In the US and Mexico, a 1.8F (1C) change in average temperature is connected to a 1% increase in suicides, resulting in thousands more deaths each year. Climate experts expect rising temperatures to undermine US suicide prevention and gun control measures.

Climate change's hotter days have disrupted social relationships and threatened mental health. Robin Cooper, president of the Climate Psychiatry Alliance, also serving as an associate clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco, advocates additional research into climate change's complex psychological, social, and biological repercussions. She also calls it a mental health catastrophe.

Addressing Vulnerability, Mitigation

Some persons are more vulnerable to heat's mental health impacts than others. According to research, per New York Times, heat affects women and low-income people more than males and high-income people.



As heat waves become more frequent and severe, experts suggest staying hydrated, being conscious of heat exposure, and seeking cooler locations. Promoting community and looking out for one other may reduce the mental health risks of severe heat.



Climate change-related heat-related mental health crises need an immediate response. Communities and government authorities must acknowledge the significant effects of heat on mental health and collaborate to provide practical remedies and support networks.



Related Article: Generative AI Helps Identify Potential Drug Targets for Rare Genetic Disease Cystinosis

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In case it remains unknown, the Moon was a hotspot for volcanic activity some two to four billion years ago, and this was one of the greatest mysteries on the lunar surface, with NASA Artemis now looking to study. A new instrument is currently under development, and the space agency dubbed it the DIMPLE, which stands for Dating an Irregular Mare Patch with a Lunar Explorer.

NASA Artemis Instrument, DIMPLE, to Study Moon's Volcanic Terrain

(Photo : NASA)

The Lunar Exploration is expanding, and apart from researchers and scientist astronauts heading soon to the Moon under the Artemis mission, instruments are also joining to help expand their studies. According to a recent NASA blog post, a new Artemis instrument called DIMPLE is coming soon, and its main goal is to study the Moon's ancient volcanic terrain.

More importantly, this is a continuation of the Apollo 15 mission back in 1971, as when it was in orbit, it was able to capture the Ina Irregular Mare Patch, as dubbed by researchers.

"DIMPLE will add to a growing body of knowledge about the Moon, which in turn helps us understand the origins of Earth and other planets in the solar system. Additionally, the more we understand about our closest neighbor, the more we can support long-term human exploration at the Moon, and someday, Mars," said Nicola Fox, associate administrator for science at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

The spacecraft is set to determine the age and its origins, whether it was from a recent or ancient volcanic activity.

Read Also: NASA Targets Lunar Mining Trial Within Next Decade

When is the DIMPLE Set to Launch and Start its Study?

The DIMPLE is a result of the third annual proposal call for PRISM (Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon), under the NASA initiative called CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services).

It is yet unknown when the DIMPLE would launch, with NASA only revealing that it has a $50 million cost cap and is set for delivery by 2027.

The Moon and its Many Phenomena

The most recognizable cosmic entity when looking up to the sky is the Moon, and it is one that people could look at directly without hurting their eyes, unlike the scorching star. It is also the easily explorable cosmic terrain out there which is relatively close to the Earth and a destination that astronauts and researchers have already visited repeatedly.

Many questions are still present regarding the natural satellite, especially its infamous "Far Side of the Moon," also known as the Dark Side, which remains a massive question among academics and the public.

There is also a massive train of thought about living on another surface here in the galaxy, and one of the locations that mostly pop up are the Moon and Mars, being Earth's closest neighbors, also currently being studied by researchers.

The DIMPLE would soon go on a mission to find out more about the ancient volcanoes on the Moon, especially those that have contributed a lot to what it is now, learning more about its past, as well as future ventures to it.

Related Article: Mystery Unveiled: Massive Granite Deposits on the Moon May Give Clues to Ancient Lunar Volcanoes

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
YANGON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar welcomed 69,373 international arrivals in May this year, up from 14,115 visitors registered in the same period last year, according to the figures released by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism on Saturday.

During the period, foreign arrivals to Myanmar by air accounted for 33.34 percent of the total, followed by road with 66.6 percent and sea routes with 0.05 percent, the ministry's data showed.

In 2022, a total of 233,487 international tourists visited Myanmar, the figures showed. 
A global e-sports summit has been held in China's Shenzhen, in an effort to boost the development of the industry. E-sports is set to make its debut as a medal event in the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games later this year.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
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 Communities 2019 - Privacy

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Chen Xi, president of the Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), attends a graduation ceremony for the 2023 spring semester and presents certificates to graduates on July 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (National Academy of Governance) held a graduation ceremony on Saturday for the 2023 spring semester.

Chen Xi, president of the school and academy, presented certificates to 1,367 graduates.

At the ceremony, 12 representatives of the graduates made speeches, saying that through the training, which focused on the Party's theories and the Party-wide education campaign, they have acquired stronger theoretical knowledge and an enhanced ability to perform their duties.

They pledged to continue equipping themselves with the Party's theories in their future work and achieve concrete results in forging inner strength, gaining wisdom, improving Party conduct and motivating actions through the education campaign, thus making new achievements that stand the test of history and meet the expectations of the people. 

Chen Xi, president of the Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), attends a graduation ceremony for the 2023 spring semester and presents certificates to graduates on July 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)
CHANGCHUN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The 20th Changchun International Auto Expo kicked off on Saturday in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province.

Saturday marks the 70th anniversary of China's leading automaker FAW Group Co., Ltd. The construction of the First Automotive Works, China's first automotive manufacturing plant and predecessor of FAW Group, was launched in Changchun on July 15, 1953, marking the beginning of the nation's auto industry.

The 10-day event attracted 151 brands from 125 automakers across the globe, with more than 1,300 vehicles displayed. The exhibition includes nine pavilions, including the FAW theme hall, the independent brand hall, and the new-energy hall.

The show is co-hosted by the Changchun municipal government, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the China Automobile Dealers Association, and the automotive sub-council under the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

During the auto expo, the municipal government issued a series of preferential policies for car purchases, while exhibitors also launched various promotional activities to stimulate vehicle consumption. 
Former President Donald Trump leaves the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Miami. Trump appeared in federal court Tuesday on dozens of felony charges accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents and thwarting the Justice Department's efforts to get the records back. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) ORG XMIT: FLCO218
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 Red dirt contrasts sharply with green banks of algae along the creek that trickles through the defunct Sunny Corner silver mine. The abandoned area, 37 kilometres from Bathurst, is eerie. There are hardly any animals. The plants closest to the mine are either dead or an off-grey colour. The air is still; nothing moves. And when it gets dark, the only sound you can hear are gunshots as people hunt in the nearby state forest. The Sunny Corner mine closed 100 years ago, but toxic water flows through the site, severely impacting any plants that grow. Credit: Brook Mitchell The mines surroundings are so toxic that if it were windy, wed be wearing masks. If it were raining, the sulphur in the dirt would turn to sulphuric acid, damaging our lungs. While some mining shafts have been fenced off, others havent been marked  in some cases, trail bike riders have fallen down and injured themselves. There is little to deter people from the area. While its not somewhere you would want to spend much time, the site affords an insight into a problem for governments and industry that is only growing bigger  what do you do with a mine once youre finished with it? The question is becoming increasingly important as mines and other fossil fuel-intensive projects across Australia wrap up. In the Hunter Valley alone, some 17 coal mines may close in the next 20 years. The cost of rehabilitation Coal mining has been fundamental to NSW and can be traced back to Newcastle in the 1790s. This industry is the reason that many small towns exist today. Coal quickly became Australias first commodity export, with the first shipment leaving Newcastle for India that decade.

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There is little data on how many abandoned mines exist nationwide, but estimates venture about 60,000 sites, with others putting 573 of those in NSW. Each state approaches a legacy mine differently, but in NSW, the government prioritises remediation of sites that are either a risk to public safety, that pose an environmental risk or that offer no further benefits to the industry. Its expensive work. However, weve moved a long way since the 1790s, and NSW now mines a range of minerals and metals, including gold, copper, silver, nickel, lead, zinc, cobalt, lithium and limestone. The market size of the industry, measured nationally by revenue, was $501.8 billion last year, says market research company IBISWorld. Toxic water runs from an abandoned mine shaft into nearby Daylight Creek at Sunny Corner, near Bathurst. Credit: Brook Mitchell In the centuries since NSW began mining, rehabilitation conditions have also become more onerous. They are now legally enforceable, and companies must take responsibility for all aspects of the work, even after closure. NSW Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos says mining rehabilitation requirements were made more robust in 2021. This included ensuring leaseholders undertook rehabilitation to achieve an approved final land use, and ongoing annual reporting of these efforts. We will continue to evaluate if they are fit-for-purpose, Houssos says of the requirements. We must protect local communities after the closure of the mine. I am keen to explore other opportunities for post-mine options for the land, including for alternative energy and as manufacturing and skills hubs. Rehabilitating mines, which in some cases ceased work more than 120 years ago, is challenging.

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Before mining begins, companies work with government authorities to develop comprehensive rehabilitation plans, NSW Minerals Council chief executive Stephen Galilee says. Rehabilitation of land disturbed by mining commences almost as soon as mining itself takes place. Galilee says mining companies must pay a bond that forms part of their legal obligation to rehabilitate the land. This also includes returning the land to the approved land use in line with the rehabilitation plan or development consent set out before mining begins. The sum of bonds held across the state as of November 2022 was $3.5 billion. This figure has risen steadily over the past 12 years. The bond is only returned to the company once rehabilitation has been achieved. But in 2017, the NSW Audit Office warned that the security deposit  which was then $2.2 billion  did not include sufficient contingency given the substantial risks and uncertainties associated with mine rehabilitation and closure of the states 450 mines. The system has been in place for several decades. A NSW government spokesperson said there have been instances where the rehabilitation security bonds have been utilised not, however, for a state-significant development mine site. So deadly Western Sydney University professor Ian Wright and undergraduate student Holly Nettle bend over the creek at Sunny Corner with blue surgical gloves on, taking samples and discussing the highly toxic water. Groundwater flows through the mine, collecting toxic minerals before they pool and trickle through the landscape.

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Previous tests by Wright showed the water contained arsenic that was several hundred times above the recommended guideline, copper that was close to 10,000 times, lead about 100 times and zinc about 3000 times. Its so clear but so deadly, Nettle says, holding up a small jar of the water. You think its suitable for drinking, but its not. It wasnt always like this. More than 100 years ago, Sunny Corner had a population of 5000 and was a wealthy community, mining copper and silver. For a while, the town was one of the most productive in the country. But when the price of silver crashed in 1893, it was no longer viable. For the past few decades, the site has remained untouched, except for trail bikers, hikers and scientists who have been brave enough to walk through the ruins. More than $1.2 million in remediation works were spent on the site in 2010 and 2017, a government spokesperson says. That included earthworks aiming to reduce the generation of acid mine water that discharges from underground workings. But Wright doesnt believe Sunny Corner can ever be rehabilitated. These mines operated when we didnt have planning legislation, and we didnt have that knowledge of geology and environmental science to manage and reduce that pollution, he says. We should learn from this. Ian Wright and Holly Nettle believe Sunny Corner highlights the importance of monitoring pollution and ensuring impacts on the environment are minimised. Credit: Brook Mitchell RMIT environmental engineering expert Dr Gavin Mudd says abandoned mines  those that typically closed before 1970  generally had few rehabilitation requirements. Mines that operated from the 1980s onwards had to adhere to strict regulations, which included security bonds.

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Mudd says rehabilitation is yet to occur at a major modern mine, where effects have been monitored for several decades. All modern mines that have been rehabilitated have been small, he says. Look at the scale of the mines in the Hunter Valley. If we are wrong, the scale of risk is so much bigger. We need to make sure we are funding the liability to match the scale. Otherwise, we are leaving a huge hole for the future  one that is just as big as the open-cut mines in Hunter. Loading Mudd says rehabilitation plans that work at one site may not apply to others  this makes it even more difficult to get right. There is a huge liability there, and we are not funding it properly. We need to do better. Mudd says that rather than relying on companies to fund their rehabilitation works, or relying on security bonds for the clean-up, it would be better to create a future fund established through an extension of the bond system. Australia Institute research director Rod Campbell says that while Australia has entered a new mining boom for critical minerals  which are used in renewable energy  it is yet to learn lessons from the previous boom. I dont think weve learnt from the last boom on how to tax resources, how to do royalty regimes and certainly not [how] to do clean-up, he says. Weve more or less never rehabilitated a modern mine. Campbell says one example of a modern mine undergoing rehabilitation that will prove whether governments and industry are up to the task is the Ranger uranium mine in the Northern Territory. The mine, 250 kilometres from Darwin, shut down production in January 2021, but the rehabilitation costs keep growing and are now expected to be between $1.6 billion and $2.2 billion and to stretch until 2028 due to engineering, technical risks and water treatment. Energy Resources of Australia (ERA)  a subsidiary of mining giant Rio Tinto, which owns the mine  is meant to be finished rehabilitation in 2026 and off the site as required by its legislated conditions.

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Through his spokesman, former Coalition government health minister Greg Hunt defended his administration of the medical research fund, and said 91 per cent of project grants were peer-reviewed and awarded after a competitive process. All departmental funding recommendations were followed, he said. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said on Saturday medical research should be above politics. Greg Hunt in May 2022 in his then role as federal health minister. Credit: Nine News The reports in the Nine newspapers are concerning, he said. Last month, I announced a consultation on the future of medical research funding in Australia, including the governance and administration of the Medical Research Future Fund. That consultation process closed this week.

Among the options canvassed under the review are moving the funds management from the health department and under the independent National Health and Medical Research Council. Loading That potential move was backed by the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes, the Australian Academy of Science, and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences on Saturday. Its a hands-off approach, based on expert peer review, Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes chief executive Dr Saraid Billiards said. Billiards said a committee of government officials and health experts could set priorities for the fund, and any funding allocated would be at arms length.

In its submission to the review of the fund, the Academy of Science said a revised model would ensure transparency for grant decisions under both funds. The NHMRC [National Health and Medical Research Council] governance model will address gaps in independence, transparency, risk management and accountability in the MRFF as currently structured, the Academy of Science submission says. Australian Society for Medical Research president Emily Colvin said it was imperative funding for future MRFF projects was made based on the health and medical research needs, and not targeted towards the needs of a particular electorate or granted at the behest of lobbyists. [The society] strongly believes that the success of the fund requires transparent governance free from political interference, she said.

Health Minister Mark Butler. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Professor Eric Morand, the dean of clinical and molecular medicine at Monash University, said the medical research sector had a strong belief it was being cooked at the back end  some with evidence, some with suspicion. It just never looked right. Grants would come out that were written for one person to apply for. And money was being pissed away, Morand said. Independent senator David Pocock said the MRFF must be operated with integrity. The MRFF is more than twice the size of the proposed Housing Australia Future Fund, he said.

Communities across the country ... are desperate for more investment in health and research infrastructure, so lets make sure funds are being spent based on theirs needs, not the electoral wants of the major parties. The health department said most MRFF funding was now offered on a competitive basis. Monash Universitys Eric Morand says the allocation of funding grants never looked right. Credit: Luis Ascui Since 2020, with the exception of some urgent COVID-19 priority investments, the MRFF has exclusively utilised competitive processes, a department spokesman said. To date, it has funded 1100 grants worth $2.7 billion, of which 92 per cent 1010 grants  have been awarded through competitive processes.

Loading But Ryan said that was a mirage. Calls for funding would be put out, and my PhD students would say, Should I put in application in? And youd say, No, thats clearly for Michael or Pauline, she said. You could tell from the calls for grants exactly who they were meant for. Its a great shame. Much MRFF funding goes through huge research missions that target diseases such as brain cancer or dementia.

Morand said targeted funding wasnt useful given Australia was a small scientific player globally. The idea Australia will solve one disease because we throw a huge amount of money at it, the world just does not work that way, he said. Instead, he said, the MRFF should prioritise the best research so that Australian researchers can have an impact globally. Government ministers shouldnt pick what research is done, other than in cases of clear national need. Theres no point the minister saying, Were all going to study Parkinsons [disease]. The world is going to solve these problems together. The federal opposition has been contacted for comment.
A violent criminal who has allegedly pulled handguns on his victims may be holed up in Brisbanes north and using the help of friends to evade capture by increasingly desperate detectives.

Police on Saturday called for the publics help to nab 32-year-old Bernard John Matthews, who would be known to some by the nickname Couchy (sometimes be pronounced Coochee).

Senior Sergeant Ken Rogers said Matthews often frequented Nundah, Northgate, Virginia and Banyo  and may be in the Nundah area as we speak.

We consider Matthews to be armed and dangerous, he said. We believe hes in possession of a loaded handgun, and has a propensity to use that handgun.
A growing number of young people are suffering from insomnia prompted by coronavirus lockdowns and are experiencing significant workplace productivity losses, studies show.

About one in five participants in a new study of more than 550 22-year-olds has a sleep disorder, most commonly insomnia, due to the lingering effects of the pandemic, a report in the Medical Journal of Australia says.

Sleep disorders physician Dr Marcus McMahon says young people are often less inclined to seek medical help. Credit: Wayne Taylor

And the researchers, from Flinders University, found workplace productivity losses are up to 40 per cent greater among those with a clinical sleep disorder than among people with no sleep disorders.

Unfortunately, the pandemic is the gift that keeps on giving, and it has set up this perpetual cycle of ongoing sleep difficulties, said specialist sleep physician Dr David Cunnington, who sits on the board of the Australasian Sleep Association.
The other thing that sets Morris apart from his peers is that hes bypassed the traditional route to a filmmaking career  film school, a few shorts, maybe a video clip or two, countless applications to film funding bodies  and jumped straight into a feature film, which he penned himself. The current model is that you spend three or four or five years raising money, then you shoot the film, then you spend another four or five years raising money for the next one. Its really hard to get good at something when you do it every five years, says Morris. Adam Morris and his cast shooting on top of Bluff Knoll in the Stirling Ranges. So our model is to keep the budgets really low and focus on the script and the actors. Just keep it simple. So after three or four years of doing this we might get good at it and gradually take it to the next level in terms of style and scale. Our next one is a heist movie. While Morris first two films are similarly modest in scope  both are sophisticated dialogue-driven relationship dramas centred on a character facing a crisis and grappling with a big decision  Frank and Frank is a considerable leap forward in terms of the elegance of the writing, the use of Albany locations and the depth and subtlety of the performances.

It stars Myles Pollard as a deeply troubled Christian finance guru named Frank who has come to Albany to deliver a TED talk. In the days leading up to his lecture Frank forges a friendship with another Frank (Trevor Jamieson), a laid-back local artist who lives in a caravan and who each morning says goodbye to his latest conquest. Adam Morris shooting close to home in Albany. As the men get closer, Pollards Frank begins to open up about his crumbling marriage and, in one startling sequences, walks Jamiesons Frank through his wonderfully well-thought-out plan to murder his wife, who is back in Perth making preparations for the permanent split. Edward and Isabella, which was also unveiled at Revelation, stirred enough interest in Albany locals that they were happy to chip in for the greater cost of Frank and Frank, with a bookshop, an arts and culture magazine, a restaurant, a radio station and a hotel donating $70,000 to enable Morris to forge ahead without having to resort to the harrowing, often humiliating process of going cap-in-hand to government. The healthy budget also enabled Morris to secure the services of two highly skilled in-demand professional actors, which is essential if you are making a movie centred on two characters talking for the entire running time.

You really shouldnt have access to actors of that calibre for your second independent feature, says Morris, who has teamed with former Paramount Pictures rep Ian Hale. Since stepping away from his studio job, Hale has built The Backlot into an iconic Western Australian film hub and is now putting his weight behind local micro-budget movies. He is also distributing Morris movies through his company Halo. Ian has so much experience in the industry that I can show him a script and he immediately says that Myles and Trevor would be perfect for the roles and be able to ring them up. He has been indispensable in moving my filmmaking career forward. While Morris first creative endeavours were music and literature (he has written two novels) film was his first love. He spent his teenage years roaming the world of cinema, absorbing the work of English-language masters such as Alfred Hitchcock and Francis Ford Coppola and the classics of European art-house cinema, from whom he clearly learned how to hook an audience with the simplest of means.
Young, female, new to party politics and the child of migrants, Nicole Werner is not your average Liberal candidate.

Three years after she Googled how to join the Victorian Liberal Party, the daughter of Chinese-Malaysian migrants is on the cusp of becoming a member of Victorias parliament.

With Labor yet to decide whether to contest, Nicole Werner is the frontrunner to win the Warrandyte byelection. Credit: Penny Stephens

The 32-year-old charity worker and mature-aged student wasnt involved in university politics and only joined the Liberal Party in 2020, triggered by frustration over COVID-19 lockdowns.

With Labor yet to decide whether to field a candidate in next months byelection, Werner is the frontrunner to win the seat and become the first female MP from an Asian background to represent the Liberal Party in state parliament.
HONG KONG, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of the Legislative Council (LegCo) of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) began a five-day visit to east China's Fujian Province on Saturday to learn about the latest development of the coastal region's high-quality industries.

President of the HKSAR LegCo Andrew Leung, who is leading the delegation, told the press that the LegCo is once again conducting a visit to the Chinese mainland after a trip by all LegCo members to mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in April, fully demonstrating the LegCo's emphasis on promoting communication and cooperation with various provincial-level regions and cities in the mainland.

Hong Kong is the largest source of foreign investment and a major export market for Fujian, which perfectly reflects Hong Kong's unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under "one country, two systems," Leung said.

The delegation will tour two cities of Fuzhou and Xiamen, and also visit key facilities and projects related to local history and culture, finance and trade, shipping and logistics, innovation and technology, as well as communications, to understand the latest developments of high-quality industries in the region and explore ways to deepen cooperation between Hong Kong and Fujian in various fields. 
Milly McMurray applied for an aged two-bedroom flat in Coburg North. Theyd been accepted, paid the rent and bond, and thought there would be no harm in asking a question.

I understand that there isnt a heater that meets minimum standards at the property and that there will be a split system put in, they emailed. Im wondering what the timeline of this maintenance is? Can I expect there to be a heater by the time I move in?

Milly McMurray was approved for a new rental property, until asking about the heater. Credit: Justin McManus

After the property manager insisted the heater was up to standard, which the previous tenant, McMurrays friend, had informed them it wasnt. McMurray disclosed they had a chronic health condition, exacerbated by the cold.

In reply, the property manager said the landlord was backing out of the lease because shed found someone to sell the property to. The lease was terminated before it began.
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
A migrant kid cries at Skala Sikaminias, on the island of Lesvos, Greece, on March 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

UNICEF estimates that since 2018, around 1,500 children have died or gone missing at sea every week along the central Mediterranean route to Europe.



ROME, July 15 (Xinhua) -- So far this year, around 11 children have died or been lost at sea every week while trying to cross the central Mediterranean route to Europe, according to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

UNICEF estimates in its latest data that since 2018, around 1,500 children have died or gone missing during the perilous journey.

These figures don't include the situations where vessels were lost at sea with no survivors or leaving behind no records, meaning the actual numbers are probably much higher.

A boat with refugees and migrants arrives at Skala Sikaminias, on the Greek island of Lesbos, Greece, Feb. 29, 2020. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

"In an attempt to find safety, reunite with families, and seek a more hopeful future, too many children are boarding boats on the shores of the Mediterranean and end up losing their lives or going missing," Catherine Russell, UNICEF's executive director, said in a statement.

Italy is the main European landing place for migrants seeking to gain refugee status in Europe. The numbers have been rising, the UNICEF said, noting that around 11,600 migrant children -- many of them traveling alone -- have landed on Italy's shores so far this year, around twice as many as during the first half of 2022.

A woman hugs a child after arriving at Skala Sikaminias, on the Greek island of Lesbos, Greece, Feb. 29, 2020. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

According to data from Italy's Ministry of the Interior, more than 73,000 migrants landed in Italy by sea during the first 12 days of July, compared to just over 31,000 over the same period last year and more than the total number of arrivals in Italy during all of 2021 when the number of arrivals declined due to fears of the coronavirus pandemic.
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

Rain showers early, then clear overnight. Low 58F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Rain showers early, then clear overnight. Low 58F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
ACCRA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank Group has pledged to support Ghana to prevent a dire energy crisis that could hamstring the economy.

Anna Bjerde, the World Bank Group's managing director for Operations, made this pledge at a press briefing held Friday in Accra, the capital of Ghana, to throw light on her four-day working visit to Ghana.

She stressed that part of her discussions with the Ghanaian government was over the challenges in the energy sector. "There has been deterioration in the performance of the energy sector over the past few years (in Ghana), particularly in the financial performance, and we are trying to help to prevent interruptions in energy supply," Bjerde said.

She said the most pressing issue in Ghana's energy sector is cost recovery due to weak revenue mobilization, adding that the World Bank support would help improve metering, billing, and revenue collection to pay for power generation.

"These problems are not unique to Ghana but need prompt action. It would cost the state more to keep the energy sector running when they need to spend money on other things if the level of financial losses is left unattended to," Bjerde said. "Economic growth will be impacted, not to mention the impact on the population whether in schools, hospitals. The energy sector needs an emergency action plan to correct the situation, which the government is working on, and we are supporting it."

She also said the World Bank Group would provide technical and financial assistance to the energy sector to ensure that the metering and billing systems are efficient and collection is robust to boost revenue to pay for power generation.

Ghana suffered a crippling power crisis between 2013 and 2015, prompting the government to invest heavily in expanding power generation. Most of the investment, however, was in partnership with independent power producers (IPPs), which means the country must ensure regular revenue flow from consumers to pay the IPPs.

According to Ghana's Finance Ministry, the country currently owes the IPPs about 1.7 billion U.S. dollars, with constant threats of shutting down, while the government has been negotiating a restructuring plan for the debt. 
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa (2nd R, front) cuts the ribbon to commission the new Chinese-funded expanded terminal at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, Zimbabwe, July 14, 2023. Mnangagwa said the airport has brought positive effects to the country's economy, "including skills and technology transfer, as well as the creation of employment and empowerment opportunities."

The project, expected to increase the airport's holding capacity to 6 million people per annum from 2.5 million when all is accomplished, consists of an international terminal building and aprons, four new bridges, a secondary radar system, a VVIP pavilion and an airfield ground lighting and communication system, among other things. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)

HARARE, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday commissioned the new Chinese-funded expanded terminal at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, the main gateway to the southern African country.

Starting in 2018, the expansion project was done by China Jiangsu International with funding from the Export-Import Bank of China.

The project, expected to increase the airport's holding capacity to 6 million people per annum from 2.5 million when all is accomplished, consists of an international terminal building and aprons, four new bridges, a secondary radar system, a VVIP pavilion and an airfield ground lighting and communication system, among other things.

The commissioning ceremony was also attended by senior government officials, the Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding and other foreign diplomats.

Speaking at the event, Mnangagwa said the modernized facility is magnificent and now meets international standards.

Mnangagwa said the airport has brought positive effects to the country's economy, "including skills and technology transfer, as well as the creation of employment and empowerment opportunities."

Taking pride in the achievements that China and Zimbabwe have worked together to accomplish, Zhou said that bilateral relations have continued to deliver tangible results, and that the airport project "is another testimony to our fruitful cooperation and another monument of friendship." 
6 German Tourists Arrested for Suspected Rape of German Teen in Hotel on Spanish Island of Mallorca

BARCELONA, SpainSpanish police have arrested six German tourists for allegedly raping an 18-year-old German woman on Spains Mallorca island, authorities said Friday.

Police on the Mediterranean island said the alleged gang rape occurred in a hotel room in the popular tourist spot of Playa de Palma early Thursday. Five were arrested within hours and a sixth, who initially fled the scene, was arrested later in the day.

The six detainees are tourists ages 20 and 21. They are being held at police facilities and are expected to testify before a judge Saturday. The woman was also on vacation.

According to the womans statement to police, the gang rape occurred around 3:40 a.m. Thursday.

On Wednesday evening, the woman, along with a group of friends, visited the Playa de Palma boulevard, a popular spot for young German tourists in Mallorca. There she met one of the detained and after drinking, went to his hotel room where there were five other men drinking.

The victim said she tried to leave the room but was prevented from doing so by the occupants, according to her statement to police.

She was then allegedly raped by several of the detainees, the statement said.

The woman managed to flee the room and alerted the receptionist, who called the police.

Five of the arrested were at the hotel when police arrived.

Gang rape is considered an aggravating factor that can carry sentences of up to 15 years of prison in Spain. Several cases of gang rape in recent years have shocked the country.

By David Brunat
AAA Becomes Latest Insurer Limiting Coverage in Florida

An abandoned, storm-smashed sailboat dumped outside a ship salvage yard on San Carlos Island near Ft. Myers Beach, Fla., in February 2023, five months after Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida. (John Haughey/The Epoch Times)

The American Automobile Association (AAA) said that it will not be renewing home insurance policies for a small number of its Florida customers due to increased risk associated with extreme weather events as well as insurance fraud and abuse.

A spokesperson for AAA told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that its Florida-based business has made the difficult decision to not renew a very small percentage of higher exposure homeowners policies in light of the impact of last years disastrous hurricane season.

Evaluating risk and exposure management is a common part of the insurance industry, the spokesperson said. The catastrophic 2022 hurricane season drastically raised operational costs for providers.

Wreckage remains on the mainland side of the Matlacha Pass Bridge to Pine Island five months after Category 4 Hurricane Ian ripped through Southwest Florida. (John Haughey/The Epoch Times)

Frivolous Litigation and Fraud

Severe weather events in Floridawhich is the most vulnerable state to hurricaneshave contributed to rising property insurance rates, with Florida having the most expensive home insurance policies on average in the country, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

But another key problem is that hurricane insurance fraud and abuse have made Floridas homeowner insurance market less profitable.

This is a man-made catastrophe, Logan McFaddin, vice president of state government relations at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), told Yahoo Finance. Its not just the weather. Its frivolous litigation and fraud.

Several legal quirks in Florida, such as one-way attorney fees and the ability of policyholders to assign benefits to a third party that could sue on the policyholders behalf, have meant that the states insurance costs are much higher than other disaster-prone areas.

Floridas property insurance market has been chaotic since 2007, when bad public policy forced insurers to flee Florida, Jeremy Redfern, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantiss press secretary, told Yahoo Finance. Since 2007, the main cost driver has been excessive litigation.

Mr. DeSantis has called several special sessions and signed numerous pieces of legislation over the past four years to improve the property insurance landscape, according to Mr. Redfern.

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown in Philadelphia on June 30, 2023. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Recent legislative moves to eliminate one-way attorney fees have sought to address at least part of the problem.

Mr. DeSantis recently signed into law House Bill 837, which sought to tackle some legal system abuse costs.

By eliminating one-way attorney fees and fee multipliers for all lines of insurance, modernizing Floridas bad faith law, and protecting small businesses from paying exorbitant damages, the reforms enacted will help restore fairness to Floridas legal system, reduce the excessive number of frivolous lawsuits being filed, and ultimately help benefit consumers by increasing the availability and affordability of insurance over time, APCIA said in a statement, praising the legislative reforms.

But while the legislation has been praised as key to attracting insurers back to Florida and lower costs for consumers, there are likely to be legal challenges ahead for years to come and so it could be some time before a positive impact is felt.

Insurer Exodus

Mark Friedlander, a spokesperson for Insurance Information Institute, told CNN that over the past year and a half, about 15 home insurers operating in Florida have stopped writing new business, and four have said they would voluntarily withdraw from the state. Another seven were declared insolvent, he added.

Currently, there are 18 Florida residential insurers on the state regulators watch list due to concerns over their financial health, Mr. Friedlander said.

But unlike some insurance companies, AAAs Florida-based insurance provider is not leaving the state.

In fact, we seek to continue growing our insurance business in Florida, the spokesperson told The Epoch Times. While other providers have either left the state or stopped writing new business; we continue writing new home and auto insurance policies.

As for the very small percentage of non-renewals for home insurance policies, the spokesperson said that AAA agents are ready to help those affected find different providers.

We acknowledge that this is a difficult time for those affected and encourage those affected to work with their AAA insurance agent, who can help identify alternate coverage, the spokesperson said.

This is a decision we do not take lightly, yet its an effort to ensure were in the best position to support the large majority of our policyholders this hurricane season, the spokesperson added.

AAAs decision to not to renew some policies comes on the heels of another major provider saying it will stop offering policies in Florida.

Farmers Insurance Pulls Out of Florida

Farmers Insurance said it will stop offering its policies in Florida, including for home and car insurance.

The company said it made the decision to manage its exposure to risk in Florida, which is especially prone to hurricanes and tropical storms.

The move will force tens of thousands of people to switch to a different insurance company.

A Farmers Insurance spokesperson said on July 12, Affected customers will receive notifications detailing when their coverage will end and will be advised of options for replacement coverage.

The company added that it was a business decision that is necessary to effectively manage risk exposure.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
Absolutely Horrific: US Doctors Group Comes Out Against CCPs Forced Organ Harvesting

Dr. Richard Amerling, former president of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, in Kissimmee, Fla., on Oct. 17, 2022. (York Du/The Epoch Times)

A U.S. doctors group is taking a stance on the Chinese regimes industrial-scale murder of prisoners of conscience for their organs, urging U.S. authorities and doctors to do what they can to stop enabling the abuse.

Overwhelming evidence indicates that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been incarcerating and committing forced organ harvesting on religious, ethnic, and other minorities in China, according to a statement released by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons earlier this month.

The group also called on the U.S. government and American physicians to stop training or educating medical professionals from Chinaor any other totalitarian regimein skills that could be used to commit the abuse.

We unequivocally condemn it. Its absolutely barbaric, inhumane, unethical. Theres no way to justify this at all, Dr. Richard Amerling, the associations former president and current board member, told The Epoch Times. You cannot forcibly take someones organs; thats the grossest violation of bodily autonomy that could exist.

They essentially execute a living person by removing their hearttheyre still technically alive, theyre not brain dead. It is absolutely horrific.

In 2019, the China Tribunal, an independent expert panel, concluded that the Chinese regime has been committing forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience for years, and on a substantial scale.

The tribunal also concluded that imprisoned adherents of Falun Gonga spiritual practice systematically persecuted by the regime for more than two decadesare the principal source. Uyghurs and other persecuted minorities in northwest China are also at risk, along with Tibetans and House Christians, experts have said.

Falun Gong practitioners raise awareness about the persecution of their spiritual practice by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in China, outside the U.N. building in New York, on Sept. 24, 2022. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Allegations that the communist regime was killing Falun Gong practitioners to sell their organs for transplant first emerged in 2006. Since then, numerous investigations have confirmed grisly details of this atrocity.

Its tough to confront this evil, Dr. Amerling said. I think people shy away from looking at things like this. And if you dont look at it, and you just put it buried under the sand, pretend that it doesnt exist, lifes easier in many ways.

But once you recognize that this is going on, it demands a response. This is too barbaric. A civilized country cannot allow this to go on without some sort of statement.

Dr. Amerling, a nephrologist for more than 30 years, believes that forced organ harvesting needs to be condemned forcefully by the medical establishment in this country.

Its absolutely gut-wrenching and horrifying to think this is going on, that people abuse medical knowledge to perform such evil acts, he said.

Dr. Amerling believes that medical societies have the duty to push back against such abuses by publicizing them and by shunning Chinese personnel from U.S. medical educational circles.

Why are we training these doctors? Why are we educating them? Why are we allowing them to participate in American medicine in any way? he asked. They should be blocked from any participation in the American medical system, period. They should not be trained in our hospitals. They should not be allowed to present papers at our conferences. They should not be allowed to publish articles in American journalism.

Penalizing these doctors and barring their entry to the United States would send a message to the government that were aware of what theyre up to, according to Dr. Amerling.

One nonprofit transplantation organization is already doing that. The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, the worlds largest organization dedicated to researching end-stage heart and lung disease, stated in 2022 that itll no longer accept research papers involving either organs or tissue from human donors in the Peoples Republic of China because of the body of evidence of the regimes systematic forced organ harvesting from nonconsenting donors.

Call for US Action

Organ harvesting is a lucrative business for the CCP. During a 2021 hearing before the European Parliaments Subcommittee on Human Rights, Geoffrey Nice, who chaired the China Tribunal, said the Chinese regime could obtain up to $500,000 from each victims body.

Experts have estimated that 60,000 to 100,000 transplants take place in China every year, far exceeding the regimes official figure of 10,000. Organs for those additional transplants are predominantly sourced from prisoners of conscience, they said.

Falun Gong practitioners take part in a parade in Flushing, New York, on April 18, 2021, to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the April 25 peaceful appeal of 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners in Beijing. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Dr. Amerling called upon the U.S. government to harness its commanding position through its control of U.S. banks to help put an end to organ harvesting.

He believes that banning the U.S. training of Chinese physicians should be a national policy. But challenges remain because of the CCPs influence over U.S. institutions through donations and grants that have effectively bought their silence, according to advocates. The Chinese regime has donated more than $3 billion to universities over the past three decades, and experts believe thats only the tip of the iceberg.

Recently, U.S. lawmakers have ramped up efforts to counter forced organ harvesting in China.

In June, Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) introduced the Falun Gong Protection Act (H.R.4132). The bill aims to impose sanctions on individuals who are complicit with forced organ harvesting in China and bar them from entering the United States. It would also make it a U.S. policy to avoid cooperation with communist China in the organ transplantation field and to coordinate efforts with allies and multilateral institutions to sanction the regime.

Also in June, Texas signed into law a bipartisan bill that makes it illegal for health insurance providers to fund organ transplants that use organs originating from China or any other country thats known to be involved in forced organ harvesting.

In March, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act to sanction anyone complicit in such practices.

Dr. Amerling welcomed these legislative responses and hoped that others will join his organization in taking a position.

Words have an impact. We cant let the Chinese get a pass, he said.
American Airlines and JetBlue Will End Their Partnership Next Week After Losing Antitrust Case

A JetBlue Airbus A320 taxis to a gate after landing, as an American Airlines jet is seen parked at its gate at Tampa International Airport in Tampa, Fla., on Oct. 26, 2016. (Chris O'Meara/AP Photo)

NEW YORKAmerican Airlines and JetBlue Airways will end their partnership in the Northeast next week, after a judge ruled that the deal violates antitrust law.

JetBlue said Friday that it will end codesharingthe practice of selling seats on each others flightsand reciprocal frequent-flyer benefits on July 21.

Customers who already bought a ticket through the partnership will have until that date to add their frequent-flyer number to the booking to get points in their account, the airline said.

A federal judge in Boston ruled in May that the airlines must disband their agreement, called the Northeast Alliance. The Justice Department sued to kill the deal, which began in early 2021 and is focused on flights in New York and Boston, saying it would limit competition and hurt consumers by driving up prices.

American plans to appeal the ruling, but JetBlue announced last week that it would not appeal and would instead turn its focus to saving its proposed $3.8 billion purchase of Spirit Airlines. The Justice Department has also sued to block that deal, and a trial is scheduled for October.
ANALYSIS: The Key to ESG: Controlling the Shareholder Vote

Congressional committee holds 3 days of hearings on the firms that vote the shares you own

At the same talk where BlackRock CEO Larry Fink told his audience that his firm was forcing behaviors on companies, he also divulged a key lever used by the progressive movement to control corporations: proxy voting.

The term proxy voting refers to the practice of fund managers using the corporate shares they own to vote on behalf of investors, influencing company activities and strategies. With the rise of mutual funds, pension funds, and index funds, more than three-quarters of all stocks in the United States today are held not by individual investors but by a short list of very large asset management firms.

Mr. Fink said at a 2017 New York Times conference: [Index fund managers] are the ultimate long-term holder; we have to own all the companies that are in an index.

If youre an active manager and you dont like a company, you can sell it. I cant sell. I have only one power, and Im going to use that power heavily. And thats the power of the vote.

BlackRock, the worlds largest asset manager, has more than $8 trillion in assets under management. Vanguard, the second largest, has more than $7 trillion under management. State Street has about $3.5 trillion under management.

At the same time, two proxy agent companies, International Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis, have arisen to advise fund managers on how to vote on numerous shareholder proposals. Critics argue that fund managers and proxy agents now have undue influence over shareholder votes and that they have used that power to successfully push a left-wing agenda known as the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) movement on companies.

Congressional Hearings on ESG

In a series of Congressional Financial Services Committee hearings this week, Republican representatives hammered the ESG industry for manipulating free markets for political goals, while Democrat representatives accused the GOP of racism, climate denial, and Trotskyism.

I support shareholder democracy, but it should be their say and not external third parties who exploit the existing process to impose their own social and political beliefs onto American public companies, Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) said at the July 12 hearing.

We must address the burdensome climate reporting and other requirements imposed by the Biden administration Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC has proposed a 500-page climate disclosure rule that would replace voluntary sustainability reports with mandatory disclosures, and the question of materiality is really thrown out the window.

The SEC is not a climate regulator, nor has Congress authorized it to mandate environmental policy via the disclosure regime.

Democrat lawmakers, however, were united in their view that the hearings on ESG shouldnt have been held in the first place.

Today is the first of six areas 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, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) said.

For over 100 years, the followers of Leon Trotsky and the Socialist Workers Party have waged war against this capitalist model, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) said. Today, elements of the Republican Party join them in that effort. Ronald Reagan would be ashamed.

How Proxy Voting Works

The hearings focused on how to address the role of proxy agents and how to deal with efforts by financial regulators under the Biden administration to impose extensive climate reporting rules on all listed companies. New regulations by the SEC would require companies to produce audited reports on their CO2 emissions and those of their suppliers and customers.

Coupled with the recent politicization of the SEC, proxy advisory firms have seized immense power to shift policy  to promote a liberal social and political agenda, Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) said. The proxy process is broken; it no longer promotes long-term shareholder value and operates without transparency or accountability.

The proxy process begins with shareholder proposals, for which the SEC acts as a gatekeeper, determining which proposals can proceed to a shareholder vote and which cannot. Under President Joe Biden in 2021, the SEC shifted its policy to make it easier for ESG proposals to be put to a vote.

The SECs new position is that corporate annual meetings must permit the smallest of shareholders to force shareholder votes on any social or policy concerns whether or not it is material to the companys business, James Copland, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, told committee members. This change in policy has predictably led to a significant increase in socially oriented shareholder activism.

In 2022, the first year after the SECs new guidance, the number of shareholder proposals faced by the large companies tracked in our proxy monitor database jumped 33 percent over the prior three-year average. To date in 2023, with approximately 10 percent of companies yet to file a proxy statement, companies have already seen a record number of shareholder proposals.

Jonathan Berry, a partner at law firm Boyden Gray, testified at the July 13 hearing that the SEC has shown a bias toward green-lighting pro-ESG proposals while rejecting anti-ESG proposals.

Environmental and social proposals now represent a majority of all proposals in Russell 3000 companies, 58 percent of proposals in 2022, he said. This last proxy season, my client, the National Center [for Public Policy Research], took a shareholder proposal that the SEC had blessed on a discrimination issue and substituted the terms viewpoint and ideology for the prior proposals terms sexual orientation and gender identity.

But the SEC said that my clients proposal could be struck off the ballot, that viewpoint discrimination in the workplace was not a significant social policy question.

National Association of Manufacturers Vice President Christopher Netram said that in recent years, third parties have hijacked the proxy process.

Activists use the proxy ballot to advance political and social agendas, he said.

Proxy firms dictate corporate governance decisions, and the SEC is empowering these groups while also proposing ESG disclosure mandates of its own. Turning the proxy ballot into a debate club diverts time and resources away from shareholder value creation and forces companies to wade into controversial topics over which they have no control.

Examples of companies wading into controversial topics include Disneys fight in 2022 against parental rights laws in Florida, Coca-Colas fight in 2021 against voter I.D. laws in Georgia, and AnheuserBuschs and Targets recent attachment of their brands to the transgender movement. In many cases, venturing into politics proved harmful to brand perception, reduced sales, or caused a substantial decline in the companys stock price, all to the detriment of end investors.

Those who support ESG say its merely a means of getting important information to investors and that the SECs green accounting mandate and permissive approach toward ESG shareholder proposals is simply the free market at work.

Investors need to know how companies are addressing climate risk, how they pay their employees, how diverse their workforce is, and more investors want this information, because its good for the performance of their investments, which is also good for society, Ms. Waters said. Rest assured that committed Democrats will continue to thwart this anti-capitalist, anti-investor, anti-business and anti-American effort.

But ESG critics say theres more to it than that.

ESG efforts are not primarily about providing information, Scott Shepard, director at the National Center for Public Policy Research, told The Epoch Times. Theyre about forcing companies to adopt political-schedule decarbonization, equity-based discrimination, and hard-left positions on social policy.

According to Will Hild, executive director of Consumers Research, much of the information that comes from environmental or racial audits that companies are compelled to produce will not be used to increase shareholder value but rather to give far-left activists a cudgel to use against these companies via lawsuits, negative publicity campaigns, and additional shareholder proposals.

The Proxy Agent Duopoly

ISS and Glass Lewis hold a duopoly in the proxy agency market, together representing more than 90 percent of it.

Both earlier and recent regulatory actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission have created a duopoly in the market for proxy advisory services and powerful incentives for firms and funds to retain proxy advisers and to adopt their recommendations often on an automatic basis, Benjamin Zycher, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, told lawmakers.

The advisers themselves have weak incentives to consider the fiduciary interests of shareholders and fund participants, thus freeing them to indulge their own political preferences and little or no cost to themselves. Unsurprisingly, environmental social and governments political objectives have come to influence proxy advice heavily.

Steven Friedman, ISS general counsel, testified that ISS is a registered investment adviser that provides institutional investors with objective, timely and expert proxy research and vote recommendations based on the proxy voting policies selected by the clients.

ISS and other proxy advisers play an important but narrow role in the proxy voting process, Mr. Friedman said. Its the client who creates and selects the voting policy guidelines that reflect their own fiduciary obligations and investments strategies.

A 2018 report by the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance states: Proxy advisory firms have significant influence over the voting decisions of institutional investors and the governance choices of publicly traded companies. However, it is not clear that the recommendations of these firms are correct and generally lead to better outcomes for companies and their shareholders.

According to this report, ISS and Glass Lewis are able to swing between 10 percent and 30 percent of shareholder votes in line with their recommendations.

A 2018 report by the American Council for Capital Formation states that 175 asset managers, with more than $5 trillion in assets under management, followed the advice of ISS more than 95 percent of the time.

A July 12 Wall Street Journal article states that both ISS and Glass Lewis supported an audit of the employment practices of Starbucks this year, which shareholders passed with a 52 percent majority, and that the duopoly backed a racial equity audit at McDonalds that passed with 55 percent support.

Policy recommendations included breaking up the proxy adviser duopoly and passing laws to check the administrative overreach of financial regulators such as the SEC.

One thing they should do is look at why its a duopoly in the first place, Mr. Hild said. Generally speaking, we dont allow that in any major industries and certainly not something as big and important as the proxy advising services.

Mr. Zycher said Congress should focus not on the Big Three asset managers, but rather on reforming the SEC regulatory framework.

I urge Congress to enact legislation constraining the efforts of regulatory agencies to pursue climate policies not authorized in the law, uninformed by actual evidence and justified on the basis of fundamentally dishonest benefit-cost analysis, he said.

Such regulatory efforts continue to engender vast costs and no benefits.
Armed Suspect Arrested Near Obamas Residence Indicted on 6 Counts

Signage is seen at the United States Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, on Aug. 29, 2020. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

A native of Washington state, who was arrested near the residence of former U.S. President Barrack Obama with hundreds of rounds of ammunition last month, has been indicted on six counts of firearms charges and involvement in the 2021 U.S. Capitol breach.

A grand jury in the District Court for the District of Columbia indicted Taylor Taranto, a 37-year-old native of Pasco, Washington, for allegedly carrying a firearm without a license and unlawfully possessing a large-capacity ammunition feeding device.

Mr. Taranto was also charged with four misdemeanors related to his involvement in the U.S. Capitol breach that occurred on Jan. 6, 2021, according to court documents made public on July 14.

He was arrested in the Kalorama neighborhood of Washington on June 29, 2023. During his arrest, law enforcement officers searched his vehicle and discovered two firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Court documents alleged that Mr. Taranto had made several concerning statements regarding the residences in the area and expressed desires to commit acts of violence against a federal facility before his arrest.

Mr. Taranto was also accused of participating in the Capitol breach on Jan. 6, 2021, when supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed into the Capitol.

Among the evidence pointing to his alleged involvement in the Capitol breach is a video posted online, where he can be heard saying, So, were in the Capitol building  legislative building  we just stormed it.

The video was accompanied by a caption that read, This is me stormin the capitol lol. Im only sharing this so someone will report me to the feds and we can get this party rolling!

Protesters clash with police at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)

According to the court records, Mr. Taranto allegedly entered the Capitol building and moved through multiple areas of the building, including into the Rotunda and through Statuary Hall toward the House chamber.

The documents indicate the presence of video evidence that captures him standing at the entrance to the Speakers Lobbyan area behind the House chamber where Congresspeople were evacuating from the House chamber to a safe location.

A mob of people, including Taranto, was directed to leave the building. Video from the incident shows multiple rioters aggressively yelling, pushing, and refusing officers directives to leave, the court stated.

At the brink of the exit, Taranto and multiple other rioters, including a male identified as David Walls-Kaufman (who has been convicted and sentenced for his conduct on January 6, 2021), scuffled with police officers, it added.

Mr. Taranto was a U.S. Navy veteran and a webmaster for the Republican Party in Franklin County, Washington, according to the Tri-City Herald newspaper. He told the newspaper in an interview last year that he was volunteering for the Republican Party.

More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. Over 600 of them have pleaded guilty, while 100 others have been convicted after trials decided by judges or juries. More than 550 riot defendants have been sentenced, with over half receiving terms of imprisonment ranging from six days to 18 years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Authorities Search for Man Suspected of Killing 4 People in Georgia

Hampton Police Chief James Turner (C) stands next to a mounted picture of suspect Andre Longmore during a news conference in Hampton, Ga., on July 15, 2023. (Steve Gehlbach/WSB-TV via AP)

HAMPTON, Ga.Authorities in Georgia spent hours Saturday hunting for a man suspected of gunning down three men and a woman in a suburban neighborhood south of Atlanta.

Andre Longmore, a 40-year-old from Hampton, is believed to be armed and dangerous, Hamptons police chief, James Turner, said during a news conference. The shootings happened late Saturday morning in a subdivision in the city of roughly 8,500 people about 40 miles south of Atlanta.

Officials released few details about the killings. Mr. Turner said detectives were investigating at least four crime scenes near one another in the same neighborhood. He declined to discuss a possible motive.

The suspect remained at large more than five hours after the killings, and authorities vowed to keep searching until he was in custody.

Weve done an exhaustive search in the general area and were now widening that a little bit, Mr. Turner told reporters.

Investigators were also on the lookout for a Black GMC Acadia SUV that they believe Mr. Longmore might be driving.

Mr. Longmore doesnt appear to have a listed phone number and The Associated Press could not immediately find a family member or attorney who could speak on his behalf.

Authorities didnt release the victims names, saying they were working to notify their families.

Henry County Sheriff Reginald Scandrett said his office is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to Mr. Longmores arrest and prosecution.

He also addressed Mr. Longmore directly, saying: Wherever you are, we will hunt you down in whatever hole you may be hiding in and bring you into custody. Period.

Law enforcement agencies throughout the Atlanta area and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are assisting in the manhunt and investigation.
COLOMBO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka will allow the private sector to enter ground handling, catering, and jet fuel supply operations at airports, an official said on Saturday.

Director General of Civil Aviation P. A. Jayakantha told the media that these services are currently a state monopoly.

He said the government is in the process of inviting private parties to provide the above-mentioned services at Sri Lanka's international airports.

Earlier this week, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva told journalists that Sri Lanka is already in the process of liberalizing fuel supply at airports.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government has decided to reform state-owned enterprises including SriLankan Airlines Limited in line with the program inked with the International Monetary Fund. 
Authors Lose Millions in Royalties, Writers Group Says Government Is Culpable

Access Copyright, one of the countrys largest collectives representing 13,000 authors, said it will lay off staff and cut budgets due to the loss of millions in royalties under an Act of Parliament.

The collective announced July 13 that these actions are a direct result of the millions of dollars in royalties being lost as a consequence of the Copyright Act, according to Blacklocks Reporter.

Cabinet has not yet adopted a recommendation from 2019 from the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage that it restrain free photocopying currently permitted under the Copyright Act.

Access Copyrights board of directors has made the difficult decision to initiate a significant downsizing and restructuring of the organization due to the federal governments decade-long inaction in fixing Canadas publishing marketplace, Access Copyright said in a statement.

The group did not respond to questions, and the scope of job cuts was not outlined, Blacklocks Reporter said.

This is 90 percent sitting on the desks of government, said John Degen, CEO of the Writers Union of Canada. They know what the problem is. They know what damage is being caused. Actual people are losing actual jobs.

Authors and publishers have lost more than $200 million in royalties since 2012, Access Copyright said.

In 2012, Parliament amended the Copyright Act to allow for the copying of books without royalty payment or having to seek permission from authors or publishers as long as reproduction was for personal research purposes. The spirit of these guidelines is referred to as fair dealing.

In the same year, a Supreme Court decision in the case of Alberta v. Access Copyright expanded the private research exception to include the wholesale photocopying of textbooks and literature for use in the classroom.

Supreme Court documents revealed that York University admitted to the distribution of 29 million photocopied books for student course packs. In the absence of permission and financial compensation, lost royalties have amounted to more than $2 million per year.

It is entirely up to the government at this point, said Mr. Degen. The rest of the world is looking at Canada, shocked and dismayed, knowing that we do not protect intellectual property.

Established in 1988, Access Copyright set out to represent and support authors and publishers in the realm of licensing agreements.

In the absence of collectives, it leaves it up to individual publishers and authors to have to protect their copyright in the courts, said Mr. Degen. That was the reason we created a copyright collective in the first place.

In a media announcement published on its website July 13, Access Copyright lamented the government dragging its heels on the implementation of the 2019 recommendations, saying as that a direct consequence, its authors revenue has plummeted.

The mass, systemic free copying of creators works by Canadas education sector outside of Quebec since 2012 has led to Access Copyrights total distributions to rights-holders dropping by 79 percent, the group said.

It has also led to the start of the hollowing out of Access Copyrighta key piece of Canadas cultural infrastructure that Canadian creators and publishers rely on to be fairly compensated for the use of their work.

In a 2019 report called Shifting Paradigms, the Commons heritage committee recommended Parliament revise the Copyright Act to set limitations on the free photocopying of writers and publishers commercial works.

Many writers and publishers noted how their incomes have declined since the changes to fair dealing in 2012, wrote MPs.

The Department of Canadian Heritage in a 2020 report confirmed decreases in sales by Canadian publishers as a result of wholesale photocopying.

Among publishers with less than $150,000 in revenues, the average profit margin was negative between 2014 and 2017, said the Evaluation of the Canada Book Fund 20122018.
Ben Wallace to Leave Government in Next Cabinet Reshuffle

Britains Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace attends the weekly Cabinet meeting at Downing Street, in London, on May 2, 2023. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Ben Wallace has confirmed that he will resign as defence secretary in the next Cabinet reshuffle.

The Conservative MP will also stand down in the next general election, but doesnt plan to trigger a by-election by resigning prematurely, he told The Times of London.

Im not standing next time, Mr. Wallace said.

I went into politics in the Scottish parliament in 1999. Thats 24 years. Ive spent well over seven years with three phones by my bed.

Around 40 Conservative MPs have resigned recently or announced they will not stand in the next election, including former cabinet ministers Dominic Raab and Sajid Javid and chairman of the influential 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers Sir Graham Brady.

Mr. Wallace has held the seat in Wyre and Preston North since the constituency was created in 2010. The constituency is set to disappear in the next election after boundary changes, but Mr. Wallace said hes not standing down over fear of losing to Labour in a new constituency.

In my part of the world, I dont think those voters are yet convinced at all by Keir Starmer. Its definitely up for grabs, he said.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace speaks to the crew inside an Ajax armoured personnel at Bovington Camp, England, on Feb. 22, 2023. (Ben Birchall/PA Media)

Mr. Wallace, who survived three prime ministers as defence secretary, played a key role in the UKs response to Russias invasion of Ukraine and was a close ally of Boris Johnson.

He told The Times of London how he had used different types of whiskey as code names for Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon or Harpoon anti-ship missiles when communicating with his Ukrainian counterpart on the brink of Russias invasion.

Speaking of the future, Mr. Wallace believes the world will be in either a cold or a warm conflict by the end of the decade, such as a total breakdown of politics in the Pacific or a resurgence of the ISIS terrorist group or al-Qaeda in Africa.

He also warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin has the ability to lash out in the next few years.

Mr. Wallace previously expressed an interest in standing for the role of NATO secretary-general before it was announced the current chief, Jens Stoltenberg, had been given another year in charge.

The minister told The Economist there were a lot of unresolved issues in the military alliance and its not going to happen, and he later downplayed the prospect of a future bid to run the organisation.

He told The Times of London that EU countries should pay more to the defence alliance.

You cant take for granted your allies and partners, Mr. Wallace said.

You have to contribute. If everyone in NATO matched our donations to Ukraine as a percentage of GDP, there would be another 20 billion of military aid available. Its still the case that only 20 percent of the defence spending of NATO is by EU members, he added.

Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shut down comments from Mr. Wallace in which he suggested Ukraine should show gratitude for the military support it has been given.

Mr. Wallace had made the remark after the countrys president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, branded it absurd for NATO to insist there were still conditions for his nation to meet before it can gain membership once the war with Russia is over.

Mr. Zelenskyy later said: I believe that we were always grateful to United Kingdom.

I dont know what he meant and how else we should be grateful.

Popular within the Tory party, Mr. Wallace is the longest continuously serving minister in government, having been security minister under Theresa May before being promoted to defence secretary by Boris Johnson.

He was previously appointed as a whip in 2014 and a junior minister in the Northern Ireland Office in 2015 while David Cameron was prime minister.

Mr. Wallace ruled himself out of the running for the Conservative leadership last year, despite being an early frontrunner in the race to replace Mr. Johnson.

PA Media contributed to this report.
California Approves Math Curriculum Promoting Social Justice Over Standard Skills

The California State Board of Education approved a new math framework on July 12 that has generated controversy. Critics argue that the framework promotes teaching political activism to children instead of focusing on math skills and standards.

The framework, outlined in a 1,000-page guidance document, underwent four years of revision and three drafts based on public feedback.

The critics claim that the framework incorporates concepts of social justice, political activism, and environmental justice into the math curriculum. They argue that the emphasis on these topics detracts from the mastery of math skills.

On the other hand, proponents, such as Mary Nicely, the states chief deputy superintendent of public instruction, believe that the framework provides equitable access to math instruction.

The framework has struck a great balance in new ways to engage students in developing a love for math while supporting those on an accelerated path, Ms. Nicely said in a statement. Our State Superintendent is a champion of equity and excellence, and it is our core mission that every childregardless of race, ZIP code, or backgroundhas access to a quality education.

The guidance outlines key strategies such as structuring math instruction around integrated big ideas, emphasizing problem-solving and critical thinking, connecting math to real-world applications, incorporating culturally relevant content, fostering inquiry-based learning, and promoting fluency in math concepts and algorithms.

Opponents of the framework, represented by SaveMath.net, founded by private math tutor and former teacher Michael Malione, raise concerns about the lack of vetting for the concept of big ideas and the limited involvement of individuals with advanced math degrees in its development.

Mr. Malione argues on his website that the frameworks focus on social justice will harm students and that it devotes too little attention to math content standards.

Typically, a curriculum framework would orient around the content standards regarding when and how they should be taughtto provide guidance to educators, parents, and textbook publishers. The SFR draft framework does not, he states on his website.

Mr. Malione points out that the framework promotes the use of math to explore concepts of fairness in relation to various social issues and encourages student political activism. It also emphasizes racial justice, equity, gender inclusivity, and trauma-informed pedagogy in math education.

One would think the proposed math framework would focus on describing how to convey the required math subject content in detail, but unfortunately, it does not, his website states. The states framework from 2013, by contrast, devotes 66 percent of its total text (approximately 7,200/10,900 lines of text) to implementing math content standards.

The California State Board of Education states that the framework aims to align math concepts across grade levels, ensure equal access to high school math pathways, provide multiple approaches to support student progress, expand course options, and develop data literacy skills.

Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the California State Board of Education, praised the framework for its focus on excellence with equity. Change is imperative, she believes, as the United States has been ineffective and inequitable in teaching math.

We are one of the lower-achieving countriesand California is below the national average in its achievement in mathematics, Ms. Darling-Hammon said, adding that this is an area of great need, and change is imperative.

The same old, same old will not get us to a new place, Ms. Darling-Hammond added.

On July 13, 2021, more than 1,000 people, including math and science professors, business professionals, and venture capitalists, signed an open letter from the Independent Institute to Gov. Gavin Newsom expressing concerns about certain elements of an earlier version of the framework. That letter appeared to force revisions to parts of the framework.

Although revisions have been made to the framework, critics argue that it still maintains an emphasis on social justice principles, which they believe introduces political agendas into math teaching and may have detrimental effects. They claim that the framework replaces the traditional focus on math with a politicized approach.

It replaces a focus on math class with something more akin to a sociology class, adopting a politicized stance of learning and applying math in a one-sided interpretation, Mr. Malione states on his website.

According to Bill Evers, director of the Center on Educational Excellence at the Independent Institute, the framework remained highly politicized after an earlier version was revised.

In a previous statement to The Epoch Times, Mr. Evers said he believes that the curriculum emphasizes political and teaching dogma, with math problems still framed within social and environmental contexts.

They still want the teachers to be social justice warriors themselves, and they want them to turn out new social justice warriors and environmental activists, he said.

Brad Jones contributed to this report.
After intense clashes, the House passes the annual National Defense Authorization Act budget. Included are amendments that reverse the Biden administrations social policies in the Pentagon.

The Biden administration announces a plan to cancel nearly $40 billion in student debt for hundreds of thousands of borrowers. How does that work, and how likely is it to come to pass?

A lawyer involved in the documents case against former President Donald Trump alleges the Department of Justice threatened his career to get testimony against Mr. Trump. What are the steps needed to uncover the truth of this, and how could it impact Mr. Trumps indictment?

What is it like to run a business in China? A panel of business leaders and lawmakers break down the reality of doing business in the shadow of the communist regime.

Some lawmakers are warning about ESG investing. How is it reshaping the business world, and what could it mean for Americans down the line?

The CDC is facing major cuts to its budget. This comes as a result of last months federal debt ceiling negotiation, and the rescinding of certain COVID-era funding boosts.
Disney Faces New District in State Court

An entranceway to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 8, 2023. As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continues his push to punish Walt Disney Co. by taking control of the board of Disney's special taxing district, the company announced today a restructuring. As a result, Disney expects to cut costs by $5.5 billion and lay off roughly 7,000 employees, or about 4 percent of its global workforce. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Legal representatives of Disney Parks and its new oversight district finally met in court on Friday, July 14.

While Disney looks to serve as the plaintiff in a federal case, which has yet to secure a court date, it meets the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) in the 9th Circuit Judicial Court as the defendant.

The issue: whether or not CFTOD had the authority to void a 30-year development agreement Disney Parks and Resorts U.S. Inc., made with its previous governing body, the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID).

CFOTD argued that a case to determine whether or not the agreements made by Disney with its now dissolved but hand-picked board of supervisors were valid is necessary.

A sign near an entranceway to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., on May 22, 2023. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Disneys lawyers argued the case should be thrown out, arguing that their agreements were legitimate and followed the governing law.

The sitting judge made no ruling on the matter and asked each side to prepare and submit a proposed order as if she had ruled in either ones favor.

Disneys 30-Year Contracts: Void or Valid?

Citing one of Floridas laws, SB 1604, Disney argued that every requirement of the law was followed to the letter.

The attorney cited a paragraph that acknowledges that any special district is precluded from complying with the terms of any development agreement that was executed within three months before a law changing the members of the governing body.

It also says that a districts new governing body must review any development agreements that did not take effect or were executed until after this law was passed within four months of the members first taking office.

The 30-year Disney development agreement was signed by RCIDs board of supervisors on February 8.

HB-9B, the legislation that transformed RCID into CFTOD was passed on February 27.

This bill was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis and went into effect on May 5.

Mr. DeSantis hand-picked CFTOD board of supervisors held its first meeting on May 8.

Republican presidential candidate and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) speaks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference at Hilton in Washington on June 23, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

The defense believes that it acted in accordance with this law and that the agreements were valid. It also stands by the opinion the agreements were already in effect before CFTOD took over and were, therefore, safe from review.

CFTOD, on the other hand, believes that the state court needs to hear this case, and it should be heard before the two parties go to federal court.

The plaintiffs attorney argued that a controversy could only be defined as moot when it has already been sufficiently resolved that a judges decision has no actual effect. And that ruling the voiding of Disneys 30-year development agreement as a moot point did not meet these requirements.

CFTOD stated in its written response to Disneys motion to dismiss that those agreements proactively granted the company the rights to control development within the district as well as commit the district to subsidize Disneys growth at taxpayer expense and allow Disney to censor the districts speech.

The agreements were void from the beginning and never went into effect because they violated Florida law governing public notice and procedures for taxpayer approval and considering development agreements.

Which Case Goes First?

Disney also argued that Disney served CFTODs board in Federal Court before CFTOD served it in state court. Disneys attorney said that the federal and state cases involve substantially the same issues.

Based on that, he requested that the court should at least stay the case to honor the principle of priority and avoid duplications, inconsistent rulings, and what his side sees as unnecessary use of judicial recourses.

The Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana, Calif., on Oct. 22, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

CFTOD, on the other hand, believes that the state court needs to hear this case, and it should be heard before the two parties go to federal court. The federal case focuses, he said, focuses on federal issues and on CFTODs individual board members, while the districts case in state court is much more straightforward and could affect the outcome of the federal case.

He said the state-level court should be the ones to decide if the district as one party was right and if Disneys development agreements were void from the beginning or not.

The plaintiffs attorney also argues that the state case should be heard first because its board members were not served properly.

Disney claims it served CFTODs board members on May 1.

CFTOD claims to have served Disney on May 12.
Dutch Voters Will Go to the Polls on Nov. 22 After the Fall of Mark Ruttes Coalition

Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte announces he is leaving politics during a debate in the House of Representatives following the fall of the cabinet, in The Hague, Netherlands, on July 10, 2023. (Remko de Waal/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

THE HAGUE, NetherlandsDutch voters will go to the polls on in an early general election on Nov. 22, the caretaker government announced Friday, a week after Prime Minister Mark Ruttes four-party coalition quit over its failure to agree a package of measures to rein in migration.

The vote for the 150 seats in the lower chamber of parliament will usher in a new generation of leaders after key members of Mr. Ruttes fourth governing coalition announced they would leave politics.

Mr. Rutte, the Netherlands longest-serving premier, signaled the end of an era when he said Monday he would leave politics once a new coalition has been installed after the elections. That is a process that can take months of negotiations between potential coalition members.

Mr. Rutte was followed by Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra and Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag, once tipped as a potential first ever female prime minister of the Netherlands.

Ms. Kaag said this week she was leaving politics because of the impact on her family of repeated threats she has received during her time in office.
Eligibility for Bidens $39 Billion Student Loan ForgivenessFind Out Who Qualifies

President Joe Biden delivers a speech on NATO at the Vilnius University in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

The Biden administration recently announced a $39 billion student loan forgiveness program aimed at individuals who have taken certain federal loans and are paying them back under the Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan.

The loan forgiveness is only applicable on loans that were made under the IDR plan provided the borrowers have made 240 or 300 monthly payments, which is equivalent to 20 to 25 years, according to a July 14 press release by the U.S. Department of Education (DoE). An IDR plan sets the monthly repayment at an amount aimed to be affordable for the borrowers based on their income and family size.

In addition to being an IDR plan, the loan must either be a federal Direct Loan or a Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) held by the Department of Education, including Parent PLUS loans.

To be eligible for loan forgiveness, the borrower should hit the required loan forgiveness threshold as a result of receiving credit for IDR forgiveness on any of the following five periods, per the press release.

Any month in which a borrower was in a repayment status, regardless of whether payments were partial or late, the type of loan, or the repayment plan;

Any period in which a borrower spent 12 or more consecutive months in forbearance;

Any month in forbearance for borrowers who spent 36 or more cumulative months in forbearance;

Any month spent in deferment (except for in-school deferment) prior to 2013; and

Any month spent in economic hardship or military deferments on or after January 1, 2013.

In addition, months described above that occurred prior to a loan consolidation will also be counted toward forgiveness.

The DoE will be notifying over 804,000 borrowers that their Federal student loans will be automatically discharged over the coming weeks.

This amounts to a total of $39 billion in loans being forgiven. When loans are discharged, it means borrowers no longer have to repay their loans.

The department said that eligible borrowers will be informed starting from the date of the press release, July 14, whether they are qualified without further action on their part.

Discharges will start 30 days after sending emails. Once their debts are discharged, borrowers will be notified about it by their loan servicer. Borrowers who receive forgiveness will have their loan repayments paused until the completion of the discharge process.

The Department will continue to identify and notify borrowers who reach the applicable forgiveness thresholds (240 or 300 qualifying monthly payments, depending on their repayment plan and type of loan) every two months until next year when all borrowers who are not yet eligible for forgiveness will have their payment counts updated.

Any month counted for this purpose can also be counted toward PSLF if the borrower documents qualifying employment for that same period, the press release said.

Supreme Court

The Biden administrations plan to forgive the loans of a section of IDR borrowers comes after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked a massive student loan forgiveness plan in June. Under that plan, Biden wanted to cancel up to $20,000 in dues of around 40 million borrowers, which would have resulted in a massive $800 billion commitment from the government.

Bidens new $39 billion forgiveness plan has attracted both praise and criticism. This is huge news!!! said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) in a July 14 post on Twitter. Were going to keep fighting to cancel more student debt every single day.

Students protest the rising costs of student loans for higher education on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, Sept. 22, 2012. (David McNew/Getty Images)

We will not stop fighting to #CancelStudentDebt to provide relief for millions of Americans struggling with student loan debt. Thank you to President Biden for continuing to act. Im proud this is going to help more than 42,000 New Yorkers, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a July 15 post on Twitter.

In a July 14 post on Twitter, Tom Fitton, president of the conservative foundation Judicial Watch, called the forgiveness program a show of contempt for Supreme Court and U.S. Constitution as Biden moves to spend $39 billion without congressional authorization.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) accused the Biden administration of having no respect for our institutions in a post on Twitter. Joe Biden should use the $39 billion hes planning to forgive in student loan debt to secure the bordernot pay for gender studies degrees, she said in another post.

The topic of forgiving student loans has been a contentious one due to the potentially damaging consequences it can have on college costs. Some argue that forgiving debts will end up encouraging colleges and universities to keep raising their fees.

According to an estimate by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, college tuition fees rise by $0.60 for every dollar of subsidized student loan.

In total, the Biden-Harris government has approved over $116.6 billion in student loan forgiveness over the past years for more than 3.4 million people, said the education department.
EXCLUSIVE: Jan. 6 Prisoner Takes His Obstruction Charge to the Supreme Court

'The federal government has effectively declared a jihad, or a holy war, on everyone within sight of Jan. 6,' attorney says

A man defending himself against charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach has filed to take his challenge of the infamous obstruction charge, levied against him and hundreds of other Jan. 6 prisoners and defendants, all the way to the Supreme Court.

On July 7, attorneys for Jan. 6 prisoner Edward Jacob (Jake) Lang filed a document with the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) challenging the governments obstruction of Congress chargeone of the most common felony charges used against Jan. 6 defendantswhich carries up to a 20-year prison sentence.

We filed whats called a writ of certiorari, or a request to the Supreme Court to hear an issue, Norm Pattis, lead attorney for Mr. Lang, told The Epoch Times. Mr. Pattis explained that the legal team is asking the high court to review the details behind Mr. Langs alleged violation of Title 18 U.S. Code Section 1512(c)(2), one of the 11 charges against him, according to court documents (pdf).

According to the writ, obtained exclusively by The Epoch Times (pdf): Mr. Lang filed a motion to dismiss the Section 1512 count prior to trial. The District Court granted his motion.

On a consolidated interlocutory appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit joined by two similarly situated codefendants, the Court, in a split decision, reversed the District Court. A motion for rehearing was denied.

The question presented for review is whether the Court of Appeals erred in concluding that application of 18 U.S.C. Section 1512(c)(2), a statute crafted to prevent tampering with evidence in official proceedings, can be used to prosecute acts of violence against police officers in the context of a public demonstration that turned into a riot, resulting in so breathtaking an application of the statute as to run afoul of Van Buren v. United States, 141 S. Ct. 1648 (2021).

The document warns the high court that dozens of convictions on this same obstruction charge are headed to this Court, all arising from the Capitol breach, and that resolution of the question is imperative to prevent the use of this statute to prosecute folks who protested in a good faith belief that their actions were necessary to prevent an election from being stolen, an event tantamount to an internal coup detat.

Refusal to resolve this question will chill others inclined to petition and assemble for the redress of grievances, for fear that those opposed to their views might prosecute them for possessing a corrupt intent, the document reads.

Really Far Afield

Obstruction under Section 1512(c) is among the 37 charges for which the federal government indicted the current GOP front-runner for the 2024 election, former President Donald Trump (pdf). A favorable ruling by the Supreme Court could have a significant effect on Mr. Trumps legal future.

This isnt the first time the obstruction charge has been called into question.

Politico reported that during a two-hour hearing on Nov. 19, 2021, U.S. District Court Judge Dabney Friedrich argued in the case of Jan. 6 prisoner Guy Reffittalso charged with hindering communications through physical force, civil disorder, and bringing a firearm onto the grounds (pdf)that the governments effort to apply the obstruction charge appeared to run really far afield from what Congress intended.

Judge Friedrich ultimately allowed the charge to stand.

On June 7, 2022, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols granted Mr. Langs motion to dismiss (pdf) the obstruction charge.

It was the third time Judge Nichols granted a Jan. 6 prisoners motion to dismiss. On March 8, 2022, he had granted the motion to dismiss of Jan. 6 prisoner Garret Miller.

Upon review of the Defendants [Motion to Dismiss], and for the reasons discussed in the Courts [opinions] in United States v. Miller, it is ordered that the Motion is granted, Judge Nichols wrote. It is further ordered that Count Nine is dismissed without prejudice Superseding Indictment.

Judge Nichols then granted the motion to dismiss of Jan. 6 defendant Joseph Fischer on March 15, 2022.

Judge Nichols said he believes that the statute must be interpreted in such a way that requires that the defendant have taken some action with respect to a document, record, or other object in order to corruptly obstruct, impede or influence an official proceeding.

In all, federal prosecutors have charged more than 300 Jan. 6 defendants with obstructing congressional proceedings. The obstruction charge has been frequently used by the Justice Department during plea negotiations and as a means to coerce some Jan. 6 protesters into providing information to incriminate fellow protesters.

Reworking the Penal Code

Mr. Pattis and fellow Lang attorney Steven Metcalf are asking the United States Supreme Court to review their clients case and determine whether the federal government is misusing the statute designed to prohibit or deter tampering with evidence or evidentiary proceedings to inflict extra heavy punishment on those involved in the January 6 events.

Title 18 U.S.C. Section 1512 (pdf) provides in part:

(c) Whoever corruptly  (1) alters, destroys, mutilates, or

conceals a record, document, or

other object, or attempts to do so,

with the intent to impair the objects integrity or availability for

the use in an official proceeding;

or

(2) otherwise obstructs, influences

or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so,

shall be fined under this title or imprisoned

not more than 20 years, or both.

The statute says if you obstruct or impede an official proceeding, by screwing around with records or documents, youre guilty of a felony, Mr. Pattis said.

Congress amended that to include a second section that says if you interfere with an official proceeding you are guilty as well. That statute has been used to punish Jan. 6 protesters who broke the law by trespassing or, in some cases, engaging in acts of violence against police officers, even when that act was in defense of themselves.

Norm Pattis, attorney for Jan. 6 prisoner Edward Jacob Lang. (Courtesy of Norm Pattis)

As described by the Congressional Research Service (pdf), the obstruction measure refers to witness tampering and the suppression or destruction of evidence in the obstruction of pending congressional or federal administrative proceedings.

Mr. Pattis argues in his SCOTUS filing that the governments ambitious federal prosecutors are reworking the penal code to make it do work never intended to be done, work that threatens to chill, and does chill, ordinary Americans in their First Amendment rights to assemble, to petition for the redress of grievances and to speak out on matters of public concern.

It has a chilling effect on dissent and chills people in the exercise of their First Amendment rights  Now people are going to be afraid to go to a protest, because if that protest turns into a riot, they might get charged with a felony carrying 20 years, and thats ridiculous, Mr. Pattis told The Epoch Times.

While conceding there were minor charges that could fit some alleged crimes, he said, You dont have to make everything into the functional equivalent of the death penalty.

Mr. Pattis said Mr. Langs team is trying to take the case to the Supreme Court because its a 20-year felony.

It significantly enhances the criminal exposure of these defendants, he said. Our view is that prosecutors have stretched this statute into a shape that Congress never intended it to take. Its a grotesque overreach on the part of the federal government.

Bigger Than J6

Mr. Lang said the Biden administration is intentionally twisting the law into a weapon against those who support former President Donald Trump. The SCOTUS filing, he said, is bigger than [Jan. 6], and exposes the root of political persecution, using a weaponized DOJ and FBI against conservatives.

Edward Jacob Lang (FBI court filing).

The 1512 charge the DOJ is using against me and hundreds of other Americans is a perfect example of the Biden regime abusing the law code, and using it as an instrument of political oppression against MAGA dissidents, Mr. Lang said, in a statement issued exclusively to The Epoch Times. When the current party in power perverts the law to coerce, threaten, silence, stifle and imprison the supporters of the former political party, in order to scare the public at large from any protesting or political dissent, this is the true mark of the collapse of free speech and our Democratic Republic.

Mr. Lang, who has been detained for more than 900 days without a trial, is currently incarcerated at the Alexandria Detention Center in Alexandria, Virginia.

He spoke of the timing of the court filing and how the potential outcome could affect the governments separate effort to use the obstruction charge to disqualify Mr. Trump from running for the presidency.

President Donald Trump at the Save America rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Lisa Fan/The Epoch Times)

Donald Trump is the political front-runner for the Republican Party, and while the other bogus charges might easily go away through a plea deal, the obstruction of Congress charge carries prison time, Mr. Lang told The Epoch Times by phone from the detention center. This one would land him in serious hot water with a conviction.

Even with a plea deal, Mr. Lang said, the former president would get prison time, and it would come during an election year while hes trying to run his campaign from a prison cell.

The stakes couldnt be higher, he said. If we win this, we can bring American jurisprudence back to a healthy state. He added, If the 1512 charge is overturned, it could spring hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants from prison.

Theyre using 1512 as an instrument of political oppression and to coerce, threaten, and imprison dissidents and the supporters and leaders of the political party they ousted. The thing I want to focus on is that in order for America to return to a normal and positive discourse, we need to stop allowing the current political party [to use] the DOJ and the FBI as the strong arm of the law to bend and shape law into an instrument of oppression.

Dozens of Jan. 6 defendants and prisoners have attempted to have their obstruction charges dismissed, but at least 10 federal judges have upheld the charges.

Mr. Lang is the first to take his case to the Supreme Court.

The SCOTUS filing reads, In the name of saving democracy, prosecutors are undermining the core principles on which this republic stands. Without a positive ruling from the Court, it states, hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans, will face substantial prison sentences for doing no more than speaking out at a protest that evolved into a dynamic conflict.

It is no overstatement to say the future of the First Amendment hangs in the balance, the writ reads. A statute intended to combat financial fraud has been transformed into a blatant political instrument to crush dissent.

In his interview with The Epoch Times, Mr. Pattis shared stronger sentiments.

We think the federal government has effectively declared a jihad, or a holy war, on everyone within sight of Jan. 6, in ways that are chilling, repulsive, and contrary to so much of what this country stands for, he said.

He said that even in the wake of the Civil War, where 600,000 Americans killed one another in a contest of brother versus brother, every rebel was repatriated within three years after the war ended.

Were still prosecuting people for participating in a four-hour riot on Jan. 6two years later, he said. What the hells the matter with the Justice Department? The selective interpretation of the law, the stretching of the law to punish dissent, and the evidence in Mr. Langs case will show that he was engaged in self-defense. Not offensive behavior. This is wrong. Its going to take the Supreme Court to right the ship, and we hope it does.
Twenty-one clinicians and researchers from nine countries have signed a letter saying that the best available evidence doesnt support the prevailing treatment methods of gender dysphoria, namely sex-change procedures, in the United States.

Every systematic review of evidence to date, including one published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, has found the evidence for mental-health benefits of hormonal interventions for minors to be of low or very low certainty, the group of experts wrote in their letter published in the Wall Street Journal on July 13.

The medical experts took exception to the endorsement by the Endocrine Society, the professional organization for physicians who specialize in hormones, of minors receiving hormone treatments that block puberty.

The international experts were prompted to speak out after the Endocrine Society criticized an op-ed published in the WSJ on June 28. The op-ed was co-authored by Ian Kingsbury, Ph.D., and Dr. Roy Eappen, who is a member of the Endocrine Society.

The pair had criticized a recent federal court ruling that struck down an Arkansas law banning sex-change procedures for minors. The court relied on the Endocrine Societys guidelines on sex-change procedures for minors, which were described in the ruling as widely-accepted clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of gender dysphoria.

Dr. Eappen and Mr. Kingsbury argued that the Endocrine Societys guidelines on sex-change procedures for minors were based on low or very low quality evidence and influenced by transgender activists. They noted that concerns exist among endocrinologists about the lack of scientific support and the rush to provide irreversible treatments to young patients.

Endocrine Society Claims Criticism Ignores Scientific Evidence

Endocrine Society President Dr. Stephen Hammes hit back at the pair in an op-ed published in the WSJ on July 4.

Dr. Hammes wrote that the pair ignore scientific evidence and conclusions reached by reputable medical organizations, such as the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Hammes defended the Endocrine Societys clinical practice guideline, which he said was developed through a rigorous and transparent process based on extensive evidence and input from its 18,000 members.

More than 2,000 studies published since 1975 form a clear picture: Gender-affirming care improves the well-being of transgender and gender-diverse people and reduces the risk of suicide, Dr. Hammes wrote.

He noted that federal judges in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Florida had joined the Arkansas judge in striking down similar bans on transgender procedures based on much of the same evidence.

However, Dr. Hammes claim that sex change procedures improve well-being is not supported by the best available evidence, according to the 21 clinicians and researchers from multiple countries who wrote an open letter to express their surprise and disagreement with the claims made by Dr. Hammes.

Risks Are Significant, Benefits Very Low

The international experts letter, published in the WSJ on July 13, argues that systematic reviews have found the evidence for mental health benefits of hormonal interventions for minors to be of low certainty, while the risks are significant.

As experienced professionals involved in direct care for the rapidly growing numbers of gender-diverse youth, the evaluation of medical evidence or both, we were surprised by the Endocrine Societys claims about the state of evidence for gender-affirming care for youth, they wrote.

Every systematic review of evidence to date, including one published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, has found the evidence for mental health benefits of hormonal interventions for minors to be of low or very low certainty, they wrote. By contrast, the risks are significant and include sterility, lifelong dependence on medication, and the anguish of regret.

They added that it is for this reason that more and more European countries and international professional organizations now recommend psychotherapy rather than hormones and surgeries as the first line of treatment for gender-dysphoric youth.

They contradicted the claim that gender transition reduces suicides.

Dr. Hammess claim that gender transition reduces suicides is contradicted by every systematic review, including the review published by the Endocrine Society, which states, We could not draw any conclusions about death by suicide. There is no reliable evidence to suggest that hormonal transition is an effective suicide-prevention measure, they wrote.

The group of clinicians and researchers called for medical societies to align their recommendations with the best available evidence and cautioned against both exaggerating benefits and minimizing risks.

The letter was signed by clinicians and researchers from nine countries, including Finland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, France, Switzerland, South Africa, and the United States.

The politicization of transgender healthcare in the U.S. is unfortunate, the group of experts wrote. The way to combat it is for medical societies to align their recommendations with the best available evidencerather than exaggerating the benefits and minimizing the risks.

What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc
Are your China investments safe? Three witnesses at a House hearing reveal the pitfalls of doing business in China.

Curious about the real risks of doing business in China? One of the most connected businessmen in the country shares his biggest lessons.

Secretary Yellen gets back to traveling, with India and Vietnam trips planned after her recent return from Beijing.

And the battle against fentanyl: whats the biggest obstacle? U.S. officials reveal a hidden force behind the deadly crisis.

Topics in this episode:
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A local drug trafficking suspect in Brunei has faced multiple charges, including one carrying the death penalty, local media reported on Saturday.

Mohamad Sharifudin, a 38-year-old local man, faced a charge of trafficking 193.5 grams of pure methylamphetamine in 247.04 grams of crystals in February, according to the local Borneo Bulletin daily.

The charges carried the death penalty as the alleged amount of methylamphetamine is over 100 grams.

Prosecutors also leveled a possession charge against the defendant involving 8.19 grams of pure meth on the same occasion.

The case was fixed for a preliminary inquiry on Nov. 22-23. 
The IRS has just put out a major warning to all Americans, and it has also changed the inheritance rules in this country, which almost ensures that people will be paying more in taxes when they pass on some money to their descendants.

Additionally, the IRS also warned taxpayers to watch out for a new scama scam that tricks people into believing that the government actually owes them money.

 Trumps Agenda 47: https://ept.ms/44o7oKD

Episode Resources:

 IRS New Ruling:

https://ept.ms/44tjBh6

 New Ruling Analysis:

https://ept.ms/44qp2gC

https://ept.ms/44pGguN

https://ept.ms/3Qf7UXh

https://ept.ms/3rtxQUC
Irvine Set to Impose Regulations on Electric Bikes

A boy rides an E-Bike with his surfboard along the beach in Huntington Beach, Calif., on May 20, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The Irvine City Council moved forward July 11 with plans to impose regulations on e-bikes, fearing that with their increasing popularity, e-bike riders have a higher risk of accidents and pose safety issues for residents.

During the meeting, Vice Mayor Tammy Kim said she recently encountered a group of teenagers on e-bikes riding through the outdoor Cypress Village Shopping Center at dangerous speeds.

It was just really an awful experience. Its what our residents are facing every day, she said.

During the meeting, councilors unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance setting e-bike speed limits at 28 mph on city streets and 20 mph on bike paths and trails. The ordinance also bans e-bikes in open space environments, citing safety concerns and environmental hazards.

Staff, during the meeting, cited several instances where e-bike batteries have ruptured into flames causing concerns over potential wildfires in open space areas, such as the citys open space preserve.

During a presentation, staff overseeing traffic and public safety showed a video where an e-bikes battery caught fire due to its rechargeable lithium-ion battery rupturing, and pieces of it scattered up to 40 feet away from the bike.

Now imagine if this fire in this video had originated in the open space preserve? Im sure you can appreciate the very likely fire hazard that poses, said Traffic and Special Events Bureau Lt. Matt McLaughlin during the meeting.

Data from 2022 shows there were 83 bicycle-involved traffic accidents, with a third from electric bicycles. Last years accidents were nearly double from the year prior, according to city staff.

Most e-bike accidents were because of unsafe speed, stop sign violations, failure to yield the right of way, and unsafe turning movements, Mr. McLaughlin said.

The ordinancewhich will require a second reading and vote before its adoptionwill require e-bike riders to yield the right of way to all pedestrians and vehicles and prohibit modifications to e-bikes to increase their speed capabilities.

From the factory, e-bikes have a speed limiter that can be tampered with and

increased, city staff said during the presentation.

E-bike riders will also be required to travel in the same direction as traffic on roadways and sidewalks less than 8 feet wide, but if there isnt another sidewalk on the opposite side of the road, then the rule wont apply.

Passengers will also be required to have their own seats.

If the ordinance is finally approved, violators of the new rules will be cited with a misdemeanor and fined. The amount for such a fine was not specified by city officials.
Israeli Prime Minister Rushed to Hospital Amid Heat Wave

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was rushed to a hospital on Saturday and admitted to the emergency department.

Initial tests showed that Mr. Netanyahu, Israels longest-serving leader, was suffering from apparent dehydration after spending Friday in the heat at the coast near the Sea of Galilee in Israels north, the Israeli prime ministers office said.

The Sea of Galilee is the countrys largest freshwater lake and a popular vacation area. Mr. Netanyahu, in a video from the hospital, said he had taken a holiday there in temperatures that hit 38 Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit).

Thank God, I feel really well, he said.

He noted that he wasnt wearing a hat and didnt have water, commenting that it was not a good idea.

I ask you all, spend less time in the sun, drink more water, and may we all have a good new week.

Israel is in the midst of a summer heat wave, with temperatures in the mid-30s Celsius (mid-90s Fahrenheit). The Israel Meterological Service said the heat wave is expected to continue until the middle of next week.

Israelis camping by the Jordan River near Kibbutz Degania, off the Sea of Galilee, or Lake Tiberias, one of the main water sources in Israel, on July 11, 2021. (MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

The medical tests were taken at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, which is close to Mr. Netanyahus private residence.

Netanyahus office said he was admitted on his physicians recommendation after complaining of light dizziness.

Israels Channel 12 TV said, quoting the premiers doctor, that he was fully conscious en route to Sheba and that he walked into the emergency room.

Reports said they saw no grounds or need for a caretaker to step in. Mr. Netanyahu was not undergoing sedation and no procedures were under way to declare him incapacitated, Channel 12 said.

Mr. Netanyahu is now in good condition and that doctors have ordered further tests, the prime ministers office said on Saturday. He will stay overnight at the hospital.

His office said in a later update that he would be discharged on Sunday after no irregularities were found in additional medical tests he underwent for suspected dehydration.

Israels weekly cabinet meeting, usually held on Sunday, has been postponed to Monday.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid wished Mr. Netanyahu a full recovery and good health.

Feel better, Mr. Lapid, a former colleague of Mr. Netanyahu, said on Twitter.

Mr. Netanyahu beat Mr. Lapid in the 2022 election, and is now the chair of the conservative Likud party. He was first elected to top office in 1996.

In Washington, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said: We wish him a speedy recovery.

Mr. Netanyahu was previously briefly hospitalized in October 2022 during the Jewish fast of Yom Kippur after feeling pain in his chest in the weeks leading up to the election. But he was jogging by the next morning.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Kari Lakes Legal Team Ordered to Pay $122,200 in Sanctions

Kari Lake speaks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference at Hilton in Washington on June 24, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

The attorneys and legal firms for Kari Lake, the Republican nominee in the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial election, should pay $122,200 in sanctions to Maricopa County, a U.S. district judge ruled Friday.

Plaintiffs counsel Andrew D. Parker, the law firm of Parker Daniels Kibort LLC, Kurt B. Olsen, and the law firm of Olsen Law PC, are held jointly and severally liable for the Maricopa County Defendants attorneys fees in the amount of $122,200.00. Alan M. Dershowitz is held jointly and severally liable with the aforementioned parties up to the amount of $12,220.00, Judge John J. Tuchi for the U.S. District of Arizona wrote in the ruling.

Mr. Tuchi ordered the parties to pay the sanctions within 30 days of the ruling.

In the 26-page ruling (pdf), Mr. Tuchi spent a substantial amount of time determining Mr. Dershowitzs role in the case. He disagreed that Mr. Dershowitz was just a consultant in the case but acknowledged the latter has played a limited role.

Based on the finding, Mr. Dershowitzs responsibility was reduced to 10 percent of the total sanctions, which is $12,220.

Attorney Alan Dershowitz, then-member of President Donald Trumps legal team, speaks to the press in the Senate Reception Room during the Senate impeachment trial at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 29, 2020. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Another focus of the ruling is the amount of the sanctions.

Maricopa County demanded the judge award a total of $139,950 in attorneys fees. The judge reduced it to $122,200 considering some of the items listed by Maricopa County are duplicated or not specific enough.

Mr. Tuchi said the ruling is to hopefully discourage future copycats from filing similar cases.

Failing to impose meaningful sanctions here might very well encourage others to follow suit by lending their credibility to documents filed in court without facing any real consequence if their certifications prove hollow or incomplete, he said in his ruling. The need for general deterrence is therefore significant.

Both Mr. Dershowitz and Mr. Parker told The Epoch Times that they will appeal the ruling.

I did absolutely nothing wrong. Ive been doing the same thingconsulting on constitutional issues as of counsel for 50 years based on the advice of the nations leading ethics lawyer and its leading litigator. If the judge had assessed me $1, I would have appealed. I will take the case to the Supreme Court, Mr. Dershowitz told The Epoch Times.

The Epoch Times reached out to Ms. Lake and Mr. Olsen for comments.

Kari Lakes Election Case

Ms. Lake, a former television news anchor, and Mark Finchem, a former Arizona state representative, sued former Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs and officials in Maricopa and Pima counties in April 2022, in a bid to change the states and counties voting procedures.

Mr. Dershowitz signed the complaint, as did Mr. Parker and Mr. Olsen. But he argued that he thought the complaint showed he was advising Ms. Lake, Mr. Finchem, and their team in a limited capacity. Mr. Dershowitz said he was only paid for three or four hours of work on the lawsuits constitutional questions.

Mr. Tuchi dismissed Ms. Lakes lawsuit in August. The Maricopa County officials named as defendants sought sanctions against Ms. Lake for trying to sow doubts about the then-upcoming 2022 elections.

Defamation Case

Stephen Richer, the Maricopa County recorder and a Republican, filed a defamation lawsuit at the end of June against Ms. Lake, saying that hes faced violent vitriol and other dire consequences because of lies spread by her, including death threats and the loss of friendships.

Rather than accept political defeat, rather than get a new job, she has sought to undermine confidence in our elections and has mobilized millions of her followers against me, Mr. Richer wrote in an op-ed in The Arizona Republic.

The suit, filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, names Ms. Lake, her campaign, and her political fundraising group as defendants. In addition to unspecified monetary damages, Mr. Richer is seeking a court order declaring Ms. Lakes statements false and requiring her to delete them from social media.

The suit claims that Mr. Richer has faced death threats, including one that was prosecuted by the U.S. Justice Department, and has spent thousands of dollars on home security. He said he and his wife have altered their routines and law enforcement has stepped up patrols around their home and workplaces.

In response, Ms. Lake wrote on her Twitter page that Mr. Richers lawsuit is an attempt to censor her.

Im exposing the massive corruption in our elections and this  is suing me, Lake wrote in a Twitter post. He wants to silence US  corrupt elections have saddled us with disasters like [Joe] Biden and Hobbs.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Landlords Profit Margins Minimal, Human Resources Committee Hears

The average profit margin for a Canadian landlord is 8 percent, the Commons human resources committee heard Thursday.

Attendees at the July 13 meeting struggled to agree on the best way to expand the national housing inventory, according to Blacklocks Reporter.

John Dickie, president of the Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations, said that reality may come as a surprise to some.

Some people picture all or most of the rent money going into the landlords pocket, Mr. Dickie said in his testimony. The truth is far from that.

Mr. Dickie shared with the committee that landlord operating costs amounted to 19 percent of rental revenues. Property tax was paid by 14 percent of landlords, and tenant utilities were covered by 12 percent of landlords.

That makes up 45 cents out of every dollar of rent leaving 55 cents as net operating income, but were not done with the expenses, said Mr. Dickie.

On average, another 36 cents goes to pay the mortgage and 11 cents goes to pay for major repairs and building modernization, he said. That leaves just eight cents out of every dollar of rent as the pre-tax return on each dollar of revenue.

The committee is examining the financialization of the housing sector. Financialization refers to the increase in size and significance of a nations financial sector relative to its overall economy. Financialization has occurred as countries have shifted away from industrial capitalism. The term describes the growing presence of the market and financial sector in Canada, as well as the increasing diversity of transactions and the interaction between them and all aspects of society and economy.

Good luck finding a $1,700 apartment in any urban centre in the country right now, said Ray Sullivan, executive director of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association.

Absolutely, there is a role for the private sector, he said. Whats important as we talk about rapidly escalating housing starts and increasing the housing supply is that we are very aware and mindful a share of that needs to be non-market and community housing. We are not going to solve the housing crisis by adding 5 million $1-million homes or 5 million $3,000-a-month rents for one-bedroom apartments.

Conservative MP Scott Aitchison, representing Parry Sound-Muskoka, Ontario, constituents, asked Mr. Sullivan to elaborate.

What do you think the right mix should be?

We need to double the relative share of non-profit housing, Mr. Sullivan responded. We need to get up into the range of 8 to 9 percent.

Michael Brooks, CEO of the Real Property Association of Canada, pointed to taxes and development charges being responsible for up to 30 percent of the cost of a new unit in most cities.

In places like Toronto, the cost to build apartments is approaching $800 a square foot, and for condos, north of $1,200 a square foot, he said.

While Mr. Brooks explained to the committee what was required to reach housing affordability for Canadians, he also acknowledged the scale of the challenge.

We know Canada needs 3.5 million additional housing units by 2030 to restore affordability, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation [CMHC], but it sometimes takes up to five years to get housing approved in many cities in Canada, he said. As many new projects are potentially shelved, this will be a challenging target.

CMHC stated in a Housing Market Information report released June 23 that current housing starts average 200,000 per year, far less than demand.

To restore affordability we need 3,500,000 additional housing units beyond current projections by 2030, said the federal insurer.

We have a large task in front of us.
Microsofts Contract With Government Agencies Under Fire Following Chinese Cyber Attacks

Microsoft logo on a smartphone placed on displayed Activision Blizzard's games characters on Jan. 18, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

After Chinese hackers were able to hack into U.S. government email accounts last week, Microsofts security systems are now under fire from Congress.

A cyber gang based in China was accused of stealing emails from senior U.S. officials in a major security breach through a weakness in Microsoft MSFT.O software.

The attacks were allegedly able to access the email accounts of top State Department employees and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency announced on July 12.

Federal agencies detected a breach in the two agencies accounts fairly rapidly and managed to prevent further breaches, White House National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, told ABCs Good Morning America.

Chinese Hackers Breach US Government Databases

Microsoft said that the breach took advantage of a still-undisclosed security issue with the companys online email service and not through hacking computers or stealing passwords.

The tech firm accused Storm-0558, a Chinese hacking outfit, of forging digital authentication tokens to access email accounts running on the firms Outlook service starting in May.

The group has also focused on espionage against governments in Europe and has accessed the cloud-based Outlook email systems of 25 organizations, including multiple government agencies in the EU.

Beijings embassy in the U.K. told Reuters that the latest accusations are disinformation and called the United States the worlds biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief.

The CCP normally denies involvement in hacking operations in China, even if actual evidence or context is presented.

Microsoft acknowledged the hack in a July 11 blog post, admitting that accountability starts with us and that it was continually self-evaluating, learning from incidents, and improving its cyber defenses.

Congress Concerned About Microsofts Contract With Federal Agencies

Members of Congress have been raising concerns for months over government departments increasing reliance on Microsoft for cybersecurity tools and services.

The Senate Intelligence Committee is closely monitoring what appears to be a significant cybersecurity breach by Chinese intelligence, he said in a statement, said Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, who called for heightened efforts to counter the cyber threat posed by China following the hack.

Its 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, said

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) said that Microsoft should offer all its customers full forensic capabilities, saying that charging people for premium features necessary to not get hacked is like selling a car and then charging extra for seatbelts and airbags.

Congressional legislators have also complained that the move shuts out other vendors and use of off-the-shelf security software could pose a risk.

Last month, Newsweek reported that several key leaders in the Department of Defense had opposed a decision last year to scrap an existing cybersecurity program that was open to competition.

The Pentagon replaced the program with Microsofts in-house security tools, which are typically offered with its business software packages and cost taxpayers $543 million.

According to a February 13 letter obtained by Newsweek, Rep. C.A. Ruppersberger (D-Md.) of the House Appropriations Committee wrote to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, questioning whether the decision to give Microsoft the sole contract was the best use of taxpayers dollars.

The Maryland congressman also asked whether the deal made the U.S. military dependent on a single IT provider, whose software may be inferior to rivals, while the operational costs rise over time.

It is critical that DOD pursue a fair and open competition that ensures procurements for cybersecurity solutions are based on technical merits and are not limited to a single one-size-fits-all enterprise solution, Ruppersberger wrote in the February 23 letter, a copy of which was obtained by Newsweek.

The Pentagons Chief Information Officer, John Sherman, responded, telling Mr. Ruppersberger that the department shared similar concerns about the possible anticompetitive effects of major agency-wide bundled contracts.

We share this concern, and were working towards a long-term balanced strategy, wrote Mr. Sherman.

The Epoch Times reached out to Microsoft for comment.

More Companies and Governments Look to Microsoft for Security Needs

Private individuals, companies, and governments for years have been using Microsoft to manage their emails, spreadsheets, and other data off their own servers.

The Redmond, Washington-based tech companys suite of office software has been touted as cost-effective and easy to integrate at the same time.

Microsoft has been promoting the use of its own in-house security products and encouraging its customers to abandon what they see as expensive and redundant antivirus programs.

The process of transferring an organizations data and services to a big tech firm has been termed by the industry as moving to the cloud.

Cloud systems have been welcomed by small organizations that lack the resources to run their own IT or security departments.

However, smaller competitors have accused Microsoft of squeezing them out of the market through lucrative contracts and creating a monopoly over the cybersecurity sector.

Rival firms warn that the companys growing lock on the market and the favoritism that it receives from the private and public sectors are putting too many eggs into one basket and endangering security.

Organizations need to invest in security, CrowdStrikes Adam Meyers wrote to CNBC.

Having one monolithic vendor that is responsible for all of your technology, products, services and security can end in disaster.

Amit Zavery, a Google VP and head of Googles Cloud division and who happens to work for one of Microsofts chief rivals, called on the U.S. government to rethink its deal with the tech giant.

Security is a team sport, but its hard to defend when only one team is giving up goals. Monoculture in govt productivity software creates an easy attack surface. I hope this latest in a series of incidents pushes the U.S. govt to look at alternatives, said Zavery, in a post on Twitter.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Profiles in history: An ongoing series of lesser known but significant figures who shaped our world

From a young age he walked with a limp, but that would not stop Nathanael Greene from achieving a distinguished military career during the War for Independence. In fact, after George Washington, Greene has been called by historians the second best American general in the Revolutionary War.

In his article, The Most Underrated General in American History: Nathaniel Greene, historian Russell Weigley says, Greenes outstanding characteristic as a strategist was his ability to weave the maraudings of partisan raiders into a coherent pattern, coordinating them with the maneuvers of a field army otherwise too weak to accomplish much, and making the combination a deadly one. [He] remains alone as an American master developing a strategy of unconventional war.

Nathanael Greene, portrait of the American Revolutionary War general by Connecticut artist John Trumbull (17561843). Oil on wood. Courtesy of the Trumbull Collection, Yale University Art Gallery. (Public Domain)

Greene was born in Rhode Island in 1742 to a very religious Quaker family. Due to his religion, Greenes father frowned upon his son wanting to read books and outlawed activities like dancing. But Greene loved all kinds of literature and eventually convinced his father to let him have a tutor. He would go on to have a large book collection on military history.

Greenes religion meant a lot to him, but once talk of the revolution began, he strayed from the Quakerss pacifist beliefs. He was expelled from the Quaker church in 1773 after he attended a military parade and showed support for a military rebellion against England. However, he remained devoted to his Quaker religion throughout his life.

In 1774, Rhode Island organized a militia, called the Kentish Guards. When the colony established its army, Greene was made commander.

In 1775, the Second Continental Congress appointed George Washington the head of the Continental Army. Congress also appointed 16 other generals, including Greene as a brigadier general who was given a command of seven regiments. Greene and Washington would become lifelong friends. Throughout the war, Greene was known as one of Washingtons most trusted allies.

Greene first played a role in several battles in northern states where the war first broke out. He led part of Washingtons army to victories in the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. He set up supply depots in New Jersey and was soon placed in charge of logistics and support as quartermaster general. But he wanted to be in the center of the action and resigned, and returned to the Continental Army as a commander. After the traitorous actions of Benedict Arnold at West Point, Green was appointed commandant at the fort and executed John Andre, Arnolds British contact.

Greene would soon get his chance to make a big difference in the outcome of the war. In 1780, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the Southern Theater after Gen. Horatio Gates lost a key battle in Camden, South Carolina. In the South, he would use superb military tactics to weaken Gen. Charles Cornwalliss troops. While the British generals larger army advanced, Greene would keep river and lakes between his forces and British troops.

Key Southern Victory

Greene then attempted to lure Cornwalliss army to the Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina so he could fight on battlegrounds of his choice. On March 15, 1781, it became clear to Greene that Cornwallis was ready for a fight.

Monument to Gen. Nathanael Greene in the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in Greensboro, N.C. (MarmadukePercy/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Greene divided his army into three groups: the first with inexperienced militiamen, the second with experienced commanders who directed the militia, and the third with experienced soldiers. The second and first lines saw some casualties and Greene lost his artillery.

Even with his losses, Greene considered the battle a key strategic victory, as it severely crippled the British presence in the southern colonies. The British lost over 600 men, which were more casualties than the Americans suffered.

When the battle ended, Cornwallis retreated north. Greene tried to follow him, but ran out of ammunition. Even with a poorly equipped army, Greene had driven British forces from North Carolina. Greene continued to move further south and weaken British forces.

Greene continued to serve in the Continental Army until 1783. After he resigned from his command, he moved to Georgia to live on a plantation gifted to him. In 1786, Greene died of sunstroke at the age of 43.

Would you like to see other kinds of arts and culture articles? Please email us your story ideas or feedback at features@epochtimes.nyc
New York Man Turned ISIS Recruiter Handed Life Sentence

A flag of the ISIS terrorist group pictured above a destroyed house near the Clock Square in Raqqa, Syria, on Oct. 18, 2017. (Erik De Castro/Reuters)

A former New York resident was handed a life sentence on Friday after being convicted on charges related to his involvement with ISIS, according to federal prosecutors.

Mirsad Kandic, 41, was found guilty by a federal jury in Brooklyn following a three-week trial in May 2022.

Mr. Kandic, originally from Brooklyn and Kosovo, was convicted on one count of conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS and five substantive counts of providing material support to the terrorist organization.

Prosecutors said Mr. Kandic recruited people from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and elsewhere to travel to Syria and Iraq and join ISIS battles.

His charges also include offering services, weapons, property and equipment, and false documentation and identification. These actions took place between January 2013 and June 2017 when Mr. Kandic was arrested in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Serving ISISs deadly terror campaign, this defendant fought on the battlefield, spread propaganda, smuggled weapons, and radicalized Western recruits, said U.S. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division.

According to court documents, Mr. Kandic was heavily involved in ISISs activities. He fought as a member of the group in Haritan, an ISIS stronghold on the outskirts of Aleppo, Syria.

He allegedly told an associate online that he worked in Turkey in ISISs border office as part of a team that conducted background checks on foreign fighters who wanted to go to Syria.

In order to join ISIS, Mr. Kandic tried and failed several times to travel from the United States to Turkey. In November 2013, he ultimately made the journey by taking a Greyhound bus for two days from New York City to Monterrey, Mexico. From there, he took flights through Panama, Brazil, Germany, Kosovo, and Turkey before making it to Syria.

Part of his activities involved spreading gruesome ISIS propaganda and disseminating recruitment messages through more than 120 Twitter accounts. One of the videos he shared celebrated ISIS conquests and featured macabre executions of captives, including victims who were forced to dig their own graves before being executed.

He sent thousands of radicalized fighters from Western countries to ISIS-controlled territories in Syria and the Middle East, prosecutors say.

Among those he recruited was Jake Bilardi, an 18-year-old Australian who contacted Mr. Kandic for assistance in joining ISIS. Mr. Bilardi joined ISIS in 2014 and killed more than 30 Iraqi soldiers and police officers in a suicide bomb attack west of Baghdad in March 2015.

The attack paved the way for ISISs takeover of Ramadi and the Anbar Province of Iraq several weeks later, an Iraqi Army general staffer testified.

In addition to his role as a recruiter, prosecutors say Mr. Kandic provided battlefield intelligence to ISIS leadership, enforced ISIS media discipline, managed funds for ISIS fighters, and smuggled weapons to the group. He operated a private market on Telegram, where firearms and military equipment were sold.

Kandic was a high-ranking member of ISIS who relished the death and destruction he wrought while providing every conceivable form of material support to a terrorist organization, including the recruitment of countless others to ISISs bloody campaigns in Syria and elsewhere, said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York.

Mr. Peace added that Mr. Kandics sentence ensures he will never again pose a threat to the United States or its allies.

The investigation and prosecution involved collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies and foreign authorities in various countries. The Bosnian and Herzegovina State Investigation and Protection Agency, Australian Federal Police, Iraqi Ministry of Defense, and FBI Legal Attache Offices in several countries provided crucial assistance.

This sentencing demonstrates the serious commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners around the world to investigating and holding accountable terrorists who threaten the safety and security of American interests, and those of our allies, said Assistant Director Robert R. Wells of the FBIs Counterterrorism Division.
Oakland Eviction Moratorium Set to End July 15

The Oakland City Council approved a proposal on April 18 that will end Oaklands COVID-19 eviction moratorium on July 15.

The moratorium was put in place in March 2020 and protected tenants from evictions due to COVID-related rent debt. With the end of the moratorium, Oakland landlords will regain the power to evict tenants if they have just cause.

Oakland was one of the last cities in the Bay Area to have the COVID-19 moratorium still in place.

The April 18 council meeting lasted eight hours and resulted in a 71 vote. Noel Gallo was the only member of the council to vote against this proposal, as he wanted the moratorium to be removed on May 31, but ultimately his proposed amendment didnt gain much traction.

The proposal that was approved was introduced by Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas and Councilmember Dan Kalb and is a revised version of a proposal they introduced in March. Ms. Bas and Mr. Kalb sought to gradually remove the moratorium in September and have landlords prove that lease-violating tenants caused substantial actual damage.

However, lobbying from landlords culminated in a compromise and the proposal.

Mr. Kalb stated at the April 18 meeting, I wont say Im thrilled with all the modifications, but part of the legislative process is the art of compromise in a fair fashion, as long as you still have a good end product.

Additionally, the proposal enacted new tenant protections to prevent a wave of evictions following the moratorium. This includes forbidding landlords from evicting tenants who owe less than a month of fair market rent, as defined by the federal government, and unpaid rent that took place during the moratorium, so long as the tenant can prove that it was a result of the pandemic.

For a landlord to evict a tenant for violating the lease, the terms of the lease must be shown to be reasonable, with the tenant agreeing to them in writing.

The proposal will also end the citys moratorium on rent increases on July 1, 2024.

This decision was the climax of weeks of protesting from landlords and tenants in an attempt to sway the decision in their favor. Landlords have been speaking out against the moratorium for a while now.

A few months ago, local property owner George Wu began a hunger strike. According to The East Bay Times, Mr. Wu owns a triplex in San Leandro. He said the policy led to some renters falling behind on payments and to him accumulating $120,000 in debt.

While protesting, he displayed signs that read, Need rent to feed my family, My son needs tuition fee, and Eviction moratorium kills housing, among other things. He told The East Bay Times he plans to protest at least a month or two, or even until death.

Mr. Wu told The Epoch Times: We landlords have it difficult too. Our wealth comes from our painstaking labor. Im not against the government protecting tenants, but the government needs to find the middle ground. They need to come up with a better policy and protect us landlords. This way it would be a fair policy.

Oakland resident Seneca Scott sympathized with Mr. Wu and told The Epoch Times: [The moratoriums] are theft, it is abuse of power, they are stealing our homes, and they have enabled people to not pay rent for three years. This moral hazard is the fault of the county and city. They have passed these laws; they have allowed people to steal from hardworking Americans.

Property owner Phyllis Horneman told The Epoch Times: We have provided housing for low-income people for 50 years. This is the end. If this eviction moratorium doesnt go away, we wont re-rent because the next person will move in and just not pay the rent. And we cant afford that. I mean, were getting pretty old here.

In March 2022, the Housing Providers of America, a coalition of landlords, sued Alameda County and Oakland to end the eviction moratorium.

However, tenants view the moratorium much more favorably.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, one member of the Oakland Tenants Union said, I dont know if any of you have ever received an eviction notice, but until you do it is really hard to appreciate the sheer terror youll feel.

The Chronicle quoted another resident as saying, Our lives should be worth more than somebody elses profit.

The Chronicle reported that Attorney Leah Simon-Weisberg, with Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Institute, a pro-tenants rights organization, believes this legislation possesses necessary tenant protections that will help with the transition of removing the moratorium. However, she is worried about frivolous evictions where tenants could be breached over minor offenses, and she said that she and other tenant advocates have been urging councilmembers to add plausible protections to put an end to this, the Chronicle stated.
Ontario CUPE Windsor-Essex Paramedics Union Begins Arbitration Fight Against Vaccine Mandates

A health worker uses a needle and a vial of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to prepare a dose at a vaccination health centre in a file photo. (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2974, representing paramedics and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel in Windsor-Essex County, Ontario, has started the arbitration process in its legal challenge against mandatory COVID vaccine mandates in the workplace.

CUPE Paramedics of Windsor-Essex said on social media on July 11 that arbitration will begin the next day for what will be the most comprehensive, substantive labour challenge against covid workplace mandates, seen in Ontario.

Where many others went through the motions, we will be fighting these coercive, immoral, contradictory policies with full force, said the union.

Local 2974which represents nearly 300 Essex-Windsor EMS personnel including paramedics, vulnerable patient navigators, vehicle service technicians, logistics technicians, and scheduling clerkshas been providing social media updates on the arbitration.

On July 12, it stated that day one was complete and that the employer was using unchallenged arguments trapped in 2021 & in need of liberating. Relying on long outdated science that the mandates/vaccines meaningfully prevent transmission.

The local tweeted on July 13 that it has been the most outspoken union local regarding mandates since day one, in all of Ontario; if not Canada, and has fought for its members every step of the way.

The union suggested on July 14 that an asymptomatic, negative COVID-tested, unvaccinated individual is safer in [the] workplace than [a] confirmed (tested) positive, vaccinated person.

According to the union, the employer is arguing that rapid antigen testing as an alternative to mandatory shots is equally as intrusive as injection foreign substance into body.

Yet, we allowed confirmed covid + people to continue to work because of staffing issues, while 10k healthcare workers were cast out in Ontario, said the union.

Chief of Essex-Windsor EMS Bruce Krauter was contacted for comment by The Epoch Times but did not respond by press time. In January 2022, Mr. Krauter said the COVID vaccine policy was implemented to protect the public and staff.

Choice Free From Coercion

In January 2022, CUPE Local 2974 said the idea that vaccine mandates prevent the spread of COVID-19 was a beautiful, fantastical lie and that those in support of forced shots were authoritarian and have a propensity for evil, reported the Windsor Star.

Later, the president of the local, James Jovanovic, a paramedic, told CBC News that the comments were meant ironically.

At a press conference on Nov. 10, 2021, Mr. Jovanovic said paramedics needed to freely choose to get vaccinated. He said at the time the union opposed forced mandates which would result in the termination of unvaccinated workers.

While I myself and most of my members made the choice to vaccinate, we will defend all our brothers and sisters regardless of their medical choice, he said. Ive had countless sleepless nights staying up on the phone speaking directly to and shedding tears with those who are being forcibly coerced into a medical treatment, which should only be a decision they make in consultation with their doctor, free from social or political pressure.

Calling vaccine mandates a politicized public health issues, which has caused irreparable damage to public trust, Mr. Jovanovic said people are being driven by fear.

I truly believe that have we simply treated our fellow citizens with compassion and respect and granted them the dignity of choice free from coercion, that we would have accomplished the same goal of increased vaccinations, but without the long-lasting damage to our shared communities, he said.

According to Mr. Jovanovic, prior to implementation of the mandates, Essex Windsor EMS was already experiencing severe challenges with a significant increase in Code Blacks, which is where there are zero ambulances available to respond to 911 calls.

Mr. Jovanovic said at the time that since the mandate, the shortage of ambulances and paramedics has been exacerbated with frequent down staffing of ambulances being taken off the road due to a lack of staff to fill them.
HELSINKI, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Finland may miss its 2035 carbon neutrality target unless additional measures are implemented, according to the country's 2022 annual climate report which the cabinet submitted to the parliament on Friday.

In 2022, Finland's greenhouse gas emissions decreased by approximately 4 percent. However, the land use and forestry activities became a minor source of emissions in 2021 after previously acting as a carbon sink.

According to the report, increased forest harvesting, slower forest growth, and increased emissions from peatlands contributed to the reversal.

Forests and soil are significant carbon sinks within the land use sector, but the size of the forest carbon sink in the country has declined in recent years.

On a more positive note, the report predicts that Finland is likely to achieve a 60 percent emission reduction by 2030 from 1990 levels, a target defined in the National Climate Act.

It also expects that Finland will be able to phase out fossil fuels in electricity and heat production in the coming years. Natural gas consumption halved in 2022 due to rising energy prices and a halt in Russian imports.

Outi Honkatukia, director of the climate department at the Ministry of Environment, told a press conference that she was confident about Finland's ability to achieve its neutrality goal by 2035.

She emphasized the urgency of taking significant measures in the land sector, considering the EU targets for 2021-2025.

Friday's report is the fifth edition and is done according to the provisions detailed in the country's climate act. 
The summer of 1885 was a scorcher, but that wasnt the hot topic in America that year. On June 16, a national hero battling terminal cancer retreated to a small cottage in the cooler mountains of upstate New York in a valiant effort to finish his long awaited memoirs.

The famous Civil War general had spurned offers to write his memoirs for years, but circumstances had changed. In 1884, the same year his cancer was diagnosed, a Wall Street investment fund co-owned by his son Buck went bankrupt. Managing partner Ferdinand Ward was exposed for running a Ponzi scheme costing investors millions, which ruined the family finances of Ulysses S. Grant.

Confronted with the shame of bankruptcy and facing a slow and painful death, the dreaded thought of leaving his family penniless finally convinced him to write his lifes story.

New York newspapers reported daily on the exalted ex-presidents personal health battle as an anxious nation stood transfixed. The big question in mid-summer 1885 was, would the national hero known as Unconditional Surrender have enough time to finish his lifes story before cancer wrote his epilogue?

Portrait of Gen. Grant in a trench during the 1863 Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., by artist Ole Peter Hansen Balling, 1865. (Public Domain)

A Sudden Diagnosis

In June 1884, the popular ex-president cried out in pain when he bit into a peach. Thinking hed been stung, he rinsed his mouth with water but told his wife Julia that the water hurt him like liquid fire, Grant biographer Ronald C. White wrote in American Ulysses: A Life of Ulysses S. Grant.

Grants personal physician, Dr. Fordyce Barker, was on his annual European trip until October, so Grant did his best to ignore his throat irritation for the next four months. Upon his return, Barker referred his famous patient to throat specialist Dr. John H. Douglas. Douglas knew Grant from when they were setting up field hospitals during the Civil War.

Douglas quickly diagnosed the disease and confirmed his suspicion after consulting with two other doctors. A tissue sample confirmed that the problem was cancer, but not cancer of the throatit was carcinoma of the right tonsillar pillar. This was before radiotherapy, tracheotomy, or other medical treatments were available.

Upon learning of his diagnosis, Grant chose not to share it with his wife and children. A troubled Julia Grant knew something wasnt right with her husband and paid Dr. Douglas a personal visit. Upon learning the diagnosis, she still could not believe the malady was a fatal one, White wrote.

A Literary Talent

The Century Magazine, a publication popular for its commentary on national issues, had approached Grant about writing for them in the spring of 1884. Motivated by his bleak financial plight, Grant agreed to contribute at the rate of $500 per article based on his experiences at the Battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and the Wilderness.

Under the tutelage of associate editor Robert U. Johnson, Grant drew from his field journals to craft a first-person narrative of what he planned, thought, saw, said and did. Pleased by the early response to his literary efforts, Grant warmed to the idea of writing his memoirs. Publishers immediately scrambled to sign the ex-president for the rights to his autobiography.

The publisher and editors at The Century Magazine thought they had the inside track on Grants memoirs, but a surprise bidder named Mark Twain had other ideas. A longtime admirer of Grant and his storytelling, Twain was thrilled that Grant had consented to writing his memoirs.

Upon learning the publishing terms Grant was being offered by Century, Twain immediately offered his friend an exclusive deal with the publishing house he invested in, Charles L. Webster & Company. Twain offered an advance of $50,000, plus a 20 percent royalty on sales or 70 percent of the total net proceeds. Grant wisely chose the latter.

A first edition copy of Grants personal memoirs from 1885. (David Newmann/National Park Service)

Racing Against Time

With contract in hand, Grant buckled down to undertake what he knew would be his last campaign. The nations 18th president knew he had one more fight on his hands, and time was short.

Due to the oppressive heat that summer, Dr. Douglas recommended that Grant retire to the cooler climate at Mount McGregor in the Adirondack Mountains.

Grant had pledged early on to write 10,000 words a day in longhand, a feat made more challenging by his cancers progression. He wrote for four hours every morning on unlined paper, sipping the cocaine water prescribed to soothe his inflamed tongue. In the afternoon, he would edit his own writing; the evening hours were occupied with planning the next days writing and reading aloud in a raspy voice that days efforts for Julia to offer suggestions.

When Grant lost his ability to speak altogether, he would communicate with family and visitors by writing notes. White wrote in his biography that Grant would sometimes use Twain as a sounding board. Twain marveled at his friends courage and perseverance. General Grant was a sick man, but he wrought upon his memoirs like a well one and made steady and sure progress, Twain wrote in his own autobiography.

After Grant lost 40 pounds, Twain sometimes doubted whether his friend would have time to finish his memoirs, but Grant promised he would finish his work. Ignoring the publics morbid fascination with his situation, the former president wrote up to 50 pages a day.

Grant relaxes on the side porch of his mountain home at Mount McGregor in the Adirondack Mountains, where he spent his last days writing his biography. Photograph of Drexel Cottage, circa 1886. Library of Congress. (Public Domain)

Grant completed his 500-word preface three weeks before his passing. At more than 600 pages, his memoir sold on a subscription basis as a two-book set and was an instant bestseller. Grants biography sold over 300,000 copies in its first printing, earning Julia Grant $200,000 and ultimately $450,000, or $12 million in todays currency.

Grants biography is viewed today as Americas first celebrity memoir, and critics still consider it one of the best literary achievements of any American president.

American caricaturist Thomas Nast said of Grants memoirs: As an intimate personal friend of General Grant, it was initially hard for me to read his book, but his words bring forth his spirit, his humanity, his goodness. He wrote as he talked, simple, unadorned, manly.

This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.
Putin Says He Offered Wagner Mercenaries the Option to Stay as a Single Unit

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via video conference at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 14, 2023. (Aleksey Babushkin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he offered the Wagner private military company the option of continuing to serve as a single unit under their same commander after their short-lived rebellion, while some of the mercenaries were shown Friday in Belarus, possibly heralding the groups relocation there.

Mr. Putins comments appeared to reflect his efforts to secure the loyalty of Wagner mercenaries, some of the most capable Russian forces in Ukraine, after the groups brief revolt last month that posed the most serious threat to his 23-year rule.

The fate of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin remains unclear since the June 2324 armed rebellion and new cracks have appeared in the Russian military as the war grinds through its 17th month and Ukraine presses a counteroffensive against the invading forces.

In remarks published Friday in the business daily Kommersant, Mr. Putin for the first time described a Kremlin event attended by 35 Wagner commanders, including Mr. Prigozhin, on June 29, five days after the rebellion. He said he praised their efforts in Ukraine, deplored their involvement in the mutinywhich he previously denounced as an act of treasonand offered them alternatives for future service.

Mr. Putin told Kommersant that one option would see Wagner keep the same commander who goes by the call sign Gray Hair and has led the private army in Ukraine for 16 months. The commander, Andrei Troshev, is a retired military officer who has played a leading role in Wagner since its creation in 2014 and faced European Union sanctions over his role in Syria as the groups executive director.

All of them could have gathered in one place and continued to serve, Mr. Putin told the newspaper, And nothing would have changed for them. They would have been led by the same person who had been their real commander all along.

Mr. Putin said many Wagner troops nodded in approval at the proposal, but Mr. Prigozhin, who was sitting in front and didnt see their reaction, quickly rejected it, responding that the boys wont agree with such a decision.

Mr. Putin didnt mention where and in what numbers Wagner could be deployed under his offer, or say what proposal the forces eventually accepted, if any. He said nothing about Mr. Prigozhins role.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to elaborate on Wagners future while speaking with reporters Friday.

Mr. Putin has previously said Wagner troops had to choose whether to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry, move to neighboring Belarus or retire from service.

Speaking to Kommersant, Mr. Putin emphasized that rank-and-file soldiers of Wagner have fought honorably in Ukraine, adding that its a cause for regret that they were drawn into the mutiny.

Mr. Putins remarks were to a Kommersant reporter who has special access to the president. They appeared to be part of efforts to denigrate Mr. Prigozhin while trying to maintain control over Wagner mercenaries and secure their loyalty.

Mr. Putin previously denied any links between the government and Wagner, and acknowledged after the mutiny that Mr. Prigozhins company has received billions of dollars from the state. He noted that investigators would probe whether any of the funds had been stolen, a warning to Mr. Prigozhin that he could face financial crimes.

State-controlled media have posted videos and photos of Mr. Prigozhins opulent mansion in St. Petersburg, including stacks of cash, gold bars and fake passports. The images appeared to be part of a smear campaign against the Wagner chief, who has portrayed himself as an enemy of corrupt elites even though he owes his wealth to Mr. Putin.

Mr. Putin also said Wagner has operated without legal basis.

There is no law on private military organizations. It simply doesnt exist, he told Kommersant, adding that the government and the parliament have yet to discuss the issue of private military contractors.

In the revolt that lasted less than 24 hours, Mr. Prigozhins mercenaries quickly swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot, before driving to within about 200 kilometers (125 miles) of Moscow. Mr. Prigozhin called it a march of justice to oust Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov, 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. Mr. Prigozhin ordered his mercenaries back to their camps after striking a deal to end the rebellion in exchange for an amnesty for him and his men, and permission to move to Belarus.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who brokered the deal, has said Mr. Prigozhin was in Russia while Wagners troops were in their field camps. He didnt specify the camps location but Mr. Prigozhins mercenaries fought alongside Russian forces in eastern Ukraine before their revolt and also have bases in Russia.

Mr. Lukashenko said his military could benefit from the private armys combat experience, and Belarusian state TV broadcast video Friday of Wagner instructors training Belarusian territorial defense forces at a firing range near Asipovichy, where a camp offered to Wagner is located. A Belarusian messaging app channel alleged Mr. Prigozhin spent a night at the camp this week and posted a photo of him in a tent.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry didnt say how many Wagner troops were in Belarus or specify if more will follow. Mr. Lukashenko has previously said it was up to Mr. Prigozhin and Moscow to decide on a move to Belarus. The Kremlin has refrained from comment.

Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said most mercenaries have remained in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, but added that at this stage, we do not see Wagner forces participating in any significant capacity in support of combat operations in Ukraine.

While the fate of Mr. Prigozhin remains cloudy, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday that Wagner was completing the handover of its weapons to the Russian military. That appeared to show attempts by Russian authorities to defuse the threat posed by the mercenaries and also seemed to herald an end to the groups operations in Ukraine.

At the same time, new fissures have emerged in the military command. Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, commander of the 58th army in the Zaporizhzhia region, a focal point in Ukraines counteroffensive, said he was dismissed after speaking out about problems faced by his troops in what he described as a treacherous stab in the back.

Mr. Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, refused to comment on Popovs remarks, referring questions to the Defense Ministry that also hasnt commented.

In the latest fighting, Ukraine said it shot down 16 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched overnight from Russias southern Krasnodar region. The presidential administration said at least four civilians were killed and 10 wounded since Thursday.

In southern Russia, three drones were destroyed late Thursday while approaching the city of Voronezh, regional Gov. Alexander Gusev said, adding there were no injuries or damage.

A drone also crashed and exploded in Kurchatov, where the Kursk nuclear power plant is located, without causing any damage to key facilities, said regional Gov. Roman Starovoit.

And three people were wounded when a car exploded in a residential area of Belgorod, near the Ukraine border, according to regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba responded to suggestions this week by British Defense Minister Ben Wallace that Ukraine could show more gratitude for Western military aid. The remark was an unfortunate misunderstanding on the part of the British minister, Kuleba said.

No one has any reason to accuse us of any ingratitude. But the truth is that, sorry, we are at war, he said. When we win, then I will say, thank you, the weapons were enough, but while the struggle continues, the weapons are not enough.
Reduce Population: Kamala Harriss Verbal Slip-Up Sparks Outrage

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the conclusion of the Investing in America tour at Coppin State University in Baltimore, Md., on July 14, 2023. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Vice President Kamala Harris mistakenly indicated while speaking in Maryland that the Biden administration is investing to reduce the U.S. population in order to provide cleaner air and drinking water to Americans.

When President [Joe] Biden and I took office, we set an ambitious goal  to cut our greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, Ms. Harris said at Coppin State University in Baltimore on Friday, addressing Mr. Bidens climate change agenda.

When we invest in clean energy and electric vehicles and reduce population, more of our children can breathe clean air and drink clean water, she declared.

The White House corrected the 58-year-old vice presidents error in the official transcript of her remarks, putting a line through population and adding pollution in brackets to refer to the word she intended to say.

Ms. Harris spoke at the event to address the Environmental Protection Agencys $20 billion investment program across two grant competitions under the Biden administrations Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund that aims to spark clean energy investments across the country.

After clips of Ms. Harriss verbal miscue emerged online, social media users and a number of Republican figures seized on the error to suggest the Biden administration was publicly calling to reduce the population in the United States.

KAMALA HARRIS: When we invest in clean energy and electric vehicles and reduce population, more of our children can breath clean air and drink clean water. pic.twitter.com/MbMiDx9Xoc  RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 14, 2023

Responding to Ms. Harris verbal slip-up in a Twitter post, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) asked the vice president what exactly she meant by reducing the population.

Abortion? Assisted suicide? Or what means are you suggesting to reduce population in order to help public health? Ms. Greene wrote.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), meanwhile, warned his followers on Twitter, asking: Are you the population she wants to reduce?

Kamala Harris admits she wants to reduce the population for environmental reasons, Ohio state Sen. Michael Rull said in a post on Twitter. Thats not just anti-American. Thats anti-human.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk also commented on the vice presidents mix-up of the phrase, tweeting: We need to increase population.

Reducing population is  We need to increase population  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 15, 2023

Drop in Polls

According to national polling data by FiveThirtyEight on July 13, Ms. Harris had a disapproval rating of 51.3 percent, with 39 percent of registered voters having a positive view of the California native.

Last month, her numbers stagnated at a lower level than many of her predecessors ratings.

NBC POLL: VP Kamala Harris net-negative rating (-17) is the lowest for any vice president in the polls history. VP (Positive/Negative)  Cheney: 47/24 (net +23)

 Gore: 42/27 (+15)

 Biden: 34/33 (+1)

 Pence: 34/38 (-4)

 Harris: 32/49 (-17)https://t.co/Mwa3sCZ2rQ pic.twitter.com/T5jqxa9mRR  InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) June 26, 2023

Responding to the drop in approval ratings, commentator and journalist Marc Thiessen told Fox News on July 13 that he believes the abysmal approval rating is due, in part, to how she speaks to the American public.

Why is she so unpopular? One may be that none of the issues shes taken on, like the border or anything else, she hasnt made any progress and so part of that is the failure of the administration, Mr. Thiessen said. But the other aspect is how she addresses the American people, he added.

People dont like to be talked to like a child. And so either they just lose confidence in her or they think shes talking down to them, and that makes her profoundly unpopular.

From NTD News
Chapter 2: Financial Position, Budget, and Cash Management

Three-Tiered Cash Reserves

You dont need a financial advisor to know you need a cash reserve. But how that is assembled profoundly affects your chances of success. Optimally, you should use three tiers and assemble a special kind of budget in order to estimate how much cash to place in each. You will need this structure regardless of whether you are young, approaching retirement, or long-since retired.

Tier 1 is the type most people think of: totally liquid cash. Resign yourself to scant return because you keep moving money in and out, and no institution will pay much on that. The purpose is to place money there for a month or two, topsmoney that is actually spent on monthly expenses, then replenished with earnings or other income. Keeping this down to known expenses for two months is important because the return will be so low. Use a checking account and perhaps also a money market fund. Often a fine deal can be had with a money market fund that earns enough interest to cover checking fees or get them waived. Even if you use a credit card for groceries, this fund pays off the charges before interest is applicable. Be sure to read the credit card terms to know when interest is actually applied! This fund is for known, repeating expenses, plus an extra months worth for modest discretionary expenditures.

Tier 2 is for expenditures that you can reasonably measure if you keep a budget that shows intended expenditures versus actual expenditures. The extra expenditures represent either spending you should consider trimming or expenditures you know are likely to occur sometime during the year, yet are not precisely known as to amount or timing.

Examples of items to place in the budget include maintenance on your vehicle, taking visitors out to eat, replacement of things that generally take a year to wear out, and vacations.

Tier 3 covers contingent expenses or outlays that have a reasonable probability of occurring, but might actually never occur. It is a ten-year fund (covering from the end of Tier 2s time horizon out to ten years). Because you might never need to access this fund, it should be exposed to whatever market risk you are willing to incur, but not as much as for funds destined for long-term goals.

Notice that filling these tiers cannot happen without income that exceeds expenses. Also notice that a cash reserve is the base support for risk management on the pyramid of financial stability and success.

Debt Strategy

Here is a tip on mortgages, so common early in a marriage but persistent throughout life: As soon as you are able, start making one or two extra payments per year and do so regularly. The best technique here is to first insist that the lender write the promissory note with this term: The date of receipt of any early payment should be credited on that date, or at least the expected principal portion. Then, pay ahead by at least two weeks continuously. Depending upon which of the foregoing crediting methods you can negotiate into your note, this can cut a thirty-year mortgage down to around twenty years, merely because you keep reducing the principal slightly every payment date. Actually, most refuse, crediting principal either once yearly or on a set date each month, negating the early payment effect. Some lenders might agree, though, in a competitive loan underwriting situation. Today, most lenders offer something like this in two versions of a promissory note you can pick. The common practice amounts to an extra payment per year, and cuts four years off a thirty-year mortgage. There are two problems:

1. The early payment effect is replaced by the extra-payment effect (pay 26 half payments per year, which equals 13 in a year).

2. You must make these payments and commit to missing none of them (the 25th and 26th payments are not optional). Banks figured this out many years ago when people began to make 24 payments per year, but made them early so as to reduce the principal ahead of the interest calculation; now banks want the exact amount of interest no matter what (unless you can negotiate from strength).

You might have seen ads for companies that act as middlemen to accomplish nearly the same effect. These are mostly legitimate, but there are two risks: First, the company might pay less in years when their profit margin is stressed. Their fine print will allow this for their protection. So, though they will not short you, they may fail to deliver on the ad hype and you can end up with an early payoff, but not as early as projected. The second risk is that your payments become the companys own money; it is obligated to pay the lender, but it is still subject to potential embezzlement (unlikely, but possible). Were that to happen, remember that you remain obligated to pay the lender even if your middleman goes bankrupt or experiences some sort of embezzlement.

The safest early payoff method, short of making one or more extra payments per year, is to refinance when rates get low. Try also to pay any mortgage down after eliminating nondeductible debt, of course. But beware of a trap: refinancing another time for the same old term (number of years). You will just keep extending the date when you would be free of the mortgage!

Credit and debit cards are very convenient, and provide more security than using cash. Issuers in the US and Canada now provide $50,000 of protection against fraudulent use of your data or card, provided that you report suspicious transactions within a reasonable time, generally the billing. This phrase reasonable time, though, varies by lawyers favorite term, facts and circumstances. An example simplifies: Youre mugged, and you notice that your debit card has been stolen while youre speaking with police in an emergency room where your cuts and bruises are treated. You are tired and shaken emotionally, but you did not bother to report this upon your return home, where you have a working phone. Instead, you reported it after lunch the next day, but a thousand-dollar charge was made just before lunch. An argument could be made by your creditor that you failed to report the theft at your first reasonable opportunity, which would reasonably have been when you arrived home. I told the police, you might argue and they would cancel it for me. You might win in a court fight with the creditor, maybe, but do you really want to be in that fight? Besides, maybe the police were too busy that morning; you could have called the card company while waiting in the emergency room. Never go longer than a billing cycle before checking every line item on your bill!

Credit card purchases, as distinct from debit card use, give you the false sense that there is not much owed. This occurs because peoples focus is always on the most recent purchase, rather than the many that came before. Soon, what you owe can get out of hand.

Even if you have great self-discipline about paying most or all of your balance monthly, here is one mistake that is easy to make, yet you must avoid it: Never think of your credit accounts, whether an equity credit line or an ordinary credit account, as part of your cash reserve.

The reason many do that is because it can be used when you are in a bind, such as being out of work for several weeks. The big failure in thinking of the account this way is that you begin to think that you dont really need as big a cash reserve as I prescribed earlier. In a serious income pause, this thinking can lead to serious consequences, even bankruptcy.

Other leverage cautions: Did you know that almost all commercial loans, and most commercial real estate loans and lines of credit, are callable? This means that under circumstances of tight economic conditionsand even if you are paying these faithfullythese loans can be demanded to be paid up in a much briefer time than originally scheduled! If you are not a merchant or business person, this may seem like it does not affect you. What if your employer is a small business, say an RV dealership, and it suffers going into a recession? No problem, you might say: Im their top sales rep or their essential operations manager. Fine, but the business itself could be forced to liquidate. The more at-risk your employer, the larger your cash reserve should be.

Few residential mortgages and lines of credit are callable due to economic conditions, but they all are in event of sixty to ninety days of default (depending upon your promissory note provisions). Also, every one is callable in event of failure to have adequate (defined in the note) homeowners insurance, failure to pay real estate taxes, and failure to maintain the house. Imagine that you have a storm and notice that your roof leaks badly afterward. The insurance carrier sends an inspector, whose photos show that prior damage existed that left the roof more susceptible to the storm. Claim denied. Now you are in a dispute with your insurance company over whether the roofs leaking is covered. Impossible? It happened to me, and it did not matter that I was unaware of the prior compromise of the roof. So, the carrier denies your claim because you did not deal with the earlier leak that got worse in the storm. Now you must personally fork over $12,000 or so for a new roof. How could the mortgage company learn of this? Surely you have plenty of time and the mortgage company will not accelerate (call) the loan if you must delay getting a new roof! Well, the carrier drops you because of the earlier failure to maintain the roof (all policies do allow this). No, Im not kidding: All policies give the carrier the option to non-renew (sometimes to drop you with sixty days notice) if they determine that your level of maintenance of the home increases their risk. The carrier informs the mortgage company, and will do so in every such case.

What other less-than-obvious threats to your budget and net worth are waiting to bite you? Losing statements, disorganization, and keeping outdated materials can be a problem, at least in costing you time with a financial planner who might charge to help organize. Archive old records; label them as archived. Keep a notebook with in-force policies and investments and other statements. Transfer statements to archive once they are a year old, but keep the current ones and the original descriptive materials in the current folder. Keep summary plan descriptions from employee benefits, wills, Social Security statements, etc., in this current folder.

Such a folder can help in emergencies, too, from deaths to benefits claims. These documents need not be duplicated and placed in a fireproof box, but a list that includes the wills and where to get replacement documents should be so protected. This folder can also speed your discussions with a financial planner, at least to keep you and your heirs organized when documents are needed. Consider keeping these items in a fireproof safe or a bank safe deposit box, plus a listing in your home or office for quick reference. Hold on to your W-2s and pay stubs to verify your employment history to avoid problems from an employers mistaken or lost work records (crucial if you ever need to double-check pension and Social Security benefits). Retain employee benefit plan documents, including benefit statements, notices, and your summary plan description.

Likewise, dont borrow from your retirement plan, as this can be a double whammy of tax taken out automatically if the IRS deems necessary in the very year you have lower earnings; it could even place you in a higher tax bracket if the unpaid loan is big enough.

This excerpt is taken from The Secrets of Successful Financial Planning: Inside Tips From an Expert, by Dan Gallagher.

To read other articles of this book, click here .

To buy this book, click here.

The Epoch Times Copyright  2023 The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.
Torontos Plan to Decriminalize Hard Drugs an Absolute Disaster, Says Ontario Premier

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli look on as the legislature resumes at Queen's Park in Toronto on Feb. 21, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn)

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has vowed to fight Torontos plan to decriminalize hard drugs, calling it an absolute disaster for the city.

Craziest thing Ive ever heard, Mr. Ford said. Go out to Vancouver, go out to San Francisco.

I will do everything I can to fight this, stated the premier. Again, this goes up to the federal government. They cannot be following up with [this] request, the premier said on July 14 while appearing on 640 Toronto, a radio show with Alex Pierson.

It would be an absolute disaster for our city, he added.

In January 2022, Toronto Public Health made a request to the federal government to decriminalize possession of hard drugs for personal use, and in March, amended the request to cover all substances and ages, including youth. Toronto is asking Ottawa to grant an even broader exemption than what was given to British Columbia, under which the province decriminalized small amounts (2.5 grams) of certain illegal drugs for personal use for adults on Jan. 31 of this year.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa said the submission was a made-in-Toronto model.

Were talking about a matter of health and a matter of human rights, not one that really is meant to be addressed or is best addressed with a criminal justice approach, she said. Thats why were pursuing this route.

If Toronto is given approval by Ottawa, teenagers would be allowed to legally possess hard drugs, but trafficking and drug production would continue to be a criminal offence.

Torontos submission said that eight individuals aged 12 to 17 died in Toronto from opioid overdoses between 2019 and 2021.

Thats why we feel that this is something that does have to apply to all so that were sure that even the youngest members of our community are having their health issues looked at and addressed through a health lens rather than through something like a criminal justice lens, said Ms. de Villa.

Treatment

Premier Ford said drug addicts need to go to a treatment centre.

During the radio show, the host told the premier that police officers arent allowed to police the areas around safe injection sites and have been told to stay away from those sites.

Last week, a 44-year-old mother of two young daughters, Karolina Huebner-Makurat, was killed by stray bullets, after a fight ensued next to a safe injection site in Toronto. Witnesses have alleged that the suspects involved in the shooting were drug dealers selling their products at the site, Global News reported.

Mr. Ford said that if any site was in violation of the rules, the province would investigate. I can tell you right now, I have directed our team  to make sure they are in compliance.

The premier said he expects kickback from the City of Toronto because the provinces plan makes the city responsible to make sure theyre within compliance.

Putting a safe injection site into the community, what does it attract? It attracts drug dealers. Its unacceptable, said Mr. Ford. Just imagine if someone puts this in your backyard. Its unacceptable.

He said the province needs to build more treatment centres. It is expensive, and privately, yes, you can go into places, but it does cost a lot. But, we need to make sure that theres more beds for treatment with these drug addicts, Mr. Ford said.

Were going to go full steam on this, he added.

The premier suggested that the drug injection site near Mrs. Huebner-Makurats death was installed by the previous Liberal government in 2017 and that the province is currently monitoring it.

If the community doesnt want it, then it shouldnt be there. But we did not put that site in, Mr. Ford said.

I believe someone addicted to drugs needs to go get proper treatment.
Trump Launches 2nd Petition to Quash Fulton County Election Interference Probe

Former President Donald Trump is, for a second time, requesting that a Georgia court shut down an investigation into allegations he interfered in the states elections in 2020.

On Thursday, Mr. Trumps legal team asked the Superior Court for Fulton County, Georgia, to quash a report prepared by a special purpose grand jury (SPGJ) involved in the months-long investigation. Mr. Trumps lawyers also called on the court to block any evidence obtained through that special purpose grand jury from being reintroduced in court and asked to disqualify Democratic Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from any further proceedings involving the former president.

The Fulton County SPGJ had been empaneled for eight months as Ms. Willis investigated allegations that laws were broken as Mr. Trump and his allies disputed Georgias 2020 election results.

Mr. Trumps legal team had filed a petition earlier in March, seeking to quash elements of the case. At the time, the former presidents legal team argued that Ms. Willis had made investigating Mr. Trump part of her district attorney election campaign and that this presented a conflict of interest in her handling of the case. The March court petition also argued that the judicial and legal integrity of the case had been compromised when jury forewoman Emily Kohrs began appearing for news interviews to describe the case and indicated she and her fellow jurors had recommended indictments against several people.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney has not yet ruled on the Trump teams initial petition to quash the case. The new petition now requests to throw out the SPGJ report and disqualify Ms. Willis in order to preempt a criminal indictment, arguing that the SPGJ proceedings went beyond their lawful purpose.

[Mr. Trump] now sits on a precipice. A regular Fulton County grand jury could return an indictment any day that will have been based on a report and predicate investigative process that were wholly without authority, the new petition (pdf) states.

Mr. Trumps legal team noted Mr. McBurney had impaneled new grand juries while Mr. Trumps original motion to quash had yet to be decided. The court filing argues that between the District Attorneys driving the process and the Supervising Judges inaction, [Mr. Trump] is at the mercy of State actors who have heretofore paid no regard to his rights, even his right to have his motion heard and ruled upon.

The new petition again cites Ms. Williss alleged conflicts of interest in the case, as well as media appearances by members of the special purpose grand jury.

NTD reached out for comment from the Fulton County DAs office but did not receive a response by the time this article was published.

After Mr. Trumps first motion to quash, Ms. Williss office argued in a May response filing that Mr. Trumps motion lacked standing and had other procedural flaws. The DAs May response (pdf) balanced on the fact that no one has actually been indicted or named to be indicted in the SPGJ report and thus argued that Mr. Trumps team is relying on conjecture to say theyve been negatively implicated by the court proceedings.

Mr. Trump asserts that he has been inextricably intertwined with this investigation since its inception in early 2021, also observing that he participated in the event which precipitated the investigation, a phone call in January of 2021. However, as he acknowledges, he was never a witness before the SPGJ, Ms. Willis office argued. Because the Movants arguments do not demonstrate individualized injuries or injuries-in-fact rather than injuries-in-conjecture, they lack standing to challenge the constitutionality of the pertinent statutes.

Later on in the May response filing, Ms. Williss office argued, If an investigation results in actual criminal charges against [Mr. Trump], the justice system ensures they will have no shortage of available remedies to pursue.

From NTD News
Ukraine Receives Cluster Munitions, Pledges Limited Use

An emptied cluster munition container on the outskirts of Kharkiv, Ukraine, on June 10, 2022. (Ivan Alvarado/Reuters)

KYIVUkraine has received cluster bombs from the United States, munitions banned in more than 100 countries, but has pledged to only use them to dislodge concentrations of enemy soldiers.

Valeryi Shershen, a spokesman for the Tavria, or southern, military district on Thursday confirmed an announcement by his commander that the weapons had arrived a week after the United States said it would send them as part of an $800-million security package.

The Pentagon also announced their arrival.

Moscow has denounced their shipment. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu warned on Thursday that Russia could resort to deploying similar weaponry if faced with their use.

Ukrainian officials say their deployment is justified in view of Russias mining of vast tracts of land it has seized.

Ukraine has launched a counter offensive more than 500 days into the war, focusing on capturing groups of villages in the southeast and retaking areas around the eastern city of Bakhmut, seized by Russian forces in May after months of fighting.

This will further demotivate Russian occupying forces and fundamentally change things in favor of the Ukrainian armed forces, Mr. Shershen told U.S.-funded Radio Liberty.

The munitions, he said, would be used strictly within the legal framework, only for the deoccupation of our territories.

They will not be used on Russian territoryThey will be used only in areas where Russian military forces are concentrated in order to break through enemy defences.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy restated Ukraines assurances during a NATO summit on Wednesday.

Cluster munitions typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Those that fail to explode pose a danger for decades.

Each side has accused the other of using cluster bombs in the conflict launched by Russias invasion in February 2022.

Human Rights Watch says both Moscow and Kyiv have used cluster munitions. Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. have not signed up to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans production, stockpiling, use and transfer of the weapons.

The decision to send the munitions to Ukraine has been opposed by Spain and Canada, while Britain said it was part of a convention that discourages use of the weapons. Some U.S. Democratic lawmakers also raised their concerns.

Ukrainian military analyst Oleskander Musiyenko said he assumed the weapons would be used in the south as that areas commander had announced their arrival.

We can say that it is in the south where it is planned to pierce and destroy the fortifications of the enemys defence line, Mr. Musiyenko told Ukrainian television. I think cluster munitions will expand the capabilities of our troops.

Deputy Ukrainian Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Ukrainian troops were making headway in the south, forcing enemy forces to redeploy. Near Bakhmut, Ukrainian troops made gains south of the city, but faced more difficulties to the north.

Russian accounts of the fighting said its forces had repelled 16 Ukrainian attacks in eastern Donetsk region alone.
US Navy Plane Flies Through Taiwan Strait, China Carries out More Drills

A P-8A Poseidon attached to Maritime Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 flies over the guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) in the South China Sea on June 29, 2016. (Naval Aircrewman 2nd Class Daniel Rodriguez/U.S. Navy via Reuters)

TAIPEIChinese fighter jets monitored a U.S. Navy patrol plane that flew through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Thursday, as China carried out a third day of military exercises to the south of the island Beijing views as Chinas sovereign territory.

The Chinese communist regime has been incensed by U.S. military missions through the narrow strait, most frequently of warships but occasionally of aircraft, saying China has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the waterway. Taiwan and the United States dispute that, saying it is an international waterway. The U.S. Navys 7th fleet said the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance plane, which is also used for anti-submarine missions, flew through the strait in international airspace.

By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations, it said in a statement.

The Chinese military described the flight as public hype, adding it sent fighters to monitor and warn the U.S. plane.

Taiwans defense ministry said Chinese warplanes and warships carried out a third day of exercises to the islands south on Thursday, and that it detected 26 aircraft including advanced Chinese J-16 and Su-30 fighters flying out to sea and responding to the U.S. Poseidon.

The ministry said the U.S. aircraft had stuck to the straits median line and flew in a southerly direction on Thursday morning, and that Taiwans forces kept watch.

The median line normally serves as an unofficial barrier between Taiwan and China.

However, since last August when China held large-scale war games around Taiwan, Chinese military aircraft have been frequently crossing the line, though generally quite briefly.

The Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) latest drills near Taiwan have involved fighters, bombers, and warships, with the aircraft mainly flying to the islands south and out into the Pacific through the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan from the Philippines, according to maps provided by Taiwans defense ministry.

The Chinese regime has not commented on the exercises, which have taken place less than two weeks before Taiwan stages its own annual drills and as NATO alliance leaders said the CCP challenges its interests, security, and values with its ambitions and coercive policies.
US Southwest Swelters Under Dangerous Heat Wave

Marbry Steward (L) gets a cooling spritz of water from Michael Abel during a rally by striking writers and actors outside Warner Bros. studios, in Burbank, Calif., on July 14, 2023. (Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo)

PHOENIXA dangerous heat wave threatened a wide swath of the Southwest with potentially deadly temperatures in the triple digits on Saturday as some cooling centers extended their hours and emergency rooms prepared to treat more people with heat-related illnesses.

Near record temperatures are expected this weekend! the National Weather Service in Phoenix warned in a tweet, advising people to follow its safety tips such as drinking plenty of water and checking on relatives and neighbors.

Dont be a statistic! the weather service in Tucson advised, noting extreme heat can be deadly. It CAN happen to YOU!

About a third of Americans, were under extreme heat advisories, watches, and warnings Saturday as the blistering heat wave was forecast to get worse this weekend for Nevada, Arizona, and California. Temperatures in some desert areas were predicted to soar past 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.8 degrees Celsius) during the day, and remain in the 90s F (above 32.2 C) overnight.

Around 200 hydration stations distributing bottles of water and cooling centers where potentially thousands of people can rest in air-conditioned spaces opened Saturday in public spaces like libraries, churches, and businesses around the Phoenix area.

Charles Sanders spent Friday afternoon with his Chihuahua mix Babygirl at the air-conditioned Justa Center, which offers daytime services to older homeless people in downtown Phoenix. Its also serving as a hydration station, distributing free bottles of water.

Because of funding and staffing limitations, the center can only stay open until 5:30 p.m., so Sanders, a 59-year-old who uses a wheelchair, has spent the sweltering nights with his pet in a tattered tent behind the building.

Ive been here for four summers now and its the worst so far, said Mr. Sanders, a former welder originally from Denver.

David Hondula, chief heat officer for the City of Phoenix, said Friday that because of the health risks some centers were extending hours that are sometimes abbreviated because of limited volunteers and money.

This weekend there will be some of the most serious and hot conditions weve ever seen, said Mr. Hondula.

He said just one location, the Brian Garcia Welcome Center for homeless people in downtown Phoenix, planned to be open 24 hours and direct people to shelters and other air-conditioned spaces for the night. During especially hot spells in the past, the Phoenix Convention Center has opened some space as a nighttime cooling center, but Mr. Hondula said he had not heard of that possibility this year.

In Las Vegas, casinos offered respite from the heat for many. Air-conditioned libraries, police station lobbies, and other places from Texas to California planned to be open to the public to offer relief for at least part of the day.

Emergency room doctors in Las Vegas have been treating more people for heat illness as the heat wave threatened to break the citys all-time record high of 117 degrees Fahrenheit (47.2 degrees Celsius) this weekend.

Dr. Ashkan Morim, who works in the ER at Dignity Health Siena Hospital in suburban Henderson, Nevada, spoke Friday of treating tourists this week who spent too long drinking by pools and became severely dehydrated, and a stranded hiker who needed liters of fluids to regain his strength.

In New Mexicos largest city of Albuquerque, splash pads will be open for extended hours and many public pools were offering free admission. In Boise, Idaho, churches and other nonprofit groups were offering water, sunscreen, and shelter.

In Southern California, temperatures soared into the triple digits in inland areas, and a ridge of high pressure was expected to keep its hold on the region for a couple of weeks.

By mid Saturday afternoon, it was 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) in Death Valley, California, where forecasters have said the temperature could hit 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4 C) this weekend. The hottest temperature recorded at Death Valley was 134 F (56.6 C) in July 1913, according to the National Park Service.

In Lancaster and Palmdale, north of Los Angeles, temperatures hit 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42.2 degrees Celsius), said National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Wofford. In Los Angeles San Fernando Valley, the thermometer cleared triple digits in some areas.

We are going to be pretty warm for a while, Mr. Wofford said, adding that temperatures would be above normal for about two weeks. Theres been a lot of triple digits across the region.

In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass announced the city was opening cooling centers where residents can escape the heat. The extreme heat that is forecasted this weekend can pose serious risks, she warned.

The hot, dry conditions sparked a series of blazes in Southern California southeast of Los Angeles, where firefighters Saturday were battling three separate brush fires amid blistering heat and low humidity in sparsely populated, hilly areas. The fires were all within 40 miles (65 kilometers) of each other in Riverside County, where temperatures in some areas spiked into the triple digits.

Heat is definitely a concern out there, said April Newman of the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, adding that the blazes were burning through dense, dry brush in rugged terrain.

Phoenix on Saturday saw the citys 16th consecutive day of 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) or higher temperatures, hitting that mark before noon and putting it on track to beat the longest measured stretch of such heat. The was record 18 days, in 1974.

The heat was expected to continue into next week.

Regional health officials in Las Vegas launched a new database Thursday to report heat-caused and heat-related deaths in the city and surrounding Clark County from April to October.

The Southern Nevada Health District said seven people have died since April 11, and a total of 152 deaths last year were determined to be heat-related.

Arizonas Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, reported this week that so far this year there have been 12 confirmed heat-associated deaths going back to April, half of them people who were homeless. Another 55 deaths are under investigation.

There were 425 confirmed heat-associated deaths in Maricopa County last year, with more than half of them occurring in July and 80 percent of them happening outdoors.

Closer to the Pacific coast, temperatures were less severe, but still have made for sweaty days on picket lines in the Los Angeles area, where actors joined screenwriters in strikes against producers.

In Sacramento, the California State Fair kicked off with organizers canceling planned horseracing events due to concerns for animal safety. Pet owners around the Southwest were urged to keep their animals mostly inside.
Vivek Ramaswamy Makes His Case in Q&A With Tucker Carlson at Crowded Iowa Forum

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy fields questions from former Fox News Television host Tucker Carlson at the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines, Iowa on July 14, 2023. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

All of the top Republican presidential candidates, Donald Trump excepted, braved questions from journalist Tucker Carlson at a summit in Des Moines, Iowa.

While some met with a lukewarm or, at times, unfriendly reception from the very Christian audience, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy was most definitely not among them. He even got a standing ovation.

It would seem that were doing really well in this racea lot better than we expected to, frankly, than I expected to this early on, Mr. Ramaswamy told reporters after his speech at the July 14 candidate forum, which was organized by The FAMiLY Leader and Blaze Media.

He was amazing, said Dennis Guth, a Republican state senator from Iowa who spoke with The Epoch Times after all the candidates said their piece.

He really was a firebrand, said Pastor Josh Overfors, another Iowan who shared his thoughts with The Epoch Times following the speeches.

He wasnt afraid to hold back on positions that were unpopular, Mr. Overfors added.

An Anti-woke Millennial

Mr. Ramaswamy had a relatively friendly interlocutor in Mr. Carlson. The anti-woke Millennial announced his candidacy several months ago on Tucker Carlson Tonight before Fox News fired the popular cable television host.

The businessman has gained ground on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in recent polling. Both remain dwarfed by Mr. Trump among Republican voters.

Mr. Ramaswamys rise can be credited in part to his Trump-like posture, not least in terms of rhetoric.

The United States, Mr. Ramaswamy told Mr. Carlson, is doing poorly.

The frankness echoes Mr. Trumps message during his first bid for president, beginning with his descent down the golden escalator at Trump Tower.

Our country is in serious trouble. We dont have victories anymore. We used to have victories, but we dont have them, Mr. Trump said near the beginning of what turned out to be an epochal address.

Mr. Ramaswamy sounded a little more optimistic when Mr. Carlson asked him how his opinions have shifted while barnstorming the country as a presidential hopeful.

Were not as divided as they make it out to be, he said, citing conversations he had in Chicagos South Shore and inner-city Philadelphia.

Like Mr. Trump, who ran as an America First opponent of globalism, Mr. Ramaswamy stressed that he is a citizen of this nation, not some nebulous global citizen.

He worked hardest to set himself apart from many rivals when responding to questions on foreign policya frequent and, at times, contentious topic during Mr. Carlsons conversations with the various candidates.

Nearly our entire field is indistinguishable in practice from where Biden is on this, which is in an undefined, ill-defined way, pouring more money into a war that I think is destined to become Vietnam or Iraq all over again, Mr. Ramaswamy said.

We can end this war and start prioritizing the interests of actual U.S. citizens here at home, he continued to applause from the crowd.

I dont think any Republican donors agree with you, Mr. Carlson said.

I think thats accurate, Mr. Ramaswamy replied.

He outlined a peace plan that would see Ukraine sacrifice the potential for NATO membership and part of the Donbas region in exchange for concessions from Russiastrategic decoupling from China, denuclearization of Kaliningrad, and no troops in Cuba, Venezuela, or other locations in the United States historic sphere of influence.

Presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy stands with his son Karthik after speaking at a candidate forum in Des Moines on July 14, 2023. (Nathan Worcester/The Epoch Times)

January 6 and Censorship

Mr. Ramaswamy weighed in on domestic policy too. He traced the events of January 6 to pervasive censorship on everything from COVID origins to the Hunter Biden laptop.

You tell people in this country they cannot speakthat is when they scream. You tell people they cannot screamthat is when they tear things down, he said.

The anti-ESG investor drew cheers and applause when he questioned the premise of one question from Mr. Carlson.

Both parties, particularly the Democratic Party, claim theyre doing so [pushing censorship] in order to protect democracy,' Mr. Carlson said.

Were a constitutional Republic, Mr. Ramaswamy said.

People always applaud that! I love it, Mr. Carlson replied with a laugh.

Mr. Ramaswamy also suggested that the Democrats choice of candidate would depend on whether he secures the nomination, adding to the ongoing speculation about whether California Governor Gavin Newsom or some other candidate will replace the octogenarian incumbent come Election Day 2024.

If its Trump, theyre going to run Biden. If its me, theres no way they let Biden run, he said, floating Mr. Newsom and Michelle Obama as two possible challengers in such an event.

Mr. Overfors and Mr. Guth were far from alone in finding Mr. Ramaswamy impressive.

After this day, I would be between either Vivek or DeSantis, said Rachel Terhaar, crediting the entrepreneur with a certain organicness.

For Trump loyalists who feel he deserves to win in 2024, Mr. Ramaswamy looks like a good second choice or maybe even a number two in the administration.

Grant Gardner told The Epoch Times Mr. Ramaswamy was the second-best option after Mr. Trump.
BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Stepping out of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility onto the road to freedom, Haji Ghalib couldn't feel relieved.

He had been jailed for four years without legal trials or charges at Guantanamo before being released on March 1, 2007.

"The detainee is not assessed as being a member of al-Qaida or the Taliban," the U.S. army's report concluded, thus declaring his innocence. However, his stay in the infamous camp was a nightmare for Ghalib.

Ghalib and other inmates at Guantanamo reportedly suffered indefinite custody and years of abuse at the hands of the U.S. government. In June, Fionnuala Ni Aolain, a United Nations (UN) special rapporteur, visited the camp and told the press about the "ongoing cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment" to which the detainees were subjected.

The Guantanamo detention camp is just one of the many "black sites" set up by the United States around the world to hold alleged "terrorists." Throughout the years, the country has furtively established detention camps in at least 54 countries and regions, using them as interrogation facilities for "terrorist suspects" while attempting to evade jurisdiction and legal challenges.

ARBITRARY ARRESTS

Ghalib recalled the chaos and panic on the morning of Feb. 26, 2003, when he, serving as a police officer in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province then, was violently captured by the U.S. forces.

"I finished my morning prayer and had not yet eaten breakfast ... Then I found myself surrounded by U.S. planes, helicopters and tanks," the 59-year-old Afghan told Xinhua.

After physically assaulting him, the American soldiers apprehended him and forcibly transported him to U.S. overseas detention camps.

A document of the U.S. Department of Defense in January 2005 claimed his innocence and denied his affiliation with al-Qaida or the Afghan Taliban. However, he was kept in custody for the subsequent two years.

Upon his return to Afghanistan in 2007, he had to deal with another devastating blow -- the loss of his family members.

Similar tragedies befell other detainees. Of the approximately 780 individuals held at Guantanamo, fewer than 20 were put on trial, while a significant number of others endured prolonged detention and abuse without access to a formal trial or any form of compensation.

But their lives were permanently altered.

One such case was Mohammed Sanghir, a Pakistani who was arrested by the U.S. army while travelling in Afghanistan in 2001.

Following a long period of detention at Guantanamo, the man was eventually repatriated due to a lack of evidence linking him to terrorist activities.

Nonetheless, the consequences were irreversible. "Prior to my arrest, I owned a woodworking shop with prosperous business. After I was arrested, my family faced immense hardships and had to sell our property just to make ends meet," Sanghir told Xinhua.

Equally heartbreaking was the story of young Iraqi Alaa Karim Ahmed. Twenty years ago, Ahmed was on his way to the first day of university with family members. As Ahmed pulled over the car to pick up items fallen to the ground, a nearby group of U.S. troops were struck by an explosion.

Despite the absence of evidence linking him to the explosion, the young man, still dressed in his school uniform, was taken away by U.S. soldiers.

Following multiple transfers between prisons, Ahmed was finally freed after two and a half years. The scars etched on his skin and flesh, resulting from the prolonged wearing of handcuffs and shackles, serve as a constant reminder of his suffering.

CRUEL TORTURE

Following baseless arrests, every detainee suffered severe mistreatment while being interrogated.

At the basement of Jalalabad Airport in the capital of Nangarhar, the U.S. military tied up Ghalib's hands and repeatedly plunged his head into water.

A few days later, he was transferred to the Bagram prison situated about 40 km north of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

The Bagram prison was nicknamed "Afghanistan's Guantanamo" due to numerous instances of prisoner abuse. Within one week in December 2002, two detainees lost their lives as a result of abuse by the U.S. military at the camp.

A few months later, Ghalib was sent to the Guantanamo detention camp. Upon arrival, he was forcibly undressed, followed by being washed by water pipes and having his head shaved.

All inmates, without exception, had to undergo excruciating torture.

"In the first one-and-a-half months, they wouldn't let us speak to anyone, wouldn't let us call for prayers or pray in the room. I tried to pray and four or five commandos came and they beat me up. If someone would try to make a call for prayer they would beat him up and gag him," one of the inmates was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

Waterboarding, one of the most brutal interrogation techniques devised by U.S. intelligence officials, was regularly employed.

In practice, the victim is immobilized on an inclined board, head and feet raised, and the face covered with a cloth. Water is poured over the cloth, making it hard for the victim to breathe and potentially causing suffocation.

Those subjected to waterboarding experience extreme agony as it induces an overwhelming and prolonged sensation of imminent death.

A report of the U.S. Department of Justice showed that victims of waterboarding often resorted to fabricating false confessions or even admitting crimes they did not commit to escape further torture.

Since its inception in 2002 by the U.S. military outside the U.S. territory, the Guantanamo detention camp has been marred by a flagrant breach of human rights.

Raul Capote, editor-in-chief of the Cuban newspaper Granma International, noted that endless detention without fair and lawful trials at Guantanamo led to the deteriorating health of the detainees.

"LUCRATIVE DEAL"

The U.S. intelligence apparatus also exploited the "black sites" to reap substantial profits from government coffers and fabricate false claims of success in counterterrorism.

American taxpayers were burdened with an annual expense of 540 million U.S. dollars to sustain the ongoing operation of the Guantanamo camp, even when the number of detainees there has declined to a mere 30, The New York Times reported.

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has struck deals with certain countries and tribes, whereby the U.S. government bought alleged "terrorist suspects" from those entities at exorbitant prices ranging from 3,000 to 25,000 dollars, The Associated Press reported.

U.S. media outlets also uncovered that the CIA paid a private company nearly 80 million dollars for the purpose of designing torture programs.

Despite the repeated exposure of human rights violations at the "black sites," no U.S. official has been held accountable for developing, authorizing or carrying out covert arrest and torture programs.

The U.S. breach of human rights has also drawn harsh criticism and condemnation from the international community and experts worldwide.

In 2020, the International Criminal Court (ICC) resumed its investigation into the grave crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by all parties involved in the conflict in Afghanistan, including U.S. forces.

Then ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said there was "reasonable" suspicion of war crimes by the U.S. forces in Afghanistan as well as by the CIA in "black sites" across the globe, U.S.-based organization Human Rights Watch reported.

Ni Aolain urged the U.S. government to provide judicial assistance and apologies to the victims at Guantanamo, and to guarantee the non-repetition of such human rights violations.

Despite vaunting itself as a self-proclaimed "beacon of democracy" and champion of "freedom and human rights," the United States has, in reality, committed crimes in flagrant violation of human rights, international law, the UN Charter and the Geneva Conventions, said Najib Khalaf, a professor of law at Al-Iraqia University.

Instead of acknowledging the crimes and making apologies, the United States chose to turn a deaf ear to the global outcry.

In response to a report by the UN Committee Against Torture on the abuse at U.S. overseas "black sites," the U.S. government refused to disclose information regarding detainees involved in the CIA activities, citing confidentiality reasons. 
Bihar BJP threatens action against officials over party leaders death





PATNA,

THE Opposition BJP in Bihar on Friday vowed to take action against officials who claimed that the death of a party leader a day before was not caused by injuries suffered in a lathicharge. Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Vijay Kumar Sinha took strong exception to statements given by police and other administrative officials even before the post-mortem report was out. These officials are acting like spokespersons of the current dispensation. They should know that they are being watched by us. No sooner than the regime changes, we will take action, Sinha told reporters outside the Vidhan Sabha.

The local administration has been maintaining that Vijay Singh, the Jehanabad district General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party, was nowhere close to the Dak Bungalow crossing where police had used mild force, besides firing tear gas shells and using water canons, to disperse a procession which was heading towards the Vidhan Sabha. Meanwhile, State Minister Shravan Kumar, a close aide of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, said the unfortunate demise of the BJP leader was a matter of investigation but squarely blamed the Opposition party for the lathicharge by police.

Why were they carrying packets of chilli powder which they began throwing at police personnel who prevented them from crossing barricades? Given their conduct, police could not have showered them with flower petals, the Minister asserted. However, State BJP president Samrat Choudhary, who is also the leader of the opposition in the legislative council, denied that chilli powder was thrown by party members. Where is the proof? We have ample proof, in the wounds suffered by our workers that there was a lathicharge. Let them prove the allegation of chilli powder, said Choudhary. Meanwhile, frenzied protests by members of the Opposition BJP in both Houses of the legislature in Bihar over the death of a party leader, which they blamed on a police lathicharge, led to adjournment till 2 pm within minutes of commencement of proceedings.
Cheetah Tejas found dead at Kuno





Staff Reporter

Posing major setback to the Indias cheetah reintroduction programme, another African cheetah named as Suraj was found dead at Madhya Pradeshs Kuno National Park on Friday. This is the eighth casualty of spotted cat in last four months. The cat was found in a fainted condition in Masawani beat of Palpur forest circle at 6:30 am on Friday. When team went closer to the cat, they saw that flies and insects were hovering over his neck and then he jumped off and ran away. Field staff informed about the condition of cheetah to monitoring team via wireless control room. Veterinary doctors and field officers reached to the spot at 9 am. The team traced location of Suraj where he was found dead.

Autopsy suggested that Suraj has deep wounds on his neck and back. Samples have been sent to the laboratory for further testing. Officials said that they are trying to get to the reason of death. Three days back, on Tuesday, another cheetah Tejas was found dead near his enclosure.

J S Chauhan, Chief Wildlife Warden, said, This is for the first time that a cheetah died in a free range. There were injury marks on his back and neck. Reason behind the death would be revealed with the post-mortem report. Three days back, cheetah Tejas had died in the park. Tejas post-mortem report revealed that he was unable to recover from the severe trauma after the fight with female cheetah. The demise of Suraj poses threat to Cheetah Project launched by the Prime Minister last year. Death of cheetah in Kuno National Park started on March 27 when female cheetah Sasha was found dead due to kidney failure and again on April 23, cheetah Uday died of cardio attack. On May 9, female cheetah Daksha died after mating with male. On May 25, two cheetah cubs were died of heat stroke.
Combating Terrorism





By Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury

BEFORE Awami League came to power in 2009 under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh was known to the international community as a hotbed of notorious actions of jihadists and terrorists, while global media was projecting the country as cocoon of terror or next Afghanistan. Immediately after her swearing-in ceremony, Sheikh Hasina expressed her firm determination in fighting militancy and terrorism and free the country from the evil clutches of such notorious forces, which were posing serious threats to regional and global security. During the past 14 plus years, Bangladesh, a South Asian nation with a population of over 170 million people, has made remarkable strides in countering terrorism in recent years. Despite initially facing significant challenges, the country has implemented comprehensive strategies and initiatives to address the threat of terrorism. Through a combination of strong political will, robust security measures, international cooperation, and community engagement, Bangladesh has emerged as a role model in effectively combating terrorism.

This article explores the key factors behind Bangladeshs success in countering terrorism and highlights the lessons that can be learned from its experiences. One of the critical factors contributing to Bangladeshs success in countering terrorism is the strong political will and leadership demonstrated by the secularist Awami League Government. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. This unwavering commitment has provided a clear direction and enabled the implementation of comprehensive counterterrorism measures. Bangladesh has significantly strengthened its security forces to effectively combat terrorism. The Government has invested in modernizing its law enforcement agencies, intelligence services, and border control mechanisms. Improved training, capacity building, and the use of advanced technologies have enhanced the capabilities of security forces in preventing and responding to terrorist threats. The country has enacted comprehensive counterterrorism laws and implemented judicial reforms to ensure effective prosecution and punishment of terrorists. The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009 provides a legal framework to investigate, prosecute, and convict individuals involved in terrorist activities.

The establishment of special tribunals dedicated to handling terrorism-related cases has expedited the judicial process and increased accountability. Bangladesh has actively engaged in international cooperation to counter terrorism. It has strengthened intelligence sharing with partner countries, including neighbouring nations and global allies. Collaborative efforts have facilitated the exchange of information, identification of terrorist networks, and disruption of transnational terrorist activities. Furthermore, Bangladesh has been an active participant in regional and international forums focused on counterterrorism, contributing to collective efforts in tackling the global menace. Recognizing the importance of preventing radicalisation and extremism, Bangladesh has implemented various programs to address the root causes of terrorism. The Government has promoted moderate interpretations of Islam, encouraged interfaith dialogue, and engaged religious leaders in countering extremist ideologies. Educational institutions, community organizations, and social media platforms have been utilized to raise awareness and promote tolerance, thereby mitigating the appeal of radicalization. Bangladesh has adopted a community-centric approach to counterterrorism, emphasizing the involvement of local communities in preventing and detecting terrorist activities. The Government has established community-based programs to encourage the reporting of suspicious behaviour and the identification of potential threats.

Additionally, it has initiated deradicalisation programmes to reintegrate individuals involved in extremist activities back into society through education, vocational training, and psychological support. Sheikh Hasinas tenure as Prime Minister has provided a stable and continuous leadership platform to address the issue of terrorism in Bangladesh. Her successive terms in office have allowed for the formulation and implementation of long-term strategies and policies, ensuring consistent efforts to combat terrorism. This stability has been instrumental in building trust and confidence among security agencies, international partners, and the general public. The Government has actively pursued international cooperation to address terrorism. Sheikh Hasina has fostered strong diplomatic relations and partnerships with neighbouring countries and global allies, recognizing the transnational nature of terrorist networks. Through intelligence sharing, joint training programmes, and collaboration in countering radicalisation, Bangladesh has benefited from international support in combating terrorism.
Fishery College students refuse to budge till demands met





Staff Reporter

On the fifth day of indefinite strike, Vice Chancellor of Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University Dr Sita Prasad Tiwari spoke to students of Fishery College, on Friday. After writing a letter in blood to the Chief Minister, on the fifth day of the indefinite strike, the Vice-Chancellor of NDVSU came to hear the problems of the students and assured that on behalf of the University, he asked to talk to the Director and Principal Secretary of the Fisheries Department.

For this, a representative team of students presented their side to the Vice-Chancellor with all the documents and a committee was formed by the university, after which students said that the assurance has been received many times, but this time until all the demands are met till then their struggle will continue. Students and former students, including Ram Kumar Kurmi, Akhand Pratap, Sudhanshu, Nikisha, Ranjit Patel, Aditi Bajpai were prominently present.

Fishery students are staging strike to press their demands including recruitment of Fisheries Inspector and Assistant Fisheries, officer in the department only B.F.Sc should be the minimum eligibility criteria, recruitment for the posts of Additional Director should be held, by MPPSC and minimum eligibility criteria should be only B.F.Sc & MFSc, quota for recruitment of Fisheries Inspector and Assistant Fisheries Officer in the department should again be revised to 50pc, questions asked in exams of Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Federation should be asked from the syllabus of B.F.Sc.
Health services badly affected as nurses strike continues





Staff Reporter

Indefinite strike of Nurses Officer Association to press for their 10-point demands before the State Government continued on day four at Government Medical College and Hospital, on Friday. Services were badly hit following nurses strike as it led to mismanaged arrangements of health services at all the hospitals and patients and their relatives are facing tough time due to unavailability of nurses. According to the senior officers of medical college and hospitals, trainee nurses and PG doctors are rendering their best services in providing treatment and medical care of patients and a large numbers of patients are still being referred and admitted from different hospitals. Office-bearers of Nursing Officer Association are firmed for continuing their strike till the fulfilment of their 10-points demands.
Moon dream soars high





By S Vijay Karthik

SRIHARIKOTA,

INDIA on Friday launched its ambitious third lunar mission Chandrayaan-3, eyeing a rare feat in Moon exploration so far only accomplished by the likes of the US, China and the former Soviet Union. The space agency said the technically challenging soft landing on lunar surface, which Chandrayaan-2 could not achieve, has been planned for 5.47 pm on August 23. Indian Space Research Organisations third lunar expedition in 15 years, the hugely anticipated Chandrayaan-3 embarked on its month-long journey towards the Moon, piggybacking on ISROs latest heavy lift launch vehicle, Fat boy LVM3-M4 from the spaceport here. The mission cost was around an estimated Rs 600 crore, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said.

Chandrayaan-2 could not achieve the soft landing when communication with the Lander Vikram was lost. As the 25 and a half hour countdown concluded, the LVM3-M4 rocket (formerly GSLVMkIII) also dubbed as Fat boy for its heavylift capability, soared off majestically from the spaceport at the prefixed time of 2.35 pm from the second launch pad, leaving a trail of thick orange smoke. Thousands of spectators who had assembled here to watch the launch since morning broke into loud cheers and applauded as the launch vehicle soared into clear skies. Through the Chandrayaan-3 mission, scientists are aiming at mastering the technology of soft landing on the surface of the Moon. A successful mission would mean India becomes only the fourth country to accomplish the challenge, after the United States, China and the former Soviet Union. About 16 minutes after lift-off, Chandrayaan-3 got separated from the rocket and it would orbit the earth for about 5-6 times in an elliptical cycle with 170 km closest and 36,500 km farthest from earth moving towards the lunar orbit. A jubilant ISRO Chairman S Somanath said from the Mission Control Centre (MCC) the rocket had injected Chandrayaan-3 into a precise orbit.
Visitors attend a special exhibition titled "Lives of the Gods: Divinity in Maya Art" at Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, the United States, on July 14, 2023. The special exhibition is held at Kimbell Art Museum from May 7 to Sept. 3, with nearly 100 rarely seen masterpieces and recent discoveries to depict episodes in the life cycle of the gods. (Xinhua/Xu Jianmei)

Maya artworks are seen during a special exhibition titled "Lives of the Gods: Divinity in Maya Art" at Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, the United States, on July 14, 2023. The special exhibition is held at Kimbell Art Museum from May 7 to Sept. 3, with nearly 100 rarely seen masterpieces and recent discoveries to depict episodes in the life cycle of the gods. (Xinhua/Xu Jianmei)

A visitor views Maya artworks at Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, the United States, on July 14, 2023. A special exhibition titled "Lives of the Gods: Divinity in Maya Art" is held at Kimbell Art Museum from May 7 to Sept. 3, with nearly 100 rarely seen masterpieces and recent discoveries to depict episodes in the life cycle of the gods. (Xinhua/Xu Jianmei)

A Maya artwork is seen during a special exhibition titled "Lives of the Gods: Divinity in Maya Art" at Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, the United States, on July 14, 2023. The special exhibition is held at Kimbell Art Museum from May 7 to Sept. 3, with nearly 100 rarely seen masterpieces and recent discoveries to depict episodes in the life cycle of the gods. (Xinhua/Xu Jianmei)

A visitor views Maya artworks at Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, the United States, on July 14, 2023. A special exhibition titled "Lives of the Gods: Divinity in Maya Art" is held at Kimbell Art Museum from May 7 to Sept. 3, with nearly 100 rarely seen masterpieces and recent discoveries to depict episodes in the life cycle of the gods. (Xinhua/Xu Jianmei)

Visitors view Maya artworks at Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, the United States, on July 14, 2023. A special exhibition titled "Lives of the Gods: Divinity in Maya Art" is held at Kimbell Art Museum from May 7 to Sept. 3, with nearly 100 rarely seen masterpieces and recent discoveries to depict episodes in the life cycle of the gods. (Xinhua/Xu Jianmei)

A Maya artwork is seen during a special exhibition titled "Lives of the Gods: Divinity in Maya Art" at Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, the United States, on July 14, 2023. The special exhibition is held at Kimbell Art Museum from May 7 to Sept. 3, with nearly 100 rarely seen masterpieces and recent discoveries to depict episodes in the life cycle of the gods. (Xinhua/Xu Jianmei)

A visitor takes pictures of a Maya artwork at Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, the United States, on July 14, 2023. A special exhibition titled "Lives of the Gods: Divinity in Maya Art" is held at Kimbell Art Museum from May 7 to Sept. 3, with nearly 100 rarely seen masterpieces and recent discoveries to depict episodes in the life cycle of the gods. (Xinhua/Xu Jianmei)

A visitor views a Maya artwork at Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, the United States, on July 14, 2023. A special exhibition titled "Lives of the Gods: Divinity in Maya Art" is held at Kimbell Art Museum from May 7 to Sept. 3, with nearly 100 rarely seen masterpieces and recent discoveries to depict episodes in the life cycle of the gods. (Xinhua/Xu Jianmei)
ASOS Plc (LON:ASC  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 643.12 ($8.27) and traded as low as GBX 336 ($4.32). ASOS shares last traded at GBX 366.70 ($4.72), with a volume of 1,406,101 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Berenberg Bank decreased their target price on ASOS from GBX 1,000 ($12.87) to GBX 940 ($12.09) and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 5th. Citigroup raised ASOS to a buy rating and cut their price target for the company from GBX 780 ($10.03) to GBX 600 ($7.72) in a report on Friday, May 19th. Barclays reaffirmed an equal weight rating and issued a GBX 625 ($8.04) price target on shares of ASOS in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Liberum Capital raised ASOS to a hold rating and cut their price target for the company from GBX 500 ($6.43) to GBX 470 ($6.05) in a report on Friday, May 26th. Finally, Shore Capital reaffirmed a sell rating on shares of ASOS in a report on Friday, May 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 788.64 ($10.15).

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ASOS Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 136.85. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 412.46 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 641.26. The firm has a market capitalization of 416.70 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -171.93, a PEG ratio of -1.26 and a beta of 3.09.

Insider Transactions at ASOS

ASOS Company Profile

In other news, insider Nicholas Robertson sold 250,389 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 401 ($5.16), for a total value of 1,004,059.89 ($1,291,727.63). In other ASOS news, insider Jose Antonio Ramos Calamonte purchased 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 26th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 418 ($5.38) per share, with a total value of 41,800 ($53,775.89). Also, insider Nicholas Robertson sold 250,389 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 401 ($5.16), for a total value of 1,004,059.89 ($1,291,727.63). 35.49% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

(Get Free Report)

ASOS Plc operates as an online fashion retailer worldwide. It offers womenswear and menswear products. The company sells its products under the ASOS Design, ASOS Edition, ASOS Luxe, ASOS 4505, Collusion, Reclaimed Vintage, Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge, HIIT, AsYou, Dark Future, UNRVLLD/SPPLY, Crooked Tongues, Daysocial, Actual, and Weekend Collective brands, as well as through third-party brands.

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BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:BNY  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $10.36 and traded as low as $10.19. BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust shares last traded at $10.22, with a volume of 30,637 shares traded.

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Stock Performance

The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $10.14 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $10.36.

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BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Investors of record on Friday, July 14th will be given a dividend of $0.0305 per share. This represents a $0.37 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.61%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Company Profile

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its position in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 17.9% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 12,500 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $152,000 after purchasing an additional 1,900 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG lifted its position in shares of BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 6.4% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 126,186 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,537,000 after buying an additional 7,612 shares in the last quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 9.7% during the 1st quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 482,861 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,881,000 after acquiring an additional 42,581 shares during the period. Robinson Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust in the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,050,000. Finally, LPL Financial LLC raised its stake in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 7.7% during the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 69,597 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $767,000 after acquiring an additional 4,987 shares during the period.

(Get Free Report)

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It invests primarily in the investment grade municipal bonds exempt from federal income taxes and New York State and New York City personal income taxes.

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Wincanton plc (LON:WIN  Get Free Report)s share price crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 259.04 ($3.33) and traded as low as GBX 245.33 ($3.16). Wincanton shares last traded at GBX 256.50 ($3.30), with a volume of 390,905 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Numis Securities restated a buy rating and set a GBX 365 ($4.70) price target on shares of Wincanton in a report on Monday, May 22nd.

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Wincanton Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 349.24. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 246.50 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 258.44. The stock has a market capitalization of 317.58 million, a P/E ratio of 980.77 and a beta of 0.62.

Wincanton Increases Dividend

About Wincanton

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 13th will be issued a dividend of GBX 8.80 ($0.11) per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. This is an increase from Wincantons previous dividend of $4.40. This represents a dividend yield of 4.06%. Wincantons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5,000.00%.

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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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Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL  Free Report)  Zacks Research decreased their Q2 2023 earnings estimates for shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in a research note issued to investors on Monday, July 10th. Zacks Research analyst M. Kaushik now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $1.52 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $1.55. The consensus estimate for Royal Caribbean Cruises current full-year earnings is $4.73 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Royal Caribbean Cruises Q1 2024 earnings at $0.31 EPS.

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Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported ($0.23) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.71) by $0.48. The company had revenue of $2.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.82 billion. Royal Caribbean Cruises had a negative return on equity of 25.86% and a negative net margin of 9.72%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 172.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($4.57) earnings per share.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Stock Performance

A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on RCL. William Blair reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $88.00 to $100.00 in a report on Friday, May 5th. Tigress Financial raised their price objective on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $80.00 to $102.00 in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Argus upped their target price on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $88.00 to $92.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 31st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $65.00 to $71.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $89.93.

NYSE:RCL opened at $97.76 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.00 billion, a PE ratio of -24.02 and a beta of 2.47. The stocks fifty day moving average is $90.22 and its 200 day moving average is $73.49. Royal Caribbean Cruises has a fifty-two week low of $31.10 and a fifty-two week high of $105.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.41, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.26.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cohen Klingenstein LLC bought a new position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in the 2nd quarter worth $311,000. Xponance Inc. raised its position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 23.8% in the 2nd quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 35,768 shares of the companys stock worth $3,711,000 after acquiring an additional 6,882 shares in the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in the 2nd quarter worth $227,000. Everhart Financial Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 12.0% in the 2nd quarter. Everhart Financial Group Inc. now owns 4,876 shares of the companys stock worth $506,000 after acquiring an additional 522 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in the 2nd quarter worth $249,000. 71.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Royal Caribbean Cruises news, CEO Jason T. Liberty sold 36,536 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total value of $2,922,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 147,078 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,766,240. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, Director Arne Alexander Wilhelmsen sold 318,325 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.97, for a total value of $24,819,800.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 20,167,507 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,572,460,520.79. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jason T. Liberty sold 36,536 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total value of $2,922,880.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 147,078 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,766,240. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 729,861 shares of company stock worth $58,020,180. 8.70% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. operates as a cruise company worldwide. The company operates cruises under the Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises brands, which comprise a range of itineraries. As of February 13, 2023, it operated 64 ships. The company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.

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Komercni banka, a.s. (OTCMKTS:KMERF  Get Free Report) is one of 276 publicly-traded companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare Komercni banka, a.s. to similar companies based on the strength of its valuation, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership and risk.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Komercni banka, a.s. and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Komercni banka, a.s. N/A N/A 0.09 Komercni banka, a.s. Competitors $3.47 billion $900.60 million 270.31

Komercni banka, a.s.s peers have higher revenue and earnings than Komercni banka, a.s.. Komercni banka, a.s. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Komercni banka, a.s. 0 1 0 0 2.00 Komercni banka, a.s. Competitors 1109 3280 3487 54 2.31

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Komercni banka, a.s. and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.

Komercni banka, a.s. currently has a consensus target price of $900.00, indicating a potential upside of 2,766.24%. As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 312.04%. Given Komercni banka, a.s.s higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Komercni banka, a.s. is more favorable than its peers.

Profitability

This table compares Komercni banka, a.s. and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Komercni banka, a.s. N/A N/A N/A Komercni banka, a.s. Competitors 34.81% 9.96% 0.88%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

14.4% of Komercni banka, a.s. shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 30.5% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by institutional investors. 13.6% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Komercni banka, a.s. pays an annual dividend of $230.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 732.5%. Komercni banka, a.s. pays out 69.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 11.6% and pay out 18.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Summary

Komercni banka, a.s. peers beat Komercni banka, a.s. on 11 of the 13 factors compared.

About Komercni banka, a.s.

(Get Free Report)

Komercni banka, a.s., together with its subsidiaries, provides various retail, corporate, and investment banking services primarily in the Czech Republic, and Central and Eastern Europe. It accepts various deposits, such as current and savings accounts, term deposits, building savings, and foreign currency accounts. The company's loan products include optimal, personal, student, and home equity/secured loans; loans for start-up businesses, business loans, business operating loans, and revolving loans; operational, installment, claims, and structured finance, as well as finances for acquisitions and mergers; and mortgage loans. It also offers payment, debit, and credit cards; investment products; life, travel and card, and property insurance products; pension products; overdraft, trade and export, bond issuance, cash and payment, cash pooling, bills of exchange, financial instruments trading, leases, foreign currency and derivative, and guarantee transaction services. In addition, the company provides E-banking, telephone, and mobile banking services. It serves individuals, small businesses, corporates, and municipalities. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Prague, the Czech Republic. Komercni banka, a.s. is a subsidiary of Societe Generale S.A.

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Shares of Auto Trader Group plc (LON:AUTO  Get Free Report) passed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 620.27 ($7.98) and traded as low as GBX 595.60 ($7.66). Auto Trader Group shares last traded at GBX 616.20 ($7.93), with a volume of 1,597,350 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on AUTO shares. Barclays restated an overweight rating and issued a GBX 725 ($9.33) price objective on shares of Auto Trader Group in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a neutral rating and issued a GBX 630 ($8.10) price objective on shares of Auto Trader Group in a research report on Monday, June 5th. Finally, Shore Capital restated a buy rating on shares of Auto Trader Group in a research report on Tuesday, June 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of GBX 624.86 ($8.04).

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Auto Trader Group Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.46, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a current ratio of 1.62. The firms 50 day moving average is GBX 620 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 602.48. The stock has a market capitalization of 5.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2,442.31, a PEG ratio of 3.99 and a beta of 0.62.

Auto Trader Group Increases Dividend

Auto Trader Group Company Profile

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 22nd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 24th will be issued a GBX 5.60 ($0.07) dividend. This represents a yield of 0.89%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 24th. This is a positive change from Auto Trader Groups previous dividend of $2.80. Auto Trader Groups payout ratio is presently 3,076.92%.

(Get Free Report)

Auto Trader Group plc operates in the digital automotive marketplace in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company provides vehicle advertisement on its websites for private sellers, as well as insurance and loan financing products to consumers; and display advertising on its websites for manufacturers and their advertising agencies.

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Ninety One SA PTY Ltd decreased its holdings in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 6.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 11,291 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 820 shares during the quarter. Ninety One SA PTY Ltds holdings in Bank of America were worth $321,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BAC. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Bank of America during the 4th quarter worth approximately $641,000. Plimoth Trust Co. LLC grew its position in Bank of America by 7.0% during the 4th quarter. Plimoth Trust Co. LLC now owns 82,856 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,744,000 after purchasing an additional 5,432 shares in the last quarter. Atlas Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Bank of America during the 4th quarter worth approximately $207,000. James Hambro & Partners purchased a new position in Bank of America during the 4th quarter worth approximately $542,000. Finally, Merit Financial Group LLC grew its position in Bank of America by 39.0% during the 4th quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 79,957 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,648,000 after purchasing an additional 22,420 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.34% of the companys stock.

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Bank of America Stock Down 1.9 %

Bank of America stock opened at $29.11 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $231.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.74, a P/E/G ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.82. Bank of America Co. has a fifty-two week low of $26.32 and a fifty-two week high of $38.60. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $28.52 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $30.74.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.11. Bank of America had a net margin of 21.85% and a return on equity of 11.72%. The company had revenue of $26.26 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.28 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.80 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Bank of America Co. will post 3.38 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 2nd were issued 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 3.02%. Bank of Americas payout ratio is 26.43%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently commented on BAC shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on shares of Bank of America from $39.00 to $35.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Bank of America from $38.00 to $34.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 10th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Bank of America in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Bank of America from $45.00 to $40.00 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on shares of Bank of America from $28.00 to $29.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and nine 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 $36.72.

Bank of America Profile

(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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Tripoli: Concern over "continued abductions, arbitrary arrests, and disappearances of citizens and public figures by various security actors" in the war-torn nation has been voiced by the UN mission in Libya.

Former finance minister Faraj Abderrahmane Boumtari is one of those who has vanished.

Boumtari "was reportedly detained at Mitiga Airport and taken to an undisclosed location," according to a statement from the UN Support Mission in Libya on Wednesday.

Five members of the High Council of State, it continued, "are reportedly prohibited from travelling at the same Tripoli airport."

Also Read: Rights organisations in Tunisia call for assistance and shelter for migrants who are stuck there

Such actions "promote tensions between communities and tribes, create a climate of fear, and have serious implications for the unification of national institutions," the UNSMIL warned.

Oil-rich After Muammar Qaddafi was overthrown and killed in an uprising supported by NATO in 2011, Libya descended into chaos that lasted for more than ten years.

Since then, the nation of North Africa has been split into two administrations, one based in Tripoli and the other in the east, where Khalifa Haftar, a military strongman, provides support.

The UN called on the security forces and government of Libya to "release all those arbitrarily detained, ensure independent investigations for all alleged extra-legal detentions and abductions, and bring the perpetrators to justice."

Also Read: The UN deems the conditions in Damascus for cross-border aid as unacceptable

The authorities have not yet confirmed the reports of the Boumtari's arrest by security personnel at the airport on Wednesday.

On Thursday, members of Boumtari's tribe, the southeast-located Zouaya, threatened to shut down oil terminals in the east if he was not freed. However, on Thursday, reports on social media claimed that protesters had already blockaded two oilfields in the south, at Al-Sharara and Al-Fil.

Separately, according to attorneys, Libya's sovereign wealth fund filed a criminal complaint against Belgium's Prince Laurent, accusing him of extortion and fraud in connection with his attempt to recover funds from a failed reforestation project..

Requests for comment from the royal family and the king's Cabinet were not immediately fulfilled.

In 2008, the princethe king's brotherand the Libyan government signed a multimillion-euro agreement to reforest desert areas of the country's interior. The project was abandoned in 2011 when civil war broke out in Libya.

The prince allegedly applied "unacceptable pressure" to get the Libyan Ministry of Agriculture to pay him nearly 70 million euros ($78.52 million), according to the Libyan Investment Authority.

The LIA's legal team, Jus Cogens, announced on Thursday that it had filed a criminal complaint against Prince Laurent for extortion, fraud, and improper influence.

Also Read: Sweden condemned as police greenlight Torah burning protest

The founding partner of Jus Cogens, Christophe Marchand, stated, "We have communicated factual elements to the investigative judge showing, in our opinion, that Prince Laurent abused his status as a public office holder, claiming he could influence the criminal procedure against LIA and his CEO."

Since 2011, Libya has been subject to international sanctions, and the nation's 14 billion euro sovereign wealth is currently frozen at the bank Euroclear in Brussels.
Barry Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in iShares Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEV  Free Report) by 51.8% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 82,531 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 28,177 shares during the quarter. iShares Europe ETF makes up approximately 1.4% of Barry Investment Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest position. Barry Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Europe ETF were worth $4,128,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Europe ETF by 1,623.9% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,178,950 shares of the companys stock worth $53,395,000 after acquiring an additional 1,110,560 shares during the last quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main boosted its stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF by 49.3% in the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 1,316,856 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,640,000 after purchasing an additional 435,072 shares in the last quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF by 341.3% in the 4th quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 393,821 shares of the companys stock valued at $17,836,000 after purchasing an additional 304,577 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF by 77.6% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 632,450 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,775,000 after purchasing an additional 276,311 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF by 60.3% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 534,297 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,843,000 after purchasing an additional 200,908 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Europe ETF Stock Performance

Shares of iShares Europe ETF stock opened at $51.63 on Friday. iShares Europe ETF has a 52-week low of $36.88 and a 52-week high of $52.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.47 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a fifty day moving average of $50.45 and a 200-day moving average of $49.74.

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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Barry Investment Advisors LLC trimmed its position in shares of Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc. (NYSE:JOF  Free Report) by 17.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 281,698 shares of the companys stock after selling 61,231 shares during the period. Barry Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund were worth $1,947,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in JOF. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its holdings in Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund by 6.6% during the 4th quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 6,372,534 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,294,000 after purchasing an additional 393,272 shares during the last quarter. City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund by 9.3% during the 1st quarter. City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. now owns 4,401,569 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,515,000 after purchasing an additional 375,344 shares during the last quarter. Almitas Capital LLC grew its stake in Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund by 16,974.6% in the 4th quarter. Almitas Capital LLC now owns 81,958 shares of the companys stock worth $531,000 after acquiring an additional 81,478 shares in the last quarter. Benedetti & Gucer Inc. bought a new position in Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund in the 1st quarter worth about $285,000. Finally, Wolverine Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund by 42.4% in the 4th quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 131,271 shares of the companys stock worth $851,000 after acquiring an additional 39,065 shares in the last quarter.

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Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund Stock Performance

Shares of JOF stock opened at $7.27 on Friday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $7.27 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $6.97. Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc. has a one year low of $5.55 and a one year high of $7.60.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund Profile

In related news, Director Rodney A. Buck bought 9,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $7.42 per share, for a total transaction of $66,780.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 15,210 shares of the companys stock, valued at $112,858.20. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock.

(Free Report)

Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by Nomura Asset Management U.SA Inc It is managed by Nomura Asset Management Co, Ltd. The fund invests in the public equity markets of Japan. It invests in stocks traded on the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya Stock Exchanges, JASDAQ, Mothers, Hercules, Centrex, and other indices.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of BlackBerry (NYSE:BB  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday morning.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. 3M restated a maintains rating on shares of BlackBerry in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of BlackBerry from $5.00 to $5.50 in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. TD Securities raised their target price on shares of BlackBerry from $4.00 to $5.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, June 30th. CIBC upgraded shares of BlackBerry from a sector underperform rating to a neutral rating and increased their price objective for the company from $4.20 to $6.50 in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on shares of BlackBerry from $5.00 to $4.50 in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $5.58.

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BlackBerry Price Performance

Shares of BB stock opened at $4.88 on Tuesday. BlackBerry has a 1 year low of $3.17 and a 1 year high of $7.20. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $5.11 and a 200-day moving average price of $4.53. The company has a market cap of $2.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.65 and a beta of 1.55.

Insider Buying and Selling at BlackBerry

BlackBerry ( NYSE:BB Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, June 28th. The company reported $0.04 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.06) by $0.10. The company had revenue of $373.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $159.36 million. BlackBerry had a negative net margin of 65.50% and a negative return on equity of 6.39%. Equities research analysts expect that BlackBerry will post -0.19 EPS for the current year.

In other news, insider Mattias Eriksson sold 11,126 shares of BlackBerry stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.56, for a total value of $61,860.56. Following the sale, the insider now owns 64,721 shares in the company, valued at $359,848.76. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.94% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackBerry

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in BlackBerry by 30.5% in the 2nd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 48,788 shares of the companys stock valued at $270,000 after purchasing an additional 11,405 shares during the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System acquired a new position in shares of BlackBerry in the 2nd quarter valued at $2,335,000. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its stake in BlackBerry by 344.7% during the 2nd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 68,036 shares of the companys stock worth $376,000 after purchasing an additional 52,735 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in BlackBerry by 196.6% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 618,401 shares of the companys stock worth $2,821,000 after purchasing an additional 409,887 shares during the period. Finally, EWA LLC purchased a new position in BlackBerry during the 1st quarter worth $59,000. 38.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

BlackBerry Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

BlackBerry Ltd. engages in providing intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments. The firm leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to deliver solutions in the areas of cyber security, safety, and data privacy solutions, and also focuses on the areas of endpoint security, endpoint management, encryption, and embedded systems.

Further Reading

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BlackRock Throgmorton Trust plc (LON:THRG  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 589.71 ($7.59) and traded as low as GBX 563.76 ($7.25). BlackRock Throgmorton Trust shares last traded at GBX 577 ($7.42), with a volume of 157,515 shares traded.

BlackRock Throgmorton Trust Stock Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 589.17 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 599.17. The company has a market cap of 579.77 million, a P/E ratio of -194.26 and a beta of 1.23.

About BlackRock Throgmorton Trust

(Get Free Report)

BlackRock Throgmorton Trust plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by BlackRock Fund Managers Limited. It is managed by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Ninety One UK Ltd lifted its stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR  Free Report) by 1.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 616,497 shares of the business services providers stock after acquiring an additional 10,396 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltd owned 0.52% of Broadridge Financial Solutions worth $90,360,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 20.1% in the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 15,234 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,043,000 after acquiring an additional 2,554 shares during the period. Moors & Cabot Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 11.3% in the 4th quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 1,665 shares of the business services providers stock worth $223,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares in the last quarter. Wendell David Associates Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Wendell David Associates Inc. now owns 105,444 shares of the business services providers stock worth $15,455,000 after purchasing an additional 697 shares in the last quarter. MQS Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $229,000. Finally, ETF Managers Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 64.5% in the 1st quarter. ETF Managers Group LLC now owns 7,585 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,112,000 after purchasing an additional 2,974 shares in the last quarter. 89.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Broadridge Financial Solutions Trading Up 0.0 %

NYSE BR opened at $167.99 on Friday. 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 company has a market capitalization of $19.82 billion, a PE ratio of 36.05 and a beta of 1.02. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $157.11 and its 200-day simple moving average is $148.05.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Announces Dividend

Broadridge Financial Solutions ( NYSE:BR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The business services provider reported $2.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $1.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.65 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.93 earnings per share. Broadridge Financial Solutionss revenue for the quarter was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 6.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 6th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were given a dividend of $0.725 per share. This represents a $2.90 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. Broadridge Financial Solutionss payout ratio is 62.23%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Broadridge Financial Solutions news, VP Richard John Stingi sold 750 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.27, for a total transaction of $116,452.50. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 4,202 shares of the companys stock, valued at $652,444.54. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other Broadridge Financial Solutions news, Director Leslie A. Brun sold 6,900 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.98, for a total transaction of $1,027,962.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 59,916 shares in the company, valued at $8,926,285.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP Richard John Stingi sold 750 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.27, for a total transaction of $116,452.50. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 4,202 shares of the companys stock, valued at $652,444.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 27,397 shares of company stock valued at $4,162,229 over the last three months. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have issued reports on BR. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada began coverage on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research note on Monday, April 24th. They set an outperform rating and a $169.00 target price on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $161.40.

About Broadridge Financial Solutions

(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  Free Report) had its target price trimmed by Morgan Stanley from GBX 260 ($3.34) to GBX 240 ($3.09) in a report issued on Wednesday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on BTGOF. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on BT Group from GBX 275 ($3.54) to GBX 280 ($3.60) in a report on Friday, April 14th. UBS Group cut BT Group from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. Barclays dropped their price objective on BT Group from GBX 240 ($3.09) to GBX 225 ($2.89) in a report on Friday, May 19th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on BT Group from GBX 150 ($1.93) to GBX 145 ($1.87) in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. Finally, Berenberg Bank dropped their price objective on BT Group from GBX 160 ($2.06) to GBX 150 ($1.93) in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, BT Group currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $183.33.

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BT Group Stock Up 3.6 %

Shares of OTCMKTS BTGOF opened at $1.70 on Wednesday. BT Group has a one year low of $1.25 and a one year high of $2.20. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $1.74 and its 200-day moving average price is $1.71.

BT Group Company Profile

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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Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI  Free Report) (TSE:CNR) had its target price trimmed by National Bank Financial from C$178.00 to C$173.00 in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports. National Bank Financial also issued estimates for Canadian National Railways Q2 2023 earnings at $1.38 EPS, Q3 2023 earnings at $1.34 EPS, FY2023 earnings at $5.71 EPS, Q1 2024 earnings at $1.45 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $1.61 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $1.59 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $1.84 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $6.48 EPS.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on CNI. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Canadian National Railway from C$180.00 to C$174.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Susquehanna increased their target price on Canadian National Railway from $114.00 to $116.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. Barclays increased their target price on Canadian National Railway from $126.00 to $130.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. Morgan Stanley raised Canadian National Railway from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, Desjardins lifted their price target on shares of Canadian National Railway from C$178.00 to C$180.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Canadian National Railway has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $144.94.

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Canadian National Railway Trading Down 0.2 %

Canadian National Railway stock opened at $118.33 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $117.66 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $118.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The stock has a market cap of $77.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.91. Canadian National Railway has a 12 month low of $103.79 and a 12 month high of $129.89.

Canadian National Railway Cuts Dividend

Canadian National Railway ( NYSE:CNI Get Free Report ) (TSE:CNR) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 24th. The transportation company reported $1.35 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.26 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $3.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.15 billion. Canadian National Railway had a return on equity of 25.00% and a net margin of 30.61%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Canadian National Railway will post 5.77 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 9th were issued a dividend of $0.5835 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 8th. This represents a $2.33 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.97%. Canadian National Railways dividend payout ratio is currently 39.30%.

Institutional Trading of Canadian National Railway

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of Canadian National Railway by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 20,375,062 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $2,400,975,000 after acquiring an additional 188,460 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Canadian National Railway by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 20,007,681 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $2,683,831,000 after acquiring an additional 554,280 shares during the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec increased its stake in shares of Canadian National Railway by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 12,333,700 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,655,948,000 after acquiring an additional 625,000 shares during the last quarter. Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd increased its stake in shares of Canadian National Railway by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd now owns 9,556,511 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,126,080,000 after acquiring an additional 70,386 shares during the last quarter. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. increased its stake in shares of Canadian National Railway by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 8,513,991 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,004,396,000 after acquiring an additional 75,087 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.89% of the companys stock.

About Canadian National Railway

(Get Free Report)

Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in rail and related transportation business. The company offers rail services, which include equipment, custom brokage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services including temperature controlled cargo, port partnership, transloading and distribution, logistic parks, customs brokerage, trucking, and moving grains in containers.

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Hargreaves Lansdown (OTCMKTS:HRGLY  Free Report) had its target price lifted by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from GBX 850 ($10.94) to GBX 880 ($11.32) in a report released on Wednesday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on HRGLY. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Hargreaves Lansdown from GBX 785 ($10.10) to GBX 712 ($9.16) in a research note on Friday, March 31st. Barclays raised their price target on Hargreaves Lansdown from GBX 1,190 ($15.31) to GBX 1,230 ($15.82) in a research note on Wednesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hargreaves Lansdown has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $952.25.

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Hargreaves Lansdown Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS HRGLY opened at $20.43 on Wednesday. Hargreaves Lansdown has a one year low of $15.95 and a one year high of $23.78. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $19.98 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $20.56.

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.

Further Reading

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Auxano Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 6.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,553 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 88 shares during the period. Auxano Advisors LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $533,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Goelzer Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.3% in the first quarter. Goelzer Investment Management Inc. now owns 87,091 shares of the companys stock worth $29,909,000 after acquiring an additional 294 shares during the last quarter. Capital Insight Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 37.5% in the first quarter. Capital Insight Partners LLC now owns 2,916 shares of the companys stock worth $1,001,000 after acquiring an additional 795 shares during the last quarter. GFS Advisors LLC bought a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter worth about $736,000. Northstar Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 9.6% in the first quarter. Northstar Group Inc. now owns 1,260 shares of the companys stock worth $433,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sarasin & Partners LLP raised its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 334.6% during the first quarter. Sarasin & Partners LLP now owns 127,754 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,152,000 after buying an additional 98,358 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.25% of the companys stock.

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Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 3.4 %

Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $449.46 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.30. The firm has a market cap of $426.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 71.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.38. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $296.32 and a 1 year high of $469.87. The firms 50 day moving average price is $444.17 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $383.28.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

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 (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.11). The business had revenue of $6.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.87 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 61.42% and a net margin of 20.54%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.62 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be given a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.01%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 71.86%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 178,302 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $426.40, for a total transaction of $76,027,972.80. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 101,688,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,360,108,584. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 178,302 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $426.40, for a total transaction of $76,027,972.80. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 101,688,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,360,108,584. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $435.29, for a total transaction of $261,174.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,978 shares in the company, valued at $2,602,163.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 970,965 shares of company stock worth $423,725,107. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LLY has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Barclays lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $420.00 to $500.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $430.00 to $475.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Bank of America lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $478.00 to $507.00 in a report on Monday, May 15th. Finally, 3M reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Friday, April 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $443.45.

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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GLG Life Tech Co. (OTCMKTS:GLGLF  Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 100 shares, a decline of 90.9% from the June 15th total of 1,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

GLG Life Tech Trading Up 10.2 %

OTCMKTS:GLGLF traded up $0.00 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $0.04. The company had a trading volume of 8,624 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,636. GLG Life Tech has a 1 year low of $0.01 and a 1 year high of $0.07. The company has a market cap of $1.45 million, a P/E ratio of -0.05 and a beta of 1.87. The company has a 50-day moving average of $0.01 and a 200 day moving average of $0.02.

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GLG Life Tech (OTCMKTS:GLGLF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 15th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $1.15 million for the quarter.

GLG Life Tech Company Profile

GLG Life Tech Corporation engages in the research, development, growing, refining, and production of natural sweeteners extracted from the stevia plant and monk fruit worldwide. The company also offers P-Pro Plus, a pea protein product; and natural ingredients. It serves in the food and beverage industry.

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The Dead Sea, located between Israel and Jordan, is a natural wonder that has fascinated people for centuries. It is known for its remarkable high salinity, making it one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth. The unique composition of the Dead Sea, combined with its high buoyancy, allows people to effortlessly float on its surface. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating features of the Dead Sea and explore the reasons behind its extraordinary buoyancy.

1. Introduction: The Dead Sea's Salinity: The Dead Sea is renowned for its high salt content, making it one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. Its salinity is about ten times greater than that of the ocean, giving it a unique ecosystem where only a few organisms can thrive. The high salt concentration creates an environment where neither fish nor plants can survive, hence its name, the "Dead" Sea.

2. The Geological Formation of the Dead Sea: The Dead Sea is situated in the Jordan Rift Valley, a geological depression created by the movement of tectonic plates. Over millions of years, the shifting of these plates resulted in the formation of the Dead Sea basin, which continues to sink gradually over time. The geological processes responsible for the formation of the Dead Sea have also contributed to the abundance of minerals found in its waters.

3. The Chemical Composition of the Dead Sea: The Dead Sea's unique chemical composition is another aspect that sets it apart from other bodies of water. In addition to its high salt content, the Dead Sea contains a rich concentration of minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, and bromine. These minerals have been recognized for their therapeutic properties and have attracted visitors seeking natural remedies for various health conditions.

4. High Buoyancy: Floating on the Dead Sea: One of the most intriguing features of the Dead Sea is its exceptional buoyancy. The high salt concentration in the water increases its density, allowing objects and, more notably, human bodies to float effortlessly on the surface. The phenomenon is due to the Archimedes principle, which states that the buoyant force exerted on an object immersed in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by that object. This principle, combined with the high salinity of the Dead Sea, creates a unique and unforgettable floating experience.

5. The Health Benefits of Dead Sea Minerals: The minerals present in the Dead Sea have long been revered for their potential health benefits. The therapeutic properties of these minerals have made the Dead Sea a popular destination for wellness and spa treatments. The mineral-rich mud found along the shores of the Dead Sea is often used in skincare products and therapies, as it is believed to nourish the skin, reduce inflammation, and improve certain skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.

6. Tourism and Recreation at the Dead Sea: The Dead Sea's unique characteristics and health benefits have made it a prime tourist attraction. Visitors from around the world flock to its shores to experience the incredible sensation of floating effortlessly on the water. Besides floating, tourists can indulge in mud baths and mineral-rich spa treatments and enjoy the stunning desert landscapes surrounding the sea. However, it is essential to follow guidelines and regulations to protect the delicate ecosystem of the Dead Sea.

7. Environmental Concerns and Conservation Efforts: The Dead Sea faces several environmental challenges that threaten its delicate balance. Factors such as climate change, water diversion, and mineral extraction have contributed to the shrinking of the sea and the surrounding sinkholes. Conservation efforts are underway to mitigate these issues and preserve the unique natural wonder of the Dead Sea for future generations. It is crucial to raise awareness and implement sustainable practices to protect this remarkable ecosystem.

Conclusion: The Dead Sea's high salinity and exceptional buoyancy make it a natural wonder that captivates visitors from all over the world. Its unique characteristics, therapeutic minerals, and stunning landscapes make it a top destination for relaxation and wellness. However, it is essential to remember the importance of environmental conservation to ensure the preservation of this extraordinary natural treasure.

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Muncy Bank Financial (OTCMKTS:MYBF  Get Free Report) is one of 278 publicly-traded companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare Muncy Bank Financial to related businesses based on the strength of its earnings, dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability and valuation.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations for Muncy Bank Financial and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Muncy Bank Financial 0 0 0 0 N/A Muncy Bank Financial Competitors 1098 3134 3296 62 2.31

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 321.39%. Given Muncy Bank Financials peers higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Muncy Bank Financial has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Muncy Bank Financial N/A N/A N/A Muncy Bank Financial Competitors 34.11% 10.25% 0.88%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

This table compares Muncy Bank Financial and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

2.6% of Muncy Bank Financial shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 28.7% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by institutional investors. 14.7% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Muncy Bank Financial and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Muncy Bank Financial N/A N/A 13.33 Muncy Bank Financial Competitors $48.44 billion $845.69 million 268.32

Muncy Bank Financials peers have higher revenue and earnings than Muncy Bank Financial. Muncy Bank Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Dividends

Muncy Bank Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Muncy Bank Financial pays out 28.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 11.6% and pay out 18.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Muncy Bank Financial lags its peers as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio.

Summary

Muncy Bank Financial peers beat Muncy Bank Financial on 10 of the 10 factors compared.

About Muncy Bank Financial

(Get Free Report)

Muncy Bank Financial, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides financial services to individuals and businesses in the United States. It accepts savings, money market, and checking accounts, as well as demand, time, and certificates of deposit. The company's loan products include mortgage, home equity, vehicle, commercial mortgages, personal, commercial equipment loans, and lines of credit, as well as business and real estate loans. It also offers investment services, such as wealth transition, retirement accounts, college savings strategies, insurance protection, portfolio analysis, brokerage services, tax-deferred investments, and tax-advantaged income; and wealth management and trust services comprising estate administration, investment management services, guardianship, and IRA/retirement accounts, as well as living/grantor, charitable, irrevocable, and special needs trusts. In addition, the company provides cash management services consisting of ACH origination, check positive pay, online wire transfer, and remote deposit capture services; merchant services; and telephone and electronic banking services, as well as debit and credit cards. It operates through offices located in Muncy, Hughesville, Clarkstown, Montoursville, Dewart, Avis, Linden, and Montgomery, Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 1893 and is based in Muncy, Pennsylvania.

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Hourglass Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:NYCB  Free Report) by 4.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 547,899 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 24,266 shares during the quarter. New York Community Bancorp comprises about 1.8% of Hourglass Capital LLCs holdings, making the stock its 24th biggest holding. Hourglass Capital LLCs holdings in New York Community Bancorp were worth $4,953,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in New York Community Bancorp during the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC grew its position in New York Community Bancorp by 71.5% during the 1st quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 2,984 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 1,244 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in New York Community Bancorp during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. New Hampshire Trust purchased a new stake in New York Community Bancorp during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its holdings in shares of New York Community Bancorp by 107.7% during the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 4,315 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 2,237 shares during the last quarter. 62.49% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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New York Community Bancorp Price Performance

NYSE NYCB opened at $11.55 on Friday. New York Community Bancorp, Inc. has a 12 month low of $5.81 and a 12 month high of $11.94. The stock has a market cap of $8.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.03, a PEG ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.07. The companys 50 day moving average is $10.81 and its two-hundred day moving average is $9.67. The company has a current ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.74.

New York Community Bancorp Dividend Announcement

New York Community Bancorp ( NYSE:NYCB Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 28th. The financial services provider reported $0.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.23. The firm had revenue of $2.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $623.11 million. New York Community Bancorp had a net margin of 49.74% and a return on equity of 8.25%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 666.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.32 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that New York Community Bancorp, Inc. will post 1.21 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 8th were given a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.89%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 5th. New York Community Bancorps payout ratio is currently 17.85%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NYCB has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. TheStreet raised shares of New York Community Bancorp from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Tuesday, May 16th. Credit Suisse Group raised their price target on shares of New York Community Bancorp from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, March 21st. Wedbush raised shares of New York Community Bancorp from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a report on Monday, March 20th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded shares of New York Community Bancorp from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $10.00 to $11.00 in a research note on Monday, March 20th. Finally, DA Davidson upgraded shares of New York Community Bancorp from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $11.50 price objective on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $11.12.

About New York Community Bancorp

(Free Report)

New York Community Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Flagstar Bank, N.A. that provides banking products and services in the United States. The company's deposit products include interest-bearing checking and money market, savings, non-interest-bearing, and retirement accounts, as well as certificates of deposit.

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Imperial Oil (TSE:IMO  Free Report) (NYSEMKT:IMO) had its price objective decreased by Royal Bank of Canada from C$78.00 to C$75.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning, BayStreet.CA reports.

A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on IMO. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on shares of Imperial Oil from C$72.00 to C$79.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Imperial Oil from C$74.00 to C$72.00 in a research report on Monday, March 27th. TD Securities cut their price objective on shares of Imperial Oil from C$83.00 to C$82.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on shares of Imperial Oil from C$85.00 to C$84.00 in a research report on Monday, March 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Imperial Oil from C$78.00 to C$79.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of C$78.80.

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Imperial Oil Trading Down 1.6 %

TSE IMO opened at C$64.75 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.72, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 1.41. The company has a market capitalization of C$37.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 1.90. The companys 50-day simple moving average is C$64.69 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$66.96. Imperial Oil has a one year low of C$53.43 and a one year high of C$79.83.

Imperial Oil Increases Dividend

Imperial Oil ( TSE:IMO Get Free Report ) (NYSEMKT:IMO) last posted its earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The company reported C$2.13 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$1.92 by C$0.21. Imperial Oil had a net margin of 12.61% and a return on equity of 32.44%. The business had revenue of C$12.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$15.04 billion. Equities analysts forecast that Imperial Oil will post 9.2651622 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, July 1st. Shareholders of record on Saturday, July 1st were paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.09%. This is a boost from Imperial Oils previous quarterly dividend of $0.44. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 1st. Imperial Oils payout ratio is presently 16.95%.

Imperial Oil Company Profile

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Imperial Oil Limited engages in exploration, production, and sale of crude oil and natural gas in Canada. The company operates through three segments: Upstream, Downstream and Chemical segments. The Upstream segment explores for, and produces crude oil, natural gas, synthetic crude oil, and bitumen. The Downstream segment is involved in the transportation and refining of crude oil, blending of refined products, and the distribution and marketing of refined products.

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InterContinental Hotels Group (LON:IHG  Free Report) had its price objective lowered by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from GBX 5,850 ($75.26) to GBX 5,390 ($69.34) in a research note published on Tuesday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. Redburn Partners lowered InterContinental Hotels Group to a sell rating in a report on Tuesday, March 21st. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of InterContinental Hotels Group in a research note on Tuesday, May 23rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on InterContinental Hotels Group from GBX 6,000 ($77.19) to GBX 6,200 ($79.76) and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of GBX 5,785.56 ($74.43).

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InterContinental Hotels Group Price Performance

Shares of IHG stock opened at GBX 5,366 ($69.03) on Tuesday. InterContinental Hotels Group has a 12-month low of GBX 4,224 ($54.34) and a 12-month high of GBX 5,796 ($74.57). The firm has a market capitalization of 9.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3,417.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 0.97. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 5,374.56 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 5,409.03.

Insider Activity

InterContinental Hotels Group Company Profile

In other InterContinental Hotels Group news, insider Daniela Barone Soares bought 150 shares of InterContinental Hotels Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 5,428 ($69.83) per share, for a total transaction of 8,142 ($10,474.72). In other InterContinental Hotels Group news, insider Graham Allan bought 300 shares of InterContinental Hotels Group stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 5,370 ($69.09) per share, for a total transaction of 16,110 ($20,725.59). Also, insider Daniela Barone Soares bought 150 shares of InterContinental Hotels Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 5,428 ($69.83) per share, with a total value of 8,142 ($10,474.72). Insiders own 4.82% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC owns, manages, franchises, and leases hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Greater China. The company operates hotels under the Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, voco, HUALUXE, Crowne Plaza, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, EVEN, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, avid, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and Candlewood Suites brand names.

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Kinneret Advisory LLC bought a new stake in shares of Amcor plc (NYSE:AMCR  Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 73,870 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $841,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AMCR. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its holdings in Amcor by 117.7% in the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 2,397 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 1,296 shares in the last quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp acquired a new position in shares of Amcor in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. General Partner Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Amcor in the 4th quarter worth approximately $48,000. CI Investments Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Amcor by 108.9% in the 4th quarter. CI Investments Inc. now owns 4,212 shares of the companys stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 2,196 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Amcor by 43.0% in the 4th quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 16,930 shares of the companys stock worth $61,000 after buying an additional 5,090 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 49.37% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on AMCR. Bank of America cut Amcor from a buy rating to an underperform rating in a report on Monday, July 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Amcor from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and dropped their price target for the company from $11.60 to $10.80 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised Amcor from an underperform rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Amcor currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $10.80.

Amcor Trading Down 0.5 %

AMCR stock opened at $9.93 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.05 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 0.72. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $10.05 and a 200 day moving average price of $10.91. Amcor plc has a fifty-two week low of $9.40 and a fifty-two week high of $13.37.

Amcor (NYSE:AMCR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $0.18 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.18. The firm had revenue of $3.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.69 billion. Amcor had a return on equity of 27.94% and a net margin of 6.54%. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.21 EPS. Analysts expect that Amcor plc will post 0.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Amcor Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 20th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 24th were given a $0.1225 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 23rd. This represents a $0.49 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.93%. Amcors payout ratio is 74.24%.

About Amcor

(Free Report)

Amcor plc develops, produces, and sells packaging products in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company operates through two segments, Flexibles and Rigid Packaging. The Flexibles segment provides flexible and film packaging products in the food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, fresh produce, snack food, personal care, and other industries.

Further Reading

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Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) insider Larry L. Wood sold 8,660 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.94, for a total value of $804,860.40. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 213,794 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,870,014.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink.

Edwards Lifesciences Price Performance

Edwards Lifesciences stock traded up $0.29 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $93.38. The stock had a trading volume of 2,408,310 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,086,214. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a current ratio of 3.01 and a quick ratio of 2.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $56.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.75, a PEG ratio of 5.29 and a beta of 1.03. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a 1-year low of $67.13 and a 1-year high of $107.92. The stocks fifty day moving average is $88.51 and its two-hundred day moving average is $83.10.

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Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $0.62 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.61 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $1.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.39 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a return on equity of 25.81% and a net margin of 27.07%. Edwards Lifesciencess revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.60 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Institutional Trading of Edwards Lifesciences

EW has been the subject of a number of research reports. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Edwards Lifesciences from $75.00 to $87.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Piper Sandler upped their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $80.00 to $83.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. StockNews.com began coverage on Edwards Lifesciences in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Mizuho upped their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $85.00 to $95.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $78.00 to $90.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $91.67.

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Castleview Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Edwards Lifesciences during the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Edwards Lifesciences during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Core Alternative Capital increased its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 96.1% during the 1st quarter. Core Alternative Capital now owns 353 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares in the last quarter. Addison Advisors LLC increased its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 708.0% during the 4th quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 404 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 354 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Compass Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Edwards Lifesciences during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.78% of the companys stock.

About Edwards Lifesciences

(Get Free Report)

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease, and critical care and surgical monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of heart valves; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases.

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Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:LOMA  Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 952,315 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 269% from the previous sessions volume of 257,883 shares.The stock last traded at $7.07 and had previously closed at $6.80.

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima Stock Down 4.5 %

The stock has a market cap of $789.12 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 134.80, a PEG ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 1.29. The businesss 50 day moving average is $6.54 and its 200-day moving average is $6.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.68.

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Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:LOMA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The company reported $0.24 earnings per share for the quarter. Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima had a net margin of 0.44% and a return on equity of 0.50%. The firm had revenue of $211.80 million during the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima will post 1.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima Dividend Announcement

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima

The company also recently disclosed a Variable dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 12th. Investors of record on Monday, July 3rd were paid a $0.4648 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 30th. Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonimas dividend payout ratio is currently 1,100.00%.

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of LOMA. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its position in Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima by 1,061.9% during the first quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 1,311,238 shares of the companys stock worth $9,113,000 after acquiring an additional 1,198,382 shares during the last quarter. Eaton Vance Management purchased a new stake in Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima in the 1st quarter valued at $2,796,000. Icon Advisers Inc. Co. purchased a new position in shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima during the 1st quarter worth $3,128,000. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima by 180.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 650,370 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,455,000 after acquiring an additional 418,875 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its position in shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima by 258.5% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 400,270 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,782,000 after acquiring an additional 288,633 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 19.07% of the companys stock.

About Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima

(Get Free Report)

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells cement and its derivatives in Argentina. The company operates through Cement, Masonry Cement and Lime; Concrete; Railroad; Aggregates; and Others segments. It offers masonry cement, aggregates, ready-mix concrete, concrete, and lime to wholesale distributors, concrete producers, industrial customers, and others for use in the construction.

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BerganKDV Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW  Free Report) by 20.1% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 69,669 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 11,636 shares during the quarter. BerganKDV Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Medical Properties Trust were worth $573,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of MPW. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 11.7% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 36,158,910 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $774,593,000 after purchasing an additional 3,800,294 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 24.5% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 17,071,940 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $202,473,000 after purchasing an additional 3,355,195 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Medical Properties Trust in the 4th quarter valued at $34,612,000. Man Group plc acquired a new position in shares of Medical Properties Trust in the 4th quarter valued at $32,630,000. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 175.3% in the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 3,850,463 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $58,797,000 after purchasing an additional 2,451,617 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.26% of the companys stock.

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Medical Properties Trust Stock Performance

Shares of MPW stock opened at $9.85 on Friday. Medical Properties Trust, Inc. has a 12 month low of $7.10 and a 12 month high of $17.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 2.15 and a quick ratio of 2.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.70, a P/E/G ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 0.99. The companys fifty day moving average price is $8.73 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $9.80.

Medical Properties Trust Announces Dividend

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 13th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 11.78%. Medical Properties Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently 232.00%.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on MPW shares. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $14.00 to $12.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. KeyCorp reduced their target price on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $16.00 to $15.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $14.00 to $12.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $8.00 to $9.00 in a report on Friday, March 31st. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Medical Properties Trust presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $13.08.

Medical Properties Trust Profile

(Free Report)

Medical Properties Trust, Inc is a self-advised real estate investment trust formed in 2003 to acquire and develop net-leased hospital facilities. From its inception in Birmingham, Alabama, the Company has grown to become one of the world's largest owners of hospital real estate with 444 facilities and approximately 45,000 licensed beds in ten countries and across four continents.

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MGT Capital Investments, Inc. (OTCMKTS:MGTI  Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 100 shares, a decline of 99.9% from the June 15th total of 72,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,421,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days.

MGT Capital Investments Stock Performance

Shares of MGTI remained flat at $0.01 during midday trading on Friday. 4,067,286 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,679,101. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $0.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $0.01. MGT Capital Investments has a one year low of $0.00 and a one year high of $0.02.

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About MGT Capital Investments

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MGT Capital Investments, Inc engages in cryptocurrency mining business in the United States. It also leases space to other bitcoin miners; and provides hosting services for owners of mining equipment. The company was incorporated in 1977 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) had its price objective reduced by Barclays from $40.00 to $38.00 in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of 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 reduced their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $50.00 to $44.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 17th. Credit Suisse Group cut shares of Pfizer from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $47.00 to $40.00 in a report on Thursday, June 29th. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets cut shares of Pfizer from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $38.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Thursday, May 11th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pfizer presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $46.75.

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Pfizer Price Performance

Shares of NYSE PFE opened at $36.32 on Tuesday. Pfizer has a twelve month low of $35.35 and a twelve month high of $54.93. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $37.76 and a 200 day simple moving average of $41.10. The company has a market capitalization of $205.04 billion, a PE ratio of 7.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 business had revenue of $18.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.49 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.62 earnings per share. Pfizers quarterly revenue was down 28.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Pfizer will post 3.35 EPS for the current year.

The firm 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. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 27th. Pfizers payout ratio is currently 32.28%.

Insider Activity at Pfizer

In other Pfizer news, Director Scott Gottlieb purchased 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $38.58 per share, for a total transaction of $38,580.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 6,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $231,480. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.05% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Pfizer

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of PFE. RB Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Pfizer by 6.7% in the 1st quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 5,446 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $282,000 after purchasing an additional 341 shares in the last quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. raised its position in shares of Pfizer by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 36,081 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,868,000 after buying an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. United Bank raised its position in shares of Pfizer by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. United Bank now owns 46,671 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,416,000 after buying an additional 290 shares in the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC raised its position in shares of Pfizer by 136.3% during the 1st quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 36,766 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,903,000 after buying an additional 21,209 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its position in shares of Pfizer by 6.4% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 1,337,418 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $69,238,000 after buying an additional 79,887 shares in the last quarter. 67.80% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Pfizer

(Get 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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Riyadh: Khalid Al-Falih, the Saudi minister for investments, was welcomed by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday at the Presidential Palace in Nairobi, according to Saudi Press Agency.

In conjunction with the Kenya-Saudi Business Forum, Al-Falih and Kenyatta had a meeting.

King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's greetings were delivered at the reception by Al Falih.According to SPA, they discussed the bilateral ties between the two nations, potential areas of cooperation, strategies for boosting investment opportunities, and how the forum might support additional investments in the future.

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The forum emphasised the significance of fortifying cooperative economic ties in the banking, construction, energy, tourism, agriculture, and technology sectors.

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Ahmed Kattan, the adviser to the Saudi Royal Court, met with Ruto on Friday and promised his nation's complete support for the Kingdom's bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh.

On behalf of the Saudi government, Kattan expressed gratitude and appreciation for this act, which "emanates from the distinguished relations between the two countries," according to SPA.

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Kenya had previously supported the Kingdom's bid to host Expo 2030 during a meeting with Kattan under former President Uhuru Kenyatta last year.
Hourglass Capital LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 0.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 57,237 shares of the companys stock after selling 210 shares during the quarter. Philip Morris International accounts for 2.0% of Hourglass Capital LLCs holdings, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Hourglass Capital LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $5,566,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Ninety One UK Ltd grew its stake in Philip Morris International by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 9,582,613 shares of the companys stock worth $931,909,000 after purchasing an additional 132,432 shares in the last quarter. Ninety One SA PTY Ltd boosted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 316.2% during the 1st quarter. Ninety One SA PTY Ltd now owns 252,316 shares of the companys stock worth $24,512,000 after acquiring an additional 191,693 shares in the last quarter. Ninety One North America Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Ninety One North America Inc. now owns 713,465 shares of the companys stock valued at $69,384,000 after purchasing an additional 6,426 shares during the last quarter. Canoe Financial LP purchased a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the 1st quarter valued at about $150,424,000. Finally, Strategic Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 27.8% in the 1st quarter. Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 3,177 shares of the companys stock valued at $309,000 after purchasing an additional 691 shares during the last quarter. 77.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PM has been the subject of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and boosted their target price for the company from $109.00 to $116.00 in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $114.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup raised Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $109.00 to $117.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, 22nd Century Group reaffirmed a reiterates rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $111.40.

Philip Morris International Price Performance

PM opened at $99.50 on Friday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $94.66 and its 200 day simple moving average is $97.80. The stock has a market cap of $154.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.80, a P/E/G ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 0.70. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1-year low of $82.85 and a 1-year high of $105.62.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The company reported $1.38 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.34 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $8.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations 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 quarterly revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.56 EPS. Research analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 23rd were issued a dividend of $1.27 per share. This represents a $5.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.11%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 22nd. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 90.88%.

Philip Morris International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products that are sold in markets outside the United States.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report).

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Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ  Free Report) (TSE:CNQ)  Investment analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q2 2023 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Canadian Natural Resources in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, July 11th. Zacks Research analyst T. Saha now forecasts that the oil and gas producer will post earnings of $0.99 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $1.00. The consensus estimate for Canadian Natural Resources current full-year earnings is $5.27 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Canadian Natural Resources Q3 2023 earnings at $1.38 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $1.12 EPS and Q4 2024 earnings at $1.11 EPS.

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Canadian Natural Resources (NYSE:CNQ  Get Free Report) (TSE:CNQ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.20 by $0.05. Canadian Natural Resources had a net margin of 20.63% and a return on equity of 29.39%. The firm had revenue of $6.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.26 billion.

Canadian Natural Resources Stock Performance

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on CNQ. StockNews.com started coverage on Canadian Natural Resources in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. UBS Group started coverage on Canadian Natural Resources in a research report on Wednesday. They set a buy rating on the stock. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $90.67.

Shares of NYSE:CNQ opened at $56.61 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $61.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.57. Canadian Natural Resources has a 52 week low of $44.45 and a 52 week high of $62.57. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $55.79 and a 200 day moving average of $56.77.

Canadian Natural Resources Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 16th were paid a $0.664 dividend. This represents a $2.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 15th. Canadian Natural Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 41.02%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. AE Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Canadian Natural Resources during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $226,000. Comerica Bank raised its position in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 28,941 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,691,000 after buying an additional 1,333 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its position in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 41.6% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 34,005 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,888,000 after buying an additional 9,982 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 27.8% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 215,756 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $11,981,000 after buying an additional 46,920 shares during the period. Finally, Gradient Investments LLC raised its position in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 36.2% during the 4th quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 11,671 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $648,000 after buying an additional 3,100 shares during the period. 71.24% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Canadian Natural Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO).

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EastGroup Properties (NYSE:EGP  Get Free Report) and Omega Healthcare Investors (NYSE:OHI  Get Free Report) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends and earnings.

Dividends

EastGroup Properties pays an annual dividend of $5.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. Omega Healthcare Investors pays an annual dividend of $2.68 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.3%. EastGroup Properties pays out 129.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Omega Healthcare Investors pays out 233.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. EastGroup Properties has increased its dividend for 11 consecutive years.

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Institutional and Insider Ownership

91.6% of EastGroup Properties shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 66.0% of Omega Healthcare Investors shares are held by institutional investors. 1.5% of EastGroup Properties shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of Omega Healthcare Investors shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score EastGroup Properties 0 4 6 0 2.60 Omega Healthcare Investors 1 4 2 0 2.14

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for EastGroup Properties and Omega Healthcare Investors, as reported by MarketBeat.

EastGroup Properties currently has a consensus price target of $178.20, suggesting a potential downside of 3.94%. Omega Healthcare Investors has a consensus price target of $30.56, suggesting a potential downside of 5.25%. Given EastGroup Properties stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe EastGroup Properties is more favorable than Omega Healthcare Investors.

Profitability

This table compares EastGroup Properties and Omega Healthcare Investors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets EastGroup Properties 32.86% 8.40% 4.20% Omega Healthcare Investors 32.26% 7.13% 2.90%

Volatility and Risk

EastGroup Properties has a beta of 0.93, suggesting that its stock price is 7% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Omega Healthcare Investors has a beta of 0.99, suggesting that its stock price is 1% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares EastGroup Properties and Omega Healthcare Investors revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio EastGroup Properties $487.02 million 16.59 $186.18 million $3.87 47.93 Omega Healthcare Investors $878.24 million 8.61 $426.93 million $1.15 28.04

Omega Healthcare Investors has higher revenue and earnings than EastGroup Properties. Omega Healthcare Investors is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than EastGroup Properties, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

EastGroup Properties beats Omega Healthcare Investors on 13 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About EastGroup Properties

(Get Free Report)

EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE: EGP), a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 1000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina. The Company's goal is to maximize shareholder value by being a leading provider in its markets of functional, flexible and quality business distribution space for location sensitive customers (primarily in the 20,000 to 100,000 square foot range). The Company's strategy for growth is based on ownership of premier distribution facilities generally clustered near major transportation features in supply-constrained submarkets. The Company's portfolio, including development projects and value-add acquisitions in lease-up and under construction, currently includes approximately 57.1 million square feet.

About Omega Healthcare Investors

(Get Free Report)

Omega is a REIT that invests in the long-term healthcare industry, primarily in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Its portfolio of assets is operated by a diverse group of healthcare companies, predominantly in a triple-net lease structure. The assets span all regions within the U.S., as well as in the U.K.

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Shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (LON:RR  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Hold by the six analysts that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have given a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 119.20 ($1.53).

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc from GBX 145 ($1.87) to GBX 156 ($2.01) and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. Berenberg Bank reissued a hold rating and issued a GBX 100 ($1.29) price objective on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in a research report on Thursday, June 22nd.

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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Trading Down 2.3 %

Shares of RR stock opened at GBX 145.90 ($1.88) on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average price is GBX 150.69. The stock has a market capitalization of 12.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1,066.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.94 and a beta of 1.70.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Company Profile

In other news, insider Panos Kakoullis bought 7,771 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 28th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 155 ($1.99) per share, for a total transaction of 12,045.05 ($15,496.01). In related news, insider Panos Kakoullis purchased 7,771 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 28th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 155 ($1.99) per share, with a total value of 12,045.05 ($15,496.01). Also, insider Angela Strank purchased 6,359 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 19th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 156 ($2.01) per share, for a total transaction of 9,920.04 ($12,762.18). Insiders acquired a total of 16,596 shares of company stock worth $2,560,205 over the last ninety days. 0.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

(Get Free Report

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc operates as an industrial technology company in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Civil Aerospace, Defence, Power Systems, and New Markets. The Civil Aerospace segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells aero engines for large commercial aircraft, regional jet, and business aviation markets, as well as provides aftermarket services.

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Sanlam Limited (OTCMKTS:SLLDY  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 59,800 shares, a growth of 68.5% from the June 15th total of 35,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 79,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.8 days.

Sanlam Stock Performance

SLLDY stock traded up C$0.10 during trading on Friday, hitting C$7.27. 8,094 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 38,324. Sanlam has a 1 year low of C$5.02 and a 1 year high of C$7.50. The firms 50 day moving average is C$6.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$6.21.

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Sanlam Company Profile

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Sanlam Limited provides various financial solutions to individual, business, and institutional clients in South Africa, rest of Africa, and internationally. The company operates through Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Emerging Markets, Sanlam Investment Group, and Santam segments. It offers life, disability, severe illness, income protection, funeral, credit life, health, short-term, medical, and group risk benefits, business debt, key person, and commercial insurance products; financial planning and retirement, and solutions; investment products; wealth, and professionals and graduates insurance services; and personal and home loans, and credit cards.

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Shares of Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Company Limited (OTCMKTS:SHWGF  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $1.73 and last traded at $1.73, with a volume of 40000 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.73.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group raised Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, May 22nd.

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Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Stock Performance

The firms 50 day moving average price is $1.73 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $1.69.

Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Company Profile

Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Company Limited engages in the research and development, production, wholesale, and sale of medical devices in the People's Republic of China. It operates through Medical Device Products, Orthopaedic Products, Interventional Products, Pharma Packaging Products, Blood Management Products, and Others segments.

Further Reading

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BNP Paribas SA (OTCMKTS:BNPQY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 58,300 shares, a growth of 460.6% from the June 15th total of 10,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 309,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days.

BNP Paribas Stock Performance

Shares of BNPQY opened at $31.76 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $78.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.10, a PEG ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 1.48. BNP Paribas has a one year low of $20.19 and a one year high of $35.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The business has a fifty day moving average of $30.85 and a 200 day moving average of $31.52.

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BNP Paribas (OTCMKTS:BNPQY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The financial services provider reported $1.17 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.79 by ($0.62). The business had revenue of $13.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.61 billion. BNP Paribas had a return on equity of 8.82% and a net margin of 22.04%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that BNP Paribas will post 5.29 EPS for the current year.

BNP Paribas Increases Dividend

BNP Paribas Company Profile

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 13th. Investors of record on Friday, May 19th were paid a dividend of $1.7982 per share. This is a positive change from BNP Paribass previous dividend of $1.66. This represents a dividend yield of 5.67%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 18th. BNP Paribass dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 39.59%.

(Get Free Report)

BNP Paribas SA provides various banking and financial products and services in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through three divisions: Corporate & Institutional Banking; Commercial, Personal Banking & Services; and Investment & Protection Services.

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Great Wall Motor Company Limited (OTCMKTS:GWLLY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 6,500 shares, an increase of 441.7% from the June 15th total of 1,200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.2 days.

Great Wall Motor Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS GWLLY opened at $11.71 on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $11.49 and a 200-day simple moving average of $12.40. Great Wall Motor has a 1 year low of $9.06 and a 1 year high of $17.31.

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Great Wall Motor (OTCMKTS:GWLLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 21st. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $4.24 billion for the quarter.

Great Wall Motor Increases Dividend

About Great Wall Motor

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 29th will be paid a $0.3452 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2.87%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 28th. This is a positive change from Great Wall Motors previous dividend of $0.09.

(Get Free Report)

Great Wall Motor Company Limited researches and develops, manufactures, and sells automobiles, and automotive parts and components in China, Russia, South Africa, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Chile, and internationally. The company offers SUVs, sedans, pick-up trucks, and energy vehicles primarily under the Haval, WEY, ORA, Tank, and Great Wall Pickup brand names.

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Jervois Global Limited (OTCMKTS:JRVMF  Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,285,300 shares, a drop of 74.6% from the June 15th total of 5,066,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 927,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.4 days.

Jervois Global Stock Performance

JRVMF remained flat at $0.04 during trading on Friday. 396,724 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 620,621. Jervois Global has a 1 year low of $0.04 and a 1 year high of $0.41. The companys 50 day moving average price is $0.06 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $0.11.

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About Jervois Global

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Further Reading

Jervois Global Limited engages in the exploration, development, and production of mineral properties. The company explores for cobalt, nickel, copper, and gold deposits. It holds 100% interest in the Idaho Cobalt Operations project located in the state of Idaho, the United States; the Sao Miguel Paulista nickel cobalt refinery in Sao Paulo, Brazil; and the Nico Young nickel-cobalt deposits in New South Wales, Australia.

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Moovly Media Inc. (OTCMKTS:MVVYF  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 21,700 shares, a decrease of 76.2% from the June 15th total of 91,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 33,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.6 days.

Moovly Media Trading Down 2.4 %

MVVYF stock traded down $0.00 during trading on Friday, reaching $0.04. The companys stock had a trading volume of 6,757 shares, compared to its average volume of 35,534. Moovly Media has a 1 year low of $0.04 and a 1 year high of $0.14. The companys fifty day moving average is $0.05 and its 200-day moving average is $0.07.

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About Moovly Media

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Moovly Media Inc develops cloud-based digital media and content creation platform in Canada and Belgium. The company offers Moovly Studio, a video creation editor; Moovly API to add video production to platforms, products, and services; Video Automator to automate the production of videos, as well as to create videos for their customers, products, and services automatically; WordPress plugin to personalize and automate video content; and mobile app to upload video clips, images, and sound files directly to Moovly Studio library.

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The Victoria Falls, located in Africa, are a breathtaking natural wonder that captures the imagination of travelers from around the globe. With its immense size and awe-inspiring beauty, it stands as a testament to the power and grandeur of nature. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating details of the Victoria Falls, exploring its history, geological features, and the unique experiences it offers visitors.

1. The Origins of Victoria Falls: The Victoria Falls, aptly named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, are situated on the Zambezi River, marking the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. This natural wonder has a rich history dating back thousands of years, with the local indigenous people considering it a sacred site.

2. Geological Features of the Falls: Victoria Falls is formed by a crack in the Earth's crust, known as a fault line, resulting from tectonic activity. The Zambezi River cascades over this fault line, creating a spectacular spectacle of cascading water and mist. The falls stretch over 1.7 kilometers, making it one of the largest waterfalls in the world.

3. The Majestic Size and Height: Victoria Falls is twice as tall as Niagara Falls, with a height of approximately 108 meters (354 feet) at its highest point. The immense volume of water plunges into the gorge below, creating a thunderous roar and a mesmerizing spray that can be seen and heard from miles away.

4. The Surrounding Flora and Fauna: The area around Victoria Falls is teeming with a diverse range of plant and animal life. The lush rainforest that surrounds the falls is home to a variety of species, including monkeys, antelopes, and a vibrant array of birdlife. Exploring the trails within the rainforest provides visitors with a unique opportunity to observe nature up close.

5. The Indigenous People and Cultural Significance: The indigenous people living near Victoria Falls, such as the Tonga and Lozi tribes, have a deep cultural connection to this natural wonder. For centuries, they have revered the falls as a sacred site and believed it to be a place where the spirits of their ancestors reside. Their rich traditions and folklore add a layer of mystique and reverence to the experience of visiting Victoria Falls.

6. Adventure and Activities at Victoria Falls: Beyond its sheer beauty, Victoria Falls offers a plethora of adrenaline-pumping activities for thrill-seekers. Visitors can embark on a heart-pounding whitewater rafting adventure, take a scenic helicopter ride to witness the falls from above, or bungee jump from the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge. For those seeking a more tranquil experience, sunset cruises along the Zambezi River provide a serene and picturesque setting.

7. Spectacular Sunsets and Moonbows: One of the most enchanting aspects of Victoria Falls is the mesmerizing sunsets that paint the sky in a vibrant palette of colors. As the sun descends below the horizon, it casts a golden glow over the falls, creating a truly magical atmosphere. Additionally, during certain times of the year, a rare natural phenomenon known as the "moonbow" can be witnessed, where the light of the moon refracts through the mist, forming a stunning rainbow at night.

8. Visiting the Victoria Falls: Practical Information: When planning a trip to Victoria Falls, it is important to consider the best time to visit. The falls are at their most impressive during the rainy season, which occurs between November and April. During this time, the volume of water flowing over the falls is at its peak, creating a truly awe-inspiring sight. It is advisable to check the visa requirements and travel advisories for the specific countries of Zimbabwe and Zambia before embarking on your journey.

9. Sustainable Tourism and Conservation Efforts: Preserving the natural beauty of Victoria Falls is of utmost importance to ensure its longevity for future generations. Both Zimbabwe and Zambia have implemented sustainable tourism practices to minimize the environmental impact and protect the delicate ecosystem surrounding the falls. Visitors are encouraged to support these efforts by following responsible tourism guidelines and respecting the natural environment.

10. The Future of Victoria Falls: As one of the world's most iconic natural wonders, the Victoria Falls will continue to captivate and inspire travelers for years to come. With ongoing conservation efforts and sustainable tourism practices, we can ensure that this magnificent site remains preserved and protected. The future holds the promise of further discoveries and innovations that will enhance the visitor experience without compromising the integrity of this majestic wonder.

11. Conclusion: In conclusion, the Victoria Falls are a true marvel of nature, standing as a testament to the awe-inspiring beauty and power of the natural world. With its grandeur, cultural significance, and thrilling activities, it offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for visitors. Whether you are an adventure enthusiast, a nature lover, or a cultural explorer, Victoria Falls is a destination that should be on every traveler's bucket list.

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Kerala honours Legendary writer MT Vasudevan Nair as he turns 90

The Bermuda Triangle: Unveiling the Mysteries of the Enigmatic Region
Sienna Senior Living Inc. (TSE:SIA  Get Free Report) crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of C$11.36 and traded as low as C$11.34. Sienna Senior Living shares last traded at C$11.49, with a volume of 175,183 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, TD Securities lowered their price objective on shares of Sienna Senior Living from C$15.00 to C$14.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 5th.

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Sienna Senior Living Trading Up 2.4 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 239.46, a current ratio of 0.21 and a quick ratio of 0.23. The businesss 50 day moving average price is C$11.38 and its 200-day moving average price is C$11.35. The firm has a market capitalization of C$857.05 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -46.68 and a beta of 1.10.

Sienna Senior Living Dividend Announcement

About Sienna Senior Living

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.078 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 28th. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.97%. Sienna Senior Livings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -376.00%.

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Sienna Senior Living Inc provides senior living and long-term care (LTC) services in Canada. It operates through Retirement and LTC segments. The company offers a range of seniors' living options, including independent supportive and assisted living, memory care, and long-term care services. The company was formerly known as Leisureworld Senior Care Corporation and changed its name to Sienna Senior Living Inc in May 2015.

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Smiths Group plc (OTCMKTS:SMGZY  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 11,700 shares, an increase of 457.1% from the June 15th total of 2,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 11,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.0 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently commented on SMGZY shares. Bank of America raised Smiths Group from an underperform rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. Royal Bank of Canada raised Smiths Group from an underperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Smiths Group from GBX 1,980 ($25.47) to GBX 2,040 ($26.24) in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th.

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Smiths Group Price Performance

SMGZY traded down $0.15 during trading on Friday, reaching $21.08. 1,788 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 15,028. Smiths Group has a fifty-two week low of $15.88 and a fifty-two week high of $21.96. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $20.70 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $20.75.

About Smiths Group

Smiths Group plc operates as a technology company serving the medical technology, security and defense, general industrial, energy, and space and aerospace markets worldwide. It operates through John Crane, Smiths Detection, Flex-Tek, and Smiths Interconnect divisions. The John Crane division offers mechanical seals, seal support systems, hydrodynamic bearings, packing materials, power transmission couplings, and specialized filtration systems.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of China Green Agriculture (NYSE:CGA  Free Report) in a report issued on Tuesday. The firm issued a sell rating on the basic materials companys stock.

China Green Agriculture Trading Up 0.4 %

China Green Agriculture stock opened at $2.70 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $2.90 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $3.66. China Green Agriculture has a twelve month low of $2.54 and a twelve month high of $7.80. The company has a current ratio of 2.76, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01.

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China Green Agriculture (NYSE:CGA  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The basic materials company reported $0.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. China Green Agriculture had a negative net margin of 12.95% and a negative return on equity of 12.31%. The business had revenue of $45.26 million for the quarter.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On China Green Agriculture

China Green Agriculture Company Profile

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP bought a new position in shares of China Green Agriculture during the 1st quarter worth about $115,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its holdings in shares of China Green Agriculture by 67.8% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 19,051 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $192,000 after acquiring an additional 7,700 shares during the period. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP bought a new position in shares of China Green Agriculture during the 1st quarter worth about $175,000. 0.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

(Get Free Report)

China Green Agriculture, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, production, and sale of various fertilizers and agricultural products in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through three segments: Jinong (Fertilizer Production); Gufeng (Fertilizer Production); and Yuxing (Agricultural Products Production).

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The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Terreno Realty (NYSE:TRNO  Free Report) in a research note published on Tuesday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm issued a neutral rating and a $65.00 target price on the real estate investment trusts stock.

Several other equities research analysts also recently commented on TRNO. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and issued a $71.00 target price on shares of Terreno Realty in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. StockNews.com started coverage on 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 assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $66.83.

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Terreno Realty Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE:TRNO opened at $59.70 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $60.04 and a 200-day moving average of $61.45. Terreno Realty has a one year low of $50.36 and a one year high of $67.03. The stock has a market cap of $4.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.61, a P/E/G ratio of 3.04 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.21 and a quick ratio of 0.21.

Terreno Realty Announces Dividend

Terreno Realty ( NYSE:TRNO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The real estate investment trust reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.53 by ($0.24). The company had revenue of $74.65 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $74.96 million. Terreno Realty had a net margin of 70.11% and a return on equity of 8.83%. On average, sell-side 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 was paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th were issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.68%. Terreno Realtys payout ratio is presently 60.61%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Terreno Realty

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Terreno Realty by 6.8% in the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 3,948 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $320,000 after purchasing an additional 253 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Terreno Realty by 55.4% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 39,255 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,907,000 after buying an additional 13,997 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in Terreno Realty by 17.2% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 137,608 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $10,190,000 after acquiring an additional 20,239 shares during the period. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can boosted its holdings in shares of Terreno Realty by 6.0% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 63,883 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $4,907,000 after acquiring an additional 3,589 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in Terreno Realty by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,336,796 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $98,993,000 after purchasing an additional 22,692 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.10% of the companys stock.

About Terreno Realty

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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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BerganKDV Wealth Management LLC lessened its stake in The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE:COO  Free Report) by 23.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 918 shares of the medical device companys stock after selling 286 shares during the period. BerganKDV Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Cooper Companies were worth $343,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Simplicity Solutions LLC increased its position in Cooper Companies by 66.9% in the 1st quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 1,208 shares of the medical device companys stock valued at $451,000 after acquiring an additional 484 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System increased its position in Cooper Companies by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 14,346 shares of the medical device companys stock valued at $5,356,000 after acquiring an additional 381 shares during the period. Ballentine Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Cooper Companies by 3.8% in the 1st quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 1,273 shares of the medical device companys stock valued at $475,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Handelsinvest Investeringsforvaltning boosted its holdings in Cooper Companies by 10.9% in the 1st quarter. Handelsinvest Investeringsforvaltning now owns 52,753 shares of the medical device companys stock valued at $19,696,000 after purchasing an additional 5,182 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Securian Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Cooper Companies by 4.9% in the 1st quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,254 shares of the medical device companys stock valued at $1,588,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.36% of the companys stock.

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Cooper Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:COO opened at $397.36 on Friday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $375.05 and its 200-day simple moving average is $360.17. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 68.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.69 and a quick ratio of 0.95. The Cooper Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $244.21 and a 12 month high of $397.78.

Cooper Companies Dividend Announcement

Cooper Companies ( NYSE:COO Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, June 1st. The medical device company reported $3.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.04 by $0.04. Cooper Companies had a return on equity of 8.18% and a net margin of 8.41%. The firm had revenue of $877.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $865.81 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.24 EPS. Cooper Companiess revenue was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that The Cooper Companies, Inc. will post 12.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 11th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 27th will be paid a $0.03 dividend. This represents a $0.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.03%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 26th. Cooper Companiess payout ratio is currently 1.03%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

COO has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Cooper Companies from $355.00 to $430.00 in a report on Monday, May 15th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Cooper Companies from $385.00 to $400.00 in a report on Friday, June 2nd. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Cooper Companies in a report on Tuesday, May 30th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $410.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Cooper Companies in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, TheStreet lowered Cooper Companies from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Friday, June 16th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $395.00.

Cooper Companies Company Profile

(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.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding COO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE:COO  Free Report).

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Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. (OTCMKTS:TKGSY  Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 900 shares, a decline of 87.5% from the June 15th total of 7,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 14,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. Price Performance

OTCMKTS:TKGSY traded down $0.17 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $11.09. 648 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 14,662. Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. has a 52 week low of $8.28 and a 52 week high of $11.61. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $10.97 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $10.14.

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Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. (OTCMKTS:TKGSY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $7.48 billion for the quarter.

About Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd.

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.

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Trilogy Metals (NYSEAMERICAN:TMQ  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday. The mining company reported ($0.02) earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of ($0.02), MarketWatch Earnings reports.

Trilogy Metals Price Performance

NYSEAMERICAN:TMQ opened at $0.55 on Friday. Trilogy Metals has a 12 month low of $0.47 and a 12 month high of $0.85.

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Insider Transactions at Trilogy Metals

In other Trilogy Metals news, major shareholder Strategic Opportuniti Electrum bought 2,181,818 shares of Trilogy Metals stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 25th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $0.55 per share, for a total transaction of $1,199,999.90. Following the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 31,604,741 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,382,607.55. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 8.40% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Trilogy Metals

About Trilogy Metals

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Trilogy Metals by 56.1% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 466,675 shares of the mining companys stock worth $257,000 after purchasing an additional 167,693 shares during the period. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Trilogy Metals in the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new stake in shares of Trilogy Metals in the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Trilogy Metals in the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Trilogy Metals in the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. 52.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

(Get Free Report)

Trilogy Metals Inc, a base metals exploration company, explores for and develops mineral properties in the United States. It principally holds interests in the Upper Kobuk mineral projects that include the Arctic, which contains polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits; and Bornite that contains carbonate-hosted copper  cobalt deposits covering an area of approximately 448,217 acres located in the Ambler mining district in Northwest Alaska.

Further Reading

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Apple Hospitality REIT (NYSE:APLE  Free Report) had its price target boosted by Wells Fargo & Company from $17.00 to $18.00 in a research report report published on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Barclays boosted their price objective on Apple Hospitality REIT from $19.00 to $20.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 5th. StockNews.com started coverage on Apple Hospitality REIT in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Compass Point cut Apple Hospitality REIT from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price target for the company from $22.00 to $17.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 22nd. Finally, B. Riley dropped their price target on Apple Hospitality REIT from $20.00 to $19.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Apple Hospitality REIT presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $18.50.

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Apple Hospitality REIT Stock Performance

Shares of Apple Hospitality REIT stock opened at $15.19 on Wednesday. Apple Hospitality REIT has a one year low of $13.66 and a one year high of $18.22. The company has a market cap of $3.48 billion, a PE ratio of 21.70, a P/E/G ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 0.98. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $15.12 and a 200-day simple moving average of $15.74.

Apple Hospitality REIT Announces Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.32%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. Apple Hospitality REITs dividend payout ratio is currently 137.14%.

In other Apple Hospitality REIT news, Chairman Glade M. Knight acquired 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $15.50 per share, for a total transaction of $77,500.00. Following the acquisition, the chairman now directly owns 568,109 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,805,689.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In the last ninety days, insiders have purchased 6,718 shares of company stock valued at $102,969. Corporate insiders own 7.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Apple Hospitality REIT

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Amalgamated Bank boosted its position in Apple Hospitality REIT by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 28,208 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $445,000 after acquiring an additional 598 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its position in Apple Hospitality REIT by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 92,924 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,467,000 after purchasing an additional 739 shares during the last quarter. Lido Advisors LLC increased its position in Apple Hospitality REIT by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 52,034 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $935,000 after purchasing an additional 786 shares during the last quarter. Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management N.V. boosted its stake in shares of Apple Hospitality REIT by 6.8% during the 1st quarter. Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management N.V. now owns 12,500 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $194,000 after acquiring an additional 800 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Alaska Department of Revenue boosted its stake in shares of Apple Hospitality REIT by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 108,175 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,706,000 after acquiring an additional 902 shares in the last quarter. 80.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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The miracle of Tanot Mata is a remarkable tale that showcases the power of faith and divine protection. Situated in the western border region of India, near the Indo-Pakistan border, the Tanot Mata temple has gained fame for an extraordinary incident during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. In this article, we will delve into the awe-inspiring event where Pakistan fired 3,000 bombs, with 450 shells falling within the temple premises, yet not a single one exploded. Let us explore this remarkable incident and the significance of Tanot Mata in a time of adversity.

The Legend of Tanot Mata

Tanot Mata is a revered Hindu goddess, worshipped as an incarnation of the divine feminine energy. According to local legends, the temple of Tanot Mata has a deep spiritual connection and is believed to provide protection to its devotees. The faith in the goddess and her divine intervention has been passed down through generations, creating a profound bond between the people and the deity.

The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, tensions ran high along the border between India and Pakistan. The region surrounding the Tanot Mata temple, in Rajasthan, India, became a focal point of conflict. The Pakistani army relentlessly bombarded the area, with the intention of destroying the temple and demoralizing the Indian troops.

The Divine Shield

In the face of intense shelling, a divine intervention occurred that astonished everyone. Despite the large number of bombs and shells that landed in the temple premises, not a single one exploded. It was an inexplicable phenomenon that left both the Indian and Pakistani armies in awe. The temple, surrounded by unexploded ordnance, stood as a testament to the unwavering protection of Tanot Mata.

Faith and Devotion

The miracle of Tanot Mata is not just a tale of unexploded bombs; it is a testament to the power of faith and devotion. The locals firmly believe that it was the goddess herself who shielded the temple from destruction. The incident further strengthened their faith in the divine and deepened their connection to the deity.

Tanot Mata Temple Today

The Tanot Mata temple, after the war, has become a symbol of courage, resilience, and unwavering faith. It stands as a testament to the miraculous incident that occurred during the war. Devotees from all over the country visit the temple to seek blessings, express gratitude, and witness the divine energy that surrounds the sacred place.

Impact and Significance

The miracle of Tanot Mata has had a profound impact on the lives of the people in the region. It has become a source of inspiration and hope, instilling a sense of pride and unity among the local communities. The incident has transcended religious boundaries and is celebrated as a testament to the power of spirituality and divine grace.

Spreading the Message of Peace

The miraculous event at Tanot Mata temple serves as a reminder of the importance of peace and harmony. It stands as a symbol that transcends borders and calls for unity among nations. The temple has become a place where people from different backgrounds come together, emphasizing the shared values of love, peace, and humanity.

The miracle of Tanot Mata during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 is a tale that continues to captivate hearts and inspire minds. It exemplifies the power of faith, the divine protection bestowed upon the temple, and the unyielding devotion of the people. The incident at Tanot Mata temple stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the indomitable spirit that prevails even in the face of adversity.

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On Wednesday, The Nigerian Midstream, and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has announced that a new gas pricing template for the power sector and gas-based industries has been developed and currently awaits the approval of President Bola Tinubu.

It was also disclosed that the legacy gas debts of the power sector to gas suppliers in Nigeria had risen to about $1bn, as efforts were ongoing to finalise the figures and find a comfortable way in addressing the debts.

During the inauguration of the Decade of Gas Secretariat in Abuja, the secretariats Coordinator, and immediate past President, of Nigeria Gas Association, Ed Ubong, has said that it was important for the government to clear the gas debts in order to boost investors confidence in gas investments.

On why legacy power sector gas debts should be addressed, Ubong disclosed to journalists, It is clear to us that we need to provide comfort to investors by clearing the arrears that the gas companies are owed, particularly for gas supply to power.

That is a key priority, at least you heard from the Special Adviser to the President on Energy speak about it, that it is also part of the work that is ongoing and should be completed.

When asked by journalists to state the amount of outstanding arrears for gas supplied to the power sector, he replied, From our estimate, we think that those numbers could be between $700m and $1bn in debts owed.

But it is something we will sit with Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company Limited and the Federal Government to finalise and find a comfortable way in sorting this.

Ubong further noted that the NMDPRA had been working on gas pricing over the past year, adding that a lot of consultation had been done with various stakeholders on this.

Earlier, the Chief Executive, NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, explained that discussions were ongoing on the new gas pricing template.

It is for further discussions. We will discuss this with the adviser of the President on Energy. So until such interaction is completed and the President approves it, we will not be able to disclose the price.

But basically it is the price that gas is sold to the industry, whether gas-to-power, gas-to-industries, as well as gas-to-commercial. And it is to incentivise the producers so that they can produce more gas and supply to the country, rather than committing only to export," he said.

He also explained that on the Decade of Gas, it was a government project aimed at making sure that from 2021 to 2030 Nigeria propagated the supply and distribution of gas as the nexus of energy to power, gas-based industries, and for commercial purposes.
One of the issues which have been thrown up recently is the ignoble prevalence of examination malpractices in Nigerias education sector. While the menace remains a shameful and atrocious engagement, some persons seem to have conceded to apply it as the route for them to achieve unmerited academic excellence. And since ours is a society where we so much celebrate academic certificates rather than seeing practical application of the knowledge in solving real life problems, seeing individuals like Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, who could go at any length to obtain to herself undeserving acclamation, is not surprising.

Ms. Mmesoma, a student at Anglican Girls Secondary School, Anambra, has infamously been a major headline in the news in the past few days following a somewhat shocking revelation made Joint Admission and Matriculation Board that she dubiously falsified her 2023 Unified Tartary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scores result. The controversial 19-year-old (though some had claimed she was 16) has been an epitome of criticisms, condemnations, but to some, a subject of pity considering her familys social status and age. Contrary to her initial refutation of the result adulteration, which had caused outrage and divided many people on social media, Mmesoma has however been indicted to have truly forged her results to deceive unsuspecting members of the public, according to a report by special Inquiry Panel set up by Anambra State Government. Till now, her motive for such action is yet known even as she claimed that no one aided her in the scandal! Her father who had accused of JAMB of staging a conspiracy, has however made a public apology, saying that her daughter lied to him. But one obvious thing in this saga is that Nigerias education sector does not only need reforms, but also urgently deserve some in-house cleansing.

I surely can attest to the reality that JAMB has over years, successfully continued making efforts to thwart any attempt to jeopardise its system. Even though the examination process may not totally be devoid of technical glitches as experienced by many students, yet the chances of examination malpractice before, during and after the process are relatively at minimal, considering the yearly technological innovations put to the system. Unless if truly there is existence of genuine special centers and provision for special candidates, it is almost cumbersome for anyone to outsmart JAMB during examination, aside if one has devotedly read. During one of my days when I was a JAMB examination candidate, one of my tutorial masters frankly told some of my mates who were lobbying for help to stop such and squarely face their books and read extensively as there were no easy way to manipulate the system for malpractice. Unlike what are still obtainable in most primary and secondary schools where students could be helped to pass their exams, JAMB system appears to be exceptional. Perhaps, it is a public knowledge that many schools nowadays use different tricks to help their students writing national examinations like National Examination Council, NECO, West African Senior School Certificate, WASSCE, Basic Examination Certificate, General Certificate of Education, GCE, among others. It is no doubt a business of cool money for many school owners, teachers, invigilators and some officials during the period of these examinations. Even some parents joyfully pay for the service as they want desirable and perfect results for their wards. By implication, it wouldn't be far reaching to see those who have got A1 or B2 in English or other subjects in most of these terminal examinations, but ended up having embarrassing score in JAMB in the same subject. Many individuals are out there who cannot easily solve simple arithmetics, but you would see them displaying distinctive grades in Mathematics, Further Mathematics in many of these Senior Secondary School Certificate examination results.

Moreover, Mmesoma is more or less a reflection of her country. Living in society where moral decadence has become a major trend, one is already at a dimensional perilous survival. Only a country where professors could involve in electoral malpractices, where lawmaker could break the laws with impunity, where PhD holders could demand sex for grades, and where law enforcement officers could publicly take bribe and abet crimes, where agents of justice could be manipulated to pervert justice could breed the type of Mmesoma. Both the government at all levels and the public must, hence, do everything possible to promote our socio-cultural norms which give credence to uprightness and upstanding behaviours. The likes of Aminat Yusuf, the Lagos State University record breaker, should be celebrated by making them the face of the public. They also deserve national recognition and commendation!

To conclude, Mmesoma is already bearing the brunt of her action. Aside from withdrawing her authentic 249 score, JAMB has reportedly banned the young lady from writing the examination for the next three years. The Anambra State government also outrightly disowned her as one of its indigenes, attaching her to Enugu State. Similarly, Innoson Vehicles, has also withdrawn the scholarship initially awarded to her to protect the face and integrity of its company. This is evidence that shortcut may someday cut ones life short in no time!

Damilare Adeleye is a student at Lagos State University.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed commitment to protect Benin artefacts which were recovered from different parts of the world as a way of archiving the history of the people.

This was made known in a statement by Dele Alake, the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy.

Speaking when he received the Oba of Benin, Omo NOba NEdo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, and other traditional leaders from Edo State, the President assured them that his administration would support the Benin Royal Council in its bid to establish a museum that will house the artefacts.

The President congratulated the Benin monarch for the retrieval of the stolen artefacts, commending his effort in ensuring that a befitting museum is built to archive the rich history and traditions of the Benin Kingdom.

It deserves our protection. We are glad to have them back, and we are glad you are happy. They are in protective custody. It is a matter of history, over a hundred years. We will work on the museum, he said.

President Tinubu said the Federal Government is currently undertaking an audit of its infrastructure projects, promising to ensure that roads in Edo State are considered in line with a request made by the traditional ruler.

In his address, Oba Ewuare II commended President Tinubu for the giant strides of his administration within its first weeks.

Weve predicted that you would hit the ground running and you have done so, even faster than we thought, the royal father said.

He said the steps taken by the President since his inauguration on May 29, 2023 had renewed the hope of Nigerians and put the country on the path to progress and development.
The housing conditions of internally displaced people in Makurdi are constructed from improvised, locally available materials such as clothes and rags. The makeshift houses are overcrowded and pitched side-by-side without proper spacing, leading to frequent epidemic outbreaks. The Makurdi rainy season (JulyNovember) has started, further undermining the poor shelter state of the camp situation.

Nigeria, our country, seems to have lost its very soul because it is no longer a healthy entity. The good health of any nation consists of its capacity to offer its citizens a territory where they can feel at home, feel secure, and enjoy the necessities of life. This situation is, unfortunately, no longer the case in our dear country, Nigeria, where armed conflicts, armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom, insurgency, banditry, and extrajudicial killing persist as the order of the day. When a nation loses its soul, its people lose the cohesive elements of human relationships. A country that has lost its soul is characterized by inept, uncaring leadership that functions through the selective allocation of positions, privileges, and resources and by a discriminatory application of justice. It also has leaders who, rather than care for the citizens, exploit and denigrate them. Such a nation takes food out of the mouths of its citizens and watches them starve. It deploys its scarce resources to the advantage of the rich and powerful while offering mere crumbs to the poor and weak. A nation that has lost its soul breeds a citizenry where nobody cares for anybody else. Nigeria exhibits all of these traits, no doubt. No wonder, Nigeria is home to 3.6 million IDPs, of whom 1.9 million are living in protracted displacement in the north central-eastern state of the nation.

One of the events that has put Benue on the map as a country in recent times is the herders and farmers crises that are taking the North Central by storm. Anthony Heassly, in his book The Beginning of War, aptly observed that one of the most significant challenges facing people in the 21st century is how to live and work peacefully with others in all spheres of personal and public life. The above expression captures the plight of the people of Benue State, who have suffered violent attacks because of herder-farmer conflicts, thereby rendering them internally displaced from their native homelands and leaving them at the mercy of humanitarian groups. Hence, it has been challenging for Benue people regarding the protection of their lives and property. In fact, the highest part of the story of the people is one of violent conflicts orchestrated by people or groups pursuing conflicting interests, be they political, religious, ethnic, elitist, or even economic.

Since 2010, the herders have used arms to launch war on the people of Benue to gain access to grazing land by force. Between 2010 and 2021, the group has ferociously attacked, maimed, killed, and displaced millions of people in Benue. The devastating nature of the attacks seems to make Benue State the epic center of the herders-farmers war in Nigeria. The most devastating part of this war occurred in 2018, when the herders, during a night raid, killed several people in the Guma Local Government Area of the state. Since then, there has been a spate of killings linked to the herders, who have often come out to claim responsibility for the massacre. These attacks lend credence to the claims by the Global Terrorism Report Index for 2015, which classified these herders as the fourth deadliest group in 2014. The report claimed that the herders killed about 80 people between 2010 and 2013 and 1,229 in 2014. These violent attacks occurred predominantly in the North-Central States of Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, and Kaduna. The attacks on the farmers by the herders often appear to be highly coordinated and spontaneous across the state. These attacks occurred in Guma, Katsina-Ala, Makurdi, Logo, Agatu, Gwer West, and Kwande Local Government Areas. The attacks in these communities involved large-scale destruction of lives, farmlands, properties, rape, abduction, and displacement of farmers. An attack that points to an orchestrated plan by herders to evict farmers from their ancestral land. One of the major consequences of these attacks and the displacement of villages is the emergence of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with the creation of IDP camps in selected Local Government Areas in Benue State. However, due to the complex nature of the crisis, most people have been uprooted from their farms and placed in IDP camps. But how were they uprooted from their land?

Historically, relations between herders and farming communities have been harmonious. By and large, I remember growing up in our village, we used to live in a peaceful, symbiotic relationship with herders. Herders cattle would fertilize our land in exchange for grazing rights. But in the early 20th century, some herders started shifting their migratory routes farther south. They were pushed by a series of droughts in the far north, attracted by heightened security in central and southern Nigeria and better control of parasitic diseases in the Central and Southern zones. Initially, migration was seasonal, with herders spending December to May in the central zone before returning north. Over the last two decades, as available pastures shrank in the far north, herders began living in the central region longer  from December to June or July. More recently, some started grazing their herds in the central zone permanently. This situation triggered increasing disputes over land and water use with central Nigerias growing populations of crop farmers.Other aggravating factors behind the escalating conflict are climatic change, population growth, and technological and economic changes. We also have crime, political, and ethnic strife as traditional conflict management mechanisms collapse. Apart from that, a dysfunctional legal regime that allows evil to go unpunished encouraged farmers and pastoralists to take matters into their own hands. In the early days, pastoralists were people with experience to ensure the cattle did not eat farm products. Nowadays, the changing practices among pastoralists have strained this concept. Some cattle herders gradually adopted strange lifestyles, leaving cattle herding increasingly to young boys aged nine to 25, who often lack the civility and maturity to resolve disputes amicably.

The nature of IDPs is by no means debatable. While the other States have, to some extent, internally resolved their IDP problems, Benue State continues to depend on external assistance to resolve its IDP problems. The inability of Benue State to effectively manage the IDP problem has resulted in the mass migration of IDPs in search of refuge in neighboring local governments. A reflection on the figures of IDPs demonstrates that Benue has several IDP Camps. Internal conditions in Benue have occasioned a significant rise in the number of IDPs. In short, bad governance over the years is responsible for the recurring ethnic, political, and religious conflicts. The conflict has, in turn, caused internal displacement. The challenges of effectively managing internal displacements are enormous and complex because of certain intervening internal variables. One good example is the institutional decay occasioned by state complacency and corruption, which has undermined the effective management of IDPs in the State. Another challenge in managing IDPs in Benue is the lack of a reliable IDP figure. Sources from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) have estimated about 1,617,124 IDPs, while local organizations opine that there are only 600,000 internally displaced persons in Benue. In 20182022, SEMA estimated a staggering 240,068 people were displaced in several households. These figures are, however, debatable because the National figure did not differentiate between those still displaced and those who have returned. More so, it is because some IDPs deliberately refuse to be identified as IDPs or because relatives accommodate them in new localities away from their displaced ancestral homes.

Living as a refugee within your home, country, and people is disgusting and challenging for even the toughest of us. Yet, we must remember that eight official IDP camps live that very life across Makurdi, the Benue state capital. According to records obtained from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, in the official and unofficial facilities or camps, we have records of inmates who moved into the haven in 2019, 2020, and 2021. A breakdown of the 2019 record of IDPs showed that the Abagena camp has 8,210 IDPs, while the Abagena host community is home to 7,691 inmates. Daudu Camp 1 (UNHCR Shelter) has 5,451 IDPs; Daudu II has 20,172; and Gbajimba Camp is home to 29,500 inmates. Other camps include the Anyiin camp with 7,466 IDPs, the Ugba camp with 3,080, the Abeda camp with 2,668, and the Abeda host community with 22,948 IDPs. The Agan camp has 4,798 inmates, while the host community is home to 5,517 IDPs. Agatu is home to 65,347 IDPs, Angwan Ochonu has 4,951 IDPs, Anyiin community has 65,496 IDPs, Daudu community is home to 43,344 inmates, FHA camp has 4,353 IDPs, and Gbajimba community is home to 28,875 IDPs. Gwer West has 60,243 IDPs, Ichwa has 9,587, Kwande has 9,465, LDEA NASME has 23,151, LGEA Tyodugh has 5,672 IDPs, NEPA Quarters has 8,008, Ogiri Ajene has 9,506, Okpokwu has 4,080, Tionsha has 20,500, and Ugba community is home to 8,651. The total number of IDPs living in official and unofficial camps and host communities since 2019 is 483,692. The number of those displaced as a result of herdsmen attacks, as updated in June 2020, is 75,811. A breakdown of the figure indicated that Mbakunu (Kwande) is home to 2,951 IDPs, Mbaper (Kwande) is hosting 1,602 IDPs, Iyon (Kwande) has 489 inmates, and Jato Aka/Nyihemba (Kwande) has 37,675 IDPs. Others are Ogere (Obi) 17, 858, Torkula (Guma) 817, Agasha (Guma) 1,502, Kaseyo (Guma) 652, Ikponko (Guma) 712, and Uikpam (Guma), home to 11,554 IDPs. These figures, updated in December 2020 as a result of sustained attacks by armed herders in more communities, indicated that more communities in Guma, like the Uleva community, are hosting 13,855 IDPs, the Iye community is hosting 16,578 displaced persons, and the Tse Akenyi community has 22,873 IDPs. The logo shows the Iorja community hosting 14,000 IDPs, the Tse Akpam community with 11,369, and the Igbatim community with 16,541 inmates. In Makurdi, there are 18,000 IDPs in the Imande Akpu community, while the Tse Chagu community is home to 6,000 IDPs.

The total number of people displaced in 2020 because of sustained attacks on Benue communities by suspected herdsmen militia is 205,027. The statistics of displacement as a result of further attacks on several communities in Benue in 2021 showed that Guma LGA, Uikpam IDP camp, is home to 27,222 persons, Yogbo community hosts 19,911 persons, Udei community hosts 20,932, Ortese community harbors 17,654; Umenger has 19,277, and Yelewata community is host to 17,00 IDPs. In Gwer West, the Naka community harbors 23,070 IDPs, the Aondoana community has 15,171, and the Tyoughtee community has 19,888 IDPs. In Makurdi, there are 16,865 IDPs in the Atson community and 11,987 in the Anter community. The Logo camp harbors 13,065 IDPs in Tse Agure, while 1,765 IDP camps are in the Tse Akau Akpor community. Konshisha, where a military operation recently took place to recover the weapons of slain soldiers by bandits, has 5,958 IDPs in the Gungul community. Agidi community is home to 1,143 IDPs, Aku community has 3,852, Adoka community has 702, Bonta 2,250, Gbinde community has 1,548, Tse Anyon has 1,512, and Guleya Community is home to 2,142 IDPs. In Oju LGA, the Ukpute community is host to 1,954 IDPs, Agatu LGA has 10,981 IDPs in the Okokolo community, 21,098 in Obagaji, 10,400 in Aila, 12,091 in Odugbeho, and Oweto communities harbor 11,850 people. A vexing issue of this displacement is the unofficial IDP camps operating without proper attention. According to SEMA, the situation in the state is similar to what is happening in the North East and, therefore, equally deserves serious attention. Another alarming issue is those doubting the population of IDPs in the state. Some people have not visited Benue but concluded that there are no IDP camps here. Perhaps, this is why the Federal and State governments have not fully supported the humanitarian efforts of the IDPs to relocate them to their ancestral land. I use this opportunity to challenge those who have not yet visited Benue State and those who cannot go to the places where the IDPs are, who stay in Abuja and elsewhere, to embark on a visit to the state to verify the figures.

One of the reigning jokes in contemporary Nigeria, told only partly facetiously, is that when students complete their education, they have two options besides unemployment: founding a church or starting a non-governmental organization (NGO). Given Nigerias economic woes and the shortage of decent job opportunities, the humor about churches and NGOs is a collective commentary on the difficulties of everyday life. It is also an allusion to the promises of development, albeit in a manner that is simultaneously a criticism of developments failures, because the unarticulated assumption in the joke is that the NGO arena and what Nigerians call new breed churches are fertile grounds for corruption. But visiting these IDP camps verifies the statement about opening a church or an NGO. Thousands of NGOs and churches troop out daily to spend time with the IDPs. As good as this may sound, there are issues with these visits. Some NGOs and churches bring visitors to show the IDPs their love and support. But others bring people to the IDPs to garner sympathy worldwide and enrich themselves. The question is, are we not thriving on the vulnerability of the IDPs? IDPs are often underprivileged and live in precarious situations themselves. They do not have the resources and infrastructure necessary to make a home. They rarely benefit from funding meant to assist them. These hindrances can easily create unnecessary tension. I call on NGOs providing aid and assistance to IDPs to contribute positively to health, education, and welfare. I encourage them to tailor help and assistance to include the development of medical, educational, and social service infrastructure upon arrival and to cooperate actively in empowering local institutions so that together with the government, they will develop programs and services responding to IDPs and the most vulnerable communities hosting them.

Pope Francis gives enormous importance to the plight of the millions of forgotten men, women, and children forced to migrate within their own countries, known as internally displaced people (IDPs). According to him, the pastoral role of the Church toward Internally Displaced People is to offer suggestions and guidance for action based on four words: welcome, protect, promote, and integrate. These words describe the Churchs mission to all those living in existential peripheries and concrete peril who need hospitality, protection, promotion, and integration. To respond to the challenges facing the IDPs, the Catholic Church is called to promote the culture of encounter within the host communities by creating occasions for personal contact with IDPs, establishing volunteer groups and special funds to assist all people in vulnerable situations, and providing pastoral care and services to both IDPs and host communities. The Church has an obligation to remind the government of its direct responsibility for all its citizens, including the internally displaced. Also among their responsibilities are their basic needs, defending their human rights, and promoting their dignity. As a Church, we are before people who have tried to escape an unendurable fate, only to end up living in makeshift dwellings, still in dire need. They, too, are human beings, our brothers and sisters, whose children are entitled to the same legitimate expectations of happiness as other children. If generosity is in us, it would be impossible to remain silent before the disquieting images showing stretches of IDP camps throughout Benue State. Yet, as we speak, the determination to assign a priest responsible for the pastoral care of the IDPs is unclear. In the meantime, no priest is assigned to offer direct pastoral care to the IDPs. However, you can find pockets of priests here and there offering humanitarian assistance on their own to the IDPs. It is high time the Catholic hierarchy took this mission seriously. Just as the humanitarian needs of the IDPs are crucial, so are their pastoral needs. We need an office of the diocesan refugee service that will take care of the IDPs. The Jesuits have the Jesuit Refugee Service, with its country office in Abuja, taking care of refugees nationally. As we know, the work is so enormous that we cannot be in all places at all times; hence, we need refugee services at the grassroots level to collaborate with us.

Another issue that occurs daily in the IDP camps is sexual exploitation, which breeds other forms of intimidation, victimization, harassment, inappropriate behavior, and offensive sexual advances by men. Women make up more than 50 percent of the IDP population in Benue. And as they survive on less than 780 Naira, their livelihoods depend on goodwill donations from charitable organizations and government agencies. Hence, due to overlapping vulnerabilities linked to economic security and protection, many are at risk of sexual and gender-based violence in the camps. Many women and girls come to the IDP camp without children but get pregnant and become mothers without partners. As young women and girls struggle to meet their survival needs in IDP camps, sexual exploitation continues to increase. As a result of the shortage of food, water, and medical treatment, most of these women submit themselves to men, who tend to be their saviors. In their struggle for survival, they arrive in a desperate situation and are ready to do whatever it takes to live. Despite being among the most vulnerable people in the world, women and girls often have to endure sexual slavery and other forms of exploitation to survive. The fact that women and girls have had to endure rape to avoid hunger is tragic and a clear violation of their human rights. Yet, destiny's helpers meant to protect these people have instead chosen to violate these defenseless individuals' rights because they have access to crucial resources, authority, and influence. A female IDP used these unsettling words to sum up her experience in the hands of a destiny helper: Men have raped me so many times that I can't even remember. Nigerian law specifies a minimum of 12 years imprisonment for rape offenses without the option of a fine. But the girls have no idea of the provisions of this law, nor did they even know the law existed. Even if they knew, I doubt they would have sought redress, having no money to afford a lawyer. Do the authorities intend to address these issues of violations of human rights in IDP camps? The government has failed to take enough steps to protect women and girls in refugee situations. But in 2018, the Nigerian Senate promised to investigate sexual assault claims in IDP camps. Unfortunately, the cycle is still active after many years of inaction. The Nigerian government is not interested in solving these problems. If they claim they are doing something to stop these violations, then it is not enough to protect women and girls and ensure that perpetrators of these violations against them face punishment.

Whose responsibility is it to protect and assist internally displaced persons? As a crucial element of sovereignty, the Governments of the states where internally displaced persons live have the authority to provide humanitarian assistance and protect them. The NGOs and the Church have a complementary role. Hence, all are called upon to cooperate to help address their needs under the collaborative approach. The government must seek constructive ways to reinforce and uphold instruments of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law and to provide for the security and well-being of all those under itsjurisdiction. This notion requires adequate laws and policies on internal displacement in conformity with the dignity of the human person. The government must develop a comprehensive system of responsibility for internally displaced persons. Thus, efficient protection will require not only the availability of more human and financial resources but higher institutional support and comprehensive mandates. But protecting the human rights of internally displaced persons entails the adoption of specific and appropriate juridical instruments and mechanisms of coordination on the part of the government, whose legitimate interventions cannot be human rights violations.

The humanitarian crisis resulting from insurgents in Benue shows no sign of declining. Apart from concerns about the escalating number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), the poor living conditions in the IDP camps are alarming and call for more commitment from all concerned. To respond to this challenge, I call on the government to develop and implement programs and policies that will rehabilitate IDPs affected psychologically during armed conflicts so that they can structure their lives and those of their families. I call on the State to offer specialized measures and protection for IDPs to ensure they are safe from harm and foster their full participation in society. As people of goodwill, we should promote awareness and education campaigns to stop the abuse of internally displaced women and children and advocate for governments to apply the law appropriately in dealing with these crimes. Those who sexually exploit women should be punished and cautioned about the damage it causes.

The housing conditions of internally displaced people in Makurdi are constructed from improvised, locally available materials such as clothes and rags. The makeshift houses are overcrowded and pitched side-by-side without proper spacing, leading to frequent epidemic outbreaks. The Makurdi rainy season (JulyNovember) has started, further undermining the poor shelter state of the camp situation. On top of the lack of appropriate housing, these IDP settlements offer limited services due to their vast needs and limited resources. Several IDP camps I have visited do not even have proper shelter above their heads. Many families have no roof to protect them from the hot sun, the rain, and the bone-chilling winds. Thanks to relief aid organizations, refugee camps are being provided with more and more resources so that every person can enjoy proper shelter, but right now, many do not have a roof over their heads. I appealed to the governor, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to do everything possible to return all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes. I call on all to support IDPs in seeking their preferred solution to their internal displacement, be it return to their area of origin, integration within the location of movement, or any other region within Nigeria, in compliance with national, regional, and international standards, in line with their rights, and in support of durable, lasting solutions to displacement.

Rev. Ma, S.J, is a Jesuit Catholic priest and PhD candidate in public and social policy at St. Louis University in the state of Missouri, USA.
With an excellent credit ratings and records, Flour Mill of Nigeria Plc (FMN) has established a strong financial position. The group tapped into the market for its Series 3 Commercial Paper to raise funds to meet its working capital requirements in June 2023.

Following the launched of Series 3 on June 23, 2023 to the investing public, the Order book recorded N144.37 billion in bids, which represents 262 per cent oversubscription.

According to the Director of Group Treasury and Investor Relations, FMN, Titus Owoeye, the group has been driving local content development and investing significantly across its value chain for the past six decades. He noted that the revenue generated by the group in 2022, came in at over N1 trillion, joining a select group of Nigerian companies with such a feat.

He also said, FMN has a good credit history and rating as well as a strong brand value with a loyal customer base. Owoeye said with the highly experienced and very competent board and management teams, as demonstrated over the years, the group is a key player in the Nigerian FMCG and agribusiness sector.

The FMN rating of A- by Augusto & Co and A by DataPro shows its strong financial position, extensive distribution network and dominant market share in the Nigerian food industry."

He further noted that the group plans to continue leveraging the capital markets to raise finance to support both short-term and long-term financing needs as one of its funding options.
The Federal Government has again dragged Godwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), before the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

This time, the federal government slammed the embattled ex-CBN governor a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

In a court sheet sighted on Saturday, the Federal Government accused Emefiele of possessing a single-barrel shotgun without a licence.

It also claimed that the offence contradicts Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004.

In addition to the charge, Emefiele was accused of possessing 123 rounds of live ammunition without a licence.

It was learnt that the case is yet to be assigned to a judge. However, there are reports that it would be assigned next week.

It could be recalled that the suspended CBN Governor has been in the custody of the Department of State Service since June 10 following his suspension from office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Meanwhile, in a related development on Friday, a Federal High Court in Abuja voided his arrest and detention by the DSS.

Delivering the judgement, Justice Bello Kawu held that his arrest, and detention violated the subsisting judgement and orders of another justice of the Court.

He, therefore, granted an injunction restraining the DSS from arresting, detaining, or interfering with Emefieles freedom of movement and personal liberty.
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New bid to remove Senates PM vote

BANGKOK: The Move Forward Party (MFP) submitted a proposal to parliament on Friday seeking to strip the military-appointed senators of their power to co-select the prime minister.

politics

By Bangkok Post

Saturday 15 July 2023 09:10 AM

Move forward Party secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon takes to the floor to explain issues raised by lawmakers during Thursdays vote for a new prime minister. Photo: Chanat Katanyu / Bangkok Post

The move to revoke Section 272 of the charter, which allows the 250-member Senate to join the process of selection a prime minister, came a day after the partys leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to muster enough support to back his bid to land the job.

It is the seventh attempt to strip the Senate of this power to date, reports the Bangkok Post.

MFP secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon said the partys MPs have all signed in support of amending the charter to strip the Senate of this power because the senators opted to abstain from voting this week.

He said 156 senators abstained while 43 others did not attend the meeting on July 13 to select the nations new prime minister.

As the senators clearly expressed that they didnt want to exercise their [voting] rights, we are proposing a solution. We believe it will be a way out for senators and for our parliamentary system, he said.

He said the MFP was opposed to Section 272 and decided to try changing it again after that vote.

Mr Chaithawat said the partys ally, Pheu Thai, had no objection to the move. He said other parties, including Bhumjaithai and the Democrats, would also support such a charter amendment.

The MFP secretary-general said the proposal could go ahead despite the selection of a new PM not yet being finalised. He added that it could clear parliament within three weeks of its first reading.

The petition has already been accepted by new parliament president Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, who said the petition would be put on the agenda after it has been examined and verified.

Prasert Chantararuangthong, secretary-general of the Pheu Thai Party, said he doubted the MFPs efforts would bear fruit.

He said the proposal faces a major hurdle because it requires the approval of senators and MPs. At least one-third of senators, or about 84, must give it the nod.

He said those who were opposed to Mr Pitas nomination took aim at the MFPs plan to amend the lese majeste law.
Sergey Lavrov arrives in Phuket

PHUKET: Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, arrived in Phuket last night (July 14).

Russianpoliticseconomics

By The Phuket News

Saturday 15 July 2023 11:30 AM

Mr Lavrov landed at Phuket International Airport to be welcomed by a delegation that included Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan.

Official reports of Mr Lavrovs arrival mark that Mr Lavrov is expected to officiate the opening of the Russian consulate at Royal Phuket Marina in Koh Kaew. The consulate has been operating out of its offices at Royal Phuket Marina* for several years.

No other information regarding Mr Lavrovs visit was provided.

Mr Lavrov has served as the Foreign Minister of Russia since 2004. He is the longest-serving foreign minister since the Tsarist era, and has served longer than any foreign minister of the Soviet period.

Mr Lavrovs visit follows a marked increase in the number of Russians visiting Phuket as tourists and the number of Russians choosing to stay on the island.

According to the Ministry of Tourism & Sports, 740,840 Russian nationals visited Thailand from January through May this year.

According to Phuket Immigration, Russia provided 25,947 visitors arriving directly in Phuket last month, a decrease of 2.6% from 26,624 in May.

Russian arrivals in Phuket last month were second only to Chinese nationals, who saw 44,066 direct arrivals in June, an increase of 16.4% from 37,949 in May.

Mr Lavrov on Thursday appealed to Southeast Asian countries to work together to revive flagging trade with his country, using a forum in Jakarta to pitch the use of national currencies, rather than dollars, to evade Western sanctions, reports Nikkei Asia.

The sanctions, leveled after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, have led to a 4.4% drop in trade between Russia and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

A report by Reuters marked that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday (July 14) that Mr Lavrov had not been constructive during this weeks meeting between top diplomats from major powers and their Southeast Asian counterparts in Jakarta.

Speaking after the Asean Regional Forum  which involved the foreign ministers of Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states and key strategic partners such as China, the US, India and Russia  Blinken said Lavrov used his interventions to attack Washington, said the report.

The meeting in Jakarta marked only the second time Blinken and Lavrov have been in the same room since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine last year. They last saw each other in New Delhi in March, on the sidelines of a G20 meeting, the Reuters report noted.

* Correction: Not Boat lagoon as originally reported. The error is regretted
Belgrade: An antiwar activist from Russia who had previously been refused entry and had spent more than a day at the airport in Belgrade was finally allowed entry into Serbia on Friday.

Peter Nikitin claimed he never heard from the authorities about what had happened. Nikitin, an outspoken opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin, told Serbian media that he thought Moscow was responsible for his ordeal.

"I don't know how I ended up being unpopular. Putin's orders are the only plausible explanation, he continued. "This shows how much power the Russian regime has over this country."

Also Read: Belarus Confirms Russian Wagner Mercenaries Training Its Troops, Post Failed Mutiny

Serbia has maintained cordial ties with Moscow and refrained from implementing sanctions supported by the West in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, despite the fact that it officially seeks membership in the EU.

Aleksandar Vulin, the head of Serbia's pro-Russian intelligence service, was this week sanctioned by the US for alleged criminal activity, corruption, and support of "Russian malign influence." Vulin has denied reports in Serbian media that he wiretapped a gathering of the Russian opposition in Belgrade in 2021.

Also Read: Unveiling the Unforgettable: 5 Massive Accidents That Shaped History

Nikitin is a dual citizen of Russia and the Netherlands, and he and his family have been living in Serbia for many years.

After returning from a trip abroad early on Thursday, he was instructed to go back to Frankfurt, Germany, from which he had flown in. Nikitin declined and remained at the airport in Belgrade until he was granted entry on Friday.

Also Read: Visitors to Death Valley are attracted by the ongoing US heat wave to the hottest place on Earth

As a vocal opponent of Putin and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Nikitin is well known. He participated in the planning of anti-war and pro-democracy demonstrations in Serbia that were demanded by the local Russian and Ukrainian populations.

As Serbia is a fellow Slavic country and does not require Russians to obtain visas in order to enter, approximately 200,000 Russian citizens have relocated there since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine. Many people have relocated their businesses to a nation without sanctions or escaped being drafted into the military.
Truck driver crushed by glass frame

PHUKET: A 44-year-old truck driver was found in the back of his truck crushed to death by a sheet of glass and frame weighing several tonnes in Cherng Talay yesterday (July 14).

accidentsdeathconstructionpolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Saturday 15 July 2023 12:10 PM

Lt Col Warawut Sensob of the Cherng Talay Police was informed of the incident at 2:30pm.

The incident occurred in front of a warehouse under construction in Moo 6, Cherng Talay.

Officers arrived to find the truck and trailer, registered in Surin province, parked in front of a large warehouse that is being rebuilt.

In the trailer officers found the body of Chitjit Puengboon, 44, from Nakhon Phanom province, crushed by a large sheet of glass several inches thick encased in a frame.

Together the glass and frame was estimated to weigh about three tonnes.

Officers had a crane already on site lift the sheet of glass so rescue workers could recover the body, which was then transported to Thalang Hospital.

Fellow truck driver Apisit Khumsuwan, 29, explained to police that he and Mr Chitjit had driven down from Bangkok together to deliver their freight to the warehouse under construction.

Mr Abhisit said that he had no idea how Mr Chitjit came to be crushed by the sheet of glass and frame.

Kulchira Phumprathum, 40, an assistant to the village headman (Phu Yai Baan) of Moo 6, Cherng Talay, told reporters that it is believed that Mr Chitjit was in the back of the truck when the sheet of glass was being lifted out.

Somehow the slips for lifting the glass came free from the lifting hook, causing the sheet to fall onto Mr Chitjit, he said.
Minister inspects

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IMPHAL, Jul 15: Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo Singh and officials of the district administration inspected selected sites for building prefabricated houses for displaced people. The Minister visited the site of Loitang Khunou Spinning Mill and Truck Terminus in Imphal West. During the visits to the sites, the Minister said the present conflict has displaced thousands of people. Around 160 houses have been burnt in Sekmai AC alone.He said the prefabricated houses will be completed within a short span of time and all amenities will be provided to the displaced people.
Internet ban

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IMPHAL, Jul 15: The Government has extended internet ban for another five days.

An order issued to this effect said the internet ban will be effective till 3 pm of July 20.

Internet services have been shut in Manipur since May 3 after ATSUM's 'Solidarity March' turned violent and caused violent clashes between sections of Kuki and Meitei communities.

Earlier, the High Court of Manipur passed an order directing the State Govern- ment to lift the ban partially.
Overnight Russian air raid with Shahed drones hits infrastructure in Zaporizhzhya, injures man 15 July, 03:32 PM Russia attacked Ukraine at night with Shahed kamikaze drones (Photo:Serhii Smolientsev/Reuters)

Continuing its relentless campaign of nighttime air raids on Ukraine, Russia launched six Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 attack drones at targets in Ukraine overnight on July 15, Ukraines Air Force has reported.

The Ukrainian Air Force said four of the six attacking drones had been shot down by Ukrainian air defenses. The fate of the other two drones was not given.

However, the spokeswoman of the Southern Defense Forces, Nataliya Gumenyuk, said on Ukrainian national television on the morning of July 15 that there had been a drone hit in Zaporizhzhya Oblast., in the south-east of Ukraine.

Video of day

News media in Ukraine posted photos on social media of wreckage on the ground in Zaporizhzhya Oblast. According to local officials, an infrastructure facility was damaged and that a man was injured as a result of the Russian attack.

Anatoly Kurtev, secretary of the Zaporizhzhya City Council, said the man was taken to the hospital in a moderate condition for treatment. Four multistory buildings were also damaged, with their windows being blown out, Kurtev said.

The Ukrainian Air Force noted in a post on its channel on the messenger Telegram that the Russians had launched the Shahed attack drones from the south.

The air force also said during the past day on July 14, in addition to the drones destroyed during the night attack, air defense destroyed three Russian reconnaissance drones of the operational-tactical level  Orlan and Zala types  as well as three Lancet-type loitering attack drones.

The head of Mykolayiv Oblast Military Administration, Vitaly Kim, also reported that air defense forces had shot down three drones over Mykolayiv Oblast.

From the evening of July 13 to the morning of July 14, the Russian army attacked Ukraine with 17 Shahed-136/131 attack drones.

Sixteen of them were shot down by air defense forces, Ukraines air force reported.

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
To join NATO, Ukraine must first weed out Russian agents  Lithuania 15 July, 04:42 AM Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda says that Ukraine has received certain conditions to fulfill before joining NATO (Photo:REUTERS/Ints Kalnins)

One of the prerequisites for Ukraine's admission into NATO involves Kyiv's efforts to identify and expunge Russian agents from its state apparatus, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said in an interview with Lithuanias public broadcaster LRT on July 13.

The president noted that during the recent NATO summit held in Vilnius, Ukrainian officials were advised that Kyiv's path to joining the Alliance hinges on its ability to meet and fulfil "certain conditions."

In response to a journalist's question whether these conditions involved de-oligarchizing or dealing with a fifth column, Nauseda replied:

Video of day

This is indeed one of the prerequisites, a highly crucial one.

However, you must understand, the fifth column is pervasive, present even in those countries that we may least suspect, including Western countries. It is a reality here, as well as in Ukraine.

Read also: SBU apprehends suspected Russian FSB agent they say aided capture of Sievierodonetsk

He emphasized that a key concern lies in purging the government of vestiges of Russian influence and intelligence. He added that he appreciates the initiative demonstrated by the Ukrainian government in seeking to remove such individuals from all echelons of power.

"Every time I hear about someone being ousted from a high-ranking position, it brings me satisfaction because I understand that the state is working towards re-establishing order," the president added, predicting further such "purges."

Nauseda reiterated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is fully aware of the conditions for Alliance membership. He concluded that once the war ends, Ukraine's membership issue would be resolved "very quickly."

Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility  to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.

Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth  consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.

Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of  from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
In a credible move, two tribal candidates, both farmers, have won gram panchayat elections in North Dinajpur.

What is unique and a first in Bengal is that these candidates are supported by farmers body Jai Kisan Andolan and Swaraj India.

The twin candidates have won in Khagore 4 and Khagore 5 gram panchayats of Goalpokhor-I block, Uttar Dinajpur district.

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Dipak Kumar Singha won from Khagore 4 GP and Bibi Akhtarun from Khagore 5 GP. Both won as Independents.

The farmers body representatives in the district said that out of eight candidates supported by them, two have won. But, they say, there is immense pressure on them from the ruling party members. We are trying our best to support these candidates but dont know how long they can withstand the pressure.

Almost 80 per cent of people in villages are agrarian. Political parties hardly understand the problems of these farmers and their existential crisis. And even if they do, there is not much willingness on their part to work for these farmers. Unless these farmers can have their own candidates and elect them, they cannot expect swaraj, said Avik Saha of Jai Kisan Andolan.

We decided to experiment by supporting candidates, who are from the farmer community.

If our supported candidates win then the reins will be in the hands of farmers. We have got 25 per cent success. We stood second to the TMC in two seats by close margins. In three seats, we got more seats than the BJP. We have polled more votes than the main opposition party in 6 seats. This proves that farmers body supported candidates are better than the mainstream parties, said Mr Saha.

Of the eight candidates supported by the farmers body, five were from North Dinajpur, one in Hooghly, two from Bankura.

The main agenda on which the candidates fought the election was to bring a law on legal right to MSP and procurement at MSP. Their other promises included villagers get benefits of central and state schemes, early childhood education for children between 2 and 5 years, setting land records right, ensuring them 100 days work.

They also plan to start a cottage industry from the water hyacinth at village water bodies.

Founder of Swaraj India Yogendra Yadav said, I congratulate the victorious candidates and the volunteers who ensured this remarkable victory in the face of extreme adversity.
A Trinamool Congress activist was hacked to death on Saturday by alleged All India Secular Front Activists (AISF) workers at Canning in West Bengals South 24 Parganas district.

The victim has been identified as Nantu Ghazi and the incident occured early morning in the Satmukhi-Gazipur area.

A local police officer said that Ghazi was taken to a hospital but succumbed to critical injuries during treatment,

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With this, the overall death toll in connection to the recently-held panchayat elections since the polling date was announced on June 8 has increased to 46.

While 19 deaths were reported before the elections were held on July 8, the rest occurred during post-poll violence.

On Friday night, a celebratory function was organised in Canning by Trinamool Congress candidates who got elected uncontested in the polls.

But, according to sources, AISF workers objected to the celebrations, resulting in violent clashes between the two sides.

Crude bombs were hurled and also a brief exhange of gunfire occured.

As the clashes were underway, the AISF workers abducted Ghazi and later hacked him to dead, according to Trinamool Congress activists.

The AISF leadership has however, denied the allegations.

A massive police contingent has been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.

AISF is trying to unleash violence in the area after being defeated in the recently conducted panchayat polls, said Parasuram Das, local Trinamool Congress legislator from the Canning (West) constituency.

On July 18, a crucial hearing on poll-related irregularities is scheduled at the Calcutta High Court.
Nexus between builders, local politicians who own a big portion of property business in Zirakpur and Dera Bassi are the ones who have ruined the area for their interests

Almost a week after the rains and subsequent flooding in the periphery of Chandigarh, two houses  one in Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar and the other one at Panchwati Enclave in Kharar sub-division of Mohali  have partially collapsed. These two collapsed houses are symbolic of the problems residents of Zirakpur, Derra Bassi, Kharar and the vicinity are facing in the aftermath of flooding.

Kapil Bajwa, owner of the house at Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Kharar, says, he took a loan to construct the house. I built the house nine years ago spending Rs 50 lakh. Im still paying the installments but the house has collapsed. He adds the house adjoining has also tilted and has become inhabitable. Another house at Panchwati Enclave in Kharar has partially collapsed.

Elsewhere in Gulmohar City Extension in Dera Bassi, which is 20 km from Chandigarh, the outer wall of our society has fallen down twice, once in 2014 and also recently after the rain and floods. We feel cheated by the builders as they bypassed the due procedure to save money and put society at risk, says Sanjay Singh, a resident of Gulmohar City Extension. Sanjay says, This society was submerged up till the first floor, the videos and photos of which went viral.

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Despite a crash in property prices, no buyers

The occupants of most such properties in Zirakpur, Derra Bassi and Kharar want to sell their property but there are no buyers. Nitin Sharma, a property dealer in Kharar says, Some of the clients want to sell their property. But who would want to invest in a flat full of problems like improper sewerage and pot-holed roads?

He adds, In one of the housing societies, the tiles on the ground floor are sinking in due to the accumulation of sewage water underneath which is not connected to the main sewer line. In this society, flats once priced at Rs 40 lakh have come down to Rs 25 to Rs 30 lakh and, still buyers are elusive.

The much-hyped housing projects which came up on the Airport Road are also bearing the brunt of the recent flooding. Raman Bagga, another property dealer says havoc was caused on the Airport Road, Dera Bassi, Kharar, particularly Sunny Enclave part of Kharar floods due to the unregulated construction activities, even on agricultural land.

Another property dealer, Lakhwinder Singh says, I have clients in a so-called posh society who are frustrated due to continuous overflow of sewage. A resident of a housing society in Sector 127, Mohali, said they have been complaining of sewerage overflow for nearly a year even as the builder and the civic authorities have been blaming each other for the mess.

He complains, A ten-minute spell of rain aggravates is enough to flood our society. Some of the residents recently shifted to their relatives and many checked into hotels.

Aam Aadmi Partys Dera Bassi legislator, Kuljit Singh Randhawa blames the nexus between builders, local politicians who own a big portion of property business in Zirakpur and Dera Bassi and they are the ones who have ruined the area.
Parts of the national capital remained flooded on Saturday despite the water level in the Yamuna river showing a receding trend. However, the areas which were still inundated include ITO, Raj Ghat, ISBT, and Mathura Road.

After the Yamuna flooded vast swathes of Delhi, there was heartening news for the residents as the water level dropped to 207.27 metres at 1 pm. At 12 noon, the water level in the Yamuna stood at 207.38 metres.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter stating that the water level of the Yamuna was decreasing gradually and the situation would return to normal soon.

The water level of the Yamuna is decreasing gradually. If it does not rain heavily again, the situation will be back to normal. We started withdrawing water from Chandrawal and Wazirabad water treatment plants. After this, the machines will be kept for drying. Both plants will be operational tomorrow. Please stay aware and help each other, CM Kejriwal tweeted.

Delhi PWD Minister Atishi said, Yamuna waters are receding. I am hopeful that the people of Delhi will get a measure of respite in the next 12 hours. However, the big question is  why was all the water from Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana released towards Delhi?

Not a single drop of water was released into the canals towards UP. Haryana will have to answer for this. Could the flood situation in Delhi have been avoided, added Atishi.

Following the prevailing flood-like situation in Delhi, Indian Naval diving team carried out desilting work at Yamuna Barrage, ITO.

Yesterday we got information that 5 gates were not opening here. We were asked to cut the gates. I brought 6 divers with me. After conducting an assessment, it was found that there is a problem due to the filling of silt here. The first gate having maximum silt was opened last eveningNow we are trying to open gate number 2, said Captain Sanjay Kadian, Indian Navy diving team.

The Delhi government also said a total of 25,478 people have been evacuated so far. 25,478 people have been evacuated. 22,803 people are in tents/shelters.

16 teams of NDRF have been deployed in flood-affected districts in rescue work. Some of the low-lying areas of Delhi have witnessed flood water due to very high levels of river water and consequent backflow of water, breach of embankments etc, the Delhi government said in a statement.

The government also said that 45 boats including 17 of Boat Club, and 28 of Irrigation and Flood Control Department, have been deployed as precautions and for rescue work in case of an emergency.

Even after the decreasing levels of the Yamuna on Friday, several parts of the national capital still faced waterlogging and flooding, affecting traffic movements.

The Yamuna river broke a 45-year-old record and reached its highest level at 208.65 meters on Thursday.
The Congress chief made the remarks in a tweet, while presiding over a meeting of leaders from North East states of Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim for preparation of Lok Sabha elections 2024.

During the meeting, the Congress chief, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, highlighted the deteriorating situation in Manipur, which was a major concern of all the leaders.

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According to party leaders, Mizoram leaders were not invited as they had already met Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi and General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal on July 6.

A meeting with the leaders of Assam will be held later to discuss the poll preparations, they said.

In a tweet, slamming the BJP, Kharge said, The Act East policy of the Modi government has become the Act Least policy for our Northeastern States. India, today is witnessing an onslaught of BJPs vicious politics of division and discord. Communities are being pitted against each other.Freedom of speech is under attack. Fundamental Rights are being questioned.

He said that the solid foundation of peace, tranquility and progress established by the successive Congress governments is being systematically dismantled.

Important life-changing projects, implemented by the Congress party in the Northeast, are being appropriated by the BJP to seek fake credit. It is time for every leader and worker of the Congress party to unite everyone. Unity in diversity is not only our hallmark but the basis of our existence. It is time to hit the ground running and start from the booth level. Reach out to people and strongly raise the voice of our fellow citizens in the Northeast. No opposition can withstand the power of truth, he said.

A meeting of our leaders from North East States-Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim was held today, for the preparation of Lok Sabha elections. We already held a meeting with Mizoram leaders on July 6, 2023. The deteriorating situation in Manipur is of grave concern to us. We will do everything to foster peace and resolve issues in the border state. The Congress party is determined to fight for our Constitutional ethos  social justice, peace, progress and welfare of the North eastern states, he added.

The ethnic violence in Manipur erupted on May 3 in which over 100 people have died and thousands have been forced to take refuge in the relief camps.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday directed to constitute a two-member high-level fact-finding technical committee to thoroughly investigate the reported jammed gates of the ITO barrage in Delhi.

While taking cognizance of posts appearing on social media and the news received through different mediums about the five gates of Delhis ITO barrage being jammed, the CM asked the committee to thoroughly investigate the matter and submit its report to him within 24 hours. Two Engineer-in -Chiefs have been made members of the committee.

Khattar said the Haryana government wants to know the truth about the non-opening of five gates of ITO barrage with full impartiality. The state government is working promptly in providing relief to the flood-affected people, he added.

Advertisement The CM said almost all the states of North India have suffered huge loss of life and property due to floods. He said all the state governments should work in solidarity on this issue and refrain from blaming each other as flood is a natural calamity and it has affected many states including Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

After the Yamuna floodwaters submerged the busy ITO intersection, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Haryana government, saying that the barrage is in their control but it has no interest.

He also said Navy personnel are currently working to open the jammed gates of the ITO barrage so that the water is drained quickly.

Navy personnel working to open five jammed gates of ITO barrage for speedy drainage of water, the Delhi CM said.

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj had said the barrage, situated at ITO is maintained by the Haryana government, consists of 32 gates out of which five gates were blocked through which water was unable to pass.Kejriwal on Friday said that the first jammed gate of the ITO Barrage were opened after nearly 20 hours.
GOC Fire and Fury Corps, Lt. General Rashim Bali, visited the frontline troops deployed at the frozen frontiers of Siachen Glacier on Saturday.

The GOC complimented all ranks for maintaining the highest standards of combat readiness and operational preparedness.

Soldiers of the Ladakh based Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army during the ongoing floods, landslides and unseasonal snow rescued several tourists.

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Meanwhile, the Army is preparing extensively to honour the martyrs of the Kargil War of 1999 with a series of solemn ceremonies this year. The primary event which shall mark the 24th commemoration of the victory is scheduled to be held at Kargil War Memorial located at Dras from the 25th to the 26th of July.

The commemoration will be attended by a large number of dignitaries of the Army and civil administration as well as gallantry award winners of the conflict and families of many martyrs.

The conflict was fought in the summer of 1999 to evict Pakistani regular forces who had intruded and occupied winter vacated posts on the Indian side of the LOC, thereby violating an unwritten agreement. The operation cost the Indian Army hundreds of young lives, in whose memory the commemorative function is held every year.
Underlining the need for adopting secular ethics, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said maintaining inter-religious harmony was important for a peaceful world.

During a pilgrims visit to the Jokhang Temple in Leh, the Dalai Lama said, It is very important that we work to maintain inter-religious harmony and keep in mind that those with little interest in religion can still benefit from adopting secular ethics, the Dalai Lama said.

He said he would request to the Buddha that we might cultivate love and compassion, help one another and establish peace in the world. Whether you follow Allah or God, I make the same prayer to them as well, he added.

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He lamented that in todays world we too often see prejudice and divisiveness arising between our religious traditions. Our various faiths may adopt contrasting philosophical points of view, but they all advise us to be kind and helpful to one another.

Everyone, north, south, east and west, is interested in peace. We are all the same in this. No one really wants to kill, oppress and bully others. What we need to do is to cultivate a sense of equality and help each other. Then well be at peace, the Dalai Lama explained.

He said if we want world peace, we need to have a good heart and to have peace within. If, on the other hand, we are full of jealousy, pride, arrogance, competitiveness and anger theres no way we wont achieve peace of mind.

Whether were talking about followers of Islam, Christianity, Hinduism or Jainism, all of us are human beings. Here on this earth, we are brothers and sisters. Therefore, we should cultivate a warm heart and an altruistic attitude to one another. This is how we will build a peaceful world, he contended.

The Dalai Lama said wherever Buddhism has spread and declined it is appreciated because of its very foundation is compassion. Its admired even by those with no real interest in religion.

He recalled that back in Lhasa there was a community of Muslims who were not only recognized by the Tibetan government, but were also invited to government functions. Consequently, he had many Muslim friends even then.

When I travel to different places, I try to visit local mosque, Hindu and Jain temple, church and so on and so forth. Of course, I am a Buddhist, but I acknowledge that these various religious traditions all counsel the value of being kind and helpful to others, he said.

Observing a change in China, he said What we should do is to seek to create peace in the world, keeping in mind that to rely on weapons and violence is out of date.

We have improved communications so that we are all better connected. We know much more about each other than we did before. And if we sincerely wish to ensure peace in the world, we can request our supreme teachers help. If we religious people could live in harmony like brothers and sisters dedicated to establishing peace in the world, we could achieve it. Engaging in warfare and deploying military force is completely out of date. he stressed.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday urged Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit to give his consent to proposed Amendment in Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925 for ending the monopoly of Badal family over telecast of sacred Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib.

In a letter to the Governor, Mann said that one particular television channel owned by a political family has monopolised telecast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple and has been making profits from it.

The CM said in order to propagate the teachings of Holy Gurus and ensure the telecast of Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) freely available to all, The Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was introduced in the Assembly.

He said Section 125-A was inserted in The Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 and the state Assembly passed it with overwhelming majority.

Advertisement The CM, however, said though the Bill was sent for signatures to the Governor on 26 June, it has not been signed till date. He said that this amounts to stifling the democratic will of the people of Punjab.

Mann apprised the Governor that agreement of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) with the said channel will expire on 23 July,2023.

He said in case the Governor does not give nod to the Bill immediately, it may lead to a situation where millions of devotees across the world will be again deprived of watching the live telecast of Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib.

The CM said this will seriously hurt their religious sentiments of the Sikhs across the globe. He urged the Governor to sign this Bill at the earliest, so that telecast of Sarab Sanjhi Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib can be made freely available to all through various channels and media.
A matriarch of the Pawar household recently underwent a surgical operation. Ajit Pawar went to visit Pratibha Pawar after she had undergone a surgery. But who is Pratibha Pawar and why is she in the news?

Who is Pratibha Pawar?

Pratibha Pawar is Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawars wife. She underwent a surgery at the Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai on Friday, a party functionary said.

She underwent surgery on her hand, the functionary from the Sharad Pawar faction said without elaborating.

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Interestingly, Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar visited Sharad Pawars residence Silver Oak to visit his aunt Pratibha whom he is supposedly close to. This is his first visit to Silver Oak after he rebelled against his uncle Sharad Pawar, split the NCP and joined the Eknath Shinde government on July 2.

Ajit Pawar is the son of Sharad Pawars brother who split from the NCP along with eight other NCP MLAs to joined Maharashtras Eknath Shinde government on July 2.

In political circles, everybody is well-versed with Ajit Pawars proximity to his aunt Pratibha. In 2019, she reportedly played an important role in bringing him back to the NCP fold after he formed a short lived government post the Assembly polls with Devendra Fadnavis.

Called kaki by NCP leaders, Pratibha Pawar is often viewed as the matriarch of the party, although she has never taken an active part in politics.

Chhagan Bhujbal, minister in the Maharashtra cabinet and also part of the Ajit Pawar camp, had earlier expressed concerns over Pratibha Pawars health. I pray for her speedy recovery and would urge partys activists to wish for her well-being, he said.

Meanwhile, Friday also saw a lot of political activity amidst a lot of speculation about the portfolios being given to Ajit Pawars men, the breakaway faction of NCP. Ajit Pawar managed to get the finance and planning department for himself and six other departments for his other colleagues. The other ministries secured by the Ajit Pawar group are food and civil supplies, cooperatives, women and child development, agriculture, relief and rehabilitation, and medical education departments.
Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to France left an indelible mark as he described it as a memorable one. As the Guest of Honour, PM Modi joined President Emmanuel Macron in celebrating the French National Day at the Bastille Day Parade in Paris. The diplomatic visit was marked by the exchange of thoughtful gifts between the leaders.

PM Modi carefully curated and presented gifts that showcased the craftsmanship of India to President Macron, First Lady Brigitte Macron, and Yelle Braun-Pivet, the President of the French National Assembly. One such gift was a hand-knitted silk Kashmiri carpet, a testament to the rich artistry of the region. Modi presented Gerard Larcher, President of the French Senate, with a sandalwood hand-carved elephant called Ambavari.

In a gesture that celebrated the harmonious blend of culture and art, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a sandalwood replica of the sitar, a renowned Indian musical instrument, to President Emanuel Macron. The intricately crafted replica featured images of Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning, alongside Lord Ganesha. This unique piece, made from pure sandalwood, showcases the mastery of sandalwood carving, an ancient and exquisite craft practiced in southern India for centuries. The replica is adorned with peacocks, Indias national bird, and intricately carved motifs that reflect the diverse cultural heritage of the country.

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Among the gifts presented, PM Modi chose to honor French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne with a remarkable piece of artistry known as Marble Inlay Work. This intricate artwork is created on marble using semi-precious stones and is a testament to the skill and precision of Indian craftsmen. The base marble used in this masterpiece hails from Makrana, a town in Rajasthan renowned for its high-quality marble.

PM Modi gifted a Pochampally silk ikat fabric, a textile that embodies Indias rich heritage, to further celebrate the countrys cultural diversity. The Pochampally silk ikat saree, known for its intricate designs and vibrant colors, represents the beauty, craftsmanship, and artistic legacy of India.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Gujarat High Court order refusing to stay his conviction in a criminal defamation case in which he was sentenced to two years jail by a Surat court over Modi surname remark.

After his conviction in the case, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as Lok Sabha member on March 24 under the provisions of the Representation of People Act. Rahul Gandhi was elected to Lok Sabha from Wayanad parliamentary constituency in Kerala.

The Gujarat High Court had on July 7 affirmed the decision of a Surat Sessions court, which had declined to put on hold a magisterial court order on March 23, 2023, convicting Gandhi and handing out the maximum punishment provided for criminal defamation under the Indian Penal Code.

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The Surat sessions court had on April 20 rejected Rahul Gandhis plea seeking a stay on his conviction by the lower court in the criminal defamation case.

In his judgement, Additional Sessions judge Robin P Mogera had cited Gandhis stature as a member of parliament and former chief of the countrys second-largest political party and said he should have been more careful.

Additional Sessions Judge cited prima facie evidence and observations of the trial court and said it transpires that Rahul Gandhi made certain derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi apart from comparing people with the same surname with thieves.

In March, the Magisterial Court had convicted Gandhi for his remarks on Modi surname that he had made during a public gathering before the 2019 general election to the Lok Sabha.

After the magisterial court convicted Gandhi, he approached the Sessions Court, which rejected his plea for a stay on his conviction on April 20. Thereafter, he approached the High Court.

Purnesh Modi  the complainant  on whose complaint the Surat magistrate court had convicted and sentenced Rahul Gandhi to two-year jail has already filed a caveat in Supreme Court seeking to be heard as and when the Congress leaders plea against the High Court order is taken up for hearing.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will attend the second meeting of Opposition parties in Bengaluru. Abhishek Banerjee, All India General Secretary of Trinamul Congress and MP, will accompany her as he did the last time.

According to sources, Mamata Banerjee will depart for Bengaluru on 17 July. On that day, the Congress has organized a special dinner for the opposition leaders, which the Chief Minister may also attend.

The meeting of the Opposition parties is scheduled to take place in Bengaluru on 18 July. The opposition parties have taken the initiative to unite ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

The first meeting of the opposition alliance was held in Patna at the end of June, chaired by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. A total of 15 Opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, and Aam Aadmi Party, attended the meeting, along with RJD and JDU.

As the meeting failed to reach an agreement on the alliance, the opposition parties decided to meet again. Although the meeting was initially scheduled to be held in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, on 12 or 14 July, it was ultimately decided to hold the meeting in Bengaluru on 18 July.

In the meeting, the Congress was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the discussions. The Congress has invited a total of 24 opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party, three days ago.
Singapore-based property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, the man responsible for bringing Formula 1 to the island country, was arrested earlier this week following an investigation by the state's anti-graft body.

The Malaysian billionaire is the founder of the Singapore-based organisation Hotel Properties which holds the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay.

Ong Beng Seng was arrested and subsequently released on bail along with Singapore's transport minister, S Iswaran.

While Ong has not been charged with any offenses, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) has instructed him, through his company Hotel Properties Limited, to provide information regarding his "interactions with Minister S Iswaran."

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Ong was instrumental in bringing F1 to Singapore and establishing an event that has generated incremental tourism receipts of over S$1.5 billion in revenues since its debut in 2008.

The race was suspended for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic but returned to the calendar in 2022.

It is worth noting that the ongoing investigation does not appear to have any direct ties to the Singapore Grand Prix, and Ong is reportedly fully cooperating with the authorities.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Ranveer Singh, known for his powerhouse performances, has an intriguing family background that many are unaware of. You might not be aware but an important figure in his family played a significant role in the world of Indian cinema. Meet Chand Burke, Ranveer Singhs paternal grandmother, who left a lasting mark in Bollywood during the 1940s.

Chand Burke, born into a Christian family in Pakistan, was the youngest among her twelve siblings. Right from a young age, she displayed remarkable talents in studying, dancing, and even acting. Starting her career as a child artist in the vibrant Lahore film industry, Chand soon rose to prominence and became widely known as the Dancing Lily of Punjab in the Punjabi film scene.

However, Chand Burkes journey took a turn with the partition of India, which compelled her to migrate to Mumbai, then known as Bombay. Despite the challenges she faced due to the upheaval, Chands determination and passion for acting remained unwavering. It was in Bollywood that she made her debut under the guidance of the legendary actor Raj Kapoor in the critically acclaimed film, Boot Polish (1954).

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In Boot Polish, Chand Burke portrayed the role of a cruel aunt who tormented her orphaned niece and nephew, played by Baby Naaz and Rattan Kumar. The films powerful storyline and the remarkable performances by the cast garnered significant praise. Baby Naaz even earned a special mention at the 1955 Cannes Film Festival, a testament to the films impact on the global stage.

Beyond her acting career, Chand Burkes personal life also had its fair share of ups and downs. She was initially married to film writer Niranjan, but their union ended in divorce in 1954. Later, she found love again and married Sundar Singh Bhavani, a businessman. Together, they were blessed with two children, Tonya and Jagjit, who is none other than Ranveer Singhs father.
India and France are set to co-produce three more submarines besides new engines for next-generation fighters jets and helicopters.

An announcement to this effect was made after a meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday in Paris.

While the Scorpene submarines will be developed at the Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks, the tie-up for the engines will be with Safran for joint development and co-production of next-generation engines for fighter jets and an engine for a 13-tonne helicopter.

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India and France will support joint development of a combat aircraft engine. A roadmap for this project will be prepared by Safran and the DRDO before the end of this year, an MEA document said.

According to the sources, Safran had offered to make a new 110-kilo Newton engine in India. The sixth-generation advanced multi-role combat aircraft will be powered by it. The French offer consists of a new engine with supply chain and manufacturing at an Indian location.

Shareholders agreement between HAL and Safran has been concluded for engine development. This is for the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter, a 13-tonne copter, official added.

Earlier, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in India had approved three proposals on July 13, 2023.

The DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support for the Indian Navy from the French Government based on Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA).

The defence ministry said that the price and other terms of purchase will be negotiated with the French Government after taking into account all relevant aspects, including comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries.

Further, integration of Indian designed equipment and establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) Hub for various systems will be incorporated into the contract documents after due negotiations.

The DAC also granted the AoN for procurement of three additional Scorpene submarines under Buy (Indian) category which will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

The procurement of additional submarines, with higher indigenous content, will not only help in maintaining required force level and operational readiness of the Indian Navy, but also create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector.

It will also help the MDL in further enhancing its capability and expertise in submarine construction, the defence ministry official added.
Just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has said that its economic partnership with India is a significant milestone in the history of both nations.

The UAEs Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, said in an interview, that the UAE-India non-oil trade is expected to reach USD 100 billion a year by 2030. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi noted that UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was designed to deliver a new era of growth and opportunity.

CEPA is an agreement signed between India and UAE on February 18, 2022, and came into force on May 1, 2022. The agreement was signed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Speaking about the success of the CEPA between India and UAE, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi said, There is little question that the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will come to be regarded as a significant milestone in the history of both nations.

By removing or reducing tariffs on 80 per cent of goods, eliminating unnecessary barriers to trade, creating new platforms for investment, and opening government procurement to each others private sector, the UAE-India CEPA was designed to deliver a new era of growth and opportunity  and, ultimately, boost bilateral non-oil trade beyond USD 100 billion by 2030, he said.

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Highlighting the key outcomes of CEPA between India and UAE, the minister said that there is an increase in bilateral trade flows and that the CEPA has added considerable resilience to East-West supply chains and developed a new trade corridor that connects Asia with the Middle East and Africa.

Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi further stressed that he has been able to witness the effect of UAE investment in India in various sectors, including retail, industry, food security, technology, healthcare and logistics.

The increase in bilateral trade flows is obviously one of the most significant outcomes. Beyond numbers, though, its clear the CEPA has added considerable resilience to East-West supply chains and created a new trade corridor that connects Asia with the Middle East and Africa, the UAE minister said.

We have seen major logistics providers adding capacity on these routes, including the launch of Maersks Shaheen Express to link India to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, while SeaLead are offering a new India-Dubai-East-Africa (IDEA) route, he added.

In addition, we have witnessed significant new investment flows. In India, I have been able to witness the impact of UAE investment in sectors as diverse as retail, industry, food security, technology, healthcare and logistics. I am also very excited about some of our renewable energy projects, including a 300-megawatt hybrid plant in Gujarat, which includes an innovative battery energy storage system, he said.

In May 2023, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in an official statement said that during the past one year, CEPA has made a significant impact on Indias bilateral trade with UAE and particularly Indias exports to the UAE.

The bilateral trade between India and UAE has increased from USD 72.9 billion in April 2021-March 2022 to USD 84.5 billion in April 2022-March 2023, the ministry said.

UAE Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi further pointed out that UAE has witnessed growth in the export of key products, and said that they expect its trade and investment with India to keep increasing in the coming years and decades.

Responding to a question on how the economic partnership between India and UAE reflected on enhancing the performance of various economic and business sectors, the UAE Minister said, From our side, weve seen real growth in the export of key product sectors such as iron, steel, aluminium and polymers. Data from the Indian side shows that textiles, gems and jewellery, footwear, fruits and nuts and automobiles have all increased.

But, again, this is a plan designed to spark holistic, broad-based growth. So, we fully expect trade and investment to keep climbing in the coming years and decades. By opening up new high-growth markets, we will spark a new era of industrial output, create new opportunities for services exports, particularly finance, professional services, tourism and consulting, and catalyze growth across many other sectors, he added.

Thani Al Zeyoudis statement comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis arrival in UAE for an official visit after a two-day trip to France.

PM Modi has already emplaned from France and is scheduled to land in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Saturday morning (local time). PM Modi will meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his visit.

Before his departure from India, PM Modi in a statement released by Prime Ministers Office said, Our two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science & technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties. Last year, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and I agreed on a Roadmap on the future of our partnership, and I look forward to discussing with him how to further deepen our ties.

PM Modi noted that UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28) later this year. PM Modi stated that he looked forward to exchanging views on bolstering global cooperation towards accelerating climate action to facilitate energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement.

UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP-28) later this year. I also look forward to exchanging views on strengthening global cooperation towards accelerating climate action to facilitate the energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement, PM Modi said in a statement.

I am confident that my visit to UAE will usher in a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in Abu Dhabi on an official visit.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on key bilateral issues. The PM emplaned for UAE earlier on Saturday after concluding his two-day visit to France.

PM Modi called his France visit memorable, adding that it more special as he participated in the Bastille Day celebrations. He also expressed gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron and the people of France for their warmth and hospitality.

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Taking to his official Twitter handle, PM Modi stated, This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the French people for the exceptional warmth and hospitality. May friendship continue to soar!

PM Modi, who was on a two-day official visit to France, participated in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour, on Friday. He visited France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

To mark the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band also participated in the Parade, the PMO said in a statement. The Indian Army contingent was led by the Punjab Regiment, along with the Rajputana Rifles Regiment.

The PM also held a meeting with French President Macron and reviewed the full range of ties.

PM Modi and Macron also met top CEOs to discuss ways to diversify business cooperation.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, PM Modi stated, The talks with my friend, President @EmmanuelMacron were very productive. We reviewed the full range of India-France relations. I am particularly enthusiastic about deepening cooperation in futuristic sectors like green hydrogen, renewable energy, AI, semiconductors and more.

Upon his arrival in UAE, PM Modi would be given a ceremonial welcome, after which several bilateral talks and other events will be organised 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 ministers visit to UAE, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said while addressing a press conference on Wednesday.

Kwatra said that Prime Minister 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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday emplaned for UAE after concluding his two-day visit to France.

PM Modi called his visit to France memorable and termed it more special as he participated in the Bastille Day celebrations. He also expressed gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron and the people of France for their warmth and hospitality.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, PM Modi stated, This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the French people for the exceptional warmth and hospitality. May friendship continue to soar!

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This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the pic.twitter.com/BllJ8gVj8e  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023

PM Modi, who was on a two-day visit to France participated in the Bastille Day celebrations on Friday. PM Modi attended Bastille Day Parade as Guest of Honour at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron on the Champs-Elysees.

To mark the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band also participated in the Parade, the PMO said in a statement. The Indian Army contingent was led by the Punjab Regiment, along with the Rajputana Rifles Regiment.

He also held a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and reviewed the full range of ties. PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron also met top CEOs to discuss ways to diversify business cooperation.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, PM Modi stated, The talks with my friend, President @EmmanuelMacron were very productive. We reviewed the full range of India-France relations. I am particularly enthusiastic about deepening cooperation in futuristic sectors like green hydrogen, renewable energy, AI, semiconductors and more.

The talks with my friend, President @EmmanuelMacron were very productive. We reviewed the full range of India-France relations. I am particularly enthusiastic about deepening cooperation in futuristic sectors like green hydrogen, renewable energy, AI, semiconductors and more. pic.twitter.com/kNxPGYj5Fh  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023

French President hosted PM Modi for a banquet dinner at Louvre Museum. In his remarks at the banquet dinner, PM Modi said that the world has faced many ups and downs in the past 25 years but the friendship between India and France continued to grow deeper. He also said that the two nations have prepared a roadmap for the next 25 years and that their partnership is a force for global good.

While addressing the banquet dinner hosted by Macron, PM Modi said, In the past 25 years, the world faced many ups and downs and challenging times, but the friendship between France and India continued to grow deeper. We have made a long and important journey on the basis of Mutual understanding, trust and respect. Due to the personal efforts of President Macron, our ties are moving forward in every direction.

We have prepared a roadmap for the next 25 years. We are contributing not only to the welfare of both countries but also to world peace and security. Our partnership is a force for global good, Modi said.

PM Modi raised a toast to the India-France ties at the banquet dinner. He congratulated the people of France on Bastille Day and called it a matter of happiness and pride for him to celebrate the occasion with the people of France.

PM Modi also met French National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet and other leaders of the National Assembly. During his visit to France, PM Modi was conferred with Frances highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour by French President Emmanuel Macron.

PM Modi in a tweet on Friday stated, Earlier today, interacted with President @AssembleeNat @YaelBRAUNPIVET and the senior leaders of the National Assembly. We had a great discussion on various subjects aimed at strengthening India-France cooperation.

Earlier today, interacted with President @AssembleeNat @YaelBRAUNPIVET and the senior leaders of the National Assembly. We had a great discussion on various subjects aimed at strengthening India-France cooperation. pic.twitter.com/YnLR86Wcy9  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023

After concluding his visit to France, PM Modi will be travelling to Abu Dhabi on July 15. He noted that India and UAE are engaged across various sectors, including fintech, defence, security and energy. During his visit, he will meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

From Paris, I will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an Official Visit on July 15. I look forward to meeting my friend, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, PM Modi said in a statement before his departure from India.

Our two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science & technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties. Last year, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and I agreed on a Roadmap on the future of our partnership, and I look forward to discussing with him how to further deepen our ties, he added.

PM Modi stated that UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP-28) later this year. He further said, I also look forward to exchanging views on strengthening global cooperation towards accelerating climate action to facilitate the energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement. I am confident that my visit to UAE will usher in a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
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Cloudy this morning with showers during the afternoon. High around 75F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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Mostly clear. Low near 60F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Daniel Ricciardo says he gave little thought to Red Bull's offer to join AlphaTauri, knowing that there was "no question" that he was going to say yes.

Ricciardo will return to the fray next week in Hungary, filling the seat at the Faenza-based squad previously occupied by Nyck de Vries.

At the end of last season, after an unsuccessful two-year spell with McLaren that was cut short by team and driver, Ricciardo admitted to have fallen out of love with Formula 1.

At the time, the 34-year-old Australian driver felt that a year on the sidelines, albeit as a reserve with Red Bull Racing, would provide him with a much-needed reset as well as clarity on his desires  or lack of  as a Grand Prix driver.

But it only took a few race weekends embedding with Red Bull to convince the Honey Badger of where he wanted to be: on the grid!

And his outing earlier this week at Silverstone where he was assigned by Red Bull to a Pirelli tyre test capped off the confirmation process.

"I enjoyed this Call it six months off  I think it was really good for me," he told Formula 1's Lawrence Barretto.

"But the more races I started to attend, the more sim I started to do, I was certainly getting the bug back, so to speak.

"Then jumping into the car a few days ago, I was like, Oh yeah!, it all felt very normal. It was one of those ones, the very first lap, Oh, this is fast!, then within a few its, OK, I want to go faster now!, so it was really good."

Riccardo's test, the result of which was conveyed by Christian Horner to Helmet Marko, compelled the latter to take immediate action. Within 15 minutes, the Austrian dismissed de Vries and tabled an offer to Ricciardo.

"I was like 'ok, let's just hear what he has to say'," recounted Ricciardo as he described his reaction when Marko's name popped up on his phone.

"I think thats probably the best thing, because sometimes youre trying to prepare yourself, What if he asks for this? So [I thought], Lets just hear him out and see what happens.

"I didnt really need to think much about it. I think, as well, being back in this family, I feel so much I would say theres certainly some familiarity, but I also feel at home, I feel like Im kind of just going through it all again.

"These were the calls I used to get and these were the moments they used to kind of throw in front of us. There was no question that I was going to say yes, it was just I guess the reality of, OK, its going to happen pretty soon."

Ricciardo's first order of business next week at the Hungaroring will be to assess just how bad AlphaTauri's AT04 car is. The team currently sits dead last in the Constructors' standings, with just two points on the board, courtesy of Yuki Tsunoda.

But the eight-time Grand Prix winner says he'll approach his new endeavor without any "preconceived ideas".

"The car will be what it is," he said. "Im going to drive it and work from there. I dont want to get too much Preconceived ideas.

"I appreciate the cars going to have its limitations. Im sure theyre probably just lacking some overall downforce and things like this.

"But I think if its a car that feels balanced  it might not have as much grip as the Red Bull I drove a few days ago  thats something I can work with.

"Im looking forward to also developing it and using my experience, and ultimately, I think, for Budapest, just go out and have fun, try and use more right foot than left and have a good time!"

For Ricciardo, a return to Faenza, where he began in earnest his forward march in F1 in 2012, is a home coming of sorts. But it's also perhaps a trip back to the future, a future with Red Bull Racing.

"Thats why it feels a bit like back when I was working my way up through it, in the Red Bull family," he added.

"That was it, If you get results, well keep pushing you, well keep pushing you. Thats really like the mindset.

"I know the team Its been tough to get a points finish this year, a top 10, so to push this car and try to get it inside the top 10, I think that would get everyone pretty fulfilled and excited."

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A Long Island architect has been arrested in connection with three of the long-unsolved killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders
In this article, we will be taking a look at the 17 oldest buildings in the world that are still in use. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the US construction industry and construction technologies, you can go directly to 5 Oldest Buildings In The World That Are Still In Use.

In todays world, the construction industry contributes greatly to the economic growth of any country. Some of the oldest man-made structures in the world were built by manual labor with the use of basic tools and easily available materials. However, over the last few centuries, construction has undergone a remarkable transformation.

The US Construction Industry Continues To Show Promise Despite Near-Term Challenges

Economic uncertainties, inflation, and recessionary fears from 2022 continue to disrupt the macroeconomic environment in 2023, especially for the tech giants. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) announced in December 2022 that they have decided to halt construction activities of their $600 million data center project in Minnesota. Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META), also in December 2022, made a similar announcement about their new data center in Idaho, where construction activities had begun in September 2022. If such trends continue in 2023, the growth of the construction industry could slow down as a result.

Although the construction industry in certain sectors is facing short-term challenges, medium to long-term growth is expected to continue in the United States. The US construction industry is expected to increase by 6.1% to reach $1.42 trillion in 2023. According to Research and Markets, the construction industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2023 through 2027, propelling the US construction industry to reach a value of around $1.74 trillion by the end of the forecasted period.

As we mentioned in one of our previous articles, 20 Largest Construction Companies in the US, the construction industry in the US has been granted immense governmental funding and support. This could prove to be truly beneficial for the construction industry as well as for some of the top construction stocks such as Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT), Builders FirstSource, Inc. (NYSE:BLDR), and Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN).

On July 3, Reuters reported that there was a severe shortage of single-family homes which led to a surge in homebuilding projects in May 2023. Spending on private and residential construction accelerated beyond expectations helping the construction industry move in the direction of progress.

Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN), with their focus on growing their business, took notice of this opportunity. Here are some comments from its Q2 2023 earnings call:

Looking ahead, we continue to believe that the market and the economy will remain constructive for home builders as pent-up demand continues to come to market and consume affordable offerings. Additionally, we believe that the supply constraint will continue to limit available inventory and maintain supply-demand balance. The core elements of the supply shortage will not resolve in the near term as the almost 15-year production deficit will take years to resolve. And note that even when existing homes with low-interest mortgages -- even when existing homes with low-interest mortgages that are not currently trading, do come to the market and add to supply, the sellers will also need a place to move and that creates a net zero to overall dwellings, in addition to supply and in addition to demand and therefore still a housing shortage. Bottom line, supply is short, demand is returning to affordable offerings and builders will need to produce more homes to fill the void.

On June 14, Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN) reported strong earnings for the fiscal second quarter of 2023. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $2.94, surpassing EPS estimates by $0.62. The company reported a revenue of $8.05 billion and outperformed revenue estimates by $796.30 million.

Technology and Construction

Compared to other industries, the construction industry, defying the odds, has actually stepped out of the COVID-19 crisis in a better state of affairs. Advancements in engineering, machinery and architectural knowledge have the potential to change the construction industry forever.

UAVs and drones are helping construction companies by providing them with real-time aerial imagery and 3D lidar scans to revolutionize construction operations. According to a report by Visiongain, with a rising demand for drone services, the drone service market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 19.8% from 2023 through 2033.

Other promising and innovative technologies in construction across the globe include Building Information Modeling (BIM) which helps create more precise digital models of buildings while also offering good interoperability. According to a report by SNS Insider, the building information modeling industry was worth $6.85 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $17.32 billion by 2030, recording a CAGR of 12.3% over the forecasted period.

3D Printing is perhaps the most widely known construction technology despite the fact that it is not as widespread as some of the other innovations. On January 12, Reuters reported that a two-story home was created with the help of a 3D printer in the United States. Engineers at Arup and CLS Architetti of Italy have also used 3D printing and demonstrated the potential of this technology to change all that we know about the construction process.

17 Oldest Buildings In The World That Are Still In Use

Ritu Manoj Jethani/Shutterstock.com

Our Methodology

We have listed the oldest buildings in the world that are still in use along with their respective locations. To collect data for our list, we used various sources including Grunge, Gizmodo, and loveExploring. In addition to these websites, we also consulted many more lists on the internet and cross checked construction dates and claims as to whether or not each of the buildings could be said to be functional or in use today.

For this list, we have excluded man-made structures that did not qualify as buildings as well as buildings that are not currently in use. We selected the buildings for our list by looking at the time they were built or established. For some of the oldest buildings in our list, there are differing opinions on the exact dates of construction as well as opening dates and so the time provided may be an estimation.

In the case of buildings that were established in the same year, tie breaking was done on the basis of the dates when construction had originally started for the buildings. The list below is in a reverse chronological order based on the construction dates of the buildings, from the newest to the oldest.

17 Oldest Buildings In The World That Are Still In Use

17. Acoma Pueblo

Construction Year: 1100 AD

Location: New Mexico, USA

Acoma Pueblo, a Native American settlement, resting atop a mesa in New Mexico is the oldest continuously inhabited community in North America and home to perhaps the oldest building complexes in North America. People identified as Acoma have occupied the area, where this clifftop pueblo was founded in the 12th century. 2 and 3 story buildings are still occupied to this day despite the absence of electricity and running water. The site has become a popular tourist attraction and visitors are welcome to explore the largely-original streetscape.

Some of the biggest construction companies in the world include Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT), Builders FirstSource, Inc. (NYSE:BLDR), and Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN).

16. Kirkjubargarur

Construction Year: 11th Century AD

Location: Kirkjubur, Faroe Islands

A farmhouse on the largest farm in the country, Kirkjubargarur is often said to be one of the oldest occupied wooden houses in the world. While the farmhouse today also functions as a museum, and the land is owned by the Faroese government, the Patursson family has been living there for more than 470 years now as tenants. Kirkjubargarur has made it to our list of the oldest buildings in the world.

15. The Nanchan Temple

Construction Year: 782 AD

Location: Shanxi, China

Built during China's Tang Empire, the Nanchan Temple is understood to be the oldest standing wooden structure in China. This plain yet elegant temple with its symmetrical design has become an important architectural site. Some of the important structures of this Buddhist temple include Dragon King Temple, Mountain Gate, and the Great Buddha Hall along with the statue of The Buddha. The Nanchan Temple is ranked 15th on our list of the oldest buildings in the world that are still in use.

14. The Mosque of Uqba

Construction Year: 670 AD

Location: Kairouan, Tunisia

The Mosque of Uqba, also known as the Great Mosque of Kairouan, is among the oldest and the holiest places of worship in the entire Islamic world. The mosques architecture proved to be a strong source of inspiration for subsequent mosques in Africa. The mosque has a prayer hall with a roof supported by columns, a marble-paved courtyard and a square minaret, and is still a place of worship for Muslims.

13. Church of the Nativity

Construction Year: 565 AD

Location: Bethlehem, Palestine

The Church of the Nativity was originally built by the Roman emperor Constantine in the 4th century, but was ruined because of a fire during the Samaritan Revolts. The church was then rebuilt in the 6th century and the original octagonal sanctuary was replaced with a cruciform transept topped off with 3 apses. The building still functions as a church and is amongst the most dominant sites for Christian pilgrimage.

12. Saint Catherine's Monastery

Construction Year: 565 AD

Location: Sinai, Egypt

Saint Catherine's Monastery, while being amongst the oldest buildings in the world that are still in use, is also the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery on the planet. It is located at the foot of Mount Sinai. The original granite walls have stood the test of time, and so has the central church. The monastery became a pilgrimage center during the Middle Ages and continues to attract pilgrims from around the world to this day.

11. Hagia Sophia

Construction Year: 532-537 AD

Location: Istanbul, Turkey

The Hagia Sophia was originally built as a Christian church by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I in the 6th Century. Decorated with mosaics and marble pillars, the building with its domes and minarets is an icon of Istanbul. Turkeys most popular tourist destination started out as a Christian church, before it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, and then a museum in 1935. However, the Hagia Sophia was officially given the status of a mosque again in 2020 and Muslims continue to gather there and offer prayers. Hagia Sophia is one of the oldest buildings in the world that are still in use.

10. The Basilica of Saint Sabina

Construction Year: 422-432 AD

Location: Rome, Italy

The Basilica of Saint Sabina, also known as the Santa Sabina, is a historic church built in the 5th century AD by Peter of Illyria, a Dalmatian priest. Made with brick, stone and a wooden roof, the original rectangular layout with apse and architectural style of the building is well preserved to this day. The church is open to tourists and worshippers.

9. The Basilica of Constantine

Construction Year: 310 AD

Location: Trier, Germany

The Basilica of Constantine, also known as the Aula Palatina, is said to be the largest single Ancient Rome room to stand intact. Made of solid bricks, with black and white marble floors, the Basilica of Constantine was originally a throne room, a place where Emperor Constantine the Great would welcome and engage with audiences. During the middle ages, the Bishop of Trier resided here. Today the Basilica of Constantine is open to visitors while also being a functioning church where sometimes events are hosted. The Basilica of Constantine is ranked ninth on our list of the oldest buildings in the world.

8. The Tower of Hercules

Construction Year: 97-117 AD

Location: A Coruna, Spain

The Tower of Hercules was built during the reign of Trajan and is one of the oldest buildings in the world. The Roman-era lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in the world, and it is still in use despite its age. Exceptionally well-preserved, the four-sided tower stands 55 meters tall, overlooking the North Atlantic coast while also being the second-tallest lighthouse in the country today.

7. Mausoleum of Hadrian (Castel Sant'Angelo)

Construction Year: 139 AD

Location: Rome, Italy

The Mausoleum of Hadrian, completed in AD 139, was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. Also known as Castel SantAngelo, the towering cylindrical building was once the tallest building in Rome. Over the course of history, it has been used by the popes as a fortress and castle. However, the castle is now a museum filled with fascinating exhibits, attracting huge amounts of tourists to browse all five floors. Mausoleum of Hadrian is placed seventh among the oldest buildings in the world that are still in use.

6. The Pantheon

Construction Year: 125 AD

Location: Rome, Italy

The Pantheon was originally built by Marcus Agrippa between 25-27 BC as a Roman Temple. However, the temple burned down and the Pantheon as we know it today is a result of the radical reconstruction around 125 AD by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. This is also the reason why the Pantheons date of construction is often said to be 125 AD. Since the 7th century, this ancient Roman building has been used as a Church dedicated to St. Mary and the Martyrs. Now also known as Santa Maria ad Martyres, it welcomes visitors and continues to host special events as a Catholic Church.

Some of the top construction stocks to buy according to hedge funds include Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT), Builders FirstSource, Inc. (NYSE:BLDR), and Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN).

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Gender inequality threatens to erode all-round developmental societal gains. In many traditional Indian societies, coercive control from the male counterparts repeatedly makes women feel controlled, dependent, and compelled to either quit their existing livelihood after marriage or choose marriage over career. Bias against women stems from assumptions about how women should act, behave and conduct.

The Mobile Gender Gap 2021 Report notes that within the Asia-Pacific, India fares the one of the worst with the widest gender digital divide with only 15% of women accessing internet. Recent report highlights 25% of the total adult female population owns a smartphone versus 41% men. Reasons for this- include harmful biases that exist in the offline world affecting potential benefits in womens livelihoods, and education outcomes leading to only an 18.6% of working-age Indian women participating in the labour force with the number shrinking further down for women from the lower economic strata.

This in turn violate womens most basic rights and are multiplied by poverty and prejudice perpetuating stereotypes of women accommodating traditional occupational roles, hence restricting opportunities in the growing digital economy. By excluding talented, curious and budding women aspirants from digital benefits, we are losing human potential, and intellectual change-makers alerts Monisha Banerjee, Chief Executive Officer of ANUDIP FOUNDATION, non-profit social enterprise working since 2007 towards economic-empowerment of Indian at-risk youth and vulnerable women through a suite of digital offerings.

Founded by Dipak Basu and Radha Basu, who spent much of their lives employing technology in humanitarian missions worldwide, this non-profit has impacted over 200,000+ girls with low education, women from below poverty levels, minorities, specially-abled from small-income families, rescued young girls who are married off early or forced to exploitation. A background check confirms that ANUDIP beneficiaries get the last priority for nutrition, education and healthcare in a household struggling to survive with a family income of less than $90 to $100 per month (approx INR 7,000 - 8,000). To ensure that digital gains percolate down to those who need it the most, we reach out to local panchayat bodies, government institutes, community leaders, and government-run shelter-homes from where we can tap at-risk girls with their local guardians/parents and continuously counsel them on how digital skills are core to quality learning, and girls empowerment  confirms Monisha.

This non-profits unique campaign Women in Tech from the Margins drives an actionable roadmap to Indian womens affordability and access to technology, online privacy, social models, digital skills and employability.

In-depth skilling in IT and deep-programming through customized content, and interactive multimedia, makes it compelling for learners to study in a blended learning environment enabling them to communicate with new software/codes effectively with increasing command over English language backed up by English Learning App. What is unique in their curricula is FuturePro, which is a first-of-its-kind unique tech-platform that helps students from low-income groups to become active-learners, curious individuals, good communicators, team players, and problem-solvers. This platform uses gamified general knowledge content to make students become active learners and then demonstrates graphically their progress on building each of the above behaviors. The backend technology captures how students navigate the platform and translates actions into scores on different behaviors making the platform essential to changing the mindset of these girls.

Their intervention Women in Tech from the Margins, has the potential to reimagine education and employment in a way that is inclusive, and equal, focusing on meta skills to prepare deprived women from poorest of poor families- to gain transferable skills like problem-solving, negotiation, communication, and teamwork and positioning them as global citizens ready for equal participation in the 21st century workforce. 350+ employer partners including top MNCs hired ANUDIP graduates who are now taking up what in their communities would be termed as atypical of women careers - working in cutting edge technologies.

Speaking to one of their graduates in a personal capacity, Asma recalls rebelling her father to join one of the Top 5 IT firms post her training, When I got my first job, Abba said I dont want you to go and work outside. Today Asma is funding her brothers education and has become the primary bread-earner. Ramiya, a Digital Photogrammery Engineer in a reputed digital services company in southern India notes, Being the first in my family to bring home an income which is 2 times my fathers earnings, I gained the privilege of taking key family decisions. Financial stability with the tag of being the highest earning member in their families, these girls like Asma and Ramiya have gained acceptance of the wife/daughter for technology-based jobs with first-hand access to information, health, awareness and decision making.

With this new dignity in social space, these girls from remote corners of India are poised to take on the future, being role models within their community addressing gender discrimination against other peers and encouraging more women in 21st century careers. Social initiatives like this run by such non-profits are proven capable of bringing systemic change in the Indian social expectations shattered myths of womens pre-defined roles, driving hope in equality, inclusion and human potential.
A recent study has found a correlation between social isolation and reduced overall brain volume in older adults. While the research does not establish a causal relationship between social isolation and brain shrinkage, it highlights a concerning association. Toshiharu Ninomiya, the study's author from Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, expressed concerns about the growing issue of social isolation among the elderly. He suggests that supporting individuals in establishing and maintaining social connections could potentially be beneficial in preventing brain atrophy and the onset of dementia.

The study involved 8,896 participants with an average age of 73, all of whom were free from dementia. The participants underwent MRI brain scans and health examinations. To assess social contact, the researchers asked a simple question: "How often are you in contact with relatives or friends who do not live with you (e.g., meeting or talking on the phone)?" The available response options ranged from every day to seldom.

Symptoms of depression partly explained the relationship between social isolation and brain volumes

The results, published in the journal Neurology, revealed that individuals with the least amount of social contact exhibited significantly lower overall brain volume compared to those with more frequent social interactions. The total brain volume, which includes both white and grey matter, as a percentage of the total intracranial volume, was 67.3 percent in the group with minimal contact, compared to 67.8 percent in the group with the highest level of social contact. Furthermore, the socially isolated participants showed reduced volumes in specific brain regions, such as the hippocampus and amygdala, which play vital roles in memory and are susceptible to dementia.

The study also found that symptoms of depression partially explained the relationship between social isolation and brain volumes. However, these symptoms accounted for only 15 percent to 29 percent of the observed association.

The researchers took various factors into account that could potentially influence brain volume, such as age, diabetes, smoking, and exercise habits. Additionally, the socially isolated individuals displayed a higher prevalence of small brain lesions known as white matter lesions.
As the swollen Yamuna river wreaked havoc in the national capital, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused Haryana and the BJP government of 'political conspiracy'. Addressing the media on Saturday, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the BJP-ruled centre and the Haryana government are trying to ensure there is a flood-like situation in Delhi.

One of the main factors that led to water level rising in the Yamuna is the discharge from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana. The AAP, which rules Delhi, alleged that despite the barrage leading to three canals, no water was released into the western canal since July 9. All the water was only released only towards Delhi, while the canal towards Uttar Pradesh was dry, the AAP claimed on Saturday.

Not a single drop of water was released into the canals going to UP and Haryana from there. Haryana will have to answer for this, AAP leader and Delhi PWD minister Atishi said.

The Hathnikund barrage regulates the flow and distributes share of water from the main stream of the Yamuna, Western Yamuna Canal (WYC) in Haryana and Eastern Yamuna Canal (EYC) in Uttar Pradesh, Hindustan Times reported.

Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Department , whoever, clarified about the controversial release of the water into the Yamuna. CWC water sharing-formula is adopted when the flow of water comes down below 100,000 (1 lakh) cusecs. In that scenario, 15,000 cusecs is discharged into western canal and 2,000 cusecs into eastern canal and remaining flows into main Yamuna, the HT reported. If the flow of water exceeds 1 lakh cusecs, there will be no flow into the western and eastern canals and the entire water is to be discharged into the main Yamuna as two canals cannot withhold the high flow of water.

Even when the Yamuna showed signs of receding, the breach of an embankment of a drain regulator made matters worse on Friday with floodwater flowing into the city through a drain, inundating the Ring Road, Indraprastha Metro Station, IP Depot, ITO and Vikas Marg, and reaching the entrance of the Supreme Court in central Delhi. In a midnight update, the Lt Governor's Office said that the Army has sealed the breached embankment to prevent floodwater from entering Delhi. Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged there was a delay in the deployment of the NDRF for repairing the regulator even as the L-G asked him not to indulge in a blame game.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also targetted Haryana and said the government has no interest in maintenance of the barrage. Meanwhile, the BJP accused Kejriwal of evading responsibility and blaming other states for the damage caused in the national capital.
Two days ahead of the opposition meeting it is hosting, the Congress on Saturday ended the suspense over its stand on the Centre's ordinance with regard to control over bureaucracy in Delhi. Without naming the ordinance, the party declared that it will oppose all assaults of the Modi government on the Constitutional rights and responsibilities of democratically elected state governments and local bodies both within and outside Parliament.

After a meeting of the Congress' parliamentary strategy group held in view of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament that begins on July 20, AICC General Secretary in Charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh, in response to questions over the Delhi ordinance, said: The Congress party has always fought against the Modi government's assaults on the Constitutional rights and responsibilities of democratically elected state governments and local bodies.

There are assaults that are made directly and through appointees. The Congress party has always opposed such assaults in Parliament and outside it and will continue to oppose it, Ramesh said.

The statement gains significance in view of the Aam Aadmi Party's demand that the Congress should make its stand on the ordinance clear and only then will it attend meetings of the opposition parties. The next meeting of the opposition parties is scheduled to be held on July 17 and 18 in Bengaluru. AAP is one of the 24 parties invited to take part in the meeting.

The Congress had so far kept its cards close to its chest with regard to whether it will oppose the ordinance in the Monsoon Session of Parliament or not. The Congress leadership had desisted from spelling out its stand in the backdrop of its leaders in Delhi and Punjab, the two states ruled by the AAP, conveying to it their strong opposition to any kind of support being offered to AAP.

At the first meeting of the opposition parties in Patna, there was a brief altercation between Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with regard to the ordinance. Kejriwal had demanded that the Congress should on that day itself make a public statement on what its stand on the ordinance was. Kharge had told him that the Congress could not be forced into saying or doing anything and gave an assurance that his party would never support anything that is unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, the party has decided to oppose the Data Protection Bill that is listed to be taken up during the Monsoon Session. Ramesh said the Congress is opposed to the bill in its present form. He said a parliamentary committee had studied the bill for two-and-a-half years and submitted a report on it, but none of the panel's recommendations have been made a part of the bill.

The Congress will also oppose the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill and the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill.

The party has also decided to raise in the upcoming session of Parliament the unrest in Manipur, the allegations made by women wrestlers against Lok Sabha MP Brij Bhushan Singh and the demand for setting up a joint parliamentary committee to probe into the allegations made against Gautam Adani.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi moved the Supreme Court on Saturday challenging an order of the Gujarat High Court which had refused to stay his conviction in a defamation case over his Modi surname remark. Rahul filed the petition through advocate on-record Prasanna S.

A Surat court had on March 23 sentenced Rahul to two years in jail after holding him guilty for his remarks on the 'Modi' surname. The conviction led to his disqualification as the MP from Wayanad in Kerala.

The Congress leader was released on bail by the Surat court to enable him to challenge the verdict. He moved the high court after a sessions court declined to stay his conviction.

The high court in its order on July 7 refused to stay his conviction, noting that staying conviction is not a rule and that same must be exercised in rare cases.

Justice Hemant Prachchhak said that there are 10 criminal cases pending against him (Rahul Gandhi). He also observed that more cases were filed against him after this case.

Representatives of people should remain of clear character. One such is filed by grandson of Veer Savarkar in a court of Pune as accused used defamational (sic) terms against Veer Savarkar in Cambridge. In another case, complaints were also filed in a court in Lucknow, said the judge.

The case pertains to a complaint filed by Gujarat BJP leader Purnesh Modi who had accused the Congress leader of defaming the entire Modi community through his remarks.

Rahul, during an election campaign at Kolar in Karnataka in 2019, had remarked how come all thieves have Modi surname.

Purnesh Modi was a minister in the first tenure of the Bhupendra Patel government. The ruling party legislator was re-elected from the Surat West Assembly seat in the December elections.

Meanwhile, in a similar case, the Jharkhand High Court on July 4 exempted Rahul from personal appearance in a Ranchi court in the Modi surname case.
The Madras High Court on Friday refused to quash multiple criminal petitions filed against former MLA and actor S Ve Shekher for sharing a derogatory Facebook post against women journalists. The criminal cases were filed in the courts of Chennai, Karur and Tirunelveli districts by the journalist association in 2018.

Justice N. Anand Venkatesh dismissed the plea to quash petitions filed by Shekher and said the petitioner was an educated and a well-known figure in the state with a large following on Facebook. The message forwarded by the petitioner contains indecent and vitriolic attack on a particular woman and other women press reporters. Hence, prima facie, the offence under Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 2002 is also cases made out. It is true that the petitioner removed the derogatory message from his Facebook account even on the same day and he also apologised for having forwarded the message. These acts, by themselves, do not help the petitioner from facing the consequences for forwarding a derogatory message. An offence has already been committed and the petitioner cannot now escape from the offence by merely coming up with an apology statement subsequently, the judge said in his 23-page judgment.

Refusing to accept Shekhars claim that he shared someone else's post inadvertently without reading it, the judge said that an unconditional apology does not prevent him from facing the trial. In cases involving a dispute between two individuals, if immediately the offender regrets and tenders his apology for his act, the Court may consider acting upon the same. However, in the instant case, it is not a dispute between two individuals and the act of the petitioner has virtually painted the entire press and more particularly women reporters with vulgar comments and when such a large body is affected due to the act of the petitioner, he cannot be let away just because he tendered an apology. If such an easy route is adopted, anyone can make such statements, cause damage, subsequently apologise for his act and get away from the action taken against him, Justice Anand stated.

Stating that the shared Facebook message hurt women journalists in general and not just the journalist he mentioned in particular, Justice Venkatesh went on to add: A message that is sent or forwarded on social media is like an arrow which has already been shot from the bow. Till that message remains with the sender, it is within his control. Once it is sent, it is like the arrow, which has already been shot and the sender of the message must take the ownership for the consequences of the damage done by that arrow (message). Once the damage is done, it will become very difficult to wriggle out of the same by issuing an apology statement.

Subsequently Shekher has to face trial before the special court for legislators in Chennai. The Special Court shall try to expeditiously complete the trial and pass final orders in all the cases not later than six months, Justice Anand said.
After over a week of deluge, with the Yamuna overflowing its banks throwing lives out of gear, water has slowly started to recede on Saturday morning. However, heavy waterlogging continues in most areas, with key roads and localities inundated.

Severe waterlogging continued in various parts of the city including areas near the Bela Road in Delhi's Civil Lines, ITO, Shanti Van and Yamuna Bazaar.

According to the Central Water Commission's (CWC) flood-monitoring portal, the river water level is likely to decline in the coming days. The water level stood at 207.62 metres at 7 am on Saturday from its peak at 208.66 metres at 8 pm on Thursday.

Flooded Rajghat | Sanjay Ahlawat

Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted moderate rain in the city for the next two days. IMD issued yellow alert for Delhi on Saturday. Experts are of the opinion that if the rain lashes the city, it could worsen the situation with water level increasing further submerging the city.

Though Yamuna is receding, it is still flowing over two metres above the danger mark of 205.33 metres. Further decline in the water level is expected with the flow rate from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana's Yamunanagar decreasing.

A senior official with the CWC told PTI that encroachments and siltation was the main reason for Delhi flooding. "Earlier, the water would have more space to flow. Now, it passes through a constricted cross-section," he said.

"More than 25 bridges within the 22-km river stretch from Wazirabad to Okhla obstruct the flow, leading to deposition of silt in the riverbed and formation of a lot of mid-stream sandbars," Bhim Singh Rawat, associate coordinator, South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers, People (SANDRP) was quoted by PTI.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel distribute relief material to flood affected people stuck in a low lying area around the river Yamuna in New Delhi | AP

IMD has forecasted 'heavy to very heavy' rainfall over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh during the next five days.

The heavy rains in the upper catchment areas including Himachal, and Uttarakhand had paved way for the Yamuna to flow in record rate wreaking havoc in the regions.

On Friday, the Yamuna river water had flooded areas near the Supreme Court, Rajghat and ITO. The river water had also inundated areas near the Red Fort and Kashmere Gate bus terminal.

DMRC restores normal speed

Delhi Metro trains are now crossing the four Yamuna bridges at normal speed with the water receding.

"Speed restriction imposed while crossing Metro bridges over Yamuna has been removed. All trains are running at normal speed now," the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said in a tweet.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called in the Army to assist them in the flood situation as the damaged regulator at drain no.12 inundated key roads and residential areas.

Over 4,000 traffic personnel have been deployed in affected areas to manage the traffic.

Kejriwal said that the efforts are being made to open the five gates of Yamuna Barrage so that the water flows back to the barrage. "The first jammed gate of the ITO Barrage has been opened," he said.

Earlier, Kejriwal announced that if water declines to 207. 7 metres then the water treatment plants at Wazirabad and Chandrawal will start functioning.

Due to flooding three water treatment plants were temporarily shut. Among the three plants, the Okhla unit started functioning.

CM assured the public that with the assistance of the Navy and Army personnel the government is actively engaged in efforts to reduce the flooding.

He also added that the situation would improve in two days if it does not rain.

Over 23,000 people were evacuated from their home in the wake of the deluge. Meanwhile, three kids drowned in floodwaters on Friday in northwest Delhi's Mukundpur area.

It's unfortunate that Delhi is flooded today. This situation doesn't come as a surprise to me as the present government has not spent any money on building infrastructure in the city. CM had promised to make Delhi a world-class city, said Gautam Gambhir, BJP MP from East Delhi was quoted by ANI.

Severe waterlogging due to heavy rains occurred from July 8. An all-time record of 207.49 metres in 1978 was crossed on Thursday with water level reacging 208.66 metres. Delhi Police imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in flood-prone areas to prevent public movement there.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday left for the United Arab Emirates after concluding his two-day visit to France. Modi, who was the guest of honour at France's Bastille Day celebrations, was conferred with the country's highest civilian and military honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour.



Describing the visit as a memorable one, Modi said it gave him immense pride to watch the Indian contingent get a "pride of place" in the Bastille Day parade. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the French people for the exceptional warmth and hospitality. May India-France friendship continue to soar! Modi tweeted.

During the visit, Modi held wide-ranging talks with Macron and French CEOs to discuss avenues to improve partnership between the two countries. In his address to the Indian diaspora on Thursday, Modi announced the launch of India's United Payment Interface (UPI) in France. He also announced the opening of a new Indian consulate in the port town of Marseilles, and added that Indian students pursuing a masters degrees in France will be granted five-year post-study work visas. Macron on Friday hosted a banquet dinner for Prime Minister Modi at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Defence cooperation will remain a strong pillar of the India-France relationship, both countries asserted. India and France on Friday vowed to build a balanced and stable order in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. The two countries released an 'India-France Indo-Pacific Roadmap' in the wake of growing concerns over China's assertiveness in the region.

Modi in UAE

The prime minister's trip to Abu Dhabi, after the France visit, will mark the completion of the triad. During his two-day visit, Modi will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

According to reports, defence, energy and food security will be the key areas of focus during Modi's visit and the countries will review the progress of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)the landmark trade agreement inked in 2022. The UAE has also pledged $2 billion to help develop a series of "food parks" in India to tackle food insecurity in South Asia and the Middle East, Reuters reported.

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said that its economic partnership with India is a significant milestone in the history of both countries. Speaking in an interview, Zeyoudi further said that the CEPA has delivered new growth opportunities for India and the UAE by removing or reducing tariffs on 80 per cent of goods, eliminating unnecessary barriers to trade and opening government procurement to each other's private sector, ANI reported.

Zeyoudi highlighted the UAE's investments in industry, healthcare and logistics and also stressed on the proposed renewable energy projects including a 300-megawatt hybrid energy plant.

Zeyoudi added that the UAE-India non-oil trade is expected to reach $100 billion a year by 2030.

This is Modi's fifth trip to the Gulf country since assuming office in 2014.

Dirham-Rupee trade

India and the UAE may announce the start of a rupee-dirham payment mechanism to settle bilateral trade during Modi's visit on Saturday, sources told Reuters. If this mechanism comes into play, India could avoid dollar conversions and use this pay for oil as well as other imports from the UAE. Bilateral trade between India and UAE was $84.5 billion in 2022 -23, Reuters reported.
Bitcoin miners will face headwinds as the hash rate reaches new record highs ahead of the upcoming halving event next spring, with volatile electricity costs and competition among miners pushing up the cost of production, according to analysts at global financial giant JP Morgan.

Hash rate refers to the computational power used to mine a cryptocurrency. The halving event, which occurs roughly every four years, will reduce miners' rewards by half.

"The upcoming bitcoin halving event in April/May 2024 could be a stress test for Bitcoin miners," writes JP Morgan analyst Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou and colleagues in the firm's latest Flows and Liquidity report, which the firm shared with Decrypt.

"[It] would reduce the issuance rewards from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC, implying a reduction in miners revenue, effectively increasing Bitcoins production cost at the same time," the report explains. "As a result, while Bitcoin halving is seen as having a positive effect on the bitcoin price given the production cost acted historically as a floor, it poses a challenge for bitcoin miners."

Berenberg Analysts: Bitcoin 'Could Rally' Near Next Year's Halving Event

According to the analysis, and based on a global average cost of electricity of $0.05/kWh, it costs around $20,000 to mine a Bitcoin, which is currently worth around $30,000, per CoinGecko. But JP Morgan said the volatility of the hash rate points to the use of a variety of energy sources, meaning miners with access to lower-priced power have an advantage.

In fact, the company said, a one-cent increase in the cost per kilowatt hour translates to a $4,300 increase in the cost of Bitcoin production.

"Post halving this sensitivity would double to $8,600, thus increasing the vulnerability of higher-cost producers," the firm noted.

There has been some good news for miners, however.

Vanguard Now Owns $560 Million Worth of Bitcoin Mining Stocks

"Institutional interest in bitcoin mining has provided support to struggling miners, with investments in mining rigs from companies like Galaxy Digital and Grayscale Investments," it observed. Galaxy Digital recently acquired a major mining facility from Argo Blockchain, and Grayscale spun off an entity focused on Bitcoin mining hardware.

"Tether, the world largest stablecoin issuer, also plans an investment in a bitcoin mining site in El Salvador," according to the report.

Nonetheless, the price of Bitcoin and transaction fees will need to rise significantly to offset the lower block reward.

JP Morgan also observed that "the decline in hype surrounding cryptocurrencies poses an additional challenge for miners' revenues," including "the decline in the hype around Ordinals."

The number of daily Ordinals inscriptions recently hit an all-time high, but Bitcoin fees did not sustain earlier highs along with them.

"Going forward, it seems unlikely that the Bitcoin hash rate will continue to rise at the same pace post the April/May 2024 halving event without any sustained rise in the Bitcoin price above its production cost or a large increase in transaction fees that could offset the reduction in issuance rewards," JP Morgan concluded.
Scores of Indian Americans held a peace rally in front of the Indian Consulate here to express solidarity with India following a recent attempted arson at the diplomatic facility by Khalistan supporters.



A video by Khalistan supporters, dated July 2 posted on Twitter, showed the act of arson at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. It was the second such act of violence within months.



A large number of Indian Americans from in and around San Francisco came out in support of India as they held a peaceful rally in front of the Indian Consulate in San Francisco against the recent act of violence.



The protesters described it as an act of terrorism act and demanded that those responsible for violence be brought to justice.



India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu visited the Consulate here on Thursday and met Indian diplomats and officials at the mission.



India has asked its partner countries such as Canada, the UK and the US not to give space to extremist Khalistani ideology as it is not good for bilateral relations.



The radical, extremist Khalistani ideology is not good for India or its partner countries such as the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in New Delhi early this month.



On March 19, a group of pro-Khalistan protesters attacked and damaged the Indian Consulate in San Francisco.



Raising pro-Khalistan slogans, the protesters broke open the makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and installed two so-called Khalistani flags inside the Consulate premises. Two consulate personnel soon removed those flags.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Saturday, offering an apparent show of support for the country in its war against Russia.

Yoon's office said he travelled to Ukraine with his wife, Kim Keon Hee, following trips to Lithuania for a NATO summit and to Poland. It's his first visit since Russia invaded Ukraine almost 17 months ago.

Yoon toured Bucha and Irpin, a pair of small cities near Kyiv where bodies of civilians were found in the streets and mass graves after Russian troops retreated from the capital region last year. He laid flowers at a monument to the country's war dead.

The South Korean leader was scheduled to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later in the day, Yoon's senior adviser for press affairs, Kim Eun-hye, said in a statement.

South Korea, a key US ally in Asia, joined international sanctions against Russia and has provided Ukraine with humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine.

But the Asian nation, a growing arms exporter, has not provided weapons to Ukraine in line with its long-standing policy of not supplying arms to countries actively engaged in conflict.

Earlier this month, Yoon said in written responses to questions from The Associated Press that supplies of de-mining equipment, ambulances and other non-military materials are in the works following a request from Ukraine.

He said South Korea already provided support to replace the Kakhovka Dam, which was destroyed last month. The Russian and Ukrainian governments have accused the other of blowing up the dam, but the evidence suggests Russia had more of a motive to cause deadly flooding, endanger crops and threaten drinking water supplies in a contested part of Ukraine.

The government of the Republic of Korea is firmly committed to actively joining the United States and other liberal democracies in international efforts to defend the freedom of Ukraine, Yoon said in written responses to the AP.

During a January visit to South Korea, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called for the country to provide direct military support to Ukraine, saying Kyiv was in urgent need of weapons to fight off the prolonged Russian invasion.

In May, when Yoon met Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska in Seoul, the president said he would expand South Korea's non-lethal aid to Ukraine. Yoon's spokesperson, Lee Do Woon, said at the time that Zelenska made no request for South Korean weapons supplies during her conversation with Yoon.

Since Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, South Korea has reached billions of dollars worth of deals to provide tanks, howitzers, fighter jets and other weapons systems to NATO member Poland.

An American official said in November that the United States had agreed to buy 1,00,000 artillery rounds from South Korean manufacturers to provide to Ukraine, although South Korean officials have maintained that the munitions were meant to refill depleted US stocks.
At first, it seems like a typical story of a Punjabi-Sikh NRI who returns to his Pind to get married to a desi Punjabi girl in an arranged setup. But as Kohrra unravels, it goes much deeper in addressing unresolved conflicts, and mysteries.

Paul Dhillon has got engaged to his fiance but when his body is found in the fields with a slit throat and smashed head, a gruesome murder is established and an intense investigation begins. The twist comes when his British friend Liam too goes missing at the same time. When the cops find his fiance and her ex met on the night of the murder, they immediately suspect his involvement. However, when several questions are left unanswered, a deeper investigation follows and with each new suspect, a missing part of the puzzle is pieced together.

On the surface, Kohrra is a murder mystery that unfogs a gruesome murder, but, a deeper reading suggests that the Randeep Jha directorial addresses several unresolved conflicts that root out of the geography where the story is placed at.

The story is deeply entangled with Punjab and its problems - the drug abuse, the obsession with going abroad, the NRI tags and the foreign-sounding names, the property disputes, family politics, shame related to sexuality and the male ego and patriarchy.

In the six-part series, Steve Dhillon is a British Indian who is back to Punjab to find a match for his son Paul Dhillon - the Western names, a mark of the NRI pride that the patriarch carries. A flashback shows him abusing his son for not being manly enough and turning a blind eye to his son's sexuality - he's a gay, in a relationship with his childhood best friend Liam.

While Steve's brother Manna, played by Varun Badola, is a man of the pind who is close to his roots and his brother's distant feelings bother him. His love for his brother's son Paul, however, makes his own son feel ignored which leads him to take a drastic step.

The layered structure of the series brings forth stories of many broken relationships and unaddressed traumas - the investigating cop Balbir carries the guilt of his wife's death and this, pressurises his daughter Nimrat to marry and settle in an uncomfortable alliance - when she rebels and goes back to her lover, his ego leads him to brutally suppress her.

Garundi (Barun Sobti) is in an illicit relationship with his sister-in-law and his brother seemingly knows about the affair.

The greatest crime mysteries are not the ones that portray a spectacular crime story but the ones that delve deeper into the psyches, geographical impact and intertwine stories to unresolve the conflict, which is what Kohrra does.

Helmed by Clean Slate Filmz headed by Anushka and Karnesh Sharma, that has also brought own masterpieces like Bulbbul and Qala, Kohrra becomes another added feather to their hat.

The series shocks and stuns and ends up being a local narration of crime and punishment and the eventual resolution.

Series: Kohrra on Netflix

Language: Hindi

Director: Randeep Jha

Cast: Barun Sobti, Savinderpal Vicky, Harleen Sethi

Rating: 3.5/5
An adaptation of American series The Good Wife, Suparn Verma's eight-episode legal drama, The Trial, is currently streaming on Disney+Hotstar, with each episode running for a duration of 35-40 minutes each. The show stars Kajol as lawyer Noyonika Sengupta who returns to the courtroom after her high profile lawyer husband Rajiv (Jisshu Sengupta) goes behind the bars for demanding sexual favours.

She sets out to tackle life at its worst which involves facing the societys backlash alongside rebuilding her career and taking care of her kids. The storyline is aptly summed by the three words in the show's tagline 'Pyaar, Kanoon, Dhoka' [love, law betrayal].

With her husband's sex tapes going viral, the family is forced to bid goodbye to their big home and lavish lifestyle. Unable to join several law firms due to the controversy, Noyonika is forced to join as an intern under her former lover Vishal (Alyy Khan) at his law firm and start her career from scratch. While paving her way through the mess created by her husband, she also has to try and outperform her companion lawyer Dheeraj (Gaurav Pandey) for a permanent position in the firm.

With a rather mundane storyline and script, The Trial does not bring anything exceptional to the viewer. The only engaging points of the show are clearly the ones that portray family and work dynamics.

The actors playing Noyonika's teenage daughters delivered an exceptional performance where they conveyed the vision of two girls deeply affected by their fathers illegal affairs. Having to grow up way sooner than the rest of their companions, their reaction while witnessing scandalous posts involving their family was something that made the viewers emotionally invested in the show. Kajol, too, does justice to her character who balances family and work and delivers a consistent performance. Kubbra Sait who is also a lawyer working at the same firm managed to play a calm and composed character who was an earnest companion to Noyonika throughout the show.

The story has been portrayed strictly through a female gaze making Noyonika the centre of influence in the show. The show is based around her point of view and approach towards the turmoil around her. The Trial manages to become a decently engaging watch and ends on a cliffhanger making the audience hope for a season 2.

Series: The Trial

Directed by: Suparn Verma

Cast: Kajol, Jisshu Sengupta, Kubbra Sait, Alyy Khan, Sheeba Chaddha

Language: Hindi

Streaming on: Disney plus Hotstar




Gurugram, Jul 15 (PTI) Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty on Saturday announced his investment in re-engineered tyre startup brand Regrip.

"I am super excited about my association with Regrip. We're not just redefining the concept of re-cycled, safe, economical high quality tyres but also contributing to a greener future by reducing waste and maximizing the lifecycle of each tyre. By embracing innovation and sustainable practices, we can create a better world for generations to come," the actor said.

Mahavir Pratap Sharma, the first investor in the startup, said, the brand which focuses on refurbished tyres is "a win-win solution" for his investment.

Tushar Suhalka, founder of Regrip, said, "At Regrip we believe in the power of circular economy principles and environmental responsibility. Our journey has just begun, but we are determined to make a lasting impact. Through our tire refurbishment process, we strive to provide affordable solutions, reduce waste, and contribute to a greener and cleaner planet."

Regrip uses quality grade rubber to make refurbished tyres through the process of shearing and retreading. These tyres cost half the price of new products and are used by small and medium trucking companies.
Gurugram, Haryana, India & Austin, TX, United States  Business Wire India



AlarmZ, a leading player in the cryptocurrency communications space, has launched its pre-sale as it seeks to revolutionize crypto risk mitigation management. With regulators worldwide actively developing new tools for effective monitoring of the risks associated with cryptocurrencies amid concerns over the growing interconnectedness between the traditional financial market and the crypto market, AlarmZ provides a standout solution that simplifies portfolio management for both new and experienced traders.



The fast-paced and fragmented nature of the crypto world presents several challenges for traders, including managing multiple crypto addresses from different exchanges and real-time monitoring. Moreover, the volatile nature of crypto assets poses challenges when traders wish to open or exit positions.



To streamline the trading experience, AlarmZ provides a comprehensive application that enables users to access multiple centralized and decentralized exchanges and various crypto wallets through a single platform, making onboarding and portfolio management effortless for traders. The app is actively working on incorporating major exchanges into its ecosystem, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices, including web, Android, and soon to be released for iOS.



Emphasising the significance of effective risk mitigation in navigating the ever-evolving crypto landscape, Mr. Arjun Mishra, CEO of AlarmZ Inc., said, AlarmZ equips traders with comprehensive tools and alerts to minimize losses and protect portfolios against potential risks. Our goal is to empower traders to make informed decisions and capitalize on profit opportunities, ensuring a secure and profitable trading experience.



The pre-sale of its native token, ALZ Token, demonstrates AlarmZs commitment to promoting engagement within the crypto community and presents an exciting opportunity for crypto enthusiasts to be a part of the dynamic world of crypto communication and security.



The ALZ Token adds utility to the AlarmZ ecosystem, facilitating seamless payments for subscriptions, in-app purchases, and collaborations with external partners, Mr Mishra said.



As the pre-sale for AlarmZ (ALZ) approaches, the platform has issued a comprehensive white paper, which provides detailed information about the projects roadmap, features, and tokenomics, offering a deep understanding of the AlarmZ Protocol and the potential of ALZ Token.



Another of AlarmZ ecosystems notable features is the incorporation of an app browser which provides users real-time updates and enhanced security measures including trust scores for visited websites. Through innovative functionalities and features, AlarmZ instills user confidence and strengthens the integrity of crypto transactions. Moreover, by implementing a robust risk management strategy, traders can effectively manage their investments and make well-informed trading decisions.



AlarmZ offers a range of innovative features, including Wallet Control, Portfolio Management, Social Engagement, News Aggregation, and Quests, enabling active engagement with the crypto community and ensuring real-time information. Moreover, the company aims to enhance security measures and foster transparency within the industry by standardizing communication protocols across centralized and decentralized crypto platforms, addressing the challenges associated with fragmented user experiences and paving the way for a more connected and secure ecosystem.



At AlarmZ, we are committed to creating a safer, more transparent, and inclusive ecosystem for crypto communication. By standardizing communication protocols and streamlining user experiences, we are enhancing security measures and promoting greater transparency within the industry, he said further.



AlarmZ Inc. recognizes the significance of effective communication in the financial world and envisions cryptocurrencies replacing traditional banks, ushering in a secure era of financial technology. It draws parallels to the efficiency of telecommunications, which have proven more effective than traditional banks in serving unbanked populations in various African and other developing countries.



AlarmZ stands at the forefront of transforming the crypto industry, creating a safer, more transparent, and inclusive ecosystem for crypto communication. With its pioneering multi-channel communication solution, AlarmZ is poised to shape the future of the industry.



As the pre-sale for AlarmZ ALZ Token, crypto enthusiasts and investors are encouraged to visit the official website, join the Telegram community, and follow the projects social media channels for the latest updates.



About AlarmZ Inc.



AlarmZ Inc. is a leading company in the cryptocurrency communications space, dedicated to revolutionizing the industry through its groundbreaking multi-channel communication solution. By addressing the challenges of fragmented user experiences and inconsistent communication, AlarmZ is paving the way for a more connected and secure crypto ecosystem. With a comprehensive suite of tools and features, AlarmZ empowers users and enhances security measures within the crypto industry.



To learn more about AlarmZ, please visit our official website: https://alarmz.io/



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AlarmZ introduces a Web3 unified communication protocol



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia along with officials from various departments on Saturday discussed the plans for enhancing capacity as well as manpower at certain airports.

The government has been taking various measures to boost infrastructure and manpower at airports, including at Delhi airport, amid rising domestic air passenger traffic.

"Met Union Minister of Home Affairs & Cooperation Shri @AmitShah Ji, along with AAI, CISF, BCAS & Immigration officials to review the plan for capacity and manpower expansion at certain airports," Scindia said in a tweet.

He also said, "we are committed to ensuring smooth processing of air passengers in the upcoming peak travel season."

Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Bansal, officials from Airports Authority of India (AAI), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) also attended the meeting.

Domestic air passenger traffic grew nearly 19 per cent to around 1.25 crore in June compared to the year-ago period.

According to the latest official data, domestic carriers flew 124.87 lakh people in June.

India is also one of the fastest growing civil aviation markets in the world.
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) India is poised to rise among emerging markets in this decade, driven by remarkable expansion in direct and fixed asset investment, Capital Group said in a recent report.

The country has had political stability over the last 10 years allowing economic development to be a top priority.

"While political instability and market volatility may increase in advance of general elections next year, we believe that India is poised for a period of secular growth, fueled by significant expansion in direct and fixed asset investment," Capital Group said.

The report has listed several key aspects that make India appealing compared with other emerging markets.

Those aspects include reforms measures taken under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government such as Aadhaar, Goods and Services Tax (GST), Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and Production-linked incentive programs, Capital Group, the biggest money managers in the world, said.

These reforms have helped bolster Indian stocks.

Apart from reform measure several factors make India appealing are -- infrastructure boom, strong tailwinds for manufacturing, the country's growing capital market, investment opportunities in sectors like real estate, financials and industrials, scope in the chemical industry, and demographics, it added.

Manufacturing capacity is expanding for mobile phones, home appliances, computers, and telecommunications equipment.

"We anticipate India will become a desirable location for companies looking to diversify their supply chains outside of China, a strategy commonly known as China plus one. That said, it likely has many years to go before it can challenge China as a global manufacturing powerhouse. On the flip side, the upside looks promising, " Capital Group, which manages USD 2.2 trillion, said.

With regard to equity market, top analysts of Capital Group said that India's capital markets have seen a proliferation of initial public offerings (IPOs) in recent years. The types of companies going public  and those in the IPO pipeline  reflect its ongoing transformation.

Market experts believe that "secular growth" happens when there is a fundamental change or essential shift in an industry or sector leading to substantial growth.

India is now behind only the US and China in terms of the number of unicorns -- unlisted companies valued at USD 1 billion-- as of December 2022.

Capital Group believe this could be a decade to shine for India.
Srinagar, Jul 15 (PTI) With his one little gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lit up hopes of hundreds of carpets makers of Kashmir, who believe his gifting a silk rug to a French dignitary will give a much needed boost to the local industry.

Modi's gifting a hand-made Kashmiri silk carpet to the president of the French national Assembly during his current visit to the European nation has not lost on the local rugmakers, who see the act virtually as an advert.

Shahnawaz Ahmad Sofi, a carpet unit holder, said the move was great and may stem the decline in carpetmakers fate in Kashmir.

"We have seen the downfall of Kashmiri carpets in past decades but steps like these will give a boost to the carpet industry," Sofi told PTI.

"If things like these happen at international level, obviously it will encourage the weavers. It was a royal Taj designed carpet which the PM gifted. It is a very famous design and only master artisans of silk carpets in Kashmir can make this design," he added.

Mohd Rafiq, a master artisan, said he was thankful to the Prime Minister for promoting the Kashmiri carpet at global level.

"We are very thankful to the PM that he advertised Kashmiri carpet at international level. Many people in different countries don't know about the Kashmiri carpet but with Modiji gifting such carpet, they get to know about our products," Rafiq said.

He said it takes crores of rupees to build a brand but the Prime Minister's little gesture at such a big stage will give the industry a fillip worth that money.

"It can take many years for people to know about Kashmiri carpets through advertisements but with this one step, Modiji has advertised Kashmiri carpets on a huge platform. We are very happy," he said.

Director Handicraft Mahmood Shah said the Prime Minister has always promoted Kashmir handicrafts through his attire.

"You have seen him donning shawl and Kani specimens. During his last visit to Sweden, he gifted a GI-certified shawl in a papier mache box to the President of Sweden. In his recent visit to the US too, he gifted papier mache boxes. And this time he gifted the silk carpet from Kashmir.

"It is a welcome step and great encouragement for our artisans. This gives us a kind of international visibility and helps us not only promote the craft but also the craftsmen," Shah said.
Paris, Jul 14 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday exhorted the business leaders of India and France to work towards accelerating the journey of friendship between the two countries.

He said this while addressing the India-France CEO forum along with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The prime minister said the business leaders of the two nations have contributed a lot in strengthening bilateral ties.

"I would like you to work for accelerating and strengthening this great journey of the two nations," he said while committing to extend full support to them in their endeavour on behalf of Indian and French leadership.

Observing that India and France have completed 25 years of strategic partnership, Modi said the business leaders of the two countries have played a big role in the long journey.

"We are celebrating 25 years of strategic partnership. In this journey, the business leaders have played a big role," Modi said in his opening remarks at the CEO Forum.

Prime Minister Modi is here on a two-day official visit at the invitation of French President Macron.
As nations seek to cut their carbon footprints, demand has surged for clean energy, fuelling the global competition to secure critical minerals for climate-friendly power sources like batteries. China has been laser-focused on the task.

After spending more than US$1 billion to acquire mining sites in Zimbabwe over the past two years, several Chinese-owned companies have now completed construction or upgrades of lithium processing plants. Observers said the new plants would help the country move up the mining value chain by processing - as well as mining - the metal while employing thousands of workers.

Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, China's Sinomine Resource Group, and Shenzhen-listed lithium materials producer Chengxin Lithium Group are three Chinese mining companies that have recently commissioned processing plants in Zimbabwe, which holds one of the world's largest hard-rock lithium reserves.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Lithium - known as "white gold" - is an essential raw material for the lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that power electric vehicles and in solar panels that store solar energy.

Last week, Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, a unit of the Chinese mining giant Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, formally commissioned a US$300 million lithium processing plant at the Arcadia hard-rock lithium mine.

Located in the town of Goromonzi, 80km (49 miles) southeast of Harare, the facility has a processing capacity of 4.5 million tonnes of hard-rock lithium, which translates into around 400,000 tonnes of concentrate per year for export.

An armed soldier stands guard at the Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe plant on July 5, the day it was officially commissioned by the Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Photo: EPA-EFE alt=An armed soldier stands guard at the Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe plant on July 5, the day it was officially commissioned by the Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Photo: EPA-EFE>

While commissioning the processing facility last week, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the plant would boost the government's ambitious target of generating US$12 billion in revenue from the mining sector by the end of this year, up from about US$5.6 billion of mineral exports in 2022. Lithium mining was expected to generate about US$500 million.

"Investment will promote the value addition of lithium ore. Lithium is the mineral of the present and future. Its beneficiation [for smelting] will position our country to be a competitive player in lithium production," said Mnangagwa, who was elected president in 2018 after a military coup and is seeking a second term in office. Mnangagwa said he appreciated the investment and support from China, and was looking forward to more.

Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding said mining cooperation between the two countries had good momentum and broad prospects. "Chinese mining companies have made better use of Zimbabwe's mineral resources, making Zimbabwe an important link in the international new energy industry chain," Zhou said at the Arcadia launch.

Huayou Cobalt bought the Arcadia operation from Australian-listed Prospect Resources and Zimbabwean minority stakes in 2021 for US$422 million. It invested US$300 million to develop the mine to expand production for the electric vehicle (EV) market. It is currently producing the lithium concentrates spodumene and petalite for export to China for further processing into lithium chemicals for making batteries.

Last year, Zimbabwe banned exports of raw lithium ore, forcing companies to set up local factories to process ore into concentrates before export.

The recent global rush to lithium has improved Zimbabwe's economic fortunes, with several Chinese companies making multimillion-dollar acquisitions to secure lithium supplies.

Zimbabwe is believed to hold Africa's largest lithium reserves, the fifth largest in the world. The resource had remained largely untapped, however, because of a lack of investment in the country, which two decades ago was slapped with Western sanctions over human rights violations and the seizure of land from white farmers.

Meanwhile, another firm, China's Sinomine Resource Group's Zimbabwe lithium unit, has just completed building a spodumene concentrate plant at its Bikita minerals site, with a total price tag of US$300 million for expansion and exploration.

Last year, Sinomine bought Bikita, the country's oldest lithium mines, for US$180 million with the aim of producing spodumene concentrate and petalite, which is used in the ceramics and glass industries.

The plant will produce 300,000 tonnes of chemical grade spodumene concentrate annually for export once the Bikita project reaches its full production capacity.

Sinomine expects to upgrade petalite production to 480,000 tonnes per year from the previous annual rate of 50,000 tonnes.

In May, another Chinese company, Chengxin Lithium Group, commissioned a 300,000 tonne per year lithium concentrator at the Sabi Star mine in eastern Zimbabwe.

Chris Berry, president of commodities advisory firm House Mountain Partners in New York, said for the energy transition to continue and lithium supplies to begin to approach demand in the coming years, Africa would need to become a more significant source of lithium.

"The Chinese have realised this and that's why projects in Zimbabwe and Mali are moving forward," Berry said. Ghana could join the ranks of lithium-producing countries in the next few years as well, he added.

"Lithium is not rare [in Africa or elsewhere], but producing commercial quantities of battery grade material is the challenge. As Chinese capital has a tougher time finding a home in Western projects, it would seem that African lithium projects are a natural fit."

Adam Megginson, a price analyst at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, said there were only a handful of lithium mines operating in Zimbabwe, but announcements of new projects and project expansions continued, especially from Chinese miners, lithium converters and conglomerates.

"Overall we forecast Zimbabwe's mined supply to increase 250 per cent from limited current volumes to 2025 as more capacity comes online from the country," Megginson said.

But even if it meets those projections, he said Zimbabwe would only account for less than 3 per cent of global mined supply by then.

Megginson said Zimbabwe's ban on unrefined lithium exports had encouraged a build in the concentration capacity of spodumene and petalite ore before export, but it had yet to spur the construction of refining capacity for carbonate and hydroxide, which are refined lithium chemicals required to make lithium-ion batteries.

"We don't expect Zimbabwe to have any lithium [refining] chemicals capacity by 2025. So it will continue to rely on other countries, primarily China, to process material into battery grade carbonate and hydroxide required for use in batteries," Megginson said.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Mumbai, Jul 15 (PTI) Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has expressed happiness over the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3, calling it a great moment for every Indian.

India on Friday launched its ambitious third lunar mission Chandrayaan-3, eyeing a rare feat in moon exploration so far only accomplished by the likes of the US, China and the former Soviet Union.

The music icon said the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 is proof of the "fast growing economic and scientific power" of South East Asia.

"It is a great moment in our life. Man has gone to the moon before... Im glad that our scientists and their intelligence, their ability to be able to be creative in that way is not just being pawned off to the rest of the world but being utilised right here in India.

"Them going up to the moon and hopefully planting our flag up there, which says we belong in the world as one of the superpowers. So thats great, thats a fantastic thing. More power," Hussain, 72, told PTI.

The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) third lunar expedition in 15 years, the hugely anticipated Chandrayaan-3 embarked on its month-long journey towards the moon, piggybacking on ISRO's latest heavy lift launch vehicle, 'Fat boy' LVM3-M4 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The space agency said the technically challenging soft landing on the lunar surface, which Chandrayaan-2 could not achieve, has been planned for 5.47 PM on August 23.
Lahore, Jul 15 (PTI) The minarets of a worship place of the minority Ahmadi community were demolished by police in Pakistan's Punjab province after a radical Islamist party threatened to attack it, officials said on Saturday.

Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on Friday gave a warning to police to either demolish the minarets of the worship place of Ahmadis at the Kala Gujran in Jehlum district of Punjab, some 225 kilometres from Lahore, or it would attack it, a Punjab government official told PTI on Saturday.

"Police summoned the Ahmadi leaders of the area and asked them to demolish the minarets of their worship place as they could not build them under law or they would themselves demolish the place," the official said.

On Friday night, a police team raided the Ahmadi's worship place and demolished it, he said.

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Pakistan Punjab official Amir Mahmood told PTI that a campaign against Ahmadi worship places had been launched in Jehlum by TLP leader Asim Ashfaq Rizvi.

Mahmood said Rizvi in different public meetings had threatened to attack the Ahmadi places in Jehlum if the police did not destroy them by the 10th Muharram (end of July).

Rizvi had threatened that the radical Islamists would march towards the Ahmadi worship places and destroy them.

"Instead of protecting the Ahmadis, the police brought down the minarets of the Ahmadis' place of worship to please the hate mongers and extremist elements. This situation is unfortunate and a clear violation of the rights of the Ahmadi community," Mahmood said.

He said a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Tasadduq Hussain Jilani in 2014 had ordered the formation of a special police force for the protection of places of worship of minorities.
Abu Dhabi, Jul 15 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Saturday on a day-long visit to the UAE during which he will meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and review the burgeoning bilateral ties between the two strategic partners.

Modi arrived in Abu Dhabi following his successful two-day visit to Paris where he joined French President Emmanuel Macron for the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour and signed several agreements to bolster bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with Sheikh Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

"I look forward to meeting my friend, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan," Prime Minister Modi said in his departure statement on Thursday.

"Our two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties," he said.

Energy, food security, and defence are expected to be the focus areas of Modi's visit to the UAE during which the two countries will review the progress in bilateral relations after they inked a landmark trade agreement.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which gave a new thrust to the economic engagement between the two countries, was signed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

India and the UAE are engaged across various sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties.

The Indian expatriate community is the largest ethnic community in UAE constituting roughly 30 per cent of the countrys population. The number of resident Indian Nationals was estimated to be 3.5 million in 2021 as per the UAE records.
Sofia (Bulgaria), Jul 15 (AP) Ukraine on Saturday criticised Bulgaria's pro-Russian president over his remarks that Kyiv is to blame for Russia's ongoing war and that supplying arms to Ukraine only prolongs the conflict.

President Rumen Radev had told reporters on Friday, during a news conference in which he spoke about the recent NATO summit, that he wanted to make it clear that Ukraine insists on fighting this war.

But it should also be clear that the bill is paid by the whole of Europe, he added.

The remarks by the pro-Russian leader are part of his continuing efforts to keep Bulgaria out of joint EU military support for Ukraine.

The Embassy of Ukraine in Sofia in a statement on Saturday said Kyiv was making all possible efforts to restore peace and rejected Radev's stance that supplying arms to Ukraine fuels and prolongs the war.

Blaming the war on Ukraine, which was treacherously attacked by its northern neighbor, is one of the most common supporting theses of Russian propaganda and hybrid warfare in Europe, the embassy said.

It emphasized that the provision of defense funds to Ukraine does not lead to an increase in casualties, but means that more lives can be saved.

During the political crisis that had gripped EU and NATO member Bulgaria in the last two years, Radev has used his powers to appoint caretaker governments that shared his dissent over supplying arms to Kyiv. However, his efforts have bene undermined since a new pro-Western government was formed in June.

On Friday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov was quick to counter Radev's position and put the blame for Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Russian President Vladimir Putin and his administration.

On the contrary, the one who insists on fighting this war is the circle around Putin. They started this war," Denkov said.

"I say again: the quickest way to stop this war is for this same circle to call on their troops to get out, the prime minister added. (AP)



NSA

NSA
Rome, Jul 15 (AP) Pope Francis gave in Saturday to China's unilateral appointment of a new bishop in Shanghai, formally recognising Beijing's installation of Bishop Shen Bin three months after the fact.

In its daily noon bulletin, the Vatican said Francis had appointed Shen as bishop of Shanghai, transferring him from Haimen. The announcement came after the Holy See conceded in April that it had learned of Shen's appointment to lead the Catholic Church in Shanghai from media accounts.

The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said Francis decided to accept China's unilateral appointment for the greater good of the faithful in Shanghai. But Parolin made clear China's move had violated the spirit of collaboration outlined in a 2018 accord between the Holy See and Beijing on bishop appointments.

In comments to Vatican media explaining the pope's decision, Parolin said Francis approved Shen's appointment to allow the bishop to lead his flock and to heal the canonical irregularity created by Beijing's unilateral transfer in April, which he said occurred without the Holy See's involvement.

He said he hoped future appointments would be made according to the letter and spirit of consensus called for in the accord.

We need to together prevent disharmonious situations that create disagreements and misunderstandings even within Catholic communities, Parolin said. The good implementation of the agreement is one of the means to do so, together with sincere dialogue.

China and the Vatican haven't had diplomatic relations since 1951, following the Communists' rise to power and the expulsion of foreign priests. The Vatican has sought in recent years to open contacts and reduce frictions, particularly over the appointment of bishops.

The Vatican previously acknowledged that the 2018 accord was far from ideal. It regularised the status of several bishops and paved the way for future nominations, but China has repeatedly violated it amid a broader overall crackdown by President Xi Jinping on religious freedoms.

Full details of the agreement were never made public, but Francis has claimed he has final say in the bishop appointment process.

Beijing has long insisted that it must approve such appointments as a matter of its national sovereignty. The Vatican has insisted on the pope's divine authority to choose the successors of Christ's apostles.

Since the break in China-Holy See ties, Catholics in China have been divided between members of an official, state-sanctioned church, the Patriotic Catholic Association, and those who belong to an underground church loyal to the pontiff. Estimates of the total number of Chinese Catholics run between 6 million and 12 million. (AP) PY

PY
Singapore, Jul 15 (PTI) Transport Minister S Iswaran was arrested on Tuesday and released on bail while his passport was impounded, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau has said.

A CPIB spokesperson on Friday said Iswaran was arrested on the same day as Ong Beng Seng, founder and managing director of Hotel Properties Limited, reported The Straits Times.

Ong was also released on bail.

As part of bail conditions, subjects passports are impounded. Subjects on bail can, however, make requests to travel overseas. CPIB will assess such requests on a case-by-case basis, the Singapore daily quoted the CPIB spokesperson as saying.

CPIB assessed and acceded to Ongs request to travel overseas. Ongs bail quantum was also increased to SGD100,000. Upon his return, Ong is required to report to CPIB and surrender his passport to the bureau.

The spokesperson declined to provide further details, citing ongoing investigations.

Iswaran (61), is a senior member of the ruling Peoples Action Party and has been on a leave of absence from his official duties, was assisting the CPIB with an investigation into a case it had uncovered.

Iswarans political career spans more than 26 years since he was first elected in 1997 as a Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC.

Before he was appointed to the Cabinet in 2006, he was on several government parliamentary committees and was the deputy speaker of Parliament from September 2004 to June 2006.

He has been Minister for Transport since May 2021 and has been concurrently minister-in-charge of trade relations at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) since May 2018.

Before his career in politics, Iswaran worked in both the public and private sectors, including at MTI as well as Temasek Holdings.

No charges have been filed against Ong. He will be traveling from July 14 and will be surrendering his passport to CPIB upon his return to Singapore," Hotel Properties Ltd (HPL) said on Friday.

Ong (77), is a Malaysian based in Singapore and owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix and is chairman of race promoter Singapore GP.

Iswaran has been actively involved in the government's engagements with F1, including making appearances at press conferences where announcements about the event's future have been made.

As this is an ongoing matter, he is unable to provide further details at this point. He has undertaken to provide updates to the board if there are subsequent material developments," Channel News Asia had HPL as saying of Ongs current position in the high-profile case related to a possibility of corruption.

The contract for Singapore to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix for another seven years was signed last year - the fourth renewal and longest extension - bringing the event back to Marina Bay in the central business district after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Formula 1 (F1) Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023 is scheduled for September 15-17.
Gandhinagar, Jul 15 (PTI) The prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Gandhinagar in Gujarat will organise a fashion show inspired by the ancient wisdom of 'Panchtatva' or five elements as part of the G20 Finance Ministers' cultural dinner on Sunday.

In a release issued on Saturday, the NIFT said the event would showcase India's rich cultural heritage and vibrant fashion industry to world leaders attending the G20 summit.

Under the guidance of NIFT director Sameer Sood, the faculty members and students have planned and executed every aspect of the event to underline the 'Mission LiFE' vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it said.

The event serves as a global platform to exhibit the traditional crafts of India, symbolising the unity and interdependence of all living and non-living beings, the institute said.

"Inspired by the ancient wisdom of Panchtatva or Five Elements namely wind, fire, earth, water and sky, our showcase exemplifies the deep reverence for these essential elements found in ancient Indian scriptures from Rig Veda to Ramcharitmanas, Sood said.

He said five sequences, each representing an element, will celebrate indigenous traditional artisanal craftsmanship, promoting unity through skilful and mindful actions.

The wind sequence takes one an eternal transformative journey through the mythical city of Banaras, blending jacquard and Mashru weaves with exquisite techniques like Marori, Zardozi, and foil printing.

The water sequence encompasses diverse geographies, merging artisanal techniques like resist dying (bandhani, batik, laheria, and shibori) and block printing (ajarakh, bagru, and bagh) from India, China, Japan, and Indonesia.

Similarly, the Earth sequence showcases the artistry "Mata Ni Pachedi," Pichhvai, and kalamkari, he said.

Renowned Indian designers Ritu Beri, Anju Modi and Payal Jain have collaborated with NIFT Gandhinagar to design and showcase three of the five sequences, the institute said.

Gandhinagar will host G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) on July 17-18 and 66 delegations are expected to take part. The meet will discuss issues related to the global economy and international financial architecture.

These events are part of India's presidency of G20.
Pune, Jul 15 (PTI) Veteran Marathi actor-director Ravindra Mahajani was found dead at a rented flat in Talegaon Dabhade area near Pune city, police said on Saturday.

The 77-year-old yesteryear actor's body was recovered on Friday evening, the police said, adding that it is suspected that he died around three days ago.

"We received a call from the neighbours of the flat, where Mahajani was staying alone, informing us about foul odour emanating from his house. We went to the spot and broke open the door of the flat, where he was found dead," a senior official of Talegaon Dabhade police station said.

"It is suspected that he died three days ago," he said.

Mahajani, who owns a house in Mumbai, was residing in Talegaon Dabhade since the last eight months, the police official said.

His mortal remains were sent to a hospital for post-mortem, police said.

Mahajani acted in several Marathi films from late 1970s to mid-1980s. Some of his notable films as an actor include "Mumbaicha Fauzdar", "Zunj" and "Kalat Nakalat".

His son Gashmeer Mahajani is also an actor and best known for his work in Marathi cinema.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condoled Mahajani's death.

"Veteran Marathi actor Ravindra Mahajani, who ruled the hearts of the audience through his impressive acting skills, has passed away. May God give eternal peace to his soul and give strength to Mahajani family to recover from this grief. A heartfelt tribute."

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar also paid tribute to the actor, saying that his untimely demise has caused a great loss to the Marathi film industry.

"We share the grief of the Mahajani family. A heartfelt tribute to Ravindra Mahajani!" Pawar said in a tweet.
Patna, Jul 15 (PTI) At least 17 people were killed in lightning strikes in 11 districts of Bihar in the last 24 hours, an official statement said on Saturday.

According to the statement issued by the chief minister's office (CMO), Rohtas district reported five deaths, followed by two each in Aurangabad and Buxar districts.

Besides, Arwal, Kishanganj, Kaimur, Vaishali, Siwan, Patna, Araria and Saran districts recorded one death each.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed condolences over the deaths and announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.

Kumar appealed to the people of the state to remain vigilant and stay indoors during thunderstorms.

He also urged people to follow advisories issued by the Disaster Management Department.
Rajouri/Jammu, Jul 15 (PTI) A senior police officer on Saturday called for efforts to be stepped up to eliminate terror networks in Jammu and Kashmir's twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, a spokesperson said.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Rajouri-Poonch Range) Mohd Haseeb Mughal chaired a high-level meeting, convened to conduct a comprehensive review of the ongoing anti-terror operations and oversee the functioning of the intelligence network in the twin districts, the spokesperson said.

The meeting was held at District Police Lines, Rajouri, and attended by officers, including Senior Superintendent of Police (Rajouri) Amritpal Singh and Vinay Sharma, his counterpart in Poonch.

Thirty-five people, including 26 soldiers, have been killed in eight terror attacks in the twin districts since October 2021.

Internal security, terrorism, issues related to the upcoming Muharram, Independence Day, Buddha Amarnath Yatra, deployment of forces on the Jammu-Poonch National Highway and review of the Village Defence Guards were discussed during the meeting.

The officers briefed the meeting about their field intelligence grid, security deployments and steps being taken to eradicate terror networks in their respective areas, the official said.

Addressing the meeting, Mughal asked the officers to put in sincere efforts to eliminate the terror networks by adopting innovative intelligence collection and analysis mechanisms, besides strengthening human contacts.

"It was enjoined upon all the officers to maintain utmost level of alertness and operational readiness to meet any challenge and to ensure peaceful conduct of all upcoming events," the spokesperson said.
In the last year, many Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB) insiders sold a substantial stake in the company which may have sparked shareholders' attention. Knowing whether insiders are buying is usually more helpful when evaluating insider transactions, as insider selling can have various explanations. However, if numerous insiders are selling, shareholders should investigate more.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

Check out our latest analysis for Chubb

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Chubb

The Executive VP & Chief Investment Officer of Chubb Group, Timothy Boroughs, made the biggest insider sale in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for US$5.2m worth of shares at a price of US$210 each. We generally don't like to see insider selling, but the lower the sale price, the more it concerns us. It's of some comfort that this sale was conducted at a price well above the current share price, which is US$188. So it may not shed much light on insider confidence at current levels.

Chubb insiders didn't buy any shares over the last year. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Insider Ownership

Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Chubb insiders own 0.6% of the company, currently worth about US$416m based on the recent share price. I like to see this level of insider ownership, because it increases the chances that management are thinking about the best interests of shareholders.

So What Does This Data Suggest About Chubb Insiders?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Chubb shares in the last quarter. It's heartening that insiders own plenty of stock, but we'd like to see more insider buying, since the last year of Chubb insider transactions don't fill us with confidence. In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing Chubb. To assist with this, we've discovered 1 warning sign that you should run your eye over to get a better picture of Chubb.

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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Kota (Raj), Jul 15 (PTI) A special court in Rajasthan's Bundi district on Saturday sentenced a 22-year-old man to 20 years of imprisonment for raping a minor in 2021.

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act court judge Salim Badra also slapped the convict with a fine of Rs 70,000.

The girl, aged 17 years and 10 months, was raped in May 2021 in Keshoraipatan town in Bundi district, where the convict, Yunus Pathan, was a tenant living in her neighbourhood, Public Prosecutor, POCSO court-I Rakesh Thakur said.

The minor survivor's father had lodged a complaint at the Keshoraipatan police station on May 28, 2021 and alleged that Pathan, who originally hails from Mainpuri district in Uttar Pradesh, lured his daughter who fled away with him taking Rs 10,000 cash, gold and silver jewellery, he said.

The police began a search operation for the minor girl and rescued her after 10 days from Nainwan town in Bundi district, where she was living with Yunus, he added.

On the basis of the girl's statements, the police included sections of rape under the Indian Penal Code and POCSO Act against Yunus and arrested him after medical examination of the survivor and initial investigation. He had been in jail under judicial custody since then, Thakur said.

The court acquitted another accused at whose house the minor stayed in Nainwan with Yunus.

Statements of 18 witnesses were recorded during the trial and 22 documents were produced before the court, PP Thakur added.
Vermonters rush to dry out flooded homes and businesses with more storms on the horizon

Vermonters are working to dry out homes and businesses damaged by this week's historic flooding and keeping a wary eye on the horizon, with another round of storms in the forecast this weekend




Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was evacuated to Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer on Shabbos afternoon after experiencing dizziness.

A joint statement from the Prime Ministers Office and the Sheba Medical Center on Motzei Shabbos said that the Prime Minister spent time at the Kinneret on Friday in the heat. Today he complained of mild dizziness, received initial treatment from a paramedic of the Shin Bets Personal Security Unit, and after consulting with his personal doctor arrived at the hospital. The initial tests came out normal and no abnormal findings were found. The assessment is that it is dehydration and the prime minister is undergoing further tests.

The Prime Ministers personal doctor, Prof. Tzvi Berkovich, arrived at the hospital and told the press that the prime ministers condition is good and stable. The Prime Ministers wife Sara and his son Avner are with him.

Several sources said that Netanyahu lost consciousness at his home in Ceaserea, causing him to fall and hit his head but those reports were not confirmed.

It was later reported that on the recommendation of his doctors, Netanyahu will be hospitalized overnight. The weekly Cabinet meeting has been postponed to Monday.

Some media outlets reported that Netanyahu was hospitalized in the cardiac department.

Netanyahu posted a video from the hospital saying that I spent time at the Kinneret with my wife in the sun, without a hat and without water. Not a good idea. He continued by saying that he feels very good now and warned Israelis to avoid the sun and drink more water during the heatwave.

(YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis haShabbos in Israel)
Man Group (OTCMKTS:MNGPF  Get Free Report) is one of 1,199 public companies in the Asset Management industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Man Group to similar businesses based on the strength of its valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, risk and earnings.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Man Group and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Get Man Group alerts:

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Man Group 0 1 4 0 2.80 Man Group Competitors 1072 4541 5955 82 2.43

Man Group presently has a consensus target price of $300.50, indicating a potential upside of 9,577.94%. As a group, Asset Management companies have a potential upside of 88.42%. Given Man Groups stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Man Group is more favorable than its rivals.

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Man Group N/A N/A 106.01 Man Group Competitors $206.36 million -$8.21 million -33.87

This table compares Man Group and its rivals gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Man Groups rivals have higher revenue, but lower earnings than Man Group. Man Group is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Profitability

This table compares Man Group and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Man Group N/A N/A N/A Man Group Competitors 371.47% 6.61% 4.90%

Dividends

Man Group pays an annual dividend of $0.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. Man Group pays out 274.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, Asset Management companies pay a dividend yield of 7.6% and pay out 845.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

40.0% of Man Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.6% of shares of all Asset Management companies are held by institutional investors. 18.3% of shares of all Asset Management companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Man Group rivals beat Man Group on 7 of the 13 factors compared.

Man Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Man Group Limited is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides long-only and alternative investment management services worldwide. It offers a range of liquid investment products and solutions, which include quantitative, multi-manager and discretionary investment styles, and span across various asset classes, like equity, real estate, currency, credit, volatility, and commodities. The firm distributes its products and solutions directly to institutions and to private investors through a global network of intermediaries. Man Group Limited was founded in 1783 and is based in St. Helier, Jersey with an additional office in London, United Kingdom.

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3i Group (OTCMKTS:TGOPY  Get Free Report) is one of 1,199 publicly-traded companies in the Asset Management industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare 3i Group to related businesses based on the strength of its valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, dividends, profitability, risk and institutional ownership.

Dividends

3i Group pays an annual dividend of $0.09 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. 3i Group pays out 27.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Asset Management companies pay a dividend yield of 7.6% and pay out 845.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for 3i Group and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score 3i Group 0 0 0 0 N/A 3i Group Competitors 1072 4541 5955 82 2.43

Institutional and Insider Ownership

3i Group currently has a consensus target price of $2,175.00, suggesting a potential upside of 16,878.92%. As a group, Asset Management companies have a potential upside of 79.85%. Given 3i Groups higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe 3i Group is more favorable than its competitors.

32.6% of shares of all Asset Management companies are held by institutional investors. 18.3% of shares of all Asset Management companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares 3i Group and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets 3i Group N/A N/A N/A 3i Group Competitors 371.47% 6.61% 4.90%

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares 3i Group and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio 3i Group N/A N/A 40.03 3i Group Competitors $206.36 million -$8.21 million -33.87

3i Groups competitors have higher revenue, but lower earnings than 3i Group. 3i Group is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Summary

3i Group competitors beat 3i Group on 7 of the 10 factors compared.

About 3i Group

(Get Free Report)

3i Group plc is a private equity firm specializing in mature companies, growth capital, middle markets, infrastructure, and management leveraged buyouts and buy-ins. The firm also provides infrastructure financing and debt management. For debt management, it invests in senior and mezzanine corporate debt in typically large and private companies in United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and North America. It makes private equity investments in business and technology services, financial services, consumer, healthcare, consumption and distribution, media and telecom, renewable energy, wind, and industrial technology sector. Within business and technology services, the firm seeks to invest in sub sectors such as testing, inspection and certification; intelligent outsourcing, BPO and consultancy; human capital including staffing, governance, risk and compliance, services to pharmaceutical companies, vertical application software, education and training businesses; facilities management; support services to industrial sectors such as oil and gas and utilities; human resources outsourcing and advising; recruitment; logistics and infrastructure support services including distribution, waste, and rental. In the consumer sector, it focuses on, multi-unit roll out, omni-channel propositions, niche branded consumer goods, polarization, health and wellness, ageing population, millennials, consumer goods; e-commerce; retail; food and drinks; and leisure. In the healthcare sector, the firm focuses on outsourced medical device manufacturing & services, outsourced pharmaceutical manufacturing & services, bioprocessing supply chain, life science tools and diagnostics, wellness & consumer health products, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology including specialty pharma, generics / OTC, drug delivery, and animal health; healthcare Services including activities such as elderly and specialty care, including caring for people in their own homes, in hospital and in community facilities, as well as operational services such as outsourced support, clinical services and B2B contract services; medical devices and technology including devices, medical equipment and consumables, diagnostics, and healthcare IT. In the industrial sector, it focuses on automotive, chemicals, safety and security, construction, building products and materials, energy, electronics and electrical components, flow control and filtration, mobility, packaging, industrial Services incl. industrial software, oil, gas, and power. Through 3i BIFM Limited and 3i Infrastructure plc the firm makes infrastructure investments where it focuses principally on the utilities including energy transmission and storage, electricity and gas distribution, water, power generation, and communication network; transportation including airports, ports, ferries, toll roads, and rail; and social infrastructure sector including primary and secondary PFI, public private partnerships, healthcare, education, and government accommodation. In infrastructure it invests primarily in utilities, transportation and social infrastructure in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Europe, and Ireland. The firm prefers to invest in companies across Europe, France, United States, South America, and Asia. It seeks to make new investments in Northern Europe and North America. The firm typically invests between 5 million ($5.59125 million) and 300 million ($335.475 million) in companies with an enterprise value typically between 100 million ($111.825 million) and 500 million ($559.125 million) and sales value between 80 million ($89.46 million) and 1500 million ($1677.38 million). It seeks to take either majority or minority stakes. It seeks to take a board seat in its portfolio companies with regards to infrastructure investments. The firm invests through a combination of third-party and proprietary capital. It invests through its personal capital. 3i Group plc was founded in 1945 and is based in London, United Kingdom with additional offices across Europe, North America, and Asia.

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Shares of Packaging Co. of America (NYSE:PKG  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Reduce from the six brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $126.13.

PKG has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Packaging Co. of America from $135.00 to $126.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. VNET Group reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Packaging Co. of America in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Packaging Co. of America from $131.00 to $128.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of Packaging Co. of America from $145.00 to $138.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Finally, 22nd Century Group reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Packaging Co. of America in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th.

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Packaging Co. of America Price Performance

Shares of PKG stock opened at $134.21 on Monday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $130.56 and its 200-day moving average is $134.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.91 and a current ratio of 3.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.07 billion, a PE ratio of 12.88, a PEG ratio of 3.33 and a beta of 0.88. Packaging Co. of America has a 52 week low of $110.56 and a 52 week high of $146.26.

Packaging Co. of America Dividend Announcement

Packaging Co. of America ( NYSE:PKG Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The industrial products company reported $2.20 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.27 by ($0.07). Packaging Co. of America had a return on equity of 25.59% and a net margin of 11.61%. The firm had revenue of $1.98 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.08 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.72 EPS. The companys revenue was down 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Packaging Co. of America will post 8.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were paid a $1.25 dividend. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. Packaging Co. of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.98%.

Institutional Trading of Packaging Co. of America

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of PKG. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Packaging Co. of America by 1.4% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 12,047,771 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,880,777,000 after buying an additional 161,559 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Packaging Co. of America by 1.7% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 9,048,220 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,256,164,000 after buying an additional 151,624 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Packaging Co. of America by 16.8% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,607,784 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $645,404,000 after purchasing an additional 663,047 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE increased its holdings in Packaging Co. of America by 14.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 4,482,612 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $622,321,000 after purchasing an additional 578,041 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in Packaging Co. of America by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,636,189 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $465,106,000 after acquiring an additional 43,430 shares in the last quarter. 90.84% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Packaging Co. of America

(Get Free Report

Packaging Corporation of America manufactures and sells containerboard and corrugated packaging products in the United States. The company operates through Packaging and Paper segments. The Packaging segment offers various containerboard and corrugated packaging products, such as conventional shipping containers used to protect and transport manufactured goods; multi-color boxes and displays that help to merchandise the packaged product in retail locations; and honeycomb protective packaging products, as well as packaging for meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, processed food, beverages, and other industrial and consumer products.

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Security Bank (OTCMKTS:SYBJF  Get Free Report) is one of 278 public companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare Security Bank to related businesses based on the strength of its institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, risk, profitability, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Dividends

Security Bank pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 68.5%. Security Bank pays out 8.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 11.6% and pay out 18.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Security Bank is clearly a better dividend stock than its competitors, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

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Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Security Bank and its competitors revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Security Bank N/A N/A 0.12 Security Bank Competitors $48.44 billion $845.69 million 268.32

Profitability

Security Banks competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Security Bank. Security Bank is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

This table compares Security Bank and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Security Bank N/A N/A N/A Security Bank Competitors 34.11% 10.25% 0.88%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

13.8% of Security Bank shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 28.7% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by institutional investors. 14.7% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings for Security Bank and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Security Bank 0 0 0 0 N/A Security Bank Competitors 1098 3134 3296 62 2.31

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 321.39%. Given Security Banks competitors higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Security Bank has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Summary

Security Bank competitors beat Security Bank on 8 of the 10 factors compared.

About Security Bank

(Get Free Report)

Security Bank Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services to wholesale and retail clients in the Philippines. It operates through Financial Markets, Wholesale Banking, Retail Banking, and All Other segments. The Financial Markets segment offers money market, foreign exchange, financial derivatives, securities distribution, asset management, and trust and fiduciary services. The Wholesale Banking segment provides relationship management, trade, cash management, deposit-taking, leasing, and structured financing services; and lending and other credit facilities, as well as advisory services relating to debt and equity capital raising, project financing, and mergers and acquisitions for corporate, institutional, public sector, and commercial clients. The Retail Banking segment is involved in deposit-taking and servicing activities; and offering consumer loans, credit card facilities, and bancassurance products for individual, retail, and small business customers. It also provides a range of investment banking and financial services; and foreign exchange brokerage services. In addition, the company rents and leases a range of machineries and equipment, automotive equipment, and automotive vehicles, as well as various land, air, or water transportation systems. The company was incorporated in 1951 and is headquartered in Makati City, the Philippines.

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Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:FND  Get Free Report) EVP David Victor Christopherson sold 5,804 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.00, for a total value of $638,440.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 36,552 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,020,720. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

David Victor Christopherson also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, June 23rd, David Victor Christopherson sold 5,804 shares of Floor & Decor stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total value of $580,400.00.

Floor & Decor Trading Down 1.9 %

Shares of NYSE FND opened at $111.05 on Friday. Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $63.51 and a fifty-two week high of $114.63. The company has a market cap of $11.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.09, a PEG ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 1.88. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $96.83 and its 200-day moving average price is $92.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 0.15 and a current ratio of 1.32.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Floor & Decor ( NYSE:FND Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $0.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.67 by ($0.01). Floor & Decor had a return on equity of 18.37% and a net margin of 6.86%. The firm had revenue of $1.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.11 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.67 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. will post 2.68 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. TheStreet upgraded Floor & Decor from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Monday, March 27th. Truist Financial assumed coverage on Floor & Decor in a research report on Friday, June 23rd. They issued a buy rating and a $120.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Floor & Decor from $105.00 to $110.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $97.53.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of FND. Ahrens Investment Partners LLC bought a new stake in Floor & Decor during the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Spire Wealth Management boosted its position in Floor & Decor by 1,063.3% during the 1st quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 349 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 319 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Floor & Decor during the 1st quarter valued at $39,000. FourThought Financial LLC boosted its position in Floor & Decor by 47.9% during the 3rd quarter. FourThought Financial LLC now owns 463 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted its position in Floor & Decor by 54.2% during the 1st quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 464 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 163 shares in the last quarter.

Floor & Decor Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-channel specialty retailer and commercial flooring distributor in Georgia. The company offers tile, wood, laminate, vinyl, and natural stone flooring products, as well as decorative accessories, wall tiles, and installation materials and tools.

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Revolut's boss Nikolay Storonsky has been critical of Britains extreme bureaucracy - PILAR OLIVARES/REUTERS

The City minister told Revolut chiefs that he could not influence its stalled bid for a UK banking licence at a rare meeting with Britains most valuable fintech company.

Andrew Griffith and officials held talks with Nikolay Storonsky and Martin Gilbert, Revoluts chief executive and chairman, for the first time earlier this month.

It came as the company fights to salvage its application to the Bank of England to become a fully authorised lender.

Sources said that when the issue of Revoluts licence application was raised, Mr Griffith said it was a matter for regulators and he could not speak about it or influence the decision.

One source added that Mr Storonsky and Mr Gilbert accepted that the ball was in their court in terms of its application and understood why Mr Griffith was unable to discuss the issue.

A Revolut spokesman said the company was not seeking to ask Mr Griffith to intervene in the process.

It comes after The Telegraph revealed in May that the Bank of England had told the Treasury that it was planning to reject Revoluts application for a banking licence and was set to issue a statutory warning notice to the company.

However, it is understood that the warning notice has not been served and the company continues to actively pursue a UK banking licence.

Although it has a Lithuanian banking licence, the UK application is regarded as a key milestone in Revoluts development that may help unlock further funding in a tougher market for tech companies.

Revolut has suffered a bruising few months, including the resignation of two senior executives and a warning from its independent auditor that the companys revenues for 2021 may be materially misstated.

City minister Andrew Griffith met with Revolut's bosses earlier this month - Fiona Hanson

The meeting with Mr Griffith came after Mr Gilbert last month met with officials at the Banks Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) in an attempt to salvage its banking licence application.

The PRA previously told Revolut to produce a set of accounts with an unqualified audit opinion and to simplify its share structure before a licence could be granted.

It is understood that Mr Griffith spoke with the Revolut bosses about the companys long-term expansion plans and the state of the UKs fintech sector.

In May, Mr Storonsky hit out against Britains extreme bureaucracy and raised the prospect of moving the company abroad.

One source described the talks as a longstanding commitment, short and a general relationship meeting.

A Revolut spokesman said: We have not and would not ask Andrew Griffith to intervene with our UK banking licence application. To suggest anything else is entirely false.

A Treasury spokesman said: Revolut employs thousands of Brits and is used by millions of UK customers. This meeting was part of routine ministerial engagement with the finance sector. Banking licence applications are a matter for the regulators, not ministers.

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1847 (OTCMKTS:EFSH  Get Free Report) and Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:BAH  Get Free Report) are both multi-sector conglomerates companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk and dividends.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations for 1847 and Booz Allen Hamilton, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score 1847 0 0 0 0 N/A Booz Allen Hamilton 0 2 3 0 2.60

Booz Allen Hamilton has a consensus price target of $111.75, indicating a potential downside of 1.35%. Given Booz Allen Hamiltons higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Booz Allen Hamilton is more favorable than 1847.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets 1847 -15.64% -453.02% -16.73% Booz Allen Hamilton 2.94% 53.60% 9.66%

Dividends

This table compares 1847 and Booz Allen Hamiltons net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

1847 pays an annual dividend of $0.26 per share and has a dividend yield of 116.6%. Booz Allen Hamilton pays an annual dividend of $1.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. Booz Allen Hamilton pays out 93.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Booz Allen Hamilton has increased its dividend for 12 consecutive years.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

7.0% of 1847 shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 89.4% of Booz Allen Hamilton shares are held by institutional investors. 9.0% of 1847 shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.8% of Booz Allen Hamilton shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares 1847 and Booz Allen Hamiltons gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio 1847 $52.26 million 0.02 -$10.16 million N/A N/A Booz Allen Hamilton $9.26 billion 1.60 $271.79 million $2.02 56.08

Booz Allen Hamilton has higher revenue and earnings than 1847.

Summary

Booz Allen Hamilton beats 1847 on 10 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About 1847

(Get Free Report)

1847 Holdings LLC engages in the acquisition and management of small businesses in different industries. It operates through the following segments: Retail and Appliances, Construction, and Automotive Supplies. The Retail and Appliances segment provides a wide variety of appliance services including sales, delivery, installation, service and repair, extended warranties, and financing. The Construction segment offers doors, door frames, base boards, crown molding, cabinetry, bathroom sinks and cabinets, bookcases, built-in closets, and fireplace mantles. The Automotive Supplies segment designs and sells horn and safety products and provides vehicle emergency and safety warning lights for cars, trucks, industrial equipment, and emergency vehicles. The company was founded by Ellery W. Roberts on January 22, 2013 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

About Booz Allen Hamilton

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Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation provides management and technology consulting, analytics, engineering, digital solutions, mission operations, and cyber services to governments, corporations, and not-for-profit organizations in the United States and internationally. It also focuses on artificial intelligence services comprising of machine learning, predictive modeling, automation and decision analytics, and quantum computing. The company offers artificial intelligence, machine learning , and computer network related operations. In addition, it provides data science, engineering, visualization, and analysis related capabilities. Further, the company engages in user experience, user interface, graphic and web design, design thinking, sketching, and digital product design capabilities. Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.

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Loblaw Companies (OTCMKTS:LBLCF  Get Free Report) is one of 62 publicly-traded companies in the Grocery Stores industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its competitors? We will compare Loblaw Companies to related businesses based on the strength of its institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations and risk.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Loblaw Companies and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Loblaw Companies 0 1 0 0 2.00 Loblaw Companies Competitors 1121 2754 3008 115 2.30

Loblaw Companies currently has a consensus price target of $137.75, indicating a potential upside of 54.60%. As a group, Grocery Stores companies have a potential upside of 95.72%. Given Loblaw Companies competitors stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Loblaw Companies has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Profitability

70.9% of Loblaw Companies shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 45.3% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are held by institutional investors. 22.8% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

This table compares Loblaw Companies and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Loblaw Companies N/A N/A N/A Loblaw Companies Competitors 1.92% 15.02% 4.91%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Loblaw Companies and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Loblaw Companies N/A N/A -402.69 Loblaw Companies Competitors $26.96 billion $611.50 million 205.29

Loblaw Companies competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Loblaw Companies. Loblaw Companies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Dividends

Loblaw Companies pays an annual dividend of $0.97 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.1%. Loblaw Companies pays out -438.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Grocery Stores companies pay a dividend yield of 4.3% and pay out 62.1% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Summary

Loblaw Companies competitors beat Loblaw Companies on 11 of the 13 factors compared.

Loblaw Companies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Loblaw Companies Limited, a food and pharmacy company, engages in the grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, financial services, and wireless mobile products and services businesses in Canada. It operates in two segments, Retail and Financial Services. The Retail segment operates corporate and franchise-owned retail food, and associate-owned drug stores. This segment also includes in-store pharmacies, other health and beauty product stores, apparel stores, and other general merchandise stores. The Financial Services segment provides credit card and banking services, the PC Optimum program, insurance brokerage services, and telecommunication services. It also offers PC Health app. The company provides its products and services under various brands. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Brampton, Canada. Loblaw Companies Limited is a subsidiary of George Weston Limited.

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First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. increased its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 2.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 439 shares of the restaurant operators stock after buying an additional 12 shares during the period. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P.s holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $750,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. CVA Family Office LLC increased its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 72.7% during the 1st quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 38 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $65,000 after buying an additional 16 shares during the period. Caprock Group LLC purchased a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 1st quarter worth approximately $340,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC increased its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 20.6% during the 1st quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 41 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $70,000 after buying an additional 7 shares during the period. Valley National Advisers Inc. increased its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 22.7% during the 1st quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 27 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 5 shares during the period. Finally, Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. increased its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4.5% during the 1st quarter. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. now owns 14,000 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $23,916,000 after buying an additional 600 shares during the period. 91.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance

Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock opened at $2,055.98 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $56.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 55.61, a PEG ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 1.31. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a one year low of $1,277.00 and a one year high of $2,147.52. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $2,066.96 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1,783.29.

Insider Activity

Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The restaurant operator reported $10.50 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $8.89 by $1.61. The company had revenue of $2.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.34 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 11.49% and a return on equity of 45.01%. Chipotle Mexican Grills quarterly revenue was up 18.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $5.70 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 44.07 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, CMO Christopher W. Brandt sold 1,013 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,795.00, for a total value of $1,818,335.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 8,125 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,584,375. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, Director Robin S. Hickenlooper sold 74 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,056.73, for a total value of $152,198.02. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 853 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,754,390.69. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CMO Christopher W. Brandt sold 1,013 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,795.00, for a total transaction of $1,818,335.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 8,125 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,584,375. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 12,409 shares of company stock worth $25,292,284 in the last 90 days. 0.96% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. 888 reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,800.00 to $1,950.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,550.00 to $1,885.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Wedbush boosted their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,200.00 to $2,300.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, June 21st. Finally, Argus boosted their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,200.00 to $2,400.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-one have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $2,084.68.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Profile

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It offers burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Newport Beach, California.

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Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 96 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $257,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AZO. AdvisorNet Financial Inc increased its position in AutoZone by 83.3% during the 4th quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 11 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 5 shares in the last quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in AutoZone during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Legacy Bridge LLC acquired a new position in AutoZone during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. MCF Advisors LLC increased its position in AutoZone by 600.0% during the 1st quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 14 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MUFG Americas Holdings Corp increased its position in AutoZone by 166.7% during the 3rd quarter. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp now owns 16 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. 98.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of AutoZone from $2,899.00 to $2,840.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 23rd. Wedbush upped their price target on shares of AutoZone from $2,600.00 to $2,750.00 in a research report on Monday, May 22nd. 3M restated an upgrade rating on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, DA Davidson decreased their price target on shares of AutoZone from $2,425.00 to $2,340.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $2,716.00.

AutoZone Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE AZO opened at $2,556.59 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $46.43 billion, a PE ratio of 20.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 0.68. AutoZone, Inc. has a 12-month low of $2,050.21 and a 12-month high of $2,750.00. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $2,502.10 and its 200 day simple moving average is $2,494.96.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 23rd. The company reported $34.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $30.84 by $3.28. The business had revenue of $4.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.12 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 14.45% and a negative return on equity of 62.38%. AutoZones revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $29.03 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that AutoZone, Inc. will post 130.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at AutoZone

In other AutoZone news, VP Domingo Hurtado sold 90 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,376.49, for a total value of $213,884.10. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 275 shares of the companys stock, valued at $653,534.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other AutoZone news, VP Domingo Hurtado sold 90 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,376.49, for a total value of $213,884.10. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 275 shares of the companys stock, valued at $653,534.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP Charles Pleas III sold 4,200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,546.55, for a total transaction of $10,695,510.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 3,425 shares in the company, valued at $8,721,933.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 8,535 shares of company stock valued at $21,414,854. Corporate insiders own 2.59% of the companys stock.

About AutoZone

(Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories. The company offers various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Its products include A/C compressors, batteries and accessories, bearings, belts and hoses, calipers, chassis, clutches, CV axles, engines, fuel pumps, fuses, ignition and lighting products, mufflers, radiators, starters and alternators, thermostats, and water pumps, as well as tire repairs.

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Arizona State Retirement System cut its holdings in shares of Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS  Free Report) by 2.2% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 162,018 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 3,639 shares during the quarter. Arizona State Retirement Systems holdings in Fidelity National Information Services were worth $8,802,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Korea Investment CORP increased its position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 236,690 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $16,059,000 after purchasing an additional 20,115 shares during the last quarter. Keybank National Association OH increased its position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 7.7% during the 4th quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 6,619 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $449,000 after purchasing an additional 472 shares during the last quarter. Archford Capital Strategies LLC increased its position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 41.4% during the 1st quarter. Archford Capital Strategies LLC now owns 15,754 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $846,000 after purchasing an additional 4,613 shares during the last quarter. Brookstone Capital Management increased its position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 1,294.7% during the 1st quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 64,143 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $3,723,000 after purchasing an additional 59,544 shares during the last quarter. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc grew its stake in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 125.3% during the 1st quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 19,069 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,969,000 after acquiring an additional 10,606 shares during the period. 90.21% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Fidelity National Information Services Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE FIS opened at $59.17 on Friday. Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $48.57 and a 12 month high of $105.16. The company has a current ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $35.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.10, a PEG ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 0.81. The business has a 50-day moving average of $55.56 and a 200-day moving average of $60.27.

Fidelity National Information Services Dividend Announcement

Fidelity National Information Services ( NYSE:FIS Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The information technology services provider reported $1.29 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.20 by $0.09. Fidelity National Information Services had a positive return on equity of 10.66% and a negative net margin of 114.79%. The company had revenue of $3.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.41 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.47 earnings per share. Fidelity National Information Servicess revenue was up .5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. will post 5.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, June 9th were given a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 8th. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.52%. Fidelity National Information Servicess payout ratio is -7.38%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Erik D. Hoag sold 3,451 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.15, for a total value of $186,871.65. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 19,887 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,076,881.05. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, CFO Erik D. Hoag sold 3,451 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.15, for a total value of $186,871.65. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 19,887 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,076,881.05. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Jeffrey A. Goldstein acquired 958 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, April 17th. The stock was bought at an average price of $57.24 per share, with a total value of $54,835.92. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,404 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $309,324.96. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.56% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on FIS shares. 22nd Century Group reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Fidelity National Information Services in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on Fidelity National Information Services from $81.00 to $71.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Atlantic Securities upgraded Fidelity National Information Services from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday. Credit Suisse Group cut their price target on Fidelity National Information Services from $75.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their price target on Fidelity National Information Services from $80.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Monday, July 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Fidelity National Information Services currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $88.39.

Fidelity National Information Services Profile

(Free Report)

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc provides technology solutions for financial institutions and businesses worldwide. It operates through Banking Solutions, Merchant Solutions, and Capital Market Solutions segments. The Banking Solutions segment provides core processing and ancillary applications; mobile and online banking; fraud, risk management, and compliance; electronic funds transfer and network; card and retail payment; wealth and retirement; and item processing and output solutions.

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Arizona State Retirement System lessened its holdings in shares of Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD  Free Report) by 4.4% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,087 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 283 shares during the quarter. Arizona State Retirement Systems holdings in Mettler-Toledo International were worth $9,314,000 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. Ballentine Partners LLC boosted its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 32.0% during the 1st quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 614 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $940,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares during the last quarter. Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in Mettler-Toledo International during the 1st quarter worth $1,430,000. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. boosted its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. now owns 668 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,022,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares during the last quarter. Caprock Group LLC boosted its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 92.6% during the 1st quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 389 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $595,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jennison Associates LLC raised its holdings in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 202.3% during the 1st quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 517 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $791,000 after acquiring an additional 346 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.89% of the companys stock.

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Mettler-Toledo International Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of MTD opened at $1,331.93 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $29.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 1.15. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has a 12-month low of $1,065.55 and a 12-month high of $1,615.97. The companys 50-day moving average price is $1,326.40 and its 200 day moving average price is $1,443.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 76.98.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Mettler-Toledo International ( NYSE:MTD Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The medical instruments supplier reported $8.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $8.61 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $928.70 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $921.19 million. Mettler-Toledo International had a net margin of 22.45% and a negative return on equity of 4,833.51%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $7.87 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. will post 43.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Several research analysts have recently commented on MTD shares. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,513.00 to $1,454.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. StockNews.com started coverage on Mettler-Toledo International in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,675.00 to $1,660.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. 51job reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a report on Monday, May 8th. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price target on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,650.00 to $1,525.00 in a report on Sunday, May 7th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $1,469.50.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Mettler-Toledo International news, insider Ann Ping Richard Wong sold 1,363 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,395.27, for a total transaction of $1,901,753.01. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 380 shares in the company, valued at $530,202.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, insider Gerry Keller sold 449 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,400.00, for a total transaction of $628,600.00. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Ann Ping Richard Wong sold 1,363 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,395.27, for a total value of $1,901,753.01. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 380 shares of the companys stock, valued at $530,202.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 3,417 shares of company stock worth $4,731,561 over the last three months. Company insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock.

Mettler-Toledo International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Mettler-Toledo International Inc manufactures and supplies precision instruments and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through five segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. The company's laboratory instruments include laboratory balances, liquid pipetting solutions, automated laboratory reactors, titrators, pH meters, process analytics sensors and analyzer technologies, physical value analyzers, density and refractometry, thermal analysis systems, and other analytical instruments; and LabX, a laboratory software platform to manage and analyze data generated from its instruments.

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Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. decreased its holdings in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:JHMM  Free Report) by 61.9% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 61,912 shares of the companys stock after selling 100,416 shares during the quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD.s holdings in John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF were worth $2,964,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. DAVENPORT & Co LLC raised its position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 9.6% in the first quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 26,237 shares of the companys stock worth $1,256,000 after buying an additional 2,297 shares in the last quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF in the first quarter worth $243,000. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV raised its position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 44,540.7% in the first quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 36,159 shares of the companys stock worth $1,731,000 after buying an additional 36,078 shares in the last quarter. Amplius Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 6.1% in the first quarter. Amplius Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 612,147 shares of the companys stock worth $29,310,000 after buying an additional 35,097 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IAG Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 8.8% in the first quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 93,668 shares of the companys stock worth $4,485,000 after buying an additional 7,581 shares in the last quarter.

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John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Stock Performance

Shares of JHMM stock opened at $50.61 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.15 billion, a PE ratio of 13.93 and a beta of 1.08. John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF has a 52-week low of $41.96 and a 52-week high of $51.96. The businesss fifty day moving average is $48.11 and its 200 day moving average is $48.15.

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Announces Dividend

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Profile

The company also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 28th were paid a $0.2466 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 27th.

(Free Report)

The John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF (JHMM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the John Hancock Dimensional Mid Cap index. The fund tracks an index of US firms ranked 200-950 by size, weighted by multiple factors relative to their sector peers. JHMM was launched on Sep 28, 2015 and is managed by John Hancock.

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Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. cut its stake in shares of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW  Free Report) by 1.4% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 701,759 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 9,867 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc.s holdings in Sherwin-Williams were worth $157,734,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Sherwin-Williams by 49.1% during the 1st quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC now owns 316 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $71,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D lifted its stake in Sherwin-Williams by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 145,970 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $32,810,000 after acquiring an additional 984 shares in the last quarter. Slow Capital Inc. raised its stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 30.3% during the 1st quarter. Slow Capital Inc. now owns 13,643 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $3,067,000 after purchasing an additional 3,176 shares during the period. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. raised its stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. now owns 122,936 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $27,632,000 after purchasing an additional 4,900 shares during the period. Finally, Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. raised its stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. now owns 7,017 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $1,577,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the period. 75.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Sherwin-Williams Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of SHW opened at $267.04 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $243.53 and its 200-day moving average price is $234.50. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a twelve month low of $195.24 and a twelve month high of $267.68. The stock has a market cap of $68.87 billion, a PE ratio of 32.77, a P/E/G ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.03.

Sherwin-Williams Dividend Announcement

Sherwin-Williams ( NYSE:SHW Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.04 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.84 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $5.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.14 billion. Sherwin-Williams had a return on equity of 86.29% and a net margin of 9.41%. The companys revenue was up 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.61 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that The Sherwin-Williams Company will post 8.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, May 19th were given a $0.605 dividend. This represents a $2.42 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 18th. Sherwin-Williamss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.69%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on SHW shares. 58.com reiterated an upgrade rating on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research note on Monday, June 26th. StockNews.com started coverage on Sherwin-Williams in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Loop Capital lifted their target price on Sherwin-Williams from $285.00 to $290.00 in a research note on Friday, June 30th. Barclays lifted their target price on Sherwin-Williams from $220.00 to $240.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on Sherwin-Williams from $260.00 to $265.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $262.11.

Sherwin-Williams Profile

(Free Report)

The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coating, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. It operates through three segments: The Americas Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group. The Americas Group segment offers architectural paints and coatings, and protective and marine products, as well as OEM product finishes and related products for architectural and industrial paint contractors, and do-it-yourself homeowners.

Further Reading

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Hong Kong: Alice Mak to visit Beijing

Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak will depart for Beijing tomorrow for a three-day visit aimed at strengthening exchanges and collaboration on district governance, youth development and womens affairs.

During her trip to the capital, Miss Mak will call on the State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office and the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan & Overseas Chinese of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference National Committee.

She will also visit the All-China Womens Federation, the All-China Youth Federation and other groups.

Additionally, the youth affairs chief will officiate at the inauguration ceremony of two youth internship schemes and meet Hong Kong students and youths in Beijing.

The two schemes are the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Internship Programme at Palace Museum and the Youth Internship Programme at Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Miss Mak will return to Hong Kong on July 19. During her absence, Under Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Clarence Leung will be Acting Secretary.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
If you're not sure where to start when looking for the next multi-bagger, there are a few key trends you should keep an eye out for. Firstly, we'll want to see a proven return on capital employed (ROCE) that is increasing, and secondly, an expanding base of capital employed. Ultimately, this demonstrates that it's a business that is reinvesting profits at increasing rates of return. So when we looked at Concrete Engineering Products Berhad (KLSE:CEPCO) and its trend of ROCE, we really liked what we saw.

What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

If you haven't worked with ROCE before, it measures the 'return' (pre-tax profit) a company generates from capital employed in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Concrete Engineering Products Berhad:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.067 = RM3.8m  (RM142m - RM86m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to February 2023).

Therefore, Concrete Engineering Products Berhad has an ROCE of 6.7%. On its own that's a low return, but compared to the average of 3.9% generated by the Basic Materials industry, it's much better.

View our latest analysis for Concrete Engineering Products Berhad

roce

Historical performance is a great place to start when researching a stock so above you can see the gauge for Concrete Engineering Products Berhad's ROCE against it's prior returns. If you'd like to look at how Concrete Engineering Products Berhad has performed in the past in other metrics, you can view this free graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What Does the ROCE Trend For Concrete Engineering Products Berhad Tell Us?

Like most people, we're pleased that Concrete Engineering Products Berhad is now generating some pretax earnings. The company was generating losses five years ago, but now it's turned around, earning 6.7% which is no doubt a relief for some early shareholders. Additionally, the business is utilizing 54% less capital than it was five years ago, and taken at face value, that can mean the company needs less funds at work to get a return. The reduction could indicate that the company is selling some assets, and considering returns are up, they appear to be selling the right ones.

For the record though, there was a noticeable increase in the company's current liabilities over the period, so we would attribute some of the ROCE growth to that. The current liabilities has increased to 60% of total assets, so the business is now more funded by the likes of its suppliers or short-term creditors. Given it's pretty high ratio, we'd remind investors that having current liabilities at those levels can bring about some risks in certain businesses.

The Bottom Line

In summary, it's great to see that Concrete Engineering Products Berhad has been able to turn things around and earn higher returns on lower amounts of capital. Considering the stock has delivered 14% to its stockholders over the last five years, it may be fair to think that investors aren't fully aware of the promising trends yet. So exploring more about this stock could uncover a good opportunity, if the valuation and other metrics stack up.

Since virtually every company faces some risks, it's worth knowing what they are, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Concrete Engineering Products Berhad (of which 1 is potentially serious!) that you should know about.

For those who like to invest in solid companies, check out this free list of companies with solid balance sheets and high 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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The most you can lose on any stock (assuming you don't use leverage) is 100% of your money. But if you buy shares in a really great company, you can more than double your money. For instance the ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) share price is 168% higher than it was three years ago. Most would be happy with that. Meanwhile the share price is 3.7% higher than it was a week ago.

Since the stock has added US$4.7b to its market cap in the past week alone, let's see if underlying performance has been driving long-term returns.

See our latest analysis for ConocoPhillips

To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

ConocoPhillips was able to grow its EPS at 58% per year over three years, sending the share price higher. The average annual share price increase of 39% is actually lower than the EPS growth. Therefore, it seems the market has moderated its expectations for growth, somewhat. We'd venture the lowish P/E ratio of 8.21 also reflects the negative sentiment around the stock.

The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here..

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. As it happens, ConocoPhillips' TSR for the last 3 years was 201%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

A Different Perspective

We're pleased to report that ConocoPhillips shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 36% over one year. And that does include the dividend. Since the one-year TSR is better than the five-year TSR (the latter coming in at 13% per year), it would seem that the stock's performance has improved in recent times. In the best case scenario, this may hint at some real business momentum, implying that now could be a great time to delve deeper. 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. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with ConocoPhillips (at least 1 which is concerning) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

ConocoPhillips 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.

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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Cool, there's freebies and deals for National Ice Cream Day at Baskin Robbins, Dairy Queen, more

Here's the scoop: Sunday is National Ice Cream Day.

Many of us don't need a special day to scream for ice cream, but back in 1984, President Reagan felt one was needed. He proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month and a the third Sunday of July as National Ice Cream Day, too, saying, "Ice cream is a nutritious and wholesome food, enjoyed by over 90% of the people in the United States. It enjoys a reputation as the perfect dessert and snack food."

Can't argue with that. There's always room for ice cream. On average, we each eat about 20 pounds of ice cream annually, or about four gallons, according to the International Dairy Foods Association.

National Ice Cream Month: We're spending more on ice cream, but getting less

In the U.S., we went on an ice cream spending spree during the 2020 pandemic year, with ice cream sales up 17%, to $8 billion, according to Circana, formerly IRI and The NPD Group, based on sales at grocery stores, drug stores, mass market and convenience stores. After a 6.7% decline in 2021, sales rose 5% in 2022.

It looks like we're treating ourselves again, however, as ice cream sales over the last 52 weeks rose 8% and topped $8.1 billion, However, we're spending more and getting less, thanks to inflation, as unit sales are down 3.2% over that time period.

And we can now select from seemingly endless flavor choices  Baskin Robbins famous for offering 31 flavors now has created more than 1,400. Vanilla remains the favorite, at least when consumers buy ice cream by the pail instead of the pint, according to 84.51, a retail data tracking firm. Next favorites: chocolate and Neapolitan. On the rise: Birthday cake-flavored ice cream.

Another sign of vanilla's dominance: Vanilla accounted for 30% of all ice cream purchases through Instacart, from June 2022 to May 2023, with it being the favorite flavor of 21 states. Chocolate is the favorite in 15 states.

Vanilla accounted for 30% of all ice cream purchases through Instacart from June 2022 to May 2023, with it being the favorite flavor of 21 states. Chocolate is the favorite in 15 states.

Vanilla reigns because of its versatility, said Instacarts trends expert Laurentia Romaniuk in a statement accompanying the ice cream data. "The luscious vanilla flavor effortlessly enhances a variety of desserts, whether it's nestled in a chocolate sundae, paired a-la-mode with a slice of pie or cobbler, or simply savored in its pure form with a delightful sprinkle topping," she said.

Ok, now we're officially craving some ice cream. Here's all the deals, discounts and freebies for celebrating National Ice Cream Day and National Ice Cream Month.

National Ice Cream Day: Here's the scoop on the sweetest gifts to celebrate

Baskin-Robbins

Baskin-Robbins has been celebrating National Ice Cream Month throughout July. Starting Sunday and through July 22, you can get $5 off your purchase of $20 or more through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Postmates or with the promo code SEIZETHEYAY on all orders on BaskinRobbins.com or the Baskin-Robbins app. In Baskin-Robbins shops, redeem the coupon found in app at checkout. And mark your calendar for July 31, for the ice cream chain's Celebrate 31 event when guests get 31% off all scoops (Waffle cones, toppings, and sundaes are excluded from discount.)

New in July at Baskin-Robbins is the Oreo Mega Stuf Cone, at right, an Oreo waffle cone with Oreo creme, two scoops of Baskin-Robbins classic Oreo Cookies n Cream Ice Cream, and topped with whipped cream and Oreo cookie pieces. There's also an Oreo Mega Stuf Cappuccino Blast, with drizzled Oreo creme.

Bubbie's Mochi Ice Cream discounts and free ice cream in Miami

Bubbies Ice Cream, which wraps premium ice cream in a sweet mochi rice dough, has 6-packs priced at $4.99 (nearly 30% off) on Saturday and Sunday at Sprouts and Whole Foods nationwide. Also those days, you can get free mochi ice cream at the Bubbies Ice Cream Pop-up inside Showfields Miami department store and at a street cart outside the store (12-7 p.m. EST).

Also from July 20-26, you can buy one Bubbies 6-pack and get one free at all Publix stores.

Carvel has a $5 discount on National Ice Cream Day deliveries

Carvel has a special delivery deal for National Ice Cream Day on Sunday: Get $5 off any Carvel order of $25 or more on Carvel.com or from DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats. Valid at participating shops and while supplies last. Taxes and fees not included.

For National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, July 16, you can get $5 off any Carvel order of $25 or more on Carvel.com or from DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats.

Cold Stone Creamery

Through Thursday, July 20, members of the My Cold Stone Club Rewards loyalty program will get surprise offers in the app when they place an order on ColdStoneCreamery.com or in the Cold Stone app. They will get code to use at checkout.

To celebrate National Ice Cream Month, through the rest of July, My Cold Stone Club Rewards members can also get 99-cent deliveries on orders of $20 or more placed online or in the app (when you place an order and select delivery, the 99-cent delivery fee will automatically be applied at checkout). Also through July 31, any customer who buys $25 in gift cards online will get a $5 bonus e-gift sent via email to them.

Craigs Veganice cream half-off pints online for National Ice Cream Day

Through Sunday, you can get 50% off all pints ordered online using code ICECREAMDAY at checkout. Also available all summer: three vegan ice cream cakes, launched in celebration of National Ice Cream Cake Day on June 27. Flavors include Vegan Rainbow Explosion Cake, Sunset & Strawberry, and Kurstens Peanut Butter Crunch.

Healthiest ice cream revealed: Is 'healthy,' low-calorie ice cream worth the hype?

Dairy Queen has a deal on dipped cones for National Ice Cream Day

At Dairy Queen on Sunday, you get $1 off any soft serve dipped cone (excluding kids cones) through the DQ App. (You must download and register for DQ Rewards to activate the deal. (One deal per customer. May not be combined with any other offer and may not be available for delivery or mobile ordering.)

For National Ice Cream Day on July 16, Dairy Queen restaurants will have $1 off any Dipped Cone in the DQ Rewards app.

Dippin' Dots has National Ice Cream Day freebies and a delivery discount

Dippin Dots is giving away free servings of their original beaded ice cream at participating locations nationwide. You can also get a free mini cup of your favorite Dippin' Dots flavor during a two-hour window on Sunday at participating locations. Giveaway locations can be found at www.dippindots.com/locator  contact your nearest location as each will have their own giveaway hours (one per customer).

Want Dippin' Dots delivered? Get 20% off online orders on Sunday at www.dippindots.com using the promo code NICD23.

DoorDash has $5 off an ice cream bundle and a $5 DashPass deal

DoorDash has a $5 discount on its DashPass Jason Biggs Ice Cream Bundle ($14.99, Apple Strudel ice cream topped with crumbles and Peach with Chili Flakes sorbet) from DashMart on the DoorDash app (while supplies last). There are more than 25 DashMarts across the nation including in Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dallas, Salt Lake City, the greater Phoenix area, and Redwood City, CA.

Another deal gets you $5 off when you buy two products (mix and match) from various ice cream brands including Talenti, Ben & Jerrys, Breyers, Popsicle, Magnum, Good Humor and Klondike. But you must be a subscriber of the DashPass service ($9.99/month or $96/year), which includes $0 delivery fees and other benefits. The offer is good throughout the final week of the Summer of DashPass (to July 19, in select stores).

DoorDash has a $5 discount on its DashPass Jason Biggs Ice Cream Bundle ($14.99, Apple Strudel ice cream topped with crumbles and Peach with Chili Flakes sorbet) from DashMart on the DoorDash app (while supplies last).

Friendlys 88-cent ice cream cone deal starts Saturday for National Ice Cream Day

You can get 88-cent single scoop cones Saturday to Wednesday at Friendlys. Also on Saturday, the first 88 people in the store will get limited-edition Friendlys merchandise, a Happy Ending Sundae, and kids Monster Mash tattoos.

Happy Joes 99-cent ice cream cone deal on National Ice Cream Day

Happy Joes is celebrating National Ice Cream Day with 99-cent cones from Sunday, July 16, through July 30 (one per person).

A&W root beer and cream soda lawsuit: You may be eligible for some of $15 million settlement

River Street Sweets' homemade ice cream samples

You always get free samples at this Savannah-based ice cream purveyor, which makes homemade ice cream and gelato on site at its flagship store in Savannah and locations in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, and Atlanta. The most popular flavors at River Street Sweets are Pralines N' Cream and Chocolate, and Bear Claw Ice Cream made with chocolate turtle candies.

River Street Sweets serves fresh, homemade ice cream and gelato made on the premises.

Salt & Straw's Deal: Get a free pint of ice cream when you buy 3

For National Ice Cream Day, buy three pints and get one free on local delivery orders placed on saltandstraw.com.

Also, throughout the month of July, try the Berries Berries Berries flavors, available in scoop shops and shipped nationwide. Flavors include: Birthday Cake & Blackberries, Goat Cheese Marionberry Habanero, and GoNanas Strawberry Caramel Banana Bread, a vegan ice cream.

Tillamook County Creamery debuts three new flavors for National Ice Cream Day

Test out three new limited-edition flavors from Tillamook available now:

Neapolitan: This version of the classic three-flavored treat includes Oregon Strawberry with real strawberry chunks, chocolate ice cream with chocolate ripple, plus old fashioned vanilla.

Orange and Cream: Orange and sweet cream ice creams come together in this flavor.

Campfire Peanut Butter Cup: Toasted marshmallow ice cream with fudge swirls and miniature chocolatey peanut butter cups.

Tillamook has three new limited-edition flavors in stores in time for National Ice Cream Day: Neapolitan, Orange and Cream, and Campfire Peanut Butter Cup (show here).

Van Leeuwen free ice cream on Tuesday in New York City

Keep the National Ice Cream Month celebration going at the Van Leeuwens pop up at Greene & Prince streets in SoHo, where the company started in an ice cream truck in 2008. You can get free ice cream on Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. ET. Co-founders Ben Van Leeuwen and Laura O'Neill well be there, along with their new official ice cream taster.

Van Leeuwen is also launching ice cream sandwiches for shipping nationwide, flavors include double chocolate cheesecake, honeycomb caramel, vegan double chocolate vanilla and vegan honeycomb snickerdoodle.

Whole Foods annual frozen treats sale  up to 35% off ice cream

Whole Foods Market is celebrating National Ice Cream Day with its annual frozen treats sale. That means through Tuesday, July 18, Amazon Prime members can get 35% off  non-Prime shoppers get 27% off  on all ice cream and frozen treats including 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Ice Cream Sandwiches, the new Van Leeuwen Black Cherry Chip French Ice Cream, and KIND Chocolate Cherry Almond & Nut Frozen Treat Bars. (Prices vary and some restrictions apply.)

Whole Foods Market is celebrating National Ice Cream Day with its annual frozen treats sale. That means through Tuesday, July 18, Amazon Prime members can get 35% off  non-Prime shoppers get 27% off  on all ice cream and frozen treats including 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Ice Cream Sandwiches,

Yogurtland

Members of Yogurtland's Real Rewards loyalty program get double points Sunday for any purchase in stores or online. Allow up to 24 hours for reward points to be applied.

Yonutz free smashed ice cream treat for National Ice Cream Day

On Sunday starting at 2 p.m. local time, the first 50 customers at Yonutz get a free Create Yo! Own Smashed Ice Cream treat. The dessert destination, with nine current locations, lets you create your snack with ice cream, Nutella, cookie dough, Oreos and Chips Ahoy! cookies, mini donuts, birthday cake, rainbow sprinkles and more.

Follow Mike Snider on Twitter: @mikesnider.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National Ice Cream Day 2023 Deals: Where to get free scoops, discounts
[July 14, 2023] CHARLES RIVER 96 HOUR DEADLINE ALERT: Former Louisiana Attorney General and Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Remind Investors With Losses in Excess of $100,000 of Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. - CRL Tweet

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until July 18, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL), if they purchased the Company's securities between May 5, 2020 and February 21, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. What You May Do If you purchased securities of Charles River 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 ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-crl/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action by overseeing lead counsel with the goal of obtaining a fair and just resolution, you must request this position by application to the Court by July 18, 2023.



About the Lawsuit Charles River and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On February 22, 2023, pre-market, the Company disclosed that it had received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice relating to an ongoing investigation in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service into the supply chain and illegal importation of non-human primates for research, and that the Company voluntarily suspended shipments of primates from Cambodia, which would negatively impact its earnings for the year and would reduce revenue growth by 200 basis points to 400 basis points. On this news, shares of Charles River fell $24.51, or 10%, to close at $219.09 per share on February 22, 2023, on unusually heavy trading volume. The case is Coleman v. Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-11132. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230714397028/en/

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[July 15, 2023] IIITH Celebrates Corporate Founders Day Tweet

Telangana State Govt has immensely benefited from IIIT Hyderabad. It is a jewel in our crown: Jayesh Ranjan Six Corporate Funding Partners of IIIT Hyderabad -- namely IBM, Oracle, Metamor, Microsoft, Motorola and Satyam, were honoured HYDERABAD, India, July 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of IIITH's Silver Jubilee Celebrations, the International Institute of Information Technology(IIIT) Hyderabad celebrated its Founders Day here on its campus at Gachibowli in a late evening function on Friday. Ms. Debjani Ghosh. the President of NASSCOM joined virtually. Mr Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Govt of Telangana graced the event along with Prof Raj Reddy, founding and present chairman of IIITH's governing council. The event, which was attended by industry leaders included the felicitation of IIITH's 6 corporate founding partners namely IBM, Oracle, Metamor, Microsoft, Motorola and Satyam, interesting conversations around research trends, and a showcase of emerging technologies. It was encouraging to see the presence of industry leaders from across tech industries from Hyderabad and across the country. The industry has played a key role through IIITH's 25 years in funding research, and innovation and also hiring IT students. Congratulating IIITH on its 25th milestone, Ms Debjani Ghosh said, "Nasscom partnered with IIIT Hyderabad, as a founding partner during its inception in 1998, to put the plan in place towards making India a true talent hub for the rest of the nation. The vision was to build a dedicated istitute that would focus on technology learning and research with very strong industry partnerships. The pedagogy was designed to prepare students with experiential learning and entrepreneurship approach. Overall I think the lack of legacy combined with the innovative governance model that was available in the PPP model tremendously helped us. And while India now has 20 IIITs, IIIT Hyderabad is the only institution where Nasscom is a founding partner and we are very proud of this association, this partnership and the journey that we have been on together. It is just fantastic to see what this institute has achieved over the past 25 years under the leadership of Prof. Raj Reddy, Prof. P J Narayanan and the entire team".



Mr Jayesh Rajan while addressing the 250+ industry gathering said the State Government has also immensely benefited from IIIT Hyderabad. "It is a jewel in our crown", he said. He added that Telangana has made tremendous progress in the last 9 years, unlike any other states in the country. He asked three things from IIITH. 1) Leverage your quality education for the benefit of 256 engineering and other colleges in the state. 2) Work with government on societal problems and solutions. 3) Make the excellency of your faculty available to other colleges, industry and society at large. Prof Raj Reddy spoke about education and research. IIITH is known for project-oriented learning, learning by doing. This is going to be the centre of learning in future. The future of education is going to be the Waterloo Model. This model allows partly to study and partly to work.

Mr. Srini Raju, Governing Council member spoke about Vision 2050. He said it is neither the government nor the private institute. It is truly a public institute. This education model had a ripple effect and a lot of institutions have come up with this model. IIITH has been successful in the past 25 years in giving good and quality engineers to industries he said. He urged corporates to join in its journey. Prof P.J Narayanan, Director said IIIT is a public institute. It is the institute by the society, for the society and of the society. It is governed by the enlightened board of the governing council. Speaking further he added that no software product can be produced in the world without India being in it. About IIIT-Hyderabad: The International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H) is an autonomous research university founded in 1998 that focuses on the core areas of Information Technology, such as Computer Science, Electronics and Communications, and their applications in other domains through inter-disciplinary research that has a greater social impact. Some of its research domains include Visual Information Technologies, Human Language Technologies, Data Engineering, VLSI and Embedded Systems, Computer Architecture, Wireless Communications, Algorithms and Information Security, Robotics, Building Science, Earthquake Engineering, Cognitive Science, Computational Natural Sciences and Bioinformatics, Education Technologies, Power Systems, IT in Agriculture and e-Governance.

Website: www.iiit.ac.in Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1900509/IIITH_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/iiith-celebrates-corporate-founders-day-301878012.html

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Right now we roundup deets from the today's deadly crime scene as the 30% spike in local homicides continues to tick upward and threatens to break another historic record.



Here's the report and more info . . .



Homicide 1300 block of E. 81st Ter



This morning just after 9:00am, officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of E 81st Ter on a reported EMS call.



Upon arrival, officers located an adult male unresponsive in the backyard of a residence, suffering from suspected gun shot wounds.



EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.



Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel have responded to process the scene for evidence. This scene is being investigated as a homicide.



The investigation is ongoing at this time.



Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 816-234-5043. Or if you wish to remain anonymous you can do so by calling the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information provided to TIPS which leads to an arrest in the case.



We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency.



We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.



#################

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Kansas City police investigating homicide after man found dead in backyard of home Kansas City police are investigating the city's 107th homicide of the year after an adult male was found dead in the backyard of a home.

Police launch homicide investigation after man shot to death in south Kansas City A homicide investigation is underway after a man was shot to death Friday morning in south Kansas City, Missouri.

Man found shot dead behind Kansas City home near 81st, Tracy Kansas City police are investigating a homicide after a man was found fatally shot behind a home near 81st Street and Tracy Avenue Friday.

Developing . . .


Right now we focus on a quick roundup whilst local media are still talking about tree limbs.

In this compilation we focus on indictments, violent crime aftermath, scary deets of local atrocities . . . And just a bit of hope toward the end of the post.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Man charged following drugstore robbery on July 5 in KCMO A man has been charged following a robbery at a drugstore on July 5 in Kansas City, Missouri.

2 Kansas City area men sentenced for kidnapping, torturing man in Wyandotte County The victim was shot, beaten and stabbed, court documents state.

Wyandotte County jury convicts man of first-degree murder in death of Kansas City, Kansas woman A jury on Friday found Verlee McCullough guilty of first-degree murder.

Slain NKC officer Daniel Vasquez's accused murderer set for trial in fall of 2025 Joshua Rocha, the man accused of murdering North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez last summer during a traffic stop, will go on trial beginning in September 2025.

Kansas City man faces long recovery after being struck by wrong-way driver on I-70 "I was working Uber, trying to earn money for my family. And then the next thing I know, I woke up and I was in a hospital,"

Survivor Transforms Tragedy Into Service For years, amending the law to require just one act fizzled. Other states had done so, but their attempts included survivor impact testimony. Kansas had not until 2017 when Valdivia and others stepped forward to share their stories. From tragedy to triumph, Valdivia helped change Kansas law so other survivors could receive the help she did not.

Organizations advocate counseling from an early age to help cut down the number of homicides in KCMO Sunnie Carney lost her father to homicide and now she tries to help children who also lost a family member to murder.

Developing . . .
Right now we share just a bit of donation funded journalism (lulz) and today's teachable moment . . .



"Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights as well as the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice spell out what families should expect under federal civil rights and education laws: effective and competent communication in a language they understand."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Know your rights: Your child's school must communicate in a language you understand You shouldn't have to rely on your child translating conversations. Instead, a school should provide effective interpretation and translation.

Cherokee class coming to Kansas City Public Schools this fall Indigenous languages face a high risk of dying out after centuries of being prohibited. Kansas City Public Schools are trying to change that by bringing the Cherokee language to East High this fall.

Develping . . .
Court ruling means JPMorgan may soon start discovery in Frank founders case, and more juicy texts are released: Youll have 4.5 million users today2.3 cents per user

JPMorgan Chase is one step closer to deposing Charlie Javice, the millennial founder who allegedly used fake data to fool the bank into buying her startup for $175 million.

JPMorgan Chase has been unable to question Javice, the former CEO of financial aid startup Frank. In December, the bank sued the entrepreneur, and Olivier Amar, Franks chief growth officer, claiming that the executives committed securities fraud when they sold Frank to JPMorgan Chase in September 2021. The bank alleges that Javice hired an unnamed data scientist to create fake data that she used to trick JPMorgan into believing Frank had 4.25 million customers. Frank, in reality, had about 300,000. (Javice has continually maintained her innocence and has said the bank knew exactly what it was buying.)

In March, Amar filed a motion to dismiss the case against him. The executive claimed he wasnt a party to the Frank sale transaction, that he attended only one meeting with JPMorgan Chase before the merger and that he legitimately acquired data that wasnt used in the negotiation of the Frank sale, according to a March 1 court filing from Amar.

The big impact of Amars motion to dismiss was that it triggered a stay of discovery. This means JPMorgan Chase has been unable to question Javice, or Amar, as well as the data scientist who created the fake list, and any of Franks former employees. Javice herself has complained about the lack of discovery. The Frank founder has not had access to valuable evidence, including the documents and emails that JPMorgan Chase has publicized, that will exonerate her, according to court filings. Javice has alleged that JPMorgan Chase has cherry-picked documents and used them to vilify her in the press and with regulators, according to a June 1 court filing from Javice. Javice, however, had sought partial discovery while JPMorgan Chase wanted full discovery.

JPMorgan Chase may finally get its chance to confront Javice. A Delaware district court judge on July 13 denied Amars motion. Joshua Wolson, a Delaware District Court judge, said JPMorgan Chases complaint contained myriad facts that show Amar knew of the plan to trick the bank into thinking Frank had over 4.25 million users, and that Amar took acts in furtherance of that plan, a July 13 court filing said. While Amar didnt hire the data science professor, he did buy a list of student data from ASL Marketing for $105,000 that he gave to JPMorgan Chase in January 2022, four months after the Frank sale closed, the filing said. The bank used the ASL data to test a marketing campaign targeting Franks customers. The marketing campaign failed, only 28% of emails were delivered and 1% were opened, according to JPMorgan Chases December complaint. This failure spurred the bank to begin investigating Frank, and led them to discover Javices and Amars lies, the fake customer list and the ASL list, the July 13 court filing said.

Mr. Amars only argument is that JPMC doesnt allege he engaged in any fraudulent conduct. I suggest he go back and read the Complaint in its entirety, Judge Wolson said.

Javice, who founded Frank in 2017, faces litigation on several fronts. In addition to JPMorgan Chases complaint, the Department of Justice in April filed criminal charges against her, charging Javice with separate counts of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, wire fraud, and bank fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, according to the lawsuit. The Securities and Exchange Commission has also sued Javice. She has pleaded not guilty and is free on $2 million bail.

Earlier this week, the DOJ indicted Amar and charged him with the same four counts. The SEC also added him as a defendant in their complaint against Javice, according to a July 12 filing. Amar has pleaded not guilty and is free on a $1 million bond.

Javice and Amar could not be reached for comment. Javice is seeking a trial in the JPMorgan Chase lawsuit but a date has not been set.

JPMorgan Chase, with many of its filings, provided several text messages that aim to show Javices guilt. The amended SEC complaint is no different and includes several WhatsApp texts between Javice and Amar. In one conversation, from August 2021, Javice texted Amar about her call to the data science professor. I found my genius. He says it will take an hour[.], she said, according to the SEC lawsuit.

Another text message from August 2021 details Amars efforts to secure the data list from ASL. He messages Javice: Youll have 4.5 million users today. Just closed it[.] 2.3 cents per user. [$]105k price.

Javice responded: [P]e[r]fect.

The SEC complaint also provided more info on how much the executives made from the Frank sale. Javice received about $10 million directly from the Frank transaction as well as millions more indirectly, the SEC filing said. JPMorgan Chase hired her as a managing director and her employment agreement included a $20 million retention bonus, the SEC complaint said. By comparison, Amar got about $5 million in proceeds from the merger and his employment agreement included a $3 million retention bonus.

JPMorgan Chase plans to pursue discovery in its case against Javice, a person familiar with the litigation said. But before the parties can start pouring through the documents, the attorneys will hold a conference where they discuss what they will share and when, said Lynette Byrd, a criminal defense attorney with law firm Oberheiden, who is also a former federal prosecutor.

There is also a chance that the DOJ will file a motion to intervene and stay the JPMorgan lawsuit, the person said. Last month, the DOJ successfully stayed the SECs case against Javice, according to a July 23 filing from the DOJ.

Byrd doesnt think that will happen. Its more likely that Javices attorneys will file a separate motion to stay the civil case pending resolution of the criminal case, she said. Javice would then not have to defend herself in two separate cases, plus face discovery in the JPMorgan Chases lawsuit. No. The DOJ would not seek to stay the civil case. Its actually beneficial for them to see that discovery play out, Byrd said.

One things for sure: This saga is far from over.

Note: The headline of this piece has been updated to clarify that the texts were released as part of the new court filing.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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Our snarky post title isn't just a metaphor.

As locals awaken to a muggy and hot-ass day . . .

WE NOTICE NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT KANSAS CITY STILL DON'T HAVE ANY ELECTRICITY!!!

As of this writing . . . The probs seem worse on the South side as many voice frustration amid this 15 hour blackout and before their phones go dark.

Also . . . It's fun to watch Evergy PR attempt to hijack and spin local social media threads.

Here's their statement to start the day . . .

As of 7 a.m., we have about 100,000 customers without power in our service area, the energy company tweeted Saturday morning. Weve been able to restore power to nearly half of customers who were out. Restoration will take multiple days to complete.



Evergy said more than 186,000 customers lost power as high winds from storms moved across Kansas and Missouri. The storm carried a tornado warning shortly after 3 p.m. Friday in Douglas and Jefferson County, and severe thunderstorm warnings across various counties.



Meanwhile, police sent out this cryptic advice overnight that won't hold up once the temperature moves past 84 degrees today . . .



Residents should lock all windows and doors.



Be aware of security systems being inoperative in addition to air conditioning units. Be careful when using candles to provide light, and make sure they are out before going to bed or leaving residences.



Police advise to check on family members with health issues and elderly neighbors.

The temperatures rise today . . . Expect the complaints to worsen . . .



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Live updates: Over 115,000 metro residents without power; Evergy requests assistance from region Severe weather has left thousands without power and damage across the Kansas City metro area.

Kansas Citians spend Saturday morning navigating power outages, storm damage The sounds of chainsaws and utility workers joined the usual sounds of a July Saturday this morning.

Curbside storm damage brush collection activated in Fairway "Public works is in the process of making sure all streets are open and are not removing any limbs at this time," the city said.

'It took me a little bit by surprise': Residents in Mission react to storm damage Across Johnson County, people rushed to get home in bumper-to-bumper traffic, but that was made difficult by storm debris blocking roadways.

Friday's weather outbreak was one of the strongest windstorms the metro has had in years Storms like the one the metro had on Friday don't come along too often.

Prairie Village pummeled by storm on Friday On Friday night, the mayor of Prairie Village, Kansas, declared a citywide emergency.

Police share tips on how to stay safe at home when power is out Kansas City police share tips on how to keep valuables safe when power is out in your home.

Developing . . .
The heatwave codenamed 'Kleon', which has been affecting Greece over the past four days has led to scorching temperatures of 42C, 43C, and even 44C, according to weather stations of the National Observatory of Athens and meteo.gr, it was reported on Saturday, ANA reports.

On Friday, 87 weather stations nationwide recorded highs above 40 degrees Celsius, with 14 stations registering highs above 42C. The absolute maximum temperature of 44.2C was recorded in the region of Thiva.

Kleon peaked with such high temperatures on both Friday and Saturday, Associate Researcher at the Institute for Environmental Research & Sustainable Development of the National Observatory of Athens, Dr. Theodore Giannaros, told Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) on Saturday.

Nevertheless, he went on, in Western Greece high temperatures will persist on Sunday as well, well into the 40Cs. In the rest of the country, it will drop 2-3 degrees - marginally below 40 degrees Celsius."

Intense hot weather will indeed persist until the middle of next week, he noted, and from July 20-21 onwards "we will have another adverse rise in temperatures, to the level of yet another heatwave", he underlined.

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: pixabay.com
Unless a deal is reached, about 3,700 grocery store workers at Metro are set to strike. - Metroland file photo
Cracking a book: Between the Covers celebrates 10 years with trivia, pie Fridays and more

HARBOR SPRINGS  Throughout July, Between the Covers will be celebrating two milestones: 10 years of the current ownership and 40 years of the Harbor Springs bookstore.

For owner Katie Boeckl, the time passed has seemed both short and long.

Like having children, it feels fast and slow at the same time, Boeckl said.

Between the Covers owner Katie Boeckl poses in the store on July 12, 2023.

Boeckl had been working in bookstores since she was 14, but when she was contacted to see if she was interested in buying the store from a previous owner, Boeckl said it still felt like a leap of faith.

Now, 10 years later, Boeckl and the store are celebrating the milestone.

The goal was to have entertaining options for regular customers and weekenders alike  without adding to the employees workload too much.

Throughout July  one of the store's busiest months, Boeckl said  there will be daily trivia questions, character dress up contests, pie Fridays and more. There are also in-store scavenger hunts, geocaches with books hidden throughout Harbor Springs, and gift certificate bonus days.

With the events, Boeckl is able to celebrate the store and the many changes it has seen in the past decade. Since Boeckl took over, the store relocated to their current space from a basement unit down the street, and the store has found a great partnership with the Festival of the Book.

Boeckl added that the store has also created close partnerships with Harbor Springs Public Schools, from selling books to giving presentations to classes.

Between the Covers is located at 106 E. Main St. in Harbor Springs.

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Boeckl said she likes the small space the store offers, which allows them to carefully curate the available books.

Because we're only roughly 900 square feet of selling space, we can be picky in what we put on the shelves and it has to be curated to what, A) our booksellers want to sell and feel good about selling, and B) what we know our very frequent customers want to read or what we think we can encourage them to read, she said.

Boeckl said its nice that Harbor Springs is more of a resort town than a tourist town, so many of the customers are people who will be staying for the full summer and visiting often.

There's a lot more resort families that return every summer, so while they're not full-time residents, they're definitely part-time residents who we recognize and we know their grandkids year to year, and they're here three months and not just for a weekend, she said. "So it's easier still to have connection with those people.

Children's books on display at Between the Covers.

Boeckl said she knows Harbor Springs is more a destination than some place you just stop in while passing through, but she encourages people to make the drive to see what the city has to offer, even beyond the bookstore.

"You have to take the time to come here, but I frequently hear people surprised by the fact that there is a small bookstore that has a foreign lit section and a robust poetry section, but can also fit commercial bestsellers," she said. "I encourage people to take the drive over if they've not been, and they might be surprised by what they find in town."

For more information on Between the Covers and their 10-year celebrations, visit linktr.ee/harborbtc.

 Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Between the Covers celebrates 10 years with trivia, pie and more
We will abide by the law. That's the response of Tribe's CEO and bandleader, in response res
Nine enemy ships, including three missile carriers, are on combat duty in the Black Sea. The total volley can be up to 20 missiles.

Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesman for the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said this in the telethon 'United News', according to Ukrinform.

"As of now, we have nine warships. Among them, there are three missile carriers - two submarines and a frigate. A real volley can be up to 20 missiles. There are no carriers in the Azov and Mediterranean Seas, but there are groups," he said.

Pletenchuk also noted that on the night of July 13, Russian troops fired two missiles at the territory, presumably from missile carriers that are now in the Black Sea.

As reported, that night air defense destroyed all 20 enemy attack drones and two 'Kalibr' cruise missiles.
In the Kherson regions Henichesk, Russian occupiers are driving local residents out of their homes and bringing immigrants from the impoverished regions of Russia there instead.

The relevant statement was made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Russian occupiers continue using the practice of artificial resettlement and forced assimilation of Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine. In particular, in the Kherson regions Henichesk district, the occupiers began to forcefully evict Ukrainian citizens, who have not obtained or refused to obtain Russian citizenship, to Russia, including families with children and the elderly. In their places of residence, the occupiers usually accommodate representatives of national minorities from the impoverished regions of the Russian Federation, the report states.

In violation of international humanitarian law, Russian invaders continue to seize health infrastructure and childrens health recreation facilities in the temporarily occupied areas.

In the Zaporizhzhia regions Berdiansk, the enemy uses one of buildings in a local hospital to accommodate the injured terrorists. In the Donetsk regions Zuhres, the occupiers have seized the Berezhok recreation base and deploy their military units and equipment there, the General Staff noted.

A reminder that, between February 24, 2022 and July 14, 2023, Russias total combat losses in Ukraine reached about 236,590 troops.
The Ministry of Defense of Denmark handed over drones for mine scanning as part of the aid package for Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defense of Denmark has provided 6 drones for mine scanning as part of their aid package for Ukraine. These drones are used for non-technical inspection of territories, including water bodies, for explosive ordnance. It is the latest innovative approach to inspecting territories. Im grateful to our Danish friends and especially to my colleagues Morten Bdskov and Troels Lund Poulsen! Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov posted on Twitter.

The Ministry of Defense of Denmark has provided 6 drones for mine scanning as part of their aid package for Ukraine.

These drones are used for non-technical inspection of territories, including water bodies, for explosive ordnance. It is the latest innovative approach to pic.twitter.com/aKhS50nQDr  Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) July 14, 2023

As reported, Ukraine and Denmark signed a memorandum on cooperation in the field of renewable energy sources, in particular wind energy.

Illustrative photo
Statements by the commander of Russia's 58th Army, General-Major Ivan Popov, who was dismissed for criticism, show dissatisfaction of many officers with the actions of the top military leadership of the Russian Federation.

The British Ministry of Defense said this in a new intelligence update published on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

It is noted that Russia has routinely sacked commanders since the start of the invasion of Ukraine, but the removal of the 58th Combined Arms Armys General-Major Ivan Popov is notable, he was apparently dismissed for voicing concerns rather than for any alleged poor performance.

Popovs comments draw attention to serious disaffection many officers likely harbour towards the senior military leadership. The complaints largely echo those made by Wagner Group owner Yevgeny Prigozhin prior to his June 2023 mutiny, the report says.

The ministry said that direct criticism from subordinates is likely to become an increasing problem for Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff General Gerasimov.

As Ukrinform reported, the commander of the 58th Combined Arms Armys, General-Major Ivan Popov, said in an address to his troops that he had been removed from his post for criticizing the situation on the battlefield.

According to Popov, "many regimental commanders" told him that "our senior commander hit us from the rear, viciously beheading the Army at the most difficult and intense moment.
U.S. House of Representatives passed on Friday the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 which provides for $300 million for Ukraine.

As the Voice of America reports, the House of Representatives was sitting until almost midnight considering 200 amendments. The Republicans managed to secure the approval of a number of proposals, while five amendments, which demanded to reduce or completely stop aid to Ukraine, did not gain votes.

"In particular, the amendment of Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, who demanded to remove $300 million for Ukraine from the defense budget, was rejected with 89 votes for and 358 against. The amendment of Republican Matt Gaetz, who demanded the cancellation of all security assistance to Ukraine, also failed," reads the article.

It is emphasized that $300 million has been budgeted for the continuation of security assistance to Ukraine in 2024 both in the draft defense budget of the House of Representatives and in the corresponding draft of the Senate. This is equal to the amount requested by the Biden administration, but at the same time, it is 500 million less compared to what was agreed last year.

This year, Democrat Jared Golden tried to introduce an amendment to increase the proposed aid to Ukraine in the 2024 NDAA by $500 million, so that the final amount would match last year's. But this proposal did not pass the House Armed Services Committee.

At the same time, the full version of the NDAA, whose amendments are still being considered, contains the proposal of Republican Matt Gaetz for an additional special inspector to check the aid coming to Ukraine.

Senate will consider the defense budget on Tuesday, July 18.

As reported, on July 7, the U.S. Department of Defense officially announced a new $800 million security assistance package to Ukraine. The package contains cluster munitions and other types of weapons and ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that there must be no cities and villages across Ukraine under Russian occupation.

He said this in his video address to the nation, Ukrinform reports, referring to the presidents press service.

Dear Ukrainians, I wish you good health!

Today, the President and First Lady of the Republic of Korea are visiting our country. A very important visit, a very important direction of our international work. And this is the first visit of the President of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine for the entire period of relations between our states.

Now, when the speed of ending the war directly depends on global support for Ukraine, we are doing everything possible to ensure that such support is as intensive and meaningful as possible.

In 15 days of July, we've already held negotiations, meetings, events with the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Turkiye, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Also Slovakia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Sweden, Portugal, Spain and Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa, Guinea-Bissau. NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, President of the European Council Michel, President of the European Commission von der Leyen, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The address to the student community in Argentina, talks with the largest and most promising American investors and company executives.

Today, very meaningfully, Mr. President of the Republic of Korea. And we will maintain the highest tempo of international work at all levels to restore peace for all our land and all our people.

One of the most terrible things that war brings is separation... We cannot leave any of our people, any towns and villages under Russian occupation. Wherever the Russian occupation continues, violence and humiliation of people reign. I am grateful to all our partners  every leader, every politician, public figure, every country who really supports us in the fact that only the complete liberation of our entire Ukrainian territory will allow the full force of the international rules-based order to be restored.

And of course, my thank you to all our warriors. Those weeks on the front lines were very important. Marines of the 35th and 36th separate brigades. Gunners of the 55th separate brigade Zaporizka Sich. The Magura 47th separate mechanized brigade. Paratroopers of the 79th brigade. The third separate assault brigade. The fifth separate assault brigade. The 80th separate brigade of the airborne assault troops. The 57th separate motorized infantry brigade.

I thank all of you! All of you guys, you are great! All those who bravely, firmly, and strongly fight for the sake of Ukraine!

Ukraine will prevail for sure!

Glory to you, warriors!

Glory to all who fight and work for Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!
Japanese truck manufacturer Isuzu Motors Ltd. is completely leaving Russian market.

Kyodo News reported this, Ukrinform says.

According to the interlocutors, the company sold its stake in the business to Russian automaker Sollers, which acquired the Isuzu plant that employs about 200 people.

Isuzu ceased production in Russia in March 2022 after Russian invasion of Ukraine interrupted the supply of spare parts.

This led the truck manufacturer to record a loss of 1.7 billion yen (USD 12 million) in the fiscal year that ended in March.

In November 2022, the company announced it was considering withdrawing from Russian market.

Isuzu's production in Russia, which began in 2008, accounted for only 1% of global commercial truck production before Russia's war.

According to the company's website, in 2021, the Russian unit produced about 3,700 vehicles.

As Ukrinform reported, the Japanese automobile brand Infiniti, owned by Nissan, has announced its withdrawal from Russian market.
First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska and First Lady of South Korea Kim Keon-hee discussed the preservation of Ukrainian cultural heritage during a meeting in Kyiv.

As Zelenska posted on Telegram, one of the ways to preserve cultural heritage is digitization which is currently being done by the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine.

The Republic of Korea is particularly powerful in the digital sphere. The wife of the President of Ukraine expressed hope that the countries will be able to cooperate in this direction as well.

During the meeting, Zelenska thanked Kim Keon-hee for visiting Bucha and Irpin, Kyiv region, which suffered from Russian terror, and mass graves of victims of Russian war crimes. According to her, Ukrainians always regard such visits as a sign of solidarity.

Read also: President of South Korea visits Bucha

She also expressed gratitude to President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol for his firm support for the Ukrainian people and willingness to contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine, which he confirmed at the NATO Summit and during the visit to Poland.

"I'm making sure once again: even half a globe between countries is not a distance for people who are able to feel and hear," Zelenska stressed.

The President's wife invited Kim Keon-hee to take part in the third Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen which will be held in September this year.

"We will talk precisely about sensations and feelings  the mental health of not only Ukrainians but also residents of different countries of the world. How to turn vulnerability into resilience in the face of wars, crises, alongside a dangerous neighbor," she said.

Zelenska is convinced that the Republic of Korea, like Ukraine, has something to share here.
Elon Musk to use tweets to train his new artificial intelligence bot

Elon Musk has warned about the potential risks of AI warning developers about a Terminator future - Anadolu Agency

Elon Musk has said his new artificial intelligence company will use tweets to train its algorithm.

The Twitter and Tesla chief executive said his new company, xAI, would use public tweets as a data set to learn from and may also work with Tesla on software.

Mr Musk announced the formation of xAI earlier this week, claiming its purpose would be to understand the universe.

In a 90-minute Twitter Spaces audio chat on Friday, he said he wanted to build an AI that was maximally curious and maximally truthful.

Mr Musk said xAI would work closely with his other businesses, including scanning tweets to train its programme.

The disclosure may create concerns among privacy groups and Twitter users over whether Mr Musk has the right to use this data.

Artificial intelligence companies are facing increasing legal challenges from publishers over the use of news articles and other intellectual property to train their bots.

The owner of the Daily Mail is gearing up for a legal battle with Google over claims the tech giant used hundreds of thousands of online news stories to train its AI bot without permission, the Telegraph reported earlier this week.

Training is the process where an AI is taught to understand and interpret data in order to eventually make its own decisions.

ChatGPT, the best-known AI bot, was trained on masses of text from books, Wikipedia, articles and other pieces of writing, according to reports.

Mr Musk said working with Twitter and Tesla could have mutual benefit for all of his companies and could boost Teslas work in self-driving cars.

Despite his new AI business, Mr Musk has been more sceptical than other tech entrepreneurs about the prospects for the technology.

Earlier this year the Tesla chief was one of a group of AI experts and some rival tech industry bosses who called for a six-month pause in AI development.

Mr Musk signed a letter that warned about the potential of the technology to flood our information channels with propaganda and untruth, automate away all the jobs and, in the worst case, risk loss of control of our civilization.

The former chief executive of Google, Eric Schmidt, warned in May that AI could harm or kill many many people in the future.

Mr Musk last week said developers should be wary of a Terminator future, hinting at a scenario where AI goes rogue and seeks to harm humans.

However, speaking on Twitter on Friday, Mr Musk appeared to downplay this risk. He said: I think to a superhuman intelligence, humanity is much more interesting than not humanity.

According to xAIs website, the company is being advised by the director of the Center for AI Safety, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that is researching how to develop and deploy AI safely.

AI has been thrust into the spotlight over the last year following the success of ChatGPT. The latest version, GPT-4, has been said to show signs of approaching human-level intelligence.

Rishi Sunak is preparing to host a global AI summit in London later this year in the hope of devising international rules governing the technologys use and development.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, together with First Lady Olena Zelenska, and President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol, together with his wife Kim Keon Hee, visited the National Nature Reserve Sophia of Kyiv.

Ukrinform reports this with reference to the Ukrainian presidents website.

The heads of state and first ladies were given a tour of St. Sophia's Cathedral. They were told about its history and architectural features, the unique frescoes and mosaics of the temple's interior.

As reported, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived in Ukraine on an unannounced visit. Together with his wife, he visited Bucha and Irpin in Kyiv region, and honored the memory of Ukrainian fallen soldiers.
Got Bougie Friends? Here are 5 Ways to Keep Your Own Spending in Check When Youre With Them

You know the saying Keeping up with the Joneses? Well, hold the thought: it turns out that Gen Z and Millennials are actually now more inclined to kick the Joneses to the curb. According to a recent Credit Karma survey, 47 percent of Gen Z and 36 percent of Millennials have considered ending friendships because of a difference in spending habits. Many, the survey finds, have already gone into considerable debt to afford their friends lifestyles. But do you really have to call it quits? According to Credit Karmas consumer financial advocate Courtney Alev, no.

In general, salary should not be a deciding factor in whether or not you want to (or can) be someones friend, she says. It will improve your personal understanding of money to surround yourself with friends who have varying incomes and financial backgrounds, as theyre bound to have unique perspectives and experiences you can learn from.

However, we totally get it when the desire for bottomless champagne brunch and a week-long jaunt through the Italy (White Lotus-inspired, of course) dont match the reality of your bank account. So, here are five ways to keep your spending in check when youre with those spendthrift friendswithout losing the fun or the friendships.

Meet the Expert

Courtney Alev is a consumer financial advocate and associate director of product management at Credit Karma. Prior, she was a group product manager at Intuit-owned Mint where she built new experiences to help Mint customers gain a deeper understanding of their financial situation by helping them more easily visualize their personal finance data. Before joining the workforce, Alev volunteered in the Peace Corps, working to increase the economic resilience of residents, especially women, in remote communities in Mozambique.

Tipping Poorly, Venmo Nickel and Diming and 3 More Financial Icks to Watch Out for in Your Relationship

1. Be Transparent About Your Financial Situation

Yes, talking about money can be awkwardespecially with family and friends. But one of the key ways to avoid overspending and resentment is to communicate your situation. Who knows? Others might be in the same boat, too, and speaking up can benefit the whole group.

Other friends might even be feeling the same way you are and appreciate the opportunity to set expectations as a friend group, Alev says. Its better to have these conversations before you RSVP for that group dinner or that bachelorette trip so you dont overspend or feel pressured to pay an amount youre not comfortable with.

2. Set Boundaries

Another thing Alev suggests is to communicate your personal spending limit. If, say, youre planning a Roman holiday (a la Audrey Hepburn, of course), let your friends know the maximum amount you want to spend before everyone starts booking first class flights, five-star hotels and dinners worthy of Princess Anne.

The more prescriptive you are, the better, Alev says. Sharing your budget with your friend group can also make it easier to opt out when you simply dont have the funds.

3. Dont Be Afraid to Say No

Youre not alone; FOMO is real. Another Credit Karma survey discovered that 76 percent of Gen Z and 69 of Millennials had accrued debt because they didnt want to miss out on the fun.

Its easier said than done but try not to feel pressured to participate in expensive outings just because your friends want you to. At the end of the day, its more important to do whats best for you and your finances, Alev advises. Aim for quality time and quality experiences, versus taking part in every single costly event. That could look like saying yes to activities where the upfront cost is clear, like buying a movie or theater ticket and vacation packages, while passing on outings that tend to be more of a wildcard, such as a fancy dinner or bar crawl that could have more spontaneous stopswith, therefore, more unexpected expenses.

4. Factor Your Social Life into Your Budget

This will take some planning but done right, can keep you on track to not just overspending, but bulking up your savings. Alev recommends breaking down your budget so that 50 percent is allocated to necessities (rent, groceries, healthcare, etc.), 20 percent goes towards financial goals (emergency funds, paying down debt, investing), and 30 percent for discretionary expenses.

5. Remember that picnics are fun too!

Remember, not everything you do with your friends has to involve moneythere are plenty of activities that dont cost a penny, Alev says. Propose activities like a picnic in the park, day at the local museum or even a movie night or dinner at home. Whether you potluck it or recreate a favorite dish, hosting is a great way to spend quality time with friends without paying restaurant prices.

With all these tips, Alev stresses that, above all, the most important thing is communication. Resentment can easily sour a friendship. Be open and honest with what youre willing to spend on activities, and itll be much more likely that differing financial dynamics wont drive a wedge in your friendship.

Should My Partner and I Get Married for Tax Reasons? 3 Financial Experts Weigh In
Houston, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Jul, 2023 ) :Perched on a platform as he painted an enormous wall, Maynor Alvarez felt cramps in his arms and legs and thought he might vomit. He wanted to come down, but the supervisor's order was clear: "Keep working." The crushing heatwave that has blanketed much of the southern United States for nearly a month has taken a particularly high toll on construction workers, who are often exposed to temperatures exceeding 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius).

And the region is bracing for more heat records to be broken this weekend.

"I've suffered heat strokes on several occasions," the 42-year-old Alvarez told a group of co-workers outside the Houston City Hall on Friday. "Do you know what it feels like? Cramps in the legs and arms, headache, the urge to vomit, your heart racing.

"When I complain to my supervisor down below, he just tells me to keep producing...

"I come down anyway because I can't stand it... If I stayed five more minutes, I wouldn't be here to tell this story." The workers were there to protest a law recently signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott which prevents cities like Austin and Dallas from requiring that construction workers be allowed regular water breaks.

The new Law 2127, which takes effect in September, targets local regulations -- on a broad range of issues from labor, to agriculture to finance -- that go beyond state law.

The measure, approved by the state's Republican legislature and governor, is ostensibly intended to prevent cities and counties from conflicting with state law -- but it also weakens the power of local authorities, which are often much more liberal.

For Guatemalan-born Alvarez, the impact is clear: "This is a law that kills," he said.

Some 12 miles (20 kilometers) further north, 28-year-old Juan -- who declined to give his last name -- was on a ladder working to complete a wall on a building under construction. The day was scorching hot, the sun was blindingly bright, and a mist seemed to envelop people passing on the asphalt below.

Wearing a helmet, a reflective vest, protective glasses and a kerchief to keep the sun off his neck, Juan said the heat left him feeling nauseated.

"Just when I take a drink of water, I get dizzy, I want to vomit because of the heat," he told AFP. "I need something else, a Coca-Cola, a Gatorade -- and cold -- just to be able to keep going." His 21-year-old colleague Edwin, who like Juan is Mexican-born, comes prepared with a cold drink as he readies to work under the sun after finishing a job inside the building. "I'm almost used to it," he said, "but this year the heat is stronger." - Cost of complaining - Complaining about the heat can carry a cost, said Alvarez: one may not be scheduled to work as many shifts. So people are reluctant to speak up.

Luz Martnez, another construction worker protesting outside the Houston City Hall, said she had worked in a 20-story building where it was prohibited to bring water. Workers had to go down to the ground level to hydrate outdoors.

"On July 4, the holiday, we were remodeling a school, in an enclosed area with the air conditioning turned off, because they didn't want to pay for the electricity. I remember a colleague falling over because of the heat. He fainted and started vomiting." "Those places are extremely hot... we're dying," she said. "For them to take away our water, our hydration breaks, is not fair." The workers were galvanized by the death of a 46-year-old colleague, Felipe Pascual, in mid-June. He collapsed while doing cement work at a construction site on the outskirts of Houston.

Texas holds the unfortunate distinction of having had the most heat-related deaths among construction workers: 42 from 2011 to 2021, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Cristian Canela, a representative of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, said periodic water breaks are a necessity for people working under the sun.

It's not possible for construction workers to always be in the shade, he said. "I mean, that's common sense, you're a construction worker. But at least you have those water breaks. I think it's essential."Of Governor Abbott's ban on water breaks, he said, "That's insane."The conditions, Canela added, are "killing the workers right now."
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The Foreign Office says offensive acts of religious hatred cannot be condoned under the guise of freedom of expression and opinion.

ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-July 15th, 2023) Pakistan has condemned the permission for public desecration of the Torah and Bible in Sweden.

The Foreign Office said offensive acts of religious hatred cannot be condoned under the guise of freedom of expression and opinion.

Terming islam as a religion of peace, the Foreign Office said Islam calls for respect for all religions, sacred personalities and Holy Scriptures.

In line with these Islamic ethos, Pakistan has always stressed the need to advance mutual respect, harmony and peaceful coexistence among religions, faiths, and cultures.

The statement called on international community to condemn, with one voice, all such abhorrent acts of religious hatred, which hurt the sentiments of its followers and constitute deliberate incitement.
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Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has accused the United States of hypocrisy for harshly condemning other countries that use cluster munitions and now sending these munitions to Ukraine

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th July, 2023) Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has accused the United States of hypocrisy for harshly condemning other countries that use cluster munitions and now sending these munitions to Ukraine.

"America has always condemned as evil those who use cluster bombs, but now we send them to be used? No good will come of this. Fate loves irony, but hates hypocrisy," Musk wrote on Twitter on Saturday.

On Thursday, Pentagon's Joint Staff Director for Operations Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims II told a briefing that Ukraine had received cluster munitions from the United States, as well as other countries.

On July 7, the US unveiled a new military assistance package for Ukraine, which included cluster munitions. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu warned on July 11 that the Russian military would be forced to use similar weapons, which it has plenty of in stocks, against the Ukrainian armed forces if the US supplies cluster munitions to Kiev.

Cluster munitions are banned by the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which has been ratified by 123 countries. The US, Ukraine, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and South Korea have not signed the convention.

Western countries have been supplying Ukraine with military aid since the start of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The support evolved from light artillery munitions and training in 2022 to heavier weapons, including tanks, later that year and in 2023. In recent months, Ukraine has been pushing to be supplied with F-16 fighter jets. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned against further arms deliveries to Kiev.
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In the first two weeks of Ukraine's offensive up to 20% of the weapons Kiev sent to the battlefield were destroyed or damaged, including tanks and armored vehicles that Ukrainians planned to use in the advance on Russian positions, The New York Times reported on Saturday, citing US and European officials

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th July, 2023) In the first two weeks of Ukraine's offensive up to 20% of the weapons Kiev sent to the battlefield were destroyed or damaged, including tanks and armored vehicles that Ukrainians planned to use in the advance on Russian positions, The New York Times reported on Saturday, citing US and European officials.

In the recent weeks, the casualty rate dropped to about 10%, with the losses becoming lower because the counteroffensive itself slowed down, the report read, citing sources. The changes also occurred because Ukraine changed its tactics, allegedly focusing on wearing down Russian troops, The New York Times said.

A Ukrainian soldier said his squad's UAV filmed about half a dozen Western armored vehicles that had been shelled by the Russian artillery.

"They all burned," he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Ukraine's much-touted counteroffensive kicked off in early June after months of delays over a lack of military supplies from Western donors. The Russian Defense Ministry said Ukrainian troops kept trying but were failing to advance. A number of Western media also noted the weak results of Kiev's counteroffensive, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself admitted that progress was "slower than desired."

Since the beginning of Ukraine's counteroffensive, Russia has destroyed 21 Ukrainian aircraft, five helicopters, some 1,244 tanks, another 1,244 Ukrainian armored vehicles destroyed, including 17 Leopard tanks, five French AMX wheeled tanks, 914 units of special vehicles, two air defense systems, 25 MLRS vehicles, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
'He's Been Paralyzed': This Former Anheuser-Busch Exec Says The Current CEO Has Failed To Fix The Bud Light Crisis  Must Quit Now And Let Someone Else Save The 'Sinking Ship'

Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE:BUD), the multinational brewing company behind Bud Light, is facing a crisis, and a former executive has offered his perspective on the situation.

"It looks like the battle has already been lost," Anson Frericks, former president of Anheuser Busch Sales & Distribution Co., wrote in a recent column for the Daily Mail.

In April, Bud Light partnered with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney, who has 10.7 million followers on TikTok. The collaboration triggered a backlash on social media and led some beer drinkers to boycott Bud Light.

Bud Light sales in the U.S. dropped 28% in the four-week period ended July 1 compared to the previous year, according to consulting company Bump Williams using data from NielsenIQ.

In light of the marketing fiasco, Bud Light CEO Brendan Whitworth recently said, "As we move forward, we will focus on what we do best  brewing great beer and earning our place in moments that matter to you."

Frericks doesn't like how Whitworth handled the situation.

"What does that mean? Absolutely nothing. And it will only deepen the chasm between the brand and its customers," he wrote.

"As such  and I take no pleasure in passing this judgment  it's clear to me that it's time for the shareholders and board of Anheuser-Busch to ask Whitworth to step down."

There's no personal grudge here. Frericks made it clear that he had a good relationship with Whitworth  the Anheuser-Busch CEO promoted him twice, and he left on his own terms.

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This former Google engineer thought real estate investing was too expensive and time-consuming, so he developed a better approach. Thousands of investors are now using his platform to buy shares of investment properties for truly passive income.

Elon Musk has reportedly bought 6,000 acres of land just outside of Austin. Heres how to invest in the citys growth before he floods it with new tech workers.

Shareholders Taking A Hit

Shares of Anheuser-Busch have been impacted as well. Since April 1, when Mulvaney first promoted the beer on social media, the New York Stock Exchange-listed BUD stock has tumbled about 13%, resulting in the loss of billions of dollars of market cap.

That's a huge blow to the company's investors.

Fericks said that asset managers The Vanguard Group, BlackRock Inc. and State Street Corp. are the largest shareholders in most publicly traded companies. And as a result, they "call the shots" and are "the key architects of stakeholder' capitalism, with their now infamous diversity and inclusion' targets."

But according to Fericks, these giant asset managers aren't the real shareholders.

"The real shareholders are the firefighters, police officers and doctors, whose life-savings  held in pensions and 401(k)s  are managed by these monster firms," he wrote. "These are ordinary Americans  who don't care for virtue signaling and money-wasting exercises."

Fericks said that these people  the real shareholders  "should feel entitled to demand a CEO who speaks for them."

And that's why he's calling for a leadership change.

"Whitworth has clearly shown himself to be incapable of solving the Mulvaney crisis," he wrote. "It's time he did the right thing and stepped aside to make way for someone capable of righting the sinking Bud Light ship."

Beer Stocks In The Spotlight

While Bud Light is grappling with declining sales, competitors are seizing the opportunity to swoop in and grab market share.

According to NielsonIQ data, Bud Light is no longer America's best-selling beer. The top spot now belongs to Modelo Especial, brewed by Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE:STZ).

Constellation Brands is a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine and spirits. Other than Modelo Especial, the company has many other popular brands, including Corona beer, Robert Mondavi wines and High West whiskey.

Another company that could benefit from the Bud Light fiasco is Molson Coors Beverage Co. (NYSE:TAP), which has a portfolio of iconic beer brands, including Coors Light, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian, Blue Moon and many others.

If consumers move away from Bud Light, they might opt for Coors Light or Miller Lite instead.

Anheuser-Busch, Constellation Brands and Molson Coors are all dividend-paying companies. Beer companies have the potential to be solid dividend plays because of the resilience of beer sales across economic cycles. But as demonstrated by recent developments at Anheuser-Busch, beer stocks can still be volatile.

If you don't like such volatility, you might want to look into reliable income plays outside the stock market  such as investing in rental properties with as little as $100 while staying completely hands-off.

Read next:

Image: Pride SF Bud Light beer advertisement with rainbow bottle  San Francisco, California, USA  2023. Courtesy of Michael Vi on Shutterstock

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This article 'He's Been Paralyzed': This Former Anheuser-Busch Exec Says The Current CEO Has Failed To Fix The Bud Light Crisis  Must Quit Now And Let Someone Else Save The 'Sinking Ship' originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Germany released its first China strategy this week, which calls Beijing a systemic rival and stresses the need for Europes largest economy to reduce economic dependence on its largest trading partner.



Analysts tell VOA the policy shift outlined in the 64-page report that notes China has changed highlights Germanys attempt to be more prudent in its economic relations with Beijing. They also assert that the plans focus on the Indo-Pacific and the need to step up military cooperation shows Germanys recognition of the link between security in Asia and Berlins interests.



Ian Chong, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, said the strategy is a reflection of some of Germanys thinking following the war in Ukraine, and he said it shows Berlin has learned economic interests cant necessarily help to maintain peaceful relations with certain countries.

Geopolitical risks

In the Strategy on China, which was released Thursday, Berlin calls on German businesses to include geopolitical risks in their decision-making process and warns that companies that are particularly reliant on the Chinese market will have to carry the financial risk more heavily themselves in the future.

Berlin says it wants to ensure its economic relationship with Beijing becomes fairer, more sustainable and more reciprocal. Germany is also looking to adjust export control lists to safeguard new key technologies.

Speaking at a news conference Thursday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized that while Germany needs to pursue economic diversification, it doesnt plan to hamper Chinas economic development or its own.

Chinas Foreign Ministry Friday said Berlins call for reducing dependency on China is a form of protectionism and the two countries are partners rather than rivals.

We believe that to engage in competition and protectionism in the name of de-risking and reducing dependency, and to overstretch the concept of security and politicize normal cooperation will only be counterproductive and create artificial risks, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin during the daily press conference.

From Trans-Atlantic to Indo-Pacific

Aside from economic ties with China, the strategy also highlights the impact Beijings relationship with Moscow has had on Berlins position, especially since the war in Ukraine.

In its report, Germany notes that Chinas decision to further its relations with Russia has direct security implications for Germany.

One place that will have implications is the Indo-Pacific.

The report says Germany will expand its security policy and military cooperation with close partners in the Indo-Pacific," adding that the move underscores its commitment to preserving the rules-based international order.

It is in Germanys interest to protect global public goods in the Indo-Pacific in the long term, the strategy states.

In recent years, Germany already has begun to boost its security commitments to the Indo-Pacific. In 2021, Germany deployed its first warship to the South China Sea in almost 20 years, and in 2022, it sent 13 military aircraft to join military exercises held in Australia.

According to Reuters report earlier this week, Germany will send troops to participate in a joint military exercise in Australia for the first time.

It is a region of extremely high importance for us in Germany as well as for the European Union due to the economic interdependencies, Germanys Army Chief Alfons Mais told Reuters in an interview published on July 10. The interview was released just before troops were to leave for Australia.

National University of Singapores Chong said the commitments Germany has made in its strategy reflect its understanding of the link between security in Asia and Germanys interests. As part of this recognition, Germany has been trying to demonstrate that its an active and interested partner that provides security benefits, he said.

Taiwan Straits importance

One key issue in the Indo-Pacific region referenced in the strategy is maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, one of the regions biggest flashpoints. In its report, Germany emphasized it is working for de-escalation around Taiwan because security in the Taiwan Strait is of crucial importance for peace and stability in the region and far beyond.

The status quo in the Taiwan Strait may only be changed by peaceful means and mutual consent, the Strategy on China said, adding that military escalation also would affect German and European interests.

China claims democratically ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and has dramatically increased the frequency of fighter jet sorties and military exercises around the island over the past year.

Since July 9, China has sent 131 military aircraft and 52 naval vessels to areas around Taiwan, and some came so close to the islands shore that Taiwanese defense officials characterized the moves as harassment.

Sari Arho Havren, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, told VOA that with Germanys deep dependence on Chinese trade and supply chains, military escalation in the Indo-Pacific  specifically in the Taiwan Strait  would be a serious risk.

The status quo of supporting allies in the region is in Germanys interests, she said.

NATO expansion?

And while Germany doubles down on its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, NATO has also been debating the prospect of increasing its presence in the region. This topic was front and center during the NATO Summit this week in Lithuania.

The security alliance has floated the idea in recent months of opening a liaison office in Japan, and leaders from Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand were all invited to attend the summit, the second time that leaders from four Indo-Pacific states took part in the event. Their presence and criticism of China that came up during the summit triggered an angry response from Beijing.

Earlier this week, the Chinese mission to the European Union voiced Beijings opposition to what it called NATOs expansion into the Asia-Pacific region. In response, the U.S. Ambassador to NATO Juliane Smith said, Were not adding members from the Indo-Pacific.

What NATO is doing, she said, is breaking down barriers between America's Atlantic allies and America's Pacific allies to look at common challenges.

Some analysts told VOA there is a clear determination among NATO member states to strengthen cooperation and coordination with the four Indo-Pacific states that have become regular participants in NATO summits.

NATO members dont shy away from strengthening cooperation with countries in the Indo-Pacific, and this is how the alliance contributes to maintaining peace and stability in the region, said Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, an assistant professor at the National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan.
Cambodians head to the polls this month in an election that has been widely criticized by Western countries, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and pro-democracy activists, but authorities in Phnom Penh insist the ballot on July 23 will be free and fair.

On the campaign trail, Prime Minister Hun Sen has dismissed his many critics and says he will run on his record. That includes his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, what he argues was a successful year chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations last year and staging the Southeast Asia Games in May.

Additionally, the Khmer Rouge tribunal has concluded and Hun Sen says this country will be cleared of all landmines by 2025  the legacy of 30 years of war that ended in 1998. Cambodian deminers have just finished training courses for their Ukrainian counterparts in Poland.

Hun Sens Cambodian Peoples Party rescued the Cambodian people from the mass killing of the Khmer Rouge regime and its brought peace to the country, especially its built infrastructure, said Sim Sareth, a keen supporter of Hun Sen and his CPP.

There are roads, schools and other infrastructure, he told VOA, noting Hun Sen has increased social welfare payments for the poor and promised to create 300,000 jobs over the coming year.

More than 100,000 police and military personnel have been deployed across the country to ensure security during the campaign period, which has been lackluster when compared with 10 years ago, when the Cambodian National Rescue Party came close to winning the overall vote.

However, its success was short-lived. The CNRP was outlawed by the courts in late 2017 for plotting to overthrow the government, enabling the CPP to win all 125 seats at general elections the following year, and Cambodia emerged as a one-party-state.

Since then, more than 100 opposition supporters have faced the courts on charges ranging from incitement to treason amid a six-year crackdown on dissent. Many have been jailed, including CNRP chief Kem Sokha, who is serving a 27-year sentence. Others have fled abroad.

The Candlelight Party was established out of the remnants of the CNRP and won more than 22% of the popular vote at last years commune elections, providing the only real challenge to the CPP, which has ruled Cambodia for more than four decades.

However, in May, the Candlelight Party was barred from competing in this year's election after the National Election Committee ruled it had lodged incorrect electoral registration papers.

The Washington Post said in an editorial that this would amount to a lopsided win in a rigged parliamentary election which meant the CPP is on track to win all the 125 seats of the National Assembly, mirroring the result of the last such charade in 2018.

Chak Sopheap, executive director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, told VOA June 29 that Hun Sen has ensured security but the costs to society have been too great.

So the same cycle repeats with the threat against press freedom, political freedom and also civil rights against citizens, so this [does] not constitute for a free and fair election, she said.

Western nations were also vocal in criticizing the Candlelight disqualification, jailing of dissidents and the closure of Voice of Democracy  among Cambodias last independent media outlets  ordered by Hun Sen in February.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said VODs closure would have a chilling impact on access to information ahead of the national elections in July. The German Federal Foreign Office said the disqualification runs counter to pluralism and democratic principles.

The French Foreign Ministry said France deplores the exclusion of the Candlelight Party and Guterres noted the Candlelight Party was the sole credible challenger to the CPP.

Australian Ambassador to Phnom Penh Justin Whyatt added he was deeply concerned about the disqualification, saying Cambodian democracy is not served by this development.

Hun Sen defended the election committees ruling, saying foreigners have no right to order us to do this or do that according to their wishes, for this is our internal affair.

Shortly afterward, he deleted his Facebook account before it could be suspended after an Oversight Board board for Facebook parent company Meta found he had breached community standards by threatening to have people beaten.

Of the remaining 17 political parties, the royalist Funcinpec Party  once a powerhouse in Cambodian politics  is talking up its chances under its new leader, Prince Norodom Chakravuth.

Funcinpec won just 5.8% of the overall vote in 2018 and failed to win any seats in the last two national elections, but one party spokesman recently claimed Funcinpec expected to win at least half of the open National Assembly seats.

Its possible that Funcinpec can win two, maybe three seats, but it wont win any more than that, in all probability it wont win any, one Western diplomat, who asked not to be named, told VOA.

Another seven political outfits have recently been formed while each of the remaining parties barely managed to score more than 1% of the overall vote in 2018 elections.

The election committee has also warned against boycotting the poll or spoiling ballot papers saying this would constitute a crime, which analysts said had prompted the government to rush through amendments to laws that ensure only those who vote can run in future elections.

Bradley Murg, a distinguished senior research fellow with the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, said this election is still important because Hun Sen has stated quite clearly he intends to retire and hand power to his oldest son, Hun Manet, at some point after the poll.

These elections do represent essentially a transition of power, a generational change thats been expected for quite some time, he said.

It does mark what were consistently being told and what most scholars see is, yes, we are seeing a generational shift from Prime Minister Hun Sen to Hun Manet.

Hun Sen has not said exactly when he will be prepared to stand aside, although some Western diplomats have said this could happen as early as September.

Whether or not that transition goes smoothly remains to be seen.
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Cambodians vote July 23 in an election that has been criticized by Western countries, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and pro-democracy activists, after the top opposition party was barred from running. Authorities insist the poll will be fair. Luke Hunt reports from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The top diplomats from India and China have spoken to each other on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting in Jakarta.

Wang Yi, Chinas foreign minister, told his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, that the two countries need to stabilize their ties, according to a readout from the Chinese foreign ministry.

"The two sides should support each other and accomplish things together, rather than wear each other down or suspect each other," Wang told Jaishankar.



The two countries share a long border where the relationship between their two armies can be tense, but a number of border agreements have begun to improve the relationship.

In 2020, however, the armies clashed, killing 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers.

Chinas foreign ministry said India has agreed to another round of talks about border issues.

India is now Chinas second largest trading partner.
Clavijo said he was very concerned about the possibility of shifting winds at night, saying they could make the evacuation operation more dangerous. He said that 10 aircraft were battling the fire, and that water-dropping planes were expected to arrive.

He said that some residents didn't want to abandon their homes, and he appealed for people to be responsible and heed the calls for evacuation.

"The fire has spread very fast," Canary Islands regional president Fernando Clavijo said. "The fire is out of control."

The blaze has affected an area of about 4,500 hectares (11,000 acres) and officials warned residents that the situation could worsen because a heat wave has made the terrain tinder dry.

More than 2,000 people were evacuated Saturday as a wildfire rages "out of control" on La Palma in Spain's Canary Islands, destroying around a dozen homes, authorities said.

The wildfire and evacuations come nearly two years after a three-month volcanic eruption caused devastation on La Palma. While no one was killed, around 3,000 buildings were buried along with many banana plantations, roads and irrigation systems.

The fire is on the western side of La Palma on wooded, hilly terrain dotted with homes. It's not an area that was directly impacted by the 2021 volcanic eruption.

Puntagorda's mayor, Vicente Rodriguez, told Spanish public broadcaster RTVE that the fire started in his municipality. He added that the area has seen below-average rainfall in recent years, just like large parts of the drought-stricken mainland, because of changing weather patterns impacted by climate change.

The fire coincides with a heat wave that is hitting southern Europe.

Spain saw record high temperatures in 2022 and this spring as it endures a prolonged drought. Authorities and forestry experts are concerned that the conditions are ripe for a difficult wildfire season after seeing virulent fires as early as March.
A fire erupted Friday night at a Dow Chemical complex in Plaquemine, Louisiana, causing explosions that shook nearby homes.

Residents were advised to shelter in place.

Dow issued a statement that said all people working at the facility at the time of the explosion have been accounted for.

Dow is monitoring the situation and has reported that no chemical leaks have been detected.
Hong Kong authorities last week offered a reward of more than $128,000 for information that helps lead to the arrest of eight self-exiled pro-democracy activists. Henry Ridgwell spoke with Finn Lau, one of those targeted by the reward, close to his new home in London.
Even on the streets of London, Finn Lau does not feel safe from the reach of the Chinese Communist Party.

He is among the exiled pro-democracy activists facing arrest warrants issued by Hong Kong authorities last week, with a reward of 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($128,000) offered for information that helps lead to their detention.

Since then, Lau said he has seen several menacing online messages from pro-Chinese groups.

I got some screenshots coming from some Telegram groups, saying that perhaps we should lure them with some kind of tactics, such that we could catch them or kill them, he said.

Lau helped to organize the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

I proposed different kinds of strategies, hosted different rallies and even did advocacy abroad, Lau told VOA, So thats why they are accusing me of so-called collusion with foreign forces.

Lau was arrested on January 1, 2020, but Hong Kong police failed to identify him as a ringleader, and he was released.

Soon after that he fled to Britain. China has since issued several arrest warrants for him but earlier this month was the first time Hong Kong authorities explicitly offered a bounty for his arrest.

The head of the Hong Kong government, he said they will chase us until the end of the world, Lau said.

To be honest I feel less safe in the U.K.. After all I faced different kinds of harassment, no matter whether it is virtual online harassment or physical harassment, for the last few years. I was attacked near my home in 2020.

That attack in London left Lau with severe injuries. He described the attackers as of East Asian origin and said he believes they were directed by the Chinese government, though Beijing denies involvement. British police have failed to identify the attackers.

Lau is demanding that British authorities take the latest threats more seriously.

I request for assurance from the U.K. government that if there is anyone attempting to kidnap or to detain me under the so-called Hong Kong National Security Law, then they should be tried and charged under U.K. law for kidnapping.

I have tried to contact the [British] Home Office as well as the police, several times. But there is no response at all, he told VOA.

Lau said he believes Britain is reluctant to take a harder line as it does not want to jeopardize trade links with China.

The U.K. government is one of the democratic countries that should hold China accountable, especially for what the Chinese Communist Party has been doing in Hong Kong. The U.K. government has signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration with the PRC back in 1984, which guaranteed  in theory  at least 50 years of autonomy, rule of law, civil liberties etc., to Hong Kongers after the 1997 Hong Kong handover, Lau added.

The British government did not respond directly to VOA requests for comment.

Foreign Office ministers have recently condemned the bounties offered for the arrest of the Hong Kong activists. They said it is a long-standing policy not to comment on operational matters regarding their protection in Britain.

Despite the reward for his arrest, Lau said he is not deterred.

I should continue to fight on behalf of other Hong Kongers who cannot do so in Hong Kong. Ive got friends sitting in the prison of Hong Kong. So thats why I must continue to fight.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong police this week called several family members of Nathan Law in for questioning. Law is another pro-democracy activist and former lawmaker living in London, also subject to an arrest warrant and bounty. They were released without charge.
In a coordinated action, several branches of Irans judicial system have recently issued "controversial" rulings targeting opponents of the countrys mandatory hijab regulations. The verdicts have affected many professions and sparked outrage, leading to widespread condemnation. In a recent case, a woman in the city of Varamin was sentenced by a public court to a supplementary punishment of "one month of washing corpses at the Tehran city mortuary" for the charge of "non-compliance with hijab" while driving. Images in reaction to the verdict also have surfaced on social media platforms.

The judicial ruling was issued by Mohammad Hossein Esmail Morineh, the presiding judge of Branch 104 of the Criminal Court in Varamin. Recently, Tehran's court imposed a six-month ban on actress Azadeh Samadi, prohibiting her from using social media platforms directly or through intermediaries on the grounds of "not observing hijab." In another aspect of the verdict against the Iranian actress and critic of compulsory hijab, she was ordered to undergo "antisocial personality disorder" treatment by attending "official psychological centers" every two weeks. Additionally, she must provide a "health certificate" upon completion of the treatment period. Kambiz Norouzi, a legal expert, expressed his reaction to the verdict issued by the Varamin court, stating on his Telegram channel, "Regardless of the dubious justifications for the defendant's conviction, the supplementary punishment imposed is truly 'astonishing.'" He continued, "A court that imposes the punishment of washing corpses for one month as a supplementary penalty lacks a sound understanding of human rights and a proper grasp of appropriate sentencing."

The Human Rights Activists News Agency, or HRANA, had previously reported that in Iran, a female "resident" and a member of the medical staff had also been sentenced by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic to a prohibition on employment and compelled to perform cleaning services as a result of "non-compliance with hijab while driving."



Ali Khaleqi, a professor of criminal law at the University of Tehran, strongly criticized the judicial ruling, saying "Imposing a ban on a physician [resident] from employment in all government institutions, particularly in state-run medical centers, based on not wearing hijab while driving on the street, is entirely unwarranted and goes against legal standards."



Abbas Sheikh al-Islami, the head of the Khorasan Lawyers Association, criticized the sentence imposed on a woman who opposed compulsory hijab, sentencing her to "one month of washing corpses at a mortuary." He remarked, "Fortunately, one of the roles of social media is to circulate 'weak verdicts' and to reflect the legal community's objections to them."



He further emphasized, "The act of not wearing hijab has no relevance to 'washing corpses.' If the defendant had spit on the deceased or desecrated the body, perhaps such a sentence would have been appropriate to help the defendant grasp the gravity of washing corpses and discourage such behavior."



In the meantime, the Farhikhtegan newspaper that is published in Tehran and affiliated with the Islamic Azad University and known for its alignment with the establishment, stated in its Saturday edition, "By arbitrarily juxtaposing the religious obligation of hijab with the religious obligation of washing corpses, we have created a clash between religions in such a ruling."



According to experts and social activists, the Islamic Republic aims to suppress the growing and widespread "civil disobedience" against compulsory veiling in different cities throughout Iran by issuing such "derogatory and demeaning" judgments against women who oppose mandatory hijab, and therefore undermining the professions and individuals employed in those professions.



Mansoureh Hosseini Yeganeh, a women's rights activist, expressed to VOAs Persian Service, "The Islamic Republic's destructive and aggressive actions against opponents and protesters have weakened the barrier of compulsory hijab."
A Kosovo-born New York resident who helped supply "thousands" of recruits to the Islamic State group was sentenced to life in prison Friday for helping the extremist group, the Justice Department announced.

Mirsad Kandic, 40, was a high-ranking member of the jihadist group between 2013 and 2017, when it controlled large swaths of Iraq and Syria, the Justice Department said.

In 2013, he left his home in New York and traveled to Syria, where he joined IS, becoming a fighter in Haritan, outside Aleppo.

After that time, he was directed to move to Turkey to help smuggle foreign fighters and weapons for the group into Syria, it said.

He was also an emir for IS media, the department said, disseminating the group's propaganda and recruitment messages online, including via more than 120 Twitter accounts.

As recruiter, "he sent thousands of radicalized ISIS volunteer fighters from Western countries into ISIS-controlled territories in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East," the Justice Department said, using another acronym for IS.

One recruited volunteer was a fellow New Yorker, Ruslan Asainov, who became a sniper for the Islamic State group and was convicted in February of providing material support to a designated terror group.

Another was Australian teen Jake Bilardi, who was lured into the Islamic State group in 2014 before killing himself and more than 30 Iraqi soldiers in a March 2015 suicide bomb attack.

By early 2017, Kandic was hiding in Bosnia under a pseudonym. He was arrested in July 2017 in Sarajevo and extradited to the United States three months later.

He was convicted in a jury trial in May 2022 of conspiracy along with five counts of providing support to IS.
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. By way of learning-by-doing, we'll look at ROE to gain a better understanding of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS).

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 simpler terms, it measures the profitability of a company in relation to shareholder's equity.

View our latest analysis for United Parcel Service

How To Calculate Return On Equity?

Return on equity can be calculated by using the formula:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations)  Shareholders' Equity

So, based on the above formula, the ROE for United Parcel Service is:

54% = US$11b  US$20b (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2023).

The 'return' refers to a company's earnings over the last year. Another way to think of that is that for every $1 worth of equity, the company was able to earn $0.54 in profit.

Does United Parcel Service Have A Good Return On Equity?

By comparing a company's ROE with its industry average, we can get a quick measure of how good it is. The limitation of this approach is that some companies are quite different from others, even within the same industry classification. As is clear from the image below, United Parcel Service has a better ROE than the average (15%) in the Logistics industry.

roe

That's what we like to see. With that said, a high ROE doesn't always indicate high profitability. Especially when a firm uses high levels of debt to finance its debt which may boost its ROE but the high leverage puts the company at risk.

How Does Debt Impact ROE?

Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow profits. The cash for investment can come from prior year profits (retained earnings), issuing new shares, or borrowing. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the debt required for growth will boost returns, but will not impact the shareholders' equity. That will make the ROE look better than if no debt was used.

Combining United Parcel Service's Debt And Its 54% Return On Equity

United Parcel Service clearly uses a high amount of debt to boost returns, as it has a debt to equity ratio of 1.09. There's no doubt the ROE is impressive, but it's worth keeping in mind that the metric could have been lower if the company were to reduce its debt. Investors should think carefully about how a company might perform if it was unable to borrow so easily, because credit markets do change over time.

Summary

Return on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. A company that can achieve a high return on equity without debt could be considered a high quality business. If two companies have the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt.

Having said that, while ROE is a useful indicator of business quality, you'll have to look at a whole range of factors to determine the right price to buy a stock. 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 check this FREE visualization of analyst forecasts for the company.

Of course United Parcel Service 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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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu entered the hospital Saturday with apparent dehydration after a coastal break during a heat wave, delaying the weekly Cabinet meeting even though he declared himself well.

Netanyahu's office said the 73-year-old was admitted to Sheba Hospital, close to his private residence, after experiencing dizziness, and would stay there overnight.

In a video from hospital, a smiling Netanyahu said he had taken holiday on Friday at the Sea of Galilee in temperatures hitting 38 Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit).

"Thank God, I feel really well," he said.

"I ask you all, spend less time in the sun, drink more water, and may we all have a good new week," he added.

Israel's longest-serving leader is in the middle of a domestic crisis with protests against his religious-nationalist coalition's push for judicial reform before parliament disperses for the summer on July 30.

That furor has contributed to strains in relations with the United States, as have surging Israeli-Palestinian violence and progress in Iran's nuclear program.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was undergoing medical checks in an Israeli hospital on Saturday but was in good condition, his office said, with no indications of a potential handover of power.

Netanyahu, at 73 the country's longest-serving leader, had complained of chest pain, was fully conscious en route to Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer town, and walked into the emergency room, Israel's Channel 12 TV said.

He was not undergoing sedation and no procedures were underway to declare him incapacitated, it added.

It was not immediately clear who might replace him in the event of an emergency succession.

First elected to top office in 1996 at the head of the conservative Likud party, Netanyahu has been both dynamic and polarizing, leading a free-market revolution in Israel while distrustful of internationally backed peacemaking with the Palestinians and talks to cap Iran's nuclear program.

He is in the grip of a domestic furor over his plan to overhaul the judiciary, which has set off unprecedented protests by Israelis worried for the future independence of the courts.

Netanyahu is himself no stranger to the docks, after being indicted in three corruption cases. He denies wrongdoing and has cast the trial as a politicized witch-hunt.

Tel Hashomer is close to the coastal town of Caesarea, where Netanyahu has a private residence.

In early October, he became ill during the Jewish fast of Yom Kippur and was briefly hospitalized. Israel has been in the grip of a weekend heatwave.
A police officer and four civilians were killed in a suspected terrorist attack in southwestern Niger, the army said Saturday, in an area where thousands fled their homes this month to escape jihadi violence.

An army statement said the attack took place on Friday afternoon, targeting "a group of paramilitary police escorting a convoy" along a road near the border with Burkina Faso.

The statement said five people had been killed and 19 injured, including seven officers, five soldiers, and seven civilians, who were all taken to the capital, Niamey.

"On the side of the enemy, two terrorists were killed," the statement said.

The attack took place in the southwestern Tillaberi region, in the border area where Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali meet  a hotbed of activity for insurgents linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

The vast arid area, roughly the size of South Korea, has about 150,000 internally displaced people, according to the United Nations.

On Wednesday, the U.N. and local authorities said nearly 11,000 had fled their homes this month alone.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Ukrainians have quickly learned how to counter Russian information attacks since Russias invasion in the country, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar wrote on her official Telegram channel Saturday.

Since last July, the U.K. has trained 18,000 Ukrainian volunteer infantrymen under the Operation Interflex training program, U.K. defense ministry said Saturday. Ukrainian soldiers have been trained to "survive and be lethal in their fight against the illegal invasion of their homeland" it reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin could be arrested if he attends the BRICS summit scheduled in South Africa because of an arrest warrant issued against him last March by the International Criminal Court, which accused him of the war crime of deporting Ukrainian children to Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is remaining silent about a possible extension of the Black Sea grain deal thats set to expire Monday.

In a phone call Saturday with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Putin discussed "the need for a permanent and sustainable solution to the movement of grain from Russia and Ukraine to the international markets," according to the office of the South African president. No further details were provided on the topic.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has asked Putin to extend the Black Sea deal in return for connecting a subsidiary of Russia's Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT international payment system, but he has not received a reply, according to a U.N. spokesperson Friday.

Discussions are being had, WhatsApp messages are being sent, Signal messages are being sent and exchanged. We're also waiting for a response to the letter," U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters when asked about the negotiations.

Earlier Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had urged Russia to extend the Black Sea grain deal.

If Moscow follows through on its threat, developing countries, including in the region, will pay the price, including quite literally with higher food prices, as well as greater food scarcity," Blinken told reporters after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations talks ended in Jakarta, Indonesia. Top diplomats from China, the United States and Russia were among those who gathered for diplomatic discussions.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly said Friday he was in agreement with Putin that the deal allowing the export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea corridor should be extended. However, Reuters reports that Erdogan's comments were misconstrued as suggesting an extension deal had been reached when there is no confirmation that it has.

Russia has said it would agree to extend the deal only if its conditions are met regarding its implementation.

Ukraine-S. Korea

In a display of support for war-torn Ukraine, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday made a surprise visit to Kyiv, his first ever, announcing that Seoul will increase aid to Ukraine to $150 million in 2023, following an $100 million aid package in 2022. Yoon also said that Seoul will cooperate with Kyiv on infrastructure projects in Ukraine.

In a news conference Saturday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Yoon said South Korea aims to provide "a larger scale of military supplies" to Ukraine this year, after last year supplying non-lethal military inventory, such as body armor and helmets. He did not provide details. Zelenskyy thanked the South Korean president for his countrys powerful support.

Earlier this month, Yoon told The Associated Press that supplies of de-mining equipment, ambulances, and other non-military materials are in the works after a request from Ukraine, adding that South Korea already provided support to rebuild the Kakhovka Dam, which was destroyed last month.

South Korea, a key U.S. ally in Asia, has joined in the international sanctions against Russia and has provided Ukraine with humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine. So far, though, it has not provided weapons, in line with its long-standing policy of not supplying arms to countries actively engaged in conflict.

Yoons visit to Ukraine comes on the heels of NATOs two-day summit in Lithuania earlier this week.

The South Korean president and his wife toured Bucha and Irpin, two small cities near Kyiv where mass graves were discovered after Russian troops retreated from the area last year. The South Korean president laid flowers at a monument to the country's war dead.

In his address Saturday, Zelenskyy called Yoons visit to Ukraine very important and a very important direction of our international work. He also thanked a slew of countries, leaders and organizations for supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Wagner in Belarus

Both Ukraine and Poland Saturday confirmed the arrival of Wagner Group forces in Belarus, one day after Minsk said the mercenaries were training its troops.

"There may be several hundred of them at the moment," Stanislaw Zaryn, Poland's deputy minister coordinator of special services, said on Twitter.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner chief, has not been spotted in Belarus  he has not been seen in public since June 24

Zaporizhzhia shelling

Russia and Ukraine traded blame Saturday for shelling that injured three civilians in a village the Zaporizhzhia region. The region is one of four Moscow said it annexed last year, but it does not control it.

Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential administration, said Russian forces shelled the village of Stepnohirske, where the three people were injured. The city of Zaporizhzhia was also targeted and 16 buildings were damaged, said Anatoliy Kurtiev, secretary of the city council. Both men spoke via the Telegram messaging app.

Meanwhile, the Moscow-installed official who oversees the parts of Zaporizhzhia Russia controls said Ukrainian forces destroyed a school in the village of Stulneve, while air defense intercepted a drone over the city of Tokmak.

Reuters could not independently verify either report.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
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 victims relatives said in a lawsuit filed Wednesday.

They were the conspirators, even if they dont 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. Gendron, who was 18 years old at the time, had driven 200 miles (322 kilometers) 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, Goodmans mother, Zeneta Everhart, said.

Twenty-two users watched the violence in real-time on Gendrons 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 Gendrons 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.
Under the tall prairie grass outside this southwestern Minnesota town lies a precious seam of dark red pipestone that, for thousands of years, Native Americans have quarried and carved into pipes essential to prayer and communication with the Creator.

Only a dozen Dakota carvers remain in the predominantly agricultural area bordering South Dakota. While tensions have flared periodically over how broadly to produce and share the rare artifacts, many Dakota today are focusing on how to pass on to future generations a difficult skillset thats inextricably linked to spiritual practice.

Id be very happy to teach anyone  and the Spirit will be with you if youre meant to do that, said Cindy Pederson, who started learning how to carve from her grandparents six decades ago.

Enrolled in the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation, she regularly holds carving demonstrations at Pipestone National Monument, a small park that encompasses the quarries.

In the worldview of the Dakota peoples, sometimes referred to as Sioux, the sacred is woven in the land where the Creator placed them, said Iyekiyapiwin Darlene St. Clair, a professor at St. Cloud State University in central Minnesota.

But some places have a special relevance, because of events that occurred there, a sense of stronger spiritual power, or their importance in origin stories, she added.

These quarries of a unique variety of red pipestone check all three  starting with a history of enemy tribes laying down arms to allow for quarrying, with several stories warning that if fights broke out over the rare resource, it would make itself unavailable to all.

The colorful prayer ties and flags hung from trees alongside the trails that lead around the pink and red rocks testify to the continued sacredness of the space.

It was always a place to go pray, said Gabrielle Drapeau, a cultural resource specialist and park ranger at the monument who started coming here as a child.

From her elders in the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, Drapeau grew up hearing one of many origin stories for the pipestone: In time immemorial, a great flood killed most people in the area, their blood seeping into the stone and turning it red. But the Creator came, pronounced it a place of peace, and smoked a pipe, adding this is how people could reach him.

Its like a tangible representation of how we can connect with Creator, Drapeau said. All people before you are represented in the stone itself. Its not just willy-nilly stone.

Pipes are widely used by Indigenous people across the Great Plains and beyond, either by spiritual leaders or individuals for personal prayer for healing and thanksgiving, as well as to mark rites of passage like vision quests and the solemnity of ceremonies and gatherings.

Pipestone has a particular relationship to our spiritual practice  praying with pipes, we take very seriously, St. Clair said.

The pipe itself is thought to become sacred when the pipestone bowl and the wooden stem are joined. The smoke, from tobacco or prairie plants, then carries the prayer from a persons heart to the Creator.

Because of that crucial spiritual connection, only people enrolled in federally recognized tribes can obtain permits to quarry at the monument, some traveling from as far as Montana and Nebraska. Within tribes, theres disagreement over whether pipes should be sold, especially to non-Natives, and the pipestone used to make other art objects like carved animal figures.

Sacredness is going to be defined by you  thats between you and the Creator, said Travis Erickson, a fourth-generation carver whos worked pipestone in the area for more than two decades and embraces a less restrictive view. Everything on this Earth is spiritual.

His first job in the quarries, at age 10, was to break through and remove the layers of harder-than-steel quartzite covering the pipestone seam  then about six feet down, now more than 18 feet into the quarry, so the process can take months. Only hand tools can be used to avoid damaging the pipestone.

Taken out in sheets only about a couple of inches thick, it is then carved using flint and files.

The stone talks to me, added Erickson, who has fashioned pipe bowls in different shapes, such as horses. Most of those pipes showed what they wanted to be.

Growing up in the 1960s, Erickson recalled making pipes as a family affair where the day often ended with a festive grilling. He taught his children, but laments that few younger people want to take up the arduous job.

So does Pederson, some of whose younger family members have shown interest, including a granddaughter who would hang out in her workshop starting when she was 3 and emerge pink from head to toe from the stone dust.

But they believe the tradition will continue as long as they can share it with Native youth who might have their first encounter with this deep history on field trips to the monument.

On a recent trip, Pedersons brother, Mark Pederson, who also holds demonstrations at the visitor center, took several young visitors into the quarries and taught them how to swing sledgehammers  and many asked to return, she said.

Teaching the techniques of quarrying and carving is crucially important, and so is helping youth develop a relationship with the pipestone and its place in the Native worldview.

We have to be concerned with that as Dakota people  all cultural messages young people get draw away from our traditional lifeways, St. Clair said. We need to hold on to the teachings, prayers, songs that make pipes be.

From new exhibits to tailored school field trips, recent initiatives at the monument  undertaken in consultation between tribal leaders and the National Park Service  are trying to foster that awareness for Native youth.

I remind them they have every right to come here and pray, Drapeau said  a crucial point since many Native spiritual practices were systematically repressed for decades past 1937, when the monument was created to preserve the quarries from land encroachment.

Some areas of the park are open only for ceremonial use; the 75,000 yearly visitors are asked not to interfere with the quarriers.

The National Park Service is the newcomer here  for 3,000 years, different tribal nations have come to quarry here and developed different protocols to protect the site, said park superintendent Lauren Blacik.

One change brought through extensive consultations with tribal leaders is the parks decision to no longer sell pipes at the visitor center, though other pipestone objects are  like small carved turtles or owls. Pipes are available at stores a few miles away in Pipestones downtown.

Tensions over the use of sacred pipes by non-Natives long predates the United States, when French and English explorers traded them, said Greg Gagnon, a scholar of Indian Studies and author of a textbook on Dakota culture.

Nobody wants to have their world appropriated. The more you open it up, the more legitimate a fear of watering it down, he said. But theres also a danger in becoming entrenched in dogmatic ways of understanding traditions, Gagnon added.

For carvers like Pederson, good intentions and the Spirit at work in both those practicing the craft as well as those receiving the pipestone are reasons to be optimistic about the future.

Grandma and Grandpa always said the stone takes care of itself, knows whats in a persons heart, she said.
Since Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen deleted his Facebook account in late June, where he had 14 million followers, the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party has put pressure on students and loyalists alike to improve his follower count on platforms such as Telegram and TikTok, but neither a mass following nor a migration off Cambodian Facebook has materialized.

Hun Sen deleted his account June 29, hours after Meta Platforms Inc.s oversight board  which issues binding content moderation decisions for Meta platforms such as Facebook and Instagram  announced he had incited violence on the platform and recommended a six-month suspension.

Since then, Hun Sen has moved his primary communications to Telegram, posting hundreds of daily updates to about 975,000 followers, compared to 850,000 in late June. His new TikTok account has meanwhile gained about 244,000 followers, and this month also reactivated Twitter for the first time in more than a year.

He has yet to reach the 1 million Telegram followers his office stated as a goal before the July 23 election, even with a quiet government push underway to draw more eyes to his accounts.

In mid-July, more than 15 employees from the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry visited individual classrooms at a Phnom Penh university with printed copies of QR codes for the prime ministers accounts, according to a student who asked to remain anonymous and shared photos of the visit with VOA.

School administrators meanwhile have been regularly reporting the number of students following the accounts in classroom group chats, messages shared with VOA show. A ministry spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

I think its really a big deal, the student said. They shouldnt be doing this kind of stuff. But theres nothing we can do. Its the whole system.

Hun Sen himself, various ministries and even local tycoons have called on citizens and local authorities to follow the accounts in recent weeks. At least two ministries have released public statements asking employees in their sectors to do so, while pro-government media has continued boosting the handles.

Pressuring people to follow officials online interferes with their ability to choose how they receive information, Chak Sopheap, executive director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights told VOA Wednesday. ((712))

Citizens should be able to freely decide the kind of content and information they want to access and disseminate, and the accounts they want to interact with, particularly those of public figures, Sopheap said. Social media, she added, cannot be used as an excuse to interfere with this fundamental freedom or to put pressure on rights-holders to force them to act in certain ways.

Still, Hun Sens push toward other platforms has not deterred other arms of the government from using Facebook. Ministries covering information, justice, education, and public works sectors, among others, have been posting as usual.

One prominent tycoon, music producer and real estate developer Leng Navatra, who initially promised to leave the site along with Hun Sen later changed his mind; other prolific posters such as Information Minister Khieu Kanharith have also kept up their Facebook habits.

Meas Sophorn, the Information Ministry spokesperson, told VOA that although the prime minister had left the site, it was still valuable for ministries, citizens and other figures to share information and that the ministry did not plan to stop using it.

However, the ministry will continue considering which social media platforms are relevant and popular to use ... and consider using that platform to share information to citizens to be more widely updated, Sophorn added.

Hun Sen has long attracted scrutiny for his social media followings. In 2016, shortly after joining Facebook, The Phnom Penh Post reported more than half his pages likes originated from abroad, which experts raised "questions about their legitimacy. Over the years, he amassed 14 million Facebook followers. Cambodias population is about 17 million.

That reach is part of what pushed the Oversight Board to recommend his suspension, arguing that his strong online influence  amid a lack of independent media  gave his violent rhetoric more weight. On Telegram, follower bots are available for purchase online, although the platform regularly removes them.

Despite Hun Sen having fewer followers so far, Telegram could ultimately afford him more impunity, said Wai Phyo Myint, an Asia Pacific policy analyst and Myanmar expert at digital rights group Access Now.

After the Myanmar junta was banned from Facebook shortly after the 2021 coup, it shifted operations largely to Telegram, where abuse, disinformation and doxxing  targeting someone by releasing personal information without their permission  have proliferated, prompting United Nations experts to call on the platform to fundamentally change its approach.

We dont really see any kind of policy changes from Telegrams side, or any positive engagement, either with us or any other civil society groups in Myanmar, Wai Phyo Myint told VOA. It would be the same in Cambodia as well.  What weve been seeing is zero content moderation.

Hun Sen has mainly used Telegram to forward hundreds of photo albums from the campaign trail and post the occasional voice note. However, warnings have also surfaced: late Thursday, he wrote a message in response to a voice note from an opposition party member.

If youre against the law, then the prison will welcome you anytime, Hun Sen said.

Chea Revata contributed to this report.
South Korea's Foreign Minister Park Jin on Friday called on China to play a "constructive role" in curbing North Korea's threats, after Pyongyang launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) this week.

The remarks were made during a meeting with Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Jakarta, where Park "strongly denounced" North Korea's ICBM launch.

It is a common interest of Seoul and Beijing for North Korea to stop provocations and return to dialog, his office said.

"Minister Park ... stressed that it was more important than ever for the Chinese side to play a constructive role for the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula," Seoul's foreign ministry said in a statement.

For several years, the United Nations Security Council has been divided over how to deal with Pyongyang.

China and Russia have said that more sanctions will not help to ease tensions, while Washington accuses Beijing and Moscow of emboldening North Korea by shielding it from more sanctions.

Relations between South Korea and China have also worsened since China's ambassador last month warned South Korea against making a wrong bet when it comes to Sino-U.S. rivalry.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol had already angered China in April by saying the Taiwan issue was not merely an issue between China and democratically governed Taiwan, but a "global" issue similar to North Korea. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory.

"The Taiwan issue is the core of China's core interests, and concerns the political foundation and basic faith of China-South Korea relations," Wang told Park at the ASEAN meetings, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout on Saturday.

"It is hoped that the South Korean side will abide by the one-China principle and handle it prudently and properly."

China is willing to work with South Korea on rebuilding mutual trust and pushing their strategic partnership back to a healthy track, Wang said.

The two sides also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and other international and regional issues, China's foreign ministry said, without giving details.
Sudanese representatives have arrived in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah to resume talks with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudanese government sources told Reuters Saturday, after three months of fighting between the army and RSF.

Previous talks in Jeddah facilitated by Saudi Arabia and the United States were suspended by both countries in early June after numerous cease-fire violations. Saudi Arabia and the U.S. have yet to confirm the resumption of talks between Sudan's warring factions.

Separately, a mediation attempt launched by Egypt began Thursday, an effort welcomed both by the Sudanese army, which has close ties to Egypt, and the RSF.

A series of cease-fires have failed to halt the fighting which broke out on April 15 as the army and RSF vied for power.

The conflict has seen more than 3 million people uprooted, including more than 700,000 who have fled to neighboring countries.
Key Insights

Significant control over Reunion Gold by retail investors implies that the general public has more power to influence management and governance-related decisions

50% of the business is held by the top 11 shareholders

Insiders have been buying lately

A look at the shareholders of Reunion Gold Corporation (CVE:RGD) can tell us which group is most powerful. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are retail investors with 47% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Meanwhile, institutions make up 23% of the companys shareholders. Insiders often own a large chunk of younger, smaller, companies while huge companies tend to have institutions as shareholders.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Reunion Gold.

View our latest analysis for Reunion Gold

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Reunion Gold?

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 Reunion Gold. 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 Reunion Gold, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Reunion Gold is not owned by hedge funds. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Dundee Resources Limited with 15% of shares outstanding. The second and third largest shareholders are Jupiter Fund Management Plc and Barrick Gold Corporation, with an equal amount of shares to their name at 7.8%.

A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 11 shareholders have a combined ownership of 50% implying that no single shareholder has a majority.

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 Reunion Gold

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

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 can report that insiders do own shares in Reunion Gold Corporation. In their own names, insiders own CA$34m worth of stock in the CA$519m company. Some would say this shows alignment of interests between shareholders and the board. 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 47% stake in Reunion Gold. 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 16%, of the company's shares. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company.

Public Company Ownership

It appears to us that public companies own 7.8% of Reunion Gold. We can't be certain but it is quite possible this is a strategic stake. The businesses may be similar, or work together.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Take risks for example - Reunion Gold has 5 warning signs (and 3 which can't be ignored) we think 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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Sudan's warring factions fought heavy clashes in parts of the city of Bahri on Friday, residents said, a day after both sides welcomed a new mediation effort that seeks to end the three-month conflict.

The fighting that broke out on April 15 has driven civilians out of the wider capital region  consisting of the cities of Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman  and triggered ethnically motivated attacks in the Darfur region.

Regional and international mediation efforts have so far failed to end the fighting, and U.N. officials have said Sudan could slide into civil war.

The latest mediation attempt was launched Thursday in Egypt. Both the army, which has close ties to Egypt, and the RSF paramilitary group welcomed the effort.

But four residents of northern Bahri told Reuters they awoke to heavy early morning clashes between the two sides, apparently centered near the Halfaya bridge.

While the RSF quickly fanned out across the capital in the early days of the conflict, the army has focused on air and artillery strikes that have done little to change the scene.

The army has conducted more ground operations in recent weeks, particularly in Omdurman.

The Bahri residents said they heard air strikes, artillery fire and gunshots, continuing into the afternoon.

An army source said the army had succeeded in pushing the RSF out of neighborhoods in the far north of the city in the morning, but the RSF said in a statement they were able to defeat the forces and claimed to kill hundreds.

the Sudanese army said in a statement that it had launched ground operations in all three cities of the capital and that it had been successful, acknowledging some losses in Bahri but calling the RSF number inflated.

Residents of the wider capital area reported a communications outage for several hours in the morning.

Other eyewitnesses reported clashes around an army base in southern Khartoum as well.

On Friday, Sudanese human rights organizations said they had evidence the RSF had detained more than 5,000 people in the capital and were keeping them in inhumane conditions.

When asked for comment, the RSF said the reports were incorrect, and that it only held prisoners of war who were well-treated.

"These organizations are ignoring violations by the army against civilians, including air and artillery strikes, detentions and arming of civilians," a representative for the force said.

Among those detained in several locations across Khartoum were combatants, but also 3,500 civilians, including vulnerable women and foreign nationals, said the organizations, who asked to have their names withheld for fear of retribution.

They said they would present to the United Nations documentation of cases of death by torture, as well as "degrading, inhumane conditions of detention devoid of human dignity and the most basic necessities of life."

The U.N. human rights office said on Thursday at least 87 people had been buried in a mass grave in the Darfur city of El Geneina, accusing the RSF and allied militias of the killings, which the paramilitary force denied.

Late on Thursday, the International Criminal Court said it would investigate killings across the region. The RSF did not respond to a request for comment on the investigation.
The Ukrainian civilians woke long before dawn in the bitter cold, lined up for the single toilet and were loaded at gunpoint into the livestock trailer. They spent the next 12 hours or more digging trenches on the front lines for Russian soldiers. Many were forced to wear overlarge Russian military uniforms that could make them a target, and a former city administrator trudged around in boots five sizes too big. By the end of the day, their hands curled into icy claws. Nearby, in the occupied region of Zaporizhzhia, other Ukrainian civilians dug mass graves into the frozen ground for fellow prisoners who had not survived. One man who refused to dig was shot on the spot  yet another body for the grave. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are being detained across Russia and the Ukrainian territories it occupies, in centers ranging from brand-new wings in Russian prisons to clammy basements. Most have no status under Russian law. And Russia is planning to hold possibly thousands more. A Russian government document obtained by The Associated Press dating to January outlined plans to create 25 new prison colonies and six other detention centers in occupied Ukraine by 2026. In addition, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree in May allowing Russia to send people from territories with martial law, which includes all of occupied Ukraine, to those without, such as Russia. This makes it easier to deport Ukrainians who resist Russian occupation deep into Russia indefinitely, which has happened in multiple cases documented by the AP. Many civilians are picked up for alleged transgressions as minor as speaking Ukrainian or simply being a young man in an occupied region, and are often held without charge. Others are charged as terrorists, combatants, or people who "resist the special military operation." Hundreds are used for slave labor by Russia's military, for digging trenches and other fortifications, as well as mass graves. Torture is routine, including repeated electrical shocks, beatings that crack skulls and fracture ribs, and simulated suffocation. Many former prisoners told the AP they witnessed deaths. A United Nations report from late June documented 77 summary executions of civilian captives and the death of one man due to torture. Russia does not acknowledge holding civilians at all, let alone its reasons for doing so. But the prisoners serve as future bargaining chips in exchanges for Russian soldiers, and the U.N. has said there is evidence of civilians being used as human shields near the front lines. The AP spoke with dozens of people, including 20 former detainees, along with ex-prisoners of war, the families of more than a dozen civilians in detention, two Ukrainian intelligence officials and a government negotiator. Their accounts, as well as satellite imagery, social media, government documents and copies of letters delivered by the Red Cross, confirm a widescale Russian system of detention and abuse of civilians that stands in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions. Some civilians were held for days or weeks, while others have vanished for well over a year. Nearly everyone freed said they experienced or witnessed torture, and most described being shifted from one place to another without explanation. "It's a business of human trafficking," said Olena Yahupova, the city administrator who was forced to dig trenches for the Russians in Zaporizhzhia. "If we don't talk about it and keep silent, then tomorrow anyone can be there  my neighbor, acquaintance, child."

Invisible prisoners The new building in the compound of Prison Colony No. 2 is at least two stories tall, separated from the main prison by a thick wall. This facility in Russia's eastern Rostov region has gone up since the war started in February 2022, according to satellite imagery analyzed by the AP. It could easily house the hundreds of Ukrainian civilians who are believed detained there, according to former captives, families of the missing, human rights activists and Russian lawyers. Two exiled Russian human rights advocates said it is heavily guarded by soldiers and armored vehicles. The building in Rostov is one of at least 40 detention facilities in Russia and Belarus, and 63 makeshift and formal in occupied Ukrainian territory where Ukrainian civilians are held, according to an AP map built on data from former captives, the Ukrainian Media Initiative for Human Rights, and the Russian human rights group Gulagu.net. The recent U.N. report counted a total of 37 facilities in Russia and Belarus and 125 in occupied Ukraine.

Some also hold Russian prisoners accused or convicted of a variety of crimes. Other, more makeshift locations are near the front lines, and the AP documented two locations where former prisoners say Ukrainians were forced to dig trenches. The shadowy nature of the system makes it difficult to know exactly how many civilians are being detained. Ukraine's government has been able to confirm legal details of a little over 1,000 who are facing charges. At least 4,000 civilians are held in Russia and at least as many scattered around the occupied territories, according to Vladimir Osechkin, an exiled Russian human rights activist who talks to informants within Russian prisons and founded Gulagu.net to document abuses. Osechkin showed AP a Russian prison document from 2022 saying that 119 people ''opposed to the special military operation'' in Ukraine were moved by plane to the main prison colony in the Russian region of Voronezh. Many Ukrainians later freed by Russia also described unexplained plane transfers. In all, Ukraine's government believes around 10,000 civilians could be detained, according to Ukrainian negotiator Oleksandr Kononeko, based on reports from loved ones, as well as post-release interviews with some civilians and the hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers returned in prisoner exchanges. Ukraine said in June that about 150 civilians have been freed to Ukrainian-controlled territory, and the Russians deny holding others. "They say, 'We don't have these people, it's you who is lying,'" Kononeko said. The detention of two men from the Kherson region in August 2022 offers a glimpse at how hard it is for families to track down loved ones in Russian custody. Artem Baranov, a security guard, and Yevhen Pryshliak, who worked at a local asphalt plant with his father, had been friends for over a decade. Their relationship was cemented when both bought dogs during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Baranov's common-law wife, Ilona Slyva. Their evening walks continued even after Russia seized their hometown of Nova Kakhovka  shy Baranov with a giant black Italian mastiff and Pryshliak with a toy poodle whose apricot fur matched his beard. Their walk ran late the night of Aug. 15, and Pryshliak decided to stay at Baranov's apartment rather than risk being caught breaking the Russian curfew. Neighbors later told the family that 15 armed Russian soldiers swooped in, ransacked the apartment and seized the men. For a month, they were in the local jail, with conditions relaxed enough that Slyva was able to talk to Pryshliak through the fence. Baranov, he told her, couldn't come out. She sent in packages of food and clothes but did not know if they were reaching him. Finally, on Baranov's birthday, she bought his favorite dessert of cream eclairs, smashed them up, and slipped in a scrap of paper with her new Russian phone number scrawled on it. She hoped the guards would have little interest in the sticky mess and just pass it along. A month went by, and the families learned the men had been transferred to a new prison in Sevastopol, in Crimea. Then the trail went dark. Four more months passed. Then a call came from the family of a man they had never met but would soon come to know well: Pavlo Zaporozhets. Zaporozhets, a Ukrainian from the occupied Kherson region charged with international terrorism, was sharing a cell in Rostov with Baranov. Since he faced charges, he had a lawyer. It was then that Slyva knew her gift of eclairs  and the phone number smuggled within them  had reached its destination. Baranov had memorized her number and passed it through a complex chain that finally got news of him to her on April 7. Baranov wrote that he was accused of espionage  an accusation that Slyva scorned as falling apart even under Russia's internal logic. He was detained in August, and Russia illegally annexed the regions only in October. "When he was detained, he was on his own national territory," she said. "They thought and thought and invented a criminal case against him for espionage." Baranov wrote home that he was transported across prisons with his eyes closed in two planes, one of which had about 60 people. He and Pryshliak were separated at their third transfer in late winter. Pryshliak's family has received a form letter from the Rostov prison denying he is an inmate there. The number of civilian detainees has grown rapidly over the course of the war. In the first wave early on, Russian units moved in with lists of activists, pro-Ukrainian community leaders, and military veterans. Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov was taken when Russian forces seized control of his city but exchanged within a week for nine Russian soldiers, he said. Then they focused on teachers and doctors who refused to work with the occupation authorities. But the reasons for apprehending people today are as mundane as tying a ribbon to a bicycle in the Ukrainian colors of blue and yellow. "Now there is no logic," Fedorov said. He estimated that around 500 Ukrainian civilians are detained just in his city at any time  numbers echoed by multiple people interviewed by the AP. A Ukrainian intelligence official said the Russian fear of dissidents had become "pathological" since last fall, as Russians brace for Ukraine's counteroffensive. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the situation. The AP saw multiple missing person notices posted on closed Ukrainian social media chats for young men seized off the streets. The messages, written in Ukrainian, describe detentions at gunpoint at home and on the street, with pleas to send information and emojis of hearts and praying hands. The Geneva Conventions in general forbid the arbitrary detention or forced deportation of civilians, and state that detainees must be allowed to communicate with loved ones, obtain legal counsel and challenge allegations against them. But first they must be found. After months writing letter after letter to locate Pryshliak, his sister-in-law Liubov thinks she knows why the prisoners are moved around: "So that the families cannot find them. Just to hide the traces of crimes."

Slaves in the trenches Hundreds of civilians end up in a place that is possibly even more dangerous than the prisons: the trenches of occupied Ukraine. There, they are forced to build protection for Russian soldiers, according to multiple people who managed to leave Russian custody. Among them was Yahupova, the 50-year-old civil administrator detained in October 2022 in the Zaporizhzhia region, possibly because she is married to a Ukrainian soldier. Under international humanitarian law, Yahupova is a civilian  defined as anyone who is not an active member of or volunteer for the armed forces. Documented breaches of the law constitute a war crime and, if widespread and systematic, "may also constitute a crime against humanity." But the distinctions between soldiers and civilians can be hard to prove in a war where Ukraine has urged all its citizens to help, for example by sending Russian troop locations via social media. In practice, the Russians are scooping up civilians along with soldiers, including those denounced by neighbors for whatever reason or seized seemingly at random. They picked Yahupova up at her house in October. Then they demanded she reveal information about her husband, taping a plastic bag over her face, beating her on the head with a filled water bottle and tightening a cable around her neck. They also dragged her out of the cell and drove her around town to identify pro-Ukrainian locals. She didn't. When they hauled her out a second time, she was exhausted. As a soldier placed her in front of a Russian news camera, she could still feel the dried blood on the back of her neck. She was going to give an interview, her captors told her. Behind the camera, a gun was pointed at her head. The soldier holding it told her that if she gave the right answers to the Russian journalist interviewing her, she could go free. But she didn't know what the right answers were. She went back to the cell.

Three months later, without explanation, Yahupova was again pulled outside. This time, she was driven to a deserted checkpoint, where yet another Russian news crew awaited. She was ordered to hold hands with two men and walk about 5 meters (yards) toward Ukraine. The three Ukrainians were ordered to do another take. And another, to show that Russia was freeing the Ukrainian civilians in its custody. Except, at the end of the last take, Russian soldiers loaded them into a truck and drove them to a nearby crossroads. One put shovels into their hands. "Now you will do something for the good of the Russian Federation," he said. And so Yahupova ended up digging trenches until mid-March with more than a dozen Ukrainian civilians, including business owners, a student, a teacher, and utility workers. She could see other crews in the distance, with armed guards standing over them. Most wore Russian military uniforms and boots, and lived in fear that Ukrainian artillery would mistake them for the enemy. The AP confirmed through satellite imagery the new trenches dug in the area where Yahupova and a man on the Ukrainian crew with her said they were held. He requested anonymity because his relatives still live under occupation. "Sometimes we even worked there 24 hours a day, when they had an inspection coming," he said. The man also spoke with other Ukrainian civilians digging mass graves nearby for at least 15 people. He said one civilian had been shot for refusing to dig. Satellite imagery shows a mound of freshly-dug earth in the spot the man described. The man escaped during a Russian troop rotation, and Yahupova also made her way out. But both said hundreds of others are still in the occupied front lines, forced to work for Russia or die. When Yahupova returned to her home after more than five months, everything had been stolen. Her beloved dog had been shot. Her head ached, her vision was blurred, and her children  long since out of the occupied territories  urged her to leave. She traveled thousands of miles through Russia, north to the Baltics and back around to the front line in Ukraine, where she reunited with her husband serving with Ukrainian forces. Earlier married in a civil ceremony, the two got wed this time in church. Now safe in Ukrainian territory, Yahupova wants to testify against Russia  for the months it stole from her, the concussion that troubles her, the home she has lost. She still reflexively touches the back of her head, where the bottle struck her over and over. "They stole not only from me, they stole from half the country," she said.

Torture as a policy The abuse Yahupova described is common. Torture was a constant, whether or not there was information to extract, according to every former detainee interviewed by the AP. The U.N. report from June said 91% of prisoners "described torture and ill-treatment." In the occupied territories, all the freed civilians interviewed by the AP described crammed rooms and cells, tools of torture prepared in advance, tape placed carefully next to office chairs to bind arms and legs, and repeated questioning by Russian's FSB intelligence agency. Nearly 100 evidence photos obtained by the AP from Ukrainian investigators also showed instruments of torture found in liberated areas of Kherson, Kyiv and Kharkiv, including the same tools repeatedly described by former civilian captives held in Russia and occupied regions. Many former detainees spoke of wires linking prisoners' bodies to electricity in field telephones or radios or batteries, in a procedure one man said the Russians dubbed "call your mother" or "call Biden." U.N. human rights investigators said one victim described the same treatment given to Yahupova, a severe beating on the head with a filled water bottle. Viktoriia Andrusha, an elementary school math teacher, was seized by Russian forces on March 25, 2022, after they ransacked her parents' home in Chernihiv and found photos of Russian military vehicles on her phone. By March 28, she was in a prison in Russia. Her captors told her Ukraine had fallen and no one wanted any civilians back. For her, like so many others, torture came in the form of fists, batons of metal, wood and rubber, plastic bags. Men in black, with special forces chevrons on their sleeves, pummeled her in the prison corridor and in a ceramic-tiled room seemingly designed for quick cleaning. Russian propaganda played on a television above her.

"There was a point when I was already sitting and saying: Honestly, do what you want with me. I just don't care anymore," Andrusha said. Along with the physical torture came mental anguish. Andrusha was told repeatedly that she would die in prison in Russia, that they would slash her with knives until she was unrecognizable, that her government cared nothing about a captive schoolteacher, that her family had forgotten her, that her language was useless. They forced captives to memorize verse after verse of the Russian national anthem and other patriotic songs. "Their job was to influence us psychologically, to show us that we are not human," she said. "Our task was to make sure that everything they did to us did not affect us." Then one day, without explanation, it was over for her and another woman kept with her. Guards ordered them to pack up, cuffed them and put them in a bus. The weight Andrusha had lost in prison showed starkly in the cast-off jacket that hung from her shoulders. They were soon joined by Ukrainian soldiers held captive elsewhere. On the other side, Andrusha saw three Russian soldiers. Although international law forbids the exchange of civilians as prisoners of war, the U.N. report on June 27 said this has happened in at least 53 cases, and Melitopol Mayor Fedorov confirmed it happened to him. A man detained with Andrusha in March 2022 is in captivity still. She doesn't know the fate of the others she met. But many former captives take it upon themselves to contact the loved ones of their former cellmates. Andrusha recalled hours spent memorizing whispered phone numbers in a circle with other Ukrainians, on the chance one of them might get out. When she was freed, she passed them along to Ukrainian government officials. Andrusha has since regained some of her weight. She talks about her six months in prison calmly but with anger. "I was able to survive this," she said, after a day back in the classroom with her students. "There are so many cases when people do not return." In the meantime, for loved ones, the wait is agony.
United Nations agencies said Friday that millions of Sudanese cannot obtain treatment for emergency and chronic health conditions because fighting has brought the countrys fragile health system to near total collapse.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement violence and shortages of supplies, damage or occupation of facilities and assaults on medical staff are having a devastating impact on peoples lives and on their ability to access health care.

The World Health Organization has said that some 50 attacks on health care facilities have caused 10 deaths and 21 injuries since fighting began between the Sudanese armed forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces three months ago.

Ongoing violence, rampant insecurity, repeated attacks on health, and limited access to essential health supplies, are putting the people of Sudan in a life-or-death situation, with no immediate political solution in sight, Rick Brennan, emergency director for the WHOs regional office for the Eastern Mediterranean said.

Speaking from Cairo, Brennan said the violence has had a huge impact on access to the most basic health care, including treatment of such common infections as pneumonia and diarrhea, trauma treatment, and obstetric care.

He said the conflict is preventing people with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension from getting treatment.

Patients who have been receiving dialysis for kidney failure and treatment for cancer are facing a sudden cessation of their treatment, with life-threatening consequences, he said.

SEE ALSO: VOA60 Africa- Leaders from Sudans six neighboring countries met in Cairo for peace talks, refugees in Chad tell harrowing stories He said disrupted access to those services is risking the lives of 8,000 people, including 240 children who need regular dialysis sessions. He said many of an estimated 49,000 Sudanese cancer patients could die without restoration of access to their cancer care.

He said lack of access to health care is raising the risk of malaria, measles, dengue, and cholera outbreaks. The dangers, he said, are particularly acute with the onset of the rainy season.

The delivery of health care across the entire country is limited by shortage of supplies, lack of health workers and functioning health facilities, and logistic constraints due to insecurity and roadblocks by militias, he said.

The World Health Organization estimates 11 million people in Sudan need urgent health assistance, but few health facilities still are functioning. Brennan said that between two-thirds and 80% of hospitals are not functioning and in West Darfur, only one hospital is operational, but only partially.

Despite the ongoing insecurity and bureaucratic impediments, he said the WHO was working with local health authorities and U.N. agencies, including UNICEF and the U.N. Population Fund, to provide health care.

For example, he said more than 170 tons of medical supplies have been delivered to hospitals and therapeutic treatments have been provided for more than 100,000 severely malnourished children.

He said the WHO and and the U.N. Population Fund were working to provide women and girls access to sexual, reproductive, and maternal health care.

He added that survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, which reportedly is widespread in this conflict, as it is in so many conflicts, were receiving medical and psychosocial support.

But the reality is that there are large proportions of the population to whom we do not have access, especially in Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan, he said.
White House officials are formalizing rules for how and when to declassify sensitive intelligence as part of a bolder, more expansive approach to deter adversaries and protect allies and partners.

Buoyed by the successful use of declassified intelligence to both thwart Russia's plans for a surprise invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and to galvanize allies in support of Kyiv, the White House wants to make the tactic a permanent part of its playbook.

"We fully intend to use this sort of capability outside the Russia-Ukraine conflict," White House deputy national security adviser Jon Finer said Friday, speaking to an intelligence and security conference just outside Washington.

"It's been important to us to put in place a process that both can move quickly enough to be relevant policy-wise - because sometimes this information is only useful if you get it downgraded in a rapid fashion - but also does so rigorously enough that our intelligence partners are comfortable that what must be protected has been protected," he said.

How it's been used

Finer said sensitive, declassified and publicized intelligence  known in the White House as a strategic downgrade  has already been used to counter China's claims about a spy balloon that traveled across the continental United States earlier this year and to defuse a potential crisis in Mali due to Russia's Wagner Group.

"We were able to point to destabilizing activities that were not publicly known, that were underway, that helped us to avoid bad outcomes," he said.

President Joe Biden's decision to purposefully declassify and publicize sensitive intelligence, using it almost as a weapon against Russia in the run-up to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, has won praise from current and former intelligence officials.

"It's played a very effective role," CIA Director William Burns said of the tactic during a conference last September, adding, "I think it can continue to again, if we make it the exception, not the rule."

Finer, on Friday, acknowledged the multitude of risks but argued the process has been "refined over time" to centralize decision-making with the National Security Council staff and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

He also said the Biden administration's guidelines limit the use of downgraded intelligence to a select handful of situations, such as when civilian lives or infrastructure is at risk or to counter potentially damaging disinformation campaigns or false flag operations.

Sending messages

Finer said in the case of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the tactic has been used to dissuade other countries, such as China and North Korea, from providing lethal support to Moscow.

The Biden administration's guidelines also require that any strategic downgrades be accurate, be based on verifiable reporting, and be wielded as part of a broader plan that includes the use of diplomacy as well as security and economic assistance.

"It should always be in service of clear policy objectives," Finer said. "It's not like you just get a piece of very interesting information that could sort of damage one of your adversaries and you decide that could be embarrassing to them, let's put it out."

Most important, Finer said, there is no room for error.

"You've got to be right," he said, "because if you go out alarming the world that something terrible is going to happen and you have it wrong, it will be much harder to use the tool effectively the next time."
Agreements that the United Nations and Turkey brokered with Ukraine and Russia to allow food and fertilizer to get from the warring nations to parts of the world where millions are going hungry have eased concerns over global food security. But they face increasing risks.

Moscow has ramped up its rhetoric, saying it may not extend the deal that expires Monday unless its demands are met, including ensuring its own agricultural shipments don't face hurdles.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative has allowed 32.8 million metric tons (36.2 million tons) of food to be exported from Ukraine since last August, more than half to developing countries, including those getting relief from the World Food Program.

If the deal isnt renewed, you will have a new spike for sure in food prices, said Maximo Torero, U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization chief economist. The duration of that spike will depend a lot on how markets will respond."

The good news is some analysts don't foresee a lasting rise in the cost of global food commodities like wheat because theres enough grain in the world to go around. But many countries are already struggling with high local food prices, which are helping fuel hunger.

Here's a look at the crucial accord and what it means for the world:



What is the grain deal?



Ukraine and Russia signed separate agreements in August 2022 that reopened three of Ukraine's Black Sea ports, which were blocked for months following Moscow's invasion. They also facilitated the movement of Russian produce amid Western sanctions.

Both countries are major global suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other affordable food products that Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia rely on. Ukraine is also a huge exporter of corn, and Russia of fertilizer  other critical parts of the food chain.

Interrupted shipments from Ukraine, dubbed the breadbasket of the world, exacerbated a global food crisis and sent prices for grain soaring worldwide.

One major agricultural producer is waging war on another major agricultural producer, which is affecting the price of food and fertilizers for millions of people around the world, said Caitlin Welsh, director of the Global Food and Water Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The deal provides assurances that ships won't be attacked entering and leaving Ukrainian ports. Vessels are checked by Russian, Ukrainian, U.N. and Turkish officials to ensure they carry only food and not weapons that could help either side.

Meant to be extended every four months, the deal was hailed as a beacon of hope amid war and has been renewed three times  the last two for only two months as Russia insisted its exports were being held up.

What has it accomplished?

The deal helped bring down global prices of food commodities like wheat that hit record highs after Russia invaded Ukraine.

As the war caused food and energy costs to surge worldwide, millions of people were thrown into poverty and faced greater food insecurity in already vulnerable nations.

Once the grain deal was struck, the World Food Program got back its No. 2 supplier, allowing 725,000 metric tons of humanitarian food aid to leave Ukraine and reach countries on the precipice of famine, including Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Yemen.

It is a pretty unique phenomenon to have two warring parties and two intermediaries agree to establish this sort of corridor to get humanitarian products  which is ostensibly what this is  out to markets that need it most, said John Stawpert, senior manager of environment and trade for the International Chamber of Shipping, which represents 80% of the worlds commercial fleet.

What threatens the deal?

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow wouldnt extend the grain deal unless the West fulfills the promises given to us.

We have repeatedly shown goodwill to extend this deal," Putin told reporters Thursday. "Enough is enough.

He said he wants an end to sanctions on the Russian Agricultural Bank and to restrictions on shipping and insurance that he insists have hampered agricultural exports.

Some companies have been wary of doing business with Russia because of sanctions, but Western allies have made assurances that food and fertilizer are exempt.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a letter to Putin this week proposing to ease transactions through the agricultural bank, a spokesperson said.

Russian claims that its agriculture sector is suffering are countered by the reality" that production and exports are up since before the war, Welsh said.

Russia exported a record 45.5 million metric tons of wheat in the 2022-2023 trade year, with another all-time high of 47.5 million metric tons expected in 2023-2024, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates.

Who is affected?

The International Rescue Committee calls the grain deal a lifeline for the 79 countries and 349 million people on the frontlines of food insecurity."

East Africa, for instance, has seen both severe drought and flooding, destroying crops for 2.2 million people who depend on farming for their livelihoods, said Shashwat Saraf, the groups regional emergency director for East Africa.

Countries that depend on imported food, from Lebanon to Egypt, would need to find suppliers outside the Black Sea region, which would raise costs because they are further away, analysts say.

That would compound costs for countries that also have seen their currencies weaken and debt levels grow because they pay for food shipments in dollars.

For low-income countries and people, food will be less affordable if the grain deal isn't renewed, World Food Program chief economist Arif Husain told reporters.

What about Ukraine? Ukraine's economy depends on agriculture, and before the war, 75% of its grain exports went through the Black Sea.

It can send its food by land or river through Europe, so it wouldnt be cut off from world markets if the grain deal ends, but those routes have a lower capacity than sea shipments and have stirred anger from farmers in neighboring countries.

Nonetheless, the Ukrainian Grain Association wants to send more grain through the Danube River to neighboring Romania's Black Sea ports, saying it's possible to double monthly exports along that route to 4 million metric tons.
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L-to-the-O-G off, Brian. Photo: Arturo Holmes/WireImage

Scottish actor Brian Cox, 77, was on the cover of a digital British GQ spinoff called GQ Hype in October 2021. This ruled, because in the cast of Succession, Cox was surrounded by hypebeasts. Nicholas Braun is certainly a hypebeast. Jeremy Strong portrayed one as Kendall. But no one goes full fucking beast to the press like Cox, who can be disarmingly candid. In the Hype interview, Cox said straight up that there would be only one or two more seasons of Succession, then I think were done. This wasnt the first time Successions five-season ceiling has been invoked, but it was a confirmation, and he said it so casually and assuredly. Plus it reminded us of our favorite Succession C-plot: Brian Cox just sort of running his mouth to the press. Even after the fourth and final season came and went, Cox is still oversharing. So well keep updating this post. Below, some highs and lows for Brian Coxs PR team.

September 23, 2020: This guy just has to weigh in on J.K. Rowling

For context: Cox has two (in his own words) giant teenage sons named Orson and Torin. They sound absolutely terrifying. According to an interview with Cox in U.K. Readers Digest, he asked one of his sons about what was going on with J.K. Rowling:

He said, Well, she believes women menstruate. Thats what they do, dont they? He belly laughs. He said, Well, people dont like that. And you go, Oh, for Christs sake! Call something what it is as opposed to something that you think it should be. And it is  its the cancel culture. I keep well away from it.

So hulking Orson or massive Torin misrepresented why people were really upset with Rowling (hint: It rhymes with Smurf), Cox didnt look any further into it, and U.K. Readers Digest thought this section of the interview would be worth publishing. Based on this anecdote, part of me wants to give Cox the benefit of the doubt and believe he didnt even realize any of it had to do with transphobia, trans men, and TERF-dom. Maybe he thought this was something else entirely. Maybe not!

September 2, 2021: Cox spills the wrong premiere date on Cameo

In a Cameo message that has since been taken down, Cox said Successions third season would premiere October 12. That was not the correct date, but it led many fans to speculate  correctly  that October 12 would be the cast premiere and that, therefore, the new season would premiere on HBO October 17.

September 28, 2021: Cox spoils a surprising plot point

In a profile, Cox told the New York Times, In this season  I dont know if Im supposed to say this  but at one point he has a UTI. Spoilers, Brian! We never would have guessed Logan would share a plotline with Rebecca Bunch.

October 20, 2021: Cox calls American audiences mindless

Circling back to GQ Hype, Cox began the interview by recounting the U.K. premiere of Successions third season: And a British audience, too  Theyre not like American audiences, which have a sort of mindlessness to them. Theyre much more discerning. But they were whooping and hollering. It was unlike anything Ive seen before. Oh, Brian.

October 26, 2021: Cox trash-talks other actors in his autobiography

At the height of Succession mania, Cox released his memoir, Putting the Rabbit in the Hat, in which he absolutely roasts some of his fellow actors and filmmakers. The Big Issue rounded up some of his most savage burns, and  you didnt have to body them like that, Brian.

On Michael Caine: I wouldnt describe Michael as my favourite, but hes Michael Caine. An institution. And being an institution will always beat having range.

On Johnny Depp: Personable though Im sure he is, is so overblown, so overrated. I mean, Edward Scissorhands. Lets face it, if you come on with hands like that and pale, scarred-face makeup, you dont have to do anything. And he didnt. And subsequently, hes done even less.

On Quentin Tarantino: I find his work meretricious. Its all surface. Plot mechanics in place of depth. Style where there should be substance. I walked out of Pulp Fiction  That said, if the phone rang, Id do it.

January 14, 2022: Cox negs Game of Thrones, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Harry Potter

In another memoir excerpt, this time shared by GQ, Cox explained why he passed on being involved in most of the big fantasy franchises of our era. Cox says he was offered the role of Robert Baratheon on GoT and said no because the pay was piss poor. When it was originally offered the money was not all that great, shall we say say, he wrote. Plus I was going to be killed off fairly early on, so I wouldnt have had any of the benefits of the long-term effects of a successful series where your wages go up with each passing season. So I passed on it, and Mark Addy was gored by the boar instead.

Doubling down on his Johnny Depp anti status, Cox explained that he was offered the part of the Governor in the first Pirates movie, eventually played by Jonathan Pryce. It would have been a money-spinner, but of all the parts in that film it was the most thankless, he wrote, plus I would have ended up doing it for film after film and missed out on all the other nice things Ive done.

Cox said he would have done Harry fucking Potter, but the part of Mad-Eye Moody went to Brendan Gleeson instead: Brendan was more in fashion than I was at that point, and thats very much the way of the world in my business, so he got it.

January 19, 2022: Cox addresses that Jeremy Strong profile

Coxs memoir rollout continues to just barrel along unabated, like a Katamari Damacy of good quotes. In an interview with Deadline, Cox addressed the highly talked-about Jeremy Strong profile published in The New Yorker. Cox says that doing the profile was Jeremys idea, the whole article. He pushed for it  and people kept warning him about it. In a sense, he got hoisted by it, and I think it was unfortunate. He goes into tender-dad mode here, saying Strong is brilliant at playing Kendall, but its also exhausting for the rest of us from time to time. But we weather it because we love him. Cox added that the profile put the sensitive actor in a vulnerable position.

The Deadline interviewer then asked if Cox feels that he, too, has put himself in a vulnerable position by publishing his memoir. To which Cox replied with the now-immortal words, No, no. Listen, Im too old, too tired, and too talented for any of that shit.

June 8, 2022: Cox calls film directors illiterate

I think where we, as actors, get completely underestimated is our literate sense, Cox said during The Hollywood Reporter drama actors roundtable. We are really, surprisingly, intuitively literate. We know about subject, verb, and object. We really do. We deal with that every day. And a lot of directors havent a fucking clue about that. Not only is Cox implying that directors, unlike actors, cant read, but he gets specific with it. Logan Roy comes alive when Cox picks the most unexpected of battles.

September 12, 2022: Cox shades Billions for no discernible reason

This time, he didnt even make it past the paywall preview before saying something pot-stirring. When asked by The Times if Succession will have a fifth season, he answered, I dont know. No ones had their contracts renewed. Who knows how long it will go on? We dont want it to overstay its welcome like Billions; thats past its sell-by date. That will not happen with our show. We predict the next update to this list will be Cox throwing hands with Paul Giamatti.

January 15, 2023: Cox is still defending J.K. Rowling

On BBC Ones Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, Cox is basically teed up to fail when a talk-show host says that when it comes to battles for gender-identity recognition and proper health care, theres been a lot of abuse flying around, not least at J.K. Rowling, which yikes, BBC, youre really airing this stuff on national television? Anyway, she asks Cox to share his feelings on the way shes been treated, and he answers, I dont like the way she has been treated, actually. I think shes entitled to her opinion, shes entitled to say what she feels, as a woman, shes very much entitled to say what she feels about her own body. Theres nobody better to say that, as a woman. So I do feel that people have been a bit high and mighty about their attitude toward J.K. Rowling, quite frankly. Anyone can talk about their own body as much as theyd like, Brian. Thats not really why people are upset with Joanne, now is it, Brian!!

February 21, 2023: Cox thinks the cure for Jeremy Strongs method acting is weed

In an interview with Town & Country ahead of Successions fourth season, Cox says that co-star Jeremy Strongs method-acting approach of staying in character as Kendall during the entire shoot is fucking annoying. Cox says Strongs a very good actor but that his commitment is not only baffling but unnecessary. Cox mentions a video from 2009, in which he teaches Hamlets soliloquy to a 30-month-old toddler named Theo through repetition. At the end of the video, Cox says, Hes fantastic! Hes the best drama student Ive ever had!

There is something in the little boy that is able to convey the character, Cox tells Town & Country. Its just there and is accessible. Its not a big fucking religious experience. So Cox was naturally surprised when, after filming the finale scene of season three, when Kendall confesses to killing someone in a car crash, Strong didnt break character even after it had wrapped. Hes still that guy, because he feels if he went somewhere else hed lose it. But he wont! Strong is talented. Hes fucking gifted. When youve got the gift, celebrate the gift. Go back to your trailer and have a hit of marijuana, you know?

March 16, 2023: Cox thinks Meghan Markle shouldve seen it coming

In a cover story for Haute Living, Cox espouses the belief that its time to say Fuck it! Move on! from the British monarchy: Its not viable; it doesnt made any sense. That first parts all well and good. But regarding the innocence of Meghan Markle, he says, she knew what she was getting into, and theres an ambition there clearly as well  the childhood dreams of marrying Prince Charming and all that shit we see as fantasy that could be our lives in our dreams. Im a Cinderella person, you know. He doesnt explain what he means by that last part, but it paints a great mental image.

July 11, 2023: Cox takes aim at woke millennials and runners

While speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Cox turns his attention to woke culture and shaming culture, which he describes as truly awful. Hes apparently looked into who the main culprits are. It turns out its usually a bunch of millennials, he says. I suppose in a way theyre probably saying, Well youve all screwed it up so we may as well do something about it. But its from the wrong principle. It comes from the wrong place.

Elsewhere in the interview, Cox points out that he looks amazing for his age, noting that he regularly goes to the gym and pumps iron. I look at people running, and I go, no. Dont run, he says. According to Cox, hes seen men who look healthy and strong at age 52, but  ostensibly because theyve been running  look noticeably less so by the time theyre 56. Theyre gone, Cox reflects. And I just go, Stupid.

This post has been updated.
Photo-Illustration: Vulture. Photos: TheEllenShow/YouTube, Swiked/Tumblr

That black-and-blue (or white-and-gold) dress from 2015 is once again making headlines, but for a much different reason this time. Per the Daily Mail, 38-year-old Keir Johnston has been charged with the attempted murder of his wife, Grace Johnston. In case you need a refresher, the Johnstons are the Scottish couple whose wedding the contentious dress was purchased for. They went on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to explain how Grace had received the infamous picture of the dress from her mom. Grace disagreed with both her mom and Keir about the colors of the dress, and the debate ended up reaching most of the internet after a friend asked Tumblr for help. #TheDress became so recognizable that the Salvation Armys South African branch even used it for a domestic-abuse awareness campaign. Why is it so hard to see black and blue? the PSA, which featured a photo of a bruised woman in a white-and-gold dress, read. The only illusion is if you think it was her choice. One in six women are victims of abuse. Stop abuse against women.

Keir is now accused in Glasgows High Court of conducting a nearly 11-year-long campaign of domestic violence and coercive control against Grace (which would have overlapped with their appearance on Ellen). This allegedly culminated in an attempt to murder his wife at their home in Scotland on March 6, 2022. He is accused of pinning Grace to the ground, threatening to kill her, attempting to strangle her, and brandishing a knife at her. Allegations from various other dates include that Keir pushed his wife against a wall, struck her through an open window in a vehicle, placed her in a headlock and dragged her from a pub, isolated her from friends, monitored her movements, and controlled her finances. He appeared in court and has denied all charges against him. The case is reportedly set for a further preliminary hearing before a 2024 trial.
Key Insights

The projected fair value for EnerSys is US$172 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

EnerSys' US$111 share price signals that it might be 36% undervalued

Our fair value estimate is 35% higher than EnerSys' analyst price target of US$127

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of EnerSys (NYSE:ENS) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. 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 EnerSys

The Calculation

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$213.2m US$320.3m US$405.2m US$483.0m US$551.0m US$608.8m US$657.3m US$698.1m US$732.9m US$763.1m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 26.52% Est @ 19.20% Est @ 14.07% Est @ 10.48% Est @ 7.97% Est @ 6.21% Est @ 4.98% Est @ 4.12% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 9.8% US$194 US$266 US$306 US$332 US$345 US$347 US$341 US$330 US$315 US$299

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$3.1b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (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 9.8%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$763m (1 + 2.1%)  (9.8% 2.1%) = US$10b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$10b ( 1 + 9.8%)10= US$4.0b

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$7.0b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$111, the company appears quite undervalued at a 36% 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

The 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 EnerSys as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.300. 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 EnerSys

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded its 5-year average.

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Electrical industry.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Electrical market.

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.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For EnerSys, we've compiled three fundamental items you should explore:

Risks: Case in point, we've spotted 2 warning signs for EnerSys you should be aware of. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for ENS's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every 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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Incident occurs weeks after high-profile act of vandalism at ancient site.

A young Swiss tourist faces charges after she was caught carving the first letter of her name into the Colosseum on Friday, in the latest act of vandalism at the Rome landmark.

The 17-year-old, in Italy on holiday with her family, was spotted defacing the ancient monument by an Italian tour guide who reported her immediately to Colosseum authorities and the Carabinieri police.

The tourist is accused of causing damage to a site of historical and artistic interest, an offence that carries a jail term and a fine of up to 15,000, reports Italian news agency ANSA.

Nuovo sfregio al #Colosseo, denunciata una turista svizzera 17enne

Su @ilmessaggeroit pic.twitter.com/60S8wYKKw5  Gennaro Sangiuliano (@g_sangiuliano) July 15, 2023

The incident comes less than a month after another tourist made world headlines after a viral video showed him carving "Ivan+Hayley 23 into an inner wall of the Colosseum.

The man, identified as a 27-year-old Bulgarian fitness instructor living in the UK, was tracked down by Italian police and risks a fine of 15,000 and a prison sentence of up to five years.

The tourist, whose actions were slammed as "uncivilised and absurd" by Italy's culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, subsequently wrote a letter of apology to Rome's prosecutor's office, begging forgiveness and offering his "most heartfelt and honest apologies to the Italians and to the whole world".

However the man's letter ended with the bizarre claim that he was unaware that the Colosseum was ancient, prompting widespread scorn in Italy.

Photo Wanted in Rome
Cory Lake is among countless Minnesotans preparing their picks and shovels for the economic gold rush that is expected to come with marijuana legalization.

The Minnetonka insurance agent wants to offer his services to growers, manufacturers and dispensaries who need coverage once they're up and running. He and other professional services workers  like cannabis accountants, lawyers and consultants  are eager to capitalize on Minnesota's new marijuana market.

States that legalized recreational marijuana have experienced a major job boom from the creation of an industry extending far beyond new "budtenders" and grow technicians. Ancillary jobs that support the cannabis market, but don't deal directly with seed-to-sale operations, will be critical to the growth of Minnesota's industry in the coming years.

"Because of the nature of the industry, there are a lot of businesses owned by people who love the plant but don't have the experience of running a buttoned-up operation," said Mark Waller, a Minnesota-based certified public accountant who has worked with cannabis firms in other states. "That is going to be extremely important because every state has its own set of rules."

Lake has sold insurance to hemp businesses for seven years, establishing himself as a well-known cannabis insurance specialist. He hopes that reputation will distinguish him from competitors lining up to serve Minnesota's budding marijuana industry.

"I've spent a lot of time, a lot of energy trying to become an expert in this particular space," Lake said. "It could be a big boom for my business, personally."

A report published last year by Leafly, a leading cannabis news website, found that America's legal cannabis industry supports about 428,000 direct and indirect jobs.

"Job creation continues to be driven by new and emerging cannabis markets," the report said, "where young companies are hiring for a wide range of positions."

Navigating the law

Minnesota's recreational marijuana market is still in its inception; dispensaries are not expected to open  outside tribal reservations  until early 2025. But Minnesotans eager to enter the industry are already scouting real estate and seeking guidance from established professionals such as Lake, who said he has fielded multiple calls per day from new and existing clients since the state legalized marijuana in May.

Lake said he's long been one of the few insurance agents in Minnesota who work with cannabis businesses, but he expects that to change quickly. Marijuana businesses tend to pay "exceptionally bigger" insurance premiums than hemp businesses, which "makes the whole space a lot more appetizing," Lake said.

"What we will see is a mass of people moving into this space, insurance specifically," he said.

Cannabis businesses will also need help navigating Minnesota's complex recreational marijuana law, which spans more than 300 pages. That's where experts such as Leili Fatehi and Jason Tarasek come in.

Fatehi is a partner and principal at Blunt Strategies, a Minnesota strategic consulting firm for the cannabis industry since 2019. She knows the state's new marijuana law from top to bottom, having worked closely with the lawmakers who carried it through the Legislature.

She tells clients who want to start a cannabis business to build their brands now, well before the state begins accepting license applications. Before applying, Fatehi said, applicants should have their business plans finalized.

"These businesses have to be prepared to actually produce, manufacture and sell these products to consumers on the early end," she said.

Tarasek, a longtime attorney who began practicing cannabis law in 2018, said he plans to help people seek marijuana business licenses. In the meantime, he counsels cannabis-industry clients on how to create corporate entities, raise capital and find the right location for their potential business.

Tarasek took a gamble by venturing into cannabis law when the industry was much smaller and without knowing if Minnesota would legalize recreational use. It paid off: He was recently hired by Vicente LLP, one of the nation's top cannabis law firms, to manage its new Minnesota office.

"I got rid of all my construction [law] work, which was substantial," Tarasek said. "I'm kind of placing a bet on myself and the potential market here."

Federal challenges

Many of the supporting jobs won't be full-time employees of cannabis companies; they'll be hired as needed.

Cannabis accountants are crucial for companies navigating Section 280E, a provision in the federal tax code that says businesses "trafficking" in federally illegal substances like marijuana can't deduct normal business expenses.

This creates a potentially huge tax bill and can make it difficult for cannabis companies to turn a profit.

"It's extremely important for a cannabis business to be as buttoned-up as possible because it is very low-hanging fruit for the IRS to potentially audit," Waller said.

His accounting firm, Morem & Waller, has partnered with human relations and compliance companies to help cannabis entrepreneurs cut through the tangle of industry-specific rules.

These supportive industries are attractive for many people interested in marijuana because they don't require cannabis licenses or subject a business to the federal tax disadvantage that comes with working directly with the drug.

Gavin Moberg is an account executive for Order.co, a company that provides bookkeeping software and financing to cannabis companies nationwide.

The financing piece is a key selling point, Moberg said, because most big banks won't work with marijuana businesses because of the drug's federal illegality. That forces those companies to look elsewhere for investors or front the money on their own.

"It's a huge advantage to our partners," Moberg, who lives in Crosslake, said of the company's financing. "They'll be able to access capital easily to build out new facilities or to purchase new equipment."

Back-office services might not be the most exciting expense, but they can help dispensaries and grow operations thrive.

"When starting a new cannabis business, people are very excited about branding, marketing, sales and what your dispensary is going to look like," said Aly Piscatelli, owner of national cannabis compliance firm Budding Operations. "But compliance is the only thing keeping them in business."

Meanwhile, architects, electricians and security firms will support the physical needs of new marijuana operations.

What can Minnesota expect?

While the Leafly report does not break out how many jobs are strictly "plant-touching" vs. supportive of the industry  or include jobs in the hemp industry  it does offer a state-by-state look that provides indicators about Minnesota's future.

Five years after legalizing recreational marijuana, Michigan has 31,000 cannabis-related jobs. Since the Wolverine State has almost double Minnesota's population, that could mean at least 16,000 jobs in and around the marijuana industry here by the end of the decade.

Colorado, the nation's first state to legalize adult-use cannabis more than a decade ago, counts 38,000 jobs in a population similar to Minnesota. Many national cannabis outfits and support services are based in Colorado, however, inflating job numbers.

Minnesota's cannabis market is projected to generate up to $1.5 billion in annual sales.

"The butterfly effect of this is going to be tremendous," Tarasek said. "All of my clients need banking relationships, insurance relationships and accounting relationships. ... Those industries are each developing their own cannabis niches right now."
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 A lot is riding on the success of Virgin Australia, regardless of whether it returns to the ASX this year or not. As the aviation industry braces for a potential reduction in sky-high profits amid a global cost of living crisis and rising decarbonisation pressures, a fighting fit Virgin Australia is arguably more important than ever to ensuring effective competition in Australian airspace. Australias small population, large landmass, and insufficient alternative transport options means air travel is crucial to the countrys connectivity. But despite our dependency on flying, aviation is a notoriously difficult industry to make profitable, and many local airlines, including Virgin itself, have previously perished in their attempt to do so. Regardless of whether it lists on the Australian Securities Exchange, the stakes are high for Virgin Australia. Credit: Marija Ercegovac Much has been said about the astronomical returns recorded by airlines all over the world since the end of COVID-19 border controls in 2021. But most of the industry, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA) representing 300 of the worlds biggest airlines, fear the end of bumper profits is here. Since it was salvaged by Bain Capital in 2020 after a stint in administration, Virgin has been pressured to meet the often-conflicting demands of its passengers, prospective shareholders, staff, and the rest of the aviation supply chain. Above all, Bain is charged with ensuring Virgin is an effective competitor to Qantas. Some argue it wont be clear if Virgin succeeds in this challenge until it returns to the ASX, where the nuts and bolts of the group will be bared for all to see. But others are increasingly concerned Bain may have already missed the boat, amid predictions local airline margins have peaked. Weak IPO market spooks institutional investors

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Australia has been largely starved of meaty initial public offerings for the past couple of years. Intrigue about relisting Virgin has swirled since Bain saved Virgin from administration for $3.5 billion in 2020. But amid all the hype, there is serious doubt among investors and industry experts alike about whether now is the time to list the airline business. In February, Bain appointed Goldman Sachs, UBS and Barrenjoey to advise it on potentially taking Virgin public, and until very recently it seemed the private equity giant was committed to doing so in the second half of this year. Virgins newest aircraft, nicknamed Monkey Mia, is the first of its Boeing 737 Max-8 fleet to arrive in Australia. But fund managers and analysts who spoke with this masthead anonymously say there is little appetite among institutional investors to warrant a Virgin float in 2023. Some question whether a listing is necessary because Bain bought the airline for a low price after its collapse, and it is already making returns on its investment. Others are sceptical about the future of airline stocks more generally and argue Qantas shares have peaked. In May, Virgin issued a $730 million capital return to shareholders which fully repaid Bain and its co-owners and leaves around $1 billion of debt inside the business. Virgin owns 5 per cent of the business, the Queensland Investment Corporation owns a 2 per cent stake and Bain owns 93 per cent. The breakdown of this $730 million figure was $430 million in cash out of Virgin and $300 million in loans from its advisors as part of the listing mandate process. Bain has committed to retaining a large stake of the airline business in the event of a listing, keen to distance its potential float from former private equity horror listings including Myer and Dick Smith. Some would benefit greatly from a quick listing, namely those at the helm of the carrier itself, but Virgin boss Jayne Hrdlicka told The Australian Financial Review last week the business was under no pressure to go early.

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Its great to see the markets open, but the timing needs to be right for us, and well work our way through what that looks like, Hrdlicka said. Loading Her comments were in response to the listing of chemical distributor Redox this month, the largest float of 2023 so far. Shares in Redox closed 4.9 per cent below their $2.55 issue price on its first day as a public company, indicating the initial public offering market in Australia is still suffering from a lack of investor confidence. Tribeca Alpha Plus Fund manager Jun Bei Liu said Bain could counter the waning demand for airline stocks by offering it up at a significant discount. Everything has a price. If the discount is large enough, there will be interest to back Virgin regardless of whether investors accept Qantas share price has peaked. If I were them, I would wait until its less bearish, but that could be a multi-year wait, Liu said. Some analysts have baulked at the idea that renewed interest from foreign airlines in backing Virgin could appease potential institutional investors. About 90 per cent of Virgin was foreign-owned when it entered administration, with Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Chinese conglomerates HNA and Nanshan each owning a fifth of the group and Richard Bransons Virgin Group owning 10 per cent.

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The need for effective competition in Australian aviation Virgin and Qantas control 95 per cent of the airline market, with the remaining 5 per cent held by Regional Express and fledgling low-cost carrier Bonza. The Australian competition watchdog has been scathing of the state of competition in the airline industry. Some Virgin insiders protest at the accusations its part of a duopoly, preferring instead to frame their airline as the bolshie underdog. Whichever characterisation is adopted, robust competition in any industry protects consumers. Virgin carries about 40 per cent of Australian flyers, but its business has been largely shielded from customer scrutiny since air travel resumed after COVID-19. Loading Although Virgins on-time performance rate has been worse than its bigger competitor for some time, it does not attract the same level of negative attention. One of the reasons behind this is that Virgin is not bound by the same continuous disclosure requirements as Qantas as a private company. Regional Expresss recent backflip on its earnings guidance and Bonzas reduction in routes just six months into operations indicates just how complex it is to run an airline, let alone make money from it.

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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 Sarah Bone, a hairdresser from Molong, has just one wish in life and that is for Charlie Teo to come to our house and look after my sister for just one day. In December 2008, the controversial neurosurgeon told then-20-year-old Ellie Middleton and her family that if Ellie was his daughter, he would definitely have the operation to remove her brain tumour that other neurosurgeons had said was inoperable. Teos operation was a catastrophe. For the past 15 years, Ellie (nicknamed Elle), has spent every single day slumped in a wheelchair and needs 24-hour care. She cant walk, talk or feed herself, and she is blind. Ellie Middleton and her family. Credit: Monique Lovick She has no quality of life, none, said her mother, Vicki. Before the surgery, Ellie told her family and Teo that if the operation did not go well, knock me on the head. She never wanted to be in this position, said her sister.

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Shes pretty much a vegetable, said her brother Jake. This week Teo was found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct for his decision to operate on two interstate patients where the risks outweighed any potential benefits of his surgery. Charlie Teo was spotted at Sydney Airport on Thursday, sporting a cap with the logo Psycho: Eyes Wide Open. Credit: Media-Mode In failing to outline the real risks of his surgeries, which were described as experimental, Teo was found to have behaved unethically in not obtaining informed consent from his patients before surgery. The two women failed to regain consciousness and died several months later. But for the Middleton family, their misery in seeing their daughter suffer goes on day after day. No one understands that Dr Teo has a huge vegetable patch scattered throughout many hospitals in Australia, said an intensive care specialist from southern Sydney, who requested anonymity for fear of retribution, who was just one of the dozens of doctors who contacted the Herald to outline Teos failure to offer post-operative care.

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These are the patients who should have died from their disease. Not so. They still live, but they exist in vegetative states. And their families suffer. Every day, they suffer. Dr Teo promised them life but all they got was a very expensive living death, the specialist said. Ellie Middleton pictured in 2008 before her surgery. Teo flew out of Australia on Thursday evening and was spotted at Sydney Airport wearing a $77 cap, reading Psycho: Eyes Wide Open on the front and Psycho: Call me Crazy on the back. Asked about Ellies plight, Teo said in a statement that she is an example of a patient whose neurological status is so compromised that any intervention is extremely high risk. When they are staring down the barrel of death, life becomes very precious, and they are willing to accept potential complications such as blindness rather than the alternative, Teo claimed. Years later they sometimes have regrets when forced to live with significant deficits, but most patients dont blame others. Family friend Kim Stojanov, whose young sons Ellie used to babysit, acknowledged that Ellies family has been effectively mourning the loss of the bubbly and funny school captain ever since Teos fateful surgery.

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Theres been a long grieving process thats been going on for years and years and years. Its a jail term for her parents and her family. At seven, Ellie had been diagnosed with an astrocytoma, a slow-growing brain tumour that was regarded as inoperable due to its location. As her condition deteriorated, Ellie persuaded her family to take her to Sydney to see the famed neurosurgeon. I remember Charlie saying, if it was my daughter, I would do the operation, her sister recalled. Her mother didnt want Ellie to have the operation as another prominent Sydney neurosurgeon urged them not to see Teo but, ultimately, it was her daughters decision because legally, she could make her own choice. Ellie Middletons sister Sarah Bone (centre) shaves Kim Stojanovs head during a fundraiser for the surgery. Kim, who runs the Freemasons Hotel in Molong in the Central West region of NSW, remembers her friend Sarah calling her sobbing about the astonishing amount of money Teo was asking for up front before he would do the surgery. I dont know what to do. I think Im going to have to mortgage my house, Sarah told her. Kim, who was working in sales at WIN TV in Orange at the time, told her friend to hang tight and together they would think of a way to come up with the money.

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The tight-knit town swung into action with fundraisers, walkathons and a race day. The people who came forward with money were often those who could least afford it, struggling farmers, tradies, pensioners, and the unemployed. Cabonne mayor Kevin Beatty, who was a local detective at the time, was the emcee for one fundraiser as well as part of an amateur theatrical group raising money for Ellies surgery. I have never seen such widespread generosity, he said. People who couldnt afford it gave so much. People gave us their last 20 bucks, said Kim, who personally raised $30,000 by having her long hair shaved off. The town, which at the time had a population of 1700, raised $130,000 in six weeks. No one understands that Dr Teo has a huge vegetable patch scattered throughout many hospitals in Australia. An intensive care specialist from southern Sydney. The $40,000 Teo charged for the operation was soon swamped by an avalanche of unexpected costs.

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Candied nuts, crunchy bread and lots of salty cheese might not make this winter salad feel virtuous, but it is hearty enough to be a meal on its own.

July 14, 2023

by Danielle Alvarez
Holocaust survivor Peter Gaspar believes he is alive today because of his fathers Christian friends, domestic staff and colleagues, who hid the Jewish family after the Nazis occupied Bratislava in what is now Slovakia.

We hid in peoples homes for 2 years in their cellars and attics and roof cavities and in their cupboards and garden sheds, said Gaspar, 86, who immigrated to Australia with his parents in 1949.

Holocaust survivor Peter Gaspar speaks with students who visit the Melbourne Holocaust Museum. Credit: Penny Stephens

In 2006, I took my wife, two children and a grandchild to see these people because I wanted them to see who they owe their life to.

Gaspar is part of an education program in which Holocaust survivors speak to students at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum in Elsternwick.
That setback did nothing to diminish the hospitals importance in the electoral contest. The day before Hunts press conference, The Courier Mail ran a story on federal Labors pledge to spend $3.75 million on the hospital if it won government. The pledge was made despite the government having rejected funding requests from the hospital on multiple occasions.

Its closure was a hot-button issue in the marginal federal seat of Longman ahead of the election. Unfortunately for the Morayfield hospital, the federal health department had also found its bid was unfundable and recommended the minister send the money elsewhere.

One unsuccessful candidate in that process was a small private hospital in Queensland known as the Morayfield Minor Accident and Illness Centre. It was looking for funding after a withdrawal of state government money meant it had to close.

Behind the scenes, Hunts attention was directed elsewhere  a federal grant program that had concluded a month earlier, run through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

It was, he fumed at a campaign press conference, a billion-dollar slush fund for undisclosed purposes, to undisclosed parties, via an undisclosed ministerial discretion in undisclosed amounts.

Greg Hunt was in full attack mode on the Saturday before last years federal election. While he wasnt personally contesting the poll, Hunt was the nations health minister for one more week, and ready to critique the Strengthening Medicare Fund recently announced by his Labor opponents.

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The investigation was built on interviews over two months with nearly 50 people inside and outside the fund, and the review of hundreds of pages of reports and documents released under freedom of information laws.

The Morayfield example is just one uncovered in an investigation into the governments $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund that explores concerns about the funds rules and scientific rigour in distributing $2.2 billion in grants in the past six years.

The minister was not aware of who applied for the grant and then accepted all of the departments funding recommendations, the spokesman said.

Asked about the process, Hunts spokesman told this masthead that the hospital, as a private operator up against universities, would never have been a strong candidate for MRFF money.

Weeks earlier, the department had knocked back the proposal. This came as a surprise to two senior sources at Morayfield, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential commercial information, who said they felt confident their bid would succeed due partly to similarities between their pitch to the minister and the eventual grant request.

Now, with the election days away and the government in caretaker mode, Hunts office wanted an urgent brief on what had happened with the grant. With apologies for the weekend work, this is bring [sic] requested for today, said an email to the department, released under freedom of information laws.

Professor Warwick Anderson, chief executive of the National Health and Medical Research Council between 2005 and 2016, said the fund was seen as a lobbyists picnic, which had been scientifically corrupting to the sector.

These processes have vested substantial power in the health minister to back projects that fit the funds broad priorities. A number of eminent medical scientists have said this system needs to change and the Labor government already has the fund under review.

Critics and experts, though, point to substantial amounts of ad hoc and non-competitive funding for projects without competitive tenders, sometimes following lobbying of government ministers. This funding, while all approved within the relevant rules and guidelines, raises questions about whether the MRFF offers optimum value for taxpayers. In all, more than $500 million has been distributed through these routes since 2017.

Announced in 2014 by the Abbott government, the MRFF was heralded as a huge boost to the Australian science sector, which was being pushed ever-closer to crisis as government research funding fell. It added about 50 per cent to federal spending on science and was meant to back research into government-nominated health priorities.

Whether or not I agree with it, there is a perception. And there has been a perception in the past, he said in a presentation posted on the departments website .

Last month, senior health department official Phillip Gould admitted the fund had been seen by some as a ministerial slush fund, but said he felt that view was unfair given its record of using open, competitive grants.

A former senior staff member at the MRFF, speaking anonymously to discuss confidential information, said the funds structure and guidelines meant checks and balances were often ineffective.

In the US, UK, Europe or Canada, no politician has control over a research fund like this. Its a very unusual way of funding, says Anderson. And the fact it is unusual tells you something.

Professor Warwick Anderson, former chief executive of the National Health and Medical Research Council. Credit: Simon Schluter

He said the health ministers significant influence made the fund unique. This, like other projects requiring government funding, encouraged stakeholder lobbying. While other government research funds use peer review to pick the best science, with the MRFF peer review is commonly used but - crucially - not always required.

A source who worked on that proposal, speaking anonymously to discuss confidential processes, said they expected the government would then open a tender process. We wrote a letter to the minister, a full page, saying this is what we need, they said.

In December 2021, documents show Hunts office asked hospital representatives to submit a funding proposal to his department.

In October 2021, the Morayfield centre, which treats minor injuries to ease pressure on hospital emergency departments, closed after running out of funding. Thousands signed a petition calling for it to be reopened.

In the months leading up to the May 2022 federal election, the Coalition was locked in a battle with Labor for the marginal seat of Longman in Queensland.

Through his spokesman, Hunt defended his administration of the fund, saying 91 per cent of project grants were peer-reviewed and awarded after a competitive process. All departmental funding recommendations were followed, he said.

The government did not open a tender. Instead, documents released under freedom of information show Hunts office asked department bureaucrats to draw up a $24 million MRFF grant for research on ways to cut pressure on hospital emergency departments. The process was consistent with guidelines and rules for MRFF grants.

The resulting outline from the department, also obtained under freedom of information, noted clinics structured in a similar way offered some of the most promising interventions.

The outline noted the minister wanted the grant opportunity to be publicly offered in late January and ready for announcement in April.

When the grant was released publicly in February, the hospital was surprised at the process, but positive about its chances.

I thought a tender would have been appropriate. The MRFF was not the typical route ... to receive funding to pay for care, the source said.

No responsible government would put out a $24 million taxpayer-funded opportunity to effectively submit in four weeks without a level of certainty about the specific projects they were keen to see funded.

We took that to mean that our submission to the government was taken seriously, and we stood a good chance of receiving the funding.

Adding to Morayfields confidence was the fact that sections of the grant selection criteria, obtained by this masthead, mirrored almost word-for-word the submission it had sent to Hunts office in December.

Hunts office also moved at speed, freedom of information documents show. They waived usual procedures around grant approval for all applicants. Bureaucrats used a minimum viable timeline  cutting the usual months to just weeks in a way it had also done for projects on bushfires and COVID-19.

Because all the years MRFF funding had already been spent, the grant was funded using money diverted from a clinical trial for women with genetic conditions. (The MRFF funded that trial the following year.)

Finally, the ministers office directed the department to strip out a standard clause requiring applicants to have support from their local health department.

This was good news for Morayfield, because earlier that month Queenslands Labor health minister wrote to another Liberal politician explaining she had cut Morayfields funding following a review of its performance and value for money.

After a tightening of MRRF rules in 2019, the health minister had the power to draw up medical research grants  including writing grants that only a single organisation could apply for  but the department of health would then vet and rank the applicants. The minister could then decide how far down the ladder they wanted to fund.

This meant that while the minister could propose the grants and, therefore, had significant influence, the outcome was still subject to some departmental input.

The project source also said the process and the eventual refusal made him sick to his stomach.

Politics should be nowhere near this. And that might be naive. But ultimately, that was our entire motivation for doing this  to see care delivered, and to know we were doing some good, the source said.

Having secured the money it needed from Labor, the hospital reopened in April.

Hunts spokesman said the health department had found 10 other projects met the program guidelines and its recommendations were accepted in full.

The ALP decision to directly fund the private provider occurred after, and despite, the fact that the Department of Health had found that the Morayfield project was not ranked of sufficient merit to fund, he said.

He said the federal government had on three occasions declined to fund the hospital.

The centre for excellence that never was

Others highlight the awarding of various ad hoc and non-competitive grants, where millions of dollars were handed out in accordance with the funds rules, as another weakness in its governance.

In the run-up to the 2019 election, analysts tipped the battle for the marginal seat of Braddon in northern Tasmania  with its margin of 1.7 per cent and a history of swinging  to play a key role in the Coalitions bid for another term in government.

In 2018, Hunt and then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull flew to Burnie, in Braddon, to announce a new Centre for Excellence in Rural and Regional Health.

University of Tasmania medical students with Malcolm Turnbull, Greg Hunt and Liberal candidate for Braddon Brett Whiteley (obscured) in Burnie in June 2018. Credit: Facebook

Its going to be based here, Turnbull told the media. Funds for the centre would start to flow within weeks; it would allow the University of Tasmania to become a global leader right here in Burnie, in rural and regional health, Hunt added.

The centre would be funded with $2.4 million through a closed, non-competitive research grant from the Medical Research Future Fund. Three years later it would show up in election advertising from the local Liberal MP as another commitment delivered as promised.

But Burnies Centre for Excellence never opened, and does not exist.

The university had never applied for such a centre in Burnie, and did not want one. In fact, it already had a Centre for Rural Health based in Launceston and Hobart.

Our view was, in many ways, we already had centres that covered the territory, said the universitys Professor James Vickers. It probably did not make a lot of sense spending a lot of money on developing a new centre.

The university later asked the government to reallocate the money. It went instead to two other research projects: an obesity project based in Launceston, and a statewide dementia research project run by Vickers and based in Hobart.

A spokeswoman for the university said the two projects were consistent with the requirements of the grant.

A federal health department spokesman said the funding was consistent with Turnbulls announcement of supporting cutting-edge research, aimed at preventing health issues in regional and remote Australia.

They said the department provided the minister with advice on implementation and areas of focus for the proposed grant to the University of Tasmania before the funding was announced.

The Microbiome Research Centre

In 2015, the St George and Sutherland Medical Research Foundation was casting around for their Big Aim: a major research project.

It initially looked at developing a Centre for Next-Generation Healthcare, but was knocked back for government funding.

In 2016, renowned gastroenterologist and microbiome expert Professor Emad El-Omar was appointed chair of medicine at the local St George Hospital.

The foundation, working with El-Omar, hit on a new idea - a research centre devoted to the microbiome, the colony of gut bacteria that was becoming a hot research topic. Money poured in.

Between 2017 and 2018 the Coalition committed $6 million, some of it in closed non-competitive grants, to establish the foundations Microbiome Research Centre.

You know how foundations seek support from politicians? said El-Omar. There was a commitment to that particular region to support a research project of some kind.

Professor Emad El-Omar, director of the Microbiome Research Centre. Credit: Peter Braig

Before it had opened, the government handed the centre another $2 million in MRFF funding for microbiome research  allocated as a one-off/ad hoc grant straight to the St George and Sutherland Medical Research Foundation.

Prior to 2016, the foundation had no track record of microbiome research. By comparison, researchers at the University of Queensland had published hundreds of papers on the subject.

I remember when [the funding] emerged, and being very surprised, said one microbiome researcher, granted anonymity to speak freely.

If the microbiome funding had been offered as a competitive grant, they certainly wouldnt have been the strongest competitors, said another microbiome researcher.

Then prime minister Scott Morrison visited the foundation twice in 2018, including to announce the MRFF funding. Were doubling down, he told media.

The similarly-named Centre for Microbiome Research, established at Queensland University of Technology in 2020, has not been so lucky  it has not received any direct government or MRFF funding.

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Sydneys Microbiome Research Centre is on the edge of the electorate of Barton, held by Labor since 2016.

When Hunt announced $4.4 million to establish the centre in 2017, he did it standing next to David Coleman, Liberal MP for the neighbouring marginal seat of Banks, which has a boundary very close to the hospital.

And our money, which David has fought for through a powerful campaign, will go to creating this centre, to turning it into a world-leading microbiota or Microbiome Research Centre, Hunt said.

Coleman was also with the then prime minister when he announced the extra MRFF funding. He even got to officially open the centre.

El-Omar said he could not say if the fine electoral margin in Banks played a role in the centre winning funding.

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It could be. Im not an idiot, said El-Omar. It was an unmet need, and something that has been very successful since then. So Im not going to complain about their motives.

A spokesman for Coleman said he advocated for many organisations, including the St George and Sutherland Medical Research Foundation.

The health department said all grants followed the necessary assessments and recommendations from assessors.

The foundation declined to comment.

Hunt did not answer detailed questions about the Tasmanian centre or the microbiome project.

Liam Mannixs Examine newsletter explains and analyses science with a rigorous focus on the evidence. Sign up to get it each week.
Australia is unlikely to follow a revolutionary healthcare measure introduced in the United States this week which will allow women to buy an oral contraceptive pill from a supermarket without seeing a doctor.

The US Food and Drug Administration has for the first time approved a non-prescription daily contraceptive drug that can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies, convenience stores, grocery stores and online.

Australia is not set to go down the US path with an over-the-counter contraceptive pill. Credit: Fiona-Lee Quimby

The authority said the milestone measure would expand access to contraception for millions of people, help avoid unwanted pregnancies and reduce barriers by removing the need to first see a healthcare provider.

Reproductive healthcare in Australia has come under a microscope this year with a Senate inquiry into the issue and a landmark decision to expand access to the medical abortion pill by cutting red tape for health practitioners to prescribe and dispense it.
The stage was different, and so was the tone. But the voice was unmistakable.

Fran Drescher, the owner of a distinctly nasal, Queens-inflected accent, made her name in Hollywood for her starring role in the sitcom The Nanny. On Thursday, she appeared before dozens of cameras as the president of the actors union that voted unanimously earlier in the day to go on strike, delivering a fiery argument depicting the stakes of the decision.

The eyes of the world and particularly the eyes of labor are upon us, Drescher said. What happens to us is important. Whats happening to us is happening across all fields of labor.

SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher speaks during a press conference announcing the strike in Los Angeles. Credit: AP

She shook her fists in indignation. I am shocked by the way the people that we have been in business with are treating us! she continued. It is disgusting. Shame on them!
Meet the man who saved Crust 54 on South Washington from possible closure

HOLLAND  A year ago, Crust 54's location on Washington Avenue was rescued from potential closure by longtime pizza-maker Adam Harris.

Now, Harris is celebrating his first anniversary of owning the shop.

Adam Harris, a Fennville native, poses for a photo outside his Crust 54 location in Holland.

Harris, a Fennville native, worked in the kitchen of Crust 54's flagship location in downtown Holland "for about three and a half years," he told The Sentinel.

While working at Crust 54, Harris was earning his bachelor's degree in business administration. When business owner Matt Klaus said he was considering shutting down the South Washington location, Harris offered to take over.

He gave it some thought and then we decided to run with it," Harris said. "It took maybe six months to a year to finalize everything."

It's been a year, but Harris is "still processing."

Sometimes I think about work and I forget that I'm even the owner," he said.

A deep dish pie is cut at Crust 54 on Washington Ave.  which has been under new ownership for about a year.

Everything is on me. I have to make sure we're staffed well, and all the bills are paid  when you're just an hourly worker, you don't really think about it.

The changes, Harris said, dont stop at work. Sometimes, when he tries to sleep at night, all he can think about is what the restaurant needs to be doing.

Sometimes, Harris said, I miss getting to go home and stop thinking about work. That's not a thing anymore.

Harris is still serving the same menu and recipes as the previous owners  with one minor change.

We cut our thin crust into triangles instead of squares now, because it's a personal thing, Harris said. "It tastes better [to me] when it's a triangle.

Adam Harris, a Fennville native, poses for a photo outside his Crust 54 location in Holland.

Harris, who dropped out of college when his mother died, wants teens to know they "should put their nose down, work hard, and keep at it. Harris found his way back to school, attending Grand Rapids Community College and transferring to Davenport to finish his degree.

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It works out, no matter what happens," he said. "Just keep on pushing, and as long as you keep pushing, something will eventually work out.

Crust 54 at 1145 Washington Ave. is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and 4-8 p.m. Saturdays.

 Contact intern Abigail Shanley at abigailwshanley@hotmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Meet the man who saved Crust 54 on South Washington from possible closure
Chain restaurants go bust because they charge too much for bad food

David Page: Wagamamas Andy Hornby is a lovely guy, but hes never been a waiter or a chef - Heathcliff O'Malley

Chain restaurants are going out of business because they are overcharging and for not very good food, the boss of the pizza specialist Franco Manca has said.

A swathe of mid-market restaurant chains have collapsed since the pandemic, as margins were eroded by the rising cost of wages, energy and ingredients, and the cost of living crisis caused diners to cut back.

But David Page, chairman of Franco Mancas recently sold parent company, The Fulham Shore, said the pizza chain had prospered by being cheaper than Pret A Manger and keeping its menu simple.

He said: The menus are too big. Theyre trying to do many too many things. You need a skilled kitchen which costs money. At 30 per head and not very good, thats the problem sector and thats where theyre all going bust.

Many former high street staples such as Byron, Prezzo and Le Pain Quotidien have run into trouble and been forced to close sites. It is a far cry from the casual dining boom of the 2010s, when chain restaurants were expanding rapidly, fuelled by private equity backers and cheap debt.

Mr Page believes Franco Manca has weathered the storm by undercutting rivals even as the cost of everything from dairy to tomatoes soared.

He said: Our maxim at the beginning was that we would be 30pc cheaper than anybody else. Obviously margins are under pressure because of the economy but customers are still coming in because of the value in the product.

Youd struggle to spend more than 10, were cheaper than a Pret A Manger.

He claimed Franco Manca was able to keep down costs by cutting out the middleman and sourcing directly from farmers in Italy.

Theres no middleman in Italy and theres no middleman in England taking 2pc or 3pc, he said. So we go to the grower, and... we go to the people making the cheese, the chickens.

We try to find out who is in charge of the production and what the quality control is. We buy direct from them and then we arrange the transportation.

Mr Page said Franco Manca and its sister chain, The Real Greek, had been able to take advantage of rivals closing and secure cheaper rents.

Im afraid to say we have done and we are taking advantage of other businesses going under, he said. My best ever site in the UK is a Real Greek where it cost us 200k to convert from a Carluccios and the landlord gave us 200k. That is my best ever.

It comes as Andy Hornby, the boss of Wagamamas parent company, The Restaurant Group, told The Telegraph last year he did not believe casual dining would ever recover to its pre-pandemic size.

Asked if he agreed with Mr Hornbys comments, Mr Page said: Hes a lovely guy. But hes never been a waiter or a chef. I started washing up.

Long before he ran Franco Manca and The Real Greek, Mr Page was credited with helping turn Pizza Express into the high street name it is today.

He started his career as a dishwasher in one of the business restaurants in the early 1970s and worked his way up, waiting on tables, making pizzas and eventually running 14 of his own restaurants.

He later became chief executive of Pizza Express in the UK, having played a senior role in floating it in 1993. The chain expanded rapidly, winning over the British middle classes and helping to popularise pizza nationwide.

Mr Page left Pizza Express in 2003 when it was taken private by private equity.

The landlord of a former Carluccios gave us 200k to convert to The Real Greek. That is my best deal ever - Franco Manca

He bought a majority stake in Franco Manca, which had grown from an independent pizzeria in Londons Brixton, for 27.5m in 2015. Since then it has expanded steadily and now has 70 restaurants across the UK.

However, his comments come as Franco Manca and The Real Greek are now facing a future under new ownership. The Fulham Shore  the parent company of both chains  has been snapped up by the Tokyo-listed food company Toridoll in a 93m deal.

The acquisition, which completed this week, ends The Fulham Shores run as a public company on the Alternative Investments Market (AIM).

It has netted Mr Page, who held over 13pc of its shares, a payday of around 11.8m, according to reports. He will remain with the business in an advisory capacity.

Toridoll, which runs the 11-site noodle chain Marugame in the UK, wants to grow Franco Manca and The Real Greek to around 200 restaurants combined, roughly doubling the groups current size.

The sale to Toridoll, at 14.5p per share, valued The Fulham Shore at a premium of around 35pc. Publicly traded hospitality companies have faced a rough ride over recent months as share prices fell amid broad concerns about the economic situation facing the hospitality industry.

[Toridoll] thought they saw more value than the public market did in London, Mr Page said.

Asked if he shares worries that London is becoming a less appealing place to list companies, he said: As far as Im concerned, I shouldnt be rubbishing English public markets because Ive made lots of money each time through flotations and running businesses and selling on the public market.

So it would be mealy mouthed for me... But that is in the past. London has always been a very attractive place, but I think other people may be catching up in terms of competitiveness.

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India is close to buying new French warplanes and submarines and played a starring role in Frances Bastille Day celebrations Friday. There was plenty of camaraderie on display this week between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. But their two countries remain sometimes-awkward allies. Macron skirted around concerns about threats to rights and freedoms under Modis Hindu nationalist government. Modi called for peace efforts in Ukraine to end Russias war and the resulting grain shortages that have hit developing countries hard. Macrons France is boosting weapons supplies to Ukraine for its counteroffensive. The two countries released a raft of agreements tightening cooperation in areas where they agree.
PARIS (AP)  French fighter jets trailed red-white-and-blue smoke over Paris monuments, families held picnics and firefighters hosted holiday balls around France to celebrate Bastille Day on Friday, a moment of much-needed festivity after mass protests, riots and political divisions that have riven the country this year.

Not everyone was feeling the spirit of liberty, equality and fraternity that the holiday aims to embody. Traditional fireworks displays were banned in some towns, and trams and buses halted after dark across France to prevent new unrest in underprivileged neighborhoods. And an exceptional 130,000 police were deployed around the country to maintain order.

This year, the celebrations marking the start of the French Revolution on July 14, 1789 come in the wake of the nations most serious urban violence in nearly 20 years, following the fatal police shooting of a teenager with North African roots that laid bare anger over entrenched inequality and racial discrimination.

Fighter jets and military helicopters whooshed Friday above the site where 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk was killed last month, on Nelson Mandela Square in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, on their way toward the Arc de Triomphe and the VIP guests watching the grandiose Bastille Day parade. Nanterre's streets were unusually quiet as local residents gathered to watch the flyby.

Just a few kilometers (miles) away, crowds lined the Champs-Elysees to watch the annual parade, which included 6,500 people marching, 94 planes and helicopters, 219 ground vehicles, 200 horses and 86 dogs this year.

India was the guest of honor, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi watching alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. About 240 Indian troops led the march, and French-made Indian warplanes joined the aerial display. France often showcases international partners on Bastille Day.

Russia's war in Ukraine  central to last years Bastille Day celebrations  echoed in this years events as well. Vehicles on display included the Caesar anti-missile batteries that France is providing to Ukraine, and Ukrainian officials were invited to join Macron in the VIP seats. Macron gave a posthumous Legion of Honor award to French journalist Arman Soldin, killed in Ukraine earlier this year.

Concerts, parties and parades are held in towns and cities around France to commemorate the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 that marked the start of the French Revolution, and Friday's events were largely festive.

Even in Nanterre, site of last month's police killing, some residents who gathered to watch the holiday flyover saw reasons to celebrate.

Its a moment of pleasure, said Aurelie V., 38, who accompanied her newborn infant to watch the parade. She spoke on condition her last name not be used because of continued tensions in her neighborhood. I came here to share this with my son, to show the strength of our country.

But signs of malaise remained.

The roses on a roadside memorial to Merzouk had long withered by Fridays Bastille Day celebrations. A nearby Monoprix supermarket was still boarded up, and the walls near the intersection where the police shot the teenager were still tagged with words of anger: Vengeance for Nahel, anti-police slogan ACAB, and Death to the king, an apparent dig at what is seen as Macrons out-of-touch leadership.

The fatal shooting of Merzouk at point-blank range during a traffic stop, captured on video, sparked several days of clashes with police, the burning of hundreds of buildings and vehicles and the looting of stores in cities and towns around France.

A group of activists and immigrants defied a ban on political gatherings Friday and demonstrated in eastern Paris against a proposed immigration bill that would facilitate deportations.

Theres no equality when we kill a 17-year-old for traffic violations or when we let teenage immigrants sleep in the streets, said Aimee Kiamenga, a 19-year-old activist with the group SOS Racisme. France has lost its values, and its system is becoming more and more repressive.

The protesters also called for an end to police brutality, which advocates say often targets people with African origins. Many people living in neglected housing projects who trace their roots to former French colonies, like Merzouk, struggle with lack of opportunity and day-to-day racism.

Macron hasn't directly addressed the issues raised by the killing of Merzouk, focusing instead on supporting the exceptionally large number of towns hit by violence and boosting police presence to restore calm. A presidential aide said that the unrest violence had no impact on the Bastille Day parade, but noted that the celebrations come at a time when it is necessary to reaffirm national cohesion.

The holiday comes after months of mass protests and strikes earlier this year over a law raising the retirement age to 64, which led to a showdown in parliament when Macron's government used special powers to force it through without a vote. Many voters remain angry over the bill and Macron's tactics.

Because unrest tends to spike every year around Bastille Day and because France remains on edge, the government deployed an exceptional 130,000 police Thursday and Friday.

Overnight Thursday to Friday, the Interior Ministry reported 97 people arrested in urban violence and 218 cars set alight around the country. That was slightly lower than last year.

Bounab reported from Nanterre and Paris.
NEW YORK (AP)  Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis are dominating the fight for campaign cash in the Republican presidential contest, according to federal filings made public Saturday. While some struggled, like former Vice President Mike Pence, others reported significant hauls that help ensure the GOP's 2024 primary will be crowded for the foreseeable future.

On the Democratic side, President Joe Biden's reelection campaign has quickly amassed a sizeable fortune. But longshot Democratic primary opponent Robert Kennedy Jr. also raised enough to ensure he won't be ignored.

Overall, the 2024 presidential class's second-quarter filings with the Federal Election Commission, covering the period between April 1 and June 30, leave unanswered several questions. For example, the total numbers of individual donors for each campaign, a figure tied directly to GOP debate participation, wont be known until the end of the month.

And each candidate's allied super PACs, which in some cases account for the majority of their campaign's cash, wont file latest figures until the end of the month.

Still, the federal reports offer several insights six months before the first primary votes are cast. Here are some key takeaways:

TRUMP AND DESANTIS IN A TIER OF THEIR OWN

While Trump is leading most polls, he and DeSantis are in a tier of their own on the fundraising front.

Trumps team recently confirmed that his joint fundraising operation  which splits money between Trumps campaign and the Save America PAC  received $35 million in the second quarter. His campaign paid a little more than $153,000 for legal fees.

Overall, Trump's campaign reported more than $22.5 million in the bank as of June 30. The average donation to the former president's campaign now stands at $34, evidence, the campaign said, of his grassroots backing.

Meanwhile, DeSantis raised more than $20 million for the first six weeks he was in the race. While a massive sum, the Florida governor also burned through nearly $8 million over the same period, leaving his campaign with $12.2 million at the end of June. DeSantis' report also shows a significant reliance on high-dollar donors who won't be able to give any more money to his campaign.

Despite the potential warning signs, DeSantis' allied super PAC, which is legally barred from coordinating with the campaign, said it raised a stunning $130 million since the committee launched in March. More than half of that came from a state-level political committee once controlled by DeSantis.

Regardless of where it came from, DeSantis' fundraising will buy him some time to strengthen his candidacy as he struggles to catch Trump in the polls.

DEBATE IMPLICATIONS

The fundraising numbers carry additional significance because they are tied directly to the GOP's first presidential debate next month.

Beyond a 1% polling threshold, the Republican National Committee has announced that candidates must have a minimum of 40,000 unique donors with at least 200 unique donors per state or territory, in 20 states and territories.

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and conservative businessman Vivek Ramaswamy announced in recent days they had reached the 40,000 donor threshold. Pence has yet to make such an announcement.

Saturday's federal filings do not provide a complete accounting of such figures, which won't be available until the end of the month.

Overall, Haleys campaign raised $7.3 million in the second quarter and ended June with $9.3 million in the bank. Thats as the main pro-Haley super PAC claimed $17 million cash on hand.

Scott raised nearly $6 million since announcing his campaign in May and finished the quarter with more than $21 million on hand, thanks to a big transfer from his Senate account. And Ramaswamy, a 37-year-old entrepreneur, raised more than $7.7 million in the quarter, including lending his campaign $5 million from his own personal fortune. He finished the quarter with more than $9 million on hand.

Christie, in the race for just 25 days of the second quarter, raised $1.65 million through his campaign and reported nearly $1.6 million in the bank as of June 30.

PENCE IN TROUBLE?

Pence raised less than $1.2 million and finished the quarter with nearly $1.1 million in the bank, according to his federal filing.

He still may ultimately hit the 40,000-donor threshold to qualify for the opening debate, but the extraordinary possibility remains that the former vice president might find himself excluded from the Aug. 23 primetime affair.

Pence has struggled to find his footing since launching his campaign in early June.

A lifelong conservative and staunch Trump loyalist while in office, Pence has been vilified by the GOP base for refusing to block the certification of Biden's victory on Jan. 6, 2021, as Trump insisted. The former vice president had no legal standing to block the election results despite Trump's claims to the contrary, which sparked a violent uprising at the U.S. Capitol at which radicalized Trump supporters chanted for Pence to be hanged.

Others appears to be struggling to attract donations as well.

Former Arkansas Gov. Hutchinson announced a fundraising total of more than $743,000 including his principal campaign and his joint fundraising committee. On Friday, he said that he received contributions from 3,928 unique donors from April to June. And since July 1, he claimed contributions from another 2,516 unique donors.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, the only Hispanic candidate in the Republican primary, raised $945,000 since launching his campaign two weeks before the end of the quarter. California conservative Larry Elder raised just $467,000.

BIDEN STRONG, BUT NOT ALONE

Biden and the Democratic National Committee have raised more than $72 million for his reelection in the 10 weeks since he announced his 2024 candidacy.

The president's fundraising total includes donations to his campaign and to a network of joint fundraising arrangements with the national and state parties. While that's a huge sum, President Barack Obama raised $85.6 million during the April-to-June quarter in 2011 when he launched his campaign for a second term, although he announced his candidacy three weeks earlier.

The Biden campaign said the total came from nearly 400,000 donors, and that 97% of donations were under $200 and more than 30% of donors had not given to Biden in 2020.

Biden is especially well positioned, at least compared with Republicans, because he can devote his money toward the general election. The incumbent president faces only token opposition in the Democratic Party's nomination contest, although one of his opponents, Kennedy, has raised enough money to ensure he won't be ignored completely.

Kennedy's campaign raised nearly 6.4 million for the quarter and had $4.5 million in the bank as of June 30. A pro-Kennedy super PAC, meanwhile, said it has raised more than $10 million so far.

Associated Press writers Chad Day and Brian Slodysko in Washington contributed to this report.
An Illinois judge has set a Nov. 6 trial date for a father charged with helping his son obtain a gun license three years before the son allegedly shot dead seven people at a 2022 Fourth of July parade in suburban Chicago. The father, Robert Crimo Jr., attended a hearing Friday in Waukegan, north of Highland Park where the shooting occurred. He told Judge George Strickland he was waiving his right to a jury trial. That means Strickland will hear evidence and issue verdicts at the bench trial. The judge Friday also set an Aug. 7 hearing for arguments on a defense motion challenging the constitutionality of laws under which the father was charged. The judge will also consider a media request that the trial be streamed live at an Aug. 28 hearing.
Educators and families can find back-to-school discounts at their local Target, starting this Sunday.

The big-box retailer is offering a one-time 20% discount on any shopping trip for those registered with the retailers Target Circle App and provide identification showing that they are either a K-12 teacher, teacher working at a daycare, vocational school or early childhood learning center or a university professor.

Target is also offering college students the same one-time 20% discount, provided they are verified through the retailers Target Circle App.

Customers with a Target.com account or a RedCard credit or debit card are automatically enrolled in Target Circle and would need to provide verification if they have not already.

Both promotions begin on July 16 and run through August 26 and apply to both online and in store purchases.

Walmart+ Week Top 10 Walmart+ Week deals that rival Prime Day prices

Teacher discount helps educators cover budget shortfalls

This is the sixth year in a row Target has offered teachers a discount for the back-to-school shopping season. In previous years, the discounts were limited to school supplies.

The offer comes as school supply prices have risen, taking a bite out of teachers salaries.

Teachers on average spent $860 out of pocket on classroom supplies in the 2022-2023 school year, according to a survey conducted by Adopt a Classroom. This was a 14% increase since 2021, the last time the survey was conducted.

"Are my students going to learn better? If the answer is yes, then I will spend," said Korie Barbato, a fourth-grade teacher at Andasol Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles. Barbato said she spent $300 after discounts during Target's promotion last year and estimated that she spent $1,000 on classroom supplies throughout the year.

The average classroom budget last year was $200, according to the 3,200 teachers included in the survey, and 84% said they spent money out of their own pocket to cover costs for those basic school supplies. More than 90% said their classroom budget failed to meet their student's needs.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Target teacher discount 2023: Verification, Circle App instructions
As the six-month sprint to the Iowa caucuses begins, the sprawling field of Republican presidential candidates is facing growing pressure to prove they can emerge as serious challengers to former President Donald Trump
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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Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) was the recipient of unusually large options trading on Friday. Investors purchased 158,818 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of 62% compared to the average volume of 98,298 call options.

Exxon Mobil Trading Down 3.4 %

Shares of NYSE:XOM traded down $3.60 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $100.94. The company had a trading volume of 27,722,609 shares, compared to its average volume of 16,221,127. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.46. Exxon Mobil has a 1-year low of $82.90 and a 1-year high of $119.92. The firm has a market cap of $408.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $105.61 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $109.58.

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Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 28th. The oil and gas company reported $2.83 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.65 by $0.18. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 31.48% and a net margin of 15.06%. The firm had revenue of $86.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $90.07 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.07 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Exxon Mobil will post 9.59 earnings per share for the current year.

Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement

Analyst Ratings Changes

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 16th were given a dividend of $0.91 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 15th. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.61%. Exxon Mobils payout ratio is presently 24.64%.

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Exxon Mobil from $118.00 to $122.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Wolfe Research lowered Exxon Mobil from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Friday, July 7th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Royal Bank of Canada lowered Exxon Mobil from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and set a $125.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on Exxon Mobil from $148.00 to $140.00 in a report on Monday, May 15th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Exxon Mobil from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $125.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Monday, May 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Exxon Mobil presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $124.70.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.11, for a total value of $290,275.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 29,272 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,398,771.92. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.06% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Exxon Mobil

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of XOM. FMR LLC raised its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 144,949,334 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $15,895,144,000 after purchasing an additional 2,680,850 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 140,855.3% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 123,341,568 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $13,604,575,000 after acquiring an additional 123,254,064 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 73,871,122 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $8,084,883,000 after acquiring an additional 520,794 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 11.9% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 52,478,674 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,788,398,000 after acquiring an additional 5,566,797 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 16.0% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 47,592,122 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,218,954,000 after acquiring an additional 6,580,247 shares in the last quarter. 58.59% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Exxon Mobil

(Get Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

Further Reading

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Ninety One UK Ltd increased its holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM  Free Report) (TSE:AEM) by 34.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,669,013 shares of the mining companys stock after buying an additional 679,170 shares during the quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd owned about 0.54% of Agnico Eagle Mines worth $135,902,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of AEM. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 10.8% in the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 185,102 shares of the mining companys stock worth $9,624,000 after purchasing an additional 17,981 shares in the last quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 49.3% in the 4th quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 4,183 shares of the mining companys stock worth $217,000 after purchasing an additional 1,382 shares in the last quarter. Fiera Capital Corp boosted its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 397.9% in the 4th quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 34,936 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,817,000 after purchasing an additional 27,919 shares in the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System purchased a new stake in Agnico Eagle Mines in the 1st quarter worth approximately $774,000. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 79.2% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 642,279 shares of the mining companys stock worth $33,369,000 after purchasing an additional 283,790 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 55.54% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AEM has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on Agnico Eagle Mines in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Scotiabank initiated coverage on Agnico Eagle Mines in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. They set an outperform rating on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Agnico Eagle Mines in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Barclays decreased their target price on Agnico Eagle Mines from $63.00 to $61.00 in a research report on Friday, July 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $70.38.

Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE AEM opened at $52.60 on Friday. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a 12-month low of $36.69 and a 12-month high of $61.15. The stock has a market cap of $26.05 billion, a PE ratio of 10.35, a P/E/G ratio of 23.37 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a current ratio of 2.32, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The company has a 50-day moving average of $51.86 and a 200 day moving average of $52.53.

Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM  Get Free Report) (TSE:AEM) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The mining company reported $0.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.07. Agnico Eagle Mines had a net margin of 40.12% and a return on equity of 6.07%. The company had revenue of $1.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.30 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 2.27 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Agnico Eagle Mines Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 1st were paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.04%. Agnico Eagle Miness dividend payout ratio is presently 31.50%.

About Agnico Eagle Mines

(Free Report)

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM  Free Report) (TSE:AEM).

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AIA Group Ltd bought a new position in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders Europe ETF (BATS:BBEU  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 138,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,393,000. JPMorgan BetaBuilders Europe ETF makes up about 0.4% of AIA Group Ltds holdings, making the stock its 28th biggest holding. AIA Group Ltd owned 0.11% of JPMorgan BetaBuilders Europe ETF as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of BBEU. Bogart Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders Europe ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. National Bank of Canada FI purchased a new stake in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders Europe ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $43,000. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders Europe ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $66,000. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders Europe ETF by 48.9% during the 4th quarter. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 1,513 shares of the companys stock worth $73,000 after purchasing an additional 497 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp increased its stake in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders Europe ETF by 1,310.1% during the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 2,383 shares of the companys stock worth $127,000 after purchasing an additional 2,214 shares during the last quarter.

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JPMorgan BetaBuilders Europe ETF Stock Performance

Shares of BBEU stock opened at $55.26 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $54.13 and its 200 day moving average is $53.21. The stock has a market cap of $9.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.98 and a beta of 0.93.

About JPMorgan BetaBuilders Europe ETF

The JPMorgan BetaBuilders Europe ETF (BBEU) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of large- and mid-cap stocks in developed European countries. BBEU was launched on Jun 15, 2018 and is managed by JPMorgan Chase.

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Annex Advisory Services LLC trimmed its holdings in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 92.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 21,353 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 280,295 shares during the period. Annex Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $611,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of BAC. Roundview Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Bank of America by 1.5% in the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 135,764 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,596,000 after acquiring an additional 2,013 shares in the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P lifted its stake in Bank of America by 150.3% during the first quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 1,985 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $82,000 after purchasing an additional 1,192 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Bank of America by 4.2% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 405,098 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $16,698,000 after purchasing an additional 16,319 shares in the last quarter. First Western Trust Bank purchased a new position in Bank of America in the first quarter valued at approximately $586,000. Finally, Pearl River Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Bank of America during the first quarter worth approximately $534,000. 67.34% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BAC has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Oppenheimer upped their target price on shares of Bank of America from $44.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on Bank of America from $39.00 to $35.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Bank of America from $32.00 to $33.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Barclays dropped their target price on Bank of America from $48.00 to $39.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on Bank of America from $28.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $36.72.

Bank of America Stock Down 1.9 %

Shares of NYSE BAC opened at $29.11 on Friday. Bank of America Co. has a 52-week low of $26.32 and a 52-week high of $38.60. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $28.52 and a 200-day moving average of $30.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $231.98 billion, a PE ratio of 8.74, a P/E/G ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.11. Bank of America had a net margin of 21.85% and a return on equity of 11.72%. The company had revenue of $26.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $25.28 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.80 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Bank of America Co. will post 3.38 EPS for the current year.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 2nd were issued a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 1st. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.02%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is currently 26.43%.

Bank of America Company Profile

(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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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Argo Group International (NYSE:ARGO  Free Report) in a report published on Wednesday morning. The firm issued a hold rating on the stock.

Separately, TheStreet raised 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 $29.70 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 0.63. Argo Group International has a one year low of $19.00 and a one year high of $33.94. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $29.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is $29.45. The stock has a market cap of $1.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.76 and a beta of 1.01.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Argo Group International

Argo Group International ( NYSE:ARGO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 8th. The company reported ($0.31) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.80 by ($1.11). The firm had revenue of $419.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $461.90 million. Argo Group International had a negative net margin of 9.98% and a positive return on equity of 0.06%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Argo Group International will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in shares of Argo Group International by 334.7% in the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 926 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 713 shares during the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management boosted its holdings in Argo Group International by 50.0% during the first quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 1,680 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 560 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Argo Group International by 148.0% during the first quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,793 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after acquiring an additional 1,070 shares during the period. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc bought a new stake in Argo Group International during the third quarter valued at about $59,000. Finally, Citigroup Inc. boosted its holdings in Argo Group International by 34.5% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 3,976 shares of the companys stock valued at $116,000 after acquiring an additional 1,019 shares during the period. 89.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Argo Group International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. underwrites specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the property and casualty markets. The company operates in two segments, U.S. Operations and International Operations. It offers primary and excess specialty casualty, general liability, commercial multi-peril, and workers compensation, as well as product, environmental, and auto liability insurance products; management liability, transaction liability, and errors and omissions liability insurance; primary and excess property, inland marine, and auto physical damage insurance; and surety, animal mortality, and ocean marine insurance products.

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Asahi Kasei Co. (OTCMKTS:AHKSY  Get Free Report) crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $13.77 and traded as low as $13.72. Asahi Kasei shares last traded at $13.88, with a volume of 25,615 shares changing hands.

Asahi Kasei Stock Down 1.1 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.63. The company has a market capitalization of $9.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -13.81 and a beta of 0.73. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $13.77 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $14.01.

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Asahi Kasei (OTCMKTS:AHKSY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 10th. The company reported $0.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $5.19 billion for the quarter. Asahi Kasei had a positive return on equity of 5.10% and a negative net margin of 3.46%.

Asahi Kasei Company Profile

Asahi Kasei Corporation manufactures, processes, and sells chemical products in Japan and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Material, Homes, and Health Care. It provides caustic soda, chemical fertilizers, nitric acid, ammonia, acrylonitrile, methyl methacrylate, styrene, adipic acid, hexamethylene diamine, AH salt, propionitrile, sodium cyanide, acetonitrile, methacrylonitrile, cyclohexyl methacrylate, cyclohexanol, cyclohexane, and cyclohexene; polymers; chemical intermediates; additives; membranes and systems; clads and anchors; optical and printing materials; electronic materials; and lithium-ion battery and lead-acid battery separators.

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Ashtead Group plc (OTCMKTS:ASHTY  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $287.73 and last traded at $285.00, with a volume of 2960 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $282.20.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ASHTY has been the topic of several analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on shares of Ashtead Group from GBX 4,460 ($57.38) to GBX 5,100 ($65.61) in a report on Thursday, June 15th. Societe Generale initiated coverage on shares of Ashtead Group in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Berenberg Bank upped their target price on shares of Ashtead Group from GBX 405 ($5.21) to GBX 450 ($5.79) in a report on Wednesday, May 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Ashtead Group from GBX 6,500 ($83.62) to GBX 6,700 ($86.20) in a report on Friday, June 16th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Ashtead Group from GBX 5,450 ($70.11) to GBX 5,500 ($70.76) in a report on Thursday, June 15th.

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Ashtead Group Trading Up 0.0 %

The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $261.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $253.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. The stock has a market cap of $31.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.80.

About Ashtead Group

Ashtead Group ( OTCMKTS:ASHTY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, June 13th. The company reported $3.35 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.22 by $0.13. Ashtead Group had a net margin of 17.30% and a return on equity of 30.50%. The firm had revenue of $2.13 billion for the quarter. As a group, analysts expect that Ashtead Group plc will post 17.68 EPS for the current year.

(Get Free Report)

Ashtead Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction, industrial, and general equipment rental business in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It provides pumps, power generation, heating, cooling, scaffolding, traffic management, temporary flooring, trench shoring, and lifting services.

Further Reading

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Atrium Mortgage Investment Co. (TSE:AI  Get Free Report) shares passed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of C$11.53 and traded as low as C$10.98. Atrium Mortgage Investment shares last traded at C$11.06, with a volume of 15,796 shares.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Fundamental Research set a C$13.86 price objective on shares of Atrium Mortgage Investment and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 17th.

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Atrium Mortgage Investment Stock Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average price of C$11.22 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$11.53. The stock has a market capitalization of C$487.57 million, a P/E ratio of 10.25 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a quick ratio of 102.54, a current ratio of 99.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 75.25.

Atrium Mortgage Investment Announces Dividend

Atrium Mortgage Investment ( TSE:AI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The company reported C$0.31 earnings per share for the quarter. Atrium Mortgage Investment had a return on equity of 10.44% and a net margin of 82.66%. The firm had revenue of C$23.71 million for the quarter. Equities analysts expect that Atrium Mortgage Investment Co. will post 1.2595506 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 11th. Investors of record on Monday, July 31st will be given a $0.075 dividend. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 28th. Atrium Mortgage Investments dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 82.57%.

Atrium Mortgage Investment Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Atrium Mortgage Investment Corporation, a non-bank lender, provides residential and commercial mortgages services in Canada. The company offers various types of mortgage loans, such as land and development financing, construction and mezzanine financing, and commercial term and bridge financing services for residential, multi-residential, and commercial real properties.

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Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors boosted its stake in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM  Free Report) (TSE:AEM) by 40.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 5,976 shares of the mining companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,717 shares during the quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines were worth $307,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. St. James Investment Company LLC raised its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines by 16.8% during the first quarter. St. James Investment Company LLC now owns 953,356 shares of the mining companys stock worth $48,593,000 after acquiring an additional 137,071 shares in the last quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Agnico Eagle Mines during the first quarter worth $2,532,000. Pinnacle Wealth Management Group Inc. raised its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines by 4.4% during the first quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Group Inc. now owns 23,705 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,452,000 after acquiring an additional 989 shares in the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC raised its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines by 0.4% during the first quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 425,396 shares of the mining companys stock worth $21,682,000 after acquiring an additional 1,512 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. raised its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines by 3.2% during the first quarter. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. now owns 224,800 shares of the mining companys stock worth $11,445,000 after acquiring an additional 7,000 shares in the last quarter. 55.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Agnico Eagle Mines Price Performance

Agnico Eagle Mines stock opened at $52.60 on Friday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $51.86 and its 200 day simple moving average is $52.53. The stock has a market cap of $26.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.35, a P/E/G ratio of 23.17 and a beta of 0.78. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a 12-month low of $36.69 and a 12-month high of $61.15. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 2.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12.

Agnico Eagle Mines Dividend Announcement

Agnico Eagle Mines ( NYSE:AEM Get Free Report ) (TSE:AEM) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The mining company reported $0.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $1.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.30 billion. Agnico Eagle Mines had a return on equity of 6.07% and a net margin of 40.12%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 2.27 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.04%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 31st. Agnico Eagle Miness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 31.50%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently commented on AEM shares. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on Agnico Eagle Mines in a report on Monday, April 3rd. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Barclays decreased their target price on Agnico Eagle Mines from $63.00 to $61.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. Scotiabank started coverage on Agnico Eagle Mines in a report on Monday, April 3rd. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Agnico Eagle Mines in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $70.38.

Agnico Eagle Mines Company Profile

(Free Report)

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the seventeen analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eight have assigned a hold recommendation and seven have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $75.44.

Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. SVB Leerink reissued a market perform rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, July 10th. Daiwa Capital Markets initiated coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. They issued an outperform rating and a $70.00 target price on the stock. SVB Securities initiated coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday, July 10th. They issued a market perform rating and a $66.00 price objective for the company. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $65.00 to $64.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, HSBC initiated coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Friday. They issued a reduce rating and a $56.00 price objective for the company.

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Insider Activity at Bristol-Myers Squibb

In other news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 47,751 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,202,182.06. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.09% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Down 0.5 %

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BMY. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. GoalVest Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Strengthening Families & Communities LLC raised its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 90.0% during the 1st quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 475 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $656,000 after purchasing an additional 225 shares during the last quarter. 74.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

BMY opened at $61.94 on Friday. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a one year low of $61.57 and a one year high of $81.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $130.13 billion, a PE ratio of 18.06, a P/E/G ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 0.43. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $65.12 and its 200 day moving average price is $68.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.42.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.98 by $0.07. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 51.75% and a net margin of 15.95%. The firm had revenue of $11.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.50 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.96 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.05 EPS for the current year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Investors of record on Friday, July 7th will be given a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 6th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.68%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is currently 66.47%.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(Get 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.

Further Reading

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The most you can lose on any stock (assuming you don't use leverage) is 100% of your money. But in contrast you can make much more than 100% if the company does well. For example, the Unisem (M) Berhad (KLSE:UNISEM) share price has soared 200% in the last three years. How nice for those who held the stock! It's also good to see the share price up 16% over the last quarter.

The past week has proven to be lucrative for Unisem (M) Berhad investors, so let's see if fundamentals drove the company's three-year performance.

See our latest analysis for Unisem (M) Berhad

While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

Unisem (M) Berhad was able to grow its EPS at 34% per year over three years, sending the share price higher. This EPS growth is lower than the 44% average annual increase in the share price. This suggests that, as the business progressed over the last few years, it gained the confidence of market participants. That's not necessarily surprising considering the three-year track record of earnings growth.

The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

We know that Unisem (M) Berhad has improved its bottom line over the last three years, but what does the future have in store? You can see how its balance sheet has strengthened (or weakened) over time in this free interactive graphic.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. As it happens, Unisem (M) Berhad's TSR for the last 3 years was 216%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

It's nice to see that Unisem (M) Berhad shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 56% over the last year. And that does include the dividend. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 23%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Unisem (M) Berhad that you should be aware of.

We will like Unisem (M) Berhad better if we see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on 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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Bridges Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Cable One, Inc. (NYSE:CABO  Free Report) by 55.6% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 21,830 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 7,800 shares during the quarter. Bridges Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Cable One were worth $15,325,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. River Road Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Cable One by 54.2% during the first quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC now owns 91,510 shares of the companys stock worth $64,240,000 after purchasing an additional 32,151 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System increased its position in shares of Cable One by 1.4% during the first quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 1,430 shares of the companys stock worth $1,004,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC increased its position in Cable One by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC now owns 343 shares of the companys stock valued at $241,000 after acquiring an additional 15 shares during the period. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Cable One in the 1st quarter valued at about $292,000. Finally, Inspire Investing LLC increased its position in Cable One by 15.3% in the 1st quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 392 shares of the companys stock valued at $275,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.77% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Cable One

In other news, SVP Eric Michael Lardy sold 321 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $673.85, for a total transaction of $216,305.85. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 2,422 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,632,064.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock.

Cable One Stock Performance

NYSE CABO opened at $642.50 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.17. The businesss 50 day moving average is $655.91 and its two-hundred day moving average is $697.32. Cable One, Inc. has a 12-month low of $602.70 and a 12-month high of $1,464.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.00 and a beta of 0.85.

Cable One (NYSE:CABO  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $9.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $14.40 by ($4.78). Cable One had a return on equity of 13.99% and a net margin of 7.06%. The business had revenue of $421.90 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $420.66 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $26.85 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Cable One, Inc. will post 50.51 EPS for the current year.

Cable One Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 30th were paid a dividend of $2.85 per share. This represents a $11.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 26th. Cable Ones dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 60.38%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on CABO shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Cable One in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Cable One from $680.00 to $670.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Cable One presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $1,021.67.

About Cable One

(Free Report)

Cable One, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides data, video, and voice services in the United States. The company offers residential data services, a service to enhance Wi-Fi signal throughout the home. It also provides various residential video services from basic video service to digital services with access to hundreds of channels; and provides a cloud-based DVR feature that does not require the use of a set-top boxes.

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China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in General Motors (NYSE:GM  Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) by 25.0% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 25,000 shares of the auto manufacturers stock after purchasing an additional 5,000 shares during the quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in General Motors were worth $917,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Penserra Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of General Motors by 85.8% during the 1st quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 613 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 283 shares during the last quarter. BerganKDV Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in General Motors by 379.2% in the first quarter. BerganKDV Wealth Management LLC now owns 714 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 565 shares during the period. Ahrens Investment Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of General Motors in the first quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Carmel Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of General Motors during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Elequin Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of General Motors during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.83% of the companys stock.

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General Motors Price Performance

GM stock opened at $40.00 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $35.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $36.37. General Motors has a 12 month low of $31.10 and a 12 month high of $43.63. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. The firm has a market cap of $55.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.18, a P/E/G ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 1.36.

General Motors Announces Dividend

General Motors ( NYSE:GM Get Free Report ) (TSE:GMM.U) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The auto manufacturer reported $2.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.53 by $0.68. The business had revenue of $39.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $39.38 billion. General Motors had a net margin of 5.84% and a return on equity of 15.74%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.09 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that General Motors will post 6.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Friday, June 2nd were paid a $0.09 dividend. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.90%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 1st. General Motorss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.56%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of General Motors from $46.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of General Motors from $39.00 to $37.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of General Motors in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on General Motors from $37.00 to $35.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on General Motors from $37.00 to $39.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, General Motors has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $50.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at General Motors

In other news, President Mark L. Reuss sold 9,300 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.00, for a total value of $381,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now owns 282,973 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,601,893. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, President Mark L. Reuss sold 9,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.00, for a total transaction of $381,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now directly owns 282,973 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,601,893. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Paul A. Jacobson bought 31,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, May 19th. The stock was bought at an average price of $32.60 per share, for a total transaction of $1,010,600.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 186,847 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,091,212.20. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

About General Motors

(Free Report)

General Motors Company designs, builds, and sells trucks, crossovers, cars, and automobile parts; and provide software-enabled services and subscriptions worldwide. The company operates through GM North America, GM International, Cruise, and GM Financial segments. It markets its vehicles primarily under the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Baojun, and Wuling brand names.

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Conning Inc. bought a new position in Lennar Co. (NYSE:LEN  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 1,935 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $203,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Merit Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in Lennar by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 3,851 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $405,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Lennar by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 27,918 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $2,527,000 after acquiring an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Lakewood Asset Management LLC grew its position in Lennar by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Lakewood Asset Management LLC now owns 9,173 shares of the construction companys stock worth $964,000 after acquiring an additional 116 shares during the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Lennar by 47.0% in the 1st quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 397 shares of the construction companys stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. raised its position in Lennar by 2.2% in the third quarter. Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. now owns 6,730 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $502,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. 82.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Lennar Stock Up 2.4 %

LEN stock opened at $133.24 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 7.08, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The companys 50 day moving average is $117.30 and its 200 day moving average is $106.99. The stock has a market cap of $38.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.46. Lennar Co. has a 1-year low of $69.90 and a 1-year high of $133.24.

Lennar Announces Dividend

Lennar ( NYSE:LEN Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, June 14th. The construction company reported $2.94 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.32 by $0.62. The firm had revenue of $8.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.28 billion. Lennar had a return on equity of 18.27% and a net margin of 12.66%. Sell-side analysts predict that Lennar Co. will post 12.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be given a dividend of $0.375 per share. This represents a $1.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.13%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. Lennars dividend payout ratio is currently 10.24%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Diane J. Bessette sold 10,790 shares of Lennar stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.46, for a total value of $1,310,553.40. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 270,556 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,861,731.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 9.53% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on LEN. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on Lennar from $153.00 to $161.00 in a research note on Friday, June 16th. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Lennar from $120.00 to $135.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. JMP Securities boosted their price objective on shares of Lennar from $115.00 to $135.00 in a research note on Friday, June 16th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on Lennar from $130.00 to $145.00 in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Lennar from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Lennar currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $127.20.

About Lennar

(Free Report)

Lennar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a homebuilder primarily under the Lennar brand in the United States. It operates through Homebuilding East, Homebuilding Central, Homebuilding Texas, Homebuilding West, Financial Services, Multifamily, and Lennar Other segments. The company's homebuilding operations include the construction and sale of single-family attached and detached homes, as well as the purchase, development, and sale of residential land; and development, construction, and management of multifamily rental properties.

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MOGU (NYSE:MOGU  Get Free Report) and American Well (NYSE:AMWL  Get Free Report) are both small-cap retail/wholesale companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends, risk, profitability and institutional ownership.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares MOGU and American Wells top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio MOGU $33.79 million 0.58 -$24.94 million N/A N/A American Well $276.96 million 2.14 -$270.43 million ($2.14) -0.99

MOGU has higher earnings, but lower revenue than American Well.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

Analyst Ratings

22.0% of MOGU shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 48.8% of American Well shares are owned by institutional investors. 19.8% of MOGU shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 12.9% of American Well shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

This is a summary of recent recommendations for MOGU and American Well, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score MOGU 0 0 0 0 N/A American Well 0 5 3 0 2.38

American Well has a consensus price target of $4.28, suggesting a potential upside of 102.61%. Given American Wells higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe American Well is more favorable than MOGU.

Risk & Volatility

MOGU has a beta of 0.46, meaning that its share price is 54% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, American Well has a beta of 0.74, meaning that its share price is 26% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares MOGU and American Wells net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets MOGU N/A N/A N/A American Well -216.13% -26.40% -23.33%

Summary

American Well beats MOGU on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About MOGU

(Get Free Report)

MOGU Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the online fashion and lifestyle business in the People's Republic of China. The company operates an online platform that primarily offers a range of fashion apparel and other products, including beauty products and accessories provided by third party merchants, as well as personal care, food, and medical beauty products. It also provides online marketing, commission, financing, technology, and other related services to merchants, brand partners/owners, and users; and technology services to insurance companies. The company offers its products through mobile apps, including flagship Mogujie app, mini programs on Weixin, and Weixin pay and QQ Wallet entryways; websites comprising Mogu.com, Mogujie.com and Meilishuo.com. The company was formerly known as Meili Inc. and changed its name to MOGU Inc. in November 2018. MOGU Inc. was incorporated in 2011 and is headquartered in Hangzhou, the People's Republic of China.

About American Well

(Get Free Report)

American Well Corporation operates digital care delivery enablement platform in the United States and internationally. Its platform connects and enables providers, insurers, patients, and innovators to deliver access for quality care. The company's products offer urgent care; scheduled visits; acute behavioral health; telestroke; comprehensive behavioral health; ED triage; pediatrics; end-stage renal disease and dialysis; and retail health, school health, and home settings. Its application offers telehealth urgent care; primary care; chronic care; digital therapy; teledermatology; manage Medicaid; behavior health; online nutrition counselling; sleep; women's health; employee assistance program therapy; and musculoskeletal care. The company also provides telemedicine equipment, including telemedicine carts, peripherals, tyto care, hospital TV kits, and telehealth tablets. American Well Corporation was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The transportation company reported $2.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.40 by $0.28, MarketWatch Earnings reports. The company had revenue of $15.58 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.44 billion. Delta Air Lines had a net margin of 5.36% and a return on equity of 59.56%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 12.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.44 earnings per share. Delta Air Lines updated its Q3 guidance to $2.20-2.50 EPS and its FY23 guidance to $6.00-7.00 EPS.

Delta Air Lines Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:DAL opened at $46.49 on Friday. Delta Air Lines has a 52 week low of $27.20 and a 52 week high of $49.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $29.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.02, a PEG ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 1.31. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $40.54 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $37.63. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24.

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Delta Air Lines Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.86%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Insiders Place Their Bets

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Delta Air Lines from $40.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Monday, June 26th. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $81.00 to $69.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. TheStreet upgraded shares of Delta Air Lines from a c rating to a b rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Susquehanna raised their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $45.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $55.97.

In other news, Director David S. Taylor purchased 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 21st. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $34.26 per share, with a total value of $171,300.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 20,360 shares in the company, valued at $697,533.60. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Joanne D. Smith sold 7,513 shares of Delta Air Lines stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, 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 filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director David S. Taylor purchased 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 21st. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $34.26 per share, with a total value of $171,300.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 20,360 shares in the company, valued at approximately $697,533.60. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Delta Air Lines

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 68,234,306 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $2,700,032,000 after buying an additional 1,267,578 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 21,652,643 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $756,110,000 after buying an additional 579,727 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 30.4% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 14,779,351 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $516,095,000 after buying an additional 3,445,953 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 13,168,804 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $459,144,000 after buying an additional 351,286 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 12.2% during the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 9,893,400 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $325,097,000 after buying an additional 1,077,500 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.35% of the companys stock.

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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Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) issued an update on its earnings guidance on Friday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $6.00-$7.00 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.15. The company issued revenue guidance of $53.36 billion-$54.73 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $54.11 billion. Delta Air Lines also updated its Q3 2023 guidance to $2.20-$2.50 EPS.

Delta Air Lines Trading Down 2.3 %

Shares of Delta Air Lines stock opened at $46.49 on Friday. Delta Air Lines has a 52-week low of $27.20 and a 52-week high of $49.81. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $40.54 and its 200 day simple moving average is $37.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $29.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.02, a P/E/G ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.46.

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Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 13th. The transportation company reported $2.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.40 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $15.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.44 billion. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 59.56% and a net margin of 5.36%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 12.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.44 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Delta Air Lines will post 6.24 EPS for the current year.

Delta Air Lines Cuts Dividend

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 7th. Investors of record on Monday, July 17th will be given a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.86%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 14th.

DAL has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $61.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Monday, July 3rd. Susquehanna upped their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $45.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $81.00 to $69.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Delta Air Lines from $55.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Raymond James raised their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $57.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $55.97.

Insider Buying and Selling at Delta Air Lines

In other news, Director David S. Taylor acquired 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, April 21st. The stock was acquired at an average price of $34.26 per share, with a total value of $171,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 20,360 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $697,533.60. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, EVP Joanne D. Smith sold 7,513 shares of Delta Air Lines stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.90, for a total value of $277,229.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now 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 SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director David S. Taylor acquired 5,000 shares of Delta Air Lines stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 21st. The stock was acquired at an average price of $34.26 per share, with a total value of $171,300.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 20,360 shares in the company, valued at approximately $697,533.60. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Delta Air Lines

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. bought a new stake in Delta Air Lines in the 1st quarter worth about $502,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. bought a new stake in Delta Air Lines in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. VitalStone Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines by 85.8% during the 1st quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC now owns 1,083 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the period. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines by 124.9% during the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,273 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 707 shares during the period. Finally, Quarry LP grew its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines by 825.7% during the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,333 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 1,189 shares during the period. 68.35% of the stock is currently owned by 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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Shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the twenty-two ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, nine have assigned a hold recommendation and twelve have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $124.70.

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on XOM. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded shares of Exxon Mobil from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and set a $125.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $148.00 to $140.00 in a research report on Monday, May 15th. Piper Sandler cut their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $145.00 to $127.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. HSBC increased their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $113.50 to $115.50 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Exxon Mobil from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Friday, July 7th. They noted that the move was a valuation call.

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Insider Activity

In other news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.11, for a total value of $290,275.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 29,272 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,398,771.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.06% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Exxon Mobil

Exxon Mobil Stock Performance

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in XOM. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 140,855.3% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 123,341,568 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $13,604,575,000 after buying an additional 123,254,064 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Exxon Mobil during the 4th quarter valued at $5,226,390,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 16.0% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 47,592,122 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,218,954,000 after purchasing an additional 6,580,247 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 188.6% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 8,740,551 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $327,573,000 after purchasing an additional 5,711,599 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 11.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 52,478,674 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,788,398,000 after purchasing an additional 5,566,797 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.59% of the companys stock.

Exxon Mobil stock opened at $100.94 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.46, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Exxon Mobil has a 1 year low of $82.90 and a 1 year high of $119.92. The company has a market cap of $408.10 billion, a PE ratio of 6.83, a PEG ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.08. The companys 50-day moving average is $105.46 and its two-hundred day moving average is $109.52.

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The oil and gas company reported $2.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.65 by $0.18. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 15.06% and a return on equity of 31.48%. The company had revenue of $86.56 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $90.07 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.07 EPS. The companys revenue was down 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Exxon Mobil will post 9.59 earnings per share for the current year.

Exxon Mobil Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 16th were paid a dividend of $0.91 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 15th. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.61%. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio is currently 24.64%.

Exxon Mobil Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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Goelzer Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Free Report) by 12.7% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 67,067 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 7,558 shares during the quarter. Goelzer Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Southern were worth $4,667,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Baugh & Associates LLC raised its position in shares of Southern by 7.0% in the 1st quarter. Baugh & Associates LLC now owns 61,970 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $4,385,000 after acquiring an additional 4,066 shares in the last quarter. Telos Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Southern by 5.5% in the 1st quarter. Telos Capital Management Inc. now owns 70,693 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $4,919,000 after acquiring an additional 3,702 shares in the last quarter. Columbus Macro LLC raised its position in shares of Southern by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Columbus Macro LLC now owns 16,726 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,180,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors raised its position in shares of Southern by 9.6% in the 1st quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors now owns 17,287 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,194,000 after acquiring an additional 1,513 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Flputnam Investment Management Co. raised its position in shares of Southern by 77.1% in the 1st quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co. now owns 5,973 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $416,000 after acquiring an additional 2,600 shares in the last quarter. 63.25% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently commented on SO. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Southern from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Southern from a buy rating to a conviction-buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 3rd. VNET Group reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Southern in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Guggenheim decreased their target price on Southern from $79.00 to $77.00 in a research report on Friday, July 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Southern from $73.00 to $69.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $73.93.

Insider Buying and Selling

Southern Price Performance

In related news, CEO Thomas A. Fanning sold 50,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.16, for a total value of $3,758,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 847,592 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $63,705,014.72. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . In related news, CEO Thomas A. Fanning sold 50,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.16, for a total value of $3,758,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 847,592 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $63,705,014.72. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.58, for a total transaction of $352,900.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 131,284 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,266,024.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last quarter, insiders have sold 205,678 shares of company stock valued at $14,881,721. 0.28% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Shares of NYSE SO opened at $71.38 on Friday. The Southern Company has a twelve month low of $58.85 and a twelve month high of $80.57. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $71.05 and its 200-day moving average price is $69.72. The company has a market capitalization of $77.83 billion, a PE ratio of 23.03, a PEG ratio of 4.96 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51.

Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.79 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $6.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.14 billion. Southern had a return on equity of 10.78% and a net margin of 11.53%. The companys revenue was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.97 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that The Southern Company will post 3.6 EPS for the current year.

Southern Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 6th. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th were issued a $0.70 dividend. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.92%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 12th. This is a boost from Southerns previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. Southerns payout ratio is 90.32%.

About Southern

(Free Report)

The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It operates through three segments: Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Pipeline Investments, and Gas Marketing Services. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations.

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Hartford Funds Management Co LLC lifted its stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 26.4% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,192 shares of the retailers stock after buying an additional 458 shares during the period. Hartford Funds Management Co LLCs holdings in Walmart were worth $323,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of WMT. My Personal CFO LLC purchased a new position in Walmart during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP purchased a new position in Walmart during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. JDM Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Walmart during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Ulland Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Walmart by 105.3% during the 4th quarter. Ulland Investment Advisors LLC now owns 195 shares of the retailers stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, First Command Advisory Services Inc. increased its holdings in Walmart by 387.8% during the 1st quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 200 shares of the retailers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 159 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 31.95% of the companys stock.

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Walmart Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of Walmart stock opened at $154.66 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $416.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.18, a P/E/G ratio of 4.51 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.82. The company has a fifty day moving average of $152.69 and a 200 day moving average of $147.40. Walmart Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $120.06 and a fifty-two week high of $159.12.

Insider Buying and Selling at Walmart

Walmart ( NYSE:WMT Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 18th. The retailer reported $1.47 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.15. Walmart had a net margin of 1.82% and a return on equity of 21.30%. The company had revenue of $152.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $147.91 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.30 EPS. Walmarts quarterly revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 6.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other Walmart news, SVP David Chojnowski sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.74, for a total transaction of $626,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 39,975 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,265,681.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Walmart news, EVP John R. Furner sold 4,375 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.00, for a total transaction of $660,625.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 286,617 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $43,279,167. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP David Chojnowski sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.74, for a total transaction of $626,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 39,975 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,265,681.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 9,208,665 shares of company stock valued at $1,421,177,843 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 46.51% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have weighed in on WMT shares. Tigress Financial lifted their price objective on Walmart from $176.00 to $182.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. StockNews.com raised Walmart from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 26th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Walmart from $155.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Stephens reissued an overweight rating and issued a $170.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reissued an outperform rating and issued a $160.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Walmart currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $166.91.

About Walmart

(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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HGK Asset Management Inc. raised its position in NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG  Free Report) by 36.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 191,154 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 50,976 shares during the period. NRG Energy accounts for approximately 2.0% of HGK Asset Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest position. HGK Asset Management Inc.s holdings in NRG Energy were worth $6,555,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd increased its stake in shares of NRG Energy by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 9,537 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $366,000 after acquiring an additional 231 shares in the last quarter. Empirical Finance LLC increased its stake in shares of NRG Energy by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 6,795 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $233,000 after acquiring an additional 301 shares in the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. increased its stake in shares of NRG Energy by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 11,117 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $381,000 after acquiring an additional 309 shares in the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund increased its stake in shares of NRG Energy by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund now owns 8,427 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $323,000 after acquiring an additional 320 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. increased its stake in NRG Energy by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 16,034 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $510,000 after purchasing an additional 384 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.27% of the companys stock.

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NRG Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:NRG traded down $0.82 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $36.45. The company had a trading volume of 3,320,765 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,245,753. The companys 50 day moving average price is $34.69 and its 200 day moving average price is $33.83. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.66. The stock has a market cap of $8.39 billion, a P/E ratio of -4.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.04. NRG Energy, Inc. has a 52-week low of $30.25 and a 52-week high of $45.80.

NRG Energy Cuts Dividend

NRG Energy ( NYSE:NRG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported $0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $7.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.11 billion. NRG Energy had a positive return on equity of 17.12% and a negative net margin of 5.90%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that NRG Energy, Inc. will post 4.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 15th. Investors of record on Monday, May 1st were issued a $0.377 dividend. This represents a $1.51 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.14%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 28th. NRG Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -19.04%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have commented on NRG shares. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of NRG Energy from $40.00 to $42.00 in a research note on Monday, June 26th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of NRG Energy in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating for the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of NRG Energy from $39.00 to $40.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of NRG Energy to $43.00 in a research note on Friday, June 23rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $42.75.

NRG Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

NRG Energy, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated power company in the United States. It operates through Texas, East, and West segments. The company is involved in producing and selling electricity and related products and services to approximately residential, commercial, industrial, and wholesale customers.

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Key Insights

Significant control over Lii Hen Industries Bhd by private companies implies that the general public has more power to influence management and governance-related decisions

A total of 4 investors have a majority stake in the company with 50% ownership

Insider ownership in Lii Hen Industries Bhd is 11%

A look at the shareholders of Lii Hen Industries Bhd (KLSE:LIIHEN) can tell us which group is most powerful. We can see that private companies own the lion's share in the company with 43% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Individual investors, on the other hand, account for 42% of the company's stockholders.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Lii Hen Industries Bhd, beginning with the chart below.

View our latest analysis for Lii Hen Industries Bhd

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Lii Hen Industries Bhd?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

Since institutions own only a small portion of Lii Hen Industries Bhd, 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.

We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Lii Hen Industries Bhd. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Assets Muar Sdn Bhd with 43% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 3.4% and 2.0%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

To make our study more interesting, we found that the top 4 shareholders control more than half of the company which implies that this group has considerable sway over the company's decision-making.

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. There is a little analyst coverage of the stock, but not much. So there is room for it to gain more coverage.

Insider Ownership Of Lii Hen Industries Bhd

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in Lii Hen Industries Bhd. It has a market capitalization of just RM454m, and insiders have RM49m worth of shares in their own names. We would say this shows alignment with shareholders, but it is worth noting that the company is still quite small; some insiders may have founded the business. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 42% 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 43%, of the Lii Hen Industries Bhd stock. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Take risks for example - Lii Hen Industries Bhd has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

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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JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Holley (NYSE:HLLY  Free Report) from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research note released on Wednesday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have $7.00 price objective on the stock.

A number of other research analysts also recently commented on HLLY. Canaccord Genuity Group started coverage on Holley in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $5.00 target price on the stock. Raymond James boosted their target price on Holley from $3.50 to $3.75 in a research note on Friday, May 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $6.08.

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Holley Stock Performance

Shares of HLLY stock opened at $5.44 on Wednesday. Holley has a 1-year low of $1.88 and a 1-year high of $12.68. The company has a current ratio of 3.39, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. The company has a market capitalization of $642.63 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.25 and a beta of 1.48. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $3.63 and its 200-day simple moving average is $2.87.

Institutional Trading of Holley

Holley ( NYSE:HLLY Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 11th. The company reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.01 by $0.05. Holley had a negative return on equity of 1.82% and a net margin of 9.26%. The firm had revenue of $172.21 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $160.98 million. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Holley will post 0.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Wasatch Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Holley by 40.6% in the first quarter. Wasatch Advisors Inc. now owns 14,820,059 shares of the companys stock valued at $206,147,000 after acquiring an additional 4,280,253 shares during the period. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Holley by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC now owns 14,347,983 shares of the companys stock worth $39,313,000 after purchasing an additional 202,154 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its holdings in shares of Holley by 8.2% during the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 4,699,159 shares of the companys stock worth $12,876,000 after purchasing an additional 355,688 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Holley by 7.0% in the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,163,354 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,811,000 after buying an additional 206,489 shares during the period. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Holley by 38.4% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,889,896 shares of the companys stock worth $11,704,000 after buying an additional 801,808 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 33.67% of the companys stock.

About Holley

(Get Free Report)

Holley Inc designs, manufactures, and markets automotive aftermarket products for car and truck enthusiasts in the United States, Canada, Europe, and China. The company's products include carburetors, fuel pumps, fuel injection systems, nitrous oxide injection systems, superchargers, exhaust headers, mufflers, distributors, ignition components, engine tuners, automotive performance plumbing products, and exhaust products as well as shifters, converters, transmission kits, transmissions, tuners, and automotive software.

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Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (OTCMKTS:IIJIY  Get Free Report)s share price was down 7.7% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $36.43 and last traded at $36.43. Approximately 641 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 51% from the average daily volume of 1,297 shares. The stock had previously closed at $39.45.

Internet Initiative Japan Price Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average of $40.05 and a two-hundred day moving average of $39.37. The firm has a market cap of $3.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.66 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a quick ratio of 1.33, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03.

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Internet Initiative Japan (OTCMKTS:IIJIY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 12th. The communications equipment provider reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $509.44 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $514.13 million. Internet Initiative Japan had a net margin of 7.48% and a return on equity of 16.89%. Sell-side analysts expect that Internet Initiative Japan Inc. will post 1.74 EPS for the current year.

About Internet Initiative Japan

Internet Initiative Japan Inc provides Internet connectivity, WAN, outsourcing, systems integration, and network-related equipment sales services in Japan. It operates through two segments, Network Services and Systems Integration Business, and ATM Operation Business. The company offers mobile communication and remote access/telework services; WAN/network services, including SDN, multi-cloud network, closed connection, internet VPN, SEIL, remote access, wireless LAN, and GIGA-school; leased line and broadband services; IIJ DNS platform, and domain name registration and maintenance services; IIJ access ID management, dial-up access, and IIJ IPv6 fiber access services; and security solutions for IIJ managed firewall, DDoS protection, and managed IPS/IDS services.

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Jeppson Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP  Free Report) by 60.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,757 shares of the railroad operators stock after purchasing an additional 1,042 shares during the quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Union Pacific were worth $555,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Koesten Hirschmann & Crabtree INC. purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Power Corp of Canada purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the 1st quarter valued at about $40,000. Heritage Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Union Pacific by 152.5% during the 4th quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC now owns 202 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Chelsea Counsel Co. acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at about $43,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.04% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on UNP. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on Union Pacific from $245.00 to $240.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 21st. TD Cowen decreased their price objective on Union Pacific from $222.00 to $218.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 21st. Raymond James boosted their price objective on Union Pacific from $225.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Union Pacific from $210.00 to $212.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price target on Union Pacific from $237.00 to $235.00 in a report on Tuesday. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $216.44.

Union Pacific Price Performance

UNP stock opened at $210.99 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.50, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.54. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $200.77 and a 200-day simple moving average of $201.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $128.76 billion, a PE ratio of 18.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 1.10. Union Pacific Co. has a 1 year low of $183.69 and a 1 year high of $242.35.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 20th. The railroad operator reported $2.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.57 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $6.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.03 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 57.75% and a net margin of 27.91%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.57 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 31st were given a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 30th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.46%. Union Pacifics payout ratio is 45.94%.

Union Pacific Profile

(Free Report)

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, and other agricultural users; petroleum, and liquid petroleum gases; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP  Free Report).

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Jeppson Wealth Management LLC lowered its stake in shares of Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:BX  Free Report) by 2.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,524 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 203 shares during the quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Blackstone were worth $661,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BX. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in Blackstone during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. AXS Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Blackstone in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. RFP Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Blackstone in the 4th quarter valued at about $41,000. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Blackstone in the 3rd quarter valued at about $42,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in shares of Blackstone in the 4th quarter valued at about $46,000. Institutional investors own 63.65% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BX has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Blackstone from $99.00 to $101.00 in a research report on Thursday. Oppenheimer cut their price target on shares of Blackstone from $111.00 to $106.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Piper Sandler cut their price target on shares of Blackstone from $111.00 to $107.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 21st. TheStreet downgraded shares of Blackstone from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Finally, Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Blackstone from $98.00 to $109.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Blackstone currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $103.03.

Insider Activity at Blackstone

Blackstone Price Performance

In other Blackstone news, Director Joseph Baratta sold 85,000 shares of Blackstone stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.08, for a total transaction of $7,911,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,060,448 shares of the companys stock, valued at $98,706,499.84. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . In other Blackstone news, major shareholder Altus Holdings Lp Gso bought 15,000 shares of Blackstone stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 6th. The stock was bought at an average price of $5.17 per share, with a total value of $77,550.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 20,790,125 shares in the company, valued at approximately $107,484,946.25. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . Also, Director Joseph Baratta sold 85,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.08, for a total transaction of $7,911,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 1,060,448 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $98,706,499.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last three months, insiders bought 117,282 shares of company stock valued at $646,274 and sold 3,265,000 shares valued at $38,925,200. 1.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

NYSE BX opened at $104.15 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Blackstone Inc. has a 12-month low of $71.72 and a 12-month high of $110.89. The company has a market capitalization of $73.54 billion, a PE ratio of 127.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 1.49. The firms 50 day moving average is $88.81 and its 200-day moving average is $87.52.

Blackstone (NYSE:BX  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The asset manager reported $0.97 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.97. Blackstone had a net margin of 12.92% and a return on equity of 18.51%. The business had revenue of $1.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.44 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.55 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 73.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Blackstone Inc. will post 4.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Blackstone Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 8th. Investors of record on Monday, May 1st were paid a $0.82 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, April 28th. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.15%. Blackstones dividend payout ratio is presently 400.00%.

Blackstone Company Profile

(Free Report)

Blackstone Inc is an alternative asset management firm specializing in real estate, private equity, hedge fund solutions, credit, secondary funds of funds, public debt and equity and multi-asset class strategies. The firm typically invests in early-stage companies. It also provide capital markets services.

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Jeppson Wealth Management LLC reduced its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 9.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,719 shares of the companys stock after selling 763 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company makes up 1.2% of Jeppson Wealth Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Jeppson Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $2,651,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. AIA Group Ltd grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 13.9% in the 1st quarter. AIA Group Ltd now owns 15,001 shares of the companys stock worth $5,152,000 after buying an additional 1,829 shares in the last quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 51,482 shares of the companys stock worth $17,680,000 after buying an additional 340 shares in the last quarter. Auxano Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 6.0% in the 1st quarter. Auxano Advisors LLC now owns 1,553 shares of the companys stock worth $533,000 after buying an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. Goelzer Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Goelzer Investment Management Inc. now owns 87,091 shares of the companys stock worth $29,909,000 after buying an additional 294 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Insight Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 37.5% in the 1st quarter. Capital Insight Partners LLC now owns 2,916 shares of the companys stock worth $1,001,000 after buying an additional 795 shares in the last quarter. 87.25% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $440.00 to $500.00 in a research note on Friday, May 26th. StockNews.com cut shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 12th. 3M reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Friday, April 28th. 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. Finally, 22nd Century Group reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $443.45.

Insider Buying and Selling

Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 3.4 %

In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 178,302 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $426.40, for a total transaction of $76,027,972.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 101,688,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,360,108,584. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . In related news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $435.29, for a total transaction of $261,174.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,978 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,602,163.62. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 178,302 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $426.40, for a total transaction of $76,027,972.80. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 101,688,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $43,360,108,584. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 970,965 shares of company stock worth $423,725,107 in the last 90 days. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

NYSE:LLY opened at $449.46 on Friday. Eli Lilly and Company has a one year low of $296.32 and a one year high of $469.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.30. The firm has a market cap of $426.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 71.46, a P/E/G ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.38. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $444.17 and a 200-day simple moving average of $383.28.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.11). Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 20.54% and a return on equity of 61.42%. The business had revenue of $6.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.87 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.62 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, September 8th will be paid a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 14th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.01%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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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StockNews.com downgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday morning.

Several other analysts also recently issued reports on MRK. Mizuho reissued a buy rating and issued a $130.00 price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Monday, April 10th. Societe Generale downgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Citigroup raised Merck & Co., Inc. from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $105.00 to $130.00 in a report on Thursday, April 13th. BTIG Research downgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Sunday, April 16th. Finally, Guggenheim lifted their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $123.00 to $124.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $122.84.

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Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance

Shares of MRK opened at $107.34 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $272.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.96, a PEG ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.35. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $112.27 and a 200-day moving average of $110.74. The company has a current ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 52 week low of $84.52 and a 52 week high of $119.65.

Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement

Merck & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:MRK Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.40 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.34 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $14.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.81 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 37.92% and a net margin of 22.52%. The businesss revenue was down 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.14 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 6.35 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a $0.73 dividend. This represents a $2.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.72%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 14th. Merck & Co., Inc.s payout ratio is 57.03%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Robert M. Davis sold 143,329 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.93, for a total transaction of $16,472,801.97. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 271,817 shares in the company, valued at $31,239,927.81. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, EVP Steven Mizell sold 53,400 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.01, for a total transaction of $6,355,134.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 31,685 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,770,831.85. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Robert M. Davis sold 143,329 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.93, for a total value of $16,472,801.97. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 271,817 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $31,239,927.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 354,203 shares of company stock worth $41,055,309 in the last three months. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Merck & Co., Inc.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 10.6% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 68,563,817 shares of the companys stock worth $7,294,504,000 after purchasing an additional 6,546,946 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 6.0% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 51,218,756 shares of the companys stock worth $5,438,036,000 after acquiring an additional 2,879,481 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 10.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 41,850,081 shares of the companys stock worth $4,643,267,000 after acquiring an additional 4,000,816 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 103,159.7% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 39,327,490 shares of the companys stock worth $4,363,385,000 after acquiring an additional 39,289,404 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 30.2% in the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 35,734,925 shares of the companys stock worth $3,801,839,000 after acquiring an additional 8,281,942 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.60% of the companys stock.

Merck & Co., Inc. Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Merck & Co, Inc operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The Pharmaceutical segment offers human health pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology, hospital acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes, as well as vaccine products, such as preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines.

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Morguard North American (TSE:MRG  Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Friday, July 14th, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 31st will be given a dividend of 0.06 per share on Tuesday, August 15th. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of . The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 28th.

Morguard North American Stock Performance

Morguard North American has a one year low of C$13.17 and a one year high of C$16.21.

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Morguard North American (TSE:MRG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported C$0.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$79.65 million during the quarter.

Morguard North American Company Profile

Morguard North American Residential Real Estate Investment Trust (the Trust) is a real estate investment trust (REIT). The Trusts investment objectives are to generate stable and growing cash distributions on a tax-efficient basis; enhance the value of the REITs assets and maximize long-term Unit value through active asset and property management, and expand the asset base of the REIT and increase adjusted funds from operations per Unit primarily through acquisitions and improvement of its properties through targeted deployed capital expenditures.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSE:CP  Free Report) (NYSE:CP) had its price target upped by National Bank Financial from C$107.00 to C$110.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. National Bank Financial also issued estimates for Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys Q2 2023 earnings at $0.87 EPS, Q3 2023 earnings at $0.97 EPS, Q4 2023 earnings at $1.13 EPS, FY2023 earnings at $3.87 EPS, Q1 2024 earnings at $1.03 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $1.13 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $1.22 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $1.39 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $4.77 EPS.

CP has been the topic of several other research reports. Scotiabank cut their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$124.00 to C$123.00 in a report on Thursday, June 29th. CIBC reduced their price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$125.00 to C$123.00 in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$90.00 to C$89.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$120.00 to C$118.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$130.00 to C$128.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$112.57.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of CP opened at C$106.59 on Tuesday. The companys 50-day moving average price is C$105.93 and its 200 day moving average price is C$105.08. Canadian Pacific Kansas City has a 12-month low of C$90.84 and a 12-month high of C$112.27. The company has a current ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.11. The firm has a market cap of C$99.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.83.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Announces Dividend

Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( TSE:CP Get Free Report ) (NYSE:CP) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$2.39 billion. Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a return on equity of 10.14% and a net margin of 40.33%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Canadian Pacific Kansas City will post 4.1999202 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.19 per share. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.71%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys payout ratio is 19.19%.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada and the United States. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; and merchandise freight, such as energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals and consumer, automotive, and forest products.

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Ninety One North America Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of Qiagen (NYSE:QGEN  Free Report) by 11.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 108,190 shares of the companys stock after selling 13,369 shares during the quarter. Ninety One North America Inc.s holdings in Qiagen were worth $4,969,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Qiagen in the 4th quarter worth about $288,658,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale grew its position in shares of Qiagen by 55.9% during the 1st quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 2,886,330 shares of the companys stock valued at $130,783,000 after acquiring an additional 1,034,406 shares during the period. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec increased its stake in shares of Qiagen by 3,367.0% during the 1st quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 647,354 shares of the companys stock worth $32,074,000 after purchasing an additional 628,682 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Qiagen by 63.8% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,269,199 shares of the companys stock worth $63,296,000 after purchasing an additional 494,199 shares during the period. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its stake in Qiagen by 14.2% in the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,498,030 shares of the companys stock valued at $171,979,000 after purchasing an additional 434,472 shares during the last quarter. 57.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Qiagen Stock Performance

NYSE QGEN opened at $46.02 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $45.47 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $45.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 2.53 and a quick ratio of 2.10. Qiagen has a 1 year low of $40.38 and a 1 year high of $51.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.48 billion, a PE ratio of 29.88, a P/E/G ratio of 8.41 and a beta of 0.37.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Qiagen ( NYSE:QGEN Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported $0.51 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.47 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $485.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $478.23 million. Qiagen had a net margin of 17.66% and a return on equity of 14.08%. Qiagens revenue for the quarter was down 22.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.80 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Qiagen will post 2.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of brokerages have recently commented on QGEN. Morgan Stanley raised Qiagen from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 23rd. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Qiagen from $52.00 to $50.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Qiagen in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Three 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 currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $54.87.

Qiagen Profile

(Free Report)

QIAGEN N.V. offers sample to insight solutions that transform biological materials into molecular insights worldwide. The company provides primary sample technology consumables, such as nucleic stabilization and purification kits for primary sample materials, manual and automated processing for genotyping, gene expression, and viral and bacterial analysis, as well as silica membranes and magnetic bead technologies; secondary sample technology consumables, including kits and components for purification of nucleic acids from secondary sample materials; and instruments for nucleic acid purification and accessories.

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Ninety One UK Ltd trimmed its position in HDFC Bank Limited (NYSE:HDB  Free Report) by 16.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,661,176 shares of the banks stock after selling 337,568 shares during the quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd owned 0.09% of HDFC Bank worth $110,751,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Thompson Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of HDFC Bank during the 1st quarter worth $34,000. OLD Mission Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HDFC Bank during the 4th quarter worth $37,000. Ridgewood Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HDFC Bank during the 1st quarter worth $37,000. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. acquired a new stake in shares of HDFC Bank during the 4th quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HDFC Bank during the 4th quarter worth $40,000. 17.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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HDFC Bank Stock Performance

NYSE:HDB opened at $67.57 on Friday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $66.61 and its 200 day simple moving average is $67.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $125.67 billion, a PE ratio of 22.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. HDFC Bank Limited has a twelve month low of $55.22 and a twelve month high of $71.76.

HDFC Bank Increases Dividend

HDFC Bank ( NYSE:HDB Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The bank reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $4.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.88 billion. HDFC Bank had a return on equity of 16.98% and a net margin of 22.46%. On average, analysts anticipate that HDFC Bank Limited will post 2.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced an annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 12th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th were given a $0.5935 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 12th. This is an increase from HDFC Banks previous annual dividend of $0.58. This represents a yield of 0.9%. HDFC Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.28%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently weighed in on HDB shares. StockNews.com started coverage on HDFC Bank in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on HDFC Bank in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. They issued a buy rating on the stock.

About HDFC Bank

(Free Report)

HDFC Bank Limited provides banking and financial services to individuals and businesses in India, Bahrain, Hong Kong, and Dubai. It operates in Treasury, Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, Other Banking Business, and Unallocated segments. The company accepts savings, salary, current, rural, public provident fund, pension, and Demat accounts; fixed and recurring deposits; and safe deposit lockers, as well as offshore accounts and deposits, overdrafts against fixed deposits, and sweep-in facilities.

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A former Fremont police officer who left the department while under investigation for unknown allegations has officially surrendered her law enforcement license for life.

Tatum Dobson, who had been working as a police officer with the Ashland Police Department, officially surrendered her law license on May 19. Her application to surrender her law enforcement license was approved by the State Crime Commission on the same date.

In a State of Nebraska Decertification Attestation Letter submitted to the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice dated July 13, Ashland police Chief Ryan Brady explained why Dobson had resigned from the department and the reason behind her surrendering her law enforcement license.

Officer Dobson was alleged to have committed official misconduct related to the filing of false information on official documents, Brady wrote in the July 13 letter. The Nebraska Attorney Generals Office was considering filing charges against Officer Dobson, but elected to accept her surrender of her certificate in lieu of filing criminal charges.

Brady also wrote in the area of the form, Describe any discipline imposed, that, none issued as case was under investigation by the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office.

Dobson has not responded to requests for comment from the Tribune.

Dobson resigned from the Ashland Police Department on April 30 following an investigation into the unknown allegations related to her job as a police officer in Ashland.

The state Crime Commission on Friday, May 19, approved Dobsons request to surrender her law enforcement license during a meeting of the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. The committee has authority over law enforcement certifications and discipline.

Dobson was hired by Fremont as a police officer on Oct. 10, 2017, and graduated from the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center Academy. She was a member of the FPD for slightly more than two years, resigning her job as an officer on Oct. 21, 2019.

In a Change-in-Status Form sent to the NLETC on Oct. 25, 2019, Fremont Police Chief Jeff Elliott checked a box for Resignation and then typed into the other area that Dobson had Resigned while under investigation.

It is not known what Dobson was being investigated for, and Elliott has refused to comment to the Tribune about the details of her departure.

After she resigned from FPD, Dobson worked part time as a police officer in the tiny village of Beemer in Cuming County.

Village of Beemer Police Chief Jeremy Goeken said in an early May interview that Dobson worked limited hours in Beemer, with her final day at the department being Sept. 1, 2022. Goeken praised Dobsons time at the Beemer department, stating she was a good officer and well-liked in the community.

From May 2017 until she was hired in Fremont, Dobson was a Cass County sheriffs deputy. She received her bachelors degree in criminal justice at Evangel University in Missouri.
Ninety One UK Ltd cut its stake in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC  Free Report) by 4.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,510,718 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 126,281 shares during the quarter. Ninety One UK Ltds holdings in Bank of America were worth $71,807,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in Bank of America by 108,111.3% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 193,168,025 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,397,725,000 after purchasing an additional 192,989,515 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in shares of Bank of America by 22.7% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 127,177,786 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,212,128,000 after acquiring an additional 23,532,190 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Bank of America by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 123,636,775 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,087,307,000 after acquiring an additional 1,327,840 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Bank of America during the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,436,543,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Bank of America by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 36,940,776 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,522,699,000 after acquiring an additional 603,512 shares in the last quarter. 67.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Oppenheimer raised their price target on shares of Bank of America from $44.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $35.00 price objective on shares of Bank of America in a report on Friday, June 30th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Bank of America from $32.00 to $33.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Bank of America from $45.00 to $40.00 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Finally, Barclays cut their price objective on Bank of America from $48.00 to $39.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and nine 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 $36.72.

Bank of America Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BAC opened at $29.11 on Friday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $28.52 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $30.74. Bank of America Co. has a 12-month low of $26.32 and a 12-month high of $38.60. The firm has a market cap of $231.98 billion, a PE ratio of 8.74, a PEG ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.11. Bank of America had a net margin of 21.85% and a return on equity of 11.72%. The firm had revenue of $26.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.28 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.80 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Bank of America Co. will post 3.38 earnings per share for the current year.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 1st. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.43%.

Bank of America Company Profile

(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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North Star Investment Management Corp. grew its holdings in shares of Newmont Co. (NYSE:NEM  Free Report) by 9.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 35,171 shares of the basic materials companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,903 shares during the period. North Star Investment Management Corp.s holdings in Newmont were worth $1,724,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NEM. AAFMAA Wealth Management & Trust LLC lifted its stake in shares of Newmont by 7.0% during the first quarter. AAFMAA Wealth Management & Trust LLC now owns 6,746 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $331,000 after buying an additional 442 shares during the period. Simplicity Solutions LLC boosted its position in Newmont by 63.1% during the first quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 19,107 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $937,000 after acquiring an additional 7,393 shares during the last quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC lifted its stake in Newmont by 6.4% in the 1st quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 89,379 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $4,381,000 after purchasing an additional 5,363 shares in the last quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in Newmont by 0.6% during the first quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 65,591 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $3,215,000 after buying an additional 420 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DORCHESTER WEALTH MANAGEMENT Co increased its position in Newmont by 0.4% during the first quarter. DORCHESTER WEALTH MANAGEMENT Co now owns 154,954 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $6,377,000 after purchasing an additional 585 shares during the last quarter. 77.82% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Newmont news, COO Robert D. Atkinson sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.76, for a total value of $143,280.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 81,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,904,427.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Thomas Ronald Palmer sold 11,000 shares of Newmont stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.84, for a total transaction of $449,240.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 289,039 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,804,352.76. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Robert D. Atkinson sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.76, for a total transaction of $143,280.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 81,751 shares in the company, valued at $3,904,427.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 36,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,589,230 over the last three months. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Newmont Stock Down 1.1 %

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on NEM. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Newmont in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Citigroup decreased their price target on Newmont from $70.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. National Bank Financial lifted their price objective on Newmont from C$91.00 to C$94.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. Raymond James lowered their target price on Newmont from $58.00 to $57.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, May 16th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Newmont from $58.00 to $67.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $60.49.

Shares of NYSE NEM opened at $44.98 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $43.11 and a two-hundred day moving average of $46.72. Newmont Co. has a 1 year low of $37.45 and a 1 year high of $60.08. The company has a quick ratio of 2.00, a current ratio of 2.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

Newmont (NYSE:NEM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The basic materials company reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.33 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $2.68 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.70 billion. Newmont had a positive return on equity of 6.05% and a negative net margin of 4.55%. The businesss revenue was down 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.69 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Newmont Co. will post 2.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Newmont Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.56%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 31st. Newmonts dividend payout ratio is presently -242.42%.

About Newmont

(Free Report)

Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, and Ghana. As of December 31, 2022, it had proven and probable gold reserves of 96.1 million ounces and land position of 61,500 square kilometers.

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New York State Teachers Retirement System reduced its holdings in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC  Free Report) by 4.7% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 154,229 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 7,626 shares during the quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement Systems holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $71,211,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 3,353,108 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,829,490,000 after buying an additional 114,823 shares during the period. Putnam Investments LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Putnam Investments LLC now owns 1,335,432 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $728,625,000 after buying an additional 52,913 shares during the period. Jennison Associates LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 29.9% in the 4th quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 1,054,897 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $575,562,000 after buying an additional 242,658 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 753,316 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $411,017,000 after buying an additional 5,070 shares during the period. Finally, Capital World Investors lifted its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 12.0% in the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 733,172 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $327,889,000 after buying an additional 78,742 shares during the period. 81.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays cut Northrop Grumman from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and reduced their price target for the company from $580.00 to $450.00 in a report on Thursday, May 11th. StockNews.com raised Northrop Grumman from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $581.00 to $569.00 in a research note on Friday, June 30th. Seaport Res Ptn reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, 22nd Century Group reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Friday, April 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned 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 Hold and a consensus price target of $512.75.

Northrop Grumman Stock Performance

Northrop Grumman stock opened at $450.64 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $68.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.58, a PEG ratio of 5.33 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.22. Northrop Grumman Co. has a fifty-two week low of $429.10 and a fifty-two week high of $556.27. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $448.35 and a two-hundred day moving average of $461.63.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The aerospace company reported $5.50 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.16 by $0.34. The business had revenue of $9.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.19 billion. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 26.61% and a net margin of 12.89%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $6.10 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 22.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 14th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 30th were given a $1.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 26th. This represents a $7.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.66%. This is an increase from Northrop Grummans previous quarterly dividend of $1.73. Northrop Grummans payout ratio is currently 24.20%.

Northrop Grumman Profile

(Free Report)

Northrop Grumman Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. The company's Aeronautics Systems segment designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, and sustains aircraft systems in the United States and internationally. This segment also offers unmanned autonomous aircraft systems, including high-altitude long-endurance strategic ISR systems and vertical take-off and landing tactical ISR systems; and strategic long-range strike aircraft, tactical fighter and air dominance aircraft, and airborne battle management and command and control systems.

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Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NAN  Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 3,400 shares, a drop of 73.0% from the June 15th total of 12,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 52,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NAN. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. increased its holdings in Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund by 14.3% in the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 11,465 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $145,000 after purchasing an additional 1,433 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new stake in shares of Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund during the first quarter valued at approximately $186,000. Guggenheim Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund by 7.3% during the first quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 413,547 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,199,000 after acquiring an additional 28,168 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in shares of Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund by 14.9% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 132,708 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,668,000 after acquiring an additional 17,191 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its holdings in shares of Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund by 3.0% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 472,410 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,938,000 after acquiring an additional 13,907 shares in the last quarter.

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Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund Stock Performance

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund stock traded down $0.06 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $10.68. The companys stock had a trading volume of 40,709 shares, compared to its average volume of 52,652. Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund has a 52 week low of $9.65 and a 52 week high of $12.16. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $10.78 and a 200-day moving average price of $10.88.

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund Cuts Dividend

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund Company Profile

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be issued a $0.036 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. This represents a $0.43 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.04%.

(Get Free Report)

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of New York. The fund invests in municipal bonds, with a rating of Baa or higher.

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Olympus Co. (OTCMKTS:OCPNY  Get Free Report)s share price passed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of $18.00 and traded as high as $18.00. Olympus shares last traded at $18.00, with a volume of 400 shares changing hands.

Olympus Stock Performance

The firms fifty day moving average price is $18.00 and its 200-day moving average price is $18.03. The company has a current ratio of 1.99, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. The firm has a market cap of $23.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.95, a PEG ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 0.70.

Olympus Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Olympus Corp. engages in the manufacture and sale of precision machineries and instruments. It operates through the following segments: Medical, Scientific Solutions, Imaging, and Others. The Medical segment covers digestive, surgical, and ultrasonic endoscopy as well as endoscopic treatment tools. The Scientific Solutions segment manufactures and sells biological and industrial microscopes, industrial endoscopes, and non-destructive testing equipment.

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Owens Corning (NYSE:OC  Free Report) had its price objective increased by Royal Bank of Canada from $111.00 to $135.00 in a report published on Tuesday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

OC has been the topic of several other research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on shares of Owens Corning from $102.00 to $110.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Owens Corning from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Barclays upgraded shares of Owens Corning from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their price objective for the company from $113.00 to $135.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Owens Corning in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. Finally, Loop Capital raised their price objective on shares of Owens Corning from $125.00 to $138.00 in a research report on Friday, June 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong 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 $125.69.

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Owens Corning Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of Owens Corning stock opened at $132.55 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $118.47 and its 200-day simple moving average is $103.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.94 billion, a PE ratio of 9.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.46. Owens Corning has a 1-year low of $74.22 and a 1-year high of $134.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.86 and a quick ratio of 1.17.

Owens Corning Announces Dividend

Owens Corning ( NYSE:OC Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The construction company reported $2.77 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.22 by $0.55. The business had revenue of $2.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.22 billion. Owens Corning had a net margin of 13.54% and a return on equity of 26.06%. The companys revenue was down 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.84 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Owens Corning will post 10.78 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be issued a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.57%. Owens Cornings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.05%.

Insider Transactions at Owens Corning

In other news, insider Gunner Smith sold 6,900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.01, for a total value of $793,569.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 31,153 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,582,906.53. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, 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 shares were sold at an average price of $115.01, for a total transaction of $793,569.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 31,153 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,582,906.53. The transaction was disclosed in a filing 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 stock was sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total transaction of $800,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 62,962 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,296,200. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 21,570 shares of company stock worth $2,282,993 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Owens Corning

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in OC. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in Owens Corning in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC purchased a new stake in Owens Corning in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Allworth Financial LP boosted its position in Owens Corning by 87.8% in the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 353 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 165 shares during the period. Tobam purchased a new stake in Owens Corning in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Power Corp of Canada purchased a new stake in Owens Corning in the 1st quarter valued at about $34,000. 93.43% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Owens Corning Company Profile

(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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Pacific Global Investment Management Co. reduced its holdings in Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A  Free Report) by 8.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,535 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 230 shares during the quarter. Pacific Global Investment Management Co.s holdings in Agilent Technologies were worth $351,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Natixis Investment Managers International lifted its position in Agilent Technologies by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Natixis Investment Managers International now owns 3,245 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $486,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. lifted its position in Agilent Technologies by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 5,965 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $893,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. lifted its position in Agilent Technologies by 8.8% in the 4th quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 837 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $125,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. First Command Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in Agilent Technologies by 19.4% in the 1st quarter. First Command Financial Services Inc. now owns 461 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $64,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Securian Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Agilent Technologies by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 24,698 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $3,417,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares in the last quarter.

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Agilent Technologies Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of Agilent Technologies stock opened at $119.75 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $120.96 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $136.01. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $113.28 and a 1 year high of $160.26. The company has a market capitalization of $35.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.38, a P/E/G ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 2.37 and a quick ratio of 1.71.

Agilent Technologies Announces Dividend

Agilent Technologies ( NYSE:A Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 23rd. The medical research company reported $1.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.26 by $0.01. Agilent Technologies had a return on equity of 30.11% and a net margin of 19.19%. The business had revenue of $1.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.67 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.13 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 5.61 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 3rd will be given a $0.225 dividend. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.75%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 30th. Agilent Technologiess payout ratio is 19.82%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A has been the topic of a number of research reports. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on shares of Agilent Technologies from $153.00 to $135.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. SVB Securities cut their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies from $170.00 to $145.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Bank of America decreased their price objective on Agilent Technologies from $164.00 to $144.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on Agilent Technologies from $174.00 to $144.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. Finally, Evercore ISI reduced their price target on Agilent Technologies from $150.00 to $126.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $151.75.

Agilent Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Agilent Technologies, Inc provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers liquid chromatography systems and components; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems; gas chromatography systems and components; gas chromatography mass spectrometry systems; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instruments; atomic absorption instruments; microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry instruments; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry instruments; raman spectroscopy; cell analysis plate based assays; flow cytometer; real-time cell analyzer; cell imaging systems; microplate reader; laboratory software; information management and analytics; laboratory automation and robotic systems; dissolution testing; vacuum pumps, and measurement technologies.

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Jeppson Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM  Free Report) by 3.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,889 shares of the CRM providers stock after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the quarter. Jeppson Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Salesforce were worth $377,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in CRM. AIA Group Ltd raised its stake in Salesforce by 58.5% in the 1st quarter. AIA Group Ltd now owns 13,634 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $2,724,000 after acquiring an additional 5,034 shares during the last quarter. Northstar Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in Salesforce by 8.3% in the 1st quarter. Northstar Asset Management Inc. now owns 57,370 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $11,461,000 after acquiring an additional 4,415 shares during the last quarter. SeaBridge Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in Salesforce by 169.0% in the 1st quarter. SeaBridge Investment Advisors LLC now owns 17,676 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $3,531,000 after acquiring an additional 11,106 shares during the last quarter. Hartford Funds Management Co LLC purchased a new position in Salesforce in the 1st quarter worth $278,000. Finally, China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in Salesforce by 26.3% in the 1st quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 26,400 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $5,274,000 after acquiring an additional 5,500 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.13% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Salesforce

In other news, insider Parker Harris sold 561 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $196.33, for a total transaction of $110,141.13. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 100,309 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,693,665.97. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CAO Sundeep G. Reddy sold 164 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $196.33, for a total value of $32,198.12. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 1,884 shares in the company, valued at $369,885.72. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Parker Harris sold 561 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $196.33, for a total value of $110,141.13. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 100,309 shares in the company, valued at $19,693,665.97. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 910,723 shares of company stock worth $191,912,295 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 3.70% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Salesforce Trading Down 0.5 %

CRM has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. JMP Securities raised their target price on Salesforce from $250.00 to $275.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. Wedbush raised their target price on Salesforce from $230.00 to $240.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Salesforce from $235.00 to $250.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. Roth Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Salesforce in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Salesforce from $230.00 to $240.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, twenty-four have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $223.22.

Shares of Salesforce stock opened at $229.33 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $223.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 603.52, a P/E/G ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.19. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $211.69 and its 200-day simple moving average is $186.80. Salesforce, Inc. has a 1-year low of $126.34 and a 1-year high of $232.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 1.02.

Salesforce (NYSE:CRM  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results 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 business had revenue of $8.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.17 billion. Salesforce had a return on equity of 5.75% and a net margin of 1.18%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.41 EPS. Analysts predict that Salesforce, Inc. will post 5.26 EPS 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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Bunker Hill Mining Corp. (OTCMKTS:BHLL  Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 13,300 shares, a decline of 84.3% from the June 15th total of 84,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 295,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days.

Bunker Hill Mining Price Performance

BHLL remained flat at $0.15 during mid-day trading on Friday. 205,445 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 164,091. The business has a 50-day moving average of $0.16 and a 200 day moving average of $0.13. Bunker Hill Mining has a 1 year low of $0.07 and a 1 year high of $0.22.

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Bunker Hill Mining (OTCMKTS:BHLL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 17th. The company reported ($0.05) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter.

About Bunker Hill Mining

Bunker Hill Mining Corp., a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, development, and mining of mineral properties in Canada and the United States. It focuses on exploring for zinc, lead, and silver ores. It holds an option agreement to acquire interest in the Bunker Hill mine located in the Silver Valley, Idaho.

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Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente, S.A. (OTCMKTS:SEYMF  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 9,900 shares, a decline of 69.0% from the June 15th total of 31,900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently  days.

Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente Price Performance

Shares of Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente stock remained flat at $17.00 on Friday. 40 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,350. Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente has a 1 year low of $15.25 and a 1 year high of $21.68. The business has a 50 day moving average of $17.00 and a 200 day moving average of $18.60.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

SEYMF has been the topic of several research reports. Societe Generale lowered shares of Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, May 15th. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Monday, June 12th.

Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente Company Profile

Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente, SA, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation of solar photovoltaic energy. It owns, manages, and operates a pipeline of approximately 14,200 MW of photovoltaic plants in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Uruguay, and Greece. The company was incorporated in 2002 and is based in Madrid, Spain.

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The City of Fremont nabbed a victory at the Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday, as the states highest court ruled in favor of the city in a legal dispute with the Dodge County Humane Society.

The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled on July 14 that a district court judge erred in an earlier ruling that the city had improperly terminated a contract with the Dodge County Humane Society in 2021, ending the animal control and services agreement between the two entities.

The high court explained its decision in a lengthy ruling posted online on Friday.

The (Fremont City) Council did not exercise a judicial or quasi-judicial function when it voted on a motion to send a letter to the Dodge County Humane Society, and the district court did not have jurisdiction to review this action in a petition in error proceeding, the justices ruled. We vacate the order of the district court for lack of jurisdiction, and as a result, we lack jurisdiction over this appeal. Accordingly, we dismiss this appeal.

Fridays decision by the states high court comes almost three months after attorneys for the City of Fremont made arguments on April 24, to the Nebraska Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the district court judges earlier ruling in regard to a contract dispute with the Humane Society.

Requests for comment on the ruling made to the citys attorneys as well as the Humane Society were not responded to.

The issue stemmed from Case S-22-0698, Dodge County Humane Society Appellee v. City of Fremont, Nebraska and the City Council for the City of Fremont, Nebraska Appellant, which was an appeal from a ruling by Judge Geoffrey C. Hall in the District Court for Dodge County.

The City of Fremont alleged that Hall made errors in regard to four issues: determining the district court had petition-in-error jurisdiction; that the council decision at a Feb. 23, 2021 meeting, constituted a judgment rendered or final order of an inferior tribunal; by considering evidence that was not contained in the record before the City Council; and in, finding that authorization of sending the notice of termination letter by the City Council was not supported by sufficient evidence.

The ruling concludes the long-running saga of animal control services. After the city council cancelled the contract with the Dodge County Humane Society, the city entered into a contract with FurEver Home, LLC, for animal sheltering and control services.

The DCHS lawsuit originally included the FurEver Home, however officials with FurEver Home successfully petitioned the district court to be removed from the lawsuit later in 2021.

The city was represented before the high court by Travis Jacott, Molly Miller and Patrick J. Sullivan, of Adams & Sullivan, P.C., while the Dodge County Humane Society was represented by attorney Thomas B. Thomsen, all of whom made statements to the justices on April 24 and answered questions during the 22-minute hearing.

In arguments, Thomsen alleged that the citys prior contract with the Dodge County Humane Society was still technically in effect, and that his clients sought for the judge to recognize the contract as valid and to be paid back-fees and costs from February 2021 through September 2022.

We believe that contract was wrongfully terminated by the City of Fremont, Thomsen said to the court, also arguing that a letter sent to the humane society officials only gave 30 days notice, and that the contract required 60 days. He also alleged the city did not provide reasons of cause for the contract termination.

Jacott argued in April the city had a right to terminate the contract with the DCHS, and that Hall had ruled in error. The city asked the high court to overturn Halls earlier rulings in the dispute.

Jacott described at the time that animal control was a hot button issue of concern to the public. He also said the city council in February 2021 acted within its authority and powers in voting to authorize the mayor to send a termination letter notice to the Humane Society.

The lawsuit stemmed in part from a city council meeting held in February, 2021, when the council voted in favor of issuing a letter of termination of contract to the Dodge County Humane Society. The letter, signed by Mayor Joey Spellerberg, outlined several sections of the citys contract with DCHS that had been in violation and had not been remedied since a Notice of Cure toward the end of October 2020.

In the letter, the city established that, due to the lack of action to remedy the noted violations, the city has the right to exercise the right to terminate its contract with DCHS 30 days after the notice is given. Five sections of the citys contract with DCHS were described as being previously violated without remedy.

The Dodge County Humane Society then filed a lawsuit alleging breach of contract against the city, alleging in its complaint that there is no indication in said letter, expressed or implied, that said letter provides notice of termination.
Singapore Airlines Limited (OTCMKTS:SINGY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 81,100 shares, an increase of 125.3% from the June 15th total of 36,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 110,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.7 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Citigroup upgraded Singapore Airlines from a sell rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th.

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Singapore Airlines Price Performance

SINGY stock traded down $0.08 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $11.20. The companys stock had a trading volume of 16,536 shares, compared to its average volume of 18,202. Singapore Airlines has a 52 week low of $6.82 and a 52 week high of $11.90. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $10.21 and its 200-day simple moving average is $9.17.

Singapore Airlines Increases Dividend

About Singapore Airlines

The business also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 5th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 1st will be paid a $0.3669 dividend. This is a positive change from Singapore Airliness previous dividend of $0.13. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 31st. Singapore Airliness dividend payout ratio is presently 117.21%.

(Get Free Report)

Singapore Airlines Limited, together with subsidiaries, provides passenger and cargo air transportation services under the Singapore Airlines and Scoot brands in East Asia, the Americas, Europe, Southwest Pacific, West Asia, and Africa. It operates through The Full-Service Carrier, The Low-Cost Carrier, and Engineering Services segments.

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StockNews.com started coverage on shares of PEDEVCO (NYSEAMERICAN:PED  Free Report) in a research note published on Wednesday. The firm issued a sell rating on the stock.

Separately, EF Hutton Acquisition Co. I reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $2.40 price objective on shares of PEDEVCO in a research note on Thursday, March 30th.

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PEDEVCO Stock Performance

PED stock opened at $0.92 on Wednesday. PEDEVCO has a 1 year low of $0.80 and a 1 year high of $1.31. The stocks 50 day moving average is $1.00. The firm has a market cap of $80.08 million, a PE ratio of 30.68 and a beta of 1.32.

Insider Activity at PEDEVCO

PEDEVCO ( NYSEAMERICAN:PED Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The company reported $0.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.01 by $0.01. PEDEVCO had a net margin of 10.50% and a return on equity of 3.34%. The firm had revenue of $8.16 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.12 million. On average, analysts predict that PEDEVCO will post 0.13 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other PEDEVCO news, Director John J. Scelfo sold 40,000 shares of PEDEVCO stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $0.92, for a total value of $36,800.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 224,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at $206,540. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other PEDEVCO news, CEO Simon G. Kukes bought 130,453 shares of PEDEVCO stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 15th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $0.89 per share, for a total transaction of $116,103.17. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 7,021,950 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,249,535.50. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director John J. Scelfo sold 40,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $0.92, for a total transaction of $36,800.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 224,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $206,540. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 68.50% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On PEDEVCO

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. First Republic Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in PEDEVCO in the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new position in PEDEVCO in the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP purchased a new position in PEDEVCO in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in PEDEVCO by 167.5% in the 2nd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 42,883 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 26,851 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in PEDEVCO by 224.4% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 41,197 shares of the companys stock worth $56,000 after buying an additional 28,497 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 3.02% of the companys stock.

About PEDEVCO

(Get Free Report)

PEDEVCO Corp., an oil and gas company, focuses on the acquisition, development, and production of oil and natural gas assets in the United States. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas. PEDEVCO Corp. is a subsidiary of SK Energy LLC.

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WPP (NYSE:WPP  Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report issued on Thursday.

WPP Price Performance

WPP opened at $55.57 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $54.07 and a 200-day moving average price of $56.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.85. WPP has a one year low of $39.67 and a one year high of $64.07.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of WPP by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 27,982 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,832,000 after acquiring an additional 963 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in WPP by 67.6% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 14,658 shares of the business services providers stock worth $960,000 after purchasing an additional 5,913 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. lifted its stake in WPP by 12.4% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 6,060 shares of the business services providers stock worth $397,000 after purchasing an additional 668 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. lifted its stake in WPP by 9.8% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 3,811 shares of the business services providers stock worth $250,000 after purchasing an additional 340 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mariner LLC lifted its stake in WPP by 12.3% in the first quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 17,421 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,140,000 after purchasing an additional 1,909 shares during the last quarter. 4.10% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About WPP

WPP plc, a creative transformation company, provides communications, experience, commerce, and technology services in North America, the United Kingdom, Western Continental Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe. The company operates through three segments: Global Integrated Agencies, Public Relations, and Specialist Agencies.

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Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:SVNLY  Get Free Report) and National Australia Bank (OTCMKTS:NABZY  Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, risk, dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability and earnings.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

0.2% of Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of National Australia Bank shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

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Dividends

Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) pays an annual dividend of $0.28 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.3%. National Australia Bank pays an annual dividend of $0.53 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.7%. Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) pays out 50.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Volatility & Risk

Earnings & Valuation

Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) has a beta of 0.79, indicating that its share price is 21% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, National Australia Bank has a beta of 1.15, indicating that its share price is 15% more volatile than the S&P 500.

This table compares Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) and National Australia Banks revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) $5.80 billion 3.01 $2.28 billion $0.55 8.02 National Australia Bank $15.77 billion 3.67 $4.79 billion N/A N/A

National Australia Bank has higher revenue and earnings than Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ).

Profitability

This table compares Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) and National Australia Banks net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) N/A N/A N/A National Australia Bank N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) and National Australia Bank, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) 1 2 3 0 2.33 National Australia Bank 1 0 2 0 2.33

Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) currently has a consensus price target of $100.25, suggesting a potential upside of 2,173.24%. Given Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ)s higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) is more favorable than National Australia Bank.

Summary

National Australia Bank beats Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) on 5 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ)

(Get Free Report)

Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) provides various banking products and services for private and corporate customers primarily in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Norway, the Netherlands, the United States, Luxembourg, China, Germany, France, and Poland. The company offers savings, transactions, business, currency, and investment accounts, as well as accounts for cash pool, and forestry and agriculture; mortgage and committed loans, and private loans; mutual funds; pension products; credit and debit cards; and payment and reconciliation services. It also provides financing for investments, such as equipment, cars, computers, and other inventories, as well as vehicle and real estate financing services; green loans and advisor services; investment and other financing services; medical care, group and health, and travel insurance products; forestry and farming banking products; and online and mobile banking services. In addition, the company offers transaction, trade finance, cash management, risk management, and foreign exchange services, as well as various banking services for children and young people. Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) was incorporated in 1871 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

About National Australia Bank

(Get Free Report)

National Australia Bank Limited provides financial services to individuals and businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. It operates through Business and Private Banking; Personal Banking; Corporate and Institutional Banking; New Zealand Banking; and Corporate Functions and Other segments. The company accepts transaction accounts, savings accounts, deposit accounts, and term deposits; and specialized accounts, such as foreign currency, business interest, statutory trust, cash maximiser, community free saver, farm management, and project bank accounts, as well as farm management deposits. National Australia Bank Limited also provides home loans; personal loans; business loans; vehicle and equipment finance; and trade and invoice finance, as well as business overdrafts and bank guarantees. In addition, the company offers insurance products consisting of car, home and content, landlord, travel, caravan and trailer, life, and business insurance products; and pension, superannuation, self-managed super funds, cash management, and financial planning and advisory services. Further, it provides investment products; credit, debit, and business cards; payments and merchant services; travel services; online and internet banking services; small business services; international and foreign exchange solutions; and industry specific banking services. National Australia Bank Limited was founded in 1834 and is based in Melbourne, Australia.

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Pacific Global Investment Management Co. reduced its position in shares of The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE:SAM  Free Report) by 8.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 979 shares of the companys stock after selling 93 shares during the period. Pacific Global Investment Management Co.s holdings in Boston Beer were worth $322,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Boston Beer by 2.2% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 886,104 shares of the companys stock worth $286,787,000 after purchasing an additional 18,969 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its stake in Boston Beer by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 251,852 shares of the companys stock valued at $97,837,000 after purchasing an additional 10,704 shares in the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in Boston Beer by 1,280.7% during the 4th quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 163,214 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,782,000 after purchasing an additional 151,393 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Boston Beer by 5.6% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 127,027 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,857,000 after purchasing an additional 6,685 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in Boston Beer by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 110,077 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,274,000 after purchasing an additional 3,703 shares in the last quarter. 65.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Boston Beer

In other Boston Beer news, insider John C. Geist sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $341.35, for a total transaction of $3,413,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 5,573 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,902,343.55. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CEO David A. Burwick sold 1,644 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $326.38, for a total transaction of $536,568.72. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 47,910 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,636,865.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider John C. Geist sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $341.35, for a total value of $3,413,500.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 5,573 shares in the company, valued at $1,902,343.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 23.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Boston Beer Trading Up 0.8 %

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on SAM shares. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Boston Beer from $270.00 to $260.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of Boston Beer from $340.00 to $330.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Boston Beer from $300.00 to $311.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Boston Beer from $364.00 to $349.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Boston Beer in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Boston Beer has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $307.75.

Shares of Boston Beer stock opened at $302.19 on Friday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $320.31 and its 200-day simple moving average is $330.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 62.18 and a beta of 1.03. The Boston Beer Company, Inc. has a twelve month low of $299.18 and a twelve month high of $422.75.

Boston Beer (NYSE:SAM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported ($0.73) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.32) by ($0.41). The company had revenue of $410.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $412.47 million. Boston Beer had a return on equity of 7.58% and a net margin of 2.82%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted ($0.16) earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that The Boston Beer Company, Inc. will post 7.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Boston Beer Profile

(Free Report)

The Boston Beer Company, Inc engages in the production and sale of alcohol beverages primarily in the United States. The company's flagship beer is Samuel Adams Boston Lager. It offers various beers, hard ciders, flavored malt beverages, and hard seltzers under the Samuel Adams, Twisted Tea, Truly Hard Seltzer, Angry Orchard, Dogfish Head, Angel City, Coney Island, and Havana Lager brand names.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SAM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE:SAM  Free Report).

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The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Guangzhou Automobile Group (OTCMKTS:GNZUF  Free Report) in a research report report published on Tuesday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports. The brokerage issued a neutral rating on the stock.

Guangzhou Automobile Group Price Performance

Guangzhou Automobile Group stock opened at $0.61 on Tuesday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $0.61 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $0.64. Guangzhou Automobile Group has a 12 month low of $0.56 and a 12 month high of $1.03.

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Guangzhou Automobile Group Company Profile

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Guangzhou Automobile Group Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of vehicles and motorcycles, and parts and components; and provision of commercial and financial services in Mainland China and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Vehicles and Related Operations, and Others.

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The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW  Free Report)  Equities researchers at KeyCorp raised their Q4 2023 EPS estimates for Sherwin-Williams in a research note issued on Monday, July 10th. KeyCorp analyst A. Yefremov now forecasts that the specialty chemicals company will post earnings of $1.76 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $1.61. The consensus estimate for Sherwin-Williams current full-year earnings is $8.72 per share.

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Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.84 by $0.20. The business had revenue of $5.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.14 billion. Sherwin-Williams had a net margin of 9.41% and a return on equity of 86.29%. Sherwin-Williamss revenue for the quarter was up 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.61 earnings per share.

Sherwin-Williams Price Performance

SHW has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $263.00 to $268.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. They set a buy rating and a $283.00 price objective on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Sherwin-Williams from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $240.00 to $275.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $220.00 to $250.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, 58.com reissued an upgrade rating on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research report on Monday, June 26th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $262.11.

SHW stock opened at $267.04 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $68.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.77, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.03. Sherwin-Williams has a 12-month low of $195.24 and a 12-month high of $267.68. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $243.53 and its 200 day simple moving average is $234.50.

Sherwin-Williams Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 19th were paid a dividend of $0.605 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 18th. This represents a $2.42 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.91%. Sherwin-Williamss payout ratio is currently 29.69%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sherwin-Williams

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Wealth Alliance increased its stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 119.5% during the 4th quarter. Wealth Alliance now owns 2,472 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $587,000 after purchasing an additional 1,346 shares during the last quarter. General Partner Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams during the 4th quarter worth approximately $61,000. Alpha Paradigm Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $373,000. Czech National Bank increased its stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 27,602 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $6,551,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Aureus Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Aureus Asset Management LLC now owns 132,579 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $31,465,000 after buying an additional 1,199 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.76% of the companys stock.

Sherwin-Williams Company Profile

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The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coating, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. It operates through three segments: The Americas Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group. The Americas Group segment offers architectural paints and coatings, and protective and marine products, as well as OEM product finishes and related products for architectural and industrial paint contractors, and do-it-yourself homeowners.

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Unity Software (NYSE:U  Free Report) had its target price boosted by Barclays from $31.00 to $40.00 in a research note released on Wednesday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on Unity Software in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. They issued an overweight rating and a $48.00 price target for the company. DA Davidson raised their price objective on shares of Unity Software from $45.00 to $50.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. JMP Securities began coverage on shares of Unity Software in a research report on Thursday, June 29th. They set a market perform rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Unity Software from $27.50 to $28.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 11th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $44.00 price target on shares of Unity Software in a research note on Friday, April 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Unity Software has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $41.35.

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Unity Software Stock Down 5.3 %

Shares of U opened at $44.36 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $35.96 and a 200 day moving average price of $32.77. Unity Software has a one year low of $21.22 and a one year high of $58.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 2.39 and a current ratio of 2.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -14.69 and a beta of 2.37.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Unity Software ( NYSE:U Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The company reported ($0.37) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.49) by $0.12. Unity Software had a negative net margin of 63.42% and a negative return on equity of 23.63%. The business had revenue of $500.36 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $477.42 million. Equities research analysts forecast that Unity Software will post -1.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In related news, CMO Carol W. Carpenter sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.50, for a total value of $87,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 387,928 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,874,868. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Unity Software news, CEO John S. Riccitiello sold 36,939 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.72, for a total transaction of $1,023,949.08. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 3,211,394 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $89,019,841.68. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CMO Carol W. Carpenter sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.50, for a total transaction of $87,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 387,928 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,874,868. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 398,671 shares of company stock worth $14,208,474 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 9.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Unity Software

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Unity Software in the second quarter valued at about $406,000. KRS Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unity Software during the 2nd quarter worth $442,000. Bouvel Investment Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Unity Software by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter. Bouvel Investment Partners LLC now owns 21,845 shares of the companys stock valued at $949,000 after purchasing an additional 820 shares in the last quarter. Affinity Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Unity Software by 4.2% during the second quarter. Affinity Capital Advisors LLC now owns 168,453 shares of the companys stock worth $7,314,000 after buying an additional 6,837 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Perpetual Ltd purchased a new position in Unity Software in the second quarter valued at about $3,908,000. 68.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Unity Software

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Unity Software Inc operates a real-time 3D development platform. Its platform provides software solutions to create, run, and monetize interactive, real-time 2D and 3D content for mobile phones, tablets, PCs, consoles, and augmented and virtual reality devices. The company offers its solutions directly through its online store and field sales operations in North America, Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, China, Singapore, and South Korea, as well as indirectly through independent distributors and resellers worldwide.

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Unum Group (NYSE:UNM  Free Report) had its price target lifted by Barclays from $46.00 to $52.00 in a research report released on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Unum Group in a research note on Tuesday, April 25th. They issued an overweight rating and a $57.00 price objective for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of Unum Group from $51.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded shares of Unum Group from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the company from $49.00 to $52.00 in a research report on Tuesday, March 14th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Unum Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the company from $49.00 to $53.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Unum Group in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $48.60.

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Unum Group Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of UNM stock opened at $47.27 on Tuesday. Unum Group has a 12 month low of $31.26 and a 12 month high of $49.49. The stock has a market cap of $9.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.70, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.09. 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 company has a 50 day simple moving average of $45.94 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $42.81.

Unum Group Increases Dividend

Unum Group ( NYSE:UNM Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The financial services provider reported $1.87 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.65 by $0.22. Unum Group had a net margin of 11.78% and a return on equity of 14.67%. The business had revenue of $3.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.05 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.36 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Unum Group will post 7.49 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 28th will be given a dividend of $0.365 per share. This is an increase from Unum Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. This represents a $1.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.09%. Unum Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 18.70%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Unum Group

In other Unum Group news, EVP Puneet Bhasin sold 14,609 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.47, for a total transaction of $678,880.23. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 62,506 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,904,653.82. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, EVP Timothy Gerald Arnold sold 10,000 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the executive vice president now owns 92,053 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,142,385. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Puneet Bhasin sold 14,609 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.47, for a total transaction of $678,880.23. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 62,506 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,904,653.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 55,988 shares of company stock valued at $2,513,529. Company insiders own 0.94% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Unum Group

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UNM. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Unum Group by 4.0% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 61,304 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,932,000 after purchasing an additional 2,370 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC lifted its stake in Unum Group by 33.2% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 15,247 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $480,000 after acquiring an additional 3,799 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors L.P. acquired a new stake in Unum Group during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $348,000. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its stake in Unum Group by 61.5% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 76,618 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,422,000 after acquiring an additional 29,166 shares during the period. Finally, D.A. Davidson & CO. acquired a new stake in Unum Group during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $227,000. 78.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Unum Group

(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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Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH cut its holdings in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 11.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 322,500 shares of the retailers stock after selling 41,786 shares during the period. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OHs holdings in Walmart were worth $47,553,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Walmart by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 24,855,493 shares of the retailers stock valued at $3,516,639,000 after acquiring an additional 313,686 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Walmart by 112,181.6% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 22,854,919 shares of the retailers stock valued at $3,240,599,000 after buying an additional 22,834,564 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in shares of Walmart by 9.4% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 22,382,688 shares of the retailers stock valued at $3,173,642,000 after buying an additional 1,923,199 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Walmart during the 4th quarter valued at $2,598,736,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in shares of Walmart by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 11,685,848 shares of the retailers stock valued at $1,515,655,000 after buying an additional 33,452 shares during the period. 31.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $169.00 to $174.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Evercore ISI raised shares of Walmart from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and upped their price target for the stock from $145.00 to $160.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. StockNews.com raised shares of Walmart from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 26th. Gordon Haskett raised shares of Walmart from an accumulate rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $155.00 to $165.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Walmart from $168.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $166.91.

Insider Buying and Selling

Walmart Trading Up 0.3 %

In related news, SVP David Chojnowski sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.74, for a total value of $626,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 39,975 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,265,681.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . In other Walmart news, EVP John D. Rainey sold 8,526 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction on Monday, July 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.97, for a total transaction of $1,346,852.22. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 171,735 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $27,128,977.95. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . Also, SVP David Chojnowski sold 4,000 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.74, for a total transaction of $626,960.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 39,975 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,265,681.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last 90 days, insiders sold 9,208,665 shares of company stock valued at $1,421,177,843. Company insiders own 46.51% of the companys stock.

Walmart stock opened at $154.66 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.82. The firm has a market cap of $416.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.51 and a beta of 0.50. Walmart Inc. has a 1 year low of $120.06 and a 1 year high of $159.12. The firms 50 day moving average price is $152.69 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $147.40.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 18th. The retailer reported $1.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $152.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $147.91 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 1.82% and a return on equity of 21.30%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.30 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 6.21 EPS for the current fiscal 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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Attorney Wes Eikmeier has joined Fredrikson in Minneapolis as an associate in the Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity groups.

Eikmeier assists private equity funds, venture funds and their portfolio companies, as well as other institutional buyers and sellers throughout all stages of the deal-making process.

Prior to joining Fredrikson, Eikmeier advised corporate and private equity clients for a multinational accounting firm with a focus on domestic and international transactions, including M&A, reorganizations and carveouts. Whether it was advising on closing mechanism procedures, negotiating financial terms or assisting in dispute resolution, Eikmeier focused on the key value-drivers to mitigate risk and produce favorable terms for his clients.

Eikmeier is a graduate of Fremont Bergan High School.

Fredrikson & Byron is a Midwest law firm working collaboratively to help businesses achieve their goals regionally, nationally and globally. The firms 350+ attorneys are based in Minneapolis, with offices in Ames, Bismarck, Des Moines, Fargo, Madison, Mankato, St. Paul, Saltillo, Mexico, and Shanghai, China.
Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW  Free Report) had its price objective boosted by Wells Fargo & Company from $220.00 to $250.00 in a report released on Wednesday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on SHW. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on Sherwin-Williams from $260.00 to $265.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. 58.com reiterated an upgrade rating on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research report on Monday, June 26th. Bank of America increased their target price on Sherwin-Williams from $244.00 to $270.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 5th. BMO Capital Markets upgraded Sherwin-Williams from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the company from $269.00 to $275.00 in a report on Monday, June 26th. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on Sherwin-Williams in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $283.00 price objective on the stock. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $262.11.

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Sherwin-Williams Trading Up 0.3 %

Sherwin-Williams stock opened at $267.04 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.03. Sherwin-Williams has a 12 month low of $195.24 and a 12 month high of $267.68. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $243.53 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $234.50. The firm has a market cap of $68.87 billion, a PE ratio of 32.77, a P/E/G ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 1.10.

Sherwin-Williams Dividend Announcement

Sherwin-Williams ( NYSE:SHW Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.04 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.84 by $0.20. Sherwin-Williams had a return on equity of 86.29% and a net margin of 9.41%. The business had revenue of $5.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.14 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.61 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Sherwin-Williams will post 8.72 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 19th were paid a $0.605 dividend. This represents a $2.42 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 18th. Sherwin-Williamss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.69%.

Institutional Trading of Sherwin-Williams

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of SHW. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 1,716.7% during the 1st quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 109 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. MADDEN SECURITIES Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. RFP Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 296.9% during the 1st quarter. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 127 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. 75.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Sherwin-Williams Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coating, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. It operates through three segments: The Americas Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group. The Americas Group segment offers architectural paints and coatings, and protective and marine products, as well as OEM product finishes and related products for architectural and industrial paint contractors, and do-it-yourself homeowners.

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Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM  Get Free Report) EVP Karalyn Smith sold 1,533 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.64, for a total transaction of $201,804.12. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,185 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,209,113.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website.

Williams-Sonoma Trading Down 2.3 %

Shares of WSM traded down $2.97 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $126.83. The stock had a trading volume of 990,220 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,050,708. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 12 month low of $109.22 and a 12 month high of $176.89. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $120.66 and a 200 day simple moving average of $122.14. The company has a market capitalization of $8.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.44, a P/E/G ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.61.

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Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 23rd. The specialty retailer reported $2.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.41 by $0.23. Williams-Sonoma had a return on equity of 72.68% and a net margin of 12.07%. The company had revenue of $1.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.80 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.50 EPS. Williams-Sonomas quarterly revenue was down 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will post 13.49 EPS for the current year.

Williams-Sonoma Announces Dividend

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 25th. Investors of record on Friday, July 21st will be issued a $0.90 dividend. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 20th. Williams-Sonomas dividend payout ratio is currently 23.65%.

A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. Guggenheim reissued a neutral rating on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research report on Tuesday, March 21st. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $127.00 to $123.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. Loop Capital decreased their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $205.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Friday, March 17th. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $130.00 to $125.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Finally, Barclays downgraded shares of Williams-Sonoma from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and decreased their target price for the company from $126.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Friday, July 7th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $126.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Williams-Sonoma

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Lakewood Asset Management LLC raised its position in Williams-Sonoma by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Lakewood Asset Management LLC now owns 14,755 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $1,846,000 after buying an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Tilia Fiduciary Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in Williams-Sonoma in the 2nd quarter valued at $788,000. Artemis Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Williams-Sonoma in the 2nd quarter valued at $38,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its position in Williams-Sonoma by 18.5% in the 2nd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 6,509 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $814,000 after buying an additional 1,015 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pacer Advisors Inc. raised its position in Williams-Sonoma by 5.4% in the 2nd quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 603,086 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $75,470,000 after buying an additional 30,976 shares during the last quarter. 98.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Williams-Sonoma

(Get Free Report)

Williams-Sonoma, Inc operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand.

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The general meeting of Fremont Area Association of Retired School Personnel took place July 12 at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Members were provided a salad lunch. After eating and saying the Pledge of Allegiance, the activities began. This meeting is the groups scholarship and awards meeting.

Wanda Samson introduced the two winners of the $1,500 scholarships with the words of their qualifications. Emmalee Sheppard of Fremont High School was the winner of the education scholarship. Emmalee was present at the meeting with her parents to accept the scholarship. The second scholarship went to Wyatt Willnerd of Logan View High School. Wyatt received a $1,500 scholarship also. He was the first to receive a trade scholarship from FAARSP.

Sharon Carlson was awarded Fremont Area Association of Retired School Personnel Outstanding Service Award which was started in 2019. Carlson is a very deserving member who does things for the right reasons whether you see her or not. The group thanks her for being a great role model and member.

Ruth Register presented a plaque to Linda Betkie for all the computer work in compiling and updating projects of historical and membership importance. Also all the computer work on the DAV 65 years history project. Betkie is very much appreciated.

Register also presented Vernelle Werblow, the groups oldest member, a book of pictures she had put together of many activities Werblow has participated in from her many years.

Nola Cox, Sandra Hansen, Janet Kletke, Betkie, Bev Thomsen and Carol Martin, all on the 50th anniversary committee, were acknowledged for their work. Kletke also was thanked for stepping up to fill a vacated position.

Shonda Shirley, who represents CHAD (Combined Health Agencies Drive) and is also a FAARSP member, announced that the association has been awarded the Partner in Health award from CHAD. The award will be presented at CHADs annual meeting on Aug. 24. FAARSP has been a strong supporter of CHAD with 10 straight years of increased giving, accounting for more than $90,000.

The meeting progressed with a short story from the past by Andy Bongiovanni. Drawings were held for split the pot, free lunch, two free memberships and four gift certificates. The State of the Association Address was given to the membership. Betkie, communication director, presented the minutes for approval while Samson, financial director, reviewed the treasurer report. Both reports were approved. Samson reported on the good news of several new members who will be joining the group this year.

Register presented the question as to becoming members of the Chamber of Commerce. After some discussion, it was passed unanimously. Beth Radtke, publicity coordinator, reported that hundreds of pounds of food items are gathered at meetings and drive-thru times.

Rosie Vogt reminded members to keep track of their volunteer hours. The group accumulated 2,416 hours this last year for assessed value of $76,828.80. Norma Register, Holiday Meals Fund coordinator, presented $700 as a donation from the membership. This money as well as money for two meals from the association treasury gives a total of 16 meals this year. This is an increase over last year which is the goal.

It was reported that mens handkerchiefs and chap sticks are still needed for the Christmas bags for care center veterans. Shirley reported that the association will help sponsor a kidney screening on Oct. 5 at the United Methodist Church. FAARSPs annual giving campaign for 2023 will begin in September. Last baby of the year presentation is a go for this year after many positive comments last year.

Rosanne Placek, Rhoda Holstine, BarbaraKay Royuk and Cathy Chapman have agreed to serve on the Outstanding Service Committee for next year. Members were asked to pick up their blue and red 50th anniversary tote bags if they have not done so.

The next drive-thru is from 3-4:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at 2832 N. Belvedere Ave. Items collected are school supplies/book bags and hamburger and tuna helper and small packets of gravies. The next general meeting is Sept. 13 at the Congregational Church.
Last Thursday, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) announced it had received a complaint and initiated an investigation into four Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers alleged to have made sexual contact with migrants living in the 10th District station in the Lawndale neighborhood. A migrant youth is reportedly pregnant by a CPD officer. Later reports indicate an investigation continues involving only two officers. No names or details of the complaint have been released.

A Chicago police department vehicle outside the stadium in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016. [AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast]

Forty asylum seekers who had been forced to sleep in the lobby of that police station were moved last Friday into city shelters for their own safety, according to local outlet ABC7.

Since last August, about 11,000 asylum seekers have arrived in Chicago, having been bused in from Texas in a cruel political maneuver by Governor Greg Abbott. According to Axios, more than 730 migrants are now being housed across 22 police stations, living and sleeping on the floors. Some 5,000 more asylum seekers are in city facilities in makeshift or temporary shelters, according to the Chicago Tribune. Some have moved into temporary housing on short term leases.

A migrant from Nicaragua, Karla Urbina, told the Tribune, Many have no respect for us, they see us as objects. Some officers treat not only women, but all migrants badly, calling them names, giving looks and violating the little privacy that they may have, noting that fear of reprisal means asylum seekers do not report abuse.



Many welcoming cities, including Chicago, did not have funding or housing facilities set aside to assist tens of thousands of arriving families, though city leaders claimed there was safe haven for immigrants. In Chicago, the shelters, churches, Cook County medical system, and nonprofit agencies were quickly overwhelmed and thus families have been forced to sleep on the floors of police stations, in shuttered public schools and park district field houses without adequate food or bathroom facilities, or social support.

On Wednesday, asylum seekers took complaints about mistreatment, unacceptable conditions, lack of food and social support to City Hall, demanding housing and jobs. One woman told a local news reporter that migrant mothers are being threatened with expulsion from shelter if they complain. Protesters with the Little Village Community Council are demanding that the investigation into the officers accused be transparent.

Abuse of vulnerable immigrant families and their children by the notoriously violent and corrupt CPD is a charge that could easily ignite the tinderbox of social anger and disgust at decades of inequality, exploitation and abuse at the hands of the police and the capitalist social and political order they serve.

City officials are therefore demanding the investigation be swiftly concluded. Public Safety Committee Chair Ald. Brian Hopkins said, We have to resolve this; we have to. We cant let this linger. You know, it would be damaging to everyone if this takes months and months, and we still dont have answers. We need to solve this within weeks.



The dangers facing migrants at the hands of the state cannot be underestimated. In May, Chicago Alderman Ray Lopez tweeted the false and inflammatory assertion that asylum seekers were spreading tuberculosis to police in the stations. News media outlet Block Club contacted Andrew Buchanan, spokesman for the Chicago Department of Public Health, who said, There hasnt been a single confirmed case of tuberculosis among migrants staying at police stations nor any cases among Chicago police officers.

The ruling party in Illinois and Chicago, the Democrats, leveled a further attack on immigrants last month when billionaire Governor J.B. Pritzker announced the state would claw back the limited healthcare benefits for low-income undocumented immigrants aged 42 and older. Healthcare for low-income undocumented children up to age 18 under the All Kids program and seniors over age 62 under the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors Program would continue, but the governor rejected calls from immigrant rights groups and healthcare activists to provide coverage for low-income undocumented adults aged 19 to 41.

Pritzker claimed in a statement referring to those living in the citys 22 police stations, [T]heyve been taking good care of those migrants. On the investigation into sexual abuse, Pritzker offered only the formality: Its a terrible thing and I hope theres a full investigation as fast as possible, and if there is wrongdoing they ought to be held accountable immediately.

Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson, the former Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) lobbyist whose campaign was backed by Senator Bernie Sanders and city council members in the Democratic Socialists of America, issued a similarly perfunctory statement last week: The Johnson administration remains intensely focused on the deeply troubling allegations of sexual misconduct by a Chicago Police Department officer against a minor new arrival, and other allegations of sexual misconduct in the Chicago Police Departments 10th District.



In every meaningful respect the Democratic Party has been the partner in the Republican Partys fascistic targeting and abuse of immigrants, which is today, as in times past, used as a political and ideological wedge aimed at dividing and intimidating the working class as a whole. The Democrats participate in this above all by relentlessly promoting identity politics, and especially racial politics.



During the 2023 mayoral election, Johnsons opponent Paul Vallas, also a Democrat, who was backed by big business and campaigned on repressive law and order policies, was actively promoted by Moms for Liberty and several Trumpite media figures, as his official social media account liked and followed racist and bigoted postings. But Johnsons campaign did not raise the alarm or make a class appeal to all workers to unite in opposition to Vallas campaign. Instead, Johnson increasingly promoted the concepts and language of identity politics, including black nationalism.



Johnson credited black nationalism for the progressive policies of the mid-20th century. In a bizarre distortion of the history of the civil rights movement that erased the working class, including white workers, from his telling, Johnson claimed all the Great Society legislation passed under the administration of US President Lyndon Johnson was, because you had a black radical left agenda that brought Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. All of that came out of the black consciousness movement.

During a March vote in city council on accepting state funding to assist immigrants being bused in, DSA Ald. Jeanette Taylor expressed her opposition to immigrants being placed in the predominantly black Woodlawn neighborhood, part of the 20th ward, claiming it would anger residents who themselves need assistance. Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot placed immigrants in a shelter in Woodlawns shuttered Wadsworth Elementary, which was closed in 2013 as part of the largest school closure in US history.

Claiming the city had thrown a grenade into our community, Taylor aired her views on immigrants: I made it clear to this administration in October, I had a part of the ward that I felt could accommodate [the migrants], because theyre Latinx-speaking folks, and part of my ward is Latinx. But I wasnt listened to. It felt like nobody heard me and it went on deaf ears. So when do we have the conversation about where its safe, where people should actually be, where they can get the support that they need in the community?



The Democratic Party is unable and unwilling to make any class-based appeal, fearing a mass mobilization against inequality and austerity, police violence, and endless war far more than they fear the fascistic Republicans or the collaboration of their own candidates with fascist organizations, like Vallas for electoral aims.



The working class must take the necessary steps to defend itself against attacks on all of its sections, uniting across nationalities, races, genders and orientations by forming rank-and-file committees in every workplace and neighborhood to coordinate the struggle for jobs, housing, healthcare, schools, and infrastructure, building its own socialist political movement, independent of the capitalist two-party system and in opposition to the divide-and-conquer politics of both parties.
In recent months, bureaucrats from trade unions affiliated to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) in Sri Lanka have been trying to prevent the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) exercising its democratic right to mobilise workers against the International Monetary Fund (IMF) austerity measures being imposed by President Ranil Wickremesinghes government.

Port workers protesting outside of Colombo Harbour on July 10, 2023 in defense of Employers Provident Fund.

The actions of these trade union bureaucrats are in line with the political program of the communalist JVP, which is bidding for political power, claiming it is the only party capable of saving the Sri Lankan capitalist economy. The JVP unions are attempting to divert rising working-class opposition to the IMF-dictated measures into support for a future government of National Peoples Power, the JVPs front organisation.

Desperate to block SEP discussions with workers, JVP trade union thugs have threatened its campaigners, used physical violence and snatched away articles and leaflets from party campaigners on numerous occasions.

On Monday, SEP members distributed a leaflet entitled, Oppose Sri Lankan governments privatisation of state enterprises! Build workers action committees to fight for jobs and wages! at Colombo Ports main entrance near Khan Clock Tower. It followed a rally by the port trade union alliance called Movement against Looting of EPF and ETF [pension funds].

Suddenly trade union thugs snatched hundreds of leaflets from one campaigner and manhandled another while threatening him with foul language. The SEP, with the support of its contacts at the Colombo Port, has identified one of the thugs as a member of the JVP and its union.

JVP-affiliated union thugs attacks SEP campaigners at entrance to Colombo Port

The central organisation in the port union alliance is the All Ceylon Port Workers Union, headed by JVP leader Niroshan Gorakana, and which includes the Independent Port Employees Union and the Port and Dock Workers Union. Leaders of these unions silently watched the attack on SEP members, allowing it to proceed.

Later their social media collaborators, in a filthy attempt to tarnish the SEP, posted a video of the incident on YouTube with the caption, Ranils [President Wickremesinghe] group sent to sabotage the protest campaign.

The evening news on Sirasa TV, one of Sri Lankas main television networks, however, reported the Khan Clock Tower incident and featured SEP member S.K. Keerthi explaining the anti-democratic actions of the union thugs.

SEP member S.K. Keerthi telling the media about provocation by trade union bureaucrats against the SEP outside Colombo harbour, July 10, 2023

On June 20, an SEP team was distributing leaflets at the gates of Sri Lanka Telecom in Colombo. Telecom is one of the state enterprises targeted by the government for urgent privatisation. Several JVP trade union officials threatened SEP members, and declared, [D]ont distribute your leaflets criticising trade union leaders here.

SEP team members challenged the union officials, making clear that they had a democratic right to campaign among the telecom employees. Unable to win support from Telecom employees, the officials retreated.

On February 8, Niroshan Gorakana seized SEP leaflets and physically assaulted one of our team members outside the Fort Railway Station in Colombo. SEP team members were speaking to workers from Colombo Port and the National Water Supplies and Drainage Board following a protest demonstration opposing the governments austerity measures.

All Ceylon Port Workers Union chief and JVP leader Niroshan Gorakana.

Gorakana threatened campaigners saying the SEP leaflets could not be distributed because they contained criticisms of the trade unions. Gorakana, however, had to retreat because he could not mobilise any workers against the SEP members who continued their campaign. Some workers came forward, condemning the JVP union leaders action as anti-democratic.

The SEP leaflet taken by union thugs on Monday was first published on the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) to campaign for a July 6 public meeting to discuss the program needed to fight the Wickremesinghe regimes attacks on social and democratic rights. It explained: The unions and the fake left were bitterly opposed to the SEPs campaign for the independent mobilisation of the working class, with the backing of the rural poor, on a socialist program to fight against the government austerity.

As a result of the treachery of the trade unions, the ruling class, following Rajapakses ouster (by mass uprising in AprilJuly 2022), was able to install the right-wing Ranil Wickremesinghe, who lacks any significant popular support, as president through an anti-democratic vote in parliament.

The SEP calls on the working class and youth to condemn the thuggish actions of JVP union bureaucrats and defend our democratic rights.

The union bureaucracy is particularly nervous about the SEPs call for action committees in workplaces and every major economic centre, independent of capitalist parties and the trade unions. They fear this will resonate among workers, whose hostility is rising against the trade unions over their repeated betrayals. Already in several workplaces, including at Colombo Port, some workers have responded to the SEP and formed action committees.

While the trade unions, including those affiliated to the JVP, have called protests in response to the rising working-class opposition to Colombos attacks, these events are tightly restricted, isolated and always involve futile appeals to the government and management.

The JVP-affiliated trade unions, for example, recently wrote to the Central Bank governor appealing for a discussion about pension fund cuts. The governor is centrally involved in implementing the brutal austerity measures of the government and international capital.

The JVP is thoroughly hostile to the SEP, and its predecessor the Revolutionary Communist League, because they have consistently exposed its reactionary politics.

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who publicly declared that going to the IMF was inevitable, is concerned that Wickremesinghe will not be able to impose the austerity measures. Like the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the main parliamentary opposition party, the JVP fears that the discredited Wickremesinghe regime will not be able to contain the mass opposition that poses a threat to bourgeois rule.

The JVP emerged in late 1960s based on a toxic mixture of Maoism, Castroism and Sinhala patriotism. When its radical pretenses were undermined by the development of global capitalism and the Stalinist bureaucracys dissolution of the Soviet Union, the JVP, like other nationalist organisations globally, transformed itself into a party of the bourgeois establishment.

The JVP, moreover, was an ardent supporter of Colombos bloody 26-year anti-Tamil communal war which began in 1983 against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Between 1987 and1990 in the anti-Indian chauvinist campaign, the JVP gunmen killed three SEP/RCL members because our party fought for the unity of the working class across ethnic lines on the basis of international socialist policies.

Over the past three decades the JVP has aligned itself with one or another capitalist party. In 2004, it joined President Chandrika Kumaratungas government, accepting four ministerial positions. During the 2015 presidential elections, the JVPalong with Wickremesinghes United National Partybacked the installation of Maithripala Sirisena as president who shifted foreign policy sharply towards US imperialism.

The SEP urges workers to organise independent action committees in their workplaces, factories, plantations and neighborhoods to fight the governments austerity measures. There is no room for the trade union bureaucrats and capitalist politicians in these action committees.

The SEP calls for the building of a Democratic and Socialist Congress of Workers and Rural Masses and based on action committee delegates that will facilitate a political fight for a workers and peasants government based on international socialist program.

By chaining workers to Sri Lankan capitalism, the JVP and the trade unions have created the political conditions for Wickremesinghe and his government to step up its ruthless social attacks on the working class and the poor. The SEP is the only party that advances a revolutionary alternative to this big business program. We urge workers and youth to join this party and take up this fight.
The annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was only narrowly passed by the Republican-led House of Representatives on Friday, largely along party lines, despite overwhelming bipartisan support for the record military spending proposed in the Biden administrations bill and its blueprint for expanded war against Russia and future war against China.

The 1,200-page bill, which authorizes $886 billion for fiscal year 2024 (beginning October 1), is loaded with initiatives and funding proposals openly directed against Russia and China, including an additional $32 billion for nuclear weapons programs at the Energy Department. The bill passed out of the House Armed Services Committee last month by a vote of 58-1.

It authorizes $300 million in security assistance for Ukraine and $600 million more than the Biden administration requested to respond to security threats in the Indo-Pacific region. It includes increased investment in precision missiles, warships and newer technologies like artificial intelligence and hypersonics, required, according to Biden, to take on China.

The Capitol building in Washington D.C. as seen on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. [AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite]

It also authorizes a 5.2 percent base pay increase for military personnel and expanded support for their families through housing improvements and increased access to child care, healthcare and education benefits, all deemed necessary to reverse a decline in recruitment.

The House Armed Services Committee posted an outline of the NDAA that includes the heading, The FY24 NDAA provides the overmatch we need to counter CCP [Chinese Communist Party] aggression.

Among the items in the NDAA that were approved on a bipartisan basis, it lists:

Extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to enhance US deterrence and defense posture in the Indo-Pacific region. Funds the initiative at $9.7 billion, an increase of $600 million over Bidens budget request.



Rejects the Biden administrations effort to reduce the size of the Navy.

Builds more projection forces (battle force ships and ISR aircraft) than requested to ensure overmatch in a CCP fight.

Increases funding for innovative new technologies needed to deter the CCP on future battlefields, including AI, autonomous systems, cyber, mobile micronuclear reactors and high energy lasers.

Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to undertake efforts to expand the deployable capacity of US nuclear forces to counter the CCPs unprecedented nuclear buildup.



Despite the bipartisan consensus on this war-mongering plan, on Thursday, far-right members of the Republican Conference prevailed on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to support a series of amendments embedding the GOPs anti-abortion, anti-gay and anti-DEI (diversity-equity-inclusion) agenda in the bill. Aimed at mobilizing the Republican Partys right-wing base, the amendments forced the Democratic leadership in the narrowly divided chamber to withdraw its support and call for a vote against the bill.

As a result, the House version of the NDAA, which has passed with broad bipartisan support for the past 60 years, was only approved by a vote of 219 to 210. Four far-right members of the House Freedom CaucusAndy Biggs (Arizona), Eli Crane (Arizona), Ken Buck (Colorado) and Thomas Massie (Kentucky)voted against the bill, while four moderate DemocratsDon Davis (North Carolina), Jared Golden (Maine), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington) and Gabe Vasquez (New Mexico)voted in favor.

The amendments and their sponsors exuded more than a whiff of fascism and racism. Rep. Crane of Arizona, arguing in a floor speech for his amendment to prohibit the Defense Department from requiring diversity training, which was ultimately passed, said: The military was never intended to be inclusive. Its strength is not its diversity. Its strength is its standards. Those, he suggested, were lowered by efforts to recruit minorities.

My amendment has nothing to do with whether or not colored people or Black people or anybody can serve, he added. Following protests from Democrats over the use of the term colored people, Crane asked to amend his words to people of color.

A number of House Republicans lauded the efforts of their fellow Republican in the Senate, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. Tuberville has held up the confirmation of hundreds of military officers, including nominees to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and its new chairman, to demand the ending of pro-abortion rights policies in the military.

These included Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas, who served as Donald Trumps White House physician and who introduced the amendment to the House bill banning the Defense Department from providing paid time off and transportation costs for female soldiers forced to travel out of state to obtain abortion services.

Earlier this week, Tuberville said he had no problem with white nationalists, whom he considered Americans, being in the military.

Other Republican amendments included in the House bill include banning a healthcare program from covering hormone treatments for transgender individuals and gender confirmation surgeries, the elimination of all DEI offices at the Pentagon, a ban on books that promote radical gender ideology, barring the use of affirmative action policies in admissions to the military academies, a prohibition on the Pentagon implementing Bidens executive orders on climate change and a ban on critical race theory.

However, amendments from a few far-right Republicans limiting spending for the war against Russia in Ukraine and banning the use of cluster munitions were voted down by overwhelming bipartisan majorities, underscoring the basic support in both capitalist parties for the ever-expanding war.

Both parties sought to defend their positions on the grounds that they were necessary to uphold and strengthen US military readiness, prosecute the current war in Europe and prepare for war against China.

There is absolutely no reason why any Republican should vote against this bill, Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers (RepublicanAlabama) said on the House floor Friday. It will enhance the congressional oversight of the DOD (Department of Defense). It will improve the quality of life for our service members and their families. And it will help build the ready, capable and lethal fighting force we need to deter the Chinese Communist Party.

Republican Rep. Barry Loudermilk of Georgia said, House Republicans today passed an NDAA that increases our militarys lethality and decreases the wokeness that has been infused in its ranks in recent years.

The Democrats, for their part, framed their criticisms of the Republicans attack on abortion rights and other democratic issues entirely from the standpoint of military readiness and national security.

On Thursday, Biden, standing beside Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in Helsinki, called Senator Tubervilles blocking of military appointments completely irresponsible, adding, Hes jeopardizing US security with what hes doing.

In a briefing to reporters, the Pentagon press secretary, Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, confirmed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Tuberville spoke Thursday and said Austin explained that the holds are causing uncertainty in the force and jeopardizing military readiness. All but accusing Tuberville of undermining US war planning, he added that any uncertainty about incoming or outgoing commanders, and senior leaders, can make it difficult to plan for advanced mission requirements.

Austin himself said much the same, telling CNNs Wolf Blitzer: This is a national security issue. Its a readiness issue. And we shouldnt kid ourselves. I think any member of the Senate Armed Services Committee knows that.

In the House, Representative Adam Smith of Washington, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, said on the floor Friday morning, We are opposed to this bill because it is our firm belief that it will undermine our ability to meet the national security objectives of this country.

The Democrats made a point of presenting as their media mouthpieces representatives of what the World Socialist Web Site has called the CIA Democrats, i.e., the growing ranks of Democratic candidates and politicians recruited from the CIA, the State Department and the military. Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, a former CIA agent, appeared on the cable news networks to denounce the Republican-amended NDAA as inimical to the military and national security.

She was complemented on the news channels by Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, a former Marine captain who served four combat tours in Iraq. Moulton, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued a statement that declared: At a time when we need to fix the recruitment crisis and focus on future threats, this legislation undermines both. Above all else: it does not adequately support our troops.

The Senate, which has a narrow 51-49 Democratic majority, will begin to debate its version of the NDAA on Tuesday. The eventual Senate bill will no doubt exclude most if not all of the anti-woke provisions in the House bill, but the two competing bills will then have to be reconciled and a compromise measure sent to the White House for Bidens signature, which promises to be a contentious process.
The NATO summit that has just concluded in Vilnius, Lithuania set out a sweeping plan for global conflict, making clear that the war against Russia in Ukraine is just a step toward confrontation and war with other perceived threats to imperialist interests. Its joint communique made clear that China was at the top of the list, presaging a build-up to a far greater NATO military presence in the Indo-Pacific alongside US allies in the region.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, flanked (from left to right) by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, at NATO meeting in Lithuania. [Photo: Anthony Albanese Facebook]

While declaring that NATO remained open to constructive engagement with Beijing, the communique painted China in the darkest of colours, declaring its ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values.

It accused China of being opaque about its strategy, intentions and military build-up, engaging in malicious hybrid and cyber operations and confrontational rhetoric and disinformation, seeking to control key technological and industrial sectors, critical infrastructure, and strategic materials and supply chains and using its economic leverage to create strategic dependencies and enhance its influence.

What staggering hypocrisy! With the increasing involvement of its allies in Europe and Asia, US imperialism has been engaging in an escalating confrontation with Chinadiplomatically, economically and strategicallyfor more than a decade. Under presidents Obama, Trump and Biden, the US has resorted to all of the following long list: ratcheting up the confrontational rhetoric, using its economic might to impose punitive tariffs, sanctions and bans, and engaging in a massive military build-up in the region and consolidation of antagonistic alliancesall of which Washington has attempted to make as opaque as possible.

The central charge laid against China, and endlessly repeated by the US and its allies, is that it strives to subvert the rules-based international order, including in the space, cyber and maritime domains. However, the accusation reveals more about Washingtons aggressive plans than about Beijing. The rules-based international order is nothing other than the post-World War II mechanisms established by US imperialism to restabilise global capitalism and assure its dominant position in a world order in which it dictated the rules.

In the present conditions of its historic decline, the US is using its residual military might in a reckless attempt to shore up its global hegemony. Having waged one criminal war of aggression after another in the Balkans, the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, Washington is now engaged in a war against Russia in Ukraine in a bid to destabilise and subordinate Moscowas the prelude to a war to do the same to China, which it regards as the chief threat to its global dominance.

Moreover, while funnelling tens of billions in ever-more sophisticated military hardware into Ukraine to try to bring Russia to its knees politically, the US and its NATO allies demand that China condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and, in a menacing threat, warn it to refrain from providing any lethal aid to Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine was driven by the reactionary national interests of the Putin regime and the wealthy oligarchy it presents, but the US deliberately goaded Moscow into doing so by step-by-step encircling Russia with NATO allies.

Now the US is engaged in similar provocations against China, accusing it of preparing to invade Taiwan even as Washington increasingly treats the island as an independent state, knowing this is a red line for Beijing.

The build-up, not just of the US but NATO, in Asia is underscored by the presence now of the leaders of four US alliesJapan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealandat two NATO summits, first in Madrid last year and in Vilnius this year. It highlights the unstated understanding among US allies on both sides of the world that the Ukraine war is not an isolated conflict but is global in scope. Thus the so-called Asia Pacific Four (AP4) has backed the NATO war against Russia with aid and personnel, while NATO allies are deepening their ties and military presence in Asia.

The Biden administration has forged two key strategic pacts in the Indo-Pacificthe Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad, involving the US, Japan, Australia and India, and the AUKUS agreement between the US, Britain and Australia. In a clear preparation for war with China, AUKUS will provide Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines and other sophisticated weaponry. India was the only participant not invited to the NATO summit. While New Delhi has joined the US-led line-up against China, it has refused to condemn the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, with which it maintains significant ties.

In the wake of the Vilnius summit, NATO is set to upgrade the status of the AP4 countries, which are presently treated as partners across the globe. While the discussion of details is being kept under wraps, NATO is holding discussions with each of the four countries individually to formulate an Individually Tailored Partnership Program. The documents are to lay the basis for much closer collaboration on a range of military issues, including cybersecurity, space and fighting so-called disinformation.

While NATO ostensibly presented a show of unity, there are divisions between the major imperialist powers as each seeks to advance its own economic and strategic interests. Most obviously France opposed the proposal for a NATO office in Tokyoits first in Asiaas a means of concretising NATOs presence in the region. NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg floated the idea last month, claiming it was in response to the growing challenge posed by China and Russia. In February, he declared that among NATOs partners, none was more capable than Japan, which is the worlds third largest economy with a sophisticated and rapidly growing military.

China lashed out at the proposal. Wang Wenbin, a foreign ministry spokesperson, pointed out the obvious fact that Asia lies beyond the geographical scope of the North Atlantic, adding: However, we have seen NATO bent on going east into this region, interfering in regional affairs and inciting bloc confrontation.

French President Emmanuel Macron publicly declared that the move would be a big mistake while an unnamed French official told the Financial Times: NATO [stands for] North Atlantic, and both article V and article VI [in its statutes] clearly limit the scope to North Atlantic. The official added: There is no NATO liaison office in any country in the region. If NATO needs situational awareness in the region it can use the embassies designated as point of contact.

In April, after visiting China, Macron told the French media that Europe should not blindly follow the US. Europe is in the process of creating elements of genuine strategic autonomy and should not fall into a kind of panic reflex and follow American policy, he said. If it were only a follower on the subject of Taiwan and adapts to the American pace and a Chinese overreaction, Europe would become a vassal, although it could be a third pole. Bound with Macrons comments are fears in France and more broadly in ruling circles in Europe that backing US provocations against China will impact on European economic and strategic interests.

What the US is preparing is a global conflict with nuclear-armed powers with utter disregard for the consequences for humanity. Yet all the imperialist powers, not least the United States, face worsening economic and social crises exacerbated by the Ukraine war that are fuelling the eruption of class struggles. The turn to a global war is not just aimed at prosecuting their predatory interests across the world. It is a desperate attempt to turn immense social tensions outward against a foreign enemy.

The escalating class struggle, however, provides the social basis for the means of halting the plunge toward a nuclear catastrophethe unification of the working class internationally in an anti-war movement based on the abolition of capitalism and its bankrupt division of the world into rival nation states.
A wave of extreme heat and weather has swept across the United States and around the globe over the past month. Record-breaking heat has pummeled the Southern US and Europe. Floods and storms have caused billions in damage across the northern United States and northern India.

Electricians with IBEW Local 11 pull out an old copper cable line under excessive heat from the old Cesar Chavez Avenue Viaduct in Los Angeles, Thursday, July 13, 2023. [AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes]

In the Southwestern United States, temperatures have reached well into the triple digits. Las Vegas, Nevada has already seen several weeks with temperatures reaching above 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 Celsius), and the city is forecast to break the record for its hottest day, potentially reaching or exceeding the record of 117 degrees over the weekend.

Phoenix, Arizona has likewise seen two weeks of temperatures reaching or exceeding a high of 110. With temperatures forecast to remain above 110 into next week, the city is set to break its record for 18 straight days of 110 degree or hotter weather. And with nighttime temperatures remaining in the 90s, it may also break its record for the longest run of nights above 90 degrees.

Meanwhile, El Paso, Texas has already broken its record for longest run of 100 degree-plus weather with 28 straight days above 100 degrees and counting.

The extreme heat over the Southwest is the product of a high pressure dome stagnating over the region. The high pressure system is pressing hot air over the area, causing peaks of record-high temperatures.

Global weather patterns tend to move from high pressure systems to low pressure systems. This prevents cooler air from entering the high pressure area and has pushed the Northern jet stream further to the north, resulting in the extreme weather conditions over the past few weeks.

The dome has also caused hot, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico to move north into the American Southeast and Great Plains region, where it is also causing dangerously high temperatures.

Florida and much of the Deep South have seen temperatures in the high 90s, and much of Texas, Oklahoma and parts of Kansas are expected to see temperatures exceeding 100 degrees over the weekend. The ocean off the coast of Florida has reached a record 98 degrees, threatening marine life.

Across the country, more than 100 million people are affected by the extreme heat.

Both high heat weather systems are dangerous and even deadly for humans. In the dry Southwest, the air is so hot that it pulls moisture from human skin before people can sweat. This creates a dangerous situation where a person is not aware of how much water he or she is losing, increasing the risk of dehydration and heat stroke.

In the humid Southeast, the air is so humid that the heat index reaches well into the triple digits. With so much moisture in the air, it is difficult for sweat to evaporate and cool the human body down, creating a similarly dangerous potential for heat-related health risks.

Extreme hot weather is the leading cause of death from natural hazards in the United States. On average, the US sees 700 heat-related deaths every year, with over 9,000 people hospitalized from heat exposure. A significant portion of these are homeless and have no reliable shelter from the oppressive heat.

Last year, heat contributed to the deaths of 425 people in Maricopa County (Phoenix, Arizona) alone, with roughly 56 percent of those deaths occurring among the homeless population.

Prolonged exposure to such heat increases the risk further, making the current heat wave even more dangerous.

And it is not just the United States that is being affected. A similar heat wave in Europe, named Cerberus, has shattered temperature records in France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Spain.

Greece has seen temperatures reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit and parts of Spain saw temperatures above 104. Some parts of Spain around Extremadura even saw land temperatures exceed 140 degrees, while Sardinia and Sicily could see temperatures as high as 118.

The record heat and its deadly consequences are the product of capitalist-induced climate change and the complete indifference of governments around the world.

James Edward Hanse, director of climate science, awareness and solutions at Columbia Universitys Earth Institute tweeted in response to the heat wave: Climate seems headed for a new frontier, not seen in more than a million years. Look for continual monthly records, driven by the current extreme planetary energy imbalance.

This imbalance is the product of prolonged release of greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide and methane. These gasses trap infrared radiation in the Earths atmosphere that otherwise would have been reflected out into space. The excess energy in the Earths climate system has contributed to higher than average temperatures on land and sea.

High ocean temperatures are creating excess moisture in the atmosphere, resulting in increasingly frequent severe rainfall events like the ones in the Northeast US last week that flooded downtown Burlington, Vermont and the Hudson Valley in New York. Meanwhile, higher temperatures are drying out parts of the earth beyond normal, exacerbating and prolonging droughts and heat waves.

Such extremes are only bound to worsen as El Nino returns after three years. El Nino is the warming cycle in the El Nino Southern Oscillation. The last three years were a La Nina, when the waters off the western coast of South America are cooler than normal. El Nino conditions form when the cool waters sink and are replaced by warmer-than-normal surface water. This warm water makes the Southwest wetter than in La Nina years but contributes to hotter than average global temperatures. This years El Nino is just beginning and it will likely contribute to an already disaster-packed 2023.

Hotter and drier conditions in Canada have resulted in massive wildfires, whose smoke has moved down into the United States, posing a risk to human health, as people breathe in the smoke hundreds of miles away. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there have been 12 individual disasters causing more than $1 billion in damage in the US so far this year. These events have caused 100 fatalities and more than $32.7 billion in damages.

Scientists have been warning for years about the impact that climate change will have on the intensity and frequency of major weather events and natural disasters. A recent study published by the World Weather Attribution found that an earlier record-breaking heat wave that hit the Mediterranean this year would likely have not been possible without global warming, and that the temperature would have most likely been several degrees cooler if it had occurred in a world not struck by climate change.

The study also notes that observed extreme weather events are worse in some parts of the world than climate models are predicting, demonstrating how rapid the rate of climatic change is.

In April, Zeke Hausfather, a climate scientist at Berkeley Earth, predicted that the likelihood of 2023 exceeding the extremes of 2016, a record-breaking year, was just 22 percent. Now that figure is roughly 77 percent.

We expect 2024 to be even warmer, as the majority of the El Ninos effects will be felt then, he added.

Evidence of the role of carbon dioxide in the warming of Earths atmosphere dates back to the 19th century, when Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius first predicted that changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels could alter the surface temperature of the earth.

By 1956, Gilbert Plass had developed his Carbon Dioxide Theory of Climate Change, and scientists began issuing warnings that rising greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere could have far-reaching consequences for the climate.

In 1966, Nobel Prize winning scientist Glenn Seaborg warned, At the rate we are currently adding carbon dioxide to our atmosphere (six billion tons a year), within the next few decades the heat balance of the atmosphere could be altered enough to produce marked changes in the climatechanges which we might have no means of controlling even if by that time we have made great advances in our programs of weather modification.

Today, carbon emissions are reaching 37 billion tons a year, over six times what worried scientists in the 1960s.

However, despite the clear warnings and the overwhelming evidence that human actions are causing climate change and that it is contributing to ever greater natural hazards, there is virtually no effort to combat climate change by the capitalist governments of the world.

The limited efforts that have been taken on so far are overwhelmingly designed to generate profits for so called green industries. And while great advancements have been made in the production of alternate forms of energy to fossil fuels, the severity of the climate crisis demands far more than a passive and complacent attitude by the capitalist governments, which are all subservient to the demands of the profit system.

Too much of capitalist industry is bound up with the fossil fuel industry to make a scientific approach to combating climate change feasible. All talk of reducing carbon emissions and phasing out fossil fuels is in the time frame of decades, as if there were decades left to address the crisis.

Combating the climate crisis is incompatible with a global economic system that places profit over human life and the environment. As was shown by the COVID-19 pandemic, the capitalist class is more than willing to sacrifice as many lives as it takes to keep profits flowing.

Only a mass international movement of the working class, guided by scientific knowledge and a socialist political program, can combat climate change and overturn the private profit system that allows it to continue.
Management at Sydneys Macquarie University is continuing its blatant political censorship of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) despite proof that its decision to block the IYSSEs affiliation was based on a false assertion.

IYSSE anti-war meeting at Macquarie University in Sydney, April 4, 2023.

On May 29, the Student Engagement, Inclusion & Belonging divisions Paul McKay sent the IYSSE an email which stated that the IYSSE would not be affiliated, despite meeting all stipulated requirements. This was based on the fraudulent claim that the IYSSE shares the same aim and purpose as the Macquarie Socialists clublinked to the Socialist Alternative organisation.

As was explained in detail in a June 6 statement opposing managements decision, the socialist, anti-war perspective of the IYSSE is diametrically opposed to the pseudo-left politics of Socialist Alternative.

On July 5, the IYSSE wrote to McKay to inform management of the Macquarie Socialists June 28 Facebook statement in which they themselves highlight the differences between the two clubs.

Though their statement was politically hostile and rife with falsifications of the IYSSEs political positions, the Macquarie Socialists post states that they reject the claim that we share the same aim and purpose as IYSSE.

The IYSSE wrote to McKay: The assertion that we have the same aims as Macquarie Socialists, you will recall, was the sole justification you gave for rejecting our affiliation. It has now been entirely refuted by all parties involved. The only institution that falsely claims that we have the same aims is your own. Aside from the complete impropriety of a university management body adjudicating on the politics of student organisations, your previous assertions are now entirely untenable.

We therefore demand that you immediately rescind this position and affiliate our club forthwith.

In a striking display of indifference to the democratic rights of students, McKays entire response was: Im sorry to inform you that the application has been closed. I suggest checking the outcome of your formal complaint for additional details. Thank you for reaching out.

In other words, despite the IYSSEs complete refutation of the false assertion on which it was denied club status, Macquarie University management is claiming that the period for affiliation has passed. The reason that period has passed is precisely because management rejected the IYSSEs application on fraudulent grounds in the first place!

A formal complaint against the refusal to affiliate the club was submitted by the IYSSE on June 11. More than a month later, Macquarie University managements complaint department has not yet issued a finding, despite confirming receipt of the complaint.

The complete unaccountability of Student Engagement, Inclusion & Belonging, and the glacial complaint process, effectively means managements decisions are unchallengeable by the student body, even when there is clear evidence that a decision has been made based on false grounds and constitutes a direct attack on students democratic rights.

The question arises: If the false assertion that was used to block the IYSSE has been refuted, why is the university continuing its censorship of the IYSSE? The ongoing refusal to affiliate the IYSSE reveals that this anti-democratic decision is of a political nature. The IYSSEs anti-war and socialist positions are effectively being banned.

That is demonstrated by the context of the censorship. Less than two months before the university barred the IYSSE, the club held a meeting at Macquarie University opposing the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine.

Right-wing Ukrainian nationalists attempted to prevent the IYSSE from holding that event. One Ukrainian nationalist sympathiser emailed university management to demand that the IYSSEs room booking be cancelled. While Macquarie University allowed the booking to proceed, they made no defence of the IYSSEs democratic rights.

Now, university management is effectively carrying out exactly what the right-wing, pro-war nationalists were aiming for: the silencing of the only anti-war voice on campus.

These right-wing forces deny the incontrovertible fact that the war in Ukraine is a conflict between the US and NATO on one side, and Russia on the other. The US and European imperialist powers provoked and used the reactionary invasion of Ukraine by Russias capitalist regime to advance their longstanding war plans in the region.

The IYSSE has implacably opposed the US-NATO war drive. We have warned that the actions of the imperialist powers threaten nothing less than a global nuclear catastrophe. At the same time, we have opposed entirely the nationalist policies of the Putin regime, which represents an oligarchy that came to power through the Stalinist dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The IYSSE is the only youth organisation in the world fighting for the unity of the international working class, including Russian and Ukrainian, on a socialist perspective directed against war.

A plethora of pseudo-left organisations, including the Macquarie Socialists, have taken a diametrically opposed position. They have fraudulently presented the conflict as a war for democracy and sovereignty, dovetailing with the propaganda of the imperialist powers and legitimising their war policies.

The IYSSEs anti-war perspective has come under international attack, not just at Macquarie University. The April meeting at the university was part of an international series. At campuses globally, these events have been attacked by state and fascistic-aligned forces, precisely because they represent the only genuine opposition to war.

While the ground troops of this censorship campaign has been the far-right Ukrainian nationalists, their actions are completely in line with the policies of the major powers.

That includes the Labor government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese which has deepened Australias involvement in the conflict, including through the provision of hundreds of millions of dollars of weaponry and ammunition.

This goes hand in hand with Australias increasingly central role in US war policies globally. In the Indo-Pacific region, Australia is serving as the key partner of US preparations for a catastrophic conflict with China, which is viewed as the chief threat to American global hegemony. That includes the announcement this year of a $368 billion deal for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, as well as a massive expansion of other strike capabilities, especially missiles.

As part of these war preparations, universities around Australia are being integrated into the military apparatus. They are establishing research and development ties with the worlds largest arms manufacturers and with the defence department, to directly prepare the weapons of war.

In December 2022, for instance, Macquarie University signed onto a $32 million research project to boost the militarys testing and engineering capabilities. These upgrades, coined the Capital Refresh Program, will pave the way for advancements in technology to be used by the military including space optics and hypersonics.

Macquarie enters the partnership along with several other universities, the Royal Australian Air Force, leading Australian information warfare firm L3 Micreo, Australian circuit board manufacturer Lintek and US-based defence contractor QinetiQ.

Universities are also key centres for the ideological justification for war. Their political and international relations departments are hotbeds of pro-war propaganda, aimed at legitimising and promoting the war policies that other university departments are directly involved with on the research and development side.

This is combined with the evisceration of student cultural and political life on the universities. At many campuses, including Macquarie, there is not even a semblance of student control over such things as club affiliations as there was in the past. Instead, management, representing the university as a state and military aligned corporation dependent on funding handouts from big business, calls the shots.

It is in this broader context that Macquarie University has deemed the presence of the IYSSEan anti-war and socialist clubimpermissible. It is seeking to prevent discussion on campus of left-wing politics and opposition to war.

The decision to censor the IYSSE, if allowed to stand, paves the way for further attacks on students at Macquarie University and anti-war and oppositional voices across the country.

Around the world, students and youth have voiced their opposition to Macquarie Universitys assault on the democratic rights of the IYSSE and the broader student population.

Students and youth, as well as academics and all those who defend civil liberties should join the fight against the anti-democratic assault on the IYSSE at Macquarie University. This struggle is intimately bound up with the broader defence of democratic rights, and the fight to end imperialist war.

We call on all readers to support the fight to defend the IYSSE at Macquarie University by sending letters of protest over the rejection of the IYSSEs affiliation to the Student Engagement, Inclusion and Belonging division of university management at studentgroups@mq.edu.au, and CC iysse.macquarie@gmail.com.
In the run-up to the September 14 contract expiration for 150,000 Big Three autoworkers, the United Auto Workers leadership released a white paper on Monday on the Ultium electric vehicle battery cell plant in Lordstown, Ohio, a joint venture between General Motors and South Korea-based LG Energy Solution.

The intended audience of the UAW white paper, titled High Risk & Low Pay, is not autoworkers but rather the auto companies and state officials to whom the UAW bureaucracy is attempting to sell its services as an adjunct of management.

In essence, the UAW is promising a more stable and disciplined low-paid workforce, seeking in return easier access to organize the EV battery plants, collect dues and expand the corporatist joint labor-management health and safety programs, which provide a lucrative source of additional income and privileges for union bureaucrats. Tellingly, at one point in the white paper, the UAW bemoans the high turnover at the Ultium plant, noting, Some workers estimate annual turnover at the plant is running over 50 percent.

At the same time, the union bureaucracy is seeking even greater state backing than it has already received. While the UAW national leadership, in attempting to adopt a more militant posture, has withheld an early official endorsement of Bidens reelection run, it is seeking nothing more than firmer commitments by the administration to help bring in the UAW at the new EV plants.

The White House, for its part, is fully expecting to rely on the UAW apparatus to carry out its assigned role of overcoming and suppressing workers opposition in the coming contract struggle and use it as a tool to impose massive new concessions. The expansion of the domestic EV industry on the basis of ultra-low wages is itself a critical element of Washingtons plans to escalate trade conflict with China and prepare for war against it.

The UAWs model solutions to health and safety

The white paper cites the memorandum of agreement on health and safety from the current GM-UAW national contract, which proclaims itself an excellent framework for the joint efforts in health and safety within General Motors. Since [1973], many potential hazards have been reduced or eliminated. The Local Joint Health and Safety Committees (LJHSCs) and Plant and Divisional Review Boards, provided for in the Memorandum of Understanding, are effective at resolving most health and safety concerns within plants.

In reality, the function of the UAW-corporate joint health and safety bodies is to block disruptions to production by workers and ensure companies suffer no consequences from their disregard of safety, as demonstrated most starkly in the role of UAW bureaucracy in herding workers into COVID-infested plants during the pandemic, leading to the deaths of countless autoworkers.

Like the broader joint labor-management training programs which were initiated beginning in the 1980sand which became the conduit for corporate bribery of union officialsthe joint health and safety programs are based upon the false conception that the interests of the corporations and workers are fundamentally identical, and there is no conflict between profit-making and workers health and livelihoods.

Meanwhile, while the report cites the poverty wages at Ultium Lordstownstarting wages are just $16.25 an hour and top out at around $20, $12 below top pay for GM workersit nowhere specifies what the UAW would consider an acceptable wage nor does it state any concrete demands in relation to benefits, working hours or other important issues. Contrary to the rhetoric of new UAW President Shawn Fain of a just transition to EVs, the UAW bureaucracy is in fact fully willing to agree to a lowering of autoworkers wages and working conditions at the EV plants.

The UAW white paper cynically chastises GM for closing the Lordstown Assembly plant with the permanent loss of 5,000 jobs, citing its devastating impact on workers and the community. These are crocodile tears, as former Lordstown workers well know, given that the UAW agreed to the closure as part of the sellout 2019 GM contract.

In fact, the Big Three automakers hope to use Lordstown as a model, with thousands of higher paying jobs at traditional assembly and transmission plants to be eliminated and replaced with highly exploited, low-paid workers at the EV and battery plants.

Pickets outside the shuttered Lordstown plant on the first day of the GM strike in 2019. [AP Photo/Keith Srakocic]

In its conclusion the document states, In a just transition to EVs, jobs in the battery plants that will power this transition must be as good or better than current jobs building internal combustion engine vehicles and components.

The wording is a rhetorical sleight of hand and highly significant. While workers building engines generally fall under the national Big Three contracts, the majority of auto parts workers labor under separate contracts, with vastly inferior pay, fewer benefits and brutal working conditions. The auto companies would be more than happy to see the sweatshop conditions that exist at UAW-organized components companies, such as Clarios, Dana and Forvia, extended to Big Three EV workers.

The auto companies are barely seeking to hide the attacks they are preparing not just on EV workers but to workers who build gas-powered vehicles as well. Auto executives and Wall Street view the upcoming contracts as transformational and the opportunity for a historic restructuring of the industry, shifting the enormous costs of the transition to EV production onto the backs of autoworkers. This will take the form of both enormous job cutsEVs require about 40 percent less labor to produceand a sharp reduction in pay and benefits.

A memo issued by Ford regarding its planned battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, recently stated that pay for workers would be in the $20 an hour range, including benefits, a poverty rate below the median income in the area. Ford has indicated that it will allow the UAW to organize the plant using an expedited procedure known as card check, suggesting it is confident the UAW will enforce the substandard pay rate.

This week Bloomberg News reported that Ford is throwing down the gauntlet, stating that the company will seek changes in contract language to make it easier to shift workers to plants that produce high demand models to boost production during the transition to EVs. Ford claims the current UAW contract restricts that ability. The provocative demand by Ford to create a new tier of migrant, gig autoworkers, uprooted and shifted from plant to plant at the whim of management, has dire implications for the rights and conditions of the entire working class, since innovations in auto negotiations historically have set broader precedents.

The demand for flexibility follows Ford getting a $9.2 billion federal loan to help construct three new battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky. The company has not explicitly agreed to voluntarily recognize the UAW at those plants. It is possible that Ford might insist on its demand for a migrant workforce as a condition for UAW recognition at the battery plants.

Significantly, the UAW white paper calls merely for such gargantuan corporate handouts to be spent more wiselyi.e., in ways which promote the institutional interests of the union apparatus.

Dangerous conditions at Ultium

GM-LG Ultium Cells battery plant in Lordstown, Ohio where starting pay is $16.50.

Much of the UAW white paper deals with safety issues at Ultium Lordstown, which are clearly harrowing. Pointing to the highly dangerous nature of the production of lithium-ion batteries, the report notes, A chemical called N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP) is used to manufacture the cathode. Acute exposure may damage unborn children, cause respiratory tract irritation, skin irritation, nausea, headache, dizziness and diarrhea.

In manufacturing the anode, the company uses a product called Lucan BT1003M. More than 95 percent of it consists of carbon nanotubes, which can cause germ cell mutations and cancer.

In one incident, a worker was sprayed in the face by toxic electrolyte, a byproduct of battery production.

The worker reported, After I was gassed, for a second, I couldnt breathe. I couldnt say anything, I couldnt tell the worker closest to me what had happened. I was groggy, dizzy. I had a hard time standing while we waited for security to arrive.

In another incident a worker reported that toxic gas from waste dumped in an uncovered trash can forced the evacuation of a large area where quality inspectors worked. When it happened, I had a headache and I was nauseous. I had the option to go home, but I knew they werent going to pay us. I chose to stay because I like my money. But a woman who was close to the can, she couldnt stop vomiting. They came and got her in an ambulance. Her doctor wouldnt let her come back. She was off for two weeks without pay. Another girl who got sent home, she didnt get paid either.

In contrast, the UAW white paper presents an absurd, fairy tale picture of conditions at the traditional automotive plants. It asserts, The UAW-GM contract provides for participation in health and safety by workers or their representatives at all levels of the company from the shop floor to the national level. It further claims, The unions contract language provides for greater protection than that provided by agencies such as OSHA.

The traditional Big Three plants: There is no safety

Asked about the UAWs concern for health and safety, a veteran worker at the Stellantis Detroit Assembly ComplexJefferson responded scathingly. She told the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter, There is no safety. I am serious, it is bad. There is no ventilation, she said referring to the recent heat wave. We have no fans. I have a serious health issue. The things they do here, they dont make sense.

Workers at the Clarios battery plant in Holland, Ohio, members of the UAW, can attest to this as well. Exposure to lead in the plant is so great that workers must be tested for high levels of lead in their blood, which can cause long-term disabilities. Workers report that it is common for retirees to get cancer and die a few years after retirement.

One horrific workplace fatality after another takes place at UAW-represented plants. In 2021, Mark McKnight, a 57-year-old electrician at GMs Marion Stamping Plant in Indiana, was crushed to death by a section of steel wall. It just literally smashed him, a worker reported to the World Socialist Web Site. His head was smashed flat. There were bones everywhere. Blood was all over the floor. It was just horrible.

In July 2022, Steven Dierkes, a 39-year-old worker at Caterpillars foundry in Mapleton, Illinois, died after falling into a crucible with molten metal, instantly incinerating him. The first night back at the foundry, a UAW worker at the plant told the WSWS, higher level management was on the shop floor patrolling and asking questions about how employees felt about safety. All comments workers had about safety issues were ignored and responded to with excuses.

In October 2022, Sam Hager, a 25-year-old worker at Fords Chicago Assembly Plant, died, with the plants medical response team taking over 20 minutes to arrive, workers said. Management doesnt care, they just want the line running, a worker at the plant recounted. The UAW also does nothing for us. Another woman had a seizure last year, her eyes were back in her head. They pulled her out of the line and started the line back. They didnt even get her a stretcher. Its just scary.

Beyond these barbaric and needless workplace deaths, the result of corporate managements relentless pursuit of profit, there is the daily, grinding toll which work in auto factories takes on workers bodies, with the UAW bureaucracy routinely agreeing to 12-hour shifts for six or seven days a week, as it has recently done at a number of Detroit-area Stellantis plants placed on critical status.

The fight to provide living wages to all autoworkers as well as secure jobs, pensions and a healthy and safe work environment cannot be left in the hands of the UAW apparatus, now headed by Shawn Fain, a longtime bureaucrat who has presided over countless sellouts.

As the statement of the Autoworkers Rank-and-File Committee Network on the 2023 contract battle spells out, Autoworkers will win this fight, not through appeals to company executives and big business politicians, but by means of hard and uncompromising class struggle. The allies of workers are not in the corporate boardrooms or the halls of Congress, but rather among the millions of workers across the US and in other countries who are similarly looking to fight corporate exploitation, including the 350,000 UPS workers whose contract expires at the end of July. The statement demands, Rank-and-file control over line speed and production standards, to be negotiated by local rank-and-file committees, to ensure that workers health and safety comes first.

The first step is to build and expand the network of rank-and-file committees at each auto plant. Workers interested in taking up this fight should contact the WSWS today.
Storming of the Bastille and arrest of the Governor M. de Launay, July 14, 1789. [Photo: Anonymous]

Friday, July 14 marked the 234th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille, the fortress in Paris that had come to symbolize the injustice and oppressive power of the French Ancien Regimethe Old Regime of feudal property relations upon which the rule of the monarchy and aristocracy was based. In the months and weeks preceding the eruption of the Parisian masses, the protracted political crisis had been steadily building. State bankruptcy and scandals had undermined the prestige and authority of the government. The deep divisions in the social structure of France, organized in different Estates, were breaking onto the surface of political life. The Third Estateconsisting of the vast majority of the population and led by the emerging bourgeoisiehad begun to organize itself independently of and in opposition to the two estates of the aristocracy.

The mass demonstrations outside the walls of the Bastille were met by cannonfire from within the fortress. But the masses obtained arms and won to their side a section of the citys military guard. The walls of the fortress were breached by the masses, who took bloody vengeance against its defenders. In his Socialist History of the French Revolution, written between 1901 and 1904, Jean Jaures wrote:

The impact of the taking of the Bastille was immense. It seemed to all the worlds peoples that humanitys jail had fallen. This was more than the Declaration of the Rights of Man; it was the declaration of the peoples might in the service to human right. It was not only light that reached the oppressed of the universe from Paris. And in the millions upon millions of hearts imprisoned in servitudes dark night, libertys first dawning rose at exactly the same moment.

King Louis XVI, ensconced in his palace in Versailles 20 miles south of Paris, did not hear of the uprising until late in the evening, when he was roused from his slumber and given a report by the Duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt. But is it therefore a revolt? asked the nervous monarch. No, sire, replied the duke. It is a revolution!

The revolution in France, coming only six years after the Treaty of Paris, which codified the victory of the American colonists over Britain, marked the beginning of a new epoch in world history. In its vast scale and political dynamism, it embodied what Trotsky would later refer to as the forcible entrance of the masses into the realm of rulership over their own destiny.

The revolution was a political culmination of a period of immense social, economic and cultural ferment. It was anticipated by the intellectual revolution known as the Enlightenment, which upheld the power of reason to solve the problems of mankind. The great materialist philosophers of the age provided a powerful intellectual impulse to the scientific study of human society and, therefore, to a critique of an archaic economic, social and political order that justified its injustices and the divine right of kings with religious mythology.

At its most radical, the Enlightenment thinkers focused their critique on social inequality and the privileges of the rich.

Are not all the advantages of society for the powerful and rich? Jean-Jacques Rousseau asked in 1755, in words that resonate today. Are not all lucrative positions filled by them alone? Are not all privileges and exemptions reserved for them? And is not public authority completely in their favor? When a man of high standing robs his creditors or cheats in other ways, is he not always certain of impunity?

Rousseaus most famous work, The Social Contract, written in 1762, began with the words, Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.

The social critique of the great thinkers of that era did not translate itself immediately into revolution. It required decades for the implications of their intellectual labors to find expression in the action of the masses. But the French Revolution, as it gathered momentum, brought broader layers of the population into political activity and acquired ever more radical dimensions. What could hardly have been imagined in 1785the end of monarchy, the abolition of feudal privileges and property relations, the establishment of a republic and the execution of the kinghad become a reality by the end of the decade that followed.

It seemed as though the very foundation of society, trampled underfoot by the cultured bourgeoisie, was stirring and coming to life, Leon Trotsky wrote of the events in France in his History of the Russian Revolution. Human heads lifted themselves above the solid mass, calloused hands stretched aloft, hoarse but courageous voices shouted! The districts of Paris, bastions of the revolution, began to live a life of their own. They were recognizedit was impossible not to recognize them!and transformed into sections. But they kept continually breaking the boundaries of legality and receiving a current of fresh blood from below, opening their ranks in spite of the law to those with no rights, the destitute sans-culottes.

The Revolution was met with furious hatred by reactionaries. Conservatives and moderates condemned the excesses of the revolution. But the most progressive thinkers rallied to its defense. Answering those who condemned the execution of Louis XVI and the terror unleashed in defense of the revolution, Thomas Jefferson said that he would prefer to see half the world desolated than witness the revolutions defeat. Were there but an Adam and an Eve left in every country, and left free, he wrote, it would be better than as it now is.

What is the relevance of the French Revolution for today? Of course, we are not in the age of bourgeois democratic, but of socialist, revolution. However, the essence of the revolutionary critique of inequality, of property and the established order, acquires immense force under conditions of capitalist decay and crisis.

This is evident first of all in the fact that Paris this year has seen mass protests and strikes, along the same streets and avenues. If the workers of France have not yet consigned capitalism to the guillotine, the content of their struggles directly raises the need for a political fight against the president of the rich, Emmanuel Macron, and the overthrow of the existing social, political and economic order. Fresh from his brutal crackdown against protests over pension cuts and police violence, Macron rolled out the carpet yesterday for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the fascistic butcher of Gujarat who rules over a society of immense poverty and destitution.

Intolerable conditions of life are producing an upsurge of social struggle around the globe. This year has seen strikes and other struggles by postal workers, healthcare workers, teachers, rail workers and other sections of the working class in the UK; mass protests in Israel against the assault on democratic rights; the strike by 1,400 National Steel Car workers and 7,400 dockworkers in Canada, with the latter shut down this week through the intervention of the government; and continued strikes and protests involving hundreds of thousands of workers in Sri Lanka against austerity, to cite just a few.

In the United States, the strike by tens of thousands of actors, coming amidst the ongoing strike of 11,000 writers, initiates the largest strike in the history of US film and television production and follows strikes by academic workers and Clarios and CNH manufacturing workers. It will give enormous impetus to the developing struggles of UPS workers, autoworkers, and dockworkers which threaten to erupt outside of the control of the union apparatus in the second half of this year.

Inevitably, the consciousness of the working class is initially dominated by the immediate conditions and issues that workers face. The logic of all of these struggles, however, raises not only urgent organizational issuesthe necessity for developing independent rank-and-file committees to break free from the stranglehold of the union apparatusbut the irrationality of social relations and their incompatibility with the needs of society.

Capitalism has lost its right to existence and the ruling elite its right to rule. When Disney CEO Bob Iger, who received more than $200 million in compensation over the past five years, denounces striking actors and writers for having a level of expectation that is just not realistic, the comparisons with Louis XVI and the French aristocracy are inevitable. Compared to contemporary corporate and financial overlords, Marie Antoinette seems almost philanthropic. The French queen said of the masses, Let them eat cake. Todays corporate bosses would, if they could get away with it, allow a substantial portion of the population to starve.

Over the past three-and-a-half years, a global pandemic has killed more than 20 million people, due to the deliberate and criminal refusal of capitalist governments to take the necessary measures to save lives, as such measures would negatively impact the stock market. Capitalist governments stand by and do nothing as climate change produces catastrophic consequences, from record heat waves and flooding in the United States, to monsoons that have killed hundreds in India over the past two weeks.

The absolute priority of the Biden administration and its allies in NATO is to escalate a war against Russia for as long as it takes, which the WSWS noted yesterday means, in reality, no matter how many diein Ukraine, Russia, throughout Europe and beyond. All the NATO powers pledged a massive increase in military spending, which will inevitably come from the destruction of whatever remains of social programs.

Underlying everything are levels of social inequality that might make the French aristocracy blush. The 2,460 richest individuals added $852 billion to their fortunes in the first half of 2023, while nearly half of the worlds population lives on less than $6.25 a day and has been crushed by the soaring cost of basic necessities over the past year.

Revolutions, Marx explained, drawing on the experiences in France, arise when the further development of society is blocked by the existing social relations. At a certain stage of development, the material productive forces of society come into conflict with the existing relations of production orthis merely expresses the same thing in legal termswith the property relations within the framework of which they have operated hitherto. From forms of development of the productive forces these relations turn into their fetters. Then begins an era of social revolution.

Mankind is approaching the terminal stage of the era of socialist revolution, which began with the outbreak of World War I in 1914 and the overthrow of Russian capitalism in the October Revolution in 1917. The growth of mass opposition is being driven by the deep-rooted and insoluble contradictions of the obsolete world capitalist system.

The task that confronts the world Trotskyist movement, represented by the International Committee of the Fourth International, is to develop within the growing mass movement of the working class a political understanding and direction, to turn it into a conscious movement for socialism that will sweep away the capitalist order and establish the basis for genuine social equality.
The Biden administration announced on Friday a new plan for a total of $39 billion in automatic loan forgiveness for more than 804,000 student loan borrowers. This is just over 2 percent of the $1.78 trillion collective student loan debt held by 43 million borrowers.

President Joe Biden speaks at Howard Universitys commencement in Washington D.C. on Saturday, May 13, 2023. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon]

The new limited program comes less than two weeks after the US Supreme Court struck down an earlier plan by the Biden administration to forgive more than $400 billion in federal student loan debt for all eligible borrowers.

In a statement from the US Department of Education, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona claimed that the measure is another historic step by the Biden administration to right wrongs and ensure that everyone gets the forgiveness they deserve, including students who were cheated by their colleges, and borrowers with permanent disabilities, including veterans.

Cardona also asserted that the Democratic Party administration will not stop fighting to level the playing field in higher education. However, other than a vague reference to past administrative failures, neither the education secretary nor anyone else in the Biden-Harris White House named precisely who or what entities were involved in cheating students and their families out of their hard-earned wages for decades as part of the US student loan racket.

Instead of stating the obviousthat powerful financial interests have taken advantage of laws passed in 1976 that make it impossible for student borrowers to discharge crushing debt obligations through personal bankruptcy filingsthe administration is presenting the crisis facing millions of working class families as the result of mistakes, a case of borrowers falling through the cracks of a broken system and historical inaccuracies in the manner payments were counted toward forgiveness.

It is notable thatjust at the point when the American ruling elite began changing laws to make it possible for a layer of billionaires to game the financial system for personal wealth accumulation and also reduce their tax obligationsCongress amended the Higher Education Act in 1976 and, two years later, modified the bankruptcy code to make it nearly impossible for student loan debt to be discharged in bankruptcy court.

In 2005, Congress passed the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act and adopted rules against private student loans being eligible for bankruptcy protections just like other forms of private credit. This measure was passed with the support of the 18 Democratic Party senators, including then-Senator from Delaware Joe Biden, an enthusiastic advocate of the credit industry that had given him hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions.

Indicating the scaled down nature of the new plan as compared to Bidens original loan forgiveness program, department Under Secretary James Kvaal said the administration was holding up the bargain we offered borrowers who have completed decades of repayment.

The new program will bring relief to student loan borrowers who have made 240 or 300 monthly payments on an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. Borrowers have been able to enroll in IDR programs that allow their monthly payments to be set based on a range of factors, including monthly income and family size.

The announcement says that borrowers will receive notifications in the coming days, including those with Direct Loans or Federal Family Education Loans held by the Department (including Parent PLUS loans of either type) who have reached the necessary forgiveness threshold as a result of receiving credit toward IDR forgiveness, based on the duration of their account status, whether it is in repayment, forbearance or deferment.

On June 30, the Supreme Court blocked an executive order issued by the President which would have provided up to $20,000 per borrower for up to 43 million Americans, 90 percent of whom come from zip codes with a median income of $60,000 or less and over 60 percent from zip codes with a median income of between $20,000 and $40,000.

The far-right dominated court voted 6-3 and sided with the Republican Party, billionaires and some Democrats who complained bitterly that the White House did not have the authority to forgive student loan debts under provisions of the HEROES Act emergency powers granted to the President. It was, according to the reactionary court majority, an end run around the US Congress, which controls the purse of the American government.

Meanwhile, there has been no hue and cry within any branch of the US government about the trillions of dollars spent on wars and on bailouts of the banks and corporations.

According to media reports, the Department of Education claims the authority to implement the new plan announced on Friday because it falls within the education secretarys power to administer loan repayment programs.

This, of course, is not stopping the right wing from continuing its campaign against any relief, no matter how limited, for the working class.

For example, Lindsey Burke, director of the Center for Education Policy at the Heritage Foundation, said, In the wake of the court decision, the administration is really abusing its authority and trying to give people breaks that they didnt earn. This is ultimately going to continue to drive up college tuition and drive up prices and is going to lay the groundwork for more borrowers to demand loan cancellation in the future.

The Washington Post quoted Republican Representative from North Carolina Virginia Fox on Friday, saying, The Biden administration is trampling the rule of law, hurting borrowers, and abusing taxpayers. From day one, this administration has encouraged borrowers not to repay their loans and has expected taxpayers to foot the bill.

The Wall Street Journal editorial board called the plan a new entitlement, adding that it is debt cancellation on the installment plan.

These statements and others like it are thick with cynicism, since everyone in the Washington D.C. political establishment is well aware that massive sums were handed out to the financial and corporate elite with no strings attached during the 2008 crash and again during the bailout of Wall Street with the USA CARES act in the early months of the pandemic.
Massachusetts State Representative Michael Connolly (D-Cambridge) announced on Monday that he was leaving the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) after his vocal support for raising rent on Massachusetts workers caused a crisis in the organization.

Connolly, a self-described progressive Democrat and democratic socialist, had been a member of the DSA since 2016, when he was first elected to the Massachusetts statehouse with the organizations endorsement.

Massachusetts State Representative Michael Connolly, July 2023. [Photo: @MikeConnollyMA]

Earlier this year, the Democratic Party-run Boston City Council passed Democratic Mayor Michelle Wus fraudulent rent control plan, which continues to raise already exorbitant city rents. The policy allows for rent hikes up to 10 percent for around 55 percent of Boston renters, while buildings constructed over the last 15 years, as well as landlords who own six units or fewer and live on-site with their tenants, have no restrictions.

Connolly endorsed the proposal. The just cause eviction protections in the bill are riddled with loopholes and exemptions, including eviction for non-payment of rent, for which the majority of evictions in Boston are carried out. In other words, all Boston renters will continue to face enormous rent hikes and evictions.

Hundreds of thousands of workers lives will be impacted by this bill, which will pave the way for many future evictions. Boston is one of the most expensive cities in the country. Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is close to $3,000. Last year, there were about 115,600 people living at or below 100 percent of the poverty line in Boston, a rate of 17.9 percent. A recent study by SmartAsset found that making $100,000 a year in Boston feels more like bringing home $46,588. According to the 2021 Census, median household income in Boston was $81,744. Evictions filed in Boston are up nearly 75 percent from last year, back to pre-pandemic levels.

Connollys entire political career as a DSA elected official has consisted of providing a left cover for the Democratic Party in Massachusetts as the latter enacts right-wing, anti-worker policies. His tenure in office went virtually uncriticized by the DSA for the last seven years because it illustrated not a departure from the organizations line, but the reactionary role of the DSA in American politics.

Connolly left the DSA on his own accord after a group of DSA members submitted a motion calling for his expulsion. This was quickly met with an apologetic amendment from eight Boston DSA members opposing his expulsion but calling for his censure instead.

The authors of the amendment wrote, We find that expelling a member for having moderate, social democratic politics is not justified. By and large Connollys statements and actions through the years  including actively working against fellow DSA candidates and campaigns  stem from this underlying political approach. And for better or worse, this approach is shared by many other Boston DSA members, rather than representing conduct on Connollys part that would justify expulsion. (Emphasis added).

This is an important admission. Connolly is not actually in substantial disagreement with the principles or policies of DSA by supporting rent hikes.

In a July 10 statement responding to Connollys departure, the leadership of Boston DSA stressed that it did not move against Connolly. The motions to expel and censure Connolly were brought forward by members of the chapter, and not by the chapters elected leadership body, the statement read.

Faced with the continued exposure of Connollys kowtowing to the Democratic Party establishment, sections of the DSA put forward the expulsion motion in an attempt to perform a face-lift operation to ensure the organization remains an effective tool for strangling the opposition of workers and youth to capitalism.

Connollys role exposes the DSA as a pro-capitalist, anti-working class organization. Mayor Wus plan to raise rent 10 percent a year received uncritical support from Connolly, who recently declared in an interview with GBH News that Wu was doing an extraordinary job. Speaking to The Intercept, Connolly said, It was preposterous to think that the state legislature would approve a plan to the left of Bostons, so [DSA-backed legislators] decided to back it. Connolly has advocated for housing reform that all parties benefit from, including landlords and owners to earn a fair rate of return on their investments. Wus bill certainly ensures a continued return on their investments.

Representing the upper-middle class layers that dominate Cambridge, Connolly has supported right-wing Democrats, including Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. He twice voted for established Democrat Ron Mariano for Massachusetts as House speaker. He endorsed incumbent Democratic state representative Christine Barber over DSA challenger Anna Callahan in 2020, and he praised the new leader of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus.

According to campaign finance reports, Healeys campaign for governor received close to $200,000 from the real estate industry, on top of over one million dollars combined donations from the finance and insurance industries, lawyers and unspecified lobbyists. As governor, Healey has repeatedly expressed opposition to even the phoniest rent control policies and has opposed the right of Massachusetts teachers to strike. In a recent television interview with GBH News, Connolly stated, I support Governor Healey, I think she is an extraordinary leader for our Commonwealth.

Ed Augustus, recently appointed state housing secretary by Healey, oversaw a dramatic increase in housing prices and homelessness as the city manager of Worcester from 2014 to 2022. Today, nearly 50 percent of Worcester renters are cost-burdened, paying more than a third of their income on rent and utilities. Connolly tweeted, As a member of the Joint Committee on Housing and a Co-Chair of the #HousingForAll Caucus, I cant wait to get to work with Secretary Augustus!

Responding to the expulsion motion, Connolly wrote on Twitter, We must put people over purity and unity over unanimity. He initially declared that he would oppose the expulsion motion at the July 23 Boston DSA General Meeting. However, five days later, he announced that he was leaving the DSA.

Connolly has received support from a slew of Democratic Party hacks, including Joe Caiazzo, a Massachusetts-based political consultant, Rhode Island state director for Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign and top aide for the Bernie Sanders 2020 campaign. Caiazzo told Politico, At the end of the day, politics is about compromise. If youre not willing to compromise, then you dont get to play on the team. And if you cant play on the team, then theres no way to ever win.

These are the rotten politics of the DSA and all its elected Democratic Party representatives. Since its founding in 1982 as the left-wing of the possible, the DSA has worked feverishly to capture and strangle popular opposition to capitalism. The last four decades have witnessed an uninterrupted lurch of the entire political establishment to the right. The Democratic Party rejected its association with limited social reforms and oversaw vicious attacks on the working class at home and abroad through the prosecution of unending wars and implementation of mass austerity at home. Today, the Biden administration is spearheading the barbaric war against Russia in Ukraine and attacks on the working class at home to pay for US imperialisms drive for global domination.

In this context, confronted with mass opposition in the working class to soaring inequality and war, the DSA was promoted in 2015, working alongside Sanders 2016 campaign, to reign in the leftward movement of millions of workers and youth.

However, the organization today stands exposed for what it is, an upper-middle class arm of the Democratic Party, having nothing to do with socialism. Over the last three years in particular, the DSA has proven itself to be a warmongering, strike-breaking, pro-imperialist organization of the first order.

Connollys treachery pales in comparison to many of his progressive colleagues. DSA representatives in Congress, including most prominently Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, voted to ban a potential national railroad strike last year. DSA members of Congress also voted to fund the imperialist slaughter in Ukraine by providing tens of billions of dollars to the US/NATO war against Russia in Ukraine. Every dollar spent on the war will be paid for through attacks on the working class.

In 2021, New York Democratic Congressman and DSA member Jamaal Bowman voted to provide Israels military with $1.1 billion for its ongoing brutal repression of the Palestinian population. DSAs National Political Committee rejected calls from the membership to expel Bowman. Progressive Democrats have also provided cover for the Biden administrations murderous COVID-19 policies and various austerity packages marking the beginning of devastating cuts to vital social services.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman, June 3, 2021. [Photo: Staff of Rep. Jamaal Bowman]

Connollys politics are the politics of the DSA, which is nothing more than a faction of one of the oldest bourgeois parties in the world. Confronted with an escalating crisis resulting from the ongoing exposure of this right-wing arm of the Democrats, sections of the upper-middle class layers that comprise the DSA attempt to strike a new left pose.

This latest episode only underscores the necessity for workers and youth to break with the Democratic Party and all its fake-left operatives. Only an independent, historically grounded, international socialist perspective and program can advance the interests of the working class everywhere.
The gym teacher stands in front of a chalkboard with the word "ABSTINENCE" written in all caps and sternly tells the room of teenagers, "Don't have sex because you will get pregnant and die." The scene is a satirical one from the 2004 comedy "Mean Girls," but the state of sex education in the U.S. is no joke. A patchwork of mandates and philosophies across school districts and states for teaching young peopleor notabout sexual health creates discrepancies resulting in wildly disparate health outcomes for teens and young adults.

As the scene from "Mean Girls" suggests, abstinence-based sex education has dominated health classes across the U.S. for decades and remains popular today. Despite this, myriad studies debunk the abstinence-only model. Research by medical professionals and public health experts repeatedly shows that abstinence-only sex ed does not delay young people's sexual activity, nor has it successfully prevented teen pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.

In fact, abstinence-only sex ed has proven harmful to youth by not communicating vital health and safety information about sex and the body, and by stigmatizing those who are already sexually active, those who have experienced sexual abuse, and LGBTQ+ students.

Stacker cited data from the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, the Guttmacher Institute, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to visualize how sex education relates to different health outcomes and aspects of daily life. Evidence points to comprehensive sex education as an effective model for teaching young people about sexuality and preparing them to navigate adulthood. Comprehensive sex ed, as defined by the National Sex Education Standards, is medically accurate, LGBTQ+-inclusive, age-appropriate, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive with a focus on defining healthy relationships and consent.

Support is overwhelming for sex ed that teaches young people about contraception, healthy relationships, and STIs, in combination with abstinence, according to public opinion polling from SIECUS. Yet only 38 states and Washington D.C. mandate any kind of sex or HIV/STI education, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights policy organization. Just 17 states require sex education to be medically accurate, whereas 39 states plus Washington D.C. require abstinence to be covered if sex ed is taught at all.

The politicization of sex education is not new, but a recent conservative movement has formed in opposition to comprehensive sex education, critical race theory, and the teaching of LGBTQ+ history. Small groups of parents across the country have mobilized to speak out against what former President Trump called "harmful sex- and race-based ideologies."

This type of politicization of education gets in the way of young people's access to accurate information, according to Michelle Slaybaugh, the Director of Social Impact and Strategic Communications at the sex education policy and advocacy organization SIECUS. "Parental rights are already at the core of the existing public education system," Slaybaugh told Stacker in an interview. "We recognize parents have the right to be involved in their child's education, like any other aspect of their upbringing." At the same time, she said, "We must remember that the public education system exists to help advance American society by developing critical thinkers."

The consequences of how sex education is taught go beyond ideology. Real health outcomessuch as teen pregnancy rates, rates of HIV and STIs, and mental health issuesare intertwined with methods of teaching sex ed. While the data cannot speak to direct causation between sex education and health outcomes, it can offer insights into the relationship between the two.

To learn more about sex education laws across the country, read: How sex education is (and isn't) being taught in every state.

You may also like: From Stonewall to today: 50 years of modern LGBTQ+ history
Shame on you! I returned to Memorial Cemetery after the Memorial Day holiday to pick up the wreath I had left on my deceased childrens grave only to discover it was not there. When I called the cemetery office to ask about it, I was told that was not a surprise that someone had stolen it.
Theres an old adage that those who dont learn from history are doomed to repeat its mistakes. Despite teaching history as early as kindergarten, we sometimes forget its lessons. In doing so, we miss opportunities to prevent it from repeating. Our posture toward the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine is one such example.

Despite our efforts to avoid getting involved in conflicts around the world, they inevitably find their way to our doorstep. From World War I and II to the radical Islamic terror that inspired 9/11, our greatness makes us the ultimate target for adversaries on the warpath. The last century demonstrated that the United States will get dragged into global conflicts. As we grapple with what to do about Russias invasion of Ukraine, history tells us looking the other way now wont keep the bullies from setting their sights on us. To put it even more simply: as every Nebraska farmer knows, it is better to address a problem early than let it get bigger down the road. A stitch in time saves nine.

After World War II, the United States and our allies set up a rules-based system. This system promotes peaceful trade between nations and has prevented global war. For nearly 80 years, this system has worked. Now, both Russia and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) want to change that system. Russian dictator Vladimir Putins invasion of its neighbor Ukraine is a land grab. It is also a direct challenge to global peace. If dictators are successful they dont stop. They grab for more. Our actions now will either open the door to more conflict or prevent catastrophe.

Putins brutality is on display in Ukraine. We should not question his willingness to apply the same kind of disregard for human life in a conflict with the United States and our allies. Hes killed tens of thousands. Ukrainian children have been abducted and taken to Russian indoctrination camps. Putins troops have been accused of thousands of war crimes. This includes the indiscriminate mass killings and rape of civilians. More than 8 million Ukrainians  thats four times Nebraskas entire population  have been forced to flee their country. Nearly 6 million have had to abandon their homes and are displaced within Ukraine. Our support for Ukraine now can prevent a wider conflict without costing American lives. It will also be at a lesser financial cost.

I said recently in our Senate Foreign Relations hearing on Russia policy that Putin sees the U.S. as his chief adversary. He has long behaved like hes at war with us. Hes wrongfully detained U.S. citizens and held them for ransom. Hes repeatedly refused to comply with U.S.-Russia arms control agreements. Hes aligned himself with our other adversaries in Iran and the CCP, who will be emboldened if he is successful in Ukraine.

While Putins hostility can be shocking, the ambition behind it is not surprising. Putin invaded Georgia in 2008, Ukrainian Crimea in 2014, and Ukraine again last year. Putins actions indicate he aims to recreate the Soviet Union. If Putin succeeds in Ukraine, NATO allies like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland could be next. At that point, the United States would be obligated to intervene with our own troops. We cannot let Putin succeed.

However, our support cannot be in the form of a blank check. It is critical we also provide necessary and aggressive oversight of American tax dollars to ensure they are being used effectively.

It is also critical that our NATO allies do their part to help in this fight. In 2014, all NATO members agreed to spend at least 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defense by 2024. That pledge is more important than ever. Seven countries met or exceeded this target last year, including the United States. Yet, twenty-four others failed to step up. This must change. Recently, I joined with 35 of my Senate colleagues to urge President Biden to push NATO countries to fulfill their defense commitments. I also personally raised these concerns with them at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania this past week.

History has taught us that to stop Putin now will be far less costly in blood and treasure then what happens if we dont. We are giving Ukraine weapons to fight Russia so we dont have to. It is critical the U.S. and our allies provide Ukraine with the economic and security assistance necessary to defeat Russia so the battlefield never reaches us at home.

The United States must direct a coherent policy to confront Russia that forces Putin to deal with us on our terms. We must continue to provide Ukraine the types of weapons it needs to win. We must also expand our sanctions regime on Russias energy sector and crack down on those who support Putins war machine by helping Russia evade sanctions. Finally, we must urgently accelerate efforts to modernize our nations nuclear deterrent.

It is in Americas national interest to respond to these challenges. Adversaries like Putin can only be dealt with by leading with strength. If we look the other way, it will cost far more in American blood and treasure down the road. We must deter future aggression and promote security  both at home and abroad before its too late.
RICHMOND, Ky. (AP)  The last of the United States declared chemical weapons stockpile was destroyed at a sprawling military installation in eastern Kentucky, the White House announced Friday, a milestone that closes a chapter of warfare dating back to World War I.

Workers at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky destroyed rockets filled with GB nerve agent, completing a decadeslong campaign to eliminate a stockpile that by the end of the Cold War totaled more than 30,000 tons.

For more than 30 years, the United States has worked tirelessly to eliminate our chemical weapons stockpile, President Joe Biden said in a statement released by the White House. Today, I am proud to announce that the United States has safely destroyed the final munition in that stockpile  bringing us one step closer to a world free from the horrors of chemical weapons.

The weapons' destruction is a major watershed for Richmond, Kentucky and Pueblo, Colorado, where an Army depot destroyed the last of its chemical agents last month. It's also a defining moment for arms control efforts worldwide.

The U.S. faced a Sept. 30 deadline to eliminate its remaining chemical weapons under the international Chemical Weapons Convention, which took effect in 1997 and was joined by 193 countries. The munitions being destroyed in Kentucky are the last of 51,000 M55 rockets with GB nerve agent  a deadly toxin also known as sarin  that have been stored at the depot since the 1940s.

By destroying the munitions, the U.S. is officially underscoring that these types of weapons are no longer acceptable in the battlefield and sending a message to the handful of countries that haven't joined the agreement, military experts say.

Chemical weapons are responsible for some of the most horrific episodes of human loss, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said in a statement. Though the use of these deadly agents will always be a stain on history, today our nation has finally fulfilled our promise to rid our arsenal of this evil.

Fridays announcement came as the Biden administration has also decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine, a weapon that two-thirds of NATO countries have banned because it can cause many civilian casualties. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said Ukraine has promised to use the munitions  bombs that open in the air and release scores of smaller bomblets  carefully.

Chemical weapons were first used in modern warfare in World War I, where they were estimated have killed at least 100,000. Despite their use being subsequently banned by the Geneva Convention, countries continued to stockpile the weapons until the treaty calling for their destruction.

In southern Colorado, workers at the Army Pueblo Chemical Depot started destroying the weapons in 2016, and on June 22 completed their mission of neutralizing an entire cache of about 2,600 tons of mustard blister agent. The projectiles and mortars comprised about 8.5% of the countrys original chemical weapons stockpile of 30,610 tons of agent.

Nearly 800,000 chemical munitions containing mustard agent were stored since the 1950s inside row after row of heavily guarded concrete and earthen bunkers that pock the landscape near a large swath of farmland east of Pueblo.

The weapons' destruction alleviates a concern that civic leaders in Colorado and Kentucky admit was always in the back of their minds.

"Those (weapons) sitting out there were not a threat," Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar said. But, he added, you always wondered what might happen with them.

In the 1980s, the community around Kentuckys Blue Grass Army Depot rose up in opposition to the Armys initial plan to incinerate the plants 520 tons of chemical weapons, leading to a decadeslong battle over how they would be disposed of. They were able to halt the planned incineration plant, and then, with help from lawmakers, prompted the Army to submit alternative methods to burning the weapons.

Craig Williams, who became the leading voice of the community opposition and later a partner with political leadership and the military, said residents were concerned about potential toxic pollution from burning the deadly chemical agents.

Williams noted that the military eliminated most of its existing stockpile by burning weapons at other, more remote sites such as Johnston Atoll in the Pacific Ocean or at a chemical depot in the middle of the Utah desert. But the Kentucky site was adjacent to Richmond and only a few dozen miles away from Lexington, the states second-largest city.

We had a middle school of over 600 kids a mile away from the (planned) smokestack, Williams said.

The Kentucky storage facility has housed mustard agent and the VX and sarin nerve agents, much of it inside rockets and other projectiles, since the 1940s. The states disposal plant was completed in 2015 and began destroying weapons in 2019. It uses a process called neutralization to dilute the deadly agents so they can be safely disposed of.

The project, however, has been a boon for both communities, and facing the eventual loss of thousands of workers, both are pitching the pool of high-skilled laborers as a plus for companies looking to locate in their regions.

Workers at the Pueblo site used heavy machinery to meticulously  and slowly  load aging weapons onto conveyor systems that fed into secure rooms where remote-controlled robots did the dirty and dangerous work of eliminating the toxic mustard agent, which was designed to blister the skin and cause inflammation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

Robotic equipment removed the weapons' fuses and bursters before the mustard agent was neutralized with hot water and mixed with a caustic solution to prevent the reaction from reversing. The byproduct was further broken down in large tanks swimming with microbes, and the mortars and projectiles were decontaminated at 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 degrees Celsius) and recycled as scrap metal.

Problematic munitions that were leaky or overpacked were sent to an armored, stainless steel detonation chamber to be destroyed at about 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit (593 degrees Celsius).

The Colorado and Kentucky sites were the last among several, including Utah and the Johnston Atoll, where the nation's chemical weapons had been stockpiled and destroyed. Other locations included facilities in Alabama, Arkansas and Oregon.

Officials say the elimination of the U.S. stockpile is a major step forward for the Chemical Weapons Convention. Only three countries  Egypt, North Korea and South Sudan  have not signed the treaty. A fourth, Israel, has signed but not ratified the treaty.

Concerns remain that some parties to the convention, particularly Russia and Syria, possess undeclared chemical weapons stockpiles. Biden on Friday urged Russia and Syria to fully comply with the treaty, and called on the remaining countries to join it.

The international chemical weapons watchdog hailed the U.S. move as a historic success of multilateralism but said challenges remain such as urging the holdouts to join the treaty and destroying and recovering old chemical weapons.

Recent uses and threats of use of toxic chemicals as weapons illustrate that preventing re-emergence will remain a priority for the organization," said Fernando Arias, director-general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Arms control advocates hope this final step by the U.S. could be used as a model for eliminating other types of weapons.

It shows that countries can really ban a weapon of mass destruction, said Paul F. Walker, vice chairman of the Arms Control Association and coordinator of the Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition. If they want to do it, it just takes the political will and it takes a good verification system.

DeMillo reported from Little Rock, Arkansas, and Peipert reported from Pueblo, Colorado.
In response to heavy public support for racial and ethnic minority-populated areas holding greater weight when redrawing commissioner district boundaries, the El Paso County Redistricting Commission has presented new maps as it nears the end of its public input process.

Over the course of their last two meetings, held in Districts 4 and 3 on July 6 and on Monday, respectively, commissioners also addressed public challenges to the wildland-urban interface, where wildfire-prone areas meet residential development, as a prioritized community of interest.

Click or tap here for coverage of the redistricting meeting held in District 1.

Click or tap here for coverage of the redistricting meeting held in District 2.

The redistricting commission, consisting of the current five members of the El Paso County Board of Commissioners, is tasked with redrawing their constituent districts for the first time since 2017 and has until the end of September to do so.

Under House Bill 21-1047, passed in 2021, counties cannot see more than 5% in population deviation between their most and least populous districts. The bill also encourages, as much as possible, preserving "communities of interest  such as urban, rural or trade areas, or other factors like education, environment or water needs  to ensure "fair and effective representation."

At each of the four public redistricting meetings held so far, residents from every district have advocated repeatedly for southeast Colorado Springs to be consolidated into one district so as to not dilute voting power.

This (region has) a cohesive cultural and political identity, and also is the part of the county with the highest density of people from historically underrepresented groups, like Black, Latino and Hispanic residents," State Sen. Tony Exum Sr., who represents District 11 and much of southeast Colorado Springs, said on July 6.

Residents have defined that region as a group of just under 30 voter precincts west and northwest of the Colorado Springs Airport that each have a minority population of 45% or greater.

This week, commissioners reviewed a map proposed by District 5 Commissioner Cami Bremer that moved District 5's boundaries north to consolidate its southeast precincts into District 4 as a cohesive community. They also reviewed a map proposed by District 3 Commissioner Stan VanderWerf that kept the Air Force Academy in District 1 and moved some of the Patty Jewett neighborhood into District 3 to consolidate southeast precincts into District 5.

But because populations grow more compact closer to Colorado Springs, the move to consolidate the southeast in Bremer's map would require the entire part of the Eastern Plains, from near Black Forest to Pueblo County, to have just one commissioner.

Moving even a few precincts in central Colorado Springs could affect close to 35,000 residents, El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker said, a significant effect when each new district should have a population of roughly 146,550, based on 2020 U.S. Census data.

That kind of give-and-take is difficult to navigate, commissioners have argued, and the task of keeping all of the vast number of possible communities of interest in the county together is "impossible."

Residents on Monday argued against consolidating Monument and southwest Colorado Springs into one district, questioning whether wildfire-fighting needs and efforts west of Interstate 25 are truly affected by sharing a single commissioner.

Previously, District 1 Commissioner Holly Williams has questioned prioritizing the wildland-urban interface when HB 21-1047 emphasizes political competitiveness and compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, or protecting ethnic minority communities.

I was the one who initially brought up the WUI (as) a good dividing line," Williams said at the July 6 meeting. "I just wonder if we should be placing so much emphasis on ... because we have a very specific list of communities of interest listed in this House bill.

District 3 residents argued that the small business- and tourism industry-saturated westside, heavy with historic districts, should be kept separate from Monument, and argued against any map that decreases competitiveness in District 3  which VanderWerf narrowly won after a late push by his Democrat opponent in 2016.

Were not asking to hand a district to the Democratic Party  what were asking is that you do not continue to pull away the chance that Democrats have of winning, thats it, resident John Jarrell said. "Then, theyll have to do the hard work of actually winning the elections.

The next redistricting meeting will be held Monday at 9 a.m. at the county Regional Development Center.

County staff did not eliminate any new maps, but will present a total of 16 proposed maps available for public viewing at the next redistricting meeting, including two maps created by residents Katherine Czukas and Lois Landgraf.

Commissioners are expected to adopt a final map on Aug. 15.

This story has been updated with the accurate title for State Sen. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs.

Click or tap here for political competitiveness and racial population analysis of the proposed maps from the July 6 meeting.

Click or tap here for political competitiveness and racial population analysis of the proposed maps from Monday's meeting.

More information on the county Redistricting Commission, how to create and submit redistricting map proposals and further resources can be found here.
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These surprisingly simple tools can help smooth fine lines, acne scars, and more

People / Kristin Kempa

These days, you can find a variety of skincare devices on the market, from microcurrent tools to dermarollers. Dermarollers, for those who havent yet encountered them, are essentially the at-home (and therefore far milder) version of microneedling; they entail a roller covered in tiny needles that you roll over your skin  all in the name of a smoother, firmer complexion.

Dermarolling can provide a multitude of benefits, including reducing acne scars and wrinkles, tightening skin, and smoothing uneven skin texture, New York City dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, tells PEOPLE. Dermarolling works by tricking the skin into going into regeneration mode by causing micro-injuries on the skin. These tiny wounds induce the production of collagen and elastin, which help improve the appearance of skin and skin healing.

On top of that, dermarolling can also increase the thickness of your skin and improve product absorption, says Melanie Palm, MD, a dermatologist in San Diego. That said, its not without risk, since the needles are piercing skin, even if superficially; this can introduce bacteria into your skin. "If dermarolling at home, it's important to take the necessary safety precautions and sanitizing measures to prevent infection or damage to the skin, she says. I recommend submerging your dermarolling tool in rubbing alcohol for a few minutes prior to using it on your skin.

Because its more intensive than, say, a facial cleansing brush, dermarollers arent for everyone. You dont want to roll over any active acne or cysts or open wounds, says New York City-based esthetician Taylor Worden, since that can make matters worse or even transfer bacteria.

Similarly, there is a lot of room for user-error with these devices, dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, tells PEOPLE. Applying too much pressure or using it too often can lead to irritation, inflammation, infection or scarring  so be gentle and use infrequently when first adding into your skincare routine. Any bleeding or pain is a sign to discontinue use!

Story continues

With that in mind, keep scrolling to shop the best dermarollers on the market, according to skin experts.

Best Overall: FaceGym Faceshot Electric Microneedling Device

Buy at Nordstrom.com

Buy at Net-a-porter.com

Who Its Good For

Its ideal if youre worried about hygiene, since the needle tips are single-use, and the addition of the serum can amp up results.

Who Its Not Good For

Skip it if you have sensitive skin or a skin condition like eczema (or are pregnant).

This electric dermaroller does the work for you with the press of a button. Jaimie DeRosa, MD, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Boston, MA and Palm Beach, FL, loves it for two reasons. The first is that Faceshot comes with medical-grade stainless steel single-use micro-needles, she says. This is great because there is little risk of an allergic reaction to the stainless steel and not re-using the same needles helps to decrease risk of infection  the thought of reusing dirty roller needles makes me cringe.

Plus, it also offers a targeted skincare step via a serum that combines glycolic acid and nourishing vitamin E. It comes with ampoules of serum that go into the skin during the treatment, similar to what we do in the office during a medical-grade microneedling treatment, Dr. DeRosa says. That said, since it's more intensive than manual dermarollers, there are more considerations to keep in mind when using it  for instance, you pause use for at least two weeks after getting Botox and and four for filler, and those who are pregnant should avoid it altogether because of the serum.

Price at time of publish: $275

Needle length: 0.25 millimeters | Material: Stainless steel | Extra features: Ampoule infusion

Best Budget : Sonia Kashuk Microneedle Facial Roller

Buy at Target.com

Who Its Good For

Anyone who doesnt want to spend a ton of money on a dermaroller, especially those who are new to the skincare treatment.

Who Its Not Good For

Since this is a basic dermaroller, it's not going to include any bells or whistles, if that's what you're looking for.

Despite the wallet-friendly price tag, this dermaroller isnt that far behind pricier versions, touting smaller needles (which clock in at 0.25 mm) as well as a slim head and stainless steel tips. Because of the smaller size, it can fit around the curves of the face easily, says Dr. Nazarian. It's easy to clean and safer to use due to the shorter needles, which I prefer.

While you wont get a ton of bells and whistles with it, it still gets the job done well for a fraction of the cost of other dermarollers. You can use it on both face and neck before applying serum and a good moisturizer for the best results  and, of course, dont forget to disinfect it with alcohol in between uses.

Price at time of publish: $10

Needle length: 0.25 millimeters | Material: Stainless steel

Related: The 17 Best Peptide Serums of 2023, According to Dermatologists

Best for Face and Body: BeautyBio GloPRO Facial Microneedling Tool

Buy at Amazon.com

Buy at Qvc.com

Who Its Good For

Someone who wants to microneedle beyond the face, and wants additional features.

Who Its Not Good For

If you're wanting a dermaroller just to boost product absorption, this may be too sophisticated (and expensive) for your needs.

With 540 stainless-steel microneedles, this tool is no joke. It pairs microneedling with LED red light therapy as well as microcurrent stimulation, which purportedly helps boost collagen production (although the science is iffy) and allow for a deeper improvement, respectively. Those additions make it perfect for use before a hyaluronic acid serum, says Mona Gohara, MD, a dermatologist based in New Haven, CT.

Plus, the face attachment can also be swapped out with smaller heads for different needle sizes to accommodate smaller areas, like the eyes and lips, as well as a larger head for the body  which is another reason Dr. Gohara is a fan. Hello, arms and banana rolls, she says. The microneedling heads just need to be replaced every three months to keep it hygienic.

Price at time of publish: $199

Needle length: 0.3 millimeters | Material: Stainless steel | Extra features: LED red light, vibrational microcurrent technology

Best Stamp: Nurse Jamie Beauty Stamp

Buy at Nordstrom.com

Buy at Dermstore.com

Who Its Good For

Someone whos found rollers unwieldy and wants a precise treatment, or anyone new to dermarolling who feels more comfortable stamping than rolling.

Who Its Not Good For

Since the metal type isn't known, it may not be ideal for those with sensitive skin or allergies.

Since the face is naturally curvy (case in point: cheek and brow bones), it can be tough for some dermarollers to adequately reach smaller, tighter areas. That's what makes this tool, which resembles a small razor, stand out. I love this for the harder areas to roll, like the upper lip, nose, and above your eyes, Worden says. Its a simple little stamp and all you do is press and lift into the skin.

That "stamping" action makes it easy for first-timers who want to get a feel for the sensation, as well as offers more precision. You can also use it to press in skincare products, such as serums and face oils, instead of applying them after the fact. That said, theres no info out there about what kind of metal the needles are made of, so you might not know what youre working with (and may be too risky for those with sensitive skin).

Price at time of publish: $50

Needle length: 0.2 millimeters | Material: Metal

Best for Beginners: StackedSkincare Microneedling Tool

Buy at Amazon.com

Buy at Stackedskincare.com

Who Its Good For

Since its relatively inexpensive, its a good option if youre trying dermarolling for the first time and arent sure if youll like it.

Who Its Not Good For

It features a small needle length, so if you want dramatic results, youll have to think bigger.

This dermaroller looks a little different, thanks to a flat handle that's more comfortable to hold. It stands out, however, with its relatively short needles, which clock in at 0.2 mm. Thats a good starting point for newbies, who can work their way up to longer needles if they want (and if their skin likes it) over time. When shopping for a dermaroller to use at home, I recommend looking for a small needle  think length between 0.2 millimeters and 1 millimeter  especially when just starting out, says Dr. Engelman.

Plus, that short needle length can also keep pain to a minimum and reduce any downtime. This will reduce discomfort and allow your skin to heal more quickly in between sessions, she says. The handle is also made of lightweight aluminum, making it easy to control the pressure as youre working to help you avoid going overboard.

Price at time of publish: $89

Needle length: 0.2 millimeters | Material: Stainless steel | Extra features: Replaceable roller head

Best for Advanced Users: ORA Face Microneedle Dermal Roller System 0.5mm

Buy at Target.com

Buy at Walmart.com

Who Its Good For

People who already know and love dermarollers and want to take their results to the next level (at an affordable price point).

Who Its Not Good For

Dermarolling newbies, since the needle length might be too intense.

If youre a regular dermarolling fan who wants to take your results to the next level, consider this model. Different lengths are effective for different skin conditions, but I would not recommend a needle length of longer than 1 millimeter if you're doing this yourself at home, says Dr. Palm. This one hits a sweet spot of 0.5 millimeters, which is longer than the 0.2- or 0.25-millimeter needles found with beginner-friendly dermarollers.

Besides that, the Ora dermaroller also clocks in at a relatively affordable price, making it accessible to most. It also has a ton of fans, with a rating of 4.5 stars (or higher) and rave reviews at various retailers like Ulta, Walmart, and Dermstore.

Price at time of publish: $25.49

Needle length: 0.5 millimeters | Material: Stainless steel

Best on Amazon: Cosmedica Microneedling Derma Roller System

Buy at Amazon.com

Who Its Good For

Someone whos not sure how to use a dermaroller, since it comes with detailed instructions.

Who Its Not Good For

Its not ideal if youre trying to be more sustainable, as replacing the tip requires buying a brand-new roller.

This ergonomic microneedling tool uses 540 stainless steel needles at 0.25 millimeters each, to stimulate collagen production and even out skin tone. Not only that, but it also comes with detailed instructions in the packaging, which makes it easy for both beginners and microneedling fans alike to figure out how to use it  and which might explain why it has an average 4.5 star rating on Amazon.

Even experts are fans of this tool. The Cosmedica Skincare microneedling tool is great  simple design, easy to hold, and shorter needle length, says Dr. Nazarian. The only downside is that the brand doesnt offer replacement heads for this dermaroller, so once the needles wear down or get dull, youll have to toss it and replace it with a brand-new one.

Price at time of publish $11 with coupon (orig. $12)

Needle length: 0.25 millimeters | Material: Stainless steel

Related: The 8 Best Sheet Masks for Glowing, Supple Skin

Best Investment: Environ Micro-Needling Gold Cosmetic Roll CIT

Buy at Lasuiteskincare.com

Who Its Good For

Someone who already enjoys dermarolling and wants to upgrade to the next level.

Who Its Not Good For

A beginner who isnt sure if theyre going to like it, since this one is pricey.

Rather than focusing on the length of the needles, this dermaroller focuses on the number of needles in general, with 260 in total. The needles are medical-grade, sharpened one by one, and plated with 14-carat gold, which has natural antibacterial properties. It's designed to be used with Environ skincare products, many of which are available in salons and medical offices, and comes with the brand's Instrument Cleaning Solution.

Despite the steep price, the needle length is fairly user-friendly. The needle length is 0.2 millimeters so its great for beginners, and the naturally antibacterial material makes it a more hygienic option, says Dr. Engelman. Plus, its solid construction means you can use it repeatedly over time, so its more of an investment piece anyway. This roller is so good and if you take care of it properly, it will last you a couple of years, Worden adds.

Price at time of publish: $298

Needle length: 0.2 millimeters | Material: 14-carat gold plated

Related: The 11 Best Tinted Moisturizers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

How to Pick the Best Dermaroller

Look for short needles

When it comes to dermarollers, the size matters  a lot. When looking for a dermaroller, I recommend looking for a needle length of 0.25 millimeters to 1 millimeter, says Dr. Palm. You can even find shorter options (a few of which are above, including the Stacked Skincare and Nurse Jamie dermarollers) that have 0.2-millimeter needles.

Consider the material

Stainless steel is preferable since its hypoallergenic, so you dont risk an allergic reaction. Plus, you can clean it with rubbing alcohol and simply reuse without it getting warped or altered in any way. You can also find other types of metals (such as gold, featured in La Suite Skincare's Environ Micro-Needling Gold Cosmetic Roll) that offer antibacterial properties. It's worth noting that if a metal isn't specified, you don't know what you're working with and may be more risky to use on sensitive skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do dermarollers really work?

Yes, so long as you keep your expectations realistic. While it does not replicate the results of injectables, lasers, or other more invasive treatments, it can be an effective treatment for those who are looking for non-invasive ways to rejuvenate the skin, says Dr. Palm. Not only that, but just about everyone can benefit from it  although, she says, it can be particularly effective for those who want to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, mild to moderate acne scars, discoloration, stretch marks, or the overall texture and elasticity of their skin.



How often should I use a dermaroller?

It depends on the length of the needles, says Dr. Engelman. The shorter the length, the more frequently you will be able to use it since it will take less time for the skin to heal from the micro-injuries, she says. That being said, even with the shortest needle, dermarolling should only be done at most three times per week. If youre working with longer needles, you might want to use it weekly or every few weeks, since skin will need more time to heal between sessions.



What should you not use after dermarolling?

Harsh ingredients post-roll could potentially interfere with the healing process. As a result, I would not recommend using ingredients that are more irritating and drying initially, such as those with glycolic acid, retinoids, or any acne medication, says Dr. Nazarian. Instead, opt for soothing formulas and ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, green tea extract, and others intended to hydrate skin.



Take Our Word for It

Deanna Pai has been covering beauty and health for over 10 years, writing deeply reported stories on everything from the rise of fermented ingredients in skincare to the merits of intermittent fasting. She spoke with plastic surgeon Jaimie DeRosa, MD, dermatologists Melanie Palm, MD, Rachel Nazarian, MD, Dendy Engelman, MD, and Mona Gohara, MD, and esthetician Taylor Worden to get the facts on dermarolling. They shared recommendations for their favorite dermarollers, how to shop for the best ones, and how to effectively use the tool.



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Read the original article on People.
90 Day Fiance UK cover art. A bride holding a suitcase with the Union Jack on it with her fingers crossed behind her back.

90 Day Fiance UK season 2 is here to follow the journey of seven Brits and their international lovers for 90 days, where we'll also be welcoming back a much-loved couple from the first season.

Their path to love won't be easy as explosive drama, awkward moments and shocking revelations are to be expected while they put everything on the line for love.

Here's everything we know about 90 Day Fiance UK season 2...

90 Day Fiance UK season 2 release date

90 Day Fiance UK will be available to stream exclusively on Discovery Plus from Sunday, July 16 in the UK.

In the US, it will be available to stream on Max on the same date.

Louise and Jose behind the 90 Day Fiance UK logo

Meet the 90 Day Fiance season 2 couples...

The couples taking us on their 90 day journey are...

Shane and Mert

Shane and Mert kissing.

Shane, a 27 year old hairdresser from Devon, met 28 year old barber Mert in Turkey last summer before embarking on a whirlwind romance. They can't legally marry in Turkey, so Shane is hoping to apply for a visa so they can live together in the UK.

Michael and Mercy

Father-of-two Michael (37, Essex) met 28 year old Mercy from Kenya on a dating app in 2021. They are currently planning their wedding, but Michael's friends and family think that Mercy is conning him.

Louise and Jose

Louise and Jose against a purple backdrop

Louise (39), a single mum from Gloucester, met 29 year old rapper Jose (Colombia) on social media over a year ago. After immediately hitting it off, the couple are eager to start a family, but Louise's loved ones (including her 21 year old son) aren't so keen...

Robert and Assel

47 year old dad Robert from Glasgow has been with his partner Assel (35, Kazakhstan) since 2021, but she hasn't yet admitted she loves him, even though he's told her.

Assel has been trying to "improve" Robert and their relationship will be put to the ultimate test when they spend their first Christmas together.

Tionne and David

Tionne, a 21 year old from Derby, is a self-confessed "princess" who is keen for her 24 year old partner David (Dominican Republic) to propose with an expensive ring, but he's unsure whether he can afford her lavish lifestyle.

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Rebekah and Cristian

Cristian and Rebekah for 90 Day Fiance UK.

Here comes the bride! 27 year old Rebekah from Chesterfield has already booked her wedding to her overseas beau, 29 year old Cristian from Argentina.

Kadie and Alejandro

Kadie and Alejandro

27 year old Kadie from West Yorkshire and 31 year old Alejandro from Mexico appeared in series one and are preparing for their wedding day in season two. However, their relationship faces a few obstacles as they get ready for their big day.

What happens in 90 Day Fiance UK season 2?

Just like the US version, 90 Day Fiance UK season 2 follows seven Brits in long-distance relationships as they navigate their romance over the course of three months.

Each couple faces their own trials and tribulations, from "suspicious friends and cynical families to sweet reunions and epic trips across the globe."

Throughout the three months, the couples will test the strength of their relationships as they experience the highs and lows of love while trying to build a future together.

Is there a trailer?

Yes! You can watch the trailer below...
Celebrity forecaster Al Roker was in Detroit this past week to give a speech on climate change. He was upstaged, by  what else?  the weather.

In Michigan, there were thunderstorms, tornados and flood alerts, which perhaps supported his point.

The 68-year-old NBC news personality and new grandfather still gave his TED Talk. And he gave his social media followers a glimpse of how he saw Detroit, including where he ate breakfast. He also stopped in at WDIV-TV (Channel 4). The TED conferences, which originally stood for Technology, Entertainment, Design, are global gatherings of experts on a wide range of topics.

Roker focused on how extreme weather events are fueled by climate change, threatening national security and displacing communities, the Free Press reported. He said he recognized more than ever the significance of leaving behind a better world for future generations.

"Today" weather anchor Al Roker speaks at the TED Countdown Summit in Detroit on July 13, 2023.

On his Facebook account, he posted: "Just had #breakfast at, what Im told, is one of the best #breakfast places in #detroit the #cliquediner This is one of their lighter options," along with a photo of a bowl of grits, a fried egg, sausage and pancakes at the Clique Diner on Jefferson.

Roker visited Detroit last year to deliver the weather for the "Today Show" from the Detroit RiverWalk, and to taste some coney dogs as part of a segment on his show "Family Style with Al Roker."

This time, he visited WDIV's studio for the first time, calling it beautiful and spacious, to appear on a segment with newscasters Jason Colthorp and Rhonda Walker.

NBC famed weather presenter Al Roker visits Detroit on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, to deliver the weather for the "Today Show" from the Detroit RiverWalk and to taste some coney dogs as part of a segment on his show "Family Style with Al Roker."

More: Colon, the Michigan city hit by a tornado, is 'Magic Capital of the World'

More: Pontiac shuts down Battle of I-75 basketball tournament, says it had 'no choice'

Roker told them he had never given a TED Talk before, but said the topic was really important. And he said he wanted to emphasize solutions to climate change. The New Yorker also compared the Fillmore Detroit, where he spoke, to the Beacon Theatre, which he called gorgeous, on New York's Upper West Side.

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Walker told the jovial weatherman it seems like "we all know you," and asked him what he loves. Doing the weather, he replied, while noting that he is a "relatively mediocre" talent, but has worked with "terrific people." And, he said, he loves "coming to Detroit."

Free Press reporter Mika Travis contributed to this report.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Al Roker delivers climate change talk as severe weather hits Michigan
Hollywood may be turmoil amid the writers and actors strikes, but its safe to say that the cast and creative team behind Netflixs Dahmer  Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story had a relatively good week.

The 10-episode series, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, received a total of 13 Emmy Award nominations. Among those to receive nods were actor Evan Peters, who portrayed the titular serial killer, and Niecy Nash-Betts, who played his neighbor, Glenda Cleveland. The show was also nominated for Outstanding Limited or Anthology series.

One person who wasnt supportive of the Emmys recognition, however, was Thomas M. Jacobson, a retired attorney who represented some of the real-life Dahmers victims.

In a statement issued to People, Jacobson blasted the nominations, noting: Awarding Emmys to shows like the Jeffrey Dahmer series contributes to glamorizing or desensitizing violence and crime in society.

The 13 Emmy Nominations and continued pomp and circumstance surrounding the Dahmer series glorify and romanticizes the monsters actions and motivations resulting in further trauma for the victims families, added Jacobson, who represented the families of eight out of 17 people who were murdered by Dahmer.

He went on to single out Murphy for allegedly not getting the consent of the victims families before creating the show, thus having further exploited and exacerbated the emotional burden they already carry.

Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer in

Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer in "Dahmer  Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story."

The Wisconsin-born Dahmer, alternately known as the Milwaukee Cannibal and the Milwaukee Monster, murdered and dismembered 17 men and boys from 1978 to 1991. He also committed necrophilia and cannibalism on several of his victims, many of whom were people of color and some underage.

Convicted of 16 murders, Dahmer died in 1994 at age 34 after being beaten by Christopher Scaver, a fellow inmate at Wisconsins Columbia Correctional Institution.

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Dahmer  Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story premiered last fall to mostly positive reviews. Still, the series sparked controversy when relatives of the victims publicly objected to the way their loved ones were portrayed on-screen and said Murphy and his team had neglected to ask for their consent prior to beginning work on the show.

For his part, Murphy has refuted those claims, telling Variety he reached out to around 20 families during his research but never heard back.

In recent weeks, Murphy  whose credits also include Glee and Pose, among other shows  has faced criticism in recent weeks for his decision to continue production on American Horror Story amid the Writers Guild of America strike, which began in May.

The forthcoming 12th season of the horror anthology series will be titled Delicate, and is set to star Kim Kardashian and Emma Roberts. Members of the Writers Guild of America picketed outside New Yorks Silvercup Studios, where much of Delicate is being filmed, last week.

Were not here in protest of Ryan Murphy, the guy, Josh Gondelman, a member of WGA Easts leadership, told The New York Times. Were here in protest of production happening without writers and while writers are on strike.

Related...
Nitat@ / Getty Images

Birds in Europe are ironically using anti-bird devices in their favor.

According to a recent study published in the journal Deinsea, researchers from the Natural History Museum in Rotterdam and the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden have discovered that birds, particularly magpies and crows in Scotland, the Netherlands, and Belgium, are building their nests by using the spikes placed on buildings to deter birds.

"I really thought I'd seen it all. These anti-bird spikes are meant to deter birds, they are supposed to scare them off, but on the contrary, the birds just utilize them," Kees Moeliker, director of the Natural History Museum Rotterdam, told the Guardian.

Researchers say birds are using the aforementioned devices to keep predators from coming in contact with their nests. The spikes are often installed on buildings, as well as various areas such as car parks and railways, in an effort to prevent birds from nesting there.

Auke-Florian Hiemstra, who is a biologist and student at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in the Netherlands, told the New York Times that "almost anything can become part of a bird nest" and added that he's seen nests made from condoms, sunglasses, windshield wipers, and more.

Some experts believe this phenomenon doubles as the birds' attempt at getting revenge on humans.

Jim Reynolds, an assistant professor in ornithology and animal Conservation at the University of Birmingham told the Washington Post: It seems that birds might be taking revenge here somewhat on our anti-bird strategies."
Jason first revealed that the two were on vacation through an Instagram post Tuesday

Brett Oppenheim/Instagram

Jason Oppenheim's trip to Mykonos hit a rough patch.

Earlier this week, the Selling Sunset star, 46, revealed that he was on a vacation in Greece by sharing an Instagram picture at Scorpios Mykonos alongside his brother, Brett Oppenheim. The Oppenheim Group cofounder gave his own view of the getaway by sharing photos from the tropical escape on his Instagram Story.

Related: Newly Single Jason Oppenheim Returns to Restaurant Where He First Met Ex Marie Lou Nurk

Brett Oppenheim/Instagram

The photo showcase began with an image of himself working out with dumbbells and a scenic view of the water. Brett shared the photo from Jason's Instagram Story and followed it with an image of the latter icing his forehead.

The picture was then followed by another photo of Jason holding ice on his face and looking angry at the camera. Explaining the reason for his anger, Brett wrote in the post, "I accidentally hit J in the head with a dumbbell and I think he's still mad about it."

Brett Oppenheim/Instagram

The trip marks one of many that the twin brothers have taken together. Most recently, the two enjoyed a week on the Greek Island in September. The getaway also involved Brett's girlfriend, tattoo artist Samantha Abdul, and Jason's girlfriend at the time, Marie Lou Nurk.

Related: The Cast of 'Selling Sunset' Then and Now

Brett and Abdul were first seen together during a Beverly Hills outing in August. It marks the first relationship for Brett since announcing his split from ex-girlfriend Tina Louise in December 2021.

A source close to Abdul told PEOPLE at the time that the two met in July while vacationing in Mykonos, and "they clicked right away."

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.

"They have seen each other several times since they met in spite of the big distance," the source said, being that Abdul is based in Hamburg, Germany. "They enjoy each other's company and love spending time together."

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The source added, "At the moment, they want to take things slow and see where it takes them." Their current relationship status remains unclear as neither has posted each other or stepped out together since.



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It hurts so bad to know hes not with us anymore, the victim's sister told a local news station

Gofundme Ryan Hall, a father of four who was set to marry his longtime girlfriend this fall, died after falling into a manhole at work.

A father of four was killed after falling into a manhole while carrying out a plumbing job at a local high school in Rome, Georgia.

Robert Hall, 34, had been going down a ladder while working as a plumbing contractor at Armuchee High School on Wednesday, when he slipped and fell about 20 feet down into a maintenance hole, Atlanta News First and WSB-TV reported.

Officials told WSB-TV that Hall lost consciousness when he landed at the bottom, and rescue crews were unable to revive him. It took about 45 minutes for the crews to arrive and climb down to the bottom to get him, the outlet reported.

Several of Hall's family members believe that methane gas in the sewer lines also may have contributed to his death, per the news sites.

Related: Florida Sinkhole That Killed Sleeping Man in 2013 Opens for Third Time: 'This Is Mother Nature'

Hall leaves behind four children and his fiancee, Melina Rich, who he was planning to marry in October.

They were getting ready for a long and happy future, John Burtz, who was set to become Halls father-in-law, told Atlanta News First. To help pay for funeral expenses, Burtz created a GoFundMe which so far has raised more than $12,000.

Halls 8-year-old daughter Leeannahh remembered her father as the best person there was. He came home every day with a smile on his face, she told WSB-TV.

Related: Fairly Mummified Remains of 3 Hikers Discovered in Remote Colorado Campsite

It hurts so bad to know hes not with us anymore, Halls sister, Kari Hall, also told the outlet. He loved his family. He loved his fiancee. He loved with every bit of his soul.

However, Kari and other members of Hall's family told WSB-TV that they still have questions about how the incident could have happened and why rescue crews couldnt get to him sooner.

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.

Dr. Glenn White, superintendent of Floyd County Schools, issued a statement to Atlanta News First on the tragedy writing, We have extended our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family.

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This accident has impacted our school system family and stakeholders in many ways, and we are actively sending support to those directly affected by this. White added. We also understand this is a difficult time for the company who lost this employee, and we would like to extend our thoughts to them and anyone else who knew and loved this individual.

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Shawn Finnie, executive VP of member relations, global outreach and awards for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is leaving the organization after nearly a decade, Variety has learned exclusively. His final day was Thursday, July 13.

Finnie was a beloved figure within the Academy, rising through the ranks and receiving multiple promotions. His departure comes after his most recent promotion to his role in June 2021 by former COO Christine Simmons. He led engagement and outreach initiatives for the organizations global membership of more than 10,000 artists, filmmakers and executives. In addition, he managed a team of more than 20 team members.

More from Variety

The departure comes after multiple Black executives have left leadership posts at several Hollywood studios and organizations. His former colleague Jeanell English, executive VP of impact and inclusion, also left the organization last month. Finnie worked on several DEI initiatives for the Academy and was popular among members, notably Rosie Perez during Variety Power of Women NYC event, who credited him as one of the key figures who invited her back to the Oscar ceremony after 30 years.

The mass exodus of Black executives has garnered the attention of those in Hollywood and local politicians, including the California Black Caucus, who called on the studios to explain the multiple departures.



Its also notable that the Academy has recently hired Tamika Etheart to lead its New York operations. Etheart joins the Academy from The Paley Center, replacing Patrick Harrison, another esteemed organization veteran, who exited in March 2022 after 22 years.

The Academy is in the first year of implementing the diversity and inclusion standards announced in 2020 as part of its Aperture 2024 initiative. Though the measures were announced three years ago, vocal detractors like Richard Dreyfus have since complained about the efforts.

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Following the announcement of the 398 industry professionals invited to join the Academy last month, the membership now stands at 34% women, 18% from underrepresented communities and 20% from outside the U.S.

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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.

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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
Gary Tyler once sold a quilt hed sewn for $90,000. He never saw a cent of that money.

Tyler had made the quilt, which depicted a man riding a bull, to sell at a raffle at the Angola Prison Rodeo. The rodeo was a program organized by the Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as the Angola prison, where Tyler spent nearly 42 years incarcerated for a crime he was wrongfully accused of. He was at one time the youngest person on death row.

Tyler, 65, was released in 2016. Last weekend, the California textile artist opened his first solo exhibit, "We Are the Willing," at the Library Street Collective in Detroit. The exhibit displays Tylers quilts, which double as self-portraits. They depict images and scenes from his time in Angola  time spent in solitary and chopping wood as well as screen grabs from CCTV footage and press photographs.

At Library Street on Saturday evening, chatter and laughter grew as people filed in. Tyler took center stage on a panel moderated by curator Allison Glenn and local fiber artist Carole Harris. A hush fell over the room as he walked in, and he looked up quizzically.

Gary Tyler speaks during an exhibit showcasing his work at Library Street Collective. Artist Carole Harris, left, and curator Allison Glenn, right, were also part of Saturday's show opening.

Hello, everyone. I dont know why you all went quiet  just relax. Im just checking the mic, he said, a bright smile on his face.

Laughs broke the silence. Tylers warmth set the tone for the rest of the evening as he touched on his time in Angola, how he came to quilting and how art came to be an anchor for his struggle and survival.

In 1974, Tyler, a 16-year-old high schooler, was riding a school bus in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, which was grappling with conflict surrounding desegregating public schools. The bus was attacked by a mob, and in the ensuing conflict, a white boy was fatally shot. Tyler was charged with the crime as an adult after he turned 17, though a federal court later concluded that his trial was fundamentally unfair.

Tylers case received nationwide attention. In Detroit, Rosa Parks campaigned for justice in his case, and in 1976, Tyler's mother arrived in the Motor City to campaign for his release.

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That was one of the best things that happened to my mother because my mother realized that she wasn't the only one that was fighting to free her son and to save her sons life, he said. Detroit had become the hub of the support that I'd gotten. It resonated.

"It took 40 years to change the hearts and minds of the ones who were responsible for sending me to prison," says Gary Tyler.

His mother and the women in Tylers family played a crucial role in his discovery of textiles, quilting and art. He recalled how his grandmother stuffed her quilts with rags, old newspapers and moss from the ceiling of their home in St. Charles Parish. Sewing, seen traditionally as a feminine activity, didnt immediately make sense to Tyler, he said  but it did once he found himself in prison.

At Angola, Tyler began learning the art of making quilts to help out with a hospice program aimed at comforting dying inmates. He remembered the sense of family and comfort quilts had brought him as a boy.

Guys loved it because they realized what we were doing. They had befriended men that became family to them that were dying in prison.. ... We were making it possible that these men would die in comfort, he said. These mens family would be able to visit them because the money that we was making (from selling quilts) was being utilized to help the guys' families. ... So that itself gave us all comfort knowing that we was doing an admirable thing.

Butterflies, which Tyler saw as a symbol of transition and evolution, were a consistent motif throughout the time he spent sewing in prison. His words and art were suffused with a sense of hope and optimism that he acquired once he accepted his circumstances and became determined not to capitulate to them.

In the work on display at Library Street, visitors get intimate insight into Tylers self-images.

A guest at the Library Street Collective opening photographs a work by Gary Tyler.

What really struck me was the way that he was reclaiming this image, you know, all these portraits people had taken of him, said Glenn. Sometimes it was a reporter who was covering an appeal, and he's walking out of the courtroom being denied exoneration, denied an appeal, denied a ruling, and he's walking out and someone is covering the story.

On Saturday, it wasnt just local art lovers at the exhibit. Older Detroit residents who had worked on Tyler's behalf in the 1970s  people who had picked up his mother at the airport on her Detroit trip or visited him in prison  were also present.

DArtagnan Collier, local resident and onetime national secretary of the Young Socialists, remembered seeing Tyler in Angola in a very inhospitable environment.

Gary had his hopes up even at that time, and he was also inspired by the campaign for his freedom, not only by us but by other people, Collier said. He was hopeful that he was soon to be free and also adamant about his innocence.

Photos and other memorabilia chronicling the life of Gary Tyler were on display at the Library Street Collective opening.

Tyler wouldnt be freed for decades. But decades inside didnt shake the resolve of the Tyler who greeted the crowd on Saturday.

I want you to know, although it took 40 years, don't think those 40 years went to waste because they did not, he said. Those 40 years gave me an opportunity to get myself together. I didn't leave prison not knowing myself, but it took 40 years to change the hearts and minds of the ones who were responsible for sending me to prison. Even though they did not have the courage to undo the wrong that they did, their sons and daughters did it for them.

We Are the Willing will be open to the public at the Library Street Collective, 1274 Library Street (Alley) in Detroit through Sept. 6.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Quilter who spent 42 years on death row opens art exhibit in Detroit
The apocalyptic scene is still burned into Mike Butterys memory 50 years later: black smoke billowing from the top floor of the Military Personnel Records Center; bits of paper wafting through the air as dozens of firefighters tried desperately to stem the inferno.

Theyd hit it (the paper) with the water, and the water would knock it back up in the air, and then it would float around some more out there, Buttery, then a janitor at the center, recalls of the wind-whipped paper swirling around the massive six-story building outside St. Louis.

As he watched from a safe remove, Buttery could only think of the millions of veterans  like himself  whose records were being consumed and how in the world would they get their benefits.

It immediately went through my mind that those people were losing whatever history there was of their service, Buttery, who served with the Army in Vietnam, said during a recent interview from his home in a rural area southwest of the city.

The July 12, 1973, fire in Overland, Mo., consumed an estimated 16 million to 18 million personnel files, the vast majority covering the period just before World War I through 1963. Its believed to be the largest loss of records in one catastrophe in U.S. history.

It is an event that dogged untold veterans, forcing them to fight once more  this time for benefits, medals and recognition theyd earned. It echoes to this day  in the struggles of families seeking to document the achievements and sacrifices of loved ones, or to bury them with full military honors; and in the efforts of conspiracy theorists, still searching for proof of a nefarious plot behind what government investigators long ago wrote off as most likely the careless act of a single man.

More than anything, it highlights the monumental, ongoing effort to reclaim the history that, at the time, seemed irretrievably lost.

No sprinklers on fire floor

If the records center was meant to inspire awe, mission accomplished.

Its size is difficult to comprehend, even when one is inside, Walter W. Stender and Evans Walker, who were with the Federal Records Centers, wrote in a 1974 article in The American Archivist titled, The National Personnel Records Center: A Study in Disaster.

The sheer bulk alone makes a strong impression on the viewer, and the vast scale tends to overwhelm the quiet St. Louis suburban community of Overland where the building rises on a 70-acre site, they wrote. The building, 728 feet long, 282 feet wide, six stories high, presents an impassive facade to the world with its rather bland curtain wall of glass and aluminum.

Built for the Department of Defense in 1956, the facility was later turned over to the National Archives and Records Service, then part of the General Services Administration. By the time of the fire, the military records center and a nearby one for civilian records had been merged into the National Personnel Records Center.

Walker and Stender, then assistant archivist for the records centers, said the 1.6 million-square-foot building reflected careful planning." But in actual function, they concluded, it was not a successful records center.

There were some sprinklers on the first and second floors, but none in the stacks, and no firewalls between records storage areas.

A rash of fires in the previous year prompted the government to conduct a study of the facility, which was released in fall 1972.

The study concluded that the facility was at high risk for a devastating fire, pointing to the storage containers (cardboard, not metal), the lack of overhead sprinklers, and the ebb-and-flow of employee hours as three particular concerns, according to a recent blog post by Jessie Kratz, Historian of the National Archives.

Less than a year later, Kratz noted, the worries were validated: the center was vastly unprepared for fire.

Buttery says that was apparent, even to a janitor.

It was so hot and so dry, Buttery says of the file areas.

All that paper was packed in cardboard boxes on metal shelving, says Bill Elmore, a janitor assigned to the sixth floor. Basically, from the floor to the ceiling.

The former Air Force crew chief, who was working there under a veteran readjustment program, was nearing the end of his eight-hour shift when he overheard a man pounding on the doors. The man, whom a guard described as having long hippie-type hair, shouted that smoke was pouring out of the upper floor windows.

It was 12:11 a.m., July 12.

Elmore noticed a fellow janitor and veteran, Terry Davis, sprinting up the stairs. He followed, hoping to reach the firehoses near the escalators.

What he saw is etched in my memory.

I saw Terry running back towards the very door I had just opened with a scared look on his face, Elmore says. And a wall of smoke moving behind him faster than he could run.

Elmore, Buttery and the others watched from a grassy hill as the windows exploded.

There was a glow from the top of that building that was just, I mean, it was right up against the clouds, says Buttery. There was nothing that was going to stop it, that fire. It had too much fuel.

According to a GSA investigation, janitor John Staufenbiel was the last person known to have been on the sixth floor. It was 12:05 a.m.

Neither he nor two other custodians who later joined him on the freight elevator reported smelling smoke or seeing any signs of fire, the report said.

Agents pursue custodians

The fire was not declared officially extinguished until the morning of July 16.

It had burned so hot that steel-reinforced concrete columns on the sixth floor buckled, portions of the collapsed roof slab supported only by file cabinets. So much water was poured on the fire that holes had to be knocked in the outer walls to let it drain; eventually, bulldozers were hoisted onto the fifth floor, and what was left of the top story was shoved off the side.

The search for a cause would be daunting. But arson was already front and center.

An investigation found there had been 11 fires in the two and a half years leading up to the conflagration. Six of the incidents were classified as suspected arson, three identified with careless smoking or disposal of smoking material.

Elmore says the FBI was clearly looking for somebody to hang this thing on. At one point, he says agents led him to a small room and shut off the lights.

And they turned one of those desk lights into my face, and they stood on the other side of the light in the dark room asking me questions, he says, including whether hed smoked on the roof and about any anti-war feelings or thoughts I might have.

Buttery says agents came to his home and stayed almost half the night, questioning not only him, but his wife.

In addition to looking into reports of faulty fans and undersized extension cords, agents ran down tips that dissident employees or someone of Asian extraction" might have been involved in the fire (the Vietnam War was still raging at the time).

According to a nearly 400-page, partially redacted FBI investigative file, a summer employee was quizzed about any left-wing or militant-type individuals employed there. Workers were grilled about their marijuana use.

Eventually, the probe turned to something far more mundane.

A custodian had been going around telling colleagues that he might have started the fire. They passed that on to investigators.

Three months to the day after the fire, the man confessed to agents: Around 11 p.m., hed snuck up to the sixth floor to smoke and had stubbed out his cigarette on one of the shelves.

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The man had been hired by a private organization that provided disabled workers for federal installations. U.S. Attorney Donald J. Stohr told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that it would be difficult to prove intent.

The case was presented to a federal grand jury on Oct. 31, 1973. The panel declined to return an indictment.

Catastrophic blazes

Fires at the U.S. Capitol, and the War and Treasury Departments during the 19th century claimed uncounted records and objects from the republics founding, and a 1921 blaze destroyed nearly the entire 1890 federal Census. But while each helped to diminish the cultural heritage of this nation, Stender and Walker wrote, none equaled the 1973 inferno.

The center housed roughly 52 million Official Military Personnel Files, or OMPFs.

The OMPF is like a diary of a veterans service, containing every duty station, award, promotion and disciplinary action from enlistment to discharge. It is a kind of one stop shop for veterans seeking a job, medical benefits, insurance or government loans.

These OMPFs can also contain items such as telegrams, letters, photographs and testimonials  sometimes hundreds of pages  that might not exist anywhere else.

Some files were lost from every branch of the service. But Army and Air Force records suffered most.

The flames consumed 80% of Army personnel files for people discharged between Nov. 1, 1912, and Jan. 1, 1960. For the Air Force, its estimated that files for 75% of personnel discharged from Sept. 25, 1947, through Jan. 1, 1964, with names that began after Hubbard, James, were lost.

The sixth floor was also home to what is commonly referred to as the VIP or  as Elmore has heard some call it  secrets vault.

In addition to the personnel files of all veterans working at the center, as well as those of close relatives who served, the vault held the records of persons of exceptional prominence or, as its sometimes put, from the famous to the infamous  former presidents like Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy; gangster John Dillinger and serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer; actors Jimmy Stewart and Burt Lancaster; even Adolf Hitlers nephew, William, and a Navy mascot named Billy Goat.

"The intense heat of the fire turned the vault into a huge oven and roasted its total content to the consistency of slightly burned toast, a 1979 report from the Army Adjutant Generals Office said. Practically every paper in the vault came out with charred, blacked edges and almost complete loss of flexibility.

Of the records stored in the vault, 1,694 were destroyed or damaged.

Roughly 6.5 million records salvaged from the fire  known as B or burned files  are kept in climate-controlled warehouses to avoid any further degradation. They arent disturbed unless someone requests them.

To the naked eye, many of the pages appear to be nothing but a black smudge, says NPRC Director Scott Levins. But technicians can use infrared cameras to reveal whats beneath that charred mess.

When someone requests a file that was lost, research technicians comb morning reports, unit rosters, payroll lists and other source documents looking for proof of the veterans service.

Were looking for a date of entry, a separation and a character of service, says Levins. And if we can find those three data points from official government records, then we can issue a document  so veterans can get benefits.

To date, the center has partially reconstructed nearly 5.5 million records.

Given the periods involved, most of the veterans whose records were destroyed have likely died. Levins says historians and family genealogists seeking to fill out those veterans histories are the real pain point.

I have helped countless families find answers, closure, and peace, says Chicago-based genealogist Jennifer Holik, who has been doing military research for more than a decade. The fire has been a major obstacle to overcome.

Chasing the cause

Even before the grand jury closed the criminal case, an interagency committee had concluded that the fires cause Cannot be Determined.

But there are some who will never accept that it was an accident.

One theory Levins has heard is that the fire was started to destroy records connected to Church of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Although the Air Force records destroyed began with Hubbard, James, L. Ron Hubbard served in the Marine Reserves and Navy, and those files now reside in the vault area. (Technically no longer a vault, NPRC has an area in the stacks with greater security controls which contain Specially Protected Holdings, Levins says.)

Some veterans have even suggested to Levins that the government set the fire `so they wouldnt have to pay my benefits."

One person who still thinks it might have been arson: Elmore.

The fire was way too big, way too fast," he says.

Elmore was one of five people who reported the alleged smokers admission to the FBI, but he never believed him.

He wanted attention, Elmore says of the man. Anything that he said to any of us, we all took with a huge grain of salt. (The Associated Press has learned the mans name but could not locate him or determine if he is still alive.)

Elmore, 75, cant help wondering if the fire might have been connected to Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal. G. Gordon Liddy and E. Howard Hunt, leaders of the so-called plumbers who broke into Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Washington hotel, were both veterans.

Levins says there is no definitive list of what was inside the vault in 1973, but that the files of Liddy (Army) and Hunt (Army/Navy) are very much extant. Hunts Army record was impacted by the fireand partially reconstructed, Levins says.

Following the fire, Buttery and Elmore helped launch a non-profit veterans service center in St. Louis that helped thousands of former service members find jobs and obtain benefits. Elmore later started a small business, since closed, helping veterans obtain their records.

The former janitors are still friends. But Buttery doesnt share his buddys suspicions.

I mean, a spark would have ignited, it would have been like a pile of leaves, pile of dry leaves, says Buttery, 71, who operates a construction business. I think if anything, it was an accident.

Recovery effort continues

In 2011, the same year Levins became director, the NPRC moved into a shiny, modern facility on the other side of St. Louis County. The old building, one story shorter than before, remains vacant.

A half century after the fire, Levins still has a team of around 20 people working full-time on about 6,900 fire-related cases.

If there was a silver lining to the fire, Levins says, its that it led to advances in records management, storage and restoration.

The government pioneered vacuum-drying methods to salvage water-logged records, developing safety standards that were later adopted by the National Fire Protection Association.

The VA is methodically digitizing the centers paper records. Between that and redundant backup procedures, Levins is confident something like this can never happen again.

In 1995, a special task force of the National Archives and Records Administration  now an independent agency  concluded that military personnel files were permanently valuable. Under a 2004 agreement with the Department of Defense, all OMPFs will eventually be turned over to NARA and will never be destroyed, Levins says.

I tell the veterans, `In a sense, youve been immortalized, because your military record will be kept for the life of the republic, he says. It will be kept for the same length of time as the United States Constitution.
On July 14, 2023, IFC Films released Lakota Nation vs. United States from directors Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli. The documentary has received rave reviews from critics, resulting in a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Featuring interviews with Indigenous citizens, the film chronicles how the Lakota Indians fight to reclaim control of the Black Hills, and investigates how the sacred land was stolen in violation of treaty agreements. Read our full review round-up below.

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David Ehrlich of IndieWire writes, A furious yet resiliently hopeful documentary about white Americas long and ongoing history of colonizing the Oceti Sakowin (along with the rest of this lands indigenous people), Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomasellis vital Lakota Nation vs. United States doesnt waste any of its 121 minutes, but it also boasts a number of moments that effectively squeeze the films entire perspective into a single unforgettable image. Ehrlich adds, Chief among them: The shot of some MAGA jackass at the foot of Mt. Rushmore as they greet anti-Trump protestors at the ex-presidents 2020 Independence Day event while dressed in an American flag t-shirt and holding a sign that simply reads FUCK YOU. After all, that succinct little phrase has essentially been the entire platform since America was first christened as such. At this rate, the Republican party will probably adopt it as its official slogan by 2028.

Richard Propes of TheIndependentCritic.com praises the film, stating, With Native poet Layli Long Soldier guiding us through her Oyates connection to the Black Hills and the remarkable lensing of Kevin Phillips immersing us in those same Black Hills, Lakota Nation becomes a riveting and impossible to ignore documentary that chronicles the Lakota Indians century-long quest to reclaim their sacred lands  the Black Hills  that was stolen by the U.S. government in violation of treaties. Co-directed by Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli, Lakota Nation vs. United States captures the myriad of ways that America has ignored its debt to indigenous communities and explores the ways to make it all right including, most notably, the Land Back movement that has become a cry for social justice shouted by and on behalf of members of the Lakota Nation.

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Jennifer Merin of AWFJ.org notes, Anyone whos remotely politically/socially conscious knows about the U.S. governments heinous treatment of Native Americans and shameful misappropriation of indigenous lands, but this well researched deep dive into the Lakota peoples ongoing struggle to retain their treaty-protected rights to the Black Hills region of Wyoming is a revelation. She adds, Filmmakers Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli use current video and archival footage along with on camera testimonies from Lakota leaders and people of conscience who support the Lakota cause  including actor and activist Mark Ruffalo  to raise awareness of the egregious history of abuse and exploitation leading up to what is still a daily fight for the Lakota people.

Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter states, Lakota Nation vs. United States is a visually dynamic documentary, and its also one that delves into the power of language and how we use it. There are the voices of interview subjects  sensitive, piercing, anguished, hopeful  relating a generations-long fight for justice that goes to the core of American history and yet is barely discussed in classrooms. (Have you ever heard of the Dakota 38?) Theres the legalese of treaties the U.S. government signed with the tribes of the Great Plains and violated before the ink was dry  or as soon as gold was discovered in designated Indian territory. Linden adds, At the helm of the film, Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli (editor of MLK/FBI) interweave DP Kevin Phillips vibrant and sublime images of the natural world with the surreal Americana of tourist attractions where Custers Last Stand is reenacted. The directors move between intimately shot commentaries and a sharp curation of clips from TV news, cartoons bursting with cowboys-and-Indians stereotypes, and historical dramas, Hollywood-style. Theres a deliberate rhythm to Tomasellis editing thats in sync with Long Soldiers measured readings, as is Raven Chacons versatile, subtle score, sometimes propulsive, sometimes Satie-esque.

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Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Dont miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why?

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The country has experienced days of heavy rains typical of the summer season

HANDOUT/Gyeongbuk Fire Service Headquarters/AFP via Getty South Korean emergency workers look for survivors amid ongoing floods

At least 26 people have died and 10 others are missing following days of heavy monsoon rains, landslides and floods in South Korea, according to the Associated Press.

Citing the country's Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the outlet noted that the 26 deaths were reported on Friday and Saturday in the country's central and southeastern regions. Thirteen others are injured.

As of Saturday night, more than 4,200 people were in temporary shelters after 5,570 people were forced to evacuate their homes and 25,470 lost power, according to the ministry's latest report, per AP.



Related: At Least 182 Dead, Hundreds Injured After Recent Heavy Flooding in Afghanistan

YONHAP/AFP via Getty A damaged house amid ongoing heavy rains in South Korea.

A previous report noted five deaths resulting from landslides burying homes, and two other landslide-related deaths, while the latest report did not share the updated causes of death.

As a result of the heavy rains since July 9, 20 flights were canceled Saturday, some bullet trains were suspended, and 200 roads remained closed. And according to Reuters, Korea Railroad Corp. has halted all slow trains and some bullet trains following falling rocks, flooding and more by train routes.

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YONHAP/AFP via Getty South Korean emergency workers search for survivors following a landslide in Yecheon.

Footage shared from this weekend shows residents as they worked to empty out buildings of belongings, walked though large bodies of water filling the streets, and drove through debris-filled roads.

The Korea Meteorological Administration has since forecasted heavy rain in Korea through Sunday, according to Reuters. The outlet also noted that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has called for military assistance with rescue efforts.

HANDOUT/Gyeongbuk Fire Service Headquarters/AFP via Getty

"[The] Prime Minister ... received a report on the situation of damage and how to cope with the storm, and instructed to respond with the full force," a translated message from President Yoon Suk Yeol's Instagram page read on Saturday, as the country's leader was visiting Ukraine.

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"The government will mobilize the available human and material resources and do its best to minimize human casualties."



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Eight decades ago, the United States was in the second full year of World War II. And there was little escape from the horrors of the global conflict. The war even dominated cinema-seven of the top ten films of the year were war-themed. The second highest grossing film of the year was For Whom the Bell Tolls, which opened on July 14, 1943, earning $6.3 million-nearly $3 million more than the beloved Oscar-winner Casablanca, which placed No 6 that year.

Paramount spared no expense bringing Ernest Hemingways 1940 novel set during the Spanish Civil War about Robert Jordan, a young American volunteer with a Republican guerrilla unit tasked with blowing up an important bridge. Hemingway witnessed the Spanish Civil War firsthand as a reporter for the North American Newspaper Alliance. In 1940, Paramount shelled out a staggering $150,000 for film rights. The New York Times wrote: According to contract, Paramount paid Hemingway $100,000 for the property, agreeing to an additional 10 cents a copy for each volume sold up to 500,000.

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Paramounts star director Cecil B. Demille was slated to direct the epic. But he left the film for another project that eventually wouldnt be made. Sam Wood, who had directed such hits as the 1935 Marx Brothers classic A Night at the Opera, 1939s Goodbye, Mr. Chips, for which Robert Donat won the best actor Oscar and 1942s The Pride of the Yankees, starring Gary Cooper in his Oscar-nominated role as Lou Gehrig.

Hemingway had modeled Robert Jordan after his buddy Cooper, who had starred in the 1932 adaptation of his A Farewell to Arms. He urged the studio to cast him as Jordan, as well Ingrid Bergman as Maria, the young Spanish woman he meets at the rebel camp who had been raped and her parents executed. New York City Ballet star Vera Zorina, who was married to George Balanchine at the time, was cast as Maria. According to TCM.com, though she was under contract to Paramount at the time she was best known for musical comedies such as the 1941 Bob Hope flick, Louisiana Purchase. Rumor has it that because she got the role because she was having a fling with someone in the executive suites at the studio

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Meanwhile, Bergman was dying to play the role. While all the drama was going on at Paramount, she was at Warner Brothers making Casablanca. Zorina flamed out after three weeks of shooting on location in the Sierra Nevadas. Bergman wrote in her autobiography Ingrid Bergman My Story that she received a call from producer David O. Selznicks office (she was under contract to Selznick at the time) about the movie. Paramount wanted to test me. No, not an acting test. They knew about that, but how would I look with my hair cut off. I said I was willing to cut my head off for the part of Maria. I made the test on the day after we finished Casablanca. They didnt cut my hair, they just back-combed it and pinned it up. She got the job and cut off her hair. Bergmans closed-cropped curly hair became a thing at the local beauty parlors across the country.

Character actor Akim Tamiroff was cast as Pablo, the fiery leader of the guerrillas who are supposed to help Jordan in his mission.

There was just as much drama surrounding the casting of Pablos wife Pilar described by sparknotes.com as the embodiment of the earthiness, strength, and wisdom of the Spanish peasantry. The most likable character in the novel, Pilar pushes Robert Jordan and Marias romance, commands the allegiance of the guerilla fighters. Paramount eventually cast venerable Greek actress Katina Paxinou, who had been on a theater tour in the U.S. when war broke out, stranding her in this country. At her audition, she informed everyone she came from three generations of guerillas in her homeland.

When the Technicolor production opened, critics werent happy that they had diluted the political message to play up the romance between Robert and Maria. Part of the problem with the politics was the fact that the Francisco Francos Fascists won the war and were neutral during World War II. According to TCM.com., the Franco government applied pressure on Paramount to rewrite history. As a result, the film never clearly identifies Cooper and his allies as members of Spains liberal Republicans or the enemies as Francos soldiers.

And besides, the romance between Robert and Maria is hot, though the production code put their foot down on some of the novels more adult aspects of their love story. But the earth moves between these two gorgeous film stars. Their chemistry just leaps of the screen.

Maria: I do not know how to kiss or I would kiss you. Where do the noses go? Always I wonder here the noses will go.

(They kiss)

Maria: Theyre not in the way, are they? I always thought that they would be in the way. I love you Roberto. Always remember, I love you as I loved my father and mother, as I love our unborn children, as I love what I love most in the world, and I love you more. Always remember.

Bergman admitted she was more than smitten with Coop: There was something very fine, very good in his nature or it wouldnt have come through on the screen with such reality-such sincerity. And as someone remarked to her: Really Ingrid, you must stop looking at him like that. You just sit there looking. I know you are supposed to be in love with him in the picture, but not too much in love with him.

The film earned nine Oscar nominations including best film, actor, actress, supporting actress and actor. Wood was ignored. Casablanca was the big winner at the Oscar ceremony in 1944, winning best picture, director for Michael Curtiz and adapted screenplay. Paxinou took home the only Oscar for Bell Tolls, dedicating the award to her fellow actors at the Royal Theatre of Athens telling the star-studded audience. I hope they are still alive. But I doubt it.

Bergman would later ask Hemingway what he thought of the movie. Initially, she was thrilled when he said he had seen it five times. Then he explained he didnt like it at all. I went into see it. After I had seen the first five minutes, I couldnt stand it any longer, so I walked out. They had cut out all my best scenes and there was no point to it. Later I went back again because I thought I must see the whole movie. I saw a bit more, and again I walked out. It took me five times to see that movie. Thats how much I liked it.

Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Dont miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why?

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"I saved your dad, I'm going to save you, too," Molly Jones remembers Kristi Hadfield telling her

Courtesy Bob Hadfield Molly Jones, John Cunningham and Kristi Hadfield

Nearly seven years ago, Kristi Hadfield was a paramedic who saved a mans life when he was having a heart attack. Just months ago, she gave his daughter a kidney, saving her life too.

I'm eternally grateful, Molly Jones, 42, from Pennsboro, West Virginia, tells PEOPLE. It's like having a guardian angel.

The two women now talk and text every day. "We are connected forever," says Hadfield.

"She's family, she's absolute family," Jones agrees.

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While driving to work at a local bar in August 2016, retired police officer John Cunningham, now 72, didnt feel right and stopped at a nearby EMS station.

Hadfield remembers checking his vitals and running an EKG. She asked if he had any history of heart problems and when he said no, she replied, "You do now."

It looked from the EKG like he was actively having a heart attack," she says.

As the ambulance drove him to a hospital 30 minutes away, he went into cardiac arrest, and Hadfield, now 56, performed chest compressions until he got there. Fortunately, they "were able to get him back," she says.



Courtesy Bob Hadfield Kristy Hadfield and John Cunningham

Since Hadfield has a habit of checking in on patients, one day she sent him a friend request on Facebook. Instantly, she got a message from his daughter.

"I had been trying to hunt down the person who saved my dad," says Jones. "I needed to know why I still had a dad. I needed to know who saved him.

As it turned out, that friend request would be a life-saving connection for her as well.

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Jones has autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, a genetic condition that her mother and grandmother also had, and as she got sicker, her doctor urged her to look for a living donor.

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Although she found it hard to ask for help, on July 7, 2022, she shared on Facebook that she was officially on the kidney transplant list and asked if anybody would consider donating.

She quickly got a message from Hadfield that said, I have your kidney.

She said to me, Listen kid, I saved your dad, I'm going to save you, too,'" Jones remembers Hadfield telling her. She never wavered, she never heisted, I dont know how she just knew. She left me speechless. I remember just sitting there crying.

I have a spare, so why not give it to her? Hadfield says.



Courtesy Bob Hadfield Molly Jones and Kristi Hadfield

The two women talked daily as Hadfield went through the rigorous screening and testing processes.

She reached out to me every single day to check on me. I remember her saying to me over and over, "Don't you give up on me. Don't you quit on me. Don't you give up,'" Jones remembers. "Having her just cheer me on like that meant so much."



Related: It's a Special Father's Day for Dad Who Gave Son a Kidney to 'Provide Him a Life': 'A No-Brainer' (Exclusive)

And on December 27, the transplant finally took place.

This really stands out as one of the more wonderful displays of human kindness that Ive ever seen, says the surgeon who performed the transplant, Dr. Amit Tevar, Director of Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation at UPMC. And just a great display of people actually stepping forward and helping others.

Even better? The transplant went very well.

My kidney worked immediately, Jones says.



Courtesy Bob Hadfield Molly Jones and Kristi Hadfield

In addition to having bonded for life, the two women have made it their mission to "really educate people about the importance of organ donation," Jones explains.

There are 104,000 people on the transplant list and 84 percent of them are waiting for a kidney  13 people are going to die every day waiting for a kidney, and its because they dont have a Kristi like I did," she says.

Their transplant surgeon, who encourages anybody interested in becoming a donor to contact him, adds, "when someone is a donor, they truly are saving the life of the recipient."

Courtesy Bob Hadfield Molly Jones and Kristi Hadfield

In sharing their story, they hope to encourage others to become living donors.

If youre thinking about it  reach out, Hadfield says. My only regret is that I didnt do it sooner.



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Read the original article on People.
A new Thai restaurant with an extensive sushi bar, whose four owners hail from different regions of Thailand, has opened in St. Lucie County.

Zakura Sushi & Thai Restaurant, in the Paar Center at Paar Drive and Port St. Lucie Boulevard, is owned by brothers Siriphong "Chef Ken" Pajanang and Phao "Chef Phao" Phonklang, as well as Chef Kens wife, Rose Kampeero, and family friend Nan Sumrarrat. The couple previously ran a popular Asian restaurant in downtown Jensen Beach.

Zakura, which means cherry blossoms, serves traditional Thai food, but Chef Ken puts his own spin on some menu items. His lobster pad Thai ($27.95) has steamed lobster tail with the typical rice noodles, eggs, bean sprouts, scallions and ground peanuts.

All things food: New restaurants, reviews, inspections & best bets for all occasions

The most popular dish has been the crispy chicken fried rice ($18.95), with egg fried rice, onions, scallions, tomatoes and topped with crispy chicken.

The menu includes other options with Thai fried rice, spicy basil fried rice and pineapple fried rice. Theyre served with a choice of meat: vegetable or tofu ($14.95); chicken, pork or beef ($16.95); shrimp, squid, scallop or seafood mix ($18.95); soft shell crab ($26.95); and crispy duck ($27.95).

There's also ramen, sushi bowls, noodle soups, stir-fry noodles, Thai curry, teriyaki grill and an extensive sushi roll menu.

Zakura Sushi & Thai Restaurant opened May 1, 2023, in the Paar Center plaza in Port St. Lucie. Its menu features a lobster volcano roll.

Chef Phao, who runs the sushi bar, said the most popular sushi roll has been the lobster volcano roll ($32.95) with lobster tail tempura, avocado, cucumber and cream cheese, topped with a mix of lobster and other seafood, plus volcano sauce, masago, scallions and sesame seeds.

He also makes a viper roll ($26.95) with soft-shell crab; a shrimp-on-the-rock roll ($17.95) with cooked eel, crab and shrimp; and an "amazing" salmon roll ($16.95).

What makes it amazing? How I make it, he laughed, without giving away his secrets.

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Zakura Sushi & Thai Restaurant opened May 1, 2023, in the Paar Center plaza in Port St. Lucie. Its menu features lobster pad Thai.

Chef Ken and his wife previously ran La Rose Asian Bistro on the Jensen Beach Boulevard roundabout for four years before closing in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. That location now is Maki Sushi & Thai Restaurant.

Kampeero said their new restaurant, which opened May 1, is their chance to try again. She and Sumrarrat have children younger than age 2, so they wanted to open the restaurant to provide for them.

Zakura Sushi & Thai Restaurant

Address: 4007 S.W. Port St. Lucie Blvd.

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday-Friday; noon to 3 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; closed Tuesday

Phone: 772-905-8680

Website: zakurasushithai.com

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter and columnist dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Follow her on Twitter @TCPalmLaurie and Facebook @TCPalmLaurie. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: New restaurant Zakura Sushi & Thai Restaurant opens in Port St. Lucie
"Nothing's more beautiful than this."

So says Belly, played by the actress Lola Tung, as she strolls along the beach during a scene in the second season of "The Summer I Turned Pretty," which dropped its first three episodes Friday on Amazon's Prime Video.

It's a sentiment many of us who live in the Wilmington area can relate to, and there's plenty of the Port City and Southeastern North Carolina looking its best  even downright aspirational  in the new season of the hit teen drama, which filmed here during the summer and fall of 2022.

Five new episodes will air on Fridays through Aug. 18. The series is recommended for ages 16 and up due to language, some drinking and a little bit of sexual tomfoolery.

"The Summer I Turned Pretty" is based on a best-selling series of young adult novels by Jenny Han, whose YA credentials also include her mega-popular book series of "To All the Boys I've Loved Before," which were turned into a series of movies. Han is an executive producer of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" and its showrunner.

The show stars Tung as Belly, a teenage girl torn between a trio of hunks on "Cousins Beach," which is in Massachusetts in the show. Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno and David Iacono plays Belly's love interests, and the cast also includes Sean Kaufman as Belly's brother, Jackie Chung (of "Grey's Anatomy") as her mom and Rachel Blanchard ("Fargo") as her mom's best friend, Susannah.

The show has an A-list soundtrack that includes Tyler the Creator, Latto, Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X, The Weeknd and more. Zoe Cassavetes, daughter of filmmaker John Cassavetes and actress Gena Rowlands, directs the first two episodes.

Read on, but please know this story may contain spoilers from here on out.

Christopher Briney as Conrad and Lola Tung as Belly in "The Summer I Turned Pretty," season 2.

The first three episodes of season three jump back and forth in time, from Belly's happy days on Cousins Beach with the brooding Conrad (Briney) and playful Jeremiah (Casalegno) to her present-day struggles to move on from a falling out with the two brothers after the death of their mother, with whom Belly was close.

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In addition to a number of scenes on area beaches, Belly and Conrad walk the Basin Trail, aka The Hermit Trail, near Fort Fisher. When Belly's brother, Steven (Kaufman), graduates high school, he and his fellow grads assemble outside New Hanover High School on Market Street. Some interior scenes are shot at John T. Hoggard High School.

An after-graduation lunch takes place at the Double Happiness Chinese restaurant on Wrightsville Avenue, and another restaurant scene takes place at Cast Iron Kitchen near Ogden. While Conrad is off at college, attending Brown University in Rhode Island, it looks a lot like the good ol' University of North Carolina Wilmington. UNCW's Alderman Hall pops up in a couple of scenes, portraying Conrad's dorm.

Kaufman and Chung stroll through the Mayfaire shopping center in one scene, with Williams-Sonoma getting some good placement in the background, and Kaufman dips into the Mayfaire Barnes & Noble, where he runs into Belly's best friend, Taylor (Rain Spencer).

Taylor's house in the show is at 1309 Princess St. and Belly's is at 2311 Chestnut St.

Downtown Southport and the waterfront there show up in one scene, and Kaufman and Spencer stop at the Masonboro Country Store on Masonboro Loop Road during a road trip on the way to Cousins Beach.

The SeaWitch Inn in Carolina Beach, most recently seen as a location in Netflix series "Florida Man, " is the motel where the brother's visiting aunt, played by Kyra Sedgwick, stays.

Wilmington film, Wilmington locations Popular and 'absurd' Netflix show loaded with Wilmington locations, actors

Several shots show the Love Grove Bridge on One Tree Hill Way, and a house in the Glen Meade neighborhood at 2018 Lynnwood Drive plays the exterior of the Cousins Beach house.

A flashback to Susannah's funeral is at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Market Street, and the pastor in that scene is longtime Wilmington actor Zach Hanner.

They don't show up in the first three episodes, but Wilmington actors Holli Saperstein and Brent Schraff get credits as well, as a motel clerk and a bartender, respectively.

The list of "Summer I Turned Pretty" locations that haven't appeared yet but which may show up in future episodes include the Rooster & Crow on Water Street; St. Andrews Covenant-Presbyterian Church on Market Street; Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church; the Azalea Inn on Market Street; Hells Kitchen on Princess Street; Russells Quick Stop on Wrightsville Avenue; the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary on Ann Street; Party City on New Centre Drive; and Jungle Rapids on Oleander Drive.

As for "The Summer I Turned Pretty's" anticipated third season, it hasn't been approved yet, and even if it is there's no guarantee the show would continue to shoot in Wilmington. But since the show is based on a series of three books, and since season one essentially follows book one, and season two is book two, it's generally assumed the show will run for three seasons.

Given the current writers' and actors' strikes, however, when the next season of "Summer" might shoot is anyone's guess.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 with Wilmington NC locations
HGTV star Ty Pennington said on Instagram that he went from the red carpet, to the ICU when he found himself struggling to breathe Tuesday, shortly after he attended the premiere of Barbie in Los Angeles.

Pennington, known for once hosting Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, shared in a Friday post that he is recovering following his trip to the intensive care unit.

He said he had attended the premiere for the Greta Gerwig-directed movie Sunday before flying to Breckenridge, Colorado. He added that he woke up at 4 a.m. Tuesday morning and could barely breathe.

Turns out, that sore throat Ive had for the last month was actually an abscess which had grown so large it was closing off my airway, he wrote.

Next thing I know, I was intubated and flown to the ICU in Denver.

The host said that he had surgery Wednesday before a Colorado hospital released him. He also praised the amazing staff members at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood and St. Anthony Summit Hospital in Frisco.

A great reminder to LISTEN to your body when its telling you something  #justhappytobehere, he wrote.

Pennington is set to be featured in the four-part TV special Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge, which will see HGTV personalities compete to transform a Southern California home into a real-life Barbie Dreamhouse, according to the network.

The special is scheduled to premiere Sunday.

Related...
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson clashed with 2024 Republican candidates like former Vice President Mike Pence at The Family Leadership Summit in Iowa on Friday, with some candidates expressing frustration that Carlson didn't focus the "fireside chats" on family issues which unite the crowd of evangelical Midwesterners, but instead, on topics like Ukraine and the 2020 election.

"I regret that we didn't have very much time during my time on stage talking about the progress for life or issues in the family," Pence told reporters after a tense encounter with the former Fox News host.

Asked by ABC News Correspondent MaryAlice Parks if Pence was surprised that he had to spend a majority of the discussion defending Ukraine, Pence said, "I'm really never surprised by Tucker Carlson."

Carlson, who has advocated for ending aid to the war-torn country, grilled Pence on his support for defense spending in Ukraine. At one point, the former vice president was booed when he tried to explain his reasoning.

"I believe that it is in the interest of the United States of America, to continue to give the Ukrainian military the resources that they need to repel the Russian invasion and restore their sovereignty," Pence said, to some disapproving audience members.

MORE: Presidential fundraising highlights so far: Trump brings in more than DeSantis

When Carlson alleged without evidence that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government is suppressing and arresting Christians, Pence explained how he asked that very question when he traveled to Ukraine two months after the invasion began and again last month.

"I asked the Christian leader in Kyiv if that was happening, and he assured me it was not. People were not being persecuted for their religious beliefs," Pence said, shutting down Carlson's attempt to interrupt him. "Now, take a break here. I know we disagree on this strongly, but I respect your right, your opinion on Ukraine. I trust you to respect my time."

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"The problem is you don't accept my answer," Pence added when Carlson continued. "I just told you that I asked the religious leader in Kyiv if it was happening. You asked me if I raised the issue, and I did."

PHOTO: Tucker Carlson, left, and former Vice President Mike Pence (Getty Images)

The meeting between Pence and Carlson was expected to be awkward given the former Fox News host's comments about Pence's tenure as vice president. Last August, he called the idea of Pence running for president "delusional" in an appearance on "The Ingraham Angle." Host Laura Ingraham played a clip of Pence urging Republicans to stop attacking the FBI during a "Politics and Eggs" breakfast gathering at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, which Carlson commented on.

"What is Mike Pence doing in New Hampshire? I mean, if Mike Pence doesn't have a summer house in New Hampshire, then he's delusional. Mike Pence, very nice guy, or seems like a nice guy, but he spent four years getting bossed around by Donald Trump like a concubine," Carlson said. "He's not in a position to lead anything."

Pence has also been highly critical of Carlson ever since Carlson falsely portrayed the events of the Jan. 6 attack in cherry picked clips from security footage handed to him exclusively by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, including falsely describing rioters as "sightseers" on the former host's Fox News show.

"I was there at the Capitol, and let me assure you it was not, as some would have us believe, a matter of tourists peacefully enjoying our Capitol," Pence said in March at the annual Gridiron Club dinner for journalists in Washington, before he launched his campaign for president. "Make no mistake about it, what happened that day was a disgrace, and it mocks decency to portray it in any other way."

When Carlson asked Pence whether the events that took place on Jan. 6 were an "insurrection," Pence said he's never used that term but called it a "riot."

MORE: Trump, DeSantis jab each other over attendance at competing GOP events

Other presidential hopefuls were subjected to a similar grilling by the former Fox News host. Carlson asked Hutchinson right off the bat why he vetoed a bill in Arkansas that would have banned gender-affirming health care for minors -- a law which has since been struck down by a federal judge as unconstitutional.

Hutchinson reaffirmed his belief that the bill as governor he vetoed went too far:

"If there would have been a bill that said that you should not ever have transgender surgery as a minor, I would sign that. ... But this bill did go too far," Hutchinson said. "So I side with parents."

"Permanent change is one issue but also hormonal treatment is a different issue," he added.

When Carlson took issue with Hutchinson using the word "treatment," Hutchinson replied, "I hope that we'll be able to talk about some issues."

"This is one of the biggest issues in the country, and I think every person in this room would agree," Carlson replied, provoking applause. "It is a central issue."

PHOTO: Tucker Carlson speaks during 2022 FOX Nation Patriot Awards at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Nov. 17, 2022, in Hollywood, Fla. (Jason Koerner/Getty Images)

Speaking to reporters after his chat, Hutchinson said he maintains a consistent message he believes in, no matter the audience.

"Anytime you go against the grain a little bit to catch his audience's off guard," he said. "To me that's refreshing that you actually see a candidate that thinks through it from a constitutional standpoint, from a parent's standpoint, from a consistency standpoint, from a limited government standpoint, and I hope that they see that I think there's some room for disagreement."

"There's obviously some room for disagreement, and so I think that I gained respect through that presentation -- even with a difficult interviewer," he added.

Twice during the chat, Hutchinson told Carlson to stop interrupting him. Another tense moment came when Carlson asked, "How many COVID shots did you take, and how do you feel about it now in retrospect?"

"How many COVID shots did you take?" Hutchinson quipped back.

"Zero," Carlson said to applause. "I can see you recoiled when I asked you that question."

Carlson has repeatedly promoted false claims concerning the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

Hutchinson defended how he signed a law forbidding the federal government from mandating government employees take the vaccine in Arkansas, and repeated that, in his view, parents shouldn't be told whether they can -- or can't -- vaccinate their child.

MORE: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs new 6-week abortion ban into law

During the summit, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed HF 732, ceasing all abortions after six weeks. The measure is raising alarms among Democrats and abortion rights supporters who argue the majority of Iowans don't agree with the legislation passed this week in a special session.

The popular governor was applauded by the audience as she signed the bill, but her neutrality in the primaries has become a sticking point for former President Donald Trump, who did not attend the summit, citing scheduling conflicts. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose remarks capped off the festivities Friday evening, called Trump's rebuke of Reynolds a "misstep."

Other Iowa summit attendees included Sen. Tim Scott, S.C., former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.

Mike Pence clashes with Tucker Carlson in Iowa originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Billy Baldwin shared an apparent connection between himself and Rex Heuermann, the man who was charged in connection with the Gilgo Beach murders.

Baldwin, a Long Island native, said on Twitter July 14 that he and Heuermann were classmates in the graduating class of 1981 at Berner High School in Massapequa, New York.

Woke up this morning to learn that the Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect was my high school classmate Rex Heuermann, Baldwin, 60, wrote on social media. Married, two kids, architect. Average guy quiet, family man. Mind-boggling Massapequa is in shock.

Woke up this morning to learn that the Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect was my high school classmate Rex Heuermann.



Berner High School

Massapequa, New York

Class of 1981



Married, two kids, architect.

Average guy quiet, family man.

Mind-boggling Massapequa is in shock. pic.twitter.com/Tms0IWVazN  Billy Baldwin (@BillyBaldwin) July 14, 2023

In a digital copy of Berner High Schools yearbook for the graduating class of 1981, there appears to be a photo of Heuermann on page 70. The high school has since been converted into the junior high school, now called Alfred G. Berner Middle School.

On Instagram, Baldwin wrote in a similar post that he was shocked to learn that he had gone to school with Heuermann, who was charged July 14 with killing three women: Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello.

Heuermann pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder. He was ordered to be held without bail.

The 59-year-old New York architect was placed under arrest at his Massapequa Park home on the evening of July 13 around 8:30 p.m. according to Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison. He was taken into custody in Long Island the morning of July 14.

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Heuermanns arrest comes more than a decade after 10 bodies were found along Gilgo Beach in Long Island.

Police discovered Barthelemys remains Dec. 11, 2010 before finding three more bodies two days later in their search, including those of Waterman and Costello.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said that after the victims bodies were found in 2010, all of the cases went cold.

In January 2020, Suffolk County police released new information about evidence related to the Gilgo Beach murders. By February 2022, the Gilgo Homicide Investigation Task Force was formed.

In March 2022, a connection was made between Heuermann and Costello when officials discovered that there was a first-generation Chevy Avalanche registered to the architect at the time of the murders. A witness to Costellos disappearance said it was believed that vehicle was driven by her killer.

After a police detective from Suffolk County took 11 bottles of trash from outside of Heuermanns home for testing in July 2022, results from a forensic lab in February concluded that there was a link between the DNA profiles generated from the bottles and the female hairs recovered from the three victims.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
The superyacht industry is arguably the glitziest business in the world, and there is no profession more glamorous than being captain of one of these floating masterpieces.

Not only do superyacht skippers get to travel the world in style, theyre usually paid salaries in the healthy six-figures. Theyre also privy to the inner machinations of some of the wealthiest and most powerful people alive, get to command mega-vessels, and match wits with no worthier an opponent than the sea.

More from Robb Report

But the road to being top dog aboard a 200-foot Heesen or 450-foot Lurssen is not an easy one. Theres no clear-cut path to the wheelhouse. Robb Report spoke with two captains who worked their ways up the ladder from the lowest rungs.

Got nerves of steel and just six inches to spare with those $20 million superyachts youre backing your yacht between? Then maybe you should consider being a superyacht captain.

I started as a divemaster in Cairns, Australia, where Im from, says Capt. Brad Baker of the 146-foot Rena. Then I was a fisherman and started doing charters on the Great Barrier Reef. I worked every crew job on dayboats and charter boats, evolving with the boats. I came to Fort Lauderdale in 2001, and here I am still, paying taxes in America.

Bakers favorite part of his job: Getting to change the view and see new destinations. The best thing is that I get to avoid winter.

Capt. Michael Christian has a similar back-story. He is captain for the Allen Exploration fleet, which puts him in charge of the 164-foot Westport Gigi, that superyachts shadow vessel, 181-foot Axis, and 80-foot Viking Frigate. I came up the hawse pipe, he jokes.

Capt. Michael Christian (center) overseeing the deployment of the fleets submersible from his pilothouse, with fleet owner Carl Allen (right) watching the operation.

The former paratrooper started in the merchant marine as an able-bodied seaman, working his way up to become a mate and eventually a master. After running a casino ship, he was hired to captain (and chef) a 156-foot Trinity, before eventually winding up with Carl Allens outfitthe three-vessel fleet supported by a Triton submersible, Citation X+ jet, an Icon A5 amphibious plane, and many more support vessels and tools. Christian oversees everything.

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What looks like a haphazard career path in any other industry makes sense in the superyacht sector, given the wide-ranging differences between yacht types and ever-changing technology. Switching yachts in ever-greater hull lengths is more than just upsizing boats. It means learning how to work with larger and more diverse crews (the larger boats have engineers, chefs and other specialists), using electronics more common on commercial ships than pleasure boats, and having larger, more complex, engine rooms to deal with.

In the pilothouse, both men point to the sweeping banks of electronics across their helm stations as proof of the complexities of the job. We have a commercial-grade Wartsila Transas NS4000 plotter that is standard for larger ships, says Baker, then pointing to the redundancies of other systems. We also have two radars, double depth sounders, and bow thrusters. For communications, we have satcom, AIS, VSAT, and are GMBSS compliant. The farther offshore you go, the more you need.

Starship Enterprise? No, its the helm station of the 181-foot Axis, typical of most superyachts its size.

Even with all the state-of-the-art equipment, the boat has paper chartsits old school, like someone carrying a roadmap in their car in case their phone goes out. We never use them, says Baker. But its another level of security just in case.

The other thing about superyachts: Technology changes so fast that systems need to be replaced. Baker says the entire pilothouse will undergo a revamp at the end of the next season, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in new electronics replacing the older equipment. Its time, he says.

One piece of equipment that Christians Gigi has that Baker is considering for Rena is Starlink. That satellite service will offer seamless worldwide streaming coverage within the year, meaning Gigi could soon conceivably have an uninterrupted screening of Jaws while bobbing in the Weddell Sea in the Southern Ocean, thousands of miles from civilization.

The path to captain usually starts as a deckhand and involves climbing each rung of the ladder on different-sized yachts.

Christians job faves are sunrises and sunsets in calm ocean, especially with whales or dolphins in the water, mentoring new captains and, surprisingly, maneuvering in tight quarters. Imagine driving that massive, 20-ton superyacht around a crowded marina, just feet away from other yachts with a collective value of billions. Unlike the highway, water is slippery and marinas are prone to winds and currents that can make docking a nightmare.

Moving something thats 180 feet long is challenging, admits Christian. But its a blast. When I was young and wanted to be a captain, it was just so I could do this. Im behind the wheel and people are calling the distance between our boat and the dock or other boats. Everyones watching. At times, you have six inches to maneuver. Its crazy but its so satisfying.

Both captains say docking in the Mediterranean is especially challenging. Typically yachts in Mediterranean ports back into slips, sometimes literally pushing their neighbors out of the way with their fenders.

Carl Allens fleet. (Allen in foreground, with son Thomas driving the inflatable).

You often need to wiggle your butt in, says Baker. Its a little scary. When youre a first mate you dont get a lot of wheel time, so you dont necessarily have much docking experience. Then you become captain and the first time you do it is a leap of faith. It might be blowing 30 knots and the current will be running across the marina, but theres no one to help you. Youre in charge.

Which is really the bottom line for any captainthey are fully responsible for a huge, bulky, beautiful machine as well as the crew that makes it function. Its a responsibility that neither man takes lightly. Both list firing crew as one of the biggest drawbacks to the job. Running crew in general can be tough because theyre often from different countries and theyre living in a boat jail, says Baker. You need to work on your conflict resolution skills to try to keep everyone as cohesive as possible.

Brad Baker (left) and Michael Christian both worked their ways up on various yachts to become captains.

Other negatives, according to Christian, are rough weather at sea, which is when guests get seasick, and missing his wife and children on holidays or when something cool happens, like birthdays or graduations.

But for both, the captains lifestyle has been worth it. What other job do you get to see these stunning destinations, where the view is always changing? says Baker. We migrate with the birds. When they leave, so do we and follow them. Its an endless summer.

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Stretching across the prairie 15 miles east of downtown Pueblo, enormous concrete igloos once home to 2,613 tons of mustard gas are now empty  marking the end of an Army mission to eliminate chemical weapons and a need for new jobs.

President Joe Biden marked the elimination of the nation's last chemical weapons stored in Pueblo and Kentucky in early July, saying in a statement it is a milestone "bringing us one step closer to a world free from the horrors of chemical weapons." When inhaled, mustard gas blisters the throat and lungs.

While the elimination of the weapons has been decades and billions of dollars in the making, for about 1,500 well-paid workers employed by the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, the end of the work raises a key question: What's next?

Bechtel expects to keep about two-thirds of the 1,500 employees into late 2025 to help take down and decontaminate portions of the plant, said Sandy Romero, a spokeswoman for the company. In late June, she expected about 50 workers would be laid off in the next few weeks.

Attracting employers and opportunity to the sprawling 23,000-acre Pueblo Chemical Depot campus falls largely to PuebloPlex, and its president and CEO Russell DeSalvo. His economic development group is charged with working with Congress and the Army to ensure property and buildings can be safely repurposed and attracting economic development via a vast array of real estate, such as the igloos, warehouses from the 1940s and remote parcels that could offer testing ground for aerospace companies.

DeSalvo said most of the people working at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant are from the local area, and many would like to stay in southern Colorado.

"Some will retire, some will relocate with their companies. But others that have an affinity for southern Colorado would like to stay here. And so that's why I feel pressure and an obligation to try to find opportunities for them," he said.

A few employers have moved in, including the expected anchor tenant for the PuebloPlex, MxV Rail. A subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads, MxV focuses on research and testing mostly for freight rail companies and employs 260 people, CEO Kari Gonzales said.

MxV previously operated the Federal Railroad Administration's Transportation Technology Center, just north of the chemical depot, but when it lost the contract in 2021 it had to reevaluate whether it wanted to stay near Pueblo, because it is not a major hub for any of the large railroad companies, and so it looked at alternatives at Florida and Texas, but ultimately decided just to shift operations south, she said.

"We saw a lot of potential in the property, not only in the size of the property, but a lot of the existing infrastructure," she said. The Pueblo Economic Development Corp. also offered free rent in airport industrial park buildings for its headquarters and lab help to support high-paying jobs that average $85,000.

Since 2021, MxV has invested $45 million into new facilities at the depot and industrial park buildings, including transforming a 1940s warehouse into classrooms, offices and other work space and putting in new rail for testing.

On Thursday, contractors worked on a new loop, a portion of the 20 additional miles of track MxV plans to add. Some of the track will help determine how materials are wearing down over time and if premature defects are developing, she said.

Gonzales said she expects to work with Swisspod, a start-up, that is planning to build a hyperloop, a large low-pressure tube on the depot property, that will move freight. MxV expects to help the company evaluate the systems. She also expect to work with Parallel Systems to test new battery propelled autonomous freight cars at the site.

Keeping MxV near Pueblo also preserved their free classes offered to first responders to help them understand how to handle hazardous materials incident that could happen with any mode of transportation. Much of the training is hands-on with a derailed train cars stacked up to provide realistic scenarios.

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The training draws in 30 to 150 students per week for about nine months out of year who spend money on hotels and restaurants, she said.

"It's actually hugely impactful for the Pueblo community," she said.

In addition to railwork, PuebloPlex recruited Cooper & Turner, a company that makes components for wind turbines, that has expanded since moving to the depot site. Some of the larger warehouses are leased to solar, space and marijuana businesses. The hundreds of igloos that stored munitions rather than chemical weapons have been repurposed into commercial storage, and PuebloPlex has a waiting list of over 200, DeSalvo said.

On an average working day, about 2,000 people are employed across the Pueblo Chemical Depot site, with about 300 of those people working in fields not related to the Army's decommissioning of weapons. To help draw in new companies, PuebloPlex is working on taking ownership of the property, DeSalvo said, so it can offer more economic development incentives, such as tax credits and money for job training.

On Friday, legislation to transfer 7,000 acres to PuebloPlex took a step forward in the House of Representatives version of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, the law that passes each year to fund the military.

Under the proposal, backed by Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Rifle, PuebloPlex could receive grants to help with planning, purchase the property for less than fair market value to encourage economic development and would not be held liable for environmental contamination, a news release said.

The property is home to Bechtel's facility where the main processing buildings and associated piping must be torn down, but $35 million in utilities and buildings could stay in place, Romero said.

The plant where chemical weapons were disassembled using robots and washed out using a neutralizing agent required a specialized biotreatment area to treat the water used in the decommissioning process. PuebloPlex is evaluating whether that system could be reused as well, DeSalvo said.

Some weapons were destroyed in a static detonation chambers where they were electrically heated to 1,100 degrees F, and the gas was destroyed by thermal decomposition, according to a news release. Those chambers are going to be used at other Army facilities, Romero said.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will oversee Bechtel's decontamination and demolition, Romero said, and ensure the property is safe.

PuebloPlex is also in negotiations with the Army to take ownership of almost 16,000 acres it manages through a master lease. It expects to take ownership of the first 5,000 acres potentially this year and additional parcels as they are environmentally cleaned up.

Separate from mustard gas issues, some portions of the property have problems with unexploded ordnance in addition to black powder and solvent plumes in the groundwater, and the Army is responsible for that work, DeSalvo said.

Decades ago the Army would bury ordnance, cover it with lime and diesel fuel and set it on fire, causing some of the mess. The black powder reached the groundwater, because the Army was washing shells out with water and allowing it to drain into ditches. The solvents soaked into the ground after cleaning up parts and grease.

While cleaning up the groundwater could take a long time, he said, PuebloPlex could develop the property with groundwater problems because the surface is not contaminated.

Long timelines have been normal for the depot, but a challenge for economic development, as deadlines destroying the weapons extended from 2007 to 2012 to 2019.

But now that the last chemical weapons are gone, DeSalvo said, there is lots of motivation to see commercial buildout of the property that could take 100 years or more.

"We are trying to be very thoughtful and methodical about how we are developing this property," he said.
Nenov / Getty Images

Fact checked by Nick Blackmer





Key Takeaways

The FDA approved the sale of an oral birth control pill over-the-counter for the first time.

It is safe and effective to switch to the Opill from another birth control method at any time.

Easy access to the progestin-only contraceptive could help people to stay protected against unwanted pregnancy, even if they have problems accessing their prescription contraception, experts said.







Nearly one in three adult women who have ever tried to get a birth control prescription or refill an existing prescription report challenges getting their medication. Thursdays FDA approval of the first over-the-counter birth control pill is about to make that process much easier.

Even if someone has reliable access to a health provider, they may face challenges in getting a prescription renewed or filled in a timely manner, or with traveling to a pharmacy to pick it up. A delay in accessing birth control pills has repercussions not only for pregnancy prevention, but also a persons menstrual cycle.

The over-the-counter drug, called Opill, could act as a sort of stopgap for people that are having temporary issues with accessing their prescription birth control, said Anne-Marie Amies Oelschlager, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington.

Opill isnt a new drug. It contains a progestin called norgestrel, which has been used for 50 years as a prescription medication in the U.S. Now, it will be made available in grocery stores, convenience stores, drug stores, and online.

People can have confidence in this in this method; its going to be a big step up from the prior over-the-counter methods. Its more effective than condoms, its more effective than emergency contraception, and it is a very safe medication, Amies Oelschlager, who serves as a committee member for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said.

Related: FDA Approves Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill for the First Time

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How to Use the Opill When Your Prescription Birth Control Runs Out

Some oral contraceptives contain a combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin. Progestin-only tablets, like Opill, are sometimes called the minipill. Most combination pills have 21 or 24 days of active hormone pill and then some placebo pills.

The progestin-only pills typically have the active hormone pill every day, and each day contains the same dosage. That means a user can start taking the pills from any place in the pack, regardless of whether it aligns with the week of the cycle theyre on.

You can pick up the progestin-only pillthe Opilland start that immediately, and then continue that until you can pick up your new prescription, Amies Oelschlager said.

It also means you can temporarily use Opill if youre traveling and forgot to pack your birth control.

When switching from an estrogen-containing pill to Opill, start the Opill the day after taking an active pill, not an inactive pill. People switching from another brand of progestin-only birth control can start at any time, according to the FDA label.

Related: How to Start Birth Control Pills

People should also use a nonhormonal backup method of birth control, like condoms, every time they have sex for the first 48 hours after starting Opill, the FDA said. By comparison, most combination oral birth controls recommend using a backup method for a week after starting the medication.



When I counsel patients about all the birth control options, I let them know that theyre always interchangeable, Yasaman Ahmadieh, DO, MPH, an adolescent medicine physician in Los Angeles and a fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health, told Verywell. When changing from one method to another method, we do recommend a second method to prevent pregnancy. For example, you can use condoms in the first week that you change to another method.



Things to Consider When Switching To or From Opill

Opill is a low-dose medication compared to most combination oral contraceptives. That means it doesnt carry the same risk of complications, like blood clots and stroke, that an estrogen-containing pill has, Amies Oelschlager said.



The downside, she said, is that its more time-sensitive than the combination pill. To be effective, the Opill must be taken every day within the same three-hour window, even during periods of bleeding.

Whenever someone takes the pill three or more hours late, they should use an additional nonhormonal birth control method for the next 48 hours, according to the drug label.

Even when someone taking the pill as instructed, they should consider using a condom, internal condom, or dental dam in addition, Amies Oelschlager said.

Taking a birth control pill does decrease the risk of pregnancy, but it doesnt decrease the risk of sexually transmitted infections, she said. I would still recommend using barrier methods and getting tested for sexually transmitted infections.

When switching between birth control methods or types, a person may experience some irregular bleeding. Its normal to experience breakthrough bleeding for a few days, Ahmadieh said. If theres enough blood to soak through a tampon every hour, she recommends seeking medical attention.

A person might experience side effects like breast tenderness, moodiness, and headache. Those usually resolve within a few days to a few weeks.



Related: The Pros and Cons of the Birth Control Pill

How to Get Opill

The Opill should be available in major retail stores across the U.S. and online in early 2024, Frederique Welgryn, Global Vice President for Womens Health at Perrigo, the company that makes Opill, said on a press call.



Perrigo has yet to share how expensive the Opill will be and if it will be covered by insurance. Over-the-counter medications are not typically covered by insurance. But Welgryn said the company is working to get Opill listed with private insurers and Medicare so that if that rule is lifted, the drug will get coverage soon after.

Opill Will Improve Access for People Lacking Prescriptions, Too

For people who dont have reliable access to a health provider, obtaining a prescription can be challenging. For those who dont have insurance, the cost of a doctors visit and the cost of the medication itself can be prohibitive.

Even when a person does have insurance and a primary health provider, they may face other logistical hurdles to getting a birth control prescription on time for their next cycle. They may have to take time off work to visit their provider to have a prescription written or renewed. Then it takes time to travel to a pharmacy to pick up the prescription, or to figure out a back-up plan if the prescription cant be filled.

When were talking about lack of access to reproductive health providers, it typically impacts people living in rural settings. It also affects people who have lower socioeconomic status, adolescents, and people of color disproportionately, Amies Oelschlager said.

In a study involving Black, Asian American, Indigenous, Latinx, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander people in the U.S., 45% of participants reported facing at least one challenge to accessing birth control in the past year.

At a May meeting of advisors to the FDA, panelists raised concerns over whether customers would be able to accurately understand and follow the instructions on the Opill label without the help of a health provider. Ahmadieh, who cares for children and adolescents, said the research shows youth can be trusted to understand medication instructions.

Im very excited that my patients who are below 18 can confidentially access a birth control pill over the counter and theres no need to depend on their physician or parents or their guardians, Ahmadieh said. I trust all of my patients based on the decisions they make about their health.









What This Means For You

There are few potential side effects or risk of complications associated with the use of Opill. People who have or had progestin-sensitive cancer should speak with a health provider about whether Opill is safe.






Past LivesA24

The following contains spoilers for "Past Lives"

When I ask her about her first love, my grandmother speaks wistfully about her chut sarang, a handsome law student at a neighboring university. "We would meet during breaks between our classes," she recalls. "We just sat and talked for hours."

"One never truly forgets their first love."

My aunt, who was so striking in her youth that celebrities asked her on dates, says she had her heart broken by a model who was her chut sarang. And when I probe my mother for details about her first love, she scoffs. "My chut sarang? I'm not telling you."

In "Past Lives," the debut feature from Korean Canadian American writer-director Celine Song, Nora (Greta Lee) explains the concept of inyeon to a fellow writer, Arthur (John Magaro), upon meeting him at an artists' residency. "There's a word in Korean. Inyeon. It means providence or fate. If two people get married, they say it's because there have been 8,000 layers of inyeon over 8,000 lifetimes."

Nora's chut sarang, Hae-sung (Teo Yoo), is a continent away in Seoul. After 11-year-old Nora immigrates from Korea to Canada, Hae-sung finds her on Facebook 12 years later.

"I missed you," Hae-sung says over Skype from Seoul, and she responds, "Me too. It doesn't make any sense."

Related

"Connected through inyeon": Teo Yoo reflects on the fate that guided his career and to "Past Lives"

Growing up, the idea of chut sarang was present in almost every Korean drama I watched. First loves occupy almost a mythological status in the Korean romantic imagination. "One never truly forgets their first love," is a common Korean adage I heard repeatedly.

Reuniting with a chut sarang is a well-loved trope in popular Korean films and dramas like "Our Beloved Summer," "Start Up" and "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim." In these stories, the younger leads are separated in childhood as life pulls them apart, only to reunite when they're older. For example, in "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim," the leads are kidnapped as children, and they both suppress the traumatic memory until they recognize each other in a work setting decades later.

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Because romance viewers are always hungry for a happy ending, in many stories like "My First First Love," "My ID is Gangnam Beauty" and "My Sassy Girl," lovers overcome obstacles and disprove reality to stay together. Hallyu classic "My Sassy Girl" shows the leads meeting at a train station en route to their respective appointments. Their lives entangle as they skip those appointments, start to date and break up only to realize that the initial appointment they had both missed was a blind date where they would have been introduced to one another.

Inyeon as powerful as the one in "My Sassy Girl" was always what brought lovers back together. The pull of fate's threads were too magnetic to keep them apart.

Past Lives

Past Lives (A24)Before watching "Past Lives," I expected another typical chut sarang storyline: Nora and Hae-sung reunite, and they end up together against all odds. But while certain elements of "Past Lives" did remind me of the K-dramas I'd seen, Song's incorporation of her personal story as a diasporic Korean filmmaker added another layer to the chut sarang trope.

Nora eventually meets Hae-sung in person in New York City, but time, geography and experiences have created a divide too far to bridge. By this time, Nora has already married Arthur, the writer she met at the residency. She complains to him about Hae-sung, "He's so Korean . . . he has all these Korean views on everything, and I just feel really not Korean with him. I mean I have Korean friends, but he's like, not Korean American, you know? He's a Korean Korean."

I chuckled aloud at how much I related to her words: the subtle hints that arise in Nora and Hae-sung's conversation reveals the differences in their cultural values and perspectives. It's a dynamic that feels familiar to immigrants who reconnect with family and friends back in the motherland.

"What if you had never left? If you hadn't left like that, and we just grew up together, would I still have looked for you? Would we have dated? Broken up? Gotten married?" Hae-sung muses aloud. It's difficult to deny the allure of his question and not imagine an alternate life for Nora where she and Hae-sung might have been in love in Korea.

As a little girl in Seoul, I fully absorbed the myth of chut sarang from the K-dramas I watched with my aunt and my grandmother.

Not all K-dramas and films have satisfying endings for first loves. In some, like "Twenty-Five Twenty-One" and "Architecture 101," first love is thwarted by the realities that the main characters face, ultimately sending them on diverging paths.

It's also clear by the end of "Past Lives" that though Hae-sung is Nora's first love, Arthur may be Nora's fate. "In this life, you and Arthur . . . have the 8,000 layers of inyeon," Hae-sung tells Nora.

Past Lives

Past Lives (A24)As a little girl in Seoul, I fully absorbed the myth of chut sarang from the K-dramas I watched with my aunt and my grandmother. I daydreamed about who my first love would be. The older Korean oppa from church? The debater from the all-boys prep school nearby? Or like the K-dramas and my aunt's stories, the handsome star who spotted me from across the street? I was taught by romantic films to believe that the only possible ending for me would be a happily ever after.

But I later learned another common Korean saying about first loves: "Chut sarangs are never realized." If this is true, perhaps there's an irreplaceable beauty when first loves are left unfulfilled. If a chut sarang remains a first love and nothing more, it allows for the memory of youth to stay intact and pure, unsullied by the inevitable pain, heartbreak and grief felt in lived relationships.

To be clear: my grandmother, my aunt and my mother did not end up with their chut sarangs. The point of reminiscing about chut sarangs is that you rarely do.

"Don't you ever miss your first loves?" I ask all three women.

They cite fate as an excuse for moving on. "Everyone has their own inyeon," they cluck back.

In "Past Lives," Hae-sung represents more than just Nora's first love. By reuniting with him, she also reunites with the 11-year old girl she left behind in Korea many years ago. And, in saying goodbye, she bids both Hae-sung and her younger self from a past life farewell.

According to the women in my family, inyeon explains the life you are actually living, while chut sarang represents a fond nostalgia for the past. Both chut sarang and inyeon, then, may be the stories we tell ourselves in order to embrace the lives we lead, both past and present.

Read more

about this topic
You search Delta Air Lines' website for a Thanksgiving flight to Atlanta. But the Phoenix-Atlanta flights on the day before the holiday are sold out.

Then you see a Delta flight to Orlando, Florida, from Phoenix for $260 per passenger in basic economy with a layover in Atlanta. You decide to book the flight and leave the plane in Atlanta instead of flying to Orlando.

This travel hack is called skiplagging. Some passengers use it to save money when the longer route is cheaper than the desired destination. Others use it to get to a destination where direct flights are sold out.

But skiplagging is controversial, and many airlines frown upon it  so much that it can be punishable by miles or status cancellations and even a lifetime ban from the airline.

In one recent case, American Airlines canceled a Florida teen's ticket for a flight from Gainesville, Florida, to New York City, with a layover in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to a report from Queen City News in Charlotte, the teen was detained at the airport and questioned over his intentions to disembark in Charlotte. Gate agents flagged him after noticing his North Carolina driver's license.

Here's what travelers should know about skiplagging.

No illusion: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is busier than ever. This is why

What is skiplagging?

Skiplagging, also known as hidden city ticketing, is when an air traveler buys a ticket for a flight with a layover before the final destination and departs at the layover airport.

A travel website called Skiplagged.com allows people to find and book tickets for flights with hidden city ticketing. The posted savings generally range from $20 to $60 each way, like a Phoenix-Honolulu flight on Jan. 24, 2024, for $146, advertised for $47 less than a direct ticket. In one extreme case, Skiplagged advertised a Phoenix-Charlotte flight on Nov. 24 for $124, a savings of more than half the cost of a $257 direct ticket.

Is skiplagging illegal?

No, but it's against most airlines' contracts of carriage, or the rules people must follow to fly with the airline.

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American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, which collectively operate more than 70% of the flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, both put skiplagging first on their lists of prohibited booking practices. The airlines define skiplagging, which they refer to in the contract as hidden city ticketing, as "purchasing a ticket without intending to fly all flights to gain lower fares."

United Airlines and Delta Air Lines also prohibit skiplagging.

Skiplagged.com's FAQ page on skiplagging closes with these words: "You might upset the airline, so don't do it often."

Why do airlines hate skiplagging?

When American Airlines canceling the North Carolina teen's plane ticket went viral after national media picked up the story on July 12, some social media users wondered: Why are airlines making a big deal about travelers skipping a leg of their flight if they're getting money from the ticket either way?

Airlines: "We can sell more tickets than there are seats on the plane, but don't you dare give us money by buying a ticket you don't plan to use."https://t.co/uT680qVgbZ  Greg Olson (@Greg21Olson) July 12, 2023

One reason given is lost revenue. Many airlines operate on a "hub-and-spoke" system, where flights are routed from an airport that's a central point, or hub, which then connect with other airports within the region. Flights to and from smaller airports usually go through a hub airport before the final destination to fill their planes with as many passengers as possible.

Hidden city pricing reduces competition for routes by restricting an airline's ability to charge a low price for the flight in the connecting city, according to a 2022 study by business professors Jaelynn Oh of the University of Utah and Tim Huh of the University of British Columbia.

Oh and Huh think skiplagging could have the unintended consequence of increasing airfares.

The practice also can cause flight delays.

In a 2021 court filing, Southwest said skiplagging caused the airline problems when flight crews and operations staff tried to locate passengers booked for the flight who departed in the connecting airport.

Attempts to locate these passengers caused flight delays that affected other passengers and disrupted Southwest's flight schedule and on-time performance, according to the filing.

Bigger schedule: American Airlines is adding dozens of flights in Phoenix. Here's where you can go

What can airlines do if they catch you skiplagging?

According to American and Southwest's contracts of carriage, they can cancel any unused part of a ticket, refuse to let the passenger and their bags fly, not issue a refund and charge the customer for what the ticket would have cost for the full route. Airlines may ban a passenger from flying with them in the future.

Some airlines have challenged the practice in court but without success.

In November 2014, United Airlines sued Skiplagged.com and its founder in court, claiming trademark infringement, according to court documents. A judge dismissed the suit the following year.

In 2018, Lufthansa sued a passenger who purchased a ticket for a flight from Oslo, Norway, to Seattle with a layover in Frankfurt, Germany. He departed in Frankfurt and flew from there to Berlin.

According to a CNN report citing German court documents, Lufthansa sought the difference for the itinerary should have cost, about $2,385. A judge in Germany dismissed the case over the airline's recalculated airfare. Lufthansa appealed, then later dropped the case.

What should travelers know before they consider a skiplagged flight?

Know that it is a risky practice that goes against your airline's rules and be aware of the potential consequences.

If you choose to skiplag, do not check a bag. If you do, or if you're forced to check a carry-on bag because there's no room for it in the overhead bin, that luggage will end up in the final destination on the itinerary, not at the connecting airport.

Airport dining guide: Where to eat while you wait at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salerno_phx.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What is skiplagging and is it bad? What flyers should know
The largest snake ever caught in Florida has been discovered in Naples. A Burmese python was taken to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, which confirmed that it measured 19 feet in length and weighed 125 pounds. The previous record-holder, a Burmese python found in Floridas Everglades in 2020, measured 18 feet, 9 inches and weighed 104 pounds.

"It's the longest snake that's ever been reported in Florida," Ian Easterling, a biologist at the Conservancy, told Orlando's Fox 35. "[It is] possibly the longest Burmese python on record."

Life-long Naples resident Jake Waleri caught the beast on Monday in Big Cypress National Preserve. He had been out python hunting with a group of friends when he noticed the snake from a distance.

It was starting off as a slow night, Waleri recalled to Fox 35. Then around one oclock in the morning we stumbled upon this giant snake. We cruised up real close to it and then I realized it was an absolute monster.

Incredible video posted by Waleri to Instagram shows the moment the snake lunged at the 22-year-old hunter. The video begins with Waleri pulling the python by its tail out of some brush, just a moment before the snake whips its body around and tries to bite the young man.

Waleri screams an obscenity and immediately buckles to the ground, grabbing the snake by the neck and screaming, Lets goooo! The python angrily writhes, snapping at Waleri as it tightens its body around him. As Waleri's friends scurry into the frame to pull the snake from around their friend, those recording the video can be heard screaming in terror.

Its the only snake Ive ever seen thats scared me enough where I just didnt know what to do, Waleri admitted. We wrestled this thing for about three minutes before I got a hold of the head. It was a fight, and it was a good one. Definitely one to remember.

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Burmese pythons are one of the largest snakes known to man. They are particularly common in Florida, where they have no natural predators and decimate the states native animal populations. They will feast on anything from rabbits and cats to larger animals such as deer.

An astonishing video of a pythons autopsy, posted to Instagram last year, shows a complete, undigested crocodile being removed from the snakes belly.

Pythons pose such a significant risk to the environment that Florida residents do not need a permit in order to kill them. However, they are protected by anti-cruelty laws, which means hunters must exterminate the snakes in a humane manner.

Florida even hosts its yearly Python Challenge, which offers monetary rewards for keeping the population at bay.

As a result of their efforts, Waleri and his friends facilitated the discovery and removal of 111 additional eggs from the python's home. That number set its own record for the largest python nest recorded in Florida.

It's awesome to be able to make an impact on South Florida's environment, Waleri said. We love this ecosystem and try to preserve it as much as possible.
worker, time blindness, accommodations

A woman was left in tears after her request for accommodations at a potential new job was denied, and she was told that it doesnt exist.

Now, she is pushing for workers rights and claims that they need to be prioritized in the United States. However, many people arent so sure that she deserves special treatment, and believe that her request is unreasonable.

The worker was left confounded after being denied accommodations for her time blindness.

In a TikTok video that has garnered over 1 million views, Sarah Trefren explains that she struggles with time blindness.

Time blindness is a term used to describe the inability to recognize when time has passed or how long something will take. According to pediatric behavioral health specialist, Dr. Michael Manos, time blindness is not categorized an as official diagnosis, but rather a general way of thinking and a common symptom of conditions such as ADHD.

Everybody has time blindness at times. We all can get caught up in something and get in the zone, Dr. Manos explains to the Cleveland Clinic. Some people with, though, are more prone to having difficulty being able to judge how long something will take to do or to lose track of time.

RELATED: Worker Complains To Her Boss That She Is Incredibly 'Burnt Out' & 'Stressed' Only To Be Told The Company Would 'Crumble' If She Quit

Dr. Manos claims that those who experience time blindness are likely not purposely losing track of time. When youre experiencing time blindness, its because youre running on automatic attention, he adds. Youre into something and youre excited about it. So, youre not noticing the time.

Trefen is one of these individuals who battle time blindness in her daily life. It has affected her work, and before she started a new job, she needed to ask her employer if they allow special accommodations for those who struggle with time blindness.

However, after Trefren asked one of her potential new bosses about the issue, she said she was met with hostility. I just got yelled at for asking a very reasonable question, a tearful Trefen says.

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They actually started yelling at me and saying that accommodations for time blindness doesnt exist and if you struggle being on time youll never be able to get a job.

RELATED: Job Applicant Spent $350 On A New Suit For An Interview But Was Turned Away Because He Was 1 Minute Late'We Are Very Time Strict Here'

Despite her time blindness struggles, Trefren claimed that she is trying her absolute best to complete her tasks, and she felt hurt when she was told that her stupid generation wants to destroy the workplace.

She argued that a culture where workers are just cut off because they struggle with being on time needs to be dismantled. She also noted that there are solutions for accommodating those who face time blindness.

Trefren added that she is not entitled, but believes that those in the workplace who refuse to provide accommodations for employees who face difficulties completing tasks on time are the entitled ones.

Im tired of workers rights not being prioritized in this country, she admitted in the caption of her video. And were entitled for suggesting it should be different I dont think so.

Trefrens video sparked a heated discussion among other TikTok users, some of whom decided to respond with their own videos.

Some people believed that those who struggle with time blindness should absolutely be accommodated and given more leniency in the workplace.

One TikTok user (@mymediocrebest2.0) who is a therapist that concentrates on ADHD assessment and treatment, offered advice on how Trefren should approach her future employers in interviews regarding her situation.

Accommodation language is very vague which makes it really unhelpful. Employers are to provide reasonable accommodation, but then its up to them to decide what that is and you have to spend money in court to challenge them, he explained. If you can get your therapist or doctor to write you a letter with your accommodations, sometimes that does help.

RELATED: Boss Says That 'Ambition & Proactiveness Are Toxic Employee Traits'  'A Depressed Employee Is A Good Employee'

The therapist also suggested leading with your strengths when explaining your struggles and specific accommodations with hiring managers. Sometimes I use the quote, I am the most effective version of myself when, he said giving an example.

He wished Trefren the best of luck finding a position that suits her needs.

However, many others strongly believed that those who struggle with time blindness had to adjust their habits, especially if they wanted to hold down a job.

Many people claimed that being on time is an essential part of working and that those who are consistently late and cannot be on time are negatively impacting the work environment.

TikTok user Mollie (@meatymollie) argued that if an employees accommodation is making life more difficult for their colleagues and managers, then it is not an accommodation, it is inconsiderate.

RELATED: A Man Was 2 Minutes Late To Work But Was Declared Absent For The Full Day So He & Went Back Home Since The 'Punishment' Is The Same

She encouraged Trefen and others who struggle with time blindness to invest in several clocks to learn how to manage their time better.They actually make clocks you can wear on your body. Its called a watch, she says. And if youre worried that youll forget to check those clocks there are also alarms that you can set to remind yourself.

Mollie added that her boyfriend has ADHD and that he encountered time blindness as a result. I understand that it can be something really difficult to deal with and I 100% agree with reasonable accommodations, she said. But if you are consistently late to your obligations and are unwilling to take the steps necessary to correct that behavior then you are going to have a very hard time navigating the adult world.

RELATED: 'I'm Divorcing My Wife Because She's Late For Everything'  Man Seeks Advice On His Marital Issues

Other people who have ADHD understood Trefrens concerns, and offered their own advice on how they combat time blindness so that they can get their jobs done efficiently.

TikTok user Taryn, (@Taryn!!) revealed that getting into a steady routine is something that has helped her significantly with her own time blindness.

One thing I found helpful was getting as much done the night prior as I would have to do in the morning, she shared, such as picking out her outfit and doing her hair the night before. The less a person has to do in the morning, the more likely theyll be on time for work.

She also revealed that having a watch, eliminating distractions, and writing a checklist are also beneficial.

RELATED: A Mom Went To Visit Her Son At Lunch & Caught Him Receiving An Unusual Punishment For Being 'One Minute Late' To School

Taryn said that combatting time blindness is something that has to be done on your own terms instead of expecting everyone around you to make accommodations suited for your needs. Your employer cant just simply allow you to be 15 or 20 minutes late if it could possibly interrupt the work productivity, she said, noting that if youre looking for more flexible jobs, working as a clerk or an assistant where being on time is not a heavily focused priority, they may be more ideal for you.

While time blindness is a valid struggle that workers with ADHD can face, it is their responsibility to make changes to their routines and habits that will alleviate their time blindness. There are some factors in the work environment that will not adjust for you. It is up to you to adjust for them.

For additional help and information on how to manage time and overcome time blindness, there is nothing wrong with seeking professional help, including therapy and medication, that will make the transition easier.

RELATED: Worker Deletes Thousands Of Files He Created After Finding Out That The Company That Fired Him For Being Incompetent Is Still Using His Work

Megan Quinn is a writer at YourTango who covers entertainment and news, self, love, and relationships.

This article originally appeared on YourTango
Crocs



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FOUNDED BY three friends from Colorado who wanted to create the perfect boat shoe, Crocs started out making cushioned clogs that were quickly used by hardworking professionals like nurses and cooks. Now, the ultra functional slip-on shoes are one of the most fashionable footwear choices for guys. That comes as no surprise, considering Crocs are lightweight, supportive, slip-resistant, and easy to put on (and off).

All that functionality comes courtesy of two proprietary resin foams that go into every shoe. The original is called Croslite and the newer, 25% lighter version is called LiteRide. Since these resins are so easy to mold, shoes can be designed with precise attention to detail and nearly limitless color options. That has also allowed Crocs to grow through a constantly revolving collaboration collection with celebrities and other brands. You can even customize your Crocs with design charms, aka Jibbitz.



Though our style editors agree that Crocs have way more to offer than just its signature clogs. Comfort is key in menswear today and few men's clothing brands offer so much comfort for such affordable prices. Crocs has expanded to slides, flip flops, and even sneakers, and all of them are embedded with Crocs' signature features: extremely cushioned midsoles, water-resistant construction, and breathable uppers. Ahead we found the best Crocs for men worth buying all year, from fleece-lined slippers for indoor lounging, to great-looking mules. Whatever your style, Crocs has something for you.

Best Summer Shoes | Best Recovery Shoes | Best Travel Shoes | Best Insoles | Best Shoes for Bunions | Best Cheap Shoes

Classic Clog

This is the Croc you think of when you think of Crocs. There are plenty of colors to choose from, but for our money the traffic cone orange strikes the best balance between fun and functional.

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Shop Now Classic Clog $49.99 famousfootwear.com

Off Court Clog

Crocs' Off Court Clog takes inspiration from slip-on sneakers, but have the brand's signature perforated upper to let your dogs breathe.

Shop Now Off Court Clog $54.95 zappos.com

Tie Dye Bistro Clog

It's the closed-toe Bistro Clog with a funky paint job. Think of these as fun statement shoes to light up your summer fits.

Shop Now Tie Dye Bistro Clog $32.99 amazon.com

Crocs Mellow Recovery Clog

Technically, these are clogs. But they could easily be called mules to put a fancier spin on it. Clogs or mules, there is a strong high fashion vibe coming from these Crocs.

Shop Now Crocs Mellow Recovery Clog $59.99 dsw.com

Echo Slide

Put a spring in your step with Echo's unique two layer outsole, which is similar to running shoes that absorb the energy of every step and gives it right back to you when you push off.

Shop Now Echo Slide $49.99 zappos.com

Classic All-Terrain Sandal

Crocs All-Terain line comes with a more durable sole and adjustable heel strap to handle rougher terrain. These sandals are a great for hiking or walking around a city all day.

Read more: Best Hiking Sneakers

Shop Now Classic All-Terrain Sandal $44.95 zappos.com

Classic Fuzz Lined Clog

As if Classic Clogs weren't cozy enough already, Crocs added a fuzzy lining. This upgrade means that you can keep wearing your clogs well into the colder months.

Shop Now Classic Fuzz Lined Clog $59.99 famousfootwear.com

Bayaband Slides

The Bayaband is a sportier slide ideal for summer activities. Firm grip and cushioning mean you can run in them. Plus, they're fully waterproof which makes them perfect for the beach, lake, river, or pool.

Shop Now Bayaband Slides $34.99 amazon.com

Dreamville X Crocs Classic Clogs

With so many collaborations to choose from, we settled on J. Cole as the best example. A unique black and white is highlighted by Jibbitz from the rapper's Dreamville album, along with metal studs on the heel straps.

Shop Now Dreamville X Crocs Classic Clogs $69.99 amazon.com

Rain Boots

Most Crocs are designed to let moisture out, but these rain boots are designed to keep it out. The classic "welly" design won't disrupt your rainy day attire.

Shop Now Rain Boots $59.95 zappos.com

Classic All-Terrain Clog

Not only does the All-Terrain clog have enhanced traction and an upgraded heel strap, but they come in a line of cool earth tone colors with fun detailing.

Shop Now Classic All-Terrain Clog $55.00 huckberry.com

Echo Clog

How do you improve upon a shoe as wildly successful as the Classic Clog? Crocs did it by adding enhanced suspension, a big upgrade to the heel strap, and an over all modernized lookresulting in the Echo Clog.

Shop Now Echo Clog $69.95 zappos.com

LiteRide 360 Pacer Sneakers

Part running shoe, part water shoe, all Crocs. The LiteRide Pacer makes water shoes look cool, and is an excellent choice for hiking and exploring wet areas.

Shop Now LiteRide 360 Pacer Sneakers $32.50 amazon.com

Mellow Flip Flops

These cloud-style flip flops are built for foot recovery or all day comfort. We recommend keeping them in your gym bag or under your desk at work.

Shop Now Mellow Flip Flops $37.49 amazon.com

Bandana Classic Lined Clogs

Paisley bandana print makes everything look cooler. Which why these Lined Classic Clogs are probably the best Crocs to wear with jeans.

Shop Now Bandana Classic Lined Clogs amazon.com

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Biden administration officials can freely communicate with social media companies  for now. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has put a pause on Judge Terry A. Doughty's order that prohibits most federal officials from talking to companies like Meta about content. According to The New York Times, the three-judge panel has ruled for Doughty's preliminary injunction to be put aside "until further orders of the court."

If you'll recall, the state attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri filed a lawsuit against President Joe Biden and other top government officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci. They accused the current administration of pressuring social media companies to censor certain topics and remove content. The lawsuit, the Washington Post reports, is based on emails between the administration and social networks, wherein the former questioned the companies' handling of posts on their websites containing conservative claims on the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 presidential elections, as well as anti-vaccine sentiments.

Doughty, a Trump-appointed judge, said the plaintiffs "produced evidence of a massive effort" by the defendants "to suppress speech based on its content." He also wrote in his decision that if the allegations are true, "the present case arguably involves the most massive attack against free speech in United States history." His order prohibits federal agencies that include the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security from asking online platforms to take down content with "protected free speech." They could still, however, communicate with those entities for issues related to criminal activity, national security and election interference by foreign players.

Conservatives have long believed that mainstream social media platforms are biased against right-wing ideologies. That had led to the launch of social networks associated with conservatives, such as Parler and Donald Trump's Truth Social. The state attorneys argued that federal officials crossed the line by threatening to take antitrust actions against social networks and to limit their Section 230 protections, which allow internet companies to moderate content on their platforms as they see fit. It's worth noting that former President Trump previously signed an executive order that sought to limit federal protections offered by Section 230 after Twitter fact-checked a false tweet he posted.

The Justice Department appealed Doughty's order the day after it was issued, arguing that it was too broad and could limit the government's ability to warn people about false information in times of emergency. Apparently, the administration has already felt its effects after its scheduled meeting with Meta to discuss strategies on how to counter foreign disinformation campaigns was cancelled. This stay will allow federal agencies to continue working with online platforms until the court can look further into the complaint. The appeals court has ordered for the case's oral arguments to be expedited so a final decision could be reached in the near future.
The training offered the alliance an opportunity to further strengthen its interoperability by demonstrating a combined defense capability, rapid deployment, and extended deterrence in the defense of the Korean Peninsula."

This U.S. Air Force press release, issued June 30, describes drills in South Korea involving intercontinental B-52 bombers along with tactical fighter aircraft. The media message describes significant escalation in the ongoing confrontation between North Korea and South Korea.

Arthur I. Cyr

The B-52 Stratofortresses that traveled from the United States date from the 1950s and the height of the Cold War. They have undergone retrofitting over the years but remain essentially as designed and constructed more than a half-century ago.

The B-52 is not only an example of the exceptional military design and development capabilities of this country but also a symbolic reminder of the continuity of some conflicts in the world as well as the horrific possibility of nuclear war.

This bomber has proven to be flexible as well as durable, in ways unforeseen during the original creation. The construction in the 1950s was a function primarily of the need to deter the Soviet Union by the potential delivery of nuclear weapons on targets there and elsewhere. By the following decade, B-52s were actually delivering conventional bombs on targets in both North and South Vietnam during our long war there.

The B-52s in the current exercise flew from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. They are separate from others, deployed to South Korea since mid-June, that are from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.

Additionally, the Biden administration plans to send the largest nuclear-armed U.S. submarine to South Korea for the first time in four decades. The powerful Ohio-class submarine is capable of staying submerged indefinitely and remain on patrol for months.

Remarkable long-range capabilities represent starkly the capacities of technology to bridge and minimize the challenges of geography, including the exceptional distances across the Pacific Ocean.

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South Korea has also been recently visited by the USS Michigan, a submarine armed with cruise missiles, capable of great flexibility and deception in flight. This ship is actively involved in combined South Korea-U.S. special operations training.

The military partnership between our two nations is exceptionally close, dating from the devastating Korean War of 1950 to 1953. During our long Vietnam War, the Republic of Korea maintained approximately fifty thousand troops in South Vietnam.

In contrast to U.S. military force profiles, almost all these soldiers and marines were combat troops. Their approach to combat sparked some controversies, but there was no doubt that they were extremely effective. North Vietnam Army and Viet Cong revolutionary forces actively tried to avoid contact with the Koreans.

North Korea is engaged in ominous long-range missile tests, with evidence of steady improvement in launch and delivery capabilities. U.S. efforts to restrict this dangerous behavior by working through the United Nations have been consistently stymied by China and Russia.

Expanding cooperation between Seoul and Washington builds directly on South Korea President Yoon Suk-yeols successful six-day visit to Washington D.C. in April, marking the seventieth anniversary of the vital alliance between our two nations.

As emphasized in an earlier column, President Yoon has opportunities to develop a starring global leadership role, with noisy North Korea shunted off to stage left.

At a White House state dinner, he sang Don McLeans 1971 song American Pie.

 Arthur I. Cyr is the author of After the Cold War  American Foreign Policy, Europe and Asia (NYU Press and Palgrave/Macmillan; Korean language edition by Oruem Publishing). He can be reached at acyr@carthage.edu

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Arthur Cyr: Tensions between North, South Korea reflect profound realities
A Florida traveler accused of attempting to bring in drugs to Orlando International Airport from the Dominican Republic was arrested Monday afternoon.

According to the federal criminal complaint, after getting off a flight from Santo Domingo around 2 p.m., Roman Batista, 38, was passing through U.S. Customs and Border Protection. At some point during the process, an agent noticed anomalies with an unusually heavy piece of luggage out of his three bags.

The bag was passed through the X-Ray machine, and inside agents saw a portable speaker, with one loose side piece. The suspect claimed that he never took the speaker apart or tampered with it in any way, says the complaint.

Upon further inspection of the apparatus, investigators could see no electronic components inside, just four tightly taped packages that were found to contain a white powdery substance.

The substance subsequently tested positive for cocaine, weighing a total of 3.3 kilograms, or about 7 pounds.

Investigators say Batista invoked his right to remain silent and refused to talk without a lawyer present.

The Kissimmee man was arrested and taken to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Seminole County, where he is being held on no bond. He is charged with importation of controlled substances and possession with the intent to distribute.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Lamb collected about $608,000 in his first three months as a candidate, a sum that may not keep Kari Lake from entering the race or persuade GOP leaders in Washington they have a top-tier fundraiser.

Lamb pulled in about a fifth of the $3.1 million that Democratic Senate candidate Ruben Gallego said he raised in the same span. Both men are the most prominent challengers for the seat held by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., who has not yet filed her totals for April, May and June.

Lambs relatively modest fundraising debut seems unlikely to quell concerns among Republicans in Washington and Arizona who are looking to see if the Pinal County sheriff can demonstrate a readiness to ward off other GOP challengers and win a potential three-way race.

His campaign was not immediately available Friday for comment.

Overall, Lamb raised $608,000 from all sources. That included $5,000 from Lamb and another $5,000 from his wife, Janel, a day before the fundraising deadline.

His campaign spent 45% of what it raised to start its operations, and he ended the period with $335,000 in cash available. Of that, more than $66,000 is earmarked for the general election, effectively reducing his cash total for now.

Lambs campaign paid his wife about $4,800 for consulting expenses and mileage.

Among Lamb's donors, he took in $500 from Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., $2,000 from a political action committee affiliated with Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and $6,600, the legal limit for a primary and general election, from former Republican Senate candidate Jim Lamon.

For the moment, Lamb is the only prominent Republican in the race. He has long been a popular presence on conservative television, usually toeing a hard line on battling illicit drugs and illegal immigration, but the report filed Friday is the first measure of his financial viability on a statewide level.

Lake, the GOP gubernatorial nominee in 2022 who is mentioned as a possible running mate with former President Donald Trump, has publicly acknowledged she is weighing a Senate run. She is widely viewed as the frontrunner for the nomination if she runs, but she continues to sue to overturn her loss last year, act as a prominent surrogate for Trump and tout a recently published book.

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She could enter the Senate race this fall.

Sinema has filed preliminary paperwork needed to seek reelection but hasnt officially said she is seeking a second six-year term. She has yet to file her fundraising figures for the quarter, which must be reported by late Saturday.

If she does run, it would set up a historic, three-way race with no clear precedent. While Republicans still outnumber Democrats in Arizona in registration and voter turnout, the prospects of a Lamb or Lake nomination have not stirred Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., in a cycle when Republicans are favored to win back the chamber.

McConnell repeatedly has identified Senate races in West Virginia, Montana and Ohio as the key contests for Republican gains, with Nevada and Wisconsin as second-order priorities.

Arizonas exclusion is notable from a man who once backed then-Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., even before she formally announced she was running for the Senate.

Campaign fundraising: Ruben Gallego's Senate campaign brings in $3.1 million, largely from small-dollar donors

Well be involved in any primary where that seems to be necessary to get a high-quality candidate, and well be involved in every general election where we have a legitimate shot of winning  regardless of the philosophy of the nominee, McConnell told CNN in May.

McConnells allies prominently withheld financial support from Blake Masters, Arizonas 2022 Senate nominee for Republicans. They did so after private polling showed Masters was historically unpopular.

With relatively little support from his own donors or those who support Republicans, Masters wound up losing by nearly 5 percentage points to Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz. Kellys campaign directly outraised Masters nearly 6 to 1.

Republicans had a lock on Senate races in Arizona for decades, winning nine straight campaigns between 1992 through 2016. Since Sinemas election in 2018 as a Democrat, that party has now won three straight races.

Its the longest elective drought for Republicans in Senate races in Arizona since Democrats won 10 straight between 1922 and 1950.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sheriff Mark Lamb raised $608,000 for his Senate bid
A YouTube channel with nearly 90,000 subscribers apologized to the family of Gannon Stauch, the 11-year-old boy who was murdered by his stepmother, Letecia Stauch, in January 2020, for trying to sell the boy's autopsy photos online.

Outrage ensued last week when it was discovered that the channel, appearing to be run in part by an Ohio woman named Tiffany Zavarelli, was selling access to a video that displayed autopsy pictures of Gannon Stauch for $3 through their Patreon account.

In May, Letecia Stauch was found guilty of first-degree murder and other charges after a trial that lasted more than six weeks for killing her stepson, despite claims of insanity from her and her attorneys.

Evidence in the trial showed that Letecia Stauch killed Gannon Stauch in January 2020 and disposed of his body by storing it in a suitcase and throwing it over a bridge in northern Florida.

The autopsy pictures that the YouTube channel acquired come from the period after Gannon Stauch's body was recovered, more than a month after he was killed.

After defending her actions over the course of the past several days, the YouTuber posted a three-minute apology video where she claims she never intended to hurt anyone by providing access to the photos, and that her Patreon account has been shut down.

"I want to apologize to everyone I hurt, but especially Gannon's family," the woman appearing to be Zavarelli said in her apology video uploaded to YouTube yesterday.

A Patreon spokesperson told the New York Post that the YouTuber's Patreon account was taken down "for violations of our Community Guidelines for Violent and Graphic Content. To create a safe environment for users, Patreon does not allow content glorifying or promoting violence of any kind.

The apology video has not been received kindly by most in the online community.

"You defended your actions over and over, blamed everyone but yourself; Patreon shut you down because you didn't take it down. What you did is unforgivable," one commenter wrote on the YouTuber's community page.

"That wasn't an apology. That was straight up deflecting and hiding. Someone else supposedly doing it doesn't make it right for you to jump on that bandwagon, also," another commenter wrote.

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Questions have been asked since the incident regarding how the YouTube account acquired the autopsy photos of Gannon Stauch. In the video, the YouTuber states she acquired the photos through a records request "in El Paso County, Colorado," for all records in the trial of Letecia Stauch, and that she didn't request the autopsy photos specifically.

Fourth Judicial District Attorney spokesperson Howard Black issued a statement to media on Friday afternoon, claiming that the autopsy pictures of Gannon Stauch were not released by the 4th District Attorney's Office, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office or the El Paso County Coroners Office.

"It appears, and I am not confirming, that the pictures were released through the Colorado Courts," Black wrote in the statement.

Spokesperson for the Colorado Judicial Department Robert McCallum confirmed to The Gazette that the photo was released through the Colorado Judicial Department, but that the department was legally required to do so due to no motion for suppression being filed by the attorneys in the case.

"The exhibits in the case file entered by the parties at trial, or throughout proceedings, are public records open for inspection," McCallum wrote in a statement to The Gazette. "There was no Crim. P. 55.1 motion (suppression) filed in this case. The charges in this case did not fit the criteria for 24-72-304(4.5). Thus, the records were released by the Judicial Department."

Colorado Statute 24-72-304(4.5) primarily states that records identifying a child who was the victim or alleged victim of sexual exploitation crimes  such as pimping, human trafficking or child prostitution  won't be released as part of open records requests. First-degree murder is not one of the offenses listed in the statute.

Black confirmed in his statement that there is no criminal investigation underway regarding the displaying of Gannon Stauch's autopsy photos online.

Zavarelli did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Gazette.

Letecia Stauch was sentenced to life in prison, and is serving in a women's correctional facility in Denver.
Scott Bryan had less than $65 to his name the night police said he was beaten to death by a 19-year-old man outside of a gas station in Kalispell, Montana.

Bryan, 60, had lived on-and-off the streets since 2021, in the community of 28,000 residents about 200 miles southeast of Helena. But friends were getting worried about Bryan  he was trying to make $65 last for weeks while dealing with health problems and the increasingly hostile attitude some in the community had started to take toward him and others struggling to survive.

On June 25, around 2 a.m., police said Kaleb Fleck, 19, and an 18-year-old friend were sitting inside a pickup truck when Bryan approached them. Moments later, Bryan was lying on the ground with severe facial trauma, including exposed bone and a nasal cavity that appeared crushed, according to police. Fleck was arrested and charged with killing Bryan.

It may be a more violent version of the encounter that played out on a New York City subway nearly two months earlier, where U.S. Marine veteran Daniel Penny choked Jordan Neely, killing him. That case drew national attention, including acclaim for Penny from right-wing pundits, but experts say both Nelly and Bryan's cases point to the violence homeless Americans regularly encounter.

This everyday violence is, in part, spurred by false narratives that stoke fear and frame people who are homeless as aggressors, said Margot Kushel, a researcher on homelessness at the University of California San Francisco. We must reject those narratives and recognize that, instead, they are our friends, family, and neighbors who have been left behind by the housing shortage, lack of funding for rental assistance for low-income renters, and the ongoing effects of structural racism,

Bryan's 'biggest strength and biggest weakness was his kindness'

Bryans journey to the streets of northwest Montana began like it does for many Americans, with a health crisis and financial hardship.

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The Connecticut native was diagnosed with epilepsy and was a lung cancer survivor in his 20s, said Bryans sister, Holly Torska, and he lived for a while with his parents while holding down part-time jobs.

They determined he could not ever work long enough to earn a livable wage due to the disease. Though this was his fate, he continued to apply over and over again landing jobs here and there only to have his health issues end them for him," Torska said. "Scott wanted to be a productive member of society, but that was not the hand he was given."

Family originally helped draw Bryan to Montana, but within about 18 months he had landed in Kalispell  first staying in a warming center and more recently in low-income housing, said Sean ONeill, community services department director for the Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana.

He was one of those guys who was kind of a grouch but once you got to know him, you could actually see that he cared a lot about people. Which is kind of funny because he had his own stuff he was still working through. His strength and his weakness was his kindness, ONeill said.

After being housed for almost two years, Bryan lost his housing in April because he was letting people stay over. Most of the people he invited over were women, who he felt he could give a safe space to, ONeill said.

The day before Bryan died, ONeill said they joked that Bryan had to be ready to fight if something happened. ONeill said he had intended to keep the conversation light-hearted, but also wanted Bryan to be alert, because he was getting harassed regularly and was attacked a couple weeks before his death.

The saddest part about this is we have to come at this as a community to say we need to protect our homeless folks because they're vulnerable. He was the epitome of that vulnerability, ONeill said.

He was scared towards these last few weeks.

Flecks attorney did not respond to requests for comment.

Fleck pleaded not guilty to deliberate homicide and was released from custody July 6 after a man 'with deep ties to Flathead Valley' joined a group that agreed to act as surety to help cover Flecks $500,000 bail, the Daily Inter Lake reported.

A crisis on the streets

As in many communities, a mental-health crisis has been playing out on Kalispells streets, said Tonya Horn, executive director of the Flathead Warming Center. And in a small community with limited resources, Horn said its easy for residents to see others in need and think we dont have the help they need.

Flathead County Sheriff deputies respond to the scene of a shooting incident in the parking lot of Fuel Fitness in Kalispell, Mont., Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021.

Another violent incident in September 2021 caused some residents to harden their stances on the issue.

Police said a man who was living on the grounds of a Kalispell business got into a dispute with one of its employees, killing the employee.

Afterward, Flathead County Commissioners started receiving letters and comments from the public who voiced their concerns about aggressive homeless, safety in the city parks and unsanitary debris, said Kim Grieser, county public information officer.

And when Kalispell closed a park earlier this year because of homeless camping, county commissioners wrote an editorial that encouraged residents to stop enabling the homeless community, Horn said.

Their letter did not call for violence, but their letter gave a platform for people who have felt that way. Their letter also gave that platform for people to hate, Horn said. Our community leaders might be struggling with trying to solve the homeless problem in our county, but its a problem that is prevalent all across the United States.

'There can't be another Scott Bryan here'

There are more than 580,000 Americans experiencing homelessness and violence can be a constant threat, Kushel said.

The homeless population in the U.S. experiences acts of violence at a rate two-to-10 times that of the general public, according to a 2014 report that explored the connections between violence and homelessness.

And a more recent survey from the National Coalition for the Homeless, published in 2018, included a 16-year review of data that showed 476 homeless people killed in acts of violence, with suspects generally male and under the age of 30; more than 35% of those cases were classified as hate crimes.

Research has shown that violence perpetrated on homeless individuals can have serious consequences. It has the potential to cause physical and psychological injuries, extend homelessness, and may require considerable medical treatment that most homeless individuals are unable to afford. Violence also contributes to lower levels of perceived safety and an exacerbation of preexisting mental health issues, the study stated.

And in many communities around the country, residents see others struggling and are convinced that people have moved there to be homeless, Kushel said, though there's little data to support that.

What were seeing is the tamping up in what I might call victim-blaming rhetoric, she said. There has been an increase in people taking out their frustration with the current policy environment, which has gotten us into the situation, and taking it out on the people who in some ways are suffering the most from policies.

In this photo taken Thursday, June 16, 2011, a sign near an old railroad station is shown in Kalispell, Mont. Anti-government and white supremacist individuals and groups are thriving in the Inland Northwest, an area that runs roughly 200 miles from Spokane, Wash., through northern Idaho to this community on the outskirts of Glacier National Park. (AP Photo/Nicholas K. Geranios)

In Kalispell, Horn is working with the mayor to put together a homeless council, which will include homeless residents, to come up with solutions for problems in the community.

The shelter Horn runs provides 50 beds at night, showers and laundry services in addition to bringing in groups from other community organizations to provide job information or mental health services to those who stay over.

You might not drive into town and see tent cities, Horn said, but you're also not going to see compassion from community leaders.

We're trying so desperately hard to come up with solutions, Horn said.

The attack on Bryan was not a surprise to advocates, considering how much hostility and frequent harassment the homeless population had experienced since the beginning of the year. They've spent recent years warning this type of violent encounter might happen in Kalispell  and trying to change the narrative around homelessness in the area in order to prevent it, ONeill said.

He [Bryan] was the person we were most worried about in our community and that worst thing that could have occurred did occur, ONeill said. Now, we just want to make sure that it never happens again because there can't be another Scott Bryan here. We know we can't stop it everywhere.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Scott Bryan's Montana beating death puts homeless, hostility in focus
South Koreas official endorsement of the plan has done little to put its public at ease, as officials cope with panic-buying, protests and consumer boycotts. Some stores even ran out of sea salt and imposed a purchasing limit.

Elsewhere, China has barred seafood exports from several Japanese prefectures and Hong Kong has followed suit after Tokyo won approval from the U.N.s nuclear watchdog last week for its plan to release treated radioactive water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean.

The Japanese government and the plants operator, the Tokyo Electric Power Company, have said the water, currently being held in hundreds of tanks on land, must be removed to prevent accidental leaks and make room for the plants decommissioning.

But despite their reassurances that the plant meets international safety standards and support from the International Atomic Energy Agency, several Asian countries remain unconvinced, slapping export bans on seafood fished off several regions of Japan and imposing additional food safety inspections on food from the Fukushima region.

IAEA chief in Japan (Kyodo via AP)

Leading the criticism is China, which has fiercely opposed the plan. Its customs agency vowed Friday that it would take all necessary measures to abate the worries of its consumers. This included a de facto ban on imports from 10 Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima.

Twelve years on, Japan has chosen to shift the risk of nuclear contamination onto the whole of humanity, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a news conference last week.

Li Fengmin, a professor of marine physics and biology in the Ocean University of China, told NBC News he was worried that the IAEA issued its recommendations under pressure from the Japanese government.

My personal concern is there might be political, economic or diplomatic gaming hiding behind IAEAs conclusion, he said, adding that Japan was dumping the wastewater because it was a more cost-effective choice.

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In one of the worlds worst disasters, on March 11, 2011, the region was hit by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake  the strongest in Japans history. A deadly wall of water then slammed through the walls of the nuclear plant, knocking out power supply, including backup generators, and flooding parts of the facility. Three nuclear reactors melted down, spewing radioactive particles into the air.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant was hit by a wall of water after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake rocked the region in March 2011. (Hidenori Nagai / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP file)

Authorities acted quickly, scrubbing buildings and removing about 4 inches of soil and vegetation from the surrounding area. But the massive cleanup, compensation and decommissioning, generated massive costs for TEPCO and last year, a Japanese court ruled the disaster couldve been prevented if the company had exercised due care.

In line with Beijings decision to ban Japanese seafood, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said Tuesday that the city will ban a large number of prefectural sea products from Japan because of the Fukushima wastewater discharge.

And last week, a fish market in South Korea tested its seafood for radiation to dispel fears. This took place despite an assessment by South Koreas government concluded the wastewater release would have an insignificant impact on its water.

Some Japanese fishing organizations, worried about the reputation of their catches have also criticized the plan.

Experts however, have insisted that it is safe.

The radiation levels that would actually pose a risk to human health are thousands of times more than the ones due to be released, said Robin Grimes, a material physics professor at Imperial College London, who was also a part of Britains emergency response group to Fukushima.

Nigel Marks, an associate professor at Curtin University in Australia, added that the radiation exposure is the same or even below the levels of getting a tooth X-rayed.

Japan is deploying a specialized system called advanced liquid processing system, which according to the IAEAs report, is a pumping and filtration system that uses a series of chemical reactions to remove the various radioactive substances from the water.

The increase in radioactivity will be very, very tiny, said Mark Foreman, an energy and materials associate professor at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. He added that substances like tritium, which cannot be removed by the advanced liquid processing system, will get enormously diluted by the Pacific.

However, Ken Buesseler, a marine radiochemist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution said he was disappointed that other alternatives like using the water for making concrete were not fully considered, adding the advanced liquid processing system was yet to prove its effectiveness.

Japan hopes to start releasing the water this summer and continue to do so over many decades.

Having to keep it for two or three hundred years when tritium becomes undetectable is just mad, Grimes said.

The risk would be even lower than other plants around the world because the Japanese have removed those radioactive species to even greater extent, he added.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Doug Emhoff; Vice President Kamala Harris; Dean Obeidallah Photo courtesy of The White House

Muslim Americans have come so far since the dark early days of the Trump administration. But even as we celebrate, there stands a stark reminder that there are still GOP leaders who will target our community with hate to score political points. We saw that play out this week when Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed Muslim Americans, including myself, on Tuesday to the Vice President's Residence to celebrate the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha. This eventwhich was coordinated in association with the El-Hibri Foundation, a philanthropic organizationmarked the first time ever that a U.S. vice president has celebrated an Eid at their residence.

Doug and I were honored to host the first Eid celebration at the Vice Presidents Residence. To all those who celebrate, we hope you had a blessed Eid al-Adha! pic.twitter.com/OOD9BdEXUZ  Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) July 14, 2023

Yet just days before, there was 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump pledging during a rally in Iowa to implement an "even bigger" Muslim travel ban if he wins than he did when he was in the White House. Trump as president originally banned people from nine Muslim-majority nations but after court challenges the final ban upheld by the GOP-controlled Supreme Court applied to five Muslim nations.) In typical Trump fashion, he reignited p anti-Muslim bigotry while pledging to implement a new travel ban. "We don't want people blowing up our shopping centers. We don't want people blowing up our cities."

This, of course, is the same Trump who has defended his followers who waged the Jan. 6 terrorist attack to overturn the election as being unfairly prosecutedeven pledging that if he wins in 2024 he would pardon "a large portion of them." Apparently, Trump has no issues with terrorism when it is carried out by his supporters to help achieve his political goals.

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Trump's proposed new Muslim ban is actually an important wake-up call for many in our community. I've repeatedly warned that GOP candidates will circle back to demonize Muslims in the 2024 election cycle because it has long played well with their base. And no one was more openly bigoted and hateful to our community than Trump during the 2016 campaign, serving up a buffet of anti-Muslim hate, from his bald-faced lie that American Muslims celebrated the 9/11 attack to his claim "Islam hates us" all to building to his call for a "total ban" on Muslims entering the United States. As a result, our community saw a spike in hate crimes  including physical attacks on Muslim Americans, bullying of Muslim students and vandalism of our places of worship  that eclipsed what we endured in the months after 9/11.

But if Trump and the right believed targeting our community was going to cause us to cower in the shadows, they were mightily mistaken. Instead, Muslim Americans became more active in electoral politics than ever before. Many became grassroots activists, others worked on campaigns and a record-breaking number of 145 Muslims ran for office in 2022. At least 80 Muslims won elections from school boards to Congress to statewide success, like Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's successful re-election.

In fact, the gathering at Vice President Harris' residence was a testament to how far our community has come, with Harris vowing in response to the bigotry that "we are all in this together." However, with the Biden-Harris administration, it's not just words of support. There are currently more than 100 Muslim Americans serving in the administrationmany of whom were at the event such as White House assistant press secretary Abdullah Hasan. And as Wa'el Alzayat, the executive director of Emgage noted while we are at the Eid gathering, there are now 13 Senate-confirmed Muslims serving in various positions in the Biden administrationthe most ever.

This embrace by the Biden administration and the significance of the event with the Vice President resonates beyond our borders, as Farhan Latif, the President El-Hibri Foundation, explained via email. "Nearly two billion Muslims around the world," Latif noted, "are watching our democratic values in action." What a contrast to the message sent to the world's Muslims by Trump who during the 2016 campaign called for "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.

At the Eid event, Vice President Harris was clearly touched on the story behind the Eid al-Adhaknown as the "Festival of Sacrifice"a high holiday that marks when Abraham was tested by God to sacrifice his first son. Abraham was prepared to do as God commanded but then God stopped Abraham, instructing him to instead sacrifice an animal. If that story sounds familiar, it's because it also appears, with slight variations, in the Bible. In fact, the reason Judaism, Islam and Christianity are known as the Abrahamic religions is because all share Abraham as a prophet. The Vice President then shared how she views faith as a "verb," in that she sees a "connection between faith and action." Adding, "Our faith is what allows us to believe in the good, but also in understanding that it requires our action to make it so.

However, it was something else the vice president stated near the end of her remarks that resonated deeply as she touched on the forces of the right trying to erase progress and move our nation backward. Paraphrasing a quote from Coretta Scott King, she explained that the "fight for civil rights and progressmust be fought and won by each generation. It's also a message that perfectly applies to my fellow Muslims. While we have seen great progress in terms of political activism and achievements, there is a dark cloud gathering over the horizon as Trump once again ratchets up anti-Muslim hate. And we will soon be called again to fight to maintain that progress.

Read more

about the promise of the Biden administration and the threat of another Trump presidency
Kelly Hanna shows a photo taken before her leg was amputated in 2020 by a doctor who calls himself the leg saver, in Owosso, Mich., April 25, 2023. (Cydni Elledge/The New York Times)

Kelly Hannas leg was amputated in 2020, after a Michigan doctor who called himself the leg saver had damaged her arteries by snaking metal wires through them to clear away plaque.

It started with a festering wound on her left foot. Her podiatrist referred Hanna to Dr. Jihad Mustapha. Over 18 months, he performed at least that many artery-opening procedures on Hannas legs, telling her they would improve blood flow and prevent amputations.

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They didnt  for Hanna or many of his other patients. Surgeons at nearby hospitals had seen so many of his patients with amputations and other problems that they complained to Michigans medical board about his conduct.

Mustapha is no back-alley operator working in the shadows of the medical establishment, an investigation by The New York Times has found. With the financial backing of medical device manufacturers, he has become a leader of a booming cottage industry that peddles risky procedures to millions of Americans  enriching doctors and device companies and sometimes costing patients their limbs.

The industry targets the roughly 12 million Americans with peripheral artery disease, in which plaque  a sticky slurry of fat, calcium and other materials  accumulates in the arteries of the legs. For a tiny portion of patients, the plaque can choke off blood flow, leading to amputations or death.

But more than a decade of medical research has shown that the vast majority of people with peripheral artery disease have mild or no symptoms and dont require treatment, aside from getting more exercise and taking medication. Experts said even those who do have severe symptoms, like Hanna, shouldnt undergo repeated procedures in a short period of time.

Some doctors insert metal stents or nylon balloons to push plaque to the sides of arteries. Others perform atherectomies, in which a wire armed with a tiny blade or laser is deployed inside arteries to blast away plaque. Rigorous medical research has found that atherectomies are especially risky: Patients with peripheral artery disease who undergo the procedures are more likely to have amputations than those who do not.

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The volume of these vascular procedures has been surging. The use of atherectomies, in particular, has soared  by one measure, more than doubling in the past decade, according to a Times analysis of Medicare payment data.

There are two reasons. First, the government changed how it pays doctors for these procedures. In 2008, Medicare created incentives for doctors to perform all sorts of procedures outside hospitals, part of an effort to curb medical costs. A few years later, it began paying doctors for outpatient atherectomies, transforming the procedure into a surefire moneymaker. Doctors rushed to capitalize on the opportunity by opening their own outpatient clinics, where by 2021, they were billing $10,000 or more per atherectomy.

The second reason: Companies that make equipment for vascular procedures pumped resources into a fledgling field of medicine to build a lucrative market.

When doctors open their own vascular clinics, major players like Abbott Laboratories and Boston Scientific are there to help with training and billing tips. Electronics giant Philips works with a finance company to offer loans for equipment and dangles discounts to clinics that do more procedures.

Mustapha declined to comment on Hannas case, citing health care privacy law. But he strongly defended his treatment of the seriously ill patients who form the bulk of his practice. He said his clinics have very low rates of complications, including 1.3% of patients having major amputations within 30 days of treatment.

The vast majority of the patients we serve have had exceptional outcomes, Mustapha said. We have saved countless limbs  and lives.

Representatives of Philips, Abbott and Boston Scientific stood by their work with outpatient clinics, which they said cut costs and were better for patients. A Philips spokesperson said it was standard practice across industries to provide loans to finance large purchases.

The vascular industry faces minimal regulation. Many medical devices sail through the Food and Drug Administrations clearance process without much data showing they work. The clinics are not subject to the same safety regulations as hospitals. Even when regulators determine that doctors have performed unnecessary procedures, they generally impose paltry fines and let them continue practicing.

Fifteen surgeons told the Times they were frequently called in to fix problems caused by doctors in vascular clinics.

Someone who cuts or inserts something into a patient for unnecessary work is the same as someone stabbing you in the street and taking your wallet, said Dr. Russell Samson, a vascular surgeon in Florida.

Millions in Payments

From 2017 to 2021, about half of Medicares atherectomy payments  $1.4 billion  have gone to 200 high-volume providers, the Times analysis found.

Many of the doctors who do the most vascular procedures receive payments  for consulting, speeches and other services  from the device industry that profits from their work.

For example, the top provider of Medicare-financed atherectomies in Louisiana, Dr. David Allie, received $2.8 million from drug and device makers between 2013, when the federal government began collecting such data, and 2022. He didnt respond to requests for comment.

In addition to those payments, device companies have lent money to 153 of the 200 doctors or their clinics to finance the purchase of medical equipment, according to a Times review of loan filings.

At least one company, Philips, allows doctors to reduce or eliminate their monthly payments if they use the companys equipment to perform a minimum number of procedures, according to current and former Philips employees.

The Philips spokesperson, Ken Peters, said the loans are issued by Philips Medical Capital, which Philips owns with a finance company. He said Philips Medical Capital made independent decisions about which doctors get loans.

Assembly Line

Of the 200 doctors who performed the most atherectomies, Mustapha stands out  both for the harm that patients and doctors say he has caused and for the support he has received from the device industry.

Mustaphas website said he performed his first limb-salvage treatment more than a dozen years ago, preventing the amputation of the leg of a 52-year-old woman. Of all of his professional titles, the website says, he is proudest of the Leg Saver.

In 2018, he and his nephew, Dr. Fadi Saab, opened their first vascular clinic in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Later that year, they opened another in Lansing, Michigan. The business was called Advanced Cardiac & Vascular Centers for Amputation Prevention.

From 2013 to 2017, while Mustapha worked for Metro Health Hospital in Grand Rapids, he performed 358 atherectomies. In the next four years, he billed Medicare for more than 1,500. Saab billed the agency for 1,150 more.

Those atherectomies earned their clinics nearly $18 million from Medicare alone. That doesnt include any procedures covered by private insurance.

Mustaphas clinics at times felt like an assembly line, according to three former employees who requested anonymity because they still work in health care. Sometimes, they said, he performed procedures on two patients simultaneously.

Mustapha said that procedures are scheduled with enough time so patients can be treated safely, kindly and respectfully.

Rushed to the Hospital

In March 2020, an ambulance rushed Cheryl McAdams to a hospital from Mustaphas Grand Rapids clinic, where he was performing his seventh procedure on her in two years. A device he was using broke off in her leg, causing internal bleeding, medical records show.

At the hospital, a vascular surgeon performed emergency surgery. He later filed a complaint about Mustapha with Michigans medical licensing board, and McAdams, 74, sued. Mustapha has denied the claims.

Seven other surgeons said in interviews that they had been called in to treat dozens of patients who had been harmed by Mustapha.

One was Hanna, 62. She arrived at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital in July 2020, after 18 months of treatment by Mustapha.

Her right foot was purple and cold to the touch. A vascular surgeon at the hospital, Dr. Judith Lin, said in an interview that she had no choice but to amputate above the knee.

By then, Lin had already treated several of Mustaphas former patients. Some required amputations. Others needed leftover wires extracted from their legs. Like McAdams surgeon, Lin complained to Michigans licensing board.

Mustapha questioned Lins expertise but declined to comment on what she said about his patients. He also raised the possibility of Lin having competing interests, because Michigan State University, her employer, is opening a vascular clinic in Lansing. Lin said that had nothing to do with her complaints, which long predated the new clinic.

Starting in 2020, the medical licensing board investigated her complaint and referred it to Michigans attorney general, who brought disciplinary action against Mustapha. An expert hired by the state to review eight patient cases concluded that his practice was characterized by overtreatment and poor documentation. The expert found that in some cases, including Hannas, unnecessary procedures hastened amputations.

The states expert also cited the case of Traves Louch as another example of someone who underwent a concerning number of unnecessary procedures  four in less than three weeks.

After the last one, blood stopped flowing to Louchs left foot. Ten days later, his lower leg was amputated.

What the signs say on his offices is to prevent and help prevent amputations, said Louch, 50. And here I am with half my leg gone.

Mustapha declined to comment on individual patients.

In April, he reached a settlement with the Michigan attorney general, agreeing to pay $25,000 and to take medical education courses. He did not acknowledge wrongdoing.

Mustapha said the state could have imposed a tougher punishment and the fact that it didnt speaks for itself. He also said that members of the medical board lacked his experience in treating patients with advanced peripheral artery disease.

Mustapha referred the Times to a handful of patients who raved about his treatment. Two said in interviews that Mustapha saved their limbs.

Another said he began seeing Mustapha at his doctors advice, even though he had no pain in his legs and was physically active. The man said Mustapha had been performing procedures on him for 14 years. In 2021, his lower leg was amputated.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Elon Musk took to Twitter to talk about his new artificial intelligence company, xAI, outlining a goal of building a super-intelligent AI that could help solve complex scientific and math questions and "understand" the universe.

During a live audio event on the social media platform, Musk's team of all-male math, AI and engineering experts spoke about how they wanted to create an AI that was smarter than humans with the goal of benefiting society. Musk said the fundamental goal of the company is to understand "what the hell is really going on."

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The event showcased how Musk seems to initially be more focused on answering deep scientific questions, rather than competing head to head with OpenAI, Google and Microsoft to create consumer AI products. Musk did say he saw his venture as an alternative to bigger AI companies but said xAI was still "embryonic," and that it would take time for it to catch up with OpenAI and Google.

The new wave of AI tools has surprised many artificial intelligence experts with their capabilities, and some leaders in the field have moved up their timelines for how many years it will take before an AI creation is generally smarter and more capable than any human. But the current crop of technology works by predicting what image or word to say next, and there is no evidence that they can solve unanswered scientific questions. Many AI researchers say human-level AI may be many decades away, if it ever comes about at all.

Musk said that questions about the nature of dark matter or unsolved aspects of how gravity works could be among the mysteries his company seeks to explain. He spoke at length about the "Fermi paradox" - a theoretical question that asks why humans have not discovered aliens yet and posits that technological civilizations usually destroy themselves, or are destroyed by an outside force, before traveling to other solar systems.

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Jimmy Ba, a University of Toronto professor and well-known AI researcher who joined Musk's company, said the goal is to create an AI that can help with a range of problems facing humanity.

"How can we build a general purpose problem-solving machine to help all of us, humanity, overcome the most challenging and ambitious problems out there, and how can we use those tools to augment ourselves and empower," Ba said.

Musk, who has criticized existing chatbots for being politically correct, said his company's AI might offend people because it would speak the "truth."

Musk has been outspoken about AI for years, famously saying in 2014 that inventing super-intelligent computers would be like "summoning the demon" and could create an existential threat to humanity. He helped found ChatGPT-maker OpenAI in 2015 but left the company in 2018 after disagreements with its other leaders. Over the past few months, he has complained about OpenAI and other AI companies scraping Twitter data to help train their bots.

Tesla, the publicly traded electric-vehicle company that Musk is the primary owner of, has a robust AI team who have already worked for years on giving the cars self-driving capabilities. Musk has said his new AI venture will work closely with both Twitter and Tesla. Investors have criticized Musk for using Tesla resources to help his other ventures, especially Twitter.

"We are going to work with Tesla on the silicon front and maybe on the AI software front as well," Musk said, referring to Tesla's custom silicon computer chips. "Obviously, any relationship with Tesla has to be an arms-length transaction because Tesla is a public corporation with a different investor base."

Training the "large language models" that make up the backbone of modern AI tools requires huge amounts of data and stacks of computers to crunch all the information - an extremely expensive process. Tesla has significant computer processing capacity and has used it in its efforts to build self-driving technology.

On the Twitter event, Musk said his company would need computing power but suggested it wouldn't be as much as other companies use. The team would stay relatively small, Igor Babuschkin, a former Google and OpenAI researcher who joined xAI, said.

Musk initially delayed the beginning of the event to wait for more listeners to join. He said he was adjusting Twitter's algorithm so the space showed up for more people. About 34,000 people were listening when it started.

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Presidential hopeful Nikki Haley is standing firm on her support for Ukraine, even as infighting within her own party over the issue continues in Washington, D.C.

Haley spoke Friday morning to a room full of voters donning her campaign stickers in Ankeny and declared that not supporting Ukraine would be akin to forgoing U.S. leadership responsibilities abroad.

"A lot of people want to talk about Russia and Ukraine, and there's different thoughts on it," she said, "Why do we care about Ukraine? Because a win for Russia is a win for China. Don't ever forget that."

Haley said it's premature for the United States to "take the foot off the gas" and instead it's time to "take advantage of this opportunity," alluding to the Kremlin's growing struggles amid the conflict. She said it will take "strength" to end the war, but she stopped short of saying the U.S. should foot the bill.

"I don't think we give Ukraine cash. I don't think we put troops on the ground. We get with our allies and we make sure everyone is pulling their weight, and we make sure they have the equipment and the ammunition to win. They showed they have the will to do it, we need to help them do it," she said.

More: Where are presidential candidates in Iowa? Follow the Register's 2024 caucus tracker

Haley's message on Ukraine has stayed consistent, even as her rival candidates such as Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis have wavered on their support. In March, before many of her rivals officially launched their campaigns, Haley participated in a moderated conversation with U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst in Clive, in which she reiterated her policy vision on the Ukraine war.

To a crowd of over 200 people Friday evening in Moravia for an event supporting Iowa State Rep. Austin Harris, Haley honed her message on foreign policy. She called China "the biggest threat we've had since Pearl Harbor" and repeatedly criticized President Biden and his administration for their less combative foreign policy approach.

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Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley talks with moderator Tucker Carlson, left, during the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines, Friday, July 14, 2023.

In an interview with the Des Moines Register after the event, Haley further criticized the Biden administration for not acting sooner on supporting Ukraine.

"I feel like they were too little, too late to get to what we needed to have happen. Let's not forget that Russia surrounded Ukraine a whole year before. And I think Russia was emboldened by what happened in Afghanistan," she said.

As for navigating the infighting within her own party on U.S. support for Ukraine, Haley said as president, she could unite the party through transparency.

"I think you always have to tell the people you serve why you think what you think and what the endgame is," she told the Register. "That's the goal. That's what the American people want. To know, is this going to be a forever war? No, we don't want this to be a forever war."

Her approach resonated with Carmine Boal of the Northside Conservatives Breakfast Club, the organization hosting the event in Ankeny. Boal said she supports Ukraine's fight for its sovereignty but doesn't want U.S. dollars or troops directly involved.

"Russia was very aggressive. That has not been our foreign policy, to be aggressive and take over countries. That's not the way we do things and we can't allow that," she said. "Obviously World War I and World War II, we stand up against the evil axis, so to speak. We just have to get involved I believe, so I like her stance."

Nikki Haley largely silent on abortion during Iowa swing

Haley largely steered clear of discussing the recent passage of Iowa's six-week abortion ban.

She has wavered on messaging on abortion before, saying she is "unapologetically pro-life" while not committing to an exact number of weeks after which she thinks abortion should be federally outlawed.

During her CNN town hall in Des Moines last month, Haley said she would sign a national abortion ban but avoided further discussion, saying it's unlikely Congress would pass such restrictions.

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley talks with moderator Tucker Carlson, left, during the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines, Friday, July 14, 2023.

On Friday, she told the Register it would be dishonest for a Republican president to promise voters that a six-week abortion ban like the one passed in Iowa would be possible on the national level.

"It's important to tell the American people no Republican president can ban abortions, any more than a Democrat president can get rid of these state laws," she said.

Is Nikki Haley making inroads in Iowa?

In March, a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll found 40% of Iowans didn't know enough about Haley to form an opinion. She has repeated to Iowans on the campaign trail since not to worry about the polls, and that she's been underestimated before and still pulled off a win.

In her words, Haley's strategy to win Iowa is to "shake as many hands as you can, answer every question and keep coming back over and over again."

After three campaign stops in Iowa Friday, Haley has now held 27 different events across the state. Some Iowans are starting to take notice.

"She's simply amazing," said Ankeny resident Bob Funk. "She's got such a broad view of the world. She's got so much experience on the state level, on a national level and foreign policy level."

Just the day before Friday's event in Ankeny, Funk and his wife signed up to be volunteers for the Haley campaign, he said. The independent voter said he's officially changing his party status to Republican so he can caucus for Haley come Jan. 15.

"Do I trust her explicitly with my life? She's one candidate I would honestly say yes," he said.

Appanoose County resident, farmer and restauranteur Crystal Brown Myers declared before the event in Moravia to her friends that she planned to marry former President Donald Trump one day.

"I love that man," she later told the Des Moines Register.

After hearing Haley speak, Myers said she still wants to marry Trump, but she might consider casting her vote for Haley instead.

"She spoke from the cuff and she knew people and she paid attention," Myers said, noting that she appreciates Haley's small-town upbringing compared to Trump's. "She's just a down-to-earth, hard-working girl."

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article listed an incorrect title for Iowa State Rep. Austin Harris. It has been corrected.

Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter following Nikki Haley's presidential campaign for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at FBlock@registermedia.com or on Twitter at@francescablock3.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Presidential hopeful Nikki Haley courts Iowa with Ukraine support
A screenshot of a video shows a traffic stop and arrest on Friday on Interstate-10 of a father who did not have custody of his two children but abducted them from Palm Coast, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office. The children were safe and the father was arrested.

Two children were reunited with their custodial parent after they were abducted by their non-custodial father who is now in jail, according to the Flagler County Sheriffs Office.

The father, Derek Jordan, 39, admitted to planning and then traveling to Flagler County to abduct the children, a 3-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy, the sheriffs office stated.

Jordan was charged with two counts of kidnapping a minor under 13; aggravated battery on a person over 65; and burglary of a dwelling with assault or battery.

Jordan was being held in the Duval County Jail without bond pending his return to Flagler County's Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.

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The Flagler County Sheriffs Office received a call at 2:06 p.m. Friday. Deputies responded to a home in the Z-section of Palm Coast, where a person said the father entered the house, pushed a family member and forcefully took the children, the sheriffs office stated.

Jordan does not have custody or legal authority over the children, the sheriffs office stated.

Jordan drove away with the children in a grey Toyota Sienna minivan with an Indiana tag.

Deputies began looking for the vehicle and the sheriffs office Real Time Crime Center alerted nearby agencies of the vehicle. The sheriffs office also began working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to issue an Amber Alert.

With help from the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office, Jacksonville Sheriffs Office and the Florida Highway Patrol, Jordans vehicle was quickly located on Interstate-10 West near MM346 by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office. They conducted a traffic stop around 3:42 p.m. and the children were rescued and the father was arrested, the sheriffs office stated.

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This was outstanding teamwork between all agencies involved and our network of Real Time Crime Centers, said Sheriff Rick Staly. Our RTCC and our major case detectives were a buzz of activity and resulted in the quick apprehension of the suspect and the safe return of the children.

The sheriffs office monitored the stop at its Real Time Crime Center.

With our technology, we were able to actually watch the traffic stop and arrest of the suspect two counties away on I-10," Staly said. "This is a great example of why we started an RTCC and invested in our technology. Im very proud of our team and all the partners that assisted in bringing this case to a quick and safe reunion to the appropriate parent/guardian.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Father arrested after abducting 2 children from Palm Coast home
After months of pushback and legal warnings, Peoria Unified School District governing board member Heather Rooks said on Thursday she will refrain from quoting Scripture during board meetings.

Rooks, who joined the board in January, had been reciting Bible verses during the portion of governing board meetings reserved for members to publicly recognize schools, groups or individuals who have made a contribution to the district, as well as share information related to their service as Board members.

In March, after she quoted from Corinthians, the board's president, David Sandoval, reminded the board they were told by the district's attorney that "reciting Scripture at a board meeting on this side of the dais goes against the Establishment Clause" of the U.S. Constitution.

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In June, the district received a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation urging the Peoria Unified School District administration to stop its board members from quoting Bible verses during meetings and warning that if board members continue to impose religion on those in attendance, it could subject the school district to unnecessary liability and potential financial strain.

At the meeting following the receipt of the letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Rooks quoted a passage from Ephesians: Therefore, put on every piece of Gods armor so that you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.

At Thursday's governing board meeting, Rooks said she received a letter from the school district directing her to stop reciting Bible verses during school board meetings. "The district asserts that doing so violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment," she said.

Warning goes unheeded: Peoria school board members quote Bible at board meeting despite warning and legal advice

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"Based upon the district's letter, I will refrain from reciting Bible verses at this time and will have my attorneys at First Liberty Institute handle this matter," she said.

The First Liberty Institute, a conservative legal organization based in Texas, calls itself the "largest non-profit legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious liberty for all Americans." Its most prominent cases include defending Aaron and Melissa Klein, owners of a bakery in Oregon who refused to create a custom wedding cake for a lesbian couple in 2013.

Board member Rebecca Hill has also quoted Bible verses during governing board meetings on multiple occasions. She did not recite a Bible verse during her board comment on Thursday. She also did not indicate whether she would do so in the future.

"When I came into this position as a board member, I took a sworn oath to God," Hill said at Thursday's meeting. "I swore to God that I would uphold the Constitution, which includes my First Amendment rights."

Rooks and Hill could not be reached for comment.

Voted down: Peoria school board rejects free computer science program that has commitment to diversity

Madeleine Parrish covers K-12 education. Reach her at mparrish@arizonarepublic.com and follow her on Twitter at @maddieparrish61.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Peoria school board member says she will stop quoting Scripture
A Pueblo man was sentenced Friday to 18 years in prison for vehicular homicide in the death of a teenager last November.

Phillip Cassares, 27, pleaded guilty in May to vehicular homicide - driving under the influence, in a plea deal signed by 10th Judicial District Attorney Jeff Chostner.

In exchange for his guilty plea, all other charges against Cassares were dropped. He originally was charged with first-degree murder - extreme indifference, vehicular homicide and driving under restraint.

The sentencing agreement stipulated a sentence between 16-24 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.

Victim's family expresses heartbreak, requests maximum sentence

During the sentencing Friday, Martin Welch, the father of 18-year-old victim Ashton Welch, said his family suffered extreme trauma and heartbreak because of Cassares' actions the night of the crash. Martin Welch stated that from the night of his son's death to the day of the sentencing, he had not seen any remorse in the defendant.

"We know that we are not the only parents to lose children. But I am the only father, she the only mother, to lose Ashton Welch. We are uniquely broken in a world full of broken people," he told the court.

Martin Welch asked the court to impose the maximum sentence of 24 years  a request echoed by Senior Deputy District Attorney Jeff Lindsey, who said from the beginning of the case, Cassares exhibited a "very cavalier attitude" about his actions.

Lindsey stated that when police responded to the scene of the crash, Cassares told officers he had been in the passenger seat of the vehicle but could not name the person driving.

At the hospital following the crash, Lindsey stated, Cassares only demonstrated concern for his phone that was taken from him and did not ask about the victim's condition. While there, Cassares demanded the badge numbers of the officers involved and at one point even pushed an officer, Lindsey said.

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Lindsey stated Cassares also had a history of driving with his license under restraint. Evidence suggests he was driving 60 mph in a 40-mph zone. At the hospital, he had a blood alcohol content of .128, although Lindsey stated that due to time passed, his BAC at the time of the crash was likely between .161 and .210  even the former of which would be more than double Colorado's legal limit.

Lindsey said even with a maximum sentence, Cassares would get a good deal.

"Mr. Cassares is lucky," Lindsey said. "He survived the crash. Even in prison, he'll see his family. Mr. Welch isn't that lucky."

Cassares' family, attorney speak of remorse, ask for minimum sentence

Christina Cassares, the eldest sister of Phillip Cassares, started by expressing her sympathies to the Welch family. She noted she is a mother of two and "can't imagine the heartache and the pain of losing your baby."

"No parent should have to lose their child," she said.

Christina Cassares said that when her family found out about the death of Ashton Welch, she "tried to be strong for her brother," but lost her composure when she saw the pain and regret in his eyes upon realizing the hurt he'd caused.

She also emphasized that he had two daughters that depended on him as a father, including a 10-year-old and now a 1-month-old.

Phillip Cassares' mother stated her son initially believed no one else was hurt and didn't find out until later someone had been hurt and later passed away.

"My first thought was for Ashton's mother," she said. "I know my son didn't want this to happen, and that if he could change places with Ashton he would."

Phillip Cassares' lawyer, Devin Hyver, asked the court to impose the minimum proposed sentence of 16 years, arguing it would already be four years more than the normal maximum for a third-degree felony and that Phillip Cassares had agreed to aggravated sentencing.

Hyver chalked up his client's initial claims that he wasn't driving, and his concern about his phone at the hospital, to mistrust of the system.

Phillip Cassares also has no prior DUIs, she said, and the restraint on his license was "not from penalties to his license."

'I am not a monster': Phillip Cassares addresses Ashton Welch's family

Addressing the court, Phillip Cassares spoke to Ashton Welch's family, saying that while nothing he said or did could bring back their son, he wanted them to know he feels a deep sense of remorse.

"I am not a monster," he said. "But I acted extremely inconsiderate and reckless in getting behind the wheel that night. ...The hardest part is looking in the mirror, without feeling such anger, sorrow and remorse."

Phillip Cassares asked Judge Amiel Markenson to show mercy. After considering all of the factors in the case and the families' statements, Markenson imposed a sentence of 18 years.

Welch family reacts to sentence

As Phillip Cassares was led away by a deputy, Martin Welch told him he appreciated the statement and wished him well in the future.

Martin Welch said that while he' asked for 24 years, he accepted Markenson's judgment.

"We realize it was an accident at the end of the day and we're thankful for the judge's discretion and overall judgment in this," he said. "We certainly don't have any animosity toward Mr. Cassares and we hope he makes something of his life."

Addressing Phillip Cassares' statement, Martin Welch said they've never considered him a monster and understood he did not set out that day with the intention to kill their son.

"What we were looking for today was not vengeance, but some form of closure and we were looking for justice," he said. "For him to say that today was the first time we've heard something like that, and we're going to take it at face value and pray he means it."

Martin Welch described his son as "our light."

"He had a lot of potential, he was artistic, he was creative, he was loving, he really cared for other people, and I think that's something we miss the most in our home  his heart for others, for us, his pets and everybody he knew, as well as his creativity and his love for life," he said.

Before his death, Ashton Welch, a 2022 graduate of Canon City High School, had set up a nonprofit called "sickamoki" aimed at helping young people, especially teenagers, suffering from mental illness. He created it after the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, many of Asthon Welch's friends were affected by the isolation imposed by quarantine conditions.

"He saw a lot of his friends really suffer that way and was really close to one girl who had attempted suicide," Martin Welch said.

He stated that his son's art will be featured in a future art show being put on by a mentor of his in Canon City. A date and time for the art show has not yet been announced.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter@jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo man sentenced to prison for vehicular homicide of teenager
Conspiracy theorist and Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spouted wild claims about ethnically targeted microbes at a press dinner in Manhattan, according to a video published Saturday by the New York Post.

It was the same dinner table where the conversation about climate change devolved into a shouting match between two older male attendees, leading one to deploy some targeted flatulence.

Kennedy has promoted many falsehoods about science and medicine. Seen at Italian fixture Tonys Di Napoli in the Posts video, he tells his companions: In fact, COVID-19, there is an argument that it is ethnically targeted. COVID-19 attacks certain races disproportionately.

He went on to say that COVID-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people because of the genetic structure of the virus.

The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese, Kennedy said, giving no evidence. He made sure to say he did not know whether the virus was deliberately targeted or not.

In a Saturday tweet addressing the Post story, which Kennedy called mistaken, he wrote that he does not believe and never implied that the ethnic effect was deliberately engineered.

Absolutely disgusting and insane. The @nypost obtained video from a recent RFK Jr. event where he suggested COVID is a Chinese bioweapon ethnically targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people and to spare Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people. He then falsely claimed the pic.twitter.com/reTqaEc1aL  MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) July 15, 2023

Conspiracy theories linking Jewish people to the spread of COVID-19 began cropping up in 2020 when an Oxford University poll found a shocking 20% of English people backed the idea to some extent.

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Jewish groups denounced the theories as rank antisemitism, echoing old-world conspiracies about Jewish people that helped fuel the Holocaust and are demonstrably untrue. The virus also disproportionately affected some Orthodox Jewish populations that displayed skepticism in the face of social distancing and lockdown orders.

That the virus disproportionately affected Black people in its earlier days is believed to be linked to structural inequalities that generally lead to worse health outcomes for Black people. The COVID-19 death rate for white people has increased since the start of the pandemic, but regional vaccination rates factor into the discrepancy.

Kennedy also claimed both the U.S. and China have put hundreds of millions of dollars into other ethnically targeted microbes, saying U.S.-funded labs in Ukraine were collecting Russian DNA ... so we can target people by race.

The plausibility of ethnically targeted bioweapons is heavily doubted by scientists, although reports that other nations are working on such projects have circulated for decades.

In his tweet addressing the Post story, Kennedy pointed to a July 2020 study, falsely claiming it was a proof of concept for an ethnically targeted bioweapon.

Kennedys dinner made headlines earlier in the week for the confrontation between attendees Anthony Haden-Guest, an art critic, and Doug Dechert, a former gossip columnist.

When Deschert loudly called climate change a hoax, Haden-Guest snapped back to call him a miserable blob, among other insults. Page Six described the incident as a foul bout of screaming and, courtesy of Deschert, polemic farting.

Some polls in recent months have shown support for Kennedy from one in five Democratic voters.

Related...
They came by bus, train, car, pedi-cab, eScooter, ride share and by foot.

Taylor Swift fans, known as "Swifties," showed up early Friday for her sold out show at Empower Field at Mile High.

PHOTOS: Taylor Swift's Eras Tour 2023 at Empower Field

Kiya Rimel, 12, sat outside the stadium with her mom in the shade, enjoying the atmosphere of fans singing songs, waiting for doors to open and taking photos in sparkly outfits.

Rimel has been a Swift fan for five years and the show Friday is her first concert, she said.

As excited as Rimel is to see Swift live, she's also excited to trader her wrists full of homemade friendship bracelets.

"We mostly came here for the show, but trading bracelets is such a fun part of the experience," Rimel said.

Carys Huls, 9, came to the show from Colorado Springs with her 15-year-old sister.

The sisters dressed up for the show as sunshine and midnight rain, in reference to Swift's song "Midnight Rain."

Huls' half of the costume included a black dress with sparkly silver moons and stars with blue cloud glasses with beaded raindrops hanging from them.

She has never seen Swift live and said she was most excited to hear "You Belong to Me" live.

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"I love her songs and I'm really excited to hear her Fearless and Lover eras today," Huls said.

Bringing the party-goers

Denver International Airport officials said planes are bringing tons of Swift fans, along with those for the NHRA Mile-High Nationals and possibly even some New York Yankees fans  like 74,670 Friday.

The airport is bracing for the brunt of it Sunday, when everyone's leaving town. At least 90,000 travelers are expected to pass through security gates that day, with Monday not far behind.

Taylor Swift helps food bank

While everyone from Metro State University of Denver to the city of Colorado Springs begged Swift on social media for a visit before her sold-out show Friday, the pop star let her checkbook do the walking Friday.

Food Bank of the Rockies officials reported Friday that Swift sent a gift big enough to provide more than 75,000 meals.

"I was shocked and then thrilled by the news!" said Aditi Desai, chief marketing officer in a news release. "We are grateful for her inspired support in answering the challenge of hunger.

We are seeing more need now than we ever have before. This is hitting Food Bank of the Rockies budget hard. To meet the needs of our neighbors experiencing hunger, we are spending triple what we were pre-COVID on food purchasing every month.

The power of 'Swiftonomics' is not lost on Denver businesses: They're ready

Despite efforts to stop them, 'tay-gates' will likely happen outside Taylor Swift concerts

Denver Swiftie's guide to the Eras Tour: Everything you need to know this weekend
Senate hopeful Ruben Gallego and possible rival Kari Lake are clashing over an abortion provision in the House-passed defense bill.

Lake, a Republican who unsuccessfully ran for Arizona governor in 2022, took to Twitter to show her support for the provision, quoting a tweet from Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who said that "Senate Republicans should supportnot criticize (Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.,) in his efforts to defend a law (10 USC 1093) prohibiting the use of (Department of Defense) funds to perform abortions."

"I agree," Lake wrote.

Former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake addresses the audience during her Defend America rally at Orange Tree Golf Club.

The provision in the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act would reverse a Pentagon policy that allows women in the military to request travel allowances and an administrative absence from duties to seek abortion care.

Gallego, who is running for the seat of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., criticized Lake's comment.

"Kari Lake wants to take the right to an abortion away from women in the military," he wrote. "Women in the military didn't sign up to defend our rights abroad to have them taken away at home."

Lake responded by saying that Arizonans are "tired of Ruben's incessant schoolyard bullying."

"They want their representatives to act like grown ups," she wrote.

She has previously teased a 2024 Senate run against Gallego, but has not formally declared.

Rep. Ruben Gallego prior to his town hall at the Rio Vista Recreation Center in Peoria on June 26, 2023.

Arizona's congressional delegation was split on the NDAA as to be expected, with Republican Reps. Juan Ciscomani, Paul Gosar, Debbie Lesko and David Schweikert voting for the bill, and Democratic Reps. Raul Grijalva and Greg Stanton voting against the bill.

Republican Reps. Andy Biggs and Eli Crane voted against the bill as well, and Gallego didn't vote because he is on paternity leave.

In a joint statement, Biggs and Crane said that funding for a "proxy war in Ukraine" against Russia was an important factor.

"We're escalating a war with a nuclear power. I think it's extremely dangerous," Crane said.

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Republicans are touting the bill for it's focuses on the restoration of the focus of the military, combating aggression from the Chinese Community Party, providing the largest pay raise for service members in more than 20 years and providing a path back to service for members who were wrongfully discharged.

Their Democratic counterparts are not as happy. The bill has a number of social provisions, including prohibiting the teaching of Critical Race Theory in the military an amendment reversing a Department of Defense policy that allows women in the military to request travel allowances and an administrative absence from duties to seek abortion care.

"Its unconscionable that extremist politicians are willing to jeopardize our military readiness and our national security to push their unpopular, partisan agenda (on abortion)," Stanton said Friday in House floor speech.

He added that he has voted for the NDAA every year of his congressional tenure, but "will not turn (his) back on servicewomen and military families."

The NDAA now will head to the Democrat-led Senate, which will likely pass its own version of the bill.

Sinema and Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., have spoken in support of the Senate version of the bill.

"Im proud to have worked closely with Democrats and Republicans to secure (Arizona's) priorities and further Arizonas contributions to our military and national security, Kelly said in a joint statement with Sinema.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Controversial House defense authorization bill heads to the Senate
Instagram's Twitter clone Threads enjoyed a fairly fruitful first week in existence, sailing past 30 million users in the first 24 hours before passing 100 million signups within five days. And just yesterday, numbers from Data.ai indicated that Threads has now hit 150 million downloads.

However, another completely unrelated app has been inadvertently thrust into the spotlight off the back of Instagram's attempt to capitalize on the Twitter mess.

Threads, a Slack alternative that launched out of stealth back in 2019 with backing from Sequoia Capital, has seen a significant increase in traffic to its website in the days following its new namesake's launch. This is largely owing to the fact that Threads (the Slack alternative) owns the Threads.com domain name, whereas Instagram's incarnation is on the less sexy Threads.net (though the app doesn't have a web interface as of yet).

This also led Threads (the Slack alternative) to have a little fun at Instagram's expense.

At any rate, this confusion led Threads (the Slack alternative) to see a major spike in downloads in the week immediately after Instagram launched its Threads. Between July 6 and July 12, figures provided to TechCrunch from Data.ai indicate that Threads had more than 880,000 downloads globally on iOS alone, having had "few downloads" prior to this point.

It was also the 52nd most downloaded app globally overall, and third in the "business" category. Interestingly, the top three markets where it saw its highest App Store rankings were Germany, Spain and Italy, where it averaged as the 10th most downloaded app that week between the three countries. This was probably because Instagram's Threads isn't yet available in the European Union, which will have contributed to the confusion.

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It's a similar story on Android too, with Threads now displaying more than 1 million downloads.

Off the back of all this, Threads has had to plaster "We are not associated with Instagram" messages on its website and App Store listing.

Threads.com homepage

Threads.com homepage. Image Credits: Threads (the Slack alternative)

Name-check

Scenarios involving multiple companies sharing brand names is nothing new. There are countless companies called Lightyear, including two separate U.K.-based fintechs, a Dutch electric car startup and a New York-based telecom service procurement service. And there is, in fact, another startup called Threads, a chat-based shopping platform based out of the U.K.

So Threads' (the Slack alternative) predicament is hardly a new phenomenon, particularly when you consider that Instagram previously had a companion app called Threads which it launched in 2019 and shuttered two years later.

"Threads is a powerful word and an internet native term," Threads co-founder and CEO Rousseau Kazi said in a stock statement issued to TechCrunch. "Using threads -- on various platforms -- is the best way to stay connected with your [.net]work or [.com]pany. Given this, it comes as no surprise that Meta chose a powerful label to represent their take at building the town square."

Notably, Kazi also worked at Facebook (before it morphed into Meta) in a product management capacity for six years.

"Zuck (Mark Zuckerberg), Adam Mosseri (now Instagram CEO), and the team are easily some of the best mentors and minds I've got to work with and learn from," Kazi added.

It's worth noting that the visitors and downloads it has seen off the back of the confusion will unlikely have translated into new business, as disappointed users will have quickly realized that this was not what they were looking for. Though the profile boost the startup has enjoyed could be construed as great free publicity.

However, further down the line if, or when, Instagram's Threads gains more traction, businesses will likely have to integrate it into their social media strategy. This could also get confusing for (would-be) customers of Threads (the Slack alternative), as companies would have to manage two completely separate communication platforms with the same name.

Threads did confirm to TechCrunch that it owns the trademark for its name, though it declined to answer any further questions on the matter, including whether it plans to initiate any action against Instagram or its parent Meta.
DES MOINES, Iowa  Bob Vander Plaats, the conservative evangelical kingmaker in Iowa politics, now knows what happens when you turn over your Republican presidential showcase to Tucker Carlson.

Jesus is out. Vladimir Putin is in.

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Carlson was given the task of interviewing six Republican presidential hopefuls at the Family Leadership conference in Des Moines on Friday. Consequently, Russias invasion of Ukraine became the dominant issue of debate, on a day when Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa used the event to sign a near-total abortion ban into law.

In the hands of Carlson, the former Fox News host who was recently fired, Ukraine became the bad actor in the conflict, not Russia.

The most heated exchange came when Carlson interviewed former Vice President Mike Pence before a packed auditorium in Des Moines convention center. Pence was berating the Biden administration for being too slow to provide advanced weaponry to Ukraine.

We promised them 33 Abrams tanks in January. I heard again two weeks ago in Ukraine, they still dont have them, Pence said. Weve been telling them well train their F-16 pilots, but now theyre saying maybe January.

Carlson interjected, to the delight of much of the audience. Wait, I know youre running for president, but you are distressed that Ukrainians dont have enough American tanks? he asked, in his trademark confrontational style.

For good measure, Carlson called Ukraine an American client state, accused Ukraines Jewish leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of persecuting Christians and strongly indicated Pence had been conned, despite evidence to the contrary.

Pence was not alone. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., argued that by degrading Russias military, U.S. aid to Ukraine was making the United States stronger and more secure.

Carlson responded with a signature dismissive response.

The total body count from Russia in the United States is right around zero; I dont know anyone whos been killed by Russia, Carlson said. I know people personally who have been killed by Mexico, he said, adding, Why is Mexico less of a threat than Russia?

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It didnt go any better for his first target, Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, who led border security under former President George W. Bush. He found himself making the case to Carlson that bombing Mexican drug cartels might be problematic since it would be an act of war against a friendly neighboring state.

The divide in the Republican Party between traditional conservatives who favor the projection of American military might and a new, more isolationist wing that leans toward Russia is nothing new. But the Family Leadership Summit was supposed to be a showcase of Christian values, where social issues like abortion and transgender rights were expected to be center stage.

But by making Carlson something of a master of ceremonies, Vander Plaats, the president of The Family Leader, which hosted the summit, dealt the crowd a wild card. By the time the spotlight turned to Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, Eric Teetsel, vice president of government relations at the Heritage Foundation, praised her as still willing to come up onstage after the preceding appearances.

Pence had his laments after his appearance. I regret that we didnt have very much time during my time onstage to talk about the progress for life or issues impacting the family, he said, before adding, Im really never surprised by Tucker Carlson.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
In this Jan. 14, 1963 file photo, President John F. Kennedy speaks in the House Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington during his State of the Union report to a joint session of Congress with Vice President Lyndon Johnson sitting behind him. (AP Photo/File)

John F. Kennedy complained throughout his presidency that Europe wasnt supplying the troops required under the NATO agreement to defend its territory, and that America was disproportionately bearing this burden. As he explained during a 1962 interview, "Our troops in Western Europe are the best-equippedwe have six divisions, and they can fight tomorrow, which is not true of other unitsWepay 33% of the infrastructure costs of NATO, the supply lines, the depots in Europe. It costs us$3 billion in our balance of payments"

The American press shared Kennedys frustration. For example, during a 1961 press conference in Paris, a concerned L.A. Times reporter asked Kennedy how he would get "the negligent European member statesto fulfill their accepted force goals for NATO's European shield forces?"

Europe certainly could have afforded to supply troops  it had fully recovered from World War II and was thriving economically. Kennedy mentioned this during that Paris press conference, citing "the astonishing renaissance of Western Europe todayIts economic growth rate is higher than that ofeither Canada or the United States."

Given Europes prosperity, Kennedy felt "we have a rightto expect that Europe itself(will contribute to its defense)," and he tried to persuade Europe to increase defense spending. In addition to raising this issue with de Gaulle in Paris, Kennedy also sent a NATO delegation to Europe in 1962.

Kennedy viewed Europes refusal to fund its defense as a slap in the face because it suggested Europe didnt appreciate the many sacrifices America had made on its behalf. The U.S. had borne enormous costs to defend Europe during WWII, and then to rebuild Europe after the war. And then, amidst the Cold War, America was bearing enormous costs to defend the entire free world. Kennedy enumerated these Cold War costs: "Wereproviding the largest naval force in the worldthe nuclear force in the world, werecarrying out the major space program in the free world(and) carrying the whole burden in South Vietnam." The least Europe could have done now that it was prosperous was to fund its own territorial defense.

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Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg speaks with President Donald Trump after a group photo at a NATO leaders meeting at the Grove hotel and resort in England on Dec. 4, 2019.

Fifty-seven years after Kennedys administration ended, Donald Trump entered office and found that Europe was continuing to take Americas generosity for granted. Trump found that the European NATO members werent even coming close to spending their required 2% of GDP on defense, while the U.S. was spending nearly 4%. Trump, like Kennedy, complained vociferously.

The press, however, no longer felt as it had during Kennedys presidency. In an odd reversal, the press now seemed to believe America should carry NATOs defense burden. The press attacked Trump, illogically claiming his expectation that Europe fulfill its NATO defense spending obligation somehow indicated he didn't support America's allies.

Today we have yet another NATO burden the U.S. is disproportionately bearing: defending Ukraine. Since the war began, America has spent $113 billion to defend Ukraine, while Europe has contributed a relative fraction of this amount.

America, however, has a serious problem  it's nearly bankrupt. With $32 trillion in debt, America is essentially borrowing money to provide this aid.

Unlike JFK and Trump, President Joe Biden is completely unconcerned about the costs of the NATO relationship. He doesn't address the economic burden American is bearing, relative to European NATO members, to defend Ukraine. And his commitment at the July 11-12 NATO Summit to support Ukraine "today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes" suggests this wont change.

This expense is unsustainable, and America must have a national dialogue about whether it will continue to fund Ukraines defense, or, shift much more of that burden to Europe. But genuine dialogue is unlikely  the press precludes such dialogue by shutting down those who oppose supporting Ukraine for any reason by labeling them "Putin sympathizers."

Try to imagine the press calling JFK a "Khrushchev sympathizer" simply because he wanted Europe to take more financial responsibility to defend itself. It sounds downright silly.

Michael Mercier is president of Screen Education, a Cincinnati-based company that addresses issues at the intersection of information technology and human well-being.

Michael Mercier

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: US cost to defend Ukraine is unsustainable | Opinion
Photo Illustration by Erin O'Flynn/The Daily Beast/Getty Images

The Wagner Group, a Russian state-funded private military corporation filled with mercenaries and led by ignoble billionaire Yevgeny Prigozhin, entered the American consciousness with Vladimir Putins Feb. 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Even more people came to know them when Prigozhin staged a short-lived mutiny where his forces briefly took the city of Rostov in southwestern Russia. Putin was able to end the mutiny without any damage, except to his fearsome reputation.

Since then, Wagner fighters in the region have turned over their arms to the Russian military and have avoided being imprisoned or executed for their role in the mutiny. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has stated the paramilitary groups would train the Belarusian military in weapons and tactics.

How Did We Get Putin So Wrong?

Whats less discussed about the Wagner Group is their activities in other parts of the worldnamely war-torn areas in the Middle East and Africa.

Wagner is known to have operated in many areas throughout the African continent, including Chad, Libya, Central African Republic, and Mali. (There are unconfirmed rumors they may be invited into Burkina Faso by its new military leadership.)

Many believe that Wagners purpose is not only to extract key valuable resources from the mineral and oil-rich continent, but to extend Russias diplomatic influence by supporting a bloc of African states militarily. With the whereabouts of Yevgeny Prigozhin unknown and the status of Wagner unclear, their presence in these volatile areas present potentially grave security risks. In other words, having heavily armed soldiers of fortune open to the highest bidder and untethered to any nation-state in regions where human rights abuses are already common is incredibly dangerous.

Russia has assured some African leaders that they would not lose their fighting forces. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has promised the leadership in African nations like Chad and Mali that the work will continue. Russia extracts valuable resources from Africa as a result of Wagners presence.

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However, questions remain about whether the loyalties of Wagner mercenaries are split between the Kremlin and Prigozhin. Though it has been reported that Prigozhin and Putin met in person days after the attempted mutinyand more than likely worked out a deal for control of the Wagner Groupit is unclear how the mercenaries who are thousands of miles from the Kremlin feel about it.

Even if Putin is in charge, his image as a strongman was severely weakened by the mutiny attempt itself. Whether the Wagner mercenaries will accept his leadership without Prigozhin is anyone's guess.

Americas Tragedy Is Its Culture of FearArmed With Millions of Guns

Retired U.S. four-star General Robert Abrams told ABC News that he believes that Prigozhin is already dead and that the meeting between him and Putin was faked. While theres no evidence to back up this assumption at the time, were it to be true, its unclear how Wagner mercenaries would accept their leader and cofounder being killed by the Russian state. The potential for desertion or illicit weapon sales rises as morale plummets.

Wagner already has a presence in the Central African Republic (CAR), a state whose political atmosphere was described by the United Nations as fragile. Religious-based sectarian violence has been commonplace since its independence in 1960. A Muslim rebel group called Seleka led a successful coup in late 2012. Seleka was disbanded soon after it gained control of Bangui, but violence between its former members and Christian anti-balaka fighters has continued. Both groups have since splintered off, causing more confusion and violence.

The Wagner Group has helped the CAR government to put down and deter insurgency efforts by these rebel factions. The CAR is one of the poorest nations in the world, with 71 percent of its population below the poverty line, but is home to an abundance of natural resources including oil, gold, and diamonds.

While it appears that some Wagner forces have left the country on planes, the government of CAR has said that these are rotations, and indicated that Wagner still has some structure despite the nebulous chain of command in Prigozhins absence. What is unclear is if CAR officials are bluffing about Wagner personnel rotations in order to deter the insurgents from mounting an offensive.

Debunking the Right-Wing Lie That Black Lives Matter Got $82 Billion From Corporations

If remaining Wagner mercenaries do not have a clear chain of command, or divided loyalties, or even lower morale since the removal of Prigozhin, they are more susceptible to offers from CARs many ex-Seleka and anti-balaka groups. (It is believed by the UN and human rights organizations that both ex-Seleka and anti-balaka groups have committed war crimes.)

Countries like CAR and Chad were violent and unstable and prone to coup attempts long before the arrival of Wagner. The wests contributions to less stability and security in Africa also predate Russia and Wagner.

However, the potential human cost of an unstable mercenary group like Wagner in countries that are already struggling with Boko Haram and sectarian warring factions is very high.

While the world is rightly focused upon the unjust invasion of Ukraine, we must not lose sight of how the fallout could affect Africa and its people. We see how the developed world and its media has prioritized the lives of Ukrainians, its time they show the same regard for Black African lives.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Candidates running in the Aug. 1 primary election for the position of Naches city councilor position 2, from left: Matthew (Matt) McCoy, Susan Schneider and Tiffany Sigler.
A woman was injured Saturday morning after crashing into a tree in northeast Colorado Springs.

Police said they first got the call for the crash around 12:30 a.m. on Rangewood Drive near Vickers Drive. As they arrived on scene, they found a 18-year-old woman trapped in her vehicle. The woman had to be extricated by the Colorado Springs Fire Department.

The woman suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries, according to police. The woman has been taken to the hospital. She was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Read more at kktv.com.
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Cea mai hidratanta bautura. Nu, nu este apa! Ce trebuie sa bei pe timp de canicula

Hidratarea are un rol extrem de important in sezonul cald. Am fi tentati sa credem ca apa este cea mai hidratanta bautura, insa, nu este asa. Un studiu de la Universitatea St. Andrews din Scotia a scos la iveala un alt lucru. [citeste mai departe]
New Delhi: The much-celebrated film 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' completes 12 years since its release. Here are five valuable lessons we can learn from 'Arjun':

1. Overcoming Fear

Arjun's fear of water serves as a metaphor for the fears that hold us back in life. Despite his initial reluctance, he pushes himself to face his fear head-on by engaging in scuba diving. This teaches us the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones and conquering our fears to experience personal growth.

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2. Giving Second Chance to Love

Arjun's journey involves falling in love with Laila, portrayed by Katrina Kaif. Despite his initial reservations due to a heartbreak in the past, he allows himself to open up and give love another chance. This highlights the importance of not letting past experiences hinder our ability to find happiness and embrace new relationships.

3. The Art of Forgiveness

Arjun's relationship with his childhood friend Imraan, played by Farhan Akhtar, goes through a rough patch during the trip. However, Arjun learns to let go of his anger and resentment, ultimately forgiving Imraan. This demonstrates the power of forgiveness and the ability to mend broken relationships, teaching us the importance of letting go of grudges and embracing forgiveness for our own well-being.

4. Finding Balance

Arjun is ambitious and career-oriented who tends to prioritize work above everything else. However, during the course of the trip, he learns the value of balance in life. Through various experiences and interactions, Arjun realizes that there is more to life than just professional success. He discovers the importance of taking time for oneself, nurturing relationships, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

5. Self-Discovery and Personal Growth

Arjun's journey is all about self-discovery and personal growth. On the trip, Arjun learns more about himself, his desires, and what truly matters to him. This inspires us to embark on our own journeys of self-exploration and embrace the opportunities for growth that come our way.


New Delhi: The company Naturals Ice Cream was founded by Raghunandan Srinivas Kamath. In 1984, he opened the first shop in Mumbai. The son of a struggling fruit vendor, Kamath travelled to Mumbai by foot from a dirt hut in Karnataka. The ice cream chain reported a 300 crore revenue in 2020. Additionally, the business was ranked among India's Top 10 brands for customer satisfaction in 2013.

Currently, it operates outlets in 135 Indian cities. After experiencing many difficulties and disappointments, Kamath opened his first store and hasn't stopped since. Here is his remarkable tale of rising from poverty to success.

Raghunandan Srinivas: Early Life

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In 1954, Raghunandan Srinivas Kamath was created in the little Karnataka town of Mulki. The youngest of seven kids, he is. Kamath grew up in a very basic environment. He explored his surroundings and spent his days climbing trees. Kamath's father was a meagre fruit vendor who barely made enough money to support his wife and seven children.

Kamath relocated to Bombay at the age of fifteen to work in his brother's restaurant. He resided in a 12-by-12-foot chawl in Bombay. He worked in his brother's restaurant, selling pav bhaji and ice cream. Kamath desired to provide his consumers more culinary options. So he made the decision to open his own store.

Foundation of Naturals Ice Cream

Kamath worked at his brother's restaurant in Bombay after relocating there to join the team. He got the idea to market ice creams made with fruit pulp there. He eventually received some cash from the restaurant and made the decision to start his own ice cream parlour.

Kamath thus opened a modest 200-square-foot store in Vile Parle's Juhu. He sought to develop interesting new sensations besides the typical vanilla and chocolate varieties. He opened his first shop in 1984 with just four employees and ten ice cream types. After many setbacks and difficulties, his perseverance eventually paid off.

In order to concentrate on his ice cream business, Kamath kept the ingredients relatively straightforward and eventually ceased selling pav bhaji. A few of the unusual yet delectable flavours are cucumber, soft coconut, and gajar halwa (a confection made with carrots).

Jackfruit, muskmelon, litchi, black grapes, and other fruit flavours are among the others. The business now provides 125 tastes to its clients. The company has a 300 crore revenue in 2020. Naturals has locations in 135 cities nationwide.

The business won a prize for best customer service in 2013. One of the most popular locally produced brands in India is Naturals Ice Cream.
(Reuters) -A Moscow court on Saturday issued criminal charges against seven people "motivated by national hatred" to kill two prominent Russian journalists in a Ukrainian-backed plot, Russia's state-owned TASS news agency said.

The court approved the detention until Sept. 14, under criminal charges of "hooliganism," of five minors born in 2005 and 2006 and two men it said were part of an organised group, TASS said.

TASS said Russia's FSB security service detained an unspecified number of people on Friday who conducted reconnaissance near the homes and workplaces of journalists Margarita Simonyan, head of state media outlet RT, and Ksenia Sobchak, who ran against President Vladimir Putin in 2018.

Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said in televised remarks that Russia was living in an absurd "constructed mythology."

Asked about the case in an interview, Podolyak played down its significance, saying the journalists "do not play any important role" in the war, nor in the loss of Russia's positions on the world stage.

Interfax news agency quoted the FSB as saying that the detainees had admitted preparing attacks on the two women on behalf of Ukraine and had been promised a reward of 1.5 million roubles ($16,620) for each one.

Simonyan, a vocal supporter of Russia's war in Ukraine, posted a message on Telegram about the alleged plot, urging the security services to "Keep on working, brothers!"

Sobchak, whose late father Anatoly Sobchak was Putin's political mentor, said that if the assassination plans were true, then "thank you all the involved services for their work."

In a post on her Telegram channel, which often carries reports critical of Russian government policy, she added that if the reports were untrue, "and the idea was just to put me and Simonyan in the same sentence, then this is the usual nastiness.

"In any event, I want to report, any terror is evil, no ifs ands or buts," she added.

In the past year, bomb attacks inside Russia have killed prominent pro-war Russian figures, journalist Darya Dugina and military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky. Russia blamed their killings on Ukraine, while Kyiv denied that and portrayed them as evidence of Russian infighting.

In May a prominent Russian nationalist writer, Zakhar Prilepin, was wounded in a car bombing that killed his driver. Investigators said a suspect had been detained and had admitted acting on behalf of Ukraine.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by David Holmes, Christina Fincher and Diane Craft)
Success Story: A college degree doesn't matter if you are committed to your vision and passion. Many college dropouts including Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and Jack Dorsey have become millionaires and billionaires after founding their own companies. One such Indian entrepreneur is Varun Agarwal. His story captures an interesting rags-to-riches journey that demonstrates the power of following one's passion and overcoming challenges.

Born in 1987 in Bangalore, Varun Agarwal struggled with traditional education and faced multiple failures. His academic journey was far from smooth. However, he had a fascination with entrepreneurship. Undeterred by his setbacks, Agarwal pursued his passion for filmmaking. He dropped out of engineering college and co-founded 'Alma Mater', an online store for customized merchandise for educational institutions, along with his friend Rohn Malhotra at the age of 22 in 2009.

As per Varun's LinkedIn profile, "Within 3 years. the company grew from 0 to a Million Dollars in revenue being funded by the Indian Angel Network Twice. The company worked with over 3000 schools/colleges across 200 different cities and towns."

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With determination and innovative marketing strategies, Agarwal successfully grew Alma Mater into a thriving business. The venture gained popularity among students and alumni, establishing him as a successful entrepreneur.

Agarwal's entrepreneurial success led to various other ventures, including founding Reticular, a social media and content agency, and being involved in the production of films and documentaries.

In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Agarwal is also a bestselling author. His book "How I Braved Anu Aunty and Co-Founded a Million Dollar Company" chronicles his journey and serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs. The novel sold over 5,00,000 copies and is now being made into a Bollywood Film by Nitesh Tiwari (Director of Dangal) and produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur.

Varun Agarwal's story showcases the importance of resilience, following one's passion, and embracing unconventional paths to success. His journey is a reminder that failures can be stepping stones towards achieving remarkable achievements.
In response to the ongoing flood situation in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has assigned ministers to supervise relief camps set up across the affected districts. The ministers will ensure that essential facilities such as food, water, toilets, and electricity are provided to the affected people. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has blamed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for the floods, alleging inaction and corruption. The BJP demands an apology from Chief Minister Kejriwal for failing to handle the situation. As the Yamuna river recedes, efforts are underway to stabilize the situation and reopen water treatment plants.

1. Delhi Government Deploys Ministers to Oversee Relief Camps in Flood-Affected Districts

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal conducted a Cabinet meeting to address the flood situation in Delhi and appointed ministers to supervise relief camps in the affected districts. The ministers will ensure that proper facilities are provided at these camps, including food, water, toilets, and electricity.



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2. BJP Blames AAP Government for Floods, Demands Apology

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of inaction and corruption, holding them responsible for the flood situation in Delhi. The BJP demanded an apology from Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for "failing" to handle the situation.

3. Yamuna River Recedes, but Breach Causes Waterlogging

While the water level of the Yamuna river showed signs of receding, a breach in an embankment resulted in waterlogging in certain areas of Delhi, including ITO and the vicinity of the Supreme Court complex. The floodwater also entered the Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Rajghat.

4. First Deaths Reported as Three Boys Drown in Floodwaters

Tragically, three boys drowned in the floodwaters in northwest Delhi, marking the first reported deaths in the city since the Yamuna water crossed the danger mark. The Delhi Fire Services Director attributed the deaths to a ditch at a metro construction site, but the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation denied any such incident occurring at their sites.

5. Efforts to Stabilize the Situation and Reopen Water Treatment Plants

As the water levels recede, the Okhla water treatment plant has been reopened. Chief Minister Kejriwal announced that if the Yamuna water level continues to decrease, the Wazirabad and Chandrawal water treatment plants will also resume operations.

6. Army Seals Breached Embankment, Vehicular Movement Affected

The Army has successfully sealed the breached embankment at the Indraprastha regulator to prevent further flooding in Delhi. However, the breach caused water to enter the city through a drain, disrupting vehicular movement on Vikas Marg and leading to its closure.

7. Delhi Minister Alleges Delay in NDRF Deployment, Emphasis on Teamwork

Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj raised concerns about a delay in the deployment of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to repair the regulator. The Lieutenant Governor advised against a blame game and stressed the importance of teamwork during this crisis.

8. Haryana Government Blamed for Floods, AAP Counters Accusations

AAP leader Sanjay Singh blamed the BJP-led Haryana government for releasing water from its Hathnikund barrage, resulting in the flood situation in Delhi. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva accused the AAP government of evading responsibility and blaming other states, similar to their response during the Covid pandemic.

9. Rescue Operations Conducted for Vulnerable Groups

Amid the flood-like situation, the Delhi Police rescued over 60 students from the Blind School in Kingsway Camp. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also rescued 60 dogs and 50 cows stuck at an animal shelter home in Mayur Vihar due to inundation.

10. Crematoriums Closed, Traffic Restrictions Implemented

Several crematoriums near the Yamuna, including Nigambodh Ghat, Geeta Colony, Wazirabad, and Sarai Kale Khan, have been closed due to flooding. Traffic restrictions have been implemented on Vikas Marg and Mahatma Gandhi Marg, causing disruptions in vehicular movement. The Delhi Traffic Police have deployed personnel to manage the traffic and assist commuters.

(IMD) has issued a 'yellow' alert for Saturday, predicting moderate rain and thundershowers. The situation in flood-affected areas of Delhi is being closely monitored as relief efforts continue.
New Delhi: Suraj, a male cheetah brought from Africa, breathed his last at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh on Friday. He was the eighth cheetah to die at the park in Sheopur district since March this year. Just three days before, another male cheetah named Tejas had also passed away at the park. Wildlife experts are divided over how much space a cheetah needs to thrive. Some say a single cheetah requires 100 square kilometres, while others argue it is hard to estimate. A female cheetah may need up to 400 square kilometres.

Here's Why African Cheetahs At Kuno Are Dying:

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Lack Of Space

Many experts, including the Supreme Court, have raised doubts over the adequacy of space and facilities in Kuno park in Madhya Pradesh and have suggested relocating cheetahs to other sanctuaries. Wildlife experts disagree on how much space a cheetah habitat should have. Some say a single cheetah requires 100 square kilometres, while others argue it is hard to estimate. A female cheetah may need up to 400 square kilometres. The core area of the KNP is 748 square kilometres, while the buffer zone is 487 square kilometres.

Deshdeep Saxena, a senior wildlife journalist, expressed worry about the release of 14 more cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa and stressed the need for an extra 4,000 square kilometres of landscape adjoining the KNP to accommodate them.

No Fenced Cheetah Habitats In India

India should fence two or three habitats for cheetahs as there has never been a successful reintroduction into an unfenced reserve in recorded history, South African wildlife expert Vincent van der Merwe said in an interview to news agency PTI. Earlier in April, Merwe warned that the reintroduction project is going to see even higher deaths in the next few months when cheetahs try to establish territories and confront leopards and tigers in the Kuno National Park.

Van der Merwe, who is closely involved with the project, said though the cheetah deaths have been within the acceptable range, the team of experts that reviewed the project recently did not expect males to kill a South African female cheetah during courtship and "they take full responsibility for this."

"There has never been a successful reintroduction into an unfenced reserve in recorded history. It has been attempted 15 times in South Africa and it failed every time. We are not advocating that India must fence all of its cheetah reserves, we are saying that just fence two or three and create source reserves to top up sink reserves," Van der Merwe told PTI.

Search For Alternate Sites For Cheetahs

In April, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department had written a letter to the National Tiger Conservation Authority, requesting for an "alternate" site for the cheetahs at Kuno, where three adult cheetahs have died in less than two months.

Van der Merwe, manager of the Cheetah Metapopulation Project in South Africa, said the best way forward right now would be to get at least three or four cheetahs to Mukundra Hills, and let them breed up there.

"Mukundra Hills is fully fenced. We know that cheetahs will do very well there. The only problem is that it's not fully stocked at the moment. So you'll have to bring in some black buck and chinkara. And when the fencing is completed at Nauradehi and Gandhisagar, we will have three fenced reserves and then we are absolutely winning," he said.

"That's where the real dangers lie. That's where you can expect mortality due to hunting injury. The cheetahs, of course, will continue to establish territories and fight with each other and kill each other for territories and for access to females. They're going to encounter leopards. There are now tigers moving around in Kuno. The worst deaths are still to come," he said.

How Many Cheetahs Are Left In Kuno?

So far, eight cheetahs have died since March. These include Suraj, Tejas and three cubs.

Eight Namibian cheetahs -- five female and three male -- were released into enclosures at KNP on September 17 last year at a high-profile event attended by the prime minister.

In February this year, 12 more cheetahs arrived at KNP from South Africa.

The birth of four cubs had taken the total count of cheetahs to 24, but eight deaths have brought it down to 16.
Ajmer: Pari Bishnoi, a resident of Ajmer, has achieved a remarkable feat by cracking the prestigious UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam and securing a position in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Pari's journey to success has been marked by her relentless dedication and unwavering determination.

Family Background: From Sarpanch to Thanedar

Born to Maniram Bishnoi, a lawyer, and Sushila Bishnoi, who serves as a Thanedar (Station House Officer) in Ajmer, Pari hails from a family with a strong background in public service. Her father has served as the Sarpanch (village head) of their village for four consecutive terms. Pari received her primary education at St. Mary's Convent School in Ajmer before pursuing further studies in Delhi.

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Higher Education and UPSC Preparation

After completing her schooling, Pari moved to Delhi, where she obtained her bachelor's degree from Delhi University. It was during her graduation that Pari embarked on her journey of preparing for the Civil Services Examination. Following the completion of her graduation, Pari pursued a post-graduation degree in Political Science from MDS University in Ajmer.

Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success

Pari had been preparing for the Civil Services Examination for a considerable period. During this time, she also cleared the National Eligibility Test (NET) Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). While facing the rigorous preparation for the UPSC exam, Pari remained focused and committed to her goal of becoming an IAS officer. Finally, in 2019, after her third attempt, Pari not only passed the challenging examination but also secured an impressive 30th rank.

Gratitude and Acknowledgment

Pari attributes her success to the support and encouragement of her family, particularly her mother. Inspired by their dedication and enthusiasm, Pari nurtured her dream of becoming an IAS officer. Even during the challenging phases of her preparation when she faced setbacks, her mother provided her with unwavering support and motivation.

Lessons from Pari: Perseverance and Honesty

According to Pari, one should never lose hope or be disheartened by the difficulties or failures encountered in life. Instead, she believes in maintaining unwavering honesty and continuing efforts to achieve success.

Tips for UPSC Preparation

Pari advises aspiring candidates to thoroughly study NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) books for all subjects. Additionally, solving previous year papers and taking mock tests are essential for exam readiness. Apart from regular study and answer writing practice, time management is also crucial for effective preparation.

Pari's success story stands as a testament to the power of determination and hard work. Her journey serves as an inspiration for all those aspiring to pursue a career in the civil services and achieve their goals through dedication and perseverance.
New Delhi: The water level of the Yamuna River, which was overflowing, is slowly going down and things will return to normal if there is no heavy rain, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday. Even though the water level of the Yamuna River was slightly lower than Fridays level, some parts of Delhi were still under water on Saturday. Kejriwal also said that the Chandrawal and Wazirabad water treatment plants will start working by tomorrow as the machines are no longer submerged.

The water level was 207.53 meters on Saturday morning, which was still 2.20 meters above the danger level but less than Fridays level of 208.35. Kejriwal also tweeted that people should not go to waterlogged areas for swimming, playing or taking selfies. He said, Some people are going to the water to play, swim or take video/selfie. Please dont do this. This can be deadly. The flood risk is not over yet. The water is flowing very fast. Water can rise anytime.

                   /                                  https://t.co/KTYs5OS4Pp  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 15, 2023

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Meanwhile, Delhi PWD Minister Atishi Marlena on Saturday asked the Chief Secretary (CS) to immediately solve the problems of water and toilet shortage, electricity and food quality in flood relief camps. The minister asked CS to take action against any officer who was negligent and caused trouble to people in these camps.

Also Read: Delhi Floods Update: National Capital Continues To Witness Flood-Like Situation; Light Rain On Cards

Atishi said that the people of Delhi will get relief from the flooding in next 24 hours and blamed the BJP government in Haryana for releasing Yamuna water from Hathnikund Barrage. She said that all the water was sent to Delhi and not a single drop of water was sent to the canals to Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. She said, Haryana will have to answer for this. Could the flood situation in Delhi have been prevented?

Delhi's ITO, Rajghat And ISBT Still Flooded

The areas that are still flooded include ITO, Rajghat, ISBT, and Mathura Road. On Friday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said that a diver had opened the first gate of the ITO barrage after 20 hours of hard work. The diver had to go deep to remove silt using a silt compressor. But since the other gates were still closed, the river water kept reaching the main road.

The Yamuna river reached its highest level in 45 years at 208.65 meters on Thursday. Other important areas of the city such as Mukherjee Nagar, Model Town, Civil Lines and Majnu Ka Tila, also faced severe waterlogging. On Thursday, the water had reached near Kejriwals house.
Had it not been for shortage of funds, Google could have been an Indian-owned company today. Yes, you read it right. The story dates back to 1996. According to reports, Meet Venky Harinarayan and Anand Rajaraman were pursuing their PhDs in Computer Science at Stanford University in 1996. While studying, they launched their first company called JUNGLEE. JUNGLEE was a website that enabled users to search for products and compare their prices. During the same period, Sergey Brin and Larry Page were working on BackRub, the precursor to Google.

Sergey and Anand were friends and had the same PhD advisor. In 1998, Sergey and Larry made an offer to sell Google for only $1 million to Venky and Anand. Unfortunately, the Indian duo did not have the financial means to buy Google at that time. Later, Junglee was acquired by Amazon for $250 million in 1998. Their incredible story was first shared on LinkedIn by Shyam Siddarth and then went viral on Twitter.

The following year, Google gained significant popularity. Venky and Anand approached Jeff Bezos and convinced him to acquire Google for $300 million. They travelled to Silicon Valley to meet with Larry and Sergey but the Google founders disagreed. Larry and Sergey insisted on a billion-dollar price tag ($1 billion) for Google and the deal failed to take off. Today, after 25 years, Google's worth has surpassed $1.5 trillion.



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Despite the Junglee acquisition, Venky and Anand didn't stop there. In 2002, they established a venture fund and successfully facilitated the acquisition of several portfolio companies. They also created and sold Kosmix for $300 million to Walmart. In 2015, they launched another fund and have since provided funding for several Indian startups.

Meet these two folks from Chennai who almost acquired Google, not once but twice.



Venky Harinarayan and Anand Rajaraman graduated from IIT-M and went to Stanford University 30 years ago. Their friendship began when Venky drove Anand to buy groceries in his car. They co-founded pic.twitter.com/DrslOolTTO July 15, 2023

Who Is Venky Harinarayan?

Dr. Venky Harinarayan obtained his B.Tech in Computer Science from IIT Madras in 1988 and went on to do his Ph.D. in Computer Science at Stanford, USA. Venky is an investor, entrepreneur and leader in search and e-commerce. He is the co-founder of Cambrian Ventures and Kosmix. He also co-founded Junglee Corp., which pioneered Internet comparison shopping. Junglee was acquired by Amazon.com Inc. in 1998. Venky is an active angel investor in India and Silicon Valley. He is one of less than 5 angel investors in Facebook. He is also a Board member of TutorVista, based out of Bangalore, which has been acquired by Person LLC in 2001.

Who Is Anand Rajaraman?

Dr. Anand Rajaraman obtained his B.Tech. in Computer Science from IIT Madras in 1993 and went on to do his M.S and Ph.D. in Computer Science at Stanford University, Palo Alto, USA. Anand is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist and academic. He is the co-founder of Cambrian Ventures, a venture capital firm. His investments include Facebook, Aster Data Systems, Neoteris, India Infoline, YouSendIT, and several others. Anand was the co-founder and CTO of Junglee Corp., and played a key role in developing Junglees award-winning Virtual Database technology. Later, when Junglee was acquired by Amazon.com, Anand helped in the transformation of Amazon.com from a retailer into a retail platform.
Pizza has been a global favourite for quite some time now. It is one of the most widely consumed fast foods by people not only in India but across the world. While we have heard of people trying every trick in the book to grab that extra slice of pizza, none of us would have imagined even in our wildest dreams that the delicious dish can be cooked on an active volcano. Shocking, right? Well, a video, which is now viral, shows traveller Alexandra Blodgett consuming an unusual version of pizza. The pizza she had was prepared by placing it on an active volcano.

Pizza Cooked On Volcano

The clip shared by Alexandra Blodgett shows an interesting glimpse of her trip to Guatemala. It begins with a person who can be seen placing an uncooked pizza on the ground. He, then, covers it. A few moments later, the pizza is served to Alexandra. Proceeding further, she can be seen consuming the pizza. Sharing the video on her Instagram handle, Alexandra wrote, Traveling to Guatemala to eat pizza cooked on an active volcano. Ok so maybe we didnt travel there just for that, but it was a fun bonus.



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Further, she informed that the bookings to enter the national park to enjoy the delicious pizza can be done through Pizza Pacaya, which is an eatery service. She further noted in her caption, This volcano is active! The last significant eruption was in 2021. It gets WINDY and cold up there, so make sure you bring layers!

Netizens React On Intriguing Video

The video uploaded on July 2 has gone viral and is receiving a lot of responses from Instagram users. While some were stunned to see the unique dish, others expressed their desire to enjoy the pizza cooked on a volcano.

A user shared, What a unique experience. Would totally do this.

Another expressed, Well I didnt know this was my dream, but it is now!!

An individual thanked the traveller for sharing the experience and wrote, Seriously one of the coolest things weve seen before. Thanks for sharing!

The intriguing video has amassed over 1.3 million views.
New Delhi: Aman Gupta, the founder of boAt, recently accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India on a visit to France. This trip marked a significant moment for new-age entrepreneurs like Aman, as they were being invited to state visits alongside established entrepreneurs. It reflects the recognition and support given to the entrepreneurial spirit in India.

"I used to see second and third gen entrepreneurs at state visits as official delegation with the Prime Minister but now new age entrepreneurs like myself are also being invited on such visits. This is a significant moment for us, as it reflects the recognition and support given to the entrepreneurial spirit in India," he expressed his delight to the Indian government in a tweet.

During the visit, Aman had the honor of speaking about the Make In India campaign and Indian startups at the Indo-French CEO Forum. He also had the opportunity to meet with French ministers, bureaucrats, and corporates, further strengthening ties between the two nations. A highlight of the trip was witnessing the Bastille Day Parade, where the Indian Contingent performed "Sare Jahaan Se Acha," filling Aman's heart with happiness and pride.



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No force can stop us. Our time has come.



I used to see second and third gen entrepreneurs at state visits as official delegation with the Prime Minister but now new age entrepreneurs like myself are also being invited on such visits. This is a significant moment for us, as it pic.twitter.com/ZAjGJmvjvw  Aman Gupta (@amangupta0303) July 15, 2023

These experiences have reinforced Aman's belief that India is entering an era where it stands strong alongside the world. It has filled him with hope for the future of the nation. Aman Gupta encourages everyone to work together to build an even stronger India in the coming years.
NEW DELHI: BJP national president JP Nadda on Saturday wrote to Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, inviting him to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting that is scheduled to be held on July 18, the LJP (Ram Vilas) informed through a tweet. The meeting in the national capital will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is being organised to mark the completion of 9 years of the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The LJP (Ram Vilas), significantly, is in alliance with the BJP at the Centre. It even holds a seat in the Lok Sabha, the Lower House of Parliament.

Reacting to the BJP's invite to the NDA meeting, the LJP (Ram Vilas) chief said a final decision on attending the NDA meeting or formally joining the ruling alliance at the Centre ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections will be taken after holding consultations with all party leaders and workers.



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We will take a final decision (on joining the NDA) after consulting all the party leaders and workers. We have supported BJP on various issues from time to time, but the final decision on whether to go to the NDA meeting or joining the alliance (ahead of the Lok Sabha polls) will be taken after holding discussions with all party leaders, Chirag Paswan told ANI on Saturday.

BJP President JP Nadda has also invited Hindustani Awam Morcha President Jitan Ram Majhi for NDA meeting on 18th July in Delhi. To mark the completion of 9 years of the NDA rule under the leadership of PM Modi, the BJP had launched a month-long Jan Sampark Abhiyan (mega outreach campaign) on June 1. Over the course of its mega campaign, which culminated on June 30, the BJP organised a raft of events featuring a raft of top leaders and Union ministers.

The purpose of these meetings was to highlight the key takeaways of the NDA governnent under PM Modi and the many welfarist and developmental schemes that are being implemented across the country. After a split in 2021, the LJP (Ram Vilas) was allocated a new symbol by the Election Commission (EC). The rival LJP faction, under the leadership of Pashupati Kumar Paras, a sitting Union minister, came to be known as Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party.
Dubai [UAE]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a dazzling welcome in United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the iconic Burj Khalifa was lit up with the colours of the Indian nation flag. As a part of the light-and-sound show at the Burj on Friday, setting the stage for PM Modi's arrival to the Gulf nation on an official visit, the skyscraper also showcased his picture, followed by a text that read, "Welcome Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

A leaping skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Burj Khalifa is one of the top attractions to visit in the city. PM Modi began the last leg of his two-nation tour as he arrived in Abu Dhabi earlier on Saturday for an official visit.

Upon arrival, the Prime Minister received a ceremonila welcome at the airport, following which he met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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Expressing his gratitude for the warm welcome to the Gulf nation, PM Modi took to Twitter to post, "Grateful to Crown Prince HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for welcoming me at the airport today."

During his visit, the Prime Minister will meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on critical bilateral issues. Just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said that its economic partnership with India is a significant milestone in the history of both nations".

The UAEs Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, said in an interview that the UAE-India non-oil trade is expected to reach USD 100 billion a year by 2030. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi noted that UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was designed to deliver a new era of growth and opportunity.

CEPA is an agreement signed between India and UAE on February 18, 2022, and came into force on May 1, 2022. The agreement was signed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The PM emplaned for the UAE earlier on Saturday after concluding his two-day visit to France.

PM Modi called his France visit "memorable", adding that it was more remarkable as he participated in the Bastille Day celebrations. He also expressed gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron and the people of France for their warmth and hospitality.

During his two-day visit to France, PM Modi participated in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour, on Friday. He visited France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
United Kingdom Defense Minister Ben Wallace announced Saturday he will not run for reelection.

Wallace has been the defense minister since 2019 and a member of parliament of Wyre and Preston North, and then a previous constituency in northwest England since 2005. He has also chosen not to stand as MP for the next election, according to a statement he made to the Times.

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Britain's Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace attends a meeting with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon, Monday, April 17, 2023, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP

The defense minister replaced Penny Mordant four years ago under the prime ministry of Boris Johnson. Wallace had always alluded to stepping down from the position once Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reshuffled the Cabinet, which is expected to happen this September.

After then-Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned in October, Wallace was considered a front-runner to replace her. However, he claimed at the time he would not run for the position due to family reasons.

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As an army veteran, Wallace also supported Finland's admission to NATO, claiming that it "made us safer" to have more European countries in the alliance. Wallace was also a proponent of assisting Ukraine in its fight against Russia by providing Storm Shadow cruise missiles in an amount that was "enough to satisfy the Ukrainian demand for that capability."

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"I will personally continue to support Ukraine all the way, for as long as it takes, but national Parliaments often have competing needs and Ukraine and the UK need to continue to encourage that strong support by the use of facts and friendship," Wallace wrote in a Facebook post Friday.

A general election in the U.K. will be held sometime in the next 18 months.

Original Location: British Defense Minister Ben Wallace will not run for reelection

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Meerut Kanwariya Tragedy: In a devastating incident that unfolded in Bhawanpur's Rali Chauhan village, located in Meerut district of Western Uttar Pradesh, five individuals lost their lives while several others sustained injuries during a religious procession. The unfortunate incident occurred as a group of Kanwariyas, devout followers of Lord Shiva, were returning from their pilgrimage to the Holy Ganges River in Haridwar.

Electrocution During the Procession

As the procession, accompanied by celebratory music, made its way into the village, a harrowing mishap occurred. The vehicle carrying the Kanwariyas inadvertently came into contact with a dangerously low-hanging high-tension power line. The result was catastrophic as the high-voltage current surged through the vehicle and into the gathered crowd, knocking down devotees in rapid succession, leaving no time for anyone to react.

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Desperate Attempts to Save Lives

Chaos ensued as horrified villagers immediately contacted the power station, desperately urging them to shut down the electricity supply. However, despite their frantic efforts, many lives were already lost, forever changing the fate of the community. Tragically, Manish, one of the pilgrims, was declared dead at the scene. In the days that followed, four more victims succumbed to their injuries, while five others continue to receive treatment in various hospitals, with two reported to be in critical condition.

Outrage and Demand for Accountability

The heart-wrenching tragedy sparked an outpouring of anger and grief among the villagers. In a collective display of their discontent, they staged a protest by blocking a road, demanding swift action against the officials of the electricity department who they believed were negligent, resulting in the fatal accident. The villagers' plea for accountability and justice highlighted the profound tension that gripped the community in the aftermath of the incident.

Kanwar Yatra and its Devout Followers

The Kanwar Yatra, an annual religious gathering in India, attracts millions of participants from states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Jharkhand. The pilgrims, known as Kanwariyas, exhibit their deep devotion by dressing in saffron attire and often walking barefoot alongside vehicles on highways. The event holds immense spiritual significance for the participants, who embark on this pilgrimage to pay homage to Lord Shiva.

A Similar Tragedy in Tripura

Regrettably, this incident in Western Uttar Pradesh was not an isolated occurrence. Just last month, a strikingly similar accident took place in Tripura's Unakoti district. During a religious 'rath' or chariot procession, seven lives, including two innocent children, were tragically lost, and sixteen others suffered injuries when the chariot made contact with an overhead high-voltage electric wire.

A Nation Shattered by Shock and Grief

As the shockwaves of grief reverberate through the affected communities, the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives. These harrowing incidents serve as painful reminders of the need for stringent safety measures and a renewed commitment to preventing such tragedies in the future. It is a time for collective reflection and action to ensure that no more lives are lost in the pursuit of faith and devotion.

Who Is Responsible?

In the wake of the devastating incident that claimed the lives of five Kanwariya pilgrims, a pressing question lingers in the minds of the affected community and the nation at large: Who is responsible for this tragic accident? The villagers, fueled by their grief and anger, point fingers at the officials of the electricity department, holding them accountable for their negligence that led to the fatal encounter with the high-tension power line. The demand for justice and a thorough investigation resonates through the air, as the affected families seek answers and the assurance that such a heart-wrenching loss will not be in vain. The responsibility to uncover the truth and assign accountability now falls upon the authorities, who must address the concerns of the grieving community and take appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Chandrayaan-3: The successful launch of Chandrayaan-3, India's lunar mission, has sparked global discussions about India's prowess. Major countries worldwide have taken notice of this mission by ISRO. The entire nation is filled with pride over the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3. However, the atmosphere in Pakistan seems to be focused not on any achievement of their own but rather on celebrating the loan received from the IMF. Amidst these contrasting situations, a Pakistani expert has openly criticized his own country.

Sajid Tarar, a Pakistani-origin businessman residing in the United States, shared his views on a show hosted by Pakistani journalist Arzu Kazmi. While praising Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tarar openly expressed his disapproval of Pakistan's approach and policies. He remarked that Pakistan is fooling its own people.

Tarar advised the Pakistani youth to observe Indian media closely, stating that they can learn from India's development and contribute to Pakistan's betterment in the future. He suggested that Pakistan should learn from India, and if they feel ashamed to do so, they can even emulate Bangladesh. Praising PM Modi's leadership, Tarar acknowledged that Modi has gifted India with nationalism while Pakistan is simply fooling itself.



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It's worth mentioning that India's historic launch of Chandrayaan-3, the country's third lunar mission, using the GSLV-MkIII-M1 rocket, has garnered significant attention. This launch sets the foundation for India's ambitious Gaganyaan program, aimed at sending humans into space.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is fully committed to its ambitious project, Gaganyaan, and the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 further strengthens its determination. Under this mission, three individuals will be taken to a 400-kilometer orbit for three days and then safely returned to Earth. On July 14, the 44.3-meter-long GSLV MkIII-M1 rocket, capable of safely transporting humans to space, will accompany Chandrayaan-3 into space.
ABU DHABI: Kickstarting the final leg of his two-nation visit on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Upon his arrival in Abu Dhabi, PM Modi was welcomed by Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at the airport.

Expressing his gratitude over warm welcome to the Gulf nation, PM Modi took to Twitter to post, "Grateful to Crown Prince HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for welcoming me at the airport today." On his arrival at the Abu Dhabi airport, PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome. "Furthering - partnership! PM @narendramodi arrives in Abu Dhabi to a ceremonial welcome. Warmly received by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport," the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, tweeted.

Grateful to Crown Prince HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for welcoming me at the airport today. pic.twitter.com/3dM8y5tEdv  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2023

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During his visit, the Prime Minister will meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on critical bilateral issues. The PM emplaned for the UAE earlier on Saturday after concluding his two-day visit to France.

PM Modi called his France visit "memorable", adding that it was more remarkable as he participated in the Bastille Day celebrations. He also expressed gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron and the people of France for their warmth and hospitality.

PM Modi, who was on a two-day official visit to France, participated in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour, on Friday. He visited France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

"To mark the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, a 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band also participated in the Parade," the PMO said in a statement.

Just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said that its economic partnership with India is a significant milestone in the history of both nations".

The UAEs Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, said in an interview that the UAE-India non-oil trade is expected to reach USD 100 billion a year by 2030.

Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi noted that UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was designed to deliver a new era of growth and opportunity.

CEPA is an agreement signed between India and UAE on February 18, 2022, and came into force on May 1, 2022. The agreement was signed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Speaking about the success of the CEPA between India and the UAE, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi said, "There is little question that the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will come to be regarded as a significant milestone in the history of both nations."

"By removing or reducing tariffs on 80 per cent of goods, eliminating unnecessary barriers to trade, creating new platforms for investment, and opening government procurement to each others private sector, the UAE-India CEPA was designed to deliver a new era of growth and opportunity  and, ultimately, boost bilateral non-oil trade beyond USD 100 billion by 2030," he added.
Los Angeles: An alleged drug dealer known as the 'Percocet Princess' has been arrested for allegedly selling Robert De Niros grandson Leandro a fentanyl-laced pill before his death.

Sofia Haley Marks, 20, allegedly sold Leandro De Niro Rodriguez drugs before he was found dead in his Financial District apartment on July 2, The New York Post reported.

She was arrested around 6 p.m. on Thursday, during an undercover sting operation conducted by the NYPD, Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security, the paper said, quoting sources.



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Shes been federally charged with the distribution of narcotics and is expected to be arraigned in a Manhattan federal court.

Police have been probing Leandros death as a possible overdose after a white powdery substance and drug paraphernalia were found near the teenagers body.

Leandros mother, Drena De Niro, is Robert De Niros eldest daughter with his ex-wife Diahnne Abbott.

Drena has claimed her son had died after being sold pills laced with fentanyl.

She wrote on her social media: Someone sold him fentanyl-laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him.

So for all these people still f*****g around selling and buying this s**t, my son is gone forever.
Priyanka Chopra is recognised not just for her exceptional acting skills but also for her ability to express her thoughts without hesitation. Her interviews, public speaking skills, and thought-provoking speeches have left a lasting impact on her fans. Recently, Priyanka Chopra addressed the ongoing SAG AFTRA strike and voiced her support. Sharing an Instagram post, she declared her solidarity with her union and colleagues. Amid the current debate surrounding Hollywood writers demanding fairer pay in the streaming era and regulations on artificial intelligence usage, Priyanka Chopra expressed her unwavering support. On Instagram, she shared the logo of Sag Aftra Strong.

Priyanka Chopra captioned the post, I stand with my union and colleagues. In solidarity, we build a better tomorrow, accompanied with a red heart and folded-hands emojis. Priyanka also included relevant hashtags, such as Sag Aftra Strong and Sag Aftra Strike, to amplify her message.

Check:

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On Friday, Hollywood actors united with film and television writers on picket lines  a sight unseen for 63 years. The actors lent their support by enthusiastically rallying outside major studios, advocating for improved compensation in the streaming era and limitations on the use of artificial intelligence. These dual strikes will compound the financial repercussions caused by the writers' strike that commenced on May 2. The already burdened multibillion-dollar media industry finds itself grappling with major changes within the landscape.

In both New York City and Los Angeles, actors marched outside the offices of prominent companies like Netflix Inc and Paramount Global, expressing their demands for higher compensation and other benefits for working-class actors.

Acclaimed actor Susan Sarandon shared her perspective, stating, "We're in an old contract for a new type of business, and its just not working for most people," as reported by Reuters.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) is the negotiating group for studios such as Netflix and Walt Disney Co. They affirmed offering substantial increases in compensation to members of SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America (WGA). However, based on Reuters report, the companies are currently facing challenging times. Many streaming services have yet to generate profits after investing billions of dollars in programming to attract audiences.

Second Season For Priyanka Chopras Citadel

Priyanka Chopra received exciting news as her last release, Citadel, secured a second season renewal on Amazon Prime Video. She and Richard Madden will reprise their respective roles as Nadia Sinh and Mason Kane in the upcoming season, set to commence production next year. The project, helmed by Joe Russo, promises an action-packed thriller interwoven with a political narrative. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing SAG AFTRA strike, the shooting for Priyanka's collaboration with John Cena and Idris Elba has been temporarily halted after a few weeks of filming.
Mumbai: Samantha Ruth Prabhu has recently finished shooting for action-packed 'Citadel'. The actor will now take a brief break from acting to take care of her health as she is dealing with Myositis, an auto-immune condition.

Samantha's hairstylist and close friend Rohit Bhatkar confirmed her break via an emotional Instagram post. "2 years, 1 sensational music video, 3 movies, 7 brand campaigns, 2 editorials and a lifetime of memories. We saw it all from sunny days to rainy days, From tears of joy and laughter to tears of pain and agony.From being confident to being vulnerable, From our highs to our lows and then back up. What a beautiful ride it has been with you. Certainly, one to remember," he wrote.

He continued saying, As you now go on a healing journey I wish you more Strength and Power to you. And that you unfold certain dimensions of your existence which you never tapped on up until now. Upwards and onwards. Big hug and lots of love to you Sam! Remember that you are that wildflower which grew even after the forest fire. Know that we will all be waiting for you to come back even stronger than ever. Until next time friend."

Last year, Samantha revealed that she is diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called 'Myositis' and broke her silence on her health update via her social media.

"A few months back I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called Myositis. I was hoping to share this after it had gone into remission. But it is taking a little longer than I hoped," she had posted.

She also added, "I am slowly realising that we dont always need to put up a strong front. Accepting this vulnerability is something that I am still struggling with. The doctors are confident that I will make a complete recovery very soon. I have had good days and bad days. physically and emotionally. and even when it feels like I cant handle one more day of this, somehow that moment passes. I guess it can only mean that I am one more day closer to recovery. I love you.. (black heart emoji). THIS TOO SHALL PASS."

According to National Health Service UK (NHS), myositis is the name for a group of rare conditions which lead to weak, painful and aching muscles. Also, this condition gets worse with time.

There are generally three types of myositis: Polymyositis, dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis (IBM).
New York: Data from NASAs James Webb Telescope has caught a glimpse of possible first-ever dark stars. Stars powered with dark matter still need proving but could reveal clues about the nature of one of the universes great mysteries. A team of three astrophysicists -- Katherine Freese at The University of Texas at Austin, in collaboration with Cosmin Ilie and Jillian Paulin 23 at Colgate University -- analysed images from James Webb

They found three bright objects that might be dark stars, theoretical objects much bigger and brighter than our sun, powered by particles of dark matter annihilating. If confirmed, dark stars could reveal the nature of dark matter, one of the deepest unsolved problems in all of physics, said the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Discovering a new type of star is pretty interesting all by itself, but discovering its dark matter thats powering this -- that would be huge, said Freese, director of the Weinberg Institute for Theoretical Physics.

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Although dark matter makes up about 25 per cent of the universe, its nature has eluded scientists. Scientists believe it consists of a new type of elementary particle, and the hunt to detect such particles is on.

The three candidate dark stars were originally identified as galaxies in December 2022 by the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES).

Using spectroscopic analysis, the JADES team confirmed the objects were observed at times ranging from about 320 million to 400 million years after the Big Bang, making them some of the earliest objects ever seen.

Dark stars could theoretically grow to be several million times the mass of our sun and up to 10 billion times as bright as the sun. We predicted back in 2012 that supermassive dark stars could be observed with JWST, said assistant professor Ilie.
Fistfights broke out at the Kosovo parliament and water was thrown on the prime minister after a heated three-day public debate over an audio recording between a ruling party member and an official from the Serb-majority north. Kosovo's opposition has long accused nationalist Prime Minister Albin Kurti's handling of tensions in the north that has strained relations with longtime Western allies the United States and the European Union.

Unrest in the north has intensified more recently since ethnic Albanian mayors took office in northern Kosovo after April elections that the Serbs boycotted demanding implementation of a decade-old deal for more autonomy. Ethnic Albanians make up 90% of Kosovo's population, while Serbs account for about 5%. On Thursday, video from inside the parliament showed an opposition party MP throwing water at Kurti and his deputy. The brawl then spread when other opposition and governing coalition lawmakers approached the podium where ministers are seated.

A fight in the Kosovo Parliament today.



If this happened in Russia, we wouldnt hear the end of it! pic.twitter.com/bpZwPIoklh  Jackson Hinkle (@jacksonhinklle) July 13, 2023

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Kurti was pushed away from his MPs and bodyguards as lawmakers from both sides attacked each other until police intervened. The debate followed online media Nacionale this week publishing an audio conversation between the chairwoman of Kurti's party, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, and then Serb lawmaker, Slavko Simic. The audio was recorded in June last year.

Kusari could be heard saying that she previously spoke on the phone with an official of Serb ethnicity, Milan Radojcic, who is sanctioned by the U.S. government over organised crime and corruptive activities.

Radojcic is also a wanted person by Kosovo authorities. "This what happened at Kosovo parliament is unacceptable and use of violence in punishable," said Kosovo's speaker of the parliament Glauk Konjufca, and ordered the delay of the session for two hours.

On Wednesday, Kurti said he has agreed with the EU to scale down the police presence in the north and take other measures to lower tensions.

The NATO said 93 of its peacekeeping soldiers were injured in clashes with Serb protesters, some of them severely, on May 29. Doctors in the north said 52 Serbs were also injured.
Possible Green Party presidential candidate Cornel West described President Joe Biden's history on race as a "crime against humanity."

West, a left-leaning critic and considered one of Biden's most potent challengers, slammed the president over his past policies on the black community. This includes Biden's promotion of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act in 1994, which increased the number of police and provided additional funding for prisons.

BIDEN TAKES ANOTHER STAB AT CANCELING STUDENT LOAN DEBT

"Well, I think you'll think Joe Biden contributed to a crime against humanity when he became the architect of the mass incarceration regime in the 1990s," West told the New York Post.

"I've taught in prison for 41 years. And the level of barbarity in our prisons has something to do with that crime bill that he put forward," West said.

He claimed that the black community is a "low priority" for Biden and that he was better at placing "Black faces in high places" than incorporating actual change.

Besides trashing Biden's record on race, the liberal philosopher echoed complaints Republicans have about the way the president's administration has operated. West called into question why the Secret Service couldn't identify who brought a bag of cocaine into the White House  an event that originally forced a partial evacuation of the premises until the substance could be identified.

West is expected to be a third-party candidate in the 2024 elections. The social critic initially declared his intentions to run with the liberal-leaning People's Party but shifted his focus to the Green Party in June. Some political analysts have expressed worries about West, saying he could take away significant votes from the Democrats and make it easier for a Republican candidate to win.

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West justified his running as a third-party candidate by arguing that a Democrat in office would only delay the eventual arrival of fascism.

"Trump is leading us toward a second civil war, Biden is leading us toward a third world war. So I am not excited about either choice," West said. "I don't want to just support a caretaker government against fascism every four years because sooner or later, the fascists will still win."

Original Location: Cornel West: Biden's record on race issues a 'crime against humanity'

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Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) made a campaign stop at a Dairy Queen in an apparent slight to 2024 presidential opponent Donald Trump.

DeSantis stopped by the fast food restaurant Friday in Boone, Iowa, following his appearance at the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moine. This came a week after Trump's visit to the Council Bluffs location.

TRUMP'S IOWA MISTAKES COULD PROVE COSTLY, GOP STRATEGISTS WARN

"My kids  they like the Blizzards," DeSantis said after he ordered one. "They like cones, too, but that gets very messy in the car, so we try to stay away from that."

This was seemingly a reference to Trump's visit when he asked: "What the hell is a Blizzard?" Trump ordered Blizzards for those in the restaurant because he was in town for a campaign rally.

DeSantis might have been familiar with Dairy Queen and its signature dessert, but the apparent jab at Trump didn't go unnoticed by the former president's team and supporters, who blasted the governor for ripping off Trump's ideas.

The Florida governor was in town with other Republican presidential candidates for the summit, which Trump didn't attend. The summit has been a cattle call for candidates looking to line up crucial conservative and evangelical voters ahead of the first-in-the-nation caucus.

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Kari Lake was also in Iowa for the summit and took a jab at DeSantis, according to a reporter in the room with Lake, who stood in front of Trump's campaign posters. Lake accused DeSantis of copying Trump's campaign stops, and Gov. Glen Youngkin's (R-VA) signature vest during the visit.

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Both Trump and DeSantis are facing off against former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former governor to New Jersey Chris Christie, former Texas Rep. Will Hurd, former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, political commentator Larry Elder, businessman Perry Johnson, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy in the race to win the GOP presidential nomination.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) has not endorsed any candidate for president.

Original Location: DeSantis blasted for Dairy Queen visit following Trump's Blizzard blunder

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Former Vice President Mike Pence's campaign and super PAC raised just $3.85 million combined in the second quarter of this year, an adviser said on Friday.

Pence entered the 2024 GOP primary in early June with just three weeks until the end of the fundraising quarter. His campaign raised just over $1.1 million in that time, while his Committed to America super PAC raised about $2.6 million. His first official haul, while not terrible for three weeks, comes in far below the debut fundraising numbers from his most serious 2024 competitors.

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"I've been very humbled to see our support around the country growing since we announced here in Iowa just about a month ago," Pence said in a statement on the second quarter numbers, which also encouraged potential donors to give a dollar to his campaign. "We're reaching out to people all across the country who share our vision, our conservative values."

Despite Pence's positivity, the numbers raise questions about the former vice president's overall path to the nomination and his ability to reach the donor threshold to qualify for the first GOP debate.

The Pence campaign did not say how many donors contributed to the second quarter haul, but the Republican National Committee criteria for candidates to qualify for the August debate requires them to have 40,000 unique donors with at least 200 donors per state or territory in more than 20 states or territories.

"We'll make the debate stage," Pence replied when asked by reporters in Iowa on Friday if he'd qualify for the debate.

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Former President Donald Trump, who continues to dominate the GOP primary field, raised $35 million in the second quarter. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who has held steady in second place despite faltering in the polls in recent months, raised $20 million in the six weeks after his campaign launch.

Federal Election Commission filings for the second quarter are not due for presidential campaigns until this Saturday.

Original Location: Mike Pence raises just $3.8 million during second quarter in lackluster fundraising debut

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Former President Donald Trump has turned on several Republican leaders around the United States after claiming that he would endorse and support them.

Trump maintains a constant lead in the 2024 Republican presidential primaries, holding a substantial lead over most candidates who have come forward. He has continued to distance himself from several political leaders in the party who he claims have been disloyal. These include prominent state governors who have helped push the Republican president's plans within their states but have become critical of Trump recently. Some have merely declined to express explicit support for Trump, a decision that Trump seems to find troubling.

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Here are three noteworthy leaders who Trump has turned on.

Kim Reynolds

Trump slammed the Iowa governor on Monday for remaining neutral in the heavily packed 2024 Republican primary. Trump alleged in a Truth Social post that he had "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 don't invite her to events! DeSanctus down 45 points!" Trump added. The former president endorsed Reynolds in 2018, helping her win a full term in 2018 with 50.3% of the vote. She was reelected in 2022 with a broader margin despite Trump's remarks.

Ron DeSantis

The most prominent example of Trump's about-face with former allies is Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who is Trump's top GOP challenger for the party's presidential nomination in 2024. While DeSantis is the leading candidate to take Trump on, the former president continues to hold a significant lead over him in the polls.

Trump has slammed DeSantis as "disloyal" for running against him and has made him the primary target of his attacks online and at rallies.

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Trump regularly attacked DeSantis during the buildup to his campaign announcement, claiming that he helped get the Florida Republican elected in 2018 and that DeSantis' policies were successful due to him.

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Brian Kemp

While the Georgia governor is in many ways an ideal supporter of Trump's political views, he earned the president's ire during the 2020 elections when he declined to take action over his state's votes after Trump lost Georgia.

Trump has regularly slammed Kemp, even going as far as to endorse former Sen. David Purdue to replace Kemp in the Georgia Republican primary. Trump's endorsement failed to win Purdue the election, with Kemp receiving 73% of the primary vote over Purdue.

Original Location: Trump leaves a trail of former allies in his wake on road to reelection in 2024

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Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy blamed "pervasive" censorship for the Jan. 6 riot.

Speaking with Tucker Carlson at the Family Leadership Summit, Ramaswamy reasoned that the demonstrators were driven to riot after having their voices suppressed.

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"What caused January 6 is pervasive censorship in this country in the lead-up to January 6," he said. "You tell people in this country they cannot speak. That is when they scream. You tell people they cannot scream. That is when they tear things down."

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"Until we look ourselves in the mirror and admit the truth on that, we will not move forward as a country," Ramaswamy added.

The issue of Jan. 6 has split the 2024 nominees, with candidates like Ramaswamy and Trump defending many of the rioters. Others, particularly Mike Pence, who was one of the targets of the riot, have been vehement in their denouncement.

Original Location: Vivek Ramaswamy blames Jan. 6 riot on 'pervasive' censorship

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The White House denounced the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act as a "rightwing wishlist" Friday.

White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said that the bill was detrimental to the United States military and its service members, even going so far as to say that it was holding them "hostage," in a statement to RealClearPolitics.

SOME HOUSE GOP LAWMAKERS PUSH BIDEN IMPEACHMENT, BUT LEADERSHIP IS CAUTIOUS

"Holding America's military readiness  as well as service members and their families  hostage to an extreme, divisive political agenda undermines our national security and disrespects the sacrifices that those who wear the uniform," Bates said. "That's what House Republicans, Senator Tuberville, and Senate Republicans who refuse to challenge him are doing by hijacking a bipartisan bill and devolving it into a hardcore rightwing wishlist."

Bates was referring to Sen. Tommy Tuberville's (R-AL) monthslong protest move of blocking all staff and general officer nominations and promotions following the Pentagon's imposition of a controversial abortion policy. House Republicans aided him on Friday, adding a clause that would remove the law in this year's NDAA.

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"President Biden stands with the overwhelming majority of the American people who believe our military capabilities should never be endangered, especially not in furtherance of radical agendas meant to tear Americans apart for political gain," he added. "Harm to every service branch is mounting daily. It's imperative for congressional Republicans to put country over party."

The line of taking the military hostage has been used by the White House and Department of Defense as an attack against Tuberville for the past several months. Tuberville argues that the fault lies with the Pentagon, as it imposed the policy in a manner that Tuberville argues is illegal without the consent of Congress.

Original Location: White House calls House-passed defense spending bill a 'hardcore rightwing wishlist'

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Colorado's two U.S. senators employ racially and ethnically diverse staffs, with half of Michael Bennet's staffers identifying as non-Caucasian and 43% of John Hickenlooper's saying the same, according to a demographic survey released Thursday by Senate Democrats.

Billed as a "snapshot of the racial, ethnic and gender diversity" among lawmaker's staffs on June 30, when it was conducted, the annual survey is part of the party's Diversity Initiative. Senate Republicans don't release a similar analysis.

A self-reported questionnaire asked Senate employees to check boxes indicating whether they identify as Latino, Black or African American, Asian or Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern or North African, Native American, or Hawaiian or Alaskan. It also asked respondents if they identify as as male, female and LGBTQ.

Both Coloradans employ more women than men  women make up 55% of Bennet's staff and 52% of Hickenlooper's  and both have sizable contingents that said they are LGBTQ, with 11% of Bennet's staff and 21% of Hickenlooper's checking the box.

Three in 10 Bennet staffers are Latino, as are one-quarter of Hickenlooper's. Nine percent of those in Bennet's office and 7% of those in Hickenloopers are Black, the survey found.

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Bennet's staff incudes about 40 employees, while Hickenlooper has 44 staffers working for him, their offices said.

The survey, in its seventh year, reports results in percentages and doesn't distinguish between senior staff and other aides, who work for the lawmakers' at the U.S. Capitol and in offices throughout Colorado.

Neither Colorado lawmaker was at the survey's extremes.

The Hill reported that Hawaii's two Democratic senators, Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, have the most racially diverse staffs, with roughly two-thirds of their employees saying they're nonwhite. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin had the least racially diverse office with 12% nonwhite, followed closely by Montana Sen. Jon Tester at 13%.

Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine had the highest share of women working for him at 78%, just ahead of Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, whose staff was 75% women. Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell came in with the lowest ratio of women employees, with 21% identifying as women and 57% as men.
The news this week that two House Democrats are suing their leadership and that of Republican lawmakers over failure to comply with the state's open meetings law has been met with both cheering (from reporters) and grimaces (from lawmakers).

Capitol M (me, Marianne Goodland) has been covering the General Assembly for a variety of publications since 1998, missing only the 2012 session.

As a lifelong political junkie, raised in a family where politics was the family pastime, the opportunity to cover the legislature was a dream come true.

But over those 25 years, most particularly in the last decade, one problem has stood out like a sore thumb: lack of adherence by the General Assembly to the state's open meetings laws.

The law approved by voters with a 60% margin in 1972 is simple: Wherever two or more lawmakers are gathered to discuss public business, that's an open meeting, with minutes to be taken and provided to the public.

During the last legislative session, when lawmakers went behind closed doors to discuss some issue with a bill, a staffer for the Senate Democratic caucus insisted that there had to be a vote taken in that meeting in order for it to be considered a public meeting. When Capitol M pointed out his interpretation was wrong, at least in how it applied to the legislature, his response was, "They do it all the time."

That does not make it right.

Capitol M has stood outside the Capitol's south side numerous times as Democratic lawmakers walked over to the First Baptist Church, usually on Mondays around noon, to hold their weekly caucus meetings. Notices for those meetings are never published.

Republicans have the same meetings, sometimes in the Capitol, sometimes in offices outside of the Capitol complex. No notices are published on those either, despite claims that the public and press are invited to attend. During 2023, House Republicans held their caucus meetings on Monday morning in one of the lawmakers' offices, and members of the press did attend from time to time.

What happens in those closed door meetings, according to the lawsuit filed by Reps. Bob Marshall and Elisabeth Epps, is that vote counting takes place, in addition to formulating strategy.

What that means is that by the time a hearing takes place on most bills, votes have already been counted and the hearings are often little more than just for show. It should make all of you boiling mad, as citizens, taxpayers and voters who care about and pay for how government operates.

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So, how often do these closed doors meetings take place? It's not just caucuses.

Every time you hear the words "senatorial five," that's a discussion among lawmakers that you, the voters of this state, are not being allowed to hear. Every time you see lawmakers gathered in the front of the House or Senate but away from the microphone, that's a discussion among lawmakers that you, the voters of this state, are not allowed to hear.

When lawmakers leave the floor in the middle of the day's business, as was the case on the last day of the 2023 session, when lawmakers huddled in the governor's office to try to figure out a way to keep his land use bill from heading to the scrap heap, you're not allowed to hear what's being negotiated. Those could be conversations and decisions that affect every single Coloradan. You have a right to know.

How often does it happen? On average, it likely occurs every single day of the 120-day session and beyond.

Those of us in the Capitol press corps know about it, and we don't challenge it enough.

When we find out about one of these closed-door meetings, which is harder than it sounds, we try to get into those meetings. But learning about it is a rarity, often reserved for when a lawmaker is annoyed enough to tip us about it.

Frankly, we aren't doing our job to the best of our abilities if we aren't being your eyes and ears on the legislature, including when lawmakers go behind closed doors that they are not allowed to keep us, and you, out of.

The question, then, is why we don't challenge it?

The press corps does talk about these things pretty regularly. Sometimes, those discussions take place in a part of the House or Senate chambers where reporters are not allowed to go. Sometimes, it is about preserving relationships with lawmakers because good relationships mean access. Another is concern that marching into these closed door meetings  sometimes referred to as "storming the gates"  could prevent lawmakers from having "candid" discussions about policy.

Should that be our concern? Maybe, but that's not what the open meetings law says. If two or more are gathered, that's public policy that affects your life and business that they're discussing.

The solution  how to keep you as best informed as we can, including when lawmakers go off in the corner somewhere to talk about things they don't want you, or us, to know about  is not an easy one.

But loosening the law so that lawmakers can continue to conduct business as usual, however, is not a solution that reporters or voters should be willing to agree with.
When a walkout by Republican legislators threw the Colorado House into chaos on the last day of the 2023 session, the Democratic caucus hurried off the House floor and into a backroom.

What followed were discussions of decorum, legislation soon to be lost, legislation soon to be passed and priorities for next years work. But, as a handful of reporters feverishly searched the Capitol for the undisclosed meeting location, one Democratic lawmaker waited in the hallway. Rep. Elisabeth Epps of Denver did not enter the caucus meeting until members of the press were present.

Epps refused to join her caucus because these meetings, she argues in a new lawsuit, are illegal.

The lawsuit, also filed by Democrat Rep. Bob Marshall of Highlands Ranch, claims legislators from both parties with support from House leadership regularly participate in meetings that violate the Colorado open meetings law (COML).

Besides impromptu meetings, like the one held the last day of the session, the lawsuit alleges intentional and repeated skirting on the law.

The lawsuit claims the Democratic and Republican caucuses each held mandatory secret meetings at least weekly during the 2023 session, directing legislative aides to omit or disguise the meetings on legislators' calendars. The meetings were said to include presentations of legislation by bill sponsors, question and answer periods, and discussions of how members would vote on legislation.

The lawsuit also claims that both party caucuses regularly use the encrypted messaging service Signal to discuss public business outside of public view, with the messages set for automatic deletion.

We repeatedly went to House leadership seeking solutions to COML violations, Epps and Marshall said in a joint statement. After six months of effort, we had to conclude that the Colorado General Assembly is unable or unwilling to properly address COML on its own.

Violating COML is not inevitable and must not be accepted as normal.

But violations of COML have been the norm at the General Assembly for years, not the exception.

Several current and former state legislators have called the provisions of COML unworkable, arguing it would impede business too severely to follow the law as written.

Former state Sen. Don Coram, R-Montrose, told Colorado Politics the laws requirements are plain bull----.

I was there 12 years and there were multiple times that I sat with one or more representatives and talked about working out solutions to a bill, Coram said. If you eliminate that, you're going to totally stifle legislation and you'll end up with a lot of legislation that probably could have been a lot better had there been more involvement.

Coram said that, during his time in the House and Senate from 2010 to 2022, he did not see the open meetings law or alleged violations as a concern.

However, according to the lawsuit, at least one legislative staff member complained to House leadership about open meetings violations in 2022, even providing detailed proposals for how to come into compliance with the law that were ignored.

(The lawsuit) sounds like a couple of people that just want to be sour grapes to me. ... Grow up and try to learn what it takes to be a legislator, Coram said. That's putting you on very thin ice because, when you get legislators that are afraid to talk to each other, you're asking for trouble.

Former House Speaker Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, said formal meetings, such as caucus meetings, were always made public under his leadership in 2009 and 2010, with members of the press frequently attending. But he said it is difficult to comply with COML, while still leaving room for legislators to have candid discussions.

Carroll said he thinks informal private meetings where legislators step out of the room to make deals on policy have to happen.

"Oftentimes, when you negotiate in public with a crowd around you and the media around you, there's a tendency for people to want to be superstars, Carroll said. "When you know that you're being recorded or being written about, it changes the dynamic and, sometimes, you don't get people's most candid and honest assessments.

He added: The legislature needs to find a way to strike that balance between providing transparency and openness, with the ability to have candid discussions necessary to forge legislative compromise  in an environment where there's not performative art.

Carroll said he is completely surprised by the lawsuit, saying it is disappointing legislators felt the conflict couldnt be resolved internally by working with leadership.

I wish it didnt come to that point, he said.

This appears to be the first time a Colorado legislator has sued their own party or party leadership. There are no records of such lawsuits occurring in at least the last 20 years, according to the Office of Legislative Legal Services. Jeff Roberts, a former state legislative reporter who is now executive director of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, said he has never seen anything like the lawsuit in his decades-long career.

Former state treasurer and former state Sen. Mark Hillman, R-Burlington, applauded the lawsuit. Hillman, who served as both Senate majority and minority leader in the early 2000s, said the allegations in the lawsuit go far beyond reasonable transgressions.

It's one thing if a couple legislators huddle behind closed doors to work out a difficult policy dilemma, but that is far different than a system broadly used for the specific purpose of avoiding scrutiny by the public or the press, Hillman said. "Regardless of how or when this practice started, I hope legislative leaders will put an end to it now. It took courage for two freshmen lawmakers from very different perspectives to blow the whistle on this practice.

Marshall told Colorado Politics that he didnt want the issue to go to the courts, and hes still hoping to avoid a trial if House leadership confesses to the complaint and agrees to accept an injunction. Thats why theyve held back on filing a preliminary injunction motion, he said.

Marshall said both he and Epps individually went to leadership for months trying to resolve the alleged open meetings violations. Marshall was under the impression that an interim committee would be assigned over the summer to analyze the open meetings law so the law  or the legislatures operations  could be adjusted as needed next session.

But the committee was not appointed, and there was never even a vote to discuss it, he said. Then, Marshall learned of the alleged complaint made by a legislative staffer in 2022 and how that, too, resulted in no changes.

I just didn't see the institution being able to change without outside intervention, Marshall said. This is entrenched. This stuff's been going on for decades, there's no doubt. It's just custom and practice.

This is meant to be a loving intervention with an alcoholic that just can't change, he added.

Rules for thee, not for me

It's been just over 50 years since voters told the General Assembly they wanted more transparency in how lawmakers conduct the public's business. Colorado's Sunshine Law of 1972, a ballot initiative sponsored by the League of Women Voters and Common Cause, put the issue of open meetings at both the state and local public body level in front of voters.

It won widespread support, with approval from 60% of voters.

The statutory* language is simple to understand: Wherever two or more lawmakers are gathered, thats an open meeting, in which minutes must be taken and made available to the public.

The statutory citation for the Sunshine Law that became known as COML says: It is declared to be a matter of statewide concern and the policy of this state that the formation of public policy is public business and may not be conducted in secret.

Named after Florida where it was first passed, the Sunshine Law stemmed from growing distrust of government that started in the late 1960s and reached its peak during Watergate and the Nixon administration, according to former Capitol reporter Fred Brown.

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Once adopted by voters in Colorado, lawmakers on either side of the aisle chafed at its provisions and, within a year, had filed a lawsuit seeking to declare it unconstitutional. They believed it conflicted with Article V Section 14 of the state constitution that says only that sessions of each house and committees of the whole shall be open unless when the business is such as ought to be kept secret.

But thats the end of the section. The constitution doesnt give any guidance on what could be kept secret and theres never been a court case providing that kind of guidance.

Sen. Ralph Cole  a Republican who represented Arapahoe, Crowley, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties  in December 1973 sought a declaratory judgment in Denver District Court, arguing COML did not apply to legislative caucus meetings, and that to apply the law to those gatherings violated his rights of free speech and association. The lower court ruled against him.

The Supreme Court upheld that decision, stating the open meetings law "was clearly intended to afford the public access to a broad range of meetings at which public business is considered." The court believed citizens must be given "a greater opportunity to become fully informed on issues of public importance so that meaningful participation in the decision-making process may be achieved."

The court also noted the General Assembly had provided exemptions to the law for certain gatherings, but legislative caucuses weren't included. In addition, the court said, "while a legislative caucus is not an official policy-making body of the General Assembly, it is, nonetheless, a 'de facto' policy-making body which formulates legislative policy."

Colorado Politics could find only one major lawsuit filed against the General Assembly for failing to comply with COML.

In 1978, the state Senate was sued for failing to provide timely notice of committee meetings. But the Colorado Supreme Court ruled Sen. Harold McCormick, who chaired the Senate business committee, provided appropriate notice by, among other things, relying on the secretary of the Senate to publish a list of all bills that could be considered on a particular day by his committee in the Senate calendar.

Still, Colorado legislators have seemingly been breaking the open meetings law since its inception.

(The lawsuit) is bringing out allegations of things that people have known have been going on for a long time, said Roberts of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition. Its not always easy to prove. That's the thing. You suspect.

Roberts, a state legislative reporter in the 80s and 90s, said even then, reporters would have to push their way into meetings when legislators ducked into backrooms to discuss policy in private. Sometimes legislators would stop talking when the reporters entered, or the reporters couldnt get it or werent aware of the meetings at all.

As recently as 2020, a Colorado Politics reporter had to assert the open meetings law to gain access to a closed-door meeting among legislators, and then she was still asked to leave when the legislators decided they needed to call the governor.

On the last day of the 2020 session, the state Senate was poised to vote on appointments to the Colorado State Fair Authority board. The vote had been delayed for months after Coram and other Republicans complained about lack of representation on the board by Eastern Colorado residents and gained enough votes from Democrats to kill the appointments. Instead of holding the vote, Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg of Boulder canceled it.

Senators, including leadership of both caucuses, first gathered in the front of the chamber to discuss Fenbergs decision. A bipartisan group of eight lawmakers then adjourned to Senate President Leroy Garcias office, with no announcement of the closed-door meeting.

During the meeting, Coram shouted at Fenberg, who accused Coram of trying to embarrass Gov. Jared Polis. Coram replied he viewed it as an education for the governor. Assistant Minority Leader Sen. John Cooke of Greeley said that it looked like Democrats were trying to protect the governor.

If the votes are there, the votes are there, Garcia said.

Lets find out! Coram replied.

After 20 minutes, senators appeared to be at an impasse, and decided to call the governor. Colorado Politics reporter Marianne Goodland turned down a request from Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert of Parker to step out of the room while they talked to him.

The call went forward, and Polis pledged to do better in the future with Eastern Plains representation on boards and commissions, although the vote on the three appointees never took place.

Open season on closed meetings

During the 2023 session, anyone could stand outside the Capitols south steps and watch as Democrats walk across the street to the First Baptist Church on Mondays around noon for their caucuses. Republicans have held their caucus meetings in a variety of places, both within the Capitol and in private offices outside of the Capitol complex.

Senate GOP Spokesman Josh Bly told Colorado Politics the meetings are open to the public and press, but left out the where and when.

Accomplishing the peoples business requires our members to meet constantly, Bly said in an email to Colorado Politics. During the 2023 session, members met in a number of different venues and formats, from the corner of the Senate chamber, to committee hearing rooms and member offices, all of which were periodically visited by members of the public and press. This included a Monday morning meeting to review the legislative calendar and what may or may not happen during the week.

Those meetings were never announced.

Through a spokesman, House Democrats, citing the pending legislation, refused to talk about their caucus meetings.

Besides alleged secret caucus meetings, Roberts said other violations of COML are more blatant. He pointed to the quadratic voting system the Colorado Democrats use to prioritize funding for legislation as an unrecognized transgression.

Since 2019, legislators have used secret ballots to rank which bills they want to get funding, with each legislators votes kept hidden from the public. The Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition wrote a letter to the legislature last year objecting to the practice, but Roberts said they never received a response.

That's not one of the allegations in this lawsuit, but to me it's the same type of thing. They're essentially meeting in secret to discuss the public's business, Roberts said. Or in committee hearings where they get stuck on some question when they're trying to decide a bill. Then they take a 'senatorial five' and go out of the room. They come back in the room, and they figured it out.

People let them do that, but is that what the law says?

Lawmakers are routinely advised of their responsibilities under COML, most recently, in an updated opinion last October that clearly stated how the law applies to lawmakers.

While the memo from the Office of Legislative Legal Services pointed out the basics of the law, its scant enforcement was a topic of concern in a publication on open meetings from the Colorado Municipal League.

The publication warned the potential for a serious loss of confidence in the government when official actions are invalidated because laws aimed at assuring open government are violated.

Brown believes the legislatures adherence to transparency has gotten worse over the years, noting that legislative caucuses used to be held as open meetings before they were even required to.

A longtime member of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, Brown said the group is seeing more problems with each passing year.

Theres a certain self-fulfilling prophecy about laws like this. If people pass laws that say we cant trust government to do the right thing, people who would do the right thing wont, he said.

Marshall said his and Epps experience dealing with the open meetings law made them especially sensitive to spotting violations when they took office in January, saying he doesnt blame his colleagues or House leadership for continuing the status quo. Marshall is also the plaintiff in a lawsuit alleging the Douglas County Board of Education violated Colorados open meeting laws when planning former superintendent Cory Wises ouster by using a series of one-on-one and private meetings.

But even if not malicious, Marshall said the constant violations have made it difficult to do his job, in addition to requiring legislators to choose between knowingly violating the law or representing our constituents properly by participating in illegal meetings where policy decisions are made.

"I'm on the Judiciary Committee and we're yelling at county sheriffs who won't enforce the law, rightfully so. And we're yelling at the governor because they don't put together transparent rules to do pardons and clemency, rightfully so. ... It's kind of hard to do that when you're being a hypocrite, Marshall said.

Ultimately, Marshall said he wants to adjust COML to make it more manageable for the legislature. He suggested, for example, no longer classifying emails between legislators as open meetings, but said he is willing to discuss any potential changes that would help end the current culture of disregarding the law completely.

We're blatantly and brazenly violating (COML) constantly, Marshall said. The law is clear on what we're supposed to be doing and we're not. The answer is not to just ignore it, the answer is to change it.
SamCare Express will be closed Friday, July 14 through Sunday, July 16 as the clinic moves to the newly built Oregon State University Health Center next to Reser Stadium in Corvallis.

The same-day clinic will join a new Samaritan Medical Group Family Medicine Clinic on the second floor of the newly constructed four-story, 30,000 square-foot Student Health Center at the southeast corner of Reser Stadium.

SamCare Express will reopen Monday, July 17 on the OSU campus. The clinic provides same-day appointments and extended hours for the treatment of non-life-threatening health concerns. To make a same-day appointment, visit samhealth.org/ExpressCorvallis.

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SamCare Express  Corvallis will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays at the new location. There will be closures during some Reser Stadium events. This schedule will help supplement the hours Student Health Services is not available. The clinic will also be open to the public.
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The River District Design Commission rejected a proposal to tear down a historic former tobacco warehouse and build an apartment complex in its place in the River District.

The commission voted 5-1 Thursday to reject the proposal, with Chairman George Davis III the lone vote in favor of the project.

Commissioners Andrew Hessler, John Ranson, Courtney Nicholas, R.J. Lackey and Adam Jones opposed the idea.

The applicant, ARRG Properties LLC, requested a certificate of appropriateness to demolish the structure at 601 Lynn St. and build a 125-unit brick apartment complex at the site.

The complex would have had four stories and included a fitness facility and a rooftop patio. Developers Ross Fickenscher and Garrett Shifflett wanted to include a courtyard, a swimming pool and firepit/lounge areas, with each unit featuring a patio.

Fickenscher declined to comment on the commissions decision after the meeting and would not say what his next step would be.

He and Shifflett have brought numerous projects to the River District, including Pemberton Lofts, The Continental and Ballad Brewing.

During Thursdays meeting, two people spoke out against the proposal and Danville Planning Director Renee Burton read letters and emails from local and state preservationists strongly opposing the destruction of a structure that represents Danvilles tobacco heritage and the River Districts uniqueness.

Tobacco warehouses are the types of buildings that really makes Danville unique, Sonja Ingram, associate director of preservation field services with Preservation Virginia, told the commission during a public hearing. It sets Danville apart.

During his comments to the commission, Fickenscher said he and Shifflett commissioned an architectural study of the building and met with Virginia Department of Historic Resources officials in Richmond to discuss different approaches to redeveloping the property.

Weve been denied those opportunities from DHR, Fickenscher told the commission.

After studying the building for five years, Fickenscher and Shifflett decided that adaptive reuse would have been prohibitive.

We very much understand the concerns, Fickenscher said. We have tried and tried, spent time, money and energy trying to find alternatives. This building just doesnt work.

Their plans were to deconstruct the building and have a third party vendor reuse the material elsewhere.

They considered it for a U-Haul facility, but that failed to pan out when the company said the old building wouldnt work for them, Fickenscher said.

Davis, whose family used to own the building before selling it to Fickenscher about two years ago, said there is not much other use for the structure other than what his family used it for  storage.

They [Fickenscher and Shifflett] are very limited in what they can do with this building, Davis said.

The structure and a neighboring building at 618 Craghead St., which the Davises also owned and sold to Fickenscher, were used for processing and storing tobacco. Fickenscher and Shifflett turned 618 Craghead St. into apartments.

Resident Sue Ellen Lawton told the commission she moved to Danville in 2020 because of the citys architectural character.

Once you tear down a historic building, you cant just put it back, Lawton said.

Also, the proposed use of the property is not the right one for it, she added.

Its shortsighted to just prioritize the profit of the developer and what is most financially lucrative for them over the future of the city, she said.

While only one application was submitted for the proposal, city planning staff had recommended that the demolition and construction be considered separately, Burton wrote in a staff report to the commission.

Built in 1886, the former warehouse at 601 Lynn St. is noted as significant in the Tobacco Warehouse and Residential Historic District inventory, Burton pointed out in her report.

The inventory states This structure contributes to the significance of the district because it represents one of the finest examples of a tobacco storage facility in the district. Built by local contractor R.B. Graham, this [building] displays elegant proportions, fine dog-toothed brick molding, coupled windows and shares a similar scale with other structures in the district, Burton wrote.

In her staff report to the commission, Burton said the proposed materials and scale of the project are appropriate for the area. However, exterior patios along Deboe and Lynn streets are inconsistent with other nearby structures, she wrote.

The warehouses generally possess flat facades and windows with a vertical emphasis, Burton wrote. The elevations propose recessed patios and what appear to be square windows.

Planning staff recommended that the commission evaluate the proposed construction and use before making a decision on demolition of the existing building.

The decision of demolition should not be taken lightly and should only be considered if necessary for safety and/or the infill design for redevelopment is appropriate for the River District, Burton wrote to the commission.

Shifflett told the commission that the current building would not be torn down but dismantled piece by piece.

Gus Dyer, who serves on the Danville Historical Society board, spoke in favor the plans.

This is a very exciting project, Dyer said.

He told the commission there was no opposition from the historical society when he brought the idea up at the boards meeting in May. Ingram, a former board member, said she disagreed with Dyers account.

I dont think the DHS would be in favor of this, she said.

When Dyer spoke before the commission again, he said the DHS would not actively pursue an anti-demolition effort.

Ingram and one commissioner criticized the rendering of the proposed apartment complex.

It looks like a 1950s apartment building, she said.

Its one of the most unusual and wrong-sighted applications she has ever seen, Ingram said.

It looks a little ham-fisted to me, Ranson said, adding that theres no finesse.

Fickenscher responded that theyve proposed a design and concept that has worked elsewhere.

If there needs to be added clarification for the proposed building, were willing to pursue that, he said.

Joie Ford, property manager for Riverfront Real Estate, spoke in favor of the project, citing a need for housing.

Were at 100% occupancy, Ford said of the properties she manages. There are no vacancies.

Also, people want a patio and some sort of outdoor space, she added.

Theyre not going to get that through adaptive re-use, Ford said.

Burton read letters and email from across the region and state opposing tearing down the building.

Before making an irreversible decision, I encourage the River District Design Commission to postpone action on this demolition request, Department of Historic Resources Director Julie V. Langan wrote in a letter to Burton.

Langan also pointed out that rehabilitating the structure would qualify for state and federal historic tax credits.

While the lack of fenestration poses a design challenge, it is not insurmountable as evidenced by similar buildings that have successfully been rehabilitated for resident use and certified for tax credits, she wrote. I would encourage the applicant to consult with the Department of Historic Resources before ruling out the possibility that this building could be repurposed in such a way that meets the secretary of the interiors standards for rehabilitation.

The warehouse is one of the finest examples of tobacco storage facilities in the Tobacco Warehouse District, Tessa Honeycutt, architectural technician with James Madisons Montpelier, wrote in an email to Burton. It would greatly hurt the overall cultural landscape if it were demolished.

I cannot believe anyone in Danville would entertain such a proposal, wrote Mike Pulice, senior architectural historian with the Department of Historic Resources, wrote in an email to Burton. It is a very important building, historically and architecturally, and its demolition would be a tremendous loss to the River District, the city and the commonwealth.

Burton also received a letter from Danville historian Gary Grant opposing demolition, and an email from Desmond Kendrick, state archivist for Pittsylvania, Henry and Franklin counties.

Just before their vote, opposing commissioners said the decision was tough and cited the progressive developments Fickenscher and Shifflett have brought to the River District.
Helena drew the attention of high-ranking military officials this past week.

Maj. Gen. Matthew Baker, the commanding general for the 88th Readiness Division of the Army Reserve, visited Thursday with Helena officials at the City-County Building, the final meeting of a two-day tour of the area.

"The real goal was to really just get out and see Helena and see the training areas out here, and visit with the chamber of commerce, visit with the VA, visit with different community leadership," Baker told the Helena mayor and commissioners during a brief meeting in the commission chambers conference room.

"Montana got on my radar just because we've never been out here," he said. "We have Army Reserve units in Montana, so we wanted to see what it's all about."

He said the reception he received was great.

The Army Reserve has about 1,000 soldiers located in Montana and brings an estimated $68 million in revenue to the state, he said.

"One of the things we're looking at right now ... is really what's the master plan for Montana," he said, noting the state is one of two that is undergoing a master plan review. "With the growth in Montana, this is a place people want to be. Do we look at investing in facilities? And do we look at investing more units in Montana?"

He said the Army Reserve is determining where it needs to place its soldiers over the course of the next six years.

"Where do we position ourselves for success, and how can we do that with infrastructure and manpower," Baker said. The 88th Readiness Division is headquartered at Fort Snelling, Minn., and Fort McCoy, Wis.

Commissioner Emily Dean inquired about the timeline for this planning and how the city might help in the decision making process.

Baker said there is no timeline as of yet.

"We're happy you were able to make Helena a stop because Montana as a whole is at the top per capita in terms of veterans and soldiers," said Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins, who served for more than 20 years in both the Navy and Army Reserves. "You can do a lot of recruiting around here."

Also this week, about 100 high-ranking military officials representing the military of 82 countries made a stop in Helena as part of a National Defense University-led tour of the state.

In addition to meeting with leaders of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Blackfeet Tribe, the group toured Prickly Pear Land Trust's Tenmile Creek Park just outside of Fort Harrison.

Prickly Pear Land Trust Executive Director Mary Hollow said the military scholars were interested in learning about the organization's partnerships with the Department of Defense.

Hollow said there is only one place in Montana where the Department of Defense works with community partners to protect land around a military facility, Tenmile Creek Park.

The partnership carved out the public land that make up the park and help to maintain a buffer between Fort Harrison and development.

"The partnership is very conservation-minded, but it also checks the boxes of what the military needs," she said. "They are interested in learning about what we are doing here and how they might take these ideas with them and implement them in their home countries."

Hollow said it was "amazing" to meet and interact with the diverse group.

"These global military leaders understand public lands and intact landscapes like ours as being integral to sufficient water supply and availability, ability to grow food and other climate resilience measures, which in turn are integral to peaceful global diplomacy in the future," she said.

Hollow said she is not surprised by the attention Helena is receiving.

"We are setting the pace and really creating an inspiring vision for others to think about incorporating," she said. "We should be proud of it. In Helena, there's so much positive happening."
Dalton, McCracken join Silverman Law Office

Silverman Law Office has added Associate Attorney Tony Dalton and Legal Assistant Heather McCracken to its Helena branch.

Dalton and McCracken joined the firm earlier this year.

Originally from Moab, Utah, Dalton moved to Montana in 2010 to attend Carroll College. After earning his bachelors degree with distinction, he graduated cum laude from the University of New Mexico Law School.

Dalton practiced in Albuquerque before returning to Montana and joining Silverman Law Office as an associate attorney, specializing in estate planning, probate administration, tax planning, business development and real estate transactions.

McCracken brings a wealth of experience in emergency services, having worked as a 911 Dispatcher in Helena and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Her dedication to helping others motivated her to pursue a legal career, and she is working toward obtaining her paralegal certificate and assisting in estate planning, probate, business and real estate transactional matters.

Silverman Law Office has provided legal services to more than 7,000 Montanans since it was founded in 2012 by Attorney Joel Silverman. It has expertise in tax law, estate planning, business law, liquor and gaming law, and real estate transactions.

For more information, contact Silverman Law Office at 406-449-4829 or visit www.mttaxlaw.com.

Johnson to lead Montana CPA board

The Montana Society of CPAs has appointed Steven Johnson, CPA as board of directors president for 2023-2024.

Johnson is employed at Pinion (formerly Anderson ZurMuehlen), and has practiced in public accounting for over 10 years providing tax, consulting and litigation services to small and large businesses and their owners.

His extensive knowledge in tax and consulting services for individuals, partnerships and corporations makes him a true strategic advisor, providing efficient and accurate services.

He is a second-generation CPA from Montana and prides himself on serving his community and the profession.

Johnson volunteers his time not only with MTCPA, but also with Shodair Childrens Hospital and the disabled ministries program at First Lutheran Church in Helena.

We are very excited for Stevens year as president. He has been a great board member and officer and brings a great perspective to the profession and its future. Steven encourages professional curiosity to our board and is a strong leader for his peers, said Allen Lloyd, MTCPA executive director.

Johnson officially took office on June 8 at the MTCPA 110th annual conference held in Missoula.

The Montana Society of CPAs is a professional association comprised of nearly 1,600 members worldwide.

CWG welcomes new hires

Interior designer Parker Salisbury and marketing coordinator Kylie Kackman recently joined CWG Architecture Inc.

Salisbury moved to Helena after graduating from the University of Idaho, where he earned his bachelors degree in interior architecture and design.

He joined the CWG Architecture team in June, bringing experience in hand drafting and residential design. He has a passion for color theory and historic rejuvenation.

Salisbury is excited to explore the Helena area with his new puppy.

Kackman is a recent graduate of Carroll College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in business management and marketing and minor in international relations.

She brings experience in event planning and coordination, social media marketing and client relations. She looks forward to becoming more involved in the Helena community and enjoys outdoor recreation.
During the first Gulf War in 1990-91, Missoula Hellgate High student Josh Manning protested against the United States military involvement in the Middle East.

Sixteen years later, after the second Gulf War and during his second tour of duty in Iraq, U.S. Army Sgt. Manning was recognized with a special coin from the Navy SEAL team he was working with.

After graduating from Hellgate in 1992, Manning attended the University of Montana for a creative writing program. He later studied journalism and English at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.

Next came a job as a news reporter for the Idaho Falls Register, a marriage to Patricia Klanke and the birth of a son. Then the Twin Towers were leveled on Sept. 11, 2001.

After hearing an NPR report about military intelligence, the 27-year old Manning, with a new toddler at home, enlisted in the Army three months later. My recruiter promised me I would get into military intelligence, he texted this reporter recently. And boy, did I ever."

Manning recalled how his grandfather had served in the Navy during World War II, and while stationed as a guide at Yosemite National Park (of all places), had spent some time there escorting around legendary photographer Ansel Adams.

Adams took some pretty decent photos, including one of my grandfather as well, and it remains a family treasure, he related.

Manning attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina  The south in the summer is no place for a Montanan  followed by several months of advanced military intelligence training. He also deployed in support of deployed special operations units and had a train-up to get to their level.

Assigned to the First Infantry Division, the Big Red One, Mannings Military Operational Specialty (MOS) was 96B, intelligence analyst, now known as 35F.

His first duty station was Vilseck, Germany, also called Rose Barracks, for the Third Brigade Combat Team of the First Infantry from 2003-05.

According to the Army Study Guide website, an intelligence analysts (96B) MOS entails having access to the correct information, which is absolutely necessary to plan for our national defense.

Intelligence specialists, like the Intelligence Analyst, are integral to providing Army personnel with information about enemy forces and potential battle areas, armystudyguide.com states. Intelligence specialists use aerial photographs, electronic monitoring and human observation in order to gather and study information thats required to design defense plans and tactics.

The Intelligence Analyst is primarily responsible for supervising, coordinating and participating in the analysis, processing and distribution of strategic and tactical intelligence.

Some of the duties of an intelligence analyst may include: preparing all-source intelligence products to support the combat commander; assisting in establishing and maintaining systematic, cross-referencing intelligence records and files; receiving and processing incoming reports and messages; and assisting in determining the significance and reliability of incoming information.

Also, assisting in the analysis and evaluation of intelligence holdings to determine changes in enemy capabilities, vulnerabilities and probable courses of action; assembling and proofreading intelligence reports and assisting in consolidating them into Army intelligence; and storing and retrieving intelligence data using computers.

Beginning in February 2004 and for the next 12 months, Manning served at Baqubah, Iraq, in the FOB Warhorse. Among his highlights were standing on the steps of Saddam Husseins palace compound in Tikrit.

At the end of this tour and while home on leave, during an interview with the Missoulian newspaper in March 2005, Manning stated that he believed the Army was a wonderful institution.

I was not anti-military, (although) I was anti-war, Sgt. Manning explained, regarding his first Gulf War protests back in high school. (But) the Army is a wonderful organization.

It has done some bad things, but the leadership, if given the cards, does what it has to do. The Army, working with the right people, can do some amazing things.

Also quoted in the article were Manning's mother and father, who had each protested the Vietnam War. But both parents supported their sons decision to serve, and they also stood behind the men and women who represented the U.S. in Iraq and other places that required their presence.

Manning described being lucky to work with and learn from Col. Dan Pittard. A military leader praised nationally for his recipe for success, Pittard forbade his troops to be rude to Arabs, held free-thinking idea sessions for all ranks, and asked the Iraqi citizens in his area what they needed.

Manning was given a standing ovation at a Missoula Rotary Club function at that time, as well. It was amazing, I was so humbled, he told the paper, 18 years ago.

When he returned to duty, the Big Army had moved the First Infantry Division out of Germany.

He then applied for a new duty station, reenlisted for four years and from 2005-09 was stationed in England at RAF Molesworth. There they provided intelligence support to the commanders at United States European Command.

In July 2007, Manning volunteered for a special assignment and deployed to Iraq, where he spent the following 12 months, at Baghdads International Airport at various locations.

It was during this stint that Staff Sgt. Manning garnered one of his proudest accomplishments, receiving the SEAL Team 2 coin from its commander. That was a highlight for sure, he said. He attained his highest award there as well, earning the Joint Service Achievement Medal for his work with said SEAL team, and others.

In April 2009, after eight years in the armed forces, he did not reenlist and received an honorable discharge, leaving at the rank of E6.

From 2009-13 at the Defense Intelligence Agency, Manning worked as a counterterrorism analyst. I finally graduated college in 2012, from Washington, D.C., using my GI benefits, he recounted. I finished my Bachelor of Arts through Evergreens online coursework.

Since then Manning has been published in the Los Angeles Times, Foreign Policy and Newsweek.

From 2013-18 he worked as a human rights investigator for the Montana Human Rights Bureau, and then in 2019 and 20, he was the Montana media specialist for the 2020 U.S. census.

I lived in Helena during those seven years, he related. Had a house up on Mt. Helena Drive just off the trail systems  loved that place.

From 2020 to present, Manning has served as a communications consultant for Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, while currently residing in Tacoma.

Josh divorced in 2019. His son Alden and daughter Eddy are now 23 and 20, respectively.

In 2005, Manning told the Missoulian he thought everyone should have to join the military, or to serve in some other way, before college or entering the workforce.

Theres just a really good feeling when you do something for others, when youre serving other people, he said.

Now at 49, Josh noted he still feels much the same way.
HIGHLAND  A federal transportation safety official said Thursday it will take investigators one to two years to complete their report of the Greyhound bus crash that killed three men when the bus collided with tractor-trailers parked on the exit ramp to an Interstate 70 rest area near Highland on Wednesday.

"Our investigations are very, very thorough," said Tom Chapman, a board member of the National Transportation Safety Board, during a news conference at the Illinois Department of Transportation office in Collinsville. "They take time. We want to get it right, not fast.

"And sometimes I know folks are frustrated by the length of time it does take us to complete an investigation, but that's the reason for it."

A preliminary report is expected to be released in one or two weeks, but may not include much more than has already been reported.

Chapman said if investigators realize they need to make "emergency recommendations" before the entire investigation is completed, they will do so.

"Our mission is to understand not just what happened but why it happened and to recommend changes to prevent it from happening again," Chapman said.

The Greyhound had video recorders facing outward and inward, Chapman said, and the bus manufacturer is processing that equipment.

Investigators will seek to determine the cause of the crash and how the parked trucks on the exit ramp to the Silver Lake Rest Area on westbound I-70 and the bus driver's fitness were involved in the crash, Chapman said.

"Human performance" along with bus, truck and highway factors will be reviewed as part of the investigation, Chapman said.

Chapman also said the agency is reviewing "similar circumstances involving parked" vehicles outside a rest stop in Oregon in May. Seven people died when a tractor-trailer hit another semi and a van parked near a rest area on Interstate 5. Everyone who died was in the van.

In the Madison County crash, Chapman the Greyhound bus was manufactured in 2014 and apparently had seat belts for the 22 passengers on board. Federal law has required seat belts on buses built beginning in 2016, he said.

Earlier Thursday, the Madison County Coroner's Office released the names of the three bus passengers who died:

 Bradley D. Donovan, 47, of Springfield, Illinois

 Buford Paya, 71, of Supai, Arizona

 Juan E. Vasquez-Rodriguez, 34, of Passaic, New Jersey

All three men suffered blunt trauma and were pronounced deceased at the scene, according to a news release from Coroner Steve Nonn.

A final cause of death will be released after toxicology tests are completed.

A GoFundMe account has been established to help pay to have Vasquez-Rodriguez's body flown to Peru.

Illinois State Police has said at least 14 others on the bus were injured. This includes the driver, according to the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1700. Authorities have not released the medical conditions or names of the injured victims.

Chapman said the National Transportation Safety Board does not have regulatory or law enforcement powers and the federal investigation is parallel to Illinois State Police investigation.

State police investigators have not announced any charges in connection with this crash.

Witnesses or persons with information about the crash are asked to call the national board at 866-328-6347 or send an email to witness@NTSB.gov.
Dennis Patrick Slattery is Emeritus professor in Mythologial Studies at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Carpinteria, Calif. and a resident of New Braunfels.
BRISTOL, Va.  The Bristol Casino, future home of Hard Rock, reported more than $162.6 million in adjusted gaming revenue during its first year of operation, according to the Virginia Lottery  which far exceeded projections.

That first-year revenue figure is 25% higher than the $130 million estimated in the original 2020 Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission study, which preceded casino gaming approval by the General Assembly

And the original figure was projected for 2025  when the full Hard Rock casino resort facility was in operation  not the smaller, temporary facility.

On Friday, the Virginia Lottery released its statement of June activities for Bristol and two other casinos, showing $52 million in combined gaming revenues for the month. In addition, the three facilities  Bristol, Rivers Casino Portsmouth and the temporary Caesars Virginia in Danville  generated a combined $9.4 million in gaming tax revenues for the state and host localities.

The Bristol Casino, a temporary space of about 20,000 square feet, completed its first year with $12.7 million in total gaming revenues for the month of June. That includes more than $10.4 million from its 928 slots and $2.28 million from its 29 table games, according to the lottery report.

For the year, the Bristol Casino reported more than $133 million in AGR from slots and $29.3 million from table games.

On Wednesday, Hard Rock Bristol CEO Allie Evangelista told the Virginia Lottery Board meeting that the temporary Bristol facility had paid out more than $103 million in jackpots from its slots and table games during the first year of operation.

The property reported 1.2 million visitors and more than 2,000 hotel room nights for guests who stayed at local hotels, she told the Lottery Board.

The facility presently employs about 600, and about half of them have been on the job since opening day, Evangelista told the Lottery Board during its Wednesday meeting. There are presently about 20 open positions.

Hiring is expected to ramp up in 2024, in preparation for the hotel, permanent casino and related amenities expected to open next summer. The facility is expected to employ about 1,200 at that time.

Hard Rock has paid out more than $18 million in wages and benefits to its employees, Evangelista said. Due to increases by the company last year, starting wages are $18 per hour.

For the year, the casino averaged $13.55 million per month in adjusted gaming revenue, or over $445,500 per day. During five of the 12 months the casino reported over $14 million in gaming revenues.

Virginia charges an 18% tax on the first $200 million of adjusted gaming revenue reported by a casino and in 12 months Bristol paid out more than $28.2 million in taxes, including $9.4 million to the Regional Improvement Commission.

Elsewhere around the state, Rivers Casino Portsmouth reported $20.5 million in adjusted gaming revenue as its monthly totals continued a trend of declining every month since opening in January.

It was followed closely by nearly $19 million generated by the Danville facility, which has 768 slots and 25 table games and generated nearly $12 million in its first two weeks of operation back in May, the lottery reported.
The wagon is packed plumb to the top.

Its so full, the horses strain to pull it but nothing can be left behind. Blankets, hides, supplies, guns, a lodge, theyll all be needed at the new homestead. Its been said that the land where youre going is unforgiving and dangerous but a new life is the only choice. Thankfully, in the new novel, Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom, a part of the old life will follow.

Though Red Fox said it wasnt her fault, Goes First always remembered what happened in her seventh summer. When Sioux, Arapaho, and Cheyenne warriors attacked her grandmothers camp, Goes First called to Grandmother, who stood up and was killed in the chaos.

Goes First blamed herself for a long time.

But Red Fox said that truth-telling was brave, and he liked the little girl who called him Grandfather. He passed stories and knowledge to her, how to ride a galloping horse, how to shoot a gun, and how to hunt. Soon, Goes First could do these things almost better than any Crow warrior.

That served her well when, in her sixteenth summer, a Yellow Eye trader named Farwell came through their camp, and he asked permission to marry Goes First. She did not know him, nor was she sure she trusted him. Like all Crow women, she had the option to say no. When Farwell brought her a special gift, though, she knew it was a sign, a message from the Other Side Camp and she had to go with him.

Leaving her family was the hardest part, but learning the ways of the Yellow Eyes was not easy, either. She didnt like that they renamed her Mary, but Crow Mary suited her. She didnt like going to Canada, so far from her family and friends. She hated that Farwell sold alcohol to the tribes there, and she didnt like Farwells friends.

She especially didnt like the man called Stiller, who looked at Mary in ways that made her squirm. Stiller, who would upend her life again and again ...

If you merely looked at Crow Mary with the thought that its just a female-driven Western, youd still like this novel a lot. Its got everything you want in an Old West tale, after all, but think of it as only another Western, and you miss the best part.

In her back-of-book notes, author Kathleen Grissom explains how she stumbled upon the tale of Crow Mary in a small museum, how it captivated her, and why it led her to research and write this fiction based on fact. Indeed, Grissoms deep journey adds meaning, making it a pleasure for readers to forget here that theyre not in 1870s Montana and theres no hoss in the garage.

That turns a good Western saga into a great (and mostly true) account that lets novel lovers dip their toes into real life, and gives nonfiction readers an absorbing tale with highly appealing authenticity. Youll both agree that Crow Mary is packed with a grand story.

Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom c.2023, Atria $28.99 368 pages
Photo: Nick Laba / North Shore News RCMP officers watch on as usual demonstrators and pro-2SLGBTQIA+ counter-protestors wave flags and display signs on the Mountain Highway overpass in North Vancouver.

On Thursday, a group of provocative demonstrators marked one full year of gathering on a North Vancouver overpass.

Unlike 12 months ago, this week their demonstration was also attended by a colourful contingent of counter protesters, local police and BC RCMPs Division Liaison Team, a special unit in casual grey uniforms who negotiate with demonstrator groups like this one.

A court order issued in May is still in effect to prohibit actions  including attaching signs, gathering and impeding foot or vehicle traffic  on the Mountain Highway overpass that could cause a safety risk to the public. No arrests related to the injunction have been made.

While some members of the group said they anticipated 50 to 100 supporters to show up for the anniversary calendar date, no more than 30 people were on the overpass on Thursday, including the people there to counter protest.

To the highway traffic passing below, regulars from the group displayed typical banners disparaging the prime minister, and equating sexual orientation and gender ideology to predatory sexual behaviour towards children.

Also in the mix were pro-2SLGBTQIA+ counter-protestors waving the colours of transgender, progress and pride flags. Among them was District of North Vancouver Coun. Catherine Pope, who said she was there to send a strong message that hate is not welcome in the community.

It is really disturbing that this kind of messaging has been out here for a year, and that theyre able to continue, she said. The heart of the issue is that these messages are filled with hate. And thats not just my opinion, thats the opinion of hundreds of people who have emailed the District of North Vancouver.

They feel threatened by these people, theyre afraid of them. They feel [hated by] them. And the hate message is the thing thats in question here, and thats the message about children, and so-called gender ideology  that translates into hate against trans people, Pope said.

We understand the communitys frustration, police say

Jane Bradwell, who lives in the City of North Vancouver, has been part of the demonstrator group for the past 12 months, speaking out against what she says are various forms of government overreach.

Over the past few months, the group has received pushback as it started to display signs related to gender ideology and child sex grooming. Bradwell, like others in the group, say theyre not hateful.

I think they misunderstand us, she said. We are against gender ideology, which is not a person, which is not a group of people. Its not anything, its a way of thinking. Its a political program. Were not against trans people to be adults in their own lives, but keep it away from the children.

Shes also against pride parades and drag events because they expose children to inappropriate subject matter, Bradwell added.

Several police officers were on scene Thursday, watching over and speaking to people on the overpass.

Our primary goal is to facilitate peaceful, lawful protest  and also public safety, said Const. Mansoor Sahak of North Vancouver RCMP.

Weve always gathered evidence, ensuring that the injunction is followed, he said, adding that in order for the injunction to be considered breached, all three conditions listed in the court order  in short: attaching signs, gathering and impeding foot or vehicle traffic  would have to be met.

Amid an outpouring of frustration in the community toward the ongoing demonstrations, Sahak said that local police have put significant action and resources into addressing the issue.

Weve been here almost every week, he said. Were ready in the event that theres any type of violence  weve had ongoing dialogues with all the parties involved.

Unfortunately, we can only enforce whats in the injunction  we dont deviate away from that, he continued. We understand the communitys frustration, but we have to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system.

Coun. Pope said, I honestly cant understand why the government isnt being stronger in their language with injunctions.

In some way, we all just want these people to go home  theyre hurting our community, and thousands of people in it  and there must be a way that could happen, she said.
NEWTON  Bennett Funeral Service employees recently attended the 2023 North Carolina Funeral Directors Association Educational Conference and Expo in Winston-Salem.

The team included Daniel McGee, licensed funeral director, and funeral assistants Samantha McMoran, William Adair, and Josh Frye.

The NCFDA Educational Conference and Expo takes place annually and is a gathering for funeral directors, funeral assistants, and funeral industry innovators from all over the Southeast. Participants have opportunities to attend seminars and explore the most up-to-date developments and technology in the funeral industry while networking with others.

We were pleased to have our team represent Bennett Funeral Service at the NCFDA conference, Robbie Bennett said. They saw cutting-edge products and obtained the most current information. Their attendance and experiences will enable us to stay abreast of the latest information and be able better assist the families we serve.

The team looks forward to the 2024 conference.

Established in 2013 by Rhonda and Robbie Bennett, Bennett Funeral Service is Conovers only locally owned and operated funeral home. In November 2019, the Bennetts opened a second location in Newton, and it serves as the main office. Bennett Funeral Service is family owned. It has been voted the Best Funeral Home for eight consecutive years and Best Overall Business and Best Customer Service for 2022. For additional information visit www.bennettfuneralservice.com.
The Biden administration announced Friday that 804,000 borrowers will have their student debt wiped away, totaling $39 billion worth of debt, in the coming weeks due to fixes that more accurately count qualified monthly payments under existing income-driven repayment plans.

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 in a written statement.

There are currently several different kinds of income-driven repayment plans for borrowers with federal student loans, which base payments on a borrowers income and family size  regardless of their total outstanding debt. After reaching a set forgiveness threshold of 20 or 25 years, a borrowers remaining balance is then wiped.

By fixing past administrative failures, we are ensuring everyone gets the forgiveness they deserve, just as we have done for public servants, students who were cheated by their colleges, and borrowers with permanent disabilities, including veterans, Cardona added in the statement.

Fridays action addresses historical failures and administrative errors that miscounted qualifying payments made by borrowers, according to the Department of Education. Those borrowers affected will include Americans with Direct Loans or Federal Family Education Loans held by the department.

With student loan repayments resuming in October after a yearslong pause during the pandemic, Fridays action is the latest announcement from the administration to fulfill President Joe Bidens promise to provide millions of Americans debt relief and continues efforts that have already resulted in more debt being canceled during his tenure than any other president.

Since Biden took office, his administration has approved $116.6 billion in student debt relief for more than 3.4 million Americans, according to the Department of Education.

Despite the Supreme Court last month striking down Bidens loan forgiveness program to provide millions of borrowers up to $20,000 in one-time federal student debt relief, his administration has continued to pursue other avenues to cancel debt and make it easier for borrowers to receive loan forgiveness. Biden at the time responded to the Supreme Courts decision by pledging a new path forward on debt relief.

Im never going to stop fighting for you. Well use every tool at our disposal to get you the student debt relief you need, and reach your dreams. Its good for the economy. Its good for the country, Biden said at the White House last month.

At the time he announced that his administration would pursue another plan to provide one-time debt relief based on a different law from the original plan. But its a pathway that requires a formal rule-making process, which can take months, and the details of which have not yet been announced. He also announced that his administration will ease the transition period for borrowers ahead of payments resuming with an on ramp period to help borrowers avoid penalties if they miss payments during the first year.

While not part of todays actions, the Department of Education is also moving ahead with a separate and significant change to the federal student loan system that will enable Americans to enroll in a new income-driven repayment plan.

Some parts of the plan, which Biden is calling SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education), will be implemented this summer and be fully phased in next year now that it has gone through the formal rulemaking process at the Department of Education. It is similar to other income-driven repayment plans the government has developed without facing a successful legal challenge.

Once the plan is fully implemented, people will see their monthly bills cut in half and remaining debt canceled after making at least 10 years of payments

___
The Atlantic Ocean is warmer than usual off of the Outer Banks this month, but a marine heat wave hasnt yet set in, a federal oceanographer told The News & Observer Thursday.

As of noon Thursday, this months average water temperature from NOAA stations between Beaufort and Duck were all at least 1 degree Fahrenheit above average. Buoys in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach were either at or below average.

Heres what that looks like:

Duck: 73.5 degrees this month, 70.3 July average

Oregon Inlet Marina: 82 degrees this month, 80.3 degree July average

USCG Station Hatteras: 82.4 degrees this month, 81.1 degree July average

Beaufort, Duke Marine Lab: 83.8 degrees this month, 82.5 degree July average

Wilmington: 83.6 degrees this month, 83.4 degree July average

Wrightsville Beach: 81.7 degrees this month, 81.9 degree July average

A marine heat wave is defined as an event where a region is experiencing, over a five-day period, the highest 10% of all recorded temperatures. They can be caused by warm air, weak winds or displaced currents, among other events, Sutara Suanda, a University of North Carolina Wilmington coastal physical oceanographer, told The News & Observer.

Dillion Amaya, a research physical scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said the warmest waters in the mid-Atlantic region are further off coast, roughly where the Gulf Stream normally flows. That area, Amays said, seems to either feature a warm current that has bobbled east or west or to be taking more water than usual from around the Caribbean islands and moving it northward.

NOAA says theres a better than even chance of a marine heat wave setting in off of the North Carolina coast by October. As the Gulf Stream moves warm water northward, Amaya said, areas along the Eastern Seaboard could start to warm up.

To the extent that climate change will make for more extreme conditions and larger swings of atmospheric patterns, there is a strong likelihood that we will have more uncharacteristic ocean patterns with climate change, Suanda said.

The Earths oceans have absorbed as much as 90% of the human-caused warming that has taken place in recent years, according to NASA. When heat enters the ocean, Suanda said, it doesnt stay in one place.

That heat in the ocean is not always trapped at the surface. Strong winds can deliver that heat to deeper ocean regions. Ocean currents also can move abnormally warm waters from one location to another, he said.

A warmer Atlantic means more energy for hurricanes to develop and grow. Hotter-than-usual conditions have already caused Colorado State University researchers to increase the number of hurricanes and major hurricanes they are forecasting this year.

Those warm waters can also affect fish and aquatic plants that live in the ocean. Florida scientists, for example, are worried about fish kills and bleaching of coral reefs with water temperatures in the Keys and around the southeastern corner of the state breaking 91 degrees Fahrenheit this week.

Janet Nye, a fisheries ecologist at UNC Chapel Hills Institute of Marine Sciences, studies how climate change affects fish.

When the waters warm, cold-blooded fish respond by becoming more active. They need to eat more, with fish that are usually near the top of the food chain more likely to turn into prey. And they need to find cooler water, if they can..

Theres different kind of heat waves but the ones that last a long time tend to be from top to bottom so theres not much that they can do if they try to move deeper, Nye told The News & Observer.

Until the last five years, Nye said, those effects were largely confined to the northern Atlantic. But warmer temperatures have started to show up further south, including off North Carolina, and Nye thinks the region might be entering its own transitional period.

This year has been really, really warm and certainly weve seen many, many more heat waves in the Atlantic in the last 10 years, Nye said. We probably should anticipate that these things are going to keep happening.

This story was produced with financial support from 1Earth Fund, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Jose Hernande Almaraz spent his days as a community health worker, reaching out to the most vulnerable North Carolinians. Every day, he canvassed neighborhoods, offering one-on-one support to help others secure health services, testing and food, among other essentials, as well as the transportation to access these resources. The state relied on community health workers like Jose to close gaps in the COVID-19 response, especially in North Carolinas rural populations..

Though deemed critical during the pandemic, the Dec. 31, 2022, end of federally funded, state-issued contracts used to support community health workers resulted in the loss of employment for Jose and hundreds of other community-based workers like him. Without acting on new funding for this workforce, the NC General Assembly risks losing progress that has been made toward addressing long-standing health inequities.

As president of North Carolinas Community Health Worker Association, the professional home for community health workers in the state, and a proud community health worker, I have seen firsthand how impactful community health workers can be, especially with sustained financial investment.

Community health workers are a strong, diverse, community-based, and equity-driven workforce. We are professionally trained frontline public health workers who engage with people where they live, work and play, such as churches, flea markets, nail salons and grocery stores, and then connect them to health and social service systems.

As trusted members of the communities we serve, our lived experience allows us to relate to individuals and families, while supporting housing access, food access, cash assistance and other resources that ensure communities can maintain good health. This trusting, culturally relevant relationship enables us to improve the quality of services for people who have historically faced barriers to accessing health care.

For decades, this local workforce has partnered with state and local health departments, community-based organizations, health systems, and health centers to connect rural and other vulnerable populations in North Carolina to medical and social support resources, including health screenings, primary care, case management, nutrition assistance and behavioral health services.

This pragmatic approach to health equity set up the infrastructure that allowed an effective pandemic response by trusting the states most valuable resource  its people. And that investment paid off. As we look beyond the public health emergency, the need for this unique workforce remains.

In March, the North Carolina General Assembly voted to pass Medicaid expansion, making health care more accessible for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians. With more people eligible for health services, community health workers will be vital in realizing whole person health and, thanks to investments in training and certification from North Carolinas Department of Health and Human Services, we stand ready and qualified to support.

Over the coming months, our General Assembly will allocate government funding for programs across the state. We urge you to contact your representatives and tell them to fund North Carolinas Department of Health and Human Services Community Health Worker Medicaid Strategy, a robust proposal that would employ over 350 community health workers to promote the well-being of existing and new Medicaid enrollees, support the implementation of Medicaid expansion, and ensure better health for all North Carolinians.

As for Jose, though he no longer has an official title, he continues to connect his neighbors to health and social services. After all, a communitys needs dont stop just because the funding does.
We live in a world which appears to lack a lot of empathy. For example, peoples recent reactions to the deaths of five people killed on the Oceangate vessel were cold and callous. Some posted images of their own oil or gas tanks and made senseless and ugly jokes about the implosion of the craft.

This is nothing new.

I can remember being in high school when the Challenger space shuttle broke apart during launch. People poked fun at the event, making jokes about the astronauts on the mission and most notably, the social studies teacher who trained with NASA.

It is human nature to make sense of an event by making a joke out of it. It might be a way some people grieve a tragedy. Yet, these things are no light humor. They hurt and offend peoples sensibilities. It is shameful.

It is true, people hear about death on the news and become immune. We hear about recent mass shootings and often turn the channel or switch to a different internet site. News passes through our brains in fleeting ways, and we become numb or refuse to feel human loss and human tragedy.

Do we really know how to feel anymore?

Part of the lack of empathy stems from a dwindling respect for human life. It is a sad fact, but many individuals do not value the concept of life anymore. Case in point, there are politicians in a few states who want to argue for governments to provide the legal right to abort a baby at full term. Perhaps it is time to have a larger discussion about human life and human values. Sure, there are a lot of issues attached to the subject of life. Yet, having those discussions can guard us against some of the cynicisms of our current culture.

There are continued signs our cynicism is growing. This attitude shows in the language we all hear everywhere we are. In the last 50 years, the language people use with each other continues to deteriorate. It is the language of cynicism filled with more cuss words and F-bombs. There is a dwindling in gracious and respectful speech. This type of speech comes from a profound ignorance regarding communication and manners but also a lack of respect and empathy for one another.

Language, and the way we speak to one another gets worse and worse. If people cannot properly speak to one another, they cannot completely get to a point where other issues and concerns can be addressed. Part of the reason for our current political polarization results from the ways in which we communicate. Many of our current conversations ooze with cynicism and a lack of appropriate speech.

Moreover, another symptom pointing to a dearth of empathy is the faith that people either have lost, or are losing, in various provisions and institutions. There is a lot of cynicism in society regarding having faith and attending church. There are increasing attacks on schools and curriculums where many parents have lost trust with academic institutions. There are other social institutions that lack attendance and participation because people find it easier to communicate through streaming services and their cellphones. As good as those things are, we also have seen increasing instances where people experience social isolation and depression. If someone does not feel healthy and emotionally stable, it is difficult to fight off a cynical disposition and show empathy.

It is easy to sometimes feel the brokenness of life and believe things are not going to get better, but they often can and will. It is easy to watch the news and think things are all bad, but stories are not all negative. There is so much good happening around us, and committed people, filled with empathy, compassion and hope, are showing up for each other. We watch people being neighborly all the time.

Part of showing empathy and fighting cynicism is practicing the art of the pause. We should pause to show affection toward one another. We can spare a kind word. We should break out of our traditional daily patterns to make an impact in the lives of others. Showing up for another person is a very important and empathetic thing. It certainly helps us be on guard against our own callous thinking.

And if it is possible in that pause to say a prayer for those who perished in a horrible accident, or those struggling with some internal or external battle, and to remember their families and their loved ones, then we are going a long way to fighting cynicism within ourselves and recognizing empathy.

A final word about humor. We need it. Laughing with a person is a hearty medicine and a way we can recover feelings with one another, but it can also be used in disingenuous and disrespectful ways. We must be on guard against it because those things are expressions of our character.
The operator of the BreachedForums site, where data stolen from various sites was posted, has pleaded guilty to charges of possessing child pornography and breaking into various sites.

Conor Brian Fitzpatrick cut a deal with the prosecutor and accepted a maximum penalty of 40 years behind bars, a fine of US$750,000 (A$1.1 billion) and a release term that was subject to supervision, the last one being due to the child pornography charges.

BreachedForums itself was shut down by the new administrator Baphomet when he took over on 19 March, due to a fear that law enforcement could be monitoring the site.

Fitzpatrick, whose alias is Pompompurin, surrendered ownership of a large number of domains and also some hardware as part of his plea bargain. The proceeds from his activities, mostly in cryptocurrencies, were also seized.

The plea agreement isand an affidavit detailing the indictment is

Stolen data from Australian medical insurer Medibank and telco Singtel Optus was published on the same forum last year.

Notification of a database leak posted on BreachForums by Fitzpatrick on 22 June 2022.

An affidavit unsealed in the court said: "Since its inception, the FBIs review of the BreachForums website indicates that... it operates a Marketplace section that is dedicated to the buying and selling of hacked or stolen data, tools for committing cyber crime, and other illicit material, including a 'Leaks Market' subsection.

"Some of the items that are commonly sold on BreachForums include bank account information, social security numbers and other PII (personally identifiable information), and account login information for compromised online accounts, such as usernames and passwords to access accounts with service providers and merchants."

The affidavit said as of 11 January this year, the official section of BreachedForums claimed to host 879 datasets, consisting of over 14 billion individual records.

"These databases include a wide variety of both US and foreign companies, organisations, and government agencies. Based on a review of publicly available posts, Pompompurin has personally confirmed when leaked databases are added to the Official section in at least 106 instances," it said.

The court set 17 November as the date for sentencing Fitzpatrick. Until then, he is free on bail.

Thanks to Bleeping Computer for links to the court documents.
Q: When stoplights arent working arent drivers supposed to treat it like a four-way stop? If they are flashing red on side and yellow on the other is that a four-way also? R.P.

Answer: You are correct. Unfortunately, many people dont know or dont remember what to do at a four-way stop intersection.

If you arrive at an intersection and the traffic-control signal is out or malfunctioning, please treat the intersection as a four-way stop, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department.

If there are officers present, follow their direction.

At a four-way stop, if two vehicles reach the intersection at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way.

If the lights are flashing, the side with the yellow does have the right-of-way, however, some people may not pay attention or care about who has the right-of-way.

A spokesperson for the Winston-Salem Police Department gave us this information about dealing with flashing stoplights.

If you are approaching an intersection and you see flashing red lights, treat the intersection as a four-way stop. If you have flashing yellow lights, you have the right-of-way; however, proceed with caution and beware of drivers who may not know you have the right-of-way.

Q: Will the mural painting at Smith Reynolds Airport remain after the renovations? J.H.

Answer: Yes, the mural will be staying, according to Mark Davidson, the director of Smith Reynolds Airport.

The plan is for the mural painting to be relocated to the curved wall it was originally on, which is located on the southside of the terminal at eye level, he said.

Q: My grandchild wanted a gift card for her birthday. Unfortunately, the one I got was not the right one. The card was for $50 and the store where I bought it wont take it back or even exchange it. Is that legal? N.T.

Answer: Yes, it is legal. Once a gift card has been activated, it cannot be deactivated. At the bottom of the gift card receipt, it says No Refunds.

Lechelle Yates, a spokeswoman for the Better Business Bureau of Central and Northwest North Carolina, explains how the gift card works.

Gift cards are a way retailers allow consumers to give money to their friends to shop at a retail store or restaurant, gas station or other locations  both online and in the brick-and-mortar variety.

Theyre basically a substitute for cash but they have to be used at a particular place. You load money onto the card and the gift card recipient, or you, can then spend the money at the designated location.

There is an exception  branded cards, which can be used anywhere the brand of the card is accepted. For example, if you have a branded card with a Visa logo on it, you can use it to buy items anywhere Visa is accepted, Yates said.

You may be able to give the card to someone else or find someone who wants to buy it.
A lawsuit by neighbors of a destroyed Winston-Salem fertilizer plant will finally reach a courtroom 18 months to the day after the facility erupted in flames.

Lawyers representing Winston Weaver Co. and residents living near the now-cleared North Cherry Street site will make their first appearance before a judge July 31 for a hearing to set pretrial deadlines and offer oral arguments on a motion by the company to throw out portions of the class-action suit.

Its been a long wait for plaintiffs looking to hold Winston Weaver responsible for the potentially explosive blaze that triggered a voluntary evacuation affecting thousands, shrouded parts of the city for days in unhealthy levels of smoke and fouled creeks when chemical-laden runoff from firefighting efforts flowed into waterways.

Way too long, said Tom Wilmoth, a lawyer representing the residents.

The suit  filed in February 2022, about a week after the fire was finally extinguished  seeks compensatory and punitive damages from the company, as well as attorney fees.

Six plaintiffs are listed but, in a class action, other people negatively impacted by the fire could collect damages. More than 6,000 people live within a one-mile radius of the site.

Attorneys for both sides asked N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby to combine five lawsuits related to the blaze and assign Edwin Wilson Jr. of Rockingham County, then senior resident Superior Court judge, to handle pretrial proceedings.

Newby obliged, but Wilson, a Democrat who had served for 20 years on the bench, was defeated by a Republican challenger four months later, leaving the future of court proceedings up in the air.

The chief justice later appointed Wilson to the case as an emergency judge, but scheduling conflicts among the parties led to further delays.

Now, the case gets back on track with the upcoming hearing in Forsyth County Superior Court.

One of the first orders of business will be arguments over Winston Weavers motion asking the judge to throw out the lawsuits claims of strict liability and trespass.

Strict liability is a concept used in criminal and civil law that holds defendants responsible for their actions even if they had no intention of hurting anyone.

In this case, the companys handling and storage of an estimated 600 tons of explosive ammonium nitrate was so dangerous that even the exercise of reasonable care cannot eliminate the risk of serious harm, the lawsuit says.

The trespass claim suggests Winston Weavers acts or emissions sent airborne and waterborne particles of toxic and/or hazardous materials onto neighbors property without their permission or invitation.

The companys motion argues that the suit has not alleged sufficient facts to support the strict liability and trespass claims.

Other issues

The suit argues that Winston Weaver raised the risk of a fire or explosion by mishandling the ammonium nitrate and failing to train employees on how to work with and store hazardous chemicals.

The company also had a responsibility to inform neighbors and the city of hidden dangers and unsafe conditions present at the plant, of which they knew or could have discovered by reasonable inspection in the exercise of due care, the lawsuit says.

An investigation by the N.C. Department of Labor concluded in July 2022 that improperly stored ammonium nitrate at the plant may have heightened the risk for a destructive, deadly blast, according to documents obtained by the Journal through a public records request.

The ammonium nitrate stored at the Winston Weaver facility was 20 times what was present at a Texas fertilizer plant when it exploded in 2013, killing 15 people (including a dozen first responders), injuring 250, leveling an entire block, and damaging or destroying more than 150 buildings, including two schools and a nursing home.

Ammonium nitrate at the Winston Weaver plant was exposed to moisture from a porous roof and held in unsafe storage bins, NCDOL determined after interviews with employees who had worked there.

Those conditions had the potential to make the stored ammonium nitrate more volatile, increasing the risk of a destructive blast, the probe found.

The suit also notes that Winston Weaver failed to obtain some legally required permits and submit mandatory reports to state and federal agencies.

In May, the company avoided a federal investigation and potential court action by conceding to a $32,000 fine with the federal Environmental Protection Agency after neglecting for three years to submit required disclosure documents related to exposure of potentially toxic chemicals.

The company also did not submit a required chemical inventory to the N.C. Department of Public Safety in the two years leading up to the fire.

The state uses that information to determine whether a facility is required to also submit an emergency plan to help responders to incidents, including fires.

Winston Weaver filed no such plan, and wasnt required to do so because the Department of Public Safety didnt have an accounting of what chemicals were stored at the facility.

Defendants violation of law shows a gross, willful, and wanton disregard for the safety of others, the suit says. More precisely, Defendant operated a facility containing hazardous chemicals in the middle of a residential area without adhering to state and federal regulations.

As smoke engulfed parts of the city for days while firefighters tried to fully extinguish the blaze, EPA monitors recorded air particulate levels seven times higher than what the agency deems hazardous.

That smoke caused material physical discomfort and injury by exposing (residents) to toxic fumes, and caused injury to their property by polluting it with ash and diminishing its future value, the suit says.

The lawyers also cites Winston-Salem Journal reporting about the potential health hazards from the smoke, including airborne particulates  some containing plastics, metals and other substances, including remnants of ammonium nitrate  that could enter the lungs when inhaled.

Residents have reported suffering from headaches, dizziness, vomiting, anxiety, sleeping problems, fatigue, and eye, nose, and throat irritation, the lawsuit says. The smell of fertilizer is reportedly so strong that some residents must wear masks in their own homes.

Winston-Salem attorneys Rachel Keen and Mason Freeman with the firm Womble Bond Dickinson, are representing Winston Weaver.

The residents are represented by Wilmoth and Gary Jackson from the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin; and Karonnie Truzy, James Harrell and Brian Kinsley from Crumley Roberts.
L. Kent Wolgamott Entertainment reporter/columnist Follow L. Kent Wolgamott 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

OMAHA  Pausing his set, Nick Lowe looked around at Steelhouse Omaha, taking in the shiny new venue, then letting the 1,800 or so seated in front and above him know his thoughts about the place.

Youre so lucky to have a place like this in your town, Lowe said last month. In London, where Im from, it goes from the enormo-dome to a room above the Dog and Duck Pub. Theres nothing like this there. You really are lucky to have this.

In fact, Steelhouse Omaha, which has a standing capacity of 3,000, was created to fill the kind of space Lowe noted doesnt exist in London  a midsized venue that, in the case of Omaha, falls between clubs like The Waiting Room and Slowdown, and the 17,000-seat CHI Health Center Omaha.

It was apparent that these bands that are touring across the country were skipping our city because there wasn't a sufficient-sized place for them to play, said Omaha Performing Arts President Joan Squires. CHI was too big, the Orpheum (2,600 seats) either too small or not the type of experience for the bands. So they're bypassing Omaha. We felt there was an opportunity to develop a venue that first of all would attract the touring bands to bring them here.

That attraction isnt based solely on capacity. Steelhouse Omaha was designed and built to be an ideal building for midsized concerts. There are, for example, a pair of loading docks, allowing two trucks to be loaded and unloaded simultaneously.

The dressing rooms are well appointed, with showers, televisions and other amenities, and decorated with, to pick the most unusual example, a cutout of a tape deck in the shape of Nebraska.

The stage is a massive 80 feet wide by 40 feet deep, which will accommodate even the most extravagant production for concerts of Steelhouse size.

And hanging above the hall are arrays of D&B KS8 speakers, the most visible elements of the top-of-the-line audio system thats permanently installed in the building.

The idea was that when bands came in they could just plug in and play, said Steelhouse general manager Craig Cope.

That kind of well-considered design also was incorporated into its public areas, from the LED lighting to the multiple bars that ring the inside of the hall and the large bar at the entrance, providing price points that eliminate long lines  or at the Nick Lowe/Elvis Costello show on June 21, any lines at all.

Even the entrance at Steelhouse is well thought out and state of the art with fast-moving lines, an unobtrusive security scanning system and plenty of well-positioned, helpful staff.

I tell our people were not in the concert business, Cope said. Were in the customer service business. We have to make this a great experience for people, not just open the doors for a show.

Steelhouse Omaha was about six years in development, Squires said, and was designed to incorporate into the Omaha Performing Arts campus with the nearby Holland Center and to contribute to the economic development of downtown Omaha.

The $104.1 million project was privately funded and received $1.1 million from the city of Omaha. But because it had no single lead donor, but rather four pillars, Squires said, the building didnt get a family name.

It was a name we made up, Squires said as Costellos soundcheck geared up on the stage. "Its a testament to the industrial nature of the site. Certainly there's steel underneath. It's actually clad in aluminum. But we wanted something that really was sort of cool and industrial and something people will be drawn to. And we also thought it was a name that would look good on T-shirts and hats.

People have certainly been drawn to the new building at 1100 Dodge St. All of its early shows, starting with The Killers, have been sold out.

Dozens of Lincolnites were spotted going into Steelhouse to see Costello and Lowe. And dozens more have posted pictures from concerts by The Killers, The Flaming Lips and Fleet Foxes on social media after the shows.

Thats evidence that in its first two months of operation, Steelhouse Omaha has already become a venue for the region  not just Nebraska, but surrounding states.

Thats what we expected, Squires said. When we did the analysis of these types of venues, we realized there wasnt anything in the entire region similar to this.  So people are driving and this is becoming a destination very quickly.

Steelhouse Omaha now has nine concerts, which are booked by industry giant Live Nation, set through the end of the year. But, Squires said, there will be many more, along with comedy shows and other events, booked into what is already one of Nebraskas top venues in upcoming months.

Misheard lyrics from iconic rock songs Misheard lyrics from iconic rock songs 'Tiny Dancer' by Elton John 'Simply the Best' by Tina Turner 'Livin' on a Prayer' by Bon Jovi 'Africa' by Toto 'Purple Haze' by Jimi Hendrix 'Seven Seas of Rhye' by Queen 'The Zephyr Song' by The Red Hot Chili Peppers 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' by The Beatles 'I'm a Believer' by The Monkees 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' by Nirvana 'Rock and Roll All Nite' by KISS 'Enter Sandman' by Metallica 'The Final Countdown' by Europe 'Bad Moon Rising' by Creedence Clearwater Revival 'Edge of Seventeen' by Stevie Nicks 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' by The Beatles 'We Built This City' by Starship 'Blinded by the Light' by Manfred Mann 'Hotel California' by The Eagles 'Smooth Criminal' by Michael Jackson 'Summer of '69' by Bryan Adams 'Say You Love Me' by Fleetwood Mac 'American Pie' by Don McLean 'Message in a Bottle' by The Police 'Don't Bring Me Down' by Electric Light Orchestra
Photo: . Albertan Magpies found in truck from Calgary to Metro Vancouver are now in rescue group's care.

From Calgary to British Columbia, these five baby birds hitched a ride on the back of a truck for 12 hours to manifest their summer travel plans.

Not really, but the baby birds  Albertan Magpies  without their parents, did actually travel to Metro Vancouver recently.

On June 30, a nest of five fledgling black-billed magpies, a species not typically found in Lower Mainland, were brought to the Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C. in Burnaby, a news release noted.

As they are generally not found in the area, some detective work was needed to discover the origin of these hungry baby birds, the B.C. rescue group said.

We discovered that the magpie parents had built their nest on the back of a transport truck originating out of Calgary, said Kimberly Stephens, Wildlife Rescue hospital manager.

Arriving here after a 12-hour journey, the truck driver found the nest of very hungry baby birds and brought it to Wildlife Rescue right away.

While rescue group is undertaking measures to release the birds back to Alberta  including by organizing permits and veterinary health certifications between both British Columbian and Albertan authorities  they are ensuring proper care for the baby birds in the parents absence.

As a non-profit that relies on donations, the group has determined that the cost of release  the return flight to Calgary has not been donated or supplied at a reduced rate by any airline.

They are encouraging community members to donate for the injured and orphaned wildlife at their website, and are urging the public to contact the help centre at 604-526-7275 when they see wildlife in distress.
The Cooper Foundation Board of Trustees awarded a $30,000 grant to Rabble Mill in June to support the addition of an English/Journalism teacher for Bay High, the Lincoln Public Schools High School Focus Program located at The Bay.

In 2022, Bay High launched its inaugural year with 137 applications, proving interest in this program that focuses on emerging technology, content creation and entrepreneurship rooted in the creative disciplines of skateboarding, music, fashion and digital art. The addition of an English/Journalism teacher will allow students to take core classes at Bay High, increasing accessibility and student enrollment.

Cooper Foundation provided $150,000 for start-up funding in 2020 to help Rabble Mill and LPS launch Bay High, bringing the total support of this effort to $180,000. The foundations support of high school focus programs began in the mid-1990s with two grants to LPS to develop the initial concept, leading to creation of the Science Focus Program at the Lincoln Childrens Zoo in 1997.

For more information about Bay High visit, www.thebay.org/bayhigh.

In addition, the Cooper Foundations Board of Trustees awarded grants to a diverse group of arts, education, environment, human services and humanities organizations. In total, $156,250 was awarded.

Grant recipients are in Lincoln unless otherwise noted:

ARTS

Lincoln Arts Council: $10,000

General operating support to provide arts programming and advocacy to the Lincoln community.

Lincoln Choral Artists: $2,500

Support for the 2023-2024 season of this organization, which is the largest adult choir group in Lincoln.

Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival: $10,000

Support for the fourth annual Crossroads Music Festival, coming Aug. 4-6, in Lincoln and Omaha. The festival brings internationally recognized artists to Nebraska who share the stage with local musicians and artists representing many diverse cultural groups that call Nebraska home.

EDUCATION

Jewish Federation of Omaha-Institute for Holocaust Education (Omaha): $7,500

General operating support for the 2023-2024 fiscal year for the Institute of Holocaust Education to provide educational resources, workshops, survivor testimony and integrated arts programming to students, educators and the public.

Nebraska Transition College: $7,500

Staff support for the pilot year of Nebraska Transition Colleges (NTC) Residential Program. NTCs mission is to empower individuals with an autism spectrum disorder or other learning disabilities to live independently through employment and transition to post-secondary education.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland: $7,500

Support for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education programs in Lincoln.

Rabble Mill: $30,000

Toward the position of an English/Journalism teacher for the Bay High Focus Program.

University of Nebraska State Museum: $8,000

Support for the volunteer and docent programs to help enable the museum to provide unique programs, interactions and experiences for visitors and students.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University Honors Program: $5,750

Support for Cooper Connections, a partnership between the Honors Program and the Cooper Foundation to cultivate dialogue and further engagement with the E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues lecture series.

ENVIRONMENT

Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: $7,500

Support for the Plant Grant Program to provide accessibility and outreach for communities that have been historically underserved, and to engage community members in green improvement projects and restorative climate solutions at the local and regional levels.

HUMAN SERVICES

Center for Legal Immigration Assistance: $15,000

General operating support for immigrant and refugee clients by providing legal immigration services, interpretation and mental health services at low or no cost.

El Centro de las Americas: $20,000

Support toward the Vida Sana Mental Health Project to help alleviate health disparities and mental health needs by providing free, onsite behavioral health counseling services.

MilkWorks: $7,500

General operating support for MilkWorks, which offers board certified clinical support, education, supplies and resources for families in Nebraska who wish to breastfeed.

Visionary Youth: $10,000

General operating support. Visionary Youth provides basic needs items, formal mentorship opportunities, and a safe space for youth and families in Lincoln through back-to-school and holiday events and programming at its Community Hub.

HUMANITIES

Nebraska Writers Collective (Omaha): $7,500

Support for Lincoln activities related to the 2023-2024 All Writes Reserved (AWR) Youth Spoken Word Festival. AWR (formerly called Louder Than A Bomb) employs 50-plus local poets, sending them to schools across the state to mentor over 700 students each year in the art of performance poetry.

The Cooper Foundation, established by Joseph H. Cooper in 1934, has granted over $28 million to benefit Nebraska citizens. The Foundation makes quarterly grants supporting the arts, civic and community engagement, education, environment, the humanities, and human services primarily in Lincoln and Lancaster County. For more information about grant guidelines and deadlines, visit www.cooperfoundation.org.
Sometimes all it takes to try something new is the encouragement of a friend. Just ask two new cast members in Angels Theatre Companys First Flight Festival.

Dallas McGee, recently retired from the Department of Urban Development, always had an interest in acting. I got involved with ATC after Diane Gonzales, a friend and co-worker, suggested I audition for First Flight Festival, he said.

McGee, who has not acted since high school, was initially cast as an understudy, but the actor he was understudying with was unable to continue, and he found himself in the lead. He plays Ebeneezer Scrooge in Merry Commitment and A Happy Neurosis by Linda Howard Cooke in Flight B of the festival. The play is an intriguing look at Scrooge after his transformation.

Asked about the challenges and joys of taking on this role, McGee said, My biggest challenge and what I have enjoyed the most are related. I would say my biggest challenge is getting into the frame of mind and fully becoming my character while I am on stage. And while that is my biggest challenge, actually becoming that character is something I have enjoyed the most as we prepare for our performances.

Judy Bailey worked for the Gallup Organization for over 40 years before retiring. Asked how she got involved with ATC, she replied, My friend Mark Mesarch has been involved with First Flight Festival for many years. Each year he would call and say, Judy, I think theres a great part for you. You should audition. Every year I would say no. This year I dont know what inspired me, maybe turning 75 and thinking I needed a new adventure, but I said yes. Happy that he didnt check me off his list!

Bailey plays Mora in Green Room by Elbert Traylor in Flight A of the festival. Green Room is a hilarious short play about the final auditions for a new film, and Mora is rarin to go! Bailey thought her biggest challenge would be memorizing lines, but that has gone well.

My lines are short and funny, and that fits me, she said.

For both McGee and Bailey, the encouragement and support of friends and family has been important.

First Flight Festival has always been a welcoming space for those wanting to get a start in, or come back to, working in theater, whether that is in playwriting, directing or acting, said producer Kathy Disney. Dallas and Judy are fantastic additions to this years cast, and it has been a joy to watch them grow as artists.

Angels Theatre Companys First Flight Festival features short plays or monologues written by members of the Angels Playwriting Collective and takes place in the Studio Theatre at the University of Nebraska-Lincolns Temple Building. Remaining performances of Flight A are today, July 15, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 16, at 2 p.m. Flight B performances are Thursday through Saturday, July 20-22, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 23, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available through the ATC website (www.angelscompany.org) or at the door.
Nebraska Furniture Mart has the square footage  more than 450,000 in all at its Omaha location  but it doesn't have Amish craftsmanship.

That's what Lisa Sabels is counting on distinguishing her SouthPointe Pavilions furniture store from the competition.

It's a family recipe that her parents, the late Ken and Cheryl Triplett, used successfully with furniture stores in Wisconsin and Grand Island, and she's hoping it will be the difference at Lincoln's Amish Furniture of Nebraska, which opened its doors in April. A location opened in Elkhorn last winter, joining the biggest store in Grand Island.

"Nobody makes furniture in the U.S. anymore," Sabels said. "My dad was a stickler for quality. And we were not going to have made-in-China furniture in our store."

Instead, Triplett found an untapped pocket of furniture craftsmen in northern Indiana, the Amish community of Shipshewana.

He cultivated those relationships in the 1990s and his daughter has worked to keep those contacts alive.

Over the weekend, she invited four members of the Amish community  makers of some of furniture being sold there  to meet with customers.

"We feel very comfortable here in Lincoln," Myron Miller said. "The people here have the same core beliefs as we do: faith and family."

Amish communities are prevalent in 32 U.S. states. The lifestyle is family-centric with rules on everything from clothes to hairstyle to technology.

They don't drive automobiles, but they can ride in them, so the group hired a driver to get them to Lincoln. Meanwhile, they don't have computers in their houses, but they are allowed to access the internet from the public library.

"I sometimes look up parts for the furniture I am working on," Mark Stoltzfus said. "That's about the only time I use the internet."

Most would agree that it's a slower way of life, one that's been simplified in the absence of those items  smartphones come to mind  that have become necessities.

"Amish is not a religion," said Jason Schwartz, a former house painter who now makes furniture and was in Lincoln with his wife, Velma. "It is a way of life, our way of life."

Sabels remembers rekindling the relationship with the Amish a few years back. Most didn't have telephones. There were a few fax machines, but the best way to make contact was by knocking on doors.

"You had to drive to their houses and say, 'I heard you build furniture,'" Sabels said. "They might say, 'I build chairs,' but then you'll have to go down down the road, turn right and go a couple of miles and that guy might build tables."

It was a complex road trip, but well worth the time. Today, Sabels works with 70 different Amish families, all making products  from dining room sets to bedroom furniture to hutches  that are available at the store at 2950 Pine Lake Road.

"I think we have talked to them every day for the last five years," she said. "They are wonderful people."

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NEW YORK  Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis are dominating the fight for campaign cash in the Republican presidential contest, according to federal filings made public Saturday. While some struggled, like former Vice President Mike Pence, others reported significant hauls that help ensure the GOP's 2024 primary will be crowded for the foreseeable future.

On the Democratic side, President Joe Biden's reelection campaign quickly amassed a sizeable fortune, but longshot Democratic primary opponent Robert Kennedy Jr. also raised enough to ensure he won't be ignored.

Overall, the 2024 presidential class's second-quarter filings with the Federal Election Commission, covering the period between April 1 and June 30, leave unanswered several questions. For example, the total numbers of individual donors for each campaign, a figure tied directly to GOP debate participation, won't be known until the end of the month.

Each candidate's allied super PACs, which in some cases account for the majority of their campaign's cash, won't file latest figures until the end of the month.

Still, the federal reports offer several insights six months before the first primary votes are cast.

While Trump is leading most polls, he and DeSantis are in a tier of their own on the fundraising front.

Trump's team recently confirmed that his joint fundraising operation  which splits money between Trump's campaign and the Save America PAC  received $35 million in the second quarter. His campaign paid a little more than $153,000 for legal fees.

Overall, Trump's campaign reported more than $22.5 million in the bank as of June 30. The average donation to the former president's campaign now stands at $34  evidence, the campaign said, of his grassroots backing.

DeSantis raised more than $20 million for the first six weeks he was in the race. While a massive sum, the Florida governor also burned through nearly $8 million in the same period, leaving his campaign with $12.2 million at the end of June. DeSantis' report also shows a significant reliance on high-dollar donors who won't be able to give any more money to his campaign.

Despite the potential warning signs, DeSantis' allied super PAC, which is legally barred from coordinating with the campaign, said it raised a stunning $130 million since the committee launched in March. More than half of that came from a state-level political committee once controlled by DeSantis.

DeSantis' fundraising will buy him some time to strengthen his candidacy as he struggles to catch Trump in the polls.

The fundraising numbers carry additional significance because they are tied directly to the GOP's first presidential debate next month.

Beyond a 1% polling threshold, the Republican National Committee announced that candidates must have a minimum of 40,000 unique donors with at least 200 unique donors per state or territory, in 20 states and territories.

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and conservative businessman Vivek Ramaswamy announced in recent days they reached that threshold. Pence has yet to make such an announcement.

Saturday's federal filings do not provide a complete accounting of such figures, which won't be available until the end of the month.

Overall, Haley's campaign raised $7.3 million in the second quarter and ended June with $9.3 million in the bank. That's as the main pro-Haley super PAC claimed $17 million cash on hand.

Scott raised nearly $6 million since announcing his campaign in May and finished the quarter with more than $21 million on hand, thanks to a big transfer from his Senate account. And Ramaswamy, a 37-year-old entrepreneur, raised more than $7.7 million in the quarter, including lending his campaign $5 million from his own personal fortune. He finished the quarter with more than $9 million on hand.

Christie, in the race for just 25 days of the second quarter, raised $1.65 million through his campaign and reported nearly $1.6 million in the bank as of June 30.

Pence, who struggled to find his footing since launching his campaign in early June, raised less than $1.2 million and finished the quarter with nearly $1.1 million in the bank, according to his federal filing.

The lifelong conservative was vilified by the GOP base for refusing to block the certification of Biden's victory on Jan. 6, 2021, as Trump insisted. The former vice president had no legal standing to block the election results despite Trump's claims to the contrary, which sparked a violent uprising at the U.S. Capitol at which radicalized Trump supporters chanted for Pence to be hanged.

Former Arkansas Gov. Hutchinson announced a fundraising total of more than $743,000 including his principal campaign and his joint fundraising committee. On Friday, he said he received contributions from 3,928 unique donors from April to June. And since July 1, he claimed contributions from another 2,516 unique donors.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, the only Hispanic candidate in the Republican primary, raised $945,000 since launching his campaign two weeks before the end of the quarter. California conservative Larry Elder raised just $467,000.

Biden and the Democratic National Committee raised more than $72 million for his reelection in the 10 weeks since he announced his 2024 candidacy. The Biden campaign said the total came from nearly 400,000 donors; 97% of donations were under $200 and more than 30% of donors did not give to Biden in 2020.

Kennedy's campaign raised nearly $6.4 million for the quarter and had $4.5 million in the bank as of June 30. A pro-Kennedy super PAC, meanwhile, said it has raised more than $10 million so far.

The 2024 presidential field, in the order they've announced Donald Trump, Republican Nikki Haley, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican Marianne Williamson, Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Democrat Larry Elder, Republican President Joe Biden, Democrat Asa Hutchinson, Republican Tim Scott, Republican Ron DeSantis, Republican Mike Pence, Republican Chris Christie, Republican Doug Burgum, Republican Francis Suarez, Republican Will Hurd, Republican
An Elmwood man has sued the business that installed his outdoor fire pit after it exploded last year while he sat beside it, leaving him with injuries to his legs and ankles.

Joel Schulz filed a lawsuit against Fireplace Stone & Patio, the business that had sold and installed the fire pit before he bought the home, according to his attorney, Vince Powers.

On July 30, 2022, at about 11:30 p.m., Schulz was sitting on the northwest corner of the fire pit, which had been burning for about 3 hours with no wind.

"At that time, suddenly and without warning, there was a loud pop, and a fireball came out of the fire pit," Powers wrote in the lawsuit.

The explosion blew hot material onto Schulz, scarring, burning and disfiguring him and ultimately leading to $1,124 in medical bills with the possibility of more to come.

Powers alleged Fireplace Stone & Patio, which provided and installed the fire pit components, had negligently designed and constructed the fire pit, which led to propane gas collecting inside it and igniting by the operating burner assembly.

The suit alleges it was a defective design.

Lumbermen's Brick & Supply Company, which does business as Fireplace Stone & Patio, hasn't yet responded to the lawsuit filed this week. The company is based in Omaha but has a store in Lincoln, as well as ones in Grand Island, Kearney and Des Moines, Iowa.
NEW YORK  In a Republican presidential field full of candidates opposed to abortion rights, Mike Pence stands out in his embrace of the cause.

The former vice president, who is seeking the White House in 2024, is the only candidate who supports a federal ban on abortion at six weeks, before many women know theyre pregnant. He has advocated pulling from the market one of two widely used abortion pills, a medication with a better safety record than penicillin and Viagra. And he's implored his Republican rivals to back a 15-week federal ban as a minimum national standard, which most have not done.

In a recent interview, Pence went even further, saying abortion should be banned when a pregnancy isn't viable. Such a standard would force women to carry pregnancies to term even when doctors have determined there is no chance a baby will survive outside the womb.

Im pro-life. I dont apologize for it, Pence said. I just have heard so many stories over the years of courageous women and families who were told that their unborn child would not go to term or would not survive. And then they had a healthy pregnancy and a healthy delivery."

Doctors disputed Pences characterization, saying there are conditions that are always incompatible with life and others where the chance of survival is so slim that most patients, when previously given the choice, concluded that continuing the pregnancy wasnt worth the risks.

Pence, however, is undeterred.

I want to always err on the side of life, he said. I would hold that view in these matters because  I honestly believe that we got this extraordinary opportunity in the country today to restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law.

Those comments place Pence firmly to the right of the 2024 presidential field and alone among GOP candidates, who largely declined to take a stance on the issue. And they drew alarms from obstetricians and doctors who say nonviable pregnancies are far more common than people realize. Those range from ectopic pregnancies, when an embryo implants somewhere other than the uterus, to fatal fetal abnormalities and severe pregnancy complications.

Banning abortions in these cases, doctors say, leads to outcomes that are cruel and put womens lives and mental health at risk.

One of the things that you cannot understate is the difficulty for a woman to carry a nonviable pregnancy, said Alan Peaceman, professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine. It is psychological torture to go out in the world, for people to see your pregnancy  and people will come up to you and want to talk about your pregnancy. And that puts the woman in a terrible position that nobody should be in unless they chose to be in that position.

Once an issue largely hidden from public view, nonviable pregnancies have faced greater scrutiny since the Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to an abortion last year, ushering in a wave of bans and restrictions in Republican-led states. Those moves have implications not only for unwanted pregnancies but also for cases in which women receive heartbreaking diagnoses, often when theyre months along into pregnancies that were deeply desired.

In states like Texas, Florida and Louisiana, women have described the anguish of being denied abortions even when they know their babies will be stillborn or die shortly after birth. Some have had to wait until they developed life-threatening infections for intervention. Others have spent thousands of dollars to travel to states where the procedure is still allowed.

Sarah Prager, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington Medical Center, said she and her colleagues have seen a steady stream of patients coming from states where abortions are now banned. About 11% of those patients, she said, have received a serious diagnosis, including cases in which there is no chance of the fetus surviving.

They are often absolutely shocked to learn that the abortion laws also prohibit them from being able to get care to be safe, she said.

Spokespeople for leading Republican presidential candidates, including former President Donald Trump, largely declined to say whether they back Pences position. Trump, the early front-runner, has repeatedly said he backs exceptions in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother and blamed hard-line abortion stances for costing the party in last years midterm elections.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is polling a distant second, signed a six-week ban in Florida that includes an exception for fatal fetal abnormalities, along with rape, incest and to save the mothers life. He has declined to say whether he supports a federal ban.

A spokesperson for former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, the sole woman in the GOP field, said she will sign pro-life legislation that includes exceptions for rape, incest, and for the life of the mother, suggesting she, too, may be opposed to an exception for nonviable pregnancies  but declined to clarify.

Pences push to end abortion puts him at odds with the majority of Americans who broadly oppose the Supreme Courts Roe v. Wade reversal.

But Pence, an evangelical Christian, argues that restricting abortion is more important than politics and calls it the cause of our time.

Abortion in America: How access and attitudes have changed through the centuries Abortion in America: How access and attitudes have changed through the centuries Pre-1850: Abortions in early America are commonplace Mid-1800s: Birth of the American Medical Association shifts abortion oversight from midwives to doctors; abortion is criminalized 1960s: 'Back-alley butchers,' birth control, and protests 1970s: Roe v. Wade protects women's right to abortion; politics shift 1980s-2000s: Legal challenges to Roe v. Wade introduce restrictions 2020s: Roe v. Wade is overturned; Postal Service allowed to mail abortion medication
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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Photo: file Independent Investigations Office found officers reasonably believed they were at risk of grievous bodily harm from Julian Jones.

B.C.s civilian-led police watchdog agency has released details of its investigation into the fatal shooting of an Indigenous man in 2021 near Tofino, eight months after finding that the officers involved did not commit an offence.

Julian Jones, a 28-year-old member of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, died after the shooting on Feb. 27, 2021 in the community of Opitsaht on Meares Island.

At the time, the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council called the decision by the Independent Investigations Office, or IIO, not to refer the incident to Crown counsel for possible charges disillusioning and frustrating.

Details of the decision were held back out of concern they could have been prejudicial to court proceedings related to the case. The full report was released Friday.

It said Tofino RCMP had been called that evening to investigate a report from a woman who said she had been taken advantage of sexually while drinking with two men and was being held against her will in a home.

Police took a boat to Meares Island and arrived at the home in Opitsaht intending to check on the callers well-being. People inside did not want to let the officers in so they kicked the door down, the woman told the IIO.

But one of the officers told the IIO that the door was actually opened up after he had warned it was going to be kicked in. He said the room was pitch black and he shone his flashlight inside.

The officers arrested a man at the front door, but were confronted by another man brandishing files, the report said.

One of the officers said the second man was upset about the other man getting arrested and said things like Im gonna kill you. The officer recalled saying Dont do this, as the man kept coming at him.

They were in a dark, cluttered room, already with one resistant individual, unable reasonably to retreat because of the need to protect the complainant, the report said.

It said police made an initial attempt to de-escalate the situation before deploying a Taser.

The man dropped to the floor after he was hit by the Taser, then started advancing again, the report said. At that point, one of the officers fired three rounds from his pistol, hitting the man twice. In that situation, immediate defensive action against him using lethal force was justified, from either officer, the report said.

The man died at the scene. The cause of death was given as gunshot wounds to the chest.

The IIO was notified and carried out an investigation involving 18 civilian witnesses and five officers.

It concluded that the two officers who went to Opitsaht were in a situation where they reasonably believed they were at risk of grievous bodily harm because a man was advancing on them with files that might reasonably be perceived to be knives.

The report said that overall, the civilian witnesses provided a somewhat inconsistent and incomplete narrative of what happened when [the victim] came out of the bedroom and confronted the officers.

At least two of the other witnesses who were at the scene said they did not think that the victim had been aggressive.

Tla-o-qui-taht tribal administrator Jim Chisholm said Friday that a group from the nation, including Jones family, met with IIO representatives this week in Tofino.

We are disappointed with the decision, he said. Were disappointed that it didnt go to Crown for prosecution. We didnt hear evidence that would make us feel comfortable that this was the right decision to make.

Chisholm said the nations leadership and the entire community will support the family in how it proceeds, whether they will try and overturn this decision or whatever.

He said the nation has a membership of about 1,200 or 1,300 and is very close-knit, with Opitsaht home to about 140 members

The IIOs Indigenous civilian monitor, Thomas George, a Meares Island resident, also filed a report about the case. His appointment was a first for the IIO.

George said in his report that the IIO investigators working on the case were friendly but neutral.

I have nothing to suggest the IIO could do better in interacting with the community, he said. Everything was thoroughly done.

He said that cultural healing is necessary for Jones family and for the victim of the alleged assault.
HOLDREGE  Tuesday was to be a pivotal day for Central and Dawson public power districts, but on Friday, those two districts postponed Tuesday votes to reapply to the Nebraska Power Review Board to approve their proposed merger.

The merger has been in the works more than two years, but a group of more than 200 irrigators and agribusiness interests formed Citizens Opposed to the Merger.

The opposition group has gained supporters because it's concerned that the merger might leave irrigators in Phelps, Kearney and Gosper counties underrepresented on the new board of directors. Citizens Opposed has said that irrigators on the Central system could lose control of the water thats critical to their farming success.

Two weeks ago, JWC Gburg LLC announced plans to build a $730 million liquid fertilizer plant in Gothenburg using water and wastewater from that city and electricity from Nebraska Public Power District, Dawson, Central and Gothenburg municipal resources.

The fertilizer plants electrical demand would rank third or higher among Nebraskas largest electrical consumers.

Devin Brundage, Centrals general manager, said the stalled merger votes that had been set for Tuesday in Holdrege and Lexington wont have a bearing on the plans for the fertilizer plant.

However, Brundage wasnt able to explain the intended message in Fridays Central press release, and neither could others when asked.

The release said: Given 'recent conversations,' the special meeting of the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District Board of Directors scheduled for July 17, 2023, is being postponed to later this month.

The release from the Holdrege-based power and irrigation district then said, Dawson Public Power District will likewise postpone their special board meeting to further support these conversations.

Bundages counterpart, Dawson General Manager Gwen Kautz, also declined to explain the meaning of recent conversations, except to say she and Brundage are prohibited from saying more.

Gary Robison, a Bertrand farmer and chair of the Citizens Opposed to the Merger, also declined when asked on Friday what recent conversations means.

Attempts on Friday afternoon to reach Dave Rowe, chairman of the Central Board of Directors, were unsuccessful

Although Robison declined to explain recent conversations, he said postponement of the merger votes on Tuesday comes at a time when he believes both sides of the issue have begun constructive communications.

In particular, Robison cited presentations in Minden on Friday in which Citizens Opposed and Central laid out their positions in thoughtful, non-adversarial terms. Attending Fridays listening session were two members of the Kearney County Board and state senators. Dave Murman of Glenvil and Steve Holleran of Hastings.

Robison said as chair of Citizens Opposed he would consider softening his stance on Central and Dawson merging if irrigators in Phelps, Kearney and Gosper counties would get greater representation on the board of the merged districts.

Robison also desires more control over irrigation water in the three-county area. That region possesses an underground mound of water thats formed during the decades since water began flowing in canals and over fields to the Minden and Holdrege areas.

Robison said Friday's listening session in Minden felt constructive because people on both sides of the issue were talking and listening to each other. He said having attorneys out of the picture left him with a positive feeling.

Since we started eight months ago this is the most comfortable Ive ever felt, Robison said. If we could have more of those kinds of settings we could get better progress.
NICOSIA, Cyprus  New discoveries including gold ornaments and fine pottery at an ancient port city in Cyprus dating back more than 3,000 years indicate that the settlement was one of the Mediterraneans most important trading posts in the late Bronze Age, an archeologist says.

Professor Peter M. Fischer from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, said the city now known as Hala Sultan Tekke because of its proximity to a famous mosque flourished in 1,630-1,150 B.C. because of its trade in the most sought after product at that time  plentiful copper mined from the Troodos mountain range. Some theorize that Cyprus got its name from copper because of its ancient trade in the metal.

Fischer said Tuesday that along with Mycenaean pottery, the Cypriot variety was the most popular on the intercultural market of the time, reaching as far as modern-day Spain, Iraq, Turkey and Sudan.

Fischer, who concluded excavations at the site this year, said evidence now suggests the great importance of the ancient city, rivaling the majesty of Enkomi, considered the most important Bronze Age Cypriot city because of its unique layout.

He suggested that more fascinating discoveries could be in store at the Hala Sultan Tekke site because maybe only 10% has been exposed, with recent georadar and magnetometer surveys showing large building complexes 3-7 feet below the surface.

The numerous finds of gold, most likely imported from Egypt but showing mainly Minoan motifs, demonstrate that the Egyptians received copper in exchange and that the contact with the Minoan-Mycenaean cultures was intense, Fischer said in an email.

Maria Iakovou, a professor of archaeology at the University of Cyprus who was not involved in the research, said the new excavations bolster Fischer's assessment of the significance of the Hala Sultan Tekke site.

I can confirm that the interpretations provided by Peter F. based on the richness of the material data from the excavations at HST are valid and well known to all of us working on the late Bronze Age of Cyprus and the Mediterranean, Iakovou told The Associated Press.

Cyprus Antiquities Department said other discovered objects include sophisticated jewelry, daggers, knives, spearheads and a mirror of bronze. It said several items of ivory and tin-glazed pottery had been imported from Egypt during the 18th dynasty, the time of Pharaohs Thutmose III and Eknaton and his wife Nefertiti.

Another find was Nuragic pottery from Sardinia which showed it had also traded with Cypriots for copper.

Family tombs containing everyday objects that the deceased could use in the afterlife as well as items of luxury to show their wealth were also discovered. Fischer said preliminary results of DNA testing of the bones confirmed the multiculturality of the citys inhabitants.

Other discoveries included semiprecious stones such as amber from the Baltics and lapis lazuli and carnelian from Mesopotamia and the northern Levant, according to Fischer.

Fischer said the discoveries confirm that the late Bronze Age was the first international period in the Mediterranean.

Its unclear why the city was abandoned by 1,150 B.C., but Fischer said the rise of nomadic sea peoples may have contributed to the citys downfall, in combination with a worsening climate and possibly epidemic diseases. The nearby port city of Kition, founded around 1,300 B.C., picked up the mantle from Hala Sultan Tekke.

50 fascinating cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the world 50 fascinating cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the world Karnak Temple, Luxor, Egypt Machu Picchu, Peru Hierapolis, Pamukkale, Turkey Spis Castle, Slovakia Potala Palace in Tibet Petra, Jordan Ksar of Ait Benhaddou, Morocco Chefchaouen, Morocco Pompeii, Italy Meteora, Greece Piazza San Pietro in Vatican City Stonehenge, England Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya, Thailand Mausoleum of First Qin Emperor China Teotihuacan, Mexico Bryggen, Bergen, Norway Mont Saint Michel, Normandy, France Hawa Mahal Palace, Jaipur City, India Meroe Pyramids, Kabushiya, Sudan Djenne, Mali, West Africa Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Mongolia Kathmandu Valley, Nepal Great Wall, China La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain Palmyra, Syria Kew Gardens, London England Sintra, Portugal Honghe Hani Rice Terraces Bete Giyorgis, Lalibela, Ethiopia Masada, Israel Skellig Michael, Ireland Douro Valley, Portugal Palpa Geoglyphs, Peru Bamiyan Buddhas, Afghanistan Borobudur Temple, Indonesia Hohensalzburg Castle, Salzburg, Austria Khiva, Uzbekistan Kizhi Pogost, Kizhi Island, Russia Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, USA Old City Prague, Czech Republic Cappadocia, Turkey Thingvellir, Iceland Struve Arc Triangulation Point, Hammerfest, Norway Eiffel Tower, Paris, France Taos Pueblo, New Mexico Alberobello, Puglia, Italy Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, Miyajima, Hiroshima Our Lady of the Rocks, Kotor Bay, Montenegro Venice, Italy Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Driftless Wisconsin was awarded $24,867 for a Sales PromotionJoint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism designed to promote the area to potential visitors through a sales promotion campaign. The announcement was made by Ann Sayers, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.

The visitor will experience the sales promotion by following the driving tours described in the itineraries; including Apple Orchards, Historical Sites & Places, Creamery and Cheese Tour, Agri-Tourism, Winery & Brewery Tour, and A Scenic Drive. Each of these tours take visitors through some of the most picturesque areas of the Driftless Wisconsin area, featuring scenic ridge tops and secluded river valleys, said Eric Frydenlund of Driftless Wisconsin.

The grant funds will be used to fund an advertising campaign directed at visitors to Crawford and Vernon counties, as well as the Kickapoo Valley region. The Special Deals Sales Promotion campaign (June 1-Sept. 30) will utilize the Come Out and Play landing page at https://driftlesswisconsin.com/play. The sales promotion will include a map of businesses that are offering deals and packages (redeemable between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30) and will include themed itineraries with the Special Deals incorporated into the driving tours that will allow visitors to redeem the offers while experiencing the scenic region of Driftless Wisconsin.

The campaign will include a sizable digital component, including marketing through Travel Wisconsins social media and newsletter assets, responsive display ads, email blasts to past visitors, Facebook paid promotions, and digital banner ads at Milwaukee Magazine and the Isthmus in Madison. It will also utilize Wisconsin Public Radio, and a direct mail component. The campaign is being executed by River Travel Media, marketing consultants for Driftless Wisconsin.

Driftless Wisconsin was formed in 2008 as a collaboration of the Crawford County Tourism Council, Vernon County Tourism Council, and the Kickapoo Valley Association. For more information about Driftless Wisconsin or the JEM Grant, contact Eric Frydenlund at 608-326-6658 or email Admin@DriftlessWisconsin.com.
Since the 988 Wisconsin Lifeline started a year ago, it has received nearly 92,000 calls and other contacts, many more than expected, health officials said Friday.

The 988 service, which on July 16, 2022, replaced the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline around the country, offers support for mental health and substance use concerns. Staff are trained to help people reduce stress, provide emotional support and connect them with local resources. Contacts are kept confidential between the person and counselor unless there is an imminent danger for the person or others.

In the first year, the Wisconsin version of 988 had more than 72,000 calls, about 10,000 texts and roughly 9,000 online chats through 988lifeline.org, the state Department of Health Services said. Thats up from 35,000 to 40,000 calls a year to similar previous hotlines in the state, said Caroline Crehan Neumann, crisis services coordinator for DHS.

Health officials had expected about 55,000 calls and 2,000 texts to 988 the first year, Crehan Neumann said. DHS is applying for grants to better staff the service and market it to communities who might need it most, such as teen girls, Native American residents and Black men, she said.

The impact, just in its first year, has been incredibly successful, she said. And we are just getting started.

DHS said more than 98% of the contacts are resolved through the conversation, which reduces pressure on the states system of emergency services for mental health and substance use concerns.

Less than 1% of calls involve circumstances resulting in a welfare check or EMS contact, said Shelly Missall, Wisconsin Lifeline program manager at Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, the Green Bay agency that runs the service.
DES MOINES  Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, citing a need to change a destructive culture of abortion, signed into law Friday a near-total ban on abortions in Iowa, passed three days ago during a special session of the Iowa Legislature.

On the same day, Polk County District Court Judge listened to a request from abortion providers and the ACLU of Iowa to halt enforcement of the new restrictions until its constitutionality can be considered by the courts.

The law takes immediate effect after District Judge Joseph Seidlin denied a request from attorneys for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and Emma Goldman Clinic of Iowa City to immediately block enforcement.

Seidlin said he will not flippantly rule from the bench just for expediencys sake, and said he hopes to have a ruling issued by the end of Monday, or Tuesday at the latest.

I cant think of anything that would be more insulting to either side for a judge, who before Wednesday had no idea that he was going to be involved in any of this  to listen to arguments and then rule from the bench  so flippantly without giving it any thought, he said.

Reynolds signed the bill into law at the Christian conservative The Family Leaders annual conference, which featured remarks from six GOP presidential candidates.

We have a responsibility not only to protect the unborn in law, but to change the destructive culture of abortion that still exists in a post-Roe world, Reynolds said of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision, overturned last year, that had provided a fundamental right to abortion in the country.

Even with the fetal heartbeat bill, the fight continues for a robust culture of life that welcomes children, supports mothers and involves fathers, she said. As a pro-life governor, I will continue to promote policies designed to surround every person involved in a pregnancy with protection, love and support.

The White House and Iowa Democrats swiftly condemned the bills signing.

Iowas new law will penalize health care providers and cause delays and denials of health and life-saving care, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in statement. While Republican elected officials advance dangerous laws, President Biden and Vice President Harris stand with the majority of Americans who believe personal health care decisions should be between a woman and her doctor, not politicians, and will continue to call on Congress to codify the protections of Roe v. Wade in federal law.

The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature passed House File 732 mostly along party lines, with Democrats opposed, during a one-day session Tuesday called by Reynolds.

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 first perform an abdominal ultrasound to detect embryonic or fetal cardiac activity.

Republican state lawmakers and Republican Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird joined Reynolds on the event stage as she signed the bill into law. During her remarks, Reynolds called abortion the most important human rights cause of our time.

Protecting unborn human lives from the atrocity of abortion, a worthy battle and one I will never concede, she said.

Reynolds also criticized the three Iowa Supreme Court justices  all appointed by Republicans, and one by her  who declined to approve her request to lift a permanent injunction on a 2018 version of the abortion restrictions. The court deadlocked, 3-3, over the governors request, leaving in place the lower courts decision to block the law, and leading to this weeks special session.

Reynolds said those three justices opinions contained political rhetoric.

Iowa doctors seek clarity, raise concerns of new law

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. Advocates for abortion rights say the new law would end 98 percent of abortions that are currently legal in Iowa.

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. But with no rules, Iowa doctors have expressed concerns over the lack of clarity about when patients qualify for exceptions and whether doctors could face penalties or discipline for performing abortions.

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.

Democrats hopeful court will intervene

Iowa House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, a Democratic from Windsor Heights, said she remains hopeful the district court will put on hold on the new law.

Gov. Reynolds proved today that her bill to ban abortion was always about the special interests, not Iowans, Konfrst said in a statement. Iowans have been consistent  and demonstrated earlier this week  that they support reproductive freedom and want to keep their fundamental right to make health care decisions about their own bodies. Politicians and judges have no place interfering in someone elses decisions about when to start a family.

Iowa Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum, a Democrat from Dubuque, echoed Konfrst.

The lives and well-being of Iowa women are at risk for as long as this law is in effect, Jochum said in a statement. I look forward to the Iowa courts blocking this law, giving it the legal scrutiny it deserves, and ultimately declaring it unconstitutional.

Arguments before the court

Peter Im, a staff attorney at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, argued in the court hearing that the law unquestionably imposes an undue burden on Iowans access to abortion care and violates their constitutional rights to due process, dominion over ones body, and the ability to have control over their lives and their futures and to make their own decisions about their health care.

Im said the law will have devastating consequences for Iowans and cause irreparable harm by subjecting Iowans to unnecessary medical risks.

Additionally, Im said the law will disproportionately harm women of color, those with disabilities and who lack the financial means to travel to other states to receive care.

For many its not possible to travel out of state due to the financial and logistical burdens, Im said. Abortion is time-sensitive care and even small delays can have substantial consequences for patients.

A total of 200 Iowa patients had abortions scheduled with Planned Parenthood and the Emma Goldman Clinic of Iowa City this week and next.

He said Planned Parenthood and Emma Goldman worked to schedule Friday appointments before the bill signing, and have been contacting patients to reschedule later appointments and, if possible, arrange to get care out of state.

Patients need certainty, Im said in asking the judge to rule from the bench Friday

In the wake of Iowa and U.S. Supreme Court rulings reversing a fundamental right to abortion, Assistant Iowa Attorney General Daniel Johnston argued a new rational basis test now applies. To pass the test, laws need only be rationally related to a legitimate governmental interest.

Johnston noted the U.S. Supreme Court in its ruling last year said states can regulate abortion for legitimate purposes, including the protection of prenatal life in all stages of development, and that the law protects unborn Iowans.

The fetal heartbeat bill aims to prevent the destruction of human lives, and the court must take those lives into account in its analysis, Johnston said. "The status quo is precisely the thing that the state believes is harmful."

Abortion in America: How access and attitudes have changed through the centuries 1980s-2000s: Legal challenges to Roe v. Wade introduce restrictions 1970s: Roe v. Wade protects women's right to abortion; politics shift 1960s: 'Back-alley butchers,' birth control, and protests 2020s: Roe v. Wade is overturned; Postal Service allowed to mail abortion medication The evolution of abortion in America Pre-1850: Abortions in early America are commonplace Mid-1800s: Birth of the American Medical Association shifts abortion oversight from midwives to doctors; abortion is criminalized
Amanda Evenson, the automotive technology instructor at Minnesota State College Southeast, would like you to consider donating a car to the colleges automotive programs.

Donated cars provide a great learning opportunity for our students, she explained. I dont believe in modified training aids, which is what many auto programs use. Our goal in the automotive programs is to give the students as much guided, hands-on, real-world experience as we can.

Both the automotive technology and auto body collision technology programs at the college rely on donated vehicles to give students the best experience as to what they will see in industry.

Donated vehicles dont have to be drivable, but they do have to be moveable.

The engine, transmission, or even the brakes could be inoperative, Evenson said. Even if the vehicle is towed in that is fine as well. As long as it is on wheels and able to be pushed around, it will work for the programs.

Cars dont have to be brand new, but Evenson said the newer the vehicle, the better.

We try to stay as current as possible with technology, so newer models are more useful. However, we will accept a vehicle year 2000 and newer.

Donated cars can be written off for tax purposes.

We fill out a form with vehicle and customer information. The vehicle is given a value and then the customer receives an acknowledgment of donation from the college that they can use on their taxes, Evenson said.

A clear title required.

It must have a title with no liens, she noted. The donation acknowledgment will be sent to the person who is listed on the title.

Students in the Automotive Technology programs work with donated vehicles starting in their first semester. The students disassemble and assemble components on the vehicles to learn how to use various tools, solve problems and identify components.

By the end of the semester the vehicles are completely disassembled from interiors to bumpers. Electrical harnesses, windows and even engine and transmissions are removed.

After that, the vehicle components are reused for later class labs such as transmission and engine disassembly and diagnostics, Evenson said. We even re-use clips and fasteners.

In the Auto Body Collision Technology program, vehicles are used in a similar manner, but instructor Brandon Boynton also utilizes body panels for student learning.

Boynton creates damage to body components, simulating different types of real-world collisions, for the students to repair. The vehicles would be completely torn down by the end of the semester as well.

Anything from the vehicle can be used as a teaching aid, Evenson said. Vehicles that are left are used for various labs throughout the program for diagnostics. For example, I will deliberately put an electrical issue into a vehicle and the students have to use their resources and skills to find and repair the problem.

Any parts that are not used or needed will eventually be taken to the salvage yard. Money made from the salvage goes back into the programs for future supplies.

The automotive programs also take in some customer vehicles for repairs (model years 2000 and newer), depending on the time and skills that students have, tasks being taught, and whether the repairs fit the curriculum.

Due to the students being in training, repairs take longer. Evenson said customers pay for parts and some labor to help recover shop operating costs. Estimates are given in advance.

The bottom line is that when our graduates get to industry they are experienced and efficient, which is great for employers, customers and technicians, Evenson said. Customer vehicles and donations help us make that level of real-world learning possible.

Evenson thanked those who have given donations in the past.

Many community members, students, alumni, local dealerships and salvage yards have donated vehicles to our programs over the years, she said. It has very much been appreciated by the instructors and the students.

For more information or to donate a vehicle to Minnesota State College Southeast, contact Evenson at amanda.evenson@southeastmn.edu or 507-453-2666.
Wild Siberian tiger images captured in NE China

Xinhua) 16:59, July 14, 2023

HARBIN, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The images and footage of a wild Siberian tiger have been captured recently in the Muleng forest area in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, local authorities said on Wednesday.

In the footage, the tiger walked leisurely in front of the camera. Zhao Yue, a research assistant at the Feline Research Center of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, said that the wild Siberian tiger was captured by camera in April. It was identified as the tiger that was rescued in April 2021 and then was released in the wild on May 18, 2021, in the area.

Apart from the tiger, two infrared cameras also captured the footage of two Amur leopards, a large one and a small one, shuttling through the forests, patrolling their territory, and looking for food. The images of other wild animals, such as roe deer and sika deer, have also been captured by cameras in the Muleng forest area.

These wild animals choose to settle here, which shows that the food chain in the Muleng forest area is complete, the biodiversity here is rich, and the ecological environment has been effectively restored, according to the staffers at the forest area.

Siberian tigers, also known as Amur or Manchurian tigers, are one of the most endangered animals in the world. They mainly live in eastern Russia, northeast China, and the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Photo: The Canadian Press

Canada is being urged to shelve any intention of unilaterally imposing a digital services tax on tech giants, with one of the countrys biggest business groups warning it could trigger U.S. government retaliation as a presidential election approaches.

The call for Ottawa to hold off came from both sides of the border on Friday as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also weighed in, asking the federal government to publicly commit to a pause.

Business Council of Canada president Goldy Hyder cautioned Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland in a letter that such a move could also put a damper on a North American Leaders Summit Canada is on track to host this fall or in early 2024.

The federal government announced this week that it could not consent to delay further a digital services tax targeting tech giants in the absence of a clear timeline for a global multinationals taxation deal to come into effect.

U.S. trade official expresses concerns about Canadas proposed digital services tax

Ms. Freeland, who is also Finance Minister, said Tuesday that unless international talks set firm dates for an agreement to collect a greater share of the wealth generated by the worlds richest companies, Canada will proceed with what amounts to a Plan B: a new digital services tax (DST) that was outlined two years ago.

That new tax would impose a 3-per-cent levy on Canadian revenue from digital services exceeding $20-million that is earned by companies with at least $1.1-billion in global revenue. This would include revenue from search engines, social-media platforms and online marketplaces.

Canada found itself isolated Tuesday in Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) talks in Paris, unwilling to endorse a deal negotiated by the United States that would see countries that had planned to enact their own digital services tax put it off for at least another year.

Watson McLeish, senior vice-president of tax policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, urged the Canadian government to make clear that they will not unilaterally act to impose a DST, arguing to proceed would breach Canadas trade obligations under more than one trade agreement.

Ottawas plan was to enact its own digital services tax in January, 2024, unless global negotiations to enact a multilateral tax deal yielded reforms of corporate taxation worldwide.

Several senior U.S. officials have made clear that if Canada is to impose its DST unilaterally, outside of a multinational framework agreement, they will seek dispute settlement under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), Mr. Hyder wrote in the July 13 letter to Ms. Freeland.

U. S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai raised the DST with International Trade Minister Mary Ng on the margins of the third meeting of the CUSMA Free Trade Commission in Cancun last week, he noted.

Mr. Hyder also noted taking on tech giants, many of which are American, could be poorly received in the United States because the presidential election is set for 2024 and American politics will become increasingly heated that year.

The timing would also coincide with the beginning of the U.S. election cycle, a period in which cross-border irritants such as the DST can become dangerously politicized by officials seeking election.

He also noted that a review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), called CUSMA by Canada, is set for 2026. The mandated review was baked into the agreement, which means all parties must agree to extend the deal by 2026. Failure to do so will create uncertainty because of annual reviews for the final 10 years or until all parties agree to extend the deal for another 16-year term.

To ignore the repeated appeals from senior officials in both the Biden Administration and Congress  Democrats and Republicans alike  is to risk retaliation and undermine the review of CUSMA in 2026, Mr. Hyder warned.

In 2021, Canada and many other countries froze plans to enact a digital services tax while negotiations continued on a multilateral international tax deal. Such a deal would overhaul rules governing how governments tax multinationals that are widely considered to be outdated as digital giants such as Apple or Amazon can book profits in low-tax countries.

The first part of the two-pillar deal  known as Pillar One  aims to reallocate taxing rights on about US$200-billion in profits from the biggest and most profitable multinationals to the countries where their sales occur.

The second pillar calls on governments to put an end to tax competition between countries to attract investment by setting a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15 per cent starting next year.

Ms. Freeland said Tuesday the lack of set dates for a treaty implementing Pillar One puts Canada at a disadvantage to countries that have already implemented a digital services tax. These include Britain and France.

Many countries participating in negotiations in Paris agreed to a further one-year standstill on the imposition of any new domestic DSTs, despite there being no deadline stipulating when Pillar One will come into force, she said Tuesday.

Mr. Hyder noted the DST could apply retroactively and therefore even if Canada waited it could still collect the revenue it seeks.

The only course of action that exposes Canada to costly risks, as we have warned, is forging ahead with a January deadline, he said. That is the scenario which Canada must avoid. Canada should not impose a unilateral DST on either foreign or domestic companies before the OECD process has been allowed to run its course. All other OECD countries agree.

Katherine Cuplinskas, press secretary to Ms. Freeland, said Canada would prefer to work with other countries on corporate tax reform but has been consistent in saying it will act by itself if necessary.

The Canadian government has been clear for several years that it would move forward with its own Digital Services Tax if a global agreement is not reached. And we are committed to protecting Canadas national economic interest, she said in a statement.

Canadas priority and preference has always been a multilateral agreement. Canada strongly supports international efforts to end the corporate tax race to the bottom and to ensure that all corporations, including the worlds largest corporations, pay their fair share.

With a report from Reuters
A Lake Geneva industrial company recently broke ground on the first phase of an expansion project.

Representatives from Plas-Tech Engineering, 875 Geneva Parkway North, conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for the companys 25,000 square-foot expansion project, June 29.

City, county and state officials, as well as company representatives, attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

The project is the first phase of the company expanding its headquarter facility in Lake Geneva. A 30,000 square foot expansion is set to be completed as part of the second phase of the project in the future.

Company officials purchased the property for the expansion project in 2020 to double the size of the current facility.

We dont know how soon phase two will happen but that will be our next addition, that will be another 30,000 square feet after this, Aaron Hirschmann, president and CEO of Plas-Tech Engineering, said. Were on a very rampant growth plan right now. Weve been growing at double digits for the last four years.

Plas-Tech Engineering manufactures plastic medical devices and components for the bio-tech and pharmaceutical industries. About half of the companys clients are located in North America and the other half are located in Europe.

The company started expanding into Europe about eight years ago.

Were excited about whats starting to happen here, Derek DAuria, executive director for Walworth County Economic Development Alliance, said. They got a lot of good things going on abroad, so thats exciting for expansion.

The Lake Geneva facility had about 40 employees in 2021, and now it has more than 110 workers. Hirschmann said the expansion is needed to help accommodate the companys growing workforce.

Were out of space. Were out of room, Hirschmann said. We needed this probably two years ago. We have since had to go to Delavan to get some warehouse space. Weve done that to help because were out of storage space for materials, raw materials and finished goods.

Hirschmann said he is excited about expanding the Lake Geneva facility.

Its kind of exciting to be able to work out of Lake Geneva a small, little company out of Lake Geneva becoming a worldwide entity, Hirschmann said. Its kind of exciting for us. You never dream it could go to this level or escalate to this level. So its been a challenge, as well. Im not going to tell you its been easy because it has not been easy. This extension and add on is a long time coming.

Representatives from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation are providing the company with $85,000 worth of performance-based tax credits, based on the number of jobs created and capital invested as a result of the expansion, to help fund the project.

Neil White, regional economic development director for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, said he is excited about working with Plas-Tech Engineering on the expansion.

Were tickled to death to be a part of this project, White said. We like local partners that bring us these projects that we might not otherwise know about. We can form a long-term relationship with a company that has a vision that has a market share that is tackling the world, quite frankly. For us to be a part of that and to be a partner, were excited to be here.

Mayor Charlene Klein said she is excited about the company expanding its facility in the City of Lake Geneva.

As mayor of Lake Geneva, I would like to say congratulations to the Plas-Tech organization and how proud I am to know that are making this investment in our city, Klein said in a press release. This expansion will add jobs and stimulate the economy in the entire area, which helps all of our businesses as a whole.
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR SATURDAY JULY 15, 2023

NATO Militarism Gone MadBe Sane: Stand Up for Peace

July 14, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)The very next day after the conclusion of the NATO Summit in Lithuania, cluster munitions were on the ground in Ukraine, having been delivered by the United States as a unilateral action. Since the U.S. first announced its plans to provide these weapons, on July 7, a week ago Friday, many denunciations have come forward, markedly from inside the United States, and also from a number of the 123 nations that signed the pact since 2008 against any use of cluster munitions. But, the top U.S. officialsPresident Biden, Secretary of State Blinken, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and othersgave excuses and went ahead.

This U.S. action shows insultingly the meaning of the Wests vaunted rules-based order. It means: we do what we want.

However, beyond the hypocrisy and pure evil involved in this instance, look at the sheer dissociated madness now characterizing the U.S., U.K. and Global NATO, in terms of its newly ratified expansion plans. The July 11-12 Vilnius NATO Summit committed to a major NATO force buildup, when the NATO member nations own economies are dramatically in breakdown! On July 13, it was made known that President Biden has authorized the callup of 3,000 reserve troops, just to support current operations in Europe, at the same time that dozens of thousands more are mandated by NATO.

Supreme Allied Commander Christopher Cavoli has announced the commitment to create up to 12 army corps, with two to three divisions, having 20,000 soldiers each.

Over the last 24 hours, certain top military experts have provided specifics, showing how insane it is for NATO to assert that it will build and deploy a 300,000 person force.

Scott Ritter, weapons inspection expert, and ex-U.S. Marine, spoke at length on a July 13 in an online interview with Maverick Multimedia, on how NATO has a fictional force claiming 40,000not able to even be in one place at the same time, and yet now is supposed to ramp up to 300,000? Not only are munitions in short supply to deploy, they are short to even allow live-fire practice. Drilling and strategy? NATO doesnt have it. For 30 years, NATO conducted low-intensity operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now has no depth in modern combat modes.

Gen. James Hecker, Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europeobviously a NATO backernevertheless, yesterday said that the U.S. is not only short of munitions, but is also short of the means to deliver them.

All this disconnect with reality by the leaders of NATO member-nations does not make Global NATO less dangerous, but just the opposite. It goes without saying that our imperative is not to try and make NATO competent, but to seize the opportunity of this phase of glaring madness to mobilize to stop them. Shut it down.

Every initiative counts, from those community leaders who have demonstrated for decades against nuclear war, at the time of the August 6 and 9 anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bombings, to those newly activated to take up leadership in the fight against the threat of nuclear war.

Today, the International Peace Coalition held its sixth weekly meeting, formed of individuals and networks on many continents at the initiative of the Schiller Institute leader Helga Zepp-LaRouche. In her remarks to the participants, she noted that there had been two crucial events in the last week: the July 8-9 Schiller Institute conference in Strasbourg, France, bringing together individuals and forces to forge a new world security and development architecture; and on the opposite side, the July 11-12 Vilnius NATO Summit. She called for the International Peace Coalition to rapidly grow and create a massive public outcry against the madness. The plan for international demonstrations on Aug. 6, the anniversary of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima by U.S. President Harry Truman, must be the basis for expanding this effort.

The International Peace Coalition discussed four points of agreement (paraphrased here), to be issued shortly on their website,
VOA Learning English presents Americas Presidents.

Today we are talking about James Garfield. He was the 20th president of the United States.

Garfield is not one of the best-known presidents. He served only 100 days before he was shot. Eleven weeks later, he died from his wounds.

But even during Garfields short time in office, historians say his presidency had problems.

Early life

Like the president before him, Rutherford B. Hayes, Garfield was from the state of Ohio.

Garfields father died when he was very young. The future president was raised largely by his mother, two older sisters and a brother.

Among all the presidents, Garfield probably was the most poor in his early years. Growing up, he worked as a farmer, a sailor, a carpenter, a teacher and a janitor.

Finally, he earned a position as a student at Williams College in western Massachusetts.

Garfield loved learning. He eventually taught at a school called the Eclectic Institute. Later, he became its president.

Garfield married one of his students at the Eclectic Institute, Lucretia Rudolph. She became a teacher, too.

The future president and his wife went on to have seven children. Four sons and a daughter survived to adulthood.

In time, Garfield moved out of education and into law and politics. He was an anti-slavery activist who did not think the Southern states had a right to withdraw from the Union. When the Civil War came, Garfield welcomed it.

During the war, Garfield served in the military as an officer. He won awards for his bravery. While still a young man, he was appointed to the position of major general.

His image as a war hero was so great that Garfield did not have to campaign for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected on his name alone.

Congress

Garfields way of thinking changed while he was in Congress. He began as one of the most extreme Radical Republicans. He wanted to punish former Confederate officers severely.

But, in time, Garfield softened his positions. He learned to compromise with other groups in order to achieve results for his state.

But he did not always represent the interests of workers or farmers in Ohio. Garfield supported business interests that wanted to limit the countrys money supply. He opposed labor unions and cooperative farm programs, called the Grange.

Garfield also became linked to a corruption case. He accepted stock shares in a company that was building a railroad across the country. In exchange, Garfield and other top officials eased government rules so businessman could earn higher profits for their work.

Although Garfields political career sometimes drew criticism, he continued to rise in government.

Presidency

When Garfield became president in March 1881, he did not have what Americans call a mandate  the approval of a large part of the population.

Instead, he needed to make compromises with lawmakers to help win their support.

As a result, the first weeks of his presidency were a political struggle to appoint members to his cabinet of advisors.

Garfield also clashed with a powerful senator from New York State. The senator wanted to continue the tradition of permitting senators to choose who got government jobs in their states. But President Garfield wanted to put someone who shared his own beliefs in some of the top positions in New York.

Finally, the senator resigned in protest.

But the issue set the tone for Garfields short time in office. Elected officials battled each other for advantages and financial gain. Officials in Garfields party were accused of corruption and wrongdoing.

And before Garfield could really suggest any ideas for government reform, he was shot by someone seeking a government job in exchange for his political support.

Assassination

On July 2, 1881  fewer than four months after he took office  Garfield was leaving for a short trip with two of his sons. They were going to take a train to Williams, the college Garfield had attended and loved. The president was supposed to give a speech there.

But as he walked through the train station, a man with a gun stepped behind Garfield and shot the president twice.

One bullet touched Garfields arm. The other went into his lower back.

Garfield did not die immediately. Instead, he was taken back to the White House, where doctors tried to remove the bullet.

One of the men who tried was Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone.

Bell tried to find the bullet by using a device like a metal detector that he had invented. But the springs on Garfields bed interfered.

Neither Bell nor the doctors were able to remove the bullet. And, some historians say, their efforts may have made the situation worse.

Garfield suffered for more than two more months. At one point, he seemed to be recovering. But on September 19, he finally died. He was 49 years old.

As for the gunman, he was captured shortly after the shooting. His name was Charles Guiteau.

Guiteau was a lawyer with little money, but many mental problems.

During the election of 1880, he had first supported the candidacy of former president Ulysses S. Grant. When Garfield won the Republican nomination instead, Guiteau supported him.

Guiteau did not have an official role in the election campaign, and Garfield did not know him. But over time, Guiteau came to believe that he was responsible for Garfield winning the presidency. As a result, Guiteau thought Garfield owed him a government job.

Guiteau wrote the president several letters requesting positions as a diplomat in Europe. When Garfield did not write back, Guiteau grew angry. He believed Garfield was ruining the Republican Party and destroying the country.

For weeks, Guiteau followed the president and plotted to kill him. When he succeeded in shooting Garfield, Guiteau believed he had performed a great service.

At his trial, a jury decided that Guiteau was sane  in other words, he was not too mentally unbalanced to be responsible for his crime. Almost a year after he shot the president, Guiteau himself was hanged.

Thus the most dramatic event in James Garfields presidency came to an end.

Im Kelly Jean Kelly.

Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

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Quiz - America's Presidents: James Garfield Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

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Words in This Story

carpenter - n. a person whose job is to make or fix wooden objects or wooden parts of buildings

janitor - n. a person who cleans a building and makes minor repairs

achieve - v. to get or reach (something) by working hard

drew - v. caused to come

tone - n. the general quality of a situation

advantages - n. something (such as a good position or condition) that helps to make someone or something better or more likely to succeed than others

detector - n. a device that can tell if a substance or object is present : a device that detects the presence of something

thus - adv. in this way or manner : like this

dramatic - adj. attracting attention : causing people to carefully listen and look

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Since the middle of the 20th century, humans have had a very strong effect on planet Earth. These effects have included climate change, species loss and pollution. Humanitys impact has been so strong that scientists say a new geological epoch began then.

The scientists call it the Anthropocene epoch. The word comes from the Greek terms for human and new. This epoch started sometime between 1950 and 1954, the scientists say.

There is evidence worldwide of the harmful impact on the Earths health of burning fossil fuels, dropping nuclear weapons and releasing fertilizers and plastics on land and in water.

Its quite clear that the scale of change has intensified unbelievably and that has to be human impact, said University of Leicester geologist Colin Waters. He led the Anthropocene Working Group.

The scientists say the power of humans is comparable with the meteorite that crashed into Earth 66 million years ago. The meteorite killed off the dinosaurs and started the Cenozoic Era, or what is known as the age of mammals. While that meteorite started a whole new era, the working group is proposing that humans only started a new epoch. An epoch is a much smaller geological time period.

The scientists are proposing a small but deep lake outside of Toronto, Canada, to place a historic marker. The lake is called Crawford Lake. The group aims to decide on an exact start date of the Anthropocene by measuring plutonium levels at the bottom of Crawford Lake.

Crawford Lake is 29 meters deep and 24,000 square meters wide. It was chosen over 11 other sites because the yearly effects of human activity on the earth's soil, atmosphere and biology are clearly shown in its layers of sediment. That includes everything from the effect of nuclear weapons to pollution to rising temperatures.

There are clear signs in Crawford Lake showing that, starting in 1950, the effects of humans overwhelm the Earth system, said Francine McCarthy. She is part of the working group who specializes in that site as an Earth sciences professor at Brock University in Canada.

The Anthropocene shows the power  and hubris  of humankind, several scientists said. Hubris is a great or foolish amount of confidence.

The hubris is in imagining that we are in control," said former U.S. White House science adviser John Holdren. He was not part of the working group of scientists. He disagrees with the groups proposed start date. Instead, he wants one much earlier. Holdren said the power of humans to change the environment is far greater than their understanding of the impacts.

Geologists measure time in eons, eras, periods, epochs and ages, with eons being the longest. The scientific working group is proposing that Anthropocene Epoch followed the Holocene Epoch. Holocene started about 11,700 years ago at the end of an ice age.

The proposal still needs to be approved by three different groups of geologists. It could be signed at a major conference next year.

Naomi Oreskes is a science historian with Harvard University and a working group member. She said if there is no change to harmful human activities, we are headed for tragedy.

Im Dan Novak.

Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting from Associated Press.

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Words in This Story

species  n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants

impact  n. a powerful or major influence or effect

geology  n. a science that studies rocks, layers of soil, etc., in order to learn about the history of the Earth and its life

epoch  n. a period of time that is very important in history

fertilizer  n. a substance that is added to soil to help the growth of plants

scale  n. : a device that is used for weighing people or things

meteorite  n. a piece of rock or metal that has fallen to the ground from outer space

sediment  n. material that sinks to the bottom of a liquid

overwhelm  v. to cause to have too many things to deal with

hubris  n. a great or foolish amount of pride or confidence
A youth at a drinking fountain with a "Colored" sign on the county courthouse lawn in Halifax, North Carolina, in 1938. (John Vachon/Farm Security Administration)

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The world is changing. Sometimes it moves more quickly than some are able to keep up. Thats understandable.

This became clear to me last week when I wrote a column about Mr. B, who used the term colored in an email regarding a piece Id previously written about how blacks would support Michael Bloomberg if he becomes the Democratic presidential nominee.

Emails poured in from white people who said they had no idea that colored was offensive. They asked me to explain the difference between colored and people of color.

Some said they were frustrated that the goal post for what is appropriate to call black people keeps moving. They admitted that they are tired of trying to keep up.

Indeed, what is acceptable for white people to call African Americans and for black people to call themselves has evolved over the last century. The standard term has shifted from colored to Negro to black to African American as people sought to redefine themselves and their place in America.

Now, in 2020, people of color often is used to refer to the collective group of non-white Americans. It is offensive to single blacks out as colored. That, in part, is because of the painful segregationist history associated with the term prior to the mid-1960s. Colored-only restrooms and water fountains are examples of harmful relics of the Jim Crow South that black people had to fight, and die, to remove from American culture.

While the distinctions can be complicated, the information is readily available for anyone willing to seek it out. That means reading and having meaningful conversations with people of different races.

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The problem is that many white people arent willing to work that hard. It is much easier to email a columnist and complain about how unfair it is that white people cant use the term colored, though the NAACP uses it in its name.

Not long ago, I would have eagerly taken the time to explain that the NAACP, which was established in 1909, was founded during a time when colored was acceptable. The group has since broadened its mission to include not only African Americans, but all people of color.

A white woman named Elaine Soloway taught me that I shouldnt have to do the work for others. Younger African Americans have long balked at the idea that black people have an obligation to explain race to white people. They refuse to try and educate white people about what it means to be black in America.

They have understood what many older black people and white people have not. The responsibility lies solely with white people, if they are interested.

Hearing this from Elaine, an 81-year-old Chicago woman, struck a chord. A few years ago, she decided to read nearly every book she could get her hands on that explained the journey of black people in America, from the Underground Railroad to the Great Migration to the memoir of a black first lady in the White House.

She did this, she said, because it was the only way to make sense of the great racial divide in America and do her part to bring people together.

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When I started reading the history, my first response to Jim Crow and slavery was, Why havent black people killed us all?' Then I began to understand the anger and disappointment of black people, she told me.

She compared it to something a lifelong friend who survived the Holocaust once told her.

We thought that when we came home, people would put us on their shoulder and celebrate us because we had been through so much and had survived," her friend said. "But it never happened.

That must be what black people feel, Elaine thought.

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Last year, she decided to host a gathering of white women to talk about race. She called it What Black Women Want White Women to Know, and she invited me to be part of the conversation.

She prepared a recommended reading list, books and articles that documented the history of black people in America as well as more contemporary publications that examined their place in todays society.

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The list included The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander (2010); James Baldwins The Fire Next Time (1963); Ta-Nehisi Coates The Case for Reparations, published in The Atlantic magazine in 2014; White Fragility: Why Its So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism (2018) by Robin DiAngelo; Colson Whiteheads The Underground Railroad (2016); Isabel Wilkersons The Warmth of Other Suns (2011); Richard Wrights Black Boy (1945); and the Chicago Commission on Race Relations 1922 report, The Negro in Chicago: A Study of Race Relations and a Race Riot."

Elaine was far ahead of me in researching the complexities of race. I added several of these books, and more, to my reading list. Anyone who doesnt understand why they shouldnt use colored in 2020 should add them to theirs as well.

There is no shame in having fallen behind in a changing world. The disgrace is in choosing to remain in the past.

dglanton@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @dahleeng
Three women started new terms as presidents at Ivy League universities in July. Their appointments mean that six of the eight highly selective schools are led by a female president.

Sian Beilock is now the first female president at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. Nemat Shafik, who was born in Egypt, is the first female president at Columbia University in New York City. And Claudine Gay is the first Black person and the second woman to lead Harvard University.

They joined Christina Paxson at Brown University in Rhode Island, Martha Pollack at Cornell University in New York, and Elizabeth Magill at the University of Pennsylvania.

The two Ivies with male presidents are Princeton University in New Jersey and Yale University in Connecticut.

Are the numbers similar anywhere else?

While women lead six out of eight Ivy League schools, the story is far different at other American colleges and universities.

Only about 32 percent of college or university presidents are women. That number comes from the American Council on Education (ACE).

The organization says in its 2023 report that the data is important because of the makeup of college students in the United States.

Today, there are more women in colleges  about 60 percent of all students  and more minorities. But about 70 percent of college presidents are white, and 46 percent are white men. Only 10 percent are women of color. And most college presidents are about 60 years old.

Hiro Okahana led the research team for ACEs report. He called the news of the three new Ivy League presidents a very exciting thing to see, but he also called it an anomaly. An anomaly is a piece of information different from the expected result in a study.

Choosing women and minorities, he said, sends a good message to colleges and universities. But he did have one concern:

It is important that they are bringing into a place where they are set up for success, and being able to thrive as leaders. So we will continue to see how their presidencies will shape up to be and lead these institutions toward the future.

ACEs study showed that some women who became university presidents felt they did not get enough information about the universitys health before they took the job.

Felecia Commodore teaches higher education at Old Dominion University in Virginia. She wrote about the Ivy League presidents for The Conversation. Commodore suggests the news is important, but it would be a bigger story if large public universities in the U.S. had more female or Black presidents.

Of note, large universities such as Ohio State, Penn State and Texas A&M recently appointed female presidents.

Do students care about their presidents?

Carolyn Pippen is a college advisor for IvyWise, a company that helps students prepare for college. She said students have so many things to consider -- study programs, housing, and post-graduation -- they dont often think about the president. She gave Harvard as an example.

I don't think there are any students that are worried that Harvard is going to be anything other than a fantastic experience and certainly going to set them up for success.

Some students, though, see women taking leadership positions at colleges as wonderful. That is what Ava Ayala said. She will start her second year at Colorado State University this autumn.

I think that having more women in these roles really opens up pathways to allow other people, maybe of different race or gender, to step into those roles next.

Colorado State appointed a female president in 2023.

What next?

Okahana, the research leader, said colleges and universities should work to widen their search for future presidents.

If they are looking for leaders who better reflect their student population, they should consider business leaders, medical experts, and others. We know there are many different pathways  to rise up to the college presidency, he said.

Sometimes, that can include people who were international students.

Okahana is from Japan, and he went to college at a large university in California. He said seeing and talking with the schools president made him think about working in higher education.

And his report showed nearly 10 percent of American college presidents were not born in the U.S.

So, he said, there are some readers and listeners of this piece who might lead an institution in the United States one day.

Im Dan Friedell. And I'm Jill Robbins.

Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English with contributions from Andrew Smith.

Quiz - Most Ivy League Schools Now Have Female Presidents Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

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Words in This Story

appoint v. to name someone to a leadership position or a job

selective adj. careful to only choose the best people or things

thrive v. to grow or exist in a healthy way

institution n. a school, university or a place where people are taken care of

graduation n. the act of receiving a degree from a school or university

fantastic adj. out of the ordinary, exciting

role n. the part, job or position someone has in a society or other group

allow v. to permit something

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Multiple education professionals discussed the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic during a virtual panel Thursday, urging the need to find systemic solutions to Nebraska's teacher shortages.

The conversation was included in a two-part virtual hearing from the Nebraska Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to hear testimony around the implications of the pandemic on education.

The committee is a 13-person group of volunteers that help the commission investigate state issues. They will provide their findings and recommendations from public testimony to the commission to help address education problems made worse by COVID-19.

"The best thing we can do about the teacher shortage is to keep the teachers we have," said Guy Trainin, a professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's department of teaching, learning and teacher education. "And we do that by not adding to the work  by making sure we don't add to their workload and helping them out and then bring more people in the profession."

Nebraska's educator shortage was severely impacted by the pandemic and has only worsened over the past few years. In a survey published earlier this year, the Nebraska Department of Education found that the number of reported unfilled teaching jobs across the state was up nearly 60%.

Trainin said the districts that are being hit the hardest from the shortages are in high-need, urban areas or in rural communities. In the metro area, the Omaha Public Schools has been losing the most staff over the past two years.

One of the top issues is lack of substitute teachers and paraprofessionals, Trainin said.

"These are the people who make sure that services to students are continuous," Trainin said. "Most schools and systems are now operating with a fraction of substitute teachers and paraeducators that they need to move forward."

Trainin said the state needs to be more innovative in creating solutions to bump the number of substitute teachers and paraprofessionals, in turn relieving the workload of teachers to prevent them from leaving their roles.

Dawn Lindsley, a Nebraska 4-H extension educator, pointed out that state officials have made some strides in addressing the shortage. The State Board of Education has been working on improving teacher certification and lawmakers have passed education legislation such LB762, which would devote $1 million to tuition assistance for paraprofessionals looking to become teachers.

Ted Hamann, a Nebraska Advisory Committee member, asked how the teacher shortages have been affecting different groups of Nebraska students.

"(We) are paying attention to the civil rights concerns by race, ethnicity, gender, religion...are there any particular ways to circle back to this broader issue of teacher shortages that the pandemic exacerbated?" Hamann said. "Has that exacerbation visited certain districts or certain kinds of student populations in a way that a body worried about civil rights should be paying particularly careful attention to?"

Trainin said the state has seen less school participation in career and technical education, including fewer females in computer science.

"The number of boys that took computer science courses stayed the same before and after the pandemic. But the number of girls diminished by about 40%," Trainin said. "That's a really significant impact. I'm not 100% sure why it's happening. But we know that in some districts, there was no possibility because they did not have the teacher workforce to provide those (courses)."

Trainin and Lindsley were also joined by Adriana Villavicencio, an assistant professor from the University of California, Irvine, who talked about how the pandemic negatively affected students' academic, physiological and psychological needs.

Villavicencio said the pandemic worsened issues for immigrant and English Learner (EL) students.

"I think we've seen, even in states with a healthy and long history of serving immigrant families, a real shortage of teachers who are equipped to serve ELs and to serve them in a way that's more integrated into the community and integrated into the school community," Villavicencio said.

Trainin also pointed to students in special education, who suddenly lost most or all of their services when learning shifted online. Teacher shortages, which are also more extreme in the special education field, have contributed to special education students not receiving the services they deserve in Nebraska schools.

"(Teachers) were really making progress with students and suddenly everything stopped. Kids regressed," Trainin said. "This is the first group we (need to) think about as we come back to provide services. We need to make sure we serve them because (they are) probably one of the most disrupted groups."

The Nebraska Advisory Committee encourages community members to attend its next public forum to gather more testimony about how COVID-19 has affected K-12 education, especially when it comes to civil rights.

The in-person event is still in the planning phase, but will take place the afternoon of Aug. 9 in Lincoln. People can check the Federal Register website for details once they are finalized.
EDITORIAL: De-Mystifying East Texas: T.L.L. Temple Foundation report yields wealth of helpful stats that could change the economic fortunes of our region, the educational goals of our students
As she turns 85 on Wednesday, Barbara Nichols continues to work full time as executive director of the Wisconsin Center for Nursing. In early July, she attended an International Council of Nurses meeting in Montreal. In May, she testified at the state Capitol for a bill to allow advanced practice nurses to work independently.

Nichols, who became the first Black president of the Wisconsin Nurses Association in 1970 and the first Black president of the American Nurses Association in 1978, said she continues to work in the field because she wants it to grow and improve.

Born and raised in Maine, she went to nursing school in Massachusetts and became a nurse in 1959, when many hospitals were still racially segregated, penicillin was a miracle drug and CPR was considered the devils work, she said. After working for the Navy Nurse Corps, she moved with her husband, Larry, to Madison, where he came for graduate school and she worked at St. Marys Hospital.

In 1983, Nichols became the first Black woman in Wisconsin to hold a cabinet-level position when she was appointed secretary of what was then called the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing. She was CEO of CGFNS International, which evaluates credentials of foreign nursing school graduates, before joining the Wisconsin Center for Nursing.

Her daughter, Nichelle Nichols, is president of the Madison School Board. Her twin sons live in Chicago and Austin, Texas. She and Larry live in Madison.

How has nursing changed since you started in 1959?

When I was in nursing school, the focus was on the art and science of nursing. The science was chemistry, biology, pathology, microbiology. The art was psychosocial elements of care. That language has been translated in the 21st century to mean evidence-based care. When I graduated, if you were on the 3-11 p.m. shift, you gave evening care, which consisted of washing the patients face and hands, giving them a back rub and changing the top sheet. Now, the nurse hardly ever bathes you. Hospital rooms have showers. Everything is electronically monitored. The focus is on treating the disease and answering questions. The care is more psychological and emotionally based.

We always had time to talk to patients. We did the vital signs, which nursing assistants do now. One of our jobs was to observe the patient. Im sure that happens today, but they interact with the patient in relationship to the machines.

What are the main challenges facing nursing today?

Being affirmed and acknowledged for the knowledge we have and the care we provide. The knowledge we bring has always been undervalued and underestimated. People would rather have a new physician than an experienced nurse.

A doctor and a nurse might both take a blood pressure (measurement), but we use the information differently. If you have high blood pressure, the doctor would prescribe drugs. The nurse might know the patient may have a headache, they may be sweating more, they may need to have their bed changed, they may become incontinent. Nursing is rooted in giving care. Medicine is based on cure.

The doctor has a lot of medications he can prescribe. The nurse is saying, This drug is going to make you constipated, so if you dont want to take a laxative, ask for prune juice. Together, they provide a more holistic response.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected nursing?

Worldwide, it has exhausted nurses. Theyre emotionally and physically spent. Theyve never seen so much death. Theyve tried to be there not only for the patient but the patients family and for themselves and their own families. Its been a horrendous psychic demand.

Resiliency has been tough to come. I think theres a lot of mental health fallout. Some people are leaving. In medicine, they say Dr. (Anthony) Fauci, and his explanation of the disease and how to treat it, inspired many people to come into medicine. We didnt have that kind of moment in nursing. I dont know what its going to do in the long term.

Why do you think its important to allow advanced practice nurses to work independently?

The nursing practice act gives us independent and interdependent activities with physicians. In our independent role, advanced practice nurses have advanced nursing knowledge that can be used on behalf of patients.

Why have doctor groups resisted that move?

The battle of being the handmaiden of the physician persists. Were not doctors. Were not interested in being doctors. There are not enough physicians, so why are they fighting us? Dont they want the people to get the care?

It isnt an issue when the doctors give up something and give it to nursing. Its when the nurses say, And in addition to that, I can also do this, that it becomes an issue. They dont have the time to do it. Why is it they dont want nurses to do it? Is it economic? Individually, doctors who use advanced practice nurses love them. On an organizational level, you have this philosophical debate.

You remain very involved in nursing at an age when most people are long retired. What keeps you going?

As a CEO, I wouldnt have hired someone my age. But they said, Were not concerned about your age; why are you?

Wisconsin nurses have been central to my career trajectory. This job gives me an opportunity to pay back. I can help us think about how nurses are responding in public health emergencies and gather the data that says we dont have enough (nursing school) faculty. I can help shape public policy.

It keeps me connected. As you grow older, loneliness is a major issue. I dont have that problem. I have all my nursing friends. Many are national or international.

What is your advice to young people considering a nursing career today?

Nursing is, was and always will be a wonderful career choice. You can do direct patient care. You can do administrative work. You can work in educational settings, insurance companies, drug companies, public health. If you want a career based on knowledge and science, its nursing. If you want a career where you can practice in a whole array of entities, from the operating room to the community, nursing provides you that.
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TORONTO  Decades after many other rich countries stopped forcibly sterilizing Indigenous women, numerous activists, doctors, politicians and lawsuits allege 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." Medical authorities in Canada's Northwest Territories sanctioned a doctor in May for forcibly sterilizing an Indigenous woman in 2019.

There are no solid estimates on how many women are being sterilized against their will, but Indigenous experts say they regularly hear complaints about it. Sen. Yvonne Boyer, whose office is collecting data, says at least 12,000 women were 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, said.

Dr. Andrew Kotaska performed the 2019 operation to relieve an Indigenous woman's abdominal pain. He had her written consent to remove her right fallopian tube but not her left one, which would leave her sterile. Despite objections from other medical staff during the surgery, Kotaska took out both.

The investigation concluded there was no medical justification and 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 suspended Kotaska's medical license for five months and ordered him to take an ethics course.

The woman is suing Kotaska and hospital authorities for 6 million Canadian dollars.

The Geneva Conventions describe forced sterilization as a type of genocide and crime against humanity, and the Canadian government condemned forced sterilization elsewhere, including of Uyghur women in China.

In 2018, the United Nations Committee Against Torture told Canada it was concerned about persistent reports of forced sterilization, saying all allegations should be investigated.

In 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged the murders and disappearances of Indigenous women across Canada amounted to "genocide," but activists say little was done to address ingrained prejudices, allowing forced sterilizations to continue.

The Canadian government said it was aware of the allegations and the matter is before the courts. "Sterilization of women without their informed consent constitutes an assault and is a criminal offense," it said. It acknowledged bias in the health system "continues to have catastrophic effects" on Indigenous people.

Indigenous people comprise about 5% of Canada's nearly 40 million people. The more than 600 Indigenous communities across Canada, known as First Nations, face significant health challenges compared to other Canadians.

Until the 1990s, Indigenous people were mostly treated in segregated hospitals, where there were reports of rampant abuse.

It's difficult to say how common sterilization  with or without consent  happens, as Canada's national health agency doesn't routinely collect sterilization data, including the ethnicity of patients.

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 fallopian tubes. She said she hadn't consented.

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 removed her uterus  without her consent.

The report concluded 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."

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? she said. I didnt feel like I had a say.

Some women were not even aware they were sterilized.

Morningstar Mercredi, an Indigenous author, was sterilized as a 14-year-old, but didn't 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," she wrote in her 2021 book, "Sacred Bundles Unborn."

The Senate report on forced sterilization made 13 recommendations, including compensating victims, measures to address systemic racism in health care and a formal apology.

The Canadian government said it invested more than 87 million Canadian dollars to improve access to culturally safe health services and last year it allocated $6.2 million to help survivors of forced sterilization.

Dr. Ewan Affleck, who made a 2021 film, " The Unforgotten," about racism against Canada's Indigenous people, noted an ongoing "power imbalance" in health care.

Mercredi said she continues to suffer. "No amount of therapy or healing can reconcile the fact that my human right to have children was taken from me."

Photos: Pope begs forgiveness of Indigenous for Canada school abuses
A crime laboratory officer removes a box of items as law enforcement searches the home of Rex Heuermann, Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Massapequa Park, N.Y. Heuermann, a Long Island architect, was charged Friday, July 14, with murder in the deaths of three of the 11 victims in a long-unsolved string of killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders. (Jeenah Moon/AP)

MASSAPEQUA PARK, N.Y. (AP)  The first find was startling: a womans skeletal remains cast into the dunes along a remote Long Island highway.

Then came the shock.

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Days after that discovery in December 2010, police discovered parts of three more women nearby on a spit of sand known as Gilgo Beach. The remains of six other people were found along several miles of the same parkway during the next few months. An 11th person, whose disappearance had spurred the initial search, was found dead by the highway in December 2011.

What became known as the Gilgo Beach murders  the victims mostly young women who had been sex workers  flummoxed investigators for over a dozen years. The case endured through five police commissioners, more than 1,000 tips, countless theories and supposed conspiracies. Then a fresh review last year tied an old clue, about a pickup truck linked to a victims disappearance, to a new name: Rex A. Heuermann.

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Energized by the truck tidbit, investigators charted the calls and travels of multiple cellphones, picked apart email aliases, delved into search histories, and collected discarded bottles  and even a pizza crust  for advanced DNA testing, according to court papers.

On Friday, Heuermann was charged with murder in three of the killings, and prosecutors called him the prime suspect in a fourth.

Since the discovery of the first victim, theres been a lot of scrutiny and criticism regarding how this investigation was handled. I will tell you this: The investigators were never discouraged, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said. He vowed they would continue working until we bring justice to all the families involved.

Heuermann, a 59-year-old architect, pleaded not guilty to multiple murder charges. He insists he didnt do this, his lawyer Michael Brown said.

But police and prosecutors paint a picture of a scheming predator who outwardly maintained the life of a suburban professional, while secretly killing women when his wife was out of town.

We are going to convict him, and we are going to hold him responsible for what he did, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney declared.

Voice and email messages seeking comment were sent Friday and Saturday to various numbers and addresses associated with Heuermann and his family.

Heuermann used a victims cellphone to torment her relatives with calls  including one in which he said hed killed her  and doggedly searched for information about the investigation while trying to obscure his identity online, according to prosecutors.

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Among his searches: Why hasnt the long island serial killer been caught.

The case began with a search for Shannan Gilbert, a sex worker who had called 911 as she ran from a clients home, saying someone was chasing her. Police were looking for Gilbert in December 2010 when they stumbled upon the remains of someone else: Melissa Barthelemy, last seen alive the year before.

As the toll of victims grew and the search expanded, police used horses to reach the remote area, climbed firefighters ladders to see over poison ivy-infested thickets, scoured parking ticket records and got aerial surveillance photos from the FBI. Over the years, reward money was offered, FBI experts profiled the killer and evolving DNA techniques were used.

Harrison announced a new task force to work the case shortly after he became commissioner in January 2022. Hed been a high-ranking New York Police Department official and brought new energy and perspective to the investigation years after the Suffolk departments former chief was arrested and went to prison in an unrelated case.

Tierney said a breakthrough came six weeks into the groups work, when a New York State Police investigator used a database to determine that Heuermann owned an early-model Chevrolet Avalanche and lived in Massapequa Park, an area that had come into focus because of some victims cellphone activity.

The Avalanche was key because witnesses had told police that a man had parked one outside the home of victim Amber Costello the night before she died, and that the sex worker had arranged to meet that man again the next night, according to prosecutors court filing.

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Using subpoenas and search warrants, investigators dug into Heuermanns background. They learned that his cellphone had often been in the same general areas, around the same times, as prepaid anonymous cellphones that had been used to contact Barthelmy, Costello and victim Megan Waterman, the court papers said. The burner phones and Heuermans phone sometimes even traveled together.

His phones location also roughly matched up with some places and times when a man used Barthelemys phone to call her relatives after her disappearance, according to the documents.

Combing Heuermans credit card records, investigators found payments to a dating site and followed that thread to uncover email addresses under fictitious names and more burner phones. The emails were linked to searches for violent pornography and information on the Gilgo Beach case, and to apparent selfies of Heuermann that were sent to arrange sexual trysts, court papers said.

The phones contacted massage parlors and sex workers as recently as this year. Heuermann was carrying one of the phones when arrested Thursday night, according to prosecutors.

Using advanced DNA testing not available early in the case, authorities also reexamined hairs found on a belt buckle, duct tape and a burlap restraint used in the killings.

Meanwhile, investigators employed more old-fashioned methods to snare a sample of Heuermanns DNA: They tailed him and sifted through his garbage to pluck 11 bottles from his home bin and grab partially eaten pizza crusts that hed tossed into a trash can on a Manhattan sidewalk.

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The DNA from the pizza matched a hair found on burlap wrapped around one victim, and other hairs matched a relative of Heuermanns who isnt a suspect, investigators said. They believe he got the other persons hair on him at home.

Heuermann has lived in the same ramshackle house since childhood, according to testimony he gave several years ago in one of several traffic-accident-related lawsuits hes filed in the past decade. He graduated from the same local high school as actor Billy Baldwin, who tweeted Friday that news of his 1981 classmates arrest was mind-boggling.

After getting a bachelors degree from the New York Institute of Technology, Heuermann formed his architecture firm in 1994. He did most of his architectural work in New York City, with clients including city agencies, charities, airlines and major retailers, according to a company biography and the firms website.

In 2007, the citys Department of Buildings audited multiple jobs involving Heuermann after an allegation that he falsely said a seven-story building was vacant when it was set to be renovated. The audits didnt find any pattern of false filings or significant disregard for city regulations, and no disciplinary actions were taken, according to the department.

After a brief marriage in the early 1990s, Heuermann has been married since 1996 to wife Asa, with whom he has a daughter  a graphic artist  and a stepson, according to his 2018 testimony. His wife, he testified, dropped him off at a nearby train station in the mornings.

Neighbors puzzled at the rundown home with the overgrown shrubs in their tidy midst, and at the contrast between the house and the businessman who set off from it each weekday with suit and briefcase.

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It was, neighbor Barry Auslander said, weird.

___

Associated Press researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report.
CHICAGO  On an early morning in June, Flower Nichols and her mother set off on an expedition to Chicago from their home in Indianapolis.

The family was determined to make it feel like an adventure in the city, though that wasnt the primary purpose of the trip.

The following afternoon, Flower and Jennilyn Nichols would see a doctor at the University of Chicago to learn whether they could keep Flower, 11, on puberty blockers. They began to search for medical providers outside of Indiana after April 5, when Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a law banning transgender minors from accessing puberty blockers and other hormone therapies, even after the approval of parents and the advice of doctors.

At least 20 states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for trans minors, though most are embroiled in legal challenges. For more than a decade prior, such treatments were available to children and teens across the U.S. and have been endorsed by major medical associations.

Opponents of gender-affirming care say theres no solid proof of purported benefits, cite widely discredited research and say children shouldnt make life-altering decisions they might regret. Advocates and families impacted by the recent laws say such care is vital for trans kids.

On June 16, a federal judge blocked parts of Indiana's law from going into effect on July 1. But many patients still scrambled to continue receiving treatment.

Jennilyn Nichols wanted their trip to Chicago to be defined by happy memories. They would explore the Museum of Science and Industry and, on the way home, stop at a beloved candy store.

Preserving a sense of normalcy, she decided  well, thats just what families do.

Families in Indiana, Mississippi and other states are navigating new laws that imply or sometimes directly accuse parents of child abuse for supporting their kids in getting health care.

Some trans children and teens say the bans send the message that they cannot be themselves. That leaves parents looking for out-of-state medical care that can help their children to thrive.

What transgender expansive young people need is what all young people need: They need love and support, and they need unconditional respect, said Robert Marx, an assistant professor of child and adolescent development at San Jose State University. Marx studies support systems for LGBTQ+ and trans people aged 13 to 25. They need to feel included and part of a family.

Some families in Indiana have turned to the support group GEKCO, founded by Krisztina Inskeep, whose adult son is transgender.

I think most parents want to do best by their kids, Inskeep said. Its rather new to people, this idea that gender is not just a binary and that your kid is not just who they thought at birth.

The perceptions of most parents, Marx said, do not align neatly with the extremes of full support or rejection of their kids identities.

On June 13, Flower and Jennilyn left Indianapolis with a care plan from Indiana Universitys Riley Childrens Hospital, the states only gender clinic. The decision to start puberty blockers two years ago wasnt one the family took lightly.

Jennilyn recalled asking early on whether her daughters gender expression was permanent. Ultimately, she listened to her daughter and learned that it was never in doubt.

Conversations between Flower and her mother are often marked by uncommon candor.

Before I knew you and before I walked this journey with you, Jennilyn told her, I would not have thought that a kid would know they were trans or that a kid would just come out wired that way.

Now, Jennilyn said her worries have shifted to Flowers spelling skills or how shell navigate crushes, seeing her early anxieties as irrational.

Flower said she and her parents make medical decisions together because, of course, they cant decide on a medicine for me to take.

At the same time, you cant pick a medicine that we cant afford to pay for or that, you know, might harm you, Jennilyn responded.

In Mississippi, a ban on gender-affirming care became law in the state on Feb. 28  prompting a father and his trans son to leave the state at the end of July so the teenager can find health care in Virginia.

Ray Walker, a 17-year-old honor student, lives with his mother, Katie Rives, in a suburb of Jackson. His parents are divorced, but his father also lived in the area.

When Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed the bill banning hormone therapy for anyone younger than 18, he accused radical activists of pushing a sick and twisted ideology that seeks to convince our kids theyre in the wrong body.

As the provision of gender-affirming care became scarce and was later outlawed, Walker's father, who declined to be interviewed, accepted a job in Virginia. Rives, however, is staying in Mississippi with her two younger children.

Walker's memories of the anguished period when he started puberty at 12 still haunt him. My body couldnt handle what was happening to it, he said.

After a yearslong process of evaluations, then puberty blockers and hormone injections, Walker said his self-image improved. Then came the ban.

Mississippi is my home, but there are a lot of conflicting feelings when your home is actively telling you that it doesnt want you in it, Walker said.

The family sees no alternative. As Walkers moving date approaches, Rives savors the moments they share. She says she still feels lucky, as not all families are able to afford to travel out of state.

We know thats an incredibly privileged position to be in, Rives said.

Photos: Transgender weightlifter makes history at Olympics
Parents across Wisconsin who are fed up with the political indoctrination of children and the ideological agendas that are being forced on them by activist teachers, administrators and, most alarmingly, by the state Department of Public Instruction have new hope  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has thrown his hat into the presidential ring.

While every candidate should stand up to the educational establishment and stick up for our children, Gov. DeSantis courageous track record of putting parents first and forcing schools to actually focus on education stands out for me as a parent. Our schools shouldnt be training children to hate our country or exposing them to explicit materials behind our backs.

Wisconsin parents and taxpayers want our states young people to master critical skills such as reading, math and the ability to write coherently before they graduate. During Gov. Tony Evers reign as state superintendent of public instruction and now as governor, he has focused on equity. Sadly, he seems to have achieved it, in that most students in our state are performing equally bad, with just 27.5% proficient in English language arts overall and 27% in math proficiency. Those numbers drop even further for minority children. It is inexcusable.

Evers pandemic policies isolated and punished the children that needed education the most. Its no wonder parent advocates across the state are eager to be backed by leadership at the national level that would put our children before identity politics. Wisconsin desperately needs national leadership from a parents-first leader such as DeSantis.

The woke drip feed started under Evers when he was state superintendent of schools, and it has exploded in our schools during his time as governor.

The Department of Public Instruction regularly hosts training seminars for teachers that focus on subjects such as educational reparations and the idea that standard English is curriculum violence. Professional development content in Eau Claire has indicated to teachers that parents are not entitled to know their childrens identities stating, that knowledge must be earned.

Parents are bewildered and angered to see males infiltrating female spaces, stripping them of not only privacy, but also hard-earned sporting opportunities and accolades. Even more astonishingly, the DPI seems to have totally forgotten our girls and young women in the rush to signal the agencys virtue. Evers and President Joe Biden ignore the voices of the masses and the stats of clear academic failure, insisting we just need more of the same failed philosophies and policies to make it right.

We see it in our school libraries as well. Earlier this year, grandmother Judi Pool and a group of parents discovered that the Sheboygan School District was harboring books that normalized sexual encounters. It wasnt just the graphic images that were jaw-dropping. Across school districts, the lack of oversight and recommended reading from trusted third parties begs the question of when and why this became acceptable.

The Sheboygan School District isnt alone. Waukesha, Elmbrook, Eau Claire, Kettle Moraine, Slinger and Oak Creek have experienced similar situations. Its everywhere.

That is why parents in Wisconsin need a leader such as DeSantis. Political activists in education forget that these are our children, not their children. DeSantis agenda to put parents first makes it clear that parents are the primary caregivers and educators of our children, not the government. We need a leader such as DeSantis who will focus our schools on academic achievement for all, not allow for excuses as to why certain children cannot succeed.

Wisconsin needs DeSantis to back the parents seeking to bring sanity back to our schools.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he offered the Wagner private military company the option of continuing to serve as a single unit under its same commander after its short-lived rebellion, while some of the mercenaries were shown Friday in Belarus, possibly heralding the group's relocation there.

Putin's comments appeared to reflect his efforts to secure the loyalty of Wagner mercenaries, some of the most capable Russian forces in Ukraine, after the group's brief revolt last month. The fate of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin remains unclear since the June 23-24 armed rebellion.

In remarks published Friday in the business daily Kommersant, Putin described for the first time a Kremlin event attended by 35 Wagner commanders, including Prigozhin, on June 29. He said he praised their efforts in Ukraine, deplored their involvement in the mutiny  which he previously denounced as an act of treason  and offered them alternatives for future service.

Putin told Kommersant that one option would see Wagner keep the same commander who goes by the call sign "Gray Hair" and has led the private army in Ukraine for 16 months. The commander, Andrei Troshev, is a retired military officer who has played a leading role in Wagner since its creation in 2014 and faced European Union sanctions over his role in Syria as the group's executive director.
A former youth pastor at a Twin Falls church faces sexual battery charges after police say he inappropriately touched a girl in 2021 when she was 16 years old.

Dakota Austin Kennemer, 31, was charged June 30 after an investigation started in January when the pastor at Grace Baptist Church contacted police after learning about the alleged incident that occurred within the church and the accompanying Twin Falls Christian Academy.

The victim, now 19, told investigators that she and Kennemer began texting each other, and he started to ask for inappropriate pictures, and on one occasion inappropriately touched her.

Investigators examined Kennemers phone and found a dozen photos of the girl, court records say. While investigators deemed the photos inappropriate, none showed explicit nudity.

Pastor Mark Sjostrom told police he and three church deacons met with Kennemer in December 2022 and he was fired that month.

"Our hearts go out to the victim," Sjostrom said, but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.

Kennemer has posted a $75,000 bond and a preliminary hearing is set for July 28.

There is a possibility that there are more victims but no additional charges have been filed, court records show.

Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
TWIN FALLS  A multi-vehicle crash on Tuesday night got a start when two motorists were racing each other down Pole Line Road, police say.

Two people were sent to the hospital after the 10 p.m. four-vehicle crash.

The two teenage male drivers face reckless driving charges, Twin Falls Police Lt. Craig Stotts said.

They were westbound on Pole Line, when one of the vehicles struck a car pulling onto the road from Canyon Crest Drive.

One of the vehicles involved in the crash went airborne and ended up facing eastbound traffic, Stotts said. Part of the road was closed for about an hour.

Stotts said he was unsure of the seriousness of the injuries, and that investigators are trying to determine how fast the vehicles were traveling.
During 2022, the Dogwood Health Trust invested a total $6.6 million in McDowell County. That amount includes $2.67 million in grants to 12 different nonprofit organizations based in McDowell.

Recently, the Dogwood Trust released its annual report for 2022. The 2022 report is now available in a digital version that includes a full report as a PDF download. In total, Dogwood made more than $81 million in total community investments in 2022, according to a news release.

Dogwood Health Trust exists to dramatically improve the health and well-being of all people and communities in the 18 counties and Qualla Boundary of western North Carolina.

Dogwoods third full year of operation in 2022 saw considerable progress across the region, thanks to the work of hundreds of partners, said Dr. Susan Mims, CEO of Dogwood Health Trust. Our investments are built upon the trusting relationships weve cultivated with our partners to support their community-focused and community-led work. They continue to go beyond business as usual to create innovative and collaborative solutions to many of the challenges our region faces in terms of housing, education, economic opportunity and health and wellness.

In 2022, Dogwood invested $73 million in traditional grant awards, nearly $800,000 in grant-writing and capacity building support, and $5.4 million in impact investments. Dogwood also adopted a new grantmaking approach that consists of two grant cycles for its four strategic priority areas  housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness  and rolling applications for other opportunities. The new process helps clarify timelines so partners can better plan and prepare applications, according to the news release.

Last year, Dogwood invested a total of $6,648,530 in McDowell County. That amount includes grants to McDowell County-based nonprofits as well as other organizations that serve McDowell but are headquartered elsewhere.

Dawna Goode-Ledbetter of McDowell serves on Dogwood Trusts board of directors.

Of the 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary, McDowell received the second-most amount of funding from the Dogwood Trust in 2022. Only Buncombe received more last year with $20,684,318.

The total amount of $6,6248,530 invested in McDowell County includes 12 grants that were given to nonprofit organizations that are based here.

They include:

McDowell Technical Community College  $660,000 for a model community college child care center.

Freedom Life Ministries  $550,000. That amount consists for $250,000 for housing projects and $300,000 for the substance abuse planning and capacity development project.

West Marion Community Forum Inc.  $137,115 for equity and access to health for Black and brown communities.

McDowell County EMS  $60,000 for health care workforce training and equipment.

Gateway Wellness Foundation  $500,000. That amount consists of $300,000 for affordable single-family home development in Marion and $200,000 for other housing efforts in McDowell.

McDowell County  $9,832.50. This is a grant for home repairs in McDowell as part of a Community Development Block Grant neighborhood revitalization effort.

McDowell County Schools  $249,900 for the universal pre-K program.

Camp Grier  $4,500 for grant writer assistance and operations.

McDowell Mission Ministries  $266,695 for building capacity for shelter and substance abuse clients.

McDowell LFAC  $148,000. That amount consists of $138,000 for the Foothills Food Hub completion and staffing and $10,000 for general operating support of the Healthy Opportunities Program.

New Hope of McDowell  $10,000 for general operating support.

Centro Unido Latino Americano  $75,000 for health and wellness efforts.

The remainder of the $6.6 million that came to McDowell consists of grants given to organizations and agencies that are based in other counties. For example, Dogwood Trust provided a $3 million grant to Givens Estates, which is based on Buncombe, for the purchase of the old Clinchfield Manufacturing building in Marion for affordable housing.

In addition to providing funding, Dogwood released five commissioned reports in 2022 and hosted webinars with research experts to share the contents with the community. More than 475 people attended these presentations, and each report fueled additional conversations within groups across the region, according to the news release.

The reports include:

A landscape analysis of K-12 education

An examination of the North Carolina TEACH early childhood scholarship program

The current early care and education landscape in western North Carolina.

Western North Carolina capital landscape assessment

Opportunities for AgriFood tech in western North Carolina

Dogwood also rolled out its new brand and logo in January to better align with its purpose and more clearly convey its community investment philosophy and commitment to do good with the resources entrusted to the organization. The new brand was informed by a robust community perception survey and a grantee partner satisfaction survey, in which more than 80% of respondents gave high marks to Dogwood for responsiveness, professionalism, compassion and demonstrated trust in partner organizations, according to the news release.

The entire Dogwood board and team are pleased to share the results of these incredible partnerships with our community and are honored to work beside our fellow western North Carolinians to create a region where everyone can live, learn, earn and thrive  no exceptions, Mims said.
Around 5,000 people took part in an anti-LGBTQ demonstration on Thursday in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, a conservative southern African country where homosexual relations are illegal.

The rally took place against the backdrop of a lawsuit brought by a Dutch national and a transgender woman from Malawi challenging the constitutionality of the countrys laws on homosexuality.

Organized by the local Catholic Church and supported by other religious groups, demonstrations also took place simultaneously in other major Malawian cities, including Blantyre, Mzuzu and Zomba. The demonstrators in Lilongwe were led by Archbishop Desmond Tambala. They marched through the city carrying placards before handing over a petition to MPs outside parliament.

Homosexuality goes against everything we believe in as a people, said Sheikh Dinala Chabulika of the Malawi Muslim Association as he read out the terms of the petition. Reverend William Tembo of the Malawi Council of Churches said that homosexual relations were strange: We are not prepared to accept these phenomena that are unknown in Malawi, he said.

We are a family-oriented nation, a God-fearing nation and that is why the church is opposed to same-sex relationships, he added. The demonstrators called on President Lazarus Chakwera, a former evangelical preacher, to resist pressure to legalise same-sex marriage. Government spokesman Moses Kunkuyu told the demonstrators that the administration would take into account the concerns raised by the religious leaders.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Scientists have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool capable of deciphering a brain tumor's genetic code in real time, during surgeryan advance they say could speed diagnosis and personalize patients' treatment.

The researchers trained the AI tool to recognize the different genetic features of gliomas, a group of tumors that constitute the most common form of brain cancer among adults.

Not all gliomas are the same, however. Most people are diagnosed with one of three subtypes that each have different genetic featuresand, critically, different degrees of aggressiveness and treatment options.

Right now, doctors called pathologists can analyze gliomas for those genetic markers, in what's known as molecular diagnosis. But the process takes days to weeks, said Dr. Kun-Hsing Yu, the senior researcher on the new study.

In contrast, the AI tool his team is developing can enable molecular diagnosis in 10 to 15 minutes. That means it could be done during surgery, according to Yu, an assistant professor of biomedical informatics at Harvard Medical School, in Boston.

The technology, called CHARM, also appears high on the accuracy scale. When Yu's team put it to the test with glioma samples it had never "seen" before, the AI tool was 93% accurate in distinguishing the three different molecular subtypes.

Being able to make such distinctions in the operating room is critical, Yu and other experts said, because it could change how a patient is treated.

Some gliomas are less aggressive, and surgeons can be more conservative in removing brain tissuewhich can minimize side effects.

Other gliomas, such as glioblastoma, are highly aggressive. So surgeons will try to remove as much of the cancer as possible, and sometimes implant "wafers" of slowly released chemotherapy drugs directly into the brain.

"This breakthrough technology has the potential to guide surgical decisions by providing real-time molecular diagnosis during brain tumor surgeries," said Atique Ahmed, an associate professor of neurological surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

Ahmed, who was not involved in the study, called the tool's 93% accuracy "impressive," but noted that it can be improved.

"It's important to remember that the 7% inaccuracy is not just a number," he said. "It represents patients with very aggressive diseases who could benefit greatly from more precise diagnoses."

Yu agreed that the performance can be further refined, and CHARM is not yet ready for prime time. It has to be tested in real-world settings, he said, and cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The researchers are working with several hospitals in different areas of the world to put CHARM to that real-world test.

Interest in using AI in medical diagnoses has exploded in recent years. The hope is that AI algorithms will assist specialists in analyzing imagesfrom mammograms or CT scans, for exampleto get a faster, more accurate verdict.

No one wants to replace doctors, Yu stressed. "We want to use AI as a tool."

CHARM is a much more memorable acronym for Cryosection Histopathology Assessment and Review Machine. Yu's team developed the tool using more than 2,300 frozen tumor samples from 1,524 patients treated for glioma at various U.S. hospitals.

The work, described online July 7 in the journal Med, is not the only effort to improve glioma diagnosis using AI.

Other tools are under study, including one called DeepGlioma. Dr. Daniel Orringer, a neurosurgeon at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center in New York City, is one of the researchers on that project.

He said that right now, molecular diagnosis of glioma is not only time-consuming and expensive, but not available at all hospitals where patients are treated. AI has the potential to "democratize molecular testing," Orringer said.

CHARM, he said, is "particularly attractive" in that regard, because it could ultimately be used at any hospital that has the capacity to digitize histology slides (microscopic images of patients' tumor samples).

Yu made a similar point. The other AI tools in development for glioma require a special type of microscope that is not available at all hospitalseven in wealthy countries, let alone the developing world, he said.

And while the current study focused on glioma, Yu said CHARM could be trained to aid in diagnosing other types of brain tumors, too.

Ahmed called that potential "versatility" promising.

"The development of CHARM represents a significant leap forward in the quest for precise and rapid molecular diagnosis during brain tumor surgeries," he said.

More information: The American Brain Tumor Association has more on glioma. MacLean P. Nasrallah et al, Machine learning for cryosection pathology predicts the 2021 WHO classification of glioma, Med (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2023.06.002 Journal information: Med

Copyright  2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Warm and supportive parenting may buffer against the effects of stress during childhood and adolescence. That is the key takeaway of our recent study, published in the journal PNAS Nexus.

Some children and adolescents who experience stressful events such as physical abuse or neglect have less tissue in a brain region called the hippocampus. The hippocampus plays a critical role in learning and memory and is also highly susceptible to stress.

However, in our study, we did not find a link between increased stress and reduced brain tissue in the hippocampus for young people who reported more warmth from their caregivers.

Positive parenting includes a range of warm and supportive techniques such as providing praise for doing something well, emotional support and affection. Contrast this with harsh parenting techniques, such as shouting and physical punishments.

As a first step, we explored whether positive parenting protected against a connection between childhood stress and behavioral problems in children.

We analyzed brain scans of almost 500 children between 10 and 17 years old using data from a project called the Healthy Brain Network. We measured brain tissue using structural magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, a technique that allows us to look at the size of brain regions. To measure stress, we asked children about the number of negative life events they had experienced across family, community and school contexts and how distressed each of those events made them.

Results showed that positive parenting had protective effects against the connection between stress and behavior; in other words, children who had experienced more distress from negative events, but who also perceived their parents as being warm and supportive, exhibited less challenging behavior such as rule-breaking or aggression. We next examined how parenting buffered against a known biomarker of stress in the brain: less tissue in the hippocampus.

Consistent with prior research, we found that more childhood stress correlated with smaller hippocampal volumes. However, we found that children's perception of having received positive, supportive parenting served as a buffer against the biological effects of stress. Even when young people reported high levels of distress from negative life events, those who perceived their parents as more supportive did not have reduced brain tissue in the hippocampus. Positive reinforcement can work in many situations and with people of all ages.

In contrast, we did not find this same protective effect when we looked at what caregivers thought of their parenting. In other words, if parents said they were supportive and positive in their parenting but the child didn't see them that way, we did not see this protective effect.

Why it matters

Past research has found that the hippocampus is smaller in children and adults exposed to high levels of stress in childhood. These smaller volumes are in turn associated with behavioral problems, learning and memory challenges and increased vulnerability to future stress.

Our study highlights the importance of nurturing parenting in promoting healthy brain development and resilience in children. By fostering an environment of warmth and support, caregivers can help children cope with stress more effectively. Dozens of studies have found that positive parenting practicessuch as helping children name emotions and providing a space for them to disclose feelings without judgmentcan help kids get through difficult events.

What other research is being done

Our team's work and that of others underscores that stressful experiences can have a detrimental impact on development. Many researchers are trying to understand which aspects of stress matter and how.

For example, experiences that are threatening, like violence, may influence the brain and behavior differently from experiences of deprivation, like not having enough food.

At the same time, while researchers think that certain types of stress have particular characteristics, the person experiencing the stress may not feel that way. That is, not having enough food might feel very threatening to the person going through it. Our study indicates that it is critical to center the perspectives of those directly affected by the stress in this area of research.

More information: Isabella Kahhale et al, Positive parenting moderates associations between childhood stress and corticolimbic structure, PNAS Nexus (2023). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad145 Journal information: PNAS Nexus

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Hes been indicted twice. Found liable for sexual abuse. And hes viewed unfavorably by about a third of his party. But six months before Republicans begin to choose their next presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump remains the races dominant front-runner.

Early leaders dont always go on to win their partys nomination, but a growing sense of Trumps inevitability is raising alarms among some Republicans desperate for the party to move on. Some described a sense of panic  or DEFCON 1, as one put it  as they scramble to try to derail Trump and change the trajectory of the race. But theres no clear plan or strategy on how to do that and Trumps detractors arent rallying around a single alternative candidate yet.

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Theyre very concerned, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said of fellow Republican leaders who share his view that renominating Trump would be a disaster for the party next November. People expected us to have made more progress than we have at this point.

Hogan, who opted out of a campaign of his own in fear that an unwieldy Republican field would only benefit Trump, described a moment of realization that, Oh my gosh, we really could have Trump as the nominee.

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Polling finds Trump routinely besting his closest rival by 20 to 30 points or more. Of course, the six months that remain until the Iowa caucuses can be an eternity in politics, where races can turn in a matter of weeks or days. And Trump faces glaring vulnerabilities, including the ongoing state and federal investigations into his efforts of overturn the 2020 election and the possibility that he could end up in the unprecedented position of standing trial while simultaneously mounting a campaign.

But even critics acknowledge the outside events that many were counting on to dent Trumps standing  namely his criminal indictments in New York and Florida  have not hurt him. In fact, the charges led some voters who were entertaining an alternative to return to Trumps camp.

The indictments have actually helped Donald Trump with the Republican primary voters, said Art Pope, a North Carolina GOP donor who is supporting former Vice President Mike Pence, but nonetheless believes the charges, particularly in New York, were unfounded.

Meanwhile, anti-Trump Republicans have yet to coalesce around an alternative, as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has struggled to build momentum, leaving many still waiting to see whether another viable alternative might emerge from the pack. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott has drawn growing attention.

Several groups that oppose Trumps candidacy have begun to spend big money on efforts to weaken his support, even if they have yet to rally around another candidate. Win It Back PAC, a new independent super PAC with ties to the conservative Club For Growth Action, invested $3.6 million this month on a new ad that features a purported Trump supporter who has grown tired of the former presidents antics.

I love Donald Trump, I love what he did, he begins. But hes got so many distractions ... and Im not sure he can focus on moving the country forward.

The conservative Americans for Prosperity Action, which is part of the network founded by the billionaire Koch brothers, has also sought to undermine Trump through door knocking and phone calls. The group says it has found in conversations with voters that Trumps support is softer than most assume and that even those who identify as Trump supporters are concerned about his electability in a general election and open to an alternative.

Their mailers to voters in early states have focused on that message, including one that features photos of Trump and President Joe Biden and asks recipients, Is it worth the risk?

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While officials with the group acknowledge that they are facing pressure to rally around a non-Trump candidate, they say they are focused now on laying the foundation for a Trump alternative to emerge.

Weve got to move on from Trump, said Drew Klein, the groups state director. Thats where most of the people were talking to are as well. Theyre not necessarily locked in with a candidate, but they know weve got to move on.

Not everyone, however, agrees with the anti-Trump strategy. Former GOP pollster Frank Luntz, who has been running focus groups in Iowa, warned such messaging makes it more likely that Trump wins because it turns him into a victim.

He said hes found Republican voters are open to an alternative, but want someone who will deliver on Trumps promises.

The moon and the stars will need to be aligned for Trump to be defeated, he said. And it will be done by the candidate that supports the Trump agenda but opposes the lack of success.

Political trajectories can change in an instant, particularly after voting begins. During the 2008 campaign, the eventual GOP nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, didnt emerge as the races frontrunner until his January 2008 win in the New Hampshire primary. And then-Sen. Hillary Clinton appeared to have a clear advantage for the Democratic nomination, only to be overtaken by Barack Obama, after voting began.

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But no former president has mounted a run after losing reelection in the modern era. And Trump maintains a fervent hold on a portion of the party. Indeed, it was eight years ago this month when the then-reality star and political newcomer began to pull ahead in the polls, surpassing rival Jeb Bush to move into first place  a position hed hold until he won the nomination.

Ralph Reed, a longtime Republican strategist who is the chairman of the evangelical Faith and Freedom Coalition, said Trump remains in the strongest position of any candidate, but still believes the race will be competitive and hard fought.

No one should take any state for granted, no one should take this primary for granted because anything can happen and often does, he said. Almost every front-runner has a near-death experience.

Critics and rival campaigns point to what they perceive as a growing list of Trump campaign missteps, particularly in Iowa, where he has criticized the states popular governor, Kim Reynolds, for her seemingly cozy relationship with DeSantis while purporting to be neutral. Hes also skipped a pair of GOP gatherings that attracted most of his top rivals.

As his rivals spent Friday in Iowa at the Family Leadership Summit, Trump was heading to Florida, where he will have the stage largely to himself at the annual Turning Point Action conference, a gathering of thousands of young conservatives.

While DeSantis has had a years-long relationship with organizer Charlie Kirk and had been been featured at last years event alongside Trump and received a warm welcome from the crowd, DeSantis turned down the groups invitation, citing a scheduling conflict.

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You only have a few opportunities in the grand scheme of an election cycle to get in front of major groups and all the media and to pass up this opportunity to lay out your vision for America I just think is one of the biggest mistakes, said Tyler Bowyer, chief operating officer of Turning Point Action.

Asa Hutchinson, the former Arkansas governor who is among those challenging Trump for the nomination, said he still believes Trump can be beaten. But he said two things have to change.

First, candidates like myself have to be very clear that Donald Trump is not the right direction for our country or our party, he said. Second: The voters have to realize we cant win in 2024 and it will be a devastating loss for the GOP ... up and down the ballot if Donald Trump is our nominee. And that, I believe, will be understood by the voters as time goes.
A Missoula man will spend 95 years in prison for fatally shooting his father, a former Missoula fire chief, 21 times at their home in 2021.

Colton R. Merritt, 24, entered an Alford plea to a deliberate homicide charge in May stemming from accusations he killed his father, Daniel C. Merritt, 58. Colton sat quietly while Missoula County District Court Judge Robert Deschamps handed him the sentence on Friday afternoon.

Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to gain a conviction.

Daniel Merritt died on Jan. 3, 2021 in his Missoula home. Court documents state that on Jan. 4, 2021, Colton called 911 and told dispatchers he shot his father in self-defense. Daniel was a retired Missoula Rural Fire Battalion Chief.

A slew of victim impact statements were read by Daniels loved ones. They described Daniel as a supportive father who deeply cared about his family and community.

My father would do anything to help others, his career was centered on protecting people and property, Michael Merritt, Daniels oldest son, said.

Matthew Merritt, another one of Daniels children, called out the high number of bullet wounds his dad suffered.

Colton did not decide to kill my dad once, Matthew Merritt said. He made 19 individual decisions to kill my dad over and over and over again until my dad was lifeless and mutilated. And then Colton proceeded to go on with his day like nothing ever happened.

Missoula Deputy County Attorney Mac Bloom clarified that there were 21 total wounds. Bloom said one of the bullet wounds was directly in the center of Daniels back.

In February 2022, Deschamps ordered Colton to be evaluated at the Montana State Hospital after his attorney filed a notice saying Colton intended to rely on a mental disease or disorder defense, but Colton was found fit to proceed.

Coltons defense attorney, Missoula Public Defender William Managhan, maintained at sentencing that his client believed the murder was self-defense and not premeditated. Colton spoke in court, echoing the self-defense argument, apologizing to his family only briefly after being prompted by the judge.

Colton will be eligible for parole after 24 years. He was remanded to the Missoula County Sheriffs Office for transport to the state prison, where hell serve out his sentence.
Missoula Public Library staff training closure

Missoula Public Library, Potomac Public Library, and the Lolo School Library will be closed on July 17 for staff training. Patrons can access their accounts during the closure at missoulapubliclibrary.org/.

All Together Now Summer Learning Program

The Summer Learning Program is part of MPLs mission to promote childrens literacy, help prevent the summer slide in reading skills, and provide lifelong learning opportunities for readers of all ages. From June 1 through Aug. 31, patrons of all ages can pick up a printed reading log for young readers or a Library BINGO card for teens and adults, as well as, enjoy a variety of fantastic offerings during our Summer Learning Program, All Together Now. Visit missoulapubliclibrary.org/home/programs-events/summer-learning-program/ for details on how to participate in this years challenge and for a complete list of programs that we have to offer. The Summer Learning Program is made possible with support from the Missoula Public Library Foundation.

Kids Table with the Missoula Food Bank

Kids aged 18 and under can eat a free lunch every week day during the summer at Missoula Public Library. Drop in for a meal Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Imaginarium on Level Two of the library. Meals provided by Missoula Food Bank and no registration is required. For more information and locations, please visit the USDA Food and Nutrition website at fns.usda.gov/meals4kids.

Big Sky Branch Arts and Crafts

Create! Learn! Discover! Drop-in to the Big Sky Branch for DIY Arts & Crafts projects for young kids and their families every Tuesday. The next Arts and Crafts program will be held on July 18 from 12 to 3 p.m. at 3100 South Avenue West in Missoula. Email bdoyle@missoulapubliclibrary.org for info about upcoming projects.

Summer Learning Program: Mission2Mars

Are you ready to blast off on an adventure this summer? The spectrUM Discovery Area and Missoula Public Library are teaming up for another Mission2Mars event as part of our Summer Learning Program. This is not just any ordinary reading program  it's an experience that will ignite your imagination, challenge your mind, and inspire you to reach for the stars. Are you curious about the technology and teamwork needed to send spacecraft to Mars? Or are you fascinated by the mysteries that await us on the Red Planet? Our hands-on activities, designed for school-age children, will give you a taste of what it's like to be part of a real-life space mission. This program is held on July 18 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Imaginarium on Level Two of the library. Get ready to launch!

Become a Community Naturalist: Human-Wildlife Conflict

As part of MPLs Summer Learning Program, All Together Now, were teaming up with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to offer this series of courses for adults and teens. Nature-centered programs are often restricted to children or are accessible only through higher education, however, conservation and continued public access to nature depends on community action and community science. Through this program, we hope to empower community members to protect their local wild spaces and serve as educators themselves for others in our community. Earn your certificate of completion by attending all sessions over the summer! Separate topics are covered each 2nd and 3rd Tuesday evenings of July and August. The next session covers Human-Wildlife Conflict and is held on July 18 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Cooper Room A on Level Four of the library. For session dates and topics please visit our website at tinyurl.com/communitynaturalist.

Montana International Choral Festival Choir Crawl

On July 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. on Level One of the library enjoy a 15-minute pop-up performance from the artists participating in this year's MT International Choral Festival! The International Choral Festival is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting artistic excellence, global understanding, friendship, and goodwill through choral music. The festival is held every third year in Missoula and over the decades, choirs have come to Missoula from every continent except Antarctica.

Families First Learning Lab: Kids Cooking Class

Join Families First Learning Lab on July 19 from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Demonstration Kitchen on Level Three of library for a kids cooking class that teaches participants how to use kitchen tools, read recipes, and create delicious treats.

Missoula Public Library MakerSpace: Tinkering with Gravity  A 3D Modeling Workshop

Curious about 3D modeling? Join us on July 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the MakerSpace on Level One of the library for this all ages workshop where participants will explore adding gravity to 3D models in Tinkercad's Sim Lab. Register at eventbrite.com/e/tinkering-with-gravity-a-3d-modeling-workshop-tickets-649347685407.

Youre an Engineer

This program is held on July 20 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Imaginarium on Level Two of the library and is perfect for your little engineer! Kids can build and create with oversized Building Blocks and our Rig-a-ma-Jig. The Rig-a-ma-Jig is a set of wooden planks with pulleys, oversized nuts and bolts, and screws. Enjoy your own free building time or join in our building challenges.
Know when to walk.

Bill Honaker, longtime owner of Walkers, one of downtown Billings' most popular restaurants, has decided it's time to move on to the next thing.

So he's selling Walkers to Nick Steen, the restaurant's chef and general manager, at the end of the summer.

"Being a chef-driven restaurant, it requires that the heart is from the kitchen but the soul is unquestionably from the staff," he said in a statement. "Consequently, we couldn't turn it over to anyone that hadn't grown up in our culture."

Walkers, which Honaker opened 30 years ago, has been successful through dips in the economy, a transitory downtown landscape and even a pandemic  its two biggest years were the ones immediately following the COVID shutdowns. He said there's no big secret to it. The restaurant has always had an incredible staff and loyal customers.

And it's always been a family affair; it was opened by Bill and his brother James in 1993, named for their father, Walker Honaker. Marcia Honaker, Bill's wife and a vital part of the restaurant's success, once pitched in with their two boys in the back on a busy Mother's Day after a medical emergency sidelined one of the dish washers.

"It's bigger than me," Honaker said earlier this week. "I feel like we accomplished a lot. I'm super proud of it."

Moving forward, Honaker said he's not really going anywhere; he's just stepping back from the busy life of a restaurant owner. He's still deeply invested in downtown and will continue to be one of its most vocal champions.

Along with Walkers, Honaker has spent much of his professional life as a developer, principally working with downtown properties, like the McDonald Building.

"We have a lot of real estate projects downtown," he said. "We love downtown."

As Honaker prepares to let go of Walkers, he's quick to tout its accomplishments. It's employed over 2,000 people, served over 2 million guests, including Pres. Bill Clinton, and hosted 203 marriage proposals.

His hope is that as Walkers changes hands, no one will notice.

Quoting the French phrase, mise en place, Honaker said, "It means 'everything in its place,' and we've tried to make sure we've done just that so that any transition would be seamless to both guests and employees."
Editor's note: This column has been updated with a clarification.

Following the weekly spins on the 2023 session by Montanas Republican legislators is like watching the reunion season of Vanderpump Rules. You cant decide whats more appalling: the hit-and-mostly-miss transparency or the assumption we wont notice.

Lets be clear, a state senator boasted recently about Montanas historic budget surplus. The Republican super-majorityrecognized [thats] working Montanans money, not the governments. So were returning it to the people who paid it.

Puh-lease. The historic budget surplus was not the result of the super-majoritys belt-tightening or revenue-exploding wizardry. It resulted from the COVID-prompted infusion of federal funding, over a third of which came from taxpayers not from Montana. Yet the high-minded Republican super-majority isnt returning that share to the people who paid it. Why? The only plausible reason is that, unlike you, those taxpayers dont vote in Montana.

Lets truly be clear: The supermajoritys vigilance on protecting Montanans money is about as stalwart as the Vanderpumpians on fidelity.

The same super-majority writing us a check with such great fanfare created a tax write-off capped at $150 in 2015 that is now capped at $200,000 per taxpayer for donations to student scholarships for private schooling. The total taxes written off this way to subsidize private school scholarships  $3 million a year initially  will be $5 million next year. Thats $5 million that could (and should) go to schools that welcome and educate every single Montana child. Instead it goes to schools that can deny admission to any of them.

Add to that revenue sinkhole the new community choice charter schools legislation. Once again, taxpayers money that should go to public schools will be used to fund exclusive schools. One size doesnt fit all, the Republicans insist, apparently unaware of all the accommodating alternative sizes public schools are proud to provide and private schools dip out on. If a special interest group convinced the Legislature to allocate public funds for some kids country club dues because the city parks were too one-size-fits-all, youd scream bloody murder.

Some folks are. Public education advocates are challenging the community choice charter legislation in court since its so clearly unconstitutional. The super-majority, so wicked smart and all, saw that coming. In fact, when the bill didn't have the votes to pass, Senate Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick persuaded Republican naysayers, worried about their own counsel's concerns about its constitutionality, just to pass it and let the courts decide.

Fitzpatrick in particular should know how expensive that strategy can be. A lawyer, he introduced changes to election and campaign laws late in the 2021 session that cost taxpayers bigly. Before the lower court verdict on one of them even came down (finding the change, predictably, unconstitutional), the state had paid $1.3 million to 7 attorneys defending it and two other bills he endorsed.

Lesson learned? Hardly. Instead of heeding the counsel working Montanans pay to advise them on the constitutionality of their proposals, the super-majority simply increased their litigation budget by $2 million.

And started spinning. Upon learning that her community charter bill was being challenged, House Majority Leader Sue Vinton sniffed: They cant win in public opinion or at the Legislature, so they go to the courts.

Just the facts, maam. Theres no hue and cry from Montanans for community charter schools. Its imported. And the public outcry against Vintons bill outnumbered support nearly 4:1.

If youre in the super-majority spin cycle, youre being taken to the cleaners. As the Vanderpumpers say, Id cry but these eyelashes are mink.
Editors note: Calendar items must be submitted at least five days before an event. Email all items to news@morganton.com.

TODAY

Yard sale

The Glen Alpine Women's Club will host a yard sale from 8:30 a.m. to noon at 123 W.S. Butler St., Glen Alpine.

MONDAY

ABC Board meeting

The Valdese ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Valdese ABC Store at 1018 W. Main St. in Valdese.

Training

The Guardian Ad Litem will hold pre-service training from 9 a.m. to noon in the main level conference room at 200 Avery Ave., Morganton. Contact Amy Kincaid, program supervisor in Burke County for more information, at 828-433-3311 for more information, or visit www.volunteerforgal.org.

TUESDAY

Annual meeting

The Salem Community Fire Rescue Protection Association, Inc. will hold its annual meeting at 7 p.m. at Salem Fire & Rescue station #1 at 1315 Salem Road, Morganton.

Meeting

The Friendly Tuesday Club will meet at the Sleepy Hollow picnic area at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center at 10 a.m. The meeting will be a potluck meal.

Advance Care Planning workshop

AMOREM, formerly Burke Hospice and Palliative Care and Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, will offer an Advance Care Planning Workshop at the Burke County Senior Center, 501 N. Green St., Morganton, at 11 a.m. The workshop is free and will go over living wills, healthcare power of attorney and benefits. For more information or to register for the event, call 828-430-4147.

WEDNESDAY

Ribbon-cutting ceremony

Old Mimosa Bakery and Sandwich, 134 Fiddlers Run Blvd., Morganton, will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m.

THURSDAY

New Dimensions meeting

New Dimension Charter School, 550 Lenoir Road, Morganton, will hold its monthly board meeting at 4 p.m. on the school's campus. The meeting will also be available on Zoom. Email ckinard@ndschool.org for details.

SATURDAY, JULY 22

Movie

Western Piedmont Community College, 1001 Burkemont Ave., Morganton, will host a free screening of "Inside Out" on the grassy commons at 7:30 p.m. Free popcorn will be available.

Art workshop

The Mimosa Christian Counseling Center is sponsoring an art workshop, With Our Hands, from 1-3 p.m. at the Catawba River Baptist Association, 1812 U.S. 70, Morganton. No previous art skills are required. The workshop is open to the first 20 adults who register by emailing milking6@yahoo.com.

MONDAY, JULY 24

Training

The Guardian Ad Litem will hold pre-service training from 9 a.m. to noon in the main level conference room at 200 Avery Ave., Morganton. Contact Amy Kincaid, program supervisor in Burke County for more information, at 828-433-3311 for more information, or visit www.volunteerforgal.org.

TUESDAY, JULY 25

REASON meeting

REASON (Reduce Euthanasia and Spay or Neuter) will hold its annual meeting at 6 p.m. in Room 211 at Foorhills Higher Education Center, 2128 S. Sterling St., Morganton. The organization will celebrate its accomplishments for the year and anyone interested in making a difference in animal welfare in the community should feel free to attend, meet the team and learn more about REASON.

THURSDAY, JULY 27

Ribbon-cutting ceremony

Lake James Camping Resort & Marina, 5786 Benfield Landing Road, Nebo, will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 28

Bingo

The Lake James Community Center will host free bingo from 6-9 p.m., with a variety of hot foods available for purchase to benefit Shiloh AME Church's Relay for Life team. Food for sale will include barbecue, hot dogs and fries, and the food will available to eat at the community center or to go. The community center is 1 mile from Lake James Fire Department on N.C. 126. The event is open to the public.

MONDAY, JULY 31

Training

The Guardian Ad Litem will hold pre-service training from 9 a.m. to noon in the main level conference room at 200 Avery Ave., Morganton. Contact Amy Kincaid, program supervisor in Burke County for more information, at 828-433-3311 for more information, or visit www.volunteerforgal.org.

SATURDAY, AUG. 5

Fish fry

Shiloh AME Church's Relay for Life Team will host a fish fry at the Lake James Fire Department on N.C. 126 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fry includes a fish sandwich with a drink and dessert. The team also will accept orders for Relay for Life luminaries.

MONDAY, AUG. 7

Training

The Guardian Ad Litem will hold pre-service training from 9 a.m. to noon in the main level conference room at 200 Avery Ave., Morganton. Contact Amy Kincaid, program supervisor in Burke County for more information, at 828-433-3311 for more information, or visit www.volunteerforgal.org.

THURSDAY, AUG. 10

Business for breakfast

Business 4 Breakfast will host "3 Critical Elements of Leading at Home and Work" from 7:30-9 a.m. in the downstairs conference room at First Citizens Bank, 217 N. Sterling St., Morganton. Visit www.burkecountychamber.org for more information.

SUNDAY, AUG. 13

School supply collection

Retired Burke County Schools personnel will hold a drive-thru school supply collection or beginning teachers from 1-3 p.m. in the east parking lot of Morganton First Baptist Church. They are asking for help supporting new professionals as they begin their careers teaching children. Monetary donations also will be accepted.

MONDAY, AUG. 14

Training

The Guardian Ad Litem will hold pre-service training from 9 a.m. to noon in the main level conference room at 200 Avery Ave., Morganton. Contact Amy Kincaid, program supervisor in Burke County for more information, at 828-433-3311 for more information, or visit www.volunteerforgal.org.

SATURDAY, AUG. 19

Back-to-school fun day

The Lake James Community Center will sponsor a Back-to-School Fun Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a variety of games, food and fun before school returns. The center is one mile from the Lake James Fire Department on N.C. 126.

MONDAY, AUG. 21

ABC Board meeting

The Valdese ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Valdese ABC Store at 1018 W. Main St. in Valdese.

MONDAY, SEPT. 18

ABC Board meeting

The Valdese ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Valdese ABC Store at 1018 W. Main St. in Valdese.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 21

Business showcase

The Burke County Chamber of Commerce will host a business showcase at CoMMA, 401 S. Sterling St., Morganton, from 3-7 p.m. Check www.burkecountychamber.org for more information.

MONDAY, OCT. 9

ABC Board meeting

The Valdese ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Valdese ABC Store at 1018 W. Main St. in Valdese.

TUESDAY, NOV. 21

ABC Board meeting

The Valdese ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Valdese ABC Store at 1018 W. Main St. in Valdese.

MONDAY, DEC. 18

ABC Board meeting

The Valdese ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Valdese ABC Store at 1018 W. Main St. in Valdese.
For all the hype around generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), there are many jobs that are very difficult, if not impossible to automate. Here are some of them courtesy of www.howstuffworks.com.

Number one on the list are skilled tradespeople. For example, the knowledge, dexterity, and problem-solving skills required to be a certified plumber or electrician are unique to their jobs. True, there are routine jobs, but every situation brings unexpected challenges, both physical and mental.

In the near future, much of the work that goes into designing and engineering buildings will be done with the help of AI software, but when it comes to hammering nails and laying bricks, the construction industry, ranked number two on the list, still needs plenty of old-fashioned muscle and human know-how. More and more construction will be done on a modular basis, meaning that individual components will be produced in factories by 3D printers and other machines off-site, and then assembled on-site.

But according to a report by McKinsey & Company, only 15 to 20 percent of new construction will be modular by 2030. "For those activities that do remain on-site, it's unlikely that a company will fire a carpenter and bring in the latest robot to do everything the carpenter did. Rather, machines will take over individual activities within a role. What that means is workers will need to learn to work side by side, or in a hybrid role, with machines," the report added.

Food preparation and serving ranks third on the list. According to a Goldman Sachs report, at least half of the tasks involved in cooking and serving food simply cannot be done by AI or robots. That's not to say that automation won't make inroads into the food industry. The fast-food chain White Castle already uses robots in some locations to flip burgers and cook fries. As with other services, people are willing to sacrifice on the low-end, but the consensus is that if one goes out to a nice restaurant, they shouldnt have to rely on a robot being the chef.

Psychology and counseling will remain a stable career and ranks number four on the list. There are plenty of AI applications being designed for counseling and mental health, and conversational AI chatbots are expected to be a $1.25 billion market by 2025. While chatbot applications like Woebot can do basic mental health counseling and can even guide users through exercises like cognitive behavioral therapy, they won't replace human therapists, nor are they designed to.

And, of course, other health care jobs with deep human interaction, like nurses and doctors, are likely to remain un-replaced by AI. Thank goodness!

Although education is also being transformed by technology with exciting innovations like online learning and AI-powered tutoring apps that customize learning to the individual student, there are inherent limitations to what an AI can do in the classroom, especially for teaching young children. At the preschool and elementary school level, there's a strong need for that human level of interaction say experts. Teachers will always play an integral role in continuing to inspire and guide students of all ages.

Drivers round out the list at number six. This might come as a surprise since there's been so much hype about driverless cars. Aren't we just a few years away from self-driving Ubers and 18-wheelers putting all human cabbies and truck drivers out of business?

Experts are unanimous when they say no.

Although Waymo already offers driverless rides in a select area of downtown Phoenix, Arizona, with plans to expand to San Francisco and Los Angeles, the technology is still far away from being universal. Although expert predictors say were 90 percent there when it comes to driverless vehicles, the last 10 percent is going to take a long while. The unpredictability of real-world driving (pedestrians, bicyclists, loose dogs, and roaming cats) and the liability it places on driverless car companies is just too great. Thats the true challenge for self-driving cars on public roads.

One last group of comfortable workers who dont have to worry about AI taking over: truly creative thinkers. Entrepreneurs, inventors, authors, and actors  those kinds of jobs will undoubtedly use generative AI as a tool, but ChatGPT by definition cannot "think outside of the box." Genuinely creative jobs are the safest ones to have in the age of AI.

Even if AI intrudes upon writing and art and music, experts agree that people will always be willing to pay a premium for "human-generated activity," especially at the high end.

Frankly, Id much prefer watching and hearing Adele sing than any type of AI robot.
WASHINGTON  After nearly 73 years, the family of a teenager killed during the Korean War is finally getting some closure.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced Monday that U.S. Army Cpl. Rex W. Powell, 18, of Valdese, who was killed during the Korean War, was accounted for Feb. 13.

The DPAA said while Cpl. Powell was accounted for in February, his family only recently received their full briefing on his identification, which is why it wasnt announced until now, a release from the agency said.

Powell will be buried in Salisbury on Aug. 11, the release said.

The agency said in the winter of 1950, Powell was a member of L Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 12, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, a release from the agency said.

While it is possible Powell was captured, there was no record or eyewitness accounts of him being held as a prisoner of war, and no recovered remains were ever identified as him. The Army issued a presumptive finding of death on Dec. 31, 1953, the release said.

During Operation GLORY in 1954, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea returned the remains of more than 2,900 Americans. During the subsequent processing and identification of these remains, none were associated with Powell, and he was declared non-recoverable in January 1956, the release said.

At the end of the identification process, 848 unidentified remains, including one designated X-15633 Operation GLORY, were interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the release said.

In July 2018, the DPAA proposed a plan to disinter 652 Korean War Unknowns from the Punchbowl. In March 2021, during Phase Three of DPAAs Korean War Disinterment Project, X-15633 was disinterred from the Punchbowl and transferred to the DPAA Laboratory at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for analysis, the release said.

To identify Powells remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis, the release said.

Powells name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are still missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for, the release said.

To see the most up-to-date statistics on DPAA recovery efforts for those unaccounted for from the Korean War, go to the Korean War Accounting page on the DPAA website at https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaFamWebKorean.

For additional information on the Defense Departments mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving the country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil, at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or www.linkedin.com/company/defense-pow-mia-accounting-agency.
WAPELLO  Retired Army Master Sergeant Edward C. "Curt" Hartilieb II will replace Adam Caudle as director of Louisa County's Veterans Service Office.

Caudle said at Tuesday's County Board of Supervisors meeting that Hartilieb had been selected earlier in the month by the Louisa County Veterans Commission. Caudle had announced his intention to retire during budget last year.

According to past reports, Caudle began working in the veterans service office as an assistant to Andy Beaver in March 2017. He had previously served several years with the Louisa County Sheriffs Office as a deputy sheriff following his retirement from the Marine Corps.

Caudle said he would continue to work in the office to assist Hartilieb through September. Hartilieb is expected to attend a virtual accreditation course from Aug. 21-26.

In the rest of his report, Caudle said he was currently working on 23 veteran claims and reminded the supervisors that more than $250,000 a month in compensation and pension payouts were being distributed to veterans or surviving spouses in the county.

He also reported the office had received a new Disabled American Veterans replacement van to use in transporting county veterans to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Veterans needing a ride to the center can call the LCVSO office at 319-527-6513.

Caudle also reported planning was being continued for the veteran appreciation meal in October. He said this years event will be held at the Columbus Junction American Legion Hall.

In his weekly department update to the board, county engineer Adam Shutt reported gravel work on 160th Street was expected to be completed later that day or tomorrow. He said the projects contractor had been having trouble getting enough trucks to complete the job sooner.

Shutt also said concrete work at the intersection of 160th Street and Louisa County Road G44X should also start on Tuesday.

The board also met with zoning administrator Brian Thye, Columbus Junction attorney Jay Schweitzer and local property owner Clay Buster to review Buster and his brother Wills application to approve the Buster 2 Subdivision west of Wapello.

The board approved the subdivision.

Maintenance director Tracy Lott and county jail administrator Susie Garrett also met with the board to discuss Lotts maintenance hours at the Louisa County Complex. The board agreed Lott should schedule four hours a week for regular routine work at the site, but may increase those hours if needed.

The board approved the Fiscal Year 2023 4th Quarter reports for the auditor and recorders offices.

In final action, the board approved resignation payouts for dispatcher Amanda Parker, $3,821, for covered vacation, casual and holiday pay; and deputy assessor Andrea Bowen, $7,497, for unused accrued vacation and casual days. A $26,258 retirement payout for unused vacation, casual and sick days was also approved for assessor Cathy Smith.
Pet owners in Muscatine will soon have a new way to register their best friends after city council gave consensus for the Muscatine Police Department to move ahead with a new pet registration process.

During Thursdays in-depth council meeting, police captain Jeff Jirak and animal control officer Courtney Patel unveiled the PetData system. In response to council direction, the department has been seeking a way to streamline animal licensing services.

PetData is a Texas-based animal licensing service that is used by over 80 municipalities in 23 different states, Patel said. She stressed PetData doesnt use any third-party companies and no data is sold or used for any purpose other than registering an animal.

If we have a dangerous or vicious animal that can be flagged in the data system, Patel said. If the police, fire or myself went to that house, it would pop up as that and give an alert.

Patel said PetData has an overall average of 42% increased compliance. The initial cost for the service is $6,000 per year for under 1,400 licenses with a $1,000 one-time start-up fee. She said PetData would also be able to provide dog park licensing. If approved, there will likely be an increase in the amount a license costs.

Muscatine has about 648 pets registered now, but Jirak estimates there are about 18,000 pets in Muscatine. He said part of the program is to get compliance. Revenues from licensing was $6,000 two years ago and about $3,000 this year. The revenue goes to the animal control department.

Licensing will be available online, through the mail, and by phone. Citizens will be sent reminders when licenses are due to be renewed. Monthly reports will be available to the city. Other cities in Iowa use PetData, including Clive, Dubuque and Waukee. They report a lot of success with the program.

The finance department currently handles pet licensing. The parks and rec department provides dog park licenses.

If the plan moves ahead, the council will have to vote on altering the code associated with fines for pet violations.

Im thrilled, council member Peggy Gordon said. We are taking the burden and consolidating it into one easy step.

Gordon also said she would be interested in training and rollout for the program, commenting it would not be as simple as a press release.

Council member John Jindrich said he wanted the breeds of dogs cataloged as well, saying he hopes to learn what kind of dog is the most dangerous in town.

Council member Jeff Osborne asked if fees can be raised to cover the $6,000 cost of the program.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.  Republican Rep. David Schweikert used to win his wealthy, suburban Phoenix congressional district by nearly 30 points. Then Donald Trump was elected president, and his victories started shrinking.

Schweikert, who won his last election by just 3,200 votes, is now among the top 2024 targets for Democrats, who sense better-than-expected odds of retaking the House majority they lost last year.

After an anemic showing in the midterms, Republicans have virtually no cushion in their quest to retain control of the House, which was made all the more complicated by a surprise U.S. Supreme Court decision last month that will likely bring two new safely Democratic districts. Democrats need to pick up just five seats to control the House.

Republicans are counting on a strong showing from incumbents like Schweikert, one of 18 GOP lawmakers representing districts that supported Democrat Joe Biden for president in 2020. Many are in upscale suburbs like Scottsdale that lean conservative but have rejected Trump and the party he now dominates.

In contrast, only five Democrats represent districts that Trump won.

Ive been Republican since JFK, said Roy Ross, a 74-year-old retired oil company manager who registered as an independent when he moved to Schweikert's district from Tennessee two years ago. But the last two elections, I just said, I cant do that.

Still, he said, I cant say that Im hearing a lot from Democrats, either.

Schweikerts fate in Arizona, and that of the GOPs House majority, will come down to the decisions of voters like Ross.

Other factors make for a volatile 2024 House landscape and point to terrain much more favorable to Democrats than what they faced in last years midterms.

Trump is the early front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination, which could drive up turnout among his critics and force vulnerable Republicans to take uncomfortable positions. And abortion, which helped power Democratic victories in the midterms, remains salient a year after the conservative majority on the Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy.

Democrats are already targeting key Republicans over abortion and looking to tie them to GOP figures like Trump who are unpopular with swing voters.

Between overturning state-level protections for reproductive freedoms to prioritizing tax breaks for the wealthiest few and big corporations, vulnerable Republicans are signing their own pink slips ahead of next Novembers election," said Courtney Rice, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the House Democrats campaign arm.

Republicans see plenty of reasons for optimism. Looking to expand the playing field beyond the 18 districts that voted for Biden, Republicans are targeting 37 other districts where they believe a Democratic incumbent is vulnerable.

Two Democrats from swing districts  Reps. Elissa Slotkin in Michigan and Katie Porter in California  are leaving their House seats to run for the Senate, improving the odds for Republicans who wont have to run against an incumbent. Bidens lackluster popularity could be a drain on his party, and prices for gas, food and housing remain high.

Democrats are reminding voters why they took away the Democrats gavels in the first place  extreme, unreasonable, and out of touch, said Rep. Richard Hudson, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the GOPs House race arm. Republicans are on offense, recruiting dynamic candidates and outraising the Democrats, putting us in position to grow our majority.

Schweikert eked out a victory of less than 1 percentage point last year against a relatively unknown rival who got minimal support from national Democrats. Neither party will be ignoring the district this time around. Democrats have already started attacking Schweikert over abortion.

The race has attracted interest from a crowded field of Democrats, with no obvious front-runner.

Schweikert has walked a fine line, managing to avoid associating too closely with Trump without jeopardizing his path to the GOP nomination. On abortion, he says he opposes it but believes it should be left to the states.

The parties have changed, Schweikert said, describing the districts shifting voting patterns between conversations with doctors, entrepreneurs and a physicist at a neighborhood parade in Arcadia, one of Phoenixs most prestigious enclaves. These people want me to fixate on their prosperity and not the eccentricities of the virus, the last election, those sorts of things.

The U.S. Supreme Court found last month that Alabamas congressional map violated the Voting Rights Act, a ruling that will require the state to create a second majority-Black district that strategists in both parties believe will be safely Democratic. Thanks to the ruling, a similar process is likely to play out in Louisiana, giving Democrats another safe seat.

In New York, Democrats are hopeful an ongoing lawsuit will allow them to draw new boundaries that tilt in their favor.

But Republicans have the advantage in North Carolina, where conservatives recently took the majority of the state Supreme Court and are expected to draw new maps that favor the GOP. The U.S. Supreme Court just reaffirmed the court's power to get involved.

Control of the House will largely come down to staunchly red or blue states that wont get much attention from presidential campaigns.

Election advantages due to district mapping
Police in Omaha say they found a hit list at the home of a Nebraska man suspected of a homicide and carjacking before being fatally shot by police in western Iowa over the weekend.

Investigators said they found two guns in the stolen car driven by Matthew Briggs, 41. When detectives searched his home in Papillion, Nebraska, they found a list that included the name of the man who was killed as well as the names of two of Briggs ex-girlfriends, the Omaha Police Department said in a statement Thursday.

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Omaha police did not immediately respond to a message Friday seeking details about the list.

Authorities began searching for Briggs on Saturday after reports he was carrying out a series of violent crimes, including breaking into the home of an ex-girlfriend around dawn Saturday and attacking her.

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Minutes after that report, police learned that Briggs drove his car through the garage door of a home of another ex-girlfriend. The woman who lived there wasnt home, police said, but Briggs shot at a neighbor who came over to check on him. The neighbor was unhurt, police said.

A short time later, investigators found the body of 52-year-old Steven Donsbach in his Omaha home and believe Briggs had shot him to death. Donsbachs name was on the list found in Briggs home, police said.

Hours later, as police were searching for Briggs, a report came in of an armed carjacking in west Omaha by a man matching Briggs description. Officers later spotted the vehicle and gave chase, which crossed the Missouri River into Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Police said two officers  one from Omaha and the other from Council Bluffs  confronted Briggs after he crashed the stolen car. They shot Briggs after he pointed a gun at them, police said. Briggs was rushed to an Omaha hospital, where he died.

As with all shootings by police in Nebraska and Iowa, the officers who shot Briggs have been placed on paid leave pending an investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson says he's stepping down as president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Chicago-based civil rights group he founded more than 50 years ago. The 81-year-old Jackson, who has battled health problems in recent years, announced his resignation during a quiet farewell speech at the organizations annual convention, which included a two-hour tribute to its longtime leader. Jackson implored attendees to stop the violence and keep hope alive. The Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes, the pastor at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, will take over as leader of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Hes been indicted twice. Found liable for sexual abuse. And is viewed unfavorably by more than a third of his party. But six months before Republican voters begin to cast their ballots in the 2024 primary, former President Donald Trump remains the GOP races dominant front-runner. The growing sense of Trumps inevitability is raising alarms among some Republicans desperate for the party to move on as they wonder what might need to happen to change the trajectory of the race. Some described a sense of panic as they scramble to try to find something that might derail Trumps train without a clear plan, strategy or alternative candidate.
Almost exactly 87 years ago on July 17, 1936 a smoldering ember burst into a spectacular blaze within the Napa Union High School. The then relatively new building located on its sprawling Jefferson Street and Lincoln Avenue campus, now the Napa Unified School District Administration building, was the scene of a hard fought firefighting battle and heroic acts.

The first report of the fire was called in by a nurse, Genevieve Rosc, at about 3:45 p.m. She and the two children she was baby-sitting, the offspring of Al and Bernice Gasser, were playing on the lawn in front of the school. At that time, Rosc noticed smoke pouring out from underneath the buildings tile roof. Not long after she called in her report the Napa Fire Department received several other calls.

Although it was mid-July and school was in recess for the summer, the building was not empty. There were four school employees in the early-1920s building. At about the same time as Rosc made her call, the four employees became suddenly aware of the fire. However, despite their own potential peril, they each either attempted to quell the blaze or prevent catastrophic losses.

The Napa Journal continued, W. G. Tremper, head janitor, was in the shop building with Crawford (the schools principal) when they heard the crackling of flames. Crawford rushed to the second story of the building to be driven back by smoke and flames. Meanwhile Tremper dashed in to the basement to pull the electric light switches. The article added, He was commended for his quick thinking.

As the two men took those actions, another pair of employees were in the school office. The article reported, Marion Smith, secretary to Principal Earl E. Crawford, was the heroine of the fire.

It added, a graduate student, Gabriella Oropollo, was also in the office with Smith when Rosc turned in the first fire report. The Journal continued, The girls ran from the building when they heard the crash of the falling timber in the auditorium.

Thousands of spectators showed up to witness the inferno first hand. However, the Journal wrote, by the time the crowd had gathered and the citys four pieces of equipment were on the scene, she (Smith) had made numberless trips into the office to rescue records and furnishings when she collapsed in the arms of a bystander. It added, She was quickly revived. Also according the newspaper, Crawford and Smith organized the willing spectators to enter the fiery scene to rescue books and equipment.

That effort was not without risk. One of those volunteers, a senior student by the name of Cy Holcomb, sustained some injuries. He received burns on his arms as he ran from the burning building with an arm load of books, said the Journal.

The newspaper also reported, Another group, organized by Alaric Barnes, dashed into the front entrance to drag trophy cases to safety. Those cabinets were repeatedly in peril of total destruction as heavy pieces of burning ceiling crashed from the portico.

During those early moments of the fire the entire community took action. The article stated, Mayor Ralph Butler, early on the scene, assisted with directing the firefighters. It continued, However Butlers first move was to phone the city water department to order the water pressure stepped up as much as possible.

Napa Fire Chief Charles Otterson was vacationing at Lake Almanor. Following receiving word of the blaze he drove to Napa in three hours and 15 minutes to arrive at 11 p.m. In his absence Assistant Fire Chief Arthur Moody directed the operations. When those crews first arrived the fire was raging through the upper corridors of the central section of the school.

The Journal wrote, Because of the impenetrable tile roof, firemen had trouble getting at the fire in its early stages. The details continued, (Walter) Ponccitta and (Tom) Lane mounted to the second story windows and played the hose through the interior in the north section (of the central portion of the school), but the blaze was too hot in the south section (of the central core) for such procedure and firemen played hoses from the top of the one story wing and through the rear auditorium door.

According to the newspaper, Ponccitta and Lane were eventually successful in battling and subduing the blaze. However that victory came with a price. Ponccitta stepped on a nail as well as cut his hand on broken glass. He was treated at Napas Victory Hospital once located two short blocks south of the school on Jefferson Street.

Although the fire was at first daunting, the circumstances did turn in favor of the firefighters. The Journal explained, With a thundering crash, the roof of the auditorium collapsed at 4:00 oclock and ten minutes later the tile over the front of the building crashed. This was the peak of the fire with the collapse of the roofs the water was more effective and the blaze was under control in another half hour. It added, Chandeliers in the portico also crashed loudly.

The fire was extinguished by 6 p.m. Although during the two hour firefight over 300,000 gallons of water were sprayed on the blaze by eight hoses. Another challenge the crews faced while battling the blaze was a stiff south wind.

The Journal also reported, Origins of the fire remain a mystery until an investigation has been conducted by fire underwriters and local authorities. It added, It was recalled that a very similar fire in the (1922) Shearer (elementary) school last summer was caused by sanding machines (used by workers hired to refinish the wood floors.) Interestingly enough workmen had been engaged recently painting and sanding floors of the high school, added the Journal. The thought was the power tools may have overloaded the electrical system causing a spark and ultimately the fire. Also it appeared the blaze began in either the balcony area of the auditorium or the attic.

The Napa Union High School building valued at $300,000 was fully insured through various underwriters and a local insurance agency, A. H. Smith. The inspectors initial estimate of the loss was between $75,000 and $100,000. The north and south wings of the school were relatively unscathed by the conflagration. But the center section, the two story core of Napa Union High School, was determined to be a complete loss and thus beyond repair.

As plans were being made to temporarily hold classes in some alternate locations, such as the gym and cafeteria, the school board was moving ahead to rebuild the destroyed central core. They hired William Herbert, a Santa Rosa based architect and C. L . Hunt, a local architect, to prepare plans for the new center section but with some improvements. The board instructed Herbert and Hunt to visit the Alany High School auditorium in order to incorporate its stage into the new Napa Union High School auditorium design. The new building also had to comply with new seismic safety building codes of the Field Act. Those mandates were in reaction to the catastrophic collapse of countless buildings of substandard construction during the Long Beach, California earthquake.

From the ashes of the midsummer 1936 fire rose a stronger and improved central section of the Napa Union High School, including what is now known as the District Auditorium.
WASHINGTON  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 won't 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 Biden's proposal for mass student loan cancellation. But now, after the Supreme Court struck down Biden's 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 president's 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 don't 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 it's a matter of time before the repayment plan also faces a legal challenge.

Here's 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 borrower's discretionary income. If a borrower's earnings are low enough, their bill is reduced to $0. And after 20 or 25 years, any remaining debt gets erased.

HOW IS BIDEN'S 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 won't 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 Biden's 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 didn't 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 hasn't 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.

It's a process that's 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 it's vulnerable to a legal challenge, and some say it's just a matter of finding a plaintiff with the legal right  or standing  to sue.

___
Theres a pattern Kristee Haggins has noticed in her 30 years of advocacy: When Black communities fight for progress, everyone benefits.

Download Napa Valley Register news app today! Your story lives in the Napa Valley. Get in-depth stories from the Napa region and beyond  including news, sports, features and politics.

In the civil rights movement, everyone meant immigrants and other communities of color, including Asian Americans. When the federal government wrongfully incarcerated thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II, Black activists and lawmakers joined Japanese Americans in their fight for redress. The result? Congress passed a law to give survivors of incarceration $20,000 and a formal apology in 1988.

But just over a year after those successful efforts, a federal bill to consider reparations for slavery stalled.

Theres been some support in some ways, said Haggins, executive director and founder of Safe Black Space, a nonprofit organization aiming to support healing for local Black communities. When it came to the redress movement, Black folks were there, she said. And yet, we still havent gotten ours.

In California, around 66% of Asian Americans support an official apology for slavery and its lingering effects, but, much like white Americans, that support drops significantly when it comes to cash payments as reparations, a May UCLA report found.

As more Japanese and Asian American organizations sign their names to the growing list of groups that support the states Black communities in their fight for reparations, parallels between their fight for redress in the 1970s and 80s to todays discussion at the Legislature have emerged. But those shared struggles on their own miss the full picture, reparations supporters say, as the movements have also raised questions about how to combat and understand the tensions between the two communities.

Sometimes I think solidarity can be thought of really shallow, only like What are the connections? which is very important, said Wendi Yamashita, assistant professor of ethnic studies at Sacramento State and a fourth-generation Japanese American. Her family avoided discussing their experiences with incarceration, she said, and she found answers in college ethnic studies classes, a field of study born from Asian, Black, Latino and Native American students protests in the late 1960s.

In order to have a more ethical solidarity" and be better allies, Japanese Americans also have to really think of our positionality, Yamashita argues. Asian Americans have long been stereotyped as economically successful minorities who have overcome disadvantages, a perspective often used to downplay the marginalization impacting Black Americans.

And after Florida officials criticized several elements of an Advanced Placement African American studies course, state leaders went on to mandate teaching Asian American and Pacific Islander history: We have historically been used as this kind of wedge.

One piece of a broader story

In the recent fight for reparations for the slavery of Black people, there has been significant support from Japanese Americans. The final recommendations from the states reparations task force make several references to Japanese Americans experiences with redress and incarceration, such as a need for public education about the injustice after atonement. At one point, experts pointed to their incarceration in World War II when calculating loss of freedom estimates from the war on drugs and mass incarceration.

One of the oldest Asian American civil rights organizations, the Japanese American Citizens League, helped lead the redress movement and soon went on to support reparations legislation. But redress would have not been successful without the support of Black activists and lawmakers, said Josh Kaizuka, co-president of the JACLs Sacramento Valley Florin chapter. That makes engaging Japanese Americans to understand and advocate for reparations all the more crucial, he said.

More Japanese Americans are making those connections and saying, If we are recipients of redress because of our own form of incarceration, why would the 400-plus years of slavery and mass incarceration that would then come later, that would disproportionately impact Black people, why is that also not deserving of atonement? said Jeanelle Hope, associate professor and director of African American Studies at Prairie View A&M University in Texas.

Hope, who holds a doctorate in cultural studies from UC Davis, studied how Black and Asian communities in south Sacramento stood together in protest amid rising police brutality in 2018.

Our discussion on redress and reparations have to deal with state-sanctioned violence and mass incarceration, Hope said. Those moments of violence have not been limited to one racial or ethnic group, but its important to recognize a system within this country that has viewed people as disposable and in needing of being enslaved and incarcerated.

In California, the states reparations task force took around two years to complete its efforts, and dozens of Asian American organizations have chimed in with support. By the end of it, Don Tamaki, who is Japanese and the only non-Black member of the task force, said he had a new appreciation and understanding of the experiences of communities of color.

The state of our communities now is often very siloed, said Tamaki, a San Francisco-based lawyer who witnessed the civil rights movement. People tend to see racial discrimination as an isolated event, and begin comparing harms. But now theres a different conversation, he says.

The experiences of systemic discrimination against Asian Americans are part of a subchapter in a broader story that actually began in 1619, when the first enslaved people were brought to the United States, Tamaki said.

There was a culture in place that propped up the institution of slavery to enable the dehumanization of people, reduce them to cattle, and make it normal, Tamaki said. That created this dynamic of white superiority. Black and Native people on the bottom in particular, and other groups that came along later, through immigration, in the middle.

Part of reckoning with that is understanding the role Japanese Americans have played in other communities of colors experiences, Yamashita said.

After the 2020 racial justice protests, more Asian Americans have made efforts to combat tensions and build solidarity among communities of color, particularly with Black communities. That has led to increased discussions of anti-Blackness within the Asian American community, but its also raised other similar tensions as more Asian Americans attempt to be better allies.

Over the years, Haggins has participated in multiple organizations aiming to advance diversity, sometimes with other Asian Americans. She has forged connections she appreciates, but shes also seen how her experiences as a Black person are unique to her Asian peers. As she describes it: Were talking about a tension between the lets support one another, and we have to do some taking care of our own communities.

Redress: A quote unquote success

Christine Umeda knew it was going to take more than money for the U.S. government to right its wrongs.

Years of heightened anti-Japanese sentiments in the United States, being targeted as an enemy, and having her culture denigrated left Umeda, who was only 4 years old at the time of her incarceration, feeling lost. Aside from redress, it was the civil rights movement, spearheaded by Black Americans, that gave her strength again.

It took a lot of my effort and definitely the civil rights movement helped to really overcome some of those feelings of real inferiority, and the self-doubt, said Umeda, who was born in Sacramento. She supports the states reparations efforts: Being enslaved is so different. Thats really stripping all of your dignity away from you ... In some sense, we shared that, but it was in a different form.

In many ways, the quote unquote success of the redress movement helped validate hierarchies, Yamashita said. Japanese Americans were soon praised for pulling themselves up by the bootstraps, and their economic success was used against Black communities who were criminalized, she said.

Following redress, the federal government would go on to strip down welfare benefits. Those policies drew upon growing racist narratives that criminalized Black mothers and fathers and painted them as hypersexual or absent, Yamashita said. But Japanese Americans were upstanding and innocent citizens who overcame discrimination.

The definition of crime obviously changes in historic moments, said Yamashita, quick to note that Japanese Americans were once considered criminals by the government, too. It positions who is sort of innocent and guilty ... that is so central to carcerality ....there are people who deserve punishment or people who do not.

Mia Yamamoto witnessed older generations of Japanese Americans begin to internalize that idea. The Los-Angeles based attorney and civil rights activist was born in the incarceration camps and remembers when Japanese Americans received redress.

Yamamoto was amazed at the self-righteous sort of pronouncements that leaders made about their ability to get redress passed. You would think that Japanese Americans would say We have reparations, we understand that justice. ... Why wouldnt those same people say the same thing about African American people?

Recalling Asian Americans who did push back on these ideas, Yamamoto remembers Mari Matsuda, an early contributor to the foundations of critical race theory who spoke out against using Asian Americans experiences as a reason to block affirmative action. Those connections and attempts to combat division are ongoing, supporters say, but they cant be successful without a real understanding of why those divisions exist.

Theres so many ways that we are, as a country, moving in a direction that we cant talk about things or we cant have honest reflections on things. Its that conflict of how do we do what we are unwilling to do? Haggins said. Weve got to look at the wound. We have to be willing to do that. Otherwise, were not going to heal.

The states reparations task force has made several recommendations, ranging from direct cash payments to property tax relief for African Americans living in formerly redlined neighborhoods, but the decision is now up to legislators as to whether any of it will become law.

What steps some states have taken to provide reparations for Black Americans What steps some states have taken to provide reparations for Black Americans Oklahoma California Michigan North Carolina Illinois Maryland Iowa Alabama Connecticut Delaware Florida New Jersey Tennessee Virginia
Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan's interview with France Presse

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The Lachin Corridor should be opened immediately - Matthew Miller

Artsakh parliament calls on Armenia to ask UN to grant international mandate to peacekeepers

Russias Federal Council urges Armenian MPs to consider risks of Armenias joining the Rome Statute

Armenian and Azerbaijani deputy PMs will meet in different parts of border each time. Sputnik Armenia

I still don't know how to shout to make them realize the situation is grave. Ombudsman of Artsakh

We are ready to recognize Azerbaijans 86,600 square km, which includes Nagorno-Karabakh. Minister of Foreign Affairs

The Russian Federation reaffirms its intention to contribute to the restoration of normal life in Nagorno-Karabakh

Artsakh President assures: All decisions will be made jointly

A handcuffed man threw himself from the 5th floor of the Investigation Department of SRC and died

Ambassador of Poland was presented with the current situation in Nagorno-Karabakh

EU Council extends Toivo Klaar's mandate for one year

Turkey slows pace of rate hikes, jeopardizing the lira

EU Mission at the OSCE Council meeting: Brussels calls on Baku to ensure movement along the Lachin corridor

Zakharova evades question on sending Arstakh aid by Russian planes

Stores in Artsakh no longer sell bread

Russian MFA Spox: Artsakh is not in area of CSTO responsibility

State Revenue Committee head: Armenia cooperates with partners transparently

Armenia requests OSCE Permanent Council speacial meeting: Mirzoyan made a speech

Armenian Health Minister: Transport of medicine to Artsakh is disrupted

Russia MFA spox on organizing Mirzoyan, Bayramov meeting in Moscow: Chances are good

Russian MFA: Stability in South Caucasus should be in Turkey's interests

We should specify the cartographic basis of demarcation activities in the near future. Pashinyan

Brussels meeting brought no concrete results in opening Lachin Corridor, resolving humanitarian crisis in NK.Pashinyan

Armenian Foreign Ministry welcomes Canadas initiative to join European monitoring mission

Artsakh residents hold a protest near the UN office in Yerevan

EU foreign ministers to discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement in Brussels

Armenian-French cooperation will continue to strengthen. Nikol Pashinyan received French Ambassador

The process of the program of formation of Digital Society and Economy discussed at Government

State minister: We may have situation when we cant wait for the 7 days noted by Karabakh President

The Prime Minister hosts Aram Arzumanyan, disabled as a result of the 44-day war

Nikol Pashinyan, Mikhail Mishustin hold phone talk

Nersisyan. The more Armenia lowers bar on Karabakh issue, the harder it will be for people of Artsakh to raise it

Karabakh official: Armenia has only one thing to do in discussions with Azerbaijan

Artsakh state minister: Many illogical things are happening on European platform; is it serious conversation?

Karabakh minister of state: We managed to make our voice heard by all to which nationwide movement was directed

Lachin corridor has no alternative: Several Armenia NGOs issue joint statement on Charles Michel statement

Karabakh state minister: We are in disaster but we will never surrender

Karabakh ex-official Vitaly Balasanyan is charged on 4 counts

Analyst: Armenia has not recognized Azerbaijan territorial integrity with Karabakhs inclusion

Armenia PM is briefed on plan to establish EHL Hospitality Business School branch in Gyumri

Our link should be with Armenia only: Karabakh residents comment on their blocking of Askeran-Aghdam road

Missing servicemens parents reopen Yerevan major intersection, but on condition

Armenia army General Staff chief meets with US Air Force chief of staff (PHOTOS)

Parents of missing soldiers close off major avenue in Yerevan

Edmon Marukyan: Azerbaijan has no plan to integrate Christian Armenians

Azerbaijan MFA responds to Armenia FM with series of absurd accusations

Livestock sector is in much worse situation in besieged Karabakh, agriculture minister says

Agriculture minister: Scheduled power outages, lack of diesel fuel also cause problems in Karabakh irrigation system

Karabakh MoD: Defense Army did not carry out fortification work in Askeran Region

Newspaper: What 'tougher actions' Karabakh will take?

MoD: Armenia army did not fire at Azerbaijan positions

Worlds most expensive iPhone is sold in US

US returns 105 antiquities illegally exported from India to latter
More than 470 European public organizations and associations sent a letter to the leadership of the European Union and the European Council, calling for immediate and effective steps to be taken in ending of the illegal blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan. The letter is addressed to the heads of the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as the EU member states, "Europeans for Artsakh" initiative reports.

The authors of the letter point to the unbearable living conditions of 120,000 Artsakh Armenians caused by Azerbaijan's deliberate blockade of the only road connecting Artsakh with the Republic of Armenia - a situation that has been going on for over 7 months.

In the name of respect for human rights, the values that European democracies claim to stand for, in the name of the sovereign right of peoples to self-determination and as citizens contributing to the prosperity and influence of the European Union who are concerned about its future," the European organizations are asking their leaders to take the following six specific actions:

Once again demand from Azerbaijan to immediately stop violations of the November 9 ceasefire agreement, remove the checkpoint on the Hakari bridge, which was installed in gross violation of the International Court of Justice and international obligations, as well as to unblock the [Berdzor] Lachin corridor and ensure the unhindered and safe movement of people and goods to and from Artsakh.

Apply economic and political sanctions against Azerbaijan and its leadership for war crimes, non-fulfillment of international obligations, the occupation of part of the territory of the Republic of Armenia and the blockade of Artsakh.

Use all levers to prevent any control of Baku over Artsakh, as this will inevitably mean ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Armenian population of Artsakh.

Recognize the right to self-determination of the indigenous Armenian population of Artsakh as a vital necessity and use all levers to ensure that the status of Artsakh reflects the democratic will of its indigenous [Armenian] population, as well as create conditions for lasting peace and security.

Open an air corridor to provide emergency economic and humanitarian assistance to Artsakh and ensure the safety of air communications through the Stepanakert airport.

As a precondition for peace talks, put pressure on Azerbaijan to withdraw its troops, immediately and without preconditions, from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia and stop its aggressive stance towards the Republic of Armenia.

The letter was sent to EU leaders, in particular European Council President Charles Michel, ahead of the trilateral meeting between him, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on July 15, 2023, in Brussels.
The city of Aurora is proposing to help La Quinta De Los Reyes, in downtown Aurora, enclose its patio to turn it into an all-season addition to the regular dining room. (David Sharos/The Beacon-News)

Aurora is looking at helping another restaurant expansion in downtown.

Aldermen on the City Councils Finance Committee Thursday recommended a total of $1.1 million in two types of loans to more than double the seating size of La Quinta De Los Reyes, 36 E. New York St.

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The improvement would turn a courtyard seating area in the back of the restaurant, on the north side, into an all-weather seating area. It also would include infrastructure improvements to the La Quinta building that would help future redevelopment of parts of it currently not used by the restaurant, city officials said.

The restaurant has been open in the city for 20 years, and city officials said the family-owned business led the way during the coronavirus pandemic in developing curbside pickup during the shutdown.

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David Dibo, the citys Economic Development director, said the restaurant survived not only COVID, but the recession, has given to charities and is somewhat of a community center for Hispanic cultural events, banquets and holidays.

The restaurant is owned by Claudia Urrutia and Jesus Sanchez. They rented the building at New York Street and Broadway, but recently purchased the building.

We need this funding for the patio, but also so we can focus on developing the rest of the building, said Arriana Urrutia, executive director of La Quinta and Claudia Urrutias daughter. Now that it is ours we want it to represent what Auroras future is going to be.

La Quinta De Los Reyes in downtown Aurora is looking to enclose its patio for use as an all-season dining room addition. (Steve Lord/The Beacon-News)

Under the proposed redevelopment agreement, La Quinta would put in $680,000 of equity in the building. The city would loan the company $550,000 like a traditional loan, which the restaurant would pay back at 5.5% interest. It also would do a $550,000 loan the city would considered paid back through sales and food and beverage taxes during the next 12 years.

Dibo said the restaurant already grosses about $2 million a year, and that should go up with the increased seating. If the restaurant is not meeting that threshold for pay back, Dibo said the city could reevaluate the agreement.

For authentic Latin-Mexican cuisine, they are the gold standard, Dibo said.

The building at New York and Broadway is an anchor for both main streets downtown, he said. It was built in 1912, and went through some rough times in the 1990s, Dibo said.

At one time, the building was the endpoint for the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin electric interurban in downtown, and some might remember it as housing Duts Dugout, a longtime tavern.

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The architect for the project is Lane Allen, of Batavia-based Allen Pepa Architects, who does a lot of adaptive reuse projects for older buildings. He did the Batavia City Hall renovation, and is working with the DuPage County Forest Preserve District on the Danada House.

He said the project includes a lot of code improvements and infrastructure needs connected to modernizing an older building. Part of the project includes a new grease trap and a new outside stairway.

John Curley, Auroras chief development officer, said the grease trap would serve this restaurant and any other on Broadway that can use a grease interceptor.

This goes to the development of the rest of the building, he said.

As for the patio, it would be converted to an indoor space that would use louvers that could open in nice weather. It would more than double the seating size of the restaurant year-round.

In supporting the agreement, Ald. Edward Bugg, 9th Ward, said La Quinta was one of the first restaurants to embrace curbside service and provided a model for other restaurants on how to survive during the pandemic. It also helped distribute food to people who needed it.

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We remember that; we appreciate it, Bugg said. This is a great addition.

The restaurant also got support from other downtown businesses.

Rebecca Axtell, a downtown resident who runs a public relations business there, called it not just a restaurant, but a community center.

Kim Granholm, who owns Aurora Fastprint a block away on Galena Boulevard, said La Quinta has been a downtown staple for 20 years.

They open consistently for lunch, she said. They surely would never close for the summer.

The full City Council will discuss the proposed redevelopment agreement at Tuesdays Committee of the Whole meeting.

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slord@tribpub.com
Artsakh is in the midst of a humanitarian catastrophe. Artsakh has been under Azerbaijan's blockade since December 12, 2022. Azerbaijan has blocked the entry of humanitarian cargo since June 15, and has also blocked the transportation of critically ill patients by the International Committee of the Red Cross since July 11, Artsakh Security and Development Front said in a statement.

The "Artsakh Security and Development Front" public movement appeals to all international humanitarian organizations OPEN A HUMANITARIAN AIRWAY TO ARTSAKH.

Artsakh is in the midst of a humanitarian disaster. Since December 12, 2022, Artsakh has been under blockade by Azerbaijan. Since June 15, Azerbaijan has blocked the entry of humanitarian cargo, and since July 11, it has also blocked the transportation of seriously ill patients by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

What is happening in Artsakh fully corresponds with the definition of a "humanitarian disaster" as determined by international law. This is real genocide. The situation is critical. New cases of death will be on the conscience of those who saw, knew, and remained silent.

This is all happening before the eyes of the international community, which remains silent and pretends to be blind. Azerbaijan disregards and refuses to implement the decision of the International Court of Justice on February 22 to unblock the Lachin corridor, which was reaffirmed on July 6, while ignoring the calls and resolutions of international parliamentary structures, because no sanctions have been instituted against the state.

In the current situation, the Russian peacekeeping troops are unable to fulfill their mission in Artsakh as defined by the provisions of the tripartite declaration of November 9, 2020, which should ensure the uninterrupted connection of Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia.

Yes, the situation requires diplomatic, political, negotiated solutions. But those take time, and we don't have any more time.

Right now, those who are in critical condition require immediate assistance. Right now, in order to save the 120,000 citizens of Artsakh  including 30,000 children and 20,000 elderly  from a humanitarian disaster, it is necessary to open an air corridor.

Today, there was an announcement from the Azerbaijani side about using the Aghdam-Stepanakert road. For the international community, this may seem normal at first glance, but everyone in Artsakh knows very well what security threats lie beneath his statement and what risks and consequences it may hold for us.

It is not and cannot be a solution for us. It is the implementation of the policy of ethnic cleansing.

Artsakh needs a humanitarian air corridor with any country willing and able to help. Let it be any third country coordinating its operations with the Russian peacekeeping troops, which is responsible for ensuring the security of Artsakh.

The "Artsakh Security and Development Front" public movement appeals to all international humanitarian organizations:

[email protected] fb.com/artsakhfront

International Committee of the Red Cross,

UNICEF,

United Nations Population Fund,

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

OPEN A HUMANITARIAN AIRWAY TO ARTSAKH.
NewsVoir Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], July 15: Students atOakridge International School Bachupallyrecently went on an exciting journey to explore the Swiss Alps, led by Nord Anglia Education experts. The expedition aimed to inspire personal growth, build resilience, and encourage global citizenship through challenging activities. Oakridge students and the expedition team met at Geneva International Airport before heading to Les Plans Sur Bex. They bonded and prepared for the adventure ahead, participating in various activities that challenged them and broadened their horizons. The expedition included an exciting 4-day trek around Tour de Grand Muveran. They were in awe of the stunning alpine panorama, guided by experienced mentors through challenging terrains until they reached Gite de l'alpage de Dorbon. Beyond physical endurance, the expedition encompassed cultural exploration, allowing the students to gain valuable insights into the rich Swiss heritage.Students had the opportunity to explore the charming town of Gruyres, which is known for its delectable Swiss chocolate and the renowned Gruyre cheese.The students fully engaged themselves in the art of cheese-making and and marvelled at the captivating Chteau de Gruyres, a testament to the region's fascinating history. "The expedition was a transformative and invaluable experience for our students. They had the opportunity to challenge themselves physically and mentally, discovering newfound strengths and skills. They have become more resilient and globally aware through cultural immersion and navigating daily challenges," expressedManas, PE Coordinator at Oakridge International School Bachupally. Principal Baljeet Oberoipraised the students for their outstanding accomplishments, expressing admiration, "We are immensely proud of our students for undertaking this life-changing expedition. Their dedication, perseverance, and willingness to step out of their comfort zones have resulted in an experience that will forever inspire and shape their lives. We thank our parents for believing in us and sending their kids to the expedition. We also sincerely thank the Nord Anglia team and the entire Oakridge community for making this journey a resounding success. To know more about, visitwww.oakridge.in/bachupally. Oakridge International School, Bachupally, is part of Nord Anglia Education, the worlds leading premium school organization. Oakridge students are connected to a community of 76 international schools spread across 31 countries, with access to rich resources, support, and global opportunities that enhance the schools already excellent teaching and learning experience. Oakridge BachupallySchool was recently ranked in the Top 3 International Schools in Hyderabad and No.1 in Northwest Zone in Times School Rankings 2021. The school also ranked among the Top 3 International Day Schools in Hyderabad and Telangana by Education World India School Rankings 21-22. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
The 16th Judicial Circuit in Kane County has launched a new specialty court as an alternative to sending non-violent DUI offenders to jail.

The court will focus on treatment to get to the root causes of why the offenders are abusing alcohol, while also having intensive monitoring and rigorous supervision protocols, officials said.

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The DUI court is the fourth specialty court in the county, joining the mental health court, drug court and veterans court. It also makes Kane County the only county in Illinois to have four stand-alone treatment courts.

Kane County has seen an increase in drunken driving offenders in the county jail over the past few years, with a 40% increase in felony DUIs in the county from 2021 to 2022, officials said.

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Kane County States Attorney Jamie Mosser said that officials had no other place to send the offenders, such as the drug court, because their drug of choice was alcohol.

We were helping people in the jails through our Lighthouse Recovery program if their drug of choice was worse like heroin, but if it was just alcohol we werent providing them the same resources, Mosser said, prompting her and clinical director of St. Charles-based Lighthouse Recovery Nate Lanthrum to research creating a specialty DUI court.

By simply housing DUI offenders in jail, they are not getting to the root cause of their addiction and not dealing with the trauma or issue that is causing them to drink, Mosser said.

Instead, Kane County Judge Rene Cruz will preside over the DUI treatment court which will focus on monitoring and treatment programs to address the underlying causes of drunken driving, officials said. Individuals taking part in the program will be those who have a high risk of getting a DUI again in the future and who arent able to function in society because of their substance abuse, like those alienated from families, without housing, jobs or income.

Kane County Judge Rene Cruz will preside over the new DUI treatment court. (Rene Cruz)

They get recycled through our system and dont get the transformative help that they need, Cruz said. Programs like this return lives and we see families reunited, people getting IDs for the first time, being hired for jobs for the first time.

Participants will have weekly court appearances, home visits by a probation officer and supervised random drug tests while also being connected to treatment, resources to start a plan for housing if they dont have it and any medical evaluations needed, officials said.

Mosser hopes that people who successfully graduate from the program will move on to a better future.

Also, this will help our streets be safer, Mosser said. I know we are all fearful we will be driving with our family and be struck by a drunk driver. I hope we see our DUI numbers decrease because of this program.

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To start, the program will serve 20 people at a time, a number Mosser hopes to quickly expand because she said there are many more people out there who need help.

The court was awarded a $130,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation which will help support treatment, training, education, drug testing supplies and a partial salary of the public defender assigned to the court.

Mosser thanked judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, treatment providers, probation officers and law enforcement officials for collaborating together for the program.

mejones@chicagotribune.com
PNN New Delhi [India], July 15: Innovativemen's innerwearand loungewear brand, Modern Crew, has recently unveiled its latest collection featuring distinctivemens vestsand mens lounge pants pyjamas made from eco-friendly bamboo fabric. With its commitment to originality and superior fabric composition, Modern Crew once again impresses by combining comfort and durability in its products. The fashion industry has a longstanding struggle with environmental impact and pollution. Recognizing this challenge, Modern Crew sought to create a sustainable solution that seamlessly integrates fashion and eco-consciousness. By utilizing bamboo fabric, the brand has successfully developed a line of vests and pyjamas that not only meets world-class standards but also significantly reduces its ecological footprint. Bamboo is renowned for being one of the softest and lightest natural fibers, and naturally anti-odour. Bamboo fabric is also 40% better than cotton when it comes to managing sweat. Its eco-friendly and biodegradable properties make it an ideal choice for the environmentally conscious consumer. In contrast, cotton cultivation often involves the use of countless pesticides and large amounts of water. Since their launch in May 2020, Modern Crew has embraced sustainability as a crucial factor and it started with their first product launch i.e. the mens underwear collection - Next Skin Mens Briefs and Next Skin Mens Trunks. These products use micro modal. Micro modal fabric is synthesized from Beechwood trees and is also known for its eco-friendliness as it consumes up to 90% less natural resources than a cotton crop.This fabric also has a luxurious feel, lightness and great moisture-wicking abilities making it perfect for the Indian climate. Expressing their excitement about the new product launch, Saurabh Bisht and Shivesh Verma, the co-founders of Modern Crew, shared, "We are thrilled to introduce our new bamboo fabric range of MensVestsand pyjamas in Mens loungewear category! This collection isfor todays modern men who are looking for premium, comfortable products with an understated elegant look. Sustainability is the need of the hour -it is not just a trend but a responsibility we must embrace to protect our planet and future.Through our brand, we strive to create fashion-forward garments that prioritize eco-friendly materials." Modern Crew aims to redefine comfort as the new norm for men, whether in their innerwear or loungewear. The Bamboo Mens Vests can be purchased on the Modern Crew website (https://moderncrew.in), with product prices starting at Rs 399, and the lounge pants starting from Rs. 1399. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Hisar (Haryana) [India], July 15: Hisar's Sapra Hospital has been honored by Union Transport Minister Honorable Nitin Gadkari for providing excellent services in the field of health. This award was given to Sapra Hospital Hisar for outstanding medical care facilities and for implementing the Central Government Schemes Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), in which a common man gets guaranteed treatment up to five lakh rupees. Recently, Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented this scheme for implementation and made it accessible to the public during his visit to Madhya Pradesh. The patients and their relatives who got treatment under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme at Sapra Hospital, Hisar said, We can say with pride that Sapra Hospital has implemented Ayushman Bharat Health services and making it available to the public as per the Central Government and Honorable Prime Minister's plan and sentiments. By giving this type of award to the hospital, our respect and honor towards the central government have increased to the next level. Patients also say Poor and backward families are given health insurance of five lakhs under the scheme, in which at least 1350 diseases are being treated free of cost is an advantage for them. Sara Hospital Website: https://www.saprahospital.com/ Sara Hospital Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saprahospital/ (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Actor R Madhavan, who attended the banquet dinner that French President Emmanuel Macron hosted in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Louvre Museum in France on Saturday, shared pictures from the event. Taking to Instagram, Madhvan dropped two different looks in different lighting. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cutva3mIn__/?img_index=2 The actor looked dapper as he donned a classy grey-toned blazer and trouser set. A pair of sunglasses and beard look complimented his outfit. Madhavan also shared PM Modis speech and wrote, Wow wonderful wonderful. Thank you so much @narendramodi Ji. So so true. Earlier today, three-time Grammy-award-winning musician Ricky Kej, who also attended the banquet dinner on Friday, shared a couple of selfies from the event. Sharing pictures on Twitter, he wrote, Wow! Our Hon'ble Prime minister @narendramodi ji, you constantly make all us Indians proud! Attended the official dinner in honor of PM Modiji at the @MuseeLouvre hosted by the suave & gracious President of France @EmmanuelMacron. The last leader hosted at the Lovre was Queen Elizabeth II in 1957!! A huge honor to be seated with the 2 world leaders and dine with them. The world is indeed in great hands. Bright future ahead. In the first picture, he could be seen at the dining table with both PM Modi and President Macron. In another post, he shared a selfie with PM Modi. PM Modi, in his address at the banquet dinner, said the world has faced many ups and downs in the past 25 years but the friendship between India and France continues to grow deeper. He said the two nations have prepared a roadmap for the next 25 years and their partnership is a force for global good. In his address at the banquet dinner, PM Modi said, "In the past 25 years, the world faced many ups and downs and challenging times, but the friendship between France and India continued to grow deeper. We have made a long and important journey on the basis of mutual understanding, trust and respect. Due to the personal efforts of President Macron, our ties are moving forward in every direction." "We have prepared a roadmap for the next 25 years. We are contributing not only to the welfare of both countries but also to world peace and security. Our partnership is a force for global good," PM Modi added. PM Modi on Saturday called his two-day France visit "memorable", adding that it became more special as he participated in the Bastille Day celebrations. He also expressed gratitude to the French President and the people of France for their warmth and hospitality. Taking to his official Twitter handle, PM Modi stated, "This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the French people for the exceptional warmth and hospitality. May friendship continue to soar!" PM Modi, on his visit to France, participated in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour, on Friday. He visited France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. PM Modi and President Emmanuel Macron met notable dignitaries during the Bastille Day Parade in Paris. The PM held a meeting with French President Macron and reviewed the full range of ties. PM Modi and Macron also met top CEOs to discuss ways to diversify business cooperation. Taking to his official Twitter handle, PM Modi stated, "The talks with my friend, President @EmmanuelMacron were very productive. We reviewed the full range of India-France relations. I am particularly enthusiastic about deepening cooperation in futuristic sectors like green hydrogen, renewable energy, AI, semiconductors and more." He also raised a toast to the India-France ties at the banquet dinner, while congratulating the people of the host country on the Bastille Day, also known as the French National Day. He termed it a matter of happiness and pride for him to celebrate the occasion with the people of France. PM Modi also met French National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet and other leaders of the National Assembly. Also, during his two-day visit to France, PM Modi was conferred with France's highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, by French President Emmanuel Macron. Coming back to R Madhvan's work front, he will be seen in the upcoming yet-to-be-titled supernatural thriller film alongside Ajay Devgn and Jyotika. This will be the first time Ajay Devgn and R Madhavan will be seen sharing screen space. Helmed by Vikas Bahl the film will go on floors in June 2023 and will be extensively shot in Mumbai, Mussoorie and London. (ANI)
More than three crore devotees of Lord Shiva have, so far, thronged to Haridwar to collect holy water from the Ganges for "Jalabhishek" during the month of Saawan. Speaking to ANI, the state's Director General of Police (DGP), Ashok Kumar, said the Kanwar Yatra is inching towards its peak, "More than 3 crore devotees of Lord Shiva visited Haridwar before heading back to wherever they came from after collecting holy water from the Ganges." Officials informed that the onus is on the Haridwar Police to manage the arrival of Kanwariyas and their vehicles. SSP Haridwar, Ajay Singh and his police team cleared all the routes to the pilgrimage site and about 55,000 vehicles and more than 8 lakh mobiles departed for their destinations with the pilgrims after collecting holy water. The wheels from the city to the countryside paused for a few hours on Friday as the Kanwars arrived. The two-wheelers numbered in lakhs, with the weather clearing, said officials. Earlier, in July, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted a surprise inspection of 'Kavad Patti' at Haridwar's Shankaracharya Chowk amid the ongoing Kanwar Yatra. The CM sought feedback from officials about the arrangements made by the administration for the Kanwariyas coming from different states. During his visit, CM also greeted Kanwariyas by showering petals on them. He also interacted with them, checking on their well-being and getting their feedback on the arrangements by the government to facilitate their pilgrimage. Inspecting the temporary medical camp at Shankaracharya Chowk, CM Dhami directed officials to ensure adequate arrangements to ensure that the Kanwariyas are in good health while making the prilgrimage. The CM participated in a programme organised at Om Pul, near Damkothi, Ganga Ghat, in Haridwar and welcomed Lord Shiva devotees from different states to Devbhoomi by washing their feet and offering them Gangajal. He also planted saplings in Damkothi to reaffirm his government's commitment to the protection of the environment and ensuring a clean Kanwar Yatra. The CM said serving the Kanwars should be seen as a virtue. "Our government has made adequate arrangements for health camps, toilets, parking, tin sheds, and resting places for the Kanwariyas. The arrangements this year are much inproved compared to last year," Dhami said. The CM informed further that the state, this year, is likely to draw a significant count of Kanwariyas and his government has made adequate arrangements for the same. (ANI)
In response to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's appeal for more housing for rural residents, the state has been allotted an additional 1,44,220 houses for the financial year 202324 under the 'Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojna-Gramin' (PMAY-G) by the Centre. Following this, the state's total quota of houses completed will reach 21,68,574. On May 18, 2023, CM Yogi requested the Union Ministry of Rural Development to allot additional housing targets. Showing a positive attitude towards this initiative of CM Yogi, the Ministry of Rural Development wrote a letter to the State Government's Rural Development Department informing them about the approval, said the state authorities. In the letter, it is stated that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath demanded an additional target in a letter he wrote in May 2023. It is informed that with the approval of the competent authority in the Ministry of Rural Development, additional targets of 1,44,220 houses from finalised Awaas+ lists have been allocated to your State for the financial year 2023-24, the letter states. It is also mentioned in the letter that in line with the schemes focus, the state is required to earmark at least 60% of the targets for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes subject to their availability in the housing database.It is also requested to finalise the District, Block, GP-wise and Category-wise targets in the State as per the User Manual on Housing issued by the Ministry. The letter from the Ministry of Rural Development also requested, to issue necessary instructions to all the Districts/Blocks/GPs within your State to fix targets on AwaasSoft as per the User Manual and expedite the sanctioning of these houses to ensure timely completion of houses. Apart from this, the state is also requested to sanction the houses to the eligible families within one month, i.e. by August 13, 2023. The letter also states that the Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the scheme till March 2024 to complete the remaining houses within the cumulative target of 2.95 crore houses. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday set up 'Aapda Kosh-2023', a disaster fund for providing assistance to people who suffered heavy losses during the recent monsoon mayhem in the state. The Himachal CM announced the disaster fund (Aapda Kosh-2023) on Twitter, urging his followers to donate generously to the fund to help out people who suffered untold losses in the rain fury. Urging his followers to come forward and contribute to the cause, the CM said those willing to donate to 'Aapda Kosh' could do so by cash, cheque, demand draft or net banking. "Anyone can contribute to this fund by cash, cheque, draft or through net banking to the account numbers 40610107381 (IFSC Code HPSC0000406), HP State Cooperative Bank, 99990015041948 (IFSC Code HDFC0004116), HDFC Bank," read the post on the CM's Twitter handle. The CM said the donations could also be made on the websitecmhimachal.nic.in, through e-banking. The hill-state, which has been swamped and ravaged by cloudbursts, landslips and flooding, brought on by incessant rainfall, is still struggling to rise from its ruins. As many as 108 deaths have been reported in the rain fury in Himachal since last weekend and the India Meteorological Department has predicted more heavy showers tillJuly 18. The estimated cost of the damage to public infrastructure in the state has been pegged over Rs 3738.28 crore the Department of Revenue of the Himachal government informed through an official release onFriday. Among all the states affected by the monsoon mayhem across North Indiam states, Himachal Pradesh remains the hardest hit. Considering the extent of losses that the state has suffered, Union Home Minister Amit Shah sanctioned anadvance release of the second instalment of the central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), amounting to Rs 180.40 crore. "The release of funds will help the state government undertake relief measures for the affected people during the current monsoon season," read a statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The central government has already released Rs 10,031.20 crore to SDRFs in 27 states for the fiscal 2023-24, the MHA informed through its statement. A total of 11 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with rescue boats and other necessary equipment have been deployed for rescue operations in Himachal Pradesh. Besides, the Home Ministry said, one column of 1 PARA SF and 205 Army Aviation squadrons has been deployed at Paonta Sahib for civil evacuation. "Two MI-17V5 helicopters have been deployed for evacuation missions," it added. "The central government also constituted Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) to make an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and relief works being carried out by the Himachal government. The IMCT would commence their field visits on July 17," the MHA statement added. (ANI)
"Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses Indias internal matter. PM hasnt said a word on either! Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade", said Congress leader Gandhi tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi began his two-day visit to France on July 13. He visited France at the official invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron from July 13 to 14.

PM Modi also attended the Bastille Day Celebrations as the 'guest of honour'.

Notably, Gandhi went to violence-hit Manipur on June 29. Following his visit, he took to Twitter and wrote that the state needs peace to heal.

"Manipur needs peace to heal. During my 2-day visit to the State, it broke my heart to see our brothers and sisters in pain. Peace is the only way forward, and we must all work towards it", said the Congress leader.

Significantly, Manipur witnessed violence in May following the protests by the Kuki and Naga communities against the High Court's order asking the state government to consider the inclusion of Meitei community in the categoty of Scheduled Tribes (ST).Only STs can buy lands in hilly areas.

The majority Meitei community, which occupy the Imphal valley and nearby areas, sought the ST status keeping in view their increasing population and increased requirement of land, so that they could purchase lands in the hilly areas. (ANI)
Union Minister Smriti Irani said she was delighted to receive words of applause for Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the general secretary of Muslim World League, HE Mohammad Al-Issa. Taking to Twitter on Friday, the Union minister posted, "In a meeting with H.E. Mohammad Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League was elated to receive appreciation for PM Narendra Modi's governance agenda of women led development." Meanwhile, the Muslim World League secretary general, who is on a five-day visit to India, offered Friday prayers at the Jama Masjid in Delhi. He also visited the Akshardham temple and spent around three hours at the popular shrine, which draws visitors from across the globe. On his vsit to the temple, Al-Issa said India is a great example of Unity in Diversity and his visit to the Akshardham temple in the national capital on Thursday only served to reinforce the belief. He said, "India is a great example of Unity in Diversity and my visit to Akshardham - a place of worship, full of love, peace and harmony, sums it up." Al-Issa said he witnessed Akshardham's art, architecture, culture and values while also noting its glorious contribution to the world. "It was also his personal desire to interact with the Swamis regarding world peace, harmony and coexistence," a press statement read. Notably, in a historic moment on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron bestowed the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest French honour in military or civilian orders,on Prime Minister Modi. "It is with great humility that I accept the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. This is an honour for the 140 crore people of India. I thank President @EmmanuelMacron, the French Government and people for this gesture. It shows their deep affection towards India and resolve for furthering friendship with our nation," PM Modi tweeted. He also became the First Indian Premier to recieve this honour. The award ceremony took place at the Elysee Palace where Macron hosted PM Modi for a private dinner. Significantly, PM Modi attended the Bastille Day Parade on the occasion of the French National Day as the Guest of Honour on Friday. "To mark the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band also participated in the Parade," the PMO said in a statement. The Indian Army contingent was led by the Punjab Regiment, along with the Rajputana Rifles Regiment. At the parade, the Indian military contingent marched to 'Sare Jahan Se Accha,' while a squadron of Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighters participated in a flypast over the Champs-Elysees at the Bastille Day Parade. Calling India a giant in world history and a strategic partner, President Macron welcomed the country as the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade. Taking to Twitter, President Macron tweeted, A giant in world history, with a decisive role to play in the future, a strategic partner, a friend. We are proud to welcome India as our guest of honour at the 14 July parade. (ANI)
The official further informed that police also recovered 521 ATM cards, several SIM cards, and a swipe machine from the possession of the accused.

The arrested accused person was identified as Dilwar Hussain.

Samiran Baishya, Additional Superintendent of Police of Morigaon district said that the accused was arrested from a rented house at Hatigaon area of Guwahati on July 13 after evading arrest for the past few months.

"In connection with Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), a case was registered at Mikirbheta police station. Earlier we arrested eight persons. Dilwar Hussain, the owner of a CSP, was absconding since then," SPBaishya said.

The official said that a police team arrested Hussain from a rented house at Hatigaon area of Guwahati on July 13.

"We have recovered 521 ATM cards, several SIM cards, one swipe machine, and a fingerprint machine from the possession of the accused," he added.

The official added that said that police will now verify the ATM cards.

"Further investigation has been started in the case," the official said. (ANI)
Union Forest Minister Bhupendra Yadav on Saturday said a dedidated team was investigating into the recent Cheetah deaths at Kuno National Park, adding that they would not be shifted outside Madhya Pradesh. Speaking on the recent deaths of Cheetahs in the state, Yadav said a team was put together to look into the arrangements for the Cheetahs in the state and international specialists were conducting a review on the same. "Our team is looking into the entire arrangement and testing for cheetahs and a review is underway. Even international experts have been roped in for the purpose. We are committed to taking good care of the Cheetahs. Our team will also visit Kuno.We had reviewed the arrangements earlier as well. We are aware of all the concerns but the Cheetahs will not be shifted from Madhya Pradesh," the Union Forest minister said. Earlier, in July, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said that no plan has been formulated by the state government to stem the continuing deaths of Cheetahs. Reacting to the death of one more Cheetah named Suraj at Kuno on Friday, Congress leader Kamal Nath took to Twitter saying, "The news of the death of the eighth cheetah was received today in Kuno National Park. Despite the continuous death of cheetahs, no such plan has come to the fore in which any initiative has been taken to preserve the lives of these wild animals." "Making wild animals an object of adoration for political exhibitionism does not suit the elected representatives of democracy. I urge the responsible people to make such a plan soon after discussing with environmentalists and scientists, by which the lives of these creatures can be saved," he tweeted. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, JS Chouhan, said the cause of death of the Cheetah that perished on Friday will be known after a post-mortem. Speaking to ANI, Chouhan said, "One more male Cheetah named Suraj died in Kuno, taking the toll thus far to 8. The cause of death will be known after the post-mortem. There are frequent deaths in such projects. If these deaths are taking place naturally then we shouldnt panic." (ANI)
As a small group of Highland Park parents continues to demand metal detectors and armed guards in Township High School District 113 buildings, administrators intend to have an updated security plan in place when classes resume Aug. 16.

The District 113 Board of Education listened to concerns of the parents and others at a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday in Highland Park, but did not publicly discuss security measures under consideration, in part for security reasons.

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Board President Dan Struck said security measures at Deerfield and Highland Park high schools operated by the district are discussed in closed session because it is one of the permitted reasons to talk privately under with the states open meeting law.

As law enforcement people often say, they dont want to tell the bad guys the plan, Struck said. Multiple layers of security are used, and plans are not routinely aired in public.

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Community members and Highland Park parents like Jenny Harjund, Enrique Perez and Suzanne Wahl said during the public comment portion of the meeting a large majority of families want metal detectors or a weapons protection system.

The results are back, Harjund said. We discussed the results (and) 77% of the people that received the survey, 984 people, were for weapon protection systems.

Wahl said with school starting Aug 16, the district needs to act quickly to put the necessary security protection systems in place. She said 984 people  approximately 3,300 students attend the two schools  want a security protection system.

We are standing here literally begging you to protect our children, Wahl said. School starts in 35 days. You no longer have the luxury of time. Youve squandered it. It is time for metal protection systems.

Referring to a survey taken after a student brought a gun to school in April, Perez said 77% of respondents wanted a weapons protection system. The same survey indicated 55% were strongly or somewhat opposed to metal detectors, with 45% in favor.

The survey was sent by text message to students, staff and parents. Of those receiving it, 1,286 responded, including 221 students, 225 staff and 840 parents or guardians. The difference between weapons protection systems and metal detectors were not clearly distinguished.

Struck said the board will meet in closed session as allowed under Illinois law to refine the security system it plans to implement for the 2023-2024 school year for Deerfield and Highland Park high schools. They will be the same. A meeting is scheduled for Aug. 8.

We have every intention of providing an overview of what we plan to do in terms of enhancing security by the time school starts, he said.

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While Struck did not comment on whether metal detectors are under consideration, he said there will be updated security added. There will be multiple layers of security, he said.

Though Perez wanted to know if the district plans to hire more armed security officers for the schools, Struck said it is not likely. Each school has an armed school resource officer on campus. There are plans to add a third to serve in the event the assigned officer is not available.

No school should look like a police station, Struck said. That is not the (proper) environment for a school.
Bharatiya Janata Party West Bengal Vice President Saumitra Khan on Saturday wrote a letter to Lok Speaker Om Birla demanding action against TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee for attacking the constitution and insulting the Calcutta High Court. This comes a day later West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek accused a section of the Calcutta High Court of acting in a partisan manner and alleged that the "judiciary is helping BJP and protecting them". Speaking to reporters after meeting injured party workers from Nandigram, Abhishek Banerjee, on Friday, said, "The judiciary is helping BJP. We expect the judiciary to be impartial, be it towards Trinamool Congress or any other party." "A total of 14 TMC workers are under treatment here (in the hospital post panchayat poll violence). I met with all of them. The Tamluk town president was also attacked. How will the state government take action when justice has tied our hands? If anyone wants to take action against me because I am speaking against the court...I will continue to speak the truth," the TMC leader had said. Taking note of this, the BJP leader Saumitra Khan, in his letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, demanded cancellation of Abhishek Banerjee's Parliament membership. "When all the honourable MPs come after getting elected, they, first of all, take oath considering the constitution as their religion. As a Member of Parliament, all MPs should have full allegiance to the Constitution. As we know that in West Bengal, by the Trinamool government, the constitution of our country has been forcibly crushed," the BJP leader said in his letter. "Not a single opportunity was left in which the existence of the Constitution was not attacked by the Trinamool Government. Respected Sir, I would like to inform you that, the manner in which Member of Parliament from Diamond Harbor, West Bengal, Abhishek Banerjee has commented against the Hon'ble High Court, Kolkata yesterday, is derogatory to our constitution as well as to the judicial system of our country," he said. "We can never interfere in the judicial system of our constitution or go against them, nor can we comment on them. By doing such an act, Member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee has attacked our constitution and insulted the Hon'ble High Court of Kolkata. Respected Sir, I humbly request that for this act, his membership of Parliament should be cancelled, as well as action against him should be ordered for Contempt of Court. I have faith that you will definitely take action for this insult," the letter added further. (ANI)
Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Saturday hit out at the AAP government in Delhi for accusing the Haryana government of causing the flood-like situation in parts of the national capital by releasing water in the Yamuna from its Hathni Kund Barrage and said that his government is not blaming anyone though it too is receiving water from other states. "In our state also water came from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh but we are not blaming anyone. We are trying to make arrangements, Anil Vij said while talking to ANI. He further said since several districts of Haryana bordering Delhi are receiving heavy water leading to a flood-like situation why would the state government deliberately release water? All the villages and cities on the banks of the Yamuna have received the same amount of water. Why would we deliberately release water in our districts? he added. Earlier, Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Atishi accused the Haryana government of deliberately releasing water from Hathini Kund Barrage to Delhi. There is good news for Delhis people that the water level of River Yamuna is decreasing...It is a big question why all the water was being released only for Delhi. Not a single drop of water was released for the water that goes to UP and Haryana from Hathini Kund Barrage... Haryana will have to answer for this, Atishi said. However, speaking on water being discharged from Hathni Kund Barrage, Haryana to the Eastern Yamuna Canal (EYC) and Western Yamuna Canal (WYC), Haryana Irrigation Department Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) said that water is released into the Yamuna as soon as the water level crosses 1 lakh cusecs as the irrigation department works on a demand basis, hence, during flood situation the EYC and WYC gates were closed. We release water into the Yamuna as soon as the water level crosses 1 lakh cusecs. We work on the basis of demand. Right now its demand is low, so we have released less water. As soon as the demand increases, we will release more water. In case of flood, we close the gates of EYC and WYC as during flood, wood logs, and stones damage our gates, he said. Notably, several parts of Delhi are witnessing waterlogging and flooding following incessant rainfall and the release of water from the Hathni Kund Barrage in Haryana. People are seen grappling with the water logging. Commuters were witnessed pushing their motorcycles through the water. The water level of the River Yamuna was recorded at 207.27 meters at 1 pm, today. While the same stood at 207.38 meters at 12 pm, today. Yesterday, the water level was recorded at 207.98 meters at 11 pm. Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department on Friday predicted that Delhi will likely receive light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms during the next 4-5 days. (ANI)
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday met with party leaders from northeastern states, except Assam, to deliberate on the strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Leaders from Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and Sikkim were present in today's meeting. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal was also present in the meeting that was held at the AICC headquarters in the national capital. https://twitter.com/i/status/1680088093880389632 This comes after the party brass met with leaders of the Uttarakhand Unit to review party preparedness for the same two days ago. The meeting was attended by the former Chief Minister of Uttrakhand Harish Rawat and PCC Chief Karan Mahara. Earlier on Wednesday, a similar meeting was held with leaders of Maharashtra Congress and discussed strategies to strengthen the party's roots in the state. During the meeting, they held discussions with the leaders of the Maharashtra Congress. They took stock of the prevailing political situation, chalking out a three-point strategy to strengthen its base in Maharashtra ahead of the 2024 Loksabha elections and assembly polls in the state. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Congress general secretary, KC Venugopal, said that three major decisions were taken in the meeting. All the senior leaders of the party will take responsibility for their Parliamentary constituencies. Secondly, from the month of September a padayatra (foot march) will be carried out in every district of the state under a senior leader, which will be followed by a bus yatra in the month of December when all the leaders will jointly visit all the constituencies together, Venugopal said earlier. The meeting was quite fruitful and lasted for four hours and all the leaders have a unanimous belief that the Congress will sweep the parliamentary elections in Maharashtra. During the meeting Rahul Gandhi specially referred to the Maharashtra leg of his Bharat Jodo Yatra where he got a phenomenal response, which was among the best in the country, he said further. Venugopal had also said that the Congress will fight the elections in alliance with Maha Vikas Aghadi and seat sharing agreement will be worked out after meeting and discussion with the alliance partners. Further Venugopal asserted that gauging the people's mood in Maharashtra, it was sure that people wanted to defeat the BJP, as they had understood its politics of dividing opposition parties and using the ED and money. He had said this was going to have a very negative impact on the BJP. (ANI)
Delhi Police on Saturday arrested a 33-year-old man for the alleged sexual assault of a college student in the Rohini area impersonating a police officer. "A team from Crime Branch has arrested a 33-year-old man named Ravi Solanki who was posing as some police personnel for threatening and sexually assaulting a college-going woman. He used to display an arms license as a Delhi Police identity card," said Ravinder Yadav, Special CP Delhi Police Crime Branch. According to the complaint filed by the survivor, the accused displayed his arms licence, which has a logo of Delhi Police at the top, and claimed to be a cop. "He made a video recording of an intimate act between the woman and her boyfriend and threatened her to post the video on social media. Later, he took the woman to the terrace of a building, he sexually assaulted her in the Rohini area. The accused was arrested after analysis of footage from over 270 CCTVs," Ravinder Yadav added. According to the police, the accused stalked the couple for about one hour and clicked their photos while they were sitting in the car. He was waiting for the moment to catch the girl at some lonely place. The police said that the accused disclosed that he possesses a plastic card of his arms license, which has a Delhi Police monogram on its top as a watermark. He usually displayed this Arms license as a Delhi Police Identity card as a layman does not know about the genuine Identity Card of Delhi Police employees. Over 250 CCTV camera footage of the Rohini area were checked. Police examined over 40 persons and checked 1,000 motorcycles before zeroing in on the accused. "A trap was laid and Ravi Solanki was apprehended near Baaz Mall, Sector-24, Rohini, Delhi," said the police. During interrogation, accused Ravi admitted his involvement in the sexual assault case and disclosed that he stalked the couple for about one hour and clicked their photos while they were sitting in the car. Accused Ravi Solanki had studied up to 10th class only. He got married in the year 2016 and has two daughters aged 5 years and 4 years. Ravi Solanki is a bootlegger and was previously involved in 5 cases of theft, said the police. (ANI)
An OBC leader from eastern UP, he was elected from the Ghosi seat in Mau district on the SPs poll symbol.

Chauhan was a cabinet minister in the previous Yogi Adityanath government but had resigned ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections and joined the SP.

Earlier on Friday, Dara Singh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence in Delhi.

He is likely to join the BJP.

In the Adityanath cabinet from 2017 to 2022, Chauhan was Cabinet minister for Forests, Environment and Animal Husbandry and later, resigned from the cabinet on January 12 in 2022 ahead of the assembly polls.

Chauhan started his political career with the BSP and later joined the SP. He was elected toRajya Sabhafor two terms in 1996 and 2000 and as per the website of Rajya Sabha, he was elected as an SP candidate and was also the partys national executive member. (ANI)
Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), a statutory authority of Indian Railways, has invited bids for the redevelopment of Ahmedabad Railway Station and construction of associated infrastructure on Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode, an official statement said. As per the official statement of RLDA, the pre-bid conference will be concluded on July 18, 2023, at RLDA HQ in Delhi. The estimated project cost is Rs 2563 crores. The last date for submission of e-bid is September 5, 2023, up to 3 PM and the date of opening of e-bids (technical) is September 8, 2023. It is notable that Ahmedabad is located on the banks of the Sabarmati River and is the most populous city in the State of Gujarat and the fifth most populous city in India. Situated 25 km from the capital of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad has emerged as an important economic and industrial hub. It is the second-largest producer of cotton in India and a historic centre of trade with the Middle-East and Europe. After the liberalization of the economy, Ahmedabads tertiary sector activities such as commerce, communication and construction have grown exponentially, with the citys GDP estimated at over $80 Billion in 2020. Ahmedabad has been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under the Government of India's flagship Smart Cities Mission. It is also pertinent to note that declared a UNESCO World Heritage City, Ahmedabad has been ranked as Indias third-best city to live by the Ease of Living Index. Time magazine has also acknowledged Ahmedabad in its list of the World's 50 greatest places to explore in 2022. Giving information about this project, Vice Chairman of RLDA, Ved Parkash Dudeja said that the iconic city of Ahmedabad has historically been a centre of trade and commerce. As one of the largest cities in the country, Ahmedabad serves as a focal point of economic growth and prosperity. It is against this backdrop that we welcome bids to redevelop the Ahmedabad Railway Station to the highest international standards which will integrate different modes of transport including High Speed, Metro, BRT and city buses and will serve as a city centre. He further said that the region has a thriving cotton industry, and with modern logistical redevelopment, we are confident that we will be able to bolster the supply chain and unlock greater growth and prosperity in the region. The strategic location will provide ample opportunity for new commercial development in and around the Ahmedabad Railway Station. The redevelopment of the railway station will also encourage new economic avenues to grow and evolve in the region, while also generating employment through direct and allied industries. The new railway station will serve as a stellar testimony to Indian innovation and engineering ingenuity. It will not only interlink trade across west India but also facilitate the thousands of commuters travelling to and from the city every day, Dudeja added. It is notable that Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) is a statutory authority under the Ministry of Railways for the development of Railway land. It has four key mandates as a part of its development plan, namely leasing commercial sites, colony redevelopment, station redevelopment, and multi-functional complexes. During the current Financial Year, RLDA has leased out various sites which are situated at Waltax Road (Chennai), Ajmer (Rajasthan), Bijwasan (Delhi), Kharagpur and Solapur (Maharashtra) for a cumulative lease premium of Rs 1622 Crore including Railway assets valuing approx of Rs 7.54 Crore to be developed in Kharagpur Railway Colony. RLDA has recently awarded the station redevelopment works for CSMT Railway Station on EPC (Engineering Procurement and Construction) model. (ANI)
The Chief Minister honoured all the children with the memory of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and presented the book 'Agni Ki Udaan' written by Abdul Kalam.

The Chief Minister said that the Tribal Welfare Department is continuously making efforts to improve the future of the children of tribal society.

Earlier on Friday, CM Dhami chaired a meeting at the secretariat to discuss the development of new townships in various cities of the state.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed officials to initiate the construction work for the Haridwar-Rishikesh Ganga Corridor promptly. He emphasized the need to present a proposal in the cabinet soon for the establishment of a company to oversee its implementation.

The Chief Minister said, "It should be ensured that the entire work of the Haridwar-Rishikesh Ganga Corridor is completed by October 2026."

Furthermore, Chief Minister Dhami stressed that the entire construction work of the Haridwar-Rishikesh Ganga Corridor should be completed by October 2026. (ANI)
Himachal Leader of opposition Jairam Thakur on Saturday visited the flood affected Sainj Valley in Kullu and said that state government should speed up relief and rehabilitation works in the area. Former Himachal CM Jairam Thakur said that that the condition of this area is very bad and said that almost no work has been done in the name of relief. "The disaster ruined people's lifetime's earnings. People have become homeless. Many such families were also found who are still living in the same clothes in which they came out of the house on the day of disaster. There is a need to speed up the relief and rescue operations. Those who do not have a home to live in, where will they go?," Jairam Thakur said. He further stated that biggest challenge right now is to rehabilitate the people in the region. "It takes ages to build a house, people's lifetime's earnings were wasted in a minute. Everything was washed away with the flood. Till now people have not been able to get even the tents. The rescue work as well as this campaign is not going to stop. The biggest challenge is to rehabilitate the people who have lost everything and rebuild the ruined infrastructure," he said. Leader of the Opposition Thakur said that Prime Minister Modi and the Home Minister Amit Shah were briefed by him about the situation in the state. "I informed the Prime Minister and the Home Minister about the situation in the state. Visited Kullu and Mandi and went to Delhi to meet the Home Minister. Home Minister gave all possible help," he said. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said that there is a possibility of almost Rs 5,000 crores loss due to floods in the state. CM Sukhu said that Rs 1,45,000 have been provided to the people whose houses have been damaged completely and Rs 1 lakh have been given to the people whose houses have been partially damaged in the flood affected state. "I have never seen such a situation in the past years. We have given Rs 1,45,000 to people whose houses have been damaged completely and whose houses are partially damaged have been compensated with Rs 1 lakh," CM Sukhu said. Earlier today India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange alert from July 15 to July 17, predicting heavy rainfall in the state in swven districts for the next 72 hrs. IMD Shimla Director Surender Paul said that heavy to very heavy rain very is likely to occur during the next four to five days in the seven districts of Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Kangra and Hamirpur districts of the state. (ANI)
The blame game between Delhi and Haryana governments continued over the floods in Delhi with Haryana Agriculture Minister Jai Parkash Dalal escalating the matter further claiming that illegal encroachments in the National Capital were responsible for the inundation. We don't have any dam, the water that comes, flows down to Delhi, Agra, Allahabad, and then go down the ocean. Aam Aadmi Party tries to evade its duties. The water flow increased earlier as well but, the Yamuna basin was broad earlier, now illegal possessions and constructions have been done alongside the Yamuna which led to its shrinking and high water level, the minister said. The root cause behind the inundation in Delhi is illegal encroachments, Jai Parkash Dalal added. AAP government in Delhi accused the Haryana government of causing the flood-like situation in parts of the national capital by releasing water in the Yamuna from its Hathnikund barrage. Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Atishi accused the Haryana government of deliberately releasing water from Hathinikund Barrage to Delhi. There is good news for Delhis people that the water level of River Yamuna is decreasing...It is a big question why all the water was being released only for Delhi. Not a single drop of water was released for the water that goes to UP and Haryana from Hathinikund Barrage... Haryana will have to answer for this, Atishi said. Hitting back at the Delhi minister, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said that his government is not blaming anyone though it too is receiving water from other states. "In our state also water came from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh but we are not blaming anyone. We are trying to make arrangements, Anil Vij said. He further said since several districts of Haryana bordering Delhi are receiving heavy water leading to a flood-like situation why would the state government deliberately release water? All the villages and cities on the banks of the Yamuna have received the same amount of water. Why would we deliberately release water in our districts? he added. Notably, several parts of Delhi are witnessing waterlogging and flooding following incessant rainfall and the release of water from the Hathni Kund barrage in Haryana. People are seen grappling with the water logging. Commuters were witnessed pushing their motorcycles through the water. The water level of the River Yamuna was recorded at 207.27 meters at 1 pm, today. While the same stood at 207.38 meters at 12 pm, today. Yesterday, the water level was recorded at 207.98 meters at 11 pm. (ANI)
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday called upon the states to give suggestions for changes in the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act for gender equality. The PC-PNDT Act intends to prohibit prenatal diagnostic techniques for the determination of the sex of the foetus which may lead to female foeticide. The Union Health Minister said, The Centre and States will work together to address the issue of sex ratio imbalance in the country. The two-day-long Swasthya Chintan Shivir of the Union Health Ministry concluded on Saturday in Dehradun. On day two Mandaviya said, Swasthya Chintan Shivir should help bring us closer to the idea of last-mile connectivity in health." He also called upon "Lok Bhagidari" (peoples participation) in eliminating Tuberculosis from the country and said that it can go a long way to make India TB-free. Lok Bhagidari, peoples participation, is a very essential activity to eliminate the burden of Tuberculosis in the country. I exhort people to come forward to become Nikshay Mitras, as it can go a long way to make India TB-free, Mandaviya said. Mandaviya said that there is a need to ensure comprehensive and saturation coverage of all health schemes so that no eligible beneficiary is left behind. Need to ensure comprehensive and saturation coverage of all health schemes so that no eligible beneficiary is left behind, he added. The Union Health Minister in his closing remarks also said that participants of the Shivir should implement the learnings from this conclave in their respective areas. "When we go back to our states from this immersive Chintan Shivir, let us employ the learnings from this conclave and resolve through our focused policies that we shall saturate the nation with Ayushman Bharat cards, and Ayushman Bharat Health Account IDs; and make our states TB Mukt, and also work towards eliminating leprosy, Kalaazar, and malaria from the country," Union Minister Mandaviya said. He further stated that a vision document should be prepared for the next 25 years which will help in providing the best healthcare to the people in the country. "Let us design a vision document which will act like a roadmap for the next 25 years of the countrys Amrit Kaal to guide our efforts towards providing the best healthcare to the citizens of our states," he said. The Swasthya Chintan Shivir saw the participation of Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, S P Singh Baghel, TS Singh Deo (Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister, Chhattisgarh), Brajesh Pathak (Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister, Uttar Pradesh), BS Pant (Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sikkim), Vishwas Sarang (State Medical Education Minister, Madhya Pradesh), and K Lakshmi Narayanan (Minister of Public Works, Puducherry). Health Ministers from various states including Dhan Singh Rawat (Uttarakhand), Rajini Vidadala (Andhra Pradesh), Alo Libang (Arunachal Pradesh), Keshab Mahanta (Assam), Rushikesh Patel (Gujarat), Banna Gupta (Jharkhand), Dinesh Gundu Rao (Karnataka), Sapam Ranjan Singh (Manipur), Dr R. Lalthyangliana (Mizoram), Thiru Ma. Subramanian (Tamil Nadu) participated in the concluding session. "He also encouraged states to hold their own Chintan Shivir where localized solutions can be arrived at as per their specific healthcare needs and priorities," an official statement said. Union MoS (Health) SP Singh Baghel said that deliberations during the Shivir can lead to strong outcomes in healthcare provisioning in the country. "These two days saw open dialogue across states, and I believe that these deliberations can lead to strong outcomes in healthcare provisioning in the country," he said. On the last day of this two-day event, sessions were held on various facets of healthcare in India today ranging from the status of medical education to the National Tuberculosis Elimination Mission, District Residency Programme, and Ayushman Bhav. VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary and other senior officials were also present during the conclave. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday accused that the lathi charge on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers during a protest in Patna was revenge by the Bihar Government on the party workers for asking resignation from Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav. I just met the female BJP workers. Is this how women are thrashed by the Police? What is the meaning of this? Some suffered fractures, while some had injuries on their heads. Are these women criminals? I have been lathi-charged. I have gone to jail during the JP Movement. Are political workers attacked like this, that too women? This is very unfortunate and painful. I condemn this. CM Nitish will have to give answers. Have barricades not been broken by other political party workers before? he said while speaking to ANI here. They wanted revenge on the BJP workers for asking for resignation from Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, Ravi Shankar Prasad added. A BJP leader from Jehanabad died, allegedly during a police lathi charge, while participating in a protest march by his party against the Bihar governments teacher recruitment policy doing away with the domicile requirement for the recruitment of teachers. Massive clashes ensued in Bihar on Thursday between BJP workers and the Bihar police after leaders of the opposition party (BJP) attempted to march towards the Bihar Vidhan Sabha in protest against the Nitish governments teacher recruitment policy. Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari on Saturday alleged that it was pre-planned to beat BJP workers or rather kill them. It was pre-planned to beat BJP workers on July 13 or rather to kill them. Suddenly route (of the protest) was changed and tear gas, water cannon, and lathi charge were used, Manoj Tiwari said. BJP formed a four-member committee of the BJP that visited the injured BJP workers at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Bihar's Patna on Saturday. Four BJP members including Manoj Tiwari, Samrat Choudhary, Raghubar Das and Sunita Duggal met the injured BJP workers at Patna's IGIMS Hospital. Speaking on the Thursday incident, BJP leader Sunita Duggal termed it as a heinous incident and said that the sequence of events will be investigated and the report will be given to BJP National President JP Nadda. "There are several issues. The way this heinous incident has happened...the sequence of events will be investigated and the report will be given to our National President. We will also talk to the police and ask who gave them the order to lathi charge the BJP workers. We will also meet the workers," said Sunita Duggal. Earlier on Friday, Union Minister Nityanand Rai strongly criticized the Bihar Government, headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, for the alleged lathi charge compared Bihar CM to Brigadier General Reginald Dyer, who in 1919 carried out the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and demanded his resignation. He asserted that Bihar is witnessing "Jungle Raj 3" and held Nitish Kumar responsible for the death of party leader Vijay Singh. BJP workers were protesting peacefully for the demand of employed teachers. But during this, the action taken by the police at the behest of the state government was barbaric like that of General Dyer, Mamata Banerjee and Congress," he added." Instances of corruption are surfacing all across the state, and the manner in which the police acted, resorting to brutal action in Patna on BJP workers, makes it evident that Bihar is currently under Jungle Raj 3," Rai said. (ANI)
The Khaama Press News Agency is an online news service for Afghanistan.

As per the report, since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the countrys economy and financial system have largely collapsed, and the international community has decided unanimously not to recognize the Taliban. Donors also have difficulty providing for the populations needs in these dire circumstances.

The report said: In the two years since the Taliban takeover, the Afghan economy has crumbled, the financial system has largely collapsed, and the international community has opted for unified non-recognition of the Taliban.

It added: Donors and NGOs now face the immense challenge of meeting the needs of the Afghan people under these dire conditions.

These organizations have had to navigate cautious engagement with an unrecognized administration while continuing to offer crucial aid and services, given that most Afghans live in extreme poverty.

As per the UNs estimation, nearly 29 million people in the country need urgent humanitarian aid amid a shortage of funding.

The report also revealed that since the Taliban tightened its restrictions on Afghan women working for NGOs, the humanitarian situation has only worsened.

The report emphasized the clear and effective response to the countrys dire humanitarian crisis.

UN Secretary-General told reporters that six million Afghans are one step away from starvation conditions, financing is evaporating, and 28 million people will need humanitarian assistance to survive this year.

Guterres also said that only USD 294 million, or 6.4 per cent of the USD 4.6 billion total requested for the humanitarian response plan, had been received. (ANI)
India and France on Friday announced major decisions to take forward the strong partnership between the two countries including cooperation programme on small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs), adoption of a roadmap for collaborative actions in the Indo-Pacific. The announcements about new initiatives and agreements was made during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit and India's participation as guest of honour in Bastille Day Prade. PM Modi held bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron that covered almost all areas of bilateral relationship including defence, space, health and student mobility. PM Modi and President Macron adopted the joint statement 25th Anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between France and India: towards a Century of Indo-French Relations. The statement sets the course for the France-India bilateral relationship in all areas till 2047, the year that will mark 100 years of Indias Independence, 100 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries, and 50 years of the Indo-French strategic partnership. There were important announcements in student mobility with a new target of welcoming 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030. The two countries announced issuance of a five-year short-stay Schengen visa for Indian students with a Master's degree who have studied at a university in France. France announced a significant increase in the resources of the Campus France network in India. The two countries announced continuation of the cooperation on fighter jets and submarines, following the timely delivery of the 36 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force and the success of the P75 programme for building six Scorpene submarines. The scientific and commercial partnership is being enhanced through several agreements between Frances CNES and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), notably concerning reusable launchers; the finalization of the joint Earth observation satellite, TRISHNA; the first phase of the constellation of maritime surveillance satellites in the Indian Ocean; and the protection of Indo-French satellites in orbit against the risk of collision. In civil nuclear energy, France and India welcomed the progress made on the 6-EPR power plant project in Jaitapur. They have decided to launch an ambitious cooperation programme on small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs). The two countries adopted roadmap for joint actions in the Indo-Pacific, covering all aspects of our comprehensive strategy for the region. The decided to work on finalising an Indo-French development fund for third countries, which will enable joint financing of sustainable development projects in countries of the Indo-Pacific region. In counter-terrorism, India and France agreed on strengthening of cooperation between France's GIGN and India's National Security Guard. On critical technology, the two countries agreed on strengthening of cooperation on cutting-edge digital technology, particularly on supercomputing, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. There was an announcement related to an agreement between Atos and the Ministry of Earth Sciences of India for the supply of supercomputers. The two countries signed technical and safety agreements in the field of civil aviation, towards supporting the expansion of routes between France and India, and the growth of the Indian civil aviation market. India and France expressed their commitment for adoption of an international treaty to put an end to plastic pollution throughout the entire life cycle of plastic products. They announced signing of a Letter of Intent on health and medicine, to structure cooperation in hospitals, medical research, digital technology, biotechnology, public health and combating micro-bacterial resistance as part of the One Health approach. On Blue economy, there was launch of a partnership between llnstitut franais de recherche pour lexploitation de la mer (IFREMER - French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) and India's National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) on ocean research, under the Roadmap on Blue Economy and Ocean Governance adopted by France and India in 2022. For financing the energy transition, there was announcement related to Rs 923 crore in financing from the French Development Agency for the second phase of India's flagship sustainable cities programme "CITIIS 2.0", in partnership with the European Union and KFW of Germany. There was announcement pertaining to Rs 246 crore (USD 30 million) in financing from Proparco for the South Asia Growth Fund (SAGF III), which will invest in companies promoting energy efficiency, clean energy, and optimization of natural resources in the region. There was announcement related to 164-crore INR (USD 20 million) financing from Proparco with Satya Microcapital for giving women in rural India access to microfinance. In the area of decarbonised hydrogen, there was announcement of a partnership between McPhy and L&T on manufacturing electrolyzers in India, under the Indo-French roadmap for decarbonised hydrogen adopted in 2022. There was announcement of creation of international classes to facilitate the integration of non-French-speaking Indian students into the French higher education system. Two MoUs were signed between the Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IPP), and IIT Delhi and IIT Madras. India and France announced opening of a Consulate General of India in Marseille and a Bureau de France in Hyderabad. There was announcement of France's selection as India's partner for the establishment of a major new National Museum in New Delhi. There was announcement of an agreement between France Mdias Monde and Prasar Bharati for the exchange of audio-visual content and the co-production of programmes on areas such as culture, education, science, and sports. France and India will increase funding of the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR/CEFIPRA) in order to fund new projects together. In sports, the two countries signed a Letter of Intent to structure cooperation in this field, particularly in view of major upcoming sporting events. The two countries intend to double the number of solidarity and civic service international volunteers in India and France by 2025. (ANI)
In recent months, Chinese companies have shown interest in investing in Afghanistan under the Belt and Road Initiative but face challenges due to terrorism and instability, Voice of America (VOA) reported. Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairsposition paper on Afghanistan stated that China would do its best to support Afghanistans reconstruction and development. The USD 62 billion CPEC connectivity project is a flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. The initiative is a series of infrastructure projects and investments that span the globe with the aim of connecting China to foreign trade, VOA reported. Last week, in a meeting with Taliban officials in Kabul, officials of Fan China Afghan Mining Processing and Trading Co. announced an investment of USD 350 million in various sectors ranging from construction to health to energy in Afghanistan, according to the Bakhtar News Agency, Afghanistans state news agency. The company is a joint venture between Chinas Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas Co. (CAPEIC) and Afghanistans Watan Group. In January, the Taliban signed a contract with CAPEIC to extract oil in the north of the country by investing USD 150 million annually, VOA reported. China has also shown interest in the development and operation of mines in Afghanistan. A Chinese company, Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC), signed a contract with the then-Afghan government in 2008 to extract copper from Mes Aynak in Logar province. But that work has not started yet. Last month, the Talibans mining and petroleum minister, Shahabuddin Delawar, urged MCC tobegin practical workon the development and operation of the mine. The Taliban may have achieved a diplomatic win in an agreement to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, analysts said, but the implementation of the project still faces challenges, VOA reported. The three sides reaffirmed their resolve to fully harness Afghanistans potential as a hub for regional connectivity," said a jointstatementreleased in May following a meeting of officials representing the three countries in Islamabad. The countries restated their commitment "to further the trilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and to jointly extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan. Since the withdrawal of the US and NATO forces and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, China has been vocal in criticizing the US for freezing Afghanistans assets. [B]y seizing Afghanistans overseas assets and imposing unilateral sanctions, the U.S., which created the Afghan issue in the first place, is the biggest external factor that hinders substantive improvement in the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in April, VOA reported. Investment in the Taliban also brings multiple security concerns with it. A UN report, published last month, said the Taliban still has ties with al-Qaida and other groups, including the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party. China considers ETIM, which was founded in Pakistan by a Uyghur religious figure, Hasan Mahsum, in 1997, as a threat to its security. However, the US removed the ETIM from its terror list in 2020. Hamidullah Farooqi, a former Afghan minister of transport and civil aviation, told VOA that the Taliban tried to reassure China and Pakistan that they can address their security concerns, and no terrorist groups will be allowed to use Afghan soil." I do not think that Chinese and Pakistani officials are convinced, said Farooqi, adding that the Taliban have to act on their counterterrorism commitment, VOA reported. Farooqi said that the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan was considered years before the Talibans takeover, but, because of security concerns, it was not implemented. He said that because of a lack of security in the country and the activities of TTP [Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan] and other terrorist organizations in the region, the project was not implemented. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision is "extremely forward-looking and ambitious" and aligned incredibly with French President Emmanuel Macron, Pascal Cagni, Chairman of The Board of Business France and French Ambassador for International Investment said on Friday (local time). He called for more investments and partnerships between India and France. In an interview with ANI, Pascal Cagni said, "I believe it's extremely forward-looking and ambitious overall as vision. So we are very pleased with this. I think it's aligned incredibly well with President Macron. That's why it was about time that we realized that. I had been in support of India for 20 years and now it's very much time that we make it happen in a stronger way. So more investment, more partnerships in between France & India." Pascal Cagni made the remarks after attending the India-France CEO forum. The India-France CEO Forum was held following the joint press meeting of PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. Speaking about the discussions, Pascal Cagni said, "We had discussions on topics where we have been successful right through Rafael, defence, submarines and aeroplanes. But, there are topics, if you want to look forward, which are even more critical, which are the one related to artificial intelligence, the one related to green transitions where France has got a leading position with a large share of its energy mix in renewable energy." "Essentially all topics are embedded into the Plan 2030 which is a plan of USD 54 billion in which we invest to essentially half of it decarbonize our economy. So that's the topics that are very close to the heart of our Indian friends and PM Modi and we hope that we will be able to translate that in concrete terms," he added. Pascal Cagni said that the meetings in the past 24 hours have been incredible. He said, "The overall meetings over last 24 hours have been incredible. The commitment of President Macron has been that next year we'd like to honour India by inviting them to be one of the countries of honour at the "Choose France" summit...We are a very business-friendly country. It's about time that while the French company have been creating 400,000 jobs in India we get more of the intelligence, the talent of India." Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday acknowledged the significant role played by business leaders in strengthening the partnership between India and France. At the India-France CEO Forum, PM Modi said, I congratulate you on Bastille Day. This year we are celebrating 25 years of our strategic partnership. Business leaders like you have contributed immensely to this partnership." (ANI)
India and France on Friday said that they believe in free, open, inclusive, secure and peaceful Indo-Pacific regions. The two nations noted that they seek to secure economic and security interests and build a balanced and stable order in the region. The two nations have released India-France Indo-Pacific Roadmap. The roadmap said that India and France are strategically located resident powers and key partners with vital stakes in the Indo-Pacific. "The Indo-French partnership in the Indian Ocean has become an important focus of our bilateral relations. In 2018, India and France agreed on a Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. We are now ready to extend our joint efforts to the Pacific," the statement said. "Our two countries believe in a free, open, inclusive, secure and peaceful Indo Pacific region. Our cooperation seeks to secure our own economic and security interests; ensure equal and free access to global commons; build partnerships of prosperity and sustainability in the region; advance the rule of international law; and, working with others in the region and beyond, build a balanced and stable order in the region, with respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement said further. According to the statement, PM Modi's vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and French President Emmanuel Macron's vision of security and cooperation outlined in the Indo-Pacific strategy is "very much aligned." It further said that the cooperation between India and France is "comprehensive" and covers defence, security, economic, connectivity, infrastructure, sustainability and human-centric development. The statement said, "Our bilateral cooperation advances our mutual security and supports peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Our cooperation extends from seabed to space. We will continue to deepen our exchanges, cooperate on situational and domain awareness, intensify maritime cooperation across the region such as the one we conduct in the South West Indian Ocean Region in liaison with partner countries in the region." India and France willincrease naval visits and develop defence industrial capabilities in India and jointly support the needs of other nations, according to the statement. The two nations announced that they will continue to develop comprehensive cooperation including the French overseasterritories of La Reunion, New Caledonia and French Polynesia and in coordination with other countries in the region and beyond. The two nations will continue to work together to extend development cooperation to nations in other regions,Africa, the Indian Ocean Region, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The two nations announced that they will strengthen plurilateral arrangements with Australia and UAE and build new ones in the region. "We will strengthen our plurilateral arrangements with Australia and UAE and build new ones in the region. We will strengthen our cooperation in regional forums such as Indian Ocean Rim Association, Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, the Indian Ocean Commission, Djibouti Code of Conduct, the ADMM+ and ARF," the statement said. India and France announced that they willstrengthen maritime security coordination through IFC-IOR in India, EMASoH in UAE and Atalanta, RCOC in Seychelles, RMIFC in Madagascar and ReCAAP in Singapore. France also supports Indias willingness to join Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). "We believe that India-France partnership will be a crucial pillar of the inter-connected and intersecting arrangements in Indo Pacific region and indispensable for a peaceful and prosperous future for the Indo Pacific region," the statement said. The two nations will work together to advance the objectives of Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative which aims to address common challenges in the region through collaborative actions under its seven pillars. "Under Frances lead on the Maritime Resources pillar, we will work together to implement practical projects, in synergy with, and under, the various bilateral, regional and global initiatives by the two sides, for creating an ecosystem for sustainable development of maritime resources and combatting activities like IUU fishing," the statement said. The two nations launched theInternational Solar Alliance and are committed to the deployment of renewable energies in the region. France and India are also proposing that start-ups in the region benefit from the Solar X Challenge project. The two nations are continuing toimplement the Indo-Pacific Parks Partnership and are supporting a mangrove conservation initiative aimed at the Pacific States in particular. Both sides will work on finalizing the India-France Indo-Pacific Triangular Development Cooperation Fund. The partnership between India and France in the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure will help build a more resilient and sustainable future for the people of the region, particularly in the small island states. France has invited India to join the KIWA initiative, a multi-donor program designed to strengthen resilience to climate change and the preservation of biodiversity in the Pacific through simplified financial support for concrete projects. Furthermore, the two nations will work to develop the Indo-French Health Campus for the Indo-Pacific, with the goal of making it a regional magnet for research and academia. The two nations might also consider to open the Campus to Pacific Island nationals. (ANI) PM Modi held delegation-level talks with French President at Elysee Palace, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet. The discussions between the two leaders covered a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation including defence, space, civil nuclear, science & technology, trade & investment, energy, climate action, culture and people-to-people ties. Arindam Bagchi tweeted, "Charting the future of Strategic Partnership. PM @narendramodi and President @EmmanuelMacron held tte--tte and delegation-level talks in the lyse Palace. Agenda covered a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation including defence, space, civil nuclear, science & technology, trade & investment, energy, climate action, culture and people to people ties." He further stated, "Discussions also held on Indias G20 presidency, issues related to Indo-Pacific and on regional and global issues. Ambitious outcome documents adopted, including Horizon 2047: Charting the future of India-France Strategic Partnership." PM Modi was on a two-day visit to France to attend the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. PM Modi's visit coincided with India and France celebrating 25 years of strategic partnership. (ANI)
At the India-France CEO Forum, PM Modi said, I congratulate you on Bastille Day. This year we are celebrating 25 years of our strategic partnership. Business leaders like you have contributed immensely to this partnership."

French President Emmanuel Macron and PM Narendra Modi arrived to attend India-France CEO Forum after they addressed a joint press conference at Elysee Palace on Friday.

The India-France CEO Forum was held following the joint press meeting of PM Modi and French President Macron.

Prior to this, PM Modi presented a sandalwood sitar to French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to France.

The Prime Minister also presented gifts to the French First Lady, the Prime Minister of France, the President of the French Senate and the President of the French National Assembly.

"France's National Day is the symbol of 'liberty, equality and fraternity' for the world," says PM Modi, who was guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade. (ANI)
The Purple Mountain Laboratories based in Nanjing, capital city of east China's Jiangsu Province, received a special guest earlier this month.

President Xi Jinping visited its 6G comprehensive lab and other facilities during an inspection tour and was delighted to learn that the research team had realized self-reliance in some key technologies.

"You must seize the opportunity, make new achievements, and focus wholeheartedly on doing this well," Xi encouraged those in the lab. The lab, committed to pioneering basic research for the country's major strategic needs, has scored a series of world-leading achievements in such fields as B5G/6G network and cybersecurity.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has been concerned about and consistently supported the growth of the country's internet sector and information technology.

Shortly after assuming the Party's top job in late 2012, Xi asserted that humanity had entered a historical stage of the age of the internet, which is a prevailing trend in the world.

He spoke of the significant role the internet can play in improving people's lives and boosting development.

Back then, though the internet sector was thriving in China, prominent bottlenecks persisted.

In 2014, Xi convened the first meeting of the Central Leading Group for Cyberspace Affairs. He personally headed the group that set the direction for the development of the internet sector.

Noting that China had the world's largest number of internet users, Xi called for boosting the country's strength in cyberspace.

At the meeting, Xi put forward the goals, which include making the internet infrastructure more accessible, elevating innovation capacity, developing the information economy, and ensuring cybersecurity.

In 2018, a national conference on the work of cyberspace affairs, the first of its kind in the history of the CPC and the country, was held in Beijing.

At the key meeting, Xi underscored the need of keenly grasping the historic opportunity for information technology development and enhancing the country's strength in cyberspace through innovation.

GUIDING HIGH-QUALITY DEVELOPMENT

Under Xi's guidance, a series of major decisions and measures involving cyber development were introduced and put into practice.

Xi stressed strengthening law-based governance of the cyberspace to make it clean.

"It is no easy job. But it must be done no matter how hard it is," he said.

By adopting a problem-oriented approach and strengthening top-level design, China has put in place a system for integrated cyberspace management, with its online environment continuously improving.

Addressing a study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee in October 2021, Xi emphasized improving the top-level design and system building of the country's digital economic development.

Over the past decade, China's information infrastructure has continued to accelerate, its momentum of digital economy development has been strong, and new advances have been made in independent innovation of core information technologies.

As for cybersecurity, Xi stressed that "without ensuring cybersecurity, we cannot safeguard national security; without promoting IT application, we cannot realize modernization."

Guided by a holistic approach to national security, China has comprehensively fastened the line of defense for cyber and digital security and enhanced its system and capacity building for cybersecurity.

Delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the second World Internet Conference in December 2015, Xi proposed to jointly build a community with a shared future in cyberspace.

"Cyberspace is the common space of activities for mankind. The future of cyberspace should be in the hands of all countries," he said.

The vision of jointly building a community with a shared future in cyberspace has been continuously enriched and developed. China's insight and proposals on global internet development and governance have been widely recognized by the international community.

DELIVERING BENEFITS TO ALL

In February, a surgeon in the eastern Zhejiang Province successfully removed the inflamed gallbladder of a patient residing some 5,000 km away in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The remarkable feat was made possible through the use of 5G-powered robotic surgery technology.

During the 30-minute surgery, a robot at the hospital in the city of Alaer in Xinjiang responded in sync to the instructions made from an operating platform in a top-notched hospital in Zhejiang.

This efficient surgery, demonstrating China's efforts to coordinate medical resources between coastal and inland regions for more accessible high-quality medical services, also serves as an example of how information technology is transforming the lives of the country's 1.4 billion people for the better.

So far, China boasts the world's largest and technologically advanced network infrastructure with more than 2.05 billion users of Internet of Things smart devices.

Meanwhile, the scale of China's digital economy surpassed the 50 trillion yuan (around 7 trillion U.S. dollars) landmark threshold in 2022, with "internet plus" services available in basically all aspects of everyday life.

By the end of 2022, the number of online shoppers in China topped 845 million, while a total of 363 million people had access to internet-based medical services.

Driven by information technology innovation and a booming internet sector, new realms of opportunity have emerged for Song Chunjiao, a villager from central China's Hunan Province, and millions of other Chinese people.

After taking part in several training sessions organized by the local government, Song became a proficient live streamer and sold over 900,000 kg of local fruits, including pomelo and citrus, annually.

Running an e-commerce company of her own, Song also teaches other villagers how to sell local products via live stream. "They used to make ends meet by doing farmwork or odd jobs. Now they're skilled in video filming and editing, as well as selling products online, and can make more than 5,000 yuan a month," she said.

By 2022, more than 100 million job opportunities were created directly or indirectly through the live stream and short video industries.

In a recent survey by social media platform Sina Weibo, which polled nearly 10,000 college graduates, over 60 percent of the respondents indicated that they consider emerging online industries, such as livestreaming, as an option for their future careers.

"Now, with cell phones as our new farm tools and live-streaming as new farmwork, the villagers are expecting a more prosperous life," Song said.
Sumeet Anand, IndSight Growth Partners founder and president of Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IFCCI), called his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron "fabulous." Speaking to ANI, Anand said he thinks there will be an increase in French investments in India in the coming years. On how he sees India's economy as a trading partner, Sumeet Anand said, "India is obviously one of the fastest growing economies in the world, or the largest fast-growing economy in the world. So, the perspectives are very good, obviously, for all investors, including French investors. I think the difference is with France is a strategic partnership, and there are many areas of cooperation which are beneficial to both India as well as France, and therefore it's far more richer than many other, I'd say, economic partnerships in the world today." "At the French Chamber, we have a lot of French companies that are investing in India. If you look at the last few years, there's been at least USD 5 billion of investment by French companies in India in diverse sectors, from industrial goods to airports to technology. So, I think we'll see a rise in the French investments, in the coming years in India," he told ANI. On his interaction with PM Modi, he said, "It was a fabulous interacting with the Prime Minister as well as the President of France. I think the Indo-France CEOs Forum did an outstanding job today of having very meaningful discussions on how one can build stronger business relations for the futures and the interests of both countries. So it was a very good interaction." On hs interactions with PM Modi, Gerard Wolf, head of the task force for Sustainable Cities, Ministry of Europe, said sustainable cities were one of the major subjects of the day. He said India and France have to partner more in terms of migration from rural to urban. "Sustainable cities was one of the major subject of the day. I think he got the right point, the Prime Minister. It's not the first time that we have a meeting with him. Clearly one of the major problem is to find the solution for all the urban population coming in into India," Wolf said."And in term of migration from rural to urban, we have to partner more. We have the solutions. You have the right guys. We just have to boost our cooperation. I think the economy could be much higher on both sides during the afternoon. We got the same point of view. We could do a lot more. We have the same kind of roots of interested in industry. So there's no reason not to go on and foster our cooperation in India," he added. Prime Minister Modi and French President Macron on Friday acknowledged the significant role played by business leaders in strengthening the partnership between the two countries. At the India-France CEO Forum, PM Modi said, I congratulate you on Bastille Day. This year we are celebrating 25 years of our strategic partnership. Business leaders like you have contributed immensely to this partnership." Macron and PM Modi arrived to attend India-France CEO Forum after they addressed a joint press conference at Elysee Palace on Friday. (ANI)
Senior port state control officer of the Chabahar Port of Iran, Sa Hashemi, on Saturday said the ports operator, an Indian company, is going to invest USD 85 million by bringing equipment to carry out loading and discharging at the port. Our operator, which is an Indian company, is going to invest USD 85 million here by bringing some equipment to carry out loading and discharging, Hashemi said. He added, The Indian company here is the operator of this port. It means that it has the loading and discharging responsibility of all the ships that come, all the ocean-going ships. He said the Chabahar Port's depth is -16 and all the 120,000 deadway ships can load, discharge and convert here without any problem. Hashemi added that there is no limitation to any kind of vessel.We have the passenger terminal for marine passengers that come here, any passenger ship. Any ferry ship can come here. We can also have converted, very big 6000 containerships as well. We have no limitation for berthing and onboarding of these ships, he said. ANI on Saturday visited Iran's Chabahar port and met the Indians working at the port to get a sense of how the country wasconducting day-to-day activities at Shaheed Beheshti port in the Chabahar Free Zone. Indian Ports Global Limited (IPLG) cranes were seen at the port for loading and unloading of cargo from ships. There is a huge office of IGPL at the port in Chabahar, which is run by the Indian authority. Shippin containers were seen at the port while a cargo vessel named DELRUBA, bound for China, was loading iron dust. Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador to Iran, Rudra Gaurav Shresth, paid a visit to the Chabahar Port on Friday, marking his first visit to the port since assuming charge as envoy. The visit came on the heels of him presenting his credentials to the Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, in the first week of July. Chabahar is an important project for India and the same was reflected in how the Indianambassador chose Chabahar for his first official visit outside Tehran, a source told ANI. On his first visit to theChabahar Port, the ambassador interacted with several senior port officials. The ports general director, Engineer Asgari, Governor of Chabahar, Dr Sepahi and managing director, India Ports Global Limited, Sunil Mukundan and senior officials of the port also interacted with the envoy. Ambassador Rudra Gaurav Shresth is a career diplomat and a member of the Indian Foreign Service. He assumed charge as the Indian Ambassador to Iran in May 2023. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in Abu Dhabi on an official visit. During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on key bilateral issues. The PM emplaned for UAE earlier on Saturday after concluding his two-day visit toFrance. PM Modi called his France visit "memorable", adding that it more special as he participated in the Bastille Day celebrations. He also expressed gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron and the people of France for their warmth and hospitality. Taking to his official Twitter handle, PM Modi stated, "ThisFrancevisit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in theBastille Daycelebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the French people for the exceptional warmth and hospitality. May friendship continue to soar!" PM Modi, who was on a two-day official visit to France, participated in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour, on Friday. He visited France at the invitation ofFrench President Emmanuel Macron. "To mark the 25th anniversary of the India-FranceStrategic Partnership, 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band also participated in the Parade," the PMO said in a statement. The Indian Army contingent was led by the Punjab Regiment, along with the Rajputana Rifles Regiment. The PM also held a meeting with French President Macron and reviewed the full range of ties. PM Modi and Macron also met top CEOs to discuss ways to diversify business cooperation. Taking to his official Twitter handle, PM Modi stated, "The talks with my friend, President @EmmanuelMacron were very productive. We reviewed the full range of India-Francerelations. I am particularly enthusiastic about deepening cooperation in futuristic sectors like green hydrogen, renewable energy, AI, semiconductors and more." Upon his arrival in UAE, PM Modi would be given a ceremonial welcome, after which several bilateral talks and other events will be organised 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 forUAEand reach there on the fifteenth of July where he will meet His Highness SheikhMohamed bin ZayedAl Nahyan, president of theUAEand ruler of Abu Dhabi. To be followed by a ceremonial welcome,bilateral talksand other events organized in honour of prime minister's visit toUAE," Foreign Secretary VinayKwatrasaid while addressing a press conference on Wednesday. Kwatra said that Prime Minister 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. (ANI)
Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL), on Tuesday hailed India as the role model of peaceful coexistence among religious communities. His address resonated with admiration for India's unparalleled diversity and acknowledged the profound contributions of "Indian wisdom" to humanity in a grand event jointly organized by the Khusrau Foundation and Indian Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi. The grandeur of the occasion reached new heights with the presence of India's highly respected National Security Advisor Ajit Doval who shared the stage with Al Issa. Their collective presence infused the gathering with pearls of wisdom and invaluable insights to enrich the momentous occasion. Together, these esteemed personalities not only celebrated the diversity and coexistence of different religious beliefs in India but also emphasized the significance of fostering unity and understanding in a complex world. Al Issa is a world-renowned scholar of Islam and a distinguished jurist. He implemented several important reforms with regard to womens rights as the Saudi law minister. Of late, he has been one of the most eloquent spokesmen in the Islamic world for interfaith dialogues and harmony among the worlds religions. The Muslim world league under his leadership has rejected the infamous clash of civilisation theory. He held in high regard the rich tapestry of India's illustrious and extensive history, as well as its splendid multicultural tapestry, particularly highlighting the harmonious coexistence that flourishes amidst its diverse populace. Al Issa eloquently elucidated the inescapable nature of diversity that encompasses variances in languages, ethnicities, and modes of thought, recognizing it as an integral facet of life itself. Moreover, he discerned that such a perspective is the only way to build positive relations among nations, religious communities and ethnic groups. Projecting diversity as a source of enrichment, he called for sincere applications of the concept on the ground. He expressed that the Muslim World League (MWL) is an autonomous worldwide establishment that forges alliances and nurtures friendships with diverse religious and cultural entities. Fondly recollecting his personal affinities with Indians hailing from myriad backgrounds, he affirmed that the organization diligently endeavours to portray the authentic essence of Islam. Within the expansive framework of MWL, provisions are made for reciprocal visits fostering harmonious exchanges with a multitude of nations and peoples including India. Al Issa observed that even though India is a Hindu-majority country, its tradition and constitution provide for peaceful coexistence for all communities. Citing his personal friendship with Hindu religious figures such as the Sadhguru and Shri Shri Ravishankar, he underlined their ultimate aim to promote peace in society and in the world at large. Working with diversity and difference is a common feature of that shared mission. Al Issa noted with satisfaction that the Muslim component in Indian society is proud of the nation and its constitution emphasizing its role in preserving harmony and cooperation among the diverse Indian communities. He posited that traditional Indian wisdom has significantly enriched humanity, especially in fostering and protecting diversity and peaceful coexistence. In his view, India's model of coexistence could serve as a blueprint for global harmony. He called for a partnership with India for fostering the positive values which have sustained the Indian model of civilizational and cultural coexistence. Referring to the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), which works on mobilizing international action against extremism through international, intercultural and interreligious dialogue and cooperation, Al Issa mentioned his recent visit there, and the launch of a new initiative called building bridges between the east and west, which may serve as one of the plausible institutional vehicles to promote the kind of interfaith dialogues that he advocates. He expressed satisfaction with his India visit, observing that his Indian interlocutors have all agreed that there should be joint institutional efforts to promote patriotic values and harmony all over the world. These may be done through positive education from an early stage of life, since agencies such as family and education play a major role in cultivating patriotism and constitutional values. Stressing that such alliances between MWL and India is an imperative, Al Issa observed that education about interfaith harmony across the world should begin from an early age. Religious education may form a part of it. It is necessary to forge a global alliance of nations for a better tomorrow for future generations. He reiterated that Islamic culture and civilisation are open to engaging everyone with love and dialogue and that Islam teaches everyone to follow law and constitution of their home countries. Peaceful coexistence is obligatory for all Muslims to practice. Islam is open to everyone. Islam calls for resolution of disputes through peaceful dialogues. It not only promotes tolerance but forgiveness also. He proclaimed his admiration for India, identifying it as an exemplar of openness and commonality in objectives. He concluded his discourse calling once again for immediate tangible actions on the ground through imaginative action for utmost promotion of the values emanating from Indias long and successful history of diversity and peaceful coexistence. Responding to Al Issa, Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, a distinguished security specialist who has led numerous peace missions in the different parts of the world and within the country in the last fifty years of service to the nation, conveyed sincere gratitude, commending Al Issas visionary thought and clear message that communities must live in peace. In particular, Doval appreciated Al Issas unequivocal understanding of Islam as a religion of peace and his clear stand against extremist ideologies. Likewise, against the abovementioned backdrop at India Islamic Cultural Centre, a congregation of eminent scholars and intellectuals bore witness to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's eloquent testimony. His profound words illuminated the rich tapestry of India's multicultural heritage, where Islam occupies a position of unparalleled eminence. Addressing the gathering, Doval acknowledged the indomitable spirit of India as a thriving melting pot of cultures, religions, languages, and ethnicities that have coexisted harmoniously for centuries. He celebrated India's inclusive democracy, which valiantly offers space for all its citizens, irrespective of their religious, ethnic, and cultural identities. Underlining India's distinctive socio-religious landscape, Doval proclaimed Islam's unique and significant position of pride in the country. India's staggering Muslim population, the second-largest in the world, surpasses the combined populace of over 33 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This testament to the enduring legacy of Islam in India attests to the nation's exceptional commitment to pluralism and religious coexistence. Deepening India-Saudi Arabia Relations: With deep reverence for the historical connections between India and Saudi Arabia, Doval extolled the excellent bilateral relations built upon a shared cultural heritage, common values, and robust economic ties. He lauded the convergence of vision between the leaders of both nations, who have forged strong bonds through close interactions. In this context, Doval harkened back to a bygone era, recounting the love for Indian silk and shawls by Khadija, the esteemed wife of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). The National Security Advisor took pride in India's noble tradition of providing refuge to those oppressed politically, underscoring the nation's commitment to humanitarianism. Delving into the historical influence of Islam in India, he acknowledged the profound impact of the syncretic culture fostered by the religion. Fondly reminiscing about the Sufi renaissance, which served as a beacon of enlightenment during a time of waning Islamic political influence, Doval paid tribute to the enriching contributions of Islam to Indian society. Inclusive Democracy and the Fight against Extremism: Emphasizing India's unwavering dedication to equality and opportunity, Doval highlighted the constitutional guarantees that ensure the rights and liberties of every citizen, regardless of their religious background. He debunked the fallacious notion that terrorism arises from religion, instead attributing it to the unfortunate influence of a misguided few who fall prey to pernicious propaganda. Undeterred by these challenges, India embraces dissent with an infinite capacity to absorb and assimilate diverse viewpoints. Towards Global Peace and Harmony: Doval commended Mr. Al-Issa's profound observation that the world is a family, resonating with India's shared vision. Citing India's presidency of the G-20, he unveiled the central theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, symbolizing One Earth, One Family, One Future. Prime Minister Modi, too, envisions a similar future, prompting India's willingness to collaborate with the Muslim World League in establishing an institutional framework. This collaborative effort aims to promote global peace and harmony through regular interfaith dialogues and a robust system of popular education. In an intellectual tour de force, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval mesmerized the eminent scholars present at the India Islamic Cultural Centre. His eloquent testimony showcased India's extraordinary tapestry of multiculturalism and religious harmony. Islam's enduring significance in India, rooted in a legacy of inclusivity and coexistence, serves as a beacon of inspiration for the world. As India takes strides towards fostering global peace and harmony, collaboration with the Muslim World League promises to lay the foundations for an enlightened future characterized by interfaith dialogues and comprehensive education. These resonating ideas set the tone for a more harmonious and interconnected world. In conclusion, the grand event held at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, graced by the esteemed presence of Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, and the distinguished Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor, showcased the magnificence of India's harmonious coexistence served as a sublime inspiration for global harmony and interfaith dialogue. Al-Issa's heartfelt admiration for India's unparalleled diversity resonated deeply, acknowledging the profound contributions of "Indian wisdom" to humanity. Doval, in his eloquence, celebrated India's inclusive democracy, where cultures, religions, languages, and ethnicities thrive in harmonious unity for centuries. The event thus encapsulated the essence of interfaith dialogue, underscoring the transformative power of India's model of peaceful coexistence as a catalyst for global harmony with the vision of collaboration between India and the Muslim World League. Dr Maheep is an Expert in Indias Foreign Affairs with a Specialisation in the Arab Gulf States and Islam. He is the Principal Investigator of a National Project on Indias Soft Power Diplomacy. (ANI)
TOLO News is an Afghan news channel broadcasting from Kabul,

This comes 660 days after closure of schools for girls from grade 7 to 12 in Afghanistan.

The students said that they are facing an uncertain future. A student, Fareshta, said: "We should together, men and women, improve and take Afghanistan to a position, so that everyone can see us as capable."

Talibans policies of restricting women from public life, including from education and work, have sparked reactions at international levels.

If this process continues it will cause Afghanistan to go backwards and towards less development and a period like the middle ages will come into effect, said Almatab Rasuli, a womens rights activist, as per TOLO News.

Recently, Nobel Prize-winning education activist Malala Yousafzai condemned the Taliban for reversal of womens rights to education in Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported.

The Khaama Press News Agency is an online news service forAfghanistan.

Yousafzai expressed her despair over theTalibans complete reversal ofwomens rightsand education inAfghanistan.

She told an audience at the United Nations House in Abuja, Nigeria: Ten years ago, millions of Afghan girls were going to school.

One in three young women were enrolled in university. And now?Afghanistanis the only country in the world to ban girls and women from seeking education, she said.

Yousafzai described how she experienced Taliban brutality when she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in 2012 for advocating for girls education, Khaama Press reported. (ANI)
Kickstarting the final leg of his two-nation visit on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Upon his arrival in Abu Dhabi, PM Modi was welcomed by Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at the airport. Expressing his gratitude over warm welcome to the Gulf nation, PM Modi took to Twitter to post, "Grateful to Crown Prince HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for welcoming me at the airport today." On his arrival at the Abu Dhabi airport, PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome. "Furthering - partnership! PM @narendramodi arrives in Abu Dhabi to a ceremonial welcome. Warmly received by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport," the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, tweeted. During his visit, the Prime Minister will meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on critical bilateral issues. The PM emplaned for the UAE earlier on Saturday after concluding his two-day visit to France. PM Modi called his France visit "memorable", adding that it was more remarkable as he participated in the Bastille Day celebrations. He also expressed gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron and the people of France for their warmth and hospitality. PM Modi, who was on a two-day official visit to France, participated in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour, on Friday. He visited France at the invitation ofFrench President Emmanuel Macron. "To mark the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, a 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band also participated in the Parade," the PMO said in a statement. Just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said that its economic partnership with India is a significant milestone in the history of both nations". The UAEs Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, said in an interview that the UAE-India non-oil trade is expected to reach USD 100 billion a year by 2030. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi noted thatUAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was designed to deliver a new era of growth and opportunity. CEPAis an agreement signed between India andUAEon February 18, 2022, and came into force on May 1, 2022. The agreement was signed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi andUAEPresident Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Speaking about the success of the CEPA between India and the UAE, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi said, "There is little question that the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will come to be regarded as a significant milestone in the history of both nations." "By removing or reducing tariffs on 80 per cent of goods, eliminating unnecessary barriers to trade, creating new platforms for investment, and opening government procurement to each others private sector, the UAE-India CEPA was designed to deliver a new era of growth and opportunity and, ultimately, boost bilateral non-oil trade beyond USD 100 billion by 2030," he added. (ANI)
The banquet dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his two-day visit to France, held many special gestures for the latter. The banquet was organised at Paris Louvre Museum on July 14, the French National Day. The Prime Minister was welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron and French First Lady Brigitte Macron. The last time a banquet was held at Louvre was for Queen Elizabeth in 1953. The museum which generally gets a lot of footfalls on this day, was closed off for hosting the banquet. Even the thread for the menu had the Indian tricolor, marking a deviation from the protocol which is to useFrench colours only. The menu for the banquet was a specially curated vegetarian one. PM Modi, in his address at the banquet dinner, said the world has faced many ups and downs in the past 25 years but the friendship between India and France continued to grow deeper. He said the two nations have prepared a roadmap for the next 25 years and that their partnership is a force for global good. Addressing the banquet dinner hosted by Macron, PM Modi said, "In the past 25 years, the world faced many ups and downs and challenging times, but the friendship between France and India continued to grow deeper. We have made a long and important journey on the basis of Mutual understanding, trust and respect. Due to the personal efforts of President Macron, our ties are moving forward in every direction." "We have prepared a roadmap for the next 25 years. We are contributing not only to the welfare of both countries but also to world peace and security. Our partnership is a force for global good," PM Modi added. PM Modi on Saturday called his two-day France visit "memorable", adding that it became more special as he participated in the Bastille Day celebrations. He also expressed gratitude to the French President and the people of France for their warmth and hospitality. Taking to his official Twitter handle,PM Modistated, "ThisFrancevisit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in theBastille Daycelebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the French people for the exceptional warmth and hospitality. May friendship continue to soar!" PM Modi, on his visit to France, participated in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour, on Friday. He visited France at the invitation ofFrench President Emmanuel Macron. "To mark the 25th anniversary of the India-FranceStrategic Partnership, 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band also participated in the Parade," the PMO said in a statement. The Indian Army contingent was led by the Punjab Regiment, along with the Rajputana Rifles Regiment. During the parade, the Indian military contingent marched to the patriotic tune of 'Sare Jahan Se Accha,' while a squadron ofIndian Air Force(IAF) Rafale fighters participated in a flypast over theChamps-Elyseesat theBastille Day Parade. Rafale Jets of theIndian Air Force, from the 101 Squadron from Hashimara, formed a part of the fly past during the parade. "A giant in world history, with a decisive role to play in the future, a strategic partner, a friend. We are proud to welcome India as our guest of honour at the 14 July parade," President Macron said. PM Modiand PresidentEmmanuel Macronmet notable dignitaries during theBastille Day Paradein Paris. July 14 marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, during the French Revolution, which symbolizes the democratic values of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, the central theme of both the Indian and French constitutions. The PM during his France visit also held a meeting with French President Macron and reviewed the full range of ties. PM Modiand Macron also met top CEOs to discuss ways to diversify business cooperation. Taking to his official Twitter handle,PM Modistated, "The talks with my friend, President @EmmanuelMacron were very productive. We reviewed the full range of India-Francerelations. I am particularly enthusiastic about deepening cooperation in futuristic sectors like green hydrogen, renewable energy, AI, semiconductors and more." PM Modi was during his visit conferred with France's highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour by French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
Prime Minister Modi, who arrived in Abu Dhabi earlier on Saturday, also highlighted India's efforts and initiatives to address climate change during talks with Sultan Al Jaber.

Taking to Twitter, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, informed of the meeting between the two leaders.

"PM @narendramodi held a productive meeting with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President-designate of @COP28_UAE and Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Dr. Jaber briefed PM on the forthcoming COP-28," Bagchi tweeted.

"PM assured 's full support for s COP-28 presidency. PM also highlighted s efforts and initiatives to address climate change," he added.

Earlier, on Saturday, PM Modi also met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

PM Modi received a dazzling welcome in UAE as the iconic Burj Khalifa was lit up in the colours of the Indian national flag. As a part of the light-and-sound show the skyscraper also showcased PM Modis picture, followed by "Welcome Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi"

The Prime Minister emplaned for the UAEearlier on Saturday after concluding his two-day visit to France.

PM Modicalled his France visit "memorable", adding that it was more remarkable as he participated in the Bastille Day celebrations. He also expressed gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron and the people of France for their warmth and hospitality.

During his two-day visit to France,PM Modiparticipated in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour, on Friday.

He visited France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
In a recent report titled 'Afghanistan's Dire Humanitarian Situation', the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) recommended the continuation of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported. The report released on Thursday underlined that since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, the country's economy has only crumbled. "Since the Taliban took control of the country, the Afghan economy and financial system have largely collapsed, and the international community has decided unanimously not to recognize the Taliban. Donors also have difficulty providing for the populations needs in these dire circumstances," Khaama Press cited the USIP report as stating. Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the situation of people, especially women in Afghanistan has only deteriorated as the country is under a massive humanitarian crisis. The report, highlighting the present situation in Afghanistan, added, "Donors and NGOs now face the immense challenge of meeting the needs of the Afghan people under these dire conditions. Given that the majority of Afghans live in great poverty, these organisations have had to navigate cautious involvement with an unrecognised state while continuing to provide essential relief and services to the people of the country. The United Nations estimates that there are close to 29 million people in the nation that require immediate humanitarian assistance due to a lack of financing. The USIP report also showcased that the humanitarian situation has been worse ever since the Taliban increased its restrictions on Afghan women working for NGOs. The terrible humanitarian crisis facing the nation was addressed in a clear and efficient manner, according to the report. With time, the situation of people in Afghanistan has become miserable. People continue to face food shortages, and the basic amenities to live have become a far cry for all. Moreover, the situation of women in the country has only got worse. Women in the country are prohibited from leadership posts, and not allowed to work as well as travel unless accompanied by a male companion. There is still no word on when or if these schools will reopen or if the ban is indefinite. (ANI)
Xi Focus: Elevating China's internet sector to new heights

Xinhua) 09:32, July 15, 2023

BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The Purple Mountain Laboratories based in Nanjing, capital city of east China's Jiangsu Province, received a special guest earlier this month.

President Xi Jinping visited its 6G comprehensive lab and other facilities during an inspection tour and was delighted to learn that the research team had realized self-reliance in some key technologies.

"You must seize the opportunity, make new achievements, and focus wholeheartedly on doing this well," Xi encouraged those in the lab. The lab, committed to pioneering basic research for the country's major strategic needs, has scored a series of world-leading achievements in such fields as B5G/6G network and cybersecurity.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has been concerned about and consistently supported the growth of the country's internet sector and information technology.

Shortly after assuming the Party's top job in late 2012, Xi asserted that humanity had entered a historical stage of the age of the internet, which is a prevailing trend in the world.

He spoke of the significant role the internet can play in improving people's lives and boosting development.

Back then, though the internet sector was thriving in China, prominent bottlenecks persisted.

In 2014, Xi convened the first meeting of the Central Leading Group for Cyberspace Affairs. He personally headed the group that set the direction for the development of the internet sector.

Noting that China had the world's largest number of internet users, Xi called for boosting the country's strength in cyberspace.

At the meeting, Xi put forward the goals, which include making the internet infrastructure more accessible, elevating innovation capacity, developing the information economy, and ensuring cybersecurity.

In 2018, a national conference on the work of cyberspace affairs, the first of its kind in the history of the CPC and the country, was held in Beijing.

At the key meeting, Xi underscored the need of keenly grasping the historic opportunity for information technology development and enhancing the country's strength in cyberspace through innovation.

GUIDING HIGH-QUALITY DEVELOPMENT

Under Xi's guidance, a series of major decisions and measures involving cyber development were introduced and put into practice.

Xi stressed strengthening law-based governance of the cyberspace to make it clean.

"It is no easy job. But it must be done no matter how hard it is," he said.

By adopting a problem-oriented approach and strengthening top-level design, China has put in place a system for integrated cyberspace management, with its online environment continuously improving.

Addressing a study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee in October 2021, Xi emphasized improving the top-level design and system building of the country's digital economic development.

Over the past decade, China's information infrastructure has continued to accelerate, its momentum of digital economy development has been strong, and new advances have been made in independent innovation of core information technologies.

As for cybersecurity, Xi stressed that "without ensuring cybersecurity, we cannot safeguard national security; without promoting IT application, we cannot realize modernization."

Guided by a holistic approach to national security, China has comprehensively fastened the line of defense for cyber and digital security and enhanced its system and capacity building for cybersecurity.

Delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the second World Internet Conference in December 2015, Xi proposed to jointly build a community with a shared future in cyberspace.

"Cyberspace is the common space of activities for mankind. The future of cyberspace should be in the hands of all countries," he said.

The vision of jointly building a community with a shared future in cyberspace has been continuously enriched and developed. China's insight and proposals on global internet development and governance have been widely recognized by the international community.

DELIVERING BENEFITS TO ALL

In February, a surgeon in the eastern Zhejiang Province successfully removed the inflamed gallbladder of a patient residing some 5,000 km away in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The remarkable feat was made possible through the use of 5G-powered robotic surgery technology.

During the 30-minute surgery, a robot at the hospital in the city of Alaer in Xinjiang responded in sync to the instructions made from an operating platform in a top-notched hospital in Zhejiang.

This efficient surgery, demonstrating China's efforts to coordinate medical resources between coastal and inland regions for more accessible high-quality medical services, also serves as an example of how information technology is transforming the lives of the country's 1.4 billion people for the better.

So far, China boasts the world's largest and technologically advanced network infrastructure with more than 2.05 billion users of Internet of Things smart devices.

Meanwhile, the scale of China's digital economy surpassed the 50 trillion yuan (around 7 trillion U.S. dollars) landmark threshold in 2022, with "internet plus" services available in basically all aspects of everyday life.

By the end of 2022, the number of online shoppers in China topped 845 million, while a total of 363 million people had access to internet-based medical services.

Driven by information technology innovation and a booming internet sector, new realms of opportunity have emerged for Song Chunjiao, a villager from central China's Hunan Province, and millions of other Chinese people.

After taking part in several training sessions organized by the local government, Song became a proficient live streamer and sold over 900,000 kg of local fruits, including pomelo and citrus, annually.

Running an e-commerce company of her own, Song also teaches other villagers how to sell local products via live stream. "They used to make ends meet by doing farmwork or odd jobs. Now they're skilled in video filming and editing, as well as selling products online, and can make more than 5,000 yuan a month," she said.

By 2022, more than 100 million job opportunities were created directly or indirectly through the live stream and short video industries.

In a recent survey by social media platform Sina Weibo, which polled nearly 10,000 college graduates, over 60 percent of the respondents indicated that they consider emerging online industries, such as livestreaming, as an option for their future careers.

"Now, with cell phones as our new farm tools and live-streaming as new farmwork, the villagers are expecting a more prosperous life," Song said.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed by the United Arab Emirates President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace. Both leaders had extensive discussions covering various aspects of bilateral ties. "Deepening India- UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. PM Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed by UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the iconic Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace. Extensive discussions between the two leaders covering various aspects of bilateral ties lie ahead," Minister of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted. During his meeting with UAE President Zayed Al Nahyan at the Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace PM Modi said that he is very glad to come to Abu Dhabi and meet the President. "I feel like I am at my second home. I thank you for the cordial welcome you gave to me and my delegation," said PM Modi. "Our bilateral trade has grown by 20 per cent. For the first time, we have achieved USD 85 billion in trade and soon we will achieve the target of USD 100 billion. If we decide, we can cross this milestone before the G20," said PM Modi. PM Modi thanked for the invitation to the COP28 and said, "I am thankful for your invitation and I always look for the chance to come here. I have decided to attend the COP-28 Summit in the UAE." Recalling last year's visit, when the UAE President received PM Modi at the airport, PM Modi said, "Last year during my visit, you yourself came to the airport to meet me. There cannot be a greater proof of affinity than the respect that you have given to me. I have always received brotherly affection from you and have always felt your commitment to policies." PM further said that in the last few years, relations between India and UAE have expanded because of a huge contribution from the UAE side. Regarding the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the PM said, "Last year, we signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) historic agreement within three months which would not have been possible without your cooperation and commitment." "In the last few years, our relations have expanded and there is a huge contribution from your side. Your vision and clear thinking is the biggest strength for this nation. That is why everyone looks at you like a true friend," PM Modi added. "We are taking new initiatives to strengthen our partnership. Today's agreement on trade settlement in the currencies of both countries reflects our strong economic cooperation and trust," PM Modi added. PM Modi received a dazzling welcome in UAE as the iconic Burj Khalifa was lit up in the colours of the Indian national flag. As a part of the light-and-sound show the skyscraper also showcased PM Modis picture, followed by "Welcome Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi". The Prime Minister emplaned for the UAE on Saturday after concluding his two-day visit to France. PM Modi called his France visit "memorable", adding that it was more remarkable as he participated in the Bastille Day celebrations. He also expressed gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron and the people of France for their warmth and hospitality. During his two-day visit to France, PM Modi participated in Friday's Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour. He visited France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
Honoured to have met Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on full load commencement and handover of the 1600 MW Ultra Super Critical Godda Power Plant. I salute the dedicated teams from India and Bangladesh who braved Covid to commission the plant in record time of three-and-a-half years, Gautam Adani said in a tweet.

Adani Power has set up a 1,600 MW thermal power in Jharkhand's Godda to supply power generated to Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) through a dedicated transmission line.

Adani Power had said in June that its Godda Plant had become fully operational.

Adani Power Jharkhand Limited (APJL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Power Limited, has achieved Commercial Operations Date of its second unit of its 2 X 800 MW Godda Ultra-supercritical thermal power plant (Godda USCTPP) on June 26 at Godda district in Jharkhand, the company had said in a release.

It said the reliability run rest, including commercial operation tests of second unit of Godda power plant was completed on June 25 in the presence of BPDB and Power Grid Corporation of Bangladesh (PGCB) officials.

The first unit of the power plant, with 800 MW capacity, achieved its COD in April this year.

Power supply from Godda USCTPP to Bangladesh's grid will further enhance energy security in Bangladesh, the company had said.

Gautam Adani had met the Bangladesh Prime Minister during her visit to India in September last year. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his three-day visit to France and the United Arab Emirates. In the last leg of the visit, Prime Minister arrived in Abu Dhabi to a warm welcome by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. This reflects the depth of the bilateral relations between the two countries. Prime Minister also inspected the ceremonial Guard of Honour with Sheikh Mohamed at the magnificent Qasr Al Watan. The two leaders held wide-ranging talks on bilateral and global issues. The India-UAE relationship is rapidly transforming in line with the Vision Statement unveiled by the two leaders during their virtual summit in February 2022. During the visit, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of three historic Memoranda of Understanding (MoU). A MoU was exchanged for the establishment of a campus of IIT Delhi in Abu Dhabi between the Indian Ministry of Education, UAEs Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT). This is the first ever IIT to be set up in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region. This is a landmark project which reflects the vision of the leaders and it will be a tribute to the people of India and the UAE who are the backbone of the historic relationship. The idea behind setting up of IIT campus in Abu Dhabi is to bring the academic excellence of IITs to the wide international community. The campus aspires to be a truly global campus which will also benefit the large Indian diaspora in the UAE and the region. "This marks a significant stride in our educational internationalisation and is testament to Indias innovation prowess. Education is the bond that unites us, it's the spark that ignites innovation. Together, we will leverage this power for mutual prosperity and global betterment," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted. MoU on Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System was signed between the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates enabling the use of Indian Rupee (INR) and UAE Dirham (AED) for Cross-border Transactions. This is Indias first-ever LCS and is expected to reduce transaction costs and time and increase reliance on local currencies. This will further add to the preferential terms accruing from Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The traders can choose the payment currency based on mutual agreement. Further, the surplus balance in local currencies can be used for investing in local currency assets like corporate bonds, Government securities, equity markets etc. LCS is likely to have a transformational impact not only on the bilateral economic relationship but in larger economic engagements across the world. Under the newly implemented LCS system, the first transaction involved the sale of 25 Kg of Gold from a leading UAE gold exporter invoiced at approx 12.84 crore Rupees. Gold, gems and jewellery are the second most traded commodities between India and the UAE. Last year, the two-way trade between India and UAE was worth USD 20 billion which was about 42 per cent of total non-oil trade between the two countries. The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of MoU on bilateral cooperation on interlinking the payment and messaging systems between the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of the UAE. The MoU will facilitate the integration Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India and the Instant Payments Platform (IPP) of the UAE. It will also facilitate interlinking card switches of the two countries - RuPay switch and UAESWITCH to facilitate the mutual acceptance of their domestic cards and processing of card transactions directly without relying on any other network. Very importantly, the Central Bank of the UAE could benefit from the Structured Financial Messaging System (SFMS) developed by RBI. These linkages are also expected to further facilitate the LCS technique in the long run by providing an alternate payment-switching system. (ANI)
After concluding his day-long visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Delhi. "Concluding a productive UAE visit. Our nations are working together on so many issues aimed at making our planet better. I thank HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the warm hospitality," tweeted PM Modi. The visit was a short but a very significant visit, a landmark in the partnership between India and the UAE, said Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra before PM Modi emplaned for New Delhi. Briefing about PM Modis UAE visit, Kwatra said that the Prime Minister has held extensive discussions with the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He also termed the visit to be of tremendous strategic significance as it showcased the deep bond of friendship and trust between the Prime Minister and the President of the UAE. India and UAE had signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) last year and since the signing of that important strategic landmark agreement between the two countries, the trade and economic partnership and engagement has grown significantly between the two countries, Kwatra said. He noted that visit this time puts together another pillar of that strategic economic partnership in a couple of important ways. PM Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi witnessed an exchange of important agreements one of them being on trade settlement in local currencies and the second of them being interlinking the payment and the messaging systems of the two countries, Kwatra said in a short video message. Explaining the importance of these MoUs, Kwatra said, What it essentially does is put together important segments of the ecosystem in economic engagement that brings about ever increasing greater strategic economic convergence between the economies of India and the UAE. The MoUs also reduce the transaction time, the transaction cost and essentially ensure an enormous ease of business at the level of trade between India and UAE. Similarly, the linking up of the payment and the messaging systems of the two countries will add another dimension to our greater economic convergence and also harnesses the synergies between the two economies, he further explained. The Foreign Secretary also said that PM Modis visit will perhaps open-up new pathways for India to look at structuring similar partnership with other countries both in the region and beyond. In the video message, Kwatra also noted that PM Modis visit puts in place new foundations for partnership in economic domain which will bring about greater strategic convergence in the months and years ahead. He also said that the visit will expand economic linkages between India and UAE through the linking up of payment and messaging systems of the two countries and expanding another important layer which is the field of education cooperation between the two countries. (ANI)
Netanyahu, 73, was fully conscious en route to Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer, and walked into the emergency room, Reuters reported quoting Israel's Channel 12 TV.

He was not undergoing sedation and no procedures were underway to declare him incapacitated, as per Reuters.

Tel Hashomer is close to coastal Caesarea, where Netanyahu has a private residence. Israeli media said he was there when he reported feeling unwell.

Netanyahu took ill during the Jewish fast of Yom Kippur in early October and was briefly hospitalised.

His condition is good and he is undergoing medical tests, a statement from the Prime Ministers Office said, adding it would later provide further details.

The Times of Israel, while citing sources close to Netanyahu and Hebrew media, reported that he complained earlier of not feeling well.

The premier was brought by convoy from his home in Caesarea, where he was spending the weekend, The Times of Israel reported.

This is a developing story and further information is awaited. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in India on Saturday after concluding his two-nation tour of France and United Arab Emirates (UAE). PM Modi had emplaned from Abu Dhabi in the UAE after finishing his day-long visit to the middle-eastern country. Prior to this, PM Modi was in France for two days, where he attended the Bastille Day parade as the guest of honour. "A visit defined by transformative outcomes. PM @narendramodi emplanes for New Delhi after wrapping up a successful visit to UAE," tweeted official spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi. During the visit, the PM Modi and UAE President Al Nahyan witnessed the exchange of three historic Memoranda of Understanding (MoU). An MoU on Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System was signed between the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates enabling the use of Indian Rupee (INR) and UAE Dirham (AED) for Cross-border Transactions. "This is a very important aspect of India-UAE cooperation. It paves the way for enhanced economic collaboration and will make international financial interactions simpler," tweeted PM Modi. Another MoU was exchanged for the establishment of a campus of IIT Delhi in Abu Dhabi between the Indian Ministry of Education, UAEs Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT). This is the first ever IIT to be set up in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region. This is a landmark project which reflects the vision of the leaders and it will be a tribute to the people of India and the UAE who are the backbone of the historic relationship. "This marks a significant stride in our educational internationalisation and is testament to Indias innovation prowess. Education is the bond that unites us, it's the spark that ignites innovation. Together, we will leverage this power for mutual prosperity and global betterment," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted. A third MoU was exchanged on bilateral cooperation on interlinking the payment and messaging systems between the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of the UAE. The MoU will facilitate the integration Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India and the Instant Payments Platform (IPP) of the UAE. It will also facilitate interlinking card switches of the two countries - RuPay switch and UAESWITCH to facilitate the mutual acceptance of their domestic cards and processing of card transactions directly without relying on any other network. Prior to visiting UAE, PM Modi was in Paris, where he was conferred with France's highest highest civilian and military honour, Legion of Honour. PM Modi was hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Frances first lady Brigitte Macron at the Elysee Palace. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed their joint commitment against extremism and terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, in all forms, at both the regional and international levels, India-UAE Joint statement said on Friday. The leaders agreed to further deepen their bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism, terrorist financing, and extremism. The joint statement said that the leaders agreed to further strengthen bilateral collaboration to strengthen maritime security and connectivity in the region to promote prosperity in India, the UAE, and the shared neighbourhood. They also agreed to enhance defence exchanges, sharing of experiences, training, and capacity building. In this context, they emphasized the importance of promoting the values of peace, moderation, coexistence, and tolerance among peoples and stressed the need for all forms of extremism, hate speech, discrimination, and incitement to be renounced. Both leaders emphasized the importance of multilateralism and called for collective action to promote a just, rules-based global order. The two leaders also expressed satisfaction with the coordination between the two sides on UN Security Council matters, especially in 2022, when both countries served as non-permanent members of the UNSC. Prime Minister Modi commended the UAEs achievements during the UAEs term as an elected member of the Security Council. The UAE reiterated its endorsement of Indias bid for permanent membership of the reformed UNSC. This was the fifth visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the UAE in the last eight years. Prime Minister Modi last visited the UAE in June 2022 when he visited Abu Dhabi to meet Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to convey his greetings as he assumed the presidency of the UAE. In 2015, Prime Minister Modi became the first Prime Minister of India to visit the UAE in 34 years. This visit was followed by the visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in 2016, then in 2017, when Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the Chief Guest at Indias Republic Day celebrations. Moreover, the India-UAE relationship was formally elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the visit of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in 2017. The leaders expressed satisfaction that UAE-India relations have witnessed tremendous progress on all fronts. India-UAE trade rose to USD 85 billion in 2022, making the UAE Indias third-largest trading partner for the year 2022-23 and India's second-largest export destination. India is the UAEs second-largest trading partner. In February 2022, India became the first country with which the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Bilateral trade has increased by approximately 15 per cent since the entry into force of the CEPA on May 1, 2022. The UAE side appreciated the hosting of the Voice of Global South Summit by India in January 2023. Both sides also looked forward to further cooperation in plurilateral fora such as I2U2 and the UAE-France-India trilateral cooperation initiative. They noted that such platforms provide greater opportunities for both countries to elevate the partnership to new heights. On Friday, in Abu Dhabi, the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi exchanged a crucial Memorandum of Understanding on finance, payments and education. Memorandum of Understanding for the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions, interlinking payment and messaging systems and planning to establish the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi in Abu Dhabi were exchanged. The leaders noted that people-to-people contacts, which date back centuries, are one of the strongest and most important pillars of the historic India-UAE ties. The UAE expressed appreciation that the large Indian diaspora continues to play a significant role in the society and economy of the UAE and further reinforces bilateral relations. Prime Minister Modi thanked Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his warm hospitality to his delegation. Prime Minister Modi is looking forward to the participation of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the G20 Leaders Summit on 9-10 September 2023 in New Delhi. (ANI)
A shooting in Fargo, N.D., on Friday resulted in the death of one police officer and injuries to two others.

The suspect was also killed in the incident, and a civilian was wounded, according to police.

A man opened fire on police officers just before 3 p.m. on a busy street on Friday, according to witnesses. Police returned fire, shooting the suspect.

This is very difficult on all of us. We are releasing as much information as we can at this point, Fargo Police spokesman Gregg Schildberger said. We appreciate all the messages from the community that have been given to us in support of our officers.

The identities of the officers, the suspect and the civilian injured in the incident have not been disclosed. The Fargo Police Department said in a statement early Saturday morning that the wounded officers remained in critical condition.

The shooting marks the 380th mass shooting in the U.S. this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Later on Friday, a shooter injured five people in a car leaving a funeral in Bladensburg, Md., near the District of Columbia.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Teenage restaurant worker killed on the job in Dekalb County, shooter on the run

A 16-year-old male suffered life-threatening injuries in a shooting at a DeKalb County IHOP on Saturday morning, according to police.

DeKalb County police responded to the IHOP on Panola Road in Lithonia in reference to a person shot.

When officers arrived, they found a 16-year-old with a gunshot wound to the head. Officers told Channel 2 Action News the victim later died.

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The shooting happened just before noon, according to police.

Police said their initial information indicated that the victim and the suspect knew each other and had been engaged in an ongoing dispute.

Channel 2s Courtney Francisco spoke with Christina Xivir, the general manager of the IHOP who said she and the rest of the staff are devastated.

We are currently working with local authorities to piece together the events that unfolded at our Lithonia-based IHOP at this time our priority is taking care of the team members who were impacted, Xivir said.

Xivir said counseling will be made available to team members.

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Police did not confirm whether a suspect was arrested.

The unidentified victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment. He later died from his injuries, according to a DeKalb County Police Department spokesman.

People at neighboring restaurants and shops heard people crying out for help.

Locals like Trevarius Worthy told Channel 2 Action News hell be praying for those hurt. He had this to say to the shooter as he remained on the run: Turn yourself in. Turn yourself in. It gets worse the longer you run.

By Saturday evening, police had not released the name of the person killed or the suspected shooter.

The IHOP on Panola Rd. will remain closed Sunday after someone shot a 16-year-old employee there, according to the franchise owner.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
$160,000 donated to local food banks in Georgia to help feed families this summer

Eight Southeast food banks just received a $160,000 donation to help better combat food insecurity among families during the summer months.

According to Feeding America, 1 in 8 children across the United States may experience food insecurity, and millions of children count on school meal programs to provide their daily nutrition. However, during the summer break, many children worry about where their next meal will come from as they lose access to these crucial programs while school is not in session, Southeastern Grocers stated in a news release.

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Raymond Rhee, Chief People Officer for Southeastern Grocers, said, With children at home during the summer months, the struggle to put enough food on the table for many families is often magnified. Through our donations to local food banks and our ongoing community hunger-relief initiatives, we are proud to support the tireless work of our regional partners to bridge the nutrition gap for our neighbors in need. We are dedicated to providing families with the nourishing food they need for a healthy life, and we remain committed to strengthening the communities we serve  today and every day.

The five states SEG serves, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi, are in the top 20 for the highest poverty rates among children.

The following local food banks will each receive $20,000 to help fight hunger this summer:

 Brighter Bites - Southwest Florida

 Community Food Bank of Central Alabama

 Feeding Northeast Florida

 Feeding South Florida

 Feeding Tampa Bay

 Feeding the Gulf Coast

 Food Bank of Greater Baton Rouge

 Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

SEG is also working with nonprofits to deliver 100 cartons of fresh eggs each month to more than 550 seniors in St. Johns County, Florida.

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To learn more about SEG and the community services they provide, click here.

For more information on savings, customers are encouraged to stop in their local Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket, and Winn-Dixie stores, or visit www.frescoymas.com, www.harveyssupermarkets.com and www.winndixie.com.

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
18,000 people have completed the basic training programme for the Ukrainian military in the UK.

Source: UK Ministry of Defence, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The UK Ministry of Defence posted a video on 15 July showing some of the training.

Quote: "Op Interflex, the UK-led infantry training of Ukrainian volunteers, has so far trained 18,000 recruits. Op Interflex teaches Ukrainians how to survive and be lethal in their fight against the illegal invasion of their homeland."

The Defence Ministry recalled that Op Interflex was launched at the end of June 2022.

 Op Interflex, the UK-led infantry training of Ukrainian volunteers, has so far trained 18,000 recruits.



Launched on 26 June 2022, Op Interflex teaches Ukrainians how to survive and be lethal in their fight against the illegal invasion of their homeland.



#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/jXWrw0jXrE  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) July 15, 2023

Background: At the NATO summit in Vilnius, London announced the provision of thousands of additional shells for Challenger 2 tanks and over 70 pieces of combat and logistics equipment to Ukraine, as well as funds and organisational support to set up a rehabilitation centre for wounded soldiers.

The G7 also agreed on a framework document on security guarantees for Ukraine at NATOs Vilnius summit. The leaders have not yet agreed on the specific parameters of the security guarantees.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Criminologists who offered a psychological profile of the Gilgo Beach serial killer in 2011 came eerily close to describing suspect Rex Heuermann, who was arrested Thursday.

Serial killer experts told the New York Times in 2011 that the perpetrator who killed at least four women and dumped their bodies alongside Ocean Parkway in Long Island between 2007 and 2010 was likely to be an educated white male living on the South Shore of Long Island. Profilers said the suspect would have a job and be financially secure, drive an expensive car or truck, was likely to be married and would appear unassuming to most people.

"This is someone who can walk into a room and seem like your average Joe," said Scott Bonn, an assistant professor of sociology at Drew University in Madison, NJ, and serial-killer researcher.

"He has to be persuasive enough and rational enough that he is able to convince these women to meet him on these terms. He has demonstrated social skills. He may even be charming," he added, describing the man who murdered Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello.

WATCH: GRIM TIDE ON FOX NATION

Rex Heuermann is led into Arthur M. Cromarty Criminal Complex in Riverhead, NY on Friday, July 14, 2023. The 59-year-old is being charged with three counts of murder in relation to the deaths of victims found on Gilgo Beach.

Those descriptors are nearly an exact match for Heuermann, a Massapequa Park architect and married father of two who is now charged in connection to the Gilgo Beach murders.

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Experts suggested the unknown subject would be in his mid-20s to mid-40s.

Heuermann, 59, would have been about 46 when the last victim, Costello, was killed in September 2010.

The placement of the victims' bodies was another major clue for profilers.

READ: CASE AGAINST REX HEUERMANN

Rex Heuermann, 59, is tied to at least 11 murders after New York authorities discovered 11 sets of human remains strewn along a suburban Long Island beach highway between 2010 and 2011.

Eleven sets of human remains were discovered along a 10-mile stretch of a suburban Long Island beach highway. The area was remote enough to suggest that the perpetrator was familiar with the area, former FBI profiler Jim Clemente told the Times.

"He did not stumble upon that location," Clemente said. Since each of the victims disappeared in the summer, Clemente suggested there may be a "seasonal nature" to the killer's connection to the area. "It may be the time his wife or kids or parents are away for the summer," he suggested. "There are many possibilities."

Investigators said Friday that the murders took place at times when Heuermann's wife, Asa Ellerup, and children were out of town. His wife was in Maryland when Waterman vanished, according to Heuermann's bail application.

She was in New Jersey when Costello disappeared and Iceland when Barthelemy was last seen alive, the document said.

WHO IS REX HEUERMANN?

A Suffolk County Crime Lab detective carries items out of 385 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan on Friday, July 14, 2023. Rex Heuermanns architecture firm, RH Consultants, is located within the office building.

Heuermann pleaded not guilty to six charges during a Friday afternoon court appearance in Yaphank, New York, after being arrested Thursday evening in Manhattan. He faces charges of three counts of murder in the first degree and three counts of murder in the second degree for the deaths of Barthelemy, Waterman and Costello, according to court documents.

Investigators searched his home in Massapequa Park in Long Island, Friday, about a 25-minute drive from where New York authorities discovered the 11 sets of human remains strewn along Ocean Parkway in 2010 and 2011. Heuermann's Manhattan office was also searched.

Neighbors described Heuermann as a "creep" and expressed shock at his arrest.

Officials detailed in a bail application that Heuermann made "thousands" of Google searches for various explicit pornography and also searched for nearby sex workers. Among the Google searches that Heuermann allegedly made are "mistress long island" and "mature escorts Manhattan." Many allegedly involved child pornography.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney told Fox News on Friday that suspect Rex Heuermann's arrest came after five "hairs of significance" from four victims were able to be further studied thanks to mitochondrial DNA technology.

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The suspect purportedly used burner phones, and New York authorities were able to use a perimeter of cell phone ping locations that matched calls made to some of the victims, according to the UK Guardian.

A bail application revealed that Heuermann was arrested with the additional help of DNA from a discarded pizza box.

Police towed a black Chevrolet Avalanche truck from Heuermann's property on Friday.

Fox News' Greg Norman, Michael Ruiz, Marta Dhanis and Charles Creitz contributed to this report.
The Scene

One by one, Republican presidential hopefuls took the stage at this years Family Leadership Conference for one of their biggest opportunities so far in this cycle: The chance  without Donald Trump in attendance stealing the show  to win over religious conservatives in Iowa, a state increasingly seen as key to having a shot at winning the nomination.

And one by one, they were met with Tucker Carlson, who repeatedly turned to his favorite topics.

Mike Pence sparred with Carlson on January 6 and Ukraine, with the conversation getting noticeably tense as the former Fox News host repeatedly pressed him over claims that the Ukrainian government has arrested priests.

I just told you I asked the religious leader in Kyiv if it was happening. You asked me if I raised the issue and I did, Pence replied after one lengthy back and forth about Ukraine. During another portion of the conversation, when Carlson suggested Pence is more concerned for Ukraine than American cities, the former vice president pushed back, noting hed heard the routine from you before.

Much of his conversation also focused on January 6, where Pence declined to describe the riot as an insurrection, a word Carlson derided on his former Fox News show, but rather opted to call it a riot.

Tim Scott was pressed about Carlsons idea that Mexico is more dangerous than Russia, and dodged when asked if he supports sending cluster munitions to Ukraine (arguing instead that it wouldnt be an issue if he were in the Oval Office.)

Asa Hutchinson perhaps fared worst of all: He spent much of his time in front of the roughly 2,000 attendees trying to defend his decision to veto a bill that would have barred surgeries and hormone therapy for transgender minors. At one point during that interview, Hutchinson tried to pivot, telling him that he hoped theyd be able to talk about some issues.

Well, this is one of the biggest issues in the country, Carlson replied to applause.

For some candidates, the opportunity to sit down with one of the most influential commentators in conservative politics proved to be a blessing: After the event, several attendees who spoke with Semafor singled out Vivek Ramaswamy as the candidate who impressed them most throughout the day by directly answering Carlsons questions.

I would negotiate the deal that ends the Ukraine war  freeze the current lines of control, yes, that means giving part of the Donbas region to Russia, Ramaswamy said at one point. I would make a hard commitment that NATO never admits Ukraine to NATO.

Nikki Haley, who was largely saved from Carlsons Ukraine probing, also impressed those watching the cattle call. She pledged to keep fighting against voting practices she felt were unfair, like certain uses of mail-in ballots, and cited irregularities in the 2020 election, but made clear she did not believe Trump won.

Do I think that changed the results of the election? No, she said. I think President Biden ended up winning the election, but I think at the end of the day it showed weve got a lot of work to do in terms of election integrity.

Ron DeSantis, who wrapped up the evening, was pressed on his changing answers on Ukraine  he said onstage he wanted a sustainable peace and opposed open-ended conflict  and asked about whether hed sign Floridas six-week abortion ban on a national level.

Im proud to have been a pro-life governor and I will be a pro-life president, so I mean, of course I want to sign pro-life legislation, he said.

Shelbys view

Carlsons style grated on some campaigns and observers, who felt he fixated on his own obsessions rather than topics more tailored to an evangelical audience. A Pence advisor told Semafor that theyd prepped the former vice president on both January 6 and Ukraine, but ultimately felt it was somewhat unfortunate that those were the two major topics in front of an audience of religious and social conservatives.

But the former Fox host also repeatedly made news by dropping the typically deferential style from other cattle calls and prodding candidates directly on some of the most sensitive questions with the partys populist base.

Tucker was amazing. He was on fire. His questions were incredibly provocative, but important  they were the right ones, Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project, said. I would be willing to bet that if you had done a straw poll at the end of this and included Tuckers name in it, he would be top one or two as a presidential candidate.

Room for Disagreement

Not all attendees loved Carlsons choice of questions: One couple said they werent as focused on Ukraine topics as he seemed to be.

I think its a waste of time to ask a non-person, who cant do anything about it, what they would do about it, Scott Steelman, an Iowa voter in attendance, said. I mean, Tucker Carlson has an issue with it, and hes making it an issue.

Notable
DES MOINES, Iowa  On paper it was a chance for presidential candidates to appeal to conservative Christians in the nations first caucus state. In practice, it doubled as the Tucker Carlson show.

Most of the Republican field arrived at a packed convention center Friday for an annual forum traditionally billed as a chance for candidates to pitch themselves to Iowas influential evangelicals. Instead, several were subjected to a combative stress test conducted by the ousted Fox News anchor whose 9 million-strong Twitter following demonstrates his continued sway over the GOP.

One candidate Carlson did not have the opportunity to grill on stage was former President Donald Trump. The GOP fields frontrunner skipped the event, citing a scheduling conflict  a move that angered the head of the hosting organization, The Family Leader, a large and politically active organization of evangelical church leaders.

It also offered second-place Ron DeSantis and lower-ranked candidates like Sen. Tim Scott, Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy an opening to make further inroads in Iowa.

Carlson, who now hosts his own show on Twitter, allowed time for candidates to talk about abortion  one of the most prevalent issues for The Family Leader. But he primarily used his perch to press candidates on issues of importance to him: namely, the United States' role in the ongoing war in Ukraine.



And he saved most of his animus for former Vice President Mike Pence.

In the most contentious interview of the day, Carlson laced into the underdog candidate over his position on the war and his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, when Trumps supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and called for hanging Pence for certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Carlson  a fierce Trump defender who later soured on the ex-president  challenged, interrupted and contradicted the soft-spoken Pence at nearly every turn. As a result, the devout Christian candidate faced hostility and jeers at a summit that would have once provided him with a friendly audience.

Ive never used the word insurrection, Tucker, Pence said when asked if he agreed with that term. He called Jan. 6 a tragic day and a riot that took place at the Capitol, and sought to strike a middle ground by admonishing the demonstrators violence as well as the fatal shooting of Trump backer Ashli Babbitt by a police officer.

Ill always believe that by Gods grace, I did my duty that day under the Constitution of the United States of America, and our institutions held, Pence said to tepid applause, later saying he was infuriated by how the Capitol building and law enforcement officers were treated.



Pence tried to pivot to criticizing Black Lives Matter demonstrations, but Carlson grilled him even harder on the subject of Ukraine. He insisted Pence does not take seriously enough Carlsons claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raided convents, arrested priests, has effectively banned the Christian denomination of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church within Ukraine, has persecuted Christians.

Pence said he raised these issues with a religious leader during a recent visit to Kyiv and was assured that the Ukrainian government was respecting religious liberty.

Carlson was unmoved. I sincerely wonder how a Christian leader could support the arrest of Christians for having different views, he said.

The heated exchange continued throughout the 25-minute interview, with Pence later tweeting that his remarks were taken out of context. A Pence spokesperson declined to comment further on the exchange.

The tense back-and-forth underscored both Pences difficulty in the race and the ongoing shift in the Republican Party, whose traditionalists believe the United States should defend Ukraine and move away from Trump's influence.

But it is clear that influence is here to stay.

Tucker Carlson is good at what he does. I think some of Pences responses  for a vice president to get boos, audible boos, from the audience? Thats a big deal, Mike Demastus, pastor of the Fort Des Moines Church of Christ, said after the event. I even heard one pastor friend of mine say, His campaigns over.



While several audience members applauded Carlsons style and focus on the war, establishment Republicans expressed dismay.

Republicans will live to regret treating Tucker Carlson as a GOP standard-bearer. On nearly every issue of consequence hes so deeply outside the mainstream: from whitewashing 1/6, to espousing pro-Kremlin misinfo, he is beyond wrong & it will cost us in the ballot box, tweeted former Trump staffer and The View co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin.

Meanwhile, several candidates stayed on Carlsons wavelength and enjoyed much friendlier interviews.

DeSantis and Ramaswamy  who blamed Jan. 6 on anger people felt over what he described as pervasive censorship in this country  seemed to appease Carlson by generally agreeing with his position on the Ukraine war.

Some in the audience mused that the setup was particularly tough for a few candidates, like Pence and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

I imagine that Vice President Pence would have liked to speak more about his record on defending unborn life, Chris Hagenow, president of Iowans for Tax Relief and a former state lawmaker, said. There certainly were a set of questions that he spent most of his time on that he probably would have liked to move off of more quickly.
27,000-year-old pendants crafted from the skin of extinct giant sloths could help rewrite the human history of the Americas

The artifacts. Thais Rabito Pansani/AP

Researchers found what appeared to be pendants made from the now-extinct giant sloth.

The artifacts are believed to date from around 25,000 to 27,000 years ago.

It suggests humans lived in South America thousands of years earlier than previously thought.

Pendants made of bony material from giant sloths suggest humans lived in South America thousands of years earlier than previously thought, researchers say.

Scientists believe the artifacts date to around 25,000 to 27,000 years ago, according to a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the Royal Society's main biological research journal.

While it was long thought that humans migrated to the Americas by crossing a land bridge from Siberia into Alaska around 13,000 years ago, recent research has challenged that view.

"We now have good evidence  together with other sites from South and North America  that we have to rethink our ideas about the migration of humans to the Americas," Mirian Liza Alves Forancelli Pacheco, study co-author and archaeologist at the Federal University of Sao Carlos in Brazil, told The Associated Press.

The remains of the now-extinct giant sloth were discovered at the Santa Elina rock shelter in Brazil, and they included thousands of osteoderms  hard bony deposits that form within the skin of certain animals.

Other giant ground sloth skeletons have been found in places like Florida. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

According to the study, three of the osteoderms appeared to have been polished and had holes drilled into them, suggesting humans had modified them into what was likely "personal ornaments," researchers said. They added that the holes were not caused by natural abrasion, The AP reported.

The scientists said that the pendants were made within days or a few years of the animal dying, the report adds.

Findings across such sites also challenge the idea that humans arrived in the Americas in one wave of migration over the Bering land bridge, according to Briana Pobiner, a co-author and paleoanthropologist at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in Washington.

"It's very likely that multiple waves of people came to Americas," she said, according to The AP.

Giant ground sloths could reach 13 feet long, weighed more than a thousand pounds and were equivalent in size to an Indian elephant. It walked on all fours and was one of the largest creatures in South America, per the report.

Read the original article on Business Insider
7 reasons why we now know going on the Titan sub was a very bad idea

Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, died in when the Titan imploded. David L. Ryan/Getty Images

Five people died in June after the Titan submersible imploded on a dive to see the Titanic.

Many safety concerns relating to the sub have been brought to light since the tragedy.

Here's seven reasons why we now know going on the sub was a very bad idea.

Five people on OceanGate's Titan submersible died when it imploded in June.

The sub was on an expedition to the Titanic wreckage, which sits nearly 13,000 feet below the ocean surface, when it lost communications with its support ship an hour and 45 minutes into the trip.

US Coast Guard officials said the sub probably suffered a "catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber."

In the weeks following the incident, multiple reports appeared detailing significant concerns that had surrounded the sub long before its fateful final journey  many of which passengers may have been unaware.

Here's seven reasons why we now know going on the Titan sub was a very bad idea.

1. The Titan sub was not certified by regulatory bodies

Former OceanGate consultant Rob McCallum warned CEO Stockton Rush in 2018 that he was putting passengers in danger and urged him not to carry out expeditions until the sub was proven to be safe.

"Until a sub is classed, tested and proven it should not be used for commercial deep dive operations," McCallum told Rush in an email reviewed by Insider.

OceanGate said in an archived blog post that getting the Titan classed would be a lengthy process, which could stifle innovation.

"Bringing an outside entity up to speed on every innovation before it is put into real-world testing is anathema to rapid innovation," OceanGate said in the 2019 post.

2. The sub only reached the depth of the Titanic on 13 out of 90 dives

The Titan submersible had successfully reached the depth of the Titanic wreck on "as few as 13" out of 90 dives, according to OceanGate's four-page liability waiver, which also describes the sub as "experimental" three times.

3. OceanGate's approach to engineering was "ad hoc"

McCallum told Insider in June that OceanGate's engineering approach was "ultimately inappropriate." The former consultant said the differences between OceanGate and other submersible operators' engineering standards were "profound".

"Comparing Titan to the commercial fleet is the same as comparing a home-built go-kart with a Formula 1 car," he said.

4. An expert heard a "defect" in 2019

Karl Stanley, a submersible expert who was a friend of Stockton Rush, told NewsNation he heard "cracking" sounds when he went on the sub in April 2019 and emailed Rush about his concerns.

"What we heard, in my opinion  sounded like a flaw/defect in one area being acted on by the tremendous pressures and being crushed/damaged," Stanley told Rush in emails seen by CNN.

5. OceanGate's liability waiver mentions death numerous times

The waiver, signed by a prospective passenger, lists all the ways people could be at risk of harm and mentions "death" three times on the first page.

The risks of death stated in the document include from "extreme pressure," "unpredictable" conditions, from boarding "small vessels and other equipment," or any other failure of the sub.

It also included being exposed to high-pressure gasses, pure oxygen servicing, and high-voltage electrical systems.

6. Titan failed a test dive in 2021

It failed a test dive in 2021 because its thrusters stopped working, Brian Weed, a former passenger, told Insider

He added that it was stuck underwater for more than two hours and never made it deeper than 100 feet.

Tests on the sub also found that its carbon-fiber hull "showed signs of cyclic fatigue" at lower depths, according to GeekWire.

7. Inadequate "quality control and safety" protocols

OceanGate's former director of marine operations, David Lochridge, sued the company in 2018 after he raised a number of red flags over the sub.

He warned the company's management about inadequate "quality control and safety" protocols and said he had major concerns about the lack of testing on the hull.

Lochridge claimed in the lawsuit he was then fired and accused of breach of contract. The case was reportedly settled out of court in November 2018.

OceanGate did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Read the original article on Insider
DENVER  Aaron Judge took a step in the right direction on Friday, testing his right big toe with some on-field batting practice at Coors Field.

Judge, who has been out since tearing a ligament in his toe on June 3, said he didnt feel limited at all while swinging. The outfielder, who is using orthotic insoles, also did some running, though not at full speed.

I really wouldnt say pain, Judge said when asked if he felt any while hitting. Id say were getting better every single day. Like its not healed. So obviously, it is what it is, but were progressing every single day.

While Judge seemed happy with his BP session, he did not want to talk about possible target dates for his return to a Yankees lineup that has missed him.

Im just trying to get closer every single day, he said. When Im out there, you guys will see me out there.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone, meanwhile, had some fun when asked if theres a shot Judge could return before the end of July.

Sure. I think theres a shot, Boone said before looking into a YES Network camera. Now, is that going to be Aaron Boone said that he thinks hell be back in July? Thats not what I said.

Yes, theres a shot. But thats all. I was answering a question. Theres a shot that could happen, but Im not going to put a time frame on this. Hes doing well, and were encouraged by what were seeing. Hell be ready when hes ready.

Boone also said he was encouraged by Judges hitting and running, but he wasnt thinking about how many rehab games the slugger will need just yet. The manager said that decision will be made once Judge is ready for games.

The biggest step will be when I get a chance to be on the field and Im in games, Judge said. Thats gonna be the real test for me.

Boone and Judge also noted that the latter needs to build up his stamina and endurance, a process that will continue even after he returns.

Once we get him back, well probably have to bring that along a little bit slowly, Boone said, but Ive been encouraged that hes been running and hitting and moving in a good direction.

Added Judge: Were slowly progressing to where we need to be. Now its just about getting reps and maybe the endurance and stamina. Being off of it for five weeks is tough.
Accused Russian intelligence officer pleads not guilty to US smuggling charges

U.S. and Ukrainian flags are pictured prior to the start of the UUkraine Defense Consultative Group meeting hosted by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Ramstein

By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) -An alleged Russian intelligence officer pleaded not guilty on Friday to U.S. charges of smuggling U.S.-origin electronics and ammunition to Russia to help its war against Ukraine.

Vadim Konoschenok, who was extradited on Thursday from Estonia, entered the plea at a hearing in federal court in Brooklyn.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Ramon Reyes ordered Konoschenok detained pending trial, after prosecutors called him a flight risk.

"No matter where you are in the world, if you violate U.S. export controls or evade U.S. sanctions, we will not rest until you face justice," Breon Peace, the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, said in a statement.

Sabrina Shroff, a U.S.-based lawyer for Konoschenok, declined to comment.

The Russian embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.

Konoschenok, 48, was detained by Estonian authorities in October 2022 while trying to cross into Russia carrying 35 types of semiconductors and electronic components, some of which were subject to U.S. export controls, prosecutors said.

He told co-conspirators in electronic communications that he charged a 10% fee for dealing in controlled items. "Can't do less. Sanctions," he wrote, according to prosecutors.

Konoschenok was initially charged last September, as U.S. authorities sought to ramp up enforcement of export controls and sanctions designed to hamper Moscow's war effort.

His next scheduled court appearance is July 31.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen; editing by John Stonestreet and Sandra Maler)
On the night of 14-15 July, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with six Shahed drones, four of them were destroyed.

Source: The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Quote: "On the night of 14-15 July, the enemy attacked with six Shahed type attack drones from the south.

Four enemy attack drones were destroyed by the assets and personnel of the Air Force in the south and east of the country."

Details: The Air Force does not report hits and their consequences.

And during the day of 14 July (in addition to the 16 Shahed drones shot down at night), air defence destroyed three reconnaissance tactical UAVs (Orlan and Zala) and three Lancet attack drones.

Background: Natalia Humeniuk, Head of the Joint press centre of the Defence Forces of Ukraine's south, reported the strike in Zaporizhzhia Oblast during an overnight Russian attack with Shahed drones.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Akron man gets life in prison in shooting death of 24-year-old man on New Year's Eve 2019

Dustin Austin watches as the jurors enter Summit County Court of Common Pleas for closing arguments in his June 9 trial for the shooting death of Darrick Boyer on New Year's Eve 2019 in Akron.

Dustin Austin of Akron was sentenced Friday to life in prison after being found guilty of killing 24-year-old Darrick Boyer on New Years Eve 2019.

Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Susan Baker Ross sentenced Austin, 39, who will be eligible for parole after serving 31 years in prison.

Austin was found guilty June 9 of aggravated murder and numerous other charges, including murder, felonious assault, aggravated robbery, kidnapping and having a weapon while under disability, which means he was prohibited from having a firearm because of a prior conviction. Several charges included gun specifications.

Austin was one of two men charged in the death of Boyer, who was found with multiple gunshot wounds about 10:45 p.m. Dec. 31, 2019, in a silver Chevrolet Malibu in the 800 block of Kenyon Street. Boyer was taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General, where he later died.

Dustin Austin found guilty: Jurors find Akron man guilty of aggravated murder in man's shooting on New Year's Eve 2019

Deonbra Mosley, 32, of Akron, accepted a plea deal that required him to testify against Austin. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is serving a 13- to 18-year prison sentence.

Mosley testified in June that he, Austin and a third male went to Austins cousins house on New Years Eve when Austin heard his cousin yelling. He said all three of them were armed.

Deonbra Mosley sentenced: Akron man gets at least 13 years in prison for his part in man's fatal shooting

Mosley said Austin told him to have Boyer strip to see if he had a gun. He said he was walking away when he heard a noise. He said he turned around and started shooting. He said Austin and the other male also fired at Boyer and his car.

Akron man killed: Medical examiner identifies New Years Eve homicide victim

Beacon Journal reporter Stephanie Warsmith contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron man gets life in prison for fatal New Year's Eve shooting
An Alabama lawmaker is holding up the military's ability to move around budgeted funds and cover funding shortfalls because the Air Force hasn't announced whether U.S. Space Command will be permanently located in his state.

The move by Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican chairman of the powerful House Armed Services Committee, has put the Air Force in a bind as it faces a personnel funding shortfall and looks to extend some deployments and pause some bonuses. Rogers said Friday he is holding up reprogramming requests that could relieve the money woes because the service hasn't confirmed the command's move to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville.

A final basing decision for the command headquarters, now temporarily located at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, has languished for the past two and half years -- despite an announcement in the waning days of the Trump administration that Alabama was the preferred location -- as lawmakers wrangle over having the prestige, funding and jobs of a military command in their states.

Read Next: GOP Uses Must-Pass Defense Bill to Thwack at Abortion, Transgender Troops as Legislation Passes House

Despite telling some news outlets earlier in the week that accusations of him holding up reprogramming requests over the Space Command basing decision were a "misrepresentation of the HASC processes," asked Friday by Military.com if that's what he's doing, Rogers replied, "I am."

"All the Air Force has got to do is make an announcement," Rogers said. "I don't care what the announcement is. Make an announcement. They've had 13 months since the inspector general finished reviewing it and said there was no political interference. Make an announcement."

Rogers' decision to hold up reprogramming requests, a move where the Pentagon seeks congressional approval to shuffle around its appropriated funds, comes as the Air Force has announced it is pausing some duty assignments and reenlistment and retention bonuses, as well as extending some deployments due to fears of running out of money in the personnel budget.

By policy and tradition, the Pentagon seeks approval from the leaders of the House and Senate armed services and appropriations committees before moving any money between accounts. But there is no law that requires the department to get approval first, as famously demonstrated when the Trump administration raided Pentagon coffers to fund its border wall despite congressional opposition.

While the Air Force's announcement on personnel shortfalls is the first visible effect of Rogers' hold, hundreds of millions of dollars in reprogramming requests across the military branches are reportedly being delayed, including funding for weapons testing and shipyard maintenance, according to a memo obtained by CQ Roll Call.

Democrats in Colorado's congressional delegation blasted Rogers' move as harmful to service members.

"This legislative hostage-taking is unconscionable and must stop," Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and Reps. Joe Neguse, Diana DeGette, Brittany Pettersen, Yadira Caraveo and Jason Crow said in a joint statement Wednesday. "We urge the Biden administration to make a final Space Command basing decision and believe that any assessment rooted in national security will keep Space Command in Colorado."

But Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, said Rogers is within his rights to use his power as chairman to force a decision that the Democrat agrees is long overdue.

"I don't blame him," Smith told reporters Thursday. "They've waited way too long to make a decision on this."

A Department of the Air Force official told Military.com that there is not a timeline for a final announcement regarding U.S. Space Command headquarters.

In January 2021, during the last days of the Trump administration, the Department of the Air Force selected the Army's Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, as the preferred location for Space Command's permanent headquarters.

Since that announcement, members of Colorado's congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., have been fighting to have the decision reviewed in hopes of keeping the base, as well as 1,400 jobs and millions of dollars of economic impact, in their home state.

Two watchdog reports, one by the Pentagon's inspector general and another by the Government Accountability Office, requested by members of Colorado's delegation in Congress, followed. The reports did not point to any major issues with Huntsville as a location for the base, but did scrutinize the process for choosing the location.

Four months ago, in March, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told Military.com that the final decision will come "fairly soon" but further analysis is needed.

"I hoped to make a decision and make an announcement earlier," Kendall said during a roundtable at the Air and Space Force Association's Air Warfare Symposium. "We're doing some additional analysis. We want to make very sure we got this right and have a well-defended decision."

The hold on reprogramming requests is the latest way the Alabama congressional delegation is flexing its muscle to force a decision.

Rogers included a provision in this year's House-passed defense policy bill that would block funding to build out the Space Command headquarters until a final location is announced.

Similar provisions were championed by other Alabama lawmakers and included in the Senate defense policy bill and the House and Senate defense spending bills.

The Supreme Court's ruling last year to overturn Roe v. Wade, known as Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, has also been viewed as a significant factor affecting the basing decision, according to Colorado and Alabama lawmakers.

Moving Space Command from Colorado, where abortion access is unrestricted, to Alabama, where it is illegal with limited exceptions, is one of the major differences that has emerged during the debate over the headquarters.

The Pentagon's new leave policy allowing service members to more easily travel to other states to obtain abortions from civilian medical providers has come into another Alabama lawmaker's sights. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R- Ala., has single-handedly delayed hundreds of military promotions over the issue, though he has been careful not to connect his blockade to the Space Command basing fight.

But his hold on military promotions is directly affecting Space Command. This week, President Joe Biden named the Space Force's Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting to be promoted to the leader of the command.

Tuberville's political move makes it unclear when the Space Force officer will be approved for his next post.

-- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel.

-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.

Related: Lawmakers Pressure Air Force to Finally Make Space Command HQ Basing Decision
An Alabama woman is missing after stopping to help a toddler she saw walking on the interstate, police say

Editors Note: CNNs continuing coverage can be seen here.

An Alabama woman has gone missing after telling a 911 dispatcher that she saw a toddler walking alone on the side of an interstate, according to local police.

The woman, 25-year-old Carlethia Carlee Nichole Russell, called 911 around 9:34 p.m. local time on Thursday, according to a Facebook post from the Hoover Police Department.

Russell told the dispatcher that she saw a toddler walking on the side of I-459 South. After calling 911, she stopped to check on the child and called a family member who lost contact with her, though the line remained open, according to the Facebook post.

When officers, who were already en route from the initial 911 call, arrived at the scene, they found Russells vehicle and some of her belongings, including her phone, but no sign of her or the child. Police have not received any reports or calls for a missing child, according to the Facebook post.

In a press conference on Friday, police said the case remains open and active and a reward of up to $25,000 has been offered.

Carlethia "Carlee" Nichole Russell is seen in an image released by the Hoover, Alabama police department. - Hoover Police Department

Russells mother, Talitha Russell, told CNN affiliate WBRC that she was working to stay positive during the search for her daughter.

We are trusting God, we are staying positive, we are not allowing any negative thoughts to enter our minds, she told WBRC. So all that we are doing is trusting God, believe in God that our daughter will be brought home safely.

Russell is 5 feet 4 inches tall and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black pants, and white Nike shoes, according to the Hoover police Facebook post. Police urged anyone who may have seen Russell or who has any information about the case to contact the department.

Hoover, the sixth largest city in Alabama, is located around 10 miles south of Birmingham.

CNNs Zoe Sottile contributed to this report.

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Almost all of Missouri is experiencing drought, but Springfield water supply OK for now

As summer soldiers on, Missouri continues to dry out. According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's U.S. Drought Monitor, 99% of the state was experiencing some level of drought as of July 11.

In Nixa, residents recently received a message from the city urging the public to "use less water for things like watering lawns of washing vehicles." According to the City of Nixa, "Nixa Utilities water department had to shut down one of our wells because the water table is only 4 feet above the pump and we cant risk pulling mud or air into the system."

More: Drought? Springfield spared as statewide conditions worsen

So do Springfield citizens have to worry? Not yet, says Joel Alexander, City Utilities spokesperson, but it never hurts to be conscious of water usage.

Currently, water storage for McDaniel and Fellows lakes is at 82%, which is below the 91% average. CU activated its Stockton Lake pumps earlier in July.

"Conserving and using our water resources wisely is always a good idea but with the drought situation all around us, its important for everyone to help," Alexander said in an email. "As one of our former managers liked to say, we can store, treat, and deliver the water, but we cant create it."

If the storage capacity falls to 60%, City Utilities would activate its Emergency Water Conservation Plan.

Nixa asks residents to limit filling pools, washing boats

Though Nixa is not yet implementing mandatory water use restrictions, the city is asking the public to do the following:

Minimize outdoor watering as much as possible;

Odd number addresses should water lawns only on odd number calendar days;

Even number addresses should water lawns only on even number calendar days;

Refrain from washing sidewalks, driveways, or other exterior surfaces;

Limit washing of vehicles, boats, and other equipment;

Limit filling or refilling of pools and hot tubs, tanks, or other vessels not used directly for public health.

For Springfield residents, Alexander recommended that those looking to conserve water  and save some money  use the even/odd watering method, as well. To find additional tips, customers can visit the City Utility website at cityutilities.net/save/water.

Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield's water supply OK, but conservation 'always a good idea'
The credit union, FMO, was created to foster greater financial prosperity for women of color and AKA members.

Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), the United States oldest Black sorority, is launching a groundbreaking new credit union and placing ownership in the hands of its members.

For Members Only (FMO), which celebrated its grand opening Wednesday, is the nations first sorority-based financial institution to be owned and led by Black women, according to ABC 11.

FMO membership will be available to the nearly 500,000 AKA members across the globe, as well as their immediate families, sorority staff, and employees of the credit union, per the report.

Screenshot of Sorority members at FMO event via ABC 7 Chicago (YouTube)

Every member will be an owner of the credit union, Terri Bradford Eason, executive director of FMO, told ABC 11.

An idea several years in the making, FMO was created to foster greater financial prosperity for women of color, which is one of the AKAs six core initiatives.

Everyone doesnt understand the impact we make financially, so you have to start doing things so folks know we know how to control our money, Danette Anthony Reed, international president and CEO of AKA, told the outlet.

Founded 115 years ago in 1908, the AKAs are a part of the Divine Nine, or the National Pan-Hellenic Council, which consists of the nine major African American Greek-letter fraternities and sororities, as previously reported by theGrio.

Launched during an AKA leadership conference at the sororitys Chicago headquarters, FMO will offer banking services including loans and primary savings accounts.

Screenshot via ABC 7 Chicago (YouTube)

The National Credit Union Administration will charter, insure and regulate FMO operations, ABC 11 reported.

Its just awesome to know well have the opportunity to actually do something financial, Monica Teal, a member of AKA, told the outlet while waiting in line to open an FMO account.

We want to invest in what we own, said FMO board member Deadra Hayes-Whigham, who has subscribed to the credit union along with her family members.

theGrios Keydra Manns contributed to this report.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority launches members-only credit union appeared first on TheGrio.
American Airlines adds daily flights at CLT to Midwest city where John Deere is based

A small airport about 170 miles west of Chicago lobbying for nonstop service to Charlotte saw its efforts pay off.

ALSO READ: American Airlines resumes seasonal service to Paris

Quad Cities International Airport in Moline, Illinois, announced yesterday that American Airlines will launch two daily flights this winter to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Moline is home to the headquarters of Deere & Co., which makes agricultural, construction and forestry equipment and machinery under the John Deere banner.

Read more here.

VIDEO: American Airlines flight turned around due to mechanical issue




July 15, 9 a.m. Update:

The Polk County Sheriffs Office said eight people were treated for minor injuries after the crash in Lakeland.

The sheriffs office, the Lakeland Police Department, and the Lakeland Fire Department responded to the scene.

Original story:

An Amtrak train derailed after colliding with a truck-trailer in Lakeland Friday evening, according to the company.

It happened around 7 p.m. when Amtrak Train 92 came into contact with a truck-trailer combination obstructing the track at a grade crossing. The collision damaged the Amtrak train and the leading locomotive lost contact with the track, according to the company. Seven people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

READ: Police: Orlando officers shoot, kill woman who charged at them with knives after threatening suicide

Amtrak is working with local emergency responders to move the approximately 166 passengers and 10 crew members from the train to a shelter, company said.

Train 92 originates daily in Miami and used tracks owned, maintained and controlled by CSX railroad in the area of the collison, Amtrak said. The train was traveling from Miami to New York.

READ: Student loan forgiveness: $39 billion in debt relief announced for 804,000 borrowers

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.
Trifonov_Evgeniy - Getty Images

Deciphering a previously unknown script could unlock a better understanding of the ancient Kushan Empire of Central Asia.

The unknown Kushan script was found in the 1950s, but only understood this year.

About 60 percent of the characters can now be read, thanks to a connection to the known Bactrian language.

Script discovered carved in caves, marked on bowls, and found on clay pots in Central Asia has baffled linguists since its discovery more than 70 years ago. But this unknown Kushan script from the once-powerful Kushan Empire is finally understandable again, thanks to a team of researchers deciphering about 60 percent of the characters.

As they work to finish the task, they hope that their progress reveals new insight into the history of the Kushan Empire.

In a study published in the journal Transactions of the Philological Society, the research team from Germanys University of Cologne announced that their breakthrough came as the result of a new find that allowed the script to be linked to the already known Bactrian language.

According to a news release from the researchers at Cologne, the previously unknown Kushan script was in use from about 200 BC to 700 BC. It was associated with the early nomadic people of the Eurasian steppe, such as the Yuezhi and the ruling dynasty of the Kushansan empire known for the a love of architecture and art and the spread of Buddhism.

Teams originally located several dozen short inscriptions joined by a longer trilingual script in present-day Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan. None of it was decipherable at the time. Then, in 2022, a short bilingual script carved into a rock face in the Almosi Gorge in northwestern Tajikistan was uncovered, displaying the unknown Kushan script alongside the known Bactrian language. The team compared the Bactrian found in both the bilingual and trilingual scripts to make further connections.

The royal name Vema Takhtu appeared in both Bactrian parallel texts, and the title King of Kings was identified in corresponding sections of the Kushan script. That was the key. The linguists then analyzed character sequences to determine the phonetic value of individual characters.

The title especially proved to be a good indicator of the underlying language, the team wrote. Step by step, using the Bactrian parallel text, the linguists were able to analyze further character sequences and determine the phonetic values of individual characters.

As they uncovered additional character meanings, the team realized that the Kushan scriptwhich they now call Eteo-Tocharianwas a completely unknown Middle Iranian language. It was identical to no other known language, but lay somewhere between the Bactrian and the Khotanese Saka from western China.

The researchers have since concluded that the Kushan script was likely the language of nomadic peoples of Inner Asia, who originally lived in northwestern China. It also likely served as one of the official languages of the Kushan Empire alongside Bactrian, Gandhari/Middle Indo-Aryan, and Sanskrit.

Our decipherment of this script can help enhance our understanding of the language and cultural history of Central Asia and the Kushan Empire, the team said, similar to the deciphering of the Egyptian hieroglyphs or Mayan glyphs for our understanding of ancient Egypt or Mayan civilizations.

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The case of Emanuela Orlandi, the 15-year-old daughter of a Vatican employee who went missing in Rome 40 years ago, has taken another twist as her brother dismissed what he described as a shameful attempt by the Vatican and Rome prosecutors to cast blame on the family by suggesting a dead uncle was behind the teenagers unsolved disappearance.

The case has gripped Italy ever since and sparked conspiracy theories involving everyone from the mafia, to international terrorists to the top ranks of the Catholic Church. It gained further international attention with the release last fall of Netflixs Vatican Girl docuseries by filmmaker Mark Lewis.

Pietro Orlandi, who has dedicated his life to the search for his missing sister, made the comments at a press conference Tuesday, a day after the Italian news channel La7 ran a special report based on documents included in an investigative dossier the Vatican handed over to Rome prosecutors in June after reopening the case in January.

Among the documents was correspondence between Agostino Casaroli, then Vatican secretary of state, and a Colombian priest who had been the spiritual guide and confessor of the Orlandi family.

According to the documents turned over by the Vatican to the city of Rome prosecutor, which Pietro Orlandi and his lawyer Laura Sgro verified as authentic, Mario Meneguzzi, who was married to Emanuelas maternal aunt, had sexually harassed Emanuelas then 21-year-old sister Natalina, around the period the teen disappeared, suggesting he may have abused the missing girl.

The document about the uncle, which the prosecutor gave the Italian television program, suggests that the potential lead was overlooked, even though the Orlandi family says the claim against the uncle was investigated and his involvement dismissed. Now the Orlandi family fears that the Vatican dossier does not include investigatory leads they hoped the Rome prosecutor would follow  primarily that the Vatican was somehow involved.

Orlandi wrote on his Facebook page after the program aired that his hopes of hearing some good news had been dashed. By the way, my uncle was 200 kilometers (124 miles) away on holiday with his family that evening when my father phoned him and he came straight away to Rome  things the Prosecutors Office knew very well because everything has been in the documents for 40 years. A shameful action that happened this evening.

Pietro Orlandi (left) and Natalina Orlandi, siblings of Emanuela Orlandi, deliver a press conference regarding new developments in the case, at the Foreign Press Association in Rome, on July 11, 2023. - Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images

The Vatican has also responded to the documentary, with a spokesman saying the Holy See shares the familys desire to get to the truth about the facts and, to this end, hopes that all investigative hypotheses are explored.

The spokesman also stressed that the unnamed priest had not broken any vows related to the sacred sacrament of penance, commonly known as confession, since the priest had spoken with Natalina both in a confessional and conversational setting

Emanuela disappeared on June 22, 1983 after a lesson at a music school adjacent to the SantApollinare Opus Dei Catholic Church near Piazza Navona in Rome.

The teenager was the daughter of a prominent Vatican employee and lived inside the fortified walls of Vatican City, where her mother still lives.

On the 40th anniversary of her death, Pope Francis mentioned the saga in his Sunday angelus, expressing his closeness to the family, above all, the mother, adding that he prayed for them and all families who carry the grief, the disappearance of a loved one, which gave hope to Orlandi family that perhaps the documents in the Vatican dossier might uncover a new lead.

Natalina Orlandi told the press conference that her uncle had tried to approach her for around a month, but she refused and eventually involved her boyfriend at the time.

Then it was over, we never looked back, she said, adding that the family had maintained good relations with the uncle, his wife and their children. While admitting that she had a poor opinion of her uncle, who died a decade ago, she does not think he was involved in her sisters disappearance. We exclude the possibility, she said.

Pietro Orlandi emphasized that his sister Natalina was 21 and Emanuela was 15 at the time. That would be pedophilia, a whole different story, he said, when asked if he also excluded the uncle as a suspect.

Laura Sgro, the attorney for the Orlandi family, said at the press conference that the authorities had also cleared the uncle.

The Italian judiciary had already dealt with this affair in the early 1980s without arriving at any result, she said. I hope these are not the only papers, which are by no means new, that the Vatican prosecutor has sent to the Rome prosecutor.

The uncle, Meneguzzi, was questioned by police in 1985, according to documents presented on the La7 program and at the press conference, and his whereabouts outside Rome were corroborated at the time  meaning that even though he did harass Emanuelas sister, which is a matter of public record, he was never considered a suspect by the Italian authorities in the teens disappearance.

After Emanuela disappeared, the uncle returned to Rome and played an integral role in fielding calls to the house, many of which contained tips and leads from alleged kidnappers. Eventually the Vatican secret service took over that role and manned the phones, keeping records that are part of their criminal investigation, according to Pietro Orlandis statements in various interviews and books he has written over the last 40 years.

The Vatican Promotor of Justice Alessandro Diddi said when handing over the dossier in June to Rome police, that he had found some investigatory leads that merit further consideration, adding at the time that he had sent all the relevant documents in the past weeks to the Prosecutor of Rome, so that he can review them and proceed in the direction he considers most opportune.

It is unclear if the uncle angle is what he was referring to. A spokesperson with the Rome prosecutors office told CNN that they could not comment publicly on the case.

Pietro Orlandi gave an emotional plea at the press conference, asking why neither the Vatican nor the Rome authorities were focused on the people he asked them to interview, and the angles that he and the family felt had not been investigated properly.

Why focus on our uncle when that case was closed 40 years ago? he said. Instead, the family is pushing for a parliamentary commission investigation, which has been suggested but not approved, in order to access the Italian secret service investigations that are currently sealed.

Sgro also said that the only way to find the truth about what is in the investigatory records is through parliamentary intervention, which is rarely granted for individual cases.

Emanuelas disappearance has been tied by the family and others to the organized crime gang Band of Magliana, whose leader Enrico de Pedis was buried in the Opus Dei church near where she disappeared. His body was exhumed by permission from the Vatican in 2012 in an unsuccessful search for her remains.

The Vatican has twice searched for her body, once in 2018 on the grounds of the Holy See embassy to Italy in Rome, where human remains found under a sidewalk did not match Emanuelas DNA, and again in 2019, when the Vatican agreed to open the tomb of two German princesses thought to be buried on Vatican grounds.

The princesses bodies were absent from the tomb in the Pontifical Teutonic College and there was no sign of Emanuelas remains there either. Two ossuaries were later found under a secret door inside the tomb.

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The merger between Microsoft and gaming giant Activision Blizzard is likely to move forward after an appeals court denied an attempt by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to stop it on Friday.

The FTC argued that the $68.7 billion deal would harm competition in the gaming market, giving Microsoft  owners of the Xbox console system  complete control over popular video game franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Overwatch.

Microsoft is likely to pull those popular titles from rival PlayStation systems, the FTC claimed, making them only available on Xbox. Microsoft has denied those claims.

In a statement Wednesday, FTC spokesman Douglas Farrar said the deal poses a clear threat  to open competition in cloud gaming, subscription services, and consoles.

The acquisition is still being challenged by the United Kingdoms trade authority. The deal has a July 18 deadline.

The District Courts ruling makes crystal clear that this acquisition is good for both competition and consumers, Microsoft Vice Chairman and President Brad Smith said in a statement Wednesday, amid news that the FTC decided to appeal the courts ruling allowing the merger.

Were 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, he said.

The purchase comes nearly two years after Microsoft acquired another large developer and publisher, ZeniMax Studios  parent company to Fallout and The Elder Scrolls developer Bethesda Softworks  in a $7.5 billion deal in 2021.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
After more than ten years of a series of killings on Long Island remaining unsolved, an architect has been arrested and charged in connection to the deaths of three women.

Rex Heuermann, a 59-year-old resident of Massapequa Park, N.Y., was arrested Thursday night in Manhattan and formally charged on Friday with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello.

He is also considered the top suspect in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes.

Heuermanns attorney entered a not guilty plea for his client in court on Friday. The judge in the case ordered Heuermann to be held without bail based on the extreme depravity of the allegations against him.

The attorney told reporters that his client told him, I didnt do this.

Heuermanns home is just north of a sandy area known as Gilgo Beach where remains were found in 2010 and 2011, some of which could have been left there as far back as 1996. At least 10 bodies were found in a three-mile stretch near the beach.

Heuermann was first identified as a possible suspect in the case in March 2022 after detectives connected him to a pickup truck that a witness reported when a victim disappeared in 2010.

The New York Times reported that Heuermann was regularly under surveillance by this January. Officials later obtained some of his DNA from pizza crust in a box he discarded in a Manhattan trash can and matched it to hair that was found on a restraint used in the killing of Waterman.

Prosecutors said they were then able to tie him to other evidence, including burner cell phones that he allegedly used to set up meetings with the women who were killed and calls that were made to one of Barthelemys relatives claiming to be her killer taunting them.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Heuermann searched obsessively online on the status of the investigation in recent months, looking into the names of the women he has been charged with killing and documentaries and podcasts that have been made about the case.

Tierney said Heuermann was charged now based on concern of him fleeing or continuing to be a danger to the community, but officials are working to charge him with the death of the fourth woman, Brainard-Barnes.

Authorities found the remains of eight women, one man and one toddler near Gilgo Beach. Most belonged to young female sex workers.

Barthelemy was the first victim whose remains were found. She set up dates at two hotels located near Heuermanns home in Massapequa Park before she disappeared.

Heuermann is married and has a daughter and stepson. He has worked for a Manhattan-based architectural firm that has performed store buildouts and renovations for retailers, offices and apartments.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Robert E. Peary with Sled Dogs

Robert E. Peary stands with his sled dogs after returning from the North Pole expedition of 1909. Credit - Bettmann Archive

On the surface, at least, the beef between Frederick Cook and Robert Peary was not political. Both men were turn-of-the century Arctic explorers, not presidential candidates, competing not for high office but for another coveted title: discoverer of the North Pole.

Their feud began in September 1909, when both men returned from Arctic journeys claiming to have reached the pole. Peary, the more famous of the two, publicly accused his rival of lying. The scandal that ensued was unprecedented in the history of exploring.

Though largely forgotten today, the Cook-Peary feud is worth revisiting for several reasons. It is an early example of Americas ongoing obsession with personality and publicity, and the extent to which these media-fueled distractions obstruct the search for truth. It also tells us more about Trump-era partisanship than you might expect; underlying the debate over sextant readings and sled dogs, scientific credibility and unsporting conduct, lay a hidden landscape of political and cultural divisions that is very much still with us.

The trouble began with the slippery nature of the goal itself. Unlike the South Pole, which occupies a fixed point on landand was indisputably discovered two years later by the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsenthe North Pole is a notional destination situated atop drifting sea ice. Locating it using early 20th century technology was far more challenging than most people realized, and planting a flag to prove youd been there was pointless, because anything left on the ice would simply float away.

Peary at the North Pole cheering the "Stars and Stripes", 1908-1909, Arctic, April 1909. Royal Geographical Society

Though explorers back then were generally taken at their word, scientific authorities also required them to provide a travel diary with daily mileage rates, astronomical observations, and other important records from their journey. Explorers were also expected to bring at least one eyewitness trained in the use of sextant and other scientific instruments, and to present this navigational equipment for examination afterward.

Cook and Peary shocked the exploring world by failing to provide corroborating evidence. For several months, what should have been a fairly straightforward discussion of ice conditions and compass bearings came to resemble a mudslinging modern political campaign, with each explorer striving to prove that he was a man of credibility and character.

Nearly everyone in America took sides. Looking back twelve years later, one New York City journalist likened the controversy to a great ideological schism. In the promotion of domestic strife in every nation, in the setting of households against each other and bringing not peace, but a sword to every breakfast table, Cook and Peary did better than Lenin and Trotsky ever dreamed of doing, he wrote.

Predictably, the press made a meal of the contretemps. The media loved a controversy back then as much as it does now, but the stark contrasts between Cook and Peary also made it easy for their interpersonal feud to tap into long-simmering national tensions. To an uncanny degree, each explorer represented different sides of an ongoing partisan divide.

Peary, a U.S. Navy engineer based in Washington, was popular among the East Coast establishment. He was cozy with the National Geographic Society and the American Museum of Natural History, twin bastions of plutocrat-funded Gilded Age philanthropy, and bankrolled by The Peary Arctic Club, a coterie of mostly Republican New York City millionaires. Peary was as demanding and iron-willed as the rich businessmen who supported him. President Theodore Roosevelt (also a Republican) spoke glowingly of his hardy virtue.

For every American who admired Pearys Yankee grit and self-discipline, however, there were many more who loathed him as a fur-clad embodiment of the corporate monopolist. The freewheeling Cookwho lacked Pearys impressive resume and social connections and was the son of German immigrants named Kochwas far more appealing to the average citizen.

Rather than rise through the naval hierarchy, Cook had carved his own eccentric career path.

He was the underdog going up against Pearys Arctic Trusta living, smiling symbol of the idea that anyone could make it. He won over the crowds with his warmth and humility, especially in the rural Southern and Midwestern regions that had cast electoral votes for the populist Democrat William Jennings Bryan.

Pearys stronghold, by contrast, were the educated towns and cities of New England. The elite minority backing him included the respectable and pro-Wall Street New York Times, which filled many column-inches reminding its nearly 200,000 readers that Cooks claim to the pole was based on his bare word, no more, no less.

But this caveat was lost on most Americans, who believed (according to newspaper polls conducted that fall) not only that Cook had reached the pole but that Peary hadnt. Did the opinion of the average newspaper reader matter? The Times was at pains to remind its readers that it did not, and that the dispute would ultimately be resolved by scientific authorities.

Pearys travel records and instruments were finally examined by the National Geographic Society in early November, nearly two months into the controversy. Its experts declared Pearys claim valid, and pressure on Cook to present his own proofs intensified. Cook had embarked on a lucrative lecture tour by this point, fueling suspicions that Americas most popular explorer was a con man.

By the end of the year, those suspicions had hardened, and Cook was widely dismissed as a hoaxer. Though he maintained to his dying day (in 1940) that hed discovered the North Pole, he went into hiding late that fall and lost all credibility within international scientific circles. The New York Times confidently dismissed him as the greatest impostor of all time. Peary was honored around the world, and generations of schoolchildren were taught that he was the poles discoverer.

Victory and validation for the establishment, then? Not exactly. The supposedly impartial Timeswhich had loaned $4,000 to Pearys expedition in exchange for exclusive newspaper rights to his storysubjected Cooks dubious claim to far more scrutiny than Pearys, a display of favoritism that caused it to get half the story wrong. And a Congressional subcommittee concluded a year later that the National Geographic Societys examination of Pearys proofs had been perfunctory and hasty and its judges prejudiced in his favor.

But the official inquiry ended there, and before Pearys death in 1920 and for many years afterward, institutional gatekeepers shielded his records from examination by unbiased experts. It would be nearly eight decades before the open-minded British polar explorer Wally Herbert was granted access to the family archives and discovered just how shaky Pearys claim was. His findings made it clear that Peary had knowingly missed the pole and lied about it.

The New York Times front page exposes physician and explorer Frederick Cooks' fraudulent claims to have reached the North Pole ahead naval commander, explorer, and fellow American Robert E Peary. Hulton Archive-Getty Images

The Times in turn issued a remarkable correction in 1988, in which it admitted that neither Cook nor Pearys claim was untainted. The discovery of the North Pole must then be credited to Roald Amundsen, who led a properly documented airship expedition there in 1926an effort from which the National Geographic Society withheld its support, it should be noted, after Amundsen dared to questions Peary polar claim.

What lessons does this sordid episode hold for today? One is that it can take a very long time for the truth to emerge. As Mark Twain famously said, A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes. (Ironically enough, this quote itself is probably misattributed.) Another is that even in matters too complex for it to understand, the American public wants a say. That eras American Minister in Copenhagen, whod noncommittally squired Cook around the Danish capital after the explorers return from Greenland, found the North Pole Controversy eye-opening for this very reason. I never before realized, the diplomat later wrote, how firmly my own people believed that the most important question may be settled by the vote of a majority.

Ultimately, that was not the case, but nor did the masses dutifully come around in favor of Peary after Cook was exposedand nor should they have, their mistrust of Pearys powerful allies turns out to have been justified. He was not as egregious a liar as Cook, but he was still a liar.

The idealist will see the behavior of both explorers as equally shameful. But its also possible to view Pearys liewhich he may have only embraced in response to Cooks bigger lieas slightly more excusable. It turns out that only the last 100 miles or so of his polar journey are in doubt, whereas Cook failed to prove that he took more than the equivalent of a few baby steps onto the frozen Arctic Ocean.

Cook had a showmans talent for getting people to believe something because it made them feel good. Peary, for all his flaws, required a basic respect for plausibility and fact. He braced for combat that fall on false pretenses and for entirely selfish purposes, but he may well have spared America further embarrassment by helping to debunk Cooks claim.

With a known con man who specializes in emotional satisfaction for his supporters likely to be a top contender for the White House in 2024, Cooks polar hoax now seems less trivial than it might otherwise. He channeled popular sentiment into a wave, during a time of great economic and geographic inequality. And that sentiment was ripe for manipulation in large part because of the entrenched interests that Peary so neatly embodied.

Adapted from THE BATTLE OF INK AND ICE by Darrell Hartman, published by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. Copyright  2023 by Darrell Hartman.
German-based Siemens Healthineers is bringing cutting-edge surgical training and technology to Atrium Healths future medical school as its first strategic partner.

ALSO READ: Atrium Health hosts 13th annual Keep Pounding 5K to raise funds for cancer research

Atrium will incorporate Siemens into its work with IRCAD North America at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte and innovation district known as The Pearl. IRCAD, a France-based global surgical training center, will be headquartered on the campus.

Read more here.

(WATCH BELOW: Atrium Health, Panthers host Heart of a Champion Day for high school athletes)








Health officials are warning that people who stayed at a Walla Walla, Wash., hotel in the last two weeks may have been exposed to bacteria that can cause Legionnaires disease.

The Walla Walla County Department of Community Health investigated after being notified by the Washington state Department of Health that three guests had become ill following a stay at the La Quinta Inn & Suites in Walla Walla.

Water samples collected July 11 tested positive for Legionella.

Legionella is a common bacteria that can spread in building water systems like hot water tanks, hot tubs and large plumbing systems.

While most healthy individuals exposed to Legionella do not get sick, those with certain risk factors can develop a potentially serious type of pneumonia called Legionnaires disease.

Risk factors include being older than 50 years of age, being a current or former smoker, having chronic lung disease, having a weakened immune system, or taking drugs that weaken the immune system.

Legionnaires disease symptoms are similar to other types of pneumonia and can include fever, chills, muscle aches and coughing.

People who stayed at the La Quinta Inn in Walla Walla during the first two weeks of July and are having symptoms should seek medical attention, said Dr. Daniel Kaminsky, the Walla Walla County public health officer.
Court news

FREEHOLD - A 39-year-old Belmar man could spend the rest of his life in state prison if he is convicted on a 37-count indictment for his alleged role in the death of an acquaintance who overdosed on multiple drugs while visiting the defendants home, according to authorities.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago and Belmar Police Chief Tina Scott outlined the case against Robert M. Clayton in a joint statement on Friday.

On the afternoon of Jan. 2, 2021, officers from the Belmar Police Department were dispatched to Third and River avenues for a caller reporting an overdose in progress in the front seat of his car, according to the statement.

Monmouth County Prosecutor: Neptune double murder case: 2 Bayshore men plead guilty to roles in 2022 slayings of teens

The vehicle was located on Fifth Avenue with its passenger-side door ajar. As police arrived on the scene, a man was observed crawling out of the car face-first, while yelling at the officers: Narcan him!

One of the officers retrieved his first-aid equipment and administered two doses of Narcan to an adult male  unconscious and not breathing  reclined in the front passenger seat, who was later identified as Jonathan Amato, all according to the statement.

Monmouth County: Swimmer pulled from Bradley Beach surf dies at hospital

Amato was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in neighboring Neptune, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, the statement said.

The age and hometown of the victim were not released Friday.

An investigation by Belmar Police and the Prosecutors Office concluded that Amato had suffered a fatal overdose of controlled dangerous substances that he had ingested at Claytons home, according to the Prosecutors Office.

Investigators searched Claytons home and said they confiscated the following materials:

919 Xanax pills

101 carisoprodol pills

26 wax folds of heroin

Two bags of powder heroin

Three bags of MDMA (Ecstasy)

97 doses of LSD

One bag of crystal meth

Two bags of ketamine

111 methadone pills

51 Adderall pills

62 Tramadol pills

Two vials of liquid Xanax

11 Oxycodone pills

Used hypodermic needles

Vacuum-sealed packaging bags

Hundreds of unused wax folds

Four scales with residue from controlled dangerous substances

Two whipped-cream-dispensers

200 whippet canisters

In addition to the drugs and drug paraphernalia, 34 thumb memory drives were seized, along with a computer and seven cell phones, according to the statement.

On Friday, Santiago and Scott said Clayton had been indicted on one count of second-degree manslaughter, along with two counts of second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute; 12 counts of second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute while on or within 500 feet of a public park; 12 counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance; and 10 counts of third-degree possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

The case is being handled by Assistant Prosecutor Hoda Soliman, director of investigations for the Prosecutors Office.

Freehold-based defense attorney Adam Mitchell is representing Clayton in the matter.

A conviction for manslaughter carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years, with 85% of the sentence to be served before parole is eligible. The additional second-degree charges also carry up to 10 years in prison; while the third-degree charges carry up to five years in prison.

Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at elarsen@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Belmar NJ man indicted on 37 counts in drug overdose death
FIRST ON FOX: President Bidens current ambassador to the European Union offered advice to Hunter Biden in 2016 on a Romanian "client" who was on trial for corruption at the time, according to emails reviewed by Fox News Digital.

Mark Gitenstein, who was appointed as U.S. ambassador to the EU by Biden in July 2021 and helped spearhead Biden's transition team after the 2020 election, is the presidents longtime friend and confidante of several decades who served under him in the Senate for over a decade and was the U.S. ambassador in Romania during the Obama-Biden administration from 2009 to 2012.

While his emails with Hunter date back as early as 2010 on the abandoned laptop when he was the U.S. ambassador in Romania, and Hunter's calendar shows that he met with Gitenstein at least three time in 2015, their correspondence in 2016 raises questions about his involvement in advising Hunter after he picked up Romanian tycoon Gabriel Popoviciu that spring as a client and what government resources may have been used to assist Hunter.

On June 16, 2016, Gitenstein, who was working in the private sector as a partner at Mayer Brown LLP during the 2016 correspondence, forwarded information to Hunter and his longtime business partner Eric Schwerin with the subject line "Romania."

The email included an Associated Press article saying that Romania's Constitutional Court was expected to rule on whether to decriminalize the abuse of office. The court wound up ruling against the move and keeping it a criminal offense, but Hunters associates briefly weighed whether it could help one of Hunters clients.

Hunter Biden (L), Mark Gitenstein (C), and Joe Biden (R).

REPUBLICANS ERUPT OVER 2015 EMAIL EXPOSING ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF HUNTERS INVOLVEMENT WITH BURISMA

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Looks like this will not help your client because it is not retroactive," Gitenstein wrote.

'Looks like this will not help your client because it is not retroactive,' Mark Gitenstein wrote on June 16, 2016, in an email to Hunter Biden and Eric Schwerin.

"Please dont forward," he added in a follow-up email, referring to an email chain that included Hans Klemm, then-Ambassador to Romania, Dean Thompson, then-deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Romania, and Debra Hevia, a longtime foreign service officer.

"Thanks, Mark. We'll keep this to ourselves," Schwerin responded.

Dean Thompson, then-deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Romania, sent Mark Gitenstein an article in June 2016 that he would then forward to Hunter Biden and Eric Schwerin about Romanian court decision that could impact Hunter's client.

Hunter's business dealings in Romania were highlighted in a report released by the House Oversight and Reform Committee in May. Gabriel "Puiu" Popoviciu, a Romanian tycoon who was facing criminal charges related to corruption and bribery, reportedly hired Hunter in the spring of 2016 to advise him in the case. Popoviciu was eventually convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison in August 2017, NBC News reported in 2019.

In a May 2016 email, Hunter said that Gitenstein had provided contacts for officials he felt could help in Popoviciu's case.

U.S. First Lady Jill Biden greets Mark Gitenstein, U.S. Ambassador to the EU, during a visit to Uruguay School, in Bucharest Romania, on May 7, 2022.

"Is [sic] now the time to begin to assemble a more high profile team that can speak to the injustice here," Hunter wrote to then-Boies Schiller lawyer Michael Gottlieb, Rob Walker, and James Gilliar on May 16, 2016. "Who do we have at the firm that can speak with authority about anti-corruption. Mike I was going to reach out to Judge Freeh and if you can think of others of that stature I think now is the time to read them into the situation and see if they are willing to help."

"Ambassador Gittenstein [sic] mentioned names like former US Atty Patrick Fitzgerald," he added.

'Ambassador Gittenstein [sic] mentioned names like former US Atty Patrick Fitzgerald,' Hunter wrote to Michael Gottlieb, Rob Walker, and James Gilliar on May 17, 2016.

It is unclear whether Fitzgerald was pursued or contacted by Hunter or any of his associates. However, Gitenstein's advice is held in high esteem by the Biden family and transcend multiple Biden family members. During a 2009 visit to Romania, then-VP Biden praised Gitenstein as his "best personal friend."

"We have raised each other's children. We have -- our wives are close friends. My grandchildren are -- consider the Gitenstein's to be almost relatives. So I can assure you first-hand, this is a man I've worked with for 35 years -- 30 years, actually -- and he has my ear," Biden said about Gitenstein. "I know you've already figured that out, because I know you've gone to him, and you know he immediately picks up the phone and calls me. I hope you won't take advantage of my friendship with the ambassador too badly."

"He has a direct line, as I said, to me, and he is very effective," Biden added.

OBAMA-ERA EMAILS REVEAL HUNTERS EXTENSIVE TIES TO NEARLY A DOZEN SENIOR-LEVEL BIDEN ADMIN AIDES

In the preceding communications in the email chain with Hunter, Gottlieb expressed frustrations about "difficulty getting traction" with the U.S. Embassy to help Hunter's client. However, he said he "reached out to Klemm and asked him to help us broker the meeting."

"If we are going to do this we should do it right  we should put together a persuasive deck with all the procedural and substantive defects in the indictment / case against Gabs, and we should also probably put together the start of what would be a press strategy," Gottlieb continued. "And well want to line up the big names to bring over. Id expect we only get one shot to do this." Hunter acknowledged that he "agreed" with the strategy.

The day after Hunter's email, Gottlieb reached out to Hans Klemm, who was serving as the U.S. ambassador to Romania at the time.

"Our situation has not improved, so I think we need to try to reach out for a meeting with the DNA folks," Gottlieb told Klemm, referring to Romanias National Anticorruption Directorate. "Is there someone on your team with whom I might speak to try to sort out the right protocol for moving forward? We are most appreciative for any help youre able to provide."

U.S. Ambassador to Romania Hans Klemm listens at the Romanian Foreign Ministry during a ceremony declaring the technical capability of missile facility Aegis Ashore at the military base Deveselu, in Bucharest on December 18, 2015.

Klemm then forwarded the email to Thompson, who is currently serving as the U.S. ambassador to Nepal.

Hans Klemm forwarded the email to Dean Thompson, the then-deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Romania, who is currently serving as the U.S. ambassador to Nepal.

"Mr. Gottlieb, DNA has asked if this is in reference to the Popoviciu case?" Thompson asked.

Gottlieb then forwarded Thompson's email to Hunter, Hunter's longtime friend and business partner Rob Walker, and James Gilliar, another business associate. Gottlieb's message was just "FYI."

Gilliar responded with a thumbs up emoji, and Walker said, "Let's talk before responding."

Gottlieb email about Hunter Biden client

"Im sorry, but I responded immediately when I got that," Gottlieb said. "There was no other answer to that question but yes."

That same day, on May 18, 2016, Gilliar emailed Gottlieb, Hunter and Walker, saying the former president of Romania, Traian Basescu, was "heavily" criticizing Klemm for alleged political interference.

"I understand the PM will meet JB and I hope that AK will get a lot of support," he added, referring to then-Romania Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos, Vice President Biden and Ambassador Klemm, respectively.

"By the US emb reaching out, our message is delivered, and I guess the best is to see what happens tomorrow and make your best judgement call with H after," he added, referring to either Hunter or Hans Klemm. "I think we have achieved all that is possible through your friends and I personally am happy with AK contribution to justice."

On May 18, 2016, Gilliar emailed Gottlieb, Hunter Biden and Rob Walker, saying the former president of Romania, Traian Basescu, was "heavily" criticizing Klemm for alleged political interference.

Romania's Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos (L) makes his way from the West Wing following a meeting with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden at the White House on May 24, 2016, in Washington, D.C.

Days later, Vice President Biden met with PM Ciolos and praised his efforts to enact "rule of law reforms" in Romania on May 24, 2016.

According to the White House visitor logs, Gitenstein, who was a frequent visitor at the Obama White House with more than a dozen visits in 2016, visited Biden's Naval Observatory residence on the day preceding the meeting with Ciolos and on the day of it. It is unclear whom he met with due to that section being empty on the logs. The visitor logs also show that Klemm visited Biden's West Wing office on the day of the Ciolos meeting.

Early that afternoon, Gottlieb said, "Klemm is in DC and has reached out to talk today. Hes calling me this afternoon. I will report back on what he says."

That evening, he emailed Hunter, Walker and Gilliar, saying he had spoken with Klemm about requesting a meeting with the Romanian DNA.

"Hans called me to discuss a development that is best relayed over phone," Gottlieb wrote. "Can we connect either tonight or first thing tomorrow? Bottom line is that we should proceed with requesting the meeting."

"Hans called me to discuss a development that is best relayed over phone," Michael Gottlieb wrote on May 24, 2016.

"Please whats ap [sic] me when u can, we have not much time," Gilliar said.

"At one point we discussed Louis Freeh," Gottlieb later added, referring to the former FBI director who was hired by Popoviciu at the recommendation of Hunter, its been previously reported. "Do we have a good connection to him that would allow us to say he'd come?"

"If not I'll send it in for me, DB, and JS," he added. It is unclear whose initials are referenced in the email.

Michael Gottlieb and others coordinated in May 2016 to try to set up meeting with Romania's DNA about their Romanian client under investigation for corruption.

A couple of weeks later, on June 10, 2016, Schwerin emailed Hunter saying he had received some "marginally useful" information in a phone call with Gitenstein related to Romania.

Eric Schwerin tells Hunter in a June 10, 2016, email that Mark Gitenstein email was the result of a call he had made to Gitenstein "per Rob," appearing to refer to Rob Walker. Schwerin said that Mark had provided "marginally useful" information.

Republican members of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee told Fox News Digital that the timeline of events suggests influence peddling by the Bidens.

"I think its pretty telling anytime someone says that something should be discussed over the phone instead of in an email," said Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn. "We saw this type of pressure regarding Burisma and Shokin being fired. This family has been linked to too many deals. Where theres smoke, theres fire. And theres a lot of smoke."

"With every new email exchange thats brought to light between Hunter Biden and his associates, one fact remains crystal clear: the moral rot of the Biden family compounds by the day," said Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C. "In the case of Gabriel Popoviciu, we still see Hunter Bidens dirty fingerprints  and the same telltale signs of his influence peddling that serve as his calling card. Known lawbreaker Hunter Bidens corruption knows no bounds."

Representative Virginia Foxx, a Republican from North Carolina, speaks during a hearing in Washington, D.C, on Sept. 29, 2022.

"Joe Biden very well may be the most corrupt and incompetent president in American history," said Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz. "Every week, new revelations come out on how his dealings with foreign governments enriched the entire Biden crime syndicate while selling out Americans."

"The Biden family needs to answer for the growing mountain of evidence suggesting they sold out their country to enrich themselves," said Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. "Joe Biden appears very willing to pressure foreign officials and change American policy positions if his family gets paid off.

"Furthermore, the DOJ, FBI and other federal entities need to answer for their role in covering up these crimes," Mace said. "Until the people involved go to prison, the American people will be unable to have faith in our institutions and our democracy."

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

"We knew about China. We knew about Ukraine. Now it's Romania," said Rep. William Timmons, R-S.C. "We need to know just how widespread the Biden Mafia Family was willing to go. In this two-tiered system of justice, one thing is clear: it pays to be a Biden. That is, unless you are a four-year-old girl in Arkansas."

At the time of Hunter's work for Popoviciu, Vice President Biden was calling on foreign governments to crack down on corruption, including in Romania.

"Corruption can represent a clear and present danger not only to a nations economy, but to its very national security," he said during a speech in Romania in 2014.

HUNTER BIDEN AND EX-WIFE KATHLEEN BUHLES DIVORCE ATTORNEYS WERE AWARE OF ROMANIA DEAL PAYMENTS

Biden held a meeting at the White House with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Sept. 28, 2015. The GOP committee announced in May that within five weeks of the White House meeting with Iohannis, Bladon Enterprises Limited, a Cyprus-based company allegedly owned by Popoviciu that he used to conduct business in Romania, started making deposits into Robinson Walker, LLCs bank account, totaling over $3 million from November 2015 to May 2017.

Less than two weeks after Biden met with Iohannis, Hunter met Gitenstein for coffee at Hunter's Rosemont Seneca office. In December 2015, about three months later, Rosemont Seneca's president, Eric Schwerin, emailed a "Memo from Gitenstein" to Hunter. However, it is unclear what it said, because the attached file cannot be accessed. Schwerin and Hunter also met with Gitenstein in February 2016 at his Mayer Brown office.

Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, arrives at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, June 25, 2023.

In one of the transactions from early November 2016, which was highlighted by the House Oversight and Reform Committee report, Robinson Walker, LLC, an LLC that belonged to the same Walker included in many of the Romania emails, received $183,329.29 from Bladon Enterprises Limited. Hunter then received $122,179 from Robinson Walker, LLC.

Multiple Biden family accounts, including those belonging to Hunter, Hallie Biden and an unnamed Biden, received approximately $1.038 million from the Robinson Walker, LLC account after the Bladon Enterprises deposits, and 16 of 17 of those transactions occurred while Biden was vice president, the committee said.

"It appears from bank records the Bidens were using Robinson Walker, LLC to conceal that the source of these payments was Popoviciu," the report continued. "The Committee is investigating Hunter Biden and his business associates engagement with U.S. government officials on behalf of Popoviciu."

Mark Gitenstein, U.S. Ambassador to Romania, speaks during an interview with AFP at his residence in Bucharest on December 12, 2012. The U.S. expects strategic ally Romania to stick to its rule-of-law and IMF commitments in order to avoid a "replay" of last summer's crisis, the American ambassador to Romania told AFP.

It is unclear whether Gitenstein was ever paid for providing counsel to Hunter and Schwerin on Popoviciu or what the nature of his involvement was. In 2019, Gitenstein told the New York Times that "Both the vice president and I had total confidence in the anti-corruption prosecutors in Romania, and did everything in our power to support them, both during our time in office and after."

Emails shows that the divorce lawyers for Hunter and his ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, were aware of payments from a "Romania deal" and discussed how it should be divided between the two parties, Fox News Digital previously reported.

The White House, Hunter's lawyer, Gitenstein's office, Klemm's employer and Gottlieb did not respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.

Fox News' Aubrie Spady contributed to this report.
(Bloomberg) -- The Biden administration on Friday rejected more than two dozen oil refinery requests for exemptions from US biofuel-blending requirements.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Environmental Protection Agencys decision is a blow to 15 unidentified small refineries that had sought the waivers from requirements to blend renewable fuels into gasoline and diesel, arguing the mandates were too costly.

However, the agency determined none of the 26 rejected applications demonstrated they experienced disproportionate economic hardship caused by their compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates. The rejected applications sought relief from quotas for 2016-2018 and 2021-2023 compliance years, an EPA official said.

Read More: Prices for US Renewable Credits Slump on Bets for Exemptions

The move is consistent with the EPAs approach to the issue since President Joe Biden took office. The agency last year rescinded dozens of previously granted RFS exemptions, part of a bid to reorient the program after years of legal fighting over the waivers. Although the RFS authorizes waivers for some small refineries that can show theyve suffered an economic hardship under the biofuel mandate, a federal court has held that the exemptions may only be granted when those financial woes are caused by compliance to the rules.

Biofuel advocates have argued against the waivers, saying they diminish the RFS and dilute the power of annual blending requirements. Under the program, fuel importers and refiners are generally obligated to mix biofuels into their gasoline and diesel  or buy tradable credits known as renewable identification numbers from others that do.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Bidens new student loan forgiveness plan could relieve $39 billion in debt. What to know

More than 800,000 student loan borrowers will have $39 billion in debt forgiven, the Biden administration announced Friday.

Heres what you should know.

Fridays announcement followed two things:

Its been a few weeks since the Supreme Court shot down the $400 billion student loan forgiveness plan that would have reduced or canceled federal student loans for 43 million people. Borrowers would have been eligible for $10,000 in relief, or up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients, if they made less than $125,000 or under $250,000 for households. Biden announcing the new SAVE plan that cuts or gets rid of payments entirely and means balances wont grow as long as borrowers keep up with payments. His administration is also pursuing a new path to provide student relief based on the Higher Education Act.

The Saving on a Valuable Education Plan does the following:

Cuts the amount borrowers have to pay from 10% to 5% of discretionary income.

Raises how much income is considered non-discretionary, meaning borrowers earning under 225% of the federal poverty level (or about $15 an hour) will not have monthly payments.

Forgives loan balances after 10 years of payments (down from 20 years) for those who originally borrowed $12,000 or less.

Doesnt charge unpaid monthly interest so loan balances dont grow, as long as you make monthly payments.

Student loan payments have been paused since March 2020. Theyre set to resume in October, with interest resuming in September. Interest hasnt been accumulating since the pause began.

Here are three things you should know about the latest plan announced Friday:

First: Whats happening?

The Education department is fixing income-driven repayment plans to ensure borrowers who have made payments for 20 or 25 years will have any remaining debt canceled.

For far too long, borrowers fell through the cracks of a broken system that failed to keep accurate track of their progress towards forgiveness, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement.

If you took out Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loans held by the Education Department or Parent PLUS loans, your loan could be covered, according to CBS News.

Today, the Department of Education has started notifying 804,000 student loan borrowers that they will have $39 billion in Federal student loans automatically discharged in the coming weeks. https://t.co/WXbrXxiSTZ



 Read more  pic.twitter.com/KhnYh7ObAg  U.S. Department of Education (@usedgov) July 14, 2023

Heres what time periods will be included in the new forgiveness action:

Any payment made in a month when they were in repayment status, whether the payments were partial or late

Any period when a borrower spent at least 12 consecutive months in forbearance

Any month in forbearance for borrowers who spent at least 36 consecutive months in forbearance

Any month spent in deferment, except for in-school deferment, before 2013

Any month spent in economic hardship or military deferments on or after January 1, 2013

Any months in the categories above that occurred prior to a loan consolidation will also be counted toward forgiveness

Our Administration will continue to fight to make sure Americans can access high-quality postsecondary education without taking on the burden of unmanageable student loan debt, Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement.

Second: What do you have to do?

Nothing. You dont have to do anything to get the relief. The White House said this is automatic and borrowers will be notified starting Friday, July 14. Thirty days after emails are sent, debts will start being discharged.

Among the 804,000 people, thats an average of $48,507 each.

If you want to opt out of the forgiveness, you should contact your loan servicer. If you need to find out who your loan servicer is, you can visit your Federal Student Aid account dashboard or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.

Third: Why now?

This is happening now because the administration is fixing historical failures in how these income driven repayment plans were managed.

CNBC reported payments werent accounted for that should have moved borrowers closer to paying off their debt.

The Education Department already started discharging loans for borrowers under Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

What is The Sum?

The Sum is your friendly guide to personal finance and economic news.

Were a team of McClatchy journalists cutting through the financial jargon so you know how these issues impact your life. We verify information from diverse sources and keep the facts front-and-center, making finance and economic news add up for you.

You can follow The Sum on Instagram and TikTok.

Ready to take the first step to getting your finances under control? You can sign up for our five-week budgeting newsletter at thesum.news.
Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman scratched from start because of left side discomfort

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman throws against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 8, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

TORONTO (AP)  Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman was scratched from Saturdays scheduled start against the Arizona Diamondbacks because of discomfort in his left side. The team said an MRI revealed no damage and that Gausman is day to day.

Right-hander Chris Bassitt is starting in Gausmans place.

Gausman is 7-5 with a 3.03 ERA in 19 starts. The two-time All-Star signed a five-year, $110-million contract with Toronto before the 2022 season.

Gausman also has pitched for Baltimore, Atlanta, Cincinnati and San Francisco.

Bassitt is 8-5 with a 4.19 ERA in 19 starts. He signed a three-year, $63 million contract with the Blue Jays last offseason.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
While the Biden administration touts a drop in migrant encounters on the southern border, a fourth-generation New Mexico rancher is second-guessing the choice to make her home on the plot her family established over a hundred years ago.

"We picked the wrong place to raise a family," said Amanda Adame, whose ranch is eight miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. "Living out here, you go armed everywhere you walk [and] you make sure that your kids don't walk off and go play where you can't see them. You never know what's going to happen."

WATCH MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL ORIGINALS HERE

The Biden administration has touted a sharp drop in migrant encounters since the end of Title 42 on May 11, but there were still more than 200,000 encounters in May. Despite the overall drop, criminals have still made their way into the U.S., surpassing previous records with 125 Border Patrol arrests of people on the FBI's terror watchlist as of May 31, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

"It's just a safety issue, mainly, that's out here," Adame said. "We don't have big groups of people coming across. We get the cartel."

A fourth-generation New Mexico rancher fears for her kids' safety as migrants cross through her property unchecked.

BORDER UNDER CONTROL OF CARTELS, NOT THE US, YUMA RESIDENTS SAY AS GANGS RAKE IN BILLIONS OFF HUMAN SMUGGLING

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The criminals "are taking advantage of the system that's in play right now, and they are running with it," Adame said.

Adame and her husband have still helped migrants on occasion despite their safety concerns. But the mother of two said her kids' safety has to come first, as she can't be sure who they will encounter and what they might be carrying. On one occasion, while home alone with her 8-month-old baby in 2013, the New Mexico rancher described seeing a group of migrants carrying rifles on their backs.

"I shouldn't be scared for my life out here," she said. "I shouldn't have to be worried about what my kids do outside."

Amanda Adame says she supports legal immigration, but fears that undermanned, less populated areas like her ranch are the spots where the criminals are crossing.

ARIZONA RANCHER: AFTER MS-13 WALKED THROUGH THE GAP IN THE BORDER WALL, THEY CAME KNOCKING AT MY DOOR

The fourth-generation rancher said ports of entry like El Paso, Texas, get migrants flooding in from South America looking for better lives, but her ranch is different.

"The guys who are coming through my area are the ones that have already been a criminal, and they're the ones that don't want to get caught," she said. "They're the ones that are hauling the drugs."

From October 2022 to May 2023, over 19,000 pounds of fentanyl has been seized along the southern border  a 169% increase since this time last year, according to CBP . The number has already exceeded the 14,401 pounds in fentanyl seized during the entirety of FY 2022.

The 2023 fiscal year's fentanyl seizures has already surpassed the more than 14,000 pounds of fentanyl seized by CBP during the entire 2022 fiscal year.

"They're trying to make their money," Adame said. "We're trying to just live our life, and we don't want any part of it."

MEXICAN CARTELS' DRUG DEALINGS TOP PRIORITY AS FENTANYL POURS ACROSS SOUTHERN BORDER, DEA SAYS

These migrants are "the ones that can go to Phoenix, and they can go to El Paso or Denver and disappear," Adame said. "Then you have crimes that you don't know who committed them, and I think a lot of them are from that."

In March, Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 220 illegal immigrants in a nine-day operation with criminal convictions that included rape and murder. Those arrested included a 64-year-old Mexican national convicted last year of sexual abuse of a victim under 13.

Adame says her family has definitely seen an uptick in migrants crossing the ranch over the last few years. The migrants they encounter come in smaller groups than the high-trafficked hot spots like El Paso, Texas, but she fears the reasons behind their decisions to cross through her ranch escaping detection.

Adame told Fox News she fears calling Border Patrol when she encounters migrants over the cartels' retaliation.

"When I call the Border Patrol, will they know since they now know where I live?" Adame said. "My ranch is a population of four. My nearest neighbor is six miles away."

"The only thing I should be scared about are spiders and snakes" in the desert, she said. "I shouldn't feel this way."

To hear more about life on the southern border at Adame's ranch, click here.
Boyfriend of North Texas woman fatally shot in 2020 charged with her murder: officials

Nearly three years after the body of a 31-year-old woman was found in a shed near Granbury, authorities arrested her boyfriend for the murder, according to the Hood County Sheriffs Office.

Officers from the Hood County Sheriffs Office and the Texas Rangers arrested Richard Anthony Metten, 33, on Friday, officials said in a social media post. Stinson was found fatally shot on Nov. 15, 2020, in a shed next to the house where she and Metten lived.

Tanya Brinlee, Stinsons mother, said in a public Facebook post that she and her husband are thankful for all those who helped with the arrest.

Our daughter Andrea is missed every minute of every day, Brinlee posted. Nothing will bring her back, but she left the best part of her with us, her three beautiful children and some great memories.

Metten was already serving time in the Hood County Jail for seven felonies, including trafficking, aggravated sexual assault of a child and aggravated robbery, according to court records.

Officials told Hood County News that Metten would be arraigned Saturday morning.
A construction worker working on a wall during a heat wave in Houston, Texas on July 14, 2023 (Mark Felix)

Perched on a platform as he painted an enormous wall, Maynor Alvarez felt cramps in his arms and legs and thought he might vomit. He wanted to come down, but the supervisor's order was clear: "Keep working."

The crushing heatwave that has blanketed much of the southern United States for nearly a month has taken a particularly high toll on construction workers, who are often exposed to temperatures exceeding 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius).

And the region is bracing for more heat records to be broken this weekend.

"I've suffered heat strokes on several occasions," the 42-year-old Alvarez told a group of co-workers outside the Houston City Hall on Friday. "Do you know what it feels like? Cramps in the legs and arms, headache, the urge to vomit, your heart racing.

"When I complain to my supervisor down below, he just tells me to keep producing...

"I come down anyway because I can't stand it... If I stayed five more minutes, I wouldn't be here to tell this story."

The workers were there to protest a law recently signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott which prevents cities like Austin and Dallas from requiring that construction workers be allowed regular water breaks.

The new Law 2127, which takes effect in September, targets local regulations -- on a broad range of issues from labor, to agriculture to finance -- that go beyond state law.

The measure, approved by the state's Republican legislature and governor, is ostensibly intended to prevent cities and counties from conflicting with state law -- but it also weakens the power of local authorities, which are often much more liberal.

For Guatemalan-born Alvarez, the impact is clear: "This is a law that kills," he said.

Some 12 miles (20 kilometers) further north, 28-year-old Juan -- who declined to give his last name -- was on a ladder working to complete a wall on a building under construction. The day was scorching hot, the sun was blindingly bright, and a mist seemed to envelop people passing on the asphalt below.

Wearing a helmet, a reflective vest, protective glasses and a kerchief to keep the sun off his neck, Juan said the heat left him feeling nauseated.

"Just when I take a drink of water, I get dizzy, I want to vomit because of the heat," he told AFP. "I need something else, a Coca-Cola, a Gatorade -- and cold -- just to be able to keep going."

His 21-year-old colleague Edwin, who like Juan is Mexican-born, comes prepared with a cold drink as he readies to work under the sun after finishing a job inside the building. "I'm almost used to it," he said, "but this year the heat is stronger."

- Cost of complaining -

Complaining about the heat can carry a cost, said Alvarez: one may not be scheduled to work as many shifts. So people are reluctant to speak up.

Luz Martinez, another construction worker protesting outside the Houston City Hall, said she had worked in a 20-story building where it was prohibited to bring water. Workers had to go down to the ground level to hydrate outdoors.

"On July 4, the holiday, we were remodeling a school, in an enclosed area with the air conditioning turned off, because they didn't want to pay for the electricity. I remember a colleague falling over because of the heat. He fainted and started vomiting."

"Those places are extremely hot... we're dying," she said. "For them to take away our water, our hydration breaks, is not fair."

The workers were galvanized by the death of a 46-year-old colleague, Felipe Pascual, in mid-June. He collapsed while doing cement work at a construction site on the outskirts of Houston.

Texas holds the unfortunate distinction of having had the most heat-related deaths among construction workers: 42 from 2011 to 2021, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Cristian Canela, a representative of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, said periodic water breaks are a necessity for people working under the sun.

It's not possible for construction workers to always be in the shade, he said. "I mean, that's common sense, you're a construction worker. But at least you have those water breaks. I think it's essential."

Of Governor Abbott's ban on water breaks, he said, "That's insane."

The conditions, Canela added, are "killing the workers right now."

mav/bbk/bfm
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R), a 2024 presidential candidate, loaned his campaign more than $10 million, making up the vast majority of the total contributions that he received for the second quarter.

Burgum made his campaign filing to the Federal Elections Commission on Friday ahead of the late Saturday deadline for candidates to post their second quarter fundraising totals. The filing revealed that his campaign raised $11.7 million during the first 23 days of his campaign leading up to the end of the quarter on June 30.

That total would put Burgum with a fundraising total above that of several other major Republican candidates who have performed more strongly in polling.

But nearly $10.2 million of that was money that he loaned to his own campaign committee, while only about $1.6 million came from contributions that donors made, the filing shows.

The campaign said in a release that it has received more than 200 donations in at least 20 states and is quickly closing in on the 40,000-donor requirement that candidates need to meet to qualify for the first GOP primary debate next month.

Candidates also need to meet a polling requirement of at least 1 percent in three national polls or 1 percent in two national polls and in two of the first four states to vote  Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. They must also agree to a loyalty pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee.

Burgum has generally received no more than 1 percent in most polls of the GOP presidential candidates.

The governor has turned to a unique tactic to try to bring in more donors to his campaign, as have a couple other GOP candidates.

The North Dakota Republican announced on Twitter on Monday that the campaign will provide up to 50,000 individuals who donate at least $1 to his campaign a $20 Visa or Mastercard gift card.

When it comes to providing economic relief to the American people, Im not messing around! he said.

Burgum, however, is not the only Republican candidate to turn to such measures.

The super PAC supporting Miami Mayor Francis Suarezs (R) candidacy is offering donors the possibility of having a year of their college tuition covered if they donate $1. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is offering a 10 percent commission to supporters who will raise funds for his GOP campaign.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Soon after Calvin rapidly intensified into the eastern Pacific's first major hurricane of the 2023 season, it began to lose wind intensity Friday night and will continue to slowly unwind this week as it pushes westward toward Hawaii. However, AccuWeather meteorologists believe the system may still hold together enough to bring tropical storm conditions to portions of the state by Wednesday.

As of Monday morning, the National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Hawaii as Calvin may bring heavy rainfall and dangerous surf to the Big Island on Tuesday and Wednesday. Calvin is rated a 1 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes for Hawaii as a result of the impacts expected from tropical rainfall.

Calvin entered a zone that was highly favorable for intensification late this past week with water temperatures in the 80s F and light winds that surrounded the system. The hurricane peaked as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph on Friday.

This image, captured on Sunday, July 16, 2023, shows Calvin over the eastern Pacific. (AccuWeather Enhanced RealVue Satellite)

Since then, a substantial drop in wind intensity has occurred. As of Monday afternoon, Calvin was a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. The system was moving west at 18 mph and was 990 miles to the east of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Steering breezes will continue to push Calvin along to the west over the Pacific, through a large pool where water temperatures dip progressively lower through the 70s. Temperatures in the upper 70s to near 80 are about the minimum threshold for a tropical system to survive.

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"As Calvin continues to move through progressively cooler waters this week, winds near the core of the system will steadily drop off," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva said. Because of this, Calvin is likely to continue losing wind intensity. Calvin may barely hold on as a tropical storm as it passes close by the Big Island of Hawaii on Wednesday. Should this loss in wind intensity occur more rapidly than expected, Calvin may disorganize into a tropical rainstorm prior to reaching the islands.

A tropical storm has maximum sustained winds of 39-74 mph, while a tropical depression has winds of 35-38 mph about a well-defined center.

"Latest forecast trends support a slightly farther south track with Calvin, which would take the center of Calvin just south of the southern most point of the Big Island very late Tuesday night or early Wednesday," Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson explained.

This southward shift will likely limit any wind impacts to the higher elevations and windward locations across the southern half of the Big Island from late Tuesday through Wednesday morning.

"However, there will be some stronger winds just offshore and through the channel (funneling effect) between the big island and Maui with potential gusts in excess of 50 mph," Anderson said.

Waves will also start to increase in height starting Tuesday and may build to 12-18 feet just off the windward side of the Big island.

A general 1-2 inches of rain is in store for the islands, forecasters say, with 4-8 inches of rain most likely on the eastern slopes of the Big Island. An AccuWeather Local StormMax of 17 inches is most likely to occur within the 4- to 8-inch rainfall zone.

Rainfall is typically sparse during the summer months in Honolulu and was close to average during June. The sporadic rainfall has dwindled since. Only 0.12 of an inch of rain has fallen thus far in July, compared to an average of 0.52 of an inch for the whole month.

"The main risks to lives and property will be from locally heavy rain that can lead to flash flooding and mudslides," DaSilva said. "However, rough seas, heavy surf and strong rip currents will be of concern for small craft, swimmers and boarders."

There may still be locally gusty thunderstorms associated with the system that could trigger sporadic downed trees and power outages. This is most likely on parts of the Big Island.

The majority of tropical systems that were once hurricanes off the west coast of Central America weaken while moving into the cool waters just east of Hawaii. Occasionally, however, one can survive when waters are warmer or when such a more southerly track occurs in the warm water, followed by a northward turn toward the islands.

Some of the most recent named storms to impact the Hawaiian Islands were Darby in 2022; Linda in 2021; and Hurricane Douglas in 2020.

Despite the cool waters near Hawaii, there is still a chance that Calvin survives the westward track and hits the islands as a tropical storm. There is also the potential the system completely breaks down prior to reaching all of the islands.

Should Calvin take a track a few hundred miles farther to the south, impacts on the islands may be significantly less, even though the storm may stay stronger while tracking over warmer waters. Should Calvin veer more to the north, it will encounter cooler waters at a faster pace but may still have some success at bringing downpours and gusty thunderstorms to the islands.

Any non-flooding rainfall may be welcome in parts of the islands. The driest conditions were located in the western and central part of Maui, where moderate drought conditions were ongoing, according to the United States Drought Monitor.

Should little rain fall in some areas, the uptick in breezes generated by Calvin could raise the risk of wildfires, especially on Maui where the driest conditions already exist, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist John Feerick said.

In 2018, Hurricane Lane caused winds to kick up over drought-stricken locations in Hawaii. The winds fanned the flames of fires that ignited.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Editors note: A version of this story appeared in CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here.

Rocks, cliffs, muddy sediment. These natural features may not be that exciting to look at for some of us, but for geologists they bristle with meaning.

The story they tell is our planets history, chronicling how continents, mountain ranges and oceans formed and glaciers spread and receded. Fossils embedded in rock reveal intriguing details about animals, plants and other life-forms that once called Earth home.

If humans went extinct, what trace would we leave in the geological record? An announcement this week suggests that humanity has already made an indelible impact and one that warrants a new chapter in Earths history.

Consequences

Crawford Lake in Ontario is the geological site that best reflects a new epoch recognizing the impact of human activity on Earth, said geologists of the Anthropocene Working Group. - Courtesy Conservation Halton

Scientists say theyve identified a site that marks the birthplace of the Anthropocene  a new geological epoch that captures how profoundly humans have altered the world.

The Anthropocene Working Group determined in 2016 that the epoch began around 1950  the start of the era of nuclear testing.

The international research group says that Crawford Lake in Ontario best charts humanitys impact on Earth. Sediment cored from the lake bed showed geochemical traces of nuclear bomb tests, specifically radioactive plutonium.

However, not everyone agrees the Anthropocene is a geological reality  or that researchers have enough evidence to formally declare it a new epoch.

Solar update

Over the course of an 11-year solar cycle, the sun transitions from a calm period to one that is very intense and active. Cool, dark sunspots on the suns surface increase in number, causing solar flares and mass ejections of plasma.

The peak of the current solar cycle was forecast to take place in July 2025. However, our star is growing increasingly active. Scientists now think the solar maximum, or the peak of solar activity, is more likely to occur in mid-to-late 2024.

What does that mean for us on Earth? On the upside, it means that the auroras that dance around Earths poles will be visible in more places.

However, more intense solar storms can affect electric power grids, GPS and aviation, and satellites in low-Earth orbit. These events also cause radio blackouts and can even pose risks for crewed space missions.

A long time ago

An X-ray fluorescence sensor is set up in front of a painting in the tomb chapel of Menna, an official who served under Amenhotep III. - Theban Tombs Project (LAMS MAFTO CNRS - CA Uliege)

Ancient Egyptians used highly formalized workflows to execute their paintings. But these exacting artists didnt always get everything right the first time.

A cutting-edge technique is uncovering hidden details about paintings in two tombs that date back more than 3,000 years. Egyptologist Philippe Martinez of Sorbonne University said one of the tombs was a little bit like the Mona Lisa of Egypt.

The discoveries were made by using portable chemical imaging technology, which allows researchers to analyze the artwork while inside the tomb rather than waiting to look at it inside a museum or lab.

Other worlds

The NASA Mariner 4 mission captured the first photos of another planet taken from space in 1965. The spacecraft flew 6,118 miles (9,846 kilometers) above the surface of Mars, but the first image made public wasnt quite what the space agency intended.

Back then, it took 10 hours to relay a single image to Earth  incredibly slow by todays standards. As anxiety built during the wait, some members of the Mariner 4 team took matters into their own hands and assembled a color by numbers image based on representations of data to make sure the equipment was working properly.

Despite the best efforts of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratorys communications team, the press glimpsed the hand-colored image, and the artwork became the first close-up shot of Mars from space to be seen on TV.

The actual photo was released the next day. In total, Mariner 4 took 22 ground-breaking images, and they revealed craters on the Martian surface, which surprised scientists.

Dig this

This image shows artifacts made of bony material from a giant sloth discovered at a rock shelter in Brazil and excavated from archaeological layers dated to 25,000 to 27,000 years ago. - Thais Rabito Pansani/AP

Humans not only lived in South America at the same time as giant sloths  they also handcrafted pendants from bony material in the ice age creatures skin, according to a new study.

The maker or makers of the recently discovered three artifacts perforated a hole in the sloth bone and polished them, according to an analysis of microscopic marks. The species of giant sloth the bones belonged to would have weighed more than 1,300 pounds (about 600 kilograms), bigger than most current-day brown bears.

The discovery is exciting on two fronts: It puts humans in the Americas several thousand years earlier than many archaeologists thought, and the three pendants are the oldest known personal adornments unearthed on the landmass.

Explorations

Check out these three captivating stories.

 The Webb space telescope has been observing the universe for one year, and a stunning new image marks the milestone.

 The climate crisis is altering the color of the worlds oceans, although the change isnt yet visible to the naked eye.

 A scorching hot planet that zips around its host star every 19 hours is the shiniest exoplanet ever discovered.

Like what youve read? Oh, but theres more. Sign up here to receive in your inbox the next edition of Wonder Theory, brought to you by CNN Space and Science writers Ashley Strickland and Katie Hunt. They find wonder in planets beyond our solar system and discoveries from the ancient world.

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A celebrity facialist reveals why brides should plan their wedding skincare routine 'before buying the dress'

Kourtney Kardashian's facialist explains why you should start your wedding skincare routine before you even pick a dress. Natalia Bostan/Shutterstock

Kourtney Kardashian's facialist Candace Marino sat down with Insider to spill her skincare secrets.

Marino told Insider that brides should find a facialist before they even get their wedding dress.

She said starting a month before the wedding isn't enough time to get the best results.

After getting engaged, brides generally begin the same wedding checklist: find a venue, pick a date, and say yes to the dress.

But celebrity facialist Candace Marino, who keeps stars like Kourtney Kardashian and Miranda Kerr glowing, believes there's one important thing brides should think of before the gown: their skincare.

"When a bride comes in for the first time the month of her wedding wanting to change her skin, there's not a whole lot to be done," Marino, who is known in Hollywood as "The LA Facialist," told Insider.

"You should begin working with a facialist as soon as you have a wedding date," she added. "I always tell my brides that skincare should come before you purchase the dress."

Look for a wedding facial that includes calming and hydrating masks. New Africa/Shutterstock

Marino said your facialist needs plenty of time to learn about you, your skin, and its needs so you can get the best results (and avoid any adverse reactions) right before the big day.

If you already have a solid at-home skincare routine and consistently see a facialist who knows your skin really well, Marino said it's OK to get a facial the week before any wedding events.

To make sure you're getting the best facial a week before your wedding day  or any other big life events  Marino said there are a few important treatments it should include.

"Lots of massage to drain lymph and sculpt the face, a mild exfoliation to get you glowing, and calming and hydrating masks," she said. "And maybe things like LED and oxygen to reduce inflammation."

And Marino said it's always important to make sure the facialist is customizing their service for you and not just having you pick something off a menu.

"To me, a good facial includes extractions and a lot of massage. Without those components, I'm not satisfied," she said. "Knowing what you want in a facial is a good starting point."

"Make sure your provider can meet your needs and always speak up," she added. "Give them the opportunity to give you what you want. Not all of us are mind readers!"

Read the original article on Insider
Celia Kreifels was crowned the 2023 Dallas County Fair Queen during a coronation ceremony on July 14.

Kreifels recently graduated from ADM High School and will attend Iowa State University this fall to study human sciences. She is involved in FFA, 4-H and the Best Buddies program for elementary students. Kreifels also ran a community closet providing gently used clothing to ADM students and their families and providing respite care for mentally and physically challenged youth in the community.

Celia Kreifels, the 2023 Dallas County Fair Queen, poses for a photo with Brinna Orr, the runner-up, after the coronation ceremony on Friday, July 14 in Adel.

Brinna Orr was named the runner-up. She will be a junior at Woodward-Granger High School. Orr is involved in 4-H, FFA and advocated for school-wide change with the Woodward-Granger School Board.

The queen contestants participated in individual and group interviews before the fair. The contestants then wore sashes and participated in various fair activities, including handing out ribbons, before Friday's coronation ceremony. Makenzie Dresback, the 2022 fair queen, helped lead this years contestants before crowning Kreifels as the 2023 fair queen. Mary Ann Fox, the 2022 Iowa State Fair Queen, was also on hand to hand out sashes and flowers.

Kenzie Dresback crowns Celia Kreifels the 2023 Dallas County Fair Queen during the coronation ceremony on Friday, July 14 in Adel.

Other queen contestants included:

Bianca Fuquey - Will be a senior at ADM High School

Lydia Morin - Graduated from Dallas Center-Grimes High School and will attend DMACC to study psychology

Makenna Odegaard - Graduated from Dallas Center-Grimes High School and will attend Northwest Missouri State to study ag business

Megan Reck - Graduated from Dallas Center-Grimes High School and will attend Iowa State University studying ag business

Bailey Renner - Graduated from ADM High School and will attend DMACC to study business management

Camryn Tigges - Will be a senior at West Central Valley

The 2023 Dallas County Fair Queen contestants include, from left, Bailey Renner, Makenna Odegaard, Lydia Morin, Kenzie Dresback (2022 Dallas County Fair Queen), Brinna Orr (runner-up), Celia Kreifels (queen), Mary Ann Fox (2022 Iowa State Fair Queen), Megan Reck, Camryn Tigges and Bianca Fuquey.

This article originally appeared on Dallas County News: Celia Kreifels is crowned 2023 Dallas County Fair Queen, Brinna Orr named runner-up
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, center, testifies before the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Navajo Nation Press Office)

Navajo Nation citizens expressed disappointment with Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) and the Bureau of Land Management for stripping away their mineral rights at a Congressional subcommittee hearing on Wednesday. The July 12 hearing focused on a bill that would reverse protections around Chaco Culture National Historical Park (CCNHP) in New Mexico and restore Navajo mineral rights in the area.

The hearing was held by the Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

At stake are Navajo Nations mineral rights to land surrounding the National Park, which many citizens use to support themselves and their families.

Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren, who spoke in favor of the bill, said at Thursdays Congressional hearing that the allottees, who represent less than 1% of the Navajo Nation citizenship, felt their concerns were not heard or considered. The allottees felt like they were hit with a trash can, Nygren said.

If the bill passes, it will nullify the Bureau of Land Managements (BLM) Public Land Order (PLO) issued last month that bans all new oil, gas, and mineral extraction within ten additional miles around the CCNHP.

The park is home to cultural sites that are the sacred ancestral homelands by the Hopi and Pueblo people.

In June 2023, the Biden administration issued Public Land Order 7923, withdrawing approximately 337,000 acres of the federal mineral estate surrounding the CCNHP for a period of 20 years.

The order was celebrated by many Pueblo communities and leaders, along with dozens of conservation organizations throughout the country; however, the Navajo Nation contends that the withdrawal of the lands would deny Navajo Nation allottees access to their mineral rights.

The allotments are located in the San Juan Basin in New Mexico, which has valuable oil and gas reserves.

According to the House Committee on Natural Resources, there are currently 53 individual Indian allotments leased within the 10-mile buffer zone around the CCNHP. The leases provide an average of $6.2 million a year in royalties for 5,462 allottees, about $1,135 a year per allottee.

Our right to our modest income, from oil and gas payments, were stripped away by Public Land Order 7923, the Chaco 10-mile buffer withdrawal, said Delora Hesuse, a Navajo tribal citizen and allottee from the Navajo Nations Nageezi Chapter in New Mexico, who voiced her support of the bill at Thursdays legislative hearing. This was done despite strong and consistent opposition of the allottees and our tribe, the Navajo Nation.

Hesuse also spoke to the House Committee on Natural Resources on a previous bill, the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2019, which aimed to create a protected 10-mile buffer zone around the CCNHP. Then, she stated the 10-mile buffer zone would put a stop to many Navajo families only source of income.

At Thursdays hearing, Hesuse expressed disappointment in the current administration.

When Secretary Haaland came into office, she promised to listen to Indian Country and give us a stronger role in decisions affecting our lives, but she did not listen, Hesuse said. She did not listen to our allottee voices, she did not consult with us or with the Navajo Nation on our proposed five-mile compromise.

In early 2020, the Navajo Nation  with the support of its allottees  passed a resolution opposing the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act and proposed a 5-mile buffer zone around the area instead of the 10-mile buffer zone. In 2021, Navajo Nation citizens met with members of Congress to discuss the compromise.

At a budget hearing with the House Committee on Natural Resources in April 2023, Haaland was asked by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) if she knew how much revenue Navajo allottees would lose due to the proposed order that would protect an additional 10 miles from extraction around the CCNHP.

Haaland replied that she did not know the impact the decision would have on the Navajo allottees. She also did not commit to considering those impacts before issuing the public land order on June 2.

Known as the Energy Opportunities for All Act (H.R. 4374), the bill was introduced to the House of Representatives on June 27 by Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) with Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ), who then sent it to the Subcommittee for a legislative hearing.

There is no companion bill in the Senate.

About the Author: "Darren Thompson (Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe) is a staff reporter for Native News Online who is based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Thompson has reported on political unrest, tribal sovereignty, and Indigenous issues for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Indian Country Today, Native News Online, Powwows.com and Unicorn Riot. He has contributed to the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Voice of America on various Indigenous issues in international conversation. He has a bachelor\u2019s degree in Criminology & Law Studies from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "

Contact: dthompson@nativenewsonline.net
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's top diplomat Wang Yi told the Indian foreign minister that bilateral ties need to be stabilised, as the two Asian neighbours searched for ways to ease simmering military tensions along their vast border.

On the sidelines of ASEAN meetings in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, Wang told Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar that mutual support between the two nations is needed instead of suspicion, according to a readout from the Chinese foreign ministry.

India and China share a 3,800-km (2,360-mile) frontier, much of it poorly marked, and fought a brief but bloody war over it in 1962.

Since the 1990s, ties have improved after a series of border agreements, and China is now India's second-largest trading partner.

A setback in 2020, however, when 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers were killed in hand-to-hand fighting during a border clash, spurred both militaries to fortify positions and deploy large numbers of troops and equipment.

Several rounds of military and diplomatic talks have helped to ease tensions between the two armies, but New Delhi has described the situation on the border as fragile and dangerous.

China and India need to work in the same direction to find a solution to border issues acceptable to both sides, Wang told Jaishankar during their meeting on Friday.

"The two sides should support each other and accomplish things together, rather than wear each other down or suspect each other," Wang said.

India and China should not let specific issues define their overall relationship, he said.

The two sides agreed to hold the next round of military commander-level talks on border issues at an early date, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

Since 2020, New Delhi has also ramped up scrutiny of Chinese businesses, banning more than 300 Chinese apps, including TikTok. It has also intensified scrutiny of investments by Chinese firms.

On India's recent restrictions against Chinese companies, Wang urged a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Edmund Klamann)
Clarence ThomasTasos Katopodis/Getty Images

The Associated Press just released an in-depth study on how access to the Supreme Court has been bought over the years. On one end, deep-pocket donors are invited to public speaking engagements with ideologically aligned justices, but the collection plate is tastefully hidden until after the fact. On the other end, public events morph into exclusive junkets with prolonged, personal access extended over days. No justice has benefitted from the symbiosis  or the luxury  more than Clarence Thomas.

Gifts lavished on Thomas and his crusading wife Ginni taste, feel, and smell uber lux: island hopping on staffed superyachts; pampered vacations worth millions over two decades; bougie boarding school tuition; a free refurbished home for mom; disguised provocateur 'fees' for Ginni; and exclusive travel on private aircraft meant for heads of state.

The Thomases have luxuriated in conservative donor Harlan Crow's extreme wealth for decades, while most federal judges won't even accept a free lunch. Clarence and Ginni show us how it's done: not just the lunch, but also the chef, the estate he toils in, and a private jet and yacht to get to the secluded island it sits on.

Related

The Supreme Court's new "separate but equal" doctrine

Bringing the past to life

These modern-day ermine furs have been bestowed on a Supreme Court justice who, in return, grafts unyielding conservatism onto a 230-year-old founding text that was never meant to be static.

From his perch on the High Court, Thomas has advanced putative 'originalist' 1791 values  as he sees them  from an era when women had no vote or voice and humans were legal chattel.

According to Thomas and his federalist friends, the meaning of the U.S. Constitution must be fixed according to the understandings of those who ratified it. Where advancements in science or technology over 200 years interject pesky ambiguity  as they will  Thomas meets the moment by spinning history, pronouncing his own views as 'original' to the founders.

Cherry-picking history to put a gun in every hand

Thomas' selective historical spin is on acute display in the 2021 Bruen decision, which struck down New York's limit on concealed handguns. Thomas instructed that the only periods of legal relevance were 1791 and 1868, when the 2nd and 14th Amendments, respectively, were ratified.

Working within Thomas' restriction, New York presented historical evidence that weapons were, in fact, legally regulated during colonial times. New York presented the Court with three distinct types of weapon carry restrictions adopted after the 2nd Amendment was ratified in 1791, but Thomas deemed three colonial-era weapons regulations insufficient to show a supporting "pattern."

Query how many regulations during that narrow window of time would suffice to teach Thomas that our founders had the common sense to regulate guns.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Marriage for me but not for thee

Thomas' originalist ruse isn't limited to guns. In Dobbs, the Court's results-driven departure from Roe v. Wade, Thomas wrote a concurring opinion that questioned the entire right of privacy, saying he would go further  much further  than the majority.

Thomas suggested that the Court 'reconsider' its prior substantive due process cases because the right to privacy, he says, is not supported by the Constitution. Specifically targeting Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell, Thomas says citizens have no protected privacy right to contraceptives, same-sex sex, or same-sex marriage.

Analysis supporting the Constitutional right to same-sex marriage in Obergefell flowed from Loving v. Virginia, the landmark case that struck down anti-miscegenation laws under the 14th Amendment. Thomas saved for another day how he would protect his own mixed-race marriage under Loving while outlawing marriage for others under the same analysis.

Decisions from a poisoned tree

Thomas' conservative benefactor, Harlan Crow, has poured billions of dollars into funding cases before the court, as well as political campaigns to block or seat certain justices on the court. Thomas, in appreciative lockstep, has repeatedly ruled against donor disclosure. Even Citizens United, which gave corporations a blank check to influence elections, didn't go far enough for Thomas, who issued a blistering lone dissent to rail against donor disclosure requirements.

In a criminal trial, evidence that is illicitly obtained is excluded from the jury. As the 'poisonous tree doctrine' goes, if the evidentiary tree is tainted, so must be its fruit.

Relatedly, in a civil trial, the best way to cast doubt on an opponent's expert is to tell the jury exactly how much he was paid to reach his conclusions. Knowing who paid for what, and how much, is key to weighing just outcomes.

Thomas' selective originalism falls from a tree so gilded by years of opulence that it is rotten. Worse, his federalism charade offends the original originalist:

(L)aws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.  Thomas Jefferson

Clarence Thomas would keep America stuffed in an ill-fitting coat to serve his benefactors, the coat makers. Doubtless, he's relieved "quid pro quo" isn't in the Constitution. But then, neither is "judicial review."

Read more

about Clarence Thomas
Column: On the hotel worker picket line, retirement is out of the question for many

Jose Ayala, 67, left, pickets with fellow workers at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. Ayala is a dishwasher for the Viceroy and works a second job to make ends meet. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The hotel workers began arriving at 5:30 on a recent morning to walk a picket line, and soon they were marching in a circle as the sun rose, chanting and carrying signs that said No Contract, No Peace.

Of the 23 housekeepers, dishwashers and food service employees demanding a new deal outside the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica, all but five were older than 50.

Six were past 60.

Two were in their 70s.

Like many older Americans, they keep working because they cant afford to quit. An April report by the Economic Policy Institute summed it up like this:

No Way Out: Older workers are increasingly trapped in crummy jobs and unable to retire.

Labor economist and New School professor Teresa Ghilarducci, co-author of that report, told me that as housing and other living costs have risen in the post-pension era, its tougher for workers, let alone retirees, to pay their bills. And that financial fragility is far more prevalent among Black and Latino people.

Jacinto Antonio Herrera walks the picket line in front of the Viceroy Hotel. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Twenty-eight percent of all people 62 to 70 are still working, and its because they have to, said Ghilarducci, director of the New School's Retirement Equity Lab. That is much, much higher than it used to be.

Among people in that age group who have retired, she said, 51% are downwardly mobile  or poor.

On the picket line in Santa Monica, I noticed that one man, legs bowed, walked with a limp.

My knee hurts, said Jose Ayala, 67, a dishwasher at the Viceroy.

I was reminded of a gent I met a couple of years ago while researching my book on retirement. Hed been a middle manager at a utility company, took a buyout after a merger and layoff, and then watched much of his retirement fund vaporize during a market crash.

Amparo Rodriguez, 68, who has worked 25 years in housekeeping at the Viceroy, receives a hug of support in front of the hotel in Santa Monica. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Landing a job was no cinch at his age, and he was in recovery from cancer, with medical bills stacking up. He finally found work as a checker at a discount big-box store, and when I visited, he said his foot ached, probably from standing all day. Several months later, I heard from his wife. Hed finally retired, she said, and died soon after that.

Im standing all day, said dishwasher Ayala, who wasnt exaggerating much. He has a second job at a nearby restaurant, also five days a week, with five- or six-hour shifts. That's what it takes  13 hours a day of work  to pay for an apartment near Culver City, where he lives with his family of four. Ayala said hell keep grinding until the end of the year, then decide whether he can afford to give up one of his jobs.

Amparo Rodriguez, 68, said she uses public transit to get to her housekeeping job from the Mid-City studio apartment she shares with her husband. Hes out of work after getting hurt while operating a forklift, so retirement isn't an option for her after 60 years of work  her first job was cleaning her aunt's house in Mexico for 1 peso a day.

Things are difficult, Rodriguez said. The bills are high.

Jacinto Antonio Herrera, 76, is a dishwasher at the Viceroy Hotel. "One more year," he said, and he'll see if he can afford to retire or go part-time. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

In Southern California, hotel workers have actually come a long way in recent years. Longtime Viceroy employees can earn as much as $25 an hour, with benefits including a modest pension and healthcare.



Economist Ghilarducci said defined benefits, and lowering the Medicare age to 60, would go a long way toward easing financial burdens as people age.

The Viceroy employees are lucky to have gotten improved pay and pensions, she said, but unlucky, as well, because their financial struggles are unlikely to end. They may never be able  while employed or in retirement  to keep up with the rising costs.

And theyre working in highly physical jobs that will probably make their health worse and their mortality shorter, Ghilarducci said.

It's not just the work that takes a toll, it's the logistics, too. Hotel employees and other essential workers are often forced to commute long distances to cheaper housing. Or to sleep in their cars, as my colleague Brittny Mejia just reported.

The Viceroy employees, and those at more than 40 other area hotels, are represented by Unite Here Local 11, which is asking for a $5-an-hour raise followed by annual $3 raises the next three years. Negotiators for the hotels, many of which have been hit by temporary walkouts, have offered $2.50 this year and a $6.25 increase over four years.

In terms of pay, these are good jobs, but theyre just not good enough, Unite Here Local 11 co-President Kurt Petersen said as the Viceroy workers picketed. Thats what this fight is about. Theyre not good enough now, and theyre certainly not good enough to provide people with a retirement.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2022, 77,000 hotel employees  roughly 6% of the total were 65 and older.

Esther Dorado, 70, who has worked 38 years in housekeeping at the Viceroy Hotel, wipes her eye while picketing. "I clean 13 rooms a day," said Dorado, and mini-suites with families can be taxing. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Esther Dorado, 70, who lives in a rear dwelling in Pacoima, took a seat while her colleagues marched on the picket line at the Viceroy. Shes been a housekeeper there for 38 years and counting, but retirement is out of reach at the moment.

I clean 13 rooms a day, said Dorado, who added that mini-suites with kids are the toughest, because they bring in sand from the beach and smudge the windows with sticky fingers.

Rooms were available in the $500 nightly range this weekend at the Viceroy, which completed a multimillion-dollar renovation recently.

Sometimes the guests leave a tip, Dorado said. But its not guaranteed and its not automatic.

Dishwasher Jacinto Antonio Herrera, 76, said that in his first job, at 7, he milked cows on a ranch in El Salvador. Today he lives in a South L.A. home with eight relatives from El Salvador, and they have four jobs between them. He said he likes working  doing nothing makes him crazy  and enjoys seeing his friends on the job.

One more year, Herrera said, and hell see if he can afford to retire or go part-time.

As a young man, Herrera said, he fought in El Salvadors civil war and was captured, imprisoned and tortured.

It was a war over inequity, he said, rich versus poor.

A conflict without borders and without end.

steve.lopez@latimes.com





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Column of Wagner mercenaries with at least 60 vehicles arrives in Belarus  Belarusian Hajun

Wagnerians

A large convoy comprising both passenger and cargo vehicles, bearing license plates from the so-called DPR and LPR sham Russian puppet states in Ukraines Donbas, was spotted entering Belarus on the morning of July 15, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported on Telegram on July 15.

Multiple signs strongly suggest that this convoy is linked to the Wagner private military company, Belarusian Hajun said.

According to the monitoring groups report, the Wagner mercenaries entered Belarus from Russia during the night near the city of Krychaw. They subsequently traveled through Rahacou en route to Babruysk, eventually reaching Asipovichy.

The monitoring group speculates that this specific route indicates the movement of the Wagner PMC column towards a tent camp situated in the village of Tsyil.

Read also: Ukrainian intelligence has informants close to Putin's inner circle, says Budanov

The convoy consists of no less than 60 vehicles, including pickups, large trucks, vans, and a minimum of three buses designed for transportation, the monitoring group noted. The Belarusian traffic police accompanied the convoy.

Prior to this development, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus announced the arrival of Wagner mercenary company representatives at a field camp near the city of Asipovichy in Mogilev Oblast.

Prigozhins mutiny in Russia  What we know

The leader of Russias Wagner mercenary company, Yevgeny Prigozhin, on June 23 announced the start of an armed conflict with the Russian Ministry of Defense and a march toward Moscow.

He cited an alleged attack by the Russian army on Wagner forces rear camps in Rostov as the cause. The conflict between Prigozhin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had already been ongoing for some months. Prigozhin had been consistently demanding the ministers resignation, accusing him of mismanaging the occupying forces and failing to adequately supply Wagner mercenaries with ammunition.

Read also: Wagner mercenaries no longer participating in war in Ukraine, says Pentagon

Wagner fighters took control of Russian military facilities in Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh on June 24. They reportedly destroyed at least seven Russian aircraft during the short-lived mutiny.

Prigozhin is now facing criminal charges for organizing an armed coup. Security forces in Moscow had apparently prepared for a possible siege, and Ukrainian intelligence reports suggest that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin hastily left Moscow for his residence in Valdai, to the north-west of the Russian capital.

However, as the column of Wagner mercenaries reached Moscow region, the press service the Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko announced that negotiations had taken place between Lukashenko and Prigozhin, resulting in an agreement to halt the rebellion.

Shortly after, Prigozhin declared that he was turning back the columns from Moscow and returning them to their field camps.

The Kremlin initially claimed that Prigozhin would be heading to Belarus following the failed coup attempt, but flight data indicates that he has been traveling between Belarus and Russia. Media reports also suggest the construction of alleged Wagner camps in Belarus, including in Asipovichy, Mogilev Oblast, which is approximately 200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

Belarusian Hajun confirmed on July 14 that Prigozhin had indeed spent the night at a camp near Asipovichy, where Wagner mercenaries are likely barracked.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Here comes the haze. Smoke from wildfires in Canada to push back into Kentucky this week.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires is coming back to Kentucky.

WKYT Chief Meteorologist Chris Bailey said smoke from the northwest will push back into the Bluegrass Sunday and Monday, probably lingering into Tuesday.

The air quality will essentially take another hit, Bailey said, but Its not quite to the extent of what we had last time.

The Louisville Air Pollution Control District issued an air quality alert for Sunday for the Louisville area, saying particle pollution is forecast to be at levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as children, the elderly, those with heart disease and people with asthma.

We can see on Saturday that the smoke plume ... extends all the way from the plains to the midwest, said Dan McKemy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Louisville.

By the middle and latter part of the week, Bailey said the weather pattern will be disrupted with more rounds of storms, which should push the smoke out of the region again.

Thats been the theme all summer, Bailey said Saturday.

The National Weather Service said in a hazardous weather outlook statement Saturday afternoon that brief heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and lightning could be possible with a few thunderstorms in Central Kentucky and southern Indiana Saturday night, followed by unsettled weather Sunday through Friday. The weather service said periods of showers and thunderstorms are expected to move through the region, some of which could be strong or severe.

For days late last month, a thick haze hung over Central Kentucky, prompting an air quality alert for more than 40 Kentucky counties, until storms blew in and the smoke dissipated.

The Washington Post reported that almost 24 million acres, an area larger than the state of Indiana, has burned so far in the worst wildfire season on record for Canada, forcing the evacuation of 155,000 people from their homes.
The man protesting the cut down of a Wedgwood tree is still up in it on Saturday.

He climbed into the huge cedar tree on Friday and says hes still staying in his hammock and that community support has been pouring in.

The tree was already supposed to come down but got a brief stay when the company missed part of the paperwork.

The tree is one of the final 6,000 with a 30-inch diameter that is scheduled to be chopped down, so groups are fighting to save it.

That is heartening news that we essentially have time bought. The place that this tree holds in this forest, this neighborhood. If that was gone it would be really hard, said the activist who goes by Droplet.

If they still decide to cut it down, the company has to refile the paperwork, then repost signs warning of the cut. There must be a three days notice.

Droplet says hes in for the long haul. Well be keeping an eye on the situation as the two groups are set to clash.








Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the upcoming COP28 climate conference during with the president of the United Arab Emirate, Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyan, during a visit to the Gulf nation hosting the event (Mohamed AL-HAMMADI)

The United Arab Emirates and India vowed on Saturday to make this year's COP28 conference in Dubai a success, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to the Gulf state.

The oil-rich UAE will host the COP28 United Nations climate talks in November and December, as world nations remain far apart on means to reduce fossil fuels and reduce global warming.

"The UAE and India are united in their determination to ensure the successful outcome of COP28 as an inclusive and action-oriented conference," read a statement following talks in Abu Dhabi between Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyan and Modi.

The two leaders said they were "committed to enhance cooperation on climate ambition, decarbonisation and clean energy, and work together to have tangible and meaningful outcomes" at the conference, it added.

With global temperatures hitting record highs last week and countries buffeted by floods, storms and crop-withering heatwaves, the world remains far off track to meet its climate goals.

Emirati oil executive Sultan Al Jaber, who will head up the COP28 talks, has said he expects fossil fuels to continue to play a role, albeit reduced and with the use of often controversial technologies to "abate", or neutralise, the emissions.

Last year's climate summit in Egypt saw the creation of a new financial facility for poor countries already ravaged by impacts, but rebuffed attempts to spell out the need to ditch fossil fuels.

That same fault line will run through COP28, pitting the European Union and scores of developing countries against China, India and other emerging giants, along with the United States, the world's largest oil and gas producer.

Modi and the UAE president also stressed the need to take into consideration "the diverse national circumstances of each nation", the statement said, in an apparent nod to developing and emerging countries.

During the visit, Modi also met Jaber who has come under fire since his appointment as COP28 president early this year from critics who say his position as a top oil and gas executive is a conflict of interest because burning fossil fuels is by far the main driver of global warming.

Expecting 70,000 participants, double the largest COP to date, this year's summit hopes to maintain the Paris Agreement's goal for capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Last month UN chief Antonio Guterres slammed the world's response to climate change.

Climate policies currently adopted will lead to average temperatures 2.8 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times by the end of the century, said the secretary-general.

Modi's visit to the UAE, home to a large Indian community, came after trips to the United States and France where he was feted by the presidents of both countries.

bur-aem/hkb/ami
Jewel Samad/AFP via Getty Images

The 40-year-old suspect accused of gunning down four people at a subdivision outside of Atlanta was killed during a manhunt, authorities said Sunday.

Andre Longmores death was confirmed to local station WSB-TV by Henry County Sheriff Reginald Scandrett.

Two police officers were wounded during the manhunt. Few details on their condition were immediately available, but officials said both officers were conscious.

Three men and one woman were killed in the Saturday shooting, which police say occurred just before 11 a.m. in the Dogwood Lakes area of Hampton and left four different crime scenes.

The identities of the victims were not immediately released. Police had not commented on a possible motive as of Sunday afternoon.

A neighbor told WSB-TV that he had watched the shooting unfold right outside his home. Frankie Worth said that hed been at the window when hed heard a gunshot, and looked out to see the gunman casually fire into a vehicle on the road. I was kind of confused, why aint my neighbor stepped on the gas, Worth said. He didnt step on the gas because he been hit.

Earlier on Sunday, Scandrett had announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to Longmores arrest.

Addressing the gunman directly, Scandrett had harsh words: Wherever you are, we will hunt you down in whatever hole you may be hiding in and bring you into custody. Period.

The attack is the 31st mass killing in the United States this year, according to the Associated Press.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Daytona Beach Shores police Sgt. Jessica Long and Lt. Michael Schoenbrod are seeking to keep confidential records of an FDLE investigation. A hearing on the matter is set for Monday.

A court filing reveals that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement recommended charges be filed against two Daytona Beach Shores police officers who jailed their child last October for a potty-training lesson.

Despite the recommendation, State Attorney R.J. Larizza did not charge Lt. Michael Schoenbrod and Sgt. Jessica Long with any crime.

The FDLE investigation  even though it has been completed  has been blocked from public view by court order, according to a new filing by the State Attorney's Office.

Schoenbrod said Long put the 3-year-old child in a city holding cell for several minutes on Oct. 5, then he followed up the next day by handcuffing the boy and putting him in the jail for "13 minutes or something like that."

Schoenbrod made the admissions during an interview with a Department of Children and Families caseworker later that month, according to Volusia County Sheriff's Office bodycam footage released to The News-Journal and other parties.

Documents in a Volusia Circuit Court petition filed by Jessica Long and Michael Schoenbrod, two Daytona Beach Shores police officers, are sealed. A government accountability nonprofit and the News-Journal are attempting to intervene in an attempt to get records, including the original petition, opened.

Schoenbrod, who's on administrative leave and facing two active professional standards investigations, and Sgt. Jessica Long filed a petition in Volusia Circuit Court last March that was sealed and is inaccessible to the public. A subsequent filing in May showed them petitioning the court, but the filing itself was marked confidential.

A hearing to deal with questions about the confidentiality of records in the case is scheduled for Monday. Ahead of that, the State Attorney's Office filed a 4-page response on Friday.

In it, the state revealed that an attorney representing Schoenbrod and Long started the process to expunge records from the FDLE investigation. In doing so, the attorney certified that neither Schoenbrod nor Long had been arrested, "and a charge was recommended by FDLE."

Records that may be expunged, under state law, include "criminal history information" and "descriptions and notations of arrests, detentions, indictments ... or other formal criminal charges" and any disposition of such cases, the state attorney's response notes.

Neither Long nor Schoenbrod was arrested or charged, so the expungement process is null, the filing states.

On May 18, unbeknownst to the State Attorney's Office, the petitioners asked a judge to order the state to sign off on the application for expungement, according to the filing. The State Attorney's Office concludes that expungement is not "the most direct process for the relief sought by petitioners," and that the petition filed by Long and Schoenbrod be denied.

Separately, Tampa attorney Mark Caramanica, on behalf of the Florida Council for Government Accountability and The Daytona Beach News-Journal, filed an appearance, seeking to weigh in on the confidentiality of documents in the matter at the hearing Monday.

Also relating to the case is a letter from the Clerk of Circuit Court to Michael Lambert, the attorney representing Schoenbrod and Long. The letter, which appeared in the case file Thursday, stated that a filing Lambert identified as "confidential" isn't. The letter states that the clerk will render the filing public within 10 days unless a judge orders it confidential.

Lambert, reached by email Friday afternoon, did not comment on the latest filings, saying he had "not seen anything" as of 5 p.m.

Daytona Beach Shores Case: Lieutenant who jailed toddler under investigation for violating six department policies

Potty Training Fallout: Nonprofit asks judge to open records in case involving Daytona Beach Shores officers

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: FDLE investigated Shores officers who jailed son for potty training
Another North Carolina town debuted a social district where visitors can drink in public areas and not only in a business.

Cramerton opened the Center Street Social District on Friday along portions of Center Street between Eighth Avenue and Front Street.

A social district allows customers of ABC-permitted establishments to drink alcohol on sidewalks and public areas within the pre-determined confines of the district.

Drinking in the Cramerton Center Street Social District is allowed from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

Customers who buy a drink in the social district must drink it and throw it away in the social district.

READ MORE: Albemarles new social district debuts Saturday

The Town of Cramerton published a list of restrictions for the social district in order to keep the area a family-friendly destination.

Businesses must meet all legal requirements around selling alcohol, including checking IDs and limiting consumption of alcoholic drinks. The establishment can only serve two beers/wine drinks or one liquor drink to one patron at a time.

All alcoholic beverages must be purchased from establishments in the District in specifically labeled cups and must be consumed within the district.

All alcohol in open containers must to be thrown away before customers leave the District.

Drinks must be less than 16 ounces.

Cramerton Police Officers will enforce the restrictions of the Center Street Social District.

READ MORE: Statesville debuts new social district in downtown area

Since the N.C. General Assembly legalized social districts in 2021, towns and cities across the state have created these designated drinking areas.

Albemarle, Hickory, Kannapolis, Mooresville, and Salisbury have opened their own social districts. Greensboro, Raleigh, and Durham have also created downtown drinking areas.

Charlotte officials approved social districts in 2022 and multiple neighborhoods have submitted applications to create one, but none have opened yet.

READ PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

(WATCH: New social district in Gastonia allows drinking between bars)




Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov

Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov has slammed the allegedly angry reaction of U.S. delegation at last weeks NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys criticism of the defense alliance.

Read also: Zelenskyy sternly reacts to Wallace's remarks on Ukraines lack of gratitude

Speaking to Radio NV, Danilov said he was more shocked and angry about what the Russians were doing in the occupied part of Ukraine than by the Twitter post by President Zelenskyy, which described the wording of a NATO summit statement as "unprecedented and absurd."

U.S. newspaper the Washington Post, citing anonymous sources, said that the U.S. delegation at the NATO summit had been angered by the Ukrainian presidents tweet.

"I can't say who is (more) shocked by what, Danilov told Radio NV, speaking to the station on July 14.

When, at 5.30 a.m. in the morning, for the 500th day (of Russias full-scale war on Ukraine), I receive information about what happened to us right at the front, I can definitely say that Im shocked."

Read also: Finnish FM rebukes claims that Kyiv not grateful for western support

Danilov also said that he was shocked by the war crimes committed by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin against Ukrainian children.

"Im shocked by the killing of our children, Danilov said. More than 500 children have been killed by this abomination named Putin on the territory of our country. Five hundred! We need to talk about it in order to understand that something needs to be done about it. And it needs to be done as soon as possible."

He said that in his opinion, Ukraine now needs more military assistance from the West so that it can put an end to the Russian-Ukrainian war.

"In order to put an end to this issue as soon as possible, we need victory. Danilov said.

Were not going to give up, no matter how much someone might want to offer us this or that alternative. We definitely cannot consider any of them, because we understand the historical moment that is currently happening in our country. We finally have the opportunity to become an independent, large country, a country with a capital letter, (for the first time) in 300-odd years, but for this we need to make the maximum effort.

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also defended Zelenskyy and Ukraine. According to Johnson, the conclusions of the Vilnius summit "are as uncertain and unconvincing as after the NATO summit in Bucharest in 2008," so "its not surprising that President Zelenskyy initially had a hard time hiding his disappointment."

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A California bill that could allow more homes to be quickly built in coastal areas has sparked a fierce legislative battle, as the state contends with a chronic housing shortage.

The bill, which would expedite the development of multifamily housing, including in previously exempt coastal zones, overcame a significant hurdle this week, as the state legislature heads into a month of summer recess.

Those in favor of SB 423, sponsored by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D), view the legislation as a critical tool that could alleviate the states housing crisis while protecting the integrity of Californias coast.

But many opponents fear the bill could drive a wedge between housing and environmental interests, in a state that for decades has been a national benchmark for climate policy.

That is really backwards, Wiener told The Hill, describing this perspective as a narrow view of what climate action is.

When you oppose putting dense, affordable housing in our existing urbanized communities, then all youre doing is fueling sprawl, and more driving, and more carbon emissions, he said.

Despite the deep divides regarding SB 423s fate, the legislation advanced Monday at a fiery hearing in the State Assembly Natural Resources Committee, garnering bipartisan support.

Three of the seven members who supported it were Republicans, while all four votes against were Democrats, including the committees chair.

I calculated, I think, four and a half years since Ive walked into a committee without having full agreement with the chair, Wiener said at the hearing, noting that he has introduced 140 bills.

SB 423 seeks to extend Wieners existing SB 35, a 2017 law that launched a streamlined, opt-in approval process for multifamily housing in cities that have not yet met their housing targets.

Projects built through SB 35, which is set to sunset in 2025, must comply with existing residential and mixed-use zoning and set aside at least 10 percent of units for lower-income families.

From 2018 through 2021 alone, developers proposed nearly 18,000 units of affordable housing under the law, according to a recent analysis from University of California, Berkeleys Terner Center for Housing Innovation. Three-quarters of these units were designated for lower-income households  or those below 80 percent of their areas median income, per the analysis.

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D), co-author of SB 423, described its predecessor as one of the most impactful laws on the books in the state of California to actually build affordable housing.

SB 423 bill would not only extend SB 35s provisions through 2036, but it would also incorporate stronger labor standards signed into law last year. Mixed-income projects that surpass 85 feet would only be eligible for streamlining if they included a skilled and trained workforce.

Among the most divisive elements in SB 423, however, is its deletion of a provision in SB 35 that had prohibited the streamlining of multifamily housing projects in coastal zones.

Were not looking to build new homes on coastal bluffs or in sensitive areas, Wiener told The Hill, noting that the bill includes many exclusions. But the coastal zone includes places like Santa Monica, and Santa Cruz and parts of Los Angeles.

Trade organizations representing carpenters, laborers and operating engineers have all voiced their support for the legislation, Wicks noted at the hearing.

This is a labor-friendly, labor-positive bill, said Jay Bradshaw, executive officer of the Nor Cal Carpenters Union, on behalf of a broad coalition of laborers. We need 2.5 million housing units as fast as possible.

Workers in Californias coastal communities travel about 10 percent more each day than commuters heading elsewhere, according to a 2015 report from the Legislative Analysts Office. These communities also take about two-and-a-half months longer than inland towns to issue building permits: seven versus four-and-a-half months, per the report.

While recognizing the need for more affordable housing, SB 423s opponents expressed alarm about streamlining the development of multifamily housing along Californias coast.

Sean Drake, a senior legislative analyst for the California Coastal Commission, told committee members Monday that while he and his colleagues disapprove of SB 423 in its current form, they would be willing to remove their opposition with the addition of certain amendments.

Important provisions include limiting such development to areas already zoned for residential or multifamily use, to protect businesses that are enjoyable for everyone to visit, Drake said.

Addressing this demand, Wiener told The Hill that SB 423 only applies to areas that are already zoned residentially  period, end of story.

The Coastal Commission has been spreading misinformation in that regard that is just absolutely inaccurate, he said.

The Commission called for an amendment that would ban streamlining in areas vulnerable to five feet of sea level rise as determined by best available science, according to a document shared with The Hill. Such steps would aim to address concerns that homes could become uninhabitable in the coming decades.

In response to this request, revisions from Wiener suggested a ban in areas vulnerable to three feet of sea level rise as determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the Ocean Protection Council.

At the Monday hearing, Drake stressed that construction practices must look toward the year 2100, by which time low and moderate projections for sea level rise are five feet or more.

Five feet is the lowest benchmark that we think is acceptable for ensuring that housing will actually be protected for its useful life, and that were not locating affordable housing in sacrifice zones, he said.

Laura Walsh, California policy manager for the Surfrider Foundation, echoed Drakes sentiments, noting that five feet is a very conservative estimate.

Walsh also expressed fears that the bill could become a Trojan horse that might deregulate qualified housing development along a very thin strip of land that contains some of the nations most lucrative real estate.

At the hearing, Wiener responded to concerns about rising sea levels, saying that although he is open to five feet, he had adopted federal standards because best available science is not an objective measure.

Revisiting this point Friday, Wiener said the parties are very close to an agreement on sea level rise and on identifying an objective measurement standard.

The state senator also stressed that even if the bill stayed as is, about 85 percent of Californias coastal zone would still be exempt from the streamlined development process.

While Natural Resources Committee members remain at odds over the current version of the bill, these divisions did not necessarily align with partisan interests.

Among the most vocal opponents was Committee Chair Luz M. Rivas (D), who said that her San Fernando Valley constituents  including families of four with collective annual incomes of $30,000  would not be able to afford the housing thats built through this bill.

Rivas commended Wiener for getting labor groups on board with the bill, but she took issue with potential coastal, wildfire and environmental justice effects.

She emphasized the need to include stronger language on wildfire risk, referring to a revision to the bill that she proposed in a legislative analysis of SB 423. The concern in this case is [again, think we just want to be a little more explicit about what the concern is  that new affordable housing and its denizens could be vulnerable to fires.

Rivass analysis proposed keeping a clause that prohibits development within a very high fire hazard severity zone, as identified by the Forestry and Fire Protection Department (Cal Fire) director or in high or very high fire hazard severity areas on maps adopted by Cal Fire.

But her revision called for the deletion of a sentence that would lift the ban in sites excluded from the specified hazard zones by a local agency  or sites that have adopted fire hazard mitigation measures pursuant to existing building standards.

My concern is that we will be developing in a very dangerous area, and I want to be clear on what parameters we will be putting there, Rivas said at the hearing.

Wiener responded that he could not accept such a categorical exemption or exclusion from the bill for these zones, which he said would be a massive body blow to this bill.

Elaborating on his stance Friday, the state senator said that such an exclusion would set a terrible precedent.

Wiener acknowledged that there are certain places where development should not occur, such as a hilly area with a one-lane road going up and down, which he described as a tinderbox.

But he also called attention to places that are in very high-severity zones, where you can take steps and mitigations to make it completely appropriate to build.

While divisions among Democrats stood out in the state Assemblys Natural Resources Committee, Wiener noted that the bill received strong majority Democratic support in the state Senate and earned 29 votes out of 40 on the chambers floor.

Housing is not a partisan issue in legislature, Wiener said. There are Democrats and Republicans on both sides.

Among those committee members who expressed support for SB 423 was Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D), who pointed out that California has the highest functional poverty rate of any state.

We need to do everything we can to incentivize and remove the barriers to building more housing, Chavez Zbur said.

Assemblymember Josh Hoover (R), meanwhile, called for an all-hands-on-deck approach, adding that we have to make California a place where our kids can afford to live.

Once the California legislature returns from recess, which began at the end of the session Friday, SB 423 will head to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. If the bill passes there, it could be eligible for a floor vote on August 21, according to Erik Mebust, a spokesperson for Wiener.

The bill would then have until Sept. 14 to return to the Senate for a concurrence vote, after which Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) would have 12 days to sign it into law  which Mebust said the governor has signaled he is excited to do.

Going forward, Wiener expressed feelings of positivity about the bills path and the prospects of resolving differences regarding wildfire risk and those with the Coastal Commission.

I feel very good about that, he said. Theyve come to the table, weve come to the table, and I think were very, very close.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Polish military equipment next to trucks in a parking lot in Poland

Oleksandr Kubrakov, the Deputy Prime Minister for Ukraines recovery, unveiled some of the secrets behind Ukraines military logistics since the start of the full-scale war with Russia in an interview with NV on July 14.

Kubrakov said that Ukraine began constructing the entire new military logistics system from the third day of the war after the closure of its airspace.

Prior to the war, our partners delivered everything we needed to Ukraine via airplanes, primarily to Boryspil and other airports.

However, after the war broke out, the main hub shifted to the Polish city of Jasionka, with additional hubs emerging throughout Ukraine, Kubrakov said.

He highlighted that the logistics system relies on two primary modes of transportation: trucks, which play a central role, and railways.

Kubrakov emphasized that approximately 95% to 99% of the truck movement, both inbound and outbound, is facilitated and funded by the private sector. Big businesses, small businesses, banks, IT companies, fuel companies, agricultural companies, and construction companies finance our military logistics system, he said.

Since the third day of the war, various entities, including civil organizations, have been transparently supporting and overseeing the military logistics system in Ukraine, Kubrakov said, adding that these entities are committed to continuing their efforts until the war concludes.

And all of this continues, and everyone is ready to do it until the end of the war. Allof this is happening transparently. There are civil organizations; everything is under control, he said.

Kubrakov also recounted how he inadvertently joined the pressure on partners regarding the provision of cluster ammunition to Ukraine.

There was the Munich Conference. As a civilian, I dont have the same restrictions as military ministers or personnel might have, he said.

I genuinely dont understand why Russia is using cluster munitions on our territory while were not allowed to use them on our own land.

I am aware of the conventions and risks involved, but its important to note that it is our land they are occupying, Kubrakov said.

In order to defend ourselves and regain control, we need access to these munitions to achieve some level of parity.

The White House announced the United States decision to supply cluster ammunition to Ukraine, specifically M864 artillery projectiles for 155 mm howitzers.

Some of the ammunition has already arrived in Ukraine.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
DeSantis on 6-week abortion ban: I had a lot of supporters who were averse to me on this

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) acknowledged on Friday that he had a lot of supporters who were averse to me on the six-week abortion ban he signed into law earlier this year.

As President, I will be somebody who will use the bully pulpit to support governors like [Iowa Gov.] Kim Reynolds when shes got a bill, other states as they advance the cause of life. It is a critical issue, and its one Im happy to have done, DeSantis told former Fox New host Tucker Carlson during the Family Leadership Summit event in Iowa, referring to Reynolds recently signing a six-week abortion ban.

And oh, by the way, this is an issue where I had a lot of supporters who were averse to me on this. Donors saying they didnt want to support me if I stood for life. Its been written about how I lost a lot of really big supporters, he continued. Some of them just arent pro-life. Some of them think its a political liability.

And at the end of the day, you get into office to be able to do whats right, and youve got to stand on principle, he added.

DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban into law in April, though the ban is currently blocked amid pending legal challenges. Florida currently bans abortions after 15 weeks.

Reynolds signed her a six-week ban over the medical procedure following her remarks at The Family Leadership Summit after the state legislature passed the ban earlier in the week during a special session.

The issue of abortion has become a tricky issue for Republican presidential candidates to navigate, and some candidates have tried to distance themselves from talking about federal restrictions around the medical procedure.

Asked if he would sign a six-week ban as president, DeSantis said he wanted to be a pro-life president.

Im very proud to say Kim Reynolds is here and she signed a great heartbeat bill today. We were able to do that in Florida. We had a lot of opposition to that. Im proud to have been a pro-life governor, and I will be a pro-life president, he explained. So I mean, of course I want to sign pro-life legislation.

I think its something that we need to develop a culture of life in this country, DeSantis added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
DeSantis says Iowa governor is 'of course' a possible VP pick, slams Trump for attacking her

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Saturday he would consider Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds as a possible vice president pick.

DeSantis was quick to praise Reynolds throughout his two-day Iowa swing, drawing frequent comparisons between her leadership in Iowa and his tenure in Florida.

That's not a new strategy for the DeSantis campaign  but it took on new weight this weekend, as frontrunner Donald Trump on Monday attacked Reynolds for her decision to remain neutral in the caucuses.

When asked at an Ankeny event whether Reynolds would be a contender for his running mate, DeSantis said, "of course."

"Shes one of the top public servants in America," DeSantis told reporters. "I thought the attacks on her were totally, totally out of hand and totally unnecessary.

2024: DeSantis fires campaign staff amid cash crunch as he lags far behind Trump in polls

Reynolds told the Des Moines Register in February she wouldn't be interested in being anyone's vice presidential pick.

"I love what we're doing here in Iowa, and hopefully, I continue to make it pretty clear we're not done," Reynolds said. "So I'm going to continue to ask and encourage candidates to come to Iowa, highlight what we're doing here in the state and look for ways that we can continue to keep our national profile rising."

Brianne Pfannenstiel contributed reporting.

Katie Akin is a politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at kakin@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @katie_akin.

This article originally appeared on USATNetwork: Ron DeSantis says he would consider Kim Reynolds as running mate
A determined mom and a veteran police officer who said this is 'solvable' revived the Gilgo Beach probe

The bodies were found more than a decade ago on a windswept spit of Long Island sand near Gilgo Beach, where the only sounds during the off-season are the screeching of seagulls and waves pounding the shore.

There were 11 victims, all but two young women who had been working as sex workers when they vanished.

But the mystery of what might have happened to at least four of the women would not be revealed until Friday when a 59-year-old architect named Rex Heuermann, who had been living quietly in the Nassau County town of Massapequa Park and commuting regularly to his office in Manhattan, appeared before a Long Island judge to face murder charges in the deaths of three of the women.

Through his attorney, Heuermann pleaded not guilty. He remains a suspect in the disappearance and death of the fourth woman.

Until last year, investigators had been wrestling with the seemingly unsolvable crimes as they searched for a predator with a predilection for petite female sex workers with hazel or green eyes.

The fact that a 2-year-old girl and a young Asian man were also found at Gilgo Beach in 2010 and 2011 only deepened the mystery and widened the investigation.

Image: Search For Clues Continues In Long Island Serial Murders (Spencer Platt / Getty Images file)

But last year, Suffolk Countys new police commissioner, a former high-ranking New York Police Department veteran named Rodney Harrison, took over the dormant search and formed what The New York Daily News called a dream team of detectives to track down the killer.

I believe this case is solvable and identifying the person or people responsible for these murders is a top priority, Harrison declared in February 2022.

The Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force marked the first time local, state and federal officials combined forces to track down a suspected serial killer, Suffolk County officials said.

The effort culminated Thursday in Heuermanns arrest at his Manhattan office.

Well all be sleeping a lot easier tonight, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday shortly before Heuermann appeared in court.

Law enforcement officials investigate the home of a suspect arrested in the Gilgo Beach killings on July 14, 2023 in Massapequa Park, N.Y. (Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images)

But the case was marked from the start by apparent missteps and accusations that investigators were dragging their feet because of a cultural bias against sex workers.

Melissa Cann, whose 20-year-old sister, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, vanished in July 2007, described in a New York Magazine interview what happened when she told a police officer her sister was missing and that she was a sex worker.

Soon as I told him what she was doing up in Manhattan, it was like he didnt care, Cann said.

The struggle to get the wheels of justice moving inspired a Netflix movie in 2020 called Lost Girls about Mari Gilberts effort to find her 24-year-old daughter, Shannan Gilbert, a sex worker from New Jersey who vanished in May 2010 and whose body was later found on Gilgo Beach.

Mari Gilbert was stabbed to death in July 2016 by one of her other daughters, Sarra, who suffered from schizophrenia.

Suffolk County investigators dropped the ball from the beginning, Shannan Gilberts sister, Sherre, said in a May 2022 interview with NBC News.

Brainard-Barnes was the first woman to be reported missing, but the investigation did not pick up steam until December 2010, when a team of Suffolk County investigators spurred by Mari Gilbert went out to Gilgo Beach to search for her daughter.

Gilgo Beach victims (Suffolk County Police)

A veteran Suffolk County Police Department officer named John Mallia and his search dog, Blue, came across a set of human remains, according to a document released Friday in which investigators laid out their arguments for why Heuermann should be denied bail.

The remains were later identified as those of 24-year-old Melissa Barthelemy, who was last seen alive in July 2009.

The remains of Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman, 22, and Amber Lynn Costello, 27, were found days later wrapped in burlap sacks as were Barthelemy's.

The cause of all four women was determined to be homicidal violence, the bail application stated.

Prosecutors also said in the document that Heuermann used burner phones and multiple email accounts to search for sites depicting sexual violence, to reach sex workers and to keep up with the investigation of the murders.

He used fictitious names for email accounts and phones to conduct thousands of searches related to sex workers, sadistic, torture-related pornography and child pornography, according to the document.

Search terms often focused on violent sexual acts involving underage girls.

Barthelemys burner phone was used to make "taunting phone calls" to her family members in the days after her disappearance in which a male voice admitted to killing and sexually assaulting Barthelemy, according to the bail document.

The calls were later traced to a location near Heuermann's office.

Heuermann was in part identified as a suspect by DNA left on pizza crust he threw out in a Manhattan trash can when a hair found on Waterman's body was matched with DNA found on the crust.

Heuermann was charged Friday in the deaths of Barthelemy, Waterman and Costello but not Brainard-Barnes or Shannan Gilbert.

Thanks to the persistence of her sister, Shannan Gilbert's terrifying last words would become her epitaph.

On May 1, 2010, at 4:51 a.m., Gilbert made a 22-minute 911 call shortly after a date with a customer named John Brewer in Oak Beach on Long Island that was followed by two more shorter calls to the dispatcher for help, police said.

Brewer has admitted seeing Shannan Gilbert that night but has not been implicated in her death, police said.

While Shannan Gilberts calls were hard to follow at times and some words sounded slurred, the message police said she repeated was, Somebodys after me! Theres somebody after me! Theres somebody after me!

Those 911 recordings were not released by investigators until May 2020 when Suffolk County officials continued to insist Shannan Gilbert was the victim of a tragic accident and may have been using drugs or succumbed to the elements after she reached the beach and got disoriented.

They continued to maintain Shannan Gilbert was not the victim of a crime even after Michael Baden, the world-famous pathologist who reported that George Floyd died as a result of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on his neck, did an autopsy and concluded the young woman could have been strangled.

I dont care if anybody thinks she was on drugs, thats fine, Sherre Gilbert said in May 2022. But I just dont believe she would run in a drug-induced paranoia and just strip her clothes all the way off, throw her phone down with her clothes and then just keep running naked into the marsh. I just dont believe that.

CORRECTION (July 19, 2023, 3:10 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misspelled the last name of the Suffolk County police commissioner. He is Rodney Harrison, not Rodney Harris

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Attorneys for Disney and the Reedy Creek district  now known as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District  met in court for the first major hearing since the saga began last year, as Disney asked an Orange County judge to toss the state-level lawsuit filed by its former district.

Fridays hearing was mostly procedural, with little effect on the fate of the district itself. It was also very technical.

In simple terms, the companys lawyers argued the state-level lawsuit was made irrelevant by lawmakers this past spring. When the lawsuit was filed, the district was asking the judge if it should abide by agreements Disney and the district struck before board members appointed by Gov. DeSantis took over.

Lawmakers, stung by Disneys decision to hand the districts major powers over to the company, passed a law ordering the district to ignore those contracts.

READ: Disney hopes Florida judge will dismiss lawsuit over improvement district control

Attorney Dan Petrocelli, representing the company as lead counsel, said the new law made the districts lawsuit moot.

Theres nothing this court can do with this case that would have any practical effect whatsoever, Petrocelli told the judge.

He also asked the judge to pause the case while an ongoing federal lawsuit centered around Disneys free speech rights was being fought, if she ruled against the company.

READ: DeSantis: Legislature will revoke development agreement passed by former Reedy Creek board

The districts attorneys argued that the judge should keep the case alive, saying the state case should be prioritized and  if a federal judge rules in favor of the governors takeover  the judge will have to decide which entity should get the power.

Those agreements were not valid because the procedures Florida law required to be followed were not followed, Alan Lawson, representing the district, explained.

Independent attorneys contacted by WFTV Thursday night said they believed Disney would prevail in its quest for dismissal, but the state would have the opportunity to re-file its lawsuit on slightly different grounds.

READ: New Reedy Creek board looks to reverse control deal with Disney

The judge asked both sides to write motions as if she ruled in their favor by Wednesday, July 19.

She did not indicate which way she was leaning.

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.
14       127  

Nearly 130 multi-story buildings, 22 private houses, 24 educational institutions, and seven medical facilities were damaged in Kryvyi Rih in an enemy attack on the night of July 14, Oleksandr Vilkul, Chairman of the Defense Council of Kryvyi Rih, wrote on July 15 via Telegram.

Read also: Russian invaders again dropping guided bombs, says South Operational Command

Vilkul said that six enemy drones had been destroyed in the skies over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast by the air defense forces on the night of July 14, but that others had found their targets.

Unfortunately, there were direct hits in Kryvyi Rih: a municipal enterprise, a single-story administrative building, and storage crates for equipment were targeted. The fire was promptly extinguished, and a 56-year-old man sustained injuries but received all the necessary medical assistance, Vilkul said at a briefing.

Recent data on the citys damaged infrastructure, which was inspected by assessment commissions, reveals the following impacts from the air attack that occurred overnight in Kryvyi Rih:

127 multi-storey buildings,

22 private houses,

24 educational institutions,

7 medical facilities,

Breaks to power transmission and water supply lines.

Read also: Heartbreak in Kryvyi Rih as young couple found dead as death toll rises to 12 in Russian missile strike

Arrangements were made to transport water for residents, and construction equipment was promptly mobilized to address the consequences of the attack, Vilkul said. Additionally, the delivery of building materials for citizens and organizations was ensured, and operational headquarters were established.

During the night of July 14, air alarms were sounded in multiple regions of Ukraine, with explosions reported in Kryvyi Rih and Odesa Oblast.

Ukrainian air defense forces successfully shot down 16 attack drones and seven reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles over Ukraine, the Ukrainian Air Force reported.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Driver accused of purposely driving into crowded Georgia parade convicted, court records say

A driver has been convicted after officials say she purposely drove into a parade route, endangering the lives of many.

On June 25, 2022, crowds were gathered for the Freedom Rings parade in Effingham County when a driver drove around a manned barricade into the parade route.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, however, the driver continued around them, narrowly missing bystanders.

Investigators identified the driver as 39-year-old Anthony Rodriguez.

Authorities said Rodriguez continued down the parade route towards the Sheriff, Chief Deputy, Rincon Chief of Police and other officials.

Members of the 3rd Infantry Division Marching band were forced to dive out of the way, according to police.

TRENDING STORIES:

A K9 Officer used their patrol car to crash head-on into the driver to stop the vehicle, according to investigators. Police have not determined a motive.

None of the 600+ people at the parade were seriously hurt.

Emergency crews took the officer to the hospital for evaluation.

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Rodriguez was charged with seven counts of aggravated assault, two counts of fleeing/eluding a police officer, aggravated assault on a police officer and obstruction of an officer.

On Friday, Rodriguez was found guilty on all charges. Her sentencing is set for early August.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Several early morning shootings in Shreveport claimed the lives of three people.

Overnight brought more disturbing gunfire to Shreveport, killing at least three people in separate incidents. My heart hurts for the victims and their families, and I know I speak for the entire City when I extend our sincere concern and condolences," said Mayor Tom Arceneaux.

Just before 2:30 a.m. July 15, Shreveport Police Department was dispatched to a shooting on Commerce Street near Phoenix 2.0 nightclub in Downtown Shreveport. Upon arrival, officers discovered several shooting victims one in which was pronounced dead at the scene.

Arceneaux said, Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith is calling in officers for overtime to put more officers on patrol tonight in high-crime neighborhoods and downtown to have a greater presence in these locations immediately."

According to Shreveport Police Department, the downtown shooting occurred when two males began shooting handguns near the nightclub.

Several minutes later Shreveport Police Department was dispatched to Wallace Avenue on reports of a shooting. Officers discovered upon arrival that one person was dead.

According to police, this incident is unrelated to the downtown shooting.

Read: Here's what you need to know about the 4th of July mass shooting

Just before 9 a.m. Shreveport Police Department was dispatched to the 2000 block of Murray Street on reports of a shooting.

Upon arrival, officers discovered two people who were shot, one was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim was transported to Ochsner LSU Health with non-life-threatening injuries.

The community must band together to put away the perpetrators of these outrageous acts. This is a difficult problem, and we must all be part of the solution," said Arceneaux.

File photo of downtown Shreveport at night.

He continued by saying, SPD and the Administration are considering additional remedies that may involve local legislation and other oversight. The Administration understands that the Council intends to call a Public Safety Committee meeting next week, and the Administration will cooperate fully with the Council and others with ideas on how best to respond to the serious increase in gun violence in our community."

Anyone with information about these shootings should contact police at 318-673-7300 or call Crimestoppers at 318-673-7373.

"We must make Shreveport a safer place again," said Arceneaux.

More: Shooting leads to police standoff in South Shreveport

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: 3 dead after string of early morning shootings in Shreveport
The European Aluminium industry group is considering lobbying the European Union to impose sanctions on Russian aluminium, but against direct sanctions against Rusal, the country's largest producer.

Source: Reuters, citing a document sent to group members

Details: The head of European Aluminium said that the trade group has prepared an internal memorandum for planning purposes and has no information on any EU sanctions already agreed. The European Commission refused to comment.

A document dated July 2023, obtained by Reuters, states that European Aluminium members discussed the possibility of "actively calling for EU sanctions on Russian aluminium".

However, the scale of Rusal's operations makes sanctions against it problematic.

"European Aluminium (therefore) recommends avoiding that EU sanctions would target Rusal as a company," the association said.

The media outlet clarifies that Rusal produced 4 million metric tonnes of primary aluminium last year, which is about 6% of global production.

In addition, the document states that Rusal owns the Irish Aughinish, the EU's largest raw alumina refinery, and the Kubal plant in Sweden.

The benchmark aluminium price on the London Metal Exchange rose 0.2% to US$2,282.50 a metric tonne in afternoon trading, down 4% so far this year.

The Aluminum Association, a US trade group, said it has been watching Russia's aggression in Ukraine with "growing alarm" and has been in touch with the European Aluminium Union.

The industry supports any efforts by the US government and allies to address the current crisis, "including new tariffs on aluminum imports from Russia announced earlier this year," the association said.

Russia accounts for less than 3% of US aluminium imports.

Until now, the EU has restricted imports of only a limited number of specific aluminium products from Russia  aluminium plates, sheets or strips over 0.2 mm thick.

The last package of sanctions was adopted in June, and active discussions on a new package are not expected in the near future.

In February, the United States announced plans to impose a 200% tariff on aluminium and its derivatives produced in Russia, and in May, the UK announced plans to ban imports of Russian aluminium along with diamonds, copper and nickel.

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Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/AP

The arrest of the 59-year-old Long Island architect Rex Heuermann, accused of the murder of three women, has brought relief to residents of Massapequa Park, a suburban town seven miles from Gilgo Beach where the remains of 10 adults and a child were found more than a decade ago.

Everybody stopped going to the beach at night. It was an intense vibe that someone was committing serial crimes on the island, recalled Alexandra Calabro, 26, on Friday, standing steps away the small single-story home in the commuter town where Heuermann lived.

Related: Burner phones and search history led police to Long Island killings suspect

On Friday, when news began to spread that members of a taskforce re-energized by a new police chief just two years ago to solve the Gilgo Beach crimes had arrested Heuermann outside his Manhattan office, relief was also tinged with fear.

They thought it was a cop doing the murders at first, and that was repeated and repeated until it became a truth, Calabro said, as dozens of neighbors and sightseers milled around the blocked-off street. Its unsettling, and weird, that there was an evil person a few blocks over.

Others said theyd always noticed that the house  105 1st Avenue  was small and unkempt compared to the suburban perfection of the surrounding homes.

You couldnt help but notice it, said another resident. Its a dump, and hasnt been updated in 30 years.

The house, they said, was destined to become as notorious as the home just 10 miles away that became the basis for the film The Amityville Horror.

Some said it was strange too that theyd never noticed Heuermann, an imposing man at 6ft 4in, on the daily commute into the city. Nor was he known in the local bars and restaurants. It was as if, one said, he was a ghost. But he wasnt. The New York Post spoke to a woman who claimed shed been stalked by Heuermann in a local park earlier this month and filed a police report.

Rex Heuermann is a demon that walks among us, a predator that ruined families, said the Suffolk county police commissioner, Rodney Harrison, at a news conference on Friday.

Heuermann was charged on Friday with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, and Amber Costello, 27. They are three of the Gilgo Four  the first of the victims, most of whom were young, female sex workers, whose remains were found in scrubby marshland near the beach in 2010.

A married father of two, Heuermann pleaded not guilty to the charges. Judge Richard Ambro ordered Heuermann held without bail due to the extreme depravity of the allegations. Outside the courthouse in Riverhead, Heuermanns wife Asa Ellerup said she would not comment. Please leave me alone. I will not be saying anything, she told Newsday.

Each of the three young women had been bound in a similar way, their bodies obscured with camouflaged burlap sack of the kind used by hunters, prosecutors said. Each had met their alleged killer on Craigslist. Hauermann has not been charged with the murder of the fourth Gilgo victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, though court documents said he is the prime suspect.

In an exhaustive description of the investigation on Friday, the Suffolk county district attorney, Ray Tierney, said investigators had Heuermann in their sights since March 2022 and decided to make the arrest in the interest of public safety.

The Suffolk county district attorney said investigators had Heuermann in their sights since March. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

He declined to say if they believed the suspect, who owns houses in South Carolina and Las Vegas, could have been preparing for another assault  he continued to use the services of sex workers  or to flee. Heuermann had been under close, intense surveillance by state and federal authorities since he was identified in a database.

We knew we were playing before a party of one because we knew the person responsible for these murders would be looking at us, Tierney said. We were very careful how we handled the investigation and that we maintained its secrecy.

Prosecutors said the evidence against Heuermann included DNA lifted from a pizza box he allegedly discarded outside his office that linked him to one of the victims, and cellular phone site data from burner phones that investigators said also linked his whereabouts to the victims.

For each of the murders, he got an individual burner phone, prepaid and anonymous, and he used that to communicate with the victims and shortly after got rid of the burner phone, Tierney said. As far back as 2012, he said, the FBI had noticed similarities that linked the calls to Massapequa Park and midtown Manhattan cell towers. It was later found that Heuermanns personal phone and the burner or target phones were always pinging off the same towers.

Also recovered from the victims were hairs that were later identified by DNA as belonging to Heuermann or his wife.

Through information gathered from witnesses and their murder investigations, investigators learned the suspect was large and thickly-built with glasses and dark hair. They noted he drove a dark, first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche with a unique cab. A database search identified Heuermann as the owner of similar vehicle. The vehicle was later recovered by the FBI from South Carolina.

Investigators then set about recovering abandoned DNA from Heuermann and his family. They checked the family members travel records and learned that during the three charged murders, Heuermanns wife and children were out of state.

After discovering the fake names or email addresses he allegedly used online, Tierney said, investigators found that Heuermann made 200 searches pertaining to the Gilgo investigation, looking at pictures of victims and trying to locate their relatives.

We knew this person was watching and we didnt want to give him any insight into how close we were getting, he added. Also among the searches were sex workers, sadistic, torture-related pornography.

Tierney paid tribute to the victims and their families: While sometimes defendants embody the very worst of humanity, it seems that victims often embody the very best of what it means to be human. He said he was impressed by the victims families persistence and patience.

Lynn Barthelemy, the mother of the Gilgo Beach murder victim Melissa Barthelemy, told NBC News that death is too good for her daughters alleged killer.

Our family has suffered every day, she said. Id like him to suffer at the hands of other inmates.

Following Barthelemys murder, someone made taunting phone calls to the family. Do you think youll ever speak to her again? the caller told Barthelemys sister, according to reports.

Investigators in 2011 searching for Shannan Gilberts body. The four Gilgo Beach victims were discovered as part of the search for Gilbert. Photograph: Kevin P Coughlin/AP

The case of the Gilgo Four has come under intense criticism, with some claiming that police were not interested in solving the case in part because of incompetence, or worse, institutional disregard for the victims given their line of work.

For years, the investigation went cold. The four victims were only discovered as part of a search for Shannan Gilbert, a sex worker who had gone missing from a house near the beach, whose remains were later discovered in a nearby swamp. Authorities have said they think Gilberts death was an unfortunate accident.

But Gilberts death at times overshadowed the Gilgo Four investigation, and particularly the media attention, including a 2020 Netflix film, Lost Girls, given to it.

There was a lot of outside influence, a lot of people who had nothing to do with the investigation asserted pressure, Tierney said. But that did not happen with our taskforce.

On Friday, the attorney John Ray, who represents the families of Shannan Gilbert and another woman, Jessica Taylor, said he had been tipped off that investigators were closing in on arrest and he had been given two names. He declined to say who the second person was but said he suspected a woman may have been involved.

Ray said he hoped the arrest means the dam has broken and the perpetrator or perpetrators of the other murders would be found. Among them were Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old mother from southern New Jersey and the six other people 

four women, one man and a two-year-old girl  whose remains were discovered near the beach.

Heuermanns arrest bears out police chief Rodney Harrisons reinvigoration of the investigation. The case was 11 years old when he took office in January last year. Im feeling confident that were getting closer to making an arrest, he told a local news outlet and sought to reassure skeptical local residents that had been no cover-up.

Within two months, Heuermann had been identified. The investigation was ongoing, law enforcement officials confirmed on Friday.

They never stopped working and will continue to work tirelessly until we bring justice to all the families involved, Harrison said.
Ex-defense minister explains why US does not want to send ATACMS to Ukraine

ATACMS missiles

The United States is too cautious to provide Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, Chairman of the Board of Centre for Defense Strategies and former Defense Minister of Ukraine Andriy Zagorodnyuk said in an interview with Radio NV on July 14.

Read also: Bowing to Putins nuclear blackmail will make nuclear war more likely

Zagorodnyuk said the United States has a "rather vague" strategy regarding escalation risks, the assessments of which are constantly changing.

"Moreover, we believe that they are too cautious, too conservative, too cautionary. But we have our position, and that is their position," Zagorodnyuk said.

He claims the Americans give Ukraine "rather vague explanations" about why they are not providing ATACMS.

"This issue, according to what is written in the press and as far as we know, lies directly with the administration of the White House, where it is under consideration," he said.

"We understand that the issue of escalation is still on the agenda. Politically they do not want that, (as) more and more politicians believe that they are in direct conflict with the Russian Federation. They are wary of the fact that ATACMS missiles will be used to strike targets on the territory of Russia and even in (the Ukrainian territory of) Crimea, in particular, those that we have already been struck. These are Russian military facilities in Crimea.

Zagorodnyuk said that formally there is no ban on the use of U.S. weapons on the territory of Russian-occupied Crimea, such prohibitions exist only on the use of these weapons on the territory of the Russian Federation.

However, the Americans are "extremely cautious" about Ukrainian plans to de-occupy Crimea, and consider part of them to be a "potentially escalating moment," Zagorodnyuk said.

"Currently, they are very cautious informally. Formally, they do not tell us anything, they cannot make any claims on this issue, but they are wary if, for example, tomorrow we actively begin to destroy Russian military facilities in Crimea on a very large scale."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on July 12, said that a decision on the transfer of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine had not been made.

In turn, leaving the NATO summit in Vilnius, Biden confirmed that he was considering the transfer of ATACMS long-range missiles to Ukraine.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
YORK, Maine  A former special education teacher is suing the York School Department alleging it discriminated against her based on sexual orientation and retaliated when she reported it.

Michele Figueira, who worked for the department from 2018 to 2021, filed the suit in York Superior Court July 10. She alleges the school department violated Title VII, which prohibits employers from discriminating against an employee based on sexual orientation.

Figueira claims she was discriminated against because she was a lesbian, and that her supervisor subjected her to jokes, stereotypes and specific work assignments. She says she reported the inappropriate comments but that administrators only facilitated a retaliatory environment against her. The school department opted not to renew Figueiras contract in 2021. Figueira was still in her probationary period with the school department at the time.

Michele Figueira, a former York special education teacher, was found by the Maine Human Rights Commission to have experienced an abusive environment at work. Now she is suing the school district.

Figueira filed a complaint in December 2020 with the Maine Human Rights Commission, which enforces Maines anti-discrimination laws. The five-person commission found earlier this year that there were reasonable grounds to believe discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity took place.

Previous story: Ex-teacher accuses York School District of anti-LGBTQ bias: 'I have been attacked'

The school district denies the allegations in the suit, according to its legal counsel, Jeana McCormick. The district made the case earlier this year before the Maine Human Rights Commission that none of the accusations were true.

As the York School Department argued at the Maine Human Rights Commission, no discrimination or retaliation occurred in this case, McCormick said in a written statement Friday. The York School Department prohibits and is committed to providing a supportive and non-discriminatory work place for all of its employees.

Purple Palace drama: Man sues his grandmother over ownership of York Beach breakfast spot

Figueira alleges discrimination at York High School

Figueira's suit alleges she heard discriminatory comments from her supervisor that were degrading and humiliating remarks about her sexuality. When she revealed to her supervisor she was married to a woman, Figueira alleges her supervisor replied, Duh, you didnt think I knew that? She also asked if Figueira and her wife had roles in their relationship, according to Figueira, and asked her about identifying other gay teachers.

(Another teacher) says you people have something, something special that you can detect each other. You know like gaydar? Figueira recounts what her supervisor said in the lawsuit.

Figueira also alleged her supervisor intentionally placed her with students who were gay or had gay parents. She says her supervisor once asked her before a meeting with a student, Any chance you have a sweater or a shirt with the pride flag that you could wear when you meet (the students) fathers?"

If not, do you have any rainbow colors that you can wear? the supervisor allegedly continued, according to the suit.

Figueira made a formal complaint to school administrators on May 29, 2020, reporting her supervisor's comments. Her suit states that the school department responded by giving her supervisor a written warning for acting inappropriately. However, they also told her in a half-page letter from the school's Title IX coordinator that the supervisor's behavior never rose to a violation of the school department's harassment and discrimination policies.

Figueira alleges this is when her supervisor began to undermine her in front of her colleagues and singled her out for additional scrutiny and discipline. Figueira filed a new complaint Dec. 22, 2020, with the Maine Human Rights Commission. The commission can file lawsuits in cases where it finds reasonable grounds. Last October, the commission settled with a Walmart in Skowhegan, Maine, in a case regarding an employees intellectual disabilities.

The commission did not find all of Figueiras claims to have reasonable grounds. While it agreed Figueira faced discrimination, the commission voted there were no grounds to believe the school retaliated against her. The votes were not unanimous, as two of the five commissioners voted in support of the retaliation allegation.

It was before the Maine Human Rights Commission that the schools legal counsel made arguments in public about Figueiras allegations. Attorney Kathleen Wade argued the school department found Figueira was not collegial in her behavior, resulting in violations and the department's decision not to offer her a new contract.

Wade told commissioners the school acknowledged inappropriate comments were made, but that they were investigated swiftly and it resulted in the comments stopping. She also said the discrimination did not meet the criteria of a hostile work environment under state law.

More: Hawaiian Jims Shave Ice at York Beach saved by local family, celebrates 35th season

Figueira demands trial, seeking damages from York School Department

The Maine Human Rights Commission told Figueira in a letter in April their legal counsel was determining whether it would file a lawsuit on behalf of Figueira. At the time she received the letter, Figueira said she was not preparing to file a suit herself.

Friday, Figueira said she could not comment on her decision to file the lawsuit. She is demanding a jury trial and asking the court to award her damages in the form of lost back pay, front pay, liquidated damages, attorneys fees, costs and expenses, equitable and injunctive relief and all other relief afford to her by law.

Ms. Figueira is a talented educator, and she was an asset to the York School District, said Figueiras attorney Laura White in a written statement. She intends to hold the District accountable for the outrageous discrimination and retaliation alleged in the case.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Ex-teacher sues York ME schools alleging anti-LGBTQ discrimination
Exclusive-US chip CEOs plan Washington trip to talk China policy - sources FILE PHOTO: The Intel Corporation logo is seen in Davos

By Stephen Nellis, Andrea Shalal and Karen Freifeld

(Reuters) - The chief executives of Intel Corp and Qualcomm Inc are planning to visit Washington next week to discuss China policy, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

The executives plan to hold meetings with U.S. officials to talk about market conditions, export controls and other matters affecting their businesses, one of the sources said. It was not immediately clear whom the executives would meet.

Intel and Qualcomm declined to comment, and officials at the White House did not immediately return a request for comment.

The sources said other semiconductor CEOs may also be in Washington next week. The sources declined to be named because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

U.S. officials are considering tightening export rules affecting high-performance computing chips and shipments to Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, sources told Reuters in June. The rules would respectively affect Intel, which is preparing a new artificial intelligence chip that could be shipped to China, and Qualcomm, which has a license to sell chips to Huawei.

The Biden administration last October issued a sweeping set of rules designed to freeze China's semiconductor industry in place while the U.S. pours billions of dollars in subsidies into its own chip industry.

The possible rule tightening would hit Nvidia particularly hard. The company's strong position in the AI chip market helped boost its worth to $1 trillion earlier this year.

The chip industry has been warmly received in Washington in recent years as lawmakers and the White House work to shift more production to the U.S. and its allies, and away from China. Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger and Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon have met often with government officials.

Next week's meetings, which one of the sources said could include joint sessions between executives and U.S. officials, come as Nvidia Corp and other chip companies fear a permanent loss of sales for an industry with large amounts of business in China while tensions escalate between Washington and Beijing.

One of the sources familiar with the matter said the executives' goals for the meetings would be to ensure that government officials understand the possible impact of any further tightening of rules around what chips can be sold to China.

Many U.S. chip firms get more than one-fifth of their revenue from China, and industry executives have argued that reducing those sales would cut into profits that they reinvest into research and development.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal in Washington, Stephen Nellis in San Francisco and Karen Freifeld in New York; Editing by Chris Sanders and Edmund Klamann)
Faced with decision of where to let homeless people camp, Turner doesn't choose a site

The sign at David Sawyer Park in Turner.

The debate has raged for months in Turner: what public property should the city designate to allow people who are homeless to camp.

Each potential site that was identified brought people who argued why that site shouldnt be used. Few alternative sites were given.

Ultimately, a decision was made, but a site wasnt chosen.

At a heated city council meeting held at the Turner Fire District headquarters Thursday night, the council voted 4-3 to allow city administrator Scott McClure to designate a place for people who want to camp in the city.

But when you say, were going to have camps, we dont know that, Mayor Steve Horning said. Whats going to bring people out of Salem or Portland to Turner, Oregon, when we dont have resources to take care of them?

Cities in Oregon have passed ordinances that state where and for how long homeless people can stay in response to state legislation and federal court rulings.

Agreeing on where to allow that in Turner has been contentious.

This is painful, said councilor Mike Schaufler, a former state representative in Clackamas County. No matter what we do, nobodys going to like it. ... But we got to do something because we have to comply with the law or be sued.

Schaufler blamed Democrats in cities like Portland, Salem and Eugene for causing cities like to Turner to have to respond to the changes surrounding homeless camping.

Turner is a city of 2,400 located a couple miles southeast of Salem.

Each time a potential site was brought to the city council, people who lived nearby gave vocal opposition.

The council looked at David Sawyer Park  formerly Turner Park  then a city-owned gravel lot at Third Street and Delaney Road.

My biggest concern is if you put it on Third and Delaney and we start getting homeless people in, thats going to be the image of the city, resident Charles Mead said. And do we want that image?

The ordinance the city council decided on imposes many restrictions on how long people are allowed to camp.

Turner will allow people to camp for 72 hours in a calendar year. Each person must leave by 7:30 a.m. each day and not return until 7 p.m. It also has a list of other requirements such as picking up after themselves and adhering to a noise curfew.

We rarely have people coming through. Its rare when we actually see someone sleeping here, McClure said. The police department is good at moving people into Salem where they have services. Were hoping that regardless of where you pick, no one is really going to notice.

Schaufler moved to enact the city ban camping on every public space except the gravel parking lot of the public works building.

But that motion failed.

Now people who want to camp in the city will have to ask the city staff where they can.

We havent had anybody ask us to sleep or show up to sleep, Horning said.

Bill Poehler covers Marion and Polk County for the Statesman Journal. Contact him at bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Faced with decision, Turner doesn't choose site for homeless to camp
An air tanker drops fire retardant as the Rabbit fire rages through Lamb Canyon near Beaumont on Saturday in Riverside County. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

A fourth wildfire broke out in western Riverside County on Saturday even as three others continued to burn, scorching thousands of acres and forcing evacuations as a blistering heat wave held much of the country in its grip and was expected to intensify this weekend in Nevada, Arizona and California.

The Rabbit fire, which began Friday afternoon in the community of Lakeview, had burned 7,600 acres with 10% containment as of Sunday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry/Riverside County Fire Department.

An evacuation order was issued for homes north and west of Highway 79, east and west of California Avenue, north and south of First Street, east and west of Manzanita Park Road; east of Jack Rabbit Trail; west of Highland Springs Road, and north of Forest Boundary Line.

Triple-digit temperatures across the region and difficult topography are proving challenging for crews battling the wildfire, said Tawny Castro, public information officer with the county fire department.

The fire is "within a canyon with quite a few hills and changes in elevation, Castro said. Ground crews are being assisted by air tankers and helicopters dropping water and fire retardant on the flames.

In Beaumont, at the summit of San Gorgonio Pass Axel Sanchez watched as clouds of smoke from the Rabbit fire billowed in the sky.

Sanchez, an employee at Mr. Taco restaurant on Beaumont Avenue just north of the fire evacuation area, described the scene.

Its getting closer and looks pretty dangerous, he said of the wildfire. Its just an inferno. Ash is raining down and people are coming in here covered in ash.

With the searing heat and poor air quality, business was brisk Saturday afternoon, he said.

Its like a safe haven here right now," Sanchez said. "Our dining room is full and people get to be inside in the air conditioning and enjoy beer and refreshments."

Another blaze, dubbed the Reche fire, had charred 437 acres in an unincorporated area north of Moreno Valley, with 60% containment as of Sunday morning, officials said. Video from the scene showed at least one structure engulfed in flames, but it was unclear whether any others had been damaged.

Read more: Multiple fires erupt as heat wave descends on Southern California

Nearly 300 firefighters were battling the blaze.

Evacuations were ordered Friday afternoon for residents south of Reche Canyon Road, north of Reche Vista Drive, west of Trust Way and east of Alta Vista Drive, authorities said. That order was downgraded to a warning Friday night.

The warning remained in place Saturday, along with an evacuation warning for Moreno Valley residents south of Alta Vista Drive, north of Ironwood Avenue, west of Moreno Drive and east of Perris Boulevard.

The Reche fire has also forced the closure of a roughly four-mile section of Reche Canyon Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. Authorities set up an evacuation center at Valley View High School, 13135 Nason St.

The Highland fire, burning south of Beaumont, had burned 105 acres and was 70% contained. The fire briefly forced evacuations along Breckenridge Avenue between Highland Springs Avenue and Sunningdale Street.

All evacuation warnings and orders issued for the Highland fire were lifted by 9 p.m. Friday.

The Gavilan Fire, near Gavilan and Idaleona roads west of Perris, had burned 250 acres and was 50% contained. Evacuation orders for south of Country Pine Road, east of Gold Valley Road, and north of Idaleona Road were downgraded Saturday evening to a warning.

The cause of the fires remained under investigation, authorities said. Officials did not yet have information on whether any buildings were damaged.

Meanwhile, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory and warned of unhealthy air in western Riverside County because of the wildfires.

Read more: Dangerous triple-digit temperatures broil Southern California's inland areas this weekend

The fires broke out as a high pressure heat dome continued to scorch most of the West, increasing the risk of heat-related health issues and wildfires. Nearly a third of Americans were under extreme heat advisories, watches and warnings this weekend.

A water-dropping helicopter drops water on the Rabbit Fire on Saturday in defense of homes in Beaumont. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Meteorologists in Las Vegas warned people not to underestimate the danger. This heatwave is NOT typical desert heat due to its long duration, extreme daytime temperatures, & warm nights. Everyone needs to take this heat seriously, including those who live in the desert, the National Weather Service in Las Vegas said in a tweet.

Phoenix on Saturday marked the citys 16th consecutive day of temperatures 110 degrees or higher, hitting 118 degrees by late afternoon and putting it on track to beat the longest measured stretch of such heat. The record is 18 days, recorded in 1974.

This weekend there will be some of the most serious and hot conditions weve ever seen, said David Hondula the citys chief heat officer. I think that its a time for maximum community vigilance.

Much of California remained under an excessive heat warning or heat advisory, which will continue in many regions through next week, officials said.

Several temperature records were broken Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. In the Antelope Valley, Lancaster hit 112, Palmdale reached 111 and Sandberg reached 102. Records were also broken in Paso Robles, in San Luis Obispo County, where temperatures reached 109, and in Santa Barbara Countys New Cuyama, which hit 105.

Blistering triple-digit temperatures were seen across the state. In Death Valley, it was 124 by Saturday evening. In Palm Springs, it was 115 and Redding was 109.

The Rabbit fire rages in Lamb Canyon on Saturday in Riverside County. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Its going to get just very, very hot, said Elizabeth Adams, a meteorologist for the National Weather Services San Diego office. She said parts of Southern California, especially in the Coachella Valley, Inland Empire and San Diego County deserts, wont see much cooling even in the evenings, with some overnight temperatures remaining in the 80s and 90s.

This kind of extreme heat is a concern for heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion, and has become increasingly deadly in recent years, health officials warned. Elderly people, young children and those who suffer from chronic illnesses are especially at risk and are advised to stay indoors or seek out air-conditioned cooling centers.

Across Riverside County, people seeking relief from the heat filed in to cooling centers set up around the county by the Community Action Partnership, a branch of the county Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions.

In the first few hours of opening on Saturday at least 15 people visited the center at Anza Valley Community Library in Anza, a rural, high-desert region where the temperatures passed 100 degrees by lunchtime.

It can get a little uncomfortable up here, said library associate Chantel Yarrow. It feels like a heater is pounding down your head.

In addition to air-conditioning, water, snacks and portable fans, visitors to the cooling center at the areas sole library can check out books, use the computers and send their children to the toy corner, Yarrow said.

We have a mixture of people who come in, she said. Sometimes they come in one at a time and sometimes the whole family comes in.

The cooling center at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission in Indio provides showers, meals and on-site counselors. It also has drivers on hand to transport visitors in need of immediate medical care to a hospital.

Most of the 40 or so people who use the center each day during the hottest times of the year are chronically homeless, emergency shelter manager David Douglas said. By the time they get to the cooling center, many are ill with dehydration or other heat-induced ailments.

A vehicle charred by the Rabbit fire along Gilman Springs Road in Moreno Valley on Saturday in Riverside County. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Some people need to go straight to the hospital, Douglas said.

The Associated Press 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.
Gulf Breeze OB-GYN Dr. Elaine Sharp is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for allegedly prescribing dangerous amounts of opioids to her patients.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has filed a civil case against the Gulf Breeze doctor accused of prescribing dangerous levels of opioids to her clients to seize thousands of dollars from her bank accounts.

Even though Dr. Elaine Sharp has not been charged with a crime, FDLE agents seized over $20,000 from her bank accounts, according to court records.

FDLE alleges Sharp obtained the money through various crimes including:

Conspiracy to commit racketeering

Conspiracy to traffic in schedule II controlled substances

Unlawfully prescribing controlled substances

Unlawfully prescribing controlled substances for monetary gain

Unlawfully prescribing controlled substances not medically necessary

Money laundering

FLDE executes search warrant: Patient may have died due to Gulf Breeze doctor's 'dangerous prescribing practices'

Why can FDLE seize Elaine Sharp's money without charging her with a crime?

Although normally a law enforcement agency must charge an individual with a crime prior to seizing property, private Miami attorney Robert Becerra says the only exception is if criminal contraband is money.

"Florida has a very specific procedure ... and it provides that the state can seek forfeiture of different items," Becerra told the News Journal. "One of the things is forfeitures like this are not supposed to happen unless the owner of the property is arrested. The exception to that is when the property is a monetary instrument."

Becerra said Florida Statutes has a "specific carve out" that says law enforcement only needs to have probable cause to seize money rather than arrest the suspect. Additionally, he says FDLE would need to send notice of the forfeiture for a judge's approval.

Once FDLE submits a probable cause application and a judge agrees there is probable cause for seizure, Becerra says Sharp would have the opportunity to fight the seizure in a probable cause hearing.

Shooting investigation: FDLE investigating fatal Pensacola police officer-involved shooting in Cantonment

Did Elaine Sharp file for a probable cause hearing?

According to documents, the seizure of Sharp's money took place June 23 and FDLE filed the probable cause application June 30.

FDLE, Sharp's attorney Dixie Powell and Circuit Judge Clifton Drake met via Zoom Friday to hold an adversarial probable cause hearing in which Powell argued there was no probable cause to serve as a basis for the seizure since Sharp received the money from a "legitimate business" dealing.

However, FDLE documents say Sharp "was engaging in suspicious practices and dangerous prescribing patterns" from 2021 to 2022.

Some of the concerns cited include Sharp prescribing 120 tablets of 4 milligram hydromorphone, "which is a large quantity of a powerful opioid drug," and prescribing high doses of controlled substances without performing the necessary physical or pain examinations.

The report also notes that one of her patients designated as "D.D." died of an accidental overdose March 2, 2021, of acute oxycodone toxicity after the patient filled a prescription from Sharp for 120 tablets of oxycodone 30 milligrams.

Drake ultimately found there was probable cause and ruled that FDLE would remain in custody of Sharp's seized cash.

"One example was a patient who tested positive for fentanyl that day was still provided a prescription by Dr. Sharp," Drake said. "Twelve of her patients died, and in a three-year period she prescribed over 350,000 pills of oxycodone in Florida and 70,000 pills in Alabama.

"Looking at all these facts, there is probable cause," he added. "I'm authorizing the continued seizure, and I find the least restrictive means to protect against disposal, waste or the continued illegal use of such property pending disposition of the forfeiture proceeding is for the funds to remain in the custody of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement."

What happens to Elaine Sharp next?

FDLE told Drake they plan to file their formal civil complaint with the court before August, which will then give Powell and Sharp 20 days to answer the complaint.

During the hearing, FDLE told Drake they intend to charge Sharp before the end of the year but did not provide a specific timeframe.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Gulf Breeze doctor, FDLE begin civil suit over seizure of $20,000
Seven more people who prosecutors allege operated now-closed illegal gambling businesses in Stark County are facing criminal charges.

Federal indictments in Cleveland unsealed on Thursday added further charges against at least one defendant already charged in connection with the "skill games" operations shut down in 2018, according to a statement from the U.S. Justice Department.

Federal prosecutors allege that:

Stephanie Condric of Canton operated the illegal gambling establishment known as Gametastic. According to a 2018 complaint filed by federal prosecutors seeking the forfeiture of seized funds, Gametastic was also known as Match Play 777, formerly at 4220 12th St. NW in Canton Township.

Condric and others listed another person as the owner of Gametastic, did not list all payroll on employment tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service and failed to disclose her earnings from Gametastic on her 2016 and 2017 income tax returns, according to the Justice Department. A message seeking comment was left for Condric.

Christos Karasarides, Jr., a current or former Hills and Dales resident who was charged in June 2022 with tax evasion, money laundering, witness tampering and falsification of records, now with his son Christopher Karasarides also faces an additional charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States. A third superseding indictment alleges that from 2016 to 2022, the son helped his father hide cash in the son's bank safety deposit box. The document also accuses the father of putting an investment entity in his son's name to hide the father's assets and misrepresenting that a 20% stake in a company was owned by the son when it was owned by the father. And the indictment accuses Christopher Karasarides of signing a false promissory note linked to the investment entity, lying to his tax preparer and knowingly filing false tax returns by saying he owned the company and claiming its income as his own. Attempts to reach Christopher Karasarides were not immediately successful. His father Christos Karasarides, who has pleaded not guilty, was released on a $20,000 bond in June 2022. A message seeking comment was left for Christos Karasarides' attorneys.

Melissa Bragg, was charged with operating the illegal gambling business Belden Connection 777 from 2013 to July 11, 2018, the date a law enforcement task force raided skill-game parlors around Stark County. It's not clear if it was the same operation as the Belden Internet Connection, which prosecutors said Bragg operated in 2018 at 4623-4627 Whipple Ave. NW in Jackson Township. Bragg could not be reached for comment.

Michael Moneypenny of Norton faces four counts of operating an illegal gambling business known as Skilled Shamrock at 4225 Hills and Dales Rd. NW in Plain Township, Redemption at 2824 and 2826 Whipple Ave. NW in Plain Township, Gametastic and Gametastik. Prosecutors allege Moneypenny fixed and sold slot machines and rented out slot machines in Ohio and Florida. Moneypenny said Thursday night he wanted to consult his attorney before deciding whether to comment.

Isaiah Worlow, Stephen Fluharty and Tiffany Kerekes face federal charges of operating illegal gambling businesses. They are alleged to have operated Got Skillz, Skillz 777 at Atlantic Boulevard NE in Plain Township and Cafe 62 at 3007 Harrisburg Road NE in Plain Township. Worlow declined to comment. Fluharty and Kerekes couldn't be reached.

Related: Feds reveal indictment against fifth defendant in skill game parlor case

Court appearances tied to Stark County skill games

Condric and Moneypenny made an initial appearance Thursday in U.S. District Court in Akron before Magistrate Judge Amanda Knapp, the Justice Department said.

Christopher Karasarides made an appearance the same day in U.S. District Court in Cleveland before Judge Donald Nugent, who is overseeing most of the skill-games cases in Stark County. Bragg appeared Thursday in U.S. District Court in Akron before Judge John Adams.

The defendants making court appearances face maximum sentences of three to five years for each of the charges, the Justice Department said. The other defendants will be arraigned later.

As of early Thursday afternoon, the charging documents for the new indictments were not yet available on the federal courts system's website.

Also facing charges is Thomas Helmick, Christos Karasarides' nephew, accused in charges unsealed in May 2021 of operating an illegal gambling business, defrauding the United States and filing false income tax returns related to not reporting income from Redemption.

Ronald DiPietro also faces federal felony charges of conspiracy to illegally operate a gambling business, defrauding the United States, and failing to pay owed federal income taxes. DiPietro has also been charged with helping to prepare false and fraudulent income tax returns. He's a certified public accountant who prosecutors say knowingly prepared false tax returns for the other defendants in the case, operated Skilled Shamrock and owned a business that leased gaming machines to the parlors.

Related: Former Stark County skill game parlor operators facing federal indictment

Steven Saris of the Canton area also faces a felony charge of operating an illegal gambling business, Cafe 62, which was on 3007 Harrisburg Rd. NE in Plain Township from 2013 to 2018.

Related: Canton-area man who owned Cafe 62 charged with running illegal gambling business

The trial date for Christos Karasarides, DiPietro, Helmick and Saris is set for Oct. 3 before Nugent. With new charges filed against Christopher Karasarides and new defendants, that date may be postponed again.

Guilty pleas and resolved cases

Three defendants in the case pleaded guilty in July 2022

Rebecca Kachner, 45, formerly of the Canton and Massillon area who was among those charged in the skill game parlor cases in May 2021, pleaded guilty to one count of defrauding the U.S. government as part of a plea agreement. Prosecutors say that she helped operate Redemption Skill Games and Skilled Shamrock and that she and her husband failed to report $2.3 million on their income from the businesses and failed to pay income taxes. She was sentenced to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $1.18 million.

Related: Stark County woman gets 2 years in federal prison for role in illegal skill games stores

Kachner's husband, Jason Kachner, who faced many of the same charges as his wife and also helped operate the skill-games establishments, pleaded guilty to two counts of tax fraud in July 2022. His sentencing has been postponed to Oct. 26.

Larry Dayton, a resident of Florida, pleaded guilty to defrauding the U.S. government from 2008 to 2018 as part of being an owner of Redemption and Skilled Shamrock and failing to report the income from the establishments on his tax returns. Nugent in November sentenced him to three years in prison followed by three years of supervised release and required him to pay restitution of $938,000.

Related: Third defendant guilty of running skill game parlors in Stark County

Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com. Twitter: @rwangREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Feds prosecute 7 more defendants in Stark skills-game cases
Sign is seen at an entrance to a Dow Chemical Co plant in Plaquemine

(Reuters) - A fire broke out at Dow's Plaquemine chemical facility in Louisiana, the U.S. chemical maker said in a statement late on Friday.

Everyone at the facility was accounted for and the fire was being managed by the company's Emergency Operations Center, Dow Louisiana said in a statement posted on Facebook, adding that they were in contact with officials.

Explosions at the facility in Iberville Parish shook homes in the nearby state capital, Baton Rouge, WAFB TV reported. Plant officials said they were still working to assess the cause of the incident, which began around 9:15 p.m. (0215 GMT), the CBS affiliate said.

Dow did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The Iberville Parish Council Office Of Emergency Preparedness issued a "shelter in place" for residents in a half-mile radius, officials said in a Facebook post, adding that Dow's air monitoring was not picking up any readings.

(Reporting by Jyoti Narayan in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard)
I flew on 2 long-haul flights, one in business and another in economy. The meal service couldn't have been more different  take a look.

The meals in business class and economy class had more differences than similarities, Insider's reporter found. Monica Humphries/Insider

Last summer, I flew business class on an Air New Zealand flight from Los Angeles to Auckland.

This year, I had a 12-hour flight from Denver to Tokyo, where I sat in United's economy cabin.

The two flights were, of course, very different, with the meals setting the flights apart most.

I already had a glass of Champagne in my hand before economy-class passengers even got to their seats.

If this was how my first business-class flight was going to start, I knew I was in for a treat.

I was traveling with Air New Zealand from Los Angeles, California, to Auckland, New Zealand, and a long-haul flight meant airplane meals  something I was eager to experience in business class. From tender seafood to a chocolate tart served with real cutlery, the meal met my wildest dreams.

Six months later, I took a long-haul economy flight from Denver, Colorado, to Tokyo, Japan, on United, where I ate food like a veggie stir fry and a Milk Bar cookie from a tray.

While I was traveling on a different airline, the experience showed me how dining can vary between economy and business class while flying. And if I'd been sitting in business class on United heading to Tokyo, I would've had many of the same perks I did on Air New Zealand.

Read on to see how the food on each flight compared.

Before I was even considering food, the meal service in both Air New Zealand's business cabin and United's economy cabin kicked off with a drink.

A glass of sparkling wine at the author's business-class seat on an Air New Zealand flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

In business class, traveling with Air New Zealand, I had what felt like unlimited choices. Options included wine, beer, Champagne, soda, and an array of liquors.

An Air New Zealand flight attendant pushes a beverage cart in business class. Monica Humphries/Insider

Traveling with United in economy, there was complimentary wine and beer as well as soda, but a gin and tonic or any other alcoholic beverage came at a cost.

The author's red wine in a plastic cup on a United economy flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

In business class, I spent a solid 10 minutes eyeing a lengthy menu.

A menu was waiting for me at my business-class seat on an Air New Zealand flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

It outlined a choice between two appetizers, three main courses, and two desserts.

The menu on the author's Air New Zealand business-class flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

In economy, flight attendants shared the main course offerings as they arrived with the meal cart at my seat.

The author's economy-class seat on a United flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

Options on my Air New Zealand flight were descriptive. I could pick between "slow-cooked beef with polenta, orange, and lemon gremolata" or "Alaskan cod with saffron sauce."

The menu on the author's Air New Zealand business-class flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

In economy, there were two options: "chicken" or "veggie stir fry." I wondered what vegetables. What type of chicken? What else would be served on my plate?

A galley on a United flight from Denver, Colorado, to Tokyo. Monica Humphries/Insider

But there wasn't time to ask questions. Instead, I blindly picked the veggie stir fry and was handed a tray of food.

A veggie stir fry meal on a United economy flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

Meanwhile, in business class, the meal was an experience. Before delivering my first course, a flight attendant laid down a cloth napkin, a ceramic tray with salt and pepper, silverware, and an individual-sized olive oil on my tray table.

Bread, salt, pepper, butter, and olive oil were served to the author on her business-class Air New Zealand flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

Each course in business class was served separately.

The author's first course in business class on an Air New Zealand flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

Unlike in economy, where a tray with all my food was delivered at once.

The uncovered veggie meal on a United economy flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

The first thing I ate in business class was bread. A flight attendant came around offering three types: sourdough, garlic, and olive. Naturally, I tried one of each.

A plate of bread in business class on an Air New Zealand flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

I also had bread on my economy tray. While the bread wasn't nearly as fresh as the sourdough in business class, there was luckily a pat of butter that added flavor.

The author's red wine in a plastic cup in economy class on a United flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

My first course in business class was a salad with stuffed grape leaves, quinoa, tomatoes, olives, and lettuce.

The author's first course on an Air New Zealand flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

And in economy, I had a salad with grains, raisins, and lettuce.

My salad in economy on a United flight. Monica Humphries/Insideer

For my main course in business, I opted for the Alaskan cod. It was buttery, flaky, and shockingly delicious for airplane food.

The author's main course in business class on an Air New Zealand flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

As for my main course in economy, a label outlined that the stir fry had seven types of vegetables. And while it wasn't nearly as good as the cod, I easily devoured the entire tray of noodles.

The vegetable stir fry served in economy on a United flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

Arguably the best part of both meals was the dessert. In business, I dined on a rich chocolate tart served with a strawberry garnish.

The chocolate tart served in business class on an Air New Zealand flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

And for dessert in economy, I had a cookie filled with icing from the famous New York City bakery Milk. It was one of my favorite bakeries when I lived in the city, so I was thrilled to see a Milk cookie on my plate.

Dessert in economy class on a United flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

Beyond the food, other details set the meal service apart by cabin class. In business, the cutlery was metal, the napkins were cloth, and the plates were ceramic. I felt like I was at a fine-dining restaurant.

The author's breakfast in business class on an Air New Zealand flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

In economy, as I've found in the same class on many other airlines, my food came out on a plastic tray and everything was wrapped in plastic.

The author's breakfast on a United economy flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

Another big difference was availability. On my two business-class flights, I could order anything on the menu in business class and there was always availability.

The author's menu in business class on an Air New Zealand flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

When I was sitting in economy, the flight attendants told me the pasta option had run out by the time they reached my seat (which was in the back of the plane). Later, there was no Coke available either.

Since the author sat in the back of the plane while flying with United, some options had run out by the time flight attendants reached her seat. Monica Humphries/Insider

Of course, if I'd been sitting in business class on United heading to Tokyo, I would've had many of the same perks I did on Air New Zealand.

United's business-class cabin. Monica Humphries/Insider

According to United's website, meal service in business class includes a welcome glass of bubbly, liquor, a three-course meal, and snacks.

A view of United's business class after passengers have departed. Monica Humphries/Insider

Source: United

While the two meals were strikingly different, I devoured them both and was happily full  with plenty of time for a post-dinner nap.

The author in her business-class seat on an Air New Zealand flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

Read more: I flew on 2 long-haul flights: one in business and another in economy. The 2 cabins couldn't be more different  take a look.

Read the original article on Insider
The Florida Department of Health is appealing an administrative law judges ruling that backed Tampa and Orlando bars in a dispute about whether dogs should be allowed in the establishments.

The department on Friday filed a notice that is an initial step in challenging the ruling at the 1st District Court of Appeal.

Administrative Law Judge Lynne Quimby-Pennock last month issued a 29-page order that said the Department of Health had not properly revised a rule to prevent Pups Pub Tampa and Pups Pub Orlando from allowing customers to bring pets to the dog-friendly bars.

The case centered on sanitation certificates that county health departments, which are overseen by the state Department of Health, issue to establishments.

Read: Pups Pub: Full liquor dog park & sports bar set to open in downtown Orlando

Pups Pub Tampa, for example, was issued a sanitation certificate in December 2020, with an agreement that it would not serve food.

Also, the pub took steps such as installing a gate to keep dogs out of the drink-service area.

But in June 2022, the Tampa bar was cited for a violation related to having dogs in the business.

Read: Seminole County Animal Services offering $5 dog adoptions this month

The Orlando bar, meanwhile, received a sanitation certificate and opened in July 2022 but was cited for a violation less than a month later, according to Quimby-Pennocks order.

Quimby-Pennock ruled that the Department of Health did not properly go through a process to adopt a rule that would keep dogs out of the bars.

As is common, the notice filed Friday did not detail arguments the department will make at the Tallahassee-based appeals court.

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 police officers shot and killed a woman after she charged at them armed with two knives after threatening suicide in an apartment, officials said Friday.

Orlando police said the womans boyfriend called 911 saying that his girlfriend was suicidal and threatening to kill herself. He said she was armed with a knife and threatening to use them.

Orlando police officers shot and killed a woman at an apartment complex after she "charged" at them while holding two knives, a police spokesperson said.

Investigators say a trained member of the Crisis Negotiation Team reached out to talk to the woman on the phone, as officers were dispatched to the scene.

At approximately 1 p.m., officers trained in crisis intervention arrived at the apartment complex in Lake Nona, Florida and attempted to talk with the distraught woman.

LOS ANGELES GANG MEMBERS PLEAD GUILTY IN ROBBERY DEATH OF OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS HOUSE-HUNTING

During the negotiations, police said the woman at one point came out of the apartment holding a knife and then went back inside. She allegedly came out a second time with two knives and charged towards officers, prompting them to shoot her.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Orlando Fire Department.

The officers who fired the shots have been placed on administrative league pending the outcome of an investigation, Orlando police said.

Authorities said the officers did not have their tasers in their hands at the time of the shooting.

A spokesperson told Fox 35 that the two officers who shot and killed the woman have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard in officer-involved shootings. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will also investigate the shooting.

The deputies were wearing body cameras and video will be released to the public within 30 days. The woman involved age or name has not been identified by police or family.
A Florida python hunter just caught a 19-foot Burmese python, the longest ever recorded. Check out the pictures of the slithering beast.

A Florida python hunter just caught a 19-foot Burmese python, the longest ever recorded. Check out the pictures of the slithering beast.

A 22-year-old just nabbed Florida's longest Burmese python on record at 19 feet.

Burmese pythons are an invasive apex predator in Florida and must be humanely killed.

As implied by its name, the Burmese python hails from Southeast Asia.

A conservation group in Florida just received the longest Burmese python on state record, nabbed by a 22-year-old python hunter.

The pre-historic-looking beast  which measured 19 feet and 125 pounds  was captured by 22-year-old Jake Waleri, according to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

"We brought the snake to the Conservancy to be officially measured and documented. We wanted to donate this find to science," Waleri said, according to the Conservancy.

The Burmese python that Jake Waleri caught. Courtesy of Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

The previous record for the longest Burmese python was 18 feet and 9 inches, according to the Conservancy. The organization still holds the record for Florida's heaviest Burmese python for a 215-pound female captured in June 2022.

An Instagram video of the catch on July 10 shows Waleri grabbing the snake first by its tail, then by its neck. The pair wrestled on the ground before others come to help subdue the reptile.

Burmese pythons are an invasive apex predator in Florida, where they can pose a risk to humans. Residents don't need a permit to kill the pythons, though by law they must be killed humanely, according to NPR. As implied by its name, the Burmese python hails from Southeast Asia.

"It's awesome to be able to make an impact on South Florida's environment. We love this ecosystem and try to preserve it as much as possible," Waleri said, according to the Conservancy.

The organization, which has been removing the species of python for the last ten years, said on its website that it is responsible for removing "30,000 pounds of python from an approximately 150 square mile area in southwestern Florida."

Read the original article on Insider
Wildfires in Spain's La Palma island forces evacuations as heatwave grips Europe A view of a wildfire in La Palma

BARCELONA (Reuters) -At least 2,000 people have been evacuated as a forest fire burned out of control in the Spanish island of La Palma, authorities said on Saturday, as Europe was gripped by a heatwave.

Many parts of southern Spain saw scorching temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) last week and even higher temperatures are expected next week in Spain and across southern Europe.

The fire in La Palma started in the early hours of Saturday morning in El Pinar de Puntagorda, a wooded area at the north of the island in the Canaries. The blaze forced the evacuation of Puntagorda and neighbouring Tijarafe.

Marcos Lorenzo, the mayor of Tijarafe, told the Spanish television station RTVE that people in the village were evacuated as the fire spread, but it was not clear how many had actually left.

At least 12 houses were destroyed as the fire advanced, said Fernando Clavijo, president of the Canary Islands.

"The number of people who need to be evacuated could rise. It depends on whether we can bring these strong winds under control," Clavijo told reporters in La Palma.

About 4,500 hectares (11,120 acres) of land have been affected by the fire, authorities said.

The Spanish army deployed 150 of its firefighters to help local crews battle the blaze and other firefighters are arriving from the neighbouring island of Tenerife, Clavijo said.

Four helicopters and four firefighting units on the ground were battling to bring the fire under control in the island, which forms part of a Spanish archipelago off the coast of western Africa.

The forest fire is the first natural crisis on the island since a volcanic eruption in September 2021. More than 2,000 buildings were destroyed and many thousands of people were forced to leave their homes when lava began pouring out of the Cumbre Vieja volcano.

Ash covered the island for months until the eruption ended three months later.

(Reporting by Graham Keeley; editing by Clelia Oziel and Christina Fincher)
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis fields questions from former Fox News Television personality Tucker Carlson at the Family Leadership Summit on July 14, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. Several Republican presidential candidates were scheduled to speak at the event, billed as The Midwests largest gathering of Christians

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis fields questions from former Fox News Television personality Tucker Carlson at the Family Leadership Summit on July 14, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. Several Republican presidential candidates were scheduled to speak at the event, billed as The Midwests largest gathering of Christians

DES MOINES, Iowa  Four months after getting tripped up in a Tucker Carlson questionnaire about Ukraine that forced a quick backtrack, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Friday at the 2023 Family Leadership Summit dealt with the same topic by the same inquisitor with seven minutes of non-answer.

DeSantis talked about his time spent in Iraq as a Navy lawyer, about the Mexican border and how many migrants are crossing illegally, about how fentanyl traffickers would end up stone cold dead if he were in office, how its humiliating that the United States is running low on ammunition, how the real threat was China, and how in Florida they have banned the purchase of land by the Chinese communist party.

I think the goal should be to have sustainable peace in Europe. OK, we dont want there to be war breaking out. There have been a lot of people who have been killed, displaced. Its a horrible thing. But you have to provide an articulation of where youre going to go to get there. My fear right now is theyre basically doing an open-ended conflict. This is going to be a multi-year quagmire. Theres going to be a lot of people that are going to die, and theres not going to be much facts changed on the ground, he said in one stretch during a candidates forum for the 2024 GOP presidential candidates.

Its not all peaches and cream out there, he added at another point. I wish the D.C. elites cared as much about our border as they care about the Ukraine-Russia border, he said and then pivoted to China. We can have a situation where our kids or grandkids are memorizing 37 different pronouns in Mandarin.

In March, DeSantis filled out a questionnaire that Carlson had sent to all the GOP presidential hopefuls. DeSantis responded by calling the invasion a territorial dispute  which he walked back the following week and stated that he should have been more clear that Russia did not have the right to do what it did.

Carlson, who with previous candidates at the Family Leader Summit, had expressed clear opposition to U.S. support for Ukraine, started by asking DeSantis why he flip-flopped initially and then continued pushing him on what he would do should he win the presidency.

The goal should be to bring it to a conclusion, DeSantis said of Russias invasion but offered no details on how it would happen other than to make European nations bear more of the burden. We cannot have American troops in Ukraine. Thats a total non-starter.

The Republican Party has been riven in recent years on the American approach to Russia after former President Donald Trump began siding with Putin over Americas traditional allies in Western Europe. When Putin first invaded in early 2022, Trump called him a genius for doing so, and that pro-Putin sentiment has remained entrenched among a significant percentage of the Republican voting base.

Earlier Friday, when former Vice President Mike Pence stated his strong support for Ukraine in its self-defense against Russia in response, the lifelong evangelical Christian was booed  twice  by the evangelical Christian audience.

Related...
Fred Hiestand, a Sacramento-based lawyer and lobbyist who counseled Black Panther Party co-founder Huey Newton and former California Gov. Jerry Brown among others, died July 2 following a cancer diagnosis. He was 79.

Having worked as the Civil Justice Association of Californias general counsel since its founding in 1979, Hiestand spent his career writing about and arguing issues including medical liability and tort reform.

Those topics might sound dense or complicated but, according to Kyla Christoffersen Powell, president and CEO of CJAC, the briefs Hiestand wrote were works of art.

One time, I was reading a brief that he wrote, and I looked down and realized I was reading lyrics to a Bob Dylan song. Powell said. Thats not something you expect to see in a legal brief.

John Norwood, a partner at Norwood Associates alongside Hiestand, described him as a real renaissance man.

When we went to dinner (recently), he mentioned to me that it was his intent to make his briefs sing, Norwood said. They were full of quotes from philosophers, former justices and poets. They werent long  they grabbed your attention and took you back in history.

Gov. Brown, who Hiestand worked with as special counsel on medical liability during his first administration beginning in 1975, similarly noted that Hiestand had a gift for legal writing.

In the minds of many lawyers, he was exceptionally creative, Brown said in a telephone interview with The Sacramento Bee. He always made arguments eloquently, and he was a person of upstanding intellect  he was also just an interesting person.

Powell said that one of her favorite Fredisms was his proclivity to incorporate the story of the Sword of Damocles into his writing as a metaphor. As the legend goes, after a subject of the rich and powerful King Dionysius commented on how blissful the kings life must be, Dionysius invited him to a lavish feast, and seated him on a golden couch  but hung a sword from the ceiling over his head by a single strand of horsehair. The phrase has come to represent a sense of treacherous, looming danger.

Powell was therefore thrilled when, in 2022, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye quoted Hiestands Damoclean analogy in the majority opinion for the case of Sheen v. Wells Fargo, and in doing so, enshrined that Fredism forever in case law.

But not everything Hiestand read was so high-brow; according to his son, Kevin Hiestand, he was also a fan of detective and mystery novels, and was rarely without one of them on his nightstand.

Hiestand was born on Sept. 14, 1943, in Glendale to James and Mabel Hiestand. He grew up in Cut Bank, Montana, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, before returning to California for high school in Burbank.

He graduated from UC Berkeley School of Law and began working on tort-reform issues in the 1970s, consulting on medical malpractice before being tapped by Brown.

He later counseled Newton and former Sacramento mayor and ex-NBA star Kevin Johnson, as well as helping to form CJAC.

He wrote briefs for both state and federal cases, and argued before the California Supreme Court several times.

According to CJAC, Hiestand also led the Californians Allied for Patient Protection, the coalition to protect the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act, between 1999 and 2007 as chief executive officer and general counsel. He also served as a board member for St. HOPE to help revitalize the Oak Park neighborhood of Sacramento.

Once he was in your corner, he was there for life

Norwood said that Hiestand really heard from other people when forming and writing arguments, and always listened before he spoke  but his colleagues said that when he did speak, he had his views sorted out.

If we were all together in a group having a discussion, Fred wasnt afraid to speak out and say the thing that maybe all of us were thinking, Powell said. But the way he said it was respectful, calm and with a sense of humor.

Hiestand issued arguments about desegregation during the 1970s and Native American rights during the 2010s, and penned an article published in The Sacramento Bee in 1975 about medical malpractice insurance, arguing at different times in support of both the common man and businesses.

Thats what was so unique about Fred, Powell said. It wasnt about what groups or what parties; it was about justice happening.

But Hiestands zealous dedication went beyond his work  according to his son, it extended to his relationships.

As a human being, the thing Dad taught all of his kids was that he was devotedly loyal, Kevin Hiestand said. To friends, to family, to clients. Once he was in your corner, he was there for life.

Kevin Hiestand is now a lawyer himself, and said that his father had him while he was in college, and because of the smaller age gap, it soon became almost more of a friendship.

In keeping with this, they regularly went out for breakfast to drink coffee, talk and read the newspaper together. One brunch at a diner in downtown Sacramento sticks out in Kevins mind as especially notable.

He kept ordering refill after refill of coffee, and after a while I put the paper down and said, Dad, whats up with all the coffee? the younger Hiestand recalled. He said, That waitress is stunning, and I want to get to know her. For the next few months, he relentlessly pursued her, and they were married for over 30 years.

Huey Newton, the co-founder of the Black Panther Party and both a client and close friend of Hiestand, was meant to be Hiestands best man. However, Newton was assassinated just months before, on Aug. 22, 1989.

My dad admired Huey as a once-in-a-lifetime leader, Kevin Hiestand said. Often we would be sitting in the car, and he would be staring off into space, and then he would turn around and just tell me an anecdote or a story about Huey.

Hiestand was by Newtons side in 1977 when the Black Panther Party leader decided to return from Cuba to California to face charges of murder and assault. Both trials ended with hung juries.

Ultimately, Kevin Hiestand said that all of his memories of his father are reinforced by one theme: loyalty.

When he puts his mind to something, he is dedicated and will pursue it at all costs, Kevin Hiestand said. That is his loyalty.

Hiestand is survived by his wife, Peggy; children Kevin, Kerry, Alison and Zane; and four grandchildren.
Friends say Colin Smith, who was fatally stabbed in Portland, Oregon, on July 2, died protecting a friend who was facing anti-LGBTQ harassment.

Paulina Solis, a friend of Smiths, said he had gotten off work on the evening of July 1 and went to a bar with friends, according to KGW-TV, the NBC Portland affiliate. Solis wasnt there but said people who were told her a man began harassing one of Smiths friends and tossed homophobic slurs, according to The Oregonian.

Colin Smith. (Portland Police Bureau)

Smith, 32, started to defend his friend and the man stabbed him several times around 1:49 a.m. local time on July 2, KGW-TV reported. Smith had already died of his wounds by the time officers arrived, according to the Portland Police Bureau.

He was a protector, Solis told The Oregonian. He died being the person that we all knew him to be.

The suspect fled the scene but was arrested July 7 by the U.S. Marshals Service, according to officials.

Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced Thursday that a grand jury had indicted Rahnique Usef Jackson, 24, on three charges relating to Smiths death: murder in the second degree, unlawful use of a weapon and bias crime in the second degree.

NBC News could not reach Jackson for comment, and it was unclear if he had an attorney.

In the days since Smiths death, many friends and family members have shared stories about him, describing him as a loving friend and relative, and a dedicated employee of the Ox Restaurant in Portland, where he worked as a server.

When asked to describe her brother, Dani Smith said one word: Hero.

Everyone loved him, and it showed at his memorial, Dani Smith told NBC News in a phone interview. Its one thing when its your friends and family, but all of his employers loved him. It just was like a big eye opener that, gosh, he really was loved, and that was because he was kind, he was patient, he was understanding, accepting of everyone, funny, good-looking.

Colin Smith with his sister, Dani Smith. (Courtesy Dani Smith)

Her brother, she said, wanted to open a restaurant, and the two had talked about him opening one in Cornwall, England, where she lives. She also said he also always wanted to have a food truck that served Mexican-inspired food, because their family recipe was chile relleno.

Dani Smith said her family doesnt want her brothers story to create fear. Rather, the family is asking people to extend love and kindness to those around them.

Call a friend whos in need, donate to the Humane Society, simply smile at a neighbor, she said. Thats where change really starts to happen  and sticking up for people.

Devin Lee, a friend of Colin's who was also a server at the Ox Restaurant, told Eater that Smith would often check in with co-workers to see if they needed help.

He was quick to tell you he loved you, all the time, Lee told Eater. He said it to all the guys at Ox. It would catch them off-guard. That was just Colin; he just loved.

Colin Smith with his sister, Dani, and mom, Julie. (Courtesy Dani Smith)

Greg Denton, the co-owner of the Ox Restaurant, told Eater that Smith applied initially to be a cook, but that when Denton met him, he was so easy to talk to and nice that Denton decided hed be a better fit for the front of the restaurant.

He made sure that everything that he did during the night was thinking of others, Denton told Eater. I have a post in the kitchen, where I sort of scrape the plates. Every time he was there, hed say, Appreciate you, chef.

Smiths mom, Julie Smith, said in a statement shared with NBC News that her son was my friend, my confidant, my reality check, and my miracle. She said he loved hosting dinner parties, his cat, Smokey, and that she would miss his daily phone calls to her.

Colin Smith with his sister, Dani Smith. (Courtesy Dani Smith)

I will never mourn the selfless soul of my beautiful boy, which cannot be extinguished by death and will live on forever, she said in the statement.

She said that she used to ask him and his sister what they wanted to be when they grew up, and Smith would tell her he wanted to be a rainbow.

We will meet again; I will find you over the rainbow, she said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
It might not have been the traditional end-of-the-high school year graduation, but it signified something important for the students who walked across the stage of the Roosevelt High Schools Audra McDonald Theater Friday morning: They graduated!

Fresno Unified School District Trustee Keshia Thomas had a message to graduates: Never quit.

About 103 seniors from 11 high schools  Bullard, Cambridge, DeWolf, Edison, Fresno, Fulton, Hoover, J.E. Young Academic Center, McLane, Roosevelt and Sunnyside  took part in the the ceremony.

Never quit, you can always do it. You just have to try hard, and you graduate, and you move on to your better career, Thomas said. I am so proud of these kids. I am so very proud, and it is my pleasure to be here today.

Fresno Unified School District Trustee Keshia Thomas with one of the DeWolf High School seniors during the summer commencement at Roosevelt High Schools Audra McDonald Theater Friday morning.

The graduating students attended summer school to complete graduation requirements.

Edison High grad Kenny Rodriguez said I am just really excited. I still graduated. My family is here and I just really excited.

The 17-year-old Rodriguez said he might take a gap year and start working first to save money before going to college.

His mother, Veronica Rodriguez, said she was very proud of him.

Edison High grad Kenny Rodriguez (right) with his mother Veronica, was one of the 103 seniors from Fresno Unified School Districts 11 high schools that took part of the summer commencement held at Roosevelt High Schools Audra McDonald Theater Friday, July 14.

He struggled. We are just very proud that he finally made it. Every day he was like mom can you believe it. I said, no I cant believe it, but yeah you did it, Veronica Rodriguez said.

Roosevelt High graduate Aaliyah Mendez was very excited, finally, did it.

For Mendez, walking across the stage was honoring my parents and thanking my mom specifically for pushing me to finally do it and to do better.

Roosevelt High graduate Aaliyah Mendez was one of the 103 seniors from Fresno Unified School Districts 11 high schools that took part of the summer commencement held at Roosevelt High Schools Audra McDonald Theater Friday, July 14.

Mendez plans to attend Fresno City College and major in education.

Alejandra Rodriguez, who graduated from J.E. Young Academic Center, said, I feel very proud of myself.

The 18-year-old Rodriguez plans to go to Fresno City College in the fall to pursue business.

Alejandra Rodriguez, who graduated from J.E. Young Academic Center, was one of the 103 seniors from Fresno Unified School Districts 11 high schools that took part of the summer commencement held at Roosevelt High Schools Audra McDonald Theater Friday, July 14.

I feel very happy because (she) has accomplished yet another achievement and we hope it is not the last, said Rodriguez mother, Bertha Aparicio Rodriguez.

One of the Sunnyside High School grad who took park of the Fresno Unified School Districts summer commencement ceremony at the Roosevelt High Schools Audra McDonald Theater Friday morning.

Edison High grad Kenny Rodriguez was one of the 103 seniors from Fresno Unified School Districts 11 high schools that took part of the summer commencement held at Roosevelt High Schools Audra McDonald Theater Friday, July 14.

One of the students who took park of the Fresno Unified School Districts summer commencement ceremony at the Roosevelt High Schools Audra McDonald Theater Friday morning.

One of the McLane High School grad who took park of the Fresno Unified School Districts summer commencement ceremony at the Roosevelt High Schools Audra McDonald Theater Friday morning.

Edison High grad Kenny Rodriguez take a photo with his family. He was one of the 103 seniors from Fresno Unified School Districts 11 high schools that took part of the summer commencement held at Roosevelt High Schools Audra McDonald Theater Friday, July 14.

Roosevelt High graduate Aaliyah Mendez was one of the 103 seniors from Fresno Unified School Districts 11 high schools that took part of the summer commencement held at Roosevelt High Schools Audra McDonald Theater Friday, July 14.

One of the Edison High School grad who took park of the Fresno Unified School Districts summer commencement ceremony at the Roosevelt High Schools Audra McDonald Theater Friday morning.

One of the students who took park of the Fresno Unified School Districts summer commencement ceremony at the Roosevelt High Schools Audra McDonald Theater Friday morning.

Edison High grad Kenny Rodriguez (center) was one of the 103 seniors from Fresno Unified School Districts 11 high schools that took part of the summer commencement held at Roosevelt High Schools Audra McDonald Theater Friday, July 14.

This Caruthers High salutatorian and Gates Scholar has plans to go into medicine

Sunnyside High grad heading to inaugural UC Merced program to generate doctors
Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp says it's 'humbling' that some people think he'd be 'a good president,' but he remains focused on his current role

Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia. AP Photo/Alex Slitz, File

Gov. Kemp said it was "humbling" that his name has been floated as a GOP presidential candidate.

Kemp in a recent interview with CBS-affiliate WRBL said that his priority was leading Georgia.

But he left some wiggle room: "In politics, there are always doors opening and closing."

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp  who has been floated as a potential presidential candidate by Republicans seeking an alternative to former President Donald Trump  said on Wednesday that while it was "humbling" that some think he'd be a great commander-in-chief, his focused would remain on his current job.

During an interview with WRBL, a CBS television affiliate based in Columbus, Ga., Kemp remarked he was happy leading Georgia as he promoted the $200 million expansion of a Kia auto plant that will produce the company's electric SUV.

But he also remarked on his name being mentioned as someone who could make a late entry into the 2024 GOP field, with some in the party beginning to question whether Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis can mount a credible challenge to Trump in the coming months.

"It's humbling that there are people out there that think I would make a good president. But I have got a great job that I am very happy in," the governor said.

"We've got really an opportunity of a lifetime right now in the state of Georgia as we see an industrial revolution happening right before our eyes. So I am staying very focused on that," he continued. "That's what I promised people I would do when I got re-elected."

However, Kemp left some wiggle room in his comments, even as he previously said he wouldn't seek the White House in 2024.

"In politics, there are always doors opening and closing," he said. "I understand that. I never try to open something prematurely or close something too quickly."

The governor  who was elected to a second term last fall by defeating Democratic star and former Georgia state House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams in a rematch of their 2018 contest  then stressed his opinion that a Republican would be best positioned to lead the country.

"There's a lot of great Republicans running. A lot of friends of mine our running. We will keep an eye on the race. But one thing is for certain, we have got to beat Joe Biden," he told WRBL. "This country is in a bad place right now. And I just think a Republican president will get the ox out of the ditch, if you will. And that's what I am going to be working on, regardless of who our nominee is."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has named its new director, Channel 2s Mark Winne has learned.

In June, Michael Register, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, announced his resignation, with plans to return to Cobb County as the Public Safety Director.

Gov. Brian Kemp named Registers successor on Saturday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

A Saturday evening vote by the Board of Public Safety confirmed the appointment of Chris Hosey to the role.

Currently, Hosey serves as the Assistant Director of the GBI, overseeing the Investigative Division.

Hosey started his work in law enforcement in 1987 as a Narcotics Agent with the Local Violators Squad, then worked throughout the state in various positions throughout his career.

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In 2001, Hosey was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of a multijurisdictional drug task force and helped create the GBIs first state and local regional drug enforcement office.

He was promoted to Inspector, overseeing drug operations, various general investigative offices, and the GBIs training unit in 2012. Then-GBI director Vic Reynolds appointed Hosey to Deputy Director of Investigations in 2020.

The governor and First Lady Marty Kemp said they appreciated now-former GBI Director Register for his service to the state while praising Hosey for a career dedicated to protecting Georgians.

With over 35 years of experience at the GBI, he brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and skill to this role. Im confident he will bring the same level of commitment to the job that he has shown throughout his years of service, Gov. Kemp said in a statement.

The Georgia Board of Public Safety voted around 5 p.m. Saturday to confirm Chris Hosey as the new director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation effective August 1, Kemps office confirmed to Channel 2 Action News.

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OTHER NEWS:
German foreign minister says there is no possibility of negotiations with Putin

German Foreign minister Annalena Baerbock

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has rejected the possibility of negotiations being conducted with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, whom she said was waging a cruel war of aggression in Ukraine.

Baerbock gave her view in an interview with German newspaper Bild published on July 15.

Read also: Germany to announce new military aid package for Ukraine at NATO summit  Pistorius

When asked whether it is possible to hold talks with Putin, Baerbock answered "no."

"I wish we could come to an agreement. But at the moment, it's not about what we want, but about the fact that we need to face the truth... And this is a cruel Russian war of aggression," the minister said.

When asked whether she foresees the fall of the Putin regime in the near future, Baerbock replied that she does not have such information and does not know how long the war will last.

Read also: Germany provides more military aid to Ukraine

"I have no idea. This is exactly the point. We don't know when this war will end. We do not know what is happening in Russia. Because we are not dealing with a country that, like us, is fortunately democratic," she said.

It was reported on July 11 that the Federal Government of Germany had prepared a new package of military aid for Ukraine. According to the sources of the German publication Der Spiegel, a delivery of air defense equipment, infantry fighting vehicles, ammunition and drones worth EUR 600 million is planned.

Der Spiegel wrote that the most valuable item in this package may be the Patriot air defense systems and the missiles for them.

During the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 12, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and announced an agreement on the supply to Ukraine of additional Patriot launchers and missiles for them from Germany.

Scholz said on July 14 that the value of arms supplies to Ukraine from Germany since the start of the full-scale invasion of Russia would reach a total of about EUR 17 billion by 2027.

Read also: US and Germany remain opposed to swift Ukraine NATO membership  report

As the chancellor of Germany noted, his country is second only to the United States in providing support to Ukraine, particularly in the military field.

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Police in New York arrested Long Island's Gilgo Beach serial murder suspect Rex Heuermann with the help of DNA from a discarded pizza box, according to a bail application.

Rex Heuermann is charged with six counts of murder: one count of first degree murder and one count of second degree murder for each of the three victims. Those victims have been identified as Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Authorities said 11 sets of human remains were found on a beach highway in Long Island between 2010 and 2011. The bail application made public Friday explains that police also recovered male hair from a burlap they said was used to wrap Waterman's body in 2010.

At the time, analysis revealed that the hair found "Caucasian/European characteristics" but wasn't suitable for further DNA testing.

INFAMOUS LONG ISLAND SERIAL KILLER SUSPECT BEHIND GILGO BEACH MURDERS IN CUSTODY: OFFICIALS

Police in New York were able to arrest Long Island Gilgo Beach serial murder suspect Rex Heuermann with the help of DNA from a discarded pizza box, according to a bail application.

In 2020, the hair was submitted to a laboratory for further analysis, which revealed that it belonged to a male with a specific type of DNA.

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A witness to the disappearance of Costello identified a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche as the vehicle believed to have been driven by the alleged killer.

Through a "comprehensive review" by several law enforcement agencies, authorities were led to a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche registered to Heuermann, the document states.

After discovering the vehicle that was registered to Heuermann, a Chevrolet Avalanche, a police surveillance team observed him throwing away a pizza box at 385 5th Avenue in Manhattan. The pizza box was sent to the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory for analysis, where a swab was collected from the pizza crust on March 23.

A portion of the hair found on Waterman back in 2010 was also sent for analysis on April 28 for cross-examination with the DNA found on the pizza crust.

Rex Heuermann used fictitious names and online accounts to solicit and arrange sexual activity, according to a bail application.

On or around June 12, it was determined that the DNA found on the hair and crust have the "same" mitochondrial profile, excluding 99.96% of the North American population, officials wrote in the court document.

Heuermann's DNA, however, could not be excluded from the male hair found near Waterman's body, police wrote in the bail application.

WATCH 'GRIM TIDE' ON FOX NATION

The locations where eight of 10 bodies were found near Gilgo Beach since December 2010 are seen in this Suffolk County Police handout image.

"It is significant that Defendant Heuermann cannot be excluded from the male hair recovered near the bottom of the burlap utilized to restrain and transport Megan Watermans naked and deceased body," the document states.

Heuermann is married and has two children, working as an architect in Manhattan while living on Long Island.

"I'm an architect. I'm an architect consultant. I'm a troubleshooter. Born and raised on Long Island. Then working in Manhattan since 1987," Heuermann said in a February 2022 video interview with Bonjour Realty posted to YouTube. "When a job that should've been routine suddenly becomes not routine, I get the phone call."

Rex Heuermann, 59, is tied to at least 11 murders after New York authorities discovered 11 sets of human remains strewn along a suburban Long Island beach highway between 2010 and 2011.

"I've lived with the Gilgo Beach investigation for my entire tenure as county executive, and I can tell you that during that time, the focus for me, members of our team have been on bringing justice for these victims and closure to these families who have suffered," Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone told reporters who were outside Heuermann's home Friday in Massapequa Park.

Fox News' Greg Norman contributed to this report.
Crime scene investigators search a marsh for the remains of the Gilgo Beach serial murder victims. James Carbone/AP via Newsday

Gilgo Beach serial-murder probers followed a creepy evidence trail to the doorstep of a NYC architect.

The evidence included duck-blind burlap, 'abandonment DNA,' and a search history of torture porn.

Officials also used modern DNA testing on suspect hairs left on the bodies more than ten years ago.

It's an evidence trail littered with the creepiest of artifacts, New York officials say, some old and tangible, like the stray hair left on the burlap that they say bound the victims, and some recent and virtual, like a search history of torture porn.

But over the past year, a team of federal, state, and local investigators, the Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force, made a re-energized trip down that decade-cold trail.

It quickly led investigators to the doorstep of a Manhattan architect, now held without bail and charged in three of the notorious waterfront crime scene's 11 murders.

The suspect in the serial killing case, Rex Heuermann, a 59-year-old father from Long Island, New York, is also a suspect in the death of a fourth woman whose body, like the other three, was found bound and hidden in the dense underbrush along the highway that runs along Gilgo Beach.

The mugshot of Rex Heuermann, the Long Island man charged with murder in the deaths of three of the 11 victims in a long-unsolved string of killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders. Suffolk County Sheriff's Office

Heuermann has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyer, Michael Brown, told reporters that his client has insisted to him, "I didn't do this."

At a press conference on Friday night, officials described the double life they say let Heuermann escape suspicion for more than a decade.

His double life

He ran a respected, Fifth Avenue architecture firm, commuting by train from the suburbs to the city while presenting an affable front to the world.

But when his wife and children were out of town, officials said, he sometimes picked up a new burner phone and booked himself a young sex worker.

And on three, possibly four of these occasions, these appointments ended in the deaths of these strikingly similar women (a subset of the larger, 11-body crime spree) known to investigators as the "Gilgo Four," officials allege.

Yet unsolved are the killings of the remaining Gilgo Four victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, and the seven others, including one man and a toddler, some later linked to body parts found elsewhere on Long Island.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Rex Heuermann is a demon that walks among us  a predator that ruined families," Suffolk County police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told reporters Friday.

"If not for the members of this task force, he would still be out on the streets today," Harrison said.

All four women, including those Heuermann is charged with killing  Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello  were petite and in their 20s. They advertised their sex work in the same online outlets.

Gilgo Beach victims Amber Costello, 27, left, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, center, and Megan Waterman, 22, right. Suffolk County Police Department

When their bodies were recovered in December 2010, "they were buried in a similar fashion, in a similar location, in a similar way," Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told reporters Friday night of the Gilgo Four.

"All the women were bound at the head, the midsection or chest, and the legs," he said, "using camouflage burlap used in duck blinds, for hunting," Tierney said. "So obviously, it was used to purposely hide the body."

But while investigators have suspected since 2010 that a single murderer was likely responsible, for more than a decade they did not know who they were looking for.

On Friday, Tierney described the evidence trail that led  suddenly, over the course of only 14 months and after a decade of fear and frustration  to Heuermann's arrest.

Clue from a sex-worker 'ruse'

The new trail was forged in early 2022, with the forming of the task force, the empaneling of a grand jury, and  thanks to the secrecy and subpoena power that grand juries provide  the quiet re-examination of evidence and witnesses, Tierney and other officials told reporters.

"It took over 300 subpoenas and search warrants to find this information," the DA said.

Heuermann's name surfaced as a suspect for the first time in March of 2022, just six weeks after the task force was formed, Tierney said.

One of the earliest key clues involved the roommates of victim Costello, 27. Costello booked her final sex work appointment on September 2, 2010, the last day she was seen alive.

The roommates had gotten a good look at Costello's final client, Tierney told reporters, because they sometimes worked together to swindle visiting johns. Heuermann, the DA said, was one of them.

"She involved herself in a ruse," the DA said of Costello, "where once the individual gave her money, other individuals came into the house, pretending to be significant others, confronted the individual, with the purpose of making that individual uncomfortable and having him leave without retrieving his money.

"And that's exactly what happened," Tierney said.

Investigators examine the Massapequa Park, New York, home of suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann after his arrest. Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP

That final client? He was between 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-6, Tierney said. He was white, wore glasses, was large but not muscular, and had dark hair.

Costello's final client also drove "a dark-colored, first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche," Tierney said, as investigators knew from the emblem these witnesses remembered seeing between the pickup truck's cab and its bed.

This truck make and model had been known in 2010, Tierney said. But it wasn't until last year that a search of vehicle registration databases revealed that Heuermann owned, at the time, a first-generation Chevy Avalanche pickup, he said.

Heuermann's Chevy Avalanche has recently been traced to South Carolina. It has been seized, and is now being examined, as is the suspect's newly-recovered last burner phone, Tierney said.

Cell phone evidence

The FBI was also able to reassess decade-old cell phone data from the victims' phones, focusing on the calls that booked their final appointments.

Each appointment had been booked, on the client's end, using a different burner phone. And each of these calls was made from within an area confined to four cell towers in Massapequa Park, where Heuermann lived, Tierney said.

"They realized that this had significance," the DA said Friday. "Because the perpetrators of these crimes was probably located within this area during or around the time of the murders," he said. Task force members called that area "the box."

The FBI was also able to designate a second, cell-phone-data "box" in Midtown Manhattan, where Heuermann's architecture firm is located, he said. "And so that was an investigative lead," Tierney explained.

Hair, and a pizza crust

Task force members also took another look at the suspect hairs that were recovered from the bodies in 2010. Each had been degraded by time and the elements in the months before they were found.

"With regard to Megan Waterman, there were three hairs recovered," Tierney said. "One from around her head area, one from around her leg area, in the burlap, and then there was one caught in between the tape," he said.

"Amber Costello also had a significant hair that was recovered," he said.

Back in 2010, testing was in its infancy. Now, using modern mitochondrial DNA testing, even degraded hair follicles can yield a genetic profile, and these did.

But with Heuermann now in their sights, they needed a sample from him, for comparison.

In March, police detectives who were tailing Heurermann in Manhattan recovered a pizza crust from a box he tossed in a trash can. This so-called "abandonment DNA" yielded a match to Heuermann, officials said Friday.

Officials recovered "abandonment DNA" from the crust in this pizza box discarded by Gilgo Beach serial murder suspect Rex Heuermann. Suffolk County/Reuters

"Suffice it to say, that evidence was significant," he said.

Also significant were the travel schedules of Heuermann's wife and children, Tierney said. The murders of all three women coincided with his family traveling, without him, out of the tri-state area.

Searches for 'Gilgo Beach'  and torture porn

Through Google search warrants, investigators say they recently found that Heuermann used "fraudulent" email addresses to search for progress on the investigation and for "torture porn," Tierney said.

"In a 14-month period, he had over 200 searches pertaining to the Gilgo investigation," the DA said. "Not only was he looking at investigative insight," he said. "He was looking, trying to figure out, how is the task force using cell phones to figure out what's happening."

Task force members redoubled their efforts to keep the investigation secret, he said, because they realized whatever leaked out, "one person would be watching." They didn't want Heuermann to know "how close we were getting," the DA said.

Heuermann's covert search history also revealed he was "compulsively" searching for pictures and information about his victims and their family members, including where they lived, Tierney said.

"And there was a lot of torture porn," Tierney said. "And what you would consider depictions of women being abused, being raped, and being killed."

The investigation is 'only beginning'

During the investigation, Heuermann was continuing to use burner phones to make appointments with sex workers, officials said, and because of that, they decided to move in now for an arrest.

Still, the forensic examination of Heuermann's pickup truck, and of a burner phone now recovered from his office, are just two of the new leads still being developed.

"We're continuing to execute search warrants," Tierney told reporters Friday night.

"This case is not over," he added. "It's only beginning."

Read the original article on Insider
For some GOP candidates at the Family Leadership Summit, the biggest challenge was Tucker Carlson

DES MOINES, Iowa  Six Republican presidential candidates came to Iowa Friday to win over Christian conservative voters, one of the most powerful voting blocs in the primary.

But as it turned out, they really had to win over only one person: Tucker Carlson.

For some of them, that was pretty tough.

The ousted Fox News host moderated Fridays Family Leadership Summit, a prominent gathering of conservative Christians attended by several GOP 2024 contenders.

But throughout the program, each candidate saw a different side of Carlson, whose questioning set the mood for the response from the crowd of nearly 2,000.

Many of Carlsons pet issues  like his skepticism about U.S. involvement in the war in Ukraine  emerged prominently, giving fits to candidates who didnt have the same position.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinsons time onstage was tense. For Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina it was amicable. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haleys appearance began strained, but she eventually won over the former Fox News personality and the crowd with a handful of memorable pivots. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and business owner Vivek Ramaswamy were treated downright warmly by Carlson.

But former Vice President Mike Pence may have had the roughest go of it.

Seconds after Pences time onstage began, Carlson dove into asking the former vice president whether he would call Jan. 6 an insurrection. Pence said hed never used the word, but he called it a riot. He also criticized former President Donald Trump  still a beloved figure among many conservatives in Iowa  for putting Pence's family in danger during his supporters storming of the U.S. Capitol.

Carlson went after him harder, grilling him over his support for Ukraine and bombarding him with questions over whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys government was respecting religious liberty.

Republican presidential candidate former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley walks on stage during the Family Leadership Summit, Friday, July 14, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall / AP)

The exchange escalated markedly when Carlson insisted Zelenskyy had arrested priests for having views they disagree with. Pence repeatedly pushed back, saying he had asked religious leaders about this issue during his trip to the country in June and was told it was not happening. Carlson refused to allow Pence to move on, saying, I cant let you glide over the question of the treatment of Christians and clergy.

Finally, the mild-mannered Pence raised his voice to get a word in.

The problem is that you wont accept my answer, he said.

The interaction elicited boos from the audience.

Hutchinsons interactions with Carlson were similarly fraught, with the two tussling over transgender rights and Covid vaccines.

Right off the bat, Carlson asked the former Arkansas governor if his stance had changed from when he vetoed a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth in 2021. Hutchinson defended his position, saying that while he agreed minors should not have transgender surgery, he felt the bill went too far. Carlson refused to relent, even after Hutchinson asked him to.

Tucker, I hope that you will be able to talk about some issues, he said, before Carlson interrupted him.

This is one of the biggest issues in the country, and I think I would, every person in this room would agree, he said.

Tensions escalated further when the former Fox News host pivoted to vaccines, asking how many shots Hutchinson had received.

Instead of answering, Hutchinson shot back, How many Covid shots did you take?

Zero Carlson retorted to big applause.

Haley seemed to win over Carlson  but only after overcoming an uneasy start.

After Carlson asked if there had been irregularities in the 2020 election, she stumbled into saying that President Biden ended up winning the election  an acknowledgement that elicited groans from members of the audience.

But when she skillfully maneuvered a question from Carlson about who blew up the Nord Stream pipeline  he was insinuating without evidence that the U.S. had destroyed the key Russian asset, an unsubstantiated claim he often pushed on his Fox News show  into a lighter conversation about the still-unknown identity of the culprit who left behind cocaine in the White House, the audience and Carlson both lit up with glee.

I strongly believe this is a cover-up for either [Joe Bidens son] Hunter or someone very close to the president, she said, prompting laughter and applause.

The tone of the exchange improved markedly after that, and Carlson didnt prevent her from delivering a brief stump speech at the end of her remarks  something other candidates didnt do.

Ramaswamy, who appeared frequently on Carlsons since-canceled Fox News show (he even announced his candidacy on the program) and the former host talked like old friends, and Scott, who was the first candidate to go onstage with Carlson, received broadly amicable treatment, too.

And unlike Pence and Hutchinson, during moments where Carlson attempted to pin him on specific answers or insert controversy, Scott replied gently.

For example, early in the conversation, Carlson tried to nail Scott on the specific number of undocumented immigrants hed deport if elected president.

After receiving pushback from Carlson on a nonanswer, Scott deflected with a bit of flattery.

In order for us to achieve the goals that this really brilliant guy on the stage, and Im not talking about myself, wants us to achieve,  he said, we have to identify where they are, and Im not going to pretend that that will be an easy task, but that should be the response.

DeSantis was the last to go up with Carlson, but he was the first candidate the commentator asked directly about abortion. The omission was noticeable because a centerpiece of the day was Gov. Kim Reynolds signing of a six-week abortion ban.

DeSantis, who also signed a six-week abortion ban in Florida, didnt receive much pushback after he dodged Carlsons questions about whether he would sign a similar federal ban if elected president.

By not inviting other conservative candidates to tout their own records on abortion restrictions, Carlson effectively stripped them of the ability to advertise what could have been, for some, their strongest appeal to Christian voters.

Pence  who throughout his career cultivated a reputation as a staunch abortion opponent  seemed particularly frustrated about that turn of events.

I regret that we didnt have very much time during my time onstage to talk about progress for life or issues impacting the family, he told reporters following his time on the stage.

Missing from the summit was former President Donald Trump, who skipped the event  an absence that, ironically, may not have hurt him.

While Trump remains popular among Iowa Republican voters, his latest attacks on Reynolds would have likely invited scrutiny.

Instead, his absence allowed voters, and Carlson, to focus on his rivals for the nomination  many of whom, because of the commentators approach, stumbled.

Maybe its good President Trump isnt here, Kari Lake told reporters in between candidate appearances.

The Trump ally who lost the Arizona race for governor last year said it would have been extra embarrassing for Trumps competitors for the nomination because we already know that he has proven himself with all of these issues.

These guys, she added, were stumbling and bumbling on the stage.

They cant even answer their way out of a technical question, she said.

CORRECTION (July 15, 2023, 07:59 a.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated when abortion is banned under the law Desantis signed in Florida. It is after six weeks, not after six months.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Governor gives Florida teachers $33 million, seal of excellence for civics training

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that teachers received recognition for their civics training.

Over 11,000 teachers participated in the Florida Department of Education training and received over $33 million.

The Summer Civics Professional Learning Series and the Civics Seal of Excellence Endorsement give teachers tools to teach civics in the classroom.

The 50-hour online program had video lessons on Americas history and government.

Read: Johnson University Florida to permanently close in 2024

Each teacher that earned the endorsement received a stipend of $3,000.

DeSantis and the Florida Department of Education launched the Civics Seal of Excellence in January, and since then, the program has reached capacity at 20,000 teachers.

Read: Valencia College, UCF provides more transfer student financial aid with 1.3M grant

Understanding the founding principles of our nation is the key to protecting and maintaining our republic for generations to come, DeSantis said. Florida teachers are leading the way in civics education, which is demonstrated by our student success, especially when compared to the rest of the nation.

DeSantis has focused on civics in education since taking office.

His administration and the FDOE created the Civics Literacy Excellence Initiative in July 2021 to improve civic literacy and Florida education.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A random check by the Madison County Health Department found a mosquito that tested positive for West Nile virus in the vicinity of Wilson Park in Granite City recently.

Mayor Mike Parkinson reported the finding in a letter to residents on the citys Facebook page this week.

The City Administration encourages residents to take necessary precautions when outdoors to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes to include wearing protective clothing and using anti-mosquito sprays, he wrote.

Most people infected with West Nile virus dont feel sick, according to the Pan American Health Organization.

Twenty percent experience mild symptoms, including fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, rash or swollen glands. One in 150 develops a life-threatening illness, such as encephalitis or meningitis.

The health department does random mosquito checks throughout the county, according to Parkinsons letter.

The City was advised by the (health department) that the most effective remedy to mosquito control is the placement of larvicide in any standing water of significance, he wrote. They work by killing mosquito larvae before they grow into adults and become a threat.

Parkinson noted that many residents have asked that the city send trucks that spray insecticides along street. But the health department called this the least effective control method.

Mosquitoes have to come into contact with the insecticide for them to die and the (sprayer) has no effect on larvae in water, he wrote. The sprayer is also the most expensive method with results not deemed worth the cost.

The City has been and will continue with the recommendations of the Health Department by utilizing larvicide tablets. The City of Granite City requests citizens to do their part and empty any standing water around your property and replace bird bath water daily.

No information about the Granite City mosquito with West Nile virus appears on the health departments Facebook page. But in recent weeks, the agency has posted several notices about how people can protect themselves from mosquito bites and stop disease spread.

Tips include:

Use EPA-registered insect repellent

Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing

Remove standing water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs

Use window and door screens

CBS News Chicago reported this week that mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus also have been found in the Chicago suburbs of Evanston, Glenview, Lincolnwood and Northfield.
Scenes from the dedication ceremony of Riverbluff Cave as a historical site at the Missouri Institute of Natural Science on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

An inadvertent discovery on perhaps the darkest day in American history, Greene County's Riverbluff Cave has become an established paleontological site.

It has inspired books, piqued the interests of several scientists, and ultimately led to the creation of the Missouri Institute of Natural Science and its adjoining museum.

Filled with stalagmites, stalactites, columns and prehistoric fossils dating back more than a million years, the cave on the outskirts of southwest Springfield recently was given an additional designation: historical site.

More than two decades after its Sept. 11, 2001 discovery, the Greene County Historical Sites Board officially added Riverbluff Cave to its list of extraordinary landmarks.

Once approved by the board  a 12-member group appointed by the Greene County Commission  a site can be given resources for protection, retention and preservation.

Dave Coonrad speaks during the dedication ceremony of Riverbluff Cave as a historical site at the Missouri Institute of Natural Science on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

David Coonrod, who counts local speleologist and conservationist among his many titles, witnessed the genesis of Riverbluff Cave. The Greene County Historical Sites Board member's term expired on Thursday, but not before he was able to announce the cave's new distinction while passionately discussing its historical context.

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The Greene County Historical Sites Board appears to agree. The cave is the first natural feature to get the board's designation.

David Harrison, a Springfield author who was recently appointed Missouri Poet Laureate, wrote the Riverbluff-inspired book "Cave Detectives: Uncovering One of America's Oldest Ice Caves" in 2007.

"This has been a great addition to Springfield," Coonrod said at the dedication ceremony.

Local archaeologist and paleontologist Matt Forir, who also first explored the cave and helped the site and museum get off the ground, was out of the country Thursday. He has previously said that "When youre in a place with such a deep, rich prehistoric history, if youre not in awe theres something wrong with you.

Missouri has well over 6,000 caves, many for tourists to view. Riverbluff isn't one of them  closed to the general public, it is used mostly for research and educational opportunities.

The cave and its fossils, many from Ice Age pigs, bears and rodents, was found by accident on Sept. 11, 2001, after holes filled with explosives were used to blast limestone on a construction project.

In the initial aftermath of the attacks, the detonation of explosives was discouraged around the county. Permission was granted to the contractors to detonate charges that were already placed, forming a hole in which crewmen were surprised to see what appeared to be a cave.

"I was called out there and saw it was a cave that went back a few hundred feet," Coonrod recalled. "I knew we had to secure it."

Twenty-two years later, it's officially part of the county's history.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Prehistoric Riverbluff Cave gets historical site designation
Canton police in western North Carolina are searching for two armed men who robbed a Charlotte-based cash transit van at gunpoint, ABC affiliate WLOS reported.

The armed robbery happened just after 3 p.m. Thursday outside an Exxon gas station in Canton, according to Police Chief Scott Sluder.

ALSO READ: Armed men order customers to ground during jewelry store heist

The suspects were in a white newer model Dodge Durango RT, Sluder said. They approached the driver while he was outside, and, at gunpoint, robbed him of the funds he had in the vehicle.

Approximately $30,000 was stolen, Sluder said. The armed men also took the drivers weapon and keys, stranding him there for most of the day.

Two individuals bum-rushed me from the side and demanded the money that I had just put up, said the driver, who didnt want to be identified. They had a pistol to my side and one to my neck, so it was like, yeah, kind of stuck. It happened so fast, everything happened so fast, [there was] nothing I could really do.

The driver said the men were slender in build and were wearing black long-sleeved jackets with black ski masks.

He said hes been driving cash transit vehicles for more than a year.

Our routes are random, he said. I dont know when I get my route in the morning, where Im going.

It was his last stop of the day before he was supposed to head back to headquarters in Charlotte.

Cameras outside the building are reportedly down, according to an employee.

Ironically enough, the cameras were cut yesterday outside, the driver said. Theres a lot of questions behind some stuff.

Frustrated that the suspects got away, he said he relied on prior military training to stay calm.

A lot of things that ran through my mind but the one thing that stood out most was how can I get out of this situation, he told WLOS. At the end of the day, your life is more important than anything.

VIDEO: Channel 9 speaks with the man at the center of Loomis Fargo heist 25 years ago
Unchecked armed violence. Rape. Kidnappings. Political instability. Corruption. Haiti is on the edge of a precipice.

And once again, the United States and others in the international community are dragging their feet in helping to return the country, which is also amid a constitutional crisis, to law and order.

All agree that Haitis struggling national police force needs help and that there can be no elections until the countrys security problems get under control.

It is time for Haitis so-called friends to stop chattering about the problems and step up. The longer nations wait to send a lifeline to Haiti, the more likelihood that there will be little to save as women and girls increasingly become victims of sexual violence by gangs, and young men are recruited into taking up arms.

Law and order have all but disappeared as murder and kidnapping, largely carried out by ruthless armed groups and gangs, escalate. These groups, which now control over 60% of the capital and are extending their grip outside the Haitian capital, have become the de facto government.

They are running amok, undisturbed by a depleted and demoralized Haiti National Police force and the absence of an elected president or a functioning governing or legal system.

Chaos reigns

Two years after the still-unsolved assassination of Haitis president, Jovenel Moise, the country remains submerged in chaos as gangs fill the vacuum. Their growing power has led to the near collapse of hospitals, deepening hunger and child malnutrition among millions of Haitians, and the growing displacement as Haitians, rich and poor, find themselves exiled in their country.

This month, Doctors Without Borders was forced once more to temporarily suspend treatment at a medical facility. This time, it was their trauma facility in the capital, and the decision was taken after approximately 20 armed men stormed its hospital in Tabarre to get to a wounded patient in an operating room.

Violence continues and has intensified, the head of the United Nations office in Port-au-Prince, Maria Isabel Salvador, told the U.N. Security Council recently.

Sexual violence, including collective rape and mutilation, continues to be used by gangs to terrorize and inflict pain on populations and neighborhoods under the control of rivals, she said.

Access to education, food, water, sanitation and healthcare services has been severely limited by gang activity. In areas affected by gang violence, economic activities are periodically  if not permanently  paralyzed.

Haitians at home and in the diaspora know the situation is dire. Fed up, thousands demonstrated last weekend in Miami  and across the United States and Haiti  begging for help. Some asked for intervention, others for support from the U.S. Congress.

Haitians flee to U.S.

In recent months, more than 30,000 Haitians have fled to the United States as part of President Bidens humanitarian program. The program gives nationals of Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela the chance to legally live and work in the United States for two years, as long as they have a financial sponsor. As admirable as the program is, draining Haiti of the talents and the police officers it needs to help rebuild a country slipping into the abyss is not a solution. Its a Band-Aid. And the time for Band-Aids is over.

However, that escape passage is also closing for Haitians and other refugees, thanks to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has set out to make it almost impossible for the undocumented to live even in the shadows in Florida. He has also vowed to protect our border, so the idea of Haitian refugee boats arriving here is dimmer than ever before. Haiti must be fixed.

Things are getting worse fast. Upon departing Haiti last month after a 10-day visit, the United Nations new independent expert on human rights, William ONeill, said, I found a country bruised by violence, misery, fear and suffering. The human-rights situation is dramatic; all rights are violated. A panel of experts just reported increased levels of armed violence and gang encroachment into new territories.

And this: The U.N. has reported that people fed up with violence have taken the law into their own hands and killed at least 264 alleged gang members this year in vigilante killings.

The only reasonable solution is outside help, and it should be in the deployment of a multinational force, as requested by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, to help the Haitian National Police. Nine months after he called for such a force, following the request by Haitis caretaker government, there are still no takers. Sure, some African nations such as Rwanda and Jamaica, Haitis neighbor, have offered to participate. But as the situation demonstrates, the police need military muscle and equipment to help them root out vicious armed groups.

During his recent visit to Port-au-Prince and days later to Trinidad and Tobago to meet with Caribbean leaders, Guterres reiterated his call for a robust force to come to Haitis rescue. He made the plea again right before the U.N. Security Council took up the issue of Haiti at its meeting. Alas, once again, there were no takers, just talkers.

The thinking, correctly so, is that order first must be restored before democratic elections are held.

Costly solution

This is by no means an inexpensive venture. But the alternative will be more costly. The United States has thrown money into the problem, more than $110 million in humanitarian aid for Haiti this year, to improve the situation. Still, without improved security, the humanitarian crisis in Haiti, sadly, will continue to deteriorate. Instead of nearly half of the population, 5.2 million, needing humanitarian aid, it will be millions more in the population of almost 12 million.

As reported by Herald correspondent Jacqueline Charles, however, there is one unexpected glimmer of hope: Father Tom Hagan, a respected American Roman Catholic priest, told Charles that he has engaged four rival gang leaders in peace talks. They have committed themselves to ending the violence, even signing a pact that says, We promise our loving God to work hard to end violence, to bring peace to all people.

This is heartening news, however, wont be enough. Haiti and its people have asked for help. We should give it to them, but how is always the tough nut to crack for the international community, which has for too long let costs and expediency guide its decisions on Haiti.

Peoples lives are at stake. And just because they have suffered from years of bad governance, international interference in their elections and indifference shouldnt mean they should be any less entitled to safety and security and the ability to dream of a better future.

Once again, the world must come together to rescue Haiti. And it must do so quickly  while there is something to save.
Fire Sale

Back in December 2019, 47 tourists and their guides were exploring a small New Zealand island called White Island when disaster struck.

The island is the 1,000-feet-tall peak of a much larger underwater volcano  New Zealand's most active  lurking below the surface, which erupted in spectacular fashion, sending massive cascades of smoke billowing into the air, as seen in dramatic videos shared on social media.

It was such a forceful event that 22 out of the 47 people on the island died. Others, fortunately, were more lucky.

Now, a helicopter pilot has revealed in a court hearing this week that he and two of his passengers managed to escape largely unscathed by jumping into the ocean shortly after the volcano erupted, CBS News reports. Two additional passengers got away with serious burns after failing to make it into the water.

"The water is what saved us," the pilot, Brian Depauw told the court.

Water Boy

It's a harrowing tale.

"I heard my customer saying should we run now?" Depauw said in a statement that was recorded just three days following the eruption. "I looked behind me and saw the plume going up 1,000 or 2,000 feet high, I saw boulders and debris arcing toward us, so I said: 'Run, run, run to the water. Follow me."

"The minute I hit the water, it went black," he added. "The ash came and obviously hit us and I couldn't see anything."

Dewaul recalls trying to stay underwater while holding his breath until he "saw some light through the ash."

Safety Failure

The trial is the result of tour operators being accused of failing to ensure the safety of their customers, as the BBC reported earlier this week.

Horrifying videos shared at the trial show tourists fleeing for their lives.

Since December 2020, New Zealand's main health and safety regulator WorkSafe NZ has been investigating the incident, accusing 13 parties of exposing people to undue risk of harm.

"This was an unexpected event, but that does not mean it was unforeseeable and there is a duty on operators to protect those in their care," WorkSafe chief executive Phil Parkes said at the time, as quoted by the BBC.

The trial is expected to last months. Several tour operators have already pleaded guilty and will be fined, according to CBS.

More on volcanoes: Violent Volcano Eruption Triggers Massive Thunderstorm
Photograph: Matt York/AP

Its Wednesday morning in Phoenix and even under thick clouds, the thermometer is hovering above 100F (37.7C).

Related: Floods, tornadoes, heat: more extreme weather predicted across US

Arizonas capital city is nicknamed Valley of the Sun, and residents are used to scorching heat. But by day 12 of a vicious heatwave thats sent temperatures soaring into triple digits, with little relief overnight, limits are being tested  and its only going to get hotter.

The city is on track to break a grim milestone. If the heatwave continues as predicted, Phoenix will have endured an 18-day stretch of temperatures above 110F (43.3C) by Tuesday.

Phoenix has always been hot, said Michelle Litwin, the citys heat response program manager. But this is something else.

Litwin and her team are tasked with aiding the citys most vulnerable during the citys brutally hot months, a season that now stretches from April to September. On Wednesday, she and a crew of city workers and volunteers set up a booth at a sprawling homeless encampment to hand out cold water bottles, hygiene kits and other resources that, for those living on the streets, could potentially mean the difference between life and death.

This is Arizonas natural disaster, Litwin said. We might have flash floods but heat is our issue.

The city was the first in the country to fund a dedicated heat department in 2021, which has launched dozens of programs with ambitious goals, including planting more trees, opening cooling centers and ensuring people across the region have working air-conditioning units.

Despite the work, the numbers of heat-related fatalities have swelled dramatically in recent years, culminating in a record 425 lives lost last year. The climate crisis is upping the stakes, with temperatures only expected to surge further in the coming years. Staying one step ahead has proved a difficult  and deadly  challenge.

More people are making Phoenix their home even as the risks rise and a growing population is putting strain on housing and water  two resources that help dull the strain of stifling heat  both resources in short supply.

Heat, a quiet killer and one of the worlds deadliest disasters, takes an unequal toll. Fifty-six percent of those who succumbed to the heat last year in Maricopa county, where Phoenix is located, were unhoused. Of the people who died indoors, all of them were living in homes and buildings that werent cooled. In 78% of cases, AC units were present but not functioning.

The countys statistics also show the disparities run along racial lines. Only 6.8% of Maricopas population is Black, but 11% of heat-related fatalities were Black people. Indigenous people, who accounted for 8% of deaths, are only 2.9% of the population.

At the homeless encampment, a line is forming at a booth where Arizona State University nursing students have joined the city workers to distribute coolers full of water bottles, wet towels and information to the hundreds of tents sprawling along the streets just steps from the city center.

Its early afternoon and the cloud cover has burned off, leaving sunlight to cook the sidewalks which can reach temperatures of 160F (71.1C). Shade is sparse and the stale air is stifling as nurses cart wagons of refillable water jugs through the tents, offering them to inhabitants. They run out quickly.

Michael Shaw, a 49-year-old encampment resident, rings a soaking towel over his head and neck, lamenting the weekend heat that lies ahead. He knows people who have already lost their lives to the extreme conditions and is concerned their numbers will grow. Before securing his own stash of water, he alerted the workers that a woman in a nearby tent had suffered a stroke and was in need of help.

It is hell on earth, Shaw said. I am pretty tough but these last few days are everything I can handle. Life on this block is filled with danger and violence and the lure of drugs to dull the pain is constant, only adding to the strain. I have been robbed and mugged. But the heat, he said,  its the killer.

The city has been ordered to clear this area, known as The Zone, and officials have asked for more time to ensure people living here are provided with somewhere to go. There are shelter spots available and city-run cooling centers offer a reprieve. But its unclear how many will get a bed inside at the end of the day; for now, at least, they will have access to essential hydration.

Effects of climate change are here

By the afternoon it is approaching 110F (43.3C). But Pomello Park on the other side of town, where trees sway over verdant lawns that line quiet cul-de-sacs, feels a world apart.

Greenery makes a big difference in how a person fares during extreme heat. Shade can make temperatures feel up to 30 degrees cooler, according to Lora Martens, the urban tree program manager for the citys office of heat response and mitigation. She is leading the effort to spread the shade to more exposed areas of the city, but that isnt as easy as it sounds.

The parts of our city that need trees the most are the hardest places to plant them, she said. Trees struggle to thrive in the hottest areas, especially when landscapes are encased in concrete. The city is also having to balance the increasing need for shade with the decreasing availability of water. It had hoped to hit its goal of 25% canopy coverage, but the drought is making it harder. We are reassessing that goal with a lighter water future, Martens said.

A lady uses an umbrella for shade to combat high temperatures in Phoenix. Photograph: Matt York/AP

Such realities have forced a difficult reckoning with whats possible as global heating pushes Arizona into uncharted territory. The effects of climate change are here, she said. We are having conversations no one has had before.

For now, that means two starkly different realities for the residents of Phoenix.

As the sun sinks in the sky on Wednesday evening, some emerge from air-conditioned homes to walk their dogs, taking advantage of temperatures hovering just under 100F (37.7C).

This is just our winter, said Shawn Bohl, out with his wife Debbie after a day spent inside. Their dog Wally pulled impatiently on the leash as they explained that, like other parts of the country forced inside during the most frigid months, the heat is part of life in Phoenix. The weather doesnt feel as extreme to them as it might seem to others.

Still, the city will not shut down during the sizzling summers. Trash has to be picked up. Construction continues through the midday heat.

For those who have to live or work outside, the weeks ahead will be grueling.

Here we work the whole year, says landscaper Crispin Allejah, as he wipes sweat from his face, and you need work. Tending to a patch of grass in a Whole Foods parking lot, Allejah is clad in a long-sleeve shirt to protect his skin from the sun, along with heavy jeans, kneepads and boots.

You have to keep yourself moving, he said. If you stand in one place it is going to be too hot. He also has learned not to drink too much water too fast. You have to drink water but if you drink too much, sometimes you throw up.

A person stands eating a popsicle while looking out of a window at the First Congregational United Church of Christ shelter in Phoenix, Arizona. Photograph: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Amazon delivery driver Gabe Castle has developed strategies for surviving long, hot work days  particularly on Wednesday, when he was in the thick of Amazon prime day with a huge volume of packages to deliver.

In his van hes packed a cooler with 15 ready-to-drink water bottles, six frozen water bottles and five Gatorades. He fills every other bottle with a packet of electrolyte mix. He stashes one of two small towels on ice  and switches them out between deliveries to drape over his head and neck.

This is my AC, he said, gesturing to the material around his shoulders as sweat and water darken his blue shirt.

Hes used to working in such conditions, but admits its getting harder. You never really get acclimated to the sweltering heat, he said. But you get to the point where its easier to combat it.

Castle is concerned about the future. Life in Phoenix has brought the climate crisis into sharper focus but he fears others arent heeding the call.

We have to do what we can to make sure these things are dealt with in a timely fashion, but we are behind the 8 ball, he said. He looked quickly at his clock  his break was over and it was time to go back to work.

I really hope we can figure this out soon, he said, as he walked back toward his van. Before our planet just totally goes up in a fireball.
China's auto industry rides new wave of smart, electric innovation

Xinhua) 09:52, July 15, 2023

* China's auto production and sales have ranked first in the world for 14 consecutive years, and those of NEVs topped the global market for the eighth year in a row.

* As China's auto industry is going through a transformation of unprecedented magnitude, traditional automakers are revving up NEV production.

* Some domestic NEV brands, such as BYD, have gained a foothold in overseas markets.

CHANGCHUN, July 14 (Xinhua) -- At a smart factory of China's leading automaker FAW Group Co., Ltd., over one hundred automated guided vehicles shuttle back and forth, while vision-guided robots apply silicone sealants on car windows, just like in a sci-fi movie.

Welding robots work at a welding workshop of sedan manufacturer FAW-Hongqi in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, July 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

A rare scene in the past, this is now a common sight at the FAW Jiefang J7 complete-vehicle smart factory in Changchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province.

The construction of the First Automotive Works, China's first automotive manufacturing plant and predecessor of FAW Group Co., Ltd., was launched in Changchun on July 15, 1953, marking the beginning of the nation's auto industry.

From its first car rolling off the production line to being one of the world's top 500 companies, the FAW has become the epitome of China's auto industry development.

Showing resilience and a strong momentum of rapid development, China's auto production and sales have ranked first in the world for 14 consecutive years, and those of new energy vehicles (NEVs) topped the global market for the eighth year in a row.

Particularly, China's vehicle exports soared to around 1.07 million units in the first quarter of 2023, data from the General Administration of Customs showed, indicating that China had become the world's largest auto exporter in the period, outpacing Japan.

INTELLIGENT AND DIGITAL EMPOWERMENT

By the end of 2022, the FAW had produced and sold more than 54 million vehicles and achieved an operating revenue of over 7.9 trillion yuan (about 1.1 trillion U.S. dollars), an achievement that 92-year-old Dou Shuxiang, who retired from FAW, had never imagined.

When the FAW was first established, the workers used hammers to make doors, roofs, and wheels as they had no relevant information or experience.

"To build a car, we must build the car body first. We had a very tight schedule then and didn't even have time for drawing car blueprints or making molds," said Dou, recalling the unfavorable conditions.

This file photo taken in August, 1958 shows China's first high-end passenger car, Hongqi, in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. (Xinhua)

In 1958, FAW established China's iconic car brand Hongqi, meaning "red flag." The brand has been used as the vehicle for parades at national celebrations.

FAW's success has stimulated the growth of China's auto industry. Over the past 70 years, the country's auto industry has gone from manual manufacturing to mechanical manufacturing, and now it's moving forward to intelligent manufacturing.

At FAW's final assembly factory, an intelligent digital platform, which can detect problems with equipment connected to it, has reduced labor and improved efficiency.

"It is not only a manufacturing factory but also a digital platform," said Xiu Junyi, an executive with Hongqi manufacturing center, adding that through big data technology, every detail in the factory can be "moved" to the digital twin factory, which will provide support for R&D and innovation.

In recent years, China has been actively promoting digital technologies to empower the transformation and upgrading of traditional manufacturing industries, among which the automobile industry has become the epitome.

At an automobile final assembly factory of Chinese automaker Geely Auto Group in Guizhou Province, equipment controlled by digital systems provides accurate and orderly assembly of parts prepared in advance.

"With the help of intelligent systems, the parts information needed for automobile assembly will be sent to the corresponding equipment suppliers, and they will prepare the required parts in advance," said Yang Mi, director of the assembly factory in the provincial capital Guiyang.

Every car that requires final assembly has an identification system to ensure that the parts needed will not be mismatched, thus realizing lean production, according to Yang.

Traditional car manufacturers must go through a digital and intelligent transformation, said She Shangfeng, vice president of Hebei-based Great Wall Motor Co., Ltd.

REMARKABLE NEV DEVELOPMENT

China, the largest NEV market in the world, has witnessed significant development in recent years, as the number of competitors and sales of NEVs spiked, and consumers shifted their attention to hundreds of models offered in a wide range of prices.

This photo taken on July 3, 2023 shows China's 20 millionth new energy vehicle (NEV) produced by GAC Aion New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

On July 3, China's 20 millionth NEV rolled off the production line in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, creating a remarkable milestone for the country's NEV sector.

With this record, the NEV sector has entered a new stage of large-scale, globalized and high-quality development, and is becoming an important part of China's modern industrial system, according to Fu Bingfeng, executive vice-president and secretary general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

As the auto industry is going through a transformation of unprecedented magnitude, traditional automakers are also revving up their NEV production.

In the battery development department of the new energy development institute of the FAW, the staff members are stepping up research and development of new battery technologies.

The automaker aims to launch 15 Hongqi NEV intelligent products in the next three years and increase its accumulated NEV production and sales to 1.45 million units by 2025.

Global automakers are also accelerating expansion efforts for the NEV sector in China. In late May, Volkswagen inked an investment agreement to build an R&D, innovation, and procurement center for fully connected electric cars in Hefei, capital of Anhui Province. The center is expected to be put into operation in early 2024.

NEVs are also a highlight of China's vehicle exports, with some domestic NEV brands, such as BYD, gaining a foothold in overseas markets.

According to data from the CAAM, Chinese auto manufacturers exported 534,000 units of NEVs in the first half of this year, a 1.6-fold increase compared with the same period last year.

"The NEV is the main direction of the transformation, upgrading and green development of the global automobile industry, and is also the strategic choice for the high-quality development of China's automobile sector," said Xin Guobin, vice minister of industry and information technology.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
Here's what nearly 10,000 rifles, 200 rocket launchers, and nearly 800,000 rounds of ammunition and other weapons seized by the US government looks like

Rows of Chinese-made "Type 56-1" assault rifles that were confiscated by the US authorities on January 15, 2023. US Navy

The US government seized thousands of weapons in 2021 and 2023, court documents show.

Feds said the weapons are part of an Iranian smuggling operation supporting rebel forces in Yemen.

Photos show neatly piled rows of assault rifles, rocket launchers, and anti-tank guided missiles.

In 2021 and 2023, the United States Naval Forces Central Command intercepted four vessels sailing in international waters in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

On those ships were thousands of weapons and nearly 800,000 rounds of ammunition the US government believes are part of an Iranian smuggling operation to support rebel forces in the Yemen Republic.

Federal prosecutors alleged in a seizure notice filed July 6 that an arm of the Iranian military  the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the Trump administration designated as a foreign terrorist organization in 2019  was smuggling the large cache of weapons and ammunition to support Houthi forces in Yemen.

CourtWatch first reported on the documents.

"There is no plausible way these weapons and munitions could have gotten onto the vessels between Iran and Yemen except that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has continued a pattern of smuggling letha aid to Houthi forces in Yemen," a Department of Defense official is cited in the notice.

For nearly a decade, Houthis, part of an Islamist movement, have been locked in a civil war with the Yemeni government after the group seized the country's capital, Sanaa, in 2014. Iran has widely been accused of supporting the rebel faction.

The US Navy intercepted four dhows  narrow ships that often operate without "transmitting an automatic identification signal," according to prosecutors  on May 6 and December 20 in 2021 and on January 6 and 15 this year. All four ships visited known IRGC ports and went through routes "consistent with previous IRGC smuggling operations," the DOD official said.

Altogether, US authorities seized nearly 10,000 various kinds of rifles, about 300 machine guns, 194 rocket launchers, more than 70 anti-tank guided missiles, and close to 800,000 rounds of ammunition, among other weapons.

Here's some of the photo evidence that was included in the government's seizure notice

A vessel, or dhow, named Al-Ghazal 1 was intercepted by the US Navy on December 20, 2021.

US Navy

US authorities seized 1,438 Chinese-made Type-56 assault rifles and 220,00 rounds of ammunition from the Al-Ghazal 1.

US Navy

On May 6, 2021, the US Navy encountered another vessel, Dhow X.

US Navy

The government seized 2,556 Type 56 assault rifles, 35 Russian-made assault rifles, 194 Iranian-made rocket launchers, 183 general-purpose machine guns, 100 Chinese-made sniper rifles, 52 Iranian-made anti-materiel rifles, and 50 Russian-made anti-tank guided missiles.

Iranian-made rocket launchers that were seized from the Dhow X.

US Navy

An example of the Iranian-made anti-materiel rifle, a weapon used against military equipment and structures, that was seized from the Dhow X.

US Navy

An example of Chinese-made sniper rifles that were seized from the Dhow X.

US Navy

On January 6, 2023, the US Navy intercepted Dhow Y. The vessel carried 1,918 Type 56 assault rifles and 198 Russian-made carbine rifles.

US Navy

Less than two weeks later, on January 15, 2023, US authorities intercepted another vessel, Dhow Z, in the Gulf of Oman. The ship had 2,999 Type 56 assault rifles, 100 carbine rifles, 101 general-purpose machine guns, and 578,400 rounds of ammunition.

US Navy

Rows of Chinese-made assault rifles are laid out for the photo op.

US Navy

Iranian and Russian-made anti-tank guided missiles found on the Dhow X and Z.

US Navy

Read the original article on Insider
A hidden gem in the heart of Akron as Parker House is back on the market

If ever there were a true fixer upper  a historic Akron home that has been hidden behind trees and vines for years  this could be your dream home.

The Parker Home on Maplewood Avenue is back on the market.

The historic home that has a colorful history has sat empty for years and has been hidden from view by overgrown trees, weeds and buried behind wisteria vines until relatively recently, when crews cleaned up the yard in anticipation of it going on the market.

Dating back to 1912, the home was once considered to be among the most grand in Akron.

The historic Parker Home in Akron is back on the market.

The house was built by Murray Parker, whose careers ranged from being a cowboy in Wyoming, starting a trucking company in Akron, owning six grocery stores that once competed against Acme Markets, owning a restaurant on his chicken farm and being a lawyer, a county commissioner and even a state legislator.

After his death in 1987, his daughter Edna "Eddi" Parker, who among other things was once a reporter and editor at the Akron Beacon Journal and an English professor at the University of Akron and Kent State, lived in the home until her death in 2013.

Irene Stroh, of Keller Williams Chervenic Realty, said Eddi's son Jonathan then lived in the home with his cats.

What's the Parker House like inside?

The historic Parker Home in Akron is back on the market.

The house is in pretty "rough" shape and is in the midst of renovations that were started by the current owners, who purchased the 5,128-square-foot home at auction a few years ago.

The grounds were so overgrown, Stroh said, you couldn't even see the house from the street.

And the owners struggled to find where the driveway was hidden beneath the overgrown yard.

The historic Parker Home in Akron is back on the market.

The leaky roof has been repaired, all the carpeting has been removed and the kitchen has been gutted.

The home is now listed at $687,000.

It took the current owners months just to clear out the rooms that were still full from floor to ceiling with stuff and evict a racoon or two that had taken up residence in an upstairs bedroom, Stroh said.

Bath home a work of art: Bath Township home for sale has three-story Don Drumm artwork hidden inside

The seven garages on the rare 1.6-acre lot in the heart of the city were also chockfull of stuff that had to be removed.

The historic Parker Home in Akron is back on the market.

Stroh said the owners are hoping to find the right buyer to take over the ambitious renovation project to restore the home to its former glory and repair water damage over the years.

The Arts & Crafts style home has its original flooring and molding, along with stained glass panels on its living and dining room built-ins, several fireplaces, original chandeliers and a carved staircase.

The historic Parker Home in Akron is back on the market.

Akron home has incredible murals: You won't believe the inside of a home in Akron's Kenmore neighborhood that hit the market

There are seven bedrooms inside the home including servant quarters on the third floor.

Stroh said the home is a rare find considering it is pretty much in the state it was when it was built, right down to the original wiring and servant bells.

What's next for the Parker House in Akron?

While renovation and restoration work is needed throughout, Stroh said, there is a lot of potential for the right buyer.

And there's already been some interest.

The historic Parker Home in Akron is back on the market.

Stroh said they have fielded an inquiry from HGTV interested in featuring the home, along with several lovers of old homes from as far away as Texas and California.

"The current owners are looking for someone to take the project over," she said. "This home needs some serious love."

Craig Webb, who feels like he's living in a 1912 home since the air conditioning in his own home has stopped working, can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hidden gem in the heart of Akron as Parker House is back on the market
How the hidden story of the most lethal Marine Corps sniper came out after decades of secrecy and what happened when it did

How the hidden story of the most lethal Marine Corps sniper came out after decades of secrecy and what happened when it did

Charles "Chuck" Mawhinney Courtesy photo

The deadliest Marine sniper by number of confirmed kills is Chuck Mawhinney.

He kept his service in Vietnam, including his work as a sniper, a secret for years.

Everything changed for Mawhinney when a book he wasn't expecting came out.

The story of the deadliest sniper in the history of the US Marine Corps is one that went untold for decades as the marksman sought to leave his war behind.

The Vietnam War was a brutal conflict that left many of the service members who survived it with invisible scars. Many simply tried to move on from the war, though not all succeeded. Charles "Chuck" Mawhinney, now in his 70s, is among them.

In Vietnam, Mawhinney "figured he'd never make it home alive," according to "The Sniper," a new book by Jim Lindsay written with input from the marksman. But he did make it home, with half a dozen medals and nightmares that wouldn't go away.

Back home in Oregon, he found "there was no one who could understand what he'd been through. No one could have the faintest idea what he felt like," Mawhinney's biography explains. "So, he kept it to himself. He told no one, not even his family. No one."

Mawhinney left Vietnam for good in 1969 after 16 months in country over multiple tours. He left the Marine Corps in 1970.

After a few unsteady years of fast living and nights chasing thrills, booze, and women, Mawhinney eventually settled into a different life. He worked a quiet job with the Forest Service while living in a small town with his wife and children.

Mawhinney didn't talk about Vietnam or being a sniper, but there were hints he might have been more than met the eye.

In the mid-1980s, Mawhinney met a government trapper tasked with keeping the coyote and bobcat populations in check and on one trip out with him offered to shoot a few coyote to save time. The trapper, a man named George Gill, replied: "You really think you can hit them little bastards on the run?"

The next week when they went out trapping, Mawhinney decided to bring his .22-250 Remington rifle with him.

According to his recently released biography, Mawhinney shot a coyote in a "dead-ass run" across an open pasture a couple hundred yards away. When he shot and killed the coyote, a seemingly impressed Gill simply said: "Sum' bitch."

That particular moment, however, was not really enough on its own to raise suspicion or reveal that Mawhinney was more than just a good shot, that he was actually a decorated Marine Corps marksman and a veteran Vietnam War sniper.

The story of his achievements in Vietnam would not leak and become public knowledge until the early 1990s. And when it did, the revelation made a bit of a mess.

Charles B. "Chuck" Mawhinney poses with a replica of the M40 sniper rifle he used during the Vietnam War. Pfc. Garrett White

Shattering decades of secrecy surrounding the sniper's story

In the field, snipers tend to operate with spotters, which in Vietnam served in a supporting role scanning for targets, covering, and confirming hits and kill shots.

Mawhinney's last spotter in Vietnam was a Marine named Joseph Ward, and in 1993, more than twenty years after they served together, Ward called Mawhinney to tell him he published a book, "Dear Mom: A Sniper's Vietnam," a couple of years earlier with details of their time in combat.

The news was surprising and troubling for Mawhinney, who'd kept that part of his life a secret, but that was not all there was to Ward's unexpected call.

Ward was concerned because another book "Death From Afar" challenged his claim that Mawhinney had 101 confirmed kills, eight more than legendary Marine sniper Carlos Hathcock, who at that time was thought to hold the record. Mawhinney told Ward that the number was inaccurate.

And he told one of the authors of "Death From Afar" the same thing when he came calling a bit later. It was higher, he said, but the author, Norm Chandler, wasn't convinced.

It wasn't until 1996 Mawhinney's story was confirmed. Another author of a series of books on snipers, Peter Senich, was able to use his connections with the Marine Corps archives to access Mawhinney's kill sheets showing 103 confirmed kills, officially making him the deadliest Marine sniper.

The secret was out, but Mawhinney's story was only really coming to light in the shooting community at that point and wasn't really known far and wide. That happened later.

In 1998, almost thirty years after he left Vietnam and returned home to his native Oregon, Baker City Herald reporter Jayson Jacoby contacted him about his sniper career, and Mawhinney shared his story with the local journalist. That story, however, was picked up by the Associated Press and went nationwide.

After the article came out, Mawhinney encountered an unusual and unfamiliar scene when he went to his local bar to meet up with some friends.

"They stared at him, speechless," Lindsay wrote of Mawhinney's experience. "They wouldn't talk to him or go near him."

"Surprised and confused, Chuck wondered, Why are they acting this way?" Lindsay wrote. "Maybe they don't know what to say. Or maybe they feel guilty for not going to war? Or is it because I hid my past from them? Or are they scared of me?"

The book says that night, "for the first time in his life, Chuck drank beer alone." The chill lasted about a month, during which Mawhinney considered moving away, but it eventually thawed. His life would never be the same again though.

Slowly coming to terms with his fame, he went on to do speaking engagements, documentaries, and interviews, which drew in letters, some good, some not, and so many calls that at one point Mawhinney changed his number. Things would ultimately settle out. He even changed his phone number back.

The biography "The Sniper" is the first book to tell Mawhinney's story with his input. Lindsay said he worried about Mawhinney and how the project might impact him.

"I knew he'd kept his life in war hidden for years," Lindsay wrote. "I'd be digging up what he'd buried. Then sifting through the horror of it all. I worried how he'd deal with the memories." Mawhinney, however, insisted on going forward with the project.

"You sure? What about the nightmares?" Lindsay asked. Mawhinney replied: "What's a few bad dreams?"

Read the original article on Business Insider
After a student was thrown to the ground and arrested by campus police, following a high school held graduation on the University of Delaware campus, administrators with one of the state's largest school districts are considering cutting ties with the university.

Last month, Mohammed Sanogo crossed the stage as a 4.0 GPA student looking to study at the University of Maryland.

Less than an hour after graduation ended, our student was already bear-hugged, lifted up in the air and thrown on the ground face-first with two people sitting on him," Naveed Baqir told his fellow school board members Tuesday night, describing the Sanogo's arrest.

After a June 15 arrest that was captured on cellphone videos, school officials, community leaders, and supporters have expressed their reactions and are seeking answers from the university. The school board is currently reviewing all of its contracts with UD, which total almost $250,000.

Newark High School hosts commencement for the 255 graduates of the Class of 2023, Thursday, June 15, 2023 at the Bob Carpenter Center.

As UD reacted to the move by schools in the region, a university spokesperson told Delaware Online/The News Journal the institution values all its partners.

"Last month, UD leadership including campus police met with representatives from the Christina School District and members of the Muslim community to discuss this matter further," the statement reads. "We are very appreciative of this opportunity to have heard how their communities were impacted by this incident. We will continue to work together to create a stronger partnership, invite frequent communication, nurture community-building, and help advance cultural understanding."

Baqir said meetings with the university and the district have yet to reach a resolution.

And, he warned: "We will continue to have progressive sanctions until this is addressed."

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So what happened at graduation?

Newark High School hosts commencement for the 255 graduates of the Class of 2023, Thursday, June 15, 2023 at the Bob Carpenter Center.

The Newark High Schools graduation was wrapping up shortly before 9 p.m. Families, friends and graduates flooded parking lots to take photos and commemorate.

Abdurahman Hasdhallah said one of his friends was a photographer.

Mohammed Sanogo is lifted up by friends after graduating on June 15, just minutes before

He stayed later with Sanogo, or Momo, his close friend since they met at a mosque, continuing to mark the moment and take photos with their cars. Groups of friends began leaving, but Sanogo and a group of other Muslim graduates decided theyd pray first.

Hasdhallah prayed alongside them. He says he paid no mind to University of Delaware police officers nearby. Then, everyone began getting in their cars.

We were just getting ready to leave ..., he recently recalled. A male officer approached Momos car, and he was aggressive. They were being aggressive to us, and I dont know why.

Hasdhallah and several witnesses said officers told the teens to leave the parking lot.

That's also when university police say the officers witnessed "careless and dangerous activity."

"As noted in a publicly available arrest warrant, drivers of three vehicles were observed to have been operating those vehicles recklessly through a parking lot at the Bob Carpenter Center, including with passengers hanging out the windows of the vehicles," a portion of UD's June 21 statement to the school district reads.

The University of Delaware did not provide additional comment on the nature of the activity for this report by the time of publication.

Multiple cars were successful in leaving the parking lot, as depicted in rear dash video footage provided to Delaware Online/The News Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. Hasdhallah left in another car. When Sanogo looked to leave, some witnesses said his tires spun, making a loud sound.

As Sanogo reached the red light, waiting to exit the parking lot, multiple vehicles suddenly surrounded Sanogo's car. It remains unclear what trucks surrounded Sanogo's car or why.

Then, police officers told Sanogo to exit his vehicle. The university says he "revved the engine and put the vehicle in reverse.

Eventually, Sanogo opened the driver's side door and exited the car. He was then placed up against his car by an officer, before barreling to a patch of grass a few feet away. One officer lifted Sanogo into the air and slammed him onto the ground, as depicted in multiple video and witness accounts.

Hasdhallah, Shahein and others watched helplessly.

He was freaking out, he was getting scared, and I was trying to tell him: Calm down. Momo, calm down, Hasdhallah said, knowing Sanogo's asthma also was making it hard for him to breathe.

The university says the teen was continuing to resist. Ultimately, Sanogo was placed under arrest, then held until 4 that morning before being released on $200 bail.

He now awaits a hearing later this month pertaining to the arrest charges of reckless driving and resisting arrest. School board member Naveed Baqir said Sanogo and his family were advised not to speak about the incident at this time.

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Tensions may not be going anywhere soon

Mohammed Sanogo (far right) poses with some of his fellow graduates after Newark High School's ceremonies at the University of Delaware last month.

The following Tuesday, June 20, the school board held a workshop in which witnesses of the arrest spoke and shared details. The next day, June 21, UD issued its first statement to the district explaining its perspective on the arrest.

Newark High School hosts commencement for the 255 graduates of the Class of 2023, Thursday, June 15, 2023 at the Bob Carpenter Center.

Baqir said UD declined to show any video from the incident, whether through body camera footage or video from cameras mounted on nearby buildings. He also claimed members of the school district were told by UD officials that no students were hanging out of cars during the incident, including Sanogo's  a direct conflict with UD's original statement regarding the arrest.

Ultimately, these and further meetings went on to end "without any resolution," Baqir said Tuesday night.

Today, he's steadfast that this discussion can't go away  motioning that a further severing of ties with UD could be up for a vote if the university does not "rectify the situation."

"We will keep adding the sanctions until there is a positive response and an acknowledgment that they have done something egregious," he said.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Violent arrest in Delaware after high school graduation causes concern
My house or my beach? How Californias housing crisis could weaken its coastal protections

California lawmakers have been busy over the last decade trying to make it easier to build homes across a housing-strapped state. But theres an 840-mile-long exception.

Responsible for an undulating band that generally runs 1,000 yards from the shoreline, the 12 members of the California Coastal Commission have the final say over what gets built, where and how.

In 1972, voters empowered the commission to protect the states iconic beaches, responding to a crisis of despoiled seas and the prospect of the Miami-fication of the California coast.

But five decades later, the state faces a different crisis as millions of Californians struggle to find an affordable place to call home. Now, a growing number of legislators and housing advocates are trying to wrest away some of the commissions power.

Legislation by San Francisco Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener would fast-track apartment development in parts of the state that havent met their state-set housing goals, exempting them from lengthy public hearings and environmental legal challenges. The coast is no exception, effectively cutting the Coastal Commission out of the process.

Commission members, staff and environmental advocates say the bill may be the most direct assault yet at the agencys voter-backed mandate.

Once you start exempting classes of development from the Coastal Act there will be no shutting that barn door, said Sarah Christie, a lobbyist for the commission. Youre going to lose some of the best things about California.

And as rising seas threaten to bring down bluffs and flood beachfront neighborhoods, coastal advocates argue that carefully considered development is more important than ever.

Wiener and his allies reject the argument that the commission is the only thing standing in the way of a development free-for-all, since current zoning rules and environmental protection laws would still apply. Ending what has become the regular practice of exempting the coast from Californias most aggressive pro-housing development laws is also fair, they argue. Californias beachfront happens to be home to some of the states richest residents.

The coastal zone is much whiter and wealthier than the rest of the state, Wiener noted at a recent Assembly committee hearing. The idea we would be applying state housing law inlandwhile we literally exempt whiter, wealthier coastal communities is offensive to me.

Wiener said he plans to introduce tweaks to the bill in an effort to compromise with the commission. But the two sides remain far apart.

The tension between the states aggressive housing goals and its longstanding commitment to coastal preservation is particularly acute in Southern California, where the latest round of state housing goals shifted the bulk of the regions planned growth from inland communities  the traditional, sprawling outlets for pent up housing demand  to coastal ones. That includes cities like Santa Monica, Malibu, Los Angeles, Encinitas and San Diego, all of which fall at least in part, if not entirely, within the coastal zone.

If you have the Coastal Commission, with their less is more mindset saying, no, you cant build herehow are cities even supposed to attempt to achieve meeting that (housing) goal? said Elizabeth Hansburg, executive director of People For Housing, a pro-housing advocacy group in Orange County.

Christopher Pederson, who served as chief counsel for the commission before retiring in 2018, said its possible for the state to build up the coast while maintaining really strong protections in undeveloped coastal land and for delicate ecosystems. In fact, he said, if the alternative to building in dense coastal cities is encouraging car-oriented sprawl in the exurbs, the two goals may necessarily go hand in hand.

From an environmental perspective, from a climate policy perspective, from a housing perspective and from a transportation perspective, I think it makes a lot of sense to encourage more multifamily housing in the coastal zone, said Pederson.

Will the Coastal Commission hold the line?

This isnt the first time the Legislature has taken a crack at the Coastal Commissions authority. Its not even the first time this year.

San Diego Assemblymember David Alvarez, a Democrat, introduced a bill in February that would encourage developers to set aside units for lower income residents by allowing them to build higher and denser projects. The bill builds on past density bonus policies that have made their way through the Legislature. But unlike its predecessors  and unlike some of the most significant housing bills in recent years, including one that allows the construction of duplexes in areas zoned for single family homes across the state  Alvarezs bill explicitly went out of its way to include the coastal zone.

Then, in April, the bill reached the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and a coastal exception was added back in.

Chair Luz Rivas of Arleta, and other Democrats including Gail Pellerin of Santa Cruz and Dawn Addis of San Luis Obispo, made clear at the hearing that overriding the commission was a no-go.

Alvarez accepted the change rather than see his bill die. But he was visibly frustrated.

I heard a statement that coastal access is important and that people should have the opportunity to visit the coast, he said, referring to one of the commissions key mandates to keep California beaches open to the public. People should also have the opportunity to live on the coast, not just visit the coast.

The ocean is coming

So far Wieners bill has not met the same fate, though it goes before the same committee later this month. His bill also, arguably, represents a bigger challenge to the commissions authority.

In most of the states cities and counties, proposed multiplexes and apartment projects are allowed to skirt lengthy public approval processes. Instead they get automatic approval as long as they check the right boxes  among them, offering a certain share of units at below-market rents or prices and abiding by stricter labor standards.

But the Coastal Commission doesnt do box checking.

Along much of the coast, the commission has to approve city growth and zoning plans. In neighborhoods especially close to the water, foes of proposed developments can appeal directly to the commission.

And in cities that havent come up with their own coastal protection plans, which includes about a quarter of coastal cities including Los Angeles, the Coastal Commission enforces the law alone, armed only with the Coastal Act. And the act itself is fairly light on specifics.

Thats for good reason, said Christie, the commission lobbyist.

Ensuring that a proposed development is built far enough away from an eroding bluff that its not going to fall into the ocean in 20 years, there is no objective standard that can speak to that complexity, she said.

Its going to be a managed retreat or an unmanaged retreat because the ocean is coming and nature bats last.

SARAH CHRISTIE, LOBBYIST FOR THE COASTAL COMMISSION

Climate change and rising sea levels add yet another level of complexity and another reason not to rush development, she added.

The last thing that California should be doing is concentrating more new development in these hazardous flood-prone areas, she said. Its going to be a managed retreat or an unmanaged retreat because the ocean is coming and nature bats last.

That view is shared by all 12 members of the commission, who are appointed by the governor or the Legislature.

We take a lot of time and effort in evaluating each and every project that comes before us, said Commissioner Dayna Bochco during a June 7 hearing. You cant just make a mathematical formula as to what works in any given project on the coast.

The commission voted unanimously to oppose Wieners bill.

Must fit plans for California coast

The bill does include its own set of checks on which projects get the red-carpet treatment and which get closer review.

In order to receive the fast-tracked approval process, the land in question already has to be zoned by local governments for housing. A proposed building has to have pre-existing urban development on at least three of its four sides.

According to estimates put together by California YIMBY, a pro-housing development organization that supports the bill, of the nearly 1.5 million acres within the coastal zone, the bill would allow for streamlined development on just 277,160 acres. The vast majority of the land  wetlands, floodplains, beaches and river channels  either are explicitly exempted from the bill or arent zoned for housing by locals.

Approximately 85% of the Coastal Zone is already excluded from the bill. The remaining 15% are existing urbanized, developed communities, Wiener said in a written statement. He added that the state cant afford to continue excluding these areas if we are to meet our climate goals  the lack of housing in coastal zones these exclusions produce already means coastal workers have to drive 10% more on average than their inland counterparts.

Senator Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, announces legislation to provide refuge to out-of-state transgender kids and their parents at the Capitol on March 17, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Wiener and his allies also reject the idea that proper planning for rising oceans requires detailed, site-by-site analysis. The senators office pointed to voluntary planning guidelines produced by the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission and San Mateo County Flood Control District. The San Mateo County planning document builds on nationwide flood risk mapping from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Though his office has yet to provide details, Wiener said his proposed compromise language to the Coastal Commission includes preserving the current discretionary review process for the most at-risk slivers of the coast and adding specific objective development standards around rising sea levels.

Not that anyone can say with certainty how much shore the sea is likely to swallow across the entire coast in the coming decades.

Everybody admits that its not a hard science, its probabilities, said Joseph Smith, a land-use consultant for California Coastal Works who advises developers and governments navigating the Coastal Act. But if it is absolutely important to get housing into the coastal zone, then yes, you could pick a number.

Building a California coast for all

The commission and its defenders say pro-housing advocates and legislators are picking on the wrong enemy.

For the first decade of its life, the Coastal Commission was empowered to make the construction of affordable housing a condition of its approval of residential projects. In 1981, the Legislature took that power away over the commissions objections.

Revoking that power will make sure that the ability to live near the coast is reserved for the wealthy, then-Chairman Lenard Grote warned at a legislative hearing at the time.

Susan Jordan, founder of the nonprofit California Coastal Protection Network, is a familiar face at the states public hearings, where she regularly challenges oceanside projects for violations of the Coastal Act. A recent win: the Poseidon Water desalination project in Huntington Beach, which the Coastal Commission rejected last year.

The Legislature broke it and now it needs to fix it, Jordan said in a statement.

The commissions supporters regularly stress that it has never rejected a proposed affordable housing project.

But for many developers  including those who build deed-restricted units for lower-income residents  the possibility of years of delay with no certain outcome has created a chilling effect, said Jeannette Temple, a San Diego land use consultant.

If youre an affordable housing developer, youre already operating on the margins, so most of the time my clients, and people my clients know, dont even look in the coastal zone, she said. In my opinion its just another kind of redlining.

CalMatters is a nonpartisan and nonprofit news organization that covers key issues across California and partners with local media outlets like The Tribune.
A bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert that directly affects Pueblo was included in the National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House of Representatives Friday.

Boeberts office said in a press release that the Pueblo bill was passed unanimously in a voice vote.

The defense spending bill was passed on a near-party line vote, with four Democrats voting for the measure and four Republicans voting against.

U.S. Rep Lauren Boebert speaking at the Freedom Fest hosted by the Pueblo County Republican Party at the state fairgrounds on July 8, 2023.

How the 'Pueblo Jobs Act' affects Pueblo

Boebert, a second-term legislator, said the bill could be one of her first to become law.

I'm really thrilled that my first bill that will be signed into law delivers for Pueblo, Boebert told the Chieftain.

The bill is called the Pueblo Jobs Act. Boebert introduced it alongside Colorados other Republicans in Congress, Doug Lamborn and Ken Buck. The Pueblo Jobs Act aims to create at least 1,000 jobs in town after the depot closes.

Mission accomplished: Pueblo Chemical Depot destroys final munition

The U.S. Army recently announced that all of its chemical weapon stockpile has been destroyed, but the depot will remain open for another few years while some parts of the facility are decontaminated and operations wind down.

Approximately 2,000 people work at the depot and about half of them want to stay in Pueblo after the depot closes, according to Russell DeSalvo, the President/CEO of PuebloPlex, the entity that runs the land where the depot is situated.

The last munition awaits destruction inside the Pueblo Chemical Depot on June 22, 2023

DeSalvo said the bill gives the community more certainty about how the property can transition to community ownership and makes parts of the property easier to sell in the future.

The bill also states that some grant funding could be made available to the facility.

The defense spending bill was controversial. Here's why

The National Defense Authorization Act, which has passed with broad bipartisan support in previous years, drew scorn from Congressional Democrats who objected to anti-woke measures folded into the bill, including barring funding for military members who need to travel to obtain an abortion and supporting gender-affirming care for service members.

Boebert defended the anti-abortion funding amendment on Twitter and with the Chieftain, noting that the Hyde Amendment prohibits federal money going to abortion services.

I don't think that that's something that tax dollars should go to, Boebert said. I've said from the beginning of my campaign that Planned Parenthood can go fund themselves  that's not on the hook of the American taxpayer.

Boebert also sponsored an amendment to the NDAA that bans buying books containing pornographic materials and espousing gender ideology from Department of Defense agencies operating schools.

Adam Frisch, the Democrat who narrowly lost to Boebert in November 2022 and is running again in the 2024 Democratic primary, condemned Boeberts anti-abortion stance in a press release.

Members of our military deserve dignity and respect as they make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Instead, Rep. Boebert and the other members of the angertainment industry have made our service members the latest pawn in their partisan political games, Frisch said.

The current iteration of the NDAA may face an uphill battle in the Democratic-controlled Senate, but Boebert said shes confident the Pueblo Jobs Act can become law.

Certainly, we have some negotiations ahead of us.  But I'm very excited and I'm confident that this will be signed into law, Boebert said.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story mischaracterized how jobs would be created after the depot closes.

Anna Lynn Winfrey covers politics for the Pueblo Chieftain. She can be reached at awinfrey@gannett.com or on Twitter, @annalynnfrey.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Lauren Boebert-backed Pueblo Jobs Act passes House of Representatives
"Were cutting the woke out of the military," declared Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. "Getting this country back on a conservative basis."

"I think it's demoralizing to our troops when you see one of our leaders up there in a dress, or they're doing these drag shows," offered Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn.

Conservatives believe the battlefield may be inside the Pentagon. Republicans aimed to give "woke" policies in the armed forces a dishonorable discharge in this years defense policy bill.

"My amendment would ban CRT  Critical Race Theory  from any military instruction," bragged Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla.

KIRBY CLAIMS ANTI-WOKE DEFENSE BILL PUTS TROOPS, MILITARY READINESS AT 'GREATER RISK'

House Republicans narrowly pass defense bill.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Tex., went a step further.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Were focused on building a national defense and a military that is focused on blowing things up and killing people. N on social engineering wrapped in a uniform," said Roy.

The House Armed Services Committee approved an initial version of the annual defense plan, 58-1.

That package may have passed on the floor with a coalition of Democrats and Republicans. For 62 years, lawmakers approved the defense bill on a bipartisan basis.

But that may not be the case this year.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., only has a four seat majority. So McCarthy let conservatives have their say on this legislation  even if those priorities may not wind up in the final version.

House members filed a staggering 1,500-plus amendments to the annual defense policy bill. Live amendments on the floor to legislation is an organic process. No one quite knows what amendments will pass or fail. And, in circumstances like these, its hard to track if a bill has the necessary votes. Thats because the underlying measure metamorphoses in real time on the floor. Changing and updating, contingent upon the adoption or failure of amendments. That means lawmakers who were for the bill before may not like how the measure evolved. Of course, another cadre of lawmakers suddenly flip to yea because the bill now contains provisions more palatable to them.

There wasnt a lot of debate about missiles and troops in this years defense bill. But once the amendments hit, it was all about abortion, transgender surgeries and diversity initiatives.

"Were voting to get rid of this left-wing, socialistic, woke agenda," declared Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., on the floor. "Now we can get back to protecting the citizens of this country."

Conservatives aimed to prohibit service members from using the militarys health plan to pay for transgender treatments. There was an effort to restrict books with "radical gender ideology" in military libraries. Burchett authored an amendment to require those who identify as men to register for the draft.

"If these folks want to be treated like man, they need to act like men," said Burchett.

That said, Burchetts plan never received formal consideration on the floor.

But no other issue loomed as large as a conservative effort to slash reimbursements for troops or those under the military health care system umbrella to seek abortions across state lines.

"It feels like House Republicans want to live in the 1950s," said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif.

HOUSE VOTES TO KILL PENTAGON'S CONTROVERSIAL ABORTION TRAVEL POLICY

House Republicans, including Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) (Center, R), listen to Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) speak at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol.

There was worry the military culture clash could crash the entire defense bill. Some Republicans fretted that the conservative social policy issues went too far.

"We were told were not going to mess with women traveling out of state. What we are we doing this week? NDAA? Potentially messing with women who are traveling out of state," said Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. "We have a chance to show compassion to women this week. And I really just hope we don't screw it up. I hope we dont drop the ball."

Yet despite Maces consternation about the abortion plan, she seemingly reversed course to support the very abortion amendment in question.

"Research told me today, and looking at the amendment and the legislation, it didn't have to do with the women getting time off after they've had the procedure. The military doesn't reimburse travel for elective procedures as a general policy rule," said Mace.

When pressed further, Mace noted that the abortion provision wasnt "going to pass the Senate anyway. It doesnt matter."

Democrats honed in on the abortion question.

"Its gone," said Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. "If Republicans insist that it has to be in it, then we will not have (a defense policy bill) this year. If by some unbelievable miracle the Senate allowed that to go through, Biden would veto it."

Democrats excoriated the GOP for inclusion of the amendment.

"This is an insult to all who serve  particularly women  in uniform.," fumed Rep. Pat Ryan, D-N.Y., an Army veteran and West Point graduate. "Theyre being told your service and willingness to risk your life  we dont care. You dont get health care services. You dont get reproductive health care services. This is un-American."

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., characterized the legislation as a "culture war document."

The House eventually approved the package 219-210. The social issue amendments courted the votes of skeptical conservatives. Four Republicans voted nay. Four Democrats voted yea. More Democrats would have voted yea had the legislation not veered so far from center.

"The far right hijacked this hijacked our national security," declared Ryan.

The House Rejected an amendment by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to curb money for Ukraine. But Greene still voted yes. Thats because McCarthy tapped Greene to serve on a conference committee, negotiating the final version of the bill with the Senate.

"That allows me to go and be a voice in the room to talk about removing money going to Ukraine," said Greene.

But Democrats reminded Republicans that the House version isnt the final say.

"We are going to cut out the cancer that the extreme Republicans have put in the National Defense Authorization Act," said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. He characterized some of the provisions as "malignant."

But House conservatives warn the bill better not change too much from the current form or they may balk.

"Striking that balance ought to be a whole lot closer to our position than just defaulting to whatever the Senate says," said Chip Roy.

Conservatives are watching McCarthy closely. They remember that he cut a deal with Democrats and President Biden on the debt ceiling in the spring. More Democrats voted for that package than Republicans.

This means McCarthy could face a new headache with a "must-pass" bill very soon.
A copy of Alice Osemans Heartstopper is displayed in Lira in Budapest (REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo)

A legal battle appears set to erupt over the sale of a British authors LGBT+- themed webcomic and graphic novel in Hungary, after Viktor Orbans government attempted to ban a bookshop from selling it without closed packaging.

The countrys second largest bookshop chain Lira has announced that it plans to take legal action after a Budapest government office fined it 12 million forints (27,500), claiming it broke the law by selling Alice Osemans Heartstopper among other books for young adults without wrapping them in plastic foil.

The sale of the Kent-born authors book has fallen foul of a law passed by Mr Orbans strongly Christian-conservative government banning the display and promotion of homosexuality to under-18s, a move viewed as resonating with rural voters ahead of his fourth-term election win in 2022.

Hungrian Prime Minister Viktor Orban passed the controversial law in 2021 (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

While the passage of the law in 2021 came despite strong criticism from human rights groups and the EU, the large fine now handed to Lira emerged on the same day that 38 countries, including Germany and the US, urged Budapest to protect the rights of LGBT+ people and scrap its discriminatory laws.

Krisztian Nyary, a well-known author who works as creative director at Lira, told Reuters the fine was disproportionate, and criticised the law as vaguely worded as he indicated that the bookshop would respond legally.

As this is a resolution about a fine it cannot be appealed, it can only be attacked  in what way, our lawyers will assess, he said. We will use all legal means at our disposal.

Mr Nyary said that some publishers had already voluntarily wrapped their books in plastic coverings in an attempt to comply, but warned that it was not clear whether it was sufficient to place books affected by the law on a shelf for literature aimed for adults.

He also said it was uncertain whether LGBT+-themed books meant for adults would also have to be wrapped up or if those could be sold without packaging, adding: This is all not clear.

Heartstopper was listed among the top 16 young adult books by IndyBest in September (Hachette Childrens)

The law, which the government claims is aimed at protecting children, has caused anxiety in the LGBT+ community. It currently bans the display of LGBT+ content to minors in schools, literature, films, TV and adverts, while prohibiting the public display of products depicting gender reassignment.

More than a dozen EU member states have backed legal action against the law  branded a disgrace by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen  in the European Court of Justice.

In a statement reported by state news agency MTI this week, the Budapest metropolitan government office said an investigation found that the books in question depicted homosexuality, but they were nevertheless placed in the category of childrens books and youth literature, and were not distributed in closed packaging.

While it is not the first time a Hungarian government office has fined a bookshop for violating the law, the fresh fine came ahead of a Pride march in Budapest on Saturday.

Heartstopper has sold millions of copies and has been read more than 50 million times online, prompting streaming giant Netflix to release an adaptation of the ongoing series last April.

Ms Oseman, a 28-year-old born in the Kent town of Chatham, who first secured a publishing deal aged 17, was handed two prizes at last years Children's and Family Emmy Awards and was nominated for a Bafta over the Netflix adaptation of Heartstopper, which also won Waterstones Book of the Year in 2022.

Additional reporting by Reuters
IBM had argued that the government's public health order was the reason for IBM's work-from-home policy, so it shouldn't be on the hook for expenses. (Photo Illustration by Budrul Chukrut / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images)

IBM failed to properly cover work-from-home expenses incurred by employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, a state appellate court ruled, potentially creating a legal pathway for similar action against other companies.

The 3-0 ruling Tuesday by the California 1st District Court of Appeal overturns a lower court decision in a class-action lawsuit involving thousands of IBM employees.

"We always thought the trial judge got it wrong, and now the court of appeals has confirmed our belief that the stay-at-home orders do not insulate IBM from having to comply with the labor code," Craig Ackermann, one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, wrote in an email.

Attorneys representing IBM did not respond to a request for comment. IBM could challenge the ruling by petitioning the case to the California Supreme Court.

Read more: Workers are suing their bosses to get their work-from-home costs reimbursed

The lawsuit, filed by former IBM employee Paul Thai and others, came after Gov. Gavin Newsom's stay-at-home public health order in March 2020, which shuttered most work sites. Thai used personal funds to complete his job while working from home, according to the lawsuit.

"To accomplish his duties, he required, among other things, internet access, telephone service, a telephone headset, and a computer and accessories," judges wrote in their decision.

The complaint, originally filed in December 2020, cited a provision of state labor code that requires employers to reimburse workers for expenses "incurred by the employee in direct consequence of the discharge of his or her duties."

The complaint, which was amended in 2021, went to trial in March 2022. The next month, a judge ruled in favor of IBM, which had argued that the government's public health order was the sole reason for the company's work-from-home requirements, so it should not be responsible for the expenses.

The appellate court disagreed, however.

"It may be true that the Governors March 2020 order was the 'but-for' cause of certain work-from-home expenses, but nothing in the statutory language can be read to exempt such expenses from the reimbursement obligation," judges wrote.

IBM is among dozens of companies that have been sued for work-from-home reimbursements, along with the likes of Oracle and Bank of America.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Rosary and Bible

A federal appeals court has upheld a Catholic schools firing of a guidance counselor because shes in a same-sex marriage.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled Thursday that Roncalli High School in Indianapolis was within its rights in declining to renew Michelle Shelly Fitzgeralds contract in 2018 after officials found out she was married to a woman, something that goes against Catholic doctrine. Fitzgerald, by then co-director of guidance, had been with the school 14 years and in her marriage for four. She sued, with the high school and the Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis as defendants.

The Seventh Circuit affirmed a 2022 decision by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana that the school had the right to dismiss Fitzgerald. The district and appeals courts decisions both relied on a ministerial exception from antidiscrimination law.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2020s Bostock v. Clayton County that employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity was sex discrimination and therefore banned by federal civil rights law. But the high court makes an exception for faith-based employers.

It first recognized such an exception in 2012 and widened its scope in 2020, shortly after the Bostock decision. In one case that involved age discrimination and one on disability-based discrimination, the court ruled in 2020 that federal antidiscrimination laws do not apply to teachers and other staff at church-sponsored schools if instruction in religion is part of their jobs.

Fitzgerald argued that her duties didnt involve religious instruction, but the Seventh Circuit opinion says she played a crucial role on the Administrative Council, which was responsible for at least some of Roncallis daily ministry, education, and operations. Last year, the Seventh Circuit upheld the dismissal of Fitzgeralds co-director, Lynn Starkey, who was also in a same-sex marriage.

Fitzgeralds case is one of several percolating in federal courts that test the boundaries of the exception, USA Today notes. The stakes are potentially enormous, affecting not only support staff at religious schools but possibly nurses at religious hospitals.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which is part of Fitzgeralds legal team, denounced the ruling. Religious extremists are waging a crusade to undermine basic civil rights and won a disturbing victory before the Supreme Court in the 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis case just two weeks ago, said a statement from President and CEO Rachel Laser. Shelly Fitzgeralds case was another line of attack. These religious extremists are trying to expand a narrow, commonsense rule  meant to allow houses of worship to select their own clergy according to their own faith  into a broad license to circumvent civil rights laws and to discriminate.

Shelly Fitzgerald, like most employees at religious organizations, wasnt hired to minister to students or to preach the Catholic religion. She was hired to provide secular guidance to students seeking to get into college. She should not have lost her civil rights simply because the secular work she performed was done at a religious school.

Laser commended Fitzgerald for courageously speaking up on behalf of all people vulnerable to discrimination in the name of religion. Shelly and brave people like her are on the front lines warning the American people about the very real threats we face from a shadowy network of religious extremists working to turn religious freedom from a shield into a sword to harm others and violate their rights.

Becket, a nonprofit law group defending the school and archdiocese, praised the ruling. It is commonsense: Decisions about who conveys the Catholic faith to Catholic school children are for the church, not the government, Joseph Davis, counsel at Becket, said in a press release. Many parents entrust their children to religious schools precisely because those schools help to pass on the faith, and this victory ensures they remain free to do so.

Fitzgerald has 90 days to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court. Its not clear yet if she will do so.
Influencers have started becoming beneficiaries of a new Twitter program that allows content creators to receive a portion of revenue from advertisements.

Twitter began paying creators on Thursday, announcing that it will roll out the program more broadly throughout the month and all eligible creators will be able to apply to receive a portion of the revenue. The platform had announced the plan earlier this year.

The company said on its page describing the program that it is part of the platforms effort to help people earn a living directly on Twitter. For a creator to be eligible, they need to sign up for ad revenue sharing and creator subscriptions independently.

They will also need to subscribe to Twitters $8-per-month Twitter Blue or verified organizations, have at least 5 million impressions on their posts in each of the past three months and pass human review for creator monetization standards.

YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, announced on his Twitter account that he is receiving ad revenue through the program but offered all that he receives for the next month to whichever account whose comment on his post gets the most likes.

Whoever has the most liked reply to this in 48 hours gets all my Twitter revenue for the next month! he said.

Dogecoin founder Billy Markus, who goes by the pseudonym Shibetoshi Nakamoto on Twitter, revealed that he made $37,000 from the program.

Some of the accounts who have shared that they are raking in revenue from ads are controversial creators who have shared contentious viewpoints.

Brothers Ed and Brian Krassenstein, who have been vocal in criticizing former President Trump online, revealed that they each made about $25,000 from the revenue sharing. They had their Twitter accounts suspended in 2019 for allegedly using fake accounts but were allowed back on the platform after Elon Musk took over Twitter last year.

Right-wing social media influencer Andrew Tate posted a screenshot on his account on Thursday, revealing that he made more than $20,000 from his share of ad revenue. He has become widely known for posting misogynistic views online and is facing charges of rape and human trafficking in Romania.

Tate posted that every penny of what he is receiving is going to a fund he created to support underdeveloped countries throughout the world.

Ashley St. Clair, who wrote a book pushing back against transgender rights, tweeted that she received more than $7,000 within minutes of Twitter announcing the start of the program.

These are awesome payout numbers & I encourage every single creator to share their content here, she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Information on collaborators who fled to EU is now entered into Interpol database

Information about collaborators and traitors from Kharkiv Oblast who may be in Europe has begun to be entered into the Interpol database.

Source: Serhii Bolvinov, head of the Investigation Department of the Main Department of National Police in Kharkiv Oblast, on Facebook

Quote: "The peaceful life in EU countries for our collaborators is coming to an end  our cooperation with Interpol has begun.

We are entering everyone who cooperated with the Russians during the occupation into a database and submitting an application to Interpol.

We let our foreign counterparts know that these people are not victims of war or political refugees, as they try to pretend, but are suspected of committing criminal offences in Ukraine.

Legally, this constitutes grounds to send everyone there behind the railing [to Russia, a mocking name used by Russian militants who occupied Kramatorsk in 2014, indicating where the civilians of the city watching the seizure of the Interior Ministry building should go - ed.].

We have already started; we have sent the details of 25 such fugitives to the database."

Details: Ukrainians are helping the police to identify collaborators in the EU, providing investigators with information about the whereabouts of fugitives.

Bolvinov urged anyone who has accurate information about collaborators currently in Europe to inform law enforcement officers of the individuals details and the country where they are hiding.

He also added that not all fans of the "Russian world" have gone to the Russian Federation: "We have many cases of yesterday's fans of the Russian Federation and its army hiding in the European Union. And their cover story is that they are Ukrainians who have suffered from the war and need shelter." [The "Russian world" is the concept of the total domination of Russian culture over other cultures; it gives rise to and "legitimises" Russias current expansionist, colonial politics - ed.]

Bolvinov said a similar scheme is being tested for the first time in Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Sen. Tommy Tuberville Illustrated / Getty Images

When Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) launched his Senate campaign against Democratic incumbent Sen. Doug Jones in 2020, he did so on the promise to "support a strong and robust military" by providing the armed forces the "tools and resources they need to protect Americans at home and abroad." Once elected, however, Tuberville has instead staked a considerable portion of his first term in office on denying the Pentagon one of its most fundamental, vital resources: qualified personnel.

Angry over the Defense Department's policy of covering costs for service members to travel from states banning abortions to those which allow the procedure, Tuberville has blocked more than 250 Pentagon nominations and promotions since early this spring, using the Senate's informal "hold" process  a practice dubbed the "silent filibuster" for empowering a single lawmaker to effectively kill a proposed measure or nomination before it reaches the Senate floor. That effort seemingly reached a boiling point this week with the retirement of Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger, for whom there is no permanent successor thanks to Tuberville's military holds; for the first time in more than a century, the Marine Corps stands without a congressionally approved leader. Nevertheless, Tuberville has refused to abandon his military holds, telling CNN's Kaitlin Collins on Monday that as a member of the Senate minority, "the only power we have is to put a hold on something."

With Pentagon officials, Democrats  including, as of Thursday, President Biden himself  and even some of Tuberville's fellow Republicans speaking out against the holds, what's really at stake here?

"Totally irresponsible"

Speaking at a joint press conference alongside Finnish President Sauli Niinisto this week, Biden blasted Tuberville's holds as "totally irresponsible" and "ridiculous," claiming the senator is "jeopardizing U.S. security with what he's doing."

Biden's comments come as part of what appeared to be a coordinated administration push to pressure Tuberville into relenting, with the White House sending a memo to "interested parties" that same day. Claiming the military holds have elicited "barely a sound from his GOP colleagues," White House communications adviser Andrew Bates wrote that Tuberville was not only "exploiting service members" but, echoing Biden's remarks, was ultimately detrimental to the country's overall national security readiness.

The Pentagon has been similarly outspoken, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin highlighting the need for "stable and orderly leadership transitions" during Gen. Berger's retirement ceremony. "I remain confident that all Americans can come together to agree on that basic obligation to those who keep us safe," Austin said. Previously Austin had described Tuberville's holds as causing "a ripple effect in the force that makes us far less ready than we need to be."

Speaking with CNN on Thursday, Austin reiterated "this is a national security issue. It's a readiness issue. And, we shouldn't kid ourselves," while claiming that, contrary to Tuberville's objections, "I don't have an abortion policy, I have an access to non-covered reproductive health care policy." Pointing out that "One in five of my troops [] is a woman," Austin added that "our women provide tremendous value to this force and I think we need to do everything we can to take care of them."

For his part, Tuberville has insisted his holds are as much about legislative constitutionality as they are about an objection to the Defense Department's health-care policies established in the wake of the Supreme Court's anti-abortion Dobbs ruling in 2022. "Either follow the law or change the law," Tuberville tweeted following Biden's public criticism. "If Democrats can't pass legislation to authorize the abortion policy, then it shouldn't be the policy."

"Careful not to deploy a pressure campaign, but instead understand what he's aiming to accomplish," CNN reported, a number of Tuberville's Republican colleagues have met with him in recent weeks, offering a number of legislative off-ramps to avoid the ongoing blanket hold on military appointments and promotions. Other Republican lawmakers have been more public in their opposition to Tuberville's tactics, if not his end goal. "I understand the senator's concern, but it's a dangerous world right now, and we want to make sure that we're not sacrificing readiness," Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said, while Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) urged her colleague to "narrow his holds to only policy individuals and political appointees." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was particularly blunt in his criticism of Tuberville, telling reporters in early July simply that "I don't support putting a hold on military nominations."

What happens next?

"Tuberville is getting away with it, with the complicity of his party," Law Professor and MSNBC legal analyst Joyce Vance wrote on Substack. "Every time a Republican so much as mentions support for the military, Democrats should be there to illuminate what's happening." The arch-conservative editorial board of the Wall Street Journal argued that Tuberville should lift his blanket holds, writing that "this is not a political winner for Republicans. President Biden knows it and is beating up Sen. Tuberville." But, the board concluded, the onus of responsibility lies with the Pentagon, which "deliberately waded into a live political fight and is mortgaging the public's trust to make a statement on social policy."

While Tuberville and Austin did speak briefly this past week, neither the White House nor the Pentagon have plans to "concede to Tuberville's demand that the administration scrap the policy unless it's codified into law," Politico reported. Instead, they are content to let "Senate Republicans take the heat for Tuberville's stance."

Political optics aside, there's debate on whether Tuberville's concerns over the number of service members who would avail themselves of the Pentagon policy is supported by data. Tuberville's claim that "we're going to have 4,000 to 5,000 [military abortions] a year because this new rule" was labeled "incorrect" by CNN, which reported the senator had "misleadingly" conflated separate data points. RAND Corporation researchers, "one of whom was directly involved in the study Tuberville cites," told CNN "that Tuberville is significantly overestimating the number of women in the military who would take advantage of the new DOD policies."

Ultimately, absent a legislative codification of the Pentagon's policy, or Tuberville relenting on his months-long holds, there remains an unpleasant path forward for lawmakers hoping to chip away at the substantial logjam of military appointments and promotions building up behind Tuberville's objections. While holds don't officially kill the nominations, they force the Senate Majority Leader to bring each nomination to the floor separately, rather than bundle them together in the ordinary unanimous consent method. That would be a long, arduous process for Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and would likely hobble a considerable portion of the rest of the Democrats' Senate agenda, and according to Politico, "Tuberville has received all of the off-ramps from the Democrats that they're prepared to give."

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Porter County Highway Supervisor Jim Polarek is asking a former department employee to apologize to him publicly at a county council meeting after an Indiana State Police investigation cleared Polarek of any wrongdoing, including using department employees and resources to do work on private property.

After a thorough investigation of findings to the appointed special prosecutor, John M. Espar, who determined that the information compiled as potential evidence of a crime, neither warrants further investigation nor the filing of any criminal charges. This case is now closed, said a letter to Polarek on Friday from a detective with the Lowell District of the ISP.

In a statement provided by his attorney, Polarek said its been rough for these past two months since Jason Lomelis public accusations.

No public official should be subjected to false accusations like this. I want my good name back, and this former employee needs to stand up before the Porter County Council and acknowledge he was wrong, Polarek, dead wrong.

Lomeli stands behind what he said, noting staff changes at the highway department since he first brought his concerns to the countys human resources department in April.

My main goal has always been to shed light on the dark cloud that is the Porter County Highway Department. Everything I have said is true because Ive seen it with my own eyes and experienced it, he said, adding Polarek is threatening him with a defamation lawsuit. My truth is my truth and I have nothing to hide.

Lomeli worked at the highway department from June 21, 2022 until May 17, when Polarek fired him. Lomeli, 42, of Porter County, claims he was fired as retaliation after going to the countys human resources director on April 20 with his concerns about the highway department. Since he lost his job, Lomeli said he has filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the countys human resources department.

The matter became public when Lomeli addressed the Porter County Council on May 22 and accused Polarek of misappropriating funds and a blatant abuse of power; cronyism within the department; and quid pro quo politics.

The council and its attorney, Harold Harper, were concerned about the allegations but spoke cautiously during the meeting because of the potential for legal action and encouraged Lomeli to contact Porter County Prosecutor Gary Germann with his allegations.

The day after the meeting, Commissioner Jim Biggs, R-North, questioned Lomelis claim that he was fired as retaliation.

Its unfortunate that a former employee felt the need to come to a public meeting to air out what is clearly a personal issue he had with the highway department, Biggs said then. We struggle to find capable, qualified drivers. Why in the world would we dismiss anyone from employment unless we absolutely had to?

Germann sought the appointment of a special prosecutor to avoid the appearance of politics playing into a decision on any charges, Portage attorney Patrick McEuen, who is representing Polarek in his quest for a public apology, said in a statement.

(Lomeli) made the decision to stand up in a public meeting and accuse Jim Polarek of crimes and violations of the public trust. When hes proven to have lied, he needs to acknowledge his mistakes publicly, McEuen said in the statement.

Lomeli said he has statements from current and former employees backing up his claims. Also, he said neither he nor his former co-workers were interviewed during the course of ISPs investigation.

How was an investigation conducted when no one was interviewed?

alavalley@chicagotribune.com
Iowa 6-week 'fetal-heartbeat' abortion ban signed into law: 'To the smallest and most vulnerable among us'

Iowa 6-week 'fetal-heartbeat' abortion ban signed into law: 'To the smallest and most vulnerable among us'



Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law Friday that bans most abortions in the state as early as six weeks into pregnancy. A judge in Iowa is expected to rule whether the controversial law can be enforced Monday.

"The most glaring injustice of all is about to be put right," Reynolds told a crowd at the Family Leadership Summit, a gathering of evangelical Christians that featured remarks from many Republican presidential hopefuls, on Friday just before signing the law. "Everyone understands that a heartbeat signifies life, and we understand that when it falls silent, something precious has been lost."

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds speaks to guests before signing into law a bill that will ban most abortions after around six weeks of pregnancy during a visit to the Family Leadership Summit on July 14, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa.

A vendor displays fetus models at the Family Leadership Summit where Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law that will ban most abortions after around six weeks of pregnancy on July 14, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Iowa's legislatures passed the abortion ban after the popular GOP governor called legislators back for a special session after the state Supreme Court declined to reinstate a 2018 ban after about six weeks of pregnancy.

"Iowas 2018 heartbeat law was not hypothetical," Reynolds said. "It was not an empty gesture, and it was not a mistake. It was an ironclad commitment to the smallest and most vulnerable among us."

IOWA REPUBLICANS PUSH THROUGH 6-WEEK ABORTION RESTRICTIONS AS PRO-CHOICE GROUP VOW LAWSUITS

The law bans abortion once cardiac activity can be detected, which is usually around six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. Medical experts say the cardiac activity is not an actual heartbeat but rather an initial flutter of electric movement within cells in an embryo.

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It includes exceptions for miscarriages, when the life of the pregnant woman is threatened and fetal abnormalities that would result in the infants death. The also includes exception for rape within 45 days and incest reported within 140.

Several Republican presidential candidates were scheduled to speak at the event, billed as "The Midwests largest gathering of Christians seeking cultural transformation in the family, Church, government, and more."

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, the Emma Goldman Clinic and Dr. Sarah Traxler filed a lawsuit against the law Wednesday, before it was signed.

"Today, Iowans have been denied the freedom to decide what is best for their own lives and futures," Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America said in a press release Wednesday. "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. We will see Gov. Reynolds in court."

IOWA ABORTION PROVIDERS SUE TO BLOCK STATE'S NEW FETAL-HEARTBEAT 6-WEEK ABORTION BAN

The plaintiffs seek a temporary injunction, which would block the new restrictions from being enforced until a court decides otherwise.

The lawsuit seeks to prove that banning abortion would "irreparably harm" Iowans if it were enacted and enforced.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signs into law a bill that will ban most abortions after around six weeks of pregnancy during a visit to the Family Leadership Summit on July 14, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Reynold's called the impending lawsuit "against the will of the people."

"As we gather here today, at this very moment, the abortion industry is in the court trying to prevent this law from taking effect and stop once again the will of the people," Reynolds said.

A Polk County district court judge heard arguments Friday about whether the law should be temporarily blocked. The judge has said he will issue a ruling by Monday.

Fox News' Bill Mears contributed to this report.
Iowa evangelicals feel under attack  and many dont see Trump as their savior

DES MOINES, Iowa  When a group of 18 evangelical Christian voters gathered here pondered whether they thought Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election, 15 of them raised their hands. But that doesnt mean theyll be caucusing for the former president in January.

That was one of the headline findings of a focus group convened by GOP pollster Frank Luntz on the eve of the Family Leadership Summit, an evangelical gathering that drew a host of non-Trump Republican presidential candidates to Iowa Friday.

Luntz assembled the focus group of Des Moines-area voters on behalf of the Family Leader using basic criteria: They needed to consider themselves either conservative or strongly conservative, attend church at least once a week, and identify as either born-again Christian or evangelical. Its a group with enormous influence over the outcome of next years Iowa caucuses  and its a group that is fond of Trump but not completely wedded to him.

It feels like at some point he swallowed a fifth grader thats always trying to get out. These insults toward people keep coming out of his mouth. said Patti Parlee, 65, from Urbandale.

Recent Iowa caucuses prove that to win the state, candidates must first win over evangelicals. Sixty four percent of voters in the 2016 Iowa caucus identified as evangelical or born-again Christians. And Texas Sen. Ted Cruz outperformed Trump with evangelicals by 12 points in 2016, according to the NBC News exit poll, propelling Cruz to an early victory.

Likewise, in 2012 and 2008, evangelical voters preferred caucus winners Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee.

So far this year, evangelicals nationally favor Trump: The former president took 54% support from evangelicals in NBC News most recent national GOP primary poll, compared with 26% for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. No one else was in double digits.

When asked who they thought the most truthful politician was, the Iowa focus group respondents most often cited Trump, DeSantis and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, of whom Bryan Moon, 61, said: He could sell me anything and Id buy it. I believe him.

And when tasked with defining what the truth even is, one respondent gave a simple answer: Jesus Christ. But these voters believe their faith and opinions are under attack, as Republican presidential candidates try to prove they are willing to defend them.

I have been under attack in one way on Facebook, said Tammy Negrete, 60, a retired dental hygienist from Ankeny. I commented on our city posting something about the gay pride month and I literally was attacked by people who dont even know me.

David Bush, 61, a real estate developer, said, Theres a terrible misconception that Christians hate gay people. Karen L. chimed in, saying, Theyve created this narrative that if you dont approve of my lifestyle, you hate me and thats just not the truth. Anybody whos had a child knows that they can love somebody without approving of what theyve done.

Some admitted theyre ready to move on from Trump or never favored him, but more often for personal or policy differences as opposed to concerns about his electability.

Trump looks [to] see, wheres the wind blowing, and then drives in that direction, whether its the right direction or not, said law student Thomas Kinley, 26. Hes too focused on what other people think and about being liked.

In a state that gives priority to retail politics, some of the respondents pointed to Trumps penchant for trash talks as a deterrent. He has recently garnered criticism for angry statements about Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has not endorsed him in the 2024 race but has appeared with DeSantis at several campaign events.

So many people say policy over personality, but its, I personally did not vote for Trump because I couldnt get past the personality, said Heather Schnathorst. I have three sons and I want them to have a president that they can admire and look up to and want to be like.

Although many of the voters assembled by Luntz didnt seem to be voting based on electability, a number were quick to outline Trumps vulnerabilities heading into a potential rematch with President Joe Biden, including his possible difficulty attracting new voters beyond his base and swaying independents.

Has he gained any new voters since November 2020 to now? I mean, do you know of any people that now support Trump that didnt support him then? I mean, its, hes only losing voters in my view, said Kinley.

While many remain undecided or open to alternative GOP candidates, Karen L. is sure of the type of candidate she wont support. (Focus group participants were identified by first name and last initial; only some agreed to provide more information to NBC News.)

I dont want to hear them talking about working across the aisle because to me, thats code for Im weak and Im going to do whatever the Democrats force me to do. Im not going to stand up and stand my ground, she said.

Among a group of voters selected based on the strength of their convictions, some have lost faith in the former president and remain open to new GOP leadership.

President Trump, I voted for you twice. I moved to unanimous support in my local caucus in 2020, said David K. But you cannot win this next election, one way or the other.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
An Iowa Republican state lawmaker switched his support from Trump to DeSantis after the ex-president blasted Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds over her neutrality in the 2024 GOP primary

Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Alex Wong/Getty Images; Marta Lavandier/AP

Iowa state Sen. Jeff Reichman on Thursday flipped his 2024 support from Trump to DeSantis.

Reichman made his move days after Trump publicly needled Reynolds over her neutrality in the race.

Both Trump and DeSantis are making a major play for Iowa, the first-in-the-nation GOP caucus state.

An Iowa Republican state lawmaker who had previously backed former President Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign switched his support to Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida days after the ex-president blasted the state's governor, Kim Reynolds, over her neutrality in the GOP primary.

State Sen. Jeff Reichman said on Thursday that he was flipping from the Trump team to the DeSantis team, while also boosting Reynolds, a highly popular figure among the state's Republican voters. In recent years, Reynolds has helped drive GOP policy wins on abortion, school choice, and child labor laws.

"Iowa Republicans must be united if we are going to take our country back and reverse Joe Biden's failures," Reichman said in a statement. "Gov. DeSantis has achieved the same type of commonsense policy victories in Florida as we have in Iowa under Gov. Kim Reynolds, and he will deliver historic success for the conservative movement as president as well."

Reichman's change of heart comes after The New York Times reported late last week that Trump had been privately grumbling about Reynolds' appearances with DeSantis while also crediting his efforts for her narrow general election victory in 2018. The tension burst out in the open on Monday when Trump publicly lashed out at Reynolds.

Iowa, the critical first-in-the-nation caucus state for Republicans, has become a center of campaign activity in recent months.

The Times reported that Trump is frustrated that some Republicans whom he has endorsed in the past have not returned the favor regarding his 2024 campaign.

On Monday, he criticized Reynolds for her decision not to endorse a candidate.

"I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won," the former president wrote in a Truth Social post. "Now, she wants to remain 'NEUTRAL.' I don't invite her to events!"

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed Reichman, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, over his shift in support.

"There is no room for weak-kneed and lily-livered people on Team Trump. Ron DeSanctimonious' failing campaign is so desperate that he's willing to offer buyouts in the form of fundraisers for endorsements," the statement read. "The truth is that those who have been promised financial support are now regretting their deal with the devil because none of them have been able to schedule fundraisers with DeSantis."

DeSantis spokesperson Andrew Romeo promptly responded to Cheung's statement by slamming the former president's White House campaign.

"Trump is losing steam in Iowa, and his failing campaign is now lashing out at former supporters. Sad!" Romero said in a statement.

Trump is set to visit Iowa next week and also speak at an Iowa Republican dinner later in the month.

Read the original article on Business Insider
An irate Tucker Carlson in heated clash with Mike Pence over US support Ukraine, former VP jabs back

Tucker Carlson and Mike Pence. Charlie Neibergall/AP

Tucker Carlson and Mike Pence clashed over US support of Ukraine.

Carlson claimed that Ukraine was persecuting Christians and questioned the US's spending on the war.

Pence's comments about supporting Ukraine were largely met with a muted response from the crowd.

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson clashed with former Vice President Mike Pence over Ukraine at a GOP candidate forum in Iowa.

In the conversation, Carlson claimed that the Ukrainian government was arresting priests for "having views they disagree with" and claimed that this was an attack on "religious liberty."

"I sincerely wonder how a Christian leader could support the arrest of Christians for having different views," Carlson said.

But Pence disagreed with Carlson's description of events in Ukraine.

"I asked the Christian leader in Kyiv if that was, in fact, happening, and he assured me it was not. People were not being persecuted for their religious beliefs," Pence said.

Ukraine has tried to limit the influence of the Russia-tied Ukrainian Orthodox Church due to its support of Russia's invasion, not because of its religious beliefs.

The former vice president noted that he and Carlson disagreed strongly on Ukraine and said he believed "that it is in the interests of the United States of America to continue to give the Ukrainian military the resources they need."

Carlson appeared irritated by Pence's response and listed several internal issues with the US, including increasing crime.

"And yet your concern is that the Ukrainians, a country that most people can't find on a map, who've received tens of billions of US tax dollars, don't have enough tanks."

Loud cheers from the crowd greeted Carlson's comments, while Pence's were met with a muted response.

Although the GOP is roughly evenly divided on the issue of American support for Ukraine, the Iowa crowd was evidently in favor of Carlson's more hardline stance.

Pence appeared on the back foot during the exchange, allowing Carlson to sway the conversation toward his own narrative on Ukraine.

The two continued to spar over the issue, with the softly-spoken Pence at one point interjecting, with his voice raised: "The problem is you won't accept my answer."

The former vice president has gone against other GOP presidential candidates, including Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump, by disagreeing that the US should scale back its involvement in the war.

Influential evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats sponsored the forum in Des Moines, Iowa. The roster included six presidential contenders: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Carolina's Sen. Tim Scott, former Vice President Mike Pence, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Former President Donald Trump and Republican frontrunner was a no-show, citing scheduling conflicts, per Politico.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Iredell Adult Day Services partners with Everyage to better help seniors

Iredell Adult Day Services has announced it will be working with non-profit organization Everyage to serve older adults in North Carolina.

The arrangement will leverage EveryAges administrative, operational, and healthcare expertise to help Iredell Adult Day Services bolster its excellence in senior day care.

It will also allow the center to provide services to a greater number of seniors who need support during the day, which will give their caregivers much-needed relief and the opportunity to live and work more freely.

Establishing a relationship with EveryAge allows us to bring a wealth of new resources to support our participants and our staff. Were already regarded as Iredell Countys leading provider of affordable adult day care services, and now, well be even better positioned to enhance our program with added benefits. Its just what we need for the next chapter of IADS sustainability, Executive Director of Iredell Adult Day Services Tammie Money said.

ALSO READ: Seniors living in Cornelius apartments say they cant afford skyrocketing rent

Originally founded as ElderCenter, Iredell Adult Day Services was created more than 35 years ago when a study revealed that Iredell Countys biggest need was for supervised adult day care.

The Iredell Council on Aging then initiated a community-wide call for resources to meet this senior care void. Contributions from businesses and individuals continue to be instrumental in the care the organization provides as a nonprofit.

Iredell Adult Day Services cares for participants Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Adults of all ages are welcome and day trips are planned on a regular basis.

Iredell Adult Day Services specializes in senior care for memory-impaired diagnoses such as Alzheimers, dementia, TBI, stroke, and other learning disabilities. It also hosts a range of activities, including bingo, arts and crafts, games, puzzles, movies, and music programs.

To learn more about the organization, click here.

VIDEO: Seniors living in Cornelius apartments say they cant afford skyrocketing rent




Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was rushed to the hospital Saturday, his office announced, suffering from mild dizziness.

Netanyahu is in good condition, after tests revealed he was suffering from dehydration, he confirmed his Twitter account. He was ordered to remain at Sheba Hospital overnight for observation.

Thank heavens, Im feeling very well, Netanyahu said, according to translations. I have just one request of you: Were undergoing a heat wave in this country. So I ask of you: Spend less time in the sun, drink more water, and may we all have a good week.

The prime minister visited the Sea of Galilee, a popular tourist hub, on Friday amid a heat wave in the country which has seen temperatures reach 100 degrees.

With no hat, without water  not a good idea, he quipped.

Netanyahu, 73, is the countrys longest serving leader.

Initial tests have been normal and shown no findings, the prime ministers office said in a statement, adding At the doctors recommendation, the P.M. is continuing to undergo additional routine tests.

 Updated at 8:20 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Demonstrators rally against the Israeli government in Tel Aviv to protest a judicial reform package they say threatens democracy (AHMAD GHARABLI)

Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv and elsewhere Saturday protesting reforms advanced by the coalition they say threaten the country's democratic character.

Saturday's rallies, the 28th since the reform agenda was unveiled in January, come days after parliament approved in its first reading a bill that would reduce the "reasonability" clause, through which the judiciary can strike down government decisions.

The proposals would also give the government a greater say in the appointment of judges.

"This is a battle for the country, we want to keep Israel democratic, and the dictatorship laws won't pass here," protester Nili Elezra, 54, told AFP.

To her, passing the laws would harm Israel's financial and global standings.

"Things will be bad. People are already leaving, money is being lost, investors are fleeing, the world doesn't want to talk to us, nobody is happy with what's going on here," she said.

Following stiff opposition and growing international criticism -- including from US President Joe Biden -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a "pause" in March to allow for talks on the proposals.

That cross-party dialogue collapsed last month.

To Elad Ziv, the upcoming weeks were crucial in stopping the legal reform.

"We have two and a half weeks to the end of parliament's summer session and we have to block them, otherwise Israel will become a worse place," the 45-year-old programmer told AFP.

And while the weekly demonstrations did not seem to hamper the coalition's legislation, they did afford support to members of the technology sector and military reservists opposing the government's ambitions.

"We do see the protest working in supporting people who are fighting," he said.

"The numbers make a difference."

sa-jjm/hkb
Israel's Netanyahu to stay in hospital overnight after dizziness

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on July 9 (GIL COHEN-MAGEN)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday he felt "very well" after being admitted to hospital for dizziness, with his office saying the politically and legally beleaguered 73-year-old had likely been dehydrated.

Netanyahu had been rushed to Sheba medical centre in the afternoon, his office said of Israel's largest hospital, located near Tel Aviv, noting he was in "good condition and undergoing medical evaluations".

Later his office said Netanyahu had on Friday spent time in the scorching heat of the Sea of Galilee, in Israel's north.

"Today, he felt slightly dizzy, and at the advice of his personal physician, Dr Zvi Berkowitz, was taken to Sheba's emergency department," another statement said.

"The initial examinations showed normal findings," it added. "The initial evaluation is dehydration."

In a video recording released several hours later, Netanyahu said he spent time on the lake with his wife "in the sun, without a hat, without water".

"Not a good idea," Netanyahu said, noting however that he was now feeling better.

"I feel very well," he said, imploring Israelis to "spend less time in the sun" and "drink more water" in the wake of the country's hot weather.

Later Netanyahu's office said he was "staying in hospital overnight for observation, upon his doctors' recommendation", with the weekly cabinet meeting postponed from Sunday to Monday.

Netanyahu, who was reelected late last year, is heading a hard-right coalition whose proposed judicial overhaul has triggered weekly demonstrations since January.

The premier is also standing trial for corruption charges he denies.

In October, Netanyahu was hospitalised for overnight. His office said at the time he was feeling ill while observing the Jewish fast of Yom Kippur.

jjm/hkb
ROME (Reuters) - Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was elected on Saturday as leader of Forza Italia, the conservative party founded 29 years ago by billionaire media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi who died last month.

Tajani, 69, who was chosen unanimously by Forza Italia's national council, faces a hard task reviving the fortunes of a party whose public support had been dwindling for years even before Berlusconi's death.

Tajani has spent much of his career outside Italy, serving as a European Commissioner in Brussels and as president of the European Parliament. He lacks his predecessor's charisma and is not among Italy's more popular politicians.

"I am receiving an almost impossible inheritance," he told the Rome gathering of Forza Italia's national, European and local representatives.

"It's not easy to lead a political movement that has had Silvio Berlusconi as its leader for almost 30 years," he said, speaking on a stage in front of a huge image of Berlusconi.

Forza Italia is the junior partner among the three main parties in Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government, behind the premier's own Brothers of Italy and Matteo Salvini's League.

"We want to be the centre of the centre-right," said Tajani, who has served as foreign minister since the government took office in October last year.

"We are different from our allies and we don't intend to give up our identity."

Recent polls put Forza Italia's support at about 7%, behind the League on around 10% and Brothers of Italy close to 30%.

After beginning his political activity in a tiny monarchist movement in the 1980s, Tajani joined Forza Italia when it was founded in 1994 and was Berlusconi's spokesman in his first government that year.

(Reporting by Gavin Jones; Editing by David Holmes)
Leo Szilard, pictured circa 1945, circulated a petition to other Manhattan Project scientists, asking President Truman to reconsider using the atomic bomb on Japan. Universal Images Group Editorial/Getty Images

In August 1945, the US used atomic bombs on Japan, killing over 100,000 people.

Weeks before, dozens of Manhattan Project scientists signed a petition opposing its use.

President Harry Truman never saw the petition; its existence remained a secret for over a decade.

On August 6 and 9, 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, killing at least 100,000 people instantly and thousands more from radiation illnesses and injuries, according to the National Archives Museum.

Three weeks earlier, Leo Szilard and dozens of other scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project signed a petition to President Harry Truman, pleading with him to reconsider dropping the bombs they had helped create.

'Opposition on moral grounds'

While the bombs would likely end the war, they felt "that such attacks on Japan could not be justified" until Japan was told about the weapon and given a chance to surrender. Seventy scientists, mostly from the Chicago Met Lab and Tennessee Oak Ridge project sites, added their signatures.

"I personally feel that it would be a matter of importance if a large number of scientists who have worked in this field went clearly and unmistakably on record as to their opposition on moral grounds to the use of these bombs in the present phase of the war," Szilard wrote in the petition's cover letter.

The petition didn't include names from the Los Alamos, New Mexico scientists because they weren't given the chance to sign, Edward Teller, one of the Manhattan Project's scientists, later said.

J. Robert Oppenheimer, director of Los Alamos Laboratory, persuaded Teller not to distribute the petition. "Oppenheimer talked me out of it, saying that we as scientists have no business to meddle in political pressure of that kind," Teller said.

But Teller also wrote to Szilard at the time, "The things we are working on are so terrible that no amount of protesting or fiddling with politics will save our souls."

Truman didn't actually see the petition before he ordered the bombs to drop, according to the Atomic Heritage Foundation. Szilard asked for permission to make the petition public in late August 1945, but it wasn't declassified for over a decade.

Doubts in Los Alamos

Though Oppenheimer said years later in 1961 that he didn't carry the dropping of the bombs on his conscience, not everyone who worked at Los Alamos felt that way. Some were conflicted, especially after Adolf Hitler's death in April 1945.

"For me, Hitler was the personification of evil and the primary justification for the atomic bomb work," Los Alamos physicist Emilio Segre later wrote. "Now that the bomb could not be used against the Nazis, doubts arose. Those doubts, even if they do not appear in official reports, were discussed in many private conversations."

Read the full petition from the Manhattan Project scientists and their names (provided by Szilard biographer Gene Dannen) below.

The Manhattan Project petition asking President Truman not to bomb Japan

A PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES July 17, 1945 Discoveries of which the people of the United States are not aware may affect the welfare of this nation in the near future. The liberation of the atomic power which has been achieved places atomic bombs in the hands of the Army. It places in your hands, as Commander-in-Chief, the fateful decision whether or not to sanction the use of such bombs in the present phase of the war against Japan. We, the undersigned scientists, have been working in the field of atomic power. Until recently we have had to fear that the United States might be attacked by atomic bombs during this war and that her only defense might lie in a counterattack by the same means. Today, with the defeat of Germany, this danger is averted and we feel impelled to say what follows: The war has to be brought speedily to a successful conclusion and attacks by atomic bombs may very well be an effective method of warfare. We feel, however, that such attacks on Japan could not be justified, at least not until the terms which will be imposed after the war on Japan were made public in detail and Japan were given an opportunity to surrender. If such public announcement gave assurance to the Japanese that they could look forward to a life devoted to peaceful pursuit in their homeland and if Japan still refused to surrender, our nation might then, in certain circumstances, find itself forced to resort to the use of atomic bombs. Such a step, however, ought not to be made at any time without seriously considering the moral responsibilities which are involved. The development of atomic power will provide the nations with new means of destruction. The atomic bombs at our disposal represent only the first step in this direction, and there is almost no limit to the destructive power which will become available in the course of their future development. Thus a nation which sets the precedent of using these newly liberated forces of nature for purposes of destruction may have to bear the responsibility of opening the door to an era of devastation on an unimaginable scale. If after the war a situation is allowed to develop in the world which permits rival powers to be in uncontrolled possession of these new means of destruction, the cities of the United States as well as the cities of other nations will be in continuous danger of sudden annihilation. All the resources of the United States, moral and material, may have to be mobilized to prevent the advent of such a world situation. Its prevention is at present the solemn responsibility of the United Statessingled out by virtue of her lead in the field of atomic power. The added material strength which this lead gives to the United States brings with it the obligation of restraint and if we were to violate this obligation our moral position would be weakened in the eyes of the world and in our own eyes. It would then be more difficult for us to live up to our responsibility of bringing the unloosened forces of destruction under control. In view of the foregoing, we, the undersigned, respectfully petition: first, that you exercise your power as Commander-in-Chief, to rule that the United States shall not resort to the use of atomic bombs in this war unless the terms which will be imposed upon Japan have been made public in detail and Japan knowing these terms has refused to surrender; second, that in such an event the question whether or not to use atomic bombs be decided by you in the light of the consideration presented in this petition as well as all the other moral responsibilities which are involved.

Here's everyone who signed

David S. Anthony, associate chemist

Larned B. Asprey, junior chemist

Walter Bartky, assistant director

Austin M. Brues, director, biology division

Mary Burke, research assistant

Albert Cahn, Jr., junior physicist

George R. Carlson, research assistant

Kenneth Stewart Cole, principal biophysicist

Ethaline Hartge Cortelyou, junior chemist

John Crawford, physicist

Mary M. Dailey, research assistant

Miriam Posner Finkel, associate biologist

Frank G. Foote, metallurgist

Horace Owen France, associate biologist

Mark S. Fred, research associate

Sherman Fried, chemist

Francis Lee Friedman, physicist

Melvin S. Friedman, associate chemist

Mildred C. Ginsberg, computer

Norman Goldstein, junior physicist

Sheffield Gordon, associate chemist

Walter J. Grundhauser, research assistant

Charles W. Hagen, research assistant

David B. Hall, position not identified

David L. Hill, associate physicist

John Perry Howe, Jr., associate director

Earl K. Hyde, research associate

Jasper B. Jeffries, junior physicist, junior chemist

William Karush, associate physicist

Truman P. Kohman, chemist

Herbert E. Kubitschek, junior physicist

Alexander Langsdorf, Jr., research associate

Ralph E. Lapp, physicist

Lawrence B. Magnusson, junior chemist

Robert Joseph Maurer, physicist

Norman Frederick Modine, research assistant

George S. Monk, physicist

Robert James Moon, physicist

Marietta Catherine Moore, technician

Robert Sanderson Mulliken, physical chemist, coordinator of information

James J. Nickson, physician

William Penrod Norris, associate biochemist

Paul Radell O'Connor, junior chemist

Leo Arthur Ohlinger, senior engineer

Alfred Pfanstiehl, junior physicist

Robert Leroy Platzman, chemist

C. Ladd Prosser, biologist

Robert Lamburn Purbrick, junior physicist

Wilfrid Rall, research assistant

Margaret H. Rand, research assistant

William Rubinson, chemist

B. Roswell Russell, position not identified

George Alan Sacher, associate biologist

Francis R. Shonka, physicist

Eric L. Simmons, associate biologist

John A. Simpson, Jr., physicist

Ellis P. Steinberg, junior chemist

D. C. Stewart, staff sergeant

George Svihla, position not identified

Marguerite N. Swift, associate physiologist

Leo Szilard, chief physicist

Ralph E. Telford, position not identified

Joseph D. Teresi, associate chemist

Albert Wattenberg, physicist

Katharine Way, research assistant

Edgar Francis Westrum, Jr., chemist

Eugene Paul Wigner, physicist

Ernest J. Wilkins, Jr., associate physicist

Hoylande Young, senior chemist

William Houlder Zachariasen, consultant

Read the original article on Business Insider
Hyam Hyams, photographed at Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum in 1899, has been named as a key suspect in the Jack the Ripper murders - London Metropolitan Archives

A former police volunteer claims to have discovered the identity of the figure behind some of the most shocking crimes in British history, unmasking the 19th-century murderer who terrorised the nation as Jack the Ripper.

Sarah Bax Horton  whose great-great-grandfather was a policeman at the heart of the Ripper investigation  has unearthed compelling evidence that matches witness descriptions of the man seen with female victims shortly before they were stabbed to death in 1888 in the East End of London.

Her detective work has led her to Hyam Hyams, who lived in an area at the centre of the murders and who, as a cigar-maker, knew how to use a knife. He was an epileptic and an alcoholic who was in and out of mental asylums, his condition worsening after he was injured in an accident and unable to work. He repeatedly assaulted his wife, paranoid that she was cheating on him, and was eventually arrested after he attacked her and his mother with a chopper.

Significantly, Ms Bax Horton gained access to his medical records and discovered dramatic details. She told The Telegraph: For the first time in history, Jack the Ripper can be identified as Hyam Hyams using distinctive physical characteristics.

Sarah Bax Horton has researched medical records in her quest to find Jack the Ripper - HENRY HARRISON

Witnesses described a man in his mid-thirties with a stiff arm and an irregular gait with bent knees, and Ms Bax Horton discovered that the medical notes of Hyams  who was 35 in 1888  recorded an injury that left him unable to bend or extend his left arm as well as an irregular gait and an inability to straighten his knees, with asymmetric foot dragging. He also had the most severe form of epilepsy, with regular seizures.

The victims were prostitutes or destitute. Their throats were cut and their bodies butchered in frenzied attacks with the authorities received taunting anonymous notes from someone calling himself Jack the Ripper. They are some of the most infamous unsolved crimes.

At least six women Martha Tabram, Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elisabeth Stride, Kate Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly  were killed in or near Whitechapel between August and November 1888.

Hyams medical notes, taken from various infirmaries and asylums, reveal that his mental and physical decline coincided with the Rippers killing period, escalating between his breaking his left arm in February 1888 and his permanent committal in September 1889.

That escalation path matched the increasing violence of the murders, said Ms Bax Horton. He was particularly violent after his severe epileptic fits, which explains the periodicity of the murders.

She added: In the files, it said what the eyewitnesses said  that he had a peculiar gait. He was weak at the knees and wasnt fully extending his legs. When he walked, he had a kind of shuffling gait, which was probably a side-effect of some brain damage as a result of his epilepsy.

An 1888 Illustrated Police News front page reports on the murders - alamy

Witness accounts of the mans height and weight were similar to the details in Hyams medical files, Ms Bax Horton discovered.

They saw a man of medium height and build, between 5ft 5in. and 5ft 8in. Tall, stout and broad-shouldered. Hyams was 5 foot 7 and a half inches, and weighed 10 stone 7 lbs His photograph demonstrates that he was noticeably broad-shouldered, she said.

She has concluded that Hyams physical and mental decline  exacerbated by his alcoholism  triggered him to kill. The murders stopped at the end of 1888, around the time Hyams was picked up by the police as a wandering lunatic. In 1889, he was incarcerated in the Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum, north London, until his death in 1913. Jack the Ripper never struck again.

Various suspects have previously been suggested as the man behind the killings, including the artist Walter Sickert, who painted gruesome pictures of a murdered prostitute.

Hyams had been on a long list of around 100 culprits, but Ms Bax Horton said he had been discounted because he had been misidentified. When I was trying to identify the correct Hyam Hyams, I found about five. It took quite a lot of work to identify his correct biographical data. Hyam Hyams has never before been fully explored as a Ripper suspect. To protect the confidentiality of living individuals, two of the Colney Hatch Asylum files on patients, including Hyams, were closed to public view until 2013 and 2015.

What makes her research particularly extraordinary is that it was prompted by her chance discovery in 2017 that her own great-great-grandfather, Harry Garrett, had been a Metropolitan Police sergeant at Leman Street Police Station, headquarters of the Ripper investigation. He was posted there from January 1888  the murders fateful year  until 1896.

Sergeant Harry Garrett, who worked on the Jack the Ripper case

Ms Bax Horton, who read English and modern languages at Oxford University, is a retired civil servant who volunteered with the City of London Police for almost two decades until 2020. She had no idea of her ancestors history until she began researching her family and found herself studying the Ripper case.

She will now present her extensive evidence in a forthcoming book, titled One-Armed Jack: Uncovering the Real Jack the Ripper, to be published by Michael OMara Books next month.

It is written in tribute to her ancestor and his police colleagues.

Paul Begg, a leading Ripper authority, has endorsed it. This is a well-researched, well-written, and long-needed book-length examination of a likely suspect. If you have an idea of the sort of man Jack the Ripper might have been, Hyam Hyams could be it, he said.

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.
James Cameron denies he is making a movie on Titanic sub disaster (ABC News )

James Cameron has denied offensive rumours that linked him to a film about the fatal implosion of the OceanGate Titanic submersible that killed five people aboard.

The famed Hollywood director, who helmed the Oscar-0winning Titanic movie in 1997, strongly denied any involvement with a movie on the disaster which gripped people around the world.

I dont respond to offensive rumours in the media usually, but I need to now, he tweeted on Saturday. Im NOT in talks about an OceanGate film, nor will I ever be.

Cameron, 68, has visited the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic 33 times, and has been outspoken about the loss of the OceanGate sub.

It lost contact with its mother ship an hour and 45 minutes into its two-hour descent to the ocean floor, sparking a massive search and rescue operation.

After four days of searching, the US Coast Guard revealed that a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) had located pieces of debris from the Titan on the seabed 1,600ft (about 500m) from the bow of the Titanic wreck.

British adventurer Hamish Harding and father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood were killed on board the deep-sea vessel, alongside OceanGate Expeditions CEO chief Stockton Rush and French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

Cameron later revealed that he had known sensitive information about the fate of the Titan sub for days before its remains were found.

The director said that ge was aware that top secret US Navy listening devices had detected an implosion near the Titanic wreckage within an hour of it occurring on Monday, and has since described the search for the five crew members as a nightmarish charade.

He has also claimed that the Titan crew would have known that the submersibles hull had started to crack and were trying to resurface when the catastrophic implosion occurred.

The 68-year-old told ABC News that his contacts within the community had shared details of the mission with him, a reference to the small and close-knit submersible Manned Underwater Vehicle (MUV) industry.
James Cameron shuts down 'offensive' rumors that he's in talks to make a film about OceanGate's Titan disaster

James Cameron (pictured). Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty

James Cameron denied speculation that he's in talks to make a movie about OceanGate's Titan submersible.

Cameron called the rumor "offensive" and said he would never make a movie about the Titan.

Five people were killed after the submersible imploded during a June trip to see the Titanic.

James Cameron says he has no plans to make a film about OceanGate's Titan submersible, which imploded during an excursion to see the shipwrecked Titanic in June.

The "Titanic" director shared the news on Saturday, seemingly responding to media reports speculating about a potential film. The Sun reported on July 13 that a streaming network had approached Cameron to tell the story of the five men who died on the submersible.

"I don't respond to offensive rumors in the media usually, but I need to now. I'm NOT in talks about an OceanGate film, nor will I ever be," Cameron wrote in a tweet.

Speculation around Cameron's involvement in an OceanGate film came one month after the submersible was reported missing on June 18. A multi-day search ensued but ended on June 23 when the US Coast Guard and OceanGate said the Titan's five passengers were dead. Reuters identified the passengers as OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, Hamish Harding, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood, and Suleman Dawood.

Cameron, who's traveled to the Titanic wreck 33 times, has been vocal about OceanGate and his insights into the implosion.

This undated photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible. OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File

Last month, Cameron told ABC News that he saw parallels between the Titanic's captain and Rush, who bypassed concerns and warnings about the submersible's safety.

"A number of the top players in the deep-submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and that needed to be certified and so on," Cameron told the outlet.

He later told Good Morning America he and several engineers wrote a letter to OceanGate officials to voice their concerns.

Last week, OceanGate announced that it's suspending "all exploration and commercial operations." On Friday, OceanGate took down its social media pages, including LinkedIn and Facebook.

Read the original article on Insider
JEA collaborated with the American Association of Black in Energy (AABE) on Friday to teach high school students the value of a STEM-related career. The mission; investing time and resources in the next generation of talent is essential.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Local high school students engaged in career exploration with JEA electric, water and wastewater leaders. Through demonstrations, tours and being involved in panel discussions, students discovered craft, technical and STEM-related career fields in the utility industry.

According to JEA, the two-day workshop showcased the full range of career opportunities at JEA.

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Jesse Jackson, 81, to step down as Rainbow PUSH Coalition leader after more than 50 years

Jesse Jackson, 81, to step down as Rainbow PUSH Coalition leader after more than 50 years

Rev. Jesse Jackson, one of the most prominent civil rights leaders in American history, is stepping down as leader of the organization he founded in 1971.

A spokesperson for Rep. Jonathan Jackson, Jesse Jackson's son, confirmed the longtime civil rights leader will be retiring this year as leader of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

The elder Jackson, a civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate, plans to announce his decision on Sunday during the organizations annual convention, Rep. Jackson told the Chicago Sun-Times .

Jonathan Jackson, an Illinois Democrat, said his father "has forever been on the scene of justice and has never stopped fighting for civil rights" and that will be "his mark upon history."

BIDEN URGED TO 'CHOOSE MORE WORTHY ALLIES' AFTER MARCHING WITH SHARPTON IN SELMA

Rev. Jackson, who will turn 82 in October, has remained active in civil rights in recent years despite health setbacks.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

He announced in 2017 that he was receiving treatment for Parkinson's disease and had gallbladder surgery in 2021. Later in 2021, Jackson said he was receiving treatment for COVID-19, which required time at a physical therapy facility.

CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS, SCHOLARS, DESCENDANTS OF SLAVES SPEAK OUT ON REPARATIONS FOR BLACK AMERICANS

Rev. Jesse Jackson marches in an anti-war demonstration in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 15, 1991.

In November 2021, Jackson was hospitalized for a head injury stemming from a fall.

Jackson, a protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King, broke with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1971 to form Operation PUSH  originally named People United to Save Humanity  a sweeping civil rights organization based in Chicagos South Side.

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson attends the 2nd Annual Attorney Benjamin Crump Equal Justice Now Awards at Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles LAX/Century Boulevard in Los Angeles on June 10, 2022.

The organization was later renamed the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, with a mission ranging from encouraging corporations to hire more minorities to voter registration drives in minority communities. Its annual convention is set for this weekend in Chicago.

Jackson was the most successful Black candidate for the U.S. presidency before Barack Obama's run in 2008. Jackson won 13 primaries and caucuses for the Democratic nomination in 1988.

"Reverend Jesse Jackson is officially pivoting from his role as president of Rainbow PUSH Coalition," the Rainbow PUSH Coalition said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"His commitment is unwavering, and he will elevate his lifes work by teaching ministers how to fight for social justice and continue the freedom movement. Rev. Jacksons global impact and civil rights career will be celebrated this weekend at the 57th annual Rainbow PUSH Coalition convention, where his successor will be introduced."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
John Andrew Ramsey says JonBenet's killer will have 'similar bio' to Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann

The half-brother of cold case murder victim JonBenet Ramsey has weighed in on Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann's arrest.

"No criminal record but you cant hide this level of darkness. It will manifest itself in other areas of your life," John Andrew Ramsey tweeted Saturday, a day after Heuermann was charged with the murders of three women whose remains were found on a stretch of beach highway in Long Island in 2010 and 2011.

Ramsey's tweet quoted a New York Times report in which neighbors recounted how Heuermann exhibited creepy behavior before his arrest.

"Try as you might you cant blend. JonBenets killer will likely have a similar bio. #psychopath," he said.

WATCH: GRIM TIDE ON FOX NATION

The murder that shocked America: On December 24, 1996, JonBenet Ramsey a child beauty queen was brutally murdered in her home in Boulder, Colorado.

Ramsey's 6-year-old sister JonBenet was murdered in the basement of her family's home nearly 26 years ago. The killer was never found.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

JonBenet's mother reported the 6-year-old missing to police on the morning of Dec. 26, 1996, after finding a lengthy ransom note demanding $118,000 in exchange for JonBenet. The girl's father, John Ramsey, found her body later that same day in their basement.

An autopsy after JonBenet's death revealed that the girl died of strangulation and a blow to the head. The Boulder City Medical Examiner reported an 8 1/2-inch fracture on her skull. Authorities have not convicted any suspects in the case.

The Boulder Police Department in November said it is partnering with DNA labs and consulting with the Colorado Cold Case Review Team to take a fresh look at Ramsey's case.

READ: CASE AGAINST REX HEUERMANN

Heuermann, a 59-year-old accountant who lives in Massapequa Park, was arrested Thursday in connection to a series of unsolved murders that have terrified Long Island for more than a decade.

A search for missing escort Shannan Gilbert, 24, first led police to the bodies of multiple sex workers and other victims east of New York City in 2010.

The remains of four victims, who became known as the "Gilgo Four" were discovered near Gilgo Beach off Ocean Parkway. They were: Amber Lynn Costello, 27, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, Megan Waterman, 22 and Melissa Barthelemy, 24.

A total of 11 victims were discovered along the 10-mile stretch of a suburban Long Island beach highway in 2011.

WHO IS REX HEUERMANN?

Heuermann was arraigned Friday on three counts of murder in the first degree and three counts of murder in the second degree related to the deaths of Barthelemy, Waterman and Costello. Investigators are seeking to connect him to the other murders as well.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Authorities searched his home in Massapequa Park in Long Island, Friday, about a 25-minute drive from where New York authorities discovered the 11 sets of human remains strewn along Ocean Parkway in 2010 and 2011. Heuermann's Manhattan office was also searched.

Neighbors described Heuermann as a "creep" and expressed shock at his arrest.

COLD CASES CRACKED: HOW EXPERTS ARE SOLVING HUNDREDS OF VIOLENT CRIME MYSTERIES AFTER DECADES OF NO ANSWERS

Officials detailed in a bail application that Heuermann made "thousands" of Google searches for various explicit pornography and also searched for nearby sex workers. Among the Google searches that Heuermann allegedly made are "mistress long island" and "mature escorts Manhattan." Many allegedly involved child pornography.

The suspect purportedly used burner phones, and New York authorities were able to use a perimeter of cell phone ping locations that matched calls made to some of the victims, according to the UK Guardian.

A bail application revealed that Heuermann was arrested with the additional help of DNA from a discarded pizza box.



Fox News' Audrey Conklin, Greg Norman, Michael Ruiz, Marta Dhanis, Maria Paronich and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
John Kerry in Beijing: Can US and China set aside rivalry for climate action?

Mr Kerry is the latest top official to be dispatched to China from Washington

As John Kerry touches down in China, the main question will be whether the world's biggest superpowers - and polluters - can dispel diplomatic tensions to focus on key climate goals.

Mr Kerry, the US special envoy on climate, is the latest top official to be dispatched from Washington following visits by Antony Blinken and Janet Yellen - as the US seeks to restart stalled relations with Beijing.

He will meet his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua and other officials on his four-day trip. Mr Kerry's office says he wants to engage with China on "increasing implementation and ambition", and ensuring a successful COP28, the UN climate change conference scheduled for the end of the year.

While their meeting is not widely expected to yield any concrete decisions, it will be seen as a conversation starter. They are likely to discuss their common challenges of accelerating their switch to clean energy and reducing carbon emissions.

The two countries are the biggest investors in renewable energy, with China alone making up more than half of the world's total renewable energy investment, according to one assessment.

But they are also the world's two largest carbon emitters, making them the "G2 of energy consumption, energy use and pollution," noted Dan Kammen, energy professor at the University of California, Berkeley.

"So both are making major steps, but neither are actually seeing emissions fall yet," he told the BBC Newshour programme.

Contradictory moves

Both governments are evidently still struggling to balance the demands of economic growth and reducing emissions, leading to contradictory moves that have attracted criticism from environmentalists.

It wasn't so long ago that China appeared keen on reducing its reliance on coal.

In 2020, President Xi Jinping announced key carbon neutrality goals after a steady ramp-up in previous years in clean energy infrastructure. Years of worsening smog in Beijing and other cities had triggered widespread public anxiety, prompting authorities to progressively shut down coal-fired power plants and curtail coal production.

But since then, blackouts have been plaguing the country, mainly attributed to either the coal power slowdown or severe droughts affecting hydropower output. The resurgent post-Covid economy, both domestically and globally, has seen a greater demand for power as China's factories increase production. Extreme heatwaves - like the one seen this summer - and cold snaps have also led to higher electricity consumption.

China has now shifted to prioritising its energy security. That means moving back to coal power, because this is seen as more reliable when compared with the intermittency of wind and solar energy.

China has long relied on burning coal for its power needs

Last year, China approved a dramatic increase in its coal power output, the equivalent of approving two large coal power plants a week, according to one analysis.

Another found that while renewable energy now forms a greater share of China's power output, coal-fired power was still rising in absolute terms because of the sheer demand.

Activists have criticised the return to coal as a lazy way of solving the problem, arguing that there are market policies and infrastructure solutions that can make clean energy supply more consistent.

As for the US, it has recently passed two pieces of legislation that would put billions of dollars into clean energy. But it has also just approved one of its largest oil and gas drilling projects in recent years in Alaska.

US carbon emissions also grew in 2022 as the country consumed more natural gas during extreme weather that year, according to the International Energy Agency.

"The US is no better so each one has a long way to go, each one needs to egg the other on, and most importantly all the countries all around are watching to what degree the US and China absolutely are dead serious about the climate goals," said Prof Kammen.

Laying out their wishlists

Analysts say Mr Kerry may try to persuade China to fully capitalise on its clean energy resources and achieve carbon neutrality more quickly.

China aims to peak its carbon emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060 - goals which some say are too far off and give it too much leeway. Others have also taken issue with the fact that China is still considered a "developing country" by the UN, which means it is held to different standards than the US and other major powers.

Earlier this month Ms Yellen urged Beijing to donate to international climate funds set up by richer countries to help poorer economies struggling with climate change. China has rejected such requests in the past, citing its UN status.

China's own wishlist may include the removal of a recently reinstated US tariff on Chinese-manufactured solar panels. It may also object to proposed US taxes on foreign steel and aluminium based on carbon emissions, which would hit Chinese exports hard.

China's special climate envoy Xie Zhenhua will be among the officials welcoming Mr Kerry

Both sides could also use climate issues as a bargaining chip in their wider trade and political negotiations.

China would be reluctant to be seen as giving in to the US given the current state of their relationship, warned Li Shuo, Greenpeace East Asia's senior global policy advisor based in Beijing.

But there is an opportunity for Mr Kerry and Mr Xie to "capitalise on this relatively calm period to separate their bilateral relationship from their climate conversation", he told the BBC.

In other words, both countries need to urgently put aside their rivalry to address the climate crisis, say experts. There is a hope for a return to the amity seen at the 2021 COP meeting, where they announced a surprise joint agreement to accelerate emissions reductions.

"You could still make an argument to decouple your trade, as long as you are willing to bear the cost. But you can never make an argument to decouple climate engagement because this issue will never be singlehandedly solved by the US or China. It is truly a global issue that requires all hands on deck," said Mr Li.

Prof Kammen agreed. "Let's recognise that if we don't fix this, all our disputes about human rights and things are important - but they are truly rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic," he said.
To join NATO, Ukraine must first weed out Russian agents  Lithuania

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda says that Ukraine has received certain conditions to fulfill before joining NATO

One of the prerequisites for Ukraine's admission into NATO involves Kyiv's efforts to identify and expunge Russian agents from its state apparatus, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said in an interview with Lithuanias public broadcaster LRT on July 13.

Read also: Boris Johnson chastises NATO leaders for demanding gratitude from Ukraine

The president noted that during the recent NATO summit held in Vilnius, Ukrainian officials were advised that Kyiv's path to joining the Alliance hinges on its ability to meet and fulfil "certain conditions."

In response to a journalist's question whether these conditions involved de-oligarchizing or dealing with a fifth column, Nauseda replied:

This is indeed one of the prerequisites, a highly crucial one.

However, you must understand, the fifth column is pervasive, present even in those countries that we may least suspect, including Western countries. It is a reality here, as well as in Ukraine.

Read also: SBU apprehends suspected Russian FSB agent they say aided capture of Sievierodonetsk

He emphasized that a key concern lies in purging the government of vestiges of Russian influence and intelligence. He added that he appreciates the initiative demonstrated by the Ukrainian government in seeking to remove such individuals from all echelons of power.

"Every time I hear about someone being ousted from a high-ranking position, it brings me satisfaction because I understand that the state is working towards re-establishing order," the president added, predicting further such "purges."

Read also: Ukraine cannot join NATO amid ongoing war, Zelenskyy admits

Nauseda reiterated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is fully aware of the conditions for Alliance membership. He concluded that once the war ends, Ukraine's membership issue would be resolved "very quickly."

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
Attorney general candidate Abe Hamadeh wants another trial to find more votes and overturn his narrow loss.

A judge has denied another trial for Abe Hamadeh to challenge the results of the state attorney general's race, which the Republican lost to Democrat Kris Mayes in one of the closest election contests in state history.

Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee F. Jantzen, who dismissed Hamadeh's challenge in December following a three-hour trial, said in a ruling on Friday that his decision to deny the request for a new trial was a "close call in a closely contested election."

Jantzen did not explain his ruling, however, writing instead that a "weekend fire in the Court's home and some emergencies" delayed him. He will have a full entry "discussing this ruling and addressing other pleadings" in the case by July 17 at noon, he wrote.

Hamadeh's lawyers in May argued in Mohave County Superior Court for the new trial, saying that more than 1,100 people were unable to vote because of changes to their voter registration records, and that then-Secretary of State Katie Hobbs  now Arizona's governor  suppressed votes during a mandatory recount in the race.

The recount reduced the number of votes between Mayes and Hamadeh from 511 to 280 out of 2.5 million cast in the statewide race. But as lawyers for Mayes, Maricopa County and the Secretary of State's Office said in May, Hamadeh's side had not proved that the alleged problems would have affected the election's outcome.

"This fight is not over," said a statement by Hamadeh's campaign spokesperson, Erica Knight. "We are taking this historic legal battle to the Arizona Supreme Court. ... When its all said and done, we will prevail on the merits and we will restore faith in our election system."

Mayes said she was "happy" about the ruling.

"As weve said all along, this was a baseless lawsuit and the plaintiffs failed to provide any factual evidence," she said in a written statement. "Were happy to have a ruling from the judge denying their request for a new trial. The will of Arizona voters will not be undermined."

Reach the reporter at rstern@arizonarepublic.com or 480-276-3237. Follow him on Twitter @raystern.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Attorney general candidate Abe Hamadeh won't get 2nd trial, judge says
A federal judge on Friday found Oregons new gun law  which bans large capacity magazines and requires residents to obtain a permit to purchase firearms  does not violate the Second Amendment.

After a week-long trial, U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut in a 122-page order found that the law keeps up with the nations history and tradition of regulating uniquely dangerous features of weapons and firearms to protect public safety.

The law, Measure 114, bans the sale, transfer and import of gun magazines with more than 10 rounds for residents that are not members of the military or law enforcement.

The measure, however, will not require current gun owners with high-capacity magazines to turn over their firearms, but does bar them from removing the weapons from their home for anything other than practicing at a firing range, in shooting competitions or for hunting, according to the Associated Press.

Guns with high-capacity magazines are not commonly used for self-defense, and are therefore not protected by the Second Amendment, Immergut wrote in her ruling. The Second Amendment also allows governments to ensure that only law-abiding, responsible citizens keep and bear arms.

The lawsuit, filed in November by the Oregon Firearms Association, argued that the gun control law violated the Constitution. In response to Fridays ruling, the group said it wasnt entirely unexpected.

What we have read defies belief. While not entirely unexpected, Immerguts ruling is simple nonsense and sure to be overturned at the 9th circuit, the group wrote in a statement posted to their website. When faced with the clear and undeniable issues about all magazines being banned and the permit system being completely unworkable, she essentially said not my problem.'

We are sure there will be plenty of parsing of this absurd decision in the coming days, but it was clear from the very first day that Immergut was both painfully ignorant and in the pocket of Oregons far left Department of Justice,' the organization added.

A separate suit was filed by the Gun Owners of America Inc., the Gun Owners Foundation and several individual gun owners, which claimed the law violates the Oregon Constitution, AP reported.

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum praised Fridays ruling, acknowledging that the law cannot move forward until the trial  scheduled for September  is held in a lower court.

For now, Measure 114 remains on hold due to a state court order from Harney County. But our team looks forward to ultimately prevailing in the state courts as well, she wrote.

The news comes as President Biden continues to up pressure on lawmakers to pass gun reform legislation as 2023 gears up to be one of the deadliest years in history for gun violence.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kari LakeJohn Moore/Getty Images

A federal judge has ordered the attorneys for failed gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake and ex-Arizona Rep. Mark Finchem to reimburse Maricopa County for the $122,200 in taxpayers money that was wasted in their 2022 lawsuit, in which they called for the use of paper ballots over electronic voting machines in the midterm election.

Finding Lake and Finchem to have violated the law by "pursuing frivolous constitutional claims," in which they insisted that voting machines produced inaccurate results, U.S. District Court John J. Tuchi quashed their suit back in August and awarded sanctions to the county in December, per request. Now their bill has come due.

"Plaintiffs lacked an adequate factual or legal basis to support the wide ranging constitutional claims they raised or the extraordinary relief they requested," Tuchi wrote in a quote obtained from Azcentral. "Plaintiffs filled the gaps between their factual assertions, claimed injuries, and requested relief with false, misleading, and speculative allegations." To attorneys Kurt Olsen, Andrew Parker and Alan Dershowitz, he hammered down that "Attorneys must be reminded that their duties are not qualified in the way he suggests and that courts are entitled to rely on their signatures as certifications their filings are well-founded."
The U.S. Supreme Court continues in its efforts to turn the nation back to the 1950s with its conservative rulings in a number of cases in the session just finished.

The one I found most confounding was the Colorado woman who didnt want to make web sites for gay couples who were getting married, but felt thwarted under Colorados anti-discrimination law. The court obliged her.

Never mind the court gave her permission to discriminate. As a business open and available to the public what business is next in discriminating against some of its clients?

Kendall P. Stanley

Rather, what captured me was that the suit was hypothetical  no gay couples had ever approached the owner, Lorie Smith, to design them a website.

Smith said as a Christian she didnt want her words used on a gay marriage website, as shes against same-sex marriage.

OK, fine.

But what other hypotheticals out there might the court decide it wants to rule on? In the case of Smiths suit, where is the damage done? She wasnt arguing that her business is suffering because of her views. Rather, her free speech rights from the Constitution were being violated because she MIGHT run afoul of Colorados laws.

Just watch, Im betting there will be more of these hypothetical cases coming down the pike.

The court also ruled against race being a factor in college admissions, which was a given with the conservative bent of the court these days.

Yes, there are states, such as Michigan, that already ban using race as a criteria in college admissions. How has that worked out for them? Basically the percent of the students who are Black declined despite the efforts by colleges to maintain a diverse student population.

So colleges will have to find other ways to diversify their student body, a tricky task indeed. It wont be easy.

One suggestion, and one Harvard was sued about shortly after the courts race ruling, would be to eliminate legacy status to open up more slots for incoming students. Legacies are the children of alumni who get first crack at a spot in the incoming class.

It still falls to admission officials to try and get a diverse student body. Urge them the best of luck in the years ahead.

Insanity

Yes America, its time to recognize our countrys founding  by shooting up towns and cities across the country!

Violence was the coin of the realm over the Fourth of July holiday.

As The Guardian reported, From the nations capital to Fort Worth, Texas, from Florin, California, in the west to the Bronx, New York, in the east, the Fourth of July long weekend in the US was overshadowed by 16 mass shootings in which 15 people were killed and nearly 100 injured.

The Gun Violence Archive, an authoritative database on gun violence in America, calculated the grim tally using its definition of a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people excluding the shooter are killed or injured by firearms.

The tragic bloodletting was recorded from 5 p.m. on Friday until 5 a.m. on Wednesday across 13 states as well as Washington, D.C. Texas and Maryland both entered the register twice.

Suffice it to say police in all those places were in the same boat of not knowing what in heavens name was going on.

Keeping track of who among the populace owns some of the 400 million guns in the country and whether they might use them in a mass shooting is impossible.

There are, however, some shooters who make their intentions known  and yet people dismiss it and fail to alert law enforcement to deadly effect.

Its horrible to realize that these days mass shootings are merely a fact of life.

 Kendall P. Stanley is retired editor of the News-Review. He can be contacted at kendallstanley@charter.net. The opinions expressed in this column are those of the writer and not necessarily of the Petoskey News-Review or its employees.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Kendall Stanley: Hear ye, hear ye! Court tries to turn back time
Kevin Costner to live at his $145 million Santa Barbara compound and his estranged wife will get a 6-figure child support payment for now. It's a perfect opportunity for the ex-couple to settle the messy divorce, legal experts say

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner in happier times Getty Images

Kevin Costner and his estranged wife have been in court in July, hashing out a heated divorce case.

A judge side with Costner in asking his former partner to move out, but also awarded her $129k in child support.

With the respective wins, they have a prime opportunity to settle the rest of their assets privately, experts said.

Amid a heated divorce battle, actor Kevin Costner and his estranged wife have been presented with an exit ramp in recent weeks to take their public feud private.

This month, a Santa Barbara judge has asked Christine Baumgartner to move out of Costner's sprawling $145 million Santa Barbara compound by the end of July and has separately ruled that Costner must pay her $129,000 in child support until the divorce is finalized.

Legal experts told Insider that the pair would be best served by settling privately at this juncture, given the judge's ruling initially favoring Costner, but the follow-up ruling giving Baumgatner more child support ahead of a scheduled November trial.

"If the parties were following sage legal advice, they would now take this very public feud private and resolve the remaining issues because the court has ruled on their hot-button issues: Christine must vacate the house and Kevin must pay her $129,755 per month," Holly Davis, an attorney who works high net-worth divorce cases with Kirker Davis LLP, told Insider.

The judge's ruling on child support came after Baumgartner had asked for $217,300, and Costner had offered $51,940. The order will require Baumgartner to cover half of their three children's expenses, which Costner had covered, according to court filings.

Costner has sought joint custody of the children.

At the core of the case is a premarital agreement between the couple, which Baumgartner is challenging.

So far, a judge has already sided with Costner in upholding its validity by ordering Baumgartner to move out of his home after she filed for divorce, which was one of the provisions, per court filings. But in determining child support for Baumgartner, the judge also deviated from the prenuptial agreement, which required Costner to pay her $30,000 in child support if they divorced.

"They both had something to lose," Marilyn Chinitz, a divorce attorney and partner at Blank Rome, told Insider. "It's a short-term victory for her and it encourages both people to try to walk out and resolve this case."

Chinitz's former clients include actors Tom Cruise and Michael Douglas.

Baumgartner filed for divorce in May, and the split has been highly acrimonious, with the former couple lobbing barbs about each other through court filings.

While the judge threw out a number accounting for moving costs, final child support payment figures will be determined when their assets are set and the divorce is finalized, Chinitz told Insider. After dealing with moving costs, the child support payments could be significantly lower for Baumgartner.

That could be a motivation for Costner to move to a quick and private resolution, as well as for Baumgartner, who could salvage more marital assets outside of child support in settlement talks.

"Costner might not be incentivized to pay $129,755 a month and may want to get the case over with sooner rather than later," Chinitz told Insider.

Lawyers for Costner and Baumgartner did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

Costner is seeking $99,000 from Baumgartner, due to the legal fees he has spent fending off her challenge to their premarital agreement.

Baumgartner  who has claimed no individual income in court filings  may also be motivated to avoid a mounting legal bill, as the child support payments could soon change.

Ahead of a scheduled November trial, the most painless way forward is to settle the remaining matters and assets privately, as the current judge has steered more in Costner's favor, Chinitz said.

"California lawyers turn to private judges to expedite a resolution process, which in this case, may be beneficial for everyone," Chinitz told Insider.

Read the original article on Insider
In Kherson Oblast, partisans blow up two trucks with Russians inside

Atesh partisan movement has announced the murder of six Russian invaders and damage to two trucks of the Russian Armed Forces in Kherson Oblast.

Source: ATESH on Telegram

Details: Ukrainian partisans announced that on 14 July, they conducted a successful operation in the village of Velyki Kopani, located in the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson Oblast.

Quote: "On 14 July 2023, at 12:00, an agent of the ATESH movement set off an explosion at the occupiers' truck parking lot in the village of Velyki Kopani, Kherson Oblast. The parking lot was located opposite the abandoned Ukrnafta gas station at 34 Lenin Street.

As a result of the detonation, 6 soldiers of the Russian Armed Forces were killed, and 2 trucks transporting them were damaged."

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Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and a coalition of Republican attorneys general are threatening serious legal consequences against Fortune 100 companies that continue to consider race and diversity, equity and inclusion in their hiring practices.

Kobach and Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti led the letter, which was also signed by an additional 11 attorneys general. The Thursday letter references the U.S. Supreme Courts recent decision striking down affirmative action in universities to argue that any continued use of race-based hiring would violate federal employment discrimination laws.

We urge you to immediately cease any unlawful race-based quotas or preferences your company has adopted for its employment and contracting practices, said the letter addressed to Fortune 100 CEOs. If you choose not to do so, know that you will be held accountablesooner rather than laterfor your decision to continue treating people differently because of the color of their skin.

The Fortune 100 are the top earning public and private companies in the U.S.

The letter pointed to specific practices at large companies to grant preferences to contractors with diverse staff or with minority leadership. The attorneys general criticized pledges by several major tech companies made to foster diversity and support Black-owned businesses during racial justice protests in 2020.

Such overt and pervasive racial discrimination in the employment and contracting practices of Fortune 100 companies compels us to remind you of the obvious: Racial discrimination is both immoral and illegal, the letter said.

The Republican attorneys general pledged to enforce the law vigorously.

In a release announcing the letter, Kobach invoked the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

All Americans should be judged based on the content of their character, not the color of their skin, Kobach said, borrowing language from Kings famous I have a dream speech.

The Democratic Attorneys General Association pushed back Friday on the GOP attorneys generals claim that businesses could not weigh diversity in hiring decisions.

To be clear: it is legal for businesses to be responsive to their workforces wishes and concerns through diversity programs and initiatives. Many business leaders have for decades been rightfully committed to supporting all of their employees and enriching their businesses as a result, Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings and Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said in a joint statement as the Democratic groups co-chairs.

Above all, this Republican AG letter continues with their fanatical quest to neutralize thoughts, actions, and opinions of those who do not kowtow to their backwards philosophies, Jennings and Ford said. Republican AGs have spent much of the last several years interfering in the free market and with private businesses  a grave departure from their old posture.

The Republican letter is a sign of additional fallout that could come from last months landmark Supreme Court decision on college admissions.

In Kansas, lawmakers included language in the state budget that would have limited universities ability to ask about diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring. Lawmakers failed to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys veto of the provision.
Labour's tourist tax in Wales threatens to force small holiday let firms out of business

Holidaymakers on the North beach near Tenby in South Wales. It's warned that proposals for an overnight visitor levy could dissuade families from choosing Wales for their holidays - iStock editorial/Getty Images

The newly-refurbished cluster of holiday lets on Clyne Farm overlooking Swansea Bay are the pride of businessman Geoff Haden, who also owns the childhood home of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.

However, recent tax measures taken by the Welsh Government have burdened Mr Haden with additional costs, and a looming new tourist tax threatens to deter tourists further from crossing the Severn Bridge for their rural getaways.

Mark Drakefords government has said that proposals for an overnight visitor levy will be put to the Senedd within the next two years, with those in the sector fearing that it will tip the scales for families against choosing Wales for their holidays.

Mr Haden told The Telegraph that the policy will be off-putting for tourists and is of real concern.

This is worse than the tolls on the Severn Bridge and we know what a deterrent that was to visitor numbers, he said.

The cost levelled at tourists staying in visitor accommodation will be up to the local authorities, with the funds raised to be reinvested in local tourism, according to proposals.

This comes after changes to tax rules on holiday lets in Wales came into force in April, which say that self-catered accommodation should be filled for at least 182 days of the year, otherwise business owners could face paying premium council tax rates.

The Welsh Affairs Committee this week urged the Welsh Government to re-examine the levy proposal, and warned it could have a potentially negative impact on the sector. The cross-party committee said it was concerned by the countrys relatively low profile overseas.

The concerns are echoed by rural sector representatives, who have accused the Welsh Government of an anti-tourism and anti-rural agenda.

Mark Tufnell, of the Country Land and Business Association, said the report ought to be a wake-up call to a Welsh government thats undermining its rural tourism industry.

The tourist tax is the latest in a string of left-wing policy decisions from Mark Drakefords government, which have included trialling a universal basic income and the introduction of a 20 miles per hour speed limit in residential areas to be implemented this year.

Tom Giffard MS, shadow minister for tourism, said: One of the problems the report identified is that whilst people come for a day, not enough visitors will stay overnight. These are the sorts of people likely to spend significantly more in our local economy.

Thats why Labours tax is a tax on overnight stays  exactly the sort of people we need to be attracting to ensure a vibrant tourism economy here in Wales, he said.

A Welsh government spokesman said that visitor levies are commonplace across the world and insisted that local authorities could make a real difference by generating new revenue to develop and enhance local services and infrastructure.

We are ambitious for Wales as a tourist destination and will continue to work with communities, visitors and businesses to achieve sustainable growth for tourism across Wales.

The spokesman said that the changes to local tax rules for self-catering accommodation and second homes are designed to help develop a fairer housing market and ensure property owners make a fair contribution to their communities.

They added: We are taking radical action using the planning, property and taxation systems to achieve this, as part of a joined-up package of solutions to a complex set of issues.

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.
On the morning of 15 July, Belarusian activists reported that a large convoy of cars and trucks with the licence plates of the so-called "DPR/LPR" with the Wagner PMC fighters inside arrived in Belarus.

Source: Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring media outlet

Quote: "The set of factors indicates that this is a convoy of the Wagner military command centre that entered Belarus from the Russian Federation in the Krychaw area at night.

Then they proceeded through Rahachow toward Babruysk and then to Asipovichy. The route indicates that the Wagner group convoy is moving to the tent camp in the village of Tsel."

Details: According to the volunteers, at least 60 vehicles were seen in the convoy, including "pick-up trucks, large trucks, loaves and at least three buses for transporting people."

It is noted that the Belarusian police accompanied the convoy.

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Latvia to hand over 11 more cars confiscated from drunk drivers to Ukraine

The government of Latvia has decided to hand over another 11 cars confiscated from drunk drivers to Ukraine free of charge.

Source: LSM.lv, citing Inara Solosteja, head of the Procurement and State Property Department of the State Revenue Service

Details: According to the government's decision, 11 cars will be delivered to the military administration of the city of Kherson, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the Arbuzynka village council in Mykolaiv Oblast, the Military Medical Academy of Ukraine and the State Border Service of Ukraine.

The confiscated cars include a 2001 Mercedes Benz, a 2006 BMW 535, a 2007 Mazda 3 and a 2009 Volvo XC60. The total approximate cost of these 11 cars is about EUR 40,000.

According to Solosteja, out of every 100 confiscated cars, about 70 go to Ukraine.

Background: In March, the government of Latvia decided to hand over eight cars confiscated in the country from drunk drivers to Ukraine free of charge.

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Three independent designers have brought a lawsuit against Chinese fast-fashion retailer Shein accusing the company of racketeering and egregious copyright infringement.

The complaint, filed by Krista Perry, Larissa Martinez and Jay Baron in the United States District Court for the Central District of California Western Division, also claims the company uses a secret algorithm to rapidly identify and duplicate emerging trends and designs.

There is no Coco Chanel or Yves Saint Laurent behind the Shein empire. Rather, there is a mysterious tech genius, Xu Yangtian aka Chris Xu, about whom almost nothing is known. He made Shein the worlds top clothing company through high technology, not high design, the complaint said, referring to the companys CEO.

A spokesperson for Shein replied to the allegations and said: SHEIN takes all claims of infringement seriously, and we take swift action when complaints are raised by valid IP rights holders. We will vigorously defend ourselves against this lawsuit and any claims that are without merit.

Shein has grown popular in recent years among consumers who are drawn to its cheap, trendy apparel. The brand has made billions by creating a secretive algorithm that astonishingly determines nascent fashion trendsand by coupling it with a corporate structure, including production and fulfillment schemes, that are perfectly executed to grease the wheels of the algorithm, including its unsavory and illegal aspects, the complaint said.

The details and methodology of the algorithm are not specified.

The artists claim that if the algorithm produces designs copying well-known and established companies, such as Nike, the infringed company may be alerted through brand protection specialists and can quickly take action. But when small-scale designers are copied, the design theft may not be readily discovered.

This is not the first time Shein has found itself embroiled in controversy. In addition to facing other lawsuits alleging intellectual property theft, the company has been sharply criticized over alleged labor rights violations. Shein responded with a statement saying it has zero tolerance for forced labor.

Last month, Shein also received online vitriol for sponsoring an influencer brand trip to the retailers manufacturing facilities in China. Critics slammed the event as a thinly veiled attempt at goodwill and propaganda. A Shein spokesperson said of the backlash: Their social media videos and commentary are authentic, and we respect and stand by each influencers perspective and voice on their experience. We look forward to continuing to provide more transparency around our on-demand business model and operations.

In this latest legal recourse, the designers accuse Shein of intentionally using a decentralized structure to redirect blame for design theft, obscuring the companys role in infringement and violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The complaint said that act could provide relief to the plaintiffs because the law is aimed at addressing the misconduct of culpable individual cogs in an larger enterprise.

According to the complaint, one plaintiff, Perry, created art that appeared in identical form on Sheins website. The lawsuit included side-by-side comparisons of alleged design theft including Perrys work. When Perry reached out to Shein about the use of her art without approval, an employee of the company said the design was not produced by their company and was bought from a local vendor, the complaint said. She claimed to be offered a payment of $500.

In these cases, Shein quickly apologizes, blames an unnamed third party for the misconduct, the lawsuit said. Shein made its offer as if it were a mom-and-pop operation rather than one of the richest enterprises in the world.

The designers seek an unspecified amount of damages.

The goal of the lawsuit, plaintiff attorney David Erikson said in an email to NBC News, is to reign in their bad behavior, and require them to stop copying U.S. designers. He added, Maybe they have to hire people to look at the designs generated by their algorithm, and compare them to the designs they are taking inspiration from.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Issue 1 is an Ohio GOP 'power grab'

The Supreme Court of the United States ended its last session with several momentous decisions handed down. In Moore v. Harper, the court ruled against the independent state legislature theory. The theory gives precedence to the legislature before the constitution, and in turn, the Supreme Court. It essentially empowers the legislature to make all decisions without the opportunity of challenge. Indeed, SCOTUS referenced this decision in sending back an appeal made by Ohio to not abide by the Ohio Supreme Court regarding the unconstitutional voting district maps, which were subsequently used in the recent election.

The same logic underlying the independent state legislature argument is foundational to Issue 1. This is evidenced by Issue 1 creators answer to two (ironic) questions. After outlawing August elections because of low turnout, why is it now the preferred date? And after setting such a high bar for amending the Ohio Constitution (60% plus other requirements), why do you allow Issue 1 to necessitate only the current 50% plus 1 for passage and not the proposed mandate of 60%?

The answer given by the Ohio General Assembly is the same given to the state Supreme Court regarding school funding (for the last quarter century) as well as gerrymandered voting districts: Because we can! As the state legislature, currently a Republican supermajority with independent state legislature thinking, we make the laws, and the Constitution, not the courts, or people.

Issue 1 is a power grab by the GOP, much like Larry Householders House Bill 6, without the opportunity of challenge. Vote no on Issue 1 on Aug. 8.

Stanley Wrzyszczynski, Granville

Join former Ohio governors, business leaders and oppose Issue 1

In the Aug. 8 special election, Ohio voters have the opportunity to vote no on Issue 1. Issue 1 requires a 60% passage rate for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments instead of the current simple majority and, thereby, takes decision-making power away from the people.

Former Ohio governors from both political parties (Republicans Bob Taft and John Kasich and Democrats Dick Celeste and Ted Strickland) oppose Issue 1. Taft stated, This is a fundamental change in Ohios voting rights. Its a major mistake to approve or disapprove such a change at the lowest-turnout election that we have.

Corporate executives including Jeni Britton Bauer (founder of Jenis Splendid Ice Cream), Thomas Hoaglin (former chair and CEO of Huntington Bancshares), and John Pepper (former CEO of Proctor & Gamble) also oppose Issue 1. These business leaders declared that a robust, functioning democracy is critical to sustaining our extraordinary free enterprise system, and that political efforts like Issue 1 destabilize our states democratic processes which will be harmful to our business climate.

Join Republican and Democrat former Ohio governors and business leaders. Support the civic and economic health of our state. Vote no on Issue 1.

Mary Tuominen, Granville

Voting for Issue 1 would set new standard for all Ohioans

Issue 1 is not a left or right decision to make. Voting "yes" on Issue 1 will set a new standard for all Ohioans. That new standard will declare that our Constitution is not for sale. Currently, only 44 counties are required to meet the signature threshold on a petition to place a Constitutional Amendment issue on the statewide ballot. Voting "yes" on Issue 1 will require that all 88 Ohio counties must meet the signature threshold. This will set a new standard.

Passing Issue 1 will enfranchise all Ohioans. All of "We the people" in Ohio can decide whether to sign a petition proposing a constitutional amendment for our state. Amending the Ohio Constitution is one of the most important efforts our citizenry can undertake. And 100% of them must be asked to consider amending it, not just half the citizenry.

Also, if Issue 1 passes, all future amendments proposed to Ohios Constitution will then require 60% of Ohios eligible voters for them to pass. Voting yes on Issue 1 will indeed set new standards for Ohioans  standards that are not just for those special interests on the left or the right, or for those who reside in only half the counties, but for all Ohioans.

Bronwyn Jameson, Avon Lake

Newark mayor challenged to deal with Downtown parking issues

Recently, I attended a meeting of local business owners that was hosted at NEWORK Space. One of the non-agenda items that bubbled up was related to the ongoing parking issues in downtown Newark. This was somewhat surprising considering all of the positive economic development momentum Newark has sustained recently through strong public and private collaboration. Clearly the ongoing revitalization of the Downtown area is impressive, and frankly, the envy of the majority of small town USA!

As I walked away from my meeting that afternoon, I couldnt help but reflect on the missed opportunity of not adequately addressing the real and perceived status quo parking issues in downtown Newark. How could these same visionary local leaders and partners overlook the elephant in the room  inadequate parking?

Heres my challenge Newark Mayor Jeff Hall: Stop kicking the can down the road and develop a customer friendly, viable parking solution for the Downtown area! Charge a group of local stakeholders to develop, implement and monitor a Downtown parking plan that aligns with the current vision and strategy driving all of the other progressive changes underway.

Ed Smith, Granville

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Letters: Oppose, support Issue 1; Newark must fix Downtown parking
A heat wave, a heat dome, desert dust, El Nino, and a wavy jet stream all converged in Puerto Rico in June to create scorching conditions and a heat index of 125 degrees in places.

And yet, one expert warned, this likely wont be the only case of life-threatening heat this year.

What happened?

As Inside Climate News reported, Puerto Ricos temperatures started skyrocketing on June 5.

Thats when Jeff Berardelli (@weatherprof), WFLA-TV chief meteorologist and climate specialist, launched a set of tweets to explain the emergency.

Life-threatening heat today in Puerto Rico so hot that some meteorologists are astonished. And more of the same to come this week. Heat index numbers as high as 115-125 today!! So what is going on? There are many factors, so let's dig in thread 1/ pic.twitter.com/EMEgVkK9yE  Jeff Berardelli (@WeatherProf) June 6, 2023

On a heat map, the island resembled a glowing ember, with heat indexes from 90 to 123 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat index is the temperature our bodies feel when humidity makes it harder to cool off.

Berardelli said Puerto Rico was so hot that some meteorologists are astonished, while providing some potential answers as to how the staggering temperatures occurred.

He first showed how Saharan dust particles had settled over the island, keeping clouds away. Then came a heat dome of high pressure, trapping hot ocean air.

Climate change had warmed the ocean, per Berardelli, and likely affected a wavy jet stream that changed normal wind currents.

Then there was El Nino, a natural phenomenon that just recently returned. Its effects are complex, but its generally the warm phase of a months- to years-long cycle that can increase temperatures.

As we go deeper into 2023, and El Nino intensifies, we should expect a stunning year of global extremes which boggle the meteorological mind, Berardelli concluded. The base climate has heated due to greenhouse warming, and a strong El Nino will push us to limits we have yet to observe.

Why is Puerto Ricos heat concerning?

Inside Climate News summarized Berardellis punch line: Puerto Ricos heat wave shouldnt be viewed as an isolated incident, and  other parts of the world should anticipate similar hot spells in the coming months.

Other experts warn similarly. In May, the World Meteorological Organization reported that global temperatures are likely to surge in the next five years due to climate change and El Nino.

When heat indexes reach levels they did in Puerto Rico, its considered a serious health hazard. On some charts, an index of 125 degrees puts the effect on the human body in the National Weather Services highest danger classification, where heat stroke is highly likely.

What can I do about heat waves?

We can all take care of ourselves when temperatures rise. Tips for avoiding heats dangers include drinking water, limiting exertion, and cooling your heels (and feet).

We can take better care of our planet, too. Any steps to reduce heat-trapping gases  such as switching to a bike, electric vehicle, or public transit, or reducing a homes energy consumption  are steps toward limiting climate disruptions.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Despite an underwhelming first month of Ukraines much-anticipated summer push to liberate territory from Russian forces, Kyiv says its Western backers are not pressuring the country for quick results.

Since the Ukrainian counteroffensive began in June, the fighting has proved tougher than some anticipated, with progress being measured in hundreds of meters as opposed to tens of kilometers.

Ukraine had hoped to use the push to expel a significant amount of Russian forces from Ukrainian soil and turn the tide of the war.

Andriy Yermak, a key adviser to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, told journalists Friday he accepted the counteroffensive is not going that fast; it is slow.

The lack of tangible progress, however, did not appear to discourage NATO members at the organizations annual summit this week in Lithuania, Yermak said.

The meeting saw NATO pledge deeper security ties with Ukraine, albeit without specifying any timetable for when Ukraine could realistically join the alliance. Asked by CNN if Ukraines western allies were looking for quicker gains on the battlefield, Yermak said there was no such pressure from partner countries. Instead, most countries asked what else Ukraine needed to expedite victory.

The United States recently supplied Ukrainian forces with cluster munitions and is now reportedly considering sending Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMs), guided missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers (about 186 miles). France and the United Kingdom have either delivered or pledged to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles.

Ukraine pushing forward near Bakhmut

Officials in Kyiv appear to be encouraged by the results around Bakhmut, the eastern Ukrainian city that has seen some of the most intense fighting of the war.

Ukrainian Army spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi said on Ukrainian television that Russian forces are putting up a fierce resistance, but Ukraine has the initiative.

Our defense forces are pushing the enemy on the southern and northern flanks, storming their positions, he said.

Mapping by Deep State, which updates any changes on the ground daily, and is widely used by analysts, has suggested almost no shifts in the front line around the city for many days, even as Ukrainian forces continue efforts to regain villages like Klishchivka to the southwest and Berhivka to the northwest, where fighting has raged for weeks.

A Ukrainian flag waves above a destroyed building after shelling in Vremivka, Ukraine, on July 6. - Daniel Carde/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Further to the north, in a 100-odd kilometer (62 mile) stretch of land between the towns of Lyman and Kupiansk, Cherevatyi said Russian forces were actively attacking.

Lyman is a key city in Donetsk that Russia occupied for almost six months before retreating in October. In recent weeks, the area has become a renewed focus of Russian firepower.

This direction is the leader in the (Russian) use of artillery, mortars and multiple rocket launchers shelling. The enemy carried out 570 attacks and 11 air raids over the last day, Cherevatyi said.

According to Russian military bloggers, one of the areas where Moscows forces have been concentrating their efforts is around the village of Novoselivske, about 75 kilometers north of Lyman (47 miles) One site said Russian forces had advanced through forested areas to the south of the village and were digging of a new defensive line close to a nearby railway line.

It is not possible for CNN to verify immediately claims of territorial gains or losses by either side.

State of play in the south

Reports suggest that heavy fighting has also continued along the southern front, where Ukraine is aiming to break Russias so-called land bridge to the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014 in violation of international law.

Military analyst Rob Lee says it is difficult to measure which side currently holds the whip hand in the absence of significant territorial gains for one side or the other.

Both sides are taking attrition right now  but it is not clear which side can sustain it better, he told the Geopolitics Decanted podcast.

On the Russian side, if they take enough losses and Ukraine can isolate parts of the front, (then Ukrainian forces) may be able to achieve a breakthrough. On the flip side, if Ukraine keeps taking losses and more attrition, the offensive might culminate too soon, Lee said.

A soldier is seen controlling a drone for surveillance in the basesment at an undisclosed position in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. - Alex Chan Tsz Yuk/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/AP

General Oleksandr Tarnavsky, the head of the Ukrainian militarys southern command, told Ukrainian television Saturday morning his soldiers were systematically driving the enemy from their positions. However, Ukraine has so far not liberated a significant number of southern towns and villages from Russian control.

Russian sources have reported both progress and setbacks for the Kremlin. A prominent Russian military blogger reported that Ukrainian forces are pressuring Russian positions near one village, while Russian official said on the messaging app Telegram Saturday morning that he was told that two Ukrainian reconnaissance probes were defeated.

One part of Ukraines current campaign that does seem to be achieving tangible results is strikes on targets behind front lines. These are aimed at disrupting and degrading Russian supply lines as well as targeting Russian command bases and soldiers barracks.

In his comments Saturday morning, southern command head Tarnavsky told Ukrainian TV viewers that nine Russian ammunition depots had been destroyed in the last day. He did not say where the depots were located but it is likely they were some distance away from the front lines.

Earlier this week, a Russian general was killed when a Ukrainian missile hit the base of Russias 58th Combined Arms Army in the occupied port city of Berdiansk.

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At the NATO summit in Vilnius, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was offered not a new, but the most secure car of the Lithuanian state guard.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Delfi

PHOTO: ELTA / DAINIUS LABUTIS

Details: Many guests of the summit travelled in new luxury cars, and Zelenskyy was provided with an outwardly simple Mercedes Benz from the Lithuanian State Security Service (VAT), which is 15 years old now.

Paulus Nemira, the First Deputy Head of VAT, said that this is the most reliable and safest car they have in the fleet.

Quote: "It is in excellent condition and running order. The main thing is not the year of manufacture, but protection," he said.

According to Nemira, the car is armoured on all sides and has bulletproof glass. All the details of the protection are not disclosed for security reasons.

"Such cars protect people inside not only from bullets, but also from explosions. There are additional systems that supply oxygen and help prevent suffocation from smoke, and other solutions that save lives in case of danger," he said.

Nemira added that such cars are typically used during official bilateral visits.

Lithuania could not provide cars with the appropriate level of protection to all leaders, so the security services of many countries brought their own vehicles. Thus, the US president brought his armoured Cadillac. The UK, German, French, and Turkish delegations also brought their cars.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Lithuanian president Gitanas Nauseda said he feared that the decisions made at the NATO summit would deteriorate due to an angry tweet by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which was posted on his way to Vilnius.

Source: Nauseda in an interview with LRT, reported by European Pravda

Quote from Nauseda: "The tension was high, and there was a point where I was afraid NATOs position could suddenly change for the worse, leaving out issues that are extremely important for us and Ukraine."

Details: He added that he understood Zelenskyy's feelings, but at the same time was aware that "we have already reached the maximum of what is possible, and any attempt to go further would destroy the Vilnius summit itself".

"I say this with complete sincerity. It could have happened, but it didnt, and that is why we are speaking in a completely different manner today. President Zelenskyy, as you saw, spoke in a completely different tone the following day. And I certainly welcome the decisions that were made in Vilnius," Nauseda said.

Background:

On his way to Vilnius for the NATO summit, Zelenskyy tweeted that there was currently no readiness among the allies to invite Ukraine to NATO or make it a member.

According to media reports, this was an attempt by the Ukrainian delegation to influence the course of discussions within NATO, but it backfired. The US was particularly irritated, as it had not been warned about the social media post, forcing the British delegation and part of the German delegation to intervene.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The EU's research and innovation programme is worth 95bn

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said the government must not delay in reaching a deal to re-join the EU's research and innovation programme.

Horizon Europe was set up to help sponsor projects across Europe.

Several leading scientists have said that being outside of the 95bn scheme was highly damaging to UK science and innovation.

The government said constructive talks were ongoing and no deal has been agreed on.

The UK left the scheme in January 2020 following the Brexit referendum and talks on re-joining it began in March.

A previous assumption was that if differences over the Northern Ireland Protocol could be resolved, the UK would fully re-join the Horizon programme under terms similar to those it had before.

But BBC News understands that Mr Sunak is interested in an alternative research programme put together by ministers, known as "Pioneer".

This would be a UK-led programme involving collaboration with non-EU as well as European nations.

It was developed in case a research agreement could not be reached with the EU.

Sources say that while some aspects of the Horizon programme are appealing to the prime minister, such as grants to individual scientists, he believes that larger institutional grants favour France and Germany and may not represent good value for money.

'Lost out on benefits'

However, Mr Khan said it was "crucial" for London as a "home to some of the world's leading scientific institutions" that there was no delay in re-joining the programme.

"Our withdrawal is yet another example of London being damaged by our departure from the EU, and means we have lost out on huge benefits to the capital including access to funding and collaborations on projects," he said.

"The government must not delay its decision to re-join the scheme if we are to restore our role as a leader in European science."

Martin Rees, a prominent scientific figure and former president of the Royal Society in London, told the BBC: "We cannot waste any more time - New Zealand are now on board and we should be too.

"Sunak may think he's securing greater value via protracted negotiations, but prolonging the delay leads to further missed opportunities and will make it harder for UK science to restore its standing and its collaborations."

Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk
Evergy customers suffering from electric outages after severe weather stormed through the Kansas City area were told to expect power restored by early next week at latest.

Chief Customer Officer Chuck Caisley said the restoration effort will continue throughout the weekend in a video posted over the utility companys social media late Saturday morning.

This is the largest storm weve had, the largest number of outages weve had since we became a company, he said in front of an Evergy truck repairing power lines.

Its going to be a long road at this point.

Evergy, the areas largest provider, was dealing with outages across Kansas and Missouri on Friday evening and into Saturday afternoon. At the storms peak, about 186,000 customers were left without power. The five-year-old company has since worked to restore more than half of customer-reported outages, with the number of people affected falling from 100,000 Saturday morning to less than 65,000 as of the afternoon.

A tree rests on the roof of a house Saturday, July 14, 2023, in Prairie Village where it landed after being blown over by a strong storm on Friday. Damage from Friday nights storm caused mass power outages throughout the Kansas City Metro area.

Most outages continued to impact Johnson County residents in Kansas and Jackson County residents in Missouri, according to data tracked by Evergys outage map.

About 27,000 people in Johnson County and 19,000 people in Jackson County remained without power Saturday afternoon, said the companys website.

This is a big restoration, Caisley said.

He explained Fridays storm traveled from Salina, Kansas, through the Kansas City metro and continued heading east, producing, at one point, between 80 and 100 mile per hour wind gusts.

Clean up crews with Midwest Tree remove a fallen silver maple tree from a yard on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Overland Park. As of 1:30 p.m., just under 65,000 residents in the Kansas City area were without power.

No reports of tornadoes in rural areas have been confirmed, he said.

Hundreds of poles had fallen down and trees were left strewn across streets, he said, causing the outages. Many intersections were without working streetlights. Caisley urged drivers to treat any unlit cross street as a four-way stop out of caution.

About 240,000 customers were impacted in total, he said.

As of Saturday, 2,000 employees were working to restore power to customers and 1,000 more were expected to start working through the evening.

Evergy workers continued to restore power to residents in the Hyde Park neighborhood on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Kansas City. More than 92,000 residents were without power on Saturday morning.

Restoring power

Caisley acknowledged Saturday that many Kansas Citians may struggle as temperatures climb into the mid-80s and power outages continue to plague the metro area.

We know its warming up and going to create difficult conditions for some folks, he said.

Caisley advised people to be patient and keep their refrigerators and freezers closed to better preserve food as crews continue to work on fallen power lines.

Their priority per company policy, he said, has been to restore power to hospitals and water treatment plants first, with smaller outages being repaired as workers become available.

Wolf Creek station, the site of a nuclear power plant in Burlington, Kansas, has also suffered outages to its 340 kilowatt transmission line. Four or five spans of transmission were taken out during the storm, Caisley said, forcing them to power down the facility to 60% of its normal energy capacity.

It is stable, he said. We expect to have that back up later this afternoon.

As of Saturday afternoon, Caisley said there are no concerns about having enough electricity for their customers.

He asked customers experiencing outages to leave a report on the companys website.
Malden police are seeking the publics help in locating a missing teen.

NayLeiah Spencer Cradock, 14, was last seen leaving her Malden home at 12:29 p.m. on July 13, according to Malden police.

Cradock was last known to be wearing a white t-shire, light blue shorts, a blue backpack, and had her hair in a bun.

Cradock is described as a black female with brown hair and eyes. She is 50 and weighs 100 lbs.

Cradock has ties to Boston, police say.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 781-322-1212.

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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Man killed in motorcycle crash in Iredell County, troopers say

A man has died following a motorcycle crash in Iredell County, according to North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

The incident occurred on Friday at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Troopers said A 2004 Honda motorcycle was traveling east on Amity Hill Road near Tucker Road when it drove off the right side of the road and struck a tree.

ALSO READ: 2 killed in motorcycle crash after truck doesnt stop at stop sign, troopers say

The driver, 52-year-old Tony Jason Hedrick, was ejected from the motorcycle. He was transported to Lake Norman Regional Medical Center where he later died, according to troopers.

Troopers said an initial investigation indicates impairment may have been a contributing factor in the collision.

VIDEO: 2 killed in motorcycle crash after truck doesnt stop at stop sign, troopers say




Fire Guy

Jonathan Vero, a 39-year-old firefighter and fire stunt artist based in Lille, France, has two Guinness World Records: the fastest 100-meter sprint while on fire, and the longest run while on fire.

Why? Maybe the real question is: why not!

"I'm not scared about fire," Vero told The Washington Post. "I love fire. It's a passion for me."

Per WaPo, the fire fanatic ran the flame-engulfed 100-meter sprint in 17 seconds and ran 272.25 meters in total, beating both previous respective records of 24.58 seconds and 204.23 meters.

Vero technically beat the records back in September 2022, but Guinness just sent the firefighter his official certificates last week. And according to the part-time fire-eater, he might have a few more fiery world records in the tank.

"There [are] a lot of records that I think I can break," the stuntman told WaPo.

Layered Up

To guard himself from the flames during the dangerous sprint, Vero, per WaPo, donned three layers of protection. His first consisted of "flame-resistant" sweatpants and a long-sleeved tee, both covered in a special "naked burn" gel. Over that, he layered a jumpsuit  also smeared in the flame-managing gel  and put a mask over his face.

Finally, he put on his fire suit, including his gloves and boots. That's pretty clunky stuff  and honestly, it makes the speed and distance that he ran all the more impressive.

Patch Work

Thankfully, Vero's colleagues and fellow fire professionals joined him at the track, so safety  for Vero as well as onlookers and the surrounding area  seemed to be top of mind. But even with all of those layers, Vero still got hurt, telling WaPo that he burnt his back and hamstrings. But, he says, he threw on some lotion, and he was better in just a few days.

And besides, Vero says pain is just part of the deal.

"When you want to break this kind of record," Vero told WaPo, "you have to accept the dangers."

In any case, congrats to Vero. The guy loves fire, and it's a very cool thing to have one, let alone two, Guinness records. We all have our hobbies  and some folks', apparently, involve setting themselves on fire and running as fast as possible around a local track.

More on record-breaking: Elon Musk Sets Guinness World Record for Losing the Most Money
Manhunt underway for suspect in Henry County, GA mass shooting that killed four people

Authorities are seeking the arrest of a man suspected of killing three men and a woman in Hampton, Georgia.

Hampton Police Chief James Turner said during a news conference that authorities are seeking to arrest Andre Longmore, who is from Hampton, a city of about 8,500 people about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Atlanta.

Authorities declined to release the names of the victims, saying they were trying to notify their families.

Sheriff Reginald Scandrett says sheriffs office is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to Longmores arrest and prosecution.

He also addressed the suspect directly: Wherever you are, we will hunt you down in whatever hole you may be hiding in and bring you into custody. Period.

ORIGINAL  A county government official in Georgia says at least four people have been killed in a mass shooting in a small community south of Atlanta.

A statement from Henry County officials said police were still investigating an active shooter incident that occurred late Saturday morning at a subdivision in Hampton, a city of about 8,500 people about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Atlanta.

I can confirm that four people are deceased, county government spokeswoman Melissa Robinson told The Associated Press by phone. As of right now, the suspect is still at large.

Police in Hampton, Georgia, planned to release more details at a Saturday afternoon news conference.

Several local law enforcement agencies were assisting, as was the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said she had no information other than that GBI agents had been asked to help.
The Mediterranean 'island of cats' is facing disaster as 300,000 felines are estimated to have died from a cat coronavirus, say animal advocates

Cats sleep in Tala Cat Park, north of Paphos, Cyprus. Sally Hayden/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

An outbreak of feline coronavirus is killing off cats on a Mediterranean island known for its strays.

Some 300,000 are estimated to have died since January.

A feline medicine specialist said that its scale "has never been seen in living or reported history."

A feline coronavirus is wreaking havoc on cat populations in Cyprus as hundreds of thousands have died since January in what could be the largest-ever outbreak.

Stray cats are an iconic feature of many parts of Southern Europe and the Middle East. They lounge on walls, soak up the sun in the street, and sit on outdoor tables. In Cyprus, it is estimated that there are as many cats as there are humans, and it is sometimes called the 'island of cats.' It is said that felines were brought to the island to hunt venomous snakes.

But 300,000 have died after a coronavirus outbreak that causes feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), per media reports quoting Dinos Ayiomamitis of animal rights groups Cat Paws Cyprus and Cyprus Voice for Animals.

FIP symptoms include fever, abdominal swelling, and going off food. It is almost always fatal without treatment, according to Cornell University.

It can't be spread to humans.

A domestic cat in quarantine at a veterinary clinic in Nicosia on June 20, 2023. A new strain of feline coronavirus, Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) -- which is not transmittable to humans -- is wreaking havoc on the cat population of Cyprus, known by some as the "island of cats." Photo by CHRISTINA ASSI/AFP via Getty Images

Just 107 cases have officially been recorded, but Ayiomamitis argued the real number is much higher. His calculation is based on an estimated 20% to 30% mortality rate among Cyprus' one million cats, many of them strays, according to Channel 4 FactCheck.

The outbreak "started in the capital city of Nicosia in January and spread throughout the whole island within three to four months," Demetris Epaminondas, vice-president of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association, told the Daily Mail.

Veterinarian Kostis Larkou tends to a cat suffering from Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), at clinic in Nicosia on June 20, 2023. Photo by CHRISTINA ASSI/AFP via Getty Images

Its scale "has never been seen in living or reported history," Danielle Gunn-Moore, a feline medicine specialist at the University of Edinburgh, told the Telegraph. She said that there had been a rise in reports of dead cats in the streets

Gunn-Moore added that it could mean a stronger strain of FIP is circulating and pointed to anecdotal evidence of outbreaks in Lebanon, Turkey, and "potentially" Israel.

Domesticated cats are being held at clinics to avoid infection, the Daily Mail reported.

Cyprus' relationship with cats goes back to the early days of human history. Bones of domesticated cats have been found near human graves that date back 7,000 to 7,500 BC.

A monastery on Cyprus is dedicated to 'St. Nicholas of the Cats' was once said to have two bells; one to people call to prayer and a second to call the cats, per Reuters.

Editor's note, July 17, 2023: The headline and first paragraph of this story have been updated to specify the outbreak has been caused by a feline-specific coronavirus and not the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Meet a first-generation Gen-Zer with $60,000 in student debt who says it's 'hard to be excited' about Biden's new plans for relief: 'There's just no clear messaging'

Student debt relief activists participate in a rally at the U.S. Supreme Court on June 30, 2023 in Washington, DC. In a 6-3 decision the Supreme Court stuck down the Biden administration's student debt forgiveness program in Biden v. Nebraska. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Olivia Bissanti, 23, has $60,000 in federal and private student debt.

After the Supreme Court struck down Biden's relief, she's worried about repayment going forward.

She said she doesn't think Biden's new plan for relief is enough to help borrowers.

Olivia Bissanti, 23, hasn't started paying off her federal student-loan balance yet because of the pandemic-cra payment pause  but she's kept making payments on her private loans since shortly after graduating.

And she's worried about what borrowers are in for in just a few months.

As a first-generation college student, Bissanti was the first in her family to achieve a higher education and navigate the financial system that comes along with it. To pay for her undergraduate degree, Bissanti said she "took out pretty much the entirety of my education cost through loans, public and private"  and she now holds about $22,760 in federal student loans and $37,000 in private student loans, according to documents reviewed by Insider.

Six months after graduating from college in 2021, Bissanti started making payments on her private student loans.

"I treat it like a utility," Bissanti told Insider. "I've been working since the week I graduated college. I was doing social work for a little while for a nonprofit and I was being paid $17 an hour, which is typical for nonprofits, but I think it's important to mention because I was required to have a degree for that position. But that was the starting rate."

Olivia Bissanti (right), 23, has $60,000 in private and federal student debt. Olivia Bissanti

She now works as a grant writer with a slightly higher salary, but she said "it's tough with expenses plus rent." And that could get even more difficult once federal student-loan payments resume in October.

At the end of June, the Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for federal borrowers. The court's majority said the president overreached his authority using the HEROES Act of 2003, which allows the Education Secretary to waive or modify student-loan balances in connection with a national emergency.

Even without the broad relief, the Education Department is still preparing to resume federal student-loan payments in October after an over three-year pause, with interest beginning to accrue again on borrowers' balances in September. The department announced a 12-month "on-ramp" period after payments resume to ensure borrowers who miss payments are not reported to credit agencies, but interest will still accrue during that time. And on Friday, it said it will be canceling $39 billion in student debt for over 800,000 borrowers in the coming days who have made qualifying payments toward income-driven repayment plans.

But the lack of clarity surrounding what relief will come next for borrowers  and how long they'll have to make payments without loan forgiveness  is frustrating Bissanti. Biden announced plans to use the Higher Education Act of 1965 to get relief to borrowers, which does not require a national emergency to provide relief, but his administration says the timeline is uncertain and could take months.

"I had some apprehension about Biden's first plan for relief," she said. "And sure enough, that's exactly what happened. It did go all the way to the Supreme Court and was deemed ineligible. So it's been a roller coaster, and it's really frustrating. It's hard to be excited anymore."

'No clarity on what repayment is going to look like'

Along with the "on-ramp" period, the Education Department also announced at the end of June that it finalized its new income-driven repayment plan  known as the SAVE plan  which would cut undergraduate borrowers' monthly payments in half. Bissanti said she anticipates she will enroll in that plan, but she "has no idea what my monthly payment will be."

"I would say I'm nervous," Bissanti said. "There's just no clear messaging, and there's no clarity on what repayment is going to look like. So it's something I try and push to the back of my mind because if I focus on it, it just freaks me out."

And beyond repayment, the lack of clarity surrounding when  and which  borrowers will get relief through the Higher Education Act adds onto Bissanti's concerns. Bharat Ramamurti, the deputy director of the National Economic Council, said during a press briefing following the Supreme Court decision that "one of the things about the rulemaking process is that we can't actually prejudge its outcome. Part of how we do this process is that we initiate it, we put a proposal on the table, we work with stakeholders to get their input. That ends up shaping the scope of the proposal."

While Biden's administration has acknowledged the process to implement the new plan under the Higher Education Act will take time, and it could be months until borrowers know if they qualify, Bissanti said that's not a good enough answer for her.

"Saying 'we need time' might be enough for Biden and his wishes to get reelected and keeping people's hopes alive, but for people like myself, I just don't even know what October looks like," Bissanti said.

Student-loan companies are expected to notify student-loan borrowers of what their payment will be at least 21 days before it is due, and in the meantime, borrowers can enroll in the SAVE plan. But prepping for repayment is just about all borrowers can do right now as they await updates from the Education Department on any additional measures for relief.

"I want to recognize that I feel very lucky to have a career right after school. But I worry for people like myself who might get laid off," Bissanti said. "The economy's in a downward spiral and people who have had a hard time finding a job, and six months after they graduated, they had to pony up like $800 a month to pay off a degree that promises to get you a really good paying job."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Former Vice President Mike Pence took to social media last week to blast Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar over her stance on Israel.

The GOP 2024 candidate accused her of antisemitism, posting a video with multiple clips of her and news shows and the message, "Stand with Israel" at the end.

"@IlhanMN has consistently shown over her years in Congress that she would rather support terrorists instead of Americas most cherished ally," Pence alleged.

"I welcome @Isaac_Herzog delivering remarks at a Joint Session of Congress because America will ALWAYS Stand with Israel!" he noted.

PENCE EXPLAINS WHY HE DIDN'T CONCEDE 2020 ELECTION BEFORE JAN. 6

Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks to the press after addressing Republicans during a campaign event at the Pottawattamie County GOP Executive Council Social Hour on July 6, 2023, in Neola, Iowa.

Earlier in the day, Pence said the Democrats could not be allowed to abandon Israel.

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"@IlhanMN, Israel is one of our greatest and most important allies. Your defense of terrorists and attacks on the Jewish state are sickening. There is no place for antisemitism in our society. I will never apologize for standing with Israel. Stand with me," he wrote.

Pence is also fundraising with this angle, claiming that antisemitism "has taken over the radical Left."

Omar's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Omar said on Twitter the day before Pence's tweets that there is "no way in hell" she would attend when Israeli President Isaac Herzog delivers an address to a joint session of Congress next week, saying his presence sends an "absolute wrong signal" amid tensions between Israel and the West Bank.

"There is no way in hell I am attending the joint session address from a President whose country has banned me and denied [U.S. Rep. from Michigan] Rashida Tlaib the ability to see her grandma," the congresswoman said in a series of tweets. She also said the U.S. government should not have invited him to speak in the first place.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog speaks at the opening ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day in Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial, in Jerusalem on April 17, 2023.

ILHAN OMAR SAYS 'NO WAY IN HELL' SHE'S ATTENDING ISRAELI PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS NEXT WEEK

"The United States can and should use its diplomatic tools to engage with the Israeli government, but giving the current government the honor of a joint televised address sends the absolute wrong signal at the wrong time," Omar continued.

Herzog, who was elected president in 2021, is scheduled to address Congress on July 19.

Omar added, "Israeli President Isaac Herzogs address comes on behalf of the most right-wing government in Israels history, at a time when the government is openly promising to crush Palestinian hopes of statehood  essentially putting a nail in the coffin of peace and a two-state solution."

She said the invitation also comes as Israels "cabinet members directly attack President Biden" and as the country conducts an overhaul of its judicial system.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., arrives at the U.S. Capitol for the last votes of the week on Thursday, June 15, 2023.

Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush will also reportedly not be in attendance, according to Jewish Insider.

Omar was removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee in February as her congressional colleagues pointed to controversial remarks she had made about Israel. The vote, 218 to 211, fell strictly along party lines, with one member voting "present."

The vote came after a heated debate, during which Democrats accused the GOP of going after her based on her race. Omar, who has apologized for 2019 remarks widely seen as antisemitic, defended herself on the House floor, asking anyone was surprised she was being targeted.

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said Omar has at times "made mistakes" and used antisemitic tropes that were condemned by House Democrats four years ago. But thats not what Thursdays vote was about, he said.

"Its about political revenge," he asserted.

Fox News' Lawrence Richard and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
More than 500,000 Texans have lost their Medicaid health insurance after more than three years of continuous coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from the states health and human services commission.

Those affected are mostly children, young adults and new moms who had a child in the last three years. The Texans who lost their health insurance had coverage until the end of May or June, depending on when their case was processed, a spokesperson for the commission said.

In March 2020, in the first few weeks of the coronavirus pandemic, the federal government instituted a new rule, requiring that anybody who received Medicaid health insurance had to continue receiving benefits throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. In exchange, states got more money from the federal government to run the program as enrollment grew.

That requirement ended March 31, meaning that states throughout the U.S. have begun reviewing Medicaid participants to see who is no longer eligible, either because they have turned 18, because their familys income increased, or because it has been more than two months since they gave birth to their baby.

In April, Texas started the years-long undertaking of reviewing the 5.9 million people who receive Medicaid benefits, and seeing how many of them would still qualify for the program.

So far, Texas has evaluated more than 600,000 people, according to the commissions data. Of those, about 112,000 people were found to still be eligible and were able to keep their Medicaid. Almost 96,000 people were no longer eligible for the program, and the renewal process has not yet been finished for another 173,000 Texans. The remainder  almost 405,000 Texans  lost coverage for procedural reasons, like failing to respond to the states package asking for their information, or failing to provide the requested information on time. Once someone gets a request for more information from the state, they have 30 days to send their information in.

Advocates have been warning about this possibility for years, noting that people could miss packets in the mail or phone calls or texts if theyve moved or changed their contact information.

In Tarrant County, there were almost 394,000 people receiving Medicaid health insurance benefits earlier this year. The vast majority of them  78%  were under 21, according to February enrollment data from the state. Researchers previously estimated that between 50,000 and 66,000 Tarrant County residents would no longer be eligible for Medicaid and would be removed from the program. The state has not released county-level data detailing where those who have lost Medicaid live.

In June, the Biden administration urged states to remove people more slowly from Medicaid, and to make greater outreach to people enrolled in the program.

Although Medicaid is commonly understood as a health insurance program for people with low incomes, the program looks different in every state. In Texas, few adults are eligible for the program. The Texas Medicaid program mostly insures children, pregnant people, and people with disabilities. Texas is one of just 10 states that has decided not to expand Medicaid so that more adults would be able to get health insurance.

Most adults without disabilities are not eligible for Medicaid in Texas, meaning that if they want health insurance they will have to purchase it through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace or find a job that offers health insurance as part of its benefits package.
Municipal workers give a lot to Kansas City. They deserve to be able to afford a home | Opinion

Could Kansas City help municipal employees purchase their first home? It should. For working-class individuals employed by the city, owning a home means another step toward achieving equity and a long-term commitment to living here, 5th District Councilwoman Ryana Parks-Shaw argues.

When a city invests in its people, we all win, Parks-Shaw contends. She isnt wrong.

On Wednesday, a resolution introduced by Parks-Shaw passed out of committee with a unanimous vote. The next day, the measure gained the full support of the City Council.

City Manager Brian Platt must identify a plan to assist city employees in the home-buying process, consider its impact on the citys budget, and identify potential funding sources, according to Parks-Shaw.

We found compelling reasons why Platt should act with urgency to develop a homeownership assistance program for city workers.

Under the citys own business plan, to measure its impact, potential legislation like this must meet certain objectives, including:

Increasing the affordable housing stock in the urban core.

Using an innovative approach to locate funding sources for affordable housing.

Eliminating regulatory barriers that prevent residents from securing a safe place to live.

Addressing the needs of the citys most vulnerable population.

Check, check, check and check. Working-class Americans face eviction and other housing crises on a daily basis, housing advocates say. Wage-earning Kansas City public employees arent exempt.

Other cities see the benefit in providing financial assistance to their employees and residents to cover the costs associated with buying a home.

Homeownership is a key to financial freedom. Fees associated with finalizing a home loan arent cheap, though. Upwards of tens of thousands of dollars could be hard to come by for some Kansas City municipal workers.

Where will Platt find the money to support a home buying program for city workers? He has 90 days to report back to the council about his intentions, according to the resolution.

Would a combination of general fund revenue and federal dollars suffice? Quite possibly. Funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Community Development Block Grant program, while always competitive to obtain, could be an option, too.

In Alexandria, Virginia, full-time city employees are offered a $10,000 interest-free, deferred payment loan to purchase a home in the city. First-time home-buyers in East Chicago, Indiana, can claim a zero-interest second mortgage of up to $25,000 to help with their down payment. More important, city employees are eligible for an additional $5,000 in assistance. Under terms of the program, the mortgage is forgiven in 10 years if the owner doesnt sell the home.

Earlier this year, the Dallas City Council committed more than $2 million to assist first-time home-buyers, encouraging those invested in the city to take advantage of the program. There, teachers and first responders are targeted with incentives to become homeowners. Long-term renters are also eligible to apply for assistance.

Why not use these types of perks to entice Kansas City police officers to live within city limits? Law enforcement officers in Kansas City are required only to live within 30 miles of the city. And they can reside in Kansas, too.

Kansas City firefighters must live here within nine months of being hired. Were sure EMTs and paramedics want the same leeway as police officers. Surely, that fight isnt over.

Providing low interest loans, forgivable loans or even grants to potential homeowners from the public safety sector would encourage our first responders to reside in the city, as they should.

And the same goes for every other civilian employed by the city. If they meet certain criteria  income guidelines, credit scores and other relevant metrics  why not help them navigate the rough and often costly process of purchasing their first home?
rocket launching into the darkness and spewing smoke below, highlighted in orange

It's time to add Metallica-inspired fuel to the next generation of moon missions.

A new video from NASA features Metallica's "Fuel" alongside epic footage of Artemis 1, the mission that debuted the agency's huge new moon rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS).

"Give me fuel! Give me fire!" the award-winning metal band sings on top of their characteristic guitar power chords. The YouTube video also shows Artemis 1's SLS flying high into the night sky, from different angles, over and over again.

Artemis 1 was a success, sending an uncrewed Orion capsule to lunar orbit and back. NASA is now gearing up for Artemis 2, which will send four people around the moon no earlier than November 2024. In April, NASA named the four astronauts who will be on board: the agency's Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch and the Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen.

Related: Four for the moon! NASA names Artemis 2 astronaut crew for 1st lunar mission since Apollo

rocket launching into the darkness and spewing smoke below, highlighted in orange

Metallica, a heavy metal pioneer founded in 1981, is one of Rolling Stone's top 100 artists of all time. And at least one of the band members is a fan of flying in space.

Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett told Sirius XM in 2017 that the band has "feelers" out for playing together in space, adding that he always wanted to play "on the space shuttle, maybe the moon."

"I think we've shown over the last few decades that that sense of spirit, that sense of adventure still burns in us," Hammett added, in a report about the interview by our sister publication Louder Sound. "We would love to, and would bend over backwards to, make anything out of the ordinary happen. So watch this space."

We have no updates on their flight plans since then, but the official account for Metallica proudly tweeted Thursday (July 13) that "fuel" is one of the things they now have in common with NASA's Artemis moon missions.

What do we have in common with @NASAs #Artemis missions to the Moon?Fuel & fire!Learn more about how NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket & Orion spacecraft will send 4 astronauts on a lunar flyby around the Moon for NASAs Artemis II mission at https://t.co/sjuj3Veyoj. pic.twitter.com/1nQPOf6qMcJuly 13, 2023

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After Artemis 2, NASA plans to put people on the lunar surface starting with Artemis 3. The south pole mission will land in a potentially water-rich zone of the moon no earlier than 2025 or 2026. That date in part depends on how fast SpaceX can get moving on its Starship system, which is tasked with landing the Artemis 3 astronauts on the moon.

Starship failed in its effort to reach space this past April on its first-ever fully stacked launch; SpaceX issued a self-destruct command a few minutes into flight after the vehicle experienced several anomalies.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing concerns about the environmental impact of Starship launches, after the debut mission sent dust and debris flying miles around the launch area. No official second launch date is yet available from SpaceX.

Related: SpaceX Starship problems likely to delay Artemis 3 moon mission to 2026, NASA says

RELATED STORIES:

 Watch NASA assemble the massive Artemis 2 rocket that will take humans back to the moon

 Artemis 2 crew begins 1st moon mission training in 50 years

 NASA's Artemis 2 mission: Everything you need to know

Unlike Apollo, Artemis will feature international astronauts as well as NASA flyers. Canada is not only going to fly on Artemis 2 but may also be on board Artemis 4 and 6. The European Space Agency has commitments for astronauts on board Artemis 3 and 4, and a third undesignated Artemis mission as well.

NASA has signed 27 nations to its Artemis Accords that aim not only to bring partners on for moon exploration, but to establish international norms for peaceful exploration. In exchange for flight opportunities, certain countries are committing hardware or other resources for Artemis and the planned Gateway space station that NASA hopes to have flying around the moon later in the 2020s.
An officer of the Ukrainian Border Guard stands at a checkpoint

The National Police of Ukraine has started submitting information to Interpol about Ukrainians who have fled to the European Union claiming to be refugees, but who are in fact suspected of collaborating with Russian invasion forces in Ukraine.

Serhiy Bolvinov, the head of the investigative department of the Main Directorate of the Ukrainian National Police in Kharkiv Oblast said not all collaborators are fleeing to Russia  some are hiding in Europe, claiming that they are Ukrainians affected by the war.

"That's why we decided to get them there as well, Bolvinov said in a post on Facebook on July 14.

We enter everyone who was involved in cooperation with the Russians during the occupation into a database, and submit applications (to extradite them) to Interpol. Were informing our foreign colleagues that these people are not victims of war or political refugees, as they try to appear to be there, but (that they are) suspected of committing criminal offences in Ukraine."

Read also: SBU uncovers 700 Ukrainian collaborators in eight months

Bolvinov said that legally these were the grounds to return the suspected collaborators to the territory of Ukraine and to try them according to Ukrainian legislation.

"Were helped in tracking (the suspected collaborators) down by real Ukrainian (patriots) who provide investigators and inspectors with information about the location of fugitive collaborators," he added.

Interpol has already been given information about 25 such fugitives, Bolvinov said. He appealed to the public to provide more information to the National Police about suspected collaborators who might be hiding abroad.

Write to us  give us the data about such people and the country in which they are hiding, and we will do our job, he said.

We won't give them peace even abroad. Evil will be punished.

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
Joe Biden; Volodomyr ZelenskySean Gallup/Getty Images

War footing. Those are the two words I heard from sources in Washington D.C. as President Joe Biden returned from Helsinki, Finland on Friday. Member states of NATO are described as being on a war footing following the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, this week. Although the news out of the NATO summit all week was dominated by a squabble with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over when his country will be invited to join Europe's military alliance, the news shifted dramatically on Thursday when the Pentagon announced that Biden had authorized a call-up of 3,000 reservists to active duty to support U.S. military operations in Europe. The reservists will be put on full active duty status with full pay and support from the active duty military. The Pentagon also announced that families and dependents will receive support if any of the 3,000 reservists end up being deployed overseas. So far, however, there are not yet plans to have the newly-activated reserves join the 20,000 American troops who were speedily deployed to European stations after Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022.

Speaking on the latest commitment from U.S. forces, Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, the director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, "This reaffirms the unwavering support and commitment to the defense of NATO's eastern flank in the wake of Russia's illegal and unprovoked war on Ukraine." Sims said the 3,000 reservists called to active duty will give "greater flexibility" to the Pentagon's European Command, even though it will not change the overall force structure of U.S. troops in Europe.

Also this week, Biden ordered Operation Atlantic Resolve, the formal designation for the U.S. strategy in Europe following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, to become a contingency operation. This change in designation will allow the Pentagon to activate reserve forces without a new order from the White House. It will also "speed up acquisition authorities to supply those troops with equipment," according to a report in Politico on ThursdayThe U.S. now has a total of 100,000 troops on duty at a spectrum of stations across Europe, including Navy, Air Force, and Army bases in places like Germany, Lithuania, Italy, Great Britain, and Poland. Many U.S. forces have been involved over the past six months in training Ukrainian battalions headed for the front lines. 10,000 American troops are currently stationed on a rotating basis in Poland to provide logistic support and training for the Ukrainian military.

Related

Ukraine's counteroffensive begins in earnest

The Pentagon announcement of the 3,000 troop reserve call-up follows a pledge by NATO allies to have a total of 300,000 soldiers ready for rapid deployment within 30 days. This, rather than the squabble over the timing of Ukrainian NATO membership should have been the headline out of the summit in Lithuania. This is the first time in decades that the 31 nations belonging to NATO have made a similar commitment involving force readiness across the entire membership. The commitment by all member states of NATO to a Europe-wide ready reaction force is what accounts for the use of the term war footing to describe what is going on not only in Europe but here at home.

The United States has not formally raised its DEFCON level since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It may be that the Pentagon simply doesn't want to show its hand to Russia when it comes to the readiness of our forces, but the deployment of 20,000 additional troops to Europe last year and the activation of 3,000 reservists this week certainly indicates a raised state of readiness by U.S. forces. By all appearances, U.S. forces appear to be at the DEFCON 3 level at present. DEFCON 5 is the lowest state of readiness, with all forces at home and abroad deployed at normal stations with no increase in alert status. DEFCON 2 increases force readiness above normal. DEFCON 3 indicates an increase in readiness above normal with a concomitant increase in intelligence gathering, including a requirement that the Air Force be ready to mobilize in 15 minutes. The increased readiness for the Air Force probably indicates not only being ready for deployment in combat overseas, but readiness on the ground in the U.S. to transport troops and equipment rapidly overseas if an additional deployment of U.S. troops becomes necessary.

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With or without a change in DEFCON status, what happened at the White House and Pentagon on Thursday, and what happened at the NATO summit earlier in the week with a 31-nation promise to achieve ready reaction military status within 30 days, is, to be blunt, big stuff. Ukraine was never going to be invited into NATO while a war is going on with Russia or anybody else. Article Five of NATO's founding treaty obligates every nation in the NATO alliance to come to the military aid of any NATO nation that is attacked by a country outside of the alliance. Russia has already attacked Ukraine, mooting any sort of invitation to join the NATO alliance while that war is going on.

A push by the U.S. for Ukraine to join NATO has happened before. In 2008, before the NATO summit in Bucharest, then President George W. Bush visited Kyiv with a proposal for Ukraine to join NATO that he was willing to put before the NATO nations at the upcoming summit. For one reason or another, most probably not wanting to "poke the bear" as the saying goes about provoking the Kremlin, Ukraine did not go along with the U.S.-proposed NATO membership, a decision 15 years later is no doubt regretted in Kyiv, although there have been at least two changes in the government of Ukraine since then. Whether Ukrainian membership in NATO would have prevented Russia from seizing parts of Eastern Ukraine and Crimea in 2014 is impossible to know. But there seems little doubt at this point that Russia would have been far more wary of a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine in 2022 if the country was backed up by 31 NATO states and a treaty committing them to come to the aid of Ukraine militarily if that country was attacked.

Related

Joe Biden says the right things  in Lithuania. But does that even count?

The one thing the D.C. pundits did get right about the NATO summit this week is the complete unity of the alliance. It isn't unprecedented, but it is at least very unusual for 31 sovereign nations to come to an agreement over a three-day period about anything as extraordinary as the commitment to make their military forces ready to deploy on a moment's notice within 30 days of the summit. Not only will this commitment cost NATO states a lot of money, it will probably necessitate at least some of them calling up their military reserves, much as President Biden did on Thursday. NATO states have already spent serious amounts of money sending arms and other military equipment to Ukraine, and the alliance doubled down on that commitment this week.

Also on Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives shot down two looney tunes proposed amendments to the Defense bill from arch-conservative Republicans: One was a proposal by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia that the U.S. pull out of NATO completely. The other was a proposal by another character from the Republican fringe, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, to cancel all military aid to Ukraine. Although on Friday the House passed the Defense bill loaded up with so-called poison pill amendments, such as canceling the policy of providing leave and travel expenses for military women seeking abortions if they are stationed in a state that has outlawed abortion, and canceling medical care associated with the gender status of transgender troops, America's commitment to both NATO and Ukraine survived for this Congress at least. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayip Erogan dropped his longstanding opposition to Sweden's NATO candidacy this week.

But who knows what lies in the future for our NATO commitments? Trump did what he could to defenestrate NATO while he was in office. (Remember the Helsinki summit and his prostrating before Russia's Vladimir Putin after a private no-notes-taken meeting between Defendant Trump and his erstwhile benefactor?) Former National Security Adviser John Bolton delivered another reminder of Trump's perfidy this week when he told an interviewer that Trump had wanted to pull out of NATO and said so out loud at a White House meeting while he was president. That sort of roll-over-and-play-deadism thrown about by Putin's best buddy is a far cry from the powerful statements backing NATO by President Biden after his own visit to Helsinki on Thursday, including the fact that he made his statements from the soil of one of NATO's newest members.

The problem with international summits like the one this week in Vilnius is that the real purpose of the meeting of national leaders can get lost in the political fallout that invariably accompanies such summits. NATO is a military alliance of Western nations pledged to defend each other against the kind of aggression Russia proved to the world it is still capable of in Ukraine. At the end of the summit, NATO proved more strongly than ever before that the alliance is strong, its member states are prepared for the worst, and their commitment to Ukraine is unbending.

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about NATO and Russia's aggression in Ukraine
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Getty

Following his regrettable star turn in the abysmal Dear Evan Hansen movieyes, I still want my $14 backBen Platt is back on the silver screen in the new comedy Theater Camp, which looks like the most stereotypical Ben Platt vehicle ever made.

I have yet to see the film, a mockumentary about a summer camp for musical theater students. But it already looks like an upgrade from his previous film role as a depressed, Benjamin Button-looking teen. Platt co-wrote the movie. Plus, it's co-directed by his friend and fellow nepo baby Molly Gordon, so I would assume hes in good hands. While the small indie, by all means, looks like a safe bet for the previously ridiculed actor, the press tour is already proving to be a bit overwhelming for him.

In a recent interview for Rolling Stone, the Broadway star was asked about Vultures viral Nepo Baby issue last year, which featured him on the cover. For those who arent familiar, Platts father, Marc Platt, is one of Hollywoods most in-demand producersjust look at his IMDB. Hes unfortunately partially responsible for Dear Evan Hansen, plus many of the live-action Disney remakes weve been punished with over the past decade, including this years The Little Mermaid. He also produced the infamous Best Picture loser La La Land.

Theater Camp Is a Comedy Gift From God (and Ben Platt) to Musical Geeks

While Platt has discussed his fathers job previouslyhe once casually dropped this info on an episode of Las Culturistas, for instancehes apparently done talking about him publicly. Or, at least, hes done talking about the fact that his dad is the reason he has a career.

In response to the reporter asking him what he thought about his inclusion in Vultures large profile of nepo babies, Platt curtly responded, Were going to skip right over that if we can. A publicist followed up with, If we can just focus on Theater Camp that would be great, thank you.

This non-response, like all nepo baby discussions, quickly made the rounds on social media. Everyone seemed to be in agreement that Platt went about answering this very simple questionone that you would hope a successful nepo baby wouldve given some prior thought toall wrong.

ben platt is a baby alright https://t.co/eXYERfFQxF pic.twitter.com/jJNvVGsk1k  Jill Krajewski (@JillKrajewski) July 14, 2023

Yes, my father was a producer of the movie I starred in. I had a major leg up when breaking into this business and Im forever grateful. Thats why Ive decided to fund a scholarship to help someone else. Like??? How easy was that??? https://t.co/gsmax4aPll  Paige Skinner (@paginaskinner) July 14, 2023

ben platt my dad is marc platt, the producer of wicked, doesnt want to talk about it? well well well https://t.co/nKN8yQ5mNm  Leah Marilla Thomas (@leahmarilla) July 14, 2023

Never ask a man his salary, Ben Platt who his father is, or me to read an article about Ben Platt  The Dixie Flatline (ROM construct) (@taxthemothmen) July 14, 2023

it's weird that ben platt is so sensitive about this because his dad produced some really great movies! why not just say "i am so lucky i got to be around people making stuff as cool as legally blonde growing up! it had a such a huge influence on me" https://t.co/kMy8IOzA8j  Erin Vanderhoof (@vanderhoofy) July 14, 2023

Platts quote, and other defensive, corny responses from people like Hailey Bieber and Jamie Lee Curtis, speak to a theory Ive had for a while now: I dont think celebrities actually know what nepo baby discourse on the internet entails. To be fair, its a pretty pointless, circular conversation most of the time. Its largely people sharing information they stumbled upon on Wikipedia with little commentary other than How did I not know this??

I would say that most of the nepo baby talk on Twitter, at least, is frivolous and uncriticalthat is, unless youre really bad at your job and have, therefore, wasted your privilege and the publics time. Also, if youre notably problematic, you can expect to get dragged. On the other hand, if you're a seemingly delightful, talented person, like Tracee Ellis Ross, for instance, no one really gives a shit about who your parents are

That said, I dont think anyone on the planet has ever argued that Ben Platt is untalented or undeserving of the spotlight. The comments that he was too old to play a high-schooler in Dear Evan Hanson were completely valid, and the fact that he was the only performer from the stage production who appeared in the film (again, co-produced by his dad) seemed a bit questionable. Aside from that, I think hes widely seen as an excusable nepo baby.

Nepo Babies of the Week: The Kardashians Are in Their Sad Girl Era

Clearly, Platt isnt aware of how hes perceived online, or maybe he doesnt think he should have to be relegated to speaking about his dad all the time. Either way, ignoring this question altogether is a pretty dumb tactic, in my opinionand not just because he gave Rolling Stone a clicky headline.

Theres a reason people arent asking celebrities like Rashida Jones or Laura Dern to constantly defend their privilege in the industry: Its because they eagerly acknowledge their famous parents all the time. Most of Allison Williams press tour for M3GAN was her discussing being Brian Williams daughtersomething the public has known for a literal decade. But she delivered a bunch of self-aware, eloquent answers to questions about her father and earned her some brownie points on social media.

I get that it may not be the most riveting topic for Hollywood nepo babies to talk about. It personally doesnt do much for me to hear celebrities acknowledge their privilege. I mostly ask that they be good at their jobs. But if someone get to avoid all the rejection and financial hardships of being an artist, the least they can do is answer a simple question about their dad.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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FREEHOLD - A Keansburg man has pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of two teens who were shot in a parked car in Neptune in 2022, said Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago on Friday.

Gabriel J. Brathwaite, 20, is expected to spend at least 45 years in state prison when he is scheduled to be sentenced before state Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux on Dec. 7, according to the Prosecutors Office.

A co-defendant in the case, Jeron D. Dearin, 24, of the Cliffwood section of Aberdeen, pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated assault in connection to the murders. The Prosecutors Office said it will recommend that Dearin be sentenced to 10 years behind bars for his role in the crimes.

The slayings of Samore Edwards, 18, a Plainfield woman, and Isaiah Williams, 19, of New Brunswick, took place shortly before 8:15 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2022.

The timeline of the murders: 'A brazen and brutal crime'

Police responded to the shooting in the 1300 block of Washington Street of Neptune when an electronic, neighborhood sensor network detected gunfire. Edwards and Williams were found inside a black Kia Forte with gunshot wounds to their heads; Edwards behind the wheel and Williams in the front passenger seat, all according to an affidavit of probable cause in the case.

Edwards died at the scene. Williams was rushed to nearby Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries, according to court records.

A witness would tell investigators that the victims had come to Neptune to obtain a gun, according to the affidavit.

More: Two Bayshore men charged in Neptune double murder

After leaving behind a trail of cell phone pings and messages, detection by an automated license plate reader and a single fingerprint, Brathwaite and Dearin were taken into custody a little more than two weeks after the murders.

The convictions announced Friday are the result of a plea agreement, which were negotiated in consultation with the families of the victims. Initially, both defendants were each charged with two counts of murder and single counts of conspiracy to commit murder, a weapons offense and hindering their apprehension.

Brathwaite has also pleaded guilty to the weapons offense, according to the Prosecutors Office.

Both Bayshore men have been in the Monmouth County Jail in Freehold Township since their arrests.

After they are sentenced, each defendant will be required to serve at least 85% of their prison term before being eligible for parole, the Prosecutors Office said.

Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Bogner, director of the Major Crimes Bureau, and Assistant Prosecutor Stephanie Dugan represented the state of New Jersey in the case. Braithwaites attorney is Joshua M. Hood, while Dearin is being represented by Carlos Diaz-Cobo. Both defense attorneys have offices in Freehold.

Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at elarsen@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: 2 Bayshore men plead guilty to roles in Neptune double murder case
Next time you go to Friday Harbor, stop to check out historic Port Townsend on the way

Its easy to look for the fastest, simplest route to your destination when road tripping. But in the scenic and historic hodgepodge that is Washington state, taking the road less traveled can lead you to places you never expected. Case in point is the historic Victorian seaside town of Port Townsend.

Next time you hit the road, especially if venturing on to the San Juan Islands in the Salish Sea or farther on the coast toward the Pacific Ocean, take a shot and stop at a new small town on the way. You never know what youll find.

Port Townsend basics

The only incorporated city in Jefferson County, Port Townsend is a unique destination with Victorian aesthetics and steeped in Native American culture and history. Its a place where you can spend time on the water, near the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Port Townsend Bay. Fair warning, it is usually fairly cold  the average high temperature at the peak of summer is only 71 degrees, and night time temperatures can dip into the 40s even during the summer.

It is on the northern edge of the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, a 363-mile roadway along the Pacific coast that takes drivers through some of Oregon and Portlands most scenic places.

Washingtons coast was once inhabited by vast stretches of Indigenous communities. When European settlers began to inhabit the area, the Jamestown SKlallam Tribe created The cicmhan Trail (Cheech-ma-han) to educate the settlers of the land and the people already there. The self-guided trail is still in place now, and different routes can be taken depending on the desired length.

The Point Hudson Marina in Port Townsend, Washington, on Monday, June 26, 2023.

Port Townsend things to do

Port Townsend, initially founded as Port Townshend in 1792 by British Captain George Vancouver, is one of just three Victorian-era seaports left in the United States. The port is on the northeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula and today is home to 10,388 residents.

Port Townsend hosts a Wooden Boat Festival in early September every year, with hundreds of wooden boats sandwiched into the marina.

You can also tour the Wilderbee Farm, a family farm with u-pick lavender, blueberries, pumpkins and cut flowers.

Tours of the Point Wilson lighthouse are offered on Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. between May and September. The Port Townsend Farmers Market is also held Saturdays, year round. Hours change in the winter, but it is currently open between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

There are several large parks in Port Townsend, including Fort Worden State Park. There are over 100 historic structures in the state park, full of bunkers as it was designed as a wartime military base to protect the Puget Sound. Construction began in 1898, and the first guns were manned in 1902, according to town history.

Or if you prefer a day at a Washington coast beach, hit Chetzemoka Park, a local favorite for water activities and casual recreation. Stroll through the trails or wander the park, you might even see some deer.

Food in Port Townsend

Need a bite or a drink before a ferry ride? Here are some food options in Port Townsend, from waterfront cafes to homemade ice creams and pies:

A pair of transient orcas speed through the Salish Sea south of the San Juan Islands as seen from the Puget Sound Express Red Head whale watching passenger ferry from Friday Harbor, Washington, on San Juan Island to Port Townsend on Monday, June 26, 2023.

From Port Townsend to Friday Harbor

The Puget Sound Express makes trips connecting the Olympic Peninsula to the San Juan Islands using Port Townsend and Friday Harbor, but be prepared for a long wait. Puget Sound ferries have struggled with delays in recent times, in part to high popularity and mechanical issues. Leave your car in Port Townsend and take the ferry, Friday Harbor is a walking town with other transportation and tourism options for rent.

The ferry service runs from April 28 through September 24. It leaves Port Townsend at 9 a.m. and leaves Friday Harbor in the afternoon, with times varying. One-way fares cost $35 for children between 2 and 10, infants are free and adults for $55.50. Youre guaranteed to see at least one whale, or your next trip is free. Reservations must be made in advance.

Getting here is half the fun, said Deborah Hoskinson, Executive Director of the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau.

While ferries are the most common way in, you can also take a seaplane and other unorthodox methods of transportation.

Families look for wildlife while riding the Red Head whale watching passenger ferry from Port Townsend to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island on Monday, June 26, 2023.

Friday Harbor things to do

Youll get off the ferry in Friday Harbor, within walking distance of everything in the town. Its easy to get around, but there are also shuttle buses and trolleys for tourists and bikes and mopeds for rent. Visitors can also book ferry tickets from Port Townsend to visit the San Juan Islands, an archipelago of beautiful nature-filled islands situated just north of the port.

Visitors explore Friday Harbor, Washington, on San Juan Island on Monday, June 26, 2023.

You can head down to the water and soak in the views. Kayaks and paddleboards are also available for rent, or you can go fishing, boating, even whale watching. All are popular options in Friday Harbor.

If you plan ahead, you can spend a lovely day (or several) at Friday Harbor.

Outside of water activities, you can also visit numerous attractions in Friday Harbor. Its home to several museums, including the Whale Museum and the San Juan Historical Society and Museum, and an aquarium. Or if art is more your thing, stop by the San Juan Islands Museum of Art and the Arctic Raven Gallery, a fine art gallery focused on Northwest Native American culture.

Visitors explore Friday Harbor, Washington, on San Juan Island on Monday, June 26, 2023.

Island living things to know

The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau describes Friday Harbor as a charming, historic, walkable seaport just steps from the ferry landing, with small, friendly shops and restaurants, and a refreshing absence of fast-food chains.

While its busiest in the summer, Hoskinson says fall visits are recommended as well, with numerous events and gorgeous weather during autumn. Savor the San Juans is a food event held during the fall, showcasing local food and drink with farm-to-table eating options, beer festivals and farm tours.

Its beautiful here year-round for different reasons, Hoskinson said.

But with that friendly, small town energy comes island culture, the basic manners one should follow when visiting the island. It is extremely important to respect island culture while visiting.

A big part of this is conserving water. Being surrounded by water does not equate to a large water supply. Clean water is in short supply, so be mindful of your water intake and try to shorten your showers while on the island.

The San Juan Islands uphold the Leave No Trace policy and ask that visitors do the same.

Friday Harbor food & drink

Check out some of the many small businesses operating in Friday Harbor. Eating on the island offers a break from traditional road trip junk food, with options for every palate.

 Food

 Drink

Driving directions to Port Townsend

From Olympia to Port Townsend

Drive on U.S. Route 101 northbound from Olympia and drive approximately 85 miles to Discovery Bay

Turn onto State Route 20 and continue northward toward Port Townsend.

From Tri-Cities to Port Townsend

Join Interstate 82 westbound to Ellensburg, and continue westward on Interstate 90.

Take Interstate 90 to Snoqualmie Way and turn left onto State Route 18.

Follow State Route 18 until it joins I-5 in Federal Way.

Continue on I-5 until Tacoma, then exit onto U.S Route 16. Exit at Gorst onto U.S. Route 3.

Continue on U.S. Route 3 until you reach the Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitors Center. Turn onto U.S. Route 19 and continue north toward Port Townsend, joining onto U.S. Route 20 shortly before arriving.

From Tacoma to Port Townsend

Join U.S. Route 16 in University Place and continue northbound.

Exit at Gorst onto U.S. Route 3.

Continue on U.S. Route 3 until you reach the Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitors Center. Turn onto U.S. Route 19 and continue north toward Port Townsend, joining onto U.S. Route 20 shortly before arriving.

From Bellingham to Port Townsend
NH community colleges launch 'last dollar' funding to help students in need

Pell Grant-eligible students attending New Hampshires community colleges can now access so-called last dollar financial support to cover any remaining tuition expenses after other aid has been exhausted.

Administrators say the new Promise Program will help to close the financial gap for those seeking to advance their education and join the workforce.

The program is open to students at all seven of the state's community colleges who qualify for Pell Grants, a federal program geared toward students who display exceptional financial need, and who have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Participants must also be enrolled in at least six credits per semester. Starting now, they can receive funds to cover any remaining tuition costs not already covered through other scholarships and grants.

CCSNH Chancellor Mark Rubinstein announcing the Promise Program, aimed at covering 'last dollar' tuition costs for eligible students.

The community college system says students wont need to submit any additional applications for the program, as long as theyve completed the FAFSA application. Financial aid offices at each campus are ready to assist students seeking funds, they said.

The $3 million program was funded through the new state budget, and education officials expect it will benefit 1,000 to 1,500 students.

The government funding will expire in two years, if not renewed by lawmakers. But Mark Rubinstein, chancellor of the community college system, said schools are likely to exhaust the money more quickly. At a press conference announcing the new program at Manchester Community College, he expressed optimism that it would bolster enrollment rates and prove its value.

The investment that they are making is in the potential, in the promise of New Hampshire students, Rubinstein said. In the possibility that those students today will be in some cases, and in some cases already are, the workforce for New Hampshire tomorrow.

Rubinstein said the program is based on successful models in other states, including Maine and Vermont. He said it could boost the local economy, noting that the community college system helps launch careers in sectors where recruitment has been a challenge  including health care, criminal justice and the trades.

Anthony Poore, president of the New Hampshire Center for Justice and Equity, said the new program is also a way to ensure that people of color and low-income students have access to higher education and job training programs.

If we are going to ensure access to equitable educational opportunities at the K-12 level or through our local colleges and universities, we will continue to work with you all as we remove both economical and structural barriers, seen and unseen, Poore said.

Earlier this summer, the community college system announced that it was again freezing tuition for the upcoming school year for its approximately 20,000 students.

These articles are being shared by partners in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information visit collaborativenh.org.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH community colleges launch 'last dollar' funding: How it works
Abandoned or derelict gear can cause harm by not only killing local fish and other wildlife, but also by damaging the underwater plants and structures they call home.

New Hampshires marine wildlife may soon be rescued from ghost gear haunting coastal waters, thanks to a bill passed by the state Legislature last month. But it wont be by individuals working on their own to find and remove abandoned gear this summer, as some House members had hoped.

The version of House Bill 442 that passed last month directs Fish and Game to report to lawmakers by September with a strategic cleanup plan for derelict fishing gear, traps, and nets that have been abandoned by their owners but continue to ensnare fish, lobsters, and other marine organisms, leading to their death.

According to nonprofit Ocean Conservancy, a single abandoned net kills an average of 1,700 fish and four seabirds. Abandoned or derelict gear can cause harm by not only killing local fish and other wildlife, but also by damaging the underwater plants and structures they call home, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says.

Some House members hoped to allow individual divers to remove gear on their own, in addition to a larger effort by the state. Instead, a Senate amendment requires Fish and Game to coordinate with volunteers who are interested in removing those hazards.

The bill was passed last month during the final House and Senate legislative sessions.

There are several ways fishing gear can become derelict. This includes entanglement with boats or other gear, and failure by fishermen to remove broken or deteriorated gear thats no longer useful or wanted.

Northfield Republican Rep. Gregory Hill, the bills primary sponsor, emphasized that wildlife is actively being harmed by a lack of state action on ghost fishing.

The concern of the diving community  is that there are animals dying continuously from that derelict fishing gear, he said during negotiations with the Senate over its proposed changes to the legislation.

The bill was originally intended to license scuba divers to catch lobster, which is currently illegal. A Senate amendment instead transformed it into legislation that addresses derelict fishing gear.

House committee members conceded to the Senates changes, creating a plan that requires Fish and Game to coordinate volunteer events at least three times each of the next two years to locate, remove, and dispose of abandoned gear. They also agreed to scrap the sections allowing individual divers to move or dispose of derelict gear, in order to ensure that the bill would not be killed in the Senate.

Some House members, such as Deerfield Republican Rep. James Spillane, felt that individual divers should be allowed to mark derelict gear and free trapped wildlife as soon as possible.

Sadly we arent going to be able to save the animals trapped in the summer this year, Spillane said during negotiations with the Senate.

Senate negotiators argued they need more information before passing a bill that enables divers to touch traps on their own, which is currently illegal. State law prohibits anyone other than the gear owner or a conservation officer from interfering with traps.

Capt. Michael Eastman of New Hampshire Fish and Game suggested that divers can still report ghost fishing gear, which a conservation officer can then remove.

The House and Senate did come to a compromise that creates greater accountability to lawmakers for Fish and Game. The final version of the bill requires the department to submit its plan for the new cleanup program to the Legislature by Sept. 30.

The bill, now headed to Gov. Chris Sununus desk, appropriates $100,000 for the cleanup efforts.

This story was originally published by New Hampshire Bulletin

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH lawmakers pass bill on 'ghost' abandoned fishing gear
Modesto celebrated Saturday morning as city staff, in collaboration with the Modesto Police Department and the Modesto Cruiser Council, removed the no cruising signs from downtown.

The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to repeal the 1990 cruising ban, ending it effective immediately.

Todays a huge day for Modesto, Modesto Vice Mayor Chris Ricci said at the sign removal ceremony. We are building a better future for our city by embracing our traditions, our culture and our diversity.

The process to formally repeal the ban took around a year, Assistant Police Chief Ivan Valencia said. The removed signs may be donated to nonprofits or auctioned, but the department is still waiting for direction on what to do with them.

The ban came about after police reported shootings, assaults, substance abuse and other crimes, according to previous Bee reporting. They said as many as 5,000 cars clogged McHenry on some nights, many of them from other cities.

We dont want what happened in the late 80s, late 90s, Valencia said. I think we have the organization and the camaraderie and the community to make this a safe, enjoyable event for our families for now and for the future.

Modesto city staff, in collaboration with the Modesto Police Department and the Modesto Cruiser Council, removed the last no cruising sign in downtown Modesto, Calif., Saturday, July 15, 2023. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to repeal the 1990 cruising ban, ending it effective immediately.

Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen remembered a time during her junior year in high school when she went cruising. She and her friends had not been invited to the prom, she said, but they had come across the band that played at the dance.

We were out in a yellow convertible Impala on McHenry, she said. They were cruising by us and hopped in our car. We sang, we had a blast.

Zwahlen said with the ban lifted, cruisers should stay safe and have fun.

Modesto city staff, in collaboration with the Modesto Police Department and the Modesto Cruiser Council, removed the last no cruising sign from downtown in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, July 15, 2023. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to repeal the 1990 cruising ban, ending it effective immediately.

Modesto city employee William George removes the last no cruising sign from downtown in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, July 15, 2023. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to repeal the 1990 cruising ban, ending it effective immediately.

Modesto Police Department, represented by Assistant Chief Ivan Valencia, the Modesto Cruiser Council and Modesto City Staff removed the last no cruising sign in downtown Modesto, Calif., Saturday, July 15, 2023. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to repeal the 1990 cruising ban, ending it effective immediately.

The Bees John Holland contributed to this story.
CHEBOYGAN  The state budget for fiscal year 2024 totals about $81.7 billion, yet there was no money for the Cornwall Flooding Dam in Cheboygan County.

Earlier this year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced a plan to draw down the impoundment behind the Cornwall Flooding to address safety and infrastructure concerns.

The Cornwall Flooding Dam was built in 1966 in the center of the Pigeon River Country State Forest and is classified by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) as a high hazard dam. There was no funding in the recently approved state budget for renovations.

State Rep. Cam Cavitt, (R-Cheboygan) said Cornwall Flooding apparently wasn't a priority in Lansing during the budget session.

"The fight is not over. Rather, it has just begun. I will fight for funding in future supplemental (legislation) and continue to pressure the DNR to use internal funds to repair the dam. I am also looking at finding funding through other organizations such as the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). We are also working closely with Congressman (Jack) Bergmans office to see if any federal dollars can be allocated to repair the dam," Cavitt said in an email to the Daily Tribune.

The Cornwall Flooding Dam was built in 1966 in the center of the Pigeon River Country State Forest and is classified by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) as a high hazard dam. This means that the dam is in an area where a failure may cause serious damage to inhabited homes or infrastructure downstream, where environmental degradation would be significant, or where danger to individuals exists with the potential for the loss of life.

Tim Cwalinski of the DNR said the agency has sought out funding for the renovation of the dam for a number of years.

"We had around $410,000 in 2019 (about $50,000 from DNR Habitat Grant and $360,000 from a state legislative supplemental appropriation)," said Cwalinski. "That fund has been reduced in about half since then while working with an engineering firm and another agency to help shepherd the renovation project. In addition, nearly $30,000 was just used on a special Geotech inspection of the site in the last couple months. So approximately $200,000 remains from this original source of funds. We also have some potential funding and support from the Great Lakes Fish Commission/U.S. Geological Survey. However, we are still very short of what is likely needed for a full renovation."

Cavitt said previously he was seeking $1.5 million to repair the dam, which he said would be enough to fully replace it. But Randall Claramunt, chief of the DNR fisheries division, has said $1.5 million would be enough for the initial repairs, but not enough to maintain the dam.

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Cwalinski said the DNR is also looking at a potential FEMA grant program for high hazard dams. In 2022, FEMA allocated $22 million in funding for the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dam program, including nearly $11 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Claramunt said FEMA delayed the period for requests for proposals for high hazard dams until later this year.

 Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: No money for Cornwall Flooding in state budget as funding search continues
Officers ask for public help to find missing, endangered Mecklenburg County toddler

Officers with the Virginia State Police and Virginia Beach City Police Departments are asking for public assistance in finding a missing three-year-old girl who may be in danger.

Police say they got a call for the missing girl around 9 a.m. on Friday. The missing childs name is Samalea Monet Daniels; she is a Black female with brown eyes and black hair. She is two feet, ten inches tall, and weighs 25 pounds, according to the police. There is no description of the clothes she was wearing, but she is believed to be in danger.

3-year-old Samalea Monet Daniels was originally taken from her home in Mecklenburg County, where she lives with her father who is her legal guardian. She is believed to be with her mother, 29-year-old Tianna Mila Daniels.

Virginia Beach City Police Department says Daniels was originally taken from her home in Mecklenburg County, where she lives with her father who is her legal guardian.

Virginia State Police say Daniels was last seen at her grandmothers Virginia Beach home.

ALSO READ: Amber Alert rescinded for NC boy, 3, allegedly abducted by non-custodial father

Law enforcement believes Samalea Daniels is with her mother, 29-year-old Tianna Mila Daniels.

Police say Tianna Daniels is a five-foot-six-inch Black female with hazel eyes and brown hair. No description was given for the clothes she was wearing last.

Officers believe they may be driving in a gray 2011 Ford Escape with Virginia plates that read: N4M45T3.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Virginia Beach City Police Department at 757-385-5000 or call 911.

This is a developing story; check back at wsoctv.com for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Mint Hill girl, 3, found safe; mom arrested in Texas, source confirms)








How often do fatal crashes like the one on the Madison County I-70 exit ramp happen?

Hundreds of people die each year in crashes involving large trucks stopped in or near the road like the recent collision in Madison County, federal data shows.

The local crash involved commercial trucks parked on an I-70 exit ramp, which government and industry officials say is a potential safety risk.

A Greyhound bus ran into three parked semitrucks on the ramp to a rest area near Highland at around 2 a.m. Wednesday. Three bus passengers died: Bradley Donovan, 47, of Springfield; Buford Paya, 71, from Arizona; and Juan Vasquez-Rodriguez, 34, from New Jersey.

Crashes like these have killed about 250 people each year from 2016 to 2020, with a high of nearly 300 deaths in 2020, according to the most recent data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The federal agencys data includes crashes that involve large trucks parked off the road as well as working trucks performing construction, maintenance or utility work while parked either on or off the road. The agency doesnt provide a breakdown of fatalities by the type of truck involved.

Commercial truck drivers and their trade associations say they are often forced to park on highway ramps and shoulders when they hit the federal limit on how long they can drive before they have to pull over to rest and no other parking is available.

Industry and government officials agree stopped vehicles pose a potential risk to the truck operators and others on the road. A push to address the issue by increasing truck parking across the country has been ongoing for years.

Ohio truck driver Ronda Osterberg, who often travels through Illinois for work, said the truck parking shortage predates her tenure of more than two decades.

When she started 27 years ago, she said a veteran truck driver shared advice to keep herself safe if she couldnt find a parking spot: use an on-ramp rather than an exit ramp. Other drivers would be going full speed on an exit ramp, increasing the potential damage if they rear-ended her. They would be building up speed on an on-ramp.

The National Transportation Safety Board has made official recommendations related to truck parking as far back as 2000.

A fatal crash similar to the one in Madison County happened 25 years ago in Pennsylvania. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that a semitruck parked on the shoulder of a highway contributed to the severity of the accident, and it recommended that the state prohibit parking off the highway and provide adequate rest areas.

Its illegal to park on ramps in Illinois and other places, but Osterberg said police often wont enforce the state law because they know truck drivers are required by federal law to rest.

The National Transportation Safety Board described the situation as unacceptable in its 2000 report on the Pennsylvania crash in part because shoulders arent protected from errant vehicles.

The safety board investigates significant accidents on highways and other transportation systems and offers recommendations to prevent them from happening again. It is also investigating Wednesdays crash on I-70.

In the Pennsylvania crash, a Greyhound bus drifted off the road at around 4 a.m. and ran into a semitruck on the shoulder, killing the bus driver and six passengers.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the cause of the Pennsylvania crash was most likely the bus drivers sleepiness and reduced alertness. In that case, the board also recommended Greyhound revise its scheduling practices to ensure drivers are rested.

Tom Chapman, a National Transportation Safety Board member, has said the NTSB is particularly interested in issues related to rest area safety, bus occupant protection and potential driver fatigue and medical fitness in the Madison County crash.

Chapman told reporters Thursday that federal investigators will look into the proximity of the parked trucks and the bus drivers background, among other areas, as part of the ongoing investigation.

Officials survey a damaged tractor-trailer before removing it from the scene on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, on westbound Interstate 70 after it collided with a Greyhound bus near Highland, Ill. (Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

Meanwhile, Osterberg said she and other truck drivers regularly struggle to find parking at both public rest areas and private truck stops, which sometimes charge a nightly fee.

It becomes an issue not only when they have to clock out for a federally-required break but also when they arrive early for deliveries, according to Osterberg. She said many companies wont allow truck drivers to park at their warehouses or distribution centers in those instances to wait for their trucks to be unloaded.

A lot of times we have no choice but to grab those ramps and pray we dont get ticketed or rammed, she said. ... Our parking situation has steadily gotten worse.

In Illinois, transportation officials are using $7.2 million in federal funds to expand three interstate rest areas near Springfield and Fort Massac State Park in southern Illinois. Paul Wappel, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation, said the agency is planning the expansions now.

A proposed federal bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Illinois, would make another $755 million in competitive grants available for states to expand truck parking capacity if signed into law.

A final report on the National Transportation Safety Boards investigation into the Madison County crash could take one to two years to complete.

In response to reporter questions about urgency, Chapman said the board could make recommendations before an investigation is complete if deemed necessary.

We will make emergency recommendations when its appropriate to do so when we find during the fact-finding effort that some condition occurs that needs to be addressed more quickly than it would be if the final results of our investigation held it up, he said.
Mark Scott is the new interim city manager for the city of Ojai.

The Ojai City Council has named a retired city manager with decades of experience to serve as the city's interim leader.

Mark Scott, who has spent more than 30 years as a city manager and interim city manager for nine cities, was unanimously approved on Tuesday to temporarily take on Ojai's top administrative post.

He has the knowledge and experience to successfully step into this key role, said Mayor Betsy Stix in a statement.

Scott has served as city manager in numerous California cities over the past 19 years, including Beverly Hills, Culver City, Fresno, Burbank, San Bernardino, Indio, Lincoln and Downey. He has also worked in Spartanburg, South Carolina, according to the city's news release.

Scott will start the job Monday. He'll take over from City Manager James Vega, who is leaving for the same role in Port Hueneme. Vega also starts his new post Monday and will earn a salary of about $239,000.

Scott's at-will employment contract is scheduled to end by Jan. 15 unless it's extended. The formerly retired administrator can only work 960 hours in a fiscal year under rules of the California Public Employees' Retirement System.

He will be paid $108 an hour, which is equivalent to an annual salary of $220,000. Scott will receive no benefits, will commute to Ojai weekly and be responsible for his own lodging and travel costs, city officials said.

Consulting firm Baker Tilly was hired to recruit candidates for the interim post. The firm will continue to work with the city to fill the position permanently, said Kiara Nowlin, city spokesperson. The firm was paid $12,000 for recruiting the interim position.

Scott was not at the meeting when his contract was approved, but council members said they were excited to work with him.

"I think all of us expressed he was overwhelmingly the most qualified to do the job," said Councilmember Andrew Whitman.

A new assistant city manager, Carl Alameda, was also announced at the meeting. Alameda, a former assistant city manager for La Canada Flintridge, will help with Scott's transition into the temporary position.

Wes Woods II covers the West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ojai hires retired city manager Mark Scott as interim leader
Leaders of the Five Tribes, including the Muscogee Nation, met Friday in Tulsa to discuss shared concerns, including the uncertain future of state-tribal tobacco tax compacts.

Leaders of most Oklahoma tribes are calling on the state legislature to return to the capitol and renew tobacco tax compacts before the clock runs out.

Twenty-six tribes sent a letter to top lawmakers Wednesday, urging them to override a veto by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Then on Friday, five of the states largest tribes followed up the letter by passing a joint resolution that calls on the legislature to act. They want to keep the deals alive through 2024.

I believe we are going to get this done, said Gary Batton, chief of the Choctaw Nation in the southeast corner of the state. The tribe signed on to both the letter and the resolution.

Gary Batton, Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, speaks at the Sovereignty Symposium in June in Oklahoma City.

The compacts call for Oklahoma and tribes to equally split tax money generated from tobacco sales on tribal lands, an arrangement that added up to more than $50 million for the state last year.

The governor vetoed the legislatures first attempt to renew the deals in June, saying he wants to narrow the compact terms before signing to any extensions. Top lawmakers say Stitt could use the one-year extension they are advocating for to negotiate with tribal leaders. Several compacts have already expired, and more than a dozen are set to run out at the end of the year.

The Senate met June 26 to vote on overriding the governors veto, but the bid failed by one vote. Senate leader Greg Treats office confirmed Friday that senators will meet later this month to vote again.

Tobacco compacts: Override of Gov. Stitt's veto on tribal compacts fails

In their letter to Treat and House Speaker Charles McCall, tribal leaders noted the legislature has had a central role in creating compacts that benefit both the state and tribal governments.

If unchecked, the administration is set to pull up those roots the Oklahoma Legislature cultivated years ago, tribal officials said in their letter. We believe that would be a disservice to the work of those who came before us and to the prospects of those who will come after us.

The Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee and Seminole nations approved a related resolution at their quarterly Five Tribes council meeting in Tulsa on Friday. The measure calls on the Oklahoma Legislature to continue asserting its authority to preserve and advance tribal-state cooperation.

Lewis Johnson, chief of the Seminole Nation, is shown in this June 2023 file photo.

Lewis Johnson, chief of the Seminole Nation in eastern Oklahoma, said at the meeting that the forum has always been a way for the tribes to come together and use their collective voice to press for change.

I am glad that through times of adversity, the Five Tribes rise to meet those challenges, Johnson said.

The meetings have become even more pressing in recent years as the Five Tribes work through the effects of the landmark Supreme Court decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma.

McGirt v. Oklahoma, 3 years later: How police work on the Muscogee Nation reservation

The ruling prompted courts to affirm that the tribes reservations still exist in eastern Oklahoma, a distinction that limits the states criminal jurisdiction over Native Americans in those areas. It also raises questions about Oklahomas regulatory and taxing powers on those lands.

Stitt wants to address the uncertainty by narrowing the tobacco tax compacts to make clear they only apply to specific types of tribal land, not entire reservations. He has offered to renew 16 non-expired compacts under those more specific terms. Its unclear how many tribes have taken up his offer. Thirteen of those tribes signed on to Wednesdays letter calling on lawmakers to act.

Graduations: Tribal regalia protections take effect in Oklahoma

Molly Young covers Indigenous affairs. Reach her at mollyyoung@gannett.com or 405-347-3534.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Tribes press Oklahoma Legislature to extend tobacco tax compacts
How old is our universe? New study says Big Bang might have happened 27 billion years ago

It's a question that has vexed scientists for ages: How old is our universe?

The question is simple enough, but as the years go by it's become apparent that settling on the answer isn't quite so easy. Even today, the matter remains open to discussion as new research could at any moment upend our previous cosmic conception for the age of the billions of galaxies that comprise our universe.

That's what happened last week when a new study was released challenging the long-held notion that our universe is nearly 13.8 billion years old. If the findings of this latest research prove accurate, the Big Bang may have taken place 26.7 billion years ago, making the actual age of the universe nearly twice as old as we thought.

'Internet apocalypse': How NASA's solar-storm studies could help save the web

How the 'impossible early galaxy problem' undermined our understanding of the universe's age

For years, astronomers and physicists have primarily calculated the age of the cosmos by measuring the time elapsed since the Big Bang and studying the oldest stars.

But the study published July 7 in the journal "Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society" seems to confirm that previous estimates were widely off. What's referred to in the new study as the "impossible early galaxy problem" has long baffled scientists who struggle to reconcile why some galaxies thought to have come into existence long after the Big Bang appear to in fact be much older that the universe's estimated age.

Observed through NASAS's James Webb Telescope, galaxies and stars like the Methuselah appear to have a a level of maturity and mass typically associated with billions of years of cosmic evolution. It's a notable observation considering the widely-held belief that they came to existence hundreds of millions of years after the Big Bang.

But now, Rajendra Gupta, a theoretical physicist at the University of Ottawa who authored the study, believes he can explain the conundrum that has long puzzled scientists about these ancient galaxies.

Our newly-devised model stretches the galaxy formation time by a several billion years," Gupta wrote.

How did the study determine the universe could be 26.7 billion years old?

Calculating the time that has passed since the Big Bang is not the only method scientists have used to estimate the age of the universe.

The redshift of light  literally, light from distant galaxies stretched and shifted toward the red part of the spectrum  is what has long helped to inform physicists' estimates of the universe's age. In simple terms, the thought has been that the redshift indicated the distance of stars and galaxies, and hence, the faster they are moving away from Earth.

By estimating the rate at which the stars are moving away, scientists can calculate how fast space is expanding into an infinitely-growing universe.

But the so-called "tired light theory" that originated in 1929 with Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky offered an alternative explanation: Perhaps the redshift we see isn't due to galaxies moving away from us. Instead, Zwicky's hypothesis was that it might be because light loses its energy and shine after traveling a long distance.

Alien technology? Harvard professor finds fragments that could be of otherworldly origin

Gupta proposes that if we allow Zwicky's theory to coexist with the idea of an expanding universe, we can reinterpret the redshift as a hybrid of both of these phenomena and thus arrive at an even more accurate age estimate of the universe.

And Gupta goes even further in the study, introducing the fundamental physics idea from English theoretical physicist Paul Dirac that coupling constants govern the interactions between particles.

What does that mean? If these constants evolve, then the time it takes for the early galaxies observed in the Webb telescope to form extends from a few hundred million years to several billion years.

Better put, it would offer an explanation for the advanced level of development and mass observed in the previously puzzling early galaxies.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @EricLagatta.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How old is the universe? Big Bang may be 26.7 billion years old: study
One more for Ukraine's Armed Forces: sapper divers retrieve Russian tank from Desna River

The Ukrainian military will now have one more Russian tank at their disposal. It has been retrieved from the Desna River.

Source: UA State Special Transport Service on Facebook

Details: Sapper divers retrieved the equipment. Specialists of the diving and rescue units of the State Special Transport Service and military personnel of the Operational Command Pivnich (North) joined, too.

The tank sank during an unsuccessful attempt by Russian forces to cross the Desna River near Shestovytsa Village, Chernihiv Oblast.

According to external signs, the trophy has no significant damage. It will be delivered for further restoration, and after that, it will join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Photo: State Special Transport Service on Facebook

The State Special Transport Service noted that the Russian occupiers repeatedly wanted to send their troops across the Desna River during the battles near Chernihiv.

Photo: State Special Transport Service on Facebook

However, they were repeatedly defeated. So local residents called their Chornobaivka II (Chornobaivka is the settlement in Kherson Oblast where the Russians suffered heavy losses in 2022 every time they tried to deploy their troops from the air and capture an adjacent airfield  ed.).

Background: Previously, Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia reported about a soldier who made it out of a burning tank.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Opill approval means greater access to birth control pills. What else does it mean?

The Food and Drug Administration this week approved the countrys first birth control pill to be sold to Americans over the counter without a prescription  50 years after it first appeared on the market.

Experts say the FDAs groundbreaking approval of the pill norgestrel, sold under the brand name Opill, will increase access to effective contraception for people who lack easy access to the health care system for a prescription.

Women can already go to the drug store to buy spermicide and condoms, but those are just not as effective as birth control pills, said Dr. Maria Sophocles, an obstetrics and gynecologist and the medical director of Womens Healthcare of Princeton in New Jersey.

But over-the-counter approval of the progestin-only pill, commonly known as the minipill, also raises questions about cost, access and whether the move has the unintended consequence of reducing opportunities for sex education and reproductive care.

What is Opill?

Opill uses the synthetic hormone progestin to block sperm from the cervix, preventing pregnancy.

While most other birth control pills use progestin and estrogen, progestin-only pills like Opill are often recommended for people who can't take combination pills for health reasons.

Hormone-based pills, like Opill, have long been one of the most common forms of birth control nationwide and have been used by tens of millions of people since the 1960s.

Norgestrel was first approved in the U.S. in 1973 and marketed by Pfizer as the prescription product Ovrette until it was discontinued in 2005 as combination birth control pills with both estrogen and progestin became more popular. In 2015, HRA Pharma acquired norgestrel and rebranded it as Opill with the sole purpose of getting government approval to sell the pill over the counter.

The pill is currently sold without a prescription in the United Kingdom. Other contraceptive pills are available without prescription across much of the globe, including in South America, Asia and Africa.

Opill cost: Will insurance cover it?

HRA Pharma says Opill may be available to consumers in early 2024, but the company has yet to reveal how much it will cost.

Prescription birth control pills on the market range from $10 to $50 without insurance, depending on the type of pill and brand, said Dr. Carolyn Westhoff, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

Insurance companies generally cover prescription birth control pills, but its unclear if they will cover over-the-counter products.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, one of the countrys largest health insurance networks, is leaving that decision to their 34 locally operated BCBS companies, according to company spokesperson Kelly Parsons.

Its also unclear whether Opill will be covered by Medicaid, the government insurance program used by many low-income and disabled people, experts say. While some states cover certain over-the-counter products like emergency contraception, others dont.

Patients who dont have easy access to the health care system may benefit the most from over-the-counter birth control pills. But these same patients also tend to live in underserved communities and have lower income, so experts say affordability is key.

Sex education and sexually transmitted infections

The ability to get birth control pills without a prescription is not intended to replace regular doctor visits.

But some experts worry patients may be less inclined to get checkups if they no longer need refills for birth control, especially as data shows doctor appointment wait times have skyrocketed in recent years.

A 2022 survey by Merritt Hawkins, a physician search firm, found the average wait to see an OB/GYN increased from 23 days in 2004 to nearly 32 days in 2022. The longest wait time reported was a whopping 93 days in 2022.

Skipping a doctors visit may not only be detrimental to a persons health but it could also be a missed opportunity to provide sexual health education  particularly among younger patients, Sophocles said.

It could contribute to already rising cases of sexually transmitted infections, as providers typically take the opportunity to test for such infections when they learn a patient is sexually active. Birth control pills do not protect against sexually transmitted infections.

Avoiding the doctors office could put patients at higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections and spreading them, Sophocles said. If left untreated, some sexually transmitted infections can lead to lifelong consequences, such as infertility.

Its the biggest opportunity cost thats lost, she said. Opill is not a substitute to going to the clinic. You should still be seen by a clinician to have education and to know when to go.

Is Opill right for you?

While increasing access, adding Opill to the contraceptive toolkit relieves some of the stress surrounding contraception.

It means not having to scramble for or cram in a last-minute doctors appointment to secure pills before traveling. It means not risking an unwanted pregnancy if you run out before a refill, lose a pack or theres a delay when changing providers.

Its safe to temporarily switch to Opill from another progestin-only or combination birth control pill, Westhoff said, but its still important to consult a provider when choosing the right birth control.

For example, people with a history of breast cancer should not take the Opill, and those with abnormal vaginal bleeding should talk to a doctor first, experts say.

Opill provides an option to be able to access this form of contraception, but it doesnt replace the patient provider relationship, said Dr. Asima Ahmad, chief medical officer and co-founder of Carrot Fertility, a global fertility platform.

Follow Adrianna Rodriguez on Twitter: @AdriannaUSAT.

Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Opill cost, coverage: Over-the-counter birth control pill explained
Opinion: Now that affirmative action is banned, the way to level the field is one Black student at a time

Protesters gather outside the Supreme Court as the justices heard arguments for and against banning affirmative action in college admissions, in October 2022. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

When the Supreme Court banned affirmative action in June, it triggered a new colorblind college admissions paradigm that will add to the burden of students who are already loaded down with challenges.

In California, weve witnessed the consequences of a colorblind approach since the passage of Proposition 209, in 1996. The lessons here are instructive. The ballot measure claimed to end "preferential treatment" in state schools. It resulted in a 25% reduction in Black student enrollment at state colleges and universities  the largest decline among all groups. Two decades later, UCs Black enrollment is about 5%; it was slightly more than 7% pre-Prop. 209.

As the executive director of Black College Success  a community-based nonprofit that provides academic pathways to colleges and universities for hundreds of Black students in South Los Angeles  Im forced to reckon with the difficulty of improving such statistics. You should know that 75% of Black students from the Los Angeles Unified School District dont enroll in and 85% don't graduate from a four-year college or university. They come from communities where the median family income is less than $48,000 a year, and where less than 10% of community members have a college degree.

Read more: Editorial: Supreme Court's affirmative action ban is a catastrophic blow to the American dream

Despite these terrible odds, in May, the Black College Success team celebrated the admission of 208 students to more than 40 colleges and universities, including prestigious institutions such as Stanford, Pepperdine, Pitzer, Tulane and New York University.

It was far from easy for these students. For instance, Jackson, 18 and headed to a competitive school in the northeast, grew up in a single-parent household with a hardworking father who drives for Amazon, faced the challenges of being a Black man in L.A., avoiding gang life and supporting his siblings.

Ajaa, 17, will be a freshman at an HBCU  a historically Black college or university  in Georgia. She won more than $100,000 in scholarships while working part time to support her family, including take care of her younger brother so that her mother could attend school too.

Were not only trying to shatter the boundaries Black students from South Los Angeles face in gaining access to college, but to also help make clear the transformative opportunity that college offers their families financially for the future.

Read more: High-stakes, high-stress college essay stirs more anxiety under affirmative action ban

Most of the students we work with will be the first in their families to go to college. And our help doesnt stop there. To get them to graduation (our first cohort hasn't yet reached that milestone), we follow them wherever they enroll, with continued counseling about class choices and majors and career possibilities.

So, how do we do it? And how will we do it in a post-affirmative action world?

Theres just one way: one student at a time.

First comes the work of finding and recruiting high schoolers for the program.

Beginning as early as sophomore year (as we continue to expand, well eventually work with students starting the moment they enter high school), a team of college access managers, who are from the same neighborhoods as our students and have backgrounds in college recruitment, go into our partner high schools, which have expressed an interest in working with us.

The managers figuratively and literally meet the students where they are and offer them an array of supports, starting with academic planning assistance for their A-G requirements, the classes students must complete with a grade of C or better to be eligible to enter the Cal State or UC systems. No matter where students apply, the A-G standards are an objective demonstration that theyre college ready.

Read more: Are you two the token Black kids of the department? The snubs and insults that accompanied affirmative action

At times, the students need for mentoring is far greater than our capacity, so we partner with in-school resources, such as the newly created Black Student Achievement Program, and lock arms with other nonprofits like Brotherhood Crusade, 826LA, Los Angeles Urban League and others that can help us provide writing workshops, access to advanced courses and a range of extracurricular activities, stipends for summer internships, career guidance and scholarships.

Once our students become seniors, they receive one-on-one college application assistance, personal statement workshops and financial aid advice. We take them on college and university visits and help them evaluate their choices. Our aim is to provide them with everything they need to level the landscape against peers who often enjoy significant advantages, such as private tutors and schools with more funding and resources than those in South L.A.

In doing this work, Ive learned that its not how high a students GPA is or how impressive their test scores are that gets results. Its an all-of-the-above mix of academics, guidance and the students own determination  the ability of a Jackson or an Ajaa to persevere.

Ive seen stories like theirs by the dozens. My fear is that, in the unfortunate new world of colorblind admissions, the opportunities available to them will diminish. If colleges and universities look past the distinctive experiences of Black applicants, its not just the students who will lose, but society.

Ibert Schultz is the executive director of Black College Success, a project of the LA Promise Fund.





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
I remember being 7 and 8 years old, at home in my familys old row house in North Philadelphia, hearing my mother say, Boy, go on out and get some of that fresh air and sunshine.

In 1969, as a 22 year old, I was a hot-headed and troubled young man just beginning a long, 52-year stretch of a life sentence. My incarceration started at the infamous Graterford Prison. There, Warden Robert Johnson sat me down and admonished me and other young men: Stay on the right path while youre here. Youll be tempted by ignorance, boredom, ill advice, anger and regret at your lot but Im going to provide you with three things that will help you to get through this experience and maybe to even overcome it.

The three things:

1. Work!

2. Food

3. Sunshine and fresh air

Warden Johnson then promised: Ill make sure to provide those three things for as long as youre here. You make sure to take advantage of them and do your best to get out of here alive, sane and a better man.

He kept his promise. I followed much of the wardens advice. By the grace of God, hard work, and plenty of fresh air, exercise and sunshine, I was blessed to be granted a Commutation of Sentence five decades later in March 2021 and paroled to State College, here in beautiful Centre County, Pennsylvania.

Its been two years now that Ive been home, and each day has been continually wonderful. I have a job. I have an apartment. I have neighbors who know my story and treat me like any other human being. So much of what is commonplace now did not exist in 1969; I was incarcerated before police raided the Stonewall Inn in New York City, human feet landed on the moon, and the national anthem sprang from Jimi Hendrixs guitar at Woodstock. I have a host of angels and saints and just good kind human beings in my life that make sure I understand much of what is going on in this amazingly beautiful world of today.

Through a friend I learned of a situation occurring at the Centre County Correctional Facility (CCCF) that I thought just could not be happening in this day and time. I heard that CCCF had no outdoor recreation for the people  members of our local community  housed there!

Something as simple, yet so vital and necessary, as outdoor recreation was not in practice at that facility? How could that be? I knew full well that there were laws governing exercise in Pennsylvania prisons that had been on the books for decades.

My inquiries showed that CCCF does not provide outdoor recreation opportunities for the men and women housed there, even though the Pennsylvania Code specifies a minimum requirement that states: Jails shall provide all prisoners at least 2 hours daily, physical exercise in the open, weather permitting. If the weather is inclement, each inmate shall have 2 hours physical exercise daily indoors.

Unlike our loving and knowing mothers, and progressive and wise wardens, somehow the administrators and policy makers of this era have forgotten the fundamentals of ensuring a healthy lifestyle and the basics of running a facility that should have the health and well-being of its charges as one of its primary concerns. Dont they know these things? Or do they even care?

I care! I believe our community does as well. Any human being should care.

Along with a growing chorus of advocates for outdoor recreation at CCCF, I implore the Centre County Prison Board of Inspectors, which oversees CCCF, including our three county commissioners who all sit on the prison board, to change the policies that prevent those incarcerated at CCCF from having the mental, emotional and physical benefits that outdoor recreation provides.

We need this to happen now because the suffering continues and because its the right thing to do. We need all in our community to speak out and support this call for action.

Irvin Moore served 52 years in prison and now works for Penn States Restorative Justice initiative and in the Centre County area, where he now lives in State College.
Leslie Van Houten arrives with her attorney for a parole hearing in Corona in 2017. On Tuesday, she was released after 53 years in prison. (Stan Lim / Associated Press)

The Manson "family" killings of 1969 and subsequent trials were before my time, but their terrifying hold on the collective imagination in Southern California was obvious to me as a kid growing up in Glendale in the 1980s and 90s. We weren't familiar with the awful details, thankfully, but I recall knowing enough to sometimes call whichever kid was "it" on the playground Charles Manson. Adults didn't like that.

So it shouldn't be a surprise that readers who remember the brutal murders of seven people in Los Angeles over two nights in August 1969, plus two more murders on other days, have strong opinions about paroling former Manson follower Leslie Van Houten. In fact, I have never seen such intense interest by our letter writers in the fate of any other incarcerated person, which may help explain why recommendations for her parole have been reversed five times by two different governors.

This time, Gov. Gavin Newsom declined to fight a state appeals court decision that Van Houten should be granted parole, and on Tuesday she left the California Institution for Women in Corona after 53 years in prison. Perhaps as a sign of how views on criminal justice and public safety have evolved in recent years, about half of the letters on Van Houten's parole have expressed support for it, a greater portion than any time before.



To the editor: Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. Stab. And after stabbing her victim 14 times, Van Houten helped cut her up.

Opposing her release from prison is not an act of vengeance. It is called justice, and being a model prisoner has nothing to do with it.

Kelly Gallagher, Santa Ana

..

To the editor: There is one factor that has not been discussed regarding the decision to parole Van Houten.

She was out on bail for seven months in 1977-78 during her retrial, the only active participant in the Tate-LaBianca murders allowed outside prison for any reason.

What crimes did the 20-something Van Houten commit when she was free? None.

She wasnt a threat to the public 45 years ago, but as a society we don't usually let convicted murderers out after less than a decade behind bars. But now she is elderly and has been incarcerated for the better part of six decades, it is time to let her go.

I dont feel the same about paroling her co-participants Charles Tex Watson and Patricia Krenwinkel, who murdered seven people, including the pregnant Sharon Tate. But Van Houten has paid her debt to society.

Ron Shinkman, Northridge

..

To the editor: How is it that Stanley "Tookie" Williams, who showed some degree of remorse and rehabilitation in the form of writing children's books, was executed, and the Manson "family" killers were not?

Gov. Gavin Newsom should have stood his ground on Van Houten's parole for the sake of the victims' families.

The fact that this state doesn't carry out death sentences should be considered by the parole board before ever allowing such criminals to see the light of day, however briefly, before their final judgment from which there will be no parole.

Art Peck, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: I think we forget that in many ways, who we were at 19 is very very different than who we are at Van Houten's age of 73 (Im 70).

At 19, I too joined a cult, although not a violent one. I broke many laws on drugs and driving  I was just not caught.

Prison is a punishment, but there is also supposed to be some rehabilitative aspect to it.

What Van Houten did can never be forgotten or forgiven, but she has apparently used her prison years to remake herself into a useful member of her society. Statistically, it seems older (or old) prisoners are much less likely to re-offend than their juniors.

Its hard to imagine Van Houten will find another "master" and go on another killing spree.

Anne Beaty, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: Prisoner rights advocates argue that a murderers current danger to society should be a determinative factor for parole.

To the contrary, whether Van Houten or any murderer is currently dangerous shouldnt play any role in deciding whether such convicts are released.

Justice demands that once a person murders another, the convict permanently forfeits the right to rejoin society. Releasing any murderer while his or her victims remain dead is not justice. "Therapy and reflection," as one letter writer put it, do not justify a murderer's release.

In arguing for Van Houtens release, one reader notes that the "murders were truly awful, but what murder isn't? Exactly  no murderer should ever be released from prison.

Ray McKown, Torrance

..

To the editor: It's an unfortunate sign of the times that while there's a lot of tut-tutting about this terrible incident more than half a century ago, as modern mass murders go it hardly moves the needle.

Maybe we need to ask ourselves why there's so much attention paid to keeping someone in jail far beyond where they'd normally be paroled for this crime, and yet we can't seem to muster the will to be able to deal with crimes of similar or worse severity that seem to happen on a regular basis.

Martin Usher, Thousand Oaks

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Update: Missing man with dementia was found, Orange County deputies say

Update:

The Orange County Sheriffs Office said Franklin Colon was found in good health.

********* UPDATE *********

FOUND! Mr. Colon was found in good health! Thanks to everyone for sharing, and we are so glad he is safe! https://t.co/m6eyghxcR0  Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) July 15, 2023

Previous story:

The Orange County Sheriffs Office is looking for an 87-year-old man with dementia.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a Silver Alert Saturday to help in the search for Franklin Colon.

According to a news release, he was last seen Friday around 4:30 p.m. at his home on Lyndscape Street in Orlando, near the Wedgefield area.

Deputies said Colon was wearing a black t-shirt and black shorts.

Read: Dog adoption center celebrates grand opening in Volusia County

Investigators said he was driving a white 2008 Kia Rio with a tag that reads 88C EMM.

Law enforcement considers Colon to be endangered.

If you have information about this man, contact the sheriffs office at 407-254-7233 or call 911.

See a map of the location below:

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.
An otter in California that keeps bullying people off of their surfboards has been too quick for wildlife officials to catch

Sea Otter Kevin Schafer/Getty Images

An otter in California forcing people off their surfboards has so far evaded the grasp of wildlife officials.

Divers tried to capture the otter last week with a bait surfboard but it was too quick for them.

The otter's mother is also known to wildlife officials for approaching boats and kayaks.

People have recently filmed otters aggressively attacking people on surfboards in California.

In one video, an otter  named Otter 841 by wildlife officials  can be seen climbing onto and then gnawing on a surfboard near Sant Cruz.

"This is a dangerous sea otter, avoid it if at all possible!" the caption reads.

Native Santa Cruz (@NativeSantaCruz) July 10, 2023

A team from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Monterey Bay Aquarium were dispatched to the scene on Wednesday. They tracked and then attempted to catch the otter with a bait surfboard.

Mark Woodward, a wildlife photographer who posted the video to Twitter, told a local FOX News affiliate that he saw a team of five divers attempting to lure the otter onto the board so they could capture it.

Native Santa Cruz (@NativeSantaCruz) July 13, 2023

The otter jumped onto the board briefly, but escaped before the divers were able to grab it with a net, the outlet reported.

"They can't throw a net over it because it will get tangled and drown," Woodward said. "That's also why they can't tranquilize it."

Kevin Connor, a spokesperson for Monterey Bay Aquarium, said Otter 841 is considered a danger to the public because it is ignoring its natural survival instincts, ABC reported.

"When we see this type of behavior exhibited by otters, it is a sign that they no longer have that healthy fear of human beings that allows them to stay safe in the wild away from us," Conner said.

Conner told the outlet that the otter's mother, Otter 723, was released from the aquarium in 2017 and that there were some reports of her approaching boats and kayaks but "nothing to the extent that we've seen with Otter 841."

Still, the incidents caused the US Fish and Wildlife Service to deem Otter 723 "unreleasable," so she was recaptured and discovered to be pregnant with 841, Conner said, according to ABC.

Conner said there are now no plans to euthanize either otter. Once Otter 841 is captured, Conner said it would be evaluated by veterinarians and then will likely spend the rest of its life in captivity in either a zoo or an aquarium.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service did not immediately return Insider's request for comment Saturday.

Read the original article on Insider
Ukrainian courts have found more than 50 Russians guilty of committing war crimes in Ukraine.

Source: Ukraines Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "Over 300 people (Russians  ed.) have been identified and become suspects. These are not only identified potential Russian criminals but there is evidence that confirms that these people committed a particular crime.

Over 200 have been charged, meaning that we have completed the investigation, gathered sufficient evidence and submitted these files to the court.

And more than 50 Russians have already been found guilty by Ukrainian courts."

Details: Kostin noted that some might say that 50 sentences are not too much; at the same time, international partners are surprised by such a large number of them and the fact that during the war, Ukraine not only records crimes but also investigates them and brings them to court.

Kostin added that although such trials are held in absentia, having the aggressor's guilt proven is essential for victims.

The Prosecutor General said that Ukraine, together with its partners, has been developing "strategic documents" on "how to investigate such cases in order to unify the practice".

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Russia attacked Ukraine at night with Shahed kamikaze drones

Continuing its relentless campaign of nighttime air raids on Ukraine, Russia launched six Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 attack drones at targets in Ukraine overnight on July 15, Ukraines Air Force has reported.

The Ukrainian Air Force said four of the six attacking drones had been shot down by Ukrainian air defenses. The fate of the other two drones was not given.

However, the spokeswoman of the Southern Defense Forces, Nataliya Gumenyuk, said on Ukrainian national television on the morning of July 15 that there had been a drone hit in Zaporizhzhya Oblast., in the south-east of Ukraine.

News media in Ukraine posted photos on social media of wreckage on the ground in Zaporizhzhya Oblast. According to local officials, an infrastructure facility was damaged and that a man was injured as a result of the Russian attack.

Anatoly Kurtev, secretary of the Zaporizhzhya City Council, said the man was taken to the hospital in a moderate condition for treatment. Four multistory buildings were also damaged, with their windows being blown out, Kurtev said.

The Ukrainian Air Force noted in a post on its channel on the messenger Telegram that the Russians had launched the Shahed attack drones from the south.

The air force also said during the past day on July 14, in addition to the drones destroyed during the night attack, air defense destroyed three Russian reconnaissance drones of the operational-tactical level  Orlan and Zala types  as well as three Lancet-type loitering attack drones.

The head of Mykolayiv Oblast Military Administration, Vitaly Kim, also reported that air defense forces had shot down three drones over Mykolayiv Oblast.

From the evening of July 13 to the morning of July 14, the Russian army attacked Ukraine with 17 Shahed-136/131 attack drones.

Sixteen of them were shot down by air defense forces, Ukraines air force reported.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Natalia Humeniuk, Head of the Joint press centre of the Defence Forces of Ukraine's south, reported the strike in Zaporizhzhia Oblast during an overnight Russian attack with Shahed drones.

Source: Natalia Humeniuk, Head of the Joint press centre of the Defence Forces of Ukraine's south, on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast; Vitalii Kim, Head of Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram.

Details: Humeniuk and Kim reported the shooting down of three Shaheds in Mykolaiv Oblast, without any hits.

Meanwhile, air defence was also activated in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, but there were hits. The location and consequences are not currently specified.

Quote from Humeniuk: "The anti-aircraft defence forces were activated [in Zaporizhzhia Oblast - ed.].

Unfortunately, there are hits, but the results of the night attack are still being clarified."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Paraguay 'would love' more trade with China, but Taiwan better for development

Paraguay 'would love' more trade with China, but Taiwan better for development Paraguay's President-elect Pena visits Taiwan

By Ben Blanchard

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Paraguay "would love" to do more trade with China, but Taiwan offers the best bet for moving the largely agricultural economy up the value chain, the country's president-elect Santiago Pena said on Saturday on a visit to Taipei.

Paraguay is the last South American country with formal relations with Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. Honduras ended decades of ties in favour of Beijing this year, and only 13 countries now recognise Taiwan.

Pena pledged during his election campaign to maintain more than six decades of relations with Taiwan despite pressure from Paraguay's agricultural sector, which wants to open up lucrative Chinese markets to soybeans and beef.

Speaking to reporters, Pena said he was "fully committed" to Taiwan and happy with his meetings this week, which have included with President Tsai Ing-wen and Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua.

"We have no constraints on doing trade with China. We would love to do more trade with the PRC," he said, referring to the People's Republic of China.

But Paraguay cannot rely on a single market, as a small country does not have the same negotiating clout as Brazil or the United States and does not want to be flooded with Chinese goods while only be able to export raw materials.

"Paraguay is a powerhouse on food production, but still at a very early stage. We provide very low value-added goods. Grains, soy and beef," he said.

"We need to advance in giving more value added and for that, having a closer collaboration with Taiwan puts us closer on a path to developing an industrial sector than we would have if we had relations with China."

Pena, who takes office on Aug. 15, said he did not know whether Tsai or Vice President William Lai, who is running to succeed her in Taiwan's January elections, would come to the ceremony, though added he would be delighted to receive either or both.

"I have no doubt it will be a large delegation, it will be a high-level delegation."

If Lai, goes he would likely travel via the United States on what would officially be a stopover but would allow him to meet U.S. officials and discuss his policy priorities should he win the election. Lai leads in most opinion polls.

Taiwan's presidential office said that they were still in the planning stages of who would attend and would make an announcement once details were set.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by William Mallard)
Paraguay's relationship with Taiwan is based on 'solid foundations', president-elect Santiago Pena has said (Sam Yeh)

Paraguay's formal ties with Taiwan make "more sense" than recognising China, and will be a greater boost to development in the South American nation, president-elect Santiago Pena said Saturday.

Paraguay is the last remaining South American nation to recognise Taiwan over Beijing, which claims the island as its territory and has spent decades convincing Taipei's allies to switch.

Pena, who was elected in late April and will be inaugurated next month, has been in Taiwan since Tuesday and his schedule has been packed with meetings and stops, including at a bubble tea shop with the island's President Tsai Ing-wen.

He has vowed to stay on Taiwan's side during his five-year tenure, a point he reiterated during an interview with AFP and other media on Saturday.

"There are solid foundations and concrete facts that support why it makes more sense to have a relationship with Taiwan than with mainland China," he said.

Despite formally recognising Taiwan, Pena said there are "no constraints" to trade with China, with which Paraguay has "a very broad relationship" -- China is Paraguay's top supplier of goods.

"But for a country like Paraguay -- small and a very open economy -- we need to diversify our markets," he said.

Paraguay cannot depend on a single market because its "capacity of negotiation" is not the same as larger countries such as the United States and neighbouring Brazil, which counts China as its largest export market, he said.

"Reliance on a single market for some moments will be very good, but in other moments would be very, very bad."

The former finance minister had vowed on the campaign trail to maintain formal ties with Taiwan.

His win in May soothed Taipei's fear that Paraguay would ditch it in favour of Beijing.

Panama, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras have all switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in recent years.

Paraguay has seen the experience of Costa Rica, Panama and "probably the same thing will happen now with Honduras, the economic situation will not improve but will worsen" after they ditched Taipei for Beijing, he said.

"Our relationship with Taiwan is not an impediment to having trade relations with mainland China," Pena said, adding that "the restriction is the one placed by the People's Republic of China".

"We have no constraints on doing trade with China, we would love to do more trade with" China, he said.

- 'Tremendous experience' -

Beijing does not allow its diplomatic allies to also recognise Taipei, which only has formal ties with 13 countries.

China has ramped up diplomatic, military, and economic pressure on Taiwan in recent years because Tsai does not accept that the island is a part of Chinese territory.

Beijing staged sea and air military exercises for two days around the island while Pena was visiting, according to Taiwan's defence ministry.

This week's trip is not Pena's first to Taiwan -- he came to the island 24 years ago for training and called it a "tremendous experience" to return.

"It was my first trip to Asia, coming to Taiwan blew my mind about the world and the things that I haven't seen... coming here really shaped my view about the world," the 44-year-old former economist said.

He also said Paraguay is "the number one country" today sending students to Taiwan and hopes this will help develop the South American country's future tech industry.

aw/dhc/leg
Pence brings in just $1.2 million in bid for president, raising doubt over eligibility for debates

Former Vice President Mike Pence was among a handful of Republican presidential candidates who failed to make a splash with the announcement of his second-quarter fundraising total, bringing into question whether he will be able to participate in the first GOP debate next month.

Since launching a campaign for the White House on June 7, Pence raised only $1.2 million, according to his campaign.

Combined with the $2.6 million that was reportedly raised by Committed to America, a super PAC supporting Pence's candidacy in the race, the former Indiana governor's second-quarter total reaches approximately $3.8 million.

The total raised by the Republican presidential hopeful  who faces an uphill battle to serve as the nation's commander in chief  puts Pence on the low end in fundraising, compared to his GOP challengers, sparking concern from Pence supporters.

TRUMP CAMPAIGN RAISES EYE-POPPING AMOUNT WHILE BATTLING DUAL INDICTMENTS, MULTIPLE GOP CHALLENGERS

Former Vice President Mike Pence, since launching a campaign for the White House on June 7, has raised only $1.2 million.

Former President Donald Trump  who has dominated the Republican race for president thus far  hauled in more than $35 million during the April-June second quarter of 2023 fundraising, Trump's campaign confirmed to Fox News last week. That's nearly double the $18.8 million the Trump campaign brought in during the January-March first quarter of fundraising.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Second to Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has brought in an impressive $20 million in fundraising during the first six weeks of his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, his political team told Fox News last week. Never Back Down, the super PAC supporting the Florida governor's presidential run, also told Fox News that it has hauled in $130 million in fundraising since the committee launched in early March.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haleys Republican presidential campaign and two aligned political committees brought in $7.3 million during the April-June second quarter of 2023 fundraising, according to FEC reports. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie reported bringing in $7.5 million in the first 25 days following his June campaign launch.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgums presidential campaign reported raising $11.7 million in the 23 days from June 7  when the governor declared his candidacy for president  through the end of the month, which marked the close of the April-June second quarter of 2023 fundraising . That figure, shared first with Fox News on Friday, included a $10.2 million personal investment from Burgum.

NIKKI HALEY HAULS IN NEARLY $16M SINCE LAUNCHING GOP PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN FEBRUARY

From left to right, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former Vice President Mike Pence.

The lackluster fundraising total also raises doubts about Pence's eligibility to compete in the first presidential debate next month.

The first Republican presidential primary debate of the 2024 cycle  which will be hosted by Fox News and is slated to be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 23  has a list of requirements from the Republican National Committee that candidates must meet in order to take the stage.

To reach the debate state, a candidate must have 40,000 unique donors to their campaign committee (or exploratory committee), with "at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in 20+ states and/or territories." The RNC says candidates must present their fundraising figures at least 48 hours prior to the first debate.

A campaign aide told the New York Times on Friday that Pence, 64, has not reached the 40,000 individual donors that are required.

In an effort to reach the 40,000 threshold, a WinRed site supported by Burgums campaign is offering donors a $20 gift card if they donate at least $1, with a limit of one per person.

To make the stage, candidates will also have to reach 1% in three national polls, or 1% in two national polls and 1% in a poll conducted in one of the four early-voting states in the GOP presidential nominating calendar  Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada.

Fox News' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
Former Vice President Mike Pence said abortions in the case of nonviable pregnancies should be banned, taking a hard stance on abortion policy, which has proven to be a point of emphasis in his campaign.

Im pro-life. I dont apologize for it, Pence said in a recent interview. I just have heard so many stories over the years of courageous women and families who were told that their unborn child would not go to term or would not survive. And then they had a healthy pregnancy and a healthy delivery.

Pence is the only GOP presidential candidate to publicly support a national abortion ban at six weeks. One in three women confirm their pregnancies past the six-week mark, according to a November 2021 study published in the journal Contraception. He has also supported bans on birth control and pushed a 15-week abortion ban as a bare minimum.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

I want to always err on the side of life, he said. I would hold that view in these matters because  I honestly believe that we got this extraordinary opportunity in the country today to restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law.

Pence has made abortion rights a tent pole of his campaign and has previously said the issue is more important than politics.

Medical experts and abortion rights advocates have criticized the pledge, saying that forcing women to carry nonviable pregnancies to term carries unnecessary health risks.

One of the things that you cannot understate is the difficulty for a woman to carry a nonviable pregnancy, said Alan Peaceman, professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine, in an interview with The Associated Press (AP).

It is psychological torture to go out in the world, for people to see your pregnancy  and people will come up to you and want to talk about your pregnancy. And that puts the woman in a terrible position that nobody should be in unless they chose to be in that position, he added.

Campaigns for former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the two leading candidates in the GOP race, did not say whether their candidates would back a similar measure, according to the AP.

Nonviable pregnancies have become a notable political topic since the Supreme Court in 2022 overturned the legal precedent set by Roe v. Wade, removing federal protections for abortion access.

Abortion is banned in 21 states, with six-week bans in place in Georgia and Iowa. DeSantis signed a six-week ban into law in Florida in April, but it is being challenged in court.

Pence has received the third-most support among GOP candidates in polling averages, about 7 percent.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Peoria air quality will be affected by wildfire smoke this weekend. Here's what to know

Residents with respiratory issues were cautioned to limit time spent outdoors this weekend as smoke from wildfires in Canada was to return to the Peoria area.

The National Weather Service office in Lincoln said in a Twitter post that the haze was expected to move in from the northwest on Saturday afternoon and reduce air quality though Sunday. The degraded air quality was expected to affect most of Illinois, and people with chronic respiratory issues were cautioned to limit prolonged outdoor activity.

In late June, all of central Illinois was under an air quality alert from the Environmental Protection Agency because of smoke from the wildfires. At the time, Kirk Huettl, a meteorologist with the National Weather Services Lincoln office since 1998, said he'd never seen air quality that poor in central Illinois.

More: 'Like smoking a pack of cigarettes': Breathing Peoria's smoky air can affect your health

This time around, things may not be so bad.

Nicole Albano, another meteorologist with the NWS in Lincoln, said this weekend's effects may not be quite as severe as at the end of June, but still may cause respiratory issues and reductions in visibility.

She recommended limited outdoor activity for those in sensitive groups. She said people who work outdoors should take frequent indoor breaks and stay hydrated.

But Albano said a cold front moving into the area on Sunday night could help clear things out.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois air quality: Canadian wildfire smoke will affect Peoria area
The Phoenix Police Department's downtown commander in charge of protecting "The Zone" testified Monday that a new operation had reduced crime in the sprawling homeless encampment, even as the department gets pulled into two directions when it comes to policing the area.

Monday's testimony kicked off the trial in a lawsuit against the Phoenix, brought on by business owners in the downtown area near the Human Services Campus. They accuse the city of ignoring public nuisance laws and not enforcing city codes that ban camping.

Commander Brian Freudenthal testified that the Police Department created a crime suppression plan in February to increase police presence and cut down on crime in the area.

The operation launched the next month, when Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney released a scathing order against the city instructing it to start clearing the area of The Zone.

Before the crime suppression plan, eight officers worked in shifts patrolling the area between 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., with another officer who was dedicated to working with service providers and businesses in the area.

The order given to police officers was to redirect people to services when appropriate.

The perception on the street had been that police patrols had decreased according to people living in tents and people who owned businesses.

The number of violent crimes in the area rose to become some of the highest in the city, according to data pulled by The Arizona Republic.

In court on Monday, Freudenthal told the court that crime had decreased since the start of the operation. Violent crime dropped by 11%, and property crime dropped by about 23%.

Though they did see a reduction in crime, the commander said that the crime rate in the area remained high when compared to the rest of the city.

The March crime suppression plan added more work hours, including overtime, for officers patrolling The Zone. It also allowed other units and precincts to assist. Phoenix police also added four pole cameras, six gunshot detectors and five license plate readers in the area. Officers were directed to focus on five priority crimes:

Misconduct involving weapons

Possession of narcotic drugs

Possession of dangerous drugs

Obstructing streets and sidewalks

Criminal trespassing

Mario Zepeda, who lives in The Zone, said he saw increased patrols in the last few months as more people moved their tents out of the area. The city has conducted four sweeps since Blaney's order.

'The heat will kill you': Amid record heat and facing a court ruling, Phoenix clears another block of 'The Zone'

Zepeda said it was mostly due to the city clearing out each block. Hes stayed around the Human Services Campus as he tries to stay near cooling stations because of the heat, but he isnt sure how much longer hell stay there.

Hed like the city to spend money on building housing for people instead of spending time and money moving them from one side of the city to another. It feels like a game, he said, adding that hes tired of jumping through hoops.

In court, Freudenthal expressed frustration as he was cross-examined by Stephen Tully, attorney for the business owners.

Tully asked Freudenthal about whether or not the citys camping laws are being enforced.

It depends who you ask, Freudenthal said.

He said the court had instructed the officers in a lawsuit brought on by the ACLU that they have to assess every person before citing or arresting them, in line with a Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that prevents cities from arresting or citing people that live on the street if they dont have a place to go.

The court, in this case, has said that the city is hiding behind the 9th Circuit ruling in the order it released earlier this year.

It would help if we had a straight answer between the two courts, he said.

Later he added, It puts us in a difficult position. Its not easy at all to reconcile the difference between the two suits.

The police will continue to cite and arrest people from camping on sites already cleared by the city during their block-by-block sweeps and enforce city code when people block entranceways.

But Zepeda said that just because you cant see the crime happening to them, it doesnt mean its not happening.

Just because there are fewer people here doesnt mean we arent being hurt somewhere else," he said. Crime happens to us, police happen to us, no housing happens to us. What should we do until we find a place?"

Staff writer Juliette Rihl contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix police testify in court case about 'The Zone' homeless camp
A Phoenix man was sentenced in the 2021 death of a teenager, but one more suspect  the one accused of the killing  remains on the loose.

On July 6, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Timothy Jay Thomason sentenced 22-year-old Jesus Javier Valle Padilla III to 13 years in prison for the manslaughter of 17-year-old Itzel Espinoza, for handing the gun to the other defendant, who fired it.

In July 2021, police say Padilla handed a gun to Lindsey Brianna Aguilar,18, who then shot and killed Espinoza, according to court documents. A third suspect, who was 16 years old, was also involved and later arrested for moving and abandoning Espinoza's body.

After signing off on a plea deal in January, Padilla is the second person to be sentenced for this case. Last year the teenage suspect, then 17, was sentenced to two years for car theft and abandoning and concealing a dead body. Aguilar, who is suspected of shooting and killing Espinoza, has yet to be found, police say.

Phoenix police are searching for 18-year-old Lindsey B. Aguilar, who is suspected of fatally shooting 17-year-old Itzel E. Espinoza on July 3, 2021.

"Detectives are actively investigating and following up on all leads to locate Lindsey Aguilar. Federal and state resources are involved with assisting in locating her wherever she may be," said Phoenix Police spokesperson Sgt. Brian Bower.

Padilla was also sentenced to 7.5 years last week for an armed robbery that occurred just over one month before Espinoza's death. His sentences are to run concurrently.

Physical fight turned fatal

Around 5:15 a.m. on July 3, 2021, 17-year-old Espinoza and Aguilar were engaged in a physical fight near 38th and Wier avenues, court documents show. Padilla was one of a group of people watching, with some recording the fight on their cell phones, according to court documents.

At one point, Espinoza ran to a parked vehicle and locked herself inside. Aguilar followed and started banging on the window, demanding Espinoza to get out of the car, court documents show.

Padilla was standing nearby when Aguilar asked him for a gun. He then pulled a gun from his pants and handed it to Aguilar, court documents show. Documents state that Aguilar then took the gun and fired multiple times into the front passenger window where Espinoza was sitting, shooting her several times.

After the shooting, Aguilar gave the gun back to Padilla and they left the scene, court documents show.

Around 5:30 a.m., Phoenix Police were called to investigate someone sitting in a car with apparent gunshot wounds in an alley near 35th and Southern avenues. When they arrived, they found a grey Lexus parked in the alley with Espinoza in the passenger seat with three gunshot wounds to the right side of her body.

The Lexus was later identified to had been stolen earlier that night, for which the 16-year-old was charged. There were also multiple apparent bullet holes through the front passenger window.

Body-camera footage: Phoenix police release video of fatal shooting of man who resisted arrest

Espinoza was pronounced dead and a autopsy later determined the cause of death to be gunshot wounds. At the time, only Aguilar knew about the argument that led up to the shooting, according to Bower.

A married couple, who lived near the area of the incident, called police about the shooting. One of them told police that he was outside their house and witnessed the event unfold, court documents show. The two later were shown lineups and identified Aguilar as the shooter, documents show.

The day after the shooting, police spoke to Denise King, who knew Padilla. She contacted the police herself, court documents show. King told police she was staying at the house where the incident took place. Two others, including Padilla's sister were also staying there.

Court documents show that King said that around 4 a.m. July 3, Padilla woke her up and told her that his sister and two others got into a car accident, one being the other person staying in the house with King. Padilla and King were talking about the accident when they heard a commotion outside, King said. Both King and Padilla went outside and witnessed Aguilar tell the 16-year-old friend that he needed to get Espinoza "out of here," according to court documents.

King told police that she saw the fight unfold, first inside the car and as it spilled out onto the street. Court documents show King told police Aguilar was "beating the life out" of Espinoza. She said she saw Espinoza break away from the fight, get back into the car, and lock the doors.

King told police she then watched Aguilar pound on the glass window of the car, telling Espinoza to open the door. Court documents show that Aguilar had said "on my momma's life, I wanna kill you," according to King.

King told police that Aguilar then asked Padilla to hand her a gun  which he did  and she subsequently fired at the passenger window of the car, court documents show. Everyone then fled the area in King's car, with Padilla driving, according to court documents and King.

King told police that she heard Aguilar tell the 16-year-old to get rid of Espinoza's body, and said "set the body on fire for all I care," according to court documents. She then told King that if anyone snitched on her, she will "come for their heads."

Four days later, police interviewed the 16-year-old, who said he and another individual stole the Lexus, court documents show. He told police that Padilla told him to get rid of the stolen Lexus, with Espinoza still inside. The teenager said he drove her to the alley, left her and the car there, and later called police under a fake name, court documents show.

North Phoenix fire: Hospitalized mother dies day after apartment fire killed her 3-year-old son

On July 16, nearly two weeks after the shooting, police said they found Padilla near 24th Street and University Drive and arrested him on suspicion of facilitation of murder. Court documents said the handgun used in the shooting was found in a vehicle that Padilla was stopped in but did not say who the gun was registered to.

After being read his rights, court documents show that Padilla told police about the night of the incident, offering essentially the same account as King's, saying it was his sister who got into a car crash.

Court documents show that when he was talking to police about handing Aguilar the gun, he said he didn't believe she was going to fire it because he didn't think she had it in her. Padilla told police that he had given the gun to Aguilar in the past and that she had never fired it.

After the shooting, Padilla told police that they all got into King's car and visited his sister in the hospital. He said he told the 16-year-old to take Espinoza to the hospital. Court documents do not state whether he told the 16-year-old to get rid of the stolen car.

Padilla was indicted with first degree murder and the facilitation of first degree murder. Under Arizona state law, an accomplice is as liable as the major participant in a crime.

In January, a plea deal changed the charge to manslaughter and resulted in the dismissal of the facilitation charge.

Shot to death and abandoned 'Shot to death and left in an alley' like a 'piece of trash'

Judge Thomason's courtroom in the central court building had a gallery full of people attending on behalf of Espinoza and Padilla. Four spoke to the court on behalf of Espinoza, including her stepmother and brother.

"It was a real surprise to find out that my daughter was shot to death and left in an alley like she was a piece of trash," Espinoza's step-mother Maricella Saldana said.

"And to find out that this guy right here pointed a gun" to the 16-year-old's head and "told him to go dump her and get rid of her body, like as if she wasn't his friend," she added.

The week before, she said, Espinoza had called Padilla her "brother" on Snapchat, despite knowing him for a few months. Just a week later, Saldana said, he did nothing but watch Aguilar beat Espinoza.

Before Saldana went up to speak, she said she heard the chains around Padilla's feet and said she wished they were on him before the incident happened given that he had charges in other cases, like the armed robbery he had committed just over a month before Espinoza's death. Instead, she said, he was out and about "waving guns around with his friends," as if life was a big party with no consequences. She said that hanging around with the wrong people for less than a year altered Espinoza's life.

Saldana said that the day Espinoza died was the day she also lost her husband and son, saying they are not the same people anymore. She went on to say that it has been a dark time and even though family and friends come around, Espinoza's room is still empty.

"I know they say, 'oh he didn't pull the trigger,'" she said, "In my mind, he did. He gave that gun knowing what she [Aguilar] was going to do, what could happen."

Phoenix-area homicides in July 2023: Man shot, killed at Phoenix apartment complex

Espinoza's older brother, Emiliano Espinoza, told the court that he was in complete disagreement with the sentence that Padilla's defense was asking for, which was the minimum of 10 years. He said Padilla was at fault because he gave the gun to Aguilar. He instead pushed for the maximum of 15 years, which the prosecution was asking for.

The other two people who spoke were Espinoza's aunts. They told the court how much pain the family as a whole has been in. One of the aunts looked directly into Padilla's eyes and told him that what he did was wrong.

No one spoke on behalf of Padilla in court, but some sent the court letters in advance. His grandmother, Martha Montero, wrote about how proud she was of him when he worked as a lifeguard and volunteer for various organizations in Phoenix. She wrote that he "truly cares for others."

DNA links man to sex assault from 2000: Police make arrest in two-decade-old sexual assault of Phoenix teen

Montero said that Padilla is remorseful for his mistakes and has gone through a tough time but has now "started a journey to becoming the man" the family can be proud of again.

"He has hope again. I now see a wiser man compared to the confused child of last year," Montero wrote. She said in the letter that Padilla being incarcerated would not be useful for him, stating that he should get counseling to navigate through why he has strayed away from the family.

Padilla's defense counsel, Robert Ditsworth, emphasized to the court that Padilla did not know Aguilar would pull the trigger. He said Padilla thought it was more of the lifestyle they were living at the time, like a game.

"Did he truly think that someone was going to die that moment? No."

Ditsworth also said he was not going to argue over whether Padilla ordered the 16-year-old to hide Espinoza's body, as Espinoza's mom and the state's attorney Gregory Bizzozero briefly mentioned that day. The defense says Padilla did not.

When Judge Thomason asked Padilla if he'd like to address the court, he pulled out a letter from an envelope. He talked about the morning of July 3, 2021, and how his sister got into a car accident. He said he was confused, scared, and unaware of what was going on when Espinoza and Aguilar began fighting. Padilla looked back toward the gallery and apologized to Espinoza and her family.

"Itzel never deserved this. She was one-of-a kind," Padilla said, "I don't think words could describe how wonderful and amazing she was." He said he regrets, with everything in him, what happened.

After all statements were made, Thomason sentenced Padilla first for the armed robbery charge. Then, after taking some time to review all the content about the case and what was said that day, he imposed a 13-year sentence for manslaughter on Padilla.

Thomason said he considered that Padilla was remorseful, cooperative, and young. However, Espinoza was also young, he said. Thomason said he also considered that Padilla was sentenced for another crime, letters he received about Padilla's recklessness the night of the incident, and how he did not seek help for Espinoza and left the scene, and that to some extent he appeared to have covered up the crime.

Anyone with information about Aguilar is encouraged to call Phoenix police at 602-262-6151 or, to remain anonymous, Silent Witness at 480-948-6377 or 480-837-8446 for Spanish. According to Silent Witness, investigators believe its possible she could be moving between the United States and Mexico.

This reporting follows crimes The Republic began to cover in 2021 and is part of our commitment to telling the story from start to finish.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Jesus Padilla sentenced to 13 years in the death of Itzel Espinoza
Phoenix police released a critical incident briefing video on Friday that included snippets of body-camera footage depicting a fatal police shooting that left one man dead on July 1.

Sgt. Brian Bower, a department spokesman, narrated the video saying officers responded to the area of Washington and 32nd streets to reports of a burglary involving a man and a woman.

Responding officers located two people matching suspect descriptions and one officer detained the two while another ran a records check. The man appears to identify himself as Roberto Gallo according to the body-camera footage though police didnt publicly confirm his identity.

An officer can be heard telling the man that hes being detained. The man, who was sitting on the ground, begins to stand up.

Footage shows the two officers begin to scuffle with the man, though much of the footage is obstructed in some manner. The officers continue struggling to handcuff the man when one officer tells him to let go of his stun gun or he will shoot him.

Related story: Phoenix police respond to storage unit burglary; officer fatally shoots suspect

Bower said the police shooting itself wasnt captured on video as the body camera of the officer who shot the man fell off before the incident occurred.

Bower said officers rendered first aid to the man after the shooting and later carried him to fire personnel who took the man to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Bower said both officers were also treated at the hospital  one sustained minor injuries while the other had serious injuries that weren't life-threatening.

The officer who shot the man is a four-year veteran with the department.

Phoenix police are conducting a criminal and administrative investigation into the shooting and will submit the former to the Maricopa County Attorneys Office for review once it is completed as is standard protocol.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Police release body-camera footage of fatal shooting in Phoenix
via Telegram/Reverse Side of the Medal

A photo of Vladimir Putin ally-turned-mutineer Yevgeny Prigozhin, showing him in his underwear in what appears to be a Wagner Group field camp, surfaced Friday just as Belarusian authorities announced the mercenary group has begun training troops in that country.

The photo, released by a Wagner-affiliated Telegram channel, shows the foul-mouthed warlord awkwardly sitting on a cot, without pants, and holding up a hand to apparently wave to the camera. The channel claims that the photo was taken on Wednesday, which would make it the first visual confirmation that Prigozhin is still at it since the days immediately following his violent uprising against the Russian military last month.

But there was no way to immediately confirm that claim, and some have questioned whether it was deliberately leaked to counter an ongoing smear campaign against Prigozhin in Kremlin-controlled media.

Belarusian media reported that the photo was apparently taken inside a newly constructed field camp for Wagner fighters in the town of Osipovichi, in the Mogilev region, where Wagner fighters have reportedly begun training Belarusian troops on their ruthless tactics. Flightradar reportedly showed Prigozhins private jet arriving in the country on Monday evening.

Some Wagner fighters arrived in the area as early as Tuesday, according to Reuters. The Belarusian Defense Ministry on Friday announced that training was already underway.

Near Osipovichi, classes are being held with units from the territorial troops. The conscripts are mastering the skills of moving on the battlefield and tactical shooting, gaining knowledge in engineer training, and tactical medicine. Wagner fighters are acting as instructors in a number of military disciplines, the ministry said in a statement. The statement was accompanied by a brief video noting that Wagner fighters were sharing their combat experience with troops.

The fate of the notorious Wagner Group had been the subject of fevered speculation since late June, when the Kremlin shocked the world by letting Prigozhin and his men evade punishment after shooting down several military choppers and killing a slew of service members in their armed uprising on Russian territory. At that time, the Kremlin said Prigozhin would be allowed to move to Belarus, though for several weeks it was not clear if that would actually happen.

Putins Panicked Purge May Signal a New Mutiny on the Horizon

Meanwhile, after publicly admitting that the private mercenary army the Kremlin has long denied having any ties to was actually bankrolled entirely by Moscow, Vladimir Putin has now claimed the group does not exist.

In comments to the Kommersant newspaper, an exasperated Putin reportedly recounted his meeting with Prigozhin and Wagner commanders on June 29, when the Russian leader claimed he tried to offer them a way for them all to continue to servewithout Prigozhin in charge.

Putin claimed several commanders took a liking to his proposal, but Prigozhin quickly shut it down, saying his fighters wont agree with such a decision.

With the Kremlin now trying to lure Wagner fighters away from their beloved boss, the rebellion Prigozhin unleashed last month appears to have spread to the regular Russian military, however. Dozens of high-ranking military officers were reportedly detained in the wake of Wagners incursion, one prominent general hasnt been seen in public since, and a top general who was dismissed this week for accusing military leaders of covering up battlefield failures is already being praised among pro-Kremlin figures for speaking truth to power.

Asked about the latest rebellion in the ranks, however, the Kremlin on Friday only said, We are not commenting.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A single vehicle crashed into a structure in Miami Township Saturday overnight.

>> TRENDING: Trotwood house fire decimates entire home, spreads to neighboring trees

Miamisburg Police, assisted by Miami Valley Fire, were dispatched to the 400 block of Byers Road on reports of a vehicle that crashed into a nearby structure, Kettering Dispatchwhich also dispatches for Miami Township and Miamisburgsaid.

Officers responding to the scene confirmed that a Dodge Ram pickup truck crashed into a building. Dispatchers were unable to specify what type of building it was; however, from a preliminary investigation on online map systems, the area near Byers Road was a residential neighborhood.

Although Miami Valley Fire assisted with the scene, there were no reported injuries. Firefighters and medics were dispatched as part of procedure.

The extent of the damage was unknown at the time of reporting.

The Miamisburg Police Department led the investigation into the crash.

We will update this story as it develops.
Tyler Yates father, Greg Yates, remembers his son as being a well-liked and very active guy.

But a significant motorcycle accident, and the subsequent opioid prescription from the hospital, are what first introduced Tyler to narcotics. That introduction led to an addiction, and later, by mistake, his tragic death.

Its a demon that he battled off and on for a number of years, Greg Yates told McClatchy. Unfortunately, at the time of his death, he had actually been doing very well for about the previous year or so.

In January 2022, Tyler purchased Percocet, an opioid used to treat pain, from a dealer. What Tyler didnt know was that the pill was counterfeit and contained fentanyl. Tyler died the same evening in Shelton.

Tylers death led to the creation of a bill during this years legislative session called the Tyler Lee Yates Act, legislation aimed at stemming the tide of fentanyl overdoses by making pill presses in the state illegal.

That law goes into effect July 23 and will prohibit the purchase, sale and possession of pill presses in the state of Washington. The bill passed both chambers of the Legislature unanimously during the 2023 session, and was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee in April.

Greg Yates told McClatchy that, as a veteran firefighter, he has seen firsthand how convincing pills made with a pill press can look.

If you pull up a picture online, you cannot tell the difference between an actual 30 mg Oxycodone tablet and a counterfeit one that has been pressed. Exact same markings, exact same everything. And that was being done with these pill presses, he said.

He also noted that the amount of fentanyl added to each pill varies widely.

You could get one of those pills and it could have hardly any fentanyl in it, or you could get another one that had enough to kill 10 people, he added.

State Rep. Dan Griffey, R-Allyn, co-sponsored the bill this year. The bill was personal for Griffey too: He and Greg Yates worked together as firefighters in Mason County for many years before Griffey retired.

Griffey told McClatchy that he believes the pill press is another tool law enforcement officials can use to target those who are creating and distributing fake pills. He said those who produce fake tablets are very knowledgeable about how to make the pills look legitimate.

When somebody does that, it is deceiving somebody into taking their own life, Griffey said.

The pill presses allow manufacturers to produce fentanyl-laced pills quickly, said Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place, who was the prime sponsor of the bill this year.

As a mom with three school-aged children at home, its frightening to think how easily adults and children alike can be duped and potentially die or become addicted as a result, she said.

According to a quarterly review released by the Department of Children, Youth and Families this year, fentanyl continues to be the leading cause of near-fatal injury in cases reviewed by the agency.

In 2022 alone, 109,680 people in the U.S. died from drug overdoses.

Although Griffey and Greg Yates said that they believe that lawmakers can do more to tackle the fentanyl crisis, they agreed the bill passed this year will help.

If this tragedy leads to even saving one person, at least there will be something good that came out of this loss, Greg Yates said.
Israel came out swinging at Swedish officials on Friday following the decision by Stockholm police to allow the Bible and Torah to be burned during a protest scheduled for this weekend outside the Israeli Embassy.

Jerusalem called on the Swedish government to stop the protests, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "The sacred books of all religions must be respected."

"I strongly condemn the decision of the authorities in Sweden to allow the burning of a Bible book in front of the Israeli embassy in the country," he said in a tweet. "The State of Israel takes very seriously this shameful decision that damages the Holy of Holies of the Jewish people."

FAILURE TO PREVENT QURAN-BURNING PROTESTS RAISES CONCERNS OVER SWEDEN'S NATO MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY

Other top Israeli officials "unequivocally" condemned the permissions granted during the planned protests, including Israeli President Issac Herzog, who said, "As the President of the State of Israel, I condemned the burning of the Quran, sacred to The Muslim world over, and I am now heartbroken that the same fate awaits a Jewish Bible, the eternal book of the Jewish people."

"Permitting the defacement of sacred texts is not an exercise in freedom of expression; it is blatant incitement and an act of pure hate," he added. "The whole world must join together in clearly condemning this repulsive act."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The decision by Stockholm police comes just weeks after Sweden faced backlash when the Quran was burned in anti-Islam protests outside a Stockholm mosque by an Iraqi immigrant late last month.

SWEDEN HIGH COURT REJECTS EXTRADITION REQUESTS FROM TURKEY, CITING LACK OF CRIMINALITY UNDER SWEDISH LAW

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen apparently spoke with Israel's ambassador to Sweden, Ziv Nevo Kulman, on Friday morning to discuss what steps have been taken to prevent the burning of the holy books.

"Burning a Torah scroll is a crime of hate, provocation, and serious harm to the Jewish people and tradition," he said in a statement Friday. "I call on the authorities in Sweden to prevent this despicable event and not to allow the burning of a Torah scroll."

Cohen said the Israeli ambassador had spoken with his Swedish counterpart and "explained to him the seriousness with which Israel views the police's approval of damage to the sacred sites of Judaism."

Fox News Digital could not immediately reach the Swedish foreign ministry for comment on any steps it may take to stop the holy books from being burnt.

The demonstrations scheduled for this weekend are an apparent response to the controversial anti-Islam protests and a request was filed and approved for Saturday to burn the Bible and Torah.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The popular e-commerce website Shein has been accused of copying three independent designers, according to a new lawsuit.

The complaint filed on Tuesday by designers Krista Perry, Larissa Martinez and Jay Baron alleges that Shein produced, distributed, and sold exact copies of their work.

As shown below, these are not the familiar close call legal claims where a corporate apparel manufacturer takes inspiration a bit too liberally. At issue here, inexplicably, are truly exact copies of copyrightable graphic design appearing on Shein products, the complaint states.

Perry is a resident of Worcester, Mass., who has created artwork for clients like Nickelodeon and Jameson Whiskey. Martinez is from Los Angeles and serves as the CEO of a family-run small business that designs and creates handmade to-order clothing from a workshop.

Baron is also from Los Angeles but works between Burbank, Calif., and Austin, Texas. He founded his company when he was 18 years old and has had his work displayed on television shows, in movies and at more than 100 independent retailers in the United States, according to the lawsuit.

The complaint alleges that Perry created a design entitled Make it Fun that Shein soon after began selling. She reached out to the company to address this and allegedly received a reply offering her $500 and stating that Shein had done its diligence to ensure no intellectual property violation occurred.

Perry was then contacted by Shein again a year later to request permission to use her work on the companys clothing, but she declined. She later discovered that another design, Floral Bloom, was being used without her consent, according to the complaint.

Baron alleges that his design, Trying My Best, was stolen, as does Martinez with her design, Orange Daises.

All three defendants are bringing claims of copyright infringement against Shein for allegedly violating the copyrights that they hold on their designs, and Baron also accuses Shein of violating his trademark.

The plaintiffs also allege that Shein has been violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, alleging that the company has a pattern of engaging in racketeering activity and for the unlawful and purpose of intentionally and criminally infringing Plaintiffs and others copyrights for massive financial gain.

The RICO Act was originally passed in 1970 to give federal law enforcement new tools and penalties to prosecute civil and criminal acts that are part of an ongoing criminal organization.

The plaintiffs are requesting damages for the injuries they allege they have sustained from the use of their material and an order to prevent Shein from engaging in any of the alleged misconduct mentioned in the lawsuit.

The Hill has reached out to Shein for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Greg Leon, the successful Lexington County restaurant owner who established a popular chain of Mexican restaurants and who was convicted earlier this month of murdering his wifes lover, died Friday night at a Columbia hospital.

The news was announced in a tweet by Eric Bland, Leons longtime friend and attorney.

Bland did not give a cause of death.

At the time of his death, Leon, 56, had been an inmate in the S.C. Department of Corrections in the first weeks of a 30-year prison sentence.

The Corrections agency had no immediate announcement.

In his tweet, Bland paid tribute to Leon, saying, He left a legacy for sure... He was super religious. I met with him on Thursday and ... he told me God has a plan for him and that somehow he believed some good will come to him..

Bland, who was with Leon in the hospital when he died, said the medical staff at Prisman

Leon, who started the San Jose Mexican chain of Midlands restaurants, was convicted July 6 of murdering 28-year-old Arturo Bravo Santos on Valentines Day 2016. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison on the murder charge and another five years for possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The sentences were to be served concurrently.

Bravo Santos was killed after Leon followed his wife to a park-and-ride in Lexington County on Valentines Day 2016. There, Leon found Bravo Santos with Leons wife in the back seat of a pickup truck.

When he was shot, Bravo Santos was naked except for a pair of socks.

Leon had tracked his wife to the park-and-ride with a GPS tracker he had hidden in her car. Leon testified that he shot Bravo Santos in self defense because the younger man threatened him and acted as if he was reaching for a gun.

Throughout the trial, defense attorneys repeatedly argued that there was no concrete evidence of premeditation. They also said forensic evidence supported Leons claim that Bravo Santos appeared to be reaching for a weapon.

Greg Leon had one second to make a life altering decision about whether or not he was in immediate danger, Jack Swerling, one of Leons attorneys, told the jury in his closing argument.

Before Leon, 56, was sentenced, seven people testified with emotion about what they called Leons good character. They included two of his sons, a former Town of Lexington councilman and a man who said Leon had saved his home from foreclosure.

He is without question the hardest working businessman I have ever met in my life... There are so many people that depend on Greg, their livelihoods, their families... my life is crushed, said Eric Bland, Leons corporate attorney and and a long time friend.
U.S. servicemen march to firing positions during joint military exercises at the Vaziani military base outside Tbilisi, Georgia, in 2016. President Joe Biden authorized the deployment of 3,000 reserve forces to Europe on Thursday. | Shakh Aivazov, Associated Press

On Thursday, President Joe Biden authorized the use of 3,000 reserve troops in Europe following the two-day NATO summit he attended in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The summit was part of his five-day trip through the U.K., Lithuania and Finland, where he expressed a clear stance on Russias invasion of Ukraine.

In the White House announcement of the action, Biden emphasized the necessity to augment the active Armed Forces of the United States for the effective conduct of Operation Atlantic Resolve in and around the United States European Commands area of responsibility.

Bidens order grants Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin permission to call up reserve units and send them into eastern European countries as the war in Ukraine continues, per Military Times.

Although Ukraine has asked to join NATO, the U.S. along with other NATO members have said it wouldnt happen immediately.

Its going to happen, were moving in the right direction, I think its just a matter of getting by the next few months here, Biden said during remarks in Lithuania, per the Deseret News.

While meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on Thursday, Biden emphasized that (Ukraine President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy ended up very happy despite his expressed frustrations at the lack of a clear timetable for Ukraine to join the alliance, according to Fox News.

Some Republicans, including Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas, saw Bidens decision to tap reservists as a provocation.

Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, reacted to the news of Bidens decision in a series of tweets, saying, Ive been trying to figure out what this means. Bottom line up front: President Biden is arguably walking the U.S. up to the line of war and daring Russia to shoot first.

 1. Ive been trying to figure out what this means. Bottom line up front: President Biden is arguably walking the U.S. up to the line of war and daring Russia to shoot first. https://t.co/582PurORr7  Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) July 14, 2023

One Twitter user asked how to stop this from happening, to which Lee replied that although controversial, invoking the War Powers Act might be the next move Congress needs to make.

Another user asked, Does the war powers act give Congress the authority to pull back executive war efforts?

Lee said in theory, yes, but the president of the United States can veto a resolution passed under the War Powers Act, so unless he decides not to veto 2/3 of both houses of Congress were willing to override his veto, its not going to work. That would leave Congress with the option of defunding, but thats tricky too because spending legislation is also subject to presidential veto.
The Patriot media group of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the financier of the Wagner Group, has announced the termination of its work after the recent failed rebellion initiated by Prigozhin's mercenaries, but its fate is not finally decided, and Prigozhin's troll accounts continue to be active on the Internet.

Source: Financial Times

Details: A few hours after Wagner's march to Moscow, Russian special services raided the headquarters of Prigozhin's media empire and the troll farm, which is united under the Patriot umbrella company.

Patriot announced its closure on social media. But, according to informed sources, its final fate has not yet been decided, the newspaper reports.

Alexander Ionov, who was sanctioned by the United States and accused of cooperating with Prigozhin and the Russian special services to undermine the US elections, told the newspaper that "the group ('Patriot') was suspended, not closed, because there are more urgent matters at the moment". He added that commercial buyers may be interested in the "very large patriotic audience" of the holding.

At the same time, Alexander Krasnobaev, head of the Neva News website owned by the Patriot, told the Financial Times that he had "suspended editorial work" but hopes to resume it.

Answering the question of why a message about its closure appeared on the site's social media pages, Krasnobaev suggested that this was done in order to "preserve the intrigue."

Adding to the mystery is the legion of anonymous Prigozhin's accounts that continue to post as before.

Quote: "The mutiny did not stop the trolls for a second," said one of the activists, who identified himself as an Antibot. But, he added, the appearance of a new owner may only be a matter of time.

"A [bot] farm is a rare commodity... If Prigozhin loses control over it, it will quickly move to another structure close to the Kremlin," he believes.

The newspaper notes that by 2017, Prigozhin's media group had reached millions of users, creating a network of dozens of distinctly pro-Kremlin news sites covering lifestyle, business, city news and politics.

Quote: "Even after being blocked for most of last month, the sites under the Patriot umbrella still attract more than 20 million users  an audience comparable to that of major state media outlets such as Russia's RT, according to LiveInternet data," the newspaper says.

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Wang Yi puts forward proposal on security, stability in Asia-Pacific

Xinhua) 09:56, July 15, 2023

Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi attends the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) foreign ministers' meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

JAKARTA, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on Friday put forward a three-point proposal on safeguarding security and stability in Asia-Pacific.

Wang, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) foreign minister's meeting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the ARF.

As the security mechanism with the widest coverage in the Asia-Pacific region, the forum has persistently carried out security dialogues and cooperation, and contributed to regional peace and stability, Wang noted.

He said in order to maintain a secure and stable strategic landscape in the Asia-Pacific region, China is keen to make the proposal.

First, adhering to openness and inclusiveness, and promoting common security. Wang called for taking into account the aspirations and interests of all parties, and taking the path of common security through extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.

Wang said the Asia-Pacific region does not need an arms race, cannot engage in bloc confrontation and is not keen to start things anew. It is extremely opposed to the so-called "Asia-Pacific version of NATO", he stressed.

Second, safeguarding regional rules and promoting universal security. The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), whose purposes and principles highly conform with that of the United Nations Charter, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and the Bandung Spirit, constitute the norm governing state-to-state relations for regional countries, Wang said.

He called on the regional countries to earnestly implement the TAC and practice true multilateralism.

Third, deepening pragmatic cooperation and achieving cooperative security. Wang suggested regional countries take advantage of cooperation projects to inject new vitality into confidence-building measures and preventive diplomacy in various fields. He called for cooperation in less sensitive areas and efforts to foster common security interests so as to boost security mutual trust.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
Prisoners now have access to Pell Grant educations  but face a tough road to get them

While Pell Grants will soon give access to free college for more than 760,000 inmates under an expansion announced this month, experts warn of inequities and difficulties that will plague incarcerated individuals looking for a degree.

Prison education programs are shown to lower recidivism and boost employment opportunities, and, for the first time since 1994, incarcerated Americans are now eligible for Pell Grants while they serve their time if their facility has access to education programs and they get chosen in the highly competitive process.

There are two main obstacles prisoners hit when moving to receive a college education: access to a program that works for them and the ability to apply.

Access to post-secondary degree programs inside prisons is limited to facilities that actively have a college working with them to provide them.

Vera, an institute working to end mass incarceration, found in the 2019 to 2020 school year, some 372 colleges out of the almost 6,000 in the United States offered credit-bearing classes to inmates.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons doesnt offer an exact count of the facilities with such programs, but Campus Explorer reported last year that 40 percent of prisons provide the opportunity for inmates to study for college degrees.

Even prisons with programs wont work for many because around 70 percent of inmates cant read above a fourth-grade level.

Applicants also must meet a marker of good behavior. Black and Hispanic inmates are more likely to face discipline in prison, leading more white prisoners to have access to the college programming.

Vera found in a study of the Obama administrations Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites Initiative that white prisoners were enrolled at a higher percentage than their portion of the overall prison population in college programs.

I think the culture inside becomes one that these individuals need further punishment and locking them down and isolating them becomes their treatment and they do not have access to the very things that could be helpful to them. So I think thats one of the pieces of inequity, said Lois Pullano, executive director of Citizens for Prison Reform.

If a prisoner can eventually reach a program that works for them, it will still be a struggle to get the Pell Grant needed to complete the degree for free.

In order to apply for a Pell Grant, prisoners will need to fill out a FAFSA and get the information needed such as transcripts from other schools they were previously enrolled in.

And those with an outstanding debt at a previous higher education institution can not receive a Pell Grant.

To resolve issues with FAFSA or other difficulties prisoners might run into, they would need access to the internet, which many do not have or only have in restricted, limited time.

This can lead to bigger burdens on the schools involved.

Mary Thomas, director of Ohio State Universitys Ohio Prison Education Exchange Project, said, OSU will have to provide a whole host of students services and support of utilizing the Pell Grants because you cant fill out a FAFSA on your own when youre in prison.

Were going to have to provide staffing to do all of that on their behalf, which means the university is really gonna have to invest a lot of time by staff to be able to make this work, she said.

Although she hailed the expansion of Pell Grants as a great step, Thomas said Ohio State is working to raise private funds for their project in order to keep up with the additional costs.

She added that Ohio State has been working with one all-womens prison, which are underrepresented in having these types of programs, and focusing on inmates who have longer sentences.

Its well known that people who serve life sentences are really the anchors of any prison. Theyre the ones who end up being stabilizing forces within the prison itself, Thomas said, adding the impacts of quality high-quality higher education in prisons create more stable prison environments.

Ohio State has been giving classes to the facility for free as it is seen as a good learning opportunity for students who choose to go to the prison to take a class with the inmates.

In the end, only 30,000 prisoners will receive a Pell Grant to pursue a college degree which will cost around $130 million a year for the aid.

Everyone who will apply for the degree will have a high school diploma or a GED just like any person whos applying to OSU needs, and itll be a competitive application process, Thomas said. Theyll have to write essays and complete the application [] Really the goal for higher ed and prison projects is to be sure that youre doing very similar work and providing similar services that you do on campus.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Mark Trevelyan

(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in which they discussed the Black Sea grain deal, due to expire on Monday, and a summit in South Africa next month, the Kremlin said on Saturday.

Ramaphosa finds himself in an awkward position as host of the BRICS summit because of an arrest warrant issued against Putin in March by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which accused him of the war crime of deporting Ukrainian children to Russia.

The warrant means member states of the ICC - of which South Africa is one - are obliged to arrest him if he sets foot on their territory. Russia said at the time that the warrant was "outrageous" and legally void because Russia is not an ICC member.

The Kremlin has yet to say publicly if Putin intends to go to the summit. In Saturday's statement it said Ramaphosa had briefed Putin about preparations for the event, but did not give details of their exchange.

Ramaphosa's office, in its readout of the call, did not mention the meeting of the BRICS group, which also includes Brazil, India and China.

It said the two men discussed an African peace initiative for Ukraine and "the need for a permanent and sustainable solution to the movement of grain from Russia and Ukraine to the international markets".

The African plan was presented separately to Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy last month by a group of leaders including Ramaphosa, but has yet to gain any traction.

On the grain deal, which expires on Monday unless Russia agrees to extend it, Putin reiterated to Ramaphosa that commitments to remove obstacles to Russian food and fertiliser exports had not yet been fulfilled, the Kremlin said.

Russia has repeatedly said that for this reason it sees no grounds to renew the deal, originally struck a year ago to enable Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports despite the war with Russia.

Putin told reporters on Thursday that rather than renew the arrangement next week, Moscow might pull out and wait for its demands to be met before rejoining.

Russia has threatened to quit the deal before, however, only to renew it at the last minute.

(Additional reporting by Kopano Gumbi; editing by Clelia Oziel)
Putin wants to keep Wagner Group as fighting force, but without Prigozhin  ISW

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) note that the rhetoric of Russian President Vladimir Putin confirms that he wants to keep the Wagner Group as a fighting force, separating it from Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Source: ISW

Details: Analysts point out that Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he intends to keep the Wagner Group as a cohesive fighting force, not split it up.

However, he seeks to remove Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the private military company, from Wagners leadership and forces.

When asked directly about the future of Wagner as a combat unit, Putin persisted in his ludicrous claim that private military companies do not exist in Russia.

Putin confirmed that on 29 June he met with Prigozhin and 35 Wagner commanders.

Putin claimed that he offered Wagner fighters the option to serve under a Wagner commander (alias Sedoy [Grizzled) who has commanded Wagner forces for the last 16 months.

It further confirms ISWs previous assessment that the Kremlin seeks to retain Wagner as a cohesive fighting force while separating it from Prigozhin.

On 14 July, Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, stated that Wagner forces are not participating in military operations in Ukraine in any significant support or combat roles.

Analysts note that the Belarusian government and independent sources confirmed on 14 July that Wagner Group instructors previously deployed in Africa arrived at training grounds in Belarus.

Regarding the Ukrainian counteroffensive, experts confirmed that the Defence Forces continued operations in at least three areas of the front on 14 July and reportedly achieved success on some fronts.

The report also notes that Russian authorities detained former Russian Federal Security Service officer Mikhail Polyakov, who reportedly administers several popular Telegram channels covering internal Kremlin politics.

Analysts summarise: "Channels that speculate about internal Kremlin politics represent a specific niche of the Russian information space, and Polyakovs detention suggests that the Kremlin may intend to suppress speculations about internal politics following Wagners rebellion".

The review did not overlook the interview of General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who admitted that Ukrainian troops are conducting a campaign to block Russian military facilities on the territory of Russia.

The Washington Post cites Zaluzhnyi as saying that Ukraine was using domestically produced weapons to strike military targets in Russia because of Western concerns about the weapons provided.

Zaluzhnyi also said that increased Ukrainian indirect fire could pin down Russian forces and minimise Ukrainian casualties, but Ukraine currently depends on ammunition from other countries for this purpose. He also confirmed Ukraine's intention to liberate Crimea.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 14 July:

Russian President Vladimir Putin further indicated he intends to maintain the Wagner Group as a cohesive fighting force rather than breaking it up but seeks to separate Wagner Financier Yevgeny Prigozhin from Wagner leadership and forces.

Belarusian government and independent sources confirmed on 14 July that Wagner Group instructors previously deployed in Africa previously arrived at training grounds in Belarus.

Former 58th Combined Arms Army Commander Major General Ivan Popovs dismissal continues to generate pronounced ire against the Russian military command and the Russian civilian leadership.

Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations on at least three sectors of the frontline on 14 July, and reportedly made gains in some areas.

Russian forces conducted another series of Shahed drone strikes across Ukraine on 14 July.

Russian authorities detained former Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officer Mikhail Polyakov, who reportedly is the administrator of several popular telegram channels covering internal Kremlin politics.

Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi acknowledged that Ukrainian forces are waging an interdiction campaign against Russian military targets in Russia.

Russian and Ukrainian forces continued limited ground attacks along the Svatove-Kreminna line.

Ukrainian forces continued ground attacks and reportedly advanced around Bakhmut.

Ukrainian and Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line.

Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations along the western Donetsk-eastern Zaporizha Oblast border and reportedly made limited gains.

Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations in western Zaporizhia Oblast and reportedly advanced in this direction.

Russia continues efforts likely aimed at keeping high ranking officers in their positions without needing special exemptions to retirement age limits.

Russian occupation authorities continue efforts to consolidate administrative control of occupied territories by manipulating residence requirements and forcibly passportizing occupied populations.

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Rahul Gandhi is the leading face of the Congress party, once the dominant force in Indian politics but now a shadow of its former self (Drew Angerer)

Top Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi appealed to the country's highest court on Saturday over his conviction for defamation, one of his lawyers said, days after a lower court refused to intervene.

Gandhi was sentenced to two years' jail for comments he made in 2019 which a court ruled were insulting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and those sharing his last name.

That made him ineligible to remain a member of parliament, or to stand in next year's election.

Modi's government has been widely accused of using the defamation law to silence critics.

Gandhi filed an appeal asking the Supreme Court to stay his conviction, one of his lawyers told AFP, a week after the Gujarat High Court refused to do so.

His conviction stemmed from a remark made during the 2019 election campaign when he asked why "all thieves have Modi as (their) common surname".

In his 731-page submission to the Supreme Court, Gandhi said his speech was made "in the course of democratic political activity" but "has been held to be an act of moral turpitude inviting the harshest punishment".

That was "gravely detrimental to democratic free speech", added the document, which his party provided to AFP.

The petition said there were 130 million Indians surnamed Modi, but it was "ironic" that the only people who were "allegedly defamed" were "office bearers or senior personnel of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party".

The case -- one of several lodged against Gandhi in recent years -- has so far only been heard by courts in Gujarat, Modi's home state.

Gandhi is the scion of India's premier political dynasty and the son, grandson and great-grandson of former prime ministers, beginning with independence leader Jawaharlal Nehru.

He is the leading face of the Congress party, once the dominant force in Indian politics but now a shadow of its former self.

Members of Modi's government said the remark was a slur against all Indians with the surname Modi, which is associated with the lower rungs of India's traditional caste hierarchy.

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Lawyers for unsuccessful Arizona candidates Kari Lake and Mark Finchem will have to pay $122,200 for filing a baseless lawsuit attempting to ban the use of voting machines prior to the November election, a federal judge has ruled.

The ruling puts a dollar figure to sanctions ordered last year by Arizona U.S. District Court Judge John Tuchi and covers the legal costs by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

Tuchi reduced the share of the sanctions owed by attorney Alan Dershowitz, who nevertheless vowed to appeal the order "to the Supreme Court."

Lake and Finchem, Republicans who lost to Democrats Gov. Katie Hobbs and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, respectively, won't have to pay any of the sanctions themselves. But their attorneys are accountable for filing a lawsuit in bad faith, said Deputy County Attorney Tom Liddy.

"These guys run a lawsuit with no evidence at all and waste $122,000 of taxpayer money  but now we got it back," Liddy said.

The ruling orders lawyers Andrew D. Parker and his law firm, Parker Daniels Kibort LLC, and Kurt B. Olsen and his law firm, Olsen Law PC, along with Dershowitz to together pay $122,200, except that Dershowitz's share of the sanctions is capped at $12,220. Parker, in responding to a request for comment, said he would appeal the decision.

It comes two months after other sanctions awards by judges in election challenges that they ruled had no justification. Finchem was ordered to pay $40,300, and his attorney another $7,400, for a frivolous lawsuit that sought to challenge the Nov. 8 election results. Olsen and another Lake attorney, Bryan Blehm, were ordered by the Arizona Supreme Court to pay $2,000 in sanctions for "unequivocally false" claims alleging 35,000 ballots were added to last year's election vote count.

Lake, Finchem sought to force counties to do hand count

Former Arizona Secretary of State Republican candidate Mark Finchem.

Lawyers for Lake and Finchem filed a request for an injunction before last year's election that sought to force Maricopa and Pima counties to count all ballots by hand, despite a warning by county lawyers that the claims were too weak for a lawsuit.

In the 26-page order released Friday, Tuchi recounted his December 2022 ruling for sanctions, calling pursuit of the injunction "reckless." His sanction order was based on Arizona court rules that require lawyers to ensure court filings aren't made for improper purposes and that their claims are based on non-frivolous arguments.

Lake and Finchem filed the lawsuit in April 2022 as they pushed campaign messages that focused heavily on election conspiracies.

After last year's election, both Trump-endorsed candidates filed separate lawsuits to contest their own losses. Finchem's lawsuit was tossed out quickly but Lake was given two trials in which judges ruled that she failed to prove vote-counting machines were manipulated by county officials, chain-of-custody procedures for ballots were flawed or that county workers failed to verify voter signatures correctly.

Much of Tuchi's order covers Dershowitz's argument that he was not responsible for the poor vetting of the lawsuit before it was filed. Dershowitz had argued that he was just hired by Parker's law firm as a constitutional expert and consultant, limited to the concept that the inner workings of voting machines should have public scrutiny.

Dershowitz: 'I did absolutely nothing wrong'

Dershowitz agreed that his signature was present on court filings in the case, but that he used the term "of counsel" instead of "counsel" to describe his involvement in all but a few cases in which the term was accidentally left off. Tuchi said the term is more properly used to describe a lawyer's relationship to a law firm, not to an individual case.

"His involvement was cemented by the presence of his authorized signature on numerous filings, which he admittedly reviewed only briefly, if at all," Tuchi wrote in his order. "On the other hand, Mr. Dershowitzs involvement in this case was indeed limited and he made an effort  albeit a misguided one  to communicate his limited role."

Tuchi also found the claim to be credible that Dershowitz didn't realize that Lake, Parker and pillow salesman Mike Lindell  who introduced Dershowitz to the case  were using Dershowitz's name and liberal credentials to bolster their claims. But because "courts are entitled to rely on (lawyers') signatures as certifications their filings are well-founded," Dershowitz deserved sanctioning, too, albeit at a lower amount, Tuchi ruled.

Dershowitz said he'd consulted on constitutional issues as "of counsel" for 50 years based on the advice of "leading" attorneys.

"I did absolutely nothing wrong," Dershowitz said in an email to The Arizona Republic. "If the judge had assessed me $1, I would have appealed. I will take the case to the Supreme Court."

Tuchi's order requires payment to Maricopa County within 30 days unless one of the parties files an appeal, in which case the payment order would go on hold until courts decide the fate of the appeal.

Reach the reporter at rstern@arizonarepublic.com or 480-276-3237. Follow him on Twitter @raystern.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Attorneys for Kari Lake, Mark Finchem sanctioned $122K for filing suit
Republicans Are Now Trying To Eliminate Minority Academic Scholarships | cottonbro / Pexels

Now that the Supreme Court has struck down affirmative action in college admissions, conservatives appear to be turning their attention to eliminating other opportunities for underrepresented minorities to gain access to higher education. The end of minority scholarships at public universities in Missouri and Kentucky and a recent set of comments by the leading state representative in Wisconsin demonstrate the impact the Supreme Courts ruling will have on education.

Immediately halt race-based university policies

Rolling Stone reports that on June 29, the same day the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued a letter to state colleges and universities informing them Missouri institutions must identify all policies that give preference to individuals on the basis of race and immediately halt the implementation of such policies. The University of Missouri responded later that day, announcing it was eliminating its programs that entailed race-based admissions and race-based scholarships. Meanwhile, the University of Kentuckys president, Eli Capilouto, stated, Based on our initial understanding, it appears that the court has restricted the consideration of race with respect to admissions and scholarships.

Targeting minority undergraduate grants

Other Republican-led states seem to be attempting to implement similar bans on scholarships for minority students. Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Rep. Robin Vos recently announced he and his fellow Republicans were considering whether the recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action would also mean eliminating scholarship programs for minorities. The exchange happened over Twitter, where one user posted about the Supreme Court case and tagged Vos, asking if it would impact numerous scholarships, grants & programs that exclude millions of Wisconsinites because of their race. The poster included a picture of text concerning minority undergraduate grants in Wisconsin that are available for Black, Hispanic and Native American students as well as immigrants or children of immigrants from Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam.

SCOTUS: "Eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it." The Wis. Leg. can take some easy steps after this decision such as fixing numerous scholarships, grants & programs that exclude millions of Wisconsinites because of their race.

Just one example @repvos: pic.twitter.com/WpG89VqhJg  Dan Lennington (@DanLennington) June 29, 2023

Rep. Vos responded in response to this post, We are reviewing the decision and will introduce legislation to correct the discriminatory laws on the books and pass repeals in the fall.

We are reviewing the decision and will introduce legislation to correct the discriminatory laws on the books and pass repeals in the fall. https://t.co/dVpNxqnF2H  Robin Vos (@repvos) June 29, 2023

Targeting school access, inclusion and educational content

These scholarship attacks are part of a larger trend that threatens access to educational opportunities for underrepresented minorities. The recent Supreme Court decision striking down affirmative action policies around the nation is expected to lead to severe drops in the number of Black, Latino and other underrepresented students who attend college, especially at more elite institutions. This direction comes as many schools cut back or eliminate their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts; states like Florida and Texas are pushing legislation to defund or ban DEI offices. And several states have passed bans on public schools teaching critical race theory. Conservatives are stretching this concept to include basic discussions of race and racism in classrooms.

As these policies are implemented in solidly red states, expect other Republican-led governments to seek to copy them. These attacks on educational access and inclusion will severely impact Black and other marginalized students. With the popularity of these policies growing within Republican circles and outrage swelling from advocates for greater access to education, the political fights over school diversity are likely to continue for some time.
The letter names Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, which is owned by Meta, Netflix, Uber and others

More than a dozen Republican state prosecutors have threatened the top 100 US companies with legal action over workforce diversity programmes.

They warned corporate targets like "race-based quotas" may be unlawful after the Supreme Court banned colleges using affirmative action in admissions.

The Republican attorneys general name firms like Apple, Microsoft and Uber.

They say "treating people differently because of the color of their skin, even for benign purposes, is unlawful".

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach led the effort and signed the letter alongside 11 other attorneys general.

Among the other Fortune 100 companies named in the letter are the likes of Facebook, Airbnb, Paypal, Google, Netflix and Uber.

In a statement shared with the BBC, Mr Skrmetti said "the [Supreme] Court's reasoning means that companies, no matter their motivation, cannot treat people differently based on the color of their skin.

"Corporate America continues to have many avenues to help disadvantaged people and communities of all races without resorting to crude racial line-drawing."

The group is pointing to the Supreme Court's landmark ruling that Harvard and other US colleges could no longer consider race as a factor in admissions decisions.

Last month, the nation's highest court voted 6-3 to repeal affirmative action, also known as positive discrimination, a decades-old measure in the United States.

At the time, Charlotte A Burrows, who was appointed chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by US President Joe Biden, said the ruling "does not address employer efforts to foster diverse and inclusive workforces or to engage the talents of all qualified workers, regardless of their background".

But some experts had already predicted the ruling would concern legal counsels at corporations.

Alvin B Tillery Jr., director of the Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy at Northwestern University, told the BBC he worries "there will be a chilling effect because of this letter".

He also said there would be repercussions for any companies who roll back diversity policies.

"Young people and young people of colour will punish companies who do not keep these programmes in place, as will their own employees, so this won't be as easy as the college admissions case was," he said.

Mr Tillery Jr cited last year's employee walkout at Disney amid the company's silence over a Florida sex education bill as an example of internal pressures corporations can face.

But the president of Students for Fair Admissions, Edward Blum, a legal activist who filed the affirmative action case, welcomed the letter from Republican officials.

He told the BBC: "It is long overdue for these practices to be challenged by our nation's legal authorities."

The BBC has reached out to the companies named in the letter for comment.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson steps down as leader of civil rights group he founded in 1971

Rev. Jesse Jackson announces that he is stepping down as president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

CHICAGO (AP)  The Rev. Jesse Jackson announced Saturday that he will step down as president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Chicago-based civil rights group he founded more than 50 years ago.

Jackson, 81, announced his resignation during a quiet farewell speech at the organization's annual convention, where the group paid tribute to him with songs, kind words from other Black activists and politicians, and a video montage of Jackson's 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns.

Jackson, who has dealt with several health problems in recent years and uses a wheelchair, capped the proceedings with muted remarks. Flanked by his daughter, Santita Jackson, and his son, U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, the once-fiery orator spoke so softly it was difficult to hear him.

I am somebody," he said. "Green or yellow, brown, Black or white, we're all perfect in God's eyes. Everybody is somebody. Stop the violence. Save the children. Keep hope alive.

The Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes, a long-time student of Rev. Jackson and supporter" of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, will take over as the group's leader, the coalition said in a statement. Haynes is the pastor at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, according to the churchs website.

Jesse Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease eight years ago. He suffered a host of health setbacks in 2021, beginning with gallbladder surgery, a COVID-19 infection that landed him in a physical therapy-focused facility and a fall at Howard University that caused a head injury.

Jackson has been a powerful advocate for civil rights and a strong voice in American politics for decades.

A protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., he broke with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1971 to form Operation PUSH, initially named People United to Save Humanity, on Chicago's South Side. The organization was later renamed the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. The group's mission ranges from promoting minority hiring in the corporate world to voter registration drives in communities of color.

Jackson has been a driving force in the modern civil rights movement, pushing for voting rights and education. Among other things, he joined George Floyd's family at a memorial for the slain Black man and has participated in COVID-19 vaccination drives to counter Black hesitancy about the drugs.

Before Barack Obama was elected president in 2008, Jackson had been the most successful Black presidential candidate. He won 13 primaries and caucuses in his push for the 1988 Democratic nomination, which went to Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis.

Jackson said in his remarks that he plans to continue working on social justice issues, including advocating for three survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre who this week saw a judge dismiss their lawsuit seeking reparations.

We're resigning, we're not retiring, Jackson said.

Ron Daniels, who works with the National African-American Reparations Commission, a panel working for financial payments to Black people as compensation for slavery, told convention-goers that Jackson is a synthesis of King and another 1960s civil rights leader, Malcolm X.

He is an authentic genius, Daniel said. (Jackson) had the unparalleled capacity to frame and articulate ... political strategy in a way common, ordinary people could understand it."

Marcia Fudge, secretary of the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development, thanked Jackson for paving the way for Black politicians like herself.

Most people talk a good game but they have no courage, she said. But you never left us, no matter how hard (things became).

Santita Jackson implored convention-goers to follow her father's lead and continue to fight for equality.

Rev. Jackson has run his leg, she said. What are you going to do?"

___

Richmond reported from Madison, Wisconsin. Associated Press reporter Gary Fields in Washington contributed to this report.

___

Find more AP coverage of the Rev. Jesse Jackson: https://apnews.com/hub/jesse-jackson
Maj. Gen. Christopher P. Callahan is adjutant general and commanding general, Rhode Island National Guard.

Frank Lennons column published June 12 highlighted the U.S. Armys newest lieutenants who recently commissioned from the University of Rhode Islands Reserve Officers Training Corps, or ROTC, program. I am proud of these young women and men and excited for the journey they will soon take as the future leadership of the Army.

One story Frank shared is one I am quite familiar with: the story of 2nd Lt. Chantel Rosario de Los Santos. Chantel is a Rhode Island Army National Guard soldier who joined our Simultaneous Membership Program after high school and used the National Guards State Tuition Assistance Program to pay for her education at the University of Rhode Island. While in college, the state activated her and her military police unit during the coronavirus pandemic response. Chantels story is one of determination, discipline and courage, and is emblematic of the qualities we expect from our new leaders.

More: Hope for America's future: Highlighting RI's ROTC stars during graduation season

We are living in unprecedented times relative to the National Guard. Across the nation, the National Guard has responded to the enduring global COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, and the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021. Here in Rhode Island, your National Guard established alternative hospital sites, COVID-19 testing and vaccination centers, assisted state educators with the plan that allowed Rhode Island schools to hold in-person classes during the pandemic, supported staffing shortages at local hospitals, staffed a warming center for the unhoused, and most recently supported local firefighters battling the West Greenwich and Exeter wildfires by providing aerial firefighting using our Army air crews and helicopters.

A Rhode Island National Guardsman is greeted by family after returning from an overseas deployment in 2019.

I have highlighted these stateside missions because I want you to know about the talented young women and men who make up our organization. I am more confident now in their abilities than I have ever been. These fantastic soldiers and airmen volunteered to serve their country and the citizens of Rhode Island during one of the most uncertain periods in recent history. They came to work every day and faced problems for whch there were no easy solutions. Through their own intellect, curiosity and desire to serve, they tackled these problems and developed creative solutions that became the playbook for the future.

In addition to the stateside missions, Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard units continued to support federal missions through deployments across the globe as well as the southwest border of the United States. As I am writing this, approximately one-third of the Rhode Island National Guard is forward deployed.

More: Elite military mountaineering competition in Alps was peak experience for RI Guard officer

This level of state and federal support is not possible without aspiring young leaders like Chantel. Because leaders like her have joined our ranks, we are confidently navigating these uncertain times. Unfortunately, we are facing recruiting challenges as well.

Military service recruiting data suggests alarmingly high numbers of young people are reluctant to serve in the U.S. military. What this data fails to represent is what these young people can accomplish when they do serve.

The Rhode Island National Guard is unique because we offer military service part-time so that our soldiers and airmen can pursue their education and careers separate from the military. There are plenty of tangible benefits for joining the National Guard. We provide our members free tuition at any Rhode Island state college or university, signing bonuses for certain career fields, and paid training at federal installations throughout the United States.

However, and more importantly, we offer world-class problem solving and leadership training, opportunities to face challenges and the freedom to collaborate with amazing teams to overcome those challenges. We offer the ability to serve right here in your home state, and like Chantel, serve the people in your community when they need you the most.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI's Guardsmen come to work every day and face problems for which there are no easy solutions.
Inflation is expected to remain a hot topic as the 2024 campaign season ramps up. The price of gasoline has consistently been an issue front and center in most recent elections.

"Voters feel the impact of rising gasoline prices, perhaps more than any policy that a politician puts in place," said Phil Flynn, a senior market analyst at The PRICE Futures Group. "Politicians are very cognizant of oil prices. They're cognizant of gasoline prices because voters care about them probably more than they do on most issues."

During President George W. Bushs first term in office, the average weekly price per gallon of gas was $1.59. That is the lowest price among recent presidential terms. In the 2002 midterm elections, Republicans gained seats in the House and Senate. They picked up even more in 2004 as President Bush was re-elected.

"Theres a really strong inverse relationship between pump prices and approval ratings at a presidential level, and it hasn't changed in four decades," Clearview Energy Partners Managing Director Kevin Book said.

WASHINGTON STATE'S NATION-LEADING GASOLINE PRICES SHOULD SERVE AS A WARNING

Prices were higher and more volatile during President Bushs second term. The average price was $2.77. Costs spiked in July 2008 to a weekly high of $4.17. By Election Day in November, prices had fallen to $2.46. The steep drop did little to help the Republican Party. Democrats added seats in the House and Senate, and Barack Obama was elected president.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

According to the American Petroleum Institute, the amount of oil produced on federal lands plummeted while President Obama was in office.

"When a president comes into office, they can set the stage as far as energy policies that signals to the market that can have a big impact on whether prices rise or fall," Flynn said. "The reality is the president can make policies that can make prices cheaper than they would have been."

The average gas price during President Obamas first term was $3.12. During the 2010 midterm elections, prices were on the rise as Republicans picked up more than 60 seats in the house. Two years later, 2012 marked the highest average price per gallon for any year during Obamas presidency. Prices fell nearly 40 cents in the two months leading up to election day. Republicans lost eight seats in the house  and two in the senate as President Obama won re-election.

BIDEN INDEFINITELY BLOCKS MILLIONS OF ACRES OF LAND, WATER FROM FUTURE OIL DRILLING

When President Trump came into office, he vowed to increase domestic oil production. During his single term, the U.S. recorded the lowest gas prices since President George W. Bushs first term. The average cost was $2.57. The average price during President Bidens partial term, has been more than one dollar higher per gallon with $3.60 as the average cost.

President Biden recently faced criticism over releasing oil from the strategic reserve ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. Prices fell from more than $5.00 in June to around $3.80 in November.

"Presidents know that their popularity ratings can go up and down with gasoline prices, and they have done some major things to try to cool off prices before the election," Flynn said.

President Biden and Democrats have blamed Russias invasion of Ukraine for the high gas prices. They also said the release was necessary as the U.S. recovered from the global pandemic. Some energy experts argue the release was in fact strategic.

MASSIVE GREEN ENERGY COMPANY REPORTS NEARLY $1 BILLION IN LOSSES, CALLS FOR FURTHER GOVERNMENTAL ACTION

"The Biden administration started releasing our strategic reserves as a way to bring energy prices down, which is clearly not what our strategic reserves are meant for. They're meant for short-term supply disruptions to address short-term price spikes, not as a long-term market manipulation tool in the run-up to the election," said Anne Bradbury, CEO at American Exploration and Production Council.

President Biden delivers remarks on Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Feb. 24, 2022. Biden and Democrats have blamed Russias invasion of Ukraine for the high gas prices.

Analysts also acknowledge while policy can influence gas prices, the November drop has more to do with timing.

"More than likely, what's happening, before the election in November, its less people are driving. Usually gasoline prices go up into Labor Day and then crash after Labor Day because everybody's back in school, nobody's traveling," Flynn said. "Its a normal seasonal pattern."

As the 2024 campaign heats up, seasonal patterns likely will not stop politicians from blaming each other for the rise and fall of gas prices.

"People care an awful lot about the price at the pump, and they don't care about a lot of the details," Book said. "It's very hard to explain a price going up when you're going to the polls."
Rosanna Arquette says she is so grateful no one was hurt after horrible car accident

Rosanna Arquette (Getty Images)

Rosanna Arquette has expressed relief that nobody was hurt when she crashed her car into a Malibu shopping centre this week, calling it a horrible accident.

The Pulp Fiction star crashed her car after she seemingly lost control of the vehicle, according to the local sheriffs department.

Arquette, 63, drove through the Point Dume Village on Tuesday morning (11 July) and was taken to hospital on precautionary measures.

She told The Independent on Friday (14 July): It was a horrible accident and I am so grateful no one was hurt, and that is what matters most.

Authorities confirmed there was no indication of impairment due to drugs or alcohol and that no pedestrians were injured.

Los Angeles Fire Station 71 captain Mike Rivera told The Malibu Times at the time that instead of backing out, [her vehicle] went forward, and took out three pillars that support the roof.

He added: She [Arquette] was a little shook up about what happened.

Arquette is known for her roles in Crash, The Executioners Song and Desperately Seeking Susan.

She was also among Harvey Weinsteins early accusers when the #MeToo movement began in 2017, telling Ronan Farrow, in an article for The New Yorker, that in the early Nineties, Weinstein had asked her to meet him in his hotel room to collect a script.

After he opened the door in a bathrobe, she said he grabbed her hand and pulled it towards his erect penis. When she rejected him, Weinstein told her that she was making a huge mistake.

Rosanna Arquette (Getty Images)

In an interview with The Independent in 2019, she said she was hesitant to demonise everybody. If I went after every guy that pinched me in the ass, I mean it would be ridiculous, she said. But were talking about assault, rape, trying to destroy somebodys career because they didnt have sex with you. Thats the focus for me.

But also, calling out behaviour that feels lechy and creepy, and being able to voice that, and then someone saying, Im really sorry, Im going to change my behaviour, we have to applaud those men that are willing to do that, because thats how change is going to happen.

Last year, Arquette was among the celebrities condemning the bombshell leak about the US Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v Wade.

Get your Boots off our wombs, she tweeted.

Arquettes most recent projects include starring in two episodes of the crime show Big Sky and Ryan Murphy Netflix series Ratched, alongside Sarah Paulson. Read The Independents four-star review of the prequel to Milos Formans 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest here.

She can next be seen in the film Men of Divorce, co-starring James Norton. The comedy follows a man who, overwhelmed by his divorce from his wife and his father dying, takes off to Tulum, where his two sons happen to be for a stag do.
The culex species of mosquito, shown here, can spread the West Nile virus.

Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County and regional agencies:

County's first West Nile cases of 2023 detected

West Nile virus was found in birds collected in Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Ventura in the first reports of the virus in Ventura County this season, county environmental health officials said Friday.

The birds were collected in June and confirmation of the virus was received from the California Department of Public Health on July 7, officials said. No cases of infection in people have been reported yet this season across the state.

Environmental health officials urged people to eliminate standing water on their property, make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens, use insect repellent and wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts outdoors, especially at dusk and dawn.

People can report potential mosquito breeding sites by calling the hotline at 805-658-4310.

Prosecutors file amended complaint in fatal Westlake High crash

Austin Eis

The Ventura County District Attorney's Office filed an amended complaint Friday against Austin Allen Eis, the 25-year-old accused of killing a Westlake High School student during a string of alleged crimes in April.

Eis is now charged with first-degree murder for the death of 15-year-old Wesley Welling, who had been standing by a bus stop near the campus when Eis allegedly drove his Toyota Camry into a group of students on April 18. Eis had previously been charged with murder.

Subsequent investigation turned up six more students who were in the path of Eis' car, prosecutors said in a news release. He has now been charged with 19 counts of attempted murder. Previous charges remain the same.

In light of the ongoing investigation we have discovered new evidence to support additional charges and defendants premeditation, Senior Deputy DA Amber Lee said in a statement. The amended complaintreflects that evidence.

Eis, a former Westlake High student, is charged with multiple felonies a series of incidents that took place at three crime scenes in the space of an hour on a Tuesday afternoon.

At a Simi Valley Walmart, he allegedly stabbed and pepper-sprayed a male store worker, then reportedly assaulted and tried to drag away a female employee, lunging at intervening employees with a large knife before fleeing in the Camry.

The scene after a car hit several Westlake High School students near the campus in Thousand Oaks, killing one, on April 18. The driver has now been charged with first-degree murder.

He reportedly drove to a relative's house in Camarillo and forced his way in, threatening occupants with a knife and brandishing a gun before fleeing, authorities have said.

He then drove to the high school in Thousand Oaks where, authorities allege, he intentionally drove the car into the bus stop area as students waited there after school.

Eis has previously pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied all special allegations.

He is scheduled for an early disposition conference Wednesday afternoon in room 12 of Ventura County Superior Court.

Oak View pair injured in fatal crash near Buellton

The driver of a silver van died in a three-vehicle crash that injured two Oak View residents on Highway 101 north of Buellton Thursday.

A man and woman from Oak View were injured in a deadly three-vehicle crash on Highway 101 in Santa Barbara County Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

The accident was reported around 3:45 p.m. near Jonata Park Road, north of Buellton, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A male driver died in the incident. His age and city of residence weren't immediately known.

The male driver had been headed northbound in a 2007 Honda Odyssey minivan when he approached stopped traffic south of Jonata Park Road.

The Oak View man, 65, was driving a 2013 Toyota Tundra pickup truck, with the Oak View woman, 67, in the passenger seat. The truck was stopped in the left lane.

The Honda Odyssey ran into the right rear of the Toyota pickup truck, propelling the truck into the center median where it overturned, according to the CHP account.

At the same time, the Honda Odyssey struck the rear end of a 2000 Honda Accord that had been stopped in the adjacent lane.

The Odyssey ended up on the right shoulder. The driver, who was alone in the van, died from his injuries, officials said.

The Oak View man suffered moderate injuries and was treated at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, CHP officials said. Santa Barbara County firefighters extricated the Oak View woman from the truck. She was transported to Cottage Hospital with major injuries.

The 39-year-old Santa Maria man driving the Accord suffered minor injuries.

Neither alcohol nor drugs appeared to be a factor, authorities said. The crash is being investigated by the CHP's Buellton-area office.

Items may be updated.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: West Nile virus returns, new charges in Eis murder case
Who is running for president in 2024?

A lectern with the presidential seal on the South Lawn of the White House. (Brooks Kraft / Corbis via Getty Images)

A former vice president, two former governors, a sitting U.S. senator, a current mayor and a talk radio host recently joined a growing GOP list of 2024 presidential hopefuls, while an author and a Kennedy family member are competing for the Democratic nod.

All are considered major underdogs against the three headline-grabbing candidates, at least for now.

President Biden is expected to easily win the Democratic nomination while former President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis are battling for the Republican nod. Early polls show DeSantis trailing Trump, including in California, where the former president holds a 44%-26% edge among likely state primary voters.

Although California Gov. Gavin Newsom hasnt announced a presidential bid for himself, he has been campaigning for Bidens reelection, simultaneously building his own base in red states .

Here are some of the official candidates:

Joe Biden, Democrat

President Biden attending the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, on Saturday

Biden on April 25 announced that he will seek the presidency again, dismissing doubts about whether hell be fit to start a second term when hes 82. Its still unclear whom Biden will run against, as the Republican primary is still taking shape. Read more >>

Donald Trump, Republican

FILE - Former President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago estate Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Trump announced his bid last November and is the GOP front-runner despite becoming the first former president in history to face a criminal indictment. Some believe the charges will help his candidacy. Read more >>

Ron DeSantis, Republican

FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis looks on after announcing a proposal for Digital Bill of Rights, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023

The Florida governor announced his bid for the Republican presidential nomination on May 24 in a glitch-filled Twitter appearance. Though he trails in the polls, he is still the top rival to Trump. Read more >>

Mike Pence, Republican

Former vice president Mike Pence.

The former vice president launched his presidential campaign in June, challenging his former boss, Trump, for the Republican nomination. This matchup comes after their time in the White House ended with an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and Pence fleeing for his life. Read more >>

Nikki Haley, Republican

Nikki Haley

The former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador became the first major challenger to Trump when she announced her candidacy in February. Read more >>

Chris Christie, Republican

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

The former New Jersey governor directly challenged Trump when he announced his campaign in June, labeling the former president as someone who always finds someone else and something else to blame for whatever goes wrong. Read more >>

Tim Scott, Republican

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.,

The South Carolina senator launched his campaign on May 22, saying he hopes he can serve as a contrast to the political combativeness that has dominated the early GOP primary field. Read more >>

Francis Suarez, Republican

Miami mayor Francis Suarez.

The Miami mayor announced his bid for the Republican presidential nomination in June, just days after Trump appeared in court in his city to face federal charges for retaining classified documents. Read more >>

Asa Hutchinson, Republican

Asa Hutchinson

During his announcement in April, the former governor of Arkansas positioned himself as an alternative to Trump and urged him to drop out of the race. Read more >>

Larry Elder, Republican

Larry Elder

The conservative talk radio host, who sought to replace the California governor in a failed 2021 recall effort, announced his candidacy in April. Read more >>

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Democrat

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The nephew of President John F. Kennedy announced in April that he is challenging Biden for the Democratic nomination and likened his campaign to the American Revolution. Read more >>

Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican

Vivek Ramaswamy

The wealthy biotech entrepreneur, investor and author of the book Woke, Inc. announced his bid for the GOP nomination in February. Read more >>

Marianne Williamson, Democrat

Marianne Williamson

The self-help author, whose 2020 White House campaign featured quirky calls for spiritual healing, launched another challenge to Biden in March. Read more >>

Will Hurd, Republican

Will Hurd

The former Texas congressman announced his candidacy in June with an emphatic attack on former President Trump. Read more >>

Doug Burgum, Republican

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum in 2020

The North Dakota governor launched his campaign in June, emphasizing that his state saw a budget surplus and tax cuts under his leadership. Read more >>

Cornel West, Green Party

Cornell West

The philosophy professor entered the field as a third-party candidate and said his campaign will highlight topics including poverty and mass incarceration. Read more >>

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Over the course of the past 24 hours, Russian forces have carried out 18 attacks on the border of Ukraines Sumy Oblast, and 110 explosions were observed.

Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration

Details: Nova Sloboda, Khotin, Krasnopillia, Seredyna-Buda, Esman, Druzhba, Hkukhiv and Bilopillia hromadas came under Russian fire [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.].

The Russians deployed artillery to attack Nova Sloboda hromada (12 explosions). Two houses were damaged by an artillery shell. There was also shelling from mortars (17 explosions).

Khotin hromada came under mortar fire (16 explosions). Two combine harvesters and two tractors owned by a private agricultural company were damaged in one of the attacks.

Krasnopillia hromada came under mortar fire as well (10 explosions), and artillery fire (one explosion).

The Russians deployed mortars to attack Seredyna-Buda hromada (16 explosions). Three residential buildings were damaged in the shelling.

The invaders deployed multiple-launch rocket systems to attack Druzhba hromada (5 explosions).

Hlukhiv hromada came under mortar shelling (18 explosions).

The Russians used AGS grenade launchers to attack Bilopillia hromada (6 explosions).

Esman hromada came under mortar fire (3 explosions).

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FILE PHOTO: Metropolitan Pavlo of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, accused of being linked to Moscow, attends a coart hearing in Kyiv

(Reuters) - Russia on Saturday demanded the immediate release of a senior Orthodox cleric detained in Kyiv on suspicion of inflaming religious hatred and justifying Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A Kyiv court ordered pre-trial detention on Friday for Metropolitan Pavlo, a senior figure in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church who had been under house arrest since April.

"We demand strict compliance by the Kyiv regime with its international legal obligations, the immediate release of Metropolitan Pavlo, who is suffering from a serious illness, and the provision of proper medical care for him," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

She called it "yet another manifestation of political arbitrariness and lawlessness," linking the case to Ukraine's moves to evict Orthodox monks from a renowned monastery in Kyiv.

Ukraine has been cracking down on the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church, claiming it is pro-Russian and collaborating with Moscow. The church denies that and says it cut all ties with Moscow last year, but many of its churches have been searched and dozens of clergy have faced charges.

On Thursday, Ukraine's SBU security service said it advised Pavlo of new allegations in connection with a media interview he gave in which he is alleged to have denied the existence of Ukraine as a sovereign state.

Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, on Saturday appealed to Pope Francis, the head of the United Nations and other religious and political figures to show support for the detained cleric.

"I urge you to pay attention to the ongoing persecution of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine and to take all possible measures to protect Metropolitan Pavlo ... from lawless persecution," Kirill said.

(Reporting by Reuters)
The Russian government is investigating whether a missile test-fired by North Korea on Wednesday ended up in its territorial waters in the Sea of Japan.

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said the country is checking the missiles landing position, according to Russian state media agency TASS.

As far as I know, my colleagues continue investigating this case together with the Defense Ministry but we have no clearly-expressed information so far that the missile fell in Russias economic zone, he said.

North Korea launched the missile on Wednesday in its first intercontinental ballistic missile test in three months. The missile traveled over 600 miles east, landing in the Sea of Japan, according to South Korean and Japanese assessments.

The launch was denounced by world leaders, including from South Korea, Japan the U.S. and the G7.

North Korea continues to expand its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities and to escalate its destabilizing activities. These launches pose a grave threat to regional and international peace and stability, and undermine the global non-proliferation regime, a statement from the G7 said.

We call for a quick, strong, and unified response by the UN Security Council (UNSC). The frequency of North Koreas repeated blatant violations of UNSCRs juxtaposed with the UNSCs corresponding inaction because of some members obstruction is cause for significant alarm, the group added.

The missile tested is believed to be the Hwasong-18, the most powerful missile technology North Korea has developed. It flew for 74 minutes on Wednesday, according to Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, a record for a North Korean test.

Hwasong-18 missiles were first tested in the countrys last ICBM launch in April. The missiles use solid fuel boosters instead of liquid, which could make them easier to transport and more reliable.

The test came after North Korea earlier in the week alleged a U.S. spy plane flew over its waters. The U.S. has denied those claims.

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, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Russian troops attacked the town of Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast with Grad multiple-launch rocket systems, injuring three people on July 15, President's Office Head Andrii Yermak wrote on Telegram.

According to Yermak, the attack hit an administrative building of the local council. Two women and a man were wounded, Yermak specified.

He did not provide further details.

The aftermath of the Russian attack on Stepnohirsk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, on July 15. (President's Office Head Andrii Yermak/Telegram)

Zaporizhzhia Oblast is one of the axes of the ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive, but Russian shelling has long targeted areas near the southeastern front line since the early days of the full-scale war.

Overnight on July 15, Russia unleashed Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 drones at Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, the Ukrainian military's Southern Operational Command spokesperson Natalia Humeniuk said on television.

Ukraine's air defense shot down all three Shaheds in Mykolaiv Oblast, but there's been a hit in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Humeniuk added. She did not disclose what was hit.

Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces shelled front-line towns and villages in Zaporizhzhia Oblast 45 times, targeting areas like Huliaipole, Orikhiv, and the liberated villages of Novodarivka, reported Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Yuriy Malashko.

Earlier on July 13, Russian troops struck the town of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, killing a 40-year-old man and injuring another civilian, the regional administration reported.
Russian defenses in Ukraine are 'likely brittle' as they lack the reserves to relieve frontline troops, think tank says

Ukrainian army snipers near Bakhmut. AP Photo/Libkos

Russian defenses are "likely brittle" amid the ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive, the ISW said.

The think tank noted that Russian forces likely lack the reserves to rotate frontline units.

If Ukraine breaks through, Russia would have to rely on its "already degraded forces."

Russian defenses in Ukraine are "likely brittle" amid the ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive, according to a think tank.

In an update on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Institute for the Study of War said its analysis was supported by the recent dismissal of top Russian general Major General Ivan Popov, who said he was removed from his position after raising questions about mass Russian casualties from Ukrainian artillery and a lack of support for Russian forces.

Popov reportedly claimed that he had appealed to his superiors to rotate troops and relieve those who had fought on the frontlines for a long time.

The ISW said Popov's comments reinforced their previous assessments and indicated that rotations and reinforcements are needed to sustain Russian defenses in western Zaporizhzhia. It also noted that Russia's lack of reserve troops meant Popov's appeal was likely futile from the outset.

The think tank said that without any reserves to rotate in, Russian forces would have to rely on "already degraded forces" in the event of a Ukrainian breakthrough.

It added that the high rate of Russian casualties from artillery fire was likely a result of a Ukrainian effort to wear down Russian forces in the south of the country.

Ukrainian troops train with heavy weapons near the frontline in Zaporizhzhia on April 20, 2023. Muhammed Enes Yildirim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Ukraine launched its much-anticipated counteroffensive to take back territory occupied by Russia in early June, marking a critical juncture in the war.

So far, reports on the counteroffensive's success have been mixed, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy admitting that the efforts have been "slower than desired."

However, Ukraine appears to be making incremental gains, and it has made progress in Bakhmut and slow advances in Zaporizhzhia and eastern Donetsk, the BBC reported.

On Saturday, the commander of Ukrainian forces in the south, General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, said his troops were "systematically moving the enemy out of their positions" in his latest update on the counteroffensive, per Sky News.

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Margarita Simonyan and Ksenia Sobchak

Russian media outlets have reported an alleged assassination plot against Kremlin propagandists Margarita Simonyan and Ksenia Sobchak, which they claim was orchestrated by Ukraines SBU security service.

These claims, cited by Russian media and attributed to the countrys FSB Federal Security Service, are not supported by any evidence, however.

Read also: Russian propaganda channel RT Frances goes bankrupt

The Russian intelligence agencys announcement about the alleged plot suggests that it was devised by individuals affiliated with the neo-Nazi group Paragraph-88, allegedly acting on orders from the SBU. These supposed perpetrators were reportedly apprehended in Moscow and Ryazan Oblast.

Kremlin propaganda typically says neo-Nazi groups are involved with the Ukrainian state when making such claims.

According to the FSB statement, the detained neo-Nazis confirmed their involvement in planning the attacks, claiming that the SBU had offered a reward of 1.5 million rubles for each killing.

Read also: Peter Pomerantsev on trying to comprehend Russian war crimes  interview

Simonyan, the chief editor of the Russian RT worldwide network and a prominent propagandist, responded to the alleged assassination attempt by stating, We keep working, brothers.

Its not the first time the Kremlin has alleged that Ukraine has tried to kill Russian propagandists.

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on April 25, 2022, that the FSB had foiled an assassination attempt against one of the well-known domestic TV journalists. However, this initial statement referred to propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, not Simonyan.

Subsequently, the propagandists further announced that the apprehended individuals were also discussing the possibility of targeting Dmitry Kiselyov, the CEO of RIA Novosti, as well as Simonyan and other propagandists.

In response, the SBU dismissed the information provided by the FSB, stating that they had no plans to harm Solovyov.

The SBU also expressed its reluctance to engage seriously with the new fantasies concocted by Russian intelligence services, whom it said were continuing to fabricate stories to cater to their domestic audience.

Read also: SBU charges Russian propagandist who called for concentration camps and genocide of Ukrainians

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Occupiers

Russian Storm Z units, formed mainly from recruited criminals, have been increasing their presence in Bryansk Oblast along Russias border with Belarus, Ukraines National Resistance Center said on July 15, quoting sources in the Russian Volunteer Corps.

And with the increasing presence of Storm Z units, the local crime rate is on the rise as well, according to locals.

Read also: War will endure until Putins hanged body decorates the walls of the Kremlin  Russian Volunteer Corps

The Russian Volunteer Corps, a military unit made up of Russian citizens in armed opposition to the regime of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, says a new group of prisoners arrived at the village of Spiridonova Buda, Bryansk Oblast.

The prisoners will join the Storm Z formation, and this measure is aimed to strengthen the 1st Tank Army of the Russian Armed Forces, the Russian Volunteer Corps says.

Local residents are reportedly protesting, faced with a worsening of the criminal situation. At this time, numerous cases of robberies and rapes have already been recorded, the Russian Volunteer Corps says.

Read also: Russia sends barefoot convicts to storm Ukrainian positions near Antonivskyi bridge

Storm Z is a so-called "disciplinary military unit" created by Russias Defense Ministry, on the same pattern as the Wagner Group mercenary company. Members of the unit are recruited in Russian prisons, being motivated by a reduction in prison terms and "allowances" of an amount of $2,000 per month.

Earlier, Ukraines Eastern Forces spokesperson, Colonel Serhiy Cherevaty, said that the Storm Z assault units differ from Wagner Group fighters by the fact that there is no "bloodshed discipline" in their ranks  Wagner fighters have been known to kill members suspected of betraying the group. However, Cherevaty added that the "criminal population" in the units is of a similar size.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministrys Main Intelligence Directorate or HUR reported on June 16 an increase in desertion both in assault companies, such as Storm Z, and in regular units of the Russian army.

According to the HUR, newly hired Storm Z recruits rob their own units, after which they flee with small arms in an "unknown direction."

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
During the day, 28 combat clashes took place on the front; in particular, the Russians unsuccessfully tried to advance on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Shakhtarsk fronts.

Source: evening report by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Details: During the current day, the Russian Federation launched an air strike with two Iranian-made Shahed UAVs and two anti-aircraft missiles against Ukraine. Thanks to the successful combat operation of Ukraine's Air Force, both UAVs were destroyed.

In addition, the Russians carried out 32 airstrikes and 15 attacks from rocket salvo systems. The probability of launching missile and air strikes on the entire territory of Ukraine remains high.

Russia is concentrating its main efforts on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka fronts; 28 combat clashes took place during the day.

The operational situation on the Volyn and Polissia fronts remains much the same as before. There is no evidence of Russia forming offensive units there. Russian forces are undergoing training and coordination on training grounds in the Republic of Belarus before being deployed to fight in Ukraine.

The Russians maintain a military presence on the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts. During the day, airstrikes were carried out in the areas of Volfyne, Sumy Oblast, and Ustynivka, Kharkiv Oblast. They carried out mortar and artillery attacks on more than 20 settlements, in particular, Zalizhnyi Mist in Chernihiv Oblast; Bilokopytove and Progres in Sumy Oblast and Kozacha Lopan, Veterynarne and Krasne, Kharkiv Oblast.

On the Kupiansk front, Ukrainian soldiers are firmly holding the defence. During the day, the Russians conducted unsuccessful offensive actions south of Novoselivske, Luhansk Oblast. An airstrike was carried out in the same area. Dvorichna, Krasne Pershe, Kolodiazne, Novomlynsk and Berestove of Kharkiv Oblast were subjected to Russian artillery and mortar attacks.

On the Lyman front, during the day, the Russians conducted unsuccessful offensive actions east of Vesele, Donetsk Oblast. They carried out airstrikes in the vicinity of Nevske and Bilohorivka of Luhansk Oblast and Ivano-Dariivka, Fedorivka and Rozdolivka of Donetsk Oblast. The settlements of Nevske, Bilohorivka (Luhansk Oblast) and Torske, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk Oblast) were hit by artillery fire.

On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled all Russian attacks in the vicinity of Andriivka, Donetsk Oblast. The Russians carried out an airstrike near Diliivka, Donetsk Oblast. More than 10 settlements, including Markove, Khromove, Dyliivka, and Vasiukivka of Donetsk Oblast, were affected by Russian shelling.

On the Avdiivka front, the Russians conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the Pervomaiske area and launched an air strike near New York, Donetsk Oblast. At the same time, the Russians fired artillery at more than 10 settlements, including Nevelske, Pervomaiske, Stepove and Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast.

On the Marinka front, the defence forces continue to hold back the advance of Russian troops in the area of Marinka. The Russians shelled more than 10 settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Katerynivka, and Heorhiivka in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Shakhtarsk front, the Russians conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the Novomykhailivka area and carried out an air strike in the Blahodatne district, Donetsk Oblast. They shelled the settlements of Velyka Novosilka, Vuhledar, Prechystivka and Blahodatne.

On the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson fronts, the Russians are concentrating their main efforts on preventing the further advance of Ukrainian troops. They carried out an airstrike in the area of Mykilske, Kherson Oblast. The Russians conducted artillery shelling of more than 15 settlements, including Levadne, Novodariivka, Huliaipole, in Zaporizhzhia Oblast; Ivanivka, Kutsurub, in Mykolaiv Oblast; Dniprovske, Zolota Balka, Romashkove, Kizomys of Kherson Oblast and the city of Kherson itself.

At the same time, the defence forces of Ukraine continue to conduct an offensive operation on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts, gaining a foothold on the reclaimed territories, inflicting artillery fire on identified Russian targets, and carrying out counter-battery measures.

The Russians continue to use civilian healthcare facilities in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine for their own purposes. In particular, it was established that in the settlement of Pokazne, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, about 200 patients were taken from the Mykhailivka psychoneurological boarding school in an unknown direction, and the local service personnel were dismissed. In the future, a military hospital for the treatment of wounded Russian servicemen is planned to be located on that territory and on the hospital's premises.

Aviation of the defence forces delivered 9 strikes on Russian personnel concentration areas over the day. Ukrainian defenders also destroyed six reconnaissance UAVs during the day.

Units of Rocket Forces and Artillery hit two ammunition depots, four artillery units in firing positions, and two Russian anti-aircraft defence systems.

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On 14 July, the death of another person was recorded in Donetsk Oblast as a result of Russian aggression.

Source: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration

Details: According to the authorities, on 14 July, it was possible to establish information about one civilian killed by the Russians in the settlement of Neskuchne.

Thus, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 1,611 civilians have already been killed and 3,846 wounded in Donetsk Oblast.

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Russia's air force 'remains largely intact,' but more jets won't fix all its problems in Ukraine, NATO commanders say

Russia's air force 'remains largely intact,' but more jets won't fix all its problems in Ukraine, NATO commanders say

The tail of Russian helicopter shot down in the Kherson Oblast on display in Dnipro, Ukraine on June 2. Informator.ua/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

After 16 months of fighting, most of Russia's air force remains intact.

Despite its numerical advantage, Russia can't control the skies over Ukraine, but neither can Kyiv.

Issues with how Russia uses its many jets may inhibit their effectiveness, two NATO leaders say.

After 16 months of fighting in Ukraine, Russia's military still has nearly all of its combat aircraft, but neither Russian nor Ukrainian aircraft can control the air, the Royal Air Force's top general said Thursday.

Jets and helicopters have not disappeared from over Ukraine, but thickets of air-defense systems make the airspace inhospitable. And even though Russia has a vastly larger air force, other issues may keep it from operating effectively, according to two NATO air commanders.

In a speech at the Global Air & Space Chiefs' Conference in London on Thursday, Air Chief Marshal Rich Knighton, chief of the British air staff, said Russia's land force is now "weaker," having lost more than two-thirds of its tanks, "but the air force remains largely intact."

Knighton displayed graphics depicting both side's losses, based on assessments by British Defence Intelligence and open-source tracking website Oryx. One graphic said Russia has taken over 220,000 casualties, including 176 military pilots, and lost 162 air-defense systems. A second graphic said Russia's air force retains 96% of its 2,021 fixed-wing aircraft and 90% of its 899 helicopters, with losses of 86 planes and 90 helicopters.

Royal Air Force Air Chief Marshal Rich Knighton at the Global Air & Space Chiefs Conference on July 13, 2023. The Air and Space Power Association via YouTube

The second graphic noted heavier losses for Ukraine's air force: 68 fixed-wing aircraft, leaving 78% of its 314-plane fleet, and 31 helicopters, or 48% of its 59 helicopters. Ukraine now has 15 combat aircraft for every 100 that Russia has, the graphic said.

Those numbers differ slightly from previous estimates. A US intelligence document leaked online this spring listed Russian losses at 72 fighter jets and fighter-bombers and 81 helicopters and Ukrainian losses at 60 fighters and fighter-bombers and 32 helicopters.

The leaked document noted that officials had "low confidence" in attrition estimates due to "information gaps," operational security and information operations, and bias in information shared by Ukraine.

Knighton said neither Russia nor Ukraine have been able to gain air superiority, "but the advantage is with defense" and the force on offense "faces a massive challenge without air superiority and without being able to strike the adversary in the deep."

That echoes comments of numerous US and NATO officials, who have said that effective air-defense networks on both sides prevent both Ukraine and Russia from achieving air superiority and launching effective air attacks on front line or rear-area targets.

A Ukrainian Air Force jet during operations against Russian forces in the Donetsk region on May 9. Muhammed Enes Yildirim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Had Russia's air force been able to control the skies when it attacked in February 2022, "it probably would have been a three- or a 10-day war," Gen. James Hecker, commander of US Air Forces in Europe and of NATO's Allied Air Command, said on a June 29 episode of the War on the Rocks podcast.

"All the equipment that the 45 nations have offered Ukraine and trucked in would never have gotten there if Russia had air superiority," Hecker said. "They would have had close air support aircraft right on the border of Poland and Romania, over the lines of communications, and as soon as it crossed the border it would have been done."

Both sides have effective air-defense networks that are countering the other's operations, added Hecker, who said in March that Ukraine had lost more than 60 aircraft and Russia more than 70.

Ukraine now has "a very, very sophisticated, robust, resilient, integrated air- and missile-defense system, as does Russia, so what you're seeing is Russia can't fly their airplanes deep into Ukraine, because they get shot down," Hecker said. "Likewise, Ukraine can't fly theirs into Russia because of that same reason."

Aircraft from both sides are still active, however. Airstrikes were part of Ukraine's preparation for the counteroffensive it launched in June. While Russia's air force hasn't brought most of its airpower to bear, its aircraft continue to strike Ukrainian positions and there are signs it is tinkering with new ways to employ them, though often from the safety of Russian-held territory.

A Russian Su-25 at its base after being struck by a man-portable air-defense missile over Ukraine in March 2022. Russian Ministry of Defense

"We've been seeing them do experimentations with different types of rockets that they're able to launch from slightly farther back on their side," Dara Massicot, an expert on the Russian military at the Rand Corporation think tank, said on a podcast in April, referring to Russian aviation activity near Bakhmut and Kherson.

Massicot and others say Russia's air force could still exploit its numerical advantage if Ukraine's air-defenses network falters, though other factors could inhibit Russian air operations going forward. Its losses have likely taken a heavy toll on its relatively small cadre of skilled pilots, and Western sanctions could limit its ability to repair and build jets.

Hecker and his deputy, British Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, also said that despite some recent improvements, issues with training, targeting, and decision-making would likely impede the Russian air force's performance.

"The Russians have recapitalized a fair amount of their tactical air force, and they've done a lot on the weapons front as well. But if you don't address all the lines of development," Stringer said on the War on the Rocks podcast, "stand by to have some flashy things that are not capable in the way that perhaps you expected when you were writing the check."

Russian strikes on front-line targets still mostly consist of missiles, bombs, and rockets being "lobbed in" with "very, very little accuracy," Stringer said. "That is not the hallmark of a top-tier air force, and to be honest, although we are probably seeing some improvements  and I don't really want to get too drawn on that  they have a long way to go."

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The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) has claimed that it prevented the preparation of the murder of Margarita Simonyan, Russian propagandist and Ksenia Sobchak by the Ukrainian secret services.



Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency RIA Novosti

Details: The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation reported that "neo-Nazis from the Paragraph 88 grouping" had been allegedly detained in Moscow and Ryazan Oblast, who "carried out intelligence at the addresses of work and residence of Simonyan and Sobchak".



A Kalashnikov assault rifle with rounds, rubber batons, knives, brass knuckles and handcuffs were seized from the detainees.

Russians told the FSB that they allegedly prepared attempts "on the instructions of the Security Service of Ukraine" for a reward of RUB 1.5 million (about US$16,620) for each murder.

Background:

On 2 April, in the centre of the Russian city of St Petersburg, an explosion occurred in a cafe previously owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner Private Military Company, killing "military commander" Vladlen Tatarsky and injuring 30 other people. Later, a video of the last seconds before Tatarsky's murder was released.

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Djinns help to build the wall to keep out Gog and Magog  from a 16th-century Persian manuscript - Niday Picture Library / Alamy

One of the most enjoyable parts of the Koran for outsiders like me is Surah 18, The Cave, which includes some curious old tales, such as the one about the sleepers in a cave who slept for 309 years. In the West they were known as the Seven Sleepers.



Another tale in the surah concerns Dhul-Qarnayn, a name that means Two Horns. He builds a great wall of iron and brass to keep out Gog and Magog until the Last Judgment. This episode found its way into the medieval European Alexander Romance, about Alexander the Great, who was also credited in the romance with venturing in a submersible under the sea.



In the Koran, Dhul-Qarnayn helps protect a people with the wall against Gog and Magog because they are said to be spreading corruption through the Earth. But it seemed to me quite a stretch from the wickedness of Gog and Magog to a present-day crime in Iran.



An Iranian rapper, Toomaj Salehi, 32, sentenced to six years and three months in jail was found guilty of corruption on Earth after backing anti-government protesters. The phrase for this crime in Persian is, I think, mofsed-e-filarz.



The late Ayatollah Khomeini explained that corruption on Earth was the opposite of a favourable social environment for the education of believing and virtuous individuals. He said that this corruption must be swept away, and its instigators punished for their deeds. It is the same corruption that the Pharaoh generated in Egypt with his policies, so that the Quran says of him, Truly he was among the corrupters (28:4).



A believing, pious, just individual cannot possibly exist in a socio-political environment of this nature, Khomeini maintained, and so had to choose between acts that amount to kufr (unbelief) or opposing taghut (earthly tyrannical power). His revolutionary conclusion was that we have in reality, then, no choice but to destroy those systems of government that are corrupt in themselves.



Canadas Immigration and Refugee Board has examined corruption on Earth as a crime in Iranian law. It found one source that put it among crimes that incurred hudud (singular: hadd) punishments, that is mandatory punishments for crimes against God.



But the Canadian report presented the more likely view of the political scientist Professor Nader Entessar that corruption on Earth did not figure among hudud crimes. This may be of little help to those found guilty, since Irans Islamic Revolutionary Court, which has jurisdiction over crimes of corruption on Earth, is perfectly capable of imposing capital sentences.



Contrarily, hudud punishments have, in most Islamic countries most of the time, been heavily restricted. Both in Sunni and in Shia Islam, religious law is very developed, even if sometimes surprising to outsiders. Take theft, which can be subject to the hadd punishment of amputating a hand.



The renowned Damascan judge Taqi al-Din al-Subki (AD 1284-1355) found more than 80 circumstances that had to be fulfilled if a theft was to be subject to the hadd penalty. It would have to be theft by a Muslim of sound mind and not be food or drink, a fowl or a dog, dung or a donkey, a copy of the Koran or a human being, or taken from a family member, and only if there are two male witnesses, and so on.



Again, punishment is also mandatory for false accusations of illicit sexual intercourse because the hudud punishments (stoning or lashing) for it are so serious.

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"They said he was going to a summer camp": How one mother managed to get back her son after he was abducted from Kherson

Alla is the mother of 13-year-old Danylo, a student at Kherson School No. 27.

In October 2022, when Kherson was still occupied, the schools headteacher suggested that the students go to a camp in Crimea, saying that it was dangerous to stay in the city because the Russians were staging provocations against the civilian population.

For the sake of her sons safety, Alla agreed. She would not see Danylo for another six months, says Mykola Kuleba, a former children's ombudsman and director of the charity Save Ukraine.

The headteacher, who was collaborating with the Russian occupiers, said the children would be staying at the summer camp for two weeks, but when the time was up, no one brought them back.

Alla with her son Danylo

Photo: Mykola Kuleba

Danylo was initially at a camp called Druzhba ("Friendship") in Crimea.

"Every morning began with the Russian national anthem, and every week the children had to listen to conversations about important things, featuring a fictional history of Russia in which Kherson was always Russian, and the Russians were its liberators," Kuleba said.

He added that the children were intimidated and bullied at the camp and were forbidden to speak Ukrainian. If these rules were broken, "educational talks" were held with the children.

Three months later, Danylo was moved to another camp in Crimea called Luchistyi.

"The food was terrible, they scrimped on the heating, and they forced the Ukrainian children to clean up litter on the beach. The children were threatened with being handed over to Russian foster families," the former children's ombudsman notes.

Alla had been trying to contact the camp management to find out about her son for six months when she turned to Save Ukraine for help.

Later, when Alla went to the camp to pick up her son, she was interrogated several times.

"She was interrogated by FSB officers for 14 hours at the airport in Moscow, and then, in Yevpatoria, she was forced to give an interview to the propaganda TV channel Russia 1 [saying she was] 'grateful for the rest'," Kuleba said.

He added that women who had come to collect their children were only let into the camp one by one. They were under intense psychological pressure, since "saying the wrong thing on camera would mean losing their child forever".

Alla and her son made it back and are now in Ukraine.

Read more:

A mother and her young son who were deported to Russia were brought back to Ukraine.

Watch as 10-year-old Varvara and 6-year-old Renat meet their mother for the first time after being held in Russian captivity.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Santa Ana man arrested on suspicion of lewd acts on a minor who had been reported missing

Suspect identified as Emmanuel Sosa, a 21-year-old resident of Santa Ana, provided the juvenile with illegal substances and sexually assaulted the juvenile. (Riverside County Sheriff)

A Santa Ana man has been arrested on suspicion of lewd acts on a 15-year-old boy who had been reported missing, authorities said.

Emmanuel Sosa, 21, is suspected of giving the boy illegal drugs before sexually assaulting him, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies were dispatched to a Moreno Valley home after receiving a report of a missing juvenile, the department said. The boy was located a short time later in a confused and intoxicated state and taken to a local hospital for treatment.

During the investigation, deputies discovered that the boy had planned earlier to meet with the suspect whom he was communicating with on social media, authorities said.

Riverside County authorities alerted the Santa Ana Police Department, whose officers located and detained Sosa until sheriff's investigators could arrest him.

Sosa was booked on suspicion of lewd acts with a minor and contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sex crime, authorities said. Investigators ask anyone with additional information about this incident to contact Investigator Buck at (951) 486-6700.

Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Allen Telescope Array in California, where many small radio dishes listen for ET signals.

In 2014, a meteor entered Earths atmosphere and burst apart in the air above the ocean near the Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea, probably scattering tiny fragments along the seabed. Meteors that burn up in the atmosphere and leave small traces are not unusual NASA estimates nearly 50 tons of space rock falls on the Earth every daybut Harvard astrophysicist Avi Leob recently made headlines when he suggested this particular meteor, dubbed CNEOS 2014-01-08 or IM1, may actually have been a piece of an alien spacecraft.

Many of Loebs colleagues in the fields of astrophysics and the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Life, or SETI, are highly skeptical of his claims. Theyve also cast doubt on the evidence that CNEOS 2014-01-08 is truly an interstellar object. But Loebs claimand the responding criticismraise important questions: Just how do you decide whether youve found evidence of alien life when the data are often so small, far away, or just ambiguous? And how do you share your findings?

It's a big problem, Jason Wright, a professor of astronomy at Penn State. We call these the post-detection protocols in SETI.

Scientists working on SETI in the 1960s and 1970s, including Carl Sagan and Frank Drake in the US, and Nicolai Kardashev and Iosif Shklovsky in the Soviet Union, created a set of protocols for how they would assess potential radio signals of extraterrestrial origin.

The first step was keeping the claims to a small group. When you thought you might have found something, you would be able to share it only with other scientists without making it public, he says. That might sound incredibly naive today, he notes, but it made pre-internet sense. After analyzing the signal and ensuring they were not mistaking Earthly radio signatures for aliens, then you would make a big announcementyou would go to the UN and you would go to the governments.

What the Cold War Era SETI post-detection protocols didnt anticipate, Wright says, were more ambiguous signals or evidence. But those began cropping up as early as the 1970s, with a set of experiments on board the NASA Viking missions to Mars.

The tests, which were meant to detect the presence of organic compounds and possibly alien life on the Red Planet, had unclear and conflicting results. A biology experiment on the Viking 1 spacecraft showed one positive result for the presence of organic compounds, one negative result, and a third that was undetermined. The lead scientist for the experiment, the late Gilbert Levin, who died in 2021, argued as recently as 2012 that the experiment had, in fact, found signs of life on Mars.

Then, in 1996, a team of scientists led by NASA Johnson Space Centers David McKay began investigating a meteorite of Martian origin, known as Alan Hills 84001. Members of the team became so convinced theyd found evidence of fossilized Martian life in the space rock that it reached President Bill Clinton, who said it speaks of the possibility of life in an address to the nation.

Though the scientific community came to believe McKay and his team were mistaken, they were reasonably responsible [in the first article they published about it], even if they clearly believed they had something, Arizona State University astrophysicist Steven Desch says.

Since the 1996 announcement, scientists have put even more thought into how to gauge the levels of evidence for signs of alien life in different circumstances. The European Space Agencys ExoMars mission Rosalind Franklin, a rover scheduled to launch to the Red Planet in 2028, will use a complex biosignature score rubric, ranking the confidence experiments have found signs of aliens.

Key to any such evaluation of evidence of alien life is understanding what your confounders are, Wright says. Put another way: What might you detect that you would mistake as what you are looking for?

For astronomers looking for signs of alien telecommunications, if youre hoping to eavesdrop on alien radio, you need to rule out radiation signals from Earth. When they do a SETI search these days, millions and millions and millions of hits, they call them, get detected, and they're all from terrestrial transmitters, Wright says. It's extremely challenging to rule those out to get rid of them. It's like being in a crowded room and everyone's talking at once, and you're trying to hear the one voice.

For signs of technological origin, or signs of fossilized life in meteorites, confounders are processes that could produce those objects without an appeal to alien life. Most scientists ultimately concluded that what looked like fossil microbial life in Alan Hills 84001 could be produced by other chemical or geological processes.

[Related: Alien civilizations could send us messages by 2029]

Off the coast of Papua New Guinea, Loeb and his research team used a magnetic sled to drag the sea bed along the expected trajectory of the space rock. They collected small metal spheres. (Authorities from the island nation have suggested the material may have been illegally acquired.) The astronomer announced on his blog that his team had recovered unusual magnetic material consisting of an alloy of iron, titanium and magnesium that does not resemble known human-made alloys or familiar asteroids. He asked whether the asteroid might have been manufactured by some alien technology.

But he will also need to rule out that these spherules didnt originate from the many other sources that create tiny metallic bits on the ocean floor, SETI experts say.

You'd have to match them against what are the more mundane possibilities including spherules from [non-intersterstellar] asteroid material hitting the Earth, Desch says, noting that the seabed is covered in tiny pieces of ordinary meteorites. Then there is volcanic ash and artificial spherulesstuff comes out of coal fired plants and lands on the seafloor too.

And while comparing a possible sign of life to more mundane alternatives, its also important to acquire that most essential form of comparison in sciencea control sample. Since it landed on Mars in 2021, for example, NASAs Perseverance rover has been collecting tubes of rock and soil that will be returned to Earth for analysis in the early 2030s.

To help ensure any signs of life are not actually contamination brought to Mars from Earth, the rover carries five witness tubes containing Earth materials that could, in theory, contaminate the rover samples. Briefly opening the witness tubes on Mars will give scientists a pattern of what terrestrial contamination of a Mars sample would look like.

The same type of measurement is even easier to make when trolling the seabed for signs of interstellar meteorites, according to Desch. Go 100 miles away and collect the stuff from there and see if it's any different, he says. If you find the same mix of stuff everywhere, it's not all aliens, it's just natural.

For his part, Loeb says his team believes the spheres they found are in fact from the meteor, and not other sources. The composition of the spherules along the meteor path is different from that of volcanic ash, he writes in an email to Popular Science. Our control samples were obtained tens of kilometers away from the meteor path, and revealed an abundance of spherules lower by a factor of 10 from the meteor path.

Loeb plans to do further laboratory analysis of the recovered materials at the Harvard College Observatory. If history is any guide, that analysis will need to be extremely thorough, as confirming ambiguous signs of alien life has so far proven to be a big and incomplete task.

[Related: Astronomers want to wield a tiny laser to look for life on neighboring worlds]

But thats not to say there are no conditions that would point indisputably to the existence of extraterrestrial life. If intelligent, space-faring aliens really are capable of visiting Earth, they could, of course, fulfill a 1950s sci-fi stereotype and land on the White House lawn to ask to see the president.

Another example is finding a technological gadget as the relic of an interstellar meteor, Leob writes. Such an object could have components that are unfamiliar, including a label: Made on an exo-planet.

More convincing than that, however, might be the detection of a radio signal that could not be produced by natural means, according to Wright. Only technology can produce narrowband radio emission, Wright says, referring to radio transmissions encoded in a narrow range of frequencies that efficiently use bandwidth to communicate data. He envisions plenty of scenarios where we're sure it's technology and space, and we're sure it's not ours, because it's not local. The SETI Institutes Allen Telescope Array, several dishes in California, are designed to hunt for such a signal.

But even a detection of an alien radio transmitter might set up a whole new level of analysis. Just because you receive the signal, it doesnt mean its for you, that you can decipher it, or that the sender would respond if you tried to talk to them. We say, Well, that star's got radio transmissions.' Sometimes you see them, sometimes you don't. They're definitely technological, Wright says. Yes, they have radio transmitters. And that's all we know.
Campfire Song

Scientists have discovered the coolest star ever found to emit radio waves, according to a new study published Thursday in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Per the study, at roughly 797 degrees Fahrenheit, the star in question  unceremoniously dubbed WISE J062309.94045624.6  is hotter than an oven, but cooler than a typical cigarette lighter flame. For contrast's sake: our Sun, a burning, bubbling, plasma-firing orb of nuclear fusion, has an estimated surface temperature of roughly 9929.93 Fahrenheit.

"In some cases, [stars] are cooler than the smoke that's rising off our campfire  I mean, that's inspiring," Kovi Rose, a doctoral candidate in astronomy at the University of Sydney and the study's lead author, told The New York Times. "It's inspiring and humbling to understand our place in the universe."

Song of Stars and Planets

That said, WISE J062309.94045624.6 is a very different kind of star than our Sun. As the NYT explains, the lighter-like cosmic body is a brown dwarf, which is sometimes sadly referred to as a "failed star." As far as stars go, it's fairly small  smaller than Jupiter  and as a result, it doesn't have nearly as much gravitational pull as is needed to perform nuclear fusion.

A "brown dwarf is partway, in mass and temperature, between a star and a planet," Tara Murphy, an astronomy professor at the University of Sydney and a study co-author, told the NYT.

But because they can't perform nuclear fusion, brown dwarfs are dimly lit, and impossible to see with the naked human eye. So, rather than rely on traditional telescopes, the researchers instead relied on data from the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder  in addition to data from instruments including the MeerKat radio telescope in South Africa and the Australia Telescope Compact Array  to sift through radio waves emitted by stars' electromagnetic fields.

"Every band of that electromagnetic spectrum gives you a completely different window into the universe," Murphy told the NYT. "It's like a detective story."

It's not the coolest star ever found  as the NYT points out, that would be WISE J085510.83-071442.5, another brown dwarf. But this latest discovery could offer some fascinating insights into the varying magnetic fields of brown dwarfs, less than ten percent of which, per the NYT, are known to emit radio waves.

"Once we realized that it was a brown dwarf, yeah, it was definitely quite exciting," Rose told the NYT, "because then you kind of go down this rabbit hole of trying to figure out what the implications are, and what we can learn about the magnetic field properties."

More on stars: Scientists Attempt to Explain Star with Tentacle-like Arms
Scott Air Force Base says goodbye to its commander and welcomes his successor

This article was originally published by St. Louis Public Radio, a BND content partner

The military wing that runs Scott Air Force Base said goodbye to its now former leader and tapped a new one at a Friday ceremony.

After serving as the commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing for the last two years, Col. Chris Robinson will move to the Pentagon in Washington D.C. to run the U.S. Air Forces budget, as part of regular military reassignments.

Robinson oversaw the Metro East base that employs roughly 13,000 people during a period of firsts, like the evacuation of Afghan civilians when the U.S. military pulled out of the country, among many others.

We excelled through three once in a lifetime challenges: a pandemic, the largest air evacuation in history and the largest land war in Europe since World War II, Robinson said during a speech Friday. Airmen from Scott were on the frontlines of each of these.

Robinson will be succeeded by Col. John Poole, who comes to Scott from Dyess Air Force Base just outside of Abilene, Texas, in the central part of the state.

Im honored to work for you and your families, Poole said during his speech. I hope to prove myself showcase worthy as I lead you.

Pooles new responsibility will involve leading the wing that runs the daily operations at the base that houses U.S. Transportation Command, one of 11 unified combatant commands of the countrys military.

The Metro East base supports TRANSCOMs Air Force and Army components  Air Mobility Command and Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, respectively.

Poole will return to Scott after two previous stints at the base. He served from June 2017 to July 2018 in Air Mobility Commands chief commanders action group. From July 2011 to July 2012, he worked with the Eighteenth Air Force, the transportation group that reports to Air Mobility Command.

Standing in front of his predecessor, Col. John Poole speaks to a large crowd of airmen after being named the next commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing, the wing that runs Scott Air Force Base.

Its exciting to be home in a place where our oldest started Kindergarten and is now going to graduate from high school  where our youngest took his first steps over in a house in Shiloh West, Poole said.

Like Poole, Robinson also had multiple stops in the Metro East. Before leading the 375th, he served in two Air Mobility Command roles consecutively from June 2014 to June 2017. After a year, he returned to run a division of U.S. Transportation Command from March 2018 to July 2019.

Robinson said he was also proud of Scott officials overseeing the former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosis high stakes trip to Taiwan last summer and bringing back the bases air show after a five-year hiatus.

He left his subordinates with a message: continue their work to become combat ready, a priority from the Department of Defense for all military bases.

Knives will dull if theyre used but not resharpened. Silver will tarnish if it isnt polished, Robinson said. I ask that you all continue to hone your craft, invest in your education and forge the airmen in this Air Force that our nation needs us to be.

Will Bauer covers the metro-east for St. Louis Public Radio.
See inside a test Boeing 737 MAX 10, the heavily-modified variant being developed to compete with rival Airbus' A321neo

Pete Syme/Insider

Boeing's upcoming 737 MAX 10 is the MAX family's largest variant at about 144 feet long.

The high-density plane will compete with the Airbus A321neo, but it has faced development problems.

Insider toured the 737 MAX 10 testbed at the Paris Airshow to catch up on the certification process.

Boeing's upcoming 737 MAX 10 is the largest of the single-aisle jet family and will compete with Airbus' A321neo.

According to the manufacturer, the next-generation jet offers "the lowest cost per seat of any single-aisle airplane," making it attractive for airlines looking for high-density narrowbodies that can replace costly widebodies on long-haul routes  especially between low-demand city pairs.

Carriers like United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have placed orders for the stretched jet, which can accommodate up to 230 people.

However, the MAX 10 has had a tough road to certification.

Boeing originally thought the plane would be certified by the end of 2022 after the MAX 8 and 9 were officially ungrounded in November 2020. However, the manufacturer has since pushed the timeline back to early 2024.

The delayed timeline is a result of components like the flight deck, the landing gear, and the angle of attack sensors requiring extra engineering to mitigate safety risks and meet federal requirements. Stricter documentation laws created after the MAX crashes have also delayed the process.

"We have done just about everything we could do, [and we] are close to getting FAA approval to start flying certification flights," Mike Fleming, Boeing's senior vice-president for commercial development programs and customer support, told FlightGlobal in May. "The airplane itself is performing very, very well."

Insider toured one of Boeing's MAX 10 testbeds at the Paris Airshow in June to learn more about the program, production, and the heavy modifications made to the plane. Take a look.

Powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Boeing has three MAX 10 test aircraft, which have collectively flown nearly 850 flight hours across some 400 flights since June 2021.

Pete Syme/Insider

Source: Flight Global

The planes are required for FAA certification to demonstrate the jet can safely operate in extreme events and weather conditions.

Boeing 737 MAX 10. Taylor Rains/Insider

Source: CNN

And they have been pushed to their limits thanks to specialized equipment and monitoring systems fitted on the testbeds.

Pete Syme/Insider

This means you won't find any galleys or passenger cabins onboard. Instead, there is a lot of open space with seats surrounded by computers and hundreds of feet of wiring.

Pete Syme/Insider

Working the flights are a team of pilots and engineers, the latter responsible for monitoring the tests and collecting data.

Pete Syme/Insider

Several stations are set up with seatbelts, keyboards, and displays that feed information to the staff in real-time.

Pete Syme/Insider

Engineers will conduct a series of tests in one single flight, like how the plane performs with different centers of gravity.

Pete Syme/Insider

This is done by moving water forward and aft via large black tanks onboard the jet.

Pete Syme/Insider

Meanwhile, a large winch sits towards the back of the plane. According to a Boeing representative, it is equipped with a sensor on the end that extends out of the plane through the roof to measure air pressure.

Pete Syme/Insider

Engineers are also testing new interior concepts, including Boeing's new Space Bins that will carry more luggage and hopefully minimize gate checks.

Pete Syme/Insider

Other important tests involve the MAX 10's new cockpit systems  specifically an extra angle-of-attack (AoA) sensor and a way to turn off stall or overspeed alerts.

Boeing 737 MAX 10 test aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow. Taylor Rains/Insider

The conditions for these two systems to be specifically on the MAX 10 goes back to the two MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019.

Investigators look through debris from the 2019 Boeing 737 MAX crash. Boeing's attorneys claim the plane hit the ground too fast for passengers to feel any pain. Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Source: AirInsight Group

Both accidents were caused by flaws in something called the MCAS, which used erroneous data from faulty AoA sensors to trigger a stall alert and essentially forced the plane to nose dive.

The angle of attack sensor is seen on a 737 Max aircraft at the Boeing factory in Renton Reuters

Source: The Seattle Times, Insider

Unfortunately, the indicator light that would alert the pilots to the faults didn't work due to a fleetwide software issue. Boeing knew about this issue in 2017 but didn't consider it a high-risk problem.

Pete Syme/Insider

Source: The Seattle Times

However, after the disasters, the FAA acknowledged the oversight and mandated a new crew alert system be added to any aircraft certified after January 1, 2023.

Boeing 737 MAX 10 test aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow. Taylor Rains/Insider

Source: AirInsight Group

Because the rules only apply to new jets, Boeing's MAX 8, 8200, and 9 were safe. But, its uncertified MAX 7 and 10 would need a redesigned flight deck if they weren't certified by the December 2022 deadline.

Boeing 737 MAX 7 in Boeing livery. A Southwest 737 MAX 8, a Ryanair 737 MAX 8200, and an Alaska 737 MAX 9 sit behind. Taylor Rains/Insider

Source: AirInsight Group

With expected certification pushed to 2024, Boeing sought a waiver because it needed its MAX planes to have common flight decks.

An American Airlines Boeing 737 Max cockpit. Business Insider/David Slotnick

Source: AirInsight Group

An additional system would likely require extra pilot training, meaning current MAX pilots couldn't immediately jump into the new MAX variants.

Boeing's biggest 737 customer Southwest Airlines could have been impacted by this. Southwest Airlines

This is important because airlines don't want to pay for extra training, so Boeing could lose business without the waiver. Fortunately, the planemaker secured it in the 11th hour after heavy lobbying.

Pete Syme/Insider

Source: AirInsight Group

But, it came with conditions  retrofitting the two aforementioned systems (the extra AoA sensor and a stall alert disengage) onto every MAX variant starting three years after the MAX 10 is certified.

Boeing 737 MAX 10 test aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow. Taylor Rains/Insider

Source: AirInsight Group

Complying with the FAA's request will ensure the MAX 10 is federally approved under the current MAX family umbrella, maintaining commonality with the other models.

Boeing 737 MAX jets, including Lion Air. Reuters

Source: AirInsight Group

Plus, former NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt pointed out that commonality between jets is important not only for costs but also safety because pilots are not confused from variant to variant.

Associated Press

Source: Simple Flying

But, the cockpit system isn't the only modification Boeing had to make to maintain consistency across its MAX fleet.

Pete Syme/Insider

During production, engineers found the 737 MAX 10's extra-long fuselage  which was extended to give airlines space for more passengers  was so long that it could experience a tail strike during takeoff.

Pete Syme/Insider

To combat this, Boeing created a compression system in the landing gear that adds nine inches of height to give the plane enough takeoff clearance.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Source: Simple Flying

But, to ensure the jet's gear maintained commonality with its MAX counterparts, Boeing had to create something called a "shrink link" to store the gear in flight.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Source: Simple Flying

This mechanism helps the extended gear retract properly so the entire system can still fit into the same wheel well that is on the rest of the MAX variants.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Source: Simple Flying

For Boeing, this  as well as getting the waiver for the cockpit  is extremely important from a business standpoint.

Pete Syme/Insider

Without the heavy modifications, the MAX 10 could teeter on becoming its own standalone plane, requiring Boeing to endure a longer and more complex certification process.

Pete Syme/Insider

And, to re-emphasize, airlines favor commonality between aircraft types because it saves time, money, and resources. Boeing would be in hot water if it lost that advantage.

Pete Syme/Insider

But, history suggests that Boeing's fixes could create new problems. However, the planemaker has maintained confidence in MAX 10's safety and design.

xPete Syme/Insider

"There have not really been any considerable technical issues associated with the changes we have made to these airplanes [that] have created schedule problems for us," Fleming told FlightGlobal in June. "It is really just about getting the documentation."

Pete Syme/Insider

Source: FlightGlobal

Read the original article on Business Insider
Have you seen him? Police release new photos of suspect accused of stealing truck with baby inside

Police have released new photographs of the suspect who is accused of stealing a truck with a baby inside before dropping the infant off at a Dorchester intersection on Friday.

The images released Saturday of the suspect are much clearer than previous images released on Friday.

New photographs show the suspect -- a man with a beard, tattoos on both forearms and wearing a gray Boston Red Sox T-shirt -- on a bicycle. Police described the suspect as a heavy-set, light-skinned Hispanic male, last seen wearing a grey shirt/grey pants with long hair and a beard.

Around 3 p.m. Friday, officers responded to Geneva Avenue and Leroy Street for a reported kidnapping.

When officers arrived, they learned that the victims truck had been stolen with their infant child still inside the truck.

The suspect drove the stolen truck along Geneva Avenue towards Bowdoin Street.

The infants parents told police that while parked at 430 Geneva Ave., they exited the truck to tend to their two-year-old. The suspect then jumped into their truck and fled towards Bowdoin Street with the infant inside the truck, police said.

Moments later, the suspect returned to 430 Geneva Ave. and placed the infant, who was still in the car seat, on the sidewalk.

The suspect then drove away again in the stolen truck toward Bowdoin Street.

The infant was reunited with the parents and an ambulance took the infant to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

About an hour later, officers located the stolen truck at 156 Columbia Road.

Anyone with information on this incident is strongly urged to contact Boston Police Detectives at 617-343-4335.

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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"Serebrianka forest was hell on earth". The story of "Scar", a commander in the Ukrainian National Guard

Scar, a 24-year-old company commander in the 5th Slobozhanshchyna Brigade, has already survived the battles for Kharkiv, Balakliia, Kupiansk and Kreminna.

He is tall, thin and looks his age, the National Guard said on Facebook.

"I got the alias scar because in the first few days of the full-scale invasion, the volunteer unit we were in was attacked by Russian aircraft. Aerial bombs were dropped on us, several men in the unit were killed, and glass flew in my face, giving me my first scar," he recalled.

The same Sushka (Su-34 attack aircraft) had already attacked again, but was shot down the next day.

Scar was a volunteer. In the first few days of a full-scale invasion, he went to the military enlistment office and was assigned to the National Guard.

"On 24 February, I looked out of the window and realised I had to go there, go to the place I had been avoiding even in my own thoughts. My country was under attack, and I had to fulfil the duty of every self-respecting man. The was no other way. Saltivka [the district in Kharkiv - ed.] had been attacked, so I bought sausages and then headed to the military enlistment office."

On his second day serving, Scar came under fire. The Russian occupying forces were so close to Kharkiv that they could fire mortars at the unit's location. It was then that Scar witnessed the first death in his unit.

Before the full-scale invasion, Scar was a logistics engineer with a Masters from the Kharkiv National Automobile and Road University. He studied in the Military Department of the Air Force University and received the rank of junior lieutenant and a military speciality.

He happily admits that he always dreamt of a civilian career.

Scar humorously recalls how he treated the other conscripts to the sausages he bought on their first day. At the time, he didn't know that he would command them.

Photo: National Guard of Ukraine on Facebook

"When I was applying for my first salary, I was talent spotted and offered the role of platoon commander. If it wasnt for the conscripts, I think we would have lost this war. They didn't know that it was almost impossible to shoot down a modern bomber with one shot from an Igla (a Soviet-made human-portable air defence system) and stop a tank column with a few RPG-7s. So in March 2022, they did it without thinking. We just got into cars, drove around the ring road, and returned with trophy weapons. In the space of a year, these people have become professionals", the National Guardsman says proudly.

After a month of training, Scar arrived in Balakliia, where he began commanding a company. He then went to Kupiansk, Lyman and Kreminna.

"I realised that the front lines in Balakliia and here are completely different. I haven't been to Bakhmut, but God has yet to come up with something worse than Serebrianka Forest. In my company, only 30 per cent were not injured, and we do not consider concussions an injury here. It's just hell on Earth," says Scar.

This 24-year-old commands a unit where most fighters are much older than him. But at the front, you are defined by your actions in battle. For his courage and decisive actions on the front line, Scar was presented with the highest state award.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
server taking customer's order, police vest

A server was wrongfully punished after she refused to give up money from her own paycheck when a group of customers didn't pay.

Posting to the subreddit "r/Serverlife"  an online forum where restaurant workers can share incidents that have happened to them while working  the boyfriend of a server shared that his girlfriend was put in a legal situation because she fought back against her boss' request when a group of customers skipped out on the bill.

She was arrested after refusing to pay for a table's bill when they dined and dashed.

In the Reddit post, the man explained that his girlfriend had started working as a server for a couple of weeks at a restaurant located in Georgia. While working one night, she had served a table of customers who ended up dining and dashing.

RELATED: IHOP Server Goes Off On Customer For Making Him Work Over His Break  'It's A Privilege That I'm Even Here, Bro'

The table had walked out and left their $100 bill. In response, the server's manager told her she needed to pay for the table. "She told them no and immediately quit and walked out."

When she walked out, she also took the $50 in tips she had made that night, which is usually supposed to be given to management at closing time. However, feeling frustrated with management, she simply walked out and was planning on talking to them about taking it out of her final paycheck.

Though, she never got the chance. A couple of days after quitting, she was pulled over by the police and arrested for theft. "Apparently the boss called the police and put out a warrant for her arrest," he revealed.

server arrested after refusing to pay customer's bill who dined and dashed

Photo: fizkes / Shutterstock

RELATED: Woman Says Drive-Thru Worker Was 'Disgusted' When She Didn't Pay For Another Customer's Order

While she was able to leave jail, her former boss is now trying to take her to court over the tab and the $50 she left with.

He concluded his post by seeking out advice on what would be the best course of action concerning helping his girlfriend, pointing out that it doesn't seem legal that she's getting into so much trouble for something that was out of her control.

According to federal rules, restaurant staff are protected against having to pay for customers who dine and dash. Restaurants can't force their employees to make up for the financial loss of dine and dash if it means they would earn less than the minimum wage.

On top of dining and dashing being illegal in most, if not all, states, including Georgia, it's incredibly unethical to deprive a business of the revenue it rightfully earned for providing customers with food and services.

RELATED: Customer Says Restaurant Added An Automatic Gratuity To Pick-Up Order, But Then Asked Her To Tip Two More Times

Most Reddit users agreed that his girlfriend had the right to contact a lawyer and fight the charge.

"Its illegal to make staff pay for someone walking out on a tab. Definitely get a lawyer this is an easy case. Absolutely insane," one Reddit user wrote.

Another user added, "Contact a civil rights lawyer. If there was an arrest warrant it was signed by a judge."

"So either the manager lied about the facts to get an arrest warrant, opening himself up to criminal charges and a civil suit, or the judge who signed it is an idiot and opened the city/county up to a civil rights lawsuit."

A third user chimed in, "I don't know. The police did the job [of] arresting her based on the info they got from I assume the restaurant. The police didn't do anything wrong. The police could however charge the person who made the false report."

Overall, dining and dashing is considered dishonest, unethical, and harmful to businesses, their employees, and the overall community. It is always better to enjoy a meal at a restaurant and fulfill your responsibility by paying for the services provided.

RELATED: Waitress Reveals The Difference Between How 'Boomers' And 'Gen Zs' Leave Their Tables After Eating At Restaurants

Nia Tipton is a Chicago-based entertainment, news, and lifestyle writer whose work delves into modern-day issues and experiences.

This article originally appeared on YourTango
The sister of Sharon Tate, a beloved actress killed by members of Charles Mansons murderous cult in the late 1960s, criticized the prison release of Leslie Van Houten, saying that its likely she will kill again.

Van Houten was released on parole earlier this week after serving 53 years for the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.

According to Van Houtens attorney, she exited the California Institution for Women in Corona, near Los Angeles, on Tuesday and has since been transported to a transitional living facility. Shes required to serve a three-year maximum parole term with a parole discharge review occurring after one year, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said.

Sharons younger sister Debra Tate expressed concern over Van Houtens release in an interview for Fridays episode of ABCs Nightline, marking her first comments on the matter since she was granted parole.

Is she a nice girl? No. Is she an animal? I think she was then, and I fear that she still is, she said.

Van Houten said she first met Manson in the 1960s as she traveled along the California coast. She was just 19 years old when she helped the infamous Manson Family kill Los Angeles grocer LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, in August 1969. The slayings came just one day after other Manson followers  without Van Houten  killed pregnant actress Sharon Tate and four others.

In 1971, Van Houten was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder for the deadly LaBianca stabbings and conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of Tate, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Steven Parent and Jay Sebring.

She was sentenced to death for her crimes, but the sentence was commuted after a California Supreme Court decision briefly made capital punishment unconstitutional in the state.

Were talking about one of the most murderous cults in America. Is it worth giving that a free pass? asked Debra, who has reportedly attended the parole hearings of all the Manson Family members. There are a lot of people that I would give a free pass, but these people are not amongst them.

In an interview with TMZ, Tate noted the victims families are terrified and blasted California Gov. Gavin Newsoms office for not pushing harder to keep Van Houten behind bars.

Newsom previously said he was disappointed by the Court of Appeals decision to release Van Houten.
She's 47, anorexic and wants help dying. Canada will soon allow it

She's 47, anorexic and wants help dying. Canada will soon allow it Lisa Pauli is choosing MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying)

By Anna Mehler Paperny

TORONTO (Reuters) - Lisa Pauli wants to die.

The 47-year-old has wrestled with the eating disorder anorexia for decades; she says she has had a warped relationship with her body since age 8.

These days, Pauli says, she weighs 92 pounds and may go days without eating solid food. She says she is too weak to carry groceries home without stopping for breaks.

"Every day is hell," she said. "I'm so tired. I'm done. I've tried everything. I feel like I've lived my life."

Pauli cannot legally get medical help to die - yet.

An expansion of the criteria for medically assisted death that comes into force in March 2024 will allow Canadians like Pauli, whose sole underlying condition is mental illness, to choose medically assisted death.

Canada legalized assisted death in 2016 for people with terminal illness and expanded it in 2021 to people with incurable, but not terminal, conditions. The legal changes were precipitated by court rulings that struck down prohibitions on helping people to die.

The new mental health provision will make Canada one of the most expansive countries in the world when it comes to medical assistance in dying (MAID), according to an expert panel report to Canada's parliament.

(Listen to a special episode of the Reuters World News podcast here)

Proponents of assisted death - which is still a novel concept in many parts of the world - say it is an issue of personal autonomy.

But six disability rights and religious advocates told Reuters that the pace of the planned changes to the assisted death framework in Canada brings additional risks of people opting for MAID because they are unable to access social services - that lack of which could exacerbate their suffering.

Canada's Justice Minister, David Lametti, dismissed criticism that the country was moving too fast or opening up the system to abuse. Some disability advocates have demanded rolling back the current framework because they argue it puts people with disabilities at risk.

"We have gotten where we are through a number of very prudent steps," Lametti said in an interview with Reuters in June. "It's been a slow and careful evolution. And I'm proud of that."

In 2021, the most recent year available, 10,064 people died through medically assisted death, about 3.3% of deaths in Canada that year. That compared to 4.5% in the Netherlands and 2.4% in Belgium, where assisted dying has been legal since 2002, according to each country's official data.

The vast majority of assisted deaths in Canada conformed to the legal rules but provincial authorities deemed a small number worthy of investigation, according to previously unreported provincial government data. Provinces and territories are responsible for health care in Canada.

In 2021-22, Quebec found 15 assisted deaths, 0.4% of the total, did not follow the rules. The province referred the cases to Quebec's self-governing medical body and medical facilities, provincial spokesperson Marie-Claude Lacasse said. In six of those cases, the person did not have a serious and incurable condition, according to a provincial commission.

In British Columbia, government officials have referred 19 assisted death cases to regulatory bodies and a further two to law enforcement since 2018, according to a provincial spokesperson who did not provide further details.

None of the referrals in the two provinces resulted in disciplinary action for doctors, regulatory bodies said, declining to provide further details.

Four other provinces reported no problematic cases of medically assisted death. Other provinces and territories including Ontario, Canada's most populous province, did not respond.

30,000 MEDICALLY ASSISTED DEATHS

More than 30,000 people have died with medical assistance in Canada since 2016, more than 10,000 of them in 2021 when the law was expanded to people whose deaths were not "reasonably foreseeable." Even after the change in the legislation, about 98% of the assisted deaths in 2021 were people deemed near their natural death, according to Health Canada data.

"So far nothing I see would suggest that we need to worry about having gone too far," Lametti said.

The procedure is only available to people covered by a Canadian healthcare program. It requires a written application and assessments from two independent medical practitioners, including at least one specialized in their condition if the applicant is not near their natural death. The procedure frequently involves an injection administered at home.

Lametti said the federal government is considering recommendations from a parliamentary committee to allow advance requests and "mature minors" - people under 18 deemed capable of making this decision - to access assisted death.

Quebec passed a law June 7 that would allow people to make advance requests for assisted death that would go into effect when they reach a predetermined point of incapacity due to Alzheimer's or similar conditions.

But Georges L'Esperance, president of the Quebec Association for the Right to Die with Dignity, said it could take up to two years for the provision to go into effect.

Dying With Dignity Canada has organized nearly 10,000 letters this year to government officials seeking to legalize advance requests across Canada, spokesperson Sarah Dobec said.

Lametti did not say whether the federal government  which is responsible for administering the criminal code - would challenge Quebec's law in the courts. When it comes to minors and advance requests, he said: "We need more time" to gauge public opinion and address policy questions.

Pauli first raised the idea of assisted death with psychiatrist Justine Dembo in April 2021.

Dembo served on an expert panel on assisted death and mental illness that presented a report to Canada's parliament last year. She assesses people for MAID although on that visit Pauli was seeing her for body dysmorphic disorder.

Pauli has tried a multitude of treatments and been hospitalized twice but said she still thinks constantly about what she has eaten; what she will eat.

Dembo told Pauli she could be eligible for assisted death once Canada's law changes.

"She's undergone very high-quality treatments and they just have not made an impact," she said.

When Dembo assesses people for MAID, she said, she treats it as "a last resort," and tries to determine whether they have received all available medical and social supports.

Pauli says she plans to apply for MAID once she is eligible. When Pauli first broached the possibility of getting help dying, her mother Mary Heatley could not accept it.

"The wind knocked out of me.  I just couldn't imagine her not being in this world," she said in an interview.

But Heatley talked to her daughter and realized what she was going through.

"She just could not foresee another 10, 20, whatever years of this, living with this eating disorder," she said.

"I say to myself, 'You have to try and remember. This is what she wanted. It's her life.'  And I would just have to go on without her."

MEDICAL CRITERIA

Some medical experts say mental illness alone should not be a criterion for assisted death. It can be difficult to determine whether a mental illness is truly irremediable, as the law requires, and to differentiate between pathological suicidality and a rational desire to die, says Sonu Gaind, chief psychiatrist at Toronto's Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

"We don't even understand the biology of most mental illnesses," he said.

Six activists said Canada's expansion of assisted death puts people with intellectual and physical disabilities, low incomes or other vulnerabilities at risk.

"My biggest fear is that we go to this absolute terminal end and people die but we haven't invested time, money, people in putting the things in place that would mean that people don't want to consider" assisted death, Michelle Hewitt, co-chair of the advocacy group Disability Without Poverty, said in an interview.

Hewitt pointed to a widely reported case of a British Columbia man, Sean Tagert, with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease who opted for medically assisted death in 2019 after he struggled to get 24-hour care.

"[H]e was very clear on what he wanted - more care hours at home - and when he was told he would have to move to a care facility a distance from his family, particularly his young son, he used MAID," Hewitt wrote in an email.

Social media posts by Tagert's family said that finding care was "a constant struggle and source of stress for Sean".

The reported cases of people resorting to medically assisted death in part due to lack of supports are "tragic," Lametti said.

But "you can't get MAID simply because you're having some social challenges or economic challenges. ... Unless they fall into the medical criteria, they can't access."

While the reported numbers of problematic assisted deaths in Canada are low, some opponents of assisted death in other jurisdictions are using the country's experience as a cautionary tale, three people involved in the debate in Britain told Reuters.

"Canada is being used primarily as an argument against us, not an argument in favour," said Charles Falconer, a British Labour peer who supports assisted death for people with a terminal illness in Britain, where it is not legal.

"It does in one sense [represent a slippery slope], doesn't it, because it started off with terminal illness and it's ended up with non-terminal illness and mental illness."

($1 = 1.3211 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny; Editing by Denny Thomas and Suzanne Goldenberg)
After gathering on the steps of City Hall, a group of protesters angry about a downtown police shooting planned to walk around to the back of the building, where a door leads into the Office of Police Accountability.

About 100 protesters walked past the glass door on June 30, though one said the office is closed and doesnt do anything.

A shooting by a Boise police officer on June 24 killed a 22-year-old man. The shooting spurred a protest and has raised questions about the office, which is tasked with ensuring accountability for the citys law enforcement.

The offices director was fired in December, but city officials have yet to hire a new director. The interim director, Nicole Schafer, is also the criminal manager at the city attorneys office. A former Boise oversight director said holding those two jobs could lead to conflicts of interest.

The offices two investigators resigned in February, leaving it with no staff.

The Boise officer shot Payton Wasson in the head after he fled on foot toward Idaho Street holding a firearm, according to an initial police news release, which said police had been investigating a suspicious vehicle.

Boise officers have been involved in two other officer-involved shootings during the six months Schafer has led the oversight office, as well as a third that happened a few days before.

Boise police officers at the scene of an officer-involved shooting at Boise Avenue and Apple Street on March 8.

As law enforcement agencies investigate the shootings, the police oversight office plans to wait until after those investigations are finished to review them, a spokesperson for Mayor Lauren McLeans office told the Idaho Statesman.

Skip Banach, a retired San Diego police officer, was at the June 30 protest at City Hall. He is pushing for cities around Idaho to adopt police citizen review boards. His son, Jeremy Banach, was killed by Star police last year.

Police cannot police themselves, he said. They will not cross that thin blue line.

Ex-directors probes caused friction with city officials

The Office of Police Accountability, recrafted in 2021, allows for the director to exercise discretion in investigations.

According to its ordinance, the office is expected to review investigations by the Police Departments Office of Internal Affairs, whether those be into complaints filed by citizens or investigations triggered by critical incidents, which include officer use of force and injuries after vehicle pursuits or collisions.

When serious incidents like officer-involved shootings occur, the Office of Police Accountability can investigate them in real time or review them later.

For critical incidents, mayoral spokesperson Maria Weeg said Schafer plans to perform an auditing role, just reviewing the outcomes of investigations.

Office of Police Accountability Interim Director Nicole Schafer was appointed as the oversight director in January after Boise City Council fired former director Jesus Jara in a 5-1 vote.

Pierce Murphy, who directed the oversight office for 14 years starting in 1999, said he went to the scenes of serious incidents and did his own investigations, which could include interviewing witnesses, finding new witnesses, examining evidence, re-interviewing people and coming to separate findings from the Police Department.

Murphys position was created after a rash of shootings in the late 1990s rattled Boise. Eight people  including Police Officer Mark Stall  were killed in six police shootings over 17 months, according to previous Statesman reporting.

During his time in office, Murphy investigated claims and also made recommendations for how police might change their policies. In 2001, he found that officers had mishandled rape investigations of two young girls.

At times, Murphys work caused friction within the city. Police Chief Don Pierce instructed officers that they did not need to talk to the ombudsman during his investigations. City officials resisted releasing Murphys report about a shooting following a tiger attack at the zoo.

After former Mayor Brent Coles was indicted for misusing public funds, Murphy found Pierce had failed to properly investigate the case. The chief denied that.

In one prominent incident, an officer killed a teenager who had run toward him with a bayoneted rifle in 2004, after the boys father had called police to report that his son was making threats with an unloaded weapon. After a year of interviews and examination of evidence, Murphy concluded that the officer was justified in his use of force, but said some of his actions violated department policy. Murphy recommended changes.

Mike Masterson, a former Boise police chief running for mayor this November, told the Statesman he appreciated the independence of the office when Murphy ran it, which overlapped with his tenure.

In order to have that transparency and full confidence of the public, it should be removed or distanced from the political process, Masterson said. He said he is concerned that having a prosecutor run the office is not separate enough from the city attorneys office or the mayor.

Fatal shootings are investigated automatically

In the Boise area, criminal investigations of the officers involved follow police shootings. A criminal investigation is led by a separate, nearby law enforcement agency under an agreement between agencies known as the Critical Incident Task Force. Most such investigations clear officers of any wrongdoing.

The Police Departments Internal Affairs Division conducts its own, noncriminal investigation. The Office of Police Accountabilitys investigations, when they occurred, were the only one of the three not conducted by police.

Murphy said he went to internal Critical Incident Task Force briefings while an investigation was underway, had access to witness interview transcripts and recordings, and could decide to re-interview people.

Thats how you build trust in the law enforcement process, Murphy told the Statesman by phone. Its not by telling people to trust us and well tell you if anythings wrong. Its by having that independent oversight thats consistent, its accountable itself, and its independent.

Murphy, who left Boise in 2014 to take on a similar oversight role in Seattle, said he still relied on the Police Department to conduct the forensic portion of an investigation, and said it is important for the oversight offices work not to interfere with criminal investigations.

As Boises police oversight ombudsman, Pierce Murphy spent over a decade working for the city, where he reviewed complaints against police officers and issued policy change recommendations.

There is value in an audit of a Police Department investigation, but it does not provide the same level of oversight, he said.

The problem is that you are then completely, totally dependent on the quality and breadth and depth of the investigation conducted by the Police Department, Murphy said. There are a hundred different ways to ask a question of a witness or an involved party in something like that. I cant tell you the number of times that Ive listened to interviews of witnesses or involved police officers by Internal Affairs and had the experience of, wait a minute, why didnt you ask that question?

For there really to be true oversight that I think the public deserves, the oversight office has to have the ability to do that independent investigation, he added.

The cornerstone of police accountability is that theres rigorous, consistent, trustworthy and independent oversight every time, he said.

Boise City Council Member Patrick Bageant disagrees that each investigation should follow the same format. He helps oversee the oversight office along with Council President Holli Woodings and Council Member Jimmy Hallyburton.

Flexibility and discretion and judgment are the key aspects that give that office its credibility, he said. I would expect them to approach each incident in the way that they think is best for that incident. I would not expect them to follow a script. I would be disappointed if it was all robotic.

Woodings told the Statesman that the ordinance directs the office to perform audits, and said Schafer does not think that independent investigations are best practice.

Schafer has given us a lot of evidence and weve had a lot of discussions about how its actually not helpful and doesnt lead to different outcomes, Woodings said. So under this current interim director, theyre not doing that kind of real-time investigation.

Last year, McLean fired the oversight offices director, Jesus Jara, because he was allegedly conducting unauthorized surveillance of the public, which McLean said violated the city ordinance. A lawyer for Jara has denied these claims, and Jara has sued the city.

Body-cam video is released months later

Body cam practices have caused tension between Boise officials and Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts in the past. Body camera footage is often not released for months, as in the case of the October 2021 shooting of Zachary Snow in downtown Boise. Footage from the shootings was not released until five months later.

When Boise officers shot three people over four weeks in 2021, McLean called on the county prosecutor to release body camera footage more quickly. So did former Police Chief Ryan Lee. But Bennetts said premature release of evidence violates defendants due process rights.

Other cities have been moving toward faster releases. After a San Antonio shooting in June, police named and criminally charged officers involved and released partial body camera footage in less than 24 hours.

The Boise Police Department has not released body cam footage from the Wasson shooting, nor from the other three shootings that have happened this year. Investigations of shootings often take months if not years. A criminal investigation that cleared a Boise officer of any wrongdoing during the 2021 Boise mall shooting was not finished until a year later.

Bageant said the San Antonio approach has its advantages, but that law enforcement needs to be careful about protecting the rights of officers and other involved parties.

The public wants to see that video, he said. The public wants to see the wheels of justice move swiftly if they feel that they should be moving, and I get that. Before we start moving in that direction in Boise  Id really want to understand how we can move quickly but also with sufficient certainty to not accidentally do real harm.

Boise now lacks independent civilian oversight

Murphy said he thinks it creates an appearance of conflict to have an oversight director be, at the same time, working in the city attorneys office, because city attorneys are part of the law enforcement team.

They make prosecutorial decisions and they direct police investigations, he said. A police oversight agency by its nature is separate from and independent from law enforcement.

He said he thought the city should ask an interim director to step down from the prosecutor role for the interim.

Bageant said city prosecutors dont generally file felony charges, which are what would likely be relevant in police shootings. Felonies are charged by the county prosecutor. That means no potential conflicts of interest would occur, he said.

He added that before Schafer was hired as interim director, the city consulted with the Idaho State Bar, which said the dual roles would not be a potential conflict.

Woodings said Schafer has been handling the oversight role very well.

Im not concerned about her impartiality, she said.

Weeg, the mayors spokesperson, said in an email that if the oversight office had a case that was parallel to an ongoing prosecution, we would wall Nicole off from the investigation and refer the case to outside counsel.

Murphy, the former oversight director, said that is not enough.

The question shouldnt be whether the Bar considers it an ethical conflict of interest, he said by text. The question should be whether a person who has been abused or mistreated by a BPD officer would consider it a conflict to have someone who is a member of law enforcement and supervises criminal prosecutions handle any complaints about BPD. The current situation hardly qualifies as independent, civilian oversight of law enforcement.

Noble Brigham contributed reporting.

Tougher hiring standards. Bringing back evaluations. Boise police respond to investigation
Shawn Gomez, who was born and raised in Wichita, often had a kitchen utensil in his hand throughout his 30 years of life.

Even as a toddler, he would meander into the kitchen and play with a spatula. His passion in the kitchen grew from there  to helping his mother and grandmother cooking for their large family, and eventually to a career that he planned to build his familys future around.

He worked as a hibachi chef for years before taking the leap last year to start his own business taking orders and cooking out of at-home kitchens. He and his longtime girlfriend, Emma Delfin-Perez, started a limited liability company in September and planned to open a food truck later this year then, eventually, a family restaurant.

He was very talented, said Shane Davis, manager at Kobe Steak House of Japan. Gomez first learned to be a hibachi chef at the Derby location. He was a great guy. He was a family guy.

Gomez, who had two children with Delfin-Perez, his high school sweetheart, was fatally stabbed July 8 in the 2600 block of East Harry. Police were called to the scene around 1:55 p.m. and found him stabbed in the upper chest on the porch of a home. He later died at the hospital.

Police said he was stabbed after a fight.

Pedro Juan Hernandez was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of intentional second-degree murder in the killing of Gomez. The 38-year-old Wichita man and Gomez knew each other but werent friends, Delfin-Perez said.

On Friday, amid planning the funeral arrangements for her son, the oldest of six children, Margaret Margarita Lopez said she was relieved that Hernandez was arrested. But it doesnt take away the pain.

It was a relief because hes not out here loose. He cant do this, he cant take someone elses child from them, Lopez said, starting to cry. But it doesnt bring back Shawn. It doesnt take this pain away from me or his siblings or anybody in the family or his friends or anybody thats known him.

Gomezs father, Lorn Smith, said Friday that his death didnt feel real since he hadnt yet seen his sons body. Smith said his relationship with Gomez, which was on and off as he was in and out of his life, makes the loss even harder. He hadnt talked with his son in months.

That I always loved him, Smith said when asked what he would tell Gomez if he had another chance. Never stopped thinking about him or trying to be a part of his life.

Gomez was the oldest of his siblings: five boys and one girl.

Brianna Roman, Gomezs sister, said he always looked out for and helped take care of her and her siblings. She said he always encouraged her to reach her academic and career goals. She said he always texted and called asking for photos and videos of his toddler niece.

Hed always end conversations with her by saying, endearingly, I love you, ugly. He also called her and his niece princesses.

He was just a really loving, caring person, she said.

Lopez had lived with her mother, the late Rosalie Perez, after having Gomez as a teen before moving out on her own. But, still, Gomez stayed very close with his grandmother, often spending days with her. Together, they would cook traditional Mexican food.

Food was a big part of their family. He loved his grandmothers cooking, but especially her potato salad. He always requested it at family gatherings. Gomez also loved his mothers cooking. He wanted to sell her mazapan cheesecake out of his food truck.

Lopez started dating Fernando Lopez when Gomez was 12. Lopez quickly became a father-figure to Gomez, who was the best man at their 2017 wedding.

Gomez started showing a professional interest in cooking around 15  around the same time he met Delfin-Perez in art class at West High School.

Gomez was a talented artist, his family said.

He started doing tattoo work on family and friends as a teen. He loved to do lettering. Delfin-Perez even let him tattoo her before they started dating in their teens.

She was a little nervous about getting the tattoo, but trusted in his talents. She also trusted him.

He was so funny, she said. He always made me laugh. He had that great personality that you always wanted to be around.

Gomez later got Delfin-Perez and their childrens names tattooed on him. He had about 20 tattoos, Delfin-Perez said, adding that she plans to get his name tattooed on her in the coming months.

Delfin-Perez said Gomez was always the life of the party. Family said being a hibachi chef fit his personality, as he enjoyed the attention and socializing.

Working nights as a hibachi chef also allowed him to spend the days with their children, 10-year-old Amaya Gomez and 6-year-old Adriel Gomez.

He was a great dad, Delfin-Perez said. He always wanted to be around them for as much as he could.

The couple had long talked about Gomez starting his own business. One day, he just did it, Delfin-Perez said, recalling his excitement as he posted on social media about taking orders.

That night was so busy and we were so surprised about how many people ordered and loved his food, she said, adding they got around 30 orders that first night in January 2021.

He would take orders on social media and people would either come pick them up or have them delivered. Delfin-Perez would help with the prep.

Business grew.

It started with hibachi meals, but soon Gomez started to make a hibachi burrito that quickly rose in popularity. He also had a garlic fried rice that he always bragged about, Lopez said.

The idea of buying a food truck and then a restaurant started to become more and more tangible. He had been looking up food trucks online.

He had dreams, he had plans, Lopez said. He was going somewhere.

Lopez first found out her son was stabbed when one of his friends called her and told her she needed to get to the hospital. He didnt know Gomezs condition, and thought he was taken to Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph.

Several family members rushed to the hospital, but Gomez wasnt there. He wasnt in an Ascension hospital. They went to Wesley Medical Center and were told to wait.

Delfin-Perez got a call from her daughter who was worried as police just arrived. She told her everything was OK.

Family waited and waited. Then they got the news: Gomez didnt make it.

I couldnt believe it. My heart sank, Delfin-Perez said. It was really hard. Its still hard to accept it. He took a big part of me with him.

Delfin-Perez said she is trying to raise money to help pay for the funeral. She said the loss of income from Gomez will make it harder to make ends meet. They had a food fundraiser Friday and are making plans for others.

A candlelight vigil was planned for Saturday night.

Delfin-Perez was taking money for the Friday fundraiser through Cashapp, Venmo, and Chime at @Mamas323. Anyone wanting to help with the funeral can also donate there.

Family is still working out the details of the funeral, which is planned for July 22.
Pilot in serious condition, had medical emergency during plane crash on Marthas Vineyard

A small airplane carrying two passengers crashed after the pilot had a medical emergency while trying to land on Marthas Vineyard Saturday, according to officials.

The single-engine Piper-46 crashed around 3:15 p.m. while trying to land at the Marthas Vineyard Airport in West Tisbury, an FAA spokesperson told Boston 25 News. A preliminary investigation from Massachusetts State Police determined the 79-year-old man piloting the plane suffered a medical emergency while trying to land. The female passenger grabbed the controls but the hard landing caused the planes left wing to break in half.

The pilot was flown to a hospital in Boston in life-threatening condition, according to Massachusetts State Police. The female passenger was taken to Marthas Vineyard Hospital and later released.

The pilot and passenger live in Connecticut and departed in the plane from Winchester, New York earlier in the afternoon, MSP says.

A person at the airport told Boston 25 News that all flights at the small airport were delayed due to the incident.

According to FlightAware, at least one plane originally scheduled to land on the island was routed to Boston instead.

A passenger at Marthas Vineyard airport tells me all flights are delayed due to some sort of incident on a runway. Flight aware shows at least one plane entroute to MVY diverted to Boston this afternoon #boston25 pic.twitter.com/5cuh2mMMrX  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) July 15, 2023

The FAA, Massachusetts State Police and NTSB are investigating the crash.

Video from inside the airport shows flashing lights at the end of one of the runways.

Cant see much in this video but some flashing lights at the end of the runway. Flights are getting out but delayed. #boston25 pic.twitter.com/ErOiqKwiez  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) July 15, 2023

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Many cutting-edge technologies have empowered the Universiade Village in China's Chengdu, which will host the 31st FISU Summer World University Games from July 28 to August 8.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
An Italian judges ruling that sexual harassment doesnt occur until 10 seconds have passed has caused outrage and prompted a trend on social media of Italians groping themselves to show just how long that is.

"How is it possible? How do you time 10 seconds? Who decides?" "White Lotus" actor Paolo Camili said in a comment to Fox News Digital. "Some think that it's a very short time, that it's nothing, that it happens by chance... If they stand there and count for themselves, they will realize that 10 seconds are really a long time."

A judge ruled that 66-year-old Antonio Avola did not sexually harass a 17-year-old student at a Rome high school because the April 2022 incident happened too quickly, the BBC reported.

The student said she was walking up a staircase when a janitor pulled her trousers down and touched her buttocks and grabbed her underwear. A prosecutor asked for a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for the crime.

Inside a courtroom with gavel in view.

CALIFORNIA CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS FIRED FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING INMATES AT FEDERAL WOMEN'S PRISON PLEAD GUILTY

The janitor admitted to groping the student without consent but insisted it was a joke, and the judge acquitted the man and claimed the incident "did not constitute a crime," shocking many of the country's youth and drawing outrage.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The victim herself asked if the judge was "joking" with his decision, insisting the janitor "took" her from behind without saying anything. "This, at least for me, is not a joke," she said, stressing that the ruling may in fact discourage women from reporting violence because they might worry its "not worth it."

MAINE MAN WHO RECORDED HIMSELF SEXUALLY ABUSING 2 CHILDREN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON

"Silence, in general, protects aggressors," she said, hoping that the prosecutors office will appeal the ruling, according to Day Italia News. "Im starting to think I was wrong to trust the institutions. This is not justice."

Camili took to social media to express his anger over the "palpaga breve"  or "brief groping"  ruling, putting a timer over a video of himself feeling his own chest for 10 seconds before exploding in an angry rant.

SERIAL BOSTON RAPE SUSPECT'S LAWYER SAYS GOVERNMENT PILING UNSOLVED SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES ON CLIENT

He posted the video with the comment, "Lo Stato non dovrebbe proteggere?," or "Shouldnt the State protect?"

A view of the Trevi Fountain square in Rome with tourists, in Rome, Italy, on June 3, 2022 in Rome, (Photo by Andrea Ronchini/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Other influencers followed, similarly posting videos of themselves either with a timer or counting to 10 on their fingers to show just how long a time that is. The posters remain silent and stare at the camera for the whole time, and mostly grope their own chests.

Activist Francesco Cicconetti posted his own video, writing, "Womens bodies are not owned by men. It is owned by no one, only the women themselves."

Fox News' Peter Petroff contributed to this report.
Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar believes Ukrainian society has mastered the specifics of information flow during the war unprecedentedly fast.

Source: Maliar on Telegram

Quote: "We may now say that our society has mastered the specifics of information reporting during the war in an unprecedentedly fast manner and has learned to identify hostile psychological operations (PSYOPs) very well."

Details: Maliar believes that the greatest information challenge of this war is not Russian disinformation but rather the necessity for the entire society to switch to a wartime information regime.

"Ukraine has not introduced military censorship. We assumed that our society is mature and that explanations would be enough. Throughout the full-scale invasion, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has held many offline meetings with bloggers, experts and journalists, and we always found understanding. A year ago, the MoD developed and submitted rules for covering military information to all oblast administrations. Every head of the military-civilian administration is in touch with us 24/7 on this issue. And the result is clear," she said.

The deputy minister said that "the stake on the maturity of society was right".

Meanwhile, she noted there are people who "could post anything for the sake of views and likes" and make public capital on the military topic.

"However, the mature society has condemned and distrusted such people," Maliar added.

"We still have sporadic leaks of sensitive information from enlisted military personnel. There are cases when civilians help brigades in exchange for information and even in exchange for interviews with certain media. The MoD, along with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, is addressing this issue. But isolated cases in an army of several hundred thousand is not a bad result," she concluded.

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The sounds of explosions could be heard in the city of Sumy on the evening of 15 July, with no air raid warning at the time.

Source: Suspilne, Ukraine's public broadcaster

Quote: "Sounds of explosions have been heard in Sumy, as reported by our correspondents".

Details: No air raid warning was issued in Sumy Oblast at the time of the explosions. The cause of the explosions is currently unknown.

Later, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported that "all the [relevant] services were working" and "details were being clarified".

Quote: "Dear residents of Sumy! Please stay calm. All [relevant] services are working. Details are being clarified! Wait for official information".

Background: Earlier on Saturday, 15 July, an explosion could be heard in Zaporizhzhia during an air raid warning.

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South Africa says it doesn't want Putin to visit later this summer because it doesn't want to have to arrest him

Russian President Vladimir Putin makes a statement after a meeting with participants of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council and the Council of CIS Heads of Government meetings, in Sochi. RAMIL SITDIKOV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

South African officials are hoping Russian President Vladimir Putin does not visit next month.

Putin is set to attend a BRICS summit in Johannesburg, despite an international arrest warrant.

"We would be happy if he doesn't come," South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile said Friday.

The government of South Africa really hopes that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not show up at the meeting it's hosting next month, a top official said in an interview published Friday, fearing that it could result in an international incident.

"We would be happy if he doesn't come," South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile told the Mail & Guardian.

That sentiment comes after South Africa, in January, said that Putin was welcome to attend the next BRICS summit in Johannesburg, which begins Aug. 22. BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the governments of which have formed a rival to the G7 alliance of developed economies.

Russia has frequently cast the grouping as a challenge to Western hegemony and a key to a future "multipolar" world no longer dominated by the United States or Europe. In February, it held joint naval exercises with China and South Africa just off the latter's coast.

But, in March, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the Russian president, accusing him of overseeing war crimes in Ukraine, namely the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. Countries that signed the treaty creating the court, known as the Rome Statute, are obligated to "immediately take steps" to detain suspects.

"We understand we are bound by the Rome Statute," Mashatile said, "but we can't invite someone, and then arrest him."

He expanded on that point in a separate interview with the South African outlet News24.

"It's almost like you invite your friend to your house, and then arrest them. That's why for us, his not coming is the best solution. The Russians are not happy, though. They want him to come," he said.

A spokesperson for Mashatile later told the Financial Times that the South African government is "speaking to President Putin directly on the ICC problem."

Putin attended last year's BRICS summit, hosted by China, virtually. The Kremlin has not said whether he will try to attend the next meeting in person.

Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
South Africa should do "right thing" if Putin comes to BRICS summit  ICC chief prosecutor

South Africa must do the "right thing" and abide by international law if Russian President Vladimir Putin personally attends the BRICS summit in Johannesburg next month.

Source: Karim Khan, International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor, in an interview with CNN

Quote: "South Africa has felt a crime against humanity for decades, the crime of apartheid, I don't think they need lessons from me.

They are voluntarily a state party to the ICC, they know what the law is, and I think they would do the right thing. And we will assess what actually happens at the BRICS summit and respond accordingly."

Details: In March, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Affairs, for committing the war crime of illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.

Since the court does not hold trials in absentia, Putin must either be extradited by Moscow or arrested outside Russia.

Most of the world's countries, 123, are parties to the treaty, and the ICC statute provides that all participating states have a legal obligation to cooperate with the court, including executing arrest warrants.

However, South Africa, the country hosting this year's BRICS meeting, has granted diplomatic immunity to all participants, meaning Putin might be able to travel to the country despite the ICC warrant for his arrest.

Background: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says Vladimir Putin will attend the BRICS summit in August in person; the Kremlin says it has not yet decided.

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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has said that the Republic of Korea will increase the amount of military and humanitarian aid provided to Ukraine in 2023.

Source: Interfax-Ukraine, citing Yeol at a briefing after talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday in Kyiv

Quote from Yeol: "We provided bulletproof vests, helmets, and other necessary ammunition last year. We hope that this year the level of our assistance will be much greater...

President Zelenskyy and I agreed in May on the supply of the necessary equipment for such purposes as, for example, humanitarian mine clearance, and we continue to do so. Last year, the Korean government allocated USD$100 million to support Ukraine. This year, this support will amount to USD$150 million.

We also plan to increase aid to Ukraine to restore the education system. Last year... we decided to help rebuild destroyed schools. We would also like to provide Ukraine with support for future generations with the help of the two presidential scholarships."

Details: Yeol compared the situation in Ukraine to South Korea 70 years ago, when it was illegally invaded by North Korea.

The president also emphasised that the Peace Formula must be implemented.

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South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol visits Bucha

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife during their official visit to Ukraine on July 15 visited the sites of atrocities committed by the Russian army in Bucha, Kyiv Oblast, the Ukrainian Prosecutor Generals press service reported on Telegram on July 15.

Read also: Poland, South Korea sign memorandum on restoration of Ukraine

Accompanied by Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, the South Korean delegation observed the aftermath of Russias brutal tactics, aimed at intimidating and oppressing innocent Ukrainian civilians under military occupation.

Today, we visited Bucha to witness firsthand the devastating consequences of Russias brutal tactics aimed at destroying the peaceful Ukrainian population, said Kostin.

During the 33 days of Buchas occupation, a multitude of war crimes were committed, including torture, the indiscriminate shooting of civilians and evacuation columns, and acts of sexual violence.

Read also: South Korea considering sending ammo to Ukraine if Russia continues to attack civilians

Expressing his gratitude for President Yoons unwavering stance, Kostin emphasized that the international community cannot turn a blind eye to these large-scale attacks on civilian populations.

The Russian regime must be held accountable for its actions, the prosecutor general said.

The most effective means to achieve this is through the establishment of a Special Tribunal specifically dedicated to addressing the crime of aggression.

The South Korean president arrived on an unannounced visit to Ukraine on July 15.

Read also: No doubt Ukraine to join NATO after war, says Pentagon chief

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
State College police ask for help in contacting owner of dog that bit child at Arts Fest

State College police are asking the public for help in finding the owner of a dog that bit a child at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts on Thursday.

Between 3-4 p.m. Thursday, an 11-year-old girl playing in the water buckets on South Allen Street was accidentally bitten by a dog, police wrote in a news release. Because the rabies vaccination status of the dog was not obtained, the child is undergoing the precautionary rabies shot protocol, police wrote.

The dog was described as a Rottweiler under the supervision of a woman wearing a purple dress. The woman also had a second dog with her at the time.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the State College Police Department at 814-234-7150, by email or to submit an anonymous tip through the departments website.

Arts Fest requests that people not bring dogs to the festival unless theyre assistance dogs.
CHEBOYGAN  Cheboygans new wastewater treatment facility was applauded Thursday by local and state officials during an event marking completion of the upgraded plant.

The project is part of a statewide emphasis on providing financial and technical support to improve aging community water systems.

Cheboygan Director of Public Works Jason Karmol explains to local and state officials the workings of the wastewater treatment facility's new oxidation ditch.

According to officials, the Cheboygan plant upgrades replace 1970s-era technology and improve treatment processes that better protect Lake Huron, enhance public health safeguards, and reduce costs through state-assisted funding.

Funding for the $17.4 million facility was assisted through a low-interest loan with $5-million principal forgiveness through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

Chris Bauer, community and economic development manager with the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, said the plant upgrades join numerous infrastructure investments in the community.

This is one of the biggest economic development projects weve seen in a while, Bauer said.

More: City approves application to EGLE for funding to improve wastewater treatment plant

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The new wastewater treatment facility has been in the works for several years. The Cheboygan City Council first approved applying for EGLE funds for the project in 2020. At that time, officials expressed concerns about continued deterioration of the equipment, issues with surface water quality, and potential safety hazards.

The city's wastewater treatment plant was originally constructed in 1946. It was modified in 1975 and 1998.

State officials commended the Cheboygan project as one of many taking place around the state to address needs regarding outdated drinking water and wastewater systems.

Michigan is addressing systemic challenges in providing quality drinking water and curbing wastewater pollution statewide, EGLE Deputy Director James Clift said. The work going on across the state is a great start  a down payment on the critical investments necessary to ensure high-quality drinking water and wastewater management for future generations.

 Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: State, local officials commend Cheboygans new wastewater treatment facility
Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (2nd R) meets with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

JAKARTA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on Friday met here with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and exchanged views on bilateral ties as well as the Myanmar issue.

Don spoke highly of Thailand-China friendship and was glad to see the continuous advancement of all-round cooperation and increasingly close exchanges in various fields between the two countries.

Wang, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said China and Thailand are one family. The building of a China-Thailand community with a shared future has a solid social and popular foundation and has received strong support from the ruling and opposition parties across the political spectrum, he said.

China is ready to strengthen strategic communication with Thailand, consolidate their friendship and expand cooperation, safeguard the common interests of both sides, as well as regional peace and stability and the basic norms governing international relations, Wang said.

Regarding the Myanmar issue, Don briefed Wang on his recent trip to Myanmar and said he hoped China will continue to play an important role in promoting a political solution to the Myanmar issue.

Wang said China supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to resolve the Myanmar issue in its own way, rise above external distractions, and work out a roadmap acceptable to all parties.

China appreciates Thailand's proactive approach and its latest progress on the Myanmar issue, Wang said, adding that China always stands for maintaining ASEAN unity and cooperation, supports ASEAN community building, and will continue to play a constructive role in its own way. 

Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (R) meets with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)
Alta on the Row apartments under construction on Mulberry Street in Worcester.

Editor's note: The specialized stretch code does not pertain to major rehabilitations, as an earlier version of this story reported.

WORCESTER  A new building code could land in Worcester, potentially driving up costs for developers. The result could be a drag on the number of projects in the city, both residential and commercial.

Its called the specialized stretch code, and city officials are expected to ask the City Council to adopt it. That was supposed to happen Tuesday, but John Odell, the city's chief sustainability officer, said late Friday afternoon that the public presentation will occur later this month.

The state's specialized stretch code is an opt-in. That means a city or town can adopt it by a vote of a city council or select board. So far 18 communities have adopted the code, including Boston and Cambridge, but none in Central Massachusetts.

Its anticipated the Worcester City Council wont vote right away after Odell's department makes its pitch, as the request will likely require a council subcommittee review, followed by a public hearing.

What is the code?

It's essentially a stricter set of regulations that build upon the states existing codes for making buildings more energy-efficient. If approved, it would apply to new construction of both residential and commercial properties.

A linchpin of the new specialized stretch code is enhanced electrification of buildings. Electrification to replace fossil-fuel heating and cooling systems with more energy-efficient heat pumps and other technologies is one strategy to meet a state law that requires Massachusetts to achieve net zero carbon emissions statewide by 2050.

Buildings major contributor to climate change

Roughly one-third of carbon emissions in Massachusetts emanate from the states 2 million existing buildings, according to the Massachusetts Climate Action Network. In Worcester, 65% of the city emissions come from all buildings, said Odell.

Odell acknowledged some pushback to the specialized stretch code could come from developers.

Any time you change things, there is going to be some pushback, which is understandable, said Odell. Changing systems can be a challenge, but we think theres a lot of support in the community for this.

Dont count Brian Allen among them.

Allen is the founder and owner of WorcesterMulti, a buyer and seller of owner-occupied and investment properties since 1999. As Allen sees it, developers should decide if they want to electrify their buildings, not the City Council.

The choice should be made by the person whose expenditure is their own personal money, said Allen. I dont think the city should impose rules on people. Imposing rules limits choice and the number of potential developers.

Developer Charles Chip Norton, owner of the Mercantile Center, where the Telegram and Gazette leases office space, noted upfront electrification costs must result in cost savings on the back end to make it work.

If the savings payback is reasonable on these sort of things, then its important to do. It comes down to the financial impacts, said Norton.

Added costs, but also more benefits

Added expenses could reach up to 3% of the total project cost on a developer's first project, said Odell. However, Odell noted that once developers learn how to incorporate the new specialized stretch code into subsequent projects, then they'll likely see cost savings that outstrip any additional upfront costs.

The state Department of Energy Resources said there will be significant cuts in emissions and considerable cost savings for developers:

The prior stretch and specialized stretch codes will cut 500,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, along with $21 billion in operations and construction cost savings over the life of the buildings.

Mass Save rebates and federal tax credits for different building sizes will more than cover added costs for all electric buildings. The Department of Energy Resources estimates approximately $600 million in Mass Save incentives for new construction over the next decade. That amount includes projects that fall under the state's base energy code and in communities that adopted the stretch code and the specialized stretch code. Worcester adopted the stretch code in 2010.

As Odell sees it, the top benefits of the specialized stretch code include:

Less air flow in and out of buildings that makes heating and cooling more energy-efficient

Air-source and ground-source heat pumps will drastically cut carbon emissions

Better insulated walls will contribute to greater heating and cooling efficiency

Allen doesnt argue that improved technologies to achieve more energy-efficient buildings will win out in the end. But he doesnt want to see the city telling developers how to construct their buildings. Instead, he supports a carbon tax that punishes building owners who pollute the environment.

If the City Council does opt-in to the specialized stretch code, Allen sees property owners passing their extra costs to renters, driving up what is already a overheated rental market.

Don't forget about enforcement

Enforcement is another issue. Its one thing to adopt a code, its another to enforce it.

Odell noted more city fire safety and inspectional services staff will likely be needed to ensure developers and property owners adhere to the new code, if the city adopts it.

He didnt have a dollar amount for how much more enforcement could cost, but it wouldnt be paid by city taxes. State and federal grants could be a source, said Odell.

Details of specialized stretch code

The details can get in the weeds, but the big picture is an emphasis on heating, cooling and other systems that run on electricity, not fossil fuels.

Some of the specifics include:

 Buildings using fossil fuels must be prewired for full conversion to electric and install on-site solar where feasible.

 Prewiring is required for electric vehicle charging stations, including a minimum of 20% of new spaces and one space per home in one- and two-family homes.

Odell sees many advantages if Worcester takes on the specialized stretch code, including greater energy efficiency that is good for the environment, and cost savings for developers that will make their buildings better for their balance sheets in the long run.

All the plusses we think outweigh the smaller negatives," he said.

Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter: @henrytelegram.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester developers wary over Mass. specialized stretch code
Statesville veteran nonprofit rewarded for efforts to help disabled veterans across the country

A wounded combat veteran from Statesville was named one of the Nations Finest 50 on Friday for his nonprofit work.

Nations Finest 50 is a nonprofit veteran support organization that was founded in 1972. The group decided to celebrate its 50th anniversary by honoring 50 leaders from across the U.S. who have gone above and beyond to support veterans like John Gallina.

Gallina is the co-founder and executive director of Purple Heart Homes in Statesville and was recognized for his work improving the lives of disabled veterans by providing accessible housing. The group was started in 2008 after Galina and a fellow soldier, Dale Beatty, were hurt in Iraq and struggling to adjust to being disabled.

MORE: Veteran dedicates decades to help other veterans in Charlotte area

The CEO of Nations Finest, Chris Johnson, said he was honored to present the award to Gallina because his nonprofit gives disabled veterans a sense of dignity.

We are proud to award John Gallina with the Nations Finest 50 award, Johnson said. His work has helped improve the quality of life for disabled veterans and their families, providing them with a sense of independence and dignity.

Gallinas nonprofit work doesnt stop in the Carolinas; the organization has grown over the past 15 years and now helps disabled veterans across the country. The group provides important home repairs like wheelchair ramps to increase accessibility and independence.

Purple Heart Homes has provided accessible housing to more than 500 veterans and is continuing to increase its reach and impact through company partnerships.

To learn more about Purple Heart Homes, click here.

(WATCH BELOW: New partnership involving Ron Rivera will train shelter dogs to aid veterans)
House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik is renewing criticism of what she called an "unacceptable" trip to China by Secretary of State Antony Blinken last month, after reports that the State Department discovered a hack into official emails just as Blinken was about to embark on the trip.

"The State Department knew Communist China was carrying out an extensive hacking campaign to collect intelligence against the United States, yet Secretary Blinken still went to Beijing, legitimizing the CCP's aggressive behaviors in the process," Stefanik, R-N.Y., said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"This is unacceptable and exactly why I called for the cancellation of Secretary Blinken's trip," she said.

BIDEN CLAIMS SPY BALLOON MORE EMBARRASSING FOR CHINA, SUGGESTS IT WASN'T INTENTIONAL'

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, shakes hands with China President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 19, 2023.

The New York Times reported that the State Department discovered a hack, which began in May, into the email accounts of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo as well as State Department officials before Blinken made the trip to Beijing  which had been delayed over the Chinese spy balloon incident in February. The Times reported that the State Department discovered the intrusion on June 16, the same day Blinken left from Washington, D.C., for the trip.

"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. As a matter of cybersecurity policy, we do not discuss details of our response and the incident remains under investigation," the department said this week in a statement.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"The Department of State has a robust cybersecurity program to protect our systems and information and works continuously to build resilience and stay ahead of malicious actors. We continuously monitor our networks and update our security procedures."

Officials said classified information was not accessed through the emails, The New York Times reported.

It marks the latest hostile action by the Chinese regime, which not only launched a spy balloon across the U.S. earlier this year, but has also sought to build spy bases in Cuba. It has also launched a widespread hacking campaign against the U.S. and other nations.

BLINKEN GRILLED ON ALLEGED DISCONNECT WITH BIDEN ON TAIWAN POST-CHINA TRIP

The intelligence communitys annual threat assessment stated that China represents the "broadest, most active, and persistent cyber espionage threat to U.S. Government and private-sector networks."

Officials have warned that China is "capable of launching cyberattacks that could disrupt critical infrastructure services within the United States, including against oil and gas pipelines, and rail systems."

Reuters reported that Blinken told Chinas top diplomat this week that any action targeting the U.S. government, companies or citizens "is of deep concern to us, and that we will take appropriate action to hold those responsible accountable."

NIKKI HALEY TORCHES TRUMP, BIDEN ON CHINA RESPONSE, DEEMS BEIJING 'MOST DANGEROUS FOREIGN THREAT' SINCE WWII

House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., attends a press conference following a Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on June 8, 2022.

But Republicans have criticized the Biden administration for what they see as a soft and dismissive approach to the threat from communist China as it seeks to create good relations with Beijing.

President Biden last month said that the balloon incident was "more embarrassing than it was intentional" and said he hopes he could speak to President Xi Jinping about how the U.S. and Beijing could "get along."

Stefanik doubled down on that criticism this week.

"President Biden's desire for a 'thaw' in relations with the CCP continues to be the incorrect approach," Stefanik said in her statement. "Instead, we must pursue peace through strength in order to deter further CCP aggression."

Fox News' Nicholas Kalman contributed to this report.
Nylla Miller didnt dwell on the shortcomings of her education when she spoke at her high school graduation. Instead she talked about all she and her classmates had accomplished.

They had achieved at high levels even in cramped classrooms with no air conditioning that got stuffier as the summer months approached  a reversal from earlier in the year, when the heat wasnt working and it was almost too cold to focus. Athletes had set new records, even on a dirt track that doesnt meet state standards.

Miller praised the Penn Wood High School Class of 23 on a hot June morning in Hagan Arena at Saint Josephs University in Philadelphia without saying much about all the ways the Pennsylvania public schools had failed them. She told her fellow graduates and their families that they were the flyest class ever to do it.

We have left our mark, not only here, but in every room that we have entered, she said.

But overcoming adversity was more than just a graduation theme.

A few months earlier, a Pennsylvania court acknowledged the reality that Penn Wood students faced every day: Students in the William Penn district and five others in Pennsylvania didnt get the education the state constitution entitles them to. The court ordered the state to alter its system  though it didnt spell out how or how fast.

By pursuing funding equity in court, the financially challenged Pennsylvania districts were following a well-traveled school reform path. For decades, school districts around the country that have found themselves on the short end of a resource imbalance have gone to court to force states to give them a fair shake.

Those lawsuits have not been the solution they were once thought to be. In many cases, legislative action has fallen short of meeting the true cost of bringing balance to public education. In others, major reform efforts brought about short-term changes, but couldnt sustain success when political or economic climates turned unfavorable. But some states have seen progress in academic achievement and student success when the state provides more funding.

In Pennsylvania, prospects for a legislative fix hinge on a budgeting process in a divided legislature. Emboldened by the courts decision, House Democrats tried to funnel more money into public education this year, but it hit a wall in the Republican-controlled Senate, which proposed a more modest spending plan.

Yet students like Miller keep going to school in districts forced to address gaps with limited means to do so.

The William Penn district used federal COVID-19 pandemic relief funds to hire a reading specialist to help address achievement gaps, but that money runs out this year. The district would like to keep the position, Superintendent Eric Becoats said, but that could mean raising taxes on a community that is already one of the highest taxed in the state.

A contract for mental health services, paid for with federal funds, is another support program the district may not be able to sustain. That mattered to Miller, who struggled to find someone to confide in. Those needs have only grown more acute, at William Penn and elsewhere, as more teenagers struggle with mental health issues in the aftermath of COVID, especially teen girls.

We switched therapists about three times this year, Miller said. So each time you had to get to know somebody new. Thats draining. No student feels like getting to know three different therapists and pouring their heart out three different times and telling your story three different times to three different people. Its a lot to handle.

The inferior facilities are a lot to handle, too. Penn Wood has no real science labs. Rooms are cramped, and classes can get overcrowded. Heating and ventilation systems need to be updated. Schools in the district have to share resources, including teachers and staff.

Millers classmate, Paul Vandy, says he never had a full sense of what other students have until he and Miller went to a nearby high school with the speech and debate team. It felt like they had stepped into one of the high schools hed seen on TV.

There were gorgeous white tile floors, robots in the halls. Students had brand new books and their own laptops. And the campus hosted multiple gyms and a beautiful, expansive dance space.

Miller recalled another difference that was hard to miss.

I think I even wrote down in a journal when I got home the similarities and differences between our schools. And the main difference was the color of the students skin, she said. My school is predominantly Black, and their school is a predominantly white school. And I think it was just a moment of, like, reality really falling on me  very, very heavy  of what is happening in our district.

The path forward after high school is complicated, too. When Vandy, who has since decided to attend Thomas Jefferson University to study psychology, began applying to colleges, the senior classs guidance counselor was booked for days at a time, juggling hundreds of students. There was a lot he had to learn to do on his own.

Still, Miller didnt say much about the schools shortcomings when she addressed her fellow classmates as their senior class president. When she thinks about Penn Wood, she thinks about her mother, whose friends graduated from the high school and came back to teach. She thinks about leaning on her own friends as they navigated, and graduated, high school while having less than other districts.

In a ceremony marked by inside jokes, Mariah Carey quotes and shoutouts to friends as they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, she told them the class gift was a sign-off wall: a place for every graduating class to leave their mark permanently at Penn Wood High School.

A reminder, she said, that the school is more than its deficits.

We are more than a small part of a lawsuit, she said, and we are more than everything that we lack.

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The submersible that first took humans to the Titanic wreck has made more than 5,000 dives. A researcher who has been on the Alvin 53 times says it's nothing like the Titan.

The Alvin is a three-person sub owned by the Navy and operated by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. QAI Publishing/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Alvin is one of the oldest deep-sea submersibles and is responsible for many scientific discoveries.

Lisa Levin, an oceanographer, told Insider that Alvin missions are different from underwater tourism expeditions.

"It would be like comparing a commercial airline to somebody who built their own airplane," she said.

The presumed implosion of the Titan has prompted a sudden societal interest in the science behind submersibles as the trials and tribulations of the Titan sub's operation are unearthed in the aftermath of the tragedy.

But not all underwater vessels are created equally, one veteran oceanographer told Insider.

Lisa Levin, a marine ecologist at the University of San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, has taken dozens of deep-water dives on various submersibles throughout her scientific career.

There's one sub that stands above the rest: Alvin.

"Alvin is better than most of them in terms of being very reliable, safe, and getting a lot of work done," Levin said. "It's probably contributed more to deep sea science than any other submarine out there."

The three-person sub is one of the oldest deep-ocean submersibles, commissioned in 1964. The famous vessel is perhaps best known for taking the first humans to the Titanic shipwreck in 1986 when oceanographer Robert Ballard led a research expedition to the wreckage just one year after it was discovered approximately 12,500 feet deep off the coast of Newfoundland.

The spherical sub boasts seven reversible thrusters and two robotic arms, and it can reach four miles beneath the surface, giving researchers access to 99% of the ocean floor, according to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the nonprofit research facility that operates the Navy-owned sub.

Alvin has been on more than 5,000 dives and is the vessel responsible for several advancements in scientific research and discovery, including the 1966 recovery of a hydrogen bomb that was dropped nearly 3,000 feet deep in the Mediterranean Sea after an Air Force B-52 collided with a tanker aircraft over Spain; the 1974 close-up photography of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which is part of the longest mountain range in the world; and the 1977 discovery of diverse wildlife in the warm water vents of the Galapagos Islands

But for all its achievements, safety is Alvin's top priority, Woods Hole representatives have said.

"There's two things you don't sacrifice in innovation and that's quality and safety," J. Carl Hartsfield, a retired Navy Captain who runs an oceanographic systems lab at Woods Hole and also consulted on the search for the missing Titan last month, told NBC News.

Alvin was first commissioned in 1964 and is one of the oldest deep-sea submersibles. Getty Images

Alvin is taken apart, inspected, and reassembled every five years and then goes for recertification by the Navy, a representative with Woods Hole told The San Diego Union-Tribune. The most recent set of upgrades was completed in 2021 and included improved visibility, new lighting and imaging systems, improved sensors, and a state-of-the-art command and control system.

Engineers at Woods Hole pressure test every piece of equipment on board Alvin, no matter how small, NBC News reported. Approximately 60% of the sub is Navy-certified, including critical safety components like life support and flotation foam, Bruce Strickrott, an Alvin pilot, told The Tribune-Union.

"The sub is built around the idea that we have to come home," Strickrott said to NBC News.

The strenuous precautions in place are reassuring for Levin, who has taken 53 dives on Alvin and said she has never once felt unsafe, even as temperatures turn frigid and lights wane hundreds of meters beneath the surface on her hours-long trips below.

OceanGate, the company that created and operated the doomed Titan sub, has been accused in the aftermath of the vessel's likely implosion of prioritizing innovation over safety. Several industry experts warned OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush about the potential dangers of the Titan's irregular construction and the sub was party to a series of troublesome past expedition perils. OceanGate's website and social media accounts were removed on Friday.

A representative for OceanGate declined to comment.

The exploratory vessel most likely imploded last month while on a dive to the Titanic shipwreck with five passengers on board, according to coast guard officials.

From its carbon-fiber hull to its larger pill shape, the Titan diverged from industry standards.

"There's a reason Alvin has been a titanium sphere all of its existence," Levin told Insider.

"When you push it, it wants to stay that shape," Strickrott told NBC News of Alvin.

The Titan operation and other tourist exploration expeditions like it are so different from the research dives Levin and other researchers undertake that she said the two are practically incomparable, despite both taking place on submersibles.

"It would be like comparing a commercial airline to somebody who built their own airplane and flew it and had an accident," she said.

Alvin and Levin's next mission is focused on methane seeps and the chemosynthesis ecosystems they fuel off the coast of San Diego. That expedition later this month will only take Levin and her colleagues down to 1,020 meters, relatively shallow compared to her past experiences on Alvin, she said. But next spring, Levin will ride Alvin deeper than she ever has before off Kodiak Island to examine seeps at 5,500 meters.

She isn't worried.

"For me, I don't think the risk is particularly much more than getting in a car on a freeway," she said.

Read the original article on Insider
Successful drug dealers in San Francisco can make as much as $350K a year, per a new report  more than the average senior software engineer at Google

Successful drug dealers in San Francisco can make as much as $350K a year, per a new report  more than the average senior software engineer at Google

A street view of San Francisco's Tenderloin district. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

Successful drug dealers can make $350,000 a year or more, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.

The base pay for a senior software engineer at Google is around $211,000 or more.

City officials have struggled to find a viable solution to the rampant open-air drug market.

Successful drug dealers can make up to six figures in San Francisco, where city officials have been trying to crack down on rampant open-air drug markets in local neighborhoods, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

While low-level peddlers struggle to make ends meet, other more successful dealers can make up to $350,000 a year or more, according to the Chronicle, which conducted an 18-month investigation into the drug trade in the Bay Area.

By comparison, Google senior software engineers based in SF, the world's tech hub, make about $211,000 as their base salary, not including stock options and bonuses, according to data from Glassdoor and Levels.fyi, a tech salary database.

The money has become an attractive albeit dangerous calling card for some Honduran migrants who hope to flee poverty and violence in their home villages. According to the Chronicle, Honduran migrants  mostly from Siria Valley, north of Honduras' capital Tegucigalpa  dominate the open-air drug trade prevalent in the Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods.

Most Honudurans who come to the Bay Area or the US find legal work. A study analyzing arrest data from the Texas Department of Public Safety found that undocumented immigrants in general had lower crime rates than native-born citizens and legal immigrants when looking at felony offenses.

Some Honduran dealers interviewed by the Chronicle said they performed legal work before turning to the drug trade, while others came to the Bay Area specifically to sell drugs. Most dealers interviewed by the newspaper said that the lack of paperwork and education bars them from securing a high-paying job in the US.

And while it's common for migrants, performing legal work or not, to send remittances back to their families, the money made from drug dealing has allowed for a real estate boom in the villages of Siria Valley, where new homes and mansions have popped up, the Chronicle reported.

"There's no other option for them to make a house in that way if it wasn't for selling drugs in the United States," local Siria Valley resident Ofelia Raudales Carela, told the Chronicle.

San Francisco has struggled with illegal drugs in its neighborhoods for decades. The city has previously tried to use more policing and arrests, but the approach has been ineffective, according to the Chronicle.

Now, city and state officials are vowing again to crack down on the open-air drug market that plagues neighborhoods by increasing enforcement and providing treatment options.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced Thursday that the local police department has "doubled the arrests for drug dealing" in the two neighborhoods in the past two weeks. More than 9.5 kilos of fentanyl were seized in that period, she said.

Spokespersons for Google and the San Francisco Police Department did not respond to a request for comment sent outside of business hours.

Read the original article on Insider
The pushback on Ukraines potential admission into NATO at this weeks summit and the crowded field in the 2024 Republican primary race are likely to dominate the Sunday talk show circuit this weekend.

While Western allies reaffirmed their unified support for Ukraine at the NATO summit in Lithuania, a formal invitation to join the alliance does not appear to be forthcoming for Kyiv.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby, who is set to join Fox News Sunday this weekend, said on Tuesday that Ukrainian membership in the security alliance isnt likely to happen soon, noting that such a move would automatically place NATO at war with Russia.

While NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg affirmed the alliances plans to eventually offer Kyiv an invitation, he also declined to provide a specific timeline and said the offer would be made when conditions are met.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday slammed the lack of a timeline for his countrys membership as unprecedented and absurd.

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.

He struck a more conciliatory tone on Wednesday, noting that Ukraine has already come a long way in interoperability with the alliance and praising its decision to remove a procedural hurdle for Kyiv to eventually join.

We can state that the results of the summit are good, but if there had been an invitation, they would have been perfect, Zelensky added.

President Biden vowed at the conclusion of the NATO summit on Wednesday that the U.S. and its allies would not waver in their support for Ukraine, despite the lack of a formal invitation to join the alliance.

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.

Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, is set to make the rounds on the Sunday talk shows this weekend to discuss the NATO summit and the war in Ukraine, among other national security issues.

The crowd of candidates vying for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination will also likely be a topic of discussion on the Sunday shows, as the first GOP primary debate nears and campaigns announce their second quarter fundraising figures ahead of Saturday nights deadline.

Former President Trump, who is set to join Fox News Channels Sunday Morning Futures this weekend, continues to lead the pack in the polls. A recent Morning Consult poll showed Trump leading his closest competitor, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, by 39 points.

Amid the former presidents strong polling numbers, it remains unclear whether he will participate in the Republican presidential primary debates, the first of which is scheduled for late next month in Milwaukee.

Jason Miller, a longtime adviser to Trump, said on Tuesday that it is unlikely the former president will take the debate stage in the primary but noted that he has not made a final decision yet.

It really wouldnt make much sense for him to go and debate right now with a bunch of folks who are down at three, four and five percent, Miller told NewsNations The Hill. Even Ron DeSantis, whos the second-place candidate in the race currently, is at least 20, 30 or 40 points behind.

The Trump campaign and political action committee also announced a massive $35 million fundraising haul for last quarter, on top of the $18 million raised in the first quarter.

DeSantis team said it raised $20 million in the first six weeks of the Florida governors campaign, while former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haleys campaign said it brought in $7.3 million in the second quarter and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scotts team said it raised $6.1 million.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who will join ABC and CNN this weekend, has raised $1.65 million in the almost month that hes been in the race. The super PAC backing him also reportedly brought in almost $5.9 million, according to NBC.

Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this weeks Sunday talk shows:

ABCs This Week  National security adviser Jake Sullivan; former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican presidential candidate; former Sens. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.)

NBCs Meet the Press  Jake Sullivan; Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska)

CBS Face the Nation  Jake Sullivan; Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas); Mesa, Arizona, Mayor John Giles; IAC Chairman Barry Diller

CNNs State of the Union  Jake Sullivan; Christie; Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.); Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.)

Fox News Sunday  National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby; Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.)

Fox News Channels Sunday Morning Futures  former President Trump; former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.); Alan Dershowitz, Harvard Law professor emeritus and author of Get Trump

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A suspect was charged in the Gilgo Beach serial killings cold case. Heres a timeline of the case and the investigation

For more than a decade, a string of unsolved killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders terrorized residents and confounded authorities on Long Islands South Shore after a womans 2010 disappearance led investigators to find 10 sets of human remains in addition to hers and launched the hunt for a possible serial killer.

Authorities announced a major breakthrough in the case on Friday, charging New York architect Rex Heuermann, 59, with murder in connection to the killings of three of the four women who became known as the Gilgo Four.

The suspect was taken into custody Thursday night, authorities said. He has been indicted on one count of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder in each of the three killings  Melissa Barthelemy in 2009, and Megan Waterman and Amber Costello in 2010, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney.

Heuermann, who told his attorney he is not the killer, is also the prime suspect in the 2007 disappearance and death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, according to a bail application from prosecutors. He has not been charged in that homicide but the investigation is expected to be resolved soon, the document says.

Authorities said once Heuermann was identified in early 2022 as a suspect, they watched him and his family, getting DNA samples from items in their trash as they built a case.

He was remanded without bail Friday. He entered a not guilty plea through his attorney. His next court date is scheduled for August 1.

Here is a timeline of the Gilgo Beach murders, how the investigation unfolded and what ultimately led to Heuermanns arrest.

2010: Authorities find first remains in Gilgo Beach murders

Police discovered the first set of female remains in bushes along an isolated strip of waterfront property on Gilgo Beach while searching for another missing woman: Shannan Gilbert, a 23-year-old from Jersey City, New Jersey who hadnt been seen since May 2010.

The remains of Melissa Barthelemy, 24, were the first to be discovered in the case during the search on December 11, 2010, according to Suffolk County officials. Two days later, investigators discovered the remains of three additional victims  Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Costello and Megan Waterman  strewn across a half-mile stretch on Gilgo Beach.

Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Costello and Megan Waterman - Suffolk County Police Department

The four women, who were wrapped in camouflaged burlap, worked as escorts who advertised on Craigslist and were last seen between July 2007 and September 2010, officials said.

After Barthelemys disappearance, authorities say her family received multiple taunting calls. In one of the calls, the suspect admitted killing and sexually assaulting Ms. Barthelemy, according to a bail application filed by the Suffolk County district attorney after Heuermanns arrest.

Those calls, authorities say, would later help unravel the case.

2011: More remains found, including a toddler and her mother

Police said in January 2011 calls from Barthelemys cell phone had been traced to midtown Manhattan, with the two last calls made from around Madison Square Garden and Times Square. The caller hung up too quickly for authorities to pinpoint the exact locations of the calls, police said.

On March 29, 2011, the partial skeletal remains of another woman were found several miles east of where the bodies of the Gilgo Four were discovered.

The woman was first known as Jane Doe #5 before investigators identified her as Jessica Taylor, another escort whose partial remains were previously discovered in Manorville in 2003, police said.

The following month, on April 4, 2011, three more sets of remains were found on a stretch of Ocean Parkway in Suffolk County near the beach. They included a female toddler, an unidentified Asian male and a woman initially referred to as Jane Doe #6, investigators said.

An aerial view of the area near Gilgo Beach and Ocean Parkway on Long Island, where police conducted a prolonged search on April 15, 2011, in Wantagh, New York. - Spencer Platt/Getty Images/File

One week later, two additional sets of human remains were found in Nassau County, about 40 miles east of New York City, one of which was identified as the mother of the toddler through DNA analysis. The mothers partial remains were first discovered in 1997, officials said.

The other set of remains genetically matched with remains found in 1996 on Fire Island, significantly expanding the timeline and geographic reach of the investigation, officials said.

In mid-April of the same year, Steve Cohen, an attorney for Barthelemys mother, said a man using the victims cell phone made taunting calls and claimed he killed Barthelemy, CNN reported.

Do you think youll ever see her again?, the unidentified male caller asked Barthelemys sister on August 26, 2009, according to Cohen.

You wont. I killed her, he added and hung up. The phone call ended after less than a minute, CNN reported at the time.

Another phone call was placed in July 2009 just days after Barthelemy disappeared. It was the first of seven calls he made from Barthelemys cell phone. Cohen said in the phone call, the unidentified male caller referred to Barthelemy as a whore in a short conversation with her then-15-year-old sister, Cohen told CNN at the time.

In the final call, the man described in graphic detail to the victims sister what he had done sexually to Barthelemy, Cohen said.

Crime scene investigators use metal detectors to search a marsh for the remains of Shannan Gilbert on December 12, 2011, in Oak Beach, New York. - James Carbone/Pool/Newsday/AP/File

In December 2011, Gilberts body was found in the wooded marshes of Suffolk Countys Oak Beach. The beach is about 9 miles from where the 10 other sets of human remains were found.

Authorities later said they believed Gilberts death may have been accidental and not related to the Gilgo Beach slayings.

2020: Police release photos of a key clue and ID a victim

In January 2020, Suffolk County police released photos of what it said could be a significant piece of evidence: a black leather belt embossed with the letters WH or HM. The department also launched a website to collect new tips in the investigation.

We believe the belt was handled by the suspect and did not belong to any of the victims, former Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart told reporters at the time.

On May 28, 2020, New Yorks Suffolk County Police Department identified Jane Doe #6 as Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old Philadelphia mother who went missing two decades earlier.

The FBI helped identify Macks remains using advanced forensic DNA technology, officials said.

Using samples from her remains, Suffolk County investigators were able to find Macks biological relatives through genetic genealogy, which ultimately led to her adoptive family and son, Hart said to reporters at the time.

2022: Police form task force to find killer

In February 2022, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison formed a multiagency task force to investigate the Gilgo Beach killings.

The task force included the Suffolk County Police Department, the Suffolk County Sheriffs Office, the New York State Police and the FBI.

On March 14, 2022, Heuermann was first mentioned as a possible suspect in the Gilgo Beach murder case after a New York state investigator identified him in a database, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

Investigators then started surveilling him and his family, and took pieces of garbage to obtain DNA samples  even discarded pizza crust.

As they closed in on Heuermann, investigators used cell tower records from thousands of possible individuals down to hundreds and then to a handful of people. Next, authorities focused on residents who also matched a physical description provided by a witness who had seen the suspected killer.

Authorities zeroed in on anyone with a connection to a green pickup truck a witness had seen the suspect driving, according to two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the case. Later, authorities learned Heuermann drove a green pickup truck registered to his brother, CNN reported.

Heuermann matched a witnesss physical description, lived close to the Long Island cell site and worked near the New York City cell sites where other calls were captured.

Personal cell phone and credit card billing records revealed numerous instances where Heuermann was in the general locations as burner phones, which authorities say he had with him at the killings. He used the phones to call the three victims and also used Brainard-Barnes and Barthelemys cellphones when they were used to check voicemail and make taunting phone calls after the women disappeared, Suffolk County prosecutors allege.

Authorities said a search of Heuermanns computer revealed he had scoured the internet at least 200 times for details about the status of the investigation, Tierney said. Heuermann was also compulsively searching for photos of the victims and their relatives, and he was trying to track down relatives, the district attorney said.

In late 2022, detectives recovered a cup believed to have been discarded by Heuermann, but they could not get a good DNA sample from it, a law enforcement source close to the investigation told CNN on Saturday.

2023: Rex Heuermann arrested in some of the killings

In January 2023, investigators got a complete sample of Heuermanns DNA from leftover crust in a pizza box he threw in the trash, a law enforcement source close to the investigation told CNN on Saturday.

During the initial examination of one of the victims skeletal remains and materials discovered in the grave, the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory recovered a male hair from the bottom of the burlap the killer used to wrap her body, according to prosecutors. Analysis of the DNA found on the victim and the pizza thrown out by Heuermann showed the samples matched.

Additionally, hair believed to be from Heuermanns wife was found on or near three of the murder victims, prosecutors allege in the bail application, citing DNA testing. The DNA came from 11 bottles inside a garbage can outside the Heuermann home, the court document says.

On July 13, 2023, a suspect connected to some of the Gilgo Beach murders was taken into custody in New York City, marking the first arrest in the case, according to Harrison. He was transported back to Suffolk County Police headquarters in the hamlet of Yaphank on Long Island, the police commissioner said.

Law enforcement arrive at a house Friday, July 14, 2023, as sources said a suspect has been taken into custody in connection with a string of killings on New York's Long Island. - Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP

A day later, authorities identified the suspect as Heuermann, a registered architect who has owned the New York City-based architecture and consulting firm, RH Consultants & Associates, since 1994, according to his companys website.

The case against Heuermann came together over two years with the restart of the investigation, in which investigators used the power of the grand jury, including more than 300 subpoenas and search warrants, to collect evidence and tie Heuermann conclusively to the murders, Tierney said during a news conference.

And authorities have hinted more charges could be coming, noting in court documents Heuermann has been tied to at least one other disappearance  that of Brainard-Barnes  of a woman who was later found dead.

CNNs Kristina Sgueglia, Brynn Gingras, Aya Elamroussi, Samantha Beech, John Miller and Ray Sanchez contributed to this report.

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A manhunt for a shooting suspect concluded after officials say he died.

On Friday, Madison County Sheriff officials said they were investigating a shooting around 8 a.m. at a home on Garnett Ward Road in Hull.

When deputies arrived, they found two people who had been shot. One victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and the other was pronounced dead.

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The identities of the victims have not been released.

Authorities identified 40-year-old William Blaine Epps as the suspect.

Deputies did not specify Epps relationship with the victims.

Officials alerted the public that Epps was on the run and was believed to be armed and suicidal.

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Later in the day, deputies confirmed that Epps had been located and was dead.

Authorities did not specify what led to Epps death.

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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called to assist in this case.

The case is still under investigation.

IN OTHER NEWS:
This booking image provided by Suffolk County Sheriffs Office, shows Rex Heuermann, a Long Island architect who was charged Friday, July 14, 2023, with murder in the deaths of three of the 11 victims in a long-unsolved string of killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders. (Suffolk County Sheriffs Office via AP0 (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

At his office near the Empire State Building, Rex Heuermann was a master of the meticulous: a veteran architectural consultant and a self-styled expert at navigating the intricacies of New York Citys building code. He impressed some clients and drove others crazy with his fine-toothed directives.

At home in Massapequa Park on Long Island, while some neighbors saw Heuermann as just another commuter in a suit, others found him a figure of menace. He glowered at neighbors while swinging an ax in the front yard of a low-slung, dilapidated house that parents cautioned their children to avoid on Halloween. He was kicked out of a Whole Foods for stealing fruit.

We would cross the street, said Nicholas Ferchaw, 24, a neighbor. He was somebody you dont want to approach.

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On Friday, Suffolk County prosecutors said that residents of Massapequa Park had a serial killer living in their midst. They accused Heuermann, 59, of leaving a quarter-mile trail of young womens bodies on the South Shore of Long Island in what came to be known as the Gilgo Beach Killings. Yet he was so careful in covering his tracks, they said, that it took them nearly 15 years to arrest him.

Heuermanns friends and clients in the real estate business were flabbergasted.

His neighbor Ferchaw said, I wasnt surprised at all  because of all the creepiness.

Heuermann, who was arrested in midtown Manhattan on Thursday night, was charged Friday with three counts of first-degree murder and ordered held without bail during a brief appearance at a courthouse in Suffolk County. His lawyer said outside the courthouse that Heuermann denied committing the killings.

If convicted of these crimes, Heuermann would join the ranks of serial killers who led double lives, the other one quite mundane. John Wayne Gacy was a construction contractor in Illinois. Richard Cottingham, known as the Torso Killer, was a computer operator for a New Jersey insurance company.

In a video interview posted on YouTube last year and conducted at his entirely unremarkable-looking office on Fifth Avenue, Heuermann  tall and heavyset, sporting a toupee-like 1970s haircut and a blue dress shirt with a pen peeking from the pocket  comes across as a recognizable character: the scrappy, street-smart Noo Yawker, the I-got-a-guy guy.

When a job that should have been routine suddenly becomes not routine, he tells the interviewer, Antoine Amira, I get the phone call.

According to his resume and the website of his company, RH Consultants & Associates, Heuermanns customers included American Airlines, Catholic Charities, and the citys own Department of Environmental Protection. He represented clients before the Landmark Preservation Commission many times and claimed credit for hundreds of successful applications before city agencies.

Steve Kramberg, a property manager in Brooklyn who worked with Heuermann for about 30 years, called him a gem to deal with, highly knowledgeable. Heuermann was a big goofy guy, a little bit on the nerdy side who worked long hours and was available day and night, Kramberg said. But he was also devoted to his wife, who Kramberg said had health problems, and to his elderly mother.

In Massapequa Park, a tightly gridded village of neat homes with manicured lawns, Heuermann, the son of an aerospace engineer, lived in the house that he grew up in and tinkered with furniture in his fathers old workshop. A man who went to high school with him said he was bullied as a teenager but sometimes fought back. In 1990, he married an executive at an office supply company. He has a daughter who works at his firm.

Ferchaw recounted several run-ins with his neighbor, none pleasant. There was the time he said hello to Heuermann as he was cutting wood and Heuermann responded by silently glaring back between chops of his splitting maul. Other times he would be seated beside his stacked wood on the porch watching an old television.

Mike Schmidt, who has lived in the neighborhood for 10 years, has a friend who lives behind Heuermann. Sometimes Schmidt would visit his buddy, have a few beers in the backyard, look out at the sagging Heuermann house, and say He probably has bodies there.

Last Halloween, Schmidt and his friend resolved to take their kids trick-or-treating at Heuermanns house, just to get a look inside. They were surprised when Heuermann himself answered the door and gave each child a small plastic pumpkin overflowing with candy.

When Schmidts wife learned where the candy came from, she made him throw it out.

At work, Heuermanns punctilious approach rubbed some people the wrong way. Kelly Parisi, a former president of the co-op board at a building in Brooklyn Heights that hired Heuermann to oversee renovations, said he was adversarial with everyone and so overly fastidious that the board eventually fired him.

Paul Teitelbaum, another former president of the buildings board, described him as a really kind of cold and distant person, kind of creepy. He added, There was a swagger  Im the expert, youre lucky to have me.

But one mans arrogant demands were anothers eye for detail. He was very good at shepherding things through, Kramberg said.

According to the timeline released by prosecutors and to Buildings Department and court records, Heuermann kept up his busy work schedule even as victims were vanishing.

In 2009, prosecutors said, after killing Melissa Barthelemy, a 24-year-old who worked as an escort, Heuermann made a series of taunting calls to her family, during lunchtime and after work hours, from locations near his office

In June 2010, about two weeks after Megan Waterman, a 22-year-old from Maine, was last seen alive, Heuermann filed an application to install a new fire escape at a building in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. In August of that year, he filed an application to repair the terra cotta and repoint the bricks in a building on the Upper West Side, nine days before Amber Lynn Costello, 27, disappeared near her home a few miles from Heuermanns.

On March 9, 2022, as the investigative dragnet was tightening, Heuermann was writing a typically detailed letter to a lawyer concerning a project on West 71st Street:

It appears that from my walk though, the drain line is above the interior floor slab and if the trench drain is placed below this level, it would not be able to drain by gravity, he wrote. I would strongly recommend an investigation into the use of negative side waterproofing at this site.

Five days after that, investigators figured out that Heuermann had owned the same model pickup truck that a witness said Costellos killer had driven. Two weeks later, prosecutors said, Heuermann Googled Long Island serial killer and viewed an article headlined New Task Force Aims to Solve Long Island Serial Killer Case.

It was late last summer that Heuermann, sweaty and wearing a dingy T-shirt and shorts, was spotted at the Massapequa Park Whole Foods pilfering clementines from a bowl put out for children.

He took three and put them in his pocket, then he took more, said Tara Alonzo, a clerk at the store. After a few more rounds she called him out. I said, Sir, those are for the kids, she recalled. She said Heuermann yelled back and became so heated that her manager escorted him out. She did not see his face again until it appeared on TV on Friday.

My co-worker said, Thats the orange guy!

Kramberg said he had talked to Heuermann on the phone Thursday evening. He was his usual chatty self, cracking jokes.

That must have been right before he left the office and they arrested him, Kramberg said.

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"The world's business needs China. And the world's business will continue to find that China is a good place to be." Experts and business leaders from various countries have expressed their confidence in the growth prospects of China's economy.





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Editor's note: This story contains some graphic details.

The accused Long Island Serial Killer left love notes in his high school crushs locker, but she and her classmates said they were "shocked" after learning about Rex Heuermann's arrest.

Heuermann, a 59-year-old married father of two and an architect working in Manhattan pleaded not guilty to murder charges connected to an infamous cold case dubbed "Gilgo Beach 4."

Maureen Boyle Holpit, who graduated from high school with Heuermann in 1981, told Fox News Digital that he left "little notes" like, "I think you're pretty" or "I like you. Could like me back?"

The flirtatious notes were anonymous, but Holpit caught him one day, but she never saw him as a threat.

LIVE BLOG: GILGO BEACH MURDER SUSPECT REX HEUERMANN CHARGED WITH 3 COUNTS OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER

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Rex Heuermann is led into Arthur M. Cromarty Criminal Complex in Riverhead, NY on Friday, July 14, 2023. The 59 year old is being charged with three counts of murder in relation to the deaths of victims found on Gilgo Beach.

"He was quiet, kind of shy. He seemed nice, and pleasant. Mild-mannered," Holpit said. "That's all I could really remember of him. I was always nice and kind to him. He seemed to have gotten teased a little bit because he was shy and maybe a little nerdy.

"But there were no indicators or red flags to me now that I'm looking back that he could do something like this."

WATCH: GRIM TIDE ON FOX NATION

Heuermann, a hulking man in stature, allegedly killed three of the so-called "GIlgo Beach 4" and was charged with six counts of murder - a first-degree and second-degree murder charge for each victim.

The counts are connected to the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello, whose bodies were found on Gilgo Beach on Long Island in December 2010.

WATCH PERP WALK

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said on Friday that more charges could be filed as investigators continue to work and potentially connect Heuermann to the first "Gilgo Four" victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, who was 25 when she disappeared in 2007.

"I didn't see (Heuermann's arrest) at first. My friend called me, and she asked if I saw the news this morning," Holpit said. "I said, No,' and she was telling me the name Rex. That's when I remembered the little love notes, and I was fr****n shocked. I couldn't believe it.

"And just from what I see from other people's comments (on social media), and from the friends that I'm still in contact with, we're just totally blown away and shocked. You just never expect this."

GILGO BEACH MURDERS: SUSPECT REX HEUERMANN SEARCHED GOOGLE FOR EXPLICIT PORNOGRAPHY, CASE-RELATED QUERIES

Even actor Billy Baldwin chimed in on his high school classmate Heuermann's arrest.

"Woke up this morning to learn that the Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect was my high school classmate Rex Heuermann," Baldwin tweeted Friday morning.

"Berner High School Massapequa, New York Class of 1981 Married, two kids, architect. 'Average guy quiet, family man. Mind-boggling Massapequa is in shock. 23andMe strikes again???"

Officials detailed "thousands" of Google searches that Heuermann allegedly made for various graphic pornography and nearby sex workers.

Fox News Digital is not describing many of the Google searches due to their explicit nature.

WHO IS REX HEUERMANN?

Between March 2022 and June 2023, he allegedly made 200 Google searches related to the disappearances and murders of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Barthelemy, Waterman and Costello, the bail application says.

The Google searches include "Why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer," "Why hasnt the long island serial killer been caught," "In Long Island serial killer investigation, new phone technology may be key to break in case" and more.

Google searches allegedly made by Heuermann.

His lawyer, Michael Brown, said the evidence against his client is "extremely circumstantial" and told reporters that Heuermann repeatedly said, "I didn't do this," through tears.

Brown was given the case Friday, so he's reviewing the evidence and couldn't comment on specific allegations.

READ: CASE AGAINST REX HEUERMANN

"We obviously don't have any evidence. This is the beginning of the case," Brown said.

"Everybody is presumed innocent in our country, there's a presumption of innocence, and we're looking forward to fighting this case in a court of law, not the court of public opinion."

The Gilgo Beach murders have remained unsolved more than a decade after the search for missing escort Shannan Gilbert, 24, first led police to the bodies of multiple sex workers and other victims east of New York City.

Separate from the "Gilgo 4" include the partial remains of 20-year-old Jessica Taylor, which were found in March 2011 Near Gilgo Beach. Authorities said part of Taylors body was discovered eight years earlier and 40 miles away in Manorville, New York.

Days later, three more sets of human remains were discovered alongside Ocean Parkway. The first was 24-year-old Valerie Mack, whose partial remains had also been found in Manorville years earlier.

An unidentified toddler was found near Mack, according to the official website dedicated to the case.

The locations where eight of 10 bodies were found near Gilgo Beach since December 2010 are seen in this Suffolk County Police handout image.

Two miles west, police discovered the skeletal remains of an unidentified Asian man  or transgender woman  believed to be 17 to 23 years old.

A week later, in April 2011, two more sets of partial remains were found along Ocean Parkway. The first were those of the woman known as "Peaches," believed to be the mother of the toddler found the week before.

Part of her body had been previously discovered in Hempstead Lake State Park in 1997. The second was the skull of a woman who was linked to remains found on Fire Island in 1996.

Fox News' Michael Ruiz and Adam Sabes contributed to this report.
Suspects in alleged "assassination attempt" on Kremlin propagandist and TV presenter are arrested amid claims they were tortured

Moscow's Basmanny Court has ordered the arrest of seven members of nationalist organisations who are allegedly suspected of attempting to assassinate well-known propagandist Margarita Simonyan and TV presenter Ksenia Sobchak. Supporters of the detainees are claiming that they have been tortured.

Source: Kremlin-aligned news agency TASS, citing the court's press service; Mediazona; The Insider

Details: The seven suspects in the case of the attempted assassinations of Simonyan and Sobchak have reportedly been charged with hooliganism.

Mediazona, citing the courts press service, reports that four of the detainees are minors aged 16 and 17, while another was a minor "at the time of the offence". The other two detainees are Mikhail Balashov, 18, and Yegor Savelyev, 22.

Meanwhile, The Insider is reporting that the detainees, members of the neo-Nazi association NS/WP, who are accused of plotting an assassination attempt on Simonyan and Sobchak, were tortured into confessing to preparing acts of terrorism, interacting with other members of the NS/WP Crew and having ties to Ukraine. A representative of NS/WP spoke to the media outlet about this.

"They were tortured by electrocution and strangled, and one of them (allegedly) had his arm broken," the source said. He named two of the detainees as Yegor Savelyev and Sergey Korolenkov.

A video of an interrogation of another detainee has been published by the Kremlin-aligned news agency RT. A man who introduces himself as Mikhail Balashov claims he set up a "neo-Nazi group" and then received an order to assassinate Sobchak and Simonyan from the Ukrainian special services. Reports indicate that the case also involves detainees with the surnames Novik, Zakharov, Gusev and Emelyanov.

The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) says the detainees are members of a group known as Paragraph 88, but a source told The Insider that the organisation was short-lived and had disbanded.

The source called the accusations that an assassination attempt on Simonyan and Sobchak was being prepared "a lie spread by the Chekists". [The Cheka, the first of a succession of Soviet secret police organisations, was involved in mass terror  ed.]

Mikhail Balashov, 18, left school last year, the news agency Vazhnyye Istorii (Important Stories) found out. Yegor Savelyev is 22. In 2018, he was detained in a case of attempted murder. It was reported at the time that he was "the victim of a provocation by the Tula branch of the FSB, which was trying to increase its detection rate". He was later accused of publicly calling for extremism.

Background: The Russian FSB has claimed that it prevented an assassination attempt on Margarita Simonyan and Ksenia Sobchak by the Ukrainian secret services.

The detainees told the FSB that they had supposedly planned the assassination attempts "on the instructions of the Security Service of Ukraine" in exchange for a reward of RUB 1.5 million [roughly US$16,000] for each murder.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Reports say Taiwan's recently retired Hawk surface-to-air missile systems could be headed to Ukraine via the United States.

The U.S. government is set to effectively buy back recently retired Hawk surface-to-air missile systems from Taiwan, which will then be transferred to the Ukrainian armed forces, according to Taiwanese media outlets. The War Zone has previously noted that sending Taiwan's Hawks to Ukraine would make good sense given that the latter country has a somewhat dire need for additional air and missile defense capacity. The U.S. military and the Spanish government have previously announced plans to deliver Hawk systems and stocks of MIM-23 missiles for them to Ukraine.

The China Times newspaper in Taiwan appears to have first reported on this deal, citing anonymous sources, earlier today. U.S. and Taiwanese authorities came to this agreement sometime last year, according to that story. Taiwan has previously publicly pledged humanitarian aid for Ukraine and weaponized drones of Taiwanese origin have appeared in the hands of Ukrainian forces.

A Taiwanese Hawk launcher on display during a public event in 2011.  via Wikimedia

"We will not discuss specific numbers related to production capacity or inventory, nor will we discuss the location or unit where Ukraine security assistance is drawn from," a Pentagon spokesperson told The War Zone when asked about the report. "We will not discuss specific equipment before it is announced."

In November 2022, the U.S. military did announce the allocation of "funding to refurbish HAWK air defense missiles for inclusion in future Presidential Drawdown packages" as part of a larger aid package being paid through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). A "drawdown" in this context, which is a separate security assistance mechanism, refers to the transfer of materiel directly from U.S. military stocks. The last U.S. military user of Hawk was the Marine Corps, which retired the last of its systems in the early 2000s.

In February, the U.S. military also said it would purchase two "HAWK air defense firing units" using USAI funds.

The Taiwanese military formally retired the last of its Hawk systems  the name of which is actually an acronym standing for Homing All the Way Killer  on June 29, replacing them with domestically-developed Tien Kung (Sky Bow) III surface-to-air missile systems. Taiwan's armed forces received their first Hawks in 1960. It acquired additional systems, including more advanced variants, as well as upgrades for its existing examples, in the subsequent decades.

The video below includes clips from Taiwan's Hawk retirement ceremony last month and of these systems being fired during training in the past.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoFbFmoo-Ro\u0026t=13s

The last Hawks in Taiwanese service, which would be best maintained and most readily transferable to Ukraine, were so-called Phase III versions of the Improved Hawk (I-Hawk). Developed in the 1980s, the Phase III I-Hawk was the most advanced version of the system to see service in the United States and was also exported to a number of other countries.

Complete Hawk systems prior to the Phase III upgrades included a Pulse Acquisition Radar (PAR), a Continuous Wave Acquisition Radar (CWAR), a High-Power Illuminator Radar (HPIR), and a Range Only Radar (ROR), as well as a number of three-rail launchers and centralized fire direction centers. The earlier versions of the system (Hawk, I-Hawk, and I-Hawk Phase I and II) featured different specific types of radars in these roles, but all functioned in more or less the same way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz_bj48y6Y4

The PAR and CWAR provide high and low-altitude target detection, respectively. The HPIR is then used to track the target and 'illuminate it' for the intercepting missiles, which home in on the reflected radar energy. The ROR is there to provide a backup system for supplying range information and is at least somewhat less vulnerable to enemy jamming given that it is not transmitting by default during an engagement.

The Phase III version of I-Hawk introduced all-new AN/MPQ-62 CWARs and AN/MPQ-61 HPIRs, and eliminated the RORs entirely. The AN/MPQ-50, the radar that had been introduced for the PAR role with the original variant of I-Hawk in the 1970s, remained in use.

A diagram showing the typical components of an I-Hawk Phase III battery. Public Domain

The Phase III variant had a number of other substantial upgrades to the rest of the system, as well. This included the addition of a Low-Altitude Simultaneous Hawk Engagement (LASHE) capability allowing it to target multiple low-altitude threats at the same time.

Any retired Taiwanese Hawk systems could conceivably be upgraded further before being sent to Ukraine, as well. A number of countries that continued operating the system after it was retired in the United States acquired a further advanced version called Hawk XXI or Hawk 21. This appears to be the type that Spain began sending examples of to Ukraine last year.

A low-quality diagram depicting components of a Hawk XXI/21 system together with a Surface Launched AMRAAM (SL-AMRAAM) launcher that is used in some versions of NASAMS. Public Domain

This configuration uses the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar instead of a separate PAR and CWAR. It can also make use of the same fire direction center used in some versions of the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS). Ukraine has already received AN/MPQ-64 radars and NASAMSs.

The Ukrainians may already have various capabilities that would allow them to link Hawk systems to other existing radars. The Pentagon has publicly disclosed that it has sent at least one "engagement operations center" (EOC) associated with the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS). IBCS is a highly capable air and missile defense networking architecture that can be used to link together a variety of sensors, interceptors, and other systems, as you can read about here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo06xd6_ziM

When it comes to sending Taiwan's retired Hawks to Ukraine, there is also the matter of what specific types of MIM-23 missiles might go with them. It's unclear what variants Taiwan had been using with its Phase III I-Hawks more recently. A number of improved variants were developed in parallel to the upgrading of the overall system.

The first generation of I-Hawk had come along with upgraded MIM-23Bs, which had a larger warhead, a new rocket motor, and an updated guidance package compared to the original MIM-23As that had first entered service in 1959.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVQ8Yhbhp8E

MIM-23C and MIM-23D missiles were subsequently introduced in the 1980s. The differences between these two types are not entirely clear, but both featured improved electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) designed to reduce the effectiveness of enemy jammers.

All subsequent MIM-23 versions came in pairs, each with the same general upgrades, but in overall packages based around the earlier C and D variant designs.

The MIM-23E/F variants had new features that improved their ability to find their targets even through radar clutter at very low altitudes or in environments with heavy enemy jamming, while the MIM-23G/H types introduced new nose sections.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3cq9dy-vKU

Also known as Enhanced Lethality Missiles, the MIM-23J/K types had an improved warhead and fuzing system specifically designed to give the missiles a lower-end anti-ballistic missile capability. The last pairing, the MIM-23L/M, had the same fuzing improvements as the J/K types, but without the new warhead.

Whatever the case, Hawk could offer very useful additional low and medium-altitude/medium-range air defense capacity for Ukraine. Phase III I-Hawks with LASHE, a capability developed specifically to improve the system's utility in defending against high-volume strikes, seem especially well suited to Ukraine's needs given that the country is under regular threat of barrages of Russian cruise missiles and drones. If there are supplies of MIM-23J/K missiles to be had, it isn't clear it they could potentially provide some additional defense against Russia's Iskander short-range ballistic missiles, but they do have some anti-ballistic missile capability.

Hawk also has the benefit of being a relatively mobile system, with its launchers, radars, and fire direction centers all being truck or trailer mounted. With Ukrainian forces now on the advance, being able to readily move air and missile defense assets forward as needed, as well as the ability to reposition them in response to sudden changes on the battlefield or to avoid enemy counter-attacks, is especially important. Russian aviation has taken its toll on frontline Ukrainian armor during the ongoing counter-offensive. Hawk could help with that problem.

In addition, Hawk also fits into a middle-tier air and missile defense system category that the United States really does not have at present. This has been a level of capability that has been extremely important for the Ukrainian armed forces. It has come to the point that there are concerns about whether its stocks of missiles for its primary system in this tier, the Soviet-designed Buk, could be running dangerously low. As such, Hawk could be especially valuable for filling any resulting capacity gaps.

A Ukrainian Buk surface-to-air missile system. Ukrainian MoD

All told, it still remains to be seen when, or if, Ukraine might receive ex-Taiwanese Hawks by way of the United States. At the same time, though an older surface-to-air missile system, Hawk is still quite functional and could help Ukraine meet its still very significant air defense needs.

Howard Altman contributed to this report.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
Getty/Handout

Three years ago, the Tennessee state Senate voted of 20-to-9 to keep July 13 a Day of Special Observance marking the birthday of Nathan Bedford Forrest, a millionaire slave trader, Confederate general, mass murderer of more than 200 Black Union POWs, and the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.

The legislature did remove a bust of Forrest from the Capitol and Gov. Bill Lee stopped issuing a proclamation on Forrests birthday. But Tennessee continued to observe July 13 as Nathan Bedford Forrest Day, and the lawmakers who voted to keep it bear some responsibility for the actions of Klan members who continue in the loathsome and dangerous tradition of the murdering insurrectionist who was their first leader.

Those lawmakers include State Sen. Joey Hensley, whose district includes Tennessee town of Columbia, where Forrest is buried and where this years Nathan Bedford Forrest Day brought some news concerning a current Klan wizard.

At a July 13 press conference, Columbia police reported that 38-year-old Daniel Walls and an unnamed 17-year-old had been arrested for allegedly plastering bias rhetoric flyers on three black churches there.

You have been paid another social visit by the Old Glory Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, the photos show that the flyers read We have a dark history here and because of you a bright future. BE WARNED race traitors, mixed breeds, communist homosexuals and other walks of Godless degeneracy. The Klan is back and here to stay, so youd better make amends or stay away.

Confederate cavalrymen, led by Nathan Bedford Forrest, later the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, killing unarmed black Union soldiers after the surrender of Fort Pillow in Tennessee. MPI/Getty

On the since-removed website of the Old Glory Knights of the Ku Klux Klan Klub, Walls is identified as its Imperial Wizard. The website features a film clip of Hitler addressing a Nazi rally and numerous photos of current day Klan members and various cross burnings. An online bio reports that Walls joined the Klan in 2009 and joined a succession of chapters, ascending to the second-highest rank, Knights of the Great Forrest, and then the top, the Knights of the Midnight Mystery.

On March 14, 2021, Walls became Imperial Wizard of The Old Glory Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, which the Anti-Defamation League reports holds gathering and distributes propaganda in Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Police say that Walls propaganda included affixing leaflets to the exterior of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Bethel Chapel AME Church and Faith United Missionary Baptist Church in Columbia on July 9.

Three days later, on the eve of what is still Nathan Bedford Forrest Day, Black and white religious and community leaders gathered with elected officials at Mt. Calvary

We are not going to be overcome by evil, Mayor Chaz Molder said. We are going to overcome evil by doing good.

Columbia Police Chief Jeremy Alsup also stepped up to the podium.

As police chief, you never make promises, he said. You never say, I'm gonna, get the person who did this. We're gonna make sure they pay. But I can tell you this, I can promise you that these individuals that work for your CPD are the best of the business. They have been working tirelessly. All I can say in an active investigation is we are close.

He said that such hate has no place in any community.

And your Columbia Police Department will make sure we will do our best to keep it from ever coming back.

The Hideous People Behind a Heinously Ugly Confederate Statue

The churchs pastor, Kenny Anderson, spoke last. He had seen the flyer when he arrived at the church on Sunday and was still outraged.

I preach love so much that it's a struggle for me to mistreat somebody whos mistreating me, he said. You can do a whole lot to me. But when you mess with my family I got mad, but I prayed and I prayed

He asked everyone to stand and take the hand of the person next to them and close their eyes. He offered a vision:

I stood on the mountaintop and I saw men, women, boys and girls, all holding hands, not afraid to look each other in the eye. And I asked the angel, what is this? And he said, this is the kingdom of God. I asked the angel, where is this? He said, its deep within your heart. I asked the angel, When is this? He said, When all of Gods children learn to love one another.

Absent was Sen. Hensley, who later told The Daily Beast that he does not clearly remember his 2020 vote to keep Nathan Bedford Forrest Day a Day of Observance. He said he could not even remember when it was observed.

Maybe in April, he said. We dont really celebrate it any more.

But he was clear that wanted to continue it.

I was for keeping it as a day of observance, he said, I was pretty upfront about that. I think that history is important. Nathan Bedford Forrest is an important figure in our history.

A history of racism and terror and bloodshed. And that is what reverberated when those flyers were glued to the churches.

Mississippi AGs Family Loves the Cruelest Confederate General

When Walls was arrested, he was charged with civil rights intimidation and freed on bond pending a court appearance. He told Mainstream Media Tennessee that he had only been putting up recruiting posters for his organization and denied that he is racist.

He apologized to anybody he offended, which seemingly included his employer, the family that owns Peek Pools & Spaswhich fired him.

We were shocked and extremely disappointed to learn one of our employees was arrested in connection with the KKK flyers, the company said in a Facebook post. We want to be clear that his actions in no way reflect the values of the Peek family and our business.

Tennessee Sen. Joey Hensley Tennessee General Assembly

It is fair to ask, however, if Walls actions reflect the values of those who chose to continue honoring Klan founder Forrest, a hero to living racists who seek to live out his vision with their hoods and robes and grandiose titles.

Of course, Hensley rejected any suggestion that voting to preserve Nathan Bedford Forrest Day and perpetuate his memory encourages hate.

I dont know that that had anything to do with those flyers, he said. Who knows why they did that?

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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More than 92,000 Evergy customers were without power Saturday morning, a day after severe thunderstorms rolled through the Kansas City metro area, downing trees and causing electricity outages.

At 7 a.m., the company said crews were still working to restore power. Evergy has said it will likely take days to return power to all of the affected customers.

During the storms peak Friday afternoon , about 186,000 Evergy customers were left without electricity. Now power has been restored to about half of those affected, according to an update on the companys website.

Evergy said over 1,000 employees, including line crews and safety support teams, were working on storm restoration. The company said it has also reached out to neighboring utilities in Iowa, Colorado, Oklahoma and Missouri for help.

A tree rests on the roof of a house Saturday, July 14, 2023, in Prairie Village where it landed after being blown over by a strong storm on Friday. Damage from Friday nights storm caused mass power outages throughout the Kansas City Metro area.

We expect restoration in the areas most severely impacted to be a multi-day restoration effort ... individual estimated restoration times are not available, the website said.

Crews were driving around the metro, continuing to assess the damage Saturday morning.

OUTAGE UPDATE



As of 7 a.m., we have about 100,000 Evergy customers without power in our service area. More than 186,000 Evergy customers lost power as Fridays storm and high winds moved across Kansas and Missouri. pic.twitter.com/f42TfYsNFr  Evergy (@evergypower) July 15, 2023

Check Evergys outage map

Evergys outage map includes live updates on outages across the companys service area.

If you click the X at the top of the box that says July 15 Update, you can then zoom in on different areas and see the number of outages in real time.

Clean up crews with Midwest Tree remove a fallen silver maple tree from a yard on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Overland Park. As of 1:30 p.m., just under 65,000 residents in the Kansas City area were without power.

Customers can report an outage to Evergy online here and check out The Stars guide on what to do if a tree or power line falls near your property.

Power outage map

Open

Star reporter Kynala Phillips contributed to this story.
Tesla

The Tesla Cybertruck was revealed on November 21st, 2019. In the nearly four years since, all of Rivian, Ford, and General Motors have come to market with EV pick-up options of their own. Tesla, notably, has not. Today, the brand is finally sharing some rare direct news that suggests this is about to change: the company's factory in Texas has completed its first example of the car.

First Cybertruck built at Giga Texas!  pic.twitter.com/ODRhHVsd0t  Tesla (@Tesla) July 15, 2023

Given that this is the first car off the line, this is unlikely to be a final production car meant for customer hands. Final specs and pricing for those have not yet been announced. Electrek reports that both early deliveries and those final official numbers will come at the same time, at an event in late September similar to the final Plaid event in Summer 2021. While that means general customers are still unlikely to get their cars until later this year or early next year, it means that Elon Musk's July 2022 promise of "mid-2023" deliveries could be at least partially accurate.

This announcement moves the Cybertruck closer to production than ever before, but the gap from the car's official unveil to the beginning of production is still one of the largest for a major automotive release ever. The car was revealed more than a month before the World Health Organization's first statements on COVID-19. It releases into a world that has since seen the rise and fall of HBO Max, the entire run of Ted Lasso, and 35 Max Verstappen wins in Formula 1.

The Cybertruck timeline is still not the longest active gap between a car's reveal and its release, though. That honor still belongs to another Tesla. The second-generation Roadster was revealed back in 2017 and expected some time next year, meaning reservation-holders from the brand's original reveal event will have waited around seven full years for the cars they started to pay for on reveal day. For a typical premium brand, that span would equal the entire expected life span of a new generation of product, including a mid-cycle refresh.

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Last month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law nixing mandated water breaks across the state.

Now construction workers and their allies are protesting the move, calling it "the law that kills."

The law has coincided with a punishing summer heat wave. Some areas of Texas are reaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit daily.

Workers in Houston protested a statewide law on Friday that will eliminate water break mandates for construction companies across Texas.

The law  signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in June  will go into effect Sept. 1. It eliminates several local ordinances that supporters say negatively impact businesses, and particularly targets ordinances that establish minimum break requirements for employers, which includes mandates for water breaks, according to the Texas Tribune.

As a result, construction workers and their allies are calling it "the law that kills," the Texas Tribune reports.

"We really need to be allowed to work without problems, without any barriers," Luz Martinez, a Texas construction employee who was at the protest, told the Texas Tribune. "Believe me, we are dying inside those buildings when they take away our water and our [break] time."

Just three days after Abbott signed off on the law, a 46-year-old construction worker named Felipe Pascual died in Houston from heat stroke, a local ABC news station reported. Workers who protested in Houston on Friday set a pair of work boots on the ground in front of their demonstration to honor Pascual, the Texas Tribune reported.

Earlier this month, Houston city officials sued the state to block the law, arguing that it weakens its ability to self-govern, the Texas Tribune reported.

The new law has coincided with a punishing summer heat wave. Some areas of Texas are reaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit daily, CNN reports.

There have been 42 heat-related workplace deaths in Texas since 2011, the most of any state, according to the Texas Tribune. About 25 of those deaths happened in the last six years, data from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration shows. However, this number is likely higher given that heat exposure can cause other underlying conditions to worsen  causing the misclassification of heat-related fatalities, the New York Times reported.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Texas man who recorded himself sexually abusing a child sentenced to 20 years in prison

A Texas man, who recorded himself sexually abusing a 5-year-old, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison on Thursday, announced Leigha Simonton, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

Shemar Cameron Green, 20, from Snyder, Texas, was indicted in December 2022 and pleaded guilty in March 2023 to transportation of child pornography.

He was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix, who also ordered Green to register as a sex offender and pay $17,500 in restitution to identifiable child pornography victims.

According to plea papers, Green admitted he sent sexually explicit images of himself to multiple minors, received nude photographs from minors, and recorded a video of himself molesting a 5-year-old.

Green also admitted that he regularly viewed pornographic images of children under age 10 and uploaded several sexually explicit images of prepubescent children from his computer to his social media accounts.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children relayed a cyber tip from a social media company that housed Greens account to law enforcement, prompting the investigation.

The Snyder Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations Dallas Field Office  Lubbock Resident Agency conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam prosecuted the case.
A Texas neighborhood halted mail deliveries after hawks kept swooping down and attacking people: 'I literally can't walk outside'

A hawk flies over Pacific Palisades, California. Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images

Territorial hawks that have nested in a Texas neighborhood are attacking its residents.

Experts say the birds are in their nesting season and are guarding their babies.

As a result, the postal service was forced to temporarily suspended mail delivery to the neighborhood.

A bird of prey has residents of a Texas neighborhood ducking for cover whenever they leave the house.

Territorial hawks have chosen Austin's Travis Heights neighborhood as its nesting ground and are forcefully protecting their young, in some cases attacking local residents.

The problem is so bad that the US Postal Service was forced to temporarily halt mail deliveries to protect its postal workers, a local ABC News affiliate reported.

"Since April, I literally can't walk outside without having it sweep past me or hit me," Eric Klein told the outlet about a hawk that flew down and struck him. "I mean, literally think of a rock the size of your fist and getting hit in the head with it. That's what it feels like."

The confrontational birds nested outside his front door, making the walk to his car a treacherous one.

Nicole Netherton, the executive director of the county's chapter of the Audubon Society, said the birds are in their nesting season, making them particularly territorial. They're also an environmentally protected species that can't be killed or removed from their nests.

"They have invested so much energy into being sure that these babies are successful and they don't know that we're not trying to eat them. We are like anything else in their environment that could be a predator," Netherton told KVUE.

For residents who can't avoid the nests of the birds of prey, Netherton recommended carrying an umbrella for protection.

"I know it's frustrating to feel like you have this hawk that's really mad at you, but as soon as those babies leave the nest, they will calm down," Netherton said.

Read the original article on Insider
By Boldizsar Gyori

BUDAPEST (Reuters) -Thousands of Hungarians braved scorching heat for the annual Pride march in Budapest on Saturday, protesting against government controls over public displays by the LGBT community.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government promotes a Christian-conservative agenda and in 2021 banned "display and promotion of homosexuality" in books and films accessible by under-18s despite strong criticism from rights groups and the European Union.

"The Pride (movement) should be the pioneer of freedom of expression, acceptance and equality," said Gergely Varga, a marcher and makeup artist in his 30s wearing rainbow-coloured clothes designed by a friend.

"But unfortunately I have to say that being proud of being gay is not as accepted in Hungary as in the West."

Participants waved rainbow flags, danced and cheered as they walked through the Hungarian capital's downtown.

"I think the Budapest Pride is really liberating, we can be very proud of it, but I think we are still discriminated in the grey everyday life," designer Danyi Mark.

Neither organisers nor the government gave a number for the marchers, though witnesses estimated about 10,000.

TV ads for the Pride parade were only allowed to be aired late at night, with most channels not taking the risk at all, Hungarian news site Telex.hu reported.

Also this week, Hungary's second-largest bookseller received a record fine for selling a book that depicts homosexuality without closed wrapping.

On Friday, the embassies of the United States, Germany and 36 other countries urged Hungary to protect LGBT rights and scrap discriminatory laws.

U.S. ambassador David Pressman and many other diplomats participated in Saturday's march.

The government stance towards Hungary's LGBT community was seen as resonating with Orban's conservative voters in the countryside ahead of his fourth-term election win in 2022.

(Reporting by Boldizsar Gyori;Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (R) meets with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

JAKARTA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, on Friday urged actions to stabilize relations between China and India.

Such a relationship is an important consensus between leaders of the two countries, Wang told Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on the sidelines of a series of ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings.

Wang said common development and prosperity between the two neighbors is a global example, calling for mutual support instead of suspicion.

China and India need to work in the same direction to find a solution to border issues acceptable to both sides, Wang noted.

Expressing China's concerns about India's recent restrictions against Chinese companies, Wang underscored a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies.

Jaishankar said the normalization of India-China relations serves the common interests of both sides, adding that India is willing to properly handle differences with an open mind and bring relations between the two countries back on the right track as soon as possible to create favorable conditions for next-stage high-level exchanges.

The two sides agreed to hold the next round of the China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting on border issues on an early date and reached a principled consensus on launching the process of BRICS membership expansion. 

Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (2nd R) meets with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)
The threat of using UAVs and ballistic missiles was announced in four oblasts

On the night of 14-15 July, the Air Force reported a threat of occupiers use of attack drones and ballistic weapons in four Oblasts.

Source: Air Force of Ukraine

Details: The Air Force reported that the threat of Russian UAVs was in Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

The use of ballistic missiles threatened Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts.

Updated: At 02:06, the Air Force announced that the threat of attack UAVs had been cancelled.

Later, the Air Force also announced the end of an air-raid siren.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Crews have been pumping the water out of the flooded tunnel in a desperate rescue mission

At least 40 people in South Korea have died after a weekend of severe rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across the country.

The disasters have prompted calls from President Yoon Suk Yeol to "overhaul" how the country combats extreme weather arising from climate change.

On Monday, the nation was reeling from a tunnel tragedy where at least 13 people died in their vehicles after becoming trapped by floodwaters.

The full death toll is still unknown.

But on Monday, responders were still working to drain the 685m-long (2,247ft) tunnel in the central city of Cheongju - with divers deployed to retrieve victims.

At least 15 vehicles - including a bus - were trapped in the underpass on Saturday, when floodwater from a nearby burst riverbank poured in.

Nine survivors have been found so far. Meanwhile, families of those missing have waited anxiously for information at a local hospital.

"I have no hope but I can't leave," a parent of one of those missing in the tunnel told local news agency Yonhap.

"My heart wrenches thinking how painful it must have been for my son in the cold water."

Police said they will launch an investigation into the fatal flooding of the underpass.

Rescuers approaching the flooded tunnel in Cheongju on Saturay

Elsewhere, at least 19 people died in the mountainous North Gyeongsang region in central South Korea after landslides swept away whole houses.

Some 6,400 residents were evacuated early Saturday after the Goesan Dam in North Chungcheong began to overflow.

A number of low-lying villages near the dam as well as many of the roads connecting them were submerged, leaving some residents trapped in their homes.

Song Du-ho, one of these residents, told the BBC he had never experienced rain like that which fell this weekend.

The water was up to his waist by the time rescue workers came for him in the middle of the night, along with his wife, who has problems with a bad back, he said.

"I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared when the water was coming in. I could have died," the 87-year-old said.

Map

South Korea is experiencing one of its most intense summer monsoon seasons on record, with heavy downpours in the past week causing floods, landslides and power cuts across the country.

More torrential rain is expected this week - with showers forecast to Wednesday.

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday vowed to "completely overhaul" how the country responds to such extreme weather events.

"Extreme weather events like this will become commonplace. We must accept that climate change is happening and deal with it," he said.

He also stated that a lack of proper management in flood-prone areas had caused many casualties.

During a visit to victims in the flood-hit North Gyeongsang province on Monday, Mr Yoon walked past piles of fallen trees and other debris.

"I've never seen something like this in my life, hundreds of tonnes of rocks rolling down from the mountain. How surprised you must have been," AFP reported him telling the villagers.

In Cheongju where the tunnel flooding occurred, victims' families had criticised local authorities for not shutting off access to the tunnel earlier, when flood warnings were already in place.

President Yoon has ordered military deployments to managing the aftermath of downpours across the country. He also announced the designation of hard-hit areas as "special disaster zones" eligible for state support.

Almost 300mm (11.8in) of rain is reported to have fallen across South Korea on Saturday alone.

The country typically sees 1,000mm (39.4in) to 1,800mm (70.9in) a year, according to the Korean Meteorological Association - much of that falls during the summer months.

In the past fortnight, extreme rain has caused floods and landslides across several countries - including India, China and Japan.

While many factors contribute to flooding, scientists say a warming atmosphere caused by climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely.

The warmer it becomes, the more moisture the atmosphere can hold, resulting in more droplets and heavier rainfall, sometimes in a shorter space of time and over a smaller area.

Last year, South Korea saw record-breaking rains and flooding which killed at least 11 people. These included two women and a teenager trapped in a cramped semi-basement flat in Seoul.

Following this, Seoul authorities banned the construction of such flats, which were featured in the Oscar-winning film Parasite.

Additional reporting by Christy Cooney, Jaroslav Lukiv and Yuna Ku

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New trail, railroad bridge will allow public access to pristine beach near Bellingham

A new trail and railroad bridge at Larrabee State Park will make hiking to Clayton Beach easier and safer, opening a broad expanse of shoreline to the public.

In the past, Clayton Beach has been accessible only by scrambling down a steep hillside on rogue pathways and illegally crossing a set of train tracks, said Amber Forest, who manages Larrabee, Birch Bay and Peace Arch state parks in Whatcom County.

Beachgoers also trampled through sensitive wetlands, Forest said.

We can add it officially to our website now. Its very rewarding to see it come to fruition, Forest said during a media tour before the trails official opening.

Its the culmination of years of planning and talks with Puget Sound Energy and BNSF Railway and was finally made possible by a $3 million grant from the state Recreation Conservation Office, she said.

Opening of the trail is expected by Aug. 1, although it could open sooner, State Parks spokeswoman Meryl Lassen told The Bellingham Herald.

Much of the work on the mile-long trail to the beach was done by Earth Corps, a Seattle nonprofit that focuses on ecological restoration, racial equity and environmental justice.

Its an important connection to the water. Its such a nice, calm, serene presence, said Anna Jowell, Earth Corps project manager.

Earth Corps workers were also adding native plants near the new trail, and decommissioning the network of rogue pathways to the beach.

Washington State Parks Ranger Amber Forest shows a barnacle-encrusted sand dollar and a sea star at Clayton Beach during a media tour of a new trail to the beach on Thursday, July 6, 2023, south of Bellingham, Wash.

Railroad crossing

Providing a safe route to the beach over the BNSF railroad tracks, where dense forest blocked the view of oncoming trains, was the primary goal of the project, Forest said.

Its a really unsafe place to cross. Thats what spurred the project. Weve had a couple close calls, she said.

A Bellingham girl died in May at a different location on the BNSF tracks, and police said she might not have heard the oncoming train.

In addition, the tracks would have to be shut down in the event of wildfire, medical emergency or rescue to give firefighters safe access to the beach, she said.

A pedestrian bridge solves that problem, Forest said.

Earth Corps members from left, Anna Jowell, project manager, and Evlyn Andrade, executive director, cross the new railroad bridge over the BNSF tracks on the way to Clayton Beach at Larrabee State Park south of Bellingham, Wash.

Getting there

To reach Clayton Beach from Bellingham, head south on Chuckanut Drive and go about a half-mile past the Larrabee State Park entrance to the Lost Lake Trail parking lot.

Parking is $11.50 for day use, and $35 for an annual Discover Pass thats good at all Washington state parks.

Cross Chuckanut Drive to reach the Clayton Beach trailhead.

An official at the Washington State Department of Transportation told The Herald that a crosswalk is planned in the future.

Fires and overnight camping are not allowed at Clayton Beach.

First state park

Larrabee State Park was Washingtons first state park, opening in 1915 as Chuckanut State Park and changed to Larrabee State Park in 1923 after businessman and philanthropist Charles Xavier Larrabee, co-founder of Fairhaven  which later became part of Bellingham.

Frances P. Larrabee, his widow, donated 20 acres for the park after his death, and later donated another 1,500 acres.

Now, it covers 2,748 acres south of Bellingham with 8,100 feet of shoreline on Samish Bay and about 100 miles of hiking and biking trails through the Chuckanut Mountains.

It features a campground, a boat launch and offers a picture-postcard views of the San Juan Islands, tide-pooling and rock climbing on its sandstone outcroppings.

Some 456,326 people visited Larrabee for day use and campground stays in 2022, according to State Parks records.
A facility for troubled teens in Utah will close after the state government declined this week to renew its license, citing the deaths of multiple children in its care.

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday informed Diamond Ranch Academy  a residential treatment center that promises to help adolescents with behavioral, mental health or substance abuse challenges  that it will not renew its license because of repeated violations. The facility must discharge all children in its care and shut down by Aug. 14.

The states decision came one day after a Utah Department of Commerce review panel, which included three medical professionals and is part of a litigation process, determined that Diamond Ranch Academy had breached the standard of care in several ways before the death of 17-year-old Taylor Goodridge.

Taylor, a patient at the facility, died on Dec. 20; an autopsy report found that an infection in her abdomen led to sepsis, a life-threatening condition that is often treatable with antibiotics. A state investigation previously concluded that Diamond Ranch Academy had failed to take her for medical treatment, even though shed vomited for several days before she died.

Image: Taylor Goodridge. (Courtesy the Goodridge family)

Taylor began vomiting around Dec. 13 and had an elevated heart rate, fever and low blood pressure, and she asked to go to a hospital, according to the review panels findings this week. She had pale skin and her stomach became distended. However, Diamond Ranch Academy did not bring her to see a doctor and did not bring a physician to campus to see her. The facility eventually took a blood sample on Dec. 20, but she died that day before lab results were complete, the panel found.

Dr. Danny Worwood, Diamond Ranch Academys medical director, was contracted to come in every two weeks. He last saw Taylor in February 2022, the review panel found. He was scheduled to see her on Dec. 21, the day after she died. An attorney for Worwood did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a statement, Diamond Ranch Academy executive director Ricky Dias said the state government had treated his company unjustly.

The decision to cease operations has been spurned by unfair treatment from the State of Utah which has consistently demonstrated its lack of concern for the safety, well-being, and treatment of youth in programs, Dias said.

Former Diamond Ranch Academy staff members previously told NBC News that facility management taught them that children would fake or exaggerate being sick to get attention or to convince their parents to take them home. The facility controlled when children were allowed to use the phone and whom they were permitted to call.

The review panel noted that Taylor had been a volleyball player in good health before she became sick, and an elevated heart rate combined with vomiting is concern enough to call a doctor or go to the hospital. Paleness in the skin cannot be faked.

Taylor, a member of the Stillaguamish Tribe in Washington, had been placed at Diamond Ranch Academy in October 2021 to receive therapy and address behavioral issues, her family said. Her tribe paid the for-profit facility $12,000 a month, according to a court filing.

Taylors parents, Dean Goodridge and AmberLynn Wigtion, are suing the facility in federal court, accusing it of neglecting to address their daughters illness.

The Taylor Goodridge family is finally finding validation that their daughters death was not accidental, said Alan Mortensen, the parents lawyer. He added that the family is glad that the state  is holding Diamond Ranch Academy responsible for its terrible decisions. Diamond Ranch has put itself where it finds itself now.

The facility has tried to get the suit tossed in part over technicalities, and argued that a failure to provide medical care would not amount to harmful conditions. The litigation is ongoing.

The Department of Health and Human Services said in its letter to the facility that the state already placed Diamond Ranch Academys license on probation twice in the past year, and that two children had died in its care before Taylor.

This was a tragic death of an otherwise healthy adolescent that likely could have been avoided, the Department of Commerce review panel stated in its finding. The finding added that the panel members hoped the state would investigate Diamond Ranch Academy, and they also expressed concerns over the entire industry with residential treatment facilities for adolescents.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Oklahoma County might provide the states only drama during next years presidential election, potentially giving President Joe Biden a consolation prize in a state expected to support the Republican nominee by a wide margin.

However, which candidate performs best in central Oklahoma could help move the needle for down-ballot legislative and county seat races.

Oklahoma is a Republican state, and we see no signs of that changing, wrote Pat McFerron, president of CHS and Associates, about his firms latest polling on next years presidential election.

The poll from June showed Biden significantly behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley among Oklahoma voters in a theoretical presidential contest. It also showed Biden trailing by 23 points to Donald Trump, the one-term president leading in most national primary polls.

A recent political poll offers insight into possible voting trends for the 2024 election. A strong performance by President Joe Biden in central Oklahoma, especially Oklahoma County, could help other Democratic candidates.

Support for Biden could help other Oklahoma Democrat candidates

Those results are unsurprising in a state that has supported Republican candidates for multiple generations, including in 2020.

But the race tightens and even flips for Biden when polling just the Oklahoma City metro area.

Voters in Oklahoma, Cleveland and Canadian counties  nearly one-third of all the states voters  supported Biden over Trump by four points, with most of the current president's support likely coming from Oklahoma County. DeSantis edged Biden by two points in those same three counties.

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign stop on July 6 in North Conway, New Hampshire.

Winning or losing specific counties wont matter as the winner of a majority of votes in Oklahoma will secure all of its seven electoral votes, as Trump did in 2020.

But McFerron said a strong performance by Biden in central Oklahoma, especially Oklahoma County, could help other Democratic candidates.

More: Trump lashes out at Kevin Stitt for endorsing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a June event held by the Never Back Down PAC in Tulsa. A poll from June showed President Joe Biden significantly behind DeSantis among Oklahoma voters in a theoretical presidential contest.

Clearly, a Republican down-ballot ... would prefer to see the top of the ticket win by nine than lose by four, McFerron wrote.

Trump on the ballot could help Democrats running in tight races, at least according to McFerron's poll and theory.

However, it remains to be seen which local races could be tight.

Several Democratic state House members from Oklahoma City won their elections in 2022 by a sizable margin. In races where Democrats lost, it was not a particularly close contest.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event on July 8 in Las Vegas.

State Rep. Tammy West, a Republican in a Bethany district, won reelection over a Demcoratic challenger by 15 points, which would seem to give her a strong position headed into 2024 even if a Republican presidential candidate deflated her party's votes.

The polling was conducted in June among 500 registered voters using a combination of mobile and landline calls. CHS and Associates has a B/C grade from the poll tracking site FiveThirtyEight.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County could be only drama during presidential election: poll
Trump says it was 'probably' a mistake to have nominated Christopher Wray to lead the FBI and blames Chris Christie for recommending him

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

In an interview set to air on Sunday, Trump said it was "probably" a mistake to have tapped Wray to lead the FBI.

On Fox News, Trump casts blame on Chris Christie for recommending Wray for the role.

Conservatives in recent years have railed against the FBI, accusing the agency of political bias.

Former President Donald Trump in an interview set to air on Sunday said that it was "probably" a mistake to have nominated Christopher Wray to lead the FBI, and then cast blame on former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for recommending the former US assistant attorney general for the role.

During a pre-taped conversation on the Fox News Channel program "Sunday Morning Futures" with host Maria Bartiromo, Trump was pointedly asked if it was a "mistake" to have tapped Wray to succeed James Comey as director of the FBI.

"Sadly, it probably was," the former president told Bartiromo. "You know, he was recommended very strongly by Chris Christie, who is, you know, a sad case."

Trump then proceeded to blast Christie over his standing in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, claiming that the former governor sat at 1% in the polls and "probably won't make the debate stage." (Christie is coming in just shy of 3% in the FiveThirtyEight average of GOP presidential polls, with the former governor polling at third place in at least two New Hampshire surveys, behind Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.)

Since entering the 2024 presidential campaign, Christie has criticized Trump over his conduct while in office  especially during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021  and has said repeatedly that he is the candidate best suited to be the former president's top competitor for the GOP nomination.

This week, House Republicans publicly railed against Wray and the FBI over the search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate last summer as part of a probe into the former president's handling of classified documents upon his departure from the White House.

During the House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, Republicans also spoke out against what they believe is political bias against conservatives within the FBI.

Wray firmly rejected such an assertion.

"The idea that I'm biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me given my own personal background," the director said in response to comments made by Wyoming GOP Rep. Harriet Hageman during the hearing.

Wray, a registered Republican, has led the agency since August 2017.

Christie on Wednesday defended Wray and dismissed the Republican-led attacks against the director.

"I think Chris Wray has done a very good job," the former governor said. "A lot of the stuff you see today  is theater, that people are trying to raise money for campaigns. Doesn't mean there aren't problems at the FBI  there are. But I believe Chris is a guy who can get it fixed, and he's fixed a lot of them already."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Right-wing influencer Tucker Carlson is reportedly courting investments for a new media company that would bring content similar to what he posts on Twitter to subscribers.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Carlson is teaming up with conservative political adviser Neil Patel, with whom he launched The Daily Caller in 2010, to raise hundreds of million dollars. Carlsons project would potentially use Twitter as backbone, the Journal said.

The 54-year-old conspiracy peddler parted ways with Fox News in April after the network paid Dominion Voting systems a $787.5 million settlement for lies they reported about that companys services. Racist and sexist text messages from Carlson were unearthed during the discovery phase of that trial.

Fox News also shelled out $12 million to a former Carlson producer last month after she claimed to have been subject to a hostile work environment while working on his primetime show.

And its entirely possible Carlson hasnt finished costing his former employer money.

Arizona man Ray Epps sued Fox News earlier this week, claiming his life was thrown into chaos after Carlson engaged in nonsensical fantasies about his being a federal informant who betrayed MAGA extremists during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol  despite there being no known evidence that was true.

Carlson  the son of famed broadcaster Dick Carlson  began posting videos on Twitter last month espousing similar rhetoric to what once made him the biggest star on Fox News. The network reportedly responded with a cease-and-desist notice claiming rights to Carlsons content through 2024.

That didnt dissuade the pugnacious pundit from posting more videos, including a Tuesday interview with infamous chauvinist Andrew Tate, who is awaiting trial on human trafficking charges in Romania. Twitter owner Elon Musk, himself no stranger to outlandish disinformation, promoted Carlsons interesting interview on Twitter.

Carlson also demonstrated Friday that his sway over conservative politicians hasnt diminished by hosting a summit in Iowa at which former Vice President Mike Pence summarized the Jan. 6 attack as a riot rather than an insurrection.

Carlson has been criticized by law enforcement officials, colleagues and members of Congress for widely misrepresenting the events of that day.
CITY OF NEWBURGH - Two Brooklyn men have been charged with the murder of one man and the attempted murder of another in the city in April.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler and Newburgh Police Commissioner Jose Gomerez announced the arrests in a news release issued Friday evening.

The suspects were identified as Dwayne Hines and Romaine McRae, both 39 and from Brooklyn.

They were taken into custody without incident in Brooklyn on Wednesday by city of Newburgh police detectives and investigators from Hoovler's office. They were charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder, both felonies.

The arrests stemmed from what the officials described as a brazen double shooting on Lander Street in the city of Newburgh around 8:30 a.m. on April 24. The shooting left one man dead and the other man paralyzed.

Brothers arrested: Second suspect charged in New Year's Day murder in Plattekill

Police did not identify the victims at the time, nor were they identified in the news release. Officials also did not say what the motive for the shooting was.

The city police Detective Division led the resulting investigation. In addition to investigators from Hoovler's office, state police, the New York Police Department and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center assisted in the investigation.

In a statement, Gomerez said the arrests of Hines and McRae sends a clear message: "If you commit crimes in the city of Newburgh, we will follow you anywhere necessary and use every resource at our disposal to bring justice to the victims and the weight of the law to the perpetrators."

Canadian wildfires: Hudson Valley to see unhealthy air quality Thursday

Hines and McRae were arraigned in Newburgh City Court on Thursday and sent without bail to Orange County Jail, pending further court action.

McRae's attorney, Paul Weber, declined to make a comment on his client's behalf because he has not yet had a chance to review all the evidence.

Bruce Townsend, Hines' attorney, could not immediately be reached for comment.

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: Two Brooklyn men accused in two Newburgh shootings, one fatal
Two dead, one hurt after man kills woman, injures her friend in Rockport Thursday

Two adults are dead and one woman was injured after a shooting turned into a hostage situation in Rockport Thursday evening.

Rockport Chief of Police Greg Stevens said an officer received a phone call at 11:18 p.m. about an incident that occurred in the 800 block of South Mathis Street.

An argument 'erupted'

Police said an argument occurred between Sharon Simmons, 59, and her boyfriend Richard Wayne Becker, 57, while Simmons' friend, 63-year-old Loretta Jones, Simmons' two teenage granddaughters and their 13-year-old friend were inside her home.

Jones told police that something "erupted" between the couple and Becker shot Simmons in her kitchen and then shot Jones two times in the living room.

Jones was able to get out of the house and run to the neighbors across the street, as the three teenagers hid in a bedroom.

A Rockport police department vehicle.

Rockport police officers, along with Aransas County Sheriff's Office deputies and a state trooper, arrived to the house and secured the area.

After informing officers about the situation, including that Becker was armed and "possibly intoxicated," Jones was transported to a Corpus Christi hospital.

Help from Corpus Christi police

Stevens said after receiving word from dispatch, he and a captain responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, he said he realized the incident has become a hostage situation as the three teenage girls were inside, and they were unsure if Simmons was alive or not.

Stevens said he called Corpus Christi police to receive assistance from the department's SWAT Team. Knowing their drive would be 45 minutes to an hour, he said he made plans in case officers had to go inside and rescue anyone if there were more shootings.

"We attempted to make contact with anyone inside but we were unsuccessful," Stevens said. "But we could see movement through the window."

While waiting for assistance, Stevens said Rockport detectives put together a search warrant for the house and an arrest warrant for Becker.

Rescuing teen hostages

At 12:32 a.m. Friday, Stevens said two of the teens escaped through a bedroom window.

Officers observed the movement and advanced to the location to secure them and bring them to safety. Police said the two weren't injured but were "shaken and upset."

Using their mobile phones, Stevens said officers were able to make contact with the other teen who was "very frightened."

"We were able to get her to another window," Stevens said. "At 12:40 a.m., we were able to help her escape where officers were waiting outside for her. She was not injured but shaken up."

Using additional information from the three teenagers and what Jones told a detective while she was getting checked on in Corpus Christi, Stevens said officers were able to determine Simmons was probably already deceased.

The SWAT Team showed up shortly after, Stevens said, and took control of the scene. He said they attempted to make contact with Becker via phone and their PA systems, but to no avail.

"They breached the front door and were able to make entry," Stevens said. "They confirmed that Ms. Simmons was deceased from apparent gunshot wounds in the kitchen as Ms. Jones had described."

Stevens said the team made their way through the house and found Becker in the master bedroom deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. A pistol was found next to him and no other firearms were found in the house.

'We will find out why this happened'

The two granddaughters of Simmons were placed with another relative with help from Child Protective Services, Stevens said. Their friend was able to be taken home by their legal guardian as well.

Stevens said there is still a lot of investigative work to be done.

"We will do a complete investigation to determine how we got to this tragic end," Stevens said. "We will find out why this happened."

There had been no previous calls for family violence at the address, Stevens said.

The firearm is not listed as stolen, but Becker had a previous conviction of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, Stevens said.

"He's not allowed to possess firearms," Stevens said. "We want to find out where and how he got the firearm."

Stevens, who has been police chief for the past four years, said there has never been an incident that has caused such uneasiness.

"It's been many years since there's been a murder in Rockport," Stevens said. "This particular situation is a domestic violence case. It's hard to find answers to why this went so wrong so fast. There won't be a criminal prosecution, but we are still doing an investigation to try and figure out how we ended up here."

Even though people's safety is not being impacted, the situation is very concerning, Stevens said.

"It makes people uneasy and concerns them in a small town like ours," Stevens said. We want to reassure people we are determined to try and figure out what happened. We don't have this kind of thing here happen. Sharon was a long-time Rockport resident, and we want to find out why she died last night."

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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.

Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Two dead, one injured after domestic violence in Rockport Thursday
Two men shot each other in alleged road rage incident in Richmond. One has been charged.

Police in Richmond say two men were injured in a shooting after an alleged road rage incident a few weeks ago, and on Friday, one of them was charged.

Just after noon on June 30, police said they found one man, who they did not publicly identify, shot once in the abdomen on Jason Drive and another, identified as Aaron Estell-Bradshaw, shot in the abdomen, arm and hand on Lowell Avenue.

Officers collected evidence, gathered witness statements, and determined the shooting stemmed from a road rage incident that occurred before the shooting, the Richmond Police Department said in a Facebook post Friday.

Police said they think Estell-Bradshaw went to Jason Drive and confronted and shot the victim there. That man returned fire, hitting Estell-Bradshaw three times, after which Estell-Bradshaw went to Lowell Avenue, police said.

Police said both men were taken to a hospital, where they have been receiving treatment. Both are expected to survive, police said.

After he was released from care Friday, police said they arrested Estell-Bradshaw, 29, of Richmond, charging him with first-degree assault, criminal mischief and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

Richmond police said Estell-Bradshaw was being held by the Division of Community Corrections in Fayette County Friday evening.
Staff members work at the industrial internet operation center of the New Tianjin Steel Group in Tianjin, north China, July 12, 2023. To achieve carbon reduction and improve energy efficiency, Tianjin has pushed forward the comprehensive transformation of its iron and steel industry chain in recent years. Iron and steel producers are encouraged to reform their energy mix, upgrade technology and develop hydrogen-fuelled transportation.

The iron and steel enterprises still in operation in Tianjin have all completed the ultra-low emission transformation. As a result, the energy consumption per unit of the increased value of industrial enterprises above designated size is in steady decline. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

A hydrogen-fuelled heavy truck leaves a hydrogen refueling station of the Rockcheck Group in Tianjin, north China, July 13, 2023. To achieve carbon reduction and improve energy efficiency, Tianjin has pushed forward the comprehensive transformation of its iron and steel industry chain in recent years. Iron and steel producers are encouraged to reform their energy mix, upgrade technology and develop hydrogen-fuelled transportation.

The iron and steel enterprises still in operation in Tianjin have all completed the ultra-low emission transformation. As a result, the energy consumption per unit of the increased value of industrial enterprises above designated size is in steady decline. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

This aerial photo taken on July 12, 2023 shows solar panels on the roof of a workshop of the New Tianjin Steel Group in Tianjin, north China. To achieve carbon reduction and improve energy efficiency, Tianjin has pushed forward the comprehensive transformation of its iron and steel industry chain in recent years. Iron and steel producers are encouraged to reform their energy mix, upgrade technology and develop hydrogen-fuelled transportation.

The iron and steel enterprises still in operation in Tianjin have all completed the ultra-low emission transformation. As a result, the energy consumption per unit of the increased value of industrial enterprises above designated size is in steady decline. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

This aerial photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows a solar power plant of the Rockcheck Group in Tianjin, north China. To achieve carbon reduction and improve energy efficiency, Tianjin has pushed forward the comprehensive transformation of its iron and steel industry chain in recent years. Iron and steel producers are encouraged to reform their energy mix, upgrade technology and develop hydrogen-fuelled transportation.

The iron and steel enterprises still in operation in Tianjin have all completed the ultra-low emission transformation. As a result, the energy consumption per unit of the increased value of industrial enterprises above designated size is in steady decline. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

This photo taken on July 12, 2023 shows a sintering flue gas desulfurization and denitrification project of the New Tianjin Steel Group in Tianjin, north China. To achieve carbon reduction and improve energy efficiency, Tianjin has pushed forward the comprehensive transformation of its iron and steel industry chain in recent years. Iron and steel producers are encouraged to reform their energy mix, upgrade technology and develop hydrogen-fuelled transportation.

The iron and steel enterprises still in operation in Tianjin have all completed the ultra-low emission transformation. As a result, the energy consumption per unit of the increased value of industrial enterprises above designated size is in steady decline. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)
The Richland County Sheriffs Department is investigating an altercation that injured two men at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

The victims, men aged 18 and 23, were treated for stab wounds after being approached by a larger group of inmates who instigated the fight Friday, according to a statement from the sheriffs department.

The 18-year-old was stabbed approximately a dozen times on his upper and lower body. The injuries to both men were not life-threatening, and they were treated by medical staff at the jail.

Sheriffs deputies were called to the jail shortly after 1 p.m. to provide assistance with an altercation between several detainees, according to the statement. While the two victims were uncooperative, deputies say that they worked with jail staff to determine who instigated the fight.

The sheriffs department has described the investigation as ongoing.

The latest stabbings end another bad week for the troubled jail.

On Tuesday, inmate John Meador was recaptured by Lexington County Sheriffs deputies after escaping from the jail. The following day, an inmate died after being taken to the hospital due to an altered mental status, according to a Richland County news release. The cause of death has not been released because investigators have not been able to notify next of kin, according to a coroners office spokesperson.

The detainee was the third person incarcerated at the jail to die this year. In January, Antonius Randolph was stabbed to death by five other inmates in his cell.

County officials have pledged to make wide-ranging improvements to the jail, including restructuring leadership and increasing pay for staff. The have also pledged more than a million dollars to retrofit locks and renovate the kitchen and some common areas.
Two teen boys died after a collision involving a personal watercraft and a boat on Lake Cumberland Friday afternoon.

The teens, from Villa Hills in Kenton County, were on a personal watercraft that collided with a motorboat near the Woodson Bend Boat Dock near Bronston, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources said in a news release. It happened in the South Fork part of the Cumberland River at about 12:45 p.m.

The boat that was involved took the victims to shore, where they were treated by Somerset-Pulaski County EMS before being declared dead at the scene by the Pulaski County coroner, the release stated.

Coroner Clyde Strunk said the teens were 18 and 14 years old.

Strunk declined to release the victims identities Friday night, saying I dont think it would be helpful to the family to release any names.

Strunk told WKYT that the boys were brothers and that they were wearing life jackets while riding the jet ski together. He told the television station the part of the lake where the crash occurred is narrow and can be challenging to navigate with many watercraft on it at once. Strunk said he does not think alcohol was a factor in the collision.

The bodies were taken to the state medical examiners office for an autopsy, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty

The U.S. Virgin Islands government is seeking at least $190 million in penalties from JPMorgan Chase in connection to its banking relationship with sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

In a new legal filing on Friday, the USVIs Attorney General said the territory also wants the financial giant to separately pay damages to victims of Epstein, who killed himself in a New York lockup in 2019 while awaiting trial for abusing minors.

The USVI and a victim of Epstein referred to as Jane Doe each sued JPMorgan late last year, arguing the bank facilitated the perverted financiers sex ring and reaped millions from keeping him as a client. While the survivor settled her class-action suit for $290 million, the USVIs case is headed to trial in Manhattan federal court in October.

The attorney general revealed these multimillion-dollar demands in a letter to U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff, who asked for a briefing on its proposed damages.

The missive listed other remedies the USVI is seeking from the bank, including an injunction to prohibit JPMorgan from participating in sex trafficking ventures in the future and to protect and prevent potential future victims of traffickers.

Among its other proposed safeguards are JPMorgans appointment of independent compliance consultants to overcome the economic incentives to underreport suspicious activity and barring the participation of employees who have personal relationships with a private banking client in decisions to retain or exit that client.

The territorys latter request alludes to JPMorgan executive Jes Staley, whose lengthy bromance with Epstein was underscored throughout the litigation. Text messages and emails showed that Staleys bond with Epstein included career advice, visits to his private island, and cryptic text messages about Disney Princesses.

Meanwhile, Doe also accused Staley of sexual assault, an allegation he denies.

Epstein Connected JPMorgan Exec to Netanyahu, Prince Andrew

These sets of recommendations aim to address the same core problem: JPMorgans knowledge of and failure to report Epsteins trafficking because it lacked the economic incentive and motivation to place compliance with the law and prevention of trafficking ahead of its own profits, the USVIs letter to Rakoff says.

As The Daily Beast reported, JPMorgan employees repeatedly raised red flags to bosses over Epsteins suspicious cash withdrawals and news reports of his abuse of underage girls.

The USVI added it will prove that Epsteina JPMorgan client from about 1998 to 2013brought a slew of boldfaced names to the bank, among them Google co-founder Sergey Brin. In addition, Epstein referred many ultra-high net worth clients to the bank, including Sergey Brin, Bill Gates, Leslie Wexner, Glenn Dubin, and the USVI will prove, also conservatively, that those clients generated an additional $20 million in fees, the letter states.

(A spokesperson for Bill Gates, however, said the Microsoft billionaire was never a client of JPMorgan.)

We are pursuing this enforcement action because JPMorgan Chases institutional failure enabled Jeffrey Epsteins sex trafficking, U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Ariel Smith said in a statement provided to the press, and JPMorgan Chase must make significant changes to detect, report and stop human trafficking.

Financial penalties, as well as conduct changes, are important to make sure that JPMorgan Chase knows the cost of putting its own profits ahead of public safety.

Smith said the USVI would commit any restitution in the case to expand the territorys law enforcement and boost services for trafficking victims. I am gratified that the victims have received some measure of compensation from the bank, Smith added, referring to Does settlement, but more needs to be done to hold JPMorgan Chase accountable and to ensure this does not happen to another generation of women and girls.

Last November, Epsteins estate paid the USVI more than $105 million to settle a 2020 lawsuit that claimed the trafficker opened shell companies in the territory as fronts for his trafficking enterprise.

JPMorgan spokeswoman Patricia Wexler told The Daily Beast that the USVIs letter does not reflect the nature of settlement conversations.

As for the USVIs misdirected damages theories, she said in an email, they are not well founded and are being challenged by JPM in court.

Last month, the bank argued that it wasnt responsible for Epsteins scheme and that the USVI government instead was complicit in his sex crimes. Epstein could have lived anywhere in the world, JPMorgans lawyers stated in one June 20 legal filing. He chose USVI. Discovery obtained in this case reveals why.

JPMorgans legal team added that Epsteins quid pro quo relationship with the territorys officials resulted in the trafficker lavishing them with money, advice, influence, and favors. In return, the government granted Epstein $300 million in tax incentives and waived his sex offender monitoring requirements, the bank lawyers said.

According to JPMorgan, USVI officials went as far as facilitating ESL classes and visas that allowed Epstein to bring victims to his island. And when the territory was upgrading its sex offender laws, government functionaries consulted with Epstein on how to tweak them.

For two decades, and for long after JPMC exited Epstein as a client, the entity that most directly failed to protect public safety and most actively facilitated and benefited from Epsteins continued criminal activity was the plaintiff in this casethe USVI government itself, the banks lawyers stated.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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LONDON (Reuters) - Councils in England and Wales have called on the UK government to ban the sale of single use vapes by 2024 on both environmental and health grounds.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England and Wales, said it was crucial a ban came into effect rapidly, as with the European Union proposing a ban in 2026 and France rolling out a ban in December this year, there was a risk that as markets close disposable vapes could flood into the UK.

The LGA said 1.3 million disposable vapes were thrown away every week. They were a hazard for waste and litter collection and caused fires in bin lorries.

It said single use vapes were designed as one unit so batteries cannot be separated from the plastic, making them almost impossible to recycle without going through special treatment.

The LGA said councils were also concerned about the impact vaping was having upon children and young people.

"Disposable vapes are fundamentally flawed in their design and inherently unsustainable products, meaning an outright ban will prove more effective than attempts to recycle more vapes," David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, said.

The UK Vaping Industry Association defended disposable vapes.

"Disposables have been around for well over a decade and provide a low priced accessible product that helps smokers to quit smoking tobacco," John Dunne, the association's director general told BBC radio on Saturday.

He said the vape industry was working hard to minimise its environmental impact and warned a ban could see more black market products coming into the UK.

(Reporting by James Davey; editing by David Evans)
Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom, is considering the possibility of leaving his government and resigning, the media write.

Source: The Times

Details: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is said to be preparing to reshuffle his team in the autumn in an attempt to reboot the government ahead of the next election.

The newspaper writes Wallace believes that his time as defence secretary is ending, and he is considering the possibility of leaving the government.

One of the reasons, the publication cites, is that the UK Prime Minister failed to convince US President Joe Biden and other leaders that Wallace should become the next Secretary General of NATO.

This made some of his colleagues question whether he wanted to stay in politics.

The media emphasises that Wallace is considering a full retirement from politics. He remains a supporter of Sunak and the government, and his decision is unrelated to the Conservative Party's current difficulties.

Quote: "This reshuffle is about the future, and Rishi is giving the public a fresh team ahead of the election. Ben probably isn't going to stand for election, so it's time for him to step away."

More details: John Glen, Chief Secretary to the Treasury of the United Kingdom, is called the most likely successor to Wallace as the head of the UK Ministry of Defence.

Tom Tugendhat, Minister of State for Security of the United Kingdom, and Anne-Marie Trevelyan, former Foreign Trade Minister, are also considered possible successors.

Background:

Earlier, UK Defence Minister Ben Wallace called on Ukraine to express more gratitude to its partners for military support instead of constantly making demands for unlocking new types of weapons.

When President Zelenskyy was asked to comment on this statement, he said that Ukraine was very grateful to the UK and its people for their support. But he also sarcastically added that "we can wake up every morning and personally thank the minister."

In turn, Vadym Prystaiko, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, called Zelenskyy's promise to thank Wallace for military assistance every morning "unhealthy sarcasm".

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Ben Wallace has been UK defence secretary since 2019 and is seen as a safe pair of hands (Tolga Akmen)

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said in an interview published on Saturday that he will step down at the next cabinet reshuffle and not contest the next general election.

Wallace, 53, has been a leading figure in Western allies' support for Ukraine against Russia and was the UK's pick to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as NATO secretary general.

But he failed to get crucial US backing to succeed him, and Stoltenberg has now extended his term at the head of the alliance.

"I'm not standing (as a member of parliament) next time," he was quoted as telling the Sunday Times.

The newspaper said Wallace told Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last month of his plans not to seek re-election at the general election, which has to be held by the end of next year.

He said he will not quit "prematurely" as an MP and force a by-election but will resign as defence secretary before the next cabinet reshuffle, which is expected before September, the weekly added.

The decision was not because he thought the Tories, currently trailing the main opposition Labour party in the polls, would lose but because his constituency in northwest England was being scrapped under boundary changes, he said.

Wallace, a straight-talking former British army officer, has been in the UK parliament for 18 years, and is the longest-serving Conservative defence secretary since Winston Churchill.

He was the only minister in a senior post to remain in the turbulent transition from his political ally Boris Johnson to the short-lived Liz Truss and then Sunak.

He was security minister under Theresa May before becoming defence secretary in 2019.

Wallace has enjoyed strong support among the Tories' grassroots membership and was regularly tipped to be party leader but never actively ran for the top job.

"It wasn't for me," he told the newspaper.

- 'Difficult position' -

Wallace said he counted among his achievements boosting the defence budget by 24 billion ($31 billion) and said higher defence spending would be crucial in the years ahead.

He predicted the world will be "much more unsafe, more insecure" by the end of the decade.

"I think we will find ourselves in a conflict. Whether it is a cold or a warm conflict, I think we'll be in a difficult position," he added.

The UK could be dragged into conflict in Africa against Islamist groups, he suggested, and voiced concern about the effect of Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea on regional politics, and nuclear proliferation.

On Ukraine, he said Russian President Vladimir Putin could "lash out" if he loses and would look for fresh targets, such as against undersea cables carrying Western communications and energy supplies.

phz/imm
United Kingdom Defense Secretary Ben Wallace announced on Saturday that he will step down from his position after about four years in the role.

Wallace told the British newspaper The Sunday Times in an interview that he notified U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak about his plans last month, and a reshuffling of Sunaks Cabinet is expected in September.

Im not standing next time, he said.

Wallace told the outlet that he was leaving his position because of its effect on his family.

The defense chief has served in his post under prime ministers Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak and has led the countrys military through the war between Russia and Ukraine since last February. The UK and other Western allies of Ukraine have sent the country widespread financial, logistical and military support to defend itself against Russias full-scale invasion.

The announcement comes after Wallace faced some controversy over comments he made calling on Ukraine to show more gratitude for the support that its allies have provided.

I told them that last June. I said to the Ukrainians, when I drove 11 hours to be given a list: Im not Amazon, he said, referring to the online retailer.

A spokesperson for Sunak said after Wallaces remarks that the U.K. government and people are remaining committed to their support for Ukraine and that they have repeatedly heard from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about his gratitude for the aid.

Wallace was considered a possible choice to become the next secretary-general of NATO, but he said last month that he was not going to take the role. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg had his term extended another year into 2024 earlier this month.

The BBC reported that Wallace has served as defense secretary longer than any member of the Conservative Party before him.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks government is in talks about abolishing the UKs inheritance tax ahead of the next general election, the Times reported, without saying how it got the information.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The newspaper said late Friday that theres a live discussion among senior government figures about scrapping the unpopular levy next year.

The Telegraph, citing the Times report, said that neither Sunaks office nor the Treasury denied that such talks were taking place when the newspaper asked them for comment.

The deteriorating economic picture in the UK has piled pressure on Sunaks government to come up with a pre-election giveaway to boost his Conservative Partys dwindling performance. A national vote is due by January 2025.

Bloomberg News reported in April that the prime minister was considering cutting the inheritance tax.

An Ipsos poll released on Friday found that 47% of people questioned would vote for the opposition Labour Party in the next election, with just 25% saying they intend to vote for the Conservatives. Ipsos surveyed 1,033 British adults June 14 to 20.

The inheritance tax impacts a relatively small number of higher-value estates. Its receipts are skewed toward wealthier households in the Conservatives stronghold of southern England, so a move to reduce or end the levy could boost the Tory voting base.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Ukrainian troops have changed the tactics of conducting a counteroffensive, which helped them reduce losses in military equipment but also slowed down the territories liberation.

Source: The New York Times

Details: According to The New York Times, up to 20% of the military equipment delivered to the front line, including Western models, was damaged or destroyed in the first two weeks of the counteroffensive.

This level of equipment losses decreased to 10% in the following weeks due to the fact that Ukraine had changed its counteroffensive tactics.

In particular, Ukraines Armed Forces are focused more on exhausting Russian forces with artillery and long-range missiles than on attacking Russian-mined fields, The New York Times wrote.

Quote: "But that good news obscures some grim realities. The losses have also slowed because the counteroffensive itself has slowed  and even halted in places  as Ukrainian soldiers struggle against Russias formidable defences.

And despite the losses, the Ukrainians have so far taken just five of the 60 miles [8 kilometres from 96  ed.] they hope to cover to reach the sea in the south and split the Russian forces in two."

More details: The New York Times cites military experts who say that the first 25km of the counterattack will be the most difficult, as attacking troops typically need three times as many forces, including weapons, personnel or both, as those defending.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Ukraine destroys S-400 launcher used by Russians to attack Kramatorsk  Stratcom

The S-400 launcher was destroyed

A Ukrainian HIMARS multiple rocket launcher has destroyed the Russian S-400 launcher that attacked the town of Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast on June 27, the Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security of Ukraine (Stratcom) tweeted on July 14.

"A Ukrainian HIMARs successfully destroyed the S-400 missile that injured 61 and killed 13 innocent people in Kramatorsk (including four children and writer Victoria Amelina). HIMARs delivered the best revenge," Stratcom said in its tweet.

Read also: Rare glimpse into how Ukraine safeguards its HIMARS artillery

In the June 27 Russian attack on Kramatorsk a missile hit a crowded pizza restaurant in the center of the city. Three Colombian citizens and the famous Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina were among those injured.

Amelina, who was seriously injured and hospitalized after the attack, was reported to have died of her injuries on July 3.

Read also: Germany might start producing HIMARS multiple launch rocket system

As of June 29, the casualties of the attack included 12 deaths and 60 injured people.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (R) meets with European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

JAKARTA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China and the European Union (EU) should strengthen communication, enhance trust and deepen cooperation which serves the common interests of both sides, senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi has said.

Wang, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks when meeting EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell on the sidelines of the series of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers' meetings here on Friday.

Wang said there is no fundamental conflict of interest between China and the EU as both sides advocate multilateralism, support world multipolarity and greater democracy in international relations as well as the international system with the United Nations at its core.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang urged the EU to further clarify its positioning of the strategic partnership between the two sides and promote China-EU relations to move forward on existing basis.

The EU should not waver, let alone encourage backpedaling words and deeds, Wang stressed.

For his part, Borrell said that China is first and foremost an important partner of the EU, and this positioning is very clear and certain. The EU is willing to maintain a strong engagement with China and develop a constructive, stable and long-term relationship.

On the Taiwan question, Borrell said that the EU is firmly committed to the one-China policy, the core connotation of which is there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is not a country. The EU has never supported "Taiwan independence".

China plays a key role in global affairs and its global initiatives are widely welcomed. The EU is willing to explore ways to strengthen policy synergy between both sides and promote practical cooperation to achieve more results, said Borrell.

The global production and supply chain is intertwined, so it is unrealistic and impossible for Europe and China to "decouple". The EU does not support confrontation of camps and parallel systems and the EU has no intention of hindering China's development, he said.

In response, Wang stressed that China is committed to building an open economy at a higher level and will continue to share its mega market opportunities with the world.

China supports the EU in pursuing strategic independence and making independent judgments, he said, adding that China is ready to work with the EU to leverage complementary advantages and dovetail each other's global initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative and EU's Global Gateway strategy.

Both sides should jointly safeguard globalization and free trade system by adopting an open and inclusive approach, while opposing protectionism and unilateral bullying, Wang said.

Wang called on the two sides to guard against the politicization and instrumentalization of economic issues and the use of "derisking" as another term for "decoupling".

The two senior diplomats also exchanged views on the Ukraine issue. Wang said China supports a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture, and will continue to promote talks for peace and play a constructive role in seeking a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. 

Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (2nd R) meets with European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)
Photo by SERGEY SHESTAK/AFP via Getty Images

To the rear of the brutal fighting at the frontlines, Ukraine appears to be making the very best of counter-battery fire to suppress and destroy Russian artillery units.

Though Ukrainian troops continue fighting for breakthroughs in Russian defensive lines, artillery gunners are playing the long game for future artillery supremacy. Counter-battery fire, and especially radars that facilitate it with high accuracy, are playing a big part in this. It has been reported that many Russian artillery units lack counter-battery radar systems to pinpoint incoming fire, with losses of these prized systems having taken their toll in nearly year and half of fighting. In addition, due to their high-tech nature, Russia is hard-pressed to replace them with new units.

https://twitter.com/OAlexanderDK/status/1680206112967065601

Russian accounts of the fighting seem to corroborate a growing Ukrainian artillery advantage in some regard. Former separatist commander Aleksandr Khodakovsky opined that Russian artillery can neither suppress the Ukrainian guns nor compete with their longer range.

https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1680120232851980288 https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1678131330922446849?s=20

Ivan Popov, a top Russian general, was fired recently after laying into Defense Minister Shoigu about how poorly the war is being ran from headquarters, highlighted the lack of Russian counter-battery fire capabilities, in particular. We will talk more about the general's dismissal in a moment.

https://twitter.com/200_zoka/status/1679222331099471872?s=20

Some of Ukraine's counter-battery fire has relied upon western-supplied long-range precision artillery, most notably the GMLRS. The GPS-guided Excalibur artillery round, of which thousands have been donated to Ukraine, are also prized weapons for quickly taking out pinpointed enemy batteries with high certainty. The U.S. has also provided counter-battery radars beginning in 2015.

https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1678125544028635136?s=20 https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1678837277055746053?s=20

Ukraine has been receiving US counter battery radars, such as the AN/TPQ-36, since 2015. U.S. Army.

Precision long-range fires have also been prioritized against artillery systems beyond counter-battery engagements. Spotting by lower-end drones combined with guided artillery has resulted in numerous examples of 'one shot, one kill' destruction of Russian artillery systems.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1680191186844241968

The emphasis on counter-battery fire could well be part of a shift in tactics as the counteroffensive continues. The New York Times reported Saturday that Ukraine changed tactics after the first two weeks of combat saw as much of 20 percent of the weaponry it sent to the battlefield was damaged or destroyed.

https://twitter.com/nytimesworld/status/1680200565207212035

Attrition rates slowed as commanders adapted in the ensuing weeks, but the story noted losses have decreased because the counteroffensive itself has not progressed rapidly.

Intense video shows what these offensive operations look like, as Ukrainian infantry hug the ground and open fire while a BTR wheeled armored personnel carrier opens up with its autocannon over their heads.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1680182713058205698

While accurate strikes on Russian artillery do not translate immediately into territorial gains, it fits with shaping the battlefield in what has become a war of attrition in some respects. Ukrainian ground forces can better exploit weak points in the Russian lines when Moscow has degraded artillery capabilities to effectively respond and suppress them. With 155mm cluster munitions having arrived in Ukraine from U.S. stockpiles, this artillery disparity is set to only increase. In terms of counter-battery fire, these weapons can also allow for saving prized guided munitions to quickly kill enemy batteries with high certainty.

Time will tell how crucial Ukraine's growing artillery advantage in these regards is as the counteroffensive rolls on.

Before we head into the latest from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here.

The Latest

Todays intelligence update from the British Ministry of Defense noted the high-profile firing of Russian Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, former commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army. Popov was sacked this week after voicing criticisms of Russian MoD leadership in a leaked video.

Popovs dismissal was apparently not for any alleged poor performance and strictly related to his remarks, claiming the Russian leadership was hitting us from the rear, viciously beheading the army at the most difficult and intense moment. If that language sounds familiar, its similar to Wagner PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhins many blistering critiques in the months preceding his ill-fated coup attempt on June 24.

https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1680091084993572864 https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1679376592131194880

Popovs comments indicate serious disaffection many officers likely harbor towards the senior military leadership, per the British MoD. This was reportedly not the only change of command this week, as reports have emerged that the commander of Russias 106th Air Assault Division, one of the units that replaced Wagner in Bakhmut, was relieved.

https://twitter.com/yarotrof/status/1680213525128699904

In its daily update, the Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) reported Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to retain Wagner Group as a fighting force, just without its mutinous leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1679986801518465024

It remains unclear what a Wagner without Prigozhin would look like, particularly as it concerns the organizations far reach and presence as a Russian proxy in Africa and the Middle East.

However, Putins remarks certainly dont bode well for Prigozhins life expectancy should he be fully relieved of his private arm. Weve previously reported Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) Director Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanovs claims that there is an ongoing plot to assassinate Prigozhin to remove him as a future threat to Moscow.

Alongside these developments, reports from Belarus suggest Wagner troops and equipment continue to arrive there. A convoy of Wagner trucks and heavy construction equipment were seen en route to the country, with Belarusian insiders reporting the same or possibly another convoy was headed to the encampment near Tsel. Ukraine has also reportedly observed redeployments.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1680211190369189889 https://twitter.com/Hajun_BY/status/1680107432352030720 https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1680159191619579904

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Saturday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the first such visit of a South Korean leader to Ukraine. Yoon retweeted Zelenskys photo of the two leaders and their wives, noting South Koreas commitment to protect lives, freedom, and universal values.

https://twitter.com/President_KR/status/1680212658560323589

Yoon further promised an increase in South Koreas non-lethal support to Ukraine in the form of helmets, body armor, and uniforms, as well as $150 million in humanitarian aid. South Korea is seen a major potential supply vector of arms to Kyiv, but that hasn't materialized yet. The U.S. is buying large amounts of artillery rounds from Seoul to send up in Ukraine, but selling weaponry directly, especially actual systems, not ammunition, remains off limits.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1680206777239891969

Fighting continues on the flanks of Bakhmuts ruins, with Ukrainian counterattacks around the Klishchiivka area to the south reportedly going well.

https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1680028219863384064 https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1680216747540979714 https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1680124523260018689

Also in Zaporizhzhia, Russian Telegram channels report a flyer was put into several residents mailboxes in the city of Enerhodar, home of the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The flyers invite the residents to relocate to the Russian Far East with assistance from the Russian government.

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1680196888602050560

The wreckage of a downed Ukrainian ScanEagle drone was found in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The U.S. provided more than a dozen of the small, high-endurance reconnaissance drones last summer.

https://twitter.com/lost_warinua/status/1680041450472370176

Japan has also pledged to provide a C-UAS Drone Detection System as part of its continued aid to Ukraine.

https://twitter.com/oryxspioenkop/status/1680162988894875648

The Ukrainian Air Force released a picture of one of its MiG-29 Fulcrums sporting a digital camouflage paint scheme, with blue and gold on the wings leading edges and a mix of R-73 IR-guided and R-27R radar-guided missiles on the pylons.

https://twitter.com/KpsZSU/status/1680118723322028032

The caption Ready to Fight could indeed be tongue-in-cheek after Politico reported on July 14 that though President Joe Biden has promised to allow the 11-nation F-16 coalition to begin training Ukrainian pilots, the U.S. State Department has still not formally approved the transfer of instruction manuals, simulators, and other training materials.

https://twitter.com/politico/status/1679954259130073088

There are more photos of a Ukrainian Leopard 2A4 equipped with Kontakt-1 explosive-reactive-armor (ERA) bricks. You can read our coverage of the modified Western-supplied tank here.

https://twitter.com/COUPSURE/status/1680215063049764864

One of the rarer western-supplied armored vehicles has appeared in Ukrainian service, a German Bilber armored vehicle-launched bridge (AVLB). German for beaver, the Bilber is based on a Leopard 1 tank chassis and carries a scissor bridge used to span gaps and fortifications in support of other armored vehicles.

https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1680143118400626690?s=46\u0026t=WGR8ATVuYlDW934sMHUUhQ

If you needed any reminder of why tanks need bridges, Ukraine has pulled a Russian T-72 from the Desna River in Chernihiv Oblast. The tank sank into the river during an unsuccessful attempt to ford it during the full-scale invasions first weeks as Russian tanks poured into the area over the Belarusian and Russian borders.

https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1680239982328389632

Thats all for now. We will update this story when there is more to report about Ukraine.

Contact the author: stetson.payne@thewarzone.com
Over the past day, the Defence Forces killed another 590 Russian invaders and destroyed five tanks and 24 unmanned aerial vehicles.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces from 24 February 2022 to 15 July 2023 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses  ed.]:

approximately 237,180 (+590) military personnel;

4,102 (+5) tanks;

8,019 (+11) armoured combat vehicles;

4,463 (+14) artillery systems;

680 (+0) multiple-launch rocket systems;

425 (+2) air defence systems;

315 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft;

310 (+0) helicopters;

3,807 (+24) operational-tactical UAVs;

1,273 (+0) cruise missiles;

18 (+0) ships/boats;

7,036 (+17) vehicles and tankers;

664 (+2) special vehicles.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The delivery of humanitarian aid through the Bab al-Hawa crossing has been stalled since Monday, when a 2014 UN deal expired (OMAR HAJ KADOUR)

The United Nations is concerned about "unacceptable conditions" set by Damascus for allowing aid to flow through its Bab al-Hawa crossing to rebel-held areas in northwest Syria, according to a document reviewed Friday by AFP.

The delivery of humanitarian aid through the crossing has been stalled since Monday, when a 2014 UN deal expired.

A letter this week from Syrian authorities allowing use of the border crossing between Turkey and Syria "contains two unacceptable conditions," according to a document sent to the UN Security Council from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

OCHA said it was concerned that the Syrian government had "stressed that the United Nations should not communicate with entities designated as 'terrorist.'"

The second condition it bridled at was that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) should "supervise and facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid" in northwest Syria.

The UN says more than four million people in northwest Syria are in need of food, water, medicine and other essentials.

Through an arrangement that began in 2014, the UN largely delivers relief to northwest Syria via neighboring Turkey through the Bab al-Hawa crossing.

Syria announced on Thursday that it would authorize the UN to use Bab al-Hawa to deliver vital humanitarian aid to millions of people in rebel-held areas for six months.

Syria's ambassador to the UN Bassam Sabbagh told reporters on Thursday that his country had taken a "sovereign decision" on allowing the aid to continue.

- 'Comprehensive and unrestricted' -

That announcement followed the expiration on Monday of a mechanism that has allowed UN convoys to use the crossing to rebel areas without authorization from Damascus.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Friday that "there's been no crossings in Bab al-Hawa with United Nations humanitarian aid," adding that authorities were reviewing Syria's authorization.

"We're taking a look at... what exactly was expressed in the letter," he said.

"These things need to be studied carefully," he added, reiterating the UN's "commitment to delivering humanitarian assistance guided by humanitarian principles of non-interference, of impartiality."

The OCHA document seen by AFP also called for the need to "review" and "clarify" parts of Damascus' letter, saying the deliveries "must not infringe on the impartiality... neutrality, and independence of the United Nations' humanitarian operations."

Damascus regularly denounces the UN aid deliveries as a violation of its sovereignty, and major ally Moscow has been chipping away at the deal for years.

Russia on Tuesday vetoed a nine-month extension of the agreement, and then failed to muster enough votes to adopt a six-month extension.

The 15 UN Security Council members had been trying for days to find a compromise to extend the cross-border aid deal.

Syria's conflict has killed more than 500,000 people, displaced millions and battered the country's infrastructure and industry.

"The scale of needs in Syria requires a comprehensive and unrestricted approach to humanitarian aid," the ICRC delegation in New York told AFP.

"We stand ready to support in ways that fall within our capabilities and with the consent of all parties involved."

abd/jh/caw/lb
The choice of deciding who eats  you or your pet  is a heartbreaking one, and one that happens more often than most folks might know.

People without food have numerous places to turn to for help. Animals, not so much, and often they are an afterthought in the battle for survival  not by choice, but out of necessity.

After all, if a person cant afford food for themselves, how can they afford to feed a pet?

Maria Koegl is the director of Dont Forget to Feed Me, a Fort Worth food bank for dogs and cats that bills itself as the only one of its kind in North Texas. Much like food banks that distribute to pantries to help feed underprivileged people, they provide food for their pets, likewise, through pantries and organizations.

Also, they do so at no charge. Dont Forget to Feed Me gets funding from donors, foundation grants, donor advised funds, corporate grants, etc.

By keeping our focus on a single issue, we can address this specific need efficiently and quickly, Koegl said.

Koegl added that Dont Forget to Feed Me does not attempt to duplicate services offered by other organizations or agencies. She said while many local agencies focus on ensuring that people have adequate food and nutrition, she hears repeatedly from those organizations that pet owners will often choose to go without food to ensure their companion animals are fed.

Two-thirds of Americans are pet owners. The need to provide pet food to pet owners experiencing economic uncertainty is real and immediate, she said. By providing pet owners with pet food, DF2FM ensures not only that owners are able to feed themselves, but also that pets receive food that is nutritionally appropriate for animals.

Additionally, many local agencies help pet owners with veterinary needs, such as spaying/neutering and vaccinations. Other local agencies are concerned with ensuring that homeless animals are adopted into forever homes. These agencies address real needs and provide valuable services to the community. However, without access to proper pet food, their efforts will all be for naught.

Dont Forget to Feed Mehas distributed 9.2 million pet meals since 2008. Koegl cited statistics from the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy that pet maintenance is the No. 3 reason for dog surrender and No. 4 reason for cat surrender in the U.S.

I am feeding my dogs human food. Id rather give my dogs my meal so they arent going hungry, wrote someone asking for help anonymously.

While Dont Forget to Feed Me largely provides food for dogs and cats, there is one limited exception. The Maverick Fund provides immediate emergency support on a limited application basis.

How Dont Forget to Feed Me started

It all started in the economic crisis of 2008. Not only were many families and individuals faced with hardships, having and caring for animals went from being a joy to a challenge for quite a few.

Many were forced to choose between feeding their family and feeding the family pet, Koegl recalled of the organizations beginning.

Two area women, Kim Pearson and Terry Mullins, were brought together by a common goal: keep pets with their families. A committee was formed in the fall, and, working through the Tarrant Area Food Bank, Dont Forget to Feed Me launched an inaugural Valentine pet food drive in February 2009.

During the economic crisis of 2008 rescues and shelters were at capacity and having to turn people away. Pets were being abandoned on the side of the road. North Texas needed an alternative to surrendering and dumping. At that time, a pet food bank had not been heard of, Pearson said.

We knew that providing families with pet food would directly help with one of the leading causes of pet relinquishment, the inability to afford pet food.

Pearson was a producer with WFAA Channel 8, and Mullins was working at the Amon G. Carter Foundation. WFAA was reporting on the same economic issues the Carter Foundation was aiding with.

At that time, there was no support related to pet food insecurity. We both contacted Bob Soderburg, the executive director of Tarrant Area Food Bank at that time, and he connected Kim and me, Mullins said.

Dont Forget to Feed Me quickly grew, and in September 2010, set up independent 501(c)3 status and secured office space and a distribution partnership with Community Food Bank. After 10 years of service, the organization began to outgrow its space at Community Food Bank.

Koegl first got involved after meeting Mullins in 2009 while Koegl was working at an animal hospital in Colleyville. She started with Dont Forget to Feed Me as a volunteer and has held several positions in the organization before becoming its director in 2022.

In 2018, Dont Forget to Feed Me moved into its own facility. This move provided more warehouse and office space, allowing the organization to make an even greater difference in the community.

Currently, Dont Forget to Feed Me has 35 distribution partners, including notable names such as Metroport Meals on Wheels, North Central Texas Meals on Wheels, Spay Neuter Network (Fort Worth), and Denton Community Food Center. In all, the partner with 19 food pantries and 16 home, not alone partners such as area senior centers and/or residences.

Koegl noted that in 15 years of serving the greater Fort Worth area, Dont Forget to Feed Me has distributed almost 10 million pet meals and served close to 130,000 households. They distribute over 30,000 pounds of free pet food to the community every month.

Thank you for your help. It means the world to me, wrote an anonymous recipient.

Another added, Im very grateful that DF2FM helps me. Ive done without just to make sure my dog eats.

SIMILAR SITUATION

DF2FM reported its distribution in 2023 so far is already 31% more than at this same time last year. Thats slightly more than 39,000 additional pounds of food.

We find ourselves in a similar economic environment to 2008. While the cause of the current economic uncertainty differs, its effects remain the same. Families and individuals are struggling to put food on the table and are forced to choose which bill they can skip each month, Pearson said. In some cases, families are relinquishing their pet  a member of the family  because that is one less mouth to feed.

Local shelters and rescues are seeing mass surrenders of companion animals, while at the same time, DF2FM has a wait list that continues to grow as more people and organizations discover we are a resource to fill this need in the community  to fill the shelves of their local food pantries with pet food  subsequently allowing those agencies to feed the entire family, including those with four legs.

Koegl said research by Dont Forget to Feed Me found that 34% of clients surveyed reported previously skipping their own meals so they could afford to feed their pets. Dont Forget to Feed Me programs allow pet owners to keep their companion animals while proving nutritionally appropriate food for them.

By providing pet food to those in need, DF2FM helps pet owners stay fed as well. These pets are lifelines for these families, with 21% of DF2FM clients surveyed reporting that their pet is an emotional support animal, Koegl said.

Koegl recalled visiting a Dont Forget to Feed Me distribution partner, when she met a client named Marta who was picking up dog food for her service dog, Princess. Living on Social Security and disability and going through a rent increase, she told Koegl that without the help of Dont Forget to Feed Me via the Fort Worth Hope Center, she would not be able to continue feeding herself and her loving pet.

Through our partnerships, clients like Marta can get food for the whole family, preventing them from having to choose between stay or go for their four-legged family members, Koegl said.

How to help

If you are interested in helping DF2FM in its mission, they accept monetary donations to help purchase pet food in bulk and at cost through partnership with a local feed store. They also accept in-kind donations of dry or canned dog and cat food, no toys, beds medications, etc.

Volunteers are also welcome to help in and out of the warehouse.

The organization is holding its Hot & Hungry fundraiser with a goal of raising $20,000 to help ensure the continuation of pet food distribution. For more information about this or the organization in general, visit dontforgettofeedme.org or email operations@df2fm.org for applications.

Dont Forget to Feed Me envisions a community in which all pet owners are able to feed their pets, Koegl said.
The unlikely story of the first photo of Mars ever seen on TV

The unlikely story of the first photo of Mars ever seen on TV

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Just steps away from High Bay 1, where many of NASAs pioneering robotic missions have been assembled, is the first image of Mars ever seen on television, broadcast in 1965.

The groundbreaking image is part of a small exhibit tucked away in a corner of the second floor of the Spacecraft Assembly Facility on the campus of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.

But the depiction, which represented the first photo of another planet taken from space, isnt a photo at all.

Instead, its a color by numbers representation of data, which was captured and sent to Earth by NASAs Mariner 4 spacecraft on July 15, 1965, as the probe made its closest approach to Mars.

Mariner 4s historic encounter with Mars was just the beginning of a series of missions that changed the way we see our planetary neighbors. While the actual photo was also released, the hand-colored image continues to captivate all who see it at JPL.

The first time I encountered this was almost right when I started working here at JPL, which was 17 years ago, said David Delgado, cultural strategist in The Studio at JPL. Its just this object of curiosity and wonder. You cant just walk by it. The story is so powerful.

The first to visit other planets

In 1962, Mariner 2 became the first spacecraft to visit another planet when it flew by Venus. The milestone encouraged NASA engineers to push ahead with an even more ambitious project: capturing photos of planets from space.

There was a lot riding on the Mariner 4 mission. It was one of a twin set of spacecraft designed to take images of Mars, and the first one failed.

Mariner 4 was the first satellite to take the first up close pictures of another planet. - NASA

Mariner 3 launched on November 5, 1964, but it lost power just eight hours later when the payload shroud didnt jettison and its solar panels never unfurled. With a quickly redesigned shroud, Mariner 4 launched three weeks later on November 28 before going on a 228-day trip to reach Mars.

Attached to the spacecraft was a television camera to reveal how the planet looked at close range from a spacecraft, along with six science instruments to study the Martian surface and atmosphere.

Interest in obtaining images of other planets from space was part of the space race of the 1960s for a reason. The best map of Mars at the time was from the late 1800s and came from Percival Lowells observations, made using his private Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. And the highest-resolution image was captured by an Earth-based telescope in 1956.

Mariner 4 flew 6,118 miles (9,845.5 kilometers) above the Martian surface on the night of July 14, capturing 22 images of the planet.

The spacecraft carried the first digital imaging system used outside of Earth. The machine converted the cameras analog signal into a digital format and slowly transmitted the data back to Earth at a rate of 8 1/3 bits per second. The bit rate meant that it took 10 hours to relay a single image back to Earth.

The tape recorder aboard Mariner 4 was actually a spare not intended for use. - Dan Goods/NASA/JPL-Caltech

The transmission was incredibly slow by todays standards, given that the Perseverance rover regularly sends back batches of high-resolution images from Mars.

Meanwhile, members of the press had gathered at JPL and eagerly awaited the release of the first photo.

As the anxiety built, some members of the Mariner 4 team decided to take matters into their own hands.

An unexpected art project

The tape recorder capturing data aboard Mariner 4 was never meant to be used. The equipment was a spare, but because Mariner 3 never reached Mars, all hopes were riding on Mariner 4s instruments to work. There was a chance the tape recorder wouldnt function properly.

During the long wait for the first images, Richard Grumm, who oversaw the tape recorder operations, and members of his team began to convert the digital data from Mariner 4 into ones and zeros on ticker tape, according to a project about the image compiled by Dan Goods, visual strategist in The Studio at JPL.

The numbers corresponding to data points on the ticker tape can be seen in this detailed image. - Dan Goods/NASA/JPL-Caltech

The team stapled 3-inch-wide strips to a movable wall and decided to literally color by numbers based on the brightness of each pixel. The team saw these efforts as a way to validate if the tape recorder was working and capturing light reflected off the planet.

Grumm ran down to a local art store in search of chalk. His idea was to use different shades of gray, but the store only had a set of colored pastels.

He and his team created a color key using brown, red and yellow pastels, and while the choice seems intentional because the colors reflect Mars actual color palette, Grumm was only thinking of what would best mimic a white to black gradient.

Theres a lot of serendipity held within this image, Delgado said of the surprisingly accurate colors.

As the team colored in the numbers, the edge of the planet emerged. Dark brown was used to reflect the void of space. The lightest colors represented Mars, and orange depicted clouds in the Martian atmosphere. Dark registration marks from the camera lens also appeared.

The hand-colored version of the Mariner 4 image is part of an exhibit at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. The initials "RLG" ( bottom right) belong to Richard Grumm. - Dan Goods/NASA/JPL-Caltech

Not only was the camera working and taking images, but the data was good.

People were just really scared that this mission wasnt going to work, Delgado said. This image that we see here is the result of engineers really trying to validate their hardware to make sure that it was working right.

Despite the best efforts of the communications team at JPL, journalists glimpsed the color by numbers image before the actual photo was released, and the artwork became the first shot of Mars from space to be seen on TV.

Later, the piece of wall covered in colored ticker tape was cut out, framed and gifted to JPL Director William Pickering.

Martian insights

All 22 images were returned by Mariner 4 between July 15 and August 3, 1965. Together, they revealed craters on the Martian surface and clouds floating above in the atmosphere, both of which surprised scientists. Mariner 4 happened to pass over some of the oldest terrain on Mars, which looked more like the heavily cratered surface of the moon.

The 64-meter antenna (left) in Goldstone, California, received the signals from Mariner 4. The highest-resolution Mariner 4 image (right) revealed the cratered Martian surface from 7,830 miles (12,601 kilometers) above. - JPL/NASA

The snapshots showed less than 1% of the Martian surface, missing the more diverse features on the planets surface that later missions such as Viking 1 would capture.

Mariner 4s initial documentation of Mars kicked off a desire to better understand the red planet that continues to this day as the Perseverance and Curiosity rovers, Ingenuity helicopter, and a fleet of orbiters work to unlock more Martian secrets.

The ability to see something for the first time, it changes the way that I think we feel about ourselves, Delgado said. The process of being able to reach out is to understand whats out there, and it also feels like the process of understanding who we are within the context of it all.

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Latino community leaders and activists, young and old, lined up in Nampa City Council chambers to show their support for the citys decision to take over the Hispanic Community Center of Idaho. For years community members said they have watched the center deteriorate physically and become an exclusive place for only a handful of individuals.

With sadness I have watched the building falling in disrepair, said Ana Maria Schachtell, the original founder of the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho. The problem I see is that the organization needs new ideas and younger talent. And it seems to me that the leaders want to keep it to themselves as if it were private property.

Schachtell spoke, along with five others, during a news conference hosted by Poder of Idaho, a nonprofit that supports Latinos and immigrant communities, and the city of Nampa. The city announced its plans to take over operation of the cultural center Monday.

We stand in solidarity next to many who support the new transition for the Hispanic Cultural Center, said Ruby Mendez-Mota, co-executive director of Poder of Idaho. Now we have the opportunity as leaders to work with the city of Nampa to revitalize the building for the benefit of the Latinx community and make it a space where we can share our culture and traditions with the city and the state ... and build it for future generations.

The building housing the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho is located at 315 Stampede Drive in Nampa.

The Nampa City Council on Monday is scheduled to extend the leases of the businesses that remain in the center. After that, Mayor Debbie Kling said she expects the city to begin taking requests for proposals for the use of the building. The city plans to continue to host any scheduled events at the cultural center.

Kling hopes to disturb the existing businesses in the buildings as little as possible. But one business, Nuestra Gente Wellness, had its schedule disrupted by police presence at the center throughout the week.

Antonio Hernandez, a business owner and advocate for the Latino community in Idaho, said the community groups and city spent long hours in meetings trying to decide what to do about the cultural center.

Im glad that we have a mayor who is willing to listen and we have a City Council that is eager to work with us, Hernandez said.

The building housing the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho is located at 315 Stampede Drive in Nampa.

Lack of inclusiveness in cultural center

The citys decision wasnt a shock to some, since Nampa officials said they had been meeting with current Director Humberto Fuentes for months and had begun court proceedings to end the building lease in December.

Contrary to what Fuentes told the Idaho Statesman in an interview Monday, Kling said the city plans to turn building operations over to the Hispanic community, once a plan is in place for what to do with it. Fuentes told the Statesman that he suspected the city wanted the building for its monetary value.

It is not the intent of the city this is a city building,  Kling said. This is the Hispanic communitys cultural center, and it will continue to be.

Schachtell said two years after stepping away from her role at the Hispanic Cultural Center for health reasons, she tried to get involved again. But she said she felt unwelcome in the building because of Fuentes and former leadership. And she wasnt the only one.

Board members and other people in the community began calling me complaining about different issues, such as lack of inclusiveness, she said.

Organizations like Poder and activists like Schachtell have tried to support the cultural center over the years, by leasing office space and booking events at the location. But they felt unwelcome and eventually felt compelled to leave.

This space needs to feel welcome, help break barriers down and be a place of growth for our beloved community, Mendez-Mota said.

Younger generation of activists step up to lead

The Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho opened in 2003, with the city of Nampa charging the center just $1 a year for a 50-year lease.

Now, 20 years later, many in the Canyon County Latino community said its time for the younger generation of Latino activists and community leaders to define the role of the cultural center.

Irma Morin, executive director of the Community Council of Idaho, said she sees the role of the center to hold our generations together and to provide opportunities for us all to gather and celebrate.

If we nurture its role over time, it will embrace each generation and grow and change as our Hispanic cultures in Idaho do, Morin said. And most importantly, it will allow us to explore who we are as people within Idaho today and tomorrow. Lets find ways to express the new voices of our community.

Schachtell, who founded the center, said she was thankful for the younger generation of leaders who had the courage to speak and get the building back to the community.

The building housing the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho is located at 315 Stampede Drive in Nampa.

City of Nampa takes over longstanding Hispanic Cultural Center. Its future is unknown

Dress codes in 2 Idaho school districts hurt Latino kids, ACLU says. What schools say
Updated requirements for the location that will house the FBIs new headquarters that prioritize cost to taxpayers and the social impact could provide a boost to Marylands chances of being chosen.

Following consultations with Virginia and Maryland delegations, The General Services Administration (GSA) announced that while the core elements of the site selection plan remain the same, cost has become a higher priority.

We have updated the plan to incorporate new government-wide directives and to increase the consideration of cost to deliver better value for taxpayers, a statement from the GSA said. We believe these adjustments will support a process that results in a site that best serves the FBI and the public for years to come.

In addition to prioritizing cost, the updated plan simplifies the scoring methodology for choosing a site and includes standards laid out in Executive Order 14091, which requires federal government agencies to integrate equality into decision making and planning.

More from The Hill

The importance of being near other FBI facilities has been lowered from 35 percent to 25 percent, and the importance of transportation from 25 percent to 20 percent, while upping the significance of cost and social equity to 20 percent each, according to the release.

Virginia has been assumed to have the clear advantage as it is already home to Quantico  which currently houses the FBI Academy and other training facilities  but Marylands congressional delegation and Gov. Wes Moore (D) argued more factors need to be considered then just convenience of location.

Maryland officials have long called the process for selecting a new multimillion dollar headquarters unfair, but in a joint statement, Moore and the states congressional

delegation said they were encouraged by the changes made by the GSA.

We are encouraged to see todays announcement from the General Services Administration corrects the flawed approach released in September that ignored taxpayer costs and the Biden-Harris Administrations commitment to equity, the statement reads. Todays revised guidelines are a critical step in the right direction.

Sign up for the latest from The Hill here

Virginia Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine also responded to the updates, arguing that the GSAs initial criteria wasnt plucked out of thin air, and that the changes would only cause further delays.

While we are concerned that these changes to the criteria will further delay what has already been a drawn-out, decade-long process to select a new site to replace the dilapidated headquarters downtown, we remain confident that Virginia continues to be a home run in every category, and encourage the GSA to draw this process to a close sooner rather than later, Warner and Kaine said in a joint statement.

In addition, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif) and other conservatives have opposed the bureaus new location being in the Washington D.C. area at all.

This idea that were going to build a new big Pentagon and put all the FBI mainly in

one place I dont think is a good structure, he said at a news conference in the Capitol.

McCarthy said he prefers scattering the FBI across many locations.

Theyre asking for billions, and I just dont think thats the best use or the best structure, McCarthy said.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has proposed moving the FBI to Huntsville, Alabama.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
US House of Representatives approves $300 million in military aid for Ukraine in 2024

US

The U.S. House of Representatives on July 14 approved the defense budget bill for the year 2024, including an allocation of $300 million to support Ukraines security next year.

This amount is specified in both the House of Representatives bill and the corresponding Senate bill, Voice of America wrote on July 14.

The allocated sum for Ukraine matches the amount requested by the Biden administration, but it falls $500 million short of the amount allocated last year, when Ukraine received $800 million.

Read also: West seeks to contain Russian influence as tensions rise over Ukraine  diplomat on NATO Summit

Five amendments, aiming to reduce or halt assistance to Ukraine, failed to garner sufficient votes. Among them was an amendment proposed by Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, who sought to remove the entire $300 million for Ukraine from the defense budget.

Another amendment put forth by Republican Matt Gaetz, calling for the cancellation of all security assistance to Ukraine, also failed.

The bill also includes section 1224, which urges the extension of the law on military assistance to Ukraine, passed in 2022, for at least one more year until the end of 2024.

The Senates defense budget bill also stipulates that overall support for Ukraine should be extended until at least 2027.

Furthermore, the document states that the U.S. Department of Defense should study and learn from the experience of the war in Ukraine.

Read also: Minister Reznikov tallies military aid Ukraine got at NATO summit

Under U.S. Congress procedures, the U.S. Department of Defense outlines a plan for necessary expenditures and defense needs for each subsequent year. The House of Representatives and the Senate then create their respective defense budget bills, which undergo committee review before a final vote on the floor.

The House of Representatives votes first, followed by the Senate. Subsequently, the final version is reconciled and submitted for the presidents signature.

As a result, the Senate bill has sets the total amount of the defense budget for next year at over $886 billion, while the House of Representatives bill stands at $874 billion.

Last year, the amount allocated to the U.S. defense budget was $858 billion.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Activist with Pride flag at Supreme Court

When the U.S. Supreme Court revoked the national guarantee of abortion rights last year, there were warnings that the ruling would endanger other rights involving bodily autonomy. And indeed, its now being weaponized against gender-affirming care.

Several states that have outlawed such care for transgender minors are invoking the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization anti-abortion ruling when defending their laws in court. That argument hadnt succeeded until this month, when a federal appellate court cited Dobbs in letting Tennessees gender-affirming care ban take effect.

The ruling, from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, isnt the final word on the case; it simply lets the law go into force while the suit against it is heard. But its raising concern that other courts might buy the argument or, if federal appellate circuits disagree on the question, the issue of gender-affirming health care could be decided by the Supreme Court  where conservatives currently outnumber liberals by six to three. Vox senior correspondent Ian Millhiser raised this possibility in a recent article.

Representatives of LGBTQ+ organizations, however, say the jury is out, so to speak.

Theres a high likelihood that these organization and states [behind the care bans] want to push this all the way to the Supreme Court, Sarah Warbelow, vice president of legal at the Human Rights Campaign, tells The Advocate. Whether theyll manage to do so, though, is really hard to say, she adds.

Sixth Circuit Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton wrote the opinion placing a hold on the injunction against the Tennessee ban, and he mentioned the Dobbs ruling several times. If a law restricting a medical procedure that applies only to women does not trigger heightened scrutiny, as in Dobbs, a law equally appliable to all minors, no matter their sex at birth, does not require such scrutiny either, he wrote in one instance. When a court considers the constitutionality of a law, heightened scrutiny, also known as strict scrutiny, means that the government must prove it has a compelling interest behind the law and that the statute is tailored as narrowly as possible to achieve its goals.

But Judge Helene White, who dissented from Suttons ruling, pointed out that the Tennessee ban does treat minors differently based on their sex at birth. It bans gender-affirming procedures for minors who do not identify as the gender assigned at birth but allows them for those who do. To illustrate, under the law, a person identified male at birth could receive testosterone therapy to conform to a male identity, but a person identified female at birth could not, she wrote.

Until Sutton wrote his ruling, every federal court that had considered the constitutionality of these laws reached the conclusion that they discriminated based on sex, White observed. Such laws have been temporarily blocked (while cases are heard) in Alabama, Florida, Indiana, and Kentucky because federal judges believed that those who are challenging them are likely to prove such discrimination, and a judge in Arkansas has gone further by striking down that states law, the first ruling on such a laws merits. In a suit in Oklahoma, the state and the challengers have agreed that the law will not be enforced while the case proceeds.

Jennifer Levi, senior director of transgender and queer rights at GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders, says this shows the Sixth Circuits ruling is off base. The states have been citing Dobbs all along, and the courts have rejected that, Levi says.

On whether there will be a rash of such rulings or the Supreme Court will eventually get involved, she says, I think its really premature to speculate at this point. GLAD is representing clients challenging the Alabama law and the Florida one; the Alabama trial is scheduled for next spring, while theres not a definite timetable for the Florida case.

HRC is co-counsel in the Alabama and Florida cases, plus one in Georgia thats in a very early stage. The Alliance Defending Freedom, an anti-LGBTQ+ legal nonprofit that has won cases at the Supreme Court, including the recent right to discriminate case out of Colorado, is working with Alabama officials to defend that states ban, and its pushing the use of Dobbs, Warbelow notes.

Ultraconservative Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote the Dobbs majority opinion, was very specific that it applied only to abortion, although that didnt keep fellow conservatives like Justice Clarence Thomas from saying the court should use the same reasoning to strike down marriage equality and other rights. But still, in cases involving gender-affirming care, judges across the political spectrum are blocking or striking down the bans, Warbelow observes.

Ash Orr, press relations manager at the National Center for Transgender Equality, agrees that its premature to form a definitive opinion about what will happen with the gender-affirming care cases. But the situation bears watching, he says.

If the reasoning used in the Sixth Circuit decision continues to be applied, Orr says, it could result in significant regression regarding numerous rights. Beyond the question of whether these bans discriminate, courts must consider whether rights are deeply rooted in this nations history and traditions, he points out. Judge Sutton asserted that those challenging the Tennessee law had not demonstrated that the right to new medical treatments was deeply rooted.

As various courts rule on the constitutionality of gender-affirming care bans, it is probable that they will eventually necessitate a comprehensive review by the Supreme Court, Orr adds. One factor in whether the high court takes a case is whether there is a so-called circuit split  that is, appeals courts in different circuits have ruled differently on an issue.

In the meantime, there are things that not only lawyers and organizations but ordinary citizens can do, beyond supporting the organizations bringing these cases. Warbelow recommends becoming informed about what gender-affirming care for youth consists of and then sharing that information with others.

Have that conversation with the people in your life, she says. We need more people who can spread the word.
Family members of deputy Jennifer Turner, including her three children, June, Bryce and Ashlyn, watch as their mothers urn is placed into a hearse following the memorial service for Turner and Cpl. Steven Lewis at the Dee Events Center in Ogden on Friday, July 14, 2023. Lewis and Turner were killed in a wrong-way crash near the intersection of South Weber Drive and Canyon Meadows Drive on Monday, July 3. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Two Davis County sheriff's deputies killed in a motorcycle crash just three days after they were married were remembered Friday as people with big hearts who lived their lives to the fullest and always made time for family.

A memorial service was held Friday for Cpl. Steven Lewis, 54, and deputy Jennifer Turner, 39, at the Dee Events Center.

The two were married on June 30. But just three days later on July 3, while off duty, they were involved in a crash while riding a motorcycle on South Weber Drive near 725 East after investigators say they apparently had difficulty negotiating a curve and hit another vehicle.

Lewis, who previously served in the U.S. Army for six years, joined the sheriff's office in 2018. Turner joined in 2020. Both have three children from previous relationships.

On Friday, the couple were remembered for living their lives to the fullest.

Karissa Lewis remembered her father as "one hell of a host. He loved the gathering of his loved ones for food, drink and just time together."

If they went to the movies, Lewis said it became an event and her father would buy popcorn and drinks for everyone. If they went out to dinner, he would be sure to order plenty of appetizers for everyone to share.

"Steven made friends very, very easily," his brother Sam Lewis said. "He was genuine, patient and caring."

Tonielyn Jorgensen, Steven Lewis' niece, said her uncle had a larger-than-life personality and was the person she most looked forward to seeing at family gatherings. But he also was a caring person who embodied the notion of unconditional love.

Davis County Sheriff's Cpl. Steven Lewis, left, and deputy Jennifer Turner, right, died when their motorcycle crashed into the back of a trailer being pulled by a pickup truck in South Weber, Davis County, on July 3  three days after they were married. | Davis County Sheriff's Office

"(He) didn't care where you came from. He didn't judge. He loved the people in his life because of who they were," she said. "He also showed up for people he loved."

Turner was remembered as having a fiery spirit and was always looking for a new adventure. But she always had the backs of the people she loved, and "was an absolute rock for her kids."

"Passionate" is how Daniel Peterson says he will remember his sister.

"I will forever miss that passion," he said. "We have lost two stars in our sky. Two stars that shone very bright."

He encouraged others to honor the couple by living as they did, with passion.

Daniel Peterson II concurred that his sister would want others to "live your dash." He explained that every person has a birth date and a day they die. Between those dates, they have their "dash."

"Love your dash," he said, "Live it like it matters, because tomorrow is not guaranteed."

Living your "dash" means to "live carefree, have a good time, and love one another, and take every opportunity to be with those you love and care about," Peterson said.

Family members of both Lewis and Turner said the couple were happy together, and they wish they would have had more time to get to know the new bride and groom.

"We mourn the loss of this great spirit and the soulmate he takes with him," Sam Lewis said.

"(He) brought happiness into her life that she really needed," Tonielyn Jorgensen added.

During the service, the Davis County sheriff's honor guard escorted the urns that contained Lewis' and Turner's ashes to and from the podium where Friday's memorial was conducted. Folded American flags were placed with each urn as members of the honor guard stood watch.

The musical composition "Remember Me" from the Disney movie "Coco" was played, as family members said Turner loved Disney movies.

The interment was held at the Brigham City Cemetery where the gravesite was dedicated and "Amazing Grace" was played.

A flag is placed next to an urn during the memorial service for Cpl. Steven Lewis and deputy Jennifer Turner at the Dee Events Center in Ogden on Friday, July 14, 2023. Lewis and Turner were killed in a wrong-way crash near the intersection of South Weber Drive and Canyon Meadows Drive on Monday, July 3. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Daryl Peterson II, brother of deputy Jennifer Turner, returns to his seat after speaking about his sister during the memorial service for Turner and Cpl. Steven Lewis at the Dee Events Center in Ogden on Friday, July 14, 2023. Lewis and Turner were killed in a wrong-way crash near the intersection of South Weber Drive and Canyon Meadows Drive on Monday, July 3. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Jessie Seager, niece of Cpl. Steven Lewis, speaks during the memorial service for Lewis and Deputy Jennifer Turner at the Dee Events Center in Ogden on Friday, July 14, 2023. Lewis and Turner were killed in a wrong-way crash near the intersection of South Weber Drive and Canyon Meadows Drive on Monday, July 3. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Daniel Peterson, brother of deputy Jennifer Turner, speaks during the memorial service for Cpl. Steven Lewis and Deputy Jennifer Turner at the Dee Events Center in Ogden on Friday, July 14, 2023. Lewis and Turner were killed in a wrong-way crash near the intersection of South Weber Drive and Canyon Meadows Drive on Monday, July 3. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Law enforcement officers pay their respects at the memorial service for Cpl. Steven Lewis and deputy Jennifer Turner at the Dee Events Center in Ogden on Friday, July 14, 2023. Lewis and Turner were killed in a wrong-way crash near the intersection of South Weber Drive and Canyon Meadows Drive on Monday, July 3. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Family members of Cpl. Steven Lewis and deputy Jennifer Turner exit the Dee Events Center following the memorial service for Lewis and Turner in Ogden on Friday, July 14, 2023. The two were killed in a wrong-way crash near the intersection of South Weber Drive and Canyon Meadows Drive on Monday, July 3. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Envoy expounds on China's position on conflict-related sexual violence

Xinhua) 10:25, July 15, 2023

UNITED NATIONS, July 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Friday expounded on his country's position on conflict-related sexual violence, stressing conflict prevention and resolution.

Sexual violence is a heinous violation of human rights. China firmly opposes the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and strongly condemns all acts of sexual violence, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

"We call on the international community to make joint efforts and take comprehensive measures to eliminate sexual violence in conflict as soon as possible and promote new progress in women, peace and security," he told a Security Council open debate on conflict-related sexual violence.

Geng stressed the importance to strengthen conflict prevention and resolution.

Sexual violence in conflict cannot be eliminated in isolation. Only through the cessation of hostilities and restoring peace can women and children be fundamentally free from harm and their basic rights protected, he said.

"To achieve peace, we must adhere to a political settlement to disputes and increase efforts in negotiations, mediation and facilitation. We must practice true multilateralism and translate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter into action. We must also focus on addressing root causes and investing more in achieving common security."

Security Council resolutions explicitly prohibit sexual violence as a means of warfare. But this red line of international law has been repeatedly breached. Unless past crimes are effectively punished, it will be difficult to deter and prevent new violations. The international community must strengthen the rule of law and implement the requirements for combating sexual violence in conflict, so that perpetrators can be held accountable and justice can be served for the victims, said Geng.

The countries concerned shoulder the primary responsibility for the prevention and elimination of conflict-related sexual violence and the protection of women and children. The international community, on the basis of respect for their sovereignty and leadership, should support the countries concerned in strengthening security-sector capacity-building to effectively combat terrorist and violent extremist forces, strengthening the rule of law, improving the legal and regulatory system for the protection of women's rights and interests, and strengthening humanitarian efforts and helping victims of sexual violence obtain assistance and reparation, he said.

In conflict situations, sexual violence is often intertwined with issues of discrimination and poverty. In addition to a peace-focused approach, the international community should also address this issue from the perspective of women's empowerment and sustainable development. Efforts should be made to eliminate gender discrimination and differentiated treatments to address the livelihood challenges and development gaps faced by women, said Geng.

Digital and information technologies are important means of empowering women and critical tools for early warning of conflicts, victim assistance, and investigation and accountability. China advocates for the use of digital technology to enhance the protection of women, amplify the active role, participation, and transformative power of women in peace and security, he said.

As the host country of the Fourth World Conference on Women, China has always been an advocate for gender equality, a protector of women's rights, and a practitioner of women empowerment. China will continue to work with the international community to make active efforts and greater contributions to the advancement of women globally, said Geng.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)
by Marwa Yahya

CAIRO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A high-profile summit that brought together Sudan's seven neighboring countries reached a comprehensive effort that has the potential to succeed in resolve the deepening conflict in the African country, according to political analysts.

The summit, held in Cairo on Thursday, was attended by leaders of Egypt, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chad, Eritrea, the Central African Republic and Libya, as well as high-ranked officials from the African Union and the Arab League.

"It is a fresh bid to revive international moves via the mediation of neighboring countries to halt fighting between rival Sudan's military factions that triggered a humanitarian crisis," said Salah Halima, former chairman of the Arab League office in Sudan.

The African leaders agreed on forming a ministerial mechanism comprised of the foreign ministers of Sudan's neighboring states to formulate an executive action plan to end the fight. Its first meeting will take place in Chad.

In the communique issued on Thursday, the leaders expressed full respect for Sudan's unity and sovereignty and called for non-intervention in the domestic conflict. They also agreed to facilitate aid delivery through neighboring countries in coordination with international agencies and organizations concerned.

Sudan's military-led Transitional Sovereign Council lauded the communique as constructive toward the restoration of security and stability in the country and expressed willingness to cease military operations when the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) stops attacks on civilians and public facilities and engages in inclusive political dialogue.

The RSF also reiterated support for regional and global efforts to end the war in Sudan and called for combined efforts of relevant parties to reach a comprehensive solution for Sudan as soon as possible.

Sudan has been rocked by violent conflicts since April 15 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF. The ongoing war in Sudan has left more than 3,000 killed and at least 6,000 injured, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry.

More than 2.8 million people have been displaced, mostly internally, since the conflict broke out in Sudan, according to figures released by the United Nations.

Halima explained that both sides affirmed their readiness to collaborate with regional players to settle the war because the summit's communique in Cairo put a comprehensive plan for a cease-fire away from any foreign intervention.

The timing of the meeting in Cairo was significant given the armed conflict in Sudan's capital Khartoum has extended to the troubled Darfur region and Blue Nile state, raising more concerns about worse deterioration of political, economic, and humanitarian conditions and destruction of many facilities and substructure services, he told Xinhua.

Halima, also vice president of the Egyptian Council for African Affairs and former assistant to the Egyptian Foreign Minister, noted that the ongoing violence in Sudan will not only threaten the unity of Sudan but challenge the security of Sudan's neighboring countries, the African Horn region, and the countries along the Red Sea.

Amany Al-Taweel, chairman of the African program at Ahram Center for Strategic and Political Studies, described the outcome of the Cairo summit as "satisfactory and constructive," because bringing together all Sudan's neighbors, which bear the burdens of the conflict, will unify their positions and pressure the conflicting parties in Sudan to end the war.

"The summit in Cairo was a platform for integrating all regional initiatives into collective efforts without regional competition, which will lead to achieving comprehensive success of all neighbors' endeavors," she said. 
What can vegans and vegetarians eat at the California State Fair? More than you might expect

If you didnt have bacon-wrapped-somethin during the fair, you didnt come here, California State Fair Chief Executive Officer Tom Martinez said.

For vegan and vegetarian Sacramento Bee journalists, that sounded like a challenge.

On the fairs opening, we scoured the Cal Expo fairgrounds for the tastiest veggie-forward delicacies. Here are some of our favorites.

Fresh Rolls from Says Thai

$7.00 with sales tax

This light, fresh snack will rescue you from a corn-dog coma. The rice paper rolls, made by Sacramento-based Says Thai, are stuffed with crunchy veggies and rice noodles, and come with a sweet peanut dipping sauce on the side.

Veggie-packed rolls from Says Thai at the California State Fair on Friday at Cal Expo.

Falafel Pita from The Sleek Greek

$17.40 with tax

We loved this pita wrap, complete with peppery, moist falafel, lettuce and tomatoes. Its a hearty meal and the perfect replacement for that bacon burger youre foregoing. If youre a vigilant vegan, ask for the wrap without tzatziki.

Falafel pita from The Sleek Greek at the California State Fair.

Churros from Melys Churros

$8.58 with tax

These churros just so happen to be vegan  except for the caramel and cream cheese fillings. Warm, sweet and cinnamony, these fried treats please any sweet tooth and taste like a hug. Get one filled with strawberry jam for a fruity twist.

Sacramento Bee reporters order churros from Melys Churros during media day at the California State Fair on Wednesday.

Takilocos from PePes Aguas Frescas, Fruit, and Sweets by J

$11.96 with tax

As for the traditional Takilocos without cueritos, or pork rinds, for a sweet and spicy flavor explosion like nothing else at the fair. PePes tops a bag of Takis with cucumber, Japanese candied peanuts, sweet chamoy, spicy Valentina hot sauce, zesty lime and chewy Tamarindo. The result? A bright purple Takis bag packing flavor punch. PePes also serves the same for Tostitos and Hot Cheetos.

Takilocos from PePes Aguas Frescas, Fruit, and Sweets by J at the California State Fair.

Vegan Grinder from Always Fresh Grinders

$16.00 with tax

This item is not technically on their menu, but was made special by employees when we told them we were looking for vegan food. Ask for a Veggie Grinder  avocado, mustard, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onions, mayo and cheese  minus the mayo and cheese. Soft bread, good seasoning and lightly oiled ingredients meant that we could devour this sandwich in the heat before we went on rides.

Garlic fries and Veggie Grinder from Always Fresh Grinders at the California State Fair.

Garlic fries from Always Fresh Grinders

$14.00 with tax

You can go to the fair and avoid bacon. But you simply cannot go to the fair without eating something fried. We went for a classic, reliable, perfectly oily and utterly scrumptious order of garlic fries. Always Fresh Grinder did not skimp on the garlic  perhaps pack some mints.

Dole Whip from multiple vendors

$10 with tax

It was hot out there, and we were quickly craving an icy, refreshing treat. Luckily, multiple vendors at the fair serve Dole Whip, a pineapple juice-based soft serve that hits the spot. Its creamy, tangy and 100% dairy free. Dole Whip is a famous treat often associated with Disneyland, but you dont have to fly to Anaheim to get your fix for the next two weeks.
What it's like to visit Gatlinburg, a Tennessee town known as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is known for its access to the Great Smoky Mountains, but Insider's reporter found that it has even more to offer. Joey Hadden/Insider

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is a town known as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains.

I found peaceful mountain cabins and thrilling rides during my first visit in April.

Take a look at the vibrant town center and the grand natural views surrounding it.

Living in a big city, I often crave natural getaways. That's why I visited Gatlinburg, Tennessee's gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Staying in woodsy cabins with stunning natural views gave me the peaceful, slow-paced break I expected, but the town also has an active downtown area with shopping strips and thrilling rides that gave me some exciting memories I didn't anticipate.

Here's what it was like to visit Gatlinburg for the first time, from the mountains above to the streets below.

When I left my home in NYC for a nature getaway, I went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, dubbed the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains by the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The author spent five days in the Great Smoky Mountains. Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau

Looking at a map, it's easy to see why. Gatlinburg borders the famed national park.

Gatlinburg borders a portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Google Maps

Read more: I went to Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the first time and 7 surprises made my trip harder  and better  than I expected

My trip was four nights. I spent three of them in Gatlinburg cabins in the woods outside of the downtown area.

The exterior (L) and interior (R) of an A-frame cabin in Gatlinburg. Joey Hadden/Insider

Read more: I spent a weekend in a cozy A-frame cabin in the mountains that had stunning views from every angle, and I never wanted to leave

Both of my cabins felt remote enough to relax and enjoy mountainous views to the calming soundtrack of chirping birds and wind blowing through the trees.

A view of the back porch from inside the author's first stay in Gatlinburg. Joey Hadden/Insider

Read more: I paid $400 to spend a night in one of the world's most in-demand Airbnbs. The Tennessee cabin might look unassuming, but the views blew me away.

Cabins lined these hilly streets and backed up into the woods. They all appeared to have stunning views.

A neighboring cabin at one of the author's accommodations in Gatlinburg. Joey Hadden/Insider

Read more: Why I preferred sleeping in a glamping tent over cozy cabins during my first trip to the Great Smoky Mountains

From the cabin neighborhoods, it was hard to believe that a thriving downtown area full of restaurants, shops, and rides was just a few miles down the mountain.

A strip in downtown Gatlinburg. Joey Hadden/Insider

Read more: I explored an abandoned resort town in the Great Smoky Mountains where wealthy city dwellers vacationed 100 years ago. Take a look around.

Although I spent most of my trip immersed in nature, I took a few hours on my last day to see what this downtown area was like.

A street in Gatlinburg's downtown area. Joey Hadden/Insider

On my way down, I noticed an entry point to the national park, making it easily accessible for Gatlinburg residents and visitors.

A parking lot at the Gatlinburg entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains. Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: National Park Service

Once downtown, I spotted a trolley. According to the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau, this public service is free to ride with stops around the city.

A trolley drives by downtown Gatlinburg. Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau

I thought the streets were lined with varying architectural styles, from modern boxy buildings ...

A plaza full of shops in the downtown area. Joey Hadden/Insider

... to triangular rooftops that reminded me of rowhouses.

Leather and jewelry stores in Gatlinburg. Joey Hadden/Insider

The most colorful building I saw was the entrance to the Arcadia Space Needle that rises 400 feet above Gatlinburg.

The entrance to the Arcadia Space Needle (L) and the top of the needle itself (R). Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau

Along with shops and restaurants, I noticed family-friendly activities like aquariums, museums, and vintage photo studios.

Old Time Portraits, a photo studio in Gatlinburg. Joey Hadden/Insider

The most thrilling and unexpected treasure I found in Gatlinburg was an aerial tram ride above the mountains.

An obstructed view of the mountains from the tram. Joey Hadden/Insider

Read more: 15 photos that will transport you to the Great Smoky Mountains, from cozy cabin views to jaw-dropping landscapes

I spotted the tram in Gatlinburg while trying to figure out how to get to my Airbnb. Since no taxis were available, I was facing a three-hour walk in heavy rain.

A road runs through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Joey Hadden/Insider

Read more: I've been terrified of driving my whole life, but a recent trip to Tennessee without a car made me realize I need to get over it

The tram travels between downtown Gatlinburg, where I was, and Ober Mountain, a tourist attraction with a roller coaster and other rides that happened to be just a 30-minute walk from my Airbnb.

The entrance to the tramway. Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Ober Mountain

I paid $30 for a two-mile ride up the mountain. At the station, I learned that it's one of the largest aerial tramways in the US.

A tram arrives at Ober Mountain. Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Ober Mountain

The views up here were phenomenal to me, even in the rain.

People take photos from the tram. Joey Hadden/Insider

Read more: I visited the Great Smoky Mountains and the best part of my trip was an unexpected discovery I made while stuck in the rain with no way to get to my Airbnb

As I looked down at the smoky haze and the mountains beneath them, I couldn't help but think if I hadn't struggled to find taxis, I never would have experienced the tram  my favorite memory of Gatlinburg.

A view of the mountains from the tram ride. Joey Hadden/Insider

Read more: Disappointing photos show what it's like to visit the Great Smoky Mountains in constant pouring rain

Read the original article on Insider
I visited the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, and the memorable experience was worth $45

During my trip to Dubai, I visited the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. Rachel Dube

During a recent trip to Dubai, I visited the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.

At 2,716.5 feet, the building offered gorgeous 360-degree views over the entire emirate.

The experience was super organized, interactive, and easy for visitors to navigate.

I visited the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest building in the world, which stands at 2,716.5 feet.

Burj Khalifa is a little over half a mile in height. Rachel Dube

First I had to enter Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world, which leads you to the ticket counter.

I followed the signs in the world's largest mall to purchase my ticket. Rachel Dube

I didn't prebook, but the line moved fast. I was able to purchase a $45 ticket to access the 124th and 125th floors.

The line for the ticket counter moved quickly despite being long. Rachel Dube

After showing my ticket, I walked down a long hallway displaying social-media posts people captioned with #BurjKhalifa.

Several social-media posts using #BurjKhalifa were shown on the screens. Rachel Dube

Once my ticket was officially scanned, I walked past a replica model of the building.

A miniature model of the Burj Khalifa. Rachel Dube

Along the same hallway, there was an image of what the building looked like when level 100 of its 163 floors was built in 2007.

The 100th floor was built in 2007, and today, the building has 163 floors. Rachel Dube

There was also a digital model of the building demonstrating how it was constructed.

Before reaching the elevator, I watched the Burj Khalifa's building process. Rachel Dube

Finally I arrived at the elevators, which took us up to the 125th floor in a matter of seconds.

Despite there being so many floors, the elevators were extremely fast. Rachel Dube

I started my tour on the 125th floor, which was 1,496 feet off the ground and had large floor-to-ceiling windows.

The floor-to-ceiling windows offered an amazing, open view. Rachel Dube

The windows surrounded the entire floor, meaning I could see Dubai from every angle.

The 125th floor is 1,496 feet tall, allowing me to overlook the entire emirate. Rachel Dube

After checking out the views, I walked down a set of stairs to the 124th floor.

Even the staircase leading to the floor below was built beautifully. Rachel Dube

The 124th floor had an outdoor observation deck that was more crowded but offered even better views.

The observation deck was a popular attraction. Rache Dube

The windows had a spot to sit where you could take in the view and grab some cute photos.

I was able to take great photos on the 124th floor. Rachel Dube

The views were amazing, and I could've easily spent even more time enjoying myself.

The views of Dubai from the outside were showstopping. Rachel Dube

Once I was ready to leave, I headed back to the elevator, which had projected videos on the walls.

The unique projections made the elevator ride interactive and enjoyable. Rachel Dube

During the projection show, there was an animated scene of what the building looked like on New Year's Eve.

Burj Khalifa celebrates with fireworks on New Year's Eve. Rachel Dube

After reaching the main floor, I headed down a large escalator and exited the building.

A large escalator took me to the exit. Rachel Dube

Overall, it was a worthwhile tourist attraction I'd recommend to anyone visiting Dubai.

The Burj Khalifa is definitely worth a visit if you're going to Dubai. Rachel Dube

Read the original article on Insider
Champion: Marketa Vondrousova celebrates as she kisses the Venus Rosewater Dish trophy (SEBASTIEN BOZON)

Marketa Vondrousova became the first unseeded woman to win Wimbledon in the Open era as the Czech swept to a shock 6-4, 6-4 victory over Tunisia's Ons Jabeur in Saturday's final.

As the first unseeded woman in the Wimbledon final in 60 years, Vondrousova was a heavy underdog against sixth-ranked Jabeur.

But the 24-year-old upset the odds on Centre Court to win her maiden Grand Slam title at the second attempt after losing to Ash Barty in the 2019 French Open final.

"After everything I've been through - I had a cast on this time last year - and now I can't believe I'm holding this trophy," said Vondrousova who was sidelined with a wrist injury in 2022.

"I don't know what's happening now."

Vondrousova joins Jana Novotna and Petra Kvitova as the only Czech women to win a Wimbledon title.

She is just the ninth unseeded champion at a Grand Slam tournament.

Vondrousova's triumph completed a remarkable comeback after a rash of injuries stalled her promising career.

Just 12 months ago, she was an injured bystander at Wimbledon, reduced to watching her best friend Miriam Kolodziejova attempt to qualify for the main draw.

Vondrousova's second wrist surgery had ruled the Olympic silver medallist out for six months, although her absence from the tour at least allowed her the space and time to get married.

She was the second-lowest ranked player to reach the Wimbledon final -- only Serena Williams in 2018 was lower at 181.

So unexpected was her run that she told her husband Stepan Simek to stay at home in Prague to look after their cat Frankie until the final, when a pet sitter was found to allow her partner to make the trip to Wimbledon.

The defeat was another heartbreaking blow for world number six Jabeur, who wept during an emotional post-match trophy presentation.

Jabeur was the first Arab woman to reach a Grand Slam final last year at Wimbledon, but losing to Elena Rybakina in three sets took the shine off that achievement.

She endured more misery just weeks later when she lost to Iga Swiatek in the US Open final.

"It's going to be a tough day but I am not going to give up," she said while wiping away her tears.

"It's the most painful loss of my career. but we're going to make it one day, I promise you I'm not going to give up."

- Ice-cool Vondrousova -

Jabeur's bid to become the first African and Arab woman to win a Grand Slam singles title has ended in bitter failure once again.

Even for a player known as the 'Minister of Happiness', Jabeur's positive personality will be tested by her latest disappointment.

She fell well short of the standards shown in victories over four former Grand Slam champions on her way to the final.

Jabeur had already lost twice in 2023 to Vondrousova, at the Australian Open and in Miami, and she had no answer to the big-hitting left-hander despite the support of 15,000 partisan fans on Centre Court.

Under the closed roof, Jabeur drew first blood with a break in the second game when Vondrousova netted a nervous backhand.

But she immediately surrendered the initiative as Vondrousova broke back in the next game.

Jabeur's anxiety was clear as her unforced error total reached double figures in another wild game that gave Vondrousova a 5-4 advantage that she gratefully seized to serve out the set.

Vondrousova made it five games in a row when Jabeur's weak forehand gifted her a break in the opening game of the second set.

Breaking twice in three games, Jabeur moved 3-1 up, only to falter again as the ninth break of the match allowed Vondrousova back into the set.

It was an opportunity the Czech was not going to spurn as Jabeur's unforced errors reached 31 by the final game.

In contrast to Jabeur's meltdown, Vondrousova remained ice-cool and sealed her unexpected triumph with a perfect volley before falling to the turf in delight.

smg/dj
How to vote early  and other answers to election questions  for Wichita mayor primary

Wichita voters will narrow a field of nine mayoral candidates to two on Aug. 1.

But you dont need to wait until Election Day to vote.

You can get and cast a mail ballot now. Early voting in person starts Monday at the Sedgwick County Election Office downtown and widens to satellite sites on July 27.

Heres what you need to know to participate in city and school primary elections in Sedgwick County.

Whats on the ballot?

The Wichita mayors race is the main contest in the Wichita area. Running against incumbent mayor Brandon Whipple are Jared Cerullo, Shelia M. Davis, Bryan Frye, Anthony Gallardo, Tom Kane, Celeste Racette, Julie Rose Stroud and Lily Wu.

The top two candidates in the primary will compete in a runoff election on Nov. 7.

A City Council position is also on the primary ballot with four candidates running for the District 4 seat in southwest Wichita.

Primary voters in the Wichita school district can narrow a field of five candidates for an at-large position on the school board. Similarly, 13 candidates are running in the primary for the at-large position on Cheneys school board.

Park Citys voters will decide whether to increase the sales tax by 1%.

Voting in small races like this years primary is perhaps even more important than voting in big elections, said Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater.

At the local level, elections are the foundation of our government. Without our elections, we would not have the type of representative government that we have today, she said. ... These are some of the most important elections that will have an effect on your daily life.

To learn more about the candidates, go to our primary voter guide at kansas.com/election beginning July 17.

Whos running for mayor in Wichita? Heres an up-to-date list of candidates

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Whos running for Wichita City Council in 2023? Meet the 10 candidates

What do I need to vote?

You must be registered to vote and you must show your Kansas drivers license or a valid Kansas photo ID. For a list of accepted forms of ID, visit the Kansas secretary of states website.

How do I vote early by mail?

A request form for advance voting ballots can be found on sedgwickcounty.org.

So far to date, weve received approximately 8,500 advanced by mail ballot applications, Rainwater said at a media conference on July 10.

The deadline for requesting an advance mail-in ballot is Tuesday, July 25.

Ballots can be returned in a number of ways.

You can hand deliver your ballot to the Sedgwick County Election Office, 510 N. Main, Suite 101, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, July 17 through noon Monday, July 31. Advance ballots can also be dropped off at a polling place on Election Day.

You can take your advance ballot to one of Sedgwick Countys 14 designated drop boxes 24/7. The locations for the drop boxes can be found on sedgwickcounty.org. These boxes close at 7 p.m. on Election Day.

To mail in your advance ballot, you can send it to the Sedgwick County Election Office. Ballots must be postmarked before the polls close on Election Day and received in the office by Friday, Aug. 4.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has recommended mailing your ballot at least one week before it needs to arrive sedgwickcounty.org reads.

How do I vote early in person?

You can vote in person at the Sedgwick County Election Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays starting Monday, July 17. Early voting at that office ends at noon Monday, July 31.

A number of satellite centers will be open for early voters starting Thursday, July 27. The hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

What are the satellite locations?

A full list of satellite locations can be found on sedgwickcounty.org. The July 27-29 early voting locations are:

Bel Aire City Building, 7651 E. Central Park, Bel Aire (67226)

Grace Presbyterian Church, 5002 E. Douglas, Wichita (67208)

Machinists Building, 3830 S. Meridian, Wichita (67217)

Mount Vernon Methodist Church, 5701 E. Mount Vernon, Wichita (67218)

Park City City Hall, 1941 E. 61st St. N., Park City (67219)

Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, 2727 E. 25th St. North, Wichita (67219)

Reformation Lutheran, 7601 E. 13th St., Wichita (67206)

Sedgwick County Extension Office, 7001 W. 21st St., Wichita (67205)

St. Andrews Lutheran, 2555 Hyacinth Lane, Wichita (67204)

Westlink Church of Christ, 10025 W. Central, Wichita (67212)

Woodland Lakes Community Church, 770 S. Greenwich Road, Wichita (67207)

How do I vote on Election Day?

If you want to vote on Aug. 1, you will need to go to your designated polling site. If you dont know where that is, you can find out using the Kansas secretary of states VoterView at myvoteinfo.voteks.org. You can also check your voter card or call the Election Office at 316-660-7100.

Polling locations are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

How will election centers be staffed?

Last years August elections saw record voter turnout, along with long lines and issues at polling places. Though last years vote drew a turnout rate of 43% with the statewide abortion amendment on the ballot, Rainwater said she expects a turnout rate closer to 10% this August for the local elections.

The polls were very busy last primary, and we did see a huge number of registrations last year, she said. This year is nothing like last year. I hope those that registered last year will continue to be engaged and continue to vote.

This year, Rainwater said, they have more polling volunteers and fewer polling locations.

This time last year  we had 83 polling sites and 495 polling workers. This year, we have 62 polling sites open because not everybody is having a primary, and we have over 530 election workers already signed up, she said. We are fully staffed at all of our sites and we have a pool of election workers to send out in case we have some no-shows on Election Day, so its looking really good.

Even so, Rainwater suggested voters take advantage of early voting to avoid possible complications on Election Day.

Early voting is so simple and so easy, she said. On election day, you can only vote in your precinct, your assigned polling place, so if youre in the wrong polling site, youre going to have to vote provisionally or travel to your assigned polling site, so early voting really is the way to go.

What if Ive never voted before?

Rainwater urged younger and potential new voters to get involved with this years election and not to be scared of the process. Since this local election is markedly smaller than next years presidential election, Rainwater said this is a perfect time to start voting.

Youll have one, maybe two, at most three questions on your ballot, Rainwater said. It will literally take you less than two minutes to cast your vote.

Though the deadline for registration has passed for the primary election, theres still time to register before Election Day in November. Sedgwick County registration reopens on Aug. 30 and closes on Oct. 17 for the general election.

Rainwater called the registration process very easy for young voters. To find out how you can register to vote, visit sedgwickcounty.org/elections.

What if I have questions?

For more information on how to vote, contact the Sedgwick County Election Office at 316-660-7100.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) represents a politically split district. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)

WASHINGTON  Rep. Jen Kiggans, a minivan-driving mom and Navy veteran, narrowly won election last year in her suburban Virginia swing district after a fiercely competitive race that focused on her opposition to abortion rights.

The issue remains a top priority for voters in her district, and appearing too extreme on it could make her vulnerable again when she faces reelection in 2024. But Kiggans was one of dozens of Republicans from competitive districts who voted this week to support adding a bevy of deeply partisan restrictions to the annual defense policy bill, including one that would reverse a Pentagon policy aimed at preserving access to abortion services for military personnel, no matter where they are stationed.

Democrats said the GOP provision was a steppingstone to instituting more abortion bans across the nation, while Republicans argued it merely preserved a long-standing ban against allowing federal funds to be used to pay for abortions.

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The vote put lawmakers like Kiggans, a top target of Democrats whose seat is up for grabs in next years congressional elections, in a politically perilous position. And it raised the question of whether, in scoring the short-term victory of keeping his party united behind the annual defense bill  which passed on a near-party-line vote Friday  Speaker Kevin McCarthy may have embraced a strategy that could ultimately cost his party the House majority.

Kiggans and other similarly situated Republicans said they had no problem backing the abortion restriction or the bill itself, which emerged from the House loaded with other conservative policy dictates, including one barring the military health care program from providing transgender health services and another limiting diversity training for military personnel.

Taxpayers should not be paying for elective surgery, Kiggans, who ran as a moderate focused on kitchen-table economic issues, said in an interview Friday, explaining her vote. This wasnt a bill about abortion; it was about taxpayers paying for travel for military members for elective procedures.

Still, Democrats House campaign arm wasted no time in attacking Kiggans and other vulnerable Republicans who had backed the bill, and even some GOP lawmakers conceded that embracing it was a bad look for a party trying to broaden its appeal.

The reason were in the majority today is because of swing districts, and the reason were going to lose the majority is because of swing districts, said Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. Thats just lost up here. Were 10 days out from the August recess, and what have we done for women, post-Roe? Zero.

Mace, who represents a politically split district, railed against the abortion amendment but ultimately voted for it because she said it was technically consistent with Defense Department policy. But she said she regretted being forced to take the vote at all.

Im not happy about it, she said. I wish we didnt have to do this right now.

The Republican proposal would overturn a Defense Department policy put in place after the Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to abortion last year, setting off a rush by some states to enact curbs and bans on the procedure. The policy reimburses travel costs for personnel who must travel out of state to obtain an abortion or related services. The policy does not provide any money for abortions.

Democrats pointed to the vote as a prime example of Republicans taking votes that could ultimately cost them their House majority. Strategists in both parties have suggested that the Supreme Courts abortion decision, and Democrats subsequent efforts to spotlight Republican opposition to abortion rights, weakened the GOP during last years election, costing them support from independent and suburban voters.

For the swing districts they represent, they should be doing the opposite  but theyre not, said Courtney Rice, communications director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Their decision to put party politics over pocketbook issues is going to cost them the House in 2024.

Many vulnerable House Republicans said they consoled themselves with the knowledge that the amendments that focused on stoking battles on social issues were likely to be stripped out of the bill by the Democrat-controlled Senate and would not be in a final version of the defense policy bill.

It wouldnt be the way I would run the place, but at the end of the day as long as we pass NDAA like weve done and keep the really nasty poison pills out, I think it solves the problem, said Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, referring to the defense bill by the initials of its full name. Gonzales, who voted for the abortion amendment and others barring transgender health services and limiting diversity training for military personnel, voted against amendments that sought to cut funding for Ukraine.

Sarah Chamberlain, the president of the Republican Main Street Partnership, an outside organization allied with the congressional Republican Main Street Caucus, described the vote as a calculated risk for many members who gambled that it would not hurt them politically.

They made the decision that it was more important to them to get this bill out of the House than to fall on their sword on this one, she said. They would have preferred these amendments didnt exist, but I think they can defend their vote because theyre supporting the men and women of the military.

Still, its not the first time vulnerable Republicans have caved to the hard right wing of their party, even when it means taking votes that could prove to be political liabilities down the line. McCarthy, who has worked overtime to appease the right flank whose support he needs to remain in power  most of whom represent safe GOP districts  has done comparatively little to protect more mainstream Republicans whose seats are at risk from having to take tough votes.

In April, they voted for McCarthys bill to lift the debt ceiling for one year in exchange for spending cuts and policy changes, even though it gutted programs that helped veterans and older people.

Last month, they voted in support of a resolution that would repeal a Biden administration rule that tightened federal regulations on stabilizing braces for firearms that have been used in several mass shootings. House leaders brought the bill to the floor in order to help end a weeklong blockade by far-right Republicans.

The level of GOP support for the abortion amendment  only two Republicans, Reps. John Duarte of California and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, voted against it  came as a shock to Democrats.

There are those across the aisle who realize that this is bad, said Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, a former Navy helicopter pilot who is one of two Democratic women in the House who have served in the military. Sherrill said she had heard from some Republican colleagues who told her privately, This is really bad idea, this is a mistake. Well then, why did everyone but two people vote for this really bad amendment?

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., a former Air Force officer, said she was surprised by the paucity of people who voted against the amendment. I was expecting 15 Republicans to do the right thing.

Some more mainstream Republicans sought to justify their votes by arguing that they were not voting against abortion or transgender health care  just against government funding for it.

If you look at the polling, most Americans dont think the federal government should be paying for abortions, said Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla., vice chair of the Main Street Caucus.

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said he backed the provision barring military coverage for gender transition surgeries and hormone therapy because he believed, If you want to do it, do it on your own dime.

I dont think it should be the taxpayers responsibility, Bacon added.

A New York Times News Service article about the possibility that a defense policy bill vote could backfire on House Republicans misspelled the given name of a member of Congress from Pennsylvania. She is Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, not Chrissie.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Wagner Group expands its influence in Belarus with Lukashenko's support

The National Resistance Center has reported that the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) continues "occupying Belarus", enjoying the support from dictator Alexander Lukashenko.

Source: National Resistance Center

Quote: "Information received from the Belarusian underground says that the Wagner PMC is expanding its sphere of influence in Belarus, receiving full support from the current autocratic regime of Aleksander Lukashenko."

Details: Ukraine's Special Operations Forces has confirmed the arrival of about 240 people, 40 trucks and a large amount of weapons in Asipovichy, Mogilev Oblast.

The National Resistance Center noted that the groups quarters are located 20 kilometres from Asipovichy.

Background:

On the morning of 15 July, Belarusian activists reported that a large convoy of cars and trucks with the licence plates of the so-called "DPR/LPR" ("Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics") with the Wagner PMC fighters inside arrived in Belarus.

The State Border Service of Ukraine confirmed the appearance of separate groups of the Wagner PMC in Belarus; Ukrainian law enforcement officers will monitor their steps.

On 14 July, the mercenaries of the Wagner Group, owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, have begun training the territorial troops as instructors in Belarus.

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Russian mercenaries with the Wagner Group are in Belarus training the countrys military, the Belarusian Defense Ministry shared Friday.

The duty officers master the skills of moving on the battlefield and tactical shooting, gain knowledge of engineering and tactical training, the ministry said on Telegram.

As instructors in a number of military disciplines were the fighters of the PMC Wagner.

A video showing Wagner troops training Belarusians is the first confirmation of Wagner troop locations since they began a march on Moscow last month, rebelling against the Russian military it was fighting alongside in Ukraine.

That rebellion was short-lived, as Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko negotiated a deal to harbor the Wagner Group and allow them to leave Russia safely.

Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin met with Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly after the mutiny, and Putin later said that the Wagner Group does not exist.

Putin offered contracts to Wagner troops to instead fight for the Russian military.

The mercenary group fought extensively in Ukraine on behalf of Russia, and has represented Russian interests in Syria and West Africa.

Few troops are visible in the Belarusian video, and locations of Wagner leaders and the exact number of troops in Belarus are unknown.

Western allies have continued support for Ukraine against Russia since the Wagner mutiny. Earlier this month, President Biden announced a new $800 military aid package, which included cluster munitions for the first time since the U.S. began providing aid to Ukraine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In this photo taken from video released by Belarusian Defense Ministry via VoenTV on Friday, July 14, 2023, Belarusian soldiers attend a training by mercenary fighters from Wagner private military company near Tsel village, about 90 kilometers (about 55 miles) southeast of Minsk, Belarus. Mercenary fighters from the Wagner private military company are training Belarusian soldiers in Belarus, the country's Defense Ministry said Friday. Russian President Vladimir Putin said he offered the Wagner private military company the option of continuing to serve as a single unit under their same commander. (Belarusian Defense Ministry via VoenTV via AP)

A large convoy carrying fighters from the Wagner private army was spotted entering Belarus from Russia early Saturday, a monitoring group reported after the country's Defense Ministry said it planned for the mercenaries and Minsk's own armed forces to conduct joint military drills.

The independent monitoring group Belaruski Hajun, which tracks the movements of armed forces in Belarus, said that at least 60 trucks, buses and other large vehicles crossed into the Eastern European country accompanied by Belarusian police.

The group didn't immediately provide photos or videos of the vehicles but said they had license plates from Russian-occupied areas of eastern Ukraine, where Wagner mercenaries fought alongside Russian troops until a short-lived mutiny last month.

The convoy headed toward a military base outside Osipovichi, a town 230 kilometers (142 miles) north of the Ukrainian border, Belaruski Hajun said. Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press this month showed rows of tent-like structures that appeared to have been built at the base between June 15 and June 30.

The authoritarian president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said at the time that Minsk could use Wagner's experience and expertise, and that he had offered the fighters an abandoned military unit to set up camp. That same week, a leader of an anti-Lukashenko guerrilla group told the AP that construction of a site for the mercenaries was underway near Osipovichi.

Ukraines Center for National Resistance, an arm of the Ukrainian defense ministry that assists guerrilla groups in Russia-occupied territory, said later Saturday that about 240 Wagner fighters, 40 trucks and a large amount of weapons had arrived in the Osipovichi area. It cited unspecified members of Belarus underground anti-Lukashenko opposition as the source of the information, which couldn't be independently verified.

Separately, a spokesperson for Ukraine's State Border Guard Service said Saturday that the force also had observed some groups of Wagner fighters crossing from Russia into Belarus. The spokesperson, Andriy Demchenko, made the remarks in an interview with the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry said in an online statement late Friday that it had developed a road map with Wagners management for joint training exercises drills by the nation's military personnel and the private mercenaries.

Earlier Friday, the Defense Ministry said that Wagner fighters had begun training Belarusian soldiers. A television channel affiliated with the ministry showed footage of fighters in black masks instructing soldiers on how to shoot and provide first aid.

On June 23, the Wagner group's founder and leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, ordered his fighters to leave their camps in Ukraine and head toward Moscow to demand the removal of Russia's defense minister and General Staff chief. The mutiny rattled Russia and posed the biggest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prigozhin's one-time benefactor, during his decades in power.

In the revolt that lasted less than 24 hours, Wagner fighters swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there, before driving to within about 200 kilometers (125 miles) of the Russian capital. Prigozhin had accused the senior Russian military leadership for months of bungling the war in Ukraine and starving his troops of ammunition.

Lukashenko then brokered a deal between Prigozhin and the Kremlin that shielded the Wagner leader and his men from prosecution, allowing Prigozhin to move to Belarus in exchange for ordering his mercenaries back to the camps.

Putin indicated on Friday that he intends to maintain Wagner as a single fighting force under its existing commander, while appearing to denigrate Prigozhin. His remarks, made in an interview with Russias Kommersant newspaper, seemed to reflect the Kremlins efforts to secure the loyalty of the mercenaries, who make up some of the most capable Russian forces in Ukraine.

Lukashenko previously allowed the Kremlin to use Belarusian territory to send troops and weapons into Ukraine. He has also welcomed a continued Russian armed presence in Belarus, including joint military camps and exercises, as well as the deployment of some of Russias tactical nuclear weapons there.

___

Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Want to commune with your ancestors? Just take a deep breath

During Minority Mental Health Month, breathwork coach Zee Clarke sits down with theGrio to discuss the benefits of breathwork for Black people.

If the term breathwork makes you roll your eyes  or even think, Thats for white people  youre not alone. However, you may want to reconsider.

After 20 years in corporate America and Silicon Valley, with anxiety and stress levels to match, Zee Clarke needed a change. On her doctors orders, Clarke quit her high-stress job and traveled to India, where she discovered the transformative powers of breathwork, which has led to creative breakthroughs, less stress and communes with an ancestor she didnt even know existed.

Now, Clarke coaches people and companies on how to harness the power of breathwork.

(Photo credit: Adobe Stock/shurkin_son)

During Minority Mental Health Month and ahead of her first virtual psychedelic-like breathwork event on Sunday, Roots, Clarke sat down with theGrio to discuss the healing powers of breathwork, its benefits for Black people and how it can even connect you to your roots.

Breathwork is breathing with intention, she said. It means that you are paying attention to your breath, and youre breathing a certain way.

Clarke explained there are many different breathing patterns and practices that can encourage various results, from reducing anxiety to transporting you into a scene from a past life. Much like the effects of psychedelic drugs, the type of breathwork Clarke specializes in is purported to open the subconscious mind.

You never know whats gonna happen. Its all about how open you are to surrendering, she said.

Roots will be the first time Clarke hosts a session with the goal of helping others journey through their subconscious to the source of their intuition and potential healing: their ancestors. Her inaugural session will work with the interacting brain regions that are active when a person is not focused on the outside world.

This is where creativity lives. This is where unaddressed trauma lives and so much more, she said. What we do in a Roots session is we access that subconscious.

She added that her one-hour session will bridge the gap between the subconscious and the African ancestry traditions lying dormant in so many members of the African Diaspora.

Breathwork coach Zee Clarke in her element. (Photo courtesy of Zee Clarke)

The session has also been tailored to the Global Black experience, as expressed through her music selections. Clarke incorporates music by musicians of African descent, including West African drummers and current artists of today.

The music takes you on a real journey. Its not all slow and peaceful. It is meant to evoke emotions to help you get deep, deep, deep inside, she said.

After gaining so much from her own experience of meeting an ancestor, a great-grandmother she wasnt aware of, during a breathwork experience, Clarke wondered if more people would be open to the practice.

Its definitely a little bit out there, she said. You know, you say psychedelics, and people are like, Oh, no, I dont do that or Thats for white people.

When she gets those reactions, Clarke likes to remind others that breathwork has roots in Black cultures worldwide. She noted how significant music is to many Black cultures and how breathing techniques are used in ceremonies in West Africa. Beyond that, the benefits of breathwork also abound for Black people.

Breathwork, whether through controlled and measured breathing or the more involved techniques Clarke speaks of, can help anyone in high-stress situations. The proper breathing techniques can keep a person calm, block anxiety and even help control ones heart rate. For Black people, this could be particularly helpful because, as Clarke noted, we have some of the highest levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Clarke said this is primarily due to the amount of racism we often navigate, whether microaggressions at work, police brutality, or worse.

A 2018 study by the National Library of Medicine found correlations between mental health and racism. It also found 69% of Black adults reported having experienced at least one racist incident in their lifetime, while 61% reported experiencing racism daily.

Clarke sought out breathwork in the midst of the national reckoning surrounding the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd at the hands of police in 2020. Shes also used it in her arsenal to combat high-stress race-related situations. She recalled a peaceful protest in which she and a group of other violinists were playing in a park to protest the death of Elijah McCain, a violinist killed in 2019 by police in Aurora, Colorado. At some point, she said, the police descended upon the protest with riot gear. Clarke said breathwork got her through the moment.

In that moment, I was using my breathing practices so I didnt freak out or do something that would get me killed, she said.

She said that incident was just one example of why breathwork exercises, like her upcoming Roots session, are so important. They are a way for Black people to not only relieve stress but gain skills to survive and begin to heal.

She added, It was in these sorts of sessions, going into my subconscious, that I connected that I am here to help Black people heal from the experiences of racism, and thrive, despite those experiences of racism.

She noted that for first-timers, it may not feel like anything is happening at first. Again, not that much unlike the experience of taking edibles or psychedelics for the first time. Its the kind of experience you have to lean into, she says. Though she admitted, Sometimes Ive just fallen asleep, and nothing happened. Maybe [something] did. Or maybe I just needed rest. Meanwhile, other times, she said shes experienced orgasmic creative breakthroughs.

She added, All this to say, we receive what we need at the time.

Clarkes Roots session is $22 for anyone over 18 years old who meets the health and physical requirements and will take place virtually on Sunday, July 16, at 5 pm (PT). For tickets and more information, check out zeeclarke.com.

Kay Wicker is a lifestyle writer for theGrio covering health, wellness, travel, beauty, fashion, and the myriad ways Black people live and enjoy their lives. She has previously created content for magazines, newspapers, and digital brands.

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 Want to commune with your ancestors? Just take a deep breath appeared first on TheGrio.
TEHRAN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A top Iranian military official said on Saturday that the influence of the United States and the West as global powers is declining, according to the Iranian Students' News Agency.

Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Baqeri made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir in the Iranian capital Tehran.

Baqeri said global power is shifting toward Asia and the East despite the "global arrogance," referring to the United States and its Western allies, have desperately taken measures to prevent the emergence of a future world order.

He said Iran and Pakistan are two "important" countries of the Muslim world and West Asia with shared common border and security concerns, such as the consequences of U.S. "irresponsible" military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 after 20-year occupation.

Baqeri also highlighted the necessity of carrying out greater cooperation between the two countries to ensure security along the common border. 
Warren Buffett's wife Astrid is overheard complaining about a $4 cup of coffee at 'summer camp for billionaires' in Sun Valley, report says

Astrid Buffett was heard complaining about paying for a $4 coffee in Sun Valley, Idaho, the New York Post reports. The couple is pictured in 2011. Scott Olson/Getty Images

Astrid Buffett was heard at "summer camp for billionaires" complaining about $4 coffee, the New York Post reports.

US coffee shops charge an average of nearly $5 per cup of coffee, according to a previous Insider report.

Astrid's husband, Warren Buffett, is known to be frugal. He's the 7th-richest person in the world.

Astrid Buffett, the wife of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, was overheard at Allen & Co's annual event in Sun Valley, Idaho, griping to resort employees about the price of coffee, the New York Post reports.

At the so-called "summer camp for billionaires," 77-year-old Astrid Buffett was heard complaining about having to pay $4 for a cup of coffee, the Post said. Buffett's wife reportedly said she "could get a pound of coffee" for the same price elsewhere.

Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is worth about $115 billion and is the seventh-richest person in the world on Bloomberg's Billionaires Index. But the Oracle of Omaha also has been known to be frugal. Bill Gates, a longtime friend of the 92-year-old, once recalled the billionaire pulling out a handful of coupons to pay for a McDonald's meal.

And unlike many billionaires, Buffett's home is relatively understated: He lives in the same one in Omaha that he bought in in 1958 for about $31,500.

Perhaps that's why the $4 coffee was apparently such a shock for Astrid Buffett.

Back in Sun Valley, The Post reported that $4 is the cheapest coffee available at the resort's cafe, Konditorei, which serves pastries, coffee, and brunch, according to its website. It is one of a handful of restaurants at the resort in Sun Valley that are accommodating some of the most powerful people in the world for the annual summit.

While resorts are often known for offering expensive food options, US coffee shops actually charge an average of $4.90 for a cup of coffee, according to NPD Group data. Meanwhile, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics places the average cost for a pound of coffee at about $6.09.

A spokesperson for Buffett did not respond to a request for comment from Insider ahead of publication.

Warren Buffett and his second wife, Astrid, have been married since 2006. Astrid, previously Astrid Menks, was working as a waitress at the French Cafe in Omaha when she first met the billionaire's first wife, which is how she became acquainted with Warren.

Read the original article on Business Insider
This week in robotics: Amazons iRobot deal hits an EU snag as new funding keeps hot drone summer rolling

This week brought in good news for the robotics space in the form of new investment for nascent companies, but two established players within the space hit a snag. Amazons potential $1.7 billion acquisition of iRobot, which had previously been approved by the U.K.s antitrust regulators, is now getting an extensive review by the European Union.

Our resident robotics expert Brian Heater has some additional analysis on the deal, and a commemoration of the late industry legend Joanne Pransky, in the latest edition of his Actuator newsletter. Subscribe to get those updates every Thursday right here.

And for the rest of the past weeks robotics news, keep on scrolling.

Veritys $11M keeps hot drone summer soaring

The Swiss startup Verity announced a new round of funding, on top of its $32 million Series B from back in March. Its deal with Ikea, which had put 100 of its drones in 16 warehouses in Europe, has attracted a ton of industry attention, and this particular round will go toward scaling to meet the need for scale to address the growing opportunity for supply chain automation.

Wildfire detection automation nets additional $17M

Pano AI has been developing cameras capable of automatically detecting wildfires, most recently catching and sending early warnings about the Kutch Road Fire 14 minutes ahead of the first 911 call.

And with wildfires an increasing concern worldwide in the face of rising temperatures, Pano AI announced a $17 million extension to its $20 million Series A.

Simbes funding increases to $54M following BJ Wholesale deal

While Veritys drones focus on warehouses, Simbes focused on the stores themselves, with its robots roaming through stores to monitor inventory within a customers reach. The company just announced a fresh round of funding with a $28 million Series B that follows its $26 million Series A from late 2019, fresh off the heels of its deal placing its Tally robots in all BJ Wholesale Club locations.

Bedrocks ocean-mapping ambitions discover $25M in funding

Any construction project requires surveying, inspection and monitoring, and the same holds true for the increasing volume of underwater projects spurred by the demand for offshore wind. Bedrocks autonomous underwater vehicles aim to conduct that work instead of costly crewed survey ships, and they just announced $25.5 million in new funding to expand its mission. Interestingly, their new focus is less on the hardware itself, and more on proving the commercial viability of selling the data they collect through their autonomous explorers.

If you want the latest in robotics news, plus additional commentary and insights from Brian Heater, subscribe to Actuator and get the weekly newsletter in your inbox.
West seeks to contain Russian influence as tensions rise over Ukraine  diplomat on NATO Summit

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyyi and US President Joe Biden during a meeting at the NATO summit in Vilnius, July 12, 2023

Diplomat and international expert Ruslan Osypenko has cautioned Ukraine against harboring any illusions about the strength of its international support, saying challenging times are on the horizon.

In an interview with Radio NV on July 12, Osypenko strongly criticized the NATO Summit in Vilnius, one of the major geopolitical events of the year, referring to it as a combination of Budapest and Bucharest 2.0 in one glass.

Geopolitically, both Russia and China have received a signal that Ukraine will remain within Russias sphere of interest, and negotiations will also be pursued with China. This essentially marks an exchange of interests and, unfortunately, initiates the process for another war, warned the diplomat.

According to Osypenko, Russia retains its status as an empire because it serves the interests of the United States, which signifies the United States willingness to negotiate and detach Russia from China.

Read also: NATO should have made it clear to Kremlin that taking Ukraine was impossible  exLithuanian PM

In effect, we find ourselves in a gray area between Russia and Europe. This will also impact our negotiations with the EU, Osypenko said.

The diplomat added that Ukrainians may be offered the bittersweet pill of accelerated EU accession and semi-guarantees to eventually exit Russias sphere of influence by becoming EU members, but this may not necessarily happen.

It depends on Europe and the United States, on their desires. If they consider us to be insufficiently reformed and democratized, progress in this process will be challenging. If we continue to face pressure from NATO and the US, they hold leverage over us, and advancing within the EU will be difficult, he said.

Osypenko emphasized that during the Vilnius summit, the West displayed weakness and demonstrated a desire to negotiate with the Devil.

Unfortunately, it seems they are negotiating at the expense of our interests, Osypenko said.

Therefore, we are bracing for challenging times and must dispel any illusions, focusing on strengthening our state, Armed Forces, and institutions of power within. We should not solely rely on our partners; the key to success lies with the Ukrainian people. Ukrainians are currently engaged in the most important task  defending the democratic world and the values proclaimed by the West. Today, the brave sons and daughters of Ukraine are sacrificing their lives for these norms and standards. So, let us continue doing our part and have fewer expectations of our partners. Their assistance is appreciated, and we are grateful, but we must dispel any illusions. The West has made its stance clear.

Read also: Ukraine will join NATO; Putin already lost  Biden

According to Osypenko, the Wests indication of a willingness to negotiate with Russia creates the conditions for another war.

If we remain within Russias sphere of influence, and NATO signals that, then Russia will inevitably return to assert its influence, as they have done in the past, Osypenko cautioned, highlighting that war is a matter of existential significance for Ukraine, but not for the West.

It was the same after the Khasavyurt agreements in Chechnya. After losing the first war, (Russia) returned and fought to seize and subdue Chechnya. They will harbor such revanchist sentiments.

According to UK newspaper Guardian, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated in late December 2022 that Russian officials should prepare for a very, very long war against Ukraine.

In September 2022, Chief Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, in an interview with U.S. weekly news magazine Time, stated that a victory by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the war against Russia would not be definitive.

Knowing what I know about the Russians, our victory will not be definitive. It will give us the opportunity to regroup and prepare for the next war, Zaluzhnyi told Time.

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 Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also in attendance.

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: To join NATO, Ukraine must first weed out Russian agents  Lithuania

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, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his belief that Ukraine would receive an invitation to joinNATO after the war.

G7 leaders also announced a new set of security guarantees for Ukraine, focusing on equipping the Ukrainian military to be able to deter any future Russian aggression.

Meanwhile, former UK PM Boris Johnson saidhe viewed the conclusions from the Vilnius summit as no firmer or more convincing than NATOs Bucharest conclusions of 2008. Consequently, he said, no wonder President Zelenskyy found it hard, at first, to conceal his frustration.

When allies agree? When conditions are met? According to the Bucharest conclusions, the allies agreed all this 15 years ago! Johnson added.

When will we learn the lesson of the past 20 years of handling Putin? It is our very ambiguity, our vacillation, our sucking-and-blowing-at-once, which prompted him to invade.

Johnson urged NATO to provide Ukraine with a definite timeline for membership as swiftly as possible.

He added that London is working behind the scenes to attain this objective.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The White House on Friday slammed congressional Republicans for hijacking the annual defense policy bill and loading it up with conservative amendments related to abortion, transgender rights and other issues, arguing it will undermine national security.

Holding Americas military readiness  as well as service members and their families  hostage to an extreme, divisive political agenda undermines our national security and disrespects the sacrifices that those who wear the uniform, deputy White House press secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement.

Thats what House Republicans, Senator Tuberville, and Senate Republicans who refuse to challenge him are doing by hijacking a bipartisan bill and devolving it into a hardcore rightwing wishlist, Bates continued. President Biden stands with the overwhelming majority of the American people who believe our military capabilities should never be endangered, especially not in furtherance of radical agendas meant to tear Americans apart for political gain.

Harm to every service branch is mounting daily. Its imperative for congressional Republicans to put country over party, he added.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed earlier Friday in a largely party-line 219-210 vote, with four Republicans opposing the measure and four Democrats supporting it.

The legislation came under fire from Democrats after a number of GOP-sponsored amendments regarding abortion, transgender rights, diversity and inclusion initiatives and other hot-button issues were attached to the bill.

One of the measures included in the bill would reserve the Pentagons policy to reimburse travel expenses for service members who get abortions across state lines.

Sen. Tommy Tubervilles (R-Ala.) opposition to that program has led to his blockade of hundreds of military promotions and nominations, which has drawn criticism, even some of his GOP colleagues who have said it is hindering military readiness.

The House bill now moves to the Democratic-led Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is sure to reject the controversial amendments, a scenario that many House Republicans acknowledged would likely play out.

The certain changes in the Senate set up yet another fight with House Republicans over how to get the bill to President Bidens desk before the Sept. 30 deadline.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
White Woman Gets Fired After Being Caught On Camera Harassing A Black Man While Fishing In His Neighborhood

White Woman Gets Fired After Being Caught On Camera Harassing A Black Man While Fishing In His Neighborhood | Cavan Images via Getty Images

A white woman who harassed a Black man as he was fishing in his neighborhood has been fired from her job.

Tanya Petty, who was identified by a YouTube user after she was seen in a viral video, approached the Georgia man at the neighborhood lake and asked if he is a resident of the neighborhood.

The fisherman, who was also accompanied by another woman while fishing, recorded his nosy neighbor on video as she told them that the lake is presently for residents only.

Im in my neighborhood and a white person came and bothered me while Im fishing, the Black man said in the video he posted to TikTok. He also said this is the third time that a white person has questioned him in the neighborhood.

Black man fishing problem, the TikTok user captioned his video, which has been viewed more than three million times.

As the Georgia man continued to capture the incident on his phone, Petty said she didnt give him permission to film. But the fisherman educated her about the law, telling her that he has the right to film.

This is my phone, I can film and do whatever I want, he said. I studied the law.

The Georgia resident had a few more questions for Petty as she walked away feeling defeated.

Dont leave now, he said. Do you live here? Where do you live? Whats your address?

The agitated white woman turned back at that point and deflected the questions back to him.

Where do you live? she said repeatedly, causing the fisherman to chuckle some more. Before Petty once again walked away hopelessly, The Georgia man made it clear that she will hear from him again.

Whats your name, by the way? Because at the next meeting, Im definitely going to mention you, he said.

Her name is Karen, the other woman at the lake jokingly added.

According to Newsweek, Petty is identified as a massage therapist, who worked as an independent contractor at Sea Glass Therapy, a Georgia company that offers counseling and personal therapy. The company announced that the woman has been fired after the viral incident.

Sea Glass Therapy is a place of acceptance, healing, and inclusion of all people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or background, the company wrote in a statement on Facebook. We stand against discrimination of all forms. We have terminated our business relationship with the independent contractor, Tanya, in order to uphold our values and standards. We strive to be a service to our community and do whatever we can to accommodate the needs of it, operating with integrity.
Why allowing Ukraine to ship grain during Russia's war matters to the world

FILE - Farmer Andriy Zubko checks wheat ripeness on a field in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on June 21, 2022. Russia has suspended on Monday July 17, 2023 a wartime deal brokered by the U.N. and Turkey that was designed to move food from Ukraine to parts of the world where millions are going hungry. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)

LONDON (AP)  Russia has suspended a wartime deal designed to move grain from Ukraine to parts of the world where millions are going hungry.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the U.N. and Turkey, has allowed 32.9 million metric tons (36.2 million tons) of food to be exported from Ukraine since August, more than half to developing countries, according to the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul.

Some analysts don't foresee a lasting rise in the cost of commodities like wheat because theres enough grain in the world to go around. But many countries are already struggling with high local food prices, which are helping fuel hunger.

Here's a look at the crucial accord and what it means for the world:

WHAT IS THE GRAIN DEAL?

Ukraine and Russia signed separate agreements in July 2022, one that reopened three of Ukraine's Black Sea ports that were blocked for months following Moscow's invasion. The other facilitated the movement of Russian food and fertilizer amid Western sanctions.

Both countries are major suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other affordable food products that Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia rely on. Ukraine is also a huge exporter of corn, and Russia of fertilizer  other critical parts of the food chain.

Interrupted shipments from Ukraine, dubbed the breadbasket of the world, exacerbated a global food crisis and sent prices for grain soaring worldwide.

The deal provided assurances that ships won't be attacked entering and leaving Ukrainian ports. Vessels were checked by Russian, Ukrainian, U.N. and Turkish officials to ensure they carry only food.

Meant to be extended every four months, the deal was hailed as a beacon of hope and was renewed three times  the last two for only two months as Russia insisted its exports were being held up. That's despite Moscow shipping record amounts of wheat.

No new ships have joined the initiative since June 27, and Ukraine blames Moscow. The last vessel left Ukraine on Sunday.

WHAT HAS IT ACCOMPLISHED?

The deal helped bring down global prices of food commodities like wheat that hit record highs after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Once the grain deal was struck, the World Food Program got back a top supplier, allowing 725,000 metric tons of humanitarian food aid to leave Ukraine and reach countries on the precipice of famine, including Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Yemen.

It is a pretty unique phenomenon to have two warring parties and two intermediaries agree to establish this sort of corridor to get humanitarian products  which is ostensibly what this is  out to markets that need it most, said John Stawpert, senior manager of environment and trade for the International Chamber of Shipping, which represents 80% of the worlds commercial fleet.

After Russia exited the deal, wheat prices in Chicago trading rose about 3% on Monday, to $6.81 a bushel, still about half what they were during last year's peaks. Prices fell later in the day.

WHY DID RUSSIA END THE DEAL?

Russia has said it wants an end to sanctions on the Russian Agricultural Bank and to restrictions on shipping and insurance that Moscow insists have hampered its agricultural exports.

Some companies have been wary of doing business with Russia because of sanctions, but Western allies have made assurances that food and fertilizer are exempt.

Its not uncommon in situations like this for countries to use whatever levers they have to try and get sanctions regimes changed," said Simon Evenett, professor of international trade and economic development at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.

Russia also has complained that a commitment to pipe its ammonia, a key component of fertilizer, to a Ukrainian port to be exported has never started under the deal. Thats true, but the U.N. says the pipeline has been damaged in the fighting.

Regrettably, the part of the Black Sea agreements related to Russia hasnt been fulfilled, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week proposing to ease transactions through the agricultural bank, a spokesperson said.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Monday that the last-minute offer was not feasible and couldnt be implemented.

Russian claims that its agriculture sector is suffering are countered by the reality" that production and exports are up since before the war, said Caitlin Welsh, director of the Global Food and Water Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Russia exported a record 45.5 million metric tons of wheat in the 2022-2023 trade year, with another all-time high of 47.5 million metric tons expected in 2023-2024, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates.

WHO IS AFFECTED?

The International Rescue Committee calls the grain deal a lifeline for the 79 countries and 349 million people on the frontlines of food insecurity."

Losing millions of tons of food from Ukraine at a time when many countries are increasingly reliant on imported food because of conflict and drought, "will result in inaccessibility and unavailability of food but also will increase prices and impact affordability for households, Shashwat Saraf, the groups regional emergency director for East Africa, said in an interview Monday.

While global prices for grain may stabilize, countries that depend on imported food, from Lebanon to Egypt, may see their costs rise for a while if they need to find suppliers that are farther away, analysts say.

That will compound costs for countries that also have seen their currencies weaken and debt levels grow because they pay for food shipments in dollars.

For low-income countries and people, food will be less affordable," World Food Program chief economist Arif Husain told reporters last week.

WHAT ABOUT UKRAINE?

Ukraine's economy depends on agriculture, and before the war, 75% of its grain exports went through the Black Sea.

It can send its food by land or river through Europe, but those routes can handle lower amounts compared to sea shipments and their use has stirred anger in neighboring countries.

Nonetheless, the Ukrainian Grain Association wants to send more grain through the Danube River to neighboring Romania's Black Sea ports, saying it's possible to double monthly exports along that route to 4 million metric tons.

Ukraines wheat shipments have fallen by more than 40% from its pre-war average, with the USDA expecting 10.5 million metric tons exported in the coming year.

Ukraine accused Russia of slowing down inspections of ships. Combined with no new ships joining the effort, that has led to a drop in exports from a high under the deal of 4.2 million metric tons in October to 2 million in June.

WHAT ELSE AFFECTS FOOD SUPPLY?

Fallout from the pandemic, conflict, economic crises, drought and other climate factors affect the ability of people to get enough to eat.

There are 45 countries that need food assistance, the Food and Agriculture Organization said in a July report. High domestic food prices are driving hunger in most of those countries, including Haiti, Ukraine, Venezuela and several in Africa and Asia.

While drought can also be a problem for major grain suppliers, analysts see other countries producing enough grain to counterbalance losses from Ukraine.

Besides Russia's huge exports, Europe and Argentina are increasing wheat shipments, while Brazil saw a banner year for corn.

These markets adapt and producers adapt  and boy, the wheat and corn markets have adapted very, very quickly, said Peter Meyer, head of grain analytics at S&P Global Commodity Insights.

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Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.

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See APs complete coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine and the food crisis at https://apnews.com/hub/food-crisis.
Why so many U.S. schools are adding Sikhism to their curriculum

As a student in New Jersey in 2017, Gurjap Kaur Kohli, now 17, was proud to be a resident of the first state to mandate teaching about Sikhism in schools. Fast forward six years and shes happy to see more schools adopting the curriculum.

Now, a total of 18 states and Washington, D.C., have passed bills to teach Sikhism in K-12, with the district being the latest to join the growing list. New Jersey began the trend in 2009. Some of the reasons behind the education push include that Sikhs are a growing population in the U.S., bullying toward Sikh students is increasing  with turbans and beards making the group an easy target  and years of advocacy are paying off.

Gurjap Kaur Kohl (Courtesy Guneet Kaur Kohli)

For students like Kohli, the mandate made her feel seen and helped ease the burden of fielding questions about her religion, the fifth largest worldwide.

A lot of people started to ask less questions since they felt more educated by learning these things in class, said Kohli, who live in Monroe Township, a suburb in New Jersey about 45 miles southeast of New York City. Its really interesting to see people understand Sikhism more now. Its nice that people ask less often, so I dont have to keep re-explaining.

What the curriculum might look like

Scott Potusek, a social studies teacher in upstate New York, plans a comparative world religions unit in his curriculum each year. When he first taught sixth grade about five years ago, he saw how excited one Sikh student was to learn about the monotheistic religion founded in India.

It was great to have that experience come out of the religion being included in the standards and seeing the impact that had on the students in the classroom and the direction we took our curriculum in, Potusek said.

The Sikh population has steadily grown in the U.S. since the late 19th century, contributing to industries like agriculture, health and arts, according to the nonprofit Kaur Foundation. Approximately 750,000 Sikhs live in the U.S. and 30 million worldwide, according to the organization.

The 19 states to include Sikhism in the classroom include three of the four most populous states: California, New York and Texas. Momentum has grown since 2019, with 11 states adopting the curriculum in the last four years.

Potusek, who was raised Catholic, said he reached out to the Sikh Coalition, a national nonprofit advocacy group, for help in understanding the religion for his classs unit.

Scott Potusek. (Courtesy Scott Potusek)

His curriculum includes the formation and traditions of Sikhism, like the five articles of the faith: kesh (uncut hair), kara (steel bracelet), kanga (small wooden comb), kachera (undershorts) and a kirpan (resembling a knife or sword). Unshorn hair allows Sikhs to live in the image God has given them, while the kara is a physical reminder of their connection to God.

Potuseks district expanded its social studies curriculum in 2020 to adhere to New York state standards, which covers an expansive religious unit including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism.

A response to culture wars

As battles over school curriculums rage on in classrooms and libraries, Harman Singh, Sikh Coalitions education director, believes education focusing on religion and culture is essential as the political landscape and new legislation make it harder to teach history.

He talks about the importance of historical moments like the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which was a catalyst for discrimination, particularly for turbaned Sikhs, and the 2012 Oak Creek, Wisconsin, shooting where a white nationalist killed six people inside a gurdwara, a Sikh house of worship. Four people were wounded, one of whom died years later from injuries sustained in the shooting.

Singh also pointed to less remembered events  the 1907 Bellingham Riots in which white labor leaders accused South Asian workers of taking jobs from white workers in Bellingham, Washington. The demands for white labor sparked riots that ended with South Asian workers being driven out of the city.

A lot of this legislation is intentionally vague and talks about teaching divisive concepts. What is often considered divisive is talking about racial equity, he said. When we talk about the inclusion of Sikhism in the modern American context, its hard to teach about what happened in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, without talking about white supremacy. Its hard to talk about the Bellingham Riots without talking about things like race.

He said over the last few years, the goal has been to include Sikhism beyond early world history.

In a historical context alone, we want to make sure that students also learn about the Sikh communitys experiences here in America, he said. Theres a story of the modern Sikh experience in todays world thats important to be told.

While the Sikh Coalition has advocated including Sikhism in classroom education for years, Singh emphasized that Asian American Pacific Islander history is also important.

So far, 20 states have mandated the teaching of AAPI history, according to The Asian American Foundation. Efforts have been made to implement a nationwide mandate for AAPI history, with Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., introducing legislation in 2021.

How states choose to teach the curriculum varies, and its unclear if Sikhism would be included in the unit or continue to be taught with other world religions.

Preventing bullying through education

The Sikh Coalition found that Sikh students experience bullying at twice the national average. Advocates like Singh believe that educating students from a young age about Sikhism is crucial to combating racism and xenophobia.

One of the best ways to reduce bullying is through education. As the political dynamics around social studies standards in this country become increasingly divisive, we are finding increased interest and commitment from Sikh community members and coalition partners to fight for inclusive social studies standards, he said.

Sikh students experienced bullying through social media, in-person altercations and violence, according to the Sikh Coalition. The experience isnt uncommon for Sikhs who grew up in the diaspora.

A 2020 survey by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund found that 58 percent of Sikhs said they had been bullied or harassed because of their religious identity. Sixty-three percent of Sikhs also said they faced discrimination for wearing a turban.

Advocacy from the community

As opportunities to revise the social studies curriculum have come up state by state, advocates from nonprofit organizations have worked with local communities to include the history of Sikhism and the influence Sikhs have had in U.S. history in classrooms. Singh said the Sikh Coalition is working with communities in Minnesota and Connecticut to adopt a curriculum with Sikhism. They are also working with Utah, Mississippi and Virginia school districts to develop class syllabi after the states approval.

While states like New Jersey and California have large Sikh populations, Singh said its equally important to include the topic in states with smaller Sikh populations like North Dakota. For some students, learning about Sikhism in the classroom means feeling represented for the first time.

We think that the states where there may not be as many Sikhs also need inclusion because it could mean that the Sikh students in those schools or districts might be the only Sikh students there, he said. They might be particularly vulnerable to feeling like theyre not being seen or represented and may not have a gurdwara or a local community that they can go to.

Singh believes that as school districts better understand what education should look like, students should be exposed to these subjects earlier.

Ignorance breeds animosity, and one of the best ways to keep students safe is through inclusive education, he said.

Each state has its standards for curriculum, and like all subjects, the units are scaffolded: With Sikhism, elementary school students are taught the basics of religion in their social studies classes, which middle school and high school classes later build on.

Its not enough for a student to learn about the Sikh community historically when theyre in the 11th grade, because up until that time, theyve had no exposure to the community, and theres no reference point, Singh said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The end of the second fundraising quarter marks a new glimpse into how campaigns are faring ahead of Novembers high-stakes elections.

Most of the Republican presidential hopefuls and President Biden had not yet officially declared their candidacies by the end of the first quarter in March. Campaigns had two weeks past the end of the second quarter to report their contributions to the Federal Elections Commission.

Here are the winners and losers from the second fundraising quarter of 2023:

Winners

Joe Biden

President Bidens fundraising numbers are more than double that of former President Trump and any other candidate, giving him a majorly successful second quarter and first few months of his reelection bid.

Bidens reelection campaign raised $72 million in the second quarter, an impressive total for a candidate whose polls have shown voters do not want him to run for reelection. The campaign said Biden also has $77 million in cash on hand, which it said was the most amassed by a Democrat at any comparable point in history.

Doubts have swirled around Bidens candidacy since before he jumped into race, with his favorability rating mostly staying in the low 40s and concerns about his age and mental acuity. But his fundraising numbers might be telling a different story among voters.

The campaign said nearly 400,000 donors made 670,000 donations across all entities, including the Democratic National Committee and joint fundraising committees. It said 30 percent of all donors did donate to Bidens campaign in 2020.

While Republicans are burning through resources in a divisive primary focused on who can take the most extreme MAGA positions, we are significantly outraising every single one of them  because our teams strength is our grassroots supporters, campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said.

Donald Trump

Former President Trump is easily the biggest GOP winner in the fundraising quarter and the primary race so far.

His campaign and super PAC raked in more than $35 million during the second quarter, significantly more overall than any other Republican candidate. That is about double what his joint fundraising committee, made up of his campaign and super PAC, raised during the first quarter.

Trump has also consistently led the pack of GOP challengers for the nomination by double digits, and his closest competitor, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, has been unable to close in on the former president.

Both of these developments come as Trump became the first former president to be criminally charged on the state and federal level.

Democrats in competitive Senate races

Many Democrats running in what are expected to be competitive Senate races brought in millions of dollars in donations this quarter.

The party is facing a steep 2024 Senate election map that gives more pickup opportunities to Republicans than Democrats as the GOP will try to retake the upper chamber.

Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) are likely two of the most significant targets for the GOP, with both representing states that voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020. But Tester raised $5 million, his best second-quarter fundraising total ever in a nonelection year, and Brown brought in the same.

Other incumbent Democrats running for reelection in battleground states raised millions.

Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey received $4 million, the most in a fundraising quarter in his career, while Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin raised $3.2 million, the most in a Wisconsin Senate race in a nonelection year.

Democratic challengers trying to win a Senate seat for the first time also put up big numbers.

Rep. Colin Allred (Texas) raised nearly $6.2 million in his race to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz (R) in just the first two months of his campaign, much more than Cruzs 2018 Democratic challenger, Beto ORourke, had at this time in his candidacy.

Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is running to oust Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who was elected in 2018 as a Democrat but became an independent. Sinema has not announced whether she will run for reelection yet, but Gallego took in $3.1 million this quarter, adding to $3.7 million from the first quarter.

Ron DeSantis

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis raised an impressive $20 million for his campaign while only formally being a candidate for six weeks before the second quarter ended. His campaign said that is the largest filing for a non-incumbent Republican candidate in the first quarter of their candidacy in more than a decade.

The super PAC supporting DeSantis, Never Back Down, also told Fox News it raised $130 million since the committee launched in March.

DeSantis is the only GOP presidential candidate whose fundraising keeps close to Trumps, but some parts of his fundraising numbers and recent polling could give him reasons to be concerned.

Never Back Downs fundraising total is significantly higher than that of any other GOP candidates super PAC, but almost two-thirds  $82.5 million  was transferred from his state political committee last month.

Donations to DeSantis surged in the first 24 hours after he announced his run, with his campaign raising $8.2 million. But thats 40 percent of his total over the course of six weeks, and his pace of fundraising has slowed.

The governor has also struggled to make gains on the former president in the polls. Republican strategists have expressed concerns about his viability to defeat Trump.

Joe Manchin

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has not officially decided whether he will run for a third term in the Senate, but he brought in more than either of his two potential major GOP opponents for the seat, raising $1.3 million in quarter two.

The super PAC affiliated with him as a candidate, Country Roads PAC, added on $400,000 from the past quarter. Those figures brought his cash on hand up to $10.7 million and his super PACs money in the bank to $2.2 million.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) appears to be the early front-runner for the Republican nomination, but he fell short of Manchins total by a few hundred thousand dollars, only receiving about $935,000. Manchin significantly outpaced Rep. Alex Mooney (R), who raised $550,000.

Manchin has also refused to rule out running as a third-party candidate for president, a possibility that has concerned some Democrats who would view it as a spoiler for Bidens reelection chances. He has signaled he will decide about running for reelection by the end of the year.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Democratic challenger to Biden and anti-vaccine activists fundraising total was not close to Bidens, but he raked in $6.3 million, a notable achievement for a candidate widely seen as a long shot to win the nomination.

That includes $3 million that the campaign raised over a three-day period to close out the second quarter from June 28-30.

The Biden campaign has thus far not directly engaged with Kennedy and is unlikely to meet for a debate with him, but Kennedy has performed better in the first few months of his candidacy than some observers might have expected.

While Democratic voters have overwhelmingly indicated that they back Biden, Kennedy has still received as much as double-digit support over a couple of months, possibly demonstrating his candidacy will not fade as quickly as Bidens campaign may hope.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

Losers:

Other 2024 GOP candidates

While Trump and DeSantis had widely successful quarters, many of the other candidates running for the GOP nomination had comparatively disappointing fundraising totals.

DeSantis has been unable to top Trump in the polls, but no candidate has been able to surpass DeSantis for second place, either. They also were unable to pass his position as the second-highest GOP fundraiser this quarter.

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who has been among the higher-performing candidates in polls, raised $7.3 million for her campaign, much lower than Trump and DeSantis. Her super PAC brought in $18.7 million, and super PACs are not subject to limits on contributions from individuals and companies.

Sen. Tim Scotts (R-S.C.) campaign brought in less, $6.1 million. The super PAC supporting him brought in $19.28 million.

But Scott does have a significant advantage over most of the other candidates with his cash on hand, which totals more than $21 million. That is about $9 million more than DeSantis and second only to Trumps among the Republican field.

Scott had entered the race with about $22 million that he transferred from his Senate account.

Haley and Scott both highlighted that they reached the fundraising requirements needed to qualify for the first GOP primary debate next month, as did former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Former Vice President Mike Pence brought in a modest $1.2 million for his campaign in its first three weeks, while the super PAC supporting him raised $2.6 million.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who has polled near the bottom of the pack, raised $11.7 million in the three weeks of his campaign before the end of the second quarter, but more than $10 million of that was a loan from his own money.

Marianne Williamson

While Kennedy has outperformed expectations in his primary challenge to Biden, the other notable Democratic challenger has struggled for months to gain traction and experienced internal chaos in her campaign.

Politico reported Thursday that Williamson told campaign volunteers in a Zoom call she does not have the funds she needs to continue the campaign at its current trend and desperately needs additional financial support.

I have put my own money in, and I dont have the money to continue putting it in at the level I have, she said. Cause remember, Im not making a living while Im doing this.

The outlet reported she blamed media outlets focus on her campaigns reshuffling and her political opponents trying to sabotage her campaign.

Through four months of campaigning, Williamson has lost two campaign managers and appointed her third at the end of last month. Her campaign has experienced multiple rounds of staffers exiting, most recently last week.

A spokesperson for the campaign told The Hill at the time that it was restructuring the campaign.

George Santos

Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) has been the subject of intense controversy throughout his time in Congress over the false statements he made about himself during his candidacy and the local and federal criminal allegations against him.

The embattled congressman, who has said he is running for reelection despite the charges he is facing, raised $133,000 during the second quarter, adding on to the roughly $25,000 he had at the start of the quarter.

But he will not be able to use much of that on his reelection campaign  $85,000 of his funds went to repaying him for loans he made to previous campaigns he ran.

That left him with just about $55,000 cash on hand at the end of the quarter. The Democratic and Republican challengers running for Santoss seat, meanwhile, put up donation figures in the six digits.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- The race for presidential hopefuls to lure donors and build up their bank accounts is in full swing as Republican contenders bulk up their campaigns for a long, competitive primary and President Joe Biden prepares for the general election.

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Campaign finance disclosures, due to the Federal Election Commission on Saturday, cover contributions and expenditures from April through the end of June, the period when many candidates announced their plans to run for president. Donor names are a key thing to watch as formal filings trickle in by midnight in Washington.

Its the first donor reveal since all the major candidates announced. Heres how theyre faring:

Joe Biden

President Joe Biden kicked off his 2024 reelection effort with a $72 million haul in the second quarter, his campaign said in a statement Friday.

Since formally launching his bid on April 25, Biden brought in more than $1 million per day on average, a pace exceeding that of former President Barack Obama, a mega-fundraiser.

The Biden Victory Fund, which raises money for his campaign, the Democratic National Committee and state parties, took in the lions share of the haul, some $40.8 million. The campaign chipped in another $8.7 million. The DNC and another two other joint fundraising committees also raised money.

Under a joint fundraising agreement between Bidens campaign, the DNC and state parties, the president is able to accept money in much bigger chunks than his Republican rivals. The maximum donation to the Biden Victory Fund is $929,600, dwarfing the $3,300 individual contribution limit for single campaigns without a broader agreement with the party.

Donors to the Biden Victory Fund include Choice Hotels International Inc. Chairman Stewart Bainum and his wife Sandra, an actor, who each gave the maximum $929,600 contribution. ChatGPT maker OpenAIs Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, actor and writer Seth MacFarlane, and fashion designer Michael Kors also donated.

Donald Trump

Former President Donald Trumps campaign said he raked in more than $35 million in the second quarter as his army of small-dollar donors rallied to his side even as his legal woes mounted.

The money was raised through the Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee, which splits donations between his campaign and his leadership political action committee and wont report to the FEC until July 31. Its unclear how much of the $35 million will ultimately go to the leadership PAC, which can be dispersed to other candidates or pay Trumps legal expenses, but 10% of the money is currently earmarked for it.

Trump got $3,300 each from casino owner Tilman Fertitta, Carla Sands, who served as his ambassador to Denmark and lost in the GOP Senate primary in Pennsylvania, and Andrew Puzder, the former chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants, owner of Hardees and Carls Jr. Puzder was Trumps first choice to lead the US Labor Department, but withdrew his nomination.

Louis Bremer, another failed Trump administration appointee who worked for Cerberus Capital Management; Phil Ruffin, Trumps partner in a Las Vegas hotel, and Saul Fox, a major GOP donor, also donated.

His campaign reported total receipts of $17.7 million, including $15.2 million transferred from his joint fundraising committee, a little less than $75,000 raised directly, and $2.5 million in refunds and rebates from earlier payments to vendors. The campaign spent $9.1 million, and had $22.5 million cash on hand at the end of the quarter.

Trump is the frontrunner for the GOP nomination with 53% support in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls.

Ron DeSantis

Ron DeSantis raised more than $20 million during the second quarter, putting him in second place in the GOP money race. He remains a distant second to Trump in the polls, with 20.6% average support.

Donors to his campaign include billionaires Kelcy Warren, chairman of Energy Transfer, Home Depot co-founder Kenneth Langone, and Harlan Crow, the conservative billionaire who bestowed luxurious trips and private real estate deals on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his family.

Mel Sembler, who served as vice chairman of Trumps finance committee after he secured the GOP nomination in 2016, and Harold Hamm of Continental Resources also contributed to his campaign.

DeSantis spent $7.9 million and ended June with $12.2 million cash on hand. Small-dollar donors who gave less than $200  an indicator of the intensity of a candidates grassroots support  contributed $2.9 million. The total includes about $350,000 transferred from the Draft DeSantis Fund, a committee set up to raise federal donations before the Florida governor formally announced he was running.

The super-PAC supporting DeSantis says it has taken in another $130 million since March, some of which includes funds that DeSantis had left over from his 2022 reelection as Florida governor.

Nikki Haley

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley raked in $26 million in the second quarter, including $7.3 million in direct donations. That demonstrates support from donors despite persistently low poll numbers hovering around 3%.

The super-PAC supporting Haley, Stand For America Fund Inc., raised $18.7 million from April through June, bringing her overall total to $26 million.

Haley got support from some deep-pocketed GOP donors, including billionaires Kenneth Langone, Alice Walton and Kenneth Fisher, who all donated $6,600.

Mike Pence

Former Vice President Mike Pence raised a little less than $1.2 million in the first 24 days of his campaign, a weak showing in the crowded GOP primary field. The campaign spent less than $75,000 and ended June with $1.1 million cash on hand. It got $347,000 from small-dollar donors who gave less than $200.

Pence donors include influential, deep-pocketed names such as Fisher, former Republican National Committee chairman and well-known Washington lobbyist Haley Barbour and Alliance Resource Partners LP chief executive officer Joe Craft.

Still, fundraising could be a problem for Pence, a former governor of Indiana who raised a total of $19.4 million for his campaigns there. Hes ranking third in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls at 6.3%, well behind former boss Trump. In a contest where GOP campaigns and super-PACs have already spent an unprecedented $68 million on media, Pence will need raise a lot more to maintain his position.

Vivek Ramaswamy

Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy took in $7.7 million in the second quarter, including $5.4 million that came from his own pockets. After spending $8 million, he ended June with $9 million in the bank. Since launching his campaign, hes put $16 million of his own money into the effort.

Ramaswamy tweeted that he had 65,000 unique donors, more than enough to qualify for the GOP debate stage, but they havent provided him with much money. He raised $2.3 million from other donors, including $1.2 million from contributors who gave less than $200. Hes currently at 3.1% in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls, good for sixth place.

Tim Scott

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott raised $6.1 million in his campaigns first 40 days, a haul that puts him below other candidates in the crowded Republican field.

A super political action committee supporting Scott also brought in $19 million over the past quarter. The Scott campaign ended June with $21 million cash on hand, which includes money left over from his Senate campaign.

Scott, the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, had garnered from two big names in finance: Blackstone Inc.s Steve Schwarzman and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. chief executive officer David Solomon.

Doug Burgum

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, whos largely self-financing his long-shot presidential campaign, took in $11.7 million during the quarter, of which $10.2 million was from his personal fortune.

The campaign said it ended June with $3.5 million cash on hand. Best of America, the super-PAC supporting Burgums campaign, also said it raised more than $11 million from its launch in early June through the end of the month.

Burgum, whose wealth stems from a software business he sold to Microsoft Corp., has taken a unique approach to soliciting donations: offering $20 gift cards in exchange for a $1 donation. This money-losing scheme is a tactic for Burgum to garner enough individual donors in order to make the first GOP debate, which requires candidates to have at least 40,000 individual donors.

Chris Christie

Former New Jersey Governor and prominent Trump critic Chris Christie raised more than $1.6 million in the second quarter, according to a release from the campaign. The super PAC aligned with Christie raised about $5.9 million, bringing his total to $7.5 million since he launched in early June.

The campaign ended the quarter with nearly $1.6 million cash on hand.

Among donors to Christies campaign were hedge fund manager Paul Tudor Jones and Kelly Craft, a Trump donor and his ambassador to the United Nations, who each gave $6,600, and Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper, who gave $3,300.

He also got $1,000 from Ted Olson, the attorney who successfully represented George W. Bush before the Supreme Court in the Bush v. Gore case that ended the Florida recounts after the 2000 presidential election.

Francis Suarez

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez raised nearly $950,000 in the first two weeks of his presidential campaign, but the real strength in his bid is in the more than $12 million generated by two super political action committees supporting his candidacy.

Suarez wouldnt say how close he is to meeting the 40,000-donor threshold for the Republican candidates debate in Milwaukee next month, and he has received no higher than 1% in any national poll.

Asa Hutchinson

Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has failed to find much success in the polls or with donors. He raised about $500,000 in the second quarter, significantly less than his opponents.

Hutchinson also raised money through two other entities for a total of $743,000, falling far short of the funds he would need to fuel a presidential campaign. Hutchinson has been an outspoken critic of Trump and has called for the Republican Party to return to conservative principles in place before Trump was in office.

Will Hurd

Former Texas Congressman Will Hurd, a moderate from a swing district along the border with Mexico, raised $274,000 after launching his campaign late in June. Hurd, who stepped down from the board of OpenAI before becoming a candidate, launched his campaign by calling Trump a lawless, selfish failed politician who cost Republicans in 2020 and 2022 and would get Biden reelected in 2024.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is running as a Democrat in the primary. A son of the late Robert F. Kennedy, hes unlikely to mount a serious challenge to Biden.

Kennedy, who has promoted numerous conspiracy theories and falsehoods over the years, did raise nearly $6.4 million. Among his donors are Airbnb Inc. co-founder Joseph Gebbia and Pershing Square Capital Management founder Bill Ackman.

Marianne Williamson

Longshot Democratic candidate Marianne Williamson raised nearly $921,000 in the second quarter. The author and wellness advisor who is running for president for the second time has nearly $105,000 in the bank.

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This article was originally published in Wisconsin Examiner.

Wisconsin schools reported almost 6,000 seclusion and 7,000 restraint incidents with a majority of the incidents involving students with disabilities during the 2021-2022 school year, according to a report by the state Department of Public Instruction.

A total of 1,920 students were involved in 5,908 reported seclusion incidents and 2,856 students were involved in 6,916 reported restraint incidents. The report released on Monday says DPI can infer from this that the same students have been subject to repeated seclusion or restraints.

Reading this report and seeing these numbers can be difficult, but that is nothing in comparison with the emotional difficulty these numbers represent in the lived experiences of students and staff, DPI Superintendent Jill Underly said in a statement.

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Advocates with Disability Rights Wisconsin said the biggest takeaway from the report is that schools are doing a lot of damage with the practices and they need to figure out a way to cut down on their use.

Every one of these numbers is a young person, and about three-quarters of them are young people with disabilities and the vast majority of them are young people in elementary schools, said Joanne Juhnke, an advocacy specialist with Disability Rights Wisconsin. Every one of those is a time when students were physically overpowered and or put into a room that they physically cannot escape from no matter how they try. Just think of the trauma of that.

Seclusion is defined in state law as the involuntary confinement of a pupil, apart from other pupils, in a room or area from which the pupil is physically prevented from leaving. Doors cannot be locked, according to state statute. Physical restraint is defined as a restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a student to freely move their torso, arms, legs or head.

Students with disabilities were disproportionately involved in these incidents, continuing a trend seen in the last two reports by DPI. Despite comprising 14% of the statewide student body, 79% of seclusion incidents and 76% of restraints involved students with disabilities.

Advocates from Disability Rights Wisconsin said part of the reason that students with disabilities make up the majority of students involved is because they often have additional educational, sensory and emotional support needs that are not being met.

Were not meeting their needs early on, said Mary Cerretti, an advocacy specialist. We have fewer resources in the schools. We need increased mental health training [and] support. We need to intervene and meet the students needs prior to administration stepping in and escalating behaviors oftentimes.

Juhnke agreed, adding that under-resourcing will continue to present a major challenge to implementing better practices for meeting disabled students needs. She pointed specifically to the 2023-25 budget, which raised special education reimbursements for public schools only slightly from 30% to 33.3% despite the states $7 billion budget surplus.

The DPI report states that on a positive note more than half of all public schools and private schools participating in the Special Needs Scholarship Program, a program that allows a student with a disability to receive a state-funded private school scholarship, did not report any incidents of seclusion or restraint.

Ceretti said it should be kept in mind that oftentimes when we have students that are put in these special needs scholarship programs that have IEP [individualized educational plan], long before their behavior probably reaches the point of seclusion or restraint, they are sent back to their public school.

Approximately 87% of seclusions and 78% of restraints occurred in Wisconsin elementary schools. The report states the data is troubling because younger students K-12 experiences may be adversely shaped by these potentially traumatic experiences.

Advocates said that elementary school childrens unfamiliarity with school environments, need to learn about appropriate behavior in school and small physical size are some of the reasons they are involved in more of these incidents.

Thinking of restraint and seclusion as involved in physically overpowering, Ceretti said. Teachers and staff will think twice about trying to physically overpower somebody who is their size whereas the little ones, its no less traumatic for them, but it is a size differential that does not work in the students favor.

Seclusion and restraint practices are allowed under state law when a student presents a clear, present, and imminent risk to the physical safety of the pupil or others and it is the least restrictive intervention feasible.

This is DPIs third report on seclusion and restraint practices as the agency was required to begin collecting the data under a bipartisan law adopted in 2019 that aimed to limit use of the practices. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic when many students were not physically in school, Juhnke said has been difficult to get a clear picture of the laws impact.

Whatever the comparison of the numbers from year to year, at this point, the comparison is quite flawed because the numbers we have are across the COVID time, Juhnke said. So next years numbers will be more useful for trends thinking.

The report states that DPI is eager to collect and analyze data for the 2022-23 academic year to analyze how it compares to previous years.

We must continue our commitment to reducing the frequency of these incidents, and we must especially focus on using this information to better inform and improve our systems and best practices when working with our students with disabilities, Underly said.

The report does not include information about the race, gender, age or other demographic information of students involved in incidents because it is not required by state law.

Jeff Spitzer-Resnick, an attorney who advocated for the 2019 law, told the Wisconsin Examiner in an email that he was dismayed at the remarkable lack of leadership which DPI continues to show on this issue.

Noting that DPI at one point opposed collecting data on the issue, Spitzer-Resnick said the agency failed in the report to examine the data by district and school and doesnt provide anything more than general guidance to districts. Some resources for reducing the practices in schools are included at the end of the report.

DPIs communications officer, Chris Bucher, said in an email that the agency does analyze the seclusion and restraint data and utilizes it in a variety of ways. He said one way is by identifying outlier data on the use of seclusion and restraint with students with disabilities.

Bucher said that the agency will assign a DPI consultant to work with a district with data showing unusually high use to identify a root cause. Once a cause has been identified, DPI will work to support the district through practices including training on state law and requirements, behavioral intervention plans and trauma-informed practices as well as identifying grant support to address behavioral needs.

Cerretti said that Disability Rights Wisconsin will look at the data to see how the group can offer support and advocacy to decrease restraint and seclusion incidents.

We shouldnt even allow it, Cerretti said.

Wisconsin Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Wisconsin Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Ruth Conniff for questions: info@wisconsinexaminer.com. Follow Wisconsin Examiner on Facebook and Twitter.
This photo taken on July 14, 2023 shows a vessel of the Chinese naval fleet approaching the port of Pointe-Noire, economic capital of the Republic of the Congo.

The visit of the Chinese naval fleet to the Republic of the Congo showcases friendship and mutual trust between the two countries, with both committed to addressing regional and global security challenges, including the Gulf of Guinea, said Congolese minister of National Defense Charles Richard Mondjo.

The Congolese minister made this remark Friday during the arrival ceremony of the Chinese naval fleet at the port of Pointe-Noire, Congo's economic capital, for a friendship visit starting the day. (Photo by Wu Kangci/Xinhua)

POINTE-NOIRE, Congo, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The visit of the Chinese naval fleet to the Republic of the Congo showcases friendship and mutual trust between the two countries, with both committed to addressing regional and global security challenges, including the Gulf of Guinea, said Congolese minister of National Defense Charles Richard Mondjo.

The Congolese minister made this remark Friday during the arrival ceremony of the Chinese naval fleet at the port of Pointe-Noire, Congo's economic capital, for a friendship visit starting the day.

Military cooperation between the two countries has grown over the past years, which strengthens the two countries' ability to address regional and global security challenges, said Mondjo, calling the visit a "tangible symbol" for security and cooperation.

This visit "facilitates the exchange of experience, knowledge and best practices between the navies", thus making it possible to strengthen the capacities of the two militaries in maritime security, said the minister, stressing that the visit is also a sign of regional military and security cooperation to respond to challenges, such as piracy, terrorism, smuggling, and other potential threats facing the Gulf of Guinea. The official mentioned, in particular, his "vivid" memories of the involvement of the Chinese navy in the fight against piracy in the Gulf of Aden. 

Charles Richard Mondjo, Congolese minister of National Defense, inspects an honor guard of the Chinese naval fleet at the port of Pointe-Noire, economic capital of the Republic of the Congo, July 14, 2023.

The visit of the Chinese naval fleet to the Republic of the Congo showcases friendship and mutual trust between the two countries, with both committed to addressing regional and global security challenges, including the Gulf of Guinea, said Congolese minister of National Defense Charles Richard Mondjo.

The Congolese minister made this remark Friday during the arrival ceremony of the Chinese naval fleet at the port of Pointe-Noire, Congo's economic capital, for a friendship visit starting the day. (Photo by Wu Kangci/Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 14, 2023 shows Chinese navy crew members waving at people ashore upon arrival at the port of Pointe-Noire, economic capital of the Republic of the Congo.

The visit of the Chinese naval fleet to the Republic of the Congo showcases friendship and mutual trust between the two countries, with both committed to addressing regional and global security challenges, including the Gulf of Guinea, said Congolese minister of National Defense Charles Richard Mondjo.

The Congolese minister made this remark Friday during the arrival ceremony of the Chinese naval fleet at the port of Pointe-Noire, Congo's economic capital, for a friendship visit starting the day. (Photo by Liu Zhehao/Xinhua)
Woman accused of attacking police during Capitol riot sentenced to six years in prison

A woman who was charged for attacking Capitol Police officers with a flagpole during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on the Capitol was sentenced to six years in prison on Friday.

Audrey Ann Southard-Rumsey amplified calls for revolution and violence on social media before the insurrection, according to federal investigators, including writing posts demanding to hang the traitors. She was also captured on video threatening then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who was inside the Capitol Building.

Prosecutors called Southard-Rumsey a principal agitator during the insurrection, claiming that she went on a violent rampage with the flagpole against police officers. She was one of the rioters who led the mob towards the House chambers, prosecutors claimed.

During the insurrection, she posted a Facebook video of herself in front of the Capitol.

Standing in front of the capitol building, ready to take it, she said in the video. As soon as we get enough people up here. Storm the capitol building, its gonna be fun.

At her sentencing on Friday, Southard-Rumsey was expected to read a written statement taking responsibility for her actions. Instead, she threw the statement aside and gave a list of grievances, including blaming Antifa for the violence of the insurrection, according to CBS reports from the courtroom.

I have grievances, since they dont listen to us at the polling place, she said. They dont listen to us little people in the regular world.

The defendent later addressed the judge, the reports state.

When you decide to throw me in prison for doing my duty.  Think of what I now have to give up, she said.

Federal prosecutors originally requested a six year sentence, considering Southard-Rumseys declaration of responsibility. However, after giving her grievances, prosecutors rescinded that recommendation, upping their recommended sentence to about 10 years in prison, according to the reports.

Judge Amit Mehta sentenced Southard-Ramsey to the governments original recommendation of six years in prison, with three additional years of supervised release and a $2,000 fine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
West Texas A&M University hosted a special screening Tuesday of a new film An Open Door: Life and Influence of Temple Grandin, a documentary about the award-winning academic and animal behaviorist as well as Autism spokesperson. The show featured the filmmakers and its subject talking about the film.

John Festervand, the development director for Colorado States College of Agricultural Sciences, was the executive producer of the documentary and spoke about how he got involved with the film and the motivation for the project.

From left, John Barnhardt, John Festervand and Temple Grandin speak with Chip Chandler at the screening of their film, An Open Door: Life and Influence of Temple Grandin, at the WT campus in Canyon.

Temple is a wonderful supporter of the college, and what you see in the film is that she has funded her graduate students for the last 20 years. She is a wonderful supporter of her students, Festervand said.

He said that he got to know Grandin about three years ago, and after watching the HBO film from 2010, based on her life, Temple Grandin, he felt that there was so much that she had done in her life that the movie does not cover what happened after that point in her life.

The movie ends when she is 35, and she is going off to the University of Illinois to work on her Ph.D. Fast forward to last year, and she turned 75," Festervand said. "Think about how much time has happened between her going off to graduate school and this point in life. I thought this was a wonderful way to tell her story from a unique perspective, from people opening doors for her, to her opening doors for other people.

He said the inspiration for the film was his spending time with her and honoring the importance of her legacy in a way that had not been done before.

I really wanted Colorado State to do something cinematically that could honor her legacy, and I think we have accomplished that, Festervand added. One of the things that makes this such a cool story is not only the people that put it together, but the timeline that it took it to do this. We started shooting this film on her 75th birthday, Aug. 29."

From left, John Barnhardt, Temple Grandin and John Festervand attend the WT screening of the documentary An Open Door: Life and Influence of Temple Grandin" at the WT campus Tuesday in Canyon.

Also, he said that with the story of the crew being CSU alumni working with the director makes the film even more special, with them working more than 1,500 hours to make this happen over nine months to be able to do a test screening during April to emphasize Autism Awareness Month.

Temple Grandin, the subject of the film, spoke about her motivation to keep teaching and what she wants to accomplish at this stage of her life.

I want to see the kids that are different get out and be successful, Grandin said. I am really pleased that three of my former students became professors and that another oversees animal welfare at the North American Meat Institute. I want to have students that go out and do constructive things to improve the industry. I want to see these kids that think differently go out and do these metalworking jobs.

Explaining what thinking differently means to her, Grandin said that she believes there are three distinct types of thinking. According to Grandin, there is verbal logical thinking, visual thinking and music and math thinking. She is a visual thinker, which means she thinks in pictures.

I am very concerned that industries are screening out my types of thinkers, Grandin said. I have colleagues that cannot do algebra but are out building beef plants that started with a single welding class. One of the worst things that educators did was take out shop classes. They are beginning to bring them back, but often they will not let the special education kids take them because they are worried about safety."

She emphasized that special education students are very capable builders. "Twenty percent of the people I have worked with on equipment were either autistic, dyslexic or had ADHD," she said.

Temple Grandin speaks with attendees Tuesday at the screening of the documentary on her life at the WT campus in Canyon.

Special education is the clever engineering department, Grandin said. The problem we have now is that the people I have worked with are getting old and retiring. Small shops are not being built to replace them. We are having a big problem with skill loss; how are we going to keep these power plants operating?

She said that what worries her is that many businesses do not realize the importance of visual thinkers. She said that while many mathematical thinkers do an excellent job in design, visual thinkers give an essential dimension to designs that is often overlooked.

Grandin said that much of her success in the cattle industry had to do with her ability to think differently than others in seeing things from the visual perspective of the animals. She said that exposure to industries is essential to developing talent.

How can someone know what they want to do if they have never been exposed to it? Grandin said. A lot of career paths start with exposure, then mentoring. I want to see the kids that are different go out there and be successful. I am seeing too many smart kids get stuck up on the label that their parents are not teaching them life skills. Kids are growing up today not doing hands-on things.

She said the documentary emphasized teaching.

I am way past retirement, but I am still going to teach. Teaching does not get enough credit, Grandin said. I have to credit all the teachers that helped me, from my speech teacher who got me talking by age 4, my mother encouraging my art ability, my high school science teacher who mentored me for about five years and a former Marine Corps captain, (to) a contractor that started a small steel and concrete business who came to me to design projects. These people were important mentors."

John Barnhardt, an Emmy award-winning cinematographer for the series Born to Explore, a travel and adventure show which aired for 83 episodes from 2011 to 2014, spoke about his film and subject.

He said that his work with the organization Surfers Healing, which works to take autistic children surfing, put him on the radar to do this project. Surfers Healing was founded by Izzy and Danielle Paskowitz, spurred by their son Isaiahs diagnosis with autism.

When I met Festervand, we just connected, Barnhardt said. My hands-on experience of getting students' hands on the gear and being on set and learning aligned with Temples process for helping her students in the cattle industry learn. Because we are both visual thinkers, we aligned perfectly for the project.

Barnhardt said that he had been a student of film since he was 9 years old when his father, a photographer, took him to see The Road Warrior, which spurred his ambition to make movies.

I was a visual thinker, and I think he caught on to that, Barnhardt added.

He said that his approach to film is to shoot for the edit, working from the edit first and working backward.

We got eight work-study students that were fantastic for this film, Barnhardt said. We had a plan with a stringent deadline and had to execute it.

When asked what made Grandin a compelling subject for his film, Barnhardt said she is one of today's most influential people.

She is a pioneer like Jane Goodall and Rosa Parks, Barnhardt said. She was up against a lot, and she defied that. Rosa Parks sat in the front of the bus when they told her to get to the back, and they told Jane Goodall that she might not be able to be that kind of scientist and she did. Same with Temple. They were not letting her into the feed yards. Temple says that being a female was much harder than having autism. She grew up in a time when autism was not very understood, and she persevered through that.

Barnhardt says that Grandins ability to overcome the barriers in the cattle industry, which was dominated by white men while also having autism, indicates her amazing perseverance.

What I want people to get out of this movie is perseverance and having a purpose, Barnhardt said. Temples purpose is huge; she is working on her 16th book right now and has written over 500 articles. She is just coming into her own at her age. I think part of the inspiration of this movie is that your career is not dead when you turn 50 or 65; you might just be coming into a season of your life.

He says he hopes the film inspires people to be better human beings to each other, because you never know who that person might turn out to be.

The film is currently being shopped to film festivals and distribution companies for theatrical or streaming release.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: WT hosts special screening of Temple Grandin documentary
FILE PHOTO: A lock icon, signifying an encrypted Internet connection, is seen on an Internet Explorer browser

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping said China must build a "solid" security barrier around its internet under the supervision of the ruling Communist Party, in his latest call to safeguard online data and information.

China must persist in managing, operating and ensuring access to the internet in accordance with the law, Xi said in instructions delivered to officials attending a two-day cybersecurity meeting in Beijing that ended on Saturday.

"We must adhere to the Party's management of the internet and adhere to (the principle of) making the internet work for the people," state-run Xinhua news agency cited Xi as saying.

In the past decade, Xi has made preserving security a priority, with his concept of security covering everything from politics and the economy to the environment and cyberspace.

In 2015, China passed a national security law with a broader scope to include its cyberspace. A year later, a law was passed that contained requirements for security reviews and for data to be stored on servers in China.

In 2021, China rolled out regulations around so-called critical information infrastructure.

This year, lawmakers updated anti-espionage legislation to ban the transfer of information related to national security and broaden the definition of spying.

Navigating China's dense network of rules and laws on online data and information is not without risk for companies.

In April, U.S. consultancy firm Bain & Co said police visited its office in Shanghai and questioned some staff. The Financial Times, citing people briefed on the surprise visit, reported that the police also took away computers and phones.

Last year, regulators told China's biggest financial data provider Wind Information Co to stop providing offshore users with certain data, sources told Reuters at the time.

In 2021, authorities launched a cybersecurity investigation into ride-hailing giant Didi Global two days after it went public in the United States.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo; additional reporting by Beijing Newsroom; editing by Christina Fincher)
FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2011 photo, investigators use a backhoe to dig while searching for Shannan Gilbert's body in different sectors of a marsh area just east of Oak Beach, N.Y. A Long Island architect has been charged, Friday, July 14, 2023, with murder in the deaths of three of the 11 victims in a long-unsolved string of killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Coughlin, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

For a killer looking to hide evidence of his crimes, it was the perfect spot. The straight, quiet stretch of Ocean Parkway would give him plenty of time to listen and watch for coming cars. Just off the road, a tall bramble of bushes and weeds grew so thick and thorny, even trained cadaver-sniffing dogs could barely penetrate it.

It was here that the bodies of four women were found in December 2010, wrapped in heavy burlap, on a gentle slope that falls away to the quiet marshland of Gilgo Beach and the calm waters of the Great South Bay. Eventually the bodies of nine women, a man and a toddler were found. The isolation provided investigators their first clue: The killer knew Long Island, New York, well enough to find perhaps its most secluded place.

I dont think its a coincidence that four bodies wound up in this area, Richard Dormer, the Suffolk County police commissioner, told reporters days after the discovery.

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Gilgo Beach attracts few visitors. But for more than a decade, it loomed large in the minds of local residents as a place of horror and tragedy, as well as official dysfunction. The investigation into the killings became mired in a police corruption scandal, after which the case went cold for years. Some local politicians grew frustrated and worried that police had bungled the case.

Friday brought the first good news in 13 years. Rex Heuermann, an architect with a home in the suburb of Massapequa Park, across the bay from Gilgo Beach, was taken into custody and charged with murder in three of the killings; authorities said he was the prime suspect in a fourth. Nearby residents said the news brings some closure, and a sense of safety, to a community long accustomed to being on edge.

We all followed it. Its scary, said Cheryl Lombardi, who lives around the corner from Heuermann. I know a lot of people avoided that beach.

The story of bodies discovered on Gilgo Beach broke slowly, which served only to increase the fear. On Dec. 11, 2010, Suffolk County police Officer John Malia and Blue, his police dog, were training on the beach when they discovered the body of a woman just a few feet from Ocean Parkway. Officers returned to the area two days later and found three more bodies. The bramble was so thick, police used ladder trucks to peer into sections that could not be searched by foot.

All four victims were petite women, police officials said. All were between 22 and 27 years old, and all had been employed as escorts. The additional discoveries led to a search effort by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, in several towns across central Long Island. In all, the remains of 11 people  nine women, one man and one child  were found.

It was very upsetting for the beach communities, said Wayne Horsely, formerly the general manager of the Long Island State Parks Commission, which oversees Gilgo Beach. I know that they were all scared. The publicity was awful.

In a bail application filed Friday, the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office stated its investigation concerns only the deaths of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello, whose bodies were the first to be discovered on Gilgo Beach.

From the start, the investigation of the deaths did little to quell public anxiety. Thomas Spota, Suffolk Countys district attorney at the time, told reporters in May 2011 that up to four killers may have been responsible. Seven months later, Spota said in testimony before the state Legislature that at least three killers were involved.

At the same hearing, Dormer, the police commissioner, contradicted his colleague, saying all the deaths were likely the work of a single serial killer. Steve Bellone, the incoming county executive, called the countys battling law enforcement agencies dysfunctional.

Dormers successor as police chief was James Burke, who angered local politicians when he barred the FBI from further investigating the killings. That decision was explained at least in part five years later, when it was revealed that Burke was under federal investigation for allegations including obstruction of justice in an unrelated case. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 46 months in prison.

These and other missteps raised suspicions among residents that perhaps police could not be trusted with such a complex investigation. Phil Boyle, a Republican state senator from Long Island, requested a state investigation into the county police departments handling of the case.

In the meantime, one of the largest homicide cases in Suffolk County history went cold. Several attempts were made to revive it, including one in the spring of 2020, when Geraldine Hart, then the countys new county commissioner, announced her office had identified a body found in Manorville.

But it wasnt until January 2022 that the district attorney kick-started the countys own investigation. Prosecutors focused on burner cellphones and an old Chevrolet Avalanche SUV owned by Heuermann, connecting them to the scenes where the four women found on Gilgo Beach went missing, according to the district attorneys bail application.

Local residents expressed mixed feelings about all the stops and starts.

Frankly, because of the length of time it took to go though this, anxiety grew, said Horsely, the former parks commission manager. But I have to tip my hat to law enforcement. They hung in there this long, and stuck with the case.

Now, perhaps, Gilgo Beach can return to its natural quiet. To the west sprawls Jones Beach State Park, which attracted 8.4 million people last year, according to the states parks office. To the east rises the arching causeway to Robert Moses State Park on Fire Island. On summer weekends, parking lots in both parks fill with tens of thousands of beachgoers from the city and the suburbs.

On Gilgo Beach, most days are peaceful. Car tires thump across the expansion joints of Ocean Parkway. As they fade away, the brush-topped dunes muffle the peeps of piping plovers and the crash of ocean waves.

The killings, and the long wait for answers, cast a pall over one of Long Islands last natural landscapes that may finally be lifting.

Its an amazing place, Horsely said. And to have that reputation marred on TV stations about murders and mayhem, its just a shame.

A New York Times News Service article about a sense of safety in Gilgo Beach after the arrest of a suspect misstated James Burkes title. He was the police chief in Suffolk County, not the police commissioner.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
New York man who acted as ISIS recruiter sentenced to life in prison

New York man who acted as ISIS recruiter sentenced to life in prison

An ISIS recruiter who spread the terror group's propaganda online and fought alongside its members in an effort to wage a global jihad was sentenced Friday to life in prison, federal prosecutors said.

Mirsad Kandic, 41, of Brooklyn, New York, was convicted by a federal jury in May 2022, after his 2017 arrest in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was charged with conspiracy and providing and attempting to provide support to the Islamic State.

"Serving ISISs deadly terror campaign, this defendant fought on the battlefield, spread propaganda, smuggled weapons, and radicalized Western recruits," said U.S. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division.

IRAN MOVES TOWARD POSSIBLE ATOM BOMB TEST IN DEFIANCE OF WESTERN SANCTIONS: INTEL REPORT

The Islamic State terror group, also known as ISIS or ISIL, was formally defeated in Syria in 2019. Mirsad Kandic, 41, who spread the terror group's propaganda and fought alongside its members has been sentenced to life in prison.

Prosecutors said Kandic recruited people from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and elsewhere to travel to Syria and Iraq and join ISIS battles. He allegedly told an associate online that he worked in Turkey in the Islamic State's border office as part of a team that conducted background checks of foreign fighters who wanted to go to Syria.

He spread ISIS propaganda using more than 120 Twitter accounts, through which he posted videos of ISIS captives, including some in which victims were forced to dig their own graves before being executed. He sent thousands of radicalized fighters from Western countries to ISIS-controlled territories in Syria and the Middle East.

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Authorities said Kandic assisted Jake Bilardi, an 18-year-old Australian citizen who died in a suicide bomb attack west of Baghdad in March 2015. Bilardi joined ISIS in 2014 and killed more than 30 Iraqi soldiers and police officers during his suicide attack.

The attack paved the way for ISISs takeover of Ramadi and the Anbar Province of Iraq several weeks later, an Iraqi Army general staffer testified to.

"Kandic was a high-ranking member of ISIS who relished the death and destruction he wrought while providing every conceivable form of material support to a terrorist organization, including the recruitment of countless others to ISISs bloody campaigns in Syria and elsewhere," said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace.
A 19-year-old firefighter has been killed in western Canada as the country battles its worst season of wildfires on record.

Devyn Gale was struck by a falling tree while working in a remote area near the town of Revelstoke, British Columbia.

Paying tribute, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the news as "heartbreaking".

About 900 wildfires are currently burning across Canada, some 560 of which remain out of control.

Officials said a female firefighter had been found caught under a tree after becoming separated from the rest of her team while clearing an area of brush.

She was airlifted to hospital but died on Thursday.

It marks the first death on the ground since the start of Canada's wildfire season - and reportedly the first in British Columbia since 2015.

In a tribute on Instagram identifying Ms Gale as the woman killed, brother Nolan Gale described her as an "amazing sister".

"She was so kind and thoughtful. She was careful, considerate, hardworking," he wrote.

"I'm grateful for everything she's done for me and others, completely out of kindness with no expectation for reciprocation."

Writing on Twitter, Mr Trudeau sent his "deepest condolences" to Ms Gale's family, friends, and fellow firefighters.

"We must never forget the risks these heroes take every time they run toward the danger," he said.

So far this season, wildfires have burned more than 9.8m hectares (24.2m acres) of land, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

The figure is higher than for any previous year on record and more than three times the average for the previous ten years.

British Columbia has been one of the worst-affected areas, with 365 active fires currently burning across the province, and on Thursday put out a call for help from an additional 1,000 international fighters.

Sarah Budd, spokesperson for the British Columbia Wildfire Service, has said conditions are expected to remain hot and dry for the foreseeable future.

"We're not expecting any reprieve from the weather," she said.

Climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel wildfires. The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.

Canada is estimated to be warming twice as fast as the rest of the world and in recent years has seen extreme weather events of increasing frequency and intensity.

The wildfires have also sparked pollution alerts across North America as smoke is blown south along the continent's eastern coast.
Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine, and Kim Keon-hee, First Lady of South Korea, have visited the Centre for the Protection of Children's Rights in Kyiv.

Source: Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets; Olena Zelenska on Telegram

Details: Lubinets said he had told the first ladies that only 383 Ukrainian children have been returned to their homeland as of today, because the Russian Federation provides no information on deported children and has no interest in reuniting families.

They also visited the centre, where children are provided with legal assistance and counselling. Lubinets told the visitors about how war crimes committed by the Russian military against Ukrainian children are investigated and recorded.

"I noted that our objective in setting up this Centre was to ensure the provision of a full range of social services, including full medical care, material support, temporary housing, and social and psychological rehabilitation for children and their families," he added.

Meanwhile Olena Zelenska described how the Barnahus international interview system, created specifically for children who have survived a crime, has been working. It has been used for six weeks at the Centre for the Protection of Children's Rights, which was opened in Kyiv further to a presidential decree under the Ombudsmans supervision.

Quote from Zelenska: "The child undergoes a medical examination and, if possible, talks to a psychologist in a comfortable environment, telling them about what they experienced during the war. At this time, an investigator in a special separate room also listens to their story and asks the psychologist follow-up questions. The child is the victim of a war crime, and the investigators task is to find out about it as carefully as possible, without traumatising the child further, so that the information can then be passed on to a Ukrainian court or the International Criminal Court."

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasised that the speed of war ending directly depends on Ukraine's support by the international community.

Source: Zelenskyys video address

Quote: "Now, when the speed of ending the war directly depends on global support for Ukraine, we are doing everything possible to ensure that such support is as intensive and meaningful as possible.

In 15 days of July, we've already held negotiations, meetings, events with the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Turkiye, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Also Slovakia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Sweden, Portugal, Spain and Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa, Guinea-Bissau. NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, President of the European Council Michel, President of the European Commission von der Leyen, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Today, very meaningfully, Mr. President of the Republic of Korea.

And we will maintain the highest tempo of international work at all levels to restore peace for all our land and all our people."

Details: Zelenskyy emphasised that the visit of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to Kyiv on Saturday, 15 July, is the first visit of the President of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine during the entire period of diplomatic relations between our states.

The president also emphasised that Ukraine cannot "leave any of our people, any towns and villages under Russian occupation".

"Wherever the Russian occupation continues, violence and humiliation of people reign. I am grateful to all our partners  every leader, every politician, public figure, every country that really supports us in the fact that only the complete liberation of our entire Ukrainian territory will allow the full force of the international rules-based order to be restored," Zelenskyy said.

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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 dont often see in a first year student, Valerie Molnar, one of her professors at VCU, said. Nothing could stop her, it didnt 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, its 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.
The company proposing a major solar operation in the Piney River area of Amherst County has revised its application to use less of the property fronting Virginia 151 near the Nelson County border.

Energix Renewables, which pulled its application in May to revise the layout, is proposing the 50-megawatt project. If approved the solar operation would be the largest of its kind to date in Amherst County.

The previous application was on two parcels totaling more than 400 acres. Piney River Solar Development Manager Shawn Hershberger said the application has been reduced by more than 100 acres.

We were able to alter the layout on the panels, Hershberger said in an interview. It allows us to create a more concentrated layout and minimize the number of acres we use to generate the same level of power. We were able to consolidate it onto one lot instead of two.

The county requires a 150-foot setback from the highway and most areas exceed that fairly significantly, according to Hershberger.

The Amherst County Planning Commission voted in March to recommend to the county board of supervisors denial of the companys initial application, largely based on concerns about potential effects on scenic views.

Commission members also echoed concerns some residents raised on the sites history as a tailing storage area in connection with the former U.S. Titanium mining operation. Energix pulled the application on May 16 a few hours before a public hearing was scheduled before the Amherst County Board of Supervisors.

Hershberger told the board that night the application would be modified to better reflects neighbors wishes and reach a win-win scenario for everyone. Since much discussion from the commissions March public hearing centered on how the site interacts with the nearby Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail, Hershberger said the company wants to hold a community interaction event there at some point in the future.

When youre on the trail, the way the topography of the site naturally shields it, Hershberger said. We want to take some time to show people firsthand how uniquely situated the site is, to be able to be developed but to still be invisible.

He said community engagement is important as the company seeks to undergo another public hearing before the Amherst County Planning Commission in the near future. Energix believes in interacting with the public and fielding their questions and concerns, according to Hershberger.

Energix strongly feels the revised site plan fits the property better and has been reworked in the communitys best interests, Hershberger said.

The site formerly was used for tailing ponds associated with the titanium plant in Nelson County and renewable energy projects are among the Virginia Department of Environmental Qualitys best reuse practices for brownfield sites such as this one, he said.

Its a neutral kind of passive land use that essentially will clean the site and this will be held for the life of the project, Hershberger said.

The way the site interacts with the surrounding area is beneficial for development because its nearly impossible to see the panels, according to Hershberger.

The existing vegetation, the topography, plus the planned vegetation that will be going in, it shields the project completely from a scenic byway perspective, he said.

The Piney River solar operation will not generate pollution, noise or traffic when completed and its energy produced will be enough to serve roughly 7,760 homes, according to the projects website.

This project allows Amherst County to preserve the land, while at the same time producing clean, affordable energy, the website states.

The project at 2508 Patrick Henry Highway will generate about $8 million in revenue over the next 40 years, will create about 200 jobs during the construction phase and will place no strain on county-funded services such as utilities, roads or schools, according to the website.

Visit pineyriversolarproject.com for more information.
TOKYO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit for the second straight year shows a tendency to cooperate with the military bloc in meddling in the regional affairs of the Asia-Pacific, a Japanese scholar has said.

Kazuteru Saionji, a visiting professor at Higashi Nippon International University, told Xinhua in a recent interview that Japan's move would complicate the Asia-Pacific security situation, escalate military tensions and undermine regional stability.

A Japanese prime minister had never attended a NATO summit in the past, and Kishida went again after breaking that tradition last year, said Saionji, noting that the Kishida government follows the lead of the United States in foreign and military policies and is "leading wolves into the house."

The Japanese government is actively cooperating with the United States in engaging in military containment, preventing China's development and maintaining U.S. hegemony, he added.

Saionji said that the United States is mobilizing strategic resources to contain China in the Asia-Pacific, causing regional tensions, while most of the Asia-Pacific countries do not want to become its pawns or pick sides.

However, Japan is eager to join the United States in containing China, which is extremely foolish, Saionji said.

NATO is a product of the special geopolitics of Europe during the Cold War, and has nothing to do with the Asia-Pacific region. The Cold War has long since ended, and de-escalation has become the trend of the times, said the scholar, adding that a military bloc like NATO is obsolete.

Meanwhile, instead of working to ease regional tensions, Japan has strengthened its military alliance with the United States, moved closer to NATO, which is an "instrument of war" far away in Europe, and cooperated with the United States in forming a new military bloc in the Asia-Pacific region. This is completely against the trend of the times, said Saionji.

He believes that at present, creating an environment for peaceful development and working together to develop the economy are the joint aspirations of the Asia-Pacific countries.

Japan's cooperation with NATO in interfering in Asia-Pacific affairs is to bring military confrontation and conflicts into the region, which regional countries firmly oppose, he added.

Saionji stressed that Japan should reflect on its history of militarism and aggression, draw lessons from it, and at the same time completely abandon the Cold War mentality, oppose hegemonism, adhere to pacifism, and contribute to peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. 
Torrential rain and thunderstorms blanketed the Hill City and much of its surrounding areas for hours on Thursday evening into Friday morning, leaving in its path downed trees, power outages and streams of water flowing through yards, parks and city streets.

The downpours forced city officials to barricade several streets, some of which remained closed into Friday afternoon. Several parks across the city remained closed, such as the spray grounds at Riverfront and Riverside parks and Miller Park pool.

Even through the deluges of rain, College Lake Dam, which nearly failed following a large rain event in August 2018, remained stable without any evacuations made downstream of Blackwater Creek. Anna Bentson, the citys director of communications and public engagement, said water resources officials will continue to monitor lake levels.

Low-lying areas across the city bore the brunt of the downfall, City of Lynchburgs Public Works Director Gaynelle Hart said, with places such as Peaks View Park, Sandusky Park and the Hollins Mill Dam seeing severe flooding in the area.

Joseph Bryant, a resident near Peaks View Park, told The News & Advance that hes lived in the area for about 50 years and said Thursdays rainfall resulted in one of the worst floods that Ive seen.

I sat on my back porch and watched the water come up and it kept coming faster and higher and barrels and bales of straw were floating down the river, Bryant recalled.

The stream that was created flowed into his backyard, tearing down a large tree behind his house.

Now I dont have a tree, he said. But thats OK.

According to Richmond Times-Dispatch Chief Meteorologist Sean Sublette, between four and eight inches of rain poured into the greater Lynchburg area, a freak weather event due to the three waves of the storm that rolled in throughout the evening.

It just so happened, in this case, to go over a very populated area repeatedly in that 12-hour timeframe, Sublette said. These kind of things are not common, thats why I called it a freak event.

While other parts of Central Virginia saw a good amount of rain throughout the evening, Sublette said the storm was largely localized, adding, it just turned out that the bullseye was right over Lynchburg, with shades of red and purple focused squarely on the heart of the city and down U.S. 460 into Concord.

Sublette also said perhaps the most recent similar event to hit the Hill City was the August 2018 downpour that threatened the integrity of College Lake Dam and ultimately led to the realigning of Lakeside Drive, completed in 2022.

Hart later concurred that levels of rain and flooding hadnt been seen in the city since the August 2018 downpour.

The public works director told The News & Advance that when the majority of the weather rolled in Thursday night, most of her crews were off-duty except for one 24-hour employee.

But this storm overwhelmed this one person to respond to calls so we called in crews to respond to the flooding and downed trees, Hart said.

She commended her crews for their tremendous response in coming from off-duty to go out into the field, with some members working until 1 a.m., and a smaller crew working overnight.

As the sun was coming up Friday, Lynchburg resident Roy Evans said he made it out to the Hollins Mill Dam, where he witnessed a waterfall pouring over the dam with clay-colored water.

I knew we got a lot of rain last night but I wasnt expecting as much as I saw, Evans said about the water rushing through Blackwater Creek. The creek was nearly bank-level, so it was pretty close to coming over the top.

I noticed some Canadian geese, he recalled, and they werent going anywhere near that water. It was truly flowing this morning.

At the same place later in the day, students from the University of Lynchburgs Department of Biology summer residential governor school were out collecting samples from the water rushing through Blackwater Creek to study its contamination levels and risk for humans.

Its given us a really good opportunity to talk about the importance of water management and runoff, and how storms can affect the transfer of bacteria and other biotic factors in places they shouldnt be, Jamie Brooks, a professor with the department, said.

Another round of thunderstorms brought rain to the Lynchburg-area on Friday night and with chances of rain in the area remaining throughout Sunday, according to the National Weather Services forecast, the city is reminding residents to use caution when traveling, do not walk, swim or drive through floodwaters, treat out-of-service traffic lights as four-way stops and to report power outages to Appalachian Power on its website.

Hart also reiterated that drivers should not drive around barricades that are posted at streets, saying doing so could pose a significant danger to residents because the road could have a down tree or be flooded.

After Appalachian Power battled outages all across Central Virginia during the rain event, power was restored to an overwhelming majority of Lynchburg, as well as Amherst, Bedford and Campbell counties early Friday evening.

Water did not just flow through outdoor areas as a result of the rain event, however. Lynchburgs Vice Mayor Chris Faraldi sent pictures of water damage at E.C. Glass High School Friday morning showing muddy water throughout the floor of a classroom at the school.

Lynchburg City Schools said Friday that their facilities and maintenance teams are currently assessing the impact of flooding in a handful of rooms at Glass. They added that most of the areas are non-classroom spaces and they will be ready to welcome students back in August.
UPDATE: The Virginia State Police have released the names of two of the three victims of a fatal car crash in Campbell County on Monday afternoon.

According to a news release, a 2018 Nissan Murano was traveling east on Leesville Road/Virginia 682 at a high rate of speed, when the vehicle crossed the centerline and hit a 2019 Chevrolet Trax head-on near the road's intersection with Tardy Mountain Road/Virginia 711. The impact caused the Nissan to run off the road, hit a guardrail and overturn down an embankment.

The Nissan's driver, Patsy J. Jasiewicz, 66, of Gretna, died at the scene, according to the news release. She was wearing a seat belt.

The Chevrolet's driver, Linda K. Keesee, 74, of Altavista, also died at the scene along with her 12-year-old passenger, the release said. Both were wearing seatbelts.

The crash remains under investigation.

EARLIER: A two-vehicle crash in Campbell County killed three people Monday afternoon.

According to a Virginia State Police news release, the two vehicles were traveling in opposite directions on Leesville Road, near its intersection with Tardy Mountain Road when the two collided head on in the westbound lane at about 4 p.m. Monday. The impact of the crash sent one of the vehicles into the guardrail and down a ravine.

The two drivers and one passenger in one of the vehicles died at the scene, state police said. Authorities are still working to notify the next of kin.

The crash remains under investigation.
Voters in Iowa are sometimes asked to consider how they want to elect county supervisors.

Counties in Iowa have three options for how to elect supervisors, and they can  and do  change how those elections take place.

Pottawattamie County voters will decide in an Aug. 1 special election if they want to change their method. But a review by the Nonpareil of data from the Iowa State Association of Counties shows that while two plans are more heavily favored, examples of all three are prevalent.

Per Iowa Code 331.207, the three plans are as follows:

 Plan 1  At-large elections without district residence requirements for candidates.

 Plan 2  At-large elections with equal-population district residence requirements for candidates.

 Plan 3  Elections using equal-population districts in which both candidates and their electors must reside within each district.

Pottawattamie County currently used Plan 1, but an effort spearheaded by Concerned Citizens of Pottawattamie County is encouraging a change to district-based elections, with most advocating for a change to Plan 3.

The Iowa State Association of Counties tracks which plans are in use in which counties, with 49 counties using Plan 1, 39 counties using Plan 3 and 17 using Plan 2.

Polk and Lynn counties, the state's two largest, use Plan 3, while the next three largest  Scott, Johnson and Black Hawk  use Plan 1. Pottawattamie County's neighbors in Harrison, Mills and Shelby counties use Plan 1, while Cass and Montgomery counties use Plan 3.

Dallas County, on the western portion of the Des Moines metropolitan area, has been using Plan 2 since 1968, when the Iowa Legislature first mandated that counties must adopt one of the three prescribed methods for electing supervisors.

Plan 2 makes the candidates really have to reach out to everybody, not just their own district, because everybody votes for them, Dallas County Auditor Julia Helm told the Nonpareil in an interview.

Dallas County has a population size comparable to that of Pottawattamie County. Also similar to Pottawattamie County, the majority of Dallas Countys residents live on one side of the county in the communities of West Des Moines, Urbandale and Waukee.

Unlike Pottawattamie County, though, Dallas County has only three supervisors representing three districts.

Even expanding to five districts, Helm siad it would be difficult, if not impossible, to divide Dallas County to create a rural district  one of the aims of campaigners for districts in Pottawattamie County, who seek to guarantee rural representation on the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors.

"It would be really hard for me to have a purely rural area, Helm said.

Under Plan 2, candidates are required to live in the district they hope to represent, but they still have to campaign throughout the entire county, like they do under Plan 1.

If everybody voted for everyone, but (candidates) had to live in your district, youre representing your district, but youre really representing everybody, because everybody votes for you, Helm said. So the candidate would have to stretch out a little bit farther than just the people that live in their district.

Helm said that as far as she knows, Dallas County has never had a serious attempt to try to change the way supervisors are elected, although there have been occasional rumblings for adding two more supervisors to the board.

We've had some people try to start a petition to move from three to five supervisors, but none of that has really caught traction, Helm said. I mean, they talk about it, but no petition has been brought forth, and I don't even think they've gotten close. They call, they ask about it, I send them the petition materials, and then I never hear from them again.

A number of counties have successfully voted to change plans over the years, including Woodbury County, home to Sioux City in northwestern Iowa.

In 1988, the Woodbury County Farm Bureau collected signatures and forced a special election like the one coming up in Pottawattamie County.

Again, like Dallas County, Woodbury County has a population size similar to that of Pottawattamie County, and the majority of its residents live in and around Sioux City on the western side of the county.

The farm bureau was advocating for Plan 3, because its members wanted more rural representation on the countys five seat board. With the farm bureau pushing for Plan 3 and others who thought Plan 1 was just fine, Plan 2 ended up winning.

It was kind of a compromise to go to Plan 2, Woodbury County Auditor Patrick Hill said. But people didnt really understand what was going on.

If gaining more rural representation was the goal, it didn't happen under the Plan 2 supervisor district map for Woodbury County, nor is it likely to have happened had Plan 3 prevailed. Both plans require equal population districts, and the majority of Woodbury Countys population is clustered around Sioux City.

The result is that Districts 3 and 5, which cover the rural portions of the county, are still connected to the urban center along their western edges. They then spread out to the east, where they encompass a lot of land but not a whole lot of people. Only District 3 Supervisor Mark Nelson lives in a rural part of the county.

In 2008, rural voters in Linn County also thought they would be better represented by Plan 3. At the time, the county had three supervisors who were elected at-large, giving Cedar Rapids a majority of the seats.

The 2008 special election succeeded in switching the county from Plan 1 to Plan 3. Residents also voted to increase the size of the board from three seats to five, again hoping to dilute the strength of Cedar Rapids-based supervisors.

That didnt happen, though, so in 2017, Linn County held another special election, this time to return to having only three supervisors, according to Linn County Auditor Joel Miller. County residents also elected to retain Plan 3 by a wide margin  more than 70% of the vote, compared to 15% for Plan 2 and 13$ for Plan 1.

Despite changing how supervisors are elected and see-sawing on the number of supervisors, many rural residents of Lynn County still dont feel like they have enough representation.

Over the years, the common complaint that Ive heard from the public is that the supervisors  one whose district is 100% Cedar Rapids and the other whose district is about 90% Cedar Rapids  are neither nominated by nor elected by the unincorporated, rural parts of the county," Miller said. "Yet, they are making decisions for those areas."

Miller cited solar farm projects in rural Palo and Coggon that the board approved on a 2-1 vote as an example of rural residents feeling that their voices are not being heard, or at least not getting the outcomes they would prefer.

Northeast of Des Moines, residents of Floyd County successfully voted in 2021 to change the way their supervisors are elected, switching from Plan 1 to Plan 3.

Slightly more than 67% of Floyd County voters elected to go with Plan 3, while Plan 1 only received about 27% of the vote. The 40-point margin is slightly misleading, as only about 17% of the countys registered voters weighed in at the ballot box.

Madison County also held a special election in 2021 to determine how residents elect their supervisors, and, like the residents of Floyd County, voters also decided to change from Plan 1 to Plan 3. Turnout there was also low: Out of more than 12,000 registered voters, only 681 voted, or about 5.5%.

Madison County Deputy Auditor Emily Reidburn said it wasn't clear if the turnout was due to the verbiage on the ballots or why people didn't weigh in on the decision, other than the absence of national politics.

"If you look at the rates of people who come to elections, if its not a presidential, the numbers are low, Reidburn said.

After the special election, Reidburn said she started hearing from residents that perhaps Plan 3 was the wrong way to go.

People chose 3, and then they're like, Well, I didn't realize that that supervisor, I don't have a say now in that person being elected,' now with the districts and how we've done it, Reidburn said.

One disgruntled resident visited the Madison County Auditors Office shortly after the election to ask how the county could again change how supervisors are elected.

That's when we found out it had to be 10 years, Reidburn said. He was upset, I think his house was kind of in a weird area, so he didn't think that the supervisor who he thought he was gonna have was who he had, so I think that frustrated him."

His only recourse: "So we told him, 'So, we'll see ya, you know, in 10 years," she said.

It remains unclear what fate has in store for Pottawattamie County.

Early voting for the Aug. 1 special election began Wednesday at the Pottawattamie County Auditor's Office. Absentee ballots were starting to be being mailed this week.

The last day to vote early is July 31 at 4:30 p.m. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 1.

For more information about the special election, including a sample ballot and updated precinct locations, visit elections.pottcounty-ia.gov.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a sweeping ban on most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy into law Friday in front of 2,000 conservative Christians.

The ban is the newest front in bitter battle between abortion advocates and opponents in Iowa that has dragged on for years and will likely, for now, remain unresolved as the courts assess the laws constitutionality.

The new legislation prohibits 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. The bill passed with exclusively Republican support late on Tuesday at the conclusion of a rare, 14-hour special legislative session.

Area lawmakers voting to approve the measure included:

 Matt Windschitl, a Republican who resides in Missouri Valley and represents House District 15.

 David Sieck, a Republican who resides in Glenwood and represents House District 16.

 Brent Siegrist, a Republican who resides in Council Bluffs and represents House District 19.

 Brian Best, a Republican who resides in Glidden and represents House District 11.

 Mark Costello, a Republican who resides in Imogene and represents Senate District 8.

 Dan Dawson, a Republican who resides in Council Bluffs and represents Senate District 10.

 Jason Schultz, a Republican who resides in Schleswig and represents Senate District 6.

 Steven Holt, a Republican who resides in Denison and represents House District 12.

Windschitl said that he's proud "to protect the unborn" with his vote.

"Iowans have grown our House Republican majority on the promise to defend unborn babies and we followed through on that promise yet again," Windschitl said. "We are a pro-life, pro-family caucus. Going forward, we will continue to do our work to support new parents and strengthen Iowa families.

Dawson said he voted for the original bill in 2018 and again supported the policy.

"I believe in protecting life at the sound of a heartbeat," Dawson said. "This has been a long road, but the Heartbeat Bill will protect and save the lives of many who deserve the life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness this country and this state provides."

Josh Turek, a Democrat who resides in Council Bluffs and represents House District 20, did not vote during the special session due to illness.
During the first year of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, two local crisis centers responded to 142% more contacts statewide than the previous year, connecting more Iowans experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress with life-changing services.

Between July 2022 and May 2023, over 31,000 Iowans contacted 988 for support, according to a news release.

Sunday, July 16, marks the official one-year anniversary of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The introduction of a three-digit dial code was made to ease the connection with crisis services when individuals are experiencing a suicidal or mental health-related crisis.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provide free and confidential support 24/7. Individuals with an Iowa area code who reach out to 988 are routed to one of two nonprofit agencies: CommUnity Crisis Services in Iowa City or Foundation 2 Crisis Services in Cedar Rapids.

The increase in contacts shows this seemingly small change was a strong step in the right direction Ryan Dickson, director of CommUnitys Crisis Helpline, said in the release. "Our team has created an incredible service that meets the support needs of Iowans and those across the country. It is amazing work they do, helping someone choose life."

Between July 2021 and May 2022, 62% Iowans who reached out to 988 for help reported experiencing a mental health crisis, 33% reported experiencing emotional distress and 5% reported having a suicide-related concern.

Reducing the number of steps and time it takes to connect people to the appropriate service increases the chances an individual will receive the help they need, ultimately creating healthier communities.

We know that every time we answer the phone, we have the opportunity to be a life-changing and life-saving support, said Emily Blomme, CEO of Foundation 2 Crisis Services. Our goal is always to make it as easy as possible for people to reach our crisis counselors, and 988 is a valuable step in that direction.

In more than 97% of contacts answered by Foundation 2 Crisis Services and CommUnity in the last year, the issue was able to be adequately handled by the crisis counselor over phone, chat or text. In cases where further support is requested, the counselor can connect the individual in crisis to local resources, such as mobile crisis, which dispatches crisis counselors to respond in-person.

Both CommUnity and Foundation 2 Crisis Services offer mobile crisis services, creating a continuation of care that strives to provide support in a timely manner.

If you or a loved one need emotional support, please do not hesitate to reach out. You are not alone. Text or call 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org/chat. Contacting the Lifeline is free, confidential and available all day, every day.
These days, it seems rare that conservatives and liberals agree on much. One exception where both sides might find common ground, however, is a story by the Washington Post about a Saudi Arabian-owned company acquiring thousands of acres of farmland in Arizona and using up significant underg
Senegal and Germany signed Thursday two financial agreements for the production of vaccine in the West African country, Senegalese state-run news agency APS reports.

The agreements namely financial cooperation agreement and a financial aid contract, were signed by Oulimata Sarr, Senegals Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation and Karl von Klitzing, Director Senegal Office of the German Private banking company KFW.

Per the financial aid contract deal, the European country will provide Senegal 20 million to produce vaccine. The West African country, Sarr indicated, aims to achieve health and pharmaceutical sovereignty, with autonomy in the production of high-quality medicines, vaccines, and medical products.

Karl von Klitzing stressed that the German cooperation, the starting point and heart of the project lies in Senegals vaccine sovereignty.
Moroccos electricity and water utility ONEE signed a deal to buy from Shell 0.5 billion cubic meters of liquified natural gas (LNG) over 12 years in a push to increase the share of natural gas in its energy mix, Moroccos ministry of energy transition said.

In the first years, the LNG will be supplied via the Spanish ports and shipped to Morocco through the Maghreb-Europe Pipeline, the ministry said in a statement.

The gas will be delivered later to future Moroccan LNG terminals, it said, noting that the contract is in line with Moroccos decarbonation goals.

The Kingdom of Morocco entered the international LNG market for the first time in 2022, thanks to consistent cooperation and trust with our neighbors. This medium-term supply contract will increase our energy security, enhance energy affordability and pave the way for a more ambitious decarbonization strategy. Energy transition minister Leila Benali was quoted in the statement as saying.

Speaking on the same occasion, head of ONEE Abderrahim El Hafidi said the agreement represents ONEEs first medium-term LNG purchase contract on the international market.

This agreement will enable us to meet part of our needs and guarantee the supply of natural gas to our power stations. Natural gas is now a major component of our electricity mix because it offers the flexibility needed to offset the massive introduction of renewable energies into our electricity system, he said.

Mehdi Chennoufi, Head of Global Origination, Shell LNG Marketing and Trading, said we are delighted to work with ONEE and supply LNG to the Kingdom of Morocco to help meet the countrys demand for gas. LNG offers a flexible and reliable source of energy and has a crucial role to play in the energy transition.

The deal will give a new life to the Maghreb-Europe pipeline after it was suspended in a hostile move by Algeria in 2021.
Spains Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas Puchades, stressed on Friday in Cordoba that his country supports the European Union and Morocco in concluding a new fisheries protocol for the next four years.

Spains position is very clear, said Planas in a statement to the Spanish media, describing as positive and fruitful the 5th session of the Joint Commission in charge of monitoring the Partnership Agreement in the field of sustainable fisheries between Morocco and the EU, held on Thursday in Brussels.

Work will continue, particularly on research and technical issues, to make progress and enable us to conclude the new protocol as quickly as possible, the Spanish official said.

He noted that the agreements structural support measures have worked well, while scientific and technical research is continuing with a view to the future of the agreement.

Planas said he was optimistic and hoped that this downtime will be as short as possible.

In the same vein, the Spanish Fisheries Confederation (Cepesca) underlined that the Sustainable Fisheries Agreement between Morocco and the European Union is of historic importance in relations between the European Union, Spain and Morocco.

Cepesca said in a statement released Friday that it regrets the end of the fisheries protocol between Morocco and the EU that expires on July 17, and highlighted the importance of this agreement for the Spanish fisheries industry, due to its specific weight and importance in the history of relations between the EU and Spain with Morocco.

Fisheries relations between the two countries date back to the 1950s, before competences were taken over by the EU when Spain joined the bloc in 1986. Since then, agreements between the two parties have been constantly renewed, recalled the Confederation.

Cepescas secretary general, Javier Garat, deplored the fact that the end of the EU-Morocco fisheries protocol means a new restriction on the fishing activities of the (Spanish) fleet.

This is a major problem for companies and sailors in the Andalusian, Galician and Canary fleets, Garat was quoted in the statement as saying. He urged EU negotiators to work to define as quickly as possible the technical conditions that would guide the renewal of the fisheries protocol.
BANGKOK, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai held a meeting with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the southern island of Phuket on Saturday, said the Thai Foreign Ministry.

Lavrov is in Phuket to preside over the opening of the Consulate-General of Russia in the resort island of Thailand.

The ministry said the two sides had a fruitful discussion on issues of mutual interest, including ways to increase trade, enhance cooperation in science, technology and innovation (STI), culture, sports, and tourism, as well as expressing support for the commencement of negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) between Thailand and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) at the earliest opportunity.

The two senior diplomats also exchanged views on regional and global issues, such as the situations in the Asia-Pacific region, Ukraine, and Myanmar, said the ministry. 
LINCOLN  Applications for the 2023 Governors Wellness Award are being accepted, Gov. Jim Pillens office said in a press release.

Prioritizing health has many benefits, Pillen said. It strengthens the immune system and reduces stress and the likelihood of developing many chronic diseases. Each year, we recognize organizations across Nebraska for offering wellness programs in the workplace. These programs encourage team members to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle. I invite employers in Nebraska to apply so that we can recognize their great work to promote wellness.

The Governors Wellness Award encourages employers to initiate or improve workplace wellness programs. These initiatives include items such as an assessment of employees health risks and interests, a written wellness plan with measurable goals and objectives, supportive policies, and the ability to show measurable benefits from wellness efforts.

The 2023 application has been revised to help accommodate Nebraska employers of all sizes. The single application process helps eliminate duplication and creates a smoother process for all worksites.

Organizations will still receive the Sower, Grower, or Harvester award level.

Sower level recognizes employers that have taken initial steps to encourage workplace wellness.

Grower-level honors organizations that have enhanced their wellness programs and are positively changing employee health behaviors.

Harvester level is available to employers that are reaping the benefits of an advanced wellness program and can demonstrate high-quality outcomes.

To apply, go to the Panhandle Worksite Wellness Council website at pphd.org/pwwc.html and select Governors Award from the menu.

Organizations interested in the Governors Wellness Award can find the application on the PWWC website by clicking here. The final application deadline is July 30, 2023, by midnight MT.

The Governors Wellness Award is sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and administered by the Panhandle Worksite Wellness Council, proudly part of the Panhandle Public Health District. For more information, interested organizations should contact Nicole Berosek, Organizational Wellness Coordinator, at 308-279-3496 or nberosek@pphd.ne.gov.
WASHINGTON  A retired Army colonel has reached a court settlement of nearly $1 million in a sexual assault lawsuit against Air Force Gen. John Hyten, who led the Offutt-based U.S. Strategic Command from 2016-19 before serving as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The settlement with the U.S. government ends more than four years of investigations, reviews and congressional digging into the matter, which delayed  but ultimately did not defeat  Hyten's nomination for vice chairman in 2019. He served two years and did not seek a second term.

Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser, who served as Hyten's aide in 2017 at StratCom, filed the lawsuit, and in the settlement reached in U.S. District Court in California on Wednesday, the federal government will pay her $975,000.

"It is my sincere hope that the successful outcome in my case will embolden other survivors of military sexual violence to come forward  no matter how high ranking the perpetrator," she said in a statement Thursday.

Spletstoser had received positive reviews for her work at StratCom but was forced out after an internal investigation concluded that she had been responsible for creating a "toxic" work environment.

After Hytens nomination was announced, Spletstoser came forward with accusations that he had made a series of unwanted sexual advances by kissing, hugging and rubbing up against her in 2017 while she was one of his top aides. She said that she repeatedly pushed him away and told him to stop and that he tried to derail her military career after she rebuffed him.

Hyten vigorously denied her allegations during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in July 2019, with his wife seated behind him and Spletstoser looking on from a short distance away.

"I want to state to you and to the American people in the strongest possible terms that these allegations are false, Hyten testified at the time. Nothing happened, ever.

An internal Air Force investigation determined there was insufficient evidence to charge him or recommend discipline. And a senior Air Force official said at the time that investigators also found no evidence Spletstoser was lying. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters.

It is not uncommon for the U.S. government to pay out large sums of money to settle lawsuits, but a sexual assault case against such a high-ranking military officer is far more rare.

The number of reported sexual assaults in the military has increased nearly every year since 2006. And while the services have made inroads in making it easier and safer for service members to come forward, it still remains a highly unreported crime.

Hyten's nomination was delayed for months while senators pored over thousands of pages of documents and interviewed the general and Spletstoser. The eventual Senate vote of 75-22 to confirm him reflected a bit more opposition than most military nominations, which usually get near-unanimous support.

Ten of the "no" votes came from female senators, including Vice President Kamala Harris, who was then a senator from California, and Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, a survivor of sexual assault while in college and the only Republican to vote against him.

Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer voted to confirm Hyten, calling him "a strong person for the position."

Spletstoser's attorney, Ariel Solomon, said in a statement Thursday that the legal payout "stands out as the only known settlement paid by the government for a sexual assault case brought against a member of the United States military."
The most astonishing aspect, and perhaps the only redeeming thing, about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s spree of conspiracy theories is that it had improbably managed to avoid directly implicating the Jews. But the respite from antisemitism was doomed to end. Conspiracy theorists are drawn gravitationally to the Jews, and Kennedy was only able to defy it for so long before his natural and predetermined course set in.

At a dinner this week, reported by the New York Post, Kennedy floated a theory about the origins of COVID-19 that is even more unhinged than his previous theories:

Weve put hundreds of millions of dollars into ethnically targeted microbes. The Chinese have done the same thing. In fact, COVID-19, there is an argument that it is ethnically targeted. COVID-19 attacks certain races disproportionately  because of the genetic structure, genetic differential of different races, of the receptors. COVID-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and black people. The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese. We dont know whether it was deliberately targeted or not but there are papers out there that show the racial or ethnic differential and impact.

So Kennedys theory is that somebody may have designed a virus that spares Chinese people and Jews, using the secret field of ethnically targeted microbes that Kennedy is onto, but which never gets discussed in public. (Estimates suggest at least a million Chinese citizens died from COVID-19, but we can assume Kennedy rejects those as fake.) Kennedy adds modestly that he has not yet determined whether this aspect was deliberate or not.

Conspiracy theories targeting China have been floating around since the pandemic began. Donald Trump has claimed that China may have spread COVID-19 deliberately (Theres a chance it was intentional), a theory that fails to explain why China would be willing to sacrifice its own population and economy in order to hurt other countries later.

Blaming Jews for pandemics is a longer tradition. During the Middle Ages, Christians blamed Jews for the Bubonic Plague.

The issue with Kennedy is that he long ago entered his own curated world of pseudoscience, in which every respectable position was presumptively false and every major world event presumptively engineered by secretive elites. This is a mental model that has no braking system. Kennedy can only go further and further into his fever swamp, and every effort to contradict him merely demonstrates that his enemies are determined to silence him.

His campaign has attracted a handful of true believers, a number of inattentive Kennedy family nostalgists, and a crucial segment of mostly conservative-elite allies who are cynically using his candidacy to damage the Democratic Party. But when his campaign is over, it will leave behind the scars of an emboldened movement of conspiracy theorists thrilling to his deranged and dangerous notions.
Mike Pence got sandbagged by Tucker Carlson at what should have been a great event for the former veep. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Going into the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines on Friday, the big story was whether Donald Trumps contemptuous decision to skip the presumably obligatory cattle call for Republican presidential candidates before a large and influential crowd of conservative evangelicals would damage his candidacy. Trump aside, however, the big question was whether one of the dark horse candidates stalking the former president and Florida governor Ron DeSantis would have a breakout moment at the day-long event. Former vice president Mike Pence, whose intimate ties with the Christian Right go back decades, and Senator Tim Scott, who has been delivering a decidedly religious pitch to voters in Iowa, were thought to have a real opportunity to shine in this very churchy venue.

But the star wasnt Scott or Pence or anyone else thumping a Bible, and Trumps snub was all but forgotten. For that matter, the traditional culture-war concerns of the Christian Right got short shrift. Instead, designated candidate interviewer Tucker Carlson and his personal obsessions were the center of attention, as the Des Moines Registers Brianne Pfannenstiel reported:

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a six-week abortion ban at one of Iowas largest gatherings of conservative Christians Friday, but issues of life and faith largely took a backseat in interviews with 2024 Republican presidential candidates. Former Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson grilled a half-dozen White House hopefuls on Russias war with Ukraine, immigration policy and election security  at times exposing the candidates as being out of step with many in the crowd who cheered on the former Fox News commentators tough questioning.

And Pence got the absolute worst of it, getting actually booed by the crowd for his defense of the U.S. commitment to the defense of Ukraine. Scott did better, but his effort to talk scripture and do a preacher-like stroll across a stage where he and Carlson were seated came across as forced and evasive. Towards the end of his 25-minute slot at the beginning of the day, he evaded a pointed Carlson question about issues on which he disagreed with his donors, and did an extended version of his personal story of a faith-based rise from poverty that didnt seem to stir up the crowd.

Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinsons interview epitomized Carlsons turning of the tables on the candidates. Aside from having to parry Carlsons criticism of his decision to veto legislation banning gender-affirming medicare care, Hutchinson gave the former Fox News star the opportunity to boast that he had taken zero COVID booster shots  over which the crowd went wild.

Former governor and Trump administration diplomat Nikki Haley did reasonably well, but a notable chill hit the audience when Carlson got her to admit Joe Biden won the 2020 election.

Oddest of all, the candidate who shone most at this overtly conservative Christian assemblage was professed Hindu Vivek Ramaswamy. The format played into his strength as a glib debater who is hard to out-maneuver. And more importantly, he out-Tuckered Carlson on the issue of Ukraine, not only categorically opposing past, present, and future U.S. aid to Ukraine, but advocating a forced peace deal that would give Russia most of the territory it is pursuing in exchange for a Putin break with China. The tech tyro also got applause for arguing that censorship, not Trump or treason, was at the bottom of the January 6 assault on the Capitol.

By most accounts Ramaswamy is not a real threat to the standing of Donald Trump (whom he frequently defends and channels) or to Ron DeSantis. So in an important respect the Floridian was one of the days winners. And DeSantis himself, who has gotten snuggly-close with Family Leader president and Trump antagonist Bob Vander Plaats, did pretty well in the final interview of the day, which gave him an opportunity to anticipate Carlsons shtick. He was evasive on two key Carlson questions (one involving his willingness to sign a national six-week abortion ban, and another clarifying U.S. goals in Ukraine), but managed to deliver most of his stock-speech applause lines without Carlson getting him off track. The crowd particularly loved his best implicit criticism of Trump: his claim that he would have fired Anthony Fauci at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An interesting but unanswerable question is how Trump might have fared had he attended the Family Leadership Summit. Its hard to imagine him being dominated by Carlson like several or his rivals. But then again, Trumps strategy so far is to avoid any venue in which he can even be compared to other candidates (which will make the Iowa Lincoln Day state Republican fundraising event on July 28, at which all the candidates are scheduled to appear, even more significant).

As for Carlson, being the Big Dog in Des Moines was likely a welcome development after a year in which he lost his job at Fox News and then had to watch his new Twitter platform crumble. Dont be surprised if his name starts popping up again on 2024 GOP veep lists  though probably not those connected to Mike Pence or Asa Hutchinson.
Auburn City Schools is finishing up the last of the preparations at the new Woodland Pines Elementary School before the school year starts on August 8.

Woodland Pines Elementary at 1565 West Farmville Road in Auburn will be the school systems 10th elementary school. It will serve grades K-2 and will feed into Yarbrough Elementary, which will serve grades 3 through 5.

The other eight elementary campuses within ACS include Auburn Early Education Center, Ogletree, Cary Woods, Pick, Dean Road, Wrights Mill Road, Richland and Creekside.

The completed 72,000-square-foot building has the capacity to hold 600 students. ACS public relations coordinator Daniel Chesser said the school system is still finalizing registration, but ACS expects to have a little over 9,500 students system wide. Last year, ACS had about 9,417 total students.

The original plan was to open the new elementary school last fall for the 2022-2023 school year, but the construction process was hindered by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chesser said the pandemic impacted the construction field across the board because of labor shortages, material shortages and an increase in construction costs. With that, the opening date was delayed and pushed back by one year.

Tonya Nolen, the former assistant principal of Dean Road Elementary School, will be moving over to Woodland Pines as the principal of the school. Shes been in the education field for 27 years and spent about 14 of those years with ACS.

Nolen said shes excited to welcome all the families to the new school and excited about building a community of learners.

The teachers have started about two weeks ago, she said. Theyre working in their room as hard as they can to get it ready and prepared for Meet the Teacher on August 4 and to welcome kids in the building August 8 into their classroom to start learning,

The school will have 18 homeroom teachers and about 50 total staff members. The building includes a music room, art room, library, multipurpose room, storm shelter and classrooms. The multipurpose room serves as a cafeteria, an indoor gymnasium and gathering space.

The layout of the building is a similar model to Creekside Elementary, which was the newest elementary school that opened in 2018.

Chesser said the name Woodland Pines was chosen for the school because of the geographical location and the plethora of trees surrounding the site. Nolen said they chose a pine tree for the schools logo and an owl for the mascot. The schools colors will be blue, green and yellow.

The plan for the construction of Woodland Pines was approved in 2018 to accommodate the continuing growth of the City of Auburn. Nolen said she can already see the growth in the area because of the number of new students enrolling.

The City of Auburn is growing by about 6 people a day. Auburns Director of Public Affairs David Dorton said Auburn has grown from 53,380 people in 2010 to about 80,006 in 2022.

ACS superintendent Cristen Herring said when she first started working in the ACS school system in 1993 there were only three elementary schools. Since then, ACS has added seven elementary schools and has plans to build a second high school with a goal to complete it by 2027.

We are excited to introduce our 10th elementary school to the Auburn Community, Herring said. We have every confidence in Tonya Nolen who has been working for more than a year to prepare for the opening of school.

Herring said Nolen has been instrumental in the meetings about the completion of construction and highly engaged in the selection and preparation of faculty and staff.

Nolen said she looked for teachers and staff members who truly love what they do and who pour theyre heart and soul into teaching children every single day.

Kindergarten teacher Molly McGill is one of the teachers that meet these qualifications. McGill is an Auburn High School alumna who will be starting her first year of teaching in the fall.

I grew up in Auburn City Schools, and Im so excited to be able to work here and give back to the community that gave so much to me, McGill said.

Thursday afternoon she was decorating her classroom in preparation for the start of school.

Ginger Key, another passionate teacher, will be transferring from Dean Road to Woodland Pines. Shes been a music teacher for about 15 years and has spent 10 of those at ACS.

Seeing the building was very exciting, and the possibilities of opening a brand a new, bright, fresh school and inviting kids in, I think is exciting, she said while smiling ear to ear.

Visit the Auburn City Schools website for more information about Woodland Pines Elementary School zoning and registration.
The Opelika and Auburn Police Departments have worked to build on their relationship with the Auburn-Opelika community since the killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020.

Opelika Police Department has worked toward improving training for its officers. They also implemented the Together Opelika Campaign, a program meant to grow trust between law enforcement and residents through community engagement and more. Auburn Police Department has implemented the Eagle Watch Program, hosted National Night Out, offered free community safety training and more.

A lot of the things that we ultimately changed were things that we had already been talking about and working towards doing, Opelika Police Chief Shane Healey told the Opelika-Auburn News. Policy wise, we were already ahead of the curve. So some of the changes that came out nationally for some of this police reform were things that we had already done.

Laticia Smith, the NAACP Lee County Branch 5038 president, said she does believe that Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones, City of Opelika Chief of Police Shane Healey and City of Auburn Chief of Police Cedric Anderson have all been very receptive in building better relationships with the community.

Longterm, what I would also like to see us do is continue to pour into our youth and truly begin to identify gaps that will engage, educate, and empower our community leaders and police departments to collaborate on a larger and more focused scale specific to improving policy and practice changes in the criminal justice system, Smith said. Often when I have engaged in conversations, leaders will share that we have a particular program in place to address this or that, which is good.

Smith suggested creating programs on a larger scale that are directed towards a very focused audience. The hope is that it would have a greater impact and be truly transformational in addressing existing inequities in order to create safe and healthy communities.

In February 2023, a Town Hall Discussion was held where the Local Law Enforcement Agency openly discussed several topics. They discussed protocols and training on the use of force and de-escalation. They also spoke on the scope of an officers duty and obligation to intervene in order to prevent excessive force by another officer. They tackled how an officer should provide appropriate medical care. They also spoke about how officers should identify themselves as law enforcement and give verbal warning of their intent to use deadly force.

National Night Out founder Oscar Penn said his organization is designed to build relationships in the community with law enforcement. He feels the communitys needs are being ignored.

As for relations with George Floyd, its really just a smokescreen. The improvement that really needs to happen in our communities is that well need to have a one-on-one situation with each individual cordially, Penn said. Ive spoken in the city council meeting recently about how they have taken the funds that were raised by the concerned citizens and placed them in the hands of city administrators making it hard for us to do the things we need to in order to make our community better for our people.

Penn said Eddie Smith, president of the Opelika City Council, has worked with concerned citizens in the most positive way.
The Samford Community Outreach Group invites citizens to the 8th annual Take a Stand Against Violence event on Saturday, Aug. 5, at Christian Care Ministries in Opelika.

The event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include free food, a school supplies giveaway and a peace march and rally.

Carolyn Morton, CEO of Samford Community Outreach Group, said this years theme is Keep Love and Unity. As an activist and voice against violence, Morton said its important to spread love, show support and educate others.

I want them to come and let them know we can keep the love and unity as we come together and unite, Morton said.

Morton is a survivor of gun violence and the same is true for some of her family members. In 1980 when she was 15 years old, she lost her father to gun violence. Her daughter survived a 2012 shooting.

In 2010, Morton founded the Samford Community Outreach Group and made it her mission to be a voice for peace and to spread awareness about gun prevention, community safety, domestic violence and suicide.

On Aug. 19, the nonprofit will be celebrating its 13th anniversary and will be hosting another event for the community at Christian Care Ministry in Opelika. The event will include free food and various speakers.

Morton said hosting events and spreading awareness wouldnt have been possible without all the support shes received from the community and various organizations. Her partners for the Take a Stand Against Violence event are Marquenta Barnett from Sharing and Caring Uplift Outreach and Alicia Ogletree.

This event on Aug. 5 will also include a vigil-like moment as they remember people in the community who have been affected by violence and those who have lost their life because of violence.

One of the victims they will remember is Amore Wiggins. Wiggins became part of the Opelika family about 11 years ago after Opelika police detectives discovered her remains in a wooded area in the Brookhaven Trailer Park off Hurst Street.

After testing confirmed the remains belonged to a young girl between the age of 4 and 7, she became known as Opelika Baby Jane Doe until further investigation led to the discovery of her true identity in January 2023.

Detectives believed Wiggins was killed in 2010 or 2011, was malnourished and physically abused before her death.

After Wiggins was identified, her biological father Lamar Vickerstaff Jr. was arrested and charged with felony murder. His wife, Ruth Vickerstaff, was arrested and charged with failure to report a missing child. Both await further action by the Lee County court.

Wiggins biological mother Sherry Wiggins lost custody of her daughter to the Vickerstaff couple in a Virginia court in 2009, but she had been paying child support for the past 13 years.

Morton said Sherry Wiggins is planning to attend event, as well as several others who have been affected by violence.
I'm so glad they added the goat singer to the cover.

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Ben Platt

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Why did my mind immediately go to Gotye

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One of my favorite things to come out of that whole situation was him literally saying that if he hadn't been cast as Evan, the thing wouldn't have gotten made. Bro you just admitted that the only reason the thing exists is because your daddy funded your vanity project, can't you hear yourself speak?

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I feel like we're gonna get some Chris Pratt/Jeremy Strong-esque protective comments from some actors who should just sit there and eat their food.

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I want the nepo babies themselves to respond!



I want mess!

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There was a very similar feature to this in the Washington Post a few months ago that discussed most of the same people, and interviewed many of them.



I kind of doubt this triggers that big a response, since its not really saying anything distinct from several months of social media discourse.

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"I work with Maude and I just want to say she has EARNED HER FLOWERS"



-random ww

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Zoe Kravitz is already drafting an IG post as we type.

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The slew of "I had the sweetest purrfect guest tipped me $300, anon plz" and "can confirm that a certain Birdy made sure her set was safe and inclusive"

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i saw threads about people becoming aware of these guys being nepo kids and i'm just sitting here like... did you watch movies that came out before 2020? like y'all have really never heard of denzel washington, johnny depp or lenny kravitz?????????????

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"It" factor, while some do, like Zoe Kravitz or Kate Hudson. They walk in the room, and they have this thing, says the casting director.



i have literally yet to see this in zoe and she's been acting for like 40 years or some shit. a pretty face is not a fucking it factor

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I agree about Zoe. She doesnt have the it factor. Pretty does not equal it.

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Thats the way Ive always felt about her. Shes been up and coming for close to 15 years and I guess started to be taken seriously once the audience stopped caring who her parents were

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Zoe has been declared a rising star for god knows how many years now and has yet to rise. She doesnt have it unless it is just being pretty.

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She's a sarcastic mumble attached to a pretty face. (She's also a horrid person irl who was rude to a journalist friend of mine.)

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Right?? She's boring af

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Some of them are calling up their daddys lawyers asking if they can sue NYM as we speak

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I don't think my father, the star of Independence Day, would be too pleased about this.

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wild that this can apply to THREE nepo babies working today.

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Draco Malfoy vibes.

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Stan twitter was in shamblesss. I dif not know JDW had stans like that.

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ONTD have you ever benefited from nepotism?



lol I have. Not in an exciting way. But my dad got me a summer job at his company doing data entry. They'd gotten a new client and needed some people to input stuff in their database and it ended up being me and the daughter of my dad's boss doing it. 100% Nepotism.



But it was a nice summer job during college.

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lol my dad did too! I but so did other people at his job. They hired a bunch of the kids of workers just for a summer.

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look at us, a couple of beautiful nepo babies! and we will not accept any criticisms about our college summer jobs!

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lol same

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My dad tried to do a nepotism, unfortunately for me, someone else did the nepotism first and they were higher up. But he got both of my brothers into his industry - one stuck with it and climbed the ladder to another industry and one didnt.

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I got a text from my friend a few years ago when I was unemployed telling me his roommate's job was looking for a new studio assistant bc the last one disappeared (he was the only straight man in a sewing studio full of boomer and millennial women and one gay guy and I guess he could no longer handle it lmao) so that's how I got my current job



My bf got his new job when he came home complaining about getting paid late a few months ago and I found an opening that suited him perfectly on my aforementioned friend's company website and I texted said friend like "is this still avail?" And my friend put my bf's resume on top of the stack the next day

\_()_/





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I got my job at Pizza Hut because of my mom lol

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Never. My parents are nobodies with zero connections. I actually didn't get a job at my mom's employer (in a completely different division - I was applying for a job on the banking side and she was on the insurance side, with zero crossover) because they realized I was her daughter during the interview. It wasn't a job I was passionate about or anything, but I was pissed because I really needed something full time and got the interview on my own merits - she was just like "hey, the bank is hiring, FYI!" so I applied and immediately got a call. I think the woman doing the hiring just didn't like my mom. :/

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Absolutely!

My dad is the polar opposite of me in the sense that he's able to earn enough goodwill with anyone in the room and make 'friends' with everyone.

This guy has yet to burn a bridge and just keeps a mental rolodex, keeps in touch with people every few years.



I've been benefiting from "oh your sailordads kid" since forever - job experiences aside, things like legal help/advice. Next month I have an appointment with a financial advisor who's dad knew my dad from some work project back in the 80s.



I take days to respond back to a text and he's out there checking in with an acquaintance from 1983.

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Yeah, my aunt was the payroll director for the local YMCA and she got me an interview with the customer service director, and that's how I landed my first job doing laundry and handing out racquetball equipment.

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100% I got my first job thanks to my mom

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Maybe more access to healthcare via nepotism? I have medi-cal but get services through the local hospital network that my mom works for. She has a lot of friends there so when I need health services, Ive noticed I get seen faster/receive services more quickly than if people did not know who my mom was.

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Nah. The other one cronyism.

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I did not. My older sister did though. She was a bit of a wild child. Luckily for her, our family had connections in local politics so she remained unscathed. On the one hand, ACAB but also some people need to learn accountability.

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idk if this would be nepotism but more benefits from connections but my old hair dresser helped me get my first job in healthcare. he cut my old manager's hair & he referenced me to her & told me about job openings so it helped me get a nursing assistant job while i was in school.

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Not parent/child nepotism, but Ive definitely leveraged the "it's who you know" thing, like one of my current jobs I probably could have gotten if my friend hadn't recommended me, but her working for the company is how I knew about the position and why I applied, it really was that "foot in the door." And I have other friends who have introduced me to their bosses and talked me up and helped me get jobs in the past and are trying to help me get jobs now so even though I'm not unqualified, the connection is definitely giving me a leg up.



And since my bank account just hit the negative again, I feel no shame.

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for a summer job? absolutely. for my actual work? that relies more on cronyism lbr

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No, but I guess my sister did. She didn't like her degree and worked random jobs after college. My mom ended up getting her a job at the company she worked at, which helped my sister get her foot in the door of that industry. She met her now husband there and they both work at better companies.

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Ive benefited from my parents money for sure but their only connections - and theyre some pretty primo connections - are only in a very very specific industry that I have no interest in being a part of. Theyre comically unaware of how one even starts a career outside of it lol

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when I lived in DC after college my dad did go so uh how desperate are you for a job, exactly? Would you consider working for a Republican congressman, maybe? and I was like dad fuck no jesus and he was like ok ok fair enough. I still dont know what exactly his connection there was (my parents are definitely not republicans) but Im glad he didnt push it lol

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my sister and I both had our first jobs in the restaurant our mother worked at. I've also gotten jobs because someone my parents knew was looking for hires. I kept those jobs because I did the damn thing. my current job I applied for myself and have kept for three years on my own merit.

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my parents never did jack shit for me, but whats it called when you get a job due to someone youre fucking? lmao

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lmao, my dad also got me a summer job at his work doing data entry

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Yes.



When I put in for a promotion, my dad mentioned to our director (this was before both my parents retired & the director at the time loved my dad) that I had put in for it & to keep me in mind. I did get the promotion so I mean



Edited at 2022-12-19 09:33 pm (UTC)

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my dad got me a job at the same bank he worked at. I still had to interview but it was mostly a formality. I was embarrassed about being one of the VP's kids though (yet couldn't hide it because of the very unique last name) so I did work as hard as I could to not seem like a nepotism hire.



I work at a different company now but am surrounded by asshole finance dudes who got their jobs because of their rich dads and it is really fuckin annoying tbh. they have zero self-awareness and major senses of entitlement.

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lol yes i needed a job after we moved back to Australia after a working holiday in the UK...my mum worked for a university, one of her friends needed an assistant so she put in a word for me.

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Yes. I got hired at McDonalds because my sister was a mgr. Took me far in life.

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Yeah. The company, not my parent, asked me to work for them, but I asked them to get all the board to all agree it before I took the position and parent refused to have any hand in the process.



I did what I could, but honestly, I definitely benefit from nepotism (and the fact they were desperate to fill the position and knew I could do it).

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no, my family is pretty working class and i was the first kid to go to college



but i for sure have benefitted from a lot of networking to get better and better jobs

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Even when my mom directed my elementary school Christmas pageant she cast me as a supporting role to avoid accusations of nepotism...among third graders 



So.....yeah, no.

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He-he, my dad had a tiny factory that used to make freshly-squeezed juices. I was one of the (four) people who were peeling oranges and cleaning tomatoes for it.

I am so entitled)

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lol yes. im the business admin for my mom's company

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My dad also got me a job through a charity he's involved in. During summers in college, I worked as an aide for a company that transports kids with disabilities (usually wheelchair or other mobility device users) to summer camp. It was a nice job, taught me a lot and I'm definitely grateful bc it's not something I would have sought out on my own.

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i got the job i have now because my mom works for the company and her bosses LOVE her. but the more important aspect is that they definitely paid me more than others in my same position with no experience, likely because i obviously know my mom's salary. there's a bunch of other family members that all work here too. they seem to like referrals of any kind for new employees.

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Same. I got my first job out of university due to nepotism. It was supposed to be a short stint covering a leave but they kept me.

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not from my parents, my mom didn't work and my dad was in the military, but i did make friends with people in undergrad who were v, v smart, set up their own standardized test study company and essentially let me take some classes and get copies of the material for free. I absolutely could not have afforded it all otherwise and got into the professional degree I was applying for in the end so ty to them <3

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LOL yeah. My Mum got my resume pushed through for an internship application at a place she had connections in. My Dad also knew people in that place, but Mum was the one who had more direct/easier access.



It eventually led to a full time job and 8 years in an industry I was only really in for job stability, ha.

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Yes. Got my current job because my uncle is friends with the owner of the company but i don't think my direct boss knows that and he hasn't fired me so that's good lol

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My dad also got me my first summer job, with a friend's company. It was cush as shit, great money and great resume material.



My father grew up dirt poor and made his own money. He also got his early jobs through family connections. The jobs, however, were things like a smelting factory.



I don't think it's unusual, no matter the walk of life, to use family connections and background to help you start out in the workplace. The issue is in not recognizing the privilege of BETTER options, including ones you genuinely want for your future and not just need for your basic income.

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Im whatever the friend nepotism is lol of the 4 major/long terms jobs Ive had, only one was not a referral 

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Yeah I have the same job my mom had and when I first started working there Im pretty sure I got in the office I did (near my house) because my mom worked there. So then I worked with a bunch of ppl who knew my mom. But sometimes they would go out of the way to make it seem like they werent giving me special treatment so I was kind of screwed over a couple times.

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My uncle is a hospital director. When I got in an accident (not life threatening), I was able to get surgery winthin an hour.

My brother is studying medicine so I'm sure he's gonna benefit from nepotism too. But he's also been networking hard with other nepo kids in his class lol.

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My dad "mentioned" to the HR person that I was gonna send my CV in, which probably put me up in the candidates, but stubbornness and Depression (TM) got in the way and I ended up dropping out of the selection process 3/4th of the way through.



I regret it every day tbh

It was like a 50k+ a year job





Now I make 18$ an hour doing customer service because I thought I could make it in the museum world. Goddamnit my parents were right 

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My dad gave me a summer job in his company yeeeeeears ago. Easy money lol. Otherwise? Never

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My sister got me two of my part-time jobs when I was in high school and in the undergrad, first one involved physical labor under the sun so I'm pretty sure it helped build the character  Both jobs were in underfunded research facilities and they literally couldn't find anyone to do it for that money, but they fed me tea with cookies and my sister picked me up in the evening and I did homework while she was driving. Fun times, shit money, but lots of nice people (all underpaid so they did a lot of hustling on the side too) and at the second job I got to learn how to work with databases and basic formal correspondence. At the first one I befriended the head gardener's cat and after being given the instructions for the day we went to do our sweaty dirty jobs. The cat's job was mostly to ruin my work though.

Loved my nepotism times.

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My mom does nails for pretty famous St. Louis people like the Schnucks family and Joe Buck's daughter. So I've gotten a lot of opportunities from people she knows because the love my mom so much.

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does it count when my mechanic dad fixes my car?

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I wish I could have been a nepotism bb tbh. I haven't got any talent, I'm quite lazy and I'd really love to be able to buy any house I want. I feel like my purpose in life is to glamorously lounge around and I am so not fulfilling that right now.

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-The casting director complains about how acting standards have declined. They said that people watch acting on social media or streaming, think that's good acting, and start to mimic it. "That devolution explains why it may feel as though there are so many more well-born mediocrities than ever before: The mediums standards are merely lower," says the author of the piece.



This particular casting director is viewing the past with some serious rose-tinted glasses. Acting standards arent any worse than in the past, and in some areas theyre clearly higher (the standard in child acting, especially, is leagues better in the past twenty years or so than it ever was before, as someone who watches a lot of older media).

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This reminded me that I meant to look up when we really moved into "movie acting" as a technique versus people giving stage performances on film. I watch a lot of older movies and think a lot of them are great, but there's a very clear difference in standards!

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there's just so much stuff being made, a lot of it big budget that takes up a ton of time for people that there aren't enough actors to go around. when half the cast of Stranger Things is stuck in Atlanta for nine months out of the year, then they can't be in teen movies or other shows so they have to go down the list and that's how you end up with a worse actor in a role AND Joe Keery missing his moment to be a movie star lol

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It's been a thing for ages that TV "stars" often have a difficult time overcoming their initial break because the schedules are so tough. But certainly the advantage that younger stars have is that once they're freed from the show they're still in their 20s/30s.

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I would say, with shorter shows being made, we are better now and that regard than ever

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Is he bound by contract or something cause why didnt he move on after season 2 when the world was in love with steve

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I... do not agree with this. I think people who say this stuff are often thinking back on the "golden age" of Hollywood (however they choose to define it) and conjure up maybe 5-10 movies from an entire decade and go, "Aahhh when films were great!!!! Not like now!!!!!"



Yeah, The Kissing Booth 5 probably isn't going to blow me away with realism, but I think there's plenty of outstanding onscreen performances, most of which have far more realism than similarly lauded performances from the 70s, 80s, or 90s.

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Ever since I read a comment from someone saying (from Deuxmoi I think?) its better to be a nepo baby because if you have no connections you are much more likely to be exploited and abused, I cant help but think its better that nepo babies are the ones getting the jobs/roles.



I do wish more of them would just admit and own up to their privilege though because claiming they worked hard to get where they are shows their extreme lack of self awareness.

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most privileged people will be protected from exploitation and abuse in any field, so that argument doesn't make sense to me because then you could make the twisted argument that privileged people in the arts (publishing, music, acting, etc.) should be getting every job out of "concern" for others.



unless we're strictly talking about child actors, where the kids don't understand what they're getting into, which i could understand.

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I should have clarifiedI was specifically referring to child actors. Sorry!

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This is where I'm at. You can't help the upbringing you were born/raised to but at least acknowledge that it has help you to have the life you have?

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It's more important vulnerable people are given safety nets than just giving privileged people jobs they didn't deserve.

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I see this generally with privilege- there are a lot of people I know who act as though the access to resources and such are equal for everyone, even though they are the product of a lot of privilege. They do work, but like- they're mediocre and don't recognize how much they've benefited from wealth, race, etc.



It's even more grating in situations like with Hollywood nepotism.

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But Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie come from famous parents and that didnt stop Weinstein from trying it.



Jenny Lumet is the daughter of Sidney Lumet and granddaughter of Lena Horne and she was sexually assaulted by Russell Simmons.



I use to think that famous Nepo girls or a-listers were safe cause of their power but the metoo movement pretty much showed thats not case. They may have more access to resources and care but they are not completely untouchable either.



Even a non-Nepo person like Halsey said she thought once she reached a certain level of status, shed be safe but she mentioned thats not totally the case.

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I don't think being a nepo baby saves you from abuse. Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, and Mira Sorvino were all victims of Weinstein

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i get what you mean. it def gives them an advantage on avoiding predatory set practices and negotiating contracts. like maude apatow avoiding all of the nudity required of all the other women (except zendaya) on euphoria.

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I know I've said this on here regarding child actors specifically -- and for me it was less about abuse (though I think it's true enough) and more because the child is not the breadwinner so you don't get a completely fucked up family dynamic. But it still doesn't guarantee the child doesn't get completely messed up.

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What? This is like saying rich people have a harder life because they have more options

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Idk if acting standards have declined but audiences clearly care alot less these days. Alot of tv shows have acting equivalent of soap operas these days and it's not good. I was watching Shadow and Bone and the acting from the main girl was so bad it took me out of the show multiple times.

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Zoe Kravitz is very beautiful, but she has been an it girl for over a decade. It might be time to recognize that simply does not have it?



I think the nepotism discourse is the result of rising inequality yet mainstream media outlets insisting the world is fair and everyone who gets to the top of competitive industries does so because of their "hard work" and talent. It has come to the point where trading in on wealth and connections is the only way to make it in a creative field these days.

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there was a recent article talking about the shrinking working class in the arts (not just actors, but also staff which is worse) so yeah i can't blame people wanting to get their hits in on the nepo babies and the more privileged of them.

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Lol I've missed magazine covers that tell a story.





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Can you match the defensive quote to the nepo baby who said it? Take our quiz! https://t.co/ha1xKll2Pb  New York Magazine (@NYMag) December 19, 2022



This quiz was my favourite part. Good job New York mag. This quiz was my favourite part. Good job New York mag.

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i got 6/8 smh

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I got 6/8 too

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Remind me not copy off of you next time.

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6/8 and they don't give the right answers when you guess wrong, rude!!

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4/8, I need to brush up

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Can someone tell me how to read these paywall articles again?

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I got an 8/8 but Im not proud. I need to get off the internet.

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7/8! apparently i'm a nepo expert lol

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Okay I really need to know what dumbass said this one:



Its completely normal for people to be in the family business. Its literally where last names came from. You were a blacksmith if your family was, like, the Black family.

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4/8 lol

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lmao incredible quiz

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One person met with an aspiring actress who the daughter of two movie stars. She was a lovely person but had a sense of entitlement. That daughter got a role that made her a household name.



Maya Hawke was my first thought (I guess Stranger Things made her a household name?), or maybe Dakota Johnson.

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I thought Dakota.

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I dont think that anecdote really fits the arc of her career. To the extent that she had a star-making role it was Fifty Shades of Grey, and she was already a working actress at that point (including a starring role in a TV show).

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Im not sure that Maya is a household name yet. Dakota may be.

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i thought of maya too

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Maybe Goop?

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I thought Kate Hudson.

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yeah sounds like maya to me, referring to stranger things

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Must be Kate Hudson. She was literally gonna be a star no matter what. And I can imagine her just knowing she would make it.

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Don Johnson isn't really a movie star though. More of a TV actor.



Maya Hawke makes way more sense.

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I can hear it now: we know and are grateful we have the privilege to get through the door, but we have to work so much harder to stay!!! You dont understand! We actually do the work!!

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This is addressed in the article with a great quote



This is ludicrous, Fran Lebowitz wrote in a 1997 issue of Vanity Fair. Getting in the door is pretty much the entire game, especially in movie acting, which is, after all, hardly a profession notable for its rigor. Lebowitz brought this up in service of a metaphor about structural racism: Just as the children of celebrities got a leg up from the fact that they physically resembled people who were already famous, so too did Americas whites benefit from fitting the nations mental image of who should be in charge. In this context, being a nepo baby is the Cadillac of privilege. Nobodys got it better.

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I thought this said the Catholic of privilege and I was like wait is there a new hierarchy of Christians these days

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i fucking love fran lmao

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Personally I dont really care about it all that much. If I had those doors opening cause of family or a friendIm def walking through them.



The bullet point about people not complaining about nepotism babies like Laura Dern, Freddie Prinze Jr probably have to do with the fact that they became more famous than their parents. Most people will know Laura cause of Jurassic Park but not know her dad Bruce even though hes done a lot of films.



I do agree about there being different levels of nepotism depending how on big or not said relative is.

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I'd say Blythe Danner was a much bigger name than Bruce.

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Blythe Danner is Gwyneth Paltrow's mom. Laura's mom is Diane Ladd and her dad is Bruce Dern.

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normal ppl outside of the industry might not be familiar with bruce dern on a name-recognition basis (they definitely recognize him on sight). but within the industry he's definitely a huge deal, and that's what gets nepo kids jobs

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I care, mostly because I work in the field, but also bc I have tons of talented actor friends and it's disheartening to see them work their asses off and never even get the chance to audition for big(ger) things. I'm fine with nepo babies who have remarkable talent tho but most of them are mediocre at best.

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yeah, nepotism exists in most industries so it makes sense.... but i still want them to be talented and put their dues in.



i think hollywood is just a lot more telling of nepotism to the negative because we have to watch these nepo kids suck ass on screen

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I didn't know all those brands were under a conglomerate.

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The Arnault family heads the LVMH conglomerate that owns all the other brands (LV, Celine, Dior, et al).

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Was probably the only way some of these brands could survive tbh.

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I've never heard of half these names but I thought it was me putting my energies elsewhere instead of high fashion.

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Karl Lagerfeld could be a jerk, but I clearly remember him saying the old money (aristocrats in particular) that was pouring money into a lot of these labels was drying up because they bought a lot of couture for their events. Seeing that a lot of young members of royal families in different countries are marrying into relatively new money shows he wasn't wrong about that.

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I rewatched "Joan is Awful" with my partner last night (who was watching it for the first time) and he was like "What even is this?" during the scene where Salma shits herself in the church, lol.

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I haven't heard of this movie and want to say I am intrigued?)

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It's an episode in the latest season of Black Mirror that's really mirroring what a lot of actors are going on strike about (AI, GGI, and the ramifications behind that). In it, Salma Hayek licensed her likeness to appear on a Steamberry (*coughNetflix*) show about an average woman, and that woman finds out about it once her life goes down the drain because of the show and decides to crash a wedding at a church and takes a giant shit in the middle of the aisle because she knows they will make the "CGI Salma" do it too and will make the real Salma angry, lol. It's a hot mess that is also current.

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I wasnt ready for that

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Sounds like a literal hot mess! What does it tell about me, that I want to see it?)

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It's a really good episode so if you can watch it do so!

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yeah that scene without context is HIGH

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Is this a good thing?

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No, because it's more consolidation of wealth and power

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I asked exactly the same question!

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Capitalism doing what capitalism do.

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I loved Joan Is Awful. I wish it had been a full series.

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Fire al the shady agents that were complicit with Harvey and still are with other abusive execs!



Spoiler: they wont fire them

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he should

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I didn't know that Salma's husband had that kind of money. I knew he had money but still... frightening.

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it's a ride watching the strikes revealing all the struggles, pains and unpaid residuals and basic dues to 99%

while on the other end of that spectrum, billionaires that keep on splurging on anything but



I do sincerely hope that a revolution could eat those riches for real... dispatch the wealth in a more sustainable and fair way... (oh child, do I dream big... it's ridiculous... but I wish)





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There's a whole number of countries, where the revolutions led to riches being eaten for real and the wealth had been redistributed. It's bloody, horrific, and leads to generational trauma that is still absolutely defines the mindset of nations sometimes centuries later.

I hear you, but I don't think this is what you really want. Given that, when that happens, definition of "rich" is very quickly revised. And it's families, who have A CAR, or A LAPTOP, or A HOME would be considered next to share their wealth, not just the uber-rich, who annoy you or whom you are against.

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Salma seems still like an anti-BS person, even if she married into wealth...



I dare hope she could be of a good influence on this move but... VIP rich now, will she ?

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BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China has exported a new nuclear power unit to Pakistan, according to the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).

Unit 5 of the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant (C-5) broke ground recently, marking another milestone in nuclear energy cooperation between China and Pakistan.

It is the third one-million-kilowatt-class unit of Hualong One, China's self-developed third-generation nuclear power technology, and the seventh nuclear power unit exported from China to Pakistan.

The CNNC said it had built two nuclear power bases in Pakistan with a total of six nuclear power units, which can provide nearly 30 billion kWh of clean electricity every year, equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 24.48 million tonnes per year.

The construction of the C-5 project will further enhance Pakistan's energy security, help promote Pakistan's economic development, and improve the well-being of local people, said the CNNC.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, China and Pakistan reached a consensus on enhancing collaboration across the entire industry chain and achieving mutual benefit and win-win results. 
There is great optimism around the future of green hydrogen, with many seeing it as a super-fuel that will replace oil-derived options, as well as be highly competitive with electric battery technology. However, we are far from achieving this ambition yet, mainly due to small-scale production operations and high costs. Many companies around the globe have plans to produce green hydrogen, but some are battling challenges that are slowing down the rollout of the clean fuel. Despite improvements in production processes, thanks to greater investment in the sector in recent years, the production and transportation costs of green hydrogen remain much higher than other fuels, including other types of hydrogen.

Producing grey or blue hydrogen, which is derived from fossil fuels, is viewed as relatively low cost, with many companies already relying on this fuel. Grey hydrogen is produced using natural gas. It undergoes a steam methane reforming (SMR) process, which breaks methane apart using high-pressure steam, which creates separate hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide molecules. This process produces high levels of carbon dioxide, around 9 to 10 tonnes of CO2 for every tonne of hydrogen. But it is also highly cost-effective, so long as natural gas prices remain stable. In July 2022, the cost of grey hydrogen was around $2 per kilo.

In contrast, green hydrogen production methods are more expensive. Green hydrogen is made using renewable energy sources to power an electrolysis process that separates hydrogen from water, producing just steam as a waste product. It is carbon neutral, making it highly attractive for companies looking to decarbonise. However, by July 2022, it cost around $4 to $5 a kilo, or even more, to produce green hydrogen. And some industry experts believe that the high cost of green hydrogen production isnt going to fall any time soon.

Green hydrogen is viewed by many international agencies, such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), as a solution to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors. As more governments and private companies around the globe pump funding into green hydrogen operations, there are high hopes that the production cost of green hydrogen to fall substantially, to as low as $0.5 per kilo. However, others believe it will be difficult to drive the cost to lower than $3 per kilo.

IRENA published two studies to drive green hydrogen production worldwide: Green Hydrogen: A Guide to Policy Making in November 2020, and Green Hydrogen Cost Reduction: Scaling up Electrolysers to Meet the 1.5C climate goal in December 2020. These studies were aimed at encouraging governments and private companies to scale up production, aimed at driving down costs. However, the price of green hydrogen production so far remains elevated, at around 2 to 3 times the cost of grey hydrogen production, when gas prices are stable.

Nevertheless, progress has been seen thanks to greater funding into research and development, with the price of electrolysers falling by around 60 percent since 2010. According to IRENA, they could decrease by a further 40 percent in the short term and by as much as 80 percent in the long term. This cost reduction prediction relies on greater innovation in electrolysis technology to improve its performance, as well as scaling up manufacturing capacity, standardisation, and growing economies of scale.

Another challenge to consider is the cost of transportation. Murray Douglas, the head of hydrogen research at Wood Mackenzie, stated that Hydrogen is pretty expensive to move Its more difficult to move than natural gas ... technically, engineering wise  its just harder. And Douglas is not the only one concerned about this. The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) has reported challenges with green hydrogen including reducing cost, increasing energy efficiency, maintaining hydrogen purity, and minimizing hydrogen leakage. The DoE believes greater research is required to analyse the trade-offs between the hydrogen production options and the hydrogen delivery options when considered together as a system.

Companies worldwide are now considering the best locations for their green hydrogen production facilities. While there is great potential for the development of plants in Australia, North Africa, and the Middle East, these could be very far from their principal markets. Douglas highlighted the need for a dedicated pipeline, constructed between the producer and end-user if moving green hydrogen by pipe. Alternatively, green hydrogen could be transported as ammonia with nitrogen, which could be shipped and sold to consumers such as fertiliser producers. Otherwise, users would have to crack the ammonia back into nitrogen, which would increase costs and result in energy losses.

For green hydrogen to be as successful as everyone hopes, it will require significant investment to overcome these challenges. Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, the CEO of the industry association Hydrogen Europe, suggests the need for a certification system, to guarantee that any green hydrogen production was powered by renewable sources. Further, a well-researched delivery strategy needs to be developed to ensure that production facilities are adequately linked with green hydrogen markets. This has been seen in projects such as Cepsas green hydrogen corridor between southern and northern Europe.

While transportation costs are high, companies already understand how to move green hydrogen as they have been doing it the same way with natural gas for decades. But some are deterred by high costs. Therefore, the industry must drive down production costs to alleviate some of the pressure on transportation. Although the green hydrogen industry continues to face several major challenges, preventing a wide-scale deployment of the clean fuel, greater investment in the sector over the coming decades will likely fix many of these problems and allow for the deployment of global, large-scale green hydrogen production.

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The June 2022 electoral victory of Colombias first-ever leftist President, Gustavo Petro, was heralded as a moment of monumental change for the strife-torn country.

It represented a popular rejection of decades of hard-right governments which had failed to deliver on frequent promises of peace and economic security. Deep dissatisfaction with the status quo reached boiling point in 2021 when protests exploded across Colombia over growing poverty, rampant corruption, gaping social inequality, rising violence and the failure of then-President Ivan Duque to secure peace. A central part of Petros reform-driven agenda is to secure total peace in Colombia, although that appears shaky after a string of scandals caused the impetus for those reforms to grind to a halt.

Colombia is caught in a multidecade low-level asymmetric multiparty conflict that has claimed at least 450,000 lives, mostly civilians. The civil war expanded in scope as well as violence with the arrival of the tremendous profits generated by cocaine production and trafficking. Those profits continue to fund the multitude of illegal armed groups operating in Colombia. It was the U.S. War On Drugs and the massive July 2000 aid package, known as Plan Colombia which caused the conflict to escalate even further. While cocaine production added a new violent dimension to the civil war, the battle for control of valuable resources, notably petroleum which eventually became Colombias largest legitimate export, also stoked the conflict.

By the late-1980s, the extortion of petroleum companies operating in Colombia by leftwing guerilla groups, the Revolutionary Armed Forces Of Colombia (FARC  Spanish initials) and especially by the National Liberation Army (ELN  Spanish initials) had become a highly lucrative source of income. The inability of Colombias military to protect oilfields and industry infrastructure saw energy companies turn to alternatives. This included paying leftist guerillas protection money and employing private entities, such as paramilitary groups, to provide security. Damning evidence from former paramilitary combatants and commanders highlighted the links between Colombias public forces, international corporations and the rightwing death squads.

Former paramilitary fighters alleged foreign businesses, including oil companies paid paramilitary groups to protect vital industry infrastructure, murder organized labor leaders and suppress community dissent against their operations. While the paramilitary umbrella organization, The United Self Defense Forces of Colombia, known as the AUC, demobilized in 2006, although various subunits refused to demobilize while others rearmed after then-President Alvaro Uribe extradited senior AUC commanders to the U.S. in 2008. One paramilitary group which refused to disband and grew exponentially after the AUCs demobilization to become Colombias most powerful criminal organization is the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces (AGC  Spanish initials).

President Juan Manuel Santos 2016 peace deal with the FARC failed to usher in a much-anticipated era of peace. Logistical setbacks coupled with Santos successor President Ivan Duque refusing to fully implement the accord saw dissident FARC factions, elements of the leftist guerillas which refused to accept the agreement, emerge. By late-2017, when the FARC had demobilized, there were an estimated 800 combatants in various dissident bands. As Colombias internal security unraveled, with violence against demobilized FARC fighters soaring, and Duque failed to complete the promised reintegration of former combatants dissident groups saw their numbers swell. By early 2020, after Duque had been in office for over a year, there were believed to be 2,400 combatants, triple the number that had existed three years earlier, with former guerillas and new recruits swelling the ranks of dissident FARC bands.

These events further exacerbated an already fragile security situation where the substantial profits from cocaine production continued to fuel fighting in rural regions where the Colombian state has a weak presence. Many conflict hotspots are in areas, such as the departments of Arauca and Putumayo, where Colombias oil industry has significant operations. Colombias civil war for decades has impacted the countrys oil industry and hydrocarbon-dependent economy. There is the notion that any concrete, tangible peace will deliver a much-needed economic dividend for Colombia. It will also give the hydrocarbon sector a considerable boost at a crucial time when its future is in doubt.

Nonetheless, the splintering of the FARC into various smaller dissident factions complicated Colombias internal security situation. This is being further aggravated by clashes between the ELN and the AGC for control of former FARC territory as well as lucrative coca cropping areas and smuggling routes. Those illegal armed groups are primarily driven by economic motives, not political ideology, with illicit activities including extortion, illegal gold mining and cocaine trafficking funding their operations. For these reasons, it is exceedingly difficult for Colombias military and police to suppress the diverse array of smaller, nimbler and less ideologically driven illegal armed groups confronting the state.

The proliferation of illegal armed groups involved in illicit economies, notably cocaine production, is responsible for a marked increase in violence. By 2022, violence, including massacres and the murder of community leaders, human rights defenders and environmental activists, was at its worst level in over a decade. Recently, massacres, along with the murder of social leaders, as counted by Colombian peace thinktank Indepaz, reached an all-time high. Those worsening events are adding to the sense of urgency surrounding the need to deliver peace in a conflict-fatigued Colombia and end the endemic violence which has engulfed the crisis-riven country for decades.

While Petros plan for total peace kept stumbling, notably after he was forced to declare the cessation of a ceasefire with the Gulf Clan, a major coup was securing a ceasefire with the ELN. This will start on August 3, 2023, and last for 180 days, in stark contrast to the only other such deal struck with the ELN in September 2017, which was in force for 101 days. The United Nations and Catholic Church will monitor the ceasefire, and there is an option to negotiate an extension if both parties are satisfied. This is an important prelude to hammering out a lasting peace with the ELN, which with 3,000 fighters, is the largest guerilla group operating in Colombia. There are concerns the ceasefire will see hostilities cease because it is only between the ELN and the government, leaving the guerillas free to continue operations against opposing armed groups and the civilian populace.

The government and the ELN started peace talks in late-2022. These have progressed in fits and starts, with the ceasefire agreement being the most significant development. Peace with the last major leftist guerilla group operating in Colombia may prove elusive. The ELN is a less centralized organization than the FARC, making it difficult for the senior leadership located in Havana, Cuba, to exert operational control over the various commanders of the war fronts operating in Colombia and Venezuela. Those commanding fighters in Colombia and Venezuela, notably Gustavo Anibal Giraldo, alias El Pablito, who leads the ELNs most powerful war front, will be reluctant to surrender the power they have accumulated. To secure a deal, Petro needs approval from Colombias powerful conservative right centered around former hardline rightwing President Alvaro Uribe and his Democratic Center political party, which has dominated politics for two decades.

If a peace deal eventuates, aside from important humanitarian benefits, it will deliver an economic windfall at a crucial time. Colombias economy is struggling to grow, with the IMF forecasting that 2023 gross domestic product will expand by a meager one percent and then by 1.9% for 2024. The ceasefire, as well as any lasting peace will benefit Colombias beaten-down oil industry, which is facing considerable uncertainty because of Petros plan to cease awarding new exploration contracts. There will be substantially fewer attacks on oil infrastructure, particularly pipelines because the ELN is the primary perpetrator of those acts launching seven attacks on the Cano Limon-Covenas pipeline during the first three months of 2023 alone. Those acts of sabotage saw the pipeline shuttered, causing oil production to decline. Fewer production outages due to attacks on energy infrastructure will benefit not only oil companies in Colombia but also the economy because petroleum is the largest legitimate export.

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Fitch Ratings has downgraded Petroleos Mexicanosor Pemexsquarely into junk territory after several accidents and "weak operating performance".

Fitch also lowered its ESG score after those accidents, which included an explosion at a natural gas platform that ended with fatalities and damages to critical infrastructure and assets, to reflect "the environmental and social impact" of those events.

Fitch slammed the company's safety record, which it said would prevent Pemex from securing financing from banks and investors. Pemex is still more than $100 billion in debt.

Fitch rates Pemex as B+ (from BB-) for its Long Term Issuer Default Rating, and ccc- for Standalone Credit Profile.

Fitch has also placed the ratings on Rating Watch Negative (RWN). "The RWN reflects concern about the Mexican government's ability and willingness to materially improve the company's liquidity position and capital structure in the next two years without concessions from creditors," Fitch's Friday commentary reads.

Pemex has seen a multitude of accidents, the most recent of which was a fire on an offshore platform that led to a shut-in of 700,000 bpd. But that is just the most recent accident. Back in February, Pemex saw three fires at its facilities in a single day. That followed a pipeline explosion in November, another pipeline explosion in September, and an explosion and fire at a Pemex oil platform in August, the latter claiming the lives of five workers. It has also seen project delays, including the delay of its Olmeca refinery which was supposed to start up last December but was pushed into July of this year, before being delayed yet again. Olmeca has exceeded its budget seven times, and downsized its processing capacity.

Mexico's rather lofty ambition for Olmeca was to gain some level of fuel independence.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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CHICAGO (AP)  A tornado touched down near Chicagos OHare International Airport, prompting passengers to take shelter and disrupting hundreds of flights. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

A confirmed tornado was on the ground around 7 p.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago.

This tornado has been touching the ground intermittently so far and is moving east. There are additional circulations along the line south of OHare. Seek shelter if in the warned area," it said.

By 8 p.m. the weather service said the Chicago forecast area was currently tornado warning free." The storm moved into Michigan before passing through the state and into Canada early Thursday. Tornado watches that were in effect for parts of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio all expired.

Video from TV stations showed hundreds of people taking shelter in an OHare concourse. Some 173 flights departing the airport were canceled and more than 500 were delayed, according to the flight tracking service FlightAware.

Kevin Bargnes, director of communications for OHare and Chicago Midway International Airport, told WGN-TV Wednesday night that no damage was reported at either airport.

The National Weather Service had issued two tornado warnings for Chicago Wednesday evening. Tornado sirens sounded warning people to find shelter.

Lynn Becker, a longtime Chicago resident, posted video to Twitter with tornado sirens blaring across the citys iconic skyline.

Im in a 60 story apartment building so my options are somewhat limited, he said. We have to, I assume, go into the core of the building.

Becker said news of the storm was featured across local media.

Theres a certain panic when youre watching a TV screen and everything is in red  but the hope is that the damage is minimal, he said.

Local news outlets said warehouses were reportedly damaged near O'Hare.

The weather service quoted an unidentified emergency manager as saying a roof was blown off in the community of Huntley in McHenry County northwest of Chicago. Huntley Battalion Chief Mike Pierce told ABC-7-TV that firefighters and other emergency services were responding to downed power lines, trees and tree branches, and that power outages had been reported. Building damage appeared to be concentrated around two apartment buildings, he said.

More than 10,000 customers lost power in the region, according to poweroutage.us.

In Hodgkins, southwest of Chicago, police said storm damage and debris was found on the north end of town, near a shopping center.

Earlier Wednesday, the weather service's Storm Prediction Center had said there was an enhanced risk for severe weather, including tornadoes in northern Illinois, including Chicago.

Brett Borchardt, senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service, confirmed to WGN-TV that multiple tornadoes touched down across the Chicago area. He said surveying the damage will likely take days.

Over the years many tornadoes have struck in the Chicago metropolitan area, and several have hit within the city limits of Chicago, according to the National Weather Service. Between 1855 and 2021, the weather service recorded 97 significant tornadoes in the Chicago metro area.
Craigslist scams led to a bank robbery and an attempted bank robbery in Omaha this week, according to police.

Both incidents involved ads in the employment and jobs section that requested help or care for a sick family member, according to a press release from the Omaha Police Department.

When the two individuals responded to the ad, they received a response that stated help needed for a sick family member to include light house work, grocery store runs, and helping with finances, according to the release.

The first incident occurred Monday at the Westgate Bank branch at 180th and Pacific Streets, police said. A woman entered the branch and handed the bank teller a cellphone and a man on the phone stated he had a gun and a bomb and told the teller to give the woman money, according to a press release.

After receiving the money, the woman left the bank. Investigators were able to locate the woman and the vehicle, according to police.

A similar incident occurred Thursday at the Bank of the West branch near Saddle Creek Road and Dodge Street, according to Officer Chris Gordon.

A woman entered the bank, handed the teller a phone and a man on the phone told the teller that he had a gun and a bomb and demanded money, Gordon said. The teller did not give the woman any money and the woman left the bank on foot.

Police said the decision of whether the victims of the scams will face any criminal charges will be left to the Douglas County Attorneys Office.

The Police Department warned individuals to be wary of potential scams and not to agree to withdraw money from a bank on behalf of someone else. Police also recommended only browsing listings on the official Craigslist website at www.craigslist.org, as scammers often create look-alike websites.
Fred Hensleys time attending a Native American boarding school in Genoa, Nebraska, was brief.

Brought to the Genoa U.S. Indian Industrial School in the summer of 1890, the 9-year-old Winnebago boy succumbed to illness and died just eight months later, in the spring of 1891.

Even in death, Fred wasnt sent home. His grave likely lies somewhere on the schools former campus.

Fred was one of thousands of students enrolled in the federally run Native American boarding school during its 50 years of operation. The location of those who died and were buried on school grounds was lost to history decades ago.

More than 130 years since his death, a renewed effort to find the schools cemetery may answer the long-asked question of how many children like Fred were buried on the schools 640-acre campus.

Partnered with the State Archeology Office, Judi gaiashkibos, director of the Nebraska Commission of Indian Affairs, has led efforts to locate the lost graves.

State Archeologist Dave Williams and his team began excavation work this week on a potential gravesite on the outskirts of Genoa. While no remains had been discovered as of Friday, Williams said hes not yet ruling out the site as a potential grave location.

Williams and his team were guided to the site by historical maps and documents and a geophysical survey last year that revealed four anomalies consistent with the presence of graves.

The fourth federal boarding school to be built in the U.S., the institution in Genoa operated from 1884 to 1934. At its peak in 1932, the campus housed 599 students who ranged in age from 4 to 22 years old.

Renewed efforts to locate the schools cemetery and identify students who died on the campus suggest that at least 86 students died there. Nine are recorded as having been buried on school grounds. The remains of 37 others were sent home, and the final resting place of about 40 is still unknown.

When the school closed in 1934, documents that could point to the location of the cemetery were scattered across the United States.

Fragments of the schools history can still be found in newly located school records and, in Freds case, recorded in the schools student-ran newspaper.

Published March 6, 1891, The Pipe of Peace newsletter announced Freds death: Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon...and the little body was laid to rest among the mouldering (sic) remains of his school mates who preceded him to the better land.

If remains are found by the excavation team, tribal leaders may choose to leave them buried and construct a memorial to mark the site. They may also decide to exhume the graves and repatriate the remains.

Dave (Williams) and I are committed to following this through and if we dont have results here, well regroup with the tribes and determine if we should do more ground-penetrating radar in other places, gaiashkibos said Wednesday.

Photos: Excavation begins on potential site of Genoa Indian School cemetery
For Ang Bennett, keeping an eye out for signs of danger in unfamiliar areas is just part of daily life in Nebraska.

Bennett, a Black, 33-year-old nonbinary Omahan who uses they/them pronouns, has lived in Nebraska for the last nine years and said its never felt like the most welcoming place for minorities. In the last few years, Bennett believes, the threat of discrimination and hate-filled violence against their community has risen dramatically  first spurred in the aftermath of the George Floyd protests, and then amplified amid a national flurry of legislation aimed at curbing transgender rights.

I dont know why youre going to attack me now, Bennett said.

Bennetts sentiments are not uncommon in Nebraskas LGBTQ+ community, where some members have felt targeted after the passage of Legislative Bill 574. The measure will restrict gender-affirming care, including surgeries, puberty blockers and hormone therapy, for people under 19. An amendment later absorbed into the bill also added an abortion ban at 12 weeks based on gestational age.

While supporters of the bill often described it as simply deferring such care for children until they are older, people in the LGBTQ+ community say it dehumanizes an already marginalized group, and is rooted in misinformation and prejudice.

Critics also say the bill itself affects not just the trans and nonbinary minors it directly mentions, but could have broader implications for the rest of the LGBTQ+ community. Suddenly, they fear, their hard-won gains such as same-sex marriage and other LGBTQ+ rights seem a little more tenuous.

Partly because of those concerns, the LB 574 debate inspired a local wave of trans rights activism that has continued since the bill passed.

Bennett became aware of LB 574 soon after it was introduced. From the beginning, they said, they knew the bill had a strong chance at passing, even as protesters and opposing lawmakers fought it every step of the way. As the bill moved forward and the public rhetoric about trans policy mounted, Bennett withdrew from others in response.

Bennetts retreat inward was mirrored by some other LGBTQ+ Nebraskans. Eli Rigatuso, whos advocated for LGBTQ+ rights even before he came out as trans masculine in 2015, said he took proactive measures to protect himself from the hate he felt would come his way after LB 574 was introduced. He limited the amount of time he spent online and focused more on remote forms of advocacy.

When it comes to Nebraska law, policies and regulations often have focused more on restrictions on the LGBTQ+ community than protections for them. The Nebraska Constitution still defines marriage as between a man and a woman, and specifies that same-sex relationships shall not be valid or recognized.

That language was put there through a voter referendum that passed in 2000, and was fought over in the courts until the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationally in 2015, effectively nullifying the restriction.

John Fox, who lives with his husband Jeff Fox in Omaha, said the general publics acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in Nebraska has gradually grown over the years. That changed following the introduction of LB 574.

The couple live across the street from an elementary school, and they display a Pride flag outside their home. That hasnt been a problem  until a few months ago, when Fox said he noticed a parent who regularly glared and shook his head in the direction of their house.

Whether or not such a response represents a serious threat, the couple said, it still causes them concern given the rise of hate crimes and threats of violence against the LGBTQ+ community across the U.S. Fox said he and his sexuality are relatively well-known in the Omaha area, and being so visible is scary these days. But right now, its also important.

I remain visible because theres so many people who cant, he said.

Being nonbinary, Bennett doesnt identify as either male or female. In fact, they said theyd prefer not to label their gender at all, but recognize that society needs some sort of identifier.

Many of the problems Bennett has faced living in Nebraska have involved people  both men and women  crossing physical boundaries, although for different reasons. Older White men have fetishized them, Bennett said, approaching Bennett in public spaces like bars and attempting to touch them without consent.

Women also often tend to encroach on Bennetts personal space, but perhaps because those women feel comfortable based on how Bennett appears, even if theyre actually strangers. Bennett said the boundaries the women cross would get people upset if Bennett was the one initiating it.

Im still being assaulted on both sides, they said.

As LB 574 progressed in the Legislature, Bennett said they noticed a rise in people misgendering others on social media. They said these instances tend to involve people who appear to use the wrong terms intentionally out of spite, rather simply being unaware of the correct labels to use.

Throughout LB 574s debate, opponents often argued that the bill would push people to move out of the state to live in states with more accepting laws. Both Rigatuso and Fox said theyve considered leaving in the wake of the bills passage, even though they consider Nebraska home.

Some LB 574 opponents expect families with trans children will be the ones most likely to move away. However, they also acknowledged some uncertainty among families about how the restrictions will be imposed  or if they will even take effect, given a pending lawsuit against the law.

Abbi Swatsworth, executive director of the nonprofit OutNebraska, said the uncertainly itself is likely adding more stress on families who are considering a move out of state.

Its caused a lot of stress and heartache, Swatsworth said.

For trans children who stay in Nebraska, Rigatuso said hes heard some are considering reversing their transition  not because they regret it, but because they dont feel safe expressing their true identity in the state.

Rigatuso can relate. After he came out as trans in 2015, he said he faced discrimination he faced at work and in the community, and considered whether the easier route would be going back on his decision.

But Rigatuso doesnt regret transitioning. He said getting top surgery  a procedure that reshapes chest tissue to create a more masculine or feminine appearance  saved his life. He said it lifted a metaphorical weight he hadnt realized he was carrying.

Supporters of LB 574 frequently say the new law is meant to protect children from irreversible damage, but Rigatuso and other opponents say it will do more harm than good. Having come out at 50, Rigatuso said he had to unpack a lot of trauma relating to his gender, and believes that would have been lessened had he sought care earlier in life.

I didnt realize how much gender dysphoria I had until I had the procedure, Rigatuso said.

State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha, one of two openly LGBTQ+ lawmakers in the Legislature and an opponent of LB 574, contends the bill affects a lot more than just Nebraskas LGBTQ+ residents. He said the bill established the governments right to regulate health care based on an individuals identity, which is something that could affect any Nebraskan.

LB 574 pushed Nebraska onto the national stage as trans rights were being debated across the country, with coverage from national and even international media outlets. Most of the stories focused on what started as a one-woman filibuster by Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha to oppose the bill. The effort later included multiple lawmakers and lasted the remainder of the session.

LB 574 also drew hundreds of people to the State Capitol for the bills public hearing, waiting hours to testify in front of lawmakers for a few minutes.

Hundreds also turned out to support the bill. But Cavanaugh  a member of the Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee  said it was clear opponents outnumbered supporters that day.

Cavanaugh expected the same level of resistance would continue as the bill made its way through the legislative process, and it did. Hundreds of protestors turned up at each round of debate on the floor, filling the Rotunda and one side of the chambers balcony. Sometimes their chanting grew so loud that it was difficult to hear senators speak. Following the final two rounds of debate, most lawmakers exited the chamber through the back door, rather than the main doors leading into the Rotunda and the crowd.

In addition, several letters circulated during debates expressing opposition to LB 574 from both business leaders and medical professionals.

Cavanaugh said it still puzzles her that the intense opposition didnt seem to make any difference to the bills supporters. Fredrickson said LB 574 was treated as the golden child of the Legislature, and lawmakers took extraordinary measures to ensure it passed.

As he watched the debate unfold, Fox said, the rhetoric lawmakers used to support the bill reminded him of the arguments made against same-sex marriage several decades ago.

LB 574s introducer, Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, frequently described minors coming out as trans as a social contagion that her bill aimed to slow. At the bills signing ceremony, Gov. Jim Pillen said LB 574 would protect children from being manipulated into seeking gender-affirming care, describing it as an act of Lucifer.

For Fox, who served with Kauth last year on Omahas Charter Convention, he said it was disturbing to see someone he previously had a great working relationship with push views he feels are an attack on him and his community.

I feel like were targets again, Fox said.

Foxs husband, Jeff Fox, said the argument that the growing acceptance of trans people is a contagion that encourages more people to come out doesnt make sense. He grew up in a conservative household in rural Nebraska, but that didnt make him heterosexual.

You dont turn into whoever is teaching you, Jeff Fox said.

The protests against LB 574 werent limited to the days the bill was debated in the Legislature. It also fueled trans rights activism across Nebraska. During the Trans Day of Visibility on March 31, hundreds showed up for a rally outside the Capitol, exceeding Swatsworths expectations. The same day, hundreds of students at Omaha Central High School walked out of class in support of trans rights.

On a different day, when a handful of members of the Westboro Baptist Church showed up to protest outside the Capitol, they were outnumbered by counterprotesters who stood across the street, waving Pride flags and signs proclaiming their support for trans people.

Cavanaugh, Fredrickson and Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha have launched a political action committee called Dont Legislate Hate, focused on supporting lawmakers who oppose LGBTQ+ restrictions.

Their PAC hasnt filed its first financial statements yet, but both Cavanaugh and Fredrickson said fundraising has been going well, and theyve been getting donations from across the state and outside Nebraska. At an upcoming event, Fredrickson said Chasten Buttigieg, husband of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, plans to attend as a special guest.

Throughout June, Swatsworth said there were more Pride events planned across rural Nebraska than there have been in past years. She said this reflects more people seeking community support, but it also calls back to the way Pride events originated as a form of protest.

Fox said the Legislatures actions this year arent in line with all Nebraska Republicans, particularly those in Omaha. He noted the support he has received from Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, who appointed him to the citys Charter Convention.

In order to slow the trend of trans and LGBTQ+ restrictions in Nebraska, Fox said opponents need more support from conservatives and moderates who dont like the direction the state is going.

We need those voices to be louder, Fox said.

Bennett echoed this sentiment, and added that fighting back doesnt necessarily mean picket-sign protesting. Bennett isnt a front lines protester, but they are an artist whose focus is examining Black and LGBTQ+ identity.

The 2024 election will be a major indication of where Nebraska is headed, Cavanaugh said. She and several others said they expect a backlash to LB 574 that they hope could flip enough seats to prevent similar proposals from passing.

If that doesnt happen, many in the LGBTQ+ community fear that Nebraska will follow in the footsteps of other states that passed similar laws and are now beginning to consider more restrictions for trans adults and same-sex marriages.

Bennett said they feel more urgency to pursue top surgery in the wake of LB 574s passage, which is something theyve wanted for a while, but has encountered delays several times. While Bennett is above the age limit for gender-affirming care restrictions set in the legislation, they said they dont know whether lawmakers might attempt to expand those restrictions.

Both Fox and Fredrickson said they never used to think that same-sex marriage restrictions could come up for debate in the Legislature. After last session, however, they said they worry that anything is possible.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of July 2023
More than 90 people who fully recovered from the novel coronavirus have tested positive for COVID-19 again, health authorities in Seoul said on Friday.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said a total of 91 people had tested positive for the new coronavirus after they were released from quarantine.

KCDC Director-General Jeong Eun-kyeong said a viral test on such cases was underway, with the results expected at least two weeks later, unlike regular swab tests used to test for COVID-19 that shows results in a relatively shorter time.

We are isolating viral cells from respiratory organs of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 again, Jeong told reporters.

The KCDC said it was also looking into whether those who retested positive had an antibody that would indicate whether they had recovered, as some health experts said immune people with the antibody were not contagious.

Health authorities in Seoul said that the virus was highly likely to have been reactivated, instead of the people being reinfected, as they tested positive again in a relatively short time after being released from quarantine.

Other virologists and epidemiologists also said the positive results from the retesting might have come from the virus reactivating and not from wrong diagnoses.

They also said that the COVID-19 virus could remain latent in certain cells in the body and attack the respiratory organs again once reactivated.

A COVID-19 patient is deemed fully recovered after showing negative results for two tests in a row, performed within a 24-hour interval.

The countrys COVID-19 infections fell below 30 for the first time since Feb. 20 on Friday, according to the KCDC.The 27 new cases, detected on Thursday and down from 39 a day ago, brought the nations total infections to 10,450. (Yonhap/NAN)

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The three U.S. airlines that own Boeing Cos 737 MAX are meeting the U.S. manufacturer this weekend to review a software upgrade for the jet that has suffered two fatal crashes in five months, officials from the airlines told Reuters.

The meetings are a sign that Boeings planned software patch is nearing completion, though it will still need regulatory approval.

Southwest Airlines Co (LUV.N), American Airlines (AAL.O) and United Airlines (UAL.O) operate 34, 24 and 14 MAX jets respectively.

Southwests delegation includes experts from its technical pilot and training teams who will review documentation and training associated with Boeings updated speed trim system, spokeswoman Brandy King said on Friday.

Boeings signature jet was grounded across the world last week following a deadly Ethiopian Airlines crash near Addis Ababa on March 10, just five months after a Lion Air crash in Indonesia.

Ethiopian and French investigators have pointed to clear similarities between the two crashes, which killed 346 people, putting pressure on Boeing and U.S. regulators to come up with an adequate fix. The causes of the crashes are still unknown.

American pilots told Reuters on Thursday that they also plan to test Boeings software upgrade this weekend in Renton, Washington, where Boeing makes the jets and has two simulators.

United will also meet with Boeing in Renton on Saturday, spokesman Frank Benenati said.

Meanwhile, Southwest is preparing to begin moving on Saturday its entire MAX fleet to a facility in Victorville, California, at the southwestern edge of the Mojave Desert.

The planes being in one place will be more efficient for performing the repetitive maintenance necessary for stationary aircraft, as well as any future software enhancements that need to take place, King said.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration must approve Boeings software changes as well as new pilot training, a process that could take weeks or longer. Regulators in Europe and Canada have said they will conduct their own reviews of any new systems.

Boeing shares have fallen 14 percent since the Ethiopian crash, and every day that its jets are grounded comes at a cost both to the manufacturer and the airlines that purchased them for their more fuel-efficient engines and longer range.
The national leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected the alleged anti-poor and anti-masses recruitment requirements of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corp[oration (NNPC).

Adeyemi Azeez, NANS National Public Relations Officer, made the position of the students body known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

NANS alleged that it was a deliberate and well structured resolve to play out many graduates, especially those from the poor background.

According to him, it is no longer news, that regular occurrences of incessant strikes have long marred the education sector of the country.

Therefore, ordinarily an undergraduate that applied for a four or five-year programme will eventually end up staying nine or 10 years on campus pursuing a bachelor degree.

NANS will not fall cheap of this deliberate attempt of disenfranchising majorly the real and qualified Nigerian graduates. NANS will not fall cheap of this deliberate attempt of disenfranchising majorly the real and qualified Nigerian graduates.

These graduates, who have gone through rigorous stages within the Nigerian Universities and polytechnics, should not be disenfranchised of this opportunity.

He called on NNPC within a 72 hours ultimatum to withdraw all alleged anti-poor and anti-masses conditions.

Failure to comply with this ultimatum, NANS will move out en-mass to protest or shut down the activities of NNPC.

The association will also not hesitate to expose many of the ongoing and recent past frauds being perpetrated by this corporation, he said.

The criteria for Graduate Trainee among others require applicants to have graduated from an accredited University/Polytechnic/Monotechnic not earlier than 2014. The criteria for Graduate Trainee among others require applicants to have graduated from an accredited University/Polytechnic/Monotechnic not earlier than 2014.

The criteria also required that applicants must not be more than 28 years of age as of December 31, 2018.

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ISLAMABAD, July 15 (Xinhua) -- While munching on traditional steamed beef dumplings and noodles during a Pakistan-China cultural event in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, 12-year-old Muhmmad Irfan could not hide his love for Chinese food.

"The variety of delicious dishes the Chinese cuisine offered made it one of the most favorite cuisines in Pakistan ... Especially after the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was launched, many Pakistanis got to know about the Chinese food including hotpot, dumplings, noodles and many more," he said.

"Many restaurants have also popped up across the country over the past decade, showing locals' passion for Chinese food."

Along with Irfan, at least 100 other participants, including Pakistanis and Chinese, attended the China-Pakistan Civilization Exchanges and Mutual Learning on Friday, which featured documentaries on Chinese culture, cultural dances performances, Chinese tea stalls, food stalls, language learning and art exhibition as well as a display of the progress of CPEC projects.

Launched in 2013, CPEC is a corridor linking the Gwadar port in southwestern Pakistan with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport and industrial cooperation.

Irfan said he thoroughly enjoyed the event and learned a lot about the Chinese culture, saying there should be more such cultural events to promote mutual understanding and relations between the two peoples.

Masood Khalid, former Pakistani ambassador to China, said cultural exchanges have flourished remarkably between Pakistan and China over the past 70 years, particularly after the inception of CPEC, a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The revival and revitalization of the Silk Road through the modern BRI holds the promise of unlocking boundless opportunities for mutual understanding, collaboration and the preservation of shared heritage, Khalid said.

He underscored the transformative impact of CPEC, fostering trade, infrastructure development, and cultural fusion between the two neighbors, saying the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China is strengthened with each passing day with enhanced economic cooperation and people-to-people ties.

There is a need for further cross-cultural understanding and a vibrant tapestry of shared heritage for a prosperous future, Khalid added.

Aneel Salman, chair of economic security at Islamabad Policy Research Institute, said culture plays a key role in economic modernization and growth.

"There is a huge influence of cultural dynamics on the economic progress of countries. Pakistan and China can leverage cultural heritage for innovation and sustainable development," he said. 
A 21-year-old Ethiopian woman has taken one of her secondary school leaving exams 30 minutes after giving birth, she has told the BBC.

Almaz Derese, who is from Metu in western Ethiopia, had hoped to sit the tests before her child arrived, but the exams were postponed because of Ramadan.

She went into labour on Monday shortly before the first paper was due to start.

Because I was rushing to sit for the exam, my labour wasnt difficult at all, Ms Almaz told BBC Afaan Oromoo.

She took her English, Amharic and maths exams in the Karl Metu hospital, but hopes to take the remaining tests at the exam centre over the next two days.

The new mother said that studying while being pregnant was not a problem, and she did not want to wait until next year to graduate.

Mondays exams went well, she added.

Her husband Tadese Tulu told the BBC that he had to persuade the school to allow her to take the exams at the hospital.

Ms Almaz now wants to take a two-year course that will prepare her for university.

Her baby son is said to be doing well.
The EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Command has re-arrested an ex-cybercrime convict, Adeniran Tijesunimi and 54 others for alleged internet fraud and related criminal activities.

Tijesunimi was rearrested alongside others at Oyo town on July 13th, 2023 following verified intelligence regarding their internet fraud activities.

ALSO READ: EFCC arrests 13 Chinese over alleged illegal mining

EFCC in a statement on Thursday, July 14, identified the suspects as: Ademola Adeniyi; Olayinwola Rokeeb; Moses Biola; Adewale Adeyemi; Olowuoyin Atanda; Mojeeb Olamilekan; Jonathan Opashi; Usman Aruwa; Bamidele Joseph; Daniel Omyajowu; Olayinwolay Zacheous; Adekunle Adeniyi; Azeez Ademola; Olatunde Bode; Lawal Hammed; Adeniyi Abiodun; Abdulazeez Ayokunu; Adeleke Arise; Omiyale Akin; Segun Lekan, Popoola Sunday; Jimoh Adewale; Bashir Yinka; Adedeji Ademola; Ajibade Femi; Omolulu Alabi; Victor Junior; Lateef Aremu; Balogun Isreal; Yusuf Toriola; Akinade Damilare and Suleiman Abdulrasaq.
Veteran rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem has expressed his disapproval of President Bola Tinubus decision to give palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal.

KanyiDaily recalls that President Tinubu had asked the Senate to approve the $800 million loan requests of former President Muhammadu Buharis administration for the social safety net program.

If the loan is approved, Tinubu said his government will transfer the sum of N8,000 per month to 12 million poor and low-income households for a period of six months, with a multiplier effect on about 60 million individuals.

According to him, the disbursement of the palliatives to Nigerians would cushion the effect of the hardship they have experienced since the removal of the fuel subsidy.

The president also urged the House of Representatives to approve the loan.

Reacting on his Instagram page, Eedris Abdulkareem described the palliative plan as a scam, stressing that Nigerians do not need handouts; instead, they require opportunities for productivity that will ultimately lead to prosperity.

The rapper emphasized the need for a focus on empowering individuals and enabling them to generate their own wealth, rather than relying on temporary financial aid.

He expressed his belief that productivity is the key to achieving lasting prosperity for the Nigerian people.

Palliatives is a scam! Nigerians dont need handouts, they need productivity that will lead to propersity. Now you know, Abdulkareem wrote.

KanyiDaily recalls that President Bola Tinubu had also mapped out 500,000 hectares of farmland and declared a national emergency on food security to tackle inflation following the removal of fuel subsidy.

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American Model, Lori Harvey has addressed rumors about her relationship status, making it clear that she is not dating rapper Quavo.

The dating speculation arose after the 26-year-old model and 32-year-old rapper were spotted leaving the Bungalows in West Hollywood at the same time.

A TikTok video by user Alexandria Danielle showcased images of Harvey and Quavo exiting the venue separately, leading some to wonder if they were dating.

Danielle expressed her support for the hypothetical relationship, stating, I love that for her and encouraged Harvey to keep doing your thing, I am here for this.

In her response, Harvey left a comment under the viral TikTok video, explaining that the outing was merely a lunch gathering with her close friends, who were visible in the background of the footage.

Lmao no I was having lunch with my besties who are right behind me, says Lori Harvey who is currently dating Nigerian-British actor, Damson Idris.

Quavos dating rumor comes six months after Damson Idris and Lori Harvey went public with their romantic relationship by sharing a loved-up photo of themselves.

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A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Friday ordered the release of a former Kano State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Malam Idris Wada-Saleh, from detention pending the determination of the originating motion.

Wada-Saleh was on July 4, arraigned by the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) at a Kano Chief Magistrates Court, on two-count count charge of giving false information and cheating.

He however, filed a motion exparte on July 11, through his counsel Abdulgafar Murtala Esq, urging the court to restrain the commission from further detaining or intimidating him.

The respondents in the suit included the PCACC, Chief Magistrate Tijjani Sale-Minjibir, Muhyi Magaji Rimingado, Kano State Government, the state Attorney General, AIG Zone 1, the State Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Security Service and Civil Defense Corps.

Justice S. A. Amobeda, granted the prayer and ordered the first to third respondents to forthwith release the plaintiff from detention.

He also ordered the respondents,their agents, servants,privies or anyone acting on their behalf restraining them from further arresting, detaining or intimidating the plaintiff.

The second respondent is here by ordered to stay any other proceedings in respect of this case pending the hearing of the originating motion.

This matter shall be given accelerated hearing, he said.

Amobeda adjourned the matter until July 19 for hearing.

The former commissioner was accused of misappropriating N1billion meant for rehabilitation of some roads in the Kano.

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By Izunna Okafor, Awka

Some Police officers in Anambra State, have been accused of illegally arresting eight youths at a beer in the State and demanding the sum of 400,000 to release each of them.

This is coming barely three days after the DPO in charge of the B Division, Awka, DPO Kennedy Oti, was removed over allegations that he and his men Illegally arrested over fifty persons who were going about their normal businesses in Awka last week and extorted 20,000 from each of them yo release them.

The new Police Commissioner in the State, upon hearing the allegations, told newsmen on Wednesday during his maiden press conference, that the DPO had been removed and replaced, while investigations are currently ongoing on the matter. He also declared that the Command, under his watch, would not tolerate any form of malfeasance or misconduct from the officers. While condemning any form of illegal arrest of people at beer parlours, or other places, torture, or intimidation by the police in Anambra; the Police Commissioner during that press conference, also said that the Command encouraged nightlife, as that is one of the ways to show that normalcy has returned to Anambra State.

However, barely two days after the declaration, some police officers attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad Unit, Enugwu-Ukwu, in Njikoka Local Government Area of the State, were accused of demanding five hundred thousand naira (400,000) from some residents of the State to release their relatives who were arrested at a beer parlour in Awada Onitsha.

According to a source, the detainees were arrested at about 7.pm on Thursday and where they were cooling off at the drinking joint. The source who begged not to be mentioned said the officers stormed the beer parlour the first time, searched around everywhere and also searched all the customers and everybody there, and left, telling people not to be afraid, and that nothing was happening.

The source, however, said few minutes after that, the police officers returned the second time, and arrested everybody in the beer parlour, forced them into their vehicles, and drove straight to the Anti-cult Unit, Enugwu-Ukwu. They were also said to have announced their destination (Special Anti-Cultism Squad Unit, Enugwu-Ukwu) as they were zooming off, which made the people watching from a distance to know where they were taking the people to; in addition to the name written on their vehicles. The officers were also accused of slapping and torturing a 17-year-old son of the owner of the beer parlour whom they later left as he was crying, because of his age, before zooming off with others.

When contacted for her own narration, the owner of the beer parlour, simply identified as Anastasia, told this reporter, Izunna Okafor, that she was inside when the incident started, while two of his sons, including the one who recently finished his university studies and is currently preparing for his National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), were at the beer parlour, attending to customers. She said before she could dress up and come out, the officers had already taken off, signalling her to come to Enugwu-Ukwu tomorrow morning. She said her 17-year son was also seen crying helplessly there at the beer parlour, as the police had whisked away.

She said after hearing what happened, they closed for the night after a short while, as she was not feeling too strong.

According to her, when she went to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad Unit, Enugwu-Ukwu the following morning (Friday) to know why the police arrested her son and the customers drinking at her shop the previous night; she was told that the arrest was made based on information that she deals on illicit drug (Indian hemps) in her shop.

They said that I am selling SK in my beer parlour, and I asked them what is SK, and they said it was an illicit drug. They also brought out a polythene bag and showed me, telling me it was the SK the got from that my beer parlour yesterday. But I told them we dont sell any form of drug there. I dont deal with drugs, and I hate it with passion, because I am even allergic to smoke. I dont even like people smoking cigarettes in my shop, let alone selling hard drugs.

We only sell beer, malt, and other soft drinks, then, barbecue, and meat. So, I told them we dont deal on drugs, and that if somebody came with the drugs and dropped it there, I dont know. And, remember, they came for the first time and left after searching everybody, before they returned the second time and made the arrests. If we or the people drinking there are actually dealing on drugs or had some drugs there, do you think we would have remained there after the officers left the first time?

My dear, all I know is that we dont sell any form of drug there and we dont even allow smoking of any type of hard drugs in my shop. And they said that it meant I lacked supervision. But I told them I had been there all the while, going in and coming out and seeing what goes on there.

I told them, before God and man, if people are planning to set me in any way, I will close that shop for them, let them be rich; my God will continue to provide for me.

When asked about the situation of the eight people arrested at the beer parlour yesterday, a relative of one of the people arrested said the police was demanding the sum of 400,000 for the release of each person, making it a total of 3.2million naira for the eight people they arrested there.

The source who pleaded anonymity said they were surprised when they heard that, imagining where to get that kind of money from.

The source said the officer who gave them the bill (simply identified as Ferdinand) later engaged them in a bargain, and told them to pay 250,000 on each person, making it a total of two million naira (2m). The source further said as they were begging for the unconditional release of the people, the officer told them that he was residing in Asaba, Delta State, and would soon leave, after which the detainees would have to sleep there again in the police cell for another night.

However, when contacted, the new Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, who pledged an urgent action on the matter, called back and said the officers carried out the raid in Onitsha on a tip-off from a source.

I have spoken to the officer in charge of that station, and the account they gave was that they went to that place on tip-off, and that the first time they went there, the person who took them to that place just show them the place, but they didnt strike. So they took the person back, having known the place. And then, they came back the second time for the actual raid.

The officer said that they recovered India hemp there and also made arrest of some suspects, he said.

The police Commissioner also said the officers denied asking anyone for 400,000 bail money to release the suspects.

I have directed that the transfer all the suspects and the exhibits the recovered to the NDLEA, and they will do that before the close of work today, he said.

He also challenged the people who claimed they were told to pay bail money to come up with their evidences about the demand or payment of money for the bail by the officers, if they have any; even as he assured that he would urgently act on any evidences tendered and take the necessary actions.

The CP later shared a video to this reporter, showing the detainees as they were being interrogated in the cell. The video also shows a nylon containing wraps of Indian hemps, which the police officers said they recovered from the beer parlour during the raid.

They also interviewed some of the detainees, including the son of the owner of the beer parlour, who (reluctantly) accepted that the indian hemps were recovered from the beer parlour, as the police said. He, however, was unable to explain how it came about, who owns it, or on which side of the beer parlour it was found.

The video also shows an eyewitness and daughter of the beer parlour owner who said the police didnt see any drug when they first came and searched the people there; adding that even if they saw anything, it was not in the shop or in the hands of anybody drinking in the beer parlour.

She said: After searching him (her brother) and every other person, they didnt see anything, and so they went back, as in, they wanted to go back; and I dont know what they saw outside the beer parlour, maybe it was the drug; and so, they came back to the beer parlour and arrested everybody there. But I was there with them in the shop that yesterday, the police didnt see anything there or when they searched them.

Meanwhile, when interviewed after the CPs declaration for the transfer of the suspects to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), another relative of one of the detainees said the police officer who was demanding them to pay 400,000 to bail each suspect, became angry with them after the Commissioner of Police contacted them about the matter.

The relative said the police officer vowed to punish them for making the higher authority hear about his demand for 400,000 bail money; and consequently said he would first transfer the detainees to a more uncomfortable cell in the station, before they would be eventually handed over to the NDLEA.

The relative said the officer angrily told them that he was no longer interested in collecting bail money from any of them anymore, irrespective of the amount involved, as all the suspects would be transfered to the NDLEA, in line with the CPs directive.

Meanwhile, this reporter had earlier contacted the Chairman of the NDLEA in Anambra State, Mr. Daniel Onyishi, who said police and other security were expected to transfer any suspect arrested for drug-related issues to the Agency. While noting that the said suspects had not been transferred to their Agency, he also said that no security agency is expected to demand money for the bail of anybody arrested for drug-related issues, but to transfer such suspect to NDLEA.

However, when contacted hours later, the NDLEA Boss confirmed that the suspects had been transferred to the Agency.

Against the eight persons arrested, Mr. Onyishi said it was six suspects that were transferred to them by the police. He noted that it was one person that had an exhibit credited to him, and that the suspect is also denying the exhibit.

He also assured that the suspects would be screened tomorrow, after which those who dont have exhibit against them would be released.

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By Joshua Chibuzo Andrew, Owerri

A young man identified as Chigozie has allegedly killed his girlfriend in Ajata Ibeku Village, Abia State.

Our correspondent gathered that the ugly incident happened on Wednesday night.

According to a source in the village who pleaded anonymity, the man after killing the girl decided to dump the body inside bush but was apprehended in the process.

A source said, We were shocked when the boy passed us with his Keke (tricycle) with full speed. I told my brother that I saw something inside the Keke that looked like dead body.

We decided to follow him without his notice until he entered inside the bush to dump the body then we caught him red-handed.

However, another source in the community told our newsmen different story about how the man allegedly killed his girlfriend.

According to him, She was his girlfriend and they were fighting suddenly she tripped and hit her face on the floor.

The guy didnt remove any body part.

Meanwhile, as at time of filing this report, every efforts by our correspondent to get the reaction of Abia State Police Command proved abortive

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A FT-7NI trainer jet belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) crashed in Makurdi, Benue State while on a routine training exercise on Friday.

NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet confirmed the incident in a statement.

Gabkwet said no loss of lives or damage to any property around the area of impact.

He said two pilots onboard the aircraft survived and were being observed at NAF Base Hospital, Makurdi.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has constituted a Board of Inquiry to determine the immediate and remote cause of the crash.

In February 2023, a jet belonging to NAF made an emergency landing at Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos.

It was gathered that the aircraft, a Cessna Citation CJ3 was on a routine flight to Ilorin when it lost its tyres.

The incident, however, forced the aircraft to land on its underside without the aid of a landing gear.
An FT7-NI fighter jet, belonging to the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, on Friday crashed in Makurdi, Benue State capital

Although full details about the crash are still sketchy as immediate investigation into the cause of the crash has been instituted by the authorities.

But a military source informed that two personnel of the Nigerian Air Force onboard the fighter came out unhurt.

The source explained that, An FT7-NI aircraft crashed today in Makurdi.

The cause of the crash could not be immediately ascertained.

It had two Airmen onboard.They ejected unhurt from the jet.

Confirming the air accident, the spokesperson for the service, Air Commodore, Edward Gabkwet, said in a statement on Friday that the crash had occured during training, adding that affected pilots are currently under observation at the NAF Base hospital.

The spokesperson also informed that the Chief of Air Staff had instituted a board to investigate what led to the crash.

The statement read, A Nigerian Air Force FT-7NI trainer aircraft crashed today, 14 July 2023 at about 4.15 pm in Makurdi, Benue State, while on a routine training exercise.

Luckily, the 2 pilots on board survived the crash after successfully ejecting from the aircraft.

Additionally, there were no deaths or damages in the impact area.

Both pilots are currently under observation at NAF Base Hospital, Makurdi.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has constituted a Board of Inquiry to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.

This would not be the first time a crash of this nature had occured, in February 2023, the Air Force jet lost its tyre mid-air and made an emergency landing at Lagos Airport on its belly with no casualty recorded.

Also recall that, in April 2022, a similar trainer aircraft crashed in Kaduna, leading to the death of the two pilots on board.

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President Bola Tinubu will travel to Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday, to participate in the Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (5thMYCM) of the African Union (AU), the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Regional Mechanisms (RMs), and the African Union Member States.

Tinubu will travel in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Nigerian leader to join Heads of State and Government, Foreign Ministers of the AU Member-States, and high-level dignitaries at the mid-year meeting which will take place on Sunday, July 16.

This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake noted in a brief communique on Friday that the meeting will also involve the African Union Commission and the RMs.

He is expected to present a report on the status of regional integration in ECOWAS, highlighting actions implemented during the period under review by ECOWAS institutions, member-states, the private sector and other stakeholders.

The presentation is designed to deepen integration through trade, free movement of persons, investment promotion, infrastructure development, peace, security and stability.

The 5th MYCM, which is convening under the AUs theme for 2023 christened Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation, will bring together the Bureau of the AU Assembly, comprising the Heads of State and Government from Comoros, Botswana, Burundi, and Senegal, as well as the leaders of the eight RECs.

These regional economic communities include ECOWAS chaired by Nigeria, the East African Community (EAC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Community of SahelSaharan States (CEN SAD), the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

President Tinubu, who will be accompanied by senior government officials, is expected to return to the country at the conclusion of the meeting.
Dancers of China's TAO Dance Theater perform during the 29th Kalamata International Dance Festival in Kalamata, Greece, on July 14, 2023. (Photo by Panagiotis Moschandreou/Xinhua)

KALAMATA, Greece, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A troupe of artists from China's TAO Dance Theater opened Greece's 29th Kalamata International Dance Festival (KDF) on Friday evening, enthralling the audience with their performance.

An enthusiastic crowd warmly welcomed with a big round of applause the 11 dancers who were the first Chinese artists ever participating in Greece's leading contemporary dance event.

In a fully packed hall of Kalamata city in southern Greece, the troupe performed the dance show "11" for the first time outside China.

The show is part of the TAO Dance Theater's "Numerical Series" which has been presented in more than 100 arts festivals around the world in recent years.

"We are very happy for this collaboration and it is an honor for us," the festival's artistic director Linda Kapetanea told Xinhua, praising the group's excellent performance.

"We are very happy to be the ones who build these cultural bridges," Kapetanea said on Sino-Greek cooperation in culture.

"Dance is a very good channel. People can understand, communicate, and integrate in a variety of ways. I am looking forward to their (dancing) works coming to China," Tao Ye, founder and choreographer of TAO Dance Theater said.

The annual festival will run until July 23 in Kalamata and three other cities, and it will feature 17 productions from nine Greek groups and seven dance troupes from across the world. 

Dancers of China's TAO Dance Theater perform during the 29th Kalamata International Dance Festival in Kalamata, Greece, on July 14, 2023. (Photo by Panagiotis Moschandreou/Xinhua)

Greek Culture and Sports Minister Lina Mendoni (C) watches the performance of China's TAO Dance Theater in Kalamata, Greece, on July 14, 2023. (Photo by Panagiotis Moschandreou/Xinhua)

Dancers of China's TAO Dance Theater perform during the 29th Kalamata International Dance Festival in Kalamata, Greece, on July 14, 2023. (Photo by Panagiotis Moschandreou/Xinhua)

Dancers of China's TAO Dance Theater perform during the 29th Kalamata International Dance Festival in Kalamata, Greece, on July 14, 2023. (Photo by Panagiotis Moschandreou/Xinhua)

Dancers of China's TAO Dance Theater perform during the 29th Kalamata International Dance Festival in Kalamata, Greece, on July 14, 2023. (Photo by Panagiotis Moschandreou/Xinhua)

A dancer of China's TAO Dance Theater perform during the 29th Kalamata International Dance Festival in Kalamata, Greece, on July 14, 2023. (Photo by Panagiotis Moschandreou/Xinhua)

Dancers of China's TAO Dance Theater perform during the 29th Kalamata International Dance Festival in Kalamata, Greece, on July 14, 2023. (Photo by Panagiotis Moschandreou/Xinhua)

Dancers of China's TAO Dance Theater perform during the 29th Kalamata International Dance Festival in Kalamata, Greece, on July 14, 2023. (Photo by Panagiotis Moschandreou/Xinhua)
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A new corporate governance guidelines for commercial, merchant, non-interest and payment service banks in Nigeria has forbidden any investor from acquiring 5% of any bank with first getting the approval and no objection from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Any investor looking to acquire up to 5% of any bank in Nigeria will need to obtain prior approval and no objection from the central bank.

Classified under the protection of shareholders rights provisions, the new regulations attempts to also address recent events in the capital market affecting some commercial banks.

CBNs prior approval and No Objection shall be sought and obtained before any acquisition of shares of a bank (including through the capital market), that would result in equity holding of five per cent (5%) and above, by any investor.

The regulation also stated that no one can own controlling stake in more than one bank, except there was a prior approval of the apex bank.

Except where prior approval of the CBN is granted, no individual, group of individuals, their proxies or corporate entities shall own controlling interest in more than one bank.

READ ALSO: Sit-at-home: New Biafra group gives Ekpa 7-day ultimatum

The new regulation also states that where the central bank has an objection to any of the acquisition, the notice of the objection must be communicated to the bank. The bank then has 48 hours to notify

Where the CBN has an objection on any acquisition as stated in Section 20.2.b above, notice of the objection shall be communicated to the bank, and the bank shall notify such investor(s) within forty[1]eight (48) hours.

The protection of shareholders rights regulation also extends to government ownership of banks, which it states should not exceed more than 10% (direct and indirect) for a maximum of 5 years.

Governments direct and indirect equity holding in a bank shall not be more than ten per cent (10%), which shall be divested to private investors within a maximum period of five years from the date of investment.

For existing investments above five years, the central bank also gave the government two years from the effective date of the Guidelines to comply with the provision.

For existing investments above five years, the bank shall within two years from the effective date of this Guidelines, comply with the provision.

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The central bank regulation also addresses Financial Holding Companies (FHC), and activities around mergers and acquisitions.

According to the regulation, no director or shareholder can change control of a bank without the prior approval of the bank. It also does not allow the transfer of 5% and above of a bank to any shareholder without the prior approval of the CBN.
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By Izunna Okafor, Awka

The Anambra State Police Commissioner, CP Aderemi Adeoye has denied directing his officers to go and start killing people in Anambra State.

The CP made the made the clarification in an interview with this reporter, Izunna Okafor, on Friday, in reaction to some publication alleging that he told the officers of the Command to start killing people to keep Anambra State safe.

The Commissioner had, during his maiden press conference on Wednesday, said his Command did not have any delight in the killing of anyone but would stop at no obstacle to achieve the mandate given to them by the Inspector-General of Police.

He said at the conference And we have no delight if anyone loses their life but if that is what it takes to protect the people of Anambra State, we will stop at no obstacle to achieve this mandate given to us by the Inspector-General of Police.

The CP, however, said that he was deliberately misquoted by some journalists who twisted his comment to imply that he told his officers to be killing people to keep Anambra safe  a misquotation that has elicited the reactions of Anambra Indigenes in the diaspora, who outrightly condemned the comment attributed to the CP and also called for his removal as Anambra Police Commissioner.

In their own reaction to the comment credited to the CP, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) described it as an ethnic cleansing and murderous comments targeting defenseless members of the Eastern Nigerian population resident in the state.

It is on account of the foregoing that we at Intersociety are strongly calling for the immediate transfer or removal of CP Aderemi Adeoye from Anambra State Police Command as Anambra CP, the statement partly read.

In his reaction, however, CP Adeoye, who expressed his displeasure with the publications and the tones of reactions of the from the various groups.

He said: Thank God you were there at my press conference on Wednesday. You remember I told you people at that press conference that I had earlier held a conference with the DPOs, Area Commanders, and other top senior police officers in the state.

And, as I told you, during that conference, I warned them against the two evils of extrajudicial killings and corruption. I told them that one DPO had already been removed on such allegations, and that I would not spare anyone involved in any of those twin evils in the State.

So, how can I be warning the officers against extrajudicial killings, and somebody would say I am telling them to go and be killing people?

Indeed, I dont know why some people are like this and what they benefit from peddling lies and sensational comments. What exactly are they trying to achieve by indulging in such?

The CP further said that he would not dissipate energy to go into further arguments with the people groups or doing rejoinders and counter-rejoinders with them, as that would only amount to a distraction to his work.

He said, I am here to serve and secure the people and I will not allow anything to distract my attention from that.

Concerning the call for his removal, the CP said he was posted to Anambra State on the decision of the higher authorities, and that he was also ready to leave if the higher authorities decide so, as he is not sit-tight Commissioner.

So, If the IGP decides to redeploy me, I will go, because I didnt plant any bottle here, and I am not here for pecuniary reasons. I am here to serve. The IGP said Anambra was where I should go, believing in what I can do; and I am here to justify that confidence, by serving the people to the best of my ability. However, any day or anytime the IGP decides to redeploy me from Anambra State, I will also gladly go, he said.

So, for the people who are calling for my removal as Anambra CP, because of what they said they saw saw in publications that misquoted me, nobody should not think that being CP Anambra is the best thing to happen to my career; it is not. Im here to serve with my whole heart, but any day I am transferred, Ill leave, CP Adeoye added.

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By Okey Maduforo Awka

So far a total of 176 camps belonging to the unknown gunmen have been discovered by security operatives in the South East geopolitical zone ahead of the Operation Sweep order by the newly appointed Chief Of Army Staff Major General T. A Lagbaja.

Recall that Lagbaja had on inception of office ordered officers and men of the Nigerian Army to raid the hide outs of the gunmen terrorizing the five states in the South East insisting that there would be no hiding place for them .

He equally directed the Army 82 Division to kick start the operations along with other military architecture across the zone by spotting the respective camps and bushes where to are hiding and taking off from.

Confirming the hide outs a very Senior security personnel who resides in Amaoka in Ihiala local government area of Anambra state but would not want his name on print told reporters that;

This is what we would have done since but it is never lait . So far about 176 camps and buildings where those gunmen and e hiding and that is across the South East geopolitical zone

Those camps are densely populated by group of young men that go to town to obtain information and report to their leaders and later they strike and they operate at the Express way of Enugu  Porthacourt and return to those camps  he said.

Similarly the duo of Gov Charles Soludo of Anambra and the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District Dr Ifeanyi Ubah has commended the decision by the Chief Of Army Staff to raid the hide outs of the gunmen noting that they would give him and his men all the necessary support to succeed.

According to Sen Ubah thorough his Special Adviser on Media And Strategy Mr Kaneh Ogbonna the Army Chief has the full support of the senator in flushing out those hoodlums out of Igbo land.

The declaration by the Chief of Army staff of his resolve to fish out criminal elements terrorising parts of Anambra South Senatorial District is a highly welcome development 

The activities of these criminals in the past two years have wrecked so much havoc on the Senatorial District as it has brought about so many untimely deaths, kidnappings, and disruption of the commercial activities in several towns under the guise of Monday sit at homes. .All of these combined have brought about huge human and capital flights from the zone

The statement also by the Chief of Army Staff during the confirmation hearing at the Red Chambers where he specifically applauded Senator Dr Ifeanyi Ubah for the pilot security scheme currently ongoing in Nnewi North Local Government and promised to collaborate with, reinforce and apply those strategies in combating crime in both the Senatorial District and the entire region is a welcome development that hugely gladdens the heart 

Distinguished Senator(Dr.) Ifeanyi Ubah, while responding during the hearing,assured the Chief of Army Staff that our people will indeed give him and his men all the necessary support, including the provision of credible intelligence to succeed he said.

Also the Commissioner for Homeland Matters Chief Chikaodi Anara has described the order of the Army as a boost to the security arrangements already put in place by Gov Charles Soludo adding that the soldiers would have an easy ride given the security architectures on ground.

This is highly welcomed and we are going to work as a team to achieve this and you know that Gov Charles Soludo had already created a security frame work and template that have been getting results up to today so the soldiers will have a soft landing when the operations begin

We have urged those boys to come out of the bush and get engaged in something meaningful but they do not want to do that so this time we are no longer begging them because the time has passed 

Recall that we have I as law that any building harbouring these boys would be pulled down and the land taken over by government and this law is still effective and our position has not changed

We shall stop at nothing in ensuring that Anambra state becomes a livable prosperous and healthy smart city Homeland he said.

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A training jet belonging to the Nigerian Air Force on Friday crashed in Makurdi, Benue State capital, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.

Details about the incident are still sketchy as of the time of filing this report.

A military source said two personnel of the Nigerian Air Force onboard the aircraft ejected unhurt.

The source said, An FT7-NI aircraft crashed today in Makurdi. The cause of the crash could not be immediately ascertained. It had two airmen onboard. They ejected unhurt from the jet. 

The spokesperson for the service, Air Commodore, Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Friday.

He said the crashed occurred during training, adding that the pilots were under observation at the NAF Base hospital.

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Gabkwet, however, said the Chief of Air Staff had instituted a board to investigate the cause of the crash.

The statement read, A Nigerian Air Force FT-7NI trainer aircraft crashed today, July 14, 2023 at about 4.15 pm in Makurdi, Benue State, while on a routine training exercise.

Luckily, the two pilots on board survived the crash after successfully ejecting from the aircraft. Additionally, there was no loss of lives or damage to any property around the area of impact.

Both pilots are currently under observation at NAF Base Hospital, Makurdi. Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has constituted a Board of Inquiry to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.

The PUNCH reports that in February 2023, the Air Force was fortunate not to have recorded a crash after one of their jets lost its tyre mid-air and made an emergency landing at Lagos Airport on its belly.

Also, in April 2022, a trainer aircraft crashed in Kaduna, killing two pilots on board.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu is to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, today to participate in the Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (5thMYCM) of the African Union (AU), the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Regional Mechanisms (RMs), and the African Union Member States.

As the Chairperson of ECOWAS, the Nigerian President, according to a release issued by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake, will join Heads of State and Government, Foreign Ministers of the AU Member-States, and high-level dignitaries at the mid-year meeting which will take place on Sunday, July 16.

President Tinubu will present a report on the status of regional integration in ECOWAS, highlighting actions carried out during the period under review by ECOWAS institutions, member-states, the private sector, and other stakeholders to deepen integration through trade, free movement of persons, investment promotion, infrastructure development, peace, security and stability.

The 5th MYCM, which is convening under the AUs theme for 2023 christened Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation, will bring together the Bureau of the AU Assembly, comprising the Heads of State and Government from Comoros, Botswana, Burundi, and Senegal, as well as the leaders of the eight RECs.

These regional economic communities include ECOWAS chaired by Nigeria, the East African Community (EAC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Community of SahelSaharan States (CEN SAD), the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

The meeting will also involve the African Union Commission and the RMs.

President Tinubu, who will be accompanied by senior government officials, is expected to return to the country at the conclusion of the meeting.
Jabiru Tsauri, the Chief of Staff to Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has made a grave claim.

He claimed that he narrowly escaped a harrowing assault from suspected Customs Service Officers at a location known as Gorar Yammama while on his way to Abuja en route to Kaduna, on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Chief Press Secretary to the Katsina Governor, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, disclosed this in a press statement yesterday.

Jabirus ordeal in the hands of the suspected customs officer as narrated in the statement reads:

Katsina State, Nigeria  July 14, 2023  Alhaji Jabiru Tsauri, the esteemed Chief of Staff to the Governor of Katsina State, had a narrow escape from a harrowing assault from Customs Service Officers on Thursday, July 13, 2023. The Customs targeted him as he was departing Katsina State on his way to Kaduna and ultimately Abuja, at a location known as Gorar Yammama.

According to Mr. Tsauri, while en route to Kaduna, he and his driver encountered a recent accident near the Gorar Yammama highway area, leading to significant traffic congestion. Once their car was finally able to move away from the accident site, the assailants, armed with firearms, targeted their vehicle, firing shots at the tires and body of the car in an attempt to harm Mr. Tsauri. However, thanks to the quick thinking and courageous actions of his driver, they managed to speed away to safety in a nearby town.



Reflecting on the traumatic incident, Mr. Tsauri shared, I was overwhelmed by fear, contemplating the possibility that these assailants intended to cause me harm while I carried out my duties. If not for the bravery and resourcefulness of my driver, the outcome could have been far more dire.



We can confirm the Army brigade commander near where the incident occurred came out and also made concerted efforts, leading to the arrest of one of the assailants who has since been handed over to the state police authorities.

The Katsina State Government vehemently condemns this reprehensible act and calls for a thorough investigation to ensure that justice is served. The safety and security of public officials and citizens remain of utmost importance, and any violation of this fundamental right will not be tolerated.



In response to this distressing incident, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, Ph.D., has directed relevant security agencies to intensify their efforts in uncovering the motives behind this attack and swiftly bringing all culprits to justice. The Katsina State Government remains steadfast in upholding the rule of law and fostering an environment where public servants can carry out their duties without fear of reprisals.

We urge the public to remain calm and fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation. Any information pertaining to this incident or related activities should be promptly shared with the appropriate law enforcement agencies.



The Katsina State Government expresses its deepest gratitude to the state police authorities for their swift response and decisive action in apprehending the suspects. Furthermore, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all well-wishers and supporters who have expressed concern for Mr. Tsauris well-being.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday hosted former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State at the State House, Abuja, during a courtesy visit.

The President expressing excitement with the visit of the former Lagos Governor, declared: Im glad to see Ambode. Thank you Akin!

Tinubu and Ambode had met after the 2019 election episode at the Lagos State reception for the President organized by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on June 29.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured that the federal government will protect Benin artefacts returned to the country from different parts of the world as a way of archiving the history of the people

President Tinubu, receiving the Oba of Benin, Omo NOba NEdo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, and other traditional leaders from Edo State, at the State House, Abuja, assured that his administration would support the Benin Royal Council in its bid to establish a museum that will house the artefacts.

The Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, in a statement disclosed that President Tinubu congratulated the Benin monarch for the retrieval of the stolen artefacts, commending his effort in ensuring that a befitting museum is built to archive the rich history and traditions of the Benin Kingdom.

It deserves our protection. We are glad to have them back, and we are glad you are happy. They are in protective custody. It is a matter of history, over a hundred years. We will work on the museum, the President said.

President Tinubu disclosed that the Federal Government is currently undertaking an audit of its infrastructure projects, promising to ensure that roads in Edo State are considered in line with a request made by the traditional ruler.

Oba Ewuare II commended President Tinubu for the giant strides of his administration within its first weeks.

Weve predicted that you would hit the ground running and you have done so, even faster than we thought, the royal father said.

He said the steps taken by the President since his inauguration on May 29, 2023 had renewed the hope of Nigerians and put the country on the path to progress and development.

The monarch appealed to President Tinubu to help the Benin Palace to ensure that the artefacts returned are not stolen or taken over from the Benin Royal House.

Oba Ewuare II thanked the Federal Government for his appointment as Pro-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said multiple taxation and regulation of the telecoms industry discourage investments and deny government of long-term revenues as well as destroy the foundations for future growth.

The Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management) of the NCC, Sunday Dare, disclosed this during the South-East edition of the NCC Stakeholders Parliament themed: Optimizing The Benefits of Telecoms Infrastructure in Nigeria held in Enugu.

He emphasized that it was a matter of great worry that at this point in Nigerias history, we are still talking about protecting telecoms infrastructure from interference by agencies of government, or from multiple taxation and regulations, when all levels of government should actually be the ones encouraging and incentivizing operators to build infrastructure in their domains.

Represented at the occasion by Mr. Alkassim Umar, Head, Compliance Monitoring at NCC, Dare said that in essence, this is why we must all work towards win-win solutions that enable operators roll-out fast and efficient networks which create opportunities for our citizens and develop our economies.

He said the NCC must take a long-term view of the need to provide a conducive environment for the spread of telecoms infrastructure, be they BTS sites or fibre infrastructure.

He, however, stressed that the current practice of imposing heavy sector-specific taxes and charges on telecoms infrastructure; levying huge Right-of-Way charges and decreeing onerous regulations may appear to bring immediate revenues to the coffers of the state.

Dare said the NCC must always insist that all our licensees must comply with all legitimate tax and other obligations binding on them anywhere they operate.

Section 135 of the Nigerian Communications Act is very clear on this point, and it is one of the key elements of the NCCs Code of Corporate Governance for the Telecoms Industry.

He further said: We must all appreciate that the growth and seamless operations of telecoms infrastructure is critical to the social and economic growth of our states and communities.

This is why they are called Critical National Infrastructure, and this is why both the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, and the Cybercrime Act of 2015 both prescribe heavy penalties (including terms of imprisonment) for those who tamper with such infrastructure.

In his speech titled Legal Framework For Telecommunications Infrastructure Rollout, the National Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Paul Usoro (SAN), said some of the challenges plaguing the telecoms infrastructure included multiple taxation and duplicated regulations.

He said these challenges were major hindrances to telecoms infrastructure rollout and broadband penetration.

Multiple levies by governments are major disincentive to investors and threaten investment opportunities. It subdues telecoms infrastructure rollout and expansion, said Usoro, ably represented by Chinedu Anyaso.

However, a tax expert and Professor of Commercial Law at the University of Lagos, Prof. Abiola Sanni, described telecoms sector as the bedrock for economic growth in the country, explaining that the main problem bedevilling the sector was the abuse of regulatory power by the agencies.

He advised stakeholders to sustain the advocacy for curbing exorbitant, arbitrary and oppressive charges by government ministries, departments and agencies.

The stakeholders who attended the parliament were drawn the telecom operators and state government agencies related to telecoms industry.
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the abduction of Emmanuel Piridimso, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Mineral Resources, in Adamawa State by gunmen.

Suleiman Nguroje, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the kidnap to journalists this morning, saying, The police has already deployed IGs rapid response team to track and arrest the culprits and to also rescue the victim.

Francis Samuel, a family member who witnessed the abduction of the permanent secretary, said, The gunmen stormed the residence located at Clarks Quarters opposite Anglican Cathedral at about 3:20 am on Wednesday (today) and abducted him.

The gunmen abducted the permanent secretary and took away his handset and that of his wife. We tried to no avail to contact the permanent secretary through his phone number but the abductors refused to pick our calls. As of the time we are speaking, the abductors havent contacted us, he said.
NEW YORK, July 14 (Xinhua) -- America's NATO allies are not, as U.S. President Joe Biden would suggest, anchors in a turbulent sea of demons but rather catalysts stirring the cauldron of war on behalf of U.S. empire, said the feminist grassroots organization CodePink in a blog post on Thursday.

"NATO has pushed the world towards greater militarization precisely at this delicate moment in history when we need to invest our resources in thwarting the climate crisis that threatens the future of this planet with collapsing ecosystems, wildfires and floods," said the blog post.

"We see that NATO's modus operandi is war. NATO has never been a defensive alliance. It invaded Yugoslavia in 1999 without a mandate from the UN Security Council. NATO waged a 20-year war in Afghanistan, leaving the people dirt poor and back in the hands of the Taliban. NATO illegally toppled the government of Libya in 2011," it noted.

"In addition to the present war with Russia, it has its sights set on China, building up a provocative Asia-Pacific military alliance with South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand to counter China," it said.

NATO is also a cash cow for arms manufacturers, and it is the enemy of nuclear disarmament in its opposition to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, it added. 
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari will be sacked by the Supreme Court.

The PDP Governors Forum stated this while backing the bid of the party to challenge the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, which dismissed the petition of the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The forums statement was signed and made available to newsmen on Sunday by its chairman and Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson.

The governors pointed out that if the ruling of the tribunal was not challenged, it may become a clog in the wheel of the countrys democracy, as it will allegedly send wrong signals to future generations of Nigerians.

The statement added, After painstakingly and prudently understudying the line after line tenets of the judgment, several holes were picked and countless anomalies identified by us.

We would be doing a greater disservice and moral injustice to our party, our democracy and Nigerians in general if we turn blind eyes, swallow such bile and applaud that rape of justice.

The judgment, to say the least, has further painted our judiciary with darker colours, only this time around with a never-before-seen blemished coat of tar.

However, we are hopeful that the Supreme Court will re-write that history by ensuring that such stains and tar are removed from our judicial archives.

The apex court should know that its integrity is at stake and in order to avoid it been shredded to particles, must employ all known technicalities to save our nation and the future of Nigerians yet unborn from a development that may further make us a perpetual laughing stock amongst the comity of nations. And Nigerians are very hopeful that these wrongs will be righted.

Without any iota of trepidation, it is most paramount for us to once more restate and reconfirm our undiluted loyalty, deserving support and maximum commitment to our great party and the Atiku-Obi presidential ticket. This is our stand, now and in the future. Posterity would judge us harshly if we did otherwise.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, this morning in Lagos Nigeria led members of his congregation on a street protest to press home the severity of the killing of Christians in the northern part of the country.

The march against insecurity and killings of Christians across the nation, started from the church headquarters in Lagos.

Recall that there was an earlier directive by a leader of one of the most influential Pentecostal churches in Nigeria that its members should conduct the protest nationwide.

The Assistant General Overseer (Admin and Personnel) of the church, Pastor J.F Odesola, in a circular dated January 29, 2020, and addressed to all regions and provinces of the RCCG, parishes of the church were asked to end their service not later than 11am on Sunday to enable members march round their immediate environment, praying for Gods intervention on the ongoing insecurity situation in Nigeria.

The circular, read: The Christian Association of Nigeria, the umbrella body for all Christians and Christian organisations in Nigeria, has made a clarion call for prayers and advocacy to all Christians in Nigeria in response to the inhumane acts against Christians in the country.

Nigeria has been experiencing in recent times series of issues of killings, kidnapping and banditry. Christian leaders and members in the north were mostly targeted in this ugly situation in Nigeria.
The Oyo State Government said it would introduce an identification system for commercial motorcyclists, better known as okada riders in the state to check crimes.

The state Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde has also ordered the immediate reduction of the daily levy being paid by commercial cyclists from N200 to N100.

The Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport in the state, Mr. Raphael Afonja, said in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital that the governor would not want to add to the burden of the people of the state.

The rider cards will enable the government to differentiate registered commercial motorcyclists from criminal elements, using motorcycles to operate. We have concluded that, due to what happened in Lagos State, which has led to an influx of people moving from Lagos into Oyo State, there is a need to have okada riders card to identify people coming into the state.

Also, from the information that was passed down to us by the Ministry of Finance, we were told that it was agreed upon that N200 will be collected daily from these commercial riders.

The governor has instructed me to pass this information on that his goal is to ensure that peoples money remains in their pockets to take care of their families. So, he has gracefully reduced this fee from N200 to N100.
SPRINGFIELD  The Diocese of Springfield has released a documentary, "God is Alive," featuring stories of faith and miracles in Central Illinois.

Andrew Hansen, editor of "Catholic Times," and the Rev. Michael Trummer, parochial vicar of St. Boniface Parish in Edwardsville and chaplain at Father McGivney Catholic High School in Glen Carbon, shot the documentary with phones and cameras as they traveled to five communities in the diocese to meet people and hear their stories.

If you are full of faith, clinging to faith, or have lost hope in faith, we invite you to watch this one hour documentary that will make you laugh and cry, but most importantly, get you inspired, move you to hope, and fall in love with faith in a whole new way, Hansen said. We set out to find jaw-dropping stories of miraculous events and people  who despite the walls of pain or struggles closing in  found light and joy in unexpected ways. Miracles still happen, and they are happening in Central Illinois.

"God is Alive" takes viewers to Jerseyville, Springfield, Peoria, Quincy and Decatur and features Hansen and Father Trummer traveling to each city and discussing certain aspects of faith and their own marriage and priestly vocation stories, followed by a feature on the miraculous event/person of faith, and then the two of them reacting to each story. Father Trummer discusses how each story can help people in their own faith journey.

It's available on the diocese website, dio.org/documentary/.

Close Johanna Rutta, 13, of Rosholt, pauses at a casket containing the remains of Catholic St. Maria Goretti during an open veneration Friday at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison. Thousands came to view the casket on its first U.S. tour. According to Catholicism, God acts through relics such as the skeleton of a saint, especially in terms of healing. On Friday, visitors pressed photos and rosary beads against the casket of St. Maria Goretti in Madison, seeking mercy. A visitor to an open veneration of Catholic saint Maria Goretti carries a prayer card and rosary while waiting to view a casket containing her remains at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison, Wis. Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. JOHN HART -- State Journal To keep the line moving, each visitor was limited to 15 seconds in front of the casket holding the remains of St. Maria Goretti at her namesake parish Friday in Madison. Thousands of people visited the remains of Catholic St. Maria Goretti over 22 hours at St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison. Anne Rogan, 16 of Stratford, Wis. pauses at a casket containing the remains of Catholic saint Maria Goretti during an open veneration gathering at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison, Wis. Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. JOHN HART -- State Journal A visitor to an open veneration of Catholic saint Maria Goretti holds a rosary near a casket containing the saint's remains at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison, Wis. Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. JOHN HART -- State Journal A painting of Catholic saint Maria Goretti is pictured beside a casket containing her remains during an open veneration of the saint at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison, Wis. Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. JOHN HART -- State Journal Visitors wait in a line Friday outside St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison to offer reverence to the remains of St. Maria Goretti, the youngest canonized saint in the Roman Catholic Church. Photos: Catholic saint venerated in Madison Thousands are drawn to a public viewing of a casket containing the remains of Roman Catholic Saint Maria Goretti during an open veneration at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison. Johanna Rutta, 13, of Rosholt, pauses at a casket containing the remains of Catholic St. Maria Goretti during an open veneration Friday at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison. Thousands came to view the casket on its first U.S. tour. According to Catholicism, God acts through relics such as the skeleton of a saint, especially in terms of healing. On Friday, visitors pressed photos and rosary beads against the casket of St. Maria Goretti in Madison, seeking mercy. A visitor to an open veneration of Catholic saint Maria Goretti carries a prayer card and rosary while waiting to view a casket containing her remains at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison, Wis. Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. JOHN HART -- State Journal To keep the line moving, each visitor was limited to 15 seconds in front of the casket holding the remains of St. Maria Goretti at her namesake parish Friday in Madison. Thousands of people visited the remains of Catholic St. Maria Goretti over 22 hours at St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison. Anne Rogan, 16 of Stratford, Wis. pauses at a casket containing the remains of Catholic saint Maria Goretti during an open veneration gathering at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison, Wis. Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. JOHN HART -- State Journal A visitor to an open veneration of Catholic saint Maria Goretti holds a rosary near a casket containing the saint's remains at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison, Wis. Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. JOHN HART -- State Journal A painting of Catholic saint Maria Goretti is pictured beside a casket containing her remains during an open veneration of the saint at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison, Wis. Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. JOHN HART -- State Journal Visitors wait in a line Friday outside St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison to offer reverence to the remains of St. Maria Goretti, the youngest canonized saint in the Roman Catholic Church.
BLOOMINGTON  Two men, one from Bloomington and one from Normal, have been indicted on multiple child pornography charges as a result of investigations by the Bloomington Police Department.

Police said 49-year-old Wesley Noonan of Bloomington was indicted Wednesday on 59 counts of possession of child pornography (Class 2 felony) related to an investigation by BPD's Cyber Crimes Unit.

BPD Sgt. Ty Carlton said a nationwide warrant for Noonan's arrest has been issued for the amount of $1 million with full extradition.

According to McLean County court records, Noonan last appeared in court in September on drug charges. Carlton said Noonan has most likely been on the run since then.

Carlton added that the nature of Noonan's alleged crimes are severe enough to warrant aid from the U.S. Marshals.

"This would definitely be something that would classify for that," he said.

The case against Noonan began when BPD investigators with the Illinois State Police Drug Task Force 6 and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted a narcotics-related search warrant. As part of the investigation, police confiscated Noonan's cellphone, which was found to contain child pornography, police said.

Carlton said Noonan's charges involve possession and distribution of child pornography.

Police also investigated 24-year-old Brad Carter of Normal after an instant messaging service made a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the uploading and sharing of videos believed to be child sex abuse material, police said.

The BPD Criminal Investigations Division executed a search warrant at Carter's residence and discovered several images of child sex abuse material during the course of the investigation.

Carter was indicted on Wednesday for eight counts of dissemination of child pornography (Class X felony) and 13 counts of possession of child pornography (Class 2 felony).

Carter was held on $1 million bond with 10% to apply for release. He posted $100,035 Friday and was released from custody.

Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington thanked all law enforcement agency involved in the two cases.

"Sex crime allegations are the worst crime type for any child to experience and causes devastation for a lifetime," Simington said in the news release. "I applaud the investigative efforts of BPD's well-trained and diligent detectives."

BPD is continuing to investigate these incidents. Anyone with information should contact Det. Paul Swanlund at 309-434-2373 or pswanlund@cityblm.org, or call BPD at 309-820-8888.

To remain anonymous, BPDs Crime & intelligence Analysis Unit can be reached at 309-434-2963 or CIAU@cityblm.org. Information can also be texted to 847411 by texting the word BPDTIPS, and inserting a space before your tip information.

Calls to CIAU should be made from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. A voicemail or email should be left outside of those hours.
BLOOMINGTON  A Normal man charged with vehicle theft may have also acted as the driver in a drive-by shooting earlier this summer, a prosecutor said Friday.

The disclosure came as part of a hearing at which Sean E. Statler-Williams, 19, was attempting to have his $75,000 bond amount reduced. Instead, Judge William Yoder increased it to $150,000 after hearing from the prosecution. The defendant would need to post 10% of the amount to be released.

Stalter-Williams is accused of stealing a black Pontiac Vibe on June 3. Authorities have said that he was caught on surveillance footage driving the vehicle to a McDonalds parking lot and entering the establishment. The vehicle in question was found and towed on June 6.

He was arrested on June 19 after Bloomington and Normal police executed a search warrant at the Normal residence where he was staying, police previously said. He fled the scene but was taken into custody in a residential backyard.

On Friday, Stalter-Williams, represented by attorney Matthew Koetters, told the court that he could post bail of $1,500, would remain at a local address and had potential employment available if he were released.

Thats when Assistant States Attorney Aaron Frederick said prosecutors believe Stalter-Williams was driving the stolen Pontiac on June 4 near Rainbow and Ridgeport Avenues, where a drive-by shooting took place. Multiple shots were fired at three juveniles  a 14-year-old boy and two 13-year-old girls  who were not injured in the attack, authorities previously said.

Prosecutors have yet to charge Stalter-Williams in the new matter; a grand jury indictment is pending, Frederick said. He argued, however, that Stalter-Williams was out on probation from a similar matter in which he was convicted of possessing a stolen vehicle when the most recent incident took place.

He also alleged that Stalter-Williams caused an accident between two vehicles when he fled police on June 19.

Citing his view that Stalter-Williams could pose a threat to the public safety, Yoder denied the motion to decrease bond and, in fact, increased it to $150,000 with 10% to apply, meaning Stalter-Williams would have to post $15,000 plus court fees to be released from the McLean County Detention Facility.

The next court date in this matter is set for 11 a.m. Aug. 24.
NORMAL  Heartland Community College named Tea Wheat as assistant director of TRIO Student Support Services.

The role helps support college students with traditionally disadvantaged backgrounds, according to a news release from the college.

Wheat will manage the programming and services of Project RISE, the college's TRIO program. The project is an essential support service that provides opportunities for a diverse target population of students who are low-income, first-generation and/or have a disability.

The assistant director manages programming and services, including academic, personal, career and transfer counseling in support of program goals of retention, graduation and transfer of students served by TRIO.

Wheat previously worked in the Student Life Office at Eastern Illinois University. She has a Master of Science degree from EIU and a Bachelor of Arts from Western Illinois University.

TRIO Student Support Services receives federal funding from the Department of Education.

TRIO is not an acronym, but refers to a number of U.S. federal programs to increase access to higher education for economically disadvantaged students. That number started out as three, but there are now eight programs.

Federal TRIO programs include Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science, Veterans' Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers, the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, and Training Grants.

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
How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region.

100 years ago

July 15, 1923: Mr. and Mrs. Ben Heiniger live on a farm four miles southeast of Morton, where their triplets were born on Oct. 21, 1915. The children  Elda, Elma and Elsa  attend the Phillips school near their home. Miss Clara Oekei is the teacher; the triplets are in second grade.

75 years ago

July 15, 1948: Another old Bloomington mansion is crumbling, and it's for the birds. Literally: The fabulous but weather-beaten little birdhouse at 108 S. Morris Ave. is marking its 35th year. It was crafted by the late Peter Edling, a coal miner who enjoyed watching birds in the yard. He placed the structure, which was modeled on a home he admired, 15 feet in the air on stilts.

50 years ago

July 15, 1973: Some of the business leaders who have been working in recent years to revitalize downtown Bloomington say they would like to bring a mall to the area. The speaker at the upcoming annual meeting of Bloomington Unlimited Inc. will be Kenneth Paust, the driving force behind a $750,000 downtown mall in Richmond, Indiana. The possibility comes as the central business district has seen $22.3 million in public and private investment in recent years.

25 years ago

July 15, 1998: After more than five months of demolition, construction and waiting out the weather, Feeney Oil Co. is now in the process of opening its new Northtown Thrifty Mart and Shell Station at the corner of Raab Road and U.S. 51 in Normal. A Burger King restaurant being built in the same 5,000-square-foot building is slated to be finished and ready for service by Sept. 1. The 24-hour service station includes 12 new pumps and a variety of convenience store food items.

101 years ago: See vintage Pantagraph ads from 1922 Gerthart's Union Gas and Electric Co. Hoover Dr. J.A. Moore Dentists Moberly & Klenner W.P. Garretson W.H. Roland Pease's Candy Thor 32 Electric Washing Machine The Kaiser's Story of the War Ike Livingston & Sons Gossard Corsets Cat'n Fiddle 'Stolen Moments' Case Model X The Johnson Transfer & Fuel Co. The Pantagraph want ads Franklin Motor Car Co. 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' Calumet Baking Powder Mayer Livingston & Co. Newsmarket 'The Emperor Jones' 'California Fig Syrup'
CHICAGO  For hoteliers, business is booming in Illinois.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the states legislative leadership and representatives of the hospitality industry announced Monday that hotels in Illinois saw record revenues in fiscal year 2023, which ended June 30.

Across the state, hotels brought in $307.8 million, according to figures from the states Department of Revenue. That beats fiscal year 2019, the previous record year for hotel income and the last year before the pandemic upended the hospitality industry.

Revenue in 2023 was up 35.8% from the prior year and 230.1% from fiscal year 2021, when the pandemic was still significantly affecting peoples travel habits.

Tourism means more jobs for hotel and hospitality and recreation workers  good paying jobs with health insurance, Pritzker said at a news conference in Chicago. More tourism means millions of new visitors exploring all the amazing things that our state and city have to offer.

Major events have helped bolster Illinois tourism industry in 2023, according to Kristin Richards, the head of the states Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. These include the sold out Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR race in Madison and Taylor Swifts Eras tour.

Swifts fans, who descended on Chicagos Soldier Field for three nights over the first weekend in June, contributed to Chicago seeing the highest weekend hotel occupancy rate in history  an average of 96.8%, according to reporting from Bloomberg.

But hotel revenues are only one way to measure tourisms impact. Other metrics have yet to match 2019s records.

The states tourism office partners with analytics firm Tourism Economics to research visitors impact on the states economy. The agency reported to the state in June that Illinois saw 111.3 million visitors who spent $44.3 billion in calendar year 2022. Calendar year 2019, the highest year on record for both measures, saw 122.8 million visitors who spent a combined $45.5 billion.

The hotel industry as well has not fully recovered from the pandemics tourism industry interruptions.

Michael Jacobson, president of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, said while revenues have returned, staffing levels and occupancy rates overall have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, although they were trending toward recovery.

We look forward to returning to our place as one of the most significant economic engines, employers and taxpayers in the state, Jacobson said Monday.

The state has made some significant investments in tourism in the past few years, including the $30.3 million Middle of Everything ad campaign. The campaign, which launched in the spring of 2022, stars television actress and Illinois native Jane Lynch.

The campaigns first year brought in an additional 2 million visitors and generated $1 billion in Illinois hotels, restaurants, small businesses and attractions, according to the states tourism office. The campaign recently launched a new set of TV ads this summer that feature the television star.

Being able to share my passion for all things Illinois comes naturally, and getting to meet and work with so many inspiring people and unique businesses across the state is an honor, Lynch said in a June 23 news release.

Photos: Pritzker sworn in for second term
Did everyone not disciplined the first time around just feel as though theyd skated? Similar to a mother catching one childs misdeed and another getting away with something worse?

Abuse uncovered by investigative reporting ProPublicas Local Reporting Network in partnership with Lee Enterprises, along with Capitol News Illinois, prompted an outcry over conditions at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center. The State of Illinois proposed moving residents to similar facilities in the state.

Problem solved? No, the problem was ignored despite a lot of words being devoted to making changes. Since September, when the news organizations began publishing stories about abuse and neglect of patients at Choate, there have been 465 new complaints to the inspector generals hotline for reporting maltreatment. Nearly half of those were made after the states March 8 announcement that it would begin moving some residents out of Choate. Fresh reporting reveals the state kept on administrators at who were in charge during some of the facilitys most troubled years.

New reporting shows the problems at Choate are common throughout the statewide system. People with developmental disabilities living in Illinois publicly run institutions have been punched, slapped, hosed down, thrown about and dragged across rooms; in other cases, staff failures contributed to patient harm and death, state police and internal investigative records show.

The Illinois State Police division that looks into alleged criminal wrongdoing by state employees has opened 200 investigations into employee misconduct at these developmental centers since 2012  most of them outside of Choate.

Illinois continues to face concerns that have caused many other states to downsize or shut down their state-run institutions. Illinois has about the same number of people living in them as do California, Florida, New York and Ohio combined.

Between 2013 and 2022, the Illinois Department of Human Services inspector general investigated nearly 4,000 allegations from the developmental centers  with the most recent five years seeing a 45% increase in allegations compared with the earlier part of the decade.

Allan Bergman, a consultant who advises clients and governments across the U.S. on disability policies and programs, made the damning observation that This is one of the most backward states in the nation on everything we know how to measure when it comes to the care of people with developmental disabilities,

Obviously, the issue is widespread and problems have been ignored. The state must have a serious discussion with taxpayers and guardians of those in mental health and developmental centers. Workers and residents are entitled to their conditions being as safe as possible.

The system is presently failing at meeting that condition.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 14)  Public Attorney's Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta on Friday apologized to the Supreme Court after justices denied her request to remove part of the updated Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) pertaining to conflict of interest concerning its lawyers.

READ: SC denies PAO chief's request to remove conflict of interest provision in updated code of conduct for lawyers

"To our beloved justices of the Supreme Court, on behalf of the Public Attorney's Office, and all public attorneys nationwide, I humbly and most respectfully apologize if you may have been hurt by the circumstances," said Acosta.

"We beg for your understanding and indulgence. The arguments that we have stated were brought about by our passion to efficiently serve our clients and the poor and needy, which we have been inculcating in our lawyers' practice," she added.

She said PAO lawyers will abide by "Section 22 in relation to Sections 13 and 18, Canon III" of the CPRAthe provision she earlier wanted deleted.

The PAO, in an order issued Thursday, also directed all its lawyers to comply with the high court's decision on the matter.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency to tackle rising food prices and shortages.



Some of the initiatives include using money saved by the recent removal of a fuel subsidy to provide fertiliser and grain to farmers.



Protection is also to be increased for farmers, many of whom have abandoned their land after becoming the target of gangs that kidnap for ransom.



Poorer households are to be helped too with $10 (8) a month for six months.



"I assure all Nigerians that no-one will be left behind in these strategic interventions," said Mr Tinubu, who took office in May.



A UN report in January projected that 25 million Nigerians were at high risk of food insecurity this year - meaning they would not be able to afford enough nutritious food every day.



Concerns about food insecurity have been longstanding in Nigeria - Africa's most-populous country, which has also been battling widespread insecurity for several years.



More than 350 farmers were kidnapped or killed in the 12 months up to June 2022 alone, according to a Nigerian security tracking website.



Many of these attacks have taken place in the north of the country.



But new security measures would mean farmers could return to the farmlands "without fear of attacks", government adviser Dele Alake said.



No further details were given about how the government intends to tackle the notorious organised criminal gangs, whose members are referred to as bandits.



All matters relating to essential food and water will now to be the responsibility of the National Security Council, which is made up of the country's security chiefs and headed by the president.



Mr Tinubu's first major policy move after taking office was to remove the fuel subsidy, which had been in place for decades and kept the price of petroleum products low.



Its removal has led to increases of up to 200% in some parts of the country, but the new president has defended the move, saying it is essential to use that money more effectively.



The rise in fuel has had a knock-on effect on the economy, with many Nigerians depending on generators for their electricity supply.



Just a few days ago the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria warned that bread prices would spike by 15%.



Some families have told BBC Pidgin that they cannot afford to buy bread.



"My monthly pension cannot cover the cost of buying bread every day so we have switched to another more affordable food," Mallam Ado Yahaya, from the northern state of Kano, said.



The new monthly stipend is going to 12 million households via a scheme known as the National Safety Net Programme - it is separate from another initiative launched by the previous government through which they receive about $6 a month.



These more vulnerable people are also likely to be getting access to grain and fertilizer being offered to farmers - although the statement was not clear on numbers.



"It is expected that the programme will stimulate economic activities in the informal sector and improve nutrition, health, education, and human capital development of beneficiaries' households," President Tinubu said.

Source: graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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South Africa's ex-President Jacob Zuma travelled to Russia last week for health reasons, his foundation says.



"He will be returning to the country once his doctors have completed their treatment," its statement said.



The announcement comes a day after the Constitutional Court upheld a ruling that Zuma was granted medical parole unlawfully in September 2021.



He had been released from prison after serving less than eight weeks of a 15-month sentence.



Zuma, now aged 81, had been jailed for failing to attend an inquiry into corruption during his presidency.



He was forced to resign because of the allegations in 2018 after nine years in office - but has repeatedly maintained he is the victim of a political conspiracy.



Mzwanele Manyi, spokesperson for the Jacob G Foundation, said it was issuing the information about Zuma's trip to Russia because of media speculation.



"Although the trip was private, it was not a secret as incorrectly suggested," he said, adding that Zuma and his team had travelled "on a commercial flight full of passengers".



The statement ended without saying when the former president would be returning to South Africa: "The foundation wishes its patron good health and a safe return home whenever the doctors release him."



At the end of last week, Zuma was in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, attending a conference on carbon credits where he represented a Belarusian company.



It is not clear whether the former South African leader will return to jail following the Constitutional Court's ruling.



The prison service had gone to court for leave to appeal against an earlier ruling that he be sent back to prison. It said it was studying the judgement and would comment after seeking legal advice.



Zuma was initially given parole for an undisclosed medical reason by the former head of the prison service, Arthur Fraser, who is regarded as an ally of the former president.



The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed the ruling, saying that it confirms that Zuma "belongs in jail".



It said it was drafting a letter to the former president asking him to voluntarily surrender himself for arrest "within a reasonable time frame".



He did hand himself in two years ago after he was sentenced for contempt of court following a public stand-off.



His jailing then sparked widespread unrest - the worst scenes of violence since the end of apartheid in 1994 when Nelson Mandela became the country's first democratically elected president.



More than 350 people, mostly in Zuma's stronghold of KwaZulu-Natal province, died in the protests.



It led to allegations that his allies were seeking to overthrow South Africa's democratic government.



Zuma is also facing a separate corruption and fraud trial related to an arms deal in the late 1990s.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Charles Owusu has downplayed the leaked audio recording concerning discussions allegedly between a Police Commissioner and a former NPP executive to persuade President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to remove Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo-Addo from office.



The two people on the tape could be heard discussing why the IGP is no longer useful to the Akufo-Addo government stating grounds of disloyalty on the part of the IGP to the ruling New Patriotic Party.



They also claimed Dr. Dampare will be an impediment to the party's victory in the 2024 elections.



Touching on the leaked tape, the former Head of Monitoring Unit at the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu says the IGP is going nowhere.



To him, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare has shown great leadership, made positive impact on the Police Serive and living an exemplary life; something that, to him, the Police administration has lacked for years.



"IGP Akuffo Dampare is the best...Without tape or no tape, Akuffo Dampare is still IGP and he will still be the IGP," he said on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo".



He also rubbished the claims that the IGP will impede the NPP from winning next year's elections.



"Since when did a Police adminstration become Electoral Commissioner to win an election for somebody?", he asked.



He stressed "even Electoral Commission cannot even win election for political party. They only supervise. They cannot win".





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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" " John Calvin, a key figure in the Protestant Reformation, is shown writing. This etching was displayed at the Musee International de la Reforme, Geneva. GODONG/Corbis via Getty Images

In 1536, a 27-year-old Jean Calvin (better known as John Calvin) fled his native France, where he had been persecuted for his newfound Protestant faith, and written a groundbreaking theological treatise titled "Institutes of the Christian Religion."

A wanted man in Catholic France, Calvin sought refuge in neighboring Switzerland, and stopped at an inn in Geneva where he planned to spend just one night. But when local church leader William Farel learned that the author of "Institutes" was there, he stormed into the inn and told Calvin that it was God's will that he stay and preach in Geneva.

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When Calvin tried to explain that he was a scholar, not a preacher, Farel turned red in the face (not hard for a redhead) and swore an oath that God would curse Calvin's so-called "studies" if he dared to leave Geneva. A man of great faith, Calvin took this as a sign.

"I felt as if God from heaven had laid his mighty hand upon me to stop me in my course," Calvin later wrote, "and I was so terror stricken that I did not continue my journey."

John Calvin spent the rest of his life in Geneva preaching a new strain of Protestantism known as Reformed Theology. A contemporary of famed Reformation leader Martin Luther, Calvin was the father of Calvinism, a faith that's inextricably tied to the controversial doctrine of predestination, which holds that a sovereign God has already selected who will be saved and who will be damned.

To better understand the life and legacy of Calvin  one of the most influential and controversial figures in Christianity  we spoke with Bruce Gordon, a professor of ecclesiastical history at the Yale Divinity School and author of the biography "Calvin" and "John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion: A Biography."
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Annual sediment samples from the Crawford Lake site. Credit: University of Southampton

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. A GSSP is an internationally agreed-upon reference point to show the start of a new geological period or epoch in layers of rock that have built up through the ages.

It's been proposed by some geologists that we are now living in the Anthropocenea new geological epoch in which human activity has become the dominant influence on the world's climate and environment.

The concept has significant implications for how we consider our impact on the planet. But there is disagreement in the scientific community about when the Anthropocene began, how it is evidenced and whether human influence has been substantial enough to constitute a new geological age, which usually span millions of years.

To help answer these questions, the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) set up the Anthropocene Working Group.

"The sediments found at the bottom of Crawford Lake provide an exquisite record of recent environmental change over the last millennia," says Dr. Simon Turner, Secretary of the Anthropocene Working Group from UCL.

"Seasonal changes in water chemistry and ecology have created annual layers that can be sampled for multiple markers of historical human activity. It is this ability to precisely record and store this information as a geological archive that can be matched to historical global environmental changes which make sites such as Crawford Lake so important. A GSSP is used to correlate similar environmental changes seen in other sites worldwide, so it is critical to have a robust and reproducible record at this type locality." Audio of Professor Andy Cundy of University of Southampton discussing the Anthropocene. Credit: University of Southampton

The team has gathered core sample sections from a variety of environments around the world, from coral reefs to ice sheets. Samples from a range of these sites were then sent for analysis to the University of Southampton's GAU-Radioanalytical labs at the National Oceanography Center in Southampton. Researchers there processed the samples to detect a key marker of human influence on the environmentthe presence of plutonium.

Professor Andrew Cundy, chair in environmental radiochemistry at the University of Southampton and member of the Anthropocene Working Group, says, "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.

"In nature, plutonium is only present in trace amounts. But in the early-1950s, when the first hydrogen bomb tests took place, we see an unprecedented increase and then spike in the levels of plutonium in core samples from around the world. We then see a decline in plutonium from the mid-1960s onwards when the Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty came into effect."

Alpha spectrometry output showing the presence of plutonium. Credit: University of Southampton

Chemical digestion of Crawford Lake samples to extract plutonium. Credit: University of Southampton

Other geological indicators of human activity include high levels of ash from coal-fired power stations, high concentrations of heavy metals, such as lead, and the presence of plastic fibers and fragments. These coincide with "The Great Acceleration"a dramatic surge across a range of human activity, from transportation to energy use, starting in the mid-20th century and continuing today.

From the hundreds of samples analyzed, 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. Evidence from the sites will now be presented to the ICS, which will decide next year whether to ratify the Anthropocene as a new geological epoch.
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A rhesus macaque colony in Rajasthan, India. Credit: Attila JANDI/Shutterstock

Homosexual behavior is not limited to humans. Biologists have reported homosexual behavior in many species of wild animal, ranging from bats and birds to dolphins and primates.

When animals engage in homosexual behavior, one might assume that they invest less time and energy on reproduction. This suggests that there may be strong reproductive costs associated with such behavior, such as having fewer offspring. So it raises the question of how homosexual behavior manages to evolve and continue to exist within a population.

The underlying presumption is that there is not only a cost associated with engaging in homosexual activity, but also that variation in such behavior is passed down from one generation to the next. Called heritability, this is essential for any evolution by natural selection to occur.

We set out to investigate these issues by studying 236 male rhesus macaques living freely in a colony of 1,700 monkeys on the tropical island of Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico. We observed these monkeys for three years and found that male same-sex sexual behavior (SSB) was widespread. In fact, 72% of the males we observed mounted other males, while only 46% mounted females.

Critically, male SSB is not unique to this population of macaques. We saw similar behavior in wild rhesus macaque populations in northern Thailand. And there have been previous reports of SSB in this species from India, too.

From one generation to the next

We also had access to pedigree records that traced the parentage of each macaque back to 1956. This allowed us to explore the effect of relatedness (heritability) on their behavior, taking into account other factors that could influence the results, such as age and social group structure.

We found that the heritability of male SSB was 6.4%, meaning genetics do account for a small proportion of SSBthe rest is environmental.

We calculated "evolvability" to be 14.9%, giving the potential rate at which the trait can evolve per generation through natural selection. Evolvability is thought to be a more reliable indicator than heritability of the degree to which genetics can respond to evolutionary pressure, and provides us with further evidence that SSB can evolve through selection.

Our estimates align with what we would expect for a behavioral trait that is probably influenced by multiple genetic factors and environmental effects. They are also consistent with heritability values reported in studies of other social behavior in primate species, including social grooming in baboons and social proximity in capuchins.

We also found a genetic correlation between the number of times a male was observed mounting another male and the number of times he was mounted by other males. This suggests that different forms of SSB in these monkeys share a common genetic basis.

What underpins this behavior?

Previous studies on the heritability of SSB have primarily focused on humans. However, these studies often rely on self-reported data, which can introduce complications. The cultural stigma surrounding homosexuality, for instance, could lead to the underreporting of homosexual activity.

Heritability of SSB has also been found in some invertebrate species, including seed beetles and fruit flies. However, the pathways through which SSB develops in these species are thought to be different from those observed in social vertebrates like primates. For example, factors such as imperfect sex recognition are believed to influence the development of SSB in invertebrates.

Demonstrating that SSB is heritable and its potential for evolutionary response to natural selection is an important first step towards understanding the factors that influence variation in this behavior.

Many evolutionary theories for SSB in animals exist. But they all depend on the behavior showing a degree of heritability.

Two chacma baboons grooming eachother. Caprivi, Namibia. Credit: Fotografie-Kuhlmann/Shutterstock

One theory suggests that in some species, animals may engage in SSB because it serves a beneficial social function. For example, it may strengthen the bonds between males, ultimately benefiting them during competition for mates and food.

In support of this theory, our research found that male rhesus macaques involved in SSB partnerships were more likely to support each other in conflicts with other individuals. This effect could be a way in which SSB benefits a macaque and its chances of producing offspring, thereby allowing the behavior and the genes associated with it to persist within a population.

Learning from primates

So what can we learn from these findings about SSB across primate species, including humans?

A previous study examining SSB heritability in humans found significant reproductive costs associated with this behavior. In contrast, we found no such costs in macaques.

This suggests that the costs associated with human SSB might arise from specific social factors unique to humans. However, more research is needed to explore this idea further.

Today, some people still believe that SSB is rare or the product of extreme and unusual environmental conditions, and selectively look to examples in nature to validate their view. Our results may help to challenge these beliefs and combat prejudice against homosexuality and bisexuality. However, society's moral obligation to strive for more inclusivity and acceptance of different sexual orientations ultimately does not rely on observations from the natural world.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Two separate accidents happened at sea on Monday and Tuesday with 14 missing feared drowned.

According to the Acting Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, Sama Gamanga, five drowned when a passenger boat named ENEMY SHAME, said to be without a manifest, collided with another boat named WASA BILA NGWOH with only crew members on board.

The former was going to Mattru Jong in Bonthe district while the latter was heading the opposite direction.

Gamanga said the accident took place at a blind curve at sea around Mosembo Village near Mattru Jong.

In a separate incident, dozens of people were involved in sea accident around 5pm on Tuesday between Jui and Tagrin off the coast of Freetown.

Minister of Fisheries, Emma Kowa-Jalloh told Politico that a fishing trawler that had been at sea for weeks was heading back to Jui. She said nine others were missing, feared dead.

She said the lack of a jetty in Freetown for trawlers meant that smaller boats would come to take the passengers and the fish to shore.

She said once the boat arrived, the workers onboard the trawler disembarked en masse and overloaded the boat which then capsized.

Mrs Kowa-Jalloh said a file has been prepared with the photos and other details of the deceased compiled.

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